News Story not available This story has been published on: 2022-11-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. This story is no longer available on our site. * Oct exports -8.6 pct y/y vs Reuters poll -5.8 pct * Oct imports -6.6 pct y/y vs poll f'cast -0.2 pct * Trade surplus 9.8 bln rgt vs poll f'cast of 8.1 bln rgt * Exports to China +3.4 pct y/y, U.S. -3.5 pct, EU -12.0 pct KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Malaysia's exports in October fell 8.6 percent from a year earlier, the biggest drop since April 2015, government data showed on Wednesday. The government said the drop was "due to the high-base effect of October 2015". A Reuters poll had forecast a 5.8 percent decline for the month's shipments. October is the second straight month exports fell on an annual basis. In September, they declined 3.0 percent. Annual exports of manufactured goods fell by 6.7 percent in October, data from the International Trade and Industry Ministry showed. Shipments of mining goods declined 34.8 percent, due to lower exports of liquefied natural gas and crude oil. In Malaysia, trade figures are reported in ringgit. The ministry said exports in October amounted to 69.2 billion ringgit ($15.61 billion), the highest recorded in 2016. Malaysia's imports in October fell 6.6 percent from a year earlier, a sharp drop from September's 0.1 percent decline. The trade surplus in October widened to 9.6 billion ringgit ($2.17 billion), from 7.6 billion ringgit the previous month. Exports to the United States fell 3.5 percent from a year earlier, while those to Europe declined 12 percent. However, annual exports to China increased 3.4 percent, thanks to higher shipments of electrical and electronic products. For a graphic on Malaysia's exports and imports, click: http://link.reuters.com/xyb28s KEY DATA (Exports and imports in percent, trade in billions of ringgit) Oct Sept Aug July June May Apr Mar Exports 69.2 68.0 67.6 59.9 66.5 59.92 61.35 66.59 y/y% -8.6 -3.0 1.5 -5.3 3.4 -0.9 1.6 0.2 Imports 59.4 60.5 59.1 57.9 60.9 56.66 52.29 55.39 y/y% -6.6 -0.1 4.9 -4.8 8.3 3.1 -2.3 -5.5 Balance 9.76 7.56 8.51 1.91 5.52 3.26 9.06 11.2 MAIN EXPORTS Story continues Oct 2016 % of % change (bln rgt) total vs year ago Electrical & 26.6 38.4 1.2 Electronic Products Palm oil & Palm-based 4.6 6.7 3.7 products Liquefied natural gas 2.7 3.9 -40.2 Chemicals and 5.0 7.3 -4.7 products Crude oil 1.8 2.5 -27.9 Petroleum products 5.0 7.3 -7.4 Machinery 2.9 4.2 -19.8 Rubber products n/a n/a n/a Metal 2.5 3.6 -43.8 EXPORT MARKETS (bln rgt) % of total % yr/yr China 9.5 13.7 3.4 Singapore 9.7 14.0 -7.5 Japan 4.9 7.1 -29.1 USA 7.0 10.2 -3.5 Thailand 3.8 5.4 -8.9 ($1 = 4.4330 ringgit) (Reporting by Rozanna Latiff; Editing by Richard Borsuk) To the editor: Reviewing the proposed change of a 25 percent increase in meal prices, the most difficult part to accept is the fact that Riverside Place no longer offers a hot meal on the weekends and also is eliminating the evening snack bar. Since its opening, more than 25 years ago, Riverside has offered meals to its residents seven days a week including a snack bar in the evenings. To all of a sudden expect these residents to prepare their own meals on weekends is much too extreme and is not what the founders of Riverside Place had in mind. The current food service is handled by a company, Sodexo, whose headquarters is located in France. It puzzles me why a Midland company is not being used which would not have to share its profits with a larger company. It just makes more sense to use and buy locally. In the newspaper article, Kim Samborn, the housing manager, was quoted as saying: It was well thought out. The move was wiser than bidding out for a new food contractor. Really? How would anyone know unless there were competitive bids to compare? Since there is another meeting planned for Dec. 15 with the residents of Riverside, I encourage local catering and/or restaurant businesses to send a proposal offering warm meals on weekends and continuance of the snack bar to Kim Samborn at Riverside or to Brad Kay at Midland City Hall. SHASTA BREITKOPF Midland Chainsaw Man Season 1: The anime community is now buzzing about Chainsaw Man. Although the manga has been out for Read more Military members from the U.S. Air Force, Coast Guard and Navy, with international support from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force are joining forces to airdrop and deliver donated toys, clothes, food items and other necessities to remote islands across the Pacific as part of Operation Christmas Drop 2016. The annual training mission officially kicked off during a ceremony Dec. 6 at Andersen where military leaders across the island pushed the first pallet of donated goods into a C-130 Hercules. Im proud that Andersen is hosting Operation Christmas Drop, said Brig. Gen. Douglas Cox, 36th Wing commander. I am happy to welcome our partners from Australia and Japan, it is wonderful to have you with us this holiday season. C-130s from the RAAF, JASDF and the 36th Airlift Squadron will fly over the Pacific to airdrop goods to the islanders. More than 45 Airmen are participating from both partner-nation forces. Sixty-five years in the running, Christmas Drop is the Department of Defenses longest-running humanitarian airlift operation. The tradition began during the 1952 Christmas season when a B-29 Superfortress aircrew saw islanders waving at them from the island of Kapingamarangi, 3,500 miles southwest of Hawaii. In the spirit of Christmas the aircrew dropped a bundle of supplies attached to a parachute to the islanders below, giving the operation its name. This year brings together three nations, three corporate sponsors and three U.S. military branches. Today, air drop operations include more than 50 islands and thousands of people. It feels great to give back no matter what background you come from, said Capt. Aaron Bowens from the 734th Air Mobility Squadron and Operation Christmas Drop organizer. Its also a great training opportunity because everything we do now for the drops is useful in the real world. Bowens said more than 11 months of planning and preparing went into Christmas drop. The Operation Christmas Drop volunteers at Andersen and Yokota raised more than $52,000 from fundraisers and collected more than $20,000 in donated goods to aid in the mission. Military and civilian volunteers loaded 30,000 to 40,000 pounds of clothes, rice, fishhooks and other necessities into large-capacity boxes, before Airmen weighed and secured the boxes in preparation for delivery. Twenty-two sorties are scheduled to be flown covering more than 50 islands where 140 boxes of donated goods will be dropped. Meatballs are the little black dresses of the culinary world. You can dress them up for dinner with a velvet robe of sour cream and wild mushroom gravy. They can be daytime simple with a jacket of roasted tomato marinara, trimmed with fresh asiago cheese, and tucked into a crusty roll. Or they can be cocktail party sweet-and-spicy, glistening with a glaze of pineapple juice, sriracha sauce and sugar. They also are comparatively inexpensive; can be made ahead, then sauced later; require little attention once prepared; often can be retrofitted on Day Two for a second go-round; and perform as well at a family dinner, a Sunday tailgate with friends, or a flavors-of-the-world themed get-together. For all this and perhaps more, the ubiquitous meatball is, well, ubiquitous. And they're trendy, too. One of the nation's leading food research and consulting firms, Chicago-based Technomic, describes meatballs as a 2016 food trend that's part of a national movement involving the "elevation of peasant fare" to new heights. "Meatballs ... are proliferating -- traditional, ethnic or nouveau," Technomic opines. Whether fashioned of pork, beef, chicken or no meat at all (as in mushrooms/lentils/cheese), the essential meatball ingredients are comparatively inexpensive. That allows for the spending of a little more dough on some of the spices that are needed to round out a recipe for the likes of Albondigas En Salsa De Limon. Translated, it's meatballs in lemon sauce. The sauce requires a pinch of pricey saffron threads. A delicious overture into Spanish cuisine, this pork and veal meatball is cooked in a richly viscous egg yolk/lemon/saffron sauce enhanced with mushrooms. The recipe for Albondigas En Salsa De Limon is featured in Penelope Casas' "One Pot Spanish" tome, published in 2009 by Madison Press Books. Lemon, both in the meatballs and the sauce, makes a nice taste counterpoint to the delicious velvet of fat in the meat and egg yolk. Casa suggests a sidecar of boiled new potatoes. Rice also would do well especially if the sauce ingredients were doubled and the meatballs were situated atop of the rice. It's hard to think of meatballs without thinking of tomato sauce. A 2015 publication by the editors of Saveur, entitled "Saveur Italian Comfort Food," offers a spin on the pairing that calls for a very spicy meatball cooked in an unusually simple and spice-free red sauce. Called "Classic Meatballs," they feature ricotta, pork fat and prosciutto with a half-dozen spices, all adding up to a dish that need not sit atop pasta to stand as an entree. These meatballs are more involved than the meatballs I make to serve with my spaghetti. And a couple of ingredients required special effort (my butcher had to trim a slab of pork fat for me), but they are worth the extra effort if you want to dial up Italian Night a notch. Classic Meatballs I used veal in this recipe with ground pork and pork fat instead of unsmoked bacon. I also bumped up the heat with a few extra chili flakes. I like my tomato sauce a bit more flavored: I added a teaspoon of sugar and a teaspoon of salt. 10 ounces ground veal 10 ounces ground pork shoulder 2 ounces finely chopped pork fat or unsmoked bacon 2 ounces prosciutto, finely chopped 1 cups loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped, plus more to garnish 2 teaspoons dried oregano 1 teaspoons fennel seeds 1 teaspoon chili flakes teaspoon ground cumin teaspoon ground allspice 7 slices white bread, finely ground in a food processor Kosher salt (divided) and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 2/3 cup ricotta, drained in a sieve for two hours 2 tablespoons milk 3 eggs, lightly beaten 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing cup red wine 4 cups canned tomato puree 1 cup beef or veal stock 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon salt Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano to garnish Combine all meats, herbs, spices, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper in a large bowl and set aside. In another bowl, whisk together ricotta, milk and eggs then add to meat mixture, gently. Chill for an hour. Heat oven to 300 degrees. Grease two rimmed baking sheets with oil and set aside. Using a 2-ounce ice cream scoop (I just used my hands), portion mixture and roll into balls. Transfer to baking sheets. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in high-sided, 3-quart (ovenproof) skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the meatballs; cook, turning occasionally, until browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer meatballs to a plate and wipe out skillet. Repeat with remaining oil and meatballs. Return reserved meatballs to skillet along with any juices from the plate. Add wine, increase heat to high, and cook for two minutes. Stir in tomato puree, stock, sugar and salt, bring to a boil and tightly cover skillet. Transfer to oven and bake until meatballs are tender and have absorbed some sauce, about 1 hours. To serve, transfer meatballs to a platter and spoon sauce over. Sprinkle with Parmigiano and parsley. Adapted from "Saveur Italian Comfort Food" by the Editors of Saveur. (Weldon Owen Inc.; 2015) Meatballs in Lemon Sauce The tender meaty mushrooms in the thick and glossy sauce is just delicious. I'd use it on rice even sans meatball! For meatballs: 6 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs cup milk pound ground veal pound ground pork 2 eggs 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 tablespoons minced parsley 2 tablespoons finely chopped prosciutto 1 tablespoons minced fresh thyme leaves or teaspoon dried thyme 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoons kosher or sea salt teaspoon freshly ground pepper All-purpose flour for dusting 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil cup finely chopped Mayan onion cup chicken broth 3 tablespoons dry white wine 3 tablespoons minced parsley 1 clove garlic, minced Pinch of crumbled saffron threads Kosher or sea salt 4 ounces mushrooms, brushed clean, stems trimmed, and caps halved or quartered 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 egg yolks Chicken broth or water, as needed To prepare meatballs, combine breadcrumbs with milk in a large bowl. Gently mix in ground veal and pork, eggs, lemon juice, parsley, prosciutto, thyme, garlic, salt and pepper. Shape into -inch meatballs and dust with flour. To prepare sauce, heat oil in a shallow flameproof casserole over medium-high heat, and saute meatballs until brown on all sides. Add onion and saute until softened. Stir in broth and wine. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and simmer for 40 minutes. Mash 2 tablespoons parsley, garlic, saffron and a pinch of salt to a paste in a mortar, or process in a mini food processor until finely minced. Transfer meatballs to a warm plate and keep warm. Strain sauce through a fine sieve, pressing on the solids with the back of a metal soup ladle to extract as much liquid as possible. Return sauce to the casserole and add mushrooms, mortar mixture and lemon juice. Whisk egg yolks with a little hot sauce from the casserole in a small bowl, then add back to the casserole. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened (do not boil). If the sauce seems too thick, add a little broth or water. (Mine needed no additional liquid.) Return meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 1 minute. Serve straight from the casserole, sprinkled with remaining parsley. Editor's note: Jerry A. Vogler is superintendent of the McLean County Veterans Assistance Commission. Several thousand Americans were killed or wounded at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, the result of a surprise attack by Japanese naval aircraft and mini-submarines. A significant portion of our Pacific Fleet was damaged or destroyed. The chaos, fear and utter devastation was indescribable. The early reports to the mainland about the destruction were demoralizing and struck fear in the hearts of Americans everywhere. We were only 23 years past the end of World War I and while we were in an economic depression, life for most people in America was looking up in late 1941. The war in Europe had been going on for several years and the world seemed to be spiraling downward with little hope that it could right itself. The people of our country had little taste for entering into another major conflict. Frankly, we were looking for some good news. There initially was none, but then the stories of the heroics that played out that day by American forces on the island began trickling in. President Franklin Roosevelt made his famous "Day of Infamy speech reminding America and the world that U.S. resolve was firm and our response to such a cowardly attack would be swift and determined. America was at war again. Germany declared war on the United States and World War II was officially jump-started by the actions at Pearl Harbor. After the attack, Japanese Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto, who planned the attack, stated, "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve. After Pearl Harbor, America was all in to win the conflict in both theaters of operations as quickly and decisively as possible. A major feature of this commitment was that members of the military were required to serve until the war was declared over. There were no two-, three-, or four-year enlistments and the soldier then could go home, as was the case in Korea and Vietnam. Surviving the war meant only one thing: victory, for it was only in victory that soldiers could go home and the world's nightmare would end. Some years later, Gen. Douglas MacArthur spoke to the issue of how to fight a war. He said: Once war is forced upon us, there is no alternative than to apply every available means to bring it to a swift end. Wars very object is victory not prolonged indecision. Every war since World War II has lasted longer than World War II, even though the enemies were lesser and the extent of the conflict smaller, because politicians refused to be committed to fight to a quick and decisive victory. Let each Pearl Harbor Day remind us and all future generations of something else MacArthur said: The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. Victory must be the only goal of war. Our reaction to the attack on Pearl Harbor should be the yardstick by which to measure our willingness to commit ourselves and our military to any conflict. Less than an all-in commitment is an insult to the brave men and women who served at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and to every other member of the armed forces who preceded or followed them. BLOOMINGTON The annual Wreaths Across America ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 17 at the Korean/Vietnam Memorial at Miller Park in Bloomington. Wreaths Across America was formed as a non-profit organization in 2007, in direct response to the many letters and requests from supporters all around the country, about how they could bring the Arlington Wreath Project experience to their local communities. Habitat dedication set in LeRoy LeROY Habitat for Humanity of McLean County will celebrate its first house built outside of Bloomington-Normal in more than 20 years with a house blessing on Saturday. The house for Ken Downey a single father who will live there with his three children, ages 5, 7 and 13 will be blessed at 11 a.m. Saturday at 103 W. Oak St., LeRoy. The home construction is sponsored by LeRoy First United Methodist Church, LeRoy First United Presbyterian Church and LeRoy Christian Church. NORMAL Gail Ann Briggs, the longest-serving McLean County Unit 5 board member and one of the longest-serving in the state, is leaving her post. After nearly 41 years of service, Briggs announced she will not be seeking reelection to the school board after her term expires in April. It is time, albeit bittersweet, to retire from Unit 5 board membership, Briggs said Wednesday. I am buoyed by fond memories and friendships while looking forward to continuing support of the districts initiatives. Briggs, of Towanda, was elected to the board in 1976 and has served as board president, vice president and secretary. According to records from the Illinois Association of School Boards, Briggs is the fourth-longest serving board member in Illinois currently serving. Briggs said the first step towards retirement began two years ago when Mark Daniel was appointed district superintendent and two new members were elected to the board. She chose to run for a shorter two-year term to support a new superintendent and new board members during continuing and increasingly stressful times. Dr. Daniel has established his leadership in Unit 5 as evidenced by his contract extension, said Briggs. Our new and continuing board members have demonstrated their leadership and commitment to Unit 5s mission and vision. They are well-prepared to work with whomever the voters select April 4 to continue to move our district forward. Unit 5 board president Meta Mickens-Baker has worked on the board with Briggs since 2004. Shes a quiet leader so people may not be aware of all she brings to the table, said Mickens-Baker. We (the board) are very aware of how much we rely on her experience and knowledge in making sure were moving in the right direction. While sad to see Briggs go, Mickens-Baker said the board is excited about the wealth of knowledge, experience and passion she will leave behind. She knows the expectations the community has of us," said Mickens-Baker. "She has been an excellent person to work with and the community has really benefited from a board member who is very passionate about community success. Board member John Puzauskas said when he formerly served as board president, he would turn to Briggs constantly for advice and to recall what had been done in the past. She provided stability, said Puzauskas. She would always have information available to help us move forward. Puzauskas, a 12-year board member, also said he will not run for reelection in April. There comes an appropriate time when you say, OK. Ive accomplished what I wanted to accomplish. Shes at that point and so am I, said Puzauskas. The board has a very strong foundation and I have the highest hopes in the world that Unit 5 will continue on a successful path. BLOOMINGTON As a 10-year-old boy in Carlock, Lynn Shindel played outside with his buddies, like most youngsters did around 1958. Our neighbor gave us two Japanese rifles and they would be collector items today, he said. They were non-shootable, of course. But we ran around with them until they broke and fell apart. But I wish I had kept them and not played with them because they would be collectors items now. We played war games with them, but I didnt realize what kind of history must have been behind them, then. Now, though, he understands. As the state chairman of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, the rural Bloomington resident spends much of his spare time supporting and raising awareness of the families of those who were stationed at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, the day the Japanese attacked the island, forcing the United States' entry into World War II. His father, Charles Shindel, was a cook for the 481st Bombardment Group stationed at Hickam Field in Pearl Harbor and was asleep in his barracks when the attack came early that morning. They had an inspection that morning so he was able to sleep in, Lynn Shindel said. They dropped a bomb on the dining hall. It killed 35 men, including all of the cooks on duty that day. Normally, he would have been in there cooking. He really never talked about it much. But it still had an impact on me. I enlisted on Pearl Harbor Day, 1967. He served three tours in Vietnam between 1968 and 1971. In a 1951 article, Charles Shindel told The Pantagraph the Japanese planes flew so low, American soldiers could see the pilots laughing. He had enlisted in the Air Force 11 months earlier, spent about two years at Hickham Field and returned to the U.S. and finished out the war stationed in Ohio and Texas. He considered himself an amateur photographer and took pictures of the attack. But the Army took the negatives and never returned them. "What happened that day will never be forgotten," he said back then. "At least not by those who were in Hawaii." Originally from New Jersey, Charles Shindel married Carlock native Cleda Zoll in June 1944 after the two exchanged mail while he was in the service. He was discharged in September 1945, and retired in 1979 after 32 years with Caterpillar in Morton. Charles Shindel died in February 1997 in Bloomington but his son, Lynn, continues to share his story, and the stories of others who were at Pearl Harbor through his role with the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. The organization was founded in 1972 in Florida, and now has chapters in all 50 states and foreign countries with more than 3,500 members nationwide. A member of other veterans' groups, the younger Shindel serves as the state chairman for Illinois. We get together and share stories, and just make sure that we never forget what happened, he said. I started to go to Pearl Harbor survivor events with my dad. There arent too many of those around, anymore. Last month, he asked for and received proclamations from Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner, Normal Mayor Chris Koos and Gov. Bruce Rauner, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the attack. Its the first time the mayors have done this, and there are several events happening all around the state, he said. I really appreciate this because it means a lot to me. It means a lot to our groups. In downtown Bloomington on Wednesday, a ceremony will begin at noon on the east side of the McLean County Historical Museum. The American Legion Color Guard will present the colors, and there will be at least one speaker. BLOOMINGTON The Salvation Army of McLean County has raised one-third of its Make A Difference Red Kettle campaign fundraising goal as the campaign nears its halfway point. Salvation Army announced Tuesday that the community has donated $164,566.60 since the campaign began on Nov. 16. That includes $95,708.75 dropped into the Red Kettles and $68,857.85 from the mail appeal and other donations. The campaign goal is $490,000 $240,000 from the Red Kettles and $250,000 from other donations. Because the campaign which ends on Dec. 24 is nearly half over, Salvation Army hopes that donations increase as Christmas Eve nears. Money from the campaign supports Salvation Army programs, including the food pantry, comprehensive emergency assistance, the Safe Harbor homeless shelter and youth programs. Red Kettles are up at 23 stores throughout Bloomington-Normal. People also can mail checks to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 3186, Bloomington, IL, 61702-3186; donate online at www.sabloomington.org; or sign up to be a volunteer bell ringer at www.ringbells.org or at 309-829-9476, ext. 204. Long ago in a faraway land called Post-Election East Coast, the major media companies published mea culpas about having overlooked "real people" with economic anxieties not reflected in aggregate national unemployment and GDP numbers. After incorrectly projecting that Hillary Clinton had the presidency in the bag, they vowed to do better reporting on communities in the so-called fly-over states and to not discount the views and circumstances of the people living there. Unfortunately, the media never vowed to stop condescending to them. Last week, in reference to Manitowoc Foodservice, a manufacturer whose Indiana factory is laying off 84 workers and moving production to Mexico, a New York Times article noted, "The truth across the Rust Belt is that there are more Manitowoc Foodservices than Carriers. ... In Indiana, in particular, as in other so-called Rust Belt states, there are a lot of people who are less educated: Just 16.5 percent of the state's residents ages 25 to 64 have a bachelor's degree, half the rate for the country over all. And while about 30 percent have an associate degree or some college, the bulk of Indiana residents, 44 percent, have only a high school diploma or less." This sort of reporting, while factual and impartial to most East Coast media types, is the kind of looking-down-your-nose journalism that working-class and rural people feel is elitist. This implication of rube-ishness through low educational attainment makes people living in what used to be referred to more positively as America's Heartland believe that the media do not tell the whole truth about them or about anything else. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, writing recently in the op-ed pages of the Times, noted, "Start with this: When you call us the Rust Belt, you demean our work and diminish who we are.... Ohio 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. This diverse force feels betrayed by trade and tax policies that create immense affluence at the top and take wealth from workers. Much of Washington and that now includes Donald J. Trump doesn't seem to understand this." Even though the election is barely in our rearview mirror, the same news agencies that vowed to "do better" continue to rely on overly broad interpretations of statistics and a detached attitude about working people in the middle of the country. A Wall Street Journal blog post last week carried this headline: "1,000 Carrier Jobs Trump Celebrates Are Drop in the Bucket of Manufacturing Losses Indiana alone has lost over 150,000 manufacturing jobs since 2000." Though Indiana's manufacturing slide is often cited to add context to the Carrier deal which may actually save only about 800 jobs in Indiana through a tax deal that has drawn ire from both conservatives and liberals its reference can come off as dismissive and cold. In the grand scheme of things, 800 jobs may not be much to speak of when you look at national manufacturing trends. But to people in Indiana who feel as though the reality of having their family's livelihood snatched from them and sent down to Mexico was just halted by a benevolent savior, the bucket metaphor is belittling. For people like T.J. Bray, a 14-year employee of Carrier, who is married and supporting his wife and two kids, there's no "drop" it's his whole life. "I was completely devastated," Bray told Fox News host Megyn Kelly about when he heard initially that he would lose his job. "This is the only adult job I've ever had. I've had this job since I was 18, so to have this ripped away from me with no warning or no red flags that anything was going on ... I was absolutely disgusted." He said that when he learned his job had been saved, "I was shocked and still am to this day. ... It seems like I'm a part of history that's being made right now with a president being able to put his foot down and being able to save some American jobs." This sentiment may seem inconsequential coming from people who don't matter much by the present-day standards of celebrity and influence. But, for better or worse, working-class Americans with this worldview were just a part of presidential history. If the media can't muster up true respect for such people, the least we can do is treat them, their issues and concerns with a measure of dignity and empathy. U.S. ITC Extends Existing Duties on Coated Freesheet Paper Imports from China and Indonesia Dec 6, 2016 - Verso Corporation, Sappi North America and Appleton Coated LLC, together with the United Steelworkers (USW), today welcomed the extension of duties on imports of certain coated paper from China and Indonesia as an important step to ensure continuing fair market conditions for the domestic market. The decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to continue existing duties resulted from a petition filed under a so-called sunset review. Under existing law, remedial tariffs that are authorized in antidumping and countervailing duty cases are subject to review every five years under sunset review procedures. The original effort to address unfair trade for the subject products was decided in November 2010. The four petitioners requested extension of relief to help ensure that fair market conditions would enable producers to continue to compete in the market. In September 2009, petitions were filed by NewPage Corporation (since then acquired by Verso), Sappi North America, Appleton Coated LLC and the USW with the Department of Commerce and the ITC. The petitions alleged that certain coated paper from China and Indonesia had been subsidized and dumped in the United States, resulting in injury to the domestic industry and its employees. In November 2010, relief was provided following affirmative findings of dumping and subsidization by Commerce and the threat of material injury by the ITC. The decision by the Department of Commerce and the affirmative findings by the ITC resulted in the imposition of remedial tariffs on imports of coated paper from China at margins ranging from 3.64% to 135.84% for dumping and at margins ranging from 19.46% to 202.84% for existing subsidies. For Indonesia, dumping margins were assessed at 17.46% and for subsidies at 20.13%. The imposition of duties resulted in the dramatic decline of imports from both China and Indonesia and the restoration of fair market conditions. Today, there are thousands of workers with good, family supportive wages. The affirmative decision in the sunset review will help to maintain fair market conditions. Coated paper is generally used for printing multicolored graphics for books, catalogues, magazines and other commercial printing applications. Today's decision will help ensure that the market for coated paper will remain competitive and that unfair trade practices of companies in China and Indonesia continue to be addressed, said Verso Corporation Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Product Development Michael A. Weinhold. We've fought for years to make sure our laws against unfair trade work as intended and that Chinese and Indonesian dumping and subsidies are addressed. The extension of existing orders is a welcome step in promoting fair trade. Our goal has always been to be able to compete fairly based on the quality of our products so that we can continue to invest in our mills, equipment and people as well as the sustainable manufacturing and procurement practices we implement and pursue, said Mark Gardner, President and CEO of Sappi North America. The subsidies and dumping actions of China and Indonesia jeopardized our production and our workers and this extension will help our company, our community and our investors. Fair trade requires that the rules be enforced. Doug Osterberg, CEO of Appleton Coated LLC, stated, Paper markets are exceptionally competitive and the decision to maintain the remedial orders against unfair trade are vital to ensuring fair market conditions. For us, there was no question that, if the orders were lifted, serious injury to the domestic industry would follow and we're pleased that the ITC agreed. This decision will help ensure that we can continue to invest in our technology, plant, equipment and people and that our customers can have confidence in the quality and availability of the products they need in their businesses. Jon Geenen, USW international vice president, stated, Unfair trade has put at risk thousands of jobs in this sector. Today's decision will continue the hard-fought battle for relief that has helped save many of these jobs and ensure that our industry can survive. The existing duties authorized to remain in place for the next five years will ensure that the hard work of USW members producing these products won't be jeopardized by unfairly traded products from China and Indonesia. Leo W. Gerard, USW international president said, The ITC's decision maintains the fair market conditions that the existing duties against Chinese and Indonesian predatory trade practices have provided. Thousands of good, family-supportive jobs were at risk if the ITC didn't extend the vital relief currently in place. We will continue to fight for the future of our members producing these products, other paper products and the workers across industry who deserve to have the rules against unfair trade aggressively applied. SOURCE: Verso Corporation, Sappi North America, Appleton Coated LLC, United Steelworkers Parenting is one hell of a job. The exhaustion, arguments, routines, and problem all are difficult to keep up with. But parenting is even harder for same-sex couples. They have to go through the process of adoption and registration before formally becoming a parent. According to Baptist Press, children in Ontario, Canada can have up to four parents, but none of the parents must be the biological parent. The bill known as All Families are Equal Act states that four adults who agree to have a child through a surrogate mother or an artificial insemination will be legal parents of the child and they have to sign a simple contract of co-parenting before the child is conceived. The bill, which was passed on Nov. 29, contradicted the Children's Law Reform Act and the Vital Statistics Act to use gender neutral terminology where possible, as per the Attorney General's office. Campaign Life Coalition president Jim Hughes considered the bill an attack on the family. He said that mothers and fathers are parts of the societal norm and this bill is ridiculing it. Many members of the legislature skipped the vote, most were from Progressive Conservative Party, Liberal Party Leader Kathleen Wynne and two of its Catholic members were also absent. Progressive Conservative Party leader Patrick Brown was accused of influencing party members. He allegedly asked them to vote in favor or remain absent from the legislature. Brown's move was criticized by Jeff Gunarson, the vice president of Campaign Life Coalition. Gunarson said that Brown's persuasion is against the Democratic process and constituents must be allowed to vote on their consent. Ontario's attorney general Yasir Naqvi, however, welcomed the bill and considered it a safety for children whether they have parents from LGBT or whether they are straight. World.Wng also shared the news and stated that in August, New York Court of Appeals redefined parenthood after some cases, including same-sex couples as legal parents. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency or DEA opened lines of communication to the public after it took back what it said would classify Kratom as banned substance. In August this year, the DEA allowed a time of status quo as it officially pulled out its intention to ban Kratom. The Food and Drug Administration was also sought to quickly come up with its groundwork on Kratom. CNN.COM mentioned that thousands were angry and many pleaded to otherwise allow its use for medical purposes. A staggering 3 to 5 Million people use it as an alternative to painkillers, herbal supplements and relief to anxiety plus a number of other disorders associated with pain. Although there are people against permitting the coffee like herb, even more, do not want it to be restricted. A study shows that Kratom is actually harmless and a number of people consume it as a herbal supplement. The people are awaiting the DEA's decision as it ended the time frame in the 1st of December. A total of 22,000 negative reviews were received by the agency from Kratom consumers and supporters.I The Power Of Social Media Earlier in 2016, parents and advocates took to social media what they concluded were unfair business practices. The price of EpiPens steadily rose to up to even a $900 price tag on a 2 piece pack. The public outcry demonstrated in the streets and on social media like Facebook and Twitter drove the US government's legislative branch to launch a probe. As a result of the inquiry, Mylan, Inc. was able to provide a generic equivalent of the drug and drove to slash the price to as low as $300. Millions await the final decision of the DEA. Will it ban Kratom and create an even darker scenario or not, and continue to relieve an otherwise difficult medical or physical predicament. The Department of Education (DOE) has launched a probe on parents who homeschool in New York. The government unit has been reporting families to the Child Protective Services (CPS) because the homeschooled children apparently have no paperwork and thus, they are considered truants. But the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) has filed a lawsuit against the city on behalf of homeschooling families. The agency said that homeschoolers have submitted the necessary papers but New York City's bureaucratic system has resulted in filing delays. Hence, the homeschoolers are not yet in the database. New York Post reports that two dozen families have been sent DOE notices citing their children's absences in their school district. One homeschooling parent, Tanya Acevedo, was visited by reps from the CPS to investigate if there was indeed "educational neglect." The mom said that she sent the homeschool papers by mail, which the DOE might have overlooked or lost. Thus, she sought the help of the HSLDA to work out her case with the CPS. "Even though Tanya notified both the central office and the school before she began homeschooling, the school could not flip the switch in the attendance database to turn off her son's 'absences,'" HSLDA litigator James Mason said, according to Christian News Wire. Up to now, the New York office has yet to coordinate their records but more families have apparently come forward to the HSLDA. They are concerned that the DOE has been reporting them to the CPS. Only one New York office consolidates homeschooling records coming from hundreds of school districts, according to an HSLDA report. This office lacks the funds and the staff to oversee its operations and there is still no efficient system. The lawsuit is also asking the city to uphold the directives outlined in the state law regarding homeschool regulations. If the system isn't fixed, then this injustice and mistreatment against families who homeschool in New York will continue. A spokesperson from the city's office told New York Post that it will be reviewing the case and the complaints. Dental patients at the Wisconsin Veterans Affairs Medical Center are at risk of possibly being exposed to the viruses of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. This report came out on December 4 and it has left about 600 patients anxious about the result if they are infected or not. In an article published by Fox 13, this whole scare started when a dentist working at the said center have re-used some dental equipment instead of the sterilized and disposable items that the institution requires. The acting medical director of the facility, Victoria Brahm, told the press that the person responsible for this malpractice did it on purpose when he violated the VA rules. Brahm added that he knows how to use things appropriately since he did it so well during the orientation. This shows that he knows exactly he was doing and just chose to use his materials to disobey the rules. Unfortunately for him, someone noticed what he did and called the authorities to have him checked. According to CNN, VA didn't give the identity of the dentist behind this issue, but he will be facing the review board sometime this week. Matthew Gowan, the spokesman for the VA, also said that the review committee will try him and will then decide the consequences he had to face from his actions. He has been with the company since October of last year and has been involved with 592 patients. His patients were given the news that they may have been exposed to HIV and hepatitis. They can get free testing and a follow-up check courtesy of the VA, and their blood test confirmations would be released after two or three weeks. Do you think that what the dentist did behind this issue is intentional? Share your thoughts in the comments area below. Texas has new rules involving the unborn babies, and part of it is the burial of their remains. This applies to women who chose to abort their child in the womb. On December 5, lots of people are against it saying it is just an attempt to put a lot of women in Texas to shame with their decision plus the fact that it will just hurt them financially. In an article published by CNN, Texas governor is on the side of lawmakers regarding the new rules with abortion. He said that in a way, they are are giving voice to the aborted children. These new regulations, as soon as they are implemented, would require abortion facilities to bury or have those fetuses cremated. It wasn't long ago that the state proposed some rules regarding this issue, but the high court denied them wanting to restrict abortions. Now they came up with new rules to recommend, as they reason that this would help stop in spreading communicable diseases. Texas is not the only state who has these rules in fetal remains because there are also some that agrees with this procedure. That said, the rules have been approved and is expected to be in effect by December 19 as per KFOXTV's report. It is going to be a massive lawsuit against the locals who are not happy about it since Vice President-elect Mike Pence supported this law. More than 35,000 people commented against these new rules, but it is probably too late since the Department of Health in Texas already agreed to it. Are you for these new rules affecting fetal remains and abortion? Do you think it is just going to hurt people financially? Don't be afraid to share your opinion using the box below. Renae Whitehouse, a dispatcher from Houston, Texas, was having her regular shift for the day. But everything changed when she received a call from a birthing mother, Kioma. It was then when she had one of the most memorable calls in her life. It was about 3 a.m. Thursday this week when Whitehouse received a call from a pregnant mother having contractions and is about to deliver her baby. "I answer the phone, and she tells me I'm in labor, and I could hear her in pain," Renae Whitehouse said in an interview. Kioma, the mother, does not have anyone with her that time. But despite that, she was confident that everything would be okay as she seeks help from the authorities. Whitehouse was able to talk to the laboring mom and assist her of what she will do while waiting for the medics to come. When the dispatcher learned from Kioma that a part of the baby's head is already out, she knew that the doctors would not make it on time, as posted by KTIC. Whitehouse shared that at first, she thought she could just ask Kioma to stay calm and wait for the authorities to come and help her give birth to her baby. But after having many contractions, it is then the dispatcher realized that the authorities might not make it on time. Whitehouse tried to assist the birthing mom for them to stay safe especially the baby. The call lasted for about eight minutes before the authorities reached Kioma's place. They found that through the assistance of Whitehouse, the mother was able to deliver the baby safely. The baby was beautiful, healthy and was named Kennedy Bennet. After the birth of the Kioma, Whitehouse became so happy she cannot resist being teary eyed, as reported by ABC Action News. According to her, being a part of this beautiful experience has brought her an amazing feeling she will never forget in her entire life. Authorities are looking for a man alleged of hitting an 11-year-old girl with his car, abducting and raping her. The 11-year-old is reportedly left in a ditch and the incident took place when she was on her way to school. FOX 5 reported that the Whitehaven community in Memphis, Tennessee is shocked over the incident because such a thing has never happened in their neighborhood as they treated each other like a family. The 11-year-old was said to be on her way to Geeter Middle School at around 7 a.m. from her home. The school of the victim was around a mile away from her home when a man, allegedly in a blue SUV hit her then the driver pulled up and subsequently abducted the girl. The victim's mother said that her daughter was placed in the man's truck and was raped. The 11-year-old girl's mother added the suspect dropped her daughter in a ditch near Delta and Mason Roads. The mother revealed her daughter was battered and bruised but had no life-threatening injuries. A passerby reportedly stopped to talk to the girl after she was seen crying in the area. The passerby said that the child's first words were "I just got raped." Hours after the incident, Huffington Post reported that a man was arrested. The man was arrested at around 4 p.m. as the vehicle was spotted by another officer around two miles from where the child was found. The suspect was identified as 20-year-old Larry Ward. His clothing and physical attributes matched the statement of the raped child. Ward has been charged with aggravated kidnapping, rape of a child and aggravated assault for the attack. Ward was involved in different crimes in the past such as burglary and driving with a suspended and revoked license. No statement from Ward has been released yet and it was not clear if he has an attorney representing him.No other details are available as of the moment and court dates are yet to be scheduled. The teenager from Orem, Utah who stabbed five other students in a locker room before classes started reportedly had suicidal and harmful thoughts. Investigators said that these thoughts were manifested even when he was a young child. The search warrant was unsealed on Monday and investigators said that the unnamed 16-year-old arrived at the Mountain View High School last Nov. 15 with five knives and long wooden sticks. The Denver Post reported that the teenager had the intention to harm his classmates and he purposefully went to the locker room because it is where he will find a large group of students. The victims did not suffer life-threatening injuries during the attack. The teenager reportedly told officials that he used his cellphone, his tablet and his mother's computer to search about planning the attack and communicating his plan. It was unclear what he meant by communicating or if there were other people involved in the attack. He reportedly planned the attack days before it was consummated. The police detective who wrote the affidavit said, "[The teen] stated he has had suicidal and harmful thoughts since a very young age. There is no apparent motive or cause for the stabbing. [He] was reported to be 'elated' as he was attacking different students with the knife." The 16-year-old teen also reportedly left a suicide not at his Orem home for his parents to find and read. The teenager also stabbed himself after attacking the five other students. Due to the incident, the teenager was charged as a juvenile with five counts of attempted murder and other misdemeanor charges. According to The Salt Lake Tribune, attempted murder is a first-degree felony. He remains at the 4th District Juvenile Court. Prosecutors are yet to decide if the teen will eventually be charged as an adult. Meanwhile, the first court appearance of the teen took place last week. Juvenile Judge Douglas Nielsen has ordered a competency evaluation for the 16-year-old. He will be back in court on Feb. 14. Some Virginia schools have banned the literary classics "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" for using racist language. The books' removal from the schools' curriculum occurred after a complaint from a mother of a bi-racial student. Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" and Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" aren't going to be taught in classrooms in Accomack County, Virginia anymore because of the novels' use of the N-word, The Guardian reported. The student's mother, Marie Rothstein-Williams, see the novels as pieces of "great literature" but also claimed that her son had a hard time reading the books' abundance of "racial slurs and defensive wording," according to Washington Post. She said that the novels' racist language wasn't appropriate especially now that the United States is "divided." There are 200 racial slurs in "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," while the N-word is mentioned nearly 50 times in "To Kill a Mockingbird," the Los Angeles Times noted. Rothstein-Williams said that the books are making students believe that racial words are "acceptable." She argued that requiring children to read the novels is like saying that racial slurs are OK to use even if it's not. The two books still don't have a permanent ban slapped on them, though classrooms in the district are already devoid of the reading materials. The action didn't sit well with some groups. The National Coalition Against Censorship, or NCAC, stressed that banning the books avoids a dialogue of controversial issues such as racism and thus, "a great disservice to their students." The NCAC said that the literary classics teach students the history of America's race relations and "invites them to examine race in the present day." Some residents of Accomack County protested in front of the Accomac town's county courthouse and one protester said banning literature is "stupid," Delmarva Now reported. A student argued that banning the books aren't tolerating racial slurs but "showing the ignorance" of using them. "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" appeared more than once on the American Library Assn.'s top ten most challenged or banned books in the U.S. The book placed in the top ten in 2002 and 2007. "To Kill a Mockingbird" appeared on the list in 2009 and 2011. Other books that were challenged in schools in recent years are Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" and Arundhati Roy's "The God of Small Things" because of their sexual content, according to the Cook County Chronicle. Do you think Virginia made the right decision when they banned "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?" Why? Share your thoughts below. Fox comedy series, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" just aired its 77th episode entitled, "Overmining" and it is full of hilarious yet insightful comedy that the series is known for. This Dec. 6 episode saw Captain CJ (Ken Mariano) seeking the help of Holt (Andre Braugher) and Jake (Andy Samberg) to solve a huge drug case. Meanwhile, this article will also spill plot details about the upcoming episode, "Captain Latvia" so read on. An article from A.V. Club narrates how CJ tries to recover from the drawback of losing a huge evidence for a drug case with the help of Jake and Holt. To recover the bag full of drugs, the three detectives posed as drug dealers in a restaurant. This plan would score them a lead from one of the suspects who know Flaco, the one who has the evidence they need to recover. CJ, Jake, and Holt would eventually arrest Flaco and the Captain would be honored for it. Yet CJ's happiness is short-lived as he ended up telling how incompetent he is in the press conference by mentioning that he had to lose the evidence before solving the case. As to the "Captain Latvia" episode to be aired on Dec. 13, Spoilers Daily reports that Mary Lynn Rajskub (Genevieve Mirren-Carter) and Antonio Raul Corbo (Nikolaj Boyle) will appear as guest stars. The holiday spirit is in the air in this "Brooklyn Nine-Nine episode as Charles (Joe Lo Truglio) will try to find his child's favorite toy to give as a gift for Christmas. He will need Jake's help to do this but unfortunately, their search will lead them to a Latvian criminal syndicate. Meanwhile, the group of detectives is busy getting ready for the yearly caroling competition. The team is determined to do everything to beat MTA, their rival. Catch episode of "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" every Tuesday, 8p.m. on Fox Channel. Check out our site regularly for more updates and spoilers. A family from Charlotte, North Carolina is now facing the impossible, as tumor threatens the good bond between their identical twins. One of their 4-year-old identical twins has Hodgkin's lymphoma, a kind of lymphoma, a tumor that begins in white blood cells known as lymphocytes. Edilia and Deysi Gomez are identical twins from Charlotte, North Carolina. When they turned three, Edilia was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, cancer of white blood cells or lymphocytes. Even before the diagnosis, the twins are already inseparable. Now that they are four, they became more attached that they even have and speak their language they call "twin speak." Melody Mendez-Gomez, the mother of the twins, said that sometimes she and her husband think the twins are talking about them because the twins will look at them and laugh and they can't understand what the twins are saying. "They call it boo-boos," People quoted Gomez, as saying. When Edilia was diagnosed with cancer, she was not acting like herself and has stopped playing. The mother said she just wanted to lay in her bed. The diagnosis left the kid devastated. After the diagnosis, Edilia has become paler and 10 pounds lighter than Deysi. Her hair grew thick and had become skinny. Her twin sister, Deysi, became her little fighter and protector. Doctors told Melody that the prognosis of Edilia is good. However, the family still finds it hard to pay the entire medical expenses. The family has been residing in a modest hotel for the recent year. The twins' father works in a construction site as a construction worker while their mommy cleans the house of other people. Since Edilia's diagnosis, their mom takes care of the twins full time. "It's been hard," WFMY News 2 quoted the mother as saying. However, they are doing their best because they don't want to lose Edilia. Now, Edilia is on her second chemotherapy treatment for her cancer. To fund her treatment expenses, the employer of her father created a GoFundMe page for her family. A squad of 21 children and teens aged between 9 and 20 has just won the authority to file a lawsuit against United States Government over its inadequacy to sufficiently address climate change threats after US District Judge Ann Aiken ruled it can advance to court. Now the 21 plaintiffs are getting ready for trial in which they believed will 'be the trial of our lifetimes.' A pioneering decision announced last Nov. 11 brought so much happiness and relief to a group of 21 young plaintiffs. The announcement said: U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken ruled in favor of a group of 21 young adults and children in their suit against the US federal government, the Slate has learned. The 21 young plaintiffs are suing the government for the violations of their constitutional rights by the affirmative actions of their government which they claim have triggered climate change. The case argues that the climate change is aggravated by the amassed actions of the government in allowing development of fossil fuel, promoting the industry of fossil fuel and several other similar efforts. Furthermore, the young accusers said that the administration and the companies behind those actions did not stop prioritizing short-term advances for over five decades with complete knowledge of the high dangers they caused. As per The New Yorker, the present case claims that the US government has done both too much to aggravate climate change and too little to address the threat. Julia Olson, the primary legal counsel of the squad, said that the present case and the current government are significant, particularly with the latest political conditions within America. President Donald Trump assigned Myron Ebell, a notorious denier of climate change, to rule the Environment Protection Agency. Obviously, the squad can't expect any help from Trump administration. One plaintiff named Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, 16, the Earth Guardians' youth director, said his her generation is rewriting history. She added they are doing what several people told them they were not capable of doing: holding their leaders responsible for their dangerous and disastrous actions. The squad of young plaintiffs is demanding justice for their generation and future generations. Meanwhile, this is not the only federal case brought up by youngsters. This is just one of the many. Huffington Post reported a similar case of young people suing Massachusetts state government over its incapability to address the danger of climate change. 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 According to a new report, Apple's iOS has achieved year-on-year growth across most regions except Germany and Urban China. For the three months ending October 2016 Japan stands at the top in the list of regions where iOS holds the greatest share, with 51.7% of smartphone sales. This is followed by 44% in Great Britain and 40.5% in the US. Android market share saw similar growth across a number of regions, declining only in the US (by 5.6 percentage points), and in Japan by less than one percent. In the US, iOS grew 7% year-over-year, from 33.5% of smartphone sales to 40.5% in the three months ending October 2016. This represents the strongest rate of growth for the OS in more than two years, as well as the highest share seen since the three months ending January 2015 (42.8%). The report further noted that while Android remains the dominant OS in the US, at 57.9% of smartphone sales, this latest Android data represents the 5th consecutive year-on-year period decline. Lauren Guenveur, Consumer Insight Director at Kantar noted that "The lack of the headphone jack has proved to be a non-issue for US iPhone consumers, as iPhone 7 was the top selling device in the three months ending October 2016, achieving 10.6% of smartphone sales, despite not being available for the full three month period. In addition, Apple's iPhone 7 Plus was the 4th best-selling device at 5.3%, behind the iPhone 6s and Samsung Galaxy S7. Tamsin Timpson, Strategic Insight Director at Kantar Asia added that the "iPhone 7 was the second best selling phone in Urban China in the 3 months ending October 2016, capturing 3.8% of smartphone sales. iPhone 7 Plus also cracked the top 10 at 1.9%. This brought iOS share up to 17.1% of smartphone sales in the latest period versus Android's 82.6%, and also brings Apple firmly ahead of Xiaomi at 15.9%. Oppo continues to gain footing in Urban China, achieving 11.8% of smartphone sales, with the R9 remaining the top selling device in the region." Dominic Sunnebo, Business Unit Director for Kantar Europe noted for the report that "iOS achieved year-on-year growth across most regions in EU5 except Germany, where it fell 2.7% points to 16.5% of smartphone sales. iPhone 7 cracked the top 10 smartphones sold in all regions but Spain, which remains dominated by the Android ecosystem at 91.7% of all sales. In Great Britain, as in the US, iPhone 7 was the top selling device, pushing the previous top device (iPhone SE) to third, while iPhone 6s remained the second best-selling device." On a last note, Sunnebo stated that "While Android dominates in terms of the raw number of devices it powers, Apple remains the most desirable smartphone brand in the world." 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. How to Make Abortion Rarer thats the title of an article in this weeks Economist. And no surprise their solution if for women everywhere to see the light and start using hormonal contraception rather than condoms, and for governments to make these drugs and devices more widely available, and free of charge. Before they get to that, they claim that legal restrictions on abortion have no effect, based on a Lancet study that claimed to have determined that abortion is as common in countries where it is illegal or allowed only to save a womans life as it is in those where it is provided on demand. (This study is paywalled; heres a write up from the BBC and another from the Christian Post; near as I can tell, from memory as well as these articles, it is far too simplistic to say, abortion restrictions have no effect because theres so much else going on with poverty levels, culture, etc., that you cant simply classify every country in the world into two groups and draw conclusions from it.) They point to one country in particular, South Korea, where abortion is nominally illegal but widely available. The article then cites various countries in which there is a strong cultural dislike of hormonal contraception. The Greeks, reportedly, commonly believe that the pill and other hormonal contraceptives cause infertility and cancer. They also distrust intrauterine devices (IUDs), possibly because they have been taught that tampons are unhealthy. Also, In South Korea fewer than 5% of women use the pill because they think it is harmful to ingest artificial hormones. and In plenty of countries, including Ireland and Russia, more than a third of married couples who use contraceptives rely on condoms. In Japan that share is an astonishing 90%. despite the fact that condoms have an 18% failure rate. (That is, 20% of users will fall pregnant within a year this is slightly more pessimistic than the WHO figure of 15%.) So step one in the Economist plan is to persuade women to overcome their cultural resistance to hormonal contraception. Step two is to make the contraception free of charge. They write: A Russian woman who wants an IUD has to pay for the device and for the appointment to have it inserted. Abortions in state hospitals, by contrast, are free. Half of the 16 European countries in the IPPF review provide no reimbursement for contraceptives; none fully covers all methods. Even in some countries with generous social welfare systems, including Germany and Italy, women have to pay for contraceptives, no matter how low their income. This is despite contraception being cheap for governments to provide. Englands National Health Service (NHS) offers every type of contraceptive free to everyone (better-off people must pay part of the cost for other prescriptions). Its buying power means it can pay less than 10 ($12.50) for a years supply of the pill and just 18 for an IUD that prevents pregnancy for five years. England has one of the worlds highest rates of contraceptive use. But heres where their argument fails: they include a graphic with abortion rates in selected countries. There are no numbers, so you just have to estimate from the graphs legend, but the abortion rate for the U.K. looks to be about 16 per 1,000 women of childbearing age. The U.S. is slightly higher on this graph, maybe 17. And Germany, which the Economist reports require women to pay out-of-pocket? Their rate is about 8. Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3APackage_of_Lutera_Birth_Control_Pills.jpg; By ParentingPatch (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons If youve been watching the CWs third season of Jane the Virgin this fall, you know that Jane is a virgin no more. Ive been meaning to write about the episode in which JaneI hate the terminology here, gives up her virginity implies something was lost but becomes sexually active isnt as clear as it should bebut to be perfectly honest, I probably should have written about this show long before this moment. Ive been watching the CWs Jane the Virgin since the first season was released on Netflix. I was cautious, initially. I was raised in a conservative evangelical community that tied womens value to their virginity. That was not a healthy approach, to say the least, and Ive spent years overcoming the negative effects virginity-centered purity culture had on my sex lifeeven after I was married. I gave the show a very tentative tryand immediately loved it. The show centers on three generations of women living together in the same home: Jane, a college student still living at home; Xo, her single mother; and Alba, Xos mother, called Abuela by nearly every other character. Alba is a devout Catholic who uses manipulative imagery to urge Jane to remain a virgin until marriage. Alba gives Jane a flower, and explains that having sex before marriage would be like crumpling that flower. This is a terrible metaphor. I would likely have found this show very uncomfortable to watch, given my background, if it were not for several mitigating factors. First, while the shows portrayal of Alba is sympathetic, you never get the sense the producers either endorse or approve of her urging. This is not a moralistic fable designed to promote virginity until marriage as an ideal to aspire to, and Alba herself is a flawed character. Second, Janes mother, Xo, who also lives in the household, is both single and openly sexually active. There is tension between Xo and Alba, but Alba neither disowns Xo nor throws her out of the house. Xo presents Jane with an alternative approach from that presented by Alba. In other words, celibacy until marriage and sex positivity are actively represented in the household as models for Jane. Third, Jane is allowed to spend time alone with her boyfriends without being subject to guilt, manipulation, or monitoring, and she does not have a problem with heavy doses of making out (something that was verboten in my own upbringing). There is none of the control or surveillance surrounding Jane that there was surrounding dating and physical contact in my parents household. Have a look at this excerpt from the pilot episode: While the expectation that she wait until marriage to have sex was the same expectation that I experienced in my own upbringing, the lack of control or surveillance and Janes willingness to engage in sexual activities that didnt involve intercourse make Janes experience vastly different from my own painful experience. I got the sense, over time, that Xo worried about Janes decision to remain a virgin even as she respected her autonomy. Xo was not overly pushy, but she did make sure to remind Jane on a number of occasions that being sexually active was not a bad thing, and that she didnt have to remain a virgin. To me, that felt important. For her part, Alba was pleased with Jane for her decision, and never made a secret of that. In part, this seemed related to Albas disappointment with Xo becoming pregnant as an unwed teenager. It was almost as though Alba is trying to make up for that with Jane, something she probably should have hashed out in therapy. At times, Jane considered having sex with a partner. Each time Alba was disappointed, but each time Jane couldnt follow through. It became clear that Albas constant warnings had made Jane unable to have sex before marriage without fearing how it would make her feel. Jane ultimately decided to keep her initial plan to wait until marriagea sort of better safe than sorry approach. Xo supported Jane, even as she worried about her, and Alba, again, was very very pleased. I found this dynamic somewhat uncomfortable, but when the day arrivedwhen Jane was married and had sex for the first timeI found all of my concerns addressed. Heres the promo, for some context: When Jane and Michael finally managed to find time alone, Jane faked an orgasm. When her friend found out, she was horrified, but Jane had wanted the moment to be perfect and she hadnt been able to orgasm, so shed faked it. Jane ultimately tells Michael, who is crestfallen but vows to try again. So they try. And try. And try. After some time and numerous mishaps, Jane is finally able to orgasm. Janes first time wasnt perfect. First times arent! I seriously appreciated the realism here. Many women struggle to orgasm, and simple intercourse is rarely enoughit takes work for couples to ensure that both parties come away satisfied. Its not something that happens automatically. I didnt orgasm for months after I first started having sex. And honestly, my first time wasnt that great at allit was completely new and I had no idea what I was doing. It was painstakingly awkward, but with time, it got betterand thats what it takes time. But this wasnt all. Theres still more. Jane was unsettled. Later in the episode, she broke down in tears with her mother. Xo asks her whats wrong, but Jane is still struggling to answer that question for herself. What is wrong? Im happy its gone. Im married, I have a kid. Its been like this weight. Ive been dying to get rid of this for so long! Honey. This is so stupid. Im married. I wanted it to be gone. I dont know, I just, I feel weird. Like I lost something. Like a part of my identity. Yeah. I get that. And I blame that flower. What? Its perfect, untouched, then crumple it up, now its ruined. What? I know Im not ruined. But you feel like you lost something and you didnt! You just gained something. A whole new dimension in your life, in your relationship. And there it is. The show makes explicit what many show-watchers have long knownthat the flower metaphor wasnt a harmless one. Jane wasnt remaining a virgin until marriage simply because that was her choice, or just to make Alba happy, but also because she bought into at least some of Albas rhetoricthat when you have sex, you are like that crumpled flower. And that, frankly, is a terrible message. But Xo and Janes conversation isnt over. What if were not compatible? It hasnt been great? Were not really talking about it with other people. Got it. Okay, just so you know, this has nothing to do with you, but with sex, it can take time, to find your groove and figure out what you like, what you need. Youre just starting out. Youll get there. This is something I didnt know until after Id begun having sex. Growing up, it was talked about as if it were this special, magical, ethereal thing, not something that takes work and practice. I know now that sex can be awkward, exhausting, and sometimes even disappointing. It requires communication, a willingness to try new things, and the ability to find time when youre not exhausted or in another headspace. Its a skill you have to gain and hone, not something you know automatically. One more thing of note. During the third season, Jane learns to stand up to Alba. She realizes that shes lived her whole life trying to please her grandmother, but that she cant always do thatand that its not healthy to try. Jane, who has always wanted a big family, makes contact with some of her Albas relatives back in Venezuela, against her grandmothers wishes. After avoiding her grandmother rather than experience her disapproval, Jane finally confronts her, and tells her directly that she (Jane) is not willing to forego contact with her extended family. I appreciated Janes growing confidence and her willingness to defy Albas wishes when she felt it was important enough because it helps resolve an ongoing issue in the showwhile Jane is frequently the peacemaker between Alba and Xo, it is Albas approval she constantly craves. Her desire for Albas approval has at times shaped Janes choices and her life direction more than she realizes. Janes realization that she will sometimes have to make decisions her grandmother disagrees withand that its alright to do sois an important part of her growth as a character. Jane the Virgin, as a show, tends to be fairly woke. Because of this, Im not surprised the producers did such a good job with Janes long-awaited introduction to sex. Still, its nice to finally have the resolution I, for one, was wed get. I have a Patreon! Please support my writing! I am currently facing a pretty difficult custody battle with my soon to be ex-wife. With the holidays coming up, Im having a lot of anxiety about not being able to see my kids. My wife is trying to get full custody. I think her chances are greatly increased because of a criminal charge that I pled guilty to 3 years ago, that included a domestic violence classification. I know Ive made mistakes in our marriage, and I have had to face many consequences that I know I deserved. I have done everything the court has asked of me, and continue to see a therapist to help me with my own personal issues. I love my children. I want to be able to co-parent successfully. I saw that your brother who is a lawyer will do some guest posts. Does he know if there is anything I can do about the old criminal charge? From time to time, I get questions like this one that are more of a legal nature than what I can cover as far as my mental health expertise although it is understandable that issues dealing with family law can be closely correlated with mental health. So I have asked my brother, Alex Helfer, who is a partner and owner of his firm Newton & Helfer Law which primarily focuses on family and criminal law in Salt Lake City, to be a guest poster once a month. His comments and observations are solely focused on Utah law and meant to be informational not legal advice. Domestic violence is a serious offense, and can/should have serious implications. At the same time, children usually do best in divorce situations when they have involvement with both parents (as long as there is no danger of abuse). Being a witness to parental domestic violence as a child does constitute as abuse. Many people are able to get adequate professional help to put a stop to negative/abusive behaviors and go on to lead productive and meaningful lives. It sounds like you have taken some of those steps and are committed to continuing working towards making sure any type of violence is not a way you problem solve in the future. Hopefully some of the information below can help you in achieving the best parenting plan possible for the wellbeing of your children. In Mormon culture I have seen a variety of ways domestic violence shows up in a family story. With patriarchy as our backdrop, there can be times where women and children are in real danger and afraid to speak out because the abuser is a prominent church member. They may have tried to get help and not been believed by other church leaders or the community at large. In situations like these, primary custody by the non-offending parent is completely appropriate and safety should be the priority. There are other times when I see women use very minor charges (i.e. a one-time shoving match between the two where the wife initiated the physical contact but only the husband was charged) as a tool to then destroy custodial chances for a father who has otherwise been a responsible parent. And many, many situations in between these two examples on a wide spectrum. I hope the information shared here can be helpful for those needing help in resolving some of these situations. While Natashas focus is on improving marriages, there are times when a divorce is necessary. I have practiced the law for several years, and my comments and observations do not constitute legal advice. If you are in need of legal advice please call a local attorney. Further, my comments and observations are solely focused on Utah law, as I am a partner and owner of my law firm located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Most if not all criminal convictions carry substantial negative consequences in a custody battle. However, a criminal conviction that includes a domestic violence classification is especially damaging in a custody dispute. Nevertheless, if the conditions are right, an individual can attempt to expunge a domestic violence classification after five years. However, if the five year time period has yet to pass, then relief may be available under Utahs Post-Conviction Remedies Act (hereinafter referred to as PCRA, and pronounced as PICRA). Post-conviction relief in any case deals with a challenge to a formal criminal conviction. A PCRA petition provides the opportunity to either modify the original criminal conviction to a lesser criminal conviction, or vacate the criminal conviction outright. There are pros and cons to each possibility, which requires a case by case analysis to determine what serves the clients best interest. This is an extremely complex area of law because the pertinent statutes governing PCRA relief are very procedural in nature, and the applicable case-law is difficult to follow. For example, the standards for PCRA relief change depending on what date the conviction was entered. A successful PCRA petition can help individuals in many areas of life such as: (1) employment (I cant get a job because of an old criminal conviction); (2) immigration (I cant qualify for some type of immigration relief because of an old criminal conviction); (3) military (I cant join the military because of an old criminal conviction; and (4) family law (I am looking at possibly losing custody because of an old criminal conviction). An individual can qualify for PCRA relief on several different grounds, including but not limited to violations of constitutional rights during the criminal proceeding. PCRA relief may apply to recent criminal convictions and to criminal convictions obtained 30 plus years ago. In the event that you posses an old criminal conviction that is adversely affecting your life, please call an attorney who has experience with both expungements and PCRA petitions in order to discuss which option serves your best interest. If you have any questions for me, feel free to contact me at alex@newtonandhelferlaw.com or (801) 214-1142, Extension 2. Alexander J. Helfer, Attorney at Law www.newtonandhelferlaw.com Natasha Helfer Parker, LCMFT, CST can be reached at natashaparker.org. She authors the Mormon Therapist Blog, hosts the Mormon Mental Health and Mormon Sex Info Podcasts, writes a regular column for Sunstone Magazine and is the current president of the Mormon Mental Health Association. She has 20 years of experience working with primarily an LDS/Mormon clientele. New Delhi: Sikh Dharma International from United States has initiated Raj Khalsa Yatra of 120 people from all over the US and Canada to gurudwara Sri Patna Sahib. The Raj Khalsa Yatra will celebrate 350th birth anniversary of 10th guru of Sikh community, Guru Gobind Singh Ji in Patna. On January 5, 2017, Sikhs of Sikh Dharma International will join people from the community in India with joy and devotion to honour this great occasion at Sri Patna Sahib. They will start their journey from gurudwara Golden Temple on January 2, 2017, Amritsar post celebrating New Year in the golden city. Encouraging the yatra, Sri Singh Sahib, Yogi Bhajan said, "Yatra is a holy journey. We must go into the center, the heart center. It is a journey on earth to ones 'Isht' - ones higher self, ones altar. It is self-purification. So, we go from here to designated holy places and we have no other work but to get up in the morning to meditate, to go to these beautiful surroundings. Sometimes our mind hassles us, but we do conquer it. This is the purpose of the Yatra." Traveling to Patna Sahib the birth place of Guru Gobind Singh ji, Sikh Dharma International will take part in all the festivities for the 350th year celebration of his birth. With great joy and devotion, the participants of Raj Khalsa Yatra will also spend time visiting the holy places where Guruji lived and spent time during his early childhood. The Raj Khalsa Yatra will be guided by the leadership team of Sikh Dharma International. It has carried forward the mission of Sikh Dharma since the passing of the Siri Singh Sahib ji. They are: Bibi Inderjit Kaur, Bhai Sahiba (Chief Religious Authority) of Sikh Dharma and the wife of the late Yogi Bhajan; Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur Khalsa, Siri Sikdar Sahiba (Chief Administrative Authority of Sikh Dharma); Singh Sahib Gurujodha Singh Khalsa, President of the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation; Dr. Harjot Kaur Singh, Chairperson of the International Khalsa Council; Singh Sahib Kirtan Singh Khalsa, President of Sikh Dharma International. About Sikh Dharma International: In the early seventies, Yogi Bhajan, who would later be known as Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji began to teach in the United States. Through his inspiration, insight and example many Westerners began adopting the Sikh way of life, attracted by the spiritual practices of Sikh Dharma and its egalitarian teachings that respect all religions. Sikhs do not convert people. Since 1973, Sikh Dharma International (SDI) has been a recognized non-profit 501c(3) religious organization in the United States and an effective vehicle for spreading the teachings of the Sikh Gurus in every direction of the globe. It is a California registered non-profit 501c (3) organization that serves the needs of the global Sikh Sangat (community). The headquarters for Sikh Dharma International is located in the beautiful Espanola Valley in northern New Mexico, at Guru Ram Das Ashram (Hacienda de Guru Ram Das). Patna: Despite chilling temperature, members of the National Cadet Corp (NCC) in Patna on Wednesday celebrated the 68th anniversary of the organization by putting up an exciting show at the Patna College playground. Demonstrating various skills of an Indian soldier and the nation's ability to deal with an enemy nation in a quick, decisive manner, young cadets representing the three divisions of the Indian Armed Forces - army, navy, and air force - from various colleges in Bihar impressed the guests and visitors by their dedication, perseverance, and patriotic actions as the bands played marching songs in the background to keep everyone's spirit high and motivated. Led by Bihar Regiment Center Drill Inspector Corporal Manu Singh and Corporal Anil Kumar Singh, the troops participated in mock attack by a foreign nation and also demonstrated the power of the Indian Navy and the Air Force. Art, Culture, and Youth Minister Shivchandra Ram praised the Bihar Regiment for putting up the impressive show. He also handed out prizes to winners of contests in various categories. Purnia/Araria: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar began the third leg of his ongoing 'Nishchay Yatra' from Purnia by arriving there on Wednesday evening. After a good night sleep at the official guest house, he inaugurated Dhruv Udyan, a newly-developed public park, by cutting the customary ribbon and planting a sapling of 'Champa' tree. Kumar, while dedicating the facility to the people of Purnia, spent nearly an hour there where he met with Purnia MP Santosh Kushwaha and top district officials to review ongoing developmental work in the region. The Chief Minister then arrived at Rampur Kodarkatti village in Araria on a helicopter at around 10:30 am where he visited several homes with newly installed running water facilities, indoor toilet, and electricity availability three of the seven resolves of Kumar that he pledged after being re-elected the Chief Minister of Bihar nearly a year ago. Addressing a crowd near Araria College on Wednesday afternoon, Kumar said that Bihar was the number one state in India in terms of women's empowerment. He once again asked the women associated with 'Jeevika' to take law in their own hands and destroy illegal liquor operation whenever they see one in their district. "You go and destroy liquor manufacturing units and shops selling alcohol. I am here to back you up and protect you," he said. After holding a meeting to review ongoing projects with top government officials at the DRDA convention hall, the Chief Minister then left for Kishanganj where he is to address on Thursday. Kumar will return to Purnia on Friday and will also address a public meeting in Katihar on Saturday before returning to Patna. Iranian President Threatens US Over Sanctions Extension 12/06/16 Source: VOA Iran's President Hassan Rouhani is threatening the United States with a "harsh reaction", after Congress voted last week to renew sanctions against the country for an additional 10 years. Rouhani said if U.S. President Barack Obama implements the sanctions it would mark a "blatant and clear breach" of the nuclear agreement reached last year. Obama is expected to sign the Iran Sanctions Act into law before leaving office in January. His administration has said it does not believe the sanctions violate the nuclear deal. The Iran sanctions law was first passed by Congress in 1996 and has been renewed multiple times since then. Obama suspended the sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program as part of the nuclear deal, but keeping them on the books would allow an incoming president to use the sanctions as he sees fit. "America ... is our enemy, we have no doubt about this. The Americans want to put as much pressure on us as they can," Rouhani said. This has Rouhani worried, as President-elect Donald Trump has said he would "tear up" the nuclear deal once he takes office. Rouhani did not mention Trump by name, referring to him only as "some man ... elected in the U.S." "Whatever plans he has, it will be revealed later," Rouhani told a group of students gathered at Tehran University. "He may desire to weaken the nuclear deal. He may desire to rip up the deal. Do you suppose we will allow this? Will our nation allow this?" Trump repeatedly bashed the nuclear deal during the presidential campaign, calling it "catastrophic" and promising to renegotiate. 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. AMD already owns the graphics in consoles, and the next place it could plant its flag could be the last anyone expected: Intel. While rumors of a possible deal have circulated all year, something firmer arose Monday night when Kyle Bennett, longtime editor of enthusiast hardware site HardOCP.com, posted that the ink on the deal was already dry. The licensing deal between AMD and Intel is signed and done for putting AMD GPU tech into Intels iGPU, Bennett wrote on his sites forum. Officials PCWorld contacted at both companies declined to comment, but reached Wednesday morning, Bennett stood by his comments and added a little more detail. To my understanding, Intel has a team of about ~1,000 engineers working on their forward-looking iGPU technology, Bennett told PCWorld. Basically, that work will be scrapped and that team and their work will be replaced with AMD teams and technology going forward. There are also Apple implications here as well, and this deal is good for Apple assuredly. As bizarre as such a partnership may sound to outsiders, the timing actually makes it more likely. Kevin Krewell, an analyst with Tirias Research, laid out two possible scenarios in a column at Forbes.com that was published Tuesday evening. First, Intel needs patent protection. Nvidia and Intel began suing each other in 2009 over Nvidias nForce chipsets for Intel CPUs. The suits were eventually settled in 2011: Nvidia agreed not to build chipsets for Intels Core i7 CPUs, and Intel was free to build graphics cores without getting sued by Nvidia. The price of Intels freedom was high, though: The chip giant agreed to pay Nvidia licensing fees over the next six years totalling $1.5 billion. After writing the last $200 million check in January 2016, the licensing deal is winding down, which means Intel has to go shopping for patent protection for its graphics cores. As AMD and Nvidia essentially own the lions share of graphics patents in the world, developing graphics cores is nigh impossible without licensing deals. Krewell said Intel could just ink a deal and be done with it. The second scenario, however, is far more intriguing, if, as Bennett says, Intel uses Radeon graphics inside of Intel CPUs. This forum post points to a likely licensing deal between AMD and Intel. Krewell said the deal would give AMD some much-needed funding. AMD still has some significant financial headwinds with its debt load and needs cash to fund more R&D, Krewell said to PCWorld late Tuesday. The way Id rationalize AMDs licensing of Radeon GPU tech to Intel is that Radeon would become the dominant graphics architecture of the PC market and outflank Nvidia in graphics. If Intel then used Radeon GPUs for GPU computing, it would help push back on Nvidia and CUDA. Such a deal wouldnt come cheap, but Intel was already cutting checks of $200 million to $300 million to Nvidia every year. Intel would have to pony up some significant money to make this deal work, Krewell told PCWorld. The amount of extra cash AMD could make on royalties would be very appealing to the shareholders. Fans may be concerned that such a deal would all but give up the last advantage AMDs upcoming Zen-based APUs would have over Intel chips. AMDs Zen core could equal Intels newest cores in x86 performance. Combine that with AMDs much more powerful graphics cores and youd have an instant winner. Financial realities, however, overshadow any moral victories. Is it better to make a royalty on 80 percent to 90 percent of the PC processor shipments or fight it out for the remaining 10 percent or 20 percent? Krewell said. AMD can make a lot more money partnering with Intel rather than competing. For its part, Intel has plenty of reasons to stop sending money to Nvidia. As the GPU maker busily builds market share in self-driving cars, machine learning and more, its becoming more of a threat to Intel (which is trying hard to get its own chunk of these businesses). In AMD, Intel would have a partner that offered competitive technology to Nvidiasand needed its money. Well continue to follow this story and will let you know when we learn more. After more than half a decade in the making, ARM server chips should have struck gold by now, but they havent. ARM servers were projected to be approaching a double-digit server market share, but they still are virtually non-existent. Keeping market realities in mind, Qualcomm earlier this year said it would take a wait-and-watch approach before making a splash with its ARM server chips. While ARM servers adoption has been poor, Qualcomm decided to go ahead and launch the chips. In the making for two years, Qualcomms Centriq 2400 server chips have 48 cores and are now being sent as samples to companies. Volume shipments of the chips will start in the second half next year. Centriq 2400 is perhaps the best ARM server chip yet and may provide a glimmer of hope for the architecture to succeed in servers. But based on the current progress of the ARM server market, Qualcomm could have a dud on its hand, much like its Mirasol e-reading screens, which were introduced with a lot of hype. With the Centriq 2400, they go to the head of pack compared with other ARM competitors, said Nathan Brookwood, principal analyst at Insight 64. Qualcomm has the mammoth task ahead of convincing companies to switch over the hardware and software ecosystems from x86 to the ARM architecture. Moreover, the competition is fierce with market leaders Intel, AMD, IBM, and other ARM chip makers vying for market share. Intel, which rules the server chip market, is surely watching closely, and wont sit by quietly, Brookwood said. Intel may have a strategy planned to take on Qualcomms chip if it does emerge as a threat. An Intel spokesman didnt comment on Qualcomms chips. We operate in a highly competitive market and take all competitors seriously, the spokesman said. There has been a lot of hype about ARM in the datacenter, but very few deployments. ARM servers still are virtually nonexistent, and Qualcomm was waiting for a number of ARM server chipmakers to leave the market before launching Centriq. The company also waited for applications to emerge but is betting the server chips could be attractive to companies like Facebook, Google, and Amazon building mega data centers. No winning applications have emerged, but software support is growing via organizations like Linaro, which develops Linux-based software packages for ARM architecture. The LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) is commonly used in the handful of ARM servers. Large cloud companies mostly control their software destiny because they have their own software stacks. If the Qualcomm server chip and custom software ecosystem can help companies lower operating expenses, it will be adopted, said Nathan Brookwood, principal analyst at Insight 64. In the past, low-power x86 and ARM chips have been tied to low-power cloud servers. But none of them worked out, and Intels Xeon server chips which are consuming lower power and getting faster with each new generation still rule the market with a 90-plus percent market share. When ARM chips started emerging for cloud servers, Intel countered with low-power Atom server chips of its own, which halted ARMs momentum. After that, ARM server chipmakers started dropping like flies. First, it was Calxeda, the pioneering company that bought ARM chips to servers, which shut its doors. AMD, in one of its worst moves, abandoned x86 and bet its server future on ARM chips. But the company has now put ARM server chips on the backburner and will release the high-performance x86-based Zen server chips next year. Broadcoms future is uncertain, while Cavium recently started shipping server chips in volume. AppliedMicro is by far the most prolific ARM server chipmaker, but the company hasnt been successful in finding many customers. Without a doubt, Qualcomms Centriq 2400 is the best ARM server chip because of its integrated chipset and advanced manufacturing. The chip is the first server processor made using the 10-nanometer manufacturing process, Anand Chandrasekher, senior vice president and general manager of Qualcomm Datacenter Technologies, said in a blog entry. Centriq is targeting competition on performance per watt, a metric that helps deliver more performance while consuming less power. The chip has a distinct advantage of having its storage and network interfaces integrated, for which Intel still needs an additional southbridge bus. But contrary to Qualcomms claims, the 10-nm may not be an advantage over Intels server chips made using 14-nanometers, analysts said. Chip manufacturing and transistor density are much more complex than looking at the nanometer count, and Intels 14-nm process may be better than the 10-nm process of the foundry where Qualcomm will have Centriq chips made. Basically, chip manufacturers other than Intel havent gotten full benefits of shrinking chip densities at each node. Foundries like Samsung where Qualcomm may have its Centriq chip made havent seen true shrinks of chip size at each process node. Brookwood said Intels 14-nm process is perhaps equal to or better than the 10-nm process of Samsung. When Intel starts making 10-nm server chips, which could be as early as next year, itll again jump a generation ahead of Qualcomms Centriq 2400. Realistically, the 16-nm process of TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.) and the 14-nm process of Samsung and GlobalFoundries were a bit better than Intels most recent 22-nm, but not competitive with Intels current 14-nanometer, said David Kanter, an analyst for Real World Technologies. I expect the TSMC/Samsung at 10-nm to be similar or slightly better than Intels 14-nm, Kanter said. The right way to judge this is by looking at the transistor contacted gate pitch and the minimum metal pitch. That tells you how closely things are spaced. The true advantages of manufacturing also depend on lithography and other details, he said. While Qualcomm may not have a long-term manufacturing advantage over Intel, itll be the better than other ARM server chips, which have had trouble reaching 14-nm, Brookwood said. Qualcomm has already gained a foothold in China for its server chips, partnering with Guizhou Province to form a US$280 million joint venture called Guizhou Huaxintong Semiconductor Technology, which will design and sell server chipsets. But Qualcomm hasnt talked about corporate customers yet, and sales will depend on the software stack that will work with its server chips. Also, more cloud installations are maneuvering to machine-learning technology to better analyze data, and it is designed around powerful chips like IBMs Power9 and Intels Xeon combined with GPUs. However, it will become easier to attach GPUs to ARM-based server chips through emerging interconnects like Gen-Z, which is architecture agnostic. On a quiet Sunday morning 75 years ago today, the Japanese navy launched a devastating attack against the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. It was a day that would live in infamy, said President Franklin Roosevelt. The attack catapulted the United States into a global conflict that was to become known as World War II, and led the generations that experienced it to try to make sure that Americas would always remember Pearl Harbor. That sentiment still resonates today even as memories fade and survivors of the fateful day grow fewer and fewer. Some of those survivors, like Howard Bender, who grew up in Torrance and lives in Laguna Woods, deliver a message, especially to young people, about remembering the cost of freedom. Bender, who will turn 95 in January, was aboard the battleship USS Maryland when Japanese planes attacked. His wife, Geneva, told reporter Keith Sharon that Howard is still alive because he feels a responsibility to tell his story. Bender and his wife are in Hawaii this week to attend the 75th anniversary commemoration of the attack. Cities throughout Southern California will be remembering Pearl Harbor today. As citizens gather, questions are asked: What lessons did we learn as a nation from Pearl Harbor? Why must we remember Pearl Harbor? Perhaps the greatest lesson learned, according to historian Walter R. Borneman, is that nothing is impossible for Americans when we are united in a cause. In those trying days, Americans sacrificed on the battlefield and at home. Our energy and spirit was boundless. In 1,366 days from Dec. 7, 1941 to Sept. 2, 1945 the United States destroyed the Axis powers and became a superpower. That generation could truly call itself the greatest. Wouldnt it be great if we had such unity in our nation today? Another lesson was to never underestimate an enemy. Three days before the Pearl Harbor attack, Secretary of Navy Frank Knox said, Were all ready for them it wont take long. Say about a six-month war. We did learn to be more prepared. But then how do you explain the 9/11 terrorist attacks? Philip Zelikow, chairman of the 9/11 Commission, said the great tragedy of 9/11 was that the system of intelligence learned from Pearl Harbor broke down. The United States also learned how to deal with conquered enemies. Instead of punishing Japan and Germany after the war, the U.S. worked on reconciliation with those two nations who now are among our strongest allies. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced he plans to visit Pearl Harbor this month with President Obama. He will be Japans first sitting leader to visit the naval base since the 1941 attack. We must be watchful and work on solutions to terrorist threats but in a balanced way so we dont infringe on peoples civil rights. We dont want to round up people as we did Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor, and relocate them. Today is a day to honor those who sacrificed 75 years ago so we could enjoy our freedom today. Remember Pearl Harbor. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Jury confirmed San Bernardinos bankruptcy plan Tuesday, clearing the way for the city to exit bankruptcy four years after declaring it. City officials dont expect the plan a comprehensive blueprint for how much the city will pay creditors and when to become effective until March, after at least one more court hearing. But they celebrated Tuesdays hearing as historic. The day San Bernardino first voted for bankruptcy, then-Mayor Pat Morris mourned the move as a necessary step but a stain on our city. That stain is now all but gone, though other challenges remain, leaving current city officials optimistic they have the foundation to build a shining city. I am elated, City Attorney Gary Saenz said after Tuesdays hearing. Im so pleased and excited about where the city is now compared to where we were when we filed bankruptcy and what we were able to accomplish and that we now have a solid foundation upon which to build this city. The confirmation should certainly help the rest of the city and the world recognize that San Bernardino is back. Jury added her own praise, saying that during the four years she oversaw the case the city had improved not just its finances but its governance, pointing to the voter approval of a new charter and better working relationships among elected officials. The city came in in financial chaos, and its leaving in much better shape, she said. I have lived in this region for 40 years and Ive always said the city needed help. Im glad it got it. San Bernardino will pay many of its creditors far less than they would otherwise be entitled to for many creditors, just 1 cent for every dollar theyre owed. But the plan also outlines changes to the structure of the city, some of which including outsourcing of refuse and fire services, and the passage of a new city charter have already been implemented. Saenz estimated that while direct costs of the bankruptcy attorneys and consultants had cost more than $20 million, the city and its taxpayers saved more than $300 million in debts that were being discharged. A more exact number would be available Wednesday, Saenz said. San Bernardino filed for bankruptcy in August 2012 with a deficit of more than $45 million, equivalent to 40 percent of the $112 million in revenues the city expects this year. Finding and getting approval for a plan to handle that financial deficit and the citys long-term deficit in services took longer than many expected longer than /cities that have filed for bankruptcy in recent years, including Detroit, and other California cities like Vallejo and Stockton. Jury said the case, which hinged significantly on deals with major creditors, took the right amount of time. Several of the citys major creditors added their praise, noting that Detroit in particular had the advantage of outside assistance and an emergency manager empowered to force through decisions. Here, the city had the challenge of being not only economically viable but politically palatable, said attorney Vincent J. Marriott, representing bondholders who invested about $50 million in the city. As is appropriate, that took time. I think the result today is really a tribute to all the work and thought that went in from the city. From early in the case, when it reached an agreement with the California Public Employees Retirement System in that instance, an agreement to pay CalPERS everything its owed the citys plan depended on a series of agreements with creditors, rather than asking Jury to force concessions. Their final major agreement came just before this hearing, when a mediator helped broker a deal with the Big Independent Cities Excess Pool which gave its support to the plan and agreed to be responsible for claims against the city in excess of $1 million. That left only attorneys representing clients injured by police to argue Tuesday that the case was unfair, but Jury overruled them. Those attorneys argue that the city had not acted reasonably and in good faith two requirements to confirm a bankruptcy plan. It took 21 separate phone calls to get (the citys bankruptcy attorney) Mr. Glassman on the phone, said attorney Duane Folke, and then when I got him on the phone I got a penny on the dollar a penny on the dollar for a man whos going blind. Folke represents Paul Triplett, who Folke says had a $7.7 million judgment coming to him after San Bernardino police in 2006 broke his jaw, arm, ribs, leg, ankle and foot. Because Tripletts an unsecured creditor, he will get $77,000 under the citys plan. Folke adds: They need to do better, they should do better and they wont do better unless this court has some kind of fulcrum on the other end. Jury said thats not something the law allows her to do. As unsecured creditors, those with claims against police fall into the same class as others who voted in favor of the plan despite it giving them only 1 cent on the dollar. Furthermore, every one of the citys creditors was making significant sacrifices, Jury said originally excluding CalPERS, but withdrawing the remark after CalPERS attorney objected. Im not trying to diminish the injuries to your client, Jury told Folke. But Im also saying at a human level what the police and others have given back do affect the livelihoods of their families. Its not a dispassionate institutional creditor. The police union agreed in 2015 to a deal that includes concessions on leave time from before the bankruptcy filing, legal claims related to the imposition, and retiree health care. One of the few areas where the citys plan includes an increase in spending is for police, which Jury agreed they couldnt afford not to do. Anybody that lives in this area knows that the crime problem in San Bernardino is substantial, she said, pointing to a decrease in the number of police and the aging of equipment. They have to get safe for people to want to live there. The confirmation is a huge step, Mayor Carey Davis said after the hearing, but not the final step. This is a monumental day, Davis said. The hard work has paid off. We have a lot left to do, but this clears the way for us to do much of that work. The citys next court date, over the details of the confirmation order, was set Tuesday for Jan. 27. I honestly can tell you for a fact, I would not be on this planet if Em didnt love on me when she did. Kassidy Heal, 33, of Pomona was speaking of his friend, poet Em Bohlka, 33, who graduated from UC Riverside and was among dozens of concert-goers killed Friday, Dec. 2 in a warehouse fire in Oakland. They had been buddies since attending Bonita High in La Verne. In 2009, Heal was in a deep, seven-year funk after his bandmates hit the road to tour without him. Bohlka was there, encouraging Heal to get up and perform again. I was so depressed and at that point, I was agoraphobic, Heal said. I was writing and recording, and she was pushing me to play in front of people. Bohlka took up stand-up bass to perform with Heal on stage. They began playing in a two-person band called Rope in Hand. No longer agoraphobic, he saw her as recently as three weeks ago during a trip to the Bay Area. On Tuesday, Kassidy drove up to Oakland again, this time for a memorial at High Wire Coffee in Berkeley where Bohlka was working. The coffee shop had also employed Donna Kellogg, 32, who also perished in the fire. Bohlka, a transgender person, was born Matthew Bohlka, and began identifying as female in the past year. Bohlka leaves behind wife Natalie Jahanbani, with whom she moved to Oakland last year after earning a masters degree in English literature from Cal Poly Pomona. The couple met working at Starbucks on Foothill Boulevard in La Verne in 2009, around the time Bohlka was attending the University of California, Riverside. 2012 was a big year. Bohlka earned a bachelors degree in English from UCR and married Jahanbani. They lived in Pomona for a few years while Bohlka attended Cal Poly Pomona. Jahanbani, a Buddhist, would meditate at the Middle Land Chan Monastery. Em was a Buddhist and that was a really important part of her identity, Jahanbani said by phone Tuesday. She was a fantastic photographer, so when the monastery would have special ceremonies, they called upon Em to photograph them. Jahanbani, who works as a baker in San Francisco, said she and Bohlka moved to Oakland because of the incredible diversity here. On Friday, Jahanbani dropped off Bohlka at the Oakland BART station earlier in the evening so she could meet up with friends to listen to electronic music at the warehouse venue, which had been called The Ghost Ship. Bohlka texted Jahanbani at 10:15 p.m., saying how amazing the venue was and how she couldnt wait to share more. The fire, reportedly started from an electrical short at about 11:30 p.m., blocked the one exit. The death toll stands at 36. Em was a writer and poet. Theres a small underground writing scene here and small publishers and she was looking to get into that. Im in food. We were looking to expand our experience and also because there is a strong LGBT community up here. But there are fond memories, too, of the Inland Valley. Jahanbani fondly remembers walking their dog Baroness, a rescue from the Rancho Cucamonga animal shelter, through the Claremont Colleges and to the Claremont Craft Ales brewery. She also remembers how much the pair loved classic literature and cinema, enjoying Humphrey Bogart movies The Big Sleep, Dark Passage and Key Largo. We were like best friends before we were anything, said Jahanbani, who could not remember a day where they didnt text each other an affectionate message. When you have a person that you go to, thats who we were for each other. Despite separating earlier this year, the pair had decided to remain the best of friends and still lived together in an apartment in Oakland. We had decided that we obviously needed to move in separate directions, (but) we had this pact with each other, to talk everyday and check in with each other and maintain our bond, Jahanbani said. Bohlka had been planning a trip to return to the area after Christmas to see family in Claremont, her father Jack Bohlka said by phone. In January, she was planning to begin her new life in Brooklyn, to be active in the LGBT community there. She was going to be looking for work there, Jack Bohlka, who owns CBC Photography in Upland, said. She always enjoyed New York as well. She had friends there and she was looking to start fresh again in New York. Em came out recently earlier this year, Jahanbani said. We had made the decision to separate, but its hard because what we had did not fit a title. We still lived with each other and shared a bed until Friday. Ems father left this public message on his Facebook page thanking people for their thoughts: Thank you to everyone who is expressing support and love at the devastating loss of my child in the Oakland fire, Bohlka wrote. Most of you will remember her as Matt, but recently she began her transition to becoming a beautiful, happy woman. She at last was living as she was meant to live. I only wish she had more time to fully enjoy her life. In an interview, Jack Bohlka said he hopes Ems story will shed a positive light on the transgender community. Trans people still live very much in fear for their physical well-being as well as a general sense of being scorned by other people and not being understood, Jack Bohlka said. The reason Im talking to people is to make sure there will be more positive light shed on the trans community. Jack Bohlka said he wants a criminal investigation into the fire. Those sorts of spaces that are physically not safe are the spaces that trans people are relegated to, Jack Bohlka said. They feel safe with each other in their communities but not going into a straight bar or night club. The trans community is a very close-knit group. I hope its a real issue of (making) safe spaces for them to gather. Jahanbani said she plans to cremate Em Bohlkas remains and bring them down to Southern California within the next few weeks. Once that process is done, Ill be driving down to Southern California to be with family, she said. Em was a firm believer in reincarnation, and its comforting to know, Jahanbani said. We have a beautiful tree outside, and its red. Every day Ive woken up, and Ive woken up weeping, and I see her in these moments. Anytime I see the sky. Its been so beautiful in the bay these last couple of nights, and on Saturday night the moon was beautiful, and I see her in every bit of it. As hard as it is, I see her everywhere and I havent felt alone. RELATED Riverside native planned to attend Oakland party How do you stop an Oakland-level tragedy from happening Heres how to help Oakland fire victims Staff writer Alejandra Molina contributed to this report. Contact the writer: nnisperos@scng.com@ReporterNeil on Twitter WASHINGTON Democrat Barbara Boxer of California, who recalled a career devoted to liberal causes like womens rights and the environment, said farewell to the Senate on Wednesday, Dec. 7. She recalled fondly her friendship and working alliance with Republicans like Sen. Jim Inhofe, a crusty conservative from Oklahoma. With allies like House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi watching, Boxer recalled accomplishments like after-school programs, setting aside California wilderness lands and last years highway bill. Also bidding farewell to the Senate was Maryland Democratic Sen. Barbara Mikulski, a 40-year veteran of Congress and a tough-as-nails advocate for Maryland, the poor and womens rights, recalling her roots as a Baltimore community activist and her work for for jobs and justice. Mikulski is the longest serving woman in the Senate. Over three decades in the chamber, she earned a reputation for determination and for forging odd-couple alliances with Republican men like Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., and former Sen. Christopher Bond, R-Mo., and racked up an impressive roster of accomplishments. But she is perhaps most recognized inside the Senate for her role as a mentor and ally to the bodys growing ranks of women, offering counseling and hosting bipartisan private dinners of the chambers women. She was the first Democrat elected to the Senate on her own but many have followed her. I wanted to be the first of many. I wanted to help get women elected to the Senate, Mikulski said. One of the great joys has been to work to help empower them so that they could be a powerhouse that struck fear into the heart of the guys. Mikulski also has a skill for deal-making honed by her service on the Appropriations Committee, where senators of all philosophies have long dropped ideology in their drive to enact annual spending bills. Shes prepared, shes smart, shes tough, Shelby said, recalling a hand in glove working relationship on the powerful panel. We go back to our House days, he added; Mikulski served in the House for a decade. Mikulski earned a reputation for having a fierce temper and for not suffering fools once telling a reporter that she could be volcanic but she seems to have mellowed in recent years. She often refers to herself as Sen. Barb, but her staff often simply refers to her as BAM. Her word is her bond, shes a passionate advocate for the causes she supports, and good luck stopping her once shes put her mind to something, said Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Also saying goodbye was first-term Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., defeated for re-election last month. She spoke with pride of her work on defense issues and on a recent law to combat opioid addiction. Riversides historic Korea Town has been named a city point of cultural interest, marking what supporters say is the first organized Korean settlement in the U.S. While Koreans sought work in Hawaii and San Francisco before they made their way here in the early 1900s, Riversides Korea Town also called Pachappa Camp was unique as a place where families lived together as neighbors, held community events and organized politically, say historians who researched the camp. The Riverside City Council on Tuesday, Dec. 6., voted 5-0 to make the camp the citys first point of cultural interest, a new designation for significant places where no historic buildings remain. Councilmen Andy Melendrez and Chris Mac Arthur were absent. Originally built for Chinese railroad workers, the camps 20 or so wooden buildings were home to Korean Americans from about 1905 to 1918. Scholars say it is also notable for its association with Korean independence leader Dosan Ahn Chang Ho, who brought his family to the camp and helped organize the community there before returning to his homeland to fight its rule by Japan. Ahn and his wife and others in Pachappa Camp were exposed to the idea that sovereignty would lie in the people. Riverside taught them that, because they were used to living under an authoritarian regime, said Ralph Ahn, Dosans youngest son. About 70 people were at the meeting. The 10 who spoke favored recognizing the camp. Ahns grandson, Philip Flip Cuddy, had emailed city officials his objections to the proposal but did not attend Tuesday. Some council members initially had reservations about calling the camp first, but city Historic Preservation Officer Erin Gettis said city officials spent six months doing additional research after opposition was raised at the citys Cultural Heritage Board in June and they still stand by the claim. No one argues that Riverside was the first place any Koreans ever lived in the U.S., but other settlements were mostly made up of young, single men who came for work, said Edward Chang, director of UC Riversides Young Oak Kim Center for Korean American Studies. But the Riverside camp was a family community, the home of weddings, births, deaths, social activities, Chang said. Cultural as well as (Korean) independence activities occurred at Pachappa Camp. Contact the writer: 951-368-9461arobinson@scng.comTwitter: @arobinson_pe The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a $100,000 allocation to hire an outside firm to help expedite workers compensation claims by victims of the Dec. 2, 2015 terrorist attack at the Inland Regional Center. During a special meeting of the board on Nov. 28 to address problems victims have been having getting their claims approved, survivors of the attack pleaded with county supervisors for more assistance after enduring delays and denials for medications, surgery, physical therapy and counseling services. Supervisors promised to hire an outside firm to work with the survivors and help expedite the workers compensation process, but survivor Sally Cardinale, who spoke at the Nov. 28, also addressed the board Tuesday wondering what the status was. I have not been contacted nor am I aware of any of the survivors being contacted by this firm, said Cardinale, a program specialist for the county. We hope to receive an update on the status of this decision, as well as a clear indication of how this firm will help us. She told the board the victims of the attack have no intention of giving up their fight. I am here to remind you that well continue to keep fighting until we receive the care that we deserve and you treat us like the county family you have so boldly represented us to be in the media, Cardinale said. Again, I am begging you to do the right thing. You have the ability to cut through the red tape you have chosen to put in place. No one can question we were traumatized that day. Please do the right thing and care about the employees and their well being. The $100,000 allocation was included in the countys first quarter budget report to establish the Workers Comp Claim Expediter Reserve in an effort to minimize delays in treatment and other services for victims of mass shooting. Board Chairman James Ramos said in an interview following the meeting that county CEO Greg Devereaux has interviewed at least two firms, and one should be hired by the end of the week. Thats my goal, Ramos said, adding that he has pressed upon Devereaux to ensure that the outside firm, once hired, immediately begin reaching out to the victims and begin expediting their claims. Thats a big concern, said Ramos. That has to be one of the top priorities that they have. Meanwhile, county staff will continue to work closely with each employee to ensure they receive the care they need, county spokesman David Wert said in an email. Each case is different. Most seem to involve the county not receiving necessary paperwork from treating physicians and caregivers, which is where the outside firm can prove the most useful, Wert said. Other cases involve state restrictions on certain medications. Lolita Harper, spokeswoman for the county Sheriffs Employees Benefit Association, the labor union representing sheriffs deputies, said SEBAs 3,400 members support the victims. She said SEBA suggests the board closely examine its utilization review system, which the union found denies 80 percent of treatments submitted to utilization review by its members. We are offering our support in establishing a long-term solution, Harper said. We are willing to sit down with you and detail the problems our members have encountered with the countys approach to medical treatment through workers comp. We want to lend our support to our colleagues and also to county officials to help San Bernardino County improve its services to its most valuable resource its employees. Wert said 96 percent of December 2-related treatments were approved in the utilization review process, and only two utilization review appeals have been filed. In terms of the denials, the county is limited in what it can do, but it will do what it can, Wert said. Ramos agreed that the entire workers compensation system is something the board is open to examining more closely, and the board will certainly attempt to fix any glitches in the system within the boards ability to do so. He said the county has already reached out to the state Department of Industrial Relations board to discuss the problem. I believe we need to look at the whole process, Ramos said. Contact the writer: jnelson@scng.com@SBCountyNow on Twitter The owners of six homes decked out for the holidays opened their doors to the public Sunday in support of the YMCA of the East Valley. The YMCA had its 49th annual Holiday Home Tour, which raises money for the nonprofit and its efforts to serve the community through its Legal Aid Clinic. RELATED: 6 Inland neighborhoods whose Christmas lights shine brightest The tour fundraiser kicked off with the Holiday Boutique and Pantry. To learn more, go to ymcaeastvalley.org/ events/hometour. Here are the featured homes: Haack home 456 S. Eureka Rachel and Tyler Haacks home says family the minute you approach. With two tree swings out front, window boxes overflowing with seasonal foliage and lanterns and two rocking chairs on the front steps, visitors get the feeling early they are welcome. Family and history are important to the Haacks. They researched the 1905 1,900-square-foot house before renovating it. A living room/kitchen wall was removed and the space expanded, and other modern touches were added, but it retains much of its coziness for the family of six. Kallander home 1748 Chapparal Road When Kay and Ron Kallander retired, they knew what they wanted when they returned to Redlands. They found their beautiful, 4,500-square-foot Chapparal Road home, adjacent to Caroline Park, a perfect fit. Ron, a retired minister, calls the new place whimsical and the glory house. Kay thinks of it as a house of hospitality since friends and family always are welcome. Oden home 12245 Wabash Ave. Mike and Eleanor Oden wanted to find a quiet space to live in and enjoy. They got just that with their Wabash Avenue home, situated at the end of a long, winding private road on one of several hilltops in the familys surrounding 42-acre parcel. The 4,900-square-foot main house has an adjoining one-bedroom cabana above the garage, making for a total of 5,200 square feet of living space. The property offers residents and visitors close to 360-degree views of the neighboring valley, the Seven Oaks Dam and even as far away as Ontario on a clear day. Paulson home 356 Franklin Ave. The Franklin Avenue home of Marcus and Elizabeth Paulson is a 2016 Redlands Area Historical Society Award winner, and it shows. A visit here is like stepping back in time. The expansive residence was built in 1898 in what once briefly was called Redlands Heights. Over the years, the house has had three major renovations. In 1909, three bedrooms were added; the living space later was expanded, first from 1,500 square feet to 2,900 square feet, then to 4,200 square feet. But the prairie bungalowlike home maintains its inherent beauty and style, including picture rails throughout, push-button wall light fixtures and vertical sliding sash windows. Whitmore home 37 Grant St. Bobby Whitmores 1,057-square-foot 1913 Craftsman bungalow needed work, but he was up to the task. His work caught the eye of an HGTV producer who also was scouting the area looking for homes to feature in a new show called Restored by Brett Waterman. The Whitmore home is the star of the first episode. Whitmore used information and a 1960 photo of the house found at the A.K. Smiley Library for reference. One feature of note is the houses own Chain of Title, which hangs proudly in Whitmores dining room, detailing its line of succession from the time the land was bought in 1871 to when C.C. and Grace Holloway built their home. Also listed are all of the homes owners through the subsequent decades. Stockton home 510 S. Buena Vista Shelli Stockton says her South Buena Vista home has good bones. It was constructed by Redlands builder Garret Huizing. But the interior needed an update: The rooms were small and cut off from each other. A new design reconfigured the 1,400-square-foot 1924 bungalow to fit her needs without sacrificing architectural accuracy. As for renovations, she started in the kitchen and worked from there. Stockton wanted to retain as much of the houses character as possible, so she installed a warm, wooden countertop, repainted cabinets and put in a clean/crisp white subway tile backsplash and a farmhouse sink. A wall was removed. Today, it is spacious and features a cozy breakfast nook. Contact the writer: khernandez@scng.comTwitter: @TheFactsKrisssproul@scng.com Do they let it grow or nip it in the bud? Thats the question facing Riverside County supervisors after California voters last month legalized the recreational use of marijuana. The county Board of Supervisors will have to decide whether to continue a ban on marijuana cultivation or allow pot-related businesses to operate legally and under what conditions. On Tuesday, Dec. 6, supervisors received a report on the legal steps needed to keep the ban or allow pot commerce. A discussion of marijuanas financial effect on county government supervisors asked for a report back in September could resume in March. Prop. 64 allows Californians to possess and grow marijuana for recreational purposes, subject to certain rules. Medical marijuana has been legal in the state since the mid-1990s. While Prop. 64 allows those 21 and older to smoke marijuana and keep plants in their homes, cities and counties are allowed to ban dispensaries, grow operations and similar businesses within their jurisdictions. Riverside County has direct land-use authority over unincorporated areas that arent part of a city. In 2015, supervisors clarified and strengthened an existing zoning ban on marijuana cultivation in unincorporated communities. Supervisor Kevin Jeffries spearheaded the changes to crack down on open-air marijuana grows causing problems in the countys rural areas. With Prop. 64 on the books, the countys legal team wrote that supervisors will have to decide if they want to amend the ban to clarify that it applies to medical and non-medical marijuana. The ban also would have to incorporate Prop. 64s provisions, such as one allowing adult to grow up to six plants in their home. If supervisors go the other way, the ban would have to be changed or repealed and development standards and conditions for land-use permits need to be created, the countys lawyers said. Supervisors also would have to consider whether to impose a local tax on marijuana sales, and that tax requires voter approval. Its a lot to consider for the five supervisors, several of whom have expressed misgivings about legalized pot. I dont think we need another intoxicant in our society, Supervisor John Benoit said in September. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law. And Jeffries noted that Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, who is Donald Trumps pick for U.S. attorney general, might crack down on the drug. Sessions has reportedly said Good people dont smoke marijuana. At least one group wants the county to embrace a legal marijuana business model. Anthony Wagner, executive director of the Southern California Responsible Growers Council, a group of about 30 farmers and business owners that advocates for a properly regulated and taxed marijuana industry, appeared before the board Tuesday to ask for a path forward to grow marijuana in rural residential and agricultural areas. The council issued a news release that included comments from Micah Anderson, who hopes to grow marijuana in Riverside County. The bottom line is that the farming aspect of this industry is evolving fast, Anderson is quoted as saying. And we want to ensure that it does so in a way that is acceptable and beneficial to communities and that our farmers are afforded the same opportunities as other agricultural enterprises. Supervisor Marion Ashley said hes considering all available information, including the voice of the voters in deciding how the county should address Prop. 64. If we proceed to allow marijuana cultivation and businesses in the unincorporated area of the county, I feel we should give consideration to a countywide plan where the county and all cities who wish to be participate be included in the circle, Ashley said. There should be common rules, ordinances and revenue sharing among the participating governments. If we use an everyone on their own approach, some cities will be be overloaded with businesses and others will be the recipient of the impacts, good or bad, Ashley added. Between now and March, Riverside County could learn from cities and counties in California that are further along their responses to Prop. 64, County Counsel Greg Priamos told supervisors. Supervisor Chuck Washington cautioned against taking too long in addressing the new law. Im concerned maybe a genie is getting out of the bottle before we get started, he said. The countys existing ban will remain in effect while the board considers its options, Priamos replied. Contact the writer: 951-368-9547 orjhorseman@scng.comTwitter: @JeffHorseman Someone threatened to shoot 12 students and four teachers on Dec. 18 in a message written in a bathroom at Mt. San Jacinto Colleges San Jacinto campus this week. A day after disclosing that some sort of threat had been made, college officials on Wednesday, Dec. 7, acknowledged that a photo of the threat had been circulating online since someone shared it on the social media site Snapchat. December 18th 2016 I will be shooting 12 students, 4 teachers then myself you WILL (expletive) DIE, said the threat, which appears to have been written in black marker on the side of a bathroom stall. Click here to see the photo. Warning: Graphic language. Dec. 18 is a Sunday and is two days after the last day of final exams, according to Mt. San Jacintos academic calendar. No suspects had been identified or arrested as of Wedneday afternoon, said Deputy Mike Vasquez, a Riverside County sheriffs spokesman. Authorities have stepped up patrols and police presence across the college district, which includes full campuses in San Jacinto and Menifee and other facilities from Banning to Temecula. They urged anyone with information about the message, or the person who posted the picture of it to Snapchat under the name Carlos, to contact the Sheriffs Department at 951-791-3400 or 1-800-950-2444. College officials also encouraged students and staff to watch their surroundings and report any suspicious behavior to campus safety officers at 951-639-5188 or call 911 in an emergency. The graffiti was found about 9 p.m. Monday. Officials declined to say which bathroom on the San Jacinto campus it was in. Asked how serious authorities believe the threat was, Vasquez said the department takes all threats of violence seriously. Whether it was legitimate or a prank, he said, the Sheriffs Department will be investigating fully. The threat at MSJC was discovered the same day police in Riverside learned of an alleged plot to attack Martin Luther King High School in 2020. Two freshmen there have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. Contact the writer: 951-368-9693, agroves@scng.com or @AlexDGroves on Twitter A founding board member and the chief administrator of Southwest Riverside Countys regional animal shelter has been placed on administrative leave from the post she has held for the last 12 years. Though Willa Bagwell technically remains the executive director of the nonprofit shelter operator, Animal Friends of the Valleys, and its website still lists her in that capacity, she hasnt worked at the Wildomar facility since late October. The groups board recently notified leaders of the agencies the shelter serves Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, Murrieta, Temecula and the county that Interim Assistant Executive Director Monty Jordan would be their contact. There was a board decision to place Willa on administrative leave, board President Tammi Boyd said. Bagwell and her husband, Michael Bagwell, an employee who left the shelter earlier this year, said they have hired an attorney to represent them in mediated settlement talks. My husband and I are both heartbroken over whats happened, she said Tuesday, Dec. 6. Ive been there for 29 years. Its been our life. When asked if she thought the boards action was unwarranted, she said, 100 and 50 percent. And it will come out. Neither Willa Bagwell nor Boyd would discuss details behind the leave as they involve personnel and legal issues. Boyd said the board had not decided yet who will run the shelter on a permanent basis in the future. We cant make any decision until we make a decision regarding Willa, she said. Until thats resolved her coming back or the position being filled Montys the interim assistant director. Things are running status quo as they had in the past as if Willa was on vacation. Jordan said he had been working with Animal Friends on donor development when he was asked to take the interim position. The Canyon Lake resident said he has worked as a volunteer board member with nonprofits over the last 20 years. Im handling day-to-day executive duties, he said. I have not replaced her. Willa Bagwells formal involvement in animal services started when she was among six serving as directors of the Lake Elsinore Animal Friends, a group formed because of the lack sheltering and control services at the time. The group opened a shelter in Lake Elsinore in 1988 and over the years extended services to the other four cities and nearby county areas, while changing its name to reflect the expansion. Bagwell and her husband were among the leaders in the drive to build a new regional shelter, which was accomplished with the financial support of the cities and county united in a joint powers authority. The facility at Mission Trail and Corydon opened in October 2010. Wildomar City Councilwoman Bridgette Moore, the citys representative on the authority board, said she had a conversation with Jordan about the shelters function and observed conditions there. At this point, there didnt seem to be any issues and the shelter was running smoothly, she said. I didnt see any red flags. Contact the writer: 951-368-9690 or michaelwilliams@pressenterprise.com CORRECTION: Pearl Harbor survivor Ewalt Shatz name was misspelled in an earlier version of this story. Author Dan King stood at the lectern in a Chino hangar filled with historical planes and packed with more than 200 people. How many veterans do we have? King asked of the audience. Nearly half of the crowds hands went up. There was no shortage of military representatives at the Planes of Fame museums Pearl Harbor Day commemoration, but few of the veterans who were there to see the Japanese planes roar out of the Pacific and decimate the U.S. naval fleet that day are still with us. As they and other World War II veterans slip into history, the memory of their contributions and heroism is being kept alive by military museums such as this one. Other museum events this week include Pearl Harbor remembrances aboard the USS Iowa in San Pedro today at noon and at Riversides March Field Museum, at 2 p.m. Saturday. Its important to remember the history, said Daniel Wotring, of Upland, a flight instructor at the Chino Airport who was on hand for the Planes of Fame commemoration. When I was a kid, Id go to a museum and my grandfather would be there telling me the personal history, such as the part he played in the invasion of Sicily in World War II. We dont have those folks around now, he added, so its really important to have this. Its phenomenal to have a museum like Planes of Fame, where the airplanes arent just sitting there, theyre actually flying. And the plane that was spotlighted on the runway and in the air on Saturday was a Japanese Zero. It is the only remaining Zero that flew during World War II and is still flying today. Although it was used in the film Pearl Harbor, this plane isnt the exact model of the Zero that attacked Hawaii 75 years ago. Those planes were the Mark 2 version of the plane. Chinos Zero is a Mark 5. It has a larger Sakai engine 1,200 horsepower versus 800 horsepower slightly shorter wings and 20 mm cannons mounted in the wings. This particular plane saw combat in naval skirmishes off Kyushu and in the islands of Guam, Saipan and Iwo Jima, museum officials said. Museum president Steve Hinton said the Zero is a fun plane to fly. Its a really nice-flying airplane, Hinton said. Its funky because the knobs are in different places. But it still works well. Its very aerobatic. Its a light plane, with much of its metal work composed of aluminum. That made it faster than any American planes early in the war. It was tough to catch. But its light weight was also its vulnerability. It had no armor plating. It was really easy to shoot down, if you could catch it, Hinton said. The Zero was one of the first planes that the museums founder, Ed Maloney, collected. He bought it in 1951 from a technical school in Pasadena, which acquired it from the Air Force it was one of several captured during the war as surplus. Without Maloneys intervention, it likely would have been dismantled for scrap. Instead it was refurbished and it continues to fly. Among Saturdays crowd, cordoned off from the plane behind a barrier rope, were many Japanese faces. Miya Norio, 51, of Tokyo, is taking lessons from Wotring. He was amazed to see the Zero prepping for takeoff. Every Japanese (person) wants to see a flying Zero, Norio said, Its the most special aircraft for the Japanese. Mitsu Ishi, 53, was visiting from Japan. He worked from 2009-2014 at Toyotas Torrance offices. One of the first things he did when he came to the United States, he said, was to come to Chino to see the famous plane. When I was a boy, in 1978, I remember the Zero came to Japan, he said. I wanted to see it with my own eyes He didnt get that chance and was only able to read about it in a magazine. When I came to Torrance, I immediately came here and I saw this Zero fly, he said. My feeling was my dream came true. The Zero is some kind of our soul. For Ewalt Shatz, 93, of Moreno Valley, the experience of seeing a Zero in flight was markedly different. Shatz wasnt at the museum gathering on Saturday. But he was aboard the USS Patterson, anchored in Pearl Harbor the morning of Dec. 7, 1941. He was on his way to breakfast on that quiet Sunday morning. I stopped amidships to talk to a bosons mate, he said. I happened to look over to the airfield and this building just exploded. At that same time, a plane came out of a dive over the ship. The boson said, Hell, thats the Japanese, and he sounded the alarm. Since it was Sunday morning, Shatz said, the men were slow to be roused. Most werent taking the alarm seriously, assuming it was drill. But when the five-inch guns on the destroyer began firing, it got everyones attention. Shatz spent the first part of the battle at the controls of a 50-caliber machine gun, blasting away at the passing planes, one of which he sent crashing to the ground. He said he didnt realize hed made the kill at the time. He was told later by the sailors manning the five-inch gun above him. Thats what the guys up there said, he recalled. They had a better view than I did. The Patterson was able to get underway and leave the harbor, he said, escaping the fury of the attack largely unscathed. We had some strafing on the smokestack, he said. There were some bullet holes. But they were more interested in dropping their bombs on the battleships and the carriers. We were just a small ship. Shatz will be sharing his recollections at the ceremony aboard the USS Iowa today. Two other local Pearl Harbor survivors, Roger Marion, of Riverside, and John Busma, of Corona, will be speaking at the morning event at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Norco. On Saturday, Frank Verano, of Hemet, will talk about his Pearl Harbor experience at the March Field Air Museum. Verano was an aircraft spotter stationed on the USS Detroit, a light cruiser, during the attack. Collections manager Sterling Jenson said the museum doesnt have any planes in its collection that are specifically connected to Pearl Harbor, but it does have a display of artifacts and memorabilia, including some shrapnel, a military cloak, and a mockup of part of a ship. The display also includes video of interviews with survivors of the attack. One of our goals is long-term preservation, and to be able to keep these items for future generations, Jenson said. If we help preserve these items it will bring a more direct connection for future generations. Such physical connections not only bring the history home, but keep it tangible for those who experienced it directly, said the Chino museums Hinton. One of the displays at the museum is a mock-up of a flight deck on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. Some of the Enterprise veterans came by and gave us some memorabilia, Hinton said. One gentleman gave me a piece that he said was part of the ship. Hinton looked at the metal fitting. I said, Thats not part of a ship. Thats part of a plane, he said. The Enterprise had been hit by a kamikaze at one point. I took him over and showed him the Zero and where (the part) went on the plane, and he teared up. In that way, and others, he said, it continues to do its job. Its telling the story of our veterans. They were all young kids fighting for our country and fighting for their lives, he said. Were just lucky to have it. RELATED Pearl Harbor events that you can visit 97-year-old relives how he survived Pearl Harbor attack 75 years ago Pearl Harbor survivors fear theyre being forgotten <! The following message will be displayed to users with unsupported browsers: > Your browser does not support the iframe HTML tag. Try viewing this in a modern browser like Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Internet Explorer 9 or later. Contact the writer: mmuckenfuss@scng.com or 951-368-9595 Two Nigerians who attempted to collected GH5,000.00 from a worker at the Office of the President under the pretext of transporting five million dollars from Togo to Ghana for investment have appeared before a District Court in Accra. Favour Uzorma, a trader and Stanley Simon Chgimereze, a model, have been charged with two counts, namely conspiracy and attempt to commit crime. The two accused persons have pleaded not guilty and the Court presided over by Mr Worlanyo Kotoku has admitted them to bail in the sum of GH50,000.00 with three sureties. They are to pay GH5,000.00 each as security deposit and report to the Police at Ministries Police Station twice a week. An accomplice whose name was given as Temple is at large. Prosecuting Chief Inspector Robert Adu-Gyamfi said Mr. Derek Prince Tamakloe, the Complainant, works at the Office of the President, Ridge, in Accra. Prosecution said during the month of October, the complainant received a call from one Temple now at large that Uzorma was interested in investing in Ghana with five million dollars and as such they wanted the complainant to be their partner. Later, Prosecution said, Temple gave Uzormas number to the complainant and he contacted him (Complainant) and he confirmed that he wanted to invest in Ghana. According to the prosecutor, some weeks after, Uzorma called the complainant that he had arrived at the Togo border and that Immigration Officers had seized the box containing the five million dollars and were demanding GH5,000.00 cash before releasing the box. Based on Uzorma assertion, the complainant agreed and acceded to his request. On November 4, this year met the complainant at his office to collect the money. Chief Inspector Adu-Gyamfi said Joachin Mensah Doe a witness in the matter caused the arrest of Uzorma and he was escorted to the Ministries Police Station. Uzorma in his cautioned statement admitted that there was no money in the said box seized at the Togo border and he and his accomplices intend to defraud the complainant. On November 8, this year, Prosecution said Temple then called the complainant that he intends to strike a new deal with him. Prosecution said Temple then asked Stanley to meet the complainant at the Italian Embassy to collect another GH5,000.00 and he (Stanley) was also nabbed by the Police. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A 23-year-old Nigerian entrepreneur, Chris Kwekowe turned down a job offer to work as a software engineer at Microsoft, owned by the richest man in the world, Bill Gates, in order to begin his own start-up in Lagos. The Lagos State University computer science graduate proudly revealed this to Bill Gates during a television interview for Africas brightest young entrepreneurs in August 2016. Kwekowe, who won the 2015 Anzisha Prize which came with a $25,000 cheque, said he rejected the offer to build up his own startup, Slatecube a website aimed at helping other young Nigerians find jobs. "When I told him, Gates was intrigued and he smiled. After the programme, all the directors were like, Dude, you mean you actually turned down a job at Microsoft and had the guts to tell Bill Gates? Kwekowe founded Slatecube with his brother Emerald, 20, in October 2014. The pair funded their efforts by freelancing as web designers and running a software solutions firm. He said Slatecube seeks to solve that problem by nurturing the graduates through digital internships and so far, Slatecube has an 80% employment rate for its users. Companies that have used the platform, have saved over $100,000 in 2015 by hiring skilled, ready to work employees. In a Facebook post published last August, Chris narrated in details of his meeting with Bill Gates: "Oh yeah, I did meet with Bill Gates in Durban, South Africa where we had some candid discussion about everything - from his involvement with charitable causes in the continent, to how he makes time to be a great father for his kids. My favourite moments were watching his reaction after I told him I turned down job offers from Microsoft and the likes to pursue something more defining for me, and how Africa's development depends more on sustainable investments in innovative social startups like Slatecube that solve some of the continent's biggest problems, rather than donating entirely to charity organisations who end up requiring more financial injection to deal with the minutest of issues. Anyways, we'd be working with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to make our value proposition at Slatecube a pan-African privilege. Soon, you'd rather be in demand across the globe, and engage in companies and projects that make you better, and suits your career goals. Nothing can really be better" Source: Newsweek.europe/Chris Kwekowe/Facebook 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 With 'continuity' as his battle cry, President John Dramani Mahama goes into the December 7 polls as presidential candidate of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) very confident of securing re-election. His strong Christian principles is playing into his campaign as he constantly tells his supporters , "God is on our side, we shall win this election." Born to a political giant from Northern Ghana ( his father was the Late Emmanuel Adama Mahama who was the first Member of Parliament for the West Gonja Constituency, and the first Regional Commissioner of the Northern Region under President Kwame Nkrumah), Mr Mahama has carved an image for himself as a political heavyweight. rising from a Member of Parliament (MP) to a Deputy Minister, full Minister, Vice President and President. The President has made the incredible socio-ecomomic infrastructure undertaken by his government, a major campaign message. From education, to health, sanitation, electricity, water , Information Communication Technology (ICT ) and other areas of national development, President Mahama has touted the achievements of his government. His argument is that having laid a solid foundation for economic development of the country, it is natural that he is given a second term to put on the superstructure. His popularity appears to be soaring. Across the country, thousands have poured out to welcome him on his campaign. On his campaign tours, he stated that the crowds that poured out to meet him far outnumbered what he witnessed in the 2012 election campaign, a testament to his belief that he will win the election in the first round. His manifesto pledges include the establishment of farmers service centres throughout the country, develop an eco-tourism strategy for the Western wildlife corridor, introduce industrial salt production, caustic salt production and chlorine salt production, and the building of 20 polyclinics in Ashanti, Western, Eastern and Upper East regions. Mr Mahama is politically crafty in his own style, his communication skills has played well for him in his political life. Early working life Before plunging into a career in politics, Mr Mahama worked as the Information, Culture and Research Officer at the Embassy of Japan in Accra. He attributes his strong work ethics partly to the experience he gained from working with the Japanese who believe in hard work. "The President had never been afraid of hard work himself, but the experience reinforced in his mind the importance of focus and commitment and reflects in his actions, effort and the dynamism that he brings to bear on the Office of the President," the Presidency website, www.presidency.gov.gh, says of him. After a brief stint with the Embassy of Japan, Mr Mahama joined PLAN International as the International Relations, Sponsorship, Communication and Grants Manager. Political life Starting off as Member of Parliament for Bole-Bamboi Constituency in the Northern Region in 1996, Mr Mahama held various ministerial positions in the Rawlings government. He had wanted to quit politics after the 2008 general election to pursue further studies abroad when he was picked by the then candidate John Evans Atta Mills to partner him as running mate in the 2008 presidential election, which Prof. Mills won. Following the passing of President Evans Atta Mills on July 24, 2012. Mr Mahama who was the Vice President then was sworn in as President in the evening of that day, serving the remaining five months of the late Mills term. Mr Mahama won the December 7, 2012 presidential election on the ticket of the NDC with 50.7 per cent of the votes and sworn into office on January 7, 2013. Education President Mahama, 58, was born on November 29, 1958. He attended the Ghana Secondary School in Tamale for Ordinary and Advanced level GCE Certificates and then to the University of Ghana, where he graduated with Bachelor of Arts Degree in History in 1981. He had graduate studies in Communication in the University of Ghana's School of Communication Studies, completing in 1986. Mr Mahama also studied for a Post-graduate Diploma in Social Psychology from the Institute of Social Sciences. Mr Mahama is a proud family man, married with children to Mrs Lordina Mahama, who has been a strong supporter in his political life. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, possesses an impressive record of national political activism and achievements that spans a period of four decades. Starting actively from 1977, he was the General Secretary of the broad-based Peoples Movement for Freedom and Justice (PMFJ), established to oppose the perpetuation of military rule in Ghana. In 1979, he established the law firm, Akufo-Addo, Prempeh & Co while a decade after, in 1989, he established the Ghana Committee on Human and Peoples Rights. With the advent of the fourth republic democratic dispensation, he became a founder member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) which he currently leads. One notable activity that he is credited for was that he was an active leader of the broad-based Alliance for Change, which organised the famous Kume Preko demonstrations in 1995 against the hardships and suffering endured by Ghanaians under President Jerry John Rawlings. National Service Akufo-Addo was elected three times between 1996 and 2004 as Member of Parliament for the Abuakwa South constituency in the Eastern region of Ghana. From 2001 to 2007, as Cabinet Minister, first as Attorney General for two years and later as Foreign Minister for five years, Nana served President Kufuor with brilliance and distinction. As Attorney General, Akufo-Addo had the satisfaction of being responsible for the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law, a law that had hitherto been used to intimidate the media and criminalise free speech. The repeal has enabled the Ghanaian media to become one of the most vibrant and freest in Africa. As Foreign Minister, he was fully involved in the successful ECOWAS peace efforts in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote dIvoire and Guinea Bissau, and was chairman of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council in 2003. He contested the presidential primaries of the NPP in 2008 and got elected to contest the December 2008 presidential elections. However, he lost the 2008 presidential election in the second round by 40,000 votes, having led in the first round by over 100,000 votes. In 2009 Nana Akufo-Addo championed the expansion of the NPPs Electoral College, responsible for the selection of a presidential candidate, from 2,300 in 2008 to 115,000 in 2010. He was re-elected the same year as the presidential candidate for the 2012 elections, after obtaining 78.89 per cent of delegates votes. In the December 2012 polls, he protested the wrongful declaration of John Mahama as winner of the 2012 presidential election. He went ahead to appeal against the declaration of the election at the Supreme Court and although the court did not rule in his favour, he accepted the 5-4 verdict of the Supreme Court and decided not to seek a review of the decision. That decision earned him widespread acclaim from Ghanaians, local and international organisations such as the United Nations, European Union and the African Union. Nana Akufo-Addo was re-elected presidential candidate for the 2016 elections, after obtaining 94.35 per cent of delegates votes. Biography Born on March 29, 1944, in Swalaba, Accra, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was raised in Accra, Ghanas capital. His father's residence in Accra was effectively the headquarters of the country's first political party, the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), after it was formed at Saltpond on August 4, 1947. Three of the Big Six (founding fathers of Ghana) were Nana's blood relatives: J.B Danquah (grand uncle), William Ofori Atta (uncle) and Edward Akufo-Addo, who became the third Chief Justice and later ceremonial President of the Republic from 1970-72, was his father. Akufo-Addo had his primary education at the Government Boys School and later Rowe Road School both in Accra Central. Nana went on to England to study for his OLevel and A Level examinations. He returned to Ghana in 1962 to teach at the Accra Academy before going to the University of Ghana in 1964 to read Economics. After graduating as an economist, he went on to read law in the UK and was called to the English Bar (Middle Temple) in July 1971 and the Ghana Bar in 1975. He is married to Rebecca, daughter of the Speaker of the Parliament of the Third Republic of Ghana, the late Mr. Justice J.H Griffiths-Randolph. They have five children and five grandchildren. They are both devout Christians. Legal and Business Career After his call to the English Bar, he went to work in Paris, France, as a lawyer with a then renowned international US law firm, Coudert Freres, for a period of five years. Apart from the welcome exposure to the dynamics of international corporate transactions, his stay in France also made him fluent in French, attributes which have stood him in good stead. In 1975, he returned home to Accra to continue with his legal career. He joined the chambers of U.V Campbell from 1975-1979 and in 1979, co-founded the law firm, Akufo-Addo, Prempeh & Co, which has become one of the most prominent law firms in Ghana. He is acknowledged as one of the most brilliant advocates of his day, if not in the history of the Ghanaian Bar. Nana Akufo-Addo was the first Chairperson of DHL, Ghana Limited; Chairperson, Kinesec Communications Company Limited, publishers of the Statesman newspaper, and the first Chairperson of the Ghana Committee on Human and Peoples Rights. 2016 Presidential Candidate Nana Akufo-Addo was, on October 18, 2014, re-elected to lead the New Patriotic Party into the December 2016 general elections, after securing an overwhelming 94.35% of the total valid votes cast at the partys presidential primary. His closest competitor, Alan Kyerematen, obtained 4.75%, while the candidate who placed third obtained 0.90% of the total valid votes cast. In his victory acceptance speech on the night of October 18, Nana Akufo-Addo assured the NPP and Ghanaians of victory in 2016. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) has deployed observers to torromows presidential and parliamentary elections. Former Interim President of Liberias Government of National Unity, Amos Sawyer, is leading the ECOWAS short-term observer mission for the elections. The mission would ascertain the free, transparent and credible conduct of the elections. The 94-member delegation comprises 80 short -term observers and 14 long-term observers. The short-term observers are from all Member States of the ECOWAS, except for Ghana, and the Communitys Parliament. The short-term mission also comprises members of the civil society, representatives of Electoral Commissions in West Africa, Ambassadors of Member States accredited to the ECOWAS, and observers from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre. The 14 long-term observers, who have been deployed since November 27, are experts in security, gender, electoral operations, constitutional laws and political affairs. The observers would be supported by a technical team from the ECOWAS Commission. The team will comprise of the Commissions Vice President, Edward Singhatey and its Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Mrs Halima Ahmed. The Director of Political Affairs, Dr Remi Ajibewa, the Head of the Electoral Assistance Unit, Francis Oke, the Acting Head of the Communications Unit, Liberor Doscof Aho, and other officials of the institution will also form part of this team. The observers would be deployed throughout the nine geographical regions, to observe and monitor all the pre-election, election and post-election polling operations. The mission is expected to comment on the conduct of the elections based on their observation on the conformity, transparency, fairness and smooth conduct of the legislative and presidential elections. At the end of the elections, the ECOWAS observer mission will present its view and where the need arises make recommendations to the different stakeholders in the election process. The Head of the Mission, Amos Sawyer, is therefore expected to make a preliminary statement at a press conference that will be held in Accra on Thursday December 8, 2016, said a statement issued by the ECOWAS Commission and made available to the Ghana News Agency in Accra. ECOWAS appeals to candidates, leaders of political parties as well as activists and sympathisers, for the conduct of the elections in an atmosphere of peace, calm, and national cohesion, the statement said. Seven candidates are vying for the presidential slot in the elections. They include the incumbent John Dramani Mahama, of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), and Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, of the National Democratic Party (NDP). The rest are Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), Papa Kwesi Nduom, of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP), Edward Mahama, of the Peoples National Convention (PNC), and the Independent Candidate, Jacob Osei Yeboah. Some 1158 persons are also contesting for 275 parliamentary seats in the elections. Source: GNA/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 Several hundreds of anxious voters travelling to the various regions to cast their ballots have been left stranded at the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Party headquarters. The voters, numbering about 300, have threatened not to cast their votes if the party officials failed to procure them buses within a reasonable time. Many of them are said to be voting in the Volta, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Western, and Eastern regions, but as at 0800 hours, they were still hanging around the Partys main compound at Adabraka. They chanted: No bus, no vote for Mahama? Why should the incumbent government treat us this way?, as the Partys security details struggled to maintain peace and order. I came here around 6 am, the party people told us to be here so they give us bus to go and vote, but now it is past 8 am and no bus, if I wait small and no bus come, I will go back home, Peter Akpalu, a travelling voter told the Ghana News Agency. I am told about 200 buses left yesterday to various regions, I am going to Akwatia [Eastern Region], and some are going to Afram Plains, Volta, Western, Kumasi and Sunyani, he added, if the bus doesnt come I will just go back home. Another traveller, who pleaded anonymity, said: I came here around 4 am, I am going to the Volta Region, and as at now they [party officials] havent been able to find us a bus. According to the traveller, a bus had drove in wanting to take GH 1,700 but the officials offered GH 1,500, which the driver refused and drove off. When the GNA contacted Mr George Lawson, a Deputy General Secretary of the Party, on the development, he refused to discuss the issue, saying it was no news. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Electoral Commission (EC) has overturned a decision by stakeholders in the Jaman North Constituency of the Brong Ahafo Region to postpone elections in the area. At a press conference in Accra, the Public Relations Director of the EC, Mr Kofi Dzakpasu said the decision of the DISEC to adjourn the polls was contrary to the provisions of Regulations 36 (1) of the C.I. 94. According to him, the regulation stipulates that In the event of any development, interruption at a polling station which may occasion the need to adjourn the poll, the presiding officer shall in consultation with the returning officer and subject to the approval of the Commission adjourn the proceedings at the polling station to the following day. So at a meeting of the Commission, the decision to suspend polls at the Jaman North Constituency has been reversed and the Commission directs that polls should resume in the Jaman North Constituency and as we speak election materials have been dispatched and voting has resumed, Mr Dzakpasu said. Stakeholders in the Jaman North Constituency of the Brong Ahafo Region have decided to postpone the elections to tomorrow (December 8) as a result of a disagreement over the transferred voters' list. Members of the National Democratic Congress prevented the voting from going on today because of a disparity in the number of voters on the transfer list which was provided to the parties and the Electoral Commission's copy. While the number of transferred voters on the EC list was 5 that on the list provided to the political parties was 506. Source: graphic.com.gh 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 A plane carrying 47 people crashed into a mountain in northern Pakistan last night, killing everyone onboard including a Pakistani pop star turned evangelical Muslim cleric. The Pakistan International Airlines chairman confirmed after a night of intense rescue efforts that there were no survivors of the crash, and that the bodies of those killed had been moved to Ayub Medical Centre in nearby Abbottabad. PIA flight no pk 0661 plane crash video near havelian abbottabad junaid jamshed and his family no more pic.twitter.com/5snEiabLJQ WAHEED AFSAR (@AfsarLgu) December 7, 2016 The captain of the flight reported losing power in one engine immediately before its plane lost contact with the control tower. Former pop star Junaid Jamshed was among those killed. Jamshed was a legendary figure in Pakistani music, having revolutionised the countrys music scene in the 70s and 80s while a member of band Vital Signs. He later became a Muslim cleric and opened a number of fashion boutiques across the country. Three foreigners were on board the plane when it crashed: two Austrians and one Chinese citizen. PIA had been crash-free for ten years, but many had pointed to the frequency of near-miss incidents as a foreboding that a crash was likely at some point. Source: The Guardian. Photo: Twitter. PEDESTRIAN.TV has partnered with La Trobe University to get yall thinking about the future. If youre looking for ace advice on your next step, the team at La Trobe can help. Visit their website HERE to learn more, or register for Advisory Day (thats going down December 13) HERE. FYI: 44% of Australias 5.1 million current jobs are at risk of, yknow, ceasing to exist due to digital disruption in the next 20 years so its obviously important to keep an eye on those soon-to-be-popping-off sectors of employment. Additionally, another way to help ensure youll be fruitfully employed down the line is to future proof your damn-fine self. Professor Leigh Drake, Pro Vice Chancellor (Employability) at La Trobe points out that, It is vital that, as far as possible, we future proof our students and develop the key skills they will need for a successful career in a rapidly changing labour market. We couldnt agree more, good professor. To give yall a bit of direction / a few career paths to consider, we caught up with Social Researcher, Trends Analyst and Director of Research at McCrindle Research, Eliane Miles. Miles has a fab grasp on what industries + jobs will go off like a cut snake in 2020, so if you like what you read below and wanna know more, you can catch her at La Trobes Advisory Day (you can register HERE) where shell be the keynote speaker. HEALTH CARE & SOCIAL ASSISTANCE Projected growth rate by 2020: 16.4% Highest projected growth sub-industry: Medical Services ( 26.8% ) ( ) Current job examples: Midwives, Psychologists, Massage Therapists New / high demand job examples: Medical Nanotechnologists, Medical Engineers, Aged and Disability Care Agents Demographic changes such as Australias ageing population is creating new demand and opportunities, not just for the aged care sector but also for retirement service agents, says Miles. Australias record birth rates and more affluent parents are creating new childcare services and carer roles. From cultural diversity to changing family structures, population shifts create new demands and industries. As Miles mentions, theres going to be huge growth in the Aged Care sector. This growth, however, wont be limited to jobs like Aged Care Nurses like you might imagine. Medical Nanotechnologists, for example, will be in demand to engineer treatments for the elderly that will be delivered on a hella small scale. Imagine if tiny robots could replace a hip?! Itd remove threats like post-op infections, which are a huge issue for patients in their later years. PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL SERVICES Projected growth rate by 2020: 14.8% Highest projected growth sub-industry: Architectural, Engineering & Technical Services ( 19.5% ) ( ) Current job examples: Accountants, Interior Designers, Solicitors New / high demand job examples: Digital Services Officers, Data Visualisation Experts, Virtual Reality Engineers, Cognitive Computer Architects 75% of Australias fastest growing occupations require STEM Skills Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, says Miles. Not all STEM-based roles will be based in this particular industry, of course, but a large chunk will. Data Visualisation Experts, for instance, will benefit from having some STEM skills under their belt. Their job is to collect data a lot of which will come from science / tech fields and present it in an easy to digest format (think: a sexy lil infographic). As data science continues to boom, the need for folks being able to present it in a fool-proof way will boom too. If youre a human who likes numbers just as much as design, we highly recommend you look into this field. EDUCATION & TRAINING Projected growth rate by 2020: 13% Highest projected growth sub-industry: Preschool Education ( 20.5% ) ( ) Current job examples: Secondary School Teachers, Driving Instructors, Gallery + Library & Museum Technicians New / high demand job examples: Classroom Avatar Manager, Teaching Avatar Designer Just as it has been for the past, yknow, forever, the education industry is gagging for newbies to join its ranks. What well see change in our lifetime, however, will be the rise of technologys role within the classroom. Theres a chance teachers will be replaced by ridiculously smart avatars (AKA human-like computers) wholl work with students in a way that best suits them (e.g. more hands on approach as opposed to traditional study). The human touch will still be needed to best pair these avatars with pupils, and thats where Classroom Avatar Managers come into play. ADMINISTRATIVE & SUPPORT SERVICES Projected growth rate by 2020: 7.8% Highest projected growth sub-industry: Other Administrative Services ( 14.8% ) ( ) Current job examples: Commercial Cleaners, Conference & Event Organisers, Telemarketers New / high demand job examples: Security Information & Event Management (SIEM) Specialist As tech changes, so too does the way communities and businesses need to be supported. The perfect example of that is the SIEM Specialist, whose role will be to ensure an event is safe from a cyber perspective. No, were not talking about someone whos trying to stop Stacy stealing Maddys wifi password at her sweet sixteenth; were referring to something like an international conference where confidential documents are being shared between nations. RENTING, HIRING & REAL ESTATE SERVICES Projected growth rate by 2020: 11.9% Highest projected growth sub-industry: Real Estate Services ( 13.8% ) ( ) Current job examples: Real Estate Sales Agents, Land Economists & Valuers, Conveyancers & Legal Executives New / high demand job examples: Drone Pilots, UAV Technicians Seeing as buying a house will be one of the greatest struggles faced by anyone born in the 90s, it makes sense that were going to be hugely selective when purchasing a crib (if we manage to amass enough money to get a foot in the door to begin with). To paint houses in the most positive light, Real Estate Agents will need to get creative when presenting abodes to the market. Enter: Drone Pilots. Theyll be used to capture gawjus shots of houses in an effort to entice buyers. Not that you needed a reminder, but as the whackier jobs described above demonstrate, the landscape of employment is shifting in a big way. To keep up with all the changes, Miles reckons that focusing on people / communication skills skills often taken for granted, mind you will help future-proof your career: Its important not just to focus on academic outcomes but the people skills, she says. Not just the learning, but on the ability to work well with others. Professor Leigh Drake says a typical comment from employers is, We need graduates who are able to build great relationships, solve problems with creativity and critical thinking and who understand who they are this is what differentiates one graduate from another This is why La Trobe has taken it taken it upon themselves to launch a new approach to enhance employability of their graduates the Career Ready Advantage launching in 2017 focuses on developing the key skills and personal attributes that graduates need, both within the degree and via important extra-curricular activities such as volunteering, entrepreneurship and internships. If youre interested in some more advice to help shape your future, hit up La Trobes Advisory Day taking place on December 13 (register HERE). The unis a pretty bold thought leader thats firmly focused on preparing students for workplaces of the future, so itll be worth yo time. Head HERE for more info on La Trobe University. Photo: The Simpsons. Statics: The Department of Employments Labour Market Information Portal (2016 Industry Employment Projections Report, Industry Projections Five Years To November 2020) The most perfect arc of the life of a meme begins with its genesis on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, and ends with someone getting arrested because of it. No meme can truly say it has outlived its usefulness until someone goes to jail for it. The latest cab off the rank is none other than the Mannequin Challenge everyones favourite meme where a bunch of people stand around posing in freeze frame. Basically, its super easy for celebrities to ruin, and they have done so. And now its into the crime phase. Police in Madison County, Alabama arrested 49-year-old Kenneth White after they saw a particularly great mannequin challenge involving twenty-odd dudes recreating a drive-by shooting. The only problem was that White wasnt supposed to possess firearms due to the fact he is a felon. Was it worth it? Id wager yes. Local news said police also arrested 23-year-old Terry Brown for possession of drug paraphernalia, loitering and promoting prison contraband, while acting on Whites warrant, which if were honest sounds like a little bit of an overextension. But there you go. Cops look at memes, and they will arrest you for your illegal memes. Source: YouTube. Photo: YouTube. Donald Trump A Morning Consult/Politico poll published Tuesday found that President-elect Donald Trump was viewed more favorably after announcing a deal with Carrier that led to roughly 1,100 jobs staying in the US. The poll found that 60% of voters surveyed viewed Trump more favorably following the deal, including a whopping 89% of Trump voters and 32% of voters who cast ballots for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Four in 10 Democrats and 54% of independents said they now view Trump in a better light following the deal, which kept some of the jobs set to move to Mexico at the company's Indianapolis plant. Trump's team negotiated the deal directly with Carrier, which reportedly received about $7 million in tax incentives over a 10-year period to keep the jobs in the Hoosier State, home of Vice President-elect Mike Pence. Additionally, 56% of voters said it was appropriate for a president to negotiate directly with a company on a case-by-case basis, and 62% said they approve of a president offering tax breaks and incentives to individual businesses if it led to jobs remaining in the US. The deal has come under fire from some free-market conservatives, such as former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin a top Trump ally who likened it to "crony capitalism." NOW WATCH: Here's the ad that Ivanka Trump reportedly doesn't want America to see More From Business Insider Theres literally nothing quite like the feeling of the 348756 million year wait for your ATAR and VCE results. It takes motherfkn forever, and time stands still and when you look down you realise that that family-size packet of chips is empty and youve eaten everything in the pantry and youre still not full because youre so damn stressed. However, for some uni students, the wait wasnt quite as long. There was a glitch with the VTACs text message service, which meant that plenty of students could access their VCE results. This is five whole days before theyre actually suppose to come out, so theres a bloody good chance that those mistakenly-sent results are actually incorrect. Social media started absolutely exploding: @ajsnook @IndSchoolsVic definitely happened. Mistake on VTAC site. For about an hour kids got their ATARs Louise Robinson-Lay (@loremipsem) December 7, 2016 So basically the year 12 exam vce results were leaked earlier today, and some people got their results texted already OMGGGGG WTHEKKKK ReenAllysa (@reenallysa) December 7, 2016 IM SO BITTER I DIDNT GET MY RESULTS EARLY LMFAO I CANT BELIEVE IT GLITCHED I LOVE VCE tia hoe hoe hoe ?? (@tiamobile) December 7, 2016 @jonredsnz some student VCE results were released today rather than as scheduled on Monday. Texts are verified but unclear Melissa (@Melissainau) December 7, 2016 Yeah, I do not want to be getting my atar early kthnxbai Ollie (@OlliesHFS) December 7, 2016 Students who got their #VCE #ATAR results tonight 5 days early, thanks to the great ATAR leak of 2016! pic.twitter.com/xmzUkcVQhI Mary-Louise OBrien (@mlobrien1) December 7, 2016 One parent (who wished to remain anonymous) told the Herald Sun that when they heard about the glitch via Facebook, they wanted to verify it was real, and texted the VTAC service it promptly responded with their childs scores. News Corp also spoke to Year 12 student Adam Scullin from MacKillop College in Werribee, who received his ATAR early and called the situation chaotic: Theres a lot of apprehension over the whole thing; the first question were all asking is whether its real. Everyone who has got their results, theyve looked at them, and I havent seen anyone say their score was uncharacteristic of how they went throughout the year. If the system had gone wacky and my score ends up being a lot lower than what I first was told, my first response is that Id be very upset, and pretty gutted, but that would quickly turn to anger. Youd start to point fingers and say this was really cruel; theres lots of people who thought theyd done well, so thered be sadness and disappointment, followed by pretty serious anger. Education editor for The Age, Henrietta Cook, pointed out that only 6 weeks ago, VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre and Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority) claimed they would be cracking down on schools that leaked ATAR results early, and sent warnings to principals: And VTAC warned just weeks ago that it would crack down on schools that leaked ATARs!!! https://t.co/w7TO4RLYn7#VCE Henrietta Cook (@henriettacook) December 7, 2016 VTAC have now confirmed that the messages were real, and have already issued a statement about the error, apologising to students for causing confusion, anxiety or upset: Well update this story as more information arises. Source: News Corp. Photo: Clueless. Former Aussie of the Year and recent backer of the One Nation party, Dick Smith, appeared on The Project tonight to attempt to justify his reasons for supporting our answer to Donald Trump, Pauline Hanson. Smith chatted with Waleed Aly to clarify a few key facts. He emphasised that he does not support Hansons stance on Muslims: I know lots of Muslims, and 99 percent are typical Aussies, and I dont think they should be blamed for the one percent. Considering Hansons xenophobic stance on Muslims is arguably the cornerstone of her politics, Aly validly asked whether this pitted Smith against other One Nation voters. Smith then went on to confirm that he strongly supports the thought that Australian immigration should be reduced to 70,000 people. We need to stop expanding our population, Smith said. He also confirmed that hes never actually met Satan Hanson, and that he does not support all of her values, saying I just happen to agree with this policy that you cant have perpetual growth. Overlooking a partys inherent racist values because of one teeny policy? Pretty bloody bananas, if you ask me. And let us remember that Smith is not a keen political commentator. Hes a man who makes shitty biscuits. Old mate Dick is pretty confident Hanson is on the up and up, predicting she is going to be very popular, thanks to people getting fed up with political correctness of the normal politician. Hopefully hes wrong, but with the way things are going (see: US election), who the hell knows. Scary stuff. Check out the light grilling of Smith below: Dick Smith throwing his weight behind Pauline Hanson. Dick speaks to #TheProjectTV https://t.co/2jAReUG3lm #TheProjectTV (@theprojecttv) December 6, 2016 Source: The Project / Channel 10. Photo: Channel 10. Last night at the AACTAs, extremely talented Aussie actress and entirely wonderful human being (were biased, its fine, move past it) Isla Fisher was honoured with the Trailblazer Award. Fisher was presented the award by Geoffrey Rush, who referred to her as a firecracker and saying she enjoys tapping into her inner idiot. When she accepted the award, she started her speech with a nod to a bunch of famous Aussie actors: I really have to thank my fellow actors, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, Margot Robbie and Toni Collette all of whom were no doubt offered this award first and they couldnt make it here tonight so, yay! She then decided to diverge into a speech that we may have heard once or twice on a stage before. Pretty recently, actually: From a young age my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in this life, that your word is your bond, you say what you want to do and you keep your promises, that you treat people with respect. Fisher delivered these words with utmost conviction, before pointing out that, yes they were borrowed from the soon-to-be First Lady Melania Trump, who stole them from current First Lady Michelle Obama. I figured if Melania Trump can use them and have success, I should try! AMAZING. Fisher also spoke of the lack of roles for gingers, joking that Amy Adams took them all, before then thanking President-Elect Donald Trump: I do need to thank Trump. I dont think Id be here if it werent for him showing the world that unqualified orange people can win things. After she left the stage, Fisher spoke seriously about the lack of gender diversity in the film industry, referencing the sausage party protest that occurred outside on the AACTAs red carpet: I did not see the sausages, she laughed. When I first came to Hollywood, I really wanted to get into the world of comedy but all of the roles I read, the women (characters) would roll their eyes and the men would do funny, crazy stuff. I waited and waited and I was fortunate to be cast in Wedding Crashers playing a bipolar nymphomaniac. But yes, women are funny. People want to go see women stories. Fisher walked the red carpet with her husband Sacha Baron Cohen, who told 7 News that it was actually their wedding anniversary today: The first time I came here 15 years ago, I came back with a wife. It was ltierally 15 years ago today, so its our anniversary. Were hoping it ends quickly, so we can go back and. yknow. BLESS. Source: News Corp / 7 News. Photo: Mark Metcalfe / Getty. We all know the classic expression: If someone calls you racist once, you call them an asshole. If someone calls you a racist twice, you punch them in the face. If about 10 million people call you a racist continuously over the course of over 20 years, you might want to consider that you are actually a racist. Pauline Hanson appears to live in a fantasy world where shes completely baffled that people have somehow misconstrued the fact that the only common denominator in the ever-changing list of ethnic groups shes convinced are going to destroy Australia is that they are white. Occasionally, people join her in her fantasy bubble. Those people are generally odd. Fellow senator Malcolm Roberts is a climate change denier who has some crazy theories about how the government uses grammar to control us. Senator Brian Burston is convinced we need to ditch the ABC and replace it with a Patriotic Broadcasting Corporation. And Rod Culleton, well. hes having quite a time at the moment: Weirdly, Dick Smith is now throwing his weight behind the party. The business mogul / amateur pilot, once beloved for his electronics kits for child nerds (I was one of these) and then somewhat beloved / somewhat ridiculed for his terribly packaged Australian-made alternatives to popular products, has decided that One Nation is the only party that represents his views on immigration. Hes stressed that he doesnt endorse her position on Muslim immigration, which seems incredibly weird considering that Paulines whole thing is that Muslims are destroying Australia and every other policy the party holds is just something theyve written up to fill in the time between press conferences. Like many other Australians, nailing it enthusiast and prominent Muslim Waleed Aly was a little bit confused by his decision, and interrogated him about it on The Project last night. Dick Smith throwing his weight behind Pauline Hanson. Dick speaks to #TheProjectTV https://t.co/2jAReUG3lm #TheProjectTV (@theprojecttv) December 6, 2016 Ultimately, Dick said that he was fine with Muslims, saying that he knows a bunch of them and that 99 percent are typical Aussies, and I dont think they should be blamed for the one percent, which only leaves about 5000 Australians that hes accusing of being terrorists. Nice. Similar to how she feels about everything that isnt white nationalism or fish and chips, Pauline Hanson wasnt happy with Waleeds line of questioning, although it appears she already wasnt very happy with him: I dont bother watching him. I think hes very one-sided and biased in his opinion, hes not interested in listening to any real debate in this. I think hes rude. Do I really care what his opinion is? No. Hanson gave the press conference this morning to spruik her renewed push for a Muslim immigration ban: What Im saying about banning Muslims is Muslims from very heavily dominated practising countries who have no regard for Christianity and our culture and our way of life. The pure fact is, if you look at these women that get around in their full burqas they are very staunch Muslims who have no, I dont believe will ever assimilate into our society or respect our culture and Christianity. Seems pretty awkward that after all this time no one has bothered to tell her were actually not a Christian country and its heavily hypocritical to attempt to enforce her own religious ideology on a secular country, but hey, she doesnt need me to tell her how to be racist. She also took the time to praise Peter Duttons claim that letting in Lebanese immigrants was a mistake, but also that the Lebanese community are actually very much supportive of me, saying we lost our country, we dont want it to happen here in Australia. Oh yeah man, for sure. What a weird bloody unit. Source: News.com.au. Photo: Getty Images / Bradley Kanaris. Please, I beg of you: take all of this with a grain of salt. Sources who refuse to use their name cant be bloody trusted if they could be, theyd happily put their name to it. Grain. Of. Salt. Now, this seems immediately dismissable due to the cold hard fact that true love is forever, and it turns out that the source for this story is a friend of the family who wished to remain anonymous. Were not sure why this shitfuck of a friend is blabbing to anyone who will listen about such sensitive topics (its money, right? Fuckbags.) but this is what they told US Weekly: It will take some time before she can do anything, this absolute scumbag of a friend said yesterday. But she doesnt want to stay married. She cares about Kanye and feels relieved hes getting the help he needs, but shes felt trapped for a while. They also allege that Kims currently trying to build a thorough case for full custody of their two children, North West and Saint West. Righto. Both Kim and Kanye consistently and passionately publicly speak of their love for each other and their family, but oooookay. The famous couple have obviously had an incredibly trying year. Since the release of The Life of Pablo essentially, theres been reports of Kanye staying up all night, working on music and his fashion label literally 24 hours a day 7 days a week. He was reportedly behaving erratically, and doing weird shit like randomly throwing away all his furniture because he suddenly decided he hated all of it. (Again, none of this is confirmed.) Then, the robbery happened. While in a private hotel room during Paris Fashion Week, Kim was held hostage under threat of her life by a group of men wielding guns. They tied her up in a bathroom, and robbed her of millions of dollars worth of jewellery and belongings. She was thankfully unhurt. Kanye, upon finding this information out mid-show, literally stopped mid-song, said Shows over, family emergency, and flew to be by Kims side. Only months later, Kanyes behaviour became more and more erratic he kept cancelling, ranting at his audiences for great chunks of time, and dropping the mic halfway through and walking off. Finally, it was announced that hed been 5150d, and was being kept by doctors in UCLA Medical Centre, as hed had a psychotic episode caused by sleep deprivation, exhaustion and stress. Kanye is now out of hospital after spending approximately 10 days with doctors. Conflicting reports have surfaced since, saying he and Kim are living apart and that shes keeping the kids away from him, while others are reporting that shes thankful to have him home and theyve decided to take a relaxing vacation together. The worst part about this kind of anonymous source tabloid reporting is that, even if the source knows that their statement is untrue or a stretch of truth itll still be published. The guise of the anonymous source can cover basically anything or anyone. Look, we just hope that Kanye and Kim are getting as much rest and relaxation as they can so they can recuperate from a distressing, trying year as a family. And if this story does end up being true, we wish them the best and hope they do whats best for them. Because fun lil reminder: as human beings, its their lives and their choice. Source: US Weekly. Photo: Instagram / @kimkardashian. LONDON (Reuters) - Gold premiums in China have reached their highest since April, with traders reporting that the Chinese central bank has moved to restrict imports of the metal in an attempt to stop capital outflows. Imports, already down 20 percent in the first nine months of the year, are slated to fall still further in December as a result of the move, GFMS analyst Samson Li said in a live Q&A in the Reuters Global Gold Forum. However, with the People's Bank of China yet to make an official statement on the policy, the outlook for gold imports into the world's biggest consumer of the metal is unclear. Q: What exactly has the PBOC said about potential restrictions on gold imports into China? A: They didn't say anything officially. There are rumours though that the PBOC has expressed its desire under the table for banks to limit the volume of gold being imported. Therefore, some licensed importers have lowered import volumes, or stopped importing gold outright. Meanwhile, the PBOC is taking a longer time to approve each importing transaction, which in turn is pushing some volumes down the road. Q: What's the thinking behind this? A: China is suffering from massive capital outflows. (That) has caused the yuan to depreciate. The PBOC is using various methods to try to stabilise the yuan exchange rate, and one is to limit capital outflow by controlling imports. However, considering China's total net gold imports consisted of less than 4 percent of total imports last year, one has to wonder how helpful this policy could be. Q: Has this pushed up premiums? A: Yes. The average premium of the Shanghai Gold Exchange's most heavily traded contract was 0.45 percent, or roughly $1.20 an ounce, in October. Since the last week of November, it has risen to 2 percent, or approximately $5.15/oz. On Nov 28, it reached as high as $6.10/oz, the highest since April. Q: How could this affect gold imports next year? A: It remains to be seen. Gold imports (are) a very small (proportion) of total imports. Thus even if the PBOC goes to the extreme measure of banning gold imports, it will not help much to contain the outflow of currency. The gold import restrictions, if true, may be more of a posture than having any real impact. Story continues Q: Would you expect to see smuggling pick up, if there are curbs on official imports? A: Yes. The continual rise of the gold premium, along with the general consensus that the yuan has more room to depreciate, will probably fuel more demand for physical gold. If the premium rises to $8/oz or higher, one would expect smuggling activities to heat up. Q: How do you anticipate this could affect global demand for gold? A: China's total gold imports have fallen 20 percent in the first nine months of this year, and we believe that the annual decline could be higher as we may see a heavier decline in December. Having said that, if the PBOC realises that restricting gold imports fails to make any impact on their objectives and decides to loosen the restriction, gold imports may pick up somewhat in the first half of 2017. (This interview was conducted in the Reuters Global Gold Forum, a chat room hosted on the Eikon platform. For more information on the forum or to join the conversation, follow this link: https://forms.thomsonreuters.com/communities/) (Reporting by Jan Harvey, editing by David Evans) Wienermobile The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile visiting the Giant Food Store, today, Dec. 7, in Hampden Township. (Photo by Laura Nunn, PennLive) The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile has rolled into central Pennsylvania. The hot dog on wheels was spotted today parked in front of the Giant Food Store at 4510 Marketplace Way in Hampden Township. A store employee said the Wienermobile will be visiting the store until 2:30 p.m. today. No word on the Wienermobile's schedule or other visits in the region. It last visited the Harrisburg region in October 2015 and appeared in three local Halloween parades in Paxtang, Camp Hill and New Bloomfield. Earlier in 2015, the Wienermobile made national headlines when it slid off of South Enola Road in East Pennsboro Township and crashed into a pole. Pearl Harbor survivors, dignitaries, elected officials and military personnel will commemorate Pearl Harbor at the state Capitol, East Wing Rotunda, at 12:55 p.m. Dec. 7. Speakers will be state Rep. Mike Regan and Rear Admiral Jonathan Yuen, chief of the Supply Corps and commander, Navy Supply Systems Command. National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is observed every year on Dec. 7 to remember those who died when the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the Navy base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. The attack killed 2,403 American military personnel and civilians and injured 1,178. The day after the attack, the United States declared war on Japan and entered World War II. President Franklin Roosevelt, in a speech to Congress, said the bombing of Pearl Harbor is "a date which will live in infamy." Forest fire.jpg Forester Andy Baker relays information during a fire in Perry County. (Pa. Bureau of Forestry) Arson is suspected as the cause of the blaze in Tuscarora State Forest that kept firefighters busy in November, a state forestry official says. State foresters are asking for the public's help in the investigation of the wildfire off Three Square Hollow Road in Hopewell Township, Cumberland County that burned 72 acres. "There are only so many things that can cause a fire, and none of the natural causes were present like lightning," said Terry Smith, state Bureau of Forestry fire investigator. "We can rule out a lot of things fairly quickly," he said. The was no evidence of a campfire, and the area where the fire began was inaccessible and not close to a road, Smith said. The fire started around 2:30 p.m. Nov. 16 in a "bowl" in the mountain, and it was under control Nov. 18, said the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry. It started up again Nov. 19 during a period of high winds, and firefighters were at the scene more than 19 hours until the fire danger subsided. The Bureau of Forestry also said the Three Square Hollow Road fire is not believed to be connected to a prescribed burn a few days before. That's because the two fires were separated by a mile; winds were from the north, but the wildfire was east of the controlled burn; and staff saw "suspicious circumstances" at the Three Square Hollow fire, said the bureau. Anyone with information is asked to contact Terry Smith at 717-362-1472 or email him at terrsmith@pa.gov. Tips can remain anonymous. On Dec 6, we issued an updated research report on leading wireless chipset manufacturer Qualcomm Inc. QCOM. Year to date, the chipset manufacturer reported an impressive growth of 34.94%, compared to the Zacks categorized Wireless Equipment Markets decline of 8.86%. This uptrend in the share price may be driven by the companys innovative business plans such as evaluation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or drones on commercial 4G LTE networks, launch of two Snapdragon processors 600E and 410E for IoT-related applications and the launch of the worlds first 5G modem Snapdragon X50 and gigabit modem Snapdragon X16 LTE. This was followed by the upgrade of Snapdragon 820 Mobile Chipset to 821. Positives Qualcomm comes up with updated Snapdragon processors and applications to retain its leadership position in the global wireless baseband chipset market. The companys recent deal to buy Netherlands-based chipset giant NXP Semiconductors NXPI will help Qualcomm diversify its business model in the broader global semiconductor market. The company is actively involved in the production of chipsets for the 5G standard and is partnering with U.S. telecom behemoths Verizon Communications Inc. VZ and AT&T Inc. T for the same, which may propel growth in the future. Moreover, Qualcomm is widening its presence in adjacent areas, including automotive, networking, and mobile computing which bode well for long-term growth. Qualcomms Snapdragon processor is best known for its versatility in IoT applications. Signing of new patent license agreements with Chinese smartphone makers should boost Qualcomms top line by bringing in additional royalties and also solidifying its hold in China. Latest Events In Nov 2016, Qualcomms subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (QTI), and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. entered into a strategic alliance to manufacture a premium Snapdragon processor, Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, using the latters 10-nanometer (nm) FinFET process technology. This launch reflects Qualcomms vision to expand beyond its traditional market of smartphones into the IoT space. Story continues Following this, Qualcomm has also launched the first 5G New Radio (NR) spectrum sharing prototype system and trial platform. The telecommunications industry is presently working on 5G and Qualcomm is leaving no stone unturned to cash in on this opportunity. We believe Qualcomms such efforts have helped it carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Troubles Qualcomm has been facing considerable challenges from low-cost chip manufacturers like MediaTek and Rockchip as well as handset manufacturers SoC (System on Chip) projects like Exynos by Samsung. Aggressive competition in the mobile phone chipset market may hurt Qualcomms profits in the future. The company is also facing severe competitive threat from its closest rival, Intel Corporation INTC, which has been redesigning its chipsets for the mobile computing market. If this trend continues, Qualcomms profitability may be hurt in the long term. Moreover, the European Union (EU) Competition Commission has leveled charges against the companys anti-competitive practices in the chip making industry. Notably, the EU had initiated a probe into whether the company has been taking advantage of its dominant position in the industry this July. Further, regulatory proceedings against Qualcomm are on the rise with the company facing antitrust cases in various countries. Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them now>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report QUALCOMM INC (QCOM): Free Stock Analysis Report AT&T INC (T): Free Stock Analysis Report VERIZON COMM (VZ): Free Stock Analysis Report INTEL CORP (INTC): Free Stock Analysis Report NXP SEMICONDUCT (NXPI): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Police cars line the side of Morningside Ave in Toronto on Tuesday July 17, 2012 near the scene of a shooting on Danzig Street where 19 people were injured and 2 confirmed dead at an outdoor barbecue that took place onJuly 16. 21-year-old man convicted of two counts of second-degree murder after starting a deadly shootout that sparked pandemonium at a 2012 community barbecue in Toronto has been sentenced as an adult. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim Amoxicillin shortage in Michigan: What parents should know Many Michigan pharmacy shelves are bare of amoxicillin oral powder for suspension, dispensed in liquid form most often to children, amid an RSV surge. PDVSA seeks fuel imports as refineries struggle PDVSA's 955,000-barrel-per-day Paraguana Refining Center was operating at around 45 percent of capacity on Monday CARACAS/HOUSTON Petroleumworld.com 12 07 2016 Venezuela's largest refineries were operating below half capacity this week, prompting state-run oil company PDVSA to launch tenders for product imports amid the OPEC country's deteriorating infrastructure and ebbing crude production. The country's massive 955,000-barrel-per-day Paraguana Refining Center was operating at around 45 percent of capacity on Monday, according to an internal PDVSA document seen by Reuters on Tuesday, a poor showing that is likely to signal further need for product imports. The 645,000-bpd Amuay refinery was running at about 308,000 bpd, while the adjacent 310,000-bpd Cardon facility was at 118,500 bpd, according to the document. PDVSA this week launched an offer to buy two 300,000-barrel cargoes of gasoline blend stock and a 300,000 barrel cargo of high-sulfur diesel for December delivery, traders said on Tuesday, increasing expected imports for the last quarter. The company has since November requested some 3.3 million barrels of gasoline and diesel on the open market for prompt delivery. Even though supplying firms have recently faced long waiting times to discharge cargoes at Venezuelan ports due to payment delays, PDVSA this month also launched tenders to buy up to 6 million barrels of heavy naphtha for 2017 and 1.65 million barrels of U.S. crude, with deliveries starting in December. Venezuela's refineries have been plagued with blackouts, equipment issues and stoppages for years. PDVSA often blames problems on "saboteurs" intent on bringing down socialist rule in Venezuela, and says its foes and hostile media try to exaggerate refinery issues. Critics say years of underinvestment and poor maintenance are the cause. The Caracas-based company did not respond to a request for information on the refineries. The refinery segment is on course for its poorest showing in years, perhaps even lower than in 2012, when a massive fire at Amuay killed over 40 people and dragged Venezuela's refining operations down to around a half their 1.3 million bpd capacity. Worsening the situation, Venezuela's two smaller refineries, with capacities of 146,000 barrels per day and 187,000 bpd respectively, have barely been refining crude in the last few weeks, according to union sources and workers. PDVSA has been trying to restart Puerto La Cruz since Monday night, according to a worker, but attempts to get two crude distillation units and the catalytic cracker going have failed, he added, and fumes were spilling out of the complex. "The order is to get the refinery going no matter what, but it looks like God's own hand is not letting the units operate in these bad conditions," the worker said. As crime continues to hit Venezuela's oil industry, an internal pipe that sends gasoline to the Yagua sorting stations in Carabobo state was stolen last week, a worker said. Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino on Tuesday said there had been "sabotage" in Yagua. To compensate for the refining problems, PDVSA imported an average of 63,000 bpd of refined products from the United States during the three first quarters of this year. Since August, its U.S. unit Citgo Petroleum has been sending three to four monthly cargoes of diesel, gasoline blend stock and jet fuel to its parent company, according to sources and Reuters data. Big oil moves to mexican offshore fields Oil and gas industry leaders eagerly take stakes in mexican offshore fields MEXICO CITY / HOUSTON Petroleumworld.com 12 07 2016 The international oil industry on Monday agreed to pay billions of dollars to the Mexican government for rights to drill in the country's portions of the Gulf of Mexico. The companies made a big bet that oil and natural gas prices would eventually rebound enough to make additional exploration and drilling profitable. The sale was validation of Mexico's decision to open its former government-monopoly energy business to foreign investment and expertise. This is a vote of confidence that the energy reform is moving forward and for the geological potential of the Mexican Gulf deep waters, said Jorge R. Pinon, former president of Amoco Oil Latin America and now an analyst at the University of Texas at Austin. Everybody paid a premium and that premium indicates the potential of the blocks, Mr. Pinon said. The government awarded eight separate blocks of offshore territory to companies including Total of France and Exxon Mobil and Chevron of the United States, which all already have a strong presence in the Gulf of Mexico and can therefore take advantage of existing service crews and pipelines they use in Gulf waters. The most significant new entry may be by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, or Cnooc, which won two blocks in the auction. Cnooc also has a strong presence in Latin America, and could now become a big player in Mexico as well. Perhaps more than anything else, the bidding shows that the industry has confidence it will emerge from its current malaise of low prices, layoffs and cuts in capital spending. The companies are betting that if prices recover, they can profitably produce oil from high-cost, deepwater projects. As further testing and development proceeds, the deepwater Mexican fields will probably not produce a significant amount of oil for at least a decade. But by that time, many energy analysts say oil prices might be $80 a barrel or more, compared with the current price of just over $50 a barrel. The Mexican government had offered 10 exploratory blocks in total, estimating that they contained as much as 11 billion barrels of oil and natural gas equivalent to estimates of oil and gas reserves in the South China Sea. Two of the blocks were not awarded because they received no bids. But the day's bidding nonetheless indicated strong interest in venturing further into the Gulf of Mexico. You hit all the points: multinationals, majors, eight out of 10, national oil companies, geographic diversity,'' said Duncan Wood, the director of the Mexico Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington. It's a resounding success. In a separate auction, BHP Billiton offered $624 million to team up with state-owned Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, to develop a field called Trion, in what will be the first joint venture in the Mexican company's 78-year history. BHP Billiton beat out the British oil giant BP, which offered $18 million less. Pemex will also be a minority investor in a block won by a team led by Chevron. It's clear it's a great opportunity for everyone, including Mexico, Ali Moshiri, president of Chevron Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production, told reporters shortly after the auction. Everybody in the oil and gas sector is interested in Mexico, especially the deepwater. The auction provides a rare moment of positive news in a gloomy period for Mexico. The peso has been battered by concern that the administration of President-elect Donald J. Trump will renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, which is the foundation of Mexico's manufacturing exports. The new entrants to Mexico's oil industry are expected to invest about $40 billion as they develop the deepwater fields. The auctions were the result of Mexico instituting energy reform legislation in 2013 and 2014, which ended the 75-year-old monopoly of Pemex and opened the country to foreign investment for oil exploration, production, pipeline construction and other energy ventures. The effort was viewed as the only way to end years of declining production. Pemex did not have the financial or technical skill to exploit the deepwater reserves on its own. The timing of the auction could have been better. Oil prices are half what they were a little more than two years ago, when a barrel of oil cost more than $100 a barrel. Today it is just over $50 a barrel, and companies are spending far less on exploration. But Monday's bidding indicated a long-term optimism. Global concerns about climate change and the sluggish global economy have slowed, but not stopped, growth in demand for oil and natural gas. Energy analysts say that even if oil demand peaks in the next decade or so, oil companies will still have to drill new wells because older wells decline over time. Shale wells, which are common in the United States, normally decline the most rapidly. The successful auction highlights the fact that drilling in the Gulf of Mexico is a better bet than drilling in the Arctic, which is extremely expensive and risky, or in many places in Africa or the Middle East, which are politically volatile. Close to the United States and its giant market and refineries, Mexico's Gulf waters also offer plentiful pipelines, ports and other energy infrastructure. And while drug violence is prevalent in Mexico, the country has been politically stable for decades. Another winner in Monday's auction was BP. Just last week, only a day after oil prices stabilized with the OPEC agreement to cut production, BP decided to move ahead with a $9 billion project to drill in the Gulf of Mexico in a field in United States waters where the company already operates. BP's announcement likely had nothing to do with the OPEC agreement. But the two developments breathed new life into Gulf oil production development, which was slowed by the BP Deepwater Horizon accident in 2010 and the collapse in oil prices two years ago. Much of the region has been heavily tested with seismic equipment, and four of the auctioned blocks are adjacent to areas in the United States portion of the Gulf. Oil executives said they would thoroughly assess the areas before drilling, but they were confident that the fields would be productive. By Katie Paul and Marwa Rashad RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Aramco's planned flotation is unlikely to require any major changes to Saudi Arabia's securities rules, the vice chairman of the kingdom's market regulator said. The state oil giant is targeting 2018 for what is expected to be the world's biggest initial public offering, with a listing at home and overseas among the options. Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 plan to diversify away from oil includes greater private sector involvement and improving the efficiency of state-owned companies. Should a dual listing happen, some work might be needed involving the management of shares between two markets, such as the mechanics on the sharing of information on trades, Mohammed bin Abdullah Elkuwaiz of the Capital Market Authority (CMA) told reporters on the sidelines of a conference on Tuesday. Saudi Arabia has never before had a dual listing involving a company listed on its bourse, which is known as the Tadawul. "If there is a decision to list in another exchange, whether it is Aramco or any other company, there would be something that will need to be done, but most of this is more on the operations side not the regulatory side," he said. Ultimately it will depend on the structure which Aramco decides to employ on its listing, but from what the CMA is anticipating there would be no need for additional rule changes, Elkuwaiz added. INITIATIVES The CMA has made changes to existing regulations in recent months and introduced new initiatives aimed at developing the market and securing inclusion in global indices such as MSCI which are shadowed by international investors. Among these are the gradual opening up to foreign capital - the latest incarnation coming into force at the beginning of September - and a switch to settlement of trades within two working days, which is on track for the first half of 2017, Elkuwaiz said. A market for small and medium-sized businesses, announced in April and expected to go live in early 2017, had received close to 10 applications even though the draft rules had not been approved yet, he added. Story continues Elkuwaiz, who is heading the regulator after Mohammed al-Jadaan was named finance minister on Oct. 31, said it was unclear when a new CMA chairman will be appointed. An unintended consequence of the settlements change and the SME market launch would be that plans for a prime section of the Tadawul - a new index which would contain top blue-chip stocks - would likely be delayed, Elkuwaiz said. A new corporate governance law containing additional measures to protect shareholders was also close to being announced and may be used to judge which companies qualify for the prime index, he added. (Writing by David French; Editing by Andrew Torchia and Alexander Smith) This piece, titled, The New Plague, depicts life in Philadelphia in the age of COVID. Artist and educator Raphael Tiberino began painting at the age of four and has been in the spotlight as a professional creative for over 25 years. Shares of Japanese telecom giant SoftBank SFTBY gained more than 5% in morning trading Wednesday after CEO Masayoshi Son promised to invest $50 billion in the United States and create 50,000 new jobs. Shares of Sprint S, which is 82%-owned by SoftBank, were also up big by midday. Son teamed up with President-elect Donald Trump to announce the investment plan in the lobby of the Trump Tower in Manhattan. The cash will apparently come from a $100 billion investment fund that Son is setting up with Saudi Arabias sovereign fund and other investors. I just came to celebrate his new job. We were talking about it. Then I said I would like to celebrate his presidential job and commit, because he would do a lot of deregulation. I said this is great. The United States would become great again, Son told reporters at the event. Trump took to Twitter to applaud Son and take a bit of credit for the announcement: Son has proven to be a rather enigmatic leader of SoftBank. During his companys latest earnings call, he told investors that he wanted to be techs Warren Buffett and hinted at a 300-year plan for SoftBank. Son also wants to break down global language barriers and help people communicate telepathically. And this isnt the first time that Son has met directly with a world leader. Just last week, Son met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss a $10 billion investment in the countrys technology sector. Regardless of any potential investment, a healthier relationship with the United States could help Son complete some goals that were previously stalled by American regulators. For example, his attempt to merge the struggling Sprint with T-Mobile TMUS in 2014 was blocked. Nevertheless, some investors are taking SoftBanks promises with a grain of salt. As BTIG analyst Walt Piecyk pointed out that Sprints headcount has been reduced by 9,000 and its capital investment cut 70% since SoftBank acquired the company a few years ago. Story continues 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 SPRINT CORP (S): Free Stock Analysis Report T-MOBILE US INC (TMUS): Free Stock Analysis Report SOFTBANK CP (SFTBY): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. OSLO (Reuters) - Norwegian state-controlled oil company Statoil will not resume using Airbus's H225 Super Puma helicopters even if Norway's Civil Aviation Authority decides to lift a ban imposed after a fatal crash off Norway in April, the company said on Tuesday. Recent models of Super Puma, a workhorse of the offshore oil industry, were banned from commercial traffic in Norway and Britain following the accident that killed 13 oil workers flying from a Norwegian offshore oil platform operated by Statoil. "We have no plans to use this helicopter ever again, even if the Norwegian authorities decide to lift the ban", Statoil spokesman Morten Eek said. "It doesn't matter what the Aviation Authority says. We can specify the helicopter type we want to use and we have already built up capacity with a different helicopter, the Sikorsky S-92," he added. The announcement comes after unions representing oil workers expressed concern about the H225 helicopter and asked for a permanent ban. The helicopter that crashed in April was working for Statoil and operated by Canada-based group CHC Helicopter [CHCEL.UL]. Norwegian investigators have said in preliminary findings a technical fault caused the Super Puma's main rotor blades to spin away from the aircraft, killing everyone on board. The European Aviation Safety Agency lifted a flight ban in October after Airbus contained a potential weakness inside the gearbox. But national bans on the use of recent Super Pumas for commercial traffic remain in place in Norway and Britain. Airbus Group has expressed frustration at the local bans. "I regret the timing of Statoil's comments during a difficult time for the offshore community as a whole, at a time when we are working with the Norwegian authorities and investigation team to address the specific concerns regarding the return to service of the H225 and AS332-L2 in the region," Airbus Helicopters' chief executive Guillaume Faury said on Tuesday. In October Airbus Group's finance director Harald Wilhelm suggested Britain's decision to keep the aircraft grounded was related to the country's decision to leave the European Union. Britain's Civil Aviation Authority responded, saying that the decision was purely related to safety. The Super Puma has come under scrutiny after a series of incidents linked to gearbox problems including a 2009 crash off Scotland, in which the rotor also flew off and 16 people died. Analysts and industry executives say questions are growing over the future of at least the civil version of the Super Puma, which makes up 80 percent of the total, but Airbus says it has no plans to abandon the 18-year-old programme. (Reporting by Joachim Dagenborg and Tim Hepher; Editing by Louise Heavens, Greg Mahlich) Donald Trump has demonstrated pretty remarkable flexibility on any number of issues over his years in public life, and that was never more on display than Wednesday when it was announced that he had been named Time Magazine Person of the Year. That he would win the award seemed an almost foregone conclusion, but how he would respond to it was, at least, open to question. Trump has been less than complimentary toward Time and its various lists over the years. When he didnt make its Most Influential list in 2013, he tweeted, The Time Magazine list of the most influential people is a joke and stunt of a magazine that will, like Newsweek, soon be dead. Bad list! Related: Could Faithless Electors Really Deny Trump the Presidency? Later, he added, Just took a look at Time Magazine--looks really flimsy like a free handout at a parking lot! The sad end is coming--just like Newsweek! Last year, when German Chancellor Angela Merkel received the honor, Trump again complained that he was not the winner despite being the big favorite and blasted Merkel for ruining Germany. Time has done little to bridge the divide. In the final months of the campaign, it ran two covers illustrated with a drawing of Trumps face melting away, claiming that his candidacy was in meltdown. Earlier in the campaign, after staging a photo shoot in Trumps office with a majestic-looking bald eagle, the magazine released behind-the-scenes video footage that made it look as though Trump was frightened of the bird. Nevertheless, Trump appears to have accepted the award with a measure of grace, sitting for an interview in his Manhattan apartment, which turned into a lengthy article that did not stint on descriptions of the racism, anti-Semitism, and general coarseness that was stirred up by his presidential campaign. Related: Why GOP Leaders Are Balking at Trumps Call for Punitive Tariffs Time managing editor Nancy Gibbs, in a companion piece to the accompanying profile of Trump, wrote, For reminding America that demagoguery feeds on despair, and that truth is only as powerful as the trust in those who speak it, for empowering a hidden electorate by mainstreaming its furies and live-streaming its fears, and for framing tomorrows political culture by demolishing yesterdays, Donald Trump is TIMEs 2016 Person of the Year. Story continues The interview also demonstrated, if there was any remaining doubt, that Trumps commitment to the principles held dear by the establishment Republican party is just as flexible as his attitude toward news magazines. Trump: Person of the Year In a statement that appears to run counter to years of GOP dogma, Trump touted the effectiveness of stimulus spending by the federal government as a spur for economic growth. Well, sometimes you have to prime the pump, he told writer Michael Scherer, in defense of his plan to pour federal dollars into massive infrastructure project. So sometimes in order to get jobs going and the country going, because, look, were at 1 percent growth. Related: Trump Blows the Whistle on Boeings $3.2 Billion Air Force One Contract After running a campaign in which his signature issues were the construction of a massive wall along the border with Mexico and the wholesale deportation of people who have entered the country illegally, Trump suddenly sounds a lot like an immigration reform moderate, at least when it comes to the so-called Dreamers, people brought to the country illegally as children. Were going to work something out thats going to make people happy and proud, he told Scherer. They got brought here at a very young age, theyve worked here, theyve gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And theyre in the never-never land because they dont know whats going to happen. While he didnt go so far as to offer some the dreaded amnesty, thats a far cry from the rigidly anti-immigrant rhetoric that was his daily staple on the campaign trail. And, though not for the first time, Trump made it clear that he seems to think everyone elses commitment to truth is similar to his own. Related: Like LBJ, Trump Is Loving the Role of Americas Dealmaker Scherer asked about the assessment by the U.S. intelligence community that Russia had actively interfered with the U.S. presidential election by hacking Democrats computer networks and email accounts. Trump dismissed the judgment of the countrys top intelligence professionals I dont believe it. I dont believe they interfered, Trump said. When he was asked if he thought their joint statement was simply motivated by politics, he replied, I think so. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: Donald Trump Carrier jobs President-elect Donald Trump ran on a platform of restoring glory to American manufacturing, but since winning, he's shown that he doesn't know much about how stuff gets made in the 21st century. For example, during the campaign he attacked Ford for shifting small-car manufacturing to Mexico (where, by the way, Ford has operated plants since the 1960s) and later took credit on Twitter for preventing Ford from relocating an entire Kentucky factory south of the border when in fact Ford was only planning to move production of a vehicle. Ford later decided to keep that production in Kentucky, at the cost of building building more of a hot-selling mass-market version of the same car (Lincoln MKC SUV was slated to be moved in 2018 but Ford Escape production would have increased, with no losses of jobs in the US). Trump's tweets strongly suggest that he doesn't understand how modern auto manufacturing works, or how market conditions determine how automakers make money. Cars are built using global platforms, so that economies of scale can be achieved worldwide and carmakers can adjust the types of vehicles they're selling based on consumer demands and profitability. The dustup with the Kentucky plant aside, Ford wants to move production of small cars to Mexico so it can sell them profitably because at the moment US consumers don't want small cars, they want SUVs. Compounding that problem are the skinny profit margins on smaller vehicles. Ford would rather use its US-based small-car manufacturing capacity to build those more popular SUVs. But the automaker doesn't want to drop small-cars because they help with government fuel-economy regulations and because the small-car market could be important again if gas prices spike in the future. Furthermore, Ford's union workforce is more secure if the automaker continues to use its American plants to build its most popular and profitable cars. Story continues What about planes? obama air force one On Tuesday, Trump tweeted again, this time insisting that out-of-control costs on not-yet delivered replacements for Air Force One demand that the Pentagon's contract with Boeing be cancelled. As Business Insider's Ben Zhang reported, Trump was wrong about how much the two new Boeing 747s would cost he said $4 billion when the Government Accountability Office said $3.21 billion for the entire program but the more troubling aspect of Trump's stance, outlined later when talking with reporters, was that Boeing is trying to gouge the government on the new presidential aircraft. The 747s that will become the new Air Force Ones by 2024 are obviously unique aircraft that will have to remain in service for decades. But beyond that, Boeing could discontinue building the four-engine 747 altogether in coming years, as it's no longer the epic intercontinental plane it was during its glory years. It's not out of the question that Air Force 1 could be the last 747 still flying one of these days. Boeing of course wants the contract to build the plane it's a prestigious responsibility. But four-engine jumbo-jets are hardly the company's sweet spot. If the United States wants a American company and American workers to produce a new Air Force One, however, Boeing is the only game in town. In a sense, Boeing is doing the Pentagon a favor, and it was speculated when the new Air Force One contract was announced that the plane maker was keeping the 747 going just so it could supply the President's new jet. And air conditioners made in Indiana? carrier donald trump What about Trump's deal with Carrier to make good on a reportedly forgotten campaign promise to save jobs in Indiana from moving to Mexico? Again, Carrier's parent company, United Technologies, is still relocating jobs just not as many as before. What it won't save by moving the jobs is a drop in the bucket $65 million compared to its $56 billion in annual revenue. It's also getting $7 million in tax breaks over a decade. The overarching outsourcing trend in this segment of the manufacturing economy is more complicated than it looks and doesn't necessarily mean bad things for US workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for US manufacturing jobs is about $21. As some commenters on the Carrier deal have noted, keeping jobs in the US so that they don't go to Mexico could provide an incentive for expanding production there, which ultimately could generate downward pressure on US wages. The focus of a US manufacturing policy should probably be on how much workers are getting paid, not how many workers there are (which isn't the same thing as saying factories should run with far fewer workers, because manufacturers should still strive to be major employers). Manufacturing companies have been negotiating multi-tier wage structures with workers the auto industry is the prime example meaning that new hires make less than legacy employees. Labor costs in Mexico will invariably rise, discouraging companies from relocating there, so US jobs that were outsourced could be "in-sourced," or brought back to US. But workers probably don't want them to come back to lower wage levels. Trump's grasp of all this appears to be blunt at best. We can give him the benefit of the doubt that he and his accountants understand the tax code or bankruptcy law. But when it comes to how US and global manufacturing works, he's out of touch. NOW WATCH: 'Why is it refreshing to make false statements?': Stephanopoulos grills Mike Pence on Trump voter-fraud claim More From Business Insider Iago Garay: Santa Cruz SRAM team The Santa Cruz Andes Pacifico Montenbaik Enduro is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience mountain biking on an Andean scale!Coming soon in February 2017, we're inviting riders to discover some of the highest, wildest and funnest trails these far away lands have to offer. All set against the epic backdrop of the worlds longest mountain chain.The Santa Cruz Andes Pacifico Montenbaik Enduro is the original adventure gravity race in central Chile. Starting at over 3,600 meters above sea level amidst snow-capped peaks, riders experience five days of stage racing down towards the Pacific Ocean, clocking-up a staggering 12,000 meters in vertical drop along the way!This unique event focuses on uncovering forgotten trails and progressively refining them into a connected mountain bike network. Now in its fourth consecutive year, the Santa Cruz Andes Pacifico Montenbaik Enduro is constantly evolving. From the infamous anti-grip dust at high elevations, to the lush geography of the wine valleys and amazing vistas of the south pacific coastline, we are always surprising competitors with a diverse variety of terrain and 2017 looks set to be our most exciting yet.If thats whet your appetite to start packing bags, then heres what you need to knowEvent dates: February 6th to February 12th.Whats included: 5-days of enduro style stage Racing 6-night camping accommodation (tents provided) Full medical service and medical field tent by Paris Dakar support crew Airport pickup and drop-off All catering: breakfast, lunch and gourmet dinners (fine local wine and beer included) Goodie bag KudosBut dont just take our word for it[quoten] For me, Chile equals good vibes! Every time I arrive there it feels like home. Chileans always welcome us with open arms, smoking asados (barbecues) and fresh piscolas (Chilean drink!) Oh yeah, I should probably mention the trails too! Amazing. Long long descents and with so much variation you keep buzzing every day. If you thinking about doing it just don't hesitate... or you'll honestly miss one of the best riding weeks of your life. Every year the trails, organization, food etc all keep pushing forward. Thats why I keep coming back. Its one of my biggest challenges of the year. You should make it one of yours!!![/quoten]For more information and to register visit andespacificoenduro.com/ MENTIONS: @Montenbaik Novartis' Lucentis received EU approval in new indication - Lucentis the only treatment available for a wide range of CNV conditions Details Category: Antibodies Published on Wednesday, 07 December 2016 08:22 Hits: 2008 The European Commission approved Lucentis to treat patients for visual impairment due to choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with causes other than neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) or secondary to pathologic myopia (PM) Results of the pivotal MINERVA[5] study showed a significant gain in visual acuity of approximately 10 letters at two months, which was maintained for one year[1] Lucentis (ranibizumab) is the first and only treatment approved in this indication in the EU, and the only treatment available for a wide range of CNV conditions BASEL, Switzerland I December 7, 2016 I Novartis today announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted an additional indication for Lucentis (ranibizumab) to treat patients with visual impairment due to choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with causes other than neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), or secondary to pathologic myopia (PM). With this approval, Lucentis is the first retinal treatment approved for these conditions, addressing an important unmet medical need. "This confirms Lucentis as standard of care in diseases of the retina," said Paul Hudson, CEO Novartis Pharmaceuticals. "With this approval, Lucentis is the only treatment available for a wide range of CNV conditions. We are dedicated to bringing new innovations to the market, as we are aware that there is still high unmet medical need for patients with retinal diseases." The approval is applicable to all 28 European member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. It was based on the positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), adopted in October 2016. Following this approval, Lucentis covers six indications in Europe. Submissions for this indication have been filed in 11 other countries, including Switzerland, Australia, Indonesia and Brazil. About CNV CNV is an ocular condition caused by the growth of abnormal blood vessels below the retina, which cause disruption to vision[2]. The condition can occur rapidly, and is a major cause of vision loss, causing symptoms including visual distortion, color disturbances, partial loss of vison or a blindspot within the visual field[3]. CNV is most commonly associated with neovascular ("wet") age-related macular degeneration and pathologic myopia, but it can also occur with many other conditions including uveitis, central serous chorioretinopathy, angioid streaks, trauma, retinal or macular dystrophies, and with no apparent cause (idiopathic CNV)[4]. About MINERVA study trial The submission was supported by data from the Novartis sponsored MINERVA[5] study, which showed that Lucentis treatment resulted in a significant gain of visual acuity by approximately 10 letters at two months; this gain was maintained to month 12 of the one-year study[1]. Ranibizumab has therefore proven to be effective for the treatment of CNV, regardless of the underlying etiology, with no new safety findings[1]. About Lucentis Lucentis is a humanized therapeutic antibody fragment designed to block all biologically active forms of vascular endothelial cell growth factor-A (VEGF-A). Increased levels of VEGF-A are seen in nAMD and other ocular diseases such as DME and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Lucentis was specifically designed for the eye, minimizing systemic exposure. Lucentis is licensed for the treatment of nAMD, and for the treatment of visual impairment due to CNV, DME, BRVO and CRVO. The indication for the treatment of visual impairment due to CNV includes secondary to pathologic myopia (PM) and CNV associated with causes other than nAMD or PM (approved in EMA only). Lucentis is available in more than 110 countries and has a well-established safety profile supported by a portfolio of 129 sponsored clinical studies in addition to extensive real-world experience. The safety profile of Lucentis has been well established in a clinical development program that has enrolled more than 76,000 patients across indications and has 3.7 million patient-treatment years of exposure since its launch in the United States in 2006. Lucentis was developed by Genentech and Novartis. Genentech has the commercial rights to Lucentis in the United States. Novartis has exclusive rights in the rest of the world. Lucentis is a registered trademark of Genentech Inc. About Novartis Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care and cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2015, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.4 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 8.9 billion (USD 8.7 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 118,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are available in approximately 180 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com. Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis References [1] Lai, T et al. Efficacy and safety of ranibizumab 0.5 mg in adult patients with visual impairment due to choroidal neovascularization associated with rare diseases: 12 month results of the MINERVA study. European Society of Retina Specialists (EURETINA) 2016. [2] American Academy of Ophthalmology. What Are Choroidal Neovascular Membranes? Available at http://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/choroidal-neovascular-membranes. Accessed October 2016. [3] American Academy of Ophthalmology. Choroidal Neovascular Membranes Symptoms. Available at http://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/choroidal-neovascular-membranes-symptoms. Accessed October 2016. [4] Cohen S et al. Etiology of choroidal neovascularization in young patients. Ophthalmology 1996; 103: 1241-1244. [5] ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier NCT01840410. Available at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT01840410. Accessed October 2016. SOURCE: Novartis Neurimmune and TVM Capital Life Science Announce Creation of AL-S Pharma to Develop Innovative Therapy for Patients with ALS Details Category: More News Published on Wednesday, 07 December 2016 11:52 Hits: 1906 SCHLIEREN, Switzerland, and MUNICH, Germany I December 07, 2016 I Neurimmune and TVM Capital Life Sciences latest fund, TVM Life Science Ventures VII, today announced their investment in AL-S Pharma AG, a company based in Schlieren/Zurich, Switzerland. AL-S Pharma will develop, to proof-of-concept, AP-101, a human monoclonal antibody targeting misfolded SOD1 for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that was generated and pre-clinically validated by Neurimmunes Reverse Translational Medicine platform. ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord leading to the progressive paralysis of the muscles that control voluntary movement. Eventually, patients lose their ability to breathe and most people with ALS die from respiratory failure within three to five years from the onset of symptoms. To date, no disease-modifying treatment is available for ALS. We are very excited to see another monoclonal antibody developed through our Reverse Translational Medicine platform moving towards clinical development, says Jan Grimm, PhD, CSO of Neurimmune and Member of the Board of AL-S Pharma. ALS is a terrible disease, and we believe that AP-101 has the potential to provide therapeutic benefit to the patients suffering from it. TVM Capital Life Science and AL-S Pharma have the option to engage with Chorus, an autonomous unit of Eli Lilly and Company, to execute an efficient and cost-effective clinical plan. AL-S Pharma will also leverage its extensive product development expertise to potentially bring AP-101 to human proof-of-concept and aims to initiate the first human dose study in ALS patients in 2018 in collaboration with an international network of ALS clinics. The management team of AL-S Pharma is excited to collaborate with Chorus and TVM Capital Life Science, the advisor to the investing fund, to develop this promising drug candidate to clinical proof-of-concept, said Michael Salzmann, PhD, COO of Neurimmune and AL-S Pharmas CEO. TVM Life Science Ventures VII, a venture capital fund domiciled in Munich, Germany and Montreal, Canada is a unique arrangement between TVM Capital Life Science and numerous limited partners, including Lilly. The fund follows a capital-efficient investment approach to finance and access innovation while managing risk and sharing reward. TVM Capital Life Science is proud to have catalyzed the creation of AL-S Pharma AG in Switzerland and to have secured the rights to a compound that represents a new and innovative approach to neurodegeneration and ALS. This transaction is another demonstration of the benefits of our investment model in Europe, and the extent of our network, said Hubert Birner, PhD, Managing Partner with TVM Capital Life Science and Chairman of the Board of AL-S Pharma. We are pleased to collaborate with Michael Salzmann and Dirk Schimkat, who will act as CEO and CFO respectively for AL-S Pharma bringing continuity from Neurimmune. Neurodegeneration is a core therapeutic area where Lilly is committed to identifying, accessing and shaping innovation for patients who are waiting, said Christer Nordstedt, Lilly's vice president of neuroscience research and clinical development. Working as a limited partner with TVM Capital Life Science is an important part of our risk-sharing strategy to complement the molecules were evaluating in our labs with the best discoveries from outside the company. About Neurimmune Neurimmune is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of unique classes of human therapeutic antibodies for the treatment and prevention of important human diseases with a high unmet medical need. Established in 2006 as a spin-off of the University of Zurich, Switzerland, Neurimmune has rapidly grown into a leader in the field of recombinant human monoclonal antibody therapeutics. Neurimmunes pipeline comprises high-potential drug candidates at both clinical and advanced preclinical development stages and Neurimmune has partnered four antibody programs with Biogen. Aducanumab for Alzheimer's disease is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials. The therapeutic antibody for Parkinsons disease (BIIB054) is in Phase 1. Therapeutic antibodies for tauopathies and fronto-temporal dementia are in preclinical stages. Neurimmune is dedicated to forging successful collaborations with world leaders in the biopharmaceutical industry. Neurimmune Holding AG Wagistrasse 13 CH-8952 Schlieren/Zurich Switzerland About TVM Capital Life Science TVM Capital Life Science is providing venture capital to the international pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and medical technology industries with more than 30-years of transatlantic investment track record and in excess of US$1.4bn raised and under management. With its advisory, corporate finance and investment teams located in Montreal, Munich and Hong Kong, the TVM Capital Life Science team provides investors as well as entrepreneurs and innovation-seeking biopharmaceutical companies access to global life science innovation and provides paths for successful tech transfer and commercialization for the benefit of patients and investors alike. The TVM Capital Life Science international team looks back on more than 130 investments and over 90 exits, including more than 45 initial public offerings on all major U.S. and European stock exchanges and has gained unrivalled international investment experience with their track record of dedicated board work, extensive global networks in the world of life science research and product development and a direct knowledge of the local markets. SOURCE: Neurimmune Talk versus action: Its always important to distinguish between the twoespecially with incoming president Donald Trump, a master of using hyperbole to get what he wants. Trump bashed China during the presidential campaign, and since winning the election on Nov. 8, he has continued to say hell impose sanctions on China if it doesnt agree to more favorable trade terms. But those are mere words, and Trump just made an actual decision involving China that undercuts many of his threats. Trump has nominated Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad to be his ambassador to China, and by extension, point man for any new negotiations involving trade. CEOs who have been worried abut possible trade wars with China ought to cheer, because Branstad is steeped in the importance of trade and the ways it benefits Americans. Branstad has personally known Chinese president Xi Jinping since the 1980s, when the two men met through a cultural exchange. They have stayed in touch, with Xi visiting Iowa and Branstad being Xis guest in China. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman called Brandstad an old friend of China when the Trump news broke. But more important than Brandstads personal connections in China is his understanding of the importance of trade. Exports account for 12% of Iowas economic output and 22% of its jobs, according to the Asia Society. China is the states third-largest trading partner, after Canada and Mexico. Corn is Iowas biggest export, followed by tractors, other agricultural products and aircraft parts. Trump has said hell impose tariffs of 35% or more on Chinese imports if China doesnt agree to trade reforms that, so far, Trump hasnt specified. Many trade experts feel China and other economic partners would retaliate with like measures if Trump tries to punish China. That kind of tit-for-tat would raise the cost of products imported from China, and reduce sales of American products to China. Story continues Branstad, as ambassador, would be the field general executing the orders of his boss in the White House. Trade tensions would harm farmers and businesses in Brandstads home state. That doesnt mean it wont happen, but it means a key player would have to answer to real people he knows who would be harmed by tariffs and other punitive measures. While meant to punish China, theyd also punish some ordinary Americans. Many analysts consider Trumps rhetorical excesses unhinged or mercurial. But a kind of logic is emerging. Trump makes threats as an opening negotiating bid. Then he settles for less. He bashed Carrier, for instance, for its plan to move 2,000 jobs from Indiana to Mexico, then declared victory when he persuaded the company to keep half those jobs in the United States. Its not hard to discern a similar pattern in Trumps approach toward China. His opening bid is a disruption of the status quo and the possibility of trade restrictions that could undermine the rapid economic growth China needs. He broke with decades of diplomatic protocol by having a breezy chat with the president of Taiwan, thumbing his nose at Chinas insistence that the democratic island nation is really a Chinese province. Yet the man appointed to execute Trumps actual policy is a free trader who understands and respects Chinese sensibilities, and has benefited himself from open borders. Branstad is the good cop while Trump himself is the bad. The ambassadors main job will probably be finding a way for Trump to claim a win on trade, while leaving mostly everything else alone. Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman. Alarmed by a wave of shootings targeting police officers, state Assemblyman Jay Obernolte (R-Big Bear) has introduced a bill that would make an attack on law enforcement a hate crime in California, allowing stiffer penalties for those convicted. Obernoltes bill comes after a series of shootings that have left 62 law enforcement officers dead so far this year, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. That is up from 38 officers shot to death in the line of duty by this time last year. Our police officers put their lives on the line every day and its deeply disturbing when they are intentionally targeted because of their chosen profession, Obernolte said Tuesday in a statement. This law will send a message to criminals targeting law enforcement officers that their reprehensible behavior will not be tolerated. Offenses committed because of the victims race, religion, disability or sexual orientation may currently be prosecuted as hate crimes in California. Conviction of a hate crime in California can result in an additional one to three years in state prison being tacked on to an offender's sentence, depending on the circumstances, the Los Angeles Times reports. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are looking for a stolen Ford F350 truck after a Grande Prairie officer was assaulted with bear spray early Tuesday. The vehicle's occupants are considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached, RCMP said in a news release. Grande Prairie RCMP were called to a break-and-enter at a rural property northeast of the city around 4 a.m. An officer went to the area and tried to confront the driver of a vehicle. While talking with the people inside the Mountie was bear sprayed. He called for help, but the suspects ran off on foot before more officers arrived. Police believe the suspects then stole a white 2015 Ford F350 FXR truck, the CBC reports. The FBI agent who allegedly fired shots at a Grand Rapids, MI, police officer Tuesday felt paranoid at the time of the incident, according to a source close to the case. The agent was arraigned Wednesday afternoon on a felony charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and a misdemeanor charge of brandishing a firearm. The source told WOOD TV the agent and his partner came from Las Vegas, but were in Grand Rapids to conduct interviews on a case. The two went to dinner and then to a bar, the source says. The shots were fired around 1:20 a.m. Tuesday near a Planet Fitness. Officers were called there after the agent was seen with a firearm inside the gym. Authorities say the suspect shot at a police sergeant who tried to speak with him outside. No one was hurt. The agent was arrested. The source close to the investigation told 24 Hour News 8 the agent felt paranoid, thought people were out to get him and even blacked out. He has a vague recollection of what happened. Deputy Ryan Thomas (Photo: Twitter) Deputy Sheriff Ryan Thomas of the Valencia County (NM) Sheriff's Office was killed in a single-vehicle crash near the intersection of Manzano Expressway and South Del Oro Loop at approximately 9:00 p.m., reports www.odmp.org. He was responding to a call for service when his patrol car left the roadway and overturned. He suffered fatal injuries when he was ejected from the patrol car. Deputy Thomas, 30, had served with the Valencia County Sheriff's Office for one year. He is survived by his expectant wife and one child. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print *The following is an opinion column by R Muse* There is a lesson some parents teach their children from a relatively young age that allows them to move through life with a tad less grief and stress than blunt and offensive personalities. The rule, at least in some families, is that if you cant find something positive to say about someone, then dont say anything at all. Although it is nearly impossible to find anything positive whatsoever to say about Donald Trump or his family, they certainly deserve kudos for self-promotion and hype that they are anything other than just nasty rich people. That is, frankly, about as positive a statement as this author is capable of concocting in regard to Trump. Some Americans likely are getting a clue that Trump is only in the enviable position he is right now based on hype, self-promotion, free media-provided publicity and ad campaigns, Russian digital spies, alt-right Nazis and the preponderance of religious and racist fanatics populating America; he isnt heading to the White House based on experience. Daddy Trump must have inculcated into his children that self-promotion and hype are very good for business, because his daughter Ivanka, the one he said is a piece of ass, is garnering attention and media hype for reaching out to well-known and celebrity advocates fighting to stop the existential damage from anthropogenic climate change. It is just too bad that the media is still pandering to sate the Trump publicity addiction and not reality, but obviously anything Trump sells ad space. Various articles reported that Ivanka Trump has discovered a signature issue and is currently in the early stages of exploring how to use her newfound spotlight to speak out on climate change; as if she has any authority whatsoever over her daddy Don, the Koch brothers or Republicans in debt to fossil fuel. Still, the allure of free publicity for a wannabe first lady surrogate, for absent step-mom Melania, was probably too much to resist. First, according to an anonymous source in a story Politico was reporting last Thursday that she will make climate change the issue in her new role. Then, the New York Magazine reported on a sit-down between her and climate change activist and actor Leonardo DiCaprio. In fact, DiCaprio presented the climate change newbie with a copy of his documentary on climate change; something an advocate for the cause would already be acutely familiar with. The big news Monday was Ms. Trumps meeting with former vice-president Al Gore to talk climate change. There is probably no better personality to be seen talking to about climate change with than Al Gore, and if Ms. Trump had even a modicum of influence and authority of policy, especially environmental policy, one might be inclined to give daughter Trump the benefit of the doubt. There is just one problem, though; Ivanka Trump has absolutely no authority over anything except maybe her clothing line. The only person in, or visiting, the White House who has any authority over climate policy is daddy Donald, not daughter Ivanka. And, according to daddy Don, there is no such thing as climate change; he says it is a hoax. Add to that Trump is gathering a veritable whos who of climate denial for his inner circle and that does not include the two men who own both the House and Senate majorities in Congress; the Koch brothers. As ThinkProgress Natasha Geiling posited; the Trump administration is shaping up to be a bleak wasteland of climate denial and Koch-funded fossil fuel cronyism. Exactly the opposite of what the publicity-seeking first daughter claims is her raison detre in the incoming Trump administration. The abject pomposity affecting Trumps is remarkable, really. Not only is Ivanka Trump not going to be president or a member of Congress, and appears to be as ignorant of climate change as her daddy is a pathological liar, there are actually laws against nepotism legally forbidding her from assuming any kind of policy-making or advising roles. And, based on her fathers belief that her signature cause celebre is fake, coupled with the grossly climate-denying cabinet members and advisers directing his every move, any American involvement in the fight to stop or at least slow climate change is over on or around January 20, 2017. It is important to remember that the Koch brothers own both houses of Congress and have made no secret they want the Environmental Protection Agency, the one agency responsible for addressing climate change at home, abolished outright. Trump did his part by appointing a rabid climate denier to lead the transition at the EPA. With a Republican majority in Congress flush with fossil fuel money, and a know-nothing imbecile in the Oval Office who says climate change is a Chinese hoax, and a seriously demented cabal of climate denying advisors and cabinet members, there is nothing Ivanka Trump, Al Gore, Leonard DiCaprio or anyone else can do to alter the bleak wasteland of climate denial and Koch-funded fossil fuel cronyism that will steer America in the opposite direction it was on in the fight against climate change. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print In an effort to expedite the confirmation process for Donald Trumps pick for defense secretary, Congressional Republicans introduced a must-pass spending bill with an attached waiver to allow retired Gen. James Mattis to serve in Trumps cabinet. The move is an attempt by Republicans to sidestep the usual congressional procedures and avoid debate over Trumps nominee. UPDATE: GOP slips measure to speed Mattis' confirmation into stopgap bill, by @APAndrewTaylor https://t.co/CkMalebklH AP Politics (@AP_Politics) December 7, 2016 Under current law, ex-military officials are not permitted to become secretary of defense until theyve been out of service for at least seven years unless they are granted a waiver. Mattis, Trumps pick for the position, left the military just three years ago, meaning he would need to be given an exception by Congress. More from Politico: Democrats say they dont necessarily oppose Mattis or even granting him a waiver but rather object to the philosophical idea of speeding up a nomination to be considered by future Congresses. I find it very troubling that the members of this Congress would put language into what next years Congress should be held accountable for, said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who will be the No. 3 party leader next year. It would be bad precedent. Mattis will most likely go through anyway. And House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called it troubling that Republicans are working so hard to shield President-elect Trumps choice for Secretary of Defense from the scrutiny and debate of Congress and the American people. Instead of going through the proper motions of obtaining a waiver, Republicans are threatening a government shutdown since many Democrats have already expressed their firm opposition to the dirty move. Its an irresponsible way to treat a spending bill. If this is the way the government will operate under complete Republican control for (at least) the next two years, then were in big trouble. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Paul Ryan promises, In 2017, well deliver results. The results, unfortunately, if Republicans can be bothered to do anything at all, will be uniformly bad for Americans. Weve heard this song and dance before. The changes are being billed as an improvement, a better way and they even have a fancy new website full of lies to back it up. But the Republican-controlled House of Representatives has never been about anything but empty talk while they do literally nothing, at best, solutions in search of problems. The real actions Ryan plans to take are attacks on the American people on behalf of big corporations. Relief from Obamacarethis law is hurting families and its only going to get worse. Relief from this broken tax code that is costing us jobs, competitiveness, and growth. Relief from overreach and needless regulations that are crushing livelihoods and industries across this country. In other words, Take away healthcare because its hurting you. Take away corporate taxes (and raise yours). Take away regulations that protect you from clean air, water, and food. Livelihoods arent being hurt yet. But they will be if Ryan gets his way. At the start of this year, we as House Republicans made a number of commitments to the American people. First, we pledged to open up the processto find common ground for the good of the country. If you look at how we are wrapping up our work for the end of the year here, weve done just that: 21st Century Cures. The National Defense Authorization Bill. The water resources bill. These initiatives all went through the committees. They are all bipartisan. And they are all House-Senate agreements. That is how we should do things here. Its important, because thats exactly how things should work. The most overarching thing we set out to dogoing all the way back to our retreat in Baltimore almost a year agowas that we would raise our gaze. We would go from being seen as simply being an opposition party to being a proposition party. And with 7 out of 10 Americans unhappy with the direction our country is headed, we felt we had a dutya moral obligationto offer our fellow citizens a better way forward. And thats exactly what we did. We did not just check the box to win an election, or we didnt do this so I could just [promote] a websitebetter.gopa thousand times with you. The idea was, if we actually won the election by campaigning on solutions and ideas, we would be ready to govern. And here we are. We are ready to hit the ground running, and we need to hit the ground running. We gave the people a very clear choice, and now the people have given us very clear instructions: deliver results and deliver relief. Relief from Obamacarethis law is hurting families and its only going to get worse. Relief from this broken tax code that is costing us jobs, competitiveness, and growth. Relief from overreach and needless regulations that are crushing livelihoods and industries across this country. That is what a unified Republican government will be about. It will be about helping our people reach their potential, and making America great again. So 2016 was about raising our gaze. 2017 is going to be about doing big things for our country. The words unified Republican government ought to throw fear into the hearts of every American. The Republican plan for 2017 is a disaster. The Republican plan is a mockery. The real burden, from Ryans perspective, is that placed by government on corporations to prevent them from poisoning and killing us all in search of a profit. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print In Donald Trumps second stop on his post-election victory tour, the president-elect renewed his attacks on First Amendment rights, saying that as president we will see what we can do about those that burn the American flag. Video: Its just the most recent in a series of comments Trump has made about the very small number of people who actually engage in flag burning. Still, its puzzlingly become a rallying cry for the president-elect and his supporters. Just last week, Trump even proposed legal punishments for those who burn the American flag: 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 The president-elects new talking point about those who burn the flag may be a reliable applause line at his rallies, but its also incredibly simplistic and short-sighted. Whether we like it or not, the right of U.S. citizens to burn the American flag is protected as symbolic speech under the First Amendment via the 1989 Supreme Court Case, Texas v. Johnson. The reason this right is so special, despite Trumps rhetoric, is that even forms of expression we dont like, including flag burning, are protected. If we start giving the government or an unhinged president the power to pick and choose which forms of speech should be free, it sets our country on a dangerous course. It may be flag burning today, but what other forms of expression will the thin-skinned Trump decide to criminalize next? In some cases, people choose to express themselves in ways that the vast majority of Americans arent fond of. Just take a look at how the Westboro Baptist Church chooses to speak out for their warped, extremist worldview. Still, the fact that they are allowed to do so speaks to the strength of our country. This strength is something that we and our next president should value, not try to undermine. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is urging millions of Americans to stand together in protest of the agenda of President-elect Donald Trump. Sanders discussed the need for united protest against Trump in a statement: Citing several recent victories, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) thanked striking workers Wednesday for proving the power of protest to make progress under President-elect Donald Trump. Five years ago, if anybody in America said that folks would be talking and cities would be passing a $15 an hour minimum wage, people would have said youre crazy, it cant be done. But you did it. Millions of workers have received significant pay increases because of your efforts. Thank you for what youve done. Today we tell the United States Congress that we have got to go further. We want every worker in this country to earn at least $15 an hour and have a union. . Were telling Mr. Trump and anybody else that when millions of us stand together, we are going to win. Nobody is going to stop us. Sen Sanders was correct. There is only one effective way to stand up against the Trump agenda. Democrats wont have any majority power in Congress or the occupant of the White House on their side. Effectiveness will require the grassroots mobilization of millions of Americans. The battle will be long, and progress will only come through committed struggle, but it is going to take a popular rebellion to make Republicans and Trump pay dearly for the agenda that they are flirting with enacting. It is going to take an army of regular Americans to resist the Koch and corporatist agenda that will dominate the Trump administration. Sen. Sanders isnt just saying words. The Senator from Vermont is issuing a call to action. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Controversy and disaster continue to beset Donald Trumps transition team as Michael Flynn Jr, the son of Trumps national security adviser Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, has been fired (CBS News Major Garrett says he resigned) from the transition team because of his Pizzagate claims which resulted in shots being fired at the D.C.s Comet Ping Pong restaurant. Unflappable in the face of the violence he had caused and nearly a body count Flynn Jr tweeted that he stood by his conspiracy theory in the face of every fact: Until #Pizzagate proven to be false, it'll remain a story. The left seems to forget #PodestaEmails and the many "coincidences" tied to it. https://t.co/8HA9y30Yfp Michael G Flynn (@mflynnJR) December 5, 2016 Mike Pence, who had first denied Flynn Jrs role in the transition, later admitted to CNN Tuesday that is is no longer the case that Flynn Jr is helping his father. According to The New York Times, Flynn Jr had hoped to be part of his fathers national security team, but there are apparently limits even to the craziness the Trump camp will tolerate. Of course, Michael Flynn himself is also quite the conspiracy theorist, having retweeted fake news 16 times in the past few months. As HuffPos Michael Calderone points out, Flynns fondness for spreading fake news casts doubt on his fitness to serve as WH national security adviser. CNNs Jake Tapper had attempted a personal intervention with Flynn Jr directly, saying to him, Michael the police called pizza gate a fictitious conspiracy theory tonight, Tapper wrote. Does someone have to die before you take this s seriously. Spreading this nonsense is dangerous. When Flynn Jr. responded, I want it to be false, Tappers retort was like a slap in the face: It is not the site of a satanic pedophilia cult. It is a f pizzeria. Show me what youre talking about that proves a satanic pedophilia cult. Your tweet is wildly irresponsible. Listen to me. You are going to get someone killed. Maybe an innocent child. For what?????? This whole sordid mess was, as Mother Jones David Corn said, deplorable, but it isnt as if Hillary Clinton did not warn us. CNNs Andrew Kaczynski noted the growing concern of members of Congress (Democrats, not Republicans): Members of Congress are beginning to take notice that Michael Flynn and son shared conspiracies pic.twitter.com/Q8k4RhXssq andrew kaczynski (@KFILE) December 5, 2016 And Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) has announced his own grave concerns about Flynns fitness for duty. Schiff and Smith did not quite get their wish with Flynn Jrs exit, and probably wont. Neither Trump nor his cronies will disavow the falsehoods and conspiracy theories that got Trump elected. The only reason Flynn Jr is out now is because it is hard to ignore a guy showing up with a gun and virtually shouting Flynn Jrs tweets to the whole world as he fires it. So the wildly irresponsible Flynn Jr is out and as Colbert quipped will probably show up on CNN, and Tapper shouldnt expect any invitations to the Trump White House. Weve nipped at the symptoms and not the problem. And when he assumes that office, there will be nobody to say no to Donald Trump or to those he chooses to surround himself with. (Adds statements from Trump and Branstad) By Dominique Patton and Steve Holland BEIJING/NEW YORK, Dec 7 (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump will nominate Iowa Governor Terry Branstad as the next U.S. ambassador to China, choosing a longstanding friend of Beijing after rattling the world's second largest economy with tough talk on trade and a telephone call with the leader of Taiwan. The appointment may help to ease trade tensions between the two countries, the world's two biggest agricultural producers, diplomats and trade experts said. Branstad has visited China at least six times, and Chinese President Xi Jinping has traveled to Iowa twice, including once while Branstad was governor. Branstad's appointment also suggests that Trump may be ready to take a less combative stance toward China than many expected, the experts said. Trump in a statement cited Branstad's qualifications including experience in government and longtime relationships with Xi and other Chinese leaders. The nomination, which will be formally made once the Republican president-elect is sworn in on Jan. 20, was well received, even among some Democrats. "He's tenacious, and trust me, with the Chinese, you need to be tenacious," U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, said of Branstad. Trump, who defeated Hillary Clinton in last month's election, has said that when he takes office he intends to declare China a currency manipulator, meaning it keeps the yuan artificially low to make its exports cheap, and has threatened to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese goods coming into the United States. Added to that, his unusual decision to accept a call from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen last week prompted a diplomatic protest on Saturday from Beijing, which considers Taiwan a renegade province. Trump's transition team played down the exchange as a courtesy call, but the White House had to reassure China that its decades-old "one-China" policy was intact. Story continues Branstad's established personal connection with China could help smooth a relationship defined largely by international security matters and by bilateral trade, where the massive U.S. trade deficit with the country is a source of friction. "It means that the Trump team understands that it is important to have an ambassador who has access to Xi Jinping," Bonnie Glaser, a China expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, said of the pick. Branstad called Xi a "longtime friend" when Xi visited Iowa in February 2012, only nine months before he became China's leader. On Wednesday, Branstad said he and Xi have had a "30-year friendship" and added: "The president-elect understands my unique relationship to China and has asked me to serve in a way I had not previously considered." Before his nomination was announced, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang called Branstad an "old friend" of China when asked in Beijing about a Bloomberg report on the appointment, although he said China would work with any U.S. ambassador. "We welcome him to play a greater role in advancing the development of China-U.S. relations," he told a daily news briefing. Xi's ties to Iowa go back more than 30 years: He visited Iowa in 1985 on an agricultural research trip when he led a delegation from Hebei Province, returning 27 years later and reuniting with some of the people he had met. Trump's stance on China has been in particular focus since Friday's call with Tsai, the first such top-level contact with Taiwan by a U.S. president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter adopted a "one-China" policy in 1979, recognizing only the Beijing government. DUMPING ALLEGATIONS China is the United States' largest trading partner in goods. But imports from China far outstripped U.S. exports, making for a trade deficit with China of $336.2 billion in 2015, according to the U.S. Trade Representative. Specific U.S. trade concerns include allegations that China is dumping steel and aluminum in global markets below the cost of production, hurting American producers. In the agricultural sector, the United States has been unable to get Beijing to lift anti-dumping measures on U.S. broiler chicken products and an animal feed ingredient known as distillers' dried grains (DDGS). China is one of Iowa's biggest export markets, so Branstad is well placed to deal with China-U.S. trade issues, said Professor Huang Jing, an expert on Chinese politics at the National University of Singapore. "This really sends a message that Donald Trump wants to handle China at the bilateral relationship level," he said. Branstad, 70, visited China most recently as the leader of a trade mission that made stops in Beijing and Hebei in November. He will be "somebody who clearly understands agriculture representing U.S. interests" in China, said Dale Moore, executive director for public policy at the American Farm Bureau Federation. (Reporting by Sangameswaran S in Bengalaru, Christian Shepherd in Beijing, John Ruwitch in Shanghai; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu and Matt Spetalnick in Washington, Tom Polansek and Mark Weinraub in Chicago and Kay Henderson in Des Moines; Writing by Richard Cowan and David Ingram; Editing by Robert Birsel, Martin Howell, Frances Kerry and Jonathan Oatis) Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print *The following is an opinion column by R Muse* By now a few Americans comprehend that Republicans, like their Koch-funded legislative mill ALEC, do not embrace and typically oppose the most basic tenets of democracy. One just has to peruse any number of scientific surveys and polls to see that every last policy Republicans promote and propose are contrary to the will of the people; because the peoples will conflicts with Republicans special interests. Republicans in North Carolina are taking the more direct route in subverting democracy, and the will of the voters, with a deceitful scam that several other Republican-led states have enacted. There was a bit of good news this week when bigoted N.C. Governor Pat McCrory finally conceded defeat in his reelection bid, but he will likely not leave office without creating a several-year conservative super-majority in the States Supreme Court. The reason is clear; to guarantee the GOPs legislatures super-majority rules uncontested. In the recent election, North Carolina voters rejected the troublesome conservative state Supreme Court and voted in some liberal justices. Obviously, the people understand that a fair amount of the states recent woes are due to the states High Court rubber-stamping bigoted laws and racial gerrymandering; the former is now before the U.S. Supreme Court. Despite the voters will, the Republicans have planned to add two seats to the High Court and allow McCrory, the exiting governor, to appoint to conservative justices. This kind of blatant subversion of the voters will is not unique among Republican-led states. In 2015 legislators in Georgia passed legislation adding two seats to its supreme court resulting in Republican governors perpetuating a conservative majority on the Court. Republican legislatures in Arizona, and several other states have utilized the same tactic to great effect. According to an analyst with the National Center for State Courts, Bill Raftery said that what North Carolina Republicans are planning is Part of a larger trend thats occurred over the last eight to 10 years. Mr. Raftery has spent his time tracking Republican efforts in Florida, South Carolina, Iowa and North Carolina to manipulate the number of justices on state supreme courts as a last resort attempt to maintain political dominance regardless the will of the people. In North Carolina, the people clearly understood that the current conservative majority on the states High Court rubber-stamped every highly-controversial racial and religious legislation McCrory signed into law; only to be struck down in federal courts. In fact, the Republicans on the court twice upheld the legislatures redistricting maps that federal courts have ruled discriminated against African American voters. That case is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court and likely contributed to voters electing liberal justices. This latest planned scheme is not North Carolina Republicans first act to disregard the voters will and guarantee a conservative majority on the state supreme court. In 2015 Republicans passed a bill that, if it stood, would have prohibited one of the winning liberal candidates, Judge Mike Morgan, from even running for a seat in the election. The legislation drastically altered the states Supreme Court elections from contested races to retention elections. In those fixed elections the public votes yes or no on whether or not to retain the current justices on the bench. But even if the voters vote no, the bill allowed the Republican governor to appoint conservatives to the bench for a two year term. That law was struck down as a violation of the North Carolina state Constitution. Reports are that the Republican will consider the court-packing bill during a planned emergency session this month. ThinkProgress reported that while House and Senate leaders have refused comment, local media quoted anonymous sources who heard legislators talking about the scheme. Apparently, one Republican legislator called the plan stupid party politics instead of what it really is; a plan to subvert the voters will. Since Republicans will have the ability to override any Democratic governors veto with a state legislature super-majority, it portends a mess for the state going forward. Remember, North Carolinas Republicans already passed laws eliminating civil rights protections of single women, people of color, practitioners of the wrong religion and the LGBTQ community. North Carolina Republicans have also led the nation in subverting voting rights and there is no guarantee the U.S. Supreme Court hearing the current challenge will strike down the racial gerrymandering laws to provide any relief to minority communities. The North Carolina voters are at the mercy of a current High Court that remains understaffed because Senate Republicans had their own despicable scheme to pack the court. Republicans have never embraced the founders idea of a government of checks and balances to prevent tyranny. If North Carolina Republicans reject the voters choice of a more reasonable liberal court and remake it to complement Republicans unconstitutional policies, there will be no balance and nothing the peoples choice of a Democratic governor can do to stop them. In fact, if Republicans proceed with their plan, governance in North Carolina will mirror governance in Washington where the concept of checks and balances went out the window; all because a minority of voters handed Republicans complete and unchallenged control of the nation. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close 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 All of us have local and national issues that we worry about: gender-related and race-related issues, education and social welfare issues, pump prices and what to do about Confederate monuments. Thats usually how we vote whats worrying us at the moment. But older adults, of all people, may be capable of standing back from whats in our face to take a longer perspective on politics. Read moreAging for Amateurs: Elections make us get clear on priorities Home Team BBQs sixth location in South Carolina is now open at 3563 Highway 17 in the former home of the Rusty Rudder. Read moreHome Team BBQ opens 6th SC restaurant in Mount Pleasant "My husband Paul and I have lived on James Island since 2005. The culinary scene, of course, has changed so much since then." Read moreDaily Digest: James Island resident has pride in her neighborhood South Carolina superintendent candidates Ellen Weaver and Lisa Ellis traded criticisms for an hour-long debate on Nov. 2, and argued over who was best suited to improve education in South Carolina Read moreState superintendent candidates spar over solutions Senior Politics Reporter Caitlin Byrd is the senior politics reporter at The Post and Courier. An award-winning reporter, Byrd previously worked as an enterprise reporter for The State newspaper, where she covered the Charleston region and South Carolina politics. Andrew Knapp is editor of the Quick Response Team, which covers crime, courts and breaking news. He previously worked as a reporter and copy editor at Florida Today, Newsday and Bangor (Maine) Daily News. He enjoys golf, weather and fatherhood. 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. If youve been unfortunate enough to endure a flood caused by nature or human error, but fortunate enough that your home survived, its at the top of your list of worries: mold. Its why you have to act immediately to haul out all the contents, rip out carpets and even walls: to prevent the Read moreEditorial: The simple first step to solving the insidious problem of mold in SC colleges Here is an interesting question I got asked last week at a coffee shop chat with some small-business CEOs: "Dean, based on what you have seen from businesses across the country and what you know about my business, who should I select to be my marketing person?" I had to pause on that question because I know that CEO's business, and I wanted to give her a challenge to open up her search for the best marketer for the business. Here's what popped into my head. Who do you know that is best positioned to know your business and can carry your message? OK, reader, don't go any further right now. Think about my answer. Who would you pick? A few years ago, the Nielsen company came out with their Global Trust in Advertising report. One takeaway stuck in my head. It showed people now rely more than ever on word of mouth when they make a purchasing decision. Imagine that. Word of mouth is the oldest form of marketing, and it just keeps getting better. The report found 92 percent of consumers trust "earned media," such as recommendations from friends and family, above any other form of advertising, an increase of 18 percent since it last studied this. The second-most valued type of product information is online consumer reviews, which are trusted by 70 percent of consumers, an increase of 15 percent in the previous five years. ADVERTISEMENT "About half of all business for small companies comes from word-of-mouth champions," said Rob Fuggetta, founder of online brand-advocate platform Zuberance. "It's just people telling other people, 'Hey, check out this new restaurant, it's awesome.'" Every business that's not outright atrocious has at least some satisfied customers and they can be leveraged to boost sales. The key is to make the most of recommendations by your advocates and broadcast them to the widest possible audience. There are simple ways to do this. Step one is to figure out who your advocates are. "This is actually very easy," Fuggetta said. "You just have to ask them the ultimate question for customer loyalty: On a scale of 0 to 10, how likely are you to recommend us to your friends?" You can ask this in many different ways: in person, via email, at your website. Anyone who answers with a 9 or 10, you should consider a brand advocate. Customers who answer with a 7 or 8 are less likely to endorse you, while "people who are 6 and under are your haters," Fuggetta said. Once you've identified your advocates, you have to make it easy for them to recommend you. Say you own a restaurant with a loyalty program. When a member of your program eats at your place, send an email to that customer asking how likely she is to recommend you to her friends. If she says 9 or 10, you can automatically present her with a review form she can fill out and share on your favorite social media site. Your next step is to grow your "army of advocates" through social channels by asking your 0-10 question at many different customer touchpoints. Every time you get a new customer, within a month or so, ask your question. When someone upgrades an account or adds a new service, ask your question again. Your goal is to marshal your advocates and amplify their voice. When you get a great review, share it. ADVERTISEMENT When you see someone badmouthing your business, reach out to your advocates and tell them there's a conversation about you at this or that blog or website. Ask your advocates to share their thoughts. Don't tell them what to say, just point them in the right direction. But be careful here. You may be tempted to think "what could I do for them because they helped me?" Research shows advocates are less likely to speak out for you if you reward them. "Never pay them off," Fuggetta said. "A real advocate will recommend you without incentive." In his research, Fuggetta has found only 1 percent of advocates do what they do because they get something in return, such as a coupon. "If you do anything that benefits your advocates directly, then you get into the whole area of paying for recommendations, which the FTC does not like and you have to disclose by law," Fuggetta said. "And it lessens the impact of the recommendation if you don't keep it real." Studies show prospects are less likely to buy a recommended product if they know the proponent was given an incentive. If you need to pay someone for a recommendation, that's a sign you should fix your product or service. The more you know about these valuable customers, the more of them you can recruit and the better your business will do. Spend your marketing funds on connecting with your customers in an effective manner. A few months ago I was researching terrorism for school when I stumbled across a Wikipedia page with a table of recent attacks. I scrolled down, expecting to find a scattering of incidents that tore a few families apart. But when I arranged the table by date, I felt sick. The most recent attack listed, a bombing in July, had killed 376 people in Karrada, Iraq. Although I try to stay up-to-date on the happenings in the world, I could not recall hearing about this event at all. Certainly no one I knew had been enraged. Life over here had continued as normal. Immediately, I began researching all the devastating attacks that had occurred this year. To my horror, I realized the only ones I recognized, the only ones that had stirred grief or fear in anyone I knew, had taken place in "Western" nations: France, Belgium, the United States. I thought back to my friends adding #prayforparis on every tweet and how many of their Facebook pictures are still red, white, and blue as homage to the French tragedy that occurred a year ago, while the same scale of event in other nations barely warranted a mention in our news. ADVERTISEMENT Westerners are aware and having discussions about safety and immigration as they relate to terrorism, and that's great, as their fears are valid. But few people express concern for those most affected by extremism and at great risk of attacks every day: people living in "forgotten places," the millions of Muslims in the Middle East. Many Westerners don't care about those dying in Iraq or Nigeria; in a cruel form of irony each attack on their lives only turns these Westerners against them even more, as evident in the rise of xenophobia and hate. Simply put, people look around, and we decide who belongs in our "us." And by default, we have a "them." It's not just Westerners doing this; most groups of people divide themselves in some shape or form, but it's when the people in power have this worldview that the suffering begins. I realized what the most important societal problem is today: the division of people based on arbitrary factors with no basis in logic, the blatant disregard for the fact that we are all one human race. It's what has caused every war (you never fight against your "us"), created terrorism, racism, and xenophobia, and is why certain demographics enjoy lavish lifestyles while others barely survive. American apathy for Muslim lives is only one example. As a white upper-middle-class American, I consider it entirely coincidental that I am standing on the "safe side" of the line drawn so arbitrarily in the sand. I don't have to think about this issue if I don't want to, because the world currently operates in favor of people like me. But it's not just about me. It's not just about people who look like me and live like me. These people are no more important, no more worthy of my care or attention, than those who are different. I'm privileged, and I owe something to those who aren't. I owe a lot. Before my short time on this planet is up, I would like to see the human race embrace a new pronoun: we. These days, most people are used to typing word that fall outside of their range of vocabulary into a search engine, rather than turning to a dictionary. But one Rochester group is trying to put that basic tool back into the hands of young people. This week, 1,600 third-grade students every third-grader in the Rochester will receive a dictionary, thanks to the Rotary Club of Greater Rochester's Dictionary Project. The third-grade classroom was all smiles after the Rotary members presented each student with their dictionary. The visiting Rotary members asked the students to track down the word "chameleon." The third-graders at Bamber Valley Elementary quickly leafed through the large book. One by one hands shot up in the air as they located the word. "The dictionaries really fit in with what we're teaching all third-graders," said Bamber Valley third-grade teacher Allison Whalen. ADVERTISEMENT That's because third grade is a time when students move from what Whalen calls "learning to read" to "reading to learn" an education shift that comes with a learning curve when it comes to vocabulary, she said. Students often encounter unfamiliar words, which is why this makes it the perfect time to get a resources like a dictionary into their hands. "I think it's just a good skill for them to have, being able to access multiple sources for looking up their words, just knowing how to use it is important," Whalen said. "It gets them excited about reading too and wanting to find unfamiliar words in their text because then they get to use that dictionary and apply it." The third graders will also get some training in their media class on how to look up a word because even though we're in the digital age, a physical dictionary as a reference is irreplaceable, Whalen said. "I think for kinetic learning purposes, it's really important for kids to have that physical book," Melissa Schmid, a Rotary member said. "The book does allow for more exploration from time-to-time than your typical kindle or electronic device because they can peruse the pages that way as well." Reading, but particularly third grade literacy have been highlighted as a benchmark for how students will perform in other classes and later in life. The Minnesota Department of Education has placed an emphasis, specifically on grade-level literacy for third-graders, as part of its World's Best Workforce plan, which is meant to ensure students are prepared for college or the workforce by the time they graduate. "The ability to read is so very important to the success of our students, and the success of our students is critically important to having a vibrant community with an educated workforce," said Denise Kelly, Greater Rochester Rotary Dictionary Project co-chair in a news release. But according to 2016 MCA results, 61 percent of Rochester third graders meet or exceed third-grade level literacy. ADVERTISEMENT "The idea of being an able reader is such an important and critical component of being successful in your school work and academics, and this hopefully will be a tool for them to help narrow the achievement gap and raise the level of achievement," said Gene Ellingson, a Rotary member who helped pass the dictionaries out to students. And Ellingson said knowing Rotary's gift to students will have an impact on their achievement is huge. And in return, his favorite part is the smiles and the "thank yous." "That's a reward." A funny thing happened to Abe Sauer's campaign finance complaint on its way to St. Paul. It became a First Amendment case as well. Sauer is the Rochester business owner , freelance journalist and activist who filed a complaint in October against City Council President Randy Staverwith the state Office of Administrative Hearings. The complaint alleges that Staver violated Minnesota campaign finance laws by accepting contributions that were improperly reported to avoid individual limits. The in-kind contributions were in connection with a Sept. 13 fundraiser at the Mayowood Stone Barn , owned by Powers Ventures, and they were made by Powers family members. An administrative law judge has found probable cause for the complaint to be heard by a three-judge panel at 9:30 a.m. Monday in St. Paul. In advance of the hearing, Sauer filed a request with the OAH for a subpoena requiring Staver to provide documents related to the case, including emails and other communication with Powers family members related to the Sept. 13 event. This is part of the evidentiary process. ADVERTISEMENT Staver's attorneys responded by filing a request for a subpoena that would require Sauer to turn over emails and other communication with just about anybody related to the case, including Post Bulletin reporter Andrew Setterholmand me. The form, filed Dec. 5, seeks "any communication recorded, by email or otherwise, that relate to this case, including discussion about Randy Staver, Randy Staver's candidacy, Joe Powers, Joe Powers' business conduct, Joe Powers' children, Joe Powers' children's business conduct, and the Sept. 13, 2016, event held at Mayowood Stone Barn, between Mr. Abram Sauer and: Sean Allen, Jesse Welsh, Michael Wojcik, or any other persons affiliated with the Democratic Farmer Labor party; and any reporter for television, online, or print media, or any other person employed by a media outlet." In case you're not familiar with the cast of characters: Staver was seeking re-election as council president and was challenged by Allen, a Rochester business owner and real estate consultant. Sauer was an outspoken Allen fan. Staver won , 54 percent to 46 percent. Powers owns Powers Ventures , a restaurant and catering company whose properties include the Canadian Honker. Welsh was Allen's campaign manager. She's also president of the Kutzky Park Neighborhood Association, is chairwoman of the city's Committee on Urban Design and Environment and has been active in the Imagine Kutzky organization. Wojcik is a City Council member and was re-elected handily Nov. 8. The "Democratic Farmer Labor party" needs a few hyphens in it and is better known as the DFL Party, and I'm not quite sure why it's listed in this subpoena, though the St. Paul law firm that's representing Staver, the Jacobson Law Group , has been associated with state GOP politics and lobbying. ADVERTISEMENT Making this even more strange: Rochester City Council elections are nonpartisan, though there were certainly partisan influences at work this year. And "any reporter for television, online, or print media, or any other person employed by a media outlet"? That's Setterholm, me and potentially dozens of people in the Rochester area, assuming that social media and "any communication" is fair game. I've seen a lot of court documents of this kind over the years and this one's ridiculously broad, and the request for communication involving journalists aims directly at the First Amendment rights that reporters have to keep their sources, conversations (whether in person, on paper or online), methods and materials confidential. Why do Staver's attorneys want emails and other communications with Setterholm, me and any other journalists under the sun? According to the request, "because their contents will likely evince Mr. Sauer's political and personal bias in favor of the Respondent's political opponent, Sean Allen, as well as his motive for filing this complaint against the Respondent. There is a basis for this expectation, as at least one Rochester news outlets (sic) has reported on Mr. Sauer's political support for Sean Allen." The request then cites one of my blog posts, headlined "Who is Abe Sauer?," from Nov. 7. So Staver's attorneys are trying to demonstrate that Sauer was motivated to file the complaint for political reasons. That may or may not be true -- my Nov. 7 post says only that Sauer is a "well-known supporter of Staver's challenger." But that has zero to do with the merits of Sauer's complaint regarding a possible campaign finance violation. An administrative law judge has already found probable cause for the case to be heard. That's the issue in front of the three-judge panel on Monday, not whether Sauer filed his complaint as an "October surprise." (FYI, Sauer filed his complaint shortly after campaign finance reports were filed with the city, revealing details about the September fundraiser.) This subpoena request, if approved, would have a chilling effect on journalists seeking information and reporting news. Sources won't talk to reporters if they have reason to fear that an attorney will go after their email, Facebook messages, notes or any other private communication. That's why we have constitutional protections. That's why we vigorously protect the confidentiality of our work. ADVERTISEMENT This type of request also would have a chilling effect on citizens filing a complaint with the Office of Administrative Hearings. If a high-power law firm can win a far-reaching order that requires a vast records search by an ordinary citizen -- in this case, a guy representing himself in the hearing process -- why will he bother? Sauer filed a motion Tuesday to quash the request, saying it was meant to "harass and embarrass him." Our attorney also was looking Tuesday at how we could get our concerns on the record in the OAH process. Late Tuesday afternoon, the judge rejected Staver's subpoena request, saying the documents he was seeking weren't relevant to the case at hand. That resolves the issue for now, but the point remains: any court order that tries to pry open notes, conversations and communications between journalists and sources is a threat to a free and independent press. WABASHA Another crowd opposed to the hotel, another vote in favor of the next step in the process. By a 5-2 vote with council member Allen Wharton and Mayor Rollin Hall voting no the Wabasha City Council on Tuesday approved a $683,830 business subsidy agreement with Grand Eagle Hospitality, LLC., to go toward Grand Eagle's proposed 60-room hotel to be located adjacent to the National Eagle Center. Previously, the city approved a development agreement with Grand Eagle Hospitality on Nov. 16, under which the city would sell the land 200 feet of riverfront property that is currently an undeveloped green space to the developer for $1 contingent on several more steps of approval, including approval of the final design of the hotel by the city council, the planning commission and the National Eagle Center. The business subsidy agreement approved Tuesday includes the value of the land minus $1, at $409,899, and $273,931 in public improvements stipulated in the contract. Public opposition ADVERTISEMENT Like the November meeting, the public input session Tuesday night was full of questions and opposition to the overall plan. Brenda Pearson, a Wabasha business owner, said she was part of a group that had collected more then 400 names of people opposed to the project online via social media. "That's nearly a quarter of the population," she said. "Four-hundred people with interest in Wabasha have spoken up." She said developer Ronnie Marcou, who grew up in Wabasha, should honor his word from the November meeting, where he had said he would not go forward without public support. "How many of those 400 names live or own a business in town?" asked council member Lynn Shoen, whose term on the council ends Jan. 1. Shoen said many people, especially small business owners, do not come to the meetings for fear of being shunned in the small town where the issue has become so emotional. "It's not all yeas, and it's not all nays out there," said council member Dean Meruer. He added that he had been contacted by five constituents against the project and three in favor of it. Blaine Marcou, who along with his brother Ronnie, is one of the developers of the project, said he felt support from the city because the city had invited him, his brother and the other members of the development team to make a proposal. "You invited us, mayor," he said. "That's community support. A lot of people don't want to stand up and defend it." 'No idea what the plan is' The first to speak against the project, Brian Wolfe, who lives next door in the Eagle Landing condominiums, brought up several points that would be echoed through the night. "Right now, we have no idea what the plan is," he said. "How can you be for something when you have no idea what it is?" ADVERTISEMENT Wolfe was also concerned about parking. The new hotel, which would eliminate some downtown parking, would need to create space for parking in an area already short on spaces, he said. "There's nothing about parking in development agreement," he said. "I just don't understand why the city is so adamant about spending $1 million on a project that has so little detail known about it." Another speaker, Catherine Gallenberger, said building the hotel on the one remaining greenspace that allows views of the river would put up a barrier between the town and the river. "Let's not waste our best resource we have, the water, by building a wall between us and it," she said. Gallenberger said the city had a long history of hearing that a hotel was the best option for the land, but the tax money to be gained would be negligible. "What's the objective here?" she asked, rhetorically. "Tax money. People here, who are taxpayers, say they're willing to give that up." City administrator Chad Springer said the annual taxes on the property have been estimated at $182,302, an amount shared by the city, county and school board. The city's portion would be $88,960. Once the initial steps have been completed, Blaine Marcou said, then Grand Eagle Hospitality would provide renderings likely this summer when plans would be presented for approval but some initial thoughts are that the hotel would blend with the design of the National Eagle Center and there would be a rooftop venue. "We wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for the expansion of the Eagle Center," he said. A month after narrowly losing to 1st District Rep. Tim Walz, Republican Jim Hagedorn is already preparing to run again in 2018. In an interview on Tuesday, Hagedorn said he is in Washington, D.C., meeting with national Republican Party leaders to build support for his 2018 bid. During the 2016 election, no money from outside groups was invested in the race because many political analysts believed Walz was unbeatable. In the end, Walz ended up defeating Hagedorn by less than 1 percentage point. "There was no outside money. We were on our own, and I think that shows us just how good of a race we ran without outside support. We were right there against a five-term incumbent who everybody said was safe," Hagedorn said. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump also dominated in the southern Minnesota district, winning 53 percent of the vote. Democrat Hillary Clinton got 38 percent of the vote. Hagedorn told members of the Republican Party of Minnesota's State Central Committee this weekend that he planned to run again. The Blue Earth Republican said he plans to make a more formal announcement at a later date. ADVERTISEMENT This is the fourth time that Hagedorn has run for the 1st Congressional District seat. In 2010, he dropped out after failing to get the GOP endorsement. In 2014, he defeated GOP-endorsed candidate Aaron Miller in a primary and lost to Walz in November. Hagedorn's father, Tom Hagedorn, served four terms in Congress beginning in the mid-1970s. Hagedorn said it is not usual for candidates to run several times before winning a seat. He noted that 2nd District Republican Rep. John Kline ran three times for Congress before winning. He said he decided to announce early to begin the work of raising money and getting organized for the 2018 election. He is also hoping to convince national Republicans to invest in his campaign something that didn't happen during his last run. "I'm in D.C. right now talking with national leaders and people in the delegation trying to line up support to make sure we don't have that issue again," he said. In response to Hagedorn's decision to run, Walz's Campaign Manager Terry Morrow said in a statement that, "Congressman Tim Walz is busy working for Southern Minnesotans. Jim Hagedorn has failed in three election cycles because Minnesotans have repeatedly rejected his divisive rhetoric and his extreme plans. Only a full-time candidate and typical politician would be talking about elections that are two years away." Corps awards contract for 1st phase of Red River diversion FARGO, N.D. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a contract for the first phase of a $2.1 billion Red River diversion project around Fargo and Moorhead, Minn. Sens. John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota say the $46 million deal with Burnsville, Minn.-based Ames Construction will include construction of an inlet southwest of Fargo. It's a concrete structure with three gates to regulate flows into the diversion channel. Although it's not clear when construction on the inlet will begin, the Corps says a ground-breaking ceremony will be scheduled for this spring. Some upstream residents have asked a federal judge to prohibit work on the project until sponsors obtain permits from Minnesota for construction of a dam that would inundate land south of Fargo-Moorhead during times of serious flooding. ADVERTISEMENT Feds end student aid for Globe, Minnesota School of Business WOODBURY The U.S. Department of Education says Globe University and the Minnesota School of Business will no longer be allowed to participate in federal student aid programs. The department made the announcement Tuesday. The move could jeopardize the ability of the Woodbury-based for-profit schools to continue to operate. The Education Department says the schools committed fraud by misrepresenting their criminal justice programs and the transferability of credits to other institutions. Federal student aid will be shut off on Dec. 31. The schools have until Dec. 20 to dispute the department's findings. In a statement, the schools said their Minnesota criminal justice program was discontinued in 2014 and represented less than 4 percent of the student body. A judge earlier ruled that the two schools fraudulently marketed and recruited students for their criminal justice program. Mother sues over baby mix-up ADVERTISEMENT MINNEAPOLIS A Minnesota woman filed a lawsuit against a health care provider after her newborn was mistakenly given to another mother at a hospital and breastfed. Tammy Van Dyke, of Apple Valley, recently filed the lawsuit in Hennepin County seeking more than $50,000 in damages for an incident that happened in December 2012. The lawsuit contends that Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis failed to care for her infant who was mistakenly taken to the wrong mother. Van Dyke, her son and the other mother had to go through "unnecessary medical treatments and tests" because of the mix-up, according to the lawsuit. "In good faith you drop your child off at the hospital nursery with the nurses," Van Dyke said in a previous interview. "Never in a million years would you think this could happen or would happen." The hospital's operator, Allina Health, said at the time that hospital procedures required staff to match codes on the infant's and mother's identification bands, and it appeared those procedures were not followed. Allina Health officials said Monday that they have since instituted a new electronic procedure. "When the Mother Baby Center opened in February 2013, we began using electronic identification bands for the mother and infant that must be matched when returning the infant to the mother," said Michelle Smith, clinical program director of Mother Baby Service Line. "This helps us to assure that the identity of the infant and mother are matched each time." An apology letter to Van Dyke from Abbott Northwestern Hospital in 2012 acknowledged the boy was put in the wrong bassinet. ADVERTISEMENT Man charged with murder in shooting MASON CITY A man suspected of shooting to death a 19-year-old woman in Mason City has been charged with first-degree murder. Court records say 60-year-old Larry Whaley was charged Monday. He remained in Cerro Gordo County Jail on Tuesday. Efforts by The Associated Press to reach his attorneys were not successful. Authorities say Whaley used a handgun to shoot Teeter once in the head a little before 4 a.m. Friday at his Mason City home. She died Sunday at Mayo Clinic Hospital-Saint Mary Campus, Rochester MN 55901. Authorities haven't released information about any motive or said what investigators think led to the shooting. Schools poised to change start times, but details unclear The St. Paul school board is ready to take the next step toward changing school start times, but it's not at all clear what those changes will be. The board plans to vote on a motion Dec. 13 that would direct district officials to develop a start times plan. The move is based in research showing teens are biologically programmed to sleep and wake up later. A draft plan from the district has most middle and high schools moving to an 8:30 a.m. start, with elementary students split between 7:45 and 9:30 a.m. to accommodate busing. But some elementary parents say those times would mean expensive extra childcare and disrupted schedules. The plan is also projected to cost between $2 million and $4.4 million. "I think this early-start time, later-start time thing I think it is important. But I think we do have other greater, more urgent issues in my mind that $4 million could be used toward. Maybe something that makes more impact in our achievement gap," board member Chue Vue said at a committee meeting Tuesday. The board cited a need to gather more input before plans become final. Board member Steve Marchese said he thinks it's time for a change. "What we're trying to do is move this all in the direction of what is in the best interest of our students, and that to my mind has to include later start times for secondary students," Marchese said. The district says it would finalize a plan in time to implement changes in the 2018-19 school year. ST. PAUL Lutheran minister Grant Stevensen acknowledges that many congregations haven't paid much attention to immigration. After all, Barack Obama has deported more people than any other president. It wasn't until they heard Donald Trump's immigration talk on the campaign trail that churches were pushed into action, Stevensen said. Now, about 30 Minnesota congregations have joined an effort to either become or support sanctuary churches meaning the places of worship will serve as a refuge for people in immediate danger. Some churches will provide other resources, including legal help. "Many of us standing here have been asleep and we have been woken up by the terror and the fear that immigrants are feeling now because of the rhetoric that is being thrown around for the last year in this country," Stevensen said, "and we intend to stay awake." ADVERTISEMENT ISAIAH, a faith-based group that advocates for racial and economic equality, is behind the effort to provide support to those who fear deportation. Almost 100 supporters joined Stevensen and several other pastors at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in St. Paul on Tuesday to declare their sanctuary status. With 45 days to go until Trump takes office, they say it's time to open their doors to immigrants living in fear of deportation. The role of a sanctuary congregation will be to provide spiritual and moral advocacy, said JaNae Bates, a United Church of Christ minister and ISAIAH communications director. "As people of faith, we believe that every human being has sacred worth and is created in the image of God," Bates said. "The current situation in our nation where millions of immigrant families live in fear of separation, are vulnerable to abuse and unable to fully live out their God-given gifts is morally unacceptable." Some clergy members are trying to find ways to present the effort in a non-partisan way. They're also trying to answer legal questions: Congregations still don't know if they'd be breaking any laws by providing refuge. But the idea of sanctuary churches is nothing new. Some churches were founded by immigrants, and they continue to help people from Asian countries and most recently Sudan. Elected officials in Minneapolis and St. Paul are reaffirming their status as "sanctuary cities." They have ordinances that separate the work of their police officers from that of federal immigration officials. ADVERTISEMENT St. Paul City Council members are also set to vote on a resolution Wednesday that supports the resettlement of Syrian refugees. It's tough to predict how exactly what President-elect Trump will do about immigration. Even if he moves to deport large numbers of people, federal officials still need to follow the law, said Bruce Nestor, an immigration attorney in Minneapolis. "It's simply impossible to deport 3 or 4 million people and follow any rule of law whatsoever," Nestor said. "They have a right to see an immigration judge, they have the right to go to court, they have the right to hire an attorney to argue on their behalf." Sara Dorothy Langworthy, of Minneapolis, age 56, died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, at home, surrounded by her loved ones. Sara loved good food and was a renowned cook. She loved music (playing violin and ukulele before finally settling on the washboard), and she enjoyed dancing, laughing, reading, thinking, conversing, and soaking up the sunshine. Combining prodigious creative energy, artistic vision and skill, Sara created many works of textile art, ranging from clothing to quilts to rugs to jewelry. She used her charisma, patience and kindness to teach many children and adults to discover their own abilities with textiles and other art forms. Many of her loved ones are wearing and sleeping under her works of art. A remarkable, amazing woman, full of joy and gusto, care and concern, Sara leaves many family members, friends and acquaintances grieving her loss. She is preceded in death by her father David and her mother Alice. She is survived by her beloved husband Jim Grathwol. The blessings he and Sara brought to each other make all our hearts full. Her survivors include her children, Ruby and Sam; her gift children Hope, Matthew and Lizzie; her sisters, Leah and Tani; many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and other relatives, as well as her special friend Ann. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Unity Unitarian Church, 733 Portland Ave, St. Paul, with visitation from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at Unity. Attendees who have clothing created by Sara are encouraged to wear it to the service (honorary rick-rack also highly encouraged). In lieu of flowers, donations to the Textile Center of Minnesota, the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance, or Planned Parenthood are appreciated. Juyoung You, with her husband Kisung Kim, and their daughter Eunjae Kim arrived on Guam from Seoul, South Korea, unaware that they would be the lucky family to be named Guam's "Hafa Million" Korean visitors by the Guam Visitors Bureau on Wednesday. At the beginning of the interview with You and the media through a GVB translator, who asked her in Korean what her first reaction was to hearing the news, she said that "she wasnt expecting it until her arrival." "I thought I was in trouble when we first arrived," You said, as she laughed after surprising the translator and media with her fluent English. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. 'Thank you for everything' "Its very nice and warm, and thank you for everything," she said. You and her family received many gifts from GVB and local business partners, including an all-expenses-paid return trip to Guam courtesy of Korean Air Lines and Hana Tour, which are the airline and tour agent that You and her family used to arrive on Guam. "I heard Guam is very nice to be here, especially with kids and it's not too far away from Korea, and not too much of a time difference. I hope this welcome will make this trip better," she said. When asked what the family hopes to do on Guam, You said "Everything!" According to Post files, GVB recorded 29 percent more travelers from Korea, the biggest increase in October, when compared to the previous year. Its no easy task to take tourism to new heights, but we remain focused on diversifying and growing our visitor markets to achieve tangible results that benefit the entire community, stated GVB President and CEO Nathan Denight. Tourism works for everyone. It creates over 20,000 jobs for the island and provides funding to support programs, events and activities that sustain our culture and way of life. We are proud of the progress to transform Guam into a world-class destination of choice and thank everyone for supporting our number one industry. President-elect Trumps thank you tour touched down in Fayetteville, North Carolina last night. Trump formally introduced General Mattis as his appointed Secretary of Defense and mentioned that his prospective Supreme Court appointment is coming soon. Here I would like to put in a good word for Minnesota Supreme Court Justice David Stras. Speaking last month as the keynote speaker at the Twin Cities Cardozo Society, Justice Stras drew life lessons from his grandfather. The speech reflects Justice Strass engaging personal qualities. I recently posted the video of the speech in Justice Stras remembers his grandfather and hope to return to the personal aspect of Justice Strass qualifications in another post. The talk gives a good sense of the man. Trump included Justice Stras on his first list of candidates from whom he would make his appointment this past May. The AP quoted veteran court watcher Peter Knapp, a professor at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law, describing Justice Stras as a very principled, very thorough, very intelligent judge. Professor Knapp put it this way: Hes very, very careful to observe the limits of the courts power and I would think that would make him an attractive candidate for any Republican, not just Mr. Trump. Justice Stras served as a law clerk to the late Ninth Circuit Judge Melvin Brunetti and Fourth Circuit Judge Michael Luttig. He later served as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. As the AP noted, Justice Thomas even traveled to Minnesota to administer the oath when he took office on the Minnesota Supreme Court. Justice Thomas observed that Stras was prepared for the job by training, by experience, by disposition. The same applies to his possible Supreme Court appointment. Justice Stras has served on the Minnesota Supreme Court for six-and-a-half years. His opinions on the court provide a sense of his judicial philosophy. They show consistent respect for constitutionally limited government as well as an originalist/textualist approach to constitutional and statutory interpretation. Justice Stras respects the role of the judiciary and the Constitutions separation of powers. Justice Stras holds that the judiciary does not write statutes; nor do we amend them; no matter the circumstances. State v. Ali, 855 N.W. 2d 235, 268 (Minn. 2014) (concurring). Justice Strass concurrences and dissents, in particular, repeatedly emphasize that courts are bound to respect fundamental limitations on our authority[.] He holds that courts are to resist the temptation to encroach on legislative functions and become a junior-varsity legislature. In re Guardianship of Tschumy, 853 N.W.2d 728, 752-53 (Minn. 2014) (dissenting); State v. Crawley, 819 N.W.2d 94, 118 (Minn. 2012) (dissenting). Justice Strass views on the role of the judiciary arise from an appreciation of constitutional separation of powers. In State v. M.D.T., 831 N.W.2d 276 (Minn. 2013), Justice Stras described in detail the strict separation of powers required by Minnesotas Constitution and concluded that the district court abused its discretion by relying on inherent judicial authority to order relief beyond what was provided in the statute at issue. Justice Strass objection to the district court order went beyond the fact that the court acted beyond its authority. Instead, Justice Stras pointed to the constitutional significance of judicial encroachment in an area where the legislature was authorized to act. Proper respect for the separation of powers is urgent as the Court addresses constitutional limitations on its own power as well as limitations on an administrative state that has undertaken the role of all three branches. Justice Stras is an originalist and a textualist. Like the opinions by Justice Scalia, Justice Strass decisions are notable for a rigorous analysis of statutory and constitutional text that interprets the text as it was understood at the time of its adoption. In State v. Nelson, 842 N.W.2d 433 (Minn. 2014), Justice Stras rigorously analyzes the text of the statute text, citing multiple dictionaries. Justice Strass majority opinion credits the statute as written over what other judges viewed as the historical understanding and intent underlying the statute. Perhaps the best example of Justice Strass originalist approach comes in United Prairie Bank v. Haugen Nutrition & Equip., LLC, 813 N.W.2d 49 (Minn. 2012). The case involved the question of whether a party seeking contractual attorney fees is entitled to a jury trial under Minnesotas Constitution. Justice Stras first addressed the question whether a party would have been entitled to a jury based on the same theory of relief at the time Minnestoas Constitution was adopted and then assessed the plaintiffs claim in light of similar theories. United Prairie Bank shows Justice Stras following Justice Scalias model by making the intellectual case for originalism and pushing his colleagues to apply the text of the Constitution as written. Based on his record, I think we know that Justice Stras would follow in the footsteps of Justice Scalia. I hope he has the chance. NOTE: I would like to acknowledge the research assistance of Minneapolis attorney David Asp in the preparation of this post. The New York Times breathlessly reports: Former Senator Bob Dole, acting as a foreign agent for the government of Taiwan, worked behind the scenes over the past six months to establish high-level contact between Taiwanese officials and President-elect Donald J. Trumps staff, an outreach effort that culminated last week in an unorthodox telephone call between Mr. Trump and Taiwans president. Mr. Dole, a lobbyist with the Washington law firm Alston & Bird, coordinated with Mr. Trumps campaign and the transition team to set up a series of meetings between Mr. Trumps advisers and officials in Taiwan, according to disclosure documents filed last week with the Justice Department. Mr. Dole also assisted in successful efforts by Taiwan to include language favorable to it in the Republican Party platform, according to the documents. Mr. Doles firm received $140,000 from May to October for the work, the forms said. Thats not exactly a killing by Washington lobbying standards. Times reporters Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Eric Lipton continue: The disclosures suggest that President-elect Trumps decision to take a call from the president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, was less a ham-handed diplomatic gaffe and more the result of a well-orchestrated plan by Taiwan to use the election of a new president to deepen its relationship with the United States with an assist from a seasoned lobbyist well versed in the machinery of Washington. (Emphasis added) The Times is giving Taiwan and Bob Dole way too much credit. The Taiwanese government undoubtedly wants better relations with the U.S. Bob Dole undoubtedly wants to advance the interests of his client. Yet surely what Donald Trump wants mattered more. The Times writes as if Trump had no informed say in his decision to talk with Taiwans president. Either he committed a ham-handed diplomatic gaffe or he was played by Taiwan and a 93 year-old. Theres a third alternative, and its the only one that makes much sense. Trump wants to reorient relations with China, and for good reason. He saw the opportunity to take a pre-arranged call from Taiwans president as a means of signaling a reorientation or at least the prospect of one. The Times eventually gets around to acknowledging that several senior advisers to Mr. Trump have long advocated more overt outreach efforts and stronger United States support for Taiwan, arguing that it would help to counterbalance Beijings influence. But even here, Trump himself is treated as a cipher. Yet, he has railed against China for a year and a half. Why wouldnt he want to show China straightaway that its a new day in Sino-American affairs and that he has a card or two to play? The newspaper formerly of record is so accustomed and predisposed to a foreign policy in which our friends are snubbed to make our adversaries happy that its reporters cant understand a policy that reverses this approach except in terms of lobbying and lucre. And it is so accustomed and predisposed to taking Donald Trump for a fool, that its reporters cant fathom that hes probably the one calling the shots, and calling them rationally. President-elect Trump has made at least three more selections for top-level jobs. Gen. John Kelly is his pick to head the Department of Homeland Secretary. Trump has also chosen Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt to head the EPA and Iowa governor Terry Branstad to be the U.S. ambassador to China. Pruitts selection will cause liberals the most heartburn. As the attorney general of his state, he has led the fight to overturn various EPA regulations. More generally, he established a Federalism Unit within his office to, in the words of his online bio, more effectively combat unwarranted regulation and systematic overreach by federal agencies, boards and offices. Pruitt has also challenged liberal orthodoxy on climate change. In an article for NRO, he said that the science on this issue is not settled. I dont know enough about that science to opine on the climate change debate. However, I practiced enough environmental law (though not all that much) to know there has been plenty of unwarranted regulation and overreach on the part of the EPA. The nomination of Gen. Kelly shouldnt be controversial. According to the Washington Post, hes widely respected. Moreover, his experience seems tailor-made for the DHS job. Kelly is familiar with issues relating to our Southern border, including illegal immigration and drug smuggling, by virtue of his time as head of the Southern Command. He understands Islamic terrorism by virtue of his experience combating it overseas. Kelly has been described as a border security hawk. Liberals should welcome having one as head of DHS. With border security, if its ever achieved, broad amnesty and even a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants become more realistic possibilities. Kelly is also a hardliner on Iran. Hes a critic of the nuclear deal and has sounded the alarm on inroads Iran has made in South and Central America. The criticism of the Kelly selection is likely to center around the fact that hes the third military figure selected for a top post by Trump (Michael Flynn and James Mattis are the other two). I dont see why this is a problem, though. The military seems like a great pool from which to draw individuals for the three positions in question. Some will take a cheap shot at Trump by pointing to his statement that he knows more about ISIS than the generals. I construed this as boasting by Trump, not criticism of generals (sort of like the way Barack Obama boasted about his ability as speech writer, political director, etc.). In any event, I believe that Flynn, Mattis, and Kelly have all, like Trump, been critical of one aspect or another of Americas approach to fighting terrorism. Finally, what about Gov. Branstad for ambassador to China? Branstad has extensive experience dealing with China on matters of trade. He says hes an old friend of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Chinese have responded affirmatively to his selection. Thus, Trumps liberal critics should be pleased. Their concern that Trump will upset the apple cart when it comes to China a concern enhanced by the phone call Trump took (and his team probably arranged) with Taiwans president should be somewhat allayed. Im not sure, however, that conservatives should be thrilled by the nomination of an old friend of Chinas dictator. In defense of the pick, Trump presumably wants to send mixed signals to China and to be able to take China policy in either direction. This seems sensible. In any case, the selection of an ambassador is not necessarily the best way to signal potential antagonism with a foreign power. Ideology aside, all three of todays nominees have strong expertise in the subject matter relevant to their posts. This hasnt been true of every Trump selection, but its been true of most a fact that speaks well of the transition, I think. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Wednesday directed Arik Air to return all delayed baggage of its passengers from London to Lagos within the next 24 hours. The authority also directed the airline to compensate the affected passengers with $150 each for their troubles. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the directive was issued by Adamu Abdullahi, Director, Consumer Complaints Department, NCAA. Arik Air and no fewer than 40 passengers have been at loggerheads over the non-arrival of their baggage, five days after their flight landed in Nigeria. The aggrieved passengers had on Tuesday disrupted the airlines operations and also allegedly damaged its check-in counter at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Addressing the passengers, Mr. Abdullahi appealed to them to remain calm as both Arik Air and the aviation authorities were working towards resolving the issue. NCAA has directed Arik Air to pay each and every passenger a compensation of $150 each in line with civil aviation rules and regulations in Nigeria. We have sent the letter to the airline and it also contains a directive that every bag must be here within the next 24 hours. A directive is a directive and we will hold Arik Air management responsible, and I can assure you that they will abide by the directive, he said. Mr. Abdullahi advised them against taking the laws into their own hands, stressing that there are laid down procedures to be followed in resolving such issues. Also speaking, Saleh Dunoma, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, urged those who needed medical attention to visit the FAAN clinic within the airport. Mr. said the doctors had been directed to issue prescription drugs to passengers whose medications had yet to arrive the country due to the delay. Speaking on behalf of the airline, its Associate Vice President, Ground Operations Department, Femi Kukoyi, apologised to the passengers for the inconvenience caused by the incident. Mr. Kukoyi said the airline had to charter an aircraft which brought some of the baggage to Lagos on Wednesday morning because the passengers prevented it from operating its A330 aircraft on Tuesday. He assured them that an aircraft was en-route Lagos from London and would arrive with about 300 bags by 7 p.m. while the remaining would be brought in by another of its aircraft by 5 a.m. on Thursday. On the issue of compensation, he said Arik Air would attend to them on an individual basis and expressed optimism that everything would be resolved amicably. Two of the passengers who spoke to NAN, Ifeanyi Uchendu and Johnson Agwu, berated the airline for the shabby treatment of the passengers. According to them, the airline had earlier promised them that their bags would arrive latest on Tuesday and also they would receive compensation of N50,000. but failed to keep to its words. (NAN) An Australian teenager on Wednesday was sentenced to seven years jail for planning a terrorist attack in Melbourne on Mothers Day 2015, local media reported. The 18-year-old, who cannot be named because he was not an adult at the time of the crime, was in the process of making pipe and pressure cooker bombs when he was arrested in May 2015. Victorian Supreme Court Justice Lex Lasry sentenced the teen on the basis that the police raids were the only things that prevented the 18-year-old from setting off a bomb. The police said that the teenager planned detonating it in the central business district, or on a train or at a police station, killing and injuring innocent people. Police found boxes of screws, pressure cookers and propaganda from the Islamic State terrorist organisation in the teens bedroom along with bomb-making manuals and partially constructed pipe bombs. According to Justice Lasry, the teenager had every intention of using it. (dpa/NAN) Pope Francis on Wednesday said Europe of today has no forward-looking leaders like the post-war generation of politicians who laid the foundations of the European Union. Francis made the remarks to Belgian Catholic weekly Tertio, released by the Vatican. He said Frances Robert Schuman, Italys Alcide De Gasperi and Germanys Konrad Adenauer sincerely worked for European unity as a way to have never again war. But after them today there are no leaders, Europe needs leaders, forward-looking leaders, the pontiff said. Francis comments came as Europe is dealing with rising support for anti-establishment parties, weak economic growth and internal divisions on how to deal with a record influx of migrants and refugees. Born in Argentina to Italian immigrants, Francis is the first non-European pope in 13 centuries. He has often called on Europe to reject capitalist excess, look after migrants and alleviate youth unemployment. He however, renewed concerns that a third world war is taking place in piecemeal fashion, mentioning conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, Africa, Yemen. (dpa/NAN) The death toll hit 36 in Pakistani plane crash on Wednesday and was expected to grow as rescue workers searched the site. According to the report, at least 48 people crashed in northern Pakistan earlier in the day. The small ATR-42 aircraft crashed in the town of Hawalian in northern Pakistan, some 75 kilometers north of the capital. According to officials and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) spokesperson, Danyal Gilani, the aircraft took off for Islamabad from the tourist resort of Chitral near the Afghan border. We deeply regret to announce that a PIA aircraft ATR-42 (AP-BHO) crashed near Hawalian, Gilani said. According to the report, 42 passengers, five crew members and one ground engineer were on board flight number PK661. Victims of the crash include 31 men, nine women and two infants three foreign nationals whose country of origin is not known yet, were also among the passengers. The aircraft had lost contact with the control tower moments before the crash. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident, Gilani said. Aviation Secretary, Muhammad Irfan Elahi, said the cause of the crash was not yet known and that the search is still on for the planes black box. Dead bodies are being taken to the Ayyub Teaching Hospital, Abbottaba, about 20 kilometers from the crash site, said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Home Secretary Shakil Qadir Khan. He said that a biometric team of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) had been directed to head to the hospital to help with the identification of the dead. We have received 20 unrecognised dead bodies, Muhammad Arif from the Ayyub of the Teaching Hospital said. Junaid Jamshed, a major pop star from the 1980s who has since become an Islamic preacher and his wife were among the passengers. Jamshed was on a preaching mission for the last 10 days in Chitral, his family said. Hawalian resident, Sabookh Syed, shared photographs of huge flames coming out of the wreckage on a mountain slope on his Face book page. The ISPR, the militarys media wing, reported that 36 bodies have been recovered from the wreckage. Local police officials Khursheed Tanoli said that there might not be any survivors. The Pakistani military mobilised troops from the nearest cantonment to take part in rescue operation. At least 500 army troops including doctors and paramedics, along with necessary vehicles, ambulances are taking part in the operation, the ISPR said. Chitral is located in the northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and is popular with tourists both for its natural beauty and its history, which includes a link to Alexander the Great. ATR planes are for short flights from hilly areas to Islamabad and other cities. In 2012, all 127 people on board Bhoja Air, a small private airline, traveling from Karachi to Islamabad were killed when the plane crashed in the approach area. In 2010, in Pakistans worst-ever air disaster, an Airblue Airbus crashed before landing in Islamabad, killing all 152 people on board. (dpa/NAN) The major cause of unwanted pregnancy is improper use of contraceptives, Nigerias health minister has said. Isaac Adewole, disclosed this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Wednesday in Abuja. Mr. Adewole, a professor of gynaecology, reacted to complaints over the high rate of unwanted pregnancies allegedly caused by contraceptives failure. He described contraceptives as methods, devices or drugs that could prevent conception. Contraceptive-failure, if you use it well, rarely fails. Very rarely will an unwanted pregnancy come from contraceptive-failure; it comes from user-failure, NAN quotes the don as saying. There are different methods of using contraceptives: the use of hormone medications, intrauterine contraceptive devices, barrier contraception, periods of abstaining from sex, and sterilization. And let me also say clearly that there is one that is good for you. The truth of the matter is that, we need to examine you to make sure that your blood pressure is normal. He gave examples of factors considered by doctors in recommending contraceptives. If there is a uterine fibroid there, I will not want to give you Intrauterine Copper Device (IUCD), because your menses will be heavy. If a woman is obese, I wont give her implants because some of the implants will fail. So, for each person, there is a right one and once we give you the right one, you are okay and taken care of. According to a research conducted by the United States Institute of Health, only 11 per cent of Nigeria women employ the use of contraceptives, indicating that the level of awareness in the country is still very low. However, efforts are now under way by the Nigeria government and other international agencies to increase the rate of contraceptive use to 36 per cent by 2018. While speaking on the importance of family planning, Mr. Adewole said there was the need to promote family planning in the country to reduce maternal and newborn deaths and the spread of diseases to a significant percentage. This, he said, would also reduce unwanted pregnancies and abortions. The minister noted that the use of contraceptives would also help in child-spacing, as well as to improve on the health of women and children. The Governing Council, Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, has approved 50 per cent rebate on all fees payable for its staff undergoing courses in the institution. According to the universitys official bulletin, the council took the decision at its meeting held on November 15 where the requests by some members of staff for an encompassing education rebate were considered. The council said that other sundry fees such as acceptance fee, medical fee, Identity Card, among others were included in the fees payable for academic programmes at the university. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the council had at its 111th Statutory Meeting on May 31 approved 50 per cent education rebate for only tuition fees. The council, thereafter, reviewed its earlier decision that the 50 per cent education rebate should apply to all fees payable, it said. Also, at the meeting, the council confirmed the appointment of eight academic staff in line with the recommendations of the Appointments and Promotions (Academic) Committee on Confirmation of Appointments. They are Salami Lukman- Lecturer II Chemical and Polymer Engineering Department; Haruna Musa- Lecturer II, Department of Foreign Languages; Akinjogbin Adekunle- Lecturer I, Department of Public Relations and Advertising. Others are Atofojomo Atinuke Lecturer II, School of Communication; Alaska Sanusi Lecturer II, Department of Business Administration; and Thomas Rasaq Lecturer II, Department of Foreign Languages. They included Shonaike Obafemi, Department of Chemical and Polymer Engineering and Uche Ifeyinwa Lecturer I, department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion/Basic Medical Sciences. (NAN) As Ghanaians head to the polls today to elect candidates who will govern the country for the next four years, the most common term on their lips will likely be dumsor. Dumsor is the term used by citizen of the resource-rich West African country to describe the acute power shortages that have recently plagued the country. Dumsor, which means off and on, is coined from the widely spoken Twi language in the country. Incumbent president, John Mahama, 58, who is seeking a second term in office is up against veteran politician, Nana Akufo-Addo, 72, who is running for president for the third time. In 2012, Mr. Akufo-Addo lost by three points to John Attah Mills in a keenly contested election. Mr. Mahama who was the vice president at the time took over leadership of the country after Mr. Mills died in office. Whilst Mr. Mahama, who jocularly referred to himself as Mr. Dumsor, is facing intense criticism for the increasing power cuts and low economic growth, he has touted recently constructed mega infrastructural projects, such as the a flyover at the busy business district in Accra, the countrys capital, as his major achievement. He also took credit for revamping the countrys sugar factory in the western region, which he claimed created 7,300 jobs and significantly cut the countrys sugar import. But his National Democratic Congress (NDC) is plagued by series of corruption scandals. Twenty judges were recently sacked in connection with a widespread bribery scandal. His governments inability to retrieve 51.2 million cedis ($11.7 million) given to a party financier despite the countrys Supreme Court ruling that the payment was unconstitutional is another major issue that may blight his chances with voters. CLOSE CONTEST Just like in 2012, pollsters are also predicting a close race in Wednesdays election. Ghana, which is often described as one of Africas successful democracies, has a history of close elections. The 15 million voters, who are eligible to cast their votes during the poll, are not expected to deviate from that tradition. Mr. Akufo-Addo unsuccessfully contested the 2012 result and is already raising questions about the countrys electoral commissions independence in this election. Theres a certain edginess to this election, he said, a decisive election will probably be the best result, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate said. Tension was also on the rise during the campaign. The police said a supporter of the NPP was beaten to death and six others critically injured after clashes by supporters of rival parties on Monday in the north of the country. President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn in the newly-appointed Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The swearing-in was conducted inside the Council chamber of the State House Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday. The ceremony was done shortly before the commencement of the meeting of the Federal Executive Council. The nominees were earlier confirmed by the Senate and were sworn-in by the president as required by Section 154(1) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended. The six nominees are Ogunmola Ladipo, May Agbamuche, Abubakar Nahuche and Okechukwu Ibianu. Others are Mohammed Haruna and Ahmad Muazu. Mr. Ladipo, from Oyo State, was born on May 7, 1952. Until his swearing-in Wednesday, he was the Resident Independent Electoral Commission, REC, in Lagos State. Mrs. Agbamuche, a lawyer, is the Editor Thisday Lawyer, a publication of Thisday Newspaper. Abubakar Nahuche, from Zamfara State, was born on May 19, 1953. He is a retired Army officer and a former CEO of defunct NITEL. Mr. Ibianu, from Anambra State, was born on November 3,1959. He is a former Technical adviser to INEC from 2010-2015. Mr. Mohammed Haruna, from Niger state was born on September 22, 1951. A seasoned journalist, Mr. Mohammed was an editor of New Nigerian Newspaper and former spokesperson of former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar. Ahmad Muazu, a retired Air Vice Marshall of Nigerian Airforce was born on September 6, 1967 in Gombe. In a brief remark after the swearing in, President Buhari said the appointees were persons of integrity and express the belief that such integrity will come to bear in the discharge of their responsibilities. This administration will demand of you to be firm and fair. What this administration expects is that after we have left, Nigerians will look at the political history and know that we served Nigeria. We want every Nigeria to use his PVC processed by card reader, that they have been given the opportunity and security in their various constituencies to elect who they want to elect. The rest is left to their conscience and to God, the president said. Speaking on behalf of the other new commissioners, Mr. Ibianu thanked the president and Nigerians for the challenging opportunity to serve the country. He said all the commissioners have pledged to to discharge their responsibilities in line with the oath of allegiance and office they just sworn to We ask Nigerians for support to continue to improve the advances recorded in the electoral processes so far, he said. The criminal trial of Justice Sylvester Ngwuta by the Federal High Court, Abuja was on Wednesday stalled on allegation of untimely service of `trial processes on the defence team. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Kanu Agabi, the defence lead counsel, had filed an oral motion seeking adjournment in order to avail him of documentary evidence brought against Ngwuta. The presiding judge, John Tsoho held that the new Administration of Criminal Justice Act allowed five adjournments on instances of parties. He also said Section 396 of the Act gave wider room for persons charged for criminal offence to be availed the allowance to prepare for trial. This opportunity also extends to the psychological and emotion disposition of the defendant. However, no defendant that is worth his or her salt would allow criminal charges to hang around him or her. This application has merit and it is upheld. The defence team is obliged time to use this period to study the charges, evidence and all other document related to the case. Mr. Tsoho said the trial is adjourned to run between Jan.18 and Jan. 23. Mr. Agabi had said that the prosecution team served him with the complete process few days ago, adding that he required time to study the document. Philips Adeogun, the prosecuting counsel, opposed the application, as according to him, the defence team was served all relevant processes required to kick start the trial. It was based on the assurance that we had satisfied our obligations that we brought our witnesses to court. Indeed, we are taken aback that the defendant counsel would move this retrogressive motion. We pray the court to dismiss it. After all the Administration of Criminal Justice Act compels accelerated hearing of criminal matters such as this, he said. Mr. Ngwuta was on November 21 arraigned before the court on a 16-count charge including money laundering and judicial misconduct. Mr. Ngwuta, a suspended Justice of the Supreme Court, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The National Judicial Council had suspended Mr. Ngwuta, his colleague, Inyang Okoro, and five other federal judges on allegations of fraud. The seven were arrested by the SSS who raided their homes on October 7 and 8 and allegedly discovered large sums of money. In the charge sheet, the prosecution stated that Mr. Ngwuta illegally retained N35, 358, 000.00, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011. The prosecution also accused the judge of illegally retaining in his possession $319,596.00 and 25, 915 pounds among others. (NAN) The Senate on Wednesday expressed readiness to consider President Muhammadu Buharis request for confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, after months of delay. The Presidency had sought the Senates request since July through a letter signed by Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo in his capacity as the acting President when Mr. Buhari was away on a medical trip. However, since the letter was read by Senate President Bukola Saraki on July 14, the Senate had not shown readiness to treat the request, fuelling allegations some of the Senators were working in cahoot with some persons in the Executive to block Mr. Magus confirmation. But on Wednesday, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who chaired the plenary, announced that the confirmation hearing of Mr. Magu would hold tomorrow, Thursday, The hearing will be held by the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption chaired by Chukwuka Utazi, PDP-Enugu. Mr. Utazi later told PREMIUM TIMES the hearing will hold in the morning. He, however, did not comment when asked what caused the long delay in the first place. Mr. Buhari appointed Mr. Magu acting chair of the EFCC after the removal of Ibrahim Lamorde on November 9, 2015. Mr. Magu, if confirmed by the Senate, will be the fourth head of the Nigerias anti-graft agency, after Nuhu Ribadu, Farida Waziri and Mr. Lamorde. Before his appointment as acting Chairman, Mr. Magu had served as head of the Economic Governance Unit of the commission. In that capacity, he oversaw investigation of a number of Nigerias Senators, including Mr. Saraki, over corruption allegations. Nigerian soldiers repelled at least 10 different attacks by Boko Haram in the past two weeks, a military commander has said. The commander of the Lafiya Dole counterinsurgency operation in north-east Nigeria, Lucky Irabor, said on Thursday that scores of insurgents were killed in the attacks while a few soldiers also lost their lives. Mr. Irabor, a major general, however said troops under his command are prepared to bring an end to the Boko Haram insurgency. He called on Boko Haram members to give up their dying struggle and surrender to the Nigeria troops or face the bitter fate that befell their killed colleagues. Speaking at a press conference in Maiduguri, Mr. Irabor said the troops in the past two weeks raided several camps of the Boko Haram around Borno and Yobe states during which a total of 801 captives were freed. A total of 27 Boko Haram insurgents were also arrested by the troops during the raids, he said. He said in the last two weeks, the Nigerian troops have been able to move deeper into Sambisa Forest on many fronts, under its present Operation Rescue Finale. The operation rescue finale was launched last month as a continuation of an existing Operation Crackdown, which was aimed at rescuing all the Chibok girls and other hostages held in Sambisa forest. The commander mentioned some of the attacks repelled by the soldiers. He said troops came under heavy attack on November 30 after clearing a camp in Goneri Village of Yobe State. He said a recent encounter with Boko Haram was on December 5 when the troops cleared Boko Haram terrorists delay positions before capturing Njimia. At Njimia, our troops were attacked by the terrorists with AA guns and small arms fire. The attack lasted for about 30 minutes but was successfully repelled with BHT (Boko Haram Terrorists) suffering heavy casualties in both men and equipment before retreating. However, one soldier and 2 CJTF were wounded. The soldier and one CJTF later died while being MEDEVAC to the hospital. Yesterday, at about 1600 hours, ISR identified Boko Haram Terrorists massing up to attack own troops at Njimia. Own artillery and air asset were used to engage the Boko Haram Terrorists which led to the destruction of 4 x vehicles, a fuel tanker likely laden with IEDs. The air force also strafed and killed many fleeing insurgents. All the incidents are as shown. On the second front, the troops advanced and cleared all BHT camps on their axis before harbouring at Amdaga on the first day. At Amdaga the Boko Haram Terrorists carried out a probing attack on our troops, which was swiftly dealt with before the BHT retreated. The following day, troops cleared and occupied DURE and have been operating in the general area to intercept fleeing Boko Haram Terrorists, text of Mr. Irabors speech sent to PREMIUM TIMES showed. The commander said the ongoing military operation has put the Boko Haram in total disarray, which he said would be leveraged on by the troops in the frontline. I can confirm to you that the BHTs are in total disarray due to our current military operations. Even the Maman Nur and Shekau factions clashed again recently which has further forced the BHT remnants at Kafa to disperse in confusion and desperation. Let me therefore, reiterate my earlier admonishment to the misguided BHT elements to give up their ignoble adventure. They are advised to surrender to the military or other security agencies without further delay. I wish to re-assure them that they would be humanely treated in line with international best practices and in accordance with the international humanitarian law. Failure to do so would be unpalatable for them. I wish to equally state that plans have been concluded to give those who surrender, a purpose-driven rehabilitation which will make them lead a responsible life with other citizens. A series of initial missteps by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress shortly after the 2015 elections is the genesis of the internal crisis the party is currently grappling with, its chairman said on Wednesday. John Odigie-Oyegun, who has led the APC since it was founded in 2013, said some unfinished businesses amongst political heavyweights who played a key role in the formation of the party, further compounded the situation the party now finds itself. Mr. Odigie-Oyeguns statement came when he received the leadership of the Senate in his office Wednesday afternoon. Unfortunately, it is clear, it is a public knowledge now that our very first steps when we came into office created problems and the very nature itself of the amalgamating parties created its own issues, Mr. Odigie-Oyegun said. But he offered no specifics about the nature of the problems. One of such problems is the friction that emerged within the APC shortly after the National Assembly elected its principal officers on June 9, 2015. The election produced Bukola Saraki, a returning Senator and former governor of Kwara State, as the President of the Senate while Yakubu Dogara emerged Speaker of the House of Representatives. The two lawmakers clinched their respective posts despite intense lobby against them by the leadership of the APC which favoured other contenders. The emergence of the two immediately paved way for several other principal officers to get coveted positions in the legislature, shattering a pre-election arrangement the partys key blocs purportedly put in place for equitable distribution of government positions. By September, barely three months after the election, Mr. Saraki was dragged before an anti-corruption tribunal over allegations that he failed to honestly declare his asset when he ran for governor in Kwara in 2003 and before joining the Senate in 2011. Mr. Saraki denied the allegations and accused the leadership of the APC of being behind the plot to rubbish him for daring to actualise his political ambition to be Senate President. All the problems have now piled up to affect the mode of operations and the level of interactions between the various arms of government and the party, Mr. Oyegun said. Notwithstanding, the party remained steadfast in its quest to foster unity amongst its members and bring a lasting solution to the internal wrangling in order to provide the needed leadership for the citizens, he said. It is my hope that we will at the end of it all be able to present to the Nigerian public, a government, a party and a National Assembly that are working all in the same direction. In his reaction, Senate President Bukola Saraki, who led the delegation, expressed optimism in the ability of the party to resolve the acrimony and begin speaking in one voice moving forward. We need to work closely together and we are hopeful that the new chapter is being opened today, Mr. Saraki said. The founder of the Omega Fire Ministry, OFM, Johnson Suleman, has described the pyramid financial scheme called MMM as satanic. Mr. Suleman condemned the scheme, which has drawn heated debates in the country, in one of his Sunday sermons. A video of the sermon, posted on Instagram by @Kintoncod, showed the apostle telling his followers that any of them involved in MMM should raise his hand and subsequently come forward for deliverance. Go and check the founder of MMM. He was a fraudster in America; defrauded people, and thats what youre involving yourself in and you are a Christian, looking for easy way out. Many Christians have gotten involved. If you are involved in MMM, I have to pray for you today. Its not of God. Any quick fix way for money is not of God because some people are being defrauded to enrich some other people, the controversial preacher said. Mr. Suleman had earlier in the year prophesied the death of Governor Nasir El-Rufai after the Kaduna State governor proposed a bill to regulate public preaching. The governor then challenged him to be specific with dates for his prophesy while explaining the bill was meant to check religious extremism in the state. In a related development, members of MMM and other money doubling schemes are in consternation over the seeming crash of a sister scheme, ultimate cycler. The panic came following a technical downtime of the ponzi scheme which resulted in a crash of the site, ultimatecycler.com. Subsequently, founder of the scheme, Peter Wolfing while addressing the situation in a statement apologized for the development, saying the crash occurred as a result of a system upgrade. He said the site would be up as soon as possible. However, the site which went down last Thursday still displayed an error messageBe right back. We are currently updating the site to give you a more pleasurable experience and will be back online shortly,on Tuesday evening. Currently, there are up to 40 money doubling schemes in Nigeria that sprang up like MMM with different enticing offers. Some of them are Ultimate Cycler, Givers forum (giversforum.net), Zar fund (zarfund.com), Icharity (icharity.club), Crowd Rising (crowdrising.net), Get Help Worldwide (gethelpworldwide.com). Despite its popularity amongst Nigerians of all classes, critics maintain that the business is a Ponzi scheme because its operators use money from later investors to pay earlier investors. Those behind the venture are not known to the Nigerian regulatory agencies, including the Central Bank and the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation. The businesses are also not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, making it difficult to identify its promoters. Regulatory and anti-corruption agencies had earlier warned Nigerians against participating in the scheme. Lawmakers said members of a syndicate who conduct seminars to train people on how to invest in such schemes should be arrested. President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with the families of three National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who lost their lives recently during the 2016 Batch B Orientation Programme in three states. The President, who describes the demise of these young Nigerians as shocking, sad and unfortunate, regrets that they died in the course of answering the national call to serve. He urges the families, friends and associates of the deceased to be consoled by the knowledge that their loved ones paid the supreme price while on national service and not for ignoble reasons. President Buhari also extends condolences to the Director-General and Management of the NYSC over the transition of the youth corps members, Chinyerum Elechi, Ifedolapo Oladepo and Monday Ukeme, in Bayelsa, Kano and Zamfara States respectively. While enjoining the management to do all within its powers to protect the lives of those under its charge, the President calls on parents and guardians of current and potential NYSC participants not to panic over the recent tragic deaths. On the particular death of Ifedolapo Oladepo in Kano State, President Buhari has ordered an independent investigation to unravel the true circumstances. He prays that God will grant the souls of the departed youth eternal rest. The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udoma, said on Wednesday that restoring Nigerias oil production output to the pre-crisis level was the federal governments priority to realize sufficient revenue to help diversify the countrys economy. Mr. Udoma told the United Nations Development Programme Regional Director for Africa, Abdoulaye Deiye, in Abuja, that although the country was focusing on diversification of its economy, it still needed to break away from the oil-propelled economy. The minister said although the slump in global oil prices came with some shocks that affected the countrys economy, the immediate reason for the slump into recession was the massive reduction in oil output caused by the militancy in the oil-bearing Niger Delta region. While exploring a number of engagements that will ensure return of normal production activities in the region, the Minister said government was intensely focused on a long term economic agenda for sustainable economic growth and development. The visiting UNDP Regional Director was briefed on the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (NERGP) currently being finalised by the Federal Government. The minister promised to share the draft of the plan with the UN System for inputs before finalization. He acknowledged the support of the UNDP, particularly in the area of technical assistance, including capacity building and the humanitarian situation in the North East. In his response, Mr. Deiye said he was delighted that the Ministry of Budget and National Planning was given the coordinating role of the situation in the north-east. He indicated UNDPs willingness to support the ministry to ensure success in its defined goals. He said UNDP is aware of the current complexity of the situation in Nigeria, particularly with respect to the security challenges and the oil price collapse, noting that the fall in oil price which is the countrys main source of revenue has also affected budget implementation. Despite these challenges, he acknowledged that Nigeria still remained the largest economy in Africa, disclosing that the UN system at the headquarters was happy with the minister and the leadership role he played to tackle the situation, particularly with the adoption of the zero-based budgeting (ZBB) and the ongoing preparation of the economic recovery plan. He advised Nigeria to fully harness the potentials in agriculture, admiring the beauty of Nigerias agricultural framework and noting that Nigeria and Jordan have some of the best agricultural frameworks in the world. The director therefore asked the minister to furnish the UNDP with areas of need that could be supported to ensure success in the execution of the ministrys mandate. He also expressed the appreciation of the UN to the Nigerian government for the renovation of the UN building in Abuja destroyed by a car bomb on August 26, 2011. The Vice Chancellor, Ibrahim Babangida University, Lapai, Mohammed Maiturare, said on Wednesday that the institution had evolved a Public/Private Partnership to develop 10, 000-bed hostels for its students. Mr. Maiturare, who disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lapai, said the first phase of the project would commence with the construction of a 5,000-bed hostel at the university. He said the project would solve the accommodation problem at the institution. The vice chancellor explained that of the 11,000 students at the university, only 2,000 students were accommodated. He, however, assured that the management of the institution has taking concrete measures to address its accommodation problem through collaboration with private developers. Mr. Maiturare said that the second phase of the hostels project was expected to commence immediately after the successful completion of the first phase and its handover to the university. The vice chancellor also expressed delight with the cordial relationship existing between the university and its host communities. (NAN) Nigerian lawyers have expressed divergent views on the legality of the action by the Kaduna State government designating the Shiite group, IMN, an insurgent group. While one of the lawyers who spoke in interviews with PREMIUM TIMES said the declaration was constitutional, others said it was not. The Kaduna State government in a White Paper released on Monday said for all intent and purpose, the IMN is an insurgent group and ought to be treated as such. The government also vowed to prosecute the groups leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky for crimes committed by him and his followers for the past 30 years. Mr. El-Zakzaky and his wife have been detained without trial since December last year after soldiers killed over 300 members of his group. The soldiers accused the IMN members of blocking the road and plotting to kill the Army Chief, Tukur Buratai; a claim the Shiites denied. The killing was condemned by local and international rights group. A Federal High Court in Abuja on December 2 declared the detention of Mr. El-Zakzaky as unconstitutional and ordered his release within 45 days. The judge, Gabriel Kolawole, also awarded a N50 million fine in favour of Mr. El-Zakzaky and his wife, against the State Security Service, SSS, and the Attorney General of the Federation. He ordered that a safe place of residence be created for the cleric and his wife in Kaduna State, and that the IMN should not be demonised. I am of the view that the applicant need not be demonised, but that they should be allowed to practice the faith they choose, said Mr. Kolawole. Three days after Mr. Kolawoles judgement, the Kaduna government announced its decision to label the IMN an insurgent group. The state government had earlier banned the group. LAWYERS REACT In his reaction, Akin Olujimi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said the Kaduna government acted based on law, and therefore the declaration was constitutional. The terrorism act contains provisions empowering government to declare an organisation a terrorism organisation. These are security issues that rely in intelligence which you and I may not be privy to. So when they have those intelligence they can now come out to say the group is a terrorist group, he said. But we must also know that the court has a power to determine a matter before it. If the court has enough evidence before it that a group is a terrorism organisation the court will make such a pronouncement. But if it does not have enough evidence to make such a declaration, it will not make such a pronouncement. It will only ensure that the fundamental rights of parties are respected. In a contrary opinion, another senior advocate, Simon Ameh, said the declaration is null and void. The people are entitled to peaceful assembly, it is their constitutional right. He (the governor) has no right to ban them. The Kaduna State government just has a duty to ensure compliance to law and order. But this declaration in law is null and void, said Mr. Ameh. Similarly, another lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, said the declaration is a complete aberration of the provisions of law and an invitation to disaster. Even without a positive pronouncement of a court order, the act by the Kaduna State government is illegal and unconstitutional, Mr. Ogunye said. The right to freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution and government ought not to make it a habit to infringe on that right. The Shiite are a religious minority in northern Nigeria and the invasion by the northern part of Nigeria including the Nigerian government is that they are using state authority to wage a sectarian battle. Nigeria is not an Islamic state, so whatever problem the Shiites and the Sunni Muslims might have, ought to not be the problem of Nigeria. So when you use state apparatus to destroy the lives and homes of these people, declare them an insurgent group and then ban them; what impression are you creating. The attack of December, 2015 did not result in the death of one military officer; innocent Nigerians were reportedly killed in that incident. You cannot use state apparatus to wage sectarian battle against a religious group. When the Boko Haram issue started, that was how it was poorly managed till today it has become a Nigerian problem, Mr. Ogunye said. Despite the Nigerian governments signing of the Paris Agreement, the country has not shown a commitment to tackle climate change, Godwin Ojo, an environmentalist has said. Speaking at a public presentation of a book Nigeria Beyond Oil: Pathway to a Post-Petroleum Economy in Lagos, Tuesday, Mr. Ojo said oil dependency has continued to contribute to climate change and destruction of lives and rural livelihoods. Beyond rhetoric, Nigerias commitment to the Paris Agreement is almost zero, said Mr. Ojo, the Executive Director of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria. What do we have on ground that will reduce carbon emission? Gas flaring in the Niger delta region has continued unabated with the government recently shifting the deadline to end it to 2030. This is absolute foolery, after about two dozen shifts. I think that is a serious retrogression and a direct slap on the people of the Niger Delta. President Muhammadu Buhari last September signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, committing Nigeria to reducing Green House Gas emissions unconditionally by 20 per cent and conditionally by 45 per cent in line with Nationally Determined Conditions. The Paris Agreement, reached in December 2015 among 195 countries, entered into force on November 4, marking the first time governments agreed to legally binding limits to global temperature rises. At the 22nd session of the Conference of Parties (COP 22) last November in Marrakech, Morocco, ten climate finance-related decisions, including a guidance to the Green Climate Fund, were adopted to provide guidance to the operating entities of the UN Framework on Climate Change Conventions Financial Mechanism. But Mr. Ojo said the Nigerian contingent went to COP 22 to plan for another COP. There is nothing on ground to show Nigerias commitment to discharging its duties on carbon emissions, Mr. Ojo said. Civil society organisations must evaluate the COP process to see if we can work within the planetary boundaries that will bring about the change that will keep temperatures below two degree Celsius. The COP process has reached a crossroads and there is doubt whether it is capable of reducing global temperature. We have seen the promotion of trade in carbon; solutions that are monetized will hardly work. The trial of former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, was on Wednesday adjourned following a request by counsel to one of the defendants, Salisu Shuaibu. Mr. Shuaibus lawyer, Adetayo Adeyemi, told the court that his client could not make it to court because he was ill and had been hospitalised. Mr. Shuaibu is one of the accused in the two separate charges being heard at an Abuja High Court, under Justice Hussein Baba. Mr. Dasuki (first defendant), alongside Mr. Shuaibu; Aminu Kusa, a former General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 19-count charge of money laundering and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N13.6 billion. In the second case under the same judge, Mr. Dasuki, Mr. Kusa and Mr. Shuaibu, among others are facing a 22-count charge for alleged diversion of N32 billion. Both charges were brought under the same judge, in response to a request by the defence. A magistrate court in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, has granted bail to a Nigerian journalist arraigned by the State Security Service, SSS, for writing a story it allegedly considered offensive. Friday Ogungbemi spent a week in detention after he was arrested by the SSS. He was taken to the magistrate court Tuesday, on charges bordering on defamation of character. M r. Ogungbemi allegedly committed the offense in the November 23 December 15, 2016 edition of the Policy and Lawmakers magazine. The Kogi State chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ali Atabor, who confirmed the release of Mr. Ogungbemi said the journalist is presently with his loved ones. He, however, said, it was not possible to speak with Mr. Ogungbemi because the SSS is yet to return his cell phone which they seized after his arrest. The NUJ had earlier filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Lokoja, on behalf of the journalist, seeking the enforcement of his fundamental human rights. The Union also demanded for N5 million damages for unlawful incarceration and infringement on his fundamental rights. The NUJs counsel, J.U. Usman, filed the motion on notice on Tuesday. WHY HE WAS DETAINED A top official of the state government, who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES said Mr. Ogungbemi was actually arrested because he was trying to cause war in the state. The official, who asked not to be named because he is not permitted to speak to the media on the matter, said Mr. Ogungbemi wrote an article calling on the two major tribes in the state; Igala and Igbira to start attacking each other. The official said Kogi government is very friendly with the press, but cannot allow irresponsible journalism that is capable of breaching the peace. A former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, and other Nigerians have criticised Wole Soyinka, a day after the Nobel laureate disparaged some Nigerians on social media as meddlesome slugs and millipedes. Mr. Omokri said Nigerians were not eager to let the professor off the hook because hes prominent for his criticism of people and, therefore, lacked the moral authority to dismiss Nigerians as busybodies. Wole Soyinka, a public figure who is the chief poke noser (sic) into the affairs of other public figures to the extent of calling a First Lady a hippo is angry at invasion of his privacy, Mr. Omokri said in a post on Medium, an essay and storytelling platform. The criticism is the residue of a brutal confrontation that first broke out more than a month ago between Mr. Soyinka and his compatriots after the professor vowed to shred his United States-issued residency card if Donald Trump emerged winner of that countrys presidential election. At an interactive session with scholars at Oxford University on November 3, a few days before the election on November 8, Mr. Soyinka painted a gloomy picture of an America under Mr. Trump and expressed his intention to sever ties with it. The moment they announce his [Trumps] victory, I will cut my green card myself and start packing up, the 82-year-old 1986 Nobel Literature prize recipient said. A footage of the session that surfaced on social media immediately threw Nigerians into an endless frenzy, with a plurality of commentators expressing doubt about the professors ability to carry out the threat. The hysteria doubled after it became clear that Mr. Trump had, in fact, won the election and would be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States in a few weeks time. Soyinka just called Nigerians imbeciles but young people are the tyrants. Precious N. Assiak (@ImaAbasi_Assiak) December 6, 2016 Nigerians demanded that the professor waste no time in fulfilling his promise, and many suggested that it should be done in the open to remove all doubts. On November 10, he assured of his intention to go ahead with the plan, but added that it would be on the day Mr. Trump is sworn in. Come January 20, 2017; watch my WOLEXIT! (Donald Trump will be sworn-in as the 45th President of the United States of America on Friday, January 20, 2017), Mr. Soyinka told The Interview news magazine. Some Nigerians mocked him for that comment and said he was shifting the goal post rather than come clean on the matter. Soyinka has shifted the goal post. He promised to tear his green card if Trump wins! Now he said on swearing day! Were waiting, a Twitter user by the name Shaali Jay said. The relentless jeers prompted a blunt reaction from the professor two days later. In the 4,000-word essay, Mr. Soyinka said even though he had no intention of backing down on his promise to cut his green card, he found the relentless push and ridicule Nigerians directed at him rather unwarranted and inappropriate. I simply fail to understand why this has gone beyond a flurry of public commentary and hilarious cartoons, and turned into a masturbatory for some, a vomitory for others, and an epileptic sanatorium for a self-reproducing number, Mr. Soyinka said. He said he will destroy the card, but only on his own terms and asked those interfering in the matter to mind their business. A speculation that he might be prosecuted if he destroyed his green card was slapped down by American immigration experts a few days later. On December 2, the professor disclosed that he had made good his threat. I have already done it, I have disengaged [from the United States]. I have done what I said I would do, he told the French wire service, AFP, in South Africa. The don later faulted what he considered improper statements by some Nigerians on the matter. Speaking to reporters at Freedom Park in Lagos on Monday morning, Mr. Soyinka descended heavily on some Nigerians, expressing his regret that he shared the same country with them. Im embarrassed that Im occupying the same nation space with these imbeciles, Mr. Soyinka said. Consequently, he vowed to move himself and his foundation away from Barbarians who are taking the opportunity of the anonymity of the Internet to commit insidious offences. Im going to move the residency of my foundation out of the country. I have already started it. It is my property. I am moving my foundation out of Nigeria, he said. He also chided Nigeria as a nation bereft of common sense and promised to mourn the tragedy rather than his exit from the United States. Im going to hold a private wake on inauguration day not to mourn the decision of Americans in the choice of a president but to mourn the death of Nigeria common sense, he said. Rather than hush up the controversy, Mr. Soyinkas reprimand proved to have had the opposite effect after Mr. Omokri led other citizens to hit back at the professor. They berated him for his utterances and dared him to move out of Nigeria. You publicly boasted that you would destroy (not throw away but destroy) your green card and now you are angry at Nigerians for invading your private matters that you yourself brought into the public domain! And he insults us by calling us illiterate Nigerians! That we dont have a Nobel Prize does not mean that we dont know how to reason. You cant boast publicly about a thing and expect it to be privately discussed. Who cares if you change residency from Nigeria? When you were gone we survived. Even with you and Buhari, we will still survive! Mr. Omokri, a former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, said. Mr. Omokri, a U.S.-based Nigerian preacher, was followed in his criticism by others on Twitter. Professor Wole Soyinka has lost it sadly. No amount of grammatical somersault can buy him back into relevance. Another one bites the dust, said a tweeter, Sega. Professor Wole Soyinka has lost it sadly. No amount of grammatical somersault can buy him back into relevance. Another one bites the Dust! SEGA L'eveilleur (@segalink) December 6, 2016 On her part, Precious Assiak observed a hypocrisy in Mr. Soyinkas description of Nigerians as imbeciles. Wole Soyinka threatening to take his foundation out of Nigeria. Until today, I didn't know he had a foundation at all. Oluwaseun (@VillageParrot) December 5, 2016 Soyinka just called Nigerians imbeciles but young people are the tyrants, she said. But many others identified with the professor in the middle of the attacks. Twitter user, Seun Onigbinde, said Mr. Soyinka should be spared because hed paid his dues. He asked his traducers to go and pay yours. Wole Soyinka has paid his dues. Go and pay yours. Oluseun l #OpenNASS (@seunonigbinde) December 6, 2016 In a reply, another twitter user by name Oluwaseun said, Wole Soyinka threatening to take his foundation out of Nigeria. Until today, I didnt know he had a foundation at all. Wole Soyinka threatening to take his foundation out of Nigeria. Until today, I didn't know he had a foundation at all. Oluwaseun (@VillageParrot) December 5, 2016 The Borno Elders Forum on Wednesday appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to end the crisis in Kaduna State. The Chairman of BEF, Usman Gaji-Galtimari, made the appeal in a statement in Maiduguri. From what we read and heard in the print and electronic media, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria has been branded as an insurgency group and therefore outlawed. We see what is happening in Kaduna State as similar to what happened in Borno State back in 2009, leading to a sorry state of affairs in the state, he said. He explained that the forum had no interest whatsoever in the existence or otherwise of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. However, the chairman of the forum said that members were deeply concerned that a dark history appeared to be repeating itself. He said given the most horrifying experiences in the North East, the elders owed Mr. Buhari and Nigeria the shared responsibility of pointing at potential danger and advising on ways to averting it. Your Excellency may concur with us that there is the need to draw lessons from our recent and indeed ongoing crisis in the North-East and pockets of other crises across the country. It is therefore necessary to take all the available routes to avert any further incidents. We wish to appeal to you to arrest the Kaduna situation and amicably settle all contending issues so that peace will reign in Central Nigeria. Our harrowing experiences in the North-East should be enough to guide us as a nation to cultivate peace and peaceful co- habitation. Your government has done tremendously well to curb the activities of the Boko Haram. We are all hopeful to return to peace and the nightmare of igniting another religious crisis should be avoided, Gaji-Galtimari said. (NAN) Some staff of an indigenous airline, Max Air, have sued the company asking for payment of their entitlements. Max Air reportedly sacked one of its pilots, Auwal Idris, and three other engineers, Anthony Depreye, Hamisu Garga and Usman on February 7 without paying them full benefits being pioneer staff of the company. They alleged that the company sacked them unilaterally without informing them of their offenses or reasons for the sack. Their counsel, M. Duru, approached the National Industrial Court in Kano demanding that his clients be paid their pension contributions and three months salaries in lieu of notice as required by their terms of engagement and any other entitlements due to them. The case which was to be heard on Wednesday could not be mentioned following the filing of two motions by the defence counsel, M. Garba. In a motion he filed on December 2, Mr. Garba asked for time to enable him file a memorandum of appearance and statements of defence to forward the case to arbitration. The judge, Lawan Mani, said he has gone through the case file and the applications and is satisfied to grant the request of the defence counsel for more time. The judge then adjourned the case to January 30 for hearing of the motions. After days of denial, the Nigeria Police Force have finally admitted withdrawing the Chief Security Officer to Governor Nyesom Wike. The police said Promise Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, was withdrawn for being involved in a demonstration organised by the All Progressives Congress, APC, against Mr. Wike. A statement signed by the police spokesman, Don Awunah, said the protest took place in downtown Port Harcourt on November 17. Mr. Awunah said Mr. Promise was seen dealing with the APC supporters in a manner that was prejudicial to discipline and unexpected of an officer of his calibre and office. Consequently, the Inspector General of Police ordered the redeployment of Mr. Promise pending further disciplinary actions following an initial query issued to him. The police, nonetheless, said Mr. Wike had the privilege to select another CSO from a pool of police officers operating in the Rivers State Police Command. The governor, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, is at liberty to select any officer of his choice from the strength of the command to serve as his CSO, Mr. Awunah said. But under no circumstance should any officer abandon the security of his principal and legitimate duties to engage in direct partisan politics. The development marked the first time the police will admit interfering with Mr. Wikes security detail. The police denied tampering with Mr. Wikes securityafter the governor told PREMIUM TIMES on Monday night that his CSO and other security personnel attached to him and the Government House in Port Harcourt were withdrawn. Mr. Awunahs statement was silent about the other officers withdrawn as alleged by the governor. Mr. Wike and his political party, the PDP, said the development was part of an elaborate plot by the ruling APC to assassinate him while also rigging the upcoming legislative elections in the state. The PDP gave all concerned authorities three days to restore the governors security detail or there will be grave consequences. The APC sparred with the PDP over the developmenton Tuesday, saying Mr. Wike and the PDP were being haunted by their past transgressions. Ahead of the Saturdays rerun elections in Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples of Democratic Party and his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi of the All Progressives Congress have reignited crossfire, heating up the build-up to the polls. Mr. Amaechi, now Minister for Transport, on Wednesday accused Mr. Wike of being behind the Rivers killings and sponsorship of violence that marred the 2015 general and March 19 rerun elections in the State. Following court rulings that invalidated the 2015 National Assembly and State Assembly elections in Rivers State, the Independent National Electoral Commission had conducted rerun polls in the State. But the elections was marred by violence, causing suspension of the exercise now to be held on December 10. Wike has not denied he did not kill people, said Mr. Amaechi in statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday from his media office. He sponsored those who carried arms in the 2015 general elections, even, during the campaigns, our people were beaten, manhandled and others threatened, leaving many dead, but, we will not continue to allow these things to happen like that. Members of the PDP were also responsible for killing APC members in Omoku. According to the statement, Mr. Amaechi made the attacks when he arrived at Port Harcourt International Airport for the rescheduled elections. He said the cache of arms and ammunitions Mr. Wike recovered from suspected cultists during the first phase of the Rivers State Amnesty Programme were evidences to buttress his allegations. But Mr. Wike countered Mr. Amaechi to whom he had served as Chief of Staff when the latter first served as governor of the oil-rich state. In his reaction through the States Commissioner for Information, Sam Tam-George, he described Mr. Amaechis claims that he was behind the Rivers killings as sewage of lies. Rather, he said, Mr. Amaechi was responsible for violence in the state. Rotimi Amaechi is probably the most toxic political personality in Rivers State because of his history of financial recklessness and visionless leadership during his time as governor of Rivers State, the Commissioner told PREMIUM TIMES, speaking for Mr. Wike. He added that funds meant for the payment of salaries of workers and pensioners were diverted by Mr. Amaechi to sponsor the political activities of the APC, thereby plunging millions of families into abject poverty and misery. While the APC-led Federal Government may have granted Amaechi unofficial amnesty ,the Rivers people have a long memory, and would continue to reject Rotimi Amaechi and the APC in Rivers State. Mr. Amaechis attempt to steal the mandate of the people on Saturday through the force of arms would be resisted and defeated once again. Mr. Wike had earlier alleged that INEC was cooperating with the APC to rig the elections. Specifically, the Rivers Governor said the electoral body planned to use fake collation officers in a bid to help Mr. Amaechis APC. This was denied by Mr. Amaechi who boasted of his stewardship while leading Rivers State. If Governor Wike and the PDP have justifiable evidence, let them present it to the general public and stop blackmailing me or INEC and Police. The allegations are immaterial, null and void. Why is Wike and PDP making too much noise and fruitless allegations? He insisted that he is more popular than all those in the PDP. This is so because, as Governor then, l overhauled the Health and Education sectors by promoting Free Health care system and Free Education, over 10,000 teachers were employed, including the building of critical infrastructures, roads and youth empowerment, making Rivers people and other Nigerians to experience change. So l am very sure l had more popularity than any PDP stakeholder including Governors across the country. However, INEC has denied allegations of compromise. Speaking after the swear-in of INECs National Commissioners at the State House, the Chairman of the Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, said INEC was committed to conducting free and fair elections. The elections will hold across three senatorial districts, eight federal constituencies and 10 state house constituencies, requiring deployment of 10,294 electoral staff. Efforts at eradicating the female genital mutilation, FGM, in Osun received a boost on Tuesday as 12 communities across four local governments declared their intentions to completely stop the practice. The declaration was made at the Female Mutilation Abandonment Declaration Ceremony organised by the Shericare Foundation, SCARF, an initiative of the wife of the governor, Sherifat Aregbesola. The communities that declared against FMG include Eko Ende, Eko Ajala, Iba, Asa, Iwo Oke, Ajagunlase, Alapata, Owode, Araromi in Ifelodun, Olaoluwa, Ede North and Orolu Logal Governments of the state. The United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, in its report on FGM, said that Osun State still ranked highest in the prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation practice in Nigeria with over 76.3 per cent. The UN said the practice was high in the South-West in spite of the geo-political zones high literacy and awareness rate. According to the report, Osun had 76.3 per cent prevalence rate, Ekiti had 71.2, Oyo, 69.7; Ebonyi, 55.6; Imo, 48.8; and Lagos, 44.8. Governor Rauf Aregbesola described Female Genital Mutilation, a cultural practice of removing part of the female genital either as a customary rite of initiation into womanhood or as a check against promiscuity, as harmful. He said that the harmful practice according to UNICEF is prevalent in developing countries, especially in Africa and Asia. According to a February 2016 report by United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), there are records for 27 countries in Africa, including Somalia (96 per cent), Guinea (97 per cent), Djibouti (93 per cent), Egypt (91 per cent) and Sierra Leone (90 per cent) still practising FGM. From this same report, we learnt that as of 2013, 27.2 million women had undergone FGM in Egypt, 23.8 million in Ethiopia, and 20 million in Nigeria. In Indonesia, the prevalence rate for children under 11 years is 49 per cent, translating to 13.4 million, the governor stated. In Nigeria, six states top the list of where the practice is prevalent. These are Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, Ebonyi, Imo and Lagos. FGM is deeply rooted in culture but flies in the face of common sense, decency, basic health and human right. The crux of this advocacy is to expunge it from our belief system. I am glad that we have the cooperation of our traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders and aficionados of arts and culture. The core changes must include that: one, it is no longer necessary as a cultural requirement, two, that it is indeed harmful and cruel physically and psychologically. The victims, we must note, are our daughters, sisters, aunties, cousins, nieces, wives and mothers. I do not see any other category closer and dearer to us than these and therefore do not deserve to be subjected to this hurtful practice any longer. The president of the Foundation, Mrs. Aregbesola, reaffirmed the organisations commitment to achieving zero tolerance on Female Genital Mutilation/Circumcision in the state. She said the Foundation had engaged in many activities towards boosting the awareness campaigns to end the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation and Circumcision in every nook and cranny of the state. She further said her foundation had also committed itself to intensive advocacy to eradicate the traditional practice of FGM in the state through regular interface with a number of communities, public sensitisation, jingles sponsorship on radio, television stations as well as printing and circulation of the state law which makes it illegal for anyone to circumcise any female child or any woman in the state. The journey to todays event started early 2015 when a team of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) officials visited our state as the meeting afforded us the opportunity to appreciate the necessity of collective efforts to wage an intensive and comprehensive awareness campaign on the dangers that continued practice of female circumcision bear for our female children, our women and our people in general, she explained. It is true that the practice of female circumcision was rooted in traditional and religious beliefs, but scientific findings have revealed that such beliefs are injurious to life. Mrs. Aregbesola attributed the public declaration of abandonment of FGM by twelve communities in the state as a manifestation of the efforts being made by the Foundation to abolish the menace. She therefore appealed to the residents in the state to always abstain from the acts, saying female circumcision does not bear any positive fruit but rather a basket of dangers and sometimes death to the women. Earlier, the guest speaker and the Head of Lagos Liaison Office, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Omolaso Omosehin, commended Governor Aregbesola for his continued support towards eradication of Female Genital Mutilation in the state. He said the contribution of the state government had impacted positively towards putting an end to Female Genital Mutilation. He described the occasion as timely, saying the forum was a reflection of symbolic commitment demonstrated by the state government of Osun to end Female Genital Mutilation and other forms of harmful traditional practices that impact negatively on women and girls. The two Al Zoubi girls want a little sister, and the two boys want a brother. Their parents are already assured of whats most important to them, and it has nothing to do with pink or blue. Im so happy, said Louai Al Zoubi, whose wife, Manal, is due May 1, and whatever color blanket their baby is swaddled in when it leaves a safe and well-equipped hospital, its going to be an American citizen. The Al Zoubis live in Dearborn, where there are no explosions or militias or civil war. Only 18 months ago, they were in Syria, where comforting cowering children in bomb shelters had become a routine part of life. They were the first family of Syrian refugees to reach Metro Detroit through the social service agency Samaritas since the war began, and the second to escape to Michigan. In their old country, an estimated 400,000 people have been killed since March 2011, and half of an original population of not quite 23 million has fled, either internally or across a border, The Detroit News reported. At the Al Zoubis rented townhouse, Louai made a turkey for Thanksgiving. The side dishes included tabbouleh and something with hot peppers that translator Arjwan Khadoori of Samaritas could not fully define. In truth, say daughters Ghadir, 13, and Hadeel, 10, they prefer vegetables to poultry, but Americans eat turkey on the fourth Thursday of November, so thats what they did. When Detroit News readers met the Al Zoubis in June 2015, they had been here for two months. The children were adjusting and their father was worrying. A cab driver in Daraa, where the arrest of teenagers for writing political graffiti sparked what has become a global nightmare, he was anxious to find a job. Because fretting about your kids well-being is a universal concern, he was taking his anxiety a step further what if he lost the job he didnt have yet? Now hes packing parts at a warehouse, often with an overtime shift on Saturday. The girls and their brothers, 11-year-old Habeeb and 8-year-old Mohammad, are in school. Manal is taking English lessons twice a week. His mother and brother have been approved for relocation, and he has found them a house in Dearborn Heights. Our new life is here, Louai said. Maybe someday, when the killing stops, they will visit Syria again, but then they will turn around and come home. Immigration was already a hot button when the Al Zoubis arrived. Throughout the presidential campaign, it smoldered. According to the U.S. State Department, slightly more than 200 Syrian refugees were resettled in Michigan in October, after L. Brooks Patterson announced plans to sue to stop Syrian immigration into Oakland County. They brought the total to about 1,600 amid a population of 9.9 million. Pattersons contention that his county was being inundated was erroneous, said immigration program manager Mihaela Mitrofan of Samaritas. The state departments refugee website uses the locations of relief agencies as the newcomers destinations, rather than the cities where they are ultimately placed. So while Samaritas, formerly Lutheran Social Services of Michigan, is based in Troy, 197 of the 437 Syrians it has assisted in 2016 live in Wayne County. One hundred of those are in Detroit, compared to 135 in Oakland County. The Al Zoubis arrived in Michigan through Jordan, where they spent almost three years first in a refugee camp, then in a one-bedroom apartment. In their townhouse, they have room to breathe and the freedom to relax. As Manal serves visitors thick Turkish coffee in tiny cups, Habeeb makes a show of sitting on his little brother and his sisters giggle. The girls bring out saucers of sweets: wrapped, bite-sized Snickers and Three Musketeers bars, left over from Halloween. The boys both trick-or-treated as Batman. The kids speak English at school and alternate between that and Arabic at home. Theyre learning the language faster than their parents, but Louai can understand most everything he needs to at work. He asks people there to use his second language instead of his first, because improving his English is a big part of improving his life. Hadeel said at school she has friends who can trace their roots to Yemen, Mexico, Lebanon and Afghanistan. Ghadir turns 14 next week, and shell bring cupcakes for her class, the kind with plastic rings. Hadeel has decided she wants to become a teacher. Ghadir and Mohammad say theyre going to be police officers, or maybe lawyers. Im going to be huge, said Habeeb, the older boy, and even his straight-faced father laughed. Habeeb brought an American flag home from school one day, and its hanging on a wall in the living room. Hadeel brought home a Christmas stocking with her name at the top in glitter, and its hanging on the back of the front door. In a house where Manal and her eldest daughter wear headscarves, the artificial ficus tree in one corner will be replaced this month with a Christmas tree. We are living here, Louai said. We have to follow the rules and traditions. In a few weeks, he said, everyone will get dressed up and they will go to the mall. The Christmas tree will be their second, but theres one custom they skipped the first time around. This year, they want to get their picture taken with Santa Claus. Michigan First Lady Sue Snyder recently announced the Michigan colleges and universities selected to receive more than $500,000 to implement sexual assault prevention programs on their campuses. Henry Ford College and The University of Michigan-Dearborn will receive $20,000 and $9,840 respectively. Gov. Rick Snyder recommended and the Michigan Legislature appropriated funds from the FY 2017 General Fund to support the Campus Sexual Assault Grant Program (CSAGP).This year 18 community colleges and universities will receive $506,191 in state grant funds. For the second year in a row, I am excited that colleges and universities across Michigan will be empowered to do more to help prevent sexual assaults on their campuses, Sue Snyder said. The energy and enthusiasm displayed by these schools proves how necessary this funding is. We must continue to do everything we can to ensure our college and university campuses our students homes away from home are safe. The grant program aims to change the overall culture of sexual assault among the college-age population. Twenty-nine applications were received, totaling more than $924,000 in requests. The grants purpose is to fund the development of new and innovative programs to reduce and/or eliminate sexual assault on college campuses, with the goal of improving the safety and security of all students in campus environments throughout the state. The grant application review committee included representatives from the Michigan State Police, the Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board and the Executive Office of the Governor. For more information about the first ladys initiative to end campus sexual assault, visit endcampussexualassault.com. Source: Gov. Rick Snyders office 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. A young Theresa Caputo thought that everyone woke up to find dead people looking at them from the foot of their bed. We tend to think that everyone experiences what we experience, says Caputo, who is the star of the TLC show Long Island Medium, based around her extraordinary gift to communicate with the dead. Caputo relates her childhood assumption that everyone can communicate with spirits, or the singular Spirit, as she calls it, to how we process death. With the grieving process, you think that youre feeling what everyone else feels, and its not true, Caputo exclaims. Kenny G embraces the holiday season with a live show Smooth jazz musician Kenny Gorelick known professionally as Kenny G admits that his firs The singularity of grief from person to person is how she assures skeptics that what she does is legitimate in other words, she points out very specific aspects of the livings relationship to the person whos passed on, things that she could never know through conjecture. Another way she persuades doubters is through her live show, which she will bring to Tropicana Atlantic City 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14. Caputo is a natural on stage her fierce nails, big hair and even bigger personality have charmed millions on her show, and predictably have the same effect at her live shows. Dressed to the nines in sky-high heels, (I shop like everyone else, and I do my own hair and my own makeup, she laughs.) Caputo actually does readings for random members of the audience. What I do is crazy. Im the first one to say, How can someone communicate with someone whos died, Caputo explains. I have this television show, and people always think that its the editing or something like that. So, for me to be able to get on the stage in front of thousands of people and do what I do, there is no editing. Caputo admits that saying to a middle-aged person, your father Joe died of cancer, is a pretty safe bet. After all, cancer is a common death, Joe is a common name and many middle-aged people have lost their parents. So, to make each experience more personal, Theresa turns to Spirit. I have Spirit bring up things that have happened to you years ago to remind you of the happy times. What Ive learned from Spirit is that we spend so much time beating ourselves up about shoulda-coulda-wouldas and what-ifs. All of these negative emotions do not give us the ability to heal, she says. And healing is what its all about for Caputo, who uses her gift only to bring closure. In fact, in her live shows, Caputo explains that those who get a personal reading from her are those whose stories can bring about the most healing for the most people. Tropicana is one of my favorite venues to be at because its an engaging space. When Im at a show, Im not on that stage Im in the clouds walking around, she says. Its up to Spirit to navigate me throughout the crowd its not up to me who gets read. What happens is, the souls band together, and the ones that speak are the ones that can do the most healing with each message. I know its not just healing one family, but the hundred other people that may be able to connect with that. Reluctant to disappoint audience-members hoping to get a reading, Caputo is shocked to find that many later reach out to her through social media with positive thoughts and messages. They tell me, I personally didnt get read, but what I witnessed was life-changing, she says. And then the incredible thing is theyll tell me, I know there were other people in the audience who needed to hear from their loved ones more than I. As for those who still dont believe, Caputo stands by Spirit. I said to Spirit one day, why do people react like that? I dont get it, she says, referring to those who think her work is a sham. When you sit back and you hear these stories, you may listen to something that connects with everyone, but then you might hear this crazy story of how someone dies and its so off the walls that you think, how could she ever know that. Thats the point. I dont know anything. Its Spirit who knows and who guides me. A rainy reading After years of performing readings, Caputo has her fair share of bizarre stories. Recently, a show in Canada gave her another. A woman in the audience, unbeknownst to Caputo, had a particularly strong bond with her grandmother who had passed on. Typically, Caputo explains, in order for a grandparent to come through during one of her live shows they really need to raise the bar, simply because the death of a grandparent is so common. All of a sudden, its this big arena, and I think there are like 4,000 people there, it starts pouring rain, and it sounded like it was on a tin roof. Before that it was a beautiful day, Caputo says. I stop and I say, Gran, enough with the rain! And I looked at this girl whos sobbing, and she said, The moment my grandmothers soul left the physical body it started pouring raining. So I tell the grandmother to stop with the rain, and, as God as my witness, within five seconds that rain stopped. I turned to the crowd and said, Look, I cannot change the weather. This was not me. That was her grandmother. Everyone was dumbfounded. EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP The Federal Aviation Administration is responsible for making sure the planes Americans fly in are safe. That job got more complicated about five years ago, when jet manufacturers started building planes differently than they ever had before, with composite materials instead of aluminum. On Tuesday, the FAA unveiled its latest response to those innovations, opening a new Structures and Materials Laboratory on the sprawling grounds of the agencys William J. Hughes Technical Center. Edward Weinstein, who oversees that laboratory among his FAA duties, said its main purpose is to test over time the materials in these new-generation jets, first introduced by Boeing in 2011 with its 787 fleet, and later by Airbus. The composites are made from carbon fibers, and theyre far lighter and can be stronger than aluminum. But the agency has to test them to be sure. Now we know there are lots of things we dont know, Weinstein said after a ceremony formally opening a building that, at 10,000 square feet with a 32-foot ceiling, may look more like an airplane hangar than a laboratory. Agency officials say the building cost $2 million. Weinstein estimated the carbon composites can be 20 percent to 25 percent lighter than aluminum, which is huge, he said adding that in aviation, were usually looking at 1 percent or 2 percent (improvements), anything we can gain at all. The reduced weight makes planes use less fuel, which makes them cheaper and cuts down on their environmental impact. So people in the aviation industry arent the only ones excited about the possibilities. We know this is coming, Weinstein said. But we cant just rubber-stamp everything, and we cant just say no. So they test. David Westlund, a general engineer for the agency, explained the experiments now under way on a 30-foot-long rudder donated to the FAA by Boeing. The piece is made of old-fashioned aluminum, but Westlund said it has been repaired using composites, and hes testing to see how those fixes have held up under the stress of flying and exposure to the elements. There are physical tests, chemical tests, structural tests, he said, adding later that some of the experiments examine whether the chemicals have changed, if the surface chemistry has changed. And as the new planes fly and age, Then we ... also want to evaluate composite (repairs) on composites, Westlund added. In another section of the lab, aerospace engineer Zhi-Ming Chen gave examples of tests hes doing with an electron microscope an instrument that makes Weinstein, the manager, marvel. He says an electron microscope used to sell for $12 million, now his lab has a desktop model thats affordable. Chen was showing detailed images from that microscope on a standard desktop computer screen, including a section of carbon fiber he had burned at about 800 degrees to simulate a post-crash fire scenario, he said. The purpose is to detect how much evidence I would have left after a fire. Next to that he had an image that could have been a piece of abstract art. But when he pulled the item that made it out of the microscope, it was a small piece of aluminum from an aircraft aluminum that had been mechanically stretched about 50,000 times, Chen said. The new lab has the capacity to do that easily, Weinstein said. At any given time, he expects anywhere from four to 16 workers to be in the lab performing a variety of experiments. We want to make sure we understand as much with the new materials as we did with the old stuff, he said. New Jersey has won a seven-year deadline extension to complete the dredging of state channels clogged with sand and silt by Hurricane Sandy, the state Department of Environmental Protection said. The Federal Emergency Management Agency originally required all of the emergency dredging work to be completed by Oct. 30, 2017. A successful appeal resulted in FEMA reclassifying the projects as permanent work and extending the deadline to Dec. 31, 2024, the DEP said this week. The state Department of Transportation and DEP worked with the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management on the appeal, the DEP said. Under the FEMA ruling, the state will receive an estimated $60 million more for vital waterway recovery projects. Sandy deposited sand and silt into state channels and created hazards for recreational boaters and commercial fishermen, Gov. Chris Christie said. Restoring the hundreds of affected channels takes time and resources. This decision recognizes the challenges New Jersey faces in meeting the monumental task of returning our navigable waterways to a state of good repair, Christie said in a statement. NJDOT has restored 12 channels to their authorized depth since Sandy, and another 15 are being dredged, DOT Commissioner Richard T. Hammer said. Of the more than 200 channels that had some level of shoaling because of Sandy, 131 are eligible for FEMA reimbursement, the DEP said. New Jerseys recreational boating industry contributes $2.2 billion to the state economy, with more than 1,000 businesses providing nearly 12,000 jobs, the DEP estimated. PEMBERTON TOWNSHIP The South Jersey Gas pipeline application is not on the agenda for Fridays Pinelands Commission meeting, even though a state appellate court decision recently threw it back to the commissioners for reconsideration. It will be discussed in closed session, Executive Director Nancy Wittenberg said through spokesman Paul Leakan. New Jersey Sierra Club Director Jeff Tittel said he was not surprised. He said the Attorney Generals Office has told his group it will try to appeal the Nov. 7 decision to the state Supreme Court. Sierra Club sued the commission, arguing Wittenberg exceeded her authority in deciding unilaterally that the application met the commissions regulations. The appellate court agreed. But Tittel said said there is no automatic appeal in the case, because the Superior Court of New Jerseys Appellate Division decision was unanimous. They have to petition the court. We dont expect the court to take it up, Tittel said. It will take some time, said Tittel. I would assume a couple of months before they know. Wittenbergs decision in August 2015, reaffirmed in December 2015, cleared the way for approval by the state Board of Public Utilities. The Sierra Club of New Jersey, Environment New Jersey and the Pinelands Preservation Alliance then filed lawsuits. Two separate decisions were released Nov. 7 by the appellate court, one sending the application back to the commission and the other ordering the BPU to amend its approval to be conditional upon a new decision by the commission. The Sierra Club focused on Wittenbergs lack of authority in its legal arguments, while the other groups also challenged the merits of the case, on which the court did not rule. In response to the decision, South Jersey Gas President Jeff DuBois stressed the limited nature of the decision, saying it only dealt with procedure and cited no exceptions to the merits of or need for the pipeline. SJ Gas calls it the Cape Atlantic Reliability Project and has argued the pipeline will repower the B.L. England Generating Station and be a backup gas line for 142,000 customers in Atlantic and Cape May counties. South Jersey Gas initial application for the pipeline as a public development was rejected by commissioners on a tie vote in January 2014. Then South Jersey Gas made changes in its application, and in May 2015 reapplied to the commission, saying the pipeline was a private development that didnt need a vote by commissioners. Wittenberg agreed and allowed the project to proceed. The 22-mile pipeline, which would run along roadways from Maurice River Township to the B.L. England Generating Station in Upper Township, would allow the coal-powered plant to convert to natural gas. The state Department of Environmental Protection will not allow the plant to continue using coal after 2017 because of air-pollution concerns. The pipeline would pass through 10 miles of protected Pinelands Forest Area, under roadsides or paved roads. The Sierra Club is also fighting a legal battle against the Southern Reliability Link pipeline New Jersey Natural Gas wants to build through parts of the northern section of the Pinelands. We strongly believe the CMP (Comprehensive Management Plan) says no to pipelines, as does the Pinelands Act, Tittel said. The commission should tell South Jersey Gas, no, uphold the integrity of the Pinelands Act and CMP and end this mess. GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP The 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor ceremony at Stockton University was a generational event shared Wednesday by World War II veterans and high school students. Members of the Pleasantville High School JROTC served as the color guard for the luncheon. Sgt. First Class Timothy Mack said it was an opportunity for students to learn a little more about history outside of class. The students said they studied Pearl Harbor in school and understood its impact. Christina Rojas, 14, is considering a military career. Local veterans John Thomas and Peter Fantacone were among those recognized at the event. Most of the veterans are no longer with us, said Tom ODonnell, assistant dean of students for veteran affairs at Stockton. But their legacy will remain. (Pearl Harbor) was a day that defined America and changed the world. Paul Garrity, president of the Stockton Student Veterans Association, who served with the Marines in Afghanistan, said the acts of bravery by soldiers during Pearl Harbor and the war have inspired all who came after them. He said his own family lost members in the war and recognizes the sacrifice they made. We see you as legends and speak of you in hushed tones, he said of the veterans. We hope our success has been sufficient in your eyes. The event featured an exhibit by the Veterans United Military Memorial Museum, a mobile museum that travels to schools and events. It includes items from World War I through the present, including a machine gun on a rifle mount set up by the stage. Its history, director John Comis said. Students today play video games, get shot and get right back up 10 minutes later. When you get shot in war, youre done, and a lot of them really dont understand that. WOODBINE A state audit of the School District has found numerous financial and administrative errors that have contributed to an ongoing fiscal crisis. The situation is so bleak the auditor recommended the district consider consolidating or closing the school and sending students to nearby Dennis Township. In addition to financial issues, the auditor found management problems, including missing computers, employees being hired without positions being advertised or approved by the school board, and nonresident employees children enrolled in preschool while residents were put on a waiting list. The audit covers the period from July 1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2015. Woodbine has had a state monitor since January 2014. According to its annual budget, Woodbine ended 2013-15 with an almost $744,000 deficit. In 2014-15, the state gave the district a $650,000 loan to be repaid over 10 years. State Department of Education spokesman David Saenz said the state monitor was appointed when the deficit became too large to ignore. He said as the monitor reviewed operations and reported back, the department asked for the full state audit. He said the department will look at the audit and explore all options, but it has made no decisions about actions that may be taken. We are keeping all the options open, but nothing specific is planned right now, Saenz said. State auditor Stephen Eells said the small size and budget of the pre-K-8 district of just over 220 students means one person is often doing multiple jobs, and there is little room in the budget for unexpected expenses. When one person is doing everything, the checks and balances can go down the drain, he said. But as enrollment continues to go down, they really need to look at consolidation. They are not going in a good direction. In a letter responding to the audit, the districts new superintendent, Anthony DeVico, said a feasibility study would cost $25,000 to $40,000 and Dennis Township would have to be willing to participate in the process. If the districts were to consolidate, voters would also have to approve the change. DeVicos letter said that if students were to attend Dennis Township, then Woodbine would have to add the cost of transportation, and the district would still have to maintain the Woodbine building. He said officials do not think that would be cost effective. DeVico referred all additional questions to school board President Melissa Rodriguez, who could not be reached for comment. Dennis Township Superintendent Mark Miller said he was not aware of the audit but will look into it. Woodbine Mayor William Pikolycky said he would meet with the school board to discuss the audit before issuing any comments. Eells said any decision to close the school would have to consider academic as well as financial issues. But, he said, when some classes have just a handful of students, the district should be looking at its staffing needs. This is where the Department of Education gets involved, he said. Do they have too many teachers? They should go in and have that conversation. District enrollment figures show the school had 38 students in kindergarten in 2015-16, but just 11 in sixth grade. Most grades had fewer than 20 students. The audit found seven teachers assigned to 42 students in grades six through eight. Thirteen classes had between three and seven students. DeVico said in his letter the district will develop projections to best utilize staff. In one room, there is a line of mannequins from the Revolutionary War with a wall-length reproduction of the Battle of Chestnut Neck in Little Egg Harbor River. Across the room is a replica machine gun tucked in the barracks, and surrounded by World War I propaganda. As you move through the doorway, youre greeted with clippings from different local newspapers from Pearl Harbor. All under one roof, you can find artifacts from every war, and Atlantic Countys relation to each one all of which will be open to the public Wednesday as the new Atlantic County Veterans Museum holds its soft opening. The building, the Daniel Estell Manor house inside Estell Manor Park, will be home to helmets and uniforms, guns and flags, all from South Jersey donors who had family members participate in these wars. Its a Monday morning, two days before the opening, and Cindy Mason-Purdie is moving from room to room to detail the vision she has. Framed paintings are resting on the ground by her feet, and some walls have papers taped to them with what she plans to have hung in their place. She said that todays opening is to show the progress that she and her workers have made. The idea behind opening a museum like this is that you dont just take this and stick it on the wall. You want to display it in the best way possible to tell its story and to showcase the person it belonged to or the event its associated to, said Mason-Purdie, administrator of Atlantic County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs. The work on the project began in 2013, when County Executive Dennis Levinson appointed Richard Squires as chairman of the Veterans Museum Committee, with support from county staff members. The committee was tasked with coordinating the collection of items. And they received a lot. Mason-Purdie was standing in a room on the second floor of the museum with three racks of World War I uniforms and a closet of even more behind her. She said the response from the county has been wonderful. People would come out and donate one thing and then theyd call back saying well now that youve got me thinking, she said. Its interesting that its given more people interest in what their dad or grandfather did. One of those passionate historians was Earl Cain, as he walked into the museum with a replica painting of the Battle of Chestnut Neck. Cain, an Atlantic County native who served in the New Jersey National Guard from 1964 to 1970, said his ancestor served in the Revolutionary War under Col. Richard Somers, of Somers Point. Cain was excited as he walked from room to room, pointing at his uncles name on the wall of the Revolutionary War section of the museum. Im amazed how this place looks, he said. If you look around, everything here is donated, and we really have to give credit to the county for providing us this building. Linda Gilmore, public information officer for Atlantic County, said the building will continue to be renovated through the spring. Standing in a sunroom lined with stained glass pieces from every war and military rank, Gilmore points outside and says she hopes the building can one day connect to the veterans cemetery at Atlantic County Park. Cindy Marie-Purdie is in talks with the Atlantic County Institute of Technology to install some audio descriptors and/or codes for students to scan next to exhibits to learn more. She says this while standing in an upstairs room of the museum, with a long conference table behind her. The table will be used for students to gather and discuss what they saw throughout the museum. She points to the window on one side of the room and says she even hopes to add a screen or monitor. We want that educational resource where students can come for field trips and not only learn about national history but also the relation to some of their family members, she said. This story was originally posted on Tuesday, Dec. 6. You cant stop the beat and it doesnt look like you can stop Helene Britany either. The 21-year-old South Jersey native will perform as Shelley, one of the nicest kids in town, on Hairspray Live! which broadcast for the first time on NBC on Dec. 7 and will air again on Monday at 8 p.m. Beginning with dance lessons at the Ventnor City Cultural Arts Center at age three, Britanys singing and dancing never stopped. She took dance every year, said her mother, Carol Seitchick-Alan, of Galloway Township. I credit her teachers, who from the very beginning were so supportive of her. Seitchick-Alan said throughout the years, Britany received vocal and dance training in South Jersey. The teachers she worked with included Tony Picciotti and his wife and daughter who run Absecon Academy Performing Arts, Cori Jack at Dance Forum South in Galloway,Victoria Clark from Ventnor Cultural Arts Center. The vocals from Susan Pieretti Frizzell who has a degree in music from Shenandoah University, Seitchick-Alan said. She attended Reeds Road School, and was supported by Principal Dr. William Zipparo and many teachers as well. My daughter got the best training locally. As she entered her teen years, the family decided Britany moving to Los Angeles would help her with auditions. She has secured two record deals over the years and as a part of the duo Maliibu N Helene, had a song called Starin at It featured in a Ford commercial throughout last year. The duo has music videos and Britanys cover songs can be found online. Through networking and meeting people in L.A., Britany recently worked on a new Jennifer Lopez video as well while attending dance classes and recording her own music. Britany said landing the part in Hairspray Live!, however, was unlike anything shed experienced before. Getting that news was probably one of the best moments of my life so far, Britany said. The audition process was amazing and just felt great from the start, then the callback happened and I had such a good feeling about it but didnt want to jinx anything so I just kept my fingers crossed. The NBC productions cast includes Harvey Fierstein, Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Rosie ODonnell, Martin Short, Derek Hough and more. The rehearsals have been absolutely a dream come true, Britany said. Everyone clicked from the very start, and we knew we had something special together. It just felt so right. We started rehearsals in mid-October, and they have been crazy intense. We had the whole show done in about three weeks, and from then on it was just perfecting it. Seitchick-Alan said landing big gigs is possible with enough determination, connections and staying true to yourself. There are a lot of talented people from New Jersey. You just cant give up, she said. Helene wants to be a role model for girls and be natural. Its not for the faint of heart, but if you want to pursue it you can make a career for yourself. For Seitchick-Alan, there couldnt be a better time for the message behind the 1960s-set Hairspray. Relevance can still be found today in the central theme of integrating an all-white fictional Corny Collins Show. The whole cast was talking about that, Seitchick-Alan said. Helene was a first-time voter and it was really important to her to get to vote and for me it was a life moment, my daughter voting next to me in this really important election. Its eerie that this is from the 1960s, but it applies today. Britany said after doing Hairspray Live! she would like to get more involved in theater in the future, perhaps on Broadway. From a very young age I knew exactly what I loved and wanted to do with my life, so from there I just worked on my craft and did everything I could to get to this point, she said. For me, this is just the start. Ocean County Freeholder Joseph Vicari is warning shoppers about potential scams during the holiday season. Unfortunately, the holiday season also sees an increase in scams, Vicari said in a news release. Common scams include credit card skimmers that can be placed in ATMs and self-swipe machines. Credit and debit card information stored in the cards magnetic script can be recorded and used for fraudulent purchases or identity theft. Banks and credit card companies have issued electronic chip cards, which prevent skimming. But not all consumers have received the updated cards. Vicari, who also is a liaison for the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs, warns that retail employees may scan cards a second time or possibly with a personal device. Always keep your eye on your credit card when you hand it to a store or gas station employee, Vicari said. Vicari also mentioned tips for returning merchandise, reminding shoppers that all New Jersey retailers are required to disclose a refund policy and give cash, credit card or store credit refunds for returned merchandise that is not used or damaged. Vicari said if you make a purchase locally and have a problem, our Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs can help. VINELAND At St. Marys School gym Wednesday, the emphasis was on thanks and prayers for members of the military, law enforcement and other first responders. And there was a special appeal at the Red, White and Blue Mass for Frankie Williams, the 31-year-old state trooper killed in a crash while responding to a call about an erratic driver on Route 55 in Millville on Monday. Seventh-grade student Isabella Consalo asked the 300 students and 150 other guests for special prayers for Willams family and for all those who protect and serve. Pray for his family, the Rev. Robert Sinatra, pastor of St. Padre Pio Parish, added during the Mass. For, guess what, they need our prayers. The Mass and kind words by students and the clergy helped a little, said Lt. Joseph Prato, a state trooper who attended the Mass. Its nice that the students show respect for law enforcement, and that its something they learn at the school, he said. While Williams was a member of the State Police, his death was a shock to all members of law enforcement. Some officers who attended the Mass said the message sent by the students and civilians during the service was appreciated. It makes us feel like we have support in the community, said Vineland police Sgt. Danny Latorre. The Red, White and Blue Mass developed from a series of related events the school has held over the years, said Carol Kirchman, advancement director for St. Marys. This was the first time the students were involved to a large extent. The veterans, active service members, first responders and representatives of various law-enforcement groups from several counties marched into the gym to singing by a student choir. The Mass was held on the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, an event that drew the United States into World War II. In his homily, Sinatra said those who hoped the attack would make the United States timid and afraid soon learned it made Americans a band of brothers and sisters wanting to serve and protect their country. That desire lives on today in the form of men and women who wear uniforms, he said. We thank you for your service, he said. LOWER TOWNSHIP Shannon Peter has trouble talking about her 17-year-old nephew, who died after a car crash Saturday night in the Villas section of the township. Right now, I cant even begin to think about it, said Peter, 46, of the Rio Grande section of Mid-dle Township. My mind its still in a state of shock. Jamie Klecz, of Villas, died early Sunday evening after being airlifted to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus in Atlantic City, following a head-on collision into a tree Saturday night on Fulling Mill Road. He was driving home from a friends house in a car his dad had given him the day before, Peter said. She said he drove it for the first time Saturday. We arrived at the hospital and they tried the best they could to save him, but he had such extensive brain damage that there was nothing they could do, Peter said. Fundraising efforts were underway Tuesday to help Kleczs family with expenses, while fellow students at Lower Cape May Regional High School struggled to come to terms with the seniors death. A pair of GoFundMe pages were created to help Kleczs family pay for the teenagers funeral. As of Tuesday evening, one of the pages had raised $505 in 20 hours and the other $475 in six hours. Kleczs funeral will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at Evoy Funeral Home, 3218 Bayshore Road in the North Cape May section of the township, Peter said. Rio Station, a restaurant in the Rio Grande section of Middle Township, is also raising money to help Kleczs family. The teenagers father, also named Jamie Klecz, has worked at the restaurant for more than 10 years, general manager Rick Rutherford III said. Hes part of our family, Rutherford said. Ive known Jamie since he was five. Rio Station has put two special meals on the menu, called the Klecz Burger and the Klecz Breakfast. All proceeds from the meals, which will available until the end of December, will go toward helping Kleczs father with any expenses. The guys just the most honest, dedicated person to his family, Rutherford said of Kleczs father. Hes one of the backbones of our whole kitchen. Kleczs mother died 10 years ago, Peter said. The burger, featuring American cheese, coleslaw and Thousand Island dressing, and the breakfast, which includes two pancakes, two scrambled eggs and two strips of bacon, were the teenagers favorite, Rutherford said. Everyones trying to pitch in and help as much as they can, Peter said. Klecz was a senior at Lower Cape who was looking forward to graduation, friends said. On Tuesday, between 25 and 35 students gathered in the schools lunch room to discuss Kleczs sudden death, district Superintendent Christopher Kobik said. Students also met with counselors or sat in silence, he said. Our counselors continue to work with the kids, Kobik said. I think the students are coming along, trying to support each other. This is a tragedy, he added. Several students, angered that the school did not have a moment of silence for Klecz on Monday, staged a walkout Tuesday, Kobik said. He said the school did have a moment of silence for Klecz on Tuesday. They wanted an immediate response the day before, said Kobik, who added he wanted to alert parents and talk to Kleczs family before holding the moment of silence. Kobik said the students quickly came back into the building after the walkout and stayed in the lunch room. Police are investigating the cause of the accident, and a candlelight vigil is planned for Klecz at 5 p.m. Sunday at the scene of the crash, where friends have constructed a memorial. EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP When Ted Knox, store manager at Lowes, heard the news about State Trooper Frankie Williams death Monday night, he knew it would be a difficult week for his staff. Williams, who was assigned to the Port Norris station in rural Commercial Township in Cumberland County, died after a two-car crash on Route 55 in Millville. The other driver, Lloyd Rudley, 61, of Elmer, Salem County, died at the scene. Before he became a trooper, Williams worked at the Egg Harbor Township store from 2008 to 2015, where he was well-known and loved. On Wednesday, company employees gathered to talk about the Egg Harbor Township man and how he became part of their family. Some cried and consoled each other. He was just in the store over the weekend, said Knox. This is a tough one. This is a real loss for us. In the back office of the store, a post-it stuck under a shelf carries the message Frankie Williams was here, with the dates he was employed. Employees said Williams left it there on his last day at the store, and no one has moved it since. Lowes employee Anthony Pasquarella, 35, of Galloway Township, said Williams inspired his co-workers with his work ethic and attitude. He made everybody else better here, Pasquarella said. He was always the guy to go to for questions or help or any kind of advice, and he came to me, too. Pasquarella said he proofread Williams application essay to become a state trooper and that Williams shared his dream of becoming a trooper with several employees at the store. Williams started working at Lowes as a customer service associate, later worked in the receiving department and then became a loss-prevention manager. Sam Appiah, 39, of Mays Landing, worked with Williams at the store for years and said he considers him a brother. Williams started at the store just after he moved to New Jersey from Lakeland, Florida. Over the years, we got very, very close, he said. And they became more than just coworkers even to the point where Appiah could call Williams to help him fix a leak in his home. Weve been supporting each other today, said a tearful Rosalie Salcedo, 38, of Egg Harbor Township, who has known Williams for 10 years. To me, he was an achiever. He achieved everything until he got to be a state trooper. Williams graduated from the police academy in January. He and his wife, Kimberly, were married in September. Williams was responding to a call about an erratic driver on Route 55 in Millville when another car, driven by Rudley, crossed over the median and struck Williams vehicle head-on. Rudley died on the scene and Williams died later the same night after being airlifted to Cooper University Hospital in Camden. The Vineland Class of 1973 Facebook page posted after the crash that Rudley, the class valedictorian, died in the car accident. The post says he was also a doctor who specialized in psychiatry and neurology. Greg Potter, a spokesman from Inspira Health Network, confirmed that Rudley worked as part of its medical staff with a private practice from 1986 to 2015. State records show Rudley was issued a license on Jan. 28, 1986, to practice in the state. The license, which was for a medical doctor, expires on June 30, 2017. The boards records also show Rudley had a clean record, with no disciplinary actions taken against him. Rudley was issued a license as a medical physician and surgeon in Pennsylvania in January 1982, according to Pennsylvania Department of State records. The license expired Jan. 31, 2014, the records show. Rudley had an office in the Hoffman Professional Cluster in the 500 block of Front Street in Elmer. The complex is a short distance from Inspira Medical Center. His office was closed Wednesday. Employees of NewPoint Behavioral Health Care said they moved into the complex just a few weeks ago. The employees, who wouldnt identify themselves, said Rudleys office appeared to be open only on a part-time basis. Only one of the employees acknowledged meeting Rudley, saying she only spoke to him twice. Rudley bought a property at 740 Upper Neck Road from his parents, John and Ida, for $1 in 1983. The property, located on a corner of Upper Neck and English roads, is in a significant state of disrepair and overgrown with weeds, vines and bushes. Eleanor Thomas said she moved in with her daughter and son-in-law just a few weeks ago. Their home is on another corner of the intersection. Thomas said her daughter told her that a man who described himself as a psychiatrist would, up until about a year ago, visit the home to feed the many cats living there. Thomas said shes worried about any cats that remain on that property. OCEAN CITY The local chapter of Amnesty International is planning a letter-writing event Saturday in recognition of Human Rights Day with hopes to aid in protecting prisoners of conscience around the globe. Participants will meet at the library to write letters to government officials all over the world, asking for their help to protect the vulnerable, some of whom are imprisoned. The campaign is part of a larger event coordinated by Amnesty International and focuses on protecting 12 individuals, including an albino child in Malawi, a human rights lawyer in Turkey and Americas Edward Snowden. Coordinator Georgina Shanley, of Ocean City, said that over the years, 3.7 million letters have been through the Write for Rights campaign. You can imagine when the letters start pouring in; its huge, she said. Many of the people were released. Shanley has been coordinating the local chapter of about 15 active members for 25 years. She said it is the only active chapter in New Jersey and covers all of South Jersey. If we can get together the power of the people and the power of the pen to bring justice to the world, its such a rewarding and meaningful thing to do, she said. We can see every year the impact ordinary people have just sitting down and writing these letters. Shanley pointed to the recent success of the grass-roots campaign to protect Native American land in North Dakota from an oil pipeline being built there. In this particular time in the world, I think its very very important for ordinary people to get together. We saw how that was so effective with the North Dakota pipeline. Where we have a right, we have an obligation. This is the perfect way to fight for justice, she said. She said the Cape May County chapter of Amnesty International writes 120 letters every month. Because the letters cost $1 to mail internationally, Shanley said the chapter is always accepting donations. Human Rights Day is Dec. 10 and celebrates the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations on that day in 1948. Shanley said the effort for the declaration was led by Eleanor Roosevelt after World War II. ATLANTIC CITY The state will use its new power over the city to veto the water authoritys decision to give its board members $3,000 gifts. Jeff Chiesa, who is heading a state takeover of the city, will reverse the Municipal Utilities Authoritys decision to give outgoing board members the money, a state spokeswoman said Tuesday. The Division of Local Government Services rejects the action taken at the Atlantic City Municipal Utilities Authoritys Nov. 28 special meeting; in particular, its vote to give outgoing members a $3,000 gift in addition to their regular compensation and benefits package, Department of Community Affairs spokeswoman Tammori Petty said in a statement. MUA officials could not be reached for comment. An authority employee told a reporter no one at the MUA late Tuesday was authorized to talk to the media. The DCA statement was in response to a Monday story in The Press of Atlantic City that reported the boards vote. The board members approved giving themselves the monetary gifts after raising residential water rates by 10 percent to fill an unexpected budget hole. This action is further evidence of the MUAs disregard for the ratepayers they serve and clearly demonstrates the authority does not understand the severity of the citys financial condition, Pettys statement said. Chiesa and Local Government Services Director Timothy Cunningham will also review the remainder of the MUA board meeting minutes, the statement said. Jeffrey Chiesa introduces himself to Atlantic City ATLANTIC CITY The man leading a state takeover of this city met the public Thursday, but d The so-called state takeover law gives Chiesa vast powers over the city, including the ability to hire or fire workers, sell city assets or break union contracts to fix the citys finances. He also has the power to veto the minutes of city government meetings, including those of authorities. The MUA raised rates after a contract change with New Jersey American Water, a private company considered a potential buyer of the water works. American Water had a $1.7 million agreement with the MUA but recently told the authority it doesnt need the MUAs water anymore. The threat to the tax agreement between New Jersey and Pennsylvania allowing border-crossing workers to pay only their home states income tax has ended. The 125,000 such N.J. workers will keep getting a modest tax break, and a much bigger one will resume for the 125,000 Pa. workers. Were glad for the N.J. commuters out of state, but we wish there was also a tax break for the millions of residents working in this vastly overtaxing state. We also think the whole tax and spending dispute reflects poorly on N.J. politicians. They seem to have a weak understanding of their responsibilities and their burden on the state economy. This unfortunate story began with Gov. Chris Christie accusing the Legislature of failing to reduce spending on public worker health benefits by $250 million, as assumed in the budget it passed in June. He began the process of ending the tax-reciprocity agreement, which would increase N.J. revenue and offset the lack of savings on benefits. Apparently this prompted enough complaints from workers and businesses benefiting from the tax deal to get the attention of legislative Democrats. They passed a bill with savings on public worker benefits of up to $200 million a year, and Christie signed it just before Thanksgiving. All celebrated the rescue of the tax-reciprocity agreement. Democrats said the savings will come from prescription drug costs by rooting out profiteering drug companies and the pharmaceutical benefit manager responsible for purchasing and supplying medications for public employees. This will help eliminate overcharges and other wasteful spending for state, county and municipal government workers and teachers throughout the state. So, until unrelated complaints started coming in, legislators thought overcharges and wasteful spending on public worker benefits were perfectly OK? We think state officials should be as careful with taxpayer money as the taxpayers themselves are. Note, too, that ending the tax-reciprocity agreement would have increased N.J. revenue by an expected $180 million. Thats because Pennsylvanias income tax is a flat 3 percent and New Jersey levies up to 9 percent. So this allegedly wonderful tax deal confers a benefit upon Pennsylvania residents of $180 million a year. Almost all of the New Jersey taxpayers making up that shortfall each year have jobs in the tax-happy state where they live. Some corporations said they might not locate in New Jersey if they couldnt offer workers from Pennsylvania the tax benefit in the reciprocity agreement. Maybe so. But that also means state officials are subsidizing jobs in New Jersey for workers living in Pennsylvania. Wouldnt it be better to have corporate taxes that encouraged N.J. businesses to hire N.J. residents? The best that can be said about the tax deal is that something (a tax break for a tiny percentage of N.J. workers) is better than nothing (although in this case nothing would have reduced the burden on taxpayers overall). But the whole affair shows how far state leaders are from good government practices and pursuing the best interests of N.J. residents and businesses overall. 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. Jose Antonio Iyo, Atento Peru Managing Director said, "We are proud to be recognized for another year as one of the best companies to work for in Peru. Our commitment to people is an essential component of Atento's business model, enabling us to offer businesses the best customer experience solutions while providing training and development opportunities to our employees." Jose Antonio Iyo added, "I want to take this opportunity to thank our employees for their commitment and motivation, which have lead us to be the third best company to work for in the country in 2016." Ignacio Varangot, Atento Peru and Americas South Region People Director, commented: "We are very happy to be in the Great Place to Work ranking once again. We've been part of this prestigious ranking for 12 consecutive years now, which reaffirms our continuous commitment to people, our main asset, and to generating first employment in the communities where we operate." Atento receives this recognition for the 12th year running, and is still the only CRM/BPO sector company in Peru to be included in this select group of companies committed to comprehensive people development. In 2016, Atento was also recognized as one of the 25 Best Multinational to Work for in the World for the fourth consecutive year, and as one of the Best Multinationals to Work For in Latin America for the sixth year running. About Great Place to Work Great Place to Work is the world's leading authority in workplace cultures that promote trust and high performance. Using its own assessment tools, consultancy services and certification programs such as the Best Workplaces lists, and workplace reviews, Great Place to Work provides the benchmarks, framework and experience needed to create, maintain and recognize extraordinary workplace cultures. About Atento Atento is the largest provider of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing (CRM BPO) services in Latin America, and among the top three providers globally, based on revenues. Atento is also a leading provider of nearshoring CRM/BPO services to companies that carry out their activities in the United States. Since 1999, the company has developed its business model in 13 countries where it employs 150,000 people. Atento has over 400 clients to whom it offers a wide range of CRM/BPO services through multiple channels. Atento's clients are mostly leading multinational corporations in sectors such as telecommunications, banking and financial services, health, retail and public administrations, among others. Atentos shares trade under the symbol ATTO on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). In 2016, Atento was named one of the Worlds 25 Best Multinational Workplaces by Great Place to Work for a fourth consecutive year. For more information visit www.atento.com Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150506/214260LOGO Related Links http://www.atento.com SOURCE Atento S.A. NEW YORK, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Breather, the leading network of on-demand meeting rooms and workspaces, announced today it has closed $40 million in funding, bringing the company's total funding to $73 million to date. This Series C round was led by Menlo Ventures, the venture capital firm behind Uber, Tumblr, Warby Parker and Siri. The financing included follow-on investments from Valar Ventures RRE Ventures, Slow Ventures, and Real Ventures, follows a Series B in 2015 and a Series A round in 2014. The investment positions Breather as the most well-funded startup in the growing on-demand workspace sector. Founded in Canada in 2012, Breather currently operates a rapidly growing network of more than 300 spaces across 10 global markets, including New York, San Francisco, London and more. In 2016, the company expanded to new markets including Chicago, Washington DC, Los Angeles and Toronto. Breather has tripled its footprint in 2016 and is on track to increase density in its existing markets and continue its expansion to new markets in 2017. "Breather has tapped into a real need in the workplace. There hasn't been a company of its kind offering spaces on-demand," said Venky Ganesan, Managing Director of Menlo Ventures. "Breather has a tremendous vision to connect the world's spaces and make them accessible to all." Menlo Ventures has a track record of success with pioneering startups, funding 70 public companies and overseeing more than 100 mergers and acquisitions since its inception in 1976. Ganesan has joined Breather's Board of Directors. Breather's expanding customer base spans a wide range of users from freelancers and startups to large, multi-national corporations. Breather's clients represent a global shift in the way businesses and individuals work. The company's "Breather for Business" program has onboarded thousands of large organizations and small businesses since its start in 2015 and has grown 5x in this year alone. Notable clients include Apple, Google, Uber, GE, American Express, L'Oreal and IBM, which use the spaces for meetings and team off-sites. "Over the past year, we've seen hundreds of new businesses sign up every month," said Julien Smith, CEO and co-founder of Breather. "We're excited to partner with Menlo Ventures because of their experience and alignment with our vision." The latest round of funding will fuel Breather's product innovation, allowing it to expand its network of users, and grow its footprint of spaces. Unlike co-working models, Breather has no membership fees or long-term contracts. Instead, the company offers its users quiet, dedicated meeting rooms and workspaces on a "pay-per-use" basis through the company's proprietary app and booking technology. The app allows users to instantly browse, book and access a space of their own. Breather has partnered with some of the largest and most prestigious landlords in each of its markets, with a unique business model that sets it apart from pure marketplace companies. Users have praised the inspiring aesthetic and consistent experience of Breather's spaces, which are designed by the company's in-house team. SOURCE Breather STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Dec 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- EQT Infrastructure to acquire a majority shareholding in three subsidiaries of GETEC ENERGIE HOLDING GmbH EQT Infrastructure to support continued development of the subsidiaries GETEC heat & power AG, GETEC WARME & EFFIZIENZ AG und GETEC media AG Partnership creates strong platform to build upon market position and continue geographical expansion The EQT Infrastructure investment strategy ("EQT Infrastructure") has entered a strategic partnership with GETEC. The partnership will jointly develop the companies GETEC heat & power AG, GETEC WARME & EFFIZIENZ AG und GETEC media AG (together "the Companies") under a newly formed joint venture company. EQT Infrastructure will own 60 percent of the joint venture company. GETEC was founded by Dr Karl Gerhold in 1993 and is today one of the market leaders in energy services in Germany. The GETEC brand stands for tailor-made, efficient and sustainable energy solutions, implemented by a group of highly qualified engineers. The group currently operates around 1,050 decentralized energy production plants in Germany. In 2015, GETEC reported sales of EUR 783 million and employed 1,165 people. The aim of the partnership is to further strengthen and expand the activities of the jointly owned Companies. The strategy includes identifying and capturing growth opportunities both in Germany and by expanding into neighboring markets. Dr Karl Gerhold, owner and Managing Director of GETEC said: "We are happy to partner with such an experienced investor and owner such as EQT Infrastructure. They have a stellar track record of developing companies and their experience and network of industrial experts in the energy sector is impressive. Together, we believe we now have the very best prerequisites to make the Companies even stronger." Matthias Fackler, Partner at Investment Advisor EQT Partners, said: "Decentralized energy production is a crucial element of the new energy market and its importance will continue to increase in the future. GETEC is very well placed to profit from this trend thanks to a strong market position and outstanding technical capabilities. We are very much looking forward to support further development of the Companies and to explore expansion opportunities together with Dr Gerhold and the existing GETEC management team." The transaction is subject to merger clearance from European competition authorities and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2017. Contacts: Matthias Fackler, Partner at EQT Partners in Germany, Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure, +49 89 2554 99520 Kerstin Danasten, EQT Press Officer, +46 8 506 55 334 About EQT EQT is a leading alternative investments firm with approximately EUR 30 billion in raised capital. EQT Funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR 15 billion and approximately 100,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership. More info: www.eqtpartners.com About the GETEC companies GETEC heat & power AG offers energy service solutions for industrial customers, municipalities and large complex real estate owners. As part of its business the company develops, builds, finances and operates innovative and highly efficient energy production plants. GETEC WARME & EFFIZIENZ AG offers energy service solutions for real estate owners and operators. This includes residential, commercial and public real estate, hotels as well as social buildings such as hospitals or care homes. GETEC media AG offers telecom services as well as implementation and operation of data transport infrastructure for the real estate sector. More info: www.getec.de CONTACT: This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/eqt-ab/r/eqt-infrastructure-enters-strategic-partnership-with-getec,c2139242 Related Links http://www.eqtpartners.com SOURCE EQT AB Partner Reenita Das showcases 'Wearables Aren't just for Fitness Anymore' SANTA CLARA, California, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Reenita Das, Partner and Transformational Health Senior Vice President at Frost & Sullivan, will present on December 9th at MedTech Impact 2016 Expo and Conference in Las Vegas, NV, hosted by The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, the role of wearables in the future shift from a treatment-focused, fee for service (FFS)-driven healthcare system to one of value and prevention. Das will focus on the implementation of the Internet Of Medical Things (IoMT) and its potential to reshape the industry by creating a connected ecosystem based on sensors and devices and centered around the individual. She will discuss how thanks to the evolution of technology, wearables are moving beyond fitness and into the world of patient-generated-healthcare-data (PGHD) to transform the treatment of conditions from epilepsy to diabetes. "Medicine was a clinical science supported by data. Today medicine is becoming a data science supported by clinicians," explains Das. While the push for value-based healthcare continues, wearables will become a useful tool to collect the data needed to keep patients out of the hospital. From contact lenses to smart tattoos, she will share with the audience what is coming on the market and how to use these devices to impact patient long term care. Why you should attend: Discover the top ten medical and clinical wearables segments that will create key growth opportunities in the Healthcare market by 2020. that will create key growth opportunities in the Healthcare market by 2020. Learn about the role of wearables in care decentralization and its benefits to different stakeholders. and its benefits to different stakeholders. Find out the selected Healthcare wearables start-ups to watch and the vendors to focus on. to watch and the to focus on. Determine how to unlock new revenue streams thanks to a successful service-oriented business model. About Frost & Sullivan Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion Contact: Mariana Fernandez Corporate Communications North America P: +54 (11) 4778 3540 E: mariana.fernandez@frost.com http://ww2.frost.com twitter: @FS_Healthcare LinkedIn: Transform Health About MedTech Impact: The goal of MedTech Impact is to help healthcare practitioners and professionals better serve their patients through the use of technologyutilizing devices and products that help track progress, assist with diagnoses, and ultimately support injury and disease prevention. By connecting attendees with the most cutting-edge and innovative scientific research and education, MedTech Impact aims to help clinics, hospitals, and private practitioners protect, build, and enhance the infrastructure of their practices by integrating the most recently developed equipment and technology. For more information, visit www.medtechimpact.com. Contact: info@medtechimpact.com Related Links http://www.frost.com SOURCE Frost & Sullivan MISGAV, Israel and TUTTLINGEN, Germany, December 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Company to commence commercial activity in U.S. and Europe. B. Braun Melsungen AG ( " B. Braun " ), The Trendlines Group Ltd. (SGX: 42T, OTCQX: TRNLY) ("Trendlines") and Gordian Surgical Ltd. ("Gordian") jointly announced B. Braun's lead position in Gordian's recent financing round of US$2.25 million; Gordian Surgical is a medical portfolio company of The Trendlines Group. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161205/445646 ) German medical device company, B. Braun Melsungen AG led the investment round with 1 million, with the remainder from current shareholders and three VC funds, two of which are Chinese funds. Funds raised in this round will be used to start marketing and distribution in U.S. and European markets. Concurrently, with the successful fund raising round, Gordian announced it received FDA regulatory clearance for its TroClose1200[TM], an innovative trocar with integrated closure system for the suturing of abdominal wall incisions during laparoscopic surgical procedures. The FDA approval follows Gordian's receipt of CE Mark certification as announced on 6 September 2016. Gordian Surgical developed TroClose1200 to give surgeons "two-in-one" functionality: the device acts both as a trocar, through which surgical instruments enter the abdomen, and a device to close internal incisions made during surgery. The sutures are inserted into the tissue at the beginning of the procedure and anchored to remain in place throughout the operation, allowing incisions to be closed easily and quickly upon removal of the device. In the self-same week as receiving the FDA clearance, Gordian was featured at the 32nd Annual Conference of the German Association for the Study of Obesity (DAG) e.V. in Frankfurt, where a laparoscopic procedure utilizing Gordian's TroClose1200 was performed at The Clinic for Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Surgery at the Sana-Klinikum Offenbach a.M. a nearby hospital. The surgery was broadcast live to surgeons from around the world gathered together in an auditorium at the conference. Gordian began human trials in 2016 to demonstrate safety and efficacy of TroClose1200 and to date has completed all 50 laparoscopic procedures in the clinical phase. Additionally, the Company performed the first seven cases, defined as post-marketing surveillance, in Europe, including at the prestigious IRCAD in Strasbourg, France and during the live surgery in Germany. Professor Michel Vix, Head of the Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Unit, University Hospital of Strasbourg, France, Scientific Co-Director, IRCAD Institute stated: "Gordian's TroClose is a very effective system, easy to use and especially useful for younger surgeons, as the learning curve is very short. TroClose has significant advantages over other gold standard closure devices on the market. Indeed, there is definitely a place for this product in the market." Prof. Dr. Hanns-Peter Knaebel, a member of the B. Braun Management Board and CEO of their Aesculap division, added, "Our decision to lead this investment in Gordian Surgical, a Trendlines' portfolio company, was based on the unique design of the TroClose1200 and the great potential we see in the global laparoscopic market for a closure/trocar integrated device. We expect the TroClose1200 to save time for surgeons and reduce anesthesia time for patients. FDA clearance, received so shortly following receipt of CE Mark, confirms our confidence in Gordian Surgical's management." Zvi Pe'er CEO of Gordian Surgical remarks, "Receiving FDA clearance is a huge milestone in Gordian's strategic roadmap. The recent investment, led by B. Braun, allows us to move rapidly towards commercialization of our device in the USA, Europe and other markets. Major interest in TroClose was evidenced at the recent MEDICA 2016." About B. Braun With over 56,000 employees in 64 countries, B. Braun is one of the world's leading manufacturers of medical devices and pharmaceutical products and services. Through constructive dialogue, B. Braun develops high quality product systems and services that are both evolving and progressive - and, in turn, improves people's health around the world. In 2015, the group generated sales of approximately 6.13 billion. About The Trendlines Group Ltd. Trendlines is an innovation commercialization company that invents, discovers, invests in, and incubates innovation-based medical and agricultural technologies to fulfill its mission to improve the human condition. As intensely hands-on investors, Trendlines is involved in all aspects of its portfolio companies from technology development to business building. Trendlines's shares are traded on the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX: 42T) and in the United States as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR) on the OTCQX (OTCQX: TRNLY). Contact Gordian Surgical: Zvi Pe'er, CEO Gordian Surgical E-mail: zpeer@gordiansurgical.com Phone: +972.50.420.3333 Trendlines Investor Contact Information Judith Kleinman, Director, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications E-mail: judith@trendlines.com Phone: +972-72-260-7000 SOURCE The Trendlines Group Ltd., B. Braun & Gordian Surgical HANGZHOU, China, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Underlining the company's position as the world's leading supplier in innovative video surveillance products and solutions, Hikvision has achieved Number 1 overall position, being placed at the top of the rankings in A&S magazine's 'Security 50' 2016, with a 43.6% leap in revenues, following a rise to second place in 2015 from third place in 2014. Ranking public-listed manufacturers by product sales revenue, gross profit, and profit margin, participants in the A&S Security 50 range from exclusive manufacturers to end-to-end solution providers, and provides the security industry with a 'Who's Who' of the global security market's most successful companies. Following Hikvision's recent achievement of winning No.1 position in the Scene Classification category at the ImageNet Large Scale Visual Recognition Challenge 2016, this latest achievement illustrates how Hikvision's strong and sustainable technology development is providing a solid platform for the company's success. Via the sustained expansion of its global network, Hikvision is also placing the importance of localised support and service to its partners and users at the forefront of its operation. "This outstanding A&S Security 50 achievement demonstrates Hikvision's continuing dedication to its investment in innovation and excellence," says Cynthia Ho, Vice President at Hikvision. "By responding rapidly to emerging market trends, Hikvision's smooth transition from analog, to digital, IP and HD, and onward to advanced video intelligence, has provided the catalyst for another year of massive growth for Hikvision. "The company seizes every opportunity and trend in the security industry to develop dynamic and innovative products that meet the ever changing needs of market demands. Beyond video surveillance, we see Artificial Intelligence and big data as the inevitable trend of the future, where the technology could help greatly improve operational efficiency for commercial businesses, transportation and many more sectors." Weiqi Wu, VP at Hikvision in charge of R&D: "Since its very beginning, Hikvision has invested heavily in building a first class R&D capability, which has laid a solid foundation for the company's success. Also, our strong R&D management system ensures the highly efficient operation of our R&D team. Over the past decade, Hikvision has embraced world-leading management practices and tools, such as IPD, CMMI and PDM, to continuously optimize the company's product development process. "Applying this methodology has led to the development of 'best-in-class' products and services that not only meet the needs of the industry, but are also quickly accepted by the market. Underlining Hikvision's industry-leading R&D capability, this year, the company has achieved CMMI Maturity Level 5 certification. Looking to the future, Hikvision will continue to push the boundary of security technology and develop even more high-quality products for our customers worldwide." About Security 50 Security 50 is comprised of world leaders in the security industry ranked solely by product sales, with participants ranging from exclusive manufacturers to end-to-end solution providers. More information can be found at http://www.asmag.com/rankings/ About Hikvision Hikvision is the world's leading supplier of video surveillance solutions. Featuring the industry's strongest R&D workforce, Hikvision uses its state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities to design and develop innovative CCTV and video surveillance products for any security need. For more information, please visit Hikvision's website at www.hikvision.com. Related Links http://www.hikvision.com SOURCE Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd. KNARESBOROUGH, England, December 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Official test reports now confirm PPSS Group's new NIJ Std 0101.06 Level IIIA Bullet Resistant Vests also offer protection from full contact shots, which form a fundamental part of the infamously stringent German Police as well as FBI Body Armor Test Protocol. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140722/697632-a ) (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446247 ) Being clearly delighted Robert Kaiser, CEO of PPSS Group said: "Launching our new NIJ Std 0101.06 Level IIIA bullet resistant vest today is a truly special event in itself, but knowing our body armour also protect from full contact shots means we have once again significantly improved the personal safety of those who serve and protect our countries and citizens." "Too many law enforcement officers are being shot by their own firearms from extremely close range. Understanding this particular risk was crucial during the development phase of our new high performance body armour." PPSS Group's latest body armour also offer consistent protection from Tokarev Ball 7.62 x 25mm and Makarov 9 x 18mm, handgun rounds primarily used in the Russian Federation and Eastern European countries. This advanced design has been successfully tested against a general issue TASER device, which was recently conducted in a realistic operational setting - with a no effect on the wearer. The wearer was not incapacitated by the Taser discharge nor suffered any effects of the device. The hybrid ballistic package has been created using a highly advanced new ultra-resilient European ballistic material, an integrated solution that combines high ballistic performance with a high level of comfort, improved flexibility, and substantially reduced Back Face Deformation (BFD). Tony Welsh, COO of PPSS Group is highlighting the firm's commitment: "We really are devoted to our continuous research and development. Our ambitious goal was to develop one of the best and operationally most sensible bullet resistant vests, and it is now clear that we have successfully reached our objective." A NIJ Std 0101.06 tested and certified body armour ultimately means increased protection for the wearer. It means reassurance and peace of mind knowing that a body armour is based on the very latest design and manufacturing capabilities and technologies. A detailed and very informative and useful article on this standard can be found here PPSS Group website (click here). In case you have any questions or wish to discuss the above with my team, please contact PPSS Group on +44 (0) 845 5193 95 email info@ppss-group.com or visit http://www.ppss-group.com About Us: UK based PPSS Group is specialised and fully dedicated to the development of high performance body armour, aiming to protect homeland security professionals all over the world. The firm's senior management is leading the firm with strength, precision and a clear understanding of all operational, threats, risks and duties. With a combined frontline operational experience of more than 80 years it is a management team, which will ensure that PPSS Group will continue to grow and save valuable lives. Media Contact: Rebecca Foster PPSS Group T: +44(0)-845-5193-953 F: +44(0)-845-5193-955 E:info@ppss-group.com SOURCE PPSS Group PARIS, December 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Two grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, Father Patrick Desbois, President and Founder of Yahad-In Unum and Mira Maylor, a Jewish Israeli artist, work together to bring a remarkable exhibit to a remarkable place-the Museo del Holocausto in Guatemala, Central America's only Holocaust museum. Marco Gonzalez, YIU Executive Director: "Teaching the consequences of indifference can be the key to institute change in a violent society." (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161201/444850 ) Video -https://youtu.be/opJyeZGSy1o The museum was founded by Yahad-In Unum (YIU)-whose name comes from the Hebrew and Latin words for 'together'-a French, Christian organization dedicated to locating mass graves of Jewish and Roma victims of Nazi genocide in Eastern Europe. YIU itself was founded by Father Patrick Desbois following a stark realization during a visit to Rava-Ruska, Ukraine to the place where his grandfather was imprisoned during World War II. When Desbois asked where the roughly 10,000 Jews murdered were buried, he got no answers. Through careful research and interviews, he discovered the unmarked forest graves of thousands of forgotten people. "I realized they were left like animals," said Desbois. "My shock when confronted with this fact is difficult to describe." YIU has since expanded significantly and has located and documented over 3,000 killing sites in Eastern Europe, providing valuable information for scholars and the families of victims. With a wealth of data, interviews and experience, YIU founded the Museo de Holocausto in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The choice of Guatemala is symbolic in that it is a country recovering from a bloody civil war that claimed the lives of over 200,000 people. Moreover, due to the fact that the Guatemalan Ministry of Education has passed a law requiring all students to study the Holocaust, the lessons from Nazi crimes have urgent and modern importance, especially to the young. Mira Maylor, the Israeli artist putting on the exhibition at the museum, creates powerful three-dimensional art using glass, iron and wood, to address borders of morality and human choices. "A museum which details the historic tragedy of the Holocaust should appeal to Guatemalans, who have also suffered greatly from war," said Maylor. "It may be cliche, but art is a universal language that can cross any border and I hope the humanity displayed here serves to inspire people to abandon violence." LINKS: PHOTOS FROM THE EXHIBITION http://www.museodelholocausto.org.gt/multimedia/ LONG VERSION ARTICLE http://www.museodelholocausto.org.gt/memory-of-the-holocaust-through-art-opens-at-new-guatemalan-holocaust-museum-founded-by-yahad-in-unum/ Contact: Hannah Ackerman, HACOMM28@gmail.com SOURCE Yahad-In Unum (YIU) SHANGHAI, December 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Founded in 2007, Parkopedia now provides detailed information on 50 million parking spaces in 6000 cities in 75 countries; including real-time parking space availability information in over 1000 cities in 30 countries; Parkopedia's premium parking services now cover all the Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities in China , including Hong Kong and Macao ; , including and ; Mazda launched the Parkopedia premium parking service with the car model Atenza in Q3, 2016 Telematics@China, Shanghai, China, - December 7th 2016 Parkopedia, the world's largest parking service provider, announced today that it has launched its premium in-car parking service with Mazda China. This new premium parking service is provided in partnership with MXNavi, China's leading in-vehicle navigation system and location based service provider. It includes space availability information, which allows drivers to go directly to an open spot as opposed to circling the block searching for an opening. James Wang, Parkopedia's Managing Director China, added "Mazda and MXnavi have been building a premium connected navigation solution for the China market. We are proud to be part of this market leading service." Commenting on the announcement, Parkopedia's CEO Eugene Tsyrklevich said "Since the opening of our Shanghai office in 2014 Parkopedia has firmly established itself as the parking services leader in China. This announcement confirms that Parkopedia is the go to supplier for premium in-car parking services in China and globally." Notes to Editors: Parkopedia is the world's leading parking service provider used by millions of drivers and organizations such as Apple, Audi, BMW, Coyote, Ford, Garmin, GM, Jaguar, Land Rover, Peugeot, Sygic, TomTom, Toyota, Volvo and many others. Parkopedia provides detailed static information on 50 million parking spaces in 6000 cities in 75 countries; including real-time parking space availability information in over 1000 cities in 30 countries. The service allows drivers to find the closest parking to their destination, tells them how much it will cost and whether the space is available. Parkopedia also allows drivers to pay for parking online, through a mobile app and in-car. Further Enquiries: James Wang Managing Director China T: +86-18621832223 E: james@parkopedia.com Christina Onesirosan Martinez MBA MCIM Marketing Director Parkopedia T: +44-(0)7980-058760 E:christina@parkopedia.com W: http://www.parkopedia.com SOURCE Parkopedia CALGARY, Alberta, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Pembina Pipeline Corporation ("Pembina" or the "Company") (TSX: PPL; NYSE: PBA) announced today that its Board of Directors declared a common share cash dividend for December 2016 of $0.16 per share to be paid, subject to applicable law, on January 15, 2017 to shareholders of record on December 31, 2016. This dividend is designated an "eligible dividend" for Canadian income tax purposes. For non-resident shareholders, Pembina's common share dividends should be considered "qualified dividends" and may be subject to Canadian withholding tax. For shareholders receiving their common share dividends in U.S. funds, the December 2016 cash dividend is expected to be approximately U.S. $0.1205 per share (before deduction of any applicable Canadian withholding tax) based on a currency exchange rate of 0.7530. The actual U.S. dollar dividend will depend on the Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate on the payment date and will be subject to applicable withholding taxes. Confirmation of Record and Payment Date Policy Pembina pays cash dividends on its common shares in Canadian dollars on a monthly basis to shareholders of record on the 25th calendar day of each month (except for the December record date, which is December 31st), if, as and when determined by the Board of Directors. Should the record date fall on a weekend or a statutory holiday, the effective record date will be the previous business day. The dividend payment date is the 15th of the month following the record date. Should the payment date fall on a weekend or on a holiday the business day prior to the weekend or holiday becomes the payment date. About Pembina Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Corporation is a leading transportation and midstream service provider that has been serving North America's energy industry for over 60 years. Pembina owns and operates an integrated system of pipelines that transport various products derived from natural gas and hydrocarbon liquids produced primarily in western Canada. The Company also owns and operates gas gathering and processing facilities and an oil and natural gas liquids infrastructure and logistics business. Pembina's integrated assets and commercial operations along the entire hydrocarbon value chain allow it to offer a full spectrum of midstream and marketing services to the energy sector. Pembina is committed to working with its community and aboriginal neighbours, while providing value for investors in a safe, environmentally responsible manner. This balanced approach to operating ensures the trust Pembina builds among all of its stakeholders is sustainable over the long-term. Pembina's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under PPL and PBA, respectively. For more information, visit www.pembina.com. Forward-Looking Information and Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking information and statements that are based on Pembina's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends. In this news release, such forward-looking information and statements can be identified by terminology such as "to be", "expects", and similar expressions. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to: future dividends which may be declared on Pembina's common shares, the dividend payment and the tax treatment thereof. These forward-looking statements are being made by Pembina based on certain assumptions that Pembina has made in respect thereof as at the date of this news release, regarding, among other things: oil and gas industry exploration and development activity levels; the success of Pembina's operations and growth projects; prevailing commodity prices, margins, volumes and exchange rates; that Pembina's future results of operations will be consistent with past performance and management expectations in relation thereto; the continued availability of capital at attractive prices to fund future capital requirements relating to existing assets and projects, including but not limited to future capital expenditures relating to expansion, upgrades and maintenance shutdowns; the success of growth projects; future operating costs; that any third party projects relating to Pembina's growth projects will be sanctioned and completed as expected; that any required commercial agreements can be reached; that all required regulatory and environmental approvals can be obtained on the necessary terms in a timely manner; that counterparties to material agreements will continue to perform in a timely manner; that there are no unforeseen events preventing the performance of contracts; and that there are no unforeseen material construction, integrity or other costs related to current growth projects or current operations. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: the regulatory environment and decisions; non-performance of agreements in accordance with their terms; the impact of competitive entities and pricing; reliance on key industry partners, alliances and agreements; the strength and operations of the oil and natural gas production industry and related commodity prices; the continuation or completion of third-party projects; actions by governmental or regulatory authorities including changes in tax laws and treatment, changes in royalty rates or increased environmental regulation; adverse general economic and market conditions in Canada, North America and elsewhere; fluctuations in operating results; construction delays; labour and material shortages; and certain other risks detailed from time to time in Pembina's public disclosure documents including, among other things, those detailed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Pembina's management's discussion and analysis and annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2015, which can be found at www.sedar.com. Accordingly, readers are cautioned that events or circumstances could cause results to differ materially from those predicted, forecasted or projected. Such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by the above statements. Pembina does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward looking statements or information contained herein, except as required by applicable laws. For further information: Investor Relations, Hayley McKenzie / Ian McAvity, (403) 231-3156, 1-855-880-7404, e-mail: investor-relations@pembina.com, www.pembina.com Related Links http://www.pembina.com SOURCE Pembina Pipeline Corporation DUBLIN, Dec 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Bulletproof Vest Market 2016-2020" report to their offering. The report forecasts the global bullet proof vest market to grow at a CAGR of 7.47% during the period 2016-2020. The report has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market. One of latest trends in the market is growing demand for Dyneema. The particular purpose of Dyneema used in the bulletproof vest is to reduce the impact of the bullet in a significant manner. The materials currently used is made from Ultra High Molecular Weight Poly Ethylene (UHMWPE) and aramid fibers. The aramid fibers are developed by upgrading the bulletproof nylon fiber whereas UHMWPE is developed from polyesters. Kevlar is the dominating material that is used in the bulletproof vest, which belongs to the aramid fiber. However, Dyneema belongs to UHMWPE, and has the same formula as that of common polyethylene but is different due to its high molecular weight. Dyneema is expected to dominate the market owing to its strengths when compared to the traditional material, Kevlar. According to the report, one of the primary drivers in the market is growth in arms and ammunition transfer. The terrorists are easily acquiring weapons in two major ways. Firstly, through the illegal trade of weapons like mortars, land mines, and rifles. These weapons are being circulated for years as a result of the Soviet Union and the US supporting their allies during the Cold War. These weapons can be easily smuggled across the borders. The second way to acquire the weapons is through the non-state organizational acquisition of weapons from soldiers defeated in battles. Key vendors: VestGuard UK Point Black Body Armor Canarmor Black Hawk Key Topics Covered: Part 01: Executive summary Part 02: Scope of the report Part 03: Market research methodology Part 04: Introduction Part 05: Market landscape Part 06: Market segmentation by end-user Part 07: Product segmentation Part 08: Geographical segmentation Part 09: Market drivers Part 10: Impact of drivers Part 11: Market challenges Part 12: Impact of drivers and challenges Part 13: Market trends Part 14: Vendor landscape Part 15: Appendix For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/r7c7gk/global Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, Dec 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "UAE Facility Management Market By Type (Property, Cleaning, Security, Catering, Support), By End-Users (Industrial, Commercial, Residential) Forecast & Opportunities, 2021" report to their offering. The facility management market in the UAE is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of over 9% during 2016-2021. Property services dominated the country's FM market in 2015, and the segment is anticipated to maintain its dominance over the next five years. However, in terms of growth, the market of security services in the UAE is expected to register fastest CAGR growth over the next five years. Facility Management (FM) is a profession that encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure functionality of the built environment by integrating people, place, process and technology. Facility management services are essential for the effective operations of any company, as they ensure smooth functioning of any organization and assist the company in focusing over its core business competency. In order to reduce the dependency on crude oil based exports, the UAE aims to diversify its economy and plans to invest in non-oil based sectors, such as construction and real estate. With improving commercial sector and increasing number of residential projects in the country, the UAE facility management market is expected to grow at a healthy pace during next five years. In addition, emergence of Cloud-based solutions is further expected to aid the growth of the country's facility management market over the span of next five years. Dubai is the largest demand generating region for facility management services in the UAE on account of tourism sector. Few of the leading players operating in UAE facility management market includes Emrill Services LLC., Imdaad, Farnek Service LLC, EFS Facility Management Services and Khidmah L.L.C, among others. Market Trends & Developments Growing Focus on Sustainability Technology Integration Integration of Facility Management in Building Design Booming Internet of Things (IoT) Market Increasing Focus on Outsourcing Key Topics Covered: 1. Product Overview 2. Research Methodology 3. Analyst View 4. UAE Facility Management Market Outlook 5. UAE Property Service Market Outlook 6. UAE Cleaning Service Market Outlook 7. UAE Security Service Market Outlook 8. UAE Catering Service Market Outlook 9. UAE Support Service Market Outlook 10. Market Dynamics 11. Market Trends & Developments 12. Policy and Regulatory Landscape 13. UAE Economic Profile 14. Competitive Landscape 15. Strategic Recommendations Companies Mentioned Al Shirawi facilities Management LLC COFELY BESIX Facility Management EFS Facilities Management Services EMRILL Services LLC. Enova Facility Management Services LLC Etisalat facilities Management L.L.C. Farnek Services LLC Imdaad Interserve Khidmah LLC For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/b4pg3d/uae_facility Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com SOURCE Research and Markets COPENHAGEN, Denmark, December 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Will this be the year when China exceeds growth expectations, Brexit turns into Bremain, the Mexican peso soars and Italian banks turn out to the best performing equity asset class? Saxo Bank, the online multi-asset trading and investment specialist, has today released its annual set of 'Outrageous Predictions' for the year ahead. Continuing in the tradition of making a selection of calls aimed at provoking conversation on what might surprise or shock the investment returns in the year ahead this year's predictions cover a range of scenarios, including a Chinese growth rebound, an Italian bank rally, Brexit giving way to Bremain and the EU's willingness to change in the face of populist backlash, among others. The Outrageous Predictions should not be considered Saxo's official market outlook, it is instead the events and market moves deemed outliers with huge potentials for upsetting consensus views. Steen Jakobsen, Chief Economist at Saxo Bank, commented: "After a year in which reality has managed to surpass even seemingly unlikely calls - with the Brexit surprise and the US election outcome - the common theme for our Outrageous Predictions for 2017 is that desperate times call for desperate actions. "With change always happening in times of crisis, 2017 may be a wakeup call which sees a real departure from the 'business as usual', both in central bank expansionism and government austerity policies which have characterized the post-2009 crisis. "As some of our past outrageous predictions have turned out to be far less outrageous that at first thought, it is important that investors are aware of the range of possibilities outside of the market consensus so that they can make informed decisions, even in seemingly unlikely market scenarios." It is in this spirit that we release Saxo Bank's Outrageous Predictions for 2017: China GDP swells to 8% and the SHCOMP hits 5,000 China understands that it has reached the end of the road of its manufacturing and infrastructure growth phase and, through a massive stimulus from fiscal and monetary policies, opens up capital markets to successfully steer a transition to consumption-led growth. This results in 8% growth in 2017, with the resurgence owing to the growth in the services sector. Euphoria over private consumption-driven growth sees the Shanghai Composite Index double from its 2016 level, surpassing 5,000. Desperate Fed follows BoJ lead to fix 10-year Treasuries at 1.5% As US dollar and US interest rates rise in increasingly painful fashion in 2017, the testosterone driven fiscal policy of the new US President leads US 10-year yields to reach 3%, causing market panic. On the verge of disaster, the Federal Reserve copies the Bank of Japan's Yield Curve Control, by fixing the 10-year Government yield at 1.5%, but from a different angle, effectively introducing QE4 or QE Endless. This in turn promptly stops the selloff in global equity and bond markets, leading to the biggest gain for bond markets in seven years. Critical voices are lost in the roar of yet another central bank-infused rally. High-yield default rate exceeds 25% With the long-term average default rate for high yield bonds being 3.77%, jumping during the US recessions of 1990, 2000 and 2009 to 16%, 10% and 12% respectively, 2017 sees default rates as high as 25%. As we reach the limits of central bank intervention, governments around the world move towards fiscal stimulus, leading to a rise in interest rates (ex Japan ), thus steepening the yield curve dramatically. As trillions of corporate bonds face the world of hurt, the problem is exacerbated by a rotation away from bond funds, widening spreads and making refinancing of low grade debt impossible. With default rates reaching 25%, inefficient corporate actors are no longer viable allowing for a more efficient allocation of capital. Brexit never happens as the UK Bremains The global populist uprising, seen across both sides of the Atlantic, disciplines the EU leadership into a more cooperative stance towards the UK. As negotiations progress, the EU makes key concessions on immigration and on passporting rights for UK-based financial services firms, and by the time Article 50 is triggered and put before Parliament, it is turned down in favour of the new deal. The UK is kept within the EU's orbit, the Bank of England hikes the rate to 0.5% and EURGBP plummets to 0.7300 - invoking the symbolism of 1973, the year of UK's entry into the EEC. Doctor copper catches a cold Copper was one of the clear commodity winners following the US election; however in 2017 the market begins to realise that the new president will struggle to deliver the promised investments and the expected increase in copper demand fails to materialise. Faced with growing discontent at home, President Trump turns up the volume on protectionism, introducing trade barriers that will spell trouble for emerging markets as well as Europe . Global growth starts weakening while China's demand for industrial metals slows as it move towards a consumption-led growth. Once HG Copper breaches a trend-line support, going back all the way to 2002 at $2 /lb, the floodgates open and a wave of speculative selling helps send copper down to the 2009 financial-crisis low at $1.25 /lb. Huge gains for Bitcoin as cryptocurrencies rise Under President Trump the US fiscal spending increases the US budget deficit from $600 billion to $1.2 -1.8 trillion. This causes US growth and inflation to sky rocket, forcing the Federal Reserve to accelerate the hike and the US dollar reaches new highs. This creates a domino effect in emerging markets, and particularly China , who start looking for alternatives to the fiat money system dominated by the US dollar and its over-reliance on US monetary policy. This leads to an increased popularity of cryptocurrency alternatives, with Bitcoin benefiting the most. As the banking systems and the sovereigns of Russia and China move to accept Bitcoin as a partial alternative to the USD, Bitcoin triples in value, from the current $700 level to $2,100 . US healthcare reform triggers sector panic Healthcare expenditure is around 17% of GDP compared to the world average of 10% and an increasing share of US population cannot pay for their medical bills. The initial relief rally in healthcare stocks after Trump's victory quickly fades into 2017 as investors realise that the administration will not go easy on healthcare but instead launches sweeping reforms of the unproductive and expensive US healthcare system. The Health Care Sector SPDF Fund ETF plunges 50% to $35 , ending the most spectacular bull market in US equities since the financial crisis. Despite Trump, Mexican peso soars especially against CAD The market has drastically overestimated Donald Trump's true intention or even ability to crack down on trade with Mexico , allowing the beaten-down peso to surge. Meanwhile Canada suffers as higher interest rates initiate a credit crunch in the housing market. Canadian banks buckle under, forcing the Bank of Canada into quantitative easing mode and injecting capital into the financial system. Additionally, CAD underperforms as Canada enjoys far less of the US' growth resurgence than it would have in the past because of the longstanding hollowing out of Canada's manufacturing base transformed from globalisation and years of an excessively strong currency. CADMXN corrects as much as 30% from 2016 highs. Italian banks are the best performing equity asset German banks are caught up in the spiral of negative interest rates and flat yield curves and can't access the capital markets. In the EU framework, a German bank bailout inevitably means an EU bank bailout, and this comes not a moment too soon for the Italian banks which are saddled with non-performing loans and a stagnant local economy. The new guarantee allows the banking system to recapitalise and a European Bad Debt Bank is established to clean up the balance sheet of the eurozone and get the bank credit mechanism to work again. Italian bank stocks rally more than 100%. EU stimulates growth through mutual euro bonds Faced with the success of populist parties in Europe , and with the dramatic victory of Geert Wilders far-right party in the Netherlands , traditional political parties begin moving away from austerity policies and favouring instead Keynesian-style policies launched by President Roosevelt post the 1929 crisis. The EU launches a stimulus six-year plan of EUR 630 billion backed by EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker , however to avoid dilution resulting from an increase in imports, the EU leaders announce the issuance of EU bonds, at first geared towards 1 trillion of infrastructure investment, reinforcing the integration of the region and prompting capital inflows into the EU. The whole publication "Outrageous Predictions for 2017" and more details can be found here: https://www.home.saxo/campaigns/publications/outrageous-predictions-2017 https://www.tradingfloor.com/publications/outrageous-predictions About Saxo Bank Saxo Bank Group (Saxo) is a leading multi-asset trading and investment specialist, offering a complete set of investment and trading technologies, tools and strategies. For almost 25 years, Saxo's mission has been to enable individuals and institutions by facilitating their access to professional investing and trading through technology and expertise. As a fully licensed and regulated bank, Saxo enables its private clients to trade multiple asset classes across global financial markets from one single margin account and across multiple devices. Additionally, Saxo provides institutional clients such as banks and brokers with multi-asset execution, prime brokerage services and trading technology. Saxo's award winning trading platforms are available in more than 20 languages and form the technology backbone of more than 100 financial institutions worldwide. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Saxo employs more than 1500 people in financial centres around the world including London, Singapore, Paris, Zurich, Dubai and Tokyo. SOURCE Saxo Bank PUNE, India, December 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Synthetic Leather Market by Type (Polyurethane, Polyvinyl Chloride, Bio-based), End-Use Industry (Footwear, Furnishing, Automotive, Clothing, Bags, Purses & Wallets) - Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global market was valued at USD 51.81 Billion in 2015, and is projected to reach USD 208.81 Billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 13.4% from 2016 to 2026. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 ) Browse 109 market data Tables and 72 Figures spread through 178 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Synthetic Leather Market" http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/synthetic-leather-market-6616309.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. The growing demand for synthetic leather in the footwear industry, and concerns regarding the killing of animals for the production of pure leather, is expected to drive the market in the future. PU synthetic leather accounts for the largest share in the synthetic leather market The global synthetic leather market is segmented based on type, into PU-based, PVC-based, and bio-based. In 2015, PU-based synthetic leather captured the maximum share of the overall market; it is also expected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period. PU leather is considered more environment friendly as compared to vinyl based leather, as it does not create dioxins. PU-based based leather is more expensive than PVC-based leather, due to the extensive manufacturing process that is required. Companies are also manufacturing microfiber PU leather, which is high quality leather, and has properties that are better than pure leather. Download PDF Brochure @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=6616309 Growing demand from the footwear industry to boost the synthetic leather market The major end-use industries of synthetic leather are footwear, furnishing, automotive, clothing, bags, purses & wallets, and others. The demand for synthetic leather in the footwear industry is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth in this industry is driven by the growing incomes, and economic growth. Another major driver for the growth in demand for synthetic leather in various countries is the variation in climatic conditions, which requires different kinds of footwear. Asia-Pacific: The largest market in synthetic leather The global synthetic leather market is segmented into five regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and South America. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest Synthetic Leather Market, closely followed by Europe, in terms of value. The growing end-use industries such as, automotive, footwear, and furnishing, coupled with regulations regarding animal welfare is driving the demand for synthetic leather in the Asia-Pacific region. The presence of many international fashion brands in Europe is driving the demand for synthetic leather in the region. Make an Inquiry @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=6616309 Currently, market players such as, Kuraray Co. Ltd. (Japan), San Fang Chemical industry Co. Ltd (Taiwan), Teijin Limited (Japan), Mayur Uniquoters Ltd. (India), Nan Ya Plastics Co. Ltd. (Taiwan), Filwel Co. Ltd. (Japan), Zhejiang Hexin Industry Group Co., Ltd. (China), Alfatex (Italy), H.R. Polycoats Pvt. Ltd. (India), and Yantai Wanhua Synthetic Leather Group Co. Ltd. (China) are leading the global synthetic leather market. Browse Related Reports: Leather Chemicals Market by Type (Tanning & Dyeing Chemicals, Beamhouse Chemicals and Finishing Chemicals) and by Region - Trends & Forecasts to 2019 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/leather-chemicals-market-144076732.html Automotive Interior Material Market by Type (Fabrics, Genuine Leathers, Artificial PU Leather, Artificial PVC Leather, Synthetic Leathers & Thermoplastic Polymers) and Region - Trends & Forecasts to 2019 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/automotive-interior-materials-advanced-technologies-and-global-market-89.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 Markets and Markets 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 SOURCE MarketsandMarkets DUBLIN, Dec 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Ubiquitin Enzymes: Key Targets and Future Market Potential, 2016-2030" report to their offering. One of the key objectives of this report was to understand the current activity and the future potential of the market. The study provides a detailed market forecast and opportunity analysis for the period between 2016 and 2030. The research, analysis and insights presented in this report include a detailed description of ubiquitin enzyme inhibitors along with drug classes closely associated with them. To add robustness to our model, we have provided three scenarios for our market forecast, namely the conservative, base and optimistic scenarios, to account for future uncertainties. The opinions and insights presented in this study were influenced by several discussions conducted with experts in this domain. All actual figures have been sourced and analyzed from publicly available information forums and from primary research. All financial figures mentioned in this report are in USD, unless otherwise specified. Key Topics Covered: 1. Preface 1.1. Chapter Overview 1.2. Research Methodology 1.3. Chapter Outlines 2. Executive Summary 3. Introduction 3.1. Chapter Overview 3.2. The Concept of Protein Homeostasis 3.3. Importance of Post Translational Modifications in Cellular Functions 3.4. Discovery of the Ubiquitin/Ubiquitin Proteasome System 3.5. Ubiquitin: Structure and Function 3.6. Fundamentals of the UPS 3.7. Therapeutic Applications of UPS 3.8. Emergence of Ubiquitin Enzyme Inhibitors 4. Ubiquitin Enzyme Inhibitors: Market Overview 4.1. Chapter Overview 4.2. Ubiquitin Enzyme Inhibitors: Development Pipeline 4.3. Ubiquitin Enzyme Inhibitors: Distribution by Phase of Development 4.4. Ubiquitin Enzyme Inhibitors: Distribution by Therapeutic Area 4.5. Ubiquitin Enzyme Inhibitors: Distribution by Target Ubiquitin Enzymes 4.6. Ubiquitin Enzyme Inhibitors: Distribution by Geography 4.7. Ubiquitin Enzyme Inhibitors: Most Active Industry Players 4.8. Ubiquitin Enzyme Inhibitors: Research Tools, Key Technologies and Precursor Compounds 5. Key Insights: Therapeutic Areas and Potential Targets 5.1. Chapter Overview 5.2. Ubiquitin Enzyme Inhibitors Clinical Development Analysis: Therapeutic Areas 5.3. Ubiquitin Enzyme Inhibitors Clinical Development Analysis: Potential Targets 5.4. Ubiquitin Enzyme Inhibitors Clinical Development Analysis: Developer Landscape 5.5. Developers of Ubiquitin Enzyme Inhibitors: Geographical Presence 5.6. Ubiquitin Enzyme Inhibitors and UPS: Recent/Upcoming Conferences 6. E1 and E2 Enzymes as Therapeutic Targets 6.1. Chapter Overview 6.2. E1 Activating Enzymes as Drug Targets 6.3. E2 Conjugating Enzymes as Drug Targets 7. E3 Enzymes as Therapeutic Targets 7.1. Chapter Overview 7.2. E3 Ligases: An Introduction 7.3. E3 Ligases: Mechanism of Action 7.4. E3 Ligases: Important Families 7.5. E3 Ligase Inhibitors: List of Related Targets 7.6. E3 Ligase Inhibitors: Screening Methods 7.7. E3 Ligase Inhibitors: Development Pipeline 7.8. E3 Ligase Inhibitors: Drug Profiles 7.9. E3 Ligase Inhibitors: Challenges and Opportunities 8. DUB Enzymes as Therapeutic Targets 8.1. Chapter Overview 8.2. DUBs: An Introduction 8.3. DUBs: Mechanism of Action 8.4. DUBs: Important Families 8.5. DUB Inhibitors: List of Related Targets 8.6. DUB Inhibitors: Screening Methods 8.7. DUB Inhibitors: Development Pipeline 8.8. DUB Inhibitors: Drug Profiles 8.9. DUB Inhibitors Development: Challenges and Opportunities 9. Associated Drug Classes 9.1. Chapter Overview 9.2. Proteasome Inhibitors 9.3. Immunomodulatory Drugs 9.4. IAP Inhibitors 10. Venture Capital Interest 10.1. Chapter Overview 10.2. Funding Instances: Distribution by Type of Funding 10.3. Funding Instances for Development of Ubiquitin Based Therapeutics 10.4. Rising Venture Capital Interest 10.5. Leading Players: Distribution by Number of Funding Instances 10.6. Most Active Venture Capital Firms/Investors 10.7. Funding Instances: Distribution by Focus Area 11. Recent Collaborations 11.1. Chapter Overview 11.2. Partnership Models/Agreements 11.3. UPS Based Therapeutics: Recent Collaborations 11.4. Recent Collaborations: Distribution by Month/Year 11.5. Recent Collaborations: Distribution by Type of Model 11.6. Recent Collaborations: Distribution by Focus Area 11.7. Recent Collaborations: Most Active Companies 12. Market Forecast and Opportunity Analysis 12.1. Chapter Overview 12.2. Scope and Limitations 12.3. Forecast Methodology 12.4. Overall Ubiquitin Enzyme Inhibitors Market 12.5. Ubiquitin Enzyme Inhibitors Market: Individual Forecasts 13. Conclusion 13.1. Drugs Targeting Protein Modification Pathways Have Emerged as Valuable Therapeutic Options 13.2. Extensive Research is Being Carried Out to Address the Challenges Associated with Drug Discovery 13.3. The Evolving Pipeline Caters to a Wide Spectrum of Disease Indications 13.4. Targeted Therapies are Being Developed by Leveraging Inherent Specificity of Various UPS Components 13.5. Growing Partnerships and VC Support are Indicative of Lucrative Future Potential 13.6. Novel Technology Platforms and Therapeutic Concepts Will Act as Key Enablers to Drive Future Growth 13.7. Once Approved, Ubiquitin Enzyme Inhibitors are Poised to Achieve an Accelerated Growth 14. Interview Transcripts 14.1. Chapter Overview 14.2. Martin Wiles, Vice President Business Development and Licensing, Almac Discovery Gerald Gavory, Director of Biology, Almac Discovery 14.3. Katrin Rittinger, Research Group Leader, Francis Crick Institute 14.4. Zhihao Zhuang, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Of Delaware 15. Appendix 1: Tabulated Data 16. Appendix 2: List Of Companies And Organizations 3SBio 5AM Ventures Ventures ARCH Venture Partners Abbiotec Abcam AcelRx Pharmaceuticals Aegera Therapeutics Aeneas Ventures Agilis Biotherapeutics Aileron Therapeutics Aju IB Investment Alexion Pharmaceuticals Almac Discovery Amgen Angelman Syndrome Foundation Apeiron Biologics Apple Tree Partners Arcus Ventures Argenta Discovery Argos Soditic Arvinas Ascenta Therapeutics Ascentage Pharma Astellas Venture Management Astex Pharmaceuticals AstraZeneca Australasian Leukemia and Lymphoma Group Avacta BPS Biosciences Bavarian Research Foundation Bio-Techne BioTheryx Biogen Biogenova Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Boehringer Ingelheim Boston Biochem Boston University Technology Development Fund Technology Development Fund BostonBiochem Business Development Bank of Canada Business Development Corporation (BDC) Capital C4 Therapeutics CMEA Ventures Calculus Capital Canaan Partners Cancer Research Technology Captor Therapeutics Carmot Therapeutics Cayman Chemicals Celgene Corporation Cell Signaling Technology CellCentric CellXplore Cellivery Therapeutics Celon Laboratories Chinese University of Hong Kong Cisbio Bioassays Clarus Ventures Cleave Biosciences Cobro Ventures Columbia University Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University Connecticut Innovations Cormorant Asset Management Curis Cyclofluidic Daiichi Sankyo Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Debiopharm Desjardins Venture Capital Deutsche Bank Domain Associates Dr. Reddy's Draper Esprit Draper Fisher Jurvetson E3X Bio EG Capital Group Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners Elan Pharmaceuticals Elm Street Ventures Encycle Therapeutics Endeavour Vision Ensemble Therapeutics Enterprise Partners Enzo Lifesciences Erimos Pharmaceutical Excel Venture Management F-Prime Capital Partners Flagship Ventures Focus Biomolecules Forma Therapeutics Foundation Venture Capital Group Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST) Fox Chase Cancer Center Francis Crick Institute Genentech (Hoffmann-La Roche) GlaxoSmithKline GrowthWorks Capital Halle University Harris & Harris Group Harvard Medical School Hasso Plattner Ventures Hatteras Venture Partners HealthCare Ventures Horizon Discovery Human Genome Sciences Hybrigenics IP Group Imperial Innovations Index Ventures Innovate UK Intrexon Invenio Therapeutics Investissement Quebec Janssen Research & Development Kamiya Biomedical Company Karolinska Institute Laboratorio Varifarma Latterell Venture Partners Life Technologies LifeSensors Ligand Pharmaceuticals Lilly Ventures Linkoping University Lurie Investment Fund MVM Life Science Partners MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund Majuven Makoto Life Sciences Mayo Clinic Medical Research Council Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Merck Meso Scale Discovery MiRx Pharmaceuticals Michael J. Fox Foundation Millennium Pharmaceuticals Miltenyi Biotec Mission Therapeutics Morningside Venture Investments Mount Sinai Hospital's Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute Multiple Capital Natco Pharma National Cancer Institute National Institutes of Health Small Business Innovation Research New Enterprise Associates New Leaf Venture Partners New York University Nextech Invest Novartis Pharmaceuticals Novitas Capital Novus Biologics Nurix Nxt2b Ono Pharmaceutical Onyx Pharmaceuticals OrbiMed Osage University Partners Oxford Bioscience Partners Parkwalk Advisors Peloton Therapeutics Penn Pharmaceutical Services PerkinElmer Perrigo Company Perseus Pfizer Pharmascience Pharmion Corporation Priaxon Progenra Promega Proteologics Proteostasis Therapeutics Proteros Biostructures Providence Investment Company Quaker BioVentures Queen's University R & D Systems RA Capital Management Remeditex Ventures Rigel Pharmaceuticals Roche Roswell Park Cancer Institute SR One SV Life Sciences Sanofi Sanofi-Genzyme BioVentures Santa Cruze Biotech Scottish Investment Bank (Investment Arm of Scottish Enterprise) Selleckchem Sequoia Capital Servier Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Sigma-Aldrich Sofinnova Ventures Statsyuk Research Group Stemgent Supergen Taiho Pharmaceutical Takeda Tensha Therapeutics TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals The Column Group Thermo Fisher Scientific Thiel Foundation's Breakout Labs Third Rock Ventures Tocris Tokyo Medical University UBP Biotech UbiQ Therapeutics Ubiquigent Universities of Toronto and Sherbrooke and University of Birmingham University of Cambridge Enterprise Enterprise University of Delaware University of Dundee University of Florida University of Glasgow University of Liverpool University of Michigan University of Oxford University of Rome Tor Vergata University of South Florida (USF) (USF) University of Texas University of Toronto Universite de Montreal VenGrowth Capital Partners Vivolux Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Woodford Patient Capital Trust Wren Capital Yale University Yonsei University College of Medicine College of Medicine Yorkville Advisors For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/qpzw26/ubiquitin Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com SOURCE Research and Markets STAVANGER, Norway, December 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Xait is awarded the Certificate of Conformity to the ISO 27001 standard after successfully passing an audit by PECB. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130429/612675 ) Xait demonstrates commitment to safeguarding sensitive and confidential data. Due to the expanding scope and volume of regulations, the way firms consume data and engage with their data providers is evolving, with new requirements for enhanced levels of flexibility and efficiency in their data management processes. Xait meets the highest international security standard. ISO 27001 is an internationally recognized information security management standard which ensures that a business has stringent processes in place to identify, manage and reduce risks to information security. "Xait has adhered to the ISO 27001 standard for many years. It has helped us improve the information security for Xait and our clients in a structured way. On behalf of Xait, I am very pleased to receive a formal acknowledgement," exclaims Mr. Hans Lie, CISO in Xait. A quick look at the three most important areas the ISO 27001 covers: An overarching process to ensure that information security controls continue to meet information security needs for both your organization and its customers on an ongoing basis. It designs and implements a comprehensive set of information security controls and other risk management measures to address those risks that are deemed unacceptable. It systematically examines the organization's information security risks, taking account of the threats, vulnerabilities, and impacts, and has measures in place to manage or reduce them. "Information is an extremely valuable asset that we handle with great care in Xait. When properly managed, it allows both Xait and our customers to operate with confidence. Xait's information security management is an important part of our business model that ensures the confidentiality, integrity and availability of our customers' information," says CEO Mr. Owe Lie - Bjelland. What is ISO/IEC 27001 ISO/IEC 27001 formally specifies an Information Security Management System (ISMS), a suite of activities concerning the management of information risks (called 'information security risks' in the standard). The ISMS is an overarching management framework through which the organization identifies, analyzes and addresses its information risks. The ISMS ensures that the security arrangements are fine-tuned to keep pace with changes to the security threats, vulnerabilities and business impacts - an important aspect in such a dynamic field, and a key advantage of ISO27k's flexible risk-driven approach as compared to, say, PCI-DSS. About Xait Xait is a software company helping its customers optimize their complex document centric business processes resulting in increased efficiency, quality, security and control. More information at: xait.com What is XaitPorter? XaitPorter is a cloud-based software that enables several contributors to work on the same document at the same time. Teams can become more efficient and productive, while functionality includes built-in workflow, easy reuse of content, automatic formatting, layout and numbering. With XaitPorter, companies can simplify complexity when writing their business critical documents. Further information: Xait: Group CEO Owe Lie-Bjelland, owe.lie-bjelland@xait.com, +47 918 89 866 SOURCE Xait FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Nestle Health Science announced today the three winners of the seventh annual OPTIFAST "New You" contest, which is designed to recognize patients for their commitment to good health and emotional well-being. These remarkable individuals are living proof that healthy lifestyle changes and physical activity can help achieve a better quality of life. "Approximately one-third of adults in the United States are obese1," said David Green, General Manager, U.S. OPTIFAST business. "It is a problem faced by many, and we know that being overweight or obese can affect basic health and quality of life. The OPTIFAST program aims to provide individuals the opportunity to achieve long-term health and well-being goals and get back to doing some of the simple things they once enjoyed." To celebrate their amazing accomplishments, the winners, with a guest of their choice, were treated to a fun-filled weekend in New York City where they enjoyed a day at the spa for a head-to-toe makeover. The 2016 OPTIFAST New You weight loss contest winners are: Jeffrey Lavelle from Castaic, CA : A hard working husband and stepfather, Jeff had been surrounded by the constant temptations of food and poor eating habits for years. In January of 2016 when his on-the-go lifestyle started to show on the scale, Jeff and his wife Lisa decided it was time for a change and joined the OPTIFAST program together. As a result of Jeff's active participation in the program, he had lost approximately 95 pounds and had helped support Lisa as she lost approximately 54 pounds while actively participating in the program*. Following Jeff's personal success with the OPTIFAST program, Jeff strives to maintain his goal of living a better lifestyle by seeking out healthier food options. As a result of his weight loss, Jeff experienced improvements in his blood pressure and cholesterol levels*. The couple hopes to participate in a marathon at Disneyland one day, as it is their favorite place to visit together. A hard working husband and stepfather, Jeff had been surrounded by the constant temptations of food and poor eating habits for years. In January of 2016 when his on-the-go lifestyle started to show on the scale, Jeff and his wife Lisa decided it was time for a change and joined the OPTIFAST program together. As a result of Jeff's active participation in the program, he had lost approximately 95 pounds and had helped support Lisa as she lost approximately 54 pounds while actively participating in the program*. Following Jeff's personal success with the OPTIFAST program, Jeff strives to maintain his goal of living a better lifestyle by seeking out healthier food options. As a result of his weight loss, Jeff experienced improvements in his blood pressure and cholesterol levels*. The couple hopes to participate in a marathon at Disneyland one day, as it is their favorite place to visit together. Tara Trigg from Westerville, OH , who joined Central Ohio Nutrition Center at Columbus, OH : Throughout her early 20s, college life sent Tara down a path of inactivity and unhealthy eating habits. Afterwards, as an employee for the city of Westerville and a part-time manager at the community dance studio, Tara found herself not following her life's motto to "choose happy." After failing to keep up with the active lifestyle she once had through childhood competitive dance, she realized her weight had hit an all-time high. She was discouraged and embarrassed after not participating in her studio's annual recital because she felt she was too overweight to dance. After trying numerous diets, her family doctor referred her to the OPTIFAST program. Through actively participating in the program, Tara lost 54 pounds and learned to improve her lifestyle*. She was able to dance at the most recent recital and take back control of her life. Throughout her early 20s, college life sent Tara down a path of inactivity and unhealthy eating habits. Afterwards, as an employee for the city of and a part-time manager at the community dance studio, Tara found herself not following her life's motto to "choose happy." After failing to keep up with the active lifestyle she once had through childhood competitive dance, she realized her weight had hit an all-time high. She was discouraged and embarrassed after not participating in her studio's annual recital because she felt she was too overweight to dance. After trying numerous diets, her family doctor referred her to the OPTIFAST program. Through actively participating in the program, Tara lost 54 pounds and learned to improve her lifestyle*. She was able to dance at the most recent recital and take back control of her life. Emily Wayman from Kirksville, MO , who joined Complete Family Medicine at Kirksville, MO : Having to commute three hours a day for a teaching job left Emily passing the time by eating on the road. When she became overweight and could no longer fit into large clothing sizes, Emily believed she was too far gone and thought surgery was her only way out. When she agreed to attend an OPTIFAST informational meeting with her parents, she thought it could be a great first step before a surgery. The OPTIFAST program helped Emily change her lifestyle and achieve her weight goals. Today, Emily continues to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle through her roles as a health coach and in the Missouri National Guard. Emily has also completed four Tough Mudder races, a series of hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle races. To view the contest winners' before and after pictures, please visit www.OPTIFAST.com. *The success stories of these OPTIFAST New You Contest winners are representative of these individuals only and do not represent all OPTIFAST patients. OPTIFAST patients who actively participate in a 26-week program typically lose approximately 50 pounds with weight loss related improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol levels. About OPTIFAST OPTIFAST was developed in 1974 to fill the growing need to address obesity in a healthy, effective way. As diseases related to obesity became more prevalent, and more people began taking drastic measures to treat the problem, OPTIFAST was introduced as a sensible option for lifestyle transformation. The program combines support and counseling, lifestyle education, and medical monitoring with meal replacements to help people lose weight which can, in turn, reduce weight-related health risks. A team of dedicated medical professionals provide support. The OPTIFAST Program is available in over 400 clinics nationwide. OPTIFAST is a business segment within Nestle Health Science. For more information, to see patient stories and to find a clinic, visit www.optifast.com. About Nestle Health Science Nestle Health Science, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nestle S.A., is a health-science company engaged in advancing the role of nutritional therapy to change the course of health for consumers, patients and its partners in healthcare. Nestle Health Science's portfolio of nutrition solutions, diagnostics, devices and drugs targets a number of health areas, such as inborn errors of metabolism, pediatric and acute care, obesity care, healthy aging, and gastrointestinal and brain health. Through investing in innovation and leveraging leading edge science, Nestle Health Science brings forward innovative nutritional therapies with proven clinical, health economic value and quality of life benefits. Nestle Health Science employs around 3,000 people worldwide and is headquartered in Epalinges (near Lausanne), Switzerland. For more information, please visit www.nestlehealthscience.us . Contact: Mary Wade Nestle Health Science Phone: 612-384-8484 [email protected] Melissa Garvin Edible, Inc. Phone: 323-761-6518 [email protected] 1 Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). Overweight and Obesity. U.S. Obesity Trends: Trends by State 1995-2009. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151229/318407LOGO SOURCE Nestle Health Science Related Links http://www.nestlehealthscience.us ADELAIDE, Australia, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ex Libris, a ProQuest company, is pleased to announce that ACT Health, the body responsible for health services in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), has chosen to implement the Ex Libris Alma library services platform and the Ex Libris Primo discovery and delivery solution at the Canberra Hospital library to provide medical information for doctors, nurses, and allied health clinicians. These solutions will replace the library's Innovative Interfaces Millennium integrated library system (ILS). ACT Health chose the Alma and Primo solutions primarily for their cloud-based platform and customizable design. The service and support reputation of Ex Libris also played a major role in the decision. Saroj Bhatia, director of ACT Health Directorate Library and Multimedia Services at Canberra Hospital, explained, "It was important for ACT Health to have a single, unified resource management system. The new integrated platform will enable our library staff to manage library data and workflows in a cloud-based system that has been designed for this complex digital age. Our delivery and discovery services also need to be user friendly for our library community and support user customizations. Search results for all library resourcesprint and digitalwill now be displayed in a consolidated format, enhanced by Primo discovery capabilities. The cloud-based platform of Alma and Primo means that the integrated system will be easy to manage, maintain, modify, and update." Ziv BenZvi, vice president of Ex Libris Asia Pacific, remarked, "We are delighted that ACT Health has chosen Alma and Primo to provide information services at Canberra Hospital, addressing the needs of the hospital staff. We welcome ACT Health to the Ex Libris user community." About ACT Health and Canberra Hospital Canberra Hospital, in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), is the main hospital of ACT Health, providing a comprehensive range of services, such as acute inpatient and day services, outpatient services, and pathology services. Community-based care is provided from various venues across the ACT, as well as in people's homes. ACT Health designs sustainable services to deliver outcomes efficiently and embeds a culture of research and innovation. For more information, see http://www.health.act.gov.au/. About Ex Libris Ex Libris, a ProQuest company, is a leading global provider of cloud-based solutions for higher education and institutional, national, and academic libraries. Offering SaaS solutions for the management and discovery of the full spectrum of library and scholarly materials, as well as mobile campus solutions driving student engagement and success, Ex Libris serves thousands of customers in 90 countries. For more information about Ex Libris, see our website, and join us on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161201/444727LOGO SOURCE Ex Libris Related Links http://www.exlibrisgroup.com HOUSTON, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. (NYSE MKT: AE) announced today the election of Josh C. Anders as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company effective December 15, 2016. Sharon C. Davis will resign from her position as interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company and will continue in her position as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company. Mr. Anders served as Vice President, Controller and principal accounting officer for Southwestern Energy Company from 2012 through 2016 and held various finance and accounting positions of increasing responsibility from 2010 through 2012 with Southwestern Energy Company. Immediately prior to joining Southwestern Energy Company, from 2007 to 2009, he was Vice President, Business Development and Treasurer of Beryl Oil and Gas LP. Prior to that, he held various accounting and finance managerial positions with Pogo Producing Company. Mr. Anders holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Louisiana State University, a Masters in Accountancy from the University of Houston and an Executive Masters of Business Administration from Texas A&M University. He is a Certified Public Accountant. Thomas S. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "I am looking forward to working with Josh to further develop business opportunities and on the continued success of our Company." Adams Resources & Energy, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is engaged in the acquisition and marketing of crude oil; truck transportation of liquid chemicals; and oil and gas exploration and production. John Riney (713-881-3662) SOURCE Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. NEW YORK, Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Wound Care Management Market: Overview The market for wound care is growing phenomenally, due to growing advancement is treating complex wounds. Advanced wound care market is anticipated to grow in forecasted period, as the products has been a promising solution for faster recovery and wound healing. These products offer superior solution than traditional products by offering desired outcome and effectiveness in healing wounds. The increasing incidences of chronic wound has aggravated the need for the products that offers faster and efficient wound healing. Thus, majority of hospitals have shifted their preferences towards the advanced wound care products. It helps to decrease the average length of stay in hospitals through early recovery from wounds. This assists to decrease the length of hospital stay in order to reduce surgical costs. Thus the rising need and demand for advanced products that increases therapeutic outcome drives the advanced wound care market. Advanced Wound Care Management Market: Scope of the Report The report is a combination of primary and secondary research. Primary research formed the bulk of our research efforts, with information collected from telephonic interviews and interactions via e-mail. Secondary research involved study of company websites, annual reports, press releases, stock analysis presentations, and various national and international databases. The report provides market size in terms of US$ Mn for each segment for the period from 2014 to 2024, considering the macro and micro-environmental factors. Growth rates for each segment within the global advanced wound care market have been determined after a thorough analysis of past trends, demographics, future trends, technological developments, vaccination expenditure, and regulatory requirements. The market overview section of the report includes qualitative analysis of the overall advanced wound care market including the determining factors and market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities, along with white space analysis. In addition, market attractiveness analysis by geography, technique, product type, type of wounds, end-user, and competitive landscape by key players have been provided which explain the intensity of competition in the market considering different geographies. The competitive scenario between market players has been evaluated through market share analysis. These factors would help the market players take strategic decisions in order to strengthen their positions and increase their shares in the global market. Advanced Wound Care Management Market: Growth and Competitive Dynamics The driving factors for advanced wound care market are mainly increasing demand for faster recovery, decrease in healthcare cost by decreasing average length of stay in hospital, rising population falling for trauma, etc. Advanced wound care market is anticipated to grow in forecasted period, as the products has been a promising solution for faster recovery and wound healing. These products offer superior solution than traditional products by offering desired outcome and effectiveness in healing wounds. The increasing incidences of chronic wound has aggravated the need for the products that offers faster and efficient wound healing. Thus, majority of hospitals have shifted their preferences towards the advanced wound care products. It helps to decrease the average length of stay in hospitals through early recovery from wounds. This assists to decrease the length of hospital stay in order to reduce surgical costs. Thus the rising need and demand for advanced products that increases therapeutic outcome drives the advanced wound care market. Geographically, the global advanced wound care market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. The applications of advanced wound care are rapidly growing in North America due to increasing direct and indirect investments by the U.S. Government and private companies in wound care. Increasing investments and penetration by key market players in Asia Pacific are likely to drive the advance wound care market during the forecast period. Major players in the advanced wound care management market are 3M, Acelity L.P. Inc., B. Braun Melsungen AG, BSN medical GmbH, Coloplast A/S, ConvaTec Inc., Medline Industries, Inc., Medtronic, Molnlycke Health Care, Organogenesis, Inc., and Smith & Nephew plc. The global advanced wound care management market has been segmented as follows: Global Advanced Wound Care Management Market, by Product Type Advanced Wound Dressings Foam dressings Hydrocolloid dressings Hydrofiber dressings Film dressings Alginate dressings Hydrogel dressings Collagen dressings Active Wound Care Artificial skin and skin substitutes Growth Factors Antimicrobial dressing Global Advanced Wound Care Management Market, by Type of Wound Diabetic foot ulcers Pressure ulcer Venous leg ulcer Arterial Ulcer Surgical and Traumatic wounds Burns Other chronic wounds Global Advanced Wound Care Management Market, by End-user Hospital inpatient settings Hospital outpatient settings Community medical centers Home healthcare Others (private nursing home, pharmacies) Global Advanced Wound Care management Market, by Geography North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany France U.K. Italy Spain Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa South Africa Turkey Saudi Arabia Rest of MEA Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04415268-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 This year's competition, "Urban SOS: Fair Share," invited students to apply the tools and technologies of the sharing economy to create more equitable access to resources, sustainable built environments and enriched lives for urban residents. The competition is the seventh in a series of student competitions organized by AECOM and builds off of Van Alen Institute's 120-plus-year history of organizing design competitions. Over 80 student teams from 31 countries worldwide submitted proposals. Qualified submittals were vigorously reviewed and scored by AECOM professionals and subject matter experts in 14 global office juries resulting in the selection of 16 semi-finalists. The semi-final proposals were then reviewed by prestigious panels of local thought leaders in Hong Kong, Sydney, New York and London. Each panel included experts from academia, urban planning, design, technology and architecture from public and private sectors. The winning team will be announced at the final jury in Los Angeles on January 10, 2017. "Urban SOS: Fair Share has activated a multidisciplinary, global network of student teams to rethink how our cities distribute food, collect waste, create jobs and address migration," said David van der Leer, executive director of Van Alen Institute. "We're thrilled to build on our long tradition of supporting forward-looking visions through innovative student competitions." "We are pleased and inspired to have received such an array of creative and socially impactful ideas by students from across the world," said Stephen Engblom, Senior Vice President and Global Director of AECOM Cities. "We look forward to hosting our finalists along with a prominent jury comprised of creative leaders from the public sector, private-sector shared economy companies, and academia in Los Angeles to determine who will take the top prize and how AECOM will help bring their idea to life. Everyone who participated demonstrated great vision and brilliance, which bodes well for the future leaders of our world." "The best ideas often come from unexpected places, and we're seeing creative and ground-breaking ideas from the students participating in Urban SOS," said Michael Berkowitz, president of 100RC. "Here at 100RC, we encourage the adoption of holistic thinking in addressing urban challenges we're thrilled to partner in a competition that fosters this kind of thinking." This year's finalists developed an array of creative, entrepreneurial strategies to leverage local resources to address a variety of social issues and needs. Details can be found at: http://www.aecom.com/careers/urban-sos/. Read on to get a flavor of their proposals: WELP (Waste Help System) Durban, South Africa . The team proposes a municipal sharing platform that connects households in Durban, South Africa that want to get rid of bulk waste with collectors who earn income for hauling the waste away. Mari Smith , Vivian Ly , Lixin Wang , Kate Maxfield of Monash University, Australia . . The team proposes a municipal sharing platform that connects households in that want to get rid of bulk waste with collectors who earn income for hauling the waste away. , , , of Monash University, . The Living City Athens, Greece . Responding to Europe's migration crisis and stalled economies, the team proposes to transform Athens' abandoned buildings and lots into common spaces of commerce, learning and social services for local Athenians, Syrian refugees and tourists. Team: Ho Ting Liu , Harvard University , Faranak Khas Ahmadi , University of California, Berkeley , Anduria Espinosa, University of Oxford , Jenny Lee , Columbia University . . Responding to migration crisis and stalled economies, the team proposes to transform abandoned buildings and lots into common spaces of commerce, learning and social services for local Athenians, Syrian refugees and tourists. Team: , , , , Anduria Espinosa, , , . First Class Meal Los Angeles, California . This proposal is a prototype to harnessing the United States Postal Service's (USPS) under-utilized distribution/storage infrastructure to improve local food access and equity and reduce food waste. Team: Anu Samarajiva and Lanxi Zhang of Washington University in St. Louis . . This proposal is a prototype to harnessing the United States Postal Service's (USPS) under-utilized distribution/storage infrastructure to improve local food access and equity and reduce food waste. Team: Anu Samarajiva and Lanxi Zhang of in . En Comuna Quito, Ecuador . Currently an active pilot project engaging residents in 18 of Quito's communes, this initiative has established a website that allows people to map and collectively address needs and resources. Team: Mateo Fernandez-Muro , Polytechnic University of Madrid and Francisco Miranda of Parsons The News School for Design. About AECOM AECOM is built to deliver a better world. We design, build, finance and operate infrastructure assets for governments, businesses and organizations in more than 150 countries. As a fully integrated firm, we connect knowledge and experience across our global network of experts to help clients solve their most complex challenges. From high-performance buildings and infrastructure, to resilient communities and environments, to stable and secure nations, our work is transformative, differentiated and vital. A Fortune 500 firm, AECOM had revenue of approximately $17.4 billion during fiscal year 2016. See how we deliver what others can only imagine at aecom.com and @AECOM. Website: www.aecom.com/urbansos Facebook: /UrbanSOS Twitter: @AECOMUrbanSOS About Van Alen Institute At Van Alen Institute, we believe design can transform cities, landscapes, and regions to improve people's lives. We collaborate with communities, scholars, policymakers, and professionals on local and global initiatives that rigorously investigate the most pressing social, cultural, and ecological challenges of tomorrow. Building on more than a century of experience, we develop cross-disciplinary research, provocative public programs, and inventive design competitions. Website: www.vanalen.org Facebook: /vanaleninstitute Twitter: @van_alen Instagram: @van_alen About 100 Resilient Cities Pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation 100 Resilient Cities Pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation (100RC) helps cities around the world become more resilient to the physical, social, and economic challenges that are a growing part of the 21st century. 100RC provides this assistance through: funding for a Chief Resilience Officer in each member city who will lead the resilience efforts; resources for drafting a resilience strategy; access to private sector, public sector, academic, and NGO resilience tools; and membership in a global network of peer cities to share best practices and challenges. 100RC currently has 66 member cities. Website: www.100resilientcities.org Facebook: /100ResilientCities Twitter: @100ResCities AECOM Media Contact: Van Alen Institute: 100 Resilient Cities: Michael Chee Steven Thomson Andrew Brenner 1.213.593.8580 Programs & Communications Manager Senior Manager, Global Communications [email protected] 1.212.924.7000 x 12 1.646.612.7236 [email protected] [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161207/446622 SOURCE AECOM Related Links http://www.aecom.com WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC is urging members of the U.S. House of Representatives to adopt the bipartisan Anti-Semitism Awareness Act of 2016. The Senate has already passed the measure, and once the House does so it can be delivered to President Obama for his signature before Congress recesses. "The Anti-Semitism Awareness Act of 2016 provides vital clarity and uniformity for recognizing and responding to manifestations of anti-Semitism on campuses," said Richard Foltin, AJC Director of National and Legislative Affairs. The legislation would strengthen Department of Education (DOE) guidance on combating incidents of anti-Semitic harassment and intimidation on college and university campuses across the country. In 2010, the DOE recognized that Jewish students who are harassed at school enjoy, under certain circumstances, the protections of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. At the time, Foltin spearheaded the outreach of 13 Jewish organizations to the DOE that led to the issuance of that decision. Under the new Awareness Act, the DOE would be required to refer to the State Department's definition of anti-Semitism in determining whether there has been a violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act based on the victim's actual or perceived Jewish ancestry or Jewish ethnic characteristics. The definition is a valuable tool "to help identify contemporary manifestations of anti-Semitism, and includes useful examples of discriminatory anti-Israel conduct that crosses the line into anti-Semitism," states the Awareness Act. The Act also explicitly states that it is not intended to diminish or infringe upon First Amendment rights. "Nothing in the bill should be construed to alter the standards for determining when harassing conduct amounts to actionable discrimination, leaving our educational institutions free to operate as forums for vibrant and open discourse," Foltin said. The State Department definition of anti-Semitism is based upon the Working Definition of Anti-Semitism initially adopted in 2005 by the European Monitoring Centre (EUMC). AJC, led by Rabbi Andrew Baker, AJC Director of International Jewish Affairs, was instrumental in developing the definition, and continues to lead the effort to promote its use in understanding and responding to anti-Semitism. It was adopted earlier this year by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), and will be considered by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) at the group's meeting in Germany on Friday. SOURCE American Jewish Committee Related Links http://www.ajc.org LIMA, Peru, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Atento S.A. (NYSE: ATTO), a leading provider of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing services (CRM/BPO) in Latin America, and one of the top three providers worldwide, has been recognized by Great Place to Work as the third best company to work for in Peru in 2016, within the "More than 1000 employees" category. Jose Antonio Iyo, Atento Peru Managing Director said, "We are proud to be recognized for another year as one of the best companies to work for in Peru. Our commitment to people is an essential component of Atento's business model, enabling us to offer businesses the best customer experience solutions while providing training and development opportunities to our employees." Jose Antonio Iyo added, "I want to take this opportunity to thank our employees for their commitment and motivation, which have lead us to be the third best company to work for in the country in 2016." Ignacio Varangot, Atento Peru and Americas South Region People Director, commented: "We are very happy to be in the Great Place to Work ranking once again. We've been part of this prestigious ranking for 12 consecutive years now, which reaffirms our continuous commitment to people, our main asset, and to generating first employment in the communities where we operate." Atento receives this recognition for the 12th year running, and is still the only CRM/BPO sector company in Peru to be included in this select group of companies committed to comprehensive people development. In 2016, Atento was also recognized as one of the 25 Best Multinational to Work for in the World for the fourth consecutive year, and as one of the Best Multinationals to Work For in Latin America for the sixth year running. About Great Place to Work Great Place to Work is the world's leading authority in workplace cultures that promote trust and high performance. Using its own assessment tools, consultancy services and certification programs such as the Best Workplaces lists, and workplace reviews, Great Place to Work provides the benchmarks, framework and experience needed to create, maintain and recognize extraordinary workplace cultures. About Atento Atento is the largest provider of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing (CRM BPO) services in Latin America, and among the top three providers globally, based on revenues. Atento is also a leading provider of nearshoring CRM/BPO services to companies that carry out their activities in the United States. Since 1999, the company has developed its business model in 13 countries where it employs 150,000 people. Atento has over 400 clients to whom it offers a wide range of CRM/BPO services through multiple channels. Atento's clients are mostly leading multinational corporations in sectors such as telecommunications, banking and financial services, health, retail and public administrations, among others. Atentos shares trade under the symbol ATTO on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). In 2016, Atento was named one of the Worlds 25 Best Multinational Workplaces by Great Place to Work for a fourth consecutive year. For more information visit www.atento.com Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150506/214260LOGO SOURCE Atento S.A. Related Links http://www.atento.com TYLER, Texas, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorney Randell "Randy" C. Roberts announced today that Roberts & Roberts law firm is increasing the number of nights this holiday season that the firm will be offering a free ride home from local bars and restaurants. Roberts & Roberts will once again join with the Taxi Cab Company of Tyler to stop drunk driving by offering these rides to residents of Tyler and Longview. This community service will run from December 5 through December 31, 2016. This safety campaign to stop drunk driving was started by Roberts & Roberts several years ago in Tyler. It has expanded over the years to include Longview and more of the Christmas and New Year's holiday season. Randy Roberts and the law firm of Roberts & Roberts have sponsored community safety campaigns over the last 25 years, encouraging the use of car seats for infants, seatbelts for older children and adults, and designated drivers for those who drink alcohol. "If you drink and need a ride home, the ride is on us," said Roberts. Randell C. Roberts is the managing attorney of the Roberts & Roberts law firm based in Tyler, Texas. He holds the highest rating ("AV") from the Martindale-Hubbell attorney rating service and is included in its Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. For more information, visit www.robertslawfirm.com. Contact : Randy Roberts [email protected] 903-597-6655 SOURCE Roberts & Roberts Related Links http://www.robertslawfirm.com MILWAUKEE, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Aurora Health Care today announced it is awarding a total of $5 million in grants through the Aurora Health Care Better Together Fund to more than 40 community organizations, colleges and universities throughout eastern Wisconsin. The funds will help improve access to primary care, behavioral health and sexual assault and domestic violence prevention services. This is the second year of the Better Together Fund. Organizations that received support in 2015 have been able to better serve more people by hiring additional staff, offering new services, enhancing skills training, building out needed clinic space, and more. "The Better Together Fund enables Aurora to effectively partner with organizations that are vital links to health care for people in our communities," said Nick Turkal, MD, president and CEO of Aurora. "We've seen incredible results from our initial investment, and we look forward to working closely with this year's recipients, with a shared goal of helping people live well." This year, Aurora Health Care selected 42 entities to each receive a portion of $5 million in cash or in-kind support. Community organizations from across eastern Wisconsin were invited to submit a proposal for funding consideration earlier this year to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, which is aiding in the administration of the grants. Grant recipients this year are: Advocates of Ozaukee County , Ozaukee County , received two separate grants: $40,000 to establish a regional child advocacy center serving Washington , Ozaukee and Sheboygan counties and $35,000 to expand child sexual assault counseling services and offer prevention training and materials to local schools and community groups; , , received two separate grants: to establish a regional child advocacy center serving , and counties and to expand child sexual assault counseling services and offer prevention training and materials to local schools and community groups; AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin , Milwaukee , Brown and Kenosha counties, $85,258 to expand access to the center's pre-exposure prophylaxis clinic for high-risk individuals to prevent HIV transmission; , , and counties, to expand access to the center's pre-exposure prophylaxis clinic for high-risk individuals to prevent HIV transmission; Albrecht Free Clinic, Washington County , $25,000 to continue assessment and training in the SBIRT (screening, brief intervention, referral for treatment) model for staff and behavioral health access; , to continue assessment and training in the SBIRT (screening, brief intervention, referral for treatment) model for staff and behavioral health access; Benedict Center, Milwaukee County , $95,000 to expand capacity of Women's Re-entry Program at the House of Correction, including an in-home case manager; , to expand capacity of Women's Re-entry Program at the House of Correction, including an in-home case manager; Bread of Healing Clinic, Milwaukee County , $100,000 to expand capacity of the behavioral health program, including the hiring of a project manager and behavioral health coordinator; , to expand capacity of the behavioral health program, including the hiring of a project manager and behavioral health coordinator; Carroll University, Waukesha County , $100,000 to enhance staff resources to combat sexual assault violence, encourage bystander intervention and offer response training to school staff; , to enhance staff resources to combat sexual assault violence, encourage bystander intervention and offer response training to school staff; Catholic Charities, Milwaukee County , $56,000 to offer home-based behavioral health services for at-risk women and children; , to offer home-based behavioral health services for at-risk women and children; City on a Hill, Milwaukee County , $75,000 to hire a health navigator, provide outreach to homeless populations and offer a medical home to marginalized, high-risk populations; , to hire a health navigator, provide outreach to homeless populations and offer a medical home to marginalized, high-risk populations; CORE/El Centro, Milwaukee County , $100,000 to hire a health navigator, expand outreach and expand services to additional patients; , to hire a health navigator, expand outreach and expand services to additional patients; Eagle's Wing Free Clinic, Waukesha County , $7,500 to update IT system and purchase new medical equipment; , to update IT system and purchase new medical equipment; Greater Milwaukee Free Clinic, Milwaukee County , $86,000 to transition from an all-volunteer model by hiring a full-time executive director and an advanced nurse practitioner, allowing the clinic to offer more hours; , to transition from an all-volunteer model by hiring a full-time executive director and an advanced nurse practitioner, allowing the clinic to offer more hours; Health Care Network, Racine County , $100,000 to add behavioral health services, hire a licensed clinical practitioner and offer translation services for Spanish-speaking clients; , to add behavioral health services, hire a licensed clinical practitioner and offer translation services for Spanish-speaking clients; HELP of Door County , Brown and Door counties, $60,000 to establish a safe visitation and exchange program for children affected by domestic abuse, sexual assault or child abuse; , and counties, to establish a safe visitation and exchange program for children affected by domestic abuse, sexual assault or child abuse; IMPACT Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services, Milwaukee County , $100,000 to increase capacity, adding an AODA specialist to screen patients for behavioral health needs and addiction treatment services; , to increase capacity, adding an AODA specialist to screen patients for behavioral health needs and addiction treatment services; Lad Lake, Waukesha County , $86,207 to hire a full-time coordinator for sexually exploited youth, offer a specialized day program for trafficking survivors and expand staff training; , to hire a full-time coordinator for sexually exploited youth, offer a specialized day program for trafficking survivors and expand staff training; Lake Area Free Clinic, Waukesha County , $77,058 to establish a pilot transportation program, hire a patient service coordinator and psychiatric provider, as well as increase marketing and outreach; , to establish a pilot transportation program, hire a patient service coordinator and psychiatric provider, as well as increase marketing and outreach; Lakeland University, Sheboygan County , $144,920 to hire two staff members to present sexual assault violence education and prevention materials and advocate for victims on campus; , to hire two staff members to present sexual assault violence education and prevention materials and advocate for victims on campus; Lakeshore Community Health Care, Sheboygan and Manitowoc Counties, $245,000 to establish tele-psychiatry services and hire a psychiatric provider; and Counties, to establish tele-psychiatry services and hire a psychiatric provider; LifeStriders Therapeutic Riding Center, Waukesha County , $45,000 to expand services for low-income and high-risk children in Milwaukee County and add a therapist to staff; , to expand services for low-income and high-risk children in and add a therapist to staff; Marquette University , Milwaukee County , $134,033 to expand sexual assault violence prevention through education and expand the partnership with the Sexual Assault Treatment Center at Aurora Sinai by adding on-call staff; , , to expand sexual assault violence prevention through education and expand the partnership with the Sexual Assault Treatment Center at Aurora Sinai by adding on-call staff; Meta House , Milwaukee County , $75,000 to offer transportation during the first two weeks of AODA treatment for women and children to increase retention; , , to offer transportation during the first two weeks of AODA treatment for women and children to increase retention; Milwaukee Center for Children and Youth, Milwaukee County , $68,500 to increase primary care and behavioral health access for youth affected by sexual or domestic violence and add a youth advocate for care management; , to increase primary care and behavioral health access for youth affected by sexual or domestic violence and add a youth advocate for care management; Milwaukee Center for Independence , Milwaukee County , $100,000 to partially fund the building of a new facility for the Whole Health Clinical Group Clinic, bringing all services under one roof; , , to partially fund the building of a new facility for the Whole Health Clinical Group Clinic, bringing all services under one roof; Milwaukee Health Services, Milwaukee County , $173,200 to hire a social worker, nutritionist and community health worker; , to hire a social worker, nutritionist and community health worker; Open Arms Free Clinic, Walworth County , $100,000 to expand the professional staff to include an RN in-care coordinator and an MSW-level social worker post-care navigator; , to expand the professional staff to include an RN in-care coordinator and an MSW-level social worker post-care navigator; Pathfinders, Milwaukee County , $50,000 to establish New Paths Human Trafficking Initiative, to advocate and support victims of human trafficking or exploitation; , to establish New Paths Human Trafficking Initiative, to advocate and support victims of human trafficking or exploitation; Penfield Children's Center, Milwaukee County , $90,000 to expand behavioral health services, increase community outreach and establish a classroom-based program at Penfield Montessori Academy; , to expand behavioral health services, increase community outreach and establish a classroom-based program at Penfield Montessori Academy; Progressive Community Health Centers, Milwaukee County , $126,300 to hire two MSW-level case managers, an HR specialist and increase marketing outreach; , to hire two MSW-level case managers, an HR specialist and increase marketing outreach; Reach Counseling, Winnebago County , $100,000 to hire a clinical specialist and peer specialist to expand treatment and support for youth and families affected by abuse and/or trafficking; , to hire a clinical specialist and peer specialist to expand treatment and support for youth and families affected by abuse and/or trafficking; Safe Harbor of Sheboygan , Sheboygan County , $100,000 to increase capacity in therapy, youth and sexual assault services programs; , , to increase capacity in therapy, youth and sexual assault services programs; St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care, Milwaukee County , $250,000 to build out medical clinic space at its Bucyrus campus; , to build out medical clinic space at its Bucyrus campus; St. Joseph's Medical Clinic, Waukesha County , $67,000 to expand services to include nutrition, occupational and physical therapy, as well as behavioral health services; , to expand services to include nutrition, occupational and physical therapy, as well as behavioral health services; Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers, Milwaukee County , $1 million in-kind donation of a clinic building to house new primary care and behavioral health services; , in-kind donation of a clinic building to house new primary care and behavioral health services; Sojourner Family Peace Center, Milwaukee County , $100,000 to expand youth case management by hiring a youth trauma support specialist; , to expand youth case management by hiring a youth trauma support specialist; The Women's Center, Waukesha County , $17,431 to hire a community educator, two youth counselors and provide education on sexual assault violence prevention; , to hire a community educator, two youth counselors and provide education on sexual assault violence prevention; United Community Center, Milwaukee County , $100,000 to partially fund the expansion of the Latinas Unidas program that provides treatment for mothers and expectant mothers with behavioral health needs; , to partially fund the expansion of the Latinas Unidas program that provides treatment for mothers and expectant mothers with behavioral health needs; University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh , Winnebago County , $156,251 to expand violence prevention education on campus and increase crisis advocacy for student victims of sexual violence; , , to expand violence prevention education on campus and increase crisis advocacy for student victims of sexual violence; University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Foundation, Winnebago County , $78,171 for College of Nursing's Healthy Living Clinic to increase outreach to Hispanic community members and address diabetic patients' nutritional wellness and access to healthy food; Foundation, , for College of Nursing's Healthy Living Clinic to increase outreach to Hispanic community members and address diabetic patients' nutritional wellness and access to healthy food; Walworth County Alliance for Children, Walworth County , $36,000 to implement a multiple family group therapy program for families affected by sexual or domestic violence; , to implement a multiple family group therapy program for families affected by sexual or domestic violence; WLCFS-Christian Family Solutions, Milwaukee County , $100,000 to expand Student Assistance Program, counseling students in the school setting who have been affected by violence; , to expand Student Assistance Program, counseling students in the school setting who have been affected by violence; Women's Resource Center of Racine , Racine County , $50,000 to expand operations of The Dover Healing House, a shelter and education facility in western Racine County and provide legal advocacy and child and adult counseling. For more information on the Better Together Fund, visit AuroraHealthCare.org. About Aurora Health Care: Aurora Health Care is a not-for-profit Wisconsin-area health care provider and a national leader in efforts to improve health care quality. Aurora offers services at sites in more than 90 communities throughout eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Aurora is Wisconsin's most comprehensive health care provider and the state's largest private employer. Aurora serves more than 1.2 million patients every year via a comprehensive network of facilities, services and providers, including 15 hospitals, more than 150 clinics, more than 70 pharmacies and more than 32,000 caregivers. As evidenced by more than 300 active clinical trials, Aurora is dedicated to delivering innovations to provide the best possible care today, and to define the best care for tomorrow. Get helpful health and wellness information via the Aurora MyHealth blog, our Facebook page, our Twitter account and our Pinterest account. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161205/445790LOGO SOURCE Aurora Health Care Related Links http://www.aurorahealthcare.org LONDON, Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Automotive Heat Shield Market: Overview A vehicles internal combustion engine generates a large amount of heat which can damage the vehicles other components and body work. Moreover heat shields can even increase a vehicles performance by reducing the engine's temperature. Thus automotive heat shield finds a major application in a vehicle and forms an integral part of a vehicle. In the automotive heat shields, it is essential for all companies to adhere to the safety standards and regulations set up by the governments of their respective countries. Superior quality of products ensures long term business profitability through increased customer satisfaction. Adherence to the quality standards also creates goodwill and a positive brand image of the company. Automotive Heat Shield Market: Trends and Opportunities Factors such as advent of new segment of vehicles (electric and hybrid vehicles) and increasing production of vehicles is mainly driving the growth of automotive heat shield market. The growth of automotive heat shield is complementary to automobile production as it is one of the essential components in a vehicle. Therefore, due to increase in vehicle production; the demand for automotive heat shields is increasing at a considerable rate. Due to the advancement of technology, automotive heat shield manufacturers have been able to bring innovation to their products. Integration and customization of heat shields with advanced technologies has been able to ensure new and innovative heat shielding components for hybrid and electric vehicles. Such new segment of vehicles is going to be largely preferred by the consumers in the coming years because of their eco-friendly, fuel-efficiency and other features. Moreover, the advancement of automotive heat shield technology in standard vehicles such as application of heat shield components inside the vehicle (dashboard and under-carpet area), to prevent heat combustion of engine and air-conditioning unit, has made a positive impact on the overall automobile sector. Automotive Heat Shield Market: Regional Outlook With increasing number of automotive sales across the globe, there is immense scope and opportunities for the automotive heat shield market. There has been significant rise in the sales growth of automotive based in Asia Pacific mainly in India and China. In the coming years, Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the market for automotive heat shields. India, China, and Japan have seen huge industrialization in recent times because of the availability of good natural and human resources. Cheap source of labor, availability of raw materials, good transportation network, and investor-friendly industrial policies are some of the vital factors encouraging global companies to set up industries in these countries of the Asia Pacific region. This in turn is expected to encourage the rise in application of automotive heat shield market in the emerging markets of Asia Pacific. The automotive heat shield market in Rest of the World (RoW) is expected to gain momentum in the next few years. Positive growth in the economies of developing countries coupled with increasing purchasing power of the people are the key factors expected to drive the sales volume of automobiles, thus fueling the growth of automotive heat shields in the emerging markets further. Moreover, a small percentage of hybrid and electric vehicles are already available in the market. The percentage is expected to grow in the coming years because of their eco-friendly use and efficiency. Therefore, with the rise in the number of hybrid and electric vehicles in the automobile market, the application and market for automotive heat shield is set to flourish in the coming years. Electric vehicles can operate efficiently without overheating as compared to hybrid vehicles. However, electric vehicles can run only for a limited distance. Therefore, the penetration of heat shields is much less in electric vehicles than the hybrid ones. Automotive Heat Shield Market: Scope of the Study This market research study analyzes the global automotive heat shield market and provides estimates in terms of revenue (USD Million) 2015 to 2024. It emphasizes on the drivers and restraints responsible for the growth of the industry and examines their impact during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024. Moreover, it recognizes the important opportunities for the market expansion in the upcoming years. Automotive Heat Shield Market: Key Players The report offers company market share analysis of key industry participants. Major players have been profiled on the basis of company overview, financial overview, business strategies and key developments. Leading market players profiled in this report are Federal-Mogul Holding Corporation (U.S.),Autoneum Holding AG (Switzerland), Dana Holding Corporation (U.S.), Lydall Inc.(U.S.),UGN Inc (U.S.), Happich GmbH (Germany), Elringklinger AG (Germany) and Progress-WerkOberkirch AG (Germany). Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4415258/ 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 LONDON, Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Baby Monitors Market: Overview A baby monitor or a baby alarm is a radio system that transmits the sound it listens remotely of an infant through a transmitter unit by radio waves. A speaker facilitates the output of sound in the transmitter device. Baby monitors often offers two way communications where the parent can speak back to the infant. A video baby monitor which facilitates video recording of the child is also known as baby cam. The primary use of a baby monitor is to track the activity of the baby when the parents are not at home or are away from the vicinity of the baby. The most common types of baby monitors are audio baby monitor, fixed video monitor and pan & tilt baby monitor. Among the types fixed video monitors hold the largest market share followed by pan & tilt baby monitors and audio baby monitor respectively. By connectivity, the global baby monitors market is divided into wireless and wired baby monitors. Wireless baby monitors hold the largest market share as among the connectivity types as they are more mobile and easy to use. Among the regions, North America held the largest market share followed by Europe and is expected to hold their position throughout the forecast period.Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa are the fastest growing market of all the regions due to increased presence of global players in these regions. Asia Pacific is the most attractive region owing to increased number of nuclear families and increasing disposable income. Global Baby Monitors Market: Trends and Opportunities The major drivers driving the global baby monitors market includes emerging trends of employed parents globally. This is giving rise to more number of day care centers who take the responsibility of looking after infants when the parents are at work. This has boosted the market for baby monitors as more and more day care centers are equipped with baby monitors in order to look after the infants in the best possible way. Increasing awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is also a reason that there is increased demand of baby monitors in day care centers as well as other baby care products. In addition, increasing availability of baby monitors through online retailers is a major driving the growth of the global baby monitors market. With increased presence of online retailers of baby monitors, working parents have started buying them more online as it saves time and hassle for them. In addition, consumers are getting a lot of options which have increased their array of choices without the fear of choosing a product that is not in stock. Intense competition and various reviews by users and buyers are enabling the working parents to choose the best products at the best available deals. Global Baby Monitors Market: Scope of the Report and Competitive Dynamics The competitive profiling of the key players in the global baby monitors market across four broad geographic regions is included in the study. These include different business strategies adopted by the leading players and their recent developments as in the field of baby monitors. The distribution channel analysis of the market has been provided in the report, in order to offer a deep insight of global baby monitors market. A comprehensive analysis of the market dynamics that is inclusive of market drivers, restraints and opportunities is included in the purview of the report. Market dynamics are the factors which impactthe market growth, thereby helping to understand the ongoing trends of the global market. Therefore, the report provides the forecast of the global market for the period from 2016 to 2024, along with offering an inclusive study of the baby monitors market. Some of the major players in the global baby monitors market include Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Suwon-Shi, South Korea), Angelcare(Montreal, Canada), Summer Infant, Inc. (Woonsocket, Rhode Island ,U.S), VTech Holdings Limited (Tai po, Hong Kong), Windeln.De Ag (Munich, Germany), Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Amsterdam, Netherlands), Dorel Industries Inc. (Montreal, Quebec, Canada), Sony Corporation (Tokyo, Japan), Withings(Issy-les-Moulineaux, France), FLIR systems, Inc. (Wilsonville, Oregon United States) and Motorola Solutions, Inc. (Chicago, Illinois, U.S)among others. The global baby monitorsmarket has been segmented into: Global Baby Monitors Market, by Product Type Audio Baby Monitor Fixed Video Monitor Pan & Tilt Monitor Global Baby MonitorsMarket, by Connectivity Wired Baby Monitors Wireless Baby Monitors Global Baby MonitorsMarket, by Geography: The market is broadly segmented on the basis of geography into: North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe U.K Germany France Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Rest of APAC Rest of the World (RoW) Latin America Middle East & Africa Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4415261/ 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, Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bill Barrett Corporation (the "Company") (NYSE:BBG) today announced that it priced an upsized underwritten public offering of 13,500,000 shares of its common stock (the "common stock") for total gross proceeds (before underwriters' compensation and estimated expenses) of approximately $99.9 million. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include development, deleveraging, or future acquisitions. The Company has granted the underwriters in the common stock offering an option for 30 days to purchase up to an additional 2,025,000 shares of common stock to cover over-allotments, if any. The common stock will be issued pursuant to a prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus filed as part of an effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form S-3. The offering is expected to close on or around December 12, 2016, subject to customary closing conditions. J.P. Morgan is serving as sole book runner for the common stock offering. A written prospectus and prospectus supplement relating to the offering may be obtained by sending a request to: J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, email: [email protected]. 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 of these securities would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. ABOUT BILL BARRETT CORPORATION Bill Barrett Corporation, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, develops oil and natural gas in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Statements in this news release related to the Company's public offering of common stock, including the use of proceeds from the offering, and all other statements other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The Company urges you to carefully review and consider the cautionary statements made in this press release, the registration statement, the "Risk Factors" section of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 2, 2016, and other filings with the SEC for further information on risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations, which are incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance occurring after the date of this release or currently unknown facts or conditions or the occurrence of unanticipated events. All forward looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150317/182406LOGO SOURCE Bill Barrett Corporation Related Links http://www.billbarrettcorp.com SAN DIEGO, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Biocom, the association for the California life science community, issued the statement below following passage of 21st Century Cures legislation in Congress. The bill passed in the House on November 30 by a 392-26 vote and in the Senate on December 7 by a 94-5 vote. This statement may be attributed to Joe Panetta, president & CEO of Biocom: "Today, Congress approved historic legislation that will give hope to millions of patients around the world. The measure culminates three years of hard work and dedication from government, industry, the patient community, and many others, all committed to one goal: finding treatments and cures to the world's most dreaded diseases. Today, we are one step closer to achieving that goal. "This landmark legislation addresses some of the most pressing challenges that currently hinder biomedical innovation and the development of the next generation of innovative products. The bill increases funding for research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including for the Precision Medicine Initiative, Cancer Moonshot Initiative, BRAIN Initiative, and regenerative medicine. It also makes much needed changes to our regulatory environment to ensure that patients have access to life-enhancing and life-saving medicines faster. "While Biocom had supported additional funding for the NIH, we applaud this large-scale, bipartisan, and collaborative effort that will change the future of innovation in the United States. We look forward to working with the new Administration and Congress over the coming years on the implementation of the bill and on issues that were not addressed in the bill, including the reimbursement of telemedicine, remote patient monitoring services, and other emerging technologies, that together represent the future of modern medicine." About Biocom Biocom is the largest, most experienced leader and advocate for California's life science sector. We work on behalf of more than 800 members to drive public policy, build an enviable network of industry leaders, create access to capital, introduce cutting-edge STEM education programs and create robust value-driven purchasing programs. Founded in 1995 in San Diego, Biocom provides the strongest public voice to research institutions and companies that fuel the local and state-wide economy. Our goal is simple: to help our members produce novel solutions that improve the human condition. In addition to its San Diego headquarters, Biocom operates a core office serving the Los Angeles market, satellite offices in Washington, D.C. and Tokyo, and has a continuous staff presence in Sacramento and San Francisco. Our broad membership benefits apply to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, genomics and diagnostics companies of all sizes, as well as to research universities and institutes, clinical research organizations, investors and service providers. For more information, visit us at www.biocom.org. Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter (@BIOCOMCA). Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130228/LA69104LOGO SOURCE Biocom Related Links http://www.biocom.org Presented by Actelion Pharmaceuticals, along with event sponsors The Arthur Zimtbaum Foundation, Andrew and Violetta Merin, Cool Comedy Hot Cuisine benefits the Scleroderma Research FoundationAmerica's first and leading nonprofit investor in medical research to find improved therapies and a cure for people living with scleroderma. The "Hot Cuisine" for the evening will be provided by celebrity chefs / restaurateurs Susan Feniger, an SRF Board Member, and Mary Sue Milliken (Food Network's Too Hot Tamales and Bravo's Top Chef Masters ) who will treat guests to a multi-course dinner with dishes from their highly acclaimed Border Grill Restaurants and featuring the wine of event sponsor Rombauer Vineyards "Until a cure is found, I will spend the rest of my life dedicated to helping the Scleroderma Research Foundation fund the most promising medical research and bring attention to this disease that has impacted so many," says Saget. "As much as I love the Foundation, I look forward to the day when I hear that we have found a cure and that we have put the Scleroderma Research Foundation out of business." The success of Cool Comedy Hot Cuisine events held in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco has raised considerable awareness for scleroderma and enabled the SRF to fund innovative research bringing hope and helping to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from this debilitating disease. Since its founding in 1987, the Foundation has taken a collaborative approach, bringing together some of the brightest minds in science to unravel the mystery of this complex autoimmune disease. The word scleroderma literally means "hard skin," but the disease is much more than that, often affecting the internal organs with life-threatening consequences. In some cases, the joints and muscles are affected, resulting in severe pain and limited mobility. Vascular damage due to scleroderma can result in loss of fingers, toes and entire limbs. Cool Comedy Hot Cuisine will include a cocktail reception, dinner and stand-up comedy. There will also be live and silent auctions featuring such unique packages as the opportunity to attend Super Bowl 51 in Houston, Texas, as well join the stars of the upcoming Terence Malik film Weightless for the world red carpet premiere in Austin, Texas. First-class airfare is provided by sponsor Delta Air Lines. Other packages include a unique collection of wine from the Napa Valley and a dinner prepared in your home by celebrity chef Elizabeth Falkner. Tickets for Cool Comedy Hot Cuisine start at $500, tables of six are available for $5,000 and tables of 10 available at $10,000 and $25,000. All monies raised benefit the Scleroderma Research Foundation. For more information, call (800) 441-CURE or visit www.sclerodermaRESEARCH.org. More about Scleroderma and the Scleroderma Research Foundation : The symptoms and severity of scleroderma vary from one person to another and the course of the disease is often unpredictable. Women are disproportionately affected with scleroderma (representing four out of five patients), usually striking in the prime of their lives, between the ages of 20 and 50; however, children and men of all ages and across all ethnic boundaries can also be affected. Today, there is no way to prevent scleroderma and there is no cure yet. Treatments are available for some but not all of the most serious complications. However, with a research program led by a world-class Scientific Advisory Board the SRF is bringing new hope for patients. The continued success of the Scleroderma Research Foundation is entirely dependent upon charitable gifts from individuals and corporations. Dr. Fredrick Wigley, Director of the Johns Hopkins Scleroderma Center states in the Project Scleroderma video, "the SRF has made an incredible difference, and I am absolutely convinced with the right support there is nothing that can't be done." The SRF was established in San Francisco in 1987 by scleroderma patient Sharon Monsky. The Foundation began with a passionate commitment that lives on today: to use the power of collaborative medical research to advance a cure for scleroderma. Chaired by Luke Evnin, Ph.D., managing partner of MPM Capital, a dedicated investor in life sciences, the Foundation is enabling scientists from leading institutions across the nation and around the world to work together and develop an understanding of how the disease begins, how it progresses and what can be done to slow, halt or reverse the disease process. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161207/446623 SOURCE Scleroderma Research Foundation Related Links http://www.sclerodermaRESEARCH.org "It is an honor to be selected as an OLC panelist and speak on the role of online learning within higher education," said Dr. Shean. "With technology and online academic resources continuously evolving, it is important to discuss and share how education providers can help support the success of our students. At Bridgepoint Education, we embrace the latest technology and continue to find ways to further enhance the student experience." The panel will discuss content strategy considerations, including discovering and implementing online educational resources (OER), faculty incentives and support, evolving from print to digital and student inclusive access at scale, and the change management and training needed to achieve success. As Bridgepoint's chief academic learning officer, Dr. Shean leads the centralization of resources across Bridgepoint's two academic institutions, Ashford University and University of the Rockies, to drive greater productivity related to learning resources. This positions Bridgepoint's academic institutions to deliver an even higher quality education through best practices in instructional design, innovative use of educational technology, and successful student outcomes. For more information about OLC, or to register for the December 14 OLC webinar, visit http://onlinelearningconsortium.org/webinar/developing-unified-content-strategy-time-adaptive-digital-oer/. About Bridgepoint Education Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE:BPI) harnesses the latest technology to reimagine the modern student experience. Bridgepoint owns two academic institutions Ashford University and University of the Rockies. Together, these programs, technologies, and resources represent a unique model for advancing education in the 21st century. Bridgepoint stands for greater access, social learning, and exposure to leading minds. For more information, visit www.bridgepointeducation.com, www.facebook.com/BridgepointEducation, or call Marianne Perez, Media Relations Manager, at 858.668.2586 x11636. Contact: Marianne Perez, Media Relations Manager 858.668.2586 x11636 [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161207/446704 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140912/145861 SOURCE Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Related Links http://www.bridgepointeducation.com NEW YORK, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In a year when many firms have faced challenging market conditions, CAIS continues to grow and has invested substantially in maintaining its position as the leading financial product platform for independent wealth management. CAIS made a commitment in Q3 2015 to reimagine its platform along three key themes: client experience, product delivery and partner integrations. The additional $1 billion in total purchase volume across the CAIS platform since that time demonstrates the company's success as it paves the way for continued expansion in 2017. Uniting a Fragmented Wealth Management Market CAIS was established with a vision to create a financial technology platform that unifies the fragmented independent wealth management community into the concentrated buying power required to obtain institutional-level access to leading alternative investment funds and other financial products. This critical mass also provides a mutual benefit to fund and product providers by providing cost-effective and efficient access to the multi-trillion-dollar independent wealth channel, which would otherwise remain largely untapped and hard to reach. With an unwavering focus on serving the independent wealth community, CAIS has aggregated thousands of registered investment advisors, broker-dealers, single and multi-family offices onto its platform who collectively control hundreds of billions in investable assets. In parallel, CAIS has negotiated improved access to a broad menu of in-demand hedge funds, private equity funds, real estate funds and bank sponsored capital markets opportunities. Since inception, the CAIS platform has facilitated over $3.5 billion in total purchases across these product lines. "This significant traction represents only a portion of the evolving market opportunity. CAIS is committed to continuing to transform its platform to provide more efficient access to products previously inaccessible to the independent wealth management channel," said Matt Brown, CAIS founder and CEO. World Class Fintech Team The evolution of the platform began with a focus on team. Under the leadership of Chief Technology Officer Fred Kauber, CAIS doubled the size of its technology team, adding veteran technical craftsmen from preeminent global financial services firms that have deep experience in enterprise portal design, platform integration, scalable transaction processing architecture and agile development practices. In addition, CAIS has combined its marketing and technology teams to ensure that a client will enjoy an experience that is engaging and consistent from the time that a client learns of CAIS through the time they have transacted utilizing the platform. "We are deeply proud of the pace at which we have been able to grow both our team and our platform capabilities over the past year while setting a new standard for the high level of service and seamless customer experience that our clients expect of CAIS," commented Mr. Kauber. Integration Across Industry and Client Platforms Alike CAIS routinely delivers multiple platform releases each month, enabling its wealth management clients to benefit from a steady stream of new functionality without taxing their often stretched operational and IT resources. Key among these regular enhancements has been the ability to engage with advisors on their platforms of choice through a series of robust partner integrations. Over the last 12 months, CAIS has launched single sign-on and data exchange capabilities with Envestnet | PMC, Envestnet | Tamarac and Orion Advisor Services that also permit advisors automatic enrollment as a CAIS Platform Member. CAIS is uniquely positioned in the industry to accommodate the diversity of reporting needs that advisors seek to satisfy through third-party platforms. CAIS supports above the line reporting via integration with all major custodians in addition to robust custom data exchanges with platforms such as Envestnet | Tamarac and Orion that offer a level of detail not typically available via custodians. "CAIS offers our counselors streamlined access to alternative investment funds and strategies that can help clients reach their financial goals," said Stephen Stelljes, President of Client Services at The Colony Group, a Focus Financial partner firm. "The integration of CAIS with other strategic wealth management platforms will make it easier for our counselors to leverage a diversified suite of alternative strategies for their clients." Integration across wealth management platforms is an important emerging trend in the advisor community. CAIS has studied this need and ushered in the next generation of its platform integration strategy with a focus on the advisor's own enterprise. In October 2016, CAIS completed an integration with the HighTower enterprise portal, enabling HighTower's advisors to access CAIS as easily as they access their employee benefits information. An array of similar enterprise integrations are already in the pipeline for 2017. "The products and research available through CAIS are vital tools that our advisors can use to help clients achieve their financial goals. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our integration with CAIS," said Matthias Kuhlmey, Head Global Investment Solutions (GIS), HighTower. Personalized Advisor Destination Experience As CAIS has focused on unifying other platforms in the advisor ecosystem through partner integrations, it has also continued to enrich its own platform as a destination for financial advisors. CAIS debuted its Platform Membership model in 2016, offering the broader advisor community expanded access to the platform's premier products and research. Enhanced personalization has also been a central theme of CAIS's ongoing enhancements, as demonstrated by the introduction of features such as the Client Snapshot, which allows an advisor to easily navigate client portfolios. Advisors can access a high level summary or detailed transaction data while being informed of timely and relevant content which complements the client's portfolio in the process. Navigational enhancements have also been introduced to guide advisors who may not be intimately familiar with the nuances of alternative investments or capital markets in the use of the platform, and to introduce them to relevant research from Mercer and other partners. Market Recognition and Outlook The wealth management industry has taken notice of CAIS's achievements during the past year. CAIS was awarded the 2016 WealthManagement.com Industry Award for Hedge Funds/Private Equity in October 2016 in recognition of pioneering access to alternative investment funds and its expanded efforts to level the playing field for independent financial advisors. In addition, CAIS took home the Best Newcomer honors in its first year of competition at Fuse, an annual hackathon hosted by Orion Advisors to spur innovation and integration among fintech platforms. As 2017 approaches, the CAIS platform is well-positioned to embrace the opportunities of an evolving market. A November 2016 research report from McKinsey & Co. on the North American asset management industry, entitled "Thriving on the New Abnormal", suggests that the industry is on the brink of a "once in a generation shift" that will set trillions of dollars in motion, with much of this capital finding its way into alternative assets, and specifically private equity. These are precisely the asset classes which the CAIS platform has been honed to allow independent wealth managers to efficiently research and invest in. About CAIS CAIS is the leading open-architecture financial product platform offering independent wealth management professionals access to a diversified menu of funds and products. CAIS provides streamlined execution to an expanding list of alternative investment funds, IPOs and follow-ons, structured notes and real assets. CAIS delivers a suite of portfolio construction and reporting tools, and complements its fund offering with independent due diligence provided by Mercer. CAIS is an NFA member with securities offered through CAIS Capital LLC, member FINRA, SIPC. For more information about CAIS, visit https://www.caisgroup.com/ Media Contact: Andrew Jennings JConnelly (973) 224-7152 [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141119/159753LOGO SOURCE CAIS 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Captain D's, the leading fast casual seafood restaurant, announced today the opening of its newest corporate owned restaurant in Lake City, Florida. Located at 2404 U.S. Highway 90, this new location marks the brand's 30th in the state and emphasizes Captain D's accelerated franchise and corporate development plans for Florida. To celebrate its grand opening, the restaurant hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, December 5, attended by the Lake City Chamber of Commerce and local dignitaries. The new Lake City location is 2,803 square feet, includes a drive-through and will employ 25-30 people. Captain D's The opening of the new Lake City restaurant signifies Captain D's aggressive growth plans for the state of Florida. Over the past year, the company identified Northern and Central Florida as primary markets for development, and celebrated grand openings in Tallahassee and Jacksonville. Additionally, Captain D's signed a new franchise agreement for the Orlando market, and is currently seeking franchisee candidates to propel the brand's presence in Florida. This expansion is further driving Captain D's ongoing success, with the third quarter of 2016 signifying the company's 20th consecutive quarter of positive growth, generating a 2.8 percent system-wide same store sales increase for franchisees. Additionally, Captain D's is on track for its fourth successive year of achieving record high system-wide AUV and its sixth consecutive year of same store sales increases. "We believe the potential for success in Florida is fantastic, and the opening of yet another new restaurant in the Sunshine State reflects the strength of our development strategy and wealth of opportunity that still lies ahead," said Michael Arrowsmith, chief development officer for Captain D's. "As we close out a tremendous year marked by unprecedented growth and ongoing success, we look forward to accelerating this momentum in 2017 and continuing to expand Captain D's both throughout Florida and nationwide." Coupled with its ongoing menu innovation, Captain D's credits its new restaurant beach design with contributing to the brand's compounding success. To date, 50 percent of all restaurants have been reimaged to the brands new vibrant, coastal design, with another 50 locations to be remodeled by the end of this year. With these efforts, Captain D's has remained true to what it does best serving high-quality seafood with warm hospitality at an affordable price in a welcoming atmosphere. With 517 restaurants in 21 states, Captain D's is the fast-casual seafood leader and number one seafood franchise in America ranked by average unit volume. The company is currently seeking single- and multi-unit operators to join in the brand's rapid expansion. For more information about franchise opportunities, visit http://www.captaindsfranchising.com or call 800-550-4877. ABOUT CAPTAIN D'S Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Captain D's has 517 restaurants in 21 states, plus military bases around the world. Captain D's is the nation's leading fast casual seafood restaurant and was named the #1 seafood chain in the QSR 50, ranked by AUV. Founded in 1969, Captain D's has been offering its customers high-quality seafood at reasonable prices in a welcoming atmosphere for more than 46 years. Captain D's serves a wide variety of seafood that includes freshly prepared entrees and the company's signature hand-battered fish, which is cooked to order. The restaurants also offer premium-quality, grilled items such as shrimp, and surf and turf, as well as hushpuppies, desserts and freshly brewed, Southern-style sweet tea, a Captain D's favorite. For more information, please visit www.captainds.com. Contact: Caitlin Willard Fish Consulting 954-893-9150 [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446225 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160202/328742LOGO SOURCE Captain D's Related Links http://www.captainds.com WESTBOROUGH, Mass., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CCR Wealth Management ("CCR"), an independently owned investment management and financial planning firm, has announced the hiring of two new senior professionals. The new hires include a financial consultant and an investment analyst who have joined CCR as part its overall growth strategy. The two senior professionals, Andrew Bonetti and Jacob Stewart, will work out of the firm's headquarters in Westborough, Mass. "We are delighted to welcome Andrew and Jacob to the CCR team," said David Borden, CCR Managing Partner. "Since we founded the firm in 1998, our goal has been to create the premier financial advice platform for successful professionals and entrepreneurs. While we have enjoyed robust growth over the years, CCR has never wavered from its core commitment to delivering nothing less than an exceptional client-service experience. With these strategic additions to our senior team, we are not only doubling down on that commitment but also re-iterating client-service as a central part of our firm's growth plans going forward." Mr. Bonetti has been hired as a financial advisor, responsible for managing existing and new client relationships, and helping the firm's clients meet their personal and business-related financial goals. Prior to CCR, he spent more than ten years as an analyst and relationship manager working with institutional clients focused on defined-contribution plans, endowments and foundations, as well as high-net-worth individuals. He holds the Series 7, 63 and 65 securities registrations. Meanwhile, Mr. Stewart has been hired as an investment analyst, tasked with assisting in the creation and implementation of investment models. Before coming to CCR, Mr. Stewart served as an investment consultant for some of the area's top financial services companies, including John Hancock and Natixis Global Asset Management. He is an Investment Advisor Representative, as well as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and holds his Series 7, 6, 63 and 65 securities registrations. In just the past two years, CCR has hired six executives to work in its Westborough headquarters, and over the course of the next two to five years intends to beef up this office further by hiring a significant number of new client-service professionals. The firm, which currently employs 18 professionals, also has an office in Glastonbury, Conn. About CCR Wealth Management Headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts, CCR Wealth Management is an independently owned investment management and financial planning firm. CCR manages wealth and provides customized financial planning and portfolio management solutions for individuals, businesses and charitable entities. Securities and Advisory Services are offered through Cetera Advisors LLC, Broker Dealer member FINRA, SIPC, and Registered Investment Advisor registered with the SEC. Cetera Advisors LLC and CCR Wealth Management LLC are not affiliated companies. For more information, please visit us at: www.ccrwealth.com. 1800 West Park Drive, Suite 150 Westborough, MA 01581 Media Contacts Jessica Caris / Michael Dugan Haven Tower Group LLC 424 652 6520 ext 104 or ext 106 [email protected] or [email protected] SOURCE CCR Wealth Management Related Links http://www.ccrwealth.com NETANYA, Israel, December 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cellcom Israel Ltd. (NYSE: CEL) announced today that an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") of Cellcom Israel Ltd. (the "Company") will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. (Israel time), at the offices of the Company, 10 Hagavish Street, Netanya, Israel. The record date for the Meeting is Monday, December 19, 2016. The agenda of the Meeting is as follows: (1) approval of the Company's Compensation Policy. Quorum Two or more shareholders holding in the aggregate at least one-third of the outstanding voting power in the Company, present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote, will constitute a quorum at the Meeting. Voting Requirements Item1 requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power in the Company present, in person or by proxy, and voting on the matter, provided that either (i) at least a majority of the shares of non-controlling shareholders and shareholders who do not have a personal interest in the matter voted at the meeting vote in favor of the approval of the Company's Compensation Policy; or (ii) the total number of shares among the shareholders described in section (i) above voted against the approval of the Company's Compensation Policy does not exceed 2% of the aggregate voting rights in the Company. Proxy statements and proxy cards for use by shareholders that cannot attend the meeting in person will be sent by mail, on or about December 21, 2016, to the Company's shareholders that hold shares registered with the American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, including shares held via Depository Trust Company (DTC) members other than the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Clearinghouse. Shareholders that hold shares via the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Clearinghouse may access the proxy statement and a form of Hebrew ballot via the following websites: http:// www.magna.isa.gov.il and http://maya.tase.co.il. About Cellcom Israel Cellcom Israel Ltd., established in 1994, is the largest Israeli cellular provider; Cellcom Israel provides its approximately 2.822 million cellular subscribers (as at September 30, 2016) with a broad range of value added services including cellular telephony, roaming services for tourists in Israel and for its subscribers abroad and additional services in the areas of music, video, mobile office etc., based on Cellcom Israel's technologically advanced infrastructure. The Company operates an LTE 4 generation network and an HSPA 3.5 Generation network enabling advanced high speed broadband multimedia services, in addition to GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks. Cellcom Israel offers Israel's broadest and largest customer service infrastructure including telephone customer service centers, retail stores, and service and sale centers, distributed nationwide. Through its broad customer service network Cellcom Israel offers technical support, account information, direct to the door parcel delivery services, internet and fax services, dedicated centers for hearing impaired, etc. Cellcom Israel further provides OTT TV services (as of December 2014), internet infrastructure (as of February 2015) and connectivity services and international calling services, as well as landline telephone communication services in Israel, in addition to data communication services. Cellcom Israel's shares are traded both on the New York Stock Exchange (CEL) and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (CEL). For additional information please visit the Company's website http://investors.cellcom.co.il/ Company Contact Shlomi Fruhling Chief Financial Officer [email protected] Tel: +972-52-998-9755 Investor Relations Contact Ehud Helft GK Investor & Public Relations In partnership with LHA [email protected] Tel: +1-617-418-3096 SOURCE Cellcom Israel Ltd. SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- H2O+ Beauty today announced that CEO Joy Chen has been named the winner of a Gold Stevie Award for Female Executive of the Year in the 13th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Joy was recognized for her proven skill as a businesswoman, as well as her vision for leading H2O+ Beauty through a sweeping strategic shift in its business model and company culture. Under her leadership, the company transitioned away from its original manufacturing model to focus on innovation. As part of this, Joy moved company headquarters from Chicago to San Francisco, facilitated the reimagining of the entire product line, and restructured the makeup and culture of the H2O+ Beauty team. All of this took place in just one short year, a comprehensive change that typically takes companies 3-7 years to accomplish. "My life's passion has been cultivating great businesses, and that always starts with great people. Nowhere is that more apparent than at H2O+ Beauty," said Joy Chen. "This award reflects the dedication, passion and experience of the entire team, all of whom have thrown themselves into making this new phase of H2O+ Beauty such a success." The Stevie Awards for Women in Business are the world's top honors for female entrepreneurs, executives, employees and the organizations they run. All individuals and organizations worldwide are eligible to submit nominations public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small. The 2016 awards received entries from 31 nations and territories. More than 1,400 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in more than 90 categories, including Entrepreneur of the Year, Executive of the Year, Company of the Year, Startup of the Year, Women Helping Women and Women Run Workplace of the Year, among others. Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word for "crowned," the awards were presented to winners during a dinner attended by more than 500 people at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. The event was broadcast on Livestream. Stevie Award winners were selected by more than 160 professionals worldwide who participated in the judging process this year. "Each year we think the quality of achievements portrayed in Stevie-winning nominations couldn't possibly get any better, and each year the amazing women who are recognized in this program prove us wrong," said Michael Gallagher, Stevie Awards founder and president. "We are thrilled and humbled to be able to recognize so many outstanding women in the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and to share the stories of their achievement with the world." Details about the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the list of Stevie Award winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/Women. About H2O+ Beauty H2O+ Beauty creates skincare formulas that harness the hydrating power of pure water. The company was founded in 1989 with the goal of putting beauty back in the hands of all women by creating skin care products that encourage women to define beauty on their own terms. Continuing that legacy today, H2O+ Beauty combines the simplest, yet most powerful compound on the planet with advanced skincare technology to help women feel confident in their own skin. Our collections of water-based products are formulated with advanced ingredients, enabling them to nourish, smooth, brighten, and hydrate skin. H2O+ Beauty is headquartered in San Francisco, CA. For more information, please visit http://www.h2oplus.com/. About The Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in seven programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 10,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 60 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com. Contact: Lana Gersten | 312.846.1655 | [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160907/405325LOGO SOURCE H2O+ Beauty Related Links http://www.h2oplus.com FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Civitas Senior Living, an emerging leader in the senior living industry, announced the promotion of Cooper Vittitow to Chief Operating Officer. The announcement was made by company president Wayne Powell. "Cooper's aptitude and contributions have been invaluable to our company's growth and success," Powell said. "He embodies the traits that make Civitas a trusted name in the senior living community and has proven to be a tremendous leader as we've grown from the management of one community to thirty communities across the country. His innovative thinking and vision will continue to enhance the strategic direction, growth, and profitability of the our company." Vittitow joined Civitas in 2012 as the company's Vice President of Operations, where he was responsible for the development and implementation of the organization's assisted and independent living and memory care operations. In addition to driving consistent revenue growth, he has played an essential role in the quality and execution of the company's signature resident programs at all of Civitas' thirty communities throughout the country. Within the past year, Vittitow has been a key asset to the company's booming expansion, leading the acquisition and transition teams through the addition of eight new management agreements and construction of four new communities. As Chief Operating Officer, Vittitow will develop and implement the company's national operations strategies, oversee employee development and resident programs and guide innovative strategies that align with Civitas' vision of providing the highest quality of care to its senior living residents. Vittitow earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Lubbock Christian University in 2004 and his Master's in Business Administration from Texas Wesleyan University in 2010. About Civitas Senior Living, LLC Civitas Senior Living is a Fort Worth, Texas-based management company that specializes in development, acquisitions, operational management, and consulting for senior housing properties, including assisted living, retirement centers, and independent senior living properties. For more information about Civitas, please visit www.CivitasSeniorLiving.com, or call 817.386.8888. www.passionseniorliving.com Media contact: Andrea Owen Director of Advertising [email protected] 817-386-8888 SOURCE Civitas Senior Living Related Links http://www.CivitasSeniorLiving.com KALISPELL, Mont., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ClassOne Technology (www.classone.com), manufacturer of cost-efficient wet processing equipment for 200mm substrates has reported its best-ever sales quarter and is currently doubling its Kalispell manufacturing capacity to meet the demand. "We've been seeing a steady increase in market interest and sales," said ClassOne Technology President, Kevin Witt. "Most of these users are now focusing on capabilities they couldn't get before, like wafer-level packaging and More than Moore technologies." Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161207/446482 Witt explained that wafer-level packaging (WLP) has been used for some time with 300mm and larger substrates but the equipment has not been available for 200mm. "Fortunately, ClassOne focuses specifically on the smaller-wafer markets," said Witt. "At a very affordable price, we deliver the new technology and advanced 3D features they're looking for. For example, our Solstice line of multifunctional electroplating systems enables high-efficiency Cu Through Silicon Via (TSV), Pillar, Bump and Barrier Plating and other capabilities that WLP requires. And that's one major reason they're coming to us." ClassOne reports that many of the new buyers are keenly interested in More than Moore (MtM) technologies to increase functionality while reducing cost per device. They are producing compound semiconductors, LEDs, MEMS, RF, Wi-Fi and a range of IoT-related sensors and other devices. ClassOne cites the combination of 200mm-specific tools, advanced capabilities and affordable pricing as the primary driver behind the current equipment-buying surge in emerging markets. ClassOne Technology offers a selection of new-technology wet processing tools designed for 75mm to 200mm wafer users. These include three different models of Solstice electroplating systems for production and development as well as the Trident families of Spin-Rinse-Dryers and Spray Solvent Tools. All are priced at less than half of what similarly configured systems from the larger manufacturers would cost which is why the ClassOne lines are often described as delivering "Advanced Wet Processing for the Rest of Us." For additional information about ClassOne Technology or any of its budget-friendly wet processing tools, visit www.classone.com. About ClassOne Technology ClassOne Technology (www.classone.com/) develops and delivers innovative new wet-chemical equipment solutions especially for the cost-conscious users of 200mm and smaller substrates, users who traditionally have been underserved by the larger equipment manufacturers. ClassOne's products include electroplating, spin rinse drying and spray solvent tools. Based in Kalispell, Montana, ClassOne Technology is built upon decades of experience from industry veterans who continue the tradition of delivering first-class quality and performance at an affordable price. ClassOne Technology is a sister company to ClassOne Equipment (ClassOneEquipment.com), long respected as the industry's premier provider of refurbished processing tools, with over 2,500 systems installed worldwide. For more information, contact: Byron Exarcos ClassOne Technology 109 Cooperative Way Kalispell, MT 59901 United States tel: +1 (678) 772-9086 email: [email protected] Solstice and Trident are registered trademarks of ClassOne Technology. SOURCE ClassOne Technology Related Links http://www.classone.com HOLON, Israel, December 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Compugen Ltd. (NASDAQ: CGEN), a leading predictive drug discovery company, disclosed today CGEN-15137, its cancer immunotherapy program for TIGIT. TIGIT is an immune checkpoint in the B7/CD28 family which has recently gained broad industry interest in the field of immuno-oncology. At the recent Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer, the Company disclosed data demonstrating that the CGEN-15029/PVRIG immune checkpoint, discovered by Compugen represents a new inhibitory component of the known TIGIT axis. Data was also presented that strongly support combining the Company's COM701 anti-PVRIG antibody, which is now in preclinical studies, with an anti-TIGIT antibody. Compugen hypothesized that dual blockade of the two negative costimulatory arms of the axis - TIGIT and PVRIG - should result in a more robust T cell response, and therefore possibly a better anti-tumor immune response. To support this, in vitro studies were conducted which show that dual blockade of both TIGIT and PVRIG increases the activity of tumor infiltrating T cells (TILs) beyond the level achieved by blocking each alone. Leveraging its knowledge, Compugen initiated a therapeutic antibody program targeting TIGIT to complement its CGEN-15029 program. Anat Cohen-Dayag, Ph.D., CEO and President of Compugen, stated, "We are excited to disclose our therapeutic program for TIGIT, an immuno-oncology target of high industry interest. Our efforts to date have demonstrated the potential enhanced efficacy of a combination treatment of a TIGIT antibody together with COM701. TIGIT and PVRIG represent two distinct arms of the same biological pathway. Based on this and our experimental data demonstrating synergistic activation of T cells, we believe there is a significant added value to developing both arms of this potential combination therapy. Currently, we are in the process of developing a therapeutic antibody for CGEN-15137/TIGIT, and expect to select the lead antibody for this target by end of the first quarter of 2017." Dr. Cohen-Dayag continued, "It is becoming clearer that more closely tailored combination therapies will be able to address, in the future, a higher percentage of cancer patients. We therefore have high expectations for our diversified portfolio of novel immune checkpoint candidates." Internally designated as CGEN-15137, TIGIT was discovered by Compugen utilizing its in silico predictive discovery infrastructure and experimentally validated as an immune checkpoint. The findings were published by Compugen in the October 2009 issue of the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). In the same year, two other groups also published papers disclosing the same checkpoint. Antibodies targeting TIGIT being developed by others entered Phase I clinical testing during the past few months. Additional information regarding the CGEN-15137/TIGIT program, as well as other programs, will be provided today at the Company's R&D Day in New York City. A live webcast of the event will be available on the investors section of Compugen's website beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET today. An archived replay of the webcast will be available on the website for 30 days following the event. About TIGIT TIGIT is an immune checkpoint that can inhibit both T cell and NK cell activation when bound to its ligand, PVR (also known as CD155). TIGIT expression is increased on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and inhibition of T cell activation by TIGIT has been reported to be mediated by its ability to disrupt DNAM-1 (also known as CD226) costimulatory signals. Recent preclinical studies have shown that antibody antagonists of TIGIT can potently inhibit tumor growth in mouse cancer models when combined with PD1 pathway blockade. About Compugen Compugen is a leading therapeutic discovery company utilizing its broadly applicable predictive discovery infrastructure to identify novel drug targets and develop first-in-class biologics. The primary focus of the Company's current pipeline is on immune checkpoint target candidates discovered by the Company, potentially providing the basis for a next wave of therapeutics for cancer immunotherapy. Compugen's business model is based on selectively entering into collaborations for its novel target candidates and drug product candidates at various stages of research and development under revenue-sharing agreements. The Company is headquartered in Israel, with R&D facilities in Israel and South San Francisco. At the US facilities, monoclonal antibody therapeutic candidates are discovered and developed against the Company's novel target candidates. For additional information, please visit Compugen's corporate website at http://www.cgen.com. Forward Looking Statement This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "will," "may," "expects," "anticipates," "believes," and "intends," and describe opinions about future events, and include statements relating to the potential of the CGEN-15029 program for the development of new cancer immunotherapy treatments, including the potential of COM701 alone or combined with anti-CGEN-15137 antibody as a new cancer immunotherapy treatment. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Compugen to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Among these risks: Compugen's business model is substantially dependent on entering into collaboration agreements with third parties, and Compugen may not be successful in generating adequate revenues or commercializing aspects of its business model. Moreover, the development and commercialization of therapeutic candidates involve many inherent risks, including failure to progress to clinical trials or, if they progress to or enter clinical trials, failure to receive regulatory approval. These and other factors are more fully discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of Compugen's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as other documents that may be subsequently filed by Compugen from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent Compugen's views only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Compugen does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements unless required by law. Company contact: Tsipi Haitovsky Global Media Liaison Compugen Ltd. Email: [email protected] Tel: +972-52-598-9892 Staniesky et al. (2009) PNAS 106(42):17858-63. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0903474106 . SOURCE Compugen Ltd. ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Personal Connected Health Alliance (PCHAlliance) today announced that connected health pioneer, Joseph C. Kvedar, MD, Vice President, Connected Health, Partners HealthCare, will receive its 2nd annual Digital Health Innovation Award. Kvedar is being honored for his leadership, vision and numerous contributions to advancing the connected health field. The Digital Health Innovation Award will be presented during the closing reception of the Connected Health Conference, on Tuesday, December 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. That morning, Kvedar will also deliver the opening keynote presentation on the state of connected health, addressing the market dynamics, barriers and opportunities to success, and his vision for the future of the field. Kvedar and his team at Partners Connected Health are creating a new model of healthcare delivery, developing innovative strategies to move care from the hospital or doctor's office into the day-to-day lives of patients. His groundbreaking programs are helping providers and patients better manage chronic conditions, maintain health and wellness, and improve adherence, engagement and clinical outcomes. "Long before the Internet, wearable trackers, mobile apps or smartphones, Joe Kvedar was creating a new model of healthcare delivery, putting patients at the center of their care by leveraging technologies to support understanding, engagement and connection," said Patricia (Patty) Mechael, PhD, Executive Vice President, Personal Connected Health Alliance. "There is no one more deserving of this recognition." Under his two decades of leadership, Partners Connected Health has launched a number of innovative health tracking programs, mobile health, virtual care initiatives and clinical research programs at Partners HealthCare-affiliated hospitals, including Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. He has also conducted seminal studies demonstrating the positive impact of personal health and wellness monitoring to promote and maintain healthy behaviors. "It's hard to imagine that, just twenty years ago, when we started this journey, what we now call mhealth, digital health or connected health simply didn't exist. Since then, we've invented a radically new way to deliver health and inspire wellness," said Joseph C. Kvedar, MD, Vice President, Connected Health, Partners HealthCare. "I'm fortunate to have entered this field on the ground floor and proud to be among some of the earliest pioneers. I'm also honored to be recognized by PCHAlliance and look forward to another two decades of accelerated growth, innovation and healthcare disruption." Kvedar wrote The Internet of Healthy Things, describing how everyday objects will capture and use real-time biometric data to ultimately change behavior and improve our health. He is internationally recognized for his leadership and vision in the field of connected health, and has authored over 100 publications on the subject; the popular cHealth Blog provides his insights on connected health. In October PCHAlliance and Partners Connected Health announced that, beginning in 2017, they will merge the Partners Connected Health Symposium and the Connected Health Conference, creating the premier event in the field. The combined Conference will be a content-rich, thought leadership event dedicated to advancing digital and connected health. It will be hosted by PCHAlliance with Partners Connected Health serving as the Organizing Partner. Kvedar will serve as Program Chair for the Conference, Senior Advisor to PCHAlliance and has also joined the PCHAlliance Board of Directors. Hosted by PCHAlliance, the 2016 Connected Health Conference will take place December 11-14, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, DC, focusing on the theme "Personal Connected Health for All: Expanding Reach, Accelerating Impact." Formerly the mHealth Summit, the Connected Health Conference was renamed in 2015 to better reflect an increasingly consumer-centered, technology-enabled and collaborative approach to improving health and wellness. The Conference will showcase the research, evidence, best practices and practical skills supporting positive health outcomes, and promote a collective call to action to reimagine health and wellbeing. In line with PCHAlliance's mission, the conference will also provide opportunities to learn and develop skills that can be immediately applied to advance the adoption and implementation of personal connected health in community and public health as well as healthcare settings. GENERAL REGISTRATION: Register for the Connected Health Conference: http://www.pchaconference.org/ MEDIA REGISTRATION: For information about the PCHAlliance's Connected Health Conference, or for complimentary Media Registration, please contact Gina Cella at 857-239-9198 or [email protected] . About Partners Connected Health Partners Connected Health, at Partners HealthCare, is leveraging information technology mobile phones, tablets, wearables, sensors and remote health monitoring tools to deliver quality patient care outside of traditional medical settings. Partners Connected Health programs are also helping providers and patients better manage chronic conditions, maintain health and wellness and improve adherence, engagement and clinical outcomes. The Connected Health team creates and deploys mobile technologies in a number of patient populations and care settings, and is conducting innovative research studies to test the effectiveness of mobile health technologies in various clinical applications, including medication adherence, care coordination, chronic disease management, prevention and wellness. About the Connected Health Conference The Connected Health Conference, formerly the mHealth Summit, is the premier international conference and expo for the exchange of research, evidence, ideas, innovations and opportunities in connected health. In its eighth year, the event features industry-leading keynote presentations, four tracks of dynamic programming, poster presentations, an interactive exhibit floor, pre-conference symposia and high-value networking sessions. The Connected Health Conference is presented by the Personal Connected Health Alliance (PCHAlliance), a non-profit organization formed by HIMSS. About the Personal Connected Health Alliance The Personal Connected Health Alliance (PCHAlliance) is a non-profit organization formed by HIMSS, working to make health and wellness an effortless part of daily life. PCHAlliance is collaborating with industry, healthcare, public policy, research and advocacy groups to convene the global personal connected health community, and to accelerate the technical, business, policy and social initiatives necessary to advance the field. PCHAlliance hosts the annual Connected Health Conference, an international forum and expo for networking and showcasing advancements in research, innovations and opportunities in personal connected health. PCHAlliance is home to Continua, which publishes the annual Continua Design Guidelines, recognized as the international standard for user friendly end-to-end interoperability of personal connected health devices and systems. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160517/368875LOGO SOURCE Personal Connected Health Alliance Related Links http://www.pchalliance.org HOBOKEN, N.J., Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Context Summits, the preeminent producer of investment summits for the alternative asset management industry, today announced the preliminary agenda and speaker lineup for its upcoming Alternative Lending 2017 Summit, occurring on January 30-31, 2017 at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, FL. Context Summits Alternative Lending 2017 will expand its programming to two full days of keynote and panel sessions from industry leaders and investors in the sector, followed by targeted one-on-one meetings. On the first day (January 30), Ron Suber, President of Prosper Marketplace, will deliver a morning keynote on "Current Market Environment & the Future of Alternative Lending." This day will also feature panel sessions on securitization, transparency, portfolio stabilization, crowdfunding and small business lending. "The online lending industry continues to grow and evolve as new entrants emerge, investors continue to search for yield and borrowers turn to online lending for access to consumer-friendly loans with fair, competitive rates," said Ron Suber. "I look forward to the opportunity to connect with allocators and share our insights with participants at Context Summits in Miami." On day two (January 31), Sam Hodges, Co-Founder of Funding Circle, will deliver a morning keynote about "The Changing Relationship with Lending Institutions & the Impact on the US Economy," followed by several panels on capital raising, valuation methodologies, legal and regulatory risks, navigating credit risk and student loans. Mr. Hodges said, "It's been a year of maturation for our industry, and one of the most significant developments we continue to see is the growing relationships between marketplace lenders and the traditional financial sector. Looking ahead, we anticipate even more diverse pools of capital to continue to flow into marketplace lending, helping to inject much-needed growth capital back into small businesses and, ultimately, the economy." "The expansion of our Alternative Lending Summit underscores our commitment to featuring niche investment strategies and reflects the positive feedback we received from allocators following our last full-day event in Dana Point, California," said Mark Salameh, Co-Founder and CEO of Context Summits. "During these two days, we expect to hear timely updates from the best-in-breed and obtain their market views on macro policies and industry trends." Additional industry speakers include: Rohit Arora , CEO of Biz2Credit , CEO of Biz2Credit Stu Richards , CEO of Bredin , CEO of Bredin Brendan Ross , CEO of Direct Lending Investments , CEO of Direct Lending Investments Perry Rahbar , CEO of dv01 , CEO of dv01 Greg Zeeman , COO of Enova International , COO of Enova International Sam Graziano , CEO of Fundation , CEO of Fundation Matthew Rodak , CEO of Fund That flip , CEO of Fund That flip Gregory Parker , CEO of Indie Crowd Funder , CEO of Indie Crowd Funder Peter Renton , Founder of Lend Academy , Founder of Lend Academy Mike Romano , Co-Founder of Lendsnap , Co-Founder of Lendsnap Kristin Slink, Co-Founder & COO of LoanHero Mark Solovy , Managing Director of Monroe Capital , Managing Director of Monroe Capital Brew Johnson, CEO of PeerStreet Clay Smudsky , Managing Director at SoFi , Managing Director at SoFi Michael Weisz , Founder & President of YieldStreet Mr. Salameh continued: "We remain committed to providing fresh market insights on rapidly changing industry dynamics and enhancing the experience of the managers and allocators attending our Summits beyond the high-quality one-on-one diligence meetings." Context Summits hosts four events each year. To view the current Alternative Lending 2017 agenda and review speakers, please visit https://www.contextsummits.com/altlending. Following Alternative Lending 2017, Context Summits will host its flagship Context Summits Miami 2017, which will take place on February 1-3 at the Fontainebleau Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida. About Context Summits As the preeminent producer of events for the alternative asset management industry, Context Summits focuses on elevating the conference experience through an innovative format and structure where relationship building leads to unmatched results. A pioneer of the one-on-one 'summit' format, Context Summits utilizes an innovative approach to deliver effective and transparent networking events that elevate the conference experience for managers, allocators and investors. Through its systematic approach, Context Summits is able to attract high quality attendees, making meetings efficient and productive. For more details, please visit: http://www.contextsummits.com. About Context Capital Partners Context Capital Partners, LP is an alternative specialist company that allocates its capital to talented investment managers and whose subsidiaries offer a diverse range of investment strategies, including hedge funds, liquid alternative mutual funds, and private equity funds. Through its unique approach to evaluating and overseeing highly-differentiated and specialized funds, Context seeks to identify opportunities in both liquid and illiquid markets and serves as a full financial and operational partner for its subsidiaries. Since inception, Context led seed deals totaling more than $400 million in aggregate. The firm's subsidiary businesses include Context Asset Management, Context Summits, Context BH Capital Management, Context Liberty Bell, Context Jensen Partners, and Context Business Credit. Context Capital Partners is headquartered in Bala Cynwyd, PA. For more information about Context Capital Partners, visit www.contextcp.com. Contact: Nick Rust 212.279.3115 ext. 252 [email protected] SOURCE Context Summits Related Links https://www.contextsummits.com CLEVELAND, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Corrigan Krause, the preferred CPA leader in services for closely-held businesses in Northeast Ohio, acquires Klinc & Associates, LLC out of Solon, Ohio. This acquisition allows Westlake-based Corrigan Krause to better serve its client base and continue being recognized for highly sought after achievements, adding to the firm's overall successes. The acquisition begets Corrigan Krause a second location in Solon, Ohio's business district, as well as a substantial client base of closely-held businesses and individuals with diverse tax and accounting needs. Corrigan Krause's expansion into the East side of Cleveland follows in the company's pattern of growth, explained Managing Partner Thomas L. Harrison, CPA: "By establishing a presence in Solon, we're looking forward to expanding our footprint and becoming more accessible to closely-held businesses across Cleveland and Northeast Ohio." In the past 3 years alone, Corrigan Krause's staff has grown by more than 50 percent. In early 2016, the Firm expanded its Crocker Road office space by adding a 5,000-square-foot addition to the location first inhabited by Corrigan Krause in 2009. Corrigan Krause has been awarded multiple distinctions in the past few months, including the Crain's 52 Fastest Growing Companies, the Plain Dealer Top Workplaces in Northeast Ohio, the Best Accounting Firms to Work For as named by Accounting Today, the NorthCoast 99 best workplaces for top talent in Northeast Ohio, and the Weatherhead 100 top companies in Northeast Ohio. About Corrigan Krause CPA's: Corrigan Krause is a mid-size CPA firm located in Westlake, Ohio, specializing in servicing closely-held businesses since 1989. Corrigan Krause provides various accounting, tax, compliance, and consulting solutions to the challenges that small companies face in the ever-changing business environment. Corrigan Krause takes pride in working as business advocates, providing value-added personalized service and building long-term relationships to help position clients for the future. Corrigan Krause is also an independent member of MSI Global Alliance, a worldwide organization of professional accounting firms and business advisors in more than 100 countries. This affiliation provides access to industry-focused experts in major cities around the world. Learn more at www.corrigankrause.com. PRESS INFORMATION: Elizabeth M. Juran, Marketing Coordinator 440.471.0822 / [email protected] Corrigan Krause CPAs 2055 Crocker Road - Suite 300 - Westlake, Ohio 44145 6240 SOM Center Road - Suite 120 - Solon, Ohio 44139 P 440.471.0822 - F 440.471.0801 - www.corrigankrause.com SOURCE Corrigan Krause Related Links http://www.corrigankrause.com "Through their knowledge and experience with strategic design, Siegel+Gale helped us create a visual identity that represents Credit Karma's DNA," said Greg Lull, chief marketing officer, Credit Karma. "Our old identity no longer captured our expanded offering. Our new identity is truly reflective of our brand personality and where we want to go." The personal finance company partnered with Siegel+Gale to modernize its visual identity while retaining its brand heritage. The core of the brand redesign is a new logo that conveys Credit Karma's commitment to helping people build their financial future through personalized and unbiased advice. Siegel+Gale created an identity that is an expression of Credit Karma's brand personality. Key components of the new logo design include: The new logo that pairs a friendly professional wordmark with a bright, optimistic color palette built around fresh and clean Karma Green . . The upward movement of the K's arm hints at what Credit Karma strives for helping users improve their financial health and ultimately build their financial future. The typographic layout easily translates into a friendly shorthand, allowing for flexibility in the design system. "Credit Karma needed to visually connect with members and consumers in a way that signaled their commitment to being helpful," said Matthias Mencke, group creative director, Siegel+Gale. "It was less about being a credit score company and more about demonstrating positive upward momentum for members by helping them get ahead of their finances." About Credit Karma Founded in 2007, Credit Karma is a personal finance company that's focused on helping everyone make financial progress. Whether they're interested in getting a better deal on a loan, looking for ways to save or simply monitoring their credit, we offer a range of tools and personalized recommendations designed to help them make the most of their money. Our business model is unique, in that no matter what new products or services we introduce, we're committed to providing a service that's always free. With more than 60 million members, we help people gain insight into their finances and credit informationand, ultimately, improve their financial standing. Learn more about how Credit Karma members are making financial progress on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. About Siegel+Gale Siegel+Gale (www.siegelgale.com) Siegel+Gale is a global brand strategy, design and experience firm. Using facts, intuition and creativity, we blend science with art, unlocking the power of simplicity to help organizations realize their full potential. Since 1969, Siegel+Gale has championed simplicity for leading corporations, nonprofits and government organizations worldwide. We have offices in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Dubai and Shanghai, but we're willing to fly just about anywhere. We're also not alone. As part of the DAS Group of Companies, we have strong partners all around the world. About the DAS Group of Companies The DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), is a global group of marketing services companies. DAS includes over 200 companies in the following marketing disciplines: specialty, PR, healthcare, CRM, events, promotional marketing, branding and research. Operating through a combination of networks and regional organizations, DAS serves international, regional, national and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries. Contact: Molly Muldoon Associate Public Relations Director, Siegel+Gale [email protected] 1.212.453.0491 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446343LOGO Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120123/NY39544LOGO SOURCE Siegel+Gale Related Links http://www.siegelgale.com FHOOSH's unique software platform helps corporations, institutions and governments protect and power valuable stored digital information at certified speeds up to eight times faster than storing data unencrypted, and up to 15 times faster than today's competing encryption solutions. As a drop-in software solution, FHOOSH is also highly flexible and adaptable to work with any organization's existing architecture. With FHOOSH, organizations no longer compromise data security for speed. The company, founded in late 2012, has applied clean slate design thinking to build a high performance cybersecurity platform from architecture to implementation that speeds and protects data from the edge to the cloud, and is protected by a very strong and robust IP portfolio. Eric Tobias, FHOOSH co-founder and CEO, says, "The partnership and additional pre-Series A capital investment from Volta Global enables us to accelerate products to market. Our highly creative and focused team is highly energized as we are consistently hearing that no other company is pairing high speed data transmission with advanced security, especially to move data into and out of public, private and hybrid clouds. Linda Eigner co-founder & President of FHOOSH, adds, "We're very fortunate to partner with Volta Global, visionaries with worldwide experience, who focus on long-term success and building businesses the right way." Marko Dimitrijevic, chairman of Volta Global, says, "We are excited to partner with Linda and Eric, talented and experienced entrepreneurs who have designed a game changing software solution with immense potential." Jeff Evans, managing director of Volta Global, adds, "Data has never been more valuable, and simultaneously as vulnerable, to an organization as it is today. FHOOSH has developed a novel, proprietary solution to enable enhanced safety, security, and speed, all at once." FHOOSH plans to use the funds to fuel growth by bringing on additional engineers and others to deliver on its promise: "Faster Data, More Secure." About FHOOSH FHOOSH, Inc. develops high-speed cybersecurity software solutions that protect data at rest and in transit at speeds certified up to 8x faster than storing even unencrypted data. FHOOSH delivers on the promise of "faster data, more secure" by safeguarding data at an elemental level from the edge/endpoint to the cloud. With the FHOOSH system's patent-pending security built in from architecture to implementation, an unauthorized interception or breach nets only data "dust" instead of information "diamonds." FHOOSH cybersecurity is highly applicable to secure use of any cloud, enterprise protection, secure backup, ransomware safeguarding, secure IoT, secure user and key management and end-to-end data protection. For more information, please visit www.fhoosh.com. About Volta Global Volta Global is a private investment firm with a global, multi-faceted investment strategy across venture capital, private equity, real estate, and public markets. Learn more about their approach and past investments at www.voltaglobal.com. Contacts: FHOOSH, Inc. Trudy Edelson [email protected] (888) 434-6674, ext. 701 (650) 303-1998 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446327LOGO Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446328LOGO SOURCE Volta Global Related Links http://voltaglobal.com TOKYO and SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- DataDirect Networks (DDN) today announced that Yahoo Japan Corporation ("Yahoo! JAPAN") has deployed an active archive system jointly developed by DDN and IBM Japan. The new system allows Yahoo! JAPAN to cache dozens of petabytes of data from its OpenStack Swift storage solution in a Japan-based data center, and transfer data to a U.S.-based data center at an astonishing rate of 50 TB of data per day thus enabling energy cost savings of 74 percent due to lower energy rates in the United States versus Japan, while ensuring fast data access regardless of location. Tweet this: Thanks to @ddn_limitless & @IBM_Japan, Yahoo! JAPAN saves 74% storing #OpenStack Swift data via an #ActiveArchive! http://bit.ly/2gFMHmq Yahoo! JAPAN introduced the active archive system, which allows data to be cached in a data center in Japan and then transferred and stored in a U.S.-based data center owned by YJ America, Inc., its local subsidiary in the United States. The decision to move to an active archive system configured across dual continents was based, in large part, on Yahoo! JAPAN's rising data volumes, multi-petabyte data backup requirements, and the disaster recovery measures it implemented after the Great East Japan Earthquake. The joint DDN/IBM Japan system is able to handle dozens of petabytes of data within a single file system configuration. It allows the data center to cache data from an operating object storage (OpenStack Swift) private cloud at a fast rate of 11TB/ hour and back up the data in a data center archive in the United States at a breakthrough transfer rate of 50TB per day. The system allows users in Japan to access data and conduct services easily and without concern for where the data resides. The active archive is built on DDN's high performance SFA7700X storage solution and IBM Spectrum Scale, which together provide the high-speed input/output (I/O) performance required by Yahoo! JAPAN. The data is cached on a solid state drive (SSD) that enables higher-speed I/O and ensures expedited metadata handling. The solution enables data sharing by using the caching function via the IBM Spectrum Scale Active File Management (AFM). In addition, the high density DDN SFA7700X ensures ample capacity and scalability to meet Yahoo! JAPAN's fast-growing, high-volume needs. "At Yahoo! JAPAN, we were grappling with a number of challenges related to our large, fast-paced data growth and vital disaster recovery needs; however, installing a massive storage system in a data center in Japan raises additional issues such as power consumption," said Mr. Daisuke Masaki, Cloud Innovations, Site Operations Division, Systems Management Group, Yahoo Japan Corporation. "We therefore opted for a bold technical solution in which our data center in Japan caches data from the existing object storage (OpenStack Swift) and saves the data to a data center archive in the United States, which can be operated with 26 percent of the electricity cost of a data center in Japan and at about one-third of the cost of competitive solutions. Moving forward, we plan to expand and save data from multiple websites in Japan to the active archive system in the United States." Supporting Resources About DDN DataDirect Networks (DDN) is the world's leading big data storage supplier to data-intensive, global organizations. For more than 18 years, DDN has designed, developed, deployed and optimized systems, software and storage solutions that enable enterprises, service providers, universities and government agencies to generate more value and to accelerate time to insight from their data and information, on premise and in the cloud. Organizations leverage the power of DDN storage technology and the deep technical expertise of its team to capture, store, process, analyze, collaborate and distribute data, information and content at the largest scale in the most efficient, reliable and cost-effective manner. DDN customers include many of the world's leading financial services firms and banks, healthcare and life science organizations, manufacturing and energy companies, government and research facilities, and web and cloud service providers. For more information, go to www.ddn.com or call 1-800-837-2298. Media Contacts: DDN Michael King, 408-419-2892 Sr. Director of Marketing [email protected] IGNITE Consulting, on behalf of DDN Linda Dellett, 303-439-9398 Kathleen Sullivan, 303-439-9365 [email protected] 2016 All rights reserved. DDN Storage, DDN and the SFA7700X are trademarks owned by DataDirect Networks. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130223/MM65263LOGO SOURCE DataDirect Networks (DDN) Related Links http://www.ddn.com Founded by three radiologists in 1966, Desert Radiology is proud to have grown to 65 board certified, USA trained physicians, and over 350 personnel providing technical and administrative support. They are the exclusive provider for a large cancer center, a group of multi-specialty medical centers and several other facilities throughout Nevada, as well as providing services for 15 hospitals throughout Nevada, Texas and New Mexico. Desert Radiology performs over 1.3 million procedures annually in their seven imaging facilities, including their newest Southwest location which opened in September. Desert Radiology is delighted to celebrate their 50th anniversary this year by continuing to provide the most advanced radiological care to Southern Nevada, and contributing to deserving charities such as City Impact Center. For more information on the services offered at Desert Radiology please contact their patient care center at 702-759-8600 or visit them on the web at https://desertrad.com/. Contact: Glenda Monkarsh 702-595-4896 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161207/446760 SOURCE Desert Radiology Related Links https://desertrad.com CANONSBURG, Pa., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Three years ago, Aquatech International, a global leader in water purification technology for industrial and infrastructure markets, was awarded a contract by the Egyptian Ethylene and Derivatives Company (ETHYDCO) to provide a landmark water treatment facility that includes the first integrated Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plant in Egypt. This plant, which is designed to protect Egypt's only life-giving aquifer, The River Nile, has now been commissioned, and Aquatech's solution has resulted in the plant achieving ZLD while reducing its fresh water demand by 70%. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446354LOGO Hailed as a "beacon for other industries not only in Egypt, but also GCC countries to follow," the plant is installed at ETHYDCO's petroleum derivatives production facility at Alexandria. A subsidiary of Egyptian Holding Co. for Petrochemical (ECHEM), ETHYDCO produces ethylene and other petroleum derivatives at this site. Designed and supplied by Aquatech, the plant treats wastewater from this facility and cooling tower blowdown to get cooling tower makeup water, boiler feed water and achieve Zero Liquid Discharge. The feed to the plant is 1119 cubic meters per hour (m3/hr) a composite mix of treated effluent and water from the Nile River, which experiences inconsistent water chemistry and unpredictable fluctuations throughout the year. After studying three years of data, Aquatech developed a process design that could operate at seven pre-defined scenarios and adapt to prevailing site conditions. Aquatech's innovative solution integrates a combination of technologies and equipment configuration to achieve desired operational flexibility and treated water demands. Components include a microfiltration system and High Efficiency Reverse Osmosis (HERO) technology for achieving more than 97% recovery across membrane systems. This is followed by QUA Fractional Electrodeionization (FEDI) for high quality demineralized water production, a two-stage thermal system consisting of a brine concentrator and crystallizer to achieve ZLD, and a sludge treatment system. Aquatech's solution has resulted in the fresh water demand being reduced by 70%, from 2600 m3/hr to 800 m3/hr. "We are proud to be associated with this groundbreaking project, which brings Aquatech's unparalleled expertise and experience in Zero Liquid Discharge solutions into sharp focus. Aquatech can point to more than 160 ZLD installations on six continents. We are an innovator in ZLD technologies and a pioneer in hybrid ZLD. This experience and capability make us uniquely positioned to help customers across all segments of industry achieve increasingly strict environmental goals," said Robert W. Sweetman, Principal Process Engineer, Aquatech International. Aquatech has executed several projects in Egypt, including seawater desalination systems and recycle/reuse plants. About Aquatech International Aquatech International (www.aquatech.com) is a global leader in water purification technology for industrial and infrastructure markets with a focus on desalination, water reuse, and zero liquid discharge. The company is headquartered in the United States, and has a significant presence worldwide through subsidiaries in India, Europe, the Middle East, and China. Aquatech strives to provide technology leadership and performance excellence to the global water industry, and aims to support its clients with cutting-edge sustainable solutions, minimizing their life cycle cost, as well as their carbon and water footprint. Contact: Ann Seamonds +1-978-764-5528 [email protected] SOURCE Aquatech International MELBOURNE, Australia, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- DexKo Global Inc., global leader in highly engineered trailer running gear and chassis assemblies and related components, is expanding its Australian operations, announcing it has signed an agreement to acquire Melbourne Trailer and Caravan Supplies (MTCS). MTCS is an Australian family-owned business and supplier of caravan and trailer axles, leaf springs and other trailer components, serving multiple market segments across Australia since 1968. It has also been the Australian distributor for the Dexter Axle product range for over 30 years. Fred Bentley, CEO at DexKo Global said: "We are excited to welcome the MTCS team to the DexKo organisation. We now have a combined voice for both our Dexter and AL-KO products in Australia. This is our third acquisition on three continents in the last quarter. We are leveraging our global platform to grow our business by targeting highly engineered products and geographical growth. We truly believe together is better for all of our constituents and this is our next step toward obtaining our DexKo 2020 vision." The transaction has the strong endorsement of the Henry family as the owners of MTCS including founder Tom Henry, Managing Director Denis Henry and General Manager Craig Henry. "The team at MTCS is very excited by the opportunities presented to us through our new partnership with AL-KO," said Managing Director Denis Henry. "With the resources that AL-KO has available in Australia and also globally via DexKo Global Inc., as well as the expertise that MTCS has regarding the Dexter product range, this partnership is a great outcome for the future for all stakeholders associated with our business." Harald Hiller, global President and CEO of AL-KO VT emphasised the benefits for customers. "We continue to add strong brands to our global portfolio and offer more quality products to our customers. This integration will further strengthen our core business, which will allow us to service our customers with an even broader range." "I am excited by the opportunity to integrate the MTCS business into the DexKo organization," said AL-KO's Australian Managing Director Peter Mannfolk. "Together is better and I look forward to giving our customers a full suite of the world's market leading products, creating a unique 'one stop shop,' including the leading AL-KO and Dexter brands." DexKo Global Inc. AL-KO Vehicle Technology and Dexter Axle have merged to become DexKo Global Inc. (USA). This combination is the world's largest manufacturer of trailer axles and chassis components in the light segment. DexKo Global Inc. has a turnover of over US$ 1 billion. CONTACT: Jim Berry, 1-574-296-7343 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161207/446504LOGO SOURCE DexKo Global Inc. Until now, Parkinson's treatments have focused on symptom management. If successful in human trials, MSDC-0160 would be the world's first therapy to treat the underlying disease and slow its progressionpotentially improving quality of life and preventing the occurrence of falls and cognitive decline. It may also reduce or delay the need for medications that can have debilitating side effects, says Brundin. Parkinson's disease afflicts between 7-10 million people worldwide, including an estimated 1 million Americans, and these numbers are expected to increase dramatically as the average human lifespan increases. There is currently no cure, and first-line treatment has remained relatively unchanged since the introduction of levodopa in the 1960s. Tom Isaacs, a co-founder of The Cure Parkinson's Trust who has lived with Parkinson's for 22 years, says MSDC-0160 represents one of the most promising treatment the Trust's international consortium has seen to date. "Our scientific team has evaluated more than 120 potential treatments for Parkinson's disease, and MSDC-0160 offers the genuine prospect of being a breakthrough that could make a significant and permanent impact on people's lives in the near future," says Isaacs. "We are working tirelessly to move this drug into human trials as quickly as possible in our pursuit of a cure." MSDC-0160 was developed by Kalamazoo, Michigan-based Metabolic Solutions Development Company (MSDC) to treat type 2 diabetes. In 2012, Brundin recognized it as an exciting drug candidate because of its mode of action, proven safety in people, local availability and the start-up company's interest in collaborating on drug repurposing initiatives. After four years of work, the effects of the drug in the laboratory exceeded Brundin's expectations. The novelty of MSDC-0160 stems from a recently revived revelation that Parkinson's may originate, at least partially, in the body's energy metabolism. The new drug appears to regulate mitochondrial function in brain cells and restore the cells' ability to convert basic nutrients into energy. Consequently, the cells' ability to handle potentially harmful proteins is normalized, which leads to reduced inflammation and less nerve cell death. "Parkinson's disease and diabetes may have vastly different symptoms with unrelated patient outcomes; however, we're discovering they share many underlying mechanisms at the molecular level and respond similarly to a new class of insulin sensitizers like MSDC-0160," says Jerry Colca, Ph.D., co-founder, president and chief scientific officer of MSDC. While Brundin says he is eager to see MSDC-0160 launched into a clinical trial in Parkinson's disease, he's equally excited about the possibility of testing the drug in Lewy body dementia and other cognitive decline conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease. "This is an immensely promising avenue for drug discovery," says Brundin. "Whatever the outcome of the upcoming trial for Parkinson's, we now have a new road to follow in search of better treatments that cut to the root of this and other insidious diseases." The Cure Parkinson's Trust and Van Andel Research Institute are currently working with MSDC to address regulatory issues and obtain funding to organize the clinical trial, which Brundin hopes can begin sometime in 2017. Funding for the research was provided by Van Andel Research Institute, The Cure Parkinson's Trust, the Campbell Foundation, and the Spica Foundation. The paper's authors include Anamitra Ghosh, Trevor Tyson, Sonia George, Erin N. Hildebrandt, Jennifer A. Steiner, Zachary Madaj, Emily Schulz, Emily Machiela, Martha L. Escobar Galvis, Jeremy M. Van Raamsdonk and Patrik Brundin, all of Van Andel Research Institute; William G. McDonald and Jerry R. Colca, both of Metabolic Solutions Development Company; and Jeffrey H. Kordower, of Rush University Medical Center and Van Andel Research Institute. About Parkinson's disease Although Parkinson's symptoms vary widely among patients, they typically progress from a constellation of vague problems, including loss of smell, constipation, poor sleep, mood fluctuations, and changing blood pressures, to the disease's hallmarks, such as tremors, affected speech and facial expressions, stooping, poor motor function, and memory loss. The gold standard treatment, levodopa, supplements the neurotransmitter dopamine, a chemical in the brain that is critical for motor function and one that decreases as the disease progresses. Though often effective early in Parkinson's progression, levodopa's effectiveness may decline and the need to endure increasingly heavy doses comes with debilitating side effects like confusion, anxiety, hallucinations, uncontrollable movements and tremors, and incontinence. About MSDC-0160 MSDC-0160 is a novel mTOT modulator being developed to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. It is a once-a-day, oral insulin sensitizer that works through a new drug target located in the inner mitochondrial membrane, called mTOT. The mTOT mechanism ties mitochondrial metabolism to aspects of the pathology associated with insulin resistance and certain neurodegenerative diseases. MSDC-0160 has been shown to safe, well-tolerated, and efficacious in a 90-day, randomized, double-blind, comparator- and placebo-controlled, multi-dose Phase 2b clinical study in 258 patients with type 2 diabetes (Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (advance online publication 6 March 2013); and in a Phase 2a study conducted by researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago in patients diagnosed with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease, wherein this new therapeutic agent prevented the decline in a measure of brain glucose utilization in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (Current Alzheimer Research, 2014, 11). Contact: Beth Hinshaw Hall, 616-234-5519, [email protected] Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bxVOABKmxk&feature=youtu.be Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446296 SOURCE Van Andel Research Institute WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Henry F. Kramer, Secretary-Treasurer of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC), has announced his plan to retire effective December 31, 2016, after more than 8 years of service as an International Union officer, including nearly 7 years as Secretary-Treasurer. A member of BAC Local 74 Illinois, and a third generation BAC member, Kramer joined the Union in 1974. Beginning in 1978, he served as Recording Secretary, then President of Local 74. In 1988, he became Business Manager, an office he held until his appointment by the International Union as an IU Regional Director in October 2005. From 1991 until his first IU appointment, he also served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Illinois District Council #1. In addition to his Local Union service, and role as a Regional Director, Kramer was an elected Regional Vice President to the BAC Executive Council, serving from 2000 to 2005. During this period, he played an instrumental role in the Union's strategic planning. Beginning during his tenure as an Executive Vice President, Kramer had oversight of the Union's Field Staff and in that role has advanced the Union's strategic plans. In addition, as Secretary-Treasurer, Kramer has had oversight responsibilities for many of the International Union's financial and administrative programs and has been actively involved in shaping the IU's communication, publication, education, and government relations initiatives. BAC President James Boland remarked "Henry has been a great partner to me and a great steward of the Union's financial and administrative interests. On behalf of our Union, I thank Henry for his counsel and perspective on the Executive Board, and for his nearly four decades of service to BAC. We all wish him a long, healthy and happy retirement." The International Union's Constitution provides that in the event of a vacancy in the office of Secretary-Treasurer, the President shall appoint a successor to fulfill the remainder of the term. President Boland is pleased to announce that he is appointing BAC Executive Vice President Timothy J. Driscoll to fulfill the remainder of Henry Kramer's term, effective January 1, 2017. Driscoll has held the position of Executive Vice President since February 2010. A second generation member, Driscoll joined BAC Local 3 Massachusetts in 1985. In 1993, he moved to the Washington, D.C. metro area and joined Local 1 Maryland/Virginia/D.C. In 1995, Driscoll joined the IU's Government Relations department, and then as Assistant to the President. In 1999, he was promoted to the position of Director of Trade Jurisdiction. Driscoll is recognized throughout the building trades industry for his reasoned approach to issues and ability to solve problems and get things done. Driscoll holds a BS in Economics from the University of Maryland, and is a graduate of the Harvard Trade Union Program. Said President Boland of the appointment, "Tim has excelled in every position he has held at the International Union, and I expect he will do the same as Secretary-Treasurer. I look forward to working closely together with Tim to maintain and advance our vibrant and strong Union." BAC President Boland is also pleased to announce that he will appoint Carlos Aquin as an Executive Vice President to fulfill the remainder of Timothy Driscoll's term, effective January 1, 2017. A second generation BAC member, Aquin served in the United States Marine Corps for several years prior to joining BAC Local 18 California in 1991. In 1995, Aquin became a member of BAC Local 4 California before moving to Las Vegas and becoming a member of BAC Local 3 Nevada and its successor Local 13. Aquin soon took on leadership roles in the Local, as Local 13's Compliance Officer in 2004, Secretary-Treasurer in 2005 and President in 2006. Aquin is currently Director of the BAC Mountain West Administrative District Council, which has jurisdiction over Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and portions of New Mexico, and President of BAC Local 13 Nevada. In addition to his Local service, Aquin has been a member of the IU Executive Council for nearly 10 years. As Executive Vice President, Aquin will have oversight of the Organizing and Trade Jurisdiction Departments. President Boland said of Aquin's appointment: "Tim, Jerry Scarano and I are looking forward to Carlos joining us on the Executive Board. As a leader of our Union in right-to-work states, Carlos has vital experience in strategic and creative organizing; in reaching out to new members, working with community allies, and in retaining current members. In addition, as the son of Mexican and Costa Rican immigrants, Carlos will bring an important perspective to our Board as we continue to promote growth and diversity in our Union." The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is the oldest continuous union in North America and represents roughly 80,000 skilled masonry-trowel trades craftworkers in the United States and Canada, including bricklayers, tile setters, cement masons, plasterers, stone masons, marble masons, restoration workers, and terrazzo and mosaic workers. Contact: 202-783-3788 SOURCE International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Related Links http://bacweb.org ROWAYTON, Conn., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Eaton Partners, one of the world's largest placement agents and advisory firms for private fund sponsors and a wholly owned subsidiary of Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF), announced today the formation of a distinct team within the firm that will work with and raise capital for unique private credit strategies globally. Targeted strategies include asset-backed and direct corporate lending, distressed debt, real estate credit, and other specialty credit. The team will primarily focus on representing credit managers located in the U.S., Europe and Asia. "Recent regulatory hurdles have led to a secular retrenchment from banks in the commercial lending arena, and as a result, we've seen that opportunities for private credit managers are greater than ever," said Jeff Davis, Partner at Eaton Partners. "In fact, in several industry surveys taken this year, a majority of institutional investors said they were under-allocated to private credit and expected to increase their target allocations over the next 12 months. Our global capital raising capabilities for credit-focused managers is exemplary, and our team will be focused on working with truly differentiated private credit fund managers to showcase their unique stories and risk-return profiles to institutional investors." In 2016, Eaton has participated or raised more than $2.6 billion for five credit funds. Since 1998, Eaton Partners has participated or raised more than $16 billion for credit-focused funds globally, including many first-time funds. Eaton Partners has relationships with more than 4,000 institutional investors across the globe and specializes in raising capital across a range of alternative strategies, including private equity and private credit, as well as real assets, hedge funds, and real estate. The firm also assists general partners in secondary transactions, and in syndicating co-investment and direct deals from qualified institutional investors. About Eaton Partners, LLC Founded in 1983, Eaton Partners is one of the largest and most experienced fund placement firms in the world, having raised more than $70 billion across 93 highly differentiated funds. With over 60 professionals across offices in North America, Europe, and Asia, the firm raises institutional capital for investment managers across a full range of alternative strategies: private equity, private credit, real assets, real estate, and hedge funds/public market strategies. Eaton Partners is currently in the market with funds some of whose strategies include: sector-specific and general buyout, real estate equity and credit, infrastructure, midstream energy, mining, mezzanine credit, municipal credit, event driven equity and long/short equity. Partnering with a select number of the highest-quality fund managers, Eaton Partners has represented some of the most innovative funds of the last three decades. With extensive institutional relationships, deep sector knowledge, and fresh insights, Eaton Partners is dedicated to every client's success. In January 2016, Eaton Partners became a wholly owned subsidiary and affiliate of Stifel Financial Corp., a leading middle-market investment bank, to further ensure Eaton's success at the highest level of the global placement business. Eaton Partners, LLC, is a registered broker-dealer and a member of FINRA. It is registered as an Introducing Broker with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and is a member of the National Futures Association (NFA). Eaton Partners (UK) LLP is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Eaton Partners Advisors (HK) Limited is approved as a Type 1 License company under the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong. Eaton Partners and the Eaton partners logo are trademarks of Eaton Partners, LLC, a limited liability company Eaton Partners, LLC, 2016. Eaton Partners, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary and affiliate of Stifel Financial Corp. To learn more, please visit www.eatonpartnersllc.com. Stifel Company Information Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) is a financial services holding company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, that conducts its banking, securities, and financial services business through several wholly owned subsidiaries. Stifel's broker-dealer clients are served in the United States through Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated; Keefe Bruyette & Woods, Inc.; Miller Buckfire & Co., LLC; Century Securities Associates, Inc.; and Eaton Partners, LLC, and in the United Kingdom and Europe through Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited. The Company's broker-dealer affiliates provide securities brokerage, investment banking, trading, investment advisory, and related financial services to individual investors, professional money managers, businesses, and municipalities. Stifel Bank & Trust offers a full range of consumer and commercial lending solutions. Stifel Trust Company, N.A. and Stifel Trust Company Delaware, N.A. offer trust and related services. To learn more about Stifel, please visit the Company's web site at www.stifel.com. Media contact: Dukas Linden Public Relations [email protected] 212-704-7385 SOURCE Eaton Partners, LLC Related Links http://www.eatonpartnersllc.com ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Endgame, a leading endpoint security platform to close the protection gap against advanced attackers, announced today that it has won a $18.8 million contract with the U.S. Air Force to safeguard networks for their elite Cyber Protection Teams. Endgame first deployed its platform to the Air Force in December 2015 to automate the hunt against global attackers. As part of the current agreement, the Air Force will receive Endgame's endpoint detection and response (EDR) platform to prevent, detect, and hunt for advanced threats to protect critical infrastructure. "The Air Force is the gold standard for cybersecurity innovation in the US, and the extension of our partnership proves that the Endgame platform provides significant value for their security teams," said Nate Fick, CEO of Endgame. "As attacks become more polymorphic, Endgame's unique ability to anticipate never-before-seen adversary techniques will help the Air Force better prevent, detect, and hunt attackers before they cause damage or loss." Today's attacks are growing increasingly sophisticated, and despite an estimated $75 billion per year spent on security, attackers dwell undetected in networks for an average of 146 days - exposing organizations to massive theft and business disruption. Unfortunately, most security teams are forced to wait for prior threat intelligence - known as indicators of compromise (IOCs) or signatures - to determine whether their systems are infected. This strategy has failed; waiting and searching for known threats leaves organizations vulnerable for too long and leaves them unable to protect themselves and their critical assets. Endgame's comprehensive EDR platform succeeds where others fail, detecting attacks at their earliest stage without prior threat intelligence. Endgame developed its methodology by working with organizations running the largest cyber-operations in the world, including the U.S. Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. This announcement builds on best-in-class advancements in Endgame's October platform release that include HA-CFI and MalwareScore signature-less malware detection. Endgame is the first and only endpoint security platform that combines prevention, detection and response in a single centrally-managed dissolvable sensor to prevent attacks and eliminate adversaries in time to stop damage and loss. To learn more about today's release, see a demo of our platform. About Endgame Endgame is a leading endpoint security platform that enables enterprises to close the protection gap against advanced adversaries by preventing advanced attacks and detecting and eliminating resident attacks. Endgame transforms security operations teams and incident responders from crime scene investigators into hunters that prevent damage and loss, and dramatically reduces the time and cost associated with incident response and compromise assessment. Our IOC-independent platform covers the entire kill chain, leveraging machine learning and data science to uncover, in real-time, unique attacks that evade traditional defenses and respond precisely without disrupting normal business operations. For more information, visit www.endgame.com and follow us on Twitter @EndgameInc. Media Contact Margot Koehler [email protected] 781.424.8943 SOURCE Endgame Related Links http://www.endgame.com WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) President Dan Stein hailed the selection of Retired General John Kelly as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), noting that the appointment will bring some much needed expertise and unwavering commitment to securing the nation's borders against terrorism and illegal immigration. "General Kelly has spent his life defending our nation and fully understands the critical role border security plays in protecting the country from the threats of terrorism, uncontrolled illegal immigration, and drugs. He will bring a renewed commitment to controlling our borders and ensuring the safety of the American homeland." Stein noted that under the Obama Administration, border security has been all but ignored, criminal aliens have been regularly released back onto the streets, and the men and women risking their lives working in immigration enforcement have been largely demoralized. "General Kelly's commitment to the nation's security is without question, and his military expertise and experience fighting the influx of illegal drugs from Latin America gives him unique insight into the challenges faced by the nation's immigration enforcement agents, as well as practical knowledge of border deterrents," he said. Stein also urged the consideration of Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach for a key position with the administration in immigration enforcement. "Kris Kobach has decades of hands-on experience working both in the administration and with communities on the frontlines of illegal immigration," said Stein. "He's an incredibly sharp constitutional lawyer who understands the law, and knows exactly what needs to be done to quickly regain control of the nation's borders," he said. ABOUT FAIR Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With over 500,000 members nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced. CONTACT: Cassie Williams, [email protected], 202-328-7004 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130103/MM36576LOGO SOURCE FAIR Related Links http://www.fairus.org ST. LOUIS, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- FleishmanHillard (FH) is rolling out a new comprehensive media relations practice that will promote storytelling across all regions and communications channels, working with the creative, content, social & innovation and analytics teams. This practice, which touches all 80 + offices, will be led by Laura Russo, newly appointed global managing director, media relations. "In a market where technology is rapidly driving change, and content and social influence have been leading the industry, earned media is still a core capability demanded by our clients," said J.J. Carter, FleishmanHillard chief operating officer and president, Americas. "Laura will introduce a new platform to evolve our suite of media relations products and services, and create a stronger, more globally connected newsroom network." Under Russo's purview, FH will bring the power of 21st century, data-driven storytelling to clients through centers of media excellence around the world, connecting its network of influencers, former journalists and earned media practitioners. This community of more than 400 employees, many of whom joined the firm out of news outlets including CNBC, CNN, China Daily, Financial Times and Handelsblatt to name a few, will operate as a global newsroom, identifying trends and putting together packages of content to help clients share their stories. Russo also will lead the integration of a firm-wide standard for executive media training, rollout of a newly developed set of data driven tools for nimble, speed to market execution, and ensure we are leveraging client stories across paid, earned, shared and owned channels. In addition, Russo has worked with the agency's leaders in APAC, EMEA and the Americas to develop an industry-first Media Certification Program. This program will provide education and training from former journalists and seasoned professionals within the agency to ensure a robust global media engine that is always up-to-date on current trends. "We deliver great results for our clients every day, but acknowledge the need for training our teams and clients on new approaches to developing the most creative, shareable stories. That includes constantly exploring new ways of balancing editorial vision with our clients' creative brand mission," Russo said. "While content and influencers are essential to modern storytelling, earned media is more relevant than ever with top tier media acting as the gatekeepers to drive coverage and give social conversations a lift." A champion of network collaboration during her nine-year tenure with FH, Russo has spent the past year working with other elite media strategists to build a powerful New York-based national media relations team. Now, she will blend her entrepreneurship and creativity to mobilize the agency's credentialed media specialists globally. About FleishmanHillard FleishmanHillard specializes in public relations, reputation management, public affairs, brand marketing, digital strategy, social engagement and content strategy. FleishmanHillard was named PRWeek's 2014 Global Agency of the Year and 2014 Asia Pacific Network of the Year, "Standout Agency" on Advertising Age's 2013 A-List; NAFE's "Top 50 Companies for Executive Women" for 2010-2016; and among PRWeek's 2013 "Best Places to Work." The firm's award-winning work is widely heralded, including at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity. FleishmanHillard is part of Omnicom Public Relations Group, and has more than 85 offices in 30 countries, plus affiliates in 43 countries. Visit us at www.fleishmanhillard.com. About Omnicom Public Relations Group Omnicom Public Relations Group is a global collective of three of the top global public relations agencies worldwide and specialist agencies in areas including public affairs, marketing to women, fashion, global health strategy and corporate social responsibility. It encompasses more than 6,000 public relations professionals in more than 330 offices worldwide who provide their expertise to companies, government agencies, NGOs and nonprofits across a wide range of industries. Omnicom Public Relations Group is part of the DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. that includes more than 200 companies in a wide range of marketing disciplines including advertising, public relations, healthcare, customer relationship management, events, promotional marketing, branding and research. SOURCE FleishmanHillard Related Links http://www.fleishmanhillard.com NEW YORK, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- FourWorld Capital Management, LLC has completed an independent analysis of the principal product of Flotek Industries Inc. (NYSE: FTK) ("Flotek"), challenging the efficacy and value of the fracking additive known as CnF. Houston-based Flotek, a supplier of specialty chemicals to the oil and gas industry, markets CnF as a high-potency fracking additive that it claims enhances the extraction of oil and natural gas from horizontal wells by 30% to 70% relative to similar additives. Touted as its "crown jewel," CnF has long been Flotek's primary driver of revenue and profitability, which is sold to operators of hydraulic fracturing oil and gas wells across the United States. Flotek sells CnF at a premium that is multiples of the price of widely available generic surfactants. New York-based FourWorld Capital is an SEC-registered investment advisor focusing on event-based investments prompted by specific tax, legal or regulatory drivers. The firm was founded by John Addis, formerly head of Americas Equity Finance at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. FourWorld's analysis reveals that Flotek overstates the impact of CnF on well productivity. In addition, an analysis using publicly available data on oil and gas wells shows the vast majority of major oil and gas producers have discontinued their use of CnF products in well completions in recent years. "Through a painstaking analysis of CnF performance using publicly available data on shale production from the leading industry data sources we found that CnF has no measurable impact on oil production in fracked wells," Mr. Addis stated. Among its findings on CnF, FourWorld's investigation has determined that: Flotek may not have provided critical information to an independent consulting firm, MHA Petroleum Consultants, commissioned by a special committee of the Flotek Board of Directors to evaluate the product earlier this year. FourWorld contends that the resulting study, published by Flotek this past January, was based on incomplete data and used an evaluation technique that failed to control for key variables in the oil extraction process. Employing evaluation techniques that properly control for the key variables in the oil production process (e.g., location, well length, water and sand volume), the estimated impact of CnF on oil production is indistinguishable from zero. The analysis covered the same focus areas indicated in DJ Basin report from MHA commissioned by Flotek. Studies of CnF use in fracking completions from a nationwide database of over 117,000 well sites from over 1,000 oil and gas operators across 25 states, shows nearly 85% of the end users of CnF products since November 2012 are no longer using Flotek's CnF product in their reported well completions. Among these are major operators like Anadarko Petroleum, Devon Energy, Aera Energy and ConocoPhilips, who all rank in the top ten operators by overall well count in the database during the study period. are no longer using Flotek's CnF product in their reported well completions. Among these are major operators like Anadarko Petroleum, Devon Energy, Aera Energy and ConocoPhilips, who all rank in the top ten operators by overall well count in the database during the study period. In recent earnings presentations, Flotek highlights the "resilience" of CnF sales volumes stemming from its broadening base of CnF customers. FourWorld's analysis shows the growing concentration of CnF use by just three operators - due to changes in well design - has masked the true level of CnF end user attrition, and demonstrates that consumption by new operators has been minimal. Flotek's financial condition is heavily dependent on CnF. FourWorld believes anyone reviewing the Company should carefully consider the impact on Flotek's income statement if CnF sales were materially reduced from either a reduction in pricing more in line with competitor products or a decline in volumes from existing customers. As of the publication date of the report, FourWorld, and FourWorld managed accounts, have a direct or indirect short position in Flotek stock, and stand to realize significant gains in the event the price of Flotek stock declines. The consulting firms hired by FourWorld, and referenced in the report, are receiving a fee based on the performance of FourWorld's positions in Flotek stock, and, independent of FourWorld, may have a direct or indirect short position in Flotek stock. Incomplete list of CnF trade names provided by Flotek helped overstate product's efficacy FourWorld believes that the list of trade names provided by Flotek to MHA, a Denver based consulting firm hired by a special committee of the Flotek Board of Directors, was incomplete and materially affected the results of their study in Denver-Julesburg Basin of Colorado. MHA relied on these trade names in order to determine which wells had Flotek's CnF products in them. The trade names present in the focus areas of the published study include at least two CnF products not present on the list provided by Flotek, which accounted for an estimated 22% of CnF wells in the focus areas reported to show materially improved results from CnF. Without these additional trade names, wells that used CnF would be misclassified as wells not using the product. Using its own comprehensive data set of wells in the same focus areas of the DJ Basin, FourWorld shows the impact of mislabeling these wells in a simple control study, like the one conducted by MHA, is material. The largest number of mislabeled wells in the data-set belonged to Noble Energy. The MHA study was commissioned by the Special Technical Committee, a committee formed from Flotek's own Board of Directors, which was tasked with handling an SEC inquiry into Flotek marketing practices and evaluating the efficacy of CnF. Among the members of the Flotek Board is Ted D. Brown, senior vice president of Noble's Northern Region, including operations in the DJ Basin, until January 31, 2015. FourWorld's own comparative study of 604 wells in the DJ basin shows no CnF benefit FourWorld, working closely with two Houston-based energy and performance measurement consultants, RK Trading LLC and Sylvania LLC, tested CnF extensively using various methods. The group performed analyses to evaluate the performance of wells located in the eastern Colorado section of the DJ Basin, the area reported in the study published by Flotek to show the highest levels of oil production outperformance from wells labeled as using a CnF product compared to wells determined not to contain a CnF product by MHA. These analyses demonstrate that simply controlling for the key variables known to affect oil production, such as well length, location, water volume, sand use and operator, reveals that the estimated effect of CnF on oil production is indistinguishable from zero. In simpler terms, where and how you frack the well matters. RK and Sylvania used robust regressions and Generalized Additive Models to demonstrate that production in the DJ Basin wells varies systematically with these key variables. The analysis indicates that all of the outperformance of wells using a CnF product was attributable to variable affecting oil production, and not the presence of CnF. RK and Sylvania indicate similar conclusions have been obtained for a large sample of wells completed in the Permian Basin, one of the most prolific oil and gas producing regions in the country. An analysis of a publicly available database shows 85% attrition of CnF end users Using FracFocus, the industry standard source for finding chemical data on oil and gas wells, FourWorld conducted a study of over 117,000 well sites from over 1,000 operators in 25 states to evaluate the use of CnF in fracking completions. The results of FourWorld's analyses show that of the 334 operators who have used CnF in any well completion over the last four years, nearly 85% of them no longer report using a CnF product in well completions. Among them are major operators like Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (APC), EOG Resources Inc. (EOG), Devon Energy Corp. (DVN), Aera Energy LLC and ConocoPhilips (COP). FourWorld analysis shows 160 of 183 operators are no longer using CnF products in well completions when the analysis is limited to horizontal fracked wells only. Flotek highlights new CnF customers while avoiding the turnover among existing users: "[T]he base of CnF users broadened meaningfully in the third quarter" Flotek CFO John Chisholm said in a 3rd Quarter 2016 earnings call. Analysis of Flotek's own presentation materials from an industry conference in November 2016 shows evidence of customer turnover of nearly 70% since the start of 2014, while the operator study described above shows a similar yet slightly higher attrition rate of 85% of CnF end users. Furthermore, using FracFocus data, FourWorld has identified just 19 "new" CnF end users in 2016, who have completed a combined total of 50 wells with CnF out of the 285 total well completed in the period. FourWorld believes Flotek's new customers have been almost exclusively smaller operators with minimal revenue potential. Water usage studies conducted by FourWorld show that the top three users of CnF have propped up CnF sales volumes despite a massively fall in CnF well completion counts for operators outside the top three, which highlight a worsening customer concentration problem and calls into question Flotek's claims of a broadening customer base and accelerated adoption of CnF chemistries. The collaboration of FourWorld, RK Trading and Sylvania produced multiple studies to measure the efficacy on CnF under strict variable controls. This powerful combination brought together expertise in data collection, database management, and statistical analysis of well chemistry and completion design. Dr. Jefferis, partner at RK Trading and consulting statistician, added, "The analysis is very cut and dried. We evaluated the DJ Basin data using several different approaches, and obtained the same answer in every case. Once you recognize that a well completed by someone who has already drilled several hundred wells in a given location is bound to behave differently than a well completed by party who has much less local experience, and acknowledge the challenge of pushing oil through an 8,000-ft. wellbore, the results more or less fall into your lap." FourWorld's full thesis, along with a white paper authored by RK Trading and Sylvania discussing their regression analysis and generalized additive model study, are available at www.fourworldcapital.com. About FourWorld Capital FourWorld Capital Management LLC is an SEC registered investment adviser based in New York. FourWorld focuses on event-driven investing, with an emphasis on tax, legal and regulatory catalysts. For more, visit www.fourworldcapital.com. Following publication of this report, FourWorld intends to continue transacting in the securities covered herein. The firm may be long, short, or neutral at any time hereafter regardless of its initial recommendation. Please see the full Disclaimer appearing in the report available on the FourWorld website at: http://fourworldcapital.com/research-flotek. FourWorld Capital Management, LLC is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, CRD number 284138. Contact: Allan Ripp 212-262-7477, [email protected] SOURCE FourWorld Capital Management LLC Related Links http://FourWorldCapital.com SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Reenita Das, Partner and Transformational Health Senior Vice President at Frost & Sullivan, will present on December 9th at MedTech Impact 2016 Expo and Conference in Las Vegas, NV, hosted by The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, the role of wearables in the future shift from a treatment-focused, fee for service (FFS)-driven healthcare system to one of value and prevention. Das will focus on the implementation of the Internet Of Medical Things (IoMT) and its potential to reshape the industry by creating a connected ecosystem based on sensors and devices and centered around the individual. She will discuss how thanks to the evolution of technology, wearables are moving beyond fitness and into the world of patient-generated-healthcare-data (PGHD) to transform the treatment of conditions from epilepsy to diabetes. "Medicine was a clinical science supported by data. Today medicine is becoming a data science supported by clinicians," explains Das. While the push for value-based healthcare continues, wearables will become a useful tool to collect the data needed to keep patients out of the hospital. From contact lenses to smart tattoos, she will share with the audience what is coming on the market and how to use these devices to impact patient long term care. Why you should attend: Discover the top ten medical and clinical wearables segments that will create key growth opportunities in the Healthcare market by 2020. that will create key growth opportunities in the Healthcare market by 2020. Learn about the role of wearables in care decentralization and its benefits to different stakeholders. and its benefits to different stakeholders. Find out the selected Healthcare wearables start-ups to watch and the vendors to focus on. to watch and the to focus on. Determine how to unlock new revenue streams thanks to a successful service-oriented business model. About Frost & Sullivan Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion Contact: Mariana Fernandez Corporate Communications North America P: +54 (11) 4778 3540 E: [email protected] http://ww2.frost.com twitter: @FS_Healthcare LinkedIn: Transform Health About MedTech Impact: The goal of MedTech Impact is to help healthcare practitioners and professionals better serve their patients through the use of technologyutilizing devices and products that help track progress, assist with diagnoses, and ultimately support injury and disease prevention. By connecting attendees with the most cutting-edge and innovative scientific research and education, MedTech Impact aims to help clinics, hospitals, and private practitioners protect, build, and enhance the infrastructure of their practices by integrating the most recently developed equipment and technology. For more information, visit www.medtechimpact.com. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Frost & Sullivan Related Links http://www.frost.com EL RENO, Okla., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Gardner Capital Development has been awarded a $4.7M reservation of affordable housing tax credits from the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency to develop 46 one- and two-bedroom, energy-efficient, duplex, villa-style apartment units for seniors in El Reno. This $6M project will be known as Ridgeview Heights. An apartment complex to the west, a neighborhood of attractive single-family homes to the east, and a mix of retail shops and restaurants to the south and west border the 12.5-acre site, located near downtown El Reno. With a population of 16,000+, the city of El Reno is located 25 miles west of downtown Oklahoma City in Canadian County. All units will be leased to seniors, age 62+ with a mix of apartments set aside at 40-60 percent of Canadian County median income. Five of the units will be fully accessible for residents with physical handicaps. All units will include modern kitchens with energy-efficient appliances, washers and dryers, a private patio, and two surface parking spaces in close proximity to the unit's front door. "The Ridgeview Heights Community will provide its senior residents not only with affordable housing, but with numerous upscale amenities, including a community room, fitness center, computer lab, shuffleboard court, and outdoor, covered picnic area," said Michael Gardner, President, Gardner Capital Development." Construction of the development is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2017, with completion expected approximately 12 months after construction begins. Gardner Capital Development will serve as the lead developer for this project. Hans Thomas & Associates, is the project architect. About Gardner Capital Gardner Capital is an affordable housing and renewable energy tax credit development, syndication, and investment company with primary regional offices located in St. Louis, Dallas, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Springfield, Missouri. Since 1992, Gardner Capital has invested more than two billion dollars of equity in affordable housing. Renewable energy development and investment has been the more recent addition to the Gardner Capital operating portfolio, bringing hundreds of megawatts of solar projects online across the United States. The principals, Mark Gardner and Michael Gardner, continue to expand the company's national footprint in affordable housing and renewable energy with multiple offices across the United States. Visit www.gardnercapital.com for more information. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151019/278129LOGO SOURCE Gardner Capital Related Links http://www.gardnercapital.com AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Genprex, Inc. a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of revolutionary immunogene therapy treatments, today announced that it has retained ICR Healthcare, a specialty healthcare practice within a leading strategic communications and advisory firm, to develop and implement an integrated strategic communications program. The program will combine investor relations, public relations and digital communications to advance the objective of raising the profile of Genprex and its lead candidate Oncoprex, which is currently in a Phase II trial for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Rodney Varner, CEO of Genprex, commented, "ICR Healthcare is well positioned to leverage their expertise in the biopharmaceutical industry to raise Genprex's profile across all key stakeholder audiences. I look forward to working closely with ICR Healthcare as their team implements an integrated program that spans investor relations, public relations and digital communications to raise our visibility as we advance the clinical development of lead candidate Oncoprex for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer." About Genprex Genprex is a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on developing breakthrough immunogene therapies with their lead product Oncoprex. Oncoprex is currently in a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of stage IV non-small cell lung cancer in combination with Tarceva (erlotinib). The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas. The company has retained Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc. to address its current capital needs, including to advise and formulate a strategy to undertake a possible IPO during the first quarter of 2017. About Oncoprex and Lung Cancer Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the U.S. but the leading cause of cancer death. There are approximately 225,000 new lung cancer cases in the U.S. per year and 1.8 million worldwide. The 5-year survival rate of stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is less than 1%, and treatment options beyond chemotherapy are lacking. Approved NSCLC targeted treatment options outside of chemo/radiation therapies only benefit a minority of patients. Oncoprex may now fill that gap by offering a targeted treatment option for a majority of NSCLC patients. Oncoprex is currently being tested as a combination treatment for EGFR-negative NSCLC patients, a population that represents 85% of all NSCLC patients. Research has shown that over 80% of all cancer cells lack a tumor suppressor gene called TUSC2 (formerly FUS1), which has shown in-vivo to affect cell proliferation and programmed cell death. Oncoprex is an optimized TUSC2 gene encapsulated in fatty, positively charged nanovesicles, which are able to specifically target cancer cells and insert wild-type TUSC2 into cellular DNA, effectively inducing cell death. The TUSC2 gene has also been shown in previous scientific studies to be absent in small cell lung cancer, bone and soft tissue sarcoma, and breast cancer. Genprex works with world-class institutions and collaborators to in-license and develop further drug candidates. The company controls a portfolio of 30 issued and 6 pending patents covering tumor suppressors, therapeutics, diagnostics, nanovesicle delivery systems, and manufacturing processes. Genprex is currently conducting a Phase II clinical trial of its Oncoprex TUSC2 therapy in combination with Tarceva in non-small cell lung cancer at an academic cancer research center in Houston, Texas. Genprex's mission is to address the unmet medical needs of a growing population of cancer patients worldwide, through the development of a novel class of cancer drugs: immunogene therapy. Our revolutionary clinical-stage products work synergistically with other approved and pipeline drugs to expand clinical indications for various cancers. About ICR Established in 1998, ICR partners with companies to optimize transactions and execute strategic communications programs that achieve business goals, build credibility and enhance long-term enterprise value. The firm's highly differentiated service model, which pairs capital markets veterans with senior communications professionals, brings deep sector knowledge and relationships to more than 500 clients in approximately 20 industries. Today, ICR is one of the largest and most experienced independent communications and advisory firms in North America maintaining offices in New York, Norwalk, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, Hong Kong and Beijing. ICR Healthcare is a specialty practice within ICR that provides communications counsel and support for ICR's growing roster of clients in the biopharmaceutical, medtech and healthcare services sectors. Contacts: Investors Stephanie Carrington ICR, Inc. 646-277-1282 [email protected] Media James Heins ICR, Inc. 203-682-8251 [email protected] Investment Banker Advisers Alice G McKeon or Robert Giordano, Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc. Phone: 732-758-9001 [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446231LOGO SOURCE Genprex, Inc. Related Links http://www.genprex.com MILL VALLEY, Calif., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Glassdoor, the world's most transparent jobs and recruiting marketplace, has announced the winners of its ninth annual Employees' Choice Awards, honoring the Best Places to Work in 2017 across North America and parts of Europe. Unlike any other workplace awards, the Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards are based solely on the input of employees who voluntarily provide anonymous feedback, by completing a company review, about their job, work environment and employer over the past year. This year, the Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards feature six distinct categories, honoring the Best Places to Work across the U.S., Canada, UK, France and Germany. There are two categories in the U.S.: 50 Best Places to Work (honoring employers with 1,000 or more employees) and 50 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work For (honoring employers with less than 1,000 employees). Winners are ranked based on their overall rating achieved during the past year. (Ratings based on a 5-point scale: 1.0=very dissatisfied, 3.0=OK, 5.0=very satisfied): The top five Best Places to Work in 2017 are: The top five Best Small & Medium Companies to Work For in 2017 are: "Company culture and the employee experience are critical considerations for job seekers everywhere when deciding where to work. To help, the Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards recognize companies that truly stand out as Best Places to Work because they're purely determined by the authentic voice of those who really know a company best - the employees," said Robert Hohman, Glassdoor CEO and co-founder. "Employers where employees love to work continue to prove that they have a recruiting and business performance edge. We're proud to celebrate the 2017 Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards winners in earning this incredible achievement." Glassdoor's 50 Best Places to Work in 2017 list features winning employers across diverse industries spanning technology, consulting, travel and tourism, consumer goods, retail, food services and more. Bain & Company is the first company to rank No. 1 three times (2017, 2014 and 2012), and is among only three employers that have made this list for nine consecutive years. The other two employers include Google (No. 4, 4.4 rating) and Apple (No. 36, 4.2 rating). Fourteen employers are on this list for the first time this year, including Clorox (No. 12, 4.3 rating), lululemon (No. 38, 4.2 rating) and SpaceX (No. 40, 4.2 rating), among others. On the 2017 list of the 50 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work For, the top five employers are all newcomers to this list. When employees submit reviews about their company on Glassdoor, they are asked to give their opinion on some of the best reasons to work for their employer (pros), any downsides (cons) and are encouraged to provide advice to management. Employees are also asked to rate how satisfied they are with their employer overall, rate their CEO, as well as rate five key workplace attributes, including giving their opinion on career opportunities, compensation & benefits, culture & values, senior management and work-life balance. In addition, employees are asked whether they would recommend their employer to a friend and whether they believe their employer's business will perform better, worse or remain the same in the next six months. Employees' Choice Award winners for the 2017 Best Places to Work and Best Small & Medium Companies to Work For are determined using Glassdoor's proprietary algorithm, taking into account the quantity, quality and consistency of Glassdoor-approved company reviews shared by U.S.-based employees between November 2, 2015 and October 30, 2016. At a minimum, employers considered for the large list must have received at least 75 company reviews, and companies considered for the small & medium list must have received at least 25 company reviews, respectively, during the eligibility period. For reporting simplicity, ratings are displayed to the nearest tenth, though calculations extend beyond the thousandth to determine final rank. Complete report methodology can be found and downloaded here: https://www.glassdoor.com/List/about-employees-choice-awards.htm SEE THE 2017 WINNERS: All winning employers across this year's six categories can be found by visiting: 50 Best Places to Work U.S. 50 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work For U.S. 25 Best Places to Work Canada 50 Best Places to Work UK 25 Best Places to Work France 25 Best Places to Work Germany VIDEO, PHOTOS + EMPLOYEE COMMENTARY: See links below to download and embed video interviews showcasing what employees and senior leaders at winning employers have to say about their workplaces: VIDEO: Inside Bain & Company (No. 1, U.S. large companies) VIDEO: Inside Greenhouse Software (No. 1, U.S. small & medium companies) VIDEO: Inside Shopify (No. 1, Canada) VIDEO: Inside Expedia (No. 1, UK) VIDEO: Inside Microsoft (No. 1, France) VIDEO: Inside SAP (No. 1, Germany) Workplace/office photos and employee commentary about winning employers are also available upon request. Please email: [email protected]. About Glassdoor Glassdoor is the world's most transparent jobs and recruiting marketplace that is changing how people search for jobs and how companies recruit top talent. Glassdoor combines job listings with anonymous reviews, ratings and salary data to help people find a job and company they love. This level of transparency, in turn, helps employers attract the right candidates for their company and culture at a fraction of the cost of other channels. Glassdoor offers employers job advertising, job posting and employer branding solutions in addition to robust talent analytics. Launched in 2008, Glassdoor has job listings and data for more than 600,000 employers in 190 countries and is available on iOS and Android platforms. For labor market trends and analysis, visit Glassdoor Economic Research. For career advice and job related news and tips, visit the Glassdoor Blog. Glassdoor is a registered trademark of Glassdoor, Inc. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446404LOGO SOURCE Glassdoor Related Links http://www.glassdoor.com MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Hartford Public Library has teamed with ProQuest to offer a more dynamic and engaging patron experience with Syndetics Unbound, a catalog enrichment service that combines two best-of-breed technologies: the Syndetic Solutions service and the LibraryThing for Libraries system. Using Syndetics Unbound, the Hartford Public Library will embed rich information and guided discovery directly into their existing catalogs. Syndetics Unbound helps transform the traditional online catalog into an innovative and compelling showcase of materials. Patrons benefit from a more modern, intuitive experience that includes expansive coverage of global books and other media. Syndetics Unbound was added to both Hartford Public Library's modern discovery layer, and their legacy "classic" catalog. "We are thrilled to join forces with Hartford Public Library," said Kevin Sayar, Senior Vice President and General Manager, ProQuest Books. "It is an honor to support their vision of a contemporary library and to partner with them in their commitment to providing users with greater information, better recommendations and more rewarding experiences." "We appreciate the options Syndetics Unbound provides for offering a virtual look at our shelves, and gathering information about the books traditionally found on book jackets," said Mary Billings, Chief Public Services Officer at Hartford Public Library. "This enhances our ability to inspire reading and guide learning, core aspects of our mission." For librarians, Syndetics Unbound is designed to use right out of the box, with no customization needed and an easy-to-use admin tool that provides element configuration, holdings management, and coverage and usage reports. It also helps libraries maximize their acquisitions budget by putting all materials within easy reach. For patrons, Syndetics Unbound is easy and engaging. Data from ProQuest's Syndetic Solutions integrates with the reader tools in LibraryThing for Libraries for rating, sharing and reviewing books they've read. Most importantly it brings patrons the features they expect from everyday web use. The mobile-optimized user interface works on smartphones and tablets so patrons can easily connect to the library wherever they are. About LibraryThing (https://www.librarything.com/) LibraryThing for Libraries is created by LibraryThing, a leader in social networking for readers and in software for libraries. LibraryThing.com counts over 2 million members who have cataloged 110 million books. LibraryThing for Libraries offers libraries a suite of enhancements for catalogs and websites, such as Book Display Widgets, BookPsychic and a variety of others. All are available to libraries via ProQuest. About ProQuest (http://www.proquest.com) ProQuest connects people with vetted, reliable information. Key to serious research, the company's products are a gateway to the world's knowledge including dissertations, governmental and cultural archives, news, historical collections and ebooks. ProQuest technologies serve users across the critical points in research, helping them discover, access, share, create and manage information. The company's cloud-based technologies offer flexible solutions for librarians, students and researchers through the ProQuest, Alexander Street, Bowker, Dialog, Ex Libris and SIPX businesses and notable research tools such as the RefWorks citation and reference management platform, the Pivot research development tool and the Ebook Central, ebrary, EBL and MyiLibrary ebook platforms. The company is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with offices around the world. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120620/DE27948LOGO-a SOURCE ProQuest Related Links http://www.proquest.com LONDON, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- "Herceptin (Trastuzumab) Biosimilar Clinical Trial Insight" report by PNS Pharma gives comprehensive clinical insight on 37 biosimilar version of Herceptin drug in clinical pipeline. Currently there are 4 biosimilars in Phase-III trials and are expected to be commercially available in next 5-8 years. Currently 3 biosimilar version of Herceptin are commercially available in India and Iran for the treatment of Breast cancer. The patent on Herceptin expired in 2014. Trastuzumab or Herceptin is a recombinant DNA derived humanized monoclonal antibody that interferes with the HER2/Neu receptor. It is the most common biological therapy used particularly for breast cancer, against the Her2+ receptor which stands for Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-positive. In some cancers, notably certain types of breast cancer, HER2 is over-expressed, and causes cancer cells to reproduce uncontrollably. Herceptin as a single agent is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer whose tumors overexpress the HER2 protein and who have received one or more chemotherapy regimens for their metastatic disease. Herceptin in combination with paclitaxel is indicated for treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer whose tumors overexpress the HER2 protein and who have not received chemotherapy for their metastatic disease. The mechanism of action of this drug is observed clearly in Breast cancer, as HER 2 is overexpressed allowing the cell proliferation in uncontrolled manner. The trastuzumab binds to the domain IV of the extracellular segment of HER2/Neu receptor and the drug causes the arrest during G1 phase of cycle, thus reduced proliferation and moreover, it down regulates the activation of AKT pathway too thus ending the uncontrolled cell differentiation. Herceptin, one of Roche's three HER2+ breast cancer drugs, recorded a 15% sales increase in the US and a 10% rise overall. Sales were driven by longer duration of treatment in combination with Perjeta, another HER2+ breast cancer treatment from Roche, for both early and advanced breast cancer. China and Brazil also contributed to strong growth in Herceptin sales. It costs around US$ 70,000 for full course treatment, thus allowing the big blockbuster for Roche with the sales of US$ 6.79 Billion in 2015; it is the drug that remained third best seller after about 15 years on the market. Roche has changed the trade name of the drug and has re-introduced an affordable version of the same in the Indian market. The new drug named Herclon would cost approximately INR75,000 (US$ 1122) in the Indian market. Biocon Limited, a pharmaceutical in India had received Marketing Authorization from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for its biosimilar Trastuzumab being developed jointly with Mylan, for the treatment of Her 2+ metastatic breast cancer. The regulatory approval for biosimilar Trastuzumab in India is the world's first biosimilar version under the brand name of CANMAb. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4397341/ 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 FREMONT, Calif., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- HomeSphere, the homebuilding industry's first and only B2B digital lead generation and customer retention platform, has been selected by CIOReview as one of the 20 Most Promising Construction Tech Solutions of 2016. "Each year we recognize companies that are making a significant impact on their industry through technology," said Jeevan George, Managing Editor of CIOReview. "HomeSphere seeks to solve the construction industry's most difficult technological challenges with its user-friendly, intuitive and streamlined solutions that empower market collaboration." HomeSphere provides residential homebuilders with access to exclusive rebate opportunities and offers building product manufacturers a fail-safe strategy to develop targeted homebuilder leads. Nearly 1,900 local and regional homebuilders and 55 national building product manufacturers representing 80 brands engage on the company's digital platform. In November, HomeSphere received a major growth capital investment from Teakwood Capital to expand its sales and marketing teams. The company also will seek to develop and bring to market new digital tools to connect the residential construction industry. "Our team is grateful for the honor," said HomeSphere President and CEO Glenn Renner. "CIOReview recognized the bright outlook for our company and the chance to create significant value for our customers builders, manufacturers and distributors through the implementation of technology." About CIOReview Published from Fremont, California, CIOReview is a print magazine that explores and understands the plethora of ways adopted by firms to execute the smooth functioning of their businesses. A distinguished panel comprising CEOs, CIOs and IT VPs including the CIOReview editorial board finalized the "20 Most Promising Construction Tech Solution Providers 2016" and shortlisted the best vendors and consultants. For more info, visit www.cioreview.com. About HomeSphere HomeSphere is the homebuilding industry's first and only B2B digital lead generation and customer retention platform connecting a digital community of local homebuilders and national building product manufacturers, including 55 building product manufacturers representing 80 brands, and nearly 1,900 local and regional homebuilders. Leveraging exclusive, actionable market intelligence and access to sought-after relationships, HomeSphere's solutions deliver ultra-targeted business opportunities with more profit potential. For more information, visit homesphere.com. Media Contacts: Liz Polson, HomeSphere [email protected] Tracy Henderson, Center Reach Communication [email protected] SOURCE HomeSphere Related Links http://www.homesphere.com CINCINNATI, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- HORAN, a leading advisor in employee benefits and financial services, was named one of recipients of the gold level designation from LiveWell NKY Worksite Award. This certification is designed to acknowledge Northern Kentucky worksites that place a high value on employee health and overall well-being, while taking steps to plan and implement evidence-based and cost-effective strategies to create a healthier workforce. "Our goal for LiveWell NKY is to ignite an uprising within the community to build a movement toward a culture of health," said Nancy Costello, Director of Health Initiatives at Skyward, the engine behind the LiveWell NKY initiative. "Giving residents access to healthy places to live and work is a priority, so it's great to see so many companies recognizing the importance of wellness in the workplace." The LiveWell NKY worksite initiative was designed through a collaboration of Skyward and the Northern Kentucky Health Department. To participate, worksites had to attend an initial training and complete an online assessment, which looked at health programming, policies and organizational support for wellness. A total of 34 assessments were then scored on the worksites' implementation of practices driving improved health. Of those, 17 organizations were awarded gold status, 13 have been awarded silver and four have been awarded bronze status. "Building a culture of health within an organization is an ongoing process," said Lynne M. Saddler, MD, MPH, District Director of Health with the Health Department. "The gold level recognition helps honor those organizations with robust worksite wellness programs already in place, while bronze and silver levels recognize those taking steps to improve health, and offers them a framework to move forward with changes to further advance the health of their workplace." All recognized worksites are receiving technical assistance from the Health Department and other LiveWell partners. "Our philosophy is that people are more productive and positive when they work in a stable and healthy environment. Our emphasis on a healthy culture demonstrates to our employees that they are our greatest asset," said Terence L. Horan, CLU, ChFC, President & CEO of HORAN. HORAN's wellness program was established eight years ago and the organization is proud of its tremendous success. Award recipients will be recognized for their progress at a LiveWell NKY Worksite Recognition event in 2017. About HORAN For over 65 years, HORAN has served as a trusted advisor and thorough planner in the areas of life insurance for estate and business planning, employee benefits consulting and wealth management. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, with Regional Offices in Dayton, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; and Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky; HORAN serves both corporate and individual clients in 40 states. HORAN has a strong regional presence with a national footprint. We bring the best services, resources and value to our clients through premier national partnerships with M Financial Group, United Benefit Advisors and Retirement Planning Advisory Group. Our integrity, commitment to excellence and industry knowledge are foundations upon which HORAN has built a reputation for delivering high quality products and services. Visit horanassoc.com to learn more. About LiveWell NKY LiveWell NKY is a community-wide initiative to ignite a movement toward a culture of health in Northern Kentucky. LiveWell focuses on the areas of nutrition, physical activity and tobacco-free living, aided by changes in policies and environments. LiveWell NKY is a key strategy of the myNKY work plan, driven by Skyward. Partners in the LiveWell movement include communities, worksites, schools and faith-based organizations. About Skyward On June 4, 2015, Vision 2015 changed its name to better reflect the community's current five-year work plan. Skyward is both the engineer and the engine behind myNKY, a community-driven five-year strategic work plan designed to elevate Northern Kentucky to new heights. Skyward's purpose is to make Northern Kentucky thrive by connecting education, wellness, business and culture in innovative, inclusive, productive ways, as outlined in the myNKY plan. For more information, please visit skywardnky.org. Contact: Cheryl Campbell 513.792.5745 [email protected] SOURCE HORAN Related Links http://www.horanassoc.com NEWARK, N.J., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT) reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.96 and Non-GAAP diluted EPS* of $0.44 on revenue of $369.2 million for the first quarter of its fiscal year 2017, the three months ended October 31, 2016. HIGHLIGHTS (Results for 1Q17 compared to 1Q16) Revenue was $369.2 million compared to $390.6 million ; compared to ; Income from operations was $5.2 million compared to $7.9 million ; compared to ; Adjusted EBITDA* was $10.7 million compared to $13.0 million ; compared to ; Diluted EPS was $0.96 - including a net benefit from income taxes of $14.4 million - compared to $0.18 ; - including a net benefit from income taxes of - compared to ; Non-GAAP diluted EPS* was $0.44 compared to $0.35 ; compared to ; IDT has declared a dividend of $0.19 per share for 1Q17 to be paid on or about December 23, 2016 . *Throughout this release, Adjusted EBITDA, Non-GAAP Net Income, and Non-GAAP diluted EPS for all periods presented are non-GAAP measures intended to provide useful information that supplements IDT's or the relevant segment's core results in accordance with GAAP. Please refer to the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this release for an explanation of these terms and their respective reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Management Remarks Shmuel Jonas, IDT's Chief Executive Officer, said, "IDT's financial results for the first quarter fiscal 2017 include a year over year decline in revenue and a decrease in SG&A expense. Our continuing efforts to reduce overhead expense and streamline our operations mitigated the impact of the revenue loss on our bottom line. Our net income was impacted positively by a one-time benefit from income taxes among other factors. "Operationally, we had a productive first quarter highlighted by the introduction of several new retail and wholesale products. Significantly, our key growth initiatives - Net2Phone Office, PicuP, National Retail Solutions and our Boss Revolution international money transfer business - all performed well. Beginning this quarter, we are expanding our reporting segment disclosure to provide additional visibility into some of these initiatives." 1Q17 CONSOLIDATED RESULTS Results (in millions, except EPS) 1Q17 4Q16 1Q16 1Q17 - 1Q16 Change (%/$) Revenue $369.2 $368.1 $390.6 (5.5)% Direct cost of revenue $313.0 $309.1 $324.5 (3.5)% Direct cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue 84.8% 84.0% 83.1% +170 BP SG&A expense $45.4 $48.9 $53.1 (14.4)% Depreciation and amortization $5.3 $5.0 $5.1 +4.9% Severance expense - $6.3 - - Other (expense) gains $(0.2) $7.5 - $(0.2) Income from operations $5.2 $6.2 $7.9 $(2.7) Adjusted EBITDA* $10.7 $10.0 $13.0 $(2.3) Net income attributable to IDT $21.9 $11.0 $4.2 +$17.7 Diluted EPS $0.96 $0.48 $0.18 +$0.78 Non-GAAP net income* $10.1 $11.5 $8.1 +$2.0 Non-GAAP diluted EPS* $0.44 $0.50 $0.35 +$0.09 Net cash provided by operating activities $5.5 $13.2 $14.0 $(8.5) 1Q17 OPERATING RESULTS BY SEGMENT (Results are for 1Q17 unless otherwise noted). Effective this quarter, IDT is creating a new reportable segment, Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS). This new segment consists predominantly of the business lines formerly comprising the Hosted Platform Solutions product category within the Telecom Platform Services (TPS) segment. Accordingly, the TPS segment will now consist of three business categories: Retail Communications, Wholesale Carrier Services and Payment Services. All comparative periods presented have been reclassified and restated to reflect this new segment presentation. Telecom Platform Services (TPS) The Telecom Platform Services segment accounted for 97.5% of IDT's revenue in 1Q17 compared to 96.9% in 1Q16 and 97.3% in 4Q16. TPS markets and distributes multiple communications and payments services across three broad business categories: Retail Communications, Wholesale Carrier Services and Payment Services. Most of the lines of business revenue previously reported in TPS' Hosted Platform Services category are now included in the new UCaaS segment and the remainder has been shifted into the Wholesale Carrier Services category. TPS' quarterly minutes of use (MOU) in 1Q17 were 5.91 billion, a decrease from 6.72 billion (-12.1%) in 1Q16 and from 6.62 billion (-10.8%) in 4Q16. MOU in both Wholesale Carrier Services and Retail Communications decreased year over year and sequentially. In Retail Communications, MOU decreased for both BOSS Revolution voice products and traditional calling cards sold domestically and overseas. TPS' revenue in 1Q17 was $360.0 million, a decrease from $378.6 million (-4.9%) in the year ago quarter and an increase from $358.1 million (+0.5%) in the prior quarter. The year over year revenue decline resulted from softness in both Retail Communications and Wholesale Carries Services, partially offset by growth in Payment Services. The sequential quarterly increase reflects growth in both Wholesale Carrier Services' and Payment Services' revenue offset by a decline in Retail Communications' revenue. TPS Revenue by Product Category (in millions) 1Q17 4Q16 1Q16 1Q17-1Q16 % Change in Revenue 1Q17 Revenue as a % of Total TPS Revenue Retail Communications $157.0 $163.6 $171.3 (8.3)% 43.6% Wholesale Carrier Services $143.3 $139.1 $151.8 (5.6)% 39.8% Payment Services $59.7 $55.4 $55.5 +7.4% 16.6% Total TPS $360.0 $358.1 $378.6 (4.9)% 100.0% Retail Communications' revenue in 1Q17 declined $14.3 million (-8.4%) year over year to $157.0 million. Sales of BOSS Revolution voice products, which accounted for over 85% of Retail Communications' revenue, decreased 5.1%, reflecting continued declines in revenue generated in the US - Mexico corridor. Sales of traditional calling card products in the U.S. and overseas also decreased year over year in line with expectations. Wholesale Carrier Services' revenue in 1Q17 decreased $8.5 million (-5.6%) year over year to $143.3 million. The decrease resulted primarily from the absence in 1Q17 of a Latin American pricing opportunity pertaining to local currency exchange rate disparities, which existed in the year ago period. Payment Services' revenue in 1Q17 increased $4.2 million (+7.4%) year over year to $59.7 million. The sale of international mobile top-up (IMTU) minutes, which allows customers in the US to purchase air time for mobile phone users overseas, is currently the dominant line of business in the Payment Services vertical. IMTU revenue increased 4.2% compared to the year ago quarter, and was augmented by revenue gains generated by the BOSS Revolution international money remittance business (where revenue increased 151.8% year over year) and the smaller but also rapidly growing retail point-of-sale based services business, National Retail Solutions. TPS' direct cost of revenue in 1Q17, expressed as a percentage of TPS' revenue, was 85.9%, an increase of 150 basis points year over year and 80 points sequentially, primarily reflecting margin pressure on Retail Communications and Wholesale Carrier Services offerings. The year over year decreases in TPS' MOU and revenue, as well the increase in direct cost as a percentage of revenue, reflect the collapse of rates industry-wide on the US to Mexico corridor as well as longer term secular trends impacting the telecom industry. These include increased competition from wireless network operators and MVNOs and alternative communications solutions such as over-the-top voice and messaging. In anticipation of these developments, IDT has increased investment in long term growth initiatives in recent years while reducing SG&A expense and streamlining operations. TPS' SG&A expense in 1Q17 decreased to $40.5 million from $45.2 million (-10.4%) in 1Q16 and from $41.9 million (-3.2%) in 4Q16. The year over year and sequential decreases primarily reflect reduced employee compensation costs and lower bad debt expense. TPS' SG&A expense was 11.3% of TPS' revenue in 1Q17, a 60 basis points decrease compared to the year ago quarter and a 40 basis point decrease compared to the prior quarter. TPS' depreciation and amortization expense in 1Q17 increased to $4.2 million from $3.8 million (+10.5%) in 1Q16 and from $3.9 million (+7.9%) in 4Q16. Depreciation increased year-over-year due to higher levels of capital expenditures in recent periods to support investments in new products, including our payment services' offerings, Net2Phone Office, National Retail Solutions and the new BOSS Revolution calling app with messaging. TPS' income from operations in 1Q17 decreased to $6.2 million from $10.0 million (-37.7%) in 1Q16 and from $9.1 million (-31.1%) in 4Q16. TPS' Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $10.4 million from $13.8 million (-24.6%) in 1Q16 and from $11.4 million (-8.8%) in 4Q16. Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) The UCaaS segment is comprised of offerings from IDT's Net2Phone division, including (1) cable telephony (2) Net2Phone Office, a hosted PBX service, (3) SIP trunking which supports inbound and outbound domestic and international calling from an IP PBX and, 4) PicuP, a highly-automated business phone service that answers, routes and manages voice calls. PicuP is currently in open beta. UCaaS' lines of business were previously included in the TPS segment. UCaaS' revenue was $7.1 million in 1Q17 compared to $7.0 million in both 1Q16 and 4Q16. Year over year, revenue of Net2Phone Office increased by over 350%, but was mostly offset by a decrease in SIP trunking revenue. Sequentially, both Net2Phone Office and SIP trunking revenues increased. UCaaS' direct cost of revenue in 1Q17 expressed as a percentage of UCaaS' revenue was 46.1%, a significant improvement from 53.2% in 1Q16 and from 49.5% in 4Q16. SG&A expense for the segment was $3.3 million compared to $2.9 million (+11.9%) in 1Q16 and $3.0 million in 4Q16 (+8.0%). As a percentage of UCaaS' revenue, SG&A in 1Q17 increased to 46.1%, compared to 41.8% in 1Q16 and 43.6% in 4Q16. The increases resulted from investments in both technology development and customer acquisition costs for Net2Phone Office and PicuP. Depreciation and amortization expense in 1Q17 was $726 thousand compared to $657 thousand (+10.5%) in 1Q16 and $673 thousand (+7.9%) in 4Q16, reflecting the increase in capitalized costs relating to new products offerings. UCaaS' loss from operations was $174 thousand in 1Q17 compared to $302 thousand (-42.2%) in 1Q16 and $190 thousand (-8.2%) in 4Q16. UCaaS' Adjusted EBITDA in 1Q17 was $552 thousand compared to $355 thousand (+55.2%) in the year ago quarter and $483 thousand (+14.2%) in the sequential quarter. Consumer Phone Services (CPS) Consumer Phone Services sells local and long distance services domestically in 11 states, marketed under the brand name IDT America. CPS has been in harvest mode since fiscal 2006 - maximizing revenue from current customers while maintaining SG&A and other expenses at the minimum levels essential to operate the business. Results this quarter conformed to expectations. CPS' revenue decreased to $1.5 million in 1Q17 from $1.8 million (-18.5%) in 1Q16. CPS' income from operations and Adjusted EBITDA in both 1Q17 and 1Q16 were $0.3 million. All Other All Other includes IDT's real estate holdings comprised of its public garage in Newark and commercial properties in Newark, Piscataway and Jerusalem, as well as other small businesses and investments including a minority interest in Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals, Inc. During 1Q17, IDT invested $8 million in Cornerstone, a clinical stage, oncology-focused pharmaceutical company committed to the development and commercialization of therapies that exploit the metabolic differences between normal cells and cancer cells. IDT has invested $10 million in Cornerstone to date. All Other previously included Zedge, a platform and mobile app centered on self-expression. Zedge was fully spun off from IDT to IDT's shareholders on June 1, 2016. Because the disposition of our interest in Zedge did not meet the criteria to be reported as a discontinued operation, Zedge's results of operations and cash flows continue to be included in prior comparative periods. All Other's revenue in 1Q17 was $0.5 million, a decrease from $3.1 million (-83.6%) in 1Q16. Exclusive of Zedge, revenue in 1Q16 was also $0.5 million. All Other's income from operations in 1Q17 was $90 thousand compared to $430 thousand in 1Q16. Exclusive of Zedge, income from operations in 1Q16 was $79 thousand. OTHER CONSOLIDATED RESULTS Consolidated results for all periods presented include corporate overhead. In 1Q17, corporate G&A expense decreased to $1.1 million from $2.6 million (-58.1%) in the year ago quarter and from $2.7 million (-59.6%) in the prior quarter. The year over year and sequential reductions resulted from lower compensation costs and legal expenses, primarily due to non-routine reversals that may not be repeated in future periods. Net income attributable to IDT in 1Q17 was $21.9 million, an increase from $4.2 million in the year ago quarter and from $11.0 million in 4Q16. Net income attributable to IDT in 1Q17 included a $2.1 million gain resulting from foreign currency transactions and a net benefit from income taxes of $14.4 million mostly due to the reversal of a previous valuation allowance on foreign deferred tax assets. Net income attributable to IDT in 1Q16 of $4.2 million included a provision for income taxes of $2.9 million. Net income attributable to IDT in 4Q16 was $11.0 million, including a $2.7 million gain on foreign currency transactions and a benefit from income taxes of $2.1 million. At October 31, 2016, IDT had $149.7 million in unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. Additionally, at that date, IDT reported $81.1 million in current restricted cash and cash equivalents, which included $80.8 million of customer deposits held by IDT's Gibraltar-based bank. Current assets and current liabilities were $318.7 million and $320.2 million, respectively. Net cash provided by operating activities during 1Q17 was $5.5 million, compared to $14.0 million in 1Q16 and $13.2 million in 4Q16. For the same periods, capital expenditures were $5.5 million compared to $5.5 million and $4.4 million, respectively. DIVIDEND IDT's Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.19 per share of Class A and Class B common stock for 1Q17 to be paid on or about December 23, 2016. The dividend will be paid to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 19, 2016. The ex-dividend date will be December 15, 2016. This distribution will be treated as an ordinary dividend for tax purposes. IDT EARNINGS ANNOUNCEMENT & SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION IDT will host an earnings conference call beginning at 5:30 PM ET today with management's discussion of results, outlook and strategy followed by Q&A with investors. To listen to the call and participate in the Q&A, dial toll-free 1-888-348-8417 (from U.S.) or 1-412-902-4243 (international) and request the IDT Corporation call. A recording of the conference call can be accessed one hour after the call concludes through December 14, 2016 by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (toll free from the US) or 1-412-317-6671 (international) and providing this pin code: 10096086. The recording will also be available via streaming audio at the IDT investor relations website (www.idt.net/ir) following the call. Copies of this release - including the reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures that are both used herein and referenced during management's discussion of results - are also available in the Investor Relations portion of IDT's website. About IDT: IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT), through its IDT Telecom division, provides telecommunications and payment services to individuals and businesses primarily through its flagship BOSS Revolution and Net2Phone brands. IDT Telecom's wholesale business is a leading global carrier of international long distance calls. For more information on IDT, visit www.idt.net. All statements above that are not purely about historical facts, including, but not limited to, those in which we use the words "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "plan," "intend," "estimate," "target" and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While these forward-looking statements represent our current judgment of what may happen in the future, actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied by these statements due to numerous important factors. Our filings with the SEC provide detailed information on such statements and risks, and should be consulted along with this release. To the extent permitted under applicable law, IDT assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. IDT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS October 31, 2016 July 31, 2016 (Unaudited) (in thousands) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 91,928 $ 109,537 Restricted cash and cash equivalents 81,133 98,822 Marketable securities 57,754 52,949 Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,851 at October 31, 2016 and $4,818 at July 31, 2016 59,420 49,283 Prepaid expenses 15,093 15,189 Other current assets 13,345 13,273 Total current assets 318,673 339,053 Property, plant and equipment, net 87,350 87,374 Goodwill 11,179 11,218 Other intangibles, net 740 843 Investments 22,294 14,024 Deferred income tax assets, net 24,033 9,554 Other assets 7,387 7,592 Total assets $ 471,656 $ 469,658 Liabilities and equity Current liabilities: Trade accounts payable $ 33,186 $ 30,253 Accrued expenses 119,212 117,434 Deferred revenue 83,764 86,178 Customer deposits 79,518 95,843 Income taxes payable 319 578 Other current liabilities 4,168 13,534 Total current liabilities 320,167 343,820 Other liabilities 1,559 1,635 Total liabilities 321,726 345,455 Commitments and contingencies Equity: IDT Corporation stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized shares10,000; no shares issued Class A common stock, $.01 par value; authorized shares35,000; 3,272 shares issued and 1,574 shares outstanding at October 31, 2016 and July 31, 2016 33 33 Class B common stock, $.01 par value; authorized shares200,000; 25,421 and 25,383 shares issued and 21,489 and 21,452 shares outstanding at October 31, 2016 and July 31, 2016, respectively 254 254 Additional paid-in capital 397,352 396,243 Treasury stock, at cost, consisting of 1,698 and 1,698 shares of Class A common stock and 3,932 and 3,931 shares of Class B common stock at October 31, 2016 and July 31, 2016, respectively (115,339 ) (115,316 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (6,629) (3,744) Accumulated deficit (136,134 ) (153,673 ) Total IDT Corporation stockholders' equity 139,537 123,797 Noncontrolling interests 10,393 406 Total equity 149,930 124,203 Total liabilities and equity $ 471,656 $ 469,658 IDT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) Three Months Ended October 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands, except per share data) Revenues $ 369,151 $ 390,578 Costs and expenses: Direct cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) 313,029 324,511 Selling, general and administrative (i) 45,438 53,090 Depreciation and amortization 5,299 5,052 Total costs and expenses 363,766 382,653 Other operating expense (199) Income from operations 5,186 7,925 Interest income, net 301 158 Other income (expense), net 2,392 (610) Income before income taxes 7,879 7,473 Benefit from (provision for) income taxes 14,415 (2,898) Net income 22,294 4,575 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (376) (382 ) Net income attributable to IDT Corporation $ 21,918 $ 4,193 Earnings per share attributable to IDT Corporation common stockholders: Basic $ 0.97 $ 0.18 Diluted $ 0.96 $ 0.18 Weighted-average number of shares used in calculation of earnings per share: Basic 22,712 22,935 Diluted 22,899 22,969 Dividends declared per common share $ 0.19 $ 0.18 (i) Stock-based compensation included in selling, general and administrative expenses $ 702 $ 771 IDT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) Three Months Ended October 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Operating activities Net income $ 22,294 $ 4,575 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 5,299 5,052 Deferred income taxes (14,483) 2,785 Provision for doubtful accounts receivable 260 873 Realized gain on marketable securities (543) Interest in the equity of investments (263) 155 Stock-based compensation 702 771 Change in assets and liabilities: Restricted cash and cash equivalents 9,939 8,395 Trade accounts receivable (13,132) (2,091) Prepaid expenses, other current assets and other assets (10) 2,352 Trade accounts payable, accrued expenses, other current liabilities and other liabilities 6,384 (3,465) Customer deposits (9,127) (4,985) Income taxes payable (259) 148 Deferred revenue (2,114) (69) Net cash provided by operating activities 5,490 13,953 Investing activities Capital expenditures (5,515) (5,519) Proceeds from sale of interest in Fabrix Systems Ltd 4,769 Cash used for investments (8,008) Proceeds from sale and redemption of investments 2 17 Purchases of marketable securities (10,969) (14,911) Proceeds from maturities and sales of marketable securities 6,001 8,861 Net cash used in investing activities (18,489) (6,783) Financing activities Dividends paid (4,379) (4,199) Distributions to noncontrolling interests (389) (600) Proceeds from sale of member interests in CS Pharma Holdings, LLC 1,250 Proceeds from exercise of stock options 407 Repayment of note payable (6,353) Repurchases of Class B common stock (23) (23) Net cash used in financing activities (3,134) (11,175) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (1,476) (884) Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (17,609) (4,889) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 109,537 110,361 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 91,928 $ 105,472 Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activities Reclassification of liability for member interests in CS Pharma Holdings, LLC $ 8,750 $ Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures for the First Quarter Fiscal 2017 and 2016 In addition to disclosing financial results that are determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP), IDT also disclosed, for 1Q17, 4Q16 and 1Q16, Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, or EPS, which are non-GAAP measures. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position, or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. IDT's measure of Adjusted EBITDA consists of revenues less direct cost of revenues and selling, general and administrative expense. Another way of calculating Adjusted EBITDA is to start with income from operations, add depreciation and amortization, severance expense and other operating expense, and subtract the gain on the sale of member interest in Visa Europe Ltd. IDT's measure of non-GAAP net income starts with net income in accordance with GAAP and adds depreciation and amortization, severance expense, stock-based compensation and other operating expense, and subtracts the gain on the sale of member interest in Visa Europe Ltd. and the tax benefit from group relief. IDT's measure of non-GAAP diluted EPS is calculated by dividing non-GAAP net income by the diluted weighted-average shares. These additions and subtractions are non-cash and/or non-routine items in the relevant fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 periods. Management believes that IDT's Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS measures provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain expenses and non-routine gains that may not be indicative of IDT's or the relevant segment's core operating results. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA, among other measures, as a relevant indicator of core operational strengths in its financial and operational decision making. In addition, management uses Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS to evaluate operating performance in relation to IDT's competitors. Disclosure of these financial measures may be useful to investors in evaluating performance and allows for greater transparency to the underlying supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision-making. In addition, IDT has historically reported similar financial measures and believes such measures are commonly used by readers of financial information in assessing performance, therefore the inclusion of comparative numbers provides consistency in financial reporting at this time. Management refers to Adjusted EBITDA, as well as the GAAP measures income (loss) from operations and net income, on a segment and/or consolidated level to facilitate internal and external comparisons to the segments' and IDT's historical operating results, in making operating decisions, for budget and planning purposes, and to form the basis upon which management is compensated. While depreciation and amortization are considered operating costs under GAAP, these expenses primarily represent the non-cash current period allocation of costs associated with long-lived assets acquired or constructed in prior periods. IDT's operating results exclusive of depreciation and amortization charges are useful indicators of its current performance. Severance expense is also excluded from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS. Severance expense is reflective of decisions made by management in each period regarding the aspects of IDT's and its segments' businesses to be focused on in light of changing market realities and other factors. While there may be similar charges in other periods, the nature and magnitude of these charges can fluctuate markedly and do not reflect the performance of IDT's core and continuing operations. The other operating expense and the gain on the sale of member interest in Visa Europe Ltd., which are components of income from operations, are excluded from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS. From time-to-time, IDT may dispose of certain assets or incur costs related to non-routine legal and regulatory matters. However, such disposals and legal and regulatory matters do not occur each quarter. IDT does not believe the gains or losses from asset sales or from non-routine legal and regulatory matters should be included in IDT's or the relevant segment's core operating results. The other calculation of Adjusted EBITDA consists of revenues less direct cost of revenues and selling, general and administrative expense. As the other excluded items are not reflected in this calculation, they are excluded automatically and there is no need to make additional adjustments. This calculation results in the same Adjusted EBITDA amount and its utility and significance is as explained above. Stock-based compensation recognized by IDT and other companies may not be comparable because of the variety of types of awards as well as the various valuation methodologies and subjective assumptions that are permitted under GAAP. Stock-based compensation is excluded from IDT's calculation of non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS because management believes this allows investors to make more meaningful comparisons of the operating results per share of IDT's core business with the results of other companies. However, stock-based compensation will continue to be a significant expense for IDT for the foreseeable future and an important part of employees' compensation that impacts their performance. The tax benefit from group relief is excluded from IDT's calculation of non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS because it only indirectly related to the current results of IDT's core operations. Group relief is only available after all prior net operating losses are utilized by one entity and that entity is able to utilize the current period losses of a related entity. The income tax benefits were recorded by Elmion Netherlands B.V., a Netherlands subsidiary, in 1Q17 and IDT Global, a U.K. subsidiary, in 4Q16. Group relief is not anticipated to be ongoing and the related entities are expected to have a valuation allowance in future periods. Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, or superior to, income (loss) from operations, cash flow from operating activities, net income, basic and diluted earnings per share or other measures of liquidity and financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, IDT's measurements of Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Following are reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, which are, (a) for Adjusted EBITDA, income (loss) from operations for IDT's reportable segments and net income for IDT on a consolidated basis, (b) for non-GAAP net income, net income and, (c) for non-GAAP EPS, basic and diluted earnings per share. IDT Corporation Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income (unaudited) in millions Figures may not foot or cross-foot due to rounding to millions. Total IDT Corporation Telecom Platform Services UCaaS Consumer Phone Services All Other Corporate Three Months Ended October 31, 2016 (1Q17) Adjusted EBITDA $ 10.7 $ 10.4 $ 0.6 $ 0.3 $ 0.5 $ (1.1) Subtract: Depreciation and amortization 5.3 4.2 0.7 - 0.4 - Other operating expense 0.2 - - - - 0.2 Income (loss) from operations 5.2 $ 6.2 $ (0.1) $ 0.3 $ 0.1 $ (1.3) Interest income, net 0.3 Other income, net 2.4 Income before income taxes 7.9 Benefit from income taxes 14.4 Net income 22.3 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (0.4) Net income attributable to IDT Corporation $ 21.9 Total IDT Corporation Telecom Platform Services UCaaS Consumer Phone Services All Other Corporate Three Months Ended July 31, 2016 (4Q16) Adjusted EBITDA $ 10.0 $ 11.4 $ 0.5 $ 0.2 $ 0.6 $ (2.7) Subtract (Add): Depreciation and amortization 5.0 3.8 0.7 - 0.5 - Severance expense 6.3 6.0 - - - 0.3 Gain on sale of member interest in Visa Europe Ltd. (7.5) (7.5) - - - - Income (loss) from operations 6.2 $ 9.1 $ (0.2) $ 0.2 $ 0.1 $ (3.0) Interest income, net 0.3 Other income, net 2.8 Income before income taxes 9.3 Benefit from income taxes 2.1 Net income 11.4 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (0.4) Net income attributable to IDT Corporation $ 11.0 IDT Corporation Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income (unaudited) in millions Figures may not foot or cross-foot due to rounding to millions. Total IDT Corporation Telecom Platform Services UCaaS Consumer Phone Services All Other Corporate Three Months Ended October 31, 2015 (1Q16) Adjusted EBITDA $ 13.0 $ 13.7 $ 0.4 $ 0.3 $ 1.1 $ (2.5) Subtract: Depreciation and amortization 5.1 3.7 0.7 - 0.7 - Income (loss) from operations 7.9 $ 10.0 $ (0.3) $ 0.3 $ 0.4 $ (2.5) Interest income, net 0.2 Other expense, net (0.6) Income before income taxes 7.5 Provision for income taxes (2.9) Net income 4.6 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (0.4) Net income attributable to IDT Corporation $ 4.2 IDT Corporation Reconciliations of Net Income to Non-GAAP Net Income and Diluted EPS to Non-GAAP Diluted EPS (unaudited) in millions, except per share data Figures may not foot due to rounding to millions. 1Q17 4Q16 1Q16 Net income $ 22.3 $ 11.4 $ 4.6 Adjustments (add) subtract: Stock-based compensation (0.7) (0.4) (0.8) Depreciation and amortization (5.3) (5.0) (5.0) Other operating expense (0.2) - - Gain on sale of member interest in Visa Europe Ltd. - 7.5 - Tax benefit from group relief 16.6 0.9 - Severance expense - (6.3) - Total adjustments 10.4 (3.3) (5.8) Income tax effect of total adjustments 1.8 3.2 2.3 (12.2) 0.1 3.5 Non-GAAP net income $ 10.1 $ 11.5 $ 8.1 Earnings per share: Basic $ 0.97 $ 0.49 $ 0.18 Total adjustments (0.53) 0.02 0.17 Non-GAAP EPS - basic $ 0.44 $ 0.51 $ 0.35 Weighted-average number of shares used in calculation of basic earnings per share 22.7 22.7 22.9 Diluted $ 0.96 $ 0.48 $ 0.18 Total adjustments (0.52) 0.02 0.17 Non-GAAP EPS - diluted $ 0.44 $ 0.50 $ 0.35 Weighted-average number of shares used in calculation of diluted earnings per share 22.9 22.8 23.0 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160915/408440LOGO SOURCE IDT Corporation Related Links http://www.idt.net LEXINGTON, Mass., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/-- iSpecimen, a trusted source of customized human biospecimen collections, today announced that it has made sizeable increases to the number and types of clinical organizations participating in its partner network. As a result, the company can now offer scientists faster access to a more diverse array of human biospecimens for medical research. Initially founded as a provider of remnant clinical biospecimens, iSpecimen can additionally source biospecimens collected specifically for research from its partner network that includes hospitals, commercial labs, clinics and practice groups, biorepositories, blood centers, health information exchanges, and clinical research sites. As the number of supply partners has increased in both scale and scope, iSpecimen's cloud-based technology continues to manage the specimen procurement process from inquiry-to-invoice across this federated network. With precision medicine surging, and lofty national research initiatives in place such as the Cancer Moonshot, human biospecimens and associated data are now more in demand than ever before. Scientists need highly-specific, customized collections that meet precise inclusion and exclusion criteria that may include medical conditions, test results, treatment history, demographics, and genetic data, and other medical record information. Further, more diverse specimen types with specific collection requirements are in demand - across biofluids, solid tissue, and cells - with many scientists requesting matched sets from each patient they study. Due to these evolving researcher needs and the iSpecimen value proposition enjoyed by supply partners, the company's virtual network has expanded to include annual access to more than 25 million remnant specimens and nearly 5 million patient encounters from whom specimens can be prospectively collected with patient consent under institutional review board protocols. In addition, iSpecimen currently has access to hundreds of thousands of biobanked samples. All specimens are sourced with valuable de-identified patient- and specimen-level data, depending on the institution from which they came. Because iSpecimen's technology plugs into electronic medical records and is able to harmonize data from disparate sources, a scalable, searchable marketplace is created from which researchers can efficiently make requests. A technological approach also ensures levels of speed and accuracy that traditional manual procurement methods lack. Supply partners benefit as they receive the technology implementation for free and gain an opportunity to contribute to important medical research as well as their bottom line, through a service revenue share with iSpecimen. "Union Hospital was thrilled to kick off this initiative and begin to reap value that can be put back into care," said Anne Lara, EdD, RN, CNE, CPHIMS, Chief Information Officer of Union Hospital, which gained access to the iSpecimen program through its health information exchange (HIE), the Delaware Health Information Network (DHIN). "As a small community hospital, it's great to know that we can access such a program through our exchange and help researchers accelerate medical discovery." Amer Abhouhamze, MHA, Assistant Director of the CTSI Biorepository at the University of Florida, said, "We spent a lot of time and energy developing a state-of-the art biorepository that could provide biospecimens to researchers. Because iSpecimen has access to a large customer base of scientists, we work with them to help make our inventory available to the research community at large." "We are extremely proud of our network growth and our ability to meet the varying needs of our research customers," said Christopher Ianelli, MD, PhD, CEO of iSpecimen. "Healthcare providers are also directly reaching out to us now to participate in our partner program, having heard about it through their peers or other market channels. It's great validation that our technology is driving value for partners, customers, and the improvement of healthcare overall." In total, iSpecimen's partner network today consists of healthcare organizations that collectively encompass more than 250 hospitals and labs, over a thousand clinics and practice groups, more than 10 biorepositories, and one large blood center. The network continues to grow, providing biomedical scientists with the high-quality specimens they need from the patients they want. About iSpecimen Privately held and headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts, iSpecimen is a trusted, one-stop source of customized human biospecimen collections. Compliantly sourced from our diverse partner network of hospitals, labs, biorepositories, blood centers, and other organizations, our solid tissue, biofluids, and cells are delivered directly into the hands of researchers using unique, turnkey technology. Scientists gain access to a ready supply of the high-quality, richly-annotated biospecimens they need from the patients they want. Supply partners gain an opportunity to further contribute to biomedical discovery as well as their bottom line. And ultimately, healthcare advances for all. For more information about iSpecimen, please visit www.iSpecimen.com. SOURCE iSpecimen Related Links http://www.ispecimen.com PPI Apparel Group first debuted the kathy ireland Intimates & Sleepwear collection in Spring 2012. The two companies are now celebrating the $100 million sales benchmark. "We were thrilled to be awarded with the exclusive license for kathy ireland Intimates & Sleepwear several years ago," says Mr. Hanan. "We knew then that a partnership with kiWW, one of the most successful brands in the world, presented a tremendous and unique opportunity for our company. Our sales projections were doubled and we are now celebrating a major milestone. We are even more thrilled to be able to share this success with Kathy and her exceptionally talented team at kiWW," he adds. "Abe, Joey, and Mr. Morris Hanan are three of the most extraordinary leaders and executives we've ever met. The Hanan Family had the courage to return our brand to fashion after our success in the home industry," says Kathy, kiWW's CEO & Chief Designer who this year graced the cover of Forbes Magazine for the second time as one of America's 50 most successful self-made women. "Many, many years ago our apparel was sold at the discount channel. When we decided to reset apparel, after enormous success in home... all the king's horses and all the king's men said our apparel couldn't move forward but the Hanan's obviously could. Their extraordinary design team, in concert with our Global Creative Director, are making miraculous things happen. We are outselling so many leading intimate apparel brands. Our on-trend design work, in-stock positioning and customer connection has more powerful results than expensive, ubiquitous advertising. Our sales and margins are excellent... and sales and margins are the bottom lines, after all. Aren't they? Congratulations Abe, Joey, Mr. Morris Hanan and every team member at PPI! We started as a business, and became a business family." The kathy ireland Intimates & Sleepwear collection includes functional, sophisticated, fashion-forward and on-trend bras, panties, shapewear and sleepwear. The new upcoming collections will see expansion in girls and the launch of underwear for men, I'M1. About PPI Apparel Group PPI Apparel Group products are currently being sold in over 35,000 retail locations throughout the US and Canada and abroad. Their primary corporate focus has been fashion intimates, shapewear and sleepwear for the junior, missy and full figure market. They offer their expertise through a vast array of licensed properties and additionally are a premier source for private label product to many retailers. About kathy ireland Worldwide Founded in 1993, the kathy ireland Worldwide brand, celebrates a lifestyle. The missions of "...solutions for families, especially busy moms," "...solutions for people in love," and "...solutions for people in business," translate to all kiWW collections, including: fashion, fine jewelry, intimate apparel, skincare, accessories, weddings, home, office and more. kiWW's unique capability to design and translate fashion trends for all markets and price points allows it to develop product for a wide variety of customer tastes. Listed as the 25th most powerful brand globally by License Global Magazine, with annual merchandise sales of $2.6 billion, according to Forbes Magazine, the success of kathy ireland Worldwide is the result of teamwork and dedication. Kathy has graced the cover of Forbes Magazine twice (2012, 2016) and according to Fairchild Publications, Kathy Ireland is one of the 50 most influential people in fashion. Kathy and kiWW support many non-profits including: YWCA Greater Los Angeles for which she is an Ambassador, Dream Foundation, Providence Educational Foundation, 911 for Kids/AEF, and the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Kathy was recently named an Ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446388 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446389 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446390 SOURCE PPI Apparel Group AUCKLAND, New Zealand, and HILLSBOROUGH, N.C., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Scientific breakthroughs applied to traditional healing oils from Australia and New Zealand result in TT4 Manuka Oil Blend, a new essential oil that replaces Manuka Oil and Tea Tree Oil. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161207/446742 Tea Tree Oil (melaleuca oil) from Australia and Manuka Oil (Leptospermum scoparium oil) from New Zealand are two traditional healing oils that have been used by native populations for centuries. Captain Cook introduced these healing oils to the West in the late 1700's and since then they have become the favorite antiseptic oils for people that like to rely on Nature for healing. Both Tea Tree Oil and Manuka Oil are extracted by steam distillation from leaves of the corresponding plants. Although it is generally accepted that Manuka Oil is more powerful than Tea Tree Oil, in reality these oils have different and complementary properties. The best Manuka Oil, and the one we carry at the Koru Naturals store, is produced in the East Cape region of New Zealand. The properties of this ancient Maori oil are the result of a group of natural compounds called triketones. Scientists in New Zealand have now developed the technology to purify this triketone fraction from East Cape Manuka Oil. This purification leaves behind a large number of components of the oil that don't play any useful role and add to the strong aroma of the essential oil. The properties of Australian Tea Tree Oil are the result of a natural compound called Terpinen-4-ol. Scientists in Western Australia have now developed the methodology for purifying this compound from Tea Tree Oil. The new TT4 Manuka Oil Blend, sold under the Naturals New Zealand brand, combines the purified fractions of Manuka Oil and Tea Tree Oil in a base of Sweet Almond Oil, which facilitates application and skin penetration. Initial results show that this TT4 Manuka Oil Blend is far superior to either Manuka Oil or Tea Tree Oil by themselves, indicating that it will replace both oils in the marketplace. TT4 Manuka Oil Blend is available at the Koru Naturals website and on Amazon. This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com SOURCE Koru Naturals Related Links http://www.korunaturals.com BOULDER, Colo., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- LEAF today announced the launch of a new Plug-N-Plant grow system, a smart home appliance that lets users grow their own cannabis, food and herbs from the comfort and convenience of their own homes. Designed to automate the time-consuming and tedious process of cannabis growing, LEAF connects to your smartphone to let you control all aspects of the home growing process remotely. The company has raised $2 million in seed funding from VCs including CJV Capital, Phyto Partners, Advanced Nutrients and other angel investors. LEAF is a revolutionary at-home system that completely automates the growing process, including climate control, nutrient dosing, pH balancing and more. The sleek device is paired with a mobile app for iOS and Android that offers an easy-to-use interface and beautiful design. It also has the optional ability to connect to your home's water and sewage for automated watering. With high tech sensors and patent pending automation technology, LEAF allows anyone to be successful while growing high quality cannabis or food, regardless of prior experience. LEAF growers can also easily create, share and use "grow recipes" for various cannabis strains and plants from other users, which allows them to optimize plant growth and techniques together. The LEAF unit costs $2,990 will be shipping in fall 2017; LEAF is currently taking online pre-order deposits of $300. "We are thrilled to finally launch a beautiful, smart home device that allows people to grow cannabis within their own homes, easily and conveniently," said Yoni Ofir, cofounder / CEO of LEAF. "With eight states recently passing laws that allow more widespread cannabis usage, the cannabis industry is undergoing a revolution and we're excited that LEAF is a part of it." The company was co-founded by Yoni Ofir and Eran Mordechay in April 2015 after Ofir became frustrated with the unreasonable amount of time, money and effort it took to grow his own cannabis for medical purposes. After creating LEAF for his personal use, Ofir received a high level of demand from friends for units of their own, inspiring him to launch the business. With an ounce of medicinal marijuana costing $300 on average and concerns about the use of pesticides, consumers all over the country have already expressed great demand for LEAF as a solid investment. LEAF offers the following features to help users grow an average of 4 ounces of cannabis every three to four months: Smartphone app with step-by-step video instructions (iOS and Android) Full-climate control system Automatic nutrient dosing Automatic pH balancing Built-in camera to track progress in real time and create beautiful timelapse videos BIOS LED 200W lighting system 200W lighting system Blue-enhanced spectrum to promote improved plant morphology and quality Tempered glass optic for spot-free cleaning and optimal light transmission Active carbon filter to neutralize odors For more information or to pre-order LEAF, visit http://www.getleaf.co/. About LEAF: LEAF is a plug-n-plant system that automatically grows medical plants and food and is controlled by your smartphone. Think of it as a beautiful mini fridge that stocks itself with high-quality, pesticide-free, natural medicine and food. The company is based in Boulder, Colorado, and Tel Aviv, Israel. For more information, visit http://www.getleaf.co. Contact: Courtney Thomas [email protected] 901.606.8211 SOURCE LEAF Related Links http://www.getleaf.co BROOKLYN, N.Y., Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Licenders is bringing their 100% all-natural lice removal service to Brooklyn. This new location in Park Slope at 203 13th Street was specifically chosen to make treatment convenient for our Brooklyn clientele. "Our goal is to ease parents' stress and bring their lives back under control. Our treatment plans are designed to get children right back to class without skipping a beat. The best part is that our products are 100% all natural and safe for the whole family," Licenders President Adie Horowitz states. For more than twenty years, Licenders had been providing the most comprehensive lice treatment services available to tri-state area residents. Licenders employs the most experienced clinicians in New York and provides them with the most effective products to get rid of lice the first time, without the need for repeated treatments. Licenders is and has been for twenty years, mom trusted, nurse recommended, and kid friendly. Furthermore, and increasingly important, Licenders treatments and patented products kill "super lice", which are becoming immune to traditional over-the-counter lice treatment products. A recent study conducted by the Journal of Medical Entomology (JME) shows new evidence that head lice have developed resistance to the two most common insecticide treatments for lice infestation. This study analyzed data from 48 states and found that, on average, 98 percent of all head lice in at least 42 states managed to mutate in a way that enabled them to become resistant to the particular types of chemicals found in traditional lice treatment products such as, pyrethrins, pryrethroids and permathins. For a limited time, Licenders will be providing free Lice screenings during business hours. About Licenders: Licenders focuses on kid-friendly lice treatment that is all natural and safe for your entire family. Our patented products are proven to get rid of head lice quickly and effectively. Licenders checks over 100,000 heads for lice each year and is the exclusive provider of the Air Alle Lice treatment in the NYC area. In addition to our all-natural product line, we now have 5 conveniently located salons in the Tri-State area. More information can be found at https://www.licenders.com. Contact: Jordan S Savitsky Phone Number: (212) 759-5200 Email: [email protected] Related Links Website Facebook Page This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com. SOURCE Licenders Related Links https://www.licenders.com GAITHERSBURG, Md., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sodexo, world leader of Quality of Life services, and the University of Maine are bridging the gap between local business owners and food distributors through an information expo on serving locally sourced seafood and produce on college campuses. On November 1 and 3, Sodexo and the University of Maine hosted Scaling Up, a networking and professional development event aimed at helping local farmers, businesses, and fishermen secure a larger market reach for their products. Scaling Up was part of The Maine Course by Sodexo, a statewide initiative created in 2015 to prioritize serving local and sustainably harvested seafood at all of the company's client sites in Maine. Since the Maine Course by Sodexo began instituting local purchasing processes in July, local food purchasing within the University of Maine System has increased every month. "We wanted local business owners to leave the expo informed about how to take the next step in selling to an institution like Sodexo or the University of Maine at Orono," said Maeve McInnis, director of The Maine Course by Sodexo. During the events, which were held at two of Maine's public university campuses, participants and presenters discussed how local fisheries, producers, and vendors could start on the path to providing local food to University of Maine System students and staff. Food distributors discussed how to engage with Sodexo, a global company that is committed to making a positive economic impact on the communities in which it operates. "I know that buying 'local' is trendy at present," said Lou Miller, a local business owner. "But the goodwill and presentation by the panel members showed me sincerity and staying power in their efforts. We had a terrific day." Presenters at Scaling Up included Ron Dryer, director for the Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources branch of the State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry and Jed Beach from Maine Farmland Trust, as well as Sodexo's North American distribution partners and supply managers. "Our aim is to have the largest possible positive impact on Maine's economy," explained McInnis. Selling to a large institution is often a challenge for small business owners. To facilitate the process for local business owners, the Scaling Up event included presentations and networking opportunities with distributors, University of Maine administrators and the Sodexo team. "Sodexo and the University of Maine System are both committed to the economic, social, and environmental development of the communities around us," said McInnis. "These events initiated connections between institution and local business owners. We hope that these connections lead to business growth for both parties." More information on Scaling Up and Sodexo's commitments to responsible food sourcing can be found at www.mainecoursebysodexo.com. Sodexo delivers more than 100 services across North America that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life. The Fortune Global 500 company is a leader in delivering sustainable, integrated facilities management and foodservice operations. Learn more about Sodexo at its corporate blog, Sodexo Insights. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160330/349448LOGO SOURCE Sodexo Related Links http://www.sodexoUSA.com ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) a $67.3 million contract to provide spares for the Royal Saudi Air Force's (RSAF) F-15 sensor suite. Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will produce LANTIRN Extended Range (ER) navigation pod spares, Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system spares and Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) spares. Work will be performed at Lockheed Martin's facilities in Orlando and Ocala, Florida, and Santa Barbara, California, with deliveries beginning in 2018. "Our sustainment operations ensure critical availability and performance rates for the RSAF's suite of LANTIRN ER, IRST and Sniper ATP systems," said Paul Lemmo, vice president of Fire Control/SOF CLSS at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Spares production will continue these efforts, successfully maintaining the sensor suite for years to come." Since 1996, Lockheed Martin has provided the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the RSAF with its most advanced sensor systems. Production and sustainment efforts for the RSAF are ongoing. LANTIRN ER pods operate day or night, providing low-level navigation with terrain-following radar on international F-15 and F-16 aircraft. IRST is a passive sensor system used by international F-15 customers. Sniper ATP is a precision targeting system chosen by the U.S. Air Force and more than 20 international air forces. For additional information, visit our website: www.lockheedmartin.com. 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. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140402/PH96591LOGO SOURCE Lockheed Martin Related Links http://www.lockheedmartin.com To activate the text-to-speech service, please first agree to the privacy policy below. Taipei, Dec. 7 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on media reports from the United States that Bob Dole, a former Republican senator, was involved in persuading President-elect Donald Trump to take a congratulatory telephone call from President Tsai Ing-wen (), but did say that Dole has been an important friend of the country for many years. BASEL, Switzerland and BRAINE-L'ALLEUD, Belgium and MALMO, Sweden, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Lonza and the PolyPeptide Group jointly announced today that PolyPeptide Laboratories Holding (PPL) AB has entered into a definitive agreement with Lonza Sales AG and Lonza AG (both 100% affiliates of Lonza Group AG) to acquire the peptides business and operations of Lonza in Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium. Lonza's Braine facility, with approximately 280 employees, is the center for peptide chemical development and manufacturing within Lonza. The agreement is expected to close in the next weeks, subject to customary closing conditions. The acquisition will enhance PolyPeptide's manufacturing capacity and capabilities and will enable seamless support for its broad portfolio as many products progress toward regulatory approval and commercial supply. Lonza Braine will provide immediate access to additional large-scale capacity in synthesis, purification and isolation of peptides, while PolyPeptide's existing, complementary portfolio of late-stage products offers opportunities for synergies and continued growth for the Company. "The addition of Lonza's Braine facility to PolyPeptide is a great fit and will offer customers an even more comprehensive range of services for every stage of development," said Jane Salik, CEO of the PolyPeptide Group. "With this acquisition we will be expanding our capacity to meet the needs of customers who demand the highest quality products with the most robust, scalable and cost-efficient peptide manufacturing processes at every scale." Marc Funk, Chief Operating Officer of Lonza's Pharma&Biotech segment, said: "This agreement is the result of our strategy of continuously reviewing our business portfolio and streamlining and optimizing our site and production platforms. The peptides chemical business is a niche business for Lonza, with only limited synergies with other small molecule technologies. PolyPeptide is focused and dedicated to the production, operations and sales of peptides; so we believe that we have found the optimal partner for the business to give new perspectives to the Braine site and its employees. This move will also allow us to fully focus on our many other technologies, which we will continue to develop further." Both PolyPeptide and Lonza have long and distinguished histories in peptide manufacturing. Lonza acquired the Braine peptide business in 2006 from UCB, while PolyPeptide's corporate roots in peptide therapeutics date back to the 1950s. Both companies became successful in peptide manufacturing by building excellent reputations for quality, service and GMP support. The acquisition announced today will not affect ongoing activities at the Belgian facility before or after close, and the integration process is expected to be seamless to customers. PolyPeptide Group announced that the harmonization of procedures to ensure consistency, continuity and quality within its expanded Group will be implemented in the coming months. With this acquisition the PolyPeptide Group will employ close to 800 people worldwide with GMP facilities in the United States (Torrance and San Diego, California), France (Strasbourg), India (Ambernath), Belgium (Braine-l'Alleud) and Sweden (Malmo). The financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed. Lonza will book a non-cash related write-off of CHF 44 million in the second half of 2016 and then book a non-cash currency translation impact at the closing of the transaction. About Peptides Peptides, like proteins, are naturally occurring chains of amino acids involved in virtually every life process. They help regulate body functions such as the release of hormones and the regulation of blood-sugar levels. Advances in formulation and delivery platforms have boosted the demand for peptides, particularly in the development of pharmaceuticals. Synthetic peptides serve as the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in peptide-based drugs that treat diabetes, obesity, various types of cancer, endocrine and nervous system disorders, and other health conditions. About Lonza Lonza is one of the world's leading and most-trusted suppliers to the pharmaceutical, biotech and specialty ingredients markets. We harness science and technology to create products that support safer and healthier living and that enhance the overall quality of life. Not only are we a custom manufacturer and developer, Lonza also offers services and products ranging from active pharmaceutical ingredients and stem-cell therapies to drinking water sanitizers, from the vitamin B3 compounds and personal care ingredients to agricultural products, and from industrial preservatives to microbial control solutions that combat dangerous viruses, bacteria and other pathogens. Founded in 1897 in the Swiss Alps, Lonza today is a well-respected global company with more than 40 major manufacturing and R&D facilities and approximately 9,800 full-time employees worldwide. The company generated sales of CHF 3.8 billion in 2015 and is organized into two market-focused segments: Pharma&Biotech and Specialty Ingredients. Further information can be found at www.lonza.com. About the PolyPeptide Group The PolyPeptide Group is a privately held leading provider of custom and generic GMP-grade peptides for a range of pharmaceutical and biotechnology applications. With corporate roots that began in the 1950s, the Group was formally launched in 1996. Today, it operates a growing international network of peptide manufacturing facilities. With its multinational organization, exclusive focus on peptides and solid financial base, the PolyPeptide Group offers a unique guarantee of quality, service and security of supply to its customers. More information about the PolyPeptide Group is available at www.PolyPeptide.com. Lonza Contact Information Lonza Group Ltd Lonza Group Ltd Lonza Group Ltd Head Investor Relations Head Corporate Communications Head External Communications Dirk Oehlers Dominik Werner Constance Ward Tel +41 61 316 8540 Tel +41 61 316 8798 Tel +41 61 316 8840 Fax +41 61 316 9540 Fax +41 61 316 9540 Fax +41 61 316 9840 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] PolyPeptide Contact Information PolyPeptide Laboratories AB PolyPeptide Laboratories AB CEO Global Director, Sales Jane Salik Jan Christensen Tel +1 310 782 3569 Tel +45 20 74 70 73 Fax: +1 310 782 3645 Fax: +46 40 36 63 86 [email protected] [email protected] Additional Information and Disclaimer Lonza Group Ltd has its headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. It has a secondary listing on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited ("SGX-ST"). Lonza Group Ltd is not subject to the SGX-ST's continuing listing requirements but remains subject to Rules 217 and 751 of the SGX-ST Listing Manual. Certain matters discussed in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations and estimates of Lonza Group Ltd, although Lonza Group Ltd can give no assurance that these expectations and estimates will be achieved. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty and are qualified in their entirety. The actual results may differ materially in the future from the forward-looking statements included in this news release due to various factors. Furthermore, except as otherwise required by law, Lonza Group Ltd disclaims any intention or obligation to update the statements contained in this news release. SOURCE PolyPeptide Group Related Links http://www.polypeptide.com Make your side dishes extra special by putting a twist on traditional mashed potatoes or serving up a fresh take on a decadent fondue. If you're out to make a big impression, these croquettes feature a crispy outer crust surrounding a melty, cheesy center for a flavor explosion that lights up your taste buds. The secret to each of these recipes is mild, mellow, nutty cheese. Best recognized as a classic wedge available in original and smoked flavors, Jarlsberg Brand Cheese has a mild, mellow, nutty flavor, and offers a naturally lactose and gluten free way to make culinary magic this holiday season. Find more holiday-worthy recipes, and learn more about the rich, 60-year Norwegian heritage of Jarlsberg Cheese, at jarlsberg.com. Croquettes Servings: 4 Tomato Sauce: 10 ounces tomatoes 1 clove garlic 1/3 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon curry salt, to taste pepper, to taste Croquettes: 4 ounces Jarlsberg cheese 4 ounces cured ham 1 garlic clove 2 tablespoons shallots 2 tablespoons parsley 10 gelatin leaves 2 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons flour, plus extra for dredging 3 cups milk salt, to taste pepper, to taste 4 cups cooking oil 2 eggs 6 tablespoons breadcrumbs To prepare sauce, chop up tomatoes and finely chop garlic. In saucepan, mix tomatoes, garlic, cinnamon, sugar and curry, and allow to simmer about 1 hour. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. To make croquettes, grate cheese, cut ham into small pieces and finely chop garlic, shallots and parsley. Soak gelatin leaves in cold water 5 minutes. In saucepan, combine butter, 3 tablespoons flour and milk and bring to boil to make thick, white sauce. Squeeze water from gelatin and melt into sauce. Stir until smooth then stir in cheese until melted. Add ham, shallots and parsley, and season with salt and pepper. Pour mixture into square tin to depth of about 1 inch. Smooth top and leave to cool. Cut into about 40 1-by-2-inch rectangular slices. Heat oil in shallow skillet. Meanwhile, beat eggs lightly until frothy. Coat croquettes in flour, dip into egg then coat with breadcrumbs. Repeat for double-coating and fry until golden. Baked Mashed Potatoes Servings: 7 4 large baking potatoes 1 cup shredded Jarlsberg cheese 1 cup milk 1 container sour cream 1 cup butter salt fresh ground black pepper Heat oven to 350 F. Place potatoes in large pot of salted water and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until tender. Drain and transfer potatoes to flat bottom bowl and mash. Add cheese, milk, sour cream, butter, salt and pepper. Mash all ingredients with potatoes until smooth. Pour mixture into baking pan and cover with foil. Bake, 30 minutes, covered. Uncover potatoes during last 10 minutes to allow browning. Cheese Fondue Serves: 4 16 ounces Jarlsberg cheese 1 garlic clove 2 cups white wine 1 tablespoon lemon juice 3 tablespoons flour 1 tablespoon kirsch (optional) 1/4 teaspoon white pepper salt, to taste nutmeg, to taste Grate cheese, or cut into small cubes. Rub inside of saucepan with garlic. Heat white wine and lemon juice on medium-low heat, but do not boil. Meanwhile, mix flour and cheese in bowl. Slowly add cheese while stirring in remaining ingredients. If fondue is too thin, add more cheese. If fondue is too hard, add more wine. Serve with crusty cubes of French or Italian bread, broccoli, cauliflowers, pepper strips, mushrooms, potatoes, asparagus spears or Granny Smith apple slices for dipping. Variations: Substitute white wine with champagne, or add roasted garlic, fine herbs or bacon. Jerusalem Artichokes Au Gratin Servings: 4 2 cups Jerusalem artichokes 4 shallots 2 garlic cloves 1 1/3 cups creme fraiche salt, to taste pepper, to taste lemon juice, to taste 1 1/3 cups grated Jarlsberg cheese fresh herbs fresh ground black pepper Heat oven to 400 F. Peel artichokes and cut into approximately 1/4-inch slices. Cut shallots into wedges and finely chop garlic. In bowl, combine artichokes, shallots and garlic with creme fraiche, and add salt, pepper and lemon juice, to taste. Spoon mixture into ovenproof dish and sprinkle grated cheese on top. Bake on center rack 30-40 minutes. Serve with fresh herbs and fresh ground black pepper. Michael French [email protected] 1-888-824-3337 editors.familyfeatures.com About Family Features Editorial Syndicate Established in 1974, Family Features is a leading provider of free food and lifestyle content for print and online publications. Our articles, photos, videos and web content solutions save you time, money and help create advertising opportunities. Registration is fast and free with absolutely no obligation. Visit editors.familyfeatures.com for more information. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161207/446501 SOURCE Family Features Editorial Syndicate Related Links http://www.familyfeatures.com NEW YORK, Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Oil and gas companies, oil and gas service companies, law firms, financial service companies, and government institutions, have all been calling for competitive advantage through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in Malaysia. In recent times, Malaysian oil and gas service companies have been adversely hit by the low oil price regime. Petronas, the leading national oil company of Malaysia, has cut down significantly on the awarding of new production sharing contracts (PSCs) and risk sharing contracts (RSCs). Apart from investment on brownfield projects, final investment decision (FID) on upstream greenfield projects are likely to be deferred. The Asia-Pacific region's upstream expenditure in 2016 is expected to decrease by 33% compared to 2015 levels (it declined by 21% compared to 2014 levels). At the same time, the Asia-Pacific region is a net oil importer, importing around 75% of its oil requirements. This trend is expected to continue. As a result, service companies have a greater challenge in keeping their revenue streams growing. Consolidation could provide a solution in these tough times and lead to major advantages like economies of scale, geographic diversification, and integration. This study provides an analysis of the expected M&A themes in the oil and gas industry over the course of the next decade and beyond. The Global Energy and Environment Research Team at Frost and Sullivan also picks the top sectors and the top 16 companies in the oil and gas services sector in Malaysia which are ripe for consolidation. Research Scope: - O&G - Upstream and downstream o Material-based industry o Equipment-based industry (rental, specific equipment provider, etc.) o Gas utilisation industry - Supporting services o Construction service: - EPC companies (Planning, Implementation & Supervision) o Non-construction service: - Seismic Survey and Non Seismic Survey - Geology and Geophysics - Drilling and Well Drilling Operations - Waste Management Research Approach: o Building a list of 1000+ companies operating throughout the oil and gas value chain o 30+ industry sub sectors were identified, based on current market condition and value chain position o An initial analysis conducted through primary interviews with different industry stakeholder o Each of these sectors were analyzed in in detail from a risk- opportunity perspective to arrive at the most promising companies per sector Key Questions that This Study Will Answer: - Who: Who are the most active buyers? - What: What are the hottest sectors for the M&A deals? - Where: Where are the buyers located? Which region is most attracted to the Malaysian O&G sector? - When: An analysis of year-wise transactions - Why: What is the underlying logic behind these M&A deals? - How: How much were the target companies valued at an aggregate level? Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04409372-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 SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) announced this week that Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) scored 100 percent on its Corporate Equality Index (CEI), earning a place on the CEI 2017 Best Places to Work List for the eighth time in the last decade. HRC, the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, annually surveys corporations that opt in using the CEI, its national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT employees. The CEI process evaluates companies based on equal employment opportunity, LGBT-friendly benefits, employee support, public engagement and responsible citizenship and assigns a rating to each. Results are compiled across all participating companies and published annually, indicating the strides that corporate America has made in providing workplace equality to all employees. Additionally, MassMutual has been honored with the 2016 Insurance Commissioner's Award for Excellence in Diversity. This award recognizes an insurance company that has shown a commitment to both supplier diversity and governing board diversity within its business operations and outreach activities. MassMutual is being recognized for its successful and innovative approaches to developing and increasing procurement opportunities for diverse suppliers, encouraging and establishing diversity amongst its governing board members, and being an active participant in events and meetings of the Insurance Diversity Initiative. "MassMutual's commitment to being a diverse and inclusive company does not waver," said Lorie Valle-Yanez, Chief Diversity Officer, MassMutual. "We are steadfast in our commitment to advocate for inclusion, fairness and equality, value people for who they are, and celebrate all diversity." To learn more about MassMutual's support of the LGBT community, visit www.massmutual.com/lgbt. About MassMutual MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyowners. MassMutual offers a wide range of financial products and services, including life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, annuities, retirement plans and other employee benefits. For more information, visit www.massmutual.com. Contact: Paula Tremblay, 413.744.0885, [email protected] SOURCE MassMutual Related Links http://www.massmutual.com With funding from the Kenneth Rainin Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST) -- a nonprofit real estate organization -- will launch a new financial and technical assistance program to help arts organizations facing displacement. This philanthropic support will seed a capital fund to allow CAST to initiate a real estate acquisition program in Oakland to create permanently affordable, safe spaces for artists and arts organizations. The Mayor also announced additional city staffing to support arts and culture in Oakland. These investments come at a critical time, as artists and arts organizations are at risk of displacement due to Oakland's escalating housing and commercial space costs. Today's announcements represent recommendations of a multi-disciplinary taskforce that Mayor Schaaf convened in 2015 to help stem the displacement of artists and arts organizations from Oakland. "The arts are at the center of vibrant and diverse communities, and are critical to neighborhood health and well-being, yet artists and cultural organizations are increasingly vulnerable to instability and displacement. This public-private collaboration and investments are aimed at preventing displacement, growing the capacity of the city's artists and cultural organizations, and enhancing municipal resources for the cultural sector over the long haul," said Mayor Schaaf. Oakland is home to hundreds of arts and cultural nonprofit organizations, and a significant population of working artists, with an estimated economic impact of $53 million per year (2010 study by Americans for the Arts). New Initiatives to Support Long-Term, Affordable Space for Oakland's Arts Community The Kenneth Rainin and William and Flora Hewlett Foundation funding will support the expansion of CAST into Oakland. CAST will implement several initiatives that together will result in long-term, sustainable solutions for creating affordable and safe spaces for Oakland's arts community. CAST's new two-year pilot initiative, Keeping Space - Oakland, launches December 7, 2016 and will provide technical and financial assistance to arts and cultural organizations that are seeking real estate expertise and funding for their space needs. Through Keeping Space - Oakland, CAST will offer grants up to $75,000 to arts organizations that have been displaced, or are facing displacement, from Oakland. The grants are intended to help arts organizations execute real estate transactions that result in permanent affordable space. In addition, as part of the Keeping Space - Oakland initiative, CAST is partnering with the Northern California Community Loan Fund (NCCLF), a local nonprofit, to offer technical assistance to arts organizations. Real estate consulting experts at NCCLF will assist Oakland's arts organizations in gaining the skills they need to navigate real estate projects, including negotiating protective lease terms and acquiring property. Applications for Keeping Space - Oakland open on December 7, 2016, and are due February 10, 2017. For more information, go to cast-sf.org. Finally, support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation will help seed a capital fund to allow CAST to launch a real estate acquisition program in Oakland to create permanently affordable, safe art spaces. The fund will be used to purchase real estate and lease at below market rates to Oakland artists and arts organizations. CAST Executive Director Moy Eng said, "Keeping Space - Oakland and our new real estate acquisition efforts are dedicated to ensuring that Oakland's arts organizations and artists, who are facing immediate space challenges, remain a vital part of our communities through training, funding, and ultimately permanent real estate solutions. When our local artists and arts organizations are firmly rooted, the entire city benefits." Shelley Trott, Director of Arts Strategy and Ventures at the Kenneth Rainin Foundation added, "CAST is a proven model for the community to stem displacement in the arts. This innovative approach addresses financial equity issues by profoundly changing the dynamics. We look forward to seeing the impact it will have in Oakland." "NCCLF's Consulting Department has a long history of stabilizing nonprofits through its real estate and financial management services," said Joanne Lee, Director of Consulting Services. "We are pleased to join our partners at the City of Oakland, CAST, the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to preserve artistic resources in Oakland." Additional City Staff Resources to Support Oakland's Arts Community The Mayor recently appointed Roberto Bedoya, a national thought leader on cultural equity and creative place-keeping, as Oakland's Cultural Affairs Manager. Bedoya will coordinate city government resources to better support the arts community. He will oversee the City of Oakland's Cultural Affairs Unit (housed in the Department of Economic and Workforce Development), which provides more than $900,000 in grants to support the arts annually, administer the city's Public Art Program, and manage a portfolio of special events, film production permitting, and a walking tours program. Bedoya will also provide leadership for new initiatives, such as completing a Cultural Plan for the City of Oakland. In addition, Mayor Schaaf announced support from the Kenneth Rainin Foundation to fund a two-year mayoral staff position focused on new policies and initiatives to stem the displacement of artists and arts organizations from Oakland. Kelley Kahn, a city planner with experience in economic development, real estate, and the arts, who led the Mayor's 2015 taskforce, has been appointed to the position. Kahn will work closely with Bedoya and the City of Oakland's Cultural Affairs Unit. "Now is our time to solve immediate challenges facing artists and arts organizations, while also developing a work plan and model for how the arts can thrive in our city," said Bedoya. The Importance of Public-Private Partnerships "Tackling the issues of displacement and protecting Oakland's diverse arts and culture cannot be solved by government alone. Public-private partnerships are essential in addressing these issues faced by so many growing and changing cities," said Mayor Schaaf. "We are pleased to have the support of the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, CAST and NCCLF, as we all work to identify tangible solutions." ABOUT KENNETH RAININ FOUNDATION The Kenneth Rainin Foundation collaborates with creative thinkers in the Arts, Education and Health. It supports visionary artists in the Bay Area, creates opportunities for Oakland's youngest learners, and funds researchers on the forefront of scientific discoveries. More at krfoundation.org. ABOUT THE WILLIAM AND FLORA HEWLETT FOUNDATION The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is a nonpartisan, private charitable foundation that advances ideas and supports institutions to promote a better world. For 50 years, the foundation has supported efforts to advance education for all, preserve the environment, improve lives and livelihoods in developing countries, promote the health and economic wellbeing of women, support vibrant performing arts, strengthen Bay Area communities and make the philanthropy sector more effective. More at hewlett.org. ABOUT THE COMMUNITY ARTS STABILIZATION TRUST (CAST) CAST purchases and leases space for the exclusive use of arts organizations while also providing these groups with technical assistance to develop and expand their capacity to fundraise, manage their facilities effectively, and potentially own their building. CAST seeks additional support from foundations, individuals and investors for its real estate acquisition fund, capacity building efforts and expansion beyond its pilot projects. For more information, go to cast-sf.org. ABOUT THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY LOAN FUND The Northern California Community Loan Fund (NCCLF) is a nonprofit organization committed to California's low-income communities. For 30 years, NCCLF has partnered with socially conscious impact investors and mission-driven organizations to support low-income communities' need for housing, education, healthcare, food, jobs and economic opportunity. The organization provides loans and working capital, as well as consulting and technical assistance, so that mission-driven organizations can achieve their vision of financially secure and culturally vibrant communities. And by investing in NCCLF's loan fund, impact investors achieve their vision of realizing financial returns while funding social good. By bringing together investors, community organizations, and our expertise, we invest in opportunity, together. Learn more at ncclf.org. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446351 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140310/DC78654LOGO SOURCE The Kenneth Rainin Foundation Related Links http://www.krfoundation.org TORONTO, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - McLuhan & Davies Communications, Inc. announces the launch of Dr. Edward de Bono's renowned decision-making and idea-creation programs: Six Thinking Hats and Lateral Thinking. "We are excited to collaborate with de Bono Thinking Systems, making McLuhan & Davies the only Canadian-based licensed distributor for all de Bono products across Canada and the USA," says Amanda James, Vice President, Operations at McLuhan & Davies. "It's such a natural fit to represent de Bono's structured thinking programs and add Six Thinking Hats and Lateral Thinking to our structured communication training," she adds. Six Thinking Hats and Lateral Thinking were developed by Dr. Edward de Bono the world's leading authority on conceptual thinking. Author of over 80 books, de Bono's tools and methods have brought impactful results to business professionals. His training solutions have helped implement creativity in the workplace for decades. Six Thinking Hats introduces a way to deliberately separate thinking into distinct categories, which allows a person to identify and acknowledge all aspects of an issue. By examining and evaluating a topic from all angles, this creates a more complete and cohesive thinking process. Similarly, de Bono's Lateral Thinking provides a systematic process that will result in innovative thinking. It focuses on solving problems through unique and unorthodox methods, revealing creative elements that aren't immediately obvious. Not only does Lateral Thinking empower your talent to discover new approaches and generate creative ideas, it also provides concrete tools to turn your ideas into real opportunities. Six Thinking Hats and Lateral Thinking are now available in Canada and the USA through McLuhan & Davies. You can bring these workshops in-house or experience a public session in February 2017 in Toronto or New York City. For more information, please visit www.mdctraining.com/de-bono-six-thinking-hats/ About McLuhan & Davies McLuhan & Davies has provided business communications training for over 35 years worldwide. We teach people how to think, write and speak with CLARITY, BREVITY and IMPACT. SOURCE McLuhan & Davies Communications, Inc. Related Links www.mdctraining.com PARIS, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Two grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, Father Patrick Desbois, President and Founder of Yahad-In Unum and Mira Maylor, a Jewish Israeli artist, work together to bring a remarkable exhibit to a remarkable place-the Museo del Holocausto in Guatemala, Central America's only Holocaust museum. Marco Gonzalez, YIU Executive Director: 'Teaching the consequences of indifference can be the key to institute change in a violent society.' Mr. Patrick Desbois, president and founder of Yahad-In Unum, standing with Israel artist Mira Maylor, whose art is featured in the exhibit "Memory of the Holocaust Through Art," at the Museo de Holocausto, founded by Yahad-In Unum, in Guatemala. Museo del Holocausto Guatemala - Mira Maylor & Father Desbois The museum was founded by Yahad-In Unum (YIU)-whose name comes from the Hebrew and Latin words for 'together'-a French, Christian organization dedicated to locating mass graves of Jewish and Roma victims of Nazi genocide in Eastern Europe. YIU itself was founded by Father Patrick Desbois following a stark realization during a visit to Rava-Ruska, Ukraine to the place where his grandfather was imprisoned during World War II. When Desbois asked where the roughly 10,000 Jews murdered were buried, he got no answers. Through careful research and interviews, he discovered the unmarked forest graves of thousands of forgotten people. "I realized they were left like animals," said Desbois. "My shock when confronted with this fact is difficult to describe." YIU has since expanded significantly and has located and documented over 3,000 killing sites in Eastern Europe, providing valuable information for scholars and the families of victims. With a wealth of data, interviews and experience, YIU founded the Museo de Holocausto in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The choice of Guatemala is symbolic in that it is a country recovering from a bloody civil war that claimed the lives of over 200,000 people. Moreover, due to the fact that the Guatemalan Ministry of Education has passed a law requiring all students to study the Holocaust, the lessons from Nazi crimes have urgent and modern importance, especially to the young. Mira Maylor, the Israeli artist putting on the exhibition at the museum, creates powerful three-dimensional art using glass, iron and wood, to address borders of morality and human choices. "A museum which details the historic tragedy of the Holocaust should appeal to Guatemalans, who have also suffered greatly from war," said Maylor. "It may be cliche, but art is a universal language that can cross any border and I hope the humanity displayed here serves to inspire people to abandon violence." LINKS: PHOTO FROM THE EXHIBITION http://www.museodelholocausto.org.gt/multimedia/ LONG VERSION ARTICLE http://www.museodelholocausto.org.gt/memory-of-the-holocaust-through-art-opens-at-new-guatemalan-holocaust-museum-founded-by-yahad-in-unum/ Contact: Hannah Ackerman [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161201/444850 Video - https://youtu.be/opJyeZGSy1o SOURCE Yahad-In Unum Related Links http://www.yahadinunum.org NEW YORK and BOSTON, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- MetTel, a leading advanced communications solutions provider for businesses based in New York, today announced the sale of Tewksbury, Mass-based Thrive Networks to Thrive CITS, LLC, a portfolio company of M/C Partners of Boston. In addition to acquiring Thrive, M/C Partners acquired Norwood, MA based Corporate IT Solutions, an in-market competitor. The combination of these two firms will form one of the largest managed IT service providers in the Northeast. MetTel has also structured a wholesale agreement with the new combined M/C Partners company to continue to provide enhanced managed services to MetTel customers. Terms of the agreements were not disclosed. MetTel is realigning resources to focus on serving enterprise customers. With the global enterprise technology market projected to reach $2.8 trillion by 2019 according to an IDC study,* MetTel is sharpening its focus on serving major corporations and government agencies. Growing at a brisk, double-digit pace since it began serving the enterprise, MetTel plans to re-invest sale proceeds of Thrive into advanced solutions, services and infrastructure for its large clientele. "We are encouraged by the business results of our enterprise level corporate and government customers, so we intend to expand our investment into solutions that address their priorities," said MetTel CEO Marshall Aronow. "MetTel will expand significantly in 2017 with new technology, expertise and facilities to meet our enterprise growth mandate while continuing to serve our SMB base cost-effectively with Thrive." MetTel has more than 10,000 customers among which an increasing proportion are large enterprise, requiring more sophisticated, scalable solutions and greater bandwidth. Data analytics, cloud computing, mobile business and flexible software defined networks are changing the way companies see, reach and serve their customers. As the IT and telecommunications industries evolve, the lines between them increasingly blur particularly around the efficient delivery of information resources through the cloud. Just as the traditional powers in both industries were threatened by upstarts such as Amazon, Google and VMware, today a new class of players are emerging that can virtualize and integrate powerful IT and communications resources at lower costs than their predecessors. MetTel is a leading example of this growing phenomenon. About MetTel MetTel is a leading communications solution provider that bundles the widest selection of technologies into innovative and customized solutions for enterprise customers. By converging all communications over a proprietary network, MetTel enables enterprise companies to quickly and easily deploy technology-driven voice, data, wireless and cloud solutions nationwide. Deployed with the highest quality customer care and project management, our portfolio of customer-centric communication solutions boosts enterprise productivity, reduces costs and simplifies operations. Combining customized communication solutions with a powerful platform of cloud-based software, the company's MetTel Portal enables customers to manage their inventory, usage, spend and repairs from one simple, user friendly interface. MetTel was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in New York City. For more information visit www.mettel.net. MetTel. Smart Communications Solutions. *Worldwide IT spending is projected to grow from $2.46 trillion in 2015 to more than $2.8 trillion in 2019, according to the Worldwide Semiannual IT Spending Guide: Industry and Company Size from International Data Corporation (IDC). SOURCE MetTel Related Links http://www.mettel.net For the 2017 release, the product teams employed a tireless focus on both improving current product usability, as well as adding multiple new features that have been requested by customers. Jim Hassberger, President of solidThinking noted, "We are incredibly proud of the 2017 releases. Inspire was the first tool to market that focused on putting generative design in the hands of design engineers and it continues to be a world-class product. The latest release definitively positions it to be a leader for years to come. Evolve's flexibility and combination of polygonal, solid parametric, and organic surface modeling, as well as built in rendering and construction history make it one of the fastest and most flexible design tools on the market today." "With Inspire 2017, we improved our already great generative design product Inspire, by adding motion tools that enable design engineers to investigate system motion to predict loads for moving parts," explained Andy Bartels, Program Manager. "Never before has it been so easy to mechanize a model or perform a motion analysis." Doug Hedges, President of Sintavia, LLC., notes, "Inspire does what few programs can; it takes a complex process and makes it easy to understand. My whole team was able to use the program after just a few hours of training and it has led to dramatic time savings in the design process." Key Updates to Inspire 2017 include: The new Motion tool allows users to easily mechanize their models and investigate system motion to predict loads for moving parts. tool allows users to easily mechanize their models and investigate system motion to predict loads for moving parts. The Topography Optimization tools can be used to change shapes of shell structures by introducing stamped bead patterns for better structural performance. tools can be used to change shapes of shell structures by introducing stamped bead patterns for better structural performance. Updated Partition Tools allow users to divide a part into design and non-design regions by selecting a hole, pocket, or face to offset. allow users to divide a part into design and non-design regions by selecting a hole, pocket, or face to offset. The Bolt Pretension tool allows users to achieve more accurate results when bolts are under pretension. Evolve's hybrid modeling system has been updated with a number of new enhancements and tools primarily based on customer requests. Program Manager for Evolve, Darren Chilton noted, "Our goal for this release was to focus on our customers and improve the usability of the software giving them more freedom than ever before." "Evolve in particular is a powerful software for enabling designs in our fast-paced development environment. It helps me gain speed not only in bringing design concepts to life, but also in driving fast iteration loops with the development team," mentioned Jens Andersson Design Lead, Philips. Key Updates to Evolve 2017 include: New Planar Symmetry and Radial Symmetry tools have been added to replace the Mirror and Polar Copy tools. and tools have been added to replace the Mirror and Polar Copy tools. All images which are rendered inside Evolve now include a Depth Channel (tiff) . This Z-depth channel can now be saved in the Image Browser and used in post-processing tools such as Adobe Photoshop to simulate the natural blurring of foreground and background scene elements when viewed through a camera lens. . This Z-depth channel can now be saved in the Image Browser and used in post-processing tools such as Adobe Photoshop to simulate the natural blurring of foreground and background scene elements when viewed through a camera lens. New and improved import/export for SVG, PDF 2D, DWG, and DXF formats. for SVG, PDF 2D, DWG, and DXF formats. New length parameter for the Line tool and Rounded Polyline tool. for the Line tool and Rounded Polyline tool. Improved Curve Offset tool to work directly on surface edges. Inspire 2017 and Evolve 2017 are available through more than 200 channel partners worldwide, and through Altair's patented HyperWorks licensing model. Visit solidThinking.com/Inspire or solidThinking.com/Evolve to see video demos, an on-demand webinar, or to request a free trial of the tools. About solidThinking solidThinking deploys a relentless focus on delivering innovative technology with a streamlined user experience. Its tools empower users and organizations to make informed decisions and design, engineer, manufacture, and deliver amazing products to market faster than ever before. solidThinking's tools are sold and supported through a global network of industry and domain experts. solidThinking is a wholly owned subsidiary of Altair where its products are also available through the Altair HyperWorks suite. About Altair Altair is focused on the development and broad application of simulation technology to synthesize and optimize designs, processes and decisions for improved business performance. Privately held with more than 2,600 employees, Altair is headquartered in Troy, Michigan, USA and operates more than 45 offices throughout 20 countries. Today, Altair serves more than 5,000 corporate clients across broad industry segments. To learn more, please visit www.altair.com. Media Contacts Altair Corporate/ Americas Biba A. Bedi +1-757-224-0548 x 406 [email protected] Altair Europe, the Middle East and Africa Evelyn Gebhardt +49 6421 9684351 [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446200 SOURCE solidThinking Related Links http://www.solidthinking.com "Kevin brings incredible experience to drive the commercialization of Muse bio's ForgeCraft technology," said Ryan Gill. "I am looking forward to working with Kevin to make Muse bio a tremendous success. The Company will benefit from his innovative approach to developing and commercializing novel tools in support of the biotechnology industry." Kevin has spent his career transforming early stage ideas into successful ventures. Prior to joining Muse bio, Kevin was co-founder, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Operating Officer of 10X Genomics. Previously, he co-founded and was Vice President of Product Development at QuantaLife, acquired by Bio-RAD in 2011. He and his teams developed and commercialized products such as droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), Linked-Read sequencing, and high-throughput, single cell gene expression measurement solutions. Kevin brings the capabilities and knowledge to not only commercialize successful products but also to build valuable enterprises. "My sincere compliments go to Ryan and the Muse bio team for developing their revolutionary ForgeCraft technology which will significantly improve the efficiency and precision of genome engineering, bringing the capabilities of genome writing to parity with genome reading," said Kevin Ness. "I am looking forward to joining Muse bio to drive ForgeCraft to commercial success." Muse bio is enabling a new era of genome engineering that will transform our understanding of biology. Muse bio delivers power to researchers and production scientists in the field of genome engineering and synthetic biology through the combination of a powerful computer-aided forward design software package, a proprietary benchtop biofoundry and associated reagents. Its next-generation, CRISPR-based ForgeCraft technology dramatically accelerates genome engineering. For more information, please visit www.musebio.com. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446254 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446253LOGO SOURCE Muse bio Related Links http://www.musebio.com SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The NACE Automechanika Commitment to Training completed its third one-day training event of 2016 in mid-November, with a record turnout that brought the total number of automotive professionals trained this year to more than 370. The Commitment to Training program is the educational component of NACE Automechanika, the largest U.S. trade show dedicated to high-end technical and management-related training for automotive service and collision repair shops. Commitment to Training one-day events were conducted at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Wis.; and Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Ill. Each event featured industry-leading trainers presenting classes for mechanical and collision professionals on a variety of technical and management topics. Each event was presented at no cost thanks to manufacturer support. Instructors who trained at the Commitment to Training events and who will participate at NACE Automechanika Chicago include John Thornton, G. Jerry Truglia and Pete Meier. Other trainers at the Commitment to Training events this year were Mike Anderson, Charles Ayers, Jason Bartanen, Chris Chesney, Jerry Goodson, Greg Marchand, Brad Mewes, Larry Montanez and Mel Schampers. "We are thrilled that more than 370 professionals from around the country were able to make it to our one-day events and improve their skillsets," said Pete Meier, technical editor and director of training for Motor Age and the UBM Americas Automotive Group. "Continued education is vitally important to the success of today's automotive industry, and these professionals showed their dedication by giving up a Saturday to learn and study with the best." The Commitment to Training events are one way NACE Automechanika continues its focus on bringing quality, in-demand training from top educators to the automotive service repair industry. Many attendees of the one-day events also attended Automechanika Chicago 2015 and plan to attend NACE Automechanika Chicago 2017. The upcoming training event and trade show will take place July 26-29, 2017, at McCormick Place West in Chicago. "I went to Automechanika Chicago and then heard about the Commitment to Training events. I came (to the Washtenaw and Fox Valley events) because with all of the new technology on vehicles, you have to get all of the information you can," said Mike Felicioni, owner of Great Lakes Auto Body, Nunica, Mich. "And if it's free, even better." "Seeing so many people take advantage of training and recognizing that they need to learn is encouraging for our industry. It ties in with our trainers at both the Commitment to Training events and NACE Automechanika, who recognize the importance of educating today's automotive professionals to ensure vehicle repairs are being made correctly and in a timely manner," said Jim Savas, VP and GM of the UBM Americas Automotive Group. "With the pace at which vehicle technology is advancing, these training opportunities are becoming increasingly important." The Commitment to Training combines live training with webinars, whitepapers, how-to videos, networking and more in an effort to educate today's automotive professionals. It is made possible by support from manufacturers such as Carquest Technical Institute, Delphi, Abaris Training, Mitchell 1, PPG, Polyvance, Pico Technology, Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket, Mitchell International, Motor Age Training, Axalta, Garmat USA and GFS. Many of these sponsors will also be participating in the trade show. Because of the time and financial commitment often required to attend training events, NACE Automechanika has secured sponsorships from top companies to offset training costs for mechanical professionals. Registration is open for NACE Automechanika Chicago, and training topics covered at NACE Automechanika 2017 range from analysis of fuel trim corrections for drivability to social media for shops. Courses offered reflect current trends as well as showcase new techniques and processes to make business more efficient. You can view a list of training sessions scheduled through today; more will be added in coming months. "We are ecstatic about the Commitment to Training attendance and the positive feedback we have received thus far, stated NACE Automechanika Show Director, Bridget Ferris. We look forward to complementing the high level training with an outstanding show floor presence in July through the expansion of our product categories, adding more special features and more networking opportunities." NACE Automechanika attendees will experience the latest technology, test equipment and discover advanced applications with live, interactive demonstrations. For the 2017 event, the show schedule has been adjusted to limit conflicts between exposition hours and training sessions. For more information, visit: www.NACEAutomechanika.com About Automotive Service Association The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. Headquartered in North Richland Hills, TX, ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. http://asashop.org/ About UBM Americas UBM Americas, a part of UBM plc, is the largest business-to-business events and trade show organizer in the U.S. Through a range of aligned interactive physical and digital environments, UBM Americas increases business effectiveness for both customers and audiences by cultivating meaningful experiences, knowledge and connections. UBM Americas has offices spanning North and South America, and serves a variety of specialist industries with dedicated events and marketing services covering everything from fashion, tech and life sciences to advanced manufacturing, cruise shipping, specialty chemicals, powersports and automotive, concrete, hospitality, cargo transportation and more. For more information, visit: www.ubmamericas.com. About Messe Frankfurt Messe Frankfurt is one of the world's leading trade fair organizers, generating around 648 million in sales and employing 2,244 people. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 30 subsidiaries and 55 international Sales Partners, allowing it to serve its customers on location in 175 countries. Messe Frankfurt events take place at approx. 50 locations around the globe. In 2015, Messe Frankfurt organized a total of 133 trade fairs, of which more than half took place outside Germany. Comprising an area of 592,127 square metres, Messe Frankfurt's exhibition grounds are home to ten exhibition halls. The company also operates two congress centres. The historic Festhalle, one of the most popular venues in Germany, plays host to events of all kinds. Messe Frankfurt is publicly owned, with the City of Frankfurt holding 60 percent and the State of Hesse 40 percent. For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com The North American headquarters in Atlanta is currently producing eleven trade shows in the USA, Canada and Mexico across various industries. For more information about Messe Frankfurt, please visit our web site at www.MesseFrankfurt.us. Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161205/445660LOGO SOURCE UBM Americas Related Links http://www.advanstar.com "We applaud Congress for passing the 21 st Century Cures Act. This legislation is a great step in the right direction. Within the legislation there are many provisions that will bring critical resources to the fight to prevent suicide. The legislation includes $6.3 billion for new funding of medical research at NIH, as well appropriating $1 billion over two years in opioid addiction and treatment programs. In addition it will create a new position of Assistant Secretary for Mental Health, and reauthorizes key mental health and suicide prevention programs such as the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. On behalf of AFSP we'd like to thank Congressman Tim Murphy (R-PA), Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) for their leadership in getting the bill passed. Suicide is our nation's tenth leading cause of death, so we are encouraged that our nation's leaders are taking specific steps to address this major public health issue. There are six key provisions within the legislation we are glad made it into the final draft, because of their significant contribution to the fight to #StopSuicide including: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Program (codifies into law) Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act Reauthorization Memorial Act Reauthorization Adult Suicide Prevention Sense of Congress on prioritizing American Indians and Alaska Native youth within suicide prevention programs Children's Recovery from Trauma Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Promotion, Intervention, and Treatment I would also like to thank the over 8,000 AFSP volunteer advocates from all 50 states who made countless phone calls, emails and visits to their members of Congress voicing their support of this legislation. They are proof that voters really can make a difference in Washington." The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, and with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161207/446705 SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Related Links http://www.afsp.org "It's our associates who make Purina such an outstanding place to work," said Joseph Sivewright, CEO, Nestle Purina PetCare Company "Being recognized again is a great honor, and is a testament to the people that embody our core values of integrity, passion, expertise, performance and innovation." With North American headquarters located at Checkerboard Square in St. Louis, Missouri, Nestle Purina has approximately 8,000 U.S. associates working in 20 facilities across 13 states. The company's founder, William Danforth, believed that integrity, passion, expertise and performance are the keys to Standing Taller and making good lives better. Today, Nestle Purina carries on the legacy, passionately enriching the lives of pets and the people who love them. To view a full list of job openings, visit www.nestlepurinacareers.com. "Company culture and the employee experience are critical considerations for job seekers everywhere when deciding where to work. To help, the Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards recognize companies that truly stand out as Best Places to Work because they're purely determined by the authentic voice of those who really know a company best - the employees," said Robert Hohman, Glassdoor CEO and co-founder. "Employers where employees love to work continue to prove that they have a recruiting and business performance edge. We're proud to celebrate the 2017 Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards winners in earning this incredible achievement." On Glassdoor, current and former employees of companies worldwide can share insights and opinions about their work environments by sharing a company review, designed to capture a genuine and authentic inside look at what it's like to work at particular jobs and companies. When sharing a company review on Glassdoor, employees are asked to rate their satisfaction with the company overall, and key workplace factors like career opportunities, compensation, benefits, work/life balance, senior management, as well as culture and values. In addition, employees are asked to describe the best reasons to work at their companies as well as any downsides. The Best Places to Work are determined using company reviews shared by U.S. based employees between November 2, 2015 and October 30, 2016. To be considered for the large category, a company must have at least 1,000 or more employees and have received at least 75 company reviews from U.S.-based employees during the period of eligibility. The final list is compiled based on Glassdoor's proprietary algorithm, and takes into account quantity, quality and consistency of reviews. The complete list of the Glassdoor Best Places to Work in 2017: http://www.glassdoor.com/Best-Places-to-Work-LST_KQ0,19.htm. About Nestle Purina PetCare Company Nestle Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestle Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestle S.A., a global leader in nutrition, health and wellness. About Glassdoor Glassdoor is the world's most transparent jobs and recruiting marketplace that is changing how people search for jobs and how companies recruit top talent. Glassdoor combines job listings with anonymous reviews, ratings and salary data to help people find a job and company they love. This level of transparency, in turn, helps employers attract the right candidates for their company and culture at a fraction of the cost of other channels. Glassdoor offers employers job advertising,job posting and employer branding solutions in addition to robust talent analytics. Launched in 2008, Glassdoor has job listings and data for more than 600,000 employers in 190 countries and is available on iOS and Android platforms. For labor market trends and analysis, visit Glassdoor Economic Research. For career advice and job-related news and tips, visit the Glassdoor Blog. Glassdoor is a registered trademark of Glassdoor, Inc.. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446279 SOURCE Nestle Purina PetCare Company WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Canadian oil producers have roared back from President Obama's rejection of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline with a scheme to send hundreds of tar sands-laden oil tankers and barges down the East and West coasts and the Mississippi River, the Natural Resources Defense Council warned in a report released today. Under their plans, tar sands tankers and barges traveling U.S. waterways could skyrocket from fewer than 80 to more than 1,000 a yeardramatically increasing the chance of devastating spills. That, according to the report, would put the Pacific and Atlantic coastlines, including the Salish Sea, San Francisco Bay, the Gulf of Maine, the Hudson and Columbia rivers, the Chesapeake Bay and the Florida Keys, at risk for costly spills for which there is no known effective cleanup technology. In addition, as many as 130 tar sands barges per year could travel on the Mississippi River, which today sees almost no such traffic. The potential for destructive tar sands spills endangers hundreds of inland and coastal communities. And it puts at risk multibillion tourism and fishing industries, along with protected ocean preserves and abundant marine life; including whales, dolphins and unique deep-sea creatures. "Canadian oil producers have a scheme to flood us with dangerous tar sands oil. Their hopes to send hundreds of millions of barrels of tar sands oil into U.S. waters are truly alarming. We can't let them endanger American livelihoods, our most iconic and threatened species, or our beautiful wild places with these irresponsible plans," said Joshua Axelrod, lead author of NRDC's report. "The risks and costs created by possible tar sands spills are so substantial that local, state and federal governments should take immediate action," added Axelrod, policy analyst for NRDC's Canada Project. "Protecting the public, communities and the environment from a plague of dangerous tar sands oil on U.S. waterways should be their top priority." If all that wasn't bad enough, the climate impact of the planned tar sands development would be severe. Expanded production would destroy a large swath of Canada's boreal foresta carbon storehouse that helps to mitigate climate change. And burning all the tar sands oil that the industry seeks to develop would add 362 million metric tons of carbon pollution into the atmosphere each yeartwice as much as Keystone XL's tar sands would have contributed. NRDC released the report, "The Tar Sands Tanker Threat: American Waterways in Industry's Sights," in a telephone-based press conference. Joining Axelrod for the event was: Stephanie Buffum, executive director at Friends of the San Juans; Michael Riordan, physicist and resident of Orcas Island; and Jewell James, a Lummi Nation representative and fisherman on the Salish Sea. It outlines plans by Canadian producers to excavate tar sands oil from forests in northern Alberta and use four new pipeline and rail operationsand existing infrastructure on the Mississippi Riverto move tar sands oil by tanker and barge down the coasts and on the Columbia, Hudson, and Mississippi rivers to reach heavy oil refinery operations in the Mid-Atlantic, Gulf coast and California. Canadian producers are pressing ahead with these expansion plans, despite climate realities and findings like those in a 2016 report by the National Academy of Sciences that tar sands crude has unique physical properties leading to extreme clean-up challenges, including missing tools and technology that could clean the heavy, toxic oil in the event of a spill. It's notable that six years after a tar sands pipeline spill fouled Michigan's Kalamazoo River and created a billion-dollar cleanup effort, the river is still contaminated. The tar sands threat outlined in NRDC's report isn't theoretical. Just recently, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau approved Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain tar sands pipeline expansion, which would increase oil tanker traffic by 600 percent in the already-congested Salish Sea between Washington state and British Columbia. If the pipeline is built, much of this traffic is expected to move south along the U.S. west coast to California heavy-oil refineries. Scientists contend the project is a death sentence for the region's beloved Killer Whale population. "The Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, just approved by Canada's Prime Minister, would significantly increase tar sands tanker traffic and oil spill risk in the Salish Sea," said Lovell Pratt, an expert in marine vessels and resident of San Juan Island. "According to a vessel traffic analysis, the project would cause an 800% increase in the risk of a major tar sands oil spill over the next ten years in Haro Strait and Boundary Passthe critical habitat of the region's highly endangered orca whales." NRDC recommends that in light of the tar sands threat: State and federal governments should reject vessel response plans for ships transporting tar sands oil because there's no effective cleanup technology available for handling tar sands spills. Local, state and federal governments should take steps to evaluate legal, policy and research priorities to deal with potential tar sands oil spills and their impact on the environment. Policymakers in the U.S. and Canada should examine whether tar sands crude can be safely shipped on our rivers and oceans, and how enabling further development of carbon-intensive tar sands oil threatens the climate. More information about the tar sands tanker and barge threat report is here: https://www.nrdc.org/resources/tar-sands-tanker-threat-american-waterways-industrys-sights A blog on the issue by Josh Axelrod is here: https://www.nrdc.org/experts/josh-axelrod/new-report-tar-sands-industry-targets-americas-waterways More about NRDC's work related to fossil fuels is here: https://www.nrdc.org/issues/reduce-fossil-fuels An audio recording of the press conference on the tar sands tanker and barge threat will be here: http://www.hastingsgroupmedia.com/NRDC/TarSandsTankerReport.mp3 Earlier this year NRDC released another report "Tar Sands in the Atlantic Ocean: TransCanada's Proposed Energy East Pipeline," focusing on TransCanada's plans for the Energy East pipeline that would dramatically increase tanker traffic along the East Coast. That report is here: https://www.nrdc.org/resources/tar-sands-atlantic-ocean-transcanadas-proposed-energy-east-pipeline 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, Montana; and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC. SOURCE Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Related Links http://www.nrdc.org HOUSTON, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A retired U.S. Marine who founded one of the fastest-growing companies in the nation will be honored at an event aimed at inspiring new veteran entrepreneurs. EO-Houston Veterans Business named ret. Lt. Col. Rod Long, co-founder of Team Trident, as its Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year for 2017. "Leadership by example is a hallmark of military service so to be considered an example to veteran entrepreneurs is a real honor -- one I humbly accept," Long said. Team Trident, founded in 2006, staffs skilled tradesmen to the offshore oil & gas industry. Its growth and success has helped the company make the INC 500, the Houston Business Journal's FAST 100 and the Aggie 100 lists both in 2013 and 2014. More than a quarter of its employees are veterans and the company has raised more than $500,000 for injured veterans. "Rod is the type of entrepreneur we hold up as an example not only for his business success, but for the way his company has hired veterans and helped veteran causes. He truly does things the right way for the right reasons," said Veterans Business Battle Co-Founder Corban Bates, a former Army Captain. "Our goal with the Veterans Business Battle is to help launch more veteran-owned businesses that can eventually do the same." Veterans Business Battle is a business plan competition that serves as a forum for connecting veterans with investors, mentors, advisors and resources. Since its first event in 2015, more than $1.7 million of investment offers have been extended to finalists, with nearly $1 million funded so far, making it the largest veteran-focused business competition in the country. Applications are open for the 2017 event to any honorably discharged military veteran living in the United States. Veterans can apply at www.vetbizbattle.com by Jan. 8. Finalists will pitch their businesses to investors Feb. 24-25 at Rice University. Veterans Business Battle was established in 2015 by The Houston chapter of Entrepreneurs' Organization and Rice University's Veterans in Business Association. The competition aims to foster entrepreneurship among veterans, grow veteran-owned businesses and give back to veterans seeking to make a difference in the business world. For more information, visit www.vetbizbattle.com Contact: Sara Yonker, 713-296-0004 [email protected] SOURCE Veterans Business Battle Related Links http://www.vetbizbattle.com TEL AVIV, Israel, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Perflow Medical, an Israeli-based medtech company focused on next-generation neurointerventional devices, today announced the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 9510855, by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), for the Stream Dynamic Neuro-Thrombectomy Net. This is the first device to provide full dynamic wall apposition during the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. With more than 13.5 million annual occurrences worldwide, stroke is the primary cause of long-term disability with a devastating effect on patient quality of life and long-term healthcare costs. Neuro-thrombectomy devices have shown promise to improve patient outcomes but many commercial devices restrict device manipulation, hindering the physician's ability to provide complete reperfusion. The Stream Net provides physicians' full control of the radiopaque, braided net to make real-time adjustments based on intracranial vessel geometry. Physicians can manipulate the net diameter, length, and radial force to optimize contact with the vessel wall and improve clot retention during removal through tortuous anatomy. "Timely revascularization is crucial for treating patients with acute ischemic stroke, however the cases remain inherently challenging," commented Danny Farin, CEO, Perflow Medical. "We believe better patient outcomes are achieved by leveraging the physician's expertise and experience. Our propriety braided net platform provides physicians with superior control and full dynamic wall apposition to address clinical situations real-time. We are excited to offer the Stream Net to help patients in Europe." About Perflow Medical Perflow Medical, a privately owned Israeli-based medtech company, develops and manufactures innovative medical devices to address complex neurovascular disorders. Perflow's CEREBRAL NET Technology platform, a dynamic braided net that enables adjustable neurovascular treatments, emphasizes physician expertise by combining real-time physician control, advanced device manipulation, full dynamic wall apposition, and excellent radiopacity to improve patient outcomes. Their first product, the Stream Dynamic Neuro-Thrombectomy Net, is approved in Europe for the endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Learn more at www.perflow.com. MEDIA CONTACT: Carla Benigni SPRIG CONSULTING, LLC (847) 951-7430 [email protected] SOURCE Perflow Medical Related Links http://www.perflow.com ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- PNM Resources' (NYSE: PNM) New Mexico utility, PNM, today filed with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC) its request for an increase in electric rates of $99 million that, if approved, would take effect January 1, 2018. The average system bill impact from this increase would be 11.2 percent. "This rate filing represents important changes that will transform the generation portfolio that serves our New Mexico customers as we use carbon-free nuclear energy to replace two coal-fired units that will be shut down," said Pat Vincent-Collawn, PNM Resources' chairman, president, and CEO. "We know that this change comes at a price, but we also know that it is important to our customers, and to all of us, to have reliable, affordable and sustainable energy." The rate request reflects the implementation of the San Juan Generating Station (SJGS) plan that was broadly supported by the intervenors to the filing and approved by the NMPRC in December 2015. This plan paves the way for PNM customers to receive power from a more sustainable generation resource portfolio by approving the use of PNM's interest in the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Unit 3 to serve retail customers following the shutdown of SJGS Units 2 and 3. The values for these items were set in the December 2015 NMPRC approval. In addition to the SJGS plan, this rate filing includes other environmental improvements to generation resources, normal capital expenditures that ensure reliable service for customers and adjusts for the lower sales due to the company's successful energy efficiency programs. In the rate filing, PNM also proposes changes to rate design to better align electric rates with the actual costs to serve customers and encourage continued energy efficiency while proposing a rate mechanism that eliminates the disincentives associated with energy efficiency and load management programs. PNM management will hold an analyst meeting and live webcast Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. Eastern to discuss PNM's general rate case filing and other company updates. The presentation for the live webcast will be available prior to the start of the meeting on PNM Resources' website at http://www.pnmresources.com/investors/events.cfm. Listeners are encouraged to visit the website at least 30 minutes before the event to register, download and install any necessary audio software. The webcast archive will be available following the meeting on the PNM Resources website. Documents related to the PNM rate filing can be found at www.pnmresources.com/investors/rates-and-filings.aspx. Background: PNM Resources (NYSE: PNM) is an energy holding company based in Albuquerque, N.M., with 2015 consolidated operating revenues of $1.4 billion. Through its regulated utilities, PNM and TNMP, PNM Resources has approximately 2,787 megawatts of generation capacity and provides electricity to more than 760,000 homes and businesses in New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit the company's website at www.PNMResources.com. CONTACTS: Analysts Media Jimmie Blotter Dan Ware (505) 241-2227 (505) 241-2786 Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Statements made in this news release that relate to future events or PNM Resources, Inc.'s ("PNMR"), Public Service Company of New Mexico's ("PNM"), or Texas-New Mexico Power Company's ("TNMP") (collectively, the "Company") expectations, projections, estimates, intentions, goals, targets, and strategies are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned that all forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and estimates. PNMR, PNM, and TNMP assume no obligation to update this information. Because actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, PNMR, PNM, and TNMP caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements. PNMR's, PNM's, and TNMP's business, financial condition, cash flow, and operating results are influenced by many factors, which are often beyond their control, that can cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of risk factors and other important factors affecting forward-looking statements, please see the Company's Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which factors are specifically incorporated by reference herein. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151104/284109LOGO SOURCE PNM Resources, Inc. Related Links http://www.pnmresources.com DALLAS, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- We are pleased to welcome Paul Labor as Regional Manager in Dallas, TX. Prior to joining PPT, Paul was Branch Operations Manager with Clifford Power Systems. He brings to us experience in the field, project management, and personnel management. Paul will be responsible for managing technicians in northern Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161205/445808LOGO Joining Paul in Dallas is Senior Service Specialist, Gary Bronaugh. He joins our team with over 30 years' experience in the power generation industry, most recently with Clifford Power Systems. Gary has prior experience overseeing daily operations for his region, technician training, and preparing bids. He will be responsible for preparing estimates, training of best practices, and assisting in day to day operations in our Dallas region. We also welcome Jack Hager as Regional Manager in Ball Ground, GA. Jack brings to us a wealth of knowledge from the power generation industry with over 30 years' experience at Cummins and Caterpillar. Prior to joining PPT, Jack was Regional Service Manager at Caterpillar overseeing regional financial goals, creating training curriculum, and mentoring technicians. Jack will be responsible for managing technicians in Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and the Florida panhandle. For more information about Power Pro-Tech Services, call our National Operations Center at 800-437-4474 or email [email protected]. About PPT: Established in 2002, Power Pro-Tech Services covers 21 states with an emergency response time of two to four hours. PPT operates eight regional offices with Corporate Headquarters located in Altamonte Springs, FL and National Operations Center in Ball Ground, GA. Power Pro-Tech Services (PPT) specializes in the service and installation of distributed power systems including generators, switchgear, solar inverters and fuel cells. As the largest service provider in our industry, we combine technical expertise with unparalleled resources to provide customers with the assurance that their power assets are maintained in top operational condition. Related Images image1.jpg image2.jpg image3.jpg image4.jpg Related Links Power Pro-Tech Services Power Pro-Tech Services Facebook This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com SOURCE Power Pro-Tech Services Related Links http://www.powerprotech.com SAN DIEGO, December 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Regen BioPharma Inc. (OTCQB: RGBPP) In a recent study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences a team of scientists in Guangzhou, China[1] have demonstrated that expression of NR2F6 in patients with early cervical cancer correlates with poor prognoses. These scientists tested for NR2F6 in patient's cervical cancer tissue as well as in the normal tissue surrounding each of their tumors. "This is an interesting study and the first that I am aware of that has tested for NR2F6 in patients with cervical cancer," said Harry Lander, Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer of Regen BioPharma, Inc. "What they found was that those patients who had high amounts of NR2F6 protein expressed in their tumors died much faster than those patients with low or no expression of NR2F6 protein. To me, this is an important validation of the role of NR2F6 in cancer in humans, rather than simply animal models, and implies that inhibiting NR2F6 may be beneficial for these patients. While the study didn't go into the mechanism of action, it did show clear correlation and statistical significance indicating that NR2F6 expression is a potential biomarker for early cervical cancer." Regen BioPharma, Inc. is developing small molecule inhibitors and activators of NR2F6. Inhibitors (which inhibit the expression of NR2F6) are expected to be useful in the treatment of various cancers and activators (which activate the expression of NR2F6) in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. "This journal article provides empirical evidence that supports our belief that inhibiting NR2F6 is a key to treating cancer in patients," noted David Koos, Regen's Chairman & CEO. "Our company sees an opportunity to enhance both the longevity and quality of life through further developing its NR2F6 small molecule therapies for treating cancer and autoimmune diseases." Regen is also party to an agreement whereby Zander Therapeutics, Inc. has been granted by Regen an exclusive worldwide right and license for the development and commercialization of NR2F6 intellectual property controlled by Regen for non-human veterinary therapeutic use. Controlling NR2F6 in dogs and cats may be effective in treating diseases such cancer and arthritis at the veterinary level. Regen believes that, in addition to its human therapeutics which may be developed by Regen, licensing fees related to veterinary applications of NR2F6 which may be developed by Zander may provide an additional income stream to Regen. Zander Therapeutics Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Entest BioMedical Inc. (PINKS: ENTB). David R. Koos serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Regen, Entest Biomedical, Inc. and Zander Therapeutics. About Regen BioPharma Inc.: Regen BioPharma Inc. is a publicly traded biotechnology company (OTCQB: RGBP) and (OTCQB: RGBPP). The Company seeks to identify undervalued regenerative medicine applications in the immunotherapy and stem cell space. The Company is focused on rapidly advancing these technologies through pre-clinical and Phase I/ II clinical trials. Currently, the Company is focused on gene silencing therapy and small molecule therapies for treating cancer, along with developing stem cell treatments for aplastic anemia and disorders of the bone marrow. Additional information on Regen BioPharma is available at http://www.regenbiopharmainc.com. About Zander Therapeutics Inc.: Zander Therapeutics, Inc. is a veterinary biotechnology company that is wholly owned by Entest BioMedical Inc. (a publicly traded company -- PINK: ENTB). Zander is primarily focused on developing small molecule therapies for treating autoimmune disorders and canine cancer (dogs). Currently the Company is developing products treating blood disorders using small molecules based on NR2F6 under an exclusive license agreement for veterinary use from Regen BioPharma Inc. (OTCQB: RGBP), gene silencing for treating cancer with immunotherapy, modulating key molecular processes in cancer stem cell through its patent molecular targeting approaches and repairing damaged bone marrow in animals with aplastic anemia and bone marrow suppression due to side effects of chemotherapy/radiotherapy treated cancer patients. http://www.zandertherapeutics.weebly.com/ Disclaimer: This news announcement may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties to which forward looking statements are subject include, but are not limited to, the effect of government regulation, competition and other material risks. [1]Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17, 1694 CONTACT INFORMATION Regen BioPharma Inc. David R. Koos, Ph.D. Chairman & Chief Executive Officer +1-619-702-1404 Phone +1-619-330-2328 Fax http://www.regenbiopharma.com [email protected] SOURCE Regen BioPharma, Inc. DUBLIN, Dec 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Military Aircraft Hangars Market 2016-2020" report to their offering. The global military aircraft hangars market to grow at a CAGR of 2.66% during the period 2016-2020. The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global military aircraft hangars market for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated through the construction and installation of military aircraft hangars. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market. One of latest trends in the market is joint logistics approach. The growing geopolitical instability, including political volatility, violence, growing dominances by rebel forces, and territorial disputes in various parts of the globe, has considerably influenced the contemporary military agenda of the international community in the recent past. Due to its geographical importance, the Middle East has been a prime focus of US foreign policies over the last four decades. The countries in this region have also shown signs of collaboration and cooperation around military transportation and logistics. The US Army maintains a strong military, security, intelligence, and diplomatic relationship with various countries in the Middle East, including Jordan, Egypt, and Israel, as well as the member countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC). Therefore, the collaborative military operations remain a nominal exercise between the US Army and the armies of partnering countries. According to the report, one of the primary drivers in the market is increasing emphasis on establishing facilities for sophisticated combat aircraft. Over the years, the use and acceptance of military aircraft have been increasing across the globe. The growth of long-range warfare remains the prime reason for augmenting the fleet size of military aircraft among the combat forces of various countries. After a decade-long involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq, the air wing of multiple countries faced serious need to upgrade the technological capabilities of their air platforms, which fueled the need to develop sophisticated combat aircraft that can amplify the magnitude of air strikes. Led by the US, many other allied countries are now involved in a campaign intended to neutralize the militancy activities, which are based on the fundamental religious belief in the Middle East. The ongoing actions in Syria and Iraq have been expanded to include massive air strikes by the US and its allied nations, including Australia, Denmark, Canada, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK. Further, the report states that one major challenge in the market is maintenance costs associated with military bases. Due to the advancement of modern warfare strategies, the deployment of military forces is not limited to the borders of the country. As collaborative efforts gain importance among countries, their military forces have also started functioning in close cooperation in foreign territories. This has evolved the need for an efficient way of constructing and maintaining temporary overseas base camps. Key vendors AECOM Alaska Structures Contrack Watts DIUK ARCHES Rubb Buildings Other prominent vendors AAR Evan Fall Protection Fulfab John Reid & Sons & Sons Universal Fabric Structures Key Topics Covered: Part 01: Executive summary Part 02: Scope of the report Part 03: Market research methodology Part 04: Introduction Part 05: Market landscape Part 06: Market segmentation by product Part 07: Geographical segmentation Part 08: Market drivers Part 09: Impact of drivers Part 10: Market challenges Part 11: Impact of drivers and challenges Part 12: Market trends Part 13: Vendor landscape Part 14: Appendix For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/m6n2pg/global_military Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] 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 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com VANCOUVER, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated (NYSE and TSX: RBA) has published its November 2016 auction metrics on the company's website. This information can be accessed at the following link: https://investor.ritchiebros.com/historical-auction-metrics Monthly auction metrics should not be considered indicative of quarterly, annual or future performance. Auction metrics and corporate performance vary considerably month-to-month, due to the number of auctions held each month and seasonal factors. Ritchie Bros.' actual results could differ materially from those implied by this monthly auction disclosure. Investors are encouraged to review Ritchie Bros.' performance on a 12-month rolling or annual basis before making investing decisions. About Ritchie Bros. Established in 1958, Ritchie Bros. (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is the world's largest industrial auctioneer, and one of the world's largest sellers of used equipment for the construction, transportation, agriculture, energy, mining, forestry and other industries. Ritchie Bros.TM asset management and disposition solutions include live unreserved public auctions with on-site and online bidding; EquipmentOneTM, an online auction marketplace; Mascus, a global online equipment listing service; private negotiated sales through Ritchie Bros. Private Treaty; and a range of ancillary services, including financing and leasing through Ritchie Bros. Financial Services. Ritchie Bros. has operations in 18 countries, including 45 auction sites worldwide. Learn more at rbauction.com, EquipmentOne.com, mascus.com, rbauction.com/privatetreaty and rbauction.com/financing. SOURCE Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Related Links http://www.rbauction.com HERZOGENAURACH, Germany, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- From automotive to mobility supplier: Schaeffler is putting solutions for Mobility for Tomorrow and change at the center of its exhibition presence at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017. "We are showing how the visions for autonomous driving, electrification and networking can be made a reality," says Prof. Peter Gutzmer, deputy CEO and chief technology officer of Schaeffler AG. "The automotive industry is undergoing a dramatic change in which we are playing a role as a development partner." The attention grabber on the stand is Schaeffler's bio-hybrid, a compact mobility solution for urban areas. This covered mini-vehicle offers more than just protection from the weather. Its four wheels provide high driving stability and with a length of only just over two meters and a width of 85 cm, it occupies very little space. Propulsion is via an electric powertrain designed by Schaeffler. "The mobility requirements in rapidly expanding urban areas will change in the future," explains Prof. Gutzmer. "It is not enough for us just to produce abstract sketches of our visions. Our ready-to-go prototypes show that we have the capability to make actual products." Schaeffler is also addressing the change which is happening at the component level and is presenting its contributions to the field of digitalization. The rolling bearing, which is the technology company's conventional product, is becoming a sensor for the networked automobiles of the future. Sensor coatings incorporated in the bearings at a microscopic level will allow them to measure torques, revolutions, forces and temperatures in the future - and thus supply invaluable data. "The automobile will become part of the Internet of Things," according to Prof. Gutzmer. "Our sensor bearings, which are being fitted wherever components move and forces occur, provide drivers, fleet managers and garages with first-hand data." Electromechanical actuators, such as the active roll control system which Schaeffler has already put into production, will be able to provide data to the Internet of Things in the future. The active roll control system compensates movements in automobile chassis caused by driving around corners or on uneven road surfaces. When combined with intelligent wheel bearings, a high-accuracy satellite navigation system and a communications module, it may, in the future, be possible to produce a real-time image of the condition of the road. This could then be used to send information to vehicles following behind or to the infrastructure operator. Transmissions for future, electrified generations of vehicles are a further point of focus for Schaeffler at the exhibition - for example in self-driving taxis which can navigate their way through cities autonomously. In this case, all the drive components, with the exception of the battery, are located within the wheel. This makes it possible to have automobiles which have an extremely good usable space/footprint ratio whilst at the same time offering excellent maneuverability. "The urban spaces of the future will require the smallest possible traffic footprint with the maximum mobility," says Prof. Gutzmer. "Innovative drive concepts such as the wheel hub motor make new types of mobility possible and are extremely significant components as far as digitalization is concerned." The level of electrification in conventional vehicles is already increasing. Schaeffler is therefore presenting the technical solutions required for this at CES. This ranges from 48V technologies, through high voltage modules for plug-in hybrid vehicles, to electric axes for purely electric vehicles. "At CES, we are once again showing how Schaeffler's recently unveiled strategy Mobility for Tomorrow is now becoming a technical reality," explains Prof. Gutzmer. "At the same time, we are open to new partnerships with start-ups who are looking for a partner to work with to make their future mobility ideas a reality as well." Schaeffler is putting a great deal of effort into expanding its research and development network and is putting particular emphasis in this area on digitalization. Just in October 2016, the mobility supplier announced a far-reaching collaboration with IBM which will see the development of new technologies and business models for the digital age. About Schaeffler The Schaeffler Group is one of the world's leading integrated automotive and industrial suppliers. The company stands for the highest quality, outstanding technology, and strong innovative ability. The Schaeffler Group makes a decisive contribution to "Mobility for tomorrow" with high-precision components and systems in engine, transmission, and chassis applications as well as rolling and plain bearing solutions for a large number of industrial applications. The technology company generated sales of approximately 13.2 billion euros in 2015. With around 85,000 employees, Schaeffler is one of the world's largest companies in family ownership. It has a worldwide network of manufacturing locations, research and development facilities, and sales companies at approximately 170 locations in over 50 countries. Follow us on Twitter @schaefflergroup to get all of our latest press releases and news. SOURCE Schaeffler BOSTON, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SwingSpace has expanded to Boston to help companies find their best possible coworking solution. Established in Washington, DC, SwingSpace is the place to self-search coworking options by selecting a desired neighborhood, number of desks, and monthly budget. Boston is an ideal market for SwingSpace because of the dense innovative start-up community and the increasing number of coworking organizations serving that community. SwingSpace has the largest growing number of Boston Area coworking locations, allowing any user to quickly compare their options. In addition to helping prospective tenants find coworking, SwingSpace is helping coworking companies further define themselves through photo and video. Casey Hogan, Community Manager at The Food Loft, explains her experience, "Working with SwingSpace could not have been easier. When we first got in touch, all we had to do was set a date, have a few tenants ready to talk about The Food Loft, and their team took care of the rest. They got great footage and photos and made us an awesome profile in no time. We know this will help us grow our reach and find more food companies that can benefit from our space. We're so thrilled SwingSpace is launching in Boston, and are thankful to be part of their launch here!" Other leadership in coworking are pleasantly surprised with the efficiency of the posting process. Wes Walker, owner and president of Intelligent Office, Boston, shares "The setup and production of our listing was completely seamless. The SwingSpace team came to our center, unobtrusively interviewed selected members for testimonials and videoed our space. The quality of the video production was excellent." SwingSpace is stripping the vail of the assumption that all coworking is the same, by highlighting what makes each company and location unique. By doing this, users and coworking companies alike can strengthen their specific community, whether non-profit, tech, food, government, law or anything in-between. Pioneer to the coworking craze and current co-founder of Boston Offices, Mark Wiatrowski, comments "SwingSpace is delivering office space like the TV news. They are taking a very modern approach, both tech and design wise, to leasing office space. Online videos allow users to grasp a truth about each space without physically having to tour." The goal is to visit www.swingspace.com and seamlessly go from #searchtoseat. Co-founders, Richard McBride (SwingSpace CEO) and Zak Kidd (SwingSpace COO) started SwingSpace in Washington, DC because they realized that small and growing companies would be better served with a streamlined office leasing process. The platform has become the largest marketplace for coworking in that area. Market Driver and Boston Lead for SwingSpace, Bridget Brown, exclaims "It's exciting to help create the solution to finding the right small office space. Getting to share that solution and breaking down the different flavors of coworking in the Greater Boston Area is a treat. I love revealing some of the hidden gems of coworking in different markets." Visit www.SwingSpace.com for more information and to check out available listings that are added daily. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161011/427366LOGO SOURCE SwingSpace, LLC Related Links http://www.swingspace.com NORTH WALES, Pa., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Terri Levine and Pete Winiarski are proud to announce the release of the book, Elite Business Systems: Insider Strategies Of Industry Leading Consultants, to be released by Motivational Press. Terri Levine and Pete Winiarski find inspiration from mentoring consultants. The authors recognized the tremendous depth and value these consultants have to offer and asked them to share their wisdom as a way to bring diverse consulting advice to all business leaders and other business consultants. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446460 Elite Business Systems' contributors include: Maryanne Ross, David Tweedt, Mary Jo Cranmore, David W. Garrison, Teresa D. Huggins, Robert Merlin Davis, Meggie Jones Hale, Carlos Smith Soares, Amy Simatos, A.J. Tozzi, Marni Spencer-Devlin, Luis Ramos, Forrest Willett, Dr. LaVerne Adams In the words of Getrude Matshe, Author / Inspirational Speaker, Elite Business Systems by Terri Levine and Pete Winiarski is an impressive body of business principles and ideas delivered by experts in business who come from a wide range of business areas. The practical insights and advice make this book unique because I can see exactly how I can apply these concepts to my business. It is a must read for any business leader or entrepreneur looking to enhance their knowledge and skills. It is a great read, well done! In an engaging interview, Terri Levine and Pete Winiarski can discuss: How to succeed in business no matter who is President How to maximize revenues and profits in this or any economy Implementing conscious leadership Revenue growth on a shoe-string budget The number one secret that grows a business The 5 deadly mistakes made in business today Brian Leck, Global Vice President of Sales said, Elite Business Systems by Terri Levine and Pete Winiarski is a fantastic collection of advice by the elite consultants that they have assembled in this book. I really love the chapter on 'Sales Success' by Amy Simatos! There is tons of content about all areas of your business - from strategy to sales to operations improvement to leadership to empowering employees and more! The elite consultants featured in this book include those who can: Help solve strategic problems Drive revenue up through new marketing strategies Handle and shift your leadership challenges Spark innovation Reduce your costs and make your company more profitable Help you grow for a sustainable long-term existence Lead full company transformation To schedule an interview with Terri Levine and Pete Winiarski, contact Janet Carson at 760-208-4990 or [email protected]. About The Authors: Terri Levine is the bestselling author of almost 20 books and the Chief Heartrepreneur at www.heartrepreneur.com, and is known as the business-mentoring expert with heart. Her latest book, Turbocharge How To Transform Your Business As A Heartrepreneur, has become an overnight success. Pete Winiarski is known as a business transformation expert and a goal achievement expert with thirty years of experience in leadership roles in corporate and consulting companies. Pete leads his consulting company and is the creator of www.CompleteBusinessTransformation.com About Motivational Press: Motivational Press is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Motivational Press is a broad-based publisher with strengths in business books, self-help books, health, wellness, sports, narrative nonfiction, reference, pop culture, design, and religious and spiritual books. Motivational Press is consistently at the forefront of innovation, using digital technology to create unique reading experiences and expand the reach of its authors. Its divisions include Motivational Press Adult Publishing, Authority Press, Directions University Press, OSBO Publishing, Obvious Expert Press, Empire Press, Motivational Press Children's Publishing, Motivational Press Audio, Motivational Press Digital and international companies in Australia, Canada, Germany, Brazil and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.MotivationalPress.com. SOURCE Terri Levine and Pete Winiarski SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bar Method today announced the opening of its 100th studio in Phoenix, AZ. The Bar Method now has presence in 26 states, in addition to Canada. "It's been a big year for The Bar Method. We celebrated our 15th year in business, introduced a new product, Bar Express, and opened our 100th location," said The Bar Method CEO, Jay DeCoons. "We owe our success to a phenomenal community of studio owners, teachers and clients. They are passionate about The Bar Method, and I'm in awe of their dedication. Our success formula is to partner with savvy entrepreneurs who are inspired to share their love of Bar Method with thousands of others." Elissa Scannell, the owner of the new Phoenix location, discovered The Bar Method as a Washington, D.C. political consultant. Within one year, Elissa became an instructor, opening her first studio in Phoenix's Arcadia neighborhood. "I was attracted to The Bar Method because of its focus on tried-and-true technique, rigorous teacher training, luxurious studios, and overall brand quality," said Scannell. "I believe that passion drives business success, and I'm so happy to be part of The Bar Method community of studio owners." Bar Method studio owners come from a diverse set of career backgrounds, including accounting, retail, marketing, finance, politics and more. The majority of owners are women who started as clients, then decided to change their careers to promote a practice that has had a profound and positive influence on their bodies, self-esteem and lives. Many owners have opened multiple locations in their respective cities. The core Bar Method class is an hour-long workout comprised of isometric exercises that strengthen and tone all major muscle groups, followed by periods of stretching to elongate, lengthen and align the body. Other popular Bar Method classes include Bar Move, a fast-paced cardio-based class, and Bar Express, a 45-minute high-intensity class. Bar Online provides subscribers with a library of online classes that can be streamed from any mobile or tablet device, ranging from a 20-minute targeted workout to a 60-minute full-body workout. The Bar Method's 100th studio in Phoenix will celebrate its opening on December 10 with free classes throughout the day, refreshments and raffle prizes. As part of the "Grand Opening Special: $75 for 30 days of unlimited classes," the first 100 customers will receive a limited edition pair of Bar Method grippy socks. For more information on the 100th studio, visit The Bar Method Phoenix Arcadia online, or on Instagram and Facebook. For more information on The Bar Method, visit: www.barmethod.com. About The Bar Method: Founded in 2001, The Bar Method is the pioneer in barre fitness. Hundreds of thousands of students have experienced The Bar Method as the optimal workout for developing a strong, sculpted body. It strengthens and tones all major muscle groups, burns fat, and improves posture and flexibility. Classes are led by highly-trained instructors who provide personal attention and ensure that exercises are safe and effective. Bar Method Franchise International provides opportunities for health-conscious entrepreneurs to turn their passion for fitness and well-being into successful businesses. Follow The Bar Method online, or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact: Rabeeah Patail [email protected] 310.935.3885 SOURCE The Bar Method Related Links http://www.barmethod.com KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Brian Menickella, founding partner of The Beacon Group of Companies and head of the firm's corporate retirement practice, released a free eBook that addresses the Department of Labor's proposed fiduciary rule to raise investment advice standards for retirement accounts and other events prompting change in the 401(k) space. "The DOL's proposed fiduciary standard, the Supreme Court's decision on Tibble vs. Edison and other recent government actions have created a perfect storm in the 401(k) space," said Menickella. "Corporate retirement plans are in the infancy of a complete overhaul." Menickella is a long-time advocate of evening the playing field between brokers and fiduciaries, and believes investment advice should always be in the best interest of the client. He has written extensively about lawsuits and other actions fueling these changes in his Forbes column. "I hope this eBook will educate and inform employers about these profound changes," Menickella said. "Their responsibility to be aware of these new laws and product changes will be overwhelming as the margin for error dramatically narrows." Menickella has over thirty-five years in the financial services industry and is widely recognized as a leader in the retirement plan marketplace. He has been named "Expert Advisor" in the Northeastern region by the Center for Due Diligence and is a multiple recipient of the "Five Star" wealth manager award as seen in Philadelphia Magazine. The eBook is available for free download on http://www.thebeacongrp.com/downloads/. For media inquiries, please contact Alexa Miller of Flackable at 215-450-3022 or [email protected]. About The Beacon Group: The Beacon Group of Companies is a broad based financial services firm headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania specializing in Employee Benefits, Property & Casualty Insurance, and Corporate Retirement Plan Services. The Beacon Group has combined industry leading expertise and unique intellectual capital to provide our clients with the information needed to make intelligent decisions. For more information, please visit www.thebeacongrp.com. Securities offered through TFS Securities, Inc., Member FINRA / SIPC, a full service broker dealer, located at 437 Newman Springs Road Lincroft, N.J. 07738 (732) 758- 9300. Investment Advisory Services offered through TFS Advisory Services, a division of TFS Securities. www.finra.org Alexa Miller Flackable, LLC 215-450-3022 [email protected] SOURCE The Beacon Group of Companies Related Links http://www.thebeacongrp.com NESS ZIONA SCIENCE PARK, Israel, December 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Israeli biotechnology company Kadimastem (TASE: KDST) announced today the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Korean company Corestem, for a broad strategic collaboration between the companies. The synergy between the companies will assist in expediting Kadimastem's entry into international markets and positioning the Kadimastem-Corestem collaboration as a worldwide leader in innovative treatment for severe diseases in general and ALS and diabetes in particular. Upon signing the final agreement, Corestem will invest $7M in Kadimastem. The parties have agreed that the share price for the investment will be determined at the time of the signing of the agreement, according to the average share price during the period between the signing of the MoU and the signing of the final agreement, it being agreed that the share price will reflect a pre-market company valuation not lower than $30M and not higher than $37M. Moreover, Kadimastem will become a shareholder of Corestem by investing $1M in a similar investment mechanism. Under the collaboration agreement, the companies will conduct clinical trials on Kadimastem's product, AstroRx, in Korea and the Asia-Pacific region. In this region, Corestem will be responsible for the regulatory processes and obtaining the approvals required to treat patients and market the Company's products. Additionally, Corestem will be granted an exclusive license for the commercialization of the Company's ALS and diabetes products in the Asia-Pacific region (including Korea, Japan, China, Australia, Singapore, India and others), and will pay Kadimastem royalties. Through a joint venture, the companies intend to work on development of new products. The Company believes that the combination of Corestem's know-how and familiarity with the Asia-Pacific market and Kadimastem's capabilities and product advantages, will assist the companies in establishing their position as global market leaders in the field. Korea is known for its capabilities and innovation in the biotechnology field in general and cell therapy field in particular. Due to its geographic importance, its affluent and aging population and significant regulatory facilitations, Korea is a key market in the Asia-Pacific region. The regulatory authorities in Korea and Japan allow innovative medical treatments (including cell-based treatments) to receive a restricted marketing approval for a limited time immediately following preliminary results proving the treatment's safety and efficacy. Corestem is the only company in the world with a cell treatment for ALS which has been approved by a regulatory authority for treating patients. Its product is approved for marketing in Korea, after the phase II clinical trial proved safety and efficacy. Yossi Ben-Yossef, CEO of Kadimastem, noted: "We view the investment and the collaboration with Corestem as a strategic move, which will reinforce the status of both companies as global market leaders in the cell therapy field. We believe that the strong synergy between the companies and their products, together with the advantages of the Kadimastem's products, will lead to a global breakthrough in the treatment of ALS and diabetes patients. After examining market opportunities in the Asia-Pacific market, we have selected the most suitable, experienced and knowledgeable professional partner to establish our presence in that territory." Professor Michel Revel, Kadimastem's Chief Scientist, commented: "Corestem expressed significant interest in Kadimastem's technology and its AstroRx product for the treatment of ALS. ALS patients suffer from malfunctioning astrocytes, support cells located in the brain and spinal cord which protect the neurons. AstroRx consists of healthy human astrocytes, produced by Kadimastem from embryonic stem cells, which are capable of restoring the protection of the neurons and improving motor skills. It is a shelf product which can be injected to a large number of patients. Corestem markets NeuronataR, which is an autologous product comprised of cells from bone marrow, taken from the patient and reinjected to the same patient. The collaboration between the companies will enable Kadimastem to enjoy Corestem's infrastructure, which is already treating of hundreds of patients, and expedite the clinical application of AstroRx in Korea and other countries in the region. The companies will collaborate to distribute the treatments, and even to combine them for the benefit of ALS patients." In parallel, the Company plans to commence its phase I/IIA clinical trial (safety and efficacy of the product in humans) in mid-2017, under the supervision of the Israeli Ministry of Health, and according to the outline coordinated with the FDA. The trial will include approximately 21 patients and will be conducted in the Department of Neurology of Hadassah Medical Center, Ein Kerem, a world leader in the field of ALS. The strategic collaboration between the two companies was mediated by Wonjae Lee, the CEO of Yozma Korea, an investment company in Korea. The Company wishes to note Rosario Capital, who has worked with the Company since the Company's IPO, including accompaniment, advising and investment banking. Corestem is a global bio venture that holds growth, momentum and stability through continuous research and development in the field of stem cell therapy since it established in 2003. About ALS ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is the most severe of a group of neurodegenerative diseases that damage motor neurons, the cells controlling most muscles in the body. The disease is incurable and has no current significant drug treatment. In recent years, there is growing scientific proof that in ALS patients, the ability of astrocytes (supporting cells in the central nervous system) to maintain a supportive environment for motor neurons is damaged. About Kadimastem Kadimastem (http://www.kadimastem.com) is a biotechnology company that specializes in the development of human stem cell-based medical solutions for the treatment of diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS and Multiple Sclerosis. The Company was founded in August 2009 by Professor Michel Revel and Yossi Ben Yosef, and is traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE: KDST). The Company's chairman is Dr. Eli Opper, formerly the Chief Scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Labor and Trade. The Company's investors, in addition to the founders, include Altshuler Shaham Investment House, foreign investors (Julien Ruggieri and Avi Meizler), and additional institutional investors. Kadimastem was founded based on patent protected technology that was developed at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Based on the Company's unique platform, Kadimastem is developing technology for regenerative medicine, which repairs and replaces organs and tissue by using functioning cells differentiated from stem cells. The Company focuses on transplanting healthy brain cells to support the survivability of nerve cells as cell therapy for ALS, and transplanting insulin-secreting pancreatic cells for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes. Kadimastem has an extensive scientific advisory board, featuring prominent scientists and pioneers: in the embryonic stem cells field, Professor Benjamin Reubinoff, Director of the Hadassah Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Center and Senior Physician at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Hadassah University Medical Center; Professor Joseph Itskovich, world renowned expert and pioneer in pluripotent stem cell research and former head of Obstetrics and Gynecology at RAMBAM Medical Center; in the neurodegenerative disease field, Professor Tamir Ben-Hur, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Hadassah University Medical Center; and in the diabetes field, Professor Shimon Efrat, professor of Human Molecular Genetics and Juvenile Diabetes at Tel Aviv University and a world renowned expert in cell replacement therapy for diabetes and Professor Eddy Karnieli, former Director of the Institute for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the RAMBAM Medical Center, and a world renowned expert in these fields. Contact: Kadimastem Yehuda Feinberg +972-73-7971600 [email protected] SOURCE Kadimastem IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC)* today announced the availability of a line of CMOS logic ICs in small outline integrated circuit (SOIC) packages: the 74HCxxxD series. These products support flow and reflow soldering, and are suitable for industrial equipment and digital home appliances with logic levels of 6V and lower. The 63 new part numbers in the 74HCxxxD series consist of the most commonly used 74-series logic functions, bringing the total number of CMOS logic ICs offered by Toshiba to more than 300. An SOIC is a surface-mounted integrated circuit that occupies an area that is approximately 3050 percent less than an equivalent dual in-line package (DIP) with a thickness that is 70 percent smaller. This smaller size is well suited to applications that require a smaller PCB footprint. Toshiba's ICs are available in industry standard packages of SOIC14, SOIC16, and SOIC20, and include a range of functionalities such as various gate types, flip flops, buffers, multiplexers, serial/parallel shift registers and more. Product Lineup Part Number Logic Function 74HC00D Quad 2-input NAND gate 74HC02D Quad 2-input NOR gate 74HC03D Quad 2-input NAND gate with open-drain 74HC08D Quad 2-input AND gate 74HC21D Dual 4-input NAND gate 74HC32D Quad 2-input OR gate 74HC86D Quad 2-input XOR gate 74HC04D Hex inverter 74HC05D Hex inverter with open-drain 74HC14D Hex schmitt inverter 74HC123D Dual monostable multivibrator 74HC125D Quad 3-state buffer 74HC132D Quad 2-input Schmitt NAND 74HC138D 3-to-8 line Demultiplexor 74HC139D Dual 2-to-4 Demultiplexor 74HC151D 8-to-1 Multiplexor 74HC153D Dual 4-to-1 Multiplexor 74HC157D Quad 2-to-1 Multiplexor 74HC164D Parallel-out 8-bit Shift Register 74HC166D Parallel-in 8-bit Shift Register 74HC74D Dual D Flip-Flop 74HC174D Hex D Flip-Flop 74HC175D Quad D Flip-Flop 74HC244D Octal buffer with 3-state outputs 74HC245D Octal bus transceiver with 3-state outputs 74HC259D 8-bit addressable latch 74HC273D 8-bit register with asynchronous clear 74HC373D Octal transparent latch with 3-state outputs 74HC374D Octal register with 3-state outputs 74HC393D Dual 4-bit binary counter 74HC540D Inverting octal buffer with 3-state outputs 74HC541D Non-inverting octal buffer with 3-state outputs 74HC573D Octal D-type transparent latch with 3-state outputs 74HC4049D Hex inverting Buffer 74HC4050D Hex non-inverting Buffer 74HC4051D 8-channel analog Mux/Demultiplexer 74HC4052D Dual 4-channel analog Mux/Demultiplexers 74HC4053D Triple 2-channel analog Mux/Demultiplexers 74HC4066D Quad Bilateral Switches Pricing and Availability Toshiba's new CMOS logic ICs in SOIC packages are available now. For more details, samples and pricing information, please contact your local Toshiba Sales Office. *About TAEC Through proven commitment, lasting relationships and advanced, reliable electronic components, Toshiba enables its customers to create market-leading designs. Toshiba is the heartbeat within product breakthroughs from OEMs, ODMs, CMs, VARs, distributors and fabless chip companies worldwide. A committed electronic components leader, Toshiba designs and manufactures high-quality flash memory-based storage solutions, solid state drives (SSDs), hard disk drives (HDDs), solid state hybrid drives (SSHDs), discrete devices, custom SoCs/ASICs, imaging products, microcontrollers, wireless components, mobile peripheral devices, advanced materials and medical tubes that make possible today's leading smartphones, tablets, cameras, medical devices, automotive electronics, industrial applications, enterprise solutions and more. Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, Japan's largest semiconductor, solid state drive and hard disk drive manufacturer and the world's seventh largest semiconductor manufacturer (Gartner, 2015 Worldwide Semiconductor Revenue, January, 2016). Founded in Tokyo in 1875, Toshiba is at the heart of a global network of over 550 consolidated companies employing over 188,000 people worldwide (as of March 31, 2016). Visit Toshiba's web site at http://toshiba.semicon-storage.com. Information in this press release, including product pricing and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current and believed to be accurate on the date of the announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice. Technical and application information contained here is subject to the most recent applicable Toshiba product specifications. MEDIA CONTACT: Dena Jacobson Lages & Associates Tel.: (949) 453-8080 [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446348 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141006/150586 SOURCE Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. Related Links http://www.toshiba.com/taec Spring 2017 marks another year that Vacation Express provides Cleveland and the surrounding areas with affordable, all-inclusive vacation packages to the most popular destinations in the Caribbean. Travelers will find the variety of travel dates and convenient departures during the most popular times in the spring and summer that are ideal for planning a vacation for families and honeymooners. In addition to these great non-stop flights, Vacation Express' sister company will also offer three new luxury resorts in Jamaica: Royalton Blue Waters, Royalton Negril and Hideaway at Royalton Negril. Vacation Express' non-stop flights to Punta Cana and Jamaica will be operated by Swift Air, LLC. and non-stops to Grand Bahama Island will be operated by Sunwing Airlines all on Boeing 737 aircrafts. These value-packed flights will enable travelers to sit back and relax while enjoying a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage and snack. Each traveler will be permitted one free carry-on bag and the option to purchase add-ons like Preferred Seating starting at $20 or Elite Plus starting at $39 and can bundle options which include checked luggage for the best value. Travelers will be able to purchase roundtrip airfare or one of Vacation Express' 4 or 6-night all-inclusive packages including air and hotel with kids under 12 staying freeT at some resorts. Packages can be booked online at VACATIONEXPRESS.com, by calling 1-800-309-4717 or through a local travel agent. About Vacation Express: Based in Atlanta, Vacation Express, part of Sunwing Travel Group, is a tour operator specializing in quality, affordable vacation solutions to over 30 destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and Costa Rica and most recently, Cuba! Now in business for over 26 years, Vacation Express is one of the country's largest and most trusted tour operators. Exclusive charter flights are operated by Sunwing Airlines and Swift Air, LLC. See operator/participant agreement for details. Additional Notes: TRestrictions apply. Call for details. Small service fee of $10 applies when booking through Vacation Express Call Center. For full terms and conditions, hotel and description of all services, please refer to the Vacation Express 2016 Brochure, www.vacationexpress.com or call 1.800.309.4717. Vacation Express now accepts debit cards that offer the same consumer protection as credit cards. See operator/participant agreement for details. Public charter flights are operated by Sunwing Airlines and Swift Air, LLC. All flights subject to DOT approval. Packages are limited and subject to change without prior notice. Airfares are per person, reflect lowest available airfare at time of printing, are subject to change and based upon availability of class of service. Mandatory $10 Tourist Card must be purchased upon arrival to Punta Cana and is not included in above package prices. Not responsible for errors or omissions. Registered Florida seller of travel no. St 38441. State of California Seller of Travel Certificate of Registration #2107538-40. MEDIA CONTACT Pamela Caltabiano | PR & Social Media Manager [email protected] | 404.321.7742 x43098 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161207/446665 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161207/446664 SOURCE Vacation Express Related Links http://www.vacationexpress.com NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- National consulting and talent solutions firm, Vaco, today announced the formation of Pivot Point Consulting, a Vaco Company. Vaco's healthcare IT division, Vaco Healthcare, acquired Pivot Point Consulting based in Seattle and Greythorn based in Bellevue, WA to offer expertise in EHR implementation, training, optimization, legacy and go-live support, project management and strategic advisory services. The new HIT services firm brings together more than 50 employees and 250 consultants across the nation. "Expanding our team to include Pivot Point and Greythorn enhances Vaco's extensive healthcare network and nationwide scale with award-winning expertise and accreditation," Vaco Healthcare Managing Partner Matt Simpson said. "We are excited to offer our clients even more in the way of consulting, contract and direct-hire solutions." The newly combined organization will: Service the full scope of EHR implementation from pre-selection to support, project management, training, go-live, optimization and legacy support. Offer a LIVESite division that provides top tier credentialed trainers and go-live support consultants along with advisors on best practices, gap analysis and key expense management savings. Provide strategic advisory services to guide response to value-based care, revenue cycle transformation, quality improvement programs, privacy and security demands, and the value of advanced analytics. Pivot Point Consulting is a healthcare IT consulting firm that provides implementation, staff augmentation and advisory services for healthcare provider organizations. In 2016, Pivot Point ranked number 1 in KLAS for Epic Consulting in the Select Category and number nine in Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work. They are leaders in EHR consulting services, strategic planning, project management, PMO, legacy and go-live support. With employees in 30 states, the company has provided services to over 40 healthcare organizations, including large multi-hospital networks, academic institutions, pediatric hospitals and local community clinics. "This new venture broadens our global reach and complements our extensive menu of services," said Rachel Marano, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Pivot Point Consulting. "Combining the talents of these three businesses strengthens the options for our current and prospective clients." Greythorn specializes in placing top industry talent in healthcare IT on a project and permanent basis. Like Pivot Point, Greythorn has a significant focus in providing resources with Epic EHR expertise. Through their LIVESite delivery system, Greythorn provides Epic training experts, hands-on training leadership support, strategy and planning, project management, and staff engagement and retention solutions. The company also offers a dynamic Open Source/Big Data direct-hire staffing team that continues expansion within that community. "The cultures of our three businesses match extremely well," said Ben Weber, Managing Partner of Greythorn. "Greythorn has produced results here in the U.S. for over 16 years. We look forward to building on our success as part of this new company." Pivot Point Consulting, a Vaco Company begins offering services to healthcare provider organizations as an integrated business on Jan. 2, 2017. About Vaco Vaco offers consulting, contract and direct-hire solutions in the areas of accounting, finance, technology, healthcare, operations and general administration. With more than 30 offices across the nation and beyond, Vaco has been on Inc. magazine's list of the nation's fastest-growing private companies for the last 10 years. Vaco is dedicated to developing creative client solutions, long-term relationships and lifelong careers. For more information, visit vaco.com. About Pivot Point Established in 2011, Pivot Point Consulting is a healthcare IT consulting leader providing implementation, optimization, project management, legacy support and strategic advisory services nationwide. The company has earned many industry and workplace quality awards including: #1 in KLAS for Epic Consulting in the Select Category in 2016, #3 for HIT Implementation Support and Staffing in the 2015/2016 Best in KLAS: Software & Services report, #9 in Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work in 2016, #4 Fastest Growing Company by Consulting Magazine in 2015, Consulting Magazine's Seven Small Jewels Award, Puget Sound Business Journal's #1 Fastest Growing Eastside Seattle Firm, Puget Sound Business Journal's #3 Fastest Growing Firm in Washington, Rising Star of the Profession by Consulting Magazine and Crain's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in 2014 & 2015. For more information about Pivot Point Consulting, visit www.pivotpointconsulting.com. About Greythorn Greythorn is a specialist technology and healthcare IT recruitment consultancy, placing highly skilled talent across the United States and Canada in full-time and contract roles. Through a boutique approach and specialist expertise that focuses on specific industries and technologies, Greythorn partners with like-minded businesses that are looking for true value from a recruitment partner. For more information, visit greythorn.com. SOURCE Vaco Related Links http://www.vaco.com HOUSTON, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Venterra Realty has been honored with a Glassdoor Employees' Choice Award, recognizing the Best Places to Work in 2017. The Employees' Choice Awards program, now in its ninth year, relies solely on the input of employees, who elect to provide feedback on their jobs, work environments and companies via Glassdoor. "Venterra Realty is extremely proud to be recognized by Glassdoor as a Best Place to Work in the Small & Medium Company category for the second year in a row. This amazing achievement reflects over 15 years of our passionate commitment to delivering an exceptional employee experience and listening to our employees who continually help us build a better Venterra. This recognition is a great tribute to the many Venterra leaders who daily embrace our Core Values and Promises, which are the foundation of our culture and ultimately our long-term success," said Richard Roos, COO. The Best Places to Work are determined using company reviews shared by U.S. based employees between November 2, 2015 and October 30, 2016. To be considered for the U.S. SMB category, a company must have less than 1,000 employees and have received at least 25 company reviews from U.S.-based employees during the period of eligibility. The final list is compiled based on Glassdoor's proprietary algorithm, and considers quantity, quality and consistency of reviews. The complete list of the Glassdoor Best Places to Work in 2017: http://www.glassdoor.com/Best-Places-to-Work-LST_KQ0,19.htm. About Venterra Realty At Venterra, we own and manage 50 apartment communities in 14 US cities that provide housing to over 26,000 people and 12,000 pets. We are committed to improving the lives of our residents by delivering an industry leading customer experience. We're honored to have been named a 2016 & 2017 Glassdoor.com Best Place to Work, been recognized as one of the country's 2016 "50 Most Engaged Workplaces" by the Achievers Corporation, be named a 2016 Fortune Top 100 Best Medium Workplace by Great Place to Work Institute, and to have 95% of our communities recognized as "Top Rated" by ApartmentRatings.com in 2015. Founded in 2001, we proudly manage over 13,000 units with over 400 employees. We haven't just expanded our size; we've grown into a company that is paving a new way in the industry, where our employees can make a difference, career growth is available, and where our residents are provided an amazing living experience! Contact: Vanessa Jenkins [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160607/376666LOGO SOURCE Venterra Realty Related Links http://www.venterraliving.com HOUSTON, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Water Standard, a global leader in water treatment solutions for the energy industry, is pleased to announce Amanda Brock, CEO, has been recognized as an "Innovator" in the Houston Business Journal's Women in Energy Leadership Awards. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446078 At an exclusive dinner held in Houston, Ms. Brock was recognized for her many professional affiliations and environmental efforts over her 25+ years in the industry. Her foresight and passion for water conservation within oil and gas drove her to help found Water Standard in 2008 and the company is now recognized as a pioneer in water treatment for the energy industry. Ms. Brock believes strongly that, "We have to give back and make the environment a better place for the people we're leaving it to." Viewed as an industry strategist, Ms. Brock is regularly requested to speak and participate at global events, keeping the topic of water scarcity and reuse at the forefront. She sits on several Advisory Boards and counsels Private Equity Investors, identifying global investment opportunities in the water and energy sectors. She is also a regular columnist writing on the Water Energy Nexus, for Global Water Intelligence published in Oxford, the United Kingdom. Ms. Brock contributes her success to the team that supports and drives her. She is proud that Water Standard is successfully navigating the industry downturn as the company continues to deliver effective water treatment solutions for today's challenges. As part of Water Standard's strategy, Ms. Brock proactively initiated the recent acquisition of Houston-based Monarch Separators to better respond to the industry's need to recycle and reuse produced water. Ms. Brock serves as an inspiration and role model to those around her. She admits, "There is no Superwoman. Things can get messy but at the end of the day, it's going to be ok." ABOUT WATER STANDARD Water Standard is a global water treatment specialist and recognized leader in delivering innovative water treatment solutions and services to the energy industry. The company specializes in compact modular systems and mobile onshore and offshore facilities, offering flexible contract options for products and services ranging from specialized engineering and design, to turn-key and rental systems. This year, Water Standard acquired Monarch Separators, a Texas-based manufacturing facility and supplier of industrial produced water and oil separation equipment with a long successful history of delivering differentiated equipment globally into the upstream and downstream oil and gas industry. Together, Water Standard and Monarch Separators deliver a full suite of products ranging from filtration, desalination, deaeration and ultrapure water to oil/solids-water separation and produced water treatment. For more information, visit waterstandard.com and monarchseparators.com CONTACT Julie Bennett [email protected] 4265 San Felipe Suite 620 Houston, TX 77027 +1-713-400-4751 SOURCE Water Standard Related Links http://www.waterstandard.com Come and enjoy Read more [...] Chennai, Dec 6 : Tamil superstar Rajinikanth and popular actors Vijay and Dhanush paid their last respects to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa who died here on Monday night. Vijay was among the first stars from Tamil filmdom to pay homage to the veteran star of Tamil cinema at Rajaji Hall, where her body has been kept for people to pay their homage. Rajinikanth paid his respects with his wife and daughters. Other actors who mourned the death of Jayalalithaa include Dhanush, Sivakarthikeyan, Sathyaraj, Karthi and Vijay Sethupathi. The final rites will be performed on Tuesday evening. Brussels : Brussels Dec 7 (IANS) NATO foreign ministers on Tuesday agreed on over 40 proposals to deepen NATO-European Union (EU) cooperation, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told media following the meeting. All 42 proposals made by two blocs focus on seven key areas, including countering hybrid threats, maritime security and cyber defence, which have been identified in a joint declaration by NATO and the EU at the Warsaw Summit in July. "On maritime, we enhanced cooperation between Operations Sea Guardian and Sophia in the Mediterranean. On cyber, we will strengthen our mutual participation in exercises, and foster research," Stoltenberg said, Xinhua reported. According to the proposals, NATO and the EU will also advance capacity-building cooperation with partner countries, including Georgia, Ukraine and Tunisia. Moreover, the two organizations will reinforce the "coherence" in the development of their defense capabilities. "I think today we really mark a milestone in our efforts to build our cooperation and to strengthen the partnership between NATO and the EU," Stoltenberg said, adding, "Neither organization has the full range of tools to address new challenges alone." Ministers were joined by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini as well as representatives of Finland and Sweden. Washington, Dec 7 : The White House defended the deal of new Air Force One aircrafts with Boeing company, after President-elect Donald Trump called for cancelling the order claiming the new aircraft too expensive in a Twitter post earlier on Tuesday. "I think the American people would expect that future presidents would benefit from unique and upgraded capabilities while flying aboard Air Force One," White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters on board the presidential plane flying to Tampa, Florida. However, it's up to the Trump administration to determine whether the project will be completed, said Earnest. "The updated Air Force One is not set to come online until 2023," he said. "This is a longer-range plan, but ultimately the planning work that we have done on behalf of future presidents is something the next administration will have to decide to carry forward." he said. "Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!" Trump tweeted. "We want Boeing to make a lot of money, but not that much money," he then told reporters in a briefing. However, the $4-billion price tag Trump claimed for the cost of the new aircraft could not be immediately confirmed. Earnest said some of the data Trump referenced to "don't appear to reflect the nature of the financial agreement between Boeing and the Department of Defence." The upgrades to the new plane, which include security enhancements, are being made per the recommendation of national security experts, he added. Also on Tuesday, Boeing said in a statement that the company is "currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serve the unique requirements of the President of the United States." The two 747-200 aircrafts currently used as Air Force One has been in flight since the Reagon era in 1980s. Though the two planes have been heavily modified, they are due to reach the end of their planned 30-year life in 2017. In January, Boeing secured a contract from the Pentagon to start development work on the 747-8 jumbo jets that would replace the aging planes, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Boeing was the US government's second biggest federal contractor last year behind Lockheed Martin Corp., according to federal procurement data. Jakarta, Dec 7 : At least 97 persons were killed and over 500 injured when an earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter Scale hit Aceh province in Indonesia on Wednesday, an official said. The epicentre of the powerful earthquake was 18 km northeast Pidie Jaya district and the depth was at 10 km underground, Xinhua news agency quoted disaster relief officials as saying. New Delhi, Dec 7 : Four ships of the Indian Navy were sailed on Wednesday morning to evacuate about 800 tourists from Havelock Island in Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands, an official said. The sudden evacuation mission was initiated at the request of the A&N disaster management, which speculates that a "cyclonic storm" might struck Havelock, an island about 36 km from capital Port Blair. "There is a deep depression (in the sea) about 310 kms from Port Blair. That is why the Navy was contacted as we don't want to take any chances," an official from Directorate of Disaster Management, A&N administration, told IANS. The official said that because of heavy rains and winds, the difficulty tourists are facing is to reach the jetty to board the ships. "We can't say as of now that the depression will turn into a cyclone," the official said. They expect the evacuation to be completed by the evening, he said. Navy spokesperson Captain D.K. Sharma said the ships were in the area and that there was a bad sea state. He said the ships departed from Port Blair around 0315 hours onwards. The official said the Indian Navy has sent four ships -- INS Bitra, Bangaram, Kumbhir and LCU 38 -- for the evacuation. Sharma said all the ships will go alongside and ferry tourists to Port Blair. Their highest consideration is safety of the tourists. New Delhi, Dec 7 : Google Doodle has celebrated the occasion of determination of speed of light 340 years ago with a Doodle on Wednesday. Danish astronomer Ole Roemer determined the speed of light - 299,792,458 metres per second - in 1676. For NASA Astronomy Cafe, part of the NASA Education and Public Outreach programme, Sten Odenwald explained that in 1676, Roemer was studying the eclipses of Jupiter's moons by the disk of Jupiter, and he noticed that during the year his predictions ran behind the actual eclipses he would see at the telescope. Since the satellites had well-determined orbits with fixed orbit times around Jupiter, he correctly deduced that the delay between his prediction and the actual eclipse had to do with the difference in time it took for light to get to earth as the distance of Jupiter from the earth changed during the year. The amount of time was of the order of an hour or so throughout the year. Knowing the distance to Jupiter from the astronomical ephimerides, and the time delay, he estimated the speed of light to be 299,792,458 metres per second. Albert Einstein's theory of relativity is built on the premise that the speed of light in a vacuum is always the same. Agartala/Aizawl, Dec 7 : Despite Supreme Court directions and the Union Home Ministry's initiative, the repatriation of tribal refugees from Tripura to Mizoram hangs in balance even after two decades. The Mizoram government and refugee leaders put new conditions in a recent four-party meeting in New Delhi to resettle the tribals in the state after the repatriation. About 31,300 Reang tribals, who locally call themselves "Bru", have been living in seven makeshift camps in North Tripura's Kanchanpur and Panisagar sub-divisions adjoining Mizoram since October 1997 after they fled their homes in western Mizoram following ethnic troubles in the state. "We are ready to return to our homes in Mizoram, but the state government is reluctant to meet our basic demands like allotment of lands for cultivation," refugee leader Bruno Msha told IANS. "In the November 24 meeting in New Delhi, we categorically reiterated our demand to allot five hectares of land to each refugee family to cultivate after the repatriation. The Mizoram officials summarily rejected this basic demand. If we do not have land how would we survive?" he asked. The third high-level meeting held on November 24 at the Union Home Ministry in New Delhi discussed in depth the repatriation of the tribal refugees. The ministry's Special Secretary, (Internal Security), Mahesh Kumar Singla, presided over the meeting where senior officials from the Tripura and Mizoram governments and refugee and other tribal leaders were present. A 30-member team of Mizoram government officials last month conducted a survey in the refugee camps to identify the bona fide citizens of Mizoram among the refugees. A Tripura Relief Department official said that in the New Delhi meeting, it was decided to issue birth certificates by the Tripura government to those children born in the relief camps during the past 19 years. "We have received 700 applications from the refugees for birth certificates for the children. We have already started the process and within 15 days would be able to issue the certificates," north Tripura District Magistrate and Collector Sandeep Namdeo Mahatme told IANS on the phone. "Most of the tribal refugees are willing to go to their homes in Mizoram. Some people are creating barriers in the repatriation process to serve their own interests." The District Magistrate said Singla, along with other ministry officials, would visit the refugee camps this week to persuade the residents to return to Mizoram. "We are confident that the refugees would go back to their homes from January as the Mizoram government is taking the initiative to take them back," Mahatme said. Tripura Relief Department officials said that the Supreme Court last year had asked the Union Home Ministry and the Mizoram and Tripura governments to jointly work for the return of the tribal refugees to their homes in Mizoram. The Home Ministry undertook serious efforts after the Supreme Court's directive. Despite several initiatives by the Mizoram government to bring the refugees back, they have been reluctant to do so unless their demands for food and security are met. The refugees' apex body, the Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF), has been insisting that three teams of their organisations be allowed to visit three Mizoram districts -- Mamit, Lunglei and Kolasib -- to study the situation where they would be rehabilitated. "The MBDPF has submitted a 14-point demand to the MHA. The demands include allotment of five hectares of land to each tribal family, undertaking a special development plan for the backward tribals, provide adequate security to the repatriated refugees, one government job to each refugee family and creation of scope for livelihood in Mizoram," MBDPF general secretary Bruno Msha said. The refugee leader said the Home Ministry agreed to give each refugee family housing assistance of Rs 38,500, cash assistance of Rs 41,500, free rations for two years, blankets and utensils, while Mizoram would reimburse their transportation cost. Mizoram Home Minister R. Lalzirliana said in Aizawl that the state government would not concede the demands of the MBDPF as a pre-condition of the refugees' repatriation. "It would also be impossible for the state government to allot five hectares of land to each repatriated tribal family. The repatriated families also would have to wait for allocation of land for construction of houses and for farming in accordance with the guidelines of their respective village councils," the minister said. Meanwhile, the Tripura government has been asking the Union and Mizoram governments to repatriate the refugees at the earliest as serious socio-economic and law-and-order problems have cropped up in the state. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, accompanied by his deputy, Kiren Rijiju, had visited the refugee camps in North Tripura in February last year and urged the Mizoram government and the refugees to end the stalemate. (Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in) New Delhi, Dec 7 : The Lok Sabha on Wednesday witnessed protests again over demonetisation as the Opposition insisted on a debate with voting even as the house had taken up a debate under Rule 193 on Monday. Opposition members kept raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and created a ruckus. However, amid the din, the Question Hour went on for around half an hour and all Zero Hour submissions were also made. Soon after the house met at 11, opposition members were on their feet demanding a debate under Rule 184 that entails voting. This is a climbdown from their earlier demand of a debate under Rule 56, the adjournment motion which is seen as a move to censor a government move. A debate on the issue, however, began on Monday under Rule 193, which is for short duration discussion, after Speaker Sumitra Mahajan allowed notices by Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Bhartruhari Mahtab and Telangana Rashtra Samiti leader A.P. Jithender Reddy. On Wednesday, the Question Hour continued for around half hour before the Speaker adjourned it till noon. The Speaker even dubbed the opposition protest a drama. "This is every day drama. If you want to debate you can start the debate right now," she said. When the house met at noon, the scene was no different. However, even as the Opposition shouted slogans like "Modi sarkar hai hai", Mahajan continued with the Zero Hour submissions, while the protests kept getting noisier. The house was finally adjourned shortly before 1 p.m. after all Zero Hour submissions were made to meet again at 2 p.m. A debate on "the demonetisation of currency notes to weed out black money" is on the list of business of the house for Wednesday. Satara (Maharashtra), Dec 7 : The DNA samples from the mortal remains of three of the six victims of the infamous medico Santosh Gulabrao Pol -- who earned the moniker of 'Dr. Death' -- and his nurse Jyoti Mandra, have matched with their relatives, an official said here on Wednesday. Wai town Senior Police Inspector Vinayak Vetal said the three victims' DNA sample reports are positive, two have not been sent, while there is nobody to match the samples of an orphan, Salma Sheikh. "The victims include Mangala Jedhe, Nathamal Bhandari and Jagabai Pol whose reports have tested positive at the Forensic Sciences Laboratory in Pune," said Vetal, who has been directing the investigations into the sensational case that broke out in August. Pol and Mandre have been charged with luring and killing at least six persons, including five women, with lethal injections, robbing them of their valuables and later burying their bodies at the medico's huge poultry farmhouse, about 13 km from picturesque Wai. New Delhi, Dec 7 : The Indian Army, which currently operates two regiments of the indigenously-developed truck-mounted Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) systems, hopes to induct another eight by 2022 and is looking at increasing the number to 22 within a decade to add firepower to its artillery, an official said. The Pinaka system is designed and developed by two private entities, the Tatas and Larsen and Toubro (L&T), in association with Armament Research and Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is one of the rare successes of the private sector in manufacturing military hardware. "The first two Pinaka regiments were inducted during 2006-2010. L&T, which supplied the systems for one regiment, has been supporting them on an as-needed basis. The user (Indian Army) has plans for induction of 22 regiments overall and this is likely to be in a timeframe of a decade plus," Jayant D. Patil, Senior Vice President & Head - Defence & Aerospace, L&T, told IANS. For now, the Cabinet Committe on Security (CCS) in September cleared the raising of the third and fourth Pinaka regiments at a cost of over Rs 3,000 crore ($441 million). And the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) last month cleared a RFP (Request for Proposal) for six additional regiments at a cost of Rs 14,633 crore. Each regiment consists of three batteries of six Pinaka launchers, each capable of launching 12 rockets with a range of 40 km in a space of 44 seconds, in addition to support vehicles, a radar and a command post. The rockets in the 12 additional regiments will have an extended range of 70 km and are currently in the development process. Speaking on the distribution of the new regiments between Tata Power Strategic Electronic Division (SED) and L&T, Patil said: "Currently, contract signing for two regiments (negotiations for which concluded in January 2011) is under way and is likely to be inked soon. The RFP may detail the distribution of systems for the next six regiments." (On Monday, Tata Power SED received an order worth over Rs 200 crore for 20 launchers and eight command posts.) "Going by earlier precedence, the RFP is likely within the next few weeks. Thereafter, contracting is likely to be completed in about six months," Patil said. As for the extended-range version of the rocket system that L&T is developing, he said: "The requirements for Pinaka systems by the user is going to continue for over 15 years. As designers, and with the modularity in our design, we have catered for addressing obsolescence challenges." "The Pinaka systems released earlier were in joint development mode with DRDO. As such, no ToT (transfer of technology) has been taken by L&T so far. Systems designed by us have built-in factors of safety; the physical interface aspects have been addressed, and we do not envisage any major challenges in releasing the rockets with extended range," he added. Speaking on the extended version, Rahul Chaudhry, CEO - Tata Power SED, said the company has been working on the design, development and upgrades of the Pinaka since 1989 in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and DRDO. "Tata Power SED takes pride to be identified as an OEM for one of the few fully-indigenous Indian defence systems," he added. "Tata Power SED continues to invest in the programme and is committed to meet the requirements of the Indian Army. As part of our preparations, we have the necessary design, development and manufacturing capabilities in Mumbai and our existing production facility in Bangalore (Bengaluru). "In addition, we are currently making a significant investment in Vemagal (near Bengaluru) for a state-of-the-art defence manufacturing unit which will be operational soon and will be able to roll out Pinakas to meet any requirements of the army," Chaudhry added. Tata Power SED delivered one Pinaka regiment to the army between 2006 and 2010. (Rohit Srivastava can be contacted at rohit.s@ians.in) Bengaluru, Dec 7 : Lenovo's K6 Power smartphone has been a hit on Flipkart with over 1,000 units reported to have been sold every minute after the sale went live. The company said 45 minutes after the launch, the smartphone went out of stock. Over 1.3 million customers visited the product page of K6 Power and close to half a million consumers showed interest in the product before the sale. "With the launch of K-series in India, Lenovo continues to be one of the most preferred brands among our customers," said Ajay Yadav, Vice President (Mobiles) Flipkart. Flipkart said it was working overtime to ensure stocks were back and planning a bigger comeback in the next sale scheduled for December 13 from noon onwards. "Lenovo K6 Power has obviously struck the right chord with the consumers," said Sudhin Mathur, Executive Director, Lenovo Mobile Business Group, India. New Delhi, Dec 7 : The NIA on Wednesday registered a case in connection with the November 29 terror attack on an army base in Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir, in which seven Indian soldiers, including two officers, were killed. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered the case at its police station in Delhi following instructions from the Union Home Ministry. The case has been filed for offences under Sections 120B, 121, 307 of the Ranbir Penal Code or RPC and Sections 7, 27 of the Arms Act, 1958. The case was earlier filed at the Nagrota police station against unidentified terrorists, who had entered the army camp near the Baleeni Bridge, some 15 km from Jammu city. "The case at the Nagrota police station was registered on the basis of information received at the police station that on November 29, some heavily armed unknown terrorists, on the directions of their foreign handlers, had entered the Army Camp at Nagrota, near the Baleeni Bridge, and started indiscriminate firing on the army personnel with the intention to kill them," the NIA said in a statement. A team of NIA officers will visit the crime scene and start the investigation. It will also place the FIR before the NIA Special Court in Jammu. Seven army personnel, including two officers, were killed in Nagrota after suicide bombers armed with guns and grenades stormed the military base near Jammu. Three attackers were also gunned down on the base campus, while three other militants died in a shootout with security forces near the International Border with Pakistan. It was the highest casualty the Indian Army suffered in a single terror attack after the September 18 killing of 19 soldiers at a military base in the Uri border town in the Kashmir Valley. Parliament too witnessed disruptions as an aggressive opposition raised demands for obituary reference for the army personnel killed in the Nagrota attack. New Delhi, Dec 7 : Union Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday defended the NJAC Act, saying Constitution maker B.R. Ambedkar had said the power to appoint judges should not be in one hand. During a discussion in 'Agenda Aajtak' event, Prasad said that the government did not want to interfere in the judicial process, and it had accepted the Supreme Court's ruling scrapping the National Judicial Appointment Commission (NJAC) Act. "According to the Constitution, the President appoints the judges in consultation with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. However, Dr. Ambedkar has said during discussion on the Constitution that 'we do not want to give right of appointment of judges to one hand, be it Prime Minister, Council of Ministers or the Supreme Court'," Prasad said. Prasad said: "Both Houses of Parliament had passed the NJAC Act and half of the state assemblies had supported it. Even (former CJI) J.S. Verma had found discrepancies in the Collagium system. But, the Supreme Court reversed it." "Yet, we accepted the decision. Yes, we have reservation about the decisions and there is nothing wrong in criticising it," Prasad said. Prasad added that the Union Law and Home Ministers were part of the appointment process from 1950 to 1993. New Delhi, Dec 7 : The Cyber Cell of Delhi Police on Wednesday said the Twitter accounts of the Congress party and its Vice President Rahul Gandhi, hacked a few days back, were operated from five different countries. This information was provided by Twitter, a senior police official said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) Anyesh Roy told IANS: "The countries identified are Sweden, Romania, the US, Canada and Thailand. The Delhi Police Cyber Cell received information on a mail from Twitter about the IP addresses used by the suspects." "We have tracked some of the IP addresses and are trying to trace the suspects who used them... We are verifying them online and through other methods." The Cyber Cell had approached the officials from Twitter headquarters to assist it in investigating the case and track the IP address from where these accounts were hacked and misused, the police said. A team of Delhi Police also visited the Twitter office in Bengaluru last week to investigate the case, the officer said. "The probe is on and we are also taking help from the Twitter officials in Bengaluru," he added. A week back, the Delhi Police registered two FIRs in connection with the hacking of the official Twitter handles of the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi. The cases were registered under Section 66 (c) of the Information Technology Act following complaints from the party. New Delhi, Dec 7 : A day to the month after high denomination notes were banned, there was no respite in sight for cash-strapped people on Wednesday as queues outside banks and ATMs for money withdrawal continued across the country with rising anger and pain. There was a crowd of about 30-40 customers at the Axis Bank in Sector 16 of Noida, adjoining Delhi. Many among the crowd were arguing with the guard for not informing them that the bank had run out of cash. Out of desperation, they asked the guard to let them in and see for themselves that there was no cash. "The bank ran out of cash at 10.30 a.m. I have been telling people to return, but they won't listen," the bank guard told IANS. Customers complained that they were never informed whether there was any cash left or not. "Are we fools to stand here for hours, only to hear that there's no money left," an angry young woman shouted. Marmik, an HCL Technologies employee, said he joined the queue at 6.30 a.m. after returning from his night shift. He was yet to get money even at 2 p.m. "There were 40 people outside the bank in the morning, three hours befor the bank opened. By the time my turn came around 1 p.m., the bank officials announced there was no cash. My shift starts at 5:30 p.m. and I'm now not only cashless, but sleepless too," said Marmik. The situation at the adjoining Kotak Mahindra bank was worse since it received no cash at all during the day. "We didn't receive any cash today (Wednesday). We had cash on Monday. We are not certain if we will have it on Thursday," Customer Service Manager Ishwar told IANS. "Our ATM hasn't seen any money since November 8. We can't say when it will have money," he added. Many people who live in rented accommodations found their pain doubled, when their landlords refused to accept cheques or payments through e-wallets. Many said they were threatened with being thrown out if they didn't pay in cash. "We are seven tenants here and my landlord has always dealt in cash. He wouldn't accept cheques from us, and threatened to kick us out," Anubhav Dey, a student in New friends Colony, in south Delhi, told IANS. Many among the hundreds of people standing in queues were heard blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the pain of cashlessness after the government's November 8 demonetisation decision. "Modi is not going to come back to power for the next 15 years," said a man standing in queue at an SBI ATM on Parliament Street. Lucky from Paschim Vihar, in west Delhi, asked where were the 'achche din', recalling the government's promise of better days after the BJP came to power in 2014. The efficacy of e-wallet apps like Paytm was also in question as issues kept emerging related to network connectivity resulting in transaction failures. "Modi's idea of infrastructure building is Paytm! The success of its working depends upon many things. What if my phone dies on me? What if I am at a place where I have no internet connectivity? I am dangerously dependent on my phone now and I am not liking it," Victor, a trained biologist, told IANS. He was in a queue outside an ATM at Indirapuram in Ghaziabad. New Delhi, Dec 7 : A lawyer on Wednesday said he has filed a complaint with the NCW against Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh, as he has insulted woman in the advertisement of menswear company Jack & Jones by presenting women in an indecent way. Gaurav Gulati, a lawyer practising in Tis Hazari courts complex, has filed a complaint against Ranveer Singh and Jack & Jones, and requested the National Commission for Woman (NCW) to issue notice to them. He also demanded strict legal action the actor and the menswear company. "I have seen an advertisement hoarding of Jack & Jones company on social media and some online news reports in which famous Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh could be seen posing slinging a woman on his shoulder, suggesting that women are nothing more than objects." "Then there's a punch line by the side that says 'Do Not Hold Back, Take Your Work Home'," the lawyer said in his complaint. He also stated in the complaint that such statements are derogatory to women and show how a famous actor can do such cheap and mean acts for the sake of money. The advocate termed it as violation of gender equality and as being outrageous to women's dignity. Chennai, Dec 7 : Comedian actor, political satirist and editor Cho Ramaswamy, a legend in his own right, died here early on Wednesday, just a day after viewing on TV the burial of his old friend J. Jayalalithaa. A former member of the Rajya Sabha, Cho, as he was widely addressed, suffered a cardiac arrest and died just before 4 a.m. at Chennai's Apollo Hospitals, where the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister too passed away. The 82-year-old Cho had been in and out of hospital since January 2015, family members and friends said. Messages of condolences poured in from across the country, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing him as a friend and "a multi-dimensional personality, towering intellectual, great nationalist and fearless voice who was respected and admired". Cho founded and edited the political magazine Thuglak, where he earned universal respect as one who did not allow his personal friendship to pass impartial judgement on political events and personalities. Between 1963 and 2005, the versatile Cho acted in 180 Tamil films, directed five movies, wrote and directed 20 plays, scripted and acted in 27 TV serials and also wrote 10 books. The films he directed include the hugely popular Tamil political satire "Mohammed Bin Thuglak", apart from "Mr Sampath" and "Sambo Siva Samboo". He was also a dialogue writer and lawyer. Friends and even foes admired Cho for his impartial reading of political developments, both in Tamil Nadu and beyond, even when he had a soft corner for the BJP and Jayalalithaa. Cho and Jayalalithaa, who died just before midnight on Monday, acted together in 19 films. He admired Jayalalithaa and she was said to pay heed to his views at one point. As Editor, Cho built a rapport with many politicians in the country. Way back in 1977, when the Emergency rule of Indira Gandhi ended, Cho campaigned for the newly formed Janata Party, which unseated the Congress for the first time nationally. He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1999 by the government of Prime Minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee. Cho was among the few in Tamil Nadu who was never attracted to the violent ways of the Tamil Tigers from Sri Lanka even when the rebels used to enjoy widespread support in the state in the 1980s. Both Modi and Jayalalithaa called on him when he was ill earlier this year. Cho also acted with M.G. Ramachandran, Shivaji Ganesan, Kamal Hassan and Rajinikant among others. BJP President Amit Shah described Cho as a fearless critic whose impartial assessment of political issues would be missed. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam expressed grief over his death and said Cho had immense affection for Jayalalithaa. Superstar Rajinikanth and actors Ajith and Suriya were among the first from Tamil filmdom to pay homage to Cho. "As a writer, Cho never compromised," Rajnikanth said. Actor Suriya and brother Karthi also paid their last respects to Cho, whose best known films were "Nirai Kudam", "Galatta Kalyanam", "Bommalattam" and "En Annan". On her Twitter page, actor Shruti wrote: "Deeply saddened to hear that we have lost Cho Sir - a great mind and thinker." Filmmaker Aishwarya Dhanush wrote: "Memories of your witty humour and the most intelligent discussions we've had on many topics will remain etched in my heart forever." Calling Cho a "learned and intelligent man of the sharpest wit and humour", R. Madhavan said he was "awesome on stage and unforgettable in films". According to Cho's family, he learnt about the death of Jayalalithaa from his hospital bed. And from there, he watched the last journey of Jayalalithaa until she was buried on the Marina beach. A night later, Cho passed away. New Delhi, Dec 7 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked Uttar Pradesh Minister Azam Khan to file a brief affidavit expressing unconditional apology to the Bulandshahr gang-rape victims for his controversial remarks that the crime was a political conspiracy. A bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Amitava Roy asked Azam Khan to file a fresh affidavit expressing unconditional apology after Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi objected to "If" and "then" in the sentence expressing apology, saying that the presence of "If" and "then" did not make the apology unconditional. Senior counsel Fali Nariman, who as amicus curiae is assisting the court, too said that there was no need for a long affidavit and Azam Khan could have filed the one paragraph tendering an unconditional apology. Senior counsel Kapil Sibal told the bench that in that case he withdrew the affidavit and would file a fresh small affidavit saying that if his remarks have "insulted or humiliated" the rape victims, then he expresses unconditional remorse. At this the court indicated that it may have to deliver a judgment on what an unconditional apology was and how it should be expressed. While agreeing to file a fresh affidavit, Sibal told the bench that instead of using word "apology" he would say a"remorse". When Rohatgi objected to it, Sibal said: "Lordship knows more about the subtleties of the English language, remorse is as good as apology." At this Justice Misra said whether word remorse in place of apology will be accepted or not will be debated on the next date of hearing - December 15. The court is hearing a plea by the father of rape victim contending that statement of Azam Khan at a press conference that the incident could be political conspiracy would prejudice the investigation and the trial of the case. Besides the daughter, her mother too was victim of gangrape. While the investigation has been handed over to CBI, the petitioner father is seeking the transfer of trial to Delhi. The crime occurred on July 29 night when the 34-year-old woman and her teenage daughter were gang-raped by five to six assailants in Dostpur village on National Highway 91 in Bulandshahr district after waylaying their car carrying six members of the family from Noida. New Delhi, Dec 7 : Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday claimed that elections in India are fought using black money and will be continue to be so in the future. "Elections are fought using black money and will continue to be so. Today for contesting parliamentary polls, one needs at least Rs 10 crore. The helicopters, large number of vehicles used during campaign, looking after party activists, from where does this money come from," said Abdullah at the aAgenda Aaj Tak' event while giving his views on if political parties should also declare details of donations below Rs 20,000, received by them. Under the Representation of People Act, 1951 political parties are required to submit contribution details received in excess of Rs 20,000. "When people enter parliament, they have dirty clothes but within a year they sport expensive suits... does anyone ask from where did he got the money, from Ambassador car, they move onto to expensive cars, does anyone ask from where the money come from? "If something needs to be changed then it has to be the mentality. You (government) changed currency notes. But this will not work," said the National Conference patron. Speaking on the occasion, Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal said his party was not opposed to the idea of declaring details of donations. Defending the government's move to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, he said it will result in black money hoarded by individuals coming back into economy. He said that demonetisation will lead to increasing income tax base and eventually reduction of income tax rates. He also said that the move will also help in controlling price rise. Flaying demonetisation, Congress leader R.P.N. Singh said it has only opened up new avenues for the people to indulge in corruption. Attacking the Narendra Modi government over the demonetisation issue, CPI-M Politburo member Mohammed Salim said it was not sure about the motive behind then move. "Initially the government said demonetisation was to fight black money, corruption and terrorism. The government since then has been changing the narrative and now it is talking about having a cashless economy," he said. On the issue of donations to political parties, Salim questioned why parties should be allowed to accept donations from corporates. Kolkata, Dec 7 : The West Bengal assembly on Wednesday adopted a resolution rejecting the central government's decision to demonetise Rs 1000 and Rs 500 currency notes and sought a rollback. The opposition Congress and the Left Front, besides the BJP, opposed the resolution. The Left and the Congress, however, opposed the demonetisation move, but did not back the resolution which called for a reversal of the decision, "We couldn't back the resolution as they had demanded a rollback, which, we feel, would trigger a bigger crisis in the economy," Leader of Opposition Abdul Mannan told reporters. The resolution was brought by the ruling Trinamool Congress on Monday, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee moving it. Participating in the discussion, Finance Minister Amit Mitra said his party was in the fight against black money, but condemned the way the central government has gone about the demonetisation, causing immense hardship to the common man, particularly the poor people, and triggering havoc in the rural economy. "The decision has been arrived at without any planning. "The directionless leadership of prime minister Narendra Modi has created an unprecedented crisis," said Mitra. Left Front legislature party leader Sujan Chakraborty regretted that amendments moved by their lawmakers were not accepted. Taking a pot shot at the Trinamool Congress, he said: "People who are neck-deep in corruption, have not moral authority to preach about black money." Umsaw Khwan (Meghalaya), Dec 7 : Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday urged police officers to work towards making the northeastern states free from corruption, terror and intrusion of foreigners. "We need to free Northeast from corruption, terror and intrusion of foreigners. If we work with honesty, we will have a better country, and you can," he said in his address during the passing out parade at the North Eastern Police Academy here, 25 km from Meghalaya capital Shillong. Acknowledging that the biggest challenge for northeastern states is terrorism, Sonowal said that the most dangerous threat is terrorists, as they are armed with sophisticated weapons and resources. "We need to fight against terrorism to ensure safety and security of the people. You will be needed anywhere in the country and you have to prove your cut wherever you are assigned. There will be testing time, and you will have prove that you are worth with sacrifice and dedication," he told the new police officers. Altogether, 98 trainees of the 42nd batch including 86 deputy superintendents of police, 11 sub inspectors and one assistant sub inspector completed the 48 weeks training. The trainees included 58 from Assam, 15 from Arunachal Pradesh, 9 from Tripura, 7 from Nagaland, 5 from Mizoram, 2 from Manipur and one each from Sikkim and Meghalaya. Panaji, Dec 7 : A day after the ruling BJP said that December-end was not a practical target for making Goa India's first cashless state, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Wednesday said that there would be no compulsion on registered business to turn cashless. "There is no question of penalisation. Those (businesses) which can do it, can go ahead. Those who do it, I will pat them on their backs, but those cannot, will not be punished," Parsekar told reporters here. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had chaired a meeting on November 26 with Goa's top bureaucrats and bankers, where he had asked them to examine modalities of making Goa, India's first cashless state by December 30. "Cashless by December 30" has also been positioned by Parrikar and Parsekar as the party's key ambition, in a series of poll meetings conducted by the BJP across Goa, which is heading for polls in early 2017. Parsekar also conceded that there was panic among traders and business about the cashless announcement. "But, the fear which has been generated that (if you do not go cashless) you will be penalised, there is nothing like that," he said. Parsekar also said that instead of going cashless, the focus would be on making Goa a "less-cash" to start with. "In Goa, it can happen. In Goa, everyone has cellphones. Goan youngsters are smart, they can teach their parents... Such a start can happen in Goa only and in Goa and it will start in Goa," Parsekar also said. Commenting on a circular issued by the state government's Commercial Taxes department last week, which had asked registered businesses to go cashless within 10 days, Parsekar said that the department would be asked to issue a clarification and the circular could be withdrawn. "I have told department to clarify on this regard. It is not compulsory, it cannot be made compulsory. It could be withdrawal or giving clarification," he said. New Delhi, Dec 7 : After the Indian government demonetised the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes a month ago, foreign missions here have concerns over the paucity of cash for running daily operations. Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in India and Ambassador of the Dominican Republic Frank Castellanos here said on Wednesday that Rs 50,000 a week for the operation of an embassy was not enough. He said that foreign missions here could not be stopped from accessing their funds and a solution to this was needed soon. Last week, Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin wrote to the Ministry of External Affairs complaining about inadequate funds. New Delhi, Dec 8 : India is in talks with Russia to swap natural gas with China and Myanmar as an alternative to building a proposed pipeline to carry gas from Russian Siberia, a senior official said on Wednesday. "Myanmar sells gas to China through an existing pipeline. If Russia can provide equivalent gas to China, then we can reverse the flow of gas from Myanmar to China and bring that gas to India," state-run ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) Managing Director Narendra K. Verma told reporters on the sidelines of the Petrotech conference here. The two countries had in October signed an initial pact for building a 4,500 km to 6,000 km long pipeline from Siberia to India. Verma said talks are on with Russian state-run gas major Gazprom for an alternative swap by which Russia will supply gas to China and in return China will give its share of gas from Myanmar to India. "For that we'll need a pipeline from Myanmar to India," Verma said. Such a swap was the best way of getting Russia to help India with its gas needs, but it would need the cooperation of China and Myanmar, he added. India, which is 81 per cent import dependent on oil, is looking to increase its gas consumption towards moving towards a gas-based economy. We had a great time giving back to the community. says Jonathan Holly. Phoenix Capital Group believes volunteerism and donations to the less fortunate positively affects both parties; giving back creates loyalty among members of the community, boosts individual satisfaction, improves the public image, and supports overall morale and teamwork. Phoenix Capital Group representatives individually gained a great deal from these events; representatives acquired new skills, gained self-fulfillment, established a service-oriented culture, and increased internal socialization and friendships within the company. Listed below are the donations and charitable events and donations representatives participated in during the year 2016. On January 2016, a few Phoenix Capital Group representatives participated in the Stride 4 Spines 5K benefiting the Barrow Neurological Institute. An ample portion of the proceeds from the 3.11 mile race were donated to the institute located in Phoenix, Arizona. Phoenix Capital Group had a blast running the 5K and was happy to support the cause. The month of March 2016 was spent collecting clothing and household goods for Vietnam Veterans of America - specifically the Veterans located in Arizona. Phoenix Capital Group representatives collected 15 large bags of household goods for the charity. Inside these bags were clothing items and shoes for all ages, kitchen appliances, toys, tools, bedding, and other miscellaneous household items. Giving back to veterans is the ultimate way to show appreciation for fighting for this countrys freedom. During the month of May 2016, Phoenix Capital Group representatives participated in National Red Nose Day to support children poverty around the world. Every year, Walgreens teams up with a handful of celebrities and hosts a two-hour live television special to create awareness and make a difference for children. Half of all the money raised is spent in the United States, while the other half of the money raised goes to the poorest communities in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. All the proceeds support projects that ensure childrens safety, health, and education. Phoenix Capital Group gave through the #RedNoseDay event by purchasing red noses. The event is held in May every year and is funded by Walgreens. During the year 2016, Phoenix Capital Group branched out and opened a call center in Birmingham, Alabama. The Birmingham office decided to give back to their community by donating items to the Birmingham Humane Society. The office of four representatives collected dog food, blankets, newspapers, pillowcases, and a cash donation. The Birmingham office did an awesome job collecting a large amount of donations that will help many animals in need. While Birmingham donated items to the Humane Society during the month of September 2016, the Arizona office collected items for the Phoenix Rescue Mission. The Phoenix Rescue Mission collects hope tote hygiene kits for the homeless men and women of Phoenix, Arizona. Representatives bought brand new items for the hope totes; toothbrushes, socks, shampoo, conditioner, water bottles, and more. The Phoenix and Birmingham offices sacrificed a great deal of time, energy, and money during the month of September to help those less fortunate in the surrounding communities. The month of November was the Arizona offices last effort to give back to the community during the year 2016. The Arizona representatives collected non-perishable food for Saint Marys Food Bank. The food bank collects food from individuals all over the state of Arizona via grocery stores, schools, offices, churches, etc. The food collected is portioned out to low income families and to the homeless shelters in Phoenix. Representatives in the Arizona office were able to donate ten large bags for Saint Marys Food Bank. The Birmingham office decided to participate in the Angel Tree program during the month of December. Children who are recipients of Angel Tree gifts are from families who have applied for Christmas assistance through the Social Services program of The Salvation Army. Each representative of the Alabama office chose an angel to sponsor for the Christmas season. Six shoe boxes were filled with Christmas gifts and then dropped off for the Salvation Army to distribute to families in need on Christmas day. The year 2016 was an extremely successful and encouraging year for Phoenix Capital Group. Stay tuned via social media as the Arizona and Alabama offices continue to volunteer and donate in 2017. About Phoenix Capital Group, LLC Phoenix Capital Group is an industry leading provider of transportation financing services for trucking companies in the United States. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Phoenix Capital Group also maintains regional offices in Texas, Alabama, and Tennessee. Phoenix Capital Group offers a powerful array of transportation services including recourse freight factoring and non-recourse freight bill factoring, equipment financing, fuel card programs and a free online load board service. Additional information about Phoenix Capital Group, LLC is available at http://www.pcgfactoring.com. This Phoenix Capital Group news release and other announcements are available at http://www.pcgfactoring.com/press-release/ and as part of a Phoenix Capital Group load board at http://pcgfactoringloadboard.com/. You can also follow our news on Twitter at @PHXCapitalGroup. Contact: Phoenix Capital Group, LLC, (623) 298-3460, or fill our a contact form on the website. www.NAELA.org The hearing examines the financial abuse of older adults within the context of fiduciary relationships and other relationships of trust. The Senate Aging Committee held a hearing,Trust Betrayed: Financial Abuse of Older Americans by Guardians and Others in Power. Current NAELA Missouri Chapter President Jessica Kruse testified in her own capacity. According to the Senate Aging Committee, the hearing examines the financial abuse of older adults within the context of fiduciary relationships and other relationships of trust. The Committee also unveiled the GAOs latest study on guardianship abuse, building off a 2010 study that found hundreds of cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation and identified $5.4 million that had been improperly diverted. Kruse testified from her experience in witnessing and stopping financial abuse as an elder law attorney in the state of Missouri. Kruse graduated with honors from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 2006, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Tulsa Journal of Comparative and International Law. She focuses her practice of law on elder law, probate, and estate planning. Jessica was recently awarded the Rising Star award at the Womens Justice Awards, recognizing achievements of women attorneys in the State of Missouri. For requests to speak with Kruse and other NAELA experts, please contact Abby Matienzo at amatienzo(at)naela(dot)org. Restlet, providers of the fastest and easiest platform for delivering APIs, today announced the availability of new technology, code-named Gutenberg, to automatically create and publish API documentation. Gutenberg is immediately available as part of Restlet Studio at no extra charge. Restlet Studio fits into a complete API DevOps workflow that includes design, testing, and deployment. With Gutenberg, Restlet Studio is a big step toward this goal. Prior to the release of Gutenberg, Restlet Studio provided an API editor and code generator, but lacked automated documentation capabilities. The new documentation creation features of Restlet Studio are a huge benefit for development teams by allowing them to collaborate more effectively in all phases of the API development process, said Paul Pirat, Software Architect at Prologia, a leading developer of business planning and modeling software. By making it easier to produce high-quality documentation that stays in sync with the API, Restlet Studio not only increases the value of the APIs that companies offer, it also significantly reduces the risk of brand damage experienced when companies publish outdated documentation that doesnt work. Restlet Studios Gutenberg technology can create documentation from major API specification languages such as OAS and RAML contracts. By importing from one language and exporting to another, Restlet Studio can also function as a translation layer between different specifications and versions of them including the new support for RAML 1.0. This empowers DevOps teams to choose the best tool for each task, avoiding vendor lock-in with a single toolchain. When editing of API contract is required, Restlet Studio makes it easy to edit and collaborate. Restlet Studio is wildly popular with developers for editing APIs in OpenAPI Specification (OAS, fka Swagger Specification) and RAML because it makes the process productive and fun, said Jerome Louvel, CTO and Founder of Restlet. With the addition of documentation functionality, developers can now edit and document all in one tool. To help businesses with monetization and collaboration, Restlet Studio can secure API documentation access with one of three settings: team, public, or password protected. Publishing to the web is handled by a simple button click. Restlet will be providing two talks at APIdays in Paris, France on December 13-14. Jonathan Michaux, Restlet Studio Product Manager, will demonstrate Restlet Studio with Gutenberg technology in a workshop. In another presentation, Jerome Louvel, CTO and Founder of Restlet, will provide an overview of the state of API languages. Restlet Studio, with the enhanced Gutenberg technology, is freely available as a cloud application. Professional versions of the Restlet Platform start at $9/month. Plans that support team collaboration and continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) start at $49/month. See the plans and sign up for a free account at: https://restlet.com/pricing/ More information on Restlet Studio is available here: https://restlet.com/products/restlet-studio/ About Restlet Restlet is the fastest and easiest way to deliver APIs. The companys API platform provides an integrated set of capabilities in the cloud to consume, design, develop and deploy APIs. More than 2 million developers use Restlet products to make cloud, mobile, web and IoT applications easier to build, maintain and secure. Restlet also develops Restlet Framework, the worlds most widely used open source REST API framework. Named a Cool Vendor in Specialized PaaS by Gartner, Restlet has headquarters in San Mateo, California. For more information visit restlet.com or follow @restlet on Twitter. Dzulkiflee Taib, CEO and Founder, Matchbyte the ability to develop flexible, innovative reservation solutions with speed Matchbyte earned a spot in CIOReviews November edition as one of the 20 Most Promising Aerospace Solution Providers 2016. Having worked for Jetstar, a low-cost airline in Australia, managing a world-leading reservation system, there can be no better person than Dzulkiflee Taib to understand the pain points of the airline industry. His company, Matchbyte develops customisable, high quality, low-cost airline software solutions to boost profit margins. The market scenario requisites the ability to develop flexible, innovative reservation solutions with speed being the key behind delivering value to customers, reckons Dzulkiflee. Speed is everything and the company which is the fastest in market will be the winner. Today, Matchbyte has carved a niche for itself in affordable airline eCommerce solutions, by helping organisations adapt to technology at the speed of light. We equip airlines with the right toolssuch as booking enginesand the surrounding infrastructure to take their business proposition faster to market. We are extremely excited that we have been recognised for our outsanding achievement as one of the Top 20 Most Promising Aerospace solution providers." George Jeevan, Managing Editor of CIOReview was excited to announce Matchbyte in the Top 20. We take pride in ourselves to announce Matchbyte as one of the best aerospace solutions provider in our latest edition, Matchbyte helps clients to succeed in their business emphasizing on their needs and responding quickly and creatively to changes, time constraints and financial targets. Dzulkiflee Taib, is very excited about technology advancements like Amazons Echo and Google Home. Taib envisions a future, where airline ticket reservations will be made with just voice commands. Working on closing the decade-long gap between technology and the aerospace industry, Matchbyte has aligned its path toward a browser-less destination. About Matchbyte Matchbyte is a leading solutions provider and consulting business headquatered in Melbourne, Australia with offices in London, Denver, Dubai, Singapore, Manila, and Auckland. It is a privately owned Aviation technology company established in 2011, led by an accomplished team of professionals with over 60 years of combined airline and commercial software experience. Matchbyte are always looking for Airline partners who share their vision for emerging technologies. For more info, visit: http://matchbyte.com/ About CIOReview Published from Fremont, California, CIOReview is a print magazine that explores and understands the plethora of ways adopted by firms to execute the smooth functioning of their businesses. A distinguished panel comprising of CEOs, CIOs, IT VPs including CIOReview editorial board finalized the 20 Most Promising Aerospace Solution Providers 2016 in the U.S. and shortlisted the best vendors and consultants. For more info: http://www.cioreview.com/ Some questions popped into my mind while watching the U.S. memorial of Pearl Harbor today. It is 71 years since the Japanese surrendered due the Atomic bombing of two of their cities. After those 71 years America and Japan are allies and on friendly terms. Comparatively, it is 153 years since slavery was officially abolished in the U.S. After those 153 years Black Americans still harbor resentment and hatred. It is 256 years since France ceded Canada to the British. After those 256 years French Canadians still harbor resentment and hatred. There are very few people still living who were alive in the 1940s. The majority of today's population either don't know what happened or are unconcerned about it. There are certainly no people still living who remember the Battle of Quebec which ended in 1760 giving the British control of what was then Canada. Many generations have passed since then who had nothing to do with and little knowledge of how Canada came into British control. There are also many generations passed since the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 abolished slavery. So why is resentment and hatred still alive and contributing to racial tensions? Are some races more forgiving and forward thinking than others? Do some races pass their hatred on through their children while others encourage their children to stay with the times they are living in? Or is it an individual choice by which optimistic people put history behind them and look to a brighter future while others are more negative and live in the past, always fearful and suspicious? SkillNet | Delivering Digital Transformations SkillNet has been a true partner listening to our business requirements and adapting their offerings to a model that not only aligns with but also compliments our operational structure, showing great capability and flexibility of resources. SkillNet Solutions, a leading global retail systems integrator specialized in providing complete end-to-end omni-channel commerce solutions, today announces that Brooks Brothers, a renowned fashion retailer delivering classic American clothing for nearly 200 years, has selected them to provide ongoing software support and enhancements for their store systems including Oracle Retail Xstore POS and Oracle Retail Customer Engagement. Citing depths of experience and capability as well as flexibility and scalability of SkillNets Xstore service offerings as its primary deciding factors, Brooks Brothers has partnered with the retail consulting firm utilizing its professional and expert services to support their retail operations across its 250+ upscale stores and outlets in North America. After an intensive review of the Oracle partners in the field, we selected SkillNets Professional Services and Expert Services teams to support and enhance our store systems, says Sahal Laher, EVP and CIO of Brooks Brothers. SkillNet has been a true partner listening to our business requirements and adapting their offerings to a model that not only aligns with but also compliments our operational structure, showing great capability and flexibility of resources. While visiting SkillNets offices in Cleveland and Mumbai, we met with members of their Expert Services Team and were impressed with their depth of knowledge on current store technologies and clearly defined approach to communication and transparency with our IT teams, states Sahal Laher. We are thrilled that Brooks Brothers has selected us to support and continue development of their store systems and omni-channel roadmap, says Anurag Mehta, Chief Operating Officer for SkillNet. Its an absolute privilege to be able to support one of Americas oldest and highly regarded fashion retailers, and we look forward to helping their IT team maintain its high standards of quality and excellence for the Brooks Brothers customer. To learn more about SkillNets Professional and Expert Services on Xstore, please contact us. About SkillNet Solutions: SkillNet Solutions, Inc. is a leading global consulting services and retail systems integrator specializing in providing complete end-to-end, omni-channel commerce solutions in stores, merchandising, e-commerce, supply chain, customer management, and data analytics. SkillNet offers retailers consulting, solution delivery, cloud, and support services. Having successfully implemented award-winning solutions for the retail industrys top performers for over twenty years, SkillNet delivers digital transformations that provide retailers with a seamless and connected customer experience across all channels. Founded in 1996 in the heart of Silicon Valley, SkillNet has expanded into a global enterprise spanning three continents with offices in Cleveland, Austin, Sunnyvale, Toronto, London, New Delhi, Mumbai, Indore, and Pune. For more information, visit http://www.skillnetinc.com About Brooks Brothers: Founded in 1818, Brooks Brothers was the first ready-to-wear fashion emporium in America. Since then, Brooks Brothers has been a proud institution that has shaped the American style of dress through fashion innovation, fine quality, personal service, and exceptional value in their products. Brooks Brothers is one of America's oldest retailers, specializing in men's suits and outerwear; the company also sells women's and children's apparel. Brooks Brothers operates about 250+ upscale retail stores and outlet locations in the US. Through partnerships, Brooks Brothers has 150-plus stores in about 15 countries including Chile, China, Italy, and Japan. Brooks Brothers is owned by Retail Brand Alliance (RBA) and led by CEO Claudio Del Vecchio. Trademarks: Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners. As part of Harlem Hospital's historic Art Collection, Golem joins the likes of work by artists including Charles Alston, Alfred Crimi, Georgette Seabrooke, Elba Lightfoot and Vertis Hayes. After a 3 month outdoor exhibition in Marcus Garvey Park as part of the Flux Art Fair, Golem by Jordan Baker-Caldwell has found a new home at Harlem Hospital. The 10-foot metal sculpture is located in the Mural Pavilion at the 136th street entrance of the Hospital. Golem is a large totem-like piece that resembles an abstracted face made of colorful scraps of metal. Affectionately called The Neighborhood Protector, Golem pays homage to the people and history of Harlem, while embodying its current spirit of growth. Golems patchwork look is representative of the different cultures and peoples of the neighborhood, some of whom donated scrap metal to the piece. The elements that make up the work include parts from New York Taxis, Chinese Food woks, trucks, and vans. Golem is on permanent loan thanks to the efforts of Harlem Hospital's Chief of Staff, Ms. Sylvia White and Artist & Director of Art and Culture at Harlem Hospital, Mr. Ronald Draper, whose work can seen lining the entrance to the Mural Pavilion and throughout the grounds. Jordan is a New York born artist and Harlemite who works extensively in metals such as steel and bronze, as well as found materials. His current works are a mixture of figurative, organic forms, juxtaposed against modern, neo-cubic abstraction. As part of Harlem Hospital's historic Art Collection, Golem joins the likes of work by artists including Charles Alston, Alfred Crimi, Georgette Seabrooke, Elba Lightfoot and Vertis Hayes suffice it to say, Golem is in good company. A Chinese camera team interviews sustainable architect Wolfgang Frey The Sino-German Eco-Park in Qingdao signifies a positive cooperation between Germany and China for a sustainable future. Because of his experience and approach toward sustainable construction and social responsibility, Wolfgang Frey is an in demand consultant in China. A Chinese camera team from Qingdao recently interviewed Wolfgang Frey in his architecture firm in Freiburg, Germany. They continued filming at the Heidelberg Village construction site in Bahnstadt, a global role model for green buildings and modern urban development. The journalists were also interested in learning more about the cooperation between Wolfgang Freys business group (Frey Group) and the Chinese partners at the Sino-German Eco-Park. The Sino-German Eco-Park in Qingdao is a flagship project that signifies Sino-German cooperation. In 2010 the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and the Chinese trade ministry signed the Memorandum of Understanding to set a signal for positive Sino-German cooperation in the presence of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the then Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. In 2014 an agreement to develop Asias largest passive house project in the Sino-German Eco-Park was reached between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Chinese Minister President Li Keqiang. The Sino-German Eco-Park is one of the milestones for Chinas path toward a sustainable future. It is the worlds largest project certified by the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB e.V.) and will also house a so-called futuristic city by the Fraunhofer Institute. The project will thereby gain significance on the global political stage regarding environmental, social, economic and trade issues. A cooperation between the Sino-German United Group Co. Ltd. (Administrative Committee for the Sino-German Eco-Park), Qingdao Jianan Group Co. Ltd. (an experienced general contractor for urban and infrastructure development) and the Frey Group will be responsible for implementing sustainable urban development concepts in China. For the next ten years, the project partners will be responsible for planning, managing and investing in the Sino-German Eco-Park. Wolfgang Frey along with the Frey Group will also continue to consult on further sustainable large-scale projects. For further information about Heidelberg Village Living Community. ### The Frey Group, which includes the project and property development company, Freie Liegenschaftsverwaltung GmbH, the leasing company pro scholare GmbH, and Frey Architekten, is a part of a vibrant network of around 30 employees with many years of experience and expertise in the construction industry. The Frey Group pursues sustainable urban development and considers the social and environmental aspects in every one of its projects. http://www.freyarchitekten.com As an acupuncturist, Maureen McLaughlin helps fertility patients achieve success Through clinical studies and treatment outcomes with patients, we know that acupuncture can play an important role in supporting patients during their fertility treatment, says McLaughlin. Maureen McLaughlin, LA.c., a certified acupuncturist, is joining the Integrated Infertility and Wellness (IFW) Program at Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMACT). McLaughlin brings nearly 20 years of experience with fertility patients to RMACT, which now has a team of three acupuncturists to help patients realize their family building goals. Acupuncture helps fertility patients by supporting the physiological processes of the body involved with conception and reducing stress. Through clinical studies and treatment outcomes with patients, we know that acupuncture can play an important role in supporting patients during their fertility treatment, says McLaughlin, who first started treating patients for fertility in 1997. Its extremely rewarding to see the positive impact acupuncture can have on fertility particularly when pregnancy is achieved. McLaughlin administers fertility acupuncture during the course of patients intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles, as well as on-site treatment the day of embryo transfer. She works with fertility patients, as well as gestational carriers who help fertility patients and LGBTQ couples. Each RMACT patients treatment plan is individualized based on his or her unique needs and diagnosis. In 2002, McLaughlin began treating patients with a pre-and post-transfer protocol at the reproductive endocrinology practice, IVF1, in Chicago. She then became Chief Acupuncturist (2009-2016) for Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago and continued to see fertility patients from practices throughout Chicago. McLaughlin is passionate about acupuncture and its application during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. She has collaborated with doctors and nurse-midwives to assist throughout pregnancy, labor and postpartum so that the mother, baby, and family can be as healthy and vibrant as possible. As a certified labor doula, she had the honor of attending over 50 births and witnessing the miracle of the fertility cycle come full circle. Maureen is a talented and knowledgeable acupuncturist who will help our team grow, says Amy Matton, MS, LA.c., lead acupuncturist and coordinator for RMACTs IFW Program, which offers nutrition counseling, mind-body training, support groups and counseling for couples and individuals. Acupuncture is a valued part of many RMACT patients fertility treatment plans for its emotional and physical benefits, whether they use it in conjunction with assisted reproductive technologies or on its own. McLaughlin earned her Bachelor's Degree from Georgetown University in 1982 and she graduated from Midwest College of Oriental Medicine (Racine, WI) at the top of her class in 1997. She went on to open a private practice in Oak Park, IL treating a wide range of conditions, including infertility. She is licensed to practice acupuncture in Illinois and Connecticut. About Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMACT) RMACT specializes in the treatment of infertility, including assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), in-vitro fertilization (IVF), and Pre-implantation Genetic Screening (PGS). RMACT, Fairfield Countys largest fertility clinic and egg donation center, is one of 11 leading In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) centers nationwide chosen by In Vitro Sciences to participate in its Centers of Excellence program. RMACT has offices in Norwalk, Danbury, Stamford and Trumbull, and an affiliate office now in Poughkeepsie, NY. RMACT also offers infertility treatment financing and support services, such as nutrition counseling, individual and couples psychological counseling, acupuncture and yoga, through RMACTs Integrated Fertility and Wellness Center. The RMACT team includes lead physicians Drs. Mark P. Leondires, Spencer S. Richlin and Joshua M. Hurwitz, as well as fertility specialists Drs. Cynthia M. Murdock and Shaun C. Williams. All five physicians are Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologists and are members of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) and the Fairfield County and Connecticut Medical Societies. Each has received numerous awards, and all five are Castle Connolly "Top Doctors." RMACTs IVF laboratory is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), and CLIA; other accreditations include the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and the American Institute for Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). For more information visit http://www.RMACT.com or find us on Facebook. ### Liz and Craig Dickson (center), owners of Invisible Fence of the Central Valley, presented with a Circle of Excellence Award by Invisible Fence Brand CEO Willie Wallace (R) and Manager Phil Peery (L) The award winners excelled in a variety of crucial business areas and are, in fact, the faces of our brand on the ground, day in and day out. Invisible Fence Brand recognized top performers among their large network of authorized dealers at their annual dealer meeting. The 2016 National Dealer Circle of Excellence Awards continues a decades-old tradition for the prominent electronic pet fence brand. The award honors dealer accomplishments in a variety of small-business disciplines including customer care, training, installation, sales, and business operations. The award winners excelled in a variety of crucial business areas and are, in fact, the faces of our brand on the ground, day in and day out, said Ed Hoyt, Director of Invisible Fence Brand. Its a small gesture, however the award comes with our utmost gratefulness for these teams and their innovative business models. This years honorees include the following: Canine Company Hilltop Invisible Fence Invisible Fence Brand by Enviro-Watch Invisible Fence Brand by StayDog Invisible Fence Brand of Dayton & Columbus West Invisible Fence Brand of Greater South Western Ontario Invisible Fence Brand of Shelby Invisible Fence Brand of Southern Manitoba Invisible Fence by Peachtree Invisible Fence Central Oregon Invisible Fence Columbus East Invisible Fence of Apple Country Invisible Fence of Baltimore Invisible Fence of Central Alabama Invisible Fence of Central Indiana Invisible Fence of Central Kansas, LLC Invisible Fence of Coyner Associates Invisible Fence of Delmarva Invisible Fence of Eastern Michigan Invisible Fence of Fort Wayne Invisible Fence of Greater Louisville Invisible Fence of Hampton Roads Invisible Fence of Mid-Illinois Invisible Fence of Pittsburgh Invisible Fence of Raleigh Invisible Fence of the Bay Area Invisible Fence of the Carolinas Invisible Fence of the Central Valley Invisible Fence of the Lehigh Valley Invisible Fence of the Treasure Valley Invisible Fence of Virginia, Roanoke Invisible Fence Pikes Peak Region About Invisible Fence Brand: Invisible Fence Brand offers a comprehensive family of solutions that have helped save millions of pets lives for more than forty years. Much more than a fence, Invisible Fence Brands pet management solutions bring freedom, peace of mind and harmony to the home, both indoors and out. Owned by Radio Systems Corporation in Knoxville, Tenn., Invisible Fence Brand solutions are sold internationally by professional, authorized dealers who provide Perfect Start Plus Pet training and custom installation that have safely contained more than 3 million pets. Invisible Fence Brand has taken pet care beyond the home and started the Project Breathe program, which has donated more than 12,000 pet oxygen masks to fire departments and first responders. For more information on Invisible Fence Brand or to find a local dealer, visit invisiblefence.com or follow the company on Facebook or Twitter. American Fence Company American Fence Company is very proud of its long history of corporate excellence. All of our employees work hard to provide excellent customer service, and it is this dedication that has led to continued success. - Daniel Van Denburgh, President For at least the eighteenth year in a row, American Fence Company received an Arizona Corporate Excellence award. This year American Fence was recognized as both a Fastest Growing Company and Top Private Company by Phoenix Business Journal, sponsor of the Arizona Corporate Excellence awards. The company won these same awards in 2015, marking back-to-back wins in both categories. Despite repeated requests for information, American Fence Company was unable to conrm exactly how many consecutive Arizona Corporate Excellence awards they had won. Their records stretch back to 1997, when American Fence was recognized as an Arizona Top 100 company. The format of the award changed in 2005 when American Fence won their rst of eleven consecutive Top Private Company awards, recognizing the top fty highest grossing private companies in the state. Daniel Van Denburgh, President of American Fence, acknowledged, American Fence Company is very proud of its long history of corporate excellence. We are one of the largest companies in the state of Arizona and operate seventeen branches in eight states, primarily in the western and southern United States. All of our employees work hard to provide excellent customer service, and it is this dedication that has led to continued success. About American Fence - Established in 1948 and based in Phoenix, AZ, American Fence is a nationally recognized industry leader that has been professionally installing fence for over 60 years. Providing the highest level of products and service, American Fence Company provides all your fencing needs including temporary fence rental, commercial and industrial installation, and materials for fencing contractors and the do-it-yourselfer. Additionally their High Security Perimeter Fencing division provides crash rated bollards, gates, and fences for military installations, data centers, and other sensitive corporate projects. American Fence operates their own tube and pipe mill and chain link weaving machines, and manufactures their own custom fabricated iron fence. Sharon Kleyne, host of the nationally syndicated radio program, The Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water, Global Climate Change and Your Health on Voice of America, declared on her radio program in November 2016 the need to educate people about cyber bullying, and to call attention to the fact that when these bullies attack leaders in corporate America, they are trying to take advantage of successful algorithms and gain attention for themselves. Even worse, bullies of corporate leaders might compromise the value and integrity of a companys international IP and the security of the U.S. Kleyne, who created the first successful global company focusing exclusively on water, is internationally recognized as an educator, research leader and creator of new water technology. She has also led efforts to educate people about the crisis of dehydration due to excess evaporation of the bodys water vapor and is expanding her efforts to fight bullies. Kleyne said that she would like to see seminars on bullying and cyber bullying taught in schools, churches, businesses and organizations around the world. According to http://www.bullyingstatistics.org, cyber bullying involves using technology such as the internet and cell phones to harass other people. This activity can include sending messages or threats to a persons email account or cell phone, spreading rumors online, posting harmful and threatening messages on social networking sites, stealing someones account information, posting unflattering pictures and sexting. Bullying and cyber bullying have become so pervasive in this digital, social media age, Sharon Kleyne said, that virtually no one is safe. Kleyne pointed out that this supercharged crisis was addressed in March 2011 by First Lady Michelle Obama, who with her husband convened the first ever White House conference on the prevention of bullying and cyber bullying. The Obamas have continued to lead national efforts to curb bullying in all its ugly manifestations, and its encouraging, Kleyne said, that the incoming First Lady, Melania Trump, continuing their work, has announced that her #1 platform will be the prevention of bullying of children in schools. Unfortunately, said Sharon Kleyne, bullies have always plagued human society. Today, cyber bullies are the most untrustworthy and unscrupulous people on the internet. For instance, the company I founded and direct, Bio-Logic Aqua Research Water Life Science, Kleyne revealed, has been the victim of completely baseless and unsubstantiated claims. We dont know who the person is. Weve never even met them! Kleyne believes that her companys high profile has a lot to do with the unwanted attention. Through the years, Kleyne said, weve been getting a million impressions a month, and I speculate that our strong social media presence attracts bullying. Essentially, Sharon Kleyne said, bullies and cyber bullies lie for a living. They are bored individuals who seek attention, and sometimes profit, from their shady activities. At this point there is little legal recourse for victims. When we were attacked, Kleyne says, I contacted the authorities. They said there was not much we could do but to save any communications they might send us and monitor the situation for possible future legal action. The authorities opened a file on the website and are doing the same. So, what can one do about cyber bullying? In dealing with a traditional bully, Sharon Kleyne noted that not responding often worked well. After all, the victims reaction was exactly what the bully was after. But in the technological world of social media, cyber bullying becomes the anti-gift that keeps on giving. Its an outrage, Kleyne says, and we want to make sure that everyone is educated about the activities of these frauds. At the same time, Kleyne adds, anyone in corporate America has a responsibility to their company, its customers, backers and staff people. Kleyne points out that the best response is to educate people about cyber bullying and become proactive. Acknowledge at your own site the online, parasitic presence of the cyber bully. Explain the situation and the steps you have taken to deal with it. Finally, says Kleyne, save the evidence and lobby legislators for laws that would allow the prosecution of these unsavory characters that dont care who their lies hurt. Until the regulations and laws are changed, Sharon Kleyne added, everyone, especially people in corporate America with international IP to protect, must be ever-vigilant and aware of the character defamation and the untruths that cyber bullies are posting online. Everyone generally needs to do a better job looking out for each other, and that includes the major search engines, which need to be more responsible and take steps to eliminate cyber bullying. Wealth Generators Our agreement with Choicetrade enables us to bring our Equity Pack to our international members while increasing the trading tools, service and support for all members. This is a big win for our customers and our company, said Ryan Smith, CEO Wealth Gen Salt Lake City, Utah: Wealth Generators is pleased to announce its selection of Choicetrade as their Broker of Choice for their U.S. and International subscribers. Wealth Generators provides trade research, tools and education for both U.S. equities and options along with FOREX. The company has expanded their FOREX offerings greatly over the last 18 months providing multiple brokers of choice and FOREX strategies, education and convenience tools. However, the companys Equity Pack which provides members with education and research services for different US Equities trade strategies did not have a broker for U.S equities that they could recommend to their member base, especially for those members residing outside the U.S. The agreement entered into between Choicetrade and Wealth Generators provides critical benefits to Wealth Generators customers: A vetted broker of choice for US citizens A vetted broker of choice that accepts International customers from most countries, enabling them to trade the U.S. Equity strategies A robust, web-based trading platform offering additional convenience tools to Wealth Generators customers "We are excited and honored to be working with Choicetrade. As a provider of education and research to self-directed investors, it is not always easy to find quality vendors who will commit to a higher level of customer service and member support. Choicetrade is one of these rare providers who are willing to assist Wealth Generators subscribers in their effort to learn how to trade the capital markets. It is our privilege to offer ChoiceTrades products and technology to Wealth Generators customers. We are very excited about our new relationship and welcome all Wealth Generators subscribers to our platform, said Neville Golvala, CEO of ChoiceTrade Holdings. We have invested substantial resources to streamline our account application and make it easy for customers, both domestic and foreign, to apply for a ChoiceTrade account. Our trading platform offers both functionality and simplicity for desktop and mobile users in the U.S. and around the world wishing to transact U.S. securities. About Wealth Generators: Wealth Generators LLC is a financial fitness company enabling individuals worldwide to Find, Grow and Keep their hard-earned capital. The Wealth Generators subscription service includes WG Money which is education and software created and delivered by Americas Money Expert: Ross Jardine, WG Trade Alerts which includes market trade strategies delivered by traders with decades of experience trading the capital markets, and Taxbot, a software and education offering that enables individuals to track and maintain their tax-deductible expenses. Wealth Generators LLC is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. About Choicetrade: ChoiceTrade Holdings, Inc. is the parent company of ChoiceTrade, and is headquartered in San Juan, PR. ChoiceTrade employs cutting-edge technology to deliver a seamless trading experience to individual investors across the globe. ChoiceTrade Holdings has signed a Letter of Intent with Beta Music Group, Inc. (OTCPK: BEMG) to effectuate a share exchange, subject to the approvals of both Boards of Directors. Once the agreement is consummated, ChoiceTrades management and Board will assume control of the combined entity, change its name to ChoiceTrade, and continue its historical business of providing quality executions in U.S. securities and outstanding service to self-directed investors all over the world. ### ODU Contact Technology ODU, a worldwide leader in designing and manufacturing high performance connectors, is now promoting to the US market its advanced highly customizable contact technology solutions. ODU Single Contact Technology portfolio includes: ODU SPRINGTAC, ODU LAMTAC and ODU TURNTAC. These advanced technologies are ideal for a wide range of applications that require customization from industries like emobility, industrial, test and measurement and medical. Some examples of the applications that can benefit of these technologies are: industrial automation, portable electronics charging, medical device components, dental treatment units, EV charging, bus bar power connections, high voltage power supplies, and power distribution. ODU SPRINGTAC with patented Springwire technology consists of individually suspended Springwires that offer a high number of contact surfaces even in small diameters. With ODU SPRINGTAC, even the smallest design has up to 15 springs that are mounted within a 0.76mm contact diameter. Each spring, making contact with the pin, allows for up to 100,000 mating cycles, with consistently low contact resistance. ODU LAMTAC with Lamella technology consists of stamped contacts that ensure high contact reliability. Contact mating and de-mating force and volume resistance are significantly lower while the numbers of mating cycles are double, up to 10,000+ cycles. ODU LAMTAC & ODU SPRINGTAC also provide high vibration stability, various designs with crimp or solder termination, sizes from 22AWG to 4/0, and high current carrying capacity up to 1,570A. ODU TURNTAC is a rugged contact system that offers turned slotted contacts. Additional product features include: low, stable mating and demating forces, over 10,000 mating cycles, wide variety of contact diameters from 1.5 to 9mm, mating ensured at up to 5 misalignement angle, various termination types: solder, threaded or crimp termination. ODU provides also a full suite of complementary products and services including innovative options for cable assembly, over molding and turn-key systems, local one-to-one engineering support, competitive lead time, custom connector capabilities, rapid prototyping and product development, factory direct. For more product information go to: http://www.odu-usa.com/products-solutions/single-contact-connectors.html ODU Group: global representation with perfect connections The ODU Group is one of the worlds leading suppliers of connector systems, employing 1,650 people around the world. In addition to its company headquarters in Muhldorf am Inn (Germany), ODU also has an international production and distribution network throughout Europe, North America and Asia. ODU combines all relevant areas of expertise and key technologies including design and development, machine tooling and special machine construction, injection, stamping, turning, surface technology, assembly and cable assembly. The ODU Group sells its products globally through its eight subsidiaries in Denmark, England, France, Italy, Sweden, the US, China and Japan, as well as through numerous international sales partners. ODU connectors ensure a reliable transmission of power, signals, data and media for a variety of demanding applications including medical technology, military and security, eMobility, energy, industrial electronics, and measurement and testing. For press inquiries, please contact: Dana Stoica, Head of Marketing North America Phone +1 (805) 484-0540 Fax: +1 (805) 484-7458 Email: dana.stoica(at)odu-usa(dot)com And on the other end of the political spectrum....The Libertarian Utopia Thats Just a Bunch of White Guys on a Tiny IslandThe women of Liberland may be free, but they most certainly will not be equal. "Equality rightsdon't be alarmed," Kacper Zajac, Liberland's Minister of Justice and the author of its constitution, says by way of introduction of this contentious topic. "Its equality before the law and before the law only." A PowerPoint presentation drives this home with the word "ONLY!" in all caps. "No other equality is acceptable, obviously."Its a vague introduction to a theme that hangs heavy in the air, a reminder that women are not men, blacks are not whites, refugees arent citizens, and the poor arent rich. Zajac just wants to cut the crap. Political correctness has no place in Liberland, everyoneall five dozen white mencan agree.We are in Novi Sad, Serbia, just a short trip from Liberland, the unrecognized, unpopulated Libertarian microstate and the subject of this three-day conference. We won't actually get to Liberland, which was the original plan, and we won't take a boat along the Danube and see it in the distance, which was the backup plan. We will eat fried fish near a patch of land that the President of Liberland will assure us looks a lot like Liberland, and those of us who fly home via Air Liberland will ooh and aah at Liberland from above. But Liberland is going through a couple of legal issues, and its neighbors are pretty pissed, so we're not actually going to set foot in the freest country in the world, which aside from not actually being a country is also beginning to seem not all that free.On April 13 of last year, Vit Jedlicka, a Libertarian politician from the Czech Republic's Free Citizens Party, ventured into some unclaimed swampland he discovered on Wikipedia, planted a flag, and called it Liberland. He, his girlfriend, and another friend unanimously voted him president of the muddy patch of land and alerted the media to the birth of a nation. Since then, Jedlicka and his friends and followers have failed to make a definitive legal claim on the territory, which Croatia, in particular, is reluctant to concede (border disputes are kind of a "thing" in this part of the world, you may recall), and much of the media attention Jedlicka received has written the whole thing off as a lark, a fantasy.But Liberland is only a fantasy for Vit Jedlicka inasmuch as an immigrant-free Hungary is a fantasy for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, both nations nestled in the belly of a right-leaning Central Europe. It's only an impossibility as much as a win for UKIP's Brexiteers was an impossibility: once a fringe movement, later an (inter)national nightmare. And it's only as unfeasible as a Trump presidencyfunny how that worked outfueled by straight talk in the service of white men of means, and just about no one else.The actuality of a country of Liberlandwith residents and infrastructure and global recognitionhardly even matters. Over 103,000 fully registered citizens are willing to suspend their disbelief that the overgrown, three-square-mile land mass could become Libertarian utopia. Liberland has distended beyond the realm of fantasy into a living, growing, big-spending movement, with a massive following and a few off-brand splinter groups. And for an organization driven by xenophobic, Eurosceptic, tax-avoidant white men, the timing couldnt be better. We scour the world for the best talent for our clients projects and Teresa certainly meets our high standards Plazabridge Group, LLC, a services and technology firm specialized in technology development, innovation commercialization and revenue growth services, announced today the selection of the firms CEO, Teresa Spangler, to participate in the IdeaConnection project inventions leveraging converging technologies such as; Sensors, IoT and Blockchain. As one of five international experts, Ms.Spangler is charged with creating innovative solutions to help a major international brands revolutionize for consumer products and data monetization. The sponsoring brands sought individuals capable of applying creative thought to disruptive technologies and emerging business models. I am thrilled to apply my experience to this challenge. I welcome the opportunity to expand state of the art thinking in leveraging IoT, big data, and sensor technology for various industries, says Teresa Spangler, CEO of Plazabridge Group. I hope to share unique perspectives to this select international group. Teresa is an ideal participant to this challenge. We at IdeaConnection saw her depth of knowledge and versatility of experience as critical to delivering unique solutions to our clients," said IdeaConnection CEO Scott Wurtele. We scour the world for the best talent for our clients projects and Teresa certainly meets our high standards. About Plazabridge Group Plazabridge Group is a specialized service firm dedicated to innovation commercialization and revenue growth consulting. We deploy multi-disciplinary innovation teams of experts in sales, marketing, engineering and international trade. We set ourselves apart from the sea of consultants by producing results consistently across our clients, and have done so for over 6 years. Plazabridge Group delivers insight from analytics, sales from creative value propositions and shareholder wealth from calculated competitive strategies. Our engineering teams are experts in building integrated systems that lead to revenue growth. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, we serve clients throughout the East Coast and in select international markets. Find more about us at http://www.Plazabridgegroup.com About IdeaConnection Our passion is to give our clients access to brilliant, timely, affordable solutions that enhance their ability to deliver amazing improvements for mankind. IdeaConnection teams work every day solving challenges for companies of all sizes from Fortune 10s to single proprietorships. IdeaConnection has been solving problems since 2007 by assembling multidisciplinary teams lead by world-class facilitators, who develop intensely researched, innovative, and in-depth solutions. Using this approach, IdeaConnection has achieved a best-in-class solve rate for problems ranging from food science, chemistry, engineering, biology, game theory, crop science, packaging, big data, consumer products and much more. Peter T. Kjome, Baltimore Symphony President & CEO He is a best-of-both-worlds executive who fits with our needs in this dynamic, challenging arts environment. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) announces the appointment of Peter T. Kjome as President and CEO. Kjome currently serves as the President and CEO of the Grand Rapids Symphony (GRS) and will assume his new duties on February 1, 2017. Peter is exactly the candidate we sought: a proven business leader who, as a classically trained musician, shares our commitment to artistic excellence, said Hilary Miller, chairman of the search committee and vice chairman of the board of directors. He is a best-of-both-worlds executive who fits with our needs in this dynamic, challenging arts environment. Acting president and CEO Barbara Bozzuto will continue her work as board chair. Theres not a major orchestra in America today that doesnt need to manage strong economic headwindsa challenge compounded by the imperative of remaining faithful to an artistic vision, said Bozzuto. In Peter, we have someone who has a track record of doing both. It is a privilege to have been selected to serve as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestras next president, said Kjome. The BSO is an extraordinary orchestra of international stature, with a remarkably strong connection to the Maryland community. I look forward to working with Music Director Marin Alsop, the board of directors, musicians, staff, volunteers and the entire BSO family as we begin the orchestras second century. Kjome (pronounced Cho-mee) leaves an orchestra with an impressive list of accomplishments. In addition to mounting a successful $40 million endowment campaign, the GRS reached several multi-year collective bargaining agreements with its musicians, including a five-year agreement signed in 2016. Under his leadership, the orchestra also selected Marcelo Lehninger as its 14th Music Director orchestra in 2016, while developing and implementing strategic plans that enhanced its economic foundation. The BSO is a great orchestra and it deserves great leadership. I look forward to collaborating with Peter Kjomea musician himself with a deep appreciation for live symphonic music who is also a Kellogg School of Management-educated business leader, said Alsop. In this economy, any orchestra, particularly a great orchestra, demands savvy leadership. Prior to his BSO appointment, Kjome served as president and CEO of the second-largest performing arts organization in Michigan. He began his tenure with GRS in 2008. Kjome brought strong management and financial skills to the GRS, developed during his time at 3M Company, a leading global company based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Prior to that, Kjome performed as an oboist with GRS for eight years, building on a career that included performing as a substitute musician with the Cleveland Orchestra and Pittsburgh Symphony. I greatly appreciate the work of the search committee and am especially grateful to search committee chair Hilary Miller and board chair Barbara Bozzuto for their commitment and the discussions we have had, said Kjome. It will be an honor to build on the important achievements of my predecessor Paul Meecham as we refine our strategic objectives, strengthen our financial position, and build our family of audience members and donors. Greg Mulligan, chair, BSO players committee, and a member of the search committee, commented, We welcome Peter Kjome to the BSO family, and we look forward to developing a compelling vision with him for how the BSO can achieve even higher artistry as we begin our second century. Peter's background as a professional oboist will ensure that he comes to Baltimore with the experience and knowledge of our wonderful art form and of musicians' needs, to help us present world class music to our loyal community of music lovers. Kjome received his bachelors degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and his masters degree in business administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. At Kellogg, he majored in marketing and management and strategy, receiving the Maurice L. Rothschild Scholarship in recognition of his academic achievement and commitment to social enterprise. Active both personally and professionally, Peter Kjome is a past chair of the Group 2 orchestras of the League of American Orchestras. In 2011, the League of American Orchestras presented Kjome with the Helen M. Thompson award for exceptional leadership. Kjome was chosen by a 13-member search committee, consisting of directors and musicians, from an international pool of highly accomplished candidates. About the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Celebrating its centennial in 2016, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is recognized as one of Americas most innovative orchestras and one of Marylands most significant cultural organizations. Led by their dynamic and visionary Music Director Marin Alsop, the Orchestra is internationally acclaimed and locally admired for its outstanding concerts, recordings, broadcasts, touring, and for its groundbreaking education and community outreach initiatives. The BSO annually performs for more than 350,000 community members throughout the State of Maryland. Since 1982, its Baltimore home has been Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. In 2005, the BSO became the nations first orchestra with year-round venues in two metropolitan areas with the opening of The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland. The BSO boasts trailblazing education and community programs designed for audiences of all ages, from a Music Box Series for toddlers and concerts for schoolchildren and families, to comprehensive programs for aspiring young musicians and amateur adult musicians. The award-winning OrchKids program, launched by Marin Alsop and the BSO in 2008, provides education resources and fosters social change through the power of music for children in the citys communities. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is funded by operating grants from the Maryland State Arts Council, the Baltimore County Commission on the Arts and Sciences, the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, and the Maryland State Department of Education. ### Deconstructing Stigma Display featuring Jamie Lenis I want to help others who struggle with mental illness know that they are not alone" - Sean Shinnock, one of the exhibit participants They are musicians and librarians, fashion designers and fitness instructors, actors, athletes and artists. They are sisters and wives, brothers and fathers, from New England and around the nation. What do they have in common? All have been affected by mental illness and its stigma, and are brought together in a beautiful and compelling new photographic exhibit debuting Friday, December 9 at Logan International Airport in Boston. The exhibit is part of a national public awareness campaign sponsored by McLean Hospital, in collaboration with Logan Airport and several mental health advocacy groups, with the goal of changing the way mental illness is perceived. Deconstructing Stigma: A Change in Thought Can Change a Life features dramatic, larger than life photographs of courageous people who have shared their stories with the hope of changing how people with psychiatric illness are viewed. Shame and stigma are still far too prevalent when it comes to psychiatric disease and can contribute to the fear and isolation many people feel. Deconstructing Stigma is an unprecedented effort to spark conversation about behavioral and mental health, said Scott L. Rauch, president and psychiatrist in chief of McLean Hospital, the largest psychiatric affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Sean Shinnock has lived with obsessive compulsive disorder since his teens and was the first person to volunteer for the campaign. I want to help others who struggle with mental illness know that they are not alone, said Sean, now 36. I still struggle some days, but I am confident enough, hopeful enough, inspired enough and motivated enough to be a part of this life. Also lending his voice to the campaignliterallyis Darryl DMC McDaniels, the founding member of the legendary hip hop group Run-DMC. Although he seemed to have everything a person could want, what the public couldnt see was that depression and alcohol abuse were destroying his spirit and his body. I had everythingI was the King of Rockwe were touring, making money and everyone knew who we were. But I didnt feel right and not a day passed that I didnt think about suicide, Darryl said. Today, Darryl, 52, is back in the recording studio, has a best-selling book about his experience with mental illness and has become a vocal mental health advocate. Blending celebrities, such as DMC and Howie Mandel, with everyday people is a key component to the campaign because mental illness does not affect only one demographic or group. In fact, one in five Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness this year. "Mental health affects everyone, whether we recognize it or not. I am proud that Massport has collaborated with NAMI and now McLean working to reduce stigma," said Thomas P. Glynn, CEO of Massport. "The exhibit "Deconstructing Stigma" is another example of how we are all working together to help our state and country make strides in this area." Marylou Sudders, MSW, secretary for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services for Massachusetts, is a strong advocate for increasing mental health education through campaigns such as Deconstructing Stigma. In order for stigma to be eliminated, we must spark conversation and create an environment where people can speak openly about mental illness without the fear of being ostracized, said Sudders, who launched StateWithout StigMA, a campaign focused on reducing stigma around opiate addiction last year. With high visibility at a location like Logan Airport, we are doing just that, while at the same time, reaching audiences who may not otherwise think about mental health on any given day. Despite the concerns about being labeled and risking further stigma, the volunteers in this project are sharing their stories of hope and resilience so that the public can have an opportunity to walk in their shoes and perhaps step away with a different view of what its like to have a mental illness. Each person associated with this project is determined to make a difference in the lives of other people affected by mental illness, said Adriana Bobinchock, senior director of Public Affairs and Communications for McLean, whose team is spearheading the campaign. After 249 hours of photography sessions and 25,000 written words, we feel weve created a campaign that is meaningful and impactful, and one that has the potential to change someones life. For Jamie Lenis, a mother of two, the experience of working on the Deconstructing Stigma campaign has already made a difference in her life. My participation has allowed me to fully accept myself, my struggles, my triumphs, however small, without a hint of shame anymore, said Jamie. For the first time, I feel truly empowered and free. Im not free of depression or anxietynot whollybut Ive shed their damp blanket. Im completely open to sharing with others in the hopes that my story can help in any way. With the initial physical installation at Logan Airport in a 235-foot gallery between Terminals B and C, and an accompanying website deconstructingstigma.org, the Deconstructing Stigma campaign is expected to reach more than a million people in 2017. Plans are already underway to install similar exhibits at other airports. In addition to partnering with Logan Airport, McLean Hospital collaborated with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the International OCD Foundation, Massachusetts Association of Mental Health, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and PROJECT 375 to develop Deconstructing Stigma: A Change in Thought Can Change a Life. McLean Hospital is the largest psychiatric affiliate of Harvard Medical School and a member of Partners HealthCare. For more information about McLean, visit mcleanhospital.org or follow the hospital on Facebook or Twitter. Included in media toolkit: Images of participants quoted in the release, sample image of one of the panels at Logan Airport, an image of the Logan Airport gallery and a fact sheet about mental illness. ### Our team is continuously looking for new ways to engage our audience, and Live From has proven to be a fun, timely way to generate excitement about industry events. 1105 Medias Live From program has been named a 2016 Top 20 Marketing Campaign Winner in the Folio: Marketing Awards competition. Live From won in the Use of Social Media category. The Folio: Marketing Awards recognize the years best in pioneering, inventive, and ultimately successful projects undertaken by the media industrys most innovative marketing professionals. Conceived by 1105 Medias Infrastructure Solutions Group, Live From was created to establish group brands Occupational Health & Safety and Security Today as social media leaders and solidify their positions as thought leaders in their industries. The program provides an interactive way for both trade show attendees and non-attendees to experience the highlights of top industry events. Being named a winner of this award is truly an honor, said Susan May, group marketing director for 1105 Medias Infrastructure Solutions Group. Our team is continuously looking for new ways to engage our audience, and Live From has proven to be a fun, timely way to generate excitement about industry events. In addition, both our editors and our brands Twitter and Facebook followings have seen large increases over the past year. Matt Holden, group social media editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group, coordinated on-site coverage for the Live From events. It was great to be on hand to shoot and immediately post live video from sponsors booths, to cover networking events, and to draw attention to must-see products and services, he said. After the show, sponsors and viewers kept the excitement alive by continuing to post. Live From is seen as very new and cutting edge to our audience while at the same time being just the type of program that a social media leader such as our brands would launch, added Kevin O'Grady, president & group publisher of 1105 Medias Infrastructure Solutions Group. We just launched Live From with our HME Business brand last month. As the program grows, we plan to expand it to include even more ways for companies to be involved. For more information on Occupational Health & Safety and Security Today visit their respective sites at ohsonline.com and securitytoday.com. About 1105 Media, Inc. 1105 Media, Inc., is a leading provider of integrated information and media in targeted business-to-business markets, including security; industrial health, safety, and compliance; environmental protection; home healthcare; education; and information technology. 1105's offerings span print and online magazines, journals, and newsletters; seminars, conferences, and trade shows; training courseware; and web-based services. 1105 Media is based in Chatsworth, CA, with offices throughout the United States. ### EMC Accepts Top Performing Preferred Partner Award Having skilled partners ready to help our business customers make smart energy choices is crucial to TVA's success. Energy Management Collaborative (EMC) today announced that it was recognized for Excellence in Performance in Lighting as well as Excellence in Performance in the Southeast Tennessee District by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Preferred Partner Network (PPN) at an award luncheon held November 18 in Nashville, TN. Since its start in 2003 EMC has delivered more than 22 million kilowatt hours (kWh) to TVA customers in a variety of retail settings. This savings is also factored into the more than 2.7 billion kWh of energy savings achieved by EMC customers nationwide, a number that is expected to surpass the three billion mark in 2017. "Having skilled partners ready to help our business customers make smart energy choices is crucial to TVA's success," said Jeromy Cotten, TVA Senior Program Manager. "EMC's lighting technology expertise and their knowledge of TVA and our programs makes them an ideal partner to work with." A corporate agency of the United States, the TVA provides electricity for business customers and local power distributors serving nine million people in parts of seven southeastern states. Its PPN program has been a critical success with member partners delivering 98 percent of the TVAs energy savings in 2016. The strong relationships we build with our utility partners are critical to EMCs success in delivering meaningful incentives to TVA customers, said Katie Quam, EMC manager of customer incentives. We are pleased to be a part of the Preferred Partner Network and help customers achieve this level of energy savings and experience an immediate and positive effect on their bottom lines. About EMC Energy Management Collaborative (EMC) provides leading-edge lighting conversion systems and service solutions in a broad range of retail, commercial, industrial and government facilities in North and South America. Since 2003, the company has used its turnkey project management approach, EnergyMAXX, to successfully implement lighting upgrade projects in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, saving clients across industries over 2.7 billion kilowatt-hours of energy. Loic and Emily are standout executives who understand the commitment it takes for us to sustain our most important relationship the one we have with our customers." Datto, the leading provider of total data protection solutions for businesses around the world, today announced that Loic Vienne has joined the executive team as chief information officer (CIO), and Emily Glass, former vice president of customer experience at Datto, has been appointed customer experience officer. The new roles reflect Dattos ongoing investment in its customer relationships as well as the companys global growth and expansion. Austin McChord, CEO and founder of Datto, said, Loic and Emily are standout executives who understand the commitment it takes for us to sustain our most important relationship the one we have with our customers. At the same time, our growth as a company requires their leadership and experience, as we continue to expand on all fronts globally. Vienne has a long track record of successful technology leadership, having grown global organizations and led digital transformations for more than 20 years. He has enabled business transformation through technology for Fortune 500 companies and major consulting firms within enterprise and consumer markets. Previously, Vienne served as vice president of enterprise systems at Weight Watchers and the director of CRM applications at Pitney Bowes. Austin is a visionary leader, and he and his seasoned management team and board have created an incredible company that is providing critical technology solutions to managed service providers around the world, said Vienne. Datto knows that leveraging technology is a key growth enabler. I am here to create a platform that allows the company to scale seamlessly, and continue to accelerate and outpace the industry with its innovative approach to security and data protection. As vice president of customer experience at Datto, Glass built the companys partner experience into the competitive asset it is today. Her role at Datto will expand to customer experience officer, managing customer touch points from product assembly to training and support to logistics. Glass will continue to ensure that quality, consistency, efficiency and reliability remain the cornerstones of Dattos manufacturing operations and customer engagement, now and in the future. An exceptional partner experience is a critical differentiator for us, said Glass. As Datto reaches a tipping point for scaling and optimizing processes, were looking to further enhance customer support by being proactive and anticipating the needs of our partners. As part of the executive team, my priority is to deliver every customer an amazing end-to-end experience. About Datto Datto protects essential business data for tens of thousands of the worlds fastest growing companies. Our Total Data Protection platform delivers uninterrupted access to data on site, in transit and in the cloud. Through Dattos network of partners, we provide companies with products and services designed to continually keep business running. Partners rely on Datto for industry-leading technology combined with unrivaled customer service. Datto is headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut and has offices in Rochester, Boston, Toronto, London, Singapore and Sydney. "We offer our employees unique benefits and flexibility that other employers simply cant. Benefits like enabling all employees to maintain a healthy work/life balance and affording employees the opportunity to work from practically any location." Programmatic services company Goodway Group has been honored with a Glassdoor Employees Choice Award, recognizing the Best Places to Work in 2017. The Employees Choice Awards program, now in its ninth year, relies solely on the input of employees, who elect to provide feedback on their jobs, work environments and companies via Glassdoor. We are thrilled to be named as one of the Best Places to Work, said Jay Friedman, COO, Goodway Group. We take great pride in our unique company culture and company values, which we feel set us apart from many others in our industry. As a virtual company, we offer our employees unique benefits and flexibility that other employers simply cant. Benefits like enabling all employees to maintain a healthy work/life balance and affording employees the opportunity to work from practically any location are just some examples of what our employees value and enjoy. Company culture and the employee experience are critical considerations for job seekers everywhere when deciding where to work. To help, the Glassdoor Employees Choice Awards recognize companies that truly stand out as Best Places to Work because theyre purely determined by the authentic voice of those who really know a company best the employees, said Robert Hohman, Glassdoor CEO and co-founder. Employers where employees love to work continue to prove that they have a recruiting and business performance edge. Were proud to celebrate the 2017 Glassdoor Employees Choice Awards winners in earning this incredible achievement. On Glassdoor, current and former employees of companies worldwide can share insights and opinions about their work environments by sharing a company review, designed to capture a genuine and authentic inside look at what its like to work at particular jobs and companies. When sharing a company review on Glassdoor, employees are asked to rate their satisfaction with the company overall, and key workplace factors like career opportunities, compensation, benefits, work/life balance, senior management, as well as culture and values. In addition, employees are asked to describe the best reasons to work at their companies as well as any downsides. The Best Places to Work are determined using company reviews shared by U.S.-based employees between November 2, 2015 and October 30, 2016. To be considered for the U.S. SMB category, a company must have fewer than 1,000 employees and have received at least 25 company reviews from U.S.-based employees during the period of eligibility. The final list is compiled based on Glassdoors proprietary algorithm, and takes into account quantity, quality and consistency of reviews. The complete list of the Glassdoor Best Places to Work in 2017 can be found here. About Goodway Group Goodway Group is a leading managed-services programmatic partner to local, regional and Fortune 500 brand agencies. Bootstrapped and 100 percent privately owned since 1929, Goodway moved into the programmatic digital media space in 2006 to continue its rich history of tackling complex local and regional campaign executions with data science-driven targeting and support services to make achieving success easy for agency clients. Its proprietary algorithms pair with a technology-agnostic approach to enable agencies and marketers to achieve their ultimate goal better results while remaining lean and nimble. About Glassdoor Glassdoor is the worlds most transparent jobs and recruiting marketplace that is changing how people search for jobs and how companies recruit top talent. Glassdoor combines job listings with anonymous reviews, ratings and salary data to help people find a job and company they love. This level of transparency, in turn, helps employers attract the right candidates for their company and culture at a fraction of the cost of other channels. Glassdoor offers employers job advertising, job posting and employer branding solutions in addition to robust talent analytics. Launched in 2008, Glassdoor has job listings and data for more than 600,000 employers in 190 countries and is available on iOS and Android platforms. For labor market trends and analysis, visit Glassdoor Economic Research. For career advice and job-related news and tips, visit the Glassdoor Blog. Predictive maintenance powered by the Internet of Things has allowed humans to reconnect with industrial machines one-to-one at scale, and 3DSignals is at the forefront of the technology enabling this fundamental shift. 3DSignals, the leader in sound-based predictive maintenance systems, today emerged out of stealth with two major customers including MacSteel International, one of the largest international steel conglomerates engaging in worldwide trading and processing of steels and metals; and Enel Green Power, an Italian multinational renewable-energy corporation and subsidiary of the power generation firm Enel. 3DSignals developed and offers a patent-pending hardware and software system that allows industrial machine engineers and technicians to listen to their machines with ultrasonic sensors, anticipate problems with real-time alerts, and reduce unplanned downtime with predictive analytics. 3DSignals is emerging out of stealth following the companys recent $3 million seed round led by Grove Ventures. The initial results we saw with our pilot customers were very promising, and as the deep learning aspect of the platform does its work, the data and insights will become even more refined and powerful over time. As the IIoT market continues to grow, we see great opportunity for our technology and new global clients to tap into the power of sound-based technology to improve operations and avert costly machine breakdowns, said Amnon Shenfeld, CEO of 3DSignals. Both MacSteel International and Enel Green Power have adopted 3DSignals platform for its tried-and-tested potential to reduce human operating errors, extend the lifespan of perishable parts, reduce broken parts, and increase average production output. Predictive maintenance powered by the Internet of Things has allowed humans to reconnect with industrial machines one-to-one at scale, and 3DSignals is at the forefront of the technology enabling this fundamental shift, said Kobi Kedar, Chief Engineer, Iskoor Metals and Steel, Israels largest metal and steel service and processing centers and part of the MacSteel International Group. 3DSignals is a catalyst for us to move from preventative maintenance in our steel plants and actually be able to predict and understand in real time when something is wrong with a saw blade or other equipment. The results so far have been impressive, and this technology will give us a competitive advantage as our operations become more efficient and cost effective over time. Its the first time were testing a technology that allows us to use acoustics to simultaneously monitor the condition of every turbine and generator and access this information from any location, said Gianluca Gigliucci of Enel Green Power's Innovation Unit. New technologies like 3DSignals have the potential to help us stay steps ahead of equipment problems before they become critical, saving us valuable time, money, and manpower. The 3DSignals team has been quick and flexible from initial contact to field installation, and we look forward to getting first testing results to quantify the actual benefits we can achieve in day-to-day activity. 3DSignals system includes ultrasonic sensors that detect anomalies in the sound that machines make when running optimally. The platforms deep learning and predictive analytics software processes these sound signals and aggregates the data, allowing users to receive real-time alerts and access reports 24/7 on a desktop or mobile device from any remote location. 3DSignals specially developed the sensors for harsh industrial environments and uses highly directional microphones to filter out ambient noise. The system, which was designed with the highest security standards can be deployed in minutes and requires only a power supply and network connection. The sensors can connect via wired ethernet or wireless LTE cellular networks, and the software and data can be hosted on either a public or private cloud. 3DSignals platform can be applied to a wide range of industrial and manufacturing plant equipment such as production line machinery, cutting equipment, electricity generators and turbines and other machines such as hydraulics, motors, compressors, robotics, bearings, and gearboxes. For more information about how you can benefit from 3DSignals, visit http://3dsig.com. Building on its leadership position in sound-based predictive maintenance, 3DSignals will speak at the International Maintenance Conference (IMC) taking place December 12 - 16 in Bonita Springs, Florida. 3DSignals will present on Wednesday, December 14 at 9:00 am EST and cover how airborne acoustic sensors coupled with deep learning is disrupting the traditional world of contact-based sensor technology in predictive maintenance. 3DSignals is also exhibiting at table top 6 in the MaximoWorld Tent. Visit here for a for a full conference overview and agenda. About 3DSignals Founded in 2015, 3DSignals, pioneered the application of sound-based predictive maintenance for industrial and manufacturing equipment. Using the companys proprietary hardware and software system, 3DSignals customers can listen to their machines with ultrasonic sensors, anticipate problems with real-time alerts, and reduce unplanned downtime with predictive analytics. The company is headquartered in Kfar Sava, Israel. For more information, visit http://3dsig.com. Houston artist Edgar Medina paints live for Grant-A-Starr Foundation Gala fundraiser. "Thanks to our generous event sponsors and donor family the Foundation was successful in fulfilling our milestone of raising more than $1M in donations since 2006," said Mike Ball, Managing Director of the Grant-A-Starr Foundation. On November 10, 2016, the Grant-A-Starr Foundation (http://www.grantastarr.org) hosted the Cure for Tomorrow Gala A night of a million Starrs, which resulted in the foundation reaching a major milestone of raising $1 million in donations since 2006 to save childrens lives through early diagnosis. One of the Grant-A-Starr Foundation's key fundraising events, the annual Cure for Tomorrow Gala is a special evening and dinner benefiting medical research focusing on pediatric diagnostic testing at Texas Children's Hospital and Childrens Memorial Hermann. Now in its third year, the 2016 Gala was the foundation's most successful to date raising more than $68K in contributions. "Thanks to our generous event sponsors and donor family the Foundation was successful in fulfilling our milestone of raising more than $1M in donations since 2006," said Mike Ball, Managing Director of the Grant-A-Starr Foundation. "The Grant-A-Starr Board extends a sincere thank you to everyone that participated and made this gala a great success." Hosted by the Cordua Family and their flagship restaurant Artista, the Gala took place at the Founders Club on the Mezzanine level of the Hobby Center for Performing Arts in downtown Houston. Executive Chef David Cordua, ranked one of the top ten chefs in Texas, presented the menu, which included a trio entree of smoked lamb, churrasco and scallop. The event was emceed by Ms. Jacquie Baly, President of BalyProjects LLC and leader in Houston regions business and policy communities. Leading research doctors - Dr. Versalovic, M.D., Ph.D., from Texas Children's Hospital and Dr. Hasbun M.D., M.P.H., from Childrens Memorial Hermann - spoke to guests about their life-saving medical research supported by the foundation. All proceeds from the event go directly to these research projects for life-saving advancements in diagnostic testing to detect early childhood diseases. A highlight of the evening was a live painting by Houston's leading artist, Edgar Medina, which was auctioned as the grand finale with the sales proceeds donated to the Foundation. A live auction conducted by Shorty Yeaman also took place, which included items donated by Cordua Restaurants, Edgar Medina, Stages Repertory Theatre, Alira Spa, Flawless Studio, Cafe Azur, and 10MinuteWill.com. Sponsors of the 2016 Fundraising Gala included Texas Childrens Hospital, Childrens Memorial Hermann Hospital, TGS, Rod and Dolores Starr, Mike Ball and Gary Rodriguez, Kenny and Neice Lang, Sam and Terri Wang, William and Cynthia Kwan, and Amy Sun, Schlumberger, HexaGroup, Guillermo and Anne Marie Ponce de Leon, Hank and Tonya Hamilton III, Polarcus, Larry and Virginia Li, James and Irene Keay, Leah Yeglin, Kim and Karen El-Tawil, Julie Colwell, and Gary and Kim Womack, For more information about the Gala, please contact Mike Ball, Managing Director of GASF at mball1958(at)gmail(at)com, or 713-819-3449. About Grant-A-Starr Foundation Since 2006, the Foundation has been raising money to support world-class medical research projects at Texas Childrens Hospital and Childrens Memorial Hermann Hospital, each focusing on research for the advancement of diagnostic testing to detect early childhood diseases. To learn more about Grant-A-Starr Foundation, visit http://www.grantastarr.org. To support the Foundation by donating for the advancement of pediatric diagnostic testing, click here. The AcctTwo team exceeded expectations on every level. AcctTwo, a leading consulting firm and provider of cloud-based ERP and Business-Process-as-a-Service solutions, announced that the firm has implemented Intacct for Litmus. Litmus helps more than 250,000 marketers make email better. The web-based email creation, testing and analytics platform empowers marketers, designers and agencies to confidently deliver a superior subscriber experience. Litmus provides instant email previews and quality assurance tools across all major inbox providers, browsers, and devices, and features comprehensive analytics to help users quickly and easily build, test, troubleshoot and optimize every campaign. After a rigorous software evaluation, Litmus chose Intacct over other on-premises and cloud solutions as the best fit to meet the needs of the organization. Previous Business Challenges Faced by Litmus: Litmus has experienced very rapid growth and was outgrowing the capabilities of QuickBooks to manage recurring revenue, fixed assets, multiple currencies, and global consolidations. The company was running a variety of systems internally with limited integration, a lack of visibility into metrics, and with a need for internal development resources to support them. The company was looking for more visibility into real-time financial and operational metrics. Reasons for Selecting Intacct: With Intacct, Litmus now has the ability to manage revenue recognition and generate reports with real-time data for analyzing and making informed business decisions. Intacct can integrate with a variety of other business systems via direct API to streamline processes and reduce manual and error-prone data entry. Intacct is a robust, integrated, automated system with auditable controls and reporting that will scale with the company's growth. Highlighted Comments from Litmus' Chief Financial Officer: "Intacct's report writer and dashboards were what really appealed to us during the selection process," said Jamie Kiggen, CFO at Litmus. "The AcctTwo team exceeded expectations on every level. Communication was great. The team was responsive and knowledgeable, and the training was effective and well-timed." Additional resources: Visit Litmus on the web Visit accttwo.com Follow the AcctTwo Blog About AcctTwo: AcctTwo is a leading consulting firm and reseller of cloud-based accounting and ERP software. Our sophisticated systems solve the issues growing middle market companies face today. AcctTwo also provides Business-Process-as-a-Service solutions, allowing clients to focus on the core competencies of their business. We provide the people, processes, technology, and office facilities to perform these functions, while allowing clients to collaborate interactively through an on-line portal. AcctTwo has offices in Houston and Dallas, Texas. For more information, please visit http://www.accttwo.com or call 713-744-8400. Contacts: Peter Wagner Director of Marketing AcctTwo Cell: 512.415.6846 Email: pwagner(at)accttwo.com Chris Wailes VP, National Media Relations Pierpont Communications Direct: 713.627.2223 Email: cwailes(at)piercom.com THE WALL OF SHAME "The only thing [Trump's] mouth is good for is being Vladimir Putin's c--k holster." --STEPHEN COLBERT "[Ivanka Trump] Your father is a racist birther. Steve Bannon an anti-Semitic opportunist. You and your husband are enabling hatred. F--- your shoes." --BRADLEY WHITFORD "Melania [Trump] is a hooker." --JACOB BERNSTEIN "And my job is to shut other white people down when they want to interrupt." "We have to, at the DNC, provide training. We have to teach them how to communicate, how to be sensitive, and how to shut their mouths if they're white." --SALLY BOYNTON BROWN "And to our detractors that insist that this march will never add up to anything: F--- you! F---you! "Yes, I have thought an awful lot about blowing up the White House." --MADONNA "Barron Trump looks like a very handsome date-rapist-to-be." --STEPHEN SPINOLA "Barron [Trump] will be this country's first homeschool shooter." --KATIE RICH "Hollywood is crawling with outsiders and foreigners, and if we kick 'em all out, you'll have nothing to watch but football and mixed martial arts, which are not the arts." --MERYL STREEP "There's a billion to one chance we're living in base reality." [That means we're almost positively living in a simulation, like a video game.] --ELON MUSK "When I would deny that there was a significant racist component in some of the politics on our side, it was because the people I hung out with were certainly not. When suddenly, this rock is turned over, there is this'Oh shit, did I not see that?'" ---------------------------- "In any other scenario, Hillary Clinton's lying about her emails, and her pay-for-play relationship with the Clinton Foundation would be disqualifying issues. The only reason they're not disqualifying is because Donald Trump is a fundamentally more repellent, dishonest figure." --CHARLIE SYKES "I made a mistake in recalling the events of twelve years ago... I said I was traveling in an aircraft that was hit by RPG fire. I was instead in a following aircraft." --BRIAN WILLIAMS "I'm here to tell you if you elect me governor of this state, I will end the civil war." --TOM BARRETT "I would not look to the U.S. Constitution, if I were drafting a constitution in the year 2012. I might look at the constitution of South Africa. That was a deliberate attempt to have a fundamental instrument of government that embraced basic human rights, had an independent judiciary. It really is, I think, a great piece of work that was done." --RUTH BADER GINSBURG "Callista Gingrich. Karen Santorum. Ann Romney. Now, do you really think our country is ready for a white first lady?" --ROBERT DE NIRO "The death of Andrew Breitbart disproves the adage that only the good die young." --JULIAN BOND "The National Institute of Health has said that it is a danger to women's health and safety of their families that for 30 years to be exposed to the prospects of pregnancy." --GWEN MOORE "[Tea Party Republicans] have acted like terrorists." --JOE BIDEN "Why did- Couldn't the President have said at that moment, way back in December of last year, 'no game playing. No hostage-taking. No terrorizing this country with the debt ceiling. I'm not going to negotiate with you guys. You can't play it that way.' Could he have done that?" --CHRIS MATTHEWS "[T]he tea-party Hobbits could return to Middle Earth having defeated Mordor." --WALL STREET JOURNAL EDITORIAL "I remember distinctly an image of--we were sitting on his couches, and I was looking at [Obama's] pant leg and his perfectly creased pant, and I'm thinking, a) he's going to be president and b) he'll be a very good president." --DAVID BROOKS "I feel like calling her back and smackin' her around." --FRED CLARK, DEMOCRAT "The picture was of me, and I sent it." --ANTHONY WEINER "[I]f you go back to the year 2000, when we had an obvious disaster and - and saw that our voting process needed refinement, and we did that in the America Votes Act and made sure that we could iron out those kinks, now you have the Republicans, who want to literally drag us all the way back to Jim Crow laws and literally - and very transparently - block access to the polls to voters who are more likely to vote Democratic candidates than Republican candidates. And it's nothing short of that blatant." --DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ "This is probably one of the worst times we've seen because the numbers of people elected to Congress. I went through this as co-chair of the arts caucus. In '94 people were elected simply to come here to kill the National Endowment for the Arts. Now theyre here to kill women." --LOUISE SLAUGHTER "The protesters have proven today that theyre not going away. It was a pretty rough night last night. You can imagine if people said, well, we just cant fight the power. Instead, this morning, they came by tens, by hundreds, by thousands. By midday today, it was easily more than 10,000, perhaps as many as 15,000 people on the square here in Madison. Not organized by anyone, just grassroots citizens who came out just like the Minutemen in 1776." --JOHN NICHOLS "They're sitting on the money, they're using it for their own -- they're putting it someplace else with no interest in helping you with your life, with that money. We've allowed them to take that. That's not theirs, that's a national resource, that's ours. We all have this -- we all benefit from this or we all suffer as a result of not having it. I think we need to go back to taxing these people at the proper rates." --MICHAEL MOORE "Why don't we just raise the taxes and let these folks have their collective bargaining, have their union representation and go back to their jobs? Raise the taxes on the wealthy." --DAVID LETTERMAN "In 1933, [Hitler] abolished unions and that's what our Governor [Scott Walker] is doing today." --LENA TAYLOR, Democrat State Senator "So I would urge my Republican colleagues, no matter how strongly they feel -- you know, we have three branches of government. We have a House. We have a Senate. We have a president. And all three of us are going to have to come together and give some, but it is playing with fire to risk the shutting down of the government." --CHUCK SCHUMER "Well, when you start off with the Preamble of the Constitution, you talk about the pursuit of happiness." --JOHN LEWIS "I'm Rebecca Kleefisch. I performed fellatio on all the talk show hosts in Milwaukee. And they endorsed me and that's how I became lieutenant governor." --SLY SYLVESTER "Do you think this Constitution-loving is getting out of hand? I mean, is it a nod to the Tea Party?" --JOY BEHAR "We cant just leave it up to the parents." "[Military leaders] tell us that childhood obesity isnt just a public health issue; they tell us that it is not just an economic threat -- it is a national security threat as well." --MICHELLE OBAMA "Actually, I did not take part in [the assassination of Sarah Palin]. I led it." --KATHLEEN PARKER "[The repeal of ObamaCare is] a kind of creeping genocide." --JESSE JACKSON "[Obama] has to realize that Mitch McConnell has virtually said so that politically he wants to cut out his heart and throw his liver to the dogs." --DAN RATHER "And the instructions are not to improvise a comedy sketch, but to elect a group of unqualified, unstable individuals who will do what they are told, in exchange for money and power, and march this nation as far backward as they can get, backward to Jim Crow, or backward to the breadlines of the '30s, or backward to hanging union organizers, or backward to the trusts and the robber barons. "Result: the Tea Party. Vote backward, vote Tea Party. And if you are somehow indifferent to what is planned for next Tuesday, it is nothing short of an attempted use of democracy to end this democracy." --KEITH "Reagan's dead and he was a lousy President" OLBERMANN "I gotta wonder when people are gonna start wearing uniforms. I mean they've got an army out there in Alaska of militia people. You've got these guys going around acting like street thugs. I mean it isn't far from what we saw in the thirties, where all of a sudden, political parties started showing up in uniform." --CHRIS MATTHEWS "[Sharron Angle] is a moron on top of being evil... I'd like to see her do this ad in the South Bronx. Come here, bitch. Come to New York and do it. I'm not praying for her. She's going to hell. She's going to hell, this bitch." --JOY BEHAR "So people have been hurting and I understand that. And it doesn't give them comfort or solace for me to tell them, you know, but for me, we'd be in a worldwide depression." --HARRY REID "And to play Dick Cheney, all I had to do was find my Dick Cheney. And you can find all the villainy in the world in your own heart, and that's what an actor's job is. I always say to kids, inside you is Hitler and Jesus. And you got to find the appropriate person and bring them out." --RICHARD DREYFUSS "Because I live in the District of Columbia which is so predominantly Democratic, I am a registered Democrat. But I am an avowed neutral. And to put that into practice, I take my young daughter into the voting booth and she votes for me. She's now 14. We've been doing this since she was about age 4. She's now quite informed." --BOB WOODWARD "Sarah Palin's an idiot. Come on. This is a remarkably, stunningly, jaw-droppingly incompetent and mean woman." "The Democrats may have moved into the center, but the Republicans have moved into a mental institution." --AARON SORKIN "Perhaps the greatest threat of all is the undermining of our Constitution and the systematic attack against the inalienable rights of the citizens of this nation, rights that are guaranteed by our Constitution. At the vanguard of this insidious attack is the Tea Party. This band of misguided citizens is moving perilously close to achieving villainous ends." --HARRY BELAFONTE "[Christine O'Donnell is] a witch who doesn't masturbate." --JOY BEHAR "Ah, the Tea Party, the nativist bed-wetters who somehow control our national dialogue. Yes, I call them the Pee Party, Jay, because they're always peeing in their pants about something. They're just, they're afraid of a mosque being built in New York. They're afraid of guns. You know, they think Obama, who like every other pussy Democrat has never said a single word about gun control, but they are very sure that he and his Negro army are coming after their guns. You know what? If you think that he's coming after your guns, you need to get out of your chat room and have your house tested for lead. He's not coming after your guns or your Bible or your fishing pole or your chewing tobacco." --BILL MAHER "That's a trade-off society is making because of very, very high medical costs, and a lack of willingness to say, you know, is spending a million dollars on that last three months of life for that patient, would it be better not to lay off those ten teachers and to make that trade-off in medical costs. But that;s called the 'Death Panel' and you're not supposed to have that discussion." --BILL GATES "NOT the 'whiteman's bitch'" --IESHUH GRIFFIN "[If Rush Limbaugh suffered a heart attack in my presence, I would] laugh loudly like a maniac and watch his eyes bug out. I never knew I had this much hate in me. But he deserves it." --SARAH SPITZ "You want freedom, you going to have to kill some crackers. You going to have to kill some of their babies." --KING SAMIR SHABAZZ "If this was Texas, which is the state that, that is directly on the border with Mexico, and they were calling for a measure like this, saying that they had a major issue with, you know, with undocumented people flooding their borders, I would say I would have to look twice at this. "But this is a state that is a ways removed from the border. And, um, it just, it doesn't make sense to me that when you google this subject, if you put in 'Arizona S.B. 1070,' that you see a picture of the governor of Arizona meeting with President Obama in May of 2010. If you have direct linkage to the president, there are already National Guard troops on the border in Arizona." --PEGGY WEST "Tell [the Jews] to get the hell out of Palestine. Remember, these people are occupied and it's their land. It's not German. It's not Poland. [The Jews] can go home. Poland. Germany." --HELEN THOMAS "After the last eight years, it's good to have a president that knows what a library is." --PAUL McCARTNEY "By the way, I just want to point out I'm wearing my splash shield because I was told I was going to be in the splash zone (during Harry Smith's colonoscopy on live TV)." --KATIE COURIC "And that Word is, we have to give voice to what that means in terms of public policy that would be in keeping with the values of the Word." ---------------------------- "Think of an economy where people could be an artist or a photographer or a writer without worrying about keeping their day job in order to have health insurance or that people could start a business and be entrepreneurial and take risk, but not job loss because of a child with asthma or someone in the family is bipolaryou name it, any condition is job-locking." --NANCY PELOSI "Back in World War II, we viewed the Japanese as 'yellow, slant-eyed dogs' that believed in different gods. They were out to kill us because our way of living was different. We, in turn, wanted to annihilate them because they were different. Does that sound familiar, by any chance, to what's going on today?" --TOM HANKS "The 'White Right' is trying to set Barack up to be assassinated.... Here are Christians praying for God to kill Barack Obama." --LOUIS FARRAKHAN "I refuse to accept the notion that the United States of America is not going to lead the world economically throughout the 20th Century." --JOE BIDEN "Obama's critics keep blasting him for Chicago-style politics. So, fine. Channel your inner Al Capone and go gangsta against your foes. Let 'em know that if they aren't with you, they are against you, and will pay the price." --ROLAND MARTIN "Martha Coakley is running to fill the rest of Ted Kennedy's term, and her opponent is a far-right tea-bagger Republican." --CHUCK SCHUMER "I tell you what, if I lived in Massachusetts, I'd try to vote ten times. I don't know if they'd let me or not, but I'd try to. Yeah, that's right, I'd cheat to keep these bastards out. I would. 'Cause that's exactly what they are." --ED SCHULTZ "We also see how revved up the tea baggers are at the thought of hijacking health care reform and every chance we have at making progress in Washington." --JOHN KERRY "A few years ago, this guy (Obama) would have been getting us coffee." --BILL CLINTON "I didn't realize I had written a column defending Roman Polanski and minimized his crime - are you sure it was me? I mean, I? There is, apparently, more to this crime than it would seem, and it may sound like a hollow defense, but in Hollywood I am not sure a 13-year-old is really a 13-year-old." --TOM SHALES "Joe Wilson yelled 'You lie!' at a president who didn't. But, fair or not, what I heard was an unspoken word in the air: You lie, boy!" --MAUREEN DOWD "One awkward moment for Sarah Palin at the Yankee game... During the 7th inning, her daughter was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez." --DAVID LETTERMAN "I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasnt lived that life." --SONIA SOTOMAYOR "We all considered sexual abuse of minors as a moral evil, but had no understanding of its criminal nature." --REMBERT WEAKLAND, Archbishop of Milwaukee 1977- 2002 "You know, you might want to look into this, [President Obama], because I think maybe Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker, but he was so strung out on Oxycontin he missed his flight." "Rush Limbaugh -- 'I hope the country fails.' I hope his kidneys fail." ---------------------------- "[Obama] told me I did a great job. The first lady said the same thing. I got a 'well done' from the president, I'm on cloud nine." --WANDA SYKES "Americans are looking for more government in their life, not less." --COLIN POWELL "[Tea Party goers are] just a bunch of wimpy, whiny, weasels who don't love their country." --PAUL BEGALA "I wouldn't want [gay marriage] to go to the United States Supreme Court now because that homophobe Antonin Scalia has too many votes on this current court." --BARNEY FRANK "Going forward, my mind will be open to every solution -- except one. We should not -- we must not -- and I will not -- raise taxes." --JIM DOYLE, Liar "He's a terrorist. Rush Limbaugh is a terrorist." --JOY BEHAR "You know, I just want to say to her (Sarah Palin), just very quickly...F--- you." --JON STEWART "Should I be worried about being a slave and being returned to slavery?" --WHOOPI GOLDBERG "I also believe that America is the greatest sin against God." --FR. MICHAEL PFLEGER "Those who think they can revive the stinking corpse of the usurping and fake Israeli regime by throwing a birthday party are seriously mistaken. Today the reason for the Zionist regime's existence is questioned, and this regime is on its way to annihilation." --MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD "We'll be eight degrees hotter in ten, not ten but 30 or 40 years and basically none of the crops will grow. Most of the people will have died and the rest of us will be cannibals." --TED TURNER "Look, [Mitt] Romney comes from a religion founded by a criminal who was anti-American, pro-slavery, and a rapist. And he comes from that lineage and says, 'I respect this religion fully.'" --LAWRENCE O'DONNELL "Mexico does not end at its borders... Where there is a Mexican, there is Mexico." --FELIPE CALDERON "The planet has a fever. If your baby has a fever, you go to the doctor. If the doctor says you need to intervene here, you don't say, 'Well, I read a science fiction novel that told me it's not a problem.' If the crib's on fire, you don't speculate that the baby is flame retardant." --AL GORE "Don't fear the terrorists. They're mothers and fathers." --ROSIE O'DONNELL "Is America ready for a black president? Well, I say we just had a retarded one. When did being black become a bigger deterrent than being retarded?" --CHRIS ROCK "Shut the f--- up! Shut up if you can't take a joke [about President Bush]!" --BARBRA STREISAND "Right, oh, yeah, Happy 9/11! Celebrate the day, right?" --JAMES BROLIN, Mr. Barbra Streisand "I think President Bush very well may have signed an authorization for the 9/11 attacks." --KEVIN BARRETT, UW-MADISON Lecturer "I said what I said. I am not guilty." --SADDAM HUSSEIN "Terri will not be starved to death. Her nutrition and hydration will be taken away." --MICHAEL SCHIAVO "On the eve of the election last month my wife Judith and I were driving home late in the afternoon and turned on the radio for the traffic and weather. What we instantly got was a freak show of political pornography: lies, distortions, and half-truths -- half-truths being perhaps the blackest of all lies. " --BILL MOYERS "I hate the Republicans and everything they stand for." --HOWARD DEAN "The Iraqis who have risen up against the occupation are not 'insurgents' or 'terrorists' or 'The Enemy.' They are the REVOLUTION, the Minutemen, and their numbers will grow -- and they will win." --MICHAEL MOORE "And there is no reason, Bob, that young American soldiers need to be going into the homes of Iraqis in the dead of night, terrorizing kids and children, you know, women, breaking sort of the customs of the--of--the historical customs, religious customs." --JOHN KERRY "F---ing retarded." "[Republicans] can go f--- themselves!" --RAHM EMANUEL "I'm not going to have some reporters pawing through our papers. We are the president." --HILLARY CLINTON "It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is." --BILL CLINTON "And let me tell you something -- for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment." --MICHELLE OBAMA "If asking a billionaire to pay the same tax rate as a Jew, uh, as a janitor, makes me a warrior for the working class, I wear that with a badge of honor." ---------------------------- "If you love me, you got to help me pass this bill." ---------------------------- "[F]or most of my lifetime, the United States was such a dominant economic power, we were such a large market, our industry, our technology, our manufacturing was so significant that we always met the rest of the world economically on our terms. And now, because of the incredible rise of India and China and Brazil and other countries, the United States remains the largest economic and the largest market but theres real competition out there. And that's potentially healthy. It makes -- Michelle was saying earlier I like tough questions because it keeps me on my toes. Well, this will keep America on its toes." ---------------------------- "If Latinos sit out the election instead of saying, 'We're gonna PUNISH OUR ENEMIES and we're gonna reward our friends who stand with us on issues that are important to us,' if they don't see that kind of upsurge in voting in this election, then I think it's gonna be harder and that's why I think it's so important that people focus on voting on November 2." ---------------------------- "We don't mind the Republicans joining us. They can come for the ride, but THEY GOTTA SIT IN BACK." ---------------------------- "We can absorb a terrorist attack. We'll do everything we can to prevent it, but even a 9/11, even the biggest attack ever... we absorbed it and we are stronger." ---------------------------- "We're buying shrimp, guys." ---------------------------- "We are the ones we've been waiting for." ---------------------------- "We talk to these folks because they potentially have the best answers so I know whose ass to kick." ---------------------------- "We're not trying to push financial reform because we begrudge success that's fairly earned. I mean, I do think at a certain point you've made enough money. But, you know, part of the American way is, you know, you can just keep on making it if youre providing a good product or you're providing good service. We don't want people to stop fulfilling the core responsibilities of the financial system to help grow the economy." ---------------------------- "If you've got a business, you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen." ---------------------------- "It is a vital national security interest of the United States to reduce these conflicts because whether we like it or not, we remain a dominant military superpower, and when conflicts break out, one way or another we get pulled into them. And that ends up costing us significantly in terms of both blood and treasure." ---------------------------- "But I -- I think that the most important thing for the public to understand is, we're not handling any of these cases any different than the Bush administration handled them all through 9/11." ---------------------------- "One such translator was an American of Haitian descent, representative of the extraordinary work that our men and women in uniform do all around the world -- Navy CORPSE-MAN Christian [sic] Brossard. And lying on a gurney aboard the USNS Comfort, a woman asked Christopher: 'Where do you come from? What country? After my operation,' she said, 'I will pray for that country.' And in Creole, CORPSE-MAN Brossard responded, 'Etazini.' The United States of America." ---------------------------- "I hear that Dr. Joe Medicine Crow was around, and so I want to give a shout-out to that Congressional Medal of Honor winner. It's good to see you." ---------------------------- "We are God's partners in matters of life and death." ---------------------------- "[T]he Cambridge police acted stupidly." ---------------------------- "I am going to teach [my daughters] first about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby." ---------------------------- "The reforms we seek would bring greater competition, choice, savings, and INEFFICIENCIES to our health care system." ---------------------------- "Over the last 15 months, weve traveled to every corner of the United States. Ive now been in 57 states? I think one left to go. Alaska and Hawaii, I was not allowed to go to even though I really wanted to visit, but my staff would not justify it." --BARACK OBAMA Melbourne Air & Space Show For the first time in over 30 years, the French Air Forces Patrouille de France jet demonstration team will perform in the United States at the 2017 Melbourne Air & Space Show sponsored by Northrop Grumman, April 1-2, at the Melbourne (Fla.) International Airport. The Patrouille de France, or French Aerobatic Patrol, is to the French Air Force what the Thunderbirds are to the U.S. Air Force, who will also be performing at next years show. Were thrilled Patrouille de France will be with us, April 1-2, said Bryan Lilley, President of the Melbourne Air & Space Show. The team is based at Salon Air Force Base in France and will spend the month of April in the U.S. performing at only two air shows. So, this will definitely be something people will not want to miss. The French team utilizes eight Alpha Jets and performs a 30-minute show of precision formation and solo maneuvers with tri-colored red, white and blue smoke. In 1931, France's first aerobatic demonstration took place over Etampes-Mondesir. The demonstration was performed by the instructors from the local flying school. Following that, the team performed through 1939 under the command of Captain Pierre Fleurquin, receiving considerable praise. During that time, they were chosen to represent France at international events until the onset of World War II. In 1947, following the end of World War II, the Minister for the Air created an aerobatic team from the Air Force. Led by Captain Perrier, a former pilot from the Patrouille d'Etampes team of the 1930s, it initially consisted of 12 aircraft. As their popularity increased, a number of similar units were formed within the Air Force. In 1952, a team of four F-84 aircraft was formed and then in 1953, during an air show at Maison Blanche in Algeria, the show's commentator, carried away by the spectacle he had just witnessed, gave the team the name "Patrouille de France." Over the following decade, four separate French Air Force aerial display units continued to perform at both national and international events. In 1964, budget cuts led to reductions throughout the French Air Force, including the dissolution of all the aerial display units. A few months later, keen that the Patrouille de France name should not be lost, the Ministry of Defence decided to create an official "Patrouille de l'Ecole de l'air." Its team of six Fouga Magister aircraft were stationed at Salon-de-Provence Air Base and became France's premier aerial display team for the next 16 years. The final display involving the Fouga Magister was a nine aircraft team and took place on September 16, 1980 at their home base of Salon-de-Provence. They were replaced by seven Alpha Jets, with an additional plane added in 1982. The eight Alpha Jet team has remained unchanged to this day. Sponsorship opportunities and corporate hospitality packages are available for the 2017 Melbourne Air & Space Show. Premium viewing and VIP tickets are on sale now at special intro pricing and additional volunteers are needed to support the event. More information is available online at http://www.airandspaceshow.com. Or, follow the show on Facebook for the latest information. Gensuite is honored to be selected as a winner in the 2016 BOC Business Brilliance Awards under the Best New Product Launch category. Gensuites entry on their EZ Scan feature detailed the tools capabilities, inception and results achieved through user experience. BOC Global Events & Training Group is a professional event and training provider based in the United Kingdom. Their Business Brilliance Awards recognize best business practices and achievements from companies around the globe. (These) awards attract a wide range of entries from across all sectors, from large international and public sector organizations to dynamic and innovative private businesses, according to the BOC. Since its release in May 2016, Gensuite EZ Scan has received rave reviews from users, with many creative implementations ranging from safety concern reporting to chemical hazard communications and beyond. The EZ Scan feature is connected to the Gensuite Mobile application for smart devices, which currently has over 30,000 users. Since EZ Scans release, the number of registered Gensuite Mobile users has increased by over 40%. EZ Scan not only helps employees locate SDS easily and quickly, but also allows security and other supporting agencies to know the hazards in real-time. Nice job Gensuite on this capability! said one EHS Systems Administrator. For more details on the BOC Business Brilliance Awards, visit http://boc-uk.com/awards/business-brilliance-awards-uk/. Gensuite cloud-based IT solutions enable you to achieve your vision for robust and effective business compliance processes and management systems. The result of two decades of systematic innovation and evolution, Gensuite today offers proven product suites for Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) and Sustainability; Quality; Security; Responsible Sourcing, and Product Stewardship. Our 65+ integrated, award-winning Web applications provide comprehensive program support, delivering enterprise operational excellence and risk management. All Gensuite applications share an innovative and patented architecture, with integrated and intuitive interfaces, real-time trending & analytics, and best-in-class Mobile capabilities. Gensuite subscribers are assured of an absolute commitment to and a track record of product & service excellence, with services spanning hosting, maintenance, support, customization, implementation & strategy consulting and continuous product evolution; and an unmatched collaboration. Our media gateway and SBC combination helps service providers accelerate deployments, bolster network security and increase revenue due to our extensive and flexible call routing features. TelcoBridges today announced that it has increased the capacity of its Tsbc Session Border Controller by more than 60-percent, now enabling it to support up to 5,000 concurrent SIP sessions. This enhancement enables service providers to expand their range of applications while making it easier to facilitate VoIP-based network interconnections with other carriers. TelcoBridges Tsbc integrates the industrys most advanced call routing capabilities. Traditional SBC routing routes calls based on criteria that include called number, domain, and other basic call parameters. But TelcoBridges routing is not just based on routing tables, but rather scripts that fine tune each route to specific needs. Service providers can determine routing criteria based on IP trunk groups, prefix, time range, least cost route, route quality, or almost any other criteria that suits their business needs. The Tsbcs Class 4 routing engine can also query external resources and databases to complement its own capabilities to make optimal routing decisions. Since its release earlier this summer, Tsbc Session Border Controllers (which initially supported 3,000 concurrent SIP sessions) have been deployed successfully in the Americas, Europe and Asia to help service providers and wholesale carriers interconnect with other carriers using SIP. In total, TelcoBridges media gateways, session border controllers, and new media gateway Hybrid SBCs have been deployed in carrier networks in more than 100 countries. The Tsbc enables high performance SIP-to-SIP sessions (B2BUA); transcoding; header manipulation with access to the full SIP header; and its unmatched call routing capabilities facilitate the implementation of any routing scheme. The Tsbcs comprehensive management tools simplify configuration, monitoring and provisioning. The Tsbcs machine-to-machine interface provides integration with operations support systems (OSS), and the Tsbc features an array of security features that protect network infrastructure from DoS and Distributed Denial of Service attacks (DDoS). The enhancements weve announced today are just the next step in a process designed to rapidly and continually improve our products and maximize value for our customers, said Richard Gendron, CEO of TelcoBridges. Our market-leading media gateway and SBC combination helps service providers accelerate deployments, streamline network operations, bolster network security, and increase revenue due to our extensive and flexible call routing features. The newly enhanced TelcoBridges Tsbc is available immediately. For more information, contact TelcoBridges at 450 655 8993 x133 or info(at)telcobridges(dot)com. About TelcoBridges: TelcoBridges is a leader in the design and manufacture of carrier grade, high performance, and high-density VoIP media gateways, which bridge the gap between TDM and IP as well as IP-IP. TelcoBridges and their accredited partners (consisting of value-added resellers, system integrators, and solution developers) have deployed VoIP media gateway solutions, with remote or onsite installation, as well as personalized 24/7 support in more than 100 countries worldwide. TelcoBridges' brands include: Tmedia (VoIP media gateways), Tsig (signaling gateways), Tsbc (session border controllers), Tdev (development platform) and Tmonitor (real-time network monitoring equipment). For more information, visit http://www.telcobridges.com. Receipt Bank ...client experience, rather than technology, will be the key differentiator in the market... Receipt Bank, the leading bookkeeping productivity tool, announced the release of their SMS invite feature. Accountants and bookkeepers can now invite new clients to use the Receipt Bank app by SMS, reducing setup time to under two minutes. This feature is yet another development designed to help accountants and bookkeepers build a seamless client experience and reduce admin time so they can focus on what matters to their clients. As the accounting industry moves towards a cloud-based future, client experience, rather than technology, will be the key differentiator in the market, explains Receipt Bank CEO Alexis Prenn. Inviting clients by SMS makes the process faster, simpler and more seamless for your clients. It also reduces the time spent onboarding and frees up accountants and bookkeepers to offer more valuable services. This feature is also available to to small businesses adding new team members within their own organizations. When adding new users, accountants and bookkeepers, or admin users, can now just tick the SMS invite box. The new user will then receive an SMS with a download link, taking them straight to the appropriate app store for their device. When they download the app, their login details will be pre-poluated, meaning all they need to do is create a unique password. This allows new users to start using the app within minutes, with all submitted information going straight to their accountant. According to Sharon Pocock, Founder of Partner firm Kinder Pocock, The SMS invite is a much faster and more effective way to get clients onboard quickly, because the whole process can be done in 90 seconds. Receipt Banks award-winning app is the fastest way for clients to submit documents to their accountant or bookkeeper. Clients can simply snap a photo of their invoice or receipt and Receipt Banks software extracts the information, with the highest accuracy rating in the industry. Other recent client experience focused updates include recent updates include Boost Mode and Additional Integrations. The former allows accountants and bookkeepers to push their clients urgent items to the top of the processing queue. The latter helps partners to personalise their accounts-payable process by integrating Receipt Bank with an additional piece of software such as Bill.com or Gusto, as well as cloud accounting software such as Xero or QuickBooks Online. About Receipt Bank Receipt Bank provides award-winning bookkeeping automation software for accountants, bookkeepers and small businesses. Over 4,000 accounting and bookkeeping firms around the world already use it to automate data extraction and data entry. Receipt Bank integrates with leading accounting software such as QuickBooks Online and Xero and has been awarded Xero Add-on of the Year 2012 2015. In 2016 Receipt Bank was Accountexs Meridian Award winner for Best User Interface. Founded in 2010 by Michael Wood and Alexis Prenn, Receipt Bank now has six offices worldwide. In January 2016, Receipt Bank raised USD $10 million in growth capital from the Kennet Fund. Sendero Logo We are thrilled to be recognized by Glassdoor with this national award. This honor would not be possible without our incredible people, whove played a major role in crafting our unique and strong company culture. Sendero, a Dallas-based management consulting firm, has been honored with a Glassdoor Employees Choice Award, recognizing the Best Places to Work in 2017. Sendero ranked #9 on the Small/Medium Businesses list, which includes businesses with 1,000 or fewer employees. We are thrilled to be recognized by Glassdoor with this national award, said Bret Farrar, Sendero CEO and founder. This honor would not be possible without our incredible people, whove played a major role in crafting our unique and strong company culture. On Glassdoor, current and former employees of companies worldwide can share insights and opinions about their work environments by sharing a company review, designed to capture a genuine and authentic inside look at what its like to work at particular jobs and companies. When sharing a company review on Glassdoor, employees are asked to rate their satisfaction with the company overall, and key workplace factors like career opportunities, compensation, benefits, work/life balance, senior management, as well as culture and values. In addition, employees are asked to describe the best reasons to work at their companies as well as any downsides. Senderos annual Glassdoor rating was a 4.8 out of 5.0 one of the highest ranks on the site. The Best Places to Work are determined using company reviews shared by U.S. based employees between November 2, 2015 and October 30, 2016. To be considered for the U.S. SMB category, a company must have less than 1,000 employees and have received at least 25 company reviews from U.S.-based employees during the period of eligibility. The final list is compiled based on Glassdoors proprietary algorithm, and takes into account quantity, quality and consistency of reviews. The complete list of the Glassdoor Best Places to Work in 2017: http://www.glassdoor.com/Best-Places-to-Work-LST_KQ0,19.htm. About Sendero: Sendero, a management consulting firm renowned for its culture and people, provides expertise delivering strategic planning, technology enablement, organizational effectiveness, and analytics solutions across multiple industries. Sendero helps businesses grow and thrive by bringing deep capabilities, driving alignment among stakeholders, and executing critical initiatives. To learn more about Sendero, visit our website. Sendero media contact: For more information, please contact Ruth Farrar at 972-388-5760. About Glassdoor: Glassdoor is the worlds most transparent jobs and recruiting marketplace that is changing how people search for jobs and how companies recruit top talent. Glassdoor combines job listings with anonymous reviews, ratings and salary data to help people find a job and company they love. This level of transparency, in turn, helps employers attract the right candidates for their company and culture at a fraction of the cost of other channels. Glassdoor offers employers job advertising, job posting and employer branding solutions in addition to robust talent analytics. Launched in 2008, Glassdoor has job listings and data for more than 600,000 employers in 190 countries and is available on iOS and Android platforms. For labor market trends and analysis, visit Glassdoor Economic Research. For career advice and job-related news and tips, visit the Glassdoor Blog. Glassdoor is a registered trademark of Glassdoor, Inc. Glassdoor media contact: Lisa Holden, pr(at)glassdoor(dot)com We recognize a worldwide growing need for a DevOps cloud hosting with an exclusive pay as you use approach, and glad that SAFOZI strengthens Jelastic presence in Africa and Middle East. Jelastic Inc., DevOps PaaS and CaaS Platform that accelerates and automates development processes, announced SAFOZI, Tunisian Cloud Hosting Provider, as a new member of Jelastic Cloud Union. SAFOZI launched Jelastic with P4D Platform for Developers, allowing users to easily create, develop and bring to market applications per click. With Jelastic product, SAFOZI intends to create and lead the PaaS market in emerging Middle East and African countries within the next 2 - 3 years. We recognize a worldwide growing need for a DevOps cloud hosting with an exclusive pay as you use approach, and glad that SAFOZI strengthens Jelastic presence in Africa and the Middle East. The aim of this alliance is to assure local developers that deploying, running and managing applications can be easy and cost effective, said Ruslan Synytsky, CEO at Jelastic. Africa remains to be the most unique region in the world, where Cloud services are not explored and widely presented despite the need and where global players havent occupied the IT market yet. A tremendous growth potential accompanied with huge revenues is ready to come within the next few years. There is a big need in Platform-as-a-Service in Africa and the Middle East especially for DevOps. Commonly, PaaS services are provided by global players and dont meet the requirements of local market specifications, such as: local currency payments, native-speaking support teams, high costs not common for the specific region etc. SAFOZI, parent company of P4D, had been looking for an outstanding technology partner that will help to solve all such issues and Jelastic appeared to be the best solution, providing the single intuitive dashboard, that allows customers to choose among Java, PHP, Ruby, .NET, Node.js and Python languages, enable load balancing and high availability, choose the versions of stacks and set up the scaling limits for resources, needed for continuous functioning of customers` applications. With P4D on top of Jelastic developers pay only for what they consume and avoid overpaying for unused resources. And all these benefits are going to be provided locally according to the needs of the developers. SAFOZI works hard on improving an easy access to Cloud based ICT Infrastructure (Servers, CDN and Dev Environments) in emerging markets, like North & West Africa, Middle East. Therefore, we decided to partner with the best Cloud PaaS and CaaS to fulfill this mission and extend the regional focus to a much bigger market with hilarious growth potential. The partnership brings together Technology, Marketing, Market Know-how in a few words all success factors are gathered to succeed in our mission declared SAFOZI CEO, Zied Ouled Ali. About Jelastic Jelastic is a DevOps PaaS and CaaS for business that can be deployed on bare metal hardware or any IaaS. The platform provides certified containers for Java, PHP, Ruby, Node.js, Python and .NET and the ability to use custom Docker containers. Jelastic offers agile deployment models without coding to proprietary APIs, flexible automatic scaling for stateless and stateful applications, collaboration, access control, monitoring, backup and disaster recovery, built-in billing and business analytics tools, while driving down TCO with high density and hardware utilization. For more information, visit us at https://jelastic.com/ About SAFOZI SAFOZI, Rock Solid Cloud Infrastructure, was founded in July 2012 and is based in Tunis, Tunisia, is an IT & business solutions provider with a particular focus on Africa and the Middle East. In these emerging markets SAFOZI and its business partners are working continuously to provide easier access to ICT infrastructure. SAFOZI provides mainly Infrastructure-as-a-Service & CDN services to businesses and end users across the region. http://www.safozi.com DCN Automotive Group partnered up with The Hope for Children's Research Foundation, Tuesday, November 29th to host the launch of DCNs new Genesis G90 & G80. As the owner of the dealership I want to be able to help the foundation as much as I can. Being able to give back is a huge part of what we do here at DCN. I knew our Genesis Launch would be a great way to bring attention to a great foundation that helps so many, said DCN owner Joseph Natale. To celebrate the new luxury line, DCN held a display of Super Bowl Memorabilia as well as hosted some of the New York Giants greats. The night also consisted of food, drinks, a raffle for Super Bowl LI tickets, and giveaways. The launch also helped to raise over $5,000 for the Foundation. Guests were also given a first look at the 2017 Genesis and Equus. It was a great event. We are so grateful to be able to partner up with DCN owner Joseph Natale and the wonderful team at DCN, said Hope for Children Foundation President and Metro Dx Lab Partner Michelle Oates. Located on Highway 1 in South Brunswick, DCN Automotive Group is committed to providing their customers with the best car buying experience possible. The brand itself provides luxury, safety and performance and is surpassing other brands exponentially. DCN welcomes you to come in and meet the team even if its just to check it out The story of Hope for Children Research began in 1985 when four-year-old Colleen Giblin passed away from an inoperable brain tumor. With a goal in mind, the Giblins instituted a foundation designed to promote research at Columbia University Medical Center, one of the nation's leading research hospitals and built their own Pediatrics Research Laboratory. Thirty years later, Hope for Children Research Foundation continues their support of children's neurological and cancer research at the Colleen Giblin Research Laboratories at Columbia. David Ritchey The JBG Companies announced today the appointment of David B. Ritchey as Executive Vice President, Director of Commercial Leasing. Mr. Ritchey, a Senior Vice President at CBRE in Washington, will join the JBG team in January 2017. Following the expected merger of The JBG Companies and Vornado/Charles E. Smith into a new public company, JBG SMITH, Ritchey will be responsible for leading the combined commercial leasing team, setting its strategies and goals, and directing outreach to brokers and tenants. Post-merger, Jim Creedon, currently Executive Vice President with Vornado/Charles E. Smith in charge of leasing, will devote his full attention to overseeing JBG SMITH leasing in Crystal City and Northern Virginia given his depth of experience in these markets. We are excited to have Dave join JBG as we work with Vornado/Charles E. Smith to create a best in class leasing team for JBG SMITH, said W. Matthew Kelly, Managing Partner of JBG and CEO designate of JBG SMITH. The combined skills and collective experience of Dave and Jim will position JBG SMITH as a leader in commercial real estate leasing. Prior to joining JBG, Mr. Ritchey was a Senior Vice President and top producing broker at CBRE. During his tenure at CBRE, he completed a wide range of office leasing, investments sales, and national consulting assignments in excess of $3.5 billion in total contract value. Amongst other responsibilities, Mr. Ritchey led CBREs Technology and Media Practice in the Washington Region, which afforded him the opportunity to advise many of the areas fastest growing, and dynamic organizations. Additionally, Mr. Ritchey and his CBRE colleagues represented many of the Regions most prominent developers/landlords with their repositioning, rebranding and leasing strategies. Mr. Ritchey holds a masters in Real Estate Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a B.A. from Washington and Lee University. He lives with his wife and three children in Washington, D.C. and he is involved in numerous civic and charitable organizations. As announced on October 31, 2016, the new JBG SMITH Properties will be the largest, market-leading, best-in-class, pure-play Washington, DC real estate company. Its portfolio will consist of 50 office properties totaling approximately 11.8 million square feet, 18 multifamily properties with 4,451 residential units, and 11 other properties totaling approximately 0.7 million square feet, located in premier submarkets within the Washington, DC metropolitan area. In addition, JBG SMITH will have a pipeline of projects under construction and land for future development that could add over 20 million square feet to the portfolio. "In areas where marijuana use is legal, or common, education is needed to counsel parents on the dangers posed to their children by secondhand smoke." Children exposed to secondhand marijuana smoke show measurable amounts of the drug in their bodies, a researcher at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has found. The study was published in the journal Pediatric Research. The study found that when young children are exposed to secondhand marijuana smoke, measurable amounts of primary metabolite of the active component in psychoactive chemical 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) appears in samples of their urine. Because earlier analytical methods were developed to measure biomarkers of marijuana in primary users of the drug, a new, more sensitive analytic method was developed and used by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to quantify the trace biomarkers resulting from secondhand marijuana smoke exposure. This shows that, like tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke is inhaled by children in the presence of adults who are using it, said Karen Wilson, MD, Debra and Leon Black Division Chief of General Pediatrics, and the Vice-Chair for Clinical and Translational Research for the Department of Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. In areas where marijuana use is legal, or common, education is needed to counsel parents on the dangers posed to their children by secondhand smoke. For the study, urine samples were collected from 43 babies between the ages of one month and two years who were hospitalized in Colorado with bronchiolitis, and their parents were asked to complete a survey about marijuana smoking habits. The samples were analyzed, and levels of biomarkers for a marijuana metabolite (COOH-THC) were recorded. COOH-THC was detectable in 16 percent of the samples, at concentrations between 0.04 and 1.5 nanograms per milliliter of urine lower than would be seen in a primary user. This percentage was consistent with the number of parents who self-reported marijuana usage in the survey. Parent reported screening questions in areas where marijuana is legal is a helpful first step, said Dr. Wilson. While we do not know yet whether this exposure poses a health risk to children, this study highlights the urgency of further investigation. About the Mount Sinai Health System The Mount Sinai Health System is an integrated health system committed to providing distinguished care, conducting transformative research, and advancing biomedical education. Structured around seven hospital campuses and a single medical school, the Health System has an extensive ambulatory network and a range of inpatient and outpatient servicesfrom community-based facilities to tertiary and quaternary care. The System includes approximately 7,100 primary and specialty care physicians; 12 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 140 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and 31 affiliated community health centers. Physicians are affiliated with the renowned Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which is ranked among the highest in the nation in National Institutes of Health funding per investigator. The Mount Sinai Hospital is in the Honor Roll of best hospitals in America, ranked No. 15 nationally in the 2016-2017 Best Hospitals issue of U.S. News & World Report. The Mount Sinai Hospital is also ranked as one of the nations top 20 hospitals in Geriatrics, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Diabetes/Endocrinology, Nephrology, Neurology/Neurosurgery, and Ear, Nose & Throat, and is in the top 50 in four other specialties. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked No. 10 nationally for Ophthalmology, while Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai St. Luke's, and Mount Sinai West are ranked regionally. Mount Sinais Kravis Childrens Hospital is ranked in seven out of ten pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report in "Best Children's Hospitals." For more information, visit http://www.mountsinai.org/, or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. # # # Baker Electric Solar team members accept the Torch Award for Ethics at the 19th Annual Torch Awards Luncheon Ceremony in San Diego, California. To us, the Torch Award represents our on-going commitment to bring the highest business values to every one of our over 6500 customers, while empowering our employees for success and giving back to the community, said Baker President, Mike Teresso Past News Releases RSS Baker Electric Solar Brings Solar... Baker Electric Solar Wins... Baker Electric Solar Brings Solar... San Diego-based Baker Electric Solar is pleased to announce it has won the coveted 2016 Better Business Bureau (BBB) Torch Award for Ethics. Submissions for this award in the 100 249 employees category come from San Diego, Orange and Imperial Counties. In 2014 and 2015, Baker was named one of two Torch Award finalists. This year the company achieved the BBBs highest honor. The 19th Annual Torch Awards Luncheon Ceremony was held on November 29 at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla in San Diego, California. The Torch Awards for Ethics honors companies whose leaders demonstrate a high level of personal character and ensure their organizations business practices meet the highest standards of ethics. These companies exemplify the traits and values required to generate a high level of trust among their employees, customers and communities. Recognition of these exceptional levels of business confidence are represented by the annual Torch Award winners and the BBBs continuing mission to advance marketplace trust. Were incredibly honored the BBB has recognized Baker with the Torch Award. Ethics, trust and integrity have been guiding principles for the Baker Electric family of companies for more than 78 years, said President Mike Teresso. To us, the Torch Award represents our on-going commitment to bring the highest business values to every one of our over 6500 customers, while empowering our employees for success and giving back to the community. Each company that submitted for the 2016 award was required to address six ethics categories including leadership commitment to ethical practices; communications of ethical practices; leadership practices to unify the organization; organizational commitment to performance management; ethical human resource practices and community involvement. The six winners and nine finalists were chosen by an independent panel of respected San Diego business leaders. Company categories were determined by number of employees. The Baker Electric Solar 180-page entry document detailed its commitment to its exceptional standards communicated to and implemented by employees. It included real examples of the companys core values in action as well as its vision and mission. The document also included verifiable evidence of how Bakers strict code of business ethics benefit its customers, suppliers, stakeholders and the local community. In addition, the entry included a detailed section illustrating Bakers truth in advertising and promotional materials as well as customer testimonials. For more information, visit https://www.bakerelectricsolar.com. About Baker Electric Solar San Diego-based Baker Electric Solar designs, installs and maintains solar systems for homes, commercial facilities and utility-scale projects across Southern California. As a member of the Baker family of companies, Baker Electric Solar is a BBB accredited business with an A+ rating and a recipient of the 2016 BBB Torch Award for Ethics. Baker ranks No. 23 on Solar Power World Magazines 2016 Top 50 Solar Contractors in California and No. 76 on the Top 500 Solar Contractors in North America. It was recognized by the San Diego Business Journal as San Diegos No. 16 Fastest-Growing Private Company. Baker also earned the Angies List Super Service Award three consecutive years (20132015). For more information, visit https://www.bakerelectricsolar.com. MC Assembly participated in a Habitat for Humanity of Brevard County home building project to help give a single mother and her four young boys a home. As a company, its important to us that were making an impact in the community. MC Assembly, a leader in electronics manufacturing services, participated in a Habitat for Humanity of Brevard County home building project to help give a single mother and her four young boys a home. Volunteers from MC Assembly spent Dec. 3 painting the interior of the home, installing siding on the exterior and cleaning up the grounds. The home, built for Guerline Summer Binot and her four young boys, is a 1,200-square-foot, three-bedroom house. For Binot, who was there on Saturday, this was a long personal struggle for her to complete the Habitat for Humanity program while working and raising four young boys. It means everything to me to have a place to call home and make it our own, Binot said. This project was selected by MC Assemblys newly formed My Community Team and is the second community outreach initiative theyve selected in the Melbourne area, home to MC Assemblys headquarters. Earlier this year, the team participated in a Back to School Drive to help pass out backpacks to students and provide school supplies for teachers. As a company, its important to us that were making an impact in the community, said Brian Kingston, director of Human Resources at MC Assembly. After all, in addition to working in Melbourne, many of us live here, too. Being able to give back to the community is important to us. Kingston said the MC Assembly volunteers were able to apply one coat of paint on all interior walls as well as hang approximately 70 percent of the siding on the home. The ground crew was able to clean up two additional job sites for future Habitat homes. Kingston said that in addition to being a great team building project outside of their traditional work setting, the project took on a more important value after they met Binot, who goes by the nickname Summer. It was great to see how this home was going to make a huge impact for her and her family, Kingston said. Summer is a great person and were very happy we could help her and her family. Pam Davis, director of Development and Marketing for Habitat for Humanity of Brevard County, said the organization was thankful that MC Assembly participated in bringing Binots dream to life. Habitat for Humanity of Brevard County is committed to strengthening communities and peoples lives and to creating opportunities for low-income families to develop equity and independence through homeownership, she said. Volunteers like those from MC Assembly make it possible for us to achieve this as it really does take an entire community coming together to welcome another family home. For more information on Habitat for Humanity, please visit http://www.brevardhabitat.com/. For more information on MC Assembly, please visit http://www.mcati.com. About MC Assembly MC Assembly (http://www.mcati.com), based in Melbourne, Fla., with additional operations in Billerica, Mass., and Zacatecas, Mexico, is a national leader in the contract manufacturing arena with annual revenues of approximately $200 million. It provides turnkey solutions to original equipment manufacturers and focuses on assembly of medium volume, medium mix printed circuit boards assemblies (PCBAs) and box builds. MC Assemblys capabilities include surface mount and pin-through-hole interconnection technologies, PCB and box build, DFM, DFT, DFA engineering, in-circuit, functional and environmental testing, and full box-build direct order fulfillment. San Mateo Home Care We are a local home care agency serving Peninsula residents in diverse cities such as San Mateo and Hillsborough. NuevaCare, a leading home care agency based in San Mateo but serving the entire San Francisco Peninsula region, is proud to announce new city-specific pages as part of its ambitious website relaunch. As Bay Area clients scramble to find quality in-home care services for the elderly, they often look, first, for local agencies serving their city. The new site has several key city-specific pages to address this need. "We are a local home care agency serving Peninsula residents in diverse cities such as San Mateo and Hillsborough," explained Kamran Nasser, CEO of NuevaCare. "Our new website has informational pages on topics such as Alzheimer's care, but we also wanted to have city-specific pages to help those clients who start their research looking for home care agencies that service their city." Topic and City-Specific Information The website has navigational features that allow easy access to common topics. For example, the Alzheimer's Care page at http://www.nuevacare.com/alzheimers-dementia/ provides an overview to the challenges of home care for Alzheimer's patients including MnemeTherapy, which uses everyday activities like singing, movement, story telling, painting and other types of artistic expression to encourage neuroplasticity as well as brain activity to stimulate the brain. Beyond these informational pages, the website has city-specific pages. Those looking for San Mateo home care services, for example, can visit http://www.nuevacare.com/san-mateo/, while those looking for Hillsborough home care can click to http://www.nuevacare.com/hillsborough/. Each page has customized information with a special emphasis on city-specific items such as parks, museums, and shopping that may come in handy for caregivers and their families seeking to engage a client with local activities. About NuevaCare A premier technology-based home care company based in San Mateo and servicing the San Francisco Bay Area, NuevaCare delivers responsive, quality, and affordable in-home care to those who need care due to old age or recovering from surgery or illness. NuevaCare services clients in diverse Bay Area cities from Burlingame to Santa Clara, San Mateo to Palo Alto, Foster City to Hillsborough and everywhere in between. NuevaCare provides hourly, live-in, overnight, and 24/7 care. Recognized as one of the best home care agencies in the Bay Area, NuevaCare can be found at http://www.nuevacare.com/. The less time healthcare and medical professionals spend on payment security, the more time they can spend on patient care. MagTek, an industry leader in secure payment technology, and RevSpring, a leading provider of patient engagement and payment solutions, announce a strategic partnership to improve the security of healthcare provider payment transactions. By integrating MagTeks DynaPro EMV and Secure PIN Entry Device, MagTeks DynaPad Encrypting Keypad and Magensas Secure Transaction Services with RevSpring's flexible emerge payment platform, RevSpring customers will now benefit from receiving a full Point-to-Point Encryption (P2PE) solution for point of sale and also phone transactions. RevSprings solution surpasses the benchmarks established by the Payment Card Industry (PCI DSS) for premium data security, which will provide their customers a secure payment channel that reduces risks and costs by removing payment transaction data from PCI DSS scope. RevSpring customers not only benefit from safer, more secure, encrypted payments, now they can also reduce the time, resources and money required to comply with PCI requirements. RevSpring was the first company in the healthcare industry to receive PCI certification as a P2PE Solution. MagTek's DynaPad, and DynaPro, a PCI PTS 3.x certified device and Magensas PCI Level-1 certified Secure Transaction Service empower RevSpring to deliver the highest levels of data security in the industry, as well as provide simplified and expedited payment processes to their customers, says John Arato, MagTeks Vice President and General Manager for Retail Products. The less time healthcare and medical professionals spend on payment security, the more time they can spend on patient care. As the healthcare industry experienced growing damages from data breaches, we had to offer better, more comprehensive payment data security measures, said Mike Alley, RevSprings Vice President, Product and Business Development. This is why we are thrilled to integrate MagTeks DynaPro and DynaPad and Magensas Secure Transaction Service into our payment platform, delivering the full-featured and secure payment experience RevSpring customers deserve. About MagTek Founded in 1972, MagTek is a FinTech innovator, designing and developing hardware, software and services solutions that provide for the reliable issuance, reading, transmission and security of credit cards, checks, PINs and identification documents. Leading with innovation and engineering excellence, MagTek is known for quality and dependability. Its products include secure card reader/authenticators, token generators, EMV and NFC reading devices, encrypting check scanners, PIN pads and distributed credential personalization systems for secure magstripe and EMV enabled cards. These products are used worldwide by financial institutions, retailers, and processors to provide secure and efficient payment and identification transactions. Today, MagTek continues to innovate. Its MagneSafe Security Architecture leverages strong encryption, secure tokenization, dynamic card authentication, and device/host validation enabling users to assess the trustworthiness of credentials and terminals used for online identification, payment processing, and high-value electronic transactions. About RevSpring RevSpring is a healthcare technology solutions provider focused on patient engagement interactions. Its emerge Intelligent Workflow Solutions (IWS) combines their patient engagement and payment technology solutions with a proprietary data warehouse and business rules engine. This end-to-end integrated patient engagement solution segments patient populations to deliver targeted personalized messaging using big data, advanced analytics, sophisticated business rules and workflow automation throughout the four key touchpoints of patient revenue cycle: pre-service, point-of-service, post-discharge and follow-up. Utilizing the IWS tools allows our clients to influence patient response in changing the patients behavior, allowing for adjustments to strategy and continual optimization of your engagement workflows and financial outcomes. ### Manufacturing of the Future: next-gen technologies driving competitive advantage Manufacturing of the Future, an event hosted by eLogic + Microsoft, connects Manufacturing executives with the industry leaders & technologies that are transforming the future of customer engagement and actionable intelligence for manufacturers. The event is limited to 20 executive-level participants to guarantee a thought-provoking experience where participants will see that latest solutions in action, including IoT, Cortana, and HoloLens. The purpose is for participants to experience what it looks like to win with unparalleled customer & channel partner engagement, and grow market share with proactive, predictive, and connected field service. A key element to these next-gen service capabilities is equipment lifecycle management, enabled by equipment 360, eLogics technology solution & related services for 360 degree views into equipment sensors, smart analytics, and proactive triggers for Service. During the event, eLogic will guide three live business case demonstrations enabled by the latest Microsoft technologies, and discuss proven & actionable responses to key shifts underway for Manufacturers. The hands-on experience will show how Connected Service, Business Intelligence, & Smart Equipment deliver results for manufacturers most critical assets, leading to competitive advantage. Three driving themes include how to: 1. Engage your Customers Intelligently by Mastering Digital Transformation 2. Empower your Employees + Maximize Knowledge Worker Productivity with Technology to Power the Next Generation 3. Optimize your Operations + Transform your Products by Connecting your Workforce and Customers for Predictive & Preventive Service Another key aspect to this event is a charitable component, which is key to driving a sustainable future of Manufacturing. In honor of this event, Microsoft Philanthropies is donating to the local Boys & Girls Club on behalf of each attendee. The event will be held in New York, NY at the Microsoft Technology Center in Times Square. equipment 360 is eLogic's technology solution & related services for 360 degree views into equipment sensors, smart analytics, & proactive triggers for Service. equipment 360 is an equipment lifecycle management solution that enables sensor technologies, analyzes event triggers, intervenes with a smart response, and learns through machine listening to surface predictive intelligence. With predictive intelligence from equipment 360, manufacturers can make proactive service & maintenance decisions regarding the state of their equipment wherever the customers plant, factory, or warehouse is located. eLogic is an industry specialist in technology-enabled business solutions for manufacturers. As Microsoft's leading industry partner in manufacturing, the companies combine to drive the new generation of productivity, collaboration, and intelligent customer engagement for the digital economy. Key technology solutions built on the Microsoft Cloud Productivity platform include: Connected Customer & Field Service, Seamless Customer Engagement, Business Intelligence, Enterprise Integration, Sales Automation, Intelligent Quoting, Knowledge Deployment, Predictive Analytics & IoT / Connected Devices. eLogic's deep vertical specializations include industrial equipment, process machinery, capital equipment, high-tech, aerospace & defense, and medical devices & technology. eLogic is the 2016 Worldwide Microsoft Dynamics Partner of the Year for the U.S., and Microsoft's 2015 Manufacturing Partner of the Year for Customer Engagement & Service solutions. San Francisco Startup Attorney Among the interesting topics that startups should investigate is the issue of how to get so-called 'seed funding.' Jason Putnam Gordon, a leading attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley focusing on startups, startup funding, and seed funding issues, is proud to announce an informational, no cost webinar on 'How to Get Seed Funding for startups.' The webinar will be held December 15 2016, online and is open to the public. "Among the interesting topics that startups should investigate is the issue of how to get so-called 'seed funding,'" explained Jason Putnam Gordon, principal attorney at Putnam Gordon P.C., a law firm based in San Francisco and serving the entire Bay Area. He continued, "This informative, no cost webinar will overview the issues surrounding startups and seed funding, and discuss the nuts and bolts of seed funding - the what, where, when, and how of this type of funding." To learn more about the Webinar, visit https://www.meetup.com/Silicon-Valley-Startup-Idea-to-IPO/events/235941462/. To learn more about Jason Putnam Gordon's practice on startups for Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay Area businesses, visit http://www.putnamgordon.com/practice-areas/lawyers-for-technology-startups/. Interested parties, including journalists and bloggers, can also reach out to the firm via the website or call 415-986-7200. STARTUPS AND SEED FUNDING Beginning a startup is exciting and consuming. There are also many legal perils that startups face. Entrepreneurs need to be focused on building their businesses, not learning how to practice law. Accordingly, Jason Putnam Gordon can assist startups with areas as diverse as the following. First, what is the best business formation for a startup. The law firm can help startup entrepreneurs choose between California, Delaware, and other states for incorporation as well as the formation of the company itself, as for example an LLC or a 'C' corporation. Second, the law firm can help startups understand and create founders' agreements and stock for key employees. Next, as is indicated by this upcoming webinar, the law firm can advise on funding strategies such as IPO's, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Seed Funding issues (which are not, of course, mutually exclusive). Indeed, on the issue of mergers and acquisitions, see http://www.putnamgordon.com/practice-areas/top-san-francisco-mergers-and-acquisitions-attorneys/. Finally, the law firm can advise on intellectual property - issues such as trade secrets, copyright, and patent issues. No two startups are alike, so interested parties are urged to participate in the upcoming webinar and/or reach out for a consultation with a firm attorney. (Startups need not be based in Silicon Valley or the San Francisco Bay Area). ABOUT THE SPEAKER Recognized by Super Lawyers magazine as a rising star, Jason Putnam Gordon is a top San Francisco-based corporate attorney. While at his former firm Jason has served as counsel to large tech companies like Google and Netflix, he now focuses his practice on startups, emerging growth companies, and middle-market companies. Jason handles matters such as entity formation, financing transactions, founder agreements, securities issuance, contracts, and mergers and acquisitions. Jason received his J.D. magna cum laude from Villanova University School of Law and is admitted to practice in California, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and his home state of Pennsylvania. Outside of his legal practice, Jason is a competitive skydiver. ABOUT PUTNAM GORDON P.C. Putnam Gordon, P.C. is a San Francisco-based law firm that focuses on startups, business formation, corporate governance, financings and securities, mergers and acquisitions, and intellectual property at http://www.putnamgordon.com/. The firm serves clients throughout the state of California including, but not limited to, San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Marin County. Learn more about the law firm by visiting the website or calling 415-986-7200. Vantage Group partners with Websrefresh We are excited to be working with a chain like Vantage Hotels because it allows us to take something traditional and upgrade it without losing its flavor. Hotels in Arizona would always want to extend their reach to travellers and guests. Internet turns out to be one of the most cost effective, fast and powerful medium to reach out to the prospects. The recent partnership of Websrefresh with Vantage Hotels as a Preferred Vendor will enable hotels within the family to maximize bookings, minimize cost, and deliver a brand-oriented experience to customers. The company is well-suited to assist Vantage Hotels market their family-friendly, affordable brand of inns, suites, and hotels. By partnering with an innovative high tech design, development, and marketing company like Websrefresh they offer their individual franchises and locations an opportunity to market themselves as a global brand and grow their customer base. Websrefresh maintains its excitement to be working with a chain like Vantage Hotels whose brand and business model provides the opportunity to take something traditional and upgrade it without losing its distinct flavor. The company hopes to work with those hotels within its family to provide responsive web design, social media marketing services, branding, content creation, video marketing and other needed services to elevate their hotels online presence and attract customers. Company representatives will be at the Red Lion Hotels Corporation 2016 International Educational Conference and Trade Show in Las Vegas from the 5th through the 9th at Hard Rock Hotel and Vegas Casino for those who are interested in speaking with Websrefresh representatives to better understand how the company can elevate their inn, hotel, or suites and extend Vantages particular brand of hospitality to new audiences. If you are new to iQ you can schedule a demo and learn more about this opportunity. PSFK iQ - Where Innovators Turn for Research. Our professional-grade research platform is designed specifically for Retail and CX leaders who want to know whats next. Whether youre staying current on trends or need a real-time research partner to help you get ahead, count on PSFK iQ to deliver the info you need to make your next move. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: LINCOLN Do you know Dasher? The Nebraska State Treasurers Office has 40 of them in its unclaimed property database. How about Dancer? Theres 29 of them. And Prancer? Just one, in Omaha. You wont find Vixen or Blitzen in the unclaimed property rolls, but you will find 67 Donners, two Comets, and one Cupid who has almost $2,000 coming from Mutual of Omaha and whose last known address is in the British Virgin Islands. As for Rudolph, there are 44. Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg said the 350,000 names in the Treasurers unclaimed property rolls include these famous reindeer and many other familiar names this time of year. For instance, our unclaimed property records show four listings under Christmasindividuals and businesses in Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, and Bridgeport. We also have 85 properties listed under the name, Holiday; 75 under the name, Joy; 43 with Jesus in their names; and 22 listings under Merry, not to mention names like Santa, Snow, and Holly, Stenberg said. We encourage all Nebraskans, former Nebraskans, and heirs to check our unclaimed property listing throughout the year and particularly this time of year to give themselves a holiday present. You never know what you might find. We currently are holding nine properties of more than $100,000 each. The top nine range from $1.2 million for a family trust in Omaha to more than $110,000 for a couple in Ansley and more than $100,000 for a Bellevue woman. During the holidays, property owners are equally grateful for smaller amounts, too, Stenberg said. Stenberg added, While we have been successful this year reaching out to property owners for whom we are holding significant amounts, because of the sheer volume we are unable to locate and contact all of them. In many cases, we are not provided sufficient contact information or our calls and letters go answered. Because of that, we rely heavily on individuals contacting us through our website, by telephone, or by visiting our office in the State Capitol and at 809 P St. in the Lincoln Haymarket District. Stenberg also noted that as more Nebraska companies engage in global business, the unclaimed property staff is now searching for owners not only from across the United States, but also internationally. So far this year, the Treasurers Office has returned unclaimed property to owners in Japan, Mexico, Poland, the Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. Stenberg said owners can search for unclaimed property anytime at treasurer.nebraska.gov. In instances in which property is $500 or less, owners may file claims online through the Treasurers website. More than $11.8 million was returned to owners in 2015, and a total of 15,368 claims were approved. With still three weeks remaining in 2016, the office has exceeded last years totals. So far in 2016, more than $13 million of unclaimed property has been returned, representing a total of 15,766 claims approved. Altogether, the Treasurers Office is holding more than $170 million in unclaimed funds. Common forms of unclaimed property are uncashed paychecks, refunds, rental deposits, utility deposits, stocks, dividends, insurance payments, savings bonds, matured CDs, and lost IRAs. Ways to search for unclaimed property and file claims include the following: Check the Nebraska State Treasurers website at treasurer.nebraska.gov. Type a name in the box on the home page or click on the Unclaimed Property tab at the top of the page. For an amount less than $500, an owner may file a claim online through the website. The owner must include required information. For an amount greater than $500, an owner may complete the claim form found on the website and mail to the State Treasurers Office, Unclaimed Property Division, 809 P St., Lincoln, NE 68508-1390. The form must be notarized. Call the Unclaimed Property Division at 1-877-572-9688 toll free outside of Lincoln or 402-471-8497 in Lincoln. Phone calls are taken between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., CT, weekdays. Visit the Unclaimed Property office at 809 P Street in Lincoln or in the Treasurers Office in Suite 2005 of the State Capitol. Hours at both locations are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. An owner should bring a drivers license and Social Security card. If filing on behalf of a deceased family member for an amount greater than $500, the owner should provide documentation to establish legal authority to file the claim including a will, death certificate, obituary notice, and personal representative documents. Librarys Holiday Party, Dec. 12 Santa, balloons, presents, and crafts combine for a terrific Holiday Party at the Plattsmouth Library on Monday, December 12, 5:30-7:00 pm. Santa will arrive at 5:30 pm to talk to the children, hear their Christmas wishes, and hand out presents. Children can also make Rudolph the Reindeer jingle sticks and, from 6:00 to 7:00, get a special balloon made just for them. Refreshments will be served. No registration is required. The program is free and open to the public. Nebraska 150 Reading Challenge Enter the Nebraska 150 Reading Challenge, and you may win a prize! The Plattsmouth Library has 39 of the 42 titles on the short list. The Nebraska 150 Reading Challenge is part of the celebration of Nebraskas sesquicentennial or 150 years of statehood. The Reading Challenge was created to promote Nebraskas poets and mystery writers, social critics and romance novelists, historians and journalists who have achieved regional, national and international recognition. The books were chosen because they were written by Nebraskans or because the subject matter or setting was in Nebraska. Authors were selected because they 1) were born or grew up in Nebraska, 2) were educated in Nebraska, or 3) spent most of their productive writing years in Nebraska. Books were selected because they 1) are about Nebraska or have a Nebraska setting; 2) are readily available in libraries or book stores; and 3) reflect a variety of works that have appealed to Nebraskans over time. There are 42 books on the Reading Challenge list including fiction, non-fiction, young adult and picture books as well as poetry. The Plattsmouth Library has all but three of the books; the library can borrow the last three from other libraries. The reading challenge encourages us to read as many of the selections as possible, record these titles on the form available at the library or from www.nebraska150books.org, and submit the form for prize drawings. If youve read any of the books in the past, you dont need to read them again. You can enter by reading as few as six books. Entries for the drawings need to be received by February 28. Reading all 42 books by Feb. 28 will qualify you to win $300 from the University of Nebraska Press. Finishing 12 books by the deadline qualifies you for a $25 gift card, and six books will enter you in the drawing for a book bundle. According to the website, The goal of the Nebraska 150 Reading Challenge is to draw attention to the best literature produced from Nebraska and to highlight the varied cultures, historical time periods and locations that are featured in the selected books. The full list of 150 books and more information can be found at www.nebraska150books.org. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East PLATTSMOUTH Plattsmouth High School students have planted the seeds of a districtwide agriculture program this fall. They believe the organization can bear successful fruit over the next few years. Seventeen students are inaugural members of the Plattsmouth FFA chapter. Plattsmouth will be the third Cass County district to offer FFA experiences to students. Conestoga has had a successful FFA program for decades and has earned recognition at local, state and national levels. Elmwood-Murdock and Palmyra students work together in a combined FFA program. Plattsmouth FFA Advisor Andy Christensen said students are excited about the potential learning opportunities the program can provide for them. This is great for them for this is the first FFA chapter for Plattsmouth in years, Christensen said. This is the group that will help start a strong FFA tradition. Macy Pape, Lydia Cole, Maggie Headley, Alexis Stanley, Charlie Knust, Josh Aho, Megan Julin-Roberts, Chloe Budd, Coby Smallridge, Makenzie Mortensen, Richard White, Jeremiah Lubben, Jessica Hoke, Ashtyn Holman, Tyler Carroll, Kade Parriott and Brenda Nelson are involved in the inaugural year of the PHS program. Knust will serve as the groups first president and Stanley will be vice president. Pape will be secretary, Cole will be treasurer and Headley will serve as a reporter. Aho will be a sentinel and Julin-Roberts will fill the historian role. The Future Farmers of America organization was created in April 1926 by staff members of the agriculture education department at Virginia Tech University. Students from 18 states convened in Kansas City, Mo., in 1928 for the first Future Farmers of America meeting. The inaugural meeting took place during the American Royal Livestock Show at an area hotel. The current organization includes more than 625,000 student members and more than 7,500 local school chapters. Members hail from all 50 states and several U.S. territories. Future Farmers of America changed its name to the National FFA Organization in 1988 to broaden the groups scope and mission. It wanted to account for the many ways agriculture impacts society in addition to farming. Christensen said the group is eager to include new members as the school year continues. He said students are also setting up their schedule for upcoming FFA activities. The teenagers will take part in competitive events, community service projects and field trips to different agriculture-related businesses. The members are looking forward to state and national competitions as well as community service and relating their education to real-life scenarios, Christensen said. A big thank you goes out to the school board and administration for their vision of incorporating FFA into the career academies. Online Newsletter Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest news and information from publics.bg Ever wonder what squirrels do when theyre not scurrying through yards and scampering up trees? Nancy Rose offered some creative insight in The Secret Life of Squirrels, which spotlights squirrel visitors to her backyard deck in Bedford, Nova Scotia. Published by Little, Brown/Tingley in 2014, the picture book features photographs of red squirrels in miniature sets Rose creates using cardboard, clay, craft supplies, and dollar store finds. Rose then snapped her rodent pals celebrating the holidays for 2015s Merry Christmas, Squirrels!, and now captures them courting in The Secret Life of Squirrels: A Love Story, due out this month. Rose, a retired teacher and high school guidance counselor, arrived at her childrens book career quite serendipitously. A passionate observer of nature and wildlife and an avid photographer, she became intrigued by the curiosity and boldness of the American Red squirrels that constantly raided the bird feeders in her backyard. I began feeding them, too, and with a little patience, I was able to get squirrels to take peanuts from my hand, she recalled. I began to realize that theyd do pretty much anything for food. I took lots of photos, too, but there are only so many photos you can take of squirrels sitting on a deck railing, and it started to get boring. So I decided to beef it up a bit. A lifelong crafter, Rose discovered a way to make the squirrels work or at least pose for their peanuts. She created tiny props a martini glass, a barbecue grill, a mailbox and hid peanuts inside of them. She then photographed the hungry squirrels as they searched for the nuts, striking remarkably human-like poses. They seemed to love the sets on my deck, and kept returning to find more peanuts, said Rose. And I began posting the photos on Flickr, and made a calendar featuring the squirrel pictures as a Christmas gift for my friends and family. Lots of people told me I should create a childrens book, but I initially resisted the idea, making up a string of excuses why I didnt want to do that. Yet Rose relented after some of her squirrel photos went viral on the Internet and she was featured in a local newspaper. Her work caught the eye of agent Jackie Kaiser of Westwood Creative Artists in Toronto. Kaiser sent a childrens book proposal to Susan Rich, a Little, Brown editor living in Canada. Rich in turn shared the project with Megan Tingley, executive v-p and publisher of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, who acquired the book straight away. The project spoke to me instantly, Tingley recalled. It had such an immediate, sunny, and unexpected quality that I knew kids would love. And I was also intrigued by the fact that the author was Nova Scotian, since my family is from Nova Scotia and Ive spent a lot of time there. Nancys photos are so naturalistic because she has such a trusting relationship with the squirrels, and since they are so comfortable around her, shes able to get some great close-up shots. In fact, when I first saw her photos, I thought they couldnt possibly be real and must be Photoshopped. Tingley saw for herself that that was not the case when she and her then seven-year-old daughter visited Roses home to meet the squirrels and see the photographer in action. The Persuasive Power of Peanuts Tingley believed from the start that Roses squirrels had a promising future as book protagonists. Nancys concept and images were so bold and surprising, and had such humor, that I felt very confident publishing The Secret Life of Squirrels, she recalled. That confidence was validated when Barnes & Noble and Target took the book right away, and independent bookstores, various catalogues, and Scholastic Clubs also supported it. Enthusiastic feedback from kids and teachers followed. The book has inspired a lot of cool, creative classroom projects, which is a nice bonus, Tingley said. It is very gratifying that what started out as a fun project is also having that kind of impact. The success of The Secret Life of Squirrels spawned a sequel, Merry Christmas, Squirrels!; the two books, including a board book edition of the original title, currently have a total of close to 280,000 copies in print in the U.S. Rights to the books have been sold in Korea and Japan. Yet the Christmas-themed title presented some new challenges for Rose when Mother Nature was initially uncooperative. Nancy needed snow to create some of her settings, but there was no snow in Nova Scotia, said Tingley. It came down to quite a nail-biter, since we were on deadline. She kept emailing me, No snow yet! but it finally snowed, and she was able to get the shots she needed. It made us realize that, although Nancy has control over the scenes she creates, she always has to rely on the elements, and of course the squirrels, to help her out. Little, Brown will capitalize on the theme of The Secret Life of Secrets: A Love Story with a Valentines Day-centered promotion that features pitches in parenting publications and on blogs and social media outreach. Assuming the squirrels continue to share their hidden lives with Rose, additional revelations of their exploits may well follow, including a school-themed caper. For editor and author, the series has been a rewarding venture. I love working with surprise artists like Nancy, said Tingley. She is not a trained photographer or crafter, but she found something that she loved doing that involved responding to her natural environment. She is game to do anything, and has what I consider particularly Nova Scotian qualities: shes connected with nature and has a dry sense of humor and a great can-do attitude. Rose affirms that she is certainly game to add to her oeuvre, and to supply squirrels with more peanuts to fuel their antics. There are so many possibilities for other books, she said. I had no idea how many squirrel lovers there are out there readers have offered me ideas, and even sent me their homemade props! And I especially love to see the feedback from teachers and kids who have used my books in school for nature projects, making props and taking photos themselves. I truly love that my photos of my little squirrels have inspired such creativity in others. The Secret Life of Squirrels: A Love Story by Nancy Rose. Little, Brown/Megan Tingley Books, $16.99 Dec. ISBN 978-0-316-27263-6 Every Child a Reader, the charitable arm of the Childrens Book Council, has announced its plan to enhance Childrens Book Week, the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country, launched in 1919. The 98th celebration of Childrens Book Week, spanning May 17, 2017, will feature an increased number of events, reformatted Childrens Choice Book Awards, an enhanced online presence, and additional promotional materials available to participating bookstores, schools, and libraries. Shaina Birkhead, programming and strategic partnerships director for CBC and Every Child a Reader, emphasized that amplifying this annual reading celebration reinforces the organizations core mission. Childrens Book Week is one of the cornerstones of Every Child a Readers literacy work, and we are pulling out all the stops for the biggest and best Childrens Book Week yet, she said. Our goal is to more than triple the number of library, school, and bookstore events nationwide. A key component of next years CBW will be a new online registration process for libraries, stores, and schools, scheduled to begin in January on Every Child a Readers first-ever dedicated website, which is still in development. Registrants can request a specific quantity of the official 2017 CBW poster, which will feature the art of Christian Robinson and a roundup of activities on the back. They will also be encouraged to share their plans for celebrating CBW, whether with story times, activity hours, or author appearancesor a combination of events. The new website will feature downloadable event kits and Childrens Choice Book Award voting kits, press release templates, and original bookmarks by four prominent, yet to be announced, childrens book illustrators. Also available on the site will two downloadable Every Child a Reader original booklets: a Spanish-English first-words coloring book and a graphic novel-like comic book based on CBWs 2017 theme: One World, Many Stories. Jeffrey Brown, Mike Maihack, and Gene Luen Yang are three of the 15-plus authors and illustrators whose work will be featured in the comic compilation, which is being coordinated by Matt Poulter, CBCs membership and marketing director, who also created the coloring book. Im grateful for the opportunity to work on this bilingual alphabet booklet, said Poulter. It was important to us that one of the first publications we created should supplement books available to young Spanish readers. Every Child a Reader has always inspired a love of reading in children and teens, but now alongside the CBW comicwere in a position to directly create materials that kids will love to read. Getting Out the Vote The plans for marking CBW 2017 also include changes in the scope, voting schedule, and announcement of the winners of the Childrens Choice Book Awards. Though in prior years the awards were announced during Childrens Book Week, in 2017 the voting will begin on February 28 and continue through May 7, the final day of the celebratory week. This will give stores, libraries, and schools a chance to host balloting for the awards as part of their CBW activities. Award winners will next year be announced on May 31, in conjunction with the ABC Childrens Group/American Booksellers for Free Expression (ABFE) art auction at BookExpo. Carl Lennertz, who became executive director of CBC and Every Child a Reader in August, credits his incredibly devoted and hard-working staff for helping to effect the changes aimed at growing CBW excitement and participation. Though we encourage CBW participants to register online, which is a very simple and quick process, the downloadable materials are available to anyone, Lennertz explained. We want to make participating in the week-long celebration easy for everyone, everywhere. Lennertz, a self-described small-town kid, expressed hope that local newspapers, newsletters, and bloggers will help spread word of the week-long celebration throughout all corners of the country, bringing a spike in the number of CBW-themed events nation-wide no matter how low-key. Wed like to encourage booksellers, librarians, teachers, and parents to use the activity-filled posters and the giveaway books to tie even a routine story time into CBW, he added. It doesnt have to be an Event with a capital E. The important thing is to energize the entire childrens book world and bring as many kids and parents together as possible to celebrate this wonderful annual tradition known as Childrens Book Week. This fall, bestseller lists have been crowded with cookbooks from culinary heavy hitters. Ina Garten released an ode to her husband Jeffrey, Alton Brown returned from a five-year cookbook hiatus, and Anthony Bourdain published his first book in a decade. In a season of blockbuster cookbooks, there has also been one unlikely hita reprint of an opulent cookbook by Salvador Dali that's been out of print for 40 years. Dali: Les diners de Gala, released by Taschen on November 24, tours the recipes the late surrealist master and his wife and muse, Gala, whipped up for their infamous and elaborate dinner parties. The book, which retails for $60, sold just over 4,000 copies in its first week on sale, according to Nielsen BookScan, which tracks roughly 80% of print sales, and also topped Amazons Holiday & Entertaining new releases list. The book was first published in 1973 by Felicie, Inc., New York, an imprint run by Felicie Balay, a gallerist, artist manager, and acquaintance of Salvador Dali. It was translated from French and released in the U.S. the same year. From historical reviews and personal recounts from collectors, it sounds like the book was enormously successful on release, said Creed Poulson, Taschen's managing director. The book includes a warning from Dali himself: If you are a disciple of one of those calorie-counters who turn the joys of eating into a form of punishment, close this book at once; it is too lively, too aggressive, and far too impertinent for you. Indeed, the recipes arent for the faint of heart, and the publisher acknowledges that while the dishes can be cooked at home, some will require practiced skill and a well-stocked pantry. Highlights include Mulligan of Ox Tail, Calfs Brains with Bacon, Grilled Lambs Head, Frog Pasties, and an Eel Pate, which calls for living eels. Even in his recipe for the more familiar Avocado Toast, ubiquitous today on hipster menus and beyond, Dali leads with the following directive: The first thing you must do is prepare the brains." With illustrations by the artist, the book, an exact facsimile of the original 1973 English edition, also functions as an art book. It is performing just as well is museum bookstores as it is in major retailers, according to Poulson. I think the book hits a sweet spot in many complimentary categories, added Poulson. Food lovers, art lovers, history buffs, collectors, chefs. Dali is one of the most popular artists of all time, and while many Dali fans had heard of this book many had never seen it or looked inside. When asked if the publisher anticipated the attention the book has received, Poulson pointed to the fact that it became a sought after collectible after its first release, and 40 years later was nearly an object of myth, so we hoped but also predicted that the media and public would be as excited as we were about the new edition. Frog Pasties 2 tablespoons of butter 1 shallot, finely chopped bunch of parsley sprigs 1 clove of garlic, crushed 36 small frogs legs 4 tablespoons of flour 2 egg yolks 1 egg white 9 ozs of cream cheese shortening 9 ozs yogurt 1 container of heavy cream 1 bunch of chives, chopped 1 tablespoon of pepper (unground) In the butter, saute the finely chopped shallot and parsley for 5 minutes. Then add the frogs legs as well as the garlic. Add salt and pepper, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring from time to time. Prepare a sauce by whipping the heavy cream and mixing into the yogurts, chopped chives, the pepper and salt. Set aside and chill. In a salad bowl, mix flour with egg yolks and cream cheese. Add the boned frogs legs. Since they are now cold, you just have to seize them with your fingers, and pull along the bones to get the flesh sliding down. Mix everything very well, add salt and pepper. Citing financial pressures, Last Gasp, the San Franciso publisher and distributor of books and comics, is getting out of the distribution business at the end of the year. The house will shut down its distribution operations, layoff its distribution staff and focus solely on the publishing side of its business. In a letter sent by Last Gasp founder and owner Ron Turner to the companys distribution clients and accounts, Turner said, After December 2016, we will no longer be restocking items from other publishers or placing orders for new items. Turner said Last Gasp will continue to fill customer orders for Last Gasp publications for the foreseeable future. Last Gasp will also continue to fill customer orders for other publishers books from available stock through the end of February. As a result of this change, much of the (Last Gasp) staff will be laid off, according to Last Gasp associate publisher Colin Turner, who responded to questions from PW via email. Although he declined to give the precise number of employees affected, Last Gasp has employed about a dozen people. Most of the Last Gasp employees will remain at the firm until the end of February, thereafter, Colin said the company will continue with a very small staff, to support its publishing operation. Last Gasp was founded in 1970 by Ron Turner, who now runs the company with his son, Colin Turner at the helm. In its early days, it published such legendary underground comics titles as Weirdo, Wimmens Comix, and later ZAP Comix and artists such as R. Crumb and Robert Williams. Over the past 47 years, Last Gasp has focused on publishing and distributing art books, fiction, nonfiction, magazines, and graphic novels, with a focus on counter-culture, low-brow art and underground comics. While the warehouse section of the company will close, Last Gasp will retain its offices, which are located in the same building in San Francisco. The building is also filled with Ron Turners eclectic collection of art, carnival sideshow banners, and vintage furniture. Asked if if his father plans to retire, Colin replied, No, hes not retiring. I dont think he wants to. The closure of the distribution business will impact quite a large number of smaller publishers. More than 100 at least some are single-title publishers, explained Colin. Though it probably won't impact their bottom line in a major way, it will also have an effect on larger publishers and distributors whose books we buy and wholesale to stores. It will affect a number of bookstores, comic shops, and other retailers who rely on Last Gasp's wholesale distribution for a mix of titles, he explained to PW. Colin said the move to close the distribution business was a straightforward financial decision: the cost of doing business is high, margins are slim, and there is not enough volume. He added the distribution business is extremely difficult, as you can tell from other distributors' closures and mergers. We tried to hang on but it was just not possible. On the publishing side, Last Gasp publishes about 10-15 new titles each year and Colin said, we will probably continue on that pace, or slightly less. The publisher said LG has a bit over 300 active titles on its backlist. The silver lining is that we will be able to put all of our attention into publishing. We have a few interesting books planned for 2017 including, Colin said, pointing to Who Killed Hunter S. Thompson edited by Walter Hinke, an anthology of essays by friends and collaborators of Thompson, and Neverlasting Miracles: The Art of Todd Schorr, collection of the artwork of the contemporary surrealist pop artist. Hopefully this change will allow us to develop some interesting projects. We will continue to focus on pop culture, art, and graphic novels, Colin said. Eighteen area veterans gathered the day before Pearl Harbor Day at May Museum for a celebration of sorts. Army, Navy, Army Air Corps and Marine veterans gathered in one place to commemorate this historic day, their service and the vehicle that documented their service Forever Heroes. This book recorded the wartime experiences of 21 World War II veterans; 19 of them men and two are women. It all began over a year ago when Joyce Winfield, a retired journalism teacher, started her journey after an impromptu meeting of a veteran at the Fremont Arbys restaurant. His cap read WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Winfield said. One cap, three wars. After thanking him for his service, Winfield said she couldnt get him out of her head and it took her down a path of nearly six months of interviews. Their stories were put on paper and bound together, fittingly the first book arriving just before Veterans Day. Just a few short weeks later and the day before Pearl Harbor Day, all of the featured vets were in one room, one place, and celebrated again. This time they were signing autographs on the books for families and friends at the private reception. Ben Fischer, 96 and the oldest veteran of the group, said he was in California on Pearl Harbor Day. He entered the service in 1941 and was still in basic training. The day before the bombing, nobody even knew where Pearl Harbor was at, Fischer said. They moved a lot of us from the camp to make room for the others that were coming in (to serve). Winfield said all of the veterans stories were unique and that each veteran was humble when sharing his or her story. They are all so different and some of them were almost apologetic about not serving on the front line. I assured them that whatever they did contributed to the whole, but they would say what they did was nothing, Winfield said. Preservation of veterans experiences is important because of an alarming statistic Winfield came across during her research. From the Veterans Administration, I found that we are losing 430 World War II veterans every day, Winfield said. Two of the veterans I wrote about passed away before the book came out. Most of them in their upper 90s. Pretty soon, there wont be any of them left. Its the urgency of recording and telling their stories. Winfield was ecstatic about Tuesdays celebration. It was awesome to have 18 World War II veterans together at the same time in the same room, she said. They were so appreciative for the recognition they received. May Museum was the perfect venue just one day before the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, which was the beginning of their World War II stories for the 20 veterans in Forever Heroes. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. CHICAGO (AP) A national job-placement company systematically discriminated against blacks in favor of Hispanic workers to comply with racially based criteria of some clients looking for employees, according to allegations in a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday on behalf of several African-Americans. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, alleges that Personnel Staffing Group LLC used code words to distinguish races and to disguise racially guided decisions, including by using the Spanish word for "bilinguals" to refer to Hispanics. Personnel Staffing Group, which also goes by MVP and MVP Staffing, has more than 60 offices in nearly 40 states. The lawsuit cites instances of alleged bias by one of its branch offices in the Chicago suburb of Cicero. Multiple messages seeking comment from a head office of Personnel Staffing Group just outside Chicago were not returned. The 33-page lawsuit was filed on behalf of several African-American laborers, and it names Personnel Staffing Group and seven of its client companies as defendants. A statement from lawyers and activists announcing the litigation said some companies seek to get around anti-discrimination laws by relying on job-placement agencies. Catherine Ruckelshaus, a general counsel for the National Employment Law Project, said it was akin to companies asking agencies "to launder their overt discrimination." Discrimination can devastate individuals, as well as their families and communities, added one plaintiff attorneys, Chris Williams, of Workers' Law Office in Chicago. "It's difficult to imagine a more blatant example of racism than refusing to hire African-Americans based entirely on the color of their skin," he said. Some companies, the suit said, claimed blacks were more likely to complain about work-safety issues and gave that as one reason for preferring Hispanics. It also says that, in instances where African-American got jobs, they were often offered less desirable work. A couple say improper care by UnityPoint Health-Trinity Moline caused their baby pain, disability and disfigurement. Lucas and Heidi Sottos, address unspecified, filed a lawsuit last week in Rock Island County Circuit Court requesting damages in excess of $50,000 from Iowa Health Systems, parent company of UnityPoint Health; Rock Valley Obstetrics and Gynecology; and three employees, according to court documents. The lawsuit alleges the defendants, during the delivery of the Sottos' baby on Sept. 13 and 14, 2015, failed to perform an "appropriate and timely delivery," to "properly monitor and interpret fetal heart tone monitoring strips" and to effectively administer Pitocin. Additionally, the defendants failed "to alert appropriate neonatal personnel in a timely fashion" that could have prevented injury to the child, according to the lawsuit. A representative from UnityPoint Health-Trinity said the company does not comment on litigation. A case management conference is set for March 16. ATKINSON After years of negotiations, a settlement has been reached between the village and the owners of the former Atkinson Plaza service station. At Mondays meeting, the board agreed to an offer from the Puthusseril family, owners of the Plaza site, stating they will fix a sign that is in disrepair and maintain the grounds in a manner that does not violate any village ordinances. In addition, they will pay the village a total of $10,000 in fines for negligence in caring for the property. The village will retain $3,000 of the $10,000 for fees and costs incurred in reaching a settlement. The remaining $7,000 will be put in escrow to be used as an incentive to a buyer or lessee interested in utilizing the property. The former plaza is located along Interstate 80, at the south edge of the village, and Mayor Ken Taber estimated the plaza has been closed since about 2012. The village has been fining the Puthusseril family $100 per day for over a year for negligence in caring for the property, Mayor Taber said. In other business, village board members approved a levy that will ask taxpayers for $4,800 more in the coming year. The new levy is up from $98,500 to $103,300. This years levy is based on $12,329,425 equalized assessed valuation for the village, total taxable value of all property in the village. The board also: -- Learned the 45 MPH speed limit sign has been moved to west of Hamilton St. on U.S. Route 6. -- Approved presenting $25 village gift certificates to retiring members of the village planning commission and zoning board of appeals, including Ron Obrecht, Ralph Mapes, Joe Goebert, Bill Freddy and the late Joe Glattly (certificate will be given to Mr. Glattlys widow, Sandra Glattly. -- Learned winners of prizes awarded at the recent village Christmas Festival are Ryan Rahn, $500 village gift certificate; Lisa Brandts, television; Sally Zion, sound bar; and Carol Minnaert won fist place in the ugly sweater contest and received a $100 village gift certificate. -- Learned winners of the Christmas lighting contest will be announced at the Dec. 19 village board meeting. Deadline to decorate is Dec. 16. -- Set holiday refuse pickup for Dec. 19, Dec. 27, Dec. 30 and Jan. 3. Sinai Lutheran Church in Fremont is inviting the public to its 125th anniversary service at 3 p.m. Sunday. Pastors and interns who have served Sinai throughout the years and Bishop Brian Maas of the Nebraska Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will participate in the worship with communion. Choirs from Sinai will join with the Palladium Brass. As a part of the celebration weekend, Sinai Festival Sounds will celebrate the installation of Sinais new hand-built organ at 7 p.m. Friday, with an organ recital performed by Claire Bushong. The recital includes works by Bach, Sweelinck, and a piece by David Schack commissioned for the event. Built by Juget-Sinclair of Montreal, Canada, the organ includes more than 700 pipes and is operated by mechanical action rather than electricity, using hundreds of small wooden trackers to open air valves when the organs keys are pressed. Bushong earned her doctorate in organ performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She has degrees in piano performance from the University of Tulsa and Phillips University. She serves as organist for Sinai Lutheran Church. Sinai Lutheran Church is at 950 E. Eighth St. in Fremont. This story has been changed to note Hillary Clinton won Winnebago County in the Nov. 8 election. U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, has been chosen by Democratic Party leaders to convey their message to working families following recent defeats to Republicans. Rep. Bustos was one of three people elected Monday night by the House Democratic Caucus to head the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. According to a news release from Rep. Bustos's office, the committee will tell people what Democrats in the House of Representatives are doing for working families. In November, President-elect Donald Trump, a Republican, captured several traditionally Democratic-leaning states in the upper Midwest and along the Great Lakes by appealing to white, working-class voters. In those two regions, he lost only Illinois, Minnesota and New York to Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. He also won all but three -- Rock Island, Winnebago and Peoria -- of the 14 counties in Rep. Bustos's Congressional district. Four counties in the district -- Mercer, Henderson, Fulton and Knox -- had not been won by a Republican since President Ronald Reagan 32 years ago. On Tuesday, Rep. Bustos said Democrats must talk about what they are doing to make things better for working families. "We've got to talk about jobs and the economy," she said. That includes equal pay for equal work, Rep. Bustos said, and providing tax incentives to companies that keep jobs in the U.S. and denying them to companies that would move them out. Despite the presidential preference switch, Rep. Bustos noted she won all 14 counties of the 17th Congressional District. "From Day 1, we have never stopped talking about jobs and the economy (in the district)," Rep. Bustos said. When not in Washington D.C., she is in her district, she said, often shadowing people as they go about their jobs -- learning how they make their living -- or visiting with them in grocery stores and supermarkets about their concerns. She said when she returns to Washington, those conversations influence her work. She said other Democrats posted November wins similar to her, and she plans to find out what made them successful. Rep. Bustos will share the committee leadership with Reps. Hakeem Jeffries, of New York, and David Cicilline, of Rhode Island. Reps. Bustos and Jeffries were nominated by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Formerly, the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee had a single leader -- Rep. Steve Israel, an ally of Rep. Pelosi who created the position for him. Rep. Israel is retiring. On Tuesday morning Beyonce became the lead nominee for next years Grammy Awards. The accolades came just a few months after Formation caused national outrage. The single in which she proudly sings I like my Negro nose sparked controversy with its provocative music video. The artist was shown atop a submerged police car and a young boy was seen dancing in front of officers with the words stop shooting us spray painted on the wall behind him. And then there was her performance at the Super Bowl. On one of the worlds biggest stages, she delivered the black power salute, paid homage to civil rights leader Malcolm X and dressed in a militant, leather ensemble inspired by the Black Panthers and Michael Jackson. Nearly 112 million viewers saw Beyonce upend her public persona. It was the rare political statement from an artist who until that moment had spent most of her career striving for pop perfection with audacious anthems of female empowerment and sexuality. Critics accused her of being anti-police, condemned her ensemble and a Tennessee sheriff even blamed her for shots fired outside his home. Months later she dropped Lemonade, a bold personal work that explored pain and rage through the lens of black womanhood. The album and its hourlong companion film is nominated for nine Grammys, including album, record and song of the year (the latter two for Formation). From the confrontational approach of Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar to the jubilant gospel of Chance the Rapper and the simmering introspection of Solange, this years Grammy nominations are peppered with modern black protest music works that provided the soundtrack for a new generation of young black men and women during a renewed time of racial unrest. For as long as theres been tumult in this country, black artists have responded with music sounds that have influenced and shaped myriad genres that can be traced through slavery and the civil rights era to the birth of gangster rap during Reaganomics. Today, with fraught racial tensions, police brutality, government corruption (e.g. the water crisis in Flint, Mich.) and President-elect Donald Trumps divisive rhetoric, theres no shortage of topical material. Pushing back, be it against institutionalized racism or even record labels, was a common thread among the black protest music released by Grammy nominees. We came from the back of the bus, talking Watts to Mobile, Now were on a house on a hill, De La Soul raps on the inventive groups And the Anonymous Nobody. The album, the groups first in a dozen years, eschewed a traditional record business model by being exclusively funded through crowd-sourcing. Solange spoke directly to the black experience and its nuances with her ambitious A Seat at the Table. Regrettably the album got largely overlooked by the Recording Academy (its one of the years most lauded albums but it arrived on the final day of Grammy eligibility). Still, shes the one to beat in R&B performance for Cranes in the Sky, a beautifully uplifting anthem of catharsis. Its not a coincidence that so many artists both pop and underground or whatever are creating art that is reflecting the times, Solange told W Magazine. This is the time that Donald Trump is going on television and saying black people are poor and uneducated and we dont have anything to lose. Earlier this year, Chance the Rapper disrupted industry tradition when Coloring Book became the first streaming-only album to chart on the Billboard 200. The Chicago rapper rebuffs major labels and has yet to make his music available for purchase, releasing them to SoundCloud, free digital download or in the case of his latest, exclusively to Apple Music for a short window. Chance declared himself the (Harriet) Tubman of the underground on Kanye Wests Ultralight Beam (its up for rap song and rap/sung performance) and warned major labels not to stand in his way on his banger No Problem, nominated for both rap song and performance. On Coloring Book, Chance, also a nominee for new artist, delivered an offering of exuberant rap that was inspirational, introspective and deeply informed by gospel a genre of black music that can be traced as far back as the 17th century. He raps about his faith and fatherhood, but also about the Black Lives Matter movement and the gun violence that has besieged his native South Side and has contributed to a stunning number of killings. And hes dedicated to activism, working with a nonprofit to provide self-heating winter coats/sleeping bags for the homeless, leading a social media campaign that resulted in a cease-fire in Chicago for 42 hours and parading hundreds of young voters to the polls. Beyonce undoubtedly became the face of protest music this year between her Super Bowl appearance and the release of Lemonade. The albums accompanying visual nominated for music film and a video nod for Formation included poetry by Somali British writer Warsan Shire, referenced Malcolm X and featured scenes with the mothers of slain black men Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner and Michael Brown. Freedom has emerged as a powerful rallying cry. The track invokes the Negro spiritual Wade in the Water, samples a reverend preaching during the Jim Crow era and has a fiery verse from Kendrick Lamar (its up for rap/sung performance). Freedom! Freedom! Where are you? Cause I need freedom too, she sings. I break chains all by myself, wont let my freedom rot in hell. 2016 Los Angeles Times Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com WASHINGTON Donald Trump has picked Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who proved a loyal and unflinching surrogate in the presidential race, to be the ambassador to China, the transition team said Wednesday. The choice of Branstad is likely to reassure Beijing, which has been rattled by Trumps rhetoric about China and his breaking decades of protocol with his outreach to Taiwan. Branstad has deep ties to China and a personal friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi was in the Quad-Cities Feb. 15, 2012, before visiting with Muscatine families he met during a 1985 trip to Iowa. Trump transition spokesman Jason Miller said Branstad is someone who has a lot of experience and a great grasp of trade issues, agriculture issues, a tremendous understanding of China and Chinese people, and is someone who very much impressed the president elect not just in their meetings on the campaign trail but also in meetings after election. The Chinese government reacted favorably to the pick. Mr. Branstad is an old friend of the Chinese people, and we welcome his greater contribution to the development of China-U.S. relations, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang, during a press briefing in China. The choice signals to China that Trump is not looking to escalate tensions, despite an antagonistic tone toward the country that has endured beyond the campaign and into his transition. Trump warns of slapping massive tariffs onto Chinese imports if trade terms are not renegotiated to be more favorable to the United States and he accuses the country of manipulating its currency. Trump further alarmed Beijing when he accepted a congratulatory phone call last Friday from Tsai Ing-wen, the leader of Taiwan, an island nation China regards as a renegade province. After a campaign in which China was often the target of Trumps ire, the choice of Branstad is the first big move Trump has made to tone down the friction. Branstad was one of the more visible establishment Republican leaders on the campaign trail with Trump. His son, Eric, ran Trumps general election campaign in Iowa. When a videotape surfaced in October in which Trump boasted of his uninvited sexual advances, Branstad did not join other Republicans in distancing himself from the campaign. He said he accepted Trumps apology and warned Iowans that only Trump could protect the country from Islamic extremists. Branstad is on his sixth term as governor of Iowa. He is the longest-serving governor in American history. The China post could prove to be Branstads toughest assignment yet. Trump has repeatedly vowed that he would drive a hard bargain with China, a position that is popular with the displaced factory workers who fueled Trumps victory but risks touching off a trade war that could prove damaging to the American economy. Branstads relationship with Xi stretches back to 1985, when the now-Chinese president visited the United States while working as an agricultural officer. In 2012, Branstad hosted a dinner in Iowa that Xi attended while serving as the Chinese vice president. The comments by Hassan Rouhani came during a speech at the University of Tehran commemorating the killings of Iranian students protesting a visit by then-U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon in 1953. Rouhani's remarks show the high-wire stakes he faces after Trump's inauguration in trying to defend the deal struck by his moderate administration. The timing during an annual remembrance of the students' killing at the hands of the U.S.-backed Shah Reza Pahlavi's security forces also shows the internal challenges he faces from hard-liners already suspicious of America's intentions. "The U.S. is our enemy," Rouhani said. "They want to put pressure on us as much as they can." Rouhani never mentioned Trump by name in his speech, though he prefaced his remarks with noting that "some man ... elected in the U.S." "Whatever plans he has, it will be revealed later," Rouhani said. "He may desire to weaken the nuclear deal. He may desire to rip up the deal. Do you suppose we will allow this? Will our nation allow this?" On the campaign trail, Trump called the multi-nation deal "catastrophic" and vowed to renegotiate it, without explaining how. Rouhani also warned Iran "will show a reaction" if outgoing President Barack Obama signs a law extending some of America's sanctions authority by 10 years. The law, first passed by Congress in 1996 and renewed several times since thxen, allows the U.S. to sanction companies for doing business with Iran. Rouhani has described extending the sanctions as a violation of the nuclear deal. The White House deemed the bill unnecessary but said it didn't violate the international accord. In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said any party can leave the nuclear agreement. But he said such a move would be counterproductive because the deal is working. "It's not a formal treaty and of course no one can prevent any other party to this agreement from walking away," Toner told reporters. "The counterargument to that is why would anyone walk away, because it's effective." Toner said it was premature to judge what the incoming Trump administration would do with the Iran deal. He reiterated the Obama administration's arguments that the accord has cut off all of Iran's pathways to a nuclear weapon. Toner also disputed Iran's claims that it could restart elements of its nuclear program if it perceives the U.S. or any other party to the seven-nation to be in breach. "The only snapback I'm aware of is obviously the snapback provision that allows us to put back in place very quickly nuclear-related sanctions," Toner said. Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- Franklin D. Roosevelts speech to Congress, Dec. 8, 1941 Seventy five years ago today the Japanese attacked the American naval fleet anchored at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii with devastating accuracy. The attack left the American fleet crippled at best. Around 6 a.m., the U.S.S. Ward spotted a submarine periscope and took action to destroy the attacking craft while sending a message to warn the fleet. Thanks to the fast action of the crew this submarine did not aid in the attack on our Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor. The attack, from the air started around 7:50 a.m. with the aircrews attacking the ships anchored in Pearl Harbor and the installations on Oahu. They attacked and destroyed the airplanes and airfields to stop the Americans from defending the fleet. Of the 90 ships anchored at Pearl, the battlewagons were attacked by torpedo and dive-bombers of the Imperial fleet. The ships attacked included the battleships Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Tennessee, West Virginia and the Utah with all taking heavy damage and or sinking. Also hit were 3 Cruisers, 3 destroyers and numerous other auxiliary vessels including rescue vessels trying to save the men in the water and on the burning and sinking vessels. The Arizona took a 2,000 lb amour-piercing bomb in the forward magazine which put her out of commission. Few people survived the explosion while at their defensive positions but the few that did, showed valor in rescuing the few that they could. On the U.S.S. Tennessee, the defensive positions were manned within 5 minutes and started to defend their ship. Two bombs struck her turrets placing them out of action but they continued to defend the ship with smaller guns and machine guns while they were being strafed. An Ensign was directing the fire of his gun, while being strafed by enemy planes until he was seriously wounded. On the U.S.S. California, the bravery continued with the heroic action of her crew. Many men died in smoke filled and fire filled hallways attempting to get ammo to the gunners on deck. Sailors risked their lives by taking boats and obtaining ammunition from other ships while they were under heavy fire. The U.S.S. Nevada was the only Battleship to be able to get under way because of the bravery and cool heads of their fine crew. The executive officer ordered the boilers started and within 45 minutes were under way even though they had received numerous torpedo and bomb hits. He directed the ship into the channel to try to get to open water where they could maneuver, but the second way hit and concentrated on the Nevada to sink her. This was averted by the fast action of the Commander when he beached the Nevada. These are just a few of the heroic actions taken by our brave fighting men and women during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Japanese attack cost 2300 American lives lost and our military crippled in the Pacific, but with the American spirit and will power the Americans overcame the devastating attack upon Pearl Harbor. Remember Pearl Harbor and all of the brave men and women that died in this sneak attack! (Read more at www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2011/winter/ph-decklogs.html.) Go To The Polls And Pull The Lever We hope everyone turns out to pull the lever next Tuesday (Nov. 8). Actually, new voters wont know what we are talking about, as the... Letters To The Editor Street Closure Dangers Neighbors, Friends, Citizens of NYC/QUEENS: Many may not know that NYC has decided to close off miles of streets to cars in... G'day! It's Murray here. I've put together a little quiz to test your musical knowledge. Think you can score top marks in Murray's Magic Music Quiz? Give it a go now! Three public transport authorities, Rhine-Ruhr Transport Association (VRR), Nahverkehr Rheinland (NVR) and Zweckverband Westfalen-Lippe (NWL), awarded the contracts after completing a European-wide open competition. The decisions taken by the public transport authorities will become irrevocable after a 10-day period in which appeals can be filed against the decisions. Abellio is to retain its regional passenger concession for the Ruhr-Sieg network for another 15 years. This contact, which becomes effective in December 2019, consists of the following lines: RE 16 Essen - Hagen - Siegen RB 46 Bochum - Gelsenkirchen RB 91 Hagen Iserlohn/Siegen, and RB 46 the Gluckanf railway. Services will be operated using Stadler Flirt EMUs, which will couple or split during their journey to create more through services to avoid passengers having to change trains. NWB retains the Emscher-Munsterland network contract and adds the Essen - Dorsten - Borken and Dorsten - Coesfeld contracts to its portfolio. The contract for the two lines starts in December 2018 and will last three years. As part of the agreement, frequencies will be increased, particularly at weekends. A 30-minute-interval S-Bahn service will be introduced between Essen and Dorsten in December 2019, while services will be extended to Essen-Steele, creating a 5-minute-interval on the section from Gladbeck West to Essen-Steele in combination with other lines. More direct connections will also be created using Talent DMUs, combining and splitting in Dorsten. Tenders have been invited for hydrogen-cell powered trains to be introduced starting in 2021. DB Regio will remain the operator of the Monchengladbach - Cologne - Bonn Beuel - Koblenz line for 15 years when the new contract starts in December 2019 and on the Aachen - Lindern - Heinsberg/Monchengladbach - Duisburg - Essen line for 14 years when a new contract starts in December 2020. DB Regio is planning to purchase a fleet of three-car and five-car Alstom Coradia Contintental class 440 trains for these services. A five-year trial in Germany with 25.25m-long trucks (LHV) weighing up to 44 tonnes is due to be completed at the end of this year. A standard HGV in Germany is 18.75m long. The draft text was sent by the Federal Transport Ministry (BMVI) to transport organisations for their comments, whereas the final report from the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) has only been seen by the ministry and is obviously going to be kept secret, says the alliance. We were astonished to learn that the final report from the researchers accompanying the trials has already been sent to the BMVI but has neither been published nor sent to the transport organisations. The whole logic behind giving longer vehicles unrestricted approval is still very much in doubt, the alliance says. For example, the explanatory statement in the regulation mentions, among other things, safety problems caused by emergency bays in tunnels that are too short, increased fire load and vehicles having to stray into neighbouring lanes. The consequences for road safety of approving longer vehicles cannot simply be brushed aside by pointing to the low number of vehicles that took part in the trials. The casual way the BASt report is being handled exposes these so-called road trials as a scientific fig leaf, says Mr Dirk Flege, managing director of the Pro-Rail Alliance. None of the fundamental concerns about allowing longer HGVs have been refuted by the trials. Because only a few longer vehicles were involved in the trials, the report cannot make any serious conclusions about the risk of shifting freight from the railways to the roads, or the dangers for car drivers. We therefore continue to completely reject allowing their unrestricted use. There are numerous studies that are unequivocally against allowing longer trucks or further trials. The alliance believes the concept should be rejected because: LHVs are dangerous for car drivers - heavy goods vehicles are already involved in one in five fatal accidents, which is why the majority of Germans are opposed to these vehicles LHVs are expensive for taxpayers because bigger trucks will disproportionally damage the already ailing road infrastructure, and LHVs will damage the environment because by lowering the cost of road transport, freight will be shifted from rail to road, resulting in an increase, not a reduction in HGVs on Germanys roads, to the detriment of environmentally-friendly rail freight transport. Long HGVs have been in use in Finland and Sweden for some time now, the alliance says. However, Scandinavia is very spread out and thinly populated, with low volumes of traffic. These countries cannot be compared with the rest of Europe, where the road network is dense and the traffic is very heavy, making them unsuitable for LHVs. In addition, Denmark and the Netherlands are running trials of 25m trucks that weigh 60 tonnes. The supporters of longer vehicles like to back up their cause using environmental arguments, but in reality they are hoping to make savings of up to 30%, the alliance says. The opponents of longer vehicles are afraid that the cost reductions gained by using LHVs will lead to an increase in road freight transport. The European Parliament and European Union (EU) transport ministers last year rejected moves by the EU Commission to make changes to a directive that would allow LHVs to make cross-border journeys between neighbouring countries. Whereas trials of LHVs are currently taking place in several member states, the EU has now shown the so-called Gigaliners a stop sign, the alliance says. With its proposals for improving safety and optimising aerodynamics, it is taking a completely different approach. Ottawas O-Train Confederation Line LRT project attained a major milestone on Dec. 2 as the first of 34 Alstom Citadis Spirit LRVs began testing on the line segment between Blair and Cyrville stations, during a ceremonial launch. Vehicle testing along the alignment from Blair Station to Tunneys Pasture will continue until the launch of the O-Train Confederation Lines first phase in 2018. All 34 vehicles are assembled locally in Ottawa. The O-Train Confederation Line is a C$2.1 billion project t jointly funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Ottawa. The Government of Canada is contributing C$600 million and the Province of Ontario is contributing up to C$600 million. The City of Ottawa will allocate up to C$161.5 million of its federal Gas Tax Fund transfers to this project and C$287 million of provincial gas tax transfers. The remaining project funds will come from development charge revenues and transit reserves. Private-sector partner Rideau Transit Group is responsible for this first stage in Ottawas future rail network. The 7.75-mile electrified line will link Blair Station in the east and Tunneys Pasture Station in the west and will connect to the O-Trains Trillium Line at Bayview Station. The route includes 13 stations and a 1.5-mile tunnel that will reduce congestion through the downtown core. David McGuinty, Member of Parliament for Ottawa South (on behalf of Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities), Steven Del Duca, Ontario Minister of Transportation and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, along with other officials from all levels of government, participated in the ceremonial launch. The Alstom Citadis Spirit LRV at the ceremonial launch, No.1101, was assembled in the shop at Belfast Yard. It is the first LRV/streetcar to be assembled in Ottawa since 1947, when Ottawa Car and Aircraft Ltd. delivered its final streetcar to the Ottawa Electric Railway Co. The launch also marked the first electrified rail operation in Ottawa since 1959, the year that the citys streetcar system was removed from service and replaced by buses. As of December, construction is well advanced on the Confederation Line. While most of the first phase is a conversion of the 35-year-old BRT (bus rapid transit) Transitway, through downtown Ottawa it will run in the new tunnel, with three underground stations. When it opens, the Confederation Line is expected to be the busiest light rail line in North America, carrying more than 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction. More information on the project is available at http://www.ligneconfederationline.ca/. 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 Buenos Aires-based design agency Steinbranding has been chosen to refresh the on-air branding of Mexican free-to-air (FTA) channel Azteca 7. With the channel recently revamping its line-up, incorporating more live shows, Steinbranding has been asked to reflect Azteca 7s spirit in a new design, targeting a younger audience. The agency recently carried out similar projects for other TV networks including Zee Mundo , ahead of it entering the Hispanic market.We are proud to be chosen again by Grupo Salinas. The line-ups revamping is also shown in the new branding image. Besides, we have updated graphics for the promotional blocks and some of the shows, explained Guillermo Stein, CEO, Steinbranding All these changes have been developed by Steinbranding along with our in-house design team, raising the level of the on-air image. This helps us to reach our goal of appealing to the new Mexican family, said Cesar Bailon, visual arts director, TV Azteca Soft drink giant Coca-Cola has chosen Mediaset channels to air a special Christmas campaign in Spain. Some of Mediasets best-known personalities have participated in Coca-Colas 45-second Christmas spot, shot entirely in Mediasets headquarters in Madrid. The advert is set to air this week on Telecinco, Spains most-watched free-to-air (FTA) network, and Cuatro.Four presenters from Mediasets prime time shows Jesus Vazquez, Marta Torne, Manu Carreno and Lujan Arguelles and two actors from the series La Que Se Avecina, Pablo Chiapella and Vanesa Romero, star in the TV ad, which will be broadcast exclusively on the Mediaset networks.For sixth year in a row, Coca-Cola has also chosen Mediaset to launch the first spot of the year, one of the most coveted time slots on Spanish FTA TV.The soft drink brand will also appear on Mediasets live coverage from Madrids Puerta del Sol during the final minutes of 2016. Former president of MAST-bank arrested over illegal cashing of $138 mln MOSCOW, December 7 (RAPSI) Yury Pirogov, former president of now insolvent MAST-bank, has been arrested in Moscow on charges he participated in a scheme to cash 8.8 billion rubles ($138 mln), Kommersant newspaper reported on Wednesday. Pirogov was arrested after he was questioned in relation to a criminal case over illegal banking activities, which was launched in March 2015, according to Kommersant. Pirogov pleaded not guilty, Alexander Karabanov, his lawyer, told TASS news agency. Investigators claim that in 2010-2015 an organized group, which included managers of MAST-bank, was was siphoning money out of the bank and cashing them. Three individuals admitted their guilt in the case. They were reportedly sentenced in May to probation. Charges against two other suspects, including Evgeny Rostovtsev, member of the board of directors at MAST-bank, were reportedly dropped. Criminal investigation in the case is underway. In the meantime, former top managers of the bank, including Alexander Chemetov, former chairman of the board of directors, and Natalya Zhelobayeva, now chief credit officer at Arsenal bank, are implicated in another criminal case. It was launched in January at the request of the Russian central bank which claims the money deposited at MAST-bank were embezzled. MAST-bank lost its license in July 2015. The bank was declared bankrupt in August. Russian rights group seeks ECHR compensations be recovered from culprits MOSCOW, December 7 (RAPSI, Diana Gutsul) Sergey Petryakov, the head of a human rights advocacy group Zona Prava (Law Zone), has asked Russias Prosecutor General to seek monetary redress in the amounts of compensations set by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) from the officers of the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) directly responsible for failures to provide convicts with medical care, the activist told RAPSI on Wednesday. According to Petryakov, over the last three years ECHR has upheld 19 complaints about inadequate medical treatment in prisons from applicants from across Russia. The total amount of money paid to the aggrieved parties from the state purse made 22.4 million rubles ($352,000); however, the FSIN officers to be directly blamed for the harm caused to applicants avoided responsibility. Meanwhile, the activists said, the provision of high-quality medical care to convicts deteriorates year after year. This situation, Petryakov insisted, results in impunity and growing number of applicants turning to international courts thus increasing the burden on the Russian budget. Petryakov noted that the federal budget for 2017 allocates 600 million rubles (almost $9.5 million) for compensating applicants turning to ECHR, the sum far from being sufficient according to legal experts. At the same time, no FSIN officer has been financially liable, while the compensations are paid from the taxes on ordinary citizens, the rights advocate said. The Daily Caller, December 3, 2016 By Saagar Enjeti Nearly one in five terrorist organizations in the world are based out of Afghanistan, U.S. Army Gen. John Nicholson told reporters Friday. This is the highest concentration of the numbers of different groups in any area in the world, he elaborated. Nicholsons comments come as the Taliban now controls more ground than at any time since the U.S. invasion in 2001. U.S. Army Gen. Joseph Votel estimated Thursday that the Taliban controls approximately 40 percent of the entire country. We have to be concerned about this about the Taliban pulling together and cooperating and collaborating with other terrorist organizations, Votel lamented. The U.S invaded Afghanistan in 2001, after the Taliban government gave sanctuary to al-Qaida and refused to turn al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden over to U.S. authorities. Western officials told The New York Times nearly 40,000 militants remain in Afghanistan. Officials believe 25 percent of these militants are foreign-born nationals, using Afghanistan as a safe haven to plot attacks and organize. Taliban victories are multiplying as the U.S.-based Afghan Security Forces struggle to maintain security throughout the country, amid massive losses. The Afghan Security Forces lost nearly 900 men in July alone, and are having their bloodiest year since the U.S. invasion in 2001. The high attrition rate of the Afghan forces, coupled with two major offensives across hundreds of miles will likely push the Afghan forces to their brink. Western officials reportedly believe they are now losing 30-50 men per day to Taliban attacks. The groups all have symbiotic relationships. One group cannot stay in isolation; others provide the enabling environment, Afghanistans national security adviser told TheNYT. He continued, There is no change in the goals that Al Qaeda is pursuing, which is the destruction of the West and Muslim democracies. Castro, Socialism, and the Shortsighted How many political enemies would a dictator have to kill before you would no longer want your non-adult children to meet with him? class="x_MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"> This article was created in collaboration with the Atlantic Council. Daniel P. Vajdich is a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and former lead Republican staffer for Europe and Eurasia on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The views expressed here are the author's own. No single issue left Republican national security experts more skeptical of candidate Donald Trump than his rhetoric on Russia. Trumps seeming affinity for authoritarian Russian President Vladimir Putin, and his belief that he could work with Russia in places like Syria, raised just about every eyebrow in the Republican foreign policy community no matter where each individuals expertise lay. But was Trump serious? Since his stunning electoral victory, Trump has taken a number of steps that indicate he doesnt intend to follow through in full on his campaign rhetoric. In a call with South Korean President Park Geun-hye, Trump rightly committed himself and the United States to South Koreas defense, which remains critical to nuclear non-proliferation and to stability in East Asia. After his own call with the president-elect, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he is absolutely confident that President Trump will maintain American leadership in the alliance and will maintain a strong commitment to European security. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe similarly expressed his conviction that President-elect Trump is a leader we can trust following their tete-a-tete in New York. Such engagement with American allies is an encouraging sign. But in addition to our closest allies, Trump spoke with a foreign leader who defines his interests in opposition to those of the United States -- Vladimir Putin. And there is nothing wrong with that. The right sort of dialogue with Russia is vital. What will be problematic come Jan. 20 is if the president-elect intends to follow through on campaign rhetoric regarding U.S. policy toward Russia. Trump should know that Putin is going to make it extremely tempting for him to remain committed to what was said before the election. Putin will play nice for the next year or two in order to extract the sort of policy concessions from the United States that he wants and in some cases desperately needs. These include first and foremost the lifting of economic sanctions against Russia, downgrading U.S. relations with its partners in Central and Eastern Europe, reducing or preferably eliminating American support for Ukraine, and legitimizing Russias presence and actions in Syria. Sound familiar? The nature of these demands will in many ways resemble what Putin asked of President Obama in the context of the so-called reset of U.S.-Russia relations. And if Trump goes along with Putins supposed quid pro quo approach -- where the United States provides lots of quid but receives little quo in return -- the outcome will look like Obamas reset policy on steroids. What this means is that U.S. concessions and their consequences today will be far more detrimental than the concessions Obama made to Putin under the reset and what followed them. In 2009, Russia had not yet invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea. The Kremlin had yet to send troops to Syria to prop up President Bashar Assad and bomb moderate rebels. It had not sold sophisticated air defense systems to Iran. But today Moscow is taking real action outside its borders that goes far beyond saber-rattling at international forums like the Munich Security Conference or the U.N. General Assembly. This behavior and the Russia we see today are a direct consequence of Obamas reset policy. By attempting to satisfy Putin and believing he would establish friendly relations with Moscow on the basis of U.S. concessions -- from missile defense and one-sided cuts under New START to ignoring human rights and failing to implement the Magnitsky Act -- Obama created a permissive environment that allowed Putin to conclude he could undermine American interests around the world with impunity. Trump must not repeat his predecessors mistakes. The United States cannot afford a Russian reset part deux. Fidel Castro is gone, but the regime that he managed to put in place with summary executions, torture, arbitrary imprisonment, and suppression of civil liberties remains intact. The ordeal of the Ladies in White, who are beaten every Sunday for taking to the streets to call for the liberation of political prisoners, speaks volumes about the implacable dictatorial nature of Castroism. Intact though it may be, the Cuban regime is showing signs of fragility. Incapable of managing efficiently the countrys economy, the reign of the Castro brothers has owed its survival to the aid received first from the Soviet Union, and later from Hugo Chavezs Venezuela, the country with the worlds largest oil reserves. It so happens, however, that Cuba may soon find itself without a foreign purveyor. After 18 years of so-called 21st Century Socialism, the Venezuelan economy is in shambles and will hardly be able to keep transferring oil and petrodollars to Cuba in the measures needed to keep the Castro regime alive. Cuban President Raul Castro is well aware of the risks posed by Venezuelas economic rout and has been searching for new sources of economic survival. Hence what he calls his updating of Cubas economic and social model" -- the instillation of doses of market economy that look innocuous compared to the economic reforms China and Vietnam have put in place. Hence, too, the thaw in diplomatic and economic relations with the Empire (i.e. the United States) negotiated with U.S. President Barack Obama through the mediation of the Vatican. The two components of Raul Castros survival program -- homeopathic doses of market economy and diplomatic and economic overtures to the United States -- are now showing signs of strain. Ideological and bureaucratic hurdles, as well as the vested interests of the ruling elite, make meaningful and effective economic reform a distant prospect. No less important, the White House will soon be occupied by a tenant whose stance on Cuba stirs unease in Havanas circles of power. Predicting what Donald Trump will actually do after assuming the presidency of the United States is proving to be a hazardous exercise. He has already toned down or recanted more than one of his campaign stances and might also soften the hardline attitude on Cuba that he adopted during the election campaign. And yet, post-election statements made by members of the transition team and by Trump himself tend to confirm that the U.S. president-elect is intent on a Cuba policy tougher than President Obamas. On the occasion of Fidel Castros demise, Trump referred to the late Cuban leader as a brutal dictator and promised that his administration will do all it can to help the Cuban people attain freedom and prosperity. Surely no one expects Trumps foreign policy to give high priority to human rights on the global stage. But Cuba may offer Trump a chance to flex his muscles and show, at minimal political cost, how tough he can be -- if only because it is in his own interest to take a firmer position than his predecessor on the Castro regime. Indeed, Trump won in the crucial state of Florida, where the votes of Cuban-Americans carry a heavy weight. Therefore if he aims to secure a second term, he will be well-advised not to deceive the Cuban-American community. The incorporation into Trumps transition team of Mauricio Claver-Carone -- a firm opponent to the U.S.-Cuba rapprochement in its present form -- can be interpreted as a sign that the U.S. president-elect plans to take a hard stance on Cuba. Sensing the change of wind in the Oval Office, the Castro regime has begun to react. It carried out military drills immediately after Donald Trumps electoral victory. The problem for the Cuban authorities is that an eventual confrontation with the Trump administration will likely be of an economic rather than military nature, something with which Havana is ill-equipped to cope. Conventional wisdom has it that the U.S. embargo, imposed 54 years ago, has not delivered the expected results; why then, it is added, will a hardline Cuba policy be efficient under Trump? Well, for one key reason: circumstances have changed. Considering the loss of its traditional patron and with no new sponsor in sight, Cubas regime is counting on the development of financial and commercial links with the United States and could hardly refuse a trade-off involving a democratic opening on the island in exchange for the continuation and eventual expansion of such links. Therein lies the usefulness of Obamas overture toward Cuba. For Trumps negotiating leverage over the Castros would not have been as strong as it actually is had the Obama administration not eased travel and commercial restrictions. The Castro regime has already had a taste of the benefits that economic ties with the United States may bring about. (Suffice to mention the dramatic surge of U.S. tourists visiting Cuba). As a result, Cubas ruling elite will think twice before putting those benefits at risk by assuming an unyielding attitude in negotiations with the Trump administration. Cubas ruling class and its supporters around the world will cry foul, denouncing what they will call a violation of the principle of self-determination by Washington, and blaming the Trump administration for a further deterioration of the living conditions of the Cuban population. All the same, with the old-guard reign coming to an end by the laws of biology, the disabused Cubans and the lucid members of the ruling class will ignore that worn-out cantilena. They may, instead, look upon a firmer U.S. Cuba policy, not as an obnoxious intromission, but as an additional reason to carry out the necessary economic and political transformation of their beleaguered country. Gigi Hadid and Karlie Kloss stunned on the red carpet on Monday. ADVERTISEMENT The models and close friends attended the 2016 Fashion Awards -- formerly the British Fashion Awards -- at Royal Albert Hall in London. Hadid dazzled as she posed for photos in a silver pantsuit with a voluminous attached train and a choker neck. Kloss, meanwhile, wore a shimmering black gown with deep side cutouts and a mirrored belt. Lady Gaga, Jared Leto, Jaden Smith, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Salma Hayek were among the other stars at the event. Hadid won Best International Model, while Jaden Smith and his sister, Willow Smith, walked away with New Fashion Icons. "It's an exciting night for the entire fashion industry because it really celebrates so many different creators within fashion," Kloss told Hello! prior to the awards. "There are awards that focus on supporting emerging talent so it's some of the biggest names in fashion and then also some of the next generation." "[I'm most looking forward to seeing] a lot of my friends!" she added. "I feel like London is very central, so with fashion spanning all four corners of the Earth it's rare that we're all in the same room." Hadid and her sister, Bella Hadid, also stunned at the 2016 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which took place Nov. 30 and aired Monday on CBS. The siblings were joined on the runway by such models as Kendall Kenner and Jasmine Tookes. , We're sorry, this article is not currently available While Jayalalithaa may have died her political legacy will continue to survive through the slew of 'Amma' branded products and services. IMAGE: A file photograph of Jayalalithaa at an Anna Unavagam canteen. Photograph: PTI Photo. Tamil Nadus late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was no novice when it came to building her image. There is an impressive list of goods and services that Jayalalithaa launched as the chief minister of the state from 2011 to 2016. These not only touched the lives of the poor, but also benefitted the middle class immensely. The series of schemes under the Brand Amma made headlines. Each one of these had Jayalalithaas face on it. It was one of the most successful mass branding exercise in the world. From salt to grinders to bottled water to cement and even baby care products -- all of these were either free or at heavily subsidised costs. People of Tamil Nadu were accustomed to seeing Jayalalithaa on everything that was essential for their survival. A senior All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam member said the idea behind Brand Amma was to touch peoples lives in as many ways possible and to accelerate governance delivery in the state. While this helped Jayalalithaa cement her position among Tamil voters as their messiah, it rankled her political opponents immeasurably. Political rivals such as the DMK and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam and their strong leaders had their personality cults overshadowed by Ammas massive voter outreach through Brand Amma. Here are some of the Amma brand products that became very popular: Amma Water: These one litre water bottles called Amma Kudineer available at interstate bus stops has been very popular among commuters. Thats because at Rs 10, it is half the price of other branded packaged water. Even the Indian Railways sells its Rail Neer at Rs 15 per bottle. Thats 50 per cent more than Amma Kudineer. This water is manufactured by the states transport department at its plant in Gummidipoondi in Thiruvalluvar district. Established in 2003, it can process 300,000 litres of water a day. The strategic placement of Amma Kudineer at long distance bus stops meant a grand visibility of her brand across all of Tamil Nadus 32 districts. The AIADMK government also had plans to expand production facilities by setting up nine more plants. These could now be put on hold by Jayalalithaas opponents. Amma Canteen: This is one of the most radical steps taken by any politician after M G Ramachandran, who is credited for introducing the mid-day meal scheme. Called Amma Unvagam, these canteens are a lifeline for not only daily wagers and students but also for thousands of middle class working professionals. Food served in these canteens are cheap and also nutritious and hygienic. A plate of two idlis is priced at Rs 2, while a plate of sambar rice comes at Rs 5 and a plate of curd rice costs Rs 3. Though located in Chennai and select urban centres, these canteens endeared Jayalalithaa to voters, irrespective of their caste or class. Launched in 2013, the popularity of these canteens was one of the reasons Jayalalithaa swept the 2014 state elections. Each canteen costs about Rs 5-6 lakh. Income in the past 12 months has crossed over Rs 15 crore. However, the Chennai Corporation was incurring a loss of Rs 5 lakh a day, as average daily expenses were at Rs 14 lakh and the average daily revenue was at Rs 9 lakh, according to an earlier estimation. Corporation officials said the canteens in Chennai serve over 200,000 people a day. The model is being studied by other Indian states. It was reported that the Delhi government would set up highly subsidised Aam Aadmi canteens. Amma Salt: Jayalalithaa delivered this masterstroke in 2014, and most of the subsidised salt produced by Tamil Nadu Salt Corporation was rebranded with her name and face. Amma Salt came in three varieties. The refined free flow variety was priced at Rs 10, at half the market price of other salt brands. The double fortified variety for Rs 21 per kg. The low sodium variety was priced at Rs 25 per kg. With Amma Salt becoming a hit, the state government further reduced the price to Rs 8 a few months later. The state government had plans to launch the salt across India to project Jayalalithaa as a national leader. While the AIADMK will continue this scheme, the partys political rivals could stop the use of Jayalalithaas brand if they come to power. Amma Pharmacies: These pharmacies were set up to provide cheap medicines at a time when pharma companies were selling lifesaving drugs at exorbitant profits. This also came as a boon to people with no medical insurance. Medicines were sold at a third of their market price. Reports suggest this not only helped people but also forced some drug stores to reduce the prices of essential medicines to avoid losing their business. Within a year of its launch, Amma pharmacies touched the 100 mark. Despite their limited reach, these became an instant hit among the poor and were one of the reasons Jayalalithaa retained power in the 2016 assembly elections. Amma Mixer Grinders: Perhaps the most visible sign of Brand Amma in every Tamil household were the mixer grinders bearing Jayalalithaas image. An essential tool in every kitchen, the mixer grinders were a symbol of Jayalalithaas impressive march into the Tamil psyche. From coastal towns to remote tribal hamlets to urban shanty towns, these appliances permeated every inch of Tamil society. This was one of the first promises she fulfilled after winning the state elections in 2011. More than 10 million families were handed a package that consisted of a wet grinder, a mixer and a table fan. Each package cost the state exchequer Rs 5,000, but that was a small price to pay. With this move, Jayalalitha reiterated her impression as a leader who not only promises but also delivers. While Jayalalithaa may have died, her political legacy will continue to survive through the slew of Amma-branded products and services. The CBI and ED are keeping a close eye on several bank accounts. Shrimi Choudhary/Business Standard reports. Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com Employees of State-run and private sector banks have come under the finance ministry's scanner over alleged irregularities in converting old currency into new notes post the demonetisation drive. The finance ministry has asked banks to look into the matter and submit a report to the ministry in this regard. "We are receiving several complaints against bank officials and we are referring these cases to the concerned investigative agencies," a senior revenue official said on condition of anonymity. When asked about this development and on bank officials' role in illegally changing demonetised currency into new notes, Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said, "In every organisation there will be black sheep, so we are taking action against all those who are violating the norms and helping black money hoarders to convert old notes into new notes." The move comes after the Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate cracked down on bank officials since the note ban to curb black money conversions into new notes. The CBI on Tuesday, December 6, had registered a case against senior bank officials and two others in Bengaluru for allegedly violating rules to convert unaccounted money into new currency. Last week, the ED arrested two managers of Axis Bank's Kashmiri Gate branch in New Delhi and recovered gold bars weighing more than 3 kg. Both were sent to ED custody till December 12. In the case, the ED had alleged that both were involved in aiding black money transactions. Post this, both agencies are keeping a close eye on several bank accounts of various people and traders who have made suspicious transactions during the period. Meanwhile, the Income Tax department too had carried out action in this case, surveyed the bank branch and later searched the homes of the two bank officials. Munich-based Giesecke and Devrient supplies security features to the RBI for currency notes, and machines to bank branches across the country to detect counterfeits. The Narendra Modi government's note ban has impacted diplomats and the functioning of embassies, but not everybody is complaining. Russian ambassador to New Delhi Alexander Kadakin lodged a strong protest with South Block about the cash crunch that his mission has faced since November 9. Several others have either not been as vocal, or like the Germans, are looking at the business opportunities the move would offer their companies. Munich-based Giesecke and Devrient, for example, supplies security features to the Reserve Bank of India for currency notes, and machines to bank branches across the country to detect counterfeits. On Tuesday, Germany's parliamentary state secretary (equivalent to minister of state) for economics and energy Uwe Beckmeyer met senior finance ministry officials, Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das, and was also slated to meet National Security Advisor Ajit Kumar Doval. When asked how demonetisation was likely to impact Germen investments in India, Beckmeyer said as a German policymaker he should keep away from making any statements about India's internal politics. Beckmeyer said he had a meeting with Das and was told "that demonetisation is going on quite successfully." "German companies are also involved in this (demonetisation), including printing bank notes that are hard to counterfeit," the visiting German minister said. He hoped that the note ban would work. Giesecke and Devrient was set up in India in 2001 after RBI's "clean note policy". According to its website, the company has footprints in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, too. Its machine portfolio encompasses every stage of the cash cycle, from printing plants to sorting machines. It provides substrates and security features for banknotes. However, several embassies, particularly those of developing countries, have faced cash problems after demonetisation. Embassies and high commissions of countries with vibrant business relations with India and significant staff strengths have found preferential treatment from private banks, with bank vans visiting the embassy premises to facilitate withdrawal of cash. The Russians, who rely on State Bank of India, have not been that fortunate, leading their envoy Kadakin to write a strongly worded letter to the MEA. Other Central Asian rpublics like Kazakhstan have faced similar problems, while Pakistan's embassy had even threatened to issue notices to Indian officials serving in Islamabad if they weren't allowed to withdraw their salaries in American dollars. In his letter to MEA, Russian envoy Kadakin has complained that embassy's normal functioning was getting affected with the "inadequate" amount of weekly limit of Rs 50,000. State Bank of India has told the embassy its cash withdrawal limit was Rs 50,000 a week. This, the bank said, was according to the Government of India directives with no exceptions unless otherwise advised by the Reserve Bank. A Russian embassy official said they were awaiting for a reply from the MEA and hoped that the issue was resolved quickly. The official warned that Russia would be forced to explore other options, including raising the issue in Moscow by summoning senior Indian embassy officials. Moscow could even retaliate by restricting cash withdrawals for Indian diplomats posted in Russia. The Russian embassy has 200 staffers. The MEA didn't respond to reports about Russian complaint. The dean of diplomatic corps has also raised the issue, as have Ukraine and Kazakhstan. For those who are sceptical about using debit or credit cards, even when faced with cash crunch, Adhil Shetty, CEO of BankBazaar.com, lists out a few cashless options that can be exercised through mobile phones. In the post-demonetisation era, debit and credit cards have offered respite to those who have struggled to withdraw cash from banks and ATMs. While plastic money has been around for decades, adoption rates continue to be low in India. As per RBI statistics, there were 24.51 million credit cards and 661.8 million debit cards in India in March 2016. However, the number of transactions carried out between March 2015 and March 2016 were just 72.22 million and 112.87 million respectively. No doubt, these statistics would have received a boost after demonetisation. But to those who remain skeptical about plastic money and cant be bothered about cheques and demand drafts either, there is a handful of other options which can be easily exercised from their cellphones. Lets take a look at them. E-Wallets E-wallets such as Paytm are thriving in the absence of cash in the market. An e-wallet is an app that can be downloaded via the Internet and installed on your hand-held device, such as a smartphone. To a first-time user, the app allows the creation of a unique ID based on the users phone number and email address. The registration process is completed by OTP to prevent misuse of identity. Once created, the account then needs to be loaded with cash, digitally. This is done by linking the e-wallet account with your netbanking, credit card or debit card accounts. Once the amount is transferred to your e-wallet, it can then be spent on a host of options. You can transact with any merchant who accepts payments from the same e-wallet company. This could mean everything between buying a cup of coffee, recharging your DTH connection, booking flight tickets, to making a down payment on a car. You can not only spend money, you can also receive it. While there are multiple e-wallets apps in the marketplace, it would be sensible to use only the most popular ones in order to access the largest number of merchants who would be on the same platform. It would also allow you access the promotional offers and discounts. Currently, you are allowed to transact up to Rs 20,000 per month through an e-wallet. But after KYC, this limit can be raised to Rs 100,000. Also, there may be transaction charges for rolling back your wallet money into your bank account. UPI The Unified Payment Interface is a revolutionary development in Indian banking. Launched earlier this year, the UPI is now available with 21 banks. It was created by the RBI-backed National Payments Corporation of India. It allows you to send and receive money in real time, at no charge, using your bank account connected to its netbanking app or any third party UPI app. This potentially works better than e-wallets. With UPI, transactions happen directly between bank accounts, whereas e-wallets are intermediaries between bank accounts. If youre with a UPI-enabled bank, you need to use your netbanking account and create your own virtual private address (VPA) for your bank account johnsmith@icici, for example. With the VPA, transferring money becomes as simple as writing an email. To transfer money, you need to direct the transaction at the recipients VPA. You do not need his payee name, account number, IFSC, MICR, bank name, and branch details. Nor do you need to go through the time-consuming process of registering and authenticating payees. UPI can be used to pay as well as to collect money. The per-transaction limit on UPI is Rs. 100,000, which is where it compares favourably with e-wallets. However, it being a new innovation, adoption rates are low and currently there are no discounts and offers on UPI. USSD Cellphones often reach where banks dont. Therefore cellular technology is critical to economic inclusion. However, smartphones arent as popular as feature phones in India. Those using feature phones will have limited access to the financial app marketplace, meaning that they cant depend on e-wallets and UPI for everyday transactions. However, they still have the USSD option, which works even on feature phones. Unstructured Supplementary Service Data can help you send and receive money. To enable this service on your phone, you must be registered for the mobile banking service at your bank. This would allow you to generate your MMID mobile money identifier which would link your cellphone number to your bank account. To initiate a transaction, you need to call *99# from your cellphone. You would then need to input your bank details (three-digit bank code, or the first four digits of your IFSC) to proceed. This would then provide you numbered menu options: check balance, mini statement, transfer money, generate MPIN, etc. For example, option 3 could be transfer money. If you choose it, you would need to provide the recipients MMID and your pin to proceed. You only have 10 seconds to proceed with your menu options, else the transaction gets cancelled. Also, each such call will cost you 50 paise, though carriage has been waived off by telcos till December 31 to ease the cash-crunch. Bottomline If you live in a connected, urban area, most of your transacting requirements can be met with plastic money or Internet money. Around the world, theres a push towards digitising the economy and reducing dependence on paper money. You could be part of this gradual shift by acquainting yourself with digital transactions, and also helping those around you to adopt technology. Its safe, secure and brings tons of conveniences. Photograph: Matt Siegel/Reuters Powered by BankBazaar.com is a marketplace where you can compare and apply online for loans to meet all your personal loan, home loan, car loan and credit card needs from India's leading banks and NBFCs. Copyright 2008 www.BankBazaar.com. All rights reserved. Business Standard reporters piece together stories of how the new currency notes are being printed post-demonetisation at the four presses -- Salboni (West Bengal), Dewas (Madhya Pradesh), Nashik (Maharashtra) and Mysuru (Karnataka). In the first of a four-part series, Avishek Rakshit takes a look at how Salboni is working overtime to print currency notes. IMAGE: Things are on a war footing inside the printing press. The machines are operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Photograph: PTI Photo. Even as the news of demonetisation broke to the world late evening on November 8, the currency press at Salboni, in the West Midnapore district of West Bengal, had begun preparations to print new notes about two months prior to that. Sources at the Salboni press, spread across 570 acres of land, told Business Standard that some time around September, employees were gearing up to print the new series of Rs 2,000 notes. But nobody in that press, which operates under Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran (BRBNMPL), a Reserve Bank of India subsidiary, had any inkling at that point that the government was about to ban all the big notes of the day. The actual printing of Rs 2,000 notes, the most prevalent denomination in banks and automated teller machines after demonetisation, began early October in Salboni. That was the time when instructions came from the authorities to step up printing of Rs 100 notes as well, people close to the scene of action said. Soon, it was 24x7 activity, with employees working three shifts of eight hours each. Till then, there were only two shifts. An employee recalled how he was taken by surprise when he heard Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8 announcing demonetisation. He could then piece together the unusual action in the currency press since September. The fear now was that workload would go up, as they would need to supply fast to the cash-starved banks and ATMs. But, the authorities decided not to stress out the 1,000-odd permanent employees and around 450 casual staff any more, and the roster remained as it was in October. Workers estimate that on a daily basis, the press is printing at least five to seven million pieces of banknotes. Prior to October, the same press produced between an estimated two million and 4.5 million pieces. If increasing the number of shifts and instructions to print new denomination were an indicator of things to come, so was the degree of security. Security at the printing press is always high, but it was beefed up manifold starting November, turning the Salboni facility into a fortress, said an insider. While the press is located in a high-security zone, sharing a common wall with the specialised COBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) forces training grounds, the number of Central Industrial Security Force inside the printing-cum-housing complex increased from 600 to some 900 personnel. In addition, high-definition closed-circuit television cameras with night vision got installed at the entry points, recording all the movements through day and night. Even with the mandatory pink-coloured gate pass, one needs to go through the various checks to be able to enter the premises. According to an employee, some 120 Indian Air Force servicemen were stationed in the premises last week on direct orders from the central government. They are not directly involved in the printing process but are helping with packaging and logistics to ensure faster currency delivery, he added. Thats not the only change. The delivery pattern of the currency has altered too. Previously, the newly printed currency used to be loaded onto train wagons, which entered the high-security cordoned area. Now, the new currency is being loaded into closed metal body and containerised trucks, escorted by armed personnel, and being sent to Kalaikunda Air Force Station in West Bengal. The currency is thereafter being sent to other cities only by air. While the Salboni printing press has been focusing on printing Rs 2,000 and Rs 100 denomination banknotes for the past few weeks, one account suggested that printing of Rs 500 denomination notes had started as well. However, the quality control division of the Salboni press is yet to receive the new Rs 500 banknotes. All currency needs to be first checked by the quality control cell before it can be despatched. Its a war footing situation inside the printing press. The machines are operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, another employee said. Workers estimate that on a daily basis, the press is printing at least five to seven million pieces of banknotes. Prior to October, the same press produced between an estimated two million and 4.5 million pieces. The Salboni press is primarily relying on the paper shipped from the Bank Note Paper Mill in Mysuru, a joint collaboration of BRBNMPL and Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India, a government-owned corporation. But, some of the paper as well as ink required to print the currency is met through imports. The current demand of currency paper is around 4,000 tonnes, of which 50 per cent is required to be imported. BRBNMPL, which operates the Salboni and Mysuru press, has a capacity to print 16 billion note pieces every year. Beyond the printing press, known as Note Mudran Nagar, theres life. The 570-acre premises houses staff quarters and facilities such as banks, post office, school, stores. We seldom need to go outside the premises as all daily needs are available here. It is only on Sundays and other holidays that we go out with family in the nearby town, a permanent staff said. But theres some panic that there may not be much outing or socialising left in the days to come, as banks are running out of cash fast. Also, employees at Salboni are listening to tales coming from some other currency presses, which have implemented 12-hour long shifts already. Part 2: Why notes ban is good news for people of this MP town Part 3: India reeling under cash crunch, but this mint can't print Rs 2,000 notes Pakistan Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz today admitted that the government was presented with only "insufficient evidence" on alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav who is under detention. Addressing a full Senate chamber, Aziz said the dossier on Jadhav contained mere statements. "It did not have any conclusive evidence," he was quoted as saying by the Geo TV. "What the dossier contained was not enough. Now it is up to the concerned authorities how long they take to give us more matter on the agent," Aziz said. Jadhav, who was reportedly arrested in Balochistan after he entered from Iran, has been accused by Pakistan of planning "subversive activities" in the country. Pakistan Army had also released a "confessional video" of Jadhav, who said he was the serving Indian Navy officer. India has acknowledged Jadhav as a retired Indian Navy officer, but denied the allegation that he was in any way connected to the government. Lok Sabha Lok Sabha proceedings were virtually washed out for the 15th straight day on Wednesday, with the Opposition carrying out noisy protests over the demonetization issue, leading to two adjournments of the House before the Chair called it a day. Due to the unabated commition, the Lower House could not take up the listed legislative business including consideration and passage of the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill and the Mental Healthcare Bill. As soon as the House re-assembled in the afternoon after two adjournments since morning, Telangana Rashtra Samiti member A P Jitender Reddy was called by the Chair to initiate the debate on demonetisation under Rule 193, which does not entail voting. When Reddy started reading out his written speech, Opposition members, particularly those from the Trinamool Congress, came near his seat and indulged in vociferous slogan-shouting, apparently to drown his voice in the din. Large number of Congress and other Opposition parties were also seen raising slogans from the aisles or inside the Well. We want discussion and voting on it, the TMC members shouted, indicating that they would allow debate only when it takes place under Rule 184 which entails voting. Why not adjourn it sine die: Advani on House disruptions Bharatiya Janata Party veteran L K Advani on Wednesday expressed deep distress over the way the Lok Sabha proceedings were being conducted, saying neither the speaker nor the parliamentary affairs minister was running the House. A visibly agitated Advani was heard expressing his unhappiness to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar over the continuing protests in the House at a time when some opposition members had even come to the side of Treasury benches raising slogans in the Well. Neither the Speaker nor the parliamentary affairs minister is running the House, he was heard remarking just before the House was adjourned 15 minutes ahead of the lunch recess, amid slogan-shouting by Congress and TMC members. I am going to tell the speaker that she is not running the House ... I am going to say it publicly. Both sides are a party to this, he said as Kumar was seen pacifying the senior parliamentarian. He also pointed to the media gallery, apparently suggesting that his comments will be reported. As the House was adjourned, the 89-year-old leader asked a Lok Sabha official till what time it has been adjourned. When told that it was till 2 pm, he snapped, Why not sine die?" As Reddys speech was not audible due to the loud sloganeering, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the TRS member had every right to speak as he is an honourable member of the House and discussion on demonetisation has already begun under Rule 193. He (Reddy) is initiating the debate on demonetisation. He has welcomed (PM) Narendra Modis bold decision. TRS chief and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has also welcomed the demonetisation, Kumar said. As the chaos continued, Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party MP Pralhad Joshi who was in the Chair adjourned the House for the day. Earlier when the proceedings commenced at 11 am, the Opposition insisted on their demand for a discussion on demonetisation under Rule 184 Members of the Congress, TMC and the Left parties soon entered the Well, raising slogans and demanding voting after a debate on the demonetisation issue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the House at that time as questions for the Prime Ministers Office were listed to be taken up during Question Hour. However, he left the House shortly thereafter. Rejecting the Opposition demand, the parliamentary affairs minister said voting had already taken place and it has gone in favour of the prime minister. When Kumar said Modi has got the highest votes in the Time magazine opinion poll and the voting has already taken place, Leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge objected to it. The minister was referring to the results of the opinion poll carried out by prominent American magazine Time, in which Modi got the highest votes for 2016 Person of the Year. Reacting to Kharges objection, Kumar said it is beyond my understanding why the Congress, the Trinamool Congress and Left parties are opposing the discussion under Rule 193. Kumars remarks were met with vociferous slogans by the Opposition members who demanded a debate under rule 184 which entails voting after the discussion. With slogan shouting continuing unabated, the House was adjourned till noon. Similar scenes continued when the House met again at noon. However, the speaker directed the laying of papers and allowed members to raise issues of importance. Congress and TMC members stormed the Well chanting slogans against the government and seeking a discussions under Rule 184. They also sought to know where the black money had disappeared and wanted the government to unearth it. In the melee, the Speaker took up the Zero Hour by asking members to raise issues of urgent public importance. But as the din continued, she adjourned the House till 2 pm. Rajya Sabha The issue of demonetisation of old Rs 500 and 1,000 notes continued to rock the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, virtually washing out its proceedings even as the government dared the Opposition to resume discussion on the issue rather than disrupting the House. Both the zero hour and the question hour were disrupted as members of the Treasury and Opposition benches resorted to sloganeering over the issue leading Deputy Chairman P J Kurien to adjourn the proceedings till noon. Similar scenes were witnessed at noon forcing Chairman Hamid Ansari to adjourn the House again till 2 pm. While the Congress wanted to know who was responsible for the death of at least 84 persons in hardships caused due to the unplanned demonetisation, other opposition parties including the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party wanted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise for putting the common man to hardship. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley blamed the Opposition for using the tactics of disruption on a daily basis rather than resuming the discussion started on the first day of the winter session on November 16 and which is yet to conclude. The government, he said, had not wasted even a minute to agree to a debate on the issue. It also agreed to the rule under which the debate is to be conducted as well as to the demand that the PM will participate in it, Jaitley said. But instead of participating and concluding the debate, the Opposition has been using the zero hour to raise the issue for getting footage on TV rather than listening to substantive facts on the issue. ... If the Opposition has the guts, the debate should resume, the Leader of the House said. Immediately thereafter, Bharatiya Janata Party members started raising slogans like himmat hai to charcha karo (If you have guts, discuss the matter). Jaitley also raised a point of order saying how can the Chair allow an issue on which substantial portion of debate has happened, to be raised during zero hour again. Kurien agreed with the Leader of the House and asked the Opposition benches if they were ready for a discussion. As Treasury benches continued to shout slogans seeking resumption of discussion, the opposition members raised slogans daring Modi to come to the House and listen to the debate. As the din continued, Kurien adjourned the proceedings till noon. Earlier, Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said 84 persons have died in hardships caused due to the demonetisation issue in last one month. Azad said the list includes 40 persons in 15 states dying standing in queues in front of banks and ATMs in the last one month and five bank employees in four states losing their lives due to stress. People have committed suicide as they could not arrange for currency for their daughters wedding, he said. "Who is responsible for the death of 84 persons," he asked and added that the (demonetisation) scheme was brought without planning and preparation that has led to severe cash shortage as alternate currency was not available. As people scrambled to lay hand on valid currency, large scale job losses have been reported as a fallout of demonetisation, the senior Congress leader said. Azad said Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia on Tuesday stated that all the currency that was demonetised was supposed to come back to the formal banking system, implying there was no black money or unaccounted wealth in the economy. "If all money was to come back, why was this high-handed decision taken?" he asked. Also, the Reserve Bank of India has for the last 10 days stopped giving out deposits and exchange of old and debunked currency, he said wanting to know the reason why the central bank has stopped the practice. The RBI, he said, should provide an update on the issue every day. Azad also cited a reply to a question in Rajya Sabha earlier this week where it was stated that banks have enough currency. If that is so, why there are queues in front of banks and ATMs, he asked. "Please don't play with the sentiments of the people by making emotional statements," he said referring the emotional speeches made by Modi on the demonetisation issue. Naresh Agarwal (SP) said the prime minister should apologise for the hardships caused to the people, come to House to listen and reply to the debate on demonetisation. Mayawati (BSP) said Modi had said that the hardships would be resolved in 50 days but it has been one month and there is no end to the sufferings. The entire Opposition is willing to listen to the PM provided he comes to the House, she said, adding that Modi should apologise for the hardships caused. Kurien then asked how can the Opposition discuss the issue without resuming the debate. He also directed the BJP members not to raise slogans. But with neither side relenting, he adjourned the proceedings till noon. When the House reassembled at noon, Chairman Hamid Ansari took up the question hour but opposition members were on their feet, with many of them speaking at the same time leading to uproar. As he called the first question to be taken up and asked Vivek Tankha (Congress) to ask his supplementaries, members of the Congress, the Trinamool Congress, the Left, the BSP and the SP were on their feet raising issues together. Congress members said that for 18 days, the PM has not come or heard them as they wanted to discuss the issue of demonetisation. TMC members also demanded the prime ministers apology over his remarks against the Opposition for raising the demonetisation issue. At one point, Satyavrat Chaturvedi (Congress), Satish Misra (BSP), Tapan Sen (Communist Party of India-Marxist), Naresh Agrawal (SP) and TMC members were speaking together. Soon TMC and Congress members stood in the aisle and started raising slogans and then trooped into the Well. Some members of treasury benches also raised slogans in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chairman Hamid Ansari then adjourned the House till 2 pm. As the House reassembled at 2 pm after two adjournments, Leader of the House Arun Jaitley said the government has already made it clear it was ready for a debate and the PM will make an intervention. He said he would himself sit through and reply to questions raised by them. If the Opposition wants a debate, it should honestly tell whether they want it or not. Let them not impose unreasonable and impossible conditions for the debate, he said, accusing the opposition of raising unrealistic demands which has never been the practice in the House. Now you have started raising conditions which has never been raised in history of this House. It has never happened. There is no practice in the House, not a single practice that a member says that when he speaks the PM should be in the House. You have a right to presume that you have importance yourself. But there is no such precedence in the House since 1952 that the Prime Minister must be here to listen to every member. Otherwise, the prime minister has many responsibilities, Jaitley said. He was responding to the persistent demands by the Opposition seeking the presence of Modi in the House as a condition to resume the unfinished debate on demonetisation, with Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury saying there has been such precedents when erstwhile Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sat through the debates on 2G and coal scams in the House. Jaitley said the government and the council of ministers functioned under the principle of collective responsibility and there was no principle that a particular person has to answer the questions raised. This did not satisfy the Opposition members who raised an uproar. With Deputy Chairman P J Kurien calling for the Disabilities Bill be taken up while agreeing with the demand raised by Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot, opposition members including those from the Congress and the Trinamool Congress started raising slogans and trooped into the Well. The slogans were countered by Bharatiya Janata Party members too. While Opposition was seeking the prime ministers presence, the members of treasury benches called for the functioning of the House and the debate to resume. Amid the pandemonium, Kurien adjourned the House for the day. Earlier some opposition members including Yechury, Naresh Agrawal (Samajwadi Party) and Anand Sharma (Congress) asserted that there were precedents in the House when during debates on 2G Spectrum and coal scams, the then PM Manmohan Singh sat through the entire debate. This demand was rejected by Jaitley saying there is no such practice that the prime minister should hear out each and every member when they spoke. Raising a point of order, Pramod Tiwari (Congress) said the prime minister, the finance minister and the council of ministers should be disqualified under Rule 102-C as they have failed to honour the currency notes which were legal tenders. Raising the issue, Tiwari said the government had turned into a pauper as it has failed to honour the legal tender. If they cannot give our money to us, they should resign from the House...This government has turned a pauper. This government is not worth being in power. They should all resign. The council of ministers, the prime minister and the finance minister should be disqualified under Rule 102-C, he said. Kurien had a hearty laughter and said that is no point of order. What he raised is a point of disorder. Many opposition members raised the point demanding the presence of the prime minister in the House. Among those raising the issue included Congress leader Anand Sharma, Tiruchi Siva (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), K Keshava Rao (Telangana Rashtra Samiti) and Yechury, but their demand did not find favour with the Chair. I am hearing it for last one week that the PM should be here. Under what Rule? You can only request the prime minister. To make it a condition is not proper, he said. But slogan-shouting from the aisles by BJP members and their Opposition counterparts, many of whom were protesting in the Well, led Kurien to adjourn the House for the day. Photographs: PTI Photo Veteran journalist, former Rajya Sabha Member, political commentator and satirist Cho Ramaswamy passed away early this morning in a private hospital in Chennai due to age-related problems. Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister O Paneerselvam, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader M K Stalin and superstar Rajnikanth were among those who paid floral tributes to Ramaswamy at his residence. The 82-year-old, who was admitted to Apollo Hospitals last week for respiratory problems, is survived by his wife, son and daughter. In his tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as a multidimensional personality, towering intellectual and a great nationalist. Cho Ramaswamy was insightful, frank & brilliant. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family & countless readers of Thuglak (sic), Modi said. Above all, Cho Ramaswamy was a dear friend. I have been to his annual readers meeting, which were an unprecedented editor reader interface, he said. A wreath was laid on the mortal remains of Ramaswamy on behalf of Modi, the Tamil Nadu government said in a release. The wreath was laid by State Protocol Officer Shiv Das Meena, it said. A stream of admirers, literary personalites and those from the cinema and theatre world also paid tributes to Ramaswamy at his residence. A lawyer by profession, Ramaswamy was a popular name in theatre, cinema and journalism. He was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 1999 to 2005. Condoling his death, Governor Rao said he was a multi-faceted personality. I am deeply shocked and grieved to hear about the sad demise of Cho Ramaswamy, an actor, editor, lawyer and writer. He was a multifaceted personality, a bold, veteran journalist and a political critic who never hesitated to express his views unequivocally, he said in a Raj Bhavan statement. The field of journalism has lost a doyen and a great personality, he said. Panneerselvam, accompanied by his cabinet colleagues C Srinivasan, Edappadi K Palaniswamy, P Thangamani and S P Velumani, paid homage to Ramaswamy. DMK president M Karunanidhi, in a statement, said despite political differences, Ramaswamy had great love and affection for him. He was a friend and a political critic who could convey his message with humour, he said. Rajinikanth described Ramaswamy as a close friend and recalled they had been friends since 1978. Whenever I was in Chennai, I used to visit him at least once a week, he told reporters after paying homage to Cho. His death is not an ordinary loss, he added. Later, the mortal remains of Ramaswamy were cremated at Besant Nagar crematorium in the city. The funeral procession left from his house at MRC Nagar and reached the crematorium where the last rites were held. Scores of political leaders, actors and others were present during the cremation. Also Read: File photo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting Cho Ramaswamy, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on August 7, 2015. Photograph: Press Information Bureau United States President-elect Donald Trump has formally nominated James Mattis, a retired 4-star Marine Corps general who has long voiced concerns about the threat posed by Iran, as the Defence Secretary to replace Ashton Carter. 66-year-old Mattis, who memorably said "it's fun to shoot some people", would add to a cabinet of national security super-hawks and signal a return to a more aggressive defence of American interests abroad. "I am proud to nominate General James Mattis to Secretary of Defence. He is one of the most effective generals and extraordinary leaders of our time, who has committed his life to his love for our country," Trump said in Fayetteville, North Carolina. "General Mattis is the living embodiment of the Marine Corps motto, 'Semper Fidelis,' always faithful, and the American people are fortunate that a man of his character and integrity will now be the civilian leader atop the Department of Defense. Under his leadership, we will rebuild our military and alliances, destroy terrorists and face our enemies head on, and make America safe again," Trump said. If confirmed, Mattis would replace Carter who is scheduled to be in India this week on his farewell trip. Mattis commanded at multiple levels during his 44-year career as an infantry Marine. Before retiring in 2013, he was the Commander of US Central Command, directing military operations of more than 200,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines across the Middle East. "I am honoured by President-elect Trump's nomination and his respect for the brave men and women of the Armed Forces of the US," Mattis said. "To the President-elect, our soon to be commander in chief, to our military personnel, to the talented civilians in the Department of Defence, and to the American people, I pledge the best of my abilities to ensuring a strong and secure America," he said. As a lieutenant colonel, Mattis commanded an assault battalion breaching the Iraqi minefields in Operation Desert Storm. As a colonel, he commanded the 7th Marine Regiment and, on Pentagon duty, he served as the Department of Defence executive secretary. As a brigadier general, he was the senior military assistant to the deputy secretary of defence. The retired four-star general, who was known as "Mad Dog," was lauded for his leadership of Marines in the 2004 Battle of Falluja in Iraq -- one of the bloodiest of the war. But he also attracted controversy in 2005 when he said "it's fun to shoot some people" while addressing service members in San Diego. Mattis would require a waiver from Congress to be eligible for the post, since a retired officer is needed to be out of uniform for at least seven years before taking control of the Pentagon responsibilities. With Republicans in control on Capitol Hill and the general praise for the general's career, the waiver would likely be a formality to obtain. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Mattis led the Special Operation Forces against the Taliban in Afghanistan. As a major general, he commanded the First Marine Division during the initial attack and subsequent stability operations in Iraq. As a general, he served concurrently as the Commander of US Joint Forces Command and as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation. As a two-star general, General Mattis led the First Marine Division from Kuwait to Baghdad in a matter of weeks in 2003, annihilating Saddam Hussein's defences and reaching Baghdad faster and with fewer losses than anyone could have expected. In November 2007, Mattis was promoted to four-star general. He became Commander of US Central Command in 2010 and directed operations across the Middle East before retiring in 2013. Working closely with General Petraeus, General Mattis produced the Army/Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual, the definitive work on how the US military should deal with Iraqi insurgents. Photograph: Drew Angerer/Getty Images O Paneerselvam did not even sit in Jaya's office chamber and left her seat vacant in the assembly. This time Amma is not coming back to claim her seat and he has a large number of challenges awaiting him. T E Narasimhan/Business Standard reports. For the third time, O Panneerselvam, known as OPS, took oath as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu to replace All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) supremo J Jayalalithaa. But this time, things are different as the swearing-in ceremony was held hardly a couple of hours after Jayalalithaa passed away on December 5. Panneerselvam has been her trusted lieutenant and had been the interim chief minister since September 22 as Jayalalithaa was unwell. As chief minister, he promised to vacate office on Jayalalithaa's return after recovery. He did not even sit in the now deceased leader's office chamber and left her seat vacant in the assembly. He remained humble by not claiming authority and appearing to fulfill his duty on behalf of Tamil Nadu's beloved Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, as the late Jayalalithaa is referred to by AIADMK leaders and workers. However, this time Amma is not coming back to claim her seat and Panneerselvam has a large number of challenges awaiting him in the coming four years. The key challenge would be to keep the party together, which now has to work hard to reinvent itself in the post-Jayalalithaa period. The whole party has revolved around a single leader -- Jayalalithaa -- so far. Political analysts believe that there is no one within the party who can either match the charisma of party founder M G Ramachandran or Jayalalithaa's leadership skills. Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram said Tamil Nadu was regarded as among the better governed states. However, the AIADMK must continue and provide stable governance for the remaining tenure of over four years -- a feeling echoed by leaders of other political parties and analysts. In the past, Jayalalithaa's period of absence has been a muted one, where no major announcements were made and no major decisions were taken. The new government has the added task of winning the confidence of its own people on this front. The other task facing the AIADMK is to sustain Brand Amma, which is important to rebuild the party. Jayalalithaa created an appeal among the masses by spearheading a string of 'poor-friendly' programmes like the Unagavagam (canteen) scheme, a health scheme that covers the entire cost of a health check-up. Apart from these two, there were other programmes related to increasing access to mineral water, medicine, salt and seeds, among others. Panneerselvam was officially the chief minister for six months beginning September 21 in 2001-2002 after Jayalalithaa was barred from holding office by the Supreme Court of India as she was convicted in a land scam. The second time he stepped into her shoes was in September 2014 when Jayalalithaa was convicted in a disproportionate assets case. He relinquished the post in May 2015, when she was acquitted by the Karnataka high court in this case. Panneerselvam has also served the state cabinet as Tamil Nadu's revenue minister and the minister for public works, prohibition and excise. When the AIADMK's rival, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) ruled Tamil Nadu between 2006 and 2011, Panneerselvam was the Leader of the Opposition in the assembly. When the AIADMK came back to power in 2011, he became the minister for finance and public works, which he kept even after becoming the CM following Jayalalithaa's September 2014 conviction. 'The man stood alone, fought alone.' 'Some of those battles appeared Quixotic at times.' 'Ultimately, it was he who won though it may have seemed as if a Sancho Panza was fighting a relentless battle against the windmill.' N Sathiya Moorthy salutes the fearless editor who has passed into the ages. They were friends from a young age, a dignified brother-sister kind of relationship that they maintained till the end. Both had their share of health issues over the past years, yet none would have thought that veteran journalist and thinker 'Cho' S Ramaswamy, would breathe his last only a day after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's death. From time to time, the local media had claimed that Cho was Jayalalithaa's political advisor and guide. There used to be reports, especially during the days of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Vajpayee government and earlier when the Janata Party was taking shape and was in power, that Cho had great influence over at least a section of the ruling class in distant Delhi. Yet, the man stood alone, fought alone. Some of those battles appeared Quixotic at times. Ultimately, it was he who won though in the interim it may have seemed as if a Sancho Panza was fighting a relentless battle against the windmill. Without doubt, Cho would have been what he was without his personal connections and linkages with the political class, be it in Chennai or in Delhi or elsewhere. Contrarily, possibly he might have ended up losing a part of his elan and conviction by having to defend the indefensible in some cases, and not praising the unpraiseworthy actions of his politician-friends -- those that went beyond being mere acquaintances, good for a meaningful evening of purposeful exchange of ideas and views. Cho would have remained what he was even without his later-day identification with individual politicians and their ideologies. He had gained enough fame of his own, and to that extent a following, after his satirical political plays hit it off with the middle-class urban audience of the Tamil Nadu of the 1960s and 1970s in particular. It meant that his plays would have something new to say, and in a jovial but unhurting manner, every evening -- based on the day's news reports. In turn, this brought him a 'repeat' audience, who devoured all the strong anti-establishment criticisms delivered with an overdose of wit and wisdom, both relished and cherished to this day. It was thus that the most famous of his plays, Mohammed bin Tughlaq, a master-satire that improvised upon the day's political and administrative events, drew huge crowds every evening, wherever staged, inside and outside Tamil Nadu, wherever spoken Tamil was understood and appreciated. The play was about an archaeologist 'discovering' the 14th century sultan of Delhi known for his controversial decisions from an unmarked grave, but alive. The rest of the play is about how people and political leaders allow themselves to be fooled by the man showing up as Tughlaq, if only to sub-serve their own ambitions, until the latter subsumes he who was a revolutionary youth wanting to 'educate' the people about their own foolhardiness and the avarice of their existing leaders. The more embarrassing the plays of Cho's Viveka Fine Arts troupe -- named after Chennai's Vivekananda College, the common link for most of its members -- more popular did Cho become. His genre of play-writing was unknown before his times, a vacuum that he may not have noticed existed before experimenting with it, if only to give expression to the frustrations of the youth, to which generation he and other troupe members had belonged. The growing popularity and the ever-changing times meant that Cho needed a wider medium than plays in which troupe members could participate only during weekends, as they were all amateurs with daily professional commitments to make a living. Cho himself was a law graduate, working as a legal advisor to the TTK Group at the time. Thus was born Thuglak, the magazine, in which the editor extended the pleasure of satirical criticism of the other, to include the self. It was again an experiment turned experience, filling a vacuum in Tamil journalism (rather Indian language journalism), without any market surveys and 'positioning' of the product. Thuglak the magazine became as popular as Tughlaq the play, and the hired printing presses could not cope up with the print orders increasing by the hour. Yet, Thuglak was also a sedate looking magazine, where there were no eye-catching pictures or tantalising filmi bits. Thus, when Cho wrote a serialised story in Thuglak on the travails of an upcoming Tamil film producer, his fan club only expanded -- without his having to make any compromises in the quality of his writing, by retaining only the wit and humour that came naturally to him. His ongoing innings as a popular Tamil film comedian with his personalised satirical touch, and an occasional script writer also helped him understand what he was writing about. Yet, Cho made a greater name for himself, exposing the unquestioned behaviour of the Indian masses -- the 'herd mentality', as he often exposed -- in his serialised novel, placed in the Independence movement, about a typical student revolutionary of those days. It was not about the story, but about a Sanskrit shloka that went at the top of the week's story through the serial's lifetime. The shloka claimed to be from Kautilya's Arthasastra, and its meaning, given in Tamil, would fit the narrative of the week's story. More than the story, it was Cho's choice of the shloka that was acclaimed by readers, through their numerous letters to the editor, at personal meetings and even at public events. Some of those praising Cho were leading personalities from different walks of life, politics and the civil services. It was not until the series ended and Cho declared that the shlokas purported to be from the Arthasastra did not exist in the first place, and what he had produced was a summary of the week's story, written down in shloka form by a Sanskrit scholar, did his readers realised how foolhardy they had been to take everything that came from someone they trusted and wanted to trust. It was also the message that Cho had wanted to convey -- and it got conveyed in his own inimitable way. All of it also meant that Cho should have his own share of political problems. Ahead of the 1971 general election, in which he opposed the Indira Gandhi regime at the Centre and the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam electoral partner in Tamil Nadu, tooth and nail, but on issues, not on personalities. Trouble came in the way of cinema owners pulling out the filmi form of Mohammed bin Thuglaq, a forerunner to the genre of Kissa Kursi Ka in Hindi. Yet, the issues that Thuglak highlighted at the time boosted its circulation in ways that his critics and adversaries would not have anticipated. Thus, ahead of the 1971 election, the magazine published vulgarised pictures of Hindu gods carried in a 'rationalist' Dravidar Kazhagam procession in Erode, the home town of social reformer and ideologue 'Periyar' E V Ramaswami Naicker. M Karunanidhi's DMK government did nothing about the participants in the procession and Thuglak's near exclusive pictures in an era without social media, that too days after the event, when the daily newspapers of the times had maintained a silence, stood for Cho's courage and more so for his courage of conviction. Whether or not all these episodes made him a stronger proponent of Hindu ideology, though not necessarily Hindutva ideology per se, Cho began reading and writing about various Hindu scriptures in great interpretative detail, to greater acclaim of his loyal readers and scholars. There also came a time when Cho began openly backing the BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi over the legitimate claims of his closer friend L K Advani. His inherent criticism of the Congress and the dynastic rule that he identified the party with, and all that had gone wrong with the nation, which like many others he also believed, under decades of Congress rule, kept finding new pastures for support and sympathy, at times illogical and over extended. During the Emergency and afterwards, he would support the Janata Party formation and would lament its subsequent collapse. Through the Emergency, he had the courage to leave 'censored' portions of Thuglaq blackened out, without being plaint and submissive -- a rare quality that newspaper establishments, barring a handful, failed to display. The courage went a little farther when he launched an English magazine to take on the Emergency rulers, but Pickwick did not take off. It was too early for its times and much of the content seemed to have been thought of in Tamil and written in English. To Cho, 'balanced journalism' did not mean equitable magazine space for all political players he was writing about. He was convinced that it only meant that supporting the just, though 'just' in this case came in relative terms. For all this, however, Cho was not without his share of fault lines. His initiatal appreciation of political leaders often began with a personal relationship and assessment, going beyond the policies and performance in government. It was thus that to him up to a point, Jayalalithaa could do no wrong -- or, at least, she could not be as wrongful as Karunanidhi. It was MGR to him, before Jayalalalithaa. It was so with the likes of Morarji Desai, Chandra Sekhar, L K Advani and Narendra Modi. While not holding back on his praise for those that he admired and supported in politics at a personal level, Cho did not stop from criticising their government's policies from time to time, again in his inimitable style. It also meant that his interpretation of political situations and support for causes derived more from sympathy and empathy for personalities. So did his criticism on issues, up to a point and often after a point. Yet, he maintained good and cordial relations with one and all and earned the praise and respect of even his worst critics, starting with Karunanidhi. GenX may not have known him as much, yet in his time, Cho set the standards for impartial journalism, and more so for investigative journalism -- which has remained the hallmark of Thuglak magazine even when failing health kept him away from its columns intermittently. His supporters, sympathisers and followers could well cherish his memory through those columns, which may not be the same as it was when Cho was around, yet continue to innovate and readjust itself to the changing face of Tamil journalism, but without compromising on the basics. N Sathiya Moorthy, veteran journalist and political analyst, is Director of the Observer Research Foundation, Chennai Chapter. 'Funny, eccentric and idiosyncratic.' 'There will never be another like him.' Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier salutes the man she loved to interview. The way the political situation in Tamil Nadu is emerging after Jayalalithaa's death, I wished Cho Ramaswamy had been be well enough to grant me an interview, analysing the situation in his unique humourous and sarcastic style. But then came the news that he was no more. It was around this time in 1996 that I first interviewed him. I was new to Chennai, Tamil Nadu politics and Cho Ramaswamy. The interview was conducted for The Sunday Observer newspaper and I didn't know then that I would be talking to him many, many more times in the coming years. I went on to interview him quite regularly, rather too regularly to his liking. The moment something happened nationally or domestically, I sought his opinion. As the frequency increased, the moment I entered his room, he would look up and say with a serious expression on his face, "I think I should stop editing Tughlaq and talk to you all the time. Do you want me to do that?" I would reply with the same serious expression, "No Sir, your loyal readers would murder me if I were to do that. I promise not to disturb you in the near future." But I did disturb him, again and again. His grouse was that unlike television channels who only sought 'bytes,' I made him talk for at least half an hour, and sometimes even an hour. "You are an unkind journalist. I will never talk to you again," he would threaten me after the interview. But he never refused my requests. How can I forget the grunt when one called his number? He would never say hello; it was a loud grunt first and then a "yes." The moment I mentioned my name, he would grunt again and say, "I think you are hell bent on shutting down my magazine." "Not at all sir. Sincerely, I have no such intention," I would say. Grudgingly, he would ask me to come to his office immediately. When I said, "in 10 minutes, I will be there," his reply would be, "No, you can't take 10 minutes. You have to be here now." "But Sir, it will take me at least 10 minutes to reach your office." "I don't know that. You come now." I understood he was just pulling my leg, in inimitable Cho style! Whether it was a Sunday or a Monday or a Friday, Cho would be in his office from morning. He rarely refused to meet me in the midst of editing and writing for Tughlaq. Of course, only after reprimanding me for disrupting his work. I also had to face questions like, "Shobha, why don't you find somebody else to interview? Why torture me all the time?" I would play along. "Is there anyone else like you in Chennai, sir?" As the years passed by, the Tughlaq staff and even the watchman became acquainted with my regular visits. The moment I entered the office, they would let him know. I could go up to his room, a room that smelt of tobacco. It is unimaginable to think of Cho without his pipe. I first met him when Jayalalithaa was imprisoned after her first innings as chief minister. Cho had turned against his protege whom he knew from when she was seven. "I am sorry she wasted a great opportunity to emerge as one of the leading political lights of this country," he said. "She could have achieved it. She didn't. I am sorry for that." "She isolated herself from all impartial opinion and information. She started listening only to what she wanted to hear. She had this trait in her even earlier." "But once she took up the office of chief minister, she ought to have ensured that she had access to all shades of opinion." "Also, she never placed faith in anybody except her coterie. I think these led to her downfall." The man who fought corruption, the man who projected Jayalalithaa as an alternative to the 'corrupt DMK rule' in 1991 was disappointed when I met him. "As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned," he said then, "it was the DMK government and M Karunanidhi who institutionalised corruption. There is absolutely no doubt about it. But J Jayalalithaa beat him blue. If she comes back to power, I think, she will be worse. I hope God spares Tamil Nadu!" The man who campaigned hard to make Jayalalithaa chief minister through Tughlaq started writing against her after she assumed power. His grouse was, "She kept only Sasikala's group around her. She believed only in them. She was listening only to Sasikala. I wrote pieces in my journal expressing my concern about the drift. After one year, I started criticising her." When I asked why she ignored his criticism, this was what he said: "It was not ignoring. I think she decided that what I said would have no impact. Tughlaq is supposed to reach only the middle class and the upper class, and her vote is elsewhere. So she thought my opinion was not going to reach her voters." Like it happens in politics, these two friends patched up and once again Cho became her political advisor, which he denied, of course. I wonder what Cho would have said seeing photographs of Sasikala and her Mannarkudi clan on the van next to Jayalalithaa's body. I felt like calling his number. The grunt first, the yes next... I will definitely miss those extremely interesting interactions I had with him. Funny, eccentric and idiosyncratic. There will never be another like him. Cho-Speak on Rediff.com 'Having learnt her lesson in popular democracy, Jaya would become more populist than the DMK and more so than the imagery that mentor MGR had created in the Tamil voter's mind, both as an individual and as an elected ruler.' N Sathiya Moorthy assesses J Jayalalithaa, chief minister. Iinexperience, inadequate advice and improper assistance meant that J Jayalalithaa would go the same way as M Karunanidhi had done, but on the larger issues of corruption and lawlessness, which had in his time brought MGR to power in the first place. Jaya herself would lose her Bargur seat in backward Dharmapuri district in the assembly polls of 1996, when senior state Congress veteran G K Moopanar would walk out of the party to join hands with the DMK under immense public and cadre pressure. That was also when Tamil cinema's by-now-acknowledged superstar Rajnikanth told his fans and audiences alike that if ever Jaya returned to power, 'even god cannot save Tamil Nadu.' Jaya would bounce back, first in the 1998 parliamentary polls, in the company of the BJP, after the Coimbatore serial blasts targeting senior leader L K Advani. She would change boats mid-stream by calculatedly breaking ties with the BJP first and wooing Moopanar's Tamil Maanila Congress away from the DMK's side, before returning to power in the assembly elections of 2001, with a House strength that even MGR could not have imagined in his time with much stronger allies. In between, Jaya would make an enemy of then Janata Party leader and prime minister P V Narasimha Rao's political friend Subramanian Swamy, provoke him into launching the Nallatchchi Iyakkam (Good Governance Movement) against her maiden government -- and make up with him, and also Rajiv Gandhi's widow Sonia Gandhi who would come to lead the Congress party. IMAGE: In April 1999, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, then a National Democratic Alliance ally, hosted a tea party for Congress President Sonia Gandhi, setting off a political earthquake. In doing so, Jaya would quit Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government which she had helped to come to power in 1998 -- and yet would make up with the BJP for the 2004 polls, which her combine would lose to better electoral alliance arithmetic that Karunanidhi had worked out. Her defeat owed also to her government's 'unpopular', 'anti-people' economic and pricing policies, and her sacking of 100,000 state employees at one go for protesting for higher salaries -- appreciated by the nation's apex court, but not by the voters at home. It would also mean that Jaya would have to change places with Karunanidhi as chief minister in 2006. That would also be the last time she would do so. Having learnt her lesson in popular democracy, Jaya would soon bend over backward to become more populist than the DMK when in office, and more so than the imagery that mentor MGR had created in the Tamil voter's mind, both as an individual and also as an elected ruler. It is this pace that would make the name 'Amma' sound and feel every bit that of a 'caring mother.' Elections or no elections, budget or no budget, the Jayalalithaa government would introduce more populist schemes than those from the past, throwing economics to the winds. Gone were the days from 2001, when Jaya would go hammer and tongs at Karunanidhi for leaving behind empty coffers and spending over 85 per cent of the state's annual budget on establishment expenses, including salaries, bonuses and pensions. On the eve of the 2016 assembly polls, when the DMK stood a fair chance until almost the counting day, it would be Karunanidhi's turn to complain how Jayalalithaa would leave behind a higher government deficit than what the state could ever handle. But Jayalalithaa and Tamil Nadu's voters had decided that Karunanidhi and the DMK would not have to manage unmanageable levels of deficit, returning the AIADMK to power. Yet, she also sought to keep Tamil Nadu's flag flying, questionably at times, as a top industrialised state in the country, with highly educated youth -- and would not mention the highest levels of educated unemployed/unemployable youth on the one hand, and massive internal labour migration from the Hindi-speaking parts of the country, despite all the anti-Hindi Dravidian rhetoric from the pre-power past of the early to mid-sixties. Despite poor health, arthritis and spondylosis, Jaya would win successive elections with practised ease, and run a government with a firmness of mind that Karunanidhi had never been able to display or MGR too had not tried. The more problematic her health became, Jaya seemed to become even more determined to rule the party and government with a firmer hand than ever before. Afflicted reportedly by diabetes and diabetes-induced problems, she would not give up easily on election 2014 first, and even more in election 2016. Rising like a phoenix from her alleged illness, Jaya would win election 2016, despite the increasing popularity and acknowledged acceptance of the DMK's M K Stalin. In between, Jaya also won and lost, and lost and won court cases, and attended assembly seats and consequent by-elections. All of them making a sterner woman of her, and proving to the world outside the lengths that she was willing to go, to make her political and electoral points, sound, clear and loud. Yet, facts are facts and courts and cases were courts and cases. For a political leader with her kind of background, Jaya got embroiled with the Centre's income-tax department and the Enforcement Directorate, not owing to her earnings during her successful film career, as often is the case, but from her more popular days as a politician, the state's chief minister at that. Each such episode took a turn of its own, blemishing her image and that of the party, which she would erase with a successful electoral outing at the next turn. The Dharmapuri bus-burning case in which three lady students of the Agriculture University, Coimbatore, were burnt alive flowed from irate AIADMK cadres opposed to a trial court in Chennai sentencing Jaya to prison in the Pleasant Stay Hotel illegal construction case from her first term in office, setting the students' bus afire. Jaya was acquitted in the case, but the party cadres were still facing a review petition in the Supreme Court years later. They did not seem to care -- either repentant for the thoughtless act or at having to be sentenced to death by the trial court and upwards in the judiciary. Jaya's 2001 return to power was likewise marred by the Supreme Court declaring her disqualified ab initio from contesting the assembly polls, to be able to become chief minister in the first place, after being sentenced to a prison term in the Tansi land deal case. Though she had contested and won from four different assembly constituencies, as if to send out a strong political message, and then governor Fatima Beevi would swear her in as CM without any loss of time, the Supreme Court would intervene to oust Jaya from power. The Supreme Court, after taking its time studying the case in some detail for close to a year after the final hearing of the case, acquitted her and all the co-accused, introducing for the first and possibly only time the concept of a 'plea bargain,' which was/is alien to Indian criminal jurisprudence. The case was closed after Jaya and Sasikala and the company that they jointly owned offered to return the government land that they had purchased during her first term in office, but dragging on until after she had returned to power a second time. IMAGE: Jayalithaa with Narendra Modi at his swearing-in as chief minister, December 2012. It's all a part of Jaya's never-say-die attitude, it would seem. Thus, even as she exited the scene, the Supreme Court was to pronounce the verdict in the 'disproportionate assets case,' again dating back to her first term in office, but her legal team had managed to drag on for nearly two decades, even after the apex court had ordered continuous hearing over a decade ago. If it meant that Jaya would be serving a couple of weeks in a Bangalore prison, so be it. However, after Trial Judge Michael de Cunha had found her guilty, Justice C Kumaraswamy of the Karnataka high court, to whose jurisdiction the Supreme Court would transfer the pending case from Tamil Nadu after Jaya had returned to power, would upturn the verdict -- leading to the much-awaited Supreme Court verdict. Whatever might have been in the minds of the two learned Supreme Court judges hearing the disproportionate assets case, an acquittal granted by the high court was still in operation at the time of Jayalalalitaa's death. For the party cadres and the state, it remains to be seen if the Supreme Court will pronounce a verdict of acquittal against Sasikala and the rest, declaring the case against Jaya infructuous after her death, or deem the entire case as infructuous in the absence of the first accused. Alternatively, a verdict of guilty and conviction against Sasikala and the two other co-accused could imply the possible extension of the same to Jaya, if she were alive. Jayalalithaa will remain an enigma after her death just as she was one when she was around. Not a word was known to her cadres and leaders alike as to what had become of her health, why, how and for how long. The leaders would swoon over the sorrow of her exit and the cadres would declare their inability to bear the irreparable and irreplaceable loss that is theirs and theirs alone. Uzbekistan: Reform or Repeat? Publisher International Crisis Group (ICG) Publication Date 6 December 2016 Citation / Document Symbol Crisis Group Europe and Central Asia Briefing N84 Cite as International Crisis Group (ICG), Uzbekistan: Reform or Repeat?, 6 December 2016, Crisis Group Europe and Central Asia Briefing N84 , available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5847cab74.html [accessed 3 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. Overview Uzbekistan's 4 December presidential election formally confirmed Shavkat Mirziyoyev in the office he assumed in an acting capacity on 8 September, within days of the death of Islam Karimov. After 25 years of Karimov's authoritarian rule, however, one of Central Asia's most repressive states faces challenges that can only be effectively addressed by genuine domestic and foreign policy departures. Mirziyoyev has received positive notices for a few small moves in the past three months, but there is no sign as yet that he intends to alter fundamentally the system he helped shape as prime minister since 2003, a system designed to protect those in power at the expense of the population's rights. His steps to repair relations regionally have been met with mistrust by Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, while the tough issues, such as sharing of resources, have yet to be broached. There has been even less indication of new directions internally, where the new president shares power with at least two other prominent members of the Karimov era. Uzbekistan has pressing economic and social issues, unpredictable neighbours and a dangerous jihadist extremism threat, but Mirziyoyev's first priority will likely be to consolidate his position. A balance with Rustam Azimov, the finance minister, and Rustam Inoyatov, head of the National Security Service (SNB), appears to have been maintained since the death of Karimov, the only ruler the country had known since its 1991 independence from the Soviet Union. This bodes well for short-term internal stability but not for reform. Mirziyoyev will need to cultivate their continued support and that of others, including rich Uzbeks living in Russia and elsewhere, all of whom will want to preserve the status quo. The new administration is likely to pursue business as usual with Russia, China, the U.S. and Europe. But each should use the opportunity Mirziyoyev presents to nuance their relations with Tashkent. Russia and China have an immediate interest in the stability of Uzbekistan, as any upset in Central Asia's most populous state could destabilise the entire region, but it is unclear whether they believe domestic reforms are a necessary component of lasting stability. Uzbekistan is but one of many countries about policy toward which it is impossible to predict the approach of the U.S. president-elect, but the European Union (EU) wants improved trade ties without sacrificing its human rights principles. While Mirziyoyev must prove to his Central Asian neighbours that his pre-election efforts were more than calculated platitudes, they should push him for serious dialogue on resources, borders, trade and mutual security. Russia, China and the West should support their efforts at a high level as progress on those issues would contribute to regional security that is in the common interest. II. Domestic Concerns Though four parties were permitted to field candidates, they were given more airtime than in the past, and for the first time the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE/ OHDIR) sent a full observation mission, the election campaign was premised from the start on an overwhelming Mirziyoyev victory. As he visited the regions, making appointments and dismissals, his campaign closely resembled Karimov's 2015 program, stressing no foreign alliances, less state involvement in the economy and more support for businesses and farmers.1 The victor must now consolidate his power while balancing important competing interests. Rustam Azimov,2 the longtime finance minister, who represented Uzbekistan at a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Bishkek in November, is expected to take over Mirziyoyev's old job as prime minister. If he does not, it might indicate a serious rift in the troika that shared responsibility for the transition after Karimov's death, which includes Rustam Inoyatov, who leads the powerful SNB. The youth and policing laws adopted almost immediately after Mirziyoyev took office had both passed Senate hearings in August and were Karimov's last deeds rather than initiatives that demonstrated the new leader's strength.3 On 25 September, Mirziyoyev opened a "virtual reception" and telephone hotline on which citizens can file complaints. Though it received 50,000 petitions in its first three weeks, and the acting president declared that civil servants "work for the people and not vice versa", a young Tashkent resident who filed a complaint expressed scepticism: "The agencies give the same old responses that 'everything will be resolved soon'".4 A virtual reception also functions on the foreign ministry website for citizens living abroad. Some hesitate to use these platforms, as they ask for name and address. "Nothing will change, but they will know who complained and about what, I don't want to risk it", an IT worker in Tashkent said.5 Mirziyoyev has also instituted 1 Crisis Group Asia Briefing N82, Uzbekistan: In Transition, 29 September 2016. " , " ["It is time for state agencies to work for the people and not vice versa"], Gazeta.uz, 22 October 2016. Mirziyoyev won 88.61 per cent of the vote; turnout was 87.73 per cent. " " ["Shavkat Mirziyoyev won presidential elections"], Gazeta.uz, 5 December 2016. At his final presidential election in March 2015, Karimov received 90.39 per cent of the votes in a 91.08 per cent turnout. " " ["Central Electoral Committee announced Karimov elected President"], Gazeta.uz, 6 April 2015. 2 Oxford-educated Azimov, 57, was close to Karimov and "it is in Karimov's will that he still has his place, Azimov is the face of Uzbekistan to the world, he understands how to be a statesman". Crisis group interview, former Kyrgyz official, Bishkek, November 2016. 3 "Uzbekistan adopts law 'On state youth policy'", Uzreport.uz, 15 September 2016. 4 Crisis Group interview, Tashkent, November 2016. The virtual reception's webpage, https://pm. gov.uz, asks: " , , ? - : , ". ["Do you have unresolved problems, petitions, complaints or suggestions? Send them to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan in different ways: by phone, by appeal, or visit regional party branches of UzLiDeP [Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan]"]. See also, " , " ["It is time for state agencies to work for the people and not vice versa"], Gazeta.uz, op. cit. 5 Crisis Group interview, Tashkent, November 2016. a Facebook page featuring his activities and selected citizen complaints, an innovation for Uzbekistan's stagnant political culture.6 As the new president consolidates power, he will confront problems that include a struggling economy, high unemployment, threadbare social services, corruption and an agricultural sector in vital need of modernisation. Citizens face extraordinary movement restrictions due to an antiquated propiska system and need for an exit visa to leave the country. The security services are corrupt and abusive; political prisoners and forced labour in the cotton fields are major reasons for the state's reputation as backward and brutal, recent gestures notwithstanding.7 Reform, if attempted will be slow, but the government would do well to address these issues sooner rather than later. The water-intensive cotton sector is the backbone of the economy, but its outdated practices and irrigation system leave the country overly dependent on upstream water from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Outside offers to help modernise the sector could be used not only to improve rural lives and increase incomes, but also to build opportunities for dialogue with Tashkent. Partners and donors, though, should be realistic about the pace of reform, even if Mirziyoyev gives full support. A Russian analyst noted: If [he] tries to change [the system] fundamentally, he will face powerful forces within Uzbekistan. Political groups, clans, whatever you want to call it, have benefited from it, and they have sufficient resources to oppose fundamental changes No one is going to decline their benefits; no one will put up with such reforms, and Mirziyoyev understands this.8 III. Mending Fences? President Mirziyoyev appears to be trying to repair relations with neighbours, but they are suspicious.9 Ahead of his several elections, Karimov also spoke of improving ties, but he never made good on his statements.10 There does appear to be a marked change of tone since September, but difficult issues remain, particularly Uzbek anxiety about water resources and upstream hydro-electric power plants (HPPs), and deep-seated mistrust of Tashkent's motives elsewhere in Central Asia. Karimov, it is 6 Facebook Profile " Shavkat Mirziyoyev", @Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan. 7 '"Your travel abroad is not appropriate': Propiska, 'exit visas' and other relics of the Soviet era in Uzbekistan today Executive Summary", Uzbek-German Forum for Human Rights, 2010. Political prisoner freed after 23 years following death of Uzbek despot", The Guardian, 25 November 2016. 8 Crisis Group telephone interview, November 2016. 9 Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan agreed to increase trade on 26 September; on 29 September, Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon pledged restoration of rail and air connections and to increase economic cooperation. A Kyrgyz delegation of 130 officials from Osh, Jalalabad and Batken provinces led by First Vice-Prime Minister Muhametkalyy Abulgaziyev visited Andijan on 1 October and met Deputy Prime Minister Adkham Ikramov. On 11 October, Mirziyoyev spoke of the need to increase trade and cooperation with Afghanistan. 10 "Uzbekistan, Tajikistan Flights to Resume After 24-Year Break", Eurasianet.org, 2 December 2016. not forgotten, warned that if Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan pressed ahead with proposed HPPs, it could spark a war.11 The benefits of normalising borders and trade and reaching agreement on sharing natural resources are clear and should be a donor priority. The challenge for all, though, is to build trust in order to begin to address issues that have seemed intractable. Despite their misgivings, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan should offer top-level consultations and propose a tripartite council to oversee day-to-day management of water and land resources. A. Kyrgyzstan The bilateral border disputes are a longstanding source of tension and conflict that have created hardships for citizens on both sides of the border and in enclaves.12 In a matter of weeks this autumn, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan carried out joint surveys and provisionally resolved almost all of the un-demarcated areas.13 According to the Uzbek foreign ministry, the initiative has the personal backing of Mirziyoyev and Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev. Some international observers call the progress "remarkable", yet possibly "too good to be true". High-ranking Kyrgyz officials remain deeply suspicious and stress the agreements are provisional, and Uzbekistan could yet renege on them.14 Day-to-day border crossings are now easier, and the numbers crossing at Dostuk, near Osh, have risen from 300 to 1,000 daily since Uzbekistan agreed to visits for weddings and other family celebrations, not just funerals.15 But agreements have not been reached on the contentious Ungar-Too and Orto-Tokoy areas, and, according to a senior member of the Kyrgyz government, "Uzbekistan will never give us the Kempir-Abad and Andijan reservoirs, so it means we will never give them back what they want from us. These questions will never be solved".16 11 Raushan Nurshayeva, "Uzbek leader sounds warning over Central Asia water disputes", Reuters, 7 September 2012. 12 "Central Asia is home to eight enclaves with a total population of 100,000. Tensions and cross-border incidents are common, especially in and around the largest enclaves of Tajik-governed Sarvak and Vorukh, and Uzbek-governed Sokh and Shakhimardan. Access to water and pastures and strict border-crossing regimes are the primary causes of periodic conflicts that can affect up to 80,000 people". "Caucasus and Central Asia Humanitarian Bulletin: Issue 02", UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Spring 2013. 13 Kyrgyzstan says there have been 58 un-demarcated areas, Uzbekistan 63. They agree that 56 have now been provisionally resolved. Alexandra Titova, " " ["How Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan started coordinating the borders"], Kloop, 16 November 2016. " " ["On another regular meeting of working groups of governmental delegations of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan"], Uzbek foreign ministry, 1 November 2016. Crisis Group interviews, Western diplomats, senior Kyrgyz official, Bishkek, October, November 2016. 15 " - : " ["Warming of relations on the Uzbek-Kyrgyz border: Kyrgyz citizens are allowed to visit their relatives' weddings"], KyrTAG, 15 October 2016. 16 Crisis Group interview, senior Kyrgyz official, Bishkek, November 2016. See also, Timur Toktonaliev, "Uzbek-Kyrgyz Border Spat Highlights Tensions", Institute for War & Peace Reporting, 24 March 2016; "Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan tighten border security", Interfax-Ukraine, 3 September 2016; and Kubanychbek Joldoshev, " , " ["Kyrgyzstan intends to take back its objects used by Uzbekistan"], RFE/RL, 29 March 2016. Tensions over the proposed Kambarata-1 dam have dissipated since Russia left the project, and Kyrgyzstan struggles to find an alternative investor.17 But local tensions over water and pasture access remain. On the back of demarcation cooperation, the governments should work to resolve water issues at community level in the border areas. Tashkent should recognise that Karimov's rule sapped trust and goodwill in Kyrgyzstan, which despite its problems charted a different course than authoritarian Uzbekistan. "Uzbekistan is trying to kill us with their embrace", a senior Kyrgyz official said. "We shouldn't romanticise the thaw".18 International observers also worry that if the Uzbek government begins to lose interest in its post-Karimov, pre-election initiatives, the Kyrgyz government lacks the political skills and continuity to maintain engagement.19 That Kyrgyzstan will hold its own presidential election in 2017 is a further source of distraction and potential disruption that could derail the recent progress. B. Tajikistan Amid talk of abolishing visas and restoring flights between capitals, there has been scant reaction from Tashkent about construction of the Rogun dam, which began on 29 October.20 Uzbekistan has been vehemently opposed, and Mirziyoyev's no-comment approach for now does not necessarily signify a change. Water and energy management is critical for all five Central Asian states. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan face shortages of water in summer and energy in winter, with rural Tajikistan and the Uzbek portion of the Ferghana Valley suffering acutely.21 Karimov's and President Emomali Rahmon's relationship was openly antagonistic. Under Mirziyoyev, contact with Dushanbe has been stepped up, but the "warming of relations is not framed as widely and positively as cooperation with Kyrgyzstan", an Uzbek analyst said. A senior Kyrgyz official dismissed Mirziyoyev's efforts at outreach with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan as a charm offensive.22 A Tajik analyst was equally cautious but said bilateral relations are so poor that small improvements are possible on discrete issues: Under Karimov everything was tied into one package, but Mirziyoyev seems to be willing to untie that package and resolve each problem separately. If border issues are negotiated only as border issues, they can be resolved quickly. The same relates to many other issues. Roads to connect both states can be built or repaired quickly, just like air connections can be restored fast. It could be realistic to solve these issues in half a year or one year.23 17 Mariya Zozulya, "Kyrgyzstan's Hydropower Projects Stall Again", Institute for War & Peace Reporting, 25 August 2016. 18 Crisis Group interview, senior Kyrgyz official, Bishkek, November 2016. 19 Crisis Group interviews, Western diplomats, Bishkek, November 2016. 20 " 2017 " ["Flights between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to resume in the first half of 2017"], Podrobno.uz, 7 November 2016. The Rogun dam on the Vakhsh River, 100km downstream of Dushanbe, would be up to 335 metres tall with a 3,600 MW capacity. 21 Rustam Qobil, "Will Central Asia fight over water?", BBC, 25 October 2016. 22 Crisis Group interviews, Bishkek, November 2016. 23 Crisis Group telephone interview, November 2016. Rogun, though, is different. A Russian analyst said, "for Uzbekistan, Rogun has been a painful topic for too long. Uzbekistan [cannot] suddenly change its position. Right now they prefer not to talk about it at all".24 The difficult negotiations ahead also depend on the Tajik government's ability to reassure Uzbekistan that water will not be politicised. Rahmon says this repeatedly, but Tashkent may consider the increasingly authoritarian president inherently unreliable.25 IV. Beyond the Region Mirziyoyev bolstered his pre-election stature by high-profile meetings with senior Russian, Chinese, EU, U.S. and Turkish representatives that underscored the widespread strategic interest in Uzbekistan. The foreign ministry also facilitated many regional diplomatic sessions. Though these were viewed positively, an Uzbek analyst said, they "could be merely part of the presidential campaign; their sustainability is in question".26 A radical or swift departure from Karimov's foreign policies should not be expected. Uzbekistan's partners may find more openness to dialogue, but the issues remain the same. Russia seeks a closer relationship, but Tashkent, while cautiously increasing security cooperation, will continue to avoid economic or military bloc membership.27 China, which views Central Asia as a commercial conduit and investment opportunity, considers its most populous state (31.8 million) particularly attractive. Foreign Minister Wang Yi, following 12 November Tashkent meetings with Mirziyoyev and his Uzbek counterpart, Abdulaziz Kamilov, stressed there is "new impetus" for even deeper cooperation.28 Early indications are that the Obama administration has wanted to maintain a strategic relationship, including through the C5+1 format, a platform the Central Asian states and the U.S. created in 2015.29 The EU is open to more ties and trade, including a textiles protocol, despite continued forced labour in the cotton sector. Rapporteur Maria Arena said the EU International Trade Committee's 10 November recommendation was not a blank cheque: "We want the Uzbek government to fully cooperate with the International Labour Organisation to eradicate child and forced labour. In the case of serious human rights violations, the Parliament will immediately ask for the suspension of the agree 24 Crisis Group telephone interview, November 2016. 25 Emomali Rahmon, speech at the Vakhsh River Diversion Ceremony, Rogun city, transcript on the president's website, 29 October 2016, www.president.tj/en/node/13409; Crisis Group Europe and Central Asia Briefing N78, Tajikistan Early Warning: Internal Pressures, External Threats, 11 January 2016. 26 Crisis Group interview, Bishkek, November 2016. 27 " " ["Uzbekistan will strengthen its military forces with the help of Russia"], Anhor, 24 November 2016. 28 "Wang Yi: China-Uzbekistan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is Believed to Achieve New Progress", Chinese foreign ministry, 13 November 2016; " 12 " ["Acting President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev Received Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi on 12 November"], Uzbek foreign ministry, 12 November 2016. 29 "Meeting with U.S. Under Secretary of State", Uzbek foreign ministry, 29 October 2016; also, "U.S.-Central Asia (C5+1) Joint Projects", press release, U.S. Department of State, 3 August 2016. ment".30 Activists, however, argue that Uzbekistan has made little progress on cotton-sector forced labour and want the European Parliament (EP) to reject it in December. This is unlikely, since the EU believes not incorporating the protocol into the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement could risk dialogue across the board.31 If the EP gives final approval, the onus will be on Brussels to commit firmly to the conditionality it outlines and use what Uzbekistan will see as both symbolic gesture and economic opportunity to push for deeper dialogue on reforms, including regionally consequential ones on resources and borders. V. Conclusion If Mirziyoyev follows through, Uzbekistan may become a better neighbour in Central Asia and a more reliable actor with partners in South Asia, China, Russia and Europe. Its citizens' lives would also improve. But the new president is a product of Karimov's system, an insider whose priority will be consolidating his power. He may feel little incentive to reform a system that has rewarded him and other members of the political and economic elite. The need for reform is great, however. The long-term stability of the country and Central Asia requires successful transition from a police state to one able to meet obligations to its citizens. That is not yet happening. Steps to rid the cotton sector of child labour have had some success, but children have been replaced by older students, for example, and the coercive system for adults remains in place. Western partners consequently should use such leverage as they have to press on human rights. Russia and China are possibly more influential actors and also have a stake in promoting development and better regional relations to foster sustainable regional stability, but their appreciation of the link between human rights and that stability is problematic. Bishkek/Brussels, 6 December 2016 30 "MEPs Back Trade in Textiles with Uzbekistan", EP press release, 10 November 2016. It added: "In December 2011, Parliament adopted an interim report postponing its decision on consent pending an improvement in the human rights situation particularly in the fields of child and forced labour in the annual cotton harvest. Since then the International Labour Organization (ILO) has carried out three monitoring missions which revealed that child labour has been virtually eradicated. The Uzbek authorities have made several commitments to progressively abolish adult forced labour, and in its latest report of 2015, ILO identified a number of indicators linked to abusive work conditions and controversial recruitment processes, which are currently being addressed by the Uzbek government in cooperation with the ILO". Activists strongly disagree, saying there is ample evidence of continuing abuses. "Letter to European Parliament Committee on International Trade regarding textile protocol", Human Rights Watch, 7 November 2016. 31 Umberto Bacchi, "EU Lawmakers Back Uzbekistan Trade Deal Opposed by Anti-Slavery Activists", Reuters, 10 November 2016. Turkmenistan: Questions ignored on tortured prisoners of conscience Publisher Forum 18 Author Felix Corley Publication Date 6 December 2016 Cite as Forum 18, Turkmenistan: Questions ignored on tortured prisoners of conscience, 6 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5847d8034.html [accessed 3 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. Turkmenistan has ignored some questions by the UN Committee Against Torture about tortured Muslim and Jehovah's Witness prisoners of conscience, but provided details of a Sunni Muslim prisoner's three trials. The country also continues to deny the right to conscientious objection to military service. Security Council fails to adopt resolution calling for ceasefire in Aleppo Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 5 December 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Security Council fails to adopt resolution calling for ceasefire in Aleppo, 5 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5847d88f40d.html [accessed 3 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. 5 December 2016 - The United Nations Security Council today failed to adopt a resolution calling for a seven-day ceasefire in Aleppo that would allow humanitarian aid to reach people trapped in the war-ravaged Syrian city. The draft resolution proposed by Egypt, New Zealand and Spain was rejected because it received negative votes by permanent members Russia and China. Any negative vote, known as veto, from the Council's five permanent members means a failed resolution. The text received 11 in favour, to three against (China, Russian Federation and Venezuela), with Angola abstaining. This outcome followed the Council's unsuccessful attempts on 8 October to act on ending the bloodshed in Syria's besieged eastern Aleppo. That day, the Council voted on two resolutions, the one proposed by France and Spain and the other tabled by Russia. The draft resolution tabled today would have had the Council "decide that all parties to the Syrian conflict shall cease, 24 hours after the adoption of this resolution, any and all attacks in the city of Aleppo, including with any weapons, including rockets, mortars, and anti-tank guided missiles, and including shelling and airstrikes, to allow urgent humanitarian needs to be addressed for a period of seven days." It would also have had the Council "expresses its intention to consider further extensions for seven-day periods on a recurring basis, and demands that all parties allow and facilitate immediate, safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access to all of Aleppo by the United Nations and its implementing partners." A child standing in front of his ground-flattened school after a bombardment in Ainjara village in rural Aleppo, Syria. Photo: UNICEF/Khalil Alshawi According to the 5 December situation report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): Libyan political accord 'stands firm, but stuck' UN envoy tells Security Council Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 6 December 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Libyan political accord 'stands firm, but stuck' UN envoy tells Security Council, 6 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5847d9b240c.html [accessed 3 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. 6 December 2016 - Briefing the Security Council just days ahead of the first anniversary of the Libyan Political Agreement, the United Nations envoy for the north African country highlighted that while there has been progress, the deal has stalled and much more should have happened. UN Special Representative Martin Kobler also underscored that in addition to looking at the security situation in the country, the economic dimensions also needed to be kept on the agenda. Until today, even the most vociferous critics of the Agreement acknowledge that it is the only workable framework, Mr. Kobler told the Council at its meeting on the north African country. That said, the Libyan Political Agreement did not fulfil the expectations. The implementation has stalled, he added. Mr. Kobler explained factors such as the limited authority of the Government of National Accord (GNA), the rejection, twice, of the proposed lists of GNA by the Libyan House of Representatives, lack of cooperation between State institutions, pretender governments competing for power, and crime and volatile security situation continued to add to the worries in the country. To conclude an agreement is difficult, to implement it is even more difficult, as Nelson Mandela said. Sounding the alarm, he said the country continues to be awash in weapons, and arrivals of new weapons continue unabated, in violation of existing weapons embargo. Weapons do not fall from the sky. They come by land or sea, he stressed, adding that they sometimes end up in the hands of terrorists throughout the region. As such, he called for strong enforcement of the embargo until Libya has a reliable and coherent security set up. Of special concern, Mr. Kobler underscored, were violent clashes in Tripoli the first since 2014 triggered by the killing of a religious scholar, and he noted that such clashes were symptoms of the lack of security and underlying tensions between communities. He added that despite an increase in oil production, the country remains in a budget deficit of about 70 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) and said that the strained relations between the Presidency Council and the Central Bank further complicated the financial situation. Israel's settlement 'legalization bill' would harm prospects for Arab-Israeli peace, UN envoy warns Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 6 December 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Israel's settlement 'legalization bill' would harm prospects for Arab-Israeli peace, UN envoy warns, 6 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5847da2040c.html [accessed 3 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. 6 December 2016 - The United Nations envoy on the Middle East peace process today warned against Israel's move to adopt the so-called 'legalization bill,' which aims to protect illegal settlements and outposts built on private Palestinian property in the West Bank, but which some have said could be a step towards annexation of the area. If adopted, it will have far reaching legal consequences for Israel, across the occupied West Bank and will greatly diminish the prospect of Arab-Israeli peace, said the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nickolay Mladenov, in a press statement. He reiterated that all settlement activities are illegal under international law and run counter to the position of the diplomatic Quartet on the Middle East comprising the UN, Russia, the United States and the European Union that settlements are one of the main obstacles to peace. I encourage Israeli legislators to reconsider this move, he said. 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. Qatar: Independent News Website Blocked Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 7 December 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Qatar: Independent News Website Blocked, 7 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5847dbac4.html [accessed 3 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. Qatari authorities have blocked Doha News, the country's only independent news website, in a move that undermines Qatar's attempts to present itself as a center for media freedom in the Gulf region, Human Rights Watch said today. Doha News has been publishing news about Qatar online for six years, but on November 30, 2016, authorities there ordered Qatar's two internet service providers, Vodafone and Ooredoo, to block the site, making it inaccessible to internet users in Qatar. A Doha News spokesperson told Human Rights Watch that Qatari authorities said that the site's reporting had upset "several" unnamed government ministries and cited concerns over its failure to formally register in Qatar. Doha News is registered and hosted in the United States, but its journalists live and work in Qatar. In October, Doha News published an editorial calling on the authorities to amend provisions of the 2014 cybercrime law to "preserve free speech and protect journalism in the country." "Doha News's ability to report independently on important issues was unique in the Gulf region, and Qataris and non-Qataris alike benefited from its smart and sensitive coverage," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "It's sad and disappointing that the Qatari authorities have shown themselves to be as thin-skinned as their hyper-sensitive neighbours in the region." On November 30, Doha News published an article stating that "our website has been deliberately targeted and blocked by Qatar authorities," after the authorities and Vodafone and Ooredoo failed to respond to their queries about why their website had become inaccessible to internet users in Qatar. Vodafone stated in a December 4 letter to Doha News that they would be "pleased to unblock access once the requirements of the relevant concerned parties have been met," and referred Doha News to the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Economy and Commerce. Ooredoo said in its December 4 response that the block related to "concerns raised regarding the licensing of your organization," and referred Doha News to the same two ministries. A spokesperson for Doha News described the decision to block the website as "a heavy-handed attempt to get us to fall in line with other local media outlets and stymie any attempts at critical reporting in the country." The government-funded broadcasting company Al Jazeera began broadcasting in 1996 and Al Jazeera English began operations in 2006. Al Jazeera's Arabic channel does not criticize Qatar or neighboring countries, but Al Jazeera English has covered developments in Bahrain and has been at the forefront of international media reporting of the issue of abuse of migrant workers' rights, including in Qatar. The October 8 Doha News's editorial on Qatar's 2014 cybercrime law quoted a prominent local lawyer saying that Qatar's cybercrime law was "a tool of intimidation" and "like a knife held close to the necks of writers, activists and journalists." The 2014 law criminalizes spreading "false news" on the internet and provides for a maximum of three years in prison for anyone convicted of posting online content that "violates social values or principles," or "insults or slanders others." In July, Qatar authorities detained a Doha News journalist overnight after a person convicted of a serious crime complained about an article that he said had harmed his reputation. Qatar has ratified the Arab Charter on Human Rights, article 32 of which protects the right to freedom of expression. Although Qatar has not ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Human Rights Committee, the body of independent experts which monitors implementation of the treaty, has provided an authoritative interpretation of article 19, on which the Arab Charter's provision is based. It has stated in its general comment 34 that the prohibition of "a site or an information dissemination system from publishing material solely on the basis that it may be critical of the government or the political social system espoused by the government" constitutes a violation of the right to free expression. "Qatar doesn't regulate the internet and it's absurd to block a website and say the website is not registered," said a Doha news spokesperson. "How many other websites on the internet have registered in Qatar? There are no two ways around the fact that the government has chosen to block access to the site because they aren't happy with everything that we publish. And that amounts to censorship." Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Kazakhstan: Move to Shut Down Trade Unions Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 7 December 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Kazakhstan: Move to Shut Down Trade Unions, 7 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5847dc354.html [accessed 3 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. Kazakhstan should immediately end legal moves to liquidate an independent trade union confederation, Human Rights Watch said today. An economic court in Shymkent, in southern Kazakhstan, on December 5, 2016, began reviewing a case brought by the Justice Ministry against the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Kazakhstan. Three other affiliated industrial trade unions face liquidation as well. "Kazakhstan should be allowing workers to organize freely in compliance with its international obligations, not trying to shut down a major workers' organization," said Hugh Williamson , Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Trampling on basic labor rights is both wrong in principle and in the signal it sends to Kazakhstan's partners." Kazakhstan is a regional hub for foreign investment in extractive industries, and has ambitions to be a top-30 economy by 2050. Kazakhstan's key economic partners, including the European Union, its member states, and the United States, should urge Astana to step back from liquidating an internationally recognized union body and to allow trade unions to operate freely, Human Rights Watch said. The move to liquidate the union confederation and affiliates representing medical workers, domestic workers, and mine workers, comes after authorities rejected repeated efforts by the union body to fully register its operations under a restrictive 2014 trade union law. The law imposes burdensome registration requirements on trade unions that are at odds with internationally protected workers' rights to organize, Human Rights Watch said. In 2015 and 2016, the International Labour Organization (ILO) at its annual conference strongly criticized Kazakhstan for its restrictions in the 2014 trade union law. In June 2015, the Committee on the Application of Standards, the highest-level decision-making body of the ILO, said that Kazakhstan should "amend the provisions of the Trade Union Law of 2014 consistent with the Convention." Kazakhstan has not amended the law. Kazakhstan's Justice Ministry has accused the confederation, which registered after significant delays in February 2016, of violating the trade union law by failing to confirm its status as a national union within six months. The law requires each national union to document that it has member organizations in over half the territories of Kazakhstan, in Almaty, the largest city, and in Astana, the capital. In a recently-released report "' We Are Not the Enemy': Violations of Workers Rights in Kazakhstan ," Human Rights Watch documented how the confederation and its affiliated industrial and local unions faced registration processing delays at the Justice Ministry or had their applications returned on technical grounds, such as for minor inconsistencies in translation, as they tried to comply with registration requirements. The confederation and its predecessor bodies have been operating in Kazakhstan since the early 1990s. After the adoption of the 2014 trade union law, the then-named Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Kazakhstan tried several times, starting in May 2015, to re-register in compliance with the new provisions, but was unable to meet the geographical and representational requirements of the law. After further restructuring efforts, the group registered under the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Kazakhstan name in February 2016. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the leading international union body, recently accepted the confederation as a full member. On December 1, the ITUC issued a statement calling on the Kazakhstan government to respect freedom of association and sent a letter to President Nursultan Nazarbaev urging him to "withdraw immediately the pending complaint before the Economic Court and to ensure that workers have the right to establish trade unions without previous authorization." "Kazakhstan should recall that trade unions are formed by workers, not the government, and that they exist to protect workers' rights," Williamson said. "Authorities in Kazakhstan should see trade unions as playing an essential role in the country's development, not as a threat that deserves to be liquidated." Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Lebanon: Using Art to Promote Human Rights Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 7 December 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Lebanon: Using Art to Promote Human Rights, 7 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5847dc7c4.html [accessed 3 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. Human Rights Watch is publishing its first art book, "War/Identities When Words Aren't Enough," to raise awareness about human rights issues in Lebanon and encourage public engagement. The book will be introduced at a public event on December 8, 2016, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Dar El-Nimer for Arts & Culture. The book includes contributions from 41 local artists whose work reflects on human rights issues in Lebanon, including women's rights, migrant domestic worker rights, torture, disappearances, refugees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights. It includes works by inspiring Lebanese and local Palestinian artists, including Paul Guiragossian, Fadi Barrage, AbdulRahman Katanani, and Huguette Caland. "Lebanon's tumultuous history and the violence and abuse that have engulfed the region have not gone unnoticed by local artists," said Lama Fakih, Beirut director at Human Rights Watch. "Local artists act both as chroniclers of abuse and as apt commentators on what needs to be done to improve rights for all in Lebanon." The book's author, Marie Tomb, an art historian, provides an expert analysis of the 153 artworks featured in the book within the context of Human Rights Watch's years-long work in Lebanon. The book is an artistic invitation to reflect on the state of human rights in Lebanon today. By presenting human rights issues through the work of local artists, Human Rights Watch hopes to encourage greater awareness of rights abuse in Lebanon and public engagement in the fight for universal human rights. This project came to fruition as a result of a partnership between Saleh Barakat, an art expert and curator, Tomb, and Human Rights Watch, with the support of the Human Rights Watch Beirut committee, a group of Lebanese citizens who are dedicated to the mission of achieving human rights for all. All proceeds from book sales will go directly to the Human Rights Watch work in Lebanon. Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Azerbaijan - Renewed use of trumped-up charges censor journalists Publisher Reporters Without Borders Publication Date 5 December 2016 Cite as Reporters Without Borders, Azerbaijan - Renewed use of trumped-up charges censor journalists, 5 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5847dd1a4.html [accessed 3 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. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) again calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to stop curtailing media freedom after they arrested three journalists and blocked two leading news websites in the space of a few days and tightened the already draconian legal provisions regulating online free speech. The first of the three independent journalists to be detained in recent days was Afgan Sadykhov, who was arrested on 22 November in the southeastern city of Jalilabad, where he edits a website (Azel.tv) specializing in public infrastructural issues in the region. He has been charged with "aggravated assault" in connection with an incident shortly before his arrest, when he was summoned by local officials and, on arriving at the meeting place, was attacked and punched by a woman who then filed a complaint against him. His mother says that the police tortured him and that her requests to visit him have been ignored. A similar pretext was used to arrest Teymur Kerimov, a journalist with the Kanal 13 website, who was arrested near the central city of Barda on 25 November while doing a report about water supply problems in a village for refugees from the troubled Nagorno-Karabakh region. An unidentified man began to harass Kerimov's interviewees, telling them to "not speak to opposition journalists" and "not criticize the government," and finally insulted and manhandled Kerimov. Kerimov was then escorted to a nearby police station where the same man accused him of insulting him and hitting him. When questioned, local officials corroborated the man's account. The police finally released Kerimov after holding him for ten hours and taking his interview recordings. He says he is now the subject of a criminal assault investigation. Zamin Gadji, an opposition journalist with the newspaper Yeni Musavat, was summoned to a Baku police station on 28 November over a Facebook post in which he deplored the failure to solve four prominent murders - those of historian Ziya Bunyadov in 1996, air force commander Rail Rzayev in 2009, journalist Elmar Huseynov in 2005 and writer Rafig Tagi in 2011 - and asked, "How can we talk of government stability in this country if murders go unpunished." The police accused him of "casting doubt on the country's social and political stability" and asked him to delete the post, which he refused to do. He was eventually released a few hours later. Trumped-up assault charges are often used to imprison outspoken journalists in Azerbaijan. Seymour Khazi, who worked for the daily Azadlig and the exile TV programme "Azerbaycan Saati," has been jailed on such charges since August 2015. Ganimat Zahid, the editor of Azadlig and producer of "Azerbaycan Saati," was held for two and a half years, from 2007 to 2010, for an alleged attack on a woman. "The Azerbaijani authorities are so confident that they do not even take the trouble to vary their harassment methods," said Johann Bihr, the head of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk at RSF. "We condemn the harassment of Afgan Sadykhov, Teymur Kerimov and Zamin Gadji, the latest victims of this constant persecution. The international community must stop allowing the Azerbaijani regime to act with impunity and ask it to address its systematic violations of the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights." Ever tighter Internet control Access to the websites of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Voice of America (VoA) were blocked in Azerbaijan between 28 November and 2 December, when Ilham Aliyev met with an American official. These leading sites had been among the few sources of news and information critical of the government still available within the country. Local FM retransmission of the broadcasts of RFE/RL and VoA has been banned since 2009. The authorities closed the RFE/RL bureau in Baku in 2014 and began a criminal investigation against its employees. Two legislative amendments increasing the penalties for online defamation and insults were adopted by parliament on 29 November. With use of pseudonyms henceforth regarded as an aggravating factor, offenders will now face the possibility of a fine of 1,000 to 1500 manat (540 to 810 euros - more than six times the minimum monthly wage of 130 euros). They could also be sentenced to between 360 and 380 hours of public service, the deduction of part of their salary or between one and two years in prison. If the president is insulted, the maximum jail term is three years. Azerbaijan is ranked 163rd out of 180 countries in RSF's 2016 World Press Freedom Index. The President Ilham Aliyev is included in the list of predators of press freedom. Another journalist held in Turkmenistan's never-ending crackdown Publisher Reporters Without Borders Publication Date 7 December 2016 Cite as Reporters Without Borders, Another journalist held in Turkmenistan's never-ending crackdown, 7 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5847dd614.html [accessed 3 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. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Khudayberdy Allashov, a correspondent for the Turkmen service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and his mother, who have been held since 3 December on a charge of possessing chewing tobacco. Allashov and his mother were arrested when police raided their home in the northern town of Kunya-Urgench, began beating him and then carried out a search, finding a few packets of tobacco, which were used as a pretext for hauling them off to a police station. Chewing tobacco is illegal in Turkmenistan but is widely consumed and, according to RFE/RL, its possession has not led to arrests in the past. The dealer who sold the tobacco to Allashov was herself arrested for a few hours and was brought face-to-face with him in the police station. She told RFE/RL he was covered with bruises, and was unable to speak or even lift his head. Allashov's wife, who was also arrested and released twice, has been told that he signed a statement "admitting" to possessing 11 kilos of tobacco, much more than was found during the search. A trial was due to have been held on 5 December behind closed doors with no defence lawyer present. It has yet to be confirmed whether the trial was indeed held and, if so, how it ended. Allashov, who began working for RFE/RL three or four months ago, was facing a possible seven-year jail term. He had recently reported local stories about sensitive topics such as food shortages and cotton-picking. "There is no doubt that Khudayberdy Allashov is being persecuted because of journalistic activities, that he has been mistreated and forced to make a confession, and that he is now in great danger," said Johann Bihr, the head of RSF's Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk. "We again urge the international community to take stock of the current crackdown on independent journalists in Turkmenistan and to hold its government to account. The OSCE foreign minister's meeting today in Hamburg offers an opportunity. The countries that still proclaim democratic values must speak out and must demand the release of Allashov and his mother, and the release of Saparmamed Nepeskuliev, a journalist held since July 2015." No criticism of the regime or its officials has ever been tolerated in Turkmenistan, which is ranked 178th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2016 World Press Freedom Index. Recent months have nonetheless seen a new escalation in the persecution of journalists working for independent media based abroad, including RFE/RL. RFE/RL correspondent Soltan Achilova was assaulted three times in the space of a few days in November, while Rovshen Yazmuhamedov, another RFE/RL correspondent, was threatened in November with being made to serve the suspended jail sentence he was given in 2013. Nepeskuliev, also an RFE/RL reporter, has meanwhile been detained for nearly 18 months. No fewer than six RFE/RL contributors gave up working for the media outlet in 2015 as a result of harassment. Gambia: Opposition leader Ousainou Darboe and 18 others released on bail Publisher Article 19 Publication Date 6 December 2016 Cite as Article 19, Gambia: Opposition leader Ousainou Darboe and 18 others released on bail, 6 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5847de264.html [accessed 3 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 leader of the Gambian opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), Ousainou Darboe, was released on bail by the Banjul Court of Appeal on 5 December, along with 18 others, pending the hearing of their appeal of the three-year jail term they were handed in July. Darboe had spent nearly eight months in prison after being detained for a peaceful protest demanding that the remains of party member Solo Sandeng, who was tortured to death in police custody, be handed over. The decision to grant bail came on the heels of President Jammeh's election defeat to opposition coalition candidate Adam Barrow on 2 December, and his surprising decision to concede after 22 years in power. The results are hoped to usher in a new era for people in the country: after decades of repressive rule and human rights violations, Gambians are finally able to openly speak their minds. As the bail application was heard, crowds gathered outside the court, and volunteers offered their identity cards as sureties to bail the prisoners. The families of the detained, and Gambians from across society, young and old, attended the courthouse to witness the historic moment. Most had one thing to say: "It's a new Gambia, it's a free Gambia". As the newly freed prisoners were leaving the courthouse, the crowd sang the national anthem and shouted "Free Gambia". 2016 will be remembered as the year of historic firsts in the Gambia: for the first time ever, the opposition united behind a single candidate; it achieved the first victory of the opposition in the polls against a long-serving head of State; and it was the first peaceful concession of electoral defeat. ARTICLE 19 welcomes the historic election result, and calls on the government to drop all charges against Ousanou Darbo and other UDP members, and release all remaining political prisoners. Copyright notice: Copyright ARTICLE 19 Uzbekistan: Snap Election Revises Script While Following Old Rules Publisher EurasiaNet Publication Date 28 November 2016 Other Languages / Attachments Russian Cite as EurasiaNet, Uzbekistan: Snap Election Revises Script While Following Old Rules, 28 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5847df804.html [accessed 3 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. Of the four candidates running in Uzbekistan's special presidential election on December 4, only one really counts - Acting President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. All the same, the campaign has been unusual in that it has given some prominence to the also-rans and, in the process, has paid lip service to competitive democratic practices. While incumbent authorities have given no indications that they intend to implement substantive reforms to shake up the ossified political system, they are making concerted efforts to convey the impression of change. Since Uzbekistan gained independence in 1991, Soviet-style elections have been the norm. Before his sudden death earlier this year, former president Islam Karimov stood for election on four occasions and received around 90 percent of the vote each time. For the upcoming special election, candidates have been nominated by the four parties represented in parliament. Mirziyoyev's candidacy was put forward by the Uzbekistan Liberal Democratic Party, or UzLiDeP, which traditionally nominated Karimov. The other candidates are Nariman Umarov (Justice Social Democratic Party), Sarvar Otamuratov (National Revival Democratic Party) and Khatamjon Ketmonov (People's Democratic Party). In addition to enjoying the advantage of incumbency, Mirziyoyev, who still formally holds the post of prime minister, has been subject of ample coverage on state television, as well as a fawning documentary. His election seems assured. And yet, there are some novelties. An Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) monitoring mission has described electioneering as "moderately visible." Those challenging the incumbent are able to convey campaign messages to the general population in ways that were not possible in elections under Karimov. "Each contestant has 642 billboards displayed across the country and equal access to 36 electronic screens to broadcast campaign messages," the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights election observation mission said in its interim report on November 24. Daily television news bulletins open with reports about the latest from the various election campaigns - a break from the Karimov era, when even the formal opposition candidates were broadly ignored by state media. Umarov and Ketmonov stood in the March 2015 election, the last presidential vote held during Karimov's lifetime, but garnered less than 3 percent of the vote apiece. Galiya Ibragimova, a consultant for Moscow-based think tank PIR Center, said that the goal of the election is to bolster not just the legitimacy of Mirziyoyev, but also to reinforce a political system in transition. "This is why the political elite of Uzbekistan, who have reached a mutual consensus among themselves, are trying to carry out formally competitive elections and talking about the importance of further developing parliamentarianism, liberalization of the economy, reforms to the justice system and even the appearance of a pocket opposition force," Ibragimova said. "There is an element of populism in this, but the main goal of such statements is to strengthen the legitimacy of the still-fragile post-Karimov system." Despite the cursory nods to greater transparency, some old habits remain strong. A senior employee for a state newspaper told EurasiaNet.org late last week that the several dozen foreign journalists that had been accredited to cover the election would be closely monitored. "Groups of editors and deputy editors, together with translators and drivers, have been assembled to accompany every reporter," the state newspaper worker told EurasiaNet.org. Accredited journalists will be met straight off the plane and accompanied for the entire duration of their stay, the newspaper worker said. Presidential candidates have traveled widely in the regions to meet with citizens. They have tended to stress socio-economic issues, and have offered bromides about the need to increase the wellbeing of the Uzbek people. Since Mirziyoyev is destiny-bound to win, the platforms of his ersatz rivals might be irrelevant, other than that they represent noteworthy reflections of public policy deemed open for discussion. Ketmonov, 47, who is known popularly as the "standby" candidate, is typically viewed with derision, in part as his surname bears shades of nominative determinism. The Uzbek word "ketmen" refers to a farming implement for hoeing soil, which has led to gags at his expense of how he is used by the state the way one would an everyday household tool. Ketmonov's primary electoral theme has been to promote social equality and he has dwelled in particular on the plight of the disabled. In his campaign, he has proposed creating specialized enterprises that would provide employment for people with physical disabilities. Ketmonov has said that if elected, he would ensure decent wages for Uzbek workers. Otamuratov, a trained sociologist born in 1973, has focused more on the idea of "national renewal," and the idea of bolstering greater national self-awareness. His main practical proposal is for the Uzbek language to abandon Cyrillic script and adopt the Latin alphabet. Umarov, the oldest candidate at 64, has emphasized broad access to education. If elected, Umarov has said he would overhaul the university admissions system and revise the mechanism for recognizing foreign educational qualifications. He has also said that too many key educational establishments are based in the capital, Tashkent, and that some should relocate to the regions. Mirziyoyev, predictably, has the most detailed campaign platform of all. His main message has been to protect private enterprise and promote foreign investment. His pledge is to double gross domestic product by 2030 and bring the share of industry in the economy to 40 percent, up from 34 percent as registered in the first half of 2016. In his most eye-catching promise to date, he has pledged to launch 657 investment projects worth a total of $40 billion within five years. That would ensure the threefold growth of the textile industry and the more than doubling of pharmaceutical sector, he said. Another pledge is to build 15,000 homes for low-income families in 2017 and make mortgages more affordable. In addition, Mirziyoyev wants to build 50,000 apartments in major cities over a three-year period. Those promised undertakings notwithstanding, Mirziyoyev is clearly positioning himself as a champion of continuity. "As the most experienced politician and a veteran of government administration, Shavkat Mirziyoyev well understands that stability and development in the social sphere are the main thing for the existence of Uzbekistan," historian Maxim Matnazarov told EurasiaNet.org. "That why his election campaign has focused mainly on these two things." Copyright notice: All EurasiaNet material Open Society Institute Kyrgyzstan: Anatomy of an Unconvincing Scandal Publisher EurasiaNet Publication Date 1 December 2016 Other Languages / Attachments Russian Cite as EurasiaNet, Kyrgyzstan: Anatomy of an Unconvincing Scandal, 1 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5847e0384.html [accessed 3 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 writer named Kate Cohen, posting on a little-known website, recently uncovered shady business practices that subsequently created a riptide of political scandal in Kyrgyzstan. There are a couple of problems with the story, however. For one, Kate Cohen may not be a real person. And central elements of the scandal may have been fabricated, as there evidently was not a rigorous review process in place to check the facts prior to publication. All the same, the government is running with the story, which happens to blacken the names of some of its most prominent critics at an important juncture in Kyrgyz politics. The piece in question was published on October 12 by Cohen on a website called Litterareport.com. It alleged that three members of parliament with the opposition Ata-Meken party connived to profit from the sale of a telecoms company. Kyrgyz authorities say the company was expropriated by the son of former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who was ousted in 2010. It just happens that the three opposition politicians identified in the article - Omurbek Tekebayev and fellow Ata-Meken MPs, former General Prosecutor Aida Salyanova and ex-Justice Minister Almambet Shykmamatov - are among the staunchest opponents of planned changes to the constitution that political commentators say would consolidate the powers of the current ruling elite in Kyrgyzstan. The changes, which would enhance the powers of the prime minister's office at the expense of parliamentary authority, are to be put to a nationwide referendum on December 11. Some observers suspect that President Almazbek Atambayev, who is limited constitutionally to one presidential term ending in 2017, wants to use the referendum to lay the groundwork for his immediate entourage to retain a dominant grip on power. Opponents allege that the government is trying to secure its desired result via mass-media manipulation and other forms of misuse of power. The Litterareport.com report might have gone unnoticed had it not been picked up by government-friendly newspaper Vecherny Bishkek. Normally, a newspaper picking up an item from a small, foreign online outlet might not elicit much suspicion, but for one peculiar fact: Vecherny Bishkek's article appeared on October 5, one full week before Cohen's piece was even published. The scandal has snowballed from there. At the heart of this saga is a mobile telecommunications company that has been through many hands at multiple stages. The Megacom brand was created in 2006 and was originally owned by a holding company called BiMoCom, whose owners claim to have been driven to insolvency in 2009 as a result of the machinations of Maxim Bakiyev, the son of the former president. Maxim Bakiyev and his associates are alleged to have later simply taken over the whole company lock, stock and barrel. After Maxim Bakiyev's father was deposed in a bloody uprising, the newly installed government confiscated a 49 percent stake in the telecommunications company, then ostensibly in the ownership of an entity called Alfa Telecom. That still left another 51 percent stake up in the air, controlled, according to Kyrgyz government officials, by individuals close to Bakiyev and held by Belize-registered Southfield Management Inc. The Litterareport.com article alleges that as of April 2012, the three Ata-Meken MPs, Tekebayev, Salyanova and Shykmamatov, became minority shareholders in Southfield Management. By way of evidence, the article indicates that documents supporting that allegation could be found either as part of the Panama Papers leak, or via a similar initiative. Yet a review by EurasiaNet found that the companies and individuals mentioned in the Cohen article do not appear in the Panama Papers database. The Litterareport.com article does allude to what is describes as a "compliance-focused database," but provides no name or link. The owner of Litterareport.com, an IT consultant based in Boston, Massachusetts, named Bryan Healey, said he had no interaction with the writer of the article and that the unsolicited piece was directly uploaded without his editorial involvement. Emails from EurasiaNet.org to the address provided for Kate Cohen received no response. While Cohen does not name any compliance-focused databases, some Kyrgyz media - including Vecherny Bishkek - have cited an entity called the Justice Information Network, which casts itself as an analogue to the Panama Papers. The would-be network describes its membership as being "limited to organizations which are subject to anti-money laundering regulation (including self-regulation) under their domestic law, and to law enforcement bodies and agencies." The Justice Information Network website claims, albeit with no supporting documentation, that Tekebayev owned an 8 percent stake in Southfield Management, and that Salyanova and Shykmamatov held 7 percent each. The website additionally claims that it obtained this information as the result of a leak in 2015 from an entity called Unitrust, but does not specify what this is. The Justice Information Network only appears to feature in-depth information about Kyrgyzstan. Other data, such as lists of wanted criminal suspects in neighboring Kazakhstan, are freely available elsewhere from official websites. Emails sent by EurasiaNet.org to an address provided on the Justice Information Network website seeking clarification received no response. Vecherny Bishkek's story on the Litterareport.com article was in turn picked up by Kyrgyzstan's state broadcaster, KTRK, which based an entire nine-minute report on the newspaper's story. Around half the report was a scrolling image of the text of a Vecherny Bishkek piece, which was reproduced without qualification. "A sensational article about the minority shareholders of Bakiyev's company can be found online on the Vecherny Bishkek website. The newspaper's journalist cites international media, which tell the story of secret offshore operations and [draws on information in the] Panama Papers," a voiceover reads in the opening of the report, alluding to Litterareport.com and (incorrectly) identifying Panama Papers as the source of the information. The allegations gained further momentum in mid-November, when Abdil Segizbayev, head of the State Committee for National Security, or GKNB, claimed to have received documents from the authorities in Belize confirming the same details. By way of evidence, pictures were posted on the presidential website showing Segizbayev handing notarized documents to President Atambayev. Segizbayev suggested that the plan was to sell Southfield Management's shares in Alfa Telecom for "more than $50 million." The Ata-Meken MPs would under this scheme have purportedly expedited the sale of the shares by using their former status as members of the government coalition, further enriching Bakiyev and earning large amounts for themselves in the process. This episode is odd on several counts, however. Seasoned corruption investigators have told EurasiaNet.org they believe it is implausible that the government of Belize would have such information about the beneficiaries of off-shores registered on its territory. And it would be unprecedented for the government of Belize to voluntarily, and for no evident reason, hand over such data to a foreign government, they add. Other factors call Segizbayev's claims into question. One is the fact that the notarized document featuring Tekebayev's name provided the number of his national Kyrgyz ID card, which is valid only for in-country operations, but is useless for international financial transactions. The Belize-based law firm that notarized the documents produced by Segizbayev, Wrobel & Co, did not respond to repeated email requests for clarification on its role in verifying alleged shareholder information. A representative for the law firm told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz service that it did not send the Kyrgyz government the notarized documents. Following Segizbayev's alleged revelations, several members of parliament demanded the creation of a special commission to investigate those and other claims published in local media. As yet, no formal criminal investigation has been initiated over the case, and critics of the way the entire affair has been handled argue that there is no basis for any such action. "From a legal point of view, investigating this case would have no prospects," Cholpon Dzhakupova, a member of parliament with Bir Bol party, told parliament. "This entire campaign was carried out just to slander political opponents [of the administration]." The telecommunications scandal is held up as a clear example of how the government is using media as a weapon against its enemies. Some MPs, for example, criticized the role of the state broadcaster, KTRK, in helping perpetuate a furor concocted with tenuous evidence. "Vecherny Bishkek wrote an article about the involvement of deputies in the scandal surrounding Alfa Telecom, and that same evening KTRK ran the story. This is a plot. This was all agreed upon beforehand," MP Janar Akayev, a former reporter and presidential spokesman, told parliament. Copyright notice: All EurasiaNet material Open Society Institute Rights groups warn tech firms over China's harsh new internet regime Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 18 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Rights groups warn tech firms over China's harsh new internet regime, 18 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848121913.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-18 Man using a laptop at a Beijing office of Sina Weibo, widely known as China's version of Twitter, an early victim of President Xi Jinping's ongoing campaign tighten online control, in April 2014 photo. AFP International tech giants like Facebook, Microsoft, and LinkedIn have been warned that they will have to comply with China's draconian new surveillance rules if they operate inside the system of blocks, filters, and human censorship known as the Great Firewall. Citing a new Cybersecurity Law passed by Beijing last week, the London-based rights group Amnesty International said any tech company operating inside China will have to become a tool of the ruling Chinese Communist Party. "It is a vast human and technological system of Internet censorship without parallel in the world," Amnesty's East Asia research director Roseann Rife wrote in an article on the group's website as the World Internet Conference started in Wuzhen, in the eastern province of Zhejiang. "The new law codifies existing abusive practices and seeks to turn tech companies operating in China into de-facto state surveillance agents," Rife said. Rife said that while the Chinese market is currently dominated by homegrown tech giants like Tencent and Sina, Chinese officials have already made it clear that foreign internet companies will have to toe the line if they seek access to the country's internet users. 'Problematic' content Under the Cybersecurity Law, internet service providers will be forced to pass on huge amounts of data, including personal information, to government, and to censor users' posts without regard for freedom of expression and the right to privacy, she wrote. Those who fail to comply will be hit with substantial penalties. Rife cited the detention of bloggers Lu Yuyu and Li Tingyu on the implausible charges of "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble" as an example of how internet users can be criminalized simply for compiling and posting publicly available data. Under the new law, internet companies are required to remove and report to authorities any content likely to be regarded as politically sensitive or problematic by the government. This would effectively target people whose activities had not yet attracted the attention of China's "stability maintenance" regime, she wrote. "It is an Orwellian vision of the internet, a dragnet to trap those the government views as troublemakers, where the right to freedom of expression exists only at the discretion of the censors," Rife said. "Technology companies ... should challenge the new law and make known to the government the company's principled opposition to implementing any requests or directives which violate fundamental human rights." she said, calling on companies not to sign up to China's conditions under the new law. The warning came as veteran political journalist Gao Yu reported via social media that browsers in China are now displaying warning notices that the user may be trying to access a "fraudulent website" whenever they try to access overseas news organizations and other websites blocked by the Great Firewall. Chinese internet entrepreneur Hao Peiqiang, who founded Chengdu-based Ginkgo Software Technologies, said the Chinese government has been gradually tightening its control over the country's internet users under a strategy that is coming from the very highest level of government. "Domestic browsers basically decide what a website is, and then it is what they say it is," Hao said, adding: "They're not very reliable." Impact on rights Amnesty International China researcher Patrick Poon said overseas tech firms are overlooking the human rights implications of carrying out their business in China. "Actually they haven't thought about the fact that they are helping the Chinese government to suppress the freedom of expression of its citizens," Poon said. "We will continue to call on internet companies to pay particular attention to the right of freedom of expression and the right to privacy." He said the law stems from President Xi Jinping's concept of "internet sovereignty" in which a country controls what its nationals do online, rather than accessing a global network of information and services. "There is a double standard here, in which there is no room for human rights, where international norms on human rights will not be applied," Poon said. U.S.-based rights activist Liu Qing welcomed Amnesty International's warning. "This is both fair and correct," Liu said. "There are quite a few Western tech companies who are willing to do as the Chinese Communist Party tells them in order to advance their interests in China." "But since Xi Jinping came to power, there has been a steady rise in online surveillance and control of information." Liu said companies that do toe the line to do business in China are unlikely to benefit greatly from the trade-off, however. Reported by Xi Wang for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Ng Yik-tung for the Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. U.N. working group seeks release of Vietnamese photographer jailed in 2013 Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 18 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, U.N. working group seeks release of Vietnamese photographer jailed in 2013, 18 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848121a13.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-18 A demonstrator wearing a shirt with a slogan similar to the one that appeared in a picture taken by jailed photographer Nguyen Dang Minh Man, March 14, 2013. AFP The mother of jailed photo-journalist Nguyen Dang Minh Man expressed hope that the Vietnamese government will soon release her daughter, but she also expressed doubts that Hanoi will let her stay in the country. "I hope that Minh Man will be released unconditionally, but I think even if she is released unconditionally, she still can't come home," her mother Dang Thi Ngoc Minh told RFA's Vietnamese service. "They will expel her from Vietnam," Dang Thi Ngoc Minh added. "Our family wishes that Minh Man could return and continue her fight with her family, but if the government does not allow her to return home, then it is out of our control." Minh Man was one of 14 bloggers, writers and political and social activists who were convicted in 2013 of plotting to overthrow the government and sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to 13 years in what human rights groups said was the largest subversion case to be brought in the country in years. According to the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OCHCR) Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Minh Man was sentenced to eight years in prison and five years house arrest because she photographed "HS.TS.VN" graffiti and anti-China protests in Ho Chi Minh City over territorial disputes. "HS.TS.VN" means "Hoang Sa, Truong Sa, Viet Nam," a slogan that translates to: "The Paracel and Spratly Islands belong to Vietnam." It's a statement that reflects the Vietnamese government's official position on the South China Sea islands, which have been a flash point as Beijing has expanded its presence in waters near Vietnam. 'Her arrest and detention was not because of any threat to national security' The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention called on Hanoi to release her because "it is clearly impossible to invoke any legal basis justifying the deprivation of liberty" for Minh Man. While the decision was dated Sept. 20, 2016 it was announced on the working group's website this month. "In absence of any information indicating that Ms. Minh Man had engaged in violent activity, or that her work directly resulted in violence, the Working Group concludes that her arrest and detention was not because of any threat to national security," the group wrote in its finding. "Rather, she was detained in order to restrict the dissemination of material that was critical of the Government and which drew attention to issues of current interest." While Minh Man was convicted for her activities as a photographer, she was also associated with the Viet Tan pro-democracy group. The U.S.-based group was labeled as a terrorist organization by Hanoi in October. The group was formed in 1982 by a vice admiral in the former U.S.-backed South Vietnamese government. Viet Tan says it is committed to nonviolent struggle to end Communist rule, and the U.S. government has said it has seen no evidence that the group is engaged in terrorism. In a statement the Viet Tan said it welcomed the called the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention's decision a "victory for freedom of association in Vietnam." "We urge the United Nations to task a special rapporteur to examine the cases of all Vietnamese citizens arbitrarily detained for exercising their fundamental rights," the organization wrote in its release. Reported by and translated by RFA's Vietnamese Service. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. China orders residents of Xinjiang to attend weekly flag-raising ceremonies Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 21 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, China orders residents of Xinjiang to attend weekly flag-raising ceremonies, 21 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848121c7.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-21 Gulja is the capital of Ili prefecture in China's northwestern Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. RFA Chinese authorities in the troubled northwestern region of Xinjiang have ordered local residents to show up at a weekly patriotic flag-raising ceremony and sing the national anthem, in a bid to boost loyalty to the ruling Chinese Communist Party. The Bulat neighborhood committee in Dadamtu village, near Gulja city (Yining in Chinese), issued a notice to its residents along with a demand that they participate in national flag-raising ceremonies every Monday. "Each resident will present themselves at a place designated by the neighborhood committee at 10.00 a.m. Beijing time every Monday morning ... to attend the national flag-raising ceremony," the notice said. "During the ceremony, they will stand up straight in tidy lines, facing forwards, and sing the national anthem in strong voices," the notice said. "There will be no random wandering around or private conversation during the flag-raising." Smart dress is required, the notice said, with "scarves, veils, and sunglasses" forbidden, and no flip-flops, vests or shorts allowed. In a second notice issued at the same time, the committee ordered local residents to notify the authorities of all planned naming ceremonies, marriages, deaths and circumcisions of male children ahead of time, the notice, a copy of which was seen by RFA, said. "Families wishing to hold baby-namings, circumcisions, weddings or funerals must of their own accord inform their local [neighborhood officials] and the Communist Party branch secretary beforehand," the notice said. Calls to the Dadamtu village government, and to the Bulat neighborhood committee rang unanswered during office hours on Monday. A police officer in Gulja county, however, told RFA's Uyghur service said the flag-raising ceremonies have been going on "everywhere" for the past month. "We do the flag raising ceremony in our courtyard. Others do it in their respective work places. But the citizens do it in the neighborhood committees. It is everywhere. We do not know how the people who fail to attend the ceremony would be dealt with," said the policeman, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Deliberately targeting Uyghurs? But the Munich-based World Uyghur Congress, a diaspora organization, said it feared the new rules are deliberately targeting the mostly Muslim, Turkic Uyghur ethnic group, many of whom are unhappy with Chinese rule. Spokesman Dilxat Raxit told RFA that similar rules have been issued elsewhere in Xinjiang too. "All towns and villages now have a flag-raising ceremony and oaths of loyalty," Raxit told RFA. "These sorts of political campaigns are putting an added burden on local people, because they basically consist of brainwashing," he said. "It's not just in the villages, either; they are also happening in mosques as well," Raxit said. A Han Chinese resident of Xinjiang, who gave only his surname Zhang, said flag-raising ceremonies are long-established in institutions like schools, government departments and party-backed civil organizations. "Now they are starting to make them a requirement for residents, which means that they are highly political and highly ideological in nature," Zhang said. "They are trying to exact absolute loyalty." 'Insult to ordinary citizens' Zhang said the performance of local-level government officials is now judged on how much store they set by such activities. "This is an insult to ordinary citizens, and yet another curb on their freedom," he said. Dadamtu is home to some 25,000 people from around 14 different ethnic groups, of whom around 67 percent are Uyghurs and just 10 percent Han Chinese, according to local government information. Raxit said the requirement to report circumcisions was also a move aimed at monitoring which Uyghur families were the most religiously observant. "All of these activities like naming a child, circumcision and so on are a form of religious activity," he said. "To require them to report all circumcisions to the government ... means that they have to get government approval before they can get an imam to carry them out." "They are worried that lots of people will gather at such events, without any surveillance," he added. The Chinese government has rolled out an ongoing "strike hard" anti-terrorism campaign in Xinjiang following a deadly suicide bombing in May 2014 in the regional capital Urumqi, which they blamed on Uyghur separatists. However, Uyghurs complain about pervasive ethnic discrimination, religious repression, and cultural suppression by Beijing, which says it is targeting "separatism, religious extremism and terrorism." Critics say Beijing has exaggerated the threat from Uyghur "separatists" and that draconian domestic policies are responsible for an upsurge in violence that has left hundreds dead since 2012. The campaign has included police raids on Uyghur households, restrictions on Islamic practices, and curbs on the culture and language of the Uyghur people. Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service and by Gulchehra Hoja for the Uyghur Service . Translated by and Luisetta Mudie and Mamatjan Juma. Written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Eight activists 'disappear' in China's Shenzhen after police raid on dinner Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 21 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Eight activists 'disappear' in China's Shenzhen after police raid on dinner, 21 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848121da.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-21 Detained Shenzhen activist Xiao Bing is shown in an undated photo. Rights Defenders Eight rights activists in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen are missing and believed detained on Monday after a meal they attended was raided by state security police and 10 people were taken away. "Eight of the people who were detained are now, it seems, incommunicado," a source close to the incident told RFA. "We don't know if they've been formally detained, because there has been no official notification of detention." "All of their cell phones are switched off, and we haven't been able to get through to them." At least two people have been released following the raid on a gathering at a restaurant near the Wuhe subway station in Shenzhen last Tuesday, activists said. Among those detained were Deng Hongcheng, Xiao Bing, Wang Wei, Wang Jun, Li Yan, and Shen Li, sources told RFA. Calls to the nearby Longgang police station rang unanswered during office hours on Monday. However, Shenzhen rights activist Huang Meijuan told RFA that Wang Jun's fiancee had been told that the case was being handled by the Bantian police station, and that he could be facing subversion charges. "She went to the Bantian police affairs office who told her the case was being handled by the Bantian police station, and that he'd been detained on suspicion of incitement to subvert state power," Huang said. "They also said he was being held at the Longgang Detention Center." "I went with her again to the Bantian police station today, and the duty officer checked for her and said that there was nobody of that name in their computer," she said. "The police station are now denying all knowledge of any case involving Wang Jun." Online activist sentenced Last week, a court in the eastern province of Shandong handed a five-year jail term to online activist Sun Feng after holding him in pretrial detention for two years, rights activists said. Sun had posted a photo of himself holding a placard protesting growing injustices under the "one party dictatorship" of the ruling Chinese Communist Party. Sun had also penned an article titled "The Communist Bandits, members of the Marxist-Leninist evil cult of atheism and dialectical materialism have destroyed one of the cornerstones of human civilization," and posted it online, for which he was initially jailed for 10 days under an administrative sentence without trial. Sun was jailed on Nov. 17 by the Intermediate People's Court in Shandong's Zibo city, which found him guilty of "incitement to subvert state power," the Weiquanwang rights website reported. He had been redetained after "carrying out further illegal activities" while out on bail in 2014, Weiquanwang reported. Reported by Yang Fan for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Hai Nan for the Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Kachin independence army teams up with other fighters in Myanmar attack Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 21 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Kachin independence army teams up with other fighters in Myanmar attack, 21 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848121ec.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-21 The map shows the border town of Muse in northern Myanmar's Shan state. RFA graphic Blaming the government's military actions in the region, one of Myanmar's most powerful ethnic militias, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), joined three smaller groups in a weekend attack on 10 government targets in the country's northern provinces. Amid conflicting reports on casualties, RFA's Myanmar Service has learned that least nine people were killed and 29 wounded as the coalition pressed a coordinated attack on military and police outposts and a business center. The KIA joined the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army (AA) in the offensive that took place in the 105-mile trade zone in Kutkai township. State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi's Office announced that in addition to police and military installations, the Thein Ni-Namtu, Nant Pon and Swon Lon bridges came under attack. "The Burma armed forces have been assaulting to destroy all political and military struggles of the ethnic peoples because they have no will to solve Myanmar's political problem by politically peaceful negotiation methods," the four groups said in a statement. The alliance warned civilians in the area to avoid travel and to stay in a safe place. "We issue this statement because we don't want ordinary civilians to suffer," AA information officer Kaing Thuka told RFA's Myanmar Service. "We, as the Northern Alliance, will respond accordingly if the Burmese army tries to give us more military pressure," he said. "All this happens because the government had left out some of the armed groups in the peace process." None of the four groups signed onto the country's 2015 nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA). But the KIA's political arm, the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), took part in Aung San Suu Kyi's 21-Century Panglong Conference, also known as the Union Peace Conference, in August. Complicating the peace process The AA, MNDAA and TNLA were not invited to participate because they have refused to lay down their arms in advance of the talks. One of the government's peace negotiators, Hla Maung Shwe, told Reuters the fresh violence may severely delay the peace process. "It was really regrettable that civilian areas have come under attack," he said. "This is likely to further complicate the peace process." Aung San Suu Kyi, the country's de facto leader, had high hopes that the conference would help lead to lasting peace in Myanmar after decades of the ethnic separatist civil wars that have followed its independence from British colonial rule in 1948. Aung San Suu Kyi has little control over the military as the home, defense, border affairs ministries are appointed by the army commander-in-chief under a constitution written by the army. The military didn't sound like it was prepared to back down on Monday. "We will increase the operations to secure these areas and protect the civilians," said Ministry of Defense spokesman Major General Aung Ye Win. He did not comment on questions regarding the military's next steps, Reuters reported. Myanmar's military has actively engaged in offensives using heavy artillery and airstrikes against the four groups in Kachin and Shan states, where they are based. Thousands seek safety Shan state Police Chief Aung Aung told RFA that thousands of people had fled to Muse seeking shelter from the fighting. "About 2,000 people from those areas and nearby villages have arrived in Muse and are being looked after in five separate places," Aung Aung said. The fighting has alarmed Myanmar's neighbors, and China put its military on alert after a stray bullet from the fighting reportedly wounded a Chinese resident. Border trade with China has stopped because of the fighting. Some 80 trucks carrying produce were stopped near the border. "Border trade is disrupted, and the Chinese merchants dare not come to the Mile 105 Border Trade Office, so we have to go as far as Wanteng inside China to sell our produce," a watermelon farmer told RFA. Reported by RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Kem Sokha plans to keep away from Cambodian parliament Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 21 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Kem Sokha plans to keep away from Cambodian parliament, 21 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584812207.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-21 Leader of Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) Sam Rainsy (R), deputy of CNRP Kem Sokha (C) and workers march to mark the 11th anniversary of the death of labor leader Chea Vichea, in Phnom Penh, Jan. 22, 2015. AFP The acting president of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party plans to continue boycotting the National Assembly, but other party members are free to attend the parliamentary body's plenary session on Tuesday, CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann told RFA's Khmer Service on Monday. "CNRP lawmakers have just unanimously decided that the acting president of the CNRP Kem Sokha should not avail himself to attend the next parliamentary plenary," Yim Sovann said on the RFA TV-Live Show. "However, all CNRP lawmakers who are available are encouraged to attend it," he added. "Given the fact that there is still no political solution to the current political tension and atmosphere, Kem Sokha will continue to remain in the CNRP Headquarters." Kem Sokha has been hiding out in the party's headquarters in Phnom Pehn since police attempted to arrest him in May for ignoring court orders to appear as a witness in a pair of defamation cases related to his alleged affair with a hairdresser. After a one-hour trial on Sept. 9, Phnom Penh Municipal Court Judge Keo Mony sentenced Kem Sokha to five months in prison and an 800,000- riel (U.S. $200) fine for failing to appear in one of the related cases. On Nov. 8 the same court found CNRP President Sam Rainsy guilty of defamation for claiming that Prime Minister Hun Sen's social medial team bought "likes" on Facebook from "click farms" abroad to increase his support. Sam Rainsy has been in exile for the past year to avoid a two-year prison sentence handed down in a separate defamation case. Since he left the country Kem Sokha was named acting president. The cases against the two opposition politicians are just some of the court actions taken by the Cambodian government against opposition lawmakers that many inside and outside the country see as an attempt by Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Cambodian People's Party (CPP) to maintain power as elections loom in 2017 and 2018. "Both the president and acting president of the CNRP have been prevented from serving the people due to the trumped-up charges and politically motivated cases brought against them," Yim Sovann told RFA. "Several CNRP activists including a senator and lawmaker are still locked behind bars." In addition to the convictions of Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy, opposition lawmakers Um Sam An, Hong Sok Hour and CNRP media director Meach Sovannara are all serving jail terms. Opposition lawmaker Thak Lany, who fled to Sweden, was convicted of defaming Prime Minister Hun Sen earlier this month. "CNRP has been under pressure and suppression," Yim Sovann told RFA. "Due to these unresolved crisis, Kem Sokha reserves his rights to remain on strike at the Headquarters. The CNRP demands a political solution so that the upcoming elections are free and fair." Reported by Thai Tha for RFA's Khmer Service. Translated by Nareth Muong. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. China: Older monks and nuns expelled from a 'calmer' Larung Gar Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 21 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, China: Older monks and nuns expelled from a 'calmer' Larung Gar, 21 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58481221f.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-21 Demolished homes are shown on a hillside at Larung Gar in a recent photo. Photo sent by an RFA listener Chinese authorities working to reduce the size of Sichuan's Larung Gar Buddhist Academy are now targeting the center's older monks and nuns for removal, meanwhile sparing the houses of Han Chinese lay members from destruction, sources say. Demolition crews have not yet finished their work of tearing down monastic dwellings, a local source told RFA's Tibetan Service. "But after large numbers of monks and nuns were expelled from the center, the complex has become calmer and more settled," RFA's source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Most of the monks and nuns still there are meditating in secluded retreat in their own homes," the source said. Authorities continue to harass residents by pasting information on political reeducation programs and other official notices on their doors, though, the source said. Many of Larung Gar's older monks and nuns have now also been expelled, the source said. "Many who came to Larung Gar at an early age have now reached their 70s, and many have been forced to leave," he said. The destruction of dwellings at Larung Gar has focused so far mainly on the houses of monks and nuns, he said. "The houses of lay member who are primarily Han Chinese have been marked with yellow paint and spared from demolition." Many thousands of Tibetans and Han Chinese study at the Larung Gar complex, which was founded in 1980 by the late religious teacher Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok and is one of the world's largest and most important centers for the study of Tibetan Buddhism. Around 3,000 monks and nuns have already been expelled from Larung Gar, and around 1,000 dwellings destroyed, as authorities seek to reduce the population of the sprawling complex by about half to a maximum level of 5,000 next year, sources say. Reported by Kunsang Tenzin for RFA's Tibetan Service. Translated by Karma Dorjee. Written in English by Richard Finney. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Vietnamese workers trafficked into Poland wait to be sent home Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 21 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Vietnamese workers trafficked into Poland wait to be sent home, 21 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584812233.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-21 A file photo of a poster in a street in Ho Chi Minh City appealing to people to be vigilant against human trafficking. AFP Vietnamese nationals brought by smugglers into Poland in search of jobs are at growing risk of being caught at the border, where they are held in detention before being sent home, sources say. Attracted by promises of work in restaurants, markets, or private homes, some pay as much as U.S.$15,000 to trafficking gangs to be taken into Poland by truck from Russia, going heavily into debt to banks or to relatives and friends in Vietnam, some say. But many never make it to their final destination, one woman told RFA's Vietnamese Service, speaking from a Polish detention center. "My friends in Vietnam told me to come here to work at jobs that I couldn't find at home," the 31-year-old single mother said, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of being killed by the gang that brought her in. "But I didn't know about the risks. If I had known, I would never have left," she said. Traveling on Vietnamese passports, prospective workers typically fly to Russia, where they are loaded onto trucks driven by human traffickers speaking Vietnamese and Russian, sources told RFA. "I came to Poland in a container truck holding nine people," one 26-year-old man said. "We drove through the woods, and I was arrested at the border just inside Belarus, where I was kept in jail for one month and 16 days." "It was terrible over there. Our food was worse than dogs' food," he said, also speaking on condition he not be named. Released after his short stay in Belarus, the man said, he reestablished contact with the smugglers who had taken him there, and he then crossed the border into Poland where he was quickly arrested again. 'We are very worried' Conditions in detention in Poland are fair, RFA's sources said, with detainees provided three meals a day and given access to telephones and the internet. As authorities in both countries work to send detainees home by the end of the year, though, Vietnamese migrants held in Poland fear for their future, the sources said. "I have been here for almost a year hoping to work, and now the Vietnamese police have come here to take us back to Vietnam," one man said. "We are very worried. We don't know what to do." In some cases, Vietnamese officials sent to interview those being held have taken a threatening tone, warning them to tell the truth about the trafficking networks responsible for smuggling them in, another man said. "They warned us to tell the truth, saying that we would be sent back in any case." "However, they said that if we don't tell them what they want to know, we will face more difficulties when we return," he said. Reported by Hoa Ai for RFA's Vietnamese Service. Translated by Viet Ha. Written in English by Richard Finney. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Chinese labor camp victim-turned-activist dies in police custody Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 22 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Chinese labor camp victim-turned-activist dies in police custody, 22 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584812244.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-22 Grave of Yang Tianzhi, 68, whose mutilated, headless body was found at the side of a road in Sichuan's Yuechi county on Aug. 17 after he was being escorted home from Beijing by "interceptors" from his hometown. Public domain. A rights activist who spoke out about abuses she suffered inside the notorious police-run Masanjia labor camp has died in the custody of authorities from the northeastern Chinese province of Liaoning, raising suspicions she was murdered. Chen Shenqun, 58, had been detained while petitioning in Beijing and held at the Majialou detention center on the outskirts of the Chinese capital, before being escorted home by police from her home district of Sujiatun in the provincial capital Liaoyang on Nov. 20. She died en route sometime before the morning of Nov. 21, and police have reported her death as being caused by a "road accident." But Chen's sister Chen Shentie, her brother and ex-husband are now under arrest in a children's hospital in Jinzhou city, fellow petitioners told RFA. Calls to Chen Shentie's cell phone resulted in a switched-off message on Tuesday. Chen's close friend Tang Xinbo said she believes police killed her, however. "She was a petitioner, and it's probable that the police did away with her," she said. "The Sujiatun police were bringing her home from Majialou at the time, and it happened on the way back." "When her sister Chen Shentie went to inquire about it, the local authorities slapped 'stability maintenance' measures on her," Tang said. "They wouldn't let her see Chen Shenqun's body." Video footage seen by RFA showed uniformed police roughing up and detaining family members outside a hospital building, and threatening a man who commented that they were "like the mafia." Cremation before autopsy Family members appeared to be trying to prevent employees of a funeral home, who had heavy backing from police, from taking Chen's body for cremation. Sources said around 10 people were detained following the fracas. Calls to the Liaoning provincial police department rang unanswered during office hours on Tuesday. Online activist Honghong Huohuo said she was previously in touch with Chen's sister, but that all contact had now been cut off. "They were all placed under house arrest at around 11.00 p.m. yesterday evening, in a local guesthouse, and their phones have all been confiscated by the authorities; nobody's picking up," Honghong Huohuo said. "According to the news that's coming out, not a single family member has been allowed to see the body." Chen's death has sent shock waves through the community of fellow petitioners in Beijing, many of whom have pursued complaints against their local government for years, and who have been themselves targeted for arbitrary detention, beatings, and other forms of harassment. Friend and fellow petitioner Jiang Jiawen said she had told the family to try to take photos of Chen's body, and not to allow it to be cremated before an autopsy had taken place. "I also called on fellow petitioners to gather at the crematorium to show support and act as observers," Jiang said. Jiang said she doesn't believe the official account of Chen's death either. "If it was a car crash, the people who were in the car with her would be hurt too, but they only had very light injuries," she said. "There are so many questions surrounding her death ... and we think she was murdered." Torture and mistreatment at Masanjia Tang, a petitioner from Tianjin, said she had campaigned alongside Chen for many years. "She started work in 1976, and worked until she was laid off on March 30, 2003, and she wanted it to be regarded as early retirement, but they informed her in October 2004 that officials can't take early retirement," Tang said. "They cut off her salary and then they sent her to labor camp for a year and a half because she lodged a complaint," she said. "She was in Masanjia for 18 months." "We were really good friends, and we were together in the days before her death." Sources said Chen was tortured and mistreated in Masanjia, including with electric batons. After she got out, she was sent to a local psychiatric hospital, and repeatedly held under house arrest or under police surveillance. A Chongqing-based petitioner surnamed Song said petitioners believe Chen was beaten to death by police on the way back from Beijing. "They beat her to death ... and then they made it look like a traffic accident," Song said. "Her sister and brother were placed under residential detention by the government after they tried to view her body." Fellow former Masanjia inmate Shi Junmei said she shared a cell with Chen in the now-shuttered police-run "re-education through labor" camp. "I was in the same room as Chen Shenqun in 2008. We were serving 're-education through labor' sentences together," Shi said. "Somebody committed identity fraud and impersonated her to steal her salary," she said. "That's why she spent all those years petitioning." Widespread abuses exposed Former inmates have detailed a regime of daily torture and abuse, failure of medical care, and grueling overtime at Masanjia, a former police-run facility where women regarded as troublemakers by the authorities were sent without trial for up to four years at a time. China's National People's Congress (NPC) voted on Dec. 28, 2013, to end the system of administrative punishments known in Chinese as "re-education through labor," or laojiao, but lawyers and inmates' families say many of the camps are still in operation under a different name. In 2014, former Masanjia inmate Liu Hua was criminally detained after she took part in a harrowing documentary that exposed widespread abuses at the camp. In the film, titled "Above the Ghosts' Heads: The Women of Masanjia Labor Camp" and directed by Du Bin, Liu described how camp guards beat the female detainees, used electric batons to shock their breasts, inserted the batons and poured chilli peppers into their vaginas and put them into various torture devices such as "the Death Bed" and "the Tiger's Bench." A former Masanjia inmate recently told RFA that many of the women sent to the camp have since died of various cancers. China's army of petitioners say they are routinely targeted for beatings, harassment and extrajudicial detention if they persist in their complaints. Activists in the southwestern province of Sichuan last week raised concerns over the death in custody of 68-year-old petitioner Yang Tianzhi, also as he was being escorted home from Beijing by "interceptors" from his hometown. Yang's mutilated, headless body was found at the side of a road in Sichuan's Yuechi county town on Aug. 17. Police detained nine suspects at the time, but there have been no developments on the case since, activists said. Government officials declined to comment on the case when contacted by RFA. Reported by Qiao Long and Yang Fan for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Wong Lok-to for the Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Fearing spillover of rebel attacks, police step up security in Myanmar's Kachin state Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 22 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Fearing spillover of rebel attacks, police step up security in Myanmar's Kachin state, 22 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584812256.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-22 A long line of Myanmar residents in the town of Muse in northern Shan state wait to cross the border into southwestern China's Yunnan province, Nov. 22, 2016. AFP Police in Myanmar's northernmost Kachin state have increased security amid fighting by four ethnic militias that have joined forces to attack government targets in neighboring Shan state, leaving 10 dead and forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes. On Tuesday, fighting flared up between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and government army along the Mongkaung-Hpakant road, which stretches from Shan state to Kachin state, prompting police to increase security, said Lieutenant Colonel Myo Thura Naung of the state's police force. "We have warned our police to be very careful and remain alert about the security [situation]," he said. On Sunday, the KIA, Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and Arakan Army (AA) launched coordinated attacks on military outposts, police stations, and a trade center in Muse and Kutkai townships in northern Shan state. Ten people have been killed near Muse, a town known for cross-border trade and smuggling, according to the office of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been overseeing the peace process to end fighting between ethnic armed groups and the government military. Thirty-three others have been injured in the clashes, her office said. Some of the residents of Muse, which sits on the Shweli River across from Ruili in southwestern China's Yunnan province, have fled over the border after hearing rumors about the clashes, local residents said. All shops and homes in Muse had closed their doors on Tuesday morning, and the situation there was stable as of evening, residents said. Muse resident Naw Bauk told RFA's Myanmar Service that district administrators and township police officers advised community leaders not to worry as police beefed up security in the town. "The town is silent because local residents are becoming afraid and fleeing," he said. "No official announcement has been issued yet. Some people have warned others by shouting [in the Shan language] for them not to be concerned and to remain at home. But because the Burmese don't understand the language, they are running and fleeing." Patrolling the roadways The four militias on Monday released a joint statement requesting civilians in the area to take precautions, according to the Shan Herald Agency for News. The statement also said that the Myanmar military had continued to attack ethnic armed groups, including those that signed a nationwide cease-fire accord with government in October 2015. The government excluded the AA, MNDAA, and TNLA from signing the agreement. The same day the statement was issued, clashes occurred at Nangpatlun village between Kutkai and Muse, and armed groups stopped a car along the Kutkai-Muse road and detained the driver and passengers, according to locals. In response, the government military has positioned security guards along the Lashio-Muse highway, they said. Local residents also said the KIA, MNDAA and AA attacked the Muse police station, damaging shops in the vicinity though no one was injured. Meanwhile, activities along the 105-mile trade zone southeast of Muse in Shan state's Kutkai township have come to a standstill because of the clashes, and the militia groups have warned locals not to travel, residents said. "The trade flow stopped for the entire day," said Tun Oo, the general secretary of the Muse-Namkham Trade Association. Armed groups took car keys from every vehicle, said truck driver Sine Myint. "Drivers who had extra keys drove away, but we had to sleep in the cab because we didn't have an extra key," he said. "Armed groups opened fire on us while we were sleeping and wounded my elder brother in the arm." Heading across the border Those who fled from villages because of the hostilities are staying at monasteries in Muse, where there are now more than 2,600 internally displaced people, residents said. About 3,000 others have fled to China to escape the fighting, where they are being provided with shelter and medical care, according to China's foreign ministry. The country has put its security forces on high alert in response to the clashes. Thaung Tun, who works for Garuna Free Funeral Service, said his firm was not only arranging funerals for those who have died, but also helping injured people and delivering food and medicine. Hong Liang, China's ambassador to Myanmar, on Tuesday called for an immediate ceasefire in the northern part of the country while attending the opening ceremony of the new Myanmar Chinese Cooperation & Communication Center and Chinese Enterprises Chamber in Myanmar Tuesday in Yangon. Hong said China is very concerned about the conflicts and urges all parties involved to exercise restraint and take measures to reach an immediate ceasefire so that peace can be restord along the border area, according to an embassy news release. He also said China supports Myanmar's peace progress, and that the only path to real national reconciliation and long-term peace is through peaceful negotiations. Tin Maung Htun, speaker of Yangon's regional parliament, attended the opening ceremony along with dozens of representatives from Chinese and Myanmar enterprises. Kachin and Shan states are hotbeds of illegal drug and smuggling activities where ethnic rebels have engaged in periodic hostilities with the Myanmar army during the last few years. Reported by Kyaw Myo Min, Thet Su Aung, Ye Htet, Kan Thar and Kyaw Thu for RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. U.N. human rights body wants Vietnam to free dissidents Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 22 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, U.N. human rights body wants Vietnam to free dissidents, 22 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848122811.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-22 A man injured during protests over a pollution disaster in central Vietnam's Quang Binh Province receives treatment, July 7, 2016. Photo courtesy of an RFA listener. The United Nations human rights monitor for Southeast Asia called on Vietnam to release three rights advocates who were detained by the government and to investigate allegations that the trio were tortured while in custody. In its statement issued Tuesday, the U.N. Human Rights Office for Southeast Asia said prominent blogger Ho Van Hai and two political activists pushing for greater freedoms Vietnam, Luu Van Vinh and Nguyen Van Duc Do, should be granted unconditional release. The three were arrested in early November and charged under a pair of legal provisions that Hanoi often uses to imprison government critics in an attempt to silence dissent. "These two penal provisions, along with other similar articles dealing with so-called National Security offences, run contrary to international human rights standards and should be repealed," said Laurent Meillan, the acting regional representative of the office. Ho Van Hai was arrested on Nov. 3 for allegedly distributing "propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam." He was officially charged under article 88 of the Vietnam's penal code that carries a sentence of between three and 20 years of imprisonment. Luu Van Vinh and Nguyen Van Duc Do were arrested on Nov. 6, under article 79 of the Penal Code for conducting "activities aimed at overthrowing the people's administration." That charge carries a sentence of between 12 years and life imprisonment or capital punishment. Luu Van Vinh and Nguyen Van Duc Do recently founded the "Coalition of Self-determined Vietnamese Peoples," an organization aimed at promoting multi-party democracy and human rights. Investigate torture allegations Meillan also called on Vietnam to "conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into allegations of torture." Vietnam uses a raft of broadly worded national security laws like article 88 and article 79 to jail dissidents and critics. While all newspapers and television channels are state-run in Vietnam and private media is banned, blog sites and social media forums have become an increasingly popular arena for citizens to air anti-government grievances. Nguyen Van Duc Do's sister, Nhi Hoang, told RFA's Vietnamese Service that the government doesn't want to take on issues like corruption and the government officials' abuse of power and silences those who do. "They find it difficult to address these issues because it does not affect their interests," she said. "However dissidents and activists who dare to address them are arrested arbitrarily." Le Thi Thap, the wife of Luu Van Vinh, told AFP she has been unable to reach her husband since police came to their home in southern Ho Chi Minh City. "He was accused of conspiracy to overthrow the state, but my husband is a kind person," she said. "I don't know what my husband did as I never go deep into his work." Plainclothes crackdowns Independent civil society organizations backed up the Human Rights Office, as about 20 civil society organizations, two rival political parties and 39 individuals signed a statement condemning the illegal treatment and actions of the government and law enforcement. They accused the government of clamping down on people who are exercising their basic rights guaranteed in the constitution, and vowed to continue their fight against abuse of power by the government and law enforcement. Included in the groups that signed the statement are the Vietnam Reform Party, the Civil Society Forum, Brotherhood for Democracy, the Former Vietnamese Prisoners of Conscience and the Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam. "Citizens have their rights to freedom of expression, press and access to information, freedom to association and protest but instead of letting people exercise their legitimate rights, the communist government of Vietnam always cracks down on them," the groups wrote. In their statement the groups singled out the government's use of plainclothes police to throttle dissent. 'They crack down on people on streets by brutally blocking, beating or taking people to the police stations," the groups wrote. "In some cases people were detained for hours, even days without any arrest order." Reported by Cat Linh for RFA's Vietnamese Service. Translated by Viet Ha. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Bangladesh complains to Myanmar about Rohingya cross-border arrivals Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 23 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Bangladesh complains to Myanmar about Rohingya cross-border arrivals, 23 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848122913.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-23 Bangladesh Border Guard personnel stand watch for illegal entry of Rohingya Muslims along the banks of the Naaf River, Nov. 23, 2016. AFP Bangladesh's government complained Friday about an influx of Rohingya Muslims from neighboring Myanmar, following reports that hundreds have crossed the border as they flee killings and the burning of homes in Rakhine state. Border-police officials from both countries met Friday in the southeastern Bangladeshi district of Cox's Bazar to discuss the situation along their shared frontier, while Dhaka summoned Myanmar's ambassador to lodge a complaint about the violence in Rakhine a western state in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar where the Rohingya minority is concentrated. "[We have] raised our deep concern at the situation in Rakhine state. We have urged them to improve the situation there for the Rohingyas to return to their homes," Bangladeshi Additional Foreign Secretary Kamrul Ahsan told reporters after summoning Myanmar Ambassador U Myo Myint Ahasan to his ministry. Ahsan said he handed the envoy a diplomatic letter conveying Bangladesh's concern about the new influx of Rohingya Muslims into Teknaf and Ukhia, two sub-districts in Cox's Bazar. "We have told them that [Rohingya] are sneaking into Bangladesh," Col. Khandker Farid Hasan, the southeast commander of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), told reporters in Cox's Bazar after a meeting with a 31-member delegation representing Myanmar's frontier police. "They informed us that they were also aware of this. We, the two parties, discussed ways to stop such illegal entry," he said, noting that the two sides had agreed to cooperate in sharing information about cross-border movements of Rohingya. The ambassador and members of the border-guard delegation from Myanmar did not talk to Bangladeshi media afterward. The comments by Bangladeshi officials were the government's first admission that Rohingya had succeeded in crossing into southeastern Bangladesh amid a crackdown by Myanmar authorities that followed the early October killings of nine Myanmar police officers during attacks on border posts in Rakhine's Muangdaw township. At least 86 people have been killed and more than 30,000 displaced by the violence in Rakhine, the worst outbreak since hundreds were killed in inter-communal violence in 2012, which caused thousands of Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh, Reuters reported Wednesday. Last week, Bangladeshi officials said they had sealed the border and pushed back hundreds of Rohingya who were seeking refuge in Bangladesh. On Wednesday, Abdul Majid, the officer-in-charge of police in Teknaf, told BenarNews,an RFA-affiliated online news service, that the border guard and coast guard had transferred 70 Rohingya and four human smugglers into police custody after they were caught crossing the frontier. 'They will obliterate us' Hundreds of Rohingya have made it over to the Bangladeshi side while others are still waiting to cross the frontier along the Naaf River that separates Rakhine from Cox's Bazar, according to news reports and eyewitness accounts this week. Md Ayub, a Rohingya who succeeded in crossing the river, said he had fled Rakhine to save himself. "From here, I can see our village burning. Allah knows what happened to my wife, daughter, mother and others. Please save us. They will obliterate us," he told BenarNews by phone. Ayub said the Myanmar security forces set fire to villages along the Naaf River to force Rohingya to sail into Bangladesh territory. "Hundreds of Rohingya have been waiting to cross into Bangladesh. They have no way to save lives," he said. Earlier this week, New York-based Human Rights Watch reported that an analysis of satellite imagery showed that 820 additional structures had been destroyed in five Rohingya villages between Nov. 10 and 18, bringing the total number of burned buildings that HRW claims to have documented in Rakhine to 1,250. On Nov. 16, a spokesman for Myanmar's government refuted HRW allegations that 430 buildings in three Rohingya villages had been burned, saying the actual number was 155 and militants had committed the arson. The Rohingya are a stateless people who have suffered from persecution in Myanmar, where they are considered to be "Bengalis," or illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. About 300,000 to 500,000 Rohingya are thought to live in Bangladesh, mostly in Cox's Bazar district, according to Bangladeshi government estimates. "At least 1,000 Rohingya have entered into Bangladesh; many of them have taken shelter inside the refugee camps," a resident of a Rohingya camp in Ukhita told BenarNews on the condition of anonymity, referring to the latest influx. Reported by Kamran Reza Chowdhury for BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Cambodia's national assembly boosts military spending in a time of peace Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 23 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Cambodia's national assembly boosts military spending in a time of peace, 23 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848122b4.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-23 Cambodian lawmakers from the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) look for their names during a meeting in Phnom Penh, Nov. 2, 2016. AFP In a move that is troubling opposition party lawmakers, Cambodia's National Assembly agreed to boost 2017 defense spending in the country by about 23 percent even though the country is at peace. "We have noted that there is a contradictory point from the government's claims that our country has peace and good relations with neighboring countries," Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) chief whip Son Chhay told reporters after Wednesday's vote to approve the budget. "We are spending almost the same as Vietnam, which is having a conflict in the South China Sea," Son Chhay told the Phnom Penh Post. Vietnam and China are among the countries that are at loggerheads over Beijing's attempts to control the valuable waterway. Cambodia's defense spending would run just over $470 million in 2017, according to an analysis by the newspaper. The Ministry of Interior and Public Order is slated to receive about $320 million, according to the analysis. The country's total budget for 2017 comes to about $5 billion, local media reported. All told, the budget plan projects that Cambodia's spending will increase by about 15.6 percent with increases for most sectors. Education spending for 2017 is expected to be about $667 million, while health spending for comes in at around $420 million, according to the Phnom Penh Post. While the CNRP was critical of the budget approved by all 66 members of the ruling Cambodian People's Party who attended the parliamentary session, the opposition abstained from voting, according to local media. Son Chhay told reporters after the vote that the CNRP could not support the budget because of what it deemed insufficient increases in spending to the Health Ministry and Education Ministry. "The spending doesn't respond to the needs of priority sectors such as education and health, but the defense sector keeps increasing," he said, according to The Cambodia Daily. Prime Minister Hun Sen left the assembly's plenary session early to attend a meeting with the Vietnamese and Lao prime ministers. The color of money While Hun Sen didn't stick around, the national budget reflects his priorities, and the increase in military spending is problematic as the prime minister has shown little reticence about using the military inside Cambodia. Hun Sen's personal body guard has been linked to abuses of power including the 1997 grenade attack that killed 16 people in what appeared to be an assassination attempt that targeted CNRP leader Sam Rainsy. Three members of Prime Minister Hun Sen's military bodyguard, convicted of the brutal beating of a pair of opposition lawmakers near the National Assembly last year, were freed earlier this month after serving just one year in prison. Hun Sen's bodyguard unit also deployed military helicopters, navy vessels and troops for "exercises" close to CNRP headquarters in downtown Phnom Penh. The prime minister, who has ruled Cambodia for more than three decades, has also made it clear that he will use the military to crush any "color revolution" in the country. "All armed forces are obliged to absolutely ensure that Cambodia is free from any color revolutions," the Cambodian strong man wrote in a Facebook post. "Such a revolution will harm people's happiness and peace in Cambodia," he wrote. "Armed forces shall protect the legitimate government." He made similar remarks during the Police Academy of Cambodia's graduation ceremony. Hun Sen has inveighed several times against "color revolutions," named after a series of popular movements that used nonviolent protests under colored banners to topple governments in countries of the former Soviet Union during the 2000s. Civil society groups and their supporters began staging "Black Monday" protests soon after the arrests of officials from the human rights group ADHOC that came in connection with the government's wide-ranging probe into an alleged affair between CNRP leader Kem Sokha and a young hair dresser. While the protests began as an attempt to pressure the government over the arrests, it has morphed into a more generalized campaign against government abuses, including land confiscations. Demonstrators wear black during the Monday protests as a symbol of solidarity. Land concession debate The seizure of land for development often without due process or fair compensation for displaced residents has been a major cause of protest in Cambodia and other authoritarian Asian countries, including China and Myanmar. Land issues were also part of the budget debate on Tuesday as Son Chaay blamed the country's need to borrow $1 billion on the government's inability to collect taxed from companies with land concessions. Cambodia leases out large parcels of land to private companies that use the land concessions for growing crops or other economic activity. "There is a conspiracy to let the concessionaires violate their contracts and sell the concession land or continue their deforestation," he said according to the Phnom Penh Post report. Deforestation is a big issue in Cambodia and other Asian countries. Companies with large land concessions often clear cut valuable timber from what are supposed to be protected forests. The timber is then smuggled into China where it is used to make high-end furniture. Senior CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap defended the budget, saying it will help the country achieve its objective. "Spending for the 2017 budget is in response to the priorities and needs of the various ministries and institutions to achieve their policy objectives," he said, according to the Cambodia Daily. Reported and translated by RFA's Khmer Service. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Ethnic Mongolian dissident appeals 'separatism' conviction to China's highest court Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 23 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Ethnic Mongolian dissident appeals 'separatism' conviction to China's highest court, 23 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848122c8.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-23 Ethnic Mongolian dissident, Hada, 60, in undated photo. Courtesy of Hada. Ethnic Mongolian dissident Hada has lodged an appeal with China's supreme court, in a bid to put pressure on Chinese officials over his torture during 19 years of incarceration, and continuing harassment and restrictions on himself and his family. Hada, 60, was released from extrajudicial detention in December 2014, four years after his 15-year jail term for "separatism" and "espionage" ended, but has remained under close police surveillance and numerous restrictions, including a travel ban and frozen bank accounts. In the appeal, Hada takes issue with his alleged "confession," to the charges, saying that it was obtained under torture and after being given unidentified drugs. "[This confession] was extracted through cruel torture including application of some unknown drugs," the appeal document said, citing a "type of tea" given to him on Dec. 11, 1995 that left him with an erratic heart rate and symptoms of a mental breakdown. "[Officers] Liu Fulin and Yu Gui all admitted that torture was applied to me," it said. "At that time, investigators, detention center personnel and many inmates had been part of the torture for an extended period of time." Previous official complaints about Hada's treatment at the hands of the authorities were ignored, the statement, translated by the New York-based Southern Mongolia Human Rights Information Center (SMHRIC) said. "Instead, even today the authorities still seem to consider all the torture methods they used are a normal acceptable practice," it said. Hada, who currently lives in Hohhot, regional capital of Inner Mongolia, told RFA he had to continue with his attempts to appeal his original sentence, because he had been framed as a dangerous "separatist" simply for his support for the ethnic Mongolian cause. "There were plenty of holes in the evidence, and yet they still sentenced me to 15 years, plus another four years [of extrajudicial detention] on top of that, which makes 19 years," he said. "It's now nearly two years since I have been held under house arrest at home, which isn't that much different from being in jail," he said. Heating and water cut off He said he expects to stay locked up for as long as the ruling Chinese Communist Party remains in power. "If they say they want the rule of law, then they must investigate this, and overturn the verdict," Hada said. "They should pursue those who are criminally responsible." Hada is living in an apartment allocated to him following his release from an unofficial "black jail," so that police are now able to control every aspect of his daily life, he said. "They have stopped the heating supply this winter, and they cut off the water supply a while back," he said in an interview on Tuesday. "We have to pay the water bill ourselves, and I had paid it with money donated by the [ethnic Mongolian] herders." "Now they are trying to force us to pay the heating bill, and we haven't done that," he said. "All of this is an attempt to force me to cooperate with them and give up my ideas, and then I'll have whatever I want." "They are doing all this to try to make me surrender ... they are afraid that the Mongolians will use me as a figurehead to launch some kind of ethnic revolt that will spread across the country and topple the Communist Party from power," he said. Hada's wife Xinna said the authorities also detain anyone who tries to visit him. "It's actually jail-at-home," she said. "We have no source of income right now ... they are demanding 3,000 yuan for the heating bill, and we have no way at all of paying that." Xinna said the authorities are determined to silence Hada, and to force him to "admit to his crimes." She said the couple had turned down requests of social subsistence payments from the government, because they came with strings attached. "I told them we don't want your subsistence payments," she said. "We want you to stop oppressing us." Mongolian-language education suffers Elsewhere in the region, ethnic Mongolian parents have been protesting the end of Mongolian-medium education in two local kindergartens. Parents in Ulaanhad (in Chinese, Chifeng) city have issued open letters and petitions calling on the authorities to overturn a ban on the use of Mongolian in the kindergartens. "Depriving the Mongolians of their right to speak and use their native language is ethnic discrimination," their open letter said. "The words and actions of [the recently appointed Han Chinese kindergarten principals] are nothing but a flagrant demonstration of typical Chinese chauvinism," it said, calling the moves "hate speech and hate action" that was akin to the behavior of a colonial power. Ethnic Mongolian parents say there is now an overall shortage of school places for their children, as an increasing proportion of pupils winning places are from the majority Han Chinese ethnic group. According to recent research by Hada, the number of Mongolian students enrolled in Mongolian elementary schools fell to 19,000 in 2009 from 110,000 in the early 1980s. In spite of police restrictions forbidding him to engage in political matters, Hada has continued to speak out on behalf of ethnic Mongolian herders, who are increasingly in conflict with the government and state-own companies over the exploitation of their traditional grazing lands. Ethnic Mongolians, who make up almost 20 percent of Inner Mongolia's population of 23 million, increasingly complain of widespread environmental destruction and unfair development policies in the region. Clashes between Chinese state-backed mining or forestry companies and herding communities are common in the region, which borders the independent country of Mongolia. Hada has said routine evictions of herders from their traditional grazing lands, often in the name of ecological protection, are part of a calculated program of ethnic cleansing in the region. Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Ng Yik-tung for the Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. India to deport three asylum-seeking Uyghurs to China Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 23 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, India to deport three asylum-seeking Uyghurs to China, 23 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848122da.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-23 The location where three Uyghur men were arrested near the Sultan Chusku Glacier in the Ladakh region of Kashmir in June 2013. BenarNews UPDATED at 3:25 P.M. EST on 2016-11-23 India is set to send back to China three Uyghurs who were jailed in 2013 for illegal entry and espionage, almost two years after they completed Indian court-ordered prison terms, documents show. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decided in May to deport Abdul Khaliq, Abdul Salam and Adil to China, although their petition seeking asylum in India was pending before a court in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, according to official documents accessed by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. The three were arrested by the army near the Sultan Chusku Glacier in the Ladakh region of Kashmir, whose northeastern corner borders China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, in June 2013. They were convicted of illegally entering India and espionage, and jailed for 18 months. But after completing their sentences in January 2015, they have remained locked up in a prison in Leh district under the controversial Public Safety Act (PSA). The act allows for detention without trial for up to two years. State officials said they only recently received directions from the ministry to arrange for the trio's deportation. "The process of preparing travel documents for the three Uyghurs has begun and they will be sent back to China very soon," Ravinder Raina, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which belongs to the ruling coalition in Kashmir, told BenarNews on Tuesday. "They had entered the Indian territory with an intention to spy and pass on information to security agencies in China. They are a threat to national security," Raina said. On Nov. 11, the state government requested that the Jammu and Kashmir High Court dismiss the trio's petition for asylum in India, he said. Fear of China The three Uyghurs have consistently denied charges of spying for the Chinese government, and have maintained that they entered India to escape persecution in China. According to their petition for asylum submitted in court, they said they feared "being prosecuted or even executed" if sent back to their native country. The Uyghurs, a Muslim minority in China largely concentrated in Xinjiang, have been fleeing to other countries to escape Chinese repression. The authorities there consider them to be separatists and terrorists, and have cracked down on their religion and culture. The Turkic-speaking minority is also spread across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkey. The petition states that the three will face charges for crossing into another country and there is a "high risk that the petitioners will be tortured upon their return to China." In addition, they will face the prospect of life imprisonment or a death sentence, according to the petition. India's MHA, however, had decided to deport Khaliq, Salam and Adil before the court heard the trio's plea for refuge. In a letter dated May 17, the MHA wrote to the Jammu and Kashmir state government: "... it has been decided to deport/repatriate three Chinese nationals Adil, Khaliq and Abdul Salam, R/O Xinjiang, China (Uyghur), presently lodged in district jail Leh to their native country. "You are, therefore, requested to complete the deportation of the above China (Uyghur) nationals in consultation with [the] Ministry of External Affairs (East Asia Division) for issuance of travel documents for deportation to their native country at the earliest provided there is no other court case pending against them and they are not required in any other case." Right to be heard Rights activists have come out in support of the three men, saying they should be given a fair hearing. "India should respect the international law that aims to safeguard the interests of refugees and give them the right to be heard. It should also extend them the right to access a counsel before taking an irretrievable decision," V. Suresh of the People's Union for Civil Liberties, a New Delhi-based human rights organization, told BenarNews. "China has no respect for issues faced by Uyghurs and there is a possibility of insecurity to their lives if they are deported. Nobody can say with [a] guarantee if they were spying for China, but India should respect the aspect of international law, which allows them certain protection," he said. Ahsan Untoo, chairman of the International Forum for Justice and Human Rights, said Indian authorities had no valid reason to keep the Uyghurs in prison for two years after they had finished their sentences. "[T]hey are still languishing in prison under the PSA. And they are only being deported now because they can't be kept in prison any longer. Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir are blatantly misusing the PSA," Untoo told BenarNews. Uyghur activists echoed the criticism of India's decision. "So far the ones who were deported back to China met with worse consequences. And the international community knows about it," said Dilxat Raxit, a spokesman for the Munich-based World Uyghur Congress, a diaspora organization. "In this kind of situation if India deports these Uyghurs back to China, their consequence will be even worse," he told RFA's Uyghur Service. Omer Uyghur founder of Omer Uyghur fund, a Pakistan based Uyghur organization, urged world rights activists "to pay attention to our situation." "They have to take this issue seriously. If these Uyghurs are deported back to China and get killed, how it does look in the world?" he told RFA. "Pakistan has deported a lot of Uyghurs, but we hope that India would not make this same kind of mistake. But they are about to do the same. If they are deported back to China, they too will be disappeared," added Omer Uyghur.. But Indian state authorities defended the trio's ongoing detention. "Any person who enters India with anti-national intention or commits an act that can be a threat to national security can lawfully be held for two years under the PSA. We will now complete all necessary formalities and deport them to China at the earliest," Prasanna Ramaswamy, Leh district's Deputy Commissioner, told BenarNews. Reported by Amin Masoodi for BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, and by Jilil Kashgary for RFA's Uyghur Service. Uyghur comments translated by Mamatjan Juma. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Myanmar residents return to Muse despite fears that armed clashes will continue Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 23 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Myanmar residents return to Muse despite fears that armed clashes will continue, 23 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848122ec.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-23 Myanmar refugees who fled their homes in northern Shan state during armed clashes on Nov. 20-22 huddle in a shelter in Muse township, Nov. 23, 2016. RFA Residents of a Myanmar border town who fled to China to escape fighting between four ethnic armed groups and the government military in northern Shan state are returning home at the urging of authorities trying to restore stability in the area, town administrators and local residents said Wednesday. About 3,000 Myanmar citizens fled across the border after the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and Arakan Army (AA) staged a coordinated attack on military outposts, police stations, and a trade center in Muse and Kutkai townships. Ten people were killed and 33 others were injured during fighting on Nov. 20-22. "About 700 people came back to Muse yesterday, and 106 others have returned home today because the situation where they live is becoming stable," said Sai Khein Kham, a Muse district administration department official. All markets and shops have reopened, and banks are open half a day, according to department officials. As of Wednesday, about 3,700 people displaced by the hostilities remained in Muse, which sits on the Shweli River across from Ruili in southwestern China's Yunnan province, they said. Government soldiers and local militias are overseeing security in the town, they said. Still afraid Some local residents report that the fighting has not ended. "We have heard the sound of opening fire every 10 minutes since yesterday, but not the direct fighting," said a Myanmar man who had fled into Chinese territory. The displaced persons staying in Muse said they are concerned about the stability of the situation there. One woman said she feared that soldiers would force her sons to become their porters as long as her family remained in the town. "I am worried only for my two adult sons that they not be taken to be porters," Ma Aye Khine told RFA's Myanmar Service. Another woman, Than Nyunt, said she wants to return home but fears getting caught up in the clashes. "I don't want to be here because my health is not good; I had a stroke," she said. "I left my home because I was very afraid of being affected by the fighting." Meanwhile, local authorities are continuing to encourage residents not to abandon homes over rumors of an attack. Zaw Min, an administrative official in Muse, said the town's general administrative department will announce any further news about the situation and work with other departments on security matters if need be. "Because of rumors, people are fleeing their homes," he said. "Because there is no one at home, the houses can be burglarized and burned. That's why we have requested that people not leave home. The town's security is becoming stable." Call to sign NCA The hostilities prompted State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi to issue a written appeal on Wednesday urging the ethnic militias in the northern part of Shan state to sign the government's nationwide cease-fire agreement (NCA). Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's de facto leader, has made peace and national reconciliation the main goal of the civilian National League for Democracy government. Eight ethnic armed groups signed the accord in October 2015, but the AA, MMNDA and TNLA were excluded because of their ongoing clashes with the army. "In order to immediately end the armed conflicts in northeast Shan state, I strongly urge the armed groups to join the government's peace process by signing the NCA," Aung San Suu Kyi wrote in her capacity as chairperson of the National Reconciliation and Peace Center. She also encouraged the rebel groups to work with civil society to find ways to strengthen the monitoring mechanism that will ensure that the cease-fire accord is not violated, work towards the country's goal of peace, and cooperate with stakeholders to take part on equal terms in the next round of the government's peace talks in February 2017. China, which has provided shelter and medical services to those who have fled across the border in recent days, said on Tuesday that it will continue to support Myanmar's peace process. The Kachin Independence organization, the political wing of the KIA, said Wednesday that the recent fighting in Shan state was a "limited war" that was not meant to derail the government's efforts to achieve national reconciliation. A statement issued by the KIO said the KIA, MNDAA, TNLA and AA have engaged in the limited war in response to offensives by national army soldiers. The KIO also said it will be very careful not to harm the interests of the people with the new hostilities. Reported by Kan Tha, Ye Htet, and Aung Thein Kha for RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Real estate brokers seize opportunity in North Korea's housing market Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 23 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Real estate brokers seize opportunity in North Korea's housing market, 23 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848122fc.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-23 Apartment buildings surround the Monument to the Founding of the Workers' Party (center R) in Pyongyang, North Korea, July 17, 2016. AFP Real estate brokers have popped up in North Korea to take advantage of the rapid increase in illegal private home purchases and sales in the communist nation as people scramble to secure shelter amid an early cold spell, sources inside the country said. Individual citizens who are forbidden by law to buy or sell houses on their own must rely on the brokers because they are connected to regional housing management departments and judicial authorities, they said. Most of the buyers are North Korea's nouveau riche who have earned money through their positions as Workers' Party officials. In Chongjin, capital of North Hamgyong province, there are two brokers Mr. Park from the Sunam area and Mr. Choi from the Pohang area who provide real estate services to buyers, said a source from the province who requested anonymity. The brokers compile lists of people who put houses up for sale in expensive areas and pressure them to use their services to sell the properties, he said. The brokers usually make commissions of 20-30 percent on each transaction, he said. Others involved in the real estate business are mostly unemployed people or ex-convicts who are closely related to law enforcement authorities, the source said. Now an early unexpected cold snap is pushing up demand for private homes, the source said. "The demand for private homes has increased because of the recent unexpected cold," he told RFA's Korean Service. Despite some major construction projects, including private homes, which are under way in North Hamgyong province, the housing shortage for North Korean residents remains the same, he said. "Home prices have risen due to the housing shortage, and real estate brokers have appeared," he said. Bribe republic Although buying and selling homes is illegal in North Korea where all housing is controlled by a housing management department under each regional people's committee, those who want to purchase a home usually pay brokers bribes to expedite residence registration and moving procedures, said another source from North Hamgyong province. Brokers' threatening insistence that home sellers use their services force the sellers to lower their asking prices, which allows the brokers to make more money on top of their commissions, he said. Those who resist their demand have difficulties trying to sell their houses. "The brokers are closely connected to authorities, so people with money use the brokers for housing transactions," he said. The Sinam area of Chongjin, which prospered for many years thanks to its fishing industry, fell victim to a recession years ago, and housing prices there fell, he said. But prices for homes in the Sunam neighborhood have risen significantly for several years because the city's largest market is located there. "The newly constructed apartment building in front of [former leader] Kim Il Sung's statue in the Pohang [area of Chongjin] cost about $20,000, [but]private houses in Sunam cost more than $50,000," the source said. Written by Jieun Kim for RFA's Korean Service. Translated by Soo Min Jo. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Top Chinese rights lawyer 'incommunicado' after visiting relatives of detained lawyer Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 23 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Top Chinese rights lawyer 'incommunicado' after visiting relatives of detained lawyer, 23 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848123010.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-23 Rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong, who went missing on Nov. 21, 2016, after meeting relatives of jailed lawyers, in an undated photo. RFA Prominent rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong has gone missing, believed detained, after he traveled to Hunan's provincial capital Changsha to meet with relatives of lawyers detained in last year's nationwide crackdown. "Jiang Tianyong has been disappeared since the evening of Nov. 21," his wife Jin Bianling told RFA. "I haven't been able to get in contact with him." Beijing-based Jiang, who has represented members of the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement, lost contact with friends and family after he visited Chen Guiqiu, the wife of detained rights lawyer Xie Yang in Changsha, she said. "Lawyer Lin Qilei was visiting Xie Yang in the Changsha No. 2 Detention Center that day, so he met with both of them," said Jin, who is currently in the United States. "He also had a meal with Xie Yang's wife and a group of other lawyers." Jin said Jiang typically goes online at least once in any 12-hour period. "If he hasn't been online, and can't be contacted, then I know something has definitely happened to him," she said. "I haven't heard anything for 24 hours this time, so he's definitely been 'disappeared'." 'Being disappeared' is a common expression used by Chinese activists and dissidents to describe intentional and unofficial detentions by the authorities, often under the nationwide "stability maintenance" regime. Lin confirmed to RFA on Wednesday that he had eaten dinner with Jiang on Nov. 19. "We all met up on Saturday, and we still don't know [exactly where he is]," Lin said. Legal assistant Shi Kuang said Jiang had bought a ticket to return to Beijing on Monday. "On Monday evening, Jiang told his friends that he had already got his train ticket and that he was planning to go back to Beijing," Shi said. "He was scheduled to board that train at 10.53 p.m. [local time], and to arrive in Beijing at 6.30 a.m. the following day, but he has been incommunicado the whole time," he said. Crackdown on lawyers continues Jiang, 45, is a prominent human rights lawyer whose clients have included blind rights activist Chen Guangcheng, currently in the United States, rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, the residents of Guangdong's Taishi village who launched an anti-corruption campaign, and a number of religious freedom cases, including the Falun Gong. According to Changsha-based rights lawyer Ma Lianshun, Jiang is likely to have been detained because of his involvement with the families affected by a nationwide crackdown involving hundreds of rights lawyers that began on July 9, 2015 with a police raid on the offices of the Fengrui law firm and the detention of its key lawyers, including Wang Yu. But he said he is a mild-mannered man who doesn't make enemies easily. "He is a very polite and obliging person who has never had a quarrel with anyone," Ma said. " "I think this has to be linked to [his visit to Xie Yang's wife]. There really isn't any other explanation," he said. "He wanted to look into the case, but that is entirely legal." "The crackdown still isn't over," he added. "They are now using any tactics, fair means or foul." More than 300 lawyers, law firm staff, rights activists and relatives were detained, questioned, or placed under surveillance or other restrictions since the crackdown began. At least 16 remain in criminal detention on subversion charges, while four have been handed jail terms of up to seven years, according to the Hong Kong-based Chinese Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group. Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Ng Yik-tung and Pan Jiaqing for the Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. China: Three telecoms scam victims rushed to hospital after suicide bid Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 24 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, China: Three telecoms scam victims rushed to hospital after suicide bid, 24 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848123113.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-24 Three women lie slumped on a subway platform at Beijing's Tiananmen East station after ingesting pesticides in protest over a phone scam, Nov. 24, 2016. Photo courtesy of a bystander. Three victims of a phone scam from the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu were rushed to hospital after swallowing pesticides in a subway station close to Beijing's iconic Tiananmen Square. The women drank the poison in an underground walkway connected to the Tiananmen East subway station and were taken to the emergency room soon after, official media reported on Thursday. A photo taken by a bystander showed three women lying slumped near a wall in a white-tiled subway station, not far from the platform. Official media reported on Thursday that the three women are now in a stable condition, but online articles about the incident appeared to have been deleted from China's tightly controlled internet soon after the reports were posted. One of the women, identified by her surname Han, said she had lost 17 million yuan (U.S.$2.5 million) in life savings to a telephone fraudster, money the family needed to pay for her husband's cancer treatment. "It was all taken from me in the scam," she told journalists. Attempts to seek compensation or redress with the authorities had yielded no result, reports quoted the woman as saying. Han had her stomach pumped at Beijing's Tongren Hospital after she swallowed three bottles of the fungicide triadimefon. No details were reported of the fate of her two companions, who weren't related to Han. The suicide bid comes after a recent report highlighted rampant telecom fraud in China. Increasing telephone scams China's telecom scams have increased at an annual rate of 20 to 30 percent in the past ten years, official media quoted the report as saying at the end of last month. China's public security authorities recorded 590,000 telecom scam cases in 2015, a rise of 32.5 percent from 2014, resulting in economic losses worth 22.2 billion yuan (U.S.$3.3 billion), the report said. Attempted suicides are increasingly common among disgruntled Chinese petitioners, many of whom are forced evictees, and most of whom pursue complaints against local officials for years or even decades with no result. Petitioners, who flood China's official complaints departments with more than 20,000 complaints daily across the country, frequently report being held in "black jails," beaten, or otherwise harassed,if they persist in a complaint beyond its initial rejection at a local level. The sheer emotional strain of petitioning takes a heavy toll on some, activists say. A Beijing-based petitioner surname Yi said Wednesday's attempted suicide was just the tip of the iceberg. "It's not just them; a lot of petitioners start to think about taking extreme action when they get to Beijing," Yi said. And fellow petitioner Hu Jianguo, who has pursued a complaint for several years to no avail, said he had thrown himself in front of cars carrying high-ranking government leaders, including President Xi Jinping, in a bid to get his grievance heard. "The [ruling] Chinese Communist Party is entering the darkest part of its history, when ordinary people are using their own lives as a form of protest, and swallowing pesticides in an attempt to kill themselves," Hu said in an interview on Thursday. Dignified life "I really feel for them, but I wouldn't want them to take that route," he said. "We should move towards a democratic system ruled by law, and expose the dark side of government." "If we have the courage to sacrifice our own lives, then why not the courage to come out in protest?" "We need to overthrow this dictatorial regime, and allow the people to build a genuine democracy and legal system: a dignified life," he said. Sichuan-based rights activist Huang Qi, who founded the Tianwang rights website, said most people who pursue complaints against official wrongdoing face stonewalling, buck-passing, harassment and oppression from the authorities. "They get to the point where they have no options left open to them, which is why people are driven to extreme actions of every kind," Huang said. "They are hoping at least to get everyone's attention and step up the pressure for change, or even take the officials responsible down with them," he said. He said the only way to stop such things happening again is for local governments to start taking effective action to address people's complaints. "They also need to make sure that the petitioning process is accessible and runs smoothly," Huang said. "People need to be sure that their reasonable demands will be dealt with promptly and effectively, within the framework of the rule of law." The latest suicide bid comes after eight people from Long'an city in the southeastern province of Fujian died in a mass suicide protest outside the city government offices earlier this month. Nine petitioners were protesting a lack of redress after being forcibly evicted from their homes, and swallowed pesticides at the same time. All were taken to hospital, but only one survived. Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Hong Kong independence campaign 'dilutes' city's democracy movement: Patten Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 25 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Hong Kong independence campaign 'dilutes' city's democracy movement: Patten, 25 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584812333.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-25 Lawmakers-elect Yau Wai-ching (L) and Sixtus Leung (R) after they appealed the High Court's ruling barring them from taking up their seats in Hong Kong's Legco, Nov. 24, 2016. RFA Britain's last colonial leader of Hong Kong, former governor Chris Patten, hit out at pro-independence campaigners on Friday, saying they have undermined the broader democratic movement in the city. Patten, who was regularly villified by Chinese officials while in office as governor, said the city's seven million residents should enjoy "the freedom to choose who governs Hong Kong." But he slammed advocates of independence for the city for "diluting" the case for greater democracy, while praising the 2014 Occupy Central movement for attaining the moral high ground with its "peaceful and mature" campaign. "It would be dishonest, dishonorable and reckless of somebody like me to pretend that the case for democracy should be mixed up with the argument about the independence of Hong Kong," Patten told the Foreign Correspondents' Club. In a side-swipe at recent protest oaths taken by two recently elected pro-independence lawmakers at their swearing-in, Patten said independence was "something which is not going to happen, something which dilutes democracy, and something which has led to all sorts of antics which should not take place in a mature society aiming to be a full democracy." Earlier this month, Hong Kong's High Court ruled against lawmakers-elect Sixtus Leung and Yau Wai-ching after they changed the wording of their oaths, formally barring them from taking up their seats. The duo both vowed allegiance to the "Hong Kong Nation" and carried banners saying "Hong Kong is not China" when making their oaths on Oct. 12. They also used a historical slur to refer to China, with Yau inserting swear-words into her oath. 'Antics' hurt movement Their protest prompted the standing committee of China's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), to intervene with an interpretation of Hong Kong's miniconstitution last week, ruling that only "solemn and sincere" oaths would be accepted from public office-holders. Patten, whose own attempts to widen the voting franchise in Hong Kong were wiped out with the 1997 handover to Chinese rule, said their "antics" had likely damaged the broader democracy movement in the city. "I think two years ago many brave young people in Hong Kong established moral high ground about democracy in governance, and I think it would be a tragedy if that high ground was lost because of a few antics about so-called independence for Hong Kong," he said. Citing the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration that paved the way for the handover, he said the treaty was made on the assumption that the post-1997 Special Administrative Region (SAR) would be an integral part of Chinese territory. "I ... have great admiration, for those who campaign for democracy," he said, adding that it was "a bit surprising" that more progress towards full democracy hadn't been made in nearly two decades. "But not those whose campaign dilutes support for democracy and makes a mockery of a serious political argument." The 79-day Occupy Central democracy movement was triggered by an Aug. 31, 2014 "interpretation" of the Basic Law issued by the NPC standing committee insisting that candidates in forthcoming elections be vetted by a pro-Beijing committee, a proposal that protesters slammed as "fake universal suffrage," and which was later voted down in the Legislative Council (LegCo). 'Self determination' support grows The movement saw the emergence of a group of young politicians, many of whom began to call for "self determination" in a bid to address growing concerns over the erosion of Hong Kong's traditional freedoms. Yau and Leung, both members of the group Youngspiration, were among them. Responding to Patten's remarks, Leung told RFA that the question of independence for Hong Kong is an unavoidable one, however. "We can't deny demands in Hong Kong for independence or calls for self-determination, because they have been there all along," he said. "Also, we are talking about considerable numbers of people, based on figures from our election campaign, and that is an objective reality that we have to respect," Leung said. The pair are appealing the High Court's ruling in a case that entered its second day on Friday. Their lawyers are arguing that oath-taking is an internal matter for the legislature, and the court should not intervene under the principle of non-intervention. If the appeal fails, LegCo president Andrew Leung said the council will demand that Leung and Yau repay nearly one million Hong Kong dollars in salary and other payments made when they were elected. "We will be seeking the full recovery of around H.K.$930,000 dating from Oct. 1," Andrew Leung told reporters on Thursday. "We will consider any arguments they may raise, but we will have to deal very carefully with it, because this is public money." Reported by Lam Kwok-lap for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Rights website founder detained on subversion charges in China's Hubei Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 25 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Rights website founder detained on subversion charges in China's Hubei, 25 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584812344.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-25 Hubei activist Liu Feiyue, founder of the Civil Rights and Livelihood Watch website, in undated photo. Civil Rights and Livelihood Watch Authorities in the central Chinese province of Hubei are holding a prominent activist who edited a rights monitoring website under criminal detention on subversion charges. Liu Feiyue, who founded the Civil Rights and Livelihood Watch website, has been incommunicado since Nov. 17, and police informed his relatives the following day that the charges were "very serious this time." Liu's relatives have been informed verbally of his criminal investigation for "incitement to subvert state power," while his home in Hubei's Suizhou has been searched by police, his website reported. A volunteer who answered the phone at the Civil Rights and Livelihood Watch offices said Liu stands accused of receiving overseas funding to run the group. "They are saying he received overseas funding," the volunteer said. "They have searched his home and taken a lot of documents, including payslips and so on." "They say that he has harmed national security by accepting the funding." The volunteer said that no official documents have yet been issued relating to Liu's detention, however. "They just informed [the family] verbally, and we don't have any more information than that," the volunteer said. "The police haven't even told us where he is being held." Liu, a veteran rights activist who founded Civil Rights and Livelihood Watch in 2006, has been targeted for police harassment in the past, and is routinely detained or placed under house arrest during politically sensitive events. Last month, he was held briefly ahead of the ruling Chinese Communist Party's sixth plenary session in Beijing, but later released alongside other activists. Overseas funding He had also been detained ahead of the annual session of China's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), in March, and ahead of the G20 summit in the eastern city of Hangzhou. Officials who answered the phone at the Suizhou municipal police department, and at the public security management brigade that runs district-level police stations, declined to comment when contacted by RFA on Friday. Fellow activist Bao Naigang told RFA the charges against Liu don't stand up. "I don't know how, or under which law, receiving overseas funding translates into harming national security," Bao said. "But lots of people work for foreign organizations or receive overseas funding." "It makes no sense to go arresting people," he said. "But the Chinese Communist Party can just detain whoever it likes these days; it's like they've gone crazy." "There are spies everywhere," Bao said. But he said fellow activists still have a duty to speak out. "If we say nothing, then we will be silenced forever," he said. "The arrests are coming thick and fast now, and more and more people are being detained, which shows that the authorities are getting frightened, and their paranoia is off the scale." An activist who declined to be named agreed. "This is wrong, and it's also ridiculous; the government is just in permanent crackdown mode now," the activist said. "They've deleted all my online articles; they've deleted my blog, and they've frozen my social media accounts ... it's complete abuse of the law by people who are basically thugs." Draconian cybersecurity law Earlier this month, China passed a draconian new cybersecurity law that rights groups warned could be used to further stifle individual freedoms after a crackdown on dissent that has lasted since President Xi Jinping took power in November 2012. The controversial legislation aims to step up "monitoring, defending and handling cybersecurity risks and threats originating from within the country or overseas sources, and protecting key information infrastructure from attack, intrusion, disturbance and damage," according to the text of the law. Efforts will also be made to punish online crime and "safeguard the order and security of cyberspace," state news agency Xinhua reported. The ruling Chinese Communist Party last month also Xi as a "core" leader, giving him equal billing with late supreme leaders Deng Xiaoping and Mao Zedong. Members were urged in a communique issued at the end of a plenary session of the party's powerful Central Committee to "closely unite around the ... Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core," state news agency Xinhua reported. It also called for stricter party discipline amid reports that one million officials have been punished for corruption since Xi came to power. Reported by Yang Fan for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Hai Nan for the Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Fears grow over fate of 'disappeared' Chinese rights lawyer Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 28 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Fears grow over fate of 'disappeared' Chinese rights lawyer, 28 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58481236a.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-28 Rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong, who went missing on Nov. 21, 2016, after meeting relatives of jailed lawyers, in an undated photo. RFA Fears are growing for the safety of top Chinese human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong, who went missing, believed detained, last week. Jiang, 45, has been incommunicado since he traveled to Hunan's provincial capital Changsha a week ago to meet with relatives of lawyers detained in last year's nationwide crackdown. U.S.-based legal scholar Teng Biao said Jiang is in poor health with very high blood pressure, as well as being at risk of torture. "We are extremely worried and concerned about the possibility that he could suffer torture or other forms of inhumane treatment [at the hands of the authorities]," Teng told RFA. "I think the authorities have likely got him under surveillance ... I'm certain he has been kidnapped by them; that's without doubt," he said. "The government is always using these kinds of underhand mafia tactics on lawyers and rights activists," he said. More than 60 lawyers have issued a statement calling on the authorities to investigate Jiang's "disappearance" after he failed to make the D940 express train from Shandong back to Beijing on Nov. 21. "If Jiang Tianyong is under some form of coercive measures [such as residential surveillance], then the department in charge of the case should immediately issue written notification to his family," the statement said. "His right to hire a lawyer and other basic rights must also be guaranteed," it said. Call for explanation Jiang's wife Jin Bianling, who is currently in the United States, told RFA on Monday that the authorities owe her and the rest of his family an explanation. "Jiang has been missing for a week now ... and we want to call on the authorities to investigate Jiang Tianyong's disappearance," Jin said. "They should give his family an explanation, including specific details about his location, and any crimes he is suspected of," she said. Jiang is likely to have been detained in connection with his representation of lawyers held in a nationwide crackdown that began on July 9, 2015 with a police raid on the offices of the Fengrui law firm and the detention of its key lawyers, including Wang Yu, his associates have said. Beijing-based Jiang lost contact with friends and family after he visited Chen Guiqiu, the wife of detained rights lawyer Xie Yang, in Changsha. "I want more and more people to know about his case," Jin said, adding that the charges used to detain more than 300 lawyers, activists, and law firm staff in the July 9, 2015 crackdown were "ridiculous." "There's no way they stand up from a legal point of view," she said. 'A serious violation' Henan-based rights lawyer Chang Boyang, who was recently hired by Jiang's father to defend him, said he is very worried for his client's safety. "Enforced disappearances constitute a very serious violation of the law, and of the rule of law," Chang told RFA. "If that is going to happen, then nobody feels safe." "If he has really committed a crime, then they should follow due process in dealing with it, and inform the family," he said. "This sort of thing flies in the face of what President Xi Jinping was saying about running the country according to law," Chang said. Fellow defense lawyer Chen Jinxue said he had reported Jiang missing at the Western Railway Station police station in Beijing last week, and called on them to investigate surveillance footage from the cameras in the station. But Chen's status as Jiang's lawyer hadn't been recognized by police, he said. "It is an illegal requirement to ask for proof of the lawyer-client relationship, but his family have sent it over anyway," Chen said. "We will be pursuing this matter further," he said. High-profile dissidents German vice-chancellor Sigmar Gabriel last week expressed "concern" at Jiang's fate, according to the country's international broadcaster Deutsche Welle. Jiang's disappearance came after he joined a group of lawyers, dissidents, and critical intellectuals who met with Gabriel during his visit to Beijing on Nov. 2 at the German Embassy in Beijing. The lawyer has previously represented high-profile dissidents, including blind rights activist Chen Guangcheng, now living in the United States, and Christian rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng. He was kidnapped by police in February 2011 and held for two months, during which time he reported being tortured and mistreated by his captors. In March 2014, he was detained and beaten up by police to the extent that he lost eight teeth, after he tried to visits inmates of an extrajudicial "black jail" in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang. More than 300 lawyers, law firm staff, rights activists, and relatives have been detained, questioned, or placed under surveillance or other restrictions since the crackdown began. At least 16 remain in criminal detention on subversion charges, while four have been handed jail terms of up to seven years, according to the Hong Kong-based Chinese Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group. Balance of rights New United Nations chief Antonio Guterres, who is currently on a visit to Beijing, called on world governments to respect human rights. China often clashes with U.N. bodies and envoys over its human rights record, and Guterres made the comments with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi standing beside him. "In a world torn by war, a United Nations [should] enhance diplomacy for peace," Guterres said. "In a world where so many rights are not respected, [we need] to make sure that there is an effective combination in human rights, of the civil and political rights and the economic and social rights in a balanced way," Guterres said. Wang merely replied: "The U.N. is an effective platform for responses to global challenges and the central institution for international efforts to handle global affairs." Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service and by Ng Yik-tung for the Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Myanmar protests U.N. official's comments on 'ethnic cleansing' in Rakhine Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 28 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Myanmar protests U.N. official's comments on 'ethnic cleansing' in Rakhine, 28 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58481237c.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-28 Ethnic Rohingya Muslim refugees shout slogans during a protest against the persecution of Rohingya in Myanmar outside the Myanmar embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Nov. 25, 2016. AFP The Myanmar government lodged a protest on Monday over remarks by a United Nations human rights official that the country is conducting a genocide campaign on stateless Rohingya Muslims in the northern part of volatile Rakhine state. Htin Linn, Myanmar's permanent representative to the U.N. in Geneva, Switzerland, lodged a protest against John McKissick, head of the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) in the nearby Bangladeshi border town of Cox's Bazar, for allegations he made against the Myanmar military in an interview that aired Nov. 24. McKissick accused Myanmar army soldiers and border guard police of killing villagers, raping women and girls, and burning down homes in Rohingya communities during a security crackdown and search of Maungdaw and Buithidaung townships for armed militants following deadly attacks on border guard posts on Oct. 9. The military has denied the accusations and blamed the Rohingya for burning down their own homes. The security forces had "engaged in collective punishment of the Rohingya minority" after the attacks, which some locals and Myanmar officials blamed on a Rohingya militant group, the BBC reported. "Now it's 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 told the BBC. Security forces have locked down the area and restricted access so that independent journalists and international aid organizations have been unable to evaluate the abuse allegations. Htin Linn said he requested a meeting with UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grande who was out of town, so he met instead with assistant high commissioner Volker Turk on Nov. 25 to lodge the protest. "If such allegations were indeed made by the UNHCR, then Myanmar lodges strong objection against the UNHCR for unjust allegations made without substantiating evidence [against] the Myanmar government which is also tantamount to a breach of the code of conduct of the U.N.," said a statement posted on Nov. 26 on the Facebook page of Myanmar's State Counselor's Office. The statement went on to say that the allegations "had a damaging effect on the Myanmar government" and "corroded the integrity of the UNHCR." It added that if necessary, Myanmar would also lodge an official written complaint. Turk responded that officials at the UNHCR were surprised by McKissick's comments, and that they did not represent the agency's official position, according to the statement. He also said the UNHCR would look into the matter and issue an appropriate response to Htin Linn's request. Complaint against BBC The Myanmar embassy in the United Kingdom sent a complaint letter to the BBC on Friday about its Nov. 22 report on the Rohingya, which it said was one-sided and based on hearsay. The violence that has occurred in Maungdaw township has forced thousands of Rohingya, viewed by Myanmar's Buddhist majority as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, to flee on foot and in boats to the Bangladeshi border. Guards have turned many away, while others have made it across and are staying in makeshift refugee camps. Nearly 90 people have been reported killed, and about 30,000 have been displaced by the recent violence in northern Rakhine. State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's de facto leader, delayed a three-day visit to Indonesia on Monday following protests in the predominantly Muslim country over Myanmar's crackdown on the Rohingya. Indonesian police on Sunday said they arrested an Islamic State-linked militant for planning to bomb Myanmar's embassy in the capital Jakarta. A government spokesman, however, said Aung San Suu Kyi decided to postpone the trip so she could devote her attention to the situation in Rakhine and the conflict between ethnic armed groups and the army in northern Shan state. Hundreds of Rohingya protested on Nov. 25 against the crackdown in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of predominantly Muslim Malaysia. That same day, Malaysia's foreign ministry called on the Myanmar government to address the alleged ethnic cleansing and said it would summon the country's ambassador to convey its concerns about the matter, Reuters reported. Also on Nov. 25, members of Islamic groups marched in a rally in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to protest what they called the persecution of the Rohingya in Myanmar. The Myanmar government created a Rakhine Advisory Commission three months ago to examine conflict resolution, humanitarian assistance, and development issues in the impoverished and restive western state. Former U.N. chief Kofi Annan, who leads the nine-member commission, will visit Maungdaw township on Friday, the online journal The Irrawaddy reported, citing Tin Maung Swe, secretary of the Rakhine state government. The two-day trip will be Annan's second visit to Rakhine since his appointment. Seven other commission members canceled a visit to Maungdaw in October because of security concerns. Reported by RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Threat to expel U.N. human rights office riles Cambodia Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 28 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Threat to expel U.N. human rights office riles Cambodia, 28 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848123813.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-28 Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) shakes hands with new Foreign Minister Prak Sokhon (R) during a handover ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Phnom Penh, April 5, 2016. AFP Kicking the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights out of Cambodia is raising worries among the country's citizens that they will have no place to turn if the rights watchdog no longer has a place in the country. "Cambodia will be a more authoritarian country without the U.N. office," a rickshaw driver named Chhun Oeun told RFA's Khmer Service. "Even now, with the U.N. office here, several human rights activists have been arrested, beaten, and jailed. I cannot imagine how much worse the situation will be if there is no such office." Am Sam Ath, a technical coordinator for human rights group Licadho, told RFA that closing the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) in Cambodia would be a loss for the entire nation as it will lose foreign aid and international respect. "Cambodia will be deprived of its foreign aid due to its action," he said. "There might be fewer reports on human right abuses if the U.N. office is no longer present, but that doesn't do any good to the government's overall image." Song Sreyleap, a Boeung Kak land activist, told RFA the Cambodian government is trying to avoid its responsibilities to its people. "If the government does not want the U.N.'s intervention into Cambodia's internal affairs, why has it failed to take good care of its own people? Why has it not done anything to improve the human rights situation? Why has it not stopped the suppression of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly? Why has it not stopped evicting people from their homes?" she said. Some 3,500 families were evicted from the land surrounding Boeung Kak lake in Phnom Penh, which was filled with sand to make way for a development project with close ties to Hun Sen and the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP). Sar Sorn, a representative of Borei Keila community, told RFA the attempt by Hun Sen's government to kick out the U.N. was a transparent attempt to hide his activities. "The government is afraid to face the truth about its abuses of human rights, and that's why it wants to close down the U.N. office," she said. "If the government is truly accountable for its actions as it claims it is, then it shouldn't be afraid to let the U.N. office continue its mandate. Its threat to close the office reflects the regime of a dictator." About 300 families in Borei Keila were forcibly evicted from their homes in 2012 to make way for development by the politically-connected construction company Phanimex. Trader Sim Thida told RFA that she fears a return to the dark days of the Khmer Rouge. "Cambodia will be reduced to a regime like the Khmer Rouge where people were totally controlled and deprived of their rights and freedom," she said. "Cambodia will lose a check and balance if there is no U.N. office." 'Arrogant and disrespectful behavior' Cambodia's Foreign Minister Prak Sokhon accused the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), of "arrogant and disrespectful behavior toward the sovereignty of Cambodia," and threatened to end the country's cooperation with the office unless it agrees to quit "meddling" in the nation's internal affairs. "Despite the [Royal Government of Cambodia's] efforts to enhance the smooth, constructive, and effective cooperation based on mutual respect, the OHCHR has furthermore been stepping up its interference in internal affairs of Cambodia," he wrote in a Nov. 22 letter to OHCHR leader Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein. While the memorandum of understanding that allows the OHCHR to operate in Cambodia lapsed last year, the office has continued to function without it. According to Prak Sokhon's letter, that could end at the end of 2016 if the OHCHR refuses to agree to operate "on the basis of the principle of respect for sovereignty and non-interference in Cambodia's internal affairs." Raivna Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, said yesterday that discussions with the government on the new agreement were continuing, the Khmer Times reported. "The presence of OHCHR in any country depends on the agreement of the host country, and we are looking forward to continuing to discuss with the government the continuing presence of OHCHR in the country," she said, according to local media reports. Sovereignty and Sam Rainsy Cambodia's government has bristled over comments made earlier this month by the OHCHR's country representative Wan-Hea Lee, who told local media that an Interior Ministry directive barring Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) leader Sam Rainsy from entering the country was a likely rights violation. "No elements of the decision to block the entry of Mr. Sam Rainsy into Cambodia have been brought to light that would allow anyone to assess its reasonableness, which renders the decision unjustified and arbitrary," Lee wrote in an email to The Cambodia Daily. In October, the Cambodian government ordered police, immigration, and aviation authorities to "use all ways and means" to prevent opposition leader Sam Rainsy from returning from exile, as he has pledged to do before elections in 2017 and 2018. The opposition leader has been abroad for a year to avoid a two-year prison sentence handed down in a defamation case. It is not the only conviction handed down by the courts. In the latest case, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court found the opposition leader guilty of defamation on Nov. 8 for claiming that Prime Minister Hun Sen's social medial team bought "likes" on Facebook from "click farms" abroad to increase his support. At the time of his latest conviction, the opposition leader said he could never win in the Cambodian courts because they are "puppets of the government." ADHOC and NEC officialskept in jail Meanwhile, the Cambodian appellate court on Monday refused to release four workers for the human rights organization ADHOC and a National Election Commission member who are facing charges in connection with the government's wide-ranging probe into deputy opposition leader Kem Sokha's alleged affair with a young hairdresser. The Appeals Court upheld the Phnom Penh Municipal Court's decision to keep ADHOC's Ny Sokha, Yi Soksan, Nay Vanda, and Lim Mony, and the NEC's Ny Chakrya in jail for up to six more months as the court collects more evidence in the cases, which are widely seen as politically motivated. Ny Chakrya and the ADHOC workers face charges of bribery or attempted bribery for allegedly attempting to pay hairdresser Khom Chandaraty money to keep quiet about her alleged relationship with Kem Sokha. "The appeals court judge indicated that the court has upheld the investigative judge's decision on the provisional detention as it is a criminal case and the investigation is not yet complete," Kea Sophal, an attorney for the ADHOC workers told RFA, saying the legal team has yet to decide what to do next. Reported by Sideth Cheu and Samnang Rann for RFA's Khmer Service. Translated by Nareth Muong. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Political parties seek Myanmar Security Council's intervention in Rakhine crisis Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 29 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Political parties seek Myanmar Security Council's intervention in Rakhine crisis, 29 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848123ca.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-29 Heavily armed Myanmar army troops patrol the Kyinkanpyin area of Maungdaw town in western Myanmar's Rakhine state, Oct. 16, 2016. AFP Myanmar's former ruling party and 12 other political parties have called for a meeting of the country's National Defense and Security Council over the government's 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 country's 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 council's five civilian members include Present Htin Kyaw, Myanmar's 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 People's Party, Karen State Democracy and Development Party, Myanmar National Congress Party, Wunthanu Democratic Party, People's 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. "It's not the security council's business to hold a meeting; it's the government's 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 we're 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 don't have any detailed procedures or laws, the president and military chief will hold it if and when they think it's 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 Counselor's 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 country's 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 RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Trial set for four Vietnamese 'boat people' who were repatriated by Australia Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 29 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Trial set for four Vietnamese 'boat people' who were repatriated by Australia, 29 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848123dc.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-29 Vietnamese people huddle on a fishing boat bound for Australia in an undated photo. Photo courtesy of Huynh Thi My Van 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 RFA's 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 Vietnam's 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 prosecutor's 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 Van's 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 don't 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. "It's 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), Van's family didn't 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 organization's Australia director, wrote in a statement. "The Vietnamese government is prosecuting the four defendants for leaving Vietnam without the government's 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. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Vietnam sends four women to jail for roadblock protest Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 29 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Vietnam sends four women to jail for roadblock protest, 29 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848123e13.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-29 Vietnamese fishermen gather at court in Ky Anh township to file lawsuits over steel plant pollution, Sept. 26, 2016. Photo courtesy of Paul Tran Minh Nhat 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, RFA's 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 men's 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 men's 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 country's largest environmental disaster say that sum isn't enough to compensate for the damage. The disaster sparked rare public demonstrations in Vietnam and the protests didn't end when the government announced the settlement. Hanoi has been systematically cracking down on the demonstrations and arresting protest leaders. It's 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 Vietnam's 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. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. 10,000 Rohingya from Myanmar have landed in Bangladesh: U.N. Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 30 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, 10,000 Rohingya from Myanmar have landed in Bangladesh: U.N., 30 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848123f13.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-30 Bangladeshi Muslims in Dhaka protest against the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, Nov. 25, 2016. AFP More than 10,000 Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar have crossed the border into Bangladesh to flee violence that has escalated over the past two months, a United Nations official and a Rohingya community leader said Wednesday. Bangladeshi authorities said they were now allowing some vulnerable refugees into the country on a humanitarian basis. Earlier, officials had stated that they were sealing the southeastern border with Myanmar and pushing back hundreds of people trying to cross over, despite reports of killings and the burning of Rohingya homes during a Burmese government crackdown in neighboring Rakhine state. The exodus into Bangladesh from Rakhine is the largest since 2012, when thousands from Myanmar's Rohingya minority escaped violence in the state between Muslims and members of the country's Buddhist majority. "Based on reports by various humanitarian agencies, we estimate that there could be 10,000 new arrivals in recent weeks," Vivian Tan, a spokeswoman in for the U.N. refugee agency's office in Bangkok, said Wednesday. "The situation is fast changing and the actual number could be much higher." Hafez Ahmed, a leader of unregistered Rohingya in Kutupalang Camp in Cox's Bazar, a district in southeastern Bangladesh, told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, the number of refugees could be double the figure given by the U.N. About 10,000 of the new influx of Rohingya were at his camp while others were spread out elsewhere in the southeast. Another Rohingya leader told Voice of America (VOA), a sister entity of RFA, that many wanted to return to their old way of life. "The Rohingya have been seeking temporary shelter in Bangladesh only to save their lives from a genocide-like situation in Myanmar. For most of us, life as refugees is very hard in Bangladesh. Arakan (Rakhine), where our Rohingya community has lived for centuries, is our ancestral homeland. We want to go back to Arakan," said Mohammad Shaker, a Rohingya leader in Cox's Bazar. Current crisis Since a Myanmar military crackdown began in Rakhine state in early October, Rohingyas were entering the country through remote, inaccessible border points, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali told reporters last week. "And in some instances we have some very vulnerable cases that we could not ignore from the humanitarian point of view. We allowed them to enter and provided them food and treatment," he said. Commenting on the estimate from the U.N., Shahriar Alam, a state minister in Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said officials could not confirm how many new Rohingya refugees had arrived from Rakhine in recent weeks. But, he told BenarNews, "we cannot say that the U.N.'s estimated number is not correct." Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said Bangladesh wanted the Rohingyas to return to their homes in Rakhine. "We shall try to host these people as long as possible. Then we shall start a dialogue with Myanmar so that they can return to their home. We hope Myanmar will take them back, eventually," Kamal said. Last week, Bangladeshi officials complained to the Myanmar ambassador about the violence in Rakhine, which in turn has led to street protests by Muslims in Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand against Myanmar's alleged persecution of Rohingya. Long-standing problem The targets of large-scale ethnic violence since 1978, Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar for Bangladesh and other countries. As many as 300,000 to 500,000 Rohingya are in Bangladesh, according to government estimates. "After the Rakhine Buddhists burned my house, with my two children and wife I fled to Bangladesh four years ago. I do odd day-wage jobs to support my family. Often I go without a job. I live in a ramshackle shack and I think I can never escape this life of poverty here," Mohammad Ismail, a 38-year-old Rohingya, told VOA. "I had my own farmland, I also owned a shop and I was quite well-off. If the situation there changes I want to return to Arakan." The government has denied accusations that soldiers committed extrajudicial killings, rape, and arson in Rohingya communities since the lockdown began. Security forces have arrested more than 400 people and killed nearly 70 others since the crackdown began, state media reported. Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Cambodia voter registration ends with 7.8 million of 9.6 million eligible voters signed up Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 30 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Cambodia voter registration ends with 7.8 million of 9.6 million eligible voters signed up, 30 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584812414.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-30 A Cambodian man scans his finger during voter registration at a commune in Kandal province, Sept. 1, 2016. AFP After extending Cambodia's voter registration period for a day, the country's election commission turned down an opposition party request to stretch out the deadline even further. Although the 90-Day voter registration period was slated to end on Tuesday, the National Election Commission (NEC) added an extra day to the effort, and people flooded several of the commission's offices, prompting them to remain open until midnight. While slightly more than 7.8 million of Cambodia's 9.6 million eligible voters signed up for the local elections scheduled for next year, CNRP officials said the registration short-changed some voters. Meng Sopheary, head of election monitoring for the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), told RFA's Khmer Service that the number of unregistered voters is still too high and the registration period should be extended for at least four more days. "Though our party is thankful to the NEC for adding another day to the voter registration period, it's not enough," she said. "It was evident that during the final day many people still kept coming to register." 'We don't have more time' NEC Secretary General Tep Nytha, said it was too late to extend the registration period for a longer time.The NEC claims that adding more time would make it difficult to verify the registration data, procedures and technical issues related to the voter rolls. "We don't have more time for voter registration as we have another fish to fry including dealing with several complaints," he said. "We also need to prepare the lists of candidates for over 20,000 polling stations. It is a race against time now." But Koul Panha, executive director of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections, disputed that notion. "Even if the NEC adds another week to the voter registration period it wouldn't do any harm to its work schedules," he said. Ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) spokesman Sok Eysan welcomed the NEC's decision to extend the voter registration drive for a day, but dismissed the opposition for calling for a longer extension, telling Khmer Times that CNRP members were "cultural troublemakers." "We are satisfied with the new voter registration process," he said. "It's their culture for the opposition's statement to cause worry to voters and the election process." A new system Cambodians are using a new digital voter registration system that is designed to combat the voter fraud accusations that marred the 2013 elections. The new system is part of a 2014 election reform deal between the CPP and opposition CNRP that ended almost a year of deadlock following the 2013 ballot. Included in the nearly 2 million eligible voters who were unable to register this year are migrant workers who have to travel far to their home communes, the elderly who have mobility issues, prisoners and Cambodians who choose not to vote. Eligible voters who failed to register will be unable to vote in the commune elections in 2017 and the 2018 national elections. So far, NEC has received 97 complaints about the process, saying that 91% of them has been addressed. Most of the complaints are related to technical errors including the repeated names. Reported by RFA's Khmer Service. Translated by Nareth Muong. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Cambodian Supreme Court keeps Kem Sokha five in prison Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 30 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Cambodian Supreme Court keeps Kem Sokha five in prison, 30 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584812427.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-30 From left to right: Ny Chakrya, National Election Committee officer, Yi Soksan, Ny Sokha, Lim Mony and Nay Vanda of Adhoc before the Cambodian Supreme Court, Nov. 11, 2011. RFA/Vuthy Tha Cambodia's Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected an attempt to free four human rights workers and an election official who are awaiting trial in connection with the government's wide-ranging probe into an alleged affair by opposition party leader Kem Sokha. The court agreed with the government's argument that the Kem Sokha Five need to remain in jail while they await trial on charges connected with the investigation in order to prevent them from swaying possible witnesses and causing public unrest. Two of the defendants told RFA's Khmer Service that the court was under political pressure to keep them in jail. "If the courts were independent we would be released," Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) official Ny Sokha told RFA. "Our case is politically motivated. We will all be released when the political situation is calm." On May 2, Cambodian authorities arrested Ny Sokha and fellow ADHOC staffers, Nay Vanda, Yi Soksan, and Lim Mony, as well as National Election Committee (NEC) Deputy Secretary-General Ny Chakrya for allegedly attempting to pay Khom Chandaraty, Kem Sokha's purported mistress, hush money. "We have been treated very unfairly," Yi Soksan told RFA. "It is in a communist country that human rights workers are mistreated." 'They should just kill us all' Thun Bonitas, Yi Soksan's wife, lashed out at the government. "There is no justice for us, for we have been very badly mistreated," she said. "They should just kill us all rather than letting us live in this unjust society." Som Sokhong, an attorney for the five, told RFA that releasing them would help calm Cambodia's political waters. "I think it will be good if they are released because then there will be no more Black-Monday campaign," he said. "The campaign is aimed at demanding for their release. If they are released they can return to work." The campaign is named for the color of the clothing demonstrators wear during the Monday protests. While Black Monday began as an attempt to pressure the government over the arrests, it has morphed into a more generalized campaign against government abuses, including land confiscations, and demands for a thorough investigation into the murder of government critic Kem Ley in July. The seizure of land for development often without due process or fair compensation for displaced residents has been a major cause of protest in Cambodia and other authoritarian Asian countries, including China and Myanmar. International criticism Am Sam Ath, a technical coordinator for human rights group LICADHO, told RFA that keeping the five in jail does little good and helps fan the flames of international criticism. "So far Cambodia has been under criticism from the national and international communities," he said. "Some foreign assistance for development has been withheld." Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP ) deputy leader Kem Sokha is accused of procuring a prostitute in relation to his alleged affair with hairdresser Khom Chandaraty. Despite being summoned twice in May, he refused to appear in court to answer questions about the allegations and has remained holed up in the party headquarters. He was convicted on Sept. 9 failing to appear before the court in the case and sentenced to five months in prison and fined 800,000 riel (U.S. $200). In October, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court extended their detention as it attempts to find more witnesses and evidence in the government's case against the opposition leader. The charges are viewed by many as an attempt by Prime Minister Hun Sen and the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) to smear the opposition before local elections in 2017 and national elections in 2018. Hun Sen and the CPP have ruled the country for more than three decades, but Cambodia's ruling party suffered a dramatic drop in support during the country's last election in 2013, and could see even more erosion in the upcoming elections. Reported for Samnang Rann for RFA's Khmer Service. Translated by Nareth Muong. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Ethnic Mongolian kills four Chinese farmers, highlighting ethnic tensions Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 30 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Ethnic Mongolian kills four Chinese farmers, highlighting ethnic tensions, 30 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58481243a.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-30 Ethnic Mongolian shepherd Unench (C) in police custody after he allegedly murdered four Chinese employers, Nov. 28, 2016. Photo courtesy of an RFA listener. An ethnic Mongolian herder in China's northern region of Inner Mongolia has been detained for the murders of four people following a dispute over sheep. Unench was detained by police on Nov. 25 at his hometown in Horchin Left Middle Banner (a county-like division) after fleeing there from his place of work in the region's Left Uzumchin Banner, nine hours after an altercation with his employers over the condition of the sheep he tended escalated into violence. Unench had been hired as a shepherd by a family surnamed Wei near Uzumchin Left Banner's Ulgai township. The family had previously abused Unench, physically and verbally, and threatened to cut off his salary if the sheep under his care didn't start to gain weight, the New York-based Southern Mongolia Human Rights and Information Center (SMHRIC) said in a statement on its website. A local ethnic Mongolian resident confirmed to RFA the account of the fight between Unench and his employees. "It was an ethnic Mongolian youth called Unench," he said. "He killed four people: Wei Jianqi, Wei Jianchen, Wei Jianguo and An Xiaoping." He said this year had been a very dry one in Left Uzumchin Banner. "The sheep were all very thin, and there were already several altercations between the Wei family and Unench before [the killings]," the resident said. Calls to the Ulgai township government offices rang unanswered during office hours on Monday. 'Ethnic cleansing' alleged The killings have sent shockwaves through China's 5.8 million-strong ethnic Mongolian community, who have long complained of widespread environmental destruction, violent evictions from traditional grazing lands and unfair development policies in the region. Ethnic Mongolian dissident Hada has called the routine eviction of herders from their traditional grazing lands, often in the name of ecological protection, part of a calculated program of ethnic cleansing in the region. He told RFA in a recent interview that Unench's enraged reaction came against a background of routine violence and oppression employed by government-backed Han Chinese company employees and farmers against the indigenous population. "I wrote a year ago ... that if they don't back off from these methods, and find reasonable ways of managing disputes, that things would start to get dangerous [in the region]," Hada told RFA on Monday. "These killings are the direct result of a colonial mentality on the part of the authorities, and a form of economic growth that relies on ethnic cleansing," Hada said. "They are the direct result of the destruction of [ethnic Mongolians'] nomadic way of life, and the outcome of the collective oppression of an entire people," said Hada, who is currently under house arrest following his 19-year incarceration at a police apartment in the regional capital Hohhot. "Incidents like this are going to keep on happening, and they are going to get bigger and bigger in scale," he warned. Hada's wife and fellow rights activist Xinna said Unench was a young man from a background of extreme poverty who had been hired to take care of the sheep. "They had repeatedly terrorized him and docked his pay, and bullied him all the time," she said. "This young lad suddenly had a fit of rage and killed them all. Then he went back to his hometown." Several photos released by the Chinese authorities show that Unench suffered from nose bleeding and other injuries on his face, head and hands, SMHRIC reported. 'National hero' treatment It said the images suggest that he was either severely beaten during the dispute or was tortured by the police after the arrest, or both. Poems, essays and statements dedicated to Unench have appeared on social media, hailing him as a "national hero," SMHRIC said. In them, Unench is compared to fellow former Horchin Left Middle Banner resident Gaadaa Meiren, who died in 1931 trying to defend Mongolian territory from encroachment by Chinese forces, it said. An unnamed source in the region confirmed the reports of online praise for Urench. "Everyone is now lauding this Unench guy online," he said. "We don't yet know exactly what took place, but I'm guessing that it will become clear during the course of the trial." An anonymous statement issued by ethnic Mongolians circulating on social media platforms said the murders were not a simple, criminal case. "This is an ethnic conflict between the Mongolians and Chinese," SMHRIC quoted it as saying. It added: "The key question is whether the suspect's life was in danger during the dispute." Clashes between mining or forestry companies backed by the ruling Chinese Communist Party and herding communities are now common in the region, which borders the independent country of Mongolia. "Since the Chinese colonial occupation started in 1949, the ... Mongolians have always been the victim of the Chinese state terror and target of violent abuses by Chinese settlers," SMHRIC quoted Inner Mongolia People's Party president Dolgion Khatgin as saying. He said the brutality of Chinese rule had forced ethnic Mongolians into violence "to defend their survival and dignity." Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Lau Siu-fung for the Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Limits on North Korean fishing zones lead to clashes at sea Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 30 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Limits on North Korean fishing zones lead to clashes at sea, 30 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58481244c.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-30 Disused fishing boats rest behind a wire fence separating North Korea from China in a file photo. AFP Following North Korea's sale to China of fishing rights in large areas of surrounding seas, competition among North Korean fishing boats for what is left has led to robberies and other clashes, sources say. Fishermen who formerly fished freely in resource-rich areas are now crowded into smaller zones where competition is "intense," a source in North Hamgyong province told RFA's Korean Service. "Big fishing boats, small fishing boats, steel ships, wooden ships, and other kinds of boats now sail out to increase their catch, and marine accidents constantly take place," RFA's source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. In addition, fishing boats attached to North Korean military units now frequently approach privately owned vessels and "commit acts of piracy by violently taking fish and gas," the source said. "The Ninth Corps Fisheries Base has a 500-horsepower fishing boat, a 200-horsepower fishing boat, and other big fishing boats," the source said. "When there is a decrease in their own catch, the military fishing boats attack and rob civilian fishing boats affiliated with the Chongjin Fishery Company, the Yu-Gi-Hang-Man Fishery Company, and the Go-Mal-San Fishery Company," he said. 'Acts of brutality' Pressured by these thefts, and to meet their own quotas, large private fishing firms will then sometimes turn on smaller firms to recoup their losses, a second source said. "Fishing boats affiliated with the larger company will commit acts of brutality by attacking small private boats and robbing them of their fish," the source, speaking from South Hamgyong province, said. "This is because they are robbed of their own fish by North Korean military fishing boats, and also because of company pressure to meet their quotas," the source said. Other acts of violence, including murder, now also frequently occur, the source said. "In late October, a fisherman and a ship-owner employed by the Sinpo Fishery Company fought over wages, with the fisherman who was recently discharged from the army saying it was unfair he was paid less than half of what was paid to others, only because he had spent fewer years on the job." "The ship-owner threw him into the sea," he said. Reported by Jieun Kim for RFA's Korean Service. Translated by Soo Min Jo. Written in English by Richard Finney. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Myanmar court denies bail for detained Eleven Media CEO and editor Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 30 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Myanmar court denies bail for detained Eleven Media CEO and editor, 30 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848124613.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-30 Than Htut (C), chief executive officer of Myanmar's Eleven Media Group, leaves Tamwe township court in Yangon after his request for bail was denied, Nov. 30, 2016. RFA A Myanmar court has denied bail for the chief executive and top editor of a local media company who were arrested in November on defamation charges under a controversial article in the country's telecommunication's law. On Nov. 25, Than Htut Aung, chief executive officer of Eleven Media Group, and Wai Phyo, chief editor of the Daily Eleven newspaper, asked the Tamwe township court in east-central Yangon to release them on bail, with the former citing ill health. Their request, however, was denied. "The court didn't accept the doctor's recommendation letters for Than Htut Aung," the businessman's attorney Kyi Myint told RFA's Myanmar Service. "The doctors who wrote these recommendation letters are government servants, but the court still declined them." Kyi Myint said he will appeal to a higher court for both men to be released on bail until their next court hearing scheduled for Dec. 9. The pair are being held in the country's notorious Insein prison. Up to three years in prison Than Htut Aung and Wai Phyo were sued in early November earlier under Article 66(d) of Myanmar's Telecommunications Law for writing and publishing an editorial that claimed that Phyo Min Thein, chief minister of Yangon, wore a luxury watch worth an estimated U.S. $100,000, given to him by an unnamed drug tycoon. The tycoon, who had recently been released from jail, won a lucrative tender for the government's term to build a city transit project. Article 66(d) prohibits use of the telecom network to defame people and carries a jail sentence of up to three years and a fine for those who violate it. The editorial appeared in the Nov. 6 issue of Daily Eleven and was posted on Than Htut Aung's Facebook page. The pair surrendered themselves to police in Yangon four days later after receiving a summons related to the defamation case. Myint Kyaw, a member of the Myanmar Press Council, said that suing members of the media under Article 66(d) does not create a good image of the country and is used to only threaten journalists. Thiha Thwe, a cameraman for Japanese broadcaster NHK in Myanmar, said hardline authorities are no longer the only ones to use the article to sue people for defamation. "Now it is like a weapon for people who are wealthy or powerful," he said. "And not only the government is using it against the media, but also individuals are using Article 66 (d)." "This article has become a threat," he said. "We have to push lawmakers to do something about it." Another reporter arrested Meanwhile, authorities in the capital Naypyidaw on Tuesday arrested a local reporter and charged him with defamation under Article 66(d) for writing a letter accusing another journalist of lying in a report he wrote on a local market. Maung Tun, who writes under the name Myoma Tun for News Watch Journal, was charged with defamation by Zaw Min Aung, a freelancer who writes for the state-run newspaper The Mirror. His trial is set for Dec. 13. Maung Maung Tun wrote a letter to the editor in response to an article written by Zaw Min Aung on July 30 about Naypyidaw's Myoma market, which set up operations within 100 days of the new civilian-led government taking office in April. In his letter, he accused Zaw Min Aung of making factual errors. After he wrote the letter to the editor, Zaw Min Aung sued him under Article 66(d), Maung Maung Tun said. "Zaw Min Aung filed a lawsuit against Maung Maung Tun under Article 66(d) in August because Maung Maung Tun accused him of lying in his letter to editor," said Tin Moe Oo, a police officer from Pyinmana police station. Reported by Aung Theinkha Thiri Min Zin for RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Prominent democracy activist dies suddenly in Chinese jail Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 30 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Prominent democracy activist dies suddenly in Chinese jail, 30 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848124713.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-30 Peng Ming is shown in an undated photo. China18 A prominent democracy activist who argued during the 1990s for an "ecological" way of life has died while serving jail time in the central Chinese province of Hubei, his family said on Wednesday. Peng Ming, who to Thailand in 2000 before being detained in neighboring Myanmar as the result of a ruse, was the founder of the banned China Development Union (CDU), an intellectual and environment research group that advocated moderate democratic reform and a more eco-friendly economic model. He died suddenly on Tuesday at the age of 58 in Hubei's Xianning Prison, his brother told RFA. He said the family had no clues regarding the manner of his death, as his body had already been prepared for burial with cosmetics covering his face. "We are still in discussions with the prison authorities about this, because his is a rather special situation," Peng Zhangming said. "Looking at him now, you'd think he was sleeping. They've done a great job of tidying him up and making him look better," he said. Peng Zhangming said the death certificate gave no details of the cause of death. "It happened yesterday morning at about 8.00 a.m., when he was watching television," Peng Zhangming said. "He lost consciousness and fell to the floor, and was immediately taken to the prison hospital for emergency treatment." "When that didn't work, they sent him straight to the best hospital in Xianning, the Central Hospital, but they were unable to revive him," he said. "The cause of death is listed as sudden death," he said. "He was suddenly taken ill." "I read the notes from the Xianning Central Hospital, which carried out attempts to resuscitate him, injecting him with adrenaline," Peng Zhangming added. Calls to the Xianning Prison were answered, then immediately cut off, during office hours on Wednesday. 'Persecution in jail' Hunan-based rights activist Peng Xiaohua said Peng had been unjustly locked up in the first place. "Like all Chinese prisoners of conscience, it was unjust to lock him up in prison in the first place," he said. "They suffer a huge amount of persecution while in jail, so it's likely that this caused his death." "It really breaks your heart." According to the Christian rights group ChinaAid, Peng suffered from heart disease and other ailments, including kidney stones, for which was denied treatment while in prison. Peng fled to Thailand after his release from labor camp, and was resettled as a political refugee with his family in 2001, where he continued to campaign for a democratic China. But on a trip back to Thailand to visit his elderly parents, Peng was tricked into going to Myanmar by Chinese agents, his daughter told RFA at the time. "He had purchased plane tickets for me and my brother to go and visit him, but he also had another plan in the summer of 2004, which was to go to Thailand to set up a safe haven for political refugees like himself," Lisa Peng said in an interview in 2013. "But in Thailand, he was lured by eight secret Chinese police to the border of Burma and Thailand where he was kidnapped and sentenced to life," she said. "Thus, those plane tickets could never be used, and that [time in 2003] was the last time I ever saw my father." Previous arrest Peng was sentenced on Oct. 12, 2005 to life imprisonment after being found guilty of "organizing and leading a terrorist organization," "kidnapping," and "possessing counterfeit money." Born on Oct. 11, 1956 in Hubei, Peng had previously been arrested in January 1999 and accused of visiting prostitutes, a charge that has been used against a number of dissidents in recent years. He was sentenced without a trial to 18 months in a police-run labor camp for "re-education" after he published his book The Fourth Landmark in Hong Kong in 1998. In the book, Peng calls for China to find a mode of development suited to its immense population and limited resources rather than to try to surpass Western countries with unrestrained industrialization. Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Hai Nan for the Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Vietnam appeals court upholds jail term for land-grab protester Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 30 November 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Vietnam appeals court upholds jail term for land-grab protester, 30 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584812497.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-11-30 Can Thi Theu stands to hear the appeal court's decision, Hanoi, Nov. 30, 2016. AFP A court in Vietnam's capital Hanoi on Wednesday upheld the conviction of land-grab protester Can Thi Theu, sending her back to prison to serve a 20-month term imposed in September, sources said. Theu, 54, had been tried on charges of public disorder after being arrested in June for protesting government-sanctioned evictions used to clear the way for commercial development in Duong Noi village outside Hanoi. It was the second time Theu had been convicted for opposing land grabs. In 2014 she was sentenced to 15 months in jail for her role in a similar protest. Today's court decision effectively ends Theu's rights of appeal, Theu's lawyer Ha Huy Son told RFA's Vietnamese Service. "According to the law, there are no more courts that we can appeal to after this. Now, we can only ask for a reconsideration of her case," Son said. "We don't know if she will want her case to be reconsidered, but she protests today's verdict," he said. "This is an unjust sentence that has been set up to put her in jail, to make it easier [for the authorities] to seize people's land, and to deny the people's right to complain." 'Organized robbers' Also speaking to RFA, Theu's son Trinh Ba Phuong said that his mother had denounced the court and Vietnam's ruling Communist Party as "organized robbers" during today's hearing. "Justice in Vietnam is a comedian," Phuong said. While all land in Vietnam is ultimately held by the state, land confiscations have become a flashpoint as residents accuse the government of pushing small landowners aside in favor of lucrative real estate projects, and of paying too little in compensation to those whose land is taken. In a statement released on Wednesday, Human Rights Watch Asia division deputy director Phil Robertson urged Vietnam to immediately release Theu from confinement, adding, "peacefully protesting the unjust confiscation of land should not be considered a crime." "After all, how can a farmer like Can Thi Theu survive if the land that she farms, which is the one thing that sustains her, is stripped away?" Reported by Cat Linh and Gia Minh for RFA's Vietnamese Service. Translated by Viet Ha. Written in English by Richard Finney. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. A Lao village hit with brick kiln pollution seeks a solution Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 1 December 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, A Lao village hit with brick kiln pollution seeks a solution, 1 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848124aa.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-12-01 A map showing Laos. RFA Pollution from a brick kiln operating near the Lao capital of Vientiane is bedeviling residents of the Nonsa-ath village as it is still belching toxic smoke into the area despite a government order to stop. "The factory is still running and dumping smoke all over our village," one villager told RFA's Lao Service. "People in the nearby areas will suffer when the wind blows the smoke to them. We cannot do anything, so we just get into our houses and shut the door." Production at the kiln owned by the Vietnamese Tui Nen Ven Jeuang company was stopped by the government early last month, but the shutdown was brief, said the villager who spoke on condition of anonymity. Another villager told RFA that several residents met with the company's upper management in an effort to get them to mitigate the pollution, but they were turned away. "We want the upper management to come and see our situation and help solve the problem for us," said that villager who also spoke on condition of anonymity. "Many villagers who live near the factory are severely suffering and we really need help," the villager added. Brick kiln problems While pollution from brick kilns doesn't command the attention of pollution from automobiles or steel plants, such furnaces are among the most egregious industrial environmental offenders in South Asia. Brick manufacturing is a double-edged sword for many under-developed nations as demand for bricks is booming and it is a relatively easy manufacturing process to develop. While brick making can provide income for cash-strapped economies, it also comes with a high environmental price. According to recent environmental studies the concentration of particulate matter in the air is three times higher in areas where a kiln is operational than during the off-season when the kilns are shut down. Effluent from brick kilns causes respiratory problems and other adverse health effects leading to high mortality and morbidity as well as environmental costs like reduced soil fertility, poor visibility and drying ground water sources. 'We cannot make an order to close the factory' While the effects of brick manufacturing pollution are well known, it's unclear if the Nonsa-ath villagers will soon see any relief. An official with environment office in Xaythany district that covers Nonsa-ath said they knew nothing about the plant's fate. "We do not know if there will be an order to permanently close the factory, and we cannot issue an order to close the factory," said the official who also spoke on condition of anonymity. "Last time, as part of the committee, we went to the factory and told the owner to stop the operation and properly submit paperwork according to the environmental rules," the officials said. Reported and translated by Lanxang for RFA's Lao Service. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Chinese lawyers call for end to HIV testing of new employees on World AIDS Day Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 1 December 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Chinese lawyers call for end to HIV testing of new employees on World AIDS Day, 1 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848124b6.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-12-01 AIDS activist in China's Henan province, center of a 1990s mass infection scandal, mounts a protest, in file photo. AFP Dozens of Chinese lawyers have penned a letter to the country's cabinet, the State Council, calling for an end to nationwide labor discrimination against people living with HIV, as the country marked World AIDS Day on Thursday. The open letter, signed by some 60 lawyers, calls on Chinese President Xi Jinping to amend civil service recruitment guidelines to uphold the employment rights of people living with HIV. While Xi and Premier Li Keqiang have repeatedly stressed that discrimination against people on the basis of their HIV status should be eliminated, that sentiment has yet to be implemented in the way state organizations actually hire people, letter author and Shandong-based rights lawyer Liu Shuqing told RFA. "Discrimination against people with HIV is still very serious in China's labor market," Liu said. While legislation prohibits discrimination against someone on the basis of HIV infection, recruitment practices have yet to comply, he said. "Many companies also follow civil service guidelines, and this has led to the development of a variety of discriminatory practices," he said. People living with HIV are currently barred from civil service jobs, a provision Liu said was made in the days when AIDS was still considered a death sentence, and on the basis of medical ignorance about how it is transmitted. "Both the Law on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases and the Law on Promotion of Employment, expressly prohibit discrimination on these grounds, and yet the civil service recruitment guidelines don't acknowledge these laws, which are at a higher level than them," Liu said. "The civil service should set an example for other industries to follow," he said. Private sector follows government Official figures showed 654,000 people living with HIV in China at the end of September, with 201,000 deaths recorded to date, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported. About 96,000 new cases were reported in the first nine months, with sharp increases in infections among younger and older males, it said. Lu Jun, who founded the anti-discrimination group Beijing Yirenping, and who is currently studying in the United States, agreed that many other professions copy the civil service guidelines when recruiting, including teaching and healthcare. Mandatory HIV testing is widespread in many organizations, and people found to be living with HIV are barred from working in both civil service and private sector roles, he said. The executive authorities are themselves setting the standards for this occupational discrimination," Lu said. "Not only does it seriously violate the rights of people living with HIV, there is no redress for them either," he said. "Whether you choose to lodge a complaint or a lawsuit, justice is very hard to come by." Earlier this week, Premier Li said the ruling Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee and the State Council attached great importance to the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS. "Intervention needs to be more efficient, testing and counseling services more accessible, public education more targeted and follow-up services improved," Li said in a written instruction to the bodies reported by the official media. Li also ordered "across-the-board implementation" of testing, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, medical assistance and other policy measures. Condom crackdown Li said central government would ring-fence funding for HIV/AIDS prevention and control, drug research and development, international cooperation and greater roles for social organizations and volunteers. But sex workers and NGOs have hit out at the government for inhibiting their efforts in preventing HIV transmission. In July, a report showed that frequent police raids are limiting the use of condoms, because police treat the mere possession of condoms as evidence of prostitution, as part of an ongoing "strike hard" campaign. The New York-based Asia Catalyst group published a report this week detailing the effects of widespread interrogation and searches of sex workers across China, where prostitution is a criminal offense. It found that just 48 percent of sex workers who had been raided or interrogated by police continued to insist on condom use. The rest no longer carried them. A nationwide crackdown on NGOs is also likely to have an impact on the role of "social organizations and volunteers." Last April, China's parliament approved a new law requiring overseas rights groups and other nongovernmental organizations to submit to police control. The standing committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) adopted the Overseas NGOs Domestic Activities Management Law, which enables police to engage in daily supervision and monitoring of foreign civil society and rights groups operating in China. The law goes into Jan. 1, 2017. Reported by Gao Shan for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Hai Nan for the Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Kachin group demands Myanmar government free civilians held in Shan state conflict Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 1 December 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Kachin group demands Myanmar government free civilians held in Shan state conflict, 1 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848124ca.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-12-01 Myanmar government troops board a military helicopter in Muse township in Myanmar's northern Shan state near the border with China, Nov. 25, 2016. AFP A Kachin civil society organization has called on the Myanmar government to immediately release civilians arrested by military forces in the Mong Ko area of Muse township in northern Shan state, where fierce fighting between ethnic armed groups and national army has recently occurred. The Kachin Peace Network (KPN) wants the military to free civilians who have been detained since Nov. 20, when fierce fighting broke out in Muse, as well as ensure the protection of life and dignity of local residents, according to a statement the group issued on Tuesday. "We have been asking for the release of detained civilians, asking the government and ethnic armed groups to stop fighting and to resolve the current conflicts and problems together by peaceful means," said Gwan Sha Aung from the KPN, an advocacy group of Kachin professionals whose motto is "Justice Guarantees Lasting Peace." During the hostilities that occurred near Mong Ko, Myanmar's armed forces arrested 70 civilians who were on their way to a wedding in Hpau Jung Pa village, the statement said. Authorities released a dozen of the detained who were relatives from China on Nov. 21, and freed another two from Myanmar on Nov. 25. Security forces are still holding the others. "Such an arbitrary detention of the civilians is a clear sign of breaching the Geneva Convention," the statement said in a reference to the international treaties that dictate the treatment of civilians, prisoners of war, and soldiers during wartime. The KPN also demanded that the warring parties refrain from committing crimes against humanity and fully respect international humanitarian law and human rights law. Northern Alliance attack The Arakan Army (AA), Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) which collectively call themselves the Northern Alliance launched coordinated attacks on 10 government and military targets in the Muse township villages of Mong Ko and Pang Zai, the 105-mile border trade zone between Myanmar and China, and areas of Namkham and Kutkai townships. The groups have said that they engaged in the limited war in response to offensives by national army soldiers in the long-restive area. So far, more than 10 civilians have been killed, 40 have been injured, and thousands have fled their homes for safer places, as hostilities continue in Muse, Namkham, and Kutkai townships, the Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) reported on Thursday. More than 3,000 have sought refuge across the border in China, prompting the Chinese military to deploy more soldiers and weapons along the border, while others have returned to their homes, according to SHAN. Police in neighboring Kachin state had also increased security when the fighting broke out. An ongoing conflict between the government army and TNLA troops has continued to force residents of Mantong township in Kyaukme district to flee their homes, Nang Kham Aye, a lawmaker from the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) party who represents the district's Namtu township, told SHAN on Thursday. There are now about 800 displaced people in Kyaukme since the fighting broke out on Nov. 23, she said. An announcement on the TNLA's website said its soldiers had fought government troops between the villages of Kongmong and Kongngaung in Mantong township, according to SHAN. Myanmar's lower house of parliament on Tuesday approved a motion by the opposition Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) expressing concern about the conflicts in Shan state and their effect on civilians, Democratic Voice of Burma reported. The motion will be debated at a later date. Reported by Wai Mar Tun for RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. China: Three human rights defenders held in unknown locations, 'at risk of torture' Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 1 December 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, China: Three human rights defenders held in unknown locations, 'at risk of torture', 1 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848124d11.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-12-01 Detained Chinese rights lawyer Xie Yang, in undated photo. Photo courtesy of an RFA listener. Concerns are mounting over the continued detention of three prominent Chinese rights defenders all detained or "disappeared" last month, rights group said. Prominent Beijing rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong, Sichuan-based Tianwang website founder Huang Qi and Hubei-based rights activist Liu Feiyue have all been incommunicado since mid-November, amid growing calls for official confirmation of their status. "Police are believed to be holding the men in unknown locations, raising fears that they are at risk of torture," the overseas-based Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) said in a statement on its website. "The detention and disappearance in quick succession of these well-known leading figures of China's rights defense movement further signal the escalation of President Xi Jinping's relentless crackdown on civil society," it said. According to a statement from Jiang's family posted on the Human Rights in China website: "The family cannot accept the fact that Jiang is being administratively detained or criminally investigated merely because of his visit with a fellow lawyer's family in Changsha or for trying to help them find out more about that lawyer's detention." Attempts by Jiang's family to hire him a lawyer have resulted in foot-dragging by the authorities, with repeated requests that the lawyers "prove" their relationship to the family, and the relationships within Jiang's family, they told RFA. Jiang's wife Jin Bianling said the family had hired Chen Jinxue and Song Yu to represent him, but that their attempts to "prove" their connection to Jiang weren't enough, according to officers at the Xizhan police station. She said the police also claimed to have no record of her husband's whereabouts. "The police at the Xizhan police station said they haven't been able to find any information [on their system] relating to Jiang Tianyong," Jin said. "They said that we should get in touch with the Nanzhan police station in Changsha for proof that Jiang Tianyong didn't board the train." More than 60 lawyers have issued a statement calling on the authorities to investigate Jiang's "disappearance" after he failed to make the D940 express train from Shandong back to Beijing on Nov. 21. 'Passing the buck' Jiang had been visiting the family of detained rights lawyer Xie Yang, in Changsha, at the time of his "disappearance." Chen Jinxue told RFA that there is no record of Jiang's having boarded the train, however. "I think they are just passing the buck," Chen said. "The Xizhan police station have accepted our missing persons report, and now they're trying to back-track on it." "They could get the necessary evidence from Changsha themselves." Xie's wife Chen Guiqiu said on Thursday that her husband had been beaten up by guards in the police-run Changsha No. 2 Detention Center ahead of a recent visit from a different lawyer. "His defense attorney finally managed to meet with Xie Yang, who was cruelly beaten up by guards inside the detention center before their meeting," she said. "While lawyer Zhang Zhongshi was waiting to see Xie, he heard cries of pain and screams drifting in from the corridor outside." "It went on for five or six minutes in total," she said. Zhang confirmed her account in a separate interview. "He wanted to bring a document into the meeting to give to his lawyer, and the police wouldn't let him," he said. "I have spoken to the detention center director and to the prosecutor's office about the the police beating him up, and demanded an investigation." Meanwhile, in the southwestern province of Sichuan, rights activists said Huang Qi's elderly mother is now incommunicado following the detention of her son. "It is now 40 hours since Huang's mother was taken away by Neijiang police to an unknown location," activist Wu Suyun told RFA. No due process Huang was detained and his home raided by police officers from the provincial capital Chengdu and the earthquake-hit regions of Neijiang and Mianyang on Monday evening. Huang, 51, was sentenced to three years in prison in November 2011 after launching an investigation into shoddy school construction blamed for thousands of deaths during a massive 2008 earthquake. Petitioner Zhou Jun said activists had realized Huang's 83-year-old mother Pu Wenqing was also missing after trying to visit her in hospital. "We went to the hospital to try to find her this morning, but we weren't able to find her," Zhou said. She said fellow activists have since been trying to find a lawyer to represent Huang and his mother, and had contacted rights lawyer Ran Tong to that end. But Ran told RFA on Thursday that his involvement would likely be counterproductive. "There are two pre-conditions for lawyers' involvement in such cases: one is that the authorities in charge of the case issue a letter to the lawyer, indicating what stage Huang Qi is at in the legal process," Ran said. "The other is that the lawyer must receive instructions from the relatives, but neither of these documents exists," he said. "I want to help, but in this situation I'm powerless to do so." He said Huang's treatment resembles that meted out to dozens of rights lawyers since a nationwide crackdown on the legal profession began on July 9, 2015. "It's very similar to the July 9 incident, where they just throw due process out of the window," Ran said. Meanwhile, citizen journalist Liu Feiyue is reportedly under criminal detention on suspicion of "subversion of state power" after police in Hubei took him into custody on Nov. 17. Reported by Qiao Long and Yang Fan for RFA's Mandarin Service, and Wong Lok-to for the Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. China: Xinjiang police hold Uyghur hostage against brother's 'crime' Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 1 December 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, China: Xinjiang police hold Uyghur hostage against brother's 'crime', 1 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848124e13.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-12-01 Rishat Haji's grandmother Reyhannisa Haji is shown in an undated photo. Photo sent by an RFA listener Authorities in China's northwestern region of Xinjiang have detained a young Uyghur man in a bid to force the return from Turkey of his older brother, whom police suspect as a separatist, the man's grandmother says. Rishat Haji, 24, is being held in the city of Atush in Xinjiang's Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture, near Kashgar, Reyhannisa Haji told RFA's Uyghur Service. It is Rishat's second time in custody since his brother, Abduweli Haji, fled with his family to Turkey in November 2015, his grandmother said. "He was detained for the first time about 15 days after his older brother's travel to Turkey," the woman said. "The police said at that time that they were investigating a case of separatism in which they thought Abduweli was involved, and they said that Rishat would be released if Abduweli came back from Turkey." "So, after six months in detention at the Ulugchat Detention Center, they let him go after he promised to convince his brother to come back," she said. Four months later, Rishat was again detained, this time accused of having previously sent a large sum of money to his brother, a clothing salesman, in Turkey during a business trip three years before. Police say the money 10,000 yuan (U.S.$1,452) was sent to support an exile Uyghur organization set up to separate the mostly Muslim Xinjiang region from Beijing's control, the grandmother said. "Rishat owns a small clothing store in Atush, and the police clearly know what he purchased from Turkey for that money," Rishat's grandmother said. "We believe that he was detained again because Abduweli has not returned." "Or maybe the police are looking for some praise from higher authorities for discovering more 'guilty' people," she added. Father, sister also detained Rishat's father Haji Ablimit and sister Melike Haji were also briefly held and questioned, with his sister released after 15 days because of her pregnancy, and his father held for 45 days during which he was tortured and threatened by police, the grandmother said. Speaking to RFA, Haji Ablimit declined to speak in detail about the case, saying he is still subject to arrest because he is younger than Rishat's grandmother, now 79. "My age will not permit me to say anything about this case, or to say anything at all about Turkey," he said. Attempts by friends to locate Abduweli, who took his wife and five children with him to Turkey, have meanwhile failed, sources told RFA. "I haven't seen him, though I heard about him when he was looking for a school for his children," Hamuthan Gokturk, a prominent Uyghur activist based in Turkey, said. "He was very cautious about meeting Uyghur activists like me." "I heard later that he had started a business by opening a restaurant in Istanbul, but recently when I visited the restaurant I found that it was being run by somebody else. I heard customers saying that [Abduweli] had disappeared with his entire family." No interest in politics Also speaking to RFA, a friend of Abduweli said that the Uyghur businessman had no interest in politics or religion, and that he had planned to return to Xinjiang after his younger brother was first detained. "But he came back from the airport after being warned by a friend in [Xinjiang's capital] Urumchi that his name had appeared on a warrant for arrest," the friend said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "I have heard some say that he may now have died of a heart attack," he said. Reyhannisa Haji, the two brothers' grandmother, said she fears for the safety of Abduweli's children. "My heart breaks when I imagine the condition of my great-grandchildren in Turkey," she said. "Now we are helpless. The authorities are bullying us, and there is nothing we can do but to pray and cry." Reported and translated by Shohret Hoshur for RFA's Uyghur Service. Written in English by Richard Finney. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Cambodia's king grants royal pardon to Kem Sokha Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 2 December 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Cambodia's king grants royal pardon to Kem Sokha, 2 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584812504.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-12-02 Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni (L) shakes hands with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, (R) during a ceremony marking Cambodia's Independence Day in Phnom Penh, Nov. 9, 2016. AFP Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha received a royal pardon on Friday, freeing him from serving a five-month jail sentence and setting the stage for an easing of a year of political tensions as the authoritarian Southeast Asian country heads into election in 2017 and 2018. The pardon for Kem Sokha, acting leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was granted by King Norodom Sihamoni following a request from Prime Minister Hun Sen, government and CNRP officials said. Kem Sokha had been hiding out in the party's headquarters in Phnom Penh since police attempted to arrest him in May for ignoring court orders to appear as a witness in a pair of defamation cases related to his alleged affair with a hairdresser. After a one-hour trial on Sept. 9, Phnom Penh Municipal Court Judge Keo Mony sentenced Kem Sokha to five months in prison and an 800,000- riel (U.S. $200) fine for failing to appear in one of the related cases. On Thursday, Kem Sokha wrote a letter to Hun Sen asking him to request a royal pardon. On Friday, Hun Sen wrote a letter to Sihamoni, who pardoned Kem Sokha later that day. "The pardon was granted to Kem Sokha who wrote the letter to Samdech [honorific] Prime Minister Hun Sen and admitted the truth," said ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) spokesman Sok Eysan. Sok Eysan did not elaborate on what Kem Sokha had admitted. Kem Sokha had always maintained that his legal problems were politically motivated, and most independent analysts had agreed with him, viewing the cases against them as part of CPP efforts to hobble the opposition before local elections in 2017 and a parliament poll in 2018. CNRP spokesman Yem Ponhearith confirmed that Hun Sen's letter to Sihamoni had no strings attached. "It was unconditional. It was a political solution between Khmer and Khmer," he said. Yem Ponhearith added that the party has received calls from families of other jailed CNRP activists and a National Election Committee (NEC) official asking Kem Sokha to seek royal pardons. "We continue to work hard on this. We are optimistic that there will a political solution for their release also," he said. Kem Sokha wrote a thank-you letter to Hun Sen for working to get the royal pardon. "Prime Minister Hun Sen's decision is appropriate. It shows Cambodia and the world that we Khmer politicians are very forgiving and considerate. It shows that we are civilized people and strong believers in Buddhism," read the letter, seen by RFA's Khmer Service. He also wrote a letter to thank King Sihamoni. Reported by Sothearin Yeang for RFA's Khmer Service. Translated by Nareth Muong. Written in English by Paul Eckert. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Chinese dissident warned of 'accidents' years before his sudden death in prison Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 2 December 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Chinese dissident warned of 'accidents' years before his sudden death in prison, 2 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58481251c.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-12-02 An undated photo of the handwritten letter penned by Peng Ming in 1998, calling on his family to investigate if he 'meets with an accident.' Photo courtesy of Peng Ming's family. A prominent Chinese dissident who died recently in prison wrote a letter warning his family to suspect foul play, should he meet with an "accident," RFA has learned. Peng Ming died suddenly on Tuesday at the age of 58 in Hubei's Xianning Prison, while serving a life sentence for "terrorism." Peng had been granted refugee status and settled with his family in the United States, but was kidnapped by Chinese agents on the Thai-Myanmar border during a visit to Thailand in 2004 to visit his elderly parents. Brought back to China, Peng was sentenced on Oct. 12, 2005, to life imprisonment after being found guilty of "organizing and leading a terrorist organization," "kidnapping," and "possessing counterfeit money." He had founded the banned China Development Union (CDU), an intellectual and environment research group that advocated moderate democratic reform and a more eco-friendly economic model. In a handwritten letter hastily penned by Peng in 1998 and seen by RFA this week, Peng wrote: "In the event that I lose my liberty or some other unforeseen event happens to me, I ask my mother, father, brother Zhangming, sister Peng Xing, and the others to represent me to the relevant legal channels." The letter, signed by Peng Ming, goes on: "If some accident happens to me, you can be sure that it was made to look like an accident, that it was a set up." "I hope that people of good conscience won't be too afraid to speak out publicly against it," he wrote. Family wants autopsy Peng's family in the United States issued a statement on his death on Friday, calling for an autopsy to shed light on the cause of his death. "Twelve years ago, Peng Ming was kidnapped and taken back to China from Myanmar ... where he was sentenced to life imprisonment," they said. "We kept a low profile then, and again when he was tortured." "The only reason for this low profile was the hope that Peng Ming might one day come home alive," they said The statement called on the ruling Chinese Communist Party to issue visas for the family to return to China to see Peng Ming one more time, and to carry out an autopsy on his body with an internationally trusted doctor. It called on the authorities to refrain from cremated Peng's body before the visas had been granted and an autopsy carried out. Peng's sister Peng Xing said the family is currently in the process of applying for visas via the Chinese authorities in the United States. "I'm very busy, and I'm in touch with the Chinese authorities at the moment, so as to discuss a few things," she said. "I am trying to get a visa ... and also to arrange an autopsy, to find out exactly how he died," Peng Xing said. "All of that is extremely complicated, because they can't keep the body for very long if they're not cremating it, so all of this is being negotiated," she said. Dealing with authorities Peng Zhangming, the brother named in the 1998 letter, said he is similarly busy dealing with the authorities. "I'm at the prosecutor's office and I don't have time to talk right now, sorry," he said. "There are lots of legal arrangements to make." "I have also begun initial discussions with the prison authorities, and they are going to keep the body for 10 days, because there are relatives overseas who need to get home, so it's a process." "The prison has set a special guard on the body, including armed police at the gates," he said. He said he hadn't yet been shown relevant surveillance footage related to Peng's death. "We are going to wait until the rest of the family come back from overseas and then we'll watch it together," he said. Anhui-based rights activist and former state prosecutor Shen Liangqing said a high international profile surrounded Peng Ming's death could help the family's case. "This amount of international pressure may mean that they daren't try anything [related to covering up the cause of death]," Shen said. "It certainly won't do the case any harm." "But sometimes international pressure hasn't enough where local governments are concerned, and I think that Western politicians are to blame for this," he said. Born on Oct. 11, 1956 in Hubei, Peng had previously been arrested in January 1999 and accused of visiting prostitutes, a charge that has been used against a number of dissidents in recent years. He was sentenced without a trial to 18 months in a police-run labor camp for "re-education" after he published his book The Fourth Landmark in Hong Kong in 1998. In the book, Peng calls for China to find a mode of development suited to its immense population and limited resources rather than to try to surpass Western countries with unrestrained industrialization. Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. India: Dalai Lama receives Tibetans ordered home by China Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 2 December 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, India: Dalai Lama receives Tibetans ordered home by China, 2 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848125213.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-12-02 The Dalai Lama receives an offering during a long life prayer ceremony in Dharamsala, India, June 21, 2015. RFA More than a thousand Tibetans ordered home by China after traveling to India for an important religious gathering were granted a special audience and teachings this week by the Dalai Lama, Tibetan sources said. The Tibetans, most of them elderly and coming from the Kham and Amdo regions of eastern Tibet, were received by their exiled spiritual leader in Dharamsala, India, on Nov. 30, a coordinator of the event told RFA's Tibetan Service. "During the audience, His Holiness gave special advice and religious instruction to all of those who had arrived from Tibet," RFA's source, named Choegyal, said. "Most had come to India to see His Holiness and ultimately to take part in the Kalachakra teachings that will be held in Bodh Gaya, India, in January." Kalachakra, which means "Wheel of Time," is a ritual that prepares devotees to be reborn in Shambhala, a celestial kingdom which, it is said, will vanquish the forces of evil in a future cosmic battle. The ceremony and teachings are often conducted outside Tibet by the Dalai Lama, who is widely reviled by Chinese leaders as a "splittist" seeking to separate Tibet, which was invaded by Communist China in 1950, from Beijing's control. In a bid to reduce attendance at January's ceremony, officials in Tibetan-populated areas of western China have moved in recent weeks to confiscate the passports of Tibetans authorized to travel abroad, in some cases blocking Tibetan passengers from boarding aircraft flying from Sichuan to Nepal. Tibetans already present in India and Nepal have meanwhile been ordered to return home, sources say. Many of those welcomed this week by the Dalai Lama have been told their families will be harmed if they fail to go back, Choegyal said. "So unfortunately, under this intense Chinese pressure on themselves and their families, most have no choice but to return," he said. "All are extremely disappointed and sad, and many are in tears at this collapse of their hopes." Though most of those attending Wednesday's reception will now return home some after briefly visiting Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India and Nepal a few have decided to stay behind despite the risks, Choegyal said. "I came from Tibet to see His Holiness and receive the Kalachakara teachings," one participant said. "No matter what the consequences may be on my return, even if I am detained, I am ready to face them," he said. Reported by Ugyen Tenzin and Lhuboom for RFA's Tibetan Service. Translated by Karma Dorjee. Written in English by Richard Finney. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. China: Interview: 'They humiliate you, and treat you like animals, worse than a dog' Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 2 December 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, China: Interview: 'They humiliate you, and treat you like animals, worse than a dog', 2 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5848125313.html [accessed 3 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. 2016-12-02 Wang Qingying (R) is shown following his release from prison. Photo courtesy of Xi Sen A rights activist, one of the Guangzhou Three, recently released from prison in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, says he is having trouble returning to normal life, detailing ongoing restrictions on his movements and a lack of income. Wang Qingying, who was sentenced on Jan. 29, 2016 by the Intermediate People's Court in Guangdong's provincial capital Guangzhou alongside Tang Jingling and Yuan Xinting, spoke to RFA following his release at the end of his two-and-a-half year sentence, most of which was served in pretrial detention: RFA: So how have things been for you since you got out of prison? A: I can only make phone calls, but I can't get online. They have blocked it. I spend the whole time at home, and never go out. RFA: How are you getting by now? A: Life is very difficult. We need a place to live, but I worry that the police will visit my employers if I get a job, and so on. We are hoping to avoid this sort of thing happening. RFA: How do you feel now about having been in prison? A: Actually I feel very honored to have been in jail, but I don't deserve that much glory. I haven't really achieved very much. A lot of people have achieved a lot, but they didn't go to jail. Those sorts of people are admirable too. It's not right that people should have to sacrifice too much. It's important to be wise in the way we carry out the struggle for democracy. It's not just a question of shouting a few slogans. RFA: How did your treatment in prison affect you? A: I did suffer a bit in prison, if truth be told. I was tortured and mistreated. Every time I saw a guard, I would have to squat down beside them. That's how they humiliate you. They stripped me naked when I first got there, in front of all the people, a handful or dozens, it didn't matter. They treat people like animals. We were treated worse than dogs. It violates a person's dignity, and attacks their self-esteem. Of course I protested against it, and so they beat me up so bad it seemed they were going to kill me. RFA: Did your wife tell you how much support and solidarity was expressed for you internationally? A: She didn't want to mention it to me, because it was a nightmare, and so we basically don't talk about these things. She had to take care of the family [while I was in jail] and also cope with all sorts of other things like family pressure, pressure from her boss, harassment and intrusions of all kinds. I think we can say that it was a terrifying time for her, and she often had bad dreams at night. Reported by Xin Lin for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Link to original story on RFA website Copyright notice: Copyright 2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. Mesa, AZ -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/07/2016 --Blink Mattress, a full-service mattress retailer specializing in custom-made to order mattresses at factory direct prices, this week officially unveiled their new comprehensive website, as well as opened their new retail store doors to all interested consumers and community members in the greater Phoenix, Arizona region. Blink was founded out of a passion for making custom-made mattresses more readily available and affordable to those interested in investing in quality sleep. They offer a state of the art direct to consumer custom mattress building program as well as a wide range of pre-made mattresses ready for pickup in a blink of an eye. Blink can meet any comfort or budget requirements for their customers. They also offer direct ship memory foam mattresses which are perfect for those who can't find time to shop for mattresses at bed stores or live outside Phoenix. "We're all about serving local neighborhoods here at Blink Mattress so much so that we have our beds made in a local Arizona factory for giving back to the community," said Susie Merwin, Founder, and Owner of Blink Mattress. "All of our mattresses and materials are sourced from local producers. We deliver a wide range of premium mattresses at affordable prices for everyone while offering world-class service paired with factory direct pricing and endless customization options." Unlike other mattress distributors, Blink enables consumers to have their mattress completely custom designed, ordered, and delivered right to their doorstep. They offer a unique building station for customized mattresses where customers can see and feel the materials they are choosing for their bed. The customer also gets to name his/her personalized mattress to show off to friends and family. Blink's central Mesa, Arizona location enables them to service Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Chandler, and Glendale. They also offer FREE local delivery for orders placed within the greater Phoenix, Arizona area. "Our mission is to bring premium, exceptionally built and designed custom mattresses to our clients at a wholesale price," said Susie. "We are incredibly excited to have officially launched our store and website, and are encouraging everyone to spread the word and come visit us." About Susie Merwin Susie, Blink's founder, has over 22 years of experience in the mattress retail industry. She's carved a niche in the crowded mattress market by placing the preferences of the individual over bulk mattress production. Susie has a BA in Business and Communications from Arizona State University and founded 21 mattress stores spanning Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. She is also the founder of "The Screening Room" production company in Scottsdale Arizona, owner/operator of "Alternatives In Hair" hair and nail salon, and owner of the Utah and Arizona Barter Exchange group. This year she was selected as Ms. Arizona State and went on to compete for Ms. America. She is deeply involved in the community volunteering at various pantries in the Metro Phoenix area as well as holds the volunteer position as the Executive Director for a not for profit community outreach organization. For more information, visit: www.blinkmattress.com Why court docs for Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen are sealed Court records in the case of a man charged in the killings of Abigail Williams and Liberty German have been sealed. Experts explain why. The page may have moved, you may have mistyped the address, or followed a bad link. Visit our homepage, or search for whatever you were looking for Advertisement - Continue Reading Below This just in... Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (R) talking to Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha (L) during a parliamentary meeting at the National Assembly in Phnom Penh, Dec. 7, 2016. A second opposition figure was granted a royal pardon on Wednesday in what could be a sign that relations between Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Cambodia National Rescue Party are warming. King Norodom Sihamoni granted CNRP Commune Chief Seang Chet a pardon on Wednesday, springing him from a five-year prison sentence for giving $500 to the mother of hairdresser Khom Chandaraty, in what the government said was an attempt to keep the woman quiet about her alleged affair with CNRP leader Kem Sokha. Minister of Interior Sar Kheng announced Seang Chets pardon after a Cambodian National Assembly plenary meeting on Wednesday. While Sar Kheng said the local leader would be released on Wednesday, he had yet to be freed as of late in the afternoon. On Friday, the king pardoned Kem Sokha, who was convicted of failing to appear in one of the cases related to the governments probe into his alleged affair. Both pardons came at the request of Hun Sen, and the moves by the prime minister and remarks by Sar Kheng raised hopes that four officials with the rights group Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) and a National Election Committee official would also be released. Though I was not involved in this discussion, His Excellency Kem Sokha and Samdech Hun Sen were, Sar Khen told reporters, using the honorifics for the two men. So far as I know, before the end of December there will be a solution in the case involving the human rights workers and NEC deputy. Kem Sokha and several other members of the CNRP were also given permission to visit some of the jailed opposition activists. On May 2, Cambodian authorities arrested Ny Sokha and fellow ADHOC staffers, Nay Vanda, Yi Soksan, and Lim Mony, as well as National Election Committee (NEC) Deputy Secretary-General Ny Chakrya for allegedly attempting to pay hush money to Khom Chandaraty, Kem Sokhas purported mistress. Just last week Cambodias Supreme Court rejected an attempt to free the five, agreeing with government arguments that they need to remain in jail in order to prevent them from swaying possible witnesses and causing public unrest. But that was before Hun Sen and CNRP leaders appear to have reached some accommodation. Its unclear just what prompted the gestures of good will, but the prime minister appears to be more willing to work with Kem Sokha than with exiled CNRP President Sam Rainsy. Roles or positions are nothing On Wednesday Hun Sen and Kem Sokha met privately for about an hour, and Kem Sokha then met with Sar Kheng. During the plenary Hun Sen said that Kem Sokha is now his partner in Cambodias political dialogue and is the minority leader a position that puts the two men on roughly equal footing under article 48 of assembly's by-laws. If Kem Sokhas new position is not accepted, the only way to deal with this is to amend article 48 and remove all the roles in that article, Hun Sen said. Both Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy dismissed the squabbling over the titles, saying the two party leaders have the same goal. Roles or positions are nothing but means to bring us to our set objectives, Kem Sokha said. No matter how big the roles or positions are, if we stray from those objectives we will fail. Sam Rainsy agreed in a post on his Facebook page. Labels and titles are not important, he wrote in the post. What is important is one's integrity and dignity. I gladly accept everything if I can help rescue our country and make it prosperous. While hopes are being raised that some of the opposition figures currently imprisoned in Cambodia may be released, it is unclear if Sam Rainsy status will change as he is currently in exile and barred from entering the country. Faithful to my motherland until the end of my life He has been convicted in two separate defamation cases and was stripped of his parliamentary immunity. The cases against Sam Rainsy, Kem Sokha and other opposition figures are viewed by many inside and outside the country as politically motivated. Still, Sam Rainsy appears to be unbowed by the attacks, They chased me from the National Assembly; they lifted my parliamentary immunity; they sentenced me to prison terms; they issued an arrest warrant against me; they exiled me and blocked all possibilities for me to come back to my native country; they misinterpreted the Constitution and the National Assembly's rules any way they want, he wrote in the post. He added: But I remain true to myself and will remain faithful to my motherland until the end of my life. Reported by Moniroth Morm for RFA's Khmer Service. Translated by Nareth Muong. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. Authorities in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin have indicted prominent rights lawyer Li Heping on unknown charges, paving the way for a trial, while other lawyers detained in a July 2015 crackdown remain in pretrial detention. Tianjin police passed Li's case to state prosecutors in the city on Dec. 5, defense attorney Ma Lianshun told RFA. "[We] went to the No. 2 branch of the Tianjin People's Procuratorate ... where they told us that they were indicting him [on Dec. 5]," Liang said. "They told us to call back to find out the charges against him ... but then they said they couldn't confirm my credentials, so I can't tell you what they are." An employee who answered the phone at the Tianjin People's Procuratorate No. 2 Branch declined to comment. Fellow rights lawyer Liang Xiaojun told RFA that officials there had also refused to reveal the charges against Li when he contacted them. "They had tables set up outside because it was Rule of Law day [on Tuesday]," Liang said. "The procuratorate had set up tables outside to receive visitors, and we were able to meet with a department head." "I brought up the issue that law enforcement agencies had refused to recognize the lawyers hired by [Li's] family to defend him, and of the illegal actions of the police in finding a lawyer for him," Liang said. "The procuratorate said I could lodge an official complaint." "I told them, 'Even if I do that, you won't pay any attention, or do anything about it,'" he said. "They just hemmed and hawed at this." Nationwide crackdown China has detained, questioned, or otherwise placed restrictions on at least 319 lawyers, law firm staff, human right activists, and family members since raids on the Beijing Fengrui law firm launched a nationwide crackdown on the night of July 9, 2015. At least 16 remain in some form of pretrial detention, mostly on subversion or state security charges, while dozens of others have been banned from leaving the country or placed under house arrest or other forms of surveillance, the China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group said on its website. According to Liang, Li's case is being prosecuted because it has already been referred back twice to police for further investigation, the maximum number of times allowed. However, fellow rights lawyers Xie Yanyi, Wang Quanzhang,and Li Chunfu's cases have all been sent back to police for further investigation, he said. The four were initially detained in July 2015 on suspicion of "subversion of state power." Lawyer disappeared The news of Li's indictment came as a group of United Nations human rights experts called on the ruling Chinese Communist Party to investigate the whereabouts of disappeared rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong, who has been incommunicado since Nov. 21. Jiang lost contact with friends and family during a visit to the Hunan provincial capital Changsha, during which he visited Chen Guiqiu, the wife of detained rights lawyer Xie Yang, in Changsha. "We cannot rule out the possibility that Mr. Jiang may have been disappeared by the State agents because of his human rights work," U.N. experts Philip Alston, Michel Forst and David Kaye said in a joint statement on the Human Rights Commissioner's website. "Over the past years, we have received information that Mr. Jiang has been arrested, detained, and beaten by the police and state security officers on multiple occasions as a result of his human rights work," the statement said. It said Jiang's disappearance comes amid hundreds of reported detentions, disappearances, and other forms of official harassment of rights lawyers since July 2015. "We fear that Mr. Jiangs disappearance may be directly linked to his advocacy and he may be at risk of torture," the statement said. Act of reprisal Alston, who met with Jiang in August on his last visit to China as Special Rapporteur on human rights, said the meeting may also have contributed to the lawyer's disappearance, which would be an act of reprisal under international human rights standards. "States must refrain from and protect all persons from acts of reprisal," Alston said, adding that other individuals he met with during his visit had also been targeted by the authorities since. "Governments must provide assurance that no persons will suffer intimidation, threats, harassment or punishment, be subjected to judicial proceedings or to any other kind of reprisals by any means whatsoever, for their cooperation with the U.N. experts," Alston said. The experts called on the Chinese authorities to investigate Jiang's whereabouts and guarantee him access to a lawyer and his family, as well as the medical care he requires. Jiang, 45, is in poor health with very high blood pressure, according to fellow activists. Reported by Yang Fan for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. The Rason Special Economic Zone in North Korea's North Hamgyong province is shown in an undated photo from an investment brochure. UPDATED at 5:00 P.M. EST on 2017-1-13 Chinese who visit North Korea on sightseeing or business trips are purchasing cannabis in large quantities in the Rason Special Economic Zone and selling it for a tidy profit back home, sources inside North Korea said. Because cannabis cultivation is legal in North Korea, selling yeoksam, as it is called in the isolated country, has become an easy way to earn money, they said. People in Rason buy the large quantities of buds of yeoksam from residents and pay 30 yuan (U.S. $4.30) per kilogram (2.2 lbs.), and then sell them for 500 yuan (U.S. $72) per kilogram to Chinese people, a source from North Hamgyong province told RFAs Korean Service. Rason is a warm-water port in the northeastern part of North Hamgyong province bordering China and Russia. Visitors must obtain a special visa to enter the area from officials assigned to the zone by central government authorities in the capital Pyongyang. Cannabis, which is illegal to grow in many foreign countries because of its designation as a narcotic drug, is classified as an oilseed crop in North Korea. In China, possession, sale, and transport of cannabis for recreational or medicinal purposes is illegal and harshly punished. However, the cultivation of industrial hemp for use in clothing ropes or export is legal. Although the plants are similar, hemp has been bred to contain very low levels of THC, the cannabinoid compound that produces a high in users in marijuana. Current legislation North Korea has been growing hemp legally since the early 1980s, the source said. [Former leader] Kim Il Sung extensively encouraged the cultivation of yeoksam to solve a cooking oil shortage in the early 1980s, the source said. Some people still grow it for cooking oil, but most yeoksam grows wild from seeds of previously cultivated plants, he said. Because the plant is now so widely grown outdoors, most North Koreans do not realize it is categorized as an illicit drug in other countries, said a second source from North Hamgyong province. Rasons custom officers do not doubt the danger of dried yeoksam, but they treat it as general wild greens and allow Chinese to take as much as they can without restrictions, he told RFA. The source added that the residents of Kyongwon and Puryong counties near Rason heard the news that Chinese visitors buy dried cannabis in large quantities at a high price, the source said. But because many people do not know what cannabis is used for, they cut down entire plants and dry them to sell, he said. North Koreans previously used cannibas as fodder for rabbits they kept, though now more people have come to realize that it is a drug, he said, adding that the number of users will now increase, with residents fighting each other fiercely for possession of it. North Korean people never thought that yeoksam could bring them money until now, the source said. It grows outdoors and can be seen everywhere in North Korea. Written by Sunghui Moon for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Soo Min Jo. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. UPDATE: An earlier version of this story did not make clear that the cannabis travelers are buying dried hemp, a weak version of the illicit form of cannabis commonly known as marijuana. Timber seized by authorities in Laos after being harvested illegally is being offered for sale in state-run auctions, but discrepancies remain in the number of logs being sold and the number of trees cut down, sources say. In an order issued in May, Lao prime minister Thongloun Sisoulith banned the export of timber in a bid to end the rampant smuggling of logs to neighbors such as China and Vietnam, where the wood is used to make high-end furniture. Deforestation has been a major problem in the last two decades for Laos, whose forests now cover less than 40 percent of the countrys land, according to the Lao Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment. Smuggling continues in the Southeast Asian nations central and southern provinces, though, because provincial governors profit from the trade, a civil society organization (CSO) official working in Champassak province told RFAs Laos service. The governors of these provinces take the opportunity to enrich themselves by running sawmills and timber businesses in cooperation with Vietnamese investors, RFAs source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. I have seen in Bolikhamxay, Khammouane, Savannakhet, and Champassak that these provinces dont reveal the numbers of logs that have been seized, he said, adding, This means that something is being hidden under the carpet. Governors have helped investors hide the confiscated timber ever since the national government began taking measures to stop the logging, and the number of seized logs never matches the number of trees cut down, he said. Border easily crossed Smugglers still move logs from Sekong province to Vietnam by truck each day because the province borders Vietnam, and the trucks can easily cross the border without passing through major checkpoints, a resident of the province told RFA, speaking on condition of anonymity. The logging is protected by the governors, he added. Speaking separately, a resident of Paksong district in Champassak said he often sees timber left for pick-up near the sites of dams being built in Paksong. Those logs are waiting to be exported, and no officials come to confiscate them, he said. Reached for comment, Thongphanh Lattanalungsydeputy director of the forest inspection department of Laos Ministry of Agriculture and Forestrydeclined to speak to an RFA reporter. Calls to Khenthong Sisouvong, deputy governor of Attapeu province in southeastern Laos, meanwhile rang unanswered. Reported and translated by Ounkeo Souksavanh. Written in English by Richard Finney. Myanmars Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Kyaw Tin (L) meets with Malaysian Ambassador Haniff Bin Abd Rahman (R) in Naypyidaw to discuss remarks by Malaysia's prime minister about the government's handling of the crisis in Rakhine state, Dec. 6, 2016. The crisis in western Myanmars Rakhine state and allegations about human rights abuses of ethnic Rohingya Muslims by security forces there have evolved into a diplomatic tit-for-tat between the Southeast Asian country and Muslim-majority Malaysia. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak participated in a rally on Dec. 4 in the capital Kuala Lumpur during which he condemned violence against Rohingya Muslims as genocide and urged other Asian nations to increase pressure on Myanmar to stop the violence. The move prompted Myanmars Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Kyaw Tin to summon Malaysian Ambassador Haniff Bin Abd Rahman to express dismay over Najibs remarks against the government and reject accusations of genocide and ethnic cleansing. The Minister of State also stressed the need for the international community to assist Myanmar in its efforts to maintain peace, stability, and security of the people and to make progress in building better relations between the two communities, instead of making calls based on unverified allegations that will only cause bigger problems than solutions, said a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign affairs on Wednesday. The statement went on to note the Myanmar governments appointment of the Rakhine Advisory Commission led by former United Nations chief Kofi Annan and a national-level Investigation Commission to examine the situation in Rakhine. Black journalism Ethnic Rohingya in Muslim-majority nations in Asia, including Malaysia, have staged protests against a crackdown on Myanmars Rohingya community in the northwestern part of Rakhine by military and border police. The forces, which have been conducting a security sweep following deadly attacks on border guard stations on Oct. 9, are accused of committing human rights abuses of the Rohingya who live there. At least 86 people have been killed and about 30,000 displaced in the army crackdown in Rakhine state. More than 20,000 Rohingya have fled the area to neighboring Bangladesh where they have accused Myanmar soldiers of killing civilians, raping women and girls, and burning down their homes. Meanwhile, an editorial in the government-run Myanmar newspaper The Mirror on Wednesday criticized Najib and the Nov. 4 rally for black journalismusing religious emotion and unreliable information to take advantage of the situation for political purposes. Some in Myanmar believe that Najib Razak is using the Rohingya issue to deflect corruption allegations surrounding his involvement in taking billions of dollars of public money from a state investment fund. The editorial urges people to condemn the rally for its use of what it called incorrect information about the situation in Rakhine. No more workers In a related development, the Myanmar government on Wednesday said it had temporarily stopped sending workers to Malaysia. Myanmar has temporarily stopped sending workers to Malaysia from Dec. 6, 2016, because of the current situation in Malaysia, it said in a statement with no further elaboration, but apparently in response to the two countries falling out over the ongoing military crackdown on Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine. We did it because we want to protect our citizens who want to work in Malaysia, said Myo Aung, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Labor and Immigration. The government has arranged to send 500-700 laborers every week to work in Malaysia, and there are now more than 200,000 Myanmar citizens workers who work legally in the country, he said On Wednesday, officials from Malaysias Ministry of Human Resources declined to comment to BenarNews, an online news organization affiliated with Radio Free Asia, about Myanmars announcement on migrant workers. However, Datak Nur Jazlan Mohamed, Malaysias deputy minister of home affairs and internal security, told Malaysias The Sun Daily newspaper that the nation would continue to accept Myanmar nationals who want to work there, and that there was no agreement between the two countries regarding the workforce supply. Reported by Wai Mar Tun for RFAs Myanmar Service and by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. A Myanmar government soldier secures the ground while a military helicopter carrying troops takes off from Muse in Myanmar's northern Shan state near China's border, Nov. 25, 2016. Myanmars Shan State parliament on Wednesday approved a proposal to define a coalition of four ethnic armed groups battling the countrys armed forces as terrorists, sparking opposition from some lawmakers and ethnic civil society organizations who see the move as counterproductive to attempts to bring peace to the country. The move comes more than two weeks after the Northern Alliancethe Arakan Army (AA), Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA)attacked military and government targets in several townships in northern Shan State. More than 10 civilians have been killed and 40 have been injured, as the fighting continues. Talks between government peace negotiators and the ethnic militias broke down last week in Kunming, capital of southwestern Chinas Yunnan province. Aung Thu, a lawmaker from the opposition Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), submitted the proposal and it was discussed on Wednesday. Sixty-three of 106 lawmakers supported the proposal, while 45 voted to reject it and seven abstained from casting a vote, said Sai Tun Myan, a lawmaker from the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD). The proposal is only Shan state policy and does not have an impact on national policy. It is like siblings fighting, said Tin Soe, a lawmaker from the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party who voted against the proposal. If we define them as terrorists, we will never have peace in the country. KIAs positive attitude Oo Hla Saw, a member of parliament from the Arakan National Party (ANP), cited what he said was the KIAs positive attitude on working towards peace. The KIA has been working along with the peace-making process, he said, adding that it has shown its desire for peace in two key conferencesthe Maijayan Conference in July and the 21st-century Panglong Conference in late August and early September. Representatives from 17 armed groups met in Maijayan, a town controlled by the Kachin Independence Organization, the political wing of the KIA, to coordinate their strategy in the run-up to the Panglong Conference, the governments main vehicle for bringing all armed groups that have not already signed a nationwide cease-fire agreement (NCA) to the negotiating table to try to end decades of civil wars that have rocked the country. The KIA has not signed the NCA, and the three other ethnic armies were excluded from the October 2015 pact because of their ongoing hostilities with Myanmars armed forces. Leaders from the KIAs political wing, however, joined the Panglong Conference in what they called a show of goodwill. If we define the KIA as a terrorist, then the peace-making process we have been working on would be a waste, Oo Hla Saw said. Open letter to lawmakers More than 100 civil society organizations, including Mon, Kachin, Shan, and Rakhine groups, sent an open letter to the Shan state parliament on Wednesday rejecting the move. The letter accused the government military and political parties of engaging in psychological warfare against the ethnic militias during the pro-democracy administration that has now been in power for more than seven months. The organizations warned that getting the state parliament involved in the issue could destroy the dignity of the military and lawmakers. Meanwhile, the governments Peace Commission and the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC)an alliance of ethnic militias that opted out of signing the NCA with the previous governmentwill meet in December, but have not decided upon a date, UNFC secretary Tun Zaw said. We offered to meet the Peace Commission during the first week of December, but it said it would not be available then, he said. The UNFC wants China to negotiate between the Myanmar military and ethnic armed groups to stop fighting and begin peace talks, he said. The alliance has said that it will sign the NCA if the government and military agree to its eight-point proposal amendments to the accord that it submitted to the Peace Commission. The UNFC also planned to hold a conference in mid-December to which all 21 ethnic armed groups will be invited, but had to postpone it because of the current fighting, Tun Zaw said. The Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the political wing of the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA), has said it will not attend the conference and has decided to withdrawal from the UNFC. Reported by Wai Mar Tun for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. A court in Sichuans Ngaba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture this week sentenced seven Tibetans to jail terms ranging from five to 14 years, some for celebrating last years 80th birthday of the Dalai Lama, Tibetan sources say. Those jailed by the Peoples Intermediate Court in Barkham (in Chinese, Maerkang) county include both monks and laypeople, sources told RFAs Tibetan Service. The sentences were handed down on Dec. 6, Kanyak Tseringa Tibetan monk based in Dharamsala, Indiasaid, citing contacts in the region. One of those jailed, Drukdra, 50, was a monk attached to Ngabas restive Kirti monastery, the scene of frequent protests opposing Beijings rule in Tibetan areas, Tsering said. He was sentenced to 14 years, Tsering said, adding that police had seized Drukdra at his room in the monastery one night in November last year, and that his whereabouts had been unknown until now. He is presumed to have been arrested because of suspicion that he arranged celebrations for the Dalai Lamas 80th birthday, Tsering said. Others convicted for celebrating the exiled spiritual leaders birthday were Kirti monk Lobsang Khedrup, 44, sentenced to 13 years, and Bonkho Kyi, a 48-year-old laywoman given a seven-year term, Tsering said. Separatism fears The Dalai Lama is widely reviled by Chinese leaders as a dangerous separatist intent on splitting Tibet, which was invaded by Communist China in 1950, away from Beijings control, though the Dalai Lama himself says he seeks only a greater autonomy for Tibet as a part of China. Chinese authorities had tightened restrictions across Tibetan-populated regions last year in advance of the Dalai Lamas birthday on July 6, posting warnings against celebrations of the politically sensitive event and blocking public gatherings that could be linked to it. Also sentenced on Tuesday by the Barkham court were Kirti monk Lobsang Gephel, 29, jailed for 12 years; Kirti monk Lodroe, 41, jailed for nine years; former Trotsik monastery monk Tsultrim, age unknown, jailed for six years; and former Kirti monk Akyakya, 35, jailed for five years. They are all being held in a prison in Lunggu [Wenchuan] county, and family members had been warned ahead of time that they would be sentenced soon, a Tibetan source in Ngaba prefecture told RFA. Many had earlier been involved in widespread regional protests against Chinese rule in 2008, and some had been jailed in 2011 and later released, another source said. Chinese authorities have so far given no description of the specific charges for which this weeks severe sentences were handed down, he said, adding, "But [the jailed Tibetans] are said to have hurt community stability and 'split the nation' by their actions." Reported by Kunsang Tenzin, Lhuboom, and Chakmo Tso for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Karma Dorjee. Written in English by Richard Finney. Fisherman from the Quang Binh province protest the Vietnamese government's compensation arrangement with Formosa for the April chemical spill that devastated the central coast, Dec. 7, 2016. Unrest continues to simmer in Vietnam over the $500 million deal Hanoi made with a Taiwanese company as compensation for a chemical spill at the Formosa steel mill that devastated the countrys central coast. On Wednesday, about 2,000 fisherman from the Quang Binh province gathered at the Xuan Hoa hamlets cultural house to protest the governments slow payout. People are upset because the government has not paid compensation to the people, Catholic priest Mai Xuan Ai told RFA. People are not satisfied with the governments decision, so they took to the streets. The Catholic Church has led the effort to force the Vietnamese government to fairly compensate the people affected by the spill, and the protestors were largely Catholics from the Vinh dioceses 3,500-person Xuan Hoa parish. The Catholic Church has also spearheaded the legal response to the Formosa disaster, helping local people file hundreds of lawsuits even as the Vietnams one-party communist state closely controls and monitors the Catholic community, the second largest religious group in the country. In June, the Formosa Plastics Group acknowledged that it was responsible for the release of toxic chemicals from its $110 million steel plant located at the deep-water port in the Ha Tinh Procince. The April spill killed an estimated 115 tons of fish and left fishermen and tourism industry workers jobless in four 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. Formosa pledged to pay $500 million to clean it up and compensate people affected by the spill, but the government has faced protests over the amount of the settlement and the slow pace of the payouts. During Wednesdays protest, demonstrators brought banners that read: Damaging the Environment is a Crime; Formosa Has to Compensate Properly and Formosa Leaves Vietnam. While public protests are rare in Vietnam, the Formosa spill has enraged public opinion and resulted in demonstrations, despite the governments attempts to silence its critics. Hard numbers are difficult to come by, but there have been dozens of arrests for activities related to the spill amid a general tightening of the reigns by the government. In November Amnesty International said the arrests represent an upturn in the use of the criminal justice system in a crackdown against human rights defenders and activists engaged in advocacy relating to the disaster which has included intimidation and harassment, and wide scale surveillance of activists. Reported by Gia Minh for RFA's Vietnamese Service. Translated by Viet Ha. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. The White House's failure to retaliate against a 2014 cyberattack on Sony Pictures may have encouraged Russian hackers to interfere in this year's presidential election, a senior Democratic U.S.lawmaker said. "Russia may have concluded that they could hack American institutions and there'd be no price to pay," Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, told reporters in Washington on December 6. Schiff said Washington should team up with European allies to hit the Russian economy again with sanctions after Moscow allegedly staged high-profile attacks on Democratic organizations that damaged the candidacy of Hillary Clinton and may have helped Republican Donald Trump win the presidency and keep Republican control of Congress. Schiff said the United States needs to do more to stop such hacking. "Unless we establish some kind of deterrent, this is going to be unending," he said. The Obama administration publicly blamed North Korea for breaches that crippled Sony in 2014, but did not publicly retaliate. In 2016, the hacking benefited Trump, but Russian hackers could eventually turn on the president-elect as well, Schiff said. "Russia may have succeeded in weakening Americans' trust" in democratic institutions, Schiff and other House Democrats said in a letter to President Barack Obama this week. Based on reporting by Reuters and Washington Free-Beacon An Armenian court last week declared the state-owned Nairit synthetic rubber plant bankrupt in response to a request by the national power utility Electricity Networks of Armenia, which is owed some 1.24 billion drams ($2.6 million) in unpaid electricity bills by Nairit's management. The ruling on the shuttered Yerevan plant, a former economic flagship seen by some as having the potential to return to profitability and retain local jobs, was unexpected for several reasons. Eighteen months ago, then-Energy Minister Yervand Zakharian had told the Armenian parliament that even though a World Bank audit indicated that reviving the plant was not economically viable, the financial expenditure that bankruptcy would entail would be far higher. He said it was "absolutely not true" that the government "is taking the company to dissolution." Just a few months ago, Nairits management concluded new employment contracts with some 250 employees, even though the plant has stood idle since April 2010, while the Armenian government had announced a tender, which expires only in January 2017, for potential investors to present their proposals for reviving production. As recently as October 2016, an Armenian-born businessman from Slovakia, Ashot Grigorian, said that he and other Slovak entrepreneurs were willing to invest $100 million in reviving the plant if the Armenian government transferred ownership to them for free. But Karen Karapetian, who succeeded Hovik Abrahamian as Armenian prime minister in mid-September, expressed doubts at the long-term viability of proposals made by potential investors who, he said, had not factored in the possibility of a substantial rise in energy prices. The decline of Nairit is symbolic of the economic stagnation, murky business deals, and defiant grassroots activism that Armenia has experienced over the past three decades. In 1987, when Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's policy of "glasnost" (openness) made possible the public discussion of hitherto taboo issues, the Armenian intelligentsia began to call for the plant's closure on the grounds that the emissions it produced were harmful to human health. That demand was swiftly eclipsed by the mass campaign for the transfer of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast from Azerbaijani to Armenian jurisdiction. But Nairit was forced to close temporarily in the early 1990s due to the economic collapse triggered by the demise of the Soviet Union. The plant then changed hands several times before an obscure British company, Rhinoville Property Ltd., purchased a 90 percent stake in Nairit for $40 million in 2006, using a $70 million loan from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Inter-State Bank. Rhinoville then failed, however, to make good on its promises to modernize the plant and raise employees' salaries. The plant suspended production from December 2008 to April 2009 after demand plummeted in the wake of the global financial crisis and then definitively halted operations in 2010. In January 2014, the Moscow Arbitration Court awarded Rhinoville's 90 percent stake in Nairit to the CIS Inter-State Bank due to nonrepayment of the original loan. The following year, the bank wrote off the debt and transferred those shares to the Armenian government. Also in early 2014, former Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian announced after meeting with Rosneft head Igor Sechin that Rosneft was considering investing $500 million in Nairit. No concrete agreement was ever forthcoming, however. In early 2015, at the request of the Armenian government, the World Bank conducted an audit of Nairit, on the basis of which it advised against relaunching production. It estimated the cost of doing so at $250 million and warned that due to high production costs the finished product would not be competitive on the world market. Hrach Tatevosian, who heads the Nairit employees' trade union, challenged that argument, telling the news portal Caucasus Knot that the plant's specialists had drafted three separate programs for renewing production of various quantities of rubber. The most expensive of these three variants, he said, would require just $97 million in new investment. Former Nairit Director Karen Israelian came up with an even lower figure. He estimated $10-15 million would be adequate to resume annual production of 10,000 to 12,000 tons of rubber. He admitted that Japanese-produced rubber is of higher quality, but predicted Nairit's output would find a ready market in Russia. Meanwhile, Nairit's remaining workforce, together with some 1,700 employees laid off in early 2015, has fought for years for full payment of wage arrears going back to 2010, staging repeated demonstrations and sit-ins outside the government building and the presidential palace. In August 2015, by which time the arrears had amounted to some $10 million, they were finally paid off in full. But within a month they had resumed their demonstrations, this time to demand that Nairit resume production. In March 2016, Zakharian's successor as energy minister, Levon Eolian, set up a commission that included five former Nairit employees, to evaluate the possibilities of reviving the plant. Nairit's lawyer, Armen Abovian, could offer no explanation why the court brought the date for declaring the plant bankrupt forward, to late November, given that the tender for investors to propose a new business plan expires only in January 2017. RFE/RL's Armenian Service quotes embittered former employees as saying they suspect the government was simply unwilling, for whatever reasons, to save Nairit. The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL. Iraqi forces on December 7 launched an attack to capture the village of Ganous, about 70 kilometers south of the city of Mosul. The troops are seen celebrating an apparent victory after they traded heavy fire with militants. It was the latest clash in Iraqi forces' nearly two-month offensive to recapture Mosul, which has been under the control of Islamic State militants since 2014. (Reuters) 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 The Kazakh Parliament's lower chamber has approved a bill on an amnesty for some 30,000 people who are behind bars in the Central Asian nation. President Nursultan Nazarbaev proposed the amnesty to mark the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence, and the Mazhilis approved it on December 7. The bill is expected to be approved by the upper chamber, the Senate, and signed into law by Nazarbaev before Independence Day on December 16. Deputy Prosecutor-General Iogan Merkel has said that the amnesty would affect 30,000 convicts and people held in pretrial detention. He said 1,800 of them would be freed and the rest would have their prison terms shortened. Merkel also said that some 36,000 people are currently either serving prison sentences or awaiting trial in the country of 17 million. Kazakhstan's last mass amnesty for prisoners was adopted in 2011 in honor of the 20th anniversary of the independence and affected nearly 27,000 prisoners. Kazakhstan announced its independence on December 16, 1991, the last of the 15 Soviet republics to do so. Based on reporting by Tengrinews and Kazinform Kazakh authorities say they detained several people suspected of illegal oil sales during a large-scale security operation in the northwestern city of Aqtobe on December 7. The National Security Committee (KNB) said that some of those detained are followers of the Salafi branch of Islam, which is officially banned in mostly Muslim Kazakhstan as extremist. A KNB statement said that several containers of crude oil and oil products were impounded and that local companies were suspected of involvement. The announcement comes days after a court in Aqtobe sentenced 29 men charged in connection with shooting attacks in the city in June that the government blamed on alleged Islamic militants. Eighteen alleged attackers, 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, while the other 22 received prison terms ranging from two to 25 years. Investigators described all the defendants as Salafists or their supporters. Critics of authoritarian President Nursultan Nazarbaev's government say the Kazakh authorities sometimes wrongly accuse certain groups of Muslims of extremism or blame extremists for crimes. Based on reporting by Tengrinews and Kazinform 7 December 1988: Armenian earthquake. In less than 20 seconds, entire apartment blocks collapse into rubble. Reinforcing rods that should have been used in the construction of some buildings had been stolen and sold on the black market. Western aid is accepted, but much of the rescue and medical equipment gets snared in red tape and never arrives. More than 30,000 people die. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has called for continued diplomatic pressure and sanctions on Russia until Moscow respects a February 2015 agreement aimed at ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine. "The international community must keep pressuring Russia to respect its obligations, especially while the security situation in eastern Ukraine remains so serious," Stoltenberg said after talks with NATO and Ukraine foreign ministers in Brussels on December 7. "I believe sanctions are an important tool to send a very clear message that we do not accept the kind of aggressive behavior -- the illegal annexation of Crimea and the destabilizing behavior in eastern Ukraine -- which Russia is responsible for," Stoltenberg added. Stoltenberg's comments on the need for renewing sanctions on Russia come amid doubts about their effectiveness and cost, and fears that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump may take a more conciliatory line with Moscow. Trump, who is set to succeed outgoing President Barack Obama in January, has spoken positively about Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing a desire to mend battered bilateral ties with Moscow and saying he would examine the possibility of lifting sanctions targeting Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine. Separately, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he expected EU leaders to prolong sanctions on Russia when they meet in Brussels next week. EU President Donald Tusk also said last month he was confident the sanctions would be approved before an EU leaders summit on December 15. Stoltenberg said there was a "massive increase in cease-fire violations" in Ukraines east, where fighting between government forces and Russia-backed separatists has killed more than 9,600 people since April 2014. He said hundreds of explosions are sometimes reported daily, including many caused by heavy weapons banned under the Minsk peace accords. Last week, a meeting of foreign ministers from Russia, Ukraine, France, and Germany intended to shore up the peace process ended without new breakthrough. With reporting by AP and AFP A Pakistani passenger plane carrying 48 people on a domestic flight has crashed on a mountainside in the north of the country, killing all aboard. Officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province said the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane crashed on December 7 near the town of Havelian, some 70 kilometers north of Islamabad, during a flight to the capital from the northern city of Chitral. "We confirm there are no survivors in PIA's ATR crash," the Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement. Officials said the charred bodies of the 42 passengers, including at least three foreigners, and six crew members aboard the twin-turboprop ATR-42 aircraft were taken to hospital for DNA testing to help identify them. Around 500 Pakistani soldiers had arrived at the scene of the crash as well as doctors and paramedics. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed his "deep grief and sorrow" over the crash. In a statement, he said that "the entire nation is deeply saddened over today's unfortunate crash and shares the grief of the families who lost their dear ones." Images shown on Pakistani television channels showed a trail of wreckage engulfed in flames on a mountain slope. Sarwar Khan, an eyewitness, told RFE/RL that dead bodies and debris were scattered in the area. The Reuters news agency quoted one local official as saying it was unlikely anyone survived. "All of the bodies are burned beyond recognition," Taj Muhammad Khan told Reuters. Khan also said witnesses told him that the aircraft appeared to have been on fire before it hit the ground. Flight PK-661 lost contact with air-traffic controllers during the flight from Chitral to the capital, PIA said. A passenger list seen by RFE/RL showed that Junaid Jamshed, a Pakistani pop star turned Muslim preacher, was among the passengers. PIA confirmed that Jamshed and his wife were on board. A statement from the airline said that there were nine women and two infants on the plane. Sardar Bahadur Khan, a man who said he missed the flight, told RFE/RL that he believed there were foreigners among the passengers. "I am in Chitral, I did not board the plane," he said. "My friends were on board.... They all died -- poor souls." Earlier, Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan directed federal departments to immediately initiate rescue efforts and help the provincial government. PIA's last major crash was in July 2006, when a plane bound for Lahore crashed shortly after takeoff from the central city of Multan, killing more than 40 people. With reporting by Reuters, AP, Dawn, and AFP U.S. President Barack Obama warned that the United States will not be able to wipe out terrorism through increased military might in remarks seen as a veiled shot at his successor, Donald Trump. In his final speech on counterterrorism as president on December 6, Obama said that, while his administration has decapitated Al-Qaeda, making it "a shadow of its former self," and put the Islamic State (IS) group on the defensive, he believes terrorism will remain a threat to the United States for years to come. "Rather than offer false promises that we can eliminate terrorism by dropping more bombs or deploying more and more troops or fencing ourselves off from the rest of the world, we have to take a long view of the terrorist threat and we have to pursue a smart strategy that can be sustained," Obama said at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. Obama argued that terrorists "don't pose an existential threat" to the United States, but because militants have infiltrated many nations outside the Middle East and gained sympathizers in the West, the battle against them is unlikely to end with a "clearly defined victory." Obama will turn over the White House on January 20 to Republican President-elect Trump, who has been sharply critical of his approach to fighting terrorism. Trump called Obama and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton "co-founders" of IS during the presidential campaign, blaming them for leaving a vacuum after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq in 2011 that allowed the group to form and quickly take over large swaths of territory. Trump has said little about how he will combat extremist groups, arguing that ambiguity and unpredictability are assets that deny the enemy a chance to plan ahead. Still, all signs suggest he'll pursue a more muscular, military-driven approach, including his selection of hawkish generals to lead his Defense Department and national security team. The White House said Obama's speech was planned long before Trump won the November 8 election, but the president appeared to take issue with Trump repeatedly in his remarks. Obama said it was important to adhere to American laws and values and not use the threat of terrorist attacks as an excuse to reinstate waterboarding or impose a religious test on immigrants -- two positions advocated by Trump. "The whole objective of these terrorists is to scare us into changing who we are and our democracy," Obama said. "We are at our best a nation that has been defined by hope and not fear... We can get these terrorists and stay true to who we are." Obama won office in 2008 with plans to unwind the U.S. military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan and focus on fighting militant groups that threatened the United States. Obama said his administration's approach of providing support to local partners and not undertaking massive ground invasions has been effective and is making progress at defeating Al-Qaeda and taking back territory from IS in Iraq. After seeking in 2014 to establish a "caliphate" straddling Iraq and Syria, IS has now lost "more than half" its territory, Obama said. "[IS] has lost control of major population centers. Its morale is plummeting. Its recruitment is drying up. Its commanders and external plotters are being taken out, and local populations are turning against it," he said. Critics say that while U.S. and Iraqi forces have made progress this year in rolling back IS gains in Iraq, Obama's hands-off approach has backfired in Syria, where covert U.S. backing of a few rebel groups has failed to either dislodge the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad or significantly beat back IS territorial gains there. Trump has criticized Obama for backing rebel groups in Syria who he said may be no better than than Assad at upholding human rights. In a speech in North Carolina late on December 6 that appeared to rebut Obama's remarks, Trump declared that "we will stop racing to topple foreign regimes that we know nothing about, that we shouldn't be involved with. Instead our focus must be on defeating terrorism and destroying [IS], and we will." Trump said his goal in building up U.S. forces is to promote global peace and stability through military strength. "I will only engage the use of military forces when it's in the vital national security interests of the United States," he said. "This destructive cycle of intervention and chaos must finally, folks, come to an end." With reporting by AP, AFP, Reuters, and dpa Russia has accused the United States of canceling a meeting this week to discuss the fate of dwindling rebel forces in Syria's Aleppo, and declared that fighters who refuse to leave the city will be "eradicated." The United States rejected the accusation, saying it had never confirmed talks would take place this week. The charge came as Russian-backed Syrian forces made rapid headway in retaking rebel-held areas of the city. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said U.S. negotiators had "changed their mind" and canceled a meeting he set for December 6 or 7 in Geneva to discuss an orderly withdrawal of rebel forces from the city. Lavrov said the United States sent Russia a new proposal that "takes everything back to square one and looks like an attempt to gain time to let militants take a break and replenish their reserves." In light of what he cast as U.S. backtracking, he said that Russian and Syrian forces will "eradicate" any opposition fighters left in the city. U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner countered that "talks haven't been canceled. We never were in a position to confirm that these talks were taking place this week." Toner added that "we're still pursuing those, we're just not in a position yet where it [makes] sense for us to meet." U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry conceded that rebels might lose control of Aleppo, but he said negotiations would still be needed to end of the war. Based on reporting by dpa, Reuters, AFP, and TASS ST. PETERSBURG, Russia -- Russian human rights campaigners draped a huge banner from a St. Petersburg bridge calling for the release of jailed activist Ildar Dadin, who says he has been tortured in prison. Eight activists from the rights group Vesna (Spring) hung the banner reading "Dadin's Freedom Is Russia's Freedom" from Tsarskoselsky Bridge on December 7. They stood on the bridge and held lit torches. Dadin, 34, became the first Russian citizen jailed for participating in more than two unsanctioned public gatherings in 180 consecutive days under a controversial 2014 law that critics say is part of a redoubled Kremlin effort to stifle dissent during President Vladimir Putin's third term. Dadin received a three-year sentence in December 2015, and it was later reduced by six months. Dadin made the torture accusations in an open letter in November that has shone a spotlight on claims of widespread abuse in Russia's prisons and jails. Russian prison officials have said they found no evidence to support Dadin's allegations. Also on December 7, another group of activists held a series of single-person protests in St. Petersburg demanding the release of several people they say have been jailed on politically motivated charges. A high-ranking Russian military officer has been killed in the Syrian city of Aleppo, the Russian Defense Ministry says. The ministry said on December 7 that a Russian colonel who worked as a military adviser in the government-controlled part of Aleppo died after being wounded by rebel shelling. "Ruslan Galitsky passed away in the hospital as a result of his serious injuries. Russian army medics fought for several days to save his life," a ministry statement said. According to the ministry, Galitsky was wounded in the shelling of a residential area in western Aleppo by the "so-called opposition," a reference to rebels fighting against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government. Galitsky is the third Russian reported killed in Syria this week. The Defense Ministry said on December 5 that two female medics were killed by what it said was the rebel shelling of a makeshift Russian military hospital in Aleppo. Russia has been flying air raids in Syria since September 2015 and has provided longtime ally Assad's forces with other military support during the more than five-year-old war that has killed at least 250,000 people. Based on reporting by AFP, AP, TASS, and Interfax Russia's Foreign Ministry has threatened to retaliate against U.S. diplomats if Washington enacts legislation restricting the movements of Russian diplomats in the United States. Legislation now making its way through the U.S. Congress calls for tightening restrictions on Russian diplomats who want to travel more than 40 kilometers from their official posts in the United States. The diplomats would essentially be forced to get approval ahead of time from the FBI. The bill would also create a new committee to counter what it calls Russian efforts to manipulate foreign opinion. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing in Moscow on December 7 that the legislation was part of a "witch-hunt" against Russia by outgoing President Barack Obama's administration. "If the current U.S. authorities want to restrict the movements of Russia's representatives, then of course, it would merit keeping in mind diplomacy is based on the principle of reciprocity," Zakharova said. "Put simply, American diplomats in Russia will be treated in the same way." "We are dealing with another example of clinical anti-Russian feeling," she added. "It's a carbon copy of a scheme used in the Cold War." The proposed measure, which has passed the House of Representatives and both chambers' intelligence committees, is attached to a broader bill setting out policy priorities for the intelligence community. It has not yet been passed in the Senate. The State Department has not publicly commented on the legislation. However, department officials have privately expressed misgivings about the restrictions and the consequences for the work of accredited U.S. diplomats in Russia, many of whom have reportedly been harassed by Russian security agencies. Russia has also complained that its diplomats have been accosted or harassed by U.S. agents. It's unclear whether the bill containing the Russian travel restrictions will pass the Senate or if Obama would sign such a bill into law. President-elect Donald Trump, who will take office on January 20, would likely be less inclined than Obama to sign it if it ends up on his desk. Trump has repeatedly voiced a more conciliatory approach to relations with Russia that President Vladimir Putin has echoed. The Kremlin says Russia has finalized an agreement to privatize 19.5 percent of state-owned oil company Rosneft in a deal worth around $11 billion with a consortium of Swiss commodities giant Glencore and the Qatari sovereign wealth fund. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced the deal on December 7 following a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Rosneft chief executive Igor Sechin. Sechin was quoted by the state-run TASS news agency as saying that the Glencore and the Qatari fund hold equal shares. The deal is part of a push by Russia to privatize some government assets amid a recession triggered in large part by collapsing oil prices in recent years that drained government revenue. "Vladimir Putin called it the largest deal on the global energy market in 2016," Peskov was quoted by TASS as saying. Putin told Bloomberg in an interview published in September that Russia was seeking to sell the 19.5 percent stake to strategic investors through a private placement rather than through a public securities offering, in an effort to maximize revenue for the government. The deal comes as oil prices have risen to more than $50 a barrel after members of the OPEC oil cartel last week agreed to cut their production by 1.2 million barrels a day in a bid to boost slumping global prices. "The transaction was made on an upward trend in oil prices and reflects on the value of the company," Putin told Sechin during the meeting in footage broadcast on state television. "In that sense this is a good time." Putin noted that the Russian government, which owns more than 50 percent of Rosneft shares, would maintain its controlling stake in the company. Sechin told Putin that the deal was made possible "only thanks to your personal contribution." He added that Rosneft had held talks with more than 30 potential investors across the globe. Peskov told reporters on December 7 that Russia would receive 10.5 billion euros ($11.3 billion) from the deal and that Putin had told Sechin to prepare a currency-conversion arrangement that would avoid volatility on the foreign-exchange market. "The president noted that a huge amount of currency [from the sale] will come to the country soon, and that an appropriate phased-conversion system should be provided," TASS quoted Peskov as saying. The deal comes weeks after Economic Development Minister Aleksei Ulyukayev was arrested on charges of taking a $2 million bribe for facilitating state-owned oil giant Rosneft's takeover of another state-held oil company, Bashneft. Ulyukayev, who was dismissed by Putin and has since been replaced, denies the allegations. Putin said at last month's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru that the criminal case against Ulyukayev had no impact on the Russian government's privatization plans. With reporting by AP, AFP, TASS, Reuters, Bloomberg, and Interfax Syrian activists and state media say government forces and their allies have seized control of all areas of Aleppos Old City that had been held by rebels, who are calling for a five-day humanitarian truce in the city. Six Western powers called for a cease-fire to allow for aid to be brought into remaining rebel-held areas of Aleppo, warning that "a humanitarian disaster" is unfolding. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on December 7 that rebel fighters withdrew from the last parts of the Old City under their control after the army seized the districts of Bab al-Hadid and Aqyul. State media also said the military had taken over the Old City, while Reconciliation Minister Ali Haidar called the army's advance a "strategic victory." The monitoring group said the military and allied forces now hold about 75 percent of eastern Aleppo, which the rebels had been holding for the past four years, three weeks into their operation to capture all of the city. The capture of Aleppo, the rebels' last urban stronghold, would represent the biggest military victory for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since the civil war erupted following a government crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2011. Meanwhile, rebels in Aleppo called for an immediate five-day cease-fire and for the evacuation of civilians and around 500 critical medical cases. The plan signed in the name of the Aleppo Leadership Council also asked for all involved parties to discuss the future of the city once the humanitarian situation in the rebel-held sector has been alleviated. The United States, Britain, and France later led a call from six countries for an "immediate cease-fire." In a statement also backed by Canada, Germany, and Italy, they denounced Assad's government and Russia for "their obstruction of humanitarian aid." The government's "refusal to engage in a serious political process also highlights the unwillingness of both Russia and Iran to work for a political solution," they also said. Assad's government and its ally Russia have rejected a cease-fire for Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, where tens of thousands of civilians are trapped. At least 80,000 people have fled eastern Aleppo since the military offensive backed by heavy air strikes and artillery fire began in mid-November, according to the observatory. The figure includes residents who have sought refuge in the government-held western section of the city and a Kurdish-controlled area. However, it does not include others who have fled south to remaining rebel-held territory. The observatory said at least 15 people, including a child, were killed in government fire on east Aleppo on December 6, and three children were among 11 people killed by rebel fire on government-held areas of the city. Russian Colonel Killed In another development, Syrian state news agency SANA reported that several Israeli missiles targeted a military air base outside the capital, Damascus, overnight, causing a fire but no casualties. Also on December 7, Russias Defense Ministry said a Russian military adviser, identified as Colonel Ruslan Galitsky, had died after being wounded in what it said was rebel shelling of a government-controlled neighborhood several days earlier. The statement did not specify where or when exactly Galitsky died but said he had already been awarded a posthumous military award. The colonel was one of the highest ranking Russian servicemen among the roughly 20 Moscow says have been killed in Syria. The fatality marks Russia's third in Syria this week. The Defense Ministry said on December 5 that two female medics were killed by what it said was the rebel shelling of a makeshift Russian military hospital in Aleppo. Russia has been flying air raids in Syria since September 2015 and has provided longtime ally Assad's forces with other military support during the war, which has killed at least 250,000 people and driven many more from their homes. The Kremlin said on December 7 that a potential U.S.-Russia deal to allow Syrian rebels to safely leave Aleppo was still on the agenda. On December 6, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the United States of canceling a meeting this week to discuss the fate of rebel forces in Aleppo, and declared that fighters who refuse to leave the city would be "eradicated." U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner rejected the accusation, saying the United States had never confirmed that talks would take place this week. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry conceded that rebels might lose control of Aleppo, but said negotiations would still be needed to end the war. Kerry said he hopes Russia will "understand the imperative of getting to that table, having the negotiation and of not inflaming passions more with the total destruction of Aleppo." And French President Francois Hollande sharply criticized Moscow after Russia and China earlier this week vetoed a proposed UN Security Council resolution calling for a seven-day cease-fire in Aleppo. "Russia's systematic obstruction bolsters the regime of Bashar al-Assad in its destructive drive which is harming the defenceless civilian population," a statement from Hollande's office said. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that Lavrov would hold talks with Kerry and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Hamburg later on December 7. The three are due to take part in a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in the German city on December 8-9. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, dpa, TASS, and RT ON MY MIND The new foreign policy doctrine Vladimir Putin signed last week views Russia as a rising power. It views the West in decline. And it views Western actions as aimed at constraining Russia's rise. Given the string of foreign policy victories the Kremlin has enjoyed over the past year, from saving Bashar al-Assad's bacon in Syria to the rise of the pro-Moscow populist right in Europe, it's not hard to come to this conclusion. But a little perspective is in order here. How can Russia be a rising power when it ranks 12th in the world in GDP and 48th in the world in GDP per capita? How can Russia be a rising power when its economy is smaller than three U.S. states and worth less than the combined market capitalization of the world's top three corporations? The answer is that it can't. Russia is a power in decline. But it is precisely this that makes it so dangerous. As Vladimir Frolov notes in a piece featured below, Russia "savors the benefits of appearing to be an unhinged, unpredictable power." This, I think, nails it. What Russia has -- and has been ready to use -- is political will. It's willing to go rogue to get what it wants. But this is not the stuff of which great powers -- or even rising middle powers -- are made. These are the tactics of spoilers. IN THE NEWS A high-ranking Russian military officer has been killed in the Syrian city of Aleppo, the Russian Defense Ministry says. Russia has accused the United States of canceling a meeting this week to discuss the fate of dwindling rebel forces in Syria's Aleppo and declared that fighters who refuse to leave the city will be "eradicated." Former Swiss President Samuel Schmid has taken over an International Olympic Committee investigation into doping at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics after a French judge resigned, the committee said on December 6. The White House's failure to retaliate against a 2014 cyberattack on Sony Pictures may have encouraged Russian hackers to interfere in this year's presidential election, a senior Democratic U.S. lawmaker said. European Union diplomats say EU leaders are highly likely to prolong economic sanctions on Russia through July 31, 2017, when they meet in Brussels for a summit next week. Russia is criticizing what it says has been the "more than modest" international reaction after two Russian Army medics were killed in what the Defense Ministry said was rebel shelling of a field hospital in the Syrian city of Aleppo. Russia's new information-security doctrine calls for the government to develop "a national system of managing the Russian segment of the Internet." A Russian judge has rejected a motion by lawyers for Aleksei Navalny to recuse himself from the retrial of the opposition activist. WHAT I'M READING Cyber-Jujitsu In his column for Bloomberg, political commentator Leonid Bershidsky looks at Russia's new cybersecurity doctrine. "Russia, demonized as the biggest cybervillain in the world in the wake of the U.S. election campaign, must now take special care of its own information security. Its adversaries don't just possess powerful cyberspying and offensive capabilities -- they suspect Russian involvement in every incident, and that makes Russia vulnerable to all kinds of retaliation," Bershidsky writes. "Putin clearly understands that and feels the need to shift the narrative or at least signal his preparedness." The Hybrid State In a piece in the War On The Rocks blog, Mark Galeotti, a senior research fellow at the Institute of International Relations in Prague and a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, argues that "Russia's hybrid war" is the "product of a hybrid state." "In Russia, state institutions are often regarded as personal fiefdoms and piggy banks, officials and even officers freely engage in commercial activity, and the Russian Orthodox Church is practically an arm of the Kremlin. Given all that, the infusion of nonmilitary instruments into military affairs was almost inevitable," Galeotti writes. A Call To Arms? Foreign affairs analyst Vladimir Frolov has a piece in The Moscow Times unpacking Russia's new foreign policy doctrine. The doctrine, Frolov writes "makes it clear that Russia wants few constraints on its international actions, even those that come from enduring alliances. It savors the benefits of appearing to be an unhinged, unpredictable power, guided by self-interest. Russia is not looking to deliver global goods. In foreign policy, Russia walks alone." Putin's Europe Back in June 2014, Frank Jacobs had a piece in Foreign Policy on "what Europe could look like in 2035 if Putin gets his wish." Given the events of the past year, it's worth revisiting now. Fillon's Russophilia Pierre Briancon has a piece in Politico looking at French presidential candidate Francois Fillon's pro-Russia stance and what it might mean for the future of French foreign policy. "Whether true Gaullist or serious Putinphile, Fillon will soon have to square his Russian policies with equally forceful statements that he wants first and foremost to repair what he sees as Frances broken relationship with Germany," Briancon writes The Trump-Putin Reset Writing in The National Interest, Daniel Treisman, a professor of political science at UCLA, looks ahead to the relationship between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. "In negotiating with Russia, the first thing President Trump will need to do is lower expectations," Treisman writes. "His statements during the campaign have left him with a remarkably weak initial bargaining position. Talleyrand told junior diplomats, Dont be too eager! Trumps public eagerness to meet with Putin and his promises to quickly strike a deal put the Russian leader in the drivers seat." Putin's Plans In a piece in Republic.ru, political analyst Tatyana Stanovaya parses Putin's remarks to factory workers in Chelyabinsk that he would like to successfully complete his career and travel. "Whatever they were, Putin's words were not empty rhetoric," Stanovaya writes. "'The successful completion of a career' with the prospect of traveling and visiting different countries seems like a significant political declaration. There seems to be a reluctance to linger in the Kremlin like Brezhnev, a willingness to leave the country a friendly successor, and the intention to maintain relations with the international community that will not be an obstacle to free movement in the world." NATO's Info War Handbook The NATO Defense College has published its Handbook Of Russian Information Warfare. Populism In The West And 'Nationalism' In Ukraine In a piece on The Atlantic Council's website, Peter Dickinson, publisher of Business Ukraine magazine, looks at the rise of populism in the West and myths about nationalism in Ukraine. More than two years after his election to the Ukrainian parliament on a wave of popular anger over political and economic rot in the corridors of power, Oleksandr Onyshchenko, by his own account, got his hands plenty dirty. The 47-year-old Onyshchenko insists he was a loyal political lieutenant of President Petro Poroshenko, serving as a middleman for the wartime president's inner circle, smearing a prime minister, and ensuring that bribes were paid in good order. But it all came crashing down for the former Olympic equestrian-turned-politician in July, when his fellow lawmakers consented to the Ukrainian prosecutor-general's request to strip him of his parliamentary immunity to put him on trial for an alleged massive embezzlement scheme involving a state-owned gas company and millions in kickbacks. Onyshchenko had fled Ukraine weeks earlier and has repeatedly proclaimed his innocence from abroad. But his counterpunch at Kyiv landed earlier this month, just as the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) launched a treason case against the fugitive legislator. Onyshchenko told Current Time TV and other media from his self-exile -- he is reportedly seeking political asylum in the United Kingdom -- that he has damning recordings and digital evidence against Poroshenko. He added that he has handed materials over to the FBI, which falls under the U.S. Department of Justice. "I gave [the Americans] documents that confirm the corruption of President Poroshenko. That's all," Onyshchenko told Current Time TV, the Russian-language network run by RFE/RL and VOA, in a Skype interview on December 2. He asked that his location not be disclosed, saying he fears for his personal safety. Poroshenko's office on December 7 dismissed Onyshchenko's accusations as "absolutely false," telling RFE/RL: "They are the expedient fiction of the suspect." The statement said that Ukrainian authorities suspect Onyshchenko of "having created an organized criminal group" that cost the state some 1.6 billion hryvnyas ($62 million). "To avoid punishment," the presidential office added, "Mr. Onyshchenko tries to politicize his criminal case and pretends to be a victim of political repressions." Onyshchenkos accusations are extraordinary, even by the notorious standards of Ukrainian politics. And they are unusual in that he purportedly made audio recordings and kept SMS text messages during his time as a Poroshenko ally. But what may be the most explosive element to this saga is Onyshchenko's claim that he turned over his materials to the U.S. Justice Department to investigate Poroshenko himself -- the man Washington and much of Europe have thrown their support behind to stabilize the country amid Russian aggression. I was there with him for two years. I watched. I followed all negotiations that he did. ... I was on the president's team, directly fulfilling his orders." "I was there with him for two years. I watched. I followed all negotiations that he did, with [Kyiv Mayor Vitaly] Klitschko [and] with many deputies," Onyshchenko said. "I was on the president's team, directly fulfilling his orders," he added. Poroshenko's office rejected any such cooperation in its December 7 statement, saying Onyshchenko "made up a story about 'membership in a team'" and added, "People of such reputation cannot be members of a team." U.S. authorities have refused to comment on Onyshchenko's claim that he turned over documents or audio recordings. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv referred all questions to the U.S. Justice Department. In Washington, Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr refused to confirm or deny specifically whether the department had received any materials or met with Onyshchenko. "Speaking generally, it is common for individuals to request to meet with the Justice Department to provide information -- and while department prosecutors and law-enforcement agents will attempt to meet to gather potential information on alleged violations of U.S. law, the mere fact of a meeting is not an indication that such violations have occurred or that the individuals information is considered to be accurate," Carr told RFE/RL in an e-mail. Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Valeriy Chaly, declined to say whether he knew if Onyshchenko had indeed provided materials to the Justice Department. Ukraine is regularly ranked among the most corrupt countries in the world and allegations of double dealing, inflated contracts, bribery, and other claims among business and political elites are common. International financial institutions have warned Kyiv that its lack of reform and persistent corruption threaten billions in crucial aid that has helped keep the country afloat since its invasion by Russian forces to seize Crimea in 2014 and a continuing war against Russia-backed separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine. To avoid punishment, Mr. Onyshchenko tries to politicize his criminal case and pretends to be a victim of political repressions." Poroshenko has also faced repeated allegations of corruption, many dating to business holdings that have included chocolate manufacturer Roshen and the Channel Five TV station. The taint has led to the resignation of several prominent ministers and other leading officials who were brought in by Poroshenko to help clean up the country's books and its image. In February, Lithuanian-born Economy Minister Aivaras Abromavicius announced his resignation, citing a "sharp escalation in efforts to block systemic and important reforms." Mikheil Saakashvili, the boisterous former Georgian president who was brought on by Poroshenko to govern the Odesa region, resigned last month and accused Poroshenko of dishonesty and of sabotaging crucial reforms. For his part, Onyshchenko entered parliament in 2014 as a member of Poroshenkos political faction. He reportedly fled the country in June amid word of a criminal investigation into his businesses, including an alleged huge natural-gas fraud at a state energy company. In July, lawmakers stripped him of his parliamentary immunity, opening the way for criminal prosecution. In his interview with RFE/RL's Current Time TV, Onyshchenko said he was directly responsible for fulfilling Poroshenkos orders. He said that included a complex scheme to drive down the approval ratings of Ukraine's prime minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, to make way for a Poroshenko ally. Yatsenyuk was a technocrat respected by the West but seen in some Ukrainian business circles as an obstacle to the kind of shady side deals that flabbergast would-be reformers. "During this period, it was necessary to shore up [Poroshenko's] power, since, when he became president, power was in effect held by the prime minister," Onyshchenko told Current Time TV. "That is, the entire cabinet practically answered to Yatsenyuk. Poroshenko, accordingly, considered Yatsenyuk his enemy, a person who bothers him, who interferes..." Yatsenyuk resigned in April and was followed by Volodymyr Hroysman, a member of the ruling Petro Poroshenko Bloc seen by some as politically indebted to the president. Poroshenko's popularity has waned as Ukrainians battle economic hardship fueled in part by Russia's land grab in Crimea and Kyiv's continuing fight against Russia-backed separatists. But he has seen high-profile setbacks of late, including revelations that he avoided declaring a luxury Spanish villa in asset declarations and failure so far in his effort to reach a deal with the European Union on visa-free travel to the bloc for Ukrainians. Still, a November poll by the Kyiv-based Razumkov Center suggested that if presidential elections were held today in Ukraine, Poroshenko would lead vote-getters with around 16 percent, followed by former Orange Revolution leader and ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko (11.5 percent) and former Energy Minister and Opposition Bloc leader Yuriy Boyko (9.4 percent). Based on an interview for Current Time TV by Timur Olevskiy and Saken Aymurzaev, with reporting by RFE/RL correspondents Christopher Miller in Kyiv and Mike Eckel in Washington and contributions by Andy Heil in Prague U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has shrugged off allegations that Russia meddled in the election that handed him the White House, saying other states or individuals could have been behind cyberattacks against U.S. targets including the campaign of his opponent, Hillary Clinton. In an interview with Time magazine published on December 7, Trump gave mixed messages about Russia's alleged involvement in the hacking of e-mails that are widely seen to have damaged Clinton's campaign after they were leaked to the public. Weeks before the election, U.S. intelligence said it was "confident" the Russian government "directed" cyberattacks in what it called a bid "to interfere with the U.S. election process." "I don't believe they interfered. That became a laughing point, not a talking point, a laughing point. Any time I do something, they say, 'Oh, Russia interfered,'" Trump said in the interview with Time, which was published the same day the magazine named him its 2016 Person of the Year. In a subsequent comment, however, he said that Moscow could be responsible for the hacking campaign -- but that other actors could have organized it as well. "It could be Russia. And it could be China. And it could be some guy in his home in New Jersey," Trump said, echoing an assessment he delivered during debates with Clinton, his Democratic rival, ahead of the election. "I believe that it could have been Russia and it could have been any one of many other people. Sources or even individuals," he added. Trump has said he wants to mend ties with Moscow, which have been mired in mistrust and a sanctions war following Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and its backing of armed separatists in eastern Ukraine. In the interview with Time, he repeated his stated desire for closer cooperation with Moscow on counterterrorism issues, including fighting Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria and elsewhere. "Why not get along with Russia? And they can help us fight ISIS, which is both costly in lives and costly in money," Trump said, using an alternative acronym for the extremist group. "And they're effective and smart." President Barack Obama's administration has accused Russia of stymieing peace efforts in Syria with its military campaign backing President Bashar al-Assad, a staunch Kremlin ally. On the same day Trump's interview with time was published, the United States and five other Western powers denounced Assad's government and Russia for "their obstruction" of aid to those suffering in a "a humanitarian disaster" in rebel-held areas of the city of Aleppo. With reporting by Time If theres a line out the door at The Veil Brewing Co., snaking along the length of the buil Medical physicist Shakardokht Jafari was recently awarded a prestigious British award for developing a way of monitoring radiotherapy doses using inexpensive glass beads. Thirty-nine-year-old Jafari says the innovation will open up new options for treating cancers around the world. She intends to return to Afghanistan to open the countrys first radiotherapy department, which will cater to a growing number of cancer patients in the country. RFE/RL: Could you tell us more about the award you received from the UK government? Shakardokht Jafari: I am among 15 female entrepreneurs who won Innovate UKs Infocus awards, which seek to support inspiring women in innovation today and tomorrow. Following a nationwide competition to identify and empower the countrys most promising female entrepreneurs and future business leaders, this November Innovate UK announced the names of their 15 Infocus winners for 2016. (Each winner receives $65,000 and a tailored business support package). RFE/RL: Tell us about the device you invented for the treatment of cancer patients. Jafari: Current radiotherapy treatments for cancer use beams of radiation to kill the actual tumor cells and try to miss the healthy surrounding cells and organs. However, the beams are invisible, and very often damage does occur. Many radiotherapy centers use a pattern of tiny beams to closely match the shape of the target tumor but it is hugely difficult to know what radiation hits where. In a typical treatment of 20 sessions, clinicians want to know quickly if the radiation is hitting anything it should not. I have developed small, reusable strings of tiny calibrated silica beads to measure received radiation. The silica beads can be used on the skin but, crucially, as they are safe inert material, they can be used inside the body much closer to the tumor. After treatment, the beads can be scanned by an automated reader to provide accurate measurements of the levels and spread of the received radiation. The patients treatment can then be adjusted accordingly. With our bead arrays and automated readers, radiotherapy teams worldwide will be able to adjust treatments or environments far more quickly, reduce damage to potentially millions of people, and extend countless more lives. RFE/RL: What was the main motive behind your invention? Jafari: In Afghanistan, there has been no radiotherapy treatment available since the war with the Soviets, meaning that cancer patients face a poor prognosis if they are unable to afford to travel to neighboring countries and pay for treatment. Seeing my own father die prematurely from cancer prompted me to specialize in the area of radiotherapy in order to do something about cancer care in Afghanistan. RFE/RL: Is the dosimeter available to everyone? Jafari: One of the unique value propositions of this dosimetry system is affordability and low-maintenance requirement that makes it suitable for both developing and developed countries. RFE/RL: Do you intend to utilize your invention in Afghanistan? Jafari: Yes, using this system in our future radiotherapy centers will have a very positive impact on the outcome of radiotherapy treatments in Afghanistan, especially due to the simplicity and robustness of the system. RFE/RL: What is your main message to Afghan women in Afghanistan? Jafari: If we want equal rights of men and women in our country, we need to be equally educated and empowered. And to do so we need to build our self-esteem and be confident about our abilities. as/fg Colonial Heights police have arrested a Petersburg woman they say was the getaway driver during a bank robbery last week. About 11:15 a.m. Dec. 1, a man robbed the First Citizens Bank at 2000 Snead Ave. of an undisclosed amount of money. The man, who did not display a weapon during the robbery, was last seen getting into a green minivan driven by a black woman, police said. Robin Rebecca Mason, 61, was arrested Dec. 1, police said. She is charged with conspiracy to commit larceny at a banking facility and accessory after the fact. She is being held at Riverside Regional Jail. Police continue to look for the suspect, who is described as a black male in his late 20s to early 30s, is 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-7 and weighs between 150 to 160 pounds. At the time of the robbery he was wearing a black knit hat, a black coat and tan pants. Organizers behind the annual Three Kings Day holiday festival in Chesterfield County need toys and gift cards. Juan Santacoloma, the countys multicultural liaison, says there is a need this year, as in previous years, for all kinds of gifts to hand out to the 2,000 children expected to attend the celebration next month. Toys that are collected will go to younger children and the gift cards are for teens and preteens. The fear, Santacoloma said, is that if organizers cant collect enough to meet the demand, some kids will go home empty-handed. Thats a big problem because the majority of children who attend the Three Kings Day festival known as El Juguetazo come from cultures where the kings and not Santa are the seasons principal gift-givers. Three Kings Day is celebrated by Christians during the first week of January in Spain, Latin America and Asia. The day is as important, if not more important, than Christmas. The day commemorates the Three Kings, or Wise Men Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar who, according to biblical accounts, visited the baby Jesus bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Although El Juguetazo is open to all children, those who attend generally come from poor immigrant families that are unable to apply for programs created to help the needy, according to organizers. And many dont have the financial wherewithal to buy children gifts for Christmas or Three Kings Day. Crowds at El Juguetazo in Chesterfield have grown steadily since the first one 12 years ago drew 200 children. Organizers expect 2,000 children to come out this year. That growth puts pressure on organizers, who each year must reach out for the publics help to make sure no child is left giftless. Hundreds were on hand Wednesday at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond to mark the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor that brought America into World War II. Every day here ... is important, said Clay Mountcastle, director of the war memorial. But some days stand out in their significance to the history of the commonwealth and to our country, and none more than Dec. 7. The surprise attack by Japanese forces in 1941 defined our country, defined the 20th century, and set events in motion that would lead to the creation of our current world order, said Navy Capt. Derek A. Trinque, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, the commander of the USS Normandy and the keynote speaker Wednesday. It was one of the most famous, or most infamous, days in all of world history, Trinque said. It is still vitally important on the 75th anniversary of the attack, for us to stop and pay homage to those who gave their lives in the attack and those who lived through the attack and went on to fight the enemy, achieving the most historic of all American victories. One of the Pearl Harbor survivors, Leonard Gardner, 95, of Fluvanna County, was on hand Wednesday and participated in the placement of a wreath along with Frank Bland, son of Pearl Harbor survivor George Bland of the USS West Virginia. Gardner was a 20-year-old serving on the USS Reid, a destroyer, but he was not injured in the attack, his family said. Trinque said the attack killed about 2,400 Americans, including 41 Virginians, left about 1,200 wounded, sank or damaged 21 ships, and destroyed 188 aircraft. And so today all over America, we stop to remember these heroes. There are ceremonies like this one in every state, he said. Americans united in a way that didnt seem possible in the months before the attack, he said, adding, the war defined a generation our greatest. Trinque said, We must look to the heroes of Pearl Harbor, to the lesson of Pearl Harbor, to ensure we are always ready to answer our nations call. He said, America will always need heroes like those who gave their lives on Dec. 7, 1941, and those who recovered from the attack, rebuilt our fighting strength and achieved ultimate victory. Its been nearly two months since Hurricane Matthew devoured Haiti where Iowa-based GoServ Global rescues the vulnerable orphans, widows, abandoned babies, displaced families, etc. Shacks that once served as homes before the hurricane are now missing roofs, or walls, or both. Hurricane Matthew damaged nearly every home in the area. The structures that families are living in seem impossible, yet they have no where else to go. GoServ Global Team Leader Terry Prickett described in a news release one of the houses he saw on his recent mission trip to Haiti. The roof collapsed so it looked like a roof teepee on the ground. We saw a couple of elderly ladies sitting out front with a little hole that one was climbing out of. Thats what theyre living in and theyre probably one of the lucky ones because they have a roof. Id estimate that 90 percent of the homes that are left dont even have roofs on them. GoServ Global is focusing relief efforts on housing. All of the Safe T Homes withstood the 145 hurricane winds with minimal damage and many lives were saved as up to 60 people crowded into the homes to ride out the storm. Thanks to donations, GoServ Global has already built more than five Safe T Homes with 30 more Safe T Homes enroute via three shipping containers. Roofs have been replaced on some of the GoServ Global traditional buildings that sustained damage. GoServ Global has already purchased land by the Village of Hope that includes 60 Safe T Homes. An extra 150 community members have been staying at the Village of Hope because their homes were destroyed. DeYoung expects to build 10 more Safe T Homes on this property. GoServ Global will also focus building Safe T Homes in Les Anglais, a community just west of Les Cayes that was totally destroyed. The need is so great in this area - its the poorest of the poor, shared GoServ Global Co-Founder Ken DeYoung in a news release. Thousands and thousands of homes were wiped out because they were made with thatch. Many people died and now cholera is running rampant. GoServ Global solicits donations. Each Safe T Home costs $5,700 to purchase from Sukup Manufacturing in Sheffield, $1,000 to ship and $300 for concrete for a total of $7,000 to get the home from Iowa to Les Cayes, Haiti. One hundred percent of donations goes to the Hurricane Matthew Relief Fund. Interested persons can give online at goservglobal.org/give and choose Haiti Hurricane Matthew in the dropdown menu. Donations may also be sent to: GoServ Global, PO Box 193, Eagle Grove, IA 50533. Write Hurricane Relief in the memo line. The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $221 million in unclaimed property to more than 508,000 individuals since Fitzgerald started it in 1983. Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property's owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report and deliver unclaimed property to the state treasurer's office, where it is held until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits, safe deposit box contents and many other types of property. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. FOREST CITY More than five years after a fire that damaged the Forest City police station, arson and burglary charges against a former officer with the department have been dismissed. Court rulings keeping Thaddeus Ellenbeckers confession to law enforcement and the firearm he allegedly stole from another officer out of evidence at trial means the state cant prove the charges against him beyond a reasonable doubt, according to the motion to dismiss filed by Winnebago County Attorney Adam Sauer and Assistant Iowa Attorney General Scott Brown. District Court Judge DeDra Schroeder granted the motion on Nov. 15. Ellenbecker, 39, was convicted of felony second-degree robbery and second-degree in November 2012 following separate bench trials by Schroeder. A month later he was sentenced to 10 years in prison and began serving that term at the Newton Correctional Center. In May 2014 the convictions were overturned and Ellenbecker was granted a new trial after the Iowa Court of Appeals ruled his confession was invalid. Agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation failed to read Ellenbecker his Miranda rights before questioning him about the fire at the police station on Oct. 1, 2011, and the theft of an AR-15 assault rifle from the locked trunk of the squad care of another police officer in 2010, according to the appeals court ruling. Ellenbecker was released from prison pending his new trial and he moved to Rochester, Minnesota. Before the new trial could take place Schroeder ruled the allegedly stolen rifle and gun store records related to the rifle should not be allowed as evidence because that evidence was obtained as a result of Ellenbeckers invalid confession. The state filed an application for review of Schroeders decision, claiming Ellenbeckers statements to the DCI agents were voluntary. Ellenbeckers statements to law enforcement were made while he was in the hospital under the influence of opiod-based painkillers due to having been shot in the thigh during a struggle with a DCI agent on Oct. 20. DCI Special Agent Chris Callaway testified in court that he followed Ellenbecker home after questioning him at the Winnebago County Sheriffs Office that day because he was concerned about his fatalistic demeanor. Ellenbecker, who had left his police weapon behind in a lock box at the sheriffs office, allegedly said he wanted to go into the apartment complex where he lived so he could talk to his wife before coming back out to talk to Callaway some more. Ellenbecker went inside the complex. Callaway testified when Ellenbecker came out he pulled his coat back, revealing a handgun. Callaway testified he pinned Ellenbecker up against the door of the apartment complex to keep him from pulling out his gun. Seeing the struggle, another DCI special agent, Steve Peterson, who had come to the complex at Callaways request, shot Ellenbecker in the leg. An investigation cleared the agents of any wrongdoing in the incident. Ellenbecker claimed that after he was taken to the hospital he was interviewed by several other DCI agents multiple times during the night with little sleep, did not understand the agents questions and was depressed and suicidal. During the interviews in the hospital, Ellenbecker made incriminating statements. At that point he was told he was under arrest. In June of this year the Iowa Court of Appeals ruled any statements Ellenbecker made under the influence of the painkillers would be from an altered mental state. The ruling also cited coercive treatment of Ellenbecker by DCI agents both before and after he was shot. Both Sauer and Ellenbeckers attorney, Steven Kloberdanz, declined comment on the dismissal of the case. Kloberdanz said he would pass on a message from the Globe Gazette to Ellenbecker and his family requesting comment. However, the Globe did not hear from them before the print deadline for the Summit. 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 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. A date which will live in infamy. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in his address to Congress on the day of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, asked those assembled to declare war on Japan. Today is the 75th anniversary of that very day which led the United States into World War II. In honor of the brave men who lost their lives on that day, including young men from the North Iowa area, the following news items from the Mitchell County Press and the Osage News Consolidated provide a little glimpse into the lives of Mitchell County families and into the lives of the soldiers who experienced this horrific event. Dec. 11, 1941 Former Mitchell Man at Pearl Harbor A Christmas card from Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Story, of Honolulu, received by Mr. and Mrs. George Schrader, of rural St. Ansgar, tells a little of the strain under which residents of Hawaii were under previous to the outbreak of war. The Storys write in part the reason we are sending our cards early (November 26) is because all regular sailing schedules for mail boats have been cancelled. Two of our greatest problems here are housing and automobile trafficEveryone here agrees with our army and navy authorities that the islands should be put under martial law during the emergency. All navy yard employees have had their vacations cancelled. Mr. Story, a former Mitchell Countian, is a son of Dr. Story, a former resident of Mitchell. Mr. Story is employed as a battery repair man at Pearl Harbor. Anxiety in Many Mitchell County Homes These Days Score of Boys in Army and Navy in Pacific War Zone Though there are many Mitchell Countians in the Pacific danger zone, no casualties yet have been reported among them. In fact, there is no news at alland this is another case of no news is good news. Earl Burch was aboard the battleship Oklahoma, reported capsized during the attack on Pearl Harbor; also Jack and Art Grand Pre. The latter two boys home is in South Dakota but they had worked in the vicinity of New Have so are well known. Earl was raised in the New Haven vicinity. Keith Godfrey, son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Godfrey, is aboard the cruiser Phoenix which, according to late word from him, was with the fleet in Pearl Harbor. Paul Teegardin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Shirley Teegardin, arrived in Pearl Harbor only a few weeks ago, after enlisting in the army. Carl Nemeth, formerly of Mitchell, is said to be in Pearl Harbor, but whether aboard ship or on shore is not known to the Press-News. Two of F.E. Schmidts boys are in the Pacific; Alvin at Pearl Harbor and his brother, Clifford, at Midway Island. Neither is on a ship. Another son, Alfred, who served six years in the navy and was recently discharged, is now working in the shipyards in Bremerton, Wash. No definite information about the three Clayton boys, of Mitchell, is available, but it is said that one of them was aboard the Oklahoma. Larry Smith, son of the Fred Crego Smiths, has been at Honolulu for a number of years. While in civilian life, his danger may have been as great as that of the military. Friends are anxiously awaiting news of his and his wifes safety. Howard Bowman, nephew of L.C. Bowman, has been stationed at Pearl Harbor for the past few months. He is attached to the Arizona. Hardly a person, it seems, but has a friend or acquaintance in the islands, if not a relative. Mrs. Ed Peacock, the former Eleanor Stephenson, a relative of Mrs. Margaret Atherton, has lived in Hawaii for some time. At present, she is in the States, but some members of her family are still on the island. Harriett Slater, former Osage high school teacher, is a teacher in the schools on the island of Maui. Dec. 18, 1941 Earl Burch, First Known Casualty in This Vicinity Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Burch, of Elma, received notification Tuesday morning that their son, Earl, died in action during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7. He is the first known casualty this vicinity has suffered since the outbreak of war. Burch, a baker, was aboard the Oklahoma, which capsized under the attack. His parents had feared the bad news since the fateful day, since the Oklahoma was immediately mentioned as among the boats badly hit. Earl was 22 years old last June. He enlisted in the navy in May, 1939. He attended the rural school near his home, also the academy at New Haven. Surviving besides the parents are three sisters; Mrs. M.L. Burch, Elma; Lorraine Burch a student at Hamilton Business College, Mason City; and Clarice Burch, employed in the office of the AAA in Osage. Also on the Oklahoma were Art and Jack Grand pre. Both are well known in the New Haven area, although their home was in South Dakota. At this writing no word from them has been received. Howard Bowman, Coon Rapids, nephew of Leonard Bowman, was aboard the Arizona. Mr. Bowman says that while no word has been received about his nephew, he entertains little hope that Howard survived, considering the terrific explosion that sank the battleship. Howard was a frequent visitor in Osage two years ago while attending the Midland Linotype School at Charles City. Ross Perry, who is employed by the state highway commission here, received word Wednesday that his 21-year-old brother, Forrest, had lost his life at Pearl Harbor. Details were lacking. Mr. Perrys family is Henry Perry, and the family home is at Northwood. Forrest enlisted in the service eighteen months ago. Dec. 25, 1941 Leo Arickx Missing At Pearl Harbor, Also H. Bowman Mr. and Mrs. Charles Arickx, of Mitchell, received a government notification Sunday, saying their son, Leo, was reported among those missing, following the Pearl Harbor attack in which the Oklahoma, on which Leo was aboard, capsized. However, many of the sailors swam ashore, or were picked up and it is said some were carried out to sea on out-going vessels that hastily cleared the harbor so there is a possibility that Leo may be aboard. L. C. Bowman received word from his brother in Coon Rapids, Saturday evening that the navy department had wired him that his son, Howard Bowman, was lost in action at Pearl Harbor, Sunday, December 7. Howard was an assistant in the engineers office on the battleship Arizona, which blew up when a missile apparently hit the boilers or the magazines, perhaps both. Jan. 29, 1941 Paul Teegardin Writes of Attack on Pearl Harbor Paul Teegardin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Shirley G. Teegardin, Osage, wrote the following letter Dec. 11, 1941 four days after the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor. It is dated at Headquarters Detachment, Bellows Fields, Hawaii, and was received here Tuesday. Naturally there are some heavy black marks put there by censors, but in between there some interesting information is gleaned. Paul says: This is the third time I have started this letter in the last three days. Each time I was interrupted. I have sent a wire stating that I was safe and was writing, and I trust you received that assurance. No doubt you are anxious to hear of our experiences since Sunday morning or havent you heard of the attack? Anyway, this is it. Sunday morning at 8:28, just as I and a few of the other fellows in the barracks were preparing to take a shower, we heard a plane flying mighty low. Then, as the plane neared us, we heard machine guns spatter all around us, none hitting the barracks, however. At first we were startled, taken by surprise, but then some of the more experienced soldiers said to take it easy it was only a U.S. navy plane coming around to give us a scare and to see if we were still alert. (We had been on alert for the past week, but thought it was only practice.) Soon some of the fellows rushed in, shouting that they saw the rising sun insignia on the plane. Still there was no alarm that spread through the barracks because still the more experienced soldiers claimed that the navy at times disguises a plane as an enemy airship and makes the rounds of the fields to see if we are on our toes. So for the next fifteen minutes nothing happened. The attackers had left and we resumed our preparations for a shower. Not long afterward two guards came running by shouting, Get to your posts; this is it. Still thinking it was all part of the face attack, we decided to stroll over to our respective posts anyhow, to make sure. No sooner had I entered the headquarters building when nine Jap planes pounced upon us. (Here the censor cut out what was probably a highly interesting description of results.) Paul continues: The only thing for us to do was to scatter and each one find a desk to climb under, and wait. Bullets struck all around us, but luckily no one was hit. A few of the desks were riddled. The Japs kept up the attack for ten or fifteen minutes, then left. No bombs were dropped on us, were thankful for that ____ was wiped out. Though the attackers did ground all but a few planes on Bellows Field, we suffered little loss. We had only four causalities two officers and privates and a gasoline truck was destroyed. Outside of this we suffered no more damage. Hickman Field was said to be hit heavily with bombs and Wheeler Field was slight. The Hickman and Wheeler attacks had been over about two hours before we got ours. We think the reason we didnt get any bombs was because the Japs had probably dumped all their loads on Wheeler and Hickman and didnt find our fields until they were about out of ammunition and ready to return to their aircraft carriers. (Here the censor struck out a paragraph evidently dealing with setting up new headquarters, then the letter continues.) For the past few days we have done nothing but guard the highway, but we expect to start work in the office soon. While guarding, suspicious characters passed us in a truck so we fired. The sergeant said we made a direct hit, but I dont think so. We are all prepared now for anything and we are all well. They may have caught us asleep Sunday, but let the Japs come again and theyll find a different reception. We will be only partially paid from now on. If you folks havent sent the Christmas package of which you spoke, please dont do it, because the chances are it wont reach us now. Ships may be sunk, etc., so it is useless to spend any money on gifts. Mail will be irregular now so if you dont hear from me dont worry. It may be months at a time before ships will take mail back and forth. Fridays starting yesterday evening I am going to be one of the teletype operators. It is exciting and interesting work. We get hot news, etc., over thesealso very confidential. Mums the word for this work. Please write as soon as you can. Wonder how Gordon Smith came out in the raid. Paul. Feb. 12, 1942 Japs Report on Their Pearl Harbor Attack The following story of a Japanese report on the bombing of Pearl Harbor was sent to the S.G. Teegardins by their son, Paul, who is stationed on the island of Oahu in the army. It is a bulletin posted on the barracks in which he lives. Heading the story is a note saying The following intercepted broadcast from Tokyo, Japan, is furnished for the information and amusement of all pilots and enlisted personnel of this group: Flight Commanders Report on the Glorious Bombing of Oahu, Territory of Hawaii.: Early that fateful morning we sighted the Island of Oahu after leaving our carrier out at sea. Certain units had certain tasks to perform and if successful would leave Oahu a mass of smoldering ruins. Over Pearl Harbor we proceeded to bomb the much overrated American Pacific fleet. In hardly no time at all rising columns of smoke began to emerge from many ships in the harbor, including a battleship. Our pilots had already made short work of Wheeler Field, where the American pursuit ships were stationed. They bombed hangars and airplanes on the ground destroying them in great numbers. Hangars were completely set afire and were destroyed due to their poor construction. At no time did the personnel attempt to fight during the raid. After the major operations were complete the anti-aircraft batteries began to go into action, then I thought to myself, All right, if you want some more Ill give it to you. We returned to get into the fray once more. The ground troops obviously badly frightened, displayed poor marksmanship and were merely wasting ammunition. We had nothing to worry about from them. From an altitude of about 10,000 feet, we reorganized our dive bombers and were off again. Down, down we went. We released our deadly cargo and prayed to our guiding force the bombs would find their mark. Then far below it happened. The harbor was a blazing inferno. We made a direct hit on a large battleship of the Arizona class and it literally cracked in half, spouting into the air and down again. Another large warship was seen to have been listing in the water at a 45-degree angle. The anti-aircraft were now beginning to get the range one of our ships had a large hole in the wing and we prayed hed be able to return to the carrier. Banzai, we all shouted as we returned. Another flight was taking off from the deck of the carrier to complete mopping-up operations. There was Oahu behind us, Oahu in flames. A task we thought so great that none of us would return, but all we suffered was a large hole in a wingtip. The hand of providence was with us. Frank E. Stetson, 1st Lieut. Air Corps, in a footnote to the above intercepted message says: It is obvious that there are several falsifications in the flight commanders report, particularly the portion where he stated the personnel made no attempt to fight back, but at the same time it must be remembered such falsifications are in keeping with established Japanese custom. They follow the German method of boasting and exaggerating. The record of the pilots and ground personnel of this group in flight on Dec. 7, 1941, speaks for itself, therefore, it is not to be expected that an enemy such as the Japanese would admit that pilots of our group shot down any of their airplanes. March 5, 1942 Memorial Service Held Sunday for Leo Arickx The memorial service for Leo Arickx, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Arickx, Mitchell, were held at Sacred Heart Church in Osage, Sunday, March 1, the Rev. E.A. Fitzgerald officiating. Members of the Osage Post of the American Legion attended and presented the colors. The burial service of the Catholic Church was read for the deceased and the pastor delivered the sermon after reading a letter from Governor Wilson and a telegram from Archbishop Beckman, of Dubuque. The theme of the sermon was an explanation of the attitude of the Catholic Church in regard to war. He said that the church is neither militaristic nor pacifistic. It is not militaristic, which seeks war for its own sake and builds upon the philosophy that might makes right. Militaristic nations are atheistic because they claim that war is justified to expand boundaries or to crush opposition of any kind. The pacifists are those who demand peace at any price and maintain that war is never justified. The Catholic Church teaches that there are times when war is justified to vindicate the justice of God and of man. The state is obliged to defend the rights of its citizens and the individuals of society must assist in the vindication of those rights. We have the right as individuals to overlook the invasion of our own right, but we cannot renounce someone elses rights. God hates peace in those who are destined for war a war against injustices, hate, infidelity, expedience and egoism. Hate and love are not incompatible. Hatred for injustice, but love for the individual that is Christs command to us. Dear Editor, As a past resident of Osage I enjoy keeping up with whats going on in the community by reading the Mitchell County Press News. On my trips to Iowa to visit my grandmother, I head to Osage in the afternoon to have lunch and do some shopping. Even though I have lived in the Minneapolis area since 1982, I still love Osage. Its a wonderful town. I just finished reading Stan Walks article, Trickle Down Economics Again? I take issue with some of the things he says regarding Minnesota. Mr. Walk says one thing that is true and that is a few years ago Governor Dayton proposed and received a huge tax increase on wealthy Minnesotans. However, his statement millionaires didnt desert the State because of a tax increase was completely false. First of all, the tax bill increased by 25 percent the taxes paid by the States highest wage earners. But, it also lowered the threshold of the definition of highest earning individuals to $154,950, and to $258,260 for a household. I dont know about you, but I dont consider an annual household income of $258,260 as being wealthy. This tax not only affected individual taxpayers, but also 22,000 Subchapter S Corporations. In April 2016, Twin Cities Business Magazine, along with research firm, The Morris Leatherman Company, conducted research on the effect of the 2013 legislative tax hike. The findings were alarming. Yes, since the legislation passed Minnesota has a nice surplus. However, this is going to change quickly, and has already started changing, in a very negative way that will have severe repercussions on Minnesotas economy. Since 2014, 3099 wealthy taxpayers have exited Minnesota, taking with them $2.1 billion in taxable income. The research also included a five-year projection based on questionnaires with wealthy individuals, their accountants and attorneys. Conservative estimates show that 12,172 Minnesotans have begun the process of, or will be leaving Minnesota within five years, resulting in a net loss to Minnesota of $5.2 billion. In March 2016, the Minneapolis StarTribune reported Minnesota lost, in just the first year of the enactment of the tax bill, a billion dollars of income to states such as Arizona, Florida, South Dakota, Texas and Colorado (tax friendly States) by exiting Minnesotans. Working age people from 35 to 54 with incomes between $100,000 and $200,000 accounted for 40 percent of this loss. Secondary effects include losses to non-profits and charities. Kittie Fahey, VP of major gifts for Greater Twin Cities United Way said that 15 percent of top donors have severed ties with the charity. Lou Nanne, fundraising chairman at the University of Minnesota, also said donors are cutting ties to the U because they dont want to run a risk of any type of audit by the MN Dept. of Revenue as they have moved out of state and are no longer residents. Jeremy Wells, VP of Minnesota Philanthropy Partners, said several of his donors who have moved out of State are now contributing large donations to the Collier Community Foundation in Naples FL as they cut ties with Minnesota as well. Minnesota is losing businesses such as Nash Finch, Pentair and Medtronic due to our tax climate. From January 2016 to October 2016, 7,000 employees dropped out of the workforce. We also had a mandatory minimum wage hike which is having a negative effect on small businesses. The 2017 State Business Tax Climate publication ranks Minnesota as the top ten worst tax climates for business. Iowans, Senator Dix is correct. I would hate to see my home state become another Minnesota. Tori (Krause) Eide Savage, Minn. Gov. Terry Branstad has agreed to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China under President-elect Donald Trump. Trump spokesman Jason Miller confirmed Wednesday morning that Branstad was offered the post and has accepted. A more formal announcement is expected when the governor joins Trump at a victory tour rally in Des Moines Thursday. As the nations longest-serving governor, Branstad has considerable public policy experience, Miller said on the presidential transition teams daily conference call. However, Branstad is also someone who has a lot of experience and a great grasp of trade issues and agriculture issues, has a tremendous understanding of China and Chinese people, Miller added. Trump was impressed by Branstads command of those issues as well as his long relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who he met in 1985 when Xi visited Iowa as a low-level agricultural official. Its very clear that Gov. Terry Branstad is someone who will represent our country well on the world stage and we couldnt be prouder of this selection, Miller said. The selection also was based on the impression Branstad made on Trump in their various meetings, not only on the campaign trail, but also in their meetings after the election, Miller said. The governors office had been tamping down reports Tuesday after Branstad met with Trump while in New York on a previously scheduled economic development trip. Since Trumps Nov. 8 election victory, political observers have speculated Trump would offer the role of Chinese ambassador to Branstad, who has a long professional relationship with Xi. At Trumps last campaign stop in Iowa before the election, in Sioux City, Trump praised Branstad as someone who could serve as Chinese ambassador. Terry came to my office and he was talking to me about trade, and I think theres nobody who knows more about trade than him, Trump told the crowd in Sioux City the Sunday before the election. (Branstad) would be a prime candidate to take care of China. He has done so well for the people of Iowa. Nobody knows it better. FIREFIGHTERS have joined forces with The Everly Pregnant Brothers in a musical match-up aimed at taking the Christmas No 1 spot. Firefighters and 999 operators teamed up with the South Yorkshire group to release one of their best-known songs Chip Pan. Fire officers hope the tongue-in-cheek reworking of a popular chart hit will raise public awareness of one of their biggest house fire headaches chip pan blazes caused by a night on the tiles drinking. But they also want the track to remind people of the tens of thousands of firefighters who will be on duty this Christmas, whilst the rest of us our tucking into our turkeys, and raise money for Shelter and Age UK. Assistant chief fire officer Martin Blunden, said: This record is clearly a bit of festive fun, but with chip pans still responsible for large numbers of house fires every year, we think there's a safety message in there somewhere. We also want to remind people that tens of thousands of firefighters and 999 operators, not to mention many more of their colleagues in the emergency services, will be on duty this Christmas keeping people safe. Its all for a good cause, with every penny the band makes going to support older and homeless people, which is very much part of the fire service's ethos of helping the most vulnerable people in our communities. Band member Pete McKee, said: We always thought it would be great to get the fire service involved with Chip Pan. Its our public information advertisement for the late night reveller with a yearning for some end of night snap! Fellow band member Shaun Doane, said: Like most things with the Everly Pregnant Brothers, this started as something small, a tweet in fact, and it's grown and mutated into something pretty cool. Hopefully we can help raise a few quid for two great causes. The 'Chip Pan' track is available to pre-order on iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon, Spotify and Deezer. But to give the song the best chance of reaching number one when the official Christmas chart is released, the public are asked to only download the song after December 16. Debswana boosts diamond sales Debswana, a 50/50 joint venture between De Beers and the Botswana government, recorded a 37.5% growth in rough diamond sales in the first nine months of 2022, statistics released by the Bank of Botswana showed Tuesday, driven by steady demand for... AGC signs declaration of responsibility and sustainability principles with gold industry leaders Artisanal Gold Council Executive Director Dr. Kevin Telmer signed a Declaration of Responsibility and Sustainability Principles along with other gold industry leaders at the LBMA/LPPM Global Precious Metals Conference in Lisbon on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022... 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... Lucara Diamond has terminated its contract with Eqstra Botswana to provide mining related services at its Karowe Mine. It said in a brief statement that contrary to recent media reports in Botswana, the company was unaware of any fraud or illegal activities, of its current or former employees, in relation to the mining contract. While the performance of Eqstra under the contract remains a subject of discussion between the parties, an orderly transition to a new mining contractor is underway, said company chief executive William Lamb. Operations on site continue with the plant being fed with stockpiled material from the south lobe. He said the change in mining contractor was not expected to have any material impact on production. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished Registration has officially begun for the sixth International Diamond Week in Israel (IDWI), to be held from February 13 to 16, 2017, on the trading floor of the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE), says a release from IDE. According to IDE President Yoram Dvash, the upcoming IDWI will attract many more international diamantaires than in the past. Dvash says that he is calling on members of all diamond bourses affiliated to the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) to attend the event. This year we are working in cooperation with the WFDB to bring members of all the bourses, making this a truly interbourse event, Dvash said. The incoming chairman of IDWI Haim Volner said that he was confident that the next International Diamond Week would be bigger and better than previous ones. IDWI has established a reputation as a prime trading opportunity for diamond dealers. We have upgraded the event with a new format and other new features, which well announce later on, he added. Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished DES MOINES | Soon, Iowa will have its first female governor. With Gov. Terry Branstad set to resign and become the next U.S. Ambassador to China, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will, at some point in 2017, be promoted to governor. When that happens, Iowa will be crossed off the list of 23 states that have never had a woman governor. The 57-year-old Reynolds has been Branstads lieutenant governor since he returned to office in 2011. I have been honored to be a full partner with Gov. Branstad in this administration and know that the experience Ive gained over the last six years has prepared me well for this next chapter of service to all Iowans, Reynolds said Wednesday in a statement. Reynolds is vacationing this week with her family and is expected to be back in Iowa on Thursday in time for that evenings event with President-elect Donald Trump. Republicans who know the governor and his administration say Branstad has been preparing Reynolds as his successor, including her in important policy and personnel decisions and deploying her to head large initiatives like the states effort to generate more interest in science, technology, engineering and math careers and the states long-term energy plan. I would venture a guess that theres not a lieutenant governor in America thats more prepared to take the reins of running a governors office than she is, said Robert Haus, who has worked in the administration as Reynolds chief advisor. Gov. Branstad, from what I witnessed, was fantastic to her. And they worked very closely. ... It was very much a mentor relationship, and I think that served both of them well. Its good for public policy, but it also got her ready for this moment in time. Prior to serving as Branstads lieutenant governor, Reynolds served two years in the Iowa Senate representing seven southeast Iowa counties. She was elected to the Senate in 2008, but served only two years before resigning to be Branstads running mate in the 2010 gubernatorial election. In the Senate, Reynolds served on multiple committees; she was the minority partys ranking member on the Local Government Committee, and served on the economic development budget committee. She also served on the board for the states fire and police retirement system. Haus said that experience serving in the Iowa Legislature will help Reynolds when she takes over as governor. She understands the legislative process. She understands having worked with (legislators) for many years now in the governors office. She understands the committees, the players, and all the interests that will be brought to bear, Haus said. She comes in with just a wealth of experience and the ability to get things done. Prior to serving at the Iowa Capitol, Reynolds was Clarke County treasurer for eight years. Reynolds and her husband Kevin live in Osceola, which is roughly 50 miles south of Des Moines. She grew up roughly halfway between the two, in St. Charles, population 634. The Reynolds have three daughters and eight grandchildren. What you have is somebody who has come from a small town, very humble, great work ethic, and has never forgotten her roots, Haus said. She is a classic example of an Iowa leader. Because Branstad cannot be formally nominated to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China until Trump is inaugurated, and all appointments must then be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, it is likely Branstad will continue to serve as governor at least through January and February of 2017. Once confirmed, Branstad will resign and duties of the office will fall on Reynolds. Reynolds will be taking over as governor at a time when Republicans have gained full control of the Iowa Capitol -- majorities in the Iowa House and Iowa Senate, and a GOP governor -- for the first time in 20 years. Not everyone expressed optimism about a pending Gov. Reynolds on Wednesday. The advocacy group Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement issued a statement alleging Reynolds is beholden to campaign donations made by agriculture businesses, and the Democratic Governors Association issued a statement in which they laid some early groundwork for 2018. Democrats already had Iowa as a pickup target. Gov. Branstads departure increases the chances for Democrats to win back the Iowa governors office in 2018, association executive director Elisabeth Pearson said. CEDAR RAPIDS | It will be another month before the 2017 legislative session convenes, but the disagreements already have started. Senate Majority Leader-elect Bill Dix, R-Shell Rock, has announced the elimination of the Economic Growth Committee, explaining that every Senate committee is charged with moving forward legislation that will foster economic growth in this state. The Senate GOP will continue the Economic Development Committee, so the Economic Growth Committee is redundant and unnecessary, he said. Senate Minority Leader-elect Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, criticized the decision and pointed out the Republican Iowa House leadership is continuing its Economic Growth Committee. Senate Republicans should reconsider their decision to gut legislative oversight of Iowas job creation efforts, Hogg said. The Senate Economic Growth Committee has helped Iowans create jobs with innovative programs in infrastructure, community development, and emerging technologies. The committees job is to improve these efforts and provide a safeguard against crony capitalism. Senate Republicans, Dix said, are focused unwaveringly on economic growth and the committee assignments reflect their intent to implement positive, limited government, pro-growth policies. Dix also announced committee appointments. Notable in the assignments was the inclusion of Sen. David Johnson of Ocheyedan who left the GOP out of opposition to Donald Trump. Dix assigned him to Appropriations, Education, Commerce, Human Resources and Educations Appropriations. Dix appointed the following committee chairs: Appropriation Sen. Charles Schneider, West Des Moines; Agriculture Sen. Dan Zumbach, Ryan; Commerce Sen. Bill Anderson. Pierson; Education Sen. Amy Sinclair, Allerton; Ethics Sen. Jerry Behn, Boone; Human Resources Sen. Mark Segebart, Vail; Judiciary Sen. Brad Zaun, Urbandale; Labor Sen. Jason Schultz, Schleswig; Local Government Sen. Julian Garrett, Indianola; Natural Resources Sen. Ken Rozenboom, Oskaloosa; Rules Dix; State Government Sen. Roby Smith, Davenport; Transportation Sen. Tim Kapucian, Keystone; Veterans Affairs Sen. Mark Costello, Imogene; and Ways and Means Sen. Randy Feenstra, Hull. Appropriations subcommittee chairs: Administration and Regulation Sen. Dennis Guth, Klemme; Agriculture & Natural Resources Sen. Tom Shipley, Nodaway; Economic Development Sen. Mark Lofgren, Muscatine; Education Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, Fort Dodge; Justice Systems Sen. Mark Chelgren, Wapello; Health and Human Services Costello; and Transportation, Infrastructures and Capitals Sen. Rick Bertrand, Sioux City. Also: Administrative Rules Review Chelgren; Legislative Council Dix; International Relations Schneider. Canadian stocks continued to trudge higher Tuesday, with Toronto's main index touching its best levels since 2015. The S&P/TSX Composite Index was up 30.63 points, or 0.20 percent, to 15,125.80. Energy stocks were flat, but able to withstand a significant drop in crude oil prices after a recent rally. Financials remained in rally mode after yet another strong earnings report from the Big Five. Bank of Montreal (BMO.TO) said its fourth-quarter net income rose 11 percent to $1.35 billion. BMO also joined TD Bank in boosting its dividend. Shares rose 2.4 percent. Industrial Alliance Financial (IAG.TO) will acquire financial network HollisWealth from ScotiaBank (BNS.TO), whose shares rose 0.5 percent. Suncor Energy (SU.TO) has resolved a $1.3-billion tax dispute with the Canada Revenue Agency with no new charges or penalties against Canada's largest oil company. Shares were fractionally lower. WTI light sweet crude oil for January was down 86 cents, or 1.7%, to settle at$50.93/bbl on Nymex. Prices jumped 12% last week. Canada's imports fell 6.3% to $44.7 billion in October, while exports increased 0.5% to $43.6 billion, Stats Canada reported. Consequently, Canada's merchandise trade deficit with the world narrowed from a record $4.4 billion in September to $1.1 billion in October. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Japan is scheduled to release a raft of data on Thursday, setting the pace for a busy day in Asia-Pacific economic activity. On tap are final Q3 numbers for gross domestic product, as well as October current account data and November bank lending figures and eco survey results. GDP is expected to add 0.5 percent on quarter and 2.3 percent on year; last month's preliminary reading called for a 0.5 percent quarterly gain and a 2.2 percent yearly increase. The current account is expected to show a surplus of 1.545 trillion yen, down from 1.821 trillion yen in September. Bank lending is expected to climb 2.5 percent, up from 2.4 percent in October. The eco watchers survey for current conditions came in at 46.2 in October, while the outlook was at 49.0. Australia will release October trade data, with forecasts suggesting a trade deficit of A$610 million following the A$1.227 billion shortfall in September. China will see November figures for imports, exports and trade balance. Imports are expected to fall 1.8 percent on year after slipping 1.4 percent in October. Exports are called lower by 5.0 percent after falling 7.3 percent in the previous month. The trade surplus is pegged at $46.90 billion, down from 49.06 billion a month earlier. The Philippines will provide October trade data; in September, imports were worth $7.10 billion and exports were at $5.21 billion for a trade deficit of $1.89 billion. 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. Chinese firm SinoFortone reportedly has acquired a 16th-century Buckinghamshire inn, The Plough at Cadsden, which got famous for a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping and UK's then Prime Minister David Cameron. The village pub has become an attraction for Chinese tourists since president's state visit to the UK in October 2015. The Plough, near Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire, is just minutes away from the official countryside home used by British prime ministers at Chequers. Cameron took Xi Jinping for fish and chips supper and a pint of Greene King IPA. The pub was sold through property firm Christie and Co. Neil Morgan, the Christie & Co director behind the sale reportedly said, "The pub became famous in Chinese circles following the visit of President Xi Jinping, and it has become quite a tourist attraction for Chinese visitors since, who are keen to sample the classic British food and beer that the president tried." According to Peter Zhang, managing director of SinoFortone Investment, the English pub concept is growing very fast in China and it's the best way culturally to link people from different countries and build friendships. The Chinese company is involved in the development of new London Paramount theme park, the proposed Crossrail 2 route through London, as well as in new metro systems in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Cabinet office is set to release preliminary Japan leading economic indicators index data for October at 12:00 am ET Wednesday. The leading index is expected to show a score of 101.04, up from 100.3 in September. Ahead of the data, the yen fell against its major rivals. As of 11:55 pm ET in the Asian deals, the yen was trading at 122.40 against the euro, 144.53 against the pound, 113.08 against the Swiss franc and 114.16 against the U.S. dollar. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Forex News The Australian dollar weakened against the other major currencies in the Asian session on Wednesday, after data showed that the nation's economic growth contracted on quarter in the third quarter of 2016. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that Australia's gross domestic product was down a seasonally adjusted 0.5 percent on quarter in the third quarter of 2016. That missed forecasts for a decline of 0.1 percent following the upwardly revised 0.6 percent increase in the three months prior (originally 0.5 percent). On yearly basis, GDP was up 1.8 percent, again shy of forecasts for 2.2 percent and down from 3.3 percent in the second quarter. In other economic news, the Australian Industry Group said that the construction sector in Australia continued to contract in November, albeit at a slower pace, with a Performance of Construction Index score of 46.6. That's up from 45.7 in October. Asian stock are mostly higher, tracking the positive cues overnight from Wall Street amid improved risk appetite. Tuesday, the Australian dollar showed mixed trading against its major rivals. While the aussie fell against the euro and the Canadian dollar, the aussie held steady against the U.S. dollar, the yen and the NZ dollar. In the Asian trading, the Australian dollar fell to a 2-day low of 0.7417 against the U.S. dollar and a 5-day low of 0.9852 against the Canadian dollar, from yesterday's closing quotes of 0.7461 and 0.9905, respectively. If the aussie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 0.72 against the greenback and 0.97 against the loonie. Against the yen, the euro and the NZ dollar, the aussie dropped to 84.66, 1.4449 and 1.0419 from an early 2-day highs of 85.32, 1.4341 and 1.0496, respectively. The aussie may test support near 81.00 against the yen, 1.40 against the euro, and 1.03 against the kiwi. Looking ahead, the German industrial production for October is due to be released in the pre-European session at 2:00 am ET. U.K. Halifax house price index for November and U.K. industrial production for October are slated for release later in the day. In the New York session, U.S. crude oil inventories data and consumer credit for October are set to be published. The Bank of Canada is slated to announce its rate decision at 10:00 am ET. The economists expect to maintain the central bank's rate unchanged at 0.50 percent. At 3:00 pm ET, Reserve Bank of New Zealand will deliver a speech titled "Some Thoughts on New Zealand's Economic Expansion," in Greymouth. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Ahold Delhaize (ADRND.PK,AHODF.PK) presented its strategy, and an ambition to double net online consumer sales by 2020. The company will drive profitable growth in supermarkets, eCommerce, and smaller formats. It will return 1 billion euros through a share buyback program in 2017. It remains committed to deliver net synergies of 500 million euros in 2019, incremental to operating income and confirms integration costs of 350 million euros for 2015-2019. The company will also provide an update on synergies and its financial framework following completion of the merger between Ahold and Delhaize Group in July 2016. Dick Boer, CEO of Ahold Delhaize, said, "Our integration is on track and we have a clear plan to deliver 500 million in net synergies in 2019. We are convinced more than ever that our merger is the right combination at the right time." Delhaize Belgium is on track to deliver 80 million in savings in 2018 through the Transformation Plan. A New Store Organization was deployed to 128 company operated stores, and now aims to drive sales through a clear commercial strategy. Food Lion continues to win with its Easy, Fresh and Affordable strategy and will roll it out to 160 additional stores in 2017, bringing the total to 540, or 55% of total sales at the brand. Ahold Delhaize confirms its commitment to its eCommerce businesses by meeting the growing customer demand for online grocery solutions and by building the leading eCommerce platform in the Netherlands and Belgium. Ahold Delhaize presents an ambition to double net online consumer sales by 2020. Ahold Delhaize remains committed to deliver net synergies of 500 million euros in 2019, incremental to operating income and confirms integration costs of 350 million euros for 2015-2019. Ahold Delhaize will also continue to deliver strong cash flow generation, fueling free cash flow with synergies and working capital improvements. In 2017, free cash flow is expected to be around 1.6 billion euros. The company is committed to a balanced approach between funding growth in key channels, managing the debt portfolio and returning cash to shareholders. It targets a 40-50% dividend pay-out ratio based on pro-forma underlying income from continuing operations. In addition, in 2017 Ahold Delhaize will return 1 billion euros through a share buyback program. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The U.S. admitted 84,995 refugees in fiscal year 2016, the most since 1999. But where they settled varied widely, with some states taking in large numbers and others very few, according to an analysis of U.S. State Department data. California, Texas and New York resettled the most refugees in fiscal 2016 (which began on October 1, 2015, and ended September 30, 2016), together taking in 20,738 refugees, or about a quarter of the U.S. total, Pew Research Center said Tuesday. Michigan, Ohio, Arizona, North Carolina, Washington, Pennsylvania and Illinois, which each received 3,000 or more refugees, rounded out the top 10 states by number of resettled refugees. Overall, 54 percent of refugees admitted to the U.S. in 2016 were resettled in one of these 10 states. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News President-elect Donald Trump has selected Iowa Governor Terry Branstad as the next U.S. ambassador to China, according to numerous media reports. Bloomberg News first reported the choice of Branstad, which a Trump transition official later confirmed to other media outlets. The Republican governor is said to be a longtime friend of Chinese President Xi Jinping and could help ease tensions between the two countries. Trump has pledged to label China a currency manipulator and raised concerns by speaking directly with Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen last week. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang called Branstad an "old friend" of the Chinese people, adding, "We welcome him to play a greater role in advancing the development of China-U.S. relations." "We are willing to work with whomever that takes this position to strive for the continued, sound and steady development of bilateral ties," Lu said. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Reports on President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks continue to roll out Wednesday, with multiple news outlets saying Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt has been chosen to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Pruitt, who is said to have close ties to the energy industry, has filed several lawsuits challenging EPA regulations since becoming Oklahoma's top prosecutor in 2011. A biography on the Oklahoma Attorney General's official website describes Pruitt as "a leading advocate against the EPA's activist agenda." The biography also notes that Pruitt established Oklahoma's first federalism unit to combat unwarranted regulation and overreach by the federal government. NBC News said Pruitt's nomination would be the clearest sign yet that Trump will pursue an agenda that could undo President Barack Obama's climate change legacy. The news that Trump intends to nominate Pruitt has subsequently drawn considerable criticism from environmentalists and Democratic lawmakers. "Nominating a climate denier to run the Environmental Protection Agency is offensive," Senator Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, said in a post on Twitter. "I will do everything I can to stop this." For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News MASON CITY The City Council on Tuesday approved the contract and bonds with Mid-Continent Contracting for work on the quiet zones project with the Union Pacific Railroad. Mid-Continent had the low bid of $111,836. The project was budgeted at $90,000 to be paid from local option sales tax revenues. City Administrator Brent Trout said the budget will have to be amended to cover the extra expense. The work involves removal of street and sidewalk pavement and related work at grade crossings at Fourth Street Southwest and Ninth Street Northwest. It also includes installation of quiet zone medians with fencing, signage and related work at grade crossing at 15th Street Southwest, Sixth Street Southwest and First Street Northwest. As part of the deal with the Union Pacific, the plan also calls for the elimination of the crossing at Ninth Street Northwest, which drew opposition from many in the neighborhood who think it will be a health and safety hazard. The city will gain access to the railroad right-of-way which will allow for an extension of the city's bike/pedestrian trail program. Two weeks ago, the council approved terms of the contract. Tuesday's action finalizes approval of the contract itself. In other action Tuesday, the council approved Mayor Eric Bookmeyer's proposal to impose term limits on appointed positions. Under the new plan, no board or commission member can serve more than five consecutive terms on the same board or commission. An exception is boards and commission that have six-year terms in which case a three-term limit will be in place. 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 ... MASON CITY Many applying for Christmas Cheer Fund have children and grandchildren living with them this year who are struggling to make ends meet. A 51-year-old man and 47-year-old woman recently took in his daughter and her four children in addition to providing for their own young child. My stepdaughter and her children fell on to a rough time so we have her and her four children, my grandchildren, a woman wrote. The grandchildren include three boys, 11, 9 and 8, as well as one 2-year-old girl. The couple also has a 9-year-old daughter. Theyre staying with us until she can get back on her feet with a new job and trying to find a home, a woman wrote. The family would like to use Cheer Fund assistance to buy presents for the five children. A 28-year old father of three girls, 5, 3 and 1, would like to buy his kids new clothes and a toy each for Christmas. Lost house due to recent divorce and had to move in with parents since I am now a single parent and college student, a man wrote. My kids and I lost everything. As of Tuesday, $32,479 has been raised. Another $92,521 is needed to reach this years goal of $125,000. Can you help us help those in need? The Christmas Cheer Fund was established by Globe Gazette Publisher Lee Loomis in 1927 so every child could have a present on Christmas morning. In the years since it has come to mean a little help at Christmastime to people of all ages. Donations may be dropped off at the Globe Gazette or mailed to Christmas Cheer Fund, Box 271, Mason City, IA 50402-0271. Those in need can apply for help from the Cheer Fund at the Globe Gazette, 300 N. Washington Ave., between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Applicants must use the 2016 request form. Applications will close at noon Dec. 22. 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 MASON CITY A Lake Mills man pleaded not guilty Tuesday in a Mason City double homicide case. Peter Veal, 30, is scheduled to be tried Jan. 24 in Cerro Gordo County District Court on two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. Veal's attorney, Steven Kloberdanz, filed a written arraignment on his behalf. Police: Witness in Mason City double homicide called 911 MASON CITY A man considered a witness to a double homicide in Mason City earlier this mont Additional charge filed in Mason City double homicide case MASON CITY A man accused of killing two people in Mason Citys Highlands neighborhood last 1 severely injured in late-night shooting near Mason City school MASON CITY Students at a school across the street from an early-morning shooting in Mason Police say Veal killed Mason City residents Mindy Kavars and Caleb Christensen, and also tried to kill a witness on Nov. 17 at a residence Christensen owned at 1620 N. Hampshire Ave. Police say the witness, whose name is not being released by law enforcement, had minor injuries that did not require hospitalization. After receiving the witness's 911 call at 2:15 a.m., police arrested Veal about 15 minutes later after a short foot chase at 12th Street Northeast and North Carolina Avenue. An autopsy found Christensen, 37, had died of multiple sharp-force injuries. Kavars, 54, was shot once through the neck and chest. Veal, Christensen, Kavars and the unnamed witness all knew each other, according to the police. Veal is being held at the Cerro Gordo County Jail. His bond is $1 million cash. Amid treasurer race, where Kansas puts its money is increasing an issue As the race for state treasurer heats up, debate about how Kansas is investing its KPERS portfolio and state funds has increased. MASON CITY Around 50 people came to a candlelight vigil for Samantha Teeter Tuesday evening on the lawn of the Mason City apartment complex where she was shot Friday. They shared memories of the 19-year-old from Mason City, who died at a Rochester, Minnesota, hospital Sunday, and released balloons in her honor. We love you, Sammie! people said as the balloons floated up into the night sky. They also lit votive candles placed on an outside window ledge of the building at 116 17th St. S.E. Teeters cousins Starr Whitney and Chelse Maxwell, as well as her aunt Wendy Whitney and her mother, Monica Teeter, organized the event, which was advertised on social media. A lot more people showed up than I thought were going to show up, said Steve Whitney, Samantha Teeters uncle. Sammie was a great kid, he added. He noted his family has already had its share of tragedy over the past several years, including the loss of his mother, brother and a baby niece. To have so many people come stand outside on such a cold night means so much to me. It means a lot, Starr Whitney said. Police say Larry Whaley, 60, who lived in one of the apartments in the complex, shot Teeter once in the head with a handgun shortly before 4 a.m. Friday. He was charged Monday with first-degree murder. According to Saipele Lam Sam, from the village of Tuanai, life in Samoa is tough. Aged 23, Saipele says that he often sits around and ponders about life in Samoa and how many people are struggling. He says that not only does the cost of living eat up peoples earnings, but we have cultural practices which force people to make ridiculously high loans to cover. I sometimes sit and look at my surroundings and the one thing I have noticed is that life is not easy, it really isnt he told the Village Voice. My brothers, sisters and I have to work really hard to be able to make it work in this life but it is no walk in the park. Even with life being hard, it teaches you a lot as a person. Not only is the cost of living increasing to the point where hardly anyone can afford the basics of life, but we also have to deal with cultural practices costing everyone an arm and a leg. Everyone can relate to having very large families but when only one person is working to earn the family some money, you know that something is just not right. Another problem is that Samoan families are very big, Saipele said. It doesnt make sense to have only a few people struggling to provide for a very large family. There are families in Samoa who have only one person working. So take for example a family of seven with one person providing money for all their needs. That doesnt add up. Being one of the people in his family who works hard to earn a bit of money, Saipele says its tough but its necessary. I do my best to help out around the house whenever I can, he said. I work on the familys plantation where I grow cucumbers, peas, pumpkins and other crops to help out the family. I sell what I grow at a small market block so I can earn a bit of money to help out. I am actually living in Australia but every now and then I come over to Samoa to help take care of my parents through this little market business. Asked for a message for other young people in Samoa, Saipele says to make use of your time and dont muck around. There are many people, who dont work the land to help out their family, he said. In this day and age, Samoa is not an easy place to make a living in but if you use your head then you will be able to make life just a little easier. I see so many youths just leave their land and go waste time in town. My advice is to get yourself grounded and work hard because you will suffer in the long run if you waste your time. For Leiviivia Malifa, from the village of Tuanai, the key to a good life is your faith in the Lord. Speaking from experience, Leiviivia says that her faith in God is what gives her the strength to keep going every day. Aged 73, the joyful grandmother says that her life is great and peaceful all thanks to the man above. Through the grace and the love of the Lord, life in Samoa is peaceful, she told Village Voice. In all the great things this nation achieves, we must always remember that the glory belongs to God and God alone. Our village relies a lot on the Lord and thats where all the goodness comes from. So my advice to the younger generations is to always put your faith in the Lord and you will receive all the blessings from heaven. Leiviivia says that living on the strength of God is the only way to make it in this world. One change I would like to see in Samoa is more people coming to the Lord, she said. I want everyone to realize that they cannot live on their strength alone and that true strength comes from the Lord and nothing else. I am 73 years-old now and I still live on the strength granted to me by God. Although Leiviivia is in her old age, she still tries to help out around the house. Her daily task consists of cleaning up the house and land while the rest is left to her children. Right now in my old age, my tasks every day is to just help clean up around the house and our land, she said. The children on the other hand take good care of me. They prepare my meals and they also do so much to make sure that I live as comfortably as possible. I love my children and grandchildren so much for the way they take care of me. Leiviivias message to Samoa is to always focus on taking care of your elders because thats where your blessings will come from. In my personal opinion, taking care of your elders is very important, she said. When I was growing up, I would take care of my parents and help out around the house. Once I had children, I had to take care of them too. I would go around gathering coconuts, koko or any other crop from my plantation to make enough to put my children through school and to take care of my parents. Thats my message to all the children of Samoa, take care of your parents and you will be blessed. But what is the secret to Leiviivias strength? I get sick sometimes but the key to my strength is prayer, she said. I am able to eat almost anything, whether its tinned fish, chicken or fresh fish. Whatever we have available to us is what I eat to keep me strong. I also try to move around as much as possible to exercise my muscles. While the nation celebrates the success of our children with prize givings and graduations, it reminds us that these children are the future of Samoa. And that in itself is all we need to celebrate whole heartedly. Thats the view of Lemalie Nauma, from the village of Afega. Aged 42, Lemalie says that this season of prize givings reminds us about whats most important. He also says that without hard work, there will be no success and that should motivate the children to continue to work hard. All the graduations happening around Samoa is great, he told the Village Voice. It reminds us about a lot of important things in life such as the childrens education. Its great how we take these graduations and prize givings seriously because we celebrate the success of the children. My message to all the students is that you cant get anywhere without hard work and studying hard. Kids who dont study and pay attention in class wont get prizes. Obey your parents and listen to all the wisdom they have built up over the years. Lemalie says that with life moving forward very fast, investing in the children should be on every parents to-do list. Life is moving very fast and we need to try to keep up, he said. If a parent cant afford to put their children through school in modern day Samoa then its their own fault. Its very important that we prioritize the childrens education. You cant just sit around and expect your children to have a nice future out of the blue. You need to try build up your own children. And with the children being the future of Samoa, Lemalie reminds the parents that the children will be taking care of them when they get old so pushing them to work harder in school is in their best interest. Children are the future, he said. That saying is true in many senses. Your child may not grow up and be leaders of a nation but they will still be the ones who help their family when they come of age. So in a sense, they are the future of every family. Thats why they should try and push the children to school because if they do well, then the familys future will also be good. With many child vendors popping around everywhere in Samoa, Lemalie says that not having money to put their children through school is just an excuse that he doesnt accept. We look around town and see a lot of children walking around selling things, he said. Its sad and they keep saying that their parents cant afford to put them through school but thats just an excuse. There is a lot of help from the government in educating children. I am also sure that if they ask their village for help to put their children through school then they will do so. Its everyones duty to raise a child. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi officially opened the community consultations with human rights champions, law reformers and community leaders this morning. The one-day forum is part of the Samoa Faafafine Week 2016 programme. Samoa Faafafine Association President, Sooalo Tootooalii Roger Stanley welcomed guests and Reverend Maauga Motu lead the prayer service. The Prime Minister, who is also Patron of the Samoa Faafafine Association, emphasised the importance of the work and services provided by members of the association in Samoa. He said all people are the same in the eyes of God and that every person should be treated fairly and equally. Every human being was made by God in His image, said Tuilaepa. We have seen the charitable works that have been done by Faafafine and their contribution to their families, churches and villages. Tuilaepa said in Samoa, we have the first gender who are males, a second gender who are females, a third gender who are faafafine and the fourth gender are faafatama. Tuilaepa also told of how his talk on Faafafine issues was broadcast overseas. I was interviewed on the issue of Faafafine because Im the only leader of a country who is also patron of a Faafafine association, said the Prime Minister. I was amazed when I was told that this interview was aired three times in Australia, because people requested to hear it again. Then I was told that this programme also aired in the United States. Tuilaepa praised the many talents and achievements by the faafafine community in Samoa and urged them to continue with their good work to assist the community. Community consultations included presentations by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; National University of Samoa as well as sessions for open dialogue. Foundation students at the National University of Samoa (N.U.S) celebrated the end of another step in their academic lives yesterday. More than 500 graduates received certificates in front of parents, families and friends who came to witness the special celebration. The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Public Enterprises, Elita Tooala, congratulated the graduates as the guest speaker. You dont need me to tell you that you are about to enter a world of great challenges and more than little uncertainty, she said. The presence of challenge for each of you lies in what you make of the opportunity that comes with the certificate you receive today. Starting from today you will be faced with choices, big choices, but importantly the choices you will make will shape what you will become. You are all destined to be leaders of your respective chosen profession, good and effective leaders. She shared with the graduates three important lessons of leadership. These are: Listen, Inspire and Work. Its okay to admit what you dont know, its okay to ask for help and its more okay to listen to the people around you in fact its essential, she said. Its important to surround yourself with people who will challenge you and tell you where and why you are wrong. She encouraged them that great leaders work harder. Today, confirms that you have talent and thats great, said Ms. Tooala. However, if you truly want to change the world, you need more than talent. You really need to do the work because hard work beats talent, if talent doesnt work hard. No one has ever died from studying too hard. Your parents and some of us grew up in the era of fewer opportunities. We did not have many advantages but we believed in success, we believed in a brighter future, a positive outcome if we work hard and yes, we worked hard to achieve it. I was taught by my parents that there is no substitute for hard work and that work comes before play. Your education will open doors. Your talent will open worlds. But it is your hard work that will enable you to accomplish more than you ever imagined. Each of you is remarkably capable. My question to you is how will you define success? Will you inspire others to do great things? Will you build a foundation that allows future generations to reach even higher? In short, will you leave the world better than you found it? I, and so many others, are counting on you. SPECIAL AWARDS: Faith Manuleleua - Late Hon. Lauofo Meti Memorial Award for Top Foundation Arts Student. Mercy Tausili SSAB Trophy for Top Foundation Accounting Student Jessica Fau Central Bank of Samoas Trophy for Top Foundation Economics Student. Sonya Lagisi & Faith Manuleleua World Bank Group Trophy for Top Equal Foundation Management Students. Valentina Rimari Fepuleai Digicel Co. Limiteds Trophy for Top Foundation Marketing Student. Valentina Rimari Fepuleai & Taputu Susan Palemia Reupena Mataafa Dr. Desmond Amosas Prize Award & Cash Prize for Top Equal Foundation Law Students. Elisha Terinaite Aiafi & Mercy Tausili Betham & Co. Ltd Trophy for Top equal Foundation Commerce Students. Thor Peters Aeau Chris Hazelmans Trophy for Top Foundation Education Student & Faculty of Educations Trophy for Top Foundation Education Student. Tirani Joan Taleni SSABs Trophy & $200 Voucher for Top Foundation Biology Student. Tame Faaafu Kelly Yoshida - BSL Trophy & $200 Voucher for Top Foundation Technology Student. Saouila Melissa Tolovaa BSL Trophy & $200 Voucher for Top Foundation Physics Student. Lute Tamalii Mundia Misa Telefoni Retzlaffs Trophy & Cash Prize Award for Top Student Overall Foundation Programme, SROS Trophy Award for Top Overall Foundation Science Student, Late Fuimaono Folomalo Toelupes Memorial Trophy for Top Foundation Mathematics Student and SSAB Trophy & $200 Voucher for Top Foundation Chemistry Student Patrick Buckley Memorial Prize for Top Foundation Chemistry. The government of Australia will fund the construction of five bridges including the reconstruction of the Leone Bridge it was revealed yesterday. The A$1.4million (T$2.52m) financial support was announced by Australias Minister of Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, yesterday. She met with Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and they signed a new aid partnership arrangement for Australias bilateral aid programme to Samoa. Ms. Bishop was accompanied by Senator Concetta Fierravanti Wells, Minister of International Development and the Pacific and their respective Opposition counterparts, Shadow Foreign Minister, Senator Penny Wong; and Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator Claire Moore. According to Ms. Bishop, the partnership agreement focuses on economic development, good governance as well as education and health. We are committed to ensuring that Samoa is able to grow its economy, provide more job opportunities particularly for young people, she said. We are investing in programmes that drive private sector growth because we need to see more private sectors establishing businesses to provide more opportunities for people of Samoa. Ms. Bishop said Australia is mindful Samoa continues to experience extreme climate events such as flooding and cyclones. This means basic infrastructure is often damaged. Australia continues to support you because this is vital infrastructure that connects community, enables economic growth to continue and ensures that communities remain in touch with each other during emergency. About the bailey bridges, Ms. Bishop said they are bridges used in times of emergency and are very easy to put up. They dont need any specialist tools and they can be put over effective flooded areas so people can immediately access much needed services, she said. This kind of response would be vital and working with L.T.A. (Land and Transport Authority) for the location of five bailey bridges. She added that perhaps the five bailey bridges should be named after her and all three other women members of her delegation. Prime Minister Tuilaepa has already suggested two locations in Savaii where bailey bridges are very much needed. He did not give any names of the areas in Savaii he was talking about. Before signing the agreement, Tuilaepa said that Samoa continues to be confronted by catastrophes resulting in destruction of bridges. He said there two villages in Savaii which are often affected by flooding. I could see that those two areas will possibly be considered for the usage of these bridges and avoid further catastrophe in the future. In visiting the Leone construction site, Associate Minister of the Ministry of the Prime Minister, Peseta Vaifou Tevaga said the bridges are critical points of connection. Without them we lose connectivity to around the country, to businesses communities, airport and wharf, said Peseta. Samoa feels confident by being prepared with these bailey bridges in future disasters and Samoa can easily connectour gratitude to the financial assistance of $1.4million provided by government of Australia. Ms. Bishop also announced a A$1million (T1.8m) funding for the Samoa Family Health Association and also handed over machinery for producing prosthetics and orthotics to the Samoa National Health Services. A reception was held last night at the Australian High Commissioners residence, Sue Langford, in Vailima for Ms. Bishop and her delegation. Andy Ruiz did Lupesoliai Laauliolemalietoa Joseph Parker a huge favour. In their first meeting in the ring three years ago, sparring in Las Vegas, Ruiz smacked Parker good on the mouth. Parker was cut and could not eat for three days. Kevin Barry and Parker were visiting a gym that day when Parker saw Ruiz in the ring. He was attracted by the size of Ruiz, he was overweight. Surely he could take him on in a few sparring rounds. Barry cautioned against it, but Parker would not have a bar of it. In he stepped in the ring thinking he would do it easy, but such was the speed of Ruizs hands and his awkward style that the Mexican ran rings around Parker. Ruiz completely bamboozled our man with his fast hands and stroppy style. Parker was all at sea, looking for a paddle in those three rounds. He got cut and cut good. He has never forgotten that moment. Joseph Parker promises to get Ruiz back for that, on Saturday night. That meeting alone will form the foundation of Parkers approach to the WBO Title fight at Vector Arena on Saturday evening. He has had a taste of Ruiz. He is now well prepared for the wiles of The Destroyer from Mexico. In Parkers mind, he has already lost to the Mexican and he will make good on Saturday. This is a Rematch. Parkers arsenal is that much better now. Then in 2013, he had just turned professional and had only four wins to his name against Dean Garmonsway, Terry Tuteru, Richard Tutaki and Dontay Pati. Fighters we have not heard of before, or since. In the same year Parker would go on to fight a named heavyweight in Frans Botha who once won the IBF belt (Axel Schulz). This was the test for Parker whether he can step it up. He did. Parker beat Botha to a pulp to win by TKO in the second round. Although well past his best, the South African had experience on his side. He holds the next best winning streak to Mike Tyson, only experiencing his first heavyweight defeat in his 37th fight (Michael Moorer). Parker was on his way. The only other person to draw blood from Joseph Parker since Ruiz is himself. After fighting the 44 year old Botha, he lined up against fellow Samoan Afa Tatupu at Trusts Arena in Auckland. That fight would define Joseph Parker as a heavyweight fighter, and also Kevin Barry as an astute trainer and leader. In the first round Parker sustained a massive cut above his left eye from a head clash with Tatupu. That cut has left a permanent wound above the eye. Parker would later describe the cut as someone smiling back at me. It was that big. There was blood everywhere and the referee was going to stop the fight and give Tatupu the victory. Kevin Barry had other plans. He pleaded for one more round. While treating his fighter in the corner, at the same time, he kept pleading with the referee to give them one more round. Just give us one more round. That wish was granted. Barrys instruction was clear. There was only one instruction and a very clear one at that - You have to win this fight in this round. You only have one round to beat this guy. Tatupu would otherwise focus on the left eye if it went on any longer. The eye was quickly gelled over. Joseph was back in the ring for round 2, and the last round of that fight. He pummelled Tatupu to a TKO victory for his seventh straight victory. The man Parker has become was coming into focus. As well as overcoming adversity in that fight, I believe Parkers best lesson came from the Carlos Takam fight back in May of this year. In that fight, Parker was very poor according to Kevin Barry. His defence was nowhere and he was visibly blowing hard in the early rounds. Parker himself would later refer to that fight as his worst performance to date. With all that, there was still enough of the fighter in Parker to put away a very experienced Carlos Takam. A fighter other heavyweight fighters like Anthony Joshua and Ruiz himself have avoided in their respective journeys to title fights this weekend (Anthony Joshua is fighting American Eric Molina on the same day in Manchester, United Kingdom for the IBF belt). Joseph Parker and Kevin Barry have come full circle from that meeting with Ruiz three years ago. Parker is wiser and he is a more complete fighter. More importantly he knows what it is like to be cut by an Andy Ruiz power punch. Kevin Barry has done all he knows to prepare his man for it. Parker is ready for Ruiz. As Parker has said - This is my moment. The Fighter has arrived for such a time as this. He is ready to be WBO Heavyweight champion of the World. CEDAR RAPIDS | Gov. Terry Branstad met with the President-elect Donald Trump in New York Tuesday, but had no announcement about a post in the new administration. The meeting followed speculation that Branstad, who has had a longtime working friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping and was a strong supporter of Trump during the presidential campaign, is the president-elects top choice to be ambassador to China. If nominated, Branstad would then face Senate confirmation. Following the meeting, Branstad, who was accompanied by his wife, Chris, and staffers, briefly spoke to reporters, saying he is excited about the quality of people Trump is attracting to his administration, according to Radio Iowa. However, he deflected questions about the China post. Although he and Trump had an opportunity to talk about a number of things, Branstad said he cant comment on that at this point in time. His office releases the following statement: I appreciate the invitation that President-elect Trump extended to my wife and me today. I truly appreciated the opportunity to meet. We had a very cordial conversation about the role Iowa played in his overall success by winning 93 or 99 counties and flipping 34 counties that previously went for President Obama. Its clear that his jobs message resonated with Iowans and the rest of the country. Its refreshing to see his bold leadership that will put people to work, give power back to the states and Make America Great Again. We also talked about the transition and his new administration. He is putting together a great cabinet that will serve the American people well. While there has been speculation regarding an appointment to serve in this Administration, I have no announcement to make at this time. Branstad met with the president-elect at Trump Tower while in New York for a previously scheduled economic development trip. He plans to return to Iowa in time for Trumps Thursday afternoon victory tour rally in Des Moines. The meeting with Trump was Branstads second with the new administration. He met recently with Vice President-elect Mike Pence in Washington, D.C., during a trip that also included visits with Iowas congressional delegation and top national Republicans. He talked to Pence about a desire for fewer federal government regulations on business, and Branstad said he expected to deliver a similar message to Trump. Branstad and Xi became acquainted in 1985 when Xi was a Hebei provincial official and director of the Shijiazhuang prefecture feed association. On a visit to Iowa as part of a sister state/province program, Xi stayed with a Muscatine family and met Branstad at his formal Statehouse office as part of a visiting delegation. Xi returned to Iowa as Chinese vice president in 2012 to renew his friendships with Branstad and other Iowans. For decades, success has seemed to be in sight for a vaccine to stop the spread of HIV. And for decades, the success has proven to be an illusion. Once again, new vaccine candidates are being readied for trial. And while researchers have learned to be cautious about predictions, an ever-deeper understanding of how HIV works has produced a solid body of science on how it might be thwarted. In a fraction of those infected, powerful antibodies that neutralize a wide variety of HIV strains are produced. Unfortunately, these neutralizing antibodies are produced too late in the infection process to stop the disease. But if the immune system could be trained to make them in advance of infection, in theory HIV should be stopped in its tracks. Advertisement Scientists at San Diego biomedical institutions have been leaders in this intensive effort. And recently, theyve discovered another important step in producing a effective vaccine, how to prime the immune system to make powerful antibodies that neutralize a broad range of HIV strains. The levels of these broadly neutralizing antibodies correlates with the condition of certain cells found in immune tissues called germinal centers, say researchers led by Shane Crotty of the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology. Germinal centers have been called the black boxes of the immune system. They are the home where antibody-making cells mature into potent pathogen-killing machines. But nobody knows just how this process happens. And because the immune system consists of so many components, finding out which parts are necessary to generating the broadly neutralizing antibodies is critical. The discovery not only gives clues as to what is going on inside the machine, it also provides a means of checking whether a vaccine candidate is leading the immune system down the right path. The researchers performed their work in rhesus monkeys, regarded as the best animal model for the human immune system. The study was published Nov. 22 in the journal Cell Reports. It can be found at: j.mp/germinalcenter. Among the authors were other well-known names in HIV vaccine research, including Dennis R. Burton of The Scripps Research Institute, which hosts a major HIV vaccine research center. Burton and colleagues have collected broadly neutralizing antibodies for years, studying them to understand how they work. While some people do develop HIV broadly neutralizing antibodies it is too late to be helpful to them, Crotty said. By 3 years postinfection the virus is far too ingrained too many millions of integrated viral genomes for the antibodies to help. This is a reason the amazing antibodies were missed for so many years, and only someone as persistent as Dennis Burton managed to find them. Crotty has focused on the germinal center, leading a series of studies probing its function. In 2013, he published a study explaining the link between helper immune cells and the B cells that make neutralizing antibodies. A 2015 study described the mechanism that generates fully functional helper cells. The researchers also solved a problem that until now had hampered closer examination of the germinal centers, the inability to see them change over time. While lymph nodes can be removed for biopsies, that can be done only once. But germinal centers must be repeatedly measured to correlate their internal state with production of neutralizing antibodies. Innovative idea The La Jolla Institutes Colin Havenar-Daughton, the studys first author, found that repeated samples of germinal centers could be taken by drawing out very small portions of fluid aspirates with fine needles. This method is often used by oncologists to assess the state of lymph nodes, where circulating cancer cells tend to accumulate. The study provided an innovative way to tackle a previously intractable problem, said Marcella Flores, associate director of research at the American Foundation for AIDS Research, or amfAR, Its a great example of technologies coming in from outside the field of HIV, Flores said. Its something that amFAR is really interested in. The study itself is great for the vaccine world. While the ability of neutralizing antibodies to block HIV is important, amFAR would like a vaccine to produce other effects, such as prompting the immune system to kill already infected cells, Flores said. Thats what would lead to a cure, she said. While these (preventive vaccination) studies represent a huge step forward in the vaccine world, we still need more information on whether the processes theyve identified would lead to a cure. Curing HIV presents a particularly difficult challenge because the virus can hide out in a dormant form, inside the genome of the immune cells it infects. While inactive in the genome, its beyond the immune systems reach. Only when infected cells begin producing more viruses does the immune system recognize the infection. Some ingenious curative efforts are now being tested on HIV patients. Sangamo BioSciences of Richmond, Calif, is genetically altering immune cells of HIV patients so the cells cant be infected. The cells are taken from the patient, genetically modified and reinfused. The treatment is in Phase 2 trials. A similar trial is now being carried out by Tucscon-based Calimmune, founded by three scientists; Nobel Laureate David Baltimore of Caltech; Irvin Chen of UC Los Angeles and Inder M. Verma of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. But in the long term, HIV prevention will be more effective and much less costly. And thats what Crotty and many other researchers are focusing on. Blocking the virus Vaccines against some viruses, such as smallpox or polio, can be prepared from relatively simple derivatives of the virus. However, HIV presents a much more difficult target for the immune system. It mutates extremely rapidly, and also presents decoy proteins that fool the immune system. HIVs vulnerable regions are hard to find. To be effective, a vaccine must produce immunity in the vast majority of those who are vaccinated, known as herd immunity. When immunity is that widespread, those who cant be vaccinated for some reason, such as pregnancy, are still protected from exposure to the pathogen. Previous efforts to develop a safe and effective HIV vaccine, such as one led by The Immune Response Corp., a now-defunct Carlsbad biotech, failed to yield such a vaccine. That companys vaccine, Remune, yielded some modest signs the immune system was being stimulated, but didnt gain approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Given HIVs elusive nature, effective HIV neutralizing antibodies must be highly specialized. In most people it takes the immune system three or more years to make them. By that time HIV is well established and if untreated, leads to AIDS. Vaccine researchers aim to speed up this process by a series of immunizations that telescope the immune education process into several weeks. To do so, they need to understand what is going on inside the immune system, to prepare the right ingredients to guide it along the right path. To get access to the rhesus monkeys, Havenar-Daughton allied with Dr. Guido Silvestri and colleagues at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. Using the needle biopsy method, they studied the germinal center response of 12 monkeys that had been immunized by an HIV protein thats to be tested for a vaccine. The researchers discovered the correlation between the cellular response inside the germinal centers. Unexpectedly, they also found that the levels of all antibodies in the blood didnt correlate with production of neutralizing antibodies. That meant the strength of the pertinent immune response was only evident from actual inspection of the germinal center. Of the 12 monkeys, nine produced neutralizing antibodies. A better response is needed for a vaccine, Havenar-Daughton said in a La Jolla Institute statement. It was a very good response but if you go into humans you want everybody making neutralizing antibodies and not just some people, he said. We need to solve this problem. bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1020 A drug from Carlsbads Ionis Pharmaceuticals shows signs of increasing survival and improving movement in infants with spinal muscular atrophy, according to a study published Tuesday. The Phase 2 (midstage) clinical study provides the latest evidence that the medication, nusinersen, alleviates symptoms of the rare genetic disease, which is sometimes fatal. The analysis involved 20 infants ages one to seven months, enrolled between May 2013 and July 2014 and then assessed through late January 2016. All of these infants received the drug, and researchers found that 16 of them experienced increases in muscle function. Advertisement This improvement is contrary to the normal path of the disease toward decreased function, said Dr. Richard Finkel, chief of neurology at Nemours Childrens Hospital in Orlando, Fla., and leader of the study. While four infants died of the disease, thats fewer than would be expected. The findings, published in The Lancet journal, can be found online at j.mp/lancetsma. The clinical trial was open-label, meaning there was no placebo. A larger, Phase 3 (late-stage) trial had been conducted for infants with spinal muscular atrophy, designed with information gathered from the Phase 2 study. The Phase 3 trials 120 infants were either given the drug or a sham injection. The Phase 3 trial was halted ahead of schedule this summer because evidence of effectiveness was so strong that it would be unethical to deny nusinersen to those receiving the sham treatment, said Ionis scientist Frank Bennett, another author of the new study. Infants as young as five weeks old with the most severe form of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) a leading genetic cause of infant mortality can be treated safely with nusinersen. This investigational treatment slowed progression of the disease, im No results from the Phase 3 testing have been published, so The Lancet study is the first publication to officially demonstrate efficacy against infantile onset of spinal muscular atrophy, or Type 1 SMA, Bennett said. Biogen, the Massachusetts-based marketing partner of Ionis, had already applied to sell nusinersen on the strength of earlier test results, including the halted Phase 3 trial. The drug is set to be sold under the brand name Spinraza. The infants in the Phase 2 study have lived longer than the natural history of the disease would suggest, Finkel said. Moreover, the surviving infants improved in movement and motor milestones as clinically measured. And its a persuasive increase, its not just one point, its substantial, Finkel said. Out of these 20, several of them were achieving new motor milestones such as rolling over or sitting, standing and in a couple of cases even walking milestones which are never seen in Type 1. Spinal muscular atrophy is caused by a genetic defect that impairs production of a protein that is needed for the survival of motor neurons. Patients gradually lose movement, but the severity of the disease varies. In milder cases, patients may not develop symptoms until adulthood and have a normal lifespan. More severe cases manifest in childhood. Patients may never walk, or if they do learn to walk, they may eventually lose the ability. Most often, the more severe cases manifest in infancy or childhood. In the less severe,later-onset form of the disease, symptoms begin at 6 months or older, and patients cant walk or stand without help. Those with infant-onset spinal muscular atrophy the ones treated in this newly announced clinical trial are the most severely afflicted. Symptoms manifest before the age of six months. Babies may not survive beyond age 2 without mechanical ventilation, because their breathing muscles give out. While spinal muscular atrophy is caused by damage to a gene that codes for the survival of motor neuron protein, a related gene also makes some of the protein, but not enough to prevent the disease. Nusinersen or Spinraza alters the activity of that related gene to increase production of the protein. The drug is injected through a lumbar puncture. Like all Ionis medications, it works through the antisense technology pioneered by Ionis that blocks or modifies how genetic information is expressed. No major side effects were identified, Finkel said, just possible minor and transient effects that might have been caused by the drug or its injection. Nusinersen represents a major advance, said Dr. Thomas Gillingwater of the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom. He wrote an assessment in an accompanying comment in The Lancet. It isnt a cure and the effects are uneven, so more work is needed, he said. However, the promise of nusinersen shown by Finkel and colleagues is a first step forward, indeed a new dawn, in developing safe and effective therapy options for spinal muscular atrophy that are urgently required, he wrote. bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1020 President-elect Donald Trump took aim at Air Force One on Tuesday, criticizing the cost of the iconic 747 jumbo jet that has served as the presidents flying White House and projected Americas might wherever it lands. The aircraft used by President Obama, built by Chicago-based Boeing Co., have been in service since the Reagan administration and are due to reach the end of a 30-year design life in 2017. Boeing, which has built presidential jets since the early 1960s, has been doing early development work on the replacement likely to be outfitted with the latest in gadgetry, including top-secret communications equipment, countermeasures to spoil missile attacks, and aerial refueling capability so it can fly for days without landing. Advertisement Trump would not get a chance to fly in a new Air Force One unless he is reelected; the replacement isnt slated to begin flying until 2024 at the earliest. So far, Boeing has been given three contracts amounting to $170 million to develop the aircraft, which is based on the new and larger version of the 747 dubbed the 747-8 Intercontinental. Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order! Trump tweeted. Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2016 Trump told reporters in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York on Tuesday that he thought the Air Force One program was ridiculous. Boeing is doing a little bit of a number, he said. We want Boeing to make a lot of money but not that much money. As president-elect, Trump has no power to cancel procurements, but the Air Force has yet to issue a contract for the next-generation Air Force One, which will include at least two planes. Federal budget documents published in February estimated research, test and development costs on the program to be around $2.87 billion through fiscal year 2021. The figure doesnt include the costs of new planes, however. When that is factored in, the price tag may be around $4 billion, U.S. officials said. We are currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of this complex military aircraft that serves the unique requirements of the president of the United States, Boeing said Tuesday in a statement. We look forward to working with the U.S. Air Force on subsequent phases of the program allowing us to deliver the best plane for the president at the best value for the American taxpayer. It is rare for a president-elect to publicly call out a company by name because of the chilling effect it might have, and it wasnt clear what prompted Trumps complaint. Boeings shares were down $2 in early trading after Trumps tweet, but recovered throughout the day, closing up 8 cents, or .05%, to $152.24. The aircraft used by President Obama, built by Chicago-based Boeing Co., have been in service since the Reagan administration and are due to reach the end of a 30-year design life in 2017. The latest episode raised questions about Trumps potential conflicts in light of his undisclosed financial holdings, and whether he held Boeing stock at the time of the tweet. Trump sold all his Boeing stock in June, transition spokesman Jason Miller insisted, though no documentation was made public. This really speaks to president-elects focus on keeping spending down across the board, Miller told reporters. We are going to look for areas where we can keep costs down and look for areas where we are going to try to save money. White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters traveling on Air Force One that the plane was nearing the end of its projected life and the Obama administration wanted to ensure that future presidents would have a modern presidential aircraft. The American people would expect that future U.S. presidents would benefit from unique and upgraded capabilities while they are traveling and representing the interests of the United States around the world, he said, adding that the Pentagon and Boeing were acting on recommendations from national security and technical experts. With worldwide demand steadily shrinking, Boeing has repeatedly slowed the 747 production rate to one per month. The company said this year that if new orders didnt roll in, it was reasonably possible that we could decide to end production of the 747. In its heyday, Boeing was producing 60 jumbo jets a year, with many of the components coming from Southern California. Boeing has several hundred suppliers in the U.S. supporting the 747 program. One of the largest is Triumph Aerostructures, which assembles the 747s center fuselage panels in Hawthorne. Triumph ships fuselage panels and sends them in three custom railroad cars to Boeings assembly plant in Everett, Wash. Rep. Rick Larsen and Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, all Democrats from Washington state, defended Boeing, the largest exporter in the U.S. with customers in 150 countries. Replacing the 26-year-old Air Force One aircraft will support good-paying jobs throughout northwest Washington and is important to ensuring the safety and security of future presidents, they said in a statement. The president-elects tweet does nothing to change those basic facts. The only other large commercial aircraft manufacturer is Airbus Group SE, which is based in Leiden, Netherlands. In the first deal of its kind, Westfield has signed a 32,336-square-foot lease with the CBRE commercial brokerage to occupy the third floor of its expansion space at University Towne Center now under construction. CBREs 160 workers in the companys regional headquarters are leaving their space of 25 years, across La Jolla Village Drive, to move south into the sprawling shopping center. Its the first such arrangement either company has ever arranged. CBRE expects to move in October, when the malls current $585 million expansion phase is expected to be completed. Theres nothing wrong with being in a high-rise office environment, said Paul Komadina, CBREs regional managing director. The Plaza at La Jolla Village is one of the nicest office projects in the county. But we wanted to be in a very dynamic, mixed-use environment where our people could walk down the stairs and literally be right in the middle of 1.5 million square feet of the best retailers and restaurants from around the world. Advertisement John Alderson, Westfield vice president for San Diego development, said including a major brokerage in a regional mall started out as kind of a wild idea and ended up being a really symbiotic relationship. Our companies are really aligned on experience and guest services, Alderson said. They are so focused on hospitality, customer service and welcoming people the right way in their business model, and thats exactly what were doing at UTC. It couldnt be a better fit in philosophy, and having one of the nations largest leading leasing companies in our shopping center is really quite nice. CBRE will occupy the top of a new building north of The Point, the ceremonial entrance to UTC lined with outdoor restaurants and shops that spill out into the pedestrian zone. Visitors will be able to leave their car at the valet on La Jolla Village Drive, just east of Genesee Avenue, and take an escalator, elevator or stairs to the brokerage. Komadina said they will enter a lobby fit for a hotel with two concierges ready to make a latte and arrange lunch reservations. There will be a fireplace and nine-screen display of CBRE projects. Its really the heart and gathering place for the office, he said, and large enough to host 150 guests. For larger gatherings, CBRE can rent out the nearby 18,000-square-foot event space, large enough for 500. Instead of the usual air-conditioned environment, fresh air can flow through certain windows that open as much as 15 feet wide. With room for up to 215 employees on one floor, the office space will follow CBREs Workplace360 design concept that allows workers to operate at any desk space and use laptops rather than paper copies of documents and marketing materials. One of the major meeting rooms will feature state-of-the-art Liquid Galaxy presentation technology that employs sophisticated mapping data and displays 3-D building images and street views. The Westfield-CBRE partnership represents the latest in merging forms of real estate that previously had little in common shopping centers were for shopping and office buildings were for office work. As shoppers gravitate to online buying and office work can take place anywhere, landlords have to figure what to do with their vacant brick-and-mortar spaces. Now what were building is an experience, and if you can deliver an experience where people can live, work and play and its safe and clean, its that resort-inspired environment, Alderson said. Coming next in UTCs expansion plans will be a series of luxury apartments that may break ground next year, he said. Komadina, who declined to reveal the lease terms, said he had to convince company executives to spring for the cost of renting in an retail center that typically charges more per square foot than in an office building. He also said CBRE is paying for parking in a mall where shoppers pay nothing and employees will have to deal with limited parking during holidays. Anytime you go to a drastically different environment, people get nervous, Komadina said, but we believe firmly a departure from a traditional office environment to a really dynamic, mixed-use workplace like were going to is worth some of the changes were going to face along the way. Its going to be so different from anything weve seen before but we do believe its going to have some incredible results. roger.showley@sduniontribune.com; (619) 293-1286; Twitter: @rogershowley Rallys says its preparing to bring back more of its drive-through burger joints to San Diego County, but the national chain faces a crowded field of local fast-food outlets. Where the Checkers & Rallys Restaurants chain at one time had a much larger presence in the county, its burger-and-fries drive-through outlets dwindled over the years to just the five existing locations. That could change significantly if the company is able to follow through on its goal of adding 20 new restaurants over the next five years. In the near term, the plan is to open as many as eight new locations over the next two years, including one that will open early next year on 30th Street in Logan Heights, said Robert Bhagwandat, director of franchise development for the Rallys and Checkers stores. Advertisement He acknowledged that the other deals are in the works but have yet to be consummated. Because the Tampa-based chain has long priced its offerings to cater to customers with lower incomes, Bhagwandat believes there is room for growth in the San Diego market. Rallys is a unique concept that caters to people without a lot of disposable income, he said. If you have $5 in your pocket, we like to say you can come to Rallys and get a full meal. And we fit the bill of where people can afford to come to us more than just once a week or once a month. Among the San Diego County cities that Rallys is targeting, with the help of new franchisees are San Diego, La Mesa, National City, Spring Valley and Lakeside. Statewide, there are currently 33 Rallys outlets, Bhagwandat said. The challenge for Rallys franchisees entering the market, though, is finding affordable real estate deals. Bhagwandat was leery about getting too specific about its scouting efforts, noting, We dont want Jack in the Box to look in the same market were looking. Rallys stores, which are more commonly found in the Midwest and on the West Coast, are part of a chain that merged the Rallys and Checkers brands in 1999. The latter are more typically found on the East Coast and in the Southeast. But they all share the same menu. Known for its affordable burgers, fries, hot dogs and shakes, Rallys regularly entices customers with its monthly, limited-time offers, Bhagwandat said. For instance, this month, the restaurants are offering a sandwich, fries, drink, and an apple pie for $3. Still, the stores will face stiff competition from ubiquitous and popular brands, most notably McDonalds, Jack in the Box and In and Out. San Diego restaurant consultant John Gordon is skeptical that Rallys necessarily has a strong future in the San Diego market, given the stiff competition from other quick-serve burger brands. Theres nothing really exciting coming into San Diego in the burger/quick-serve, drive-through space because In-N-Out and Jack in the Box and McDonalds are all in strong positions here, Gordon said. Its so much more expensive to get sites now. Franchisees have all these notions of growth and sometimes it doesnt pan out. But hope springs eternal. Local franchisee Bruce Ong, who is opening the Logan Heights Rallys, says he thinks the timing is right for a Rallys resurgence because he believes the brand has improved, even though it doesnt have a high profile in San Diego. The proven demographic for Rallys stores are lower- to middle-income working class households, Ong said. We have this guest measure and we can see traffic counts, and we have always been on the incline since 2001 in traffic counts and sales, said Ong, who owns three Rallys locations and is investing roughly $1.5 million in the Logan Heights location where he owns the land. The average yearly sales volume for a Rallys drive-through is $1.2 million, said Ong, who was recognized as one of three franchisees nationwide with a location that reached $2 million or more in sales. While bullish on his new location, Ong said he has no immediate plans for opening additional outlets. Real estate can be very hard in San Diego, finding the right locations and the right demographic. The numbers have to be right. When I bought the (Logan Heights) lot two years ago, it was with the intention to put in a Rallys, but it took a year-and-a-half to get permits. lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-2251 Twitter:@loriweisberg A petition drive in Vista could give voters the final say on whether medical marijuana dispensaries should be allowed in the city. The initiative is being backed by a group called Vistans for Better Community Access and is primarily being funded by two corporations with current or former ties to the medical marijuana industry. It would authorize a limited number of dispensaries in Vista and allow the city to license, regulate and tax them. If the measure is approved, Vista would become the first city in North County to allow the dispensaries. Advertisement We just want to give the voters of Vista a chance to weigh in: Do you want these to exist, and do you want them to be regulated, said Vince Duffy, a Sacramento-based consultant hired to manage the campaign. Vista Mayor Judy Ritter said Tuesday that, while the council has not discussed the initiative, she believes the measure is flawed and would be bad for the city. Im not in support of it at all, Ritter said. If 5,607 verified voters 15 percent of Vistas electorate sign the petition, the initiative would go before the City Council, which could either approve the measure outright or schedule a special election at a cost of roughly $350,000. Paid signature gatherers have already collected more than 3,000 signatures, Duffy said, and the goal is to turn in more than 7,000 by the end of the month. He said Vista could earn several hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax revenue from the dispensaries, with that amount determined in part on whether surrounding cities pass similar ordinances. He said the city could avoid a costly special election by lifting its existing ban on the dispensaries. Under the proposed initiative, and given the citys current population, up to 10 medical marijuana dispensaries would be permitted in Vistas commercial and industrial areas, business parks and mixed-use zones, which includes much of downtown. In addition: Sales would be made only to people with a doctors recommendation to use medical marijuana, not to recreational users; Dispensaries could not be within 250 feet of homes or parks, 500 feet of other dispensaries, or 1,000 feet of schools; The number of dispensaries would be capped at one per 10,000 Vista residents; Dispensaries would be taxed at 7 percent of their gross sales; and The tax revenue would go into the citys general fund. Medical marijuana user Mark Woodard, left blind after he was accidentally shot in the head at age 10, was tapped as the face of the campaign. The 27-year-old said he has been harassed by authorities while walking into illegal dispensaries in Vista. Shouldnt our taxpayer dollars be spent on something else? Woodard said. Do they (the city) want to spend thousands of dollars cracking down or we can build legislation so they can collect those dollars. Vista and several other North County cities specifically prohibit any marijuana sales, including for medicinal uses. In fact, Vista aggressively chases out pot shops, and has taken the unusual step of going after dozens of store operators, staffers, even landlords in criminal court not based on laws prohibiting the sale of illegal drugs, but rather are for misdemeanor violations of city zoning regulations. The proposed initiative addresses the criminal prosecutions, lowering punishments for people who set up dispensaries without permission. The case would become an infraction (more like a speeding ticket), not a misdemeanor. Last month, California voters passed Proposition 64, which allows people to smoke marijuana for recreational reasons. The proposed Vista initiative solely addresses medical marijuana, not recreational use. Duffys firm was brought in too late to get the Vista initiative on the November ballot, where it might have ridden the momentum of Prop 64, which won backing from 57 percent of voters countywide. Medical marijuana use has been legal in California for 20 years, although finding a place to obtain it has been difficult for patients. For years, dispensaries have existed in the shadows, often in unmarked storefronts. But the tide is shifting. The city of San Diego recently agreed to allow dispensaries, with heavy restrictions. At the state level, California is establishing the Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation to oversee licensing and regulation, although the formation is more than a year away. RELATED Landlords are worried, with the passage of Proposition 64 that legalized possession of recreational use of marijuana by adults 21, whether or not they can still prohibit pot among their tenants. teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT Back in 1850, Oliviero Colmignolis great-great-grandfather started making dry sausages at his home in Italys Umbria province. In those days, salami-making consisted of hand-stuffing some salted pork into a casing, hanging it from the rafters with a piece of string, then opening a window and hoping for the best. Four generations later, Colmignoli whose nickname is Olli is still following the familys Old World tradition of salami-making, but now the Encinitas resident is using the latest technology at a huge processing plant in Oceanside. Every week, Olli Salumeria turns out 30,000 pounds of high-end artisan salami in a factory that uses robots to move, weigh and measure the moisture in each of the slowly curing links, which hang by the tens of thousands from steel racks in 21-foot-tall, climate-controlled rooms. Oliviero Colmignoli watches a robotic wheeled cart weigh and calculate the moisture content of a rack of curing salami at his Olli Salumeria factory in Oceanside. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune/Zuma Press ) Advertisement Colmignoli, 38, can use his cellphone to track of the progress of every single salami in the 80,000-square-foot factory, but he insists that while the process has changed, some things never do. All the fresh spices are still hand-measured and each string of sausages is hand-tested for the perfect firmness, a quality unique to Olli sausage that he said cant be done by machine. The family has always pursued technology, which allows us to deliver quality at a price thats accessible, but the salami-making process has never changed from its traditional roots, he said. The Oceanside Olli factory opened last year and employs 50 workers, who turn out some 7,000 cases of meat products each week for customers that include Costco, Whole Foods, Gelsons, Bristol Farms, Jimbos and Frazier Farms. The companys specialty is high-end, artisan salami thats made with all-natural, antibiotic-free pork from small farms in Iowa and Canada thats processed without nitrates. The five-inch salamis, which come in nine varieties, retail for $11 to $12. Oliviero Colmignoli hand-tests the firmness of a stack of salami being prepared for packaging at his Olli Salumeria factory in Oceanside. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune/Zuma Press ) So how did an Italian sausage-maker end up in Oceanside? Thats a story that began 166 years ago with Innocenzo Fiorucci, the familys meat-processing pioneer. Colmignoli said his great-great-grandfather paid the bills by selling salted meats in the winters and cobbling shoes each summer. Over the next 90 years, the Fiorucci family became well-known for their Norcia-style sausages (Norcia is a town in Umbria), which Innocenzos son, Cesare, started producing and selling in Rome after World War II. Cesares son, Ferruccio, didnt have any sons of his own, so the familys salami tradition was passed on to his son-in-law, Claudio Colmignoli, who moved to Virginia in 1986 with his wife and 9-year-old son Olli. They opened a U.S. manufacturing plant for Fiorucci Foods in Richmond, but four years later, Ollis parents divorced and he and his mother moved back to Rome. After high school, he moved to London to study photography, but after a few years working in that field, the salami siren song called him back into the family fold. In 2004, Olli Colmignoli moved his family to Virginia to work in the Fioriucci Foods plant in Richmond. A few years later after his family sold their assets to a private equity firm Olli Salumeria was born. Colmignoli said he and an investor friend were discussing American versus Italian prosciutto (dry-cured ham). He felt that Italian prosciutto was superior because the pigs in Italy are naturally raised on small family farms. Together, Colmignoli and his now-former partner decided to reproduce the conditions in Italy to create an higher-end American product. Raw ground pork, mixed with seasonings, is fed into an Italian-made sausage-stuffing machine at the Olli Salumeria factory in Oceanside. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune/Zuma Press ) Working from a small plant in Virginia, Ollis first prosciutto was unveiled in 2010 and its salami debuted in 2011. The fledgling company was boosted by great press in newspapers like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, whose reporters were charmed by its Old World aspirations. Oprah Winfrey recommended Olli products in a Christmas best list and then Whole Foods came calling. The high-end supermarket chain was looking for U.S. companies to produce private-label charcuterie items under its Gusto brand, and the chain helped connect Colmignoli with humane pork suppliers in Canada and Iowa to ensure a consistent supply. Eventually, Olli Salumeria focused all its energies on salami and its Virginia plant maxed out. When he decided to build a much larger plant in 2014, he looked to the West Coast for expansion. California shoppers are willing to pay for more quality foods, and Californias Mediterranean climate appealed to the Rome-bred Colmignoli, his South African wife, Leanna, and their two daughters, now 11 and 16. He picked San Diego because his sister, Giulia, and her husband, Christopher Antinucci, had already settled here to open their fast-growing Rome-style pizza chain, Napizza. The enormous Oceanside factory was built for growth, with enough room to process 400,000 pounds of meat each week, nearly seven times its current production. He believes that will take about 10 years to reach. Olli salami is manufactured to American tastes. Its smokier, less sweet and much harder than Italian salami. That hardness is achieved through drying, which can take five weeks to five months, depending on the variety. During the drying process, the salami loses 50 percent of its weight, so it takes 60,000 pounds of pork to make 30,000 pounds of salami. A machine lifts freshly-stuffed raw salami into racks that will be sprayed with a fermenting mold and chilled for a week before they move to curing rooms to dry at Olli Salumeria in Oceanside. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune/Zuma Press ) The pre-cut raw pork arrives daily and is poured into a truck-sized grinder in a chilled room. Employees mix the ground pork with fresh spices (oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, anise, fennel seed pollen, mace and fresh garlic cloves), feed it by machine into mesh casings and then spray it with a penicillin-like mold that starts the fermenting process. After a week in cold storage, the sausages are moved by robotic carts into slightly warmer drying rooms, where streams of moisture-free forced air cycle up and down through the racks. Once the sausages reach the perfect weight and level of dehydration, theyre washed, dried and packaged. Among the varieties Olli produces under its own label and the Gusto and Murrays private labels are Toscana, made with Italian fennel pollen; spicy Calabrese, with cayenne pepper and paprika; Chorizo, made with pimenton de la vera (Spanish smoked paprika); and Napoli, which is smoked over apple wood. There are varieties made with Italian summer black truffles and boars meat, a new pepperoni line, and a new test batch now in the curing stages made with barley and smoked porter beer from Carlsbads Guadalupe Brewery. When asked how his great-grandfather Cesare who built the familys first major salami factory outside Rome in the 1960s would feel about the modernized Olli factory, Colmignoli smiles with pride. He was the first to use technology, and I think hed love it, he said. The technology has definitely come forward, but without changing the process. 1 / 11 At the Olli Salumeria salami sausage processing plant in Oceanside a large quantity of pork, above right, works its way into a machine staffed Elias Olivas, left, and Carlos Ferre. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune/Zuma Pre) 2 / 11 A large steel container of raw pork mixed with spices and other ingredients is ready to be poured into a salami making machine at Olli Salumeria. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune/Zuma Pre) 3 / 11 A machine lifts a large rack of just made salamis at Olli Salumeria. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune/Zuma Pre) 4 / 11 Olli Salumeria company president Oliviero Colmignoli holds some salamis ready for packaging and shipment. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune/Zuma Pre) 5 / 11 Olli Salumeria company president Oliviero Colimignoli looks at one of the many computer screens that monitor the prooduction of their salami. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune/Zuma Pre) 6 / 11 Racks of salamis cure are cured in the drying room. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune/Zuma Pre) 7 / 11 Oliviero Colmignoli, president of Olli Salumeria, smells Italian fennel, one of the many spices used in the production of his high-end salamis. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune/Zuma Pre) 8 / 11 Labels on a flow wrapping machine at Olli Salumeria for one of the many brands of salami produced by the company. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune/Zuma Pre) 9 / 11 Oliviero Colmignoli inspects curing salamis in one of the many drying rooms at his companys large Oceanside facility. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune/Zuma Pre) 10 / 11 Oliviero Colmignoli inspects curing salamis in one of the many drying rooms at his companys large Oceanside facility. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune/Zuma Pre) 11 / 11 Packages of salami are ready to ship salami at the Olli Salumeria factory in Oceanside. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune/Zuma Pre) Food & Wine Videos pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com The presidential race may be in the rearview mirror, but the political and policy implications in the Golden State are still on the horizon. Californias top elected leaders, it seems, arent quite ready for the era of President-elect Donald Trump. Good morning from the state capital. Im Sacramento Bureau Chief John Myers, and this week marks the first time that the states Democratic leaders have finally joined the national conversation about what lies ahead in the era of Trump. Advertisement GOV. BROWN CHOOSES HIS WORDS CAREFULLY Perhaps no Democrat is urging caution more than Gov. Jerry Brown, whose caution over a California vs. Trump narrative stands in stark contrast to more firebrand members of the states dominant political party. Even on Browns signature issue of climate change, the words seem to be chosen carefully. If our new president takes that as his proposition, Brown said on Tuesday of Trumps professed skepticism of climate science, I believe that the reaction will be negative and very powerful throughout the world. On Monday, in a meeting with statehouse reporters, I asked Brown twice to address the fear and anger some still harbor over the Republicans election day victory. And twice, he offered cautious, careful answers. Well have to watch to see what moves the federal government makes, the governor said as he sat alongside his choice for attorney general, Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles). WE NEED TO FIGHT On the other side of the state Capitol, the Legislatures leading Democrats are eschewing Browns measured tone. Californians do not need healing. We need to fight, said Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) in his surprisingly blunt prepared remarks on Monday after the oath of office for new lawmakers. And as the California Legislature convened its new two-year session, the marquee moment was the unveiling of proposals intended to fight Trumps promise to take a harder line on those in the country illegally. California will never appease those who threaten to undermine our prosperity or deprive our people of their most fundamental human rights, said Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles). Its been an awkward couple of days in Sacramento, as legislative Republicans saw many of the comments as over the top. Chances are that this is only a preview of whats in store for 2017. AND SPEAKING OF THE PRESIDENT-ELECT Trump continued his post-election celebration tour Tuesday night in North Carolina, where Mark Z. Barabak reports the president-elect channeled former President Ronald Reagans vision of peace through strength. Earlier in the day, Trump threw some jabs at the projected price tag of a new Air Force One, calling it ridiculous. The president-elect had earlier tweeted an exaggerated cost of the project, which aircraft manufacturer Boeing said so far has totaled $170 million. Meantime, the Trump transition has picked up speed. And one key player, writes Evan Halper, is a longtime critic of the nations renewable power efforts who now is part of the effort to set up new leadership for the Department of Energy. A LONG UNWIND OF OBAMACARE? Two years or more. Thats what Republican congressional leaders now envision as how long it will take from the vote to formally repeal the Affordable Care Act to actually kill it. Still, the symbolic first blow appears now less than a month away. The Obamacare repeal resolution will be the first item up in the new year, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday. HATE CRIMES AGAINST COPS, DAKOTA PIPELINE DIVESTMENT: THE BILLS START ROLLING IN Our Times team in Sacramento took a close look on Monday and Tuesday at the 111 proposed state laws introduced by legislators this week. They include a proposal to add an attack on a law enforcement officer to the list of possible hate crimes in California. And even then, a proposal to create a public database that can be searched for the names of felons who commit hate crimes. A new Democratic legislator, who traveled to North Dakota after election day to see the showdown at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation for himself, wants the states pension funds to divest from investments in the company building the controversial oil pipeline. They offered new ideas on how to shed more sunlight on the role of money in politics and the wealth of those who run for office. And a returning GOP legislator wants the state to offer grants to any California National Guard member who had to pay back those enlistment bonuses weve been telling you about in recent weeks. As always, well be covering these and other state politics and government stories on our Essential Politics news feed. ENLISTMENT BONUS SHOWDOWN HAPPENS TODAY And speaking of the controversy, the California scandal will be the focus today of a congressional hearing, even as there are new questions about suspicious activities regarding the bonuses as far back as 2008. David Cloud reports that lawmakers will be told of gross mismanagement and fraud, according to prepared remarks for Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin. TODAYS ESSENTIALS Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will join President Obama to mark the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor today, becoming the first sitting Japanese leader to visit the Hawaiian naval base after the 1941 attack that killed more than 2,400 people and led to Americas entry into World War II. Michael Flynn Jr., the son of Trumps pick for national security advisor, has been let go from the president-elects transition team after spreading online conspiracy theories on Twitter. Theres friction between Californias two U.S. senators over late legislation focused on the Golden States ongoing drought. Californias governor and legislators are now the highest-paid state officials in the nation. The Orange County city of Santa Ana has declared itself a sanctuary city in defiance of Trump. Newly elected Republicans in the Legislature say their focus will be on California as President-elect Trump assumes office. The latest report from the UCLA Anderson Forecast found that Trumps plans for the economy have potential risks and rewards for California. A hotline and extra support are being offered for Los Angeles high school students who are feeling anxious about Trump as president. Another try in Sacramento for billions of dollars in new spending on low-income housing. LOGISTICS AND SOME CHANGES You may have noticed weve shifted to a Monday, Wednesday and Friday schedule. It will be the same great newsletter, just not every day. You can keep up with breaking news on our politics page throughout the day for the latest and greatest. And are you following us on Twitter at @latimespolitics? Did someone forward you this? Sign up here to get Essential Politics in your inbox. Follow me on Twitter at @johnmyers and listen to the weekly California Politics Podcast. Please send thoughts, concerns and news tips to politics@latimes.com. MASON CITY Albert Al L. Shipman, 97, of Mason City, passed away Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, at Good Shepherd Health Center. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, at Epiphany Parish Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams Ave., with the Rev. Andrew A-Mensah and Rev. Kenneth Gehling, Concelebrants. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, 2016, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. A Knights of Columbus rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m. followed by a scriptural wake service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa, 232 22nd Street S.E., Mason City, IA 50401, Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams Ave., Mason City, IA 50401, or KCMR Radio, 316 N. Federal Ave., Mason City, IA 50401. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com. Hed survived worse. Last weekend, 99-year-old Clayton Schenkelberg fell and broke his nose. His injury is still tender, but nothing could keep this Pearl Harbor veteran from the USS Midway Museum on Wednesday morning. You should see what the other guy looks like, he joked, his wheelchair parked on the aircraft carriers flight deck. Advertisement Schenkelberg and 600 others were there to mark the 75th anniversary of Japans surprise attack on the Pacific Fleet. The somber occasion was marked by prayers, speeches, a bugler playing taps. A bell tolled twice for each of the six local Pearl Harbor veterans and three spouses who died in the past year. At 9:55 a.m. the time the first wave of Zeros pounced on Battleship Row Pearl Harbor survivor Gordon Jones tossed a wreath into San Diego Bay, honoring fallen comrades. Five minutes earlier, another wreath had been tossed over the side by World War II veteran John Cummings, 92, paying tribute to his peers in the Greatest Generation. Were still paying respects to those who didnt make it, said Schenkelberg, and those of us who are still here. Thats a dwindling number. Wednesdays crowd included only four people who witnessed the attack that pushed the U.S. into World War II. For 20 years, Jesse Thompson who was a 13-year-old boy living on Ford Island in Pearl Harbor when Japan attacked has hosted weekly lunches at his Bonita home for veterans who survived the assault. When I started, wed regularly get 25 or 30, said Thompson, 88. We only have four or five now. 1 / 14 On the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum for the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 14 Sailors helped Pearl Harbor survivor, Gordon Jones with the traditional tossing of the wreath over the side into the bay. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 14 The public watch a live broadcast of the Pearl Harbor Ceremony in Hawaii from the hangar deck on board the USS Midway Museum. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 14 Sailors salute as the colors pass nearby on board the USS Midway Museum for the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 14 Pearl Harbor survivor, Clayton Schenkelberg listened as each one of the survivors was introduced to the public at the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony on board the USS Midway Museum. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 14 Pearl Harbor survivors in the front row on the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum for the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony. Left to -right, Clayton Schenkelberg (age99), Jesse Thompson (was 13 years old when Pearl Harbor was attacked), Beverly Jones, Gordon Jones, Christine Derby and Woody Derby (age98). (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 14 Marking the 75th anniversary, the public was invited to the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony on board the USS Midway Museum. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 14 The public watch from the railing as two wreaths were tossed over the side at the end of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony on board the USS Midway Museum. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 14 Skii Fleeton-Essenfeld held her sons Gunnar Essenfeld hand as Gunnar removed his hat during the opening prayer for the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony on board the USS Midway Museum. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 14 Petty officer, John Gray assisted Pearl Harbor survivor, Gordon Jones with the tossing of the traditional wreath over the side at the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony on board the USS Midway Museum. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 11 / 14 Pearl Harbor survivors sit in the front row on board the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum for the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony. Left to -right, Clayton Schenkelberg (age99), Jesse Thompson (was 13 years old when Pearl Harbor was attacked), Beverly Jones, Gordon Jones, Christine Derby and Woody Derby (age98). (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 12 / 14 Pearl Harbor survivor Woody Derby (age98) waves to a fellow survivor as he makes his way on the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum for the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 13 / 14 On board the USS Midway Museum, Woody Derby (age98) gets a little help from his wife Christine Derby (left, age94) and his daughter Ellen McCollum (in back) to render the hand salute during the playing of the national anthem. On the far left is Pearl Harbor survivor, Gordon Jones. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 14 / 14 On board the USS Midway Museum, Woody Derby (age98) gets a little help from his wife Christine Derby (left, age94) and his daughter Ellen McCollum (in back) to render the hand salute during the playing of the national anthem. Derby (age98) was 23-years old when he was stationed on the USS Nevada when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) Woodrow Wilson Woody Derby, 98, is a retired San Diego schoolteacher. In 1941, though, he was a 23-year-old supply officer aboard the battleship Nevada. He spent Dec. 7 hoisting munitions out of the magazine, only leaving his post when water pouring through the shattered hull rose above his knees. Coming on deck around 4 p.m., he was confronted with a vision from hell: the harbor in flames, smoke billowing over sinking ships and floating bodies. His prophetic comment that day has become part of Pearl Harbor lore: Somebodys going to catch hell for this. Gordon Jones was a 19-year-old sailor stationed at Kaneohe Bay, a naval air station that was hit first. He survived bombs and strafing runs and the actuarial odds of living to his present age, 94. Hes glad to be alive, said Beverly Jones, his wife. Pearl Harbor was remembered during events across the nation, including Oceanside Harbor where about 100 people heard from two survivors, John Quier, 96, and Joe Walsh, 97, both of Fallbrook. The biggest ceremonies took place in Hawaii, and Schenkelberg, a San Carlos resident, had planned to be there. Then blood clots had made it risky for him to fly. He took far greater risks on Dec. 7, 1941, were extremely low. Then a sailor at Pearl Harbors submarine base, he and a friend worried that Japanese bombs would detonate a stockpile of torpedoes. He and a buddy hopped on a train and drove it down to Ford Island, said Patrick Schenkelberg, Claytons 50-year-old son. Then they ran back to the sub base under fire. Hes not the sort to flinch during an enemy attack or to skip a ceremony after suffering a broken nose. This means everything to him, the younger Schenkelberg said. Hes really proud of his time in the service and so are we. Related: San Diegans gather in Hawaii to remember Pearl Harbor A week on the edge: San Diego after Pearl Harbor San Diego headlines in the week after the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor Pearl Harbor: In a stunned heartbeat, my family moved to San Diego 75 years later, keeping Pearl Harbor memories alive Pacific Beach mans Pearl Harbor mission of reconciliation Oldest Pearl Harbor vet still pumping iron at 104 Internee has different memories of war Pearl Harbor 75th anniversary On Now Pearl Harbor survivors relive the infamous day 12:34 On Now Pearl Harbor Veterans visit Hawaii elementary school 0:43 On Now 104 years young On Now Aircraft Warning Service Volunteer recounts her experience in after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor 2:40 On Now Returning WWII relics to Japan 3:10 On Now USS Pearl Harbor 3:11 On Now Video: Remembering Pearl Harbor: Mary Lou Mawhiney 3:14 UPDATES: 4 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details. This article was originally published at 2:05 p.m. Slowly they climbed off the bus, their canes feeling the way down the steep steps, and into the waiting arms of the children. History made a visit to the Navy Hale Keiki elementary school Tuesday. More than a dozen Pearl Harbor survivors, including two from San Diego, went to the school as part of their increasingly anxious effort to keep alive the lessons and stories from what happened here 75 years ago today. Advertisement On Dec. 7, 1941, waves of Japanese planes launched from aircraft carriers caught the Pacific Fleet unawares on a sleepy Sunday morning. They destroyed ships and airplanes, killed 2,400 Americans, and pushed the United States into World War II and from there onto a perch as the globes preeminent political and cultural power. Dozens of survivors, both military veterans and civilians, have come from the mainland to Oahu this week for anniversary events that will reach their emotional peak this morning with a ceremony just across the water from the memorial for the sunken battleship Arizona, which still holds the remains of more than 1,000 sailors. The commemoration started Thursday, and at many of the luncheons, dinners and other events, the Pearl Harbor vets recognizable in their Hawaiian shirts, white slacks and garrison caps have received standing ovations for what they went through and for the resolve they showed in the aftermath of the attack. What the survivors most enjoy, though, is the bond they have with each other, and the opportunities they have to share what they know with younger generations. The survivors are all in their 90s or older now, and time is running out. Thats where Tuesdays visit to the elementary school came in. The 212 students at Hale Keiki come mostly from military families. Some have spent their whole lives in and around Pearl Harbor, a place where there are memorials and museums and where its also possible to go out on an old concrete airfield and still see the pock marks left by Japanese Zero strafing runs. These have always been just stories to him, Navy Capt. Matt Boland said of his 10-year-old son, Liam, a fourth-grader at the school. But to be able to meet the people who were there ... His voice trailed off. 1 / 10 The sun prepares to rise behind the battleship USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor Hawaii, as commemorations continue leading up to Wednesday, the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, thrusting The United States into World War II. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 10 USS West Virginia, 95-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor Stu Hedley acknowledges the students at Navy Hale Keiki School as he arrives at the school escorted by fourth grader Liam Boland. He and about 24 other World War II veterans, sponsored by the Greatest Generations Foundation, of which about 15 are Pearl Harbor survivors, visited with the students, and as Hedley did, some told their stories of survival on December 7, 1941, the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor thrusting The United States into World War II. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 10 Nikki Brown, pats 97-year-old USS Oklahoma Pearl Harbor survivor Ray Richmond on the back during a visit to Navy Hale Keiki School. Richmond and about 24 other World War II veterans, sponsored by the Greatest Generations Foundation, of which about 15 are Pearl Harbor survivors to visit the school. Some told their stories of survival on December 7, 1941, the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor thrusting The United States into World War II. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 10 USS West Virginia, 95-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor Stu Hedley shakes hands with fourth grader Christian Yoon during a visit to Navy Hale Keiki School near Pearl Harbor. He and about 24 other World War II veterans, sponsored by the Greatest Generations Foundation, of which about 15 are Pearl Harbor survivors, visited with the students, and as Hedley did, some told their stories of survival on December 7, 1941, the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor thrusting The United States into World War II. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 10 97-year-old USS Oklahoma, Pearl Harbor survivor Ray Richmond and about 24 other World War II veterans, of which about 15 are Pearl Harbor survivors, visited the students Navy Hale Keiki School during a trip sponsored by the Greatest Generations Foundation. Some told their stories of survival on December 7, 1941, the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor thrusting The United States into World War II. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 10 USS West Virginia, 95-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor Stu Hedley tells his story of survival on December 7, 1941, the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor thrusting The United States into World War II, during a visit to Navy Hale Keiki School near Pearl Harbor. He and about 24 other World War II veterans, sponsored by the Greatest Generations Foundation, of which about 15 are Pearl Harbor survivors, visited with the students, and as Hedley did, some told their stories of survival on December 7. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 10 USS West Virginia, 95-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor Stu Hedley right, tells his story of survival on December 7, 1941, the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor thrusting The United States into World War II, during a visit to Navy Hale Keiki School near Pearl Harbor. He and about 24 other World War II veterans, sponsored by the Greatest Generations Foundation, of which about 15 are Pearl Harbor survivors, visited with the students, and as Hedley did, some told their stories of survival on December 7. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 10 USS West Virginia, 95-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor Stu Hedley tells his story of survival on December 7, 1941, the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor thrusting The United States into World War II, during a visit to Navy Hale Keiki School near Pearl Harbor. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 10 The sun rises behind the battleship USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as commemorations continue leading up to Wednesday, and the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, thrusting The United States into World War II. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 10 The sun prepares to rise behind the battleship USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as commemorations continue leading up to Wednesday, and the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, thrusting The United States into World War II. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) The veterans group, sponsored by the Colorado-based Greatest Generations Foundation, arrived in a blue charter bus that had the lettering Remember Pearl Harbor on the sides. They were escorted inside the school grounds by students and active-duty service members. The kids sang the national anthem and recited the pledge of allegiance. Preschoolers walked by in single file and gave the survivors high fives that were more like mid fives because the kids are short and the vets arms dont lift like they used to. Nobody minded. Among those enjoying the connection was Ray Richmond, 97, a Serra Mesa resident who was below deck on the battleship Oklahoma, shaving his face, when bombs and torpedoes hit all those mornings ago. As the ship rolled onto its side, Richmond made his way free. But he shattered his hip in the escape and then had to swim through water aflame with burning oil. He spent almost a year in the hospital. His daughter, Laura Alioto, said he never talked about Pearl Harbor when she was growing up. When her son, Greg, was in the seventh grade, he interviewed his grandfather, and the stories started coming. All three traveled to Hawaii for earlier anniversaries and flew in Monday for this years commemoration. The warm welcome they get means a lot to my grandfather, Greg Alioto said. And to have the children participate to have them be so respectful and curious you can just see how much it makes him smile. The older children studied Pearl Harbor for about a month in preparation for the visit, reading books, writing reports and composing letters that were placed in time capsules during the visit Tuesday. Nikki Brown talks to Pearl Harbor survivor Ray Richmond, 97, of Serra Mesa during a visit to Navy Hale Keiki Elementary School in Pearl Harbor, where he and other World War II veterans who survived the Japanese attack on Dec. 7, 1941, shared their stories. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune ) According to several of the parents, the kids were beyond excited to meet the survivors. We are most likely the last generation to see them, one student wrote in his time capsule letter. It is important to learn their stories so they will never be forgotten. Several of the vets went to classrooms to talk about their experiences. Stu Hedley, a Clairemont resident who was aboard the battleship West Virginia during the attack, told a fourth-grade class of about 12 students that when he was their age, he liked to draw photos of airplanes dropping bombs. Little did I realize at the age of 10 that one day I was going to be involved with all that, he said. Hedley passed around a copy of his old Hawaiian drivers license and photos from the attack, and asked the kids to guess how much it cost to buy a steak breakfast in Honolulu in 1941. The guesses went as high as $22. The actual price? $1. Whoa, several of the kids said. Monique Raduziner, the schools principal, said the students often hear about duty, honor, country from their parents. But meeting the survivors took it to another level. On Sunday, the students and about two dozen veterans went to Punchbowl, to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, where some of those killed at Pearl Harbor are buried. One of the girls, standing among the graves, started crying. I get it, she said. I just get it. Soon the vets were tearing up, too. These kids, Raduziner said, their hearts were forever changed. Related: A week on the edge: San Diego after Pearl Harbor San Diego headlines in the week after the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor Pearl Harbor: In a stunned heartbeat, my family moved to San Diego 75 years later, keeping Pearl Harbor memories alive Pacific Beach mans Pearl Harbor mission of reconciliation Oldest Pearl Harbor vet still pumping iron at 104 Internee has different memories of war Innocence wasnt all we lost. Dec. 7, 1941, destroyed Americans illusions that they were immune from the war raging in Asia and Europe. In the week after Japan assaulted Pearl Harbor, San Diego reeled from a series of additional losses. Locals were among World War IIs first U.S. casualties; Japanese-Americans lost their liberty; drivers lost their way and even their lives, as motorists adjusted to the unlit roads of the wartime blackout. Advertisement The city even lost its fabled climate, or at least public notice of temperatures and tides. Weather forecasts were banned to avoid tipping off foes. The war also brought some gains, notably a new-found sense of unity. Everybody was so patriotic, said Carlsbads Betty Tenney, then a 21-year-old housewife in Mission Hills. I wasnt worried. Betty Tenney was a volunteer with the Air Raid Warden Service on Dec. 7, 1941. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune ) Many were too busy to fret. There was shipbuilding going on in San Diego, said Bob Nobel, then a 16-year-old senior at San Diego High. And Convair was huge, the biggest thing we ever had in the way of employing people. The war would transform this sleepy backwater into a thriving city. When the war began, San Diego was smaller than Modesto or Oxnard are today, said Bill Yenne, author of a new book, Panic on the Pacific: How America Prepared for a West Coast Invasion. The war that began Dec. 7, 1941, would continue for 192 weeks. In Week One, San Diego began to understand the effort this conflict would require, and the cost it would exact. How San Diegos newspapers reacted to news of the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 Sunday, Dec. 7 Coming home from church on Sunday morning, Bob Nobel heard the alarming dispatch over a car radio. The same reports were broadcast by a radio set up on the Oceanside farm of the Sugimoto family. Tak Sugimoto, then a child, was confused. I didnt even know where Pearl Harbor was, he said. Betty Tenney, a newlywed living in Mission Hills with husband Richard Levi, had a better idea than most thanks to her hush-hush wartime service. Months before Pearl Harbor, the U.S. had established a secret network of filter centers along the nations borders. Sightings of suspicious aircraft were marked on wall-sized maps and forwarded to Army Air Corps bases, which could scramble planes to intercept the threat. Our center was on Broadway I think it was in the Spreckels building and we couldnt tell anyone what we were doing or where we were going, remembered Tenney, who divorced Levi in the 1950s. Unlike many who felt dazed that Sunday, she already understood her wartime duties. I felt fine, she said. I enjoyed going down there and working. The San Diego Union rushed out three extra editions. U.S. FLEET BATTLES JAPS, the front page declared, AS TOKYO DECLARES WAR. The Pacific Fleet had been badly mauled but not destroyed. On Sunday morning, the aircraft carrier Saratoga steamed into San Diego Bay after an overhaul in Bremerton, Wash. She joined eight other naval vessels in the harbor, including the light cruiser Concord. For security reasons, Saratogas presence was not reported. Neither was the full extent of Pearl Harbors losses. Still, The San Diego Union noted that a former Chula Vistan, Robert L. Tyce, was probably the first American to die in the attack. Operator of a civilian air field on Oahu, Tyce had been shot by a Zero fighter plane. More local casualties would follow, a San Diego Union essayist predicted: San Diego will have the highest percentage of sons and stepsons in the holocaust ahead. It was already clear that life would never be the same for local Japanese. On Sunday night, FBI agents rounded up 25 San Diegans of Japanese ancestry. They were held on open charges. Monday, Dec. 8 Sunday, President Franklin Delano Roosevelts day of infamy, was followed by Monday, Californias day of confusion. The Army claimed the Japanese had conducted several aerial sorties over the state. One report had 15 enemy planes flying from San Jose to San Francisco. Another, 60 planes streaking north from Monterey to Eureka. Neither report was accurate. This thing just sort of fed on itself, Yenne said. And like a fairy tale monster, as it fed on itself it got bigger and bigger. As the resupplied Saratoga steamed west for Hawaii, San Diegans looked for ways to join the fight. Leaders of 10 unions pledged all-out participation in the civilian defense of San Diego. The Mens Republican League of San Diego also promised complete cooperation with the government and armed forces. Overnight, the war changed traditions and attitudes. On Monday, women were enrolled for the first time in the San Diego Vocational Schools welding classes. Sheriff Bert Strand canceled all leave and vacations for his 62 deputies, then requested an additional $50,045 for more staff and equipment. Hed need a larger force for his ambitious 24-hour prowl car service. These cruisers would patrol the countys borders, ready to report any Japanese incursion. They would operate in the dark, literally, as a blackout went into effect Monday. Neon signs, street lights, lights in homes and businesses all winked out at the stroke of midnight. Betty Tenney, 97, was a 21-year-old housewife in San Diego with a top secret job, working as a volunteer in the Army Air Corps, Aircraft Warning Service, 4th Interceptor Command, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1941. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune ) Tuesday, Dec. 9 Early-rising San Diegans who turned on their radios Tuesday heard something unexpected: silence. The military had shut down all West Coast radio broadcasts to prevent guiding possible Japanese bombers to their objectives. Coast Still Faces Danger of Attack read a front page headline. Some complained about the silent airwaves, but Col. G.P. Tourtellot was unimpressed. The time has passed when we are trying to please the public with radio programs, said the colonel, speaking for the Northwest Defense Command. Were trying to save their lives. Enemy bombers would never reach the mainland. If they had, perhaps the safest place in town would have been in Balboa Park. Now home to the San Diego Air & Space Museum, the circular Ford Building housed an air raid shelter. Built by the San Diego Vocational School, it hosted a Tuesday drill by 600 students. Short of a direct hit, said Larry Boeing, a school official, I believe our students will have a place of complete safety, even in the most serious bombings. To foil enemy aircraft, the San Diego City Council passed an emergency blackout ordinance. All lights were to be extinguished or obscured by blackout curtains from 15 minutes after sunset to 15 minutes before sunrise. Even in broad daylight, the war upended daily life. Russell Rowe, 38, was sentenced to 29 days in jail after police found him standing outside an SDG&E plant in Barrio Logan. His crime? Loitering near a vital defense center. Wednesday, Dec. 10 In Coronado, nerves were frayed. First, a Wednesday morning thunderstorm dropped 1.5 inches of rain and raised fears. Flashes of lighting and thunderous booms over the Pacific were mistaken for a fierce naval engagement. The storm knocked out Coronados power. Then, soon after electricity was restored in the evening, authorities mistakenly reported hostile planes over Southern California. For three hours, darkness covered the West, from Los Angeles south through Tijuana Mexican authorities were equally alarmed and out to Las Vegas. Those Japanese planes didnt exist, but the war came home in other ways. Danger is never far from any of us, warned first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, visiting San Diego to see her son, Navy Ensign John Roosevelt, and speak at a Civic Affairs Day rally. The only real safety is to be prepared. San Diego shops started closing at 6 p.m. to enforce the blackout. Churches moved Christmas programs from weekday evenings to weekend afternoons. Local Japanese were hit with a series of restrictions. At banks, they were barred from withdrawing or depositing money, or opening their own safety deposit boxes. San Diego merchants were discouraged from doing business with enemy nationals, including the Japanese farmers who raised most of the regions fresh vegetables. In Oceanside, police rounded up workers on some of those farms. And that night, FBI agents raided the Sugimoto home. They told us all to sit at the kitchen table and went through the whole house, Tak Sugimoto said. They went through all our rooms, all our drawers, all the walls. The agents left empty handed. In April 1942, the Sugimotos would be sent to an internment camp. Officials werent the only ones acting in an overzealous manner. Stopped at the corner of 30th and Redwood streets, Jack Howard found his car surrounded by self-appointed air raid wardens. They ordered him to turn off his cars lights. I dont have to stop for anyone, Howard replied. One of the mob, Russell Lewis, responded by kicking out Howards headlights. Howard jumped from his car and tackled Lewis. Police arrived, separating the two men and citing both. Howard and Lewis were in court the next day. Lewis received a suspended $10 fine. Both men received a scolding from Judge John J. Brennan. Thursday, Dec. 11 The California Womens Cadet Corps met Thursday on Third Avenue to make surgical dressings and roll bandages. They were unexpectedly joined by seven Japanese women who volunteered to help. Some of the women seemed almost heartbroken at the action Japan had taken, a San Diego Union reporter wrote, and indicated that they, who had lived many years in this country, wanted to help America all they could. Still, the roundups continued. In San Diego jail, the number of enemy aliens behind bars had reached 85 74 Japanese, 11 Germans. There were some imperial sympathizers, Yenne said, but there was no sabotage. There really was no fifth column at all and the FBI tried very hard to find one. A more immediate threat was the blackout, which led to numerous collisions. Thursdays four-car pileup in North Park left three men injured. In this unusual holiday season, shoppers were keen on flashlights, blackout curtains and blackout paint. This is about the last thing we expected to have a Christmas run on, one clerk told the Union, but here it is. A newspaper ad suggested another present: U.S. defense bonds. Give Security to Your HOME and Our NATION Friday, Dec. 12 In the post-Pearl era, patriotism took some unexpected turns. A middle-aged man surrendered himself to a San Diego police station on Friday. Im a deserter from the Army Air Corps, 1928, he told Lt. G.W. Treleaven. I want to report back. San Diegans were learning that war meant doing without many things, including weather reports. Dean Blake, head of the local weather bureau, spotted a silver lining on these unreported clouds. Now, he said, no one will be calling me up to complain that the forecast wasnt as good as it might have been. Everyone had to do their part, noted Superior Court Judge Gordon Thompson as he naturalized 31 new citizens. (A relatively small number, due to a recent ruling preventing German and Italian immigrants from U.S. citizenship. Japanese had been barred for years.) Your country is at war, Thompson told the former Russians, Mexicans and British, and you, just as the rest of the great family of Americans, may be called on at any moment to serve your country. Many San Diegans were already in harms way. Ruth Condit a secretary for the citys defense council was relieved to learn that her brother was alive on a Pacific atoll. His telegram home: Safe on Midway. The blackout meant theater marquees went dark, but the shows went on, including Humphrey Bogart in The Maltese Falcon. For those who preferred live performances, the Burlesque Hollywood made a seductive promise: Our Show Makes You Forget the Horrors of War. Saturday, Dec. 13 It had been a grim week, even on the funny pages. In the Wash Tubbs comic strip on Saturday, Tubbs was still seeking the last of the bombs saboteurs had hidden in an American factory. The undiscovered bomb, our hero warned, will explode ANY SECOND! Perhaps Judge Brennan hoped to ease some of the ever-increasing tension. Eight women convicted of vagrancy, a euphemism for prostitution, came before him for sentencing. In this hour of national peril, the judge said, you can best help your country by staying out of jail and keeping busy. Ordered to avoid downtown bars and hotels, the streetwalkers were freed. Thirteen Japanese celery growers and merchants tried to ease some of the ever-increasing tension. This delegation delivered a petition to the Chula Vista City Council, condemning the treacherous infamy of Japans attack on the United States. We are ready to sacrifice our lives to present a clean-cut victory to the United States. We do not hesitate to repudiate and condemn our ancestral country when Japan deliberately attacks us and American blood was shed. By April, these farmers and merchants along with every other Japanese resident of California would be interned. San Diego would survive the war, yet many San Diegans would not. Dec. 7s dead included Ensigns John Vogt Jr., 26, a San Diego High graduate, and Herbert G. Jones, 23, a Coronado High product who left behind a wife of six months. Pearl Harbor forced San Diegos entry into the worlds deadliest conflict. The first seven days were over; 1,340 bloody days were yet to come. Related: San Diegans gather in Hawaii to remember Pearl Harbor Pearl Harbor: In a stunned heartbeat, my family moved to San Diego 75 years later, keeping Pearl Harbor memories alive Pacific Beach mans Pearl Harbor mission of reconciliation Oldest Pearl Harbor vet still pumping iron at 104 Internee has different memories of war When Japanese soldiers invaded Capt. Ben Salomons battalion on the South Pacific island of Saipan on July 7, 1944, the Army dentist grabbed a rifle and began firing. On that day, Salomon gunned down 98 opponents. He was credited with saving dozens of comrades in the process. He died during the exchange. Salomon, who at the time was serving as a frontline surgeon for the 2nd Battalion, 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division, received the Medal of Honor posthumously in 2002. He became the first Army dentist to get this recognition. Advertisement No one who knew him is with us this afternoon. Yet America will always know Benjamin Lewis Salomon by the (Medal of Honor) citation to be read shortly. It tells of one young man who was the match for 100, a person of true valor who now receives the honor due him from a grateful country, President George W. Bush said during the medal presentation ceremony at the White House. Dr. Robert West, a dentist in Calabasas, received the medal in Salomons honor. There are no living members of the Salomon family. Even though I never met the man, I feel like I know him, West said at the time. I know youre smiling up there, Ben. West led extensive efforts to recognize Salomons heroism, calling it a labor of love. An alumna of the University of Southern Californias dental school, as was Salomon, West first learned of the soldier while working on a book for the schools 100th anniversary. West himself died in 2012. John Ingle, a former dean of the dentistry school, also helped in the campaign to pay tribute to Salomon with the Medal of Honor. He joined West at the White House presentation ceremony. Salomon was at first denied the Medal of Honor; it was initially unclear if he was eligible because he was a medical officer. The Geneva Convention bars medical personnel from bearing arms for offensive purposes. But they could do so in self-defense or to protect others. In March 2002, after sending dozens of letters advocating for Salomon during a five-year period, West got news from the Pentagon about Salomons selection for the top medal. I went through the ceiling. I was on cloud nine, West told USC. I couldnt believe it. I actually waded through all that bureaucracy. It was probably one of the most emotional, dramatic moments of my life. Salomon was born into a Jewish family in Milwaukee in 1914. He later moved to Los Angeles to attend the then-named USC Dental College. He attempted to enlist as a dentist in the American and Canadian armies. In 1940, he was drafted into the U.S. Army as a private in the infantry. At age 29, Salomon was serving as a surgeon with the 27th Infantry Division in the South Pacifics Marianas Islands on July 7, 1944, when his aid station was attacked by thousands of Japanese soldiers. A Japanese army commander had ordered an offensive against American troops, according to research conducted by USC. The Japanese moved in on the U.S. service members, including some injured soldiers being treated by Salomon. He ordered comrades to evacuate the hospital tent and carry away the wounded, leaving him to face the enemy alone. He was last heard shouting, Ill hold them off until you get them to safety. See you later. In a battle that lasted a reported 15 hours, Solomon managed to kill nearly 100 Japanese fighters with a machine gun. Later on, his comrades followed a bloody trail to his bullet-riddled body, which was found curled around the gun he used. He was shot about 75 times. Its unknown exactly how many men he saved that day. Capt. Edmund Love, the units historian, described Salomons extraordinary courage in his last moments of life: There were ninety-eight Japanese bodies piled up in front of that gun position. Salomon had killed so many men that he had been forced to move the gun four different times in order to get a clear field of fire, Love said. One could easily visualize Ben Salomon, wounded and bleeding, trying to drag that gun a few more feet so that he would have a new field of fire. The blood was on the ground, and the marks plainly indicated how hard it must have been for him, especially in that last move. tatiana.sanchez@sduniontribune.com Michael Kurth vividly remembers that day in February 1991. For 10 hours, he led squadrons of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft through several miles of thick black smoke that turned day into night, generated by Kuwaiti oil fields that Iraqi forces had set ablaze. I clearly remember the sound of burning oil wells when we got close to them, he said. You could hear the roar above the noise of the helicopter. The landscape seemed like something out of Dantes Inferno. Advertisement Kurth was credited with rallying his team to destroy as many as 70 Iraqi armored vehicles that day. Ten months later, President George H.W. Bush awarded Kurth the Navy Cross, one of two awarded during the Persian Gulf War. That recognition for combat heroism is second only to the Medal of Honor. I was just doing what I get paid to do, what the taxpayers pay me to do, Kurth said at the time. Im certainly gratified, but Im also having a hard time putting it into perspective. I guess I just wish there was a better way to recognize everybody else. The Navy Cross citation describes Kurths bravery this way: With total disregard for his own safety, he flew under and perilously close to high-voltage power lines. Placing himself at grave personal risk to intermittent Iraqi ground and anti-aircraft fire, Lt. Col. Kurth flew continuously for 10 hours during the most intense periods of combat, twice having to control-crash his aircraft. Kurth said the fateful day in 1991 began at 5:30 a.m. and extended into the night. There were a number of highlights, but what sticks with me the most is the teamwork, ingenuity, tenacity and sheer will of Marines, he said. Nothing was going to slow any of us down as the environmental conditions were probably tougher than the enemy. I can only imagine what they the enemies thought as this very organized Marine Corps combined arms machine pursued them through this nightmarish smoke, oil, obstacles and minefields. Born in Waukegan, Ill., Kurth graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1971. He and his best friend agreed that both would join the Marines. We did it for the challenge the Marine Corps had to offer, he said, adding that his father was a Marine in World War II. Kurth reported to officer candidate school in March 1972 and served in several locations, including Camp Pendleton. Among his assignments was helping plan the ultimately unsuccessful rescue of American hostages in Tehran, Iran, in 1979. He also became an expert on Soviet helicopters and joined the European Tactics Analysis Team as its only rotary wing member. After the Persian Gulf War, Kurth earned a masters degree in national security and strategic studies in 1992 at the Naval War College and then ended his military service in 1996 at the rank of colonel. He joined the aerospace giant Boeing the next year and served as managing director of the companys defense business in the United Kingdom prior to taking up duties in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Currently, the 66-year-old oversees Boeings defense, space and security operations in Saudi Arabia. Kurth said the Marine Corps taught him leadership, discipline, strategic thinking and focus assets that prepared him well for his work in the private sector. He has no plans to retire since there are too many things I havent seen and too many things I want to learn, and, luckily, my wife feels the same way. His advice to todays youths: Always challenge yourself, be truthful and remember that people are relying on you to do the right thing. roger.showley@sduniontribune.com The modern idea of Memorial Day in the United States arose after the Civil War, the conflict that has spilled the most American blood. After more than 620,000 soldiers perished, the still-young nation turned its thoughts toward honoring the graves of its war dead. May was chosen because thats when spring flowers are at their peak bloom. Advertisement The leader of the Grand Army of the Republic, an association of Union Army veterans, was a driving force. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of a free and undivided republic, Gen. John Logan wrote to his followers in 1868. After World War I, a conflict that claimed more than 400,000 American lives, the day was expanded to honor all U.S. war dead. Finally, in 1971, Congress pegged the national holiday known as Memorial Day to the last Monday of each May. This series of stories tells the stories of nearly three dozen Americans who went into battlefields and displayed great courage. Their lives sketch U.S. history from the days before and during the Civil War, when Alonzo Hereford Cushing refused to stop fighting at Gettysburg, to Iraq this month, when Navy SEAL Charles Keating IV died while trying to rescue Kurdish fighters. Some were our neighbors like Keating, who leaves behind a young widow in Coronado. Others were strangers to San Diego, but their stories are nevertheless worth knowing. Are these tales of heroism, often punctuated by the ultimate combat sacrifice? Some would argue Memorial Day should honor all war dead and that focusing on combat valor leads to glamorization of war. Others might counter that theres bravery in simply agreeing to put on the uniform, especially in the all-volunteer force of the United States today. Since antiquity, writers have ascribed greatness to the act of dying in battle. They never fail who die in a great cause, wrote British poet Lord Byron in the 19th century. He died at 36 after falling sick while fighting for Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire. Gen. George Patton, who led the U.S. Third Army during World War II, famously said: It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived. But Ernest Hemingway, who drove an ambulance in Italy during World War I, was among modernists who saw futility in the bloodshed of industrialized warfare. They wrote in the old days that it is sweet and fitting to die for ones country. But in modern war, there is nothing sweet nor fitting in your dying. You will die like a dog for no good reason, the American novelist and war correspondent wrote. Sebastian Junger, a writer who has reported on the past decade of wars, has opined that weighing the costs of conflict is an enduring obligation. Soldiers themselves are reluctant to evaluate the costs of war, but someone must. That evaluation, ongoing and unadulterated by politics, may be the one thing a country absolutely owes the soldiers who defend its borders, Junger wrote. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, in the United States, the American military swelled in number as U.S. troops were dispatched to Afghanistan and Iraq. Between 2001 and mid-May, more than 4,500 American service members were killed in the Iraq conflict and nearly 2,370 died in the Afghanistan campaign. They included almost 540 men and women from units based in San Diego County, according to the Defense Departments Defense Casualty Analysis System. The toll is likely to increase as more U.S. troops are being sent into harms way as part of a widening campaign against the jihadist group Islamic State not only in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also in Syria, Yemen and Libya. The American forces are officially in these zones to train, advise and motivate their foreign counterparts, but the reality is that the front line is hard to define. As a nurse, San Diego native Jennifer Moreno was trained to help people in need. Just as she lived, she died in Afghanistan three years ago as she was coming to the aid of fellow soldiers. Moreno, a Bronze Star recipient who is interred at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, has been remembered by family, friends and others for her courage, strength and spirit. She was a 25-year-old first lieutenant helping with a special operations mission when she and three other troops were killed by improvised explosive devices in Kandahar City on an October night in 2013. Advertisement An Army narrative about the mission described how the 5-foot-2 nurse disregarded her own well-being in an attempt to rescue soldiers injured in the heavily booby-trapped compound. For her valorous actions, Moreno was posthumously promoted to captain. Born in Logan Heights in 1988, Moreno attended San Diego High School, where she was a member of the Junior ROTC. An Army scholarship paid for her way into the University of San Francisco, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Susan Prion, Morenos faculty adviser at the University of San Francisco, described Moreno as the epitome of no muss, no fuss and someone who put her head down to finish what needed to be done. After joining the Army, Moreno completed airborne training in 2009 and the Army Medical Department Officer Basic Course in 2010. She was assigned to Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, where she served as a clinical staff nurse on a medical surgical unit. But she wanted to do more and make an even greater impact. In an interview with The San Diego Union-Tribune last year, Prion said Moreno was motivated to help people, which she believed she could do by becoming an Army officer. Moreno volunteered for the Army Special Operations Command Cultural Support Team, which is composed of women attached to the 75th Ranger Regiment whose role was to talk with Afghan women in situations where their culture prevented them from speaking to men. On the night of Oct. 6, 2013, she and other troops went on a mission to capture a person the military described as a high-value target. The Military Times reported that soldiers inside a compound ordered people staying in the targets home to come out. An Afghan woman walking out of the compound detonated a suicide vest, killing herself and wounding six troops. The explosion detonated an IED, and a third went off after it was hit by two soldiers rushing to help troops injured by the first blast. An Afghan insurgent running from the building detonated another suicide vest, killing himself and a military working dog named Jani. The ground commander told all soldiers to stay where they were, but Moreno responded to a staff sergeants call to help a wounded soldier. She didnt make it back out. She was one of four soldiers killed by IEDs at the compound. Also lost were Sgt. Patrick Hawkins, 25; Sgt. Joseph Peters, 24; and Pfc. Cody Patterson, 24. About 30 troops were injured in the attack. The Army later reported that the mission stymied an attack that would have resulted in the deaths of many innocent civilians. Besides the Bronze Star, Moreno was posthumously awarded the Combat Action Badge, Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and NATO Medal. Moreno was the first female combat casualty laid to rest at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery since the post-9/11 wars began. Her university alma mater has a memorial to her that displays replicas of her medals, a plaque, her photo, a written account of her last battle and a folded American flag. gary.warth@sduniontribune.com Mason Carter was just 14 when he enlisted in the Navy, launching a military career that would span nearly 50 years and earn him the nations highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor. Today, a 14-year-old wouldnt be allowed to enlist. But in the pre-Civil War era, it wasnt unusual for someone as young as 11 or 12 to sign up, said Phil Arnold, a Fallbrook attorney who has conducted extensive research on the Civil War and Medal of Honor. Advertisement Pre-teens who joined the Navy were sometimes called powder monkeys, said Arnold, because their job was to bring gun powder to load cannons. Small people were needed to reach the tight confines where the cannons were mounted. Other young enlistees served as drummer boys, Arnold said. During the Civil War, an 11-year-old drummer boy named Willie Johnston, who had enlisted with his father, received the Medal of Honor for stubbornly clinging to his drum during a retreat while other soldiers abandoned their gear, according to several sources. In Carters case, he went to sea as a midshipman and later attended the U.S. Naval Academy. He failed the final exam several times, then left the Navy. He re-enlisted, this time with the Army, in 1860 and continued his service until his compulsory retirement at age 64 in 1898. During the Civil War, Carter was wounded at the Battle of Wilsons Creek on Aug. 10, 1861. After that conflict ended, he served for nearly 20 years on what was then our Indian frontiers, wrote Gen. E.L. Huggins in a tribute to Carter published in the San Diego Union after his death in December 1909. Serving on the frontier in the 1870s and 1880s was no easy life. According to Arnold, the officers and enlisted men of that era had to face many difficulties and dangers, from living in remote locations, to enduring severe weather, to battling Indian tribes that opposed their presence. They were a pretty rough-and-tumble group of guys. It was a very tough life. It was lonely, Arnold said. As far as the development of the West, it couldnt have occurred without them. Carter received the Medal of Honor for his heroism on Sept. 30, 1877, at Bear Paw Mountain, Mont. According to the book Deeds of Valor, Vol. II, by Walter Frederick Beyer and Oscar Frederick Keydel, Carter was part of a force that had surrounded a camp of Nez Perce Indians. When a fellow officer was wounded, Carter continued the charge and succeeded in dislodging the Indians, inflicting heavy loss upon them, the authors wrote. His Medal of Honor citation noted that he had led the charge under galling fire. This affair, which was one of the bloodiest and most fiercely contested battles ever fought against Indians, resulted in the surrender of Chief Joseph and his band of Nez Perce to General Miles, Huggins wrote. After retiring from active duty in the military, Carter accepted an appointment as a professor of military science and tactics at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. Suffering from poor health, Carter left Sewanee for the balmy climate of San Diego, where he lived a quiet and secluded life until his death, Huggins wrote. He was walking about the day before his death and retained to the last his erect figure and his military bearing, Huggins added. Carter, a Georgia native, was a cousin of Cassius M. Carter, San Diego Countys district attorney from 1902 to 1906, and the namesake of one of the theaters in the Old Globe Theatre complex in Balboa Park. He also was related to U.S. Sen. James Murray Mason of Virginia. And his maternal grandfather, Thomas Flournoy, was an Army general during the War of 1812. Carter, who served in the Armys 5th Infantry Regiment, is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Next to him is the plot for his wife, Lucie, who died in 1938. Tash is a freelance writer. As enemy soldiers surrounded his unit in northeastern Afghanistan just before dawn, Army Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller made a choice. More than 150 insurgents had ambushed the combined U.S. special operations and Afghan National Army force in the snow-filled Gowardesh Valley in January 2008, exposing the men to automatic weapon fire and rocket-propelled grenades. In the lead, Miller ordered the men to take cover. Then he charged the enemy to give his comrades time to get away. Advertisement The official Army report said he managed to kill at least 10 insurgents and wound dozens more before being killed by enemy fire. He is credited with saving seven American and 15 Afghan soldiers. No one wants to go through what we did with losing a child, his mother, Maureen Miller, said this month from Florida. To know that your child died doing his duty and saving the lives of others, it makes a big difference in how youre able to handle that kind of thing. Miller posthumously received the Medal of Honor in October 2010 from President Barack Obama. At a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Obama described how Miller pushed himself to excel as a high school gymnast in Wheaton, Ill., went on to earn the Green Beret title in the Army and earned two commendation medals for valor in Afghanistan. Devotion to duty. An abiding sense of honor. A profound love of country. These were the virtues that found their ultimate expression when Rob just 24 years old and on his second tour met his testing point on Jan. 25, 2008, Obama said. The president described how Miller continued to radio enemy positions in the chaos and, as the only Pashto speaker in his group, organized Afghan soldiers around him. Rob seemed to disappear into clouds of dust and debris, but his team could hear him on the radio, still calling out the enemys position, Obama said. And they could hear his weapon still firing as he provided cover for his men. And then, over the radio, they heard his voice. He had been hit. But still, he kept calling out enemy positions. Still, he kept firing. Still, he kept throwing his grenades. And then they heard it Robs weapon fell silent. Two American soldiers rushed to Millers aid and were with him in his final moments, the president said. Maureen Miller said she still hears from her sons fellow soldiers, especially his captain, Robert Cusick, who is now a major in the Army. She said her son was fascinated by the military from a young age. In grade school, he was reading books on World War II, Maureen Miller said. Any time he had a piece of scrap paper, he was drawing pictures of guns, tanks and planes, whole battle scenes. Moreover, she said her son was very patriotic and enjoyed discussing history with the family. He had a particular interest in hearing stories of his fathers service in Berlin. He wanted to serve the country, Maureen Miller said. Robert Miller took the step of learning Pashto, one of Afghanistans national languages, and was nearly fluent at the time of his death, his mother said. Obama said during the Medal of Honor ceremony that Miller was respected by the Afghans he trained and became friends with many of them, who invited him to their weddings and into their homes. He served as a weapons sergeant in Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3312, Special Operations Task Force 33, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Afghanistan. Several places have been named after Robert Miller, including Miller Hall, a headquarters building at Fort Bragg, and the Robert J. Miller Homeland Security Education Center at the College of DuPage. Between 2001 and mid-May, 2,381 American soldiers have been killed in military operations in Afghanistan, according to icasualties.org. Miller was one of 155 soldiers who died in 2008. phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com Sgt. 1st Class Randall David Shughart and Master Sgt. Gary Gordon lived out the story of legendary Army war heroes, one that has been immortalized in film and books. The men were among 18 Americans killed in October 1993 during the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, an assault mission to capture top aides to Somali warlord Mohammed Farah Aidid. Shughart and Gordon, snipers in the elite Delta Force, braved gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades to provide precision fire from a helicopter and later at two helicopter crash sites. Their goal: Protect wounded comrades. Advertisement The pair was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1994. The medals were presented to their widows, Stephanie Shughart and Carmen Gordon, in an emotional White House ceremony led by President Bill Clinton. They gave their lives to save others. Their actions were clearly above and beyond the call of duty, Clinton said. From a Black Hawk helicopter, Gordon and Shughart were providing sniper cover when they saw Somali militia closing in on four Americans trapped in a downed chopper. The mission was known as Operation Gothic Serpent. Commanders at first denied Shugharts and Gordons repeated requests to extend help, but they eventually relented. The Somali foes clearly outnumbered the U.S. ranks and had better ammunition. Though they knew their chances of survival were slim, Shughart and Gordon sought to help because comrades were in danger, because they believed passionately in the creed that says, I will not fail those with whom I serve, Clinton said. Chief Warrant Officer Michael Durant, the pilot of the downed helicopter, survived the attack. He was captured by Somali soldiers that day but was later released. Jonathan Graubart, a professor of political science at San Diego State University, said heavy military and humanitarian intervention in Somalia during the early 1990s by the U.S. and the United Nations resulted in the perfect storm despite good intentions. American troops were forced to deal with the disarray of broader politics, he said. Thats when things got out of control, he said. U.S. soldiers were placed in a pretty bad situation. They understandably didnt have the bigger picture in mind. The U.S. and larger (nongovernmental organizations) were being seen as heavy-handed intervenors but with limited accountability. Shughart was born in 1958 in Lincoln, Neb., into an Air Force family. (His father, Herbert Shughart, served in the Air Force.) He joined the Army after graduating from a Pennsylvania high school in 1976. He was assigned to the 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in 1978. Shughart went into the Army Reserve two years later and then returned to active duty in 1983. The following year, he attended Special Forces training and was assigned to Delta Force, which led him to Fort Bragg in North Carolina. He was deployed to Somalia in 1993. Gordon was born in 1960 in Lincoln, Maine. He graduated from Mattanawcook Academy in 1978 and enlisted in the Army at age 18. He was selected to join the Delta Force as a sniper after serving with the 2nd Battalion of the 10th Special Forces Group. The heroism and selflessness embodied by Shughart and Gordon were commemorated in the 2001 film Black Hawk Down, which depicts the groups mission in Somalia. tatiana.sanchez@sduniontribune.com This is the second in a series profiling the two Mason City superintendent finalists. A profile on Montezuma Superintendent Dave Versteeg appeared in Wednesday's Globe Gazette. MASON CITY | As someone who has spent most of his career at Mason City Schools as a teacher, principal, administrator and now district leader, Interim Superintendent Mike Penca says his experience gives him a unique perspective. I love Mason City Schools -- Ive been so privileged to serve this district for 21 years, Penca said during an interview Monday at North Iowa Area Community College with community members, students, staff and administrators. This is my home I love this community. I cant think of being anywhere else. Im a Mohawk," he said. Penca described his leadership style as that of a humble servant-leader. Penca and Montezuma Superintendent Dave Versteeg, the other superintendent finalist, spent about two hours each answering questions from two groups of about 20 people, who later filled out evaluation forms. The two candidates also toured school facilities and the community Monday. During his career at Mason City Schools, Penca said he has: Led school improvement initiatives. Gained a wide variety of experience as a teacher, principal and administrator. Worked on the districts strategic plan, which is used to set priorities for common goals. Continued his passion for helping at-risk students. Early on in his career, Penca taught at inner-city schools in Houston, Texas. Mason City Schools announces superintendent finalists MASON CITY Interim Superintendent Mike Penca and Montezuma Superintendent Dave Versteeg ar I maybe would have stayed forever, he said, noting his wife drew him back to Iowa. I believe that quality teaching can make the difference. Its a strength of mine, something that motivates me, making a difference. Penca started as a kindergarten teacher at Mason City Schools, later progressing to elementary principal at Madison, Harding and Jefferson Elementaries. He has also worked as the districts director of elementary programs/PK-6 special education and as executive director of learning supports and elementary programs. He was appointed Mason Citys interim superintendent on June 6. Penca has taken some risk in pursuing the superintendency, as his previous position has been filled. He said has been approached with other opportunities since he has had his superintendent license for eight years but chose to wait. Being the superintendent of Mason City Schools is a dream job, he said. I just love Mason City so much and believe that good things come to those who wait. In the past six months, he said his biggest challenge has been learning as a new superintendent and finding a healthy leadership life fit with family and finishing his doctorate. In answering questions from the group, Penca addressed several key topics for Mason City Schools: Attending extracurricular events as a superintendent: They are critical to our district, as theyre a way our students connect to school, Penca said. Ive quickly found that people notice its important youre there. Being approachable: Penca said that has been a priority for him upon appointment, as he believed there was a craving for responsiveness from district staff. He said he has an open-door policy and has spent time being visible in buildings and classrooms. Collaborating with the community: "We need each other, Penca said. Our community needs thriving schools, and schools need support. He felt it important the district continue to partner with the Mason City Chamber of Commerce and the North Iowa Corridor Economic Development. Using standards-based grading: Penca said the district has dipped its toes in the water of the grading scale, which evaluates students based on knowledge instead of assigning points or a letter grade. In the meantime, Penca said the district wants to pause or slow down implementation to better support staff and better inform parents. Lobbying for state funding: We need to keep an eye on whats important kids and priorities, Penca said, noting hes learning as a superintendent how to be an advocate for the district and its needs. The Mason City School Board will appoint a superintendent Thursday for the 2017-18 academic year. The board will meet at 6:45 a.m. in the districts administration building. Will Standing Rock create a new veterans social activist movement? Some leaders of the Veterans Stand for Standing Rock group are saying so. As many as 4,000 military veterans deployed to snowy North Dakota over the weekend to stand with American Indian protesters fighting an oil pipeline including an estimated 70 vets from the San Diego region. But just as the bulk of the veterans arrived on Sunday, their mission largely became moot. Advertisement The Army Corps of Engineers announced that it will seek a new route for the pipeline, avoiding the objectionable path underneath the Missouri River. Despite that, Anthony Diggs, a 31-year-old former Marine who lives in San Clemente, said the veterans there are feeling a camaraderie they havent experienced since their days as troops. Some of them havent been enlisted or an officer for the past 20 years, said Diggs, an Iraq war veteran who has acted as a spokesman for the group. To come together with all these other veterans, and its not a military environment, I think a lot of them are as happy as they have ever been to wear the uniform, Diggs said. Organizers encouraged the veterans to bring pieces of former uniforms to wear, in addition to body armor, as the veterans intended to act as human shields to protect tribal protesters from water hoses and other tactics used by law enforcement agencies. With the pipeline reportedly thwarted, the leader of the Standing Rock Sioux Indian reservation reportedly has asked the veterans to disband and depart. A blizzard that shut down roads has stalled that plan for a day or so, Diggs said. Also, some number of veterans want to stay until the pipeline builder, Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners, takes its equipment away. Some people say, Ill stay for a month. Other people say, Ill stay until we actually see this pipeline disassembled, said Diggs, who himself plans to come home in the next week. We have not figured out a specific roster. Theres talk of forming up again in the future, possibly in Flint, Michigan, where residents are dealing with drinking water tainted by lead and other toxins. Diggs described the discussion of going to Flint, and so has Wesley Clark Jr., a founder of the Veterans Stand for Standing Rock effort and son of retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark. The veterans see their deployment as what drew national media coverage to the Standing Rock protest -- and possibly what pressured the federal government to change its mind. Before that, tribal protesters had clashed with law enforcement for months. We can do anything; we can go anywhere, Diggs said in a telephone interview Tuesday morning from North Dakota. There are a lot of people here who are asking already, Where do we go next? Whats the next cause? How can we help? jen.steele@sduniontribune.com Facebook: U-T Military Twitter: @jensteeley Nathan Damigo brought his message of white separatism to an unusual place: an ethnic studies class at Cal State Stanislaus called Searching for America. Speaking to a crowd filled with black and Latino students, he wove a country song tale of whites becoming an endangered minority in America and compared their plight to Native Americans before describing his fantasy for a utopian homeland for whites not unlike Indian reservations. Even though horrible things did happen to the indigenous people there was land set aside where they could be who they were and express themselves how they wanted to, and they could have a form of government that reflected them, Damigo said. And I think that is something that we want. Advertisement The comparison elicited aghast stares from the crowd late last month. It was a reminder that Damigo, a 30-year-old Cal State Stanislaus student, was far from a gathering one recent weekend in Washington with like-minded white men, some of whom stretched out their arms in Nazi salutes. Damigo, a former Marine corporal and the founder of a white nationalist organization, is part of the so-called alt-right movement. Some experts who study extremism say he is emblematic of the young, web-savvy racists who are trying to intellectualize and mainstream bigotry. Damigo and others like him have set their sights in particular on college campuses, eager to take on hostile audience in hopes of getting their message across. 1 / 8 Identity Evropa founder and Cal State Stanislaus student Nathan Damigo, right, and Fela Uhuru chat as they prepare for students to attend a talk with Uhurus Intro to Ethnic Studies class. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 8 Identity Evropa founder and Cal State Stanislaus student Nathan Damigo, left, and Fela Uhuru listen as students ask questions during Uhurus Intro to Ethnic Studies class. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 8 Cal State Stanislaus student Nathan Damigo, the founder of Identity Evropa, checks emails and social media sites in the library on the college campus. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 8 A student in Fela Uhurus Intro to Ethnic Studies class asks a question of Nathan Damigo during his address to students at Cal State Stanislaus. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 8 A couple embrace during a talk in Fela Uhurus Intro to Ethnic Studies class at Cal State Stanislaus with Identity Evropa founder Nathan Damigo. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 8 Nathan Damigo, a Cal State Stanislaus student and founder of Identity Evropa, listens to students during a talk with Fela Uhurus Intro to Ethnic Studies class on the CSUS campus. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 8 A student shares a warning poster on the Its Going Down website, telling others about Identity Evropa founder and Cal State Stanislaus student Nathan Damigo on the CSUS campus. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 8 Nathan Damigo, the fouder of Identity Evropa and a Cal State Stanislaus student, is seen on campus. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) In the ethnic studies class, Damigo told students that immigration and diversity were destroying the country and that no place heralded the decline of whites fortunes in America like his home state of California. California was never white, Jonathan Grammatico, a white 25-year-old social work student, shot back at Damigo at one point. It belonged to indigenous people and then to Mexicans. Damigos address came courtesy of Fela Uhuru, an ethnic studies instructor who identifies as Asian, black and Native American and has the African continent tattooed on his arm. He said he wanted his students to have a frank dialogue about race and identity with someone whose presence on campus has stirred controversy. Damigo has been on an emotional high since Donald Trump won the presidency. The day after the billionaires victory, Damigo propped his cellphone up in his car, turned on the Periscope live-streaming app and started talking. We as the alt-right are the reason why Trump won, he said, laughing. He then held up a bullhorn and described how, as he drove home from celebrating with friends in Folsom, he had shouted at people who were presumably not white: You have to go back! The loosely defined alt-right, a white nationalist movement, has been emboldened by Trump and his rhetoric about Mexicans and Muslims, his sharing of white supremacists tweets and his appointment of Stephen K. Bannon the outgoing executive chairman of Breitbart News, a purveyor of alt-right ideology as his chief strategist. Despite Californias contemporary liberal politics and celebrated diversity, California has a well-established history of racism and racially polarizing efforts. For decades, the Golden State has been home to the largest racist skinhead population in the country, primarily concentrated in diverse Southern California, according to the Anti-Defamation League. The states history books are filled with cruel treatment of ethnic minority groups, ranging from the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II to exploitative treatment of laborers from Latin America and elsewhere. Just two decades ago, California voters approved a proposition that would have stripped people in the country illegally of many public benefits. California today is considered one of the most liberal and diverse states in the union, adopting strong protections and services for those here illegally. Still, earlier this year, a Ku Klux Klan rally in Anaheim and a neo-Nazi event outside the state Capitol erupted in violence. Bakersfield last year was the site of Camp Comradery, a national gathering that featured a unique collaboration between so-called intellectual racists and racist skinheads, said Joanna Mendelson, an investigative researcher with the California branch of the Anti-Defamation League. The state has just radically changed. If youre white and you live here, its like being in a foreign country. Nathan Damigo Often, in areas that have undergone enormous demographic shifts, some of these racist and bigoted voices emerge as people feel threatened, Mendelson said. They feel that they are fighting against a rising tide of color thats threatening their future existence. In a Periscope video the week of Trumps election, Damigo fantasized about Calexit, the proposed secession of California. The remaining few of us who are white would white-flight ourselves out of here and join you guys in the rest of the country, and we could do our own thing and California could just pretty much devolve into cannibalism, he said, snickering. He mentioned his hometown of San Jose, which, he said, looked much different than when his grandparents moved there decades ago. The state has just radically changed, Damigo said. If youre white and you live here, its like being in a foreign country. He grew up in the Silicon Valley and attended a private Baptist school that, he said, was racially diverse. He never had any bad experiences with his nonwhite classmates. Still, he said, even as a child he believed there were double standards about race and who was allowed to talk about and celebrate it. Hed go to his Filipino friends birthday parties, only to long for the kind of shared culture they had. Damigo joined the Marines in 2004, at age 18, and did two tours in Iraq. There, he said, he saw firsthand the conflicts between the countrys ethnic and religious groups. I said, This is dumb. Why dont each one of them have their own country and they can all express themselves and ... theyre not, you know, fighting with each other, he said. Damigo lost a few friends to the war, and came back in bad shape. After his first tour, he tried to commit suicide, but a friend intervened, according to San Diego County court records. In November 2007, he had been home for a month after his second tour of duty and was suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder, drug and alcohol abuse, paranoia and flashbacks, court records show. A few days after the anniversary of a friends combat death, he spent a night drinking and went for a walk with a gun hed gotten two days before as a gift. He came across a La Mesa cab driver who he thought was Iraqi, put a gun to his head and robbed the man of $43, records show. He was convicted of armed robbery and spent a year in county jail and four years in prison for the crime. Damigo said he was embarrassed and guilt-ridden by the robbery. Still, he considers the time alone in prison a gift of sorts. Because you have nothing but time to think in prison, thats when I finally started looking at the more intellectual roots and started researching books and literature on race and identity, he said. He was greatly influenced, he said, by My Awakening, the book by former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, and by racial provocateurs J. Philippe Rushton and Nicholas Wade. He came out of prison with a belief that there is a genetic basis for certain behaviors and intellect, distinguished by race that a black person is more likely than a white person to be less intelligent and more violent, for example. Such ideas have been roundly denounced by biologists and geneticists as unscientific. And racist. For some time after prison, Damigo led the now-defunct National Youth Front, the youth wing of the nationalist American Freedom Party, which the Southern Poverty Law Center describes as an organization founded by racist Southern California skinheads that aims to deport immigrants and return the United States to white rule. In March, Damigo founded Identity Evropa, which bills itself as a generation of awakened Europeans who oppose those who would defame our history and rich cultural heritage. Among the application questions for Identity Evropa is whether applicants are of European, non-Semitic heritage. The group posts fliers around college campuses nationwide with slogans like Lets Become Great Again and Protect Your Heritage. In October, after Identity Evropas material began appearing on California campuses, someone posted fliers on Cal State Stanislaus campus with Damigos face and a warning that he was a known white supremacist and violent offender. The universitys president, Ellen Junn, said in a statement at the time that while safety was her top priority, she believed in the freedom of speech on campus, even if it was offensive. Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino, said Identity Evropas description reads like a template that exists within the alt-right. A lot of these young guys dig these Western civilization ramblings and attempt to intellectualize bigotry, Levin said. It tries to put a pseudo-intellectual veneer that revolves around identity and history and the notion that the accomplishments of Western civilization are under attack by our increasingly diverse and multicultural society. These guys are like vape shops theyre starting to spring up everywhere, and theres nothing particularly new or creative about it. Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino These guys are like vape shops theyre starting to spring up everywhere, and theres nothing particularly new or creative about it. While such groups try to distance themselves from groups like the KKK and neo-Nazis, the first sign Levin saw at this years Klan rally in Anaheim said, Stop white cultural genocide. Standing 5-foot-5, Damigo wears the same haircut long on top, with shaved sides favored by members of the alt-right. Last year, he got a DNA test as an affirmation of his whiteness. On Twitter, where he uses the name Fashy Haircut (as in fascist), he regularly posts photos in front of his bookcase, which includes titles by the likes of Ann Coulter and Bill OReilly, books about genetics, race and evolution and books from the Twilight vampire series. In person, Damigos language is more circumspect than it is in the digital realm, frustrating students in the ethnic studies class. Uhuru, the instructor, asked him about the fliers on campus that characterized him as a white supremacist. Language like, you know, racist, supremacist, many of those words have become so horribly loaded that oftentimes theyve gotten to the point where I personally will consider some of that language, if theyre used in a sense of moralizing a situation and used to obfuscate from an actual empirical argument, I would actually see that as antiwhite hate speech, he said. His answers to the students questions about his views were long-winded and complex. He said called himself an identitarian, not a white supremacist. Interested in the stories shaping California? Sign up for the free Essential California newsletter One frustrated student replied, You saying youre an identitarian is the same thing as just saying, Im a politician. That doesnt tell you where your values lie. youre masking what youre actually standing for. Asked by a student about his arrest, he lowered his voice: I want you guys to know that you are safe here, that I do not have any animosity toward any of you here. But a few days later, he took to Twitter and said minority children born in the U.S. inherit third world behavior and that refugees should go home. Everything that has happened since @realDonaldTrump was declared the future president shows that we are engaged in total war, he tweeted. Trump, he wrote, was the only candidate whose policies would make America Whiter. hailey.branson@latimes.com Twitter: @haileybranson Times researcher Cary Schneider contributed to this report. ALSO Why its important to talk about successful black and Latino boys Bannon opens an alt-right door to the Trump White House Cuck, snowflake, masculinist: A guide to the language of the alt-right The term alt-right whitewashes racism, readers say California enjoyed one of its wettest Octobers in recent history and its residents responded by reducing their water use, state officials announced Tuesday. People in cities and towns cut their water consumption by 19.5% during the first month of the water year, compared with the same month in 2013. The savings marked an improvement from September, when urban Californians saved 18.3%, compared with 2013. Advertisement Californians continued commitment to conservation shows they dont take water for granted anymore, said State Water Resources Control Board Chairwoman Felicia Marcus. Its good to see improvement in conservation in areas that had slipped, particularly in Northern California, whether that was because of rain or other reasons. Indeed, officials said Tuesday that the increased water conservation was likely related to the weather. Residents tend to turn off their lawn sprinklers after it rains, driving down their consumption. A series of storms pummeled California in October, filling some with hope that the states five-year drought could soon end. One index that measures precipitation at eight stations in the northern Sierra Nevada recorded 12.6 inches of rain in October more than four times the average for the month. Last week, weather officials also announced that the northern part of the mountain range had profited from its wettest first two months of the water year since 1984. Thats good news, because the northern Sierra region is a major source of Californias water supply. The states climatologist Michael Anderson told The Times, Certainly, up north, weve satisfied the drought debt, so to speak. But in Southern California, the situation remains dire. At their meeting Tuesday, state water board staff members displayed color-coded maps to illustrate the stark contrast between the wet north and the dry south. This is California, said the water boards Jelena Hartman. The variability is vast. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, about 73% of the state remains locked in drought with the most severe conditions persisting in Central and Southern California. Perhaps as a result, water consumption in October increased compared with the same month in 2015 across most parts of Southern California, but decreased in most northern regions. The 19.5% savings was also a weaker showing than in October 2015, when Californians saved 22.2% during the heart of the drought. So, on Tuesday, water board staff members had to walk a fine line between cautious optimism about the improved conditions and uncertainly about what lies ahead. The states major reservoirs, they noted, are still only filled to about 86% of average for this time of year. Conditions are much improved by every metric, Hartman said, but we remain in deep drought. Officials will monitor the states hydrology closely in the coming weeks and months as they consider the next step in the states drought response. The current emergency regulation expires in February, and officials said Tuesday that they plan to consider whether to extend the rules at a workshop on Jan. 18. They have signaled that their decision will be heavily influenced by how much it rains and snows during the critical start to the wet season. matt.stevens@latimes.com Twitter: @bymattstevens ALSO L.A. subway commuters encounter bag searches, heavily armed deputies as city responds to terrorism threat Ex-LAPD sergeant broke city rules by leaking recording of Django Unchained actress, ethics group says Oakland warehouse manager mournful but defiant after 36 die in fire at artists collective UPDATES: 2:50 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details about Californias current drought conditions and comments from a state water board staff member. This article was originally published at 1:40 p.m. Since Donald Trump was elected president in November, cities with large Latino populations have debated how to respond. Many activists have urged these communities to do everything they can to protect people in this country illegally, even though such efforts might jeopardize some federal funding from a Washington in which Republicans will control not only the White House but also Congress. Santa Ana the seat of Orange County and home to one of the nations largest Latino populations decided this week to strike a defiant tone. Advertisement City Council members voted to declare Orange Countys second-most populous city a sanctuary city a largely symbolic gesture to protect immigrants who are in the country illegally. Tuesdays vote is historic in that it makes Santa Ana the first city in Orange County to grant itself the designation. It joins dozens of other cities across the country that have declared themselves sanctuaries. For most, like Santa Ana, the move is largely a message of political support for immigrants in the country illegally. But some cities have specific policies tied to them, notably San Francisco, which has come under criticism from Trump. The day after Donald Trump got elected, our kids were falling apart emotionally. They thought their parents would be deported, said Sal Tinajero, a City Council member and teacher at Fullerton Union High School. The reason youre seeing this push now is that us leaders ... want to tell them they are going to be protected. If they are going to come for them, they have to come through us first. Although city officials said they were sending a strong message to the community and to Trump, the move essentially maintains the status quo. The resolution is nonbinding and doesnt add policies to provide additional protections to people who are in the country without legal status. Council members, however, expressed support for making the resolution into an ordinance after dozens of community organizers urged them to do so during Tuesdays meeting. The ordinance may come up for a vote at the councils next meeting. In addition, the council also voted to modify the resolution to establish an oversight committee or task force to oversee its implementation. Immigrant rights activists urged the council to prohibit the city from sharing information about people without legal status with federal officials. I want to ensure that these protections are meaningful and not just symbolic, said Carlos Perea, a Santa Ana resident and member of a grass-roots immigrant rights group called RAIZ. Councilwoman Angelica Amezcua agreed. I think its time to take action, she said. This is just symbolic gesture. We need to move forward with an ordinance as well. Mayor Pro Tem Vicente Sarmiento listens as Denise Hinojosa speaks about the city becoming a sanctuary city for immigrants who fear deportation under a Trump presidency. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times ) But Robin Hvidston, president of We the People Rising, a Claremont organization with members in Orange County who lobby against illegal immigration, criticized Santa Anas decision. It is very sad that the city is not focusing upon the suffering American citizens such as the homeless families and unemployed American citizens in Santa Ana instead of promoting the breaking of federal immigration laws, Hvidston said in a statement. The resolution invites federal lawbreakers worldwide to settle in Santa Ana. Mayor Miguel Pulido and Councilwoman Michele Martinez were absent from the meeting. Also Tuesday, the council voted to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials that the city plans to reduce the number of beds available in its jail to house immigration detainees from about 200 to a maximum of 128. The move is part of a plan to phase out an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement after council members voted in May to terminate the contract as soon as possible. Although immigrant rights activists applauded the councils decisions, they said city officials didnt go far enough and urged them to create a specific timeline when they will terminate the agreement with ICE. We believe a sanctuary city with an immigration detention facility is contradictory. The city will only truly be a sanctuary city when it ends its contract with ICE, said Christina M. Fialho, a Costa Mesa attorney and executive director of Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement, a national group that coordinates jailhouse visits with immigrants in detention. Scaling back the citys contract with ICE also means shutting down one housing module and a $663,743 loss in annual revenue. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Virginia Kice said the agency was aware of the vote. She said that Santa Ana Jail is the smallest contract detention facility utilized by ICE in the Los Angeles area and that ICE is prepared to adjust to the change. Kice said the agency would try to continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, such as Santa Ana Police Department. Trump made illegal immigration a central issue of his presidential campaign, vowing to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, deport people who are in the country illegally and unwind immigration relief created under President Obama. During the campaign, Trump said he also would withhold federal funds to punish so-called sanctuary cities, including Los Angeles and Chicago, for their lenient policies toward illegal immigration. But the terms of a sanctuary city are loosely defined and vary depending on jurisdictions. Some communities such as Santa Ana make resolutions that are mostly symbolic while others vote in ordinances that cut ties with federal immigration officials. Community organizers had hoped for an ordinance not a resolution that were more in line with larger cities, such as San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. For instance, San Francisco adopted far-reaching policies, such as taking steps to cut ties with federal immigration officials and refusing to fully cooperate with them. San Francisco declared itself a sanctuary city in 1989, and city officials strengthened the stance in 2013 with its Due Process for All ordinance. The law declared local authorities could not hold immigrants for immigration officials if the immigrants had no violent felonies on their records and did not currently face charges. That city entered the national debate over immigration this summer, when Kathryn Steinle was fatally shot by Mexican national Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez in the Embarcadero neighborhood. Lopez-Sanchez had been deported five times before he shot Steinle. Trump described the murder as a senseless and totally preventable violent act committed by an illegal immigrant. Councilman Tinajero said Santa Ana has already adopted policies that help protect people who are in the country without legal status. He said he understands that the resolution may make Santa Ana a target for Trump, but says the city is in a strong enough financially to confront what may come. This is a time of crisis, he said. And were prepared for it. cindy.carcamo@latimes.com Follow Cindy Carcamo on Twitter @thecindycarcamo ALSO Trumps crackdown on illegal immigration leaves a lot unanswered for sanctuary cities like L.A. LAPD will not help deport immigrants under Trump, chief says When Trump says he wants to deport criminals, he means something starkly different than Obama UPDATES: 10:15 p.m.: This article was updated with a comment from a critic of Santa Anas resolution. This article was originally published at 9:25 p.m. Several witnesses testified Tuesday that they were in a Golden Hill park where 2-year-old Jahi Turner was reported missing in 2002, but they never saw the boy or his stepfather. The witnesses said during a court hearing that they had been at or close to the playground near 28th and Cedar streets the afternoon of April 25, 2002. Thats the day Tieray Jones, 38, called 911 around 2:30 p.m. and told a dispatcher that Jahi, who had been playing with other children at the playground, had disappeared. Advertisement The toddler was never found. Prosecutors presented testimony from at least four witnesses who were at the park, none of whom recalled seeing a little boy who matched Jahis description that afternoon. I did not see any African-American children at that time, said Hong Chris Hom, who went for a walk in the park that day with his wife and 4-year-old son. I didnt see any children in my area at all, said Erika Cohoe-Fitzgerald, a witness who arrived in the park with her infant son a little before 2:30 p.m. She said she was south of the playground near a set of vending machines when San Diego police began to arrive. The testimony came on day two of a preliminary hearing, during which Superior Court Judge Charles Rogers is expected to decide whether enough evidence exists for the defendant to stand trial. Jones, who was charged earlier this year, is accused of murder and felony child abuse causing death. He told police that he left his stepson at the playground while he walked to the vending machines several yards away to get the boy a drink. When he returned, Jahi was gone. Investigators began an immediate and widespread search for the missing toddler, but did not find him. Since then, they have expressed doubt that Jahi actually went missing on April 25, 2002. Neighbors who lived in an apartment complex on Beech Street, where Jones lived with his wife, testified Tuesday that they saw Jones earlier that week, carrying bags of trash. Police searched the trash bins inside the complex and found childrens clothing, including a pair of overalls with the Winnie the Pooh character on the front. According to court documents, the boys mother a Navy sailor who was deployed when her son disappeared told investigators this year that the overalls had belonged to her son. The overalls were sized for an infant, defense attorneys said. dana.littlefield@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @danalittlefield A scholarship program that pays for fees and textbooks for San Diego high school students to attend community colleges is expected to quadruple in size next year. The scholarship, San Diego Promise, paid for about 200 students to attend colleges in the San Diego Community College District this year, and will have almost 800 in the new year, officials involved in the program announced Tuesday at Mesa College. Our board supports this effort for the very simple reason that the San Diego Promise is an effective tool in building stronger career pathways, San Diego Unified School District board President Michael McQuary said. Pathways that will benefit both students and our community. As we have a better-educated community, we have a better-functioning community. Advertisement The program was launched this year with $215,000 from interest generated from a $22 million endowment that funds various community college district expenses. Constance Carroll, chancellor of the San Diego Community College District, said community donations in support of the program have helped it expand faster than expected. About $300,000 in donations came in this year, and another $300,000 is needed to meet the expectations from the new year, she said. The districts ultimate goal is to provide free community college for 2,600 students, a plan that will cost about $3 million a year. Carroll said the district hopes to establish an endowment of $40 million or $45 million to fund the program. The San Diego Promise was created in response to President Obamas proposed Americas College Promise, which would provide two years of free college education. No federal funds were available for the program, but chancellors from all state community college districts worked together in creating the California College Promise. Locally, the pilot program kicked off with 175 students from San Diego high schools and 25 adults from San Diego Continuing Education, which is part of the San Diego Community College District. The 600 new San Diego Promise students next year will include 75 from Continuing Education and 10 from the Monarch School, which educates homeless youths in the San Diego Unified School District. California Community College students dont pay tuition, but do pay $46 a unit in fees, which comes to $1,104 a year for students taking four three-unit classes over two semesters. We understand and believe that a cost-free public education system is a vital ingredient for our democracy, said San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Marten, who also attended the Tuesday event at Mesa. The news conference also was attended by about 20 students, including Miramar College freshman Dillion McIntire, who said the scholarship program allowed him to continue his education locally after both his parents moved to the Midwest after losing their jobs. He is enrolled in the schools fire and safety program, and said he appreciates the attention that counselors involved in the scholarship program have given him. I love having a mentor, and love having the support people to call, he said. Everyone ends their calls with, This is my number, call me back if you need anything. Mesa College student Quintin Wortham said he didnt qualify for federal school loans, but was able to continue his education because of the San Diego Promise. This helps me because I really want to become an architect and do something great in the community, he said. City College student Romelia Turner became a San Diego Promise scholarship recipient while enrolled in Continuing Education, where she was earning her high school diploma. She had dropped out of high school about 20 years ago after becoming pregnant and has been working since then, she said. Back in 2013, my mom got really sick and I had to resign from my job to take care of her, she said. Just getting back in the workforce was really hard for me, so I decided to go back to school to get my high school diploma. Some instructors suggested she apply for the scholarship after noticing her good grades, she said. Im just really proud to be a part of this program, she said. The deadline to apply for the scholarships next year is Feb. 10. Applications are available at www.sandiegounified.org/promise. gary.warth@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @GaryWarthUT 760-529-4939 Southwestern College trustees have narrowed the search for a new superintendent and president to one finalist. The governing board named Kindred Murillo as its choice to serve as the college districts next chief executive. Trustees interviewed the three top candidates Monday in a closed session meeting held at the Coronado Island Marriot Resort and Spa. They are expected to finalize Murillos pending appointment at the Dec. 14 governing board meeting. Advertisement Murillo, who holds a doctorate, has been the superintendent and president of the Lake Tahoe Community College District since July 2011. She announced her departure last January, citing a severe allergy to pine trees. Lake Tahoe serves about 5,971 students at one campus in Northern California, according to its website. It offers a variety of two-year degree programs, career and technical education, a summer Spanish-immersion course and a regionally accredited fire academy. She has previously served as vice chancellor of the Contra Costa Community College District and vice president of Pasadena City College, among other administrative positions. During her tenure, a $55 million general obligation bond was passed. Her focus at the college has been transparency, accountability, and student access and achievement. Board President Nora E. Vargas said trustees were impressed with Murillos leadership skills, and commitment to equity and equality for all students and improving educational opportunities. Details of the employment agreement between Murillo and the college district were not yet available as the contract is under negotiation, said Lillian Leopold, Southwesterns public information and government relations officer. The salary posted for the position starts at $256,235, which includes money to cover car expenses and electronic devices, she said. The fringe benefits package totals about $8,700. Murillos contract with Lake Tahoe gives her a base salary of $185,000, $16,500 in health and welfare benefits, and $500 to offset technology expenses each year. It also includes a monthly $200 car allowance. Former Superintendent and President Melinda Nish, who led the college district for more than four years, was drawing $230,200 in salary and about $8,270 in other benefits when she resigned in June. The governing board also considered Angelica Suarez, Southwesterns vice president for student affairs, and Reagan Romali, president of Harry S Truman College in Chicago, for the job. All three made public presentations Nov. 30 at the college. Southwestern College serves about 19,000 students at campuses in Chula Vista, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa and National City. The ACLU has filed a lawsuit in Superior Court against e3 Civic High School amid allegations the charter school denied admission to a transgender student because of gender identity. This is the second time in about a year that the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego and Imperial Counties has raised concerns about the charters culture when it comes to LGBT students. It looks like they have a problem, said David Loy, ACLU legal director. We think they have an obligation to dispel the concern that they do have a pattern and practice of discrimination. Advertisement Helen Griffith, executive director of e3 Civic High, said the school couldnt comment on the specifics of the lawsuit because they havent seen it, but she rejected the accusation. e3 Civic High School adamantly denies discriminating against or denying admission to any transgender student, she said in a statement Wednesday. e3 Civic High School is committed to providing a positive, supportive educational environment for all individuals and strictly prohibits all form of discrimination. We feel very confident that it will be proven that at no time did e3 discriminate against any student. The suit stems from an October 2015 meeting between Mayra Velazquez and her daughter, a 15-year-old transgender student seeking admission to the charter, and Griffith, according to the lawsuit. At that time, the ACLU said e3 Civic High was least 70 students under its enrollment capacity. Griffith declined to admit Velazquezs daughter, claiming there was no space at the school and allegedly placing her on a waiting list, the lawsuit says. The ACLU said Sheila Krotz, who was e3s director of instruction at the time, informed Velazquez that she was poised to admit her daughter, but that Griffith refused to do so because of the students gender identity. The charter subsequently admitted another student who was not transgender, the ACLU said. The California Education Code prohibits discrimination against students in public and charter schools based on gender, gender identity, or gender expression. The lawsuit was filed to force the charter school to disclose documents proving it did not discriminate against the student when it denied her admission based, Loy said. This is a public school and we dont have to take its word on this, we get to verify whether they are telling the truth based on public documents and its own charter that says it must comply with the the public records act, Loy said. In April, ACLUs co-counsel, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, sent a letter to e3 Civic High School stating that the charter was engaged in unlawful discrimination. The charter school responded in a May letter, rejecting any notion that discrimination had anything to do with the students rejected application for admission and asserting it had legitimate reasons for its actions. In August, lawyers representing the student formally requested documents detailing why the student was denied admission. The school did not respond to the request, the ACLU said. Lawyers sent a second letter in October demanding the documents under the threat of litigation. e3s charter explicitly states that it is subject to the California Public Records Act, said Richard Segal, managing partner of Pillsburys San Diego offices, in a written statement. e3 has a statutory duty to comply with its own charter. Its both surprising and curious that school leaders would withhold documents their lawyer referenced as alleged proof that e3 did not unlawfully discriminate, and ones they are obligated to produce in any event. Located on two floors of the downtown library, the $30 million state-of-the-art school was funded with proceeds from the San Diego Unified School Districts $2.1 billion Proposition S bond measure, passed by voters in 2008. The charter opened amid much fanfare in 2013 as a campus that would offer students a personalized, high-tech education that makes use of the resources of downtown San Diego. About a year ago, the ACLU responded to complaints from students that e3 Civic High not supporting a gay-straight alliance club. Loy said the school assured the ACLU that the student group was embraced and supported by staff. maureen.magee@sduniontribune.com Twitter:@MaureenMagee Poway student Rose Hong didnt win the $100,000 first prize at the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, but she earned a $10,000 scholarship as a national finalist, along with a strong foundation in biomedical research. The 16-year-old junior at Del Norte High School in Poway Unified School District traveled to Washington, D.C., last weekend for the contest, which challenges high school students around the country to submit original research on topics ranging from biomedicine to astronomy. Even though I didnt get first, I really believe that Siemens gave me a wonderful experience to share my research and passions with the world, Hong said. Ive had really memorable moments bonding with the other contestants, and making a new network of friends that I admire and respect. Advertisement Hong and her partner, Jasmin Gao, of Suwanee Georgia, were among 2,146 students that submitted applications for 1,600 projects as individuals or teams. They made it to the top 19 students with their research on a way to help damaged teeth heal themselves. Over the summer, Hong and Gao worked as summer research scholars at Stony Brook University in New York to tackle dental trauma through stem cell engineering. They developed a technique for growing dental pulp stem cells on a scaffold of fibrin, a protein generated by clots, in order to stimulate regeneration of diseased or injured dental tissue. I am extremely proud that I made it this far in the Siemens Competition and was given this chance to simultaneously teach others about my research and learn from such intelligent peers, Hong said During the trip, contestants toured George Washington Universitys School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, visited Washington D.C.'s National Mall, and visited a TechShop where they built and programmed robots to battle against each other. Hong said shes excited to win the $10,000 scholarship, but hasnt decided what field to pursue in college. She said her experience at Siemens stoked her interest in science. This opportunity has deepened my passion for research, and Id like to pursue more research in the future, she said. Vineet Edupuganti, a senior from Portland, Ore., won the $100,000 grand prize in the individual category for developing a biodegradable battery that powers ingestible medical devices to track and diagnose problems with internal organs. Identical twin sisters Adhya Beesam and Shriya Beesam, from Plano, Tex., shared the $100,000 grand prize in the team category for their work on a way to diagnose schizophrenia earlier. The national Alzheimers Association said Tuesday it is working to maintain its presence in San Diego County after a split with its local chapter about a year ago. The new local chapter, now operating from an office in Liberty Station, is continuing to reach out for donations and provide programs alongside Alzheimers San Diego, the name of the breakaway group. Both entities are nonprofit organizations that support research and provide various services to patients and their families. On Dec. 3, 2015, the original local chapter notified its national counterpart that it would not participate in a nationwide consolidation effort and would instead become a standalone operation. Judging by fundraising results and the schedule of educational events published on both groups websites, Alzheimers San Diego has remained the largest organization serving those affected by the still incurable disease, which causes degeneration of the brain. Advertisement In an interview Tuesday in downtown San Diego, the national association emphasized its broad and unified reach across the country. Dr. Maria Carrillo, the organizations chief science officer, is in town this week to speak at the ninth annual Clinical Trials on Alzheimers Disease conference. She noted that some of the large, multi-center clinical trials to be discussed at the event were funded with multimillion-dollar grants that went to local scientists. She said the association has given grants worth a total of $18.5 million for San Diego researchers since 1993. We didnt fundraise those millions only in San Diego. They came from our generous donors around the country to fund the best research wherever it is, and a lot of it does happen to be in San Diego, Carrillo said. She also said the consolidation of local chapters has enhanced the national associations ability to work directly with large corporations and other institutions on fundraising efforts and on services for Alzheimers patients. Being able to speak with one voice, she said, should bring new programs to the San Diego chapter in the future. Our goal is for the programs we offer to be seamless around the country, Carrillo said. So far, it appears the main fundraising events for Alzheimers San Diego brought in more donor cash this year than the national associations events. The independent local groups community walks raised nearly $700,000, according to the Alzheimers San Diego website. The national associations comparable walks raised about $100,000. Meanwhile, the Alzheimers San Diego events guide lists 16 community functions in October and eight in November, compared with three in October and two in November for the association. Mary Ball, chief executive of Alzheimers San Diego, said Tuesday that her group has served about 32,000 people this year, slightly more than the corresponding figure from a year ago. Were very grateful for the support we have received from the community this year, she said. paul.sisson@sduniountribune.com (619) 293-1850 Twitter: @paulsisson MASON CITY Most of the North Iowa men who were stationed at Pearl Harbor 75 years ago are gone now, but their stories live on. The survivors came back to lead enriching lives, getting married, getting jobs and providing for their wives and families. But in addition to being at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, "the day that will live in infamy," as President Franklin Roosevelt described it, there's another thing most of them had in common. They were all kids. Over the years, several of the survivors told their stories in interviews with the Globe Gazette. Today, in their memory and as a tribute to all who served, we share some of what they told us about what started out as an innocent Sunday morning. Harlan Searle of Mason City died April 6, 2015, at the age of 93. He was a 19-year-old sailor serving with his older brother Erwin on the USS California when the attack occurred. Erwin died in the attack. "A Japanese torpedo blew a 20-by-40 foot hole in the ship. Then a second torpedo hit, then a third and a fourth," Searle said. "I was down on the third deck so I didn't see anything until it was over. "Water and diesel fuel were coming up and got up to my chest. There was a fellow from Iowa standing next to me. 'I guess this is it,' he said, and we shook hands. The next thing I knew, I woke up in a hospital. To this day, I don't know who rescued me. I wish I did." Searle served five more years in the Navy and summed up the totality of the war this way: "They started it and we finished it." Searle said he was eating breakfast with Erwin when the bombing began. "We went our separate ways and I never saw him again," said Searle. He had been in the hospital several days when he learned of his brother's death. * * * Jim O'Brien of Mason City died Aug. 7, 2011, at the age of 89. At the time of his death he was a past president of the Iowa Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. On Dec. 7, 1941, he was a 19-year-old Marine. "I was in the barracks," he said. "Once the bombs started falling, we spent almost four hours shooting at the planes from parade grounds. At the start of it the planes were flying very low, just over the barracks. There were about 700 of us shooting at them. "Our orders were: If any plane flies over, take 'em down. And we did." O'Brien said he enlisted in 1939 at the age of 18. "I was afraid there was going to be a war and I wouldn't be in it. You know how kids that age think," he said. "Well, I got my war." * * * Mack Canterbury of Rake died Oct. 2, 2004, at the age of 82. He said he always had the feeling that the attack on Pearl Harbor was not a surprise to the U.S. government. "We were sent to Pearl Harbor with an engineering company to build runways. There had to be a reason for that," he said. Canterbury said he was in Schofield Barracks next to Wheeler Field, both close to where the attack occurred. "I heard an explosion that woke me up. I got up and looked out the window and saw a plane coming toward us. "It strafed us but we couldn't do anything because we didn't have any ammunition. We had used it all up on the rifle range the week before." * * * Daniel Kelley, a native of Missouri, spent his later years in Mason City. He died March 16, 2011, at the age of 94. Kelley was on the USS Curtiss and was eating bacon and eggs when the attack occurred. "For some reason, I remember that," he said. "We heard a lot of booming going on. We didn't have any planes flying on Sunday. About that time, an alarm sounded and we heard the call. `Man your battle stations. This is not a drill.'" * * * In June 2001, the movie "Pearl Harbor" was showing in Mason City. The Globe invited Searle and O'Brien to see it and then share their thoughts about it. Neither of them was too impressed with the love scenes in the movie and O'Brien pointed out that the length of the entire movie was less time than the four hours he spent shooting at Japanese aircraft. But O'Brien said the movie served a purpose. "The idea is to keep alive the memory of Pearl Harbor and to realize it can happen again," he said. Fresh out of a job in the state house, now-former Sen. Marty Block has been appointed chairman of the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board by Gov. Jerry Brown, a job that comes with a 46 percent salary increase. The five-member board is an administrative court where employers and workers can contest decisions made by the Employment Development Department. The appointment, which requires Senate approval, pays $146,609 per year, a pay-hike from the $100,113 Block earned as a legislator. Block, who was elected to the Senate in 2012, did not run for a second term after a series of back-and-forths with then-Assemblywoman Toni Atkins. Atkins said that Block promised to not run for a second term, but Block countered and said that he made no such pledges. Eventually, he decided not to run for re-election, effectively clearing a path for Atkins to run an easy campaign. Advertisement Sen. Block bows out of race against Atkins Atkins won the 39th Senate District and was sworn into office on Monday, the same day Brown announced the appointment to the board. Block previously served in the Assembly from 2008 to 2012, as a judge pro tem in the San Diego Superior Court for two years, and on the county Board of Education from 1986 to 1999. He was an administrator and professor at San Diego State University as well. Block has a law degree from DePaul University in Chicago. Three members of the appeals board are appointed by the governor, while another is appointed by the speaker of the Assembly and one more by the Senate president pro tem. According to the boards website, the there are two vacancies, both from the governor. Twitter: @jptstewart joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1841 A woman was shot in her La Mesa home by an unknown assailant Tuesday morning, and officers are looking for a pickup that went missing from the residence soon after. The victim called 911 after she was shot in the back in her home on Keeney Street near Mohawk Street about 11:40 a.m., La Mesa police Capt. Matt Nicholass said. Officers found the 59-year-old woman lying near the front door. She told them she did not know who shot her. Advertisement She was taken to a hospital where she underwent surgery, Nicholass said. Police are looking for a white, 2013 Chevrolet Silverado pickup that is missing from the residence. It had a California license plate of 62187M1. Police asked anyone with information about the shooting or the trucks whereabouts to call police at (619) 667-1400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at (888) 580-8477. Tipsters may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Breaking News Twitter: @LAWinkley (619) 293-1546 lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com At age 77, Edward Wager was long retired but still liked to generate a little extra income by rummaging for cans and bottles. It was during that pursuit in a Pacific Beach alley that Wager became the target of a carjacker who ran him over with his own pickup and left him dead. That was in 2001. Fifteen years later, San Diego police homicide investigators and Wagers daughter are still hoping for the tip that will lead to the killers arrest. Advertisement They came together Tuesday in front of San Diego police headquarters to ask for help from anyone with information about the case. My father didnt just die. He was brutally murdered, said Wagers daughter, Angel Castro, 56, of Clairemont. That persons still out there. Were hoping somebody will come forward. Fifteen years ago, maybe they were young and didnt want to say anything. Now, theyre older. She said Wager had worked hard since his mothers death during his childhood in Connecticut. As an adult in San Diego, he worked in maintenance for Evans Hotels for several decades before retiring. He and his wife raised their three children in Clairemont. He served in the Army during the Korean War. After retiring, he stuck to his early morning schedule of collecting recyclables from bar trash bins and alleys along his route, which included the Silver Fox bar in Pacific Beach, Castro said. He would return by 5 a.m., and she would swing by his house with coffee, then phone her brother to say their father was OK. On Nov. 8, 2001, he wasnt home at 5 a.m. Castro called her brother and her husband, then heard news on her car radio about a fatal hit-and-run in Pacific Beach. Her husband called police, who confirmed the familys worst fears. Homicide Lt. Mike Holden said Wagers body had been found about 2 a.m. in an alley off Grand Avenue. Police first thought he was a pedestrian hit-and-run victim, with injuries showing he had been dragged. Police found Wagers pickup in Encanto three days later. Investigators believe he was carjacked and run over by the thief in Wagers truck. Family members were devastated over Wagers death. Castro, who works for the San Diego city Parks and Recreation Department, said it was 10 years before she could force herself to drive through Pacific Beach. If there was an arrest, she said, I could sleep better at night. I would know there is justice out there. Holden said any piece of information about what happened in that alley might be what we need to solve this case. Tipsters can call investigators at (619) 531-2293 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at (888) 580-8477 or www.sdcrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest in the case. San Diego police cited a dozen homeless people Tuesday morning for sleeping in tents on a sidewalk outside a small East Village church where some of them sing in a choir. Police said complaints from residents and previous warnings by officers led to the citations issued outside the Living Water Church of Nazarene. Its pastor, however, questioned the enforcement. It undercuts all the good work were trying to do here, Pastor Chris Nafis said. Advertisement His church offered space for choir rehearsals after the group was formed in August. Their practice culminated in a holiday concert that was attended by about 300 people Sunday. Choir members, a number of which sleep outside the church, said their high spirits from the successful performance were dampened after the sweep. Others who sleep in the area are involved with the group in some other way. Were taking part in a community organization and yet were still treated like second-hand citizens, said Jeffrey Hays, 58. About 6 a.m. Tuesday, officers approached the homeless group whose tents lined the outside of the church on J Street near 13th Street. Police Lt. Scott Wahl said the enforcement came after residents complained about homeless people blocking the sidewalk, and after repeated warnings to the group that tents were not allowed there, even if church officials OKd them. Weve explained that the church doesnt have the authority to give them permission to stay because (the sidewalk) is not church property, Wahl said. City ordinances make it illegal to pitch a tent on a sidewalk or other places that encroach on public property. The dozen who were ticketed for encroachment Tuesday had been warned before, the lieutenant said. One man was arrested on suspicion of repeatedly setting up a tent where and when it wasnt permitted. Voices of Our City is a community choir created for people experiencing homelessness but anyone is welcomed to join. Nafis acknowledged its not up to his church to decide whether homeless members are allowed to stay outside the building, but he called the homeless sweeps immoral and unhelpful. He said it disrupts any sense of stability for people who are already on the edge, emotionally and mentally. For many of the homeless parishioners, Nafis said, the stretch of the sidewalk became a place where they were safe from being robbed or attacked. Nafis, whose church was established about six months ago, said the group isnt allowed to sleep inside the church to avoid violating zoning laws and other city ordinances. Choir members, some of whom admitted to being warned about setting up tents at various locations, said the sweeps feel like a game of whack-a-mole. Its not helping the issue. Theyre just moving us from one location to another, Hays said. John Brady, another choir member, agreed, saying the police departments approach isnt addressing the long-term problem. During their previous contact with group members, officers offered to connect them with shelters and other services, Wahl said. He also said members of the homeless are never cited without being warned first. Officers who interact with the homeless community strive to be compassionate, the lieutenant added. Its a very complex issue that we continue to work collaboratively with the community on, Wahl said. But at the end of the day, when people decline resources and refuse to comply with the law, we take enforcement action. Choir co-founder Steph Johnson set up temporary lodging for the members with the help of friends. Were going to stand by them, Nafis said. Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez San Diego wanted eco-friendly and affordable housing. What it got was dozens of large, market-rate coastal homes outfitted with solar panels. Thats according to a new report from City Auditor Eduardo Luna, who found that many of the projects fast-tracked under the citys Affordable/In-Fill Housing and Sustainable Buildings Expedite Program were neither affordable, sustainable or really even expedited. Auditors said almost half of permit reviews completed through the program between 2011 and 2015 were not finished under deadline. Nearly one-third were granted to single family homes and other small residential projects that provide questionable environmental benefits and, in many cases, should not have been admitted to the program. Advertisement The program which promises to process permits twice as fast in exchange for a $500 fee is limited by City Council policy to residential projects of four or more units. >>Related: Download the audit Created via a council vote in 2003, the program is meant to reduce the cost to develop affordable housing and encourage more compact, but still energy efficient, urban development by streamlining permit review, often cited as one of the slowest and costliest stages of the development process. Fridays report warns staff time spent on single-family residences and other, apparently ineligible projects could result in slower reviews for other blueprints, both in and outside the expedite program. It recommends the city start maintaining a list of reasons why projects are qualified to be expedited and immediately bar new single family homes from consideration for the program. Auditors said single family homes accounted for approximately 30 percent, or nearly four dozen, out of 152 expedited developments. A substantial portion of actual expedite program benefits are being accrued by small unit owners to incentivize an activity the installation of solar energy systems that is already being performed at a rapid pace and which is already heavily incentivized by other programs, auditors wrote. Such project owners are reaping the benefits of the expedite program while the city is receiving very little overall public benefit from their inclusion in the program. San Diego wanted eco-friendly and affordable housing. What it got was dozens of large, market-rate coastal homes outfitted with solar panels. Since 2011, the average size of single family homes expedited through the program was 5,000 square feet -- large enough that heating and cooling requirements could potentially undermine greenhouse gas reduction efforts, according to the report. The largest expedited single-unit home was approximately 31,000 square feet. Auditors also pointed out the majority of expedited new homes involved potentially environmentally taxing complete tear-downs and rebuilds at sites disproportionately clustered in coastal areas. City rules adopted in 2000 single out those same areas as one of the few places in the city where developers are required to replace all affordable housing units they raze or repurpose. Its not clear if any expedited tear-downs involved the demolition, or subsequent replacement, of such units. A city spokesman did not return requests for comment on how many expedited projects might have been subject to the coastal housing replacement rules. The San Diego Union-Tribune last month reported dozens of developers had been granted exemptions to the provisions. Most others paid a fee in lieu of providing new low-income housing. Per city code, each of those proposals was supposed to be reviewed by the city manager a position that hasnt existed since voters put a strong mayor form of government in place in 2008. Affordable housing accounted for 13 percent of expedited projects completed over the past four years, according to last weeks audit. City employees told auditors that was because many affordable projects no longer require the type of approvals offered under the expedite program. Staffers offered a lengthier explanation as to why large, single family homes were allowed into the pipeline. They said the city first started admitting those projects in October 2006, citing an April 2006 City Council committee meeting where an advisory panel suggested it would consider adding small residential projects to the program. Last weeks report takes pains to point out that suggestion was never ratified by the City Council, but was nevertheless used as clearance to consider single family homes as expedite-eligible a decision auditors say has hindered the programs effectiveness. To the extent that stakeholders within the city are relying on the program to help mitigate the severe affordable housing challenge, it is important to recognize the programs limited impact as a policy incentive on the provision of overall units, auditors wrote. Given the changing regulatory environment, and the citys stringent goals related to affordable housing and sustainability, alternative efforts or incentives may be needed to reach the citys goals. Robert Vacchi, director of the citys Development Services Department, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment on the audit and the reason single family homes were allowed to enter the expedite program. The report says Vacchi agreed with all eight recommendations detailed in the report, writing in a response attached to the audit that the current expedite program is outdated and DSD is in the process of working with stakeholders to make improvements to the program. Thousands of snow geese died last week in Butte, Montana after a snowstorm forced them to land in contaminated water in an open pit at an old copper mine. The site, called the Berkeley Pit, was the only open water in the area. Witnesses said it looked like 700 acres of white birds, said Mark Thompson, environmental affairs manager for Montana Resources, which is responsible for the mine along with Atlantic Richfield Co. According to The Montana Standard, mine officials estimated that as many as 10,000 of the migratory birds may have landed on the pit. Some were found dead or dying in and around town, including two in a Walmart parking lot. Advertisement Thompson told the Associated Press that as many as 25,000 birds were flying through the area since Nov. 28, thousands more that the usual numbers of between 2,000 and 5,000 a year. I cant underscore enough how many birds were in the Butte area that night, Thompson said. Numbers beyond anything weve ever experienced in our 21 years of monitoring by several orders of magnitude. According to NASA, the Berkeley Pit is in a region mined for gold, silver and copper, and that by the end of the 19th century, it was called The Richest Hill on Earth. The copper mine was run by Anaconda Mining Company, which began in 1955 and was shut down in 1982. Once the ground water pumps were turned off, water from the surrounding rock basin began to seep into the pit. NASA scientists said by the time the below photo was taken in 2006 by an astronaut on the International Space Station, the body of water contaminated with mine waste was 900 feet deep. It has been listed as a Superfund site, a designation by the Environmental Protection Agency that identifies areas in the United States that are contaminated by hazardous waste and are a risk to human health and/or the environment. It is also a tourist attraction. According to its website, for $2 visitors can view the pit, which is 7,000 feet long and 5,600 feet wide, from a viewing stand. Thompson told the AP that workers did incredible things to save a lot of birds, and they really put their heart and soul behind it. The exact numbers of bird deaths will be officially determined by federal and state agencies. According to Pit Watch, ARCO and Montana Resources along with the EPA, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, and community members have worked for years to mitigate the dangers of the body of water. More detailed information on the Berkeley Pit and the challenges it presents can be found here. Correction: This story originally said that as many as 10,000 geese may have perished but that has since been changed to read that 10,000 geese may have landed on the Berkeley pit. 619-293-1710 debbi.baker@sduniontribune.com twitter.com/Debbi_Baker Dec. 7, 2016, marks the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, bringing the United States into World War II a transforming event not only for this country but for the world. Through the efforts of 16 million in uniform and legions of civilian Americans, we provided the primary material means to defeat Nazism/fascism that came very close to conquering the world. Since 1776, patriots have stepped up to defend this country from innumerable threats, and continue to do so to this day. From those Americans who treasure our freedoms (that many others take for granted) to those and your families, past and present, who have and continue to defend us, a profound and heartfelt thank you for your service and sacrifice. Mike Randall Advertisement Linda Vista Letters and commentary policy The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. E-mail letters@sduniontribune.com Mail: Andrew Kleske, Reader Outreach Editor San Diego Union-Tribune P.O. Box 120191 San Diego, CA 92112-0191. You can also leave a comment below Create real options for dealing with homeless You printed three letters (Readers weigh in on homelessness issues, Dec. 4) addressing the continuing discussion of local homelessness. One seeks to have the homeless rent in states with more affordable housing but is happy to allow immigrants from other states to drive up the price of local housing and drive down the quality of life here. Another blames homelessness on the political voicelessness of the homeless but ignores the frustrated hue and cry of financially privileged citizens disgusted with the homeless. And the other claims that the dearth of new publicly subsidized, allocated and managed units isnt a cause of homelessness, as if the infeasibility of providing new housing to the homeless is an excuse to provide them with no shelter. Our politicians are inept on this issue and some type of housing must be provided to many of the homeless before the courts will allow the laws to be enforced to remove their many nuisances from our midst. Robert Burns Ocean Beach Looking forward to the House of Palestine Regarding Palestine an odd choice for Balboa Park cottage (Dec. 2): Robert Landau should not be bewildered about the House of Palestine soon to be constructed in Balboa Park because, like the other eight new cottages, its inclusion is not a political decision. As a nonprofit, nonpolitical organization, the House of Pacific Relations (HPR), the parent organization, welcomes membership to any cultural or national group if it complies with its stringent criteria for membership. The House of Palestine has been an active member of the HPR for almost 14 years. Each new cottage had to independently raise its construction funds to obtain approval. It has been a 10-year-long process with the city, but soon our community will have nine new cultures to appreciate. As a member of the House of Palestine, I look forward to visiting a beautiful cottage that will showcase the art, music, food and other aspects of the rich Palestinian culture. Karen Longstreth Mission Hills Headline should say who initiated the call The president of Taiwan calls Donald Trump to congratulate him and you print on page one Trump-Taiwan call upends protocol (Dec. 3) by talking with Taiwans president. I wonder how many people who saw this on the newsstand or glanced at the article bothered to turn to page 10 to learn that the president of Taiwan initiated the call. This is a disingenuous piece of journalism, but is, unfortunately, typical. Donald Crane Encinitas Maybe Trump will bring some of his jobs home Regarding Carrier gives Trump a win, but its fleeting (Dec. 1): Now that President-elect Trump has saved 1,100 jobs at the Carrier plant in Indiana, does this mean Mr. Trump will be moving his own clothing companys jobs to the United States? S.A. Peters Lakeside Hoping Gingrich is not on Trumps wish list With apologies to no one, I vote no on Newt Grinch Gingrich being anywhere near or having any role in the next administration. Walt Ray La Mesa Want to see more letters that appear only online? Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook. Dec. 7, 1941, truly was a date which will live in infamy because of the attack on Pearl Harbor that left 2,335 American service people dead and plunged the United States into World War II . On its 75th anniversary, with the number of 90- and even 100-year-old survivors in San Diego and nationwide dwindling, Americans are pausing to reflect on that terrible day and the lives it changed. Here are five of the best stories youll read today to mark a day that will never be forgotten. 1. A week on the edge: San Diego after Pearl Harbor Union-Tribune reporter Peter Rowe takes a day-by-day look at what the week immediately after the attack was like in one of the nearest cities to Pearl Harbor: San Diego. More local casualties would follow, a San Diego Union essayist predicted: San Diego will have the highest percentage of sons and stepsons in the holocaust ahead. It was already clear that life would never be the same for local Japanese. On Sunday night, FBI agents rounded up 25 San Diegans of Japanese ancestry. Read the full story here. 2. Pearl Harbor sailors family brings him home after his remains are finally identified Seaman 2nd Class Lewis Wagoner was killed on the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Fox News tells the story of Lewis Wagoner, one of the 429 who died on board the USS Oklahoma. His remains were finally identified this year and returned to Kansas to be buried with his family. There are other countries that dont do this and they cant understand why our country does this... That just makes me proud that our country is willing to remember the people who have served. Click here to read the full story. 3. East Lyme Resident Reflects On Attacks On Pearl Harbor From Aboard USS Maryland In this Dec. 7, 1941 file photo, part of the hull of the capsized USS Oklahoma is seen at right as the battleship USS West Virginia, center, begins to sink after suffering heavy damage, while the USS Maryland, left, is still afloat in Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii. ( AP Photo/U.S. Navy, File) The Hartford Courant interviews a man who was below the deck on the USS Maryland when the attack began. Floyd Welch, 95, recalls coming up to the deck to witness and react to what he saw. "Already the Oklahoma turned over," he recalled. "Between runs of the Japanese planes we would go to the edge of the deck. We would hide under the [gun turret] when the planes came over. Might help us, might not. Things could be blown up under there just as well as you could hide under there." Read the full story here. 4. A Date Which Will Live in Infamy. Read President Roosevelts Pearl Harbor Address On December 8th, 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers his Declaration of War Address to congress. Excerpt taken from Great Speeches Vol. 5. (Educational Video Group) Time Magazine presents President Franklin Roosevelts post-attack speech given to Congress on Dec. 8, 1941 in its entirety. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. Read the full speech here. 5. 75 years ago, what if Japan never attacked Pearl Harbor? In this Dec. 7, 1941 photo made available by the U.S. Navy , a small boat rescues a seaman from the USS West Virginia burning in the foreground in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, after Japanese aircraft attacked the military installation. (U.S. Navy via AP, File) This Washington Post analysis considers the position of the United States in 1941 before the attack and whether the country would have still been pulled into war. Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the Japanese naval commander, hoped his plan to attack on Pearl Harbor would deliver a fatal blow to American capabilities in the Pacific and persuade Washington to push for a political settlement. Read the full story here. Have you read other pieces that we should add to this list? Please let us know. Email or tweet us links, or add them in the comments section. Well leave you with editorial cartoonist Steve Breens tribute. (Steve Breen) Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @abbyhamblin ALSO San Diegans gather in Hawaii to remember Pearl Harbor A week on the edge: San Diego after Pearl Harbor San Diego headlines in the week after the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor BOX OFFICE LEADERS Moana PG A daring teen travels the open ocean in order to save her people and in her quest meets the legendary god Maui and finds her identity. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them PG-13 Newt arrives in New York and deals with some magical beasts and other predicaments. Arrival PG-13 As 12 huge alien spacecrafts land in various parts of Earth, a crack team of linguists is hired to communicate before panic ensues. Allied R Set in WWII, an intelligence officer on a secret mission falls for a woman in the French Resistance who may be more than she appears. Doctor Strange PG-13 An accident leads Dr. Strange to pursue self-healing through supernatural means that could lead him to amazing powers. Trolls PG A happy princess troll takes her pessimistic buddy on an adventure to save all of their troll community from being eaten by evildoers. Hacksaw Ridge R During the Battle of Okinawa, a conscientious objector becomes a medic and through his bravery is awarded the Medal of Honor. Bad Santa 2 R Billy Bob is back as the dysfunctional Santa joined by his ever evil sidekick, Marcus, as they attempt to heist a Christmas charity. Incarnate PG-13 An exorcist is enlisted by the Vatican to rid a boy of an evil spirit but soon meets the demon responsible for the death of his family. Almost Christmas PG-13 A dysfunctional family gets together for the traditional Thanksgiving dinner after the death of the familys matriarch. Rules Dont Apply PG-13 Set in early Hollywood, an eccentric billionaire advises an aspiring actress on the pitfalls of stardom as she seeks fame. ***Also Playing in Theaters*** The Accountant, The Eagle Huntress, Edge of Seventeen, The Girl on the Train, Jackie, Loving, Manchester by the Sea, Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children, Moonlight, Nocturnal Animals, The Unmarried Wife. Coming to Theaters Dec. 9 Office Christmas Party R As a branch office of a company is on the verge of closure, the manager will throw an epic Christmas party for a client. Stars: Jason Bateman, Olivia Munn, T.J. Miller, Jennifer Aniston. Directed by John Gordon/Will Speck. Miss Sloane R A powerful Washington lobbyist turns down a pro-gun client and puts her life at risk when she decides to support new legislation. Stars: Jessica Chastain, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, John Lithgow, Michael Stuhlbarg. Directed by John Madden. La La Land PG-13 An aspiring actress and a talented jazz musician attempt to make their mark in L.A. defying the odds of becoming recognized. Stars: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Rosemarie DeWitt, J.K. Simmons. Directed by Damien Chazelle. Coming Soon: Things to Come, Kidnap, The Bye Bye Man, Harry Benson: Shoot First, Carefree, Friend Request, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Collateral Beauty, The Space Between Us, Neruda, A Kind of Murder, Solace, Passengers, Sing, Assassins Creed, Patriots Day, A Monster Calls, Silence, Why Him?, Julieta, Live by Night, Hidden Figures, Fences, Gold, 20th Century Women, Paterson, Toni Erdmann. New on DVD Dec. 13 Suicide Squad PG-13 When the mission becomes so dangerous; a top secret agency recruits the most evil prison lifers for a chance at freedom. Morgan R A corporate risk-management consultant travels to a remote top secret location to investigate a problematic bioengineered human. Jason Bourne PG-13 Its been 10 years since Bourne disappeared, but the CIA and a former agent are hot on the trail of finding his whereabouts. Ben-Hur PG-13 Accused of treason by his adopted brother, Judah Ben-Hur must endure years of slavery before returning home for vengeance. Florence Foster Jenkins PG-13 A 1940s socialite believes she has a glorious operatic voice while her wealthy husband lovingly supports her. Bridget Joness Baby R Bridget is 40+ and has a new challenge in discovering whether her past beau or newest love interest is her baby daddy. Foreign, Classics, Documentaries Southside with You, Equity, Little Men, Disorder, Brother Nature, End of a Gun, I Am not a Serial Killer, Harley and the Davidsons, Beatles Their Golden Age, Ladies of the House, Trip to Unicorn Island, Green Is Gold, Other People, Steaming, Counter Clockwise, Excessive Force, Becoming Mike Nichols, Macao, Criticsized, Stewardesses, Hooligan Sparrow, Britains Bloody Crown, Streets of Compton, Barney Thompson, Florentine Jim Simple Man, God Forgive Us, Sad Vacation Last Days of Sid & Nancy, Ecstasy of Isabel Mann, Fake It So Real, Hollywood Shorties, Star Paws, Quarter Bin, 2021, Watch Me Die, Nowhere Nevada, Stabbed in the Face, Secret Santa, Dirty Old Wedge, A Fat Wreck, Land & Shade, Sins of Our Youth. Television: Fear the Walking Dead s2, Duck Dynasty s10, Father Brown s4, Death in Paradise s5, 19-2 s3, 800 Words s1. In a final count of votes in the closely watched race for a seat on the San Diego County Board of Education, retired educator Rick Shea beat former state legislator Mark Wyland by just 726 votes out of 226,346 cast. At least a million dollars in contributions poured into the race, which pitted advocates of charter schools against teachers unions. At stake in the election had been the balance of power on the five-member board and influence over everything from the fate of charters to the search for a new county superintendent. Advertisement Sheas victory means the five-member board maintains a union-backed board majority. Trustee Guadalupe Gonzalez, who was also appointed to office last year, was elected outright in June with help from organized labor. Board member Alicia Munoz also has been supported by unions in the past. A retired juvenile court teacher, Shea said he is eager to put politics aside and move on with the business of the board after a long campaign. One of the advantages of such a large district and such a long campaign is that Ive had a chance to meet with a lot of people in the county, Shea said. Im very grateful for the support I received from parents, teachers and other community members. If elected, Wyland would have established a charter-backed majority on the board. Two candidates for the board Paulette Donnellon and Mark Powell were elected outright in June with support from the state charter schools advocacy group. Wyland is a former Escondido Union School District board member Shea and Gonzalez were elected with financial support from the American Federation of Teachers, Guild Local 1931, which represents San Diego and Grossmont Cuyamaca community college faculty. Wylands campaign was backed by the California Charter Schools Associations political arm, which spent millions on state and local races this election season. The contest to represent the northwestern swath of the county in District 5 comes as the board is preparing to hire a new superintendent after Randy Ward resigned. The board is expected to meet Friday to discuss hiring a firm to conduct the search for Wards successor. With a $600 million budget, the San Diego County Office of Education provides curriculum support and financial oversight for the regions 42 school districts. It also reviews petitions for countywide charters and votes on appeals from charters rejected by their local districts. The states charter association has argued that quality charters were denied their appeals by the county board due to bias. Six of seven charter petitions reviewed in recent years were denied. Board members rejected such claims. Publicly funded and independently operated charters have fallen under intense scrutiny amid a series of unfavorable reports, high-profile incidents of mismanagement and court rulings. The county board has seen an unusually high number of vacancies due to resignations. Shea lost his bid for the county board in 2014 but was appointed to the office last year to fill a vacancy. . The San Diego Registrar of Voters posted the final vote count late Tuesday but the election results are still considered unofficial until the county verifies them. maureen.magee@sduniontribune.com Twitter:@MaureenMagee A Hornblower whale-watching ship rammed into the Embarcadero Thursday afternoon, injuring passengers, damaging the hull and buckling a portion of the well-traveled brick walkway. The crew of the Adventure Hornblower reported a mechanical malfunction that caused the throttle to become stuck in the forward position, San Diego Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief David Gerboth said. The crew, coming in to dock along North Harbor Drive near Broadway, could not stop the boat to prevent the crash, which occurred about 12:50 p.m. Seven passengers suffered minor to moderate injuries. Of the seven, three were sent to hospitals with neck, back or leg injuries, Gerboth said. None of the injuries were life-threatening. Advertisement Others injured were treated by medics and released. There were 144 people on board the 150-foot ship, although its not clear whether that number includes the crew members. Mike and Deb Ellis from the Phoenix area came to San Diego to celebrate her 60th birthday with a more than three-hour whale-watching cruise Thursday. They saw two water spouts and a lot of dolphins. Deb was in the stern on the top deck and her husband was in a restroom when the boat crashed. It felt like we were coming in a little hot, Deb said. Then the boat hit the dock. The next thing I heard was for blasts of the horn. ... We hit pretty hard. Mike said the jolt knocked him against a wall in the mens room. I feel better now, the medics checked me, he said after the passengers had disembarked. He said people waiting in line for the next cruise ran to get out of the way as the bow slammed into the walkway. Tables, chairs and people on the top deck fell down. It knocked children on the ground, Mike said. Also on the top deck were Osmond deSousa with his wife and teenage daughter, all visiting from New Jersey. I saw it coming in fast. It hit the dock, bounced off and continued too fast to stop. The woman next to me fell, she was hurt pretty bad, deSousa said. The crew were walking on the deck yelling, Brace yourselves or hold on to something. Brianna Buchanan, 19, on spring break with family from Salt Lake City, Utah, also felt the ship rushing toward the dock. We heard the horns blowing and everyone went flying, she said. They were sitting at a table on the middle deck, and her parents were knocked to the floor by the impact. They were not hurt. They saw people running along the deck toward the bow. It was exciting. Definitely something new, Buchanan said. Mike and Deb Ellis said after the crash, the crew started first aid on the injured, putting ice bags on bruises and bandaging cuts. They opened the snack bar for free food and drinks while passengers waited about two hours to disembark. Shortly after 2:30 p.m., tug boats had to push the ship back from the damaged walkway so passengers could get off. William Benevides of Sacramento was not on the Hornblower ship, but said he and family members had just gotten off a ferry at the Embarcadero from Coronado when they heard a loud noise. We were walking up the plank, he said. We heard a big bang, metal things breaking. It just kept coming and it didnt stop. Benevides said he saw a lady on the top deck of the ship fly off her chair as a result of the impact. The U.S. Coast Guard and Harbor police will handle the investigation. Were not exactly sure what happened yet, said Jim Unger, general manager of Hornblower Cruises and Events, who also stressed the safety of their passengers is important to the company. Were digging deep into it as any professional company would. A Hornblower Cruise employee said the harbor dinner cruise on a different boat would go on as scheduled Thursday night. Staff writers Dana Littlefield and Kristina Davis contributed to this report. 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Ahold Delhaize presents Better Together strategy, gives update on integration and financial framework Ahold Delhaize, a leader in supermarkets and e-commerce with strong local brands in 11 countries, is holding a Capital Markets Day for institutional investors and analysts today in London, United Kingdom, at 9am GMT (10am CET). Highlights include: Better Together strategy captures benefits of international scale to build great local brands Confirms rationale of Ahold Delhaize merger, sets direction to realize full potential Combined company in full-execution mode following merger completion on July 23, 2016 Integration is on track with clear visibility to generating 500 million in net synergies in 2019 Operating model committed to grow leading supermarket brands while remaining rigorously focused on cost discipline New target to double net consumer online sales by 2020 from expected 2016 level of 2.3 billion Better Together strategy reflects full commitment to Sustainable Retailing Continued focus on strong free cash flow with 1.6 billion expected for 2017 Dividend pay-out ratio of 40-50% of pro-forma underlying income from continuing operations Launch of 1 billion share buyback program in 2017 Zaandam, the Netherlands, December 7, 2016 - Ahold Delhaize today presents its Better Together strategy, its plan for fully capturing the benefits of international scale combining with great local brands and associate expertise. Building on a solid financial foundation and strong track record of cost discipline, Ahold Delhaize will drive profitable growth in supermarkets, eCommerce, and smaller formats. The company will also provide an update on synergies and its financial framework following completion of the merger between Ahold and Delhaize Group in July 2016. Dick Boer, CEO of Ahold Delhaize, said: "We are excited to share our Better Together strategy, which builds naturally on our combined strong performance as well as the strong foundations of the local brands in our group. Guided by this common compass, we will continue to improve our family of brands to be a better place to shop, a better place to work, and a better neighbor, every day. We are meeting the needs of customers today and anticipating those of tomorrow, by providing more value, quality and convenience. "Our integration is on track and we have a clear plan to deliver 500 million in net synergies in 2019. We are convinced more than ever that our merger is the right combination at the right time. Driven by our purpose "Together, we build great local brands, bringing fresh inspiration every day," we will continue to shape a stronger future for Ahold Delhaize, providing fuel for the brands to grow to the benefit of customers, associates, communities and shareholders." Better Together: our strategic framework Our Better Together strategy will enable us to drive profitable growth and deliver the benefits of international scale, combining great local brands and local associate experience while driving savings and investments to benefit customers, and create value for shareholders. It encapsulates our purpose, with clear promises to customers, associates and communities and with values that drive our actions. It is completed by the sustainable business model, with three key pillars: Save for our customers: Buy better, Operate smarter, Waste less Invest in our customer proposition: Affordable for all, Best own brands, Fresher & Healthier, Most local & personal service Funding growth in key channels: supermarkets, eCommerce and smaller formats Growing our largest channel: supermarkets At our Capital Markets Day, Ahold Delhaize management will give an update on local programs that continue to drive sales and improve price, assortment and service for the customers of our great local brands. Transformation Plan Belgium Delhaize Belgium is on track to deliver 80 million in savings in 2018 through the Transformation Plan. A New Store Organization was deployed to 128 company operated stores, and now aims to drive sales through a clear commercial strategy. Food Lion - Easy, Fresh and Affordable. you can count on Food Lion every day Food Lion continues to win with its Easy, Fresh and Affordable strategy and will roll it out to 160 additional stores in 2017, bringing the total to 540, or 55% of total sales at the brand. Ahold USA - Heading Northeast Ahold USA is building momentum with its "Heading Northeast" strategy as its investments in pricing, service and quality pay off with gains in customer perception and sales volume increases. Growing in new channels: doubling eCommerce sales by the end of 2020 Ahold Delhaize confirms its commitment to its eCommerce businesses by meeting the growing customer demand for online grocery solutions and by building the leading eCommerce platform in the Netherlands and Belgium. Ahold Delhaize today presents an ambition to double net online consumer sales by 2020. Sustainable Retailing Our success as a business is closely tied to how well we meet the needs of multiple stakeholders. Ahold Delhaize is prioritizing three areas where we can have the most impact on the lives of our stakeholders and, in doing so, become a stronger, more sustainable company: promoting healthier eating, reducing food waste, and creating healthy and inclusive workplaces for the 375,000 associates at our brands. Therefore, all brands will set clear targets in the areas of product integrity, sourcing, tackling climate change, and taking care of our people. Ahold Delhaize will provide more details in 2017. Clear roadmap to delivering 500 million in net synergies The integration is on track and has been completed at our Global Support Office and EU Support Office. Ahold Delhaize remains committed to deliver net synergies of 500 million in 2019, incremental to operating income and confirms integration costs of 350 million for 2015-2019. Financial framework Continuing to exercise rigorous cost discipline, the company will further improve its cost base to fund growth and invest in price, quality and service for customers. Ahold Delhaize will also continue to deliver strong cash flow generation, fueling free cash flow with synergies and working capital improvements. In 2017, free cash flow is expected to be around 1.6 billion. The company is committed to a balanced approach between funding growth in key channels, managing the debt portfolio and returning cash to shareholders. It targets a 40-50% dividend pay-out ratio based on pro-forma underlying income from continuing operations. In addition, in 2017 Ahold Delhaize will return 1 billion through a share buyback program. Further information All presentations for the Ahold Delhaize Capital Markets Day will be available on www.aholddelhaize.com from 9am GMT (10am CET). A webcast (audio) is available from that time, also on www.aholddelhaize.com. Wereldhave Finland has reached an agreement with Finnkino to open a 9 screen cinema in its shopping centre Itis in Helsinki, Finland with an anticipated opening at the end of 2018. The cinema with a unique concept for Finland will be the first in East Helsinki and it will be an excellent addition to the leisure offer at Itis. Finnkino is the market leader in Finland with 98 screens in 14 cinemas in 11 cities. Finnkino is part of Nordic Cinema Group, the market leader in the Nordics, with 469 screens in 6 countries, amongst which is the recently opened cinema in the mall of Scandinavia in Stockholm. "This is good news for Wereldhave, as it will change the entire nature of Itis shopping centre, adding to the attractiveness of the centre and creating a solid basis to further improve the food and beverage and leisure offer. It will clearly enhance Itis's status as the leading shopping centre in Finland", says Dirk Anbeek, CEO of Wereldhave. "Our estimate is that footfall of the centre will increase with at least 500,000 visitors per year, which will reach 17m visitors at the end of 2016", says Director of operations Richard Belt at Wereldhave Finland Oy. "We are very excited to be opening a new state of the art cinema in the Itis shopping mall. We see large potential in the Eastern part of Helsinki and we are planning a totally new generation of cinema", says Veronica Lindholm, CEO of Finnkino. Information for the press: Richard W. Beentjes E richard.beentjes@wereldhave.com T + 31 20 702 78 37 Veronica Lindholm E veronica.lindholm@finnkino.fi T +358 40 676 3443 Richard Belt E richard.belt@wereldhave.com T +358 40 664 5999 Information for analysts: Jaap-Jan Fit E jaapjan.fit@wereldhave.com T + 31 20 702 78 43 Baltimore, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/07/2016 -- Stephen Hopkins was from Hampshire, England. He married his first wife, Mary, and resided in the parish of Hursley, Hampshire. They had three (3) children: Elizabeth, Constance, and Giles; all baptized there. It has long been claimed that the Hopkins family was from Wortley, Gloucester, but this was disproven in 1998 with the discovery of his true origins in Hursley. http://mayflowerhistory.com/hopkins-stephen/ Stephen Hopkins went with the ship Sea Venture on a voyage to Jamestown, Virginia in 1609 as a minister's clerk, but the ship wrecked in the "Isle of Devils" (Bermuda). Stranded on an island for ten months, the passengers and crew survived on turtles, birds, and wild pigs. Six months into the castaway, Stephen Hopkins and several others organized a mutiny against the current governor. The mutiny was discovered and Stephen was sentenced to death. However, he pleaded with sorrow and tears. "So penitent he was, and made so much moan, alleging the ruin of his wife and children in this his trespass, as it wrought in the hearts of all the better sorts of the company." He managed to get his sentence commuted. Eventually the castaways built a small ship and sailed themselves to Jamestown. How long Stephen remained in Jamestown is not known. However, while he was gone, his wife Mary died. She was buried in Hursley on 9 May 1613, and left behind a probate estate which mentions her children Elizabeth, Constance and Giles. Stephen was back in England by 1617, when he married Elizabeth Fisher, but apparently had every intention of bringing his family back to Virginia. Their first child, Damaris, was born about 1618. In 1620, Stephen Hopkins brought his wife and children Constance, Giles, and Damaris on the Mayflower (child Elizabeth apparently had died). Stephen was a fairly active member of the Pilgrim group shortly after arrival, perhaps a result of his being one of the few individuals who had been to Virginia previously. He was a part of all the early exploring missions, and was used as an "expert" on Native Americans for the first few contacts. While out exploring, Stephen recognized and identified an Indian deer trap. And when Samoset walked into Plymouth and welcomed the English, he was housed in Stephen Hopkins' house for the night. Stephen was also sent on several of the ambassadorial missions to meet with the various Indian groups in the region. Stephen was an assistant to the governor through 1636, and volunteered for the Pequot War of 1637 but was never called to serve. By the late 1630s, however, Stephen began to occasionally run afoul of the Plymouth authorities, as he apparently opened up a shop and served alcohol. In 1636 he got into a fight with John Tisdale and seriously wounded him. In 1637, he was fined for allowing drinking and shuffleboard playing on Sunday. Early the next year he was fined for allowing people to drink excessively in his house: guest William Reynolds was fined, but the others were acquitted. In 1638 he was twice fined for selling beer at twice the actual value, and in 1639 he was fined for selling a looking glass for twice what it would cost if bought in the Bay Colony. Also in 1638, Stephen Hopkins' maidservant got pregnant from Arthur Peach, who was subsequently executed for murdering an Indian. The Plymouth Court ruled he was financially responsible for her and her child for the next two years (the amount remaining on her term of service). Stephen, in contempt of court, threw Dorothy out of his household and refused to provide for her, so the court committed him to custody. John Holmes stepped in and purchased Dorothy's remaining two years of service from him: agreeing to support her and child. Stephen died in 1644, and made out a will, asking to be buried near his wife, and naming his surviving children. BAPTISM: 30 April 1581 at Upper Clatford, Hampshire, England, son of John and Elizabeth (Williams) Hopkins. FIRST MARRIAGE: Mary, possibly the daughter of Robert and Joan (Machell) Kent of Hursley, co. Hampshire, prior to 1604. SECOND MARRIAGE: Elizabeth Fisher on 19 February 1617/8 at St. Mary Matfellon, Whitechapel, co. Middlesex, England. CHILDREN (by Mary): Elizabeth, Constance, and Giles. CHILDREN (by Elizabeth): Damaris, Oceanus, Caleb, Deborah, Damaris, Ruth, and Elizabeth. DNA HAPLOGROUP: R1b-M269 Master Christopher Jones and several business partners purchased the ship Mayflower about 1607. Its origins prior to that remain uncertain. Its first documented voyage of record was to Trondheim, Norway, in 1609. Andrew Pawling hired the ship to take a cargo of London goods to Norway, sell them off, and buy Norway goods (lumber, tar, and fish) to return back to England. Unfortunately on the return voyage, the Mayflower encountered a severe North Sea storm and the master and crew were forced to toss most of Pawlings goods overboard to lighten the ship. The home of Master Christopher Jones: Harwich, co. Essex, England. http://mayflowerhistory.com/ Following that, Christopher Jones seems to have stuck with safer trading routes. The Mayflower made numerous trips primarily to Bordeaux, France, returning to London with cargoes of French wine, Cognac, vinegar, and salt. The Mayflower could freight about 180 tons of cargo. The Mayflower also made occasional voyages to other ports, including once to Malaga, Spain, and twice to Hamburg, Germany. Upon returning from a voyage to Bordeaux, France, in May 1620, the Mayflower and master Christopher Jones were hired to take the Pilgrims to Northern Virginia. This was the first recorded trans-Atlantic voyage for both ship and master, though Christopher Jones had several crewmembers, including pilot and master's mates John Clarke and Robert Coppin, who had been to the New World before. The Mayflower was supposed to accompany another ship, the Speedwell, to America, but the Speedwell proved too leaky for the voyage so the Mayflower proceeded alone. Departing on 6 September 1620, the ship was at sea for 66 days, arriving November 9. The ship and crew overwintered with the Pilgrims and departed back for England on 5 April 1621, arriving back to England on May 6. Christopher Jones took the ship out for a few more trading runs, but he died a couple of years later in March 1621/2. The ship was appraised for probate purposes in May 1624, and was referred to as being "in ruins." It was only valued at 128 pounds sterling, and was almost certainly broken up and sold off as scrap. Adam Paul Green was born to a multi-talented beauty queen Mother and a Father who, in addition to being a US Army Spy and a Counter-Intelligence Special Agent, was also a highly accomplished entrepreneur. Adam was taught at a young age that, in both life and business, loyalty is a requirement for success. He's had the honor of working directly with his father in several of the family businesses. In fact, this is where he learned crucial entrepreneurial skills and honed his talents with international business strategies and venture capitalism. http://www.MarketingChocolateInternational.com http://www.AdamPaulGreen.com http://www.ImAdamGreen.com Adam earned his Bachelors of Science Degree in International Business and Marketing from the University of Utah. He was hand-picked by the President of the University's renowned School of Business to compete with dozens of other ambitious nationwide-graduates for the opportunity to secure a lucrative job within a prestigious Fortune 100 company. http://www.mxicorp.com/fab/ http://www.Twitter.com/AdamPaulGreen http://www.ImAdamGreen.com Bensalem, PA -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/07/2016 -- The Brian Gunn Group helped brighten the Thanksgiving holiday for local families in southeastern Pennsylvania by participating in Keller Williams' food drive. They held their annual food drive in the office to gather items necessary for a perfect Thanksgiving feast, including stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, yams, vegetables, cranberry sauce, and, of course, turkey. Individuals who did not bring in food were encouraged to make monetary donations so that more groceries could be purchased for these families. Everything was carefully packed into baskets before being hand-delivered to each home. Additionally, the real estate group held a contest for a free "for sale" sign. Each item that was brought in was worth one ticket in the raffle, with four total winners. Through the efforts of employees at these real estate agencies, enough food was gathered to feed over 150 families in the greater Philadelphia area. The Brian Gunn Group is deeply committed to helping members of their community, and they also want to help everyone reach their goal of owning their perfect home. With agents who were born and raised in the area, the company is well-equipped to help clients find the right home for them in Philadelphia or Bucks County. The agents understand that buying a home is one of the biggest decisions that many people have to make, and they will work diligently to find the right home at the right price for their clients. For more information on what the Brian Gunn Group can do for you, give them a call at 215-717-7917, or contact them via their website at http://briangunngroup.com/. About The Brian Gunn Group Brian Gunn and his team is an award-winning, Philadelphia-based real estate agency associated with the leading international real estate franchise, Keller Williams. Using their vast experience in the real estate industry, the group helps their clients sell or buy homes all across the Bucks County and Montgomery County regions. Brian Gunn's specialty areas include, but are not limited to, buy representation, listing specialist, short sales, luxury home sales, foreclosures, leases, and more. For more information about the Brian Gunn Group, visit http://briangunngroup.com. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/07/2016 -- The global Dental Implant Market was valued at US$ 4.47 Bn in 2016 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 7.5% during forecast period from 2016 to 2024 to reach US$ 8.18 Bn in 2024. Browse the full report at http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/dental-implants-market.html Dental Implants are considered the most preferred treatment option for dental / oral health problems among dentists and physicians. Due to the growing population and unmet medical needs in developed and developing countries, they are expected to be the potential markets in the near future. Moreover, a rise in oral health care-related customer expectations brought about by an improvement in economic conditions and rising per capita disposable incomes is likely to drive the dental implants market. This report provides market size and forecast for global dental implants market on the basis of type of products, materials, end-user and geography. The major geographies analyzed in the report include North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. In addition the regions have been further segmented into major country markets in each region. The report also provides country level market estimation for the U.S., Canada, U.K., Germany, France, Brazil, Mexico, China, Japan, India, South Korea, and Australia. Market revenue in terms of US$ Mn and volume in terms of units for the period from 2014 to 2024 along with CAGR % from 2016 to 2024 are provided for all the regions and nations considering 2016 as the base year. Geographically, Europe accounted for the largest share of the global dental implants market in 2016 in terms of value, followed by North America and Asia Pacific. Europe is expected to continue its dominance during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024. Well-established health care infrastructure, availability of reimbursements, aging population, change preferences of life style, and/or high purchasing power of the general population are credited to the dominance of the region. Implant dentistry was developed in Europe, hence this makes it the most advanced and largest regional market. It is also the only region with some sort reimbursement policies for dental implants, but it's very limited and it is only available in some countries in Europe. Europe market is the 2nd largest supplier of oral regenerative products which gives companies international reach. Germany was a major market for dental implants market in Europe in 2016. After Germany, France, Italy, U.K. are driving the market growth. Change in lifestyle, particularly in the urban population, and technological advancements in treatment devices for dental implants are the significant factors likely to increase demand dental implants. Inquire for Exclusive Report Sample Copy - http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=224 North America accounted for the second largest share in the market. In North America U.S. is estimated to account for largest share of the market i.e. 92.9% of the market. According to a report published by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) in 2014, approximately 45 million senior citizens in the U.S. are likely to require one or two complete dentures or dental implants by 2020. Additionally report by New York Times, estimates that, total health care budget in the U.S. is expected to reach US$ 4.8 Trillion to US$ 4.9 Trillion by 2021-2022. Companies in dental implant market in the U.S. are actively involved in mergers and acquisitions. The manufacturers of implants have started taking strategic decisions to engage in mergers and acquisitions to strengthen their product portfolio and increase their brand share in the market. The dental implants market in Asia Pacific is expected to witness the rapid growth rate from 2016 to 2024. South Korea accounted for the maximum share in the Asia Pacific market in 2016 and is expected to dominate the market in the future with a very high share in 2024 with CAGR of 8.4%. In South Korea, reimbursement policy was introduced for senior citizens in 2014 and will be extended to a broader age group in year 2016/2017. This explains the increased penetration rate in South Korea. After South Korea, in Asia-Pacific region (China, India, and Japan) is estimated to grow at the decent rate owing to rise in geriatric population with periodontal diseases and healthcare services. Aging population is a serious challenge for social, economic development and sustainability worldwide. This is particularly observed in developing countries like China and India which has approximately one fifth of the global aged population. In terms of product type, the Endosteal segment and Titanium in terms of by materials are expected to witness significant growth in the region during the forecast period. Thus, APAC region the market is share is completely dependent on increase in population and time taken to accept of new technologies. Brazil is a key market in Latin America. Because of the high acceptance of dental implant in Brazil, there is rise in demand for dental biomaterials. Brazil therefore represents by far the largest market in Latin America. Comparatively the Colombian market is the smallest but will experience rapid growth in near future due to the entry of new competitors. Latin America offers significant opportunities and after leading company Straumann acquired Neodent in 2012, it has enlarged their strategic options for addressing the huge non-premium segment in Latin America market. Middle East & Africa (MEA) are also expected to contribute significantly to the global dental implant market in the near future. The average cost of dental implants are comparatively very low in Dubai and Israel as a result of decent price competition and the presence of a large number of successful local manufacturers which provide premium as well as value segments. Other important factors are increasing prevalence of continuously growing population, increasing investment in medical technology and medical tourism. The dental implant market is largely consolidated, with the presence of several large global players and a few local players operating in the market. Major players profiled in this report include Danaher Corporation, Dentsply Sirona, Institut Straumann AG, and Zimmer Biomet Holdings, 3M Health Care, CAMLOG Biotechnologies AG etc. Buy this Report - http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=224 San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/07/2016 -- An investigation on behalf of current or former participants in the Lancaster County Nebraska Employees Retirement Plan over potential Breaches of Fiduciary Duty by the plan administrator Prudential was announced. If you are an existing or former participant of the Lancaster County Nebraska Employees Retirement Plan you have certain options and should contact the Shareholders Foundation at mail@shareholdersfoundation.com or call 858-779-1554. According to the investigation by a law firm under the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA") current or former participants in the Lancaster County Nebraska Employees Retirement Plan may be eligible to file an ERISA complaint for putting stock options at risk if they can prove that the plan administrator violated its fiduciary duty to them. Recently a former participant of the Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan f/k/a Wolseley North America 401(k) filed a lawsuit against Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, Prudential Bank & Trust, FSB and Prudential Investment Management Services, LLC. The plaintiff alleges Prudential literally has lined its pockets with tens of millions of dollars in revenue sharing payments by and through self-dealing, other prohibited transactions and breaches of its fiduciary duties. The plaintiff alleges that the kickback payments at issue are essentially part of a pay-to-play scheme in which Prudential receives payments from mutual funds in the form of fees in return for providing the mutual funds with access to its retirement plan customers. The plaintiff claims that the Prudential has entered into revenue sharing agreements and similar arrangements with various mutual funds, affiliates of mutual funds, mutual fund advisors, sub-advisors, investment funds, including collective trusts, and other investment advisors, instruments or vehicles, pursuant to which Prudential receives revenue sharing payments (which amount to kickbacks) for its own benefit from these mutual funds in violation of, inter alia, the prohibited transaction rules of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA"), as well as ERISA's fiduciary rules. The plaintiff alleges that Prudential uses its ownership and control over separate accounts in which its retirement plan customers' investments are placed to negotiate for the receipt of these revenue sharing payments from mutual funds, and the revenue sharing payments have the effect of increasing the expense ratios of the mutual funds, which expenses are deducted directly from the assets of the separate accounts. The plaintiff says that Prudential describes and deceptively characterizes the revenue-sharing payments as "service fees" and reimbursement for expenses racked up in providing services on behalf of the mutual funds, and that the amounts of the revenue-sharing payments bear absolutely no relationship to either the value or cost of the services, and Prudential provides the same services no matter the amount of revenue-sharing payments. Those who are existing or former participant of the Lancaster County Nebraska Employees Retirement Plan have certain options and should contact the Shareholders Foundation. Contact: Shareholders Foundation, Inc. Michael Daniels 3111 Camino Del Rio North - Suite 423 92108 San Diego Phone: +1-(858)-779-1554 Fax: +1-(858)-605-5739 mail@shareholdersfoundation.com Estepona, Spain -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/07/2016 -- ActivitiesMarbella.es is a new activities portal where people can find, purchase and book dozens of unusual things to do in Marbella and Andalusia, Southern Spain. The portal is available in English and in Spanish and divided into several easy to understand categories such as adventure, driving, gastronomy, boating, pampering and many more activities which makes it very easy and straightforward to find things to do. ActivitiesMarbella.es is not only anideal way to plan a holiday on the Costa del Sol but it's also a portal used by many locals looking for an easy way to book leisure activities in the area with a guarantee of quality of service. All activities feature a single price and detailed conditions for the booking and organization of the activity. All these activities can also be purchased to be offered as a gift, so if you don't have ideas for a Christmas or Birthday, this is a great solution. Just purchase and print a personalized gift voucher and place it under the Christmas tree or in that birthday card. All vouchers have a validity of 12 months and can be purchased online, via a safe online shopping platform, and vouchers will be sent via email. Not online? No problems! You can also call the Activities Marbella team and have it all arranged over the phone. The Activities booking team speaks English, Spanish, French, Dutch and German and are available on the phone 7 days a week. About Activities Marbella Activities Marbella is part of the Experience Box SL group of companies who are specialist travel agents specialising in group adventure activities for holidays, leisure and corporate events such as team building and incentive trips on the Costa del Sol in areas such as Marbella, Estepona, Puerto Banus, Gibraltar. Contact Information: Rob Magits, Director Telephone Number: +34 952 88 55 97 Address: Urb El Saladillo, Edificio Altair 214, 29680 Estepona, Spain Email Address: info@activitiesmarbella.es Website: http://www.activitiesmarbella.es Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/07/2016 -- Increasing demand for consumer electronics which include smartphones, tablets and other electronics devices is one of the prime reasons contributing in the rapid growth of semiconductor dry strip systems market globally. Rising usage of advanced electronic products is fueling the application of semiconductor dry strip systems across different regions globally. The market has been segmented into by application which includes consumer electronics, automotive, industrial segment among others. The market for semiconductor dry strip systems by geography has been segmented into, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South America. Dry strip systems primarily eliminate photoresists and follow every step of diffusion processing. Techniques and process of eliminating these residues include dry and wet strip systems. Moreover, the upgraded advanced dry strip generates plasmas or gaseous chemistries, to which wafers are generally exposed to eliminated mask residues and films. The demand for advanced semiconductor dry strip systems is growing owing to the increasing number and complexity of thin-film layers needed for each wafer has increased. Rising technological advancement the semiconductor manufacturers are focusing on increasing their strip capacity. Furthermore, semiconductor companies also focuses on residue-free stripping and low-damage results. ICs fabrications which feature sizes of sub-100 nm and the application of copper and low k dielectric films are some of the major challenges for the dry strips systems. PDF Sample For Latest Advancements and Technological breakthroughs is @ http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=15926 With rising research activities in the field of semiconductor dry strips systems, the application of the system are growing in the consumer electronics, automotive and high-end industrial application segments. Increasing adoption of electronics is one of the major reasons behind the rising popularity of semiconductor dry strips systems. Increasing usage of smartphones, tablets, and other smart gadgets are fueling the market for semiconductor dry strips systems across different regions globally. Furthermore, rising demand for advance quality semiconductor devices is one of the prime factors fueling the market. Major companies operating in the field of semiconductor systems primarily focuses on research activities and introduced dry strips specialized for different photoresist eliminating requirement primarily for foundries and fabs globally. Increasing complexity in the manufacturing process of ICs, the requirement for semiconductor dry strips is growing and is expected to increase in near future. Specialized dry strips applications are on rise in order to meet the diverging clients demand. Strip systems in cost-sensitive memory applications required to give the advance levels of productivity while marinating the lowest cost of ownership. Furthermore semiconductor dry strips systems have also found applications in advanced packaging. In addition, the semiconductor dry strips systems play an important part in the semiconductor devices fabrication. The growing research and development in the field of dry strips solutions for major semiconductor processing fabs is contributing in the positive development of the market. Advanced dry strip processes with negligible substrate damage and high wafer throughput plays a crucial role in the successful semiconductor device fabrication. Asia Pacific is leading the semiconductor dry strip systems market worldwide. Growing usage of consumer electronics devices such as smartphones, tablets, wearable and other smart electronic devices in economies such the China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and India is contributing in the positive growth of this market across Asia Pacific (APAC). North America is one of the prime regions which is contributing in the positive growth of the semiconductor dry strip systems market. The U.S., Mexico and Canada are some of the major economics contributing in the positive development of this market. The U.K., Germany, France and Italy are some of the major countries contributing in the development of the market globally. Brazil, Argentina and U.A.E are expected to witness positive growth over the forecast period from 2016 to 2024 across South America, Middle East and Africa. With increasing advancement in the consumer electronics, industrial and automotive field, the application of semiconductor dry strip systems is growing rapidly. Merger and acquisitions and strategic partnership agreements along with research and development activities are some of the key business strategies adopted by the companies operating in this industry in order to strengthen its presence across different regions globally. Applied Materials, Inc. (California, The U.S.), Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation (Tokyo, Japan), Lam Research Corporation (California, The U.S.), Mattson Technology Inc. (California, The U.S.), PSK Inc. (South Korea), Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (Massachusetts, The U.S.), GlobalFoundries (California, The U.S.), Intel Corporation (California, The U.S.), Novellus Systems Inc. (California, The U.S.), Samsung Group (South Korea), Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (China), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Limited (Taiwan), United Microelectronics Corporation (Taiwan) and ULVAC Technologies, Inc. (The U.S.) among others are some of the major players operating in the semiconductor dry strip systems market globally. A pipeline is a great aid for oil industry. It lessens the time that shipment consumes. However, because of industrialization happening globally, the physical world and everything in it suffer tremendous damage. Dakota Access oil pipeline is now being raised by the industry leaders to President-elect Donald Trump for his approval. They are seeking permission once the President-elect takes the office in January 2017. According to The Washington Post, two industry groups are calling on Trump's attention to permit the pipeline's completion. The requests come after the Army declined to issue a permit for the $3.8 billion pipeline to cross under a Missouri River reservoir in southern North Dakota near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. The American Petroleum Institute represents the U.S. oil and natural gas industry, and the MAIN Coalition is made up of agriculture, business and labor entities that benefit from Midwest infrastructure projects. The spokesman, Jason Miller, told The Associated Press on Monday that Trump supports the construction of the pipeline but he cannot say whether Trump would reverse the Army's decision. Miller said that the Trump administration will make necessary reviews and appropriate action for the request. Trump has stocks in Energy Transfer Partners. The pipeline opponents worry that Trump's investments could influence any decision he will make on the project and it could be unfavorable to them. Energy Transfer Partners got a federal permit for the pipeline in July, about two years after it was announced. The pipeline was planned to transfer a half-million barrels of crude oil daily to an existing pipeline residing in Patoka, Illinois, for shipment to Midwest and Gulf Coast markets. Industry supporters and leaders say that the pipelines will be protected from possible damage and leaks, providing a safe transfer of oil. It is a way safer than trucks and trains that may sometimes lead to accidents causing much more loss. The pipeline is almost complete except for a particular area under Lake Oahe, about a mile upstream of the reservation. Irvine, California, Dec. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Match-Trade Technologies LLC, ("Match-Trade" or the "Company"), headquartered in Irvine, California, is pleased to announce the launch of Match-Trade (M-TT) Traders Room Solution for FX Brokers. As a complement to Match-Trade White Label offering, M-TT Traders Room application will assist FX Brokers to automate the most critical aspect of their operations. In the M-TT Traders Room area, FX Brokers clients will be able to open the new demo or live accounts automatically, send deposits and request withdrawals. M-TT support different types of payment gateways such as Paypal, Skrill, Neteller and others which are currently popular in the market. Match-Trade can add other payment gateways and additional functionalities as requested by customers. All activities performed by FX Brokers clients on system administration is logged in the system, and all interested parties will receive additional email notifications about the requested actions. Additionally, each client can use this application as an e-wallet, which allows making instant transfers to trading accounts in case of insufficient margins or any other unexpected situation that requires the immediate transfer of funds. M-TT Traders Room application is fully integrated with both MT4 server and Match-Trader Trading Platform. The most important features of Match-Trade Traders Room: Opening Demo and Live accounts from website Opening new accounts from Traders Room application Various deposit and withdrawal options, e-payments supported Transferring funds between accounts E-Wallet functionality Automatic email notifications about all clients activities Partner Area (IB) Flexible options configured according to broker needs This solution is available for all Match-Trade clients, and also one may buy this service for external clients and servers. About Match-Trade Technologies Match-Trade Technologies LLC, ("Match-Trade"), headquartered in Irvine, California is a fully integrated Forex technology provider that delivers turnkey matching engine solutions to all forex market participants looking to access the retail and institutional spot forex markets. Match-Trade has combined state of the art software components of matching engine technology that enables forex providers (Brokers, Prime Brokers, and other LPs) to participate in the new generation of transparent, distributed and independent ECN forex market. As scientists are preparing all the necessary things for the Mars mission, more suggestions and experiments are coming in. Of which, one of the nation's top school for design made a spacesuit. Staff members and students at Rhode Island School of Design have come up with a new, adjustable suit that closely resembles an actual space suit. The new suit was unveiled on Monday in Providence. It is expected to be tested during the upcoming Mars simulation mission in 2017 in Hawaii, a report by ABC News said. The mission's space doctor Sheyna Gifford mentioned that the whole crew needs a better space suit. "A realistic suit is important, so crew members can see what experiments they can do and what tools they can use while wearing it, and how the habitat should be designed to accommodate it. What we're aiming for is the best possible simulation, to inform NASA about what we learned on that simulation so they can succeed in the real thing." The chief engineering officer on that mission, Andrzej Stewart, put on the suit to check how it fits, how well the ventilation and radio communications worked and how he moved in it. Also, Gifford was an observer together with the NASA spacesuit engineer who will take down notes and give feedback, according to Phys.org. Stewart with the height of 6 feet 2 tested the simulated suit, but cannot zip up. He wore the hazmat suit instead. He shared that the suit is easy to wear, but not realistic. Stewart added that "It's great to finally be able to put on a full suit and be able to walk around, be able to move in it. It makes me feel a lot more like an astronaut." The work began after Gifford spoke to Michael Lye, the adjunct faculty member who coordinates projects between NASA and the school. She said that there is an opportunity to make a realistic suit. She added that "the new suit is great, especially its modularity because it will fit whoever is on the crew, though the exterior ventilation tubes will have to go inside the suit so they don't get caught on something or crushed." In addition, Micahel Lye said that the materials for the suit will cost up to $10,000, paid for with grants from the HI-SEAS program and the Rhode Island Space Grant Consortium. It will be work on by the students in the industrial design and apparel design programs. The authorities are now investigating the Russian Cargo after it exploded in the atmosphere. Some of the pieces landed near Russia's Siberian region of Tuva. It has been previously reported that the Russian Cargo exploded while making its way to the International Space Station (ISS). Now, the authorities in Russia's Siberian region are investigating several parts of the progress cargo spaceship that have been found. In a report by Space Daily, the herders found two pieces, including a large spherical object. They found these over the weekend. Also, another piece was found in the courtyard of a residential area. The regional head Sholban Karaa-ool warned people not to touch any of the metal debris. Kara-ool posted on his official website that the Regional sanitation officials "inspected the spot where two pieces of the spacecraft were found in the Ulug-Khem district, on the side of the mountain and near a yurt. Another small piece was found in the yard of a house in the Eilig-Khem village. Compatriots, if you find metal objects, don't touch them." A geochemist from the Moscow State University, who heads the environmental safety and laboratory studied previous crashes of Proton rockets, Tatyana Koroleva, said that there are no dangers from the fallen debris. This is mainly because if there are any chemicals, it would have been burned out in the atmosphere. However, the main reason why the authorities warned people to stay away from the debris is to keep them from selling the parts of the metal. Tuva is mostly a Buddhist region in southern Siberia and is one of the poorest parts of Russia. Koroleva added to AFP that "That has happened before." Meanwhile, the agency is currently investigating the probable reasons why there was a cargo crash. According to sources in the industry cited by the media in Russia, it may be the engine failure on the third-stage rocket, reported Phys.org. An estimated 87 patients escaped from the only psychiatric hospital in Kenya after they were left unattended. The doctors and nurses refused to work and went on strike following a nationwide move of medical workers at public hospitals against the government. Over the recent years, the Kenyan government has been caught up in scandals of mismanagement and corruption. As a result, public hospital workers went on strike on Dec. 5. When the patients from the Mathare Mental Hospital in Nairobi were left unattended, they scaled up the walls surrounding the wards and just wandered away. By Monday evening, only 17 patients had been brought back to the hospital, CBS News reports. However, more than 50 patients are still missing. The illnesses of the patients were not disclosed and many residents are worried that the patients could pose a threat. "They are more of a danger to themselves. For example, if one of them strays into a private compound, he or she could be mistaken for a burglar," Julius Ogato, the medical superintendent of the hospital, said. In a video uploaded online, the patients were seen escaping from the hospital. Motorists and road users were forced to wait in traffic after the patients escaped the facility. A major manhunt has been launched in search of all the mental patients. An estimated 5,000 doctors and health workers from public hospitals across the country did not report to work. The workers are demanding better pay and working conditions. On average, Kenyan doctors make as little as $400 per month while nurses earn just $150 per month. Most of them are working in squalid conditions, the Denver Post reports. Seth Panyako, secretary-general of the nurses' union, said his organization wants the government to sign a collective bargaining agreement that would bring equitable salaries for medical workers. He aired his frustration over the government losing billions of money to corruption, and medical workers still remain underpaid and overworked. SapceX CEO Elon Musk may have just found a new team on his planned Mars mission. Moon Express Founder will work with him. Moon Express founder Naveen Jain said that he is willing to work with Elon Musk. The Moon Express is the first private company that has been permitted by the U.S. government to explore the Moon for resources. In 2017, the company is planning to take a robotic rover to the Moon. In Cape Canveral, which is the base of Moon Express, Jain said that the company has two neighbors. It is the space company Blue Origin by Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk's SpaceX. In a report by CNBC, Jain was asked if he was willing to work with Musk. He replied, " Absolutely." Jain added that "It's very complimentary as a matter of fact, Elon Musk will build the rocket and we do the rover. Essentially, he lays the cables and we do the last mile." Thus, Moon Express' primary goal is to focus on getting to the Moon. But, Mars is also seen to be the next step, according to Yahoo. Naveen Jain added that "Mars is absolutely the right place to be ultimate. But (the) moon is the first training ground and the first stepping stone. At the end of the day, we would rather me a lunatic three days away than being a Martian six months away." So he really believes the problems living on the Moon are similar -- vast temperature difference, the high radiation -- and if they can solve that problem on the Moon, they can easily go on living on Mars afterward. Furthermore, Jain added that the Moon travel will eventually be cheaper. "On a mission that initially cost us to go to the moon about $25 billion, our mission to the moon next year is going to be $7 million, and the year after it's going to go down to millions. And in the next ten years, the cost of going to the moon is going to be $10,000. And in fact, even the time to go to the moon we'll be able to go to the moon in 4 hours. That's faster than going from New York to London." NASA continues to maintain satellites and to give better service. Currently, the agency awards a $127 million worth of spacecraft to a satellite company. NASA revealed that the agency will award a $127 million contract to the California-based satellite company Space Systems/Loral for Restore-L. It is a robotic spacecraft that has the ability to grasp, refuel and relocate a satellite in low-Earth orbit, as well as to test the technologies for the future mission, according to Space Daily. NASA gave the SSL three years to build the bot. Its goal is to launch in 2020. A satellite's lifespan is not that long, especially if it does not have the ability to refuel. It just relays on the tank during launch packed by the propellant engineers. The lifespan can even be decreased if the spacecraft encounters any mechanical and electrical problems during orbit. Private companies and government agencies have been working on several remedies as more satellites reached the end of their operational purpose. They have come up with a remedy by developing robots that can give satellites a tune-up in zero gravity. Thus, DARPA, for example, recently launched a program intended for servicing satellites at the hard-to-reach but greatly desirable perch of geosynchronous orbit, above Earth at 22,000 miles. Meanwhile, the NASA Satellite Servicing Division has a handful of an orbit and refueling technology demonstrators in the works. As follows, it includes a robotic arm with the same range of movements similar to the human arms. Also, a navigation system created to help robots rendezvous with moving objects in space, and Restore-L combines these and other capabilities into a multi-purpose space mechanic. Meanwhile, NASA reported that Space Systems/Loral will provide spacecraft bus, critical hardware and services for the development, deployment and operations of the Restore-L mission. It will also provide related services to accomplish mission integration, test, launch and operations. The Restore-L Project is managed within NASA's Satellite Servicing Projects Division at the space agency for its Space Technology Mission Directorate at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. San Francisco, Dec. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Self Made Marketing Group , of the San Francisco Bay area, has announced their newest expansion into Greenville, South Carolina at the end of November. Director Flosusm Smith spearheads a remarkable year of growth and productivity in 2016, and has great expectations for 2017. Smith, along with his Assistant Manager Derek Angodung, plans to open the Greenville market for business by December 9th. Mr. Smith explains, Our clients need for representation in the Greenville area was so prevalent that it became our top priority. I had no doubt that Derek, who had already proved his consistency and leadership abilities over the last seven months, was the right individual to lead the expansion. Derek, originally from the Philippines, sought out the American Dream and had huge goals for himself, and the business. Business management has always been a passion of mine. I dreamed to one day manage a marketing and sales force, and Self Made Marketing Group truly gave me the skills that I needed to be undeniably successful, says Derek. He goes on to say, I am incredibly grateful for the training and mentorship that I received here. As the expansion proceeds, the organization currently oversees 11 locations throughout the United States, and only plans to increase that number moving forward. We have seven locations in California, two in Oregon, and one in Wisconsin. The office in South Carolina marks our first expansion into the East Coast, says Smith. Because of their clients increased demand, coupled with the companies consistent productivity throughout the country, Self Made Marketing Group has doubled in size in 2016 and is showing no signs of slowing down. Projections depict the company will end the year with 14 locations throughout the country. This means that the company has three more expansions projected to be finalized by the end of January 2017. When asked what the driving force behind the explosive year for Self Made Marketing Group has been, Smith explains, The correlation of setting goals and having a vision of what needs to be done has been the ultimate catalyst. The associates, and future business owners, of Self Made Marketing have taken hold of their own destinies and continue to push forward at every turn. Smith believes when great success is achieved, the best way to celebrate is to give back. Self Made Marketing Group has opened its doors to charities across the Bay Area. Doubling as a barbershop business owner, Smith held a Turkey Drive just before Thanksgiving at his shop in San Francisco. The company plans to do several community events for the less fortunate in the area as the holiday season approaches, and moving forward. For more information on becoming a part of Californias fastest growing marketing firm, visit www.selfmademarketinginc.com . LAKE CITY, S.C. Shortly after former Lake City Councilman Bill Sebnick died in September 2014, civic leaders established the Bill and Peg Sebnick Fund for the Boys and Girls Club in Lake City. The endowment is held at the Eastern Carolina Community Foundation. The first check presentation from the fund was presented to the Boys and Girls Club on Tuesday afternoon in the amount of $1,125. I think its something the club can look forward to and use every year and hopefully use it to serve more people, said Eastern Carolina Community Foundation executive director Sarah Shelley. W. Lee Flowers and Company made the lead gift of $30,000 in 2014 for the fund. It was combined with other donations. The fund has since grown to $50,000. We wanted something in honor of Bill Sebnick because hed done so much for the city, said Heyward King, one of the initial donors of the fund. We thought we would kick it off as best we could. King and Henry Johnson were two of the men to start the endowment fund. Howard Floyd gave them the idea. When you look at the Boys and Girls Club, they can help improve the lives of young kids and give them an atmosphere that allows them to study, gives them a place to go after school if the parents arent home and having to work, Floyd said. It provides a good atmosphere for kids after school. And thats a huge benefit. Donor Bill Odom said the fund is especially important because it is an endowment. Rather than just making donations to pay the electric bill or something like that that is kind of here today and gone tomorrow, the fund is going to be a permanent endowment that can grow over time an provide annual payouts to the Boys and Girls Club, Odom said. Jordan Washington, the Boys and Girls Club director in Lake City, said the fund means a lot. "We love when people from the community give us some funds that can help with some homework activities or some extracurricular activities or recreational activities like field trips or things like that," Washington said. Sebnicks wife, Peg Sebnick, said her family has always been interested in the youth of the community. When they started the Boys and Girls Club, we knew this was something we were interested in supporting, Peg Sebnick said. We are as excited as we could be to receive such a generous donation from the TD Charitable Foundation, said Denise Holland, CEO of Harvest Hope Food Bank. We have distributed over 1.2 million meals in response to Hurricane Matthew and this gift will be an enormous help to us as we continue to assist the Pee Dee in recovering from the storm and floods. SOCIETY HILL, S.C. Josh Bell, executive director of Teach For America-South Carolina, received a $5,000 grant from Jack Mitchell, AT&Ts regional director of external affairs and legislative affairs, to expand access to STEM education for students in the Pee Dee area. Principal Kimberly Mason hosted the event at Rosenwald Elementary School, which partners with Teach For America. The grant will support Teach For Americas InnovateSC initiative in Pee Dee communities. The initiative seeks to increase Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education opportunities for students in low-income communities throughout South Carolina. The donation will help to recruit, train and support Teach For America-South Carolina teachers who are teaching STEM subjects such as computer science in the Pee Dee area. Funds also will support the ongoing leadership development provided to Teach For America alumni working in the field of education and fields that address educational inequity. NEW YORK, Dec. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sondra Blount, Staff Nurse at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, has been selected to join the Nursing Board at the American Health Council. She will be sharing her knowledge and expertise in the areas of Patient Care, Trauma, and Radiology. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c72dddb1-d40c-425b-9cfe-0e6dd0d659b7 Ms. Blount has been active in the healthcare industry for the past 22 years. Her desire to help others and be a service within her community led her to a career in Nursing. She received her BSN/RN degree from the University of North Alabama in 1992. In her 22 years of healthcare experience, Ms. Blount has held a Staff Nurse position at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She worked in the Department of Trauma for 19 years and for the past 3 years, has worked in the Department of Radiology. Her day-to-day responsibilities include oversight of management and operation of the Radiology Department and training and mentoring of fellow nurses. Ms. Blount attributes her success to her extensive involvement in the area of Trauma Medicine. She has received the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Radiology Nurse of the Year Award (2015), the Credo Award (2012), and the Staff Nurse of the Year Award (2012). Out of all her accomplishments, Ms. Blount is most proud of having created the Workplace Violence Prevention Task Force. Her goals within the next 5 years include returning to school to pursue an Advanced Nursing Degree. She is a member of the American Nurses Association, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, and Association of Radiology Nurses. During her free time, she enjoys traveling. NEWTOWN, Conn., Dec. 7, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Seven years after the introduction of its unique Platinum Forecast System, Forecast International is pleased to announce the release of its latest edition, Version 3.1, which incorporates a series of significant new features and updates. The Platinum System now provides the following key features: A live database, which sits directly on the Internet and is manipulated by the client. Breaking news impacting any market segment or report is updated and displayed within minutes for clients around the world. 21 Platform-Oriented Modules provide access to 60 Market Segments, and over 1,300 individual program reports. An additional five leading Manufacturing Country Modules provide forecasts for all the aerospace/defense, military electronics and power systems produced within each. Thousands of individual program reports can now be selected for retrieval and full data display. Upon selection of any Market Segment or individual Program Report, pertinent news and market developments are instantly displayed. For any program or segment, a 25-year data spectrum is provided comprising 10 years of historical data and 15 years of forecasts. Instant calculation of projected shares for all market competitors in both units and values. Seven currency options for data calculations and displays. Selection of related prime and subcontractor data, as well as company hierarchical structures. The latest budget data for U.S. military programs is displayed upon program selection. Graphical solutions to all queries, backed up by spreadsheets and textual documents. Drill-down and hover-over features in all graphical displays. Calculated values of major subsystems for all platforms. Ed Nebinger, CEO of Forecast International, stated, "We have spent many years developing and perfecting the Platinum Forecast System, which has Patent Pending status and is the only one of its type worldwide. With the development of Version 3.1, we feel that the system has now come fully of age and represents the ultimate in providing instant solutions to queries of all types for the industries we serve. Platinum is not only fully compatible with mobile media, but can be readily adapted to many other industries and that is where we plan to take it." We invite industry leaders to contact us for a demo and a confidential discussion. About Forecast International Forecast International, Inc. is a leading provider of Market Intelligence and Analysis in the areas of aerospace, defense, power systems and military electronics. The firm, which publishes eight International Military Market services, also maintains a high posture of situational awareness and geopolitical analysis. Based in Newtown, Conn., USA, Forecast International specializes in long-range industry forecasts and market assessments used by strategic planners, marketing professionals, military organizations, and governments worldwide. Forecast International's resources and extensive base of experience can also be readily adapted and efficiently focused to fulfill a broad spectrum of civil and military consulting and special research requirements. NEW YORK, Dec. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pzena Investment Management, Inc. (NYSE:PZN) today reported its preliminary assets under management as of November 30, 2016. An attachment accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/590a52a6-8aab-497e-83d7-74f15770083f AUM for month-end November 2016, month-end October 2016, and month-end November 2015 are listed below: Pzena Investment Management, Inc. Assets Under Management1 ($ billions) As of As of As of November 30, 2016 October 31, 2016 November 30, 2015 Account Type Institutional Accounts $ 16.5 $ 15.6 $ 15.6 Retail Accounts 12.8 11.6 11.3 Total $ 29.3 $ 27.2 $ 26.9 Investment Strategy 2 U.S. Value Strategies Large Cap Value $ 9.5 $ 8.9 $ 10.4 Mid Cap Value 2.5 2.2 1.7 Value 2.0 1.7 1.6 Small Cap Value 1.4 1.3 1.3 Other U.S. Strategies 0.1 0.1 0.1 Total U.S. Value Strategies 15.5 14.2 15.1 Global & Non-U.S. Value Strategies International Value 4.8 4.5 4.3 Global Value 4.5 4.2 4.5 Emerging Markets Value 2.6 2.6 1.8 European Value 1.7 1.6 1.1 Other Global & Non-U.S. Value Strategies 0.2 0.1 0.1 Total Global & Non-U.S. Value Strategies 13.8 13.0 11.8 Total $ 29.3 $ 27.2 $ 26.9 Account Domicile U.S. $ 20.9 $ 19.3 $ 19.8 Non-U.S. 8.4 7.9 7.1 Total $ 29.3 $ 27.2 $ 26.9 1 Numbers may be subject to rounding. 2 Inclusive of our Expanded Value, Focused Value and variations thereof. About Pzena Pzena Investment Management, LLC, the firm's operating company, is a value-oriented investment management firm. Founded in 1995, Pzena Investment Management has built a diverse, global client base. More firm and stock information is posted at www.pzena.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements provide the Companys current views, expectations, or forecasts of future events and performance, and include statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Words or phrases such as anticipate, believe, continue, ongoing, estimate, expect, intend, may, plan, potential, predict, project or similar words or phrases, or the negatives of those words or phrases, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by a forward-looking statement are those described in the sections entitled Risk Factors and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on March 14, 2016 and in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC. In light of these risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and factors, actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date stated, or if no date is stated, as of the date of this release. The Company is not under any obligation and does not intend to make publicly available any update or other revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances existing after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of future events even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized. NEW YORK, Dec. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) president and incoming chief executive officer Tom Hayes and chief financial officer Dennis Leatherby today told investors at the Bernstein Consumer Summit that the company continues to see growth in its retail and foodservice businesses. We continue to see success in leveraging consumer insights in our prepared foods business, and the most recent data indicate that our Core 9 categories and foodservice top tier offerings continue to outperform the industry, said Hayes. This growth, coupled with beef and pork segments performing well in excess of their normalized ranges, has us poised to achieve our best quarter in history, he added. He also reiterated from the companys recent earnings call that the companys chicken and prepared foods margins have returned to their normalized ranges. According to Hayes, "The first quarter is off to a phenomenal start. As soon as the quarter is complete, we will begin our review of annual guidance, and we will address in the February earnings call when we have some more visibility for the year. In response to a question about recent news articles describing allegations of manipulation of the Georgia Dock index and a recent antitrust lawsuit filing, Hayes said, The claims made in these stories and the lawsuit are simply not true, and we will continue to operate our business with integrity and drive value to our customers and consumers. A transcript and recording of the webcast of the Bernstein Consumer Summit may be found at ir.tyson.com or using the Tyson Foods investor relations app. About Tyson Foods Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world's largest food companies with leading brands such as Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Sara Lee, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells and State Fair. Its a recognized market leader in chicken, beef and pork as well as prepared foods, including bacon, breakfast sausage, turkey, lunchmeat, hot dogs, pizza crusts and toppings, tortillas and desserts. The company supplies retail and foodservice customers throughout the United States and approximately 115 countries. Tyson Foods was founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson, whose family has continued to lead the business with his son, Don Tyson, guiding the company for many years and grandson, John H. Tyson, serving as the current chairman of the board of directors. The company currently has approximately 114,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. To download Tyson Foods free investor relations app, which offers access to SEC filings, news releases, transcripts, webcasts and presentations, please visit the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android mobile devices. Forward Looking Statements This release includes forward-looking statements as well as historical information. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of the release and include statements relating to projected earnings and brand performance. Actual results may vary. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: certain categories in which our products are sold do not grow or the sales of our products fall below our expectations. Additional information regarding these and other risks is included in Item 1.A. Risk Factors on our Form 10-K for the period ended October 1, 2016. Tyson Foods does not assume any obligation to update the information contained in this communication (whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise), except as required by applicable law. PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Equinox Fund Management, LLC (Equinox) an innovator in alternative investments today announces the agreement of sale of the Equinox Frontier Funds (Frontier Funds), a group of eight distinct commodity pool strategies (three of the Frontier Funds currently remain open for new investment). Wakefield Funds (Wakefield) based in Denver, CO, has agreed to purchase the Frontier Funds. As part of the purchase agreement, Equinox will collaborate with Wakefield as they onboard the acquired products. Our responsibility is to investors that they are not disrupted by this transition. We are committed to the success of the Frontier Funds for the long-term. We have agreed to a six-year arrangement with Wakefield and will ensure the smooth transition of all of the accounting, operations, sales, and marketing activities. In addition, our Portfolio Management Team will remain actively involved. The bottom line is that we simply want to make the transition as seamless as possible and well work with Wakefield to accomplish that, said Robert J. Enck, President and Chief Executive Officer of Equinox Funds. Following the sale of the Frontier Funds, the Equinox Funds product offerings will consist of nine mutual funds: two multi-strategy funds and seven single-strategy funds. Our goal is to streamline our product offerings to focus on our mutual fund business. With that vision in mind, Patrick Hart, CEO of Wakefield, was the logical person to call. We have known and respected Mr. Hart for many years, stemming from his thirteen-year partnership at Hart-Bornhoft Group with one of our founders, Richard Bornhoft. Working with a team as experienced as Wakefield will serve our investors well, Mr. Enck further explained. Consummation of the agreement of sale is subject to applicable regulatory approval and completion of a related consent solicitation. Equinox Funds offers investor-friendly alternative strategies designed to potentially reduce risk and enhance the returns of an overall portfolio. Founded in 2003, Equinox Funds has progressed from a specialist in multi-strategy managed futures investing to a comprehensive alternative investment provider. Through a collaborative research based culture, our mission is to bring the potential benefits of alternatives to institutions and individuals through a diverse lineup of investment strategies. The company was founded in 1916 in Amsterdam as "Nederlandsche Telegraaf Maatschappij Radio-Holland by a group of Dutch shipowners. The centenary of the company was marked with the publication of the book A Century Radio Holland, 1916-2016 and the Mayor of Rotterdam, Ing. A. Aboutaleb was presented with the first copy at the celebration on Tuesday. : "Radio Holland is 100 years young! We have a rich history, full of unique moments and milestones. At the same time we always look ahead. For example with developments and innovations in remote monitoring, connectivity and ICT onboard. Our aim is to help our customers to manage their operations as efficient, safe and effective as possible, said Radio Holland ceo Paul Smulders. Today was a unique day. It is also the start of our anniversary year. A year in which we will celebrate our anniversary at various moments and events around the world. Radio Holland is a renowned company, I am convinced there is no one in the maritime industry who does not know Radio Holland. We are very proud of this feat." The Family Health Center (FHC) is getting to the root of a significant health need in the community--the absence of dental care for low-income families. "Historically, dental health has been one of the biggest health care needs in Kalamazoo County," says Denise Crawford, president and CEO of FHC.According to 2009 statistics from Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services, 22 percent of Kalamazoo County adults did not go to the dentist in the previous year. Those looking to cut health care costs often skip dental health--more than one in four adults didnt visit the dentist for financial reasons.This is especially true among African Americans (37.5 percent), people of low income (55 percent of people earning $20,000-$34,999 annually) and people with less education (32 percent of high school graduates without a college degree).Currently, the Family Health Center serves a little more than 17 percent of their patient's dental needs. The expansion of the FHC services should change that, drastically. Crawford says that, before FHCs expansion, FHC had just two full-time dentists, as did KCHCS. "We target 62,000 underserved people in Kalamazoo County for health care, and we have 36,000 active patients," she says. "We simply didnt have the dental care capacity our community needed. Now thats changing.This year the Family Health Center hired a chief dental officer and come 2017, it will unveil its largest dental health operation when the new Alcott Health Center campus opens.FHC's new chief dental officer, Dr. Lisandra Soto, is a native of Fajardo, Puerto Rico. In Puerto Rico, Dr. Soto dedicated much of her professional career working with underserved populations. She received her Dental Medicine Doctor degree and completed her residency in Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Puerto Rico, School of Dentistry.She is Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, has a masters degree in Public Health and a post-graduate certificate in Public Administration from Michigan State University. A resident of Kalamazoo since 1997, Soto is one of only 80 pediatric dentists in Michigan. Dr. Soto has been Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services (KCHCS) Lead Dentist since 2010, and previously from 2003 to 2007.Dr. Soto believes in the importance of oral health literacy and dental health access because oral health is about more than good looking teeth. Dr. Soto says, "Good oral health can help identify and head off many serious conditions."In addition to better oral health, research shows that regular dental care can help identify and improve general health issues. Things like gum disease have been linked to heart disease, strokes, and other conditions, and many other diseases can show up as oral symptoms.Lack of access to dental care can also affect childrens growth, development, and academic performance. Integrating dental health services into existing health care services for low-income families and individuals can lower health risks and make health care services even more effective.Dr. Soto accepted the Chief Dental Officer position with the Family Health Center in June of 2016. Presently, she works with the FHC on a part time basis, juggling her roles between there and Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services. In her dual roles, she will ensure a smooth transition of the closing the KCHCS dental facilities, move interested staff to the FHC, and secure a collaborative agreement with the University of Michigan (FHC hosts fourth year dental students on rotation) before shifting all of her efforts, completely, to FHC in 2017.The Family Health Centers current dental program serves pediatric and adult patients, with locations on North Burdick, Portage Street, and East Centre Street. When the Alcott campus opens in early 2017, that facility will have 25 dental stations and provide services six days a week, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.On Dec. 2, Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services (KCHCS) dental clinic on Gull Road closed and shifted its services to the Family Health Center. Also in December, FHC will acquire the Mobile unit from KCHCS and will lease the dental clinic until Alcott opens.Once the Alcott location opens, the FHC dental locations will be Alcott, the main dental site (with 25 dental chairs), Burdick (with five chairs), Centre (with two chairs), and the mobile unit serving the schools.Dr. Soto says, "Alcott will provide the capability to further expand dental care to include full and partial dentures, simple crowns, and endodontics." The FHC has hired five full-time dentists to accommodate the expansion. Of those, four already have started and one will start in January.Current dental patients of Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services can have their dental records transferred to FHC or to another dentist of their choosing by contacting KCHCS at (269) 373-5217.Family Health Center accepts Medicaid payment in full. A sliding fee scale is available for those without insurance and appointments are available by calling the FHC at (269) 349-2641.Kathi Valeii is a freelance writer, living in Kalamazoo. You can find her at her website, kathivaleii.com It's a confusing time for scientists who watch the news. During the presidential campaign, Donald Trump said he was not "a great believer in man-made climate change." In 2012, he tweeted in that climate change was a hoax fostered by the Chinese. But more recently, Trump told the New York Times there was "some connectivity" between human activity and climate change. Last week, he met with former vice president-turned climate advocate Al Gore at Trump Tower. What worries scientists most are public comments and writings by Trump's transition team members, many of whom deny climate change exists and want the government to stop funding climate research. In an interview with the Guardian last month, Trump adviser Bob Walker said Trump will shift $2 billion in climate funding out of NASA. "We see NASA in an exploration role, in deep space research," Walker told the Guardian. "Earth-centric science is better placed at other agencies where it is their prime mission. My guess is that it would be difficult to stop all ongoing NASA programs but future programs should definitely be placed with other agencies. I believe that climate research is necessary but it has been heavily politicized, which has undermined a lot of the work that researchers have been doing. Mr. Trump's decisions will be based upon solid science, not politicized science." Solid science has been the hallmark of NASA's Earth Science division for several decades. The agency uses a fleet of satellites to monitor ocean and atmospheric conditions round-the-clock, putting together short-term weather forecasts, long-term climate models, and trends over decades about where the planet is headed. RELATED: NASA and Other Climate Funding Could Be Slashed by Trump Until Trump issues a more definitive statement on his plans, many of the scientists who work for NASA's Earth Sciences Directorate fear they may be soon be out of work. "It's got everybody here worried," said one senior NASA climate scientist who asked not to be named because of possible retribution. "If they get rid of Earth science, there's a large chunk of the NASA community that has to find other work," the scientist said. "That's our personal stake. But in addition to us losing our jobs, there's a huge community that loses out on key data sets." Data sets are the vital signs of the Earth such as land, sea and air temperatures, rainfall amounts, sea ice coverage and sea-level measurements that provide the backbone in making climate change predictions for the future. Farmers use these same data sets to make decisions about what crops will grow best during the next season, when trees are ready to harvest or ski resorts' investment in snowmaking during the winter months. NASA's Earth science satellites also track tornadoes forming across the Midwest and the impact of oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico. "All the (weather) forecasting are applications of the same data," the NASA scientist said. "Any data sets we collect have both science goals and application goals. That's why it's valuable." The scientist said that senior NASA officials are collecting information to present a case to the incoming Trump administration about the value of climate science, while promoting the #thanksNASA hashtag. So far, however, it's not clear that Trump has focused much attention on science at all. A group of leaders of 19 scientific societies wrote to vice president-elect Mike Pence asking him to ensure that Trump appoints a science advisor to the White House. So far, there hasn't been a response. "There was a lot of rhetoric during the campaign that caused even those outside of this discipline to be concerned," said Chris McEntee, executive director and CEO of the American Geophysical Union, which represents 60,000 Earth, atmospheric, oceanic, hydrologic, space and planetary scientists. RELATED: Climate Change Threatens NASA's Launch Sites "The priorities (the Trump administration) say they care about - infrastructure, national security public safety, clean air and water - depend on sound science advice, not picking and choosing," McEntee told Seeker. McEntee says her organization and other science groups are not in an adversarial position, but want a chance to meet with someone in Trump's team. Trump has yet to make public his picks to head NASA, or any other federal agencies that fund climate science including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEH/NIH). If Trump proposes cutting climate science funding he will have allies on Capitol Hill. The current chairs of the House Science Committee, Lamar Smith, and Senate Science Committee, Ted Cruz, both deny the human impact on climate change. In 2015, Smith subpoenaed NOAA scientists emails about a climate change report that he didn't like. NOAA's administrator Kathryn Sullivan backed her scientists and refused to comply, although Smith's staffers were able to review the data behind the report. One academic climate scientist says the worse damage may be the chilling effect on young scientists entering the field. "What could happen is you will have fewer scientists doing science," said Andrea Grottoli, head of the division of Water, Climate, and the Environment at Ohio State University. "There may be a whole lot less being done." Grottoli and her team of doctoral students are examining the lethal effects of increasing acidic tropical oceans on coral reefs, a documented outcome of a warming planet. "My two Ph.D. students were devastated because it affects their career options," Grottoli said. "Traditionally, the U.S. has been the best place to get science jobs." Photo: The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy, in the midst of their ICESCAPE mission, retrieves supplies in the Arctic Ocean in this NASA file photo. Credit: Kathryn Hansen/NASA via Reuters WATCH: When NASA Went to Space Without Leaving the Earth Italian voters recently rejected a referendum on taking power away from one of two parliamentary chambers in the country. Before the vote, Italy's Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, swore he would step down if it failed. Now that Renzi has officially announced his resignation, many are worried that Italy could lose its membership in the Eurozone. Is it possible we could see an Italian Brexit? Watch today's Seeker Daily video to find out if Italy is headed for an "Italexit" or a "Quitaly." Check out Discovery Go! Learn More: The Guardian: Italy referendum: all you need to know about Renzi's crunch vote Bloomberg: Everything You Need to Know About Italy's Five Star Movement: QuickTake Q&A CNN: Italy's PM Matteo Renzi to resign after constitutional referendum defeat More than two years after its pioneering Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) reached the red planet, the Indian Space Research Organization has yet to release highly anticipated measurements of atmospheric methane, a gas which on Earth is strongly tied to life. Seeker has learned that the data will never come, due to a flaw in the sensor design. "They did not design this properly for the detection of methane on Mars," Michael Mumma, senior scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, told Seeker. In 2003, Mumma led a team that made the first definitive measurements of methane on Mars using an infrared telescope in Hawaii. The methane, which appeared in plumes over specific regions of Mars, reached a maximum density of about 60 parts per billion. "The (MOM) instrument is beautifully engineered, but not for the methane task. It has other value, but unfortunately they will not be able to provide measurements of methane at the levels needed to sample even the plumes we saw," Mumma said. RELATED: Indian Mars Mission Beams Back First Photographs The problem has to do with how the instrument collects and processes detections of methane in the atmosphere, a technique known as spectroscopy. "Imagine that you hold your hand in front of you and extend your four fingers ... Suppose that each (finger) represents a methane line. What they have is a spectrometer that can be shifted to ... sample each one of the four fingers and then they have a second one that samples the region between the fingers. "The trouble is they don't actually send back the spectra. What they send back is the two numbers - the sum of the fingers measured by the first channel and the sum of gaps measured by the second channel - and then they take a difference of those two numbers and they think that that's going to be the methane signal," Mumma said. "The problem, of course, is that when you have other spectral lines ... like carbon dioxide lines which vary widely with temperature in terms of their intensity, then those two numbers ... don't represent methane alone. The net effect is that there is no way that one can back out those two signals in order to retrieve a methane signal," he said. "It's really unfortunate because they succeeded so spectacularly well in placing the spacecraft into orbit at all, which was the major achievement for the first try," he added. "But the reality is we won't seeing any detections of methane from the Mars methane sensor on MOM." RELATED: Dusty Days: India Mission Photographs Stormy Mars Globe Mumma and colleague Geronimo Villanueva, also at Goddard, analyzed the MOM methane instrument design as part of NASA's widening partnership with ISRO. Their findings were presented to the Indian space agency ISRO in February. "I believe the resolution is that the Indians now agree that their methane sensor is better used for other purposes, so they are now calling this an albedo mapper and measuring reflected sunlight. It does that, and it does that well," Mumma said. "The engineers know how to build a good instrument. That's not the issue. The problem is they didn't have the scientific guidance needed to tell them exactly what they needed to do," he said. Seetha Somasundaram, with ISRO's Satellite Center which designed the instrument, declined to comment and referred Seeker to ISRO spokesman Deviprasad Karnik. Karnik did not responded to requests for comment. Mumma and other scientists are now pinning their hopes on getting Mars methane measurements from Europe's newly arrived Trace Gas Orbiter. Update (2 p.m. ET): ISRO spokesman Deviprasad Karnik emailed the following statement to Seeker: "The Methane sensor onboard MOM has been sending data about atmospheric Methane of planet MARS and the data received is under analysis." Karnik did not address questions about scientists' ability to ferret out methane signals from the data. Image (top): Images, but no methane measurements, from MOM. Credit: ISRO WATCH VIDEO: Top 3 Space Agencies You've Never Heard Of After a flood of pro-pot ballot measures in November, recreational marijuana use will soon be legal in eight U.S. states plus the District of Columbia, and medical marijuana will be legal in 29 states. Barring a federal clampdown from the incoming Trump administration, analysts expect legal cannabis to be a boom industry, particularly in California, the world's sixth largest economy. But as billions in investment dollars flow westward to build large new cannabis production facilities, conservation groups and eco-conscious growers are troubled by the growing carbon footprint of pot production. "Marijuana is the most energy-intensive manufacturing process in America," said Timothy Hade, co-founder of Scale Energy Solutions, a startup that consults cannabis producers on energy efficiency. "Producing a pound of marijuana uses 300 times the amount of energy than producing a pound of aluminum." RELATED: 2,500-Year-Old Skeleton Found Wrapped in Marijuana That's because more than 90 percent of legal weed in the United States is grown indoors using lights. Conventional grow lights not only suck up tons of electricity, but they produce intense residual heat. To keep grow room temperatures in the high 80s, indoor operations have to pump in air conditioning, another huge electric load. Then there are the fans to circulate air and the water pumps to feed the hydroponic channels. By various estimates, the energy demands of an indoor growing operation make up between 20 and 40 percent of the total cost of production. As electric utilities in Western states work to meet ambitious emissions standards, legal pot is becoming the newest environmental nuisance. In Colorado, the Denver-based utility Xcel Energy reported that electricity use rose 1.2 percent in 2015 and nearly half of the increase was from indoor pot farms. A 2011 report estimated that indoor cannabis production consumed 1 percent of total U.S. electricity and equaled the greenhouse gas emissions of three million cars per year. "One percent may sound like a small number, but in context of our electrical grid, it's massive," said Hade, whose own calculations puts the number a little lower, between 0.4 and 0.8 percent of total electricity use. "We spend six times more electricity growing cannabis than the entire pharmaceutical industry." Conservationists fear that if energy-efficient growing standards aren't put into place now, marijuana has the potential to become one of the "dirtiest" industries in America in terms of energy burned per pound of product. Derek Smith is the founder and executive director of the Resource Innovation Institute (RII), an Oregon-based nonprofit working to create green standards for the cannabis industry before it's too late. "There's definitely a gold-rush mentality," said Smith, whose technical advisory team is busy creating a "competitive facility checklist" as an energy-efficiency blueprint for new growers. "Frankly, we don't have time to wait for standards to be perfected if we want to influence the way these facilities are designed and constructed and maintained." With the right standards in place, though, Smith and his consortium of "green" pot advocates believe that the cannabis industry can not only shed its nagging reputation as an "energy hog," but become a shining model of sustainability. Jeremy Plumb, a Portland-based grower, dispensary owner and adviser to the RII, is building a 40,000 square-foot greenhouse facility called Newcleus Nurseries as a laboratory and showcase for green growing technology. The glass-walled growhouse will use the most efficient (and expensive) LED lighting to supplement Portland's skimpy sunshine, and tap its own 12-acre field of solar panels for electricity. "Cannabis can be the new 'green revolution,'" said Plumb. "The same technology we're using could be used to grow food in vertical farms." RELATED: Doobies for Dogs: Why Pet Owners Are Buying Weed LED lighting represents the biggest efficiency upgrade for any indoor growing operation. The upfront costs can be substantial - a high-efficiency LED light costs more than $1,300 compared to around $400 for a conventional high-pressure sodium bulb - but the long-term savings add up. For starters, a conventional bulb needs to be replaced twice a year, while an LED can last for several years. But the biggest savings come through lower energy use and lower cooling costs. Fluence Bioengineering is a producer of high-end LED grow lights for cannabis and indoor agriculture at large. According to field studies from cannabis clients, a Fluence LED uses 40 percent of the energy as a conventional bulb. And because LEDs produce far less heat, the load on the HVAC system was reduced by 35 percent per square foot of growing space. The trick is convincing anxious new cannabis investors to think past short-term profits toward long-term sustainability. Benjamin Franz is director of research and development for MJardin, a cannabis cultivation management company with more than 500,000 square feet of legal weed in production. "A lot of newer clients are increasingly interested in the energy-efficient technologies, but the minute the see the price tag of some of the lighting solutions, they often reconsider the importance," said Franz. If the recent price volatility in Colorado is any indication, cannabis growers might be forced to turn to energy efficient technologies simply to cut costs. "At the beginning of year in Colorado, the price of wholesale flower was $2,000 a pound. Today's it's between $1,000 and $1,200 a pound," said Hade of Scale Energy Solutions. "If you run an energy-efficient facility that can produce the product for five to 10 percent cheaper, those growers are going to win." Hade himself is a newcomer to the cannabis industry. He and his partners used to work as clean energy consultants in the healthcare sector, until he realized that cannabis cultivation was the perfect match for a sustainable microgrid, Hade's specialty. "Because of the way the crop is grown, most of the energy in a cultivation facility is being used 24/7/365," said Hade, which results in a stable and predictable electricity load, unusual in any building or factory. "They also have a really big thermal load, and one of best opportunities for energy efficiency in the country today is using waste heat to offset thermal load." RELATED: Vertical Farms to Sprout Up in Cities Hade's ideal high-efficiency growing facility would be powered by a sustainable microgrid composed of three elements: solar PV panels for supplemental energy, lithium-ion batteries for storage and a natural gas-powered electric generator. The waste heat produced by the generator would be recaptured and used to power the cooling system. Such a system would cost between $2 and $3 million to set up. Like the folks at the Resource Innovation Institute, Hade sees sustainable cannabis as a test case and a proving ground for technologies that could reduce energy consumption across all industrial sectors. "We're very, very confident that the cannabis industry has the potential to be a springboard for the 'clean tech' industry," said Hade, with an emphasis on "potential." Hade's startup has only been in business for six months and has yet to land its first paying cannabis client. WATCH: Where Did Marijuana Come From, And How Did It Spread? The man's identity remains unknown, but researchers think he could have held elite status, perhaps as a revered community elder. The Jericho Skull was one of seven discovered together by famed British archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon (19061978) during excavations in 1953 at Jericho, a city now located in the Palestinian Territories near the Jordan River in the West Bank. The other skulls are distributed at museums across the globe. The Jericho Skull is a face modeled in plaster over the man's actual skull, which has now come to life in the vivid reconstruction described in the latest issue of British Archaeology . The face of a man who lived 9,500 years ago in the Biblical city of Jericho has been reconstructed based on extensive new analysis of the " Jericho Skull ," which is the oldest portrait in The British Museum. "He was certainly a mature individual when he died, but we cannot say exactly why his skull, or for that matter the other skulls that were buried alongside him, were chosen to be plastered," Alexandra Fletcher, the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Curator for the Ancient Near East at The British Museum, told Seeker. "It may have been something these individuals achieved in life that led to them being remembered after death." RELATED: First Mention of Jerusalem Is Found on an Ancient Papyrus Fletcher added that the individuals might have also been related, since each of the skulls in the same burial were missing their second and third molars, which she said could be an inherited trait. The Imaging and Analysis Center at the Natural History Museum completed a micro-CT scan of the Jericho Skull, which led to the construction of a 3-D digital model of the object, complete with bones inside. For the first time, hidden areas were revealed, such as the shape of his palate, cheekbones, brow ridge and eye sockets. The researchers determined that the skull lacked a jaw. They could also see that the man had broken and decayed teeth, and that he had broken his nose during his adult life, but that it had healed before he died. Notably, there is evidence he had undergone tight head binding from early infancy that changed the shape of his skull. "Head binding is something that many different peoples have undertaken in various forms around the world until very recently," Fletcher explained. She said the practice of head binding in some modern cultures are intended to "make an individual appear more beautiful. In this case, the bindings have made the top and back of the head broader-different from other practices that aim for an elongated shape. I think this was regarded as a 'good look' in Jericho at this time." The head binding adds to evidence that the man and other individuals found with him were of an elite status. Jericho is featured prominently in the Bible. Fletcher said that in the Book of Joshua, Jericho is the first city the Israelites came to after their return from Egypt. With Joshua as their leader, they marched around the city, shouting and blowing horns, causing Jericho's walls to collapse. "Most scholars agree that this is not an historically accurate account, but that it relates to the political situation in the Iron Age, when the territories around Jericho were vassal states of Assyria and Babylon," Fletcher said. "During this period, huge numbers of people were forcibly moved from their homes to live in different areas." Since that Iron Age event happened around 900500 B.C., Fletcher thinks it is unlikely that the Jericho Skull man could have been mentioned in the Bible. Famed American mountaineer Conrad Anker knew something was very wrong. He was six pitches up at nearly 20,000 feet, attempting to summit Lunag-Ri, the tallest unconquered peak in Nepal currently open to climbers. He would be turning 54 in a couple of weeks. The severe pain in his chest didn't feel like a pulmonary or cerebral reaction to high altitude. It was an acute coronary syndrome, also known as a heart attack. "Having never experienced anything of this nature, I immediately understood this as a time-critical health situation," he later wrote on his Facebook page. Anker and his Austrian climbing partner David Lama rappelled down right away and then called for a helicopter. Anker took an aspirin, but couldn't keep it down, he told National Geographic's Mark Synnott this week. The two climbers had their eyes on the 22,660-foot summit of Lunag-Ri. Although taller unclimbed mountains in Nepal exist, they are viewed as sacred and closed to climbing, Synnott pointed out. In January the duo became the first to reach the mountain's headwall, but freezing temperatures and wind forced them to retreat, Climbing magazine reported. On November 16, they were trying again. Once he reached Advanced Base Camp, Anker was taken to Kathmandu with assistance from Sherpa friends. Nine hours after first feeling the chest pain, he was in the cardiac unit of Norvic International Hospital, where a doctor performed an angioplasty and remove the obstruction, according to Anker's Facebook post. "This procedure is very time-sensitive as the heart can fail, experience fibrillation or lose muscle," he wrote. "Dr. Bhutta installed a stent in my heart and kept me in observation for three days." RELATED: Pro Skier Survives Spectacular 1,600-Foot Fall Anker has narrowly escaped death before. Perhaps the most well-known incident happened in 1999, when he was climbing Shishapangma in Tibet with his best friend Alex Lowe and cameraman David Bridges. An avalanche struck. Anker ran one way, the other two ran another. Lowe and Bridges disappeared into the snow and ice. Earlier this year, their bodies were discovered in a partially melted glacier. When word reached him, Anker traveled to Tibet to retrieve Lowe's body. He told Synnott he rappelled with the heavy body off an ice cliff, down through an ice fall, and hauled it eight miles back to base camp. "I was stressed, and I felt my heart. I had to process the whole survivor's guilt thing all over again," he said. Following his heart attack and surgery, Anker returned to the United States and went through additional testing at the Mayo Clinic, which has been working with him over the past several years to study how high altitude climbing affects the body. Then he flew home to Bozeman, Montana, where he has been recovering. "I would like to express my gratitude to my climbing partners, our Nepali staff, the medical teams at the CIWEC clinic, Norvic Hospital, and the Mayo Clinic. The kindness my family has extended is heart warming," he wrote on Facebook. "I am forever thankful." WATCH VIDEO: Why Afghani Women Are Climbing Mountains For several decades now, scientists from around the world have been pursuing a ridiculously ambitious goal: They hope to develop a nuclear fusion reactor that would generate energy in the same manner as the sun and other stars, but down here on Earth. Incorporated into terrestrial power plants, this "star in a jar" technology would essentially provide Earth with limitless clean energy, forever. And according to new reports out of Europe this week, we just took another big step toward making it happen. In a study published in the latest edition of the journal Nature Communications, researchers confirmed that Germany's Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) fusion energy device is on track and working as planned. The space-age system, known as a stellerator, generated its first batch of hydrogen plasma when it was first fired up earlier this year. The new tests basically give scientists the green light to proceed to the next stage of the process. It works like this: Unlike a traditional fission reactor, which splits atoms of heavy elements to generate energy, a fusion reactor works by fusing the nuclei of lighter atoms into heavier atoms. The process releases massive amounts of energy and produces no radioactive waste. The "fuel" used in a fusion reactor is simple hydrogen, which can be extracted from water. RELATED: How Nuclear Fusion Holds Our Solar System Together However, to achieve fusion, scientists must generate enormously high temperatures to heat the hydrogen into a plasma state. The plasma is so hot, in fact, that it would instantly burn material used to contain it. That's where the stellerator design comes in. The W7-X device confines the plasma within magnetic fields generated by superconducting coils cooled down to near absolute zero. The plasma - at temperatures upwards of 80 million degrees Celsius - never comes into contact with the walls of the containment chamber. Neat trick, that. The W7-X is the world's largest and most sophisticated stellerator and is currently operated by Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Germany. But development of the W7-X has been an ongoing, international effort. The latest tests were conducted in collaboration with scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL). Just months after two Swiss pilots completed a historic round-the-world trip in a Sun-powered plane, another Swiss adventurer on Wednesday unveiled a solar plane aimed at reaching the stratosphere. The SolarStratos, a sleek, white two-seater aircraft with long wings covered with 22 square meters (237 square feet) of solar panels, is set to become the first manned solar plane to make a stratospheric flight, according to Raphael Domjan, who is behind the project. "Our goal is to demonstrate that current technology offers us the possibility to achieve above and beyond what fossil fuels offer," he said in a statement, after unveiling the plane at the Payerne airbase in western Switzerland. "Electric and solar vehicles are amongst the major challenges of the 21st century," said the 44-year-old, adding that the SolarStratos "can fly at an altitude of 25,000 meters (82,000 feet)." SolarStratos is scheduled to begin test flights next February, while medium altitude flights are planned for next summer, and the first stratospheric flights should take place in 2018, the statement said. To keep down the weight, the plane will not be pressurized, and Domjan will wear a spacesuit, also powered by solar energy, which will also mark a world first, it added. Raphael Domjan said, "Electric and solar vehicles are amongst the major challenges of the 21st century." The statement also claimed the craft could reach space. "Traveling to the stratosphere will take approximately five hours: 2.5 hours to reach space, 15 minutes of broad daylight and stars, then three hours to return to Earth," it said. RELATED: Electric Planes on the Way With Greener, Cheaper Flights The stratosphere lies above Earth's lowest atmospheric layer, called the troposphere. At middle latitudes, the stratosphere runs from a lower boundary of about 10,000 meters to an upper boundary of about 50,000 meters. Aeronautics engineers use a rough benchmark called the Karman line, located at about 100,000 meters above sea level, for defining the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and space. The announcement came after two of Domjan's compatriots, Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, completed the first-ever round-the-globe trip in a solar plane last July, in a bid to showcase the possibilities for the future of renewable energy. Solar Impulse 2 circumnavigated the globe in 17 stages, covering a remarkable 43,000 kilometers (26,700 miles) across four continents, two oceans and three seas, in 23 days of flying without using a drop of fuel. Domjan meanwhile launched his SolarStratos project in 2014, two years after he became the first person to sail around the world in a fully solar-powered boat. He insisted Wednesday that the new aircraft's ability to pierce the stratosphere "opens the door to the possibility of electric and solar commercial aviation, close to space." Until now, reaching the stratosphere has until now required large quantities of energy or helium. But the SolarStratos aircraft, could do so leaving only "the equivalent environmental footprint of an electric car", Wednesday's statement said. The project "opens the door to new scientific knowledge, at an affordable price, exploration and the peaceful use of our stratosphere," said Roland Loos, who heads SolarXplorers, the organization in charge of developing the project. WATCH VIDEO: A Selfie on the Edge of Space Press Release December 6, 2016 Sponsorship Speech: Restoration of Subpoena Powers of the PNP CIU/CIDG Mr. President, fellow members of this august chamber, I have the honor to report on the Senate floor Senate Bill No. 1239 entitled "An Act Amending Sec. 35 B (4) of Republic Act No. 6975, Otherwise Known as "An Act Establishing the Philippine National Police Under A Reorganized Department of the Interior and Local Government, And For Other Purposes," as embodied in Committee Report No. 10, in substitution of Senate Bill No. 1052. Mr. President, the power to issue subpoena is commonly known to most Filipinos as lodged in our Courts of Law. However, this is not really accurate as we have statutes granting the power to issue administrative subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to various government agencies and instrumentalities such as the Ombudsman, Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Police Commission, Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Cybercrime Operation Center of the Cybercrime Investigation Coordination Center. In fact, said power was vested upon the Criminal Investigation Service (CIS) under Section 6 of Republic Act No. 5750 which reads: "Sec. 6. The Chief and Deputy Chief of the CIS shall have the power to administer oaths upon cases under investigation and to issue subpoena or subpoena duces tecum for the appearance at government expenses of any person for investigation or production of documents and other matters therein." Mr. President, when Republic Act No. 6975, otherwise known as the "DILG Act of 1990" was passed into law, it integrated the Philippine Constabulary and Integrated National Police to establish the Philippine National Police (PNP). A review of this law would show that most of the powers were carried over except for the subpoena power. Mr. President, it seems absurd that the CIU, now more known as the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), with a mandate to undertake monitoring, investigation and prosecution of all crimes involving economic sabotage and other crimes of such magnitude and extent as to indicate their commission by highly-placed or professional criminal syndicates and organizations, has lost its subpoena powers. Going back in history, this unit even had the motto "We Seek the Truth." Now, with the implied removal of its subpoena powers, I find it difficult to imagine how our PNP's investigative arm could have a complete and thorough output in search of the truth. Kung wala pong subpoena powers, lagi pong kulang at bitin and imbestigasyon, Mr. President. Sayang naman po ang resources ng ating gobyerno. Moreover, the CIDG envisions itself to be a dynamic, responsible and well-equipped primary investigative arm manned by the best qualified and highly-motivated professionals in search of truth and justice - emphasis on the word "well-equipped." My fellow colleagues, let us correct this oversight by restoring the subpoena powers of the CIDG Director and his/her deputies. It is submitted that these powers are indispensable to carry out its mandated investigatory functions of this unit. On a final note, Mr. President, kung ang top investigative unit po ng ating bansa ay walang subpoena powers, maitutulad po natin ito sa isang auto na walang gasolina - walang mararating. Maraming salamat po, Mr. President. Press Release December 7, 2016 Cayetano: PH's AIIB membership crucial to sustaining economic growth' Senate foreign relations committee chair Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano thanked his colleagues in the Senate for supporting the treaty that would make the Philippines a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The Senate on Monday (December 5) passed on third and final reading Senate Resolution No. 241, or the Articles of Agreement of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which formally ratifies the country's AIIB entry documents. The measure got 20 affirmative votes, one negative vote, and no abstention. Cayetano's Foreign Relations Committee submitted last November 22 Committee Report No. 11 recommending the approval of the resolution of concurrence. Cayetano said the Senate's concurrence with the treaty formalizing the country's membership into the China-led multilateral institution will allow the Philippines access to funds for major infrastructure projects to sustain the momentum of economic growth that was started by the Duterte government. "Any institution that will promote human development, accelerate economic and social progress, and further good relations with neighboring nations should be embraced and supported," said Cayetano. He expressed his gratitude to the Department of Finance led by Sec. Carlos Dominguez III and their counterparts in the Chinese government for their assistance, stressing how the treaty could foster a stronger relationship between the two countries. He also thanked Senator Loren Legarda, sponsor of the resolution, for making possible the passage of the measure. Cayetano explained that, like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank (WB), the AIIB is a multilateral funding agency owned by sovereign member-countries, which specifically aims to promote economic development and strengthen regional cooperation and partnership in the Asian region. "Our economy has been cited recently as the fastest growing in the Asian region. We posted a robust 7.1% growth in the third quarter are on target to achieving a 7-percent full-year GDP growth this year," he said. The administration earlier expressed its plan to raise the government's share in infrastructure spending to the gross domestic product (GDP) to 7 percent before President Rodrigo Duterte's term ends. Following the Senate's concurrence, the executive branch now has the chance to access US$500 million annually from the Bank to finance infrastructure projects in the country. This, he said, is apart from over $20 billion that China is prepared to extend to the Philippines after the President's historic visit to China. "AIIB's role as a major player in infrastructure development in Asia in the future is inevitable, and the timing of our membership in AIIB cannot be more perfect as the Philippines is at the point of development where increasing our infrastructure capacity can no longer be set aside," Cayetano said. "As Asia's fastest growing economy, we surely cannot afford to pass up on this opportunity to be able to tap an additional fund source to help sustain the economic progress we have started to gain under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte," he added. Press Release December 7, 2016 De Lima pushes to strengthen CHR thru Charter Sen. Leila M. de Lima has pushed for the passage of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Charter that would grant it its status as the country's premier human rights body vested with powers to respond in real-time to human rights violations against Filipinos here and abroad. De Lima has filed Senate Bill No. 1230 seeking to regard the CHR as the national human rights institution and strengthen its powers and functions, as the Philippines joins the international community in the annual observance of the National Human Right Day on Dec. 1o. "Over the years, CHR has proven its exemplary work as a cornerstone of human rights in the country. It has served countless Filipinos through its programs and services, and has address institutional challenges in terms of resources and extent of its mandate," she said. The former justice secretary, however, pointed out that there is a need to expand the mandate of the CHR not only to investigate human rights violations and protect witnesses but also, most importantly, to become a partner of the three branches of the government. "CHR is a partner of security forces in human rights education, the legislative department in rights-based approach to law-making, the judiciary in evolving breaches of human security through enforced disappearance, and intermediary between government and civil society," she said. From 2008 to 2010, De Lima led the CHR in becoming the premier human right body, addressing several cases of human rights violations, the so-called death squads in the cities of Davao and Tagum, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, among others. It was also during her stint as CHR chairperson when she received the Metrobank Foundation Professorial Chair for Public Service and Governance and the Excellent Public Servant Award, Defender of People's Rights, and "Agent of Change" Award in 2010, among many others. Since its creation in 1987, the CHR has been operating without a Charter despite recommendations during local and international forums strengthening its functions and structure in compliance with the Paris Principles on national institutions for the promotion of human rights. "To empower the CHR as an institution through a Charter will reinforce the recommendations and recognition of its contribution to safeguard fundamental rights and freedoms, and serve the higher purpose of institutionalization of treaty commitments," she said. Among the salient features of the measure include the following: n Perform its Gender and Child Ombud roles to promote and safeguard the rights, interests, and welfare of the marginalized and vulnerable sectors, notably children and women; n Mandatory and continuing human rights education program for the military, police, and other law enforcement agencies, as well as public school teachers; n Designation of human rights attaches in select Philippine embassies and consulates to address cases of human rights violations committed against overseas Filipino workers (OFWs); n Grant of power to issue legal protective measures, such as writs of injunction, restraining orders, and cease and desist orders, without waiting for the court to exercise jurisdiction over the matter; n Institutionalization of witness protection program to provide safety to witnesses as well as human rights defenders under threat and safeguard the integrity of evidence; n Establishment of witness auxiliary protection service to provide security, shelter, relocation and livelihood assistance to witnesses and their families; n Fiscal autonomy to allow it to operate independently of the Executive Branch to ensure the unhampered application and protection of human rights principles under any and all possible circumstances; n Establishment of Human Rights Protection Offices in 18 regions and provinces; Press Release December 7, 2016 VILLANUEVA's OPENING REMARKS DURING THE SENATE PROBE ON ILLEGAL CHINESE WORKERS ARRESTED IN CLARK Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat. Today, we will learn more about the circumstances surrounding the arrest of more than 1,200 Chinese nationals suspected of working illegally at a Resort and Casino Complex in Clark, Pampanga. While much has been reported about this incident, I believe there are still several questions that warrant answers. But let me first provide you a background of this incident, which is the subject of this hearing, through a timeline of important events: November 24, Thursday: the Bureau of Immigration arrested more than 1,240 Chinese nationals suspected of working illegally for an online gambling operator at the Fontana Technologies Innovations Center in Clark, Pampanga. November 25, Friday: the Bureau of Immigration held a press conference. Commissioner Jaime Morente said the documents of the Chinese nationals were being checked based on reports they are working as call center agents despite only securing tourist visa and without clearance from DOLE. Bureau of Immigration spokeswoman Antonette Mangrobang said they were still awaiting the results of an investigation by the Justice Department's cybercrime unit to see if the employer of these Chinese nationals was running an illegal online gambling site. The arrested Chinese are temporarily being held under guard by immigration and police personnel in a building within the leisure park. November 26, Saturday: Casino junket operator and Fontana owner Jack Lam reportedly attempted to bribe Aguirre during a meeting at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. But the DOJ chief explained that there was no direct act of bribery from Lam's henchman, former police general Wally Sombrero. November 27, Sunday: Immigration commissioner Jaime Morente said the Chinese failed to present immigration documents, and they had no working permits. The Department of Justice Chief revealed that he received information that some of the arrested Chinese offered Php 100,000.00 to Php 250,000.00 bribe for their release. Secretary Aguirre, however clarified that there was no actual bribery attempt on him by the casino junket operator and Fontana owner Jack Lam, contrary to a news report. December 1, Thursday: At around 3:00 in the morning, 57 Chinese nationals escaped from detention. Thirty (30) of the 57 escapees have returned as of Thursday afternoon, leaving 27 Chinese still unaccounted for. December 2, Friday: In a media forum in Quezon City, Jack Lam's lawyer Atty. Raymund Fortun said that his client has the proper legal authority to operate Fontana and has an existing license to conduct online gaming in the Clark Economic Zone. He also noted that the Chinese nationals were apprehended for alleged violation of Philippine immigration laws and not for illegal gambling activities. The Chinese nationals are facing charges for overstaying, working in violation of the limitations and conditions of their visa, and engaging in an unlicensed online gaming business. He said that the arrested Chinese will undergo deportation proceedings presided by the BI board of commissioners. December 3, Saturday: PNP Chief Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa said President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the arrest of Chinese gambling operator Jack Lam over bribery and economic sabotage charges. December 5, Monday: 592 Chinese have been allowed to post bail and were given temporary liberty for being "properly documented" and with the objective to decongest the facilities. This timeline begs the following questions: First, how did the undocumented Chinese nationals enter the Philippines? Second, when did the employment of illegal workers start at the Fontana Technologies Innovations Center and why were the Bureau of Immigration and DOLE unaware of this situation? Third, have all the Chinese nationals been held accountable and to what extent? Finally, were there other cases of illegal workers in Clark or in other parts of the country that were discovered? This inquiry is in aid of legislation. Towards the end of this hearing, I hope that we can gather sound policy recommendations to ensure that there are necessary measures to control the entry of illegal foreign workers in the Philippines by addressing the following issues: First, what is the extent of foreign employment in the country, both legal and illegal? We want to know the historical data of their employment, nature of their work and their countries of origin. Second, what are the mechanisms in place to track illegal workers in the country? Third, what policies should be adopted to help us regulate the employment of foreign nationals and at the same time, strengthen the monitoring and enforcement capacity of the Bureau of Immigration? The Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended, made it very clear: "any alien seeking admission to the Philippines for employment purposes and any domestic or foreign employer who desires to engage an alien for employment in the Philippines shall obtain an employment permit from the Department of Labor. The employment permit may be issued to a non-resident alien or to the applicant employer after a determination of the non-availability of a person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing at the time of application to perform the services for which the alien is desired" (Article 40 of LCP. Employment permit of non-resident aliens). Mahirap naman pong paniwalaan na walang available na Filipino workers na makaka-satisfy sa skills set na hinahanap ng kumpanya kung saan nahuli ang mga Chinese nationals lalo na kung ito nga ay trabahong pang-call center. Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa mga negosyanteng pumipili sa Pilipinas para paglagakan ng kanilang puhunan, subalit prayoridad dapat nila ang mga manggagawang Pilipino. Makakaasa silang ginagawa ng pamahalaan ang lahat para iangat ang kalidad ng kasanayan ng ating mga manggagawa lalo na sa IT-BPM at service sectors. Undocumented workers take jobs that would otherwise go to Filipino workers. The growing number of foreigners entering the country to illegally find employment have serious implications in our current employment and underemployment situation. Sa mga trabahong malilikha natin, dapat Pilipino muna. Huwag nating hayaang mawala ang mga oportunidad na dapat ay para sa mga manggagawang Pilipino. The incidence in Fontana involving more than 1,200 Chinese nationals is just the "tip of the iceberg" of the presence of illegal foreign workers in central Visayas, Davao Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bataan, Batangas, Metro Manila, etc., especially in the manufacturing, construction, mining and services sectors. Tingnan po natin ang pagdinig na ito na isang pagkakataon upang mapalakas ang ating labor laws at immigration policies para wala nang dayuhang malalagay sa peligro at mga Pilipinong mananakawan ng trabaho. Salamat po. Col. Christopher Sage knows Success here equals success there. Thats why he came "here." A seasoned fighter pilot, Sage is fully appreciative of having a fine-tuned jet to fly. And since taking the helm of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., in July, he has wanted to personally acknowledge the people who provide war-ready F-15s to his team. So on Nov. 30, the veteran flier provided a rarity for the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex an aircraft scheduled for programmed depot maintenance flown in personally by an operational wing commander. When I laid out my priorities shortly after taking command, visiting WR-ALC was on the short list of must dos during the first few months, Sage said. I have delivered and picked up F-15Es in the past, and therefore was keenly aware of how critical the PDM process is to the health of the F-15E fleet at Seymour Johnson AFB. My goal was to make contact with the WR-ALC team and thank them for the important work they perform." It is important for an operational wing commander to get out from behind his desk and go meet the Airmen who support us and our mission on a daily basis, he said. Brig. Gen. John Kubinec, WR-ALC commander, said the visit was not only indicative of the positive relationship the complex has built with the warfighter, but also a tremendous opportunity for both sides to share and learn from each other. To have a wing commander take the time out to come down here and bring an aircraft is important, Kubinec said. Id like every aircrew member that comes here to spend some time, to see what we do and communicate with us. Kubinec said such visits allow operational partners to gain a greater understanding of the WR-ALC mission while meeting and interacting with the people who keep their aircraft flying. We like to think of ourselves as the supporting command for readiness. To have that readiness, it takes the full enterprise the supply chain, depot-level maintenance the whole iceberg. We dont tell that story enough, Kubinec told Sage during a briefing in an F-15 hangar. Sage said his visit could only serve to strengthen an already good working relationship between the fighter wing and the logistics complex. The feedback I received from the 4th FW maintainers is that the relationship is stronger than it has been in years, Sage said. Relationships matter, and they take effort. We will continue to put significant effort into strengthening these bonds. Leaving North Carolina on a stormy day in the Southeast, Sage flew his F-15E into the dark, overcast airspace over Robins at 1:36 p.m. He was accompanied by Maj. Brian Privette, his executive officer. Upon landing, he was greeted first by Kubinec, then by Col. Jeffrey Martin, commander, 402nd Aircraft Maintenance Group. Martin led Sage through a tour of the 561st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's F-15 PDM operation. The tour included visit to an Eagle Country hangar for an F-15 PDM briefing, a look at the canopy seal longeron being repaired here, and a close-up of the steps of PDM and the tools utilized. Sage was briefed on implementation of the Art of the Possible in the 402nd AMXG. The visitor and members of the complex maintenance group discussed how the 402nd can utilize AoP into more than just the aircraft production line. A memorable moment for the veteran pilot was having a photograph taken in front of an F-15 stripped down to a cigar de-painted and de-winged for PDM. Sage also toured Bldg. 125 where Martin showed Sage the size and scope of the C-5 maintenance hangar and mission operation. This visit was very educational for me and my team, Sage said. The focus on process improvement via the Art of the Possible methodology is impressive. The ALC is focused on implementing a deliberate process that is showing results. It was fascinating to see how many miles an F-15E travels during the PDM process. It was also amazing to see how far the Strike Eagle is stripped down before it is reassembled, he said. Martin said an F-15 PDM typically takes 136 days these days. The 561st is aiming to hit a goal of 88 days. Unexpected challenges to the schedule come with the mission territory, especially considering the average age of an Eagle being worked here is 20 years. I was aware that the WR-ALC had significant challenges with supply availability and unexpected F-15E structural challenges regarding the canopy seal longerons, Sage said. I wanted to get a firsthand look and talk to the teams that are tackling these issues." Martin deemed the visit a success. It was a great warfighter relations event, he said. To be able to show what we do here in F-15 PDM to increase our ability to communicate the status of our airplanes it helps us to engage with the warfighter and link some of the structural things happening with the airplane to the operational world. It also allows our people to interact with people from an operational unit; allows our people to show what we do here and the effect it has on the mission and our warfighters. This allows our people to put a face to our operational partner, Martin said. Its important for our people to spend time with the warfighter, Kubinec said. We cant spend enough time with the warfighter. We want our senior staff and maintenance people to spend time with the warfighter. We want our people to hear how important their mission is and that what we do leads to the warfighters success. Sage has definitely been there himself. Through an assortment of operational, training and staff tours with both the Navy and the Air Force, Sage has amassed more than 4,200 flight hours in his 22-year career. More than 1,100 of those hours were flown in combat as an operational fighter pilot in Operations Northern Watch, Deliberate Forge, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He also served as a Naval flight instructor while stationed aboard NAS Whiting Field. As commander of the 4th FW, Sage has charge of one of the largest fighter wings in the U.S. Air Force. The wing has nearly 6,000 Airmen and civilians and is home to 94 F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft assigned to two operational and two training fighter squadrons. Those units fly more than 12,000 sorties and 21,000 hours per year. His latest assignment has allowed Sage the chance to soar again by providing him the occasional opportunity to climb back into the cockpit of a fighter jet. Kubinec called a visit by such an experienced pilot and the commander of a fighter wing invaluable, especially since there is much more to the logistics and maintenance business than meets the eye. It is amazing the enterprise it takes to deliver rapid, effective affordable combat power, the general told Sage. That is why it is great having you here to see all that goes into making the F-15 you flew in today air worthy. This is the cool stuff, what our guys work here. Kubinec wanted his guest to specifically observe the high caliber of professionals getting the job done at WR-ALC. The great Americans you met here might wear a different outfit some may be in shorts and a T-shirt but, man, they work hard. It means a lot for you to come down and see them. When you boil it all down, these are patriots and they care about what you do, the general said. Sage was delighted with an unofficial slogan that has taken hold at Robins. I love the phrase! he said. 'Success here equals success there works well at the 4th Fighter Wing as well. Our mission is To Deploy Strike Eagle Airpower -- Anytime, Anywhere. We do this by ensuring our Airmen are successfully trained for combat and our aircraft are mechanically ready to sustain a six or seven month deployment." The fighter wing commander wants to make more visits to the complex. I would love to come back again -- to see the progress made on improving the PDM timeline -- as your team works hard to meet the 88-day Strike Eagle goal, Sage said. I have also invited the WR-ALC team up to Seymour Johnson to see operations at the tip of the spear." F-15E sustainment is about having a one team, one fight mentality, from the 4th Fighter Wing aircrew and maintainers to the patriots on the PDM line, Sage said. I look forward to the great work we will do together." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Alex Vega loved working on cars, but he never got the chance to get under the hood of his silver Mazda Miata convertible. It was found parked at the San Bruno BART Station over the weekend, long after Friday nights warehouse fire in Oakland that killed 36 people, including Vega, 22, and his girlfriend, 20-year-old Michela Gregory. When he wasnt captivated by imported cars, Vega pursued the arts, from urban graffiti and painting to electronic music, which led him to the event at the Ghost Ship warehouse. That was our baby Alex, his older brother, Daniel Vega, said by phone Tuesday evening. He was just a purveyor of the arts. Very artistic. Thats what he did. The brothers kept a tight bond. Alex liked cars, and Daniel is a mechanic. San Bruno police officers arrived at the familys home about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, advising the family to call the coroners office immediately, Daniel Vega said. They did. His brothers identity had been confirmed through fingerprints. Alex Vega had lived with his family in San Bruno, where he kept busy with two jobs. He worked as a valet at UCSF during the day, and at night at Duggans Serra Mortuary in Daly City. But his interests and hobbies ranged. He liked spray painting, drawing on canvasses, fashion, design, photography. The list goes on, his brother said. He was an old soul. He loved older things, said Daniel Vega, who is 36. Even if they werent brothers, he said, he would be my best friend. Daniel Vega said he still has a doodle Alex drew for him on a napkin while celebrating his birthday at Joes Crab Shack several years ago. After spending the last several days anxiously waiting for news at an Alameda County Sheriffs Office substation, the family can now mourn. Now that we know, Daniel Vega said, its still somber, but at least we know where hes at. 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 Alex Ghassan was an independent filmmaker praised for his gift of sharing the stories of others often the weak or oppressed struggling to find their way. But most importantly, said friends and relatives of the 35-year-old Oakland resident, he was a fatherly figure who offered hope and guidance, not only to his twin daughters but to many artists and young black men looking for direction. He inspired a hell of a lot of people, and he still is, said Mandela Baylis, 26, who shared an apartment with Ghassan while he did freelance work for KQED and the Oakland Museum of California. He inspired me to be greater with my art and as a man. Ghassan died in the fire that ripped through an Oakland underground music show Friday night. He was attending the event at the warehouse-turned-art-space with his fiancee, Hanna Ruax, a Finnish citizen who also died. A video posted on Ghassans Instagram account shows the party getting started, just before the tragic inferno that killed 36 people. Originally from New Jersey, Ghassan moved to the Bay Area to pursue his career in film, friends said, and to provide for his 4-year-old daughters, who live with their mother in the New York City area. Before coming to Oakland, he worked with such noted film producers and artists as Spike Lee, Talib Kweli and Skyzoo, Ghassans website notes. He was recently commissioned by the museum to do a film about a local artist documenting the citys gentrification, his website says. He was also doing documentary work for KQED. Alex was an incredibly talented filmmaker, a passionate supporter of the arts, and, working with our team, had an unrelenting interest in other peoples stories, said a KQED Arts post on Facebook this week. 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. For those closest to Ghassan, and likely for his daughters, friends said, hell be missed most for the advice and encouragement he offered. Whether it was sorting out personal problems or helping cook creole food like fish cakes, he was always there to propel people forward. I lost someone I looked up to, said friend and neighbor Kenzie Smith, 33. Sarah Ravani and Kurtis Alexander are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com, kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander @SarRavani Micah Danemayer had found love, formed an electronica band and discovered his niche in the Oakland art scene before he lost his life while performing. Danemayer, a Massachusetts native who was 28 and lived in Oakland, had been entertaining guests along with fellow audio and visual artists at the Golden Donna 100% Silk show when the fire broke out at the Ghost Ship warehouse. In the words of a friend, he was a wonderful charming eccentric beauty of a young man, whose open heart drew many, many other free spirits to him, his parents said Tuesday through email. We were lucky to have him for 28 years. We will miss him and the weirdness and creativity and love that trailed in his wake. He had left the East Coast for the Bay Area in 2011 after graduating from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. When he joined the Oakland creative scene, he found community, said his father, Chris Danemayer. He had so many friends, his mother, Pam Krueger, said through tears over the phone before she became too emotional to continue. One of those friends, 26-year-old Devyn Fordyce, was planning to form an electronica band with Danemayer called Red Cellar. Their first gig had been set for January at The Night Light in downtown Oakland. Both played synthesizers to create improvised rhythmic noises, Fordyce said. Danemayer, he said, started his own record label called Discarded, through which he would release tapes of the outsider electronic music scene. Ive never met anybody so passionate, not only for his own art and music but for everyone elses as well, Fordyce said. Danemayer worked as a curator and producer at Obscura Machina, a collective that runs Discarded and presents a series of experimental music and video art from the Bay area and abroad, he explained on his Facebook profile. There, Danemayer described himself as a Rave dungeon master and cynically optimistic. A few months ago, he began dating Jennifer Mendiola, a UC Merced graduate student also known as Alana Kane, who was at the warehouse party and on Tuesday was still listed among the missing. She was a beautiful soul and I was really, really happy they were together, Fordyce said. I was just so happy Micah wasnt alone anymore and that he had found someone who loved him. Now, friends and families are left with memories and a legacy that will continue through a scholarship fund that will be set up in his name at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design to help young artists find their voice. We never thought wed miss his room piled high with art assemblages, analog electronic gear, and solvents, we never thought wed miss having a vegan at our meat-eating table, we certainly never thought wed miss his Rubiks Cube tattoo, his parents wrote. Of course we miss all of it. Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno Steven G. de Polo / Getty Images / Steven G. de Polo / Getty Images A 65-year-old man was identified by police Tuesday after he was struck and killed in a hit-and-run crash that also left a woman injured one of three car wrecks that plagued San Francisco streets over the weekend, officials said. Lanqing Dong, a resident of China, was struck and killed while crossing Valdez Avenue at Monterey Boulevard around 5:30 p.m. Saturday, police said. A 64-year-old woman who was crossing the street with Dong was also hit and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The doors wont open for another year, but Salesforce Tower already commands attention. You see it from the East Bay, a still-rising work in progress that shrugs off everything nearby. From North Beach or Telegraph Hill, it looms behind the Transamerica Pyramid. And from the south, its the serene centerpiece to a skyline that looks nothing like it did a decade ago. The issue isnt simply a matter of scale. Its the physical embodiment of San Francisco as a 21st century global city, one where the built terrain has a topographical presence all its own. Salesforce Tower at First and Mission streets is the obvious high point, with its concrete core topped out at 961 feet. The structure of what eventually will be the highest floor its 61 extra-tall stories, if youre counting is being installed this week, though it will be March before the outer walls taper up past the core to the ultimate height of 1,070 feet. But this smooth, steep edifice wont be a lone spike on the mesa. Thursday, theres a ceremonial groundbreaking for a complex half a block up First Street that will include a 910-foot mixed-use tower also topping the 853-foot Pyramid and a 625-foot-tall hotel. Its called Oceanwide Center, and the amenities will include a public plaza underneath the main tower, which will be hiked 68 feet above the sidewalk. Next week, with less fanfare, workers will attach a 50-foot spire to the summit of 181 Fremont St., a slender climb of offices and condominiums now under construction. When this occurs, 181 Fremont St. will be taller than the brown granite crag at 555 California St. built for Bank of America in the late 1960s, which for more than 40 years played runner-up to the Transamerica Pyramid on the list of downtown peaks. Toss in the half-dozen other current or potential construction sites within the neighborhood and the herd of glass high-rises on the north slope of Rincon Hill, and this is not your parents San Francisco. Policy wonks can rattle off the reasons for the shift, which was mapped out in plans for the area conceived more than a decade ago. Height limits were raised in part to help pay for the new Transbay Transit Center. Economic forces ranging from the attractions of downtown living to the ever-growing clout of Silicon Valley help explain why construction lenders are wagering that San Francisco will continue to flourish. Its a place where people want to be, and where investors want to have a stake for better and for worse. Only in the past two months, though, has the realm of architectural renderings become the stuff of everyday conversation. When dentists at 450 Sutter St. point out the newcomer to their patients, something is going on. What I find most startling is this: The people Ive heard from dont seem particularly upset. The sheer girth might cause a double-take as one mostly fan says, You can see that sucker everywhere. But theres not the horror that accompanied One Rincons solitary ascension alongside the Bay Bridge in 2007, much less the antiheight ballot initiatives that were a staple of city elections in the 1970s. A big factor, I suspect, is that the current fights are elsewhere. Activists are more concerned about the displacement of low-income residents and small businesses in the neighborhoods like the Mission than shadows cast by a few big towers along Mission Street. It might help that whats going up doesnt seem garish. Salesforce Tower is by Pelli Clarke Pelli, one of the nations most accomplished architectural firms. The design team for Oceanwide Center is headed by Londons blue-chip Foster and Partners (Fosters San Francisco associate, Heller Manus, is the architect of 181 Fremont). 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. Nor did Salesforce Tower and its constructed foothills crush a beloved part of the city. Quite the opposite. The changes have enlivened an area that was terra incognita to just about everyone except commuters scurrying to and from the old Transbay Terminals concrete hulk. Now theres activity on the streets by day and by night, with residents as well as workers. At a deeper level, the emerging skyline underscores how todays San Francisco isnt quite so inward-focused as in the past. This remains a city where the watchdogs arent shy about doing battle on a variety of fronts, and thats a good thing. But the simplistic notion that height is bad is long out of date that horse left the barn when all those blunt towers north of Market Street overwhelmed the 1920s skyline. The planning for the Transbay District and Rincon Hill sought to make room for concentrated growth with easy access to mass transit. And yes, planners gave thought to how it all would look. What we wanted to do was create a peak at Transbay and a saddle from there to Rincon Hill with height dropping toward Folsom Street and then climbing up the slope, said former planning Director Dean Macris. This was a chance to deal aesthetically with the skyline. Were still a few years from seeing how the design moves play out. But Salesforce Tower and 181 Fremont and Oceanwide Center make it clear that the map of San Francisco and the image it presents to the world is being redrawn once again. Place is a weekly column by John King, The San Francisco Chronicles urban design critic. Email: jking@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @johnkingsfchron This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate As Silicon Valley grapples with how it will fare under the incoming administration, advisers to President-elect Donald Trump have invited some industry leaders to a roundtable discussion this month. The invitation came from Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and a real estate mogul who has made some technology investments; Peter Thiel, the PayPal co-founder and venture capitalist who was an early and vocal supporter of Trumps candidacy; and Reince Priebus, Trumps designated chief of staff. Among those scheduled to attend the Dec. 14 meeting in New York City are Cisco Systems CEO Chuck Robbins and Oracle Corp. CEO Safra Catz. A spokeswoman for Facebook declined to comment on whether any of its executives would attend, and representatives for Apple and Alphabet did not respond to a request for comment. The tech industry largely supported Trumps opponent, Hillary Clinton, who laid out detailed tech policy proposals. Trump, on the other hand, issued no such plan, leaving the industry largely in the dark about how he would deal with critical issues such as net neutrality, work visas and data privacy. After Trumps victory, some executives of large technology companies offered conciliatory remarks. IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, who wrote an open letter to Trump after his election, was among those he named last week to an economic advisory panel that will begin meeting with him in February. Peter Leroe-Munoz, vice president of tech and innovation policy for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, said he is hopeful that the industry can create a productive relationship with the president-elect, even though he was not its choice. Silicon Valley is very adaptable; I think that is one of the hallmarks of this region that makes it so successful, Leroe-Munoz said. We are always dealing with changing circumstances and realities. Our real focus is to serve as a resource to educate the administration. On Tuesday, Trump tweeted that Masayoshi Son, CEO of Japanese technology conglomerate SoftBank Group, had agreed to invest $50 billion in the U.S. and generate 50,000 new jobs. Trump wrote that Masayoshi said he would never do this had we ... not won the election! Aaron Ginn, co-founder of Lincoln, an organization of conservative technologists, said the planned roundtable discussion seems like it is a good sign for what is to come under Trump. You have to face the reality that we will have this president for the next four years, at least, Ginn said. Trump has a way to go to work on his relations with Silicon Valley, but Silicon Valley also has to meet him halfway. Alphabet, Googles parent company, seems to be working to improve relations with conservative groups. A job listing for a manager of conservative outreach recently appeared on Googles career website. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes As a member of Googles Public Policy outreach team, you will act as Googles liaison to conservative, libertarian and free market groups, the listing reads. You are part organizer, part advocate and part policy wonk as you understand the world of third-party nongovernmental advocacy organizations. As Silicon Valley seeks a new relationship with the incoming administration, Mike Montgomery, executive director of CalInnovates, a technology advocacy coalition, said Trump should pay attention to startups as well as big tech names. There is a lot of innovation that comes from startups, Montgomery said. While it is good that the president-elect is reaching out to the tech community the proof is still in the pudding in how Trumps presidency will communicate with, deal with, and work with the greater technology community. Bloomberg News contributed to this report. Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani The first time Bob Lapine saw his son, Edmond Lapine II, perform on video, he was shocked by his appearance. His hair was all puffed up and he was wearing makeup as he played the guitar, like those musicians that highlight their eyebrows, the elder Lapine said, chuckling softly. But he looked happy, Bob Lapine said, as he always was when it came to music whether it was playing it, writing it, listening to it, talking about it or just thinking about it. That, in turn, made his father happy. It was apparent in Bob Lapines trembling voice that whatever brought joy to his only son his quirky, good-humored, loving son was enough for him. Edmond Lapine, 34, of Oakland, was among the 36 people who died Friday night during an underground music event in the Fruitvale District. As Bob Lapine prepared to make the trek to Oakland from his home in Utah to make peace with his sons death, he said, I resigned myself to knowing that he died doing what he loved: listening to music. Edmond Lapine grew up in Utah, bouncing from Ogden to Park City to Salt Lake City, his father said. Through his youth, music was a constant. He taught himself to play the guitar and joined a few bands. As he grew older, he began spinning records and working as a DJ. People tended to gravitate toward him, and he was always surrounded by friends who would get together, jam and go to concerts, Bob Lapine said. When Edmond was in high school, they took a field trip to England, he said. My son was the tallest kid in the class and he dyed his hair bright green. I go, Oh, Ed. I was so embarrassed. But wherever Ed went, a lot of kids would follow. He went over to England and the teachers said all they had to do was look for Ed and his green hair and there would be everybody else. Over the weekend, friends from near and far from high school in Utah; from Evergreen State College in Washington, where he graduated with a degree in French and Russian literature in 2008; from the semester he studied in Paris; from the music scene in Olympia, Wash., where he lived before moving to the Bay Area in 2014 reminisced about his kind spirit, funky soul and deep talent. Theres a huge community of people that love him all over the country and weve all been in contact the last few days, sharing stories and pictures and hugs, said Madeleine Woodhead Nutting, 26, a former partner of Lapine. Saturday was the worst day of a lot of our lives. She said many stories being shared among friends are about how he would come out and support people, see them play their music, be in the front dancing, even if he didn't know them that well. He was a really wonderful partner and Im by no means the only one deeply influenced by his generosity and enthusiasm and humor. David Adelson, owner of 20 Buck Spin record label in Olympia, said Edmond Lapine was the kind of guy who would be willing to be friends with everybody. When he became friends with Lapine at their day jobs at a computer shop in Olympia, Wash., Adelson said it was of little concern that he was into heavy metal while Lapine was into indie rock. In the quiet morning hours their other co-workers arrived, they still bonded over their mutual love of music. Even though he liked a lot of different stuff and I liked a lot of different stuff, there was overlap, and I could always tell that he would steer our conversations about music to where that overlap existed so we could relate to each other, Adelson said. I always appreciated that about him. Like many others who died in the fire, Edmond Lapine subsidized his passion for music by working day jobs, his father said, at a bakery and then at an art gallery cafe. Who would have known that walking in there, he would never walk out? Bob Lapine said. And all the others? You look at their faces. They look to me like good kids. Its unfair, he continued. Edmond was smart. He just enjoyed music and he found a love of music and he surrounded himself with people who loved music. But he died too young. Ill never know what he would have been. Vivian Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VivianHo About 100 avid Bay Area supporters of Hillary Clintons run for the presidency gathered at the home of Eleni and Markos Kounalakis on Friday, Dec. 2, where vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine thanked them for their help. I served hot spiced cider, said Eleni Kounalakis, and passed around bottles of Scotch for those who wanted their cider a bit stronger. Clintons having won the popular vote was one of the subjects discussed, and also President-elect Donald Trumps small-margin victories in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. The re-election of Rep. Nancy Pelosi as House minority leader was applauded. But the longer discussion focused on how these Democrats would proceed during a Trump administration. Kaines most important point, said Kounalakis, is that with such a narrow majority in the Senate, Republicans will need Democratic support for many things to move forward. For instance, it takes 60 votes to confirm Supreme Court nominations. So at least there is one place where checks and balances are in place. Walking in Hayes Valley past a line of young men waiting for a bus to Silicon Valley one recent morning, Bob Siegel noticed that one was reading a book. He couldnt stop himself from mentioning to him that in my years of observing such lines, I had never seen someone reading a book, and that he must be some sort of unique individual. The young man said his phone was broken. The book was a travel guide. Hows that again? Legally blind Mark Russell, who uses his cell phone voice option to text friends, was having trouble the other day with the phrase wed both. The phone kept recognizing those words as weed bowl. Hes wondering whether it had been made aware of the Nov. 8 vote on the legalization of recreational marijuana. And reading the newspaper over breakfast in Mill Valley, a woman said, Isnt it sad that coral reefs are dying? Her mate dismissed her distress: I dont know anyone named Carl Reese. In response to the arts communitys terrible losses in the Oakland fire, SFMOMA is waiving admission fees on Dec. 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. Mr. Garchik came home the other day with a notice he had pulled off some wall or lamppost: Apply to marry a Canadian. What are you doing for the rest of your (post election) life? Although the pictures of regally crowned corgis cavorting with moose were enchanting, the Web address provided on a series of tear-off tabs at the bottom did not link to anything ... leaving some would-be romantics disappointed. Kathy Griffin, whose new book is Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin, was at Books Inc. at Opera Plaza on Saturday, Dec. 3. The crowd was so big, reports Mike Lano, that she stood atop a table for a stand-up routine that went on for more than a half-hour. Like many visiting celebrities, she spoke positively about San Francisco (the hippest, smartest city outside of New York! I love it here. You guys are my peeps), but unlike many visiting celebrities, she added a pinch of salt (Not even New York is pompous enough to call itself the City, as you do here in San Francisco). After two years of renovation, Carole Shorenstein Hays Curran Theatre will reopen on Thursday, Dec. 15, with the San Francisco premiere showing of the movie Fences. August Wilsons play, on which the movie is based, opened at the Curran on Feb. 6, 1987, and went on to Broadway, winning a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award for best play. Willie Brown is slated to host the evening, and the movies star and director, Denzel Washington who along with Viola Davis won a Tony Award for his role in the Fences revival on Broadway in 2010 will participate with other movie cast members in an onstage conversation after the screening. Constanza Romero, widow of Wilson, will be there, too. Its an invitation-only event, but 100 tickets are being given out by lottery. See https://sfcurran.com/shows/fences. Days of Dismal Dysfunction: The lead up to Christmas is a particularly taxing time for many, writes Nina Faust, peddler of potions. She can fix it with a drinkable solution for the pressures and ailments that often come as a result of socializing, traveling and working late, dealing with the occasional hangover, jet lag and sleepless nights in one handy dose. Leah Garchik is open for business in San Francisco, (415) 777-8426. Email: lgarchik@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @leahgarchik Public Eavesdropping She thinks everyones an ax murderer. Kino Lorber Fire at Sea, a mesmerizing documentary about the migration crisis in Europe, opens with a familiar device: cue cards that announce a serious problem, in this case the hundreds of thousands of refugees who have been flooding Lampedusa, a microscopic Mediterranean island between Sicily and Africa. Over the past 20 years, at least 15,000 have perished trying to reach this fishing outpost, which refugees see as a gateway to Europe. Yet after the gravity of the situation is spelled out and the cue cards fade, this remarkable film takes us to some surprising vantage points. We meet a young island resident, Samuele, who climbs a tree to while away the day and seems oblivious to the troubles around him. Chelsea Faith Dolan was a vision of energy, music and creativity. She made electronic music under the stage name of Cherushii. She hosted an underground radio program. She played eclectic electronic keyboard music. She performed at the Folsom Street Fair. She was a DJ, an audio remixer and a producer of dance music shows. She also liked ice cream. Dolan, a 33-year-old resident of San Francisco, was among the 36 people who died in Friday nights warehouse fire in Oakland during an underground music event. Performing unusual music in unusual places was her calling. This summer, her smiling face was featured on the cover of Reader, an alternative newspaper in Chicago, that declared her an unsung woman of electronic music. It called her a house experimentalist of San Francisco. In the accompanying magazine story, Dolan said electronic music was not an easy field for women. Lack of recognition is so discouraging, she said. In a culture as supposedly forward-thinking as electronic music, women are still so often invisible. According to her mother, Colleen Dolan of San Rafael, she discovered as a toddler that she had a knack for music and for composing and playing melodies on the piano. She studied classical piano at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music before branching out into avant-garde electronic piano. She also scooped ice cream for years at Fairfax Scoop, a boutique shop. The store created a small shrine in her memory in the front window. Chelsea Faith has always been an extraordinary person, full of exuberant joy, her mother said. Her personality, intelligence, clothes, music and kindness were legendary. Her daughter traveled to Japan at 15 and picked up the name Cherushii because it was so much easier to pronounce than Chelsea, Colleen Dolan said. She performed in the band Easy Street and hosted a radio show on KALX, the UC Berkeley station. She performed frequently outside the Bay Area, particularly in Chicago and Berlin. Last year she released an album titled Far Away, So Close, and she had just completed recording another Cherushii album, which has yet to be released. I hope one of her producer friends will make sure that happens, her mother said. Nothing Chelsea Faith did was ordinary. She was an adventurer, she was stellar in every way, and she will always be the star of our hearts. Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com Freedom was won, but the fighting would rage on. The Chronicles front page from Dec. 7, 1921, covers the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty that gave Ireland its independence. Irelands 700-years struggle for freedom is over, the story read. A formal peace treaty between Ireland and England was signed at 2:15 this morning. The Empire and the Emerald Isle had officially been at war for two years after the Irish Revolutionary Period, marked by the rise of the Sinn Fein movement and the Irish Republican Army. Hundreds died in the fighting, many of them civilians. A cease-fire was called in July 1921, two months after Northern Irelands creation. Over the rest of the year, the truce between bitter enemies Ireland and England was hammered out. The main points of the treaty are, first of all, that it is called a treaty, thus recognizing Irelands nationhood, the story read. Ireland shall have a constitutional place in the empire, with Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and her constitution shall be specifically based on that of Canada. Peace and freedom were achieved, but the fighting would rage on. Ireland was split by a civil war that pit treaty defenders against the hard-line IRA. Many of the revolutions greatest heroes, including Michael Collins, would die during the civil war. Crashing the party: Alcohol seizures were common at the beginning of Prohibition. This one, however, was front-page news. Palatial yacht seized by dry agents, read the huge banner headline stripped across the top of The Chronicles front page. A wealthy New York shipbuilder, James Shewan, and his friends were on a Pacific cruise when his yacht was raided and agents found 100 cases of whiskey stored in the boats hold. Shewan was arrested and his yacht, the Patricia, was docked in Monterey Bay. The booze was confiscated, but it still likely fueled more fun. After the liquor was seized and placed in a bonded warehouse at New Monterey, thieves broke in and stole at least three cases, and possibly more, the story read. 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, Alexandra Irving 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) This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Jennifer Morris was sincere and gentle, family members said, with a melodic singing voice that could stop you in your tracks. On Friday night, Morris, 21, headed to a concert with a friend. But she never made it home. The UC Berkeley junior, who majored in media studies, was confirmed to be among the 36 people killed in the Oakland warehouse fire. Her roommate, Vanessa Plotkin, 21, also died. This is devastating as Jenny was such a beautiful, intelligent, creative, caring and sincere young lady with a bright future ahead of her, said her father, Michael Morris. At a vigil on campus Thursday, he added, I feel her right here in my heart. Known to friends as Jenny, Morris grew up in Foster City. She attended Peninsula Hope Church in Redwood City and was in their youth and music programs. After graduating from San Mateo High in 2013, she studied at UC Santa Cruz before transferring. Her cousin, Drew Morris, said Jenny was a bright star beautiful, loving, caring, and intelligent. Our church family aches for Jennys family and (walks) alongside the Morris family in this difficult time, said Pastor Daniel Baxter of Peninsula Hope Church. We also find peace in the assurance that nothing can interfere with the love God has for his children. Morris loved to travel, friends said. A photo snapped in January showed her visiting Tokyo, where she had gone on a mission with her church in 2010. She was remembered as compassionate, strong and adventurous. She had been the kind of teenager who would play mud football with the boys, diving into the dirt for the ball. And she was the kind of college student that dazzled her friends with her ability to impeccably apply makeup. Id always see Jenny in the mornings (in the dorms) before class, said Melanie Asor, 18. Id always tell her how perfectly she would do her eyebrows and eyeliner. I would always tell her how pretty she was. To her older brother, Morris will be most remembered for her music. Growing up, music and art were such an important part of our lives, said Chris Morris. We learned the guitar together. She had a beautiful voice. We would play songs together. In high school, she would post videos of musical covers on YouTube. She sang with her church, too. She showed compassion and selfless acceptance of the struggles of others, said Chie Funatogawa, who helped lead Morris youth group. We were blessed to have shared that time with her, as she shined her light upon everyone she interacted with. She is now singing with the angels. Lizzie Johnson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ljohnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LizzieJohnsonnn Nick Gomez-Hall loved his guitar, his white pickup truck, his collection of LP records and his countless friends. He liked offering them rides in his truck, when he wasnt sleeping in the back of it himself. And he had a thing for bowling. Every Tuesday night, non-stop, for three hours at a stretch. He had a special joy of life, a playfulness, said his friend and former college professor, Mark Baumer. He enjoyed every minute. Gomez-Hall, of Berkeley, was one of 36 people to die in Friday nights disastrous warehouse fire in Oakland, authorities confirmed. He was 25. He grew up in Coronado, near San Diego, and attended Brown University in Rhode Island. He stuck around Providence after graduating in 2013 to work in a record store and on a small local farm. Friends say he was paid for his labors in LP records and in vegetables, largely zucchini. At Brown, he took Baumers fiction writing class seven years ago and the two remained friends. Baumer said his former student could write about anything. He could describe a leaf and bring a human quality to it, Baumer said. With his Brown classmate Travis Lloyd, he formed a band called Nightmom that performed in the Providence area. Hey Nick, if theres one thing you taught me its to feel this deeply, Lloyd posted online, after learning of his friends death. You are a muse to so many and will never stop guiding us. The group wrote, recorded and released several edgy songs, including one called Drain Machine. Dont worry about a thing, I can drain you, my whole life is a drain machine, the two friends sang. After driving his truck back to California and sleeping in the rear at night as much to see the stars as save the cost of motels he found a job as an administrative assistant with Counterpoint Press, a small Berkeley publishing house. In a statement, Counterpoint said it was devastated over the loss of our co-worker and dear friend, Nick. Whether he was recommending new music to listen to (and it was always so good), regaling us with tales of the bowling alley, offering his beloved truck for a ride if anyone needed it, or sharing his much appreciated opinions about a book jacket or manuscript, he made everyone feel like they were his friend. He was kind, considerate, hilarious. His passion for bowling was legendary and he would turn up religiously at Albany Bowl with a half dozen friends for the Tuesday night special, when bowling was marked down to $1.50 a game. He would arrive at the bowling alley two hours early to make sure he could claim an open lane, manager Mike Richards recalled. He knew the system around here, Richards said. And he sure loved bowling. Not long before he died, Gomez-Hall reached out one last time to his former professor, who is walking barefoot across the U.S. to raise money for climate change awareness. If you see Mark, Gomez-Hall wrote, hand him a bag of fresh fruit. Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com A student at Stanford University filed a federal lawsuit this week accusing the institution of failing to protect women from a violent sexual predator who was allowed to graduate despite several reported assaults on female undergraduates. The civil rights suit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, comes only months after the sensational case of former Stanford swimmer Brock Turner who was released from jail after serving half of a six-month sentence for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman on campus. In the latest case, the 6-foot-6, 200-pound assailant, identified only as Mr. X, allegedly attempted to rape the plaintiff in February 2014 after she refused to perform oral sex, then physically assaulted and verbally abused her. The victim, identified as Jane Doe, had ended a relationship with Mr. X prior to the alleged assault. She later discovered that two other students had reported being sexually assaulted, battered or threatened by the same assailant between 2011 and 2014, according to the lawsuit. Stanford officials ignored those reports but still ordered him to stay away from Doe. The university also banned him from campus for 10 years, according to the suit. He was nevertheless allowed to obtain a bachelors and a masters degree, and Stanford did nothing when he violated the various orders, including the non-contact directive, the lawsuit said. The suit claims that Stanford violated Does right to equal access to educational opportunities under Title IX by allowing a hostile educational environment on campus. Women will not have an equal opportunity to succeed academically until the epidemic of sexual violence on campus ends, said Rebecca Peterson-Fisher, the lead attorney for Equal Rights Advocates, one of three law firms representing Jane Doe in the action. Institutions like Stanford need to be held accountable for their failure to recognize the severity of these crimes and to comply with Title IX. Stanford issued a statement this week saying the institution has zero tolerance for such abhorrent and antithetical behavior, but without the cooperation of victims, regrettably the university is very limited in what it can do. 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. We have acted in this case and in all matters to protect our students, said the statement, which did not explain what the comment about a lack of cooperation meant. The alleged sexual assaults come amid scrutiny over the prevalence of sexual assaults on college campuses around the country, highlighted by the Turner case. The 21-year-old former swimmer has moved back to his home state of Ohio, where he registered as a sex offender. But it was the words of his 23-year-old victim at his sentencing hearing that resonated across the country. She talked about the two lives ruined by Turner who dragged me through this hell during the Jan. 18, 2015 attack outside the Kappa Alpha fraternity. Peter Fimrite is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @pfimrite Holiday visitors to San Francisco who encounter people sleeping on the streets may be left to wonder: Why arent city leaders doing something about this? Actually, they are and they have been laying the groundwork for some sustainable solutions. But the intensified effort in recent months has not been without its frustration and setbacks. At both the city and state level, elected officials began moving toward more strategic, better-coordinated efforts to address homelessness. San Francisco established a Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to take a more integrated approach with the eight city departments and 76 private and nonprofit organizations that take on the issue. Mayor Ed Lee brought in Jeff Kositsky, who arrived with a strong track record of results in the nonprofit world of providing housing and services to homeless families. The city upped its commitment to providing supportive housing for people whose disabilities, mental health situation or substance abuse issues make it difficult for them to rise from life on the streets. Kositsky took issue with the term Homeless Industrial Complex, in our July 3 editorial, but it was not intended to disparage the efforts of the many government and nonprofit workers and organizations working on the issue, often at very modest wages. Rather, it is an acknowledgment of the citys inability to duly track the effectiveness and efficiency of the $241 million a year it spends on homeless programs. Those that are duplicated or less effective should be eliminated, and those that are producing optimal results should be expanded. The citys homeless czar has said he wants to put such accountability in place, but cautioned that it would take years to implement fully. It must be a top priority. Homelessness is not only a San Francisco problem. Anyone who has seen the vast swaths of makeshift shelters on the streets of Los Angeles or the surge of tent encampments in Oakland knows that deprivation knows no city boundaries. The California Legislature passed, and Gov. Jerry Brown recently signed, two measures that should help San Francisco and other cities struggling with homelessness. SB1380, authored by Sen. Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles, requires that local agencies administering state programs must coordinate with a newly established state council to assure that they are utilizing the most effective practices. One of its focuses will be on supportive housing. It only makes sense to have cities and counties all working together on a statewide issue. Brown also signed AB1618, by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, which will provide $45 million to help local governments increase their outreach to homeless people who might be eligible for federal Supplemental Security Income. As a Chronicle story detailed on Tuesday, these federal payments of nearly $1,000 a month are a critical boost to recipients who otherwise would qualify for a maximum of $473 in general assistance from the city. The program is intended for people whose major injuries or other disabilities impair their job prospects. But as our story explained, the application process is rigorous and lengthy, and up to 2,000 people who might qualify for the support are not getting it. Outreach is a wise investment. There is no straight line to a solution, especially in a city with celestial housing costs. One story in our Beyond Homelessness series described decrepit living conditions in some of the single-room-occupancy hotels being leased by the city for its supportive housing push. Another story tracking people evicted in the citys high-profile sweep of the Division Street encampment found they keep coming back with tents. Frustrations and challenges abound, but the citys will must not waver. The pervasiveness of homelessness in this era of prosperity is a civic disgrace and the challenge of our time. SAARLOUIS, Germany Deep inside Syria, a bishop worked secretly to save the lives of 226 members of his flock from the Islamic State by amassing millions of dollars from his community around the world to buy their freedom. The Assyrian Christians were seized from the Khabur River valley in northern Syria, among the last holdouts of a minority that had been chased across the Mideast for generations. On Feb. 23, 2015, Islamic State fighters attacked 35 Christian towns simultaneously, sweeping up scores of people. It took more than a year, and videotaped killings of three captives, before all the rest were freed. Paying ransoms is illegal in the United States and most of the West, and the idea of giving money to the Islamic State is morally fraught, even for those who saw no alternative. You look at it from the moral side and I get it. If we give them money were just feeding into it, and theyre going to kill using that money, said Aneki Nissan, who helped raise funds in Canada. But to us, were such a small minority that we have to help each other. The Khabur families trace their heritage to the earliest days of Christianity. To this day, they speak a dialect of Aramaic, believed to be the native language of Jesus. When the villages were attacked, fleeing residents phoned cousins, sons, daughters, friends Assyrians who had left the region in waves for the West. In the chaos, no one was sure how many were taken captive but everyone was certain they were going to die. As days stretched into a week, it became clear Islamic State had other plans. The group told the 17 men captured from one village, Tal Goran, they could have their freedom but with a catch. Four female captives would remain, and one of the men had to deliver a message to their bishop in the town of Hassakeh about 40 miles away, and return with an answer. The extremists demanded $50,000 per person for the whole group. It took the bishop, Mar Afram Athneil, three days to make a decision, as he consulted with members of the church around the world on what to do. 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. Athneil then began secret negotiations for the remaining captives. When word filtered down about the ransom, the price was daunting. Islamic States starting demand of $50,000 a person would mean more than $11 million for the remaining captives. The calls for donations went out across social media. The Islamic State has made a fortune off the desperation of hostages. A U.N. resolution from December 2015 called on governments to prevent kidnapping and hostage-taking committed by terrorist groups and to secure the safe release of hostages without ransom payments or political concessions. But while no government appeared to stop the fundraising, the Assyrians say no country stepped in to free the captives either. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Johnny Igaz was surrounded by what he loved most when he died: Music. Described as a mentor to many and an ally to women and the LGBT community, the 34-year-old Oakland resident and DJ had an undeniable passion for all kinds of music, from hip-hop to techno and house. Not only was music a passion, people were a passion, said Jeremy Bispo, 38, who often worked with Igaz producing shows around the Bay Area. He was all about community. All about building a safe space for people to be themselves. Igaz was one of 36 people who died in the fire that broke out at an underground show Friday night at the so-called Ghost Ship warehouse in Oakland. His stage name was Nackt naked in German and he was DJing at the event. Igaz grew up in Alameda and attended Alameda High as well as the elite Ruth Asawa School of the Arts in San Francisco. His younger brother, Paul Igaz, reminisced in a Facebook tribute about the siblings time in high school listening to their parents Stevie Wonder and Grateful Dead records. He recalled how Johnny developed an appreciation for jazz before heading off to college and honing his skills as a DJ and producer. Of course he shaped me in many areas of life beyond music, Paul Igaz write, but it was in particular his ability to transmit to me his love of music and through music, an appreciation of a culture of diversity that ensures that his soul will live within my soul, and the soul of all who know him or his music, eternally. For the past three months, Igaz had been working as a music buyer at Green Apple Books in San Franciscos Richmond District. He was a slam dunk of a hire. He had joie de vivre, an incredible knowledge of music and he fit in right away, said Pete Mulvihill, a co-owner of the bookstore, adding that the staff had been crying in the break room since news of the fire. It was Igazs support for the local artists that resonated most with his friends and family. And his desire to bring people together through music. He would always play his friends tracks when he was DJing, especially if he saw them in the room, said Hunter Leight, Igazs former partner. He loved being able to provide the experience of hearing your own track on a big system. Igaz was a mentor, friend and cheerleader to younger artists, said Leight, a 30-year-old Oakland resident. Anthony Crupi, a 28-year-old aspiring musician who works at Timeless Coffee Roasters in Oakland, said he saw Igaz Friday morning at the cafe. Igaz, who visited the cafe four to five times a week, had promised to help Crupi with his music. The morning of the fire, Igaz had asked Crupi to send him demos of his industrial metal music, he said. He sincerely valued supporting local artists and building the community we all dream of, Leight said. Johnny should be remembered as a lover, a friend, a joker and an artist. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate If you've lived or worked in San Francisco for any length of time, you've probably seen the building located at 1500 Mission Street. The art deco structure, now a Goodwill, was once home to the Coca-Cola Bottling Company's local plant, and it was also the workplace of a Nazi spy. On a stroll through the neighborhood on Thanksgiving, a friend asked me if I knew the history of the building. At the time, I didn't. I said I'd check. According to the San Francisco Chronicle archives, it was built in the 1920s, and used as a warehouse. The earliest records I could find, it was home to The White Company, which appears to have sold trucks and other vehicles to Muni and the team building the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. By the 1940s, it was a home for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. One story I uncovered was about a once-convicted spy secretly working at that location, unbeknownst to anyone. Here is the article, as it appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, on Oct. 17, 1943: Nazi Spy Captured/Pre-War German Agent Arrested Here by the FBI/Guenther Rumrich Wanted to Answer Charges in Seattle. FBI agents yesterday announced capture in San Francisco of a pre-war German spy now wanted in Seattle to answer charges of violating Federal wartime and civilian regulations. Nat J.L. Peiper, special agent in charge of the San Francisco FBI office, said Guenther Gustav Maria Rumrich, 65 Hill Street, and employee on the night shift at a bottling works, 1500 Mission Street, was arrested by his office Friday afternoon. Pieper said he was indicted in Seattle for allegedly furnishing false information in applying for a Coast Guard pass and for violating the national stolen property act. He was living at the Hill Street address under the name of Herbert S. Wells. A short time before he had been living at 1920 California Street under the name of Joseph DeBors. At one time, Pieper said, he had worked for Pacific Coast shipyards and had made a round trip to Alaska. In both instances, the FBI continued, "he was in position to observe work in connection with the United States war effort." Rumrich was convicted on a spy charge December 2, 1938. He served two years for espionage in New York City following his conviction on the charge. Rumrich, son of the secretary of the Austro-Hungarian Consulate in Chicago, was a dishwasher in 1936 when he offered his services to the German government. At one time, the FBI said, Rumrich impersonated himself as Secretary of State Cordell Hull by telephoning the sub-Treasury building, New York City, attempting to obtain 35 blank American passports to deliver to a German agent. On another occasion, in 1938, he wrote a letter to a high-ranking Army officer in an attempt to get the officer to bring to a New York hotel complete plans of mobilization and coastal defenses. Both plots failed. Officer Pose He also furnished Berlin information on Coast Artillery units in the Canal Zone. He received payment from abroad for this information and continued to work with the German espionage organization. Posing as a military officer, he telephoned an army hospital and obtained statistics on the prevalence of venereal diseases, which he used as the basis "for an accurate estimate on the strength of the military establishments served by the hospital, which was located in the vicinity of New York," the FBI said. Rumrich spent his boyhood in Europe, but before reaching his 18th birthday took the necessary steps to retain his American citizenship. He came to the United States in 1929, joined the army in 1930, deserted a short time later, surrendered and returned to active service and became a sergeant. He served in the Canal Zone and at various other posts in the United States, but again deserted in 1936. The FBI said his arrest and conviction in 1938 was the first spy case to come before the United States since World War I. He was booked at the Oakland City Jail en route to the Federal marshal, to be arraigned on Monday. Peiper said that when Rumrich was released from prison he came directly to the West Coast. On the West Coast he used aliases as Herbert S. Wells, Joseph Dawson and Joseph DeBors. Alleged false information was given at Seattle in connection with a Coast Guard identification. The other charge, that of violating the national stolen property act, came from the fact that he passed four bogus checks, totaling $110, in Portland, Or., and Seattle, the FBI declared. The former bottling plant is slated to be torn down as part of the area's redevelopment plans. Bob Bragman is a producer for SFGATE. His writing reflects his love of the Bay Area, in addition to his passion for vintage pop culture, ephemera and vernacular photographs. To see more of his content, please click here. On Dec. 9, 1941, two days after Pearl Harbor, Imperial Japanese forces launched their second surprise air attack this time on the U.S. mainland at San Francisco. Or at least that's what the Chronicle reported at the top of the front page: "JAPANESE PLANES NEAR S.F. - 4 RAID ALARMS" screamed the bold banner headline. The paper quoted Brigadier Gen. William Ord Ryan of the Fourth Interceptor Command: "There was an actual attack. A strong squadron was detected approaching the Golden Gate. It was not an air raid test. It was the real thing." Only it wasn't. Tojo had not unleashed his Mitsubishi Zeros and "Val" dive bombers over the Bay Area. Rather, the U.S. Army had came down with bad case of the jitters in the wake of the Pearl Harbor attack. The alarm sounded in the early hours of Dec. 9. "The planes are heading toward shore and so far as we know, they are still coming." the Chronicle quoted an Army spokesman as saying. The report of Japanese planes had been authenticated, according to army officials. The report triggered blackout sirens and a general panic across San Francisco and the East Bay. Nineteen minutes after the first blackout order was given at 2:31 a.m., a "blue" standby signal was issued indicating that enemy planes were approaching. "Almost immediately the roar of planes were heard particularly in Marin County, in Berkeley and in San Francisco," the Chronicle reported. Radio stations were ordered off the air. All lights on the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge were flipped off, and traffic halted. Oakland Port pier lights couldn't be turned off, so they were shot out by a rifleman. Eyewitness reports of dogfights proved to be unfounded. A number of neon lights remained on during the blackout, so later in the day Mayor Angelo Rossi banned neon signage after dusk. Seven people used the Twin Peaks tunnel as a bomb shelter, sleeping in it overnight. But no bombs fell, no streets were strafed and not a single ship was found burning off the Embarcadero in the morning. As sneak air raids go, this was a major dud. With Fisherman's Wharf not reduced to smoldering ruins, the Fourth Army Command needed to explain itself. But instead of admitting the false alarms, it doubled down. In a press conference at City Hall that was more of a temper tantrum than an information briefing, Lt. Gen. John L. DeWitt, commander of the Fourth Army and Western Defense Command, lambasted the city's response to the "attack." "You people do not seem to realize we are at war," DeWitt told the Chronicle and other reporters. "So get this: Last night there were planes over this community! They were enemy planes! I mean Japanese planes" And they were tracked out to sea. "You think it was a hoax? It is damned nonsense for sensible people to assume that the Army and Navy would practice such a hoax on San Francisco." When asked why the alleged Japanese planes would come so far without dropping a single bomb, he suggested that the incursion was a reconnaissance mission. He insisted that enemy units were detected both north and south of the Bay Area. "I don't think there's any doubt they came from a carrier," he said. But he said Interceptor Command was unable to follow them back to the carrier. (Because the rendezvous spot would have moved, he said.) Although there had a been a near full moon the previous night, which would have easily revealed possible targets to Japanese fliers, DeWitt faulted the city's first blackout, calling it a "flop." "We will never darken this community nor sound an alert unless enemy planes are threatening," he said. "When your hear that signal TURN OUT YOUR LIGHTS!" The next day, Dec. 10, the army again sent out alerts for air raids and again the Japanese planes failed to materialize. The Chronicle reported that the city "was plunged into almost total darkness by an almost 100 per cent effective blackout." In his book "Panic on the Pacific," about the West Coast's response to the Pearl Harbor attack, Bill Yenne notes that San Francisco Police Chief Charles Dullea "had gone so far as to caution drivers not to touch their brakes while stopped to prevent brake lights from coming on, and to keep their doors closed because of interior lights." Meanwhile, reports came in that a half-dozen flares had been dropped over the city and one in Marin County, presumably by enemy planes. One of the "flares" turned out to be blue flames shooting from trolley wires when the blackout cut power. That night, Los Angeles was subjected to its own fake air raid, with an ensuing blackout. Several pedestrians were run over by blacked-out vehicles and killed. Yenne writes that as the phony air raids piled up, Gen. Ryan tried to backpedal, suggesting that San Francisco had overreacted to the Aircraft Warning Service bulletin. The about-face came only days after DeWitt's tirade excoriating the city for underreacting to the alert. DeWitt, however, refused to admit any mistakes. "Every blackout in San Francisco has been genuine, based on official military information," he told the Los Angeles Times. Through a subordinate, he informed Major Gen. Joe Stilwell, commander of Army ground forces in California, in no uncertain terms that the main Japanese battle fleet was 164 miles off San Francisco, with 34 warships including several aircraft carriers. Yenne tells of Stilwell's reaction in his book: "'I believed it, like a damn fool,' Stilwell wrote in his diary. '..The first reaction to that news was like a kick in the stomach the unthinkable realization that our defenses were down, the enemy at hand, and that we not only had nothing to defend ourselves with, but that time was against us. We could not ship the ammunition in time, nor could we evacuate the three million people in this area.'" Although he technically did not have the power to do so, DeWitt ordered the Rose Bowl and Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena canceled. Also nixed was the annual East-West game in San Francisco and all horse racing from Bay Meadows in San Mateo to Santa Anita in Southern California. Private boats were banned from sailing on the bay. New sirens were installed at the Ferry Building, which Chronicle columnist Herb Caen described as making the "goldardest noise you ever heard; each one can be heard for six miles." In his Dec. 18 column, Caen wrote: "Who'd have thought, that the friendly town crier that marked the hour of our day the Ferry Building siren would become the grim announcer of possible disaster....That we who see would stumble and grope blindly along paths that we thought we knew so well while the blind move about in confidence on our traffic-free streets... That this or any generation to come would see the Bay Region as dark as the first night a Spanish explorer looked upon this same mountain-ringed spot. That the beam of a tiny flashlight could carry so far or that a shooting star could so easily be interpreted as a flare dropping from an enemy plane ... That the sight of street lights coming on could make a San Franciscan feel that here was a good and precious friend he'd taken for granted too long. ... Who ever would have thought it? Well, not me." Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the FBI began "alien enemy drives" rounding up Japanese, Germans and Italians who weren't American citizens. The G-men were assisted by local police and in some cases, by neighborhood informants. On Dec. 11, the Chronicle reported, "A Jap, carrying a large camera, with which he was taking photographs of San Francisco, was arrested on Twin Peaks yesterday and held incommunicado at Park Police Station." After Pearl Harbor and throughout World War II, the ethnic slur "Jap" was regularly used in Chronicle headlines and articles. Twin Peaks residents called police to have the the "well-dressed" man picked up. The Chronicle also noted that Nathaniel J.L. Pieper , FBI agent in charge, "reported that the alien enemy drive has placed a total of 92 Japs, 59 Germans and 18 Italians in custody in San Francisco." A week after Pieper's report , on Dec. 18, Gen. DeWitt recommended to the War Dept. to round up "all alien subjects 14 years of age or over, of enemy nations and remove them to the Zone of the Interior," because the West Coast had become a wartime Theater of Operations. He wrote "that there are approximately 40-thousand of such enemy aliens and it is believed that they constitute an immediate and potential menace to vital measures of defense." . This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Of the many young, creative people who died in the Oakland warehouse fire, several had deep ties to the Bay Area literary community. Nick Gomez-Hall, 25, of Berkeley, worked as an administrative assistant at Counterpoint Press. He had recently begun to assist with design. From the second Nick started at Counterpoint, he became part of our family, the Berkeley publishing house said in a statement. Whether he was recommending new music to listen to (and it was always so good), regaling us with tales of the bowling alley, offering his beloved truck for a ride if anyone needed it, or sharing his much appreciated opinions about a book jacket or manuscript, he made everyone feel like they were his friend. He was kind, considerate, hilarious. ... In short, he was an essential part of our team. A native of Coronado, near San Diego, Gomez-Hall studied fiction writing under Mark Baumer in Providence, R.I., where Gomez-Hall had attended Brown University. He had a special joy of life, a playfulness, Baumer told The Chronicle. And, he said, he could write about anything. Gomez-Hall was also a gifted musician; the guitarist formed a band, Nightmom, with his Brown classmate Travis Lloyd. Johnny Igaz, 34, of Oakland, was the music buyer at Green Apple Books in San Francisco. While Johnny had only been with us at Green Apple for a few months, the store wrote on Facebook, one thing that we all know for certain is how we fell head over heels for Johnny in such a short time. His charisma and passions were instantly engaging, and he had a welcoming composure that made everyone feel like a friend. He told us (and his brother Paul confirmed it) that this was his dream job. The store added that Were doing our best to keep the shelves stocked and customers pleased, as Green Apple must carry on to support this family, but we do so with heavy hearts. The staff here has shown incredible grit, and we are doing our best to support each other and grieve in shifts, in our own ways, at our own paces. Igaz was also a noted DJ; he was DJing at the Ghost Ship warehouse the night of the fire. Not only was music a passion, people were a passion, Jeremy Bispo told The Chronicle. He was all about community. All about building a safe space for people to be themselves. Ara Jo, 29, of Oakland, was a visual artist known for her illustrations and graphic design work. She was also the co-organizer of the East Bay Alternative Book and Zine Fest, an annual gathering that will be held this year, on Saturday, at the David Brower Center in Berkeley. The center will welcome donations for families of fire victims. Jo also worked at the Ink Stone, an art and drafting supply store in Berkeley. She would always go out of her way for friends and she was always giving, Alexa Pantalone wrote on social media about Jo, a friend. She was family to so many. I cant imagine Oakland without her. Jennifer Kiyomi Tanouye, 31, of Oakland, had been the manager of Issues, an Oakland magazine shop that also sells books, for more than four years, from 2009 to 2013. In a Facebook post, the store mourned Tanouye as our bright shining star. After Issues, Tanouye was employed as a music manager at Shazam, a music app company. She was at the Ghost Ship painting designs on peoples nails, one of her passions, with her Underground Nail Bar. She was always really helpful, her friend, Masha Pershay, told The Chronicle. Any time a friend had an emergency, she was just the kind of person you could call. John McMurtrie is The San Francisco Chronicles book editor. Email: jmcmurtrie@ sfchronicle.com Twitter: @McMurtrieSF Time has run out on Pebble Technology. The Redwood City startup, a smartwatch pioneer that struggled against competition from Apple and Samsung, announced Wednesday that it is shutting down. Pebble will sell key assets to Fitbit, the San Francisco maker of health and fitness tracking wristbands. Financial details were not announced, although Bloomberg News reported the purchase price was worth less than $40 million. Fitbit said it is only acquiring key employees, mainly software engineers, and Pebbles intellectual property, but not the companys lineup of watches. The deal means the 2 million Pebble watches sold since 2013 could eventually stop working, although they will continue to function for the time being, the company said in a blog post. Thank you all for being such loyal supporters and champions of the Pebble community and brand, the post said. However due to various factors Pebble is no longer able to operate as an independent entity. We have made the tough decision to shut down the company and no longer manufacture Pebble devices. Pebble gained a following of technology enthusiasts with a record-setting Kickstarter fundraising campaign in 2012, three years before Apple attempted to make smartwatches fashionable to a wider audience with its Watch. But Pebble was never able to expand beyond its base of early adopters, especially as Apple and Samsung put marketing muscle behind their products, and the popularity of specialty fitness trackers like Fitbit grew. Research firm IDC said this week that Fitbit topped the overall smart wearables market in the third quarter, with a 23 percent share. But the company is struggling. Last month, it slashed its sales forecast for the crucial holiday period. Shares in Fitbit have fallen 73 percent this year. The smartwatch market has also slumped. Apple Watch sales are down this year, and Lenovos Motorola brand has dropped out of the market. Most people simply arent finding reasons to buy them: Smartwatches are expensive, and they generally dont provide functions other than those already available in a cell phone. The market slowdown particularly hurt Pebble, which did not have the resources to wait for things to pick up. That might not happen until 2019 or 2020, when other functions touted by smartwatch makers, such as controlling smart home devices and paying without a debit or credit card, become more readily available, said analyst Harry Wang, digital health research director for Parks Associates. Its a sad story for such a pioneer in the wearables space, Wang said. In March, Pebble laid off about 25 percent of its employees. But in May, the company introduced new models designed to emphasize fitness tracking in an attempt to lure some of Fitbits audience. Part of the value of being in this crowded space is actually using other peoples research and development efforts and experimenting with them, CEO Eric Migicovsky said at the time. And weve had the chance to try all of them and see what works. What weve incorporated ... are some of the best elements of what smartwatches are today. Migicovsky did not return an email message Wednesday. Fitbit will now take over Pebbles research and development and use it for its own products, although the exact plans were not immediately clear. A Fitbit spokeswoman said most of Pebbles software engineers would be joining Fitbit. Analysts said Fitbit made the deal to better compete with the Apple Watch. The acquisition gives Fitbit an opportunity to expand outside the simple fitness band market, Jitesh Ubrani, IDCs senior research analyst for mobile device trackers, said in an email. They clearly have a strong presence in that space, but long-term growth within that segment is limited, as many watches are also incorporating similar technology and as adoption reaches saturation. But Fitbit still faces the challenge that many other vendors are experiencing, and itll be important for them to separate the smartwatch from the smartphone as well as create useful experiences for the consumer, Ubrani said. Pebble immediately stopped making and selling watches, and said warranty support for existing models is no longer available. Advance orders of its Pebble 2 model will not be charged to the buyers accounts and will not be shipped. The company said Pebble devices will continue to work normally because no immediate changes to the Pebble user experience will happen at this time. However, it also warned that Pebble functionality or service quality may be reduced in the future. A loyal community of third-party software developers helped Pebble build apps that ran on its operating system and could help Fitbit do the same with its future smartwatches. But now that Pebble is a failed brand, Wang said, he is skeptical that Fitbit can gain the trust of those developers. It is imperative for Fitbit to restore confidence and trust among Pebbles developers by articulating a well-laid software strategy, Wang wrote in a research note. Disappointment reigned on an online forum for Pebble developers. Meanwhile, some customers were sad but understanding. Chris Porfido, 25, of West Chester, Pa., had paid $169 in a Kickstarter deal to buy the Pebble Time 2, which he expected to arrive in late November. He said he didnt like other smartwatches on the market, but that the Time 2 had the features and aesthetics he wanted. Im pretty disappointed, but I understand, they needed the money. They were having developmental issues, he said Wednesday. But theyre refunding my money. I wish them all the best. Bloomberg reported that Migicovsky will join startup incubator Y Combinator as a partner. Kat Manalac of Y Combinator declined to comment. San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Trisha Thadani contributed to this report. Benny Evangelista is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: bevangelista@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ChronicleBenny WASHINGTON When AT&T and Time Warner announced their $85.4 billion deal in October, lawmakers greeted the acquisition frostily. Now their tone has become more encouraging. At a hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday that was being closely watched for how megamergers will be viewed in the coming Trump administration, members of a Senate Judiciary subcommittee that oversees regulatory agencies that decide on mergers said the deal merits tough scrutiny. But in a change from previous comments, they also questioned whether traditional ways of evaluating mergers are growing outdated as Silicon Valley companies like Facebook and Google become huge media outlets that threaten the television industry. We want to ensure that competition thrives in this critical market and we dont stifle innovation or deter the emergence of cutting-edge technologies that customers demand, said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, who heads the full Judiciary Committee. Grassley noted that Google, Facebook, Amazon and Netflix have transformed the video landscape. Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., said the deal would combine companies that do not directly compete against each other. The consumer is benefited from the aggregation, he said. That is called capitalism. Larry Downes, a professor at Georgetowns McDonough School of Business, said senators were asking hard questions. But, he added, they seem to be open-minded about the changing nature of competition in the information sector. AT&T said in October that it would buy Time Warner, which owns CNN and HBO, to create a mobile video powerhouse. But the hearing may have implications beyond this deal, with the comments potentially encouraging acquisitions by companies that have been waiting out the Obama administration, which has rejected several mergers. Members of Congress do not review mergers, but the hearings provide guidance for antitrust regulators at the Justice Department and the Federal Communications Commission. AT&T and Time Warner have not officially submitted their deal for regulatory review; the review might not include the FCC. The Justice Department pays particularly close attention to Senate and House antitrust subcommittees because they oversee the department, said Paul Gallant, an analyst at Cowen and Co., who added that the committees commentary bears watching for its potential effect on the department. Members of the Justice Department attended the hearing. When the deal was announced, days before the presidential election, leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee issued strong cautionary statements about it. Donald Trump, on the campaign trail at the time, said he would block the merger if elected. He has singled out CNN, the cable news network owned by Time Warner, with particular rancor for its election coverage. As president, Trump will have no direct power over mergers, but he will greatly influence which ones are approved depending on whom he picks to be the assistant attorney general for antitrust or the chairman of the FCC. AT&T Chief Executive Officer Randall Stephenson told CNBC before the hearing that he had not had contact with the Trump transition team. During the hearing, the companies pitched a message that catered to the new administration: a populist promise of lower prices and the potential to build more wireless infrastructure through the merger. While AT&T and Time Warner are powerhouses, they presented themselves as weaker rivals to the cable industry and Silicon Valley tech companies. Stephenson said at the hearing that cable dominates the broadband and television market, serving high-speed Internet to 8 of 10 American homes. To experiment with mobile video technology, he said, AT&T needs to have in-house content to quickly try new streaming services at a lower cost. He added that AT&T has just introduced a streaming service with 100 channels for less than most cable television packages cost. It is only the beginning of what we want to bring to the marketplace to threaten cables entrenched and still-dominant market position, Stephenson said. He said AT&T would give CNN editorial independence if the merger were approved. Jeff Bewkes, CEO of Time Warner, said it is not enough to deliver great content. Their competitors have multiplied, he said. Consumer groups rejected the characterization of AT&T and Time Warner as disadvantaged rivals, saying a combined company would have too much negotiating power over competitors on licensing rights to Time Warners networks like HBO and CNN. Small television networks would also have a harder time getting placed on AT&Ts DirecTV satellite and streaming services, they warned. And streaming providers like Sling TV and Hulu would face a major new competitor, with AT&Ts access to 110 million wireless and satellite subscribers and premium television networks under the same roof. Last time I looked, Google and Facebook werent charging me $200 a month to get those apps, said Gene Kimmelman, president and chief executive of Public Knowledge, a consumer group, at the hearing. Sanofi is considering a bid for Actelion, potentially challenging a move by health care giant Johnson & Johnson to acquire Europes largest biotechnology firm, people familiar with the matter said. The French drugmaker is working with advisers as it weighs its options, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the deliberations are private. Sanofi, which has informally made its interest known to Switzerlands Actelion, hasnt made a final decision on whether to proceed with a bid, the people said. J&J reportedly wants to reach a deal before Christmas as the two sides negotiate the price and structure of a potential deal. The talks are progressing after the U.S. drugmaker increased its offer, people familiar with the matter said Friday, increasing the pressure on potential counter-bidders to move quickly. J&J was said to have raised its bid above $250 per share, which would value Actelion at more than $27 billion. In addition to Sanofi, advisers seeking work with prospective buyers have contacted other drugmakers, including Roche Holding of Switzerland and Pfizer, to gauge potential interest in bidding for Actelion, the people said. It couldnt be determined whether they showed any interest. Novartis CEO Joe Jimenez ruled out a counter offer for Actelion in an interview with SonntagsBlick newspaper published Sunday, saying that the Swiss drugmaker is focused now on acquisitions of less than $5 billion. Representatives for Roche, Pfizer, Sanofi and Actelion declined to comment. Any deal will hinge on winning over the companys CEO and co-founder, Jean-Paul Clozel. He is one of the companys largest shareholders and has previously said he wants Actelion to remain independent. Still, the company may be more open to entertaining a sale at a sufficient premium, a person familiar with the deliberations had said. Sanofi lost out on a deal to buy San Francisco biotech firm Medivation this year, giving rival Pfizer a blockbuster prostate-cancer treatment, Xtandi. Pfizers offer valued Medivation at about $14 billion. Sanofi CEO Olivier Brandicourt said that while he was disappointed to lose the bid for Medivation, the company would be ready to act rather swiftly if a new target arose. To contact the reporters on this story: Aaron Kirchfeld, Dinesh Nair and Ed Hammond are Bloomberg writers. Email: akirchfeld@bloomberg.net, dnair5@bloomberg.net, ehammond12@bloomberg.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate As Silicon Valley grapples with how it will fare under the incoming administration, advisers to President-elect Donald Trump have invited some industry leaders to a roundtable discussion this month. The invitation came from Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and a real estate mogul who has made some technology investments; Peter Thiel, the PayPal co-founder and venture capitalist who was an early and vocal supporter of Trumps candidacy; and Reince Priebus, Trumps designated chief of staff. Among those scheduled to attend the Dec. 14 meeting in New York City are Cisco Systems CEO Chuck Robbins and Oracle Corp. CEO Safra Catz. A spokeswoman for Facebook declined to comment on whether any of its executives would attend, and representatives for Apple and Alphabet did not respond to a request for comment. The tech industry largely supported Trumps opponent, Hillary Clinton, who laid out detailed tech policy proposals. Trump, on the other hand, issued no such plan, leaving the industry largely in the dark about how he would deal with critical issues such as net neutrality, work visas and data privacy. After Trumps victory, some executives of large technology companies offered conciliatory remarks. IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, who wrote an open letter to Trump after his election, was among those he named last week to an economic advisory panel that will begin meeting with him in February. Peter Leroe-Munoz, vice president of tech and innovation policy for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, said he is hopeful that the industry can create a productive relationship with the president-elect, even though he was not its choice. Silicon Valley is very adaptable; I think that is one of the hallmarks of this region that makes it so successful, Leroe-Munoz said. We are always dealing with changing circumstances and realities. Our real focus is to serve as a resource to educate the administration. On Tuesday, Trump tweeted that Masayoshi Son, CEO of Japanese technology conglomerate SoftBank Group, had agreed to invest $50 billion in the U.S. and generate 50,000 new jobs. Trump wrote that Masayoshi said he would never do this had we ... not won the election! Aaron Ginn, co-founder of Lincoln, an organization of conservative technologists, said the planned roundtable discussion seems like it is a good sign for what is to come under Trump. You have to face the reality that we will have this president for the next four years, at least, Ginn said. Trump has a way to go to work on his relations with Silicon Valley, but Silicon Valley also has to meet him halfway. Alphabet, Googles parent company, seems to be working to improve relations with conservative groups. A job listing for a manager of conservative outreach recently appeared on Googles career website. As a member of Googles Public Policy outreach team, you will act as Googles liaison to conservative, libertarian and free market groups, the listing reads. You are part organizer, part advocate and part policy wonk as you understand the world of third-party nongovernmental advocacy organizations. As Silicon Valley seeks a new relationship with the incoming administration, Mike Montgomery, executive director of CalInnovates, a technology advocacy coalition, said Trump should pay attention to startups as well as big tech names. There is a lot of innovation that comes from startups, Montgomery said. While it is good that the president-elect is reaching out to the tech community the proof is still in the pudding in how Trumps presidency will communicate with, deal with, and work with the greater technology community. Bloomberg News contributed to this report. Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The first time Bob Lapine saw his son, Edmond Lapine II, perform on video, he was shocked by his appearance. His hair was all puffed up and he was wearing makeup as he played the guitar, like those musicians that highlight their eyebrows, the elder Lapine said, chuckling softly. But he looked happy, Bob Lapine said, as he always was when it came to music whether it was playing it, writing it, listening to it, talking about it or just thinking about it. That, in turn, made his father happy. It was apparent in Bob Lapines trembling voice that whatever brought joy to his only son his quirky, good-humored, loving son was enough for him. Edmond Lapine, 34, of Oakland, was among the 36 people who died Friday night during an underground music event in the Fruitvale District. As Bob Lapine prepared to make the trek to Oakland from his home in Utah to make peace with his sons death, he said, I resigned myself to knowing that he died doing what he loved: listening to music. Edmond Lapine grew up in Utah, bouncing from Ogden to Park City to Salt Lake City, his father said. Through his youth, music was a constant. He taught himself to play the guitar and joined a few bands. As he grew older, he began spinning records and working as a DJ. People tended to gravitate toward him, and he was always surrounded by friends who would get together, jam and go to concerts, Bob Lapine said. When Edmond was in high school, they took a field trip to England, he said. My son was the tallest kid in the class and he dyed his hair bright green. I go, Oh, Ed. I was so embarrassed. But wherever Ed went, a lot of kids would follow. He went over to England and the teachers said all they had to do was look for Ed and his green hair and there would be everybody else. Over the weekend, friends from near and far from high school in Utah; from Evergreen State College in Washington, where he graduated with a degree in French and Russian literature in 2008; from the semester he studied in Paris; from the music scene in Olympia, Wash., where he lived before moving to the Bay Area in 2014 reminisced about his kind spirit, funky soul and deep talent. Theres a huge community of people that love him all over the country and weve all been in contact the last few days, sharing stories and pictures and hugs, said Madeleine Woodhead Nutting, 26, a former partner of Lapine. Saturday was the worst day of a lot of our lives. She said many stories being shared among friends are about how he would come out and support people, see them play their music, be in the front dancing, even if he didn't know them that well. He was a really wonderful partner and Im by no means the only one deeply influenced by his generosity and enthusiasm and humor. David Adelson, owner of 20 Buck Spin record label in Olympia, said Edmond Lapine was the kind of guy who would be willing to be friends with everybody. When he became friends with Lapine at their day jobs at a computer shop in Olympia, Wash., Adelson said it was of little concern that he was into heavy metal while Lapine was into indie rock. In the quiet morning hours their other co-workers arrived, they still bonded over their mutual love of music. Even though he liked a lot of different stuff and I liked a lot of different stuff, there was overlap, and I could always tell that he would steer our conversations about music to where that overlap existed so we could relate to each other, Adelson said. I always appreciated that about him. Like many others who died in the fire, Edmond Lapine subsidized his passion for music by working day jobs, his father said, at a bakery and then at an art gallery cafe. Who would have known that walking in there, he would never walk out? Bob Lapine said. And all the others? You look at their faces. They look to me like good kids. Its unfair, he continued. Edmond was smart. He just enjoyed music and he found a love of music and he surrounded himself with people who loved music. But he died too young. Ill never know what he would have been. Vivian Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VivianHo JACKSON, Ga. With the execution Tuesday of a man convicted of killing his father-in-law, Georgia has put to death nine inmates this year more than any other state. William Sallies time of death was 10:05 p.m., after an injection of compounded barbiturate pentobarbital at the state prison in Jackson, Warden Eric Sellers told witnesses. Sallie, 50, was convicted of murder in the March 1990 shooting death of John Lee Moore in rural south Georgia. When asked if he wanted to make a final statement, Sallie lifted his head to face the witnesses. I just want to say Im very, very sorry for my crimes. I really am sorry, he said, adding that he had prayed about it many times. Im just very sorry for everything. I do ask for forgiveness. He accepted the offer of a prayer. Records from past executions show that the lethal drug generally starts flowing within a couple of minutes of the warden exiting the execution chamber. About a minute after the warden left, Sallie lifted his head and looked out at the witnesses before putting his head back down, yawning and then closing his eyes and breathing deeply several times. About two minutes after the warden left, Sallies body twitched five or six times, his shoulders lifting slightly off the gurney, but his eyes remained closed. Within another minute, he became still. In addition to the nine executions in Georgia this year, habitual leader Texas executed seven inmates, and Alabama, Florida and Missouri have carried out one execution apiece, for a total of 19 executions this year. Alabama has one scheduled Thursday. This years tally also marks the most executions Georgia has carried out in a calendar year since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. The state executed five inmates last year and five in 1987. Sallie had abused his wife during their marriage and she was living with her parents in rural Bacon County after having filed for divorce, according to a Georgia Supreme Court summary of the case. The two had fought bitterly over custody of their young son. After cutting his in-laws phone lines and breaking into their house about 12:45 a.m. on March 29, 1990, Sallie went to the master bedroom and shot John and Linda Moore, the summary says. John Moore died from his injuries. Sallie took his wife and her sister to his mobile home, leaving his son behind, the summary says. Sallie released his wife and her sister that night and was arrested a short time later. Sallies lawyers have said the shooting happened during a botched attempt to take his son and leave. The Georgia Supreme Court threw out Sallies first conviction and death sentence in 1998 because his trial lawyer had a conflict of interest. At a second trial in 2001, he was again convicted and sentenced to die. CHARLESTON, S.C. Dylann Roof had a cold and hateful heart when he pulled a pistol from his fanny pack during a Bible study last year and killed nine black church members as they closed their eyes for a final prayer, a prosecutor said Wednesday. As the 22-year-old white mans death penalty trial began, his lawyer conceded that Roof committed the slayings. But the defense suggested that he should be spared the death penalty. Prosecutors said Roof sat in the church basement for about a half-hour with 12 parishioners of the Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church before opening fire in an attempt to start a race war. One of the victims, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, who was also a state senator at the time, had handed Roof a Bible to study during their session. He pulled the trigger on that Glock .45 more than 70 times that night. More than 60 times he hit parishioners, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Richardson told jurors during his opening statement. He seemed to them to be harmless. Little did they know what a cold and hateful heart he had, Richardson said. Roof faces 33 federal counts, including hate crimes, in the June 17, 2015, slayings. After the racially mixed jury determines Roofs guilt, the federal trial will move to the penalty phase, where Roof plans to act as his own lawyer to apparently fight for his life. Three people survived the shooting, including Polly Sheppard. As Roof approached her, he said he would leave her alive to tell his story, Richardson said. Jurors will hear Roofs confession and a manifesto in which he urged a race war, the prosecutor said. He hurled racial insults during the massacre, telling the parishioners he was killing them because he wanted a war between whites and blacks because blacks were raping white women and taking over the country. Roofs racism, his violence, his assault on a house of worship wont prevail in this courtroom, the prosecutor said. Roof, wearing a gray striped prison jumpsuit, stared down at the table in front of him. Defense attorney David Bruck said the facts of the case are largely undisputed and that he would likely ask few questions of the government witnesses. He may not call any witnesses of his own. The defense has said repeatedly in both federal court and state court where Roof faces another death penalty trial next year that Roof is willing to plead guilty if capital punishment is taken off the table. Prosecutors have refused. Bruck urged jurors to pay attention to the little things and use their common sense to try to figure out what made Roof hate black people so much. He tried to hint at reasons why Roof shouldnt be put to death, but prosecutors objected, saying that was for the penalty phase. U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel agreed. Prosecutors showed pictures of each victim on video monitors throughout the courtroom, describing them in a few sentences. That no good deed goes unpunished is a truth that some of us hold to be self-evident. For a dramatic example, you wont do a lot better than Johnny Mas debut feature, Old Stone. Its a stark, noirish thriller about a decent man pulled down into a legal morass, with disastrous results. Lao Shi (an outstanding Chen Gang) is a cabdriver in a modest Chinese town who accidentally runs his vehicle into a motorcyclist when a drunken passenger grabs his arm. The driver then makes a cataclysmic mistake in deciding to play the Good Samaritan. Instead of fleeing, he loads the victim into his cab and takes him to the emergency room, even trusting soul paying the bill. Ma, born in Shanghai and raised in Canada, demonstrates his directorial efficiency in the way he depicts the crowd that surrounds Lao Shi after the accident and pelts him with conflicting advice. For the filmmaker, the flawed system that results in Lao Shis undoing isnt simply a matter of institutional indifference it has deep and extensive roots in this society. Chinese law doesnt exactly promote compassionate behavior a driver who kills someone may suffer fewer consequences than one who severely injures a victim, and thus can be held liable for years and years of medical costs. Such incidents are reportedly common in China, and came to Western attention in 2011 in the case of a 2-year-old girl who died after being struck by a vehicle multiple times. The authorities the police, the insurance company and his employer immediately begin second-guessing Lao Shis behavior. The walls start closing in as he tries to keep up with his victims hospital bills. For a time hes able to hide the situation from his wife (played by the films producer, Nai An), who hopes to use their savings to expand her day care business. Suffice it to say that Lao Shi is pushed beyond his limits, and the films naturalistic style abruptly turns nightmarish. While this final segment is the least satisfying, its impossible not to be impressed with what Ma accomplishes in the films brisk 80 minutes. The movement is relentless, and the sense of claustrophobia is the essence of noir. Ma misses few of the ironies of Lao Shis problem, including the fact that the only minutes of peace he finds after the accident are in the hospital room with his comatose victim. Walter Addiego is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: waddiego@sfchronicle.com. Old Stone Thriller. Starring Chen Gang and Nai An. Directed by Johnny Ma. In Mandarin with English subtitles. (Not rated. 80 minutes.) To see a trailer: http://bit.ly/2glDNwj Knowing the ending in advance is usually considered detrimental to effective filmmaking, but a smart director and screenwriter can use foreknowledge to their advantage, if they work it right. For much of the way, director Garth Davis and screenwriter Luke Davies work it right in Lion, the fact-based story of a young man who goes in search of his lost childhood. The first half of the film is short on dialogue but eloquent in storytelling as a young Indian boy named Saroo (Sunny Pawar) gets separated from his older brother Guddu (Abhishek Bharate) one night, winds up on a decommissioned train and ends up a thousand miles from home in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). Unable to communicate with others because most people in the teeming city speak Bengali and he only speaks Hindi, Saroo wanders the streets and somehow survives on his own until hes rescued, sent to an orphanage, and adopted by an Australian couple named John and Sue Brierley (David Wenham and Nicole Kidman). For much of the way at this point, we have viewed a vast and confusing world through the eyes of a lost child. Suddenly, hes on an airplane heading for Australia, looking down on the world in a scene that foreshadows the films second half and the mechanism the adult Saroo will use to search for his past: Google Earth. Davis relies heavily on Greig Frasers cinematography to tell the story at this point a whirl of golden butterflies circles Saroo in the opening scene, then the world becomes dark, soot-filled and misty as he looks desperately and in vain from the windows of the speeding train for some familiar landmark. Young Pawar handles his scant dialogue well enough, but we focus on his face and especially his enormous, expressive eyes to tell us about Saroos confused feelings of anxiety and curiosity in a strange new world. Dev Patel plays the adult Saroo in the films second half. Now Saroo is studying hotel management, beginning a relationship with a fellow student named Lucy (Rooney Mara) and considering the Brierleys the only mum and dad hes ever known. When asked about his childhood in India, his answers are vague and evasive he says only that hes from Kolkata and doesnt remember much about that time. And then, at a party, something seemingly irrelevant happens that flips the switch of memory in his mind, and he becomes obsessed with reconnecting with his mother and his past. Patels performance carries the weight of the second half of the film so well, you may overlook how badly the two parts of the film are married. Now everyone talks a lot and as they do, the eloquence of the story is imperiled. Where Davis and Davies were able to achieve sweep and dimension in Saroos initial separation from his mother and brother, now they rely on series of quick, underdeveloped scenes that may momentarily capture our curiosity but are so fleeting we cant really invest in anything except Saroos determination to find out how he became lost all those years before. Patel delivers a definitive, star-making performance, one that fills in all the considerable gaps in the script and reaffirms his versatility as an actor. Ill-served as he is by the dialogue, he still makes Saroo credible and heartbreaking, even as the character touches the edge of madness in his desperation to get home again. Patel has done very good work in films like Slumdog Millionaire and The Man Who Knew Infinity, but Lion catapults him to the top of his profession. Kidman also overcomes script weaknesses that fail to establish Sues fragile character until a revelatory scene in which she releases all of her fears. The scene is powerful and only makes us wish shed been given more room to stretch elsewhere in the movie. Where the first half of the film had power and sweep, the second half is a bunch of Post-it notes. In spite of that, and because of Patels electrifying and deeply nuanced performance, Lion ultimately delivers the emotional punch it has promised all along. David Wiegand is an assistant managing editor and the TV critic of The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: dwiegand@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @WaitWhat_TV Follow him on Facebook. Lion Drama. Starring Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman. Directed by Garth Davis. (PG-13. 118 minutes.) Courtesy of the artist Gene Loves Jezebel, which was started by Welsh identical twins Michael and Jay Aston, was a staple of 1980s after-school music video programs, thanks to a string of high-drama rock hits that included Heartache, Desire (Come and Get It) and The Motion of Love. But their success was quashed by sibling rivalry, causing the band to split into two. So now Michael carries the flame in America, performing with a newish touring version of the group at the DNA Lounge on Thursday, Dec. 8. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Mad Ink PR Show More Show Less 2 of 3 DEBBIE VANSTORY/KRT Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Its hard to believe the Los Angeles punk band X is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, having formed after guitarist Billy Zoom caught a set by the Ramones in 1976 at the Great Western Ballroom in Norwalk, a suburb east of Compton. The group is marking the occasion with another round of its annual holiday shows, playing four nights in four cities covering four decades. In San Francisco, X which also includes vocalist Exene Cervenka, bassist John Doe and drummer DJ Bonebrake is scheduled to hold court at the Independent from Thursday, Dec. 9, through Sunday, Dec. 11, performing a set that leans heavily on its first two studio albums, Los Angeles and Wild Gift, with a couple of surprises too. LOS ANGELES As Donald Trump makes his thank-you tour of states that voted for him, other parts of the country are gearing up to do battle with his administration. Three of the most populous, urban and ethnically diverse states California, New York and Illinois voted heavily for Hillary Clinton and are at odds with the incoming administration on such issues as immigration, health care, climate change, abortion rights and gun control. In Massachusetts, a state Clinton won by more than 25 points, Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey has threatened to sue if the incoming administration carries out Trump campaign promises she contends are unconstitutional. The incoming top law enforcement official in California has hinted at a similar approach. If you want to take on a forward-leaning state that is prepared to defend its rights and interests, then come at us, Rep. Xavier Becerra said just hours after he was appointed Californias attorney general by Gov. Jerry Brown. Nothing has stirred more anxiety in the states that voted for Clinton than Trumps statements on immigration. During the campaign, he pledged to deport millions of people in the country without legal permission and bar Muslims from entering. In Ohio last week, on the first stop in his thank-you tour, Trump reiterated his intent to build a great wall along the Mexican border. On Monday, the California Legislature returned for the first time since the election and passed a resolution urging the Trump administration not to pursue mass deportations. Democrats, who hold supermajorities in both houses in California, also announced legislation that would provide lawyers to those in deportation proceedings and train criminal defense attorneys to advise clients on the immigration consequences of their cases. In New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio is also pushing back. He said he and Trump talked about immigrants in the country without documentation and exclusionary policies involving Muslims, among other issues. I reiterated to the president-elect that I would be open-minded as we continue substantive discussions, but I would also be vigilant, said de Blasio, a Democrat. In Chicago, the nations third-largest city and a Democratic stronghold, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced $1 million to help people fight deportation. NEW YORK President-elect Donald Trump, a political newcomer who touts his corporate skills, turned businessman-in-chief Tuesday, first demanding the government cancel a multibillion-dollar order for new presidential planes and then hailing a Japanese companys commitment to invest billions in the U.S. Six weeks before taking office, Trump is telegraphing that hell take an interventionist role in the nations economy. The celebrity businessmans declaration about Air Force One caused manufacturer Boeings stock to drop temporarily and raised fresh questions about how his administration could affect the economy. WASHINGTON Republicans controlling Congress Tuesday unveiled $10 billion in supplemental war funding and $4 billion more for disaster relief for Louisiana and other states as key additions to must-pass legislation to keep the government running into next spring. The bill would also deliver $170 million in long-delayed help for Flint, Mich., to fix its lead-tainted water system. The legislation would prevent the government from shutting down this weekend and buy several months for the new Congress and incoming Trump administration to wrap up more than $1 trillion worth of unfinished agency budget bills. Democrats complained the GOP measure shortchanged New York City by giving it just $7 million to cover police overtime and other security costs for President-elect Donald Trump, who lives in Midtown Manhattan. And they complained that a provision to help retired Appalachian coal miners keep their health benefits for a few months was woefully inadequate. The bill attracted attention as the final legislative locomotive to leave the station before Congress closes shop this year. Nothing else on Capitol Hills agenda had the power to tow other unfinished legislation into law. The White House and some Republicans were denied in a bid to revive the Export-Import Banks ability to approve export financing deals exceeding $10 million. But the trucking lobby appeared poised to win permanent relief from recent Transportation Department rules mandating longer rest breaks for long-haul carriers. Democrats complained about a proposal to help speed a congressional waiver required next year to confirm retired Gen. James Mattis as secretary of defense. Mattis who would otherwise be ineligible to serve because of a law that requires a seven-year wait for former members of the military to serve in the post. A late change aimed at mollifying Democrats would maintain the 60-vote filibuster threshold to deliver the waiver. Lawmakers are again denying themselves a cost-of-living pay hike thats fallen out of favor. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Photographer Amanda Kershaw liked to tell her friends after taking their pictures at underground concerts, Fridays are for dancing! She was fond of photography, of walking around town, of insects and of fighting for the environment. She liked loud music in close quarters. And her black Canon Rebel camera always seemed to be strapped around her neck. Kershaw, one of 36 people killed in Friday nights warehouse fire in Oakland, had a freelance photography business called Panda Snaps. Her pictures skillfully captured the essence of her subjects a bridegroom nervously straightening his tie, a ballet dancer in mid-leap with legs horizontal, a DJ hovering above a turntable, a sweaty boxer preparing to launch a punch, a closeup of a frosted brown cupcake on a porcelain pedestal. Photography was her passion, said her husband, Andrew Kershaw. She loved it. And she fell in love with San Francisco. Amanda Kershaw, who was 34, grew up and attended high school in Chelmsford, Mass., northwest of Boston, and graduated from Bridgewater (Mass.) State University in 2004 with a degree in sociology. She came to San Francisco with her husband on Dec. 2, 2008 exactly eight years before the fire that took her life. She soon found work at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, as an administrator in the entomology department. Before arriving at the museum, she had no particular passion for insects, but she learned to appreciate them, her husband said, and would invite friends on personal tours of the academys world-renown insect collection. Shed show us all the specimens, and she had a good time doing it, he said. Wandering around San Francisco ignited her passion for photography. Her husband bought her a professional camera. She never had an interest before that, he said. She had no formal training. She was entirely self-taught. But she was able to capture people as their authentic selves. Thats what they always told her, anyway. Then theyd use her pictures on their profiles. Her pictures often focused on music and dance shows. Her portfolio included a series of pictures of the hands of DJs floating above enormous control panels full of buttons and switches. She called those shots gear porn. Ive always been fascinated by DJ hands, Amanda Kershaw wrote. The flick of a fader, the twirl of a knob, the mood of the dance floor at the will of twists and presses. Mixers and turntables are some of the instruments of choice for these nightlife heroes, conjuring beats in the midnight hours and beyond. After leaving the museum in 2011, she worked for five years as a manager at the Trust for Conservation Innovation, an Oakland foundation that provided support and nonprofit status for small environmental groups. She is survived by her parents, Linda Regan and Paul Allen, her twin brother, Patrick, and two other brothers, Christopher and Brandon, all of Massachusetts. She was always the first one to show up on the dance floor, said her husband. Even if she was the only one. Shed always be there. Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate In photos, Hanna Ruax radiates joy, smiling and laughing. She dons wire-framed glasses for a selfie, white-blonde hair framing her face. She holds a blue solo cup, dancing at a Brazilian festival in Oakland. She leans into fiance Alex Ghassan, laughing in his ear, their private joke frozen in time. Ruax, of Helsinki, Finland, had been living in Oakland since November. She and Ghassan loved music and had gone together Friday night to the electronic dance music show at the Ghost Ship warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood. It was supposed to be just another night out. They had plans to marry and to go to Europe. But neither made it out alive. She was 32, and he was 35. No words, her father, Yrjo Timonen, posted on Facebook. Just great sorrow. And later, a photo of Ruax in a bubblegum pink T-shirt with the caption, My angel and my princess. Eternal longing and memory. The Embassy of Finland and the Alameda County coroner confirmed her death. Ruax was an entrepreneur, selling upcycled jewelry and styling services under her business, Nannanda. She made earrings out of old bracelets and recycled leather. Bicycle rims, used yarn and reindeer horns were wrangled into wall hangings. Ruax was a gentle soul but a spirited activist, friends said. She taught yoga and tried to eat vegan. Once, after a Neo-Nazi rally in Finland, she organized a protest against the group. She was against the Dakota Access Pipeline and attended marches supporting peace in Syria. Her Instagram account was filled with photos of art, graffiti, food and bracelets linked around her tattooed arm. Many were of her dog, a brown and white pup named Onni. And she loved Ghassan, a filmmaker. The couple had been dating long-distance since last year, when they had met through work. He jokingly called her Young Mumi, her rapper nickname. He made her feel beautiful, worthy, talented and precious, she said. They took his daughters to the Oakland Museum of California and painted each others faces for a trip to Childrens Fairyland. Ghassan once shared a photo of Ruax with the caption, Find someone you love and admire before you die. Last week, he surprised her with a gift: a teal bike with a brown wicker basket. She rode it down 10th Street in Oakland, hair blowing in the wind. Their most recent adventure had been to San Francisco, to the Superior Court of California. Ruax wore a loose white blouse and smiled from inside a courtroom. Objection your honor, she wrote as a caption. It was the last photo she posted. Lizzie Johnson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ljohnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LizzieJohnsonnn What was supposed to be a Wednesday news conference drawing attention to an allegedly unsafe warehouse similar to the one that burned down Friday night erupted into a shouting match between members of a longtime Oakland family business and artists who accused them of capitalizing on a tragedy to draw media attention to a dispute between neighbors. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The scene that unfolded inside Everett & Jones Barbeque in Jack London Square highlighted the clashing fears among community members, city officials and some business owners in the wake of the deadliest California fire in more than a century. While some fear the city fails to regulate unsafe warehouses used for public gatherings, others fear a crackdown could leave marginalized artists and musicians on the street. Restaurant owner Dorothy King said the warehouse next door, the Salt Lick collective, hosts parties without proper licenses, allows people to live inside and has only one way in and one way out. She said she has complained about the place to Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and other Oakland officials but has not filed a formal complaint and that officials have done nothing. Her comments, made in front of local and national TV cameras, drew objections from artists who attended the news conference. They disputed her allegations, saying there is a fire escape in addition to multiple entrance points. They questioned why King didnt meet with the group before airing her concerns publicly. In a statement, Salt Lick members said Kings accusations were the wrong response to this tragedy, which killed 36 people during an electronic music party Friday night. Kings suggestion that were indifferent or ignorant to the sort of conditions that contributed to our friends deaths is incredibly insensitive, especially when were grieving, the statement said. But King, her daughter Nina Moore and their relatives said their goal was to push the city for more affordable housing and cooperative homes, not evictions. My friends died, musician B. G. Anaraki said to King as TV cameras closed in on their face-to-face argument. You are hurting us You shouldve waited longer. Its too fresh. Another artist, 20-year-old Carl Patrick, blamed the media, shouting at reporters, You should be ashamed of yourselves. Go home, put your cameras down, and join us in grieving or shut your mouths. You dont know anything youre talking about. Outside, though, in a bizarre end to the emotional news conference, Patrick and Moore embraced, agreeing on the need to counteract the forces of gentrification and for artists to remain in Oakland. We are here because theyre pushing us out you guys who make Oakland beautiful, Moore said. Without art, there is no Oakland. Kimberley Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email kveklerov@sfchronicle.com @kveklerov A Polish commercial advertising the online auction site Allegro is being hailed for making viewers "sob silently" and "weep buckets." The nearly three-minute-long commercial depicts an elderly Polish man who teaches himself conversational English and practices it at every opportunity including, awkwardly, when he's around other people. The end of the ad shows the man getting ready to put his new skills to work at Christmastime. See it below. Warning: This video contains brief usage of profanity. . Henry Walker Given all that he has accomplished in his life so far its a wonder that Cleve Jones has written a memoir thats under 300 pages long. In When We Rise (Hachette; $27), Jones recounts his youthful involvement in the gay liberation movement, his co-founding of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation in 1983, and his conception of the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt in 1987. The celebrated activist also fought against Californias Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage. Jones will touch on these subjects and many others in a conversation with Peter Stein at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3200 California St., at 7 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $28. A screening of Steins documentary The Castro will also be shown, for free, at 5 p.m. in Fisher Family Hall. More information: www.jccsf.org/arts. John McMurtrie Two days after Mayor de Blasio formally asked President Obama and Congress for up to $35 million in federal restitution for security outside traffic-snarled White House North, Congressional Republicans indicated that they are interested in fronting only a small percentage of the City's ask. A stopgap federal spending bill introduced Tuesday night includes $7 million for overtime incurred by state and local law enforcement protecting President-elect Trump between the November 8th election and January 20th inauguration. "New York City taxpayers should not be on the hook for 80 percent of the national bill to protect our President-elect and his family's residence," the mayor said in a statement Wednesday. "We are counting on Congress to step up in the coming months to pay back what it owes our city. This is a national responsibility and the burden cannot fall alone on our city and police department." Earlier this week Mayor de Blasio told reporters that he has also been in touch with the incoming administration about reimbursement for the NYPD's Secret Service assistance; that he had a "good conversation" with incoming Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. However, "This is the time now to really lean in to nailing down the reimbursement, particularly for the period up to January 20." The cost of protecting Trump, a known homebody, has been estimated at about $1 million a day (though Mayor de Blasio's $35 million ask comes to $500,000 per day). And while the mayor has been hesitant to speculate about how much time Trump might spend in his gilded Fifth Avenue suites after inauguration day, a petition circulated by members of the City Council points out that Melania Trump's decision to stay in Trump Tower while Barron Trump finishes school will come at no small cost. City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Council Member Dan Garodnick have called on Trump to use federal funds to cover his security detail, citing a potential NYC taxpayer burden of more than $1 billion over the next four years. The speaker called Congress's proposal "outrageous" on Wednesday. "New York City cannot single handedly shoulder the staggering cost of protecting the President-elect and his family," Mark-Viverito said in a statement, adding, "The President-elect and Congress must commit to repaying NYPD, the taxpayers, and our City. We will not accept anything else. (Getty) The Hill reports that because the GOP's new spending bill doesn't specify New York, the proposed $7 million could also be applied to security during Trump's thank-you tours and rallies ahead of inauguration day. New York Democratic Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney said she would challenge the bill. "I am extremely disappointed that the Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government does not fully reimburse the people of New York for the unprecedented security costs," she said. NYPD Deputy Commissioner John Miller has also been explicit about the need for reimbursement. This week, he traveled to Washington for a press conference with six Congressional Democrats representing New York who are urging President elect Trump to move out of Trump Tower after his inauguration. "There's no implied message here that if we don't get this [$35 million] were going to do any less security than is required, Miller told reporters. "But its about doing the right thing for the City of New York and its police department." During a November NYPD press conference outlining 'unprecedented' security measures around Trump Tower, Mayor de Blasio said he was confident the feds would help cover the cost of protecting the President elect, including overtime for NYPD officers. "We know for a fact, whether it was protecting foreign leaders or the President, there has been reimbursement [in the past]," he said. However, "This [task] makes all of those seem quite small." "The NYPD is carrying a burden for the entire nation," he added. Police have released a sketch of the man who followed a hijab-wearing Muslim MTA worker off a subway train into Grand Central and pushed her down a flight of stairs on Monday. Officers describe the attacker as 25-35 years old, 5-foot-9 to 6 feet tall, and 150-180 pounds. He was last seen wearing a dark jacket and a black knit beanie. Soha Salama, 45, was on the 7 train, headed to work as a station agent at around 6:20 a.m. Monday when police say the man approached, called her a terrorist, and told her "go back to your country." Salama disembarked at Grand Central Terminal and the man followed her, continuing to berate her with Islamophobic remarks, police said. When she reached a set of stairs, he pushed her, causing her to bash her right knee and twist her right ankle, according to the NYPD. Salama told the New York Post she has lived in New York City for 20 years and never experienced such abuse. "I think this hate is raised after the election," she said, blaming President-elect Donald "There's something going on" Trump for fomenting anti-Muslim sentiment. "He leads people in the wrong direction." Despite being surrounded by people throughout the ordeal, no one intervened, and Salama had to track down police officers herself, she said. The cops helped her into the station where she works, and summoned paramedics who transported her to NYU Langone Hospital. Police told the New York Times that there has been a 35 percent increase in reported hate crimes so far this year, compared to the same period last year, and that there have been 43 possible hate crimes since Election Day, double the number reported during the same stretch of 2015. Because this sort of thing should not be allowed to become routine, here is a photo of a marketed swastika with the message "PRAISE TRUMP" that a tipster sent yesterday, one of several such small graffitos that readers have flagged around the city in the last week or so, since they stopped garnering widespread press coverage. The message was spotted at the corner of 51st Street and Ninth Avenue in Hell's Kitchen. (Gothamist) Police ask people with information about the attack to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 577-8477, or, for Spanish, (888) 577-4782. People can also submit tips online at the Crime Stoppers website here, or by texting tips to 274637, then entering "TIP577". Four more babies born in New York City have been diagnosed with congenital Zika virus syndromea manifestation of Zika that can result in brain abnormalities and other birth defectssince the city's first case was reported in July. The Health Department confirmed the five total cases Wednesday as part of a health alert to city doctors. "Today's news is a reminder that Zika continues to be a threat to pregnant women and their babies," said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett in a statement. "As we enter the holiday season, we urge all pregnant women in New York City, those who might become pregnant, and their male sexual partners not to visit places where there is active Zika virus transmission." A Department of Health fact sheet shows that the majority of New Yorkers who have been infected with Zika contracted the virus after traveling to the Dominican Republic, though the virus has also been transmitted in the US (a New York-native mosquito has been found capable of spreading the virus). Zika symptoms are mildmost commonly fever, rash, and joint painso those infected may not realize they are sick and could potentially transmit. According to the city, eight other infants born in NYC have tested positive for Zika to date, though they haven't displayed any of the symptoms associated with the congenital syndrome, which can include an unusually small head (a condition known as microcephaly), abnormalities to the brain or eyes, and irregularly short muscles and tendons. "We are closely following all babies born to mothers who test positive for Zika infection and will connect parents to available services to improve their child's quality of life," Bassett said. A total of 325 pregnant women have tested positive or likely for Zika as of December 2nd. This is up from 41 positive test results in July. All of the Zika cases to date have been associated with travel. NYC has been ramping up its public awareness campaigns throughout the year, and launched a $21 million plan to fight the virus this summer. A new, holiday-themed ad campaign urges New Yorkers to "remain vigilant" when traveling to the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, South America and parts of Miami-Dade County this winter. For a powerful reminder of what's at stake, the Cut recently published an account of one family's experience raising a baby with microcephaly in Brazil. Since 1988 I have developed a body of work and a language around the very subject of plagiarism, taking my cue from Lautreamont, the French poet born in Uruguay, who said Plagiarism is necessary. Progress implies it. It holds tight an authors phrase, uses his expressions, eliminates a false idea, and replaces it with just the right idea. His revolutionary text Poesies was the Holy Water that baptised the Surrealists, a text written between the lines of words plagiarised from other authors. I have always wondered if Paul Gauguin was inspired by Lautreamont when he said that Art is either plagiarism or revolution, but there can be no doubt who inspired Guy Debord when he wrote his revolutionary book the Society of the Spectacle in 1967. He said that Ideas improve. The meaning of words participates in the improvement. Plagiarism is necessary. Progress implies it. It embraces an authors phrase, makes use of his expressions, erases a false idea, and replaces it with the right idea. I began blogging about art, film, architecture, writing, and the creative process, both my own and that of people who interest me, in 2001. Many thanks to the The Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant for supporting greg.org that time. 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Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SACRAMENTO The California State Lands Commission voted Tuesday to look at seizing land from billionaire Vinod Khosla through eminent domain in order to give the public access to a beloved cove near Half Moon Bay. The vote comes after a years-long fight over public access to Martins Beach hit a dead end. The commission voted Tuesday to direct staff to study what the state needs to do to declare eminent domain and how much it could cost to use such action. Even if the commission voted to use eminent domain, the issue could be tied up in court for years. We are resolved to provide public access to this public resource, said Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a member of the three-person commission, along with state Controller Betty Yee and state Finance Director Michael Cohen. We are aggressively moving in that direction. The commission said Tuesday that it offered $360,000 to Khosla for an easement to and along Martins Beach in order to create public access. Khoslas attorneys have said the venture capitalist would not allow an easement unless California paid him $30 million. Yee, the chair of the Lands Commission, said negotiations with Khosla have ceased, forcing the state to look at eminent domain. Yee said she will work with Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, who introduced a bill Monday that would set aside a yet-to-be-determined amount in the state budget if the commission votes to take the land through eminent domain. I hope Mr. Khosla hears we are stepping it up, Newsom said. We arent backing off. ... Id like to see this damn thing resolved in our lifetimes. Environmental groups, surfers and beachgoers said many people who live near the beach have decades of memories there and urged the commission to move forward with eminent domain. Whats at stake is whether great wealth trumps the rights of the public to access of a precious resource in California, said Ron Romines, a San Mateo County resident and former Woodside mayor who spoke during public comment at the commission meeting Tuesday. It is not fair and proper that billionaire Khosla should fence off Martins Beach for his own enjoyment and exclude the rest of us from this beautiful pocket beach, said James Moore, who said that he first visited the beach as an infant 86 years ago and that his family went to the beach to fish for smelt during the Depression. Khosla, the co-founder of Sun Microsystems and current proprietor of Khosla Ventures, paid $32.5 million in 2008 for the 89-acre property, which includes the beach and access road. That two-lane road off of Cabrillo Highway is the only way to access Martins Beach. Khosla allowed public access on his private road until 2010, when he closed the gate and put up signs that warned against trespassing. Khosla said he has a right to bar the public anytime from his property and sued the Lands Commission, the California Coastal Commission and San Mateo County in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, alleging harassment and unfair treatment. The question of access to Martins Beach is the subject of two additional pending lawsuits. This dispute is a dispute concerning principal, said Jeffrey Essner, an attorney for Khosla. Mr. Khosla is unwilling to be coerced into giving up a vested constitutional property right. ... The courts have already ruled there is no constitutional right to access across Mr. Khoslas property. Thats why we are here talking about the states right to exercise eminent domain. Melody Gutierrez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MelodyGutierrez PARIS French Prime Minister Manuel Valls stepped down Tuesday to focus on running for president in next years election and was replaced by Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, a man who embodies the fight against Islamic extremism. Valls resigned a day after announcing his candidacy in the wake of French President Francois Hollandes decision not to run for a second term. MOSUL, Iraq Significant Islamic State group counterattacks in southeastern Mosul inflicted heavy losses on Iraqi forces overnight after a new push deeper into the city this week, according to an Iraqi army officer. Despite the counterattacks, the fresh Iraqi push appears to have relieved pressure on Iraqs special forces who have been largely leading the fight inside the city on the eastern front. Wednesday afternoon, the special forces announced new gains. The troops retook another neighborhood bringing them closer to the Tigris River that divides Mosuls east from west, according to the commander of a joint operations center that oversees the Mosul campaign. Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir Yarellah, said in a statement that troops had fully liberated the al-Elam neighborhood and raised the Iraqi flag over its buildings. Yarellah added that Islamic State militants suffered losses without elaborating. Also Wednesday, the Islamic State groups Amaq news agency released a propaganda video showing captive British photojournalist John Cantlie in what appeared to be central Mosul. Cantlie is seen detailing the U.S.-led coalitions destruction of four of Mosuls five main bridges in a series of air strikes last month that he describes as inflicting harm of the citys sizable civilian population. Islamic State has long used Cantlie for propaganda purposes, featuring him in videos from Mosul as well as the Syrian cities of Aleppo and Kobani, likely speaking under duress. As Mosuls bridges were destroyed last month, this is the first confirmation that Cantlie is alive since he appeared in an Islamic State video in July. At a small field hospital just a few miles from Mosuls eastern front line, medics said that by midday Wednesday they had already treated about a dozen Iraqi soldiers injured with gunshot and shrapnel wounds. As progress into militant-held Mosul has ground on slowly, a field hospital that was once no more than a few cots in an open lot, has become more established. Military hospital cots sat in a driveway of a nearby abandoned building flanked by IV stands and oxygen tanks. The medics spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to brief the media. The Iraqi army said Tuesday that they retook the al-Salam hospital and pushed the front line back more than two miles, but Iraqi forces have repeatedly quickly advanced into Mosul only to be pushed back by counterattacks launched at night. Daesh waited until night to attack the troops, said Iraqi army Sgt. Maj. Hakim Saranbii, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State. He added that the attacks inflicted heavy losses, without giving specific casualty figures or further details. Iraqi Defense Ministry officials in Baghdad did not immediately comment. 1 War crimes case: A Swedish court convicted a 24-year-old Iraqi man of war crimes for posting macabre pictures on Facebook after fighting extremists in Iraq in the first such case in Sweden. The Blekinge District Court sentenced Raed Abdulkareem to six months in jail Tuesday. The court said Abdulkareem posted photos on Facebook of himself in military fatigues next to a decapitated head on a plate and bodies with severed heads. Abdulkareem, who sought asylum in Sweden in late 2015, has confessed being in the pictures but denied committing war crimes. 2 Mayor killed: The Philippine governments investigation agency said Tuesday that it has filed murder complaints against two dozen police officers and personnel after a probe showed that they shot to death a jailed town mayor linked to illegal drugs and that there was no gunbattle as claimed by the law enforcers. The National Bureau of Investigation said the Nov. 5 death of Mayor Rolando Espinosa and another inmate, Raul Yap, in their cells at a jail in Leyte province was a rubout. It said the policemen most likely put pistols and illegal drugs in their cells to justify a police raid. The findings cast a black mark on President Rodrigo Dutertes deadly antidrug crackdown, which has alarmed Western governments and human rights groups. There have been suspicions that some of the more than 4,000 slain drug suspects may have been killed deliberately by law enforcers, and did not die in gunbattles as claimed by police. BEIRUT Syrias government ignored a rebel cease-fire proposal for Aleppo on Wednesday as its forces captured new neighborhoods around the city center and squeezed some 200,000 tired and frightened civilians into a shattered and rapidly shrinking opposition enclave. Facing a punishing and brutal defeat, rebel factions proposed a five-day cease-fire for the eastern parts of the city to evacuate the wounded and civilians wishing to flee. The artillery shelling is non-stop, a resident told the Associated Press by messaging service. He asked to conceal his name out of fear for his safety. The humanitarian situation is really tough. There are corpses on the streets. ... There is very little food. Bread is distributed every two or three days, six pieces per family. Thats small, not enough for breakfast, he said. Government officials had not directly addressed the rebel proposal by the evening. The decision to liberate all of Syria has been taken, and that includes Aleppo, Syrian President Bashar Assad told the state newspaper al-Watan. Brig. Gen. Zeid al-Saleh told state TV that rebels must leave Aleppo or face death. The Syrian government and its ally Russia have rejected previous cease-fires for the war-torn city, keeping up the military offensive that has forced rebel retreats and displaced at least 30,000 civilians in the past 11 days, according to U.N. figures. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met Wednesday in Hamburg, Germany, but did not release any statements. The rebels made no offer to pull out of Aleppo, though their proposal promised to negotiate the fate of the city when the humanitarian crisis eases. A rebel spokesman said al Qaeda-linked group Fatah al-Sham Front, which has a limited presence among the fighters, will abide by the proposal. Government forces and regional militias fighting alongside them, meanwhile, captured new ground in Aleppos old city and its Bab al-Nairab district, home to one of the citys main water stations, according to monitoring groups and state media. The rebels continued their shelling of the western government-held districts of the city. Syrias state news agency reported that 12 people were killed by mortar and rocket fire landing in western Aleppo. Syrian military media said the government had captured three-quarters of the oppositions former enclave Tuesday. The United Nations estimated 275,000 people were still residing there before the start of the ground offensive. With the latest gains, the endgame for Aleppo, which has been carved up between the government and the rebel side for the past four years, appears to draw even closer. If Aleppo the countrys former commercial hub is captured by government troops, it would be a turning point in the conflict, putting the five largest cities in Syria and the coastal region back under state control. Who wouldn't love a film about a dismantled film set turned archaeological dig? Indeed, film buffs and excavation junkies alike will enjoy a look into the foundation on which Hollywood cinema was built in filmmaker Peter Brosnan's (writer of the 1997 action-thriller Perfect Target) directorial debut, The Lost City of Cecil B DeMille, which screens at this year's Santa Fe Film Festival on Friday Dec. 9 at 1 pm at the Jean Cocteau Cinema. DeMille, one of the most famed auteurs in cinematic history, helmed numerous biblical films from 1913 through the '50s. After filming The Ten Commandments (that 1956 Bible-to-blockbuster epic wherein Charlton Heston, as Moses, frees the Jews), he ordered the gargantuan Egyptian-style set to be destroyed and buried in the sand dunes of Guadalupe, California, where it remained hidden for over 60 years. The Lost City of Cecil B DeMille follows Brosnan and archaeologist/fellow film enthusiast John Parker as they embark upon a journey to unearth the legendary set remains and (hopefully) reach their ultimate goalfinding the Egyptian Sphinx replica. Although DeMille ordered his set to be secretly hidden, a subtle clue found in 1959's The Autobiography of Cecil B Demille, published after his death, indicated the whereabouts of the lost city. It left Brosnan and Parker obsessed, spurring a quest that began in 1983, and that continues to uncover bits and pieces to this day. Brosnan and Parker document every step of the way, from hearing the DeMille legend in a bar to battling for the rights to dig in Santa Barbara County. With the addition of interviews with DeMille's descendants and film colleagues as well as archaeologists, Brosnan portrays their efforts as a tempestuous fight to uncoverthe film titan's legacy, but one that was ultimately worth it. The Lost City of Cecil B DeMille Jean Cocteau, NR, 88 min Santa Fe Reporter By now most people have heard about the tragic fire that tore through Oakland, California, live/art space, Ghost Ship, and the terrible deaths that now number well over 30. We felt it all the way in Santa Fe, where people frantically took to social media in search of friends and as contemporaries and loved ones in the Bay Area checked themselves in safe on Facebook. By the time the weekend was over, news that Chelsea Faith Dolan, a musician known as Cherushii and collaborator on the soundtrack for Meow Wolfs House of Eternal Return, was among those who died. Multiply connections like this 36 times over, and you get a slim idea of how the situation has rocked the country. Since then, even a cursory glance at media coverage shows a veritable onslaught of blame pieces, finger-pointing tales of community complaints levied against the space in the past, click-baity "Oh, the humanity!" articles and heartless social media posts about how these people, who did technically live at and operate Ghost Ship illegally, shouldn't have been there in the first place, which somehow means they deserved to die. Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley has even noted to the press that manslaughter or murder charges may be pressed against the building's lessee, Derick Ion Almena. The cause of the fire hasn't even been discovered yet, but it seems like everyone has some statement to make about the shape of renting spaces or events promotion or culture or so forth, most of which fall into a category of extreme judgment. Fuck that. "There are a lot of places around the world that operate that way and they're fine; I think this was just a freak accident," says Meow Wolf CEO Vince Kadlubek. "We definitely looked a lot like [Ghost Ship] back when we were on Hopewell Street, and this will probably bring attention to DIY scenes around the world. This could be something that brings that a lot of criticism, but what we want is to be supportive right now." Kadlubek says Meow Wolf is outfitted with sprinkler heads in every room, and that materials used in the permanent portions of the exhibit had to be fireproofed before installation. Additionally, he says, Meow Wolf's newer location in the Siler Road area generally caps attendees well before it hits the maximum occupancy set by the city, and that they were already in the process of creating a fund that could provide resources to spaces similar to Ghost Ship. "It's unfortunate that some places don't have the funding for people to live and work in creative ways but to also have a safety net," Kadlubek says. We've reached a critical juncture in terms of how we can discover and ingest culture, and though spaces like Ghost Ship are hardly new, they represent an important shift in cultural offerings aimed at those who would shirk the status quo. The internet screams at us daily from multiple devices, the big-name musicians and DJs charge exorbitant prices, the ticketing outlets bleed us dry with absurd hidden fees and the engorged mainstream arts systems would have us believe that only they have the product we want and that it exists solely at the end of their marketing rainbow. But, as has always been the way, it isn't the mainstream-ification of arts and music that steers our shared cultural zeitgeist, but the smaller spacesthe warehouses and storage units, the all-ages venues hidden away in homes or little out-of-the-way hovelsrun by people who do it for love that have proven most vital. No amount of blame game politicking should detract from what had previously been accomplished by Ghost Ship or what will be accomplished at other such spaces all over the globe. We can even dispel some of the harsh reactive bullshit found online if we consider events like the 2003 Station nightclub fire in Rhode Island, during which poor pyrotechnics during a show with hard rock band Great White cost 100 people their lives and injured over 100 moreall in an apparently up-to-code venue. Furthermore, the Bay Area housing crisis all but shoehorns renters into situations with multiple roommates, cramming them into unsafe or ancient buildings, run-down tenements, warehouses like Ghost Ship or, even worse, forces them to leave altogether. This compounds for struggling artists, many of whom don't fit the societal expectations of gainful employment. Santa Fe should be especially cautious in how it handles this information as well, because the fact is, it could have been any one of us. How many times have art shows opened or bands played in unofficial DIY spaces, admittedly smaller, but ultimately not much different from Ghost Ship? (We've chosen not to name most of these places because we're sure they're currently on-edge and could potentially face retaliation at the moment.) Without them, the art and music we love so much would have scant few options, symptomatic of a larger overall trend of "business first, artists last." "If we get shut down, we just learn from it, move forth and put precautions in place," David Ahern-Seronde tells SFR. Ahern-Seronde is a local musician and one of the founders of The Cave (formerly Dave Cave), a live/work space on the Southside that hosts metal shows. He is not worried about the city targeting The Cave or its brethren. "It's like comparing apples and oranges. Oakland is awesome, but a much larger city," he says. Regardless, it is patently irresponsible and borderline cruel to assign blame to rave culture, party culture or the ethos of DIY arts. The dust has yet to settle and people have lost their lives. Numerous crowdfunding accounts have been set up in the aftermath (such as gofundme.com/ghost-ship-fire-residents-support), and the close-knit artistic community found in the Bay Area is still reeling. Do what you can as citizens of the arts and do not be deterred in your ongoing quest to create arts and music for those who don't identify with the mainstream. Some of us have had our lives saved by venues just like Ghost Ship, and while there is no denying this tragedy, a life without such spaces and the people who build them is a life not worth living. Santa Fe Reporter Students say the school is not communicating about the sale. Writers feverishly revise their final portfolios, photographers scour their surroundings for mid-day standalones and theater majors prepare for upcoming shows. The semester at Santa Fe University of Art and Design is trudging towards an end, but the future of the college remains unclear. Laureate Education, a multinational private education corporation, announced plans this spring to sell the college to Raffles Education, a Singapore-based company which has a portfolio of 26 institutions, mostly art and design schools in Asia. The pending sale, however, is moving more slowly than initially predicted. Students tell SFR they are nervous over the uncertainty surrounding the transition. Will my degree be legitimate? Will I be taken seriously by future employers? Am I wasting my time and money? Others are hopeful. Some are unaware. Most are suspicious. Interim President Maria Puzziferro wrote a statement released on Dec. 1 reassuring students that Laureate and Raffles "remain committed to this process" and that the school's accreditation through 2026 will not be impacted by the delayed change in control. The Higher Learning Commission, a regional accrediting agency, won't make a decision about the proposal until at least February, she wrote. Students say they're not getting the message. Some told SFR they did not see the emailed notice from Puzziferro until a faculty member posted it on a private Facebook group. Puzziferro tells SFR that "technical difficulties" kept some information from reaching students as intended. Her office sent two emails to students and faculty shortly after the Thanksgiving break and only later learned many of the intended recipients had not received them. She says she is looking forward to Raffles and what it will bring to SFUAD. "Raffles really is a leader in global art and design education," says Puzziferro. "Raffles opens up a lot of possibilities for students to study abroad; the potential is just unlimited." Questions about whether students at the school would continue to qualify for financial aid are part of the change in control process, she explains, and if Raffles can't enable students to earn federal financial aid, the sale won't be approved. Asked about an earlier SFR report that focused on Raffles' problems in other countries, including in Vietnam, where the school faced sanctions over offering degrees despite only having authorization to issue vocational diplomas, she says she's not concerned. "You have to be careful, especially in understanding Raffles' history with other schools, in countries where we don't understand their regulatory environment," she says. Puzziferro says SFUAD's accreditation will remain in good standing regardless of whether the sale goes through and she is working with SFUAD's spokeswoman, Rachael Lighty, to organize a forum in early January to communicate with students. That would be welcome to senior creative writing major Alison Gamache. "I have not received one email about what the hell is going on," Gamache tells SFR. "I learn information about a school I pay so much for from local newspapers and friends." But not everyone is pessimistic about the proposed change. Nicholas Thomas, president of Student Voice, a campus advocacy group, says Raffles is a better fit to run SFUAD than Laureate, the Baltimore-based company that doesn't typically operate arts schools. Thomas tells SFR he's frustrated with the rumors SFUAD will lose its accreditation under new ownership. He notes that the Higher Learning Commission, the accrediting agency, wouldn't approve the sale if it would threaten students' degrees. "We aren't going to lose our accreditation," Thomas says. "Not gonna happen." Junior contemporary music program major Joseph Gordon says he's been annoyed with Laureate's lack of investment in his personal educational priorities. He hopes Raffles will spend big bucks on new music equipment. Gordon wants a career in music technologymixing, editing and recordingbut it's not a major offered at SFUAD. "I hope that Raffles, a very rich corporation, will put a lot of money into the infrastructure of our school," says Gordon. "We can't even have some classes because all of our technology is breaking." Another music major, sophomore flutist Sammi Gilbert, is hopeful for the future but wary of the administration's miscommunication. Early on, she says, representatives from Raffles seemed to be responsive to what students want. "I'm optimistic about the future of the school," resident advisor and student life advocate Emily Curley tells SFR. Curley is a junior technical theater major in the performing arts department with a specialization in sound design. Although Curley is pleased with her program, she wants a course specific to sound design and hopes Raffles can provide that for the technical theater department now and in the future. "I don't feel like the changes will occur while I'm here. I'm really close to graduating and don't expect changes within a year," Curley says. She prefers the Higher Learning Commission, Raffles and Laureate take their time ensuring a positive future for the school. Santa Fe city officials in September met with representatives from SFUAD and Raffles, as well as the Higher Learning Commission. Mayor Javier Gonzales did not attend. In a letter to the accrediting agency's executive vice president for governmental affairs, however, Gonzales wrote, "Especially at this critical time, as we launch plans to redevelop the St. Michael's Avenue [sic] corridor at the geographic heart of this community and with SFUAD as its western anchor, losing this partnership would be a significant step backward, for the young people we serve and the community as a whole." SFR reported in October that Raffles failed to follow education regulations in at least three countries, leaving students with degrees that are unrecognized in their own countries. Laureate has its own legal issues, including a recently settled lawsuit claiming that the company stretched out the degree process, forcing students to pay more money. Kim Jones is a junior at SFUAD who is interning in the SFR newsroom. Santa Fe Reporter Its a crisp, late fall morning in Santa Fe. Larry Rasmussen, a Lutheran lay minister, and I sit side-by-side at his kitchen table. Sometimes we look at one another. But mostly we both look out the picture window. The sky is an iconic cerulean blue, and songbirds flit about the backyard: Birdfeeder to fence post to birdfeeder and hop, hop, around and around again. More than a decade ago, Rasmussen retired from New York City's Union Theological Seminary. He and his wife now live off Old Pecos Trail. From this window, they can watch a forest in transition. Nowadays, that's how we talk about trees that are dying. Trees that smell like vanilla when you press your face close in warm sunlight. Trees whose sticks and split trunks have been fed for generations into cooking fires and wood stoves. The juniper and pinon wood smoke that wafts through cities and towns today is the same that's filled the air since Pueblo people settled along the Rio Grande centuries ago. As the world keeps warming, not all those species will survive. Scientists keep saying this, and even drive-by tourists can see the waves of young oak trees spreading across burned slopes that conifers once dominated. I can't help but wonder how differently the land will smell when our children's children inhale; I can't help but wonder if they'll ache for something they don't know is missing. Scientists say southwestern pine forests will disappear by 2100. Hotter, larger wildfires are partly to blame. ( Laura Paskus) "What do you do with your grief? What do you do with your loss?" Rasmussen asks. "What do we do with species going extinct? What do we do with nude mountains?" We both look out the window again. He's talking about a wildfire that ripped through the Jemez Mountains a few years earlier. When the fire ignited on a Sunday in late June, a massive cloud erupted like a thunderhead into the sky above the mountains. Visible more than 50 miles away, that trickster cloud fooled me into thinking the summer's monsoon season had arrived. In an Albuquerque driveway, my young daughter and I looked north and cheered for the blessing of rain in the dry mountains. I was wrong. Rather, there was a fire burning so hot that it had created its own weather above the mountains. When heat rises so fast that winds can't push the air away, wildfires form a cloudwhat's called a pyrocumulous cloud. From a distance these sometimes look like mushroom clouds. And they put firefighters, and anyone nearby, in danger. If the columns collapse, the falling air hits the ground and then spreads wildly, pushing the fire in new directions. Through their Santa Fe kitchen window, Rasmussen and his wife, Nyla, watched the mountains burn. At night, the hulk of the mountainsnormally just a crouching dark blankness swallowing the pinpoints of starsflamed orange. It's not that Southwestern forests aren't supposed to burn. But this fire was different. In its first 14 hours, the Las Conchas fire burned through about one acre a second. Close your eyes and count to 10. During that time, flames devoured 10 acres. Think of the ponderosa pines and Steller's jay nests, fox burrows and salamanders obliterated in the time it takes to draw and exhale two breaths. All told, the fire burned 156,000 acres the summer of 2011. That was the state's largest wildfire in recorded history. Until the next year when the Whitewater-Badly Fire burned nearly twice that amount, 297,000 acres, of the Gila National Forest. In our warmer world, ponderosa pine stands don't necessarily come back. Instead, they give way to Gambel oak and New Mexico locust. Pinon and juniper trees die off, their hard carcasses thronged by wavy leaf oak and mountain mahogany. Scientists say Southwestern pine forests will disappear by 2100, and that half the conifers in the Northern Hemisphere will have died by then. How do we mourn nude mountains? At my father's funeral more than three years ago, I realized how much I missed those ceremonies we wrap ourselves in during times of grief or confusion. At the time, I was 39 years old and had lived more than 2,000 miles from my parents for nearly 20 years. But I'd never been to a funeral without my father. I'd never watched the casket enter a church or sat through a eulogy without placing my hand inside his. Even if we'd argued on our way to the church, I'd position myself next to him during the service, then hang around him and his palsfellow cops, oftentimesduring the meal afterwards. They'd stand around outside. Tug loose their ties and insult one another. Another ritual. Is there a way to mourn a river, too? The Rio Grande runs dry every year when agricultural irrigators divert water. ( Laura Paskus) Two decades ago, two US Fish and Wildlife Service biologists sat behind their office in Albuquerque. Surrounded by boats, trailers, tanks, waders, and all the accoutrements of fisheries biologists, they realized the fate of an entire species rested with them. Historically, the silvery minnow had lived throughout the Rio Grande and its tributary, the Pecos River. About 2,400 miles of habitat. By the time it was protected under the Endangered Species Act, the minnow survived only in a 174-mile stretch of the Rio Grande. Like many species, the minnow's demise was linked to human cleverness. In the 20th century, people had tamed, tapped, and engineered the Pecos and the Rio Grande to prevent flooding and deliver water. Their work was so effective that watersheds and riverbeds bowed before miraculous engineering feats. Ecosystems changed. Species disappeared. The silvery minnow loses habitat every year. ( Laura Paskus) Feeling the tug of moral responsibility for an entire species, the two men convinced their bosses to let them try something different. They started collecting eggs from the river and then raising the fish in a hatchery. They did that because New Mexico's largest river could no longer keep a two-inch long fish from going extinct. Today, the river still dries. And the wild fish population declines. What do you do with your grief? At the end of my father's wake, no one rushes me. Friends and family and police officers look away. They're ready to walk with the casket from the wake to the church. But I'm not ready to leave the casket. Not ready for the lid to seal shut. I kneel, pressing my head against the cool metal, and then recoiling at the smell of rot and chemicals. By the time the pallbearers carry the flag-draped coffin up the steps and into the church, I've lost track of whether he's head or feet first. Incense. Words. Stained glass windows and gold on the altar. From the church's front pew, I stumble to the altar in heels and a dark-colored dress, then choke through a reading. At the cemetery, uniformed men and women fire the requisite number of rifle shots. Someone hands my mother the folded American flag. The ancient driver of the hearse blows into a trumpet. In the back of the limousine, I hold my brother's hand. For months afterwards, I wonder about decomposition. I imagine that the blue eyes I passed along to my daughter no longer exist within his face. The lips and mouth that look like mine are surely gone. His hand must be desiccated by now. I keep the rifle shells in a wooden box. But I still don't know where to put my grief. Back in Albuquerque, I visit with a biology professor at the Museum of Southwestern Biology at the University of New Mexico. I'm curious about the Latin American hummingbirds whose evolution he studies. After talk of jungle mountains, lungs and tiny hearts, Christopher Witt walks me to the back of the museum and slides open a wide, shallow drawer. There are passenger pigeons, Carolina parakeets, Ivory-billed woodpeckers, dusky seaside sparrows and Eskimo curlew. They have no descendants somewhere, preening or molting, blinking their eyes against the rain or singing a morning song. These species are all extinct. Taxidermied threatened Mexican spotted owls lie next to their extinct cousins in the Museum of Southwestern Biology at the University of New Mexico. ( Laura Paskus) Another drawer holds a tray of threatened Mexican spotted owls, their downy white eyelids closed. There are also boxes of Northern aplomado falcons, which were nearly extirpated from the United States by the 1950s. I peer at the tag tied to one falcon's foot: "Falco Femoralis Septentrionalis. Fort Bayard, New Mexico." Collected by F Stephens on August 8, 1875. My eyes water and I look down in shame. I jot notes I can't actually read. How do you mourn a drawer full of birds? My father has been dead two years when I return to Connecticut for three summer weeks. After living for almost 20 years in the Southwest, I scoff at the green. The trees crowd out my necessary horizon; I anticipate ticks. But I love getting to know my cousin's children. I'm secretly pleased when my daughter, brazen like I never was, mouths off to me, then runs into the backyard with her kin. In the woods beyond my mother's house, my childhood fort is gone. It's not that someone scattered the brush and stones and pieces of metal I'd collected and piled. The hillside is gone. More than a decade ago, a developer blasted the mica-flecked bedrock. When he ran out of money, he abandoned the subdivision. And a backhoe. Now, water fills empty foundations. There are cattails and frogs that disappear in a croaky ripple. An old Christmas tree lies across the road; televisions and suitcases flank it. I poke assorted weird shit with a stick. Beyond the mess, the forest is thicker than it was decades ago. There are foxes and turkeys, deer and species of birds I don't remember seeing when I ran around the woods as a kid, tracing stone walls, forever hopeful I'd discover a gateway into another world. That other world might be magical, it might be sinister. Either way, I was ready, pocket knife filched from my dad's collection. During one of those last summer nights in Connecticut, I stare up at the stars around the edges of the trees and hear a sound that's familiar to me only from the West. Coyotes. At first I think I'm dreaming. I hold my breath and listen. The syncopated stutters carry across the forest from a hillslope away. Past the road cut and powerlines. When I first started writing about climate change, maybe a decade ago, a scientist told me I shouldn't worry for the planet. It's humans who will suffer, he said. The Earth will remain. Species will blink out, evolve, or emerge. Ecosystems will shift. The same geological processes that have been churning the Earth for eons will still shape tomorrow's landscapes. The selfish grief I felt over losing my father, and any chance he and I had for understanding one another, has dissipated. In its place, a fiercer love has emerged. For my daughter and my mother. My brother and his family; dear friends and ready allies. For the world we still have. Looking back, I realize that I twisted nostalgia and hope into inaction and despair. A door has opened on a new world that awaits our children. ( Laura Paskus) Perhaps healing requires grief and mourning. But both those emotions seem like indulgences. And there's no time for that. So instead, I wonder about the coming world. Which trees will grow, which birds will have survived. The meaning of shifting cloud formations. I wonder what the world will smell like. Because now, even though it's been decades since I stopped looking for that gateway in earnest, the door to that new world has opened. And there's no going back. Laura Paskus is an independent journalist based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Earlier this year, she completed a year-long reporting project on climate change for New Mexico In Depth. Santa Fe Reporter The New Zealand dollar rose against its trans-tasman counterpart after figures showed the Australian economy shrank 0.5 percent last quarter, the first time it has contracted since 2011. The kiwi dollar rose to 95.71 Australian cents from 95.26 cents immediately before the data was released, leaving the cross-rate little changed from 95.82 cents late yesterday. The kiwi dollar traded at 71.19 US cents, having earlier dipped below 70 cents, from 71.33 cents yesterday. The trade-weighted index was at 78.17 from 78.20. The Australian dollar shed almost half a US cent after government figures showed the economy shrank more than the 0.1 percent expected by economists. Still, the selloff only takes the Aussie back to where it started the week and it failed to drag the kiwi down with it. "We've seen some buying of the kiwi versus the Australian on the cross rate," said Tim Kelleher, head of institutional foreign exchange sales at ASB Bank. "The market was expecting a bad number," adding that the market reaction was kept in check because traders believe the Reserve Bank of Australia remains on hold after keeping its key rate unchanged yesterday. The kiwi didn't react much to results from the GlobalDairyTrade auction overnight which showed the price of whole milk powder climbed 4.9 percent to US$3,593 a tonne, meeting expectations as the total volume of dairy products sold on the platform fell to 22,472 tonnes from 23,902 tonnes at the previous auction. Bank economists lifted their forecasts for Fonterra Cooperative Group's farmgate milk price payout this season to be between $6 and $6.50 per kilogram of milk solids. Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler avoided saying anything market moving when he appeared before a select committee to address the central bank's annual report. The government releases its Half Year Fiscal and Economic Update, which will include the Treasury's updated fiscal and economic projections, tomorrow. The kiwi traded at 66.41 euro cents from 66.44 cents late yesterday. It fell to 4.9051 yuan from 4.9115 yuan, was down at 81.24 yen from 81.36 yen and traded at 56.26 British pence from 56.11 pence. The two-year swap rate fell 1 basis point to 2.22 percent and the 10-year swap rate was unchanged at 3.33 percent. 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: FPH to announce half year results on 29 November 2022 ATM - FDA approval to supply infant milk formula to United States Steel & Tube - Adopts ESG World Platform BGP - 3rd Quarter Sales to 30 October 2022 GEO - Quarterly Operating Update SUM - Andrea Scown to join Summerset as Future Director CCC - Admission to Trading on Aquis Stock Exchange November 3rd Morning Report Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler said he accepts the central bank got its migration forecasts wrong but it was hard to know how much inward migration New Zealand would attract under current policies. Migration forecasting was "tough, and we've been wrong in our forecasts, as I think pretty well every other forecaster has," Wheeler told the finance and expenditure select committee this morning. "If you look at net permanent long-term migration of working age population, it's been 173,000 people since 2012, that's a 5 percent increase in the labour supply and I don't think anyone anticipated that sort of growth. With certain degrees of uncertainty around it, we're saying it could be another 120,000." Wheeler said the bank was reasonably well able to model departures as there's a reasonable correlation between emigration and the strength of the Australian labour market, but the bank isn't good at forecasting migrant arrivals due to returning New Zealanders, student visas and people coming on single work permits. "If the government had clear limits, that might make it easier to forecast in that sense," Wheeler said. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters asked whether the governor was saying that immigration policy was "so loose it's very hard to forecast what's actually happening. Is that what you're saying?" "I'm saying it's difficult to forecast the arrivals because of the groups I mentioned. That's probably where I'd leave it," Wheeler said. Grant Spencer, deputy governor and head of financial stability, said the nature of immigration policy was that you never knew how many people would meet the criteria, and over time policy could be gradually adjusted. "Other countries fine-tune policies month after month on this matter. They are seriously focussed on it. Why aren't we?" Peters asked. Spencer said that wasn't the bank's area of responsibility. 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: FPH to announce half year results on 29 November 2022 ATM - FDA approval to supply infant milk formula to United States Steel & Tube - Adopts ESG World Platform BGP - 3rd Quarter Sales to 30 October 2022 GEO - Quarterly Operating Update SUM - Andrea Scown to join Summerset as Future Director CCC - Admission to Trading on Aquis Stock Exchange November 3rd Morning Report Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank The first policy of Gareth Morgans new Opportunities Party has been released this morning repeating a call he made earlier this year for a tax on equity to make the revenue system fairer. The tax policy, which matches the content of a Morgan Foundation report on tax released in April, proposes deeming a minimum rate of return on all productive assets, including housing and land. Those that already declare at least that level of income will be unaffected and those that dont will pay more, the partys tax policy statement said. It said about 80 percent of adults will be either unaffected or pay less tax as a result of the suggested tax reform and 20 percent would pay more. But dont fret, we can afford it, said the wealthy Morgan. I will pay considerably more tax, so will John Key. It would mean people could be taxed for owning the house they live in or even for an expensive car. Overall, the fledgling partys package would be tax neutral, with every additional tax dollar collected given back via income tax cuts, it said. Morgan, whos holding a media conference in Auckland this morning to comment on the policy, said theres a big pool of untaxed income represented by the benefits derived from the equity people have in their houses and other wealth theyve accumulated yet that wealth produces no or very little taxable income. It isn't a capital gains tax, he said. Its much more efficient and fair than that. House prices have been growing faster than incomes for decades and Morgan said we have to shut the gap if were to give more New Zealanders more opportunities. Morgan said the broad tax would make housing more affordable over time and lead to more sensible investment of capital, making more available to invest in productive businesses that create jobs. He said it would also encourage a trickledown from those who have stockpiled wealth courtesy of the existing tax loophole that owners of capital have exploited. The policy suggests stepping the required minimum taxable earnings rate up over a few years so asset owners have time to adjust and allowing pensioners who own their homes to pay the tax via a mortgage with the Inland Revenue Department, payable on a change of ownership. It would also allow businesses facing a temporary downturn to defer paying their minimum income tax for up to three years, with use-of-money interest to be charged. It also proposes following Britain and Australias lead in dealing with tax avoidance by foreign corporations immediately although more detail on that policy will be released in the lead up to Christmas. 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: FPH to announce half year results on 29 November 2022 ATM - FDA approval to supply infant milk formula to United States Steel & Tube - Adopts ESG World Platform BGP - 3rd Quarter Sales to 30 October 2022 GEO - Quarterly Operating Update SUM - Andrea Scown to join Summerset as Future Director CCC - Admission to Trading on Aquis Stock Exchange November 3rd Morning Report Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank Prime Minister John Key would pay an estimated extra $150,000 in tax a year on his Auckland home under a new tax on equity policy released by wealthy economist Gareth Morgans new Opportunities Party. In a media conference staged opposite Key's Parnell mansion, Morgan said his own asset portfolio would incur an extra $350,000 tax a year under the flagship policy aimed at making the revenue system fairer. The tax policy, first proposed in a Morgan Foundation report on tax released in April, proposes expanding the definition of annual taxable income to include a minimum rate of return an equity owner gets from their productive assets, including houses, farms, equipment, cars and even intellectual property in a business. Those that already declare at least that level of income will be unaffected and those that dont will pay more. The only exemption would be financial assets such as shares, deposits and bonds which already have tax paid on them. Its an extension of what the government already does under the Fair Dividend Rate regime for New Zealanders who own shares overseas, Morgan said. Government is already doing this policy but only to a select few. No-one wants to go near housing, he said. Morgan stressed the policy wasnt a tax grab. Overall, the fledgeling partys package would be tax neutral, with every additional tax dollar collected given back via income tax cuts, which Morgan said he would make bottom-ended so those on lower incomes get more. When questioned whether the policy would be a hard sell to house-owners, Morgan said Im going to give you more money back in tax cuts than you have an increase in rates. Youre better off. Only 20 percent of people wont be better off and they will hate me. The level of the minimum rate of return would be up to the government of the day, but in his view, 5 percent, the same rate paid on foreign shares, would be appropriate. Morgan said winning over the public rather than politicians that the tax policy is a good idea, would give his new party leverage if it gets sufficient votes in the next election. We want to be the tail that wags the dog, whoever the dog is in parliament, he said. We want to stay on the cross benches and were for sale basically to the highest bidder in terms of who makes the most of the seven policies well be putting out. Morgan said the current tax system is biased with wage earners paying too much of the tax bill while the radical policy hes proposing addresses the fact the trickledown promised under Rogernomics still hasnt happened 30 years later. Income inequality in New Zealand has gone up markedly since the early 1980s. Despite the fact Key is a nice guy, Morgan said, I think his legacy will be inequality went up yet again under his reign. And the biggest riser of inequality over this latter period has been the increase in housing costs. Since 2010, the country with the strongest rise in house prices relative to income has been New Zealand. When my wife and I bought our first house the average house price to income was about three to four times - its now seven times and its a hell of a lot higher in this town. That chews peoples income in one form or another and central to what were doing here is a policy to improve the affordability of housing. The new tax would immediately take out excess demand for property and deter people from land-banking and holding Auckland to ransom, he said. It would change the way businesses perform with a raft of companies currently earning less profit than investors could get from the bank with no risk. Theyre not really businesses are they. What they are are lifestyle choices, they are tax dodgers and they will get caught by this tax, Morgan said. It will also see less money going into property speculation in favour of savings and investment that would reduce New Zealands reliance on foreign capital to help businesses grow, he said. The policy would have to be phased in to avoid a collapse in house prices, Morgan said. He proposes stepping the required minimum taxable earnings rate up over a few years so asset owners have time to adjust and there is no crash in house prices. It would allow pensioners who own their homes to pay the tax via a mortgage with the Inland Revenue Department, payable on a change of ownership, and for businesses facing a temporary downturn to defer paying their minimum income tax for up to three years, with use-of-money interest to be charged. The party said further tax policy on following Britain and Australias lead in dealing with tax avoidance by foreign corporations immediately will be released in the lead up to Christmas. Morgan said it would be based around foreign firms having no expenses deductible unless they can prove they are genuine and done on genuine commercial terms. That should make them sit up. Its about making the tax system fair, he said. 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: FPH to announce half year results on 29 November 2022 ATM - FDA approval to supply infant milk formula to United States Steel & Tube - Adopts ESG World Platform BGP - 3rd Quarter Sales to 30 October 2022 GEO - Quarterly Operating Update SUM - Andrea Scown to join Summerset as Future Director CCC - Admission to Trading on Aquis Stock Exchange November 3rd Morning Report Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank Wealthy overseas business owners and investors will have to invest at least $3 million in New Zealand from May next year under changes announced by Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse. Applicants seeking the visa under the investor 2 category must currently invest $1.5 million in NZ over four years and hold $1 million in settlement funds. The visas were launched in 2009, and the government says it has led to $2.9 billion being invested in the country, and $2.1 billion in funds committed. However, Woodhouse said around two-thirds of this money was invested in bonds. "The government believes there is an opportunity to rebalance this towards growth-orientated investments. That is why we are making changes to increase the amount and performance of investment while better recognising the non-financial contribution of migrant investors," he said. As well as doubling the investment required for the visa, the overhaul will remove the need for investors to have $1 million in settlement funds, with growth investments rewarded with bonus points, priority processing and a financial discount. The annual cap on investor migrant visas will also be lifted to 400 from 300. In October, the government cut the cap on residency visas granted by 5,000 to a range of 85,000-95,000 over two years, with net migration continuing to run at record levels, partly due to New Zealanders returning home from abroad. Figures from Australia on Wednesday showed the economy contracted for the first time since 2011, suggesting net migration was likely to continue to remain high as fewer kiwis seek work across the Tasman. 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: FPH to announce half year results on 29 November 2022 ATM - FDA approval to supply infant milk formula to United States Steel & Tube - Adopts ESG World Platform BGP - 3rd Quarter Sales to 30 October 2022 GEO - Quarterly Operating Update SUM - Andrea Scown to join Summerset as Future Director CCC - Admission to Trading on Aquis Stock Exchange November 3rd Morning Report Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank Australian retailing billionaire Gerry Harvey's local bloodstock business, NZ Thoroughbred Holdings, narrowed its annual loss in 2016 as revenue rose 35 percent on sales of yearlings and demand for its stallions. The owner of Westbury Stud posted a loss of $2.9 million in the year ended June 30, down from $6.1 million a year earlier, according to its financial statements. Total income rose to $10.1 million from $7.5 million, led by sales of yearlings, stud fees and an increase in foals. The 2016 year heralds the final season for star stallion Makfi, which will stand next year in Japan following the sale by Qatar Bloodstock to the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Makfi's stud fees jumped 43 percent to $25,000 plus GST in the past year, ahead of other top earners at Westbury such as Reliable Man at $15,000 and Swiss Ace at $13,500. Fees are set through a combination of performance - both the stallion's own racing and the success of its progeny and Westbury general manager Russell Warwick says any of those could become the next Makfi. "Generally the stud is making really good progress, which probably isn't yet reflected in the accounts," Warwick said. Harvey "has continued to import more and more stock into New Zealand. The more horses you carry, the more it costs you but long-term they provide the stud with successful stallions and heighten income." Harvey, who is chairman and major shareholder of listed retailer Harvey Norman, owns Australia's Baramul Stud, with more than 1,000 horses, and is also a major shareholder in the Hunter Valley-based Vinery Stud while the Harvey family own the Australian thoroughbred auction house Magic Millions, which has one of that country's richest competitions in the Magic Millions Race Series. He acquired Westbury Stud, which was established by businessman Eric Watson, in 2009 when he bought out property developer Michael Tololi. The New Zealand operation will have up to 103 yearlings to sell this year, making it one of the nation's dominant breeders, alongside Waikato Stud. It owned 10 stallions as at June 30, up from nine a year earlier. Its biological assets including stallions, mares, foals and yearlings rose to $6.8 million from about $5 million a year earlier. In the face of continuing losses, the company recorded net liabilities of $30.8 million in its latest year, up from $28.7 million a year earlier and said its ability to meet its obligations over the next 12 months was dependent on continued financial support from its owner, which had been pledged. NZ Thoroughbred's auditor again included an emphasis of matter in its report on the 2016 financial statements. Still, the local losses are chump change for Harvey, who ranked 19th in the 2016 BRW Rich List with an estimated fortune of A$1.99 billion, built up through the Harvey Norman retail chain. Westbury's Warwick said Harvey's continued investment in the business had a spillover effect to the wider rural economy. The stud boards its horses at eight-to-10 farms outside of its own two properties and employs services ranging from veterinarians to trainers and riders. "Purely just the sheer number of horses that we gist and look after here for Gerry and clients doesn't make that side of the business cash positive," Warwick said. "The opportunity for the stud will come through the success of the stallions, their offspring, and the service fees," he said. 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: FPH to announce half year results on 29 November 2022 ATM - FDA approval to supply infant milk formula to United States Steel & Tube - Adopts ESG World Platform BGP - 3rd Quarter Sales to 30 October 2022 GEO - Quarterly Operating Update SUM - Andrea Scown to join Summerset as Future Director CCC - Admission to Trading on Aquis Stock Exchange November 3rd Morning Report Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank The Reserve Bank is unlikely to introduce state-backed insurance on bank deposits, saying the moral hazard is too high and it prefers the option of protecting those with small balances through guaranteed repayments. New Zealand is the only country in the OECD without deposit insurance, with Israel's central bank in the process of introducing the state guarantee on bank deposits. Governor Graeme Wheeler told the finance and expenditure committee, at the central bank's annual review this morning, that developing a deposit insurance fund would take an "awful long time" and New Zealand's banking system is highly concentrated in bigger banks. "Where they tend to be most successful is in banking systems with a large number of very small banks, and some of those collapse over time, but our set up is completely different here," Wheeler said "We do worry about the moral hazard issues, for example what is the incentives bank managers would feel knowing there's a bailout fund set up." There would also be difficulty in charging appropriate premiums, Wheeler said. "You would want to make sure you were adopting appropriate credit risk pricing to build up that fund. You'd be saying bank X, the deposit levy on that is so much, bank Y, the levy is so much again. You end up with differential rates." Grant Spencer, deputy governor and head of financial stability, said there was scope for the minister to determine a minimum guaranteed repayment amount to protect small depositors, and the bank was having some discussion as to whether to fix that number more specifically, at around $5000. James Shaw, Green party co-leader and finance spokesperson, said there was a view the banking market is concentrated because New Zealand doesn't have a deposit insurance scheme, so savers don't feel confident putting their money outside the major banks. Such a scheme could encourage competition, he said. Spencer said the bank didn't want to encourage unfair competition by guaranteeing a riskier institution, as happened with the collapsed South Canterbury Finance. "People suffered, and the government suffered as a result. To avoid that, you need a risk-adjusted insurance premium, but when you look around the world you never actually see proper risk-adjusted premia. You often have a bias towards a flow of funds to riskier banks, and that's the moral hazard issue," Spencer said. "We support more the approach of de minimis to protect smaller deposit holders rather than putting in protection for $250,000, as you might have in Australia." 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: FPH to announce half year results on 29 November 2022 ATM - FDA approval to supply infant milk formula to United States Steel & Tube - Adopts ESG World Platform BGP - 3rd Quarter Sales to 30 October 2022 GEO - Quarterly Operating Update SUM - Andrea Scown to join Summerset as Future Director CCC - Admission to Trading on Aquis Stock Exchange November 3rd Morning Report Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank Zespri Group plans to start construction next year on a $42.8 million head office to create a hub for the expanding kiwifruit industry. The 3-storey complex designed by architects Warren & Mahoney will be built on Zespri's current site in Mount Maunganui, with work scheduled to start in the first quarter of next year and slated for completion by the end of 2018, the company said in a statement. Its current 1970s brick building will eventually be demolished and replaced with parkland. Zespri, the country's kiwifruit export marketing body, expects retail sales of the fruit to rise to around $2.3 billion in the 2016/17 season, from $1.9 billion last year, and it said today the new building would provide the facilities to support its future growth to $4.5 billion in revenue by 2025. "Zespri has well and truly outgrown our existing building as the organisation has grown to support our industry's rapid progress," Zespri chief financial officer Dave Hazlehurst said. The new building will be a hub for the kiwifruit industry with facilities to host growers and office space for other kiwifruit organisations, he said. It will also serve as a venue to host international trade, government and media delegations on behalf of the industry. Zespri expects to profit of between $67 million to $70 million in the year ending March 31, 2017, chairman Peter McBride said in a statement. It raised its forecast for Zespri Organic Green fruit to $6.49 per tray, from $6.45 in October, but kept its forecast for Zespri Green at $4.22 a tray. The forecast for Zespri Gold fruit was increased to $8.30 per tray from $8.21, while the Zespri Green14 variety was raised to $5.59 per tray from $5.52. Zespri shares last traded at $3.20 on the Unlisted market, giving the company a market capitalisation of $386 million. 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: FPH to announce half year results on 29 November 2022 ATM - FDA approval to supply infant milk formula to United States Steel & Tube - Adopts ESG World Platform BGP - 3rd Quarter Sales to 30 October 2022 GEO - Quarterly Operating Update SUM - Andrea Scown to join Summerset as Future Director CCC - Admission to Trading on Aquis Stock Exchange November 3rd Morning Report Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank The chief executive of Australasian news publisher Fairfax Media, Greg Hywood, warned Commerce Commission hearings on the proposed merger between NZME and Fairfax's New Zealand assets that it would "become endgame" if the merger was disallowed. "We don't have the capacity of deep pockets of private money to subsidise journalism," said Hywood. "There are many proprietorial models where wealthy individuals and families, for social and political influence, own media companies, but we have shareholders and they demand that these publishing businesses stand on their own feet." Unless the merger was allowed, "it becomes endgame", he said. On the other hand, listed company status was a protection against loss of editorial independence, said Hywood, who was in Wellington for the second day of the Commerce Commission's public hearings into the proposed media merger, which the commission rejected in a draft determination last month, fearing loss of media plurality. Today's hearings concentrated on the impact of the merger on media plurality - the range of opinions, issues and approaches to coverage that the two news groups currently produce. Unquantifiable detriments to media plurality outweighed the clear commercial benefits of merging, the commission found. Both publishers say a merger is essential if they are to survive commercially. A final decision is due from the commission in March. Failure to merge would be more a threat to plurality, with numerous assertions during the two days of hearings that Fairfax would have to consider withdrawing from regional towns and concentrate its news-gathering in the three main centres if the merger could not proceed because the costs of regional news-gathering would be unjustifiable. Answering questions from commissioners on the potential for less competition in journalism if the two largest news producers merge, executive editor for Fairfax in New Zealand, Sinead Boucher, suggested that the greatest source of competition for journalists today was getting information from the "army of PR people and spin doctors" seeking to prevent information becoming public. Both Boucher and New Zealand Herald editor Shayne Currie also rejected as "appalling" and "surprising" the suggestion in some submissions that companies would have fewer avenues to put their points of view if the merger proceeded. The extent of actual competition between Fairfax and NZME titles was "very overstated", said Boucher. There would be more likelihood of a diverse range of news being produced if the merger meant that "we could stop the replication of commodity news" and allow reporters to chase more issues. "There would be no change in the way that reporters operate and independent decisions are made. Nothing in the merger changes that all. It would just stop journalists running on the same hamster wheel." Robin Foster, a UK-based media expert retained by the commission, warned that "one man's duplication is another man's plurality". The hearings went into closed session this afternoon to assess 'counterfactual and quantified benefits', at which the news executives were expected to outline in some detail the commercial implications of not being allowed to merge in a market where newspaper advertising remains by far the principal source of group revenues, but are falling precipitously year on year. Online advertising spend is both smaller in total and disproportionately captured by global online giants such as Facebook and Google. Commissioner Sue Begg queried whether Fairfax owning 40 percent of the merged group would constitute a controlling stake, whose sale could lead to the loss of plurality the commission fears. A lawyer for Fairfax argued that there were public interest protections available if that happened because the sale would require Overseas Investment Office approval. 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Related News: FPH to announce half year results on 29 November 2022 ATM - FDA approval to supply infant milk formula to United States Steel & Tube - Adopts ESG World Platform BGP - 3rd Quarter Sales to 30 October 2022 GEO - Quarterly Operating Update SUM - Andrea Scown to join Summerset as Future Director CCC - Admission to Trading on Aquis Stock Exchange November 3rd Morning Report Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank Eric Bryson, chief administrative officer for Lewis and Clark County, will step down to take a position with the Montana Association of Counties. Brysons primary duties in his new job will include lobbying during the legislative session that begins in January, said Harold Blattie, MACos executive director. Hes just going to be a wonderful addition to our organization here, he added. Brysons title has yet to be determined, but he will be assisting Blattie and Sheryl Wood, MACos associate director. Hes going to be learning our jobs in doing that, Blattie said before explaining this will allow Bryson to be able to be a backup and support for them. Bryson will begin his transition from his third-floor office in the City-County Building to MACo beginning in mid-January and will work part-time for both organizations, Blattie said. The transition is to be completed by Feb. 1, he added, although that date could be delayed if pressing county needs require Brysons attention. Lewis and Clark County officials, who had been kept informed of Bryson's talks with Blattie for the last six months, were advised of Bryson's pending departure on Monday. Its really our loss and MACos gain, said county commission Chairman Mike Murray. He was a stabilizing force both for staff and elected officials, Murray said. He really did well with the public and those of us who are on the payroll. Hell be very difficult to replace in the short term, Murray continued. While the county hopes to have the position filled by the end of February, Nancy Everson, the countys finance director, will be the interim chief administrative officer. Murray expressed his confidence in Everson, whom he said will do a wonderful job and has the respect of county personnel who manage departments. Bryson, 40 has been the chief administrative officer here for seven years. The skills I have in this job, advocating for local government, fit really well with the role I will play at MACo, Bryson said. His hope is that these skills can benefit all of Montanas counties. Because Bryson will be joining MACo full-time when the legislative session is well underway, he said Blattie will be the voice of the organization. Prior to becoming the countys chief administrative officer, Bryson had been the youngest school board member in Bozeman at the age of 26. He was also an adjunct professor in political science at Montana State University for 2 years. He also served as Gallatin Countys director of court services and was a Bozeman city commissioner from 2008 to 2010. After about 15 years in Gallatin County, he said, he took the position here that allowed him to return home. The position with MACo, Bryson said, was an opportunity he couldnt pass up. Theres nothing about this job that made me say its time for me to go," he said. Some of his goals from 2012 remain on his list four years later. Contained in routine updates to the county commission, some of his goals from 2012 remain on his list four years later. Zoning topped the list in October 2012, and an October 2016 update still had it as the No. 1 item. A growth policy update remains on the list, as does developing joint development standards for the urban service area -- an area just outside of Helenas city limits where home construction is forecast on land thats envisioned for eventual annexation into the city. Addressing standards will allow these subdivisions to be compatible with city regulations for street construction and water and wastewater infrastructure. He sees work on this as a high priority for his successor. Other goals such as subdivision regulation and detention space planning/master plan have been crossed off the list. Creation of a board appointment policy is checked off the list, as one of the light touches he included among goals in 2012: Have a new baby boy. Among accomplishments the public will notice during his time here is the countys effort to develop a flood mitigation plan for the Helena Valley and budgeting money each year toward projects and planning. News of his decision to leave reached county departments even as he went from one to another to share the news. His departure, he said, will be good for the county, as it will allow for hiring someone with a fresh perspective. If you stay too long, you risk losing your voice in implementing change, Bryson said. This is also a good time for his departure, he added, as Jim McCormick will be filling the seat on the commission thats occupied by Mike Murray, who chose not to run for re-election after 24 years on the commission. They can pick their person, and they can shape that direction moving forward, he explained. Incoming state Auditor Matt Rosendale on Tuesday announced several of his initial appointments, including one that leaves a vacancy in a north-central Montana state Senate seat. Rosendale takes office at the start of next year. He replaces Monica Lindeen, who was term-limited from running for that job again and unsuccessfully ran for Secretary of State. Rosendale beat Jesse Laslovich, who worked as the top lawyer in the auditor's office, with 53 percent of the vote. State Sen. Kristen Hansen, R-Havre, will be chief legal counsel. Hansen will resign her seat in the state Senate District 14, which represents parts of Cascade, Hill, Liberty and Chouteau counties and includes the town of Havre. She beat Democrat Greg Jergeson to win a four-year term in 2014. In addition to serving in the state House and Senate, Hansen has worked in private practice as an attorney, for the CIA, clerked for a judge with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and for the Montana Supreme Court. She was also a judge advocate in the Montana Army National Guard, deployed to Iraq in 2007 and served as the chief deputy prosecutor for the Hill County Attorneys office. She is a graduate of the John Marshall Law School in Chicago. Rosendale said of Hansen's "legal experience will play a major role in our efforts to protect the public against violations of insurance and securities statutes. Nancy Butler, who most recently was general counsel for the Montana State Fund, will be deputy state auditor. She worked at the state fund for 32 years before retiring in January. She has lived in Helena for 33 years and has a bachelors degree from Fort Hays State University in Kansas and law degree from the University of Tulsa. In a press release, Rosedale said Butler has an impressive resume and is respected in the insurance industry. Other initial appointments include: Marissa Stockton, of Helena, who ran for a Helena-area Senate district in 2014; Kendall Cotton, of Florence, to the position of policy administrator; Kyle Schmauch, of Kalispell, who was northwest field representative for U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, to the position of media specialist; Dan Stusek, of Billings, a regional director for Daines, to the position of Land Board adviser and director of government affairs. Gentile and Mancuso.jpg Councilman Vincent Gentile and John Mancuso in a 2013 photo when Mancuso was running for Mid-Island City Council. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Brooklyn Councilman Vincent Gentile, a former congressional candidate here, and his former chief of staff, John Mancuso, a Staten Island resident who ran for Assembly in 2012 and City Council in 2013, are being sued by a former employee for $10 million, alleging they subjected him to "degrading and humiliating discrimination" because he has Asperger's syndrome. Michael Bistreich worked for Gentile beginning in February 2014 and quit in June 2016 after being subjected to "deplorable and unlawful conduct," according to a lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court Tuesday. Bistreich's hands shake and his head twitches as a result of his Asperger's syndrome and he was humiliated by both Gentile and Mancuso, as well as other staff, while working as legislative director and budget director for Gentile's Council office, the suit alleges. The suit states Bistreich emotionally values objects, returning one day to his desk to find mutilated stuffed animals -- decapitated Teddy bears, a stuffed animal dog gutted and impaled with red coloring around its stomach, mouth and eyes to resemble blood. It was so distressing to Bistreich that he closed himself in a conference room for an hour, the suit states. It alleges Bistreich was told that Mancuso had organized the display and had a second one in the basement, but ordered it taken down after Bistreich's reaction. In another incident, according to the suit, Mancuso asked Bistreich to retrieve something from the basement. While he was down there, he was locked in "for an extended period of time." Another alleged humiliating incident occurred during a press conference about "Avonte's Law" named after a young autistic boy who left school through an unlocked door and was later found dead. An unnamed former Gentile staffer suggested Bistreich "test the doors" to which Gentile responded by laughing and clapping his hands, the suit states. According to the suit, Gentile was insensitive to Bistreich's disorder, telling him, "We know your condition, but when you twitch like that, it's unnerving to people." The suit alleges that the councilman asked Bistreich, "Can you look into upping your medication?" even though there is no such medication for Asperger's. Gentile raised the question two more times, the suit states. Bistreich said Gentile once responded to his lack of eye contact and head twitches during a meeting, saying, "You annoy me." Bistreich was hired in February 2014 and was given a $6,000 raise in May 2016 after taking on more responsibility and asking for a raise for months, even though less senior staff members had been given raises before him, according to the allegations. In June 2016, his raise was rescinded and he was stripped of the legislative director title. According to the suit, Gentile said the pay cut and demotion was for an unapproved vacation that Bistreich took beginning June 6, 2016, even though Gentile approved the vacation days in January 2016. The suit alleges that Gentile wanted to get rid of Bistreich because he no longer tolerated his disability in light of his increasing responsibilities and visibility. The demotion and pay cut were made more humiliating by Bistreich being required to help the new part-time legislative director who took his job. He quit June 15, 2016. Gentile issued a statement through a spokesman -- "I take this matter very seriously and will review the complaint with legal counsel." Mancuso declined to comment. Gentile was a state senator in the 1990s and early 2000s, whose district included parts of Staten Island. He ran against then-District Attorney Daniel Donovan for Congress in May 2015 and lost. The Democratic councilman is term-limited and is rumored to be seeking a judgeship or considering a run for Brooklyn DA. Mancuso, a Democrat who now works as the city Sanitation Department's deputy director of community affairs, ran against Republican Nicole Malliotakis for Assembly in 2012 and Republican Steven Matteo for City Council in 2013, losing both races. The story was updated to include a comment from Gentile. (Note: This is an updated version of a report originally posted on SILive.com in 2015.) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The ranks of the Greatest Generation are thinning -- even more so for the men who survived Pearl Harbor. It was 75 years ago today -- Dec. 7, 1941 -- when a swarm of Japanese planes flew over Battleship Row in Hawaii, sending billowing smoke skyward, killing and injuring nearly 4,000 military personnel and civilians -- and plunging the United States into World War 11. Today, we pause to remember what President Franklin Roosevelt, in a speech to Congress, called "a date which will live in infamy." Click the accompanying image to scroll through a gallery of 37 pictures from Dec. 7, 1941. Note: Click the accompanying image to scroll through a gallery of photos of products sold by merchants who will participate in the holiday market. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Following the trend of "pop-up" stores -- where retail shops open for a limited period of time in a designated space -- Urby will host a holiday fair offering an eclectic selection of goods on Saturday. Taking part in the event, which will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., are a number of retailers that are due to open in Urby -- Stapleton's new state-of-the-art 900-unit residential complex -- along with some local merchants. "Urby's first holiday market is going to be something truly special, and we have some of the best local businesses coming together to offer the perfect holiday gifts," said Jo Rausch, director of events at Urby, noting the event is slated to occur annually. More than 10 retailers will open kiosk-style in Urby's Bodega, offering a range of goods from Dee & Ricky's, pixel heart pins and terrariums by Piccola Pianta, Staten Island-themed stocking stuffers by Lola Star and one-of-a-kind local pieces from Richmond Hood Co. Honor Wines will be offering wine tastings, while Urby's chef-in-residence Brendan Costello will be selling homemade baked goods. In addition, farmer-in-residence Zaro Bates and Urby beekeeper Asher Landes will host an information booth. Other businesses participating in the event include Sanctuary Boutique, GG Candles, Elle New York, Sips + Maker and Empress Green. Since opening, Urby has held many events, including other pop-up affairs, a weekend green market and holiday themed galas. FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Without her wheelchair, Terry Gammon isn't the same person. She can't pull food from her refrigerator, run errands to CVS or help decorate for holiday parties at the Carmel Apartment Complex in Dongan Hills, where she's lived for the past 19 years. Gammon said the electric chair was damaged Thursday afternoon after an SUV crashed into her on Old Town Road. She said the driver assessed the damage, then drove away. "Normally, I accept where I am physically, and how I get around, but having something taken away from me . . . I've never felt like this," said Gammon, who was born with cerebral palsy. Gammon and her friend, Mary Peduto, said they were on Old Town Road, headed to the bank, when they approached Oregon Road on the left. They said an SUV was stopped in the middle of Oregon Road, without a turn signal,so they waited for the driver to presumably cross over Old Town Road. But the driver instead turned right, and in to the side of the chair, they said. "I was screaming," said Gammon. "I said, look at the side of your SUV . . . when he looked at that, that's when he ran away." They described the driver as a well-dressed white male in his 40s. They said the SUV was white, with a New Jersey license plate. They filed a complaint with police, though, as of Tuesday night, no arrests had been made, according to an NYPD spokesperson. The wheelchair, which Gammon received about two years ago, is more than a means of transportation, said Susan Riccardelli, who manages the subsidized housing complex where Gammon lives. "Terry is a person that takes care of everybody here," Riccardelli said. "That chair made her come out of the apartment." Gammon said she's reported the incident to her medical provider, but for the time being is relegated to a walker -- which, according to family and friends, is all but useless. Getting involved with Climate Science via crowdfunding and crowdsourcing Posted on 5 April 2022 by BaerbelW This article was originally published in December 2016 and was updated on April 2 2022 to mention the short term crowdfunding project "Warming Stripes on the Sachsenbrucke". We also added a fourth section to highlight our own projects you can contribute to. At a guess, many of you reading this post are already making good personal choices to help mitigate climate change. Some of you would perhaps like to do more. So, here are some suggestions where you can get actively involved either via crowdfunding, where you make a monetary contribution or via crowdsourcing, where you contribute your or your computer's time to sift through different sets of data. This post is divided into four sections: Ongoing crowdfunding - sites and groups listed here are continously looking for contributions Shortterm crowdfunding - these are projects with a target amount and a set deadline Crowdsourcing - projects looking for your (or your computer's) time Projects supported by Skeptical Science Inc. - our own projects you can contribute to Ongoing crowdfunding Climate Science Legal Defense Fund (CSLDF) The Climate Science Legal Defense Fund was established to make sure that legal actions are not viewed as an attack against one scientist or institution, but as attacks against the scientific endeavor as a whole. As well. the CSLDF protects individual scientists facing unfair legal attacks by organized groups. Given the current climate - pun most definitely intended - in the U.S. the CSLDF's work is unfortunately becoming ever more important. Link to donation page Dark Snow Project Jason Box's and Peter Sinclair's The Dark Snow Project gathers hard numbers from the Arctic to quantify the distant snow/ice melting impact of industrial and wildfire black carbon soot; mineral dust; and microbes, each melt factor having some human driven enhancement. Link to donation page The Australian Climate Council After thousands of Australians chipped in to Australia's biggest crowd-funding campaign, the abolished Climate Commission has relaunched as the new, independent Climate Council. We exist to provide independent, authoritative climate change information to the Australian public. Why? Because our response to climate change should be based on the best science available. Link to donation page Citizens Climate Education (CCE) Your donation to Citizens Climate Education will train ordinary citizens to promote fair, effective, and non-partisan climate change solutions. Citizens Climate Educations volunteers understand that we owe it to tomorrows generations to face our climate challenges today. These informed, respectful citizens work to build a clean and prosperous future, leading elected officials towards solutions that reduce carbon pollution, create jobs, and strengthen the American economy. Link to donation page Real Skeptic Blog The goal of Real Skeptic is to look at claims about science and investigate what the scientific literature has to say about it. Since the official start of Real Sceptic a wide array of articles about skepticism were written for this website. Theres a heavy emphasis on the accuracy of the articles published and the usage of high quality sources. Link to Patreon page Inside Climate News InsideClimate News is an essential, global voice that exposes the truth about the climate crisis. We connect the dots to those responsible, so that you can hold them accountable. As we enter our 10th year, were launching The InsideClimate Circle to ensure that our award-winning nonprofit news organization remains fiercely independent and courageously persistent. Link to membership page ClimateAdam Adam Levy is a doctor in atmospheric physics from the University of Oxford. During his research he saw the huge gap between what we know about climate change and how we talk about it. So he created the ClimateAdam channel dedicated to explaining climate change in playful and engaging ways: everything from the crucial science to the actions we can all take. In order to grow his channel, he set up a Patreon project. Just have aThink Dave Borlace has been conscious of environmental issues since studying for a BSc in Technology with the Open University back in the late 1990s. In early 2017 Dave set off on a quest to create climate communication videos that aim to decode the sometimes overwhelmingly complicated and confusing scientific information around climate change and explain the concepts in the sort of plain English that he, and hopefully you, can understand. As well as looking at the causes and consequences of climate change, Dave also presents news of the technological breakthroughs that may help us avoid, or at least mitigate, the worst of those consequences. To support this work Dave has now set up a Patreon page. Short term crowdfunding projects This section will highlight short term climate-related crowdfunding projects we deem worthwhile to support. Please feel free to make suggestions in the comments so that we can check them out. To give you an idea of which types of projects would likely "make the cut", here are some links to past projects: Climate Feedback: a guide to reliable climate news on Indiegogo Global Weirding with Katharine Hayhoe on Indiegogo Baba Brinkman's 'Rap Guide to Climate Chaos' Album on Indiegogo DeSmog UK's Indieegogo project Warming Stripes on the Sachsenbrucke in Leipzig Ed Hawkins' Warming Stripes visually communicate historical, global warming trends. Leipzig furs Klima will paint these stripes permanently across the width of the Sachsenbrucke bridge in Leipzig to clearly broadcast their message to as large an audience as possible. Given sufficient funding, they will work with groups in other cities to identify additional spots on which to paint similar, large versions of these Warming Stripes. Join them as they establish another international tool for communicating the urgency of climate action. The current, first funding phase lasts until April 30 2022 (midnight in Germany) and is looking to collect at least 10,000 for the bridge in Leipzig. If they receive 30,000 in funding, they will see to it that the Warming Stripes can be applied permanently and in large format at a suitable location in a second major city, and if they receive 50,000, a third major city will follow. Support the campaign on StartNext until April 30, 2022! Crowdsourcing projects Climate Prediction We run hundreds of thousands of state-of-the-art climate models, each very slightly different from the others, but still plausibly representing the real world. This technique, known as ensemble modelling, requires an enormous amount of computing power. Climate models are large and resource-intensive to run and it is not possible to run the large number of models we need on supercomputers. Our solution is to appeal to volunteer computing, which combines the power of thousands of ordinary computers, each of which tackles one small part of the larger modelling task. Project information Climate CoLab The goal of the Climate CoLab is to harness the collective intelligence of thousands of people from all around the world to address global climate change. Inspired by systems like Wikipedia and Linux, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Center for Collective Intelligence has developed this crowdsourcing platform where people work with experts and each other to create, analyze, and select detailed proposals for what to do about climate change. Project information Old Weather Old Weather volunteers explore, mark, and transcribe historic ship's logs from the 19th and early 20th centuries. We need your help because this task is impossible for computers, due to diverse and idiosyncratic handwriting that only human beings can read and understand effectively. By participating in Old Weather you'll be helping advance research in multiple fields. Data about past weather and sea-ice conditions are vital for climate scientists, while historians value knowing about the course of a voyage and the events that transpired. Since many of these logs haven't been examined since they were originally filled in by a mariner long ago you might even discover something surprising. Project "Arctic" and Project "Whaling" Old Weather - WW2 Help recover hidden weather data collected by the U.S. Navy during World War II. The purpose of this project is to recover hidden marine weather data recorded in U.S. Navy ships' logbooks during World War II. Like all Old Weather projects, these data will be used to drive sophisticated computer models that help us understand weather and climate in extraordinary detail. But there is another goal that is just as vital - to uncover the source of a mysterious distortion in the Navy temperature data collected during the war. Get involved in Old Weather Projects supported by Skeptical Science Inc. Skeptical Science Skeptical Science is an all-volunteer organization but our work is not without financial costs. Contributions supporting our publication mechanisms from our readers and users are a critical part of improving the general public's critical thinking skills about science and in particular climate science. Your contribution is a solid investment in making possible a better future thanks to improving our ability to think productively, leading to better decisions at all levels of our climate change challenge. Please visit our support page to contribute. Translations of the FLICC-poster Translations of the Cranky Uncle Game A state Senate seat in north-central Montana will have to be filled after it was announced Tuesday that Sen. Kristin Hansen, R-Havre, is stepping down to take a job in the state auditor's office under incoming Auditor Matt Rosendale. Hansen sent her letter of resignation to the Secretary of State's office Tuesday. She said her main motivation for resigning the seat and moving to the auditor's office, where she will be chief legal counsel, is the role she can play in heath insurance. "I feel like the skyrocketing cost of health insurance is one of the biggest issues facing Montanans today," she said. She said that whether president-elect Republican Donald J. Trump repeals the Affordable Care Act, a promise he made during his campaign, or makes other changes, the auditor's office will play a key role in what happens for Montana. "The auditor's office will be responsible for implementing those policies and if Congress gets bogged down, the auditor's office has the ability and responsibility to see what can be done," she said. State law calls for the central committee of the departing senator's party to pick a group of candidates, which are voted on by county commissioners from the counties in the Senate district, in this case SD 14. Those counties are Hill, Liberty, Cascade and Chouteau. Andrew Brekke, chairman for Hill County Republican Central Committee, said the committee has started the process of gathering names and hopes a new senator is appointed by the start of or soon after the state Legislature convenes Jan. 2. Brekke said three Republican central committees -- from Hill, Chouteau and Cascade counties -- will decide on at least three candidates to send to the county commissioners, who will vote to pick the appointee. Liberty County does not have a central committee. He hopes to get the commissioners a list in the next 10 days. I dont think its right to waste too much time, he said. It puts that individual at a disadvantage going into the session. Brekke, who has gone through the process of appointing a replacement state legislator before, said its not uncommon for the commissioners to go through several votes before making their choice. He didnt give names, but Brekke said among those being considered are a former legislator and people who have legislative experience. He is also looking at people who have run for the seat in the past. Others may submit their names for consideration, he said. What were looking for in a candidate is someone who can serve the needs of a large rural district. We want someone with political experience. Becoming a senator is not a simple task. He added hed like to see a candidate who would run to keep the seat in two years, when the term is up. Within seven days of being notified of the vacancy, the secretary of state must notify the county commissioners in all of the counties of the district and the state party that is responsible for notifying the county central committee of the county where the vacating legislator is a resident, in this case Havre. The county central committee has 45 days to propose a list of prospective appointees and send it to the county commissioners. The commissioners have 15 days to vote and notify the secretary of state of the appointee. When it's time to vote on candidates, the chair of the board in the county where Hansen lives will call a meeting of the commissioners of the four counties. Each commissioner's vote is weighted by the percent of Hansen's 2014 votes that came from his or her county and the number of commissioners in the county. For example, about 47 percent of Hansen's vote came from Hill County, which has three commissioners. That means each Hill County commissioner's vote will be worth about 15 points. Each county has three commissioners. Hansen got 1,908 votes in Hill County, 1,326 in Chouteau, 581 in Liberty and 265 in Cascade. The person who gets the most points above 50 will fill the seat, and there must be a consensus among the commissioners. If none of the candidates receives a number higher than 50, the selection board shall cast its votes again for the two people who got the most points. The process is sped up to a five-day notification process, a five-day submission period and a five-day appointment period if the Legislature is in session. By clicking Agree, you consent to Slates Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and the use of technologies such as cookies by Slate and our partners to deliver relevant advertising on our iOS app to personalize content and perform site analytics. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information about our use of data, your rights, and how to withdraw consent. Agree SPRINGFIELD When Stacey and Ryan Skrysak spent nearly four months in the HSHS St. Johns Children's Hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) watching their babies fight for their lives, they began reading to them in an attempt to make a connection. Three years later, the Skrysaks are running a charity trying to provide parents in similar situations the same comfort and benefits for the babies reading to their children gave the Skrysaks. The Triple Heart Foundation, an official 501(c)(3) charity, collects books and donates them to NICUs at both local hospitals and any other hospital requesting them. Recently, Triple Heart received a grant from the Illinois Education Association (IEA) to fund NICU care packages. The Skrysaks path to running a charity foundation began in 2013. After years of trying to start a family, the Skrysaks used In Vitro Fertilization and Stacey became pregnant with triplets. But, from the beginning, the pregnancy was difficult. Stacey, currently a news anchor at WICS in Springfield, was an anchor at WAND in Decatur in 2013 when she told viewers on the air she was pregnant with triplets. Even when I first announced it, I said it was a high-risk pregnancy and to say prayers for me and my family, Stacey said. I started having complications at 18 weeks and I had to go on bed rest. It was downhill from there. On June 23, 2013, Stacey went into labor at 22 weeks and six days and gave birth to triplets. One of the babies, Abigail, died shortly after birth, in Staceys arms. Her identical sister Peyton and brother Parker were taken to the NICU, barely weighing a pound each. It was a pretty somber time, Ryan said. You dont ever expect yourself to be in that situation, and its not something youd want anyone to ever have to go through. The Skrysaks were grieving their daughter Abigail, and hoping against the odds that Parker and Peyton would make it. Babies born before 23 weeks are generally given less than a 10 percent chance to survive. The early days and weeks were very difficult, Stacey said. You go day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. Its a surreal experience. Youre trying to balance the grief of losing a child and staying strong for the other two. At the one month anniversary, both Peyton and Parker appeared to be progressing, and Stacey said: You know what? I think theyre going to survive. A week later, Parker was weakened by a surgery that caused brain damage and the Skrysaks eventually chose to stop care rather than let him suffer more. Parker died at 55 days old on Aug. 16, 2013. Its been three-and-a-half years that grief never goes away, Stacey said. It changes over time, but it never goes away. Peyton, though, defied the odds. On Oct. 17, 2013, the Skrysaks brought the 116-day-old baby home. She became the youngest baby ever born at St. Johns to survive. Though there are still challenges, she began preschool this year and is thriving. Of babies born at 22 weeks, very few are alive and only about five percent of them will lead a normal life, but she had a checkup six months ago and her doctor said he thinks shes going to be one of them, Stacey said. Shes had issues with her immune system being a little weak and she could have learning issues down the road, but shes doing great. She was nicknamed Diva the first week she was born, and three-and-a-half years later, it fits her perfect. During those early weeks in the NICU, the Skrysaks became frustrated that all they could do is look at their babies they were too small to hold. We couldnt even touch them, Stacey said. A nurse suggested they read to them through the isolette window they watched their babies through. She told us, You should bring books in, Ryan said. She said when the preemies hear your voice, its soothing and it creates a bond. It can actually help them fight. In that situation, anything you do no matter how small to help your child fight for their life and overcome the odds, youre going to do it. So the Skrysaks began reading. And reading. And reading. Ryan said he read Going on a Bear Hunt and On the Night You Were Born more times than he can count. Shes grown out of some of those books now, but shell still bring On the Night You Were Born to us to read every once in awhile, and it always brings back memories of that time, Ryan said. There were about 30 books total that we read. We were just grasping at whatever hope we could. Stacey began doing research and found several articles on studies that showed reading aloud to preemies can help brain development. Ryan said he doesnt attribute the reading to Peyton surviving, but knows it definitely helped him I think it was soothing to us to be reading and interacting with them, Ryan said. Stacey said after coming home with Peyton, she and Ryan wanted to do something to both honor their two children who died and help others who are going through what they did. On Peytons first two birthdays, the Skrysaks collected 250 books each year from friends and families and donated. Then, last January, Stacey made it a goal to expand the operation and make it a full-blown charity. She worked with a friend who is a lawyer to establish it, coming up with financing, forming a board and writing a mission statement. It was a lot more work than I thought, said Stacey, laughing. But once we got it up and running, weve been blown away with the community support. And more big things are ahead. Triple Heart started small, supplying books to the NICU at St. John's. Since, theyve had requests from California, New York and St. Louis, and plan to expand to hospitals in Champaign and Peoria in the future. Triple Heart has received support from several sources, many unexpected a Girls Scouts troop from Taylorville donated $500 in books. Then, last month, with help from a Springfield Public Schools teacher with experience writing grant proposals, Triple Heart earned a grant to make NICU care packages that include childrens books, crossword puzzles and snacks for parents, and handmade preemie blankets and hats. Each item Triple Heart donated reads: In memory of Parker and Abby. Administration officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, suggested that Lavrov was trying to cause mischief and avoid anything that would end the civil war while Russia and Syria destroy as much of Assad's opposition as possible. A brutal government offensive over the past week has driven the opposition out of much of the territory in eastern Aleppo it has held since 2012, and the city is thought to be just days away from falling. McGrath said he didn't know exactly how far away the teens were but they were "not even close" to the armed clerk as they tried to grab several items. McGrath said Sunna fired eight or nine times, hitting the youngest boy multiple times. The boy later died at a hospital. Best Canadian Blog 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 About Kate Why this blog? Until this moment I have been forced to listen while media and politicians alike have told me "what Canadians think". In all that time they never once asked. This is just the voice of an ordinary Canadian yelling back at the radio - "You don't speak for me." (goes to a private mailserver in Europe) I can't answer or use every tip, but all are appreciated! Katewerk Art Support SDA I am not a registered charity. I cannot issue tax receipts. Reconnaissance Man Economics for the Disinterested ...a fast-paced polar bear attack thriller! Want lies? Hire a regular consultant. Want truth? Hire an asshole. Historical Evidence Concerning Climate Change Social Conservativism In an age of Revolution Weather Shop Click to inquire about rates. Dow Jones What They Say About SDA "Smalldeadanimals doesn't speak for the people of Saskatchewan" Former Sask Premier Lorne Calvert "I got so much traffic after your post my web host asked me to buy a larger traffic allowance." Dr.Ross McKitrick Holy hell, woman. When you send someone traffic, you send someone TRAFFIC. My hosting provider thought I was being DDoSed. - Sean McCormick "The New York Times link to me yesterday [...] generated one-fifth of the traffic I normally get from a link from Small Dead Animals." Kathy Shaidle "Thank you for your link. A wave of your Canadian readers came to my blog! Really impressive." Juan Giner - INNOVATION International Media Consulting Group I got links from the Weekly Standard, Hot Air and Instapundit yesterday - but SDA was running at least equal to those in visitors clicking through to my blog. Jeff Dobbs "You may be a nasty right winger, but you're not nasty all the time!" Warren Kinsella "Go back to collecting your welfare livelihood."Michael E. Zilkowsky Intelliweather Seismic Map Comments Policy Read this Best Of SDA Hide The Decline The Bottle Genie (ClimateGate links) You Might Be A Liberal Uncrossing The Line Bob Fife: Knuckledragger A Modest Proposal (NP) Settled Science Series Y2Kyoto Series SDA: Reader Occupation Survey Brett Lamb Sheltered Workshop Flakes On A Plane All Your Weather Are Belong To Us Song Of The Sled The Raise A Flag Debacle (Now on Youtube!) (.mwv Video) Abuse Ruins Life Of Girl Trudeaupiate Kleptocrat Jeans Child Labour I Concede Small Dead Feminist Protein Hoser: THK Interview The Werewolf Extinction Dear Laura (VRWC) We Wait Blogging The Oscars Jackson Converts To Islam Just Shut The HELL Up Manipulating Condi Gay Equality Rights The first low-cost Tigerair flight from Melbourne to Canberra lands at 6.40pm on Thursday, and both VisitCanberra and Tigerair have been busy behind the scenes promoting our best "hipster" features to Melburnians. It's all about good food, hiking and coffee in a new series of advertisements encouraging Melbourne residents to take advantage of cheap flights to visit and explore the ACT. In true hipster form, one promotional image features a woman wearing a plaid shirt, and in another, a blue "fixie" (fixed-gear bicycle) leans casually against a tree. The Lonsdale Street vibe has been a key feature of marketing Canberra to Melburnians. Credit:Jez Rozdarz The $200,000 marketing campaign, funded jointly by VisitCanberra and Tigerair Australia, is grounded strongly in digital, and has popped up in the Facebook feeds of people living in Melbourne and regional Victoria. The campaign has also included a significant investment in content marketing, with stories like this one appearing on online destinations Broadsheet Melbourne and Timeout Melbourne. And it's working. 2. Trump: Time magazine has named Donald Trump person of the year. Angela Merkel made it last year with Barack Obama named in 2012. George Bush Snr made the list in 1990 with George Bush Jnr in 2000. Donald trump overnight vowed to take on the pharmaceutical industry, the immediate reaction was the health care sector lost ground with Merck down 0.75% Pfizer down 1.65%. 1. Renzi: Italy's Prime minister Mario Renzi has officially resigned following the failed referendum. The next scheduled elections are not until 2018. President Sergio Mattarella will ask members of Renzi's cabinet to try and form a new government. Italy's MIB trades into Five month highs at 18254 points following European markets higher before the announcement came through. Following Renzi's resignation European futures have eased this morning on the news with the Italian MIB down 20 points. The local stock market is set to lift at the open, after a late rally on Wall Street overnight that sent the Dow to record highs. 3. Equities: The DOW30 and the S&P500 set new record highs with financials again leading the way, names like Visa and American express the strongest gainers for the session. Telecoms continue to rally a further 2% on the back of the news that the Softbank investment into the US will bring in 50,000 jobs. US10Y yields eased back to 2.34% in line with markets the German 10Y bund at 0.34% The ASX is set to break through 5900 today. Credit:Peter Braig 4. Oil: Oil break down below the key $50 a barrel level as doubt creep in about the resolve of the OPEC producers to cut production. US stock piles have risen by 3.8 million barrels so far this week bring additional concerns of oversupply. BHP was held back in UK and US trading as oil came under pressure the ADR suggest an Australian open at $26.06 a 1.3% move higher. 5. Commodities: Iron ore flies higher again as 62% fines trading at $82.25 a continued strong move in this commodities space. The RIO ADR suggests an open at $60.83 which only matches yesterday close. Looking forward with new mines coming on board and the potential for a surplus the expectation is not for a continued rally into 2017. With Gold firmly below the key USD $1200oz level Australian producers will find headwinds as the AUD price for Gold slips under the key $1600oz. 6. ASX: Volatility has eased to the complacent level as the Australian market implied volatility falls to 12.8 generally levels below 18 are bullish for markets, we may be in the early stages of the Xmas move, historically starting around the 2nd week of December. With global markets remaining buoyant we are looking for a strong open this morning with futures up 44 points pointing to the Index crossing the key 5500 level at 5522 points. We would expect to see profit taking as the week draws to a close. 7. Today's diary: When Jeff Kennett presented Coles boss John Durkan with a demand for a compensation payment of more than $1 million to a mistreated supplier the reaction was telling. "What he said to me was 'have we given this person enough?' " Mr Kennett told Fairfax Media. Mr Kennett made the demand the biggest in dollar terms in his role as an independent arbiter in disputes between Coles and its suppliers and he says the response from Mr Durkan shows how much the supermarket chain's culture has changed since he was appointed in 2014. And for Mr Kennett this experience highlights where the federal government has got its response to poor behaviour from the banks and other financial services providers so very wrong. DECATUR For Mary Ann Koucky and her family, living on the island of Luzon, the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, was not a faraway threat. Indeed, Japan launched an invasion of the U.S.-controlled Philippine Islands hours later by bombing the air station near the gold mine her dad supervised in Baguio. The family painted sheets black and put them up to the windows so they could turn on a light at night, initially not imagining the Japanese would ever take the island, but the invaders reached their doorstep Dec. 28. They came with their bayonets and their flaps on their hats, Koucky said. They were spooky. Thus began three years and five weeks as prisoners of war, a grueling and harrowing experience that began when Mary Ann was 7, and one that had a lasting impact on the 82-year-old Decatur woman's life. When they were liberated in February 1945, for example, her parents took the family to Chicago rather than remain. Sanford Ladic accepted a position with Peabody Coal Co., moving the family to Taylorville, and Cecilia Ladic refused to follow her husband's career from then on, never again venturing far from her native Illinois. She relocated to Decatur after their three daughters finished high school. Koucky, a good Catholic who had already experienced the most difficult time in her life, married and went on to raise nine children, teaching them to be obedient and self-sufficient. She graduated from Millikin University and worked 10 years as a public school teacher before enjoying a long and successful second career as a financial adviser. Along the way she divorced her first husband and 10 years later married John Koucky, the love of her life, in 1997. Her philosophy was this: You have to be ready, because you never know what's going to happen. We must also make the most of what we have, be grateful to God for it, and not be a crybaby. That pluck served Koucky well as living conditions endured by her family went from bad to worse during their internment in the Philippines. Japanese soldiers first trucked them to Camp John Hay, the very U.S. air base they'd attacked to start the invasion, where the Ladics joined hundreds of detainees packed into every available space. There was no electricity and only enough water for drinking and cooking. Four months later, the Ladics were moved to Camp Holmes, a former Filipino constabulary, where prisoners had more room and more freedoms, including worship services and schooling for the children. It was there that Koucky was able to fashion a doll out of old linen towels, a precious source of comfort she managed to keep hidden for the rest of her imprisonment and take with her after the family's liberation. The boredom, at this point, was soul-crushing. We would dig out bullets fired for target practice before the war. I would also play with ants, she said. Finally, rumors that the Japanese planned to take all their American and British prisoners to Manila came to pass on Dec. 27, 1944. The family was among 300 trucked to the former Bilibid prison and housed with the Filipino and American soldiers who managed to survive the 65-mile Bataan Death March two years earlier. There the prisoners survived on two meals a day, one of rice and the other of cornmeal. I remember eating blades of grass, your body wanted green something so badly, Koucky said. Eventually there was nothing on the ground anywhere; just mud or dirt. The smell of death was everywhere. Because the camp often separated the men from the women, it often fell to Koucky, as the oldest, to look after her sisters after their mother fell ill with dysentery. Their liberators included Koucky's second cousin, Francis Callaghan of LaGrange, then an Army engineer. Today, in addition to remembering the more than 300 members of the military from Macon County who were killed, Decatur's World War II Memorial contains bricks honoring Koucky and her sisters along with service members from the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. For Koucky, the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor makes her think not only about the Americans killed that day in Hawaii but also those who died aboard ship in 1945 as she and her family headed back to the United States. And all those deaths in between. A burial at sea is something you never forget, she said. I can't hear Taps or 'The Star-Spangled Banner' without getting tears in my eyes. A company part owned by Gina Rinehart is suing the Victorian government for $2.7 billion in damages over the state's ban on onshore gas exploration. Lakes Oil claims the Andrews government has deprived the oil and gas company of its opportunity to use its exploration permits "for the purpose for which they were intended". In a statement, Lakes Oil said it was seeking damages for losses suffered by the company as a result of Resources Minister Wade Noonan's conduct. "The unjust and unlawful actions of the Victorian government, and its proposed bill to ban onshore exploration, have caused significant losses to the company and its 11,000 long-standing shareholders," it said. The writ was filed in the Supreme Court. Beijing-based developer Holder East has snapped up a vacant King Street block for $6.02 million before it sold at auction, to add to a development site next door. The deal negotiated by Colliers International's Oliver Hay, Daniel Wolman, Matt Stagg and David Sia saw the Chinese group buy the corner site from local developer Vaughan Constructions. Thomson Geer Lawyers' Eu Ming Lim acted for Holder East. The vacant site at 501-509 King Street in West Melbourne. Credit:Cloud 9 Aerial Photography Holder East purchased an adjoining site at 511-525 King Street in 2014 for $10.05 million at a land rate of $5100 per square metre. The new site at 501-509 transacted a week before the auction at a rate of $6400 per sq m. Wesfarmers chief Richard Goyder has dismissed talk Bunnings boss John Gillam quit his post in protest over missing out on the top job. Mr Goyder described the shock announcement as a "personal" decision. He said there was no truth to reports Mr Gillam was one of three candidates, including finance director Terry Bowen and industrial business boss Rob Scott, vying to be the next chief of Wesfarmers. "John has been a candidate and one of potentially more than three that have been identified as potential candidates but nothing has happened that would have ruled him out of that," Mr Goyder said. Ivanka Trump turned her speech at this year's Republican National Convention into a mini fashion show, appearing onstage in a rose-hued sheath from her namesake label and then nudging her Twitter followers to shop the "look." The dress she wore before about 39 million viewers in July cost $US157 ($210) - a bargain, compared with her stepmother Melania Trump's $US2190 Roksanda gown. "It's really possible to create great quality pieces that stand the test of time, that are beautiful," Ivanka Trump told The Wall Street Journal when her clothing line launched in 2012, "in more affordable price brackets." It's possible largely because they're made in China and Vietnam. Trump's father, President-elect Donald Trump, suggested on Sunday that he wants to cut this supply chain, warning companies that shuttling work overseas could soon bring stiff penalties. "Any business that leaves our country for another country, fires its employees, builds a new factory or plant in the other country, and then thinks it will sell its product back into the US . . . without retribution or consequence, is WRONG!" he wrote on Twitter. "There will be a tax on our soon to be strong border of 35% for these companies ......" Spare a thought for Australia's 15-year-olds. If they don't have enough to contend with, between the immediate demands of Snapchat and a future of robots stealing their jobs, now they have to bear the brunt of a nation's slighted pride. The latest PISA results are out, and they are not good. The real-life problem-solving skills of Australia's teenagers are declining in the fields of maths, science and reading, according to the global Programme for International Student Assessment that's taken by over half a million 15-year-olds. Australian students have gone backwards relative to their international peers, but also relative to Australian 15-year-olds in 2000 when PISA started. Anne McManus of Killara gives C8 a scoop. "Having spent 30 years of my life promoting television programs, both for the ABC and commercial channels, I add the following examples to those of Geoff Booth (C8) about TV program terminology. And yes, I have used the following and more. 'Encore presentation' (repeat); 'special encore presentation' (second repeat); 'Academy Award deserving' (It's a dog); 'This could be the funniest movie you'll see all year' (It isn't but we're only saying it could be)." But "Speaking of ABC repeats, Column 8 is starting to sound a bit like the Grumpy Old Men/Women shows. On birds using pedestrian crossings, brush turkeys are almost flightless birds, only taking to the air if threatened." Regards, Stephen Kemp of Ryde. We don't know whether to celebrate or to cry, says Manne Schulze, Earlwood. "About two weeks ago a brush turkey moved into our backyard adjacent to Wolli Creek Reserve. Apparently they can make quite a mess, and this one already started digging for food. Considering we are in the inner south-west only 10 kilometres from the city, it must have been on quite a journey to get here. We'll be watching with interest." [C8: keep us posted.] Now a mixed bag. "I met three friends in Martin Place today for a pre-Christmas lunch," writes Colleen Burke of Drummoyne. "We were intrigued by the overhead Christmas decorations which we all agreed look like snakes. Can anyone throw any light on their significance to the Christmas story?" "Malcolm Turnbull's text to retiring NZ Prime Minister John Key 'say it ain't so, bro' reminded me of a message I saw recently on an Indigenous T-shirt: 'Don't bro me if you don't know me'." Brian Harris of Tamworth. A 2.6-metre glass wall surrounding about 1.5 kilometres of Parliament House, Canberra, is not much of a wall. Some are calling it a pool fence. A $108 million pool fence. A look at history shows what a real wall is. The Berlin Wall, built in 1961, was 155 kilometres long and about 3.6 metres high in its concrete section. The ''pool fence'' at Parliament House in Canberra. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Hadrian's Wall (128AD) would keep the Picts out of Roman Britannia, 117 kilometres long, stone, and up to six metres high. Zimbabwe built dry stone walls up to five metres high between the 11th and 15th centuries to protect their rulers. And, of course, the Great Wall of China, which was started around 200 BC, and built over hundreds of years to keep the barbarian hordes out, has various sections which measure more than 20,000 kilometres and it is up to eight metres high. Absent the diplomatic reality and risks to stability in Asia, Mr Trump's brazen break with protocol over Taiwan last week reveals some home truths about Beijing. The Chinese communist regime does game the trade system at times, bully neighbours over disputed islands and use state-owned enterprises as weapons of indirect influence in its economic partners. Many on the right welcome Mr Trump's honesty and shift towards the popularly-elected government of President Tsai Ing-wen in Taiwan a country two Trump advisers have described as "a beacon of democracy in Asia". It is true that Ms Tsai's party is more democratic and open to independence than many of its predecessors. The key question for Australia, though, is whether the US President-elect is raising the stakes in Asia forever or simply showing Beijing that he won't be bluffed into folding on campaign issues such as Chinese tariffs on US imports, currency devaluation and the military build-up near Taiwan. Mr Trump's decision to accept a supposed "congratulatory" call from Ms Tsai was clearly not an unplanned blunder by a US leader poorly versed in Washington-Beijing-Taipei relations. It was well planned by most accounts. The New York Times reported on Wednesday that former Republican senator and presidential candidate Bob Dole worked behind the scenes on behalf of the Taiwan government over the past six months to establish high-level contact between its officials and Mr Trump's team. In a 20-year tenure as lobbyist for Taiwan, Mr Dole also helped persuade the Republican Party to include pro-Taiwan articles in its campaign platform. The intention from Taiwan was clear: to pay the well-connected 93-year-old lobbyist to help it exert more influence in Washington after what many saw as disinterest from the Obama administration. The intention also was clear from the Trump transition team, which includes many Taiwan-minded advisers: to send a tough message to China that it should not mess with Washington any more because the niceties and tippy-toeing over Taiwan will no longer provide cover. Indeed, Taiwan emerges from the exchange a potentially more powerful economic and strategic ally for the US, which in turn complicates Australia's place in the region. The phone call and follow-up tweets fitted the Trump modus operandi: to upset "inside the Washington Beltway" sensibilities and speak his mind. For some, it wasn't what Mr Trump said but how he followed up with the typical Twitter tirade. Others suspect Mr Trump is still thinking like a businessman with interests in Taiwan. The President-elect is playing a much higher-stakes game now. He disregarded the decades-old tacit understanding on all sides that America's One China policy means denying Taiwan diplomatic recognition and that means not calling its leader president and since 1979 has meant not speaking to him or her. At the same time, Washington deals with Taipei through unofficial channels and, tellingly, supplies it billions in military aid. Wind farms are being built to meet a national renewable energy target that was only ever designed to be a policy add-on. The target has kept a growing industry alive just, at times but was never meant to drive the change to a modern electricity system. Ageing, failing coal plants are shutting down abruptly and haphazardly nine in the past seven years, with the giant Hazelwood station in Victoria to join them in March. More will follow. The government is armed with a raft of evidence from government agencies, the energy industry, business groups that the electricity sector is in chaos. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Energy Prime Minister Josh Frydenberg want rules changed to encourage the building of high tech power stations which have lower carbon dioxide emissions Credit:Andrew Meares There is no other significant national policy. In this vacuum, the states are introducing their own renewable energy targets, a step the federal government says is expensive and puts supply at risk. The electricity industry is up in arms, not because no more traditional coal plants will be built in Australia and that it has to cut emissions to meet climate targets, but because there is no bipartisan national policy to help tell it what to build as the existing fleet dies out. There are plenty of ways you could do this arguably better ways but until Tuesday there was only one politically realistic solution on the table: a form of carbon pricing that covers just power stations, known as an emissions intensity scheme. Without getting bogged down in detail, it would set a limit on how much a plant can emit for every unit of electricity it generates, penalise those that breach it, and reward those that emit less with free credits. The limit would be reduced in a planned way, allowing companies to schedule cleaner investments initially gas-fired power, but also renewable technology. DECATUR A 41-year-old Decatur man is being held in the Macon County Jail on $500,000 bond, after an investigation involving federal law enforcement authorities found that he allegedly possessed and shared child pornography, including images involving infants. Vance J. Auten, of the 600 block of North Virginia Avenue, was arrested at about 8:29 a.m. Tuesday, as officers executed a federal search warrant at his far west-side residence. Decatur police detective Ronald Borowczyk was serving as an officer with the Homeland Security Investigations Task Force. He observed the download of two movies by a detective of a North Carolina municipal police department from the internet protocol (IP) address associated with Auten, said a probable cause affidavit by Borowcyk. That download was part of the task force's investigation. The file name of one movie was Grandpa's Baby 1 YO Girl (Toddler), 7 minutes long, with sexual contact between an infant girl and an adult male. The second movie, 1 minute and 41 seconds long, shows sexual contact between an adult male and a girl, 3 to 5 years old. A Homeland Security investigator subpoenaed AT&T, to determine that the account holder of the IP address associated with those downloads was Auten, Borowczyk wrote in his statement. Borowczyk proceeded to attempt to complete a download from the suspect IP address that on occasion showed that it was in possession of 1,700 files of suspected contraband, namely child pornography. When the computer was obtained through the search warrant, it contained more than 50 files of child pornography. The still images described in the affidavit included sexual contact between adults and seven different children, six girls and one boy. The ages of the children were listed as a boy, 2 to 4 years old, and girls, two who were 2 to 4 years old, two 4 to 6 years old and two 8 to 10 years old. Auten is being held on preliminary charges of two counts of reproducing/selling child pornography and seven counts of possessing film/photos of child pornography. He is due in Macon County Circuit for his arraignment by Wednesday. If he posts bond, he is under orders to refrain from contact with any child younger than 18. The decision to leave is often taken quickly. Children are grabbed, a few items of clothing are hastily stuffed into a bag before the dash for safety and - perhaps - a new life is made. "Three quarters of our clients are children and those children are often invisible": Janine Mahoney, chief executive officer of the Safe Futures Foundation, in Melbourne. Credit:Pat Scala It is only after safety is reached that people realise they have left their homes, toys, pets and connections to neighbours and schools, possibly forever. The Safe at Home program allows women and children who have experienced family violence to stay in their homes by fitting them with security measures such as CCTV cameras, stronger locks and windows and personal alarms as a deterrence to offenders. The government faces accusations that it is forcing up electricity prices and reducing energy reliability after abandoning a plan to even consider a climate scheme that experts say could have tackled both. In a torturous press conference, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed that the government had been forced into a U-turn on climate-change policy less than 48 hours after releasing details for a policy review next year. After two days of vocal criticism from several Coalition backbenchers, the government dropped plans for the review to consider an emissions intensity scheme for the electricity sector - a form of carbon pricing - to help it meet its climate targets. Mr Turnbull denied such a scheme had ever been part of the review. "We will not be imposing a carbon tax and we will not be imposing an emissions trading scheme, however it is called," he said. Last week, Josh Frydenberg was having a giggle in his Canberra office with Jean-Claude Van Damme. Seven days later, the Environment and Energy Minister must feel like he's been on the end of one of the Hollywood martial artist's roundhouse kicks. On Wednesday, Mr Frydenberg was in spectacular retreat over carbon pricing, having explicitly put an electricity industry emissions trading scheme on the discussion table on Monday, before disowning the idea entirely by midweek. At the same time, Fairfax Media has learned, his personal newsletter was dropping into letterboxes in his Melbourne electorate of Kooyong featuring another recently thorny issue for the minister. Senior US Republicans have set the Obama administration a deadline of December 13 to make public information about its refugee resettlement deal with the Turnbull government, in the latest threat to the plan before Donald Trump's inauguration as president. New concerns from members of Congress came as Liberal backbench MP Craig Kelly cast doubt on the plan's viability on Wednesday, conceding it wasn't "a done deal" and suggesting Immigration Minister Peter Dutton should be developing a contingency plan. The chairmen of the powerful House and Senate Judiciary Committees in Washington, Congressman Bob Goodlatte and Senator Chuck Grassley, restated their calls for the Obama administration to declassify information about the one-off plan signed with Australia last month, objecting to secret negotiations, which they said had "left Americans in the dark". Previously, the pair said many of the 1800 refugees and asylum seekers being considered for resettlement came "from countries of national security concern" and some designated by the US State Department as state sponsors of terrorism. Jakarta: Australian Trade Minister Steven Ciobo has rejected assertions that the Trans-Pacific Partnership has collapsed, saying the incoming Trump administration needed more time to consider the pros and cons of the giant regional trade deal. US President-elect Donald Trump made opposing the TPP a central plank of his populist election campaign, describing it during a speech as "another disaster done and pushed by special interests who want to rape our country". Last month, White House officials conceded the deal, which would have phased out thousands of tariffs, would not pass Congress before the transfer of power on January 20. But when asked in Jakarta what impact the collapse of the TPP had on negotiations of a free-trade deal between Indonesia and Australia, Mr Ciobo said he rejected the assertion it had collapsed. Tom Ford has backed comments he made over a decade ago about all men needing to experience penetration at least once in their lives in a bizarre interview with GQ this week, saying the practice would help men "understand women". The designer and director, whose second film Nocturnal Animals is in cinemas, defended comments he made to the same publication in 2004, while apparently propositioning a male journalist. Tom Ford poses backstage at The Fashion Awards 2016 at Royal Albert Hall on December 5, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. Credit:Getty In an interview with the publication this week, Ford, who married his long-term partner Richard Buckley in 2012, began by saying he was "taking the piss" out of the heterosexual journalist, and was drunk when he suggested anal sex was "really not that different than having a massage". However, despite the caveats, Ford still defended his controversial comments arguing it would increase men's empathy for women. "You just need to establish what the critical criteria are, then make a decision with these in mind, accepting that sometimes you'll get it wrong," says Bard. This brings me out in a cold sweat. Having been brought up to be a people-pleaser, I don't like being told off, and have a phobia of failure. Bard commiserates: "The idea that sometimes you will make mistakes is hard to swallow. But being comfortable with errors is crucial. You can't waste energy beating yourself up. You need to take action, then move on." I set myself a challenge: to try out change theories from the worlds of business, psychology and neuroscience, in my mission to become a lean, mean decision-making machine. I start ploughing through academic journals and contacting experts to establish the best strategies for making better, swifter and, crucially, fewer decisions. First, I learn we all need to give our bandwidth a break. A study from Denmark's Happiness Research Institute showed that regular Facebook users who took a sabbatical from the social media site were 55 per cent less stressed and experienced better concentration levels (which aids better decision-making) in just seven days. On the one hand, I'm flabbergasted; on the other hand - the one scrolling through five years of someone else's Facebook photos - I'm not surprised at all. Being alive is arduous enough without unnecessarily exposing ourselves to incessant one-upmanship, clickbait, links and distractions. I resolve to go cold turkey, deleting the Facebook app on my phone. I try to limit my use of Twitter and vow only to check email three times a day, switching to "airplane mode" to avoid that distracting "ping" whenever possible. I'm also a classic multi-tasker - something I considered an asset until reading research from Stanford proving that multi-taskers are less productive, experience difficulties concentrating, and expend unnecessary brainpower. A study from the University of London found that multi-taskers experience declines in IQ similar to heavy cannabis users or chronic insomniacs, with many regressing to the IQ levels of an eight-year-old. As a writer who's also a parent, news junkie and fan of multi-screen viewing (such as tweeting during The Apprentice), this hits a nerve. There is plenty of multi-tasking in my life that's unavoidable: I regularly have to do my job while being cried at by my toddler and bounced at by my dog. But reading all the news at the same the time could be a bit much. As my mother recently pointed out: "Life's not one long rehearsal for an appearance on Question Time???" It's good to care, but we don't get extra points for reading everything. In fact, we get weary, which contributes to further indecision. One way of preserving mental energy is to streamline the number of unnecessary decisions we make each day with habits that help us avoid squandering our limited self-control. "If you regularly find yourself struggling to decide what to have for lunch and end up reaching for the biscuit tin, you need to plan ahead and form healthier habits," suggests Dr Benjamin Gardner, an expert in behaviour change at King's College London. "Eating something you've already prepared takes the choice away - and avoids exhausting your willpower." So I bake batches of lasagne to avoid another takeaway dinner, make soup and shop online, so I can click the same list every week. Clothes are next, and I'm delighted to learn that my typical work uniform of jeans and a black jumper isn't just laziness on my part: I'm channelling Barack Obama. The outgoing US president stuck to grey or blue suits to minimise "non-critical" decision-making in the mornings. Ditto Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, with his grey T-shirt and hoodie, and the late Steve Jobs, Apple CEO, with his Milk Tray Man signature style. Clothed, fed, digitally detoxed and single tasking, I feel like a paragon of virtue. There's just one problem: I'm still anxious. Fortunately, scientists at Pennsylvania State University discovered that by scheduling specific "worry time", we can fend off decision-inhibiting anxiety during the rest of our day. All we need to do is set aside 15 to 30 minutes at the same time each day to agonise. I start writing down all my "what if" thoughts as they occur to me. These range from the work-related (will I meet those deadlines?) to the domestic, large and small (where should we live? Should I switch to semi-skimmed milk?). After 15 minutes, I stop, go outside, and fill my lungs with fresh, worry-free air. I try another session the following day and by the end of the week, I haven't done nearly so much continuous fretting as normal. Instead of accepting low-level worry as the soundtrack to my day, I have the headspace to think more clearly and concentrate. Whenever worries pop up outside of their allotted time, I dismiss them, safe in the knowledge that they'll be dealt with later. A month later, I'm less fretful and surprisingly productive. I no longer experience nausea when the prospect of "choosing" is dangled in front of me. And because I've cut down on unnecessary decision-making, there are fewer choices to be made anyway. I don't just have more energy, but a sneaking suspicion that I might even be in decision-fatigue recovery. Top tips to beat decision fatigue: Log off Limit social media use, embrace airplane mode and schedule specific email-checking slots. Decide not to decide Plan what to eat and wear for the week. Stick to it. Make it a habit. Single-task Set an egg timer or your smartphone's stopwatch and give the job in hand 25 minutes of your undivided attention. Schedule worry time Fairfax Media photographer Andrew Meares has taken many iconic images over his decorated career, but only one could probably be said to have "broken the internet" . I was commissioned to travel to Mackay with journalist Matthew Knott for a profile of controversial politician George Christensen. We spent a couple of days in his North Queensland electorate to really get to know him outside of a Canberra context, and importantly he got to understand what Matthew and I wanted to achieve. I made some portraits in a cane field but they felt forced and lacked a connection to what Matthew was working on, so I made the most of a second opportunity back in George's office in Parliament House. As I was setting up my lights, we watched the US Presidential election unfold on Fox News. George had told us the week before that Trump would win. His predictions were coming to fruition and I'm sure the hint of his smile in my photo was in relation to the world changing around us. These images have gone viral does that surprise you? Context is everything. I made the work to be seen as a magazine cover in connection with a long-form profile piece. However, the image was released on social media in a different context, which therefore delivered different meanings. I was not surprised that the image was intriguing, as that was the whole point, but the symbolism of the tattoo, whip and blue singlet were lost. Politics is now numb with spin. And in this image George revealed a confronting authenticity that we are sadly not used to. Where did you get the idea for a singlet and whip? Nick Cave explains counterpoint is the key to songwriting: "Putting two disparate images beside each other and seeing which way the sparks fly." Photography operates in a similar way, be it foreground, background, colour, form, line, people or objects. My starting point was to show George's tattoo as a tangible symbol of his faith. We had a discussion about that and George was happy for me to photograph it. I added the whip as he holds the powerful position of National Party Chief Whip, which helped explain his influence in the political discourse. The 1917 Australian Country Party whip is displayed on the wall in his office and it made sense to both of us to include it, but the caption would have to explain that detail. One video show the Coffs Coast Pedo Hunter confronting a man in a park after dark and accusing him of grooming a 14-year-old girl. Credit:YouTube The Coffs Coast Pedo Hunter says he poses as a young girl on dating sites, exchanges messages with men and then agrees to meet them. At the meeting, he confronts them on camera. He has uploaded videos showing their full names and faces and says he passes chat logs on to the police. Another video shows him confronting a man in a car park in Coffs Harbour after messaging him and pretending to be a schoolgirl. Credit:YouTube "You've been messaging me the whole time, mate. I do this all the time, mate. I catch paedophiles and ... you're a f---ing deadset paedophile!" he yells at one man who allegedly thought he was meeting a 14-year-old girl for a "sleepover". In one video, he films a man walking into a police station, apparently after a confrontation, and saying "Ah, I've made a few bad decisions." A screenshot from a video in which the Coffs Coast Pedo Hunter accuses a Taree man of sending explicit photos to a girl he believed was under 18. Credit:YouTube In two others, the men claim they didn't know the girls were underage. Coffs Harbour men Trent Collins, 24, and Nigel McKee, 31, have subsequently been charged with using a carriage service to procure someone under 16 for sexual activity and using a carriage service to send indecent material to a person under 16. However, Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command crime manager, Detective Inspector Darren Jameson, insisted the arrests were not based on the Pedo Hunter's work, much of which would be inadmissable evidence in court. "Unfortunately the actions of this person, however well meaning, do not assist NSW Police in our causes," he said. "Our focus in this command in relation to suspected paedophiles is about catching them and putting them before the courts. This type of vigilante behaviour ignores those rules of evidence so ... it puts at strong risk the capability for us to obtain a prosecution or conviction in the future." He said the man might be compromising police operations that are already under way or putting himself in danger. "I have concerns over mistaken identities, people using other people's social media accounts, identity theft and fraud ... all these could mean an innocent person is publicly humiliated," he said. East, who is serving a 12-month suspended sentence for a home invasion, said he started posing as an underage girl while "mucking around" on Tinder one night. He was also motivated by a close family friend, who raised him and carries scars from child abuse. "The numbers that are out there, there's no way the police would keep tabs on them all," he said. "I just want people to be aware." He isn't worried about being sued because "I've got no money" but he was almost run over last Friday during one confrontation. Many comments on his videos express a belief that police are not doing enough to catch paedophiles. However, Michael Salter, a criminologist at Western Sydney University, said three out of four prosecutions involving men soliciting sex with minors involve covert police entrapment. "That means only one in four times is the man actually speaking to a child online," he said. "This is an area in which the police have a lot of resources and are very active." Dr Salter said civilian vigilantism is growing in the digital age but there is no evidence that it helps keep children safe. The Coffs Coast Pedo Hunter appears to be more about macho grandstanding than protecting children, he said. "When I think about my heroes in this space, they are working really hard, often behind the scenes, trying to get real change for child abuse victims," he said. "They're not the ones painting a big Superman symbol on their chests." A man has been charged after police allegedly discovered a cache of weapons, including an explosive device, crossbows and stun guns, at a house on Sydney's northern beaches. The 44-year-old will face Manly Local Court on Thursday charged with 13 offences, including possessing explosives for unlawful purposes, after police searched the home in Frenchs Forest on Wednesday. A NSW Police spokesman said officers from the Northern Beaches Local Area Command arrested the man in St Ives about 12.45pm on Wednesday and took him to Manly police station for questioning. Later in the afternoon, officers searched a house on Jimada Avenue in Frenchs Forest. Police will allege in court that, in the house, they found an explosive device, stun guns, crossbows, throwing knives, slingshots, laser pointers, a dart gun and 10 brass knuckles. MAROA Job one for the man who will take charge of the Maroa-Forsyth School District is easy: listening. John Ahlemeyer, introduced as the incoming superintendent at a special school board meeting Tuesday night at the high school, says he has to understand the school district before he can lead it. So it's just a matter of getting to know everybody well enough and to listen to everybody and have the conversations to figure out where do we want to go. he said. We have to have the conversations about who do we want to become as a school district moving forward. The $155,000-a-year superintendent's job is likely to get a lot harder when all the listening is done. Ahlemeyer, 50, takes up his new post July 1 after the current superintendent, Mike Williams, leaves in June. Williams' resignation comes in the wake of tough financial times for the school district, which saw a 50-cent property tax referendum go down in flames in November, the second time since April 2015 a proposed tax hike had flunked out with voters. Ahlemeyer, who for the past 10 years has served as superintendent of the 900-student Gavin School District 37 in Ingleside, close to the Wisconsin border, has already been doing homework for his new job. He knows some of the challenges he will likely face and stated them plainly to an audience of about 40 who came to welcome him amid punch and cookies. The incoming superintendent said he could foresee that some major issues are likely to collide in the near future. Once we talk about where we want to go, who we want to be, there is going to be a funding issue that is associated with that, he told the audience. I am just letting this out up front: Our biggest challenge is going to be trying to marry the funding mechanism against where we want to go. Ahlemeyer said that means deciding how the district will handle 21st century learning and choosing what teachers, administrators and resources were necessary to make it happen. Earlier, he had told the Herald & Review the answers to those questions may mean confronting the referendum challenge again. If it takes a referendum to get us there, then let's communicate that, he said. The Maroa-Forsyth school board, which voted 5-0 Tuesday, with two members absent, to approve the new hire, is convinced the married father of five children aged from 26 to 18 is the man to guide their destiny. Russ Corey, board president, said out of three superintendent job finalists brought in for community and staff meetings, Ahlemeyer was the hands-down favorite all round. He was the candidate choice for the community, he was the administrators' top candidate and he was the board's top candidate, Corey said. And you just kind of know when you have got the right man in front of you, you just develop that relationship. He was the man. Corey said he hopes that Ahlemeyer, who grew up in Fairbury north of Bloomington, will quickly integrate himself into the community and use his people and listening skills to rebuild a sense of unity in the school district. I think our community has got split a little bit over some of the financial issues, and the district got a little dysfunctional, Corey added. But we think John is the type of leader who can pull everything back together and get us back on track. Ahlemeyer told Tuesday night's meeting he was rolling up his sleeves in anticipation of getting started. I can't wait to get at that challenge, and we're going to get at it together, he said. Jeff Darragh was on a cruise ship in the middle of the Pacific Ocean when he flipped through a magazine. In his hands was the very thing he was trying to escape: the story of his elderly mother's murder at the hands of nurse Megan Haines. Megan Haines, 49, will be sentenced on December 16 for giving two nursing home patients lethal injections of insulin. "There is no escape in a thing like this, it's there forever," Mr Darragh told the NSW Supreme Court on Wednesday. Marie Darragh, 82, and Isabella Spencer, 77, were murdered by Haines, who gave them a lethal injection of insulin as they slept in their beds at St Andrews Village nursing home in Ballina in May, 2014. Jessica Silva dealt with her violent drug-addled boyfriend's abuse for so long, she thought she could change him. But on Mother's Day 2012, James Polkinghorne told her over the phone: "I'm going to cave your f---ing head in" and "I'm gonna break your f---ing jaw 'cause you're a dog." Hours after making the threatening phone calls, he turned up to her parents' home, in Marrickville, in Sydney's inner west, high on ice and in a violent rage. Ms Silva stabbed Mr Polkinghorne five times in the back and face outside the house. Brisbane Times launched a new-look newsletter on Wednesday, with a new, easy-to-use layout. The updated design is easy on the eyes and looks great on mobile devices, hitting readers with a strong image first, then listing the biggest stories of the moment. Brisbane Times has launched a new-look, mobile-friendly newsletter. Credit:Brisbane times The newsletter collects Brisbane Times' strongest news in the morning and afternoon and delivers it directly to the reader's inbox. Getting a notification on their phones or computer, readers can then read the top and breaking news in the morning and catch up on what they missed in the evening. Expect to see a more sophisticated "Gold Coast" marketed to the world in 2017, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said on Wednesday. He shrugged off the 2016 investigation by the Crime and Corruption Commission and the Electoral Commission of Queensland into donations from the LNP to two independent Gold Coast council candidates in March as a "waste of time." 'More sophisticated' Gold Coast in 2017 Mayor Tom Tate reflects on 2016. Credit:Chris Hyde Reflecting back on 2016, the former civil engineer - who was convincingly re-elected in March - said the Gold Coast was maturing and it was time for a fresh look at the way the Gold Coast appealed to visitors. It was an idea from Gold Coast Tourism and was supported at the last meeting of the Gold Coast City Council on Tuesday as it reviewed sections of its new City Plan. A woman is dead after a reported assault in Townsville, sparking a homicide investigation. A crime scene was in place at a home in the suburb of Deeragun after neighbours called police 12.15am and reported hearing a disturbance. Police are investigating the death of a woman in Townsville. Credit:Glenn Hunt Paramedics treated a woman, 59, for unnamed injuries but she was declared dead at the Innes Drive residence. A police spokesman said they did not have anyone in custody in relation to the death. Is a trampoline on your Christmas wish list this year? While today's trampolines appear to be safer than ever, several children jumping inside a safety net trampoline can be as dangerous as cage fighting, a leading paediatrician says. More than 80 per cent of Australian parents are ignoring basic trampoline safety guidelines, a children's health poll has revealed. And with one in six children likely to get injured from trampolining, only one in two parents know how the specific first aid for a head injury, dislodged tooth or an unconscious child. The Victorian economy shrank over the three months to September thanks to a massive drop in investment spending by the Andrews government. Victoria's state final demand - a measure of total spending that is often used as a proxy for growth - fell by 0.4 per cent in the September quarter. Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas: 184,000 jobs created since the November 2014 election Credit:Louise Kennerley But that came on the heels of a solid 1.3 per cent jump the previous June quarter. The seesawing result - up one quarter and then down the next - was the result of a single transaction. An Adventure World employee has been punched twice in the face after refusing entry to three men who had previously been kicked out of the park. WA Police have released CCTV footage of three men they wish to speak to as part of their investigation. The men police wish to speak to over the incident. Credit:WA Police The men drew the attention of staff when a fight broke out at around 2.30pm on November 17 inside the park. After it was found they had not paid the entry free, the three were then asked to leave. It's raining in Coffs Harbour when I speak to Miguel Maestre, the motor-mouthed celebrity chef famous for his Spanish influenced cooking and hosting Ten's 'The Living Room'. He's in Queensland to film an episode on bananas, and dares me to ask him a question about them. "I can tell you everything! We went out to a farm where they grow five different types, Cavendish to Lady Fingers," he enthuses. "You live in paradise in Australia. A perfect island where every climate in the world can be found. Fly to Queensland and its tropical, go to the South West of WA it's Mediterranean. And that gives such great fresh produce. That's why Australia is my home." West Australia's biggest hospitality trainer has called for more WA residents to answer the chef's as demand for kitchen skills soars in the state. Iain McDougall, general manager of the Hospitality Group Training, said the demand for chefs and cooks within the local industry is high in WA, with an abundance of new bars and restaurants opening all the time. Despite the rise of shows like Masterchef and My Kitchen Rules, chefs are at a premium within WA. "We're probably left with 70 or 80 chefs coming out of the training system (each year) in the metro area.. the number of new venues coming up need 2000 additional chefs in the next three years," Mr McDougall said. Currently on Seek there are 300 jobs relating to 'Chef', with many advertising for more than one position within their ads, 'Cook' turns up an additional 182 jobs. Dear Dr. Roach: Could you please advise what the current recommendation is as far as follow-up colonoscopies are concerned? It has always been my understanding from what I have read that virtually all colon cancers start as polyps in the colon and that it takes between five and 10 years for a polyp to become cancerous. My doctor says that a colonoscopy every 10 years is sufficient. Do you agree? I'm wondering why so many people I know are having a colonoscopy way more often, with some even having them yearly. Anon. A: Although there are rare instances where colon cancer begins without polyps, you are right that the vast majority of colon cancers start as polyps (though in certain cases they are harder to see, such as in Lynch syndrome). So development can be prevented by removing polyps that might become cancer. The optimum interval between colonoscopies depends on what was found on the first colonoscopy. If everything was completely normal, or if there were only tiny hyperplastic polyps (these are less likely to become cancerous), then a 10-year interval is recommended. With a small tubular adenoma (at higher risk for developing cancer), a five-year interval is commonly recommended. Those with larger or higher-risk polyps, such as villous adenomas, a three-year interval is recommended. For people with genetic syndromes (such as Lynch), annual colonoscopies are recommended after age 40. I use the guidelines of the American College of Gastroenterology, found at http://tinyurl.com/nolqtym. However, some gastroenterologists recommend more-aggressive screening regimens. There is a trade-off between the cost (substantial) and risk of harm (small, but not zero) of a colonoscopy and the ability to find more cancers. There is room for individual variation. BRCA gene Dear Dr. Roach: My son-in-law tested positive for the BRCA gene. His maternal grandmother died young from breast cancer, and his aunt is now terminally ill with pancreatic and liver cancers after having breast cancer. In addition, his mother has had breast cancer, which metastasized to her leg bone. He has already been told that he should be tested yearly for cancer. He is 33 years old. What are the ramifications for this young man? Furthermore, how does this affect any future children he and my daughter might have? My daughter feels very strongly that it would be selfish to bring a child into the world. Most often, the BRCA gene is discussed in regard to female carriers. P.M. A: There are two BRCA genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2. Either increases risk for cancer in those who carry the gene; however, the degree of risk depends on which BRCA gene is involved, the specific mutation involved and the history of cancers in the family. The gene is present in both men and women: The BRCA1 gene is on Chromosome 17, BRCA2 is on Chromosome 13. These genes are tumor suppressor genes, and losing their function reduces the body's ability to repair DNA. Men with BRCA mutations are at increased risk for colon, pancreatic, prostate and male breast cancers. Recommendations for screening for these cancers must be highly individualized. I am surprised that your son-in-law hasn't already met with a genetic counselor: It should have been done before he was tested, and certainly afterward, to review his risks in detail. There is a 50 percent risk for each child that the gene will be passed on. Washington: There are few things more British than a traditional countryside pub. So when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited then British prime minister David Cameron at the official country house retreat, Chequers, last year, the pair decided to take a short stroll to the local inn, where they each enjoyed a pint of ale and some fish and chips. The highly choreographed meal was widely portrayed as a sign of the warmth between the two world leaders. "By treating Xi at his country residence and the pub, Cameron displayed a private, family-style hospitality toward the Chinese leader," China's state run news agency Xinhua noted. Then British PM David Cameron, right, drinks a pint with Chinese President Xi Jinping at The Plough pub in Cadsden, Buckinghamshire. Credit:AP But not much more than a year later, the traditional English pub they visited is changing hands - and a Chinese investment firm will be the new owners. The Christie & Co real estate firm announced on Tuesday it had brokered the sale of the The Plough pub in Cadsden, Buckinghamshire, to the Chinese firm SinoFortune. The Times of London reported that around 2 million ($3.4 million) was paid in the deal. The pub, which says its history dates back to the 16th century, will still be managed by the previous owner Steve Hollings. Washington: President-elect Donald Trump will nominate Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, a longtime friend of Chinese President Xi Jinping, for Ambassador to China, the US's most important trade partner and its largest economic rival. Jason Miller, a spokesman for Trump's presidential transition operation, confirmed the selection in a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. Branstad, a Republican, has accepted the offer, three people close to the matter said on condition of anonymity. The decision comes at a time of heightened tensions with China after Trump abandoned almost four decades of diplomatic protocol on December 2 by speaking directly with the leader of Taiwan, which Beijing considers a rogue province. Trump has been critical of China's currency policies and military build-up. He hasn't named his choice for secretary of state, the top US diplomatic post. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang called Branstad an "old friend" of that nation's people. London: Australia's former Ambassador to Italy Mike Rann says the Italian referendum which has seen the resignation of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is nowhere near as serious as Britain's Brexit vote, and believes there is no risk of the Italian banks failing. Former South Australian Premier Mike Rann. Credit:David Mariuz Mr Renzi said he would formally resign as Prime Minister at seven o'clock local time on Wednesday (7am on Thursday morning, AEST), just minutes after the Parliament approved the 2017 budget. "Budget approved. Formal resignation at 7 pm. Thanks to everyone and Long Live Italy," Mr Renzi tweeted. Beirut: The Syrian army and its allies pushed into rebel-held parts of Aleppo's Old City on Tuesday, looking closer than ever to achieving the five-year war's most important victory by driving rebels out of their last urban stronghold. Rebels said on Tuesday they would never abandon Aleppo, after reports that US and Russian diplomats were preparing to discuss the surrender and evacuation of insurgents from territory they have held for years. A worker arranges bodies collected in a building in eastern Aleppo on Tuesday. Officials say they are struggling to find places to bury the dead. Credit:AP "The Americans asked if we wanted to leave or to stay ... we said this is our city, and we will defend it," Zakaria Malahifji, a Turkey-based official for the Fastaqim rebel group, said on Tuesday. Government forces entered rebel-held parts of the Old City late on Tuesday, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported. A rebel official denied they had entered but said the army and its allies were trying to enter and battles continued. The anniversary of Pearl Harbour is commemorated on December 8 in Japan the time locally when thousands of kilometres away, its ships and warplanes sank much of the US Pacific Fleet and launched war against America. For 75 years now, many Japanese have reflected on that moment with great remorse, appalled by the hubris and miscalculation that led to the attack. Soon Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will personally travel to Pearl Harbour to commemorate the tragedy. Sadly, though, the leaders and citizens of another Asian power appear to have forgotten those lessons. For all the differences between Imperial Japan in the 1930s and Communist China today, I can't help but see parallels between the two. Like Japan then, China is a rising Asian nation whose thinking is informed by patriotism, suspicion of outsiders and the remnants of an inferiority complex toward the West. Its military seems not entirely constrained by civilian control. And just as Japan did in the 1930s, China is defying international opinion and challenging the maritime status quo in the western Pacific, where the US defends vital sea lines of communication for all nations. The roots of this stance lie in a history very similar to Japan's. Both nations suffered at the hands of Western powers. In Japan, at the end of the Edo period in 1853, American "Black Ships" sailed into Uraga Bay. US pressure ultimately forced the new Meiji government to institute an "open-door policy" welcoming foreign trade and traders. The trauma China suffered was even more tragic and complicated. After defeat in the 19th century Opium Wars against the British, China had to surrender Hong Kong, open Chinese ports and sign a series of "unequal treaties" with Western powers that infringed on Chinese sovereignty. Even now, and unlike in Japan, the historical sense of humiliation caused by these episodes hasn't healed among most Chinese, whether common citizens or elites. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser When the problem of fake news first started making headlines, I was traveling across Southeast Asia and the Middle East. That vantage point provided a striking contrast: While we in America waste the right to a free press, half a world away, the right is so precious that people routinely risk their lives to support it. In nations where media are state run or state approved, journalists who try to work independently are often threatened, arrested and even shot or beheaded. To simply be harassed is a good day. In Turkey since the July coup, for example, the government has detained at least 200 journalists, and, according to Punto 24, a Turkish nonprofit devoted to press freedom, more than 2,300 have been fired. On Nov. 11 in Egypt, four reporters were detained when they tried to cover economic protests. In places like Myanmar, its risky to list your profession as journalist. I said, instead, I was a lawyer. Without a doubt, the proliferation of fake news in the United States is a problem. But when I hear calls to shut down or block websites or censor what people can read or watch, my First Amendment hackles rise. A free press is fundamental to a free society, and curtailing it is an even bigger threat to our way of life than fake news. Besides, banning content wont solve anything. Fake news is hardly a new phenomenon. For decades, Americans have had an appetite for fringe stories, from grassy knoll conspiracy theories surrounding the Kennedy assassination to the alien secrets of Area 51 and the baseless notion that 9/11 was an inside job. We sometimes want truth to be stranger than fiction. What is new is a propensity for large segments of society to believe things that are clearly untrue. Pope Francis wouldnt and didnt endorse Donald Trump. An FBI agent involved with Hillary Clintons email investigation wasnt found dead in a murder-suicide. These memes were launched by specious internet sites as satire or were put out as purposeful misinformation. Their spread could have been halted by a more skeptical public. But we delude ourselves if we think that this problem originates only with online trolls and heedless consumers in the thrall of the internet and social media. Consider one of the bigger fake news stories of this decade that a low-budget online video making fun of Islam and the prophet Muhammad spontaneously sparked the violent protest at the U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11, 2012, and led to the deaths of four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador to Libya. This was the story initially pushed by key members of the Obama administration, including the White House national security advisor, and accepted by much of the mainstream American media. Throughout September 2012, President Obama himself repeatedly cited the extremely offensive video made by a sort of shadowy character as the cause or proximate cause of the attack to David Letterman, to Univisions Jorge Ramos and to Joy Behar of The View. Weve since learned from then-Secretary of State Hillary Clintons private email to her daughter, Chelsea, on the night of the attack that Clinton believed the violence was the work of an al-Qaeda-like group. It wasnt a reporter who uncovered that fact but a U.S. congressional committee. Forcing Facebook to change its newsfeed algorithm or shutting down websites wont fix fundamental problems like this. For Americans to pay attention to real news, newsrooms have to supply it. Too often today, newsrooms are like courtrooms. Reporters, editors and anchors cast themselves as prosecutors or defense attorneys, building a case for or against a story line and molding the evidence to fit their argument. (Some even anoint themselves as judge and jury and explicitly render a verdict after that.) Reporters must ask tough questions and go where the answers, rather than their preconceptions, lead them. Recall that in the run-up to the Iraq war, The New York Times breathlessly reported on Saddam Husseins extensive programs to create weapons of mass destruction. After the invasion, many of these claims could not be substantiated. Real reporting is detective work, trying to get to the bottom of a story or event. That requires skepticism and patience. If a reporter is going to be an advocate, he or she should play devils advocate and do it with every source, on all sides. Part of the reason fake news is so easy to believe is that fringe stories no longer read or sound all that different from too many of the real stories. Too often, both have little or no sourcing; they lack context and they get disseminated with almost no fact-checking. Sometimes the fake stories look, sound or read better than real ones. And both are chasing the same thing: ratings or online clicks. Theres a reason our Founding Fathers explicitly guaranteed freedom of the press in the First Amendment. It is imperative for a free and healthy society. Just ask the journalists in unfree places who every day risk their lives on its behalf. If we are squandering that freedom, dont just blame Facebook or Twitter. Blame all of us. PHILIPSBURG:--- On Wednesday, December 7, Co-director of the National Institute of Arts- NIA, Arlene Halley will travel to the Netherlands on a tour to prospective tertiary dance institution with dance candidates Naomi Warsop, Lian Borsje and Marine Caillet. The initiative is part of NIAs on going pursuit of providing excellence in the arts through their education program and is funding the cost of this trip in collaboration with the family of Cees, through the Cees van Dolderen Memorial Fund. NIA was formed by the joining of two of St.Maarten most prestigious dance training centers, Motiance Dance School and Imbali Center for Creative Movement to form NIA, St.Maartens foremost inter-disciplinary art education center. All 3 candidates have been prolific in their involvement in the St.Martin artistic scene, and have distinguished themselves by winning at various dance and talent competitions locally, regional and internationally. Naomi, Lian and Marine and have reached the phase of their dance education, where more concentrated efforts in their training are necessary, to make the leap into a career as professional performing artists a reality. The candidates ranging in ages 16 to 19 years have been training more than half of their lives as dance artist and wish to pursue their dreams of becoming professionals in their craft. NIA is working in close collaboration with Amsterdamse Hoge School voor the Kunsten Percy Kruythoff in creating more possibilities for future St.Maarten dancers who wish to continue with their dance training in the Netherlands at this institution. Fernando van der Kraats is currently enrolled in the 5 Oclock Program at the Amsterdam Hoge School for the Kunst while Clifford Henry of NIAs teaching staff is awaiting a response from the Dept. of Culture for the Talenten Beurs has also been accepted into the program. NIAs Family of students excelling abroad is expanding. In Addition to Fernando in Holland, there is also NIA alumni Otmar Martina and Celina Monsanto studying dance in the Netherlands, while alumni Melvin Le Blanc pursues his career in London and Dashaun Prince in Jamaica at the Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts. NIA staff, teachers, parents and students are extremely proud of our student's accomplishments and wishes all our Students abroad continued success as they embark on a new chapter in their lives. PHILIPSBURG:--- The suspect O.A. (Oniel Arrindell) (35) in the Emerald-investigation remains in pre-trial detention. The judge of instruction decided this on Tuesday, December 6, 2016, in Curacao. O.A. was arrested on Monday, November 28, 2016. He is suspected of money laundering, forgery, tax fraud and illegal firearm possession. On November 28, the investigation code- named Emerald started on Sint Maarten. 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 searched a total of seven (7) premises, including the house of the suspect, the officers of the port the authority of Sint Maarten and at a security company. During the searches documents, digital data carriers, and a firearm were confiscated. In addition to the searches five cars and a number of bank accounts, a yacht, and the suspects house were seized. The authorities on Anguilla, based on a request of Dutch St. Maarten authorities also seized property and bank accounts of the suspect on Anguilla. The investigation is still ongoing and possible new arrests and/or searches cannot be excluded. 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. Countries in the subregion are set to meet to identify a set of core indicators, from among the global indicators for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), that the Caribbean would regard as essential to produce. This meeting, which will take place in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago from 6-9 December 2016, is jointly organized by the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Unit of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) subregional headquarters for the Caribbean, and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat. The SDGs are a set of 17 global goals adopted by the UN General Assembly just over a year ago. The Goals, among others, are aimed at ending poverty, promoting decent work and economic growth, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity for all as part of a sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years and over 200 global indicators have been identified for use in monitoring progress in the implementation of the goals and the attainment of the targets. Due to data challenges in the Caribbean, the Standing Committee of Caribbean Statisticians has called for the identification of a subset of these indicators to allow for sustainable monitoring of the goals in the subregion. This subset will focus on regional and national priorities as well as SIDS priorities as contained in the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway Outcome document. The SAMOA Pathway outlines the key challenges faces by SDIS and the means of addressing them, through focussed attention on sustainable development in view of their unique and particular vulnerabilities. Through this meeting, ECLAC is partnering with DESA and the CARICOM Secretariat in identifying capacity constraints in the Caribbean that could affect the production of data for the SDG indicators and the technical assistance that would be required to enable countries conduct their follow up and review of progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Participants at this meeting will include representatives of national statistical offices, government ministries and agencies responsible for planning, sustainable development and the environment, the CARICOM Secretariat, and representatives of UN agencies. PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten/St. Martin Alliance For Equality (SAFE), in collaboration with the University of St. Martin (USM), will host its third annual International Human Rights Day Lecture on Friday, December 9, 2016 at 7:30pm. The lecture is held every year in honor of the United Nations designated International Human Rights Day, which is commemorated around the world on December 10. The theme for this years world-wide commemoration is Stand Up For Someones Rights Today! This day also happens to be the anniversary of the legal formation of SAFE in 2013. This year, in honor of a key advancement which was made within the parliament of the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba, the lecture will be given by Senator Desiree de Sousa Croes of the Aruban People's Party (AVP). De Sousa Croes was instrumental in ensuring that Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgendered (LGBT) persons are able to have their unions recognized by government via civil partnerships executed on Aruba. De Sousa Croes submitted her bill to the Parliament of Aruba in August 2016 and in October the MPS voted, with 11 in favor, 5 against and 4 abstaining, to amend marriage guidelines to allow for unions between same-sex persons. The amendment also permits access to spousal pensions and the ability of the partners to make emergency medical decisions for each other. Currently marriage for same-sex couples can only take place in The Netherlands, on Saba, Bonaire and St. Eustatius. These marriages can be registered in the civil registries of St. Maarten, Curacao and Aruba, but official, government sanctioned marriages for same-sex couples cannot take place on any of the three islands. For St. Maarten this creates an interesting scenario, because same-sex couples are allowed to be married on the French side and those marriages can also be registered at the civil registry, SAFE president, Lysanne Charles-Arrindell said. While our annual human rights day lecture does not have to be specifically about human rights (or even equal rights) for LGBT persons, this year we wanted to bring the conversation closer to home, because of the progresses that we are seeing in the other countries of the Dutch Caribbean. Of course SAFE recognizes that there is more work that we have to do as an organization to ensure that progresses also occur on St. Maarten/St. Martin, but we are also calling on those in government, in our parliament in particular, to take Aruba as an example and start the conversation about marriage equality, Charles-Arrindell said. In past years the lecture covered the concept of human rights in general and the growth of human rights activism across the region. Charles-Arrindell said that de Sousa Croes was very excited about coming to the island to speak about her experiences championing not only civil partnerships, but also the reduction of stigma and discrimination against LGBT persons on Aruba. De Sousa Croes, who was also a part of the documentary One Kingdom, One Love, in which she recalled being harassed even on the floor of the Aruban parliament, because of her sexual orientation, turned down offers to speak in other parts of the world in order to be on St. Maarten. I think that it is important that I am in St. Maarten attending this worthy event for all our brothers and sisters in the Dutch Caribbean Islands. I think we should make our utmost effort to become a Kingdom where there is no place for any kind of discrimination whatsoever, de Sousa Croes said. The lecture, and a brief question and answer, will take place at the University of St. Martin in room 204 and guests are invited to stay afterwards for a drink and snacks in celebration of SAFEs 3rd anniversary. Also in attendance will be Kyle Patrick who represented St. Maarten at the Mr. Gay World Pageant in 2016. Patrick will give a short summary of his experiences with the pageant prior to the lecture. SAFE is encouraging persons who are interested in human rights and equal rights for all persons and vulnerable groups to come out and be a part of this evening. We are especially encouraging our Members of Parliament and our Ministers to come out and support their colleague from Aruba and learn from her experiences, so that they, in keeping with the theme for this years global commemoration, can stand up for the rights of all of their citizens starting today, Charles-Arrindell said. SAFE Press Release CME Group Executive Joins Chamber of Digital Commerce Board of Advisors WASHINGTON, DC (Marketwired) 12/07/16 The Chamber of Digital Commerce proudly announces the appointment of Rumi Morales to its distinguished Board of Advisors. Morales leads CME Ventures, a wholly owned subsidiary of CME Group, the worlds leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace. CME Ventures makes minority stake investments in early stage companies that may impact the financial services industry, including digital asset and distributed ledger technologies. Before joining CME Group in 2010, Morales led the APAC business of Goldman Sachs Global Markets Institute in Hong Kong. She was named to Crains Chicago Business 2014 Tech 50, Institutional Investors 2015 Fintech Finance 35, and Crains Chicago Business 2015 40 Under 40 lists. Blockchain technology is beginning to transform the way financial markets operate and holds the same potential for risk management, said Morales. The Chamber of Digital Commerce is securing the future of this technology by driving appropriate policy, and CME Group is committed to advancing this shared vision and encouraging innovation in fintech. The Chamber made great strides in increasing the public-private dialogue since our inception just 30 months ago, however there is much work to do to promote the advancement of blockchain-based technologies, said Perianne Boring, Founder & President of the Chamber of Digital Commerce. Rumi brings a wealth of energy and experience and we are excited to have her on our team. To foster institutional adoption of blockchain-based technologies, established financial leaders like CME Group are critical for the transition from promise to reality, said Matthew Roszak, Chairman of the Chamber of Digital Commerce. We are honored to welcome Rumi Morales to our advisory board, as the Chamber will greatly benefit from her leadership and expertise. The Chamber represents the worlds leading innovators, operators and investors in the digital asset and blockchain technology ecosystem, including start-ups, software companies, global IT consultancies, financial institutions and investment firms. Membership is open to all those committed to supporting and growing this thriving community. The Chamber of Digital Commerce is the worlds leading trade association dedicated to promoting the understanding, acceptance and use of digital assets and blockchain-based technologies. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Chamber is the founder of the Smart Contracts Alliance, the Blockchain Alliance, the Global Blockchain Forum and many other key industry initiatives. For more information, please visit or follow us on Twitter: @ChamberDigital. Chamber Media Contact: Erin Tye Paragon Public Relations +1.646.558.6226 Huaweis SEE Becomes International Standard After Approved by ITU SHENZEN, CHINA (Marketwired) 12/07/16 Recently, the Site Energy Efficiency (SEE) proposed by Huawei has been approved by the International Telecom Union (ITU), and has officially become the international standard for the field of telecom energy. After two years of serious debates and repeated demonstration, the standard has finally been established. The standard will provide telecom and tower operators with a sound basis for selecting highly efficiently integrated solutions for their sites, better evaluate the energy efficiency of their existing networks, formulate more effective energy efficiency improvement plans, and carry out energy conservation and emission reduction. With the continuous development of digitization and the rapid growth of the telecom services, the ICT industry is under more and more pressure to increase revenues and reduce energy consumption. Lowering energy costs is one of the most important measures for operators to sustain or increase profits. Huaweis SEE proposition divides the telecom network energy consumption into two parts, that is, the energy consumption of telecommunications equipment (ECT) and the sum of different input energy sources (ETS). The division of energy efficiency indicators can help analyze and solve energy efficiency issues through mastering and comparing the indicators of different subnetworks and sites, better suit telecom and tower operators construction and maintenance management organizations, and facilitate scientific quantified management. Over the last two years, Huawei has committed itself to pushing forward SEE as an international standard. To promote SEE concepts and fruits, Huawei participated in exhibitions across the industry and jointly held global energy efficiency summits in Australia, the Middle East, and Europe with leading operators and prestigious consulting firms. SEE has gained more popularity and support after numerous discussions on ICT energy efficiency and standards. ITU is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is responsible for issues concerning information and communications technologies (ICT). Developing ICT technical standards is one of the issues, and ITU is famous for its authoritativeness in this regard. In the fast-growing telecom industry, ITU is the organization that organizes regular meetings for experts of public departments and R&D entities within the industry all over the world to jointly formulate technical standards for complex issues. These standards ensure seamless inter-operations between various communications systems, infrastructure, and multiple network elements, yielding higher efficiency. After the stringent standard-setting process, Huaweis Site Energy Efficiency was officially adopted in the ITU-T standard in October 2016. For details, visit . Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Our aim is to enrich life and improve efficiency through a better connected world, acting as a responsible corporate citizen, innovative enabler for the information society, and collaborative contributor to the industry. Driven by customer-centric innovation and open partnerships, Huawei has established an end-to-end ICT solutions portfolio that gives customers competitive advantages in telecom and enterprise networks, devices and cloud computing. Huaweis 170,000 employees worldwide are committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers. Our innovative ICT solutions, products and services are used in more than 170 countries and regions, serving over one-third of the worlds population. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a private company fully owned by its employees. Huawei Xu Boxin MindManager Enterprise Powers Business: Maximize Knowledge, Collaborate, and Drive Innovation OTTAWA, ONTARIO (Marketwired) 12/07/16 Editors Note: There are four photos associated with this press release. Corels team introduces the new . With mind mapping, diagram creation, visual planning tools, patented data integration and flexible sharing options, MindManager Enterprise helps businesses improve communication and collaborate across all their key business initiatives. Were offering companies a smarter way to exchange information, manage projects and drive success by harnessing the power of ideas and data. While mind mapping may be at our core, MindManager Enterprise goes far beyond to help our customers achieve excellence in mission critical areas including project management, IT and R&D, engineering and more, said Gerard Metrailler, VP of Products at Corel. Many of the worlds leading companies trust Mindjet MindManager because it delivers a complete solution that works with the platforms, applications and services they rely on. Enterprise ready, MindManager easily integrates into any corporate environment with simple network deployment, SharePoint integration, support for industry-standard authentication protocols, and a depth of functionality unmatched by other applications. MindManager promotes free-form thinking and enables individuals and teams to quickly organize complex ideas and information into strategies and plans. Built on the power of the new MindManager 2017, MindManager Enterprise also offers customers new features designed specifically for corporate environments: Pricing and Availability The new includes MindManager 2017 for Windows, MindManager 10 for Mac, MindManager Reader for Windows/Mac, and MindManager software for SharePoint servers. MindManager Enterprise customers are eligible for special software licensing and service programs. Ideal for global deployments, MindManager Enterprise is available in English, German and French. For more information, please visit . About Mindjet MindManager MindManager helps business professionals achieve more by efficiently organizing and clearly communicating complex ideas and information. With over 4,500 corporate customers and 2.5 million paid users, including 83% of the Fortune 100 companies, MindManager mind mapping and information visualization software enables brainstorming and creative problem solving, improves communication, and gives users the ability to plan and complete complex projects more efficiently and effectively. acquired Mindjet MindManager in August 2016. For more information, please visit . 2016 Corel Corporation. All rights reserved. Corel, the Corel logo, the Corel Balloon logo, MindManager and Mindjet, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Corel Corporation and/or its subsidiaries in Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners. Patents: To view the photos associated with this press release, please visit the following link: Contacts: Media Contact Jessica Gould Mindjet PR Three minors, residents of Syunik Province, have been arrested and charged on suspicion of counterfeiting one 20,000 AMD note in November, according to Armenias Investigative Committee. The 20,000 AMD note was then used to buy goods at a Lernadzor village store. A search of the suspects houses revealed a copying machine and paper. The Zoryan Institute's unique role in investigating, documenting and reporting on earthquake reconstruction (The following is a Zoryan Institute press release) On this day, 28 years ago, at precisely 11:41 am, an earthquake reaching a whopping 6.9 points on the Richter scale struck the Republic of Soviet Armenia, affecting an area of 80 km in diameter and completely devastating the nation. Life in Armenia was drastically changed in a mere few seconds. Its impact continues to resonate today with dire consequences on Armenia's nation building efforts since its independence in 1991. Due to the heavy criticism facing the former Soviet Union for failing to coordinate rescue work and to act promptly at the absence of contingency plans for disaster, the Zoryan Institute and a film crew from PBS was invited to investigate, document and report on the situation. The report focused on the international aid, its implementation and the corruption associated with it. This devastating experience highlighted the need for new standards of reporting. The Zoryan Institute, as an academic international center for contemporary Armenian research and documentation, identified this need and sought ways to make its findings widely accessible to the international world. The statistics shown here were presented at a conference titled "The Earthquake in Armenia: A Year Later" held in Paris in 1989. It was organized by the Zoryan Institute in partnership with the Academy of National Economy of the Soviet Union with the participation of Medicins Sans Frontieres, Red Cross, and other major international organizations. The scale of the destruction exposed the sub-standard infrastructure failing to meet the country's civil construction codes and even possible corruption linkages. A follow-up conference on earthquake reconstruction was organized the following year in Yerevan. The details of the conference are available upon request from the Institute. The economy of Armenia was a disaster area in and of itself. Overcoming such challenges was critical for Armenian people who had a strong sense of their recent past, therefore of their future. They had a deep sense of the need to achieve more than mere survival. The Republic had great potential in its cadres, and they expected immediate assistance from the Diaspora communities because of their sense of commitment to the Armenian land and people. The goodwill of the international community, to rescue and support, was overwhelming. (The International Bulletin for the Reconstruction and Development of Armenia, 1989) The Soviet Republics allocated 1,435.2 million Rubles towards reconstruction of the disaster area. The lion's share of the total funds allocated was from Russia - 555.1 million Rubles, Ukraine - 225.4 million Rubles and Armenia - 153.0 million Rubles. Unfortunately, because of the collapse of the Soviet Union most of these funds were never deployed. The international communitys assistance in materials and funds, including cost of transportation, was $551,584,000. The lions share was Italy - $94.8 million, West Germany - $84.20 million, USA - $41.60 million. The Armenian Diaspora contributed a total of $50 million as shown below. (Source: The International Bulletin for the Reconstruction and Development of Armenia, 1989) President Gorbachev toured the cities devastated by the earthquake. He was soon to confront the complaints of Armenians about the Soviet Union's reluctance to reunite Karabagh with Armenia and about the blockade by Azerbaijan. The extensive information gathered by the Zoryan Institute and the PBS film crew regarding the true scope of the tragedy helped the entire country to mobilize and to understand the nature and the extent of the required assistance. The Zoryan Institute is an international center for contemporary Armenian research and documentation. The purpose of the Institute is to analyze the Armenian experience in relation to, and in the context of forces and factors which have shaped modern culture, history and thought. The Institute seeks to understand the structures and dynamics of Armenian social, political and cultural life and especially the changing environment which defines the relations of the Diaspora with society at large. 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. December 6, 2016 marks the first anniversary of the 2015 Constitutional Referendum in Armenia. On that date, citizens of Armenia went to the polling stations to express their views on constitutional amendments proposed by the executive branch, aimed at transforming the countrys governance structure from a presidential to a parliamentary system. The referendum was seen by critics as an avenue for perpetuating the rule of Serge Sargsyanwho occupies the presidents office following two fraudulent elections and cannot run for a third termby making him Prime Minister with stronger powers for an indefinite period. Sargsyans rule since 2008 has been marred by an unprecedented degree of systemic corruption, cronyism, and poor economic/developmental decision-making, providing ground for skepticism toward the constitutional reforms package spearheaded by him. Policy Forum Armenias Special Report Armenias 2015 Constitutional Referendum issued today provides evidence of systemic election fraud that took place on December 6, 2015. Specifically, it provides detailed statistical and econometric evidence, which can be summarized as follows: The officially reported voter turnout is unrealistically high and grossly misrepresents the reality on the ground. Statistical distribution of the Yes and No votes are highly abnormal. The distribution of the Yes vote is the most anomalous of any pro-government vote cast since 2008. Abnormally high voter turnout benefited the (pro-government) Yes vote. The (artificially inflated) voter turnout is correlated with factors that are highly susceptible to fraud. There exists a sizable and statistically significant observer effect, which indicates presence of fraud. The share of invalid ballots is correlated with the (pro-opposition) NO vote, suggesting strategic behavior and fraud. International and local observers as well as numerous eyewitness accounts and social media reports support our empirical findings, that is, the presence of widespread irregularities and systemic fraud during the Referendum. The integrity of the process was clearly jeopardized and the final outcome did not express the will of people of Armenia. As noted by PFA Executive Board member Dr. Zaven Kalayjian: Based on the results provided in our report, the Constitutional amendments suggested by Sargsyan administration were in all likelihood rejected by the Armenian voters. Our analysis is consistent with other instances from Armenias recent history where the ruling regime has manipulated the polls for its own benefit. The report serves as a reminder of the degree and sophistication of election fraud in Armenia and a warning that a much stronger monitoring and recount efforts are needed to put a dent in the Sargsyan administrations election fraud machine to influence an otherwise predictable outcome. While Armenia presents itself as an electoral democracy, the experience of the past quarter century has shown that conventional political mechanisms for change in Armenia are broken. Elections have merely become a tool of authoritarian power holders attempts to legitimize their rule. In this regard, PFA welcomes the recent statement by the US Embassy in Yerevan suggesting that the existence of electoral fraud in Armenia is a matter of political will. The 4-day war in April and July events in Yerevan demonstrated that the social contract between the Sargsyan administration and people of Armenia is broken. While the population at large has endured substandard social conditions and human rights abuses as the price for peace in Artsakh and some economic growth, it has become clear that the Sargsyan administration is no longer capable of delivering on its part of the bargain. The events also showed that there exist political and societal forces in Armenia, who will go to great lengths to try to stop Armenias slide towards dictatorship and total control by Russia. More than a new constitution Armenia needs a new breed of leaders with education, integrity, and vision, who could turn the existing laws into a workable mechanism for providing the good democratic governance required for the development, prosperity, and security of our homeland. The current status quo is unsustainable and will undoubtedly lead to new instability and social upheaval. * * * Policy Forum Armenia is a 501(c)3 non-profit think tank aimed at strengthening discourse on Armenia's economic development and national security and, through that, helping to shape public policy in Armenia. This Special Report and other PFA reports, which provide assessments of critical developments taking place in Armenia and the Diaspora, are available via www.pf-armenia.org/reports. PFA Executive Board Washington, DC Indian cities offer Asia's best real-estate investments next year says a new survey as Canadian pension funds and asset manager pour millions into the sub-continent. The new survey has ranked Bangalore and Mumbai as the region's top picks, vaulting both Indian cities to top a table of 22 Asian markets. The survey, compiled by the Urban Land Institute with input from PricewaterhouseCoopers, cited a boom in business process outsourcing, or BPO, and IT firms that are driving demand for new office space, reported Bloomberg. "There is little doubt that catering to the expansion requirements of the Indian BPO industry has delivered big profits to investors who arrived early on the scene," said a report summarising the findings of the survey. The two cities ranked 12th and 13th last year and were close to the bottom as recently as 2014. Last month, in one of the largest transactions in the Indian commercial real estate segment, Canada-based Brookfield Asset Management agreed to buy nearly 4 million sq ft of office and retail assets in the Mumbai suburb of Powai for a deal that will be close to $1 billion. The deal is said to be the largest purchase of commercial assets in Mumbai to date, as international investors, including Blackstone and GIC, as well as Chinas Fosun and Dalian Wanda, increasingly turn to the subcontinent for high growth opportunities. The deal is Brookfields second major property investment in India, and the latest of several moves by the asset manager in the subcontinent. In 2014 Brookfield agreed with Unitech Corporate Parks to pay $525 million for a subsidiary of that Indian developer which held 100 percent of four special economic zones and 60 percent of another two of the office park developments. Brookfield later went on to buy out the remaining 40 percent equity in the two remaining projects. The Canadian firm also got involved in Indian infrastructure just over a year ago, buying six road and three power projects from Indias Gammon Infrastructure Projects in a joint venture with a fund controlled by Indias Kotak Mahindra Capital. In July of this year Brookfield Asset Management also signed a preliminary agreement to buy about $1 billion in Indian distressed assets through a joint venture with the largest lender in the South Asian nation. Indias Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who visited Canada earlier this year, said institutional like the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), have been investing in Indian realty assets for the last few years. The CPP Fund, for instance, controls nearly US $225 billion and it hosted a meeting for the finance minister. He pointed out that in the past 24 months or so, Canadian investors, including pension funds, have invested nearly $12 billion in India. While the new survey touted Indian cities, Tokyo fell from first place in the 2016 rankings to 12th for next year, reflecting growing discontent with the effect of Abenomics on a long stagnant market. Singapore, which ranked first in the survey in 2011 and 2012, fell to 21st for next year, down from 11th, the result of what PwC calls a "perfect storm" for the local property market. That includes 12 straight quarters of declining prices in the residential market, as well as a sputtering economy that contracted in the third quarter. The Singapore Government has been steadfast in its commitment to cool the housing market, maintaining real-estate curbs rolled out since 2009. Photo caption: What's the ETA? (Reuters/Steve Marcus) By Itika Sharma Punit, to The Post The future of transportation may reach India soon. Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT), an American company that is working on an ultra-fast rail system, is in talks with the Indian government to bring the technology to the country. HTT is backed by businessman and investor, Elon Musk. The company has submitted a letter of intent (LoI) to transport minister Nitin Gadkari and is awaiting a response. He (Gadkari) has had the LoI for about two weeks now, Bibop Gresta, co-founder of HTT, told Indian media on Dec. 06. I think India is a perfect country to implement this project because the roads are not that good here. The transportation is not capable to sustain a growth in a country like India, he said. Once the Indian government signs the LoI, the company will need around eight months to conduct a feasibility study, Gresta said. Then after we get land permits, we can build a technically feasible Hyperloop in 38 months, he added. The Hyperloop train system propels a capsule-like vehicle through a tube at the speed of an aircraft. It can be used to transport passengers and freight. During his trip to the US in September, Gadkari had offered Musks SpaceX a big chunk of land in Maharashtra to test the Hyperloop project. They (SpaceX) want some road for experimental purpose. I offered them the westerly bypass of Pune connected to the Express Highway, he said at the time. The idea is they can take an experiment between Mumbai and Pune as a pilot project. It is up to [SpaceX] to decide whether or not to accept my offer. Gresta did not specify the amount of investment that launching Hyperloop in India would need, but said he was not looking for any funds from the government. We are not asking money right now, but asking for a piece of land, he said. The company has several options for raising money. One of them is to build the Hyperloop in public-private partnership. We also have private investors interested in implementing the project. Prime minister Narendra Modi-led Indian government has been toying with the idea of building bullet trains in India. The project is expected to cost billions. For example, the expenditure on a proposed bullet train project between Ahmedabad in Gujarat to the countrys financial capital Mumbai is estimated to be around Rs1 lakh crore ($15 billion). Hyperloop is a much cheaper alternative, Gresta said. You are going to spend $12 billion on a bullet train? Put $1 billion in Hyperloop and you will never need a bullet train, he said. Itika is a Writer at Quartz, based in Bangalore, India's Silicon Valley. A technology writer for over seven years, she has previously worked with Business Standard and Network18 in Bangalore, Mumbai and New Delhi. She holds a masters degree in English literature, and is passionate about entrepreneurship, Bollywood, and Shakespeare. This piece was originally appeared in Quartz (qz.com). See ://qz.com/854268/elon-musks-hyperloop-wants-to-solve-indias-railway-problem/ Photo caption: What alpha male? (Reuters/Babu) By Harish C Menon, to The Post It was never going to be easy for her even with a mentor like the colossal Marudur Gopalan Ramachandran, popularly known in moviedom, as well as politics, as MGR. So, Jayalalithaa Jayaraman had to turn into the authoritarian leader that she is known to be today to negotiate the chauvinistic political landscape before her. Jayalalithaas absolute intolerance to criticism and dissent is very close to being a fascist, but one should remember that she was also a victim of the macho male world of politics, said Leena Manimekalai, a poet and filmmaker based in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. That (her authoritarianism) was an oppressor syndrome Victims wanting to be the oppressor. Thats because the film star-turned-politicians rise has been a tale of battling perennial abusephysical, verbal, and mental. It began almost immediately after MGRs passing in 1987 when she was assaulted and pushed off the gun-carriage carrying his body by a relative of the deceased chief minister. However, nothing played more of foundational role in her political career as the outrageous episode in the Tamil Nadu assembly in March 1989. While there are multiple versions of what happened, the dominant narrative involves her attempted disrobing by a member of the M Karunanidhi-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhakam (DMK). The infamous event followed the violence inside the House between members of her party, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhakam (AIDMK), and those of the DMK. Eyewitnesses say that Karunanidhi, then the chief minister, threw expletives at her after she called him a kutravali, a criminal in Tamil. In the ensuing violence, she was physically attacked even though a few members tried to protect her. Just as she was leaving the assembly, Durai Murugan, a minister in the DMK government, attacked her. The loose end of her saree was pulled out in that assault, marking perhaps the most shameful episode in Tamil Nadus modern political history. Jayalalithaa, then 40 years old, compared her plight to that of Draupadi, the mythical character from the Mahabharata epic. In that tale, the wife of the Pandava brothers is disrobed publicly by her husbands vengeful cousin looking to humiliate them through her. Murugan and others have consistently denied her narrative, claiming that Jayalalithaa was exaggerating to evoke sympathy. However, the fact is that she girded herself for the long run on that fateful March day. In MGRs shadow till then, she set off on her political journey in all earnestness. As a disheveled and distraught Jayalalithaa left the Tamil Nadu state assembly that day, utterly humiliated, she reportedly vowed to return to the hall only once it could ensure the dignity of women. Two years down the line, she unseated Karunanidhi as chief minister and swept to power. Yes, she was wronged, by every other force in this unequal society She made all of them fall at her feet, said Manimekalai. Not a huge fan of hers or her authoritarian style of governance, Manimekalai, however, confesses to enjoying Jayalalithaas dynamic presence beyond all my reasoning and critical point of views. Manimekalai says that the late chief ministers story is very similar to that of most of our country goddesses (who) are women marred by misogyny. The more she was insulted and disgraced, the more powerful she soared. She picked up every stone thrown at her and laid her foundation, Manimekalai said. I doubt if a woman can sustain and survive in this macho world without being authoritarian. Jayalalithaa learnt that lesson early, and learnt it well. This piece was originally appeared in Quartz (qz.com). See http://qz.com/852969/tamil-nadus-most-shameful-political-moment-fueled-jayalalithaas-ultimate-rise/ A guide to voter rights in Indiana. What you need to know before you cast a ballot elections ** For the most up-to-date information on this topic, please click here . About a week ago I was reading some information with regards to... Growing up exhibiting Brown Swiss dairy cattle at the World Dairy Expo is by far my favorite childhood memory. The lessons learned, the friendships made, and the memories created in Madison, Wis., are second to none. However, I never knew I could have more appreciation for the dairy industry until I served as the National Youth Brown Swiss Ambassador at the International Brown Swiss Show this past October. It was truly an honor standing on the golden shavings watching the beautiful big brown cows parade through the Coliseum. As I traveled back home to California, I reflected on my week and realized that every breeder, exhibitor, and attendee has a dream. Throughout the show I watched exhibitors of all ages vie for the title of champion in their respective categories. I saw hundreds of Brown Swiss come through the ring those two days, each Brown Swiss and exhibitor came with a story. Of course, not everyone told me their story but I could sense the tension, excitement, and nerves by watching the exhibitors faces. When I heard the crowd roar with applause after each class, I felt the pride for the tremendous effort put in by the breeders and exhibitors. But I also shared in the disappointment of those who did not place as well as they had hoped. A dream came true for me during the 50th anniversary of World Dairy Expo. Since the 3rd grade, my sister and I had strived to win a Junior Champion title in Madison. Each year we worked diligently with our show heifers by washing, walking, and training each to the gold standard. We accomplished this dream by winning with our Spring Calf, Gia, and were enamored. A memory I will cherish forever was handing the banner to my sister, Elisabeth. All of us have dreams in life, but World Dairy Expo dreams are extra special and may include to win Grand Champion, to show a homebred animal, or to be an attendee at every show. However, my favorite part of World Dairy Expo is that each dream a person has is unique. Although some dreams take years or a lifetime to accomplish, we grow as individuals and cow people along the way. As I celebrated 50 years of the worlds greatest dairy show, I learned to celebrate both the dream and the journey. Sometimes the journey of a dream, rather than the destination, is the most rewarding experience. Elise Regusci grew up on her family's dairy farm in Modesto, Calif. Regusci attends Cal Poly University, majoring in dairy science with a communications minor. On campus, she is the Los Lecheros Dairy Club Ag Council representative and a member of the Cal Poly judging team. Regusci is the current Brown Swiss Youth Ambassador and will be the 2017 Hoard's Dairyman summer editorial intern. THE UPCOMING WEBINAR December 12, 2016: Exploring how this years forages will feed" by John Goeser, Rock River Laboratory Brought to you by QLF (www.qlf.com) I am person who is uncompromisingly black and unapologetically gay. Deal with it. I am person who is uncompromisingly black and unapologetically gay. Deal with it. Alvin McEwen [image: 651572 origin 1]Published by Radar Online ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA An anonymous woman is standing by her claims that GOP Senate candidate Herschel Walk... The cannon of Black horror films is limited. The cannon of horror films featuring Black queer characters, even more so. It's a sobering reality that Black ... "I'm straight. I've always been straight. I was in love with a woman for a while." Zach Herrin will accomplish his lifelong goal as his true self. | Photo provided Herrin, who started his pro racing career 10 years ago, will compete at ... Fox News White House correspondent. Peter Doocy, has suffered innumerable humiliations due to his persistently shallow and starkly partisan questions. He s... The Wall Street Journal reports: Kash Patel, a close associate of former President Donald Trump, is set to soon testify before a federal grand jury probi... 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 Fire/EMS responded to a call at the ArceelorMittal steel mill in Georgetown Dec. 2, when a man was injured while he was working inside the mill. 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 The famous Geminid meteor shower (opens in new tab) will sling bright shooting stars this December. But 2021 isn't expected to be a spectacular year for the Geminids, as the shower's peak on Dec. 13-14 arrives just a few days before the full moon. When there is no interference from moonlight, skywatchers can see up to 150 meteors per hour on the night of the peak, according to the American Meteor Society (opens in new tab). However, due to inference from moonlight, the 2021 Geminid meteor shower may only produce maximum rates of 60 to 120 visible meteors per hour, and many of them will appear quite faint, according to Space.com's skywatching columnist Joe Rao. That's because moonlight from the waxing, gibbous moon will overpower all but the brightest meteors. Even after the peak, bright meteors may be visible for the next few nights. The best time to watch for the Geminids is about 2 a.m. in your local time zone. If you're hoping to capture photos of the Geminid meteors, our guide on how to photograph meteor showers can help. You can also use our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography guides to prepare for the next meteor shower. Related: Awesome photos of the Geminid meteor shower (opens in new tab) The Geminids are considered one of the best meteor showers (opens in new tab) every year because the individual meteors are bright, and they come fast and furious. In 2020, because the shower's peak coincided with the new moon, the Geminids proved to be one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year. Although it is best visible from the Northern Hemisphere, Geminid meteors can also be spotted from the Southern Hemisphere. The Geminid meteor shower is nearly 200 years old, according to known records the first recorded observation was in 1833 from a riverboat on the Mississippi River and is still going strong. In fact, it's growing stronger. That's because Jupiter's gravity has tugged the stream of particles from the shower's source, the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, closer to Earth over the centuries. When to see them Geminid meteors appear to diverge from a single spot in the sky, called the radiant, located in the constellation Gemini. But you'll see as many as possible if you lean back and take in the whole sky they can appear anywhere across the sky, traveling away from that point. (Image credit: Sky & Telescope /Gregg Dinderman) The meteors tend to peak about 2 a.m. your local time wherever you're observing from, but can be seen as early as 9-10 p.m. The Geminids, as their name implies, appear to emanate from the bright constellation Gemini, the twins (opens in new tab). To find Gemini in the Northern Hemisphere, look in the southwestern sky for the constellation Orion, the hunter (opens in new tab), which is easy to spot by the three stars in the hunter's "belt." Then look just up and to the left of Orion to see Gemini, high in the southwestern sky. In the Southern Hemisphere, Gemini appears to the lower right of Orion and both will hang in the northwestern sky. Although the meteors will appear to stream away from Gemini, they can appear all across the sky. For best results, you should look slightly away from Gemini so that you can see meteors with longer "tails" as they streak by; staring directly at Gemini will just show you meteors that don't travel very far. In fact, NASA's all-sky camera captured some amazing Geminid views (opens in new tab) in 2018: Where do they come from? The Geminids are associated with the near-Earth object 3200 Phaethon (opens in new tab), an asteroid that may have undergone a collision with another object in the distant past to produce the stream of particles that Earth runs into creating the meteor shower. The asteroid orbits the sun every 1.4 years. It occasionally comes close to Earth (at a safe distance) and also passes very close to the sun, inside of Mercury's orbit and only 0.15 astronomical units from the sun. (An astronomical unit is the distance between the sun and the Earth: about 93 million miles or 150 million kilometers.) Rocks in space that are about to collide with Earth's atmosphere are called meteoroids (opens in new tab). Those that streak through the atmosphere are called meteors, and if they reach the ground (which won't happen with the Geminids, as the particles are too small to survive the trip) the rocks are called meteorites (opens in new tab). The orbit of the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which passes around the sun once every 1.4 years. Though it is an asteroid, its elongated path is reminiscent of comets. The Geminid meteor shower comes every year when Earth passes through the debris left along the asteroid's path. (Image credit: Sky & Telescope diagram) How to get the best view Meteor showers don't require binoculars or telescopes to view just your bare eyes. Find a comfortable spot to lie on the ground, far away from lights and ideally in a dark-sky area. Bring a blanket and dress warmly if you're in cold weather. Give your eyes about 20-30 minutes to adjust to the dark, then sit back and enjoy the show. Editor's note: If you capture an amazing view of the Geminid meteor shower or any other night sky view that you would like to share with Space.com for a possible story or gallery, send images and comments in to: spacephotos@space.com (opens in new tab). Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace (opens in new tab). Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom (opens in new tab) or on Facebook (opens in new tab). This map of dark matter in the universe (rendered in pink) reveals a web of dense (light) and empty (dark) regions. The image was created with data from the Kilo Degree Survey (KiDS), using the VLT Survey Telescope at the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) Paranal Observatory in Chile. This image is one out of five patches of the sky observed by KiDS. Dark matter, the mysteriously invisible substance that makes up about 27 percent of the universe, may not be as clumpy as scientists previously thought. In 2013, researchers with Europe's Planck mission, which studied the oldest light in the universe, found that dark matter has lumped together over time through gravitational attraction. What started out as a smooth and even distribution of dark matter slowly formed dense chunks over time. But new research at the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT) at the Paranal Observatory in Chile suggests that dark matter is not quite as clumpy as the Planck mission previously found. [In Images: Dark Matter Across the Universe] This map of dark matter in the universe (rendered in pink) reveals a web of dense (light) and empty (dark) regions. The image was created with data from the Kilo Degree Survey (KiDS), using the VLT Survey Telescope at the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) Paranal Observatory in Chile. This image is one out of five patches of the sky observed by KiDS. (Image credit: Kilo-Degree Survey Collaboration/H. Hildebrandt & B. Giblin/ESO) "This latest result indicates that dark matter in the cosmic web, which accounts for about one-quarter of the content of the universe, is less clumpy than we previously believed," Massimo Viola, a researcher at the Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands who co-led in the study, said in a statement. To see how dark matter is distributed in universe, the international team of researchers used data from the Kilo Degree Survey (KiDS) at the VLT Survey Telescope. This deep-sky survey looked at about 15 million galaxies in five patches of the southern sky, covering an area as big as 2,200 full moons (or 450 square degrees). Because dark matter's gravity can bend light a process called gravitational lensing the light coming from these 15 million galaxies could reveal information about the structure and distribution of dark matter, the researchers suggest. In this study, they looked for a variation of this phenomenon known as weak gravitational lensing, or cosmic shear. What is weak gravitational lensing? This phenomenon occurs when foreground matter and dark matter contained in galaxy clusters bend the light from background galaxies sort of like looking through the bottom of a wine glass. Measuring the amount of the distortion of the background galaxies indirectly reveals the amount of dark matter that has clumped together in the foreground object. Measuring the rate of this dark matter clumping across different eras in the universe's history speaks to how much dark energy is stretching the universe at given times, thus revealing the mysterious, pervasive force's strength and properties. This diagram explains the phenomenon of gravitational lensing. Foreground clumps of dark matter in galaxy clusters gravitationally bend the Earth-bound light from background galaxies. Note that the image is not to scale. (Image credit: NASA, ESA, L. Calcada) Weak gravitational lensing is a subtle effect that has to be measured with precision. When large-scale structures like galaxy clusters cause weak gravitational lensing, the light-warping effect is subtler and more difficult to detect than gravitational lensing around smaller objects like stars. But with high-resolution images taken by the VLT Survey Telescope, the researchers were able to detect this subtle effect. This study is the first to use this imaging method on such a large portion of the sky to map the invisible matter in the universe, the authors wrote. When the researchers then used this data to calculate how clumpy dark matter is, they discovered that it is significantly smoother than the Planck satellite data had previously determined. This means that dark matter may be more evenly distributed than scientists have thought. How dark matter has spread and clumped together since the Big Bang happened 13.8 billion years ago, can provide insights into the evolution of the universe, according to co-author Hendrik Hildebrandt of the Argelander Institute for Astronomy in Bonn, Germany. "Our findings will help to refine our theoretical models of how the universe has grown from its inception up to the present day," Hildebrandt said in the same statement. "We see an intriguing discrepancy with Planck cosmology at the moment," co-author Konrad Kuijken of the Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands, who is principal investigator of the KiDS survey, said in the statement. "Future missions such as the Euclid satellite and the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope will allow us to repeat these measurements and better understand what the universe is really telling us." Email Hanneke Weitering at hweitering@space.com or follow her @hannekescience. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on its launchpad ahead of a successful May 27, 2016 launch of the Thaicom 8 satellite. SpaceX is aiming for an early January return-to-flight launch for Iridium after a Sept. 1 pad explosion. SpaceX is now eyeing early January for its next mission, the first one the company will have launched since a Sept. 1 explosion grounded its fleet of Falcon 9 rockets. SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk had previously said the company was targeting mid-December for the return-to-flight mission, which will loft 10 spacecraft for the satellite-communications company Iridium. And Iridium representatives suggested last week that the highly anticipated launch might take place on Dec. 16. But SpaceX needs a bit more time to get everything ready to go, company representatives wrote in an update today (Dec. 7). "We are finalizing the investigation into our Sept. 1 anomaly and are working to complete the final steps necessary to safely and reliably return to flight, now in early January with the launch of Iridium-1," they wrote. "This allows for additional time to close out vehicle preparations and complete extended testing to help ensure the highest possible level of mission assurance prior to launch." The launch will take place from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket exploded during a routine prelaunch test on Sept. 1, 2016. A Falcon 9 should return to flight in early January 2017 if all goes according to plan, SpaceX representatives said. (Image credit: USLaunchReport.com video) The Sept. 1 explosion occurred during a routine test ahead of the planned launch of the AMOS-6 communications satellite from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. That explosion destroyed the two-stage Falcon 9 and the $200 million satellite. SpaceX has traced the anomaly to the interaction between oxygen and a carbon-composite helium container in the rocket's upper stage. But the company still needs to finish its anomaly report, and have the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration sign off on the findings, before returning the Falcon 9 to flight. SpaceX has dealt with such setbacks before. In June 2015, a Falcon 9 broke apart less than 3 minutes after lifting off from Cape Canaveral. The mishap scuttled an uncrewed cargo mission SpaceX was flying to the International Space Station for NASA. A faulty steel strut in the Falcon 9's upper stage caused that accident, Musk has said. An upgraded version of the rocket returned to flight six months later, successfully launching 11 satellites for the company Orbcomm. The Falcon 9's first stage returned for a landing at Cape Canaveral during that December 2015 mission, marking the first time a rocket ever achieved a soft landing during an orbital launch. SpaceX has since landed five other Falcon 9 first stages, and the company has said it plans to re-fly one of these rockets soon. These activities are part of the company's effort to develop reusable rockets, which Musk has said could slash the cost of spaceflight and help open the heavens to exploration. Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com. Former senator John Glenn poses for a portrait shortly after doing live television interviews from the Ohio State University Union building on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio. Editor's note: John Glenn passed away on Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. Former NASA astronaut and U.S. senator John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, has spent over a week in an Ohio hospital. Glenn, now 95, was admitted to the James Cancer Hospital in Columbus, Ohio last week, the Associated Press reports. No information about his condition or diagnosis has been made public at this time. Communications officer Hank Wilson of Ohio State University's John Glenn College of Public Affairs said that Glenn doesn't necessarily have cancer, despite the hospital's title. [Astronaut John Glenn: An American Hero's Monumental Career Remembered] John Glenn became the first NASA astronaut to orbit the Earth in 1962 during his Friendship 7 mission, which was part of NASA's Project Mercury spaceflight program. After retiring from NASA and the U.S. Marine Corps in 1964 and 1965, consecutively, he worked as a business executive until being elected U.S. senator for Ohio in 1974, where he served until 1999. In 1998, Glenn returned to space, setting the record for the oldest space traveler when he flew on the space shuttle Discovery at the age of 77. [Photos: John Glenn, First American in Orbit] Earlier this year, the Port Columbus International Airport was renamed after Glenn. During a ceremony at the airport, Glenn noted that his eyesight had deteriorated from macular degeneration after a small stroke. Email Hanneke Weitering at hweitering@space.com or follow her @hannekescience. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. 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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. Optimization Are you frustrated with a slow pc or a hard disk not performing as it should? Try SLOW-PCfighter to speed up boot time on a slow PC, or try a free scan of FULL-DISKfighter to recover space on a full disk. The latest offering is DRIVERfighter to update your driver updater. Get complete PC optimization and extend the life of your PC with these must-have software tools. Aid organizations estimate that half a million Syrians are currently holding out in the border region and hoping to be able to flee into Turkey. The camps at the border are overcrowded, women and children are sleeping in the bushes and food is in short supply. One in a Thousand Since Turkey sealed the border, a smuggling industry has developed in northern Syria. Until the beginning of this year, migrant smugglers would take people across the border into Turkey for less than 100 euros. Now, it costs 1,000 euros to get into Turkey -- and most attempts fail. Out of 1,000 attempts, estimates a commander of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) who is stationed in northern Syria, only one gets through at the most. The rebel leader is connected to FSA fighters, activists, smugglers and paramedics via WhatsApp and regularly receives information about Syrians who have been injured or killed while trying to flee. Turkish soldiers, he says, now shoot at every migrant who even comes close to the border. The Turkish army, meanwhile, denies the accusations and says it only fires "warning shots." Those who do manage to get across the border are in danger of being apprehended by Turkish security personnel and there have been reports of abuse in custody. An engineering student from Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria says that he was locked into a military barracks near the Turkish border city of Reyhanli for two days and was given nothing to eat or drink. He says the Turkish soldiers beat him, stole his valuables and then put him on a bus full of other refugees back across the border into Syria. Such accusations don't exactly conform to Erdogan's officially announced "open door" policy. The wall on the Syrian border, he says, is to protect Turkey from terrorism and not to prevent refugees from crossing the border. Islamic State (IS) fighters have perpetrated several attacks in Turkey in recent months, with 55 people dying in one such assault on a wedding in late August in southeastern Turkey. Shortly thereafter, the Turkish army marched into Syria to clear IS and Kurdish militias out of the border region. Erdogan has long wanted to establish a "safe zone" in northern Syria and has said that refugees could find shelter there too. 'Who Cares About Us?' Erdogan long enjoyed his role as protector of the Muslims from Syria, says Metin Corabatir, head of the Ankara-based Research Center on Asylum and Migration (IGAM). Lately, though, tensions between Syrian migrants and people in Turkey have been on the rise and unemployment is at its highest level in seven years. "Erdogan has no interest in allowing more refugees into the country," Corabatir says. Europe, meanwhile, tolerates the human rights violations being committed on the Syrian-Turkish border. Neither the German government nor the European Commission has made an attempt to learn more about the shots being fired there. Chancellor Merkel is relying on Erdogan to keep the refugees away from Europe, no matter how he does it. Bashar Mustafa is accompanying his Aunt Mariam to Ali's grave on a hillside above the village. The two kneel before a chunk of stone that has been decorated with shrubbery and Mariam Mustafa buries her face in her hands. She says she doesn't know how to carry on, how to feed the family. She says she wants to hold Ali's murderer to account, but there is nobody to turn to. She shakes her head. "Who cares about us?" Florida and recount in the same sentence that is more than enough to give many people headaches and nightmares for days. After Jill Stein was successful at obtaining recounts in several battleground states including Michigan and Wisconsin, two Floridians have filed their lawsuit asking for a recount. The voters, who are from Osceola and Volusia counties, say they are challenging the election results because they believe Hillary Clinton won the Sunshine State, not Donald Trump. The plaintiffs say they firmly believe that Russian hackers and other technical issues may have helped Trump win the White House. They also say that they have received numerous reports of people being turned away at voting polls on Election Day. Florida officials have denied the claims that there has been widespread fraud during the election. In the suit filed in Leon Circuit Court, the two Floridians requested a hand recount of every paper ballot in the Sunshine State. Clint Curtis, a lawyer representing the pair, said he believes that the suit will at best be taken into consideration after December 19 when Electoral College voters will cast their ballots for Trump or will be tossed out. The lawyer also said that he hopes that Trump, who has slammed the other recount efforts, will back the suit in the Sunshine State. Curtis said: Hes mentioned he wants to fix the rigged system. This will give the opportunity to do that. If it were a normal politician, Id say our chances are very slim. But its not a normal politician its Donald Trump. Trump recently made headlines by falsely claiming that he won the popular vote and adding that millions of illegals voted last month. The billionaire 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. He added: 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. I would have won even more easily and convincingly (but smaller states are forgotten)! Many online commenters are not taking this case seriously. The Booths, of Dowshaw Farm, lifted the title with their first prize six-weeks-old home-bred British Blue-cross bull calf, by the Genus sire, Governor, out of a Holstein dairy cow. Given the nod by pre-sale show judge Robert Foster, of Wetherby, the victor went on to sell for the days joint top call of 520 to North Lincolnshires Nigel and Maria Mason. Mr and Mrs Booth trade all their calves at Skipton and have previously successfully sold around 30 calves by the same sire at the mart. They run the Dowshawdale pedigree dairy herd and currently have 140 milkers at home, also farming both Mule and Texel sheep, with around 300 in the flock. The adjudicator remained in the same show class for his chosen reserve champion, the second prize Blue-cross bull calf from the Sowray dairy farming family brothers Shaun, Peter and Paul - from Bowes Green Farm, Bishop Thornton, who were the 2015 Christmas champions at Skipton and had sent out the title winner at all but one of this years previous four seasonal calf shows. Their latest reserve, by another Genus sire, Gamin, was just a month old and sold well at 500, again to the Masons. The Sowrays were also responsible for the third prize Blue-cross bull calf, a Suarez daughter sold at 500 and another Mason acquisition, and the second prize Blue-cross heifer calf, by Dazzle, which made 480, top price in class, when joining brothers Malcolm and Stephen Abbott in Dacre, Harrogate. The Sowrays sold seven Blue calves in total at an overall average of 475 per head. Fred Houseman, of Church Farm Enterprises in Burton Leonard, again sold some high priced entries, with his top-performing Blue-cross bull calf also achieving joint top price of 520 when again claimed by the Masons. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HARTFORD A Stamford lawyer working for state Democrats fought investigators over nearly every detail of an investigation into the use of supplementary funding for Gov. Dannel P. Malloys 2014 re-election, Hearst Connecticut Media has learned. The attorney, David S. Golub, tried to dictate terms and conditions for the release of information, as well as access to top state Democrats, according to thousands of documents and copies of emails released Wednesday under the state Freedom of Information Act. The 20-month battle between Golub and the State Elections Enforcement Commission included a protracted legal case and just before a Superior Court judge was set to rule a record $325,000 fine paid by the Democratic State Central Committee last June. But the controversy didnt end with the settlement, as an active federal grand jury remains empaneled in New Haven, interviewing witnesses on the use of the Democrats federal account in the 2014 race, including the use of state contractor money prohibited from the campaign. Money from contractors As Charles Urso, the State Elections Enforcement Commissions lead investigator, homed in on the Democratic State Central Committees fundraising tactics, Golub questioned his professionalism, at the same time repeatedly rejected requests for documents and witnesses. Amid the released emails are sharp exchanges between Golub and Urso, a former FBI agent now retired from the SEEC. The case began in October, 2014, when Jerry Labriola Jr., then-chairman of the Republican State Central Committee, filed a complaint on the DSCCs use of money from a federal account for Malloys campaign, including money from state contractors who are prohibited from contributing to statewide races. In response to an email in February, 2015, Urso wrote back to Golub, characterizing his cooperation in the SEEC probe as laughable, as Urso attempted to obtain records and interview DSCC officials. Golub then complained to the SEEC that Ursos email was grossly unprofessional and unwarranted in light of the written record of communications on the issue. A short time later, Golub provided documentation indicating that the DSCC spent more than $278,000 on six October, 2014 mass mailings totaling 66,723 pieces of literature supporting Malloys candidacy and delivered throughout the state. But the SEEC was never able to get to the bottom of fundraising tactics and the way party workers approached state contractors in attempt to obtain contributions for its federal account. It also never gained communications among campaign leaders, including Malloy; Jonathan Harris, then-executive director of the DSCC; Jonathan Blair, Malloys campaign manager; and Malloys close advisers, Roy Occhiogrosso, and Mark Ojakian. The release of investigatory materials includes hundreds of DSCC documents marked confidential, including staff lists and details on state contractors who contributed $433,475 to the partys federal account, which supposedly support congressional candidates, but in fact pay most staff salaries as well. The party contended that because the mailers included information on poll hours, the expenditures, including contractor contributions, could supplement Malloys $6.25 million grant under the voluntary public-financing program called the Citizens Election Program. Prickly email exchanges While the DSCC asked the Federal Election Commission for a ruling on the use of the funds in October, 2014, it withdrew its request when a draft opinion claimed that Democrats were attempting the avoid Connecticuts 2005 election reforms after the scandals of 2004 sent John G. Rowland from the governors office to federal prison. By coincidence, Urso was the lead FBI agent whose investigation led Rowland to plead guilty to corruption charges in December 2004, and to serve 10 months in federal prison. As much as a million dollars from the DSCCs federal account was used to supplement the $6.25 million that Malloy received under the states clean-elections program, for which he pledged to accept no outside funding. The federal grand jury in New Haven has interviewed current and former DSCC staff along with state contractors who contributed to the DSCCs federal account. Dont know why you are trying to pick a fight with me, Golub wrote Urso in late January 2015 as the SEEC attempted to interview Arnold Skretta, the DSCCs staff attorney and compliance officer. And you should understand that while the DSCC does want to be cooperative, it is my legal position that everything youre doing in reference to the mailers is plainly preempted by federal law. Golubs complaints about Urso to Kevin Ahern, the SEEC lawyer who handled the case, prompted a curt reply of his own. I cannot respond every time Charlie gets under your skin nor will I be your go-between, Ahern wrote back to Golub. He is the lead investigator on this matter and it his responsibility to quickly and comprehensively get the information that addresses the issues in this case... Finally, I cannot help but share Mr. Ursos frustration. The pace, manner, and level of DSCC's production in this matter has been, at best, very disappointingespecially given the broad accommodations granted your clients to date. kdixon@ctpost.com Its getting to that time when we begin to think about lists of things we should be doing in the New Year. As noted in the History website this tradition dates back 4,000 years to the ancient Babylonians where they made a New Years commitment to the gods to pay back their debts. It seems some things havent changed. According to University of Scranton research, personal financing was the third most popular New Years resolution for Americans in 2015, preceded by getting organized and losing weight. The same research points to a discouraging statistic -- of the estimated 45 percent of Americans who make New Years resolutions, only 8 percent successfully carry them through. In this beautiful citation, wrongly attributed to Buddha, it is said: In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you. In the coming New Year, rather than adding to a bucket list, why not gracefully let go of things not meant for you and focus on eliminating pernicious habits. New Years Renunciation List. Here are a few ideas of fractious workplace habits to renounce in the New Year. 1. Cult of hyperactivity. Im sure you have seen the spate of prescriptive articles listing things to do before sunrise.The Economist superbly lampooned this cult of super-performance which preaches we squeeze in such things as meditation, novel writing, journaling, reading, networking, exercising, juicing and spending quality time with the family, all before the start of the working day. Why drag yourself out of bed and routinize your morning to fit in with other peoples perspective on productivity and success? Bill George writes in "Finding Your True North," Rather than letting the expectations of others guide you, you must be prepared to be your own person and go your own way. This is the nub of authentic leadership. 2. Technology dependency. This survey suggests 87 percent of adult Americans check their business emails outside of working hours. 93 percent of Americans look at their smartphone within three hours of waking according to a Deloitte report. With connectivity creep on the rise, maybe it is time to join the estimated 15 million UK digital detoxers who consciously switch off. We all need to tackle this unreasonable expectation that we are contactable 24/7. Constantly checking messages and surfing the internet can eat into the day. Related: 6 Ways to Break a Tech Addiction. 3. Multitasking. Once a mainstay of all respectable resumes, the ability to simultaneously manage multi streams of information has been discredited in recent times. University of California research suggests that it can take up to 23 minutes and 15 secs for people to resume work once interrupted and that typically they will execute two intervening tasks before resuming the original activity. Studies by Meyer, Evans and Rubinstein report that productivity is reduced by 40 percent when we switch tasks and that the margin of error increases. Multitasking, it seems, is mentally draining, distracting and leads to increased errors and reduced productivity. Related: The Truth About Multitasking: How Your Brain Processes Information. 4. Non-productive meetings. TED speaker Jason Fried says, meetings are places to go to talk about things youre supposed to be doing later. This is comically captured in the Dilbert cartoon in which the pointy-haired boss suggests a preliminary premeeting meeting. The average American spends 40 percent of their working hours in meetings, and poorly run meetings cost an estimated 37 billion dollars a year in the U.S. according to this impact assessment. Non-productive meetings interrupt the flow of the day and we should all challenge the temptation to call a meeting rather than get on with the job in hand. Related: 5 Rules for Successful Meetings. 5. Excessive decision-making. Barack Obama only wears blue or grey suits. He explains why in this Vanity Fair interview: Im trying to pare down decisions. I dont want to make decisions about what Im eating or wearing. Because I have too many other decisions to makeYou need to focus your decision-making energy. You need to routinize yourself. You cant be going through the day distracted by trivia. Kathleen Vohs and her team conducted a series of experiments into this and concluded that too many everyday choices can lead to decision fatigue which consumes our capacity to make higher executive decisions and depletes initiative and self-control. Routinize your everyday choices and focus mental energy on the decisions that really count. 6. Negative experiences with coworkers. We all know that working closely with others can bring immeasurable benefits in terms of diversity of ideas, shared resources and problem-solving. It can also bring time-consuming personality clashes, conflict and gossip. Research suggests people spend between 60 and 80 percent of their daily conversation gossiping. We even gossip in writing -- fifteen per cent of emails are gossip according to research by Georgia Tech. Workplace conflict is also a major problem. This CPP commissioned study found that U.S. employees spend 2.8 hours per week dealing with conflict, equating to approximately $359 billion in paid hours. Negativity among coworkers is a workplace reality, but we can choose not to get sucked in by it. Avoiding workplace conflict and gossip will keep you focused on the job and build your reputation within the organization as a mature individual who has integrity. Toward resolution. Why did I choose these particular habits? Because they all disrupt the state of flow. Flow is a term coined by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in his book Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience to mean complete absorption in a given task where concentration is so intense that there is no attention left over to think about anything irrelevant. Flow is an active, creative, motivating state of optimal being where the hours seem to fly, and these six fractious workplace habits can tear us away from achieving the flow of productive and meaningful work. We need to let go of these hyperactivities, distractions and dependencies and resolve to be the best we can be. Related: 6 Fractious Workplace Habits to Ditch in 2017 To New Beginnings & Old Learnings Reset for a New Life, Not Just a New Year. Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NORWALK, Conn. Norwalk public school officials will yank hundreds of social studies books from fourth grade classrooms across the district in January after a mother raised concerns over the book teaching her fourth grade daughter that slaves in Connecticut were cared for like family members. The concerns with the book, The Connecticut Adventure, were raised to district officials Nov. 29 and prompted an immediate internal review of its use and how it addressed slavery in the state, district officials said. Less than a week later, officials announced they would cease use of the book in classrooms by Jan. 3, 2017, calling the content in the textbook about slavery inaccurate, simplistic and offensive to many. The portion of the textbook minimizes the impact and implications of slavery from the perspective of many constituents in the Norwalk community, said Michael T. Conner, Chief Academic Officer for Norwalk Public Schools, in a letter addressed to parents and guardians of the districts fourth grade students. The 250-page book was published in 2001 by Gibbs Smith Publishing and written by author John W. Ifkovic. In a chapter discussing the history of slaves in Connecticut, the book states, Compared to other colonies, Connecticut did not have many slaves. Some people owned one or two slaves. They often cared for and protected them like members of the family. They taught them to be Christian, and sometimes to read and write. Officials at Gibbs Smith Publishing did not immediately return Hearst Connecticut Medias calls or emails for comment. Gibbs Smiths publishes textbooks on various subjects used across the country. The Connecticut Adventure has been taken up by districts throughout the state of Connecticut. Similar textbooks have been produced for several states by the publisher. Brenda Wilcox Williams, school district spokeswoman, said students have used the book in 10 out of 12 of the Norwalk elementary schools, dating back to at least 2007. Officials werent sure precisely how long the book has been used or who selected it due to turnover in central office staff since that time. Williams did say the decision to remove the book has been met with overwhelmingly positive feedback. Besides comments directed to the district, dozens of parents and community leaders took to social media to applaud the district for making the decision and for doing so in a timely manner. When it was brought to our attention it was pretty clear it wasnt consistent with our core beliefs and values, Williams said. We felt it was important to respond quickly as a result of that. Its also a sign that there has been a lot of change in the district and that we are moving toward a district that is responsive to the community Michelle Zacks, on behalf of her role as associate director of the Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance, and Abolition at Yale University, which seeks to bridge the divide between scholarship and public knowledge of slavery, expressed support for the school districts actions. The degree of brutality connected with slavery in Connecticut varied on a case-by-case basis here and throughout the nation. But the basic fact that enslaved people in this state were bought and sold as though they were livestock or inanimate objects was profoundly dehumanizing and placed them in a much different social status than family, Zacks said. The Norwalk Public Schools decision to withdraw the textbook and re-examine the treatment of slavery in its curriculum is a positive step toward helping Connecticut students and all of us understand the dehumanizing nature of slavery as well as the ways that African Americans resisted this treatment. The history of Connecticut, including information about the states treatment of slaves, has historically been introduced to students at the fourth-grade level. As to whether the students who were already exposed to the books content will be retaught, will be up to a committee composed of central office administrators and curriculum directors in the coming weeks. That committee will also work through the month of December to identify other resources used to teach the social studies curriculum, such as online materials, in lieu of the textbooks come January. That means the district wont have to come up with the funds to purchase replacement books, at least until officials work to meet their long-term goal of updating the fourth grade social studies curriculum to be aligned to the new College, Career, and Civic Life Social Studies Framework adopted by the state in 2015. Officials hope to develop an ad hoc committee to make a recommendation for an official program adoption by May 2017. At that time a book that aligns with the new program may be selected. KSchultz@thehour.com; 203-354-1049; @kevinedschultz Remember may no longer be the appropriate verb to apply to reflections of the events of Dec. 7, 1941. After 75 years, most Americans have no memories of the date that lived in infamy. We may not remember, but we can imagine. Imagine how you might respond to hearing on the radio of the ambush that killed more than 2,400 people. Imagine if you would have been inspired to charge to enlistment centers to volunteer to serve your country, as thousands of people did in Connecticut and across the nation before dusk. Some requested immediate service, while others filled out applications to report after the holidays, no doubt accepting they might be saying final goodbyes to loved ones. Imagine how you would have tried to otherwise contribute to the war effort. We must also imagine what most Americans apparently did not 75 years ago: The possibility of a brazen attack on U.S. soil. Its impossible to replicate the deep emotional scars that shaped that generation long after the end of World War II, but their sacrifices demand that we allow ourselves to imagine the worst. The United States was taken by surprise that Sunday morning in Hawaii even though World War II had begun more than two years earlier. Japans actions may have been subsequently declared a war crime, but todays enemies are cloaked in deeper shadows. They attack as snipers rather than via waves of air strikes; on civilians as well as military personnel. Its no coincidence that Dec. 7, 1941 was the date in American history most commonly summoned to give perspective to its modern successor: Sept. 11, 2001. Are any dates in our history better known by most Americans? Too many people would likely offer a vague definition of the events of July 4, 1776. A few years before turning 50, July 20, 1969 has lost most of its moon glow. But Dec. 7, 1941 and Sept. 11, 2001 are defining dates not merely as markers of days America was wounded, but as emblems of our nations resolve. Most of our oral historians of Dec. 7, 1941 are gone now, and there were no hand-held videos to document and share the horror in real time. So we are left to imagine the arrival of 353 Japanese fighter planes swarming over the naval base, determined to destroy our Pacific fleet. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt told Congress the following day: There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. Our debt to the veterans who answered that call to arms in the days, months and years after Dec. 7, 1941 can never be repaid. But we need to salute the depth of their sacrifices, while not resisting consideration of the possibilities of unexpected aggressions in the future. To do so, we must imagine what it was like to pay witness to the day the world changed. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The father of a third man charged in connection with the killing of a Westhill High grad was the former mayor of the New Jersey shore town where the body was buried. Max Gemma, 29, of Oceanport, N.J., posted a $200,000 bail Tuesday after pleading not guilty to hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence in the killing of Joseph Comunale. Gemmas father, Gordon, was the Democratic mayor of Oceanport from 1997 to 2003. The New York Times reported the former politician attended his sons court hearing Tuesday in Manhattan. After he served as mayor, Gordon Gemma worked for seven years with Kushner Companies, according to his LinkedIn profile. The development business is run by President-elect Donald Trumps son-in-law and close adviser, Jared Kushner. Max Gemmas attorney, Mark Bederow, called his clients arrest unwarranted and heavy handed. Something very terrible happened and they have stated that one or two individuals, not Mr. Gemma, committed a murder and they have been unable to, at present, charge anyone with murder, Bederow said. James Rackover, 25, of New York, N.Y., and Lawrence Dilione, 28, of Jersey City, N.J., face charges of concealment of a human body, hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence. Bederow declined to discuss Gemmas relationship with either Rackover or Dilione, who at first were charged by the New York Police Department with murder, but those charges were not adopted by the New York District Attorneys office. The issue has caused an apparent rift between the NYPD and the DAs office, the New York Daily News reported. An NYPD spokesman said detectives believed they had probable cause for the murder charges, but we understand the DA may require additional information, the Daily News reported. Police believe Comunale was killed Nov. 13 at a luxury Manhattan apartment after a night out with friends. Authorities said the popular 26-year-old Stamford man was stabbed 15 times before his body was taken to Oceanport and buried in a shallow grave behind a flower shop about a mile from Max Gemmas home. We are assured of Mr. Gemmas innocence and look forward to confronting the charges in court, Bederow said. Police do not know who stabbed Comunale and have not released a motive for the attack. Authorities said Comunale was in New York City that weekend when he met Dilione and three women at a bar. The 2008 Westhill High School graduate then accompanied the group to a party at Rackovers Grand Sutton apartment, where the crime later took place, police said. Rackover remains jailed on $3 million bond, while Dilione was released last month after posting $300,000 cash bail. Both will be arraigned and charges could be added on Tuesday. New York authorities would not discuss Max Gemmas involvement, except to say they believe he was in Rackovers apartment. Hours after the crime on Nov. 13, James Rackover was seen placing a large duffel bag into the trunk of a black 2015 Mercedes that was parked outside of his building, police said. Court documents show the car is registered to Jeffrey Rackover. Jeffrey Rackover, a celebrity jeweler whose clients include Trump, met James Rackover several years ago and has considered him to be a surrogate son. James Rackover was born James Beaudoin and was arrested several times in Florida before moving to New York. The Associated Press contributed to this report. noliveira@hearstmediact.com W ere standing looking down over the lobby of what will soon be the Citys latest skyscraper, which to my untrained eye looks just like a noisy, dusty, building site. Fork-lift trucks duck around and behind us, theres the intermittent mortar-like thud of hydraulic pumps sending tonnes of concrete skyward to higher floors as the Scalpel slowly climbs out of the ground. This time next year, the cluttered grey expanse will be a glittering, spacious reception area; but more satisfyingly for Andrew Reynolds, managing director of US insurer WR Berkleys development arm, the tower is already filling with tenants. The 35-floor building nicknamed for its tapered finish could even be 70% full by next year after recent lettings to two insurance firms. A third US insurer Chubb is rumoured to be on the way. If we can continue in that vein, well be in a very good place by practical completion. In a buoyant market forgetting Brexit, Trump, all those things that would be good, Reynolds says. Berkleys Scalpel is in a very handy place: virtually within touching distance of the front door of the Lloyds of London inside-out building, where brokers are themselves in and out striking deals in the traditional face-to-face market all day. Theres an obvious appeal for the tenants in being close to the action. With the nearby Walkie-Talkie and Cheesegrater full up, the Scalpel almost has the field to itself despite the Brexit effect. There was a lot of fear out there with David Cameron and George Osborne selling the fear factor but we have certainly seen no drop in interest from City and EC3 folk, Reynolds says. Even more bullishly, he adds on the referendum fallout: I think London is well-placed. It is going to be a negotiation, were all going to have to come to a table and be a bit more adult about it. It was all terribly tedious in June: were all going to die, London is going to be tumbleweed, were all going to Frankfurt. Its not happening, is it? That may be true for the insurance market, which has been heated up by merger activity, but the next 12 months or so look far more tricky for the wider City commercial office market, which has spawned scores of nicknames for its towers over the past few years. Nick Deacon, director of central London offices at TH Real Estate, one of the worlds biggest property investors, is building the Can of Ham at 60-70 St Mary Axe but is waiting for a pre-let before pressing on with the Gotham City tower at 40 Leadenhall Street. He was talking to a number of potential tenants before the referendum but those discussions slowed after the vote. The business plan hasnt changed but in reality, due to Brexit, it has just been elongated, he says. Deacon is much more pessimistic on the prospect for rents and reels off a list of at least half a dozen schemes expected to add about 1.5 million square feet of space on the market in the next year. They include Helicals 1 Creechurch Place, Blackstones 20 Old Bailey and Mitsui/Stanhopes Angel Court. Suddenly, after a few years of boom, it looks like a tenants market. The reality is that unless a tenant needs to make a decision, they are unlikely to in the short term, Deacon explains. We are likely to see the environment we saw in the eurozone crisis or the dot-com slump in the Noughties nowhere near financial-crisis territory but an environment in which rents are likely to fall. The reality is that in some regards, they are already falling although people dont want to admit it. But in property, the difference between fortunes and red ink is timing the cycle. After the relative glut of supply hitting the market in the next 18 months, a dearth of development augurs better fortunes for those delivering buildings to the market in 2019-20. Thats just when financial players should be making firm decisions on their needs as, hopefully, the clouds lift over the Brexit settlement. So British Land has decided to push on with its scheme at 100 Liverpool Street while Axa has pressed the button on the Lipton Rogers-designed 22 Bishopsgate tower, having reviewed the plans after the vote. Says Deacon: History tells you that a smart developer goes in at a weaker point of the cycle and delivers buildings at the recovery point. It feels brave now but by the time its completed, most commentators feel that well be in a recovery phase and therell be more tenant demand. Next big thing on the horizon The next big daddy potentially looming over the City skyline by the middle of the next decade could be 1 Undershaft unofficially known as the Trellis which gained planning permission from the City of London Corporation last week. The scheme is backed by Singaporean palm-oil billionaires Kuok Khoon Hong and Martua Sitorus through their investment vehicle Aroland. They have yet to give the final approval for the project but it is unlikely to be affected by the Brexit vote, according to architect Eric Parry. In 2030, there will be another 100,000 people working in the City. Theyve got to accommodate those, he says. Before work can begin on the 73-storey building, however, the developers must address the issue of the Aviva Tower occupying the site, where the insurer has a lease until 2024 and has just spent millions on a major refurbishment. Industry sources say that, for the tower to proceed, Aviva would have to be bought out of the lease before the planning consent expires. Alternatively, Aroland could cash in on the increased value of the site with planning permission for a new tower and sell up. The Brexit victim The clearest casualty of the Brexit vote so far is the scheme backed by Swiss private-equity firm Partners Group at 80 Fenchurch Street. Its website says building work on the 245,000-square-foot office block was due to begin earlier this year but the company failed to find a tenant and the project is on hold. When Partners unveiled the 200 million scheme in May last year, vice-president Stuart Keith said the building would be perfectly placed to capitalise on a shortage of space in the capital, and on steadily climbing rents. But now, in a much-changed climate, a Partners spokeswoman refused to comment on the investment. I celand Foods attempted to settle its trademark dispute with its namesake country a decade ago, the Icelandic tycoon who once chaired the chain has claimed. Former High Street kingpin Jon Asgeir Johannesson whose investment vehicle lost control of the frozen-food supermarket chain in 2009 told the Standard he was given the cold shoulder in attempts to settle the matter. We offered to make a very fair agreement in 2006 with the Icelandic government when we were the owners they never responded, he added. Icelandic authorities have launched legal action against the retailer, which has the trademark for the name Iceland in Europe. The country claims it prevents firms from describing their products as Icelandic. After sending a delegation to Reykjavik to meet the foreign affairs minister, founder Malcolm Walker claimed that authorities have no interest in a compromise. Walker, who was pictured this week slaying a Viking at a company party, was not on the trip. However, Johannesson said: I think its easy to find a solution. The right people need to sit down to do so. His Baugur venture expanded rapidly in the early 2000s buying up stakes in Iceland, House of Fraser, Debenhams, Hamleys, Karen Millen and French Connection. However, the collapse of Icelands banks in 2008 caused his empire to crumble and he was accused of siphoning off a $2 billion (1.6 billion) loan from Icelandic bank Glitnir. A nother blow was dealt to Pearsons recovery today as more signs of a weak college textbook market sent investors packing. The education publishers shares dropped 17p, or 2.1%, to 776p, on the back of gloomy financial results from Barnes & Noble Education, one of the biggest university bookstore operators in the US, Pearsons main market. Its shares tumbled 14% on Wall Street yesterday as it warned that students were counting the pennies and not splashing out on expensive textbooks, choosing instead to rent them. Analysts at Liberum fear Pearson, which sold the Financial Times Group and its stake in The Economist to focus on US education, is over-exposed to the American college scene, where it generates almost half of its profits. We see the biggest pressure there coming from students looking for cheaper options to buying textbooks, which can often be in the $150-$200+ price range, said analyst Ian Whittaker. A key driver of the problems Pearson has faced appears to be the rise of textbook rentals, which as Barnes & Noble Education stated is becoming the preferred choice for many students. Pearson was among the blue-chip losers on a day when the FTSE 100 rose 79.59 points, or 1.2%, to 6859.43, boosted by mining stocks. Among them was Rio Tinto, which was 127.5p higher at 3149p as investors sought beneficiaries of higher copper prices. They were also encouraged by an upgrade to outperform by Credit Suisse and comments made by Rios copper boss that the company expects a global copper shortage in 2020 when its giant Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia is expected to start producing. Bargain-hunters picked up shares in the spreadbetters after yesterdays painful falls caused by the FCAs review. Although still a long way below Mondays trading levels, IG Group clawed back 6.9p to 492p and CMC Markets was up 3.42p at 118.42p. Plus500 saw no dead cat bounce, slipping 2.5p further to 364p, as it emerged Odey Asset Management took advantage of the fall to lift its stake to 21%. Crispin Odeys hedge fund was also betting against IGs shares. At the smaller end of the scale, nuclear engineer Redhall Group, which is hoping to be picked to build blast-proof doors for Hinkley Point C, improved 0.4p to 8.9p as it trimmed annual losses to 1.1 million with a healthy order book. Underlying profits were slightly ahead of analyst forecasts. Alternative lender Private & Commercial Finance was granted its banking licence, sending the shares up 1.2p to 30.2p. T he capitals biggest housing association, the Peabody Trust, is merging with a rival under plans that could help bring about its 1.5 billion overhaul of Thamesmead in south-east London. Peabody is combining with Family Mosaic in a move creating an association with 55,000 homes and 111,000 residents as well as 6 billion in assets. The associations move gives it a bigger balance sheet to raise funds for developments such as the regeneration of Thamesmead a Sixties-built design disaster where thousands of new homes are planned. The merger also comes in a challenging climate when the Government has imposed annual rental cuts of 1% a year on housing association tenants, while wanting associations who have traditionally rented homes to provide more homes for sale. More mergers between the countrys 1500 associations are inevitable, insiders say. The former head of the civil service, Lord Kerslake, will continue to run the enlarged body, which retains the Peabody name, while Family Mosaic boss Brendan Sarsfield will be chief executive. P harma giant Pfizer was on Wednesday slapped with the biggest penalty imposed by Britains competition watchdog, an 84 million fine for charging the NHS excessive and unfair prices for a key anti-epilepsy drug. Pfizer, the US drugmaker deliberately hike[d] up the price for a drug which is relied upon by many thousands of patients, the Competition and Markets Authority said. In 2012, Viagra-maker Pfizer stripped its epilepsy drug Epanutin of its branding, turning it into a generic medicine, phenytoin sodium, as these are not subject to price regulation. It then sold the licence to British drugs distributor Flynn Pharma, which was today fined 5.2 million for its role in the scandal. The pair broke competition law with a crucial medicine for some 48,000 UK patients, the CMA found. They hiked the price of a 100mg packet of pills by 2600% overnight from 2.83 to 67.50 in September 2012. NHS spending on the capsules shot up from 2 million to 50 million in 12 months as a result. Pfizers pricing for the same drug in other European countries remained far lower. As epilepsy patients on certain drugs should not usually be switched to others, due to serious health consequences, the NHS had no alternative to paying the increased prices for the drug, the CMA said. Pfizer and Flynn Pharma, which calls the capsules a vitally important product on its website, abused [their] dominant position by charging excessive and unfair prices, the CMA said of its record fine. Boss Pfizer Ian Read claimed NHS patients would benefit from better products, faster during his 69 billion attempt to buy AstraZeneca in 2014. The next-biggest penalty was a 45 million fine on GlaxoSmithKline and other drugmakers in February. The CMA has also ordered Pfizer and Flynn to drop their prices, giving them up to four months to do so. In September 2012, a Flynn company director claimed for us to continue to make the drug available in the UK, we had to [hike the price], while Pfizer had claimed it was making Epanutin at a loss, but couldnt stop doing so as patients relied on it. However, CMA research showed any losses would have been recovered within two months of the price rises. Pfizer said it will be appealing all aspects of its fine. Flynn said the ruling was based on a wholly flawed understanding of the drugs market. T hree years ago the present Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, wrote to the then London mayor, Boris Johnson: I would like to keep suburban rail services out of the clutches of any future Labour mayor. That letter has come back to haunt him now that he is dealing with precisely the issue of whether Transport for London and the Mayor should take control of suburban commuter services. Yesterday he said that if they did it would not solve the problems of the rail service. In response, the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, argues that TfL would improve services and make trains run better. Mr Graylings letter was written long ago, in his capacity as a constituency MP, but it suggests wretchedly political partisanship. Commuters cannot be held to ransom by party politics. Where Mr Grayling may be right to worry is the possibility that a Labour mayor would be unduly influenced by the unions, which have created enormous disruption by recourse to strikes this year. Mr Khan would have to show he has the toughness to face them down. If he is prepared to defend passengers interests against the rail unions then there is a good case for giving the Mayor and TfL control over suburban rail. Certainly many passengers will feel that they can hardly do worse than the operators. Commuters do not care who owns or runs the railway; they want to get to work or home on time. Right now they have to endure nothing short of an ordeal to fulfil these simple needs. This is nothing short of scandalous. If TfL can do better, then good luck to it. A heated Brexit debate Today's Commons vote on the Governments decision to trigger Article 50 to leave the EU is a climbdown on the part of the Prime Minister and a victory for Labour, in particular its shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer. But it was the prospect of rebellion on the part of a significant number of dissident Tory MPs which may in fact have swayed Theresa May. Sir Keir is asking that the Government should give a pretty detailed outline of its negotiating position. That is a rather taller order, not least because it is a work in progress. We already have a good idea of what the position is: Mrs May wants as much access to the single market in goods and services as is commensurate with controls on immigration. Whether Britain is prepared to pay the EU for the privilege a sensible compromise which the Brexit Secretary, David Davis, seems to be considering is up for negotiation. Right now, the Supreme Court is deciding the position of parliament in respect of the Brexit negotiations. It is doing its job and should be supported in deciding what is the law on the matter. And while it is fine for the Commons to have its say on the Governments stance, these are bilateral negotiations in which the other party, the EU, will have its own agenda. Moreover, the Supreme Court may conceivably suggest that the Scottish government should have a say in the outcome, which would undermine Mrs Mays position. Open democratic debate on an issue of fundamental importance such as this is an excellent thing; it is not, however, decisive. Public spirit in Soho In an extraordinary display of public spirit, members of the public prevented a couple of thieves from stealing a valuable motorbike in Soho Square, braving the angle grinder they were wielding. They fled on a scooter and were pelted with traffic cones by passers-by. Its a heartwarming story, though the observation of the Brazilian who recorded the event that in Brazil, thieves at least wait for night to steal, should give us pause. R ail passengers across south London and the wider commuter belt are understandably furious after the Government broke its promise to make suburban rail services more frequent, reliable and affordable by giving control of commuter lines to Transport for London. I am on their side. TfL has proved beyond any doubt that when it is given control of suburban rail lines passengers get a more frequent service, increased capacity, fewer delays and cancellations, more staff at stations and more affordable fares. Just look at the London Overground which went from being one of the worst services in the country to one of the best. TfL proved it again when it took control of running services from Liverpool Street to Shenfield. Earlier this year the Government promised to give control of suburban rail lines, including those operated by Southeastern, Southern and South West Trains, to TfL in a joint agreement signed by the Department for Transport and the Mayor of London, who at the time was Boris Johnson. Widely hailed, it looked like a major step forward for commuters, fed-up after years of unacceptably poor services. The Government broke that promise yesterday. Instead, it put forward a proposal that will deliver none of the necessary benefits for passengers. Under new, weaker proposals, commuters will still face daily cancellations and delays, there will still be no improvement to services, no new staff at stations and fares will continue to rise every year including by 2.3 per cent this January (with some fares going up by up to five per cent) in stark contrast to my freeze of all TfL fares. I want to be clear that this is not about party politics its much bigger than that. Rail devolution is supported by MPs, councils and London Assembly members from every political party. It is also supported by Conservative councils outside London such as those in Kent, Surrey and Hertfordshire who know that their residents will get a better, more reliable and more affordable service under TfL. Sadiq Khan addresses government's decision not to hand rail control over to TfL Some of the strongest criticism of the Governments U-turn came from Bob Neill, the Conservative MP for Bromley and Chislehurst, whose understandable frustration on behalf of his constituents was clear for all to see when he spoke in the House of Commons. His anger was shared by MPs from across London, including Matthew Pennycook, Heidi Alexander, Karen Buck and Andy Slaughter. Meaningful rail devolution is strongly supported by businesses and industry leaders both inside and outside London including London First and the London Chamber of Commerce. They know that improving rail services would bring huge economic benefits as well as delivering improvements for passengers. A better and more regular suburban rail network would unlock new growth, jobs and opportunities across south London and the commuter belt. Long-suffering: Southern commuters have been hit by more delays and cancellations this week / Jeremy Selwyn It would also allow us to build the new genuinely affordable homes that Londoners desperately need. There is considerable capacity to build new homes in south London but only if the shortage of transport capacity and chronic reliability problems can be addressed. We have identified the potential for 150,000 new homes in areas served by suburban rail lines, including 80,000 within one kilometre of a station that would be served under our plans for rail devolution. That is a lot of new homes at a time of urgent need. One clear benefit of TfL running commuter rail lines has been perfectly demonstrated by the strikes on Southern services this week and in recent months. Commuters on Southern trains have had months of abysmal services, with delays and cancellations at record levels. The Government has done absolutely nothing to help. Contrast this with TfL, which this week successfully negotiated to stop a proposed strike on two Tube lines. This was TfL showing once again that it has the expertise and professionalism to deliver a much better service for commuters. Contrary to claims made by the Government yesterday, our detailed proposals spell out exactly how TfL would increase the capacity, frequency and reliability of rail services. The plans show it would lead to greater reliability, all-day staffing at stations, integrated fares, Oyster card access at all stations and reduced fare evasion. TfL would provide extra train services, deep cleaning and enhancements at stations, as well as more and improved ticket machines. TfL introduced almost exactly the same measures when it took control of West Anglia services in May 2015 the improvements led to a 15 per cent reduction in delays, a 43 per cent increase in satisfaction with staff availability, a 32 per cent increase in satisfaction with station cleanliness, an 86 per cent reduction in fare evasion and a three per cent increase in overall customer satisfaction. Who would argue against that? If Im honest, I simply do not understand why the Government is now so vehemently opposed to improving suburban rail services in London. I sincerely hope it is not because it is reluctant to give control of these lines to a Labour Mayor. Commuters lives are far, far more important than party politics and I have proven time and time again that Im a Mayor who stands up for all Londoners. It is not too late for the Government to change its mind but ministers need to act fast. I will do all I can, working with politicians from all parties, business leaders and commuters to persuade Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to do the right thing. And if you are a commuter suffering from dreadful services you can help too. During your commute home tonight write to the Transport Secretary and urge him to do the right thing. Together, we can fight for passengers to get the improvements to services they so deserve. Model Taylor Hill says she was convinced she had messed up her audition to become a Victorias Secret Angel - because she swore too much. The American, who was 18 at the time, told ES Magazine: "I was just winging it. I didnt train or do any prep, because youre always being told, Dont get your hopes up, VS is a tricky client." When her agent called to tell her she had got the job, she recalled: "I thought they were going to say Id messed up and said the F-word too much." "Sometimes when Im nervous it just comes out!" Victoria's Secret 2016 Fashion Show - In pictures 1 /62 Victoria's Secret 2016 Fashion Show - In pictures Victoria's Secret fashion show Gigi Hadid walks the finale Victoria's Secret fashion show Kendall Jenner Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Adriana Lima, Lily Donaldson, Alessandra Ambrosio, Taylor Hill and Martha Hunt Victoria's Secret fashion show Gigi Hadid Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Adriana Lima and Elsa Hosk lead the finale David Fisher/Rex/Shutterstock Victoria's Secret fashion show Models celebrate on the finale runway Charles Platiau/Reuters Victoria's Secret fashion show Bella Hadid Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Lady Gaga and Lily Donaldson Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Bella Hadid Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Lily Aldridge Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Alessandra Ambrosio Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Lady Gaga performs while Gigi Hadid WALKS THE RUNWAY AFP/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Jasmine Tookes Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Joan Smalls Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Kendall Jenner Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Lily Donaldson Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Irina Shayk Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Rachel Hilbert Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Grace Elizabeth Francois Mori/AP Victoria's Secret fashion show Lady Gaga performs during the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Adriana Lima Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Adriana Lima and Elsa Hosk Getty Images for Victoria's SecretDimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show A model walks the runway Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Gigi Hadid Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Sanne Vloet Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Maria Borges Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Jourdana Phillips Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Josephine Skriver Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Sara Sampaio Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Bridget Malcolm Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Devon Windsor Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Martha Hunt Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Lais Oliveira Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Leomie Anderson Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Maria Borges Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Stella Maxwell Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Taylor Hill Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, The Weeknd and Victoria's Secret Models walk the runway Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Cindy Bruna Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Lily Donaldson Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Josephine Skriver Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Valerie Kaufman Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Zuri Tibby Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Ming Xi Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Bruno Mars sings on the runway Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show The Weeknd Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Models pose at the end of the finale runway AFP/Getty Images Hill, now 20, has since starred in campaigns for Miu Miu, Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo. Originally from Colorado, she was discovered at the age of 14 with her sisters. She said: "This guy who said hes a photographer came over and asked if we were models. We were like, What the f***? No! [He then said to her mother]: Oh my God, your daughter should be a model." Her mother guided her between castings. "She helped me learn how to manage at airports and get from the car to the hotel, she said. One trip was to London: I mainly remember going on the Tube and trying to cross the street without dying." Read the full interview in ES Magazine - free every Thursday and Friday Leomie Anderson may have been selected to star in one of the worlds biggest fashion shows - but the Victorias Secret Angel doesnt consider herself a supermodel. The 23-year-old from Tooting, who was scouted while waiting for a bus as a schoolgirl, appeared at the brands Paris show last week with Gigi and Bella Hadid. She said: "Im not a supermodel yet and still feel very much the Londoner, especially when Im in New York." "I feel so proud to come from south London and always let people know where Im from - so to be able to fly the flag as part of the biggest show on Earth is an amazing feeling." Although she now regularly rubs shoulders with A-listers, she still gets starstruck. After Lady Gaga, who was performing at the Victorias Secret show, reached out to take her hand on the catwalk, Anderson posted a picture of the moment on Instagram, writing: "Even if this doesnt make the show, it was the most epic thing ever so thank you Lady Gaga." Victoria's Secret 2016 Fashion Show - In pictures 1 /62 Victoria's Secret 2016 Fashion Show - In pictures Victoria's Secret fashion show Gigi Hadid walks the finale Victoria's Secret fashion show Kendall Jenner Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Adriana Lima, Lily Donaldson, Alessandra Ambrosio, Taylor Hill and Martha Hunt Victoria's Secret fashion show Gigi Hadid Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Adriana Lima and Elsa Hosk lead the finale David Fisher/Rex/Shutterstock Victoria's Secret fashion show Models celebrate on the finale runway Charles Platiau/Reuters Victoria's Secret fashion show Bella Hadid Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Lady Gaga and Lily Donaldson Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Bella Hadid Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Lily Aldridge Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Alessandra Ambrosio Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Lady Gaga performs while Gigi Hadid WALKS THE RUNWAY AFP/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Jasmine Tookes Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Joan Smalls Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Kendall Jenner Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Lily Donaldson Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Irina Shayk Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Rachel Hilbert Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Grace Elizabeth Francois Mori/AP Victoria's Secret fashion show Lady Gaga performs during the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Adriana Lima Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Adriana Lima and Elsa Hosk Getty Images for Victoria's SecretDimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show A model walks the runway Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Gigi Hadid Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Sanne Vloet Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Maria Borges Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Jourdana Phillips Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Josephine Skriver Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Sara Sampaio Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Bridget Malcolm Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Devon Windsor Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Martha Hunt Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Lais Oliveira Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Leomie Anderson Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Maria Borges Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Stella Maxwell Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Taylor Hill Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, The Weeknd and Victoria's Secret Models walk the runway Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Cindy Bruna Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Lily Donaldson Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Josephine Skriver Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Valerie Kaufman Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Zuri Tibby Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Ming Xi Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Bruno Mars sings on the runway Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show The Weeknd Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Victoria's Secret fashion show Models pose at the end of the finale runway AFP/Getty Images She said: "I have met a few celebrities so far in my career, but my favourite has to be Rihanna, as she is just as amazing in person as she seems in pictures, and shes a very down-to-earth and inspiring woman." Anderson, who started modelling at 14 and is represented by Premier Artists, has appeared on Good Morning Britain to raise awareness around sexting and the importance of consent. Today, she is launching a collection of "anti-Trump and anti-misogyny" hoodies via her clothing line LAPP featuring slogans such as "This p***y grabs back", in reference to the US President-elects infamous remarks on women. Despite her growing fame, she loves a simple night out with friends in the capital. She said: "One of the first stops back home after being in America for a long time is a cheeky Nandos." C ollege students from across the capital have collaborated to create a collection of images exploring race, gender and sexuality. The images will go on display in a new exhibition at Rivington Place exploring how young people are affected by a fast-changing political landscape and the impact of migration on family. Photographer and college student Nair Furtado has taken powerful portraits of young, black women and hopes to portray a message of dominance and power. She told the Standard: Black female role models inspire me. 'Colourful Black, 2016' / Nair Furtado This project is inspired by the women in my family, like my grandmother. She left her country to go to Portugal in search of a better life for herself and her kids. This exhibition is a big step for me. Entry to the exhibition, Album, at Rivington Place is free and runs from December 9 to 10, 2016. Visit standard.co.uk/arts for the latest news and reviews from Londons arts scene Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESgoingout T he Malone Souliers Award for Breakthrough of the Year at the Evening Standard British Film Awards is designed to make old lags weep. If for decades youve been trying to make it big, look away now. This category, previously titled Rising Star, rewards Brits who are young or new to film. This year, in case youre wondering, was a top year for gatecrashers. Our longlist included Under the Shadows Babak Anvari and The Girl With All the Gifts Colm McCarthy and Sennia Nanua. We wish we could have included more on the shortlist but this year the best of an especially excellent bunch are Florence Pugh, William Oldroyd and Lewis MacDougall. Chances are you know little about them, but thats about to change. Lewis MacDougall Actor, A Monster Calls Hes been called a cannonball of untamed emotion. MacDougall, 14, is blindsiding in A Monster Calls, a semi-fantastical coming-of-age drama about a beleaguered schoolboy. It co-stars Liam Neeson, in a motion-capture suit, as a fierce but well-meaning tree spirit, and Sigourney Weaver. MacDougall is playground punch-bag Conor, whose optimistic, cancer-ridden mother (Felicity Jones) is slowly dying. Asked if he drew on personal experiences for the film, MacDougall, an only child who lives in Edinburgh, says: Luckily, Ive never been bullied. But I suppose I did understand Conor because of my mothers experience of being ill and passing away, three or four years ago. Following a pause that seems to last forever, he explains that his mother had multiple sclerosis. The director, J A Bayona, knew about my mum. My dad was consulted to make sure I was OK with doing those scenes. MacDougall says he kept his feelings about his mother to one side but admits the experience also helped him. I could definitely understand Conors emotions. My favourite scene is the bit after he has destroyed his grandmothers living room. He and the grandmother just stare at each other, not saying anything. His take on the film is that it teaches you everything you need to know in life. He says his father, Billy, saw it for the first time in Los Angeles (where MacDougall was shooting his next project, Boundaries). My dad isnt the kind of person who cries easily, admits MacDougall. His eyes might have watered at points but Im sure it wasnt a long cry. So what did his father say at the end? Well done! Thats the best thing he could have said. It made me really happy. AFP/Getty Images William Oldroyd Director, Lady Macbeth The director of this period thriller was raised in a Christian family and studied theology at university, in the hope of becoming a priest. By the end of his first year he had lost his faith. By the end of the third year he was writing a thesis on homosexuality in the Church of England. Basically, the 37-year-old is an angelic upstart. His feature debut is one of the most original films of the year. A radical reworking of an 1865 Russian novella, its a macabre cross between Ingmar Bergmans Winter Light, Jane Campions The Piano and Spike Lees Shes Gotta Have it. Because of the immorality of the main characters actions, it could well be met with disapproval from religious groups. Oldroyd is delighted: The Vatican banned Andrew Haighs Weekend, which actually helped the film. Its a win-win situation! Although excited about tomorrows awards Oldroyd notes with a wry sigh that theres a bit of an age gap between him and the other two contenders. A few years ago, he explains, he was into facial furniture in a big way. I took my lovely beard to Sundance and when I saw the photos I realised it made me look really old. Far from being lush it was straggly and grey. My sister said, Shave it off, for gods sake! So I did. Theres nothing untidy about Lady Macbeth each frame is a work of art. Yet, incredibly, it was made for just 500,000. Im not supposed to tell people how much it cost, admits Oldroyd, the producers think audiences are put off if a films budget is too low, so I prefer to tell the press it cost under 10 million. Can I just say, he adds anxiously, that everybody got paid. We saved money by not having lots of extras or complicated shots. I tell him he shouldnt hide that budget under a bushel. Its proof that the god of small things takes care of His own. Florence Pugh Actress, Lady Macbeth The 19-year-old star of Lady Macbeth is happy to be called the new Kate Winslet. The press compare me to Kate, agrees Pugh, or Jennifer Lawrence. I cant complain. Theyre the strongest women we have in the industry. But Im sure theyre like: For f***s sake, stop saying this new person is like me! Pugh first caught the film worlds eye in cult British drama The Falling. Despite rave reviews she still felt that, with her second film, she had everything to prove. In a meeting a producer used the phrase one-time-wonder. They actually said that to me, she exclaims indignantly, A lot of people were waiting to see if Id trip up. In Lady Macbeth Pugh plays Katherine, a teenage bride in Victorian England who is willing to kill to get what she wants. Pugh nails everything, from the characters Northumberland accent to her steely insouciance. Pugh says, with a chuckle, that London-based casting director Shaheen Baig likes to match actors with characters who arent too dissimilar from themselves. William [Oldroyd, the director] told me that and at first I squealed with horror. But then I thought about it. Katherine is told her body is fat, that shes disgusting. And she just bites back. Her spunk, her fieriness thats in me. She wasnt bothered by the nude scenes (many of them with Cosmo Jarvis, playing the young groom Katherine takes for a lover). Of course sex scenes are tricky. We all have this idea in our head, of the best version of ourselves, which makes it difficult on the day. But William isnt lechy or weird, so I trusted him. In the script it didnt say that I was naked, it just said, they start making love. But I wasnt going to nit-pick. Its obvious, isnt it? In real life women dont get out of bed wearing knickers and a nightie. Asked if she still keeps in touch with Game of Thrones Maisie Williams (her co-star in The Falling), Pugh gasps and says, Maisie is one of the biggest chicas in the world! I mean, in our age group. After the film we stayed best friends but shes a superstar now... We were buddies. We still are. But when someones flying around the world its hard to see them every month. Pugh is on the brink of superstardom herself. Heres hoping she and Williams defy the odds and remain BFFs. The Malone Souliers Award For Breakthrough of the Year will be announced with the other winners at the ceremony at Claridges on December 8. ES British Film Awards Shortlist, in pictures 1 /41 ES British Film Awards Shortlist, in pictures American Honey Shortlisted for the Everyman Award for Best Film Bridget Joness Baby Shortlisted for the Everyman Award for Best Film I, Daniel Blake Shortlisted for the Everyman Award for Best Film Hugh Grant, Florence Foster Jenkins Shortlisted for Best Actor Dave Johns, I, Daniel Blake Shortlisted for Best Actor Dev Patel, Lion Shortlisted for Best Actor Russell Tovey, The Pass Shortlisted for Best Actor Kate Beckinsale, Love & Friendship Shortlisted for New West End Company Award for Best Actress Ross McDonnell/Churchill Produtions Limited Emily Blunt, The Girl on the Train Shortlisted for New West End Company Award for Best Actress Helen Mirren, Eye in the Sky Shortlisted for New West End Company Award for Best Actress Tilda Swinton, A Bigger Splash Shortlisted for New West End Company Award for Best Actress Tom Bennett, Love & Friendship Shortlisted for Best Supporting Actor Brendan Gleeson, Trespass Against Us Shortlisted for Best Supporting Actor Arinze Kene (right), The Pass Shortlisted for Best Supporting Actor Sarah Solemani, Bridget Joness Baby Shortlisted for Best Supporting Actress Hayley Squires, I, Daniel Blake Shortlisted for Best Supporting Actress Rachel Weisz, The Light Between Oceans Shortlisted for Best Supporting Actress Before the Flood Shortlisted for Best Documentary Notes on Blindness Shortlisted for Best Documentary The Hard Stop Shortlisted for Best Documentary Terence Davies, A Quiet Passion Shortlisted for the Amanda Eliasch Best Screenplay Award Guy Hibbert, Eye in the Sky Shortlisted for the Amanda Eliasch Best Screenplay Award Keith Bernstein David Farr, The Ones Below Shortlisted for the Amanda Eliasch Best Screenplay Award Nigel Howard Bridget Joness Baby Shortlisted for the Peter Sellers Award for Comedy Universal Pictures David Brent: Life on the Road Shortlisted for the Peter Sellers Award for Comedy Bill Nighy, Their Finest Shortlisted for the Peter Sellers Award for Comedy Nicola Dove Lewis MacDougall, A Monster Calls Shortlisted for the Malone Souliers Award for Breakthrough of the Year Florence Pugh, Lady Macbeth Shortlisted for the Malone Souliers Award for Breakthrough of the Year The film's director, William Oldroyd, is also nominated for the award Consolata Boyle, Florence Foster Jenkins (costume design) Shortlisted for Technical Achievement Nick Wall Photography Robbie Ryan, American Honey (cinematography) Shortlisted for Technical Achievement Max Richter, Arrival (contribution to music) Shortlisted for Technical Achievement #ESFilmAwards Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESGoingOut F rom party bites and elegant desserts to cheese towers and chocolates, there is something for every host. So all you need to do is put on the Christmas music, welcome your guests and relax. Finest prosecco No gathering this time of year is complete without prosecco. The Valdobbiadene Prosecco (10) has notes of apple, white flowers, citrus, grapefruit and hints of honey, and its light, refreshing taste makes it a great accompaniment for canapes or desserts. Finest French Vodka French vodka is having a popularity boom at the moment. This one is filtered through charcoal plates and has a smooth and elegant taste making it ideal as a mixer in cocktails or straight up over ice. (18) Finest safari print chocolate box Christmas is a time to indulge and there is nothing more indulgent than these safari print chocolates inspired by the latest catwalk designs. The delicious dark, milk and white Belgian chocolates (6.50) are made using ingredients from around the world, including pink Himalayan sea salt and Madagascan vanilla. Finest party food including scallop thermidor and mini venison pies If you want canapes that look amazing but dont keep you chained to the oven, then this selection of party food, including scallop thermidor that cooks in only eight minutes and mini venison pies complete with festive star topping, is the solution. Finest roast at home ham For something a bit different at Christmas then why not roast your own ham - the easy way. Cured with orange marmalade and rosemary sprigs, roast it in the bag for an hour and then voila easy roast ham. (30) Finest smoked salmon trio Smoked salmon is a traditional Christmas treat in a lot of homes. This trio ensures there is something for everyone with layers of smoked salmon flavoured with lemon, pepper, beetroot and smoked chutney. Serve on slices of buttered brown bread or on its own with lemon and dill. Finest cheese bauble truffles If youre looking for a cheeseboard update these bauble truffles, (5) are just the thing. Packaged up to look like chocolate truffles they are actually made from creamy traditional cheeses filled with a variety of matching chutneys. Finest Christmas Pudding A flaming fruit pudding is the traditional end to a Christmas meal but that doesnt mean you need to spend hours (and weeks) in the kitchen making your own version. Instead opt for this one, matured for 12 months it will be perfect on Christmas day, just heat it up and serve. (10) Finest cheese truckle tower Put cheese centre stage this year with a truckle tower, (6). The elegant black wax, three-tier tower is comprised of three cheeses coastal bite Cheddar, Wensleydale with cranberries and blueberries and a cave-aged goats cheese. Just add the crackers. Click here to explore the Christmas Range KaDee Strickland and Jeffrey Donovan star as phony psychics on the new Hulu series "Shut Eye." T his is the first picture of a 24-year-old man who died after being shot in the head during an ambush outside a restaurant in west London. Salim Coulter was blasted at close range as he climbed into the passenger seat of his friends car shortly after the pair dined together at family restaurant Jerky Chicken in Fulham. Detectives believe that the gunman may have been lying in wait for Mr Coulter, who lived in White City and was training to be a gas engineer. Police were called just after 9.30pm on Monday after neighbours reported hearing a loud bang in Walham Grove, off North End Road, where four-bedroom terraced houses cost upwards of 3.5 million, before the street swarmed with police. London Live report from the scenes of the Fulham murder The suspect fled leaving the passenger door of the grey Renault open with victims body lying sprawled half inside the car, half on the pavement. A forensics officer at the scene of the shooting in Fulham / Lucy Young He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Detective Inspector Noel McHugh said Mr Coulters murder had shocked a community with a strong neighbourly spirit. He urged anyone who saw a man running from the scene of the crime to contact Scotland Yard. Det Insp McHugh said: Did you see someone hanging around the area from about 8.30pm that night, or running away from about 9.30pm? We know that he ran off along Walham Grove towards the Harwood Arms. Did you see where he went after this? Forensic officers at the scene of the shooting in Fulham / Lucy Young "Please think back to Monday night, and if you were out and saw something or heard something, no matter how minor you think it might be, then please get in touch with us. Your information could be a really important piece of our jigsaw. He added: "Also, I am directly appealing to any cyclists or drivers who were in Walham Grove or North End Road from 8.30pm who may have captured images on their own cameras. This material could have captured something that may prove significant, so please get in touch with us and share your footage. Crime scene: Police after the shooting in west London / Lucy Young "At this stage in our investigation we are keeping an open mind regarding motive and will be trying to establish the victim's precise movements in the day running up to his murder. A post-mortem examination is due to take place on Thursday at Uxbridge Mortuary. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Incident Room on 020 8785 8099, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. P olice are hunting a man after a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted while travelling on the Tube through east London. The teenager was attacked on a westbound District Line train between Elm Park and West Ham, police say. After she was assaulted, her attacker got off at Canning Town. British Transport Police have now released CCTV images of a man they want to trace over the October 1 incident, which took place between 2.20pm and 2.30pm. Investigating officer, PC Ben Martin-Richmond, said: Everyone should be free to travel on the railway and underground without fear of unwanted sexual behaviour. I would like to commend the victim for reporting this distressing incident to police, and to reassure the public that an investigation is underway to identify the offender. Anyone with information should contact police on 0800 40 50 40, text 61016 quoting reference number 323 07/12/16, or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. M P Luciana Berger called for victims of online bullying to come forward following the conviction of a far-right extremist who subjected her to a vitriolic campaign of anti-Semitic abuse. The Labour MP for Liverpool Waverley said the harassment she endured from Joshua Bonehill-Paine had a deep impact on her and her family, and said his conviction today has sent a strong message that online trolling should not be tolerated. Bonehill-Paine was today found guilty of posting a string of anti-Semitic articles attacking the MP, targeting her because she is Jewish. He branded her evil and a money grabber, superimposing her head on a rat and suggesting she was responsible for the death of Jesus. Abuse: Labour MP Luciana Berger arriving at the Old Bailey / PA Speaking outside the Old Bailey, Ms Berger said: Every day up and down our country people are suffering from harassment and racial abuse. Todays verdict demonstrates that under British law those who perpetrate these horrific crimes can and will be brought to justice Guilty: Joshua Bonehill-Paine posted a string of anti-Semitic articles / Metropolitan Police And it recognises the British values of equality tolerance, and mutual respect that we hold dear apply as much on the Internet as they do offline. The protracted campaign of vitriol and hate had a deep impact on me and my family and my fantastic team. She thanked the police and the CPS for bringing Bonehill-Paine to justice, adding: If any good can come from this awful experience, I hope that it will send a strong signal to any experiencing harassment, you do not have to suffer in silence Id encourage everyone to report these crimes. Together we can show they will not nor will they ever be tolerated. Bonehill-Paine, from Yeovil, is already serving a prison sentence for inciting hatred by promoting an anti-Semitic rally against the Jewification of Golders Green. He will return to court tomorrow to be sentenced for racially aggravated harassment against Ms Berger. A Neo-Nazi extremist has been found guilty of waging a vile anti-Semitic hate campaign against MP Luciana Berger, dubbing her evil and a filthy Jew B***h. Joshua Bonehill-Paine, 24, ranted about the MP for Liverpool Waverlee on his white supremacist website and blog, photoshopping her face on to a rat and blaming her for the death of Jesus. He claimed he was exercising his right to free speech in five articles attacking the Labour MP, but a jury at the Old Bailey today convicted him of racially aggravated harassment. Bonehill-Paine, who is already serving a prison sentence for inciting racial hatred, stood with his hands on his hips as the guilty verdict was delivered. He chuckled when the judge pointed out today is his 24th birthday. Labour MP Luciana Berger on racists abuse He had defiantly stood by his anti-Semitic articles when first arrested, insisting he wanted to go before a jury to prove his innocence. But he stayed silent throughout the trial, and his own barrister admitted Bonehill-Paine is pathetic and his views are unpalatable. Bonehill-Paine was locked up for three years and four months in December last year for promoting an anti-Jewification march through Golders Green by far-right extremists. He posted incendiary material online in the run-up to the march, including a picture of a Second World War death camp accompanied by a bottle of weed killer, and made a joke about the rally being a gas. His harassment of Ms Berger came in retaliation for the prosecution of another far-right extremist who had been targeting the MP. Liverpool-based neo-Nazi Garron Helm was jailed for four weeks in October 2014 for a Twitter attack on Ms Berger, superimposing a Holocaust yellow star on her forehead and using the hashtag Hitler was right. Abuse: Labour MP Luciana Berger arriving at the Old Bailey / PA Though Helm pleaded guilty, Bonehill-Paine believed the conviction was wrong and launched Operation Filthy Jew B***h in retaliation. "Ms Berger was referred to by Mr Bonehill-Paine as a rodent, evil, a money grabber, a dominatrix, and responsible for the death of Jesus, said prosecutor Philip Stott. He told jurors Bonehill-Paine has a passionate hatred of the Jewish community, and his articles - posted between October 2014 and January last year - were "littered with hate" directed at Ms Berger. The MP came to the Old Bailey to give evidence, telling the court she felt under attack and scared for her safety when she saw Bonehill-Paines articles. "I felt sick, really", she said. "It's attacking me for my faith or religion and not something I have said or done for my constituents." "I have received, as an MP, anti-Semitism since I was elected. The scale and body during this period, combined with articles, I felt very much under attack. It was all-consuming. Bonehill-Paine posted four of the hate articles on an online newspaper he had set up called The Daily Bale, which boasts of being the Britains Number 1 Nationalist Newspaper. A fifth, celebrating the work of Operation Filthy Jew Bitch including the fact Ms Berger had been inundated with offensive Tweets, was posted on his personal blog. Ms Berger sat in court this afternoon as the guilty verdict was delivered. At his first court appearance, Bonehill-Paine claimed he was highlighting the conspiracy of the New World Order and quoted George Orwell as he professed to be a free speech champion. But at trial, as he stayed silent, his barrister James Palfrey admitted Bonehill-Paine is tragic and pathetically wrong-headed, and dismissed the articles as pathetic, puerile rubbish. They are his contribution meaningless it may be to political discourse, and we live in a society where everyone is entitled to a voice, he said. Mr Justice Spencer will adjourned sentencing until a later date. Bonehill-Paine, from Yeovil, denied racially aggravated harassment, but was convicted by the jury. P olice are hunting a man after a sex attack on a teenage girl on a bus in west London. A man moved seats to sit next to the victim, trapping her in the corner of the bus, before putting his hand on her thigh and touching her inappropriately. When she got off the bus in Ealing, she was followed by a man who allegedly continued to harass her. He finally fled when the victim threatened to call the police. The alleged assault happened at around 7.50pm on Friday, September 9 on the route E10 bus. The victim claims the man moved seats to sit next to her and touched her inappropriately. / Met Police The alleged victim, who is in her late teens, got on at Havern Green and off at Greenford Broadway. Detectives are now hunting for the man, who is described as white, 5ft 5ins, grey-haired and in his late 30s to early 40s. There have been no arrests and enquiries continue. Anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV image released or has any information is asked to call DC Matt Poore at the Roads and Transport Policing Command via 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org. A masked teenager stabbed a rapper called Tiny Sneaky through the heart during a knife fight outside a pizza shop, the Old Bailey heard. Ashley Newman, 18, is accused of murdering rising star Mujaahid Wilson as they argued in the street in Thornton Heath in March. CCTV captured the alleged attack, as Mr Wilson, 20, stopped his car in High Street and got out to talk to Newman who was in a group of young hooded men outside Mama's Pizzas. "They obviously knew each other", prosecutor Jonathan Higgs QC told the jury. "An argument quickly developed and within moments they started to fight. "The driver swung towards the masked man who immediately drew a knife and during the short scuffle that followed, stabbed the driver once in the chest. "He then ran off, leaving the driver collapsed on the pavement. The stab wounds had pierced his heart and he died shortly afterwards." Mr Higgs said no one is trying to deny that Mr Wilson was himself armed with a knife when he swung at the masked man, now accepted to be Newman. However, he said Newmans reaction was extremely aggressive by thrusting his blade into Mr Wilsons chest. The court heard Newman, who covered his face with a scarf, had been hanging around the pizza shop in the afternoon of March 14, in the run-up to the fatal stabbing at around 8.10pm. Newman is obviously expecting some trouble before Wilson arrives why else would he hide his face behind a mask at that time in the evening? added Mr Higgs. He has also armed himself with a very large knife, which has of course never been recovered. Following the death of Mr Wilson, who was known as TS or Tiny Sneaky, fellow members of the south London grime and rap scene went online to pay tribute to him. Among those expressing their sorrow was MOBO award winning artist Stormzy and Krept from London rap duo Krept and Konan. Newman, of Castland Road, Catford, denies murder, claiming he acted in self-defence. The trial continues. T hree teenage boys who killed a student when a south London turf war descended into violence over a stolen bicycle are facing jail today. Myron Yarde, 17, was chased and stabbed to death as he tried to retrieve his orange and black bike. Myron - known by his rap moniker MDot - had loaned it to a friend so he could go and buy a pizza, but the pal strayed onto a rival gang's territory in New Cross and the bike was stolen from outside Dominos. He and his friends went to get the bike back, but became embroiled in a running battle with teenagers from the rival Monson area. However, following a chase through the roads, Myron was cornered in Camplin Street and ultimately stabbed to death, on April 3. 'A loving and lovely boy': Myron Issac Yarde, 17, was killed in New Cross Today at the Old Bailey, Fauz Richards, 19, and two 16-year-old boys were all found not guilty of Myron's murder but convicted of manslaughter. Jamie Kennedy, 31, and Charlotte Edmonds, 32, were both found guilty of perverting the course of justice by getting rid of one of the weapons. One of the 16-year-olds was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice. "The events in Camplin Street were the brutal culmination of matters that had begun a couple of hours earlier that day, and arose partly from the theft of a bicycle", prosecutor Lisa Wilding QC told the jury. "However, that itself reflected an ongoing tension between groups of youths who lived in different but neighbouring parts of New Cross." Myron's friend, Leoandro Osemeke - known to friends as Showkey - was the one who crossed the divide when he went to Dominos to order a pizza. He was due to be a key witness in the case, but was himself stabbed to death at a house party in Peckham a few months later. After the bike was taken by the Monson gang, Showkey was followed to a nearby block of flats where he took refuge. But the court heard he posted a series of taunts on social media site Snapchat from inside the flats, which was seen as a "violation" of Monson territory. In the clashes that followed later, Myron was stabbed five times in his legs and died two hours later in hospital. Each of the killers were armed with a knife, jurors were told. As news of the stabbing spread on Snapchat, one of the killers, then just 15, said: "Why the F did he have to come to Monson?" Richards, of Camplin Street, New Cross, and the two 16-year-olds, who cannot be identified, denied murder and the manslaughter alternative. Kennedy and Edmonds, of Daubeney Tower, Bowditch, denied preferring the course of justice. Judge Nicholas Cooke QC adjourned sentencing until January 13 next year. A young man was shot dead with a machine gun in a case of mistaken identity when a rapper sought revenge over stolen jewellery, the Old Bailey heard. Oliver Tetlow, 27, was allegedly gunned down in a Harlesden street after he was targeted in a drive-by shooting. The shooter fired a spray of bullets at Mr Tetlow before jumping back into a black Ford Kuga which sped away from the scene, the court heard. Mr Tetlow, who was homeless at the time and living with a friend, lay dying in the road and was pronounced dead shortly after emergency services arrived at around 10pm in Church Road. David Osadebay, 30, of Harrow, Romarne Young, 22, of Kilburn, Mohammed Siamino, 20, of Acton and Jahmico Trott, 29, of Hulme, Manchester, are all on trial accused of carrying out the murder on March 9. Prosecutor Thomas Kark QC told the court the defendants shot Mr Tetlow believing he was a member of a gang known as the Church Road Soldiers. The scene in Harlesden / Nigel Howard The gang had allegedly posted a video on YouTube taunting Osadebay about some jewellery that went missing after a night out at the Tape London nightclub in Hanover Square, Mayfair. Members of the Church Road Soldiers were said to have approached Osadebay - a musician and DJ well known by his stage name as Cbiz - outside the nightclub and taken his jewellery on the night of March 8 before posting "bragging" messages about it on YouTube and Instagram the next day, which were shown to the court. Mr Kark said: "The next day a video was posted on YouTube that appeared to show members of the Church Road Soldiers bragging about the possession of Mr Osadebay's jewellery "It so annoyed him that he arranged a revenge attack." The court was shown YouTube clips of Osadebay performing wearing what the prosecution described as "flashy jewellery" or "bling". In one clip, he wore four or five watches and several heavy rings. Mr Kark told the court: "The loss of that jewellery put a dent in his persona and we suggest it was taken very seriously. "Mr Osadebay enlisted the assistance of the other young defendants to go so far as to kill a member of the Church Road Soldiers." He added: "The murder of Oliver Tetlow had been planned that day by the four defendants each of whom played a distinctive role. "It is unlikely that he was the intended target but rather that the shooter mistook him for a member of a gang named the Church Road Soldiers who had caused offence to Mr Osadebay. "The prosecution is unable to say which of the men actually pulled the trigger but this is a case of joint enterprise. Each man intended the death or serious injury of someone and each defendant is equally guilty of murder." Mr Kark told the court that the prosecution were not able to say which defendant was the shooter or who was driving the black Ford Kuga or a white Mercedes which was also involved in the killing. The court heard that each of the defendants were linked to the alleged murder using CCTV footage, number plate recognition and mobile phone tracking. Jurors heard a fifth man thought to be involved in the killing was on the run in Bermuda and an arrest warrant had been issued by police. All four defendants deny murder. The trial continues. F ive star Mayfair hotel Claridges has been granted permission to build Britains biggest mega-basement after planners ruled it would enhance Londons reputation as a luxury destination. The vast excavation will create just under 20,000sq ft of new floorspace to house a swimming pool, spa, sauna, wine cellar, bakery and in-house chocolatier in five storeys beneath the renowned venue. The proposal was last night given the green light despite Westminster councils clampdown on basement digs. Robert Davis, deputy leader and cabinet member for the built environment, told the Standard: Additional basements on an already major refurbishment of the historic Claridges hotel in a commercial part of the city was regarded as proportional given the enhancement to this world-famous, world-class hotel. In particular, the extended basement will provide a new spa which will ensure Claridges remains a sophisticated, modern five-star hotel that can compete with global competition. A floor plan of the proposed basement Were proud of Westminsters reputation as the home of luxury, a reputation that attracts millions of visitors to our city every year. The Maybourne Group, which also owns the Berkeley and Connaught, argued that the facilities destined for the underground extension are must-haves for a modern five-star hotel. The group said extra laundry and storage would reduce the number of delivery vans required each day, meaning less noise and disturbance. The basement forms part of a major extension and modernisation programme which will see 40 rooms added on two new floors at the 203-room hotel. A spokesman for Claridges said: Claridges is excited about our future development plans to put in to place state of the art, sustainable technology and systems which will further enhance services for our guests, staff and neighbours, taking this iconic Mayfair hotels vision into the next century. P roperty tycoon Irvine Sellar today said his new 775 million Cube development will help to give tatty Paddington a Shard-style shot in the arm. The 19-storey glass cube by architect Renzo Piano was last night given the green light by Westminster Council. The project is set to completely regenerate the area, providing more than an acre of redesigned public space with 2million of art in a piazza, shops, restaurants, offices and underground access to a new Bakerloo line tube station. Last night the developers made an eleventh hour offer to build and fund a new road for ambulances accessing St Marys Hospital which helped clinch planning approval. Sellar told the Standard: This will kick-start a total, needed new development which will bring jobs, better connectivity - because the connectivity is terrible. The fact we are going to provide a proper ambulance route is fine and we are prepared to continue to work with the hospital. How the Cube in Paddington will look I think its a great thing for Paddington and everybody who uses it says can you do what you have done at the Shard. The Shard has changed the area completely and the same thing will happen here. It will bring tremendous change. It will be in a different way and a different style to the Shard I never want to do a repeat. It will be a landmark and we wont stop at this development. Theres a huge amount of work ahead - but thats what developers are - we look for punishment. Great Western Developments promise the scheme will ease congestion and bring 4,000 jobs as well as 65million investment in public space and infrastructure Councillor Robert Davis, Westminster City Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for the Built Environment, described Paddington as the front door to London and added: Designed by Renzo Piano, one the great architects of our time, these plans are a game-changer, breathing fresh life into the area. He told the packed meeting hall: I think its a very clever design the way it sits there and the way its transparent. Its like a pure ice cube and something I think is going to add to the area. This area is probably not our proudest part of Westminster. It is the gateway for many people to Westminster and London. Many people travelling from West Country, abroad to Heathrow via the Heathrow express and in due course coming in via Crossrail. It is quite disgraceful, it is not for working, it looks tatty, it doesnt work in terms of pedestrian movement, its not a very comfortable place to go and visit. The enhancement to the public realm is so substantial and important that not only will it be a game changer to this whole area and lead to further investment and improvements but also provide benefits to commuters on their daily commute. Coun Davis compared the Paddington Cube to the Shard at London Bridge and added: I think that can be achieved here if not better I think this will be a better environment than where the Shard is. The Cube replaced Pianos previous 72-storey skyscraper project, known as the Paddington Pole, which was scrapped following an outcry from locals. Luis Yudice, coordinator of school safety and security for the Madison School District, (right) speaks during a panel discussion on police in Madison schools at the Goodman Community Center in Madison, on Tuesday, December 6, 2016. PHOTO BY MICHELLE STOCKER A minicab driver allegedly fled the scene after his car was destroyed in a collision with a bus in north London. The silver vehicle was left with its back doors ripped apart and its rear smashed to pieces following the crash just after 7pm today in Stamford Hill. The passengers, who are not thought to be seriously injured, were spotted by passers-by stood by the crash scene looking chill just moments after. The incident took place on Seven Sisters Road, near the junction with Vartry Road, and police closed the road in both directions for three hours. Freelance writer Lisa Bowman, who passed the scene just after the crash, posted on Twitter: Just passed the most horrific looking car crash on Seven Sisters Road but everyone was just standing around looking pretty chill about it. Like the car was totalled and bits of it everywhere but the passengers had got out, removed their suitcases and were just waiting all chill. And no emergency services to be seen. The weirdest car crash I have ever witnessed. No idea how they're all unscathed let alone alive. A Met police spokesman confirmed that the collision occired between a car and a bus at about 7.10pm. We believe the driver left the scene following the incident, they added. There are no serious injuries that we are aware of. A t least 60 anti-Brexit MPs were today expected to vote against moving Article 50 to begin the formal moves to leave the European Union. Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer, openeing the debate, was set to say there was no consensus for hard Brexit. A handful of Labour MPs were set to join with nine Liberal Democrats and up to 53 SNP MPs in rejecting Theresa Mays demand that they respect the June referendum result. Most Labour MPs were not expected to defy the PMs amendment, for fear of offending local voters who backed Leave in the referendum. But hard-liners said they would not back Brexit unless the Prime Minister published a proper plan for the future relationship with Europe. Theresa May's red, white, and blue Brexit Former Labour Cabinet minister Ben Bradshaw said: I will not vote today to invoke Article 50 by March when we still have no idea what sort of #Brexit the Government will pursue. Shadow early year ministers Tulip Siddiq added: Its been six months since the referendum. Its ludicrous that its taken this long for Theresa May to acknowledge that Brexit is important enough that the British people need to know what her Governments plans are for exiting the European Union. I have to be honest - its going to take a lot for the Government to convince me to vote against nearly 75 per cent of my constituents in Hampstead and Kilburn who voted to remain in the European Union. Brexit Secretary David Davis was expected to set down a challenge to the pro-EU MPs in his speech opening this afternoons debate, by saying they were disregarding the wishes of the country as expressed in the referendum. 18 months for Brexit deal, says EU's chief negotiator The Prime Minister was not expected to return from her trip to the Middle East in time to vote. Mrs May defused a Tory revolt last night by promising to publish her negotiation aims before moving Article 50 next year. But No 10 sources made plain that she would not give out detailed negotiating points, but just broad aims, possibly in a ministerial statement. Sir Keir warned Mrs May not to hide her plans behind a smokescreen. Theres a level of detail she cannot possibly reveal, he accepted. What would be unacceptable is to say we will process with the process for two years without even telling you what the overall objectives are. 'Let's get even': Nigel Farage says there will be riots if Brexit is blocked Meanwhile, George Freeman, who heads Mrs Mays policy board, described Brexit as an Arctic Convoy moment for the UK. Asked in an interview with website ConservativeHome whether he felt energised by the June 23 referendum result, he said: Yes. This feels to me like an Arctic Convoy moment for HMS Britain. All officers on deck. Action stations. Pressed on the fact that the Arctic Convoys were a pretty desperate business, he added: But equally, in the end it was a lifeline, and a defining test for the country that we passed. T he Liberal Democrats were rocked today after police were called in over the partys 2015 General Election spending. The Electoral Commission also hit Tim Farrons party with the maximum fine of 20,000 for failing to properly declare all their spending in the poll, which saw their number of MPs slashed to just eight. A probe found that a startling 307 payments, totalling 184,676, were missing from the Lib-Dems spending return without a reasonable excuse. Invoices supporting 122 out of the 307 payments were also not included in the key financial document, according to the elections watchdog. It concluded that Tim Gordon, the Lib-Dems registered campaigns officer, committed an offence under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 in respect of the partys 2015 UK parliamentary spending return. The Commission also referred one matter relating to the act to Scotland Yard after consideration of evidence indicating that people in the party were aware that the spending return was neither complete nor correct. Knowingly or recklessly making a false declaration under a section of the act is a criminal offence. A Met Police spokesman said: The special enquiry team are currently assessing an allegation referred to the Met by the Electoral Commission. The bombshell Commission report and prospect of a police inquiry comes days after Lib-Dem jubilation at winning the Richmond Park by-election. The watchdog launched its probe after finding apparent discrepancies between the national partys spending return and some candidate returns. Bob Posner, the commissions director of political finance and regulation, said: Our investigation uncovered systemic failures in ensuring that the rules were being followed. The party and its officers co-operated fully throughout the investigation. However, this is an experienced party that failed to meet the basic requirements of the law, and cases like this undermine voters confidence in our political finance system. He also stressed that with millions of pounds being spent by parties seeking political power, a fine of 20,000 is no longer a strong enough deterrent to ensure the rules are properly followed. A Lib-Dem spokesman said: We always endeavour to ensure our reports of national campaign expenses are completed in full, in good time and according to all applicable rules. These mistakes, caused by issues with a small number of local accounting units, were a result of human error and failures of process. We are taking steps to ensure these mistakes are not repeated in future. We will co-operate fully with any investigation. Labour was also recently fined 20,000 for a similar offence. M anchester United boss Jose Mourinhos tax arrangements were set to be raised in Parliament today as MPs investigate the financial affairs of high earners. Meg Hillier, chairwoman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee was intending to ask questions about the Mourinho controversy. The ex-Chelsea manager has faced damaging claims about his financial arrangements although he insists he is fully compliant with his tax obligations in Britain, and in Spain. The MPs were due to question HMRC bosses over its approach to collecting tax from those with assets of 20 million or more. Jon Thompson, HMRC chief executive and Permanent Secretary Jenny Grainger were due to give evidence in the hearing today. There is no suggestion that Mourinho has done anything illegal or that he has not provided the tax authorities with the information that they have sought. A n earthquake rocked Indonesias Aceh province today killing scores of people and sparking a frantic effort to rescue people trapped under collapsed buildings. The undersea 6.5-magnitude tremor struck at 5.03am local time.The number of dead reached 97 within a few hours, with local army chief Major General Tatang Sulaiman warning more people were trapped. He said four people were pulled from the rubble alive. Hopefully we would be able to finish the evacuation from the rubble before sunset, he said. A spokesman for the national disaster agency said more than 200 shops and homes had been destroyed, along with 14 mosques. A hospital and school were also badly damaged. President Joko Jokowi Widodo ordered all government agencies to take part in the rescue efforts. The rescue operation was concentrated on Meureudu, a severely affected town in Pidie Jaya district. Excavators were trying to remove debris from shop houses and other buildings where people were believed to have been buried. The quake was a terrifying reminder of the regions vulnerability to natural disasters. More than 100,000 died in Aceh after the earthquake on December 26 2004 triggered a devastating tsunami. This time there was no tsunami. It was very bad, the tremors felt even stronger than 2004 earthquake, said Musman Aziz, a Meureudu resident. I was so scared the tsunami was coming. Seaside resident Fitri Abidin said she fled with her husband and wailing children to a nearby hill after the quake jolted the family awake. They stayed there for several hours until authorities reassured them there was no tsunami risk. It terrified me. I was having difficulty breathing or walking, said Mrs Abidin. She said her husband grabbed hold of her and carried her out of the house. The familys house did not collapse but the homes of some neighbors did. She said she was afraid three friends were buried in rubble. National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said more than 300 people were injured, about a quarter of them seriously. More than 280 buildings were damaged or destroyed, including 16 mosques, and roads were also cracked and power poles toppled over. I f the BBCs Rillington Place has got you itching for more dark drama based on horrific true events, youre in luck. ITV have new three-part drama In Plain Sight, with a top cast and a gripping real-life plot. Here are five things you need to know. 1) Its a true story In Plain Sight dramatises the real cat and mouse games of detective William Muncie and serial killer Peter Manuel through the Forties and Fifties in Lanarkshire, Scotland. Muncie put Manuel away for nine years in 1946 on charges of housebreaking and sexual assaults. But when the criminal was released, he went on to commit his most heinous crimes. taunting Muncie with handwritten cards delivered straight to his door. The three-episode series charts the string of murders that Manuel committed and Muncies dogged efforts to take him down. 2) Its from some of the people behind Line of Duty Contemporary BBC crime drama Line of Duty has been a huge word of mouth hit, with its third and biggest series yet airing this year. Several people from that show are involved here executive producer Simon Heath, director John Strickland, and actor Martin Compston (who played Steve Arnott in that show). 3) Its got Scottish actors in the lead role While he dropped his Scottish accent in Line of Duty, the aforementioned Compston is from Greenock on the West Coast of Scotland. Talking on the impact of Manuels murders, Compston said: People in Greenock were locking their doors. People driving an hour and a half away were terrified. It put a fear right across the west coast of Scotland. Starring alongside him as Muncie is veteran Scot actor Douglas Henshall (who has plenty of form playing detectives in the likes of Shetland and Black Work. And yes, he did grow his own moustache for the role. I couldnt bear the idea of having one stuck on every day, he admits. And its not just the fact you have it stuck on in the morning, its the maintenance of it through the day. I dont particularly like it because its not my thing. But its preferable to the other. 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 4) Its villain has no redeeming features While some serial killer dramas try to show a more positive side to their dark characters, Compston says that Manuel was simply evil. There are no redeeming features about Peter Manuel, he says. We are in no way glorifying him. He is an evil man. When you look at the details of the story and the fact he defended himself in court, its insanity. The sheer brazenness and confidence of the man was astonishing. He was the ultimate narcissist. An evil, evil man. 5) It was filmed in Scotland, but not in the actual locations While the Manuel family house still stands today, the drama didnt shoot there. However, it did film in Scotland, with locations including the River Clyde and Victoria Infirmary in Glasgow. ITV, 9pm 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. American Family Insurance Co. policyholders have approved the companys request to change its structure, giving the Madison-based firm the flexibility to expand and offer new products. The company said Wednesday its plan was approved during a special meeting with policyholders. The companys proposal received 84.5 percent approval from policyholders who cast votes by proxy and in person, surpassing the 75 percent needed for it to move forward. Roughly 6 percent or nearly 210,000 of American Familys 3.7 million policyholders voted on the plan, according to AST Fund Solutions, which assisted American Family in conducting and tabulating the vote. The plan has been approved by the companys board of directors and the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI). Ken Muth, spokesman for American Family, said the changeover is expected to take place either on or shortly after Jan. 1. He said the new company structure wont impact operations. There will be no impact to our agencies in the community or how the business operates right now, he said. It really is a structure change at this time, which gives us additional flexibility for the future. Policyholders wont notice any change, Muth said. Premium pricing also will remain unaffected as the firms corporate structure is converted to a mutual holding company. The next step is for OCI to issue a new certificate of authority to American Family to reflect its new structure as a stock insurance company. OCI will then issue a certificate of incorporation to American Family Mutual Holding Company, which will indirectly own, through an intermediate holding company, 100 percent of the stock of American Family Mutual Insurance Co. American Family said in a statement that new opportunities under consideration include investing or acquiring non-insurance companies that specialize in products and services that protect customers from accidents and injuries such as smart-home technology and distracted-driving prevention. The company said its new structure also opens the door for the company to sell stock to raise capital but that it has no plans for that. That move would require approval from the holding companys board and members and OCI. Peter Carstensen, professor of law at UW-Madison, said he wasnt surprised policyholders approved the change, adding that for policyholders it should be business as usual. This move doesnt make much difference in how the business operates in terms of what the insured sees, he said. What this does do, however, is that it gives management potentially more discretion to do things that might adversely affect those insured down the road. It will be up to OCI to monitor and determine whether new business ventures make sense for American Family. This is why we have a regulatory system in place to oversee these matters to make sure companies dont take any unnecessary risks, Carstensen said. American Family now operates in 19 states: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. The new structure allows it to more easily expand into other states as well as acquire other businesses. According to the OCIs 2015 Wisconsin Insurance Report, American Family is the states market share leader in homeowners insurance at 20.6 percent, commercial insurance at 6.7 percent and auto insurance at 17.5 percent. The data in the OCI report suggest some potential growth opportunities for American Family. In life insurance, American Family ranked fourth in market share at 3.2 percent, behind category leader Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.s 19.7 percent. In farmowners insurance, American Family ranked second with 13 percent market share, behind Rural Mutual Insurance Co., which controlled 35.1 percent of that sector. BELOIT The breakfast menu that morning was meat on toast, which Stan Van Hoose knew was about as good as it sounded. Come back and wake me at 11, the 21-year-old sailor told a shipmate. It was 7 a.m. Less than an hour later, Van Hoose jolted upright from his cot in the wheelhouse of the USS Maryland to the sound of low-flying planes and explosions. At first, he thought the commotion must be a training exercise. It wasnt until he looked out the window that he realized the magnitude of the situation. Pearl Harbor was under attack. Now 96, Van Hoose is among the last of a rapidly disappearing group of veterans who survived the attack on the U.S. naval base in Hawaii, 75 years ago today. The attack killed some 2,400 U.S. personnel, destroyed or damaged 19 ships and hundreds of airplanes, and thrust the country into World War II. Van Hoose was among the fortunate that day. A quartermaster on the Maryland, his ship was largely protected by the USS Oklahoma, which was positioned on the seaward side of the Maryland and was hit by nine torpedoes, causing it to capsize, taking the lives of 429 sailors and Marines. The Maryland would end up one of the least-damaged vessels in the harbor. The Oklahoma turned over really quick because we didnt know they were coming, said Van Hoose, who watched the scene unfold from the deck of his own ship. We werent ready for battle. All but four people on the Maryland survived the attack. Some 200 service members from Wisconsin were present that morning; at least 56 died, according to the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. Van Hoose would go on to serve in various capacities in the Pacific Theater, re-enlisting when his first tour was up, often volunteering for dangerous jobs. Growing up in the hills of Kentucky, Van Hoose said he was molded from a young age to be a fighter. His father taught him to fight, he said. But it was what came afterward that he remembered most. My dad said dont start a fight. Talk them out of it if you can, but if you have to fight, fight to hurt, Van Hoose said. But when youre through, shake hands. It was an ethic he said he took even into combat. One day on patrol, he said, he and his fellow sailors came across eight Japanese soldiers. These were the enemies they had been fighting for their lives against. Only now, the eight soldiers stood before them in surrender, nearly naked, with their arms over their heads and palms out. Two of them could talk pretty good English, and they talked to us and they wanted to be us, Van Hoose said. And we didnt shoot them. We brought them back to our base. I dont know where they ended up, but I bet their kids are Americans. The surrender only confirmed for Van Hoose that he was fighting for the right side, for a country built to help one another. After eight years in the Navy, Van Hoose moved to Wisconsin, the home state of his first wife, and became a salesman for Kirby vacuums. He now lives at an assisted living home in Beloit in his own apartment, adorned with folded American flags and old photos of the USS Maryland among others. This week, Van Hoose is returning to Pearl Harbor, where he will be among the guests of honor at the official 75th anniversary commemoration in Hawaii. The USS Oklahoma turned over really quick because we didnt know they were coming. We werent ready for battle. STAN VAN HOOSE U.S. sailor who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor aboard the USS Maryland This page is archived. Data published after 5 April 2022 can be found on the renewed website. Go to the new statistics page Published: 7 December 2016 Total energy consumption fell in 2015 According to Statistics Finland, total consumption of energy in Finland amounted to 1.30 million terajoules (TJ) in 2015, which was three per cent less than in the year before. The consumption of electricity totalled 82.5 terawatt hours (TWh), which was one per cent less than in the previous year. The use of renewable energy sources increased by two per cent and that of fossil fuels fell by eight per cent. Wood fuels remained the biggest energy source although their use went down by two per cent. Total energy consumption 19902015 The share of renewable energy in total energy consumption grew to 35 per cent in 2015. The share of wood fuels in Finland's total energy consumption continued to grow and was 25 per cent. EU targets for renewable energy are calculated relative to total final energy consumption. Early estimated in this manner, the share of renewable energy was over 39 per cent in Finland in 2015 based on preliminary data. Final data will be released on Eurostat's website in February/March 2017. Finland's target for the share of renewable energy is 38 per cent of final energy consumption in 2020, which was reached for the first time in 2014. The use of fossil fuels went down by eight per cent from the year before. Of fossil fuels, the use of natural gas fell by 14 per cent and the use of peat by five per cent from the year before. The consumption of coal (including hard coal, coke, and blast furnace and coke oven gas) decreased by 20 per cent. According to Statistics Finlands preliminary data, the consumption of hard coal grows in 2016. Total energy consumption 20142015, terajoule 2014 2015 Change % Wood fuels 339 350 330 939 -2 Oil 310 058 309 445 0 Nuclear energy 247 047 243 556 -1 Coal 126 170 100 979 -20 Natural gas 95 603 82 363 -14 Peat 60 869 57 526 -5 Net imports of electricity 64 678 58 813 -9 Hydro power 47 665 59 703 25 Wind power 3 986 8 378 110 Others 53 736 52 885 -2 Total 1 349 163 1 304 589 -3 In 2015, the amount of electricity produced with renewable energy sources increased by 17 per cent from 2014 because the amount of electricity produced with hydro power grew by 25 per cent and that produced with wind power more than doubled. The share of wind power was 3.5 per cent of the electricity produced. The production of nuclear power remained on level with the previous year. In all, 33.7 per cent of Finland's electricity production was covered by nuclear energy. The amount of biofuels used in road transport doubled and the share rose to top level in Europe in 2014 and remained at the same level in 2015. The electricity use of electric cars tripled from 2014, but their number is still very small. The use of biogas in road transport has continued to grow steadily. Imports of electricity decreased by one per cent. Most electricity was imported from Sweden, 17.4 TWh. Finland was a net buyer on the Nordic electricity market. Imports from Russia increased by 16 per cent from the year before. Net imports of electricity covered 20 per cent of total electricity consumption.. Electricity consumption went down by one per cent in 2015. The consumption of electricity totalled 82.5 TWh. The consumption of district heating also decreased from the year before. The amount of district heating consumed totalled 31.5 TWh. Final energy consumption decreased by two per cent from the year before. Final energy consumption in transport remained at the same level and energy consumption in space heating decreased by five per cent from the year before. Final consumption in manufacturing contracted by two per cent. In 2015, the volume of industrial output fell further from the year before, which was also reflected in energy use in manufacturing. Energy consumption now fell for the fifth successive year, coming close to the figures of 2009, to the level of the drop following the financial crisis. Source: Energy supply and consumption, Statistics Finland Inquiries: Bate Ismail 029 551 2471, energia@stat.fi Director in charge: Ville Vertanen Publication in pdf-format (301.0 kB) Updated 07.12.2016 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Energy supply and consumption [e-publication]. ISSN=1799-7976. 2015. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 3.11.2022]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/ehk/2015/ehk_2015_2016-12-07_tie_001_en.html 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? 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Both candidates won on split votes. Nominations for chairman pitted relative newcomer Page against long-time board member and previous vice chairman, Charles Kelly. Board member Cindy Haynes nominated Page. She said the board would be remiss to not consider the full range of responsibilities of being board chair. Anna Bonham nominated Kelly and emphasized his experience saying, the whole purpose of serving as vice chair is to one day be able to step into the position of chairman. She asked the board to make a unanimous decision. But it was not to be, as the vote was split 52. Joining Haynes in supporting Page were Page, Gallyon, William Howell and Max James. Kelly and Bonham voted for Kelly. Before opening nominations for vice chair, Page thanked board members for their support saying, I hope I can live up to everybodys expectations. I know one thing, I love this school system. I hope we have a lot of success working together. The board initially split 3 3 on its selection of vice chair with Gallyon, Haynes and James voting for Gallyon, while Bonham, Howell and Kelly supported Kelly. But Page called for a revote after realizing he needed to break the tie and then voted for Gallyon. Page was first elected to the school board in 2014; Gallyon in 2012. Board attorney Costi Kutteh said the new officers will serve in their positions for one year. Before the election of officers, Judge Joseph N. Crosswhite administered oaths of office to newly elected board member Howell and re-elected members Gallyon and Kelly. A formal swearing-in ceremony will be held at the Board of Education meeting on Dec. 12. School choice options discussed Also at Mondays meeting, the board discussed marketing I-SS school choice options to better compete with the burgeoning charter school and voucher programs. We are where we are as a nation because of public schools, declared Kelly, and we are where we are as a county and as a state because of public schools and it concerns me that there is a massive movement away from this. In a memo to the board, Superintendent Brady Johnson said I-SS embraced the school choice movement several years ago and listed 15 choice options currently in place, including Spanish dual immersion, IB, early college, career academy and technical, AP, visual and performing arts, and STEM programs. He also sought direction from the board and suggested expanding choice options in conformance with a strategic plan. District salary comparison presented Also Monday, School Efficiency Consultants presented a summary report on district salaries commissioned by I-SS, Cabarrus County Schools, Kannapolis City Schools and Rowan-Salisbury Schools. The study showed that Iredell County ranked 108th out of 115 state school districts in per-pupil spending, even though the county is ranked the 28th wealthiest county among the states 100 counties. According to the study: Salaries for assistant superintendents are competitive. Salaries for executive directors are slightly low. The cost to increase some salaries is about $55,000. Salaries for some directors are low. SEC recommends salaries of licensed directors be increased. Principal and assistant principal salaries including supplemental income are competitive. Teacher supplements are slightly low. SEC recommends increasing them from six to eight percent over two to three years. The cost to increase supplements to seven percent is approximately $660,000. Salaries for IT personnel, HVAC technician, plumbers and electricians are competitive. Child nutrition manager salaries are low. The cost to reclassify the position to an appropriate pay grade is about $260,000. The consultants also recommended incorporating supplements into salaries for classified positions to compete better with private industry salaries. Although total compensation would remain the same, they suggested prospective employees may not understand that supplements are included in total salary. The board took no action on the recommendations. A Beloit man sitting in his living room watching TV Tuesday night was shot in the hand by someone outside, with another residence and a car also hit by bullets. The shooting happened at about 9:50 p.m. in the 1100 block of Prairie Avenue, Beloit police said. Police responded to the area after getting reports of shots fired, and found the 66-year-old man in his residence, suffering from a gunshot wound to his hand. "He was taken to the hospital, treated and released, thankfully," the police report said. No one else was believed to have been shot. Officers went door to door in the area to check with area residents. The suspect is a black male, late teens, 5 feet, 8 inches to 6 feet tall, slender, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and dark pants. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers, 362-7463. An upcoming North Carolina Supreme Court decision could end a four-year court battle by residents and business owners who live near a planned Loves Travel Plaza along Highway 64 east of Statesville. As early as this Friday, the Supreme Court will announce whether the case against the Loves site plan will be heard, according to Nick Tosco, an attorney representing the opposing group that filed suits against the City of Statesville and Loves. If the court declines to hear the case, the planned development on 14 acres near I-40 exit 154 will be allowed to continue. The upcoming decision will be made on the second of two cases brought by the group against the travel plaza and the city. The first case, which the Supreme Court declined to hear earlier this year, was filed against the City of Statesville and claimed it improperly allowed the development in an area not zoned for that type of business. The case was initially heard in Iredell Superior Court in 2014, then in the N.C. Court of Appeals in 2015. The second case was filed against Loves specific site plans for the travel plaza and claimed the fumes, noise and traffic from the business would be detrimental to the neighborhood and surrounding businesses. The appellate court denied that appeal in August of 2016. Now the Supreme Courts decision on whether or not to hear that case is the final chance for the group to halt the development. Alan and Robin Harpe have lived on nearby Troutman Drive for nearly 33 years. They say theyre not looking forward to the inconvenience the plaza will bring with it. I hope they give everything some consideration and see what the neighborhood wants, Alan Harpe said. Loves subsidiary Roserock Holdings purchased the land for $2.4 million in August, 2012. Two buildings are planned, including a 9,200-square-foot tire center and a nearly 12,000-sqaure-foot main facility that would include the Country Store, a Chesters Chicken restaurant and a McDonalds. We are confident that the outcome will be to our favor and we hope to be underway with construction early next year, Loves Communication Specialist Kealey Dorian said. Ultimately, were excited about moving forward and to start serving customers in the area. 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 The president of the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR), Kelemen Hunor declared on Wednesday, in a press conference, that the recent reactions of officials in Budapest are fair and show responsibility towards the Hungarian community in Romania. He was asked by journalists to comment on statements made in Budapest and Bucharest and whether, given the context, the visit of Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday in Satu Mare is advisable. "Tensions started off when there were a lot of administrative decisions, and not only in Romania, that hurt the Hungarian community and attacked the rights it had obtained, and you know the cases all too well. From this point of view, the reaction of Budapest officials was a fair one, of responsibility towards Hungarians in Romania, just as Romanian officials should react when Romanians in Timoc Valley are intimidated, or attacked or their rights are disrespected. Or in Ukraine or in other states. I consider these reactions are normal and these facts triggered, very often, reactions through diplomatic channels but also more direct reactions. Still, I believe and I still hope in the improvement of the relations between the two states and I hope we will have common concerns for the future in this region and in the EU," Kelemen Hunor said. He was also asked to comment on Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister, Peter Szijjarto's position, to interdict his country's diplomats to participate in Romania National Day. "I don't want to comment on what others say, especially officials from Hungary or other states. This is how I see it: the past and the events from the past have placed us on different barricades. No Hungarian sees differently the events of 1918. (..) We must speak up: what is joy for some, for others it means loss. From this point of view, I believe that in order to move forward - and I am more interested in the future than the past - we have to speak our minds honestly and fairly and this is what I am talking about, what we have talked about and will continue talking about. These aspects from the past do not prevent us from projecting a future together and that is why we suggested that all promises made to ethnic minorities in 1918 be respected. This is the starting point, wholeheartedly, with a clear conscience, honestly and this is how we should talk about the things that separated us or still separate us and the things that unite us. We have in common the present and the future," the president of UDMR mentioned. According to him, Romania and Hungary should join forces. "From this point of view, I believe that Romania and Hungary should form a common front in the coming years, together with the other states in the Visegrad Group and the other former communist states in the region (...) in order to propose some modifications, some constructive reforms in Brussels, because there will be a reform in the European Union. I think for each of us it is extremely important to be equal citizens with those who founded the EU and who live in the happier area of Europe. Because, in the end, I mind that we haven't been received into Schengen and I mind it terribly. This is far more important than many other aspects. (...) I believe Hungarian officials as well as the future officials of Romania will think of the future and the past will be fairly discussed, as each sees and feels, without the intention to hurt someone," Kelemen Hunor further added. According to Hungarian publications, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Peter Szijjarto, asked the diplomats from all foreign Hungarian missions not to take part to festivities organised by Romanian embassies on December 1. At the request of journalists in Budapest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Budapest confirmed the order. The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs considered Szijjarto's decision as "hard to understand, given that the respect shown to the national values and symbols of a country are an undebatable component of the set of values at the basis of the European Union itself and the trans-Atlanatic community. Romania was and is a state greatly attached to the respect of these values." Madison police have released a surveillance camera image of a bank robber who was wearing pajama bottoms when she robbed a West Side bank on Monday. The robbery happened at about 2:55 p.m. at Associated Bank, 448 S. Gammon Road. The woman entered the bank, demanded money from a teller and fled to a car after getting an undisclosed amount of cash. No weapon was shown and nobody was hurt. The suspect is white, 20 to 30 years old, medium build, wearing multi-colored pajama pants and a black hooded sweatshirt. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers, 266-6014. WASHINGTON President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday defended his direct interventions with companies, including making statements on Twitter, saying businesses will benefit from his actions and his upcoming term in office. One day after criticizing one of Boeing Co.'s high-profile projects in a tweet, Trump told NBC that he anticipated "tremendous" economic growth under his administration but reiterated his warning that companies shifting U.S. jobs overseas would have to pay. Still, markets and companies should not worry, he said. "I don't know ... how people are unnerved," Trump told NBC's "Today" program. "It's just the opposite. Frankly, I think we're going to go up." The New York businessman, who has never held public office, begins his term on Jan. 20. Trump also said he had sold his stocks in June to avoid any conflict-of-interest with the presidency. "I don't think it's appropriate for me to be owning stocks when I'm making deals for this country that maybe will affect one company positively and one company negatively," he said. His comments followed a series of actions targeting specific companies, including a deal to keep some Carrier jobs in the United States. On Tuesday, he criticized Boeing in a tweet that dented its shares, and he won pledges from two of Asia's biggest technology companies to expand their U.S. investments. On Boeing, Trump complained about costs for its revamped Air Force One plane, a prominent symbol of the U.S. presidency, and urged the government to cancel its order. The move was the latest example of Trump's using his podium, often via Twitter, to rattle companies and foreign countries. Trump told NBC that he and Boeing Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg spoke on Tuesday. "We're going to work it out," Trump said. "That's what I'm here for. I'm going to negotiate prices." He also cautioned U.S. businesses against offshoring jobs. "If they want to fire their workers, move to Mexico or some other country, and sell their product into our country, they're going to be paying a tax," he told NBC. Earlier this month, Trump lauded a deal with United Technologies Corp.'s Carrier to keep some U.S. positions in exchange for $7 million in tax breaks following a Thanksgiving Day tweet on the negotiations. Trump also defended his Twitter posts, telling NBC he used the social media platform to "talk about important things" and that it conveyed his message "much faster than a press release." ____________________ Our earlier story, from The Washington Post, posted at 8:54 a.m. Hours after Donald Trump promised to kill the Air Force One procurement program, Boeing Chief Executive Dennis A. Muilenburg spoke with the president-elect on Tuesday, promising to work with the new administration and to keep the costs of the program down, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. On Wednesday, Trump told the NBC "Today" show that he and Muilenburg spoke on Tuesday. "We're going to work it out," Trump said. "That's what I'm here for. I'm going to negotiate prices." Early on Tuesday, Trump tweeted that the costs of the program "are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!" Later he told reporters that he thought the cost was "ridiculous. I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number. We want Boeing to make a lot of money, but not that much money." The comments sent a shiver through the defense and aerospace industries, which had seen their stock prices soar after Trump's election. Trump had pledged that he would rebuild the nation's military and better equip troops with more ships, jets and weapons. But the tweet and the comments were signals that the companies that might benefit from that spending could just as easily be targets under the new administration. The Washington Post had also just reported that the Pentagon buried an internal study that found $125 billion in bureaucratic waste for fear that Congress would slash its budget. And on Tuesday, Trump spokesman Jason Miller said Trump plans to carefully scrutinize the way the Pentagon spends money. "I think this really speaks to the president-elect's focus on keeping costs down across the board with regard to government spending," he said. "I think people are really frustrated with some of the big price tags that are coming out for programs, even in addition to this one. So we're going to look for areas where we can keep costs down and look for ways where we can save money." During their conversation, Muilenburg assured Trump that the company would work with Trump's Pentagon on any requirement changes to the program in an effort to keep costs down. The call was confirmed by a second person, who was also not authorized to speak publicly about it. Trump himself confirmed the conversation during a Wednesday interview on the Today show. So far, the Air Force has budgeted $2.7 billion for the Air Force One program, which includes two aircraft and is still in the development stages. That money is for research, development and testing not manufacturing. Over the next few years, the Air Force expects "this number to change as the program matures with the completion of risk reduction activities," it said in a statement. In a statement, Boeing said it is only under contract for $170 million for work "to help determine the capabilities of this complex military aircraft." The real cost could grow to $4 billion, according to an analysis by Todd Harrison, a defense analyst with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The aircraft are projected to be operational by the mid-2020s, officials said. The planes, which go by the call sign "Air Force One" when the president is on board, cost so much because they can do so much, defense analysts said. They are able to safeguard the president in a crisis even a nuclear attack, allowing him to direct the military from the air, speak with Cabinet members and communicate with the nation. The plane is able to be refueled while in flight, so that it can stay aloft for extended periods. And it has extensive radar and counterattack measures, officials said. Much of its capabilities are classified. It is a "flying command post," Harrison said. "In the event of a nuclear attack, this is where the military will keep the president safe." The "capabilities of this plane were there for everyone to see on 9/11" when Bush was whisked aboard Air Force One and responded to the crisis from there, said Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace analyst with the Teal Group. In their call, Muilenburg and Trump also discussed trade and China, the official said. Boeing sells a large percentage of its jets to foreign countries, including China. If Trump instituted a tariff on China, the country could retaliate by limiting the number of Boeing jets it buys, Aboulafia has said. When Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Vice Chairman Charles Munger lamented the mistakes made in the company's first 50 years under Warren Buffett, he cited the failure to buy Wal-Mart Stores stock early enough in the retailer's history. Judging by recent events, Buffett doesn't think Wal-Mart is such a great idea for his company's next half-century. Berkshire said last month that it cut its holding in the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer to 13 million shares as of Sept. 30, marking the third-straight quarter that Buffett's company lowered its stake. Online shopping has shifted the balance of power among retailers, a trend that's become more evident this holiday season, and Wal-Mart stock has trailed Amazon.com in recent years. "He makes mistakes too," Brian Yarbrough, an analyst with Edward Jones & Co., said of Buffett. "There are a lot of better places to put new money than Wal-Mart," he added. "They are going to have to continue to fight this headwind of Amazon." Buffett, 86, has long highlighted the vulnerability of even the largest retailers, citing Sears, F.W. Woolworth, Kresge and Montgomery Ward as merchants that lost their dominant positions. More recently, he's focused on the threat from companies like Jeff Bezos's Amazon that sell everything from food to clothes and electronic gadgets online. "It is a big, big force and it has already disrupted plenty of people and it will disrupt more," Buffett told shareholders at Omaha, Neb.-based Berkshire's most recent annual meeting. Many competitors, "including us in a few areas, have not figured the way to either participate in it, or to counter it." Wal-Mart still trades below its closing price from 2013, even after rallying 15 percent since Dec. 31. Berkshire's stake topped 60 million shares in 2014, when Wal-Mart was one of Buffett's five biggest equity positions, valued at more than $5 billion at the end of the year. The holding was cut by more than half in the three months ended Sept. 30, according to a regulatory filing, and now it doesn't crack the top-15 list in Berkshire's portfolio, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. While Buffett is known for sticking with stocks like Coca-Cola Co. for decades, he's not wedded to old favorites when circumstances change. In recent years, he got rid of most of Berkshire's stock in Procter & Gamble Co. and Graham Holdings Co., the former owner of the Washington Post. His company recently invested in airlines, an industry that Buffett long dismissed as too risky. Also, he's empowered deputy stock pickers to diversify the portfolio, a move that led to an investment in iPhone maker Apple. Buffett has mostly avoided tech stocks, and missed out on the years-long rally at Amazon, even as he repeatedly praised Bezos. Berkshire's units include several retailers, such as Helzberg Diamonds, Jordan's Furniture and Nebraska Furniture Mart. They are a fraction of the size, however, of subsidiaries like the BNSF railway, the Geico auto insurer and an energy operation. And Buffett has said he learned some tough lessons in the retail business. "We have a really bad record, starting in 1966," Buffett told CNBC in 2014. "We bought what we thought was a second-rate department store in Baltimore at a third-rate price, but we found out very quickly that we bought a fourth-rate department store." Still, he saw something different in Wal-Mart, which, like Geico, established itself as a dominant low-cost provider. Berkshire disclosed a stake of 19.9 million shares in 2005 and doubled the holding by the end of 2009. The stock had already surged more than 4,000 percent in the two decades through 2004. Munger, 92, has lamented that Berkshire didn't invest sooner. "While mistakes of commission were common, almost all huge errors were in not making a purchase, including not purchasing Wal-Mart stock when that was sure to work out enormously well," Munger wrote in a 2015 letter to investors. "The errors of omission were of much importance. Berkshire's net worth would now be at least $50 billion higher if it had seized several opportunities it was not quite smart enough to recognize as virtually sure things." Wal-Mart's efforts in e-commerce haven't inspired the same confidence. More than half of U.S. online consumers say they go to Amazon first when searching for a product. The nation's shoppers spend 30 percent of their time online at Amazon.com, compared with 3 percent on Walmart.com. Wal-Mart in September acquired Jet.com, giving a boost to e-commerce sales. The company is also encouraging customers to order over the internet and pick up items at stores, and is even bringing grocery orders to online shoppers' cars in parking lots. Buffett didn't immediately return a message left with an assistant seeking comment. Wal-Mart had no immediate comment. Buffett has a long history with the retailer, buying its McLane food-distribution business in 2003. The billionaire wrote the next year that he often voted for Wal-Mart in Fortune magazine's "most-admired" survey, and acquired the trucking unit after a two-hour negotiation and without any due diligence. "We knew everything would be exactly as Wal-Mart said it would be," Buffett wrote. "And it was." Sales from Berkshire's units to Wal-Mart were about $13 billion for three straight years, according to the billionaire's most recent annual report. Buffett says that he and Munger look for growth in industries like energy production and some manufacturing operations, where there are substantial barriers to entry for potential competitors. This year, they acquired Precision Castparts, which provides specialized products to the world's largest aerospace companies. "Charlie and I are not going to out-Bezos Bezos by a long shot," Buffett said at the annual meeting. The retail consumer's shift to online ordering "does not worry us, obviously, with Precision Castparts. It doesn't worry us in terms of the overwhelming majority of our businesses. But it is a huge economic trend that 20 years ago was not on anybody's radar screen. And lately it's been on everybody's radar screen." NEW YORK Interpublic Group of Cos., one of the world's biggest advertising companies, said on Wednesday that the Justice Department had asked one of its standalone domestic agencies for documents regarding video production practices. It disclosed the request a day after the Wall Street Journal reported that the Justice Department's Antitrust Division was examining whether advertising agencies rigged bids to favor in-house production units, citing people familiar with the matter. That story did not identify which advertising firms were being scrutinized in the investigation, which it said has been underway for the past few months. "We can confirm that one of our standalone domestic agencies has been contacted by the Department of Justice Antitrust Division for documents regarding video production practices and is cooperating with the government," Interpublic said in a statement. Justice Department officials could not immediately be reached for comment. A spokesman for WPP Plc, the world's biggest advertising firm, declined to say if the firm had been contacted by the Justice Department. Representatives with Omnicom Group Inc., and Publicis Group SA could not immediately be reached. The Wall Street Journal report said the government is investigating whether agencies compelled independent production companies to inflate their prices to make it easier for their own in-house units to be awarded those contracts. They are trying to determine whether the company violated federal antitrust laws that prohibit bid rigging and price fixing, the newspaper reported. Interpublic's statement said its code of conduct requires it act in the best interests of clients. "In the case of production, that means requiring triple bids on all projects above a minimal dollar threshold," it said. Interpublic's shares were up 0.6 percent at $23.40 in midday trade. Large advertising companies have ramped up their own production efforts in recent years as a way to grow new revenue streams and keep up with advertisers' increasing demand for video content. A Near East Side resident and an intruder to her apartment were both startled upon seeing each other Tuesday, with the intruder fleeing the residence only to get arrested in a nearby park. Ian Dunlavy, 30, no permanent address, was tentatively charged with burglary, possession of drug paraphernalia and felony bail jumping, Madison police said. It happened at about 1:50 p.m. in the 600 block of East Gorham Street. The 22-year-old victim told police she had just gotten out of the shower when she encountered the stranger. "She was home alone an he was in one of her roommate's bedroom," said police spokesman Joel DeSpain. "Upon seeing the resident, the man fled." The woman gave a good description of the intruder and he was found at James Madison Park, across the street from the apartment building. Fast-food franchise Jimmy John's has agreed not to bar its employees from taking jobs with competitors in order to settle a lawsuit that alleged its non-compete agreements were illegal, the attorney general of Illinois said on Wednesday. The Champaign, Ill.-based company, which operates about 2,000 stores in the United States, also will provide $100,000 for programs to raise public awareness regarding so-called non-compete agreements, Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office said. "This settlement helps ensure Illinois' workers have freedom to change jobs in order to seek better wages, further their careers and improve their lives," Madigan said in a statement. Jimmy John's in a statement said it took steps to rescind non-compete agreements even before Madigan's office first contacted the company last year. The attorney general had no evidence that Jimmy John's ever enforced a non-compete agreement against an hourly worker, the company said. Madigan, who sued the company in June, said Jimmy John's would notify current and former employees in Illinois that the agreements they signed were not enforceable and would ask franchisees to rescind the agreements. The settlement comes after Jimmy John's entered into a similar agreement with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman in June. Requiring white-collar workers to sign non-compete agreements is common and frequent legal battles over the validity of such agreements focus on the length of time they are in effect and their geographical limits. But the pacts are almost unheard of in fast-food and other service industries. The Obama administration in October called on U.S. states to ban most non-compete agreements, saying it would lead to a more competitive labor market and faster wage growth. The Jimmy John's agreement prohibited employees during their employment and for two years afterward from working at any other business that sells "submarine, hero-type, deli-style, pita, and/or wrapped or rolled sandwiches" within 2 miles of any Jimmy John's shop in the United States, according to Madigan's lawsuit. An agreement in effect from 2007 to 2012 extended that to 3 miles. In the lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago, Madigan's office said non-compete agreements lock low-wage workers into their jobs, giving companies little reason to increase wages or benefits. The attorney general said Jimmy John's had "no legitimate business interest" to warrant the non-compete agreements on shop employees and assistant managers. The case is the People v. Jimmy John's Franchise LLC, Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, No. 2016-CH-07746. Abbott Laboratories said on Wednesday it had filed a complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery to terminate its proposed acquisition of Alere Inc., citing a "substantial loss" in the value of the diagnostics company. Abbott agreed earlier this year to buy Alere for $5.8 billion, to gain access to its diagnostic tests performed at home and in doctors' offices and hospitals. "Alere is no longer the company Abbott agreed to buy 10 months ago," said Scott Stoffel, divisional vice president of external communications, Abbott. Since the agreement was announced in late January, Alere has faced multiple setbacks. The relationship between the two companies began to cool after Alere failed to file financial statements and disclosed probes into billing and foreign sales practices. In July, at the request of the U.S. health regulator, Alere recalled a device used to monitor levels of a widely used blood thinner because it was found to generate faulty results. The following month, Alere filed a lawsuit accusing Abbott of dragging its feet on key antitrust submissions to sabotage the deal. These developments are unprecedented and are not isolated incidents brought on by chance, Abbott said on Wednesday. "This damage ... can only be the result of a systemic failure of internal controls, which combined with the lack of transparency, led us to filing this complaint," Stoffel said. Shares of Abbott, which also agreed to pay $25 billion to acquire heart device maker St. Jude Medical Inc. this year, were down about 1.5 percent at $37.85. Alere's stock was down 0.4 percent at $39.69. WASHINGTON A U.S. bank regulator is ready to fail Wells Fargo on a national scorecard for community lending, sources familiar with the decision said on Wednesday, in a move that could limit near-term expansion for the bank. Wells Fargo is due to be deemed a bank that "needs to improve" under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), a law meant to promote lending to poor neighborhoods. The move is a two-notch downgrade from the "outstanding" tag Wells Fargo has held since 2008 and the change would give regulators a greater say on day-to-day matters like whether they may open new branches. The ruling from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the main regulator for national banks, is due by early January, said the sources with knowledge of the plans. A Wells Fargo spokesperson declined to comment. A spokesman for the OCC also declined to comment. Wells Fargo has struggled since September to overcome its admission that employees wrongly created as many as 2 million accounts without customer authorization. A downgrade on the bank's community service score could further tarnish the reputation of the San Francisco-based lender at a time when it hopes to move beyond the scandal. Wells Fargo may win an appeal to the downgrade through an independent arm of the regulator but no decision has yet been made, said sources familiar with the process. Consumer advocates have faulted the OCC for letting eight years pass between reviewing Wells Fargo's commitment to community development. "Regulators could have downgraded Wells Fargo years ago and maybe that would have stopped some of this wrongdoing," said Paulina Gonzalez, head of the California Reinvestment Coalition. Following the 2008 housing market collapse, the OCC faulted several national banks for their community lending. Bank of America Corp. lost its "outstanding" grade in 2011 when the OCC faulted the lender for "discriminatory or other illegal credit practices." JPMorgan Chase & Co. also slipped one notch from "outstanding" to "satisfactory" in 2013. But industry and regulatory sources said they knew of no other case where a national bank had slipped two notches in a single review of CRA compliance. The Field House Museum has connections to many St. Louis stories: Its the home of author Eugene Field and his father, Roswell Field, who was an attorney on the Dred Scott case. Mark Twain traveled here in 1902 to dedicate a plaque on the side of the house. St. Louis Public Schools ran it for decades, and schoolchildren there can visit for free to this day. Now, with the opening of a 4,000-square-foot expansion, the museum has more room to tell those stories and to reach a wider audience. The $2.4 million expansion opens to the public on Thursday. The museum is at 634 South Broadway, one block south of Busch Stadium. It closed in January, and groundbreaking was in April. It allows us to bring items from our collection out of hiding. Thats huge, says museum director Kim Larson. It gives us some separation. People will say, I remember there were dolls all over the place, and it was creepy. They came to learn about Eugene, and they have 80 sets of eyes on them. So that eliminates that, she says, laughing. The house itself is relatively small, with two parlors on the first floor and a library and bedroom on the second. Three rooms on the third floor used to hold the museums gift shop and a rotation of exhibits. The museums four paid employees and a group of volunteers bumped shoulders in the basement office and storage space; they shared a tiny half-bathroom under the stairs. Often, theyd have to tell guests to use the restroom at the White Castle down the block, says Ron Elz, a local historian, former radio broadcaster and a member of the museums board of trustees. But more importantly, he says, the small space kept the museum from doing bigger special events and taking bigger groups. In my opinion, it was really on the verge of extinction, he says of the museum. If something wasnt done, it wouldnt have made it. The expansion sits on part of the museums parking lot. The buildings stone window sills and lintels mark the location of windows and doors of the row houses that once stood there. The architects for the museum addition were Dennis Tacchi & Associates / Architects and John C. Guenther Architect LLC. The builder was ICS Construction Services, Ltd. As visitors enter, theres a reception area with a gift shop and offices. To the right is a library showing a collection of works by and about Field. To the left is an airy, open space for exhibits and events; two exhibits are on view now: Whats Past is Prologue, which explores the history of the Field House and its context in the St. Louis area, and Field of Play: The Joyful Collections of Don and Shirley Zork, which includes bears, Mickey Mouse items and peanut butter tins. The exhibit is not about one thing. The house becomes the continuum, said Barbara Decker, curator for the Whats Past is Prologue exhibit. She combed through historic photos and archives to illustrate stories of how the city became a city and why it attracted Roswell Field from Vermont, plus Eugene Field and his toy collection and how schoolchildren once collected pennies to save the home. Visitors enter the house through a previously sealed window, which workers expanded into a doorway. Docent-led tours are available, and the home is now decorated for the holidays, complete with vintage toys and goose-and-turkey-feather Christmas trees. The third floor will be renovated to become the boys bedroom, a nannys bedroom and a trunk room. Thats a second phase of the expansion, Larson says. As for moving out of the basement? Though the rest of the staff is moving into offices in the new space, Larson is staying put. She likes it down there. We love hearing from our readers. Here are a few of your latest helpful comments and questions. ROBERT BOOKER: Thanks for writing about my two favorite TV food programs (Americas Test Kitchen and The Great British Baking Show). It will be interesting to see what develops. JOANNE MCANDREWS: The Great British Baking Show is one of our familys favorite shows. We are sad that the producers got greedy and felt the need to sell out to British Channel 4. Since we dont have cable or satellite TV, I guess well never have the chance to see the new (inferior) version of the show. It wont be the same without the incredible Mary Berry, and the congenial Mel and Sue, though. Shannon Hagerty was in labor for nearly nine hours when she asked for nitrous oxide. Her labor had stalled. For three hours, her cervix hadnt dilated any further. She was exhausted and anxious. What it did was, it relaxed my body in between contractions, and that made the contractions more bearable, said Hagerty, 32, of OFallon, Mo. It allowed the tension to go out of my body, so when I had a contraction I could stay on top of it and manage the pain. Within a few hours, she gave birth to a baby girl at the Mercy Birthing Center without any medical interventions. I wanted to go the natural birth route, said Hagerty, who was a first-time mom. I didnt want to be hooked up to machines and IVs. Nitrous oxide what many know as laughing gas from the dentist office is growing in popularity as a way to provide pain relief during childbirth. Just five years ago, only two centers in the U.S. offered nitrous routinely. Now hundreds of hospitals and birthing centers are using the colorless, odorless and nonflammable gas. Midwives, whose model of care supports natural birth, have led the charge. In 2010, the American College of Nurse-Midwives published a position statement that encouraged the inclusion of nitrous oxide as an option for women in labor. There have always been women who have a desire to have a more natural childbirth, and that trend is growing, said Dr. Patricia Bolster, an anesthesiologist at Mercy Hospital St. Louis. I think people are looking for less invasive ways of managing their labor pain, and nitrous oxide is being pulled back off the shelf. Mercy began offering the gas in labor and delivery a year ago, and in September, Mercy started providing it in its midwifery care birthing center. The Birth and Wellness Center in OFallon, Mo., just purchased the equipment and will begin offering it soon. Other area hospitals are showing interest. Nitrous oxide was first used for pain relief in labor in 1881 and became more routine in the 1930s and 40s. While it is still used frequently in the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, it fell out of use in the U.S. as more powerful anesthetics such as the epidural became more favorable. While epidurals can completely block pain; they require an IV, frequent blood pressure monitoring, continuous fetal monitoring and staying in bed. The loss of sensation often prolongs the pushing stage of labor, increasing the chances of vacuum extraction and forceps delivery. By using a gas for pain relief , the woman can put the mask to her face and breathe the mixture of 50 percent nitrous oxide and 50 percent oxygen whenever she feels she needs it. The effect goes away within minutes. The mom holds the mask herself and has complete control, Bolster said. She can use it for a couple of contractions and then set it aside for as long as she wants. An anesthesiologist does not have to be present. Hagerty said having that power was important. To have control over how I wanted to use it was really awesome, she said. Its not something done to you. You hold up the mask yourself. You are controlling what goes in your body, and you are reacting to your labor. She never felt loopy or funny, she said, just more relaxed. Nitrous was nicknamed laughing gas because its euphoric effect has caused patients undergoing dental procedures to act funny. Thats because it is used in higher concentrations in the dentist chair, and the patients mouth is also numb to pain. The pain of labor, however, is no laughing matter. Theres too much stimulation. Labor is too uncomfortable for you to get silly with this amount of medication, Bolster said. You still are going to be very focused on your labor. You still are going to be very focused on managing your contractions. Women feel mildly sedated, she said, like a light buzz. Bolster warns that the gas does not block pain. It only helps the patient better handle the pain. Some people when they try it, they are disappointed, she said. Bolster said nitrous oxide is used most effectively late in labor, when a womans tolerance can be wearing thin. Its just that little extra, when they get to a point in their labor where they think, Oh, gosh, I dont think I can do it, she said. But they are almost there, and then you give them that nitrous oxide, and they are able to get over that last hump. Use of the gas is restricted to four hours, but women rarely use it for that long, Bolster said. Research shows using nitrous oxide during labor is safe, though it has not been studied extensively since 1996, according to a 2011 review of nitrous oxide by the American Society of Anesthesiologists. The gas has been used extensively in other developed countries for decades, however, with good safety outcomes for both mother and child. Side effects are listed as dizziness, nausea and vomiting; but those are rarely experienced with the small doses allowed during labor, Bolster said. Babies are shown to have normal Apgar and neurobehavioral scores, and are able to breast-feed normally. And, no, husbands and partners cannot take a hit to help take the edge off. We do hear a lot of jokes about that. We make them ourselves too, Bolster said. But we actually take it very seriously When someone is using it and a nurse or midwife is not with (the patient), we only allow one other support person in the room. We want to discourage that type of use. The Air National Guards Truax Field in Madison was named a finalist Wednesday for deployment of a new generation of fighter jets that could protect the base and its hundreds of employees the next time the Pentagon looks to cut spending by closing military installations. The Air Force announced in June that Truax was one of 18 Air National Guard locations being considered as one of two bases for the growing fleet of F-35 jets. The announcement Wednesday narrowed the list to five, and sparked the unveiling of a local campaign to win the high-tech aircraft as a way of securing the economic benefits the area receives from the base on Madisons North Side. Truax is home to the Air National Guards 115th Fighter Wing and a group of F-16 jets that are among the oldest still in operation. Being selected for the 18 F-35s would help protect Truax when the military re-evaluates its needs. The base was scrutinized in 2005 during the last national base realignment process. If it is chosen for the F-35 next year, the base would be less vulnerable during the realignment process that is expected in 2019 even though the jets wouldnt arrive until 2022. Truax employs 445 men and women full-time in addition to 700 guard members who participate in drills, said Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce president Zach Brandon. The chamber has contracted with two advisers with military expertise in Washington, D.C., and raised $100,000 for its efforts to bring the fighters to Madison in conjunction with the Badger Air Community Council, a support group for the base, Brandon said. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, has sought improvements at Truax for several years, and voiced support for F-35 deployment there in a hearing with a top Air Force official in April. We are proving ourselves to be a very strong competitor and I am going to continue my work being a leading advocate for the 115th Fighter Wing at Truax, Baldwin said in a statement. A spokeswoman for Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, said he also has discussed Truax with an Air Force official. Republican Gov. Scott Walker said in a statement that Truax offers the military more than 10,000 square miles of military operating airspace and access to Volk Field Air National Guard Base in Camp Douglas 90 miles to the northwest. Communities seeking Defense Department programs typically mount public relations campaigns, and in some cases opponents organize, too. But the way this is set up, that is no part of the decision process, Ann Stefanek, a Washington-based Air Force spokeswoman, said of such campaigns. Bases rated on several factors The original 18 bases were picked because they had certain basic facilities needed for fighter jets. Each of those locations then submitted more detailed information on features they offered. They were scored for their mission readiness, which includes factors such as weather, available airspace and access to training ranges; physical amenities like hangars, runways and ramp space; other environmental factors; and cost, Stefanek said. The five finalists were the ones that scored highest. Stefanek said the Air Force wont release the scores. The finalists all start on equal ground, and are evaluated based on information gathered by a single team of analysts who will visit each site to document conditions, she said. The Air Force is committed to a deliberate and open process to address F-35 basing, said Jennifer A. Miller, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations. As we progress through the basing process, we will share information so interested communities are aware of what to expect. Surveys will assess sites based on operational requirements, potential impacts to existing missions, infrastructure and manpower, and then develop cost estimates, the Air Force release said. By June the Air Force hopes to announce tentative selections of two bases, and one or more reasonable alternatives pending the results of detailed environmental impact analyses, which are completed before choices are finalized, Stefanek said. The Chamber of Commerce said Truax provides $100 million in economic impact annually and other benefits, including costly Air National Guard firefighting equipment that is used at the adjacent Dane County Regional Airport. Local Air National Guard commanders make the point about the bases economic impact when addressing concerns about the noise from F-16s, said Paul Rusk, a member of the Dane County Airport Commission committee that fields complaints about jet noise from Truax and the adjacent regional airport. The chamber cited a study indicating the F-35 created no more noise than the F-16. Jet admired among pilots About 200 F-35s have been deployed for testing, training and operational use. Eight bases either have or are scheduled to receive the aircraft, said Joe DellaVedova, spokesman for the Pentagon office overseeing the purchases of 2,443 F-35s over 20 years. The 2014 price tag of $108 million per plane was lower than in the previous year and the cost is projected to keep going down as production speeds up, DellaVedova said. The aircraft has a top speed of about 1,200 mph, which is comparable to other fighter jets, but F-35s are outfitted with highly advanced air warfare technology, DellaVedova said. They are equipped with six cameras, radar and advanced software to give pilots a great advantage over older aircraft, he said. The capacity this airplane delivers is eye-watering, DellaVedova said. You talk to the pilots, theres no other plane they want to fly. Its like going from a rotary phone to a cellphone. The value of the older F-16s like those at Truax is waning. When air bases are closed, they have been retired instead of being moved to other installations. The other four finalists are Dannelly Field, Montgomery, Alabama; Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho; Jacksonville Air National Guard Base in Florida; and Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Detroit, Michigan. Site surveys will be conducted by the Air Force Air Combat Command, based in Langley, Virginia, and the Washington, D.C.-based Air National Guard command. CLAYTON A Clayton High School student could face serious consequences after bringing a loaded weapon to school Tuesday. School officials were alerted to the incident by another student near the end of the school day, district spokesman Chris Tennill said. He said the district does not believe the student who brought the gun had malicious intent but only wanted to show the weapon to friends. The student turned the gun over to Clayton police, who are investigating the incident. Tennill said according to district policy an incident of this severity could mean a year or more of suspension and possible expulsion, in addition to any potential criminal charges. He said the incident shows how important it is for students to speak up when they see something wrong. "It's about, if you see something that doesn't look right, you need to say something to a grown-up in charge," he said. "This is one of the most powerful tactics we have in keeping students safe." An incident of this magnitude is a first for the district, Tennill said. He said last year a student was caught walking around school with an "L-shaped" object tucked in his shorts trying to pretend to have a weapon. Officials in the city of Foristell and in St. Charles County illegally jailed a woman for unpaid traffic tickets and court fines in 2014, according to a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on Monday. The lawsuit was the fourth filed by the nonprofit law group ArchCity Defenders since August that alleges that a local government was operating a debtors prison. But its the first such suit filed in St. Charles County. The plaintiff is Nicole Bolden, 34, a St. Louis County woman with five children. Her story was one of the first promoted by ArchCity Defenders when the firm drew attention to municipal court problems more than two years ago. Bolden was also one of the plaintiffs in a recent class-action suit against Florissant. She says she was in a car accident on March 19, 2014, in Florissant shortly after dropping two of her children off at school. She was not at fault, but the responding officer found she had arrest warrants in Dellwood, Hazelwood and Foristell. Bolden was transported from the Florissant jail to the Hazelwood jail to the St. Louis County Justice Center in Clayton. She borrowed from a relative to pay her bail on March 22. But instead of being released, the St. Louis County Jail held her on a Foristell arrest warrant. Foristell officers picked her up at 4 a.m. on March 23, and took her to the St. Charles County Jail, where she was ordered to pay $1,758 to be freed. She spent 11 more days in jail without the opportunity to tell a judge she could not afford to pay for her freedom. One of the days, she was housed with a heroin addict who was vomiting on herself from withdrawal. Jailers gave Bolden gloves and supplies to clean it up. ArchCity co-founder Michael-John Voss convinced the Foristell judge on April 2 to reduce Boldens bail to $700. The next day, her mother borrowed that amount from her life insurance policy. A representative for the city of Foristell could not be reached for comment. Mary B. Enger, director of communications for St. Charles County, said in an email that the countys corrections department was concerned about the well-being of inmates, and that it was investigating Boldens allegations. St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann said in an email that since the Missouri municipal reform legislation went into effect last year county officials have not held any defendants longer than 48 hours on municipal court warrants without specific instructions from another municipality. Foristell, population 500, earned at least $2.9 million in five years from its municipal court fines, fees, costs, and surcharges, the suit alleges. It raises more than half of its revenue from court fines, according to public records. The city, known for being a speed trap, was in the first group of cities targeted for audits by the Missouri auditors office as part of its special focus on municipal court abuses. A 2015 audit of Foristell found that the city had underreported its traffic violation revenue amount and was charging illegal fees to recall warrants. ST. LOUIS A 65-year-old man is recovering after being shot once in the chest Sunday while he, his son and his son's friend were robbed inside a garage in the 5400 block of Odell Street. Police say the incident took place at about 11:05 a.m. while the victim and the others, 24 and 22, were in the garage moving furniture. The attacker entered and demanded money at gunpoint. The 24-year-old victim handed the robber his money, and as the 65-year-old reached for his wallet, the robber shot him and ran east through the alley. The wounded man was taken to a hospital and listed as stable. A man formerly from O'Fallon, Mo., ran a large stolen property ring in the St. Louis area with the profits sent to him in Mexico, he admitted in federal court Tuesday. Jason J. Parmeley, pleaded guilty in federal court in Benton, Ill. Some of the crimes took place in the federal Southern District of Illinois. The ring used stolen credit account numbers to buy appliances, expensive tools, computers and construction equipment from St. Louis-area retailers. The items were then sold and the profits sent to Parmeley in Mexico, prosecutors said. Fifteen people were indicted last year in the scheme. They were accused of transporting, receiving or selling the merchandise, or wiring the profits to Parmeley, then 42, under fake names. Among them are James D. Litchfield, owner of Big Jims Autorama in Madison, and his brother, Ryan P. Litchfield, of OFallon, Mo., who were sentenced to federal prison earlier this year for their roles. James Litchfield admitted getting numerous truckloads of items, prosecutors said, providing two trucks for use in the conspiracy and wiring money to Mexico. Ryan Litchfield admitted receiving about $80,000 worth of stolen items in 20 to 25 truckloads, which he then sold to friends, business associates, or on Craigslist. Parmeley was deported from Mexico last year. Photos of the defendants were not available. The speaker of the Missouri House has called for a thorough investigation into the state Department of Corrections after a story in a Kansas City newspaper exposed a culture of harassment and retaliation in the prisons that is costing the state millions in court. Missouri has paid millions in damages to employees who alleged they were harassed at work because of sex, religion or disability, and retaliated against for speaking out. We cannot and will not tolerate what appears to be a pervasive culture of sexual harassment that is also costing taxpayers millions of dollars, said Rep. Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff. My colleagues and I will work with our new governor to ensure this kind of inappropriate behavior is not allowed within any part of our state government. The volume of lawsuits particularly those concerning harassment and retaliation exploded in the last four years. An investigation by The Pitch, a weekly alternative newspaper, found that from 2012 through 2016, the state paid more than $7.5 million in settlement payments and judgments. During the first six months of this year, the Pitch reported, the department was ordered to pay more than $4 million to victims who were harassed and to those who faced retaliation after bringing complaints. House Minority Leader Gail McCann Beatty, D-Kansas City, said Richardson should appoint a special investigative committee to determine the full extent of the problem, hold department leaders accountable and recommend corrective action. Authorities with oversight roles may have been blind to the judgments and settlements because they were paid from a state legal fund and not from the departments budget. I never saw evidence of it happening, said state Rep. Kathie Conway, R-St. Charles, who sat on a corrections policy oversight committee in the House from 2012-2015. While speaking to reporters about the state budget on Wednesday, Gov. Jay Nixon said he was unwilling to address lawsuits he wasnt involved with. Im just not aware of the specifics there, said Nixon, a Democrat, who served as attorney general 16 years before being elected governor in 2008. He said he had seen some of that stuff but didnt have enough detail to be insightful. Nixon said he would get prepped up on the issue and address it at a later date. Gov.-elect Eric Greitens, a Republican, did not respond to questions from the Post-Dispatch about the issue. A spokeswoman for Attorney General Chris Koster said no one in the department would comment. The candidate who was recently elected to replace him, Josh Hawley, said he was reviewing the matter. George Lombardi, who has been director of the Department of Corrections during Nixons eight years, did not respond to a request for comment. Conway said she was never made aware of harassment complaints in the department because settlements and judgments were paid out of the Office of Administration, and not the Department of Corrections. Im very concerned that those of us in budgeting and the legislative process werent made aware of how much money the state was spending on these things, she said. I find that egregious, No. 1 that it happened at all, and No. 2 that those of us who work on budgets arent aware of how much is going out on problems that need to be addressed. She said she found Lombardi to be an effective leader who developed several unique programs, including one that puts offenders to work training rescue dogs. But this just kind of casts a pall on it, she said. Report blocked If the department has tried to deal with the problem internally, it has fought to keep details of its response a secret. The Pitch investigation included a cluster of lawsuits at the West Bottoms prison in Kansas City. Three employees, two who filed lawsuits against the prison and a third who won a verdict, said they had faced threats to their lives. An attorney for two of the employees asked the department to investigate the allegations of retaliation. The department hired a Kansas City-area lawyer to handle the investigation, which resulted in a 19-page report. Koster filed a motion to seal the report, but a ruling by Jackson County Circuit Judge James Dale Youngs ordered it to be unsealed. Despite the ruling, the Department of Corrections refused to provide a copy to the Post-Dispatch. Gary Gross, the executive director of the Missouri Corrections Officers Association in Jefferson City, said the problems with harassment and retaliation were well known by department supervisors. He said the association, which represents 3,000 corrections officers across the state, helped employees file their grievances. He said that under Missouris grievance process, those complaints would have been reviewed by Lombardi before becoming eligible for lawsuits. Maybe they have become so tight-knit that they dont want to take action on each other to deal with this stuff, he said. But now the courts are dealing with it and its big-dollar numbers. He said he has also spoken with representatives for Greitens, who said they are fully ready to deal with it. Youre going to have to clean it out and clean it up, he said. The Pitch story was reported by Karen Dillon, a former Kansas City Star investigative reporter. The story found that lawsuits alleging that racial and gender epithets at a number of prisons were a daily occurrence, and that male employees have commonly used vulgar terms to describe female employees, have inappropriately touched female guards and talked openly about private sexual matters. The report found some cases in which supervisors promised good evaluations or promotions in exchange for sex. JEFFERSON CITY In what could be one of his final acts on the state budget, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon pared another $51 million in state spending Wednesday, citing slower-than-projected growth in state revenues. The governor, who leaves office in a month, said the move was needed to keep the states $27 billion budget balanced at a time when year-to-date tax collections have increased by just 2.6 percent over last year. The cuts include nearly $43 million for the Medicaid health care program and $8.8 million in bonding authority. Nixon said the spending wasnt needed because of savings achieved by his administration. At the same time he was limiting spending, Nixon released $4 million for building projects at Missouri State University and transportation costs for schools. Nixon, a Democrat, said he had not considered leaving the job of balancing the budget to Governor-elect Eric Greitens, a Republican, because voters elected him to work a full term. For the next 33 days, they are going to get everything Ive got, Nixon said. I think my job is to turn the state over better than I found it. Since the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1, Nixon has cut $201 million from the states spending blueprint in response to the lagging revenues and attempts by the GOP-controlled Legislature to provide tax incentives to various businesses. Although sales and income taxes have been growing at a healthy rate, corporate taxes have fallen off dramatically. He said businesses are using accounting maneuvers to reduce their tax bills and warned the Legislature to be cautious in doling out tax incentives to businesses. I think these breaks that dont reward additional business activity or competitive activity or employment, but merely save folks money like that, are not good policy, Nixon said. Nixon said he is leaving Greitens with a state that has rebounded from the recession that was in place when he took over in 2009. For example, he said the latest unemployment report shows a record number of Missourians who are employed. He also said Missouri exports are on pace to top the $14 billion record of 2014. Yet, even with Nixons move, Greitens may have to act quickly to cut more after he takes office on Jan. 9. Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick, R-Shell Knob, the chairman of the House budget committee, said earlier that the new governor may have to carve another $200 million from the spending plan to account for slow revenue growth. Nixon dismissed Fitzpatricks warning. If I dont show great deference to the over-spending Legislatures view as to what is the proper way to fiscally manage a state, so be it, Nixon said. The governor said he doubts he will take further action on the budget before he leaves office. My expectation as we sit here right now is that this is the last time Im going to be involved in an action of this nature, Nixon said. But, he added, Im still governor and Im working hard. Greitens did not immediately respond to a request for reaction to the governors action. Maybe youve heard someone say, My wife has cancer, and her treatment isnt working. Or, I need equipment that performs better in my plant and saves me time and money. My child has autism, and I need better ways to help him. All of us have longed for a new discovery that can improve our health or the way we work. Research at UW-Madison helps solve big problems that make peoples lives better. It means making a difference. It means finding cures for diseases and vaccines to prevent illness in the first place. It means expanding the frontiers of knowledge and growing the economy. Its about healthier food and lifestyles. Its about agriculture and culture. Its about basic research that will transform the world in the future. Its about state pride. Thats why the recent National Science Foundations survey that shows UW-Madison falling out of the top 5 nationwide in research expenditures for the first time in 44 years is cause for concern. Not just for those of us who work at UW-Madison, but for state residents and UW alumni around the world who are proud that UW-Madison has always been on the cutting edge of research. According to the NSF, research expenditures at UW peaked in 2012 at $1.17 billion, but declined for the next three years, falling by $100 million. Competition for federal funding is keen, and our competitors have done better than us over the past 10 years. Thats why weve fallen in the rankings. Why arent we as competitive as wed like to be? UW-Madisons budget has been cut in five of the last six legislative sessions, under both political parties. Thats kept us from hiring new faculty as aggressively as other universities, and its led to the loss of some top faculty, as well as hindered our ability to invest to improve laboratories, equipment and information technology systems. For instance, this past year, professor Susan Smith left for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and professor Jan Edwards took a position at the University of Maryland. Both were very productive grant-getters, with combined research expenditures of over $1.7 million last year. They will now be conducting research and spending grant dollars in other states. UW-Madisons researchers bring in millions of dollars in grants each year. Many of them essentially run small businesses, creating jobs in their labs. And they attract top students to UW as well. The value of our research program lies in the creation of new knowledge, and also in its contribution to our educational mission and our states quality of life. Did you enjoy mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving? Variety and advanced selection testing has been a part of UW-Madisons potato research program since 1951. How was your burger at your last tailgate party? UW-Madison researchers are studying beef cattle grazing. UW-Madison researchers are studying influenza, Zika, Parkinsons and breast cancer. They are modeling a power system that can lead to major economic and environmental gains along with a faster control system for the continental power grid. They are building robots and dreams at the same time. They are striving for a better understanding of Alzheimers disease, which currently has neither prevention nor treatment. Whats more, the research dollars that our faculty bring home to Wisconsin have a significant economic impact. These dollars pay for salaries, which are reinvested in the local economy, as well as services and supplies provided by Wisconsin companies, creating even more jobs and revenue. Research funding received at UW-Madison is spent in all 72 Wisconsin counties, supporting economic activities across the state. Nearly 25,000 jobs supported through 362 startup companies can be fairly attributed to UW-Madison programs of research, according to NorthStar, contributing $2.3 billion annually to Wisconsins economy. We are working hard to increase our research revenues and move back into the top 5. Thats why we have invested $23 million in retaining our faculty this year. Its why were making investments in research areas to be more competitive and leverage additional funding. Wisconsin has excelled as a research institution for a very long time. Not every university can do this, though many aspire to. This is a testament to the quality of our faculty and the investment state taxpayers had made in support of the states flagship university. But its time to reinvest in UW-Madison if we want to preserve its excellence and Wisconsin jobs. WASHINGTON Former St. Louis lawyer Andrew Andy Puzder, now the CEO of a major fast-food chain, was scheduled to meet Wednesday for the second time with President-elect Donald Trump at transition headquarters in New York. Trump transition spokesman Jason Miller divulged the second meeting but did not address speculation that Puzder, chief executive chief executive of CKE Restaurants Inc., the parent company of Carls Jr. and Hardees, was being considered as Trumps secretary of labor. Miller did hint, however, that Trump was considering Puzder for some role in the coming administration, pointing out that some people meeting with Trump now are giving advice, while others are in the mix to join Trumps White House. I would say that Mr. Puzder is a talented man with a very strong background who we think very highly of, Miller said. Puzder, who advised Trump during the presidential campaign, met with Trump Nov. 19. Puzder said then that I would be proud to serve in any position this president would ask me to serve in. His appointment to labor could be controversial. Puzder has opposed raises in the minimum wage, but at times on the campaign trail Trump suggested he would be amenable to a raise. Puzders criticism of the Obamacare health reforms effect on small businesses is in line with Trumps but his interest in automation to replace workers would set him at odds with organized labor. Puzder is a 1978 Washington University law school graduate and served as a trial lawyer in St. Louis through 1991. He practiced commercial law in the St. Louis law offices of Morris A. Shenker, a lawyer for teamsters union boss Jimmy Hoffa, through 1984. Puzder then moved to the Stolar Partnership law practice. In 1991, Puzder met Carl Karcher, founder of Carls Jr., who was embroiled in serious financial difficulties, according to a biography of Karcher on the CKE website. Puzder helped resolve Karchers financial problems, and now heads CKE. On Wednesday, Moller said that Puzder has been called a poster-CEO for regulatory reform efforts, and that he shares Trumps belief in economic populism and how we bring economic opportunity to all Americans. Trump has now met with more than 80 potential administration advisers and cabinet secretaries, and has named several key early positions. On Monday, he chose Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad to be ambassador to China, a key position in his administration, given Trump's criticism of China's trade policies and his controversial conversation with the president of Taiwan, a country that China does not recognize.Thur Trump is also meeting with Democrats as well as Republicans. On Wednesday, he met with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. On Thursday, Trump is scheduled to sit down with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W. Va. Trump has also been reportedly considering North Dakota Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp as secretary of agriculture. In D.C. on Wednesday morning, members of Trump's transition team met with Tony Tersigni, CEO of Edmundson-based Ascension, the nation's largest nonprofit health care system. Tersigni said he appreciated the opportunity to meet with the team. "During the meeting, we discussed our desire to see the continuation of access to affordable and quality care for all Americans. We look forward to continuing the dialogue." (c) 2016, The Washington Post. The families of two white Chicago teens who were expelled last month over "racially insensitive" text messages that were shared on social media are now seeking $1 million in a lawsuit against officials at the school. The lawsuit accuses Marist High School and two officials at the private Catholic school of unjustly expelling the students over text messages that were meant to be private. The complaint, filed Monday in Cook County Circuit Court on behalf of the girls and their fathers, acknowledges that the comments were "at most, racially insensitive" and argues that the school used the girls as "scapegoats" amid social media backlash over the comments. The girls, both minors, are identified only as Jane Doe and Jane Roe in the complaint; their fathers are identified as John Doe and John Roe. Larry Tucker, the Marist High principal, and Beth O'Neill, one of the private school's deans, are named as defendants. According to the complaint, the two girls and 30 other students were part of a group exchanging text messages in which they talked about the Black Lives Matter movement and a protest following the Nov. 5 shooting death of a black man in Chicago. Joshua Beal, of Indiana, was shot by an off-duty police officer during a confrontation in Chicago's Mount Greenwood neighborhood, where Marist High School is located - and where Black Lives Matter was planning a protest. Police said Beal was shot after he didn't drop his weapon. Threats of a protest prompted school officials to cancel classes. Leading up to that announcement, one of the students sent a tweet that said the Black Lives Matter group would bring members of the Gangster Disciples, a street gang from Chicago's South Side, to "to kill all white kids" in Mount Greenwood in retaliation for Beal's death, according to the complaint. "I F---- HATE N----," one student wrote. "HAHAHAHA," responded another. "same," another message read. "there's a difference between black people and n----, f-- the n----," another said. The names of the students who sent the texts were redacted in court records. But according to the complaint, someone from the group took screenshots of the texts and posted them to the high school's official Facebook page. Someone also shared the screenshots on Twitter and tagged Tucker, the principal. The plaintiffs' attorney, Steven Glink, did not respond to a request for comment. But he told the Chicago Tribune that the messages were altered and that context was removed so they looked "more incriminating" than they actually were. He said that someone had a "personal vendetta" against the girls. Tucker and O'Neill later decided to suspend the plaintiffs and three other girls who were part of the group text, the complaint says. On Nov. 7, Tucker and O'Neill wrote a letter to parents, saying they were "devastated" by the controversy sparked by the texts, which they said "contradict" the school's mission. They also wrote that school officials had met with a "diverse group of student leaders" for a "meaningful dialogue" about the situation. Three days later, they wrote a second letter telling parents that the two girls had been expelled. It's unclear if the three others who were suspended were also expelled. A school representative said officials would not comment, citing the pending litigation. Tucker and O'Neill also said in their letter that school officials had contacted experts on "diversity awareness, education and training." "It is our plan to have them help our community learn and grow from this event," the letter states. The texts and the school's decision to expel the students became the subject of pitched conversations on social media. One poster on Facebook said that if her younger sister, who attends Marist, made similar comments, she would "absolutely support and understand expulsion. These girls know better." Another described the texts as "poor language selection," but said expulsion may have been unnecessary. "Marist leadership is in a tough position," the person wrote. "Whatever decision Marist makes is bound to be fraught with criticism." The plaintiffs claim that the decision to expel the two girls was "arbitrary and capricious," noting that the group text consisted of 287 messages and that many of the comments had similar language. They also claim the girls were expelled without being formally charged with misconduct or going through a disciplinary process. The school's actions, the lawsuit argues, violated policies stating that students will not be dismissed or expelled unless their conduct damages the school's reputation. The plaintiffs argue that the girls did not violate any policy because their messages were meant to be private, and that they didn't post anything on the school's social media accounts. The incident also resulted in an invasion of the students' privacy, the complaint alleges, noting that group text was started after the girls participated in a religious retreat known as Kairos, the purpose of which is to allow students to express themselves in a private forum without any fear of retaliation. The plaintiffs also noted a 2014 incident in which a Marist student athlete, who is black, advocated on Twitter for the killing of white people. The lawsuit claims that the comments were simply glossed over and the student athlete was not disciplined. The lawsuit claims that the texting controversy ruined the reputation of the girls, who had been "outstanding students," and affected their ability to attend the college or university of their choice. The lawsuit requests that each of the girls be allowed to return to school or be given a full refund of the $65,000 their families had paid in tuition, books and other expenses. They also requested for $1 million in damages for invasion of privacy resulting in damaged reputations, emotional distress and public scorn for being labeled as racists. MARYLAND HEIGHTS While standing at attention, Mike LeBlanc broke ranks for just a moment to help Elmer Luckett, 96, take a seat after he touched and saluted the American flag. Luckett is a Navy veteran who was serving on the destroyer Chew at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese bombed the area, killing 2,403 people. He was drinking coffee with his shipmate when they saw clouds of smoke near Battleship Row as more bombs went off on American troops. Luckett was one of three World War II veterans honored in a Gathering of Eagles ceremony Wednesday morning, 75 years after the bombing. The two other veterans were Harrison Ochs, 94, and Paul Lam, 93. Each man stood, laid his hand on a folded American flag and saluted it. The ceremony was short, but the meaning ran deep for the more than dozen veterans of all ages who turned out for the event at the Great Clips Training Center in Maryland Heights. Family members also attended in support of those honored. There was a common theme, with both speakers identifying the three veterans as part of the greatest generation. They took limited resources and did what they needed to do, American Legion Post 213 commander Dennis Dixon told the crowd. This was the 10th annual Pearl Harbor event for Post 213. Luckett was one of 10 area men who served near Pearl Harbor in 1941 and who has attended the Legions ceremonies over the years. He is the only one of the 10 still alive. LeBlanc, the event organizer with the Legion, said at least 250 St. Louisans left with the military for Pearl Harbor one year before the attack. The idea that hundreds of World War II veterans are dying per day is difficult to stomach, LeBlanc said. So while theyre here, he wants to celebrate them. When guys or gals give their lives, we definitely dont want to forget them, he said. After the ceremony, Legion members and their families watched a three-volley salute using World War II rifles and listened as the names of all 2,403 people killed at Pearl Harbor were read aloud. (c) 2016, The Washington Post. Rolando Garcia's marriage had fallen apart after 10 years. He had moved out - but he hadn't moved on. On Friday, about a month after leaving the Miami home he had shared with his wife, Garcia came back, hoping to reconcile. But his wife, Barbara Diaz, told him that she wanted to end the relationship, according to an arrest affidavit. Enraged, Garcia, 53, grabbed a knife from his car and stabbed Diaz several times as she was standing in the driveway of their home, the affidavit states. Diaz, 44, died immediately. Garcia then left the scene. ABC affiliate WPLG reported that a relative found Diaz's body in the driveway. Police said Garcia confessed multiple times to the crime. According to a Miami-Dade Police Department statement, he drove about a mile to a nearby fire station, where he "made some statements to rescue personnel." At one point, while driving to the fire station, Garcia called family members and admitted that he had killed his wife, the affidavit states. After his arrest, he also confessed to investigators, according to the affidavit. Garcia has been charged with second-degree murder with a deadly weapon. He appeared in court Saturday, according to an online docket, and is being held without bond. His public defender, Julia Seifer-Smith, did not return a call seeking comment. Although the rate of violent acts committed against women by their spouses or intimate partners declined by 72 percent from 1994 to 2001, federal statistics show that women were more likely to be victims of homicides committed by their intimate partners. Nearly 40 percent of the 3,032 homicides involving female victims in 2010 were committed by their intimate partners, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Of the 10,878 homicides involving male victims, only 3 percent were committed by their intimate partners, according to the federal agency's data. From 2002 to 2011, more than half of violent acts committed against women involved prior threats. It's unclear whether there were previous incidents of domestic violence between Garcia and his wife. It also is unclear whether Diaz had filed or was planning to file for a divorce, or why their marriage had fallen apart. A spokesman for the police department said no further information will be released. miami-stabbing _____ Keywords: domestic violence, Florida, dv, domestic violence stats, deadly domestic violence, fatal domestic violence, domestic violence death There were propane tanks stashed in corners, plus space heaters, hot plates, candles, exposed electrical wires dangling from the ceiling. Gas-powered generators hummed mere feet away from handmade light fixtures hooked up with extension cords. But there was no sprinkler system and only two ways out of the Ghost Ship, a dilapidated Oakland, California, warehouse where at least 36 people died Friday night in a blaze that erupted during an illegal rave. Its one of the deadliest fires in Californias history. The Ghost Ship was a disaster waiting to happen and everyone who entered the place seemed to know it, for all 10,000 square feet of the warehouse was crammed with old furniture, rugs, makeshift bedrooms, art studios, instruments, old doors and half-finished sculptures. Recreational vehicles were parked on the ground floor, and a shoddily hand-built staircase to the second level, which became a bottleneck for fleeing ravers, was literally made out of kindling, according to one artist quoted in The San Francisco Chronicle. The immediate impulse is to blame the city of Oakland for this horrific fire. The cause hasnt been determined yet, but we know the artist colony has been on the citys radar for a while. The warehouse wasnt zoned for residential use, nor licensed to be a nightclub, but that it was doing both was no secret. Neighbors had complained about noise and blight at the Ghost Ship for years. In early 2015, police responded to reports of an illegal rave there. And less than a month ago, city inspectors opened an investigation into the habitability of the warehouse, but were never able to get inside to take a look. Residents have said they were told to hide all evidence of living there if authorities ever showed up. So, yes, Oaklands lack of aggressive code enforcement certainly should be one place to point fingers. But the sad truth is theres more than enough blame to go around. There are the rave promoters and underground musicians who decided to hold a show at the Ghost Ship in the first place. One Oakland musician, Jon Hrabko, pushed the event on Facebook for months, getting nearly 600 people to agree to attend. Theres also the property owner, Chor Ng, whose relatives insist they had no idea people were living in the Ghost Ship. And theres the property manager, Derick Ion Almena, who was living in the warehouse with his wife and children, and designed much of the space without permits from the city. ... News accounts quote friends as saying they warned Almena repeatedly the Ghost Ship was a tinderbox that was bound to get people killed, but he laughed them off. In an interview with KGO-TV on Monday, Almena said people who died Friday night are my children. They are my friends. They are family. They are my loves. Not surprisingly, criminal charges are a possibility. But at least some blame lies with an invisible culprit the sky-high housing prices that made a fire trap like the Ghost Ship acceptable to so many young people in the first place. Residents paid $500 to $1,500 a month for space there, a bargain in the Bay Area, where affordable housing is all but nonexistent. The result was a cool, freewheeling, communal space for artists to live, work and play, even if it was also a hazard. Such warehouses are magnets for upstart electronic dance artists for many of the same reasons. They want to perform but need to do it on the cheap. So artist enclaves that host underground raves dot Oakland and many other cities in California. Cities must remain vigilant. No rave is worth someones life. Ray McCool of Madison keeps a piece of shrapnel on his desk at his East Side home. It reminds him of his familys service to their country during World War II, and of Americas unity and resolve following the bombing of Pearl Harbor 75 years ago today. We had someone destroying the world, McCool recalled this week. We saw it in the news. And people became firmly committed. I wonder, are we ready to go again? McCool continued. Do we have that purpose of commitment? I dont think its there today. In World War II, it was there. We had a unified purpose. The McCools and millions of other American families had their lives upended on Dec. 7, 1941. In response, they pulled together with tremendous determination and patriotism to defeat oppression and genocide. We need more of that cooperative spirit today in the face of global terrorism, authoritarian regimes, and domestic challenges. We do stand for freedom, McCool said. Hopefully we will maintain that. We must. McCool, 86, remembers watching a matinee with his mother at a Hartford theater when his older brother Ralph, an usher, delivered the terrible news. He came down the aisle and said the Japanese just bombed Pearl Harbor, McCool recalled. Well, we didnt know where Pearl Harbor was. They left the show and soon learned the magnitude of death and destruction in Hawaii. America was entering another world war. McCools oldest brother, Roland, immediately enlisted. Ray McCool, 11 at the time, remembers crying with his mother as they watched Roland walk to the bus stop, bound for service overseas. We didnt know what was going to happen, McCool said. Those are memories that just stay with you. You dont ever erase them. Roland McCool repaired radio equipment for B-17 bombers. Ray McCools other brother, Ralph, the usher at the theater, joined the war after high school, becoming a pilot. The shrapnel on Ray McCools desk is from the cockpit of Ralphs plane after flak blew out its windshield during a bombing run over Germany. Ralph McCool was injured but flew many more missions. When World War II ended, Ray McCool climbed to the top of a building in downtown Hartford to drop pieces of paper in celebration. He even saw his teetotaler mother down a drink. McCool is a Korean War vet, retired Madison educator and chaplain at American Legion Post 501 in Madison. I think of the fellows I knew, he said. I knew a lot of guys who went to the war. Theyre all gone. America still must lead on the world stage while working with other nations toward peace, he said. It shouldnt isolate itself. America learned that lesson 75 years ago and rallied to a common cause. Please remember and help rekindle that spirit today. Body cameras like these will be worn by Warwickshire Police officers from next year. POLICE in Warwickshire will wear body cameras from next year. 1million will be spent on the cameras that will be worn by all frontline officers in Warwickshire and West Mercia Police. Firearms and Taser-trained officers will be first, followed by patrol officers, with all frontline operational officers including those in Safer Neighbourhood Teams getting them before the end of 2017. No definitive figures exist on how much body cameras reduce complaints against police, however a study by Cambridge University found a 93 per cent drop in complaints when the cameras were introduced. Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Seccombe, said: This significant investment in new technology is great news, both for frontline police officers and also for the public. "Body worn cameras will help officers to achieve better outcomes and capture important evidence to bring cases to court. "Speaking to officers, I know this is something that they welcome. "Body worn video can also help to enhance their safety when they deal with challenging situations, as people often modify their behaviour and become less aggressive when they know they are being recorded on camera and that evidence can be used in court. Having a clear and irrefutable picture of what has happened in any incident is valuable, not only from an evidential perspective, but also because it provides the public with a record of how the police have acted." The cameras will be attached to police officers uniforms to capture video and audio evidence, which can then be used to support criminal prosecutions. They do not continuously record, as under the Data Protection Act 1998 police officers have a duty to inform a person that their actions are being recorded. Warwickshire and West Mercia Police are jointly funding the cameras as part of their strategic alliance. Assistant Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman said "Body Worn Video will also help build public confidence in the police by increasing transparency as well as allowing us to secure stronger evidence to support our fight against crime. "This vital technological upgrade is an important step in realising our vision of becoming a fully-modernised police force." Stratford businessman Denys Shortt, third from left, with fellow members of the London Tea History Associations board at St Katharine Docks in London. STRATFORD-UPON-AVON businessman Denys Shortt was at the unveiling a bronze plaque in London that commemorates 335 years of the tea industry in the city. Mr Shortt, who runs the DCS Group, which employs 300 people in Stratford, is a member of The London Tea History Associations board after spending his early years on tea estates in Assam and in Uganda and Kenya. He lived with his parents in Assam for 22 years, for the first ten years on the Langharjan Tea Estate, before moving to tea estates in Fort Portal in Uganda, and then Thika in Kenya. As well as sitting on the association's board Mr Shortt also sponsors the tea planters website www.koi-hai.com The plaque is located at St Katharine Docks in London where approximately 32,000 tons of tea from China, India and Ceylon passed through in a year. It is the first of four plaques the association intends to put up around key sites in the capital. Jeremy Wright, as the government's chief legal officer, has been front and centre of the post-Brexit fallout. WHILE Wellesbourne faces a battle to save its airfield, the village's MP has been thrust into a much bigger battle. Jeremy Wright QC's Kenilworth and Southam constituency takes in Wellesbourne, Kineton and surrounding villages, but he is also the country's Attorney General and has this week been in court to defend the government's intention not to put the Brexit plan to MPs to vote on. The government is seeking to overturn a High Court ruling last month that anti-Brexit campaigners were right to claim that the government needs Parliamentary backing for Brexit, despite June's referendum result. And Mr Wright is fronting the government's legal challenge in the Supreme Court as counsel for Brexit Secretary David Davis. He told the hearing earlier this week that Parliament had put a clear and decisive question about our nations future to the British people and expected the Government to act on the answer they gave. But Mr Wright added: None of this means, of course, that Parliament will not be closely involved in the process of the UKs withdrawal from the EU over the coming months and years. Mr Wright was a criminal barrister before being elected as the Conservative MP for Rugby in 2005, and has served as Attorney General since 2014, being appointed by then Prime Minister David Cameron. He voted against leaving the EU. The hearing in front of 11 Supreme Court Judges is expected to conclude on Thursday with their judgement due in January. A pump jack is seen at sunrise near Bakersfield, California October 14, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo By Scott DiSavino NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices slid on Wednesday on bearish U.S. petroleum inventory data and doubts that production cuts promised by OPEC and Russia would be deep enough to end a supply overhang that has weighed on markets for more than two years. Brent futures fell 93 cents, or 1.7 percent, to settle at $53.00 a barrel, while U.S. crude lost $1.16, or 2.3 percent, to settle at $49.77. The U.S. Energy Information Administration EIA said crude inventories fell 2.4 million barrels during the week ended Dec. 2, which was more than the 1 million-barrel draw analysts had forecast in a Reuters poll. [EIA/S] Stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub for U.S. crude futures, however, increased by a hefty 3.8 million barrels last week, the most since 2009, the data showed. Reaction to the EIA report was muted, analysts said, in part because the results were similar to the data published by the American Petroleum Institute (API), an industry group, late on Tuesday. "Focus at the moment is on the key producers and OPEC and growing doubts non-OPEC producers will be able to come up with 600,000 barrels of cuts," said Matt Smith, director of commodity research at ClipperData in Louisville, Kentucky. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries last week agreed to slash output by around 1.2 million barrels per day beginning in January to reduce global oversupply and prop up oil prices. OPEC hopes non-OPEC countries will contribute a further 600,000 bpd of cuts. Russia has said it would reduce output by around 300,000 bpd. Nigeria's Oil Minister, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, said on Wednesday OPEC's deal to cut production will go ahead even if Russia becomes the only non-OPEC country to commit to reduce output at a meeting this weekend. "While this weekend's meeting with non-OPEC producers will likely be hyped as a major breakthrough, we are maintaining an opinion that any non-OPEC production cuts will be largely of the involuntary variety," Jim Ritterbusch, president of Chicago-based energy advisory firm Ritterbusch & Associates, said in a note. Oil prices surged almost 20 percent after OPEC and Russia announced plans to cut production, but since then both OPEC and Russia have reported record production. In addition, Nigeria, which is exempt from the OPEC cuts, said on Wednesday it hoped to boost its oil production to 2.1 million bpd in January, up from 1.9 million bpd now. (Additional reporting by Christopher Johnson in London and Henning Gloystein in Singapore; Editing by Jason Neely and Richard Chang) Triumph Group, Inc. (NYSE: TGI) and Gores Small Capitalization Partners, an affiliate of The Gores Group announced today the definitive agreement to acquire Triumph Air Repair, the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Overhaul Operations of Triumph Aviation Services Asia, Ltd. and Triumph Engines - Tempe. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in early 2017. The combined businesses generated revenues of approximately $81 million in Triumph Groups fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Triumph Air Repair and the APU Overhaul Operations of Triumph Aviation Services Asia are the worlds leading independent aerospace component maintenance, repair, and overhaul service providers focused on APUs and related products. The businesses provide military, commercial, and regional airline customers with a comprehensive maintenance solution for their legacy and new APU engine models. The combined entity provides global coverage from two modern facilities located in Chandler, Arizona, and Chonburi, Thailand. Triumph Engines is a niche provider of hot-section component manufacturing and repair services for original equipment manufacturers, aircraft operators, and repair and overhaul providers. The business is a one-stop shop offering extensive and unique capabilities, including complex machining, engineering, inspection, non-destructive testing, and thermal coatings. Triumph Engines is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona. We are very excited to start this new chapter with Triumphs Engines and APU businesses, said Jon Gimbel, Managing Director of The Gores Group. The combined company will continue to provide its customers with high quality service and unparalleled technical expertise. This acquisition creates a strong global platform, and we look forward to partnering with management to help position the business as a standalone entity and accelerate its growth, both organically and through acquisitions. The acquired company will retain its management, technical and supporting staff, and will continue operations at its current facilities in Arizona and Thailand. It is expected that full integration of the companies will be completed in 2017. Earlier this year, Triumph Group President and CEO, Dan Crowley, announced a transformation plan that includes divesting non-core businesses to enable reinvestment and position the company for long-term success. With the sale of Triumph Air Repair, the APU Overhaul Operations of Triumph Aviation Services Asia, and Triumph Engines Tempe, Triumph continues to execute on our timeline in support of our transformation, said Crowley. I am confident that The Gores Group will be responsible stewards for the business and accelerate the growth as a more focused operation. Seale & Associates acted as exclusive financial advisor to Triumph on the transaction. Scott Pruitt Attorney General of Oklahoma arrives to meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., December 7, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid By Valerie Volcovici and David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Donald Trump will name Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, an ardent opponent of President Barack Obama's measures to curb climate change, as head of the Environmental Protection Agency, a Trump transition team official said on Wednesday, a choice that enraged green activists and cheered the oil industry. Trump's choice of Pruitt fits neatly with the Republican president-elect's promise to cut back the EPA and free up drilling and coal mining, and signals the likely rollback of much of Obama's environmental agenda. Since becoming the top prosecutor for the major oil- and gas-producing state in 2011, Pruitt, 48, has launched multiple lawsuits against regulations put forward by the agency he is now poised to lead, suing to block federal measures to reduce smog and curb toxic emissions from power plants. He is also a leading figure in a legal effort by several states to throw out the EPA's Clean Power Plan, the centerpiece of Obama's climate change strategy that requires states to curb carbon output. In an interview with Reuters in September, Pruitt said he sees the Clean Power Plan as a form of federal "coercion and commandeering" of energy policy and that his state should have "sovereignty to make decisions for its own markets." Pruitt has also said he is skeptical of climate change. In an opinion piece in an Oklahoma newspaper this year, he wrote that he believes the debate over global warming is "far from settled" and that scientists continue to disagree on the issue. An overwhelming majority of scientists around the world say manmade emissions are warming the planet. The Obama administration finalized the Clean Power Plan in 2015 as a key part of meeting U.S. obligations under the Paris Climate Agreement, an accord among nearly 200 countries to curb global warming. Many scientists say warming is causing rising sea levels, drought, and an increase in ferocious storms. Trump vowed during his campaign to pull the United States out of the Paris deal, saying it would put American businesses at a competitive disadvantage. Since the election, however, Trump has said he will keep an "open mind" about the climate deal, and also met with former Vice President Al Gore, a leading climate change activist. [L1N1E025U] Trump, a real estate magnate who takes office on Jan. 20, is in the midst of building his administration and is holding scores of interviews at his office in New York. 'FOX GUARDING THE HENHOUSE' Environmental groups and former Obama officials bristled at the choice of Pruitt, and some lawmakers, including U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, said they would fight his nomination. "Scott Pruitt running the EPA is like the fox guarding the henhouse," said Gene Karpinski, president of the League of Conservation Voters, which supported Trump's opponent in the election, Democrat Hillary Clinton. "Time and again, he has fought to pad the profits of Big Polluters at the expense of public health," Karpinski said. Heather Zichal, a former deputy assistant to the president for energy and climate change under Obama, said Trump's choice was alarming. "You can meet with Al Gore on Monday, pledge to keep Teddy Roosevelt's environmental legacy alive on Tuesday, but if you nominate the Clean Power Act's leading opponent to head the EPA on Wednesday, you're making an unequivocal statement about the direction of your leadership," she said. Sanders, who campaigned for the Democratic nomination for president on a promise to combat climate change, said he will "vigorously oppose" Pruitt's nomination. The EPA position must be confirmed by a vote in the U.S. Senate. But representatives of the oil industry, and some Republican lawmakers, were cheered by the pick. Scott Segal, an energy industry lobbyist at Bracewell LLP called Pruitt "a measured and articulate student of environmental law and policy" who helped "keep EPA faithful to its statutory authority and respectful of the role of the states in our system of cooperative federalism." U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, also a climate change skeptic, said "Pruitt has fought back against unconstitutional and overzealous environmental regulations like Waters of the U.S. and the Clean Power Plan; he has proven that being a good steward of the environment does not mean burdening tax payers and businesses with red tape." Trump aides praised Pruitt's conservative record. "Attorney General Pruitt has a strong conservative record as a state prosecutor and has demonstrated a familiarity with laws and regulations impacting a large energy resource state," one of the aides said on a transition team briefing call on Wednesday. (Additional Reporting by David Shepardson; Writing by Richard Valdmanis; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Frances Kerry) I did not vote for President-elect Donald Trump, but I applaud his phone call with the president of Taiwan. For too long the United States has kowtowed to the bullies of Beijing. They may claim that Taiwan is part of China, but that should not mean the people of Taiwan have to submit to the tyrants who rule China. We want good relations with China, but that should not blind us to the abysmal human rights record of the Chinese government. We should not be afraid to displease the Chinese government when we have good reason. Taiwan is in practice an independent country. And the people of that country, like all people, should be able to choose their own government. Our Declaration of Independence says that just governments rule by consent of the people. If we really believe that principle, we should support the efforts of other people to choose their own government. Taiwan is a democracy, albeit imperfect, in contrast to China. The pseudo-communist rulers in Beijing have a right to incorporate Taiwan into their government when and if the people of Taiwan consent to their rule. Wayne Shockley, Brooklyn MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- Gigya, the leader in Customer Identity Management, announced today that KuppingerCole, a global research firm specializing in security and data protection, has recognized Gigya as the Overall Leader in Consumer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) in a new Leadership Compass report on CIAM Platforms. A free copy of the report is available for download -- no registration required -- at www.gigya.com/compass. The report examines 12 CIAM vendors and ranks them in four categories: Overall Leadership, Product Leadership, Market Leadership, and Innovation Leadership. Gigya is the only company named an Overall Leader, and is the only company to be named a Leader in all four categories. "Consumer Identity and Access Management is (a category that) has emerged in the last few years to meet evolving business requirements," says the report, written by KuppingerCole analyst John Tolbert. "Many organizations are feeling and responding to the pressure to provide a better customer experience and return more on the investment in their online presences and user databases. To do so, they must capture more identity data from customers, with their outright consent, and then transform it into meaningful information to increase customer satisfaction and, ultimately, improve their bottom lines." Regarding Gigya, the reports says, "In the market for CIAM (we find) Gigya is the dominant player with the strongest offerings." KuppingerCole, headquartered in Wiesbaden, Germany, is an international and independent analyst organization that offers neutral advice, expertise, thought leadership and practical relevance in information security, identity and access management, risk management and compliance, and governance, as well as digital transformation. "The CIAM market is emerging and there are now vendors with mature products that are capable of managing many millions of identities and processing potentially billions of logins and transactions per day," said Martin Kuppinger, Founder and Principal Analyst of KuppingerCole. "Gigya's focus on consumer experience and integrating identity into marketing tools provides a powerful platform for not only managing customer identities, but also for creating usable intelligence to better serve those customers -- making them an overall leader in CIAM." Patrick Salyer, chief executive officer of Gigya, said: "We are honored to be recognized as the leader in CIAM by KuppingerCole, given their deep expertise in managing and protecting identities. KuppingerCole's report makes a compelling case for CIAM as a powerful tool for building trusted relationships that transform unknown online users into known customers. That is our mission at Gigya: To help our clients around the world connect with consumers across the web, mobile devices and the Internet of Things; collect relevant privacy compliant profile information; and convert that data into a personalized customer experience." About Gigya Gigya's Customer Identity Management platform is helping companies build trusted digital relationships with over 1.1 billion consumers. With Gigya's technology, businesses increase registrations and identify customers across devices, consolidate data into rich customer profiles and provide better services, products and experiences by integrating data into marketing and service applications. For global businesses operating in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape, Gigya optimizes compliance and customer trust, with discrete regional data centers and customer self-service options for managing profile, preference, opt-in and consent settings. More than 700 of the world's leading businesses rely on Gigya to build identity-driven relationships and to provide scalable, secure and compliant customer identity and access management. Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/12/6/11G124347/Images/Gigya_-_Patrick_Salyer-aa59154b1533979d885af6ad1e4d967b.JPG Media ContactMike LangbergGigya+1 650 353 [email protected] Source: Gigya RAS AL KHAIMAH, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The 5th International Conference on Electronic Devices, Systems and Applications (ICEDSA 2016), sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), was today launched in Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005480/en/ Organizers and keynote speakers at the ICEDSA 2016 Conference at AURAK (Photo: ME NewsWire) Taking place on the AURAK campus, the conference runs until Thursday, December 8, and focuses on the latest theoretical and practical developments in the field of electronic devices, systems and applications. The conference was organized by the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) in conjunction with its strategic partner, the Universiti Teknologi Mara, a Malaysian university based in Shah Alam, Selangor. A branch of the local Ras Al Khaimah government, RAK Municipality, sponsored the three-day event. The ICEDSA 2016 opening remarks were delivered by Professor Eesa Bastaki, chair of the conference and honorary chairman of the IEEEs UAE section, and featured a keynote session with prominent speakers such as Prof. Ahmed Kishk, Dr. Ayman Alnashar, Prof. Rabab Ward and Prof. Amine Bermak. Speaking of the conferences importance, Professor Mousa Mohsen, Dean of the AURAK School of Engineering, commented, The fact that we are hosting such a prestigious conference is a demonstration of how quickly this university is developing. IEEE is the most distinguished professional association in our field, so it is a great honor for us to be the hub for this event, where great minds have come to interact and share knowledge. Over the next three days a number of parallel sessions will be taking place across the universitys campus, with more than one hundred academic papers being presented. Prof. Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, president of AURAK, added, It gives me immense satisfaction when I see people travelling from around the world to participate in conferences at our university. This is just further evidence that AURAK is quickly becoming one of the UAEs leading universities. The American University of Ras Al Khaimahs School of Engineering offers a total of eleven programs, including bachelors degrees in electronics and communications engineering, computer engineering and computer science, making the conference particularly relevant for the large number of students who attended. *Source: ME NewsWire View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005480/en/ American University of Ras Al Khaimah Eoin Brown, +971-7-221-0900 Ext: 1325 Marketing and Public Relations Department [email protected] Source: AURAK WEST DES MOINES, IA -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- Dave Rinehart, a director of outbound sales with Sammons Financial Group Member Companies (SFG), has been honored with the Patriot Award by the Iowa Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense (DOD) office, in recognition of extraordinary support of Josh Woodvine, an SFG employee who serves as a sergeant in the Iowa Army National Guard. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures, including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed. Rinehart was nominated by his employee, Sergeant Josh Woodvine, for being highly supportive of Josh's duties -- a critical component to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation's National Guard units. "Dave has been an exemplary supervisor, and on multiple occasions, has helped accommodate my schedule while participating in duties required by the military," says Sergeant Woodvine. "Without his support, balancing my work life with my military responsibilities would have been extremely difficult." For Dave Rinehart, the support comes easy. "I've always admired the commitment and sacrifice of the volunteers in the Army National Guard," says Rinehart. "The work they do to serve and protect our nation is admirable, and needs to be fully supported in every way. I'm honored to receive this award." "We couldn't be more proud of Dave and Josh," said Cindy Reed, president of Sammons Annuity Group. "While Josh fulfills his responsibilities in the Iowa National Guard, Dave provides him with support and flexibility here at Sammons Financial Group so he can freely serve our country." For more information about ESGR outreach programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil. ABOUT SAMMONS FINANCIAL GROUP Sammons Financial Group, Inc. (SFG), an SEI wholly-owned subsidiary, is the parent of a group of member companies under the insurance Holding Company Act made up of several successful financial services companies offering a variety of financial and retirement products through multiple distribution channels. These consist of retirement products, annuities, variable annuities1, variable life insurance1, and life insurance (including bank, corporate, and credit union-owned life insurance). The member companies of SFG include North American Company for Life and Health Insurance, Midland National Life Insurance Company, including its divisions, Sammons Annuity Group and Sammons Corporate Markets Group, Sammons Retirement Solutions Inc., and Sammons Financial Network LLC. For more information, please visit www.sammonsfinancialgroup.com Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/12/6/11G124385/Images/IMG_0754-b00dbdac1474bc7694fc30229219179e.jpg Contact: John MyersAssociate Vice PresidentCorporate CommunicationsEmail contactwww.sammonsfinancialgroup.com Source: Sammons Financial Group, Inc. HONG KONG,CHINA -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704) (TSE: 4704), a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, today released its annual security prediction report, "The Next Tier -- 8 Security Predictions for 2017." The upcoming year will include an increased breadth and depth of attacks, with malicious threat actors differentiating their tactics to capitalize on the changing technology landscape. "Next year will take the cybersecurity industry into new territory after 2016's threat landscape opened doors for cybercriminals to explore a wider range of attacks and attack surfaces," said Raimund Genes, chief technology officer for Trend Micro. "We foresee the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) causing extensive data management changes for companies around the world, new attack methods threatening corporations, expanding ransomware tactics impacting more devices and cyber-propaganda swaying public opinion." In 2016, there was a large increase in Apple vulnerabilities, with 50 disclosed, along with 135 Adobe bugs and 76 affecting Microsoft. This apparent shift in exploits against vulnerable software will continue in 2017 as Microsoft's mitigations continue to improve and Apple is seen as a more prominent operating system. The Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) will play a larger role in targeted attacks in 2017. These attacks will capitalize upon the growing acceptance of connected devices by exploiting vulnerabilities and unsecured systems to disrupt business processes, as we saw with Mirai. The increasing use of mobile devices to monitor control systems in manufacturing and industrial environments will be combined with the significant number of vulnerabilities found in these systems to pose threats to organizations. Business Email Compromise (BEC) and Business Process Compromise (BPC) will continue to grow as a cost-effective and relatively simple form of corporate extortion. A BEC attack might yield $140,000 by luring an innocent employee to transfer money to a criminal's account. Alternatively, hacking directly into a financial transaction system, while requiring more work, will result in far greater financial windfalls for criminals -- as much as $81 million. "We continue to see cybercriminals evolving to the changing technology landscape," said Ed Cabrera, chief cybersecurity officer for Trend Micro. "While new ransomware saw an exponential increase in 2016, that growth is no longer sustainable, so attackers will find new ways to use existing malware families. Similarly, changes in IoT open new doors to go after additional attack surfaces, and software changes push criminals toward finding different types of flaws." Highlights from the 2017 predications report include: The number of new ransomware families is predicted to plateau, only growing 25 percent, but will branch out into IoT devices and non-desktop computing terminals, like PoS systems or ATMs Vendors will not secure IoT and IIoT devices in time to prevent denial of service and other attacks New vulnerabilities will continue to be discovered in Apple and Adobe, which will then be added to exploit kits With 46 percent of the world's population now connected to the internet, the rise in cyber-propaganda will continue as new world leaders are appointed, potentially influencing public opinion with inaccurate information As seen in the Bangladesh Bank attack early in 2016, BPC attacks can allow cybercriminals to alter business processes and gain significant profits, and BEC attacks will continue to be useful to extort businesses via unsuspecting employees GDPR will force policy and administrative changes that will greatly impact costs and require organizations to conduct complete reviews of data processes to ensure compliance New targeted attack methods will focus on evading modern detection techniques to allow threat actors to target different organizations To obtain Trend Micro's 2017 threat predictions, visit HERE. About Trend Micro Trend Micro Incorporated, a global leader in cyber security solutions, helps to make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Our innovative solutions for consumers, businesses, and governments provide layered security for data centers, cloud environments, networks, and endpoints. All our products work together to seamlessly share threat intelligence and provide a connected threat defense with centralized visibility and control, enabling better, faster protection. With more than 5,000 employees in over 50 countries and the world's most advanced global threat intelligence, Trend Micro enables users to enjoy their digital lives safely. For more information, visit www.trendmicro.com.hk. MEDIA CONTACT: Claudius Lam Trend Micro + 852 2866 4362 (Office) + 852 9022 0876 (Mobile) Email Contact Source: Trend Micro BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian authorities searched houses and detained eight people for questioning on suspicion of supporting Islamic State financially and through the recruitment of fighters for the Syrian civil war, federal prosecutors said on Tuesday. The prosecutors said nine houses were searched in a district of Brussels, as well as the cities of Bruges, Antwerp and Sint-Niklaas. No weapons or explosives were found. "Those concerned are suspected to be involved in recruiting people to leave for Syria and having financially supported IS," prosecutors said in a statement, adding a judge would decide whether they would be detained further. In a separate announcement on Tuesday, prosecutors said they had arrested a fourth suspect, a 43-year-old Belgian man named as Reski A., in the case of a police stabbing in August which was claimed by Islamic State. (Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska and Robert-Jan Bartunek; Editing by Janet Lawrence) KINSHASA (Reuters) - Congolese troops last week detained dozens of South Sudanese soldiers who were fleeing a rebel attack across the border, a local radio station and aid workers said on Tuesday, increasing fears of spillover from South Sudan's conflict. More than 57,000 South Sudanese refugees have poured into Democratic Republic of Congo this year as fighting between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and various rebel groups inches south towards Congo and Uganda. Valentin Ngaito, editor of a community radio station in the Congolese town of Aba, 10 km (six miles) south of the border, told Reuters that Congolese troops detained 41 South Sudanese soldiers and one police officer on Saturday after they fled a rebel assault over the frontier. "They came with their families - women and children. They remained at the military headquarters until (Monday)," he said, adding that he believed the regional U.N. mission had since transported them to the town of Dungu, about 200 km away. The U.N. mission, the Congolese army and the Congolese government were not immediately available for comment and Reuters was unable to independently verify the account. But Medard Mokobke Mabe, a coordinator for the Red Cross in the area, said that South Sudanese soldiers had been detained after having crossed the border. He did not know how many. U.N. Congo mission chief Maman Sidikou told the Security Council on Monday that concern was increasing about the spillover effects from the South Sudan conflict into Congo. More than one million people have fled South Sudan since the conflict erupted in December 2013 following a dispute between Kiir and his former vice-president, Riek Machar. It is the largest exodus from conflict in central Africa since the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The increasingly ethnic nature of the violence led the United Nations to warn last month of the risk of genocide. Machar and more than 750 supporters fled into Congo in August after fierce fighting in the South Sudan capital Juba. They were evacuated by the U.N. mission from northeastern Congo to receive medical care. Most are still staying on U.N. bases. The influx of rebel fighters from volatile neighbors is a sensitive theme in Congo, where the flow of Hutu militiamen from neighboring Rwanda after its genocide helped trigger years of regional conflict in eastern Congo that killed millions. (Reporting by Aaron Ross; editing by Edward McAllister and Mark Heinrich) Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech during his meeting with mukhtars at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, December 1, 2016. Yasin Bulbul/Presidential Palace/Handout via REUTERS By Gilbert Reilhac NICOSIA (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan may be more willing to back a deal to reunite the divided island of Cyprus following Turkey's failed army coup in July, the Cypriot foreign minister said on Tuesday. The latest round of U.N.-brokered talks, held in Switzerland in November, failed to conclude an agreement to bring the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides under one umbrella and the two sides are set to meet again in January. Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said July's failed military coup, which led to the arrests and sackings of many army officials, could free Erdogan to accept a withdrawal of Turkish forces stationed in northern Cyprus since 1974. Turkey's once-mighty military has long taken a hawkish stance on the Cyprus issue. "We are in the process of resolving all the internal issues in this story, but the issue that will lead to a solution or failure is the security issue," said Kasoulides, whose country has made a Turkish army withdrawal a precondition. "For the (Turkish) army, the problem was solved in 1974, but my analysis is that, since the failed coup d'etat, the army obstacle no longer exists," he told reporters in Nicosia. Cyprus was split on ethnic lines after a Turkish invasion in 1974 prompted by a brief Greek-inspired coup. A U.N.-patrolled ceasefire line still runs across the island from east to west and thousands of Turkish troops are stationed in the north. The internationally recognized Cypriot government, a member of the European Union, presides over about 800,000 Greek Cypriots in the south of the island, while the breakaway Turkish Cypriot administration in the north, governing some 220,000 Turkish Cypriots, is recognized only by Ankara. Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci will reconvene with the United Nations on Jan. 9 in Geneva before being joined three days later by Greece, Britain and Turkey, which guarantee the constitutional settlement on the island. Other powers, including members of the U.N. Security Council who would rubberstamp any deal, could also attend those talks during which new proposals will be made, Kasoulides said. With ties between the EU and Turkey now very strained and little prospect of Turkey's accession to the bloc, Kasoulides added, Erdogan could seek a Cyprus deal to secure Ankara's wider interests in the east Mediterranean. "Turkey's motivation today is not accession to the European Union. It's more Syria, (the northern Iraqi city of) Mosul and taking advantage of the gas fields that could transit from its territory to Europe," he said. (Writing by John Irish; Editing by Gareth Jones) A sign is seen at the European Commission (EC) headquarters ahead of statements by the EC on the effectiveness of existing measures against tax evasion and money-laundering in light of the recent Panama Paper revelations, in Brussels, Belgium, April 12, 2 By Francesco Guarascio BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Plans to overhaul European Union rules on bank capital were strongly criticized by several EU finance ministers on Tuesday, increasing uncertainty over financial regulation. The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, proposed in November a wide-ranging reform of rules on bank capital requirements and loss-absorbing buffers, mostly to incorporate into EU law agreements reached at global level. But as EU finance ministers debated the proposals for the first time, many blasted the Commission plan, raising concerns about several elements. Ministers from Eastern European countries and smaller EU states, such as Luxembourg, rejected a Commission proposal to allow EU banks to hold capital only in their home countries. The reform is intended to reduce costs for banks, which would no longer be required to hold capital buffers across national subsidiaries. But smaller countries in which foreign lenders operate fear that may mean bank subsidiaries are insufficiently capitalized, with negative consequences for local taxpayers if they fail. European schemes to protect banks and depositors at EU level are already in place, but smaller states think that is not enough. Luxembourg finance minister Pierre Gramegna urged the Commission to make sure the proposal would not reduce financial stability and security for local bank depositors. British finance minister Philip Hammond criticized another Commission proposal which would require non-EU systemic banks to reorganize their activities in the EU under a holding company. The plan aims at making big lenders safer but would also increase their costs. Big U.S. banks would be the first to be hit, but as Britain prepares to negotiate its exit from the EU, London fears British lenders may be affected after Brexit. European Central Bank Vice President Vitor Constancio also chipped in, saying the proposals did not sufficiently address the divergent application of banking rules in EU states, and warning that supervisors may find it difficult to oversee banks. Germany, the biggest EU economy, has also criticized the Commission's plan for not appropriately reducing bank risks. Berlin fears it could end up rescuing lenders from weaker euro zone states with German taxpayers' money, if banks are not pushed to ensure their capital shields are sufficient. (Reporting by Francesco Guarascio; Editing by Catherine Evans) A Ford logo is pictured at a store of the automaker, in Mexico City, Mexico, April 5, 2016. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido/File Photo DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co (NYSE: F) by Wednesday had released for sale more than half of the 15,000 F-150 pickup trucks with 10-speed transmissions that were held to ensure quality, a company spokeswoman said. Reuters reported on Tuesday that shipment of some of the 2017 models of the F-150 were being delayed to keep from having quality issues during the first application of a 10-speed transmission. In an interview with Reuters earlier this week, Joe Hinrichs, head of Ford in the Americas, said holding the trucks was the prudent thing to do. "In the normal course of business, when we have a new product launch this is a new product launch for that transmission we wanted to be extra sure, to do extra testing, Hinrichs said. Ford designed the 10-speed transmission jointly with Detroit rival General Motors Co (NYSE: GM). The 2017 model F-150s equipped with a 3.5-liter, six-cylinder engine and the 10-speed automatic gearbox get a one-mile-per-gallon improvement in fuel economy over comparable 2016 models with six-speed transmissions, according to federal fuel economy data. The delayed shipments of 2017 model year F-150 trucks occurred as rival General Motors Co (NYSE: GM) is aggressively trying to cut into Ford's lead in U.S. pickup sales. This year will be the 40th straight year that the F-Series pickup trucks from Ford are the best-selling truck in the United States and the 35th consecutive year of it being the top-selling model of any kind. Hinrichs said the delayed shipments will not affect the company's fourth-quarter profit picture because they will all be shipped by year's end. (Reporting by Bernie Woodall and Joseph White; Editing by Chris Reese and Jonathan Oatis) By Luiza Ilie BUCHAREST (Reuters) - When Nicusor Dan, a quiet mathematician with almost no political experience, addresses voters ahead of Romania's Dec. 11 parliamentary election, he makes no promises of public sector wage hikes or grand infrastructure works. In a country where populist rhetoric during election campaigns is the norm, that may be a risky strategy. But Dan, 46, has succeeded in building a political party in under six months which may hold the balance of power after the election. Promising an overhaul of public services, the former civic activist appears to have attracted younger, educated voters tired of unfinished reforms, graft and cronyism rife in Romania since the fall of communism in 1989. "There is a (group) of people aware of the damage inflicted by the former political class and they are instinctively coming to the USR," Dan said, speaking from his tiny party headquarters in an apartment building. Surveys show his Save Romania Union (USR) winning between eight and 19 percent of votes, potentially enough to build a center-right coalition anchored around outgoing technocrat Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos, and defeat leftists now in the lead. But the fresh nature of the USR can also be a weakness. "The USR's qualities stem from ... the lack of image problems, its association with anti-corruption and protecting patrimony," said Sergiu Miscoiu, associate professor of political science at Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj. "Its main flaws are its all but total absence from villages, the fact its leaders are little known and a perception of its intellectual elitist superiority and the lack of a unifying ideology." While the leftist Social Democrats (PSD) top opinion polls with roughly 40 percent of public support, without an outright majority they may lose its chance to form a government if a stronger coalition emerges. The main center-right grouping, the PNL, scores some 18-27 percent in opinion polls. International economists warn a PSD government, which has tapped into mounting public anger over austerity introduced in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, could cause friction with the European Union over budget spending. PRESERVING HERITAGE Dan, who holds a doctorate in mathematics from a French university, shot into the spotlight as a campaigner to preserve historic buildings and green spaces in Bucharest, after winning dozens of lawsuits against officials and property developers. Once a quietly elegant capital, with tree-lined boulevards and discreet villas designed by progressive Modernist architects in the 1920s and 30s, the city is now riddled with free-for-all construction. Many buildings fail to meet fire and other regulations, with the blame put often on corruption in local administration. Among them, a nightclub caught fire a year ago, killing 64 people, because it was filled beyond capacity, lacked emergency exits and fire safety permits. The fire triggered some of Romania's biggest protests in years against corruption, lack of accountability and a politicized public administration and led to the collapse of the leftist government. A caretaker cabinet of technocrats installed afterwards for one year has had some success in improving public transparency but many Romanians feel corruption and neglect still undermine prospects for meaningful improvement. "I will vote for the young people, those willing to do something to keep us in the country and offer us as many possibilities to work and raise families here," said Sorina Stuparu, a Bucharest doctor. (Editing by Justyna Pawlak and Ralph Boulton) MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish police seized 2,575 kg of cocaine on a fishing boat in the Mediterranean and along with their Moroccan counterparts arrested 24 people suspected of belonging to a drug smuggling ring, the Interior Ministry said on Tuesday. The group operated in Europe, Africa and South America and worked with a large fleet of boats, allowing it to break up cocaine shipments and making them hard to detect, the ministry said. Their shipment came from South America and had been bound for Spain, it added. The group was made up of Spaniards, Colombians and Moroccans. Police arrested 18 people in Morocco and six in Spain. The drugs were seized on a boat off the coast of Morocco, and the 12 people on board, all of whom were arrested, threw bundles containing cocaine overboard after police ships and a helicopter closed in on them, the ministry said. (Reporting by Sarah White; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky) 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): December 7, 2016 Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Canada 001-13425 N/A (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) 9500 Glenlyon Parkway, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5J0C6 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (778) 331-5500 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) N/A (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 (see General Instruction A.2. below): o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Item 8.01 Other Events On December 7, 2016, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated (Ritchie Bros.) issued a press release announcing it had priced its previously announced offering of US$500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior notes due January 15, 2025 (the Notes), subject to customary closing conditions. A copy of the press release announcing the pricing of the Notes is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. The Notes have been offered and sold only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and outside the U.S. to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S of the Securities Act. The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The Notes have not been and will not be qualified for sale to the public by prospectus under applicable Canadian securities laws and accordingly, any offer and sale of the securities in Canada will be made on a basis which is exempt from the prospectus requirements of such securities laws. Forward-looking statements This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable U.S. and Canadian securities legislation (collectively, forward-looking statements), including, in particular, statements regarding Ritchie Bros ability to consummate the notes offering and, if consummated, the terms and conditions of the proposed IronPlanet acquisition, the expected timetable for completing the IronPlanet transaction, Ritchie Bros. and Iron Planets future financial and operational results, benefits and synergies of the IronPlanet transaction, future opportunities for the combined businesses of Ritchie Bros. and IronPlanet, the terms and potential benefits of the previously announced proposed transaction between Ritchie Bros. and Caterpillar Inc. (Caterpillar) and any other statements regarding events or developments that Ritchie Bros. believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as expect, plan, anticipate, project, target, potential, schedule, forecast, budget, estimate, intend or believe and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or statements that events or conditions will, would, may, could, should or might occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Ritchie Bros. control, including risks and uncertainties related to: general economic conditions and conditions affecting the industries in which Ritchie Bros., IronPlanet and Caterpillar. operate; obtaining regulatory approvals in connection with the IronPlanet transaction; each of Ritchie Bros. and IronPlanets ability to satisfy the merger agreement conditions and consummate the transaction on the anticipated timetable, or at all; Ritchie Bros.' ability to successfully integrate IronPlanet's operations and employees with Ritchie Bros.' existing business; the ability to realize anticipated growth, synergies and cost savings in the IronPlanet transaction; the maintenance of important business relationships; the effects of the IronPlanet transaction on relationships with employees, customers, other business partners or governmental entities; transaction costs; Ritchie Bros. ability to manage its indebtedness; risks associated with Ritchie Bros. incurrence of additional indebtedness; Ritchie Bros. ability to maintain compliance with covenants under the agreements governing its indebtedness; downgrades of Ritchie Bros. credit ratings; deterioration of or instability of the economy, the markets Ritchie Bros. serves or the financial markets generally; as well as the risks and uncertainties set forth in Ritchie Bros. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and Ritchie Bros. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, which are available on the SEC, SEDAR, and Ritchie Bros. website. The foregoing list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect Ritchie Bros. forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and Ritchie Bros. does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein unless required by applicable securities legislation. For the reasons set forth above, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits. (d) Exhibits: 99.1 Press Release announcing the commencement of the Notes Offering, dated December 7, 2016. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED By: /s/ Darren Watt Darren Watt General Counsel & Corporate Secretary Date: December 7, 2016 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit No. Description 99.1 Press Release announcing the commencement of the Notes Offering, dated December 7, 2016. Exhibit 99.1 News Release Ritchie Bros. Announces Pricing of US$500,000,000 Senior Notes Offering to Partially Fund IronPlanet Acquisition VANCOUVER, BC December 7, 2016 Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated (NYSE & TSX: RBA, Ritchie Bros.), today announced that it has priced its previously announced offering of US$500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior notes due January 15, 2025 (the Notes) subject to customary closing conditions. The Notes will be issued at par. Ritchie Bros. intends to use the net proceeds, together with proceeds from its delayed-draw term loan and cash on hand or available under its revolving facilities, to fund the consideration payable in the previously announced acquisition of IronPlanet Holdings, Inc. (IronPlanet) and related fees and expenses. The gross proceeds from the offering, together with additional amounts from cash on hand or borrowings from our existing credit facilities to prefund accrued interest, will be held in an escrow account pending the consummation of the IronPlanet acquisition. The Notes have been offered and sold only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and outside the U.S. to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S of the Securities Act. The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The Notes have not been and will not be qualified for sale to the public by prospectus under applicable Canadian securities laws and accordingly, any offer and sale of the securities in Canada will be made on a basis which is exempt from the prospectus requirements of such securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. About Ritchie Bros. Established in 1958, Ritchie Bros. (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is the worlds largest industrial auctioneer, and one of the worlds largest sellers of used equipment for the construction, transportation, agriculture, energy, mining, forestry and other industries. Ritchie Bros.TM asset management and disposition solutions include live unreserved public auctions with on-site and online bidding; EquipmentOneTM, an online auction marketplace; Mascus, a global online equipment listing service; private negotiated sales through Ritchie Bros. Private Treaty; and a range of ancillary services, including financing and leasing through Ritchie Bros. Financial Services. Ritchie Bros. has operations in 18 countries, including 45 auction sites worldwide. News Release Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable U.S. and Canadian securities legislation (collectively, forward-looking statements), including, in particular, statements regarding Ritchie Bros ability to consummate the notes offering and, if consummated, the terms and conditions of the proposed IronPlanet acquisition, the expected timetable for completing the IronPlanet transaction, Ritchie Bros. and Iron Planets future financial and operational results, benefits and synergies of the IronPlanet transaction, future opportunities for the combined businesses of Ritchie Bros. and IronPlanet, the terms and potential benefits of the previously announced proposed transaction between Ritchie Bros. and Caterpillar Inc. (Caterpillar) and any other statements regarding events or developments that Ritchie Bros. believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as expect, plan, anticipate, project, target, potential, schedule, forecast, budget, estimate, intend or believe and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or statements that events or conditions will, would, may, could, should or might occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Ritchie Bros. control, including risks and uncertainties related to: general economic conditions and conditions affecting the industries in which Ritchie Bros., IronPlanet and Caterpillar. operate; obtaining regulatory approvals in connection with the IronPlanet transaction; each of Ritchie Bros. and IronPlanets ability to satisfy the merger agreement conditions and consummate the transaction on the anticipated timetable, or at all; Ritchie Bros.' ability to successfully integrate IronPlanet's operations and employees with Ritchie Bros.' existing business; the ability to realize anticipated growth, synergies and cost savings in the IronPlanet transaction; the maintenance of important business relationships; the effects of the IronPlanet transaction on relationships with employees, customers, other business partners or governmental entities; transaction costs; Ritchie Bros. ability to manage its indebtedness; risks associated with Ritchie Bros. incurrence of additional indebtedness; Ritchie Bros. ability to maintain compliance with covenants under the agreements governing its indebtedness; downgrades of Ritchie Bros. credit ratings; deterioration of or instability of the economy, the markets Ritchie Bros. serves or the financial markets generally; as well as the risks and uncertainties set forth in Ritchie Bros. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and Ritchie Bros. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, which are available on the SEC, SEDAR, and Ritchie Bros. website. The foregoing list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect Ritchie Bros. forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and Ritchie Bros. does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein unless required by applicable securities legislation. For the reasons set forth above, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For more information, please contact: Jamie Kokoska Director, Investor Relations Phone: 778 331 5500 Email: [email protected] Egyptian authorities have busted a network of organ trafficking, saying the large international group allegedly bought organs from poor Egyptians and sold them to customers from other countries. Egypts Administrative Control Authority said in a statement on Tuesday that the group of organ traffickers included university professors and doctors from Egypt and other Arab countries. "Today at dawn, the largest international network for trading human organs has been captured," said the statement. In addition to university professors and doctors, owners of medical centers, intermediaries and brokers were also among the 25 detainees. The Egyptian authority, which tracks corruption cases in the countrys state institutions, said the network was taking "advantage of some of the citizens' difficult economic conditions so that they buy their human organs and sell it for large sums of money." The statement said those arrested possessed "millions of dollars and gold bullion." A report in 2010 by the World Health Organization named Egypt as one of the top five countries in illegal organ trade. The announcement prompted Egypt's parliament to pass a law that banned commercial trade in organs as well as transplants between Egyptians and foreigners, except in cases of husband and wife. The United Nations has also issued reports saying that Egyptians are still involved in illegal organs trade. The reports claim that hundreds of poor Egyptians sell their kidneys and livers each year to pay for their food and debts. There were also reports in 2012 showing that refugees in the Sinai were being "killed for the traffic of organs." Russia and China have vetoed a UN Security Council resolution which would have mandated a seven-day ceasefire in Syrias Aleppo. On Monday, Russia stated that a truce would only permit the militants to regroup and that the subject requires further talks between Moscow and Washington. The resolution, drafted by New Zealand, Egypt and Spain, was also blocked by Venezuela, while Angola abstained from voting with the remaining 11 members voting in its favor. These kinds of pauses have been used by fighters to reinforce their ammunition and to strengthen their positions and this will only worsen the suffering of civilians," said Vitaly Churkin, Russias permanent envoy to the UN. The draft resolution contradicts the work of the Council because it was put in a late time today, and it is not possible to vote on it before tomorrow, in addition there was no consensus on this issue, he added. He noted the draft resolution also contradicts upcoming talks between Russian and American experts aimed at removal of all militants from eastern Aleppo. The draft resolution put for voting today didnt include any talk about the exit of gunmen from the eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo, but about an immediate ceasefire, thus, it will be left ten days for the gunmen to mobilize their forces and re-organize their ranks, he said. Syria's envoy to the UN Bashar al-Ja'afari said that the draft resolution had been an attempt by Western countries to support the militants in Aleppo. He noted that the US, France and Britain, who all voted for the resolution, were turning a blind eye towards the suffering of civilians in Aleppo by supporting the terrorists. He further vowed that the Syrian army would continue to battle the terrorists until they are all destroyed. UPDATED: 1.40pm: State Highway 2 is now open following a serious motorbike crash. Diversions were placed around the scene of a serious car vs motorcycle accident at the SH2, where it intersects with Omokoroa Road, about 11.40am. The motorcyclist is in a serious condition in Tauranga Hospital. Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager Senior Sergeant Ian Campion thanks motorists for their patience while emergency teams tended to the injured, made the scene examinations and removed the wreckage. Traffic was diverted along Barret and Youngson Roads. Earlier: A motorcyclist is in serious condition after being involved in a crash with a car on State Highway 2, near Omokoroa. A caller to the 0800 SUNLIVE news hotline says the crash is at the intersection of SH2 and Omokoroa Road. There are reports of large traffic delays as a result of the crash. Police say the motorcyclist is currently in serious condition and the road is blocked. Motorists are being advised to either avoid the area if possible or expect delays in their travels. Diversions are in place via Youngson Road, Old Highway and Esdaile Road for northbound traffic. Southbound traffic is being advised to use the reverse route. A reporter at the scene says police believe the highway will be blocked for about an hour. Tauranga MP and Cabinet Minister Simon Bridges has come out for the position of deputy Prime Minister with Bill English as Prime Minister. Hes reported on Stuff saying his candidacy is about demonstrating "strength, stability and rejuvenation". Bill English offers the strength and stability, he offers the change and rejuvenation. He expects Bill English will win, and thats the basis on which he is standing to be deputy. Simon says he wants to continue the approach of John Key in encouraging rejuvenation. "He gave me a chance as a minister and Im very grateful." Bridges wont discuss what his colleagues have said to him about his plans, but he feels he has "good and growing support". Until now Simon has been out of the media following John Keys announced resignation, effective on Monday. Simon Bridges declaration was made at a press conference this afternoon. Hes confident Bill English will be the partys new leader, and had not considered being part of another ticket. Simon is aged 40, and has been Tauranga MP since 2008 when he defeated New Zealand First leader Winston Peters by more than 11,000 votes. He was promoted to cabinet in 2013, and has held the energy and resources, labour and transport portfolios. The contest for Prime Minister is between Deputy Prime Minister Bill English, Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Corrections Minister Judith Collins. Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett may also be competing for the deputy prime ministers role. She has refused to say if she will run. Justine Kidd, formerly CEO of the BEL Group and Chair of the Dairy Womens Network, has a new role with the Shanghai Pengxins subsidiary Milk New Zealand. She has been appointed CEO Agribusiness responsible for the 16 Central North Island farms owned by The Land Tahi Farm Group and 13 South Island farms owned by Purata Farming Ltd. Making the announcement, Milk New Zealand managing director Terry Lee says Justine has been a director of the board of Pengxin NZ Farm Management Ltd, the joint venture with Landcorp, since 2013 and brings a comprehensive suite of skills to her new position. Justine says this appointment reflects her passion for creating value for farming business through innovative connections and partnership from the farm to the customer. The Milk New Zealand business has demonstrated a true partnership approach to their business model, they have invested heavily in developing their on-farm assets people, land and livestock and I am looking forward to growing and nurturing the opportunity of working with a farm-to-customer focused business and a great team of talented people, she says. Justine, who won the 2013 the Dairy Woman of the Year award, took up her new CEO position in November. Shanghai Pengxin Group Company Limited is privately owned with interests in real estate development, urban infrastructure construction, high-tech investment and investment in industry and commerce around the world. The company diversified its portfolio to include agribusiness in New Zealand in 2011 when it established and registered in Milk New Zealand. In the Central North Island, its 16 properties consist of 13 dairy and three dairy support farms in various locations between Hamilton and Bulls. The dairy farms herd size range between 347 and 2,364 dairy cows. The current annual production is at 4.6million kgMS. Until 2009, these farms were owned by the Crafar family as New Zealands largest family owned dairy business with a total of 22 dairy and dairy support farms. The business was put into receivership in October 2009. Milk New Zealand purchased 16 farms of the 22 for sale, when after two years of controversy over the land ownership, the Overseas Investment Office finally approved the purchase in April 2012. A 50:50 joint venture was incorporated with Landcorp Farming Limited forming Pengxin New Zealand Farm Management Limited and Landcorp was engaged as 100 per cent sharemilker, developing and managing the farms. The board of PNZFML is made up of seven directors three representing Shanghai Pengxin, three representing Landcorp and one independent chair. Theland Tahi Farm Group, for which Justine is now CEO, is the dairy brand for Dakang, an international and integrated food business that sources products from around the world for supermarkets in Asia. Purata Farms, is a Canterbury corporate founded as Synlait Farms. Shanghai Pengxin bought just under 74 per cent of the corporate farms group early in 2014 through New Zealand Standard Farms. Purata owns 13 Purata dairy farms and 13,000 cows and is one of the largest dairy farm operations in New Zealand covering a total of 4390 hectares. Three Government ministers are all welcoming the release of a proposed new spatial plan for the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Unveiled on Tuesday night, the Sea Change Tai Timu Tai Pari marine spatial plan is designed to secure a healthy, productive and sustainable future for the Hauraki Gulf/Tikapa Moana. The plan is the result of four years work by the Sea Change multi-sector Stakeholder Working Group which represents mana whenua, councils, local conservationists, businesses, recreational fishers and the Government. Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith says the Government will establish a process to formally consider the plan, before developing and consulting on recommendations on how to implement it. We are keen to work with all those with interests in the Hauraki Gulf and intend to talk to them early in the New Year about how they will be involved to ensure the ongoing success of the Sea Change process. Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy describes the plan as an aspirational, non-binding and non-statutory document and, as such, will need to be carefully considered. It will be particularly important to weigh up recommendations that could impact the rights and interests of stakeholders and industry. This is a shared fishery of great importance to recreational, commercial and customary fishers. I want to acknowledge the Sea Change group for their passion for the Hauraki Gulf. While Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says the plan is a significant first step toward restoring a healthy and abundant Hauraki Gulf and is a comprehensive response to the environmental challenges it faces. Maggie is pleased the plan also proposes to enhance the biodiversity of the Gulf by restoring and protecting habitats, including through 13 new proposed marine protected areas. The plan sets a platform for positive change in the marine environment and the Government will give it full consideration. Tauranga City Councils Access to Water project has taken a creative twist, with artists brought in to give the area some unique flavour. Kiwi artist and lighting designer Marcus McShane has been tasked with creating an installation for the new pier which is due to be completed in April 2017. He says as a light designer his projects tend to be temporary as a result. He hopes this new design will be both active and responsive as it will integrate technology to create an audio-visual wonder. Its called Wash, he explains. A wave of light will move along the pier, triggered by actual waves in the water, even those created by boat wakes or swimmers. Therell also be an audio component, with waiata or noises from around Tauranga playing. He hopes to work with Wellington composer Tane Upjohn-Beatson on some of the aural content. Earlier this year Marcus created a work for the New Zealand International Arts Festival, and in 2015 his works were installed in the NZ New Performance Festival at La MaMa in New York. He was also chosen to represent New Zealand at the Prague Quadrennial. In 2009 he designed Heat, a theatre piece lit by custom LEDs which toured its own wind and solar power system and became the worlds first self-powered and emission-neutral piece of professional theatre. He has received five Chapman Tripp awards, including Chapman Tripp lighting designer of the year for 2011 and 2013. Project leader Morgan Jones says council put the call out for artists earlier in the year with the view to incorporating new work into the waterfront. We had about 40 artists respond, which we shortlisted down to four. From that group, two were selected. The other artist is Elliot Collins, who has exhibited at Tauranga Art Gallery and will be working on the tidal stairs part of the project. Artists impression of the new pier installation. Supplied image. Yesterday the news broke of our own MP Simon Bridges running for deputy prime minister, while endorsing Bill English as his preferred PM to work under. Since then, Paula Bennett has also announced she will be trying for the deputy leadership, turning the contest into a tight race. Both candidates have publicly stated their support for Bill as prime minister, which means the decision will come down to which of them best complements the Finance Minister if he wins. Paulas experience, her Auckland base, and perhaps even gender give her a strong starting hand, but that hasnt deterred Simon yet. He does have the backing of fellow Bay MP Todd Muller, who calls him "young, dynamic, and a face for generational change within the party." SunLive spoke to the Tauranga MP about why hes running, and what that means for the electorate thats given him massive majorities since 2008. Why have you put your hat in for deputy, and not the top job? I think Bill English is the best person for the job. He brings a huge depth of experience, strength and stability to the national party and the government. The reason I decided to go for the deputy leadership is to balance that with a sense of change and rejuvenation. Weve been in government for eight years, and the members want to know theyre being listened to. They want to feel this is a new government, if you like, because it has new leadership, and were reflecting that in the positions we put up. One thing John Key should be commended for is the way he brought in a stream of new people over time. I got a chance in 2013 to become a minister, which was an awesome opportunity. We need to make sure were continuing to do that. I think I bring that sense of change to the leadership team. No Prime Minister has been Minister of Finance since Sir Robert Muldoon. If Bill English wins the leadership contest on Monday, and relinquishes that portfolio, would you be prepared to pick it up? Look, lets see what happens. I dont think that would necessarily be the case. Obviously theres a huge number of portfolios, and some Id be more interested in than others. Ultimately, who gets the roles will be a decision for the prime minister, although Im sure he will consult with his senior colleagues. Were talking about him at the moment, but it could be her Yes, thats possible. But I think far and away the most likely outcome is Bill English winning. His experience makes it extremely difficult to bypass him. My deputy leadership is based on the idea that, if I am successful, it will be him I am deputy to. So if it is Judith Collins, you wouldnt be interested in being deputy anymore? I would consider all those things at the time. But my expectation is that Bill English will be the leader at the end of the caucus process on Monday. Judith has talked about transport and law and order being top priorities for her. These are your portfolios you might complement each other quite well. I think whoever is the leader, we will work to ensure we are the strongest party on infrastructure, law and order, health, education and the overall economy. Those are our core strengths we know New Zealanders care deeply about. Im sure whoever becomes leader will seek to make those areas as strong as they possibly can. Youre up against Paula Bennett at this stage a higher ranked MP with more parliamentary experience and arguably meatier portfolios. Do you think you stand a good chance? Well, I think thats the point of my candidacy. Allied to the strength and stability of Bill English, its important to show its not exactly the same characters, that there is some change and rejuvenation. Thats what I offer. I have strong experience in the sense I am a frontbench cabinet minister, but I havent been part of what some call the kitchen cabinet, so there would be change at that level. Would you be pushing for a reshuffle of the frontbench? I think, ultimately, thats a matter for the prime minister. But I would be change, for the reasons Ive given. Also, wed want to see the same rejuvenation seen under John Key. Its a significant lesson weve learnt from his time as leader, how important it is to keep bringing on new people through the ranks. I got a chance in 2013 to become a minister, and Im really grateful for that opportunity. We need to ensure it continues, and thats part of my platform if you like. Have you gauged your support among caucus? A key part of why Im doing this is because quite a number have come to me and said I should do it. Ive been encouraged by the support and I feel theres a real sense of momentum in my candidacy. But look, its obviously a few days away, and Im not taking anything for granted. Im going to try and understand what my colleagues want and work to deliver that. How are you going to juggle your local MP duties if you do become deputy prime minister? I dont think there would be any negative effect. The opposite is really true, in the sense that the higher you move up the food chain, the more youre able to make the changes your local community want, given the greater influence and power you have. I live in the Bay of Plenty with my wife and family, and I still want to spend time there. I dont necessarily think Ill be a lot busier, if I win. But it will be good for Tauranga. Following his partys policy announcement this week, I asked Gareth Morgan how the last few days had impacted on his plans around releasing his first policy on tax reform. Hed just arrived back from Borneo, John Key had resigned and the political map had shifted. I didnt think he really cared who was in Government. For me, it makes no difference at all, says Gareth. Im interested in taking policy to the people and getting them to say yeah or nay. I dont really care who the other politicians are. Ill work with anybody. Its the arguments around the policies that are important to me, nothing else. Gareth had launched his The Opportunities Party with a determination to fix a system that he thinks is unfair to the average wage earner who he believes is paying too much tax. What Im trying to do is reverse this big increase in inequality that started with Ruth Richardson back in 1990, says Gareth, pulling the carpet from underneath low incomes. That opened up a bigger gap than there was. Weve always promised that that would come right through trickle down. But were 35 years further on now and theres no sign of it. He brings this history moment to the present day. John Key is a lovely man, but once the hoo-ha has died down, his legacy will be that that inequality gap opened up again, even further, says Gareth. That has been driven primarily by the property phenomena which is really hurting people in terms of how much of their income is being sucked up by property costs. Clearly what he is trying to do is fix what he feels is an unfair system so we can start to make the NZ tax system fair again. All I want is for them to do the right thing, says Gareth. Ive said a number of times now I dont want to be in Government. Id rather be on the cross benches and be the tail that wags the dog. I dont care who the dog is. Its about starting another robust conversation with average New Zealanders. A fat cats and dog conversation. Ive always gone directly to the public, Ive never really dealt with the politicians because at the end of the day they will only do what they think will get them re-elected, so I need to get the sentiment of the people changed so that they can see that this is actually a far better system. My dream would be that they do it and I dont have to go into that madhouse. Ive got better things to do to be honest, but if I ve got to give up three years of my life to bloody do this, and people say yeah get in and do it then I will. But Im a bit reluctant. I have better things to do than buggering up my own life. Is he quite sure hell find resonance with most kiwis? Well this is high noon isnt it, he replies. Well see. Under my thing 80 per cent of people will be better off immediately, well all be better off in time and the 20 per cent who are basically funding this can well afford it, I assure you. So Im asking those 20 per cent to do the decent thing and make our country fair again. His tax reform policy will suck the incentive out of property investors to be putting all their money into property. It will also slow down land banking, and target cities like Auckland and Tauranga. Under his policy, land bankers would have to declare each year a taxable income of whatever the percentage is, say 3 or 5 percent of the value of the land. They cant just sit on it and make their tax free capital gains, says Gareth. It wont be possible, unless theyre prepared to play that game. What it will do is make housing more affordable. Im trying to hold house prices while we get some time for income to catch up again. Well phase it in so we dont collapse house prices, but well take the heat out of it because all the speculators who are only buying their 3rd and 4th houses just to make money will be gone out of the market. And that money they would otherwise invest will be going into NZ businesses, and theyll be able to expand jobs and incomes. "Well get rid of this bloody mortgage dependency that sees our prime minister going round and round the globe on this endless bloody journey, - no wonder the guys exhausted, - with his begging bowl out begging for foreign capital and sees our treasury telling us youve got to cut your taxes even more on foreign companies. "I want to bring an end to all that rubbish. He says the NZ business community keeps screaming out how they cant get capital or investment because its all going into housing. People can make money sitting on their rentals, so I take that away and they have to grow their businesses, says Gareth. Im worried that my grandkids wont be able to afford rent let alone buy a house the way this things currently going. Its just nonsense. New Zealand is having by far the fastest rise in ratio of house prices to income and weve got to deal with it. He thinks the current bunch of politicians have cemented themselves to the short-term or three-year goal of getting re-elected. They avoid the tough decisions, says Gareth. Half of the time they propose policies that wont even achieve what they say they will. Rosalie, the point is I dont want a job. I dont need a job. Im doing this because Ive spent 40 years of my career on this stuff, -economics, and I know what Im talking about. Shivers, how can I walk away from this in all consciousness? Unperturbed by his past deliberate provocations, Gareth is laying out what he believes is an aspirational blueprint for both those who are benefitting from the property prices, and those who find themselves stymied from home ownership. He wants to light a fuse, and influence the government of the day. Let New Zealand decide, he declares. City workers in Chicago took down honorary street signs on Sunday that had been installed around the Trump International Hotel and Tower overlooking the Chicago River. Two of the three signs near President-elect Trump's property were removed over the weekend, while the other was stolen in October. The move was a jab from city politicians who are angry about how President-elect Trump had referred to the level on gun violence in the Windy City throughout his campaign. Brendan Reilly, who is a downtown alderman on the City Council, had pushed for the signs' removal. The council voted last month in favor of Reilly's proposal. "When he gets up there on the national stage and trashes Chicago basically telling folks not to visit this great city, he's actually making it harder for us to solve our public safety problems by investing in more cops because we need more revenue," Reilly said following the vote. "That's why he's losing his honorary street sign." Blog_Wilbur residence.JPG Flossie A. Wilbur was 75 years old when she disappeared from her 96 W. Main St., Angelica home in August 1985. Over 31 years later, the New York State Police are still searching for Wilbur. (New York State Police) ANGELICA, N.Y. - It began with a week's worth of abandoned newspapers. Flossie A. Wilbur, 75, lived in Angelica in Allegany County. She was known around a local shop called Village Market and would regularly go in to pick up her newspaper. Around late August, Wilbur's newspapers slowly began stacking up, seemingly abandoned. After about a week of this, a market clerk called the local police department and reported Wilbur missing. That was 31 years ago -- Wilbur has never been found, state police said. Troopers republished the details of Wilbur's disappearance Tuesday to try and solve the open cold case. After Angelica police received the report, a sergeant interviewed her friends and neighbors. None of them had seen her since the week prior, according to state police. The sergeant and an accompanying officer then went to Wilbur's house at 96 W. Main St., where her 1985 Ford Escort was still parked in the driveway, troopers said. Angelica police found the back door of Wilbur's home unlocked, but Wilbur was not there, according to state police. The only trace of the woman were recently bought groceries sitting on the kitchen counter. Forensic officials swept the home and an adjacent property, but no evidence or trace of Wilbur's whereabouts was found, state police said. The case was handed over to state police Sept. 2 of that year. Law enforcement have made little headway on the case, and there is still no sign of what happened to Wilbur, who would be 107 years old by this point. State police ask anyone who may have information on this case to call Investigator Scott Cicirello of the New York State Police in Amity at (585) 268-7085. Wilbur's case is under SJS#3029349. Reporter Kira Maddox covers crime and safety for Syracuse.com. She can be reached anytime: Email | Facebook | Twitter Salina, NY -- A pedestrian who died after being struck by a truck on a Thruway ramp a week ago has been identified as a 25-year-old man on probation for possessing a large cache of child pornography, according to the prosecutor in his case. Lewis McGuinness III, of Gaskin Road, Clay, is a Level 2 sex offender who was convicted in October 2015 of 82 counts of possessing child porn and one court of promoting child porn. Ex-prosecutor Jeffrey Schiano, now in private practice, confirmed McGuinness was the man who died Nov. 29 in what state police considered an apparent suicide. No information was released by the State Police after the family asked for privacy. A tractor-trailer struck the man at 9:51 a.m. last Tuesday on the Interstate 90 west off-ramp at the Liverpool (Route 57) exit in Salina. McGuinness's obituary on Syracuse.com said he "passed away unexpectedly" that day. McGuinness's December 2015 sentencing ended in controversy when Schiano called for him to spend 5 to 15 years in prison and Judge Anthony Aloi decided on 6 months in jail and 10 years of probation. Lewis McGuinness's arrest mug shot At the time, Schiano said that McGuinness "lived behind the glow of the computer" to satisfy his "filthy appetite." But Aloi said that because McGuinness did not physically abuse children -- he amassed images over the Internet -- that he deserved a second chance. "Despite the seriousness of this matter, this young man has opportunity to benefit from 10 years of probation," the judge said. Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick weighed in on the sentence himself, saying that studies showed child porn led to future criminal behavior. "Mr. McGuinness was not convicted of reading Playboy," Fitzpatrick said in a news release after the verdict. "He had in his possession over 1,000 images of some of the vile and reprehensible videos and photos imaginable." Prosecutors said McGuinness had nearly 2,000 illegal images and videos. But he was only charged with 83 counts because each illegal file was treated as a separate crime. As it was, it took the jury five minutes to announce all 83 guilty verdicts against McGuinness. B062_C014_12061B Protesters against nuclear subsidies parked this truck outside Gov. Andrew Cuomo's fund-raiser Tuesday at the Longacre Theatre in Manhattan. (Breukellen Riesgo) New York regulators are planning to have utilities start charging ratepayers in April for subsidies to keep Upstate nuclear plants running, but opponents continue efforts to block what they call a nuclear "tax.'' The latest salvo came Tuesday night outside Gov. Andrew Cuomo's birthday fund-raising party in New York City, where protesters parked a truck with a large screw-shaped sign reading "The Cuomo tax screws New York.'' The truck was parked outside the Longacre Theatre in Manhattan, where Cuomo campaign donors attended a private showing of "A Bronx Tale: The New Musical." A coalition of groups calling themselves Stop the Cuomo Tax argues that the nuclear subsidies, which are one part of the state's strategy to fight climate change, are too costly and stand in the way of more aggressive investments in renewable power sources such as wind and solar. The groups, led by NYPIRG and Food and Water Watch, also say state officials should have solicited more public input before approving the subsidies. Under an order issued in August by the state Public Service Commission, three Upstate nuclear plants - FitzPatrick and Nine Mile Point in Oswego County, and Ginna in Wayne County - will be guaranteed revenue increases estimated at $7.6 billion over the next 12 years to help sustain their operation. If wholesale prices do not rise over that period, the increased revenues will be subsidized by ratepayers. Gov. Andrew Cuomo in August 2016 announces plans to save FitzPatrick nuclear plant in Oswego, which was slated to shut down before New York instituted nuclear subsidies. "This was a lousy process,'' said Blair Horner, executive director of NYPIRG, in a telephone interview. "Ratepayers are on the hook for an estimated $7.6 billion without any meaningful public discussion at all.'' PSC officials say the concept of nuclear subsidies was discussed for months before the August ruling, although detailed cost estimates came just three weeks beforehand. The nuclear subsidies are expected to add about $2 a month to a typical household electric bill, the PSC estimates. Cuomo administration officials argue that nuclear power is critical in the short term to help the state reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If the nuclear plants close, their output would likely be replaced by fossil fuel power plants that emit carbon dioxide, according to the PSC. Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi said the nuclear plants also support high-paying jobs that are important to the host communities, where groups such as Upstate Energy Jobs are vocal supporters of the subsidies. He said opposition to the subsidies is "short-sighted.'' "Absurd publicity stunts aside, this is a shortsighted strategy that seeks to put hundreds of Central New Yorkers out of work, send utility bills skyrocketing, increase reliance on dirty fossil fuel and fracked gas, and undermine this state's fight against climate change," Azzopardi said. Several power companies and consumer groups have asked the PSC to reconsider its August ruling. The commission plans to address those requests in the future. The PSC order also has been challenged in federal court, where companies that own fossil fuel-burning power plants argue that it interferes illegally with the operation of wholesale electricity markets. Contact reporter Tim Knauss anytime | email | Twitter | 315-470-3023 Bank.jpg Whitesboro police are seeking information on a robbery/assault that occurred outside a bank Monday night. (Provided photo) WHTESBORO, NY - Whitesboro police are searching for a suspect who police said robbed and assaulted a woman outside the Adirondack Bank on Oriskany Boulevard in Whitesboro Monday night. A woman was attempting to make a night deposit just before 11:30 PM at the bank when she was approached by an individual who demanded the money, police said. The suspect then pushed the woman to the ground, physically assaulted her with a blunt object, stole the bag of money and then fled the immediate area on foot, police said. Police said they are looking for a male about 5'6 to 5'7 in height, thin to medium build wearing a dark-colored puffy jacket, possibly The North Face brand, and plaid dark pajama pants. He also was wearing white and dark-colored sneakers and a full dark-colored ski mask, police said. Police also are looking for a vehicle that may have been involved, and described it as a white or tan passenger car last seen behind the bank at the time of the incident. New York State Police, Oneida County Sheriff's Office, New York Mills Police, Yorkville Police and Whitestown police are assisting with the investigation. Police ask anyone with information to call the Whitesboro Police Department at (315) 736-1944. All calls will be kept confidential. 2016 Election Florida Voting People line up to vote Nov. 8 in Miami. (AP Photo / Lynne Sladky) Juanita Perez Williams is a Syracuse lawyer, military veteran and among a list of potential candidates running for mayor. She was invited to share her Election Day experiences in Florida. By Juanita Perez Williams I was a legal observer in Florida on Election Day. What I saw did not give me confidence that every voter has equal say. Election Day in Florida was not like the one we experience in Central New York. After the drama of the 2000 presidential election in Florida, I asked myself: Why were thousands of people waiting in long lines simply to vote? Why were people turned away? Was our democratic process being undermined by people in leadership roles? So, I accepted an invitation from the Hillary Clinton campaign to be a legal observer to monitor voting in Miami-Dade County. I arrived before Election Day and received training on Florida election rules and regulations. My presence as a legal observer was to be impartial, monitoring the process and reporting potential voter violations. My first assignment was an "early voting" station in North Miami. I joined a group of lawyers who came from around the country. We made friends with the polling clerks, situated ourselves near the line of voters and held signs that said "Questions about voting?" The first hour or so seemed encouraging. Party activists shouted candidates' names and messages outside the voting area. The chanting was in Creole, French, Spanish and Portuguese. I felt optimistic that the process was so engaging. Soon, hundreds of people showed up to vote, many arriving on church buses. Within hours, the line grew to 250-300 people. We helped pre-check required identification and answered voter-related questions. The wait to vote grew to about 1 1/2 hours. Many left. Throughout the day, heat and sudden downpours made more leave. We learned that the long voting lines were a result of polling stations being relocated miles apart. The ratio of voters to each polling station in Miami-Dade is far higher than what we experience in New York. Some voters required an interpreter, and there were only a few on site. It was discouraging to see people wait in line for hours and then for a variety of reasons not vote. People were turned away for failing to update an address, yet they were adamant they had done so by mail. Others were turned away because the records showed their registration had expired, even though they carried newly issued registration cards in hand. On Election Day, my assignment was in Liberty Square at one of the oldest public housing projects in Florida. The community is primarily African American, some Hispanic, and poor. This polling station had not been opened for early voting and we expected long lines. Throughout the day, we came across several election violations due to voters being reassigned to different polling stations. Many claimed they were not provided notice of the change. To cast their vote at an alternate site was out of the question because most had limited transportation options. Juanita Perez Williams, second from left, stands with other lawyers who came from around the country to be legal observers in Miami on Election Day. We learned that in the Liberty Square community about 30 percent of male residents had been incarcerated. Perhaps it was a coincidence, but at one point for 20 minutes a police helicopter circled overhead. Bystanders suggested this was a tactic to disperse the lines. We met one gentleman waiting in line with his children. He talked about his time in prison 30 years ago. He said he had his voting rights restored in time to vote for President Obama in 2008. This time he was unable to vote. Polling clerks told him the website reporting restorative rights was not working. The same thing happened to another gentleman. He was so upset that he rode his bike to another polling site hoping to get a second opinion. Several hours later, he found me in the crowd and said he had no luck at the second polling place. When I compare the obstacles that prevented many in Florida from voting to the process here in New York, I can't help but think that we're a long way from the national ideal. It seems to me that inequity is purposeful. Our President-elect claimed that the process was rigged. Perhaps he can expend some of his energy over the next four years to ensure all those eligible and willing to vote are actually able to do so. Pearl Harbor Book In this Dec. 7, 1941 photo made available by the U.S. Navy, a small boat rescues a seaman from the USS West Virginia burning in the foreground in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, after Japanese aircraft attacked the military installation. More than 2,300 U.S. service members and civilians were killed in the strike which brought the United States into World War II. (U.S. Navy via AP) William Inboden is executive director of the Clements Center for National Security and an associate professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He previously served at the State Department and on the National Security Council staff in the George W. Bush administration. He wrote this for the Dallas Morning News. By William Inboden | Tribune News Service As we remember and mourn those servicemen and women who died when Imperial Japan launched a surprise attack on the American military installations at Pearl Harbor 75 years ago, we should also remember that was not just one of the bloodiest strikes on American soil. Pearl Harbor also marked "an end to illusions," as the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr described the United States' sudden mindfulness of the threats posed by Japan and Nazi Germany. Until that day of infamy, many Americans had held optimistically to certain beliefs about war and international politics that proved illusory. Such as, that dictatorship and aggression in faraway lands did not concern the U.S.; that alliances were a source of vulnerability rather than strength; and that a strong military made war more, rather than less, likely. The classic 1970 movie about Pearl Harbor, "Tora! Tora! Tora!," quotes the operation's mastermind, Japanese Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto, warning ominously that Japan had "awakened a sleeping giant." Whether Yamamoto actually penned those words remains disputed, but the phrase reflected his sentiments. In the words of historian David Kennedy, America's "industrial base and large population would make it a formidable foe if it ever mustered the political will to fight, and probably an invincible foe if the conflict were protracted." And so it came to pass. After the attack, we built a globally dominant arsenal and mobilized a military that, with our allies, conquered Japan and Germany less than four years later. Once awakened, the giant did not return to its slumber. Rather, the U.S. emerged at the end of the war as the world's dominant superpower, with unprecedented military might and an atomic monopoly. We also assumed the mantle of global leadership and spurred the creation of the international system that still shapes the world today. In the process, America underwent a series of diplomatic and economic revolutions: from isolationism to international leadership; from protectionism to promoting an open trading system and the institutions to manage it; and from disdaining alliances to forming an extensive network of allies, even with former enemies such as Japan and Germany. The Pearl Harbor shock also prompted the creation of the modern American national security system. Immediately after the war, the Truman administration, mindful of the intelligence and policy failures that left us vulnerable to surprise attacks, partnered with Congress to establish many of the institutions that still run our foreign and defense policy today, such as the National Security Council, the Department of Defense and the CIA. In short, as catastrophic as it was at the time, Pearl Harbor also led directly to what some called "the American Century," our nation's long run of global leadership that not only redefined our place in the world, it redefined the shape of the world itself. It is something that bears repeating as we prepare to remember the events of Dec. 7, 1941. Many Americans look at the world now with the same sense of disquiet that we did 75 years ago. In the Far East, we see China's rising power and North Korea's nuclear weapons destabilizing the region. In Eurasia, we see Russian aggression reminiscent of the Soviet Union. In the Middle East, we see a region torn asunder by war. On virtually every continent, we see the threat of jihadi terrorism. Meanwhile, as a nation, we feel exhausted and weary, uncertain whether we can or should continue showing international diplomatic and economic leadership. Our political leaders in both parties seem to share this sentiment. President Barack Obama has voiced frustration toward our allies and skepticism about our own ability to influence the international stage. During the campaign, Donald Trump differed in tone but not in substance from Obama, as he also spoke disparagingly of America's alliances and our global role. How he will govern remains to be seen, though fortunately, some of his Cabinet appointments and conversations with foreign leaders indicate a renewed commitment to international leadership. Such is one lesson of Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Retreating behind our borders does not render us safe from threats abroad. The world is a better place, and our nation is more prosperous and secure, when the United States leads from the front. That is as true today as it was in 1941. 2016-6-18-ss-WG_Graduation_.JPG A poll of parents across New York state showed that many are concerned about how well public schools are preparing students for college and careers. Scott Schild | sschild@NewYorkUpState.com (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com) SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Only 38 percent of parents in Upstate New York believe public schools prepare kids for college, according to a recent poll. A poll by the non-profit organization Education Trust-New York shows that parents of public school children are concerned that schools are not preparing students for college and careers. Just 43 percent of parents statewide believe New York high school graduates are ready for college. About 27 percent of all parents went even further to say graduates are not ready for college, vocational school or a job. The results show those concerns are heightened among black, Latino and low-income families. Only 38 percent of African-American parents said that graduates are prepared for college. By contrast, 54 percent of Asian parents agree, and 56 percent of parents living in the suburbs agree. Education Trust-New York, working with local organizations throughout the state, commissioned the poll as the New York State Education Department finalizes its "accountability plan" under the new federal Every Student Succeeds Act. The new law gives states the chance to come up with their own measures for school success, accountability and consequences. Pollsters asked 1,002 parents of children in K-12 in New York's public schools how they thought schools were doing, and how parents believe the state should measure success. A majority of parents favored "grading" schools just as students are graded. African-American (83 percent) and Latino (80 percent) parents strongly supported this idea, compared with 60 percent of white parents surveyed. In Upstate New York, 70 percent of parents said they supported grading schools. The lower the family income, the more supportive parents tended to be of this type of accountability system, according to the report. The emphasis on testing -- and the backlash felt in New York over the last few years -- played out among parents who took the survey. While 57 percent of parents believe it's important to measure school performance, 40 percent said they feel there's been too much focus on measuring school performance. State and federal laws currently mandate districts to conduct reforms at failing schools. In many cases, districts are forced to take drastic measures like firing teachers or shuttering the school's doors. Of the parents surveyed, 77 percent said schools should get a chance to improve before drastic steps are taken. Just 16 percent favor replacing administrators and teachers and 4 percent favor closing the school and transferring students upon designation as a failing school. Parents were more likely to support drastic measures if a school had been labeled failing for multiple years. In those cases, 34 percent of parents said they would support replacing teachers and staff, 17 percent said to replace the principal, 20 percent said students should be transferred to a new school and 11 percent said they prefer having the city or state take over a failing school. Education Trust-New York said in a statement that it and its partners hoped the parent perspectives would be taken into consideration by the state. "ESSA's call for states to redesign their accountability policies presents a critical opportunity to remedy New York's education system -- a system riven by massive systemic inequities in access, opportunity and performance, especially for students of color, low-income students, students with disabilities and English learners." Reporter Julie McMahon covers Syracuse University and Syracuse city schools. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992 By Paul Grondahl Times Union, Albany, N.Y. Dec. 07--SCHENECTADY -- Longtime Times Union columnist Marv Cermak, dean of local journalists across seven decades, a thorn in the side of corrupt politicians, who brought a cranky populism and plain writing style to bird-dogging the machinations of his beloved hometown, died Tuesday at Albany Medical Center Hospital of complications from a stroke. He had been stricken the day before at his home in the Mont Pleasant neighborhood, a few blocks from where he grew up. He was 84. Cermak was a nocturnal chronicler who prowled the Electric City's sketchy precincts after dark, on foot or by bicycle, sometimes with his loyal Irish setter, Pepper, back in the day. He brought a healthy dose of skepticism to City Council meetings and a Jimmy Breslin-esque ability to find the action on the street when he wasn't fielding endless tips by phone from his deep and far-reaching network of sources. He spoke a raw vernacular, wrote in simple declarative sentences and possessed an acerbic wit. He wore a helmet of thick, silvery hair often in need of a trim. Cantankerous seemed tailor-made to describe Cermak, although he would have inhabited the modifier "curmudgeon" if that other columnist, Albany's own Andy Rooney, hadn't purloined it. His closest friends also told many stories about his kindness and generosity when nobody was watching. "He was the conscience of Schenectady," said Vince Riggi, a City Council member who befriended Cermak 25 years ago as a gadfly who spoke up in contrarian terms at council meetings. "I had so much respect for him as a reporter and even more as a person. He was dedicated to his city and had more institutional knowledge about Schenectady than anyone I knew." Like many in the city, Riggi first followed Cermak's work as a sportswriter for the Schenectady Gazette in the 1950s and '60s. He had been a standout high school athlete and understood the nuances of sport. Later, as a news reporter and columnist for the Knickerbocker News and Times Union, Cermak was a fearless defender of the Fourth Estate who took on the mob in Schenectady and stood up for the working-class against powerful interests. "He was the voice of Schenectady and its unofficial mayor. Nobody had his following in that city," said Times Union columnist Fred LeBrun, who first met Cermak when he joined the Knick in 1969. "He was absolutely tireless. He just never stopped working." Cermak's final column was published Tuesday, the day of his death. He finished it just hours before he became ill. Despite a fall at home five years ago that broke his neck, injured his spinal cord and required months of rehabilitation, Cermak continued to write a homespun weekly column, "Covering Schenectady." He could barely move his torso and despite severe chronic pain, he willed himself to finish a column each week, pecking with atrophied fingers at the keyboard. "He was a good human being who did a lot of kind things to help people privately," said Raymond Watkin, 87, a friend of Cermak's since their early teen years in Mont Pleasant, a gritty enclave of European immigrant laborers at the General Electric Co. An honest and open column by Carl Strock about @timesunion #Schenectady columnist Marv Cermak. He got his wish. RIP. https://t.co/IkaOlvY7hx Haley Viccaro (@HRViccaro) December 7, 2016 Watkin knew Cermak's parents, both of whom were deaf and mute. Cermak's father worked as a machinist at GE. They remained friends when Watkin served as mayor of Saratoga Springs for three terms in the 1970s. After graduating from Mont Pleasant High School, Cermak served in the Army during the Korean War. "He refused a deferment offered to him because his parents were deaf," said former Schenectady Police Chief Brian Kilcullen, a longtime friend. "He said his classmates were going over, risking their lives, and he should, too." Kilcullen, who is now police chief in Rutland, Vt., said Cermak was a man of character, a family trait since his great-grandfather, Patrolman James Mynderse, became the first Schenectady police officer killed in the line of duty when he pushed a woman to safety off railroad tracks and was struck by a train on March 31, 1900. "Marv was a walking encyclopedia of Schenectady history," Kilcullen said. "Most of what I knew about the city's modern history I learned from him." "I am devastated," said former longtime Times Union reporter Carol DeMare, who knew Cermak since the 1970s when both covered the mob trial of Paul "Legs" DiCocco Sr. in Schenectady. Cermak's reporting on DiCocco's racketeering took him to Montreal and beyond. "He was threatened during the Legs case," DeMare said. "He believed his life was in danger, but he continued to write story after story." Cermak took the advice of cops, who told him to carry a gun, she said. DeMare often joined Cermak and his wife, Patricia, known as Patty to friends, at their camp along Lake George. The couple met when both worked at the Gazette. Cermak worked mostly out of his house for the Times Union, with Patty at his side as unpaid assistant. After Cermak officially retired from full-time writing at the Times Union in 2002, his wife still instinctively answered their phone: "Times Union." They had been married for 56 years when she died at 74 in 2015. They have a son, Michael, who is in his mid-50s, long estranged from the couple. Cermak will be cremated and there will be no service, in accordance with his wishes, Kilcullen said. His and his wife's ashes will be interred in the Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville. In his crusty way, Cermak served as a mentor to generations of reporters, including Mike DeMasi, a former Gazette staffer who's now a reporter at the Albany Business Review. "I was lost covering an early City Council meeting and Marv helped me out," DeMasi said. "It was a kind gesture. He didn't have to do it. I feel privileged to say I had a close friendship with Marv over many years." If DeMasi got busy and didn't have a chance to call Cermak the day his column appeared, his old mentor would ring him up to ask what DeMasi thought about the column. "He wanted to know people were still reading him and he wanted feedback," DeMasi said. He was a columnist's columnist. To the bitter end. ___ (c)2016 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) A woman accused of killing her twin sister by driving their SUV off a cliff in Hawaii won't fight extradition from upstate New York, her lawyer said Wednesday. Alexandria Duval intends to waive her right to an extradition hearing during a court appearance Friday, clearing the way for her to return to Hawaii this month and fight a second-degree murder charge. "She's just anxious to get back in order to be able to defend herself on the case," lawyer Kevin K. O'Brien said. "Her big fight is not here, it's in Hawaii." Authorities say Alexandria Duval, 38, was driving an SUV in May with her sister, Anastasia, in the passenger seat when the vehicle crashed into a rock wall and plunged about 200 feet. Authorities have described a hair-pulling fight over the steering wheel. She traveled to upstate New York after an initial indictment stemming from the fatal crash was dismissed by a judge earlier this year. After Duval was arrested in Albany last month, her lawyer at the time said did not even know there was a second indictment against her. "She never thought she was fleeing," O'Brien said. The sisters were born Alison and Ann Dadow in the Utica, New York, area, about 80 miles west of Albany. They operated a popular yoga studios in Palm Beach County, Florida, from 2008 to 2014 before they changed their names. They moved to Hawaii in December 2015 from Utah. SB 2814 contemplates significantly rewriting energy policy and returning our market-based energy policy instituted in 1998 back to a more regulated, government directed production and consumption model in a protectionist appeal from large energy companies. Various energy proposals have surfaced over the last 18 months with the primary driver of the legislation coming from Exelon. Exelon is a major supplier of power to both Illinois and the PJM base load capacity market through their operation of six nuclear power plants. Merry Christmas from the Illinois General Assembly who could not focus on the task at hand - putting a balanced budget together - but had time to bailout a multi-billion dollar company. Sitting in the Governors office, is a rate hike bill wrapped up in ComEd red and white paper, an Exelon blue bow on top, and placed appropriately under the artificial green energy Christmas tree. It will be a good Christmas for millionaire CEOs, certain highly skilled workers and renewable energy advocates. Ignores the Free Market: The policy proposals in SB2814 are not market driven solutions to energy production and are instead costly to all classes of rate payers and should be rejected. This bill requires ratepayers to fund huge profitable companies and favored green energy companies. Exelons net income was $2.25 billion in 2015. Hypocritically, prior to beginning the discussion of this subsidy bill, Crains reported in late December 2014 that Exelon argued in Ohio against subsidies for its competitors. Crains stated, Exelon isnt the only power generator trying to cope with low wholesale electricity prices by asking for financial help from its home state. But the company doesnt like it when peers ask for similar aid Chicago-based Exelon, which has said it will lobby Illinois lawmakers next year for legislation to boost revenues at its six nuclear plants in the state has petitioned utility regulators in Ohio to block attempts by generators based in that state to prop up their plants courtesy of ratepayers there. Exelon issued a strongly worded filing with the Ohio Public Utilities Commission in opposition to the FirstEnergy proposal to require electricity consumers at its Ohio utilities to pay extra for power generated by a 900-megawatt nuclear plant and a 2,200- megawatt coal-fired plant owned by a separate FirstEnergy unit. I recognize that nuclear power is essential. In 2014, during the polar vortex, Exelons nuclear power plants maintained 96% production reliability --- when other sources of energy could not ramp up production due to severe weather, nuclear kept producing. This capability should be preserved through the base load capacity power market and spread to all users of Illinois produced energy including those in other states not only Illinoisans. Compared to natural gas, nuclear power already receives 4 times more subsidies at the federal level and wind is subsidized 18 times more than nuclear power. Subsidizing anything leads to inefficiencies in the market. Wind and solar have been around since the beginning of man and wind has been subsidized in modern times since 1992 more than long enough to stand on its own. Exelon should be arguing, as they did in Ohio for no state energy subsidies. Costly Efficiency for some, but not for all: This bill is BIG Government saying all ratepayers must pay millions more so ComEd can buy insulation and light bulbs for folks in the name of energy efficiency and earn a 9.5% return rate while doing so. Disregards Coal: This bill rejects Illinois competitive advantage in coal. Coal accounts for over 40% of Illinois energy production. You need 600 square miles of wind power to equal the same amount of energy from one coal plant. Crony Capitalism: This bill protects certain classes of workers in Illinois when all industries should receive the same treatment. The most important thing to address is the idea that ratepayers should subsidize a specific industry just to save specific jobs for a specific timeframe. Illinois cannot get into the habit of saving specific industries with tax credits or legislation that skews the free market and picks winners and losers. Going down this road is similar to the very controversial Edge Credits and Special Edge Credits which carved out tax credits for not just specific industries but actually specific companies. Its wrong and taxpayers continually shepherd these costs with little direct benefit. It should be noted that we did not bail out US Steel Co. when they laid off 2080 employees in Granite City in 2015. Last year we lost 6200 manufacturing jobs who were not saved with a subsidy. So far in 2016, 7900 manufacturing jobs have left Illinois no subsidy for those workers either. And this legislature took no action when coal lost significant jobs, about 6500 in 2003 and we did nothing for the 1200 coal mining employees who lost their jobs in the last 18 months. Rejects trend away from RPS: This bill disregards the movement away from wind and solar that is happening in Europe because you cannot run a modern economy on dilute and intermittent energy like wind and solar. Steve Goreham, author of numerous books and articles on this topic (visit stevegoreham.com), stated, Denmark erected over 5,000 wind turbine towers, one for every thousand Danish citizens. Turbines blanket the nation, providing a beautiful view of a 300- to 500-foot tall tower from almost every house, farm, field, forest, and beach. But in total, the turbines produce only 1.3 gigawatts of electricity on average. All could be replaced by a single large conventional power plant. Today, Denmark has the highest electricity prices of the developed nations. Here in Springfield where a 500-megawatt power plant operates, you would need about 1000 wind turbines to replace that power and disperse those in such a way as to guarantee that 30% of them were turning at any given time. This bill buys into climate change alarmism despite the debunking of the IPCC findings, 18 years of no global warming from 1997-2015, and carbon dioxide being a trace element that promotes plant growth not a pollutant as the EPA thinks. The bill even uses President Obamas EPA language of the social cost of carbon without accounting for the beneficial effects of increased carbon dioxide has by increasing biomass in a farm state like Illinois. Solar and wind power mandates are strengthened in this bill. This bill, in direct contravention of its intentions, will require more fossil fuel not less as back up energy sources if wind and solar are forced to become a larger portion of our energy mix. Stephen Moore, author of Fueling Freedom, states, Germany and England are already learning that the more renewable fuels they dispatch to their electric grids, the more coal they must burn to back up the intermittent generation from wind and solar sources. The goal of 25% renewable use in Illinois by 2025 is unachievable without large and aggressive rate increases. Goreham, in response to this bill when I shared it with him, said this about solar power in Illinois, Solar in Illinois is like growing pineapples. Were not the sunbelt. Recent analysis shows that over a 25-year life, the amount of energy produced by a solar system at Illinois latitudes does not rise to the amount of energy used to fabricate the solar cells and install the system. By forcing solar in Illinois, we are causing more energy to be expended in China than we get back over the life of the system in Illinois. Will not Improve Environment: And the Wall Street Journal reported that, In truth, the cost of backup power not only caps solar and wind growth, renewables may already have overshot. The International Renewable Energy Agency, in a discordantly sober report, predicts that wind and solar will start shrinking their share in the fast-growing developing economies in coming years. If you still believe carbon dioxide is a problem consider this as reported in the Wall Street Journal, Germany managed to increase its use of renewables and its output of carbon dioxide at the same timebecause it resorted to cheap coal to keep the lights on at a price its people could afford. In closing, Illinois should trust the free market to determine what energy is produced and at what price. The free market built this nation and can be better trusted than politicians and special interests. Illinoisans deserve energy that is cheap, reliable and pollutant free. Politicians in state government continue to obscure the path toward those objectives in order to keep political insiders happy. DUNDEE - State Representative-Elect Allen Skillicorn (R- Dundee) not only filed paperwork refusing to participate in the legislative pension system, he intends to push that would eliminate pensions for all future full and part time Illinois politicians. Public service is an honor, thats why I dont believe any politician should receive a pension. Politicians should not be above the law or have special rules apply just to them. Illinois legislators should lead by example," he said in a statement. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. CHICAGO - Exelon has had a great week in Illinois - first, it nabbed a $5.3 billion state government subsidy over ten years to keep two Illinois nuclear plants operating and the day before, the Illinois Commerce Commission granted Exelon's ComEd a 5.07% rate hike with little notice. The ComEd rate hike is expected to generate approximately $127,499,000 in annual revenue, the Illinois Commerce Commission's press release says. Residential customers should expect a $2 monthly hike in addition to the 25 cent hike with the bailout, which will to show in January 2017's billing. ComEds 3.8 million customers are located in northern Illinois, including the Chicago metropolitan area. The service area extends to the Wisconsin border to the north, the Iowa border to the west, the Indiana border to the east, and Iroquois County to the south (roughly Interstate 80). Chinas parliament earlier this month passed a law aimed at addressing the countrys concerns about hacking and terrorism, which has spiked concerns among foreign businesses and human rights advocates. One interpretation of the new law is that it only codifies Chinas existing cybersecurity practices. However, 46 global business groups across a variety of industries didnt see it that way. They outlined potential problems in a letter sent to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang this summer, when the measure was pending. The law would expose foreign companies doing business in China to invasive government security reviews and burdensome requirements for keeping data in the country, the business groups warned. Their objections appear to have been ignored by Beijing. The new law requires all critical information infrastructure operators to store personal information and important business data in China, as well as to provide technical assistance to security agencies and pass national security reviews. In terms of the expanded definition of critical information infrastructure and the requirement for vendors to undergo a national security review, foreign companies are concerned about exposing source code, as well as requirements to use domestic encryption standards not vetted by international standards bodies, explained Erin Ennis, senior vice president of the U.S.-China Business Council. The CII issue also ties directly to data localization and restrictions on cross-border data flow, and impacts a wide variety of industries well beyond the tech sector, she told the E-Commerce Times. Rising Compliance Costs China has never had an open Internet, but this codifies existing requirements and expands them, observed Scott Kennedy, director of the Project on Chinese Business and Political Economy at the Center for Strategic & International Studies It will raise the costs of compliance for foreign firms significantly, he told the E-Commerce Times. Foreign companies now are required to assist Chinese authorities in their investigations of cybercrime and other types of misuse of the Internet. That could involve providing the encryption keys to the encryption you use, Kennedy noted. Being forced to keep data on Chinese citizens in China and not being allowed to export it also could be burdensome for some companies. Thats an obstacle to companies that want to analyze all their users data together, Kennedy said. Chinese companies dont face that obstacle. Ali Baba has servers in Seattle, and they can take data on their American customers and send it to their headquarters in China. Deaf Ear to Rights Meanwhile, human rights groups knocked provisions in the law that appear to enhance restrictions on Chinas Internet, which already is restricted by the Great Firewall, a monument to online censorship in the 21st century. Those provisions include making it a crime to use the Internet to damage national unity. While the Chinese government already imposes strict requirements on online activity, the law takes its stance up a notch. What this law does differently is it elevates these requirements into national law for the first time, said Cynthia Wong, a senior Internet researcher at Human Rights Watch. A lot of these requirements were informally enforced, she told the E-Commerce Times. This really signals the Chinese governments seriousness and willingness to really crackdown on these requirements in the future. When the law was proposed, there was some hope that the government would address the concerns about rights and privacy, but that wasnt the case, Wong noted. It doesnt seem like a lot of that feedback was heeded by the government, she said. The laws downsides still remain in place from the first draft. Although the new cybersecurity law may appear onerous to some observers, it doesnt much change the existing repressive policies in place, maintained attorney Dan Harris, coauthor of the China Law Blog. People who have been dealing in this area for years know its aleady super restrictive, he told the E-Commerce Times. This just puts a fine point on that. The California Department of Insurance this week announced fines totaling US$7 million against startup Zenefits, a provider of cloud-based human resources services. The companys former leadership created an anything goes culture at the Internet startup, resulting in numerous violations of licensing requirements to protect consumers, said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. The fines are the culmination of investigations California launched last year after receiving complaints that Zenefits employees were selling insurance without a license. Zenefits agreed to pay a $3 million penalty for licensing violations and $4 million in fines for subverting the prelicensing education and study-hour requirements for broker and agent licensing. The settlement also calls for the company to pay $160,000 to reimburse the Department of Insurance for expenses incurred during its probe. The department suspended half the $7 million in fines because Zenefits took various remedial actions, including replacing its former CEO and retraining its staff. Zenefits will have to pay the full sum if a 2018 examination of its business practices should find that it failed to comply with licensing and regulatory mandates. Other State Actions California fines represent the latest in a string of actions against Zenefits. The firm has settled with Texas, Arizona, Minnesota, New Jersey, South Carolina and Tennessee, paying fines to all of them. Delaware closed its investigation into the companys licensing practices apparently without imposing a penalty. In Washington and New York, investigations of Zenefits reportedly are under way. The controversy led Zenefits to slash its valuation from $4.5 billion to $2 billion in June. What Happened? Bad behavior reportedly was rife at Zenefits in its early days. Staff had posted photos on Instagram from the companys offices and retreats showing them taking rounds of shots and champagne showers. Evidence of sexual activity in the stairwells of the companys buildings reportedly was discovered, along with other unprofessional behavior. That loose company culture apparently was symptomatic of other offenses, including the sidestepping of licensing requirements. Zenefits once was billed as the fastest-growing startup in history, having attracted funding from major VCs including Andreesen Horowitz, Insight Venture Partners, Founders Fund, Khosla Ventures and Fidelity. Andreesen Horowitz was involved in all three of the firms funding rounds, including the latest, in May 2015, when it raised $500 million. This looks like both the VCs and [Zenefits] board didnt do their respective jobs, and reflects poorly on both, remarked Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. They should have ensured oversight, compliance, and strong experienced governance, he told the E-Commerce Times, but all three appear to have been missing here. The VCs may have been blinded by the potential earnings, suggested Michael Jude, a program manager at Stratecast/Frost & Sullivan. Esurance, the online insurance startup that was purchased by Allstate, were fabulously successful, and that was the takeaway everyone considered, he told the E-Commerce Times. They were fabulously profitable because they bypassed the overhead, which is the major cost for anything CRM-oriented, and I think the assumption was Zenefits could repeat this, Jude said. People forget that to do anything benefits-oriented right, you have to dot all the is and cross all the ts. Companies approaching VCs for money usually have to explain the rules and regulations they must conform to, as well as their cost structure and their governance, Jude pointed out. A lot of that went away because the assumption was, How hard can this be? We dont need to do a lot of due diligence here because this model works.' The Takeaway for Startups Startups always should play by the rules, said Laura DiDio, a research director at 451 Research. They always should tell the truth as well, she told the E-Commerce Times, because, in this day and age, people are going to find out anyway. Its too easy. Everything lives in perpetuity on the Internet. Startups should build a foundation from the ground up to be accountable, audible and reportable, Frosts Jude remarked. You may be cutting corners in terms of infrastructure, but youd better conform to the rules of the road. New Leaf? Zenefits this fall launched Z2, the latest version of its platform, as it strove to resolve its past improprieties and move forward with its business plan. The app, which targets SMBs, streamlines the administrative work associated with HR, benefits and payroll. It is integrated with software from 17 partners, and its developer platform has been opened up to third parties. While the rest of the market is still trying to catch up to Zenefits 1.0, we are redefining the all-in-one category to include any app connected to employee data, declared company CEO David Sacks. This is the future of the industry. Sacks took over in February, replacing former CEO Parker Conrad after a government investigation was launched into reports he had built tools that helped the company get around compliance issues. Z2, which is available for iOS and Android, includes an online shopping experience for benefits. It introduces a new HR advisor app and service, with a paid model. Compliance as a Service is the elephant in the room not tackled by vendors but Zenefits comes close to that for an SMB, said Holger Mueller, a principal analyst at Constellation Research. With Z2, someone becomes the in- and out-box for all statutory and compliance issues for an enterprise, like your tax advisor, he told the E-Commerce Times. App Integration Z2 integrates with third-party apps to cover key functions including expenses, performance management, employee engagement and productivity. Among them are Googles G Suite, Office 365, Salesforce, Stack, Intuit QuickBooks, Xero, Expensify, eShares, Lattice, Greenhouse and Officevibe. Z2s online shopping experience lets SMBs directly find, evaluate and select from thousands of plans provided by more than 250 carriers; do side-by-side comparisons; and see a map view of the in-network provider facilities in relation to where employees live. Advice and guidance from Zenefits more than 250 licensed benefits brokers is available. The company also rolled out Zenefits Payroll, which integrates with every app on its platform. Launched in limited release last year to more than 500 companies, it will be available generally in California first. Other states will follow. Pricing is $35 per month plus $5 per employee. With Z2, Zenefits is playing a smart long game to maintain parity with competitors, observed Brent Skinner, principal analyst at Nucleus Research. SMB Boon Z2s flexibility will be a help to SMBs, Skinner told the E-Commerce Times. For one thing, it eliminates SMBs need for specialty vendors. Further, Z2 is very easy to use, commented Mueller, who saw the product demoed at the companys user conference. Theres nothing new in Z2, he pointed out whats news is that this comes to SMBs. Still, Z2 is progressive in its embrace of the notion that HCM systems should play nice with existing, typically entrenched, business applications, Nucleus Researchs Skinner pointed out. With those kinds of applications feeding information into the HCM ecosystem, SMBs stand a better chance of running their organizations holistically. Buyers have a tendency to equate the soundness of a vendors product with the soundness with which it conducts business, he observed. Zenefits infractions have been egregious, Skinner remarked, which is especially worrisome, given that this is the HCM industry. However, the companys rollout of Zenefits Payroll for California shows that it is down with the struggle to comply with employment law, he said, which eventually will help Zenefits leave its troubled recent history in the past. Facebook has teamed up with Twitter, YouTube and Microsoft to fight the proliferation of terrorist content on the Web. The tech giants will create a shared industry database of hashes for violent terrorist imagery, terrorist recruitment videos, or images they have removed from their services. They may use these shared hashes to help identify potential terrorist content on their platforms. Hashes to be shared will apply to content thats most likely to violate all the companies content policies. Each one of the companies that is part of this agreement has its own specific definitions, practices and processes in place for governments to make requests to them for user data and to remove content, YouTube explained in policy notes provided to TechNewsWorld by company rep Stephanie Shih. Any such requests for information will be routed through each company to handle as they normally do per its individual policies and procedures. No personally identifiable information will be shared. There will be no automated takedowns of terrorism-related content. Each company will retain its own process for dealing with appeals against its removal of content. The four will apply their own transparency and review practices when responding to any government requests. Magnitude of the Problem ISIS, or ISIL, has used the Web to great effect for the purpose of broadcasting its ideology and recruiting fighters, the UN Security Councils Counter-Terrorism Committee said last year, noting that it then had 30,000 fighters, drawn from more than 100 countries. All four of the tech participants that teamed in the latest initiative already have launched separate efforts to counter terrorist activities online, in some cases through other partnerships. Our existing efforts to counter extremism and terrorist content will continue, Facebook said in comments provided to TechNewsWorld by spokesperson Alec Gerlach. This agreement means that there will be more operational efficiency as we try and stop terrorist content from easily migrating between platforms. Each Players Battle Twitter earlier this year outlined its policy, which includes deactivating accounts linked to terrorism groups, cooperating with law enforcement entities when appropriate, and partnering with organizations working to counter extremist content online. Facebook earlier this year began offering advertising credits to some users combating terrorism online, and it began collaborating with the U.S. State Department to develop antiterrorist messaging from college students. YouTubes content policies strictly prohibit terrorist recruitment and content intending to incite violence, the company said. YouTube terminates any account if it has reason to believe that the account holder is an agent of a foreign terrorist organization. Google parent company Alphabet this summer partnered with Facebook and Twitter to sponsor three experiments using videos to combat the spread of terrorist propaganda on their sites. Google think tank Jigsaw this summer launched Redirect, a pilot project that aims to redirect people searching for jihadist information online toward counterterrorism content. Project Redirect is not involved in YouTubes partnership with Microsoft, Facebook and Twitter. Microsoft this spring outlined its two-pronged approach to the online terrorism problem: addressing the appearance of related content on its services; and partnering with others to tackle the issue more broadly. HardOCP's Kyle Bennett this past May published an editorial in which he painted a rather bleak picture of the happenings inside AMD's walls. Specifically, Bennett - based on conversations with a number of current (at the time) and former employees - said Raja Koduri, leader of the Radeon Technologies Group (RTG), wanted to spin off from the rest of AMD and once again become "ATI." Key to realizing this goal was to become the GPU technology supplier of choice for arch rival Intel. Seems pretty far-fetched, no? Maybe not. Intel said a month earlier that it was cutting 12,000 jobs due to the continued downturn in the PC industry. Bennett reported that well over 1,000 graphics engineers and employees working directly with graphics engineers were let go in anticipation of Intel handing over graphics-related tasks to AMD. Fast-forward more than six months to late Monday evening where Bennett proclaims in the HardOCP forum that the licensing deal between AMD and Intel to put AMD's GPU technology into Intel's iGPU is signed and done. If true and taken literally, it would be an unprecedented move from both parties (I have no reason to doubt Bennett or his sources as he was already established and respected long before I ever came online). Forbes, on the other hand, floats the possibility that it could be little more than a patent cross-licensing play like the one Intel has in place with Nvidia to protect itself from patent infringement. That agreement, curiously enough, is set to expire on March 31, 2017 according to the publication. Those interested in digging deeper are encouraged to check out Bennett's editorial, the 65 pages of subsequent discussion in HardOCP's forum and Forbes' write-up on the patent angle. Very interesting stuff. Donald Trump is far from popular among the denizens of Silicon Valley. He's had a turbulent relationship with those in the tech world, but the President-elect is reportedly trying to patch things up by inviting a number of industry leaders to a roundtable summit on December 14. USA Today reports that the invitation to the meeting, which will be held at Trump Tower in New York, came from Trump's chief of staff, Reince Priebus; his son-in-law, Jared Kushner; and transition team advisor Peter Thiel - one of the few Silicon Valley names that supported Trump's campaign. Right now, the only CEO to confirm he will be there is Cisco's Chuck Robbins. It's not clear who else will attend, but it would be surprising if the invites didn't extend to company bosses such as Satya Nadella, Tim Cook, Sundar Pichai, and Mark Zuckerberg. Other than PayPal co-founder Thiel, the overwhelming majority of tech leaders fought against Trump's campaign. The industry donated around $10 million to Hillary Clinton's push for president, whereas Trump received less than a quarter of that amount, the majority of which came from Thiel. The meeting should certainly be an interesting one, and has the potential to get heated. Trump reportedly berated high-ranking media members during an off-the-record meeting at Trump Tower last month. "It was like a f**ing firing squad," said one anonymous guest. In the lead-up to November's election, there was a slew of stories about the tech industry's opposition to a Trump presidency, including an open letter signed by top execs, a private event where CEOs discussed how to stop him, and a Facebook co-founder pledging $20 million to help derail his campaign. Guests at the event may see this as an opportunity to build bridges with the Trump administration. Some of his previously outspoken critics - Jeff Bezos, Zuckerberg, and Cook - have since softened their stance toward the Republican. Now, many other heads of industry are accepting that they'll have to work with Trump, and will no doubt be hoping to avoid the firing squad. Climate experts warn that heavy downpours, such as those that flooded large areas of Louisiana, West Virginia and Houston, Texas, could occur at a faster and more devastating rate in the coming decades as a direct result of severe changes in the world's climate. In a study featured in the journal Nature Climate Change, researchers at the National Center for Atmospheric Research said the United States could experience a 400-percent increase in extreme rainfall risks by the end of the 21st century, with each individual downpour potentially rising in intensity by as much as 70 percent in certain areas of the country. This means that storms that would typically bring in about 2 inches of rainfall these days could pour as much as 3.5 inches in the future. "Think about the most intense thunderstorm last summer," lead author Andreas Prein explained. "In the future climate in some places in the United States, you'll get as many as five of those [each season]." Prein added that this trend follows the increasing severity and frequency of storms that other climate researchers have observed in the past five decades. There is also reason to believe that this pattern will continue over the next few years. More Frequent And More Powerful Storms Across The U.S. Scientists have long suspected that climate change could lead to a significant increase in the amount of rainfall that storms bring in. A warmer atmosphere can accumulate more water during the process of condensation, which in turn results in a heavier downpour. To find out how changes in the atmosphere can affect precipitation in years to come, Prein and his colleagues collected climate trends from 2000 to 2013 and then ran them through a modeling software at extremely high resolutions. The team discovered that the number of summertime storms capable of producing extreme precipitation could increase across the United States. Midwest states, such as Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and the Dakotas, could experience an increase of about zero to 100 percent, while others could see an increase of about 200 to 400 percent. The intensity of severe rainfall events over the country is also expected to increase significantly. Northeast and Southwest states, in particular, could suffer more than a 70-percent jump in extreme downpour intensity. While these findings can be considered accurate based on the climate trends used, Prein admitted that their study still has limitations such as not being able to account slowing rates of global warming and other uncertainties. He said the simulations they used showed only one realization of what could happen in the future. To avoid such climate scenarios, Prein said it is important to retard the impacts of global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Keeping the atmosphere from becoming warmer would help limit the accumulation of water in the air and prevent extreme precipitations from occurring. If in case the rate of climate change is not slowed down, the researchers believe that communities would then have to resort to creating better stormwater infrastructure, such as larger drainage systems, in order to limit the devastation of super-rainstorms. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Samsung is offering Gear S2 owners an early Christmas treat with the staggered release of a Value Pack that will outfit their devices with Gear S3 features. The firmware update, which weighs 133 MB, began rolling out Dec. 5 and should be available around the world in the next few days. New Features And Improvements Of course, the most notable change coming to the Gear S2 will involve interface aesthetics. Most importantly, the update unlocks the Gear S3 watch faces, which users can now download at the Galaxy Apps store. The update also allows the Gear S2 more opportunities for personalization. For example, the device now has wider widget support, including those from third-party apps such as Uber and USA Today. This means users are able to use the quick access feature for their preferred apps. Samsung has even improved the Gear S2's native apps. The Weather widget is a case in point. It now has a City Navigator function that provides multiple-city information in its daily forecasts. Even the S Health app now comes with Leaderboard and Challenge widgets. More Games And Apps Gear S2 users can now access more games in the Galaxy App Store. There are more than 100 titles available such as Monster Vampire and Stack. The wearable will also get a taste of native Gear S3 applications such as the Reminder app and Alti-Barometer. Automatic Tracking One of the most important features that Samsung has developed for its latest wearables involves the automatic tracking function. Using the biometric sensors, the device will pause tracking on its own if it senses that its wearer stopped an activity. This is useful for those inconvenienced by the need to tinker with controls in order to pause and resume tracking. Now, Gear S2 owners will also enjoy this feature, which should ensure that they can proceed with an activity, leaving the smartwatch to do all its work in the background. S Health Workout Modes The S Health app will also now recognize new workout modes. In the past, it could only track repetitive activities. This time, however, more complex and high-intensity workouts will be recognized as part of the Other Workouts category. Some observers believe that the availability of the Value Pack update for the Gear S2 is a sound strategy for Samsung. It will not only benefit existing Gear S2 owners but that it will also burnish the device's credential as an alternative to the Gear S3. The latter has a bigger form factor and Samsung could very well sell the S2 to the segment who wants a smaller case real estate in their smartwatch. The device is available in several retailers such as Amazon, where it is selling from $299 to $449. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. People who eat a handful of nuts a day have decreased risk of a number of health problems including cancer and cardiovascular diseases, reports a recent study. Nuts Consumption And Decreased Disease Risk It was found that consumption of 20g of nuts a day reduces the risk of coronary heart diseases by 30 percent, premature death by 22 percent and cancer risk by 15 percent. Furthermore, taking a handful of nuts also contributes to 40 percent decreased risk of diabetes and 50 percent reduced risk of death from respiratory diseases. However, the researchers noted that there weren't enough studies to establish a concrete link between nut consumption and problems like diabetes and respiratory diseases. Study On Nut Consumption The researchers from Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Imperial College London examined around 29 studies related to nut consumption previously conducted across the world. About 819,000 participants were involved in the study, which included 9,000 patients with stroke, 12,000 patients with coronary heart diseases and 18,000 individuals with cancer and cardiovascular diseases. A total of 85,000 fatalities were also recorded in the studies. In spite of variables like gender, geographical location and people with varied risk factors, it was found that consumption of nuts had a positive impact on most of the health ailments. Dagfinn Aune, the co-author of the study from Imperial, said that many nutritional studies conducted earlier were focused on life-threatening diseases like cancer, stroke and heart diseases but the current study is aimed at examining other not potentially fatal health issues as well. It was observed from the study that nut consumption is associated with reduced risk of a number of diseases and it is therefore evident that nuts have positive impact on several health outcomes, said Aune. The researchers studied the benefits of all kinds of tree nuts including walnuts, hazel nuts and peanuts, which in reality belong to the legume family. Health Benefits Of Nuts Nuts are rich in magnesium, fiber and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cholesterol levels. In addition, pecan nuts and walnuts are rich in antioxidants that are known to reduce oxidative stress and risks of cancer, noted Aune. The researcher also noted that though nuts are high in fat, the proteins and fibers present in the nuts are helpful in reducing the risk of obesity to an extent. "The study also found that if people consumed on average more than 20g of nuts per day, there was little evidence of further improvement in health outcomes," read the press release. The study is published in the journal BMC Medicine. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Google wants to do its part to protect the environment and it plans to use 100 percent renewable energy to power its international data centers next year. Climate change and global warming are becoming increasingly worrisome problems and a number of corporations are coming up with solutions to ease the strain and be greener. Google is one of them, and it wants to fight global warming with renewable power. Powering Data Centers On Renewable Energy Like many technology companies of its size, Google has massive amounts of data to handle. To keep up, the company has 13 large warehouses and data centers worldwide, full of servers that host a wide range of data from YouTube videos to Gmail emails, Google Play Store content and more. The servers need a lot of power to operate, as well as high-performance cooling systems that draw even more power. With this in mind, Google wants to operate its global data centers and offices on 100 percent renewable energy starting in 2017. "To reach this goal we'll be directly buying enough wind and solar electricity annually to account for every unit of electricity our operations consume, globally," says Google. "And we're focusing on creating new energy from renewable sources, so we only buy from projects that are funded by our purchases." Google will be buying more clean energy than it needs to counter the energy purchases it has to make in parts of the world where renewable energy is hard to come by. Simply put, Google will purchase more renewable energy and dump the excess back into the grid, The Verge points out. To pull this off in the long term and rely on renewable energy for many years to come, Google also hopes to drive investment and development of green energy solutions in areas where it has major data centers and offices. Renewable Energy Ambitions Google has been making investments in clean energy for a while now, but is not the only one making notable headway with green power. As climate change is becoming an increasingly pressing matter, companies are trying to lessen the carbon footprint and provide cleaner energy solutions. Tesla, for instance, recently announced that it can power an entire island on renewable energy. Apple is making its own efforts toward powering all of its operations with 100 percent renewable energy and it even created a subsidiary called Apple Energy LLC. Efforts to protect the environment and help fight climate change go deeper than that, but operating on 100 percent renewable energy is a major milestone toward making the world a better place. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The recently released stable version of the Android 7.1.1 Nougat update is fixing some Google Pixel and Pixel XL owners' LTE Band 4 connectivity problems. This comes hot on the heels of when some users in North and South America reported that their Phones by Google had an issue with making a stable connection via the frequency last month. The Sweetest Android Is The Fix Those who have updated their Pixels to Android 7.1.1 are now saying that their phones can now use LTE Band 4 without a hitch on the Google Product forums. It should be pointed out that the update may take a while before it arrives to every Pixel out there, and that means some users will have to manage without an LTE Band 4 connection a little longer. However, if waiting is simply out of the question, Google already released the OTA files and factory images for the Pixel, which also support Nexus devices, for those who are wondering. Just to be clear on that, users can flash these files and install the update manually to jump on the Nougat bandwagon. LTE Band 4 Problems Not Over Just Yet While some are already reporting that the Android 7.1.1 Nougat update resolves their LTE Band 4 problems on the forums, some are saying that they're still facing the issue. In a word, some Pixel owners may have just gotten the short end of the stick. At any rate, Google appears to be well aware of the matter at hand, and it's safe for users to assume that a solution will go their way in the foreseeable future. The Bottom Line To boil things down, Pixel and Pixel XL owners may no longer experience LTE Band 4 connectivity problems after they update their handsets to Android 7.1.1 Nougat, but the case might not be the same for everyone. At the very least, it looks like the issue isn't exactly related to hardware, and it can be fixed through a software update, which takes the hassle of getting a replacement and whatnot out of the equation. Now, it's worth noting that complications like this aren't surprising, as they're more or less expected to turn up on most consumer products. This isn't the first time for the Google phones either, as an image bug on screenshots sent from iPhones and major camera issues did show up recently. With all said and done, did the Android 7.1.1 Nougat update fix your LTE Band 4 problems on the Pixel or Pixel XL? If so, feel free to sound off in the comments section below and let us know. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Many medical students from around the world struggle with depression. Findings of a new research have revealed that more than a quarter of medical students in 47 countries have depressive symptoms and about one in 10 even have suicidal thoughts. Depression And Suicidal Thoughts Among Medical Students In a new analysis, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers looked at studies published between January 1963 and September 2015 that involved more than 129,000 medical students in 47 countries. They found that the rate of depressive symptoms or depression was 27 percent among medical students and that 11 percent of medical students experienced having thoughts of suicide. More worrying is the fact that only about 16 percent of the students who have tested positive for depression decided to get treatment. Depression: An Open Secret The researchers who were involved in the research said that depression is actually an open secret in the profession. Study researcher and co-principle author Srijan Sen, from the University of Michigan, said that she has seen people older than she is who suffered from depression and attempted ending their lives when she was still a medical student. One of these people completed suicide. She explained that this was one of the factors why she got involved in the study. "It hit home to me and made me realize how big a problem this was and was part of the reason why I got involved in this research," Sen said. Reasons Behind Prevalence Of Depression And Suicidal Thoughts Among Med Students The researchers said that among the reasons behind depression and suicidal thoughts include the anxiety and stress associated with the competitiveness of medical school. The researchers said that restructuring the curricula of medical schools and student evaluation may help ameliorate these stresses. They also said that further studies on the matter should investigate how depression in medical school can predict the risk for depression of medical residents when they leave medical school. A study published in December last year showed that depression affects 29 percent of new doctors. The researchers said that depression among residents may eventually affect patient care. "Because the development of depression has been linked to a higher risk of future depressive episodes and greater long-term morbidity, these findings may affect the long-term health of resident doctors. Depression among residents may also affect patients, given established associations between physician depression and lower-quality care," the researchers wrote in their study. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Online news and social networking service Twitter has become a very popular platform for spreading news around the world and communicating with others. The 2016 presidential elections witnessed Republican candidate, businessman and politician Donald Trump using the service for his election campaign. Since announcing his bid to run for the U.S. presidency, Trump's official Twitter account @RealDonaldTrump has been under considerable scrutiny because of the attacks he made on other politicians including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush and more. However, Trump has also acquired more than 7 million followers on the social media platform. Jack Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter, thinks that Trump using Twitter during the presidential elections was "fascinating." During Recode's Code Commerce event in San Francisco on Tuesday, Dec. 6, Dorsey spoke about how he felt about Trump using Twitter and his role as a CEO in both Twitter and Square. What Dorsey Thinks Of Trump Using Twitter Dorsey was asked if he felt responsible for Trump's victory, to which he responded that America was responsible for Trump being the next president. Dorsey even says that a presidential candidate using Twitter was fascinating. "Having the president-elect on our service, using it as a direct line of communication, allows everyone to see what's on his mind in the moment. I think that's interesting, I think it's fascinating, I haven't seen that before. So we're definitely entering a new world where everything is on the surface and we can all see it in real time and we can all have conversations about it," says Dorsey. Dorsey Quitting As CEO Of Twitter Or Square? Dorsey is running both Twitter and mobile payment company Square, and he says that he has no plans of leaving either of the two. The CEO wants to be measured by the results achieved by both companies. "Our results ultimately come down to, do people want to use our products? ... My intention is to serve both companies in every way I know how and make sure that we are really focused on what's most important for each," says Dorsey. However, it is worth noting that Twitter has been having difficult times and its stock has fallen by nearly 50 percent in the past few months. According to Twitter, the service had more than 313 million monthly active users as of June 30, 2016. However, the company is facing revenue problems as well as slow user growth. Twitter has also been searching for a suitable buyer for the last few months but the company has not yet finalized a deal. During the Q3 2016 earnings call, the company also revealed plans to lay off about 350 employees. Although Dorsey may not agree, managing two companies simultaneously can be a challenging task. Slow user growth rate and laying off employees could be signs that Twitter is struggling and it's time to take on a full-time CEO to replace Dorsey in the near term. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro Moros, received with honors his peer from Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, on... | Read More A north Baton Rouge specialty surgical hospital that had asked local and state government for millions of dollars to open an emergency room is tied to at least one Dallas health care executive indicted in a federal probe of bribes and kickbacks. The for-profit Texas company NextHealth LLC owns Baton Rouge's Champion Medical Center. NextHealth's mailing address in Dallas matches that of Semyon Narosov, one of 21 health care executives charged in a federal indictment the U.S. Department of Justice recently unsealed. +4 Inside look at company's pitch for ER in north Baton Rouge medical center Leaders of a health care company told a group of local politicians and activists on Thursday Those indicted were all connected to the now-bankrupt Forest Park Medical Center in Dallas, which included several high-end and boutique-style hospitals not dissimilar to the Champion Medical Center in Baton Rouge. Federal prosecutors allege the Forest Park executives paid $40 million in bribes and kickbacks to health care professionals in exchange for referring patients to the medical center. At the height of the scheme, Forest Park executives billed patients' insurance plans and programs for more than half a billion dollars between 2009 and 2013, and collected more than $200 million in paid claims, according to a Department of Justice news release. Narosov ran a hospital consulting company with Andrew Jonathan Hillman, according to the unsealed indictment. The two Dallas men are alleged to have received $190,000 from bribes and kickbacks in exchange for referring patients to Forest Park or to surgeons at the hospital. Narosov's indictment comes just a few months after NextHealth executives made multiple trips to Baton Rouge in hopes of opening an emergency room the government would have had to subsidize. NextHealth's media relations team did not return a request for comment Tuesday, and a man answering the phone at Champion Medical Center hung up when a reporter called Tuesday asking for comment. As north Baton Rouge residents and political leaders tried to find answers in the spring of 2016 for the area's dearth of emergency health care, NextHealth operatives said they could build within a shell space at Champion Medical Center and open a small emergency room in the boutique-style hospital. Champion executives asked for $6 million to $6.5 million to build the emergency room and then an annual subsidy of $3 million to $3.5 million to operate it during the first few years. The company, however, did not have the necessary certifications to accept Medicaid and Medicare payments, and executives said it would need a transfer agreement with a local hospital in order to be successful. The Metro Council passed a resolution in May encouraging Baton Rouge hospitals to discuss transfer agreements with Champion, but Mayor-President Kip Holden bashed the idea and questioned the company's credibility. In September, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that his administration reached a deal for Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center to expand its north Baton Rouge clinic into an emergency room. Edwards said Champion had too many problems, as its company ran no other emergency rooms, lacked transfer agreements, did not accept Medicaid and was not approved to deliver emergency care. +4 Gov. John Bel Edwards: Planned ER in north BR something to celebrate An eight-bed emergency room in north Baton Rouge could be open and seeing patients in a year Discussions of an emergency room at Champion Medical Center mostly died down after Edwards' announcement of the north Baton Rouge Our Lady of the Lake emergency room. The state is giving Our Lady of the Lake a one-time payment of $5.5 million to build its emergency room. Specialized equipment that will make it easier to load shipping containers onto barges at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge for trips to New Orleans should be in place by the third quarter of 2017, the ports executive director said Tuesday. Jay Hardman said the plan is to put out a public bid for the equipment in January. Because the loading cranes are so specialized, Hardman said they practically have to be custom fabricated. If you were to watch them put a box on a barge with the existing crane its painful, Hardman said after an awards ceremony for the $1.75 million grant the U.S. Department of Transportation gave to the Baton Rouge and New Orleans ports. You would want to go out and help them. Port service recognized by U.S. Department of Transportation The container-on-barge shuttle service between the Port of Greater Baton Rouge and the Port While the current cranes can load about 15 shipping containers an hour onto a barge, the new equipment is capable of loading 25 to 30 containers an hour, said Richard Teubner, vice president of operations for SEACOR AMH, which launched the container-on-barge service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans in late July. About 100 to 200 containers a week are being shipped on the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to New Orleans every week. Empty barges are coming down from Memphis. They then go to Dow Chemical, Shintech and ExxonMobil, where theyre filled with plastic pellets. Those loaded barges are shipped to New Orleans where they are distributed to plants in Europe, Asia and South America. Since the containers are being shipped by barge, they can be loaded to capacity. Teubner said containers that are trucked to New Orleans cant be filled to capacity, so that they dont exceed weight limits for highways. Paul Chip Jaenichen, the U.S. Department of Transportations maritime administrator, said the partnership between the ports, the chemical plants and SEACOR, is the sort of public-private collaboration thats necessary. This is an exciting supply chain solution that uses the Mississippi River, he said. Gary LaGrange, executive director of the Port of New Orleans, said the state saves $118 for each round trip a shipping container makes down the Mississippi River instead of along Interstate 10. Thats based on the wear and tear on state highways. LaGrange joked about how he got stuck in traffic on the way to Tuesdays ceremony and he should have taken a barge to get to the Baton Rouge port. There are 32 ports in Louisiana and theres no reason why many of them cant be involved in similar operations, he said. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission Iberville Parish's top emergency preparedness official said Tuesday she's not happy about Dow Chemical's failure to quickly alert her office to last week's chlorine release at its Plaquemine facility or with its failure to adequately inform them of what was happening. "Anytime there is offsite impact, we need immediate notification so we can alert the public," said Laurie Doiron, director of Iberville Parish's Office of Emergency Preparedness. Doiron, who plans to meet with company officials Wednesday to discuss where communications broke down during the chlorine release, complained that she and her office had to figure out what was going on for themselves without official word from the plant. Doiron said her office had to contact plant officials to even find out an incident was taking place at the facility, which is located on La. 1 just outside the Plaquemine city limits. And, she said, plant officials downplayed the impact of the chlorine release, claiming it was confined just to the plant. The chain of events began around 3 p.m. Friday when the Dow plant experienced a power outage that shut down production units, sparking the chlorine leak. The chemical leak originated from one of the Olin Corporation facilities located within the Dow plant site. Entergy Louisiana said Monday they suspect the outage was caused by a sugar cane burn that damaged a nearby transmission line. In response to Doiron's complaints, Dow officials said they did immediately notify the parish's OEP about the incident. Officials with Olin corporation said the same in a separate statement Tuesday. "Dow spoke to the Iberville Parish OEP office within 13 minutes of the incident," DOW spokeswoman Stacey Chiasson said Tuesday in a prepared statement. "Our primary focus was to assess the incident so we could communicate accurately and ensure the safety of our people on site and the community." Olin did not respond Tuesday to a request for comment. A meeting between officials from both companies and the Iberville OEP is scheduled for Wednesday. "I think it was just a miscommunication between the two companies," Doiron said. "We just weren't getting the information." Doiron said her office made the first call to Dow around 3:11 p.m. Friday after getting a call from the Iberville Parish Sheriff's deputy who was onsite at the facility. The deputy informed her that the facility was sending all its nonessential workers home because of a chlorine release. Doiron said Dow officials told her there was a power outage but said that no chlorine was being release off-site where it might affect people living in the area. A second call was placed to Dow around 3:19 p.m., Doiron said, after her office learned some nearby residents were reported their eyes were burning and they were finding it difficult to breathe. "That's when they told us they were monitoring the situation and not detecting anything offsite," Doiron said. "Dow then called back at 3:26 p.m. asking for a road block on La. 1. They just wanted the road block and said they would call back if we needed to notify the public." Doiron said the narrative from plant officials that there was no offsite impact never changed. But as a precautionary measure, her office sounded the parish's warning horns and issued the first "shelter in place" order around 3:40 p.m. for the Bayou Choctaw community northwest of the plant. That order was later expanded to include the Bayou Plaquemine area as well after Dow's extended the scope of their road block request, she said. Federal and state law mandates that any chlorine release over 10 pounds be reported to authorities within an hour. Initial estimates from State Police show that between 3,000 to 3,500 pounds of chlorine was released into the atmosphere before the leak was stopped. Louisiana State Police and officials with the state's Department of Environmental Quality have already said Dow and Olin made the proper notifications within those federal and state guidelines. However, Doiron argued: "If they take an hour to notify us, it will take another hour for us to alert the public that there's a chlorine cloud," she said. "Any time there is offsite impact, we need to know immediately." A house fire Tuesday afternoon on Jackson Avenue did significant damage to the home but caused no injuries, a Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesman said. If youre voting on Saturday for mayor-president, what is the quality you should look for in the next leader of East Baton Rouge Parish? Luck, probably. One of the shrewdest observers of American politics is Alan Ehrenhalt of Governing magazine, and he noted in his November column that about half of Americas larger cities elected mayors on Nov. 8. Baton Rouge did, but Louisianas unique election system set up a runoff for Saturday between Sharon Weston Broome and Bodi White. The two have tussled a bit but its largely been a gracious race, though also one that really does not tell us much about where either one will take the city-parish government in the next four years. In fact, one of their key talking points is one where they have little authority, public education. Like most cities, although there are exceptions, public education is outside the mayors purview. He or she can exhort, and perhaps work at the fringes of public education by collaborating on siting of schools or other tangential matters. The city-parish is the Head Start grantee, but thats a pass-through funding issue. Its hard to remember anything more than benign neglect of preschool education in city-parish government; in any case, it would be a hard sell for city-parish funds to be steered from their existing priorities into the high costs of education at any level. Every mayor wants to talk about creating better school systems, but as (professor Richard) Schragger points out, there hasnt been much of a detectable correlation in recent years between educational improvement and broader economic revival, Ehrenhalt said in his national column. Chicago and Philadelphia have been burdened for several decades now by dysfunctional school systems, but both have experienced central city comebacks that have spread beyond the immediate downtown area into an ever-expanding network of surrounding communities. Schragger, a law professor at the University of Virginia, looked at economic and social revitalization strategies cited by candidates across the country. When the strategies work, its mostly luck, Ehrenhalt said. Any claim that a specific policy will foster growth or decline, Schragger says in his new book, "City Power," should be treated with a great deal of caution. ... Confident predictions that economic growth is attainable if city leaders would just get with the program are seriously oversold. That book ought to be required reading for the winner on Saturday in Baton Rouge, and also for the candidates lining up to run for mayor of New Orleans. Voters will go to the polls in October for a primary election to replace the term-limited Mitch Landrieu. If expectations ought to be lower than the candidates hype, there are real powers in the mayors office, like its peers around the country. One is the budget, and Landrieu has shown that hard choices can right a city even from the budgetary catastrophe left by now-disgraced Ray Nagin. But there is a luck factor in the budget, as well, as regional and national economic conditions will do much to determine how much a mayor has to spend. One of the reasons that Broome and White have perhaps not generated the kind of heat that might be expected in a major election is that times are relatively prosperous for a city-parish government fueled mostly by sales taxes. Local business is good, and should continue to grow next year, the Baton Rouge Area Chamber reported last month. But the business cycle is called that for a reason, and at some point revenues might struggle to maintain existing expenditures. Maybe it wont be as bad a crisis as Landrieu faced after Nagin, or Mayor-President Joel Robideaux faces in the decline of oil and gas in Lafayette. But what goes up must come down, maybe in the next four years. Email Lanny Keller at lkeller@theadvocate.com. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO -- This house at 449 S. America St. is one of the seven that will open its doors for the History & Holly Home Tour in Covington. A Comanchero who spoke of making Rebels "dance" when released from jail will face trial in the ACT Supreme Court over an alleged drive-by shooting. Police believe tensions simmered between the two clubs when the Comancheros set up in the ACT last year, and then flared with a number of drive-by shootings. The scene of the shooting in Stirling in March 2015. Credit:Jeffrey Chan It's alleged Daniel Grech, 27, was involved in one. At about 10pm on March 12, 2015, police got multiple reports of shots being fired at a home in Stirling. The AFL career of Fremantle forward Shane Yarran could be over after he was charged with unlawful wounding over an incident from last year. Yarran's future already hung in the balance after being charged with aggravated common assault over an alleged incident that involved a family member last month. Shane Yarran been charged over an alleged incident in July 2015. Credit:Chris Hyde The 27-year-old made a brief appearance in court on Tuesday over that charge, and the case was adjourned until February 7. But after that hearing, Yarran was charged by police with unlawful wounding stemming from a separate incident in July 2015 - four months before he was drafted by the Dockers. Victoria's lawmakers appear likely to be given a conscience vote early next year on legalising, under strict conditions, physician-assisted death. The Age embraces the news, and urges parliamentarians to support any such bill. We believe there is a compelling case for the change, which polls have shown has long been supported by as many as four in five Australians, and which has happened elsewhere in the world. After an extensive investigation that included about 1300 submissions, a cross-party committee recommended six months ago that doctors be given the legally protected right to assist some terminally ill patients to die. Illustration: Michael Leunig A similar piece of legislation, drafted by Greens leader Richard Di Natale, a doctor, is parked in the Senate, and thus success in Victoria might well spread nationally. Senator Di Natale's move more than a year ago followed a cross-party Senate committee that reached the conclusion the Victorian committee did some months later. The case for change is, we have long argued, overwhelming. In short: there can be a crescendo of suffering as death nears; a doctor's duty is to relieve suffering; some suffering will only be relieved by death; a doctor's duty is to respect a patient's autonomy; some patients rationally and persistently request assistance to die; palliative care cannot relieve all the pain and suffering of dying patients. Some of the strongest arguments against assisted death are that ill people will seek it either because they are coerced by unscrupulous relatives or make the decision when mentally unwell. These are valid concerns, but they should be assuaged by the strict safeguards it is believed would be in the legislation. Under the committee's proposal, which mirrors the position of experts including one of the nation's leading advocates for assisted death, Melbourne urologist Dr Rodney Syme, only adults with decision-making capacity, suffering from a serious and terminal condition, with months or weeks left to live, would be given the choice to die. The patients would need to be able to demonstrate they were mentally competent. Further, two doctors would have to sign off on the prescription of the fatal drug. Views change with experience. Both committees were convinced by the testimony of people who had witnessed the unnecessary suffering of those they love. Lawmakers' emerging embrace of the change also reflects personal experience. The Senate committee's chairman, Liberal Ian Macdonald, said his mother's demise helped shape his view terminally ill people should have a right to assisted death. And here in Victoria, more than half the cabinet have declared support, led by Premier Daniel Andrews, who became in favour of such change after watching his father die from cancer earlier this year. Dr Syme has openly admitted helping many patients die, and is prepared to face a jury. But he has never been charged, so vexed has been this issue. The bulk of the population clearly believes compassionate medicos like Dr Syme should not be open to criminal charges for such action. On Monday, the Salvation Army thought it would be a good idea to release a public statement saying they don't support Safe Schools. Under normal circumstances this would be a weird thing for the Salvation Army to announce at all, since their own Youth and Schools programs cover completely different ground. To do so nearly a year after Safe Schools was a hot button cultural issue seemed particularly odd. And to do it less than two weeks after the suicide of a 13-year-old child beggars belief. But that's the position the Salvation Army have chosen to take in public, and I respect their decision to take it. And so I am following their example by making my own position public and making clear that I will no longer support the Salvation Army. Many people choose this time of year to make their choices about the charities to whom they donate. I've done so myself, and I have chosen to put my resources toward organisations that don't put conditions on which children they deem to be worthy of love, respect, and protection. Last month the state Liberal MP for Ripon, Louise Staley, appeared before the Liberal State Council to introduce Opposition Leader Matthew Guy. She had this piece of advice for Liberals whinging about a lack of media coverage: Recognise this Guy? Credit:Ken Irwin "To those who tell me and my colleagues that you don't see us enough, or hear us enough in the media, please read ... the Herald Sun, or listen to 3AW, or the Channel Nine news." In making the comment, Staley belled not one but two cats. First, she confirmed the opposition has been fending off complaints from within its own ranks that it lacks visibility. Quite a startling public admission, when you think about it. The man who came up with the scheme at the centre of a humiliating backdown by Energy and Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg says its rejection shows the government lacks spine, and will be responsible for higher electricity prices and reduced energy reliability. Having told media on Sunday and Monday that a climate policy review next year would consider emissions intensity scheme for electricity generators a form of carbon pricing Mr Frydenberg changed tack on Tuesday, and denied having made the comments in the first place. It followed a public and internal outcry by conservative government MPs who said it would be equivalent to introducing a carbon tax. Frontier Economics chief Danny Price, who advised Malcolm Turnbull on an emissions intensity scheme as far back as 2009 and who the government last year appointed to the Climate Change Authority board, said the government had turned its back on an option that would have actually reduced prices. Senator Culleton at the High Court. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen "I say, 'No you're not, we're free men and we have had this right to trial by jury, to protect our property and liberty for 800 years and they say 'Poo, poo to that.' " Mr Wilson admitted he had been described as a "vexatious litigant" by the courts previously - which he described as an attempt to keep him quiet and said Senator Culleton was "being treated as a slave". Speaking outside the court during an adjournment, Senator Culleton denied Mr Wilson's assertions they were friends. "No, that wasn't my friend," he said. "A lot of people have written to me, certainly he is not a personal friend. "That was an outburst I think was not required by the court. Anyway, anyone can turn up to the court. I can't control people's personal opinions." Heading into the court, Senator Culleton said he believes he holds his party's policies "higher" than leader Pauline Hanson, as the rift between the pair threatens to overshadow his High Court battle. But Senator Culleton said he did not need his leader to "love" him to continue serving with One Nation. Ahead of his appearance before the full High Court bench, the West Australian maintained he was being pursued for political reasons. "It is not the High Court, it is the government that wants to challenge me," he said outside the court. "Malcolm Turnbull's government wants to challenge me over annulment." The court is being asked to decide whether a conviction, later nullified after the election, made Senator Culleton ineligible to stand as a senator under section 44 of the constitution . While not saying whether the Commonwealth was paying for his legal representation, Senator Culleton said his party, which had voted with the government to refer the matter to the High Court, had been "misled" by Attorney-General George Brandis. Relations between Senator Hanson and Senator Culleton have been in decline since the referral, culminating in Senator Hanson all but disowning Senator Culleton in a radio interview in which she said he was "not a team player" and "someone who could not be reasoned with". But Senator Culleton said he was undeterred by his leader's comments. "That's OK, she doesn't want to get involved in the court matters, does she?" he said. "That's the position she takes and if that is her position, then I can't help that. "I can't make somebody love me, you know?" Senator Culleton has maintained his confidence throughout the proceedings and said he would weigh up his future once the matter had been finalised, but showed no remorse over breaking with the party on votes, particularly the backpacker tax. "It is what is right for the people and if you feel that you can get a better deal as one senator standing out on his own, then that is what you go for," he said. "You must strike the best deal you can on the day and take every piece of legislation on its merit and go your hardest. "Because that is what the people want, they want somebody who is going to perform, not a bloody muppet and a puppet. "I can still perform my duties under One Nation, and, look, there are questions over some of the policies - we were at odds on the Kidman station, but the policy was we don't want any more foreign ownership." When asked if he believed he held One Nation's policiesmore highly than Senator Hanson did, Senator Culleton said "I believe I am", citing his fight for a banking royal commission and battle for farmers. He says he takes Obama's advice on appointments and believes they have a chemistry together! So by that logic, all need is for Trump to meet a Mexican! And his language on the South China Sea is important to mark. Trump said China is "not supposed to be doing" what it's doing (military build up) and earlier spoke of the US engaging in a military build up under his leadership. He described his Defense Secretary James Mattis as a "tough cookie" and said the country would need a "tough cookie." A short time later he named John F. Kelly as his Homeland Secretary. [The Washington Post] 2. Pakistan plane crash Airport security at Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad, Pakistan, following a report that a passenger plane had crashed. Credit:ANJUM NAVEED Around 40 people are dead after a Pakistan International Airlines flight crashed over the country's northern mountainous region. Witnesses said the plane was on fire before it crashed. [Reuters 3. Turnbull's complete capitulation on climate Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Credit:AAP Yesterday I wrote in Double Shot that we can accept Malcolm Turnbull does care about climate change. Then I read the transcript of his media conference where he disowned any sort of price on carbon, the sort he backed in 2009 and lost the Liberal leadership over, forever, despite the advice of his handpicked advisor. [Phillip Coorey/Financial Review] I'm not even being slightly sarcastic here. What on earth is the point of Turnbull? Why did he want to replace Tony Abbott if he has nothing better or different to offer other than remove Knights and Dames. Turnbull is proving to be the ultimate political hollowman. Don't dismiss this is as just further proof of the political ineptitude which plagues this government. Chris Kenny was Turnbull's chief of staff when it all went sour the first time. He wrote that an industry insider told him last week a carbon price was part of the government's thinking. [The Australian] And as Laura Tingle points out, this went through Cabinet. [Financial Review] This is dangerous territory for Turnbull. He has confirmed what the right feared all along - that he would lunge for his Labor-lite instincts if made PM. And perversely, his rise has emboldened the hard-right, especially his foe Cory Bernardi, who was struggling to get right-wing issues addressed by the so-called conservative former PM Tony Abbott. Senator Cory Bernardi. Bernardi is getting more wins under Turnbull than he ever did with Abbott - including: destroying Kevin Rudd's hopes, making headway on reforming the Racial Discrimination Act and now with the carbon price. And "every time Turnbull gives up on something he once stood for, and adopts instead the approach forced on him by the right of his party, the public's ears become a little more blocked," writes former Gillard and Rudd advisor Sean Kelly. [The Monthly] (This is a breath-takingly good piece of writing and my must-read for today.) It also leaves the government in a complex place on the policy front. How will it hope to meet future emissions reduction targets if it has demonised the Renewable Energy Target, its emissions reductions fund is running out of money and they won't consider a carbon price? Niki Savva writes Turnbull believes Australia will meet its targets without any government intervention. [The Australian] 4. Syria Fire rises following a Syrian government air strike that hit rebel positions in the eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo, Syria, on Monday. Credit:AP The leaders of Britain, the United States, France, Canada, Italy and Germany have all condemned Russia and Iran for blocking humanitarian aid to Syria. [Reuters] Syria accused Israel of attacking Damascus for a second time this week. [Bloomberg] 5. Italian PM formally resigns. Former South Australian Premier Mike Rann Credit:David Mariuz Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has just formally resigned. What next for Italy? I had a chat with our former ambassador to Italy Mike Rann, who remains very well connected in Rome. Rann says there is a possibility of a snap election after all (this wasn't the case just yesterday) and he calculates that would be an enormous risk given the populist Five Star Movement's rise in Italy. [My report/Fairfax] 6. Assange Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. Credit:AP Julian Assange has released details of text messages sent by the woman at the centre of the rape allegations levelled against him in Sweden. Assange claims they show he is "entirely innocent" and the sex was consensual. [Steve Cannane/ABC] Aerobic fitness should be considered a vital sign, just as body temperature, blood pressure, pulse and breathing rates are now, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association. The statement points out that fitness can be a better indicator of someone's risk for heart disease and early death than such standard risk factors as smoking, obesity and high blood pressure. The authors recommend that each of us should have our aerobic fitness assessed as part of medical examinations and, if our fitness is on the low side, we should be advised and helped to start exercising. Running into better health. Credit:iStock The authors also suggest that if your physician does not begin to determine your aerobic fitness in the near future, you should do so yourself, using any of several scientifically validated online tools. Aerobic, or cardiorespiratory, fitness is a measure of how well your body can deliver oxygen to tissues. Because that process is pervasive and essential within our bodies, it is also a "reflection of overall physiological health and function, especially of the cardiovascular system," according to the report. Director Roman Polanski scored a key legal victory in Poland on Tuesday when the country's top court rejected an extradition request from the US stemming from the filmmaker's 1977 Los Angeles case in which he pleaded guilty to having sex with a minor. The Polish Supreme Court in Warsaw ruled to uphold a lower Krakow court's decision in October of last year to deny the US Justice Department's request to hand over the 83-year-old director, whose body of work includes such acclaimed films as Rosemary's Baby, Chinatown and The Pianist. French-Polish film director Roman Polanski is seen during a press conference at the Bonarowski Palace Hotel on October 30, 2015 in Krakow, Poland. Credit:Adam Nurkiewicz The supreme court's decision was confirmed by Polanski's US attorney, Harland Braun. In its decision last year to deny the US its extradition request, the lower court noted numerous irregularities in the original case, including alleged unethical behaviour by LA Superior Court Judge Laurence Rittenband. Demand for hospital beds in Sydney's inner west is so strong that dying patients and those infected with multi-drug-resistant bacteria are forced to share rooms with other patients at Concord Hospital, which doctors say is dilapidated beyond repair. One of the most senior staff at Concord Hospital wrote to NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner in September to plead for the facility to be redeveloped in a letter obtained by the NSW Opposition under Government Information (Public Access) laws. Concord Hospital is dilapidated beyond repair, says Dr John Cullen. Credit:Brendon Thorne Geriatric Medicine department head John Cullen said the buildings had recently endured water leaks, a ceiling collapse, toilet blockages, sewage overflows, floor subsidence, air conditioning breakdowns and possum invasions. Virtually the whole hospital needed a major physical redevelopment, but geriatric patients were cared for in the "worst physical conditions on the campus", Dr Cullen wrote. A Melbourne pizza shop worker who sent about $16,000 overseas so a contact could fight in Syria has walked from court with a community corrections order, after a judge found more jail would be "counter-productive". Hassan El Sabsabi, 25, was in 2014 charged with sending funds to terror organisations, but those charges were dropped by federal prosecutors. He later admitted to making a series of money transfers to US citizen Abedallah Karram, who claimed he wanted to fight against the Assad regime. Hassan El Sabsabi leaves the Melbourne Magistrates Court last year. Credit:JasonSouth The two men met online and El Sabsabi told Karram he was unable to fight with his body, so would "fight with my wealth", the Supreme Court heard on Wednesday. Justice Lex Lasry heard El Sabsabi's plea hearing a year ago and said on Wednesday he felt previously it was appropriate the young man be sent back to jail given the serious nature of the offences. The Salvation Army underpaid dozens of people who received financial compensation from the organisation for the alleged physical and sexual abuse they suffered in children's homes, a royal commission has heard. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was told the Salvation Army's two Australian territories have underpaid abuse victims by thousands of dollars. A review of almost 200 claims in the eastern territory, which covers NSW, Queensland and the ACT, found more than a quarter were incorrectly assessed according to the Salvation Army's own formula. The review of claims from 1997 to 2014 found 134 male victims were paid a total of $5.8 million for alleged abuse in boys' homes and 52 women received $1.4 million for alleged abuse in girls' facilities. She apologised on behalf of the agencies involved, and said: "at the moment our emphasis is on the students who have received their results and their ATAR, if they were eligible for one." She said all schools had been contacted to inform them of the error, and VCAT and the VCAA had been in contact with all students who had received their results and/or their ATAR early, to offer them support. Ms Connelly said it was too early to discuss whether VCAT and the VCAA would pursue penalties against Salmat. Education Minister James Merlino has ordered an urgent investigation into the blunder, which has compromised sensitive results that are normally closely guarded until the official release. He said on Thursday morning that he wanted the investigation completed as quickly as possible. "This is obviously a serious error that has been made and I can understand that students would be confused and angry and disappointed with what has occurred. "I can assure parents, the students and their schools that there'll be a thorough independent investigation to find out what went wrong, how it happened, and to ensure it doesn't happen again." The saga is a major embarrassment for VTAC, who vowed just weeks ago to crack down on schools that leaked ATARs. It imposed a range of new penalties for schools that broke the rules, including being barred from accessing early results for up to five years. The principals of some students who got early results said the study scores were close to what they would have expected the students to get. Some also pointed out the hypocrisy of VTAC's threats to punish schools for releasing the data early. While the VCAA calculates study scores for individual subjects based on school assessments and exams, VTAC calculates the ATAR which is used by universities. Disbelief, elation, shock and anger spread through students' online forums as some students expressed devastation at receiving their results early, while others were furious they couldn't access theirs. "ATAR is done and dusted, relieved," one student posted. "I'm actually more nervous about my ATAR now that some people have gotten theirs like, All Hope Is Dead," another wrote. Screen grab of a reported VCAA text received by a year 12 student Lynda Manley, mother of Princes Hill Secondary College student Ruby, said on Wednesday night she was angry that her daughter received a text at a time when there were no support systems available to help students process the news. "It's 8 o'clock on a Wednesday night and the school support systems are ready to kick in on a Monday morning. I can't raise teachers on a Wednesday night. "We've got no way of confirming whether this is a hack or legitimate." Ruby tried to get her ATAR after reading on the VCE DiscussionSpace Facebook page that others were getting their results. The text she received back "was not the score she was hoping for," said Ms Manley. "Now I've got this upset 18-year-old. I'm thinking this has got to be a prank or a hack." Toni Buttigieg, who came home from work to find her daughter in tears, said the early unexpected release had caused already-anxious students an enormous amount of stress. "There is enough pressure on VCE students and to have results come early without knowing whether they are real or not has just exacerbated the anxiety. "We've been working towards Monday morning, we've put strategies in place but tonight because of the unexpected, it's just blown up. We have vulnerable young people and they just don't know, they don't know if it's real." However, not everyone was disappointed. Isaac Black, 18, was with a group of friends when they saw a post on a VCE Facebook group by a girl who'd discovered the error. Soon, all of his friends had their results too, and all were happy with their results. "We all got the scores that we needed to get in to our courses," he said. Keira Schaefer, Isaac Black, and Grace Pear were happy with their VCE results. Credit:Isaac Black The text message sent to Isaac apologising for his results being sent early. Credit:Isaac Black VCE student Paddy received a nice surprise when he registered at 7.45pm - a text message that said he had achieved an impressive ATAR of 99.75. It also included all his study scores for individual subjects. But he was unsure whether to believe the good news. "No one is sure what is going on," he said on Wednesday. "It's good news, but I don't know if it is real. I don't know whether to celebrate or not." He was considering studying a science degree at university next year, but said if the results were correct he would reconsider his options. "I might take a gap year and have a proper think. It is a lot higher than I thought I would get." A quick-acting tradie has saved a dog from a fire which has destroyed a house on the Gold Coast. Garry Webber was working across the road from the home in Elanora when the fierce blaze began. Mr Webber rescued the dog, named Panda, from the basement but the fire destroyed the home despite the arrival of several fire fighting crews. EARLIER A medical transfer request for an Iranian asylum seeker on Manus Island who later died from septicaemia "did not paint a picture of urgency", a senior bureaucrat has told a coronial inquest. Hamid Kehazaei, 24, was admitted to the island's clinic on August 23, 2014, after cutting his foot and was eventually flown from Port Moresby to Brisbane's Mater Hospital. Hamid Kehazaei was evacuated from Manus Island after cutting his foot. The Immigration Department's then-director of detention health operations, Amanda Little, on Wednesday told the Brisbane Coroner's Court she received an initial request for medical transfer on August 25. While Ms Little was in meetings for over five hours that afternoon, the approval process began with an aim to have Mr Kehazaei on a commercial flight at 11am the following day. The Queensland government has revealed the latest international tourist figures, which show there has been a big boost in numbers thanks to visitors from Asia. "China continues to be our biggest market by total number and expenditure and this survey we had amazing growth from Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, India and Thailand," Tourism Minister Kate Jones said. Visits from Asian holiday makers has increased, while French and Italians are visiting less. Credit:Glenn Hunt The number of Korean visitors has increased 37 per cent, while Japanese visitor numbers have increased by 24 per cent. But while the numbers of visitors from Asia has increased by a massive 25.6 per cent in the year ending September 2016, visitor numbers from Europe grew only 1.6 per cent and, from some countries, have dropped dramatically. Victoria's anti-corruption commission IBAC has charged a former City of Ballarat employee with fraud after an investigation into corrupt transactions at the council. IBAC released a statement on Wednesday confirming the ex-employee had been charged with "procurement related deception offences" and soliciting secret commissions. It would not elaborate further on what the deception offences involved. Credit:Susan Stott Three former contractors are also facing related charges, with the matter scheduled to go before Ballarat Magistrates' Court on December 15. The City of Ballarat has released a statement saying the charges did not apply to anyone who had left the organisation after late November 2015. A man with a long history of lewd acts including masturbating in front of two 16-year-old schoolgirls will be allowed to work with children, in a decision described as "bizarre" by a former children's commissioner. The man, who can be known only as 'DXP' for legal reasons, applied in 2014 to be able to work with children, after expressing interest in setting up a family daycare business. That application was denied by the Department of Justice and Regulation, but the decision was recently overturned by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. VCAT president Justice Greg Garde has slammed the ability of developers to control bodies corporate as 'an abuse'. Credit:Pat Scala In the 1980s and 1990s, DXP was found guilty of five separate wilful and obscene exposures, starting when he was 19. In his most recent offence, in 1997, the then-34-year-old flashed his penis and masturbated in front of the two schoolgirls. The tribunal heard police records suggested his conduct was deliberate. He drove past the victims, smiling and staring, before doing a U-turn. As the victims walked away, he said: "Did you enjoy that? Did you have a good look, girls?" Melbourne Express: Thursday, December 8, 2016 Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss Let the beers flow: the 55 sacked CUB workers will return to work on "fair and decent union terms and conditions", after a bitter 180-day dispute. Australian unions have been rallying against the beer giant since maintenance workers lost their jobs at the Abbotsford brewery and refused to reapply with a new contractor on vastly inferior pay and conditions. The 55 staff were laid off when CUB axed a long-standing maintenance contract. In a tweet on Wednesday morning, Australian unions said the result was a "historic victory". An increasingly-common sight around Perth. Credit:Simon Wheeler "All my partner ever wanted was a sea view. We worked 20 years each before we got it. I'm still paying back the bank and it's been taken away." The other two proposals named were large nursing home developments, one a four-storey Karrinyup building on Prisk Street in a designated bushfire-prone area, on which new regulations require a bushfire attack level assessment but, this was not done, and the community is concerned. "The City of Stirling informed residents that a BAL report wasn't required by legislation because the legislation had only been passed three months prior and there was a four-month transition period allowed," Mr Wheeler said. "Not a word about the safety of four storeys of geriatric patients being put at risk over a technicality." The loss on my property is probably about $150,000. The other development, on Silica Street in Carine, was a site for which the council had spent a great deal of time and money developing a 'local vision' structure plan guaranteeing five to six-metre setbacks and retention of mature trees. But the approval allowed the developer to cut setbacks to as little as 1.5 metres in places, necessitating the removal of several trees in an area that can scarce afford such a loss. Mr Wheeler said residents felt the council, powerless against the local Development Assessment Panel and the State Administrative Tribunal, was rubber-stamping proposals. "During the advertising period for this electors' meeting I had a call from about 40 people with similar issues," he said. "On their own each can be argued over. But they add up to something greater than the sum of their parts. "I now have others' emotions on board and I can see how it's affecting them. It's about people's lives, all they ever work for and all they really want. "I am not a little old bloke complaining about things for the sake of anything. I have never done anything like this, it's not my way. But the more we do, the more people tell me. "Then I research, look into it, and it is unbelievable what is happening. "The planning department does pretty much whatever they want and they are totally unaccountable. All we can do is pressure councillors. There are several who understand what is happening within the planning department but they take a deep breath before they say anything. "When the council meets in early February, if they ignore all these motions and some of them are not unreasonable they need to be investigated because there is something very wrong." He said residents were not anti-development, but the approvals were coming in cases where options to get a better outcome through compromise had been ignored. City of Stirling chief executive Stuart Jardine said City officers prepared a Responsible Authority Report for all DAP applications, assessing each against planning law in a publicly available report. Outcomes of community consultation were important, but were only one part of the consideration if an application complied with planning regulations it would be approved. In these cases, the City had appropriately assessed the three developments against the statutory planning framework and provided a detailed report to the DAP, which had made the decisions on the proposals' merits against planning requirements. "It is always concerning when residents feel aggrieved by any development decision and the City always tries to balance planning outcomes with amenity concerns when assessing applications," Mr Jardine said. "It is, however, important that once the assessment and consultation process has occurred in relation to a development application that residents understand that a lawful planning decision has been made. "The State Government have set up the JDAP process and whilst council voted in May to lobby against the system due to concerns being raised regarding the voice of the community and Council in the decision making process, this is the system we currently have to work within." Loading The residents at the meeting were a portion of the approximately 320 from these suburbs signed up to the "DAP Affected Communities" campaign, which believes the amenity of Perth suburbs is being compromised by perceived problems with the state government's Development Assessment Panel system. Hundreds of truckies and travellers stranded in remote WA began moving again on Wednesday evening as firefighters kept up efforts to contain a bushfire raging across the Nullarbor. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services had issued an emergency warning for people travelling in the area on Wednesday morning, closing Eyre Highway between Caiguna Roadhouse and Madura. Travel has again come to a halt on the Eyre Highway due to bushfire forced road closures. Credit:Andrew Ivey It downgraded the alert to a 'watch and act' at 4.12pm and to an 'advice' by 5.30pm, when the highway reopened. Many of the long-haul drivers and tourists making the trip interstate had been trapped between roadblocks 170 kilometres apart. Police have raided a number of homes in Perth's southern suburbs targeting drug dealers. More than 30 officers were involved in coordinated raids on four homes in Atwell and Meve Estate in Beeliar on Wednesday morning. Police raid a home in Beeliar. Credit:WA police As a result of the raids, WA Police seized quantities of cannabis, methylamphetamine, steroids and smoking implements from the properties. A 46 year-old man has been charged with a string of drug-related offences, and a 38 year-old woman has been charged with possessing smoking implements. Increase US economic growth to more than 4 percent a year. There are only two ways to increase economic growth: Increase the number of workers, or increase productivity, the amount the average worker produces. The news is not good on either front. The growth of the US workforce is slowing as baby boomers retire and families have fewer children. And Trump has promised new restrictions on immigration, limiting another source of workers. At the same time, productivity has increased over the last decade at an average annual pace of just 1.3 per cent - and there is little evidence that faster growth is in the offing. The result is that annual economic growth has averaged 2.1 perc ent in the six full years since the last recession, and is on a similar trajectory this year. There are few obvious means for Trump to deliver on his promise. Invest in infrastructure to create jobs. Trump will find bipartisan support in Congress for his proposal to create jobs and stimulate the economy by building and repairing highways, bridges, water systems and other public works. But many Republicans may balk at a big spending program that adds to the federal budget deficit. Some Democrats will resist Trump's proposal to offer tax breaks to private companies in return for infrastructure investments, notably because the federal government is able to borrow money at exceptionally low rates. Democrats are also likely to resist efforts to waive environmental rules or prevailing-wage protections for construction projects. Build a border wall. Trump promised to "build a great, great wall on our southern border" and "have Mexico pay for that wall." Fulfilling this promise would be difficult, though perhaps not impossible if Trump stretches the definition of "wall." Fences already exist along hundreds of miles of the border. Mexico has said it will not pay for a wall. And even if it did, Trump would probably need approval from Congress to spend money. Congress might support increased border security and the installation of more fencing, but construction of a wall would meet resistance from both parties. The easier ones Withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Trump pledged that on his first day in office he would give notice that the United States intends to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement the Obama administration negotiated with other Pacific Rim nations that is awaiting ratification. Though Trump has the authority to carry out this promise, other participants, including Japan and Australia, have expressed hope that he will reconsider. If not, they may pursue regional trade deals that exclude the United States. End the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The program, which President Barack Obama announced to protect undocumented immigrants who entered the country as minors, was created by presidential fiat and it can be ended just as easily. Trump has repeatedly promised to do so. He has not said whether he will deprive current participants of protection, or simply prevent new enrollments. Allow the Keystone XL pipeline to move forward. Pipelines that run between the United States and Canada must obtain presidential approval. In November 2015, Obama refused to grant permission to the Keystone XL pipeline, which would carry oil from the tar sands of Canada to the southern edge of Nebraska, where it would connect to existing pipelines. Trump has encouraged the company behind the project, TransCanada, to submit a new application once he takes office. He also has suggested, however, that TransCanada should share its profits with taxpayers. Nominate a Supreme Court justice. Trump says that in his first 100 days, he will begin the process of selecting a replacement for Justice Antonin Scalia from his list of 21 judges "who will uphold and defend the US Constitution." if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi... Monday 05 September, 2016 Reliable information reaching Biafra writers desk has it that the life of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indi... The 2011 Nobel Prize Ceremony in Stockholm (Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) On Saturday, the glitz and glam of the annual Nobel Prize ceremony and banquet will arrive in Stockholm. To help get us in the mood for more Swedish tiaras, heres a flashback to the jewels we saw at the Nobels five years ago. Photo: JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images Queen Silvia wore one of her usual Nobel tiaras: Queen Sofias Tiara (aka the Nine Prong Tiara). This angle shows the unusual setting of the central diamond. We also get a good look here at the Karl Johan Diamond Earrings. Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images With La Pronger, Silvia also wore a diamond riviere with a pear-shaped diamond pendant. She secured her Seraphim sash with Queen Victorias diamond lozenge brooch. Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Heres a look at her apricot and gold brocade gown, which has a very queenly train. Photo: JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images Crown Princess Victoria was expecting Princess Estelle on this Nobel night, but she still piled on the diamonds. Shes wearing the Six-Button Tiara in all its glory. As her dress was spangled with royal blue sequins, she also wore pieces from the Leuchtenberg sapphire parure; we get a good look at the earrings here. You can also see that she has jeweled hairpins in her updo. Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Here you can see that she fastened her Seraphim sash with one of the magnificent Leuchtenberg sapphire brooches. Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images And heres a look at her gown. Youd think head-to-toe sequins could be a bit much, but I absolutely love this dress. Photo: JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images Princess Madeleine didnt attend the Nobels in 2011, but the kings sister, Princess Christina, did. This was one of the last public outings for her small diamond and pearl tiara, which was stolen the following year. She also wore gray pearl earrings, a small diamond and pearl cluster brooch, and a lovely multi-colored pearl necklace. Im very intrigued by the cocktail ring on her right hand! Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images We did get one extra, surprise guest at the 2011 Nobels: Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg. She wore pieces from the familys collection of diamond and emerald jewels, including the Chaumet Emerald Tiara and the diamond and emerald choker. Her earrings are also set with diamonds and emeralds. Photo: JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images Maria Teresa didnt sit on the stage at the ceremony, so this is the best view we have of her dress, which I think has a gorgeous neckline. What jewels do you hope to see at this Saturdays Nobel ceremony? Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Princess Madeleine, and Princess Sofia will be in attendance. Air Force One, the heavily modified, white-and-blue-painted Boeing 747 that transports the president of the United States, is an enduring symbol of American power and prestige. Its also the target of President-elect Donald Trumps latest Twitter rant. Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order! Trump tweeted on the morning of Dec. 6. Trump is wrong. Yes, Air Force One is expensive. But costs are most definitely not risingat least no more than they do for any new military aircraft. In propagating misinformation about the presidents official plane of state, Trump isonce againundermining an important American institution that exists not just to gratify him. Air Force One is for all U.S. presidents, and has been since the Kennedy administration acquired the first Boeing 707s for official transportation starting in 1962. This isnt Trumps plane to do with as he pleases, Brian Laslie, author of The Air Force Way of War, told The Daily Beast. This is for the office of the president of the United States. Yes, the new presidential transports could end up costing $4 billion to buy and modify for their unique and demanding mission safely flying the president, a large support staff, and accompanying reporters all over the world. Then again, they might cost much less. We simply dont know yet. But one thing is for sure. Keeping the existing Air Force One in service wont necessarily save money over the long term. And continuing to use old and difficult-to-maintain airplanes could jeopardize the presidents safety. The current Air Force Ones have served Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obamaand are in line to be Trumps official aerial transportation following his January 2017 inauguration. The new Air Force One, scheduled to enter service in the early 2020s, could remain in service 30 years or longer, and could haul eight or more presidential administrations, potentially including Trumpassuming the temperamental businessman seeks, and wins, a second term. The U.S. Air Forcewhich operates two modified 747-200s for the presidential transport mission under the designation VC-25, and which is overseeing the years-long effort to eventually replace the aging transports with two newer 747-8shas barely begun spending money on the new Air Force One. The Air Force realized in the early 2000s that the existing Air Force One was becoming increasingly expensive to maintain. Airlines and freight companies were retiring their old 747-200sthe same models as the current Air Force Onesand, in many cases, replacing them with new 747-8s. As the number of old 747s shrank, so too did the manufacturing base supplying parts to the ever-diminishing fleet. That caused maintenance costs to spike. By 2013, the presidential 747s were costing taxpayers a staggering $162,000 per flight hourjust $7,000 less than what a B-2 stealth bomber costs for every 60 minutes in the air. In 2014, the cost-per-flying-hour for the VC-25 rose to $210,000. The old VC-25s were so oldand replacement parts so hard to findthat it was taking the Air Force an entire year to conduct deep maintenance on each plane, a procedure that most large jets undergo every few years. With one plane often in maintenance, just one other was available to transport the president. If that jet broke down, the White House might have to cancel travel plans. Perhaps worst of all, the old 747-200s, with their aged engines and cockpit controls, were in danger of violating Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness standards. Its not inconceivable that, in the near future, the FAA could ground this model of aircraftand ground the president. The problems were only going to get worse. Parts obsolescence, diminishing manufacturing sources, and increased down times for maintenance are existing challenges that will increase until a new aircraft is fielded, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James explained in January 2015. It is time to upgrade. The Air Force began searching for a new Air Force One in 2009. Just two airplanes, Boeings 747 and the A380 from European firm Airbus, were big enough to accommodate all the extra equipment, including some of the worlds most sophisticated in-flight communications gear, all of which must be hardened to survive nuclear blasts. The presidential transports also reportedly boast military-style defensive equipment and are equipped to refuel in mid-air. Airbus ultimately declined to offer the A380, citing the high cost of setting up a production line in the United States to build just two planes. For security reasons, the Pentagon rarely even tries to acquire heavy equipment from overseas. In any event, Congress almost never agrees to pay for foreign-made military gearfor strictly political reasons. Airbuss refusal left Boeing as the only possible builder for the new presidential transport. So it came as no surprise to close observers of the military when, in January 2015, Air Force Secretary James announced that the 747-8 would be the next Air Force One. The Air Force awarded Boeing an initial $170 million contract to begin work on the new planes systems. Thats all that the government has spent on the new Air Force One, so far. The Air Force has budgeted, but not spent, roughly $500 million a year between 2017 and 2020 to develop systems for the new presidential transport, acquire two 747-8s from Boeing for around $380 million apiece, and outfit them to military and FAA standards. There could be additional costs after 2020 (PDF). Thats around $2.2 billion in expenses over five years and potentially hundreds of millions of dollars more later, still a far cry from the $4 billion cost Trump alleged in his tweet. Yes, thats a lot of money. But for a new and highly complex military aircraft, its fairly standard. An F-35 stealth fighter costs no less than $100 million per unit, and the military is buying 2,500 of them. A B-21 stealth bomber costs $550 million, and the Pentagon wants at least 100 of them. Two presidential transports for a few billion bucks amounts to a rounding error in overall military spending. Besides, whats the alternative? The president must travel. Perhaps Trump would prefer to continue using his own, personal 757another Boeing product. But hardening Trump Force One with secure, nuclear-proof communications and other facilities that a head-of-state requires, not to mention buying a second backup plane, could also cost billions of dollars. After all, the bare-bones jet that serves as the basis of Air Force One accounts for just a fraction of the presidential transports overall cost. The Air Force already ruled that a 757 isnt big enough to handle the extra hardware. In any event, its unlikely Trump will get his wayon this issue, at least. There comes a point where the necessity of transporting and securing the president as well as keeping him in contact with the governmentforgive metrumps the whims of a single man, Laslie said. Boeings stock dropped 1 percent following Trumps anti-Air Force One tweet but gradually recovered over the course of Dec. 6. Trump, once a Boeing investor, reportedly dumped his stock in the company in June 2016. It was over a year ago, during Stephen Colberts first week as host of the Late Show, that Vice President Joe Biden openly admitted that he did not feel he had the emotional energy to run for president following the untimely death of his son Beau. Nobody has a right in my view to seek that office unless they are willing to give it 110 percent of who they are, Biden said that night. At that point, he never could have imagined America would be getting 110 percent of Donald Trump. On Tuesday, Biden returned to the Late Show amid renewed speculation that he might decide to run against Trump in 2020. I am going to run in 2020, Biden this week told reporters, who werent quite sure if he was joking. For president, he clarified, before adding, What the hell, man. The last time you were here, you hadnt made up your mind yet whether you were going to run for president, Colbert told Biden during their interview, noting that the vice president has said hes regretted every day his decision not to run. Was there a particular day or days? Because for me, it was Nov. 9, about three weeks ago. I know I made the right decision for my family, Biden said. What he regrets, he added, is the circumstance that led me not to be able to run. Do I think I was best prepared at this moment to lead the country? Biden asked himself. I did, he answered, saying hes disappointed that he wont get that chance. But I dont regret the actual decision. The decision was the right decision for me to have made, he said. And by the way, I learned, you want to become the most popular guy in America? Announce youre not running. Biden then added, Who knows what might have happened had I run? Well, we might find out, Colbert said, pointing to Bidens comments on Capitol Hill this week about 2020. Biden laughed at his own quote and joked, I did that for one reason, so I could announce now Im not running and be popular again. You didnt mean that? What the hell, Vice President? Colbert asked. As a great believer in fate, Biden explained, I dont plan on running again, but to say you know whats going to happen in four years I just think is not rational. Asked if that means hes keeping the door open, the VP said, I cant see the circumstance in which Id run, but that being said, he added that hes learned to never say never. Hell, Donald Trumps going to be 74. Ill be 77, in better shape, Biden said. I mean, what the hell? A high-ranking Russian officer, Col. Ruslan Galitsky, who was accused of commanding pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, has been killed in Aleppo, Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin personally confirmed the colonels death. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday that Galitsky had been killed, and Putin subsequently said that Galitsky had suffered fatal wounds when a Russian military field hospital in Aleppos al-Furqan neighborhood was shelled on Monday. A Russian military doctor and a nurse reportedly were killed in the same attack. According to the state-owned RIA Novosti news agency, Galitsky was acting as a military adviser to the Syrian regime, which has made a rapid three-week advancewith the help of Russian air power and Iranian-sponsored Shia proxy forcesthrough about 75 percent of East Aleppo. The area has been a stronghold of the Syrian opposition for the last four years. Vladimir Kuzmin, head of the Saint Petersburg branch of the Officers of Russia veterans organization, told the independent Fontanka newspaper that Galitsky had been due to be promoted to the rank of Major-General as soon as December 12. The death of such a high-ranking Russian military commander in Syria would always garner attention, but Galitsky has a particularly interesting history. In May this year, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense publicly accused Galitsky of commanding militants in the war-torn east of that country. According to Ukrainian military intelligence, Galitsky was the deputy chief of staff at the Center of Territorial Troops in the Rostov city of Novocherkassk, around 50 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. That Galitsky, who was born in Ukraine, did indeed serve at a military unit based in Novocherkassk is not in doubt. On February 16, he was decorated for his military service by the governor of the Rostov region, Vasily Golubev. At this time, he was named as the chief of the directorate of operations at military unit 64722 of the Southern Military District. Unit 64722 is rather mysterious. A search of Russian military databases reveals absolutely nothing. That the unit exists is proven by several military court records of disciplinary or pay-related cases lodged by servicemen deployed there. In May this year, an anonymous user on the Voronezh Q&A website asked if the unit existed, and gave the address as 36 Atamanskaya Street in Novocherkassk. They received no reply, but the address matches that of a former military academy, officially dissolved in 2011. In December, 2014, the same address was given in replies on a Novocherkassk forum to a plea for help from a mother trying to contact her son. She she had been told he was transferred to another unit, 65246, but had been unable to find any information on the base or establish direct contact by phone. Reporting last year on a third such ghost unit based in Novocherkassk, Ukrainian investigative bloggers InformNapalm suggested that the Russian military was using these non-existent units as fronts for deploying troops into Ukraine. That Galitsky was decorated on February 16 this year may well be significant. The date marked the anniversary of a major Russian offensive in Ukraine to seize the city of Debaltsevo. Intriguingly, it was the very tank unit that led this offensive that Galitsky wound up commanding later in the year: the 5th Independent Tank Brigade, based in Ulan-Ude in Russias far-eastern Republic of Buryatia, playing a leading role in the Selenga-2016 military exercises held in August and September with the Mongolian armed forces. The 5th Independent Tank Brigade (OTB) took part in some of the fiercest fighting of the Ukraine war, engaging Ukrainian tanks to encircle Debaltsevo. Dorzhi Batomunkuyev, a tank gunner in the Brigade, suffered horrific burns after his tank was knocked out near the village of Logvinovo and described his deployment in detail to Novaya Gazetas Yelena Kostyuchenko. That the 5th OTB fought in Ukraine has also been demonstrated by Vice Newss Simon Ostrovsky, Bellingcat, and InformNapalm. Galitsky is not the only member of the 5th OTB to have wound up dying in Syria. On June 19 of this year, another colonel in the brigade, Vladimir Bekish, was killed by shelling in the Aleppo region. Bekish, a 42-year-old from the Belarusian town of Grodno, was reportedly the head of the intelligence company in the 5th OTB. So what are commanders from a Russian tank brigade doing dying in Aleppo, where the Russian military operation is supposedly limited to air support and humanitarian activity? According to Kathleen Weinberger, a Russia analyst at the Washington, D.C.-based Institute for the Study of War, Russia is using the battlefields in both Ukraine and Syria to test and develop its hybrid war capabilities, particularly its ability to coordinate air power with a ground fight. Aleppo is an ideal test case for the Russians to practice and refine that capability in a dense urban environment. Russia has in the past rotated units and officers involved in its undeclared dirty war in East Ukraine into Syria to help steer Assads recapture of lost terrain, and coordinate with Iranian reinforcements. Weinberger told The Daily Beast that Gen. Aleksandr Dvornikov, who led Russia's Syria operation, was rotated back into the Southern Military District, indicating that the Russian military may be applying lessons learned from the prosecution of the one conflict to the prosecution of the other. Galitsky, Weinberger added, was likely acting in an advisory role embedded with a Syrian armored unit and helping to coordinate the regimes effort to seize the remainder of East Aleppo. Within just two generations, the cesarean section has revolutionized the birth process for millions of women and their babies. Now researchers are making headlines with the theory that the dramatic rise in the procedure is set to affect the very way we evolve as a species. Human birth poses an obviousand much studiedpredicament: Walking on two legs requires a smaller pelvis, while giving birth to our babies (and their large heads) is most easily done with a large one. In the bargain, somewhere between 3 and 6 percent of women giving birth worldwide have babies too large to fit through their narrow birth canal. This predicament, known as obstructed labor, often results in death for one or both. The cesarean section has all but eliminated the danger, and as a result, saved a group that might have been biologically doomed. The babies who would have previously been lost are making it into the world, leading to an evolutionary change in the way natural selection responds to the obstetric dilemma, and removing the constraints, a team of researchers led by Dr. Philipp Mitteroecker at the University of Vienna, theorize in a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Basing their theory on a mathematical model built using existing data sets, the authors say nature is not reacting by eliminating these women and their progeny, but instead report an up to 20 percent increase of women with smaller pelvises giving birth to too-large babies. Women with a very narrow pelvis would not have survived birth 100 years ago, Dr. Mitteroecker told BBC News. They do now and pass on their genes encoding for a narrow pelvis to their daughters. The study, which again collected no data, is based on a number of assumptions and its findings, as the researchers fairly note (and journalists often ignore) comes with limitations. That 20 percent reported change in obstructed birth is extrapolated from an already small number of incidences compared to the total number of women giving birth. Over fifty years, the troublesome births increased from 30 in 1,000 to just 36 in 1,000 births. In the U.S. alone, four million babies are born each year, meaning there were around 25,000 more obstructed births last year than in 1960. But even if the data was complete and flawless, assigning triggers for human evolution in real time is wholly unrealistic, Dr. Louise Johnson, a Lecturer in Population Genetics at the University of Readings School of Biological Sciences, told The Daily Beast. Evolution can be pretty fast, but there has to be a lot of death, Johnson said. Our whole environment is in so much flux. It can be very hard to disentangle it all. Additionally, built into Mitteroeckers model are assumptions about the supposed evolutionary benefits of smaller pelvises, and cursory attention paid to other factors in the environment like maternal weight, genetic offering of men, and the tendency especially in Western women to give birth later in lifemeaning new first-time mothers are shorter, heavier, and older, all which can affect pelvis size. The study neither takes into account the risks associated with cesarean births, which increase with each child, nor the underlying factors driving the skyrocketing rates of medically unnecessary cesarean births over the last few decades in developed countries. In the United States one-third of all babies are born by cesarean, up from 5 percent in 1970 and 20 percent in the 1990s, and they dont always end with improved outcomes. Humans probably are evolving but were not very good at working out why. Even if you have a population that you can study very very intently there are sets scientists who have some sheep on an island and know everything about every single individual and its ancestry and how much its weighed on every birthday for its entire life. Even in those situations its very hard to say, This is the selection pressure. This is the change in the population thats resulted. Its hard stats to do that and I dont think we can say that about humans here, Johnson said. To say that this change in humanity has been wrought by cesarean sections over the past hundred years would need quite a bit more evidence behind it before I would believe it. For Karen Rosenberg, a biological anthropologist at the University of Delaware who studies human evolution and childbirth practices, the finding that cesarean births affect human evolution is obvious, even if, she says, Mitteroeckers mathematical study failed to demonstrate how or why. It would never occur to me that cesarean sections would not have an effect, Rosenberg said. The idea that human behavior affects our evolution is a central idea in understanding of evolution. All kinds of thingswhen we cook our food, when we share food, when we build shelterseverything we do as cultural animals has the potential to affect our biology. Rosenberg notes that cesareans arent the first kind of childbirth advancements likely to prompt an evolutionary upshot and should be considered alongside other, non-surgical birthing practices employed by midwives and doulas that have also made birth easier and safer for women. Cesarean is one extreme from form of assistance during childbirth, but we have been assisting in childbirth in many ways for a very long time in our evolutionary history. Just having someone present at birth is a kind of assistance and thats something that human women do while other animals generally do not. Having someone receive the baby as it passes, guide it out of the birth canal, or help with a cord around the neck, and very importantly, but often overlooked, provide moral support for women, all of these have been shown to have significant impact on birth outcomes. The adaptation that humans have to the world is cultural whether thats having a midwife to help you or cesarean section, I think of it more as points on a continuum than as different processes both of which have the potential to affect our evolution, she said. So while our dependence on cesareansa drastic change in the way we bring our young into the worldis sure to have some effect on the future of human evolution, this study does little to illuminate what the eventual benefits or ramifications to our species may be. It seems doubtful well know any time soon. Editor's Note: A Georgia firefighter was indicted Wednesday for allegedly spewing racial slurs and aiming a handgun at a black couple at an Applebees last year. The announcement came hours after The Daily Beast revealed initial misdemeanor charges against former Savannah fire captain Barry Arnold were quietly dropped. Arnold is charged with felony aggravated assault for pointing his weapon at Marquist Curtis and Amber Phillips in the parking lot, following a bigoted tirade inside the restaurant where he allegedly called his waitress a nigger. Arnold also faces charges including possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, simply battery and disorderly conduct, the Savannah Morning News reported. Will Claiborne, an attorney for Curtis, told The Daily Beast on Wednesday that the couple feels a mixture of relief and frustration following the indictment. Relief that its finally, more than a year later, moving forward and frustration that it took so much work on their part for this to happen, he said. If the roles were reserved, Marquist would have been in jail, Claiborne added. But instead, Barry Arnold has been walking around enjoying his rights as a citizen without repercussions. A Georgia fire captain was arrested for allegedly spewing racial slurs and threatening to kill a black couple while waving his gun. But one year later, charges against the veteran firefighter were inexplicably dropped. A judge quietly dismissed the case against Barry Arnolda 2014 Savannah Firefighter of the Year in September after the government failed to prosecute, online court records show. The 42-year-old father of three faced several misdemeanors for allegedly threatening to shoot Marquist Curtis and his fiancee, Amber Phillips, at a Savannah Applebees one Friday night in October 2015. He was originally charged with pointing a gun at another, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. The incident remains under investigation, according to the Chatham County district attorneys office, though no new charges have been filed. A spokeswoman told The Daily Beast the case is open and declined to comment further. Still, Curtis and his supporters remain skeptical that prosecutor Meg Heap will again pursue charges against the city employee. We just want justice. No more, no less, Curtis told The Daily Beast. Theyre trying to put what he did on hold. Curtis said the Savannah prosecutors office the same that handled the jailhouse death of black college student Mathew Ajibade never informed him they were dropping charges against Arnold. Instead, he found out through his attorney. Nobodys contacted us, he said. On the night of the encounter, Arnold was dining with his family when he became belligerent toward their waitress and called her a nigger, according to a police report. Then Arnold allegedly told his wife, I dont know how you like these niggers and I dont know how they are just allowed to walk around. Despite Arnolds tirades against African Americans, a staff member seated Curtis and Phillips at a booth next to him. Employees also continued to serve Arnold alcohol, Curtis claims. Hes saying, I got those black ass ribs just like those niggers, Curtis told The Daily Beast. He looked over at my fiancee and said I cant stand those niggers. It really felt like he wanted us to hear him, Curtis said, adding that he confronted Arnold when he called Phillips a black bitch. When Curtis asked Arnold what his problem was, Arnold tried to kick him and tackled him into a table, injuring Curtiss eye. Thats when Curtis and Phillips decided to leave, and Arnold allegedly followed them outside. As the couple walked to their vehicle, Arnold allegedly grabbed a gun from his own vehicle and pointed it at them. Around the same time, Applebees staff locked the doors so the couple couldnt get back inside, Curtis says. Hes walking over with his gun and badge, saying, Ive got the right to kill you niggers, Curtis told The Daily Beast. A police report mirrors Curtiss version of events. Around 9:48 p.m., Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police responded to a call about a person with a gun at an Applebees on Abercorn Street. According to the report, cops cuffed Arnold after he refused to comply with orders to spread his feet for a search. The arresting officer could smell the odor of alcohol on Arnold and noticed his speech was slightly slurred. When the officer asked Arnold what happened, he allegedly replied that he was attacked because Curtis thought he used the N word. Curtis told police that Arnold announced he was going to kill him and continued spewing the N word while waving his black semiautomatic pistol. A crowd began to form around the trio in the parking lot. In his report, the police officer noted Curtiss right eye was swollen and bloodshot, but he didnt detect any odor of alcohol while speaking to Curtis and his fiancee. Two bystanders corroborated Arnolds bigoted outburst, including one woman who said she was seated next to Arnold and witnessed him calling Curtis the N word multiple times until Curtis eventually approached him. She said she attempted to separate the men. The Applebees waitress, who did not return messages left by The Daily Beast, told police Arnold was angry over the chains service and began yelling the N word at her, so she ignored him, according to the report. Will Claiborne, an attorney for Curtis, said both Applebees and the DAs office has refused to allow him access to surveillance video of the frightening encounter. This month, Claibornes firm released a YouTube video titled How racist do you have to be to get kicked out of an Applebees? The footage, which includes a rundown of the incident, provides contact information for prosecutor Meg Heap and asks callers to demand she charge Arnold with felony aggravated assault. The video also includes numbers for Applebees. Heaps office said it dismissed Arnolds misdemeanor charges in state court but is investigating possible felony charges in superior court. Meanwhile, a representative for Applebees said the priority of the restaurant was to ensure the safety of guests and employees. We have turned the video over to the police at the time of the incident. It rests solely in the authorities hands at this time, said Neal Musmanno, director of operations at Apple American Group, which owns and operates hundreds of Applebees restaurants. As far as we know, its currently under investigation, Musmanno added. But Claiborne, Curtiss attorney, says prosecutors are dragging their feet. Youve got a captain in the fire department who pulls a gun on these people and says, With this badge and this gun, I get to kill people and get away with it, he told The Daily Beast. The police at the scene stop him while hes trying to drive away. Claiborne says police should have charged Arnold with driving under the influence, aggravated assault and terrorist threats. We want to raise public awareness that this sort of injustice happens in 2016, Claiborne said. What would happen to anybody else other than a white captain in the fire department is just shocking. If Curtis had brandished a gun, hed probably still be sitting in jail right now, Claiborne added. Arnold, a nearly 20-year veteran of the fire department, was fired shortly after his arrest made headlines. Richard Darden, an attorney for Arnold, said he expects the prosecutor to charge the former fireman with a felony. The DAs office is probably politically motivated to push this case, Darden told The Daily Beast. Theyre receiving a lot of pressure from the African American community. [But] theres another side to every story. Darden said because Arnold was fired from his job of 20 years, youd think he suffered enough. I can assure you were going to defend this case, Darden said. Theres a lot here thats not been in the news. Its not the first time Heap has come under scrutiny for her handling of cases involving African American victims. Last year, The Daily Beast revealed the prosecutor was seeking a gag order for the relatives and attorneys of Mathew Ajibade, a Nigerian-born student who was found dead in a Chatham County jail cell. Deputies arrested Ajibade on Jan. 1, 2015, after his girlfriend dialed 911 and tried to get cops to transport him to the hospital for bipolar disorder. Instead, Ajibade was put in isolation and stunned with a Taser while restrained. Graphic video of cops beating Ajibade and leaving him to die surfaced in October of last year. Attorneys for Ajibades kin, including Claiborne, tried to get Heap thrown off the case, arguing that involuntary manslaughter charges against two deputies and a medical staffer were insufficient and that she was political allies with the county sheriff. A jury acquitted all three of manslaughter. According to the Savannah Morning News, one former deputy was sentenced to a month in custody and three years of probation for inflicting injury on Ajibade. A second deputy received six years of probation for falsifying records and perjury. The contract health care worker received a three-year suspended sentence. The summer before the sentencing, Ajibades cousin told The Daily Beast that Heap never reached out to their family. It feels like the sheriffs department was the victim and she was on their side, Chris Oladapo said. Living in Savannah everyone knows everyone. Whats one black kids life why let one kids life get in the way? CHARLESTON, South CarolinaDylann Roof sat quietly in court for most of last week, serving as his own lawyer. Facing the possibility of the death penalty for the 2015 massacre at Emanuel A.M.E. Church, Roof rarely voiced a request or an objection as a federal judge qualified scores of potential jurors. Then suddenly on Friday morning, Roof piped up, asking the judge to inquire about a potential jurors response to a court questionnaire regarding the concept of evil. What type of people does he consider to be evil? Roof wanted to know. When the potential juror returned to the courtroom, Gergel asked him. A bomber, a serial murderer, something along that line, said the older, white man, defining an evil person as someone who enjoys hurting other people. It seems to me some people are evil and the world would be better off without them, he said. Time will soon tell whether a jury feels the world would be a better place without Roof. They will decide how lawful and evilit was for Roof to allegedly shoot nine black strangers dead after they welcomed him into their Wednesday night Bible study on June 17, 2015 in downtown Charleston. As Roofs trial begins Wednesday his court-appointed attorneys will be back in action per Roofs request, tasked with defending a client accused of committing one of modern American historys most infamous crimes. For a country that had agonized over assorted high-profile mass shootings, including the killing of 26 teachers and children at a Connecticut elementary school in 2012, Roof added a new public space to spill blood: a church. His alleged, massacre cost the lives of six women and three men, including the churchs pastor, all allegedly shot dead because of the color of their skin. Upon his arrest a day later Roof told authorities he had hoped to start a race war with his actions. Instead his attack inspired unity in Charleston, with many residents attending vigils honoring the dead and calling for peace during gatherings outdoors. Some family members of the victims quickly offered forgiveness to Roof during a bond hearing, shocking observers who expected raw displays of anger. I forgive you, said Nadine Collier, whose 70-year-old mother, Ethel Lance, was killed. You took something very precious from me. I will never talk to her again. I will never, ever hold her again. But I forgive you. And have mercy on your soul. Public leaders responded to the tragedy in significant fashion. President Barack Obama traveled to Charleston for the funeral of the churchs pastor, South Carolina State Senator Clementa Pinckney, delivering a eulogy and a surprise rendition of Amazing Grace. South Carolinas government removed the Confederate flag from the grounds of the Statehouse, relocating the divisive symbol to a museum. Since the victims were laid to rest, family members have sought to celebrate their lives. Scholarships and nonprofits have been established in their honor. But as the trial of the United States v. Dylann Storm Roof opens Wednesday, the fond remembrances and healing that followed in the wake of the shooting will once again be contrasted with the ugliness of Roofs alleged atrocity. Already the government has successfully moved to suppress publication of images of the blood-soaked crime scene, with U.S. District Court Judge Richard Gergel limiting their viewing to those people watching the trial at the federal courthouse. Roof faces 33 federal charges, including hate crimes that carry a potential penalty of life imprisonment or the death penalty. The Charleston Federal Courthouse sits at the southwest corner of Charlestons storied Four Corners of Law in downtown Charleston. The intersection at Broad and Meeting streets also is home to City Hall, St. Michaels Church and the Charleston County Courthouse, where the murder trial of former South Carolina policeman Michael Slager ended in a mistrial on Monday. Slager had been filmed shooting unarmed motorist Walter Scott in the back after Scott fled from a traffic stop and struggled with Slager during a foot chase. Residents and tourists walk the streets outside, just blocks away from some of the citys finest mansions. These pedestrians have been joined lately by police clad in protective gear who conspicuously patrol the courthouse, sometimes with a K9 unit. Large police SUVs, some unmarked and others displaying U.S. Department of Homeland Security markings, cruise Charlestons narrow streets. While briefly representing himself last week after being found mentally competent to stand trial, Roof sat at a table inside the federal courthouse within a large, wood-paneled fourth floor courtroom. Watching the 22-year-old suspect, it can be hard to imagine him capable of causing the bloodbath in the basement of Emanuel A.M.E Church. When he did speak he was courteous to the judge, asking quietly for an additional few minutes at lunch, for example, or to take a short break. Roofs lawyers, including famed death penalty expert David Bruck, sat powerless beside him as standby counsel. When they tried to speak on Roofs behalf, they were admonished by the judge, who had previously warned Roof that his decision to represent himself was unwise. Roof gave the impression of being lost and out of place. While everyone else was clad in professional attire, he wore a striped prison jumpsuit and displayed a messy head of hair, appearing in court almost as if he had rolled out of bed in his pajamas. But the stern countenances of his alleged victims relatives indicated the gravity of the crimes the young man is accused of committing. These relatives sat stone-faced in the courtroom during the repetitive process of juror qualification, listening impassively as Judge Gergel quizzed person after person about their opinions concerning life imprisonment and the death penalty, among other matters, before deciding whether to qualify them. Because Roof rarely objected to a jurors inclusion, a qualified jury pool of 67 people was created in breakneck fashion. Gergel led this questioning in a friendly, patient and semi-folksy manner, projecting a presence similar to a typical Southern minister, though Gergel is Jewish. A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Gergel earned undergraduate and law degrees from Duke University before eventually forming his own practice in South Carolina and becoming a specialist in personal injury cases and medical malpractice. Gergel was made a federal judge in 2010 after being nominated by President Obama. Throughout his professional life has maintained a strong interest in the civil rights history of South Carolina. He has extensively researched the life and legacy of former federal judge J. Waties Waring, whose dissenting opinion in a 1951 case helped lead the way for the U.S. Supreme Court to issue its landmark desegregation ruling three years later in Brown v. Board of Education. The annex to the federal courthouse in Charleston is named in honor of the late judge. Yet more than 60 years after schools were desegregated, racial problems persist in South Carolina, with at least one young man allegedly choosing to express his racist views by shooting dead at point-blank range nine black worshipers, aged 26 to 87. Roofs defense attorneys have offered for their client to plead guilty to the charges in exchange for a reprieve from the death penalty. Bullish federal prosecutors have declined the offer, feeling obliged to argue for Roofs execution. As the trial begins, Roofs attorneys will again represent him through the guilt phase of the trial. Then, should he be convicted of his alleged crimes, Roof has elected to strike out on his own again, serving as his own lawyer as a jury considers his capacity for evil and whether to send him to prison or to his death. The war in Syria is more straightforward today than it was two years ago. That may sound counterintuitive, but Syria, properly speaking, exists now only in name. A near-genocidal policy undertaken by the President Bashar Assad in Damascus has been followed by contradictory foreign interventions by Russia, Iran, Turkey and the United States, each of which has established its own zone of influence in the war-ravaged country. The resulting balkanization, a cauldron of endless conflict, has led to the worst humanitarian catastrophe of the 21st century; the deaths of 500,000, the wounding of more than 1,000,000, and the external or internal displacement of 11,000,000roughly half the Syrian population. There exists, however, a narrow window of opportunity for an incoming U.S. administration to achieve minimally defined objectives: defeating the so-called Islamic State, or ISIS, guaranteeing that it cannot come back, and making sure that its main rival, al Qaeda, cannot exploit the power vacuum that will come with the collapse of the caliphate. Based on months of interviews with Syrian opposition figures, ISIS defectors, Sunni Arab tribesmen, U.S. military sources, and intelligence officials, we believe it necessary, as part of this plan, to keep small but effective U.S. garrisons indefinitely in eastern and northeastern Syria and western Iraq. This is not as radical as it might appear. According to our U.S. military and intelligence sources, four installations already are being used by the anti-ISIS coalition, either openly or semi-covertly. Developing these sites as solid anchors in the region will give the U.S. a badly needed intelligence-gathering capability in the Jazira, or Upper Mesopotamia, encompassing the arid plain that stretches across northwestern Iraq, northeastern Syria and southeastern Turkey. In this century, the Jazira has been an incubator and a hideout for the transnational menace that, under a succession of names, including al Qaeda in Iraq, the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS), and the Islamic State full stop, has bedeviled U.S. national security for over a decade. The Jazira battlefield is complex, but not incomprehensible. Again, the core American objective is to crush ISIS, then to protect the local forces who carried out this campaign with U.S. backing, giving them enough security to allow them to rebuild their lives in their part of the Jazira. The Assad regime has vowed to reconquer all of Syria, but once it feels secure in its own enclave, it is unlikely to expend the resources needed to do that, and its Russian and Iranian allies will have no particular interest in pursuing such a campaign. Keeping contingents of U.S. forces in the region, meanwhile, will provide a credible deterrent helping to defend trusted and capable anti-ISIS fighters and deterring the Assad regime from any effort at reconquest. Capitulating in the face of an Assad offensive to retake territories that he did nothing to help liberate from ISIS would, we believe, catalyze more terrorism and squander the hard-won gains of the last two and half years. *** What we are proposing does not in any way resemble an Iraq-style occupation; nor would it require a massive new commitment of American hard power. It certainly would not approach the notion of nation-building long reviled by Donald Trump. Rather, it would expand upon battlefield victories already racked up in Operation Inherent Resolve, as the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS is formally known, and solidify them so that what happened in Iraq following the categorical U.S. military withdrawal in 2011 cannot be replicated in two nation-states. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, such a counterterrorism-plus strategy would actually be well timed, owing to Syrias fractured battlefield landscape. Broadly speaking, Syria can now be divided into distinct quadrants. The South: In the province of Deraa, where the 2011 uprising against Assad began, the front between the regime and rebels is now relatively quiet. Syrias neighbors, namely Israel and Jordan, have an interest in keeping this territory clear of both al Qaeda and ISIS. (Witness the Israel Defense Forces rapid annihilation of a ground of ISIS-linked jihadists who penetrated the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights last week.) Regional backers of the opposition that work closely with Jordanprincipally Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emiratesshare a similar goal. All are committed to preventing extremists from holding sway in the south. The West: The second quadrant runs along the eastern side of Syria, skirting the Lebanese border, up from Deraa to Damascus to northern Latakia and West Aleppo. The Provinces of Idlib and Aleppo: Northwestern Syria is the scene of fiefdoms ruled by Islamists, nationalists, or jihadists. The CIA-backed Free Syrian Army factions there has been specially targeted for annihilation by the Damascus regime and Russia, and otherwise left too weak to pose a serious challenge to their opponents. The al Qaeda franchise Jabhat Fateh al-Shamformerly Jabhat al-Nusrahas been busy building infrastructure and cultivating loyalists, particularly as ISIS is squeezed elsewhere. East Aleppo is being retaken acre by acre by the regime through a vicious Russian-led ++starve-or-surrender campaign++ backed up by extensive bombing. Whatever remains of the mainstream armed opposition is weakened, radicalized or cornered. The main factor enabling the preeminence of Islamists in the northwestern corner of Syria is Turkey, Americas NATO ally. Nowhere in the country has Ahrar al-Sham, for example, managed to dominate more than in the areas close to the Turkish frontier. Ankara has provided Ahrar with immense financial, logistical and tactical help to ensure it stays strong and acts as a bulwark against the Syrian regime. Ahrar has even consented to Turkeys intervention in Aleppo province, but thats more to forestall Kurdish expansionism than it is to flush out ISIS. Eastern Syria, the heart of the Jazira, is where the United States has been leading coalition forces in a very targeted, very brutal war against ISIS. *** The Trump administration should approach the Syrian conflict from this compartmentalized outlook. The solutions offered by analysts today to resolve the war ignore the unique conditions in different parts of an atomized country, treating the Syria of 2016 as though it were still the Syria of 2012. What works for the east does not work for the northwest; what works for the south doesnt work for the regime-fortified center and the coast. The U.S. should view southern and eastern Syria a terrain essential to its strategy for fighting extremism not only in Syria but in Iraq, for protecting two of its most important regional allies, Jordan and Israel. The focus in the eastern and southern quadrants should be on working with locally accepted government, relying on the provincial council models that have arisen in the last five years and which the Friends of Syria bloc has been funding as transitional administrations. The U.S.-led coalition, already has carved out parts of Syriaroughly 40 to 50 percent of the countrys geography, by our calculationwhere the Assad regime and its Iranian- or Russian-built proxies cannot easily maneuver. In the ISIS briar patchroughly 40 to 50 percent of Syrias geography, by our calculationthe Assad regime still holds strategic districts in the city of Deir Ezzor and a key airport. The U.S. and its Western allies have the ability, by dint of their current presence, to dictate how much of this province, along with all of Raqqa, should be governed once the ISIS caliph, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and his henchmen are dispatched or dispersed. *** A Jazira Strategy for establishing an American security protectorate would require the requisitioning of American forward operating bases from which opportunistic Joint Special Operations Command missions can be launched in partnership with trusted local actors trained as counterinsurgents. Not only will this ensure the continued presence of American intelligence gatherers along the same longitudes where that intelligence matters most, it will also give the jihadists bellwether constituencySunni Arabsa strong psychological incentive to work indefinitely with the U.S. But what of Iraq? The vast parts of it that fall on the Jazira: map have been the scene of savage conflict at least since the U.S. led invasion in 2003. The Syria-Iraq borderland, particularly, has been a sieve; the transit corridor for countless rat-lines of jihadists moving back and forth. It was this infamous gateway, from Hasakah to Ninewah and Raqqa/Deir Ezzor to Anbar, that let ISIS storm into Iraq in the summer of 2014, occupying roughly a third of a country which the United States spent trillions of dollars attempting to build into a functioning post-Saddam-Hussein democracy. Instead, Iraq now appears increasingly beholden to Iran, whose operatives are at least as heavily involved in the ongoing war against ISIS as is the Pentagon. Without eyes and ears on the ground in a country in which the U.S. military has been invested now for 13 years, American interests will be wholly at the mercy of Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force commander by Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani and his deputies. In fact, a limited Jazira strategy was tried in 2008, when the U.S. still maintained bases along the Iraqi side of the Euphrates River Valley. Known as Operation Defeat Al Qaeda in the North, or OPDAN, the key element was shifting the U.S. Marines northward up from the Euphrates (which, by 2008, had been almost completely pacified) into the Jazira, so that their battle space extended all the way north to the Iraqi towns of Sinjar, Baaj, and Tel Afar, all in Ninewah province. The U.S. Army units were thereby able to move in the Tigris River Valley and focus on Mosul without having to worry about the border zone in 2008-2009until the Marines left in the 2010. The U.S. military categorically withdrew from Iraq three years later, rendering OPDAN a fleeting success. The lesson to be learned there is that without a permanent surveillance and interdiction mechanism for the border, there is every likelihood that ISIS in its present form or some new incarnation, will be back to haunt us once the current war is over. Over the last few years we have spoken with numerous tribal leaders in both Syria and Iraq, who have told us that the prevailing fear among Sunnis is that the U.S. will once again abandon the struggle against jihadism once ISIS is routed. This, more than anything, has made local inhabitants reluctant to resist the jihadists and to join in the U.S. backed effort to fight them. According to Michael Pregent, a retired Army intelligence officer who served in Iraq, trust is based on frequency and proximity. Asking Sunnis to do difficult things while stating U.S. support is temporary results in lasting instability. Permanent basing is required to build trust with the very Sunnis needed to defeat ISIS and reject future versions of the terrorist army. *** The Pentagon has already stationed soldiers in at least four bases in the Jazira area, two without the permission of Syrias central government; and two with the permission of Iraq. In Syria, it has quietly commandeered the Rmeilan airfield in Hasakah province, doubling the length of a former crop-duster runway to accommodate C-130 military transport planes used to move materiel and men who are allied with the overwhelmingly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces. As has been reported, U.S. (and British) Special Operations Forces have also trained up Syrian Arab anti-ISIS fighters at al-Tanf in southeastern Syria In Iraq, U.S. trainers are currently stationed, with Baghdads consent, at the Q-West airfield in Qayyarah, a town about 16 kilometers west of the Tigris River which was recaptured from ISIS in July of this year. Americans also are operating out of al Asad airbase in Anbar province, which is capacious and well equipped enough to have received Air Force One in 2007. Given the indispensable role of U.S. air power and U.S.-built Iraqi military divisions in reclaiming most of ISIS-held Iraq since 2014, there is a chance that a new administration could negotiate a U.S. lease for these two installations with the Abadi government. Gen. James Mattis, named by Donald Trump as the new U.S. secretary of defense, supported an enduring U.S. military presence in Iraq when he served in the Obama administration and, privately, we are told, endorses the idea now. As Trumps defense secretaryand a Marine general still greatly respected in Baghdadhe should be in a position to negotiate such a deal now. *** What of the Kurds? They want their own autonomous regionsindeed, what the want is their own country. But Turkey is determined to prevent that from happening, and meanwhile the Assad regime has played with and against Kurdish factions at its convenience. So the American involvement with Kurds as the lead fighters against ISIS in the regions near the Turkish border has been, to say the least, problematic. In part, it relies on a diplomatic fiction distinguishing the anti-ISIS fighters of the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (PYD) from the guerrillas of the PKK (Kurdish Workers Party) who are waging war on the government in Turkey. In fact, the PKK and PYD don't deny that they're in effect the same organization, and many of the U.S.-backed guerrillas fighting in Syria have also fought in Turkey. The Americans base in Rmeilan is in the heart of the region the PYD calls Rojava. By building up the installation there, the U.S. would help to assure Kurdish autonomy, but also act as a limiting factor, helping to moderate the Kurdish ambitions. A new base will also be necessary in the desert sandwiched between Iraq and Syria in the area of Al Qaim and al Bukamal, the towns on each side of the frontier. In June, the U.S. launched a failed operation to expel ISIS from Al Bukamal using graduates of the New Syrian Army trained at al-Tanf. They failed, we are told by a high-ranking Jordanian government source, because after months of planning the operation, crucial air support was denied them at the last minute by a U.S. general. Also, the team used for the mission was far too small. *** ISIS often says its fallback strategy is one of inhiyaz, or temporary retreat, into the desert. Five years ago that maneuver allowed Al Qaeda in Iraq to regroup and plot its world-historical comeback. To preempt such a move requires building alliances and bases in the areas we propose. U.S. forces are trained and equipped to build such bases, or expand the existing ones, says Lt. Col. Rick Francona, a former air attache at the U.S. embassy in Damascus. Without a long-term and committed American presence in this part of Syria, there is little chance that the situation will stabilize and remain so. The various factions operating there will revert to their inherent rivalries and outright hostilities. Such a presence could also be used to keep the peace between Americas feuding alliesa motley crew of factions with competing agendas ready to erupt if and when they defeat ISIS, or indeed before. The Sunni Arab states of the Gulf would be encouraged to see a more robust American presence on the ground, somewhat assuaging their fears that Washington is selling out the region to Iran. The U.S. must not wait on the timetable set by Assad, Vladimir Putin and Ayatollah Khamenei before it establishes its own facts on the ground, which its military dominance in the east allows. *** Some things are utterly predictable in the Middle East, and one is the claim that all strategy is tied to the exploitation of oil. So be it. The Jazira is the most oil-rich part of Syria, and what that means in practical terms is that the communities there will have an automatically enhanced political and economic stature relative to the rest of the country, giving the Syrian opposition a new bargaining chip at future parlays in Geneva. Although Assad has repeatedly vowed to recapture every square inch of the country, he cannot feasibly do so with Turkish tanks rolling through the Aleppo countryside and U.S. Special Forces embedded with Kurdish and Arab militias in the north and southat least not without risking open-ended war with the two biggest armies in NATO. Deterrence, by way of fait accompli, has worked so far. Explicit deterrence will work still better. The choice is not whether the U.S. stays in Syria or leaves, it is whether it stays or, eventually, is forced to come back. Sammy Hagar has a secret. While he has spent his life earning the trappings of a Hall of Fame rockerincluding a fleet of Ferraris, a mantle full of Grammy and MTV Video Music awards, and a streak of legendary birthday bashes down in Cabohe also happens to be a serious wine aficionado and collector. This is no midlife crisis or a sudden affectation. Hagar may still party with the best of them, hate to drive 55, and turn out albums. (His latest, This Is Sammy Hagar Vol. 1When the Party Started, made its debut a few weeks ago.) But he really knows his vino. He is one of the few people Ive ever met who can casually discuss the pros and cons of various 1947 Bordeaux first-growth wines as easily as you or I would discuss our favorite episodes of Game of Thrones. Sure, the 47 vintage is his birth year and he is, of course, Sammy Hagar. But the man has been a serious wine collector and student for decades. In the 1970s, he began visiting California wineries before it was the thing to do. I always bought a case and I didnt drink much, he says. I still have got some of the first wines I ever bought. Perhaps best known for helping to put premium tequila on the map with his Cabo Wabo brand (which he founded in the 1990s and later sold for a small fortune), Hagar now spends much of his time promoting his Sammys Beach Bar Rum and planning the launch of his new tequila/mezcal hybrid called Santo Mezquila. But he has spent most of his adult life, including his time famously playing with mega-band Van Halen, nosing, swirling, and sipping wines from around the world. While he wasnt much of a drinker during his early career, a friend in London turned him on to vintage port in the 1970s. It knocked my socks off, he remembers. That first love led him down a road to fine wine. When I went on tour, at the peak of my career, where you get anything you want, I would order five first growths of the newest releases, he recalls. Did he drink the highly collectible Bordeaux before he performed? No. I would put them in a case and ship it home, he explains. Unfortunately, it didnt always work out. One night famed concert promoter Bill Graham opened all the bottles in his dressing room thinking Hagar wanted to serve them. He was less than thrilled when he found his prized bottles uncorked. Hagars collection, which now includes more than 10,000 bottles, is made up of mostly reds, and the bulk of it is housed in a small room in his Marin County, California, home. (His tequila, rum, and other spirits are stored in a large closet and in a bar area off his kitchen.) Most of the wines are kept in stacked ceramic sewer pipes, an idea he picked up in the early 1970s from Robert Mondavis tasting room. While Hagar has (incredibly) a bottle of 1929 Chateau Latour, he holds a special affinity for wines from 1947, including the Latour pictured here. He also owns several magnums of Cheval Blanc and a bottle of Petrus from that same year. Hagars wine cave is so packed you need to turn around very carefully. While there are cases and cases of rare wines, there are also several empty bottles. Just some of my favorites, he says. Id throw them away, but there are certain ones you go, This was so damn good. Its no surprise that the bottle for the incredibly rare 1982 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, with a label decorated by director John Huston, was one he held onto. This 1977 Stags Cabernet Sauvignon looks nearly brand new and is a rare get, since just a few years earlier the winery had been in the historic Judgement of Paris that pitted California wines against French ones. How did the Americans manage to win? It was a bum Bordeaux year! Hagar jokes. Santo Mezquilaroughly half tequila and half mezcalis Hagars latest brand and will launch soon. His partner in this venture? None other than Maroon 5s frontman Adam Levine. Its a personal project: The brands logo is even partially based on a tattoo on one of Hagars forearms. Hagar prefers rum made from fresh sugar cane rather than the more popular molasses-based versions. Im really into it, he says. Im not bullshitting my way through it. He has been experimenting with aging his white rum in a small wooden barrel for about a year, a process that gives it a whiskey note. At one point, he used some of his spirit to shake up his signature rum-based Margarita. If theres one piece of legislation that captures the agonizing state of our fact-free and far-from-brave-new Trump world, its the Guns Everywhere bill being debated by the Tea Party-heavy lawmakers in my home state of Ohio. Its very existence is a reminder that indisputable facts are not kryptonite to the bullshit peddled by bought-off pols, but theyre what we have, so lets shine whatever light we can on the many ways the bills both dippy and dangerous. Currently only trained law-enforcement officers can bring guns into day-care centers. Yet this law would let anyone carry concealed, loaded guns into your toddlers safe spaces. Speaking of law enforcement, do you think it would be easier for them to protect themselves if any churlish citizen could pack hidden heat in police stations? The mummified Ohio Legislature and their benefactors at the swinish, Putinized National Rifle Association do. How about porting guns into airports? Sure! And of course, no NRA-shill bill would be complete without trying to put guns on college campuses, where educators who actually know something about, you know, education, dont want them. (Unlike cops, colleges would still have the option to ban weapons, but violating that ban would be only a minor misdemeanor.) This may in fact be model legislation for the Trump Era. You have the promise of solving a fictitious problem by creating a deadly real one. You have rich guysthe multimillionaires of the NRA leadershiplining their pockets while conning their membership into believing theyre tribunes of the working man, all the while making all of our lives more dangerous. You have blatant racism and made-up hysteria about a crime wave to justify guns everywhere. And perhaps, most importantly (or tragically), youve got fake facts shared ad nauseam on social media by Twitter eggs taken seriously by legitimate news outlets. In this case, its the utter crap, right-wing talking point that gun-free zones are magnets for attacks. Off the top of my head, Umpqua Community College, Columbine, and Virginia Tech all had armed guards or bystanders present. In fact, on numerous occasions an untrained individual with a gun on the scene of a mass shooting has either almost ended in tragedy, or did. As Evan DeFilippis pointed out in his piece Debunking the Gun-Free Zone Myth for the Armed With Reason blog: When a good guy with a gun does intervene in an active shooting, things can go terribly awry. On June 8, 2014, an armed couple burst into a CiCis Pizza in Las Vegas screaming, This is the start of a revolution! They quickly gunned down two police officers eating lunch, and then moved to a nearby Wal-Mart. One customer, a concealed-carry license holder, drew his gun rather than flee, but was immediately shot. As it would turn out, all three of the couples victims that day were armed. Another example: On Jan. 8, 2011, a gunman opened fire on an outdoor meeting between Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her constituents in Tucson, Ariz., killing six and wounding 13. When the killer was forced to reload, he was tackled by a bystander. Having heard the gunshots, an armed man ran to the scene. He saw two men wrestling and assumed the wrong man was the shooter. Had it not been for other bystanders quickly correcting him, he could have ended up shooting the wrong person. Afterwards he stated: I was very lucky. You wont catch the NRA or Ohio Republican legislators talking about that. Or about how the tragedy in Las Vegas claimed the lives of two armed police officers? The fact is arming everyone will do nothing to make us safe. We will only get the benefit of loaded guns left in places like school bathrooms, and spikes in accidental shootings once every wannabe is free to conceal carry in schools and airports. Its why Levi Strauss just asked customers to leave their guns at home when shopping at their stores. Their executives apparently passed ninth-grade statistics and understand the increased risk that comes with more guns in amateur hands. Nothing good can come with Guns Everywhere in Ohio. Its why the actual professionals, the Ohio Association of Police Chiefs, opposes it. Enough legislators in the Ohio General Assembly must be made aware we neither want nor need this treacherous legislation. Ohio Governor John Kasich must be reminded that much as he didnt support Trumps dangerous con of a campaign, he also must oppose this pernicious con of a bill. Before Donald J. Trump, there was Patrick J. Buchanan, who ran for president three times as a champion of the white working class. He railed against globalization and unfair trade deals, and he pushed for a crack down on immigration. His rhetoric inflamed the grievances of voters that felt left behind by party elites. He never came close to the presidency, but the issues he ran on are the ones that propelled Trump to the White House. Asked if he feels vindicated, Buchanan said: I was all for Trump. Do I feel my ideas appear to have prevailed? My enemies seem to think so, he concluded with a wry laugh. The idea of economic nationalism, an end to globalism, putting America first in trade, securing the border, one nation, one peopleIm still a conservative Republican, but this is the new and enlarged agenda, he said. Buchanan loves Steve Bannon, the appointment that set the mainstream medias hair on fire when Trump named the CEO of Breitbart News his White House senior counselor. He did it and took the heat for it, which is the sign of a leader, Buchanan said in an interview with The Daily Beast. Bannon was called a lot worse names than me and Trump stuck with him. At Breitbart, Bannon made inroads to the populists and the nationalists and the America Firstersthe voters that flock to Trumps rallies. I bet Bannon is behind that patriotic rhetoric, Buchanan said, Our folks love that stuff. Full disclosure: Ive known Buchanan since I covered him as a reporter for Newsweek when he was President Reagans communications director, and then spent many years jousting with him on The McLaughlin Group. This interview took place the day after the first of President-Elect Trumps Thank You rallies, which Buchanan watched on television. Last night was wonderful, he said. I was laughing like the guys sitting behind him. He really let loose, zinging the rivals he had vanquished, and the media that got it wrong. It was like Truman holding up the newspaper, Buchanan said, comparing Trump savoring his improbable victory to Trumans 1948 upset win. Hes far more entertaining than Hillary. If shed been elected, wed be yawning, Buchanan said. He brings tremendous energy and ideas, and a great measure of self-confidenceand a tremendously loyal following that will stick with him. Trumps appointments so far, generals and Goldman Sachs, Buchanan quipped, are not what youd associate with a populist movement. But so long as Trump stays free of the neo-cons, Buchanan is happy. This whole thing rests on the shoulders of Donald Trump, and he understands who is the girl who brought him to the dance. Hes got to create those jobs and get rid of those trade deficits. Listen to him at the rally, Buchanan says, repeating Trumps words: Were not globalists, were not citizens of the world. We pledge allegiance to the flag of the United State of America. Were America Firsters. This is valid nationalism and populism and the people respond to that. What broke (George W.) Bush was the foolish war and the consequences of thatand the whole neo-con agenda looking to have a war with Iran. Looking at Trumps emerging foreign policy, I think Im optimistic. He noted that General James Mattis, Trumps choice for Secretary of Defense, said he would keep the Iran nuclear deal. Thats key, Buchanan says. Even as he delights in Trumps victory, Buchanan concedes, we are taking a bit of a risk with this guy. We dont know him, and there are caution signs. Two-thirds of voters said Trump didnt have the temperament to be president, and yet he won enough votes to be elected president. They wanted something different, says Buchanan, and its not a lot more complicated than that. Asked if he identifies with the alt-right movement, he laughed, dismissing the self-identified alternative right as a generational aberration. Theyre much younger, theyre basically guys in their twenties and thirties. Some people I know walked out of ittheyre not into Sieg Heil, theyre not into this stuff. Hes referring to an Alt-Right conference in Washington after Trumps win last month where several adherents were seen giving the Nazi salute. When they throw up the Sieg Heil, the media loves this stuff, they cant get enough of it, says Buchanan. It has long been a default position for the right that the media inflame and exaggerate fringe elements that then tar the broader conservative movement. That argument broke out at Harvard after the election when the Clinton campaign accused the Trump campaign of dog-whistle politics that tapped into racial and ethnic fears. Im supposed to be the dog and Im not hearing that, Buchanan said, Ive been fighting against globalism for thirty years. He says the grievances that carried Trump to the White House are the same ones playing out in Europe, where nationalism continues to challenge the European Union. With the exception of Austria, which last weekend voted down a far-right party, what Buchanan calls ethno-nationalism is poised to roil governments in France, Germany and the Netherlands next year. Trumps base of support is the crowd that cheers him at his rallies, and going after the media is red meat. The mainstream media is the principle adversary of the conservative movement and now the Trump administration, says Buchanan, who recites a long history of resentment towards the liberal media, with few allies among the media. With Nixon we had nobody, Buchanan says, citing the anti-Nixon sentiment of every big-name newspaper back in the day. With the rise of Breitbart and an alternative conservative media, Trump has many more tools available to him, and is arguably in a stronger position with the rise of social media than the under-resourced traditional media. Buchanans point is that the same battle lines remain. He recalled President Obamas first White House Correspondents dinner, when he looked out at the ballroom full of reporters and various Washington hangers-on and said he felt like he was talking to my base. Everybody laughedthey knew it was true, says Buchanan. Just in terms of beliefs, the national media, the folks at the White House Correspondents dinner, do they believe in border security and a moratorium on immigration? Buchanan doesnt wait for an answer. Theyre just not on our side. The Access Hollywood tape that showed Trump boasting crudely about his sexual exploits jolted him, Buchanan admitted. He was taking the faithful too far on this one. But Trump quickly apologized, and the desire for change was so great that nothing could derail Trump. The power of his ideas and the prejudices that he unleashed had their roots in Buchanans own failed campaigns, and in the decades of stagnant wages that Trump promises to reverse. In early 1941, there were many well-informed Honolulu residents who believed that war with Japan was imminent. The U.S. Navy carefully groomed several prominent citizens to train for inevitable warfare. This elite group was primed to assume key strategic positions around the city should we be attacked.My father, Harry B. Soria, Sr., then a radio personality in Honolulu, was one of the recruits.Father had achieved growing fame in the Territory of Hawaii during the 1930s as a radio announcer, emcee, songwriter, and publisher. Among his accomplishments were Hawaiis first remotely broadcast telephone call, Hawaiis first remote live music broadcast, and Hawaiis second trans-Pacific weekly Hawaiian music broadcast. The Navy recognized Dads skills and recruited him at the beginning of 1941. He quietly enlisted, training to serve in Navy Intelligence, transitioning to active status at the onset of any crisis in Hawaii. The Naval Intelligence Office was located in the Young Hotel building. He joined the semi-secret organization of Honolulu businessmen who were training on weeknights in Iolani Barracks, the old armory downtown. Within the walls of the Iolani Barracks, these civilians took an oath of service and were tutored for specific duties and responsibilities they would be authorized to immediately undertake should Hawaii ever be attacked.Dad was groomed for the eventuality of assuming the position of Lead Censor for Trans-Pacific Radio Telephone communications. His task would be to take censorship control of the trans-Tacific long-distance switchboards at the Mutual Telephone Co. offices in downtown Honolulu.Early on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 6, Dad was at the studios of KGU on the 2nd floor of the Advertiser Publishing Co. at Advertiser Square. He hosted what would be the final installment of the radio program The Voice of Hawaii, which was broadcast on the NBC Red Network to the mainland U.S. and Canada, and is excerpted in the Smithsonian Channels new documentary The Lost Tapes: Pearl Harbor. We now know the Imperial Japanese Navy homed in on Honolulu radio transmissions to locate its target island. On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, Dad was startled awake by the vibrations of the explosions at Pearl Harbor. Everything that hed secretly been drilling for was suddenly now an actuality. He knew that he was now automatically resigning from KGU Radio as he was immediately activated into his U.S. Navy position. He raced to the entrance to the Mutual Telephone building in Honolulu, scampered up to his duty station, and identified himself to the two terrified radio telephone operators on duty. Dad informed the pair that beginning immediately, he would be using two sets of headsets, one on each ear, in order to listen in to each and every operator-assisted long-distance call between the Hawaiian Islands and the mainland United States for the rest of the day.As the hours on that Day of Infamy elapsed, Dads training would require him to routinely lean toward one of the switchboards and disconnect the phone plug, thereby disconnecting the telephone call, and abruptly ending the conversation. The call would be terminated, if, according to the strict code that he had been taught, the content of the call was deemed inappropriate because of the discussion of now-classified details. Dad even had to disconnect calls from his former employer KGU to NBC New York.As the hours progressed, Soria continued to keep a detailed log of the content of each and every long-distance phone call that he monitored.Suddenly, a call came in from the White House for the governor of the Territory of Hawaii. After verifications were made, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Gov. Joseph Poindexter eventually were connected. Dad listened in on the entire conversation, and kept a detailed log as the two leaders discussed the ever-evolving situation, the casualties, and the latest details known. Then the subject turned to the Declaration of Martial Law. The governor followed the presidents instructions precisely and declared martial law in the Territory of Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941. (Hawaii remained under it until April 4, 1943.) Many years later, I urged my father to reveal the details of this historic moment in Hawaiis history.My father replied that he had taken an oath of secrecy to my country, and because of that oath I will take all of my memoirs to my grave.When Harry B. Soria, Sr. passed away at the age of 85 on September 16, 1990, he left behind much memorabilia and photos from his wartime experience. But at some point, in his final years, he had secretly burned his treasured log book, just as he had always promised that he would.In doing so, Harry B. Soria, Sr. faithfully completed his assignment to censor each and every one of the long-distance telephone conversations in and out of the Hawaiian Islands on December 7, 1941.I am Dads oldest child, born in 1948, about 7 years after Pearl Harbor, but I grew up learning about both Dads Hawaii radio career and his U.S. Navy service. Our family has always been proud of how he was willing to step away from his exciting radio career at its peak, and serve his country at a critical moment. The 75th observance of Pearl Harbor reminds us of how he and so many other members of his generation made sacrifices on that Day of Infamy.By Harry Soria, Jr., whose father Harry Soria Sr. is featured in the new Smithsonian Channel program, THE LOST TAPES: Pearl Harbor, which airs on Wednesday, December 7 at 9:00 pm ET/PT. At 2 a.m. on April 1, 2001, I was sitting at my computer in my Laguna Beach condo working on a website Ive long since forgotten when an email popped up with nothing in the subject line. Do you know who I am? Another April Fools joke, I thought to myself as I moved my cursor up to click the Delete button. Then I glanced down and noticed the sender: George E. Elliott Jr. I stopped. GALLERY: The Attack on Pearl Harbor 75 Years Later (PHOTOS) Being a devotee of World War II history, I knew exactly who he was. On the early morning of Dec. 7, 1941, George Elliott and Joseph Lockard were manning a radar unit at Kahuku Point on the mountainous north coast of Oahu in Hawaii when they spotted the first wave of Japanese planes flying in to attack Pearl Harbor. Why are you asking me this? I replied. I wrote to PearlHarbor.com and they ignored me, but I see that you are the contact for Pearl-Harbor.com. His reply made me smile. In 2001, PearlHarbor.com was a huge site built to promote the upcoming movie Pearl Harbor. Conversely, Pearl-Harbor.com is a small site, a labor of love Id created that includes various information about the attack, including a complete list of the survivors and casualties from the USS Arizona. At the time, I was busy managing sites such as PalmSprings.com and LagunaBeach.com for the internet network I own with my brother (CCIN). I was not surprised that some anonymous webmaster at PearlHarbor.com had no idea who George was and ignored him. Yes, George, I know who you are. On December 7, 1941 you and Joe Lockard were the first to spot the first wave of Japanese attack planes. I would love to write about it. I was unprepared for his response. JOE LOCKARD HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. IF YOU DONT GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT I WILL TELL YOU NOTHING. IF YOU WANT MY STORY YOU CANNOT WRITE ANYTHING I DO NOT APPROVE. I had hit a nerve and knew Id have to tread carefully to gain his trust. George was now living in Port Charlotte, Florida. He was bitter and his health was declining, but he saw the excitement about the upcoming movie as his last chance to be heard. His last chance to set the record straight. However, he refused to speak with me on the phone. Meeting him was out of the question. He only trusted what he could read and write. We would communicate strictly by email, and he promised to mail me his notes. Over the coming weeks I began to piece together his story. The radar unit at Kahuku Point had been recently installed, and they were to operate it only from 4 a.m. to 7a.m. On Dec. 7, they received an order to shut it down early at 6:54 a.m., but George, who had little experience and desired more, kept it running, and at 7:02 a.m. he picked up an enormous blip coming in 137 miles from the north. According to George, Joe expressed no interest in his discovery and was more interested in getting breakfast. Regardless, George insisted that it be reported, and Joe agreed that George could telephone the Information Center 50 miles away at Fort Shafter. He left a message with their operator, and at 7:20 a.m. the lieutenant on duty called back and told Joe that the blip was a dozen B-17 bombers flying in from San Francisco. That was Lt. Kermit Tyler, correct? I asked. Lt. Tyler was infamously portrayed in the 1970 movie Tora! Tora! Tora! as disregarding the alert, responding, Dont worry about it. George was having none of it. You are not to mention Kermit Tylers name. Hes suffered enough. I felt it was a ridiculous request. It was common knowledge that Tyler was the commanding officer on duty that morning at Fort Shafter, and his omission would make my article look incomplete, but that didnt matter to George. He felt that Tyler had made a simple mistake and was adamant that his recollection of that days events would not add to his misery. I had no choice but to leave Tylers name out of the story. After Tylers phone call, Joe wanted to shut the radar unit down, but George refused and kept tracking the blip until it disappeared into the surrounding mountains of Oahu at 7:39 a.m. I began to research Joseph Lockard and learned that he was an experienced radar operator. George had no experience, but he did the plotting and kept a log, and knew this was the largest blip theyd ever seen. The blip was so large that Lockard thought it was a false reading. In fact, George had picked up the first attack wave of 183 Japanese planes that were now using KGMBs radio transmission from Honolulu as a homing beacon to take them straight into Oahu. I continued scanning newspaper clippings from early 1942 and then I saw it: Joe Lockard, the Hero of Pearl Harbor! Ouch. Now I understood why George was so cantankerous about the whole affair. Of the two men, Joe was the experienced radar operator. What could the military say? They could never admit that an inexperienced radar operator had actually picked up the initial Japanese attack force but that his more experienced partner and the commanding officer at Fort Shafter had disregarded the information, especially when it had cost the lives of 2,402 people. But was it all true? In 2001, both Joseph Lockard and Kermit Tyler were still alive (Lockard died in 2012 and Tyler in 2010). I asked George if he was worried about their reactions. No. They know Im telling the truth. George mailed me a manila envelope filled with notes scribbled on sheets of yellow legal pad paper and a sketch hed drawn of what hed seen on his radar screen. I caught my breath when I read the words Japanese planes written next to a large blip (in 2006, I gave permission for the History Channel to use Georges sketch in its documentary The Secrets of Pearl Harbor). His notes also revealed something that, in my opinion, gave some credence to his version of the story. In March 1942, the Associated Press declared Joseph Lockard to be the The Hero of Pearl Harbor, and he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. In 1946, after speaking before Congress, George was awarded a lesser medal, the Legion of Merit, but he refused to accept it. The humiliation was too much for him. It would be the last time he would speak publicly about that morning on Kahuku Point until he contacted me in 200155 years later. I finished the article, George approved it, and it was posted on Pearl-Harbor.com. A few months passed, and he wrote me that the story had garnered him some publicity. George was asked to do some radio interviews, and he was invited to the movie premiere for Pearl Harbor. How did you like the movie, George? I didnt like it, he replied. They got the radar wrong. Youd think with all of that money they couldve done better research. It was just a love story with a lot of special effects. I watched the movie and he was right. In 1941, radar screens looked like an oscilloscope, with vertical lines bouncing up to the target. The radar screen shown in the movie Pearl Harbor was the type used today that features a circular sweep. Regardless, the attention he was receiving made George feel like people were finally listening to his side of the story. He appeared to soften. Why dont you come visit me in Port Charlotte? Are you ever in Florida? Yes, I grew up on the other side of the state in Boynton Beach, and I usually visit my parents for Christmas. The next time I do, Ill drive over and see you. I would like that, George replied. Throughout 2001 and 2002, our internet company was booming and I couldnt get away to Florida. I would email Merry Christmas, George! and he would reply in kind. In 2003, I finally decided to take a break and emailed George that I would be flying in for Christmas and looked forward to seeing him in Port Charlotte. He didnt respond. A week later I received an email. Were sorry to inform you that George passed away on December 20th. COLLEGE STATION, TexasAn anarchist in a black mask picked up a handful of rocks and threw them at a trio of white nationalists. Leave, Nazis! he screamed. The men ducked slightly and kept walking. They were the target of students and protesters all Tuesday night here, where alt-right leader Richard Spencer gave a speech about the importance of white Americans reclaiming the country. Meanwhile, a Holocaust survivor spoke across the street. I hope that we can have more upstanders now than bystanders in World War II, said Max Glauben, 88, who was 15 when his family were placed in the Warsaw Ghetto before being sent to a series of concentration camps. Glauben lost his father, mother, and brother in the years that followed, ultimately moving to Texas in 1947. The campus of Texas A&M was the latest pressure point in an America where men like Spencer have been emboldened by the election of Donald Trump, their previously under-the-surface white-nationalist views now available for the entire country to view and discuss. Vincent Snyder, one of the trio of white nationalists who ducked rocks and dodged spit and vitriol here, is more than happy to have that discussion. Spencer spoke about white identity and why whites shouldnt be put down by people like Black Lives Matter, Snyder told The Daily Beast. The 25-year-old from Houston made it into Spencers event, which was overwhelmingly attended by students and protesters who heckled him at times and hammered him with questions about race, immigration, and genetics as well as allegations that his alt-right rhetoric has been inciting violence. Spencer denied the claims. Im inciting violence? I doubt that, he said in response to a question from the audience. What followed was one of several heated moments between Spencers supporters and protesters. A bit of pushing and shoving went on inside the small theater, Snyder said, and he wasnt there long before leaving to try to help his friends get in. There were two people there dressed up as clowns, and they were dancing around with their gay little signs, Snyder said. There were minorities and commies getting pissed off and shouting. For his part, Spencer responded to protesters and students in a way reminiscent of Trump on the campaign trail. Shes dancing, perhaps shell lose some weight, was among the many appearance-based retorts. Later, Spencer told the crowd to "cool down the autism a little bit." Those gathered outside the hall were just as upset by Spencers presence on campus. A crowd of thousands gathered in protest of Spencers appearance near trees dedicated to the 55 alumni who died in battle in World War I. They chanted: Si, se puede! The whole world is watching! Black lives matter! Im a national socialist, Snyder said as Spencer remained inside, taking questions from the audience. Scary, huh? Snyder dismissed the slaughter of Jews as an unfortunate side effect of national socialism in Germany, preferring instead to recall the alleged positives that came out of that tortured era of history. As soon as you say youre a national socialist someone jumps on you for [the death of] six million Jews, but thats not part of my belief system, Snyder said. When I talk about national socialism, Im talking about what Hitler did to get workers back on track. Getting Americans back to work is a key platform of every presidential campaign. But for Donald Trumpwho recently disavowed Spencers actions after an event in which he invoked Nazi symbolism by saying Hail Trump, hail our people, hail victory!getting American jobs back is the No. 1 rallying cry. He saved more than 1,000 of themscratch that, about 700 of themat a Carrier plant in Indiana. He has promised that his proposed policy of deporting millions of immigrants will bring even more back to American workers. But Snyder, an avowed white nationalist who was additionally pegged as a Trump supporter by students here, didnt even bother to vote for the president-elect. So what does his presence at Spencers event have to do with Trump? Perhaps nothing. The president-elect would agree; he seems to believe Spencers popularity in particular and the growing presence of the alt-right in general have nothing to do with his unexpected win. In a lengthy question-and-answer session with editors and reporters at The New York Times two weeks ago, Trump said he doesnt know if its reporting or whatever that was responsible for the rise of the alt-right during his campaign. I dont know where they were four years ago, he went on to say about Spencer and the alt-right. They werent speaking on college campuses as police in riot gear separated them from protesters and students. They are now. Full transcript below: Yesterday, December 7, 1941a date which will live in infamythe United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that Nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American Island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack. It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu. Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island. Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our Nation. As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole Nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forceswith the unbounding determination of our peoplewe will gain the inevitable triumphso help us God. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire. To see a copy of the first draft of this speech with Roosevelts notes, click here. A clash of civilizations is truly brewing. But its not Islam versus the West, as right-wing pundits want you to believe. Rather its the Trump administration versus Islam. And no one is happier about this than ISIS and Al Qaeda. Donald Trump, without a doubt, spewed the most viciously anti-Muslim comments of any person elected President of our great nation. Trump served up a buffet of hate-mongering comments about Muslims this campaign ranging from his infamous line that Islam hates us to claiming that thousands of Muslims cheered in New Jersey on 9/11an assertion so fact free that even Trumps defender in chief Rudy Giuliani denied it was true. Trump even lied to Americans with his claim that Muslim Americans saw bombs all over the apartment of the San Bernardino terrorists but didnt report them. Well, that, like so much of what Trump said this campaign, was a figment of his imagination. What a contrast to George W. Bush and the words he delivered to a joint session of Congress only weeks after 9/11. There, Bush made it clear that, The enemy of America is not our many Muslim friends. Rather, Bush declared, he wants the Muslims in the United States and around the world to know that, We respect your faithIts teachings are good and peaceful, and those who commit evil in the name of Allah blaspheme the name of Allah. And now Trump has announced an administration thats truly as bad as if not worse than he is. Trump is disturbingly moving the vile anti-Muslim hate I had seen in the past on anti-Muslim websites to the White House. Theres Trumps National Security Adviser, former Lt. General Michael Flynn, who denies Islam is even a religion. Instead as he stated in a speech to one of the nations most notorious anti-Muslim groups, Act for America, which is the equivalent of the Klan to Muslims: Islam is a political ideologyit definitely hides behind this notion of it being a religion. Flynn stunningly even called Islam a cancer. Think about that for a second. Trumps top national security adviser views one of the three Abrahamic faiths practiced by millions of Americans including teachers, judges, members of Congress, police officers and thousands of members of the U.S. military, as a deadly disease. Then theres Trumps nomination of Ben Carson to serve as Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. As you may recall, Carson during the GOP primaries declared that Muslim Americans should be disqualified from serving as President because in his view Islam is not consistent with the U.S. Constitution. (The glaring irony is that Carsons own statement was inconsistent with the Constitution in that it forbids a religious test to hold office.) In Carsons view, the only way a Muslim American should be permitted to serve as President is if the person first agrees to reject the tenets of Islam. Carsons view of Muslims is even more distressing now with him as possible head of HUD. You see, one of the responsibilities of HUD is fighting housing discrimination, ensuring there are not violations of the Fair Housing Act. You have to wonder if Carson would be okay with Muslim Americans being discriminated against when they apply for housing considering that he had no problems discriminating against Muslims seeking the presidency. And will Carson demand that Muslims renounce their faith before being eligible for federal housing? (I certainly hope at Carsons Senate confirmation hearings hes asked questions on this issue.) And lets not forget Brietbart.com former head Steve Bannon, whom Trump tapped to be his chief strategist. Many media outlets rightly slammed Bannon for turning Breitbart.com into a platform for anti-Semitic and white supremacist views to flourish. But what most in the media ignored was that Bannonboth with Breitbart.com and on the SiriusXM radio show he hostedgave the most vile anti-Muslim bigots in the country a platform to spew hate versus Muslims. Bannon even welcomed Dutch member of Parliament Geerts Wilder, one of the worlds leading anti-Muslim activists, to write numerous articles that demonized Muslims including one that shockingly stated, Islam is an existential threat to our Western freedoms and our Judeo-Christian civilization. (This certainly conjures up the anti-Semitic propaganda seen in Germany in the 1930s.) This type of anti-Muslim sentiment coming from the Trump administration should be a concern to all Americans. First, its patently repugnant to American values. Secondly, as counterterrorism expert Malcolm Nance stated Tuesday on my SiriusXM radio show, ISIS and Al Qaeda love Trumps Muslim bashing. While the terrorists are saying the West hates us, Trump is saying Islam hates the West. The battle has been joined on ISISs terms. Nance even predicts that ISIS and Al Qaeda will flourish under Trump given that the terrorists can simply use Trump and his officials actual words to recruit Muslims in America by saying, Look, your own government hates you, so why not join us? Theres obviously a great deal of concern amongst Muslim Americans (as well as other minority groups) about the coming Trump administration. In fact nearly 300 Muslim American leaders (including myself) signed an open letter to Trump released on Tuesday that states that, We love our country and are committed to preserving religious freedom, equal opportunity and equal protection under the law for all. But we note that some of Trumps appointees dont appear to share those same values. (The letter is actually kinder than I wouldve been because I dont think Trump embraces American values.) Will this letter move Trump? Of course not. But the point is that we will not be silent nor will we go quietly into the night. Rather as Im seeing firsthand we are building allies with various communities and together will stand shoulder to shoulder to make it clear that we are prepared to resist any efforts by Trump to turn his hate into policy. As Democrats debate why they lost the 2016 elections, Hillary Clinton must feel like the star-crossed heroine in a Greek tragedy. She beat Donald Trump handily, by a margin of at least 2.6 million votes. Yet even in winning, the fates (and the Electoral College) have cruelly decreed that she lose. Compounding the sense of tragedy is Trumps all-too-characteristic reaction to the embarrassment of not being Americas first choice. He told the nation hed been cheated, an outright lie lifted from the febrile realm of fake news. That the President-elect is willing to undermine public confidence in the integrity of U.S. elections to salve his wounded vanity reinforces Clintons argument that hes unfit for the job he now holds. She also won that argument, with plenty of assists from her opponent. Exit polls showed 63% of voters agreed Trump lacked the temperament to be Presidentbut a fifth of them voted for him anyway. Evidently, their desire to shake up Washington outweighed their qualms about Trumps sociopathic personality and total lack of political experience. His upset win leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of Democrats and the many principled Republicans who put country before party and refused to back Trump. Whats most disconcerting isnt losing an election, but the feeling that our political system itself has failed. The success of an interloper like Trump signifies a severe disturbance in the force that has up until now protected American democracy against populist demagogues. As the populist tide rolls across the transatlantic world, its hard to feel anything but sympathy for Clinton. Shes an infinitely better person than Trump, who falsely and maliciously branded her a criminal. But she did not run a better campaign, and now progressives must come to grips with how she lost to the most unpopular nominee in modern times. Theres no point in whining about the Electoral College. Team Clinton knew the terrain on which the race would be decided. The question is why Trump was able to solve the Electoral College puzzle, and they werent. The answer lies in two strategic miscalculations. The first was the decision to devote more resources to making Trump anathema to voters than to articulating a compelling rationale for Clintons candidacy. She fell back on experience, while he at least offered restive voters a theory of big change, however implausible the details. And while she succeeded in deepening public doubts about Trump, she failed to engage anxious white working class voters in a conversation about their economic and cultural discontents. Even in this era of extreme polarization, presidential elections are two-sided affairs. Candidates must energize their core supporters and get them to the polls. But they also have to frame appeals to a growing cohort of independents and to soft partisans of the other party. No Democrat was going to convert blue-collar whites en masse, but they didnt need to. Empathetic but straight talk to these voters could have tempered their enthusiasm for Trump and hostility toward Democrats on the margins. In a contest decided by 100,000 votes in a few swing states, that might have been enough. Unfortunately, the Clinton camp ignored the prescient warnings last summer of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Democrats need to talk to rural voters, said Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa. They cant write them off. They actually have to spend a little time talking to them. Given the reservations many independents and suburban Republicans had about Trump, Clinton had a reasonable shot at being the first Democrat to win a majority of college-educated whites. She fell short, likely because little of what she had to say appealed to their economic aspirations. Rather than offering economically anxious voters (with or without college degrees) a hopeful blueprint for enlarging economic opportunity, Clintons basic message hewed closely to the Democratic establishments preferred script: heavy on government redistribution, light on economic innovation, growth and competitiveness. Unlike Trump, Clinton offered a richly detailed policy agenda in her 250-page policy book, Stronger Together. Lacking overarching themes or vision, however, the book is a prosaic collection of programmatic promises to Democrats target constituencies. For labor, a hike in the minimum wage and opposition to the Transpacific Trade Agreement; pay equity for women; for young voters, free tuition at state colleges for middle class families and caps on student loan payments; criminal justice reform for African Americans; for Hispanics, a humane path to legalization for illegal immigrants; strong anti-discrimination measures for the LGTB community, and so on. Which brings us to Team Clintons second and related strategic failure: A message and electoral strategy tailored narrowly to the demands of identity politics. The Clinton campaign bet heavily on recreating Obamas huge advantages with groups that are growing in the U.S. electorate: minorities, millenials, single women and secular voters. Obamas success had convinced many Democrats they could count on this Rising American majority to maintain their lock on the Electoral College. Such demographic determinism, however, proved unavailing as Clinton won smaller margins among these groups than Obama. That was not a problem in overwhelmingly Democratic states on the two coasts but it was devastating in the more thinly blue rustbelt states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. And Clintons enthusiasm gap even extended to white voters, with whom she also underperformed Obama. Despite these errors, Clinton won the popular vote comfortably. But while Trump won fewer votes, he won them in the right places. What lessons should progressives learn from such a tragic loss? One is that Americas changing demography doesnt guarantee a progressive majority. Each nominee has to chart a unique course to the White House and build their own majority. This means that the art of political persuasion is still more important to winning presidential elections than the mechanics of mobilization. And if you want to play identity politics, its probably a bad idea to ignore whites, who still comprise nearly 70 percent of U.S. voters. Inside Sources Say Twitter Changes Coming Next Week: Report AS SOON AS MONDAY Elon Musk, keen to make changes after his purchase of the platform, is set to change up the way verification works as soon as possible. PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - When John D. Anderson reached his battle station in the USS Arizona's No. 4 turret that morning, he realized the gigantic guns could do nothing against the swarms of attacking Japanese airplanes. But his twin brother, Delbert "Jake" Anderson, was manning an antiaircraft gun out on deck, and was in the thick of the action. "He needs help," John told his turret commander, and asked if could join his brother. Both men were 24. The sons of a judge, they were born in Verona, N.D., in 1917. Both had joined the Navy in 1936. John was a boatswain's mate second class; Jake, a boatswain's mate first class. Both wound up on the Arizona, which at that moment on Dec. 7, 1941, was a maelstrom of fire, smoke and explosions. They would never meet up that Sunday morning, and only one would survive the day. Wednesday, 75 years later, John Anderson's ashes are to be interred underwater in the remnants of his old turret, rejoining Jake, whose body was never recovered from the ship. The Arizona interment is one of two scheduled for Wednesday that, along with many other commemorations this week, will probably mark the last major anniversary of the attack attended by survivors. The brothers' reunion, on the anniversary of the attack, brings together one twin who enjoyed a long and varied life, and one whose life stopped at Pearl Harbor. John lived through the rest of the war. He settled in Roswell, New Mexico, became a local TV personality and died last year at age 98, one of the Arizona's last survivors. Only five of the original 334 are left. Jake is eternally 24, still "aboard" the Arizona and one the first Americans killed in World War II. John's family said they believed they should rest together. "He talked all the time about his brother," John's son, John D. Anderson Jr., of Carlsbad, New Mexico, said in a telephone interview last month. They "wrote letters back and forth to each other when they were on different ships. And Jake really wanted him to get on the Arizona with him." "They were really close," he said. During the attack, while searching through the inferno for his brother, John was ordered off the battleship by an officer. "I'm not leaving," he told the officer, according to a 2011 oral history recorded by videographer Don Smith. "My brother's here someplace. I've got to find him." "He couldn't have made it," he said the officer replied, and shoved John into a rescue vessel. But after they reached shore, John grabbed an empty boat and went back to the Arizona in the midst of the attack, nearly losing his life in the process. "He just kept saying, 'I've got to find my brother, I've got to find my brother,' " his son recalled. The Arizona interment is one of two scheduled for Wednesday that, along with many other commemorations this week, will likely mark the last major anniversary of the attack attended by survivors. --- "Warden was just going back for seconds . . . when this blast shuddered by under the floor and rattled the cups on the tables. . . . He stopped in the doorway . . . and looked back at the messhall. He remembered the picture the rest of his life. It had become very quiet and everybody had stopped eating and looked up at each other. . . . "This is it," somebody said quite simply." - James Jones, "From Here to Eternity" --- Seventy-five years later, the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor remains one of the most wrenching and intimate events in American history. As with the 9/11 terrorist attacks, or the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, people remembered where they were when they heard the news. The cost of the attack was stunning: On the Arizona alone, 1,177 sailors and Marines were killed. More than 900 of them were never recovered. Thirteen hundred more people died on other ships and elsewhere around the harbor. Many men were blown apart. One survivor recalled that the sky "rained sailors." Another remembered dozens of Navy hats floating on the surface of the water. Eleven hundred men were wounded, many horribly burned. "Flames from the inferno leapt up the metal steps and barred our escape," Arizona survivor Donald Stratton, now 94, wrote in his new memoir, "All the Gallant Men." "My T-shirt had caught fire, burning my arms and my back," he wrote. "My legs were burned from my ankles to my thighs. My face was seared. The hair on my head had been singed off, and part of my ear was gone." Eighteen U.S. warships were sunk or crippled, along with hundreds of planes destroyed and damaged. The Arizona went down, as did the battleship USS Oklahoma, entombing hundreds of sailors when it capsized. (Today, newly exhumed remains of the Oklahoma's sailors are still being identified in Defense Department labs.) The Japanese, gambling that they could cripple U.S. forces as they expanded their Asian empire, launched the daring attack with 31 ships, including six aircraft carriers, and more than 350 airplanes. Their armada sailed in secret across the stormy northern Pacific Ocean to within striking distance of Hawaii. Its only encounter was with a lone Soviet freighter, which steamed by in silence. The Americans, although forewarned, were overconfident, dismissive of Japanese capabilities, and did not expect the blow to come at Pearl Harbor, historians say. The first U.S. servicemen killed in World War II were three soldiers in two Piper Cubs shot down while on a sightseeing flight as the attack began about 7:55 a.m. Some Americans threw tools, potatoes and binoculars at the enemy aircraft. Others could only shake their fists. A frantic radiogram went out: "AIRRAID ON PEARLHARBOR X THIS IS NO DRILL." The effect was electrifying. "Pearl Harbor absolutely shattered Americans' image of themselves," said historian Steve Twomey, author of "Countdown to Pearl Harbor." The country saw itself as having a fine Army and Navy, and the protection of two oceans. "The wars were always 'over there,' " he said. But within hours that Sunday "millions of families knew . . . that their sons and their brothers and their fathers were going to go war . . . and many of them were not going to come back," he said. The attack would bring 9 million Americans into the war, and create the powerhouse United States of the 21st century, said historian Craig Nelson, author of "Pearl Harbor, From Infamy to Greatness." "Almost every aspect . . . of the United States and its international position in the world . . . comes from the reaction to Pearl Harbor," he said. It also gave history President Franklin D. Roosevelt's legendary "A date which will live in infamy" speech, delivered to Congress the next day. It produced the slogan, "Praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition," uttered by Lt. (JG) Howell M. Forgy, a chaplain on the embattled cruiser USS New Orleans. And it provided the story of the heroic African American sailor Dorie Miller, a 22-year-old mess attendant on the USS West Virginia who manned an antiaircraft gun and opened fire on enemy planes. Miller was decorated for valor, but was killed in the sinking of a ship he was on later in the war. Many of the sailors, soldiers and Marines at Pearl Harbor were children of the Depression and the Dust Bowl who had joined the service to escape poverty and starvation. The 1,500-man crew on the Arizona was similar in size to the population of some of the small towns the sailors had come from. Now they had hot meals, a hammock to sleep in and a steady paycheck. John Anderson had just made the arrangements for church services on the Arizona's fantail that Sunday and had gone to the mess hall to get some breakfast. Suddenly, he heard a loud explosion. "I thought, 'What in the dickens is that?' " he said in his video account. He went out on the deck, "looked up and saw this plane dipping . . . and it had red balls on its wings," he said. "I said a cuss word and said, 'The Japanese are here,' " he remembered. He hurried to sound the alarm, but before he could, a bomb fell nearby and "knocked me silly." He got up and ran to his battle station in the turret, which had huge 14-inch guns to fire at enemy ships. "I was a gunner," he said. "I got into the seat and said, 'Manned and ready.' " But he hadn't seen any enemy ships or enemy shell fire. "There's all bombs and machine gun fire," he said he told the turret captain. "We can't do any good in here. We need some gunners on the antiaircraft batteries." "I'd like to get out there and get on a gun with my brother," he said. The Andersons were among 26 sets of brothers on the ship, but the only twins. The turret captain gave him the okay. Anderson left the turret, and started up a ladder to the antiaircraft guns. "I got to the top of the ladder and an enormous explosion occurred," he said. "People were blown all over the place, all kinds of body parts . . . and tremendous fires broke out." He was driven back toward the turret. "On my way back, I grabbed a guy by the hand who was on fire, and I held on to him," he said. "He was from Greenfield, Ohio. I never forgot that. I saved him. I got him out of there." Meanwhile, officers were ordering survivors off the doomed ship, as more bombs struck. Anderson refused to go until he was forced. Reaching Ford Island, in the middle of the harbor, he looked back at the Arizona. It was still on fire, but his brother and others were out there. He spotted a small boat floating by with nobody in it, and with a buddy swam out, got in and headed back to the ship. There, he gathered three wounded men into the boat. There was no sign of Jake. "We had to take what we could get," he said, and they headed for shore. As they did, the boat was hit and blown apart. Anderson said his buddy and the three wounded sailors were lost. "I was the only one left alive," he said. He made it to shore and collapsed on the beach. After the attack ended, he was assigned to another ship, became part of Navy raiding parties and fought his way across the Pacific - "in so many scrapes and fights that I forgot the names of the places." At first, he heard nothing of Jake, but he was told later that someone had seen him felled at his post by gunfire. "That was the last anybody ever had on my brother," he said. Wednesday afternoon, about 40 members of his family are scheduled to gather at the USS Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbor as they return Anderson to what is left of turret No. 4, and to his shipmates and his brother. A&M College of Liberal Arts will continue to be inclusive Dear Friends and Former Students, As many of you know, Texas law allows private groups to hold their events and services in public school buildings around town, despite who might be invited to speak by a private organization. Texas A&M is not exempt from that law. Many individuals and groups who were not invited by the university come to speak on our campus. Some of you have let us know you are disappointed that one individual who does not represent our university's core values will be speaking at Texas A&M [this] week. I wanted to make my position as dean clear ... . I believe all of you know this about me: I believe that words matter -- so much so, in fact, that I use the First Amendment to the Constitution as a frequent guide. Our early leaders believed that there should be no legal abridgment of "the freedom of speech." Actions matter too, of course. This college -- our college -- will continue to stand for the things it always has: an inclusive and welcoming culture; the critical thinking needed to sort through false information and specious arguments; the importance of communicating clearly, truthfully, effectively, and in good faith; a commitment to standing up for everyone and providing them an education for a complicated world. We teach students not what to think but how to think. That is our mission. PAMELA R. MATTHEWS, dean College of Liberal Arts Texas A&M University Creek flooding in Emerald Forest must be addressed The Bee Creek flooding in Emerald Forest needs to be addressed by the city of College Station. This needs to be done before rezoning the land at Sebesta Road and Texas 6 for the car dealership and rezoning the land just off of Corsair Circle for the Wingate Hotel. Major improvements, including rip rap stone wire baskets for new channel walls, to the drainage channel from Sebesta Road to Emerald Parkway were done a few years ago by the city, but did not include any downstream improvements or maintenance and so the water stacks up for those living north of Emerald Parkway. Logically you improve the downstream channel first and not the upstream channel. The order of improvements by the city exacerbated the flooding problems because the upstream improvements increased flow velocity and volume with no place for the water to go, and hence flooding into yards. For some in Emerald Forest flood water comes to or above slab elevations. I hope the city will give some attention to this matter as rezoning is considered. MIKE CRONAN College Station Don't back development that hurts Emerald Forest College Station wants to deny its flooding problems in Emerald Forest. Emerald Forest has been experiencing increased flooding over the past several years; this year flooding has been the worst ever! Bee Creek's channel in Emerald Forest has not been maintained for more than five or six years. Trees and vegetation have grown in the middle of the creek bed, catching debris and sediment, making the problem worse. Bee Creek in Emerald Forest no longer has proper water flow through the creek bed and instead water spreads out and floods homes and properties like never before. The city has responsibility and liability to help with this problem as it did along Bee Creek west of Texas Avenue. In a Capital Channel Improvements Project in 2010, the city of College Station bought creekside drainage easement from property owners to clear and improve the flow of Bee Creek west of Texas Avenue because homes were flooding. We are asking for the city to do the same for Bee Creek in Emerald Forest to stop the flooding of our homes. The city of College Station is desperate for economic development and wants carelessly to add to the Bee Creek flooding problem in Emerald Forest by rezoning and developing land that is nearby and upstream. It is irresponsible, neglectful and certainly doesn't seem legal for the city of College Station intentionally and knowingly to rezone land where immediate development of the Wingate Hotel will result and immediately will add significant watershed to an already major drainage and flooding problem along Bee Creek in Emerald Forest. CHERYL WENCK College Station Creek channel must be cleared of overgrowth In the 19 1/2 years I have lived in Emerald Forest I have seen Bee Creek go from a well maintained floodway to an eyesore and an ineffective flood zone. My house backs up to Bee Creek, and although we are a very long way from Bee Creek, in May the flood waters came close to our house. Since the Bee Creek floodway is owned by a private individual (an Emerald Forest resident) the city of College Station says it cannot help in clearing the floodway of the overgrowth and the dead trees. This overgrowth is preventing the flow of water and is causing the floodway to be ineffective. What the city can do is not channel any more water into Bee Creek until it is improved and draining properly. The creek channel must be cleared by the owner or the city should purchase the property and do the necessary work before the parcel of land on Corsair Circle is rezoned. I am asking the College Station City Council on Dec. 8 to vote no on the rezoning on the Corsair Circle parcel. JEANNE BIRDWELL College Station Marshal resosurces to improve public education The column by Jonathan Zimmerman, "Get past stale debates over charter schools" (Eagle, Dec. 2), advocated a narrowing of "the wide gulf" between opponents and proponents of charter schools. While I am not a professional educator, I am somewhat aware of the debate on which Zimmerman is writing. He seems to recognize the serious threat posed to public education (whether the particular schools are charter, magnet, specialty, or area-specific in nature) if tax breaks or vouchers are legalized by government entities. Truly each person, household, and student has the right to "opt out" of public education for independent schooling options. A government-sanctioned undercutting of the tax base on which public school systems depend, though, through voucher or tax deduction possibilities, would diminish the "public" obligation and capacity on which our democratic republic is built. Zimmerman recognizes that the current nominee of President-elect Donald Trump to serve as secretary of Education is a charter school advocate from Michigan whose advocacy also has relieved failing charter schools of public accountability. His column's goal, however, seems to say, "No one should be critical of the past tendencies of a cabinet level nominee because the good work of many charter schools could be lumped into a polarized debate." He has a right to argue for groups of people to be less critical, but failing to point out the threat to entire neighborhoods, communities, states, and the nation itself going forward is a serious shortcoming. Zimmerman and all of us do better to collaborate on marshaling public resources for efforts to enhance the capabilities and results in every public school, both where charter schools exist as an option and in the many communities where there is no viable charter school or independent option. TED FOOTE Bryan It's a pall that hangs over almost every meeting in every sector of society at the moment: the rise of the populist right. And it was certainly hanging in the air at the University of Exeter Energy Policy Group conference in London this week. A Danish researcher noted that even though her nation was being held out as a model of energy transition, even its advances were very vulnerable to political change, with a push to liberalise infrastructure, the state seeking to make money from its assets, rather than secure their future. But it was great to see that rather than retreating into technocratic calculations about how things 'should' be, the issue of how politically to get to a secure, safe, sensible energy policy was front and centre at the conference session at which I spoke. One speaker from the floor summed it up very well: "we need more politics in energy policy, not less." Amy Mount from the Green Alliance suggested that the answer to 'post-truth' politics was more transparency. A massive failure to communicate the good news There was an acknowledgement that while Britain was leading the world in 2008 with the Climate Change Act, there hadn't been the leadership to explain it to the British people. The need to take action hasn't been properly explained, nor have the benefits of new policies in energy, transport and other sectors of the economy that would not only cut carbon emissions but also improve people's lives. The exciting possibilities of an energy-generating democracy haven't been highlighted - with community-owned energy offering voters control over the type and placement of locally owned renewables whose profits fund community facilities and projects while local investors receive returns that go back into the local economy. The surety of a warm, comfortable, affordable-to-heat home for everyone that could come from investing in housing as part of our national infrastructure hasn't been made clear. The change that could come from this decentralisation - reducing the lobbying power and vested interests of the Big Six energy companies, who are making massive profits from the failed privatised system - hasn't been set out. And of course that's not accidental. As another floor speaker said, "when new popular ideas [like community-owned energy] start to bubble up and threaten the existing system, they get squashed." The vested interests only have to look to Germany, where the monoliths are tottering, to see the risks to them, even while the rest of the world sees the benefits of the Energiewende. But there is a great story to be told here, a story that should be strong enough to overcome the obstacles. And there is progress. One of the under-reported outcomes from the recent COP 22 climate summit in Morocco in November was how the developing world is leading the way in the promotion of renewable energy. Despite not having the historical responsibility of industrialised nations for the changing climate these countries are now facing, these poorer states are the ones pushing the transition to a zero-carbon world, which will ultimately save the planet. In Morocco we had the Least Developed Countries Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Initiative, the Marrakech Global Partnership on Renewable Energy and the Initiative for Renewable Island Energy announced by the world's small island states. The 48 countries most vulnerable to climate change - known as the Climate Vulnerable Forum - also pledged to switch entirely to 100% renewable energy by 2050. These nations may be small in terms of GDP when compared to the wealthy countries of the EU and America, but they are titans when it comes to global climate leadership. Labelled the Renewables COP', Marrakech delivered on this promise. But if we're going to see the move from dirty to clean energy accelerate fast enough to stave off the worst impacts of climate change it's vital that we shift global investment flows away from the cause of climate change and into climate solutions. For those of us in the developed world, a good place to start would be our own savings accounts. It's a scandal that while Ecologist readers may take the time to buy low impact goods, eat local to reduce food miles, support groups which tackle climate change and maybe even protest against the fossil fuel industry, the money we hold in our current accounts is ploughed back into the very fossil fuel companies creating the climate chaos we're working to fix. The money we earn and save doesn't sit passively in our bank account, it is invested for good or ill on our behalf. That money can do harm if it is funnelled towards dirty energy companies or it can do good if it is invested in firms promoting sustainable, renewable energy. It's time we held our banks accountable for how they use our money and ensure they use it to solve the world's greatest crisis not make it worse. As Greenpeace uncovered this month, UK banks HSBC, Barclays and RBS have bankrolled the company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline to the tune of more than $800m. A new campaign by Christian Aid hopes to start asking the banking industry some inconvenient questions about where they are investing our money. The Big Shift is urging the public to email their bank to demand they shift our cash away from dirty energy and asking them what plans they have in place to ensure this shift takes place. However the Commission identified areas in which improvements were needed: "The challenges and problems identified primarily relate to the insufficient management and lack of adequate investment in the Natura 2000 network of protected sites, as well as to local deficiencies such as delays, unnecessary burdens for project permits and lack of adequate different assessments in regulating individual species. "The evaluation identified the need to improve the implementation of the Directives and their coherence with broader socio-economic objectives, including other EU policy areas such as energy, agriculture and fisheries ... the Commission will develop an Action Plan to correct the deficiencies encountered in the implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives." The big mystery is why it took so long for the Commission to reach its welcome conclusion. In February 2016, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly to oppose any revision of the Nature Directives. Consultants appointed by the Commission later concluded that the laws were entirely "fit for purpose" and working well. A copy of the report was leaked in June 2016 as reported on The Ecologist. Whither the UK after Brexit? Over 100 UK NGOs came together in response, calling for the Directives to be saved and better implemented - not 'modernised'. They are now calling on the UK Government to retain all aspects of these EU laws after Brexit, and to improve how they are implemented so that UK wildlife habitats and species are protected effectively now and in the long term. "We celebrate with our European partners because retaining the Habitats and Birds Directives is great news for nature across Europe", said Dr Elaine King, Director of Wildlife and Countryside Link. "But we also call on the UK Government to retain all aspects of these vital laws in order to safeguard our wildlife and habitats." "As over 100,000 UK citizens responded to the public consultation, it is clear that people across the UK care a great deal about the environment and are prepared to fight for its future." The attitude of the UK government to the EU nature laws has been equivocal. In November 2015 Environment Ministers from Germany, France, Poland, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Romania, Slovenia and Luxembourg wrote a joint letter to Karmenu Vella, the EU Commissioner for the Environment. In it they warned against tampering with Europe's nature laws, and stated their willingness to better implement the laws. But the UK's signature was missing. Theresa May's right-wing post-Brexit government may now take an even more negative view of the nature laws than David Cameron's more moderate government last year. Keith Taylor, Green Party MEP for the South East and a member of the European Parliament's Environment committee, said: "These vital laws are driving positive conservation action in Britain. Protected wildlife sites were being lost at a rate of 15% a year before EU action; now that rate has fallen to just 1% a year." "Wildlife and environmental issues were sidelined during the referendum campaign, but we cannot allow leaving the EU to be an excuse to erode the vital safeguards Leave campaigners maligned as 'red tape'." Molly Scott Cato, MEP for the South West and a member of the European Parliament's Agriculture committee, added: "As the EU seeks to strengthen its nature laws we need UK Ministers to commit to maintaining these vital protections in a post-Brexit Britain. These are worrying times for the environment in the UK. We already see hard-line Brexiteers like Jacob Rees-Mogg calling for environmental and safety regulations to be slashed once the UK leaves the EU." Oliver Tickell is contributing editor at The Ecologist. Photo caption: This is me at two or three. Maybe four. I had nicer bangs than Dawson Leery. (Photo: Russell Sabio) By Russell Sabio, to The post My parents never told me they were proud of me as a kid -- not in those words at least. I knew it was something parents said to their children, a thing friends said to each other, and I wanted someone to say it to me. I remember seeing it happen on Dawson's Creek once, and subsequently crying the ugly cry. It was a scene in season four when Dawson tells Pacey he's proud of him after his friend decides to run away and work on a boat. I watched the scene unfold on the playground, too. The mother of Julie*, an old classmate, whispered the words "I'm proud of you" to her once as they embraced over the wired fence of our school's parking lot. It was sweet and I was jealous. Act 1, Scene 4, Line 45: A shy 10-year-old boy stands in the middle of an asphalt playground, listening to the foreign slogan boom in his ear like beats on a drum. Russell: "Why aren't my parents proud of me?" Dark storm clouds collect above him, in the most pathetic instances of pathetic fallacy. Curtain. I'm being dramatic, but it's the way smaller, more-naive Russell viewed his life at times -- as if he were a character on Dawson's Creek. I thought that love had to be shouted from the rooftops; that fights ought be resolved with deep conversations about feelings -- and so I craved that type of relationship from my parents. But here's a thing that children of Filipino immigrants understand: this type of emotion sharing isn't the norm in most households. It's uncommon for parents to tell their children they're proud of them; in fact, the language doesn't even really support the phrase. If you put the slogan "proud of you" in Google Translate, you'll get "proud ako sayo" returned to you in Tagalog, the language most Filipinos speak. You'll notice that there's no translation for the word "proud." Here's the thing, Google, there technically is -- but you are right in knowing that the word got lost as the language became anglicized. Taglish, the integration of English in Tagalog, is common in many areas of the Philippines and is the language most often heard in the media. "It's not heard or said often, but there is a direct translation (for the phrase)," Felicitas Santos-Vargas says. She's on the board of directors of the Filipino Heritage School of Saskatoon and teaches Tagalog language classes through the organization. It's "Ipinagmamalaki kita" -- two words I've never heard in my life and a phrase even my mom struggled to derive when I asked her to translate it for me. Vargas says that in many instances, Filipinos choose to use English words in place of their Tagalog replacements, and "proud" may be an example. "The history of our language is very much anglicized... People in the Philippines will say 'I'm proud of you' even if there is a direct translation for the word." But if you ask Caroline Mangosing, co-founder of the Kapisanan Philippine Centre For Arts And Culture, a youth-focused organization that frequently hosts Tagalog language classes, she'll tell you a direct translation of the word doesn't exist. "Ipinagmamalaki kita" is rarely used in conversation with kids. When it is, it's most often said on a larger scale, she says -- in the instance of a politician speaking to his constituents, for example. Santos agrees that the phrase has a deeper, more emotional connotation when it's said in Tagalog. As if it were poetry or lyrics in a song. But here's another thing -- it's not culturally acceptable to emote to children, Santos and Mangosing say. Filipino kids know this, and I know this. There are many reasons this may be the case, experts say. It's possibly an after effect of colonization, a result of a strict "respect your elders" upbringing where the reciprocal respect isn't guaranteed or another sort of deep-rooted sociological finding from Freud or Jung. All of it is really negligible when you note Pacey's (my) epiphany: A parent can't tell you they're proud of you if the word doesn't actually exist in their mother tongue and if the culture they were brought up in doesn't support it. How can Dawson tell you he's proud of you when he doesn't even know how the words sound? My parents didn't call me on the pier as wind swept through their bangs, but it didn't mean they didn't feel pride. Here's what I now know to be true. I felt my mother's pride for me every time she bid me farewell at the crosswalk by my school. I would kiss her goodbye, take in her sweet scent and give her a big hug before walking towards the brick building. Some days I would run back into her arms -- too afraid to leave her side -- but on days when I felt like all I needed was to see her rose-blushed cheeks at a distance, she would be there looking at me, encouraging me with a confident smile. Smiling because she knew that her son was facing his fears -- that her son made further to school than he did yesterday. I realized my dad was proud of me when he admitted that he searched my name online to watch a show I was co-host on. He said it in front of dinner guests as he queued the video on his laptop screen so that they could watch said show. So there I was, watching my parents watch me on a computer screen with a room full of strangers, arriving at a very Dawson's Creek realization. Every kiss, every backhanded compliment and every tear my parents tried to hide on birthdays and graduations were indications of my parents' love for me. It wasn't anything like a Capeside scene or anything Julie's mom would have done -- these are more vivid than that, iterations of pride that almost seem tactile. My parents never told me they were proud of me, but I know that they felt it. The words for it were simply lost in translation. *Name has been changed Russell Sabio is the Branded Content Editor for Huffington Post Canada. Follow him on Twitter @russellsabio This piece is reprinted from The Huffington Post Canada's Born & Raised series on second-generation Canadians. To read more stories from the born and raised series visit www.huffingtonpost.ca/news/born-and-raised/ http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/news/born-and-raised/ Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the field of health care have the highest paying jobs, with a monthly average salary of PHP111,620 (US$2,250). In particular, those who are specializing in pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology have the highest salary across OFW (Overseas Foreign Worker) jobs, according to a report by Workabroad.ph. The same report noted that such countries as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Canada, New Zealand, and United Kingdom give the highest salary for health care professionals. The highest salary for health care workers in the UAE is logged at PHP253,826 a month, followed by Canada and New Zealand at PHP172,500 a month, and UK at PHP153,333 a month. (1PH is about .27 Canadian) Overseas demand for health care workers is also strong, according to the report that was done from January to September this year. Health care jobs shared 11 percent of the 117,000 jobs posted at WorkAbroad.ph over the period. Following health care professionals, OFWs in process design and control and instrumentation have the second highest average monthly salary of PHP87,027. Third highest paying specializations abroad are in public relations and communication with an average monthly salary of PHP83,375. This was followed by aviation and aircraft maintenance and law and legal service, with an average monthly salary of PHP81,149 and PHP80,500, respectively. Completing the list of 10 highest paying jobs for OFWs are education and training and development at PHP62,438; quality control at PHP58,463; information technology-related jobs at PHP57,639; engineering-related jobs at PHP57,102; and architecture and interior design at PHP55,660. Among the 10 highest paying jobs abroad, only the health care and engineering sectors are also in the top 10 list for in-demand overseas jobs from January to September 2016. Over the period, engineering-related jobs are the most in demand overseas, accounting for 26 percent or 30,972 of the total job postings at WorkAbroad.ph. This is followed by general work, such as housekeeper, driver, messenger, dispatcher, among others with job orders of 22,367; hospitality-related jobs, with postings of 13,681; health care, with 13,399 job postings; manufacturing and production operations, with 7,159 job postings; maintenance and repair, with 4,484 job postings; personal care, beauty and fitness service, with 3,059 job postings; sales-related jobs, with 2,896 postings; clerical and administrative support, with 1,833 job postings; and arts, creative and graphics design, with 1,761 job postings. WorkAbroad.ph Business Unit Manager Rhea Suiza said aspiring overseas workers should review their competencies and undergo training courses to broaden their knowledge. Suiza added that aspiring OFWs should apply in industries with the most job openings and explore other industries if they consider better career options. WorkAbroad.ph has registered four million jobseekers for overseas postings. The 10 countries with the most number of job postings for OFWs are Saudi Arabia (46,026), Qatar (11,991), UAE (6,670), Kuwait (3,465), Bahrain (2,433), Oman (1,950), United States (1,225), New Zealand (572), Brunei Darussalam (518), and Australia (473). According to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), more than 1.8 million land-based and sea-based OFWs have been deployed in more than 197 countries. The report covers land-based job postings on Workabroad.ph from January to September 2016. Workabroad.ph is the countrys leading jobs portal for overseas employment opportunities and currently covers 90% market share of overseas employers. POEA Director Robert Larga said that while several industries have been affected by the crisis, the volume of demand and job orders remain high for Saudi Arabia and other gulf countries. Suiza said the crisis affects mainly the government sector in Saudi Arabia, but there is still a lot of job postings for Filipino workers from private companies. Here are the 10 Highest Paying Countries of Deployment: 1. United Arab Emirates Highest Paid Job: Healthcare-Doctor/Diagnosis Php 253, 826 2. Qatar Highest Paid Job: Aviation/ Aircraft Maintenance Php 209,700 3. Canada Highest Paid Job: Healthcare-Nurse/Medical Support and Assistant Php 172,500 4. New Zealand Highest Paid Job: Nurse/Medical Support and Assistant Php 172,500 5. United Kingdom Highest Paid Job: Healthcare-Doctor/Diagnosis Php 153, 333 6. Singapore Highest Paid Job: Engineering-Related Php 138,000 7. Saudi Arabia Highest Paid Job: Public Relations/Communications Php 138,000 8. Macau Highest Paid Job: Engineering/Related Php 118,333 9. Bahrain Highest Paid Job: Architecture/Interior Design Php 113,030 10. Oman Highest Paid Job:Custom Service- Related Php 95,000 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 ... Enjoy music, art and more this weekend in Southeast Iowa Your guide to getting off the couch and out the door this weekend in Southeast Iowa. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Jack Stoeber of Milford is back with his mates in Hawaii. Stoebers ashes were scattered at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Dec. 1 in a service at the USS Utah Memorial, a public affairs specialist for the U.S. Navy said. A veteran of the Japanese attack 75 years ago Wednesday, Stoeber was a lifetime member of the national and state chapters of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association Stoeber, who died in January at 97, was serving as a carpenters mate on board the USS Whitney when the Japanese attacked. Stoeber later said he was supposed to be on leave, visiting his uncle that day, but his plans changed and with Zeros strafing and dive-bombing all around him, he took action. I managed to get to an anti-aircraft gun and fire back, Stoeber told Hearst Connecticut Media in 2012. I felt pretty good about that. Others from the region also lived through what President Franklin D. Roosevelt called a date which will live in infamy. Stuart G. Sears teaching career was interrupted by his service in the U.S. Navy, and the Milford man was also a Pearl Harbor survivor. Sears, who was principal at the former West Main School in Milford for 32 years, died in 2005 at age 88. But two men each from Bridgeport and Stamford, and another from Darien, were among the 15 Connecticut residents killed in the sneak attack. More Information Connecticut men who died in Pearl Harbor attack Vincent M. Horan, Stamford, Army, Wheeler Army Airfield John Luntta, Canton, Navy, USS Nevada Henry Lanquette, Wallingford, Navy, USS Arizona W.T. O'Neill Jr., Stamford, Navy, USS Arizona Stanislaus Orzech, Meriden, Navy, USS Arizona Richard Patterson, Berlin, Navy, USS Arizona George Povesco, Bridgeport, Navy, USS Arizona Mike Quarto, Norwich, Navy, USS Arizona Thomas Reeves, Thomaston, Navy, USS California William Seeley, New London, Navy, USS Arizona Gordon H. Sterling Jr., West Hartford, Army Air Forces, shot down over ocean Felix Wegrzyn, Bridgeport, Army Air Forces, Hickam Field Ulmont Whitehead, Hartford, Navy, USS Arizona Eric Allen, Darien, Navy, Hickam Field George J. Smith, New Haven, Army Air Forces, Hickam Field See More Collapse There were 2,403 Americans who lost their lives in the explosive entry of the United States into World War II. There are few, if any, military veterans in the area who served at Pearl Harbor that day who are still alive. But the day will be marked Wednesday by flags lowered to half-mast and somber memorials, and the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven is decked out in red, white and blue lights. Derby will hold a veterans celebration to mark the anniversary Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the Derby High School auditorium. The public is invited to the celebration of veterans from the Valley towns, which will be followed by an intergenerational meet and greet, organizers said. Ansonias ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. at Veterans Park, with Patrick Freeman, commander of VFW Post 597 as the guest speaker and the Rev. Russell Lesiw of the Seymour Evangelical Baptist Church offering the benediction and invocation. The Veterans Council of Greater Bridgeport is holding a ceremony at the World War II monument on the Col. Henry Mucci Memorial Green at 12:55 p.m. The names of all of the Connecticut dead will be read and taps will be played. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy directed that all U.S. and state flags be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset in recognition of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Bridgeport, which has a Pearl Harbor Street, lost two men in the attack: George Povesko, who was killed on board the USS Arizona, and Felix Wegrzyn, serving in the Army Air Corps, who was killed at Hickham Field. Cpl. Vincent Horan, of Stamford, was killed by a Japanese bomb fragment at Wheeler Field, the site of the first wave of the attack. He was a member of the 78th Pursuit Squadron of the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he was an aviation mechanic. He had joined the military on July, 27, 1939, less than two months before the German invasion of Poland that launched World War II in Europe. He is remembered in his hometown by Vincent Horan Park, at Washington Avenue and Bridge Street. For a long time there was no list of Connecticut men killed in the Pearl Harbor attacks. It was only in 1992 when then-Gov. Lowell P. Weicker asked for the names and couldnt locate them that the national Pearl Harbor Survivors Association was contacted and asked to compile a list. Through the years, area survivors of the Pearl Harbor attacks have spoken at ceremonies or in schools, or been interviewed by reporters about that fateful day. When Art Shafer, of Ansonia, was asked for his thoughts on the anniversary in 1987, he said, theres not much to say. Except, dont let it happen again. Word of mouth marketing is nothing new. But todays technology gives brands ways to accomplish it more efficiently by marshaling their internal teams to act as social media advocates. According to recent reports, social media content shared by employees gets eight times more engagement than content shared through the brands own social channels and is shared 25 times more frequently. And leads through employee social networks convert seven times more often than any other leads. Whether youre looking to raise brand awareness, increase sales, or attract new talent to your organization, its time to consider the power of employee advocacy. Employee advocacy occurs when employees actively represent the companys brand on social media channels, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and even specialty hiring sites like Glassdoor. Grassroots social media efforts are effective because the message comes not from executives or from the human resources department -- who obviously have a stake in increasing sales or attracting top talent -- but from actual employees. The case for employee advocacy. Under the guidance of a social media specialist, your employees can elevate and amplify your brand messaging to their own social networks and beyond. Here are five steps to building a successful social media advocacy program. 1. Define your goals. Are your goals to improve search engine rankings to drive traffic to your company website? Raise brand awareness? Increase sales? Recruit top talent? Whatever your objectives, you wont know if you reach them unless you set goals and identify the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will show youve reached them. Related: Your Employee Advocacy Program: Measuring the Right KPIs When it comes to social media, likes and followers dont always tell the whole story. While its important to build your numbers, youll ultimately need to determine the value of those eyes on your brand and find ways to measure the results your social media advocacy efforts have achieved. 2. Establish guidelines. While some employees -- especially millennials -- might love getting permission to play on Instagram or Twitter during company time, its important to make sure employee advocacy efforts are on task -- and on target. Set up company guidelines for what your team should -- and especially should not -- share on social media. Offer quick training or cheat sheets for how to quickly set up a Twitter or Instagram account and best practices for creating posts or sharing photos. 3. Provide incentives for employees. Offer incentives to encourage reluctant employees to take the time to promote your company on social media, and to ensure active employees share messaging in alignment with your goals. For example, you could present a $100 gift card for every recruit that results in a hire, or offer incentives for sales leads that come through employee social media accounts. Related: How to Run an Effective Social Media Employee Advocacy Program Most importantly, establish a company culture that is social media-friendly. Sometimes, all it takes is asking an employee to post a review on Glassdoor, or sending a company-wide email asking employees to share news of an exciting new product launch. Dont be afraid to share suggested messages from your marketing or social media teams, which could inspire employees to create their own. 4. Monitor progress. Employee advocacy can be powerful, but it can also be dangerous. By setting your employees loose on social media, you cant keep a tight rein on all the messaging. But thats OK. Messages come across more genuinely if they dont sound like excerpts from a corporate press release. Related: Social-Media Advocacy Is the Future (Just Not the Way You Think) It is, however, vital to monitor your teams updates to ensure they are posting nothing inflammatory or discriminatory. Also, track progress to gauge which employee posts are more successful at driving leads or new recruits. Praise employees publicly for their most successful social media efforts. Zappos, for instance, displays a leader board to recognize employees with the most social media followers. 5. Adapt the program to improve results. If youve successfully engaged your employees to participate in social media advocacy but arent seeing results, ask these questions: Are your employees on the right platforms? (That is, do they have a presence on the same social media networks as your customers?) Are they sharing the right messages? Are they over-sharing? (When an employees Twitter feed starts to look just like a brands, their followers are likely to tune out.) Determine where you need to make changes and convey that information to employees. Remember, social media marketing takes time and employee advocacy is no different. But with an army of influencers at your fingertips, you should see the needle move on your social KPIs before too long. Find all the different places you can follow Entrepreneur on social media. Related: Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NORWALK The publisher of a fourth-grade social studies textbook being pulled from elementary schools in Norwalk due to its alleged insensitive and inaccurate depiction of slavery in Connecticut has revised the questionable content in updated copies of the book. Brad Farmer, chief executive officer at Gibbs Smith Education, the publisher of the 250-page book The Connecticut Adventure, said the publishing company fell short of its objectives in the iteration of the book used by Norwalk schools, which he said contained a paternalistic view of slavery. We identified this problem earlier when we began revising the program in the last several years, Farmer said in an emailed statement. Our new section discussing slavery is designed to provide the teacher opportunities to discuss the practice in Connecticut and how it impacted people's lives in the state. The hundreds of copies of the 250-page book used in 10 out of 12 Norwalk public elementary schools were published in 2001 by Gibbs Smith Publishing and written by author John W. Ifkovic. In a chapter discussing the history of slaves in Connecticut, the book states, Compared to other colonies, Connecticut did not have many slaves. Some people owned one or two slaves. They often cared for and protected them like members of the family. They taught them to be Christian, and sometimes to read and write. The revised section on slavery is part of the companys updated program, Connecticut Stories, which has removed any mention of Connecticut slaves being cared for like family. It was unclear if books including those revisions are already in circulation or exactly when those revisions were made. At Gibbs Smith Education, our focus is creating state-specific social studies curriculum that reflects the most current scholarship, accurately portrays the multiple groups that have influenced the state, uses the latest pedagogy, and meets Connecticut's social studies framework, Farmer said. Concern with the book was raised to district officials Nov. 29 after a mother took issue with it teaching her fourth-grade daughter that slaves in Connecticut were cared for like family members. That prompted an immediate internal review of the books use, school officials said. By Dec. 5, officials announced they would cease use of the book in classrooms by Jan. 3 2017. The portion of the textbook minimizes the impact and implications of slavery from the perspective of many constituents in the Norwalk community, said Michael T. Conner, chief academic officer for Norwalk Public Schools, in a letter addressed to parents and guardians of the districts fourth-grade students. Darnell Crosland, president of Norwalks NAACP, supported the removal of the book not because it talks about a sad time in American history, but because the account of that time is categorically wrong." My view, he said, is that books and movies alike that discuss slavery are important and applauded. They, however, must be accurate. If they are not accurate then both white and black kids suffer because they will grow up with a skewed perspective on historical events. Here, the author floats the notion that there was civility in slavery. This is offensive to me and many other conscious people black and white (people). We are all aware of the brutality of slavery and how it tore black families apart. Brenda Wilcox Williams, a school district spokeswoman, said the book has been used dating back to at least 2007. Michelle Zacks, on behalf of her role as associate director of the Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance, and Abolition at Yale University, which seeks to bridge the divide between scholarship and public knowledge of slavery, expressed support for the school districts actions. She called the districts decision a positive step toward helping Connecticut students and all of us understand the dehumanizing nature of slavery as well as the ways that African Americans resisted this treatment. The history of Connecticut, including information about the states treatment of slaves, has historically been introduced to students at the fourth-grade level. The book is used at districts throughout the state of Connecticut. A committee composed of central office administrators and curriculum directors will work through December to identify other resources to teach the social studies curriculum in lieu of the textbooks. They will also determine whether the students who were already exposed to the books content will be retaught. Officials will also work to meet their long-term goal of updating the fourth-grade social studies curriculum to align with the new College, Career, and Civic Life Social Studies Framework adopted by the state in 2015. An ad-hoc committee will be formed to make a recommendation for an official program adoption by May 2017. At that time a book that aligns with the new program may be selected. ORD Ord Elementary students got a lesson in opera on Tuesday. William Shomos, director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Opera, visited fourth- through sixth-grade students at the school for a presentation about a show the students would see later in the day. The UNL Opera, with some Ord community members, performed Amahl and the Night Visitors for the students and community on Tuesday. The student performance was in the afternoon, and the community performance was at night. Shomos started his presentation by asking what the kids knew about opera. Theres singing. Its where they go, Figaro! Figaro! Figaro! one student said as the crowd giggled. Shomos laughed, joining in the fun. He explained the difference between a play and an opera to the students, who by show of hands had never seen an opera before. He told the kids to guess his feelings based on how he sang good morning. First, he sang in a bright, fast and cheerful tone. The kids guessed he was happy. Second, he sand in a slow, low and wavering tone. He was sad, the kids said. Lastly, he sang greetings to the audience in a fast, short and brooding tone. He was acting angry. You can show much more expression when you sing, Shomos said. This is why I love opera. Shomos said his dad, a factory worker, loved opera. Thats where he inherited some of his passion for opera. As a kid, hed listen to the Metropolitan Opera from New York City on the radio. When he was in his teens and early 20s, he said, he knew opera was what he wanted to pursue. Hes since directed more than 60 operas. Shomos explained the story of Amahl and the Night Visitors to the students. The story is inspired by the Christmas story, so it has some similarities. A young boy, Amahl, and his mother are poor and struggling to get by. When three kings who are traveling to bring gifts to a special child, they ask to stay with the boy and his mother. The mother lets the three kings stay with them but ends up making a desperate choice to steal from them. In a heartwarming Christmas story, the forgiveness from the kings sends a positive message. When we give, our world could change in ways we cant even imagine, Shomos said. Thats the message. Jesse Rosberg, the schools music teacher, was part of Tuesdays opera the kids saw later in the day. He said hes been talking to his students about opera in class to get them acquainted with it. When he found out Shomos would be coming to speak to the students, Rosberg said, the kids were excited. Rosberg said the kids do musicals, so they were excited to learn about another form of storytelling. Its nice for him to come and open their eyes to opera, Rosberg said of Shomos, to just have them experience it. You can never expose your kids too much to things, and this is a good way to do it. World Series no-hitter! Astros combine for Fall Classic's first no-no since 1956 Cristian Javier and three relievers combined to no-hit the Phillies in a 5-0 win, evening the World Series at 2-2. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Winarno Zain (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 7, 2016 With the United States under Presidentelect Trump turning inward and abandoning the Asia-Pacific region by scrapping the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), countries in the Asia-Pacific Rim are scrambling to find an alternative free trade agreement. On his campaign trail, Donald Trump has said that the TPP was a horrible trade deal, and that he would pull out the US from the TPP on day one of his presidency. The TPP was a trade pact supported by President Barack Obama encompassing 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific Rim, excluding China. Like other free trade pacts, the TPP was believed to be a provider of economic growth, higher income and prosperity to the people of its member countries. It is a trade pact that goes beyond the business of cutting the tariff and non-tariff barrier. It was meant to be an advanced free trade agreement that would set the standard norms for other free trade pacts by expanding its coverage into the environment, intellectual property rights and labor conditions. Countries that were involved in TPP negotiations are now looking at Chinas backed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), whose members consist of 10 ASEAN countries plus China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The RCEP, which is still being negotiated by the 16 member countries, would be the logical alternative to the TPP as the most important free trade agreement in the Asia-Pacific region, considering its size of combined GDP, trade volume and population. Leaders of some member countries including Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have acknowledged that the vacuum left by the death of TPP would most likely be filled by the RCEP. Despite the goodwill shown by many countries in the public eye, behind the scenes the negotiations are on the verge of falling apart due to serious disagreements over one of the key aspects of the RCEPs tariff liberalization. ASEAN, Japan and Australia are hoping for massive tariff reductions across the board but are resisted by China, who insisted on a selective tariff reduction based on each countrys pre-existing free trade agreements. This means that China is not yet willing to open its economy widely to other countrys products. Some countries have had painful experiences from its trade with China. Brazil, whose economy depends on its export of natural resources to China, slipped into recession when Chinas economy slowed down and commodity prices collapsed. Indonesias fate was slightly better than Brazil as it only experienced slower growth when the commodity export boom from China ended in 2014. Yet Indonesias trade deficit with China has been deteriorating since 2010. The trade deficit stood at US$5.6 billion in 2010, but it ballooned to $16 billion in 2015. So rapid was the widening of the deficit that the amount in 2015 itself was twice the amount in 2013. While prices of Indonesian coal, nickel and other commodities fell, prices of Chinese manufactured products entering Indonesia did not. Goods from China steel, machineries, electronics, smart phones, toys are still flooding the Indonesian market, giving hard times for Indonesian producers. Meanwhile the Indonesian government is trying to make up the losses from trade by attracting more investment from China. A dramatic jump in Chinas direct investment in Indonesia occurred this year. Up to September 2016, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from China has reached $1.6 billion, almost three times its investment for the whole 2015. Its share of total FDI jumped from 2.1 percent to 7.4 percent. Most of the Chinese investment is in the mineral and energy sectors. The FDI from China will accelerate as the Indonesian government has taken concerted steps to lure investors from China including setting up a special China desk at the office of Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) in Jakarta. A second problem comes from Chinas overcapacity in the manufacturing base. Negotiators have lamented the possibility that China would use the RCEP to dump its excess steel in member countries that will distort trade. That would not be surprising since over the last few years, Chinas supply of cheap steel has put steel industries in Southeast Asia on the defensive. In Indonesia, cheap steel imports from China are giving hard times to PT Krakatau Steel and other domestic steel producers. With the import tariff falling as a result of the RCEP but without tariff reciprocity from Beijing, these steel industries are at risk of going belly up altogether. There is another venue where Chinas increasing role would be more felt in the region. In October 2014 China took the initiative with 20 other countries to establish the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which specializes in financing infrastructure projects in Asia. This project was opposed by the US as it competed with other development banks such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank. China could use the new bank to expand its influence in Asia at the expense of the US and Japan. Chinas decision to finance a new multilateral bank rather than give more to the existing one reflected its exasperation with the glacial space of global economic governance reform. Although China is the biggest economy in Asia, the Manila based ADB is dominated by Japan. Japans voting share is more than twice than that of Chinas; reform to have more say for China in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been delayed for many years. China is understandably impatient for change. It is therefore taking matters into its own hands. Indonesia could benefit from this bank as the AIIB could be used as an additional source of funding for its huge planned infrastructure projects. Through the RCEP and the AIIB, China could exercise its undisputed leadership role in economic issues for the Asia-Pacific region. But once China takes the mantle of leadership, it is expected to be more concessionary and less protectionist in its trade with countries participating in the RCEP. China should be more receptive to criticism of its lopsided trade surpluses if it is serious about taking over the leadership role in the Asia-Pacific region. --------------- 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 Agung Firman Sampurna and Dwi Hendro Widayatmoko (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 7, 2016 On Dec. 9, the world, including Indonesia, will celebrate International Anti-Corruption Day, which was declared after the UN General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention against Corruption in 2003. In commemorating the event, we may reflect what we have done so far to fight corruption, at least in our own country. Despite the fact that Indonesia has been unable to remove its infamous billing as one of the most corrupt nations in the world, we need to remain confident that such embarrassment will one day be over. Based on surveys, Transparency International (TI) has consistently placed Indonesia on the list of the most corrupt countries in the world along with China, Iran, Vietnam and some other Asian developing economies. Compared with developed countries such as the United States and United Kingdom, we are a far cry from being recognized as a country where disclosure is a culture. Even with the Southern European countries like Spain, Portugal and Greece, Asian values seem not equal to great European philosophy. Unfortunately, in spite of the controversy over the changing methodology of measurement from year to year and the potentially unreliable sources of information utilized during the surveys, many people still believe the corruption perception index of countries released by TI reflects a countrys real level of corruption. With such contempt, most Indonesians will naturally feel inferior and lack confidence when interacting with their counterparts from other countries, particularly the ones with a better level of corruption perception according to TI. But in fact, in opposition to what most people see, those countries labeled as being among the most corrupt ones are apparently more secure economically as they have freed themselves from the confinement of twisting debt, which unbelievably still occurs among countries that so far are ranked as less corrupt. Ever since the monetary crisis in the late 1990s, Indonesia has astonishingly rejected offers of financial aid from IMF and preferred to manage its own problems as it does not accept the intervention of external institutions in its policymaking. This has made Indonesia subject to the risk of not being offered any financial aid from anywhere. Not to mention the possible alienation in international trading and global collaboration that could become a side effect. But the dream of getting rid of all the strings that hold us back from becoming an independent country with financial sovereignty has led Indonesia to the path that most countries with similar conditions would naturally avoid. Anyway, such bravery has eventually paid off. With its own strength and capacity to get through the crisis, Indonesia unbelievably rebuilt its own economy. Right now, without entirely excluding factors such as various controversies over the present and future public leadership that could re-ignite economic default, Indonesians can at least exhale and feel relieved for a while. Moreover, with its diminishing external debts, which total no more than a quarter of its annual GDP, Indonesia has a very low risk of financial default. Indonesia is very different from countries now suffering from or threatened by economic default such as Greece, Iceland, Spain and even the US, whose external debt and GDP ratios amount to 100 percent or higher. Some of us may realize that corruption has some roots that we ordinarily overlook or neglect to deal with. These roots of evil may derive from various causes. But we would all agree that those causes trigger acts of corruption only when there is access to large amounts of money. To break this chain of corruption all institutions should utilize excessive funds to pay off the debts they hold. By doing so, they do not only retire various costs of debt, but also keep away the temptation of idle funds. Although it is almost impossible to believe that some funds are idle, any excessively allocated fund is technically idle, and therefore should be subject to evaluation. That effort in paying off debts, is fruitful in other ways. The Indonesian economy is growing quite rapidly, so are those of China, Laos, Iraq and Vietnam, so that it can achieve a steady annual GDP growth. Meanwhile, countries known to be less corrupt such as Greece, Spain and many Western countries, including the US, have to accept the reality that their debts are putting them at high risk of financial default and that their economic growth is not as fast as their Eastern counterparts, which are known as the most corrupt nations. We are not saying that TI has been drinking the kool-aid and neglecting important potential factors in its measurement of the corruption perception index. We also do not deny that perceptions formed by TI might have been triggered by various events that could lead to biased assumptions. However, we wish to introduce a whole new perspective in assessing the value of good governance, namely that we should not only see a country and its imperfections from the perspective of others, but also from the liberty that it has achieved. The liberty from the fear of financial default. *** Agung Firman Sampurna is a member of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) and Dwi Hendro Widayatmoko is a lecturer at Esa Unggul University, Jakarta. The views expressed are their own. --------------- 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 Norman Joshua (The Jakarta Post) Evanston, Illinois Wed, December 7, 2016 On Dec. 2, the National Police apprehended 10 political activists, including musician Ahmad Dhani and artist Ratna Sarumpaet, allegedly for treason charges. The activists were taken for questioning to the National Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) headquarters in Depok, West Java. Seven of them were acquitted the following morning, however, three of the activists were still detained for questioning (The Jakarta Post, Dec. 3, 2016). Following her release, Sarumpaet pointed out in a televised interview that her arrest reminded her of the New Order regime, where political repression was rampant. Furthermore, she stated: nothing has changed [since the New Order]. They said they wanted to reform the police, but where is the reform? I was framed, detained, and falsely acquitted, according to Kompas (Dec. 3). The statement brings us to the puzzle, does the state have the authority to detain people over charges of treason, defaming the government or mocking the head of state? Are the laws being used to charge the 10 activistsarticles 107, 110, 87, and 207 of the Criminal Codeidentical to the authoritarian practices of the New Order? Or to be more precise, are they undemocratic? The articles 107, 110, 87, and 207 of the Criminal Code were established to prevent crimes against the state. Its utilization by the police several days ago was a completely legal and democratic process, and it is part and parcel with the states capabilityand responsibilityto survive and protect itself. Historically, treason charges or charges of committing crimes against the state have been used in several contexts. One might still remember clearly how journalist Mochtar Lubis, among others, was indicted by the authoritarian New Order government in the aftermath of the Jakarta riots of Jan. 15, 1974. The arrest of Lubis and others were considered examples of authoritarian practice by the Soeharto government. It is easy, however, to forget that the law was also used in non-authoritarian regimes. One of the most prominent examples in Indonesian history was the states response against the Oct. 17 Affair, at the height of the so-called Constitutional Democracy period. On Oct. 17, 1952, a crowd of approximately 30,000 civilians gathered near the parliament building in a surprise demonstration. The protesters were calling for the dissolution of the parliament, a result of a three-month-long contestation between the government and the military over the Indonesian Armys autonomy. The crowd themselves only dissipated after Soekarno personally gave a speech to the masses, refusing the demands. Several hours later, 17 Army officers came to the palace together with a column of tanks and armored personnel carrierswhom, according to Herbert Feith, directed their cannons towards the palace while President Soekarno was in the buildingperhaps in a show of force. The officers also asked Soekarno to disband the parliament, but to no avail. Later, it was discovered that some of the disgruntled Army officers were behind the demonstration, and as a result Army chief of staff Col. A.H. Nasution and two other high-level Army officers were dismissed by prime minister Wilopo on Dec. 2, 1952. The Oct. 17 Affair case perfectly illustrates that even the members of the Army, which is part of the state apparatus itself, can not escape this rule. All individuals, regardless of position, are subject to the laws regarding crimes against the state. Being a soldier does not make a person immune to the possibility of being charged with conspiring against the state. In his book The Concept of the Political, German jurist and political theorist Carl Schmitt elucidates that a state has the authority to identify and prosecute enemies, both foreign and domestic, through the principle of jus bellithe law of war. This authority is directly related to the nature of the state as a political entity, where sovereignty is embedded in the state itself in order to effectively function According to Schmitt, it is the task of the state to maintain peace within the state and its territory, so it has to be able to act upon individuals or groups that threaten security and order through defining them as enemies of the state. In other words, the state has the capability to differentiate friend or enemy. The states capabilities may include outlawing certain acts (such as treason and sabotage), dissolving rebellious notions through police actions, or declaring wars. Without these capabilities, the state will disappear as a political entity, thus negating the raison detre of the state itself, which is to uphold law and order. This is true in all states, whether authoritarian or democratic. Sovereignty is an essential part of a states power to function properly. Furthermore, the states capability to project and uphold its sovereignty is not limited to only treason charges. One of the most important features of a democratic state is its capacity to declare a state of emergency or a state of war. During a state of emergency, the state is allowed to rule by decree, or to enact laws without the approval of the legislative assembly. These capabilities are exclusively reserved for the state in responding to emergencies such as natural disasters, quelling rebellions, or maintaining domestic stability in times of crisis. Consequently, it will be a mistake for us to consider the existence of the articles regarding crimes against the state as a feature of an authoritarian state or to perceive them as undemocratic. Maintaining the states capability to preserve institutions, namely democratic ones, is essential in the process of preserving democracy. Therefore, the notion of preventing crimes against the state is inherently democratic. *** Norman Joshua is a PhD student at the Department of History, Northwestern University, United States. --------------- 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 Wed, December 7, 2016 Bandung-based cultural center Jendela Ide, in collaboration with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), will present a musical performance from Dec. 22-23 at Teater Jakarta, Taman Ismail Marzuki, in Central Jakarta. Produced by Andar Manik and directed by Marintan Sirait, Raksasa (giant) features youth and children, as it aims to promote the principle of integrity among the future generation of leaders. KPK education and community services director Sujarnako said the KPK had worked together with the community and the public for two years, and this collaboration has shown to be effective as an effort to prevent corruption. Through the educational musical, the KPK is instilling in people from a young age principles of integrity, which include honesty, concern, independence, discipline, responsibility, diligence, modesty, bravery, fairness and patience. An understanding of such moral traits goes beyond the issue of law, as it delves deeper into the very foundation of human behavior. (Read also: Jakarta community draws youth into performing arts) The efforts to prevent corruption are carried out by the community. The KPK's goal is to have a story bank about integrity, said the musical's content consultant, Sely Martini. Jendela Ide also plans to hold a Bunyi (sound) workshop at 20 elementary and middle schools in Bandung and Jakarta as a creative and collaborative way to produce the music for the show. The workshop will invite 700 students to learn how to create sounds, which will then be recorded and incorporated into the music played for the production. Five songs taken from the "Suara Anak (children's voices) album, which was released to mark Anti-Corruption Day last year, are set to be performed in Raksasa, such as Semangat Pagi (morning spirit), Udara (air), Pergi ke Sekolah (going to school), Pengembala Domba (shepherd) and Pergi ke Gunung (hiking the mountain). (mra/kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Jessicha Valentina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 7, 2016 Two students from the University of Gajah Mada (UGM) and the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) were named winners in the 2016 Asia Young Designer Award (AYDA) competition. As announced last Thursday, Anisa Yuli Rakhmanita from UGM and Nahja Akbar from ITB received Gold Awards in the Architecture and Interior Design categories, respectively. Held by Osaka-based paint manufacturer Nippon Paint, the annual competition aims to appreciate young Indonesian architects and interior designers and provide local talent with mentoring and networking resources. (Read also: A walk through Indonesia's architectural marvels) Gold Award winners of the 2016 Asia Young Designer Award pose with Nippon Paint Indonesia CEO Jon Tan and the competition's judges during the announcement ceremony last Thursday. (Asia Young Designer Award /File) Nippon Paint Indonesia CEO Jon Tan said in a press release that AYDA was not only a competition, but also a platform to increase creativity. Through AYDA, we encouraged talented young people to be brave in accepting challenges, creating innovative concepts and ready to collaborate and compete in national and international settings. This year, the competition received up to 600 entries from nine local universities. The Gold Award winners will take part in the Platinum Award of the regional Asia Young Designer Award slated for March next year, in which they will compete with the winners from 15 Asian countries like Japan, China, India, Taiwan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. (kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fedina S. Sundaryani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, December 6 2016 Indonesias efforts to attain 5.1 percent economic growth next year may fall short without a significant boost to the two top contributors of the economy, consumer spending and investment, economists say. Prominent economist Faisal Basri projected that growth would be hindered partly by heavy pressure on consumer spending, which makes up 55 percent of the nations gross domestic product (GDP), and amount to no more than 5 percent in 2017. Consumer spending is under heavy pressure, especially for low-income people, the University of Indonesia (UI) economist said Monday during a seminar in Jakarta discussing the outlook of Indonesias economy. Consumption will slow down. 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, December 6 2016 Four indigenous communities from Jambi, South Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi and Banten are demanding that the government fulfill its pledge to grant custody of customary forests to their communities, arguing that they have met all the requirements and, most importantly, have always played a role in protecting the forests. More than a year ago, four indigenous communities Wana Posangke from Central Sulawesi, Marga Serampas from Jambi, Ammatoa Kajang from South Sulawesi and Kasepuhan Karang from Banten applied to have their lands recognized at the Environment and Forestry Ministry. The groups, who have lived in the forests for generations, have prepared all the necessary documents, such as customary forest maps, and have also obtained recognition of their customary rights from local administrations through bylaws issued between 2012 and 2016, which are among the requirements to gain custody of the customary forest. 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, December 6 2016 The Jakarta administration might need to alter its waste management approach and encourage the participation of residents if it wants to solve the citys long-standing waste issues. Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnamas administration has won praise for its orange-clad city cleaners who work day and night to sweep the streets, clean the rivers and pick up trash left behind by residents. A different approach has been taken by Gamal Albinsaid, a medical doctor in Malang, East Java, who initiated the 2010 Garbage Clinical Insurance Program in which reusable garbage such as used paper and plastic waste can be used as financial resources. In other words, people can pay for their medical expenses with garbage in the clinic he has set up. 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) Pidie Jaya, Aceh Wed, December 7, 2016 Victims of the 6.5-magnitude earthquake in Pidie Jaya regency were moved to Sigli General Hospital in neighboring Pidie regency due to a shortage of medical staff at Pidie Jaya General Hospital. Royan, a volunteer with Aceh Police, said Pidie Jaya General Hospital was overwhelmed with dozens of victims, forcing some to be taken to the hospital in Sigli, about 60 kilometers from Pidie Jaya. Family members of victims were becoming impatient as the injured were made to wait for services at the hospital in Pidie Jaya, he said, as quoted by news agency Antara. About 30 victims suffering minor and serious injuries, like broken bones from falling debris, were being treated at the Pidie Jaya hospital on Wednesday morning. Royan, who helped treat victims, said the government was sending medical staff and medicine to the Pidie Jaya hospital. The earthquake, which struck at 5:03 a.m., caused dozens of buildings to collapse. Royan said some shops were damaged in the Pidie Jaya downtown area of Meureudu. He said the government needed to send heavy equipment to Meureudu as some people were believed to be trapped inside buildings. The Pidie Jaya Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) said on Wednesday morning that four people had and dozens had been injured. (evi) UPDATE: The earlier version of this article stated that the earthquake in Aceh on Dec. 7 was measured at 6.4 on the Richter scale according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). BMKG later revised the figure to 6.5 on the Richter scale. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 7, 2016 Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono has said he would mitigate flooding in the city by improving water management, especially by expanding waterways and building more reservoirs in some areas. During a campaign visit to Tegal Parang village, Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta, on Wednesday, Agus, the son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, said that he realized the waterways in some areas were too narrow and the rivers in the city had become shallow. "We need to improve water management. Actually, the rivers can retain water but we need to build more reservoirs so the water can be absorbed into the soil," Agus told reporters. Agus who has resigned from the army with a rank of major, also said that he would continue to remind residents to keep the waterways clean to prevent flooding. Further, Agus, who is currently the front-runner according to some polls, said his team would present detailed plans regarding the improvement of water management in the capital. "We will come up with the best solution in mitigating flooding by engaging with residents, because they are the people who have been dealing with flooding for years," he said. Agus is paired with the citys deputy governor for tourism affairs Sylviana Murni for the gubernatorial election slated for February next year. The pair was nominated by the Democratic Party, the National Awakening Party, the United Development Party and the National Mandate Party. (jun) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 7, 2016 Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono promised to implement three fund assistance programs for Jakarta residents if he was elected, during his campaign visit to Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta, on Wednesday. While talking with residents at the Tegal Parang hall, Agus reiterated that he would channel Rp 1 billion (US$74,892.4) per year to every community unit (RW) in the capital. The scheme was once deemed a form of vote buying by the city's Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu). "We plan to set aside Rp 1 billion from the city budget for each RW. The funds will be disbursed in the form of programs to help an RW repair its water sluice, for instance, or build open space for kids," Agus told the residents. The eldest son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono added that each RW could send project proposals to the city administration. The administration would then examine the proposals and do spot checks in the area before granting funds, Agus said. He also announced a program to grant Rp 50 million to each small and medium enterprise (UMKM) in the city. He said he believed this fund assistance could reduce the number of unemployed people in the city. Agus also promised to implement a so-called Direct Cash Assistance (BLS) program, which would be granted to low-income households in the city. He said that each poor family could receive Rp 5 million per year. (dmr) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Winarno Zain (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 7 2016 With the United States under President-elect Trump turning inward and abandoning the Asia-Pacific region by scrapping the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), countries in the Asia-Pacific Rim are scrambling to find an alternative free trade agreement. On his campaign trail, Donald Trump has said that the TPP was a horrible trade deal, and that he would pull out the US from the TPP on day one of his presidency. The TPP was a trade pact supported by President Barack Obama encompassing 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific Rim, excluding China. 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 Wed, December 7, 2016 Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil has apologized for the disbandment of a Christmas service at the Sasana Budaya Ganesha building on Jl. Tamansari, hoping the church could conduct another service in the future. The Bandung administration apologizes for the inconvenience and hopes for better event coordination from all parties in the future, Ridwan said in his official instagram account on Wednesday. Ridwan said that he was in Jakarta when the The Spiritual Awakening Service (KKR) was stopped by dozens of protesters who claimed to be from the Pembela Ahlu Sunnah (PAS) Islamic group on Tuesday. (Read also: West Java Governor laments raid on Christmas service) He expressed his regret that the PAS members had intimidated the congregants and stopped the service, saying that the group had violated regulations and their behavior was not in line with the countrys motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity). The right to worship is the fundamental right of Indonesian citizens guaranteed by the Pancasila (state ideology) and State Constitution, Ridwan said. He promised that the Bandung administration would help the KKR committee to find another time and venue if they wanted to organize a similar event. (jun) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 7, 2016 The family of Rezky Yami Putri, 27, born with an imperfect three-fingered left hand half the size of a normal hand, was skeptical when she landed a job at Indonesias largest lender Bank Mandiri. They thought she was deceived, because such an achievement would be too good to be true for someone with my condition, said Rezky, now a call center officer at the state-owned lender. Her family finally believed her job was legit when she received her first salary last year. Even though it has been a year, it is still like a dream for me, a lengthy dream, which occurs while I am awake, said the Jakarta resident, who has a bachelors degree in public health but has never worked in her field of study. As someone with a disability, we are always underestimated but it turns out that we also can make money for ourselves and for our parents, even though it is not that much, she added. Rezky is among 41 disabled workers employed by Bank Mandiri, which is among over 100 state-owned enterprises in Indonesia, which, following a 2016 law on people with disabilities, are required to have disabled people account for at least 2 percent of their staff. Our target is to hire 120 people and well keep recruiting depending on the availability of the applicants, Bank Mandiri human capital engagement senior vice president Aminarti Widiati said. The lender started recruiting disabled employees last year. Bank Mandiri, which has five branch offices in Jakarta and Semarang, Central Java, employing disabled people currently has a total of 38,376 employees nationwide with 2,505 branch offices spread across the country. Disabled people in the lender work on three-year contracts and are reviewed each year. They also have the chance to become permanent employees, Aminarti said. Tri Handayani, diagnosed mute when she was only 10 months old, was eager to advance at Bank Mandiri. The back-office worker used to work at a supermarket, checking and replacing price tags on products. This new job makes me feel more enthusiastic about working and being more successful in the future, said Tri, who graduated with a computerized accounting degree. To communicate, the 27-year-old tries to speak as much as she can or writes the sentences down if they are too complicated. She is able to understand her interlocutors by reading their lips. Her colleague Kuntum Mukminin, 24, who is also deaf-mute, works at the same division at Bank Mandiri in the back office. I might be deaf but I work hard and keep improving myself. I have to do my best to be a success, said Kuntum, a high school graduate who used to work at a supermarket bakery. The Social Affairs Ministry has pledged to oversee the implementation of the 2016 law that requires disabled people account for at least 2 percent of state firms staff. There are around 6 million disabled people in Indonesia, according to 2012 ministry data. However, we wont impose sanctions on companies that cannot meet the minimum requirement because we know that sometimes it cannot be fulfilled because of a lack of competency, the ministrys director of social rehabilitation Bambang Sugeng said. (wnd) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Tangerang, Banten Wed, December 7, 2016 In the wake of public debate regarding the costs and benefits of a free-trade deal between ASEAN countries and their key trading partners, country representatives at the 16th round of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations invited on Wednesday civil society groups to share their views about the proposed agreement. We need this kind of input and later will compare it with those from businesses, said RCEP trade negotiations committee chief Iman Pambagyo, who also serves as the Trade Ministry's director general for trade negotiations. A number of organizations joined Wednesdays forum, with requests ranging from access to negotiation progress results to the introduction of an investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanism to benefit the public interest. Indonesia for Global Justice researcher Kartini Samon applauded the forum and urged negotiators to organize a similar event in upcoming negotiation rounds. From all the 16 rounds of RCEP negotiations, which commenced in 2012, only three have held a special forum for civil society groups. In the wake of protectionist policies worldwide, trade growth has stopped outpacing global economic growth, according to a global trade governing body. Negotiations on the RCEP, which is backed by China and involves six of ASEANs main trade partners without prior free trade dealsAustralia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealandis set to equal 30 percent of the worlds economy and become a common market of 3.4 billion people with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of US$21.4 trillion. The next round of negotiations will take place in India in 2017. The date for the round, however, has yet to be decided. (hwa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Margareth S. Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 7, 2016 The Election Organization Ethics Council (DKPP) has proposed that the Jakarta Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) have greater power to allow it to recommend the dismissal of political parties in violation of electoral rules. DKPP chairman Jimly Asshidiqie presented the proposal during a hearing with a special committee tasked to deliberate a bill regulating the legislative and presidential elections at the House of Representatives on Wednesday, arguing that previous elections showed that political parties often violated regulations. As part of the election organizers, Bawaslu must be given legal standing to file requests to the Constitutional Court to dismiss any parties guilty of violating the ethics [of an election], Jimly said, calling lawmakers to also amend the law on political parties to include such a stipulation. (Read also: Agus-Sylviana commit most campaign violations: Bawaslu) Jimly argued the existing regulation was insufficient to discipline parties because it only gave the government the authority to punish problematic parties, which he believed was prone to interference. A House special committee is currently deliberating the election bill that has been initiated by the government, merging three laws regulating the matter, namely Law No. 8/ 2012 on legislative elections, Law No. 15/2011 on the implementation of elections and Law No. 42/2008 on presidential elections. Lawmakers are targeting to complete deliberations by April next year to give time for organizers to prepare for the legislative and presidential elections that will take place simultaneously in 2019. (jun) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 7 2016 Having secured recognition of legal timber production by the European Union (EU), Indonesia has demanded that the bloc strongly reject all illegally-sourced wood products in a consistent manner. After 15 years of effort, Indonesia, once notorious for its rampant illegal logging, recently became the first country in the world whose domestic timber legality system (SVLK) has been acknowledged as compliant with the EUs Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licensing scheme. The Environment and Forestry Ministrys director general for sustainable forest management Putera Parthama expected the bloc to continue scrutinizing non-legally verified timber, including wood products re-exported by third countries despite the high inspection costs. We know inspections may be costly with intensive manpower use and longer processes, but the EU will need to consistently enforce it, said Putera at an EU-ASEAN FLEGT workshop on Tuesday. Commenting on the current development, he said that so far EU practices had been good, which he hoped would continue, citing Swedens recent rejection of allegedly illegal timber from Myanmar. EU Ambassador to ASEAN Franscisco Fontan Pardo said the bloc was committed to best practices as it was known for having the highest requirement standard in terms of legality of timber. Therefore, other ASEAN countries are urged to apply for FLEGT licenses as well to combat illegal logging crimes. Indonesia has the worlds third largest rain forest in the world and if we take ASEAN in, were talking about a very substantial number of trees worldwide, which has global implications in tackling deforestation, Francisco said. The decisions about six other ASEAN countries that are currently applying for the license Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam may come soon. ASEAN Secretariat director of sectoral development directorate Tran Dong Phuong revealed that the bloc was in process of negotiating a mutual recognition arrangement so that once the member had obtained a FLEGT license, other member countries could buy its timber products without inspection as well. Were working on that but its hard to predict when it will conclude. It depends on the response of each country, he said. EU Ambassador to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam Vincent Guerend said holding a FLEGT license would increase exports of holder country. I think Indonesian timber products now will have a competitive advantage in the EU. Indonesia supplies 10 percent of the worlds timber market and EU imports a third of that, Guerent said, adding that the deal was beneficial for both parties. With the new FLEGT certification, Indonesian wood product sales may get a boost in primary European destinations, such as Germany, France and the United Kingdom (UK). From November 15 to 23 as many as 845 FLEGT licenses for timber products were issued to selected exporters. Overseas shipments of these products to 24 European countries amounts to US$24.96 million, according to official data. Valued at $11.92 million, wooden panels make up the majority of the exports, followed by furniture with US$7.25 million. The Indonesian Wood Panel Association (Apkindo) expects that the value of domestic plywood exports to one of its key markets will increase by at least 20 percent from this years figures thanks to the newly introduced license. ------------------ 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 Fedina S. Sundaryani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 7 2016 Indonesian farmers can expect to find a micro-credit program specifically designed to fulfill their financing needs next year. On Tuesday, President Joko Jokowi Widodo called on his Cabinet to design a micro-credit program specifically designed for the agriculture sector to increase the amount of financing farmers could receive. He acknowledged that the current micro-credit program was too broad. According to the President, the Rp 100 trillion (US$7.5 billion) allocation in this years micro-credit program has barely been enjoyed by farmers. Instead, the wholesale and retail trade sectors has reaped most of the financing program. By July 31, 2016, up to 65 percent of micro-credit was distributed to the wholesale and retail trade sectors, while only 15 percent was distributed to the agriculture and forestry sectors, he said during the opening of the closed-door meeting. The Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry also noted that the government had disbursed 71 percent of its Rp 100 trillion lending target to 2.95 million debtors. Alongside 28 existing banks and multi-finance firms, the government has also appointed several cooperatives to act as lenders for the program. Jokowi, a former furniture businessman, assured that the micro-credit allocation in next years budget would remain between Rp 100 trillion and Rp 120 trillion, but requested a specific agriculture program that would be created based on the characteristics of the priority commodities. The government has been trying to boost the agriculture sector and has increased the amount of funds to be used for facilities and infrastructure in the Agriculture Ministrys budget next year, to around Rp 16.6 trillion. Although the ministry has recorded that the amount of agricultural land has reached 36.8 million hectares, Jokowi complained that a lot of it was not being used to its full potential, citing a lack of irrigation or retention basins. Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution said the micro-credit program had from the beginning been designed to be loose to offer flexibility. We want to check this flexibility, whether or not their living wages have been calculated well, whether the people on the field get paid right after they have harvested, he said. Meanwhile, the Financial Services Authority (OJK) was upbeat that a specific loan for farmers could be created by next year. OJK chaiman Muliaman D. Hadad said it was logical to design such a program for farmers as, unlike those in the wholesale and retail sector, they did not reap instant results. The agriculture sector needs a grace period to pay off installments. Furthermore, it must be in the form of investment and not only capital. That is, what needs to go into the scheme, he said, adding that the government may end up creating different schemes based on certain commodities. One of the commodities that the Jokowi administration is trying to boost is tropical fruit production, which farmers tend to avoid in favor of high-yielding commodities such as palm oil due to the time needed for a return in investment. Poor infrastructure has also driven up logistics costs for years. ------------------ 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 Safrin La Batu (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 7, 2016 The mass rallies on Nov. 4 and Dec. 2 to protest Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnamas allegedly blasphemous statement will not win the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI) more supporters, an expert has said. Islamic scholar from the country's largest Islamic organization Nahdlatul Ulama, Zuhairi Misrawi, argued that the mass rallies were successful thanks to the organizing bodys reference to the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the nations top Muslim clerical body. (Read also: FPI limits rally to Monas) The rallies were organized by a group calling itself the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Councils Fatwa (GNPF-MUI). Despite having the word MUI attached to its name, the group is not part of the MUI. However, some of the people in the group are from the FPI. Ahok was charged with blasphemy after an edited video with an incorrect caption went viral in October that showed him mentioning a verse in the Quran when speaking in front of a group of fishermen in the Thousand Islands. The MUI later issued an edict stating that Ahoks remarks in the video had insulted the Quran. They [the organizing team] used the name of the MUI, Zuhairi told The Jakarta Post. [The people attending the rallies] have nothing to do with the FPI, they are more passionate about [upholding] the MUIs edict, Zuhairi added. Zuhairi also said the two rallies would not help garner more support for the FPI, known as a notorious vigilante group due to its raids on Jakarta nightclubs, especially during the fasting month of Ramadan. Zuhairi said people would remain critical of the FPI for the raids it carried out. (dmr) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 7, 2016 The government plans to streamline the process of importing raw materials for textile and textile products (TPT) in an effort to rejuvenate the labor-intensive industry, which has been struggling with fierce global competition. Speaking at a limited Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Joko Jokowi Widodo instructed the relevant ministries to ease import procedures to improve the competitiveness of local businesses with regional competitors like Vietnam, which has no import tariff, as opposed to Indonesias fees of 5-20 percent. [We must] simplify the import procedures for TPT raw materials to lift the burden off businesses, he said. Data from the Geneva-based International Trade Center show that the value of Indonesias apparel and clothing accessories exports declined by almost 4 percent to US$3.3 billion last year from 3.42 billion in 2014. Jokowi said the TPT industry was in need of immediate revitalization to push further industrialization. Many industrialized countries in Asia, like Japan, China and South Korea, started their industrialization [efforts] by developing the TPT manufacturing [industry], he said. (hwa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hans Nicholas Jong (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 7 2016 The government is planning to take Thailand-based oil producer PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) Australasia to court, in support of a legal fight by a group of Indonesian fishermen who allegedly suffered from contamination caused by the companys operations in Timor Sea. The government plans to file a lawsuit at the Central Jakarta District Court to demand the company pay for environmental damage allegedly caused by an oil spill following an explosion at the Montara oil rig in the Timor Sea in 2009. We are preparing the lawsuit now. We hope it will be processed as soon as possible in Central Jakarta because we already have all the documents, maritime security affairs deputy at the Office of the Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister, Arif Havas Oegroseno, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday. 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 Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam Wed, December 7, 2016 Team Western Fleet Quick Response (WFQR) of the Indonesian Navy in Tanjung Pinang in Riau Islands caught a boat carrying 40 people headed to Malaysia in Batam waters on Tuesday night. The people were being sent to be illegally employed to clean ship tanks in Malaysian waters. Tanjung Pinang Navy base commander Commodore S. Irawan said Wednesday they caught three boats, but two boats managed to escape, carrying 30 people. This is the work of a human trafficking syndicate. We caught them because they used substandard boats, they could not produce working permits and travel permits, Irawan said. The Navy received information from the suspects that the workers were between 18 to 40 years old, and they would clean tanks on ships for Rp 180,000 (US$13.50) per day. Five people have been named suspects in the case, Irawan said. We are submitting the case to the police. Irawan said they had also contacted authorities in Malaysia and Singapore to help investigate the human trafficking ring. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Safrin La Batu (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 7, 2016 The Islamic State (IS) groups attempt to create a fully pledged wilayat or province in the southern Philippines poses a serious security threat to Indonesia, the Indonesian Military (TNI) has warned. The group, which is currently falling back in Iraq and Syria against internationally backed anti-IS forces, is building its base in Mindanao, a restive area that borders with Kalimantan and Sulawesi, TNI commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo said on Tuesday. The number of abductions carried out by terrorist groups from commercial vessels passing through southern Philippines waters indicated that IS militants in the area are raising money to build the base, Gatot said. I have raised concerns about this issue for six months. IS can enter Indonesia from there [the southern Philippines], he said on the sidelines of a seminar on terrorism in Central Jakarta. Armed militants believed to be linked to terrorist group Abu Sayyaf have kidnapped dozens of Indonesian and Malaysian sailors and demanded millions of dollars in ransom. It is unclear how much ransom money the group has collected so far, but the Philippines inquirer.net reported in October that Abu Sayyaf pocketed at least 353 million peso (US$7.1 million) in ransom from January to June. Of this money, some is thought to have been paid in exchange for the release of 14 Indonesian and four Malaysian citizens, although the Indonesian government has denied paying any ransom for their release. Abu Sayyaf has pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, IS supreme leader, or caliph, who has appointed former Abu Sayyaf commander Isnilon Totoni Hapilon, aka Abu Abdullah Al-Filipini, as leader of IS forces in Southeast Asia. Gatot argued that the IS group, which he said was motivated more by economic factors than ideology, had chosen Southeast Asia as its future headquarters because its lucrative financial sources in the Middle East had been severely reduced. Terrorism analyst Al Chaidar said that it was Al-Baghdadi himself who chose the southern Philippines as the IS base in Southeast Asia. The IS caliph had planned to appoint Indonesian firebrand cleric and Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) leader Aman Abdurrahman as IS leader in the region, but Aman is currently in jail, he added. It is Al-Filipini who will give orders to all [IS] members here in Southeast Asia, Al Chaidar said. The analyst said the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar could escalate the security threat in the region as IS could use it as a pretext to call on its foreign fighters to flock to Southeast Asia to wage violent jihad against the government in Myanmar. If the Rohingya Muslims fight back, then there is a legitimate reason [for IS] to send help, Al Chaidar said. The persecution by the Myanmar military of the Rohingya Muslim minority has already triggered protests from some Muslims in Indonesia. Last month, thousands of people from various Islamic organizations took to the streets in Jakarta to protest against what they described as a genocide against the Rohingya. Meanwhile, the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) said that Amans JAD was currently the most dangerous terrorist organization in the country. JAD is the [group we are] most wary of but there are still other networks too. But the one that has a direct connection with global networks is JAD, BNPT head Comr. Gen. Suhardi Alius said at the seminar. National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said JAD was more radical than terrorist organization Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), the al-Qaeda-linked group that orchestrated the first Bali bombing in 2002, since the former targeted not just non-Muslims and the West but also Muslims who do not follow its tenets. IS is more powerful than al-Qaeda, Tito said, adding that although Amman was being held in prison, ideologues in the organization could still plot terrorist attacks. A number of terrorist attacks in the country are believed to have been linked to JAD, including the attacks on Jl. Thamrin in Central Jakarta in January and an attack at Oikumene Church in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, last month. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dandy Koswaraputra (The Jakarta Post) Paris Wed, December 7, 2016 The 4th Open Government Partnership (OGP) Global Summit began on Wednesday in Paris with over a dozen heads of state, thousands of civil society leaders and other high-level government reformers calling for greater openness in government to serve as a countervailing force to rising authoritarianism and receding civic space in many parts of the world. France President Francois Hollande, the current OGP government co-chair and summit host, opened the summit by reminding guests of the current global geopolitical backdrop, saying that everywhere, civil society demands more transparency, more consultation by rejecting corruption and fraud, and the indifference and resistance of government. All over, citizens are demonstrating their desire to engage, to be listened to, to participate in public life and to help build their society, President Hollande said at the summit's opening ceremony. France President Francois Hollande (center) spokes to one of participants of The 4th Open Government Partnership (OGP) Global Summit after opening ceremony of the event in Paris, France, on Dec. 7. (JP/Dandy Koswaraputra) (Read also: Needed: Better data governance) Over 4000 participants are attending the three-day event, to advance crucial open government issues such as the fight against corruption, opening up public contracts, harnessing the data revolution for the collective good, and encouraging public participation in climate change policies. Indonesia has been a member of the OGP since 2011 and is a participant of the current event. We, therefore, have to make a considerable effort together to renew our democracy in order to become more open, participatory and impactful. So it [democracy] can become a symbol of hope for people again, Hollande asserted. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nethy Dharma Somba (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 7, 2016 Nabire Regent Isiais Douw issued a letter on Tuesday saying he is prohibiting Wings Air from flying to and from Nabire starting Dec. 10 because of the less than comfortable service the airline provided. Regarding the less than comfortable service by PT Wings Air in Nabire, which leads to passengers being unsatisfied after using the service, we order the management of PT Wings Air to not operate in Nabire regency starting Dec. 10 and for an indefinite time, the letter said. The letter was sent to Wings Air management and a copy was sent to the Directorate General of Air Transportation of the Transportation Ministry in Jakarta. Wings Airs parent company, Lion Air, will be sending a Papua manager, Agung Setio Wibowo, to Nabire to meet the regent. Im flying there [Wednesday morning], he said. Wings Air serves Jayapura-Nabire with roundtrip flights every day with an ATR-72. Besides Wings Air, Garuda Indonesia and PT Trigana Air Service also fly into the airport. Papua Transportation Agency head Djuli Mambaya said he would send a team to Nabire to end the ban because it did a disservice to the public. We hope the ban could be ended because Nabire people needed air transportation badly, he said. This is the second time Regent Isias has banned an airline from operating in Nabire. On Dec. 10, 2010, he banned Susi Air from flying to Nabire, saying that the airline never reported to the Nabire regency office and its existence did not contribute to the regency. The ban was met with a protest by then Paniai regent Naftali Yogi, who said Nabire airport also served as a transit point for six other regencies including Paniai and the ban disrupted the services to them. The following day the ban was revoked and Susi Air continued operating as usual. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Haeril Halim, Safrin La Batu and Margareth S. Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 7, 2016 Authorities are pondering the possibility of changing the location of the trial of incumbent Jakarta gubernatorial candidate and blasphemy suspect Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama due to mounting concerns that protesters could swarm the court building and disrupt nearby businesses. Ahok has been slated to stand trial on Dec. 13 at the old Central Jakarta District Court building on Jl. Gajah Mada, which is located in the heart of the countrys capital city. National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian has expressed concerns that Ahoks trial would become a magnet for his opponents to stage rallies or demonstrations to push for punishment for the accused blasphemer. He said areas near the building, which cover the State Palace, the Harmoni Central Transjakarta terminal and the Gajah Mada shopping mall, could be disrupted during the hearings. We will discuss an alternative place for the hearing. We are considering finding a place that is easier to guard and is further from economic activities, Tito said on Tuesday. He added the National Police were considering filing a recommendation for the Supreme Court to relocate Ahoks trial. The Supreme Court, which oversees courts across the country, has put two options on the table. We will study the relocation proposal from the National Police. If they want another location in Jakarta, we can use other district courts in Jakarta, but the original panel of judges will be retained, the courts spokesman, Suhadi, said. The other option was to transfer the trial to a court outside Jakarta, as supported by Article 85 of the Criminal Law Procedures Code (KUHAP), Suhadi added. The North Jakarta District Court, which is handling Ahoks case, has assigned a panel of five judges to lead the trial. However, the trial hearings were planned to be conducted at the old Central Jakarta District Court building because the North Jakarta District Court is undergoing renovations. In the past, the Supreme Court transferred trials of a number of notable figures to other courts outside the areas where the alleged crime had taken place. Trials of terrorist defendants, including firebrand cleric Abu Bakar Baasyir, were moved from Aceh to the South Jakarta District Court. Also on Tuesday, a member of Ahoks legal team, Josefina Syukur, said several experts and witnesses were prepared to help defend the beleaguered governor. Of the witnesses, Andi Analta Amir, who has been dubbed as Ahoks Muslim brother because Analtas late father had considered Ahok his son even before Ahok became a politician, was prepared to support Ahok. Its impossible Ahok would insult Islam, Analta said. Josefina said five people from East Belitung, Ahoks home town, would also testify on behalf of Ahok on how he had treated Muslims when running as East Belitung regent candidate. Separately, Judicial Commission (KY) spokesman Farid Wajdi said the commission would send five officials to monitor Ahoks trial hearings to ensure that the panel of judges would conduct the trial according to the KUHAP. He added that the commission had also examined the backgrounds of the five judges and found that they were clean of ethical violations. The Attorney Generals Office (AGO) said it would include three Christians on the prosecution team that will handle Ahoks trial. Ahok will be indicted for allegedly violating articles 156 and 156a of the Criminal Code on blasphemy. He was named a suspect by the National Police on Nov. 16 after recordings of controversial remarks, which included a Quranic verse reference, went viral, instigating two large anti-Ahok demonstrations. Ahok has repeatedly apologized, saying that he never intended to insult Muslims and the Quran. (cal) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Safrin La Batu and Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 7, 2016 A video of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak calling on Indonesians to protest the persecution of the Rohingya Muslim community in Myanmar, not just Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, has gone viral on social media It is thought that the video is from a speech the Prime Minister made on Sunday when addressing a mass gathering in Kuala Lumpur to call on Myanmar to end the killings of Rohingyas. I will ask President Jokowi to call on Indonesians to assemble [in protest of the persecution of Rohingyas]. Do not just protest against Ahok. The Rohingya should be defended in Indonesia. They have to assemble in Jakarta. Assemble! Najib urged the crowd. In his speech, the Prime Minister recognized that non-intervention was part of the code of conduct regulated by the ASEAN charter, but said that the regional block also supported human rights principles. The killings of Rohingya have triggered protests from a number of Islamic organizations in Indonesia, the largest Muslim-majority country in the world. More than a thousand people staged a rally in front of the Myanmar embassy in Central Jakarta to protest the prosecution of the Rohingya on Nov. 25. However, even more people have attended recent protests against the governor of the capital, who is accused of committing blasphemy. An anti-Ahok rally last Friday was joined by thousands of people coming from regions all over the country. (dmr) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 7, 2016 Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, the daughter of the countrys first president Sukarno, has denied trying to use the massive rally against Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama on Dec. 2 at the National Monument (Monas) to topple the current government. "I strongly deny the treason accusations. I didn't commit treason and I never attempted to commit treason against the current government," Rachmawati said in her house at Jl. Jati Padang Raya, Pasar Baru, South Jakarta, on Wednesday. The sister of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (P-DIP) chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri said she had planned to protest in front of the Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) and House of Representatives in Senayan, South Jakarta, on Dec. 2, to submit two petitions. (Read also: Sukarnos daughter arrested over alleged treason) Police earlier named Rachmawati a treason suspect. Along with 10 other political activists, she was arrested on Friday. She was then released but remains a suspect. The first petition was an expression of support for the protest from the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesia Ulema Councils Fatwa (GNPF-MUI) to demand the arrest of Ahok, while the second petition stated her request to the MPR to return the 1945 Constitution to its original form. Rachmawati who is also the Gerindra Party deputy chairperson for ideological affairs, said that she had announced the planned protest to the police and also told them that 10,000 to 20,000 people would join the protest in front of the House. (jun) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Stefani Ribka/Linda Yulisman (The Jakarta Post) SERPONG, BANTEN Wed, December 7 2016 NOT FOR US: Protesters under the umbrella of the Indonesian People Coalition for Economic Justice rally in front of Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday. They profoundly reject the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiation because the clauses, they say, will pave the way for global investors to dominate the economy and harm state interests as well as public welfare. (JP/Bimo Raharjo) Amid the collapse of the United States-backed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) pact, trade officials from 10 Southeast Asian countries and six key partners started on Tuesday talks on a rival deal with new urgency. Indonesia, as the host of the 16th round of talks on a Regional Comprehensive Economic Agreement (RCEP), called for a conclusion in 2017 amid a range of contentious issues, including trade in goods and services and investment, as reflected in the previous snail-paced progress. Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said that in the face of rising protectionism and escalating uncertainties, caused by, among other things, the demise of the TPP following Donald Trumps election victory and Brexit, ASEAN and its partners needed to accelerate the ongoing negotiations to open their markets. We cannot afford to drag it out further at a time when the global trade outlook continues to be bleak, coupled with rising protectionism in both advanced and developing countries, Enggar told more than 600 delegates when opening the talks in Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE), BSD City. The World Trade Organization (WTO) lowered in September its forecast for global trade growth in 2016 from 2.8 percent to 1.7 percent. In the wake of protectionist policies worldwide, trade growth has stopped outpacing global economic growth, according to the global trade governing body. Negotiations on the RCEP, which is backed by China and involves six of ASEANs main trade partners without prior free trade deals Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand is set to cover 30 percent of the worlds economy and a market of 3.4 billion people with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of US$21.4 trillion. As the negotiating parties are at varied levels of development, it will determine how far they are willing to commit to trade and investment liberalization, said Arjun Goswami, a technical adviser at the Asian Development Banks (ADB) economic research and regional cooperation department. There may be differing views on the extent of coverage of RCEP trade and investment liberalization in terms of goods and services, with the latter posing greater challenges, Goswami said as quoted by Bloomberg. China, known as the factory of the world due to the mega-size of its manufacturing industry, will push for acceleration of the RCEP talks in order to finish soon, its Commerce Ministry spokesman Shen Danyang said late last month, Reuters reported. RCEP trade negotiating committee chief Iman Pambagyo said the current round of talks sought to build up a framework through which the participating members could raise their confidence and trust in making offers and requests in a bid to speed up the process. After attending 15 rounds, I can see confidence and trust is the key. We need to understand that all the requests and offers [by members] are made without prejudice and will not affect final positions of respective countries so our negotiations can move bit by bit, said Iman, who is also Indonesias director general for international trade negotiations. The meeting in Indonesia will try to end another chapter on small and medium enterprises, while also beginning to raise some new issues, such as services liberalization and intellectual property rights and continue discussions on trade in goods and services, according to Iman. Up to the present, only one chapter on economic and technical cooperation has been completed. Lutfiyah Hanim, a member of the board of the Institute for Global Justice, warned of the attempt by some parties to include proposals of some clauses and chapters from the TPP, such as government procurement, state-owned enterprises, investor-state dispute settlement, intellectual property rights and e-commerce, into the ongoing RCEP talks. ------------------ 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 Stefani Ribka/Linda Yulisman (The Jakarta Post) Serpong, Banten Wed, December 7, 2016 Amid the collapse of the United States-backed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) pact, trade officials from 10 Southeast Asian countries and six key partners started on Tuesday talks on a rival deal with new urgency. Indonesia, as the host of the 16th round of talks on a Regional Comprehensive Economic Agreement (RCEP), called for a conclusion in 2017 amid a range of contentious issues, including trade in goods and services and investment, as reflected in the previous snail-paced progress. Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said that in the face of rising protectionism and escalating uncertainties, caused by, among other things, the demise of the TPP following Donald Trumps election victory and Brexit, ASEAN and its partners needed to accelerate the ongoing negotiations to open their markets. We cannot afford to drag it out further at a time when the global trade outlook continues to be bleak, coupled with rising protectionism in both advanced and developing countries, Enggar told more than 600 delegates when opening the talks in Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE), BSD City. The World Trade Organization (WTO) lowered in September its forecast for global trade growth in 2016 from 2.8 percent to 1.7 percent. In the wake of protectionist policies worldwide, trade growth has stopped outpacing global economic growth, according to the global trade governing body. Negotiations on the RCEP, which is backed by China and involves six of ASEANs main trade partners without prior free trade deals Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand is set to cover 30 percent of the worlds economy and a market of 3.4 billion people with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of US$21.4 trillion. As the negotiating parties are at varied levels of development, it will determine how far they are willing to commit to trade and investment liberalization, said Arjun Goswami, a technical adviser at the Asian Development Banks (ADB) economic research and regional cooperation department. There may be differing views on the extent of coverage of RCEP trade and investment liberalization in terms of goods and services, with the latter posing greater challenges, Goswami said as quoted by Bloomberg. China, known as the factory of the world due to the mega-size of its manufacturing industry, will push for acceleration of the RCEP talks in order to finish soon, its Commerce Ministry spokesman Shen Danyang said late last month, Reuters reported. RCEP trade negotiating committee chief Iman Pambagyo said the current round of talks sought to build up a framework through which the participating members could raise their confidence and trust in making offers and requests in a bid to speed up the process. After attending 15 rounds, I can see confidence and trust is the key. We need to understand that all the requests and offers [by members] are made without prejudice and will not affect final positions of respective countries so our negotiations can move bit by bit, said Iman, who is also Indonesias director general for international trade negotiations. The meeting in Indonesia will try to end another chapter on small and medium enterprises, while also beginning to raise some new issues, such as services liberalization and intellectual property rights and continue discussions on trade in goods and services, according to Iman. Up to the present, only one chapter on economic and technical cooperation has been completed. Lutfiyah Hanim, a member of the board of the Institute for Global Justice, warned of the attempt by some parties to include proposals of some clauses and chapters from the TPP, such as government procurement, state-owned enterprises, investor-state dispute settlement, intellectual property rights and e-commerce, into the ongoing RCEP talks. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan Wed, December 7 2016 The United Nations body and the United States representatives in Indonesia have interviewed Rohingya people who had been harbored in Aceh, fleeing persecution in their home country, as the beginning of a resettlement process to the US. Thousands of Rohingya Muslims have escaped Myanmar following longtime state-sponsored persecution in the hope of reaching Australia, but many were stranded in Aceh and Medan, as well as Malaysia and Thailand, as their boats crashed before reaching their desired destination. The biggest flow of refugees occurred two years ago when hundreds washed ashore on the coast of Aceh. 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 Wed, December 7, 2016 West Java Governor Ahmad "Aher" Heryawan has lamented an Islamic groups raid of a Christmas celebration service in Bandung on Tuesday evening. "We will solve [this issue]. We will find the root of the problem so that this will not undermine tolerance in our society," Aher said as quoted by kompas.com on Wednesday. The Spiritual Awakening Service (KKR) at the Sasana Budaya Ganesha building on Jl. Tamansari, Bandung, was stopped by dozens of protesters who claimed to be from the Pembela Ahlu Sunnah (PAS) Islamic group. PAS chair Muhammad Roin said his group had asked the service organizer to stop the second evening session of the service. The service's first session ran from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., featuring reverend priest Stephen Tong. "They [the organizer] agreed to stop the service. We advised them to hold the service in places allowed by the country's laws," Roin said. Arifin, one of the service organizers, said they decided to bow to the protesters demands and stop the service. "We dismissed ourselves peacefully. There is no resentment," he said. Posts about the raid went viral on Wednesday with netizens protesting the authorities' inaction. (dmr) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ni Nyoman Wira (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, December 7, 2016 When you are on board a plane, do you ever wonder where your omelette, chicken rice or other in-flight meals come from? The Jakarta Post recently paid a visit to Aerofood ACS in Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (SHIA) in Tangerang, which focuses its business on in-flight and industrial catering services in Indonesia. Operating since 1974, the company is part of national flag carrier Garuda Indonesias subsidiary company Aerowisata Group. For the in-flight catering business, Garuda Indonesia is Aerofood ACS' largest customer with up to 180 flights departing from SHIA every day. We also handle [daily in-flight catering for] 30-35 flights from 18 foreign airlines in SHIA, said the company's general manager Marwanto. Are you curious about how airline meals are actually made? Here is some behind-the-scenes information of in-flight meals you may find interesting. Cook, chill and serve Working around the clock, Aerofood ACS' operation is divided into three shifts. Preparation time depends on the flight schedule. For example, if the flight is at 6 a.m., then the preparation time should be 12-18 hours before the flight, said Aerofood ACS marketing communication head Wulandari, adding that in terms of concept, it is basically cook, chill, and serve. The preparation begins with processing raw materials outsourced from selected suppliers. After being sorted, the materials are processed depending on the airlines requests. For example, fruit cutting can differ between carriers. If [the airlines] wants [their fruit] cut a certain way, we need to follow their request, said Wulandari. Theres also an airline that wants the cut fruit to weigh 15 or 20 grams, but it still has to fit into the bowl. (Read also: Sipping smooth coffee in Manggar's legendary Warung Kopi Anui) Working around the clock, Aerofood ACS' operations are divided into three shifts. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari) A (very) long journey After being cooked, the meals enter a blast chilling area where its temperature is drastically decreased to -10 degrees Celsius for a maximum of four hours. This aims to postpone the bacterias growth, said the firm's quality assurance officer Regi. If these meals are not being stored in the required temperature, they will all be discarded. When the blast chilling process is done, the foods are put into a chiller where they are separated based on their types, such as poultry and fruits. Up next is a dishing process, in which the meals are arranged in such a way according to the "golden sample" that shows how it ideally should appear in front of passengers. Afterward, the food is returned to the chiller until the employees take it to be arranged once again. After this process, the meals are kept in a loading room for a minimum of three hours prior to the flight, where a high-lift truck will later pick it up to be delivered to the aircraft. Airline crews will later warm the food before serving it. The President's favorite foods In-flight meals for President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla are also prepared by the company. There is a special locked rack for VVIP passengers. Jokowi, for instance, has been known to prefer vitamin water, peyek (crackers), chocolate milk, ginger-flavored beverages, sambal (chili), tempe crackers, nuts and dodol (fudge-like sweet made from glutinous rice). There is a dedicated team that handles the President and Vice Presidents food. Their meals require several steps before being served on the flight, such as sample-tasting by presidential security and lab-testing to ensure the food is safe and free from bacteria. Preparation time of in-flight meals depends on the flight schedule. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari) Where do the wines go? International flights, especially in First Class, often include alcoholic beverages on their menus, such as wine, liquor and champagne. However, once it reaches Indonesia, these items must be destroyed. They are considered imported items that are prohibited to be circulated in Indonesia, said Wulandari. This destroying process has to be witnessed by customs officers and photos are also taken for proof. It does not matter if the bottle is still full - as long as its seal is broken, it has to be discarded. No MSG Meals in Aerofood ACS do not contain monosodium glutamate (MSG). We only use general seasonings, such as salt, sugar, pepper and stock, said Wulandari, adding that they also do not use any preservatives. We preserve our meals by setting the temperature accordingly." (Read also: Sampling healthy menus crafted by nutritionists in Jakarta) A long journey is needed for the warm omelette dish and other in-flight meals to reach the passengers.(shutterstock.com/Sorbis/File) In search for authentic taste In order to achieve an authentic taste, Aerofood ACS provides separate kitchen stations for Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Arabic foods. Each is handled by foreign chefs from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, India and Europe to ensure flavor authenticity. The company also maintains quality by carrying out random meal checks every day. After tasting various foods together with customer relations and catering control persons, the food is given a rating. Sometimes airline representatives are invited to join this process. Tasteless in-flight meals In-flight meals are known to be bland when consumed in the sky. As opposed to an actual lack of seasoning, it is the lack of humidity, lower air pressure and background noise that has led to the perception that airplane food is poorly seasoned, according to BBC. Sense of smell is affected once you step into the cabin and, together with your taste buds, senses further weaken 30,000 feet in the air. But it reportedly only influences sweet and salty senses; not the sour, bitter and spicy ones. However, this does not mean that in-flight meals have to be spicier in order to indulge passengers taste buds, as some prefer their meals without the heat. If you want to experience a kick to your dish, perhaps just ask the cabin crew for extra sambal. (kes) 1. I woke up this year with a fear: what if reading brings me nowhere? What if reading delivers me to nothing? To myself, as a person among people/s, nobody; that all the time I have spent reading and all the things I have read, do not change me, do not improve me, do not deliver me into a greater form? I draw the fear, the question, out: what if all the reading and all the things to be read (as all the writing) does not change anyone or anything. I mean enough to deliver anyone or anything, the world, into a greater form. The question feels cynical. It feels like squandering. I chastise myself, briefly, then go on; I am being honest: nothing greater than an altar for all the living and the dead so monolithic its memorialization obscures and makes the living and the dead more easily forgotten? Because (also) I have been thinking, the last few days (weeks, whenever this is being read), about ancestors. I have been mourning my ancestors. I have been mourning some part of their existence, only partially formed at the time of their passing into ancestorhood, which is being translated through my thinking about them now as: mourning. At first, I felt it particularly: I mourned their arrivals, and the consequences that influenced and/or enforced their arrivals, as either settlers or aliens, in some cases, enemies, in this, the settler colonial United States. I mourned the fleeting shadows of their feet first stepping up or down. How is this related to the fear? I have been having two related thoughts: that (1) ancestors, occupying and BEING the space between the people of whose genealogies we are one form of consequence and what is being translated across time of those people, manifest in moments of awareness and recognition (fleeting consciousness) including those which happen inside reading; and that (2) books, which possess not only stories, histories, thought, and expression, but stories, histories, thoughts, and expressions dreams of being and being continued dreams which they hold, in the interval, for (future) readers are not only the bearers of ancestors, but, themselves, ANCESTORS. I think of the ways in which I am and/or am not the incarnation of my ancestors dreams, when they were thinking, abstractly, of what they were imagining of, and committing to, the future, in the same ways in which I either succeed (receive, bear, and carry forward) the work of what I am reading, or fail to be the inheritor, the messenger, the book that I am reading might have imagined. 2. The first book I read this year was Maxine Hong Kingstons The Woman Warrior(1975), in which she writes, The reporting is the vengeance not the beheading, not the gutting, but the words. When my great-aunt Joy was four, she was incarcerated, with her family, in the Poston Relocation Center, on the Colorado River Indian Reservation, in Arizona. The Bureau of Indian Affairs oversaw the camp. The Japanese were free labor; they would be used to build the reservations infrastructure. Iyko Day, in Alien Capital: Asian Racialization and the Logic of Settler Colonial Capitalism (2016), writes about how, after the war, the government offered the vacated barracks to the indigenous people as compensation for using their land: From this vantage point, Poston becomes a space where the dispossessed and the recipients of government welfare confront each other as exchangeable figures of colonial management. Alien Capital does a million things, including mapping out the triangulation of Native, alien, and settler positions in settler colonial capitalism. I entered Alien Capital through Chapter 3: Japanese Internment and the Mutation of Labor (thanks to Kimberly Alidio, who sent me, first, the chapter, then the book; thanks also to Caitie Moore, who introduced me to Day through Days essay, Being or Nothingness: Indigeneity, Antiblackness, and Settler Colonial Critique.) Joy told me that being incarcerated was not as difficult for her as it was for her parents; she was young, had not yet begun to question the reasons why her country would force her, a young American girl, into confinement in the desert. But she said it was even more difficult when her family was released and returned to Los Angeles, where her mother found work as a maid for a white family in Beverly Hills. She remembers being fed the white familys scraps. In An Autobiography (1974), Angela Davis witnesses, one night, from the window of her cell in the Womens House of Detention (NYC), a demonstration on the street below protesting her solitary confinement. She describes, in that moment, losing the sensation of captivity, then, hearing her sister Fanias voice among the people, being shocked back into the reality of the weight of her imprisonment. With the voices outside enlivening her cell, she reflects upon the impenetrability of her situation, before bringing what she calls self-pity to a halt. I transformed my frustration into raging energy for the fight, she writes. The range of feeling in that moment of impenetrable confinement is extraordinary, and fast, and through it can be seen a transfiguration. See also the window of Daviss cell, apprehended from both sides: from the silent side, voices; from the street side, silence: both demanding forms of belief that constitute a large part of the struggle. An. An Autobiography. Also: Assata Shakurs Assata: An Autobiography (1987). The number of autobiographies inherent within the lives of these two women suggested by An. Both books are extraordinary self-portraits and portraits of American life. And both are reports from the political, legal, extralegal, especially judiciary and carceral, labyrinth that is the war against black dissent, and black lives, in the United States. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylors From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation (2016) enunciates how the impending regime of Der Donald was made possible by the collaboration of MANY forces, including, but not limited to, the continuing solidification of neoliberalism and the incorporation of protest movements into the compromise of electoral politics, both legible and encoded functions of white supremacy. It is a masterpiece of synthesizing, and building a tragic narrative out of, the unending cascade of facts and figures by which the United States could be appraised as the slow-boiling terrorist organization that it is. Read Taylor on the consequences of Bill Clintons crime-fighting legislation of 1994, pp. 100-102, 119-121. Also among the cascade: the 2010 study that revealed the disparity between the median wealth of single white women and single black women: $42,600 for white women, $5 for black women. Mohamed Bouazizi (1984-2011) was a fruit vendor on the streets of Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia, who, on December 17, 2010, after years of harassment (extortion, confiscation of fruit, humiliation, assault) by the police, set himself on fire on the street outside the governors office. Tahar Ben Jellouns fictionalization of Bouazizis story included in By Fire: Writings on the Arab Spring (2016), translated from the French by Rita S. Nezami reminds me of the Daimonji fires on the hills surrounding Kyoto during Obon: five fires, burning in enormous shapes, that guide the dead, following their annual visit to the world of the living, back to the spirit (ancestral) world. The fires form the threshold of the story of the dead, extending their life, trajectory (light projection), while illuminating the reconstitution of the dead in the imaginations of the living. I do not mean to be comparing fire/s, they are very different fire/s, but to see, in Ben Jellouns story of Bouazizis struggle, a reimagining (illuminating) of desperation and resistance as unending threshold AS memorial. Among the many revelations in Karen L. Ishizukas Serve the People: Making Asian America in the Long Sixties, an indispensable narrative archive of Asian-American organizing and insurgency, is the revelation of another indispensable archive: Gidra: The Monthly of the Asian American Experience (1969-1974), the inaugural newspaper of the Asian American movement, the entire run of which is available through yet ANOTHER indispensable archive: Denshos Digital Repository. I spent a long time staring at Robert Nakamuras photograph of the inaugural Manzanar Pilgrimage, December 1969, which first appeared in the January 1970 issue of Gidra, reproduced on pp. 156-157 of Serve the People. The pilgrimage was the first public national commemoration of the World War II concentration camps, and gave rise to annual pilgrimages to many containment sites. I spent a long time staring at the 29 faces framing, surrounding, looking into and through, the desert, in which they and/or their ancestors were incarcerated. I read Fred Motens The Service Porch (2016) in my friend Joshua Marie Wilkinsons backyard. I was traveling through Arizona back to west Texas from back-to-back family reunions, both on the Japanese (Yamashita, Shimoda) side of my family, in southern California, and was still feeling the discomfort and sadness of having ACTUALLY been surrounded by so many incarnations of my (our) ancestors dreams, which I have been trying to articulate, to myself, and also to my therapist, as the discomfort and sadness of observing (feeling) within my Japanese-American family the process of self-erasure with which the United States indoctrinates its people in the name of citizenship and assimilation. The Service Porch was not an antidote, but I did want to counter my feelings with poetry, as occasionally happens. Josh, who published The Service Porch, gave me a stack of paper. I sat in a chair facing a long white wall with my back against the kitchen window and let the stack of paper fall apart in my lap. Its not about cutting piercing, or even putting it in its place, Moten writes, but bearing radical displacement everywhere. One of the most emotional moments in my year of reading took place when I turned to pp. 54-56 of Don Mee Chois Hardly War (2016), to discover, forming something like a dream map, Chois childhood drawings of outfits for her paper dolls she made while her father was in Vietnam, accompanied, as if being observed and encouraged, by cropped photographers of her father, in Vietnam. Or maybe the outfits, awaiting their paper doll bodies, are observing and encouraging and breathing into and wishing well and hurry home, Chois father; the outfits really start to move I slipped, as if hypnotized, into several passages on the color gray, including in: (1) Gwendolyn Brookss Maud Martha (1953): The sobbings, the frustrations, the small hates, the large and ugly hates, the little pushing-through love, the boredom, that came to her from behind those walls (some of them beaverboard) via speech and scream and sigh all these were gray; and (2) pp. 70-75 of Trinh T. Minh-has Elsewhere, Within Here: Immigration, Refugeeism and the Boundary Event (2011), which I read via PDF on a bunk bed. As Brooks writes, There was a whole lot of grayness here. When I read a novel, it is like living life. Because when I am living life, like when I am reading a novel, I am half in living life and half in conceiving the part of life that realizes itself, like overlapping roof tiles or fish scales, as memory. What I mean is: I read a novel in real time, but the novel often does not continue or complete itself until I am no longer reading the novel, not yet dead, but no longer inside. I do not mean the production, like of history, or interpretation, or the difference between process and knowledge, but experience. A novel is not experienced, and does not experience itself, all at once. Sometimes it does not happen at all, but when it does: not all at once. Am I just rephrasing the fundamental experience of reading In more garbled language? Maybe. Probably. Novels inscribed on three planes at once: the subterranean, terrestrial, and ethereal. For example, among the novels I read this year, there are four that I feel are still reading both themselves and ME in the guise of no longer being read, which maybe means they might not ever end: Bessie Heads A Question of Power (1974), Ngugi wa Thiongos Petals of Blood (1977), Marie NDiayes Self-Portrait in Green (2005; Jordan Stump translation, 2013); and Vi Khi Naos Fish in Exile (2016). Yes, it sounds like I am rephrasing the fundamental experience of reading. But there is something particular about these books that makes me believe their authors wove into them some kind of time-release (extended) life, by way of what and how they used of substances, colors, coelenterates, voices, faces, fields at night, nocturnal rites, blood-nearnesses, rerouted traumas, lapses, inborn absences, hallucinations. The night before entering Alice Iris Red Horse: Selected Poems of Yoshimasu Gozo (2016; translated from the Japanese by many translators, and edited by Forrest Gander), I had a dream about four peaches. In the dream, the four peaches looked like apples, and were rotten. When I woke up, I entered the book, and found peaches. Poetry is (Soaked is drowning / is a stitch,,,,,,) a way to a (pitch-black) Perpetual World // Peaches, peaches, golden peaches white peaches [exact formatting more complicated and beautiful]. I was on a train and when the train rose over a river, I entered, through Peaches, peaches, back through my dream of peaches, a moment of integration. I had been, until that moment, feeling like I was disintegrating. Something happened above the river. I cannot explain. I read Etel Adnans Sitt Marie Rose (1978; translated from the French by Georgina Kleege), a novel about the life and death, by Christian Phalangists, of a young woman and teacher in Beirut during the Lebanese Civil War, every year. I read it every year for many reasons, one of which is the final chapter, the final paragraph even, which is given to Marie Roses deaf-mute students. I have not, even after many readings (years), reached any clarity or resolution. About it or anything. Maybe that is why I return. Maybe that is why I keep returning. I hope you do not mind me sharing the entire paragraph here: Whether you like it or not, an execution is always a celebration. It is the dance of Signs and their stabilization in Death. It is the swift flight of silence without pardon. It is the explosion of absolute darkness among us. What can one do in this black Feast but dance? The deaf-mutes rise, and moved by the rhythm of falling bombs their bodies receive from the trembling earth, they begin to dance. More from A Year in Reading 2016 Do you love Year in Reading and the amazing books and arts content that The Millions produces year round? We are asking readers for support to ensure that The Millions can stay vibrant for years to come. Please click here to learn about several simple ways you can support The Millions now. Dont miss: A Year in Reading 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 Another year, another drunken Christmas comedy, but 2016s shot at the worlds favourite holiday is a surprisingly forward-thinking and weirdly enough, actually quite feminist, shocker. Between Harold and Kumar, Bad Santa 2 and last years sensationally forgettable The Night Before, festive comedies have stepped it up big time recently in the drunken debauchery department. And shock horror, this latest attempt is largely no different, although it does come complete with a few added sweeteners. Served out in the usual excessive style, as pretty much Project X: Repressed American Office Workers Edition, Office Christmas Party is essentially 100-or-so-minutes of adults getting drunk and doing stupid things. There is a slight twist to the usual formula: an actual plot revolving around a company branch on the verge of closure, but for the most part, this is exactly what youre expecting it to be: mindless, festive-themed fun. It almost goes without saying that if you head into a film like this expecting anything more than the drunken silliness you actually get, youre probably your own worst enemy. This is one marked out very clearly for the Horrible Bosses/Hangover crowd, with just enough basic humour and steady pacing to keep the casual viewer half-interested too. But obviously Citizen Kane this is most definitely not. When viewed as the super simplistic comedy it is though, Office Christmas Party does offer a few minor surprises. Case in point: a hefty helping (see: more than half) of its leading cast are women, and well-rounded, genuinely interesting ones too. Praise again this year must go to the ridiculously multi-faceted Kate McKinnon who manages to steal the majority of the laughs. But also to Olivia Munn, whose techy/hacker type leads the charge tremendously, and oddly enough Jennifer Anistons straight-laced CEO too; a surprisingly badass name-taker who puts T.J. Millers bumbling support to shame several times over. There are still a few (okay, many) relentlessly baffling plot shifts, from somehow revolutionising the internet with a laptop, to an awful one-joke pimp (sorry Jillian Bell) but on the whole, directors Josh Gordon and Will Speck manage to keep this one, for the most part, thoroughly entertaining. Hell, even the trademark romance seems to work quite well, and the general theme of festive togetherness, paired with the age-old celebration of the all-American workplace, ends up tying everything together in a remarkably cute little bow. As a film it never feels particularly nasty or offensive, unlike many of a similar breed, and on the whole theres a lot to enjoy and celebrate here. Were not talking comedy of the year - its not even a remotely memorable Christmas film; youll probably forget you even saw it come January - but for the brief hour and forty-five you spend with Office Christmas Party, youre likely to enjoy yourself nonetheless. Office Christmas Party is out in the UK from today. 75 years ago today the US Navy was struck by Japanese forces in an event called by Roosevelt: a date that will live infamy. This came to be known as the iconic Battle of Pearl Harbour. Known as Operation Al by the Japanese, this major event spans military, political and social historiographies. As we remember once again the losses of Pearl Harbour we must re-examine what happened, both in the build-up and aftermath, in order to consider the ongoing debate as to whether the attack was in fact necessary. The Attack on Pearl Harbour was a surprise military strike carried out by the then globally dominant Imperial Japanese Navy against the US naval base situated at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii Territory. The attack, which lasted seven hours, took the lives of 2400 Americans, 100 Japanese and 188 US Naval Ships. The international context in which the attack took place make it a crucial moment in global history. In 1941 America was not officially at war anywhere in the world - despite the fact that World War II had been in full motion for two years. Indeed it was this attack that acted as the catalyst for America officially joining the Second World War on the side of the Allies. But this does not mean that America was not involved in conflict - just not military conflict. The US had been involved in the Pacific War against Japan, and it was events in this political battle of the Super Nations in the years running up to 1941 which led to the attack on Pearl Harbour. Since the late 1920s Japan had been on a mission of imperial expansion, wanting to bolster their national and international status. The USA first took the Japanese expansion seriously after the Japanese invaded Manchuria in 1931: following this invasion they were able to exploit the bountiful natural resources of Manchuria, and use them to feed their own war machine. Japan's increasing international and military abilities worried the USA - they foresaw that a more powerful, dominant Japan in the East would detriment American economic and influential ambitions in the Asian territories. It was at this point that the USA began to involve themselves in Japanese political plans, initiating the souring of American-Japanese relations in the 1930s -1940s. Using their worldwide influence the USA imposed both economic and trade sanctions upon the Japanese, catalysed by the outbreak of the Japan-China War in 1937. This uninvited Western action was taken as a direct act of aggression by the Japanese. Tensions continued to grow between the two nations, with their animosity displayed through political and social moves rather than on the battlefields - so far at least. But the growing hostility could only be taken so far before one of these two proud nations decided to change the way the battle was fought. For Japan this final straw came when the US placed an oil embargo upon them with the obvious aims of shattering the Japanese economy. The reaction from Japan was this strategic attack upon the US Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbour; changing the course of the US-Japan feud from one of political tactics to militarised warfare. Following the attack in 1941 11 US military survivors met annually to mourn and commemorate the losses of Pearl Harbour - 40 years before the US Congress made it an official day of remembrance. They eventually did so in 1994, as well as creating the Pearl Harbour Commemorative Medal; otherwise known as the Pearl Harbour Survivors Medal. Emblazoned with Roosevelts historical words a date which will live infamy, the medal served as a fitting recognition of those who had been lost on December 7th 1941. Whilst the loss of any civilian lives is obviously tragic and the deaths of Pearl Harbour deserve to be mourned people still ask: Should it have happened at all? This question receives varied answers, biased depending on the affiliation of the respondent: to the West or to the East. Studies in both the US and Japan reveal that the pride which was such a major element in the feud still remains to this day. Indeed, fifty years on from their surprise attack a study was carried out in Japan. The results revealed that 55% of Japanese citizens felt that both the USA and Japan should apologise for the attack. Interestingly though when a similar study was carried out in America it was found that, when first asked if the USA should apologise for Hiroshima only 16% voted yes. But, when the question was altered to instead ask whether the US should apologise for Hiroshima if the Japanese apologised for Pearl Harbour, the number in favour rose to 50%. These studies reveal the tit-for-tat notions poisoning US-Japanese relations. Both are extremely proud nations, and both would have gone to war for the sake of pride alone, which is arguably what happened at Pearl Harbour. When the US imposed their devastating oil embargos their intention was to ruin the Japanese economy, thereby irrevocably weakening them. This left Japan with three options. One, to withdraw from their newly conquered territories, the shame of which they could not accept. Two, to push forward with this political feud and risk everything in possible economic devastation. Or thirdly remove the US from the Pacific War completely through military action. So, whilst it is arguable that the devastation could have been avoided if Japanese pride had been swallowed, the same can be said about America. They involved themselves in the Pacific War, not in aid of lesser Asian nations but for fear of their personal losses if Japan rose in the East. In examining further the question of what was necessary the US embargos come under further scrutiny. One debated aspect of American political history is that at times they arguably failed to recognise that non-military actions can constitute acts of war. In placing the embargos - particularly the oil embargo - they aimed to cripple a nation economically; a warfare tactic currently being employed by the US against Iran. This is a well-recognised act of war. The destruction of the Japanese economy would lead to suffering for millions of civilians, not the political elite engaged in the international feud. The embargos were placed knowing the likely consequence would be the death of thousands of Japanese citizens. Its therefore reasonable to argue that the attack on Pearl Harbour was an act of self-defence; to try and remove the US from the Eastern War permanently. Indeed with two historically pro-militaristic nations its somewhat unbelievable that they would have settled any difference diplomatically; especially at the height of a volatile World War. These debates however should not detract from the sombre memories of today; simply shine a different light on our remembrance. Images by the National Archives and Records Administration Real tears were shed watching this. https://t.co/J5OR3Ck2qi Darla B (@OriginalDBubble) December 4, 2016 Hi I'm just silently sobbing at this ad watch it if you love ads that make u feel things ok https://t.co/RKfRFkFfD1 Kerry Christmas (@KarenKerrbear) December 4, 2016 This Polish Christmas ad is beautiful. It's touching. It's what Christmas and life is all about. https://t.co/ifeWFaR81K Guy Woods (@coachified) December 7, 2016 (YouTube) (YouTube) (Youtube) (YouTube) (YouTube) (YouTube) Allegros ad is about a grandpa from Poland who we find out is desperately learning English before he visits his family, including his adorable little granddaughter, in London. And since the clip went on YouTube, it has had over 4 million views.People cant cope with how teary they got watching it.You see, the grandfather tries to brush up on his keywords in all sorts of places, which is just so adorable.Theres also a cute dog in the advert, which is when you know youre on to a winner, surely.The moment when the grandfather arrives at his destination in London is already too emotional.Then comes the bit when he sees his granddaughter and says Hi, Im your grandpa.Well, Allegro, youve officially just won Christmas. (Were sorry if anyone now has a blotchy face from crying). Unfortunately, The Content Is Not Here You have arrived at this page because the page or post you were looking for no longer exists. Please check our main navigation pages for other content: Home Page Army hunts down Phuket taxi driver for refusing airport tourist passenger PHUKET: Soldiers in Phuket have hunted down and arrested a taxi driver who has now been fined B1,000 for refusing to take a passenger from Phuket International Airport after a video of a Thai tourists conversation with the driver over taxi fares charged on the island started going viral online tourismtransportmilitarycrime By Eakkapop Thongtub Wednesday 7 December 2016, 02:09PM Police check a metered taxi near Phuket International Airport. Photo: The Phuket News / file The driver has been identified as Peecha Chodang, 40, said Gen Akom Pongprom, Commander of the Royal Thai Army 41st Military Circle, which has a headquarters in Phuket. The video shows a conversation the female Thai tourist has with Mr Peecha about the fares charged by taxis in Phuket while the driver starts his journey to Kata, where the woman was to be taken. However, Mr Peecha becomes irate with the tourist after she starts asking why the rates are so high and why he charges about B700 to be taken to Kata when other drivers at the airport quoted her B1,000. The woman also asked about the fast turnover charge rate of the meter, to which Mr Preecha explained that the meter started at a B50 surcharge and that the fare includes the standard fee drivers must pay Airports of Thailand (AoT), which operates Phuket International Airport, for the privilege of picking up passengers at the terminal. Angered by the constant questioning, Mr Preecha turned the taxi around and returned her to the airport for her to take another taxi to Kata. After the clip was uploaded on many social media websites, many people posted comments criticizing the driver, so I coordinated with Phuket Tourist Police and Sakoo Police officers at the airport to track down the driver, Gen Akom said. Mr Preecha has since confirmed he was the driver in the video, he added. The authorities have fined him B1,000 for refusing to take a passenger, and they will check his meter to make sure it is not rigged to overcharge, Gen Akom Pongprom said. Gen Akom added that officers at Phuket Airport will begin checking all metered taxis to make sure they charge at the government-set rates. Navy officers warned taxi drivers earlier this year that overcharging passengers or refusing to take a passenger would result in a B1,000 fine. (See story here.) Meanwhile, taxi fares in Phuket as set by the government are the highest in the country. (See rates here.) A viral clip earlier this year by Thai internet celebrity Jack Brown failed to result in any reduction in the rates charged by taxis or tuk-tuks in Phuket. (See story here.) Passengers who believe they have been overcharged by their driver can lodge a complaint by calling the transport complaint hotline Tel: 1584. Dhammajayo wont get bail BANGKOK: Bail will not be granted to embattled abbot Phra Dhammajayo after police arrest him, the National Police Chief says. crimecorruptionlandpolicereligion By Bangkok Post Wednesday 7 December 2016, 08:54AM National Police Chief Gen Chakthip Chaijinda says fugitive sect leader Dhammakaya has had a chance to surrender, but now will never be granted bail once he is arrested. Photo: Post Today Gen Chakthip Chaijinda said yesterday (Dec 6) that the case has dragged on for months and it should come to an end with Phra Dhammajayo being prosecuted. Once the arrest happens, there will be no granting of bail since police gave him [Phra Dhammajayo] a chance to turn himself in [and receive bail] earlier, but he ignored it, he said. Gen Chakthip said an investigation has confirmed Phra Dhammajayo is still in Wat Phra Dhammakaya. This case will come to an end within three months. The authorities gave him many chances and it has gone on too long, the police chief said. The Royal Thai Police has prepared about 1,000 officers for an operation to raid the temple and arrest the abbot after the monk failed to report to authorities by last weeks deadline. Phra Dhammajayo is wanted on three arrest warrants. They are for alleged forest encroachment by a large meditation centre owned by the temple, for alleged forest encroachment in Loei province by the temples meditation centre, and for alleged laundering of money and receiving stolen property in connection with many multi-million-baht Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement. A date to apprehend the monk has not been finalised but, according to the latest meeting among officials, the National Office of Buddhism will first try to talk Phra Dhammajayo into surrendering. Negotiations are scheduled to be concluded by Saturday (Dec 10). In their meeting with Buddhism officials last Friday (Dec 2), temple representatives demanded Phra Dhammajayo should be released on bail immediately when the former abbot turns himself in to the authorities. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said earlier it had no power to grant the abbot bail as the money-laundering case is now being handled by the Office of the Attorney-General, which has authority over the bail request. DSI Director-general Paisit Wongmuang said an investigation found some of the money siphoned from the cooperative to the temple, monks and other individuals were used to buy shares on the stock market. Meanwhile, officers at Thanyaburi police station in Pathum Thani, where Wat Dhammakaya is located, have asked Thanyaburi provincial court to issue a warrant for the arrest of the temple's acting abbot Phra Thattacheevo, for providing shelter to Phra Dhammajayo, who is now regarded as a criminal suspect. The court is considering the request, a source said. Though Gen Chakthip said he is confident Phra Dhammajayo is in the temple, police intelligence reports cannot confirm this assumption, said Col Kritsana Phatthanacharoen, Deputy Police Spokesman. If Phra Dhammajayo is not in the temple, there must be people to take responsibility, Col Kritsana said. However, he said it is too soon to say who should be deemed to be at fault. Though officers of Khlong Luang Police Station supervise the area where the temple is situated, Col Kritsana said he could not say immediately if those officers had ignored their duties. Supporters of Phra Dhammajayo yesterday continued praying at Wat Dhammakaya as guards tightened up the monitoring of people entering the temple. Read original story here. Woman, exhausted, rescued from filthy Phuket Town canal PHUKET: Rescue workers recovered a woman exhausted but uninjured from the bottom of Bang Yai Canal in Phuket Town on Monday night (Dec 5). accidentsagriculture By Eakkapop Thongtub Wednesday 7 December 2016, 11:48AM The woman was exhausted but uninjured when rescue workers recovered her from the filthy canal. Photo: Tan Promedic Phuket The Tan Promedic Phuket rescue foundation received a call at 8:50pm informing them that a woman was stuck in the canal near where it passes by Wichit Songkram Rd Soi 1 (see map). Rescue workers arrived to find Jittirat Pansamrong, 57, lying on the mud and awsh in the dirty water. She was in pain and exhausted, and she could not move, one resuce worker who asked not to be named told The Phuket News. The rescue team recovered Ms Jittirat from the canal and took her to Vachai Phuket Hospital. The medical report confirmed that she did not have any open wounds or any other serious injuries, but she had to be treated for the wastewater and sewage she had ingested, the rescue worker told The Phuket News. She is now cleaned up and doctors have her under observation, he added. It was not reported how long Ms Jittirat lay prone in the canal or how she managed to fall in. How to watch, what to know about South Dakota State at Northern Iowa By PTI: From Sajjad Hussain Islamabad, Dec 6 (PTI) Pakistan has deployed more than 200,000 troops backed by air force in its northern areas and along border with Afghanistan to flush out militants from the region and demolish their hideouts, a top official said today. Special Assistant to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, who is visiting the US to seek better ties with America under President-elect Donald Trump, made the remarks during an interaction with media. advertisement "Pakistan has deputed more than 200,000 troops in its northern areas and along Pak-Afghan border and these troops are being used with full force along-with the F-16s by Pakistan Air Force in bursting terrorists networks and demolishing their hideouts," he said. Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement that highlighting Pakistans unflinching commitment to putting an end to terrorism and militancy, Fatemi narrated that Pakistan lost more than 5,000 soldiers in a ruthless war against terrorism. "Its an uphill task and Pakistan has paid a very heavy price. Pakistan today has far less and far few incidents of militancy and terrorism. At present, terrorists are on the run and are targeting soft targets out of frustration," he told reporters at Pakistan Embassy in Washington. He said Pakistan was implementing the National Action Plan to eliminate militancy and entire country was united in getting rid of terrorism in all its manifestations. "We are acting upon the National Action Plan to curb the menace of terrorism. Pakistan has already made remarkable all round progress on economic front particularly in overcoming the energy crises," he said. He underscored that Pakistan is looking forward to work closely with the new US administration and wants the bilateral relations to be further strengthened in future, the FO said. "Once President-elect Donald Trump assumes his office, Pakistan is looking forward to meaningful engagement with USA in further improving bilateral relations and playing its role in the context of regional and international issues," he said. Pakistan can play an instrumental role in promoting peace not only in Afghanistan but in the entire region, Fatemi said. "Pakistan has confluence of interests with USA and there is a solid track record of US and Pakistan working together over seven decades to promote peace and tranquillity at regional as well as international levels. "Historically speaking, Pakistan stood with USA during Cold War and is now a frontline state in a global war against terrorism for the last many years," he said. Fatemi also underlined a need for a dialogue between Pakistan and India to resolve the issue of Kashmir. advertisement "Pakistan will be forthcoming in cooperating with new administration in US in achieving peace in Afghanistan and making Pakistan-India relations better for the sake of peace in the region," he said. Fatemis trip to the US came at the heels of telephonic talks between Trump and Sharif last week. PTI SH ZH --- ENDS --- The Yemeni government has urged the Saudi-led coalition which is backing the government in its fight against the Houthi rebels for help. By AP: The Yemeni government says 60 nationals are feared drowned in the Arabian Sea, after their vessel went missing for days. In a statement, the internationally recognised government said yesterday the vessel disappeared some 25 miles (40 kilometres) from the remote Socotra island five days ago. It was heading from the southern province of Hadramawt, carrying women and children among others. advertisement Another statement by the governor of Hadramawt Ahmed ben-Break said that two were rescued and that the search is still ongoing. The government has urged the Saudi-led coalition which is backing the government in its fight against the Houthi rebels for help. Flights between Yemeni cities and the island were suspended since March 2015 when the Saudi-led coalition began its campaign, by closing the air space of Yemen. --- ENDS --- By India Today Web Desk: Ever since Aashiqui 2, there was a strong buzz that Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor's terrific on-screen chemistry extended off screen as well. More recently, there were reports that the two have called it quits and Shraddha has found love in her Rock On 2 co-star Farhan Akhtar. ALSO READ: Shraddha Kapoor-Aditya Roy Kapur have mushy moments at OK Jaanu wrap up party? advertisement Now, a report in DNA suggests that Adi has moved on to celebrity make-up and hair artist Mariannna Mukunchyan. The report quotes a source as saying, "They have been dating for more than six months now, but prefer to keep it quiet. She was Parineeti Chopra's makeup stylist on Koffee With Karan recently when Adi came with her on the show. Adi and Marianna have even attended the Burning Man festival at Black Rock City in Nevada on August 28 this year." The duo even attended Anil Kapoor's Diwali bash recently, but came separately. While Marianna made an entry with Katrina Kaif and Ayan Mukerji, who are close friends of Aditya, he came alone. The source told DNA, "At the party they were seen dancing together and rest of the time they hung out in a corner. They have been very discreet about their relationship as Marianna wants to stay away from the media glare." Little sum up from last nights Diwali madness at the Bachhans and Kapoors ...thank you for my amazing outfit from @neetalulla #diwali #happydiwali #indianvibes #partytime #bollywoodoverload #nightout A photo posted by www.marianna-mukuchyan.com (@marianna_mukuchyan) on Oct 31, 2016 at 6:28am PDT Sundays vibe... #Sundays #tribe A photo posted by www.marianna-mukuchyan.com (@marianna_mukuchyan) on Oct 25, 2016 at 1:31am PDT --- ENDS --- The BJP leader said O Panneerselvam also has no base in the party nor does Sasikala posses any political "acumen". By Press Trust of India: All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) will head for a split as J.Jayalalithaa's close confidante Sasikala Natarajan will take over the reins of the party and not allow newly-elected Chief Minister O Panneerselvam to function independently, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy today claimed. "AIADMK will not survive as a single entity. Sasikala Natarajan will be the head of the organisation and will not give Panneerselvam a free hand and she will ultimately find somebody from the family for the post," Swamy said. advertisement The BJP leader said O Panneerselvam also has no base in the party nor does Sasikala posses any political "acumen". Also read: Agenda Aaj Tak 2016: Subramanian Swamy recalls Jayalalithaa's reign, calls demonetisation unplanned Yesterday, two hours after the announcement of Jayalalithaa's death, in a swift political transition, her loyalist Panneerselvam was sworn in as Chief Minister at a sombre ceremony at the Raj Bhawan along with all the ministers in the erstwhile Cabinet. Also read: Jayalalithaa loyalist O Panneerselvam sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Panneerselvam had stepped into her shoes earlier twice when she was convicted in corruption cases. As Finance Minister, he was given charge of the portfolios held by Jayalalithaa after she was admitted to Apollo Hospitals on September 22. Also read: Subramanian Swamy says he would've made a better Finance Minister than Arun Jaitley Also read: Jayalalithaa: How a little girl called Ammu became Amma of Tamil Nadu --- ENDS --- Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Mistry had alleged that board members and trustees were aware that in case of Air Asia, ethical concerns were raised with respect to certain transactions. By Virendrasingh Ghunawat: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Mumbai has issued a summon to AirAsia, asking its officials to appear before it next week. The ED will primarily investigate the allegation of fraudulent transactions worth Rs 22 crore, levelled by Cyrus Mistry, under Section 3 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999. In his first email to Tata Sons after his unceremonious ouster as chairman of the salt-to-software conglomerate, Mistry had alleged that "a recent forensic investigation revealed fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore involving non-existent parties in India and Singapore". advertisement ALSO WATCH ALSO READ: Fraud transactions to the tune of Rs 22 crore took place in Tata's aviation JV with Air Asia: Mistry Mistry had alleged that "board members and trustees are also aware that in case of Air Asia, ethical concerns have been raised with respect to certain transactions as well as the overall prevailing culture within the organisation". A Senior ED official said that the allegation made by Cyrus Mistry in writing, which was published by various newspapers/media across the country, has prepared the ground for "examination" of the case, suo motu under FEMA provisions. ALSO READ: Tata Steel removes Cyrus Mistry as its chairman, appoints OP Bhatt ALSO READ: Tata Global Beverages removes Cyrus Mistry as chairman --- ENDS --- 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. In this photo taken Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount, third from left, flanked by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, right, and other Democratic lawmakers, discusses a pair of proposed measures to protect immigrants, during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif. California is among the states that voted for Hillary Clinton and that could find themselves at odds with President-elect Donald Trump on such issues as immigration, health care and climate change. Rendon said the intent of the legislation is to put a "firewall" around Californians. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) Talking on the second day of Agenda Aaj Tak 2016 conclave here today, Sharma accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not making any efforts to salvage the situation which has arisen out of the demonetisation drive. The Congress leader said the ambassadors of other countries in India are facing immense hardships. By Javed M. Ansari : Rajya Sabha Congress MP Anand Sharma has alleged that the country is witnessing drama in the name of demonetisation. The Narendra Modi did not do any homework before launching the initiative, he said. Talking on the second day of Agenda Aaj Tak 2016 conclave here today, Sharma accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not making any efforts to salvage the situation which has arisen out of the demonetisation drive. He alleged that the Centre was resorting only to drama. advertisement He further alleged that the people have been forced to beg post-demonetisation. Supporting the move to end black money, he disapproved of notes ban in the name of checking counterfeit currency. The government first declared notes ban and then asked the people to go for cashless transaction. Black money will get a boost by introducing Rs 2,000 currency notes, he said. Sharma alleged that small industries were closing because of the demonetisation move. He also accused the Modi government of defaming the country by indicating that Indias economy was based on black economy. The livelihood of farmers and dailywage workers is based on cash. This is neither black money nor money earned out of criminal activities. Not declaring ones income is black money, he said. The Congress leader said the ambassadors of other countries in India are facing immense hardships. This is denting the image of our country, he said. --- ENDS --- We are a brand new TV inUganda with primary objective of providing affordable premium content toaudiences across Africa. Our mission is to create world class channels thatenable Ugandans to access top-notch programming, easily and freely. Indian Navy deployed four ships after the civil administration telephonically requested for assistance in evacuating the tourists stranded at Havelock island in Andaman and Nicobar. By Manogya Loiwal , Jugal R Purohit: The Indian Navy has been pressed into action to rescue more than 1400 tourists stranded at the Havelock island in Andaman and Nicobar after the weather turned rough with heavy rainfall and stormy winds leaving almost no connectivity in the area. Civil administration has telephonically requested for assistance in evacuating the tourists stranded at Havelock after which Indian Navy ships Bitra, Bangaram, Kumbhir and LCU 38 sailed from Port Blair and have been deployed for evacuation. advertisement Small ships (INS Bitra and INS Bangaram) will pick tourists from the jetty and ferry them to the larger ships (INS Kumbhir and LCU 38) which are at the anchorage. Tourist help desk: 03192 232694Director of Tourism Airport help desk: 03192 232414 (Photo: Sujata Mehera) All the ships departed from Port Blair around 3:15 am and have reached Havelock to ferry tourists back to Port Blair. Their highest consideration is safety of the tourists. All normal ferry services across the islands have been cancelled with immediate affect. The tourists will face problems if the weather continues to remain rough as even the food supply is limited in Havelock. The tourists have been instructed to stay indoors till the storm passes away or weather improves. Port Blair is the capital of Andaman and has an airport and better connectivity compared to other Islands. Andaman and Nicobar is a Tri Services Command with all three forces having a station base - Army, Navy and Air Force. In addition, there is coast guard too and there is no shortage of resources in Port Blair. (Photo: Sujata Mehera) It takes between two to four hours of sailing time from Havelock to Port Blair. Key factors to see here is how quickly tourists can make it to the naval ships and state of sea roughness which will decide how soon can they be brought to Port Blair. Indian Meteorological Department bulletin issued at 8:30 am today mentioned a 'depression over south east Bay of Bengal' which is moving north westwards and will intensify into a cyclonic storm. This rainfall and severity in the weather can be attributed to this climatic condition. WATCH VIDEO Also Read: Tamil Nadu: As cyclone Nada fails, Chennai bets on Vardah to avoid dry spell Tamil Nadu: Cyclone Nada to weaken into deep depression before landfall Cyclone Nada weakens over Bay of Bengal, relief to rain-hit Tamil Nadu --- ENDS --- Cuba and the US on Wednesday will hold the final round of talks on political and economic ties before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office next month. Delegations from both the countries will gather in Havana for the fifth meeting of a bilateral commission to normalise ties, Xinhua news agency cited Cuban Foreign Ministry as saying on Tuesday. The delegations "will discuss the results achieved since the creation of the bilateral commission in August last year as a mechanism for normalising ties between the two nations", the ministry said. Both the sides will define "new steps" for the following weeks to continue strengthening ties. "The bilateral agenda includes a high-level visit, new cooperation agreements in areas of common interest, as well as technical meetings and talks on various issues," said the ministry. The meeting comes on the heels of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro's death and Trump's recent remarks to the effect that he will reverse the historic rapprochement between the US and Cuba, which is considered to be the main legacy of outgoing 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. While the US-led trade embargo against Cuba remains in place, the Cold War-ties have thawed in the past two years with increasing exchanges between the two governments and peoples, and relaxing certain restrictions. The two countries in 2015 restored diplomatic ties and reopened their respective embassies. Pakistan Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Wednesday admitted that the government was presented with only "insufficient evidence" on alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav who is under detention. Addressing a full Senate chamber, Aziz said the dossier on Jadhav contained mere statements. "It did not have any conclusive evidence," he was quoted as saying by the Geo TV. "What the dossier contained was not enough. Now it is up to the concerned authorities how long they take to give us more matter on the agent," Aziz said. Jadhav, who was reportedly arrested in Balochistan after he entered from Iran, has been accused by Pakistan of planning "subversive activities" in the country. Pakistan Army had also released a "confessional video" of Jadhav, who said he was the serving Indian Navy officer. India has acknowledged Jadhav as a retired Indian Navy officer, but denied the allegation that he was in any way connected to the government. [PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] A festive ceremony was hosted by Rabbi Arthur Schneier and the Park East Synagogue in Manhattan last week to mark the consultative status recently awarded to ZAKA by the United Nations. Among the participants were outgoing United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power and Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, who saluted the Israel-based international volunteer humanitarian organization for its humanitarian search and rescue missions at mass casualty incidents around the world. ZAKA Chairman and Founder Yehuda Meshi-Zahav presented ZAKA Shield of Humanity awards to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power and Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon in recognition and gratitude for their tireless efforts in helping ZAKA receive consultative status as an official body at the UN. In addition, a Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Rabbi Arthur Schneier, Senior Rabbi of Park East Synagogue and President and founder of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, who hosted the evening in his Manhattan synagogue. In January 2016, ZAKA was granted consultative status as an official body at the UN, one of only three Israeli NGOs to receive this coveted status. This, after a four year diplomatic struggle spearheaded by US Ambassador Power and Israel Ambassador Danon, and the final acknowledgment by the committee that ZAKA operates wherever and whenever help is needed, regardless of religion, race, creed or gender. In 2005, ZAKA was recognized by the UN as an international humanitarian volunteer organization. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon: ZAKA has shown through partnerships with Palestinians the great value of people-to-people activities in bringing people together even at times of sharp disagreements. The Secretary-General noted that ZAKAs commitment to treating all victims, regardless of religion, race or ethnicity, also sends a powerful message. The United Nations is pleased to have you as a partner in our humanitarian operations and in our wider efforts to reduce disaster risk and improve disaster preparedness. In an emotional speech that referred to the anti-Israel bias at the UN, US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power recounted how ZAKA denied accreditation for one reason, and that is because ZAKA is an Israeli organization We resolved we were going to fight for ZAKA, together with our partners at the Israeli mission And we just said to folks: Look at the facts. Look at what ZAKA does. Tell us what there is to oppose. What was amazing is almost nobody who opposed ZAKAs membership was even a little bit familiar with what ZAKA did. It was just reflexive. And after all of that, in January of this year, ZAKA was finally accredited as it should have been long ago. The Ambassador concluded her remarks with a reflection on a previous conversation with Yehuda Meshi Zahav: He said, Everyone is made in the image of God. So it does not matter to us someones religion or gender or race when they need help. We save anyone who needs to be saved, and honor all people equally. I can think of few more profound ways to define the mission not only of humanitarians, but of anyone who believes in the principles of equality, human rights, and dignity, that the UN was created to uphold. Israel Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon: No organization better represents the ideals of the UN than ZAKA but time after time ZAKA was rejected at the UN. There was one reason and one reason only. ZAKA was rejected because this dedicated group of life-saving search and rescue professionals were from the Jewish state, operating in the name of Jewish values. We told them this is not about politics this is about saving lives. We won by standing up for the truth and staying strong to our values. Rabbi Arthur Schneier, Senior Rabbi of Park East Synagogue: Charity is one of Judaisms highest pillars and what ZAKA does is sheer It is such an honor for me to host ZAKA and the UN representatives and to receive the ZAKA Shield of Humanity. ZAKA Chairman and Founder Yehuda Meshi-Zahav: For ZAKA to receive consultative status as an official body at the UN leverages our ability to operate in humanitarian search and rescue missions around the world. To date, we have trained 34 ZAKA International Rescue Units in communities around the world and we will continue to offer assistance in mass casualty incidents and terror attacks, whenever and wherever we are needed. We are indebted to the tireless efforts of Ambassador Power and Ambassador Danon in ensuring this recognition. They are truly partners with ZAKA in this holy work. Also attending the event, which attracted over 300 invited guests, were ZAKA Chairman and Founder Yehuda Meshi-Zahav; Head of ZAKA America Rabbi Tzvi Gluck, ZAKA International Rescue Unit Chief Operations Officer Mati Goldstein and ZAKA International Director David Rose. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo credit: Itzik Roitman) Khan, who had infamously said the rape incident was a political conspiracy to malign Uttar Pradesh's SP government, then said he would use the word "remorse" in a fresh affidavit that the top court demanded. By Harish V Nair: The minor victim of the sensational Bulandshahr gang rape on Wednesday snubbed Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan who was asked by the Supreme Court to apologise for his offending remarks that the incident was a "political conspiracy", by refusing his offer for sponsoring her education till her graduation. The Centre had already told the court that the victim shall be given admission in the Kendriya Vidyalaya situated at Noida in the academic session 2017-2018. advertisement Meanwhile, the bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra also rejected Khan's "apology" saying that from its wording it did not look like an unconditional apology. In the affidavit, Khan had merely said that "if" his words had hurt the victim, he was sorry for it and he also contended that his comments had been distorted by the media. Khan, who had infamously said the rape incident was a political conspiracy to malign Uttar Pradesh's SP government, then said he would use the word "remorse" in a fresh affidavit that the top court demanded. To that offer by Khan, the Supreme Court said it would "examine whether remorse is sufficient for tendering an unconditional apology." The court scheduled the next hearing for December 15. "It is submitted by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, who was requested to assist the court, and Fali S Nariman, learned amicus curiae that the affidavit does not meet the requirement of the order dated 17. 11. 2016 and it cannot be treated as an unconditional apology", said the court. Last month, when the apex court directed Khan to apologise, it indicated that "the controversy does not end here" (just with an apology) and added that the unconditional apology "will be considered by this court as to whether it should be accepted." That's what the Supreme Court did on Wednesday. READ | SP leader Azam Khan's dig at Modi: Can make tea, play drums, I am fit to be PM "WORST STATEMENTS MADE BY MINISTERS" Justice Misra had in the last hearing slammed Khan by asking how could an individual holding a public office or a person in authority or in-charge of governance be allowed to comment on the crime and state that "it is an outcome of political controversy", more so, when he has nothing to do with the offences in question. During the hearing Khan's lawyer said there were "worse" statements made by ministers in other governments which were largely going unnoticed and also claimed that part of what Khan said had been distorted. Significantly, the court said: "We cannot send the respondent (Khan) to jail but can definitely always impose a fine on him as a public law remedy". On October 19 the SC had sternly told the UP government that Khan will have to "defend himself as an individual" for calling the gangrape of a woman and her minor daughter a "political conspiracy" and said it was not the duty of the state government to provide aid to the minister in his defence. "How can a person in authority make such comment? If it is so, let him justify it. It is not the responsibility of the state to say whether he can or he cannot (issue such comment). He must individually fight the case. Let him defend himself," the court had said. advertisement READ | Have all qualities to be PM, except that I am a Muslim: Azam Khan --- ENDS --- It was a meeting of Jews, Druse, Christians and Muslims to speak about the controversial Muezzin Bill that seeks to silence the loudspeakers in mosques nationwide. Among the participants in the meet were MK (Likud) Yehuda Glick and MK (Machane Tzioni) Zouheir Bahloul, meeting with community leaders representing the religions mentioned hoping to reach an understanding. The PA (Palestinian Authority) response to the bill has been accusing Israel of violating basic freedom of religion. That has been the general consensus among Islamic MKs as well. Chareidim were initially opposed, fearing it would lead to silencing the sirens heard in many frum areas around the country at candle lighting on Shabbos and Yomim Tovim. However, it appears the wording was amended and this has resolved the issue vis-a-vis the chareidim. Israelis around the nation have been complaining about the volume of the loudspeakers in mosques without regard to time of day or night. The bill does not actually intend to shut the loudspeakers off, but simply place a decibel limit on their use. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotevely visited Netiv Avot, the neighborhood in the Gush Etzion region community of Elazar slated for destruction. Hotevely arrived on Tuesday, 6 Kislev, viewing the memorial in the community for IDF Lt.-Colonel Emanuel Moreno HYD and commented on the destruction order for a memorial to a fallen officer while there is absolutely no Palestinian claim to the area where it is situated. She added This act is morally corrupt. Netiv Avot was established in Elazar 13 years ago. The neighborhood was built on state-owned land as were the houses. It was never proven that the allegations they were built on private lands are true. The absurd is that a childs bed in a childs room is viewed as being outside the neighborhood while the entire neighborhood was established with permission by the necessary authorities and they are not permitted to continue. She commented that such destruction should not occur under the rule of a Likud-led government, especially here where there is nothing linking the land to Palestinian owned. She insists the battle over Netiv Avot is one of a national consensus which believes in the Jewish right to settle the Gush Etzion area. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Shas leader Minister Aryeh Deri continues his attacks against Reform Jewry and calls the activities of the Reform Movement A spiritual Holocaust, warning against permitting the Reform to gain a foothold in religious life in Israel. Addressing a rabbinical gathering of Sephardi rabbonim, Deri spoke of the Reform plans for the Kosel area regarding egalitarian prayer and how HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZTL was so opposed to such a reality. He cited how he is asked why the need to fight for religious issues, giyur, the Kosel and who may daven there and other Jewish issues responding he was close to Maran for over 40 years and one cannot describe the level of his mesirus nefesh and his battle to maintain the character of the Jewish People, religion and batei din and that there is no contradiction. On the one hand, our way is that of Darchei Noam but on the other side, we are responsible to protect and safeguard the path that has been the Jewish Peoples throughout the generations he exclaimed. He calls the Reform a spiritual Holocaust and adds remember that before the Holocaust there were 18 million Jews in the world and we could be an extremely large nation today if not for the impact of assimilation. He emphasized the Kosel is the last remaining place from the Beis HaMikdash and while no one is prohibited from visiting, there are customs that must be adhered to and there cannot be compromise when it comes to the Kosel, which is ultimately the property of HKBH. He warned against any recognition of the Reform in Israel in any way, small as it may be, for this he explains will lead to the destruction of Am Yisrael. They bring assimilation and you, the rabbonim, are on the front line against them. We cannot change the path that has kept us a single nation and while we yearn for achdus, we cannot compromise on the path. Those who know me are aware I oppose religious coercion bills, the ones that compel a reality on others. I said once if there was a law compelling bris milah, we would see fewer of them. Our way is Darchei Noam and we continuing marching on the path of Maran that encourages adherence to halacha and standing pure and teaching the younger generation. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu addressed the forum before Deri, speaking of how Israel has shown excellence in two areas technology and terror (Stating .. ) . Deri later explained Netanyahu needs to know before his tet and tet there is Hashem Yisborach and Torah. Ki Mitzion Tetzei Torah and that is what maintains the Jewish People (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) New Yorks governor has launched an investigation into racial bias in the state prison system following an investigation by The New York Times. The newspaper reports that black prisoners were punished at higher rates and subjected to solitary confinement more often than white inmates. Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday that he has directed the state inspector general to look into the allegations and recommend immediate changes if necessary. The Times report looked at nearly 60,000 disciplinary cases from last year and found that black inmates at one upstate prison were four times more likely than white prisoners to be sent to isolation. The paper also found that blacks were held in solitary confinement for longer periods than their white counterparts. Cuomo calls The Times report disturbing. (AP) Just a few months ago, German Chancellor Angela Merkel brought together the leaders of the U.S., Britain, France and Italy to discuss the worlds crises, a moment captured in a photo of the five seated around a conference table. When she hosts a summit of 20 leading global powers in July, she will be the only one of them left and many of the policies her partners worked for might be reversed. Merkel, the last of President Barack Obamas key European allies still standing, appears well on course to extend her 11-year grip on power, though even she warned her conservative party Tuesday that she faces her most difficult campaign yet. Many people feel that the world is in disarray, and theyre right, Merkel told a congress of her Christian Democratic Union in Essen. 2016 hasnt made the world stronger and more stable, but rather weaker and more unstable. No one, even with the greatest experience, can make things better in Germany, Europe and the world more or less alone and certainly not a chancellor of Germany, she said. Let us not be fooled into thinking that. That would be grotesque, absurd, condemned to failure. Thats not how it works. Tamping down expectations has served Merkel well in three terms of pragmatic and rarely flashy leadership. But given the exodus of like-minded leaders, she will struggle to avoid such hopes. In April, Merkel welcomed Obama to Germany for a meeting at which the merits of a proposed European Union-U.S. trade pact were a prominent issue. They then met British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Francois Hollande and Italian Premier Matteo Renzi. But at Julys Group of 20 summit in Hamburg, Merkel will be facing new leaders of the Wests leading powers. Obama, whose popularity has been rising in the U.S. in recent months, tried to use his stronger standing to ensure allies on both sides of the Atlantic were in office after he leaves in January. He was mostly unsuccessful. Obama campaigned vigorously for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, casting her election as a safeguard on his agenda. She lost to Republican Donald Trump, who opposes the kind of multilateral trade deals Obama tried to pursue with Europe and has called for closer relations with Russia. Cameron was replaced by Theresa May after failing to persuade British voters to stay in the EU in a June referendum. The deeply unpopular Hollande has decided not to seek re-election in April; both of the two top contenders to succeed him advocate a softer line on Russia, and one supports leaving the EU. Renzi announced his resignation after losing a weekend referendum on constitutional reform in Italy, leaving unclear who will take on the task of steering the countrys large but troubled economy. Obama traveled to London in April to try to boost Cameron ahead of the Brexit vote. The president bluntly warned that Britain would find itself at the back of the queue in trans-Atlantic trade deals if it left the EU. This fall, Obama threw his support behind Renzi, hosting him at the White House for a celebrity-filled state dinner. He praised Renzis efforts to modernize Italys political institutions, calling reform an important step toward a more vibrant, dynamic economy. The White House has dismissed questions about whether the referendums and Trumps victory signal a broad rejection of Obamas world views, though officials privately worry about the spread of isolationist tendencies. I would warn against painting with an overly broad brush about the potential consequences of this outcome, Obama spokesman Josh Earnest said after the Italian vote. There certainly is a not entirely unreasonable tendency to want to loop together the outcome in the U.K. and even the outcome of the U.S. presidential election with this outcome. But each of these is different. Obama made no attempt to assist Hollande, and Merkel is now the last of the presidents core European partners standing. Obama has again tried to do his part to give her a boost, traveling to Germany last month to heap praise on his long-time partner. I value Angelas leadership, he said. If I were German and I had a vote, I might support her. He added: But I dont know whether that hurts or helps. Merkel acknowledges that she faces a tougher task this time after cruising to victory in 2013. While her conservative party is well ahead in polls, it faces new competition from the upstart nationalist Alternative for Germany party, which has thrived by attacking Merkels migrant policies. It also faces the possibility of three left-leaning parties linking up to put it out of government, if they can win enough votes and overcome deep policy divisions although that currently looks like a long shot. And it must smooth over tensions with its Bavarian ally, the Christian Social Union, which has differed with Merkel over migrants. Merkels party re-elected her unopposed as chairwoman on Tuesday, with 89.5 percent of delegates supporting her. That was solid, but down from 96.7 percent in less-troubled times two years ago. The 2017 election will be more difficult than any election before, at least since German reunification, Merkel said, citing the strong polarization of our society. (AP) [COMMUNICATED CONTENT] A family moves from France to Israel, the parents hoping to make a better Jewish life for their children. For 14 years they do the best they can, their mother leading the family, working day and night to take care of everyone. Who will step in if something happens to her? Chantal C. is the eternal optimist. From the day she and her husband Yaakov landed in Israel and moved to their Beit Shemesh home her hope, her plan, was that they would raise their children here in happiness. They would handle any hurdle or obstacle that came their way. But despite her optimism, it wasnt to be. Yaakovs disability and breathing problems prevented him from holding down a full time job. Chantal worked for hours on end at low paying jobs, barely able to cover their bills. The family lived in poor conditions, struggling to buy food, unable to provide their children with new clothing, but always with hope that at some point because of her work and determination things would improve. Steadily, despite Chantals hard work, perseverance and bright outlook their debt continued to grow. CLICK HERE to help this family Chantal never despaired, though. She never gave up hope that things would improve and she never gave up, period. Determined to do the best she could to keep her family afloat, she kept working as hard as possible, employed full time as a dishwasher for a caterer, often starting at 5:00 a.m. and continuing until late hours of the day. Sometimes she even worked at night, too. It wasnt until this past September that she was forced to stop. Right before Rosh Hashana Chantal began having odd pains in her side and other strange health issues. At first she hesitated to visit the doctor, as that would take her away from work, away from doing her best to care for her family. But once the pains lingered and intensified, she went for her appointment. The grim CT results showed tumors, many of them, in her lungs, in her liver and in her intestines. Chantal had apparently been sick for quite some time without knowing it. Never one to complain, even had she suffered discomfort she would not have mentioned it to anyone. She was not daunted by her news, however. After an initial hospitalization (which she dreaded because it took her away from her job) radiation and chemotherapy appointments were scheduled. Ever the optimist, she accepts they are just one more thing she will have to deal with and she has started the sessions. Unfortunately the already dire situation in her home has now grown worse. The poverty is compounded by Chantals days of lost income. Though he takes every opportunity to bring in income for his family, Yaakov cant hold a job for more than about two weeks, as employers hes had wont keep someone who isnt physically stable and can barely get up a few steps to get to work. The debt is overwhelming and the poverty is unimaginable to most people: Chantal cant afford to travel to her chemotherapy appointments. She has reluctantly had to borrow money from a friend for transportation, but doesnt know for how much longer she will be able to do so. Her 14 year old daughter hasnt gone to school in months-not because she is incapable of learning but because her parents owe too much money to the school. The living conditions in the home are frightening-there are no doors on any of the rooms. Most people would not use their bathroom. There is one jar of olives in the refrigerator and on a recent Shabbos their meal consisted of tuna from a can. CLICK HERE to help this family But if you speak to Chantal (Simcha bat Chava), if you spend time with her, you will only see a bright- eyed woman full of life, strength and joy (as she is aptly named). Someone who must keep moving forward. The situation in the home is alarming, her health is in grave danger, yet Chantals main worry right now is once again not for herself, but for her children, including getting her daughter back in school. She wants so badly to provide for her familys most basic necessities but without her small income her situation is worse than ever. We could not hear about Chantals heartbreaking story without trying to help her and her family. As we dont know what her future holds, we must collect $7,200 as soon as possible. With it we can allay some of her worry by getting her daughter back in school, putting proper food on the familys Shabbos table and covering transportation costs so she can continue her chemotherapy treatments. Though Chantals prognosis is grim, her inner strength and optimistic outlookdrive her towork through her illness. She says Thank G-d I have optimism, I dont own a lot, but my optimism? No one can take that from me. CLICK HERE to help this family Milkas Fund, founded and managed by Yad Eliezer is a safe and secure way of donating money to help individuals with compassion and enable them to live a life with their problems solved. The good news for Chris Christie is that his Worst Year Ever is almost over. The bad news: Its not over yet. And two new polls out Tuesday serve as a reminder that as bad as things have gotten, theres still room for him to fall even further. A poll from Quinnipiac University suggests that just 19 percent of New Jerseyans approve of the job Christie (R) has done, while a whopping 77 percent disapprove. And another poll from Fairleigh Dickinson University puts those numbers as 18 percent and 73 percent, respectively. In both cases, four times as many disapprove of Christie as approve. Those are about as bad as it gets for a politician who isnt about to be forced out. A look back through recent scandal-ridden statewide politicians shows the only one in worse shape in recent years was former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich (D). Blagojevichs approval rating got all the way down to 3 percent in late 2008 after his home was raided and he was charged with corruption, according to a poll from Ipsos and McClatchy, with 85 percent overall disapproving and 77 percent disapproving strongly. Another poll pegged his approval at 7 percent. The numbers came as there was massive pressure on him to resign; 7 in 10 wanted him to do so, per the latter poll. Eventually, Blagojevich did resign, and he was later sentenced to 14 years in prison. Former South Carolina governor Mark Sanfords (R) bizarrely handled sex scandal think the Appalachian Trail sunk his approval to 32 percent by the following year, according to an automated SurveyUSA poll. Sanford served out his term and has since recovered to win a special election for the U.S. House, where he still serves. Former New York governor Eliot Spitzer (D) whose own political comeback attempt came up short a few years back resigned quickly before the effects of his 2008 prostitution scandal could be measured by pollsters. But previous polls had already shown his approval rating as low as 21 percent, for other reasons. When Spitzer opted to run for New York City comptroller in 2013, though, he started out pretty popular at least in the city with a 53 percent approval rating. In 2009, then-Sen. John Ensigns (R-Nev.) extramarital affair with a staffer dropped his approval rating to 39 percent in a Las Vegas Review-Journal poll. Ensign stayed in the seat until 2011, when he resigned rather than face an ongoing investigation from the Senate ethics committee. These are anecdotal, yes. But its worth noting just how seriously Christies public image has eroded. Hes basically in worse shape than anyone on this list not named Blagojevich. The Q poll shows 71 percent of New Jerseyans say hes not honest and trustworthy. The FDU poll shows 71 percent thought he should have been a defendant in the Bridgegate trial. Christie maintains that he will stick it out, but his final year-plus isnt going to be easy if these numbers are any indication. (c) 2016, The Washington Post Aaron Blake [COMMUNICATED CONTENT] BINA Stroke and Brain Injury Assistance, the only organization providing guidance and assistance to stroke and brain injury survivors in the Jewish community, will host its annual dinner on Sunday, December 11, 2016 at Ohel David & Shlomo, located at 710 Shore Boulevard in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn. The event begins at 7:00 p.m. and the program will commence at 8:00 promptly. Dr. Jeffrey Farkas, a nationally renowned Interventional Neuro-Radiologist at the NYU Lutheran Comprehensive Stroke Center in Brooklyn will be honored with the Healthcare Leadership Award. Dr. Farkass groundbreaking stroke treatment methods have saved countless lives and allow many stroke survivors to maintain their precious quality of life. The well-deserved Community Inspiration Award will be presented to Mr. and Mrs. Yossi Tyberg, beloved residents of Flatbush and highly regarded in the Jewish music industry. Mr. B.Z. Weiss will share a personal and gripping account, My Familys Journey, of the many twists and turns his family has experienced in his teenage daughters journey to recovery from a stroke. In the words of a close family member of a young brain injury survivor, It is not possible to elaborate on the full scope of the incredible work that BINA has done for us. From the moment our family was hit with the tragedy of a devastating brain injury, BINA has stood at our side, providing support and guidance any time of the day and night. They have escorted us through the complex maze of neuro- rehab and done their utmost to make this long and arduous journey as smooth as possible. BINA has been there for us in our time of distress, and now we would like to express our appreciation and enable them to continue assisting anyone in need. The father of a childhood stroke survivor attests, When we started our journey over two decades ago, there was no one to help us. No one to tell us where to turn, what to expect, which physicians to see, what tests to have, and so on and so onNothing. When BINA came into our lives, it was like someone turned on the light switch. Finally, there were people who knew what we were going through, what needed to be done for our child, and who truly cared and wanted to help. BINA is there with knowledge and understanding, so that people are no longer alone in their ordeal. A brain injury can happen to any person of any age at any time and the devastation in its aftermath affects every member of the family. BINA has assisted thousands of families in the United States, Canada, Israel and Europe dealing with the upheaval of stroke and brain injury resulting from falls, car accidents, strokes, aneurysms, brain tumors and other neurological conditions. BINAs comprehensive system of rehabilitation referrals, case management, crisis intervention and caregiver support services allow brain injury survivors and their families to access the best possible care while on the long road to recovery. Educational events presented by leading experts in the field are also conducted for both professionals and the community at large. With the help of concerned individuals in the community, BINA can ensure that no need goes unmet for brain injury survivors and their families. To place your ad and for dinner reservations, please contact BINA at 718-645- 6400 or [email protected], or go to www.binausa.org/dinner. The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations is co-hosting an early Hanukkah party next week at President-elect Donald Trumps newly opened hotel blocks away from the White House. The choice of venue has angered many in the Jewish community, including some of the organizations that make up the Conference of Presidents. This decision is tone deaf at best, naked sycophancy at worst, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the president of the Union for Reform Judaism, said to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. Jacobs, who leads Americas largest Jewish denomination, said that the umbrella organization for Jewish institutions should never have picked Trumps hotel when Trump himself is still figuring out how to manage conflicts of interest between his business and his presidency. Jacobs recommended one of the approximately 3,000 other possible locations in downtown Washington. But Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents, said Trump International Hotel is the best location for the party. It was done purely on a pragmatic basis, he said. The reasoning behind it was nothing to do with the Trump name. The Azerbaijani Embassy is hosting the Dec. 14 party, with the Conference of Presidents as a co-host, and many of the 150 to 200 guests will also be attending a White House Hanukkah party that night, Hoenlein said. The embassy started planning the party in the past two or three weeks, Hoenlein said, and the venues that they initially looked into including the Hay-Adams hotel, which is just across Lafayette Square from the White House could not accommodate them, Hoenlein said. The fact that the Conference of Presidents requires kosher food at the event also narrowed the list. But people in the Jewish community have complained that by paying to rent space in the hotel, the organizations are supporting Trump. The president-elect has few fans in the community 71 percent of Jews voted for Hillary Clinton last month, while 24 percent voted for Trump. And since the election, the Anti-Defamation League, Union for Reform Judaism and other major organizations have expressed alarm about Trumps ties to top adviser Stephen K. Bannon and others linked to anti-Semitic websites and views. The activist group IfNotNow said it will organize a protest of the Hanukkah event. Hoenlein said he saw no problem with the Conference of Presidents paying for space in the Trump hotel for the party. They think whatever amount of money, its going to support him? he asked. What are you going to do, boycott the next president of the United States in everything? He said the choice of venue was not meant to help the organization get in Trumps good graces. The idea that the president-elect even knows who rents a room for two hours, I think, is so far from reality. The other sponsor, the nation of Azerbaijan, is a Muslim country with ties to Israel Azerbaijan recently helped Israel fight massive fires that forced 60,000 people to leave their homes late last month, and Israel has been criticized for selling arms to Azerbaijan. At the Hannukah party, Hoenlein said, attendees will talk about the little-known history of Jews in Azerbaijan, who have lived there since Talmudic times. (c) 2016, The Washington Post Julie Zauzmer House conservatives intend to re-launch an effort Tuesday afternoon to force a vote to impeach Internal Revenue Service commissioner John Koskinen this week in the final days of this congressional session. The impeachment drive, confirmed by Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio and his office, comes after he and other members of the House Freedom Caucus had agreed to delay such action in September, at the urging of Speaker Paul Ryan and other party leaders. Reps. John Fleming of Louisiana and Tim Huelskamp of Kansas had earlier offered a privileged resolution to force a vote on impeaching Koskinen after Republicans accused him of impeding an investigation into whether the tax agency improperly targeted conservative non-profits. If such a resolution motion is offered Tuesday afternoon, and is deemed privileged, then the House has two legislative days to hold a vote. House Republicans are expected to leave Washington by Friday. If the resolution is adopted, it could carry over to the 115th Congress, meaning the Senate could consider action next year, according to House parliamentarian Thomas Wickham, Jr. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy indicated that saddling the Senate with an impeachment trial a prospect that has gathered little enthusiasm among senators could delay other priorities. That would be a problem for repealing Obamacare, he said without elaborating. Impeachment is also unlikely to succeed, because it would require two-thirds of senators present to convict. Next year, Republicans are currently expected to hold no more than 52 of the 100 seats. Koskinen, whose term is scheduled to end in November 2017, has said that a new president can always ask me to step aside sooner. That could put President-elect Donald Trump in the awkward position of removing and replacing the head of an agency he says has been auditing him for 12 years or more. In the last week, both Fleming who is leaving Congress at the end of this year and incoming Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows, who was elected Monday night, had been non-committal in interviews on whether the Koskinen measure would be taken up in the final days of the current Congress lame-duck session. But on Tuesday, during an appearance at an event with Judicial Watch, the conservative watchdog group, Jordan, the Freedom Caucuss outgoing chairman, said the motion would be introduced Tuesday afternoon. We have tried everything else, he said. His office later confirmed that Fleming indeed plans to offer the privileged resolution. The Treasury Department, which oversees the IRS, has called the impeachment drive baseless and a distraction, adding that Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew continues to have full confidence in Koskinen. Impeaching the IRS commissioner would be an unprecedented move for Congress, which has never removed an official below the level of Cabinet secretary. The House resolution includes four articles of impeachment, including one accusing Koskinen of engaging in a pattern of conduct showing he is unfit. Fleming has argued that Koskinen made false statements to Congress, which confused the investigation. Koskinen has acknowledged that the agency failed to preserve all the information that congressional investigators sought in 2014 probe of the agency. When he took office in December 2013, he was immediately mired in the agencys response to a scandal that predated his tenure: IRS officials admitted giving extra scrutiny to conservative groups that sought tax-exempt status beginning in 2010. Congressional subpoenas to the agency sought all communications sent or received by Lois Lerner, the agencys former director of exempt organizations. Despite the pending subpoenas, IRS employees in West Virginia magnetically erased 422 backup tapes, which eliminated as many as 24,000 of her emails, in March 2014. Subsequent investigations by the Justice Department and the Treasury Departments inspector general found that the destruction was accidental. Regardless, Koskinen testified to Congress in June 2014 that since the start of this investigation, every email has been preserved. Nothing has been destroyed. He has said since then that his testimony reflected his understanding at the time. The impeachment resolution requires a simple majority of the House. It would then go to the Senate, which would try the case. Senate leaders have indicated that they dont favor an effort to impeach Koskinen. As recently as Monday, Fleming had said in an interview that nobody has approached me about relaunching the impeachment resolution. Again, its not about the fireworks, he said. Its about making the change. You know, we have a new sheriff in town in terms of the Oval Office. He added: But really, the thing that ought to happen is he ought to resign. And hopefully he will. (c) 2016, Bloomberg Billy House UNDP, so far, has released six Arab Development Reports, and the theme of the reports say how the condition has worsened in region from 2002 to 2016 By Santosh Chaubey: "The prospects of young people in the region are, now more than ever, jeopardized by poverty, economic stagnation, governance failure and exclusion, all compounded by the violence and fragility of the body politic." That, we can say is the central theme of the latest Arab Development Report (ADR 2016) released the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recently. UNDP, so far, has released six ADRs, and the theme of the reports say how the condition has worsened in region from 2002 to 2016. The first ADR, in 2002, was themed on opportunities, while the latest one, in 2016, raises tough questions on the very real possibility of yet another round of Arab revolution or awakening, five years after the Arab Spring of 2011. advertisement WILL IT BE ARAB SPRING 2.0? It seems so if we go the findings of the latest ADR - "Arab Human Development Report 2016: Youth and the Prospects for Human Development in a Changing Reality". The 2011 Arab Spring was largely youth driven who were well connected through social media. They were staring at a blank when it came to future security. Five years later, the Arab unemployment rate remains abysmally low. At 30%, it is double the global average. Moreover, today's youth are more educated and more connected but less employable. And the discontent is brewing. The ADR says, "Events in the region since 2011 have demonstrated the ability of young people to initiate action and catalyse change. They demonstrated young people's awareness of the serious challenges to development posed by current conditions, and their ability to express the dissatisfaction of society as a whole with those conditions and its demands for change. These events also revealed the depth of the marginalisation that young people suffer and their inability to master the instruments of organised political action that could guarantee the peacefulness and sustainability of such change." The youth in the region are cursed to live in a region of despotic leaders that, with a population base of 5%, has seen 14% of the world's terror. The corresponding data set is even worse. The Arab region has 57.5% of the world's refugees and 47% of the world internally displaced. The region saw the world's 68.5%% of battle related deaths from 1989 to 2014. The global average is 27.7%. Average military expenditure per capita of the region is over 65% of the global average. The report indicates rapidly increasing conflict zones in the region and says by 2050, 3 of 4 Arabs would be living in the high conflict zones. IT LOOKS SCARY Such abysmal figures tell of a bleak future, especially for its youth who have even fewer opportunities than 2011 and are now compartmentalized in different conflict zones and unable to move, the report says. And they are the largest chunk of the Arab population - two-thirds of them are below 30 years. And they have nowhere to go. The report writes, "Young people's awareness of their capabilities and rights collides with a reality that marginalises them and blocks their pathways to express their opinions, actively participate or earn a living. As a result, instead of being a massive potential for building the future, youth can become an overwhelming power for destruction." advertisement The report paints a worrying scenario, "Youth in the Arab region suffer to varying degrees as a result of the state of human development. Young people feel deeply anxious about their future and are gripped by an inherent sense of discrimination and exclusion. Many of them do not receive good education, find suitable employment, or have appropriate health care. Moreover, youth in Arab countries are insufficiently represented in public life, and have no meaningful say in shaping policies that influence their lives." THEY ARE NOT VOTING BUT PROTESTING When we see the youth voting rates, at 68.3%, it is lowest in the world. The global average is 87.4%. But it doesn't mean that they are not participating in the sociopolitical processes. They are voting less but are protesting more. It means they don't have faith in existing governments. According to the report, over 18% of the Arab youths participated in protests in 2013, almost double of the global average of 10.8%. What other option do they have? A region run by despotic military rulers or monarchs that believes in spending more on arms and terrorism than human development as the figures above say was waiting for this to happen. All was well till easy oil money was there as the state could co-opt the dissenting voices while building palaces and businesses of those who roamed in the power corrdors. It is well known that most outfits and jobs in the Arab countries are in the government sector. But now, as the oil prices are historically low and future looks grim on price revisions despites the oil producing block OPEC's repeated attempts, that easy option is gone. advertisement The report says, "The gains in human development rarely translated into gains in productivity and growth because the model trapped human capital in unproductive public sector jobs, while building up a pyramid of privilege that gave economic advantages to companies and individuals closely linked to decision makers and reinforcing structural alliances among political and economic elites so they could protect their own interests. Ultimately, the model supported individuals from cradle to grave, but bequeathed a negative legacy." 2011 ARAB SPRING The 2011 Arab Spring had swept the Arab world in Middle East and North Africa. It resulted in removal of four despotic rulers - in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen - an ongoing civil war in Syria, Yemen and Libya - and series of large scale protests in Bahrain, Algeria, Somalia, Lebanon, Kuwait, Morocco and many other countries. Saudi Arabia, the largest oil producer which is ruled by a strict monarchy, also saw protests and its echoes are still felt with its continued purge of dissenting voices. In January this year, the country executed 47 people including Nimr al-Nimr, a Shiite Arab Spring voice. advertisement Except Tunisia, nowhere we have seen a successful power transition towards a democratic process. Egypt had a democratically elected government of the Muslim Brotherhood but its fundamentalism pushed people again to protest and now the army is back in the controlling role. Libya and Yemen are dark patches of civil and faction wars. Syria has become the scourge of the modern times pushing the largest contingent of refugees across the world. --- ENDS --- [PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] On Monday, November 28th, Agudath Israel of America, and four other Jewish education umbrella groups, hosted over 100 yeshiva principals and administrators from more than 80 schools at their Annual NYC Yeshiva Conference. The event, graciously hosted by Yeshiva Torah Vodaath in Brooklyn, was introduced by Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel. Rabbi Zwiebel provided an overview of recent educational developments and their potential impact on yeshivos, including the selection of Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education. Moreover, he invited the opportunity to report to, and partner with, yeshivos. With this kind of collaboration, continued Rabbi Zwiebel, yeshiva students can be represented before NYC officials in a way that promotes the best possible educational opportunities for our children. The event launched with a review of several federal programs available to NYC yeshiva students and educators, including professional development, summer programs and literacy training. Agudath Israel, together with its Jewish educational partners the Alliance for Yeshiva Education, the Jewish Education Project, Sephardic Community Federation, and the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg expressed their pride at having facilitated increased yeshiva participation in Title I services. By restructuring service provider delivery to a model which comports with the yeshiva schedule, students in need of extra instructional support have truly been able to benefit from the supplemental programming that Title I was meant to provide. While a decade ago, only about 30 NYC yeshivos received Title I support, nearly 130 yeshivos are receiving such services today. The Every Student Succeeds Act, the new, overarching federal law governing education, effective Fall 2017, was then reviewed. Specifically, four key provisions of the law were outlined, along with their potential educational benefits to nonpublic schools. This was followed with a presentation of three pilot programs, already in negotiations with the NYC Department of Education, to implement the educational doors ESSA opens. The Conference concluded with a lively question and answer session. The information at this meeting is essential for yeshivas. To provide the best education for their students, and not miss opportunities, yeshivos must be aware of what educational programs are out there, said Avrohom Weinstock, Esq, Associate Director of Education Affairs. Miss Chaya Faigie Jundef, Secular Studies Principal of Nefesh Academy, spoke warmly of the benefits of attending. Just being in a room with so many yeshiva faculty members is a powerful experience; it provides support and networking opportunities I was especially intrigued to learn about potential options under ESSA, which can be a huge asset for struggling students. I am grateful to the dedicated teams at the Agudah and its partners in advocating for our schools. (By: Judith Dinowitz / YWN Desk NYC) [COMMUNICATED CONTENT] The New Year is right around the corner which means another year of antiquated documents are ready to shred! Whether you are a lawyer, doctor, accountant, university or practically any other business, educational environment or even every day residence another year of confidential record retention has met data storage compliance regulations. Shredding documents is not just about cleaning your home and office it is about preventing identity theft and securing client and patient data. LionCage is New York and New Jerseys answer to document and hard drive shredding. This year make sure LionCage is part of your end of year routine! There are a lot of shredding companies out there what is special about LionCage? LionCage provides on-time, onsite document shredding services as well as hard drive shredding across NY & NJ. Our late model trucks have massive industrial shredders that can literally do tons of shredding per day ensuring that no job is to big or small. Our strong friendly staff does all the schlepping helping ensure that LionCage is not only an affordable solution but a convenient solution. LionCage is locally owned by Moti Mitteldorf & Eli Rowe, and is NYC BIC certified as well as NAID AAA certified for onsite shredding. LionCage services homes and businesses alike. Our large fleet of vehicles more of than not allow us to offer great rates and often same day service! What should you shred? While many documents such as old bank statements, credit card offers, social security and old checks are common sense to shred there are many documents such as garbage mail, printer errors and old school records you should shred. It is also essential to review yearly receipts and statements such as pay stubs and ATM receipts. If you are no longer required by legal retention policies then it is time to shred these documents that criminals may seek. What should you keep? The IRS recommends keeping records from anywhere between 3 and 7 years depending on the circumstances surrounding them. Records that you will have a hard drive retrieving in the event of an audit you should keep as well. If you are a physician HIPAA requires that you hold medical records for periods of time, however many records can be scanned and saved in digital format. LionCage offers scan and shred services as well. Using LionCage Cost $$$ Why Cant I shred myself?? 5 Reasons to Hire a Document Destruction Company Though paper is less used today than it was 10 years ago the data that is on the paper is more valuable. Paper continues to be a highly integrated element of day-to- day operations across most homes and workplaces across the board paper sales and statistics suggest that its not going to change any time soon. However what has changed is that today privacy laws are much stricter and enforced like no in the past, fines for noncompliance may be in the thousands per violation. Here are 5 reasons why every home and business in the New York New Jersey area should partner with a shredding solution such as LionCage 1. Information Security Outsourcing to a reliable document destruction company with a secure chain of custody safeguards sensitive information and reduces the risk of a data breach. Clients with ongoing shredding needs receive a locked bin for employees to dispose of confidential papers, home users and one time purges will have our state of the art truck come on-site and shred papers in front of your eyes. All clients receive a Certificate of Destruction 2. Compliance Compliance regulation/laws make it a legal responsibility to properly manage all sensitive information, with hefty penalties for businesses that dont. Non business (Home Users) need to ensure credit card offers, bank records, old non needed medical records are disposed of properly as well to help prevent identity theft. 3. Cost Effectiveness Cheap office shredders are good for shredding a few papers, however when constantly shredding, cheap shredders break plus the man power involved in hand feeding shredders and clearing out jams is not time or cost effective. 4. Convenience Leaving the regular disposal and destruction of confidential documents to the experts is convenient. Using our service for one time or reoccurring service you can rest assured that your documents are permanently destroyed eliminating document theft risks. 5. One Stop Shop LionCage offers ONSITE licensed, insured hard drive shredding and document shredding. Recently there have been charities and businesses offering free pickup of computers and electronics and making money selling scrap metal, similar to the pickup of used cars, however unlike cars computers, copiers etc contain sensitive data. Many if not all these companies are NOT NAID nor BIC certified. It is ILLEGAL in NYC (5 boroughs) to shred or transport in NYC without a BIC license. To view a list of licensed companies you can visit the NYC page http://www.nyc.gov/html/bic/downloads/pdf/pr/licapproved.pdf. Mention YeshivaWorld for a 10% discount. [PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] On Sunday, 4 Kislev, YWN-ISRAEL reported the Galil Hospital in Nahariya was calling on City Hall to take care of the broken garbage compactor as trash was mounting all over the hospital compound. On Tuesday 7 Kislev the compactor is still not operating and the garbage has gotten way out of control. Hospital officials warn of the obvious health hazards associated with mounting garbage in addition to the dangers of medical waste being among the mounting trash. Hospital management continues sending letters and contacting officials at City Hall, which they explain is responsible for the garbage collection, but so far, nothing has changed. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) The Im Tirtzu movement turned to Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit on Monday 5 Kislev with a request to open a criminal investigation against MK Jamal Zahalka (Arab Bloc) for his continued residency in an illegal home. Last year, Channel 10 reported that MK Zahalka was living in an illegal community built in Kafr Qara a revelation uncovered by a drone sent by the Regavim organization. This week the Israeli news site NRG reported that MK Zahalka is still living in his illegal home in clear violation of the law, despite instructions from the Knesset Planning and Construction Committee to destroy the community, including the MKs home. Following the report, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu posted the story on his Facebook page, writing: In the State of Israel there will not be two sets of laws. One law for all also for Members of Knesset. I expect from the rule of law protectors on the Left and in the media, who for some reason are maintaining a deafening silence, to join in this just demand. Im Tirtzu CEO Matan Peleg emphasized that the average citizen expects his elected representatives to act with the utmost integrity. MK Zahalka continues to ignore the law and its time for the Attorney General to act accordingly. For a lawmaker to disrespect the law is without a doubt an utter disgrace to the Knesset. The fact that this MK maintains a Palestinian and anti-Israel agenda does not put him above the law. The letter sent to the Attorney General by Im Tirtzu concluded: In light of the above, we call on you to open a criminal investigation against Member of Knesset Jamal Zahalka in accordance with the authority of the Office of the Attorney General. Attached is the letter sent to the Attorney General. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) On Monday 5 Kislev, after a dramatic legal struggle of over two and a half years, the Attorney Generals office retraction of its indictment of border policeman Ben Deri was announce. The following morning Honenu director Shmuel (Zangi) Meidad made a statement in response to the announcement that a plea bargain had been reached between the Attorney Generals office and Attorney Tzion Amir, who is representing Ben Deri on behalf of Honenu. Ben Deri was accused of killing an Arab rioter who threw rocks at border policemen during protests in Bituniya near the Ofer Military Base on Nakba Day in May 2014. The situation is crazy, said Meidad. Over and over again IDF soldiers and border policemen have returned from the battlefield in handcuffs. One must remember with whom we are dealing. The casualty is a masked Arab youth who, with hundreds of other Arabs, threw rocks with the intent to injure soldiers. If a soldier acted contrary to regulations that can be examined in the military framework. But the Attorney Generals office, usually as a result of pressures from hostile foreign organizations, demands prison sentences for soldiers who risk their lives for the sake of our security. Ben Deri was initially held for two months at the Abu Kabir detention center, then remained under complete house arrest with an electronic handcuff for over two years. After a prolonged trial the State of Israel retracted the indictment and the accusation that Ben Deri had intentionally loaded a live bullet in his weapons magazine. The State reached an agreement with Ben Deris attorney, Tzion Amir, which states that the defendant believed that he was shooting rubber bullets and was completely unaware that a live bullet had been loaded, by means unknown to him, among the other bullets in his magazine. After the retraction was announced, Attorney Tzion Amir, who is representing Ben Deri on behalf of Honenu, stated that, We are not going to formally respond until the final stage of the trial. Nonetheless we are satisfied with the fact that the Attorney Generals office has retracted its claims after two and a half years of trial. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) The rabbis who attended a secret meeting late one night this week were asked by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu not to reveal the context of the discussion that took place. In addition to the rabbonim, Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett was present as was Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked. The meeting was held late Monday night the eve of 6 Kislev in the Prime Ministers Office, and the rabbonim invited are members of the dati leumi community including Rabbi David Stav (Tzohar/Chief Rabbi of Shoham), Rabbi David Dudkevitz and Rabbi Elyakim Levanon (Chief Rabbi of the Shomron and Elon Moreh Hesder Yeshiva and Mora Dasra of that community). Kol Yehudi interviewed Rabbi Stav in the hope of learning something about the meeting. Rabbi Stav would not reveal anything, explaining I will not interview because it will bore you. We decided not to speak about anything of importance during the meeting. The Prime Minister invites so we come to listen. Kol Yehudi: We do not believe the meeting was held late at night, in secret coincidentally but there must be more to it. Rav Stav: When the Prime Minister meets and discusses things with you and asks they remain in confidence, it is his privilege. It is also reported that Rabbi Tzefanya Drori and Rabbi Shlomo Aviner were invited but did not attend. No explanation was given as to why. Kol Yehudi spoke with Mrs. Daniella Weiss, who has been an activist in the settlement movement since its inception. She is angered over the fact the rabbonim are unwilling to reveal anything pertaining to the meeting, stating it is also conspicuous that the elder of the dati leumi rabbonim, Rabbi Dov Lior, was not invited. Regarding what appears to be a deal-in-the-works regarding Amona, Weiss explained I dont call this a compromise but I call it betrayal. Her anger is not just directed at Bennet and Shaked, but Bayit Yehudi MK Betzalel Smotrich and the veteran settlement leaders including Zeev Chever (Zambish) and Pinchas Wallerstein. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) The French Le-Monde newspaper reports that documents revealed by Edward Snowden show the NSA (National Security Agency) and Britains GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) intelligence and security organization have been monitoring Israeli activities, spying on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu as well as Foreign Ministry officials, Israeli defense companies, PA officials and MK Dr. Ahmed Tibi. These particular documents, leaked in 2013, reveal information about the extent of US spying on its allies. Mentioned in the documents is a high-ranking Foreign Ministry official, along with contact information for political officials such as the Ambassador of Kenya. Also a subject of the spy network is Arab MK Dr. Ahmed Tibi, who was a former confidant to Yasser Arafat YSVZ. Some PA (Palestinian Authority) diplomats are also mentioned including former Prime Minister Abu Ala and PA representatives in S. Africa, Pakistan, Portugal, France and Belgium. The US spying reportedly also concentrated on defense companies including Ophir Optronics, which manufactures specialized optical fiber and laser lenses. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Now Person of the Year as well as president-elect, Donald Trump said Wednesday he expects to select his secretary of state next week and former rival Mitt Romney still has a chance to win the post. Yes, he does, Trump told NBCs Today. Romney, the 2012 presidential nominee, was blisteringly critical of Trump on foreign policy and other issues during the businessmans campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton. So Trumps consideration of him and Romneys inclusion on the short list for one of the Cabinets most prestigious positions has been a surprise. Trump has put Romney through a very public audition process and allowed aides to take the unusual step of denouncing him in interviews. Over the weekend, Vice President-elect Mike Pence said Trump was widening his search for his top diplomatic representative to the world, and a top transition official told The Associated Press that longtime Romney rival Jon Huntsman was now also in the running. In another development, the president-elect, appearing at a Manhattan transition fundraiser Wednesday, announced that he had selected Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as the new U.S. ambassador to China. Trump and Branstad are expected to appear together in Iowa on Thursday, according to transition officials. Meanwhile, Trump was named Time magazines Person of the Year, a choice the magazines managing editor said was straightforward given that Trump had upended politics-as-usual during the course of his extraordinary race for the White House. That phenomenon is not over. In one example, Trump drew the ire of China and others last week by taking a phone call from the leader of Taiwan. The New York Times reported on Wednesday that 1996 Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole, now a lobbyist, coordinated that call. The title, Trump said, is a great honor. It means a lot. In a separate interview with Time, Trump said he will work something out to help immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children and granted work visas by President Barack Obama. Trumps tough comments on immigrants during the campaign have led to fears among immigrant advocates that he would end Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Hundreds of thousands of young immigrants have gained work visas and temporary protection from deportation under the 2012 program. Trump offered no details in the Time interview but talked much more sympathetically than he had during the campaign. He said Were going to work something out thats going to make people happy and proud. As for Romney, Trump denied he was stringing Romney along to make him pay for saying the former reality show star was unfit to serve. No, its not about revenge. Its about whats good for the country, and Im able to put this stuff behind us and I hit him very hard also, Trump said in the telephone interview on NBC. Those close to the selection process have said that Trump has begun moving away from both Romney and another former front-runner for the post, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker and former CIA Director David Petraeus had also been previously identified by transition aides as part of the final four. In the wide-ranging NBC interview, Trump said he picked a fight with Boeing this week over the cost of new presidential planes because were going to get the prices down, and if we dont get the prices down were not going to order em. He said Boeing would benefit from his administrations tax cuts and reductions in regulations. The federal government has agreed that Boeing will build two new planes, which would go into service around 2024. That means Trump might never fly on the aircraft, which carry U.S. presidents around the globe. Trump also confirmed that he had sold stocks back in June, but neither he nor his aides have provided any evidence of the sale. The night before, Trump told supporters in Fayetteville, North Carolina, that he intends to be a president for all Americans. The his victory tour, which is meant to salute supporters in the states that helped propel him to the White House, will continue Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa. Hell also meet with some of the victims of last weeks car-and-knife attack at Ohio State University. Authorities have said university student Abdul Razak Ali Artan, 18, stabbed students before being fatally shot by police. He first rammed a campus crowd with his car before hopping out with a knife. They said Artan, a Somali immigrant, was inspired by Islamic State rhetoric. Trump has denounced the immigration policies that allowed Artan into the country. Trumps visit to Columbus, Ohio was revealed by a person familiar with the plans but not authorized to discuss them before they are announced. (AP) Traditionally, the governments of the day would announce the name of the chief-designate two months in advance, but the Narendra Modi government has changed the convention. By Ajit Kumar Dubey: On December 31, General Dalbir Singh is scheduled to hang his boots as the chief of the Indian Army. Traditionally, the governments of the day would announce the name of the chief-designate two months in advance, but the Narendra Modi government has changed the convention. Appointing its first Army chief, the NDA government has kept the force guessing about its next leader with only three weeks left in the incumbent's tenure. The whole Army is rife with speculations and guesses on social media messages creating more confusion about the name of the next Army chief. advertisement There is also talk about the government creating the post of a permanent Chairman Chiefs of Staffs - a four-star appointment, who will head the tri-services organisations. When asked to clarify the government's position on the issue, senior Defence ministry sources said the appointment of permanent, COSC was not heard even by them. "We made our recommendations almost two months ago on the panel of senior officers formed by us and forwarded it to the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) headed by the Prime Minister," they said. ALSO READ | Expect no change in Pakistan's anti-India policy after Bajwa takes over as army chief MANOHAR PARRIKAR REFUSES TO COMMENT Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said he did not want to comment on the issue as the ACC has to approve the appointments. The Defence ministry sources said the government does not want to follow the tradition of appointing services chiefs 80-90 days in advance as it did not want to create alternative power centers so early and this did not help in any way in functioning of the forces. Recently, some of the Army commander-level vacancies were filled up a week or 10 days after the incumbent had retired. Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba's appointment was also announced only 40 days ahead of Admiral Robin Dhowan's superannuation on May 31 earlier this year. In the Army, the panel formed by the Defence ministry for the appointment is learnt to include Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Pravin Bakshi, Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Bipin Rawat and Southern Army Commander Lt Gen PM Hariz. Of the three officers, the senior-most is Lt Gen Bakshi who is an armoured corps officer and was commissioned in the Skinners' Horse regiment. ALSO READ | Indian Army chief meets Nepal Army chief WHO WILL IT BE? He commanded the Jodhpur-based 12 Armoured Division and the YOL Cantt-based 9 Corps. He was the Chief of Staff of the Udhampur-based Northern Command, which handles the borders with both Pakistan and China. Considered to be an upright officer, he was given the command of the Kolkata-based Eastern Command which looks after the entire eastern frontier with China, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Vice-chief of Army staff Lt gen Bipin Rawat has wide experience in counter insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast. advertisement He was commissioned in the 5th battalion of the 11 Gorkha Rifles regiment and has even served in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in Congo. He was appointed as the vice-chief of Army staff when Kashmir valley was boiling over the killing of terrorist Burhan Wani and there were daily instances of stone-pelting there. Lt Gen PM Hariz is a mechanised infantry officer and is currently heading the Punebased Southern Command. The officer had been posted in Gujarat and commanded a formation there as a Major General. ALSO READ | Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag in China on visit to build trust --- ENDS --- The chief minister of Delhi said he would tell people that demonetisation was a scam to the tune of Rs 8 lakh crore aimed at benefiting PM Modi's high-profile corporate cronies. By India Today Web Desk: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has said that he initially thought PM Modi was honest, but he is now beginning to question the latter's integrity. Talking to Rajdeep Sardesai at the Agenda Aaj Tak event, Kejriwal tore into the Modi government and the BJP over the issue of demonetisation. He dared the Centre to order an inquiry into all the allegations that he had levelled against the government. advertisement Also read | Peace is fine but no compromises due to fear of war, says Manohar Parrikar at Agenda Aaj Tak The Delhi chief minister said he would tell people across the country that demonetisation was a scam to the tune of Rs 8 lakh crore aimed at benefiting PM Modi's high-profile corporate cronies. He went on to say that demonetisation was actually brought into force to help these business tycoons evade paying tax. DEMONETISATION NO SCAM: KEJRIWAL When Union Minister Nitin Gadkari was asked to react on Kejriwal's charges, he rubbished all the allegations as baseless. Gadkari wondered how could the decision be termed a scam as money was actually deposited in banks. Also read | Drama happening in the name of demonetisation: Anand Sharma at Agenda Aaj Tak On being questioned why mention of demonetisation and PM Modi's name made his hackles rise, Kejriwal was quick to clarify that people everywhere in the country were upset by the government over this decision and that it wasn't a case of his having differences with Modi. As many as 84 people have died in the wake of the announcement. Kejriwal said, "While declaring Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes invalid on November 8, PM Modi had assured that the step would put an end to corruption, black money, terror funding and circulation of counterfeit currency, but nothing has so far been achieved." The Delhi chief minister further alleged that government was fooling people in the name of demonetisation and that most of the fake notes were being seized from those belonging to the BJP. "Black-marketing and corruption hasn't ended, but only become more rampant. The government should have jailed corrupt leaders if it was actually serious about ending corruption. Why has the Centre not taken any action against Robert Vadra", Kejriwal asked. KEJRIWAL SMELLS CONSPIRACY IN DEMONETISATION MOVE He accused the BJP of a larger conspiracy in its attempt to crack down on black money. advertisement "The BJP first got rid of their black money, bought land and even asked their ministers to do the same. The Modi government then introduced the note ban because of which the common man is still suffering," he said. Also read | Ramdev at Agenda Aaj Tak: Modi is everything, I am nothing "It has been 30 days since the demonetisation move came into force and the economy has been badly affected ever since," Kejriwal said. CORRUPTION WEEDED OUT UNDER AAP RULE: KEJRIWAL The Delhi chief minister went on to claim that corruption was eradicated after the Aam Aadmi Party came to power. "AAP filed several cases against Sheila Dikshit, but Modi government filed no case against Robert Vadra," he added. "Public has been a witness to how the Modi government has never let the AAP work properly," said Kejriwal. Also read | Demonetisation has affected everyone: Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat at Agenda Aaj Tak When questioned upon who could be the CM in Punjab if AAP comes to power, Kejriwal said "the people of Punjab will decide on the CM candidate." --- ENDS --- Shares in Avocet Mining soared as it gave investors reason to be cheerful. The troubled gold miner has sold enough gold to cover its overheads until the New Year. Avocet had warned it could be forced into administration after it had 1,400 ounces of the precious metal seized by angry ex-workers. While the Burkina Faso-based miner has yet to recover the seized gold, it has now sold a shipment of more than 6,000 ounces of the metal. Ploughing ahead: Burkina Faso-based Avocet Mining has sold enough gold to cover its overheads until the New Year Avocet said its mine was in production with weekly shipments reinstated and it had enough capital to cover itself until early January when it should complete the sale of its project in Guinea. It added that it remained hopeful a settlement with the ex-workers would be reached in the coming weeks. Shares soared 3.4 per cent, or 6.6 per cent, to 54.5p. A month on from the US election, the FTSE 100 rallied 1.8 per cent, or 122.39 points, to 6902.2, finishing the day 60 points higher than on the eve of the vote. Rio Tinto topped the list as it reassured investors over a dispute in Mongolia. Shares climbed 6.6 per cent, or 200p, to 3221.5p. Biotech business Shire was the greatest faller among the top flight after UBS cut its rating on the stock and shaved 600p off its target price to 5000p. Shares slipped 4.5 per cent, or 204p, to 4357p. Spread-betting firms managed to regain some of their losses after being hammered in the previous days session. CMC Markets climbed 3.8 per cent, or 3.3p, to 118.8p while IG Group bounced back 5.9 per cent, or 28.4p, to 513.5p. Building back: Spread-betting firms managed to regain some of their losses after being hammered in the previous days session Accountancy firm Sage Group addressed rumours that it is looking at potential strategic options for its North American payments business, with a sale mooted as one of the choices. Sage all but confirmed the chatter as it said: There can be no certainty that this evaluation will lead to any transaction. Sage reported its full-year results last week, and said revenue in the North American part of the business had grown 4 per cent. But it listed the payments division among the underperforming parts of the group and said the sector was facing challenges. Shares gained 1.5 per cent, or 9p, to 628.5p. Inmarsat flew higher as it announced a deal to provide broadband on Air New Zealand flights. The mobile communications business will fit the airlines long-haul and short-haul fleets with its high-speed internet. The technology should start to become available on flights in the second half of 2017, and Inmarsat said domestic routes would be connected from 2018. Shares advanced 2.7 per cent, or 18.5p, to 717.5p. STOCK WATCH - UNITED CACAO United Cacao, which runs cocoa estates in Peru, yesterday announced that the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture had approved its soil study report. The report was submitted almost two years ago and is the final element needed for it to submit its application for environmental certification. United, which trades under the ticker CHOC, said a study of its estates had shown they were in an optimal growing environment and had been well-planted. It has planted some 1,843 hectares. Shares rose 4.1 per cent, or 5p, at 127.5p. Outsourcing group Carillion slipped as it blamed Brexit for a 1.14billion drop in orders. It said orders had slowed from 17.4billion a year ago to an expected 16billion in 2016. The firm said Government departments reassessing their spending after the referendum result affected performance. But the Wolverhampton-based business, which maintains railways and roads, said it still expected strong revenue growth and increased profit at year-end results. It also reported that its Canada business had been selected as the preferred provider for a power project contract worth around 120million. Carillion said it expected to agree final terms shortly, to enable work to begin before the end of the year. Shares slumped 3.8 per cent, or 9.6p, to 246.5p, making it the greatest FTSE faller of the day. Digital marketers Be Heard Group leapt as it acquired award-winning marketing agency Kameleon. Aim-listed Be Heard will initially pay 4million for the London-based group and a maximum of 10million over three years. Panicked investors wiped more than 1.3bn off Britains spread-betting firms in the wake of a crackdown by the City watchdog. The industry has boomed in recent years by allowing ordinary punters the chance to bet on financial markets in the same way as City traders. At the touch of a button on a mobile phone or computer they can take huge bets on currencies, stock markets and commodities such as oil, and ramp up their gains and losses through special investment deals. But concerns have grown that more than 400,000 customers each year are losing vast sums because betting on the financial markets has become so easy. Yesterday the City regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, launched a surprise clampdown on the firms, and in particular a type of bet called a contract for difference (CFD). These allow punters to increase their win or loss far more than their original stake. The FCA said eight in ten customers were losing money and vowed to better protect them. It sparked a rout as shareholders feared for their future earnings, wiping hundreds of millions off the companies involved. Shares in the sectors biggest publicly listed player IG Group plunged 38.4 per cent, or 301.9p, to 485.1p, knocking 1.1bn from its value. CMC Markets dived 37.6 per cent, or 69.4p, to 115p, losing 200m. And AIM-listed Plus500 shrank by 166m as the stock fell 28.3 per cent, or 144.5p, to 366.5p. British spread-betting firms serve 525,000 customers in the UK and abroad, and 80 per cent of them, or 420,000 people, lose money each year. The FCA said the average loss was 2,200. It is now proposing strict limits on how much can be bet and an end to the signing-up bonuses used to lure customers. Christopher Woolard, executive director of strategy and competition, said: We have serious concerns that an increasing number of retail clients are trading in CFD products without an adequate understanding of the risks involved, and as a result can incur rapid, large and unexpected losses. He said the FCA is introducing stricter rules for the CFDs to make sure firms make their retail clients aware of the risks. The announcement as markets opened yesterday caught the industry by surprise, with insiders saying they had been given no advance warning. This is negative period and CMC Markets and IG Group, the two that operate to the highest standards in the industry in our opinion, are collateral damage, RBS analysts said in a note. 114M LOSS FOR LEAVE CAMPAIGNER Former Tory grandee Peter Cruddas was nursing a 114m loss in yesterdays rout of spread betting firms. The 63-year-old entrepreneur who was Conservative Party co-treasurer until 2012 and gave 1m to the campaign for Britain to leave the EU founded CMC Markets in 1989 and still owns a 57.36 per cent stake. Shares dived 37.6 per cent yesterday, wiping more than 114m from his fortune. Cruddass wife Fiona, 57, lost 10.3m on her 5.13 per cent stake. Other investors burned by the rout included investment bank Goldman Sachs, which owns 5 per cent and is 10m out of pocket. Hedge fund boss Crispin Odeys firm controls 2.07 per cent of CMCs shares and is down 4.1m. Cruddas grew up on a Shoreditch council estate. He left school aged 15 with no qualifications and got work at money transfer firm Western Union, finishing shifts at 6pm before going to help his mother in her job as an office cleaner. By 2007 he was the Citys richest man and today has a personal fortune estimated at 780m. It took bosses several hours to respond to the announcement yesterday morning. CMC said firms reliant on inexperienced clients would suffer most, meaning its focus on higher-end customers who understand the market would offer some protection. Plus500 was more downbeat, saying that it expected a hit to business in Britain where 20 per cent of its turnover is generated. IG issued a warning that the plans would unfairly penalise British companies. There are 97 UK-based players in the national spread-betting market, handling 3.5bn of clients cash, and another 130 foreign firms licensed to sell into the country. These European Union businesses mostly based in Cyprus will not be officially governed by the FCA rules, although the watchdog said they could face an advertising ban if they did not fall into line. An IG spokesman said: The FCAs proposals do not appear to directly apply to firms operating from outside the UK offering CFDs and binaries to clients in the UK on a cross-border services passport from another EU member state. The FCA proposals have been put out to a consultation ending in March. As well as tackling CFDs, the watchdog has also put firms dealing in high-risk binary options on notice. These allow traders to bet on the direction of market movements and are regulated by the Gambling Commission. In some cases bets pay out after just 30 seconds leading the FCA to warn that punters could develop an addiction. And there were 305 fraud reports about binary options in the year to May. Flight figures EasyJet posted rising passenger numbers but failed to achieve double-digit growth like its low-budget rivals. The airline reported a 2.9 per cent increase in passenger numbers in November to 4.9m from 4.8m the year before. On the up: EasyJet reported a 2.9 per cent increase in passenger numbers in November to 4.9m from 4.8m the year before The EasyJet figures come after rivals Ryanair and Wizz Air toasted double digit growth in November with passenger numbers increasing 15 per cent and 19 per cent respectively. Petrol support BPs chief economist Spencer Dale has called for policy-makers to support petrol-cars over the electric vehicles that pose a huge threat to his industry. The number of electric vehicles could increase from 1.2m to 450m over the next 20 years, reducing growth in demand for oil by up to five million barrels per day. Hire power Ashtead has said end-of-year results will be better than expected thanks to the strong US construction industry and the fall in the pound. The industrial equipment hire firm posted 9 per cent growth in profits and an 8 per cent rise in rental revenue, gaining an extra 53m due to weak sterling. Scrumptious sales Real Good Food has posted a 5 per cent boost in sales thanks to strong performance in the cake decoration groups premium bakery division. It proposed its first dividend payment of 0.04p. Buying tobacco British American Tobacco is planning to raise its offer for Reynolds after the US cigarette maker rejected its first bid because it wasnt high enough. BAT, which already owns 42 per cent of Reynolds, had intended to pay 38bn but a deal is rumoured to be on the cards that could include a bump in price as well as a higher cash component, according to reports. Both parties are hoping the deal will be struck by the end of the year. Backing Britain Ineos has moved back to the UK six years after it fell out with the Government over a tax bill. The Anglo-Swiss chemicals company, which wants to frack for shale gas in the North East, opened its new headquarters in Knightsbridge, London. Billionaire founder Jim Ratcliffe said: We have immense confidence in Britains economic future. Diamond days Residents of the communities in south-east Nigeria remember clearly the day oil giant Shell first arrived in the 1950s. Children could hear the rumble of the trucks from a distance, so theyd wave at the drivers as they passed. It still happened when King Emere Godwin Bebe Okpabi, community leader of the Ogale community in Ogoniland, was growing up in the 1960s. The region, largely marshland and swamps, was poor but the British firm, with its modern technology and skilled engineers, seemed to represent a new era of prosperity. Speaking out: King Emere Godwin Bebe Okpabi, the Nigerian tribal king who is taking Shell to court over alleged damage to his community from oil spills Over the years, Shell built a base as it teamed up with the Nigerian government to lay miles of pipes. Their flare from their base was often the only light around, so we used to go near them to eat and tell stories, the King tells the Mail when we meet at his lawyers offices in London. Sometimes they showed movies, so we would go up to the wire fence and watch: American cowboy films, John Wayne. If a Shell Land Rover broke down we would be happy to push it sometimes you would not even wash your hands because you touched the Shell car. Now, the goodwill has gone. Shell is defending a multi-million-pound lawsuit lodged in the UK by King Okpabi. The 56-year-old father of six dressed in a gold linen robe remains upbeat despite the heavy responsibility he has taken on by coming to the UK. His English is fluent thanks to the years he spent as a taxi driver in Dallas in the 1980s. Big business: Shell is one of the worlds most powerful corporations, being valued at 88bn, and its chief executive Ben van Beurden (pictured) earned 4m last year In Nigeria, the Ogale community he represents says Shells pipes have been leaking oil, polluting water and wells. The King says this has dented livelihoods and that Shell should pay compensation. That there is pollution does not seem to be in doubt. But Shell insists it comes from crude oil theft, pipeline sabotage and illegal refining and says any case should be heard in Nigeria, not the UK. King Okpabi is adamant it should be in the UK. But his choice of law firm Leigh Day may raise eyebrows. Solicitors from the human rights specialists have been accused of hounding British troops over their actions in the Iraq War. They have submitted more than 700 claims to the controversial Iraq Historic Allegations Team whose 57million taxpayer-funded inquiry is probing allegations of abuse. Hundreds of claims have been thrown out, leading to calls for the witch-hunt to end. Shell is an obvious target for what some see as an opportunistic claim. One of the worlds most powerful corporations, it is valued at 88billion. In the midst of it: Villagers cover their faces from the smell of gas after an oil spill nearby in Nigeria's Ogoniland May 4, 2001 The issues in Nigeria highlight the problems facing oil giants who made pioneering steps to help African governments extract oil. The action lays bare an unwelcome issue that besets oil firms in politically volatile regions that of oil theft, where local communities illegally tap in to pipelines to extract crude before selling it on. Shell left Ogoniland in a hurry in 1993, facing huge social unrest and protests. But the facilities were not decommissioned and some pipelines still carry oil through the area. It is these, locals claim, which are leaking through decay and criminal damage, as well as larger spills. The King recalls noticing possible oil pollution effects as far back as 1970, when he and his family returned to the area they fled during the civil war in the 1960s. FROM DALLAS CAB DRIVER TO RULER OF 40,000 His Royal Highness Emere Godwin Bebe Okpabi, 56, represents around 40,000 people in the Ogale region of the Niger Delta. He left home in 1979 for the Nigerian capital of Lagos, and then emigrated to the United States in 1982. While living in Dallas, Texas, for many years, his jobs included cab driver. He moved back to Nigeria in 1991 and started working in business and politics. Among a number of roles, he became a special adviser to the Nigerian government. He became king in 2008, taking over from his cousin. The father of six now lives in a palace in the centre of the region that he claims has been blighted by oil pollution. One of his sons is studying in Hertfordshire. We noticed strange things happening, he says. Skin diseases, the water smelling but what do you do? People would drink it. After protests, the Nigerian government invited the UN to Ogoniland in 2005. Researchers surveyed 122km of pipelines, reviewed 5,000 medical records and spoke to 23,000 people. Their damning findings included threats to human health from contaminated water, and pollution that had perhaps gone further and penetrated deeper than many may have previously supposed. They described an 8cm layer of refined oil floating on groundwater for the community wells, and mangroves stripped of leaves and stems. In one area they found people drinking water containing 900 times the safe level of known carcinogen benzene. Researchers found not all spills were caused by corroded equipment, with illegal oil extraction locally also at fault. But they said the control, maintenance and decommissioning of oilfield infrastructure by Shell had been inadequate. They said people who had been drinking the polluted water should be put on a medical list. Can you imagine you live in a village with your children and this is what they have just told you? asks the King. If this was the UK, Shell would be talking by now. The King says that attempts to get Shell to talk to him have fallen on deaf ears. So he has joined forces with the nearby Bille kingdom to sue Shell through its joint venture with the Nigerian government, as well as the UK-listed holding company, Royal Dutch Shell, demanding a clean-up and compensation. The first step will be to convince UK lawmakers he has a valid case, and the King sat in the High Court last month listening to lawyers fight the issue. Evidence of pollution: King Okpabi, shows a picture taken near the Ogale area in Nigeria as he speaks during an interview in London in November 2016 Shell says that since it concerns matters in Nigeria, the case should be heard there. The company fears that allowing it to be sued in the UK could open the floodgates to litigation for its overseas business interests. It has more than 1,000 subsidiaries in 70 countries. The firm also says crude oil theft, sabotage and illegal refining are the key sources of pollution. There are about 129 illegal refineries in the region, which drain oil from its pipelines. Shell says many dump waste in rivers and swamps and that its access to the area is limited after a rise in violence. The King says there is little chance of justice in Nigerias corrupt courts. What drives me is the fact that this is the only alternative for my people, he says. A man in Nigeria's Ogoniland region looks at a mix of oil and water in a boat on the Bodo waterways, heavily polluted by oil spills attributed to Shell in 2011 A weariness overcomes his jovial demeanour. He says: Sometimes I get tired listening. What do you do when somebody comes to you and shows you ridiculous-looking rashes all around a little child, maybe a child of five years old, and who would cough terrible cough sore all over his skin. What do you do? In June, Nigeria announced an 80million programme to clean up the area. But Okpabi and his community want Shell to get on with it. A spokesman for The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria said: Both areas are heavily impacted by crude oil theft, pipeline sabotage and illegal refining which remain the main sources of pollution across the Niger Delta. Access to Ogale has been limited following a rise in violence, threats to staff and attacks on facilities. We believe that allegations concerning Nigerian plaintiffs in dispute with a Nigerian company, over issues which took place in Nigeria, should be heard in Nigeria. Kejriwal tweeted today in reaction to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung appointing an IAS officer to the Delhi Commission for Women. By India Today Web Desk: In yet another attack on Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today likened him to Adolf Hitler and said he will never become India's Vice-President since the government will never give a Muslim the post. "LG is acting like Hitler, following in footsteps of his masters Mr Modi n Amit Shah," Kejriwal tweeted today in reaction to Jung appointing an IAS officer to the Delhi Commission for Women. advertisement On Tuesday, Jung appointed IAS officer Dilraj Kaur as Member Secretary of the DCW. The move came eight days after Kejriwal had sought the removal of incumbent Alka Dewan, terming her appointment "unconstitutional" and against the consent of the Delhi government. AGENT OF BJP "In order to become the Vice-President, Najeeb Jung has sold his soul to Modi. Jung may do what he likes, but Modi will never make a Muslim the Vice-President," Kejriwal said in another tweet in Hindi. The Aam Aadmi Party has repeatedly accused Jung of being a BJP agent and having aspirations of becoming the Vice-President, an appointment often done to "appease" minorities or reward loyalists, as has been the case earlier. In its ongoing tussle with the Centre, the AAP has also targetted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party, the BJP, calling them anti-Muslim. The tenure of the current Vice-President, Hamid Ansari, ends next year. ALSO READ:Kejriwal fears for Manish Sisodia, says PMO planning to arrest him in false case --- ENDS --- The video of an Australian man punching a kangaroo in the face to free his dog had gone viral a few days ago. But do you know the story behind it? By India Today Web Desk: What would be your first reaction if your dog gets head locked by a kangaroo that is at least 7-foot-tall? Well, if you're someone like the man in the video below, the kangaroo is likely to get punched hard, in its face. While some called this a publicity stunt and a way to make quick bills, some felt the man was just defending his pet dog. advertisement Nonetheless, this astonishing video of a kangaroo getting punched by a man is GOLD and the video going viral within hours is proof. But, there is story behind the now viral video. Greig Tonkins, the man who punched the kangaroo, organised a hunting trip in June for a friend who was suffering from cancer His friend recently passed away. Greig Tonkins and few of his friends went to Condobolin, New South Wales to help their sick friend fulfill his wish of catching a wild boar. Greig works as a zookeeper (an elephant keeper, to be precise) in the Taronga Western Plains in Dubbo, NSW. Greig went apoplectic when he saw the kangaroo head locking his hunting dog named Max that he went straight to the beast, punched him in the face and freed his dog. The kangaroo was stunned after the punch and ran away into the woods. Take a look at the video down below: --- ENDS --- PITTING themselves against conservative religious institutions, a few dedicated activists in Lesotho, Swaziland and South Africa are working to gain greater acceptance of their countries lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities. Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) minister Andre Bartlett has been in talks with the church since 1999 in an effort to make it more inclusive of LGBTI people. He has also been pushing for the church to acknowledge LGBTI relationships and remove its celibacy clause, which prohibits openly gay ministers from entering into same-sex relationships. At the churchs synod in October last year, Bartlett and a fellow minister, Monty Sahd, put forward their proposal, and 64 per cent voted in favour of it. The decision surprised many, Bartlett included. But the progressive decision was overturned at a special synod meeting earlier this month, leaving Bartlett disappointed and appalled. Its like inviting someone over to your home for a meal and then, when they get there, slamming the door in their face, adds Louis van der Riet, another DRC Minister. But Bartlett is grateful that his years-long work with the church was not entirely in vain - the church has stipulated that the decision should not be forced on parishes. The oldest DRC congregation in the country, Cape Towns Groote Kerk, is one DRC parish that has decided to support its LGBTI congregants. In April this year, a report titled When Faith Does Violence: Re-imagining Engagement Between Churches and LGBTI Groups on Homophobia in Africa, was presented at the Homophobia and the Churches in Africa dialogue, held in Pietermaritzburg. The report found that sexuality has become a new site of struggle and the old theology does not fit, because it is founded on heteropatriarchy. Commissioned by the Other Foundation, the report also called for the historically inherited theology to be interrogated for its usefulness for the new site of struggle. Gerald West, a professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natals School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics, says most LGBTI people in South Africa have a faith commitment. Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM) Director Judith Kotze agreed. IAM was established in 1995 to raise awareness of diversity regarding sexual orientation and faith interpretation on the continent. Through his work with the Ujamaa Centre at UKZN, which ultimately aims to ensure social transformation, West wants to foster greater acceptance of LGBTI people by religious leaders. Also presented at the Churches in Africa dialogue - which drew 100 participants from 13 countries representing interested church groups and LGBTI organisations - was the report Engaging the Churches about Homophobia in Southern Africa: Understanding the past, present and future strategies. The report found that churches have been hotbeds for the creation and sustenance of homophobia and transphobia and that whether one is religious or not, there is no doubt that, as long as one lives in a community that is predominantly religious, such individuals lives would be influenced and affected by the larger society. According to the report, LGBTI individuals and groups have not given up the hope of being heard to eliminate the irrational fear that has been sown by those who do not want to see LGBTI persons being accorded the same status as all other beings in these societies. This is perfectly illustrated in the work that a Lesotho-based organisation, the Peoples Matrix Association, does. With a tiny staff complement of seven, the organisation, which was established in 2009, has been working with religious leaders in Maseru since 2010 to help shift perceptions and work towards inclusivity for the countrys LGBTI people. As part of the monthly dialogues and workshops it hosts, the organisation has sympathetic lecturers from the University of Maseru, as well as religious leaders, to facilitate discussions with more conservative church leaders. One such champion is the Roma-based Catholic minister, Tlali Phohlo. For Phohlo, his engagement with the organisation has proven to be beneficial. The dialogues are really enlightening because they challenge most of the tenets of our faith and make us rethink them. Mothopeng adds: There is a lot more acceptance now because people were interpreting the Bible very literally but are now interpreting it contextually. The Swaziland-based LGBTI rights organisation, Rock of Hope, has generally had the polar opposite response to its efforts to bring about change. Church leaders in Swaziland are not willing to engage in conversation and knowledge sharing on LGBTI issues, says Thuthu Magagula, the organisations acting director. Then in August this year, in a first for the country, Rock of Hope facilitated a discussion between church leaders, activists and members of the LGBTI community. Despite the heated turn the discussion took, she says a few church leaders expressed their willingness to take the conversation further. Kotze reiterates the need for the work of civil society organisations such as Rock of Hope. Africa is highly religious, so no change will come if the message is not translated into religious settings. West believes that the onus remains on the church to take the initiative. The church does not have the capacity to engage with sexuality without the guidance and support of civil society. So the churches must reach out. Unwilling to wait for this to happen, activists like Bartlett continue to forge ahead in their fight for acceptance. MANZINI Swazi nationals were last Friday hijacked by a brazen gang of thugs who stole their new car, a Ford Focus ST, valued at E300 000. The owner of the vehicle, who holds a managerial position in a local reputable company, said he was relaxing at a friends house in Durban on the night in question when a friend decided to use his car to drive to a convenience store to get a few items. On their way back, the driver opened the remote controlled gate and they drove into the driveway. As he tried to park the vehicle while reversing, he saw two men jumping out of a red BMW who immediately grabbed the gate. While the two grabbed the gate, two other men, who were armed with pistols jumped inside the vehicle and pointed the weapons at my friend and his passengers, said Joe* the owner of the car. He added that since his friends cooperated and never resisted with the vehicle and other valuable items, the group of men ordered them out of the car and stole their cellphones and cash among other items. Fortunately, no shots were fired and no one was injured. My friends informed me immediately that the car had been stolen and the police were called. The incident of the theft was reported to two separate police stations based in Durban. Hitched We hitched a ride in order to return to the country on a Monday as the paperwork for the car had to be sorted at the police stations. Despite the trauma that we experienced, I hope my vehicle will be recovered by the police. We are fortunate that no one was killed or injured, Joe added. BY SIBUSISO SHANGE MBABANE Signs have shown that the much anticipated Main Incwala Ceremony will be danced before Christmas this year. The first sign is the beginning of the Little Incwala, which commenced last week Tuesday at Ludzidzini Royal Residence. In the previous years, the Little Incwala normally lasted for about 14 days before the full moon on the 15th day where the King commissions the young boys (ingatja) to fetch the sacred shrubs (lusekwane) and the red leaves (imbondvo). This years calendar shows that the moon will be full on December 13, 2016 at exactly 5:06pm, which makes it a possibility that the boys might be commissioned to fetch lusekwane. The shrubs and the red leaves are used to cover the Kings enclosure during the event which attracts the entire nation to celebrate the first fruits of the harvest and independence. This comes three days after the commissioning of the boys, which is, during this year will be December 16. The nation also gathers at the cattle byre which is s sacred place and thank God for the blessings received in the country. They further ask for more blessings. The blessings include the rains through which the country gets food. The dancing of the main Incwala comes with good news to the fervent Swazis since they know what it entails. Customary, Swazis know that certain things like harvesting some crops is forbidden until after the ceremony. Ideally, the date of the event is determined by the phase of the moon. At the full moon, the King commissions the young boys to fetch the shrubs. After the Monarch has commissioned the young boys, the Ministry of Home Affairs then announces the exact date for the Main Incwala Ceremony. MBABANE I feel disappointed that I failed to curb corruption at Ezulwini Town Board. Right now I have been fired because I pointed out some corrupt practices of the CEO and some councillors. These were the opening allegations made by suspended councillor Nokuthula Mthembu during her appearance before the commission of inquiry into the operations of Ezulwini Town Board yesterday. She was the third person to make her submissions before the commissioners, which started last Thursday. The gist of her submission was that there was allegedly a lot of rot at the town Board. These are allegations made during the commission of inquiry and their veracity is yet to be determined by the commissioners. The rot, she alleges, manifests itself in different ways including councillors who only care about my road as if they were only elected to enrich themselves. As if it was her last day on earth, Mthembu made serious allegations during her appearance, with the main one being that she was being victimised for trying to curb corruption in the Town Board as she believes that the local government was not supposed to be antagonistic when it comes to people who pay rates. She admitted that there were many instances where she questioned so many decisions which were taken especially on expenditure. As if she had planned that she was going to give the commission a hard time, Mthembu began her submission by demanding to know its mandate. This was after the chairperson of the commission had welcomed her by asking her to give her side of the story on why there was an impasse which led to the inquiry. MBABANE In a rather unheard of incident, a 28-year-old womans head left medical staff stunned after it imploded at the Mbabane Government Hospitals Ward 10. The patient, Bongiwe Lushaba, who was on mental health medication, was admitted to the hospital to undergo further investigations by doctors for her condition. She had come to the hospital with a swollen head, a condition her father Elliot Lushaba said developed most recently, last month to be precise, to have it assessed by doctors. Elliot said they had to rush Bongiwe to hospital after an injury caused by a seizure that attacked his daughter while sleeping on her bed. She fell from the bed on to the floor, badly injuring herself and had to be taken to the hospital immediately. This was on November 23 when she was admitted. Bongiwe already had a scheduled appointment for November 29. She succumbed to the illness on November 30, when her head imploded, according to the health practitioners, said Elliot. Information gathered is to the effect that Bongiwe had been confined to her hospital bed following the persistent swelling of her head. However, while nurses continued to assist her, they just had a strange sound and all of a sudden, they noticed that the patients head had imploded. Parts of the brain matter, mixed with blood was seen oozing from her nostrils. Doctors were immediately called and they confirmed that the patient had died. By India Today Web Desk: This week's luxury budget task BB 10 Taxi Stand is proving to be quite taxing for housemates as they struggle to save their points as well as their relationships in the house. But it looks like, the task has already taken a toll on Gaurav and Bani's friendship. Or has it only exposed the hidden issues between them? advertisement In tonight's episode Gaurav will refuse to pay Bani the amount she will ask for, and this will lead to an altercation. Things will get ugly and Bani will walk away. Gaurav will question her habit of walking out of fights. "Aap walkout kyon kar ke jaa rahi hain, hamesha ki tarah. " Also read: Bigg Boss 10: It's confirmed! Manu Punjabi is back in BB 10 house Bani will later be seen telling Priyanka: "Bhaad main jaaye wo aur uski nakli si dost." Gaurav will share with Jason that Bani's behaviour is making it difficult for him to sustain this friendship. He will later tell Mona and Manveer that Bani expects a lot from him but doesn't meet the expectations herself. Priyanka and Rohan lock horns Priyanka Jagga will question Rohan if he is hiding anything. An argue will ensue. Priyanka will complain about Rohan's behaviour to Bigg Boss and will say that he is not willing to pay up the fine. Priyanka will also target Lopa. She will ask her if she has hidden her points somewhere. While she will tell her that she has lost them, Gaurav will recover Lopa's points from washroom and give it to Priyanka. Priyanka will then threaten to put Lopa in jail since she doesn't have any points left. Lopa will break down. Also read: Yes, it's true! Hina Khan is coming on Bigg Boss 10 Bigg Boss 10 airs Mon-Fri at 10:20pm and Sat-Sun at 9pm on Colors TV --- ENDS --- MBABANE What was meant to be a day of celebration turned to tragedy and mourning for preschoolers during their graduation. This, after Siphosethu Mhlabane (5), who was in Grade Zero at Larn Pre-school, was discovered by her teacher floating in the school swimming pool. The teacher had first noted that young Siphosethu was missing among her classmates who were rehearsing for a play to be showcased for parents and other guests during the graduation ceremony. The celebrations were held in a tent within the school premises. The pool is located behind the tent where the graduation proceedings were ongoing and it was covered with a safety net. Information gathered is to the effect that the teacher realised that Siphosethu was missing and asked the other children where she was and they told her that she had gone through the safety net between the pool and the tent. When she went through the opening, she saw the child floating in the pool and called other teachers for help. Present at the graduation were professional doctors, who had come to watch their children graduate and they also tried to resuscitate Siphosethu, only to find that it was too late. The 977 emergency response unit was also called and they arrived a few minutes later and tried all they could to help her but she had already passed away. The 977 team had arrived at the scene just after midday while the police, who had also been called after the doctors attempt to provide first aid to Siphosethu, arrived a few minutes before 2pm. (Comments) Revelations about the over E2,1 billion cost of hosting what has been dubbed one of the best SADC Summits in Southern Africa have put paid to speculation about a cash crunch that has driven dozens of suppliers and service providers to the edge after months of non-payment by government. No expense was spared for the big event, with some of the purchases lying idle now. Government has initiated a payment process to reduce the debt but not without drawing down our national reserves, which could pose further problems for our currency. Emerging reports suggest that the payment process is slow for some and a non-starter for others, adding further strain to an already frail business community that has made a huge sacrifice waiting and begging for payment. To convince the ordinary worker, who may have nothing to cheer this Christmas, that it was all worth it, will take more than just the word of mouth. Only action that ensures nobody continues to suffer another day of wait will prove to all and sundry that investing huge resources to host leaders of the Southern African region was done in the best interest of the people and not of those who were only too happy to be handpicked for lucrative tenders. We are very much aware that we have an ill-disciplined government when it comes to prudent spending as there are numerous examples to show, but some hard decisions need to be taken to stop unnecessary expenditure and focus on what will work for us. Government has always demonstrated a steadfast ability to focus its attention on a particular activity and get it done, even when it defies reason. Can it demonstrate this aptitude towards processing payments for our businesses and fulfilling other national obligations where shortages have reportedly partially paralysed government operations. It is hard to imagine that people cannot get a travel document this festive season due to stock shortages. The sooner our businesses can breathe again, the sooner we can talk about how best to maximise on the noble ideals of SADC that seek to create opportunities and markets for business growth that will ultimately elevate the economies of the region and improve the social well-being of its peoples, among other objectives. This is what will make the countrys chairmanship the huge success that it deserves and nothing else! Manu Punjabi is headed back to the Bigg Boss house after performing his mother's last rites. By India Today Web Desk: Manu Punjabi is back on Bigg Boss 10, after performing his mother's last rites in Jodhpur; he confirmed on Instagram. Manu's latest post on the photo sharing website is captioned as--"Last pic, back to BB's house now." The aam aadmi contestant had left the house Friday late night, to be with his family after his mother's demise. His fiancee Priya Saini, who was in Mumbai to shoot the Weekend Ka Vaar episode, accompanied Manu on the flight back home. advertisement Also read: Bigg Boss 10: Manu Punjabi to return to BB 10 house, confirms fiancee She had informed a daily that Manu would be back in BB 10 house after few days. Manu is among the most popular contestants on the show right now; and he did not disappoint his Jaipur fans who requested to click a selfie with him, even in this hour of sorrow. Also read: Bigg Boss 10 Weekend Ka Vaar: Mona and Manu's real life partners question their relationship on the show Manu's mother Sujata Punjabi, who was staying with Manu's brother Amar Punjabi in Jodhpur and was in her 70s, suffered a cardiac arrest on Friday night and was declared brought dead. Manu performed her last rites on Saturday, according to reports. --- ENDS --- By PTI: Bhubaneswar, Dec 6 (PTI) Stepping up their agitation against the BJD government in Odisha, the opposition BJP and Congress today took to streets blaming Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over police allegedly forcing women to remove their black stoles at his meeting in Sundargarh district on Sunday. BJPs women wing state unit president Pravati Parida made a formal complaint with the Odisha Human Rights Commission alleging that constitutional rights and dignity of women were hampered at the Chief Ministers meeting. advertisement She sought the rights panels intervention into the matter. "The police and BJD workers forced women to remove their black colour stoles/scarves/shawls at the venue of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaiks meeting in Sundergarh district," Parida said in the petition to the OHRC. Stating that it was against Odishas culture, Parida alleged the women who had gone to attend the meeting were subjected to "sexual torture under Chief Ministers orders." "Removal of black stoles/scarves/shawls from the bodies of the women has violated their fundamental rights and comments on clothes of women in public have infringed upon their human rights," she said. While, BJP activists in all blocks and urban pockets of the state staged agitation against the state government and burnt effigies of the CM as a mark of protest against the Sundergarh incident. Women activists of Congress also staged agitation in the state capital wearing black dresses. "The police under instruction of the Chief Minister has disgraced the women community of the state," women Congress state president Sasmita Behera said. Meanwhile, Patnaik has ordered an inquiry into the alleged incident and asked the Director General of Police to ensure that such incident do not take place elsewhere in the state. The state Assembly on Monday remained stalled for the day over the same issue when Opposition parties demanded unconditional apology from the Chief Minister. "We will raise the issue tomorrow in the House," said a senior Congress lawmaker. PTI AAM DKB RCJ --- ENDS --- Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Patrick Donachie An attorney who lives in Queens Village has founded a new non-profit that she hopes will bridge the gap between people of African descent living in the United States and people living on the African continent Kerryanne Burke incorporated the African Diaspora Birthright Organization in August in hopes of funding a trip for people from the United States who are descendants of the trans-Atlantic slave trade to visit western African nations such as Nigeria or Ghana. Burke started working as a legal associate for the state Assembly in 2013, involved with education policy, and the political process informed her approach to the new organization. Having been an Albany insider, learning about the ways politics works, and some of the pitfalls and positives, it let me know I want to do a direct service for people, she said in an interview. For me, I like to know Im helping someone in a tangible fashion. Burke is a first-generation immigrant, with her mother originally from Britain and her father of Jamaican descent. She said her ancestry made her interested in helping others to build a sturdier foundation of identity. I thought itd be nice to bring back that unity between us and Africans living on the continent. I find when you dont deal with the foundation of the issue, you cant move forward, Burke said. This is something to open up the conversation, to talk about slavery not only as an economic and social issue, but also losing your identity and what it means to be African. Burke said she has partnered with a Nigerian-based non-profit called UR 4 Africa. The proposed trip would last for at least a week, and Burke said the itinerary could include stops at museums and places that have preserved the holding cells where slaves were imprisoned prior to boarding ships bound for the Western Hemisphere. Travelers on the trip could also donate some of their time with local nonprofits, engaging in a cultural conversation with individuals living on the African continent. Burke said the trip could have an impact on communities here at home, once the travelers return. She said it was paramount to help people in search of their identity. Some of the big issues are poverty, lack of jobs and violence, whether it be external like police brutality or a fragmented household. When I look at those, I see those as effects, she said. I see that as the foundational issue, that you kind of dont know who you are if youre in the world and youre grasping at what it means to be black. Burke said she hoped the earliest trip would start in 2018 or 2019, and people could offer financial support for the organization at https://afric andia spora birth right.org/ . Burke said she wanted the journeys to engender change and communication in communities on both sides of the Atlantic. I would stress its about unification and love, she said, love for oneself and love for the world. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Prem Calvin Prashad New York City is failing in its obligation to include and inform the community on reform of the controversial stop-and-frisk program, activists charged at a town hall earlier this month in South Richmond Hill. The town hall, hosted by Jackson Heights-based advocacy group Desis Rising Up and Moving, took place Nov. 3 at Khans Tutorial, 103-42 Lefferts Blvd. The event was held to inform the community about the Joint Remedial Processan effort mandated by Manhattan Federal Judge Shira Scheindlin to give affected communities, home to primarily black and Latino men, a voice in the reform process. The event focused on the experience of community members, such as William Depoo, who is in his early 20s and a leader at DRUM. In addition to being stopped and frisked, he claims to have been detained without cause and called an ethnic slur while in police custody in Queens. He was released without charges. He recounted that incident as being one of several encounters he had with police officers while living in the area. In attendance were many young people from the community as well as representatives from the office of Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica) and students studying community attitudes on policing. Former Associate Justice Ariel E. Belen, who is now the facilitator of the Joint Remedial Process, sent a representative to the Town Hall. Provisions stemming from the stop-and-frisk lawsuits required the cities to have forums such as these, but DRUM has determined the need to hold forums in communities such as South Richmond Hill. A vocal protester attempted to disrupt the event, citing recent, high-profile shootings of police officers. Many believe if someone is stopped by the police, they are either a criminal or did something wrong, Depoo noted. We ignore factors such as racial profiling and police abuses, which then makes folks in our communities who do face these factors internalize these experiences. Depoo indicated that the recent election of Donald Trump as president would only exacerbate this uncertainty. To demonstrate what they termed over-policing in the neighborhood, organizers cited 2014 statistics that indicate a high number of stops in the predominantly Indo-Caribbean neighborhoods covered by the 102nd and 106th precincts, where there were 1,181 and 2,228 stops, respectively. According to the group, reform would not only include fewer stops and probable cause, but also overall changes to policing in the community. Though much has been made about the NYPD and communities of color bridging gaps in trust and accountability, Depoo downplayed the necessity of trust in the reform process. Stop and frisk and other abusive policing tactics have left a deep scar, he said. The NYPD has shown they will use unjust factors, such as race, to patrol and target communities. The group has determined its role to be highlighting the voices of community members in the reform process. Political engagement remains low in the Richmond Hill/Ozone Park area, especially among the Indo-Caribbean community. Activists, such as Depoo, point out that they (Indo-Caribbean people) left behind turmoil, and they feel if they face any racism or discrimination, it is a compromise for living in this country. In contrast with other community-based organizations that work on political engagement, DRUM places less of an emphasis on the political process, noting that community insight is frequently ignored by elected officials. Rather, the organization seeks to empower residents to become activists. We have to work with our communities to understand you dont need to sacrifice your rights for a better life, Depoo concluded. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Gina Martinez A Richmond Hill man is accused of nearly decapitating his wife in the middle of the street after finding out she met someone online, police said. Prem Rampersaud, 50, a Guyanese national, is facing charges that he murdered Rajwantie Baldeo, 46, Monday shortly after midnight after she finished her shift at a nearby restaurant, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown. As the couple approached the corner of 124th Street and 103rd Avenue, they began to argue and Rampersaud began stabbing her in the throat, abdomen and shoulder, Brown said. Police said there were two witnesses who observed the crime and saw Rampersaud sawing at her neck with a knife. An ambulance arrived and took Baldeo to Jamaica Hospital, where she died. Rampersaud left the scene of the murder but was arrested a few blocks away on Liberty and 127th streets, police said. Rampersaud has been charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon, according to the Queens DA. He faces up to 25 years if convicted. This was an especially violent crime in which the defendant is accused of viciously taking the life of the woman he purportedly loved by repeatedly stabbing her following a heated verbal argument, Brown said. If convicted, her brutal and senseless death merits serious punishment. According to police, the couple had been married for 30 years, but had only lived together a few months. Rampersaud gave his wife $9,000 to leave Guyana and move in with him. Baldeo had just finished a shift at The Oasis, a West Indian restaurant on 103-06 Liberty Ave. Employees who worked with her said they had no idea about her personal life. She didnt say anything about her husband, one employee said. She had only worked here for four weeks so nobody knew anything. Jahajee Sisters, an organization that highlights domestic violence in the Indo-Caribbean community, released a statement condemning the murder. We at Jahajee Sisters are enraged and disgusted by this barbaric act of violence against Rajwantie Baldeo, they said. We are deeply saddened as we condemn yet another murder of an Indo-Caribbean woman in New York. We grieve for our fallen sister, and hold her family in our thoughts and prayers. They called on Indo-Caribbean organizations, faith-based institutions and members of the community to join them in publicly denouncin the murder of Baldeo. We must send the message loudly, clearly and on a regular basis that our community values the life, well-being and freedom of every girl and every woman, they said. That there is no place for hatred of women in our homes, our houses of worship, or our institutions. What happened shows that we have a long way to go before all people in our community, regardless of their gender, are valued and respected. We must all be a part of this fight for justice. By PTI: Babul New Delhi, Dec 7 (PTI) A day after the arrest of seven persons, including a BJP candidate in the last West Bengal Assembly polls, with stacks of new banknotes, Union minister Babul Supriyo today said that two of the seven arrested are "mafia dons" who have links with the states ruling Trinamool Congress while terming his party functionary as a "small fry". advertisement He rued the fact that he, along with other BJP leaders, wasted so much time campaigning for a person who has been caught doing things he "should not have", and said that he was not "disowning" the BJP member and asserted law will take its own course. "I rue the fact that I waste so much of time. So many BJP leaders wasted so much of time campaigning for a person who seems to have been derailed from life and has been caught in doing things he should not do. And, therefore, law will take its own course," he said. Seven persons were arrested in the eastern part of Kolkata for their alleged involvement in smuggling coal. According to reports, stacks of new currency notes were also recovered from them. Mastermind Raju Jha (46), Lokesh Singh (35), Manish Sharma (44), Krishna Murari Kayel (44), Sayan Majumdar (29), Partha Chatterjee (41) and Subham Bhowmik (28) were arrested by the Special Task Force of Kolkata Police. "...Manish Sharma and his photos with Babul Supriyo, its all over in the public domain. Seven people who are arrested, there are two people in that who are the real don. This guy (Sharma) is a small fish. Krishnakanth, he is mafia don who was part of Mamata Banerjees official delegation to Singapore in 2014. "There are documents about that. The biggest mafia don who was arrested among the seven is Raju Jha...everyone is aware about how many crores was given (to the ruling party) by Raju as an understanding for illegal coal business in Asansol. I am waiting to see whether police, apart from Manish Sharma, are going to come up with details pertaining to these two gentlemen which points to the ruling party," he said. Asserting that he was "not disowning" the arrested BJP leader, Supriyo said, "I am saying, if any person, who had dinner with me last night and if he is caught with some illegal activity today morning, I am going to say yes, you are a friend of mine but you have done something for which the law will take its own course." advertisement Supriyo said that no one can point out that either him or any of his party leaders had given ticket to this particular person for exchange of money. "I am not disowning him. I am rather saying that I aggressively campaigned for him like I did for all other candidates in West Bengal. I did about 70-80 rallies. "Obviously there are going to be hundreds of videos in which not only me but several other leaders are going to be seen because he was the candidate. We all campaigned for him," he said. PTI TDS SMN --- ENDS --- 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. By Vichitra Amarnathan : "It's my personal hell. I feel that grave danger will come to my family if anyone utters certain words or if I don't do certain rituals a specific number of times," says Ashish* who writes for a magazine and also helps rescue animals in distress. He's been suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) since he was 14. His intrusive thoughts come unannounced bringing debilitating anxiety and fear in their wake. Even repeated reassurances from loved ones do nothing to quell his distress. Despite such struggles, he and thousands of others like him who silently suffer from mental health conditions continue to wear a mask and fight the battle of daily life. "When I am at work, I swear nobody would even get to know that something is out of place. I am just like anyone else." advertisement There are many others like him who strive to meet the standards of society irrespective of whether or not their pain is duly addressed or understood. Tania*, a Marketing Executive who is dealing with a mood disorder says, "I know I am lucky to be functional and I've not completely broken down but I do suffer from breakdowns often. It's tough to go to work on those days. I have no idea how long these episodes will last so I just have to deal with it and do my best. Nobody will understand." Also read: So, is depression contagious? How fair is this? The interviewees had more questions than answers, not the least of which were - would you receive care and consideration if you had a fever or a broken limb? Would you go to work then? Talking about things might help educate people but it is often a double-edged sword. "I don't think I would be willing to share anything about my condition," says Tania. Tania had her fingers burnt when she confided in her boss that she needed to go for therapy once a week. "My boss found it easy to blame me saying I'm too sensitive and that I need to toughen up. My productivity and performance were questioned. I eventually had to quit." Where does the stigma come from? A diagnosis often means you are written off as irrational or 'mad' and incapable of making your own decisions. "Push comes to shove, I may say I have depression. I think Deepika Padukone has made the word more acceptable. It seems to be the only thing people will be ok with," says Tania. While depression, a serious illness by itself, still has a long way to go when it comes to being de-stigmatised, it has become somewhat of a 'blanket' term behind which those with other mental illnesses and disorders tend to hide. Part of the reason could be that people think of it as heightened or extreme sadness (although this is not correct) which is somehow more acceptable. Contrarily, the fears and debilitating anxiety associated with an illness like OCD, or the complex mood shifts marked by changes in energy and activity levels seen in a mood disorder, are often hard to comprehend. advertisement According to clinical psychologist, Naveen Kumar, who is also the trustee of Manas Foundation - an NGO working towards raising awareness for mental health and mental illnesses and providing comprehensive training to counsellors, "Being diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder is akin to being branded as unfit for society. It is assumed that the person in question can no longer study, work or maintain relationships." Also read: Karan Johar opens up on his battle with depression: 5 revelations that shocked people no end As a result, people choose to stay mum or 'manage' and avoid seeking treatment. "Sometimes patients themselves carry the biggest stigma. Asking for help is often seen as a sign of inadequacy and even stepping inside a counsellor's room is considered taboo," says Naveen Kumar. According to experts, the notion of 'gone mad' or can't 'take decisions for themselves' is a myth that needs to be broken. The truth is that there are many people functioning in their work life and personal life despite having mental health conditions that are debilitating to some degree or other. Without treatment, they simply adapt or develop their own coping mechanisms to relieve their emotional pain as best they can. These may not always be healthy. But with the right treatment and ongoing therapy (barring extreme cases which are few), they almost always go on to live more satisfying lives as they are equipped with healthier coping mechanisms and adaptive behaviours. advertisement For those who do seek treatment, there is an added struggle of lack of support from caregivers or family members themselves. S Acharya, ex-chairperson of Sanjivini Society for Mental Health, and a practicing counsellor for over 20 years, says, "Many people don't see their treatment through to the end at the behest of families who claim that, 'ye doctor to paisa bana raha hai, sab theek hai' (this doctor is just out to make money, everything's fine). "Why 'let's talk at home' cannot replace therapy and counselling Tania was tired of explaining herself for seeking therapy. "My in-laws constantly said 'baat hi to karni hai. Humse baat kar lo' (if you just have to talk, why not talk to us?)." But therapists and counsellors undergo years of training and specialisation to be able to administer the right process. To become a counsellor, "one has to go through a stringent screening process, intensive training and years of practice that helps you build a relationship with boundaries and provide an accepting and non-judgemental environment to the person seeking help," says Acharya. advertisement Counsellors help a person process and verbalise their thoughts and feelings in a structured manner. The goal of therapy, on the other hand, is to instill the skill sets required to manage feelings or symptoms that may be overwhelming or difficult, help people accept the truth of their condition and learn how to live with it independently and with dignity. Both therapy and counselling can help lessen the emotional distress and pain associated with mental illnesses and disorders. While in the West, the help of a therapist may be sought to understand one's inner conflicts better, in India there is resistance to the same even when the health situation warrants therapy. Differently abled or not With so many impediments to seeking and receiving treatment, the question that arises is whether classifying people with mental health conditions as "differently abled" would help? There is no question that mental health conditions and illnesses may significantly impede productivity and performance and very often it could be your friend or your colleague silently suffering but functioning at their best nonetheless. But the degree of severity may vary from case-to-case, which is why experts are divided on whether classifying mental health conditions as being differently abled is useful. Also read: What depression feels like from the inside While Kumar of Manas Foundation and Kavita Shriram, chairperson, Sanjivini Society for Mental Health, feel that categorising people with such conditions as differently abled is key to ensuring that they get the requisite help and not resort to maladaptive coping mechanisms, others believe this could further fuel the stigma in the sufferers' minds. Clinical Psychologist Dr. Sunanda Dutta explains that "When it comes to mental health, there is a lot of grey. A lot depends on the severity and the kind of illness or disorder one is dealing with." In several cases, the condition is not consistently debilitating or may not even receive due attention until it has had an impact on either a person's professional or personal life. "Much less calling it differently abled, what's really required is to sensitise society so that they become the support system these people need most," Dr. Dutta says. Caregiver fatigue Ironically enough, the people who need a support system the most are often the loneliest. One of the biggest reasons for this is that their symptoms often come out with the people they are closest to and their primary caregivers. Shriram puts it aptly when she says, "Primary caregivers often deal with a lot of emotional turmoil ranging from shock to denial and a sense of anxiety about the future. Ideally, they too should receive counselling to help them cope." But this rarely happens. The reality is very different and broken relationships add to the woes of those already suffering. Tania's marriage ended when it became hard to pinpoint her condition and the medications did little to help her unstable moods. "My husband checked out. He couldn't take it anymore. Sometimes I still blame it on the wrong medication but that does nothing to help me come to terms with things," she says. Access to resources In such a scenario, the need for adequate treatment options, possibilities of rehabilitation and medical support assume greater importance. But things look dismal here, too. According to the Mental Health Report 2016 (commissioned by the National Human Rights Commission), there are only 6,220 psychiatrists in India while the crude prevalence of serious mental health disorders is around 6.6 per cent (as of 2014), i.e. nearly 86 million patients. According to Manas Foundation, the treatment gap may be as high as 90 per cent. It will take years to match the supply to the demand given that facilities like Sanjivini Society for Mental Health and Manas Foundation which provide quality counselling and crisis intervention are restricted to the metros. The dialogue then comes back to societal support and addressing the stigma that surrounds mental health conditions. Unconditional acceptance - a silver lining An answer to this conundrum comes from a small Belgian town near Antwerp called Geel. For over 700 years, the residents of Geel have been welcoming the mentally ill as boarders or guests. The key is that they are never called 'mentally ill'; only 'special' or at best, 'different'. As part of the family care system practiced in Geel, the residents encourage boarders to participate and be a part of the family. Odd behaviour and hallucinations are either ignored or accepted where needed. The success of the Geel care system remains a mystery in psychiatry but it certainly points to the big difference family support can make to the lives of those with mental health conditions. Another example is right here in India. In his book (Shamans, Mystics and Doctors - A Psychological Inquiry into India and its Healing Traditions), Sudhir Kakar has written about his investigations of the Balaji temple in Mehndipur, Rajasthan. The priests of this temple believe that the mentally ill are, in fact possessed by a spirit. No-one in Mehndipur calls a sufferer 'pagal' and people greet each other by asking 'Aapka sankat kaisa hai (How is your trouble doing)?' By removing a person's symptoms from their 'self', the priests at Balaji temple provide a safe environment where sufferers can express themselves without guilt and experience healing. It is claimed that many such sufferers come from far off places with their families to visit the Balaji temple and have been cured of hysterical illnesses which they believe is possession. The common thread in both cases is unconditional acceptance and allowing a person to be himself or herself without judgement - a pre-requisite to healing. And all of this requires that the social stigma of mental health illnesses being seen as 'madness' or 'insanity' be challenged and shed. Until then we have the likes of Ashish who feels, "Perhaps if I stay by myself I will cause less trouble and manage my thoughts on my own. So I've decided to keep to myself more and more. It's easier that way." NOTE: Names have been changed to protect the identity of the persons interviewed. --- ENDS --- OPENINGS Christopher Pierce Studio, "Innisfree," 909 County Route 61, Shushan. "Times Past, Times Present." http://www.christopherpiercestudio.com The nationally-recognized fine artist known for his florals and figures exhibits his work from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. An opening reception takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Friends' Gallery, Crandall Public Library, 251 Glen St., Glens Falls. North Country Arts' Annual Fine-Art Juried Show. Free. http://www.northcountryarts.org Works by local and regional artists. Awards will be given for the best of the best. All work is for sale and will make unique, one-of-a-kind gifts. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Thursday.Through Dec. 31. The Hyde Collection, 161 Warren St., Glens Falls. "Hyde Night Out | Gallery Talk with the Juror." 6:30 p.m. Thursday. http://www.hydecollection.org Gain new perspective on the 80th annual Artists of the Mohawk-Hudson Region juried show, as juror Michael Oatman discusses with visitors his vision of the exhibition. Oatman, an artist and professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, curated the expansive show, which is spread throughout The Hyde's Charles R. Wood, Rotunda and Whitney-Renz galleries, and in the historic Hyde House. GALLERIES Annex Gallery, Albany International Airport. "Schoharie County Quilt Barn Trail." http://www.albanyairport.com/art Exhibition of photographs by Debra Bechtold documents a selection of the 110 quilt block paintings located throughout Schoharie County. Through Dec. 20. Art de Cure, Albany Medical Center: The Endocrine Group Gallery. 1365 Washington Ave., Suite 300, Albany. "Inspired by Nature." http://www.artdecure.org The show features the original work of 50 area artists working in oil, acrylics, mixed media, pastel, watercolor and photography. Proceeds benefit the American Diabetes Association. Through Dec. 30. ArtSpace, 10 Maple St., Hudson Falls. "Luna Park: A State of Mind." 321-9652 Marc Shanker's latest series of paintings and drawings of Coney Island. Through Jan. 15. Big Eye Gallery, 270 County Route 405, South Westerlo. Holiday Show. 966-5833. The show features one-of-a-kind gifts, ceramics, jewelry, photography and paintings by a variety of artists including award-winning nature photographer Paul Rappleyea, glass artist Cathy Feaster, fabric artist K. Velis Turan, painter Virginia Cantarella, sculpture by Leslie Yolen and Lois Binetsky, and jewelry by Hope Konecny. Open 4-7 p.m. Fridays; 1-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; by appointment. Castrucci Gallery, Peter Irving Wold Center at Union College. "Concinnitas." 388-8360. A portfolio of 10 fine-art aquatint prints featuring equations, expressions or formulas transcribed by 10 notable mathematicians and physicists, in response to the prompt to record their "most beautiful mathematical expression." Chestertown Gallery, 6378 State Route 9, Chestertown. North Country Arts' "Holiday Expressions." Free. http://www.northcountryarts.org The exhibit displays the work of local/regional artists and artisans. Through Jan. 7. Fenimore Gallery at Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady. "Oakroom Artists 60th Anniversary Exhibition." Free. http://www.oakroomartists.wordpress.com Through Jan. 5. The Laffer Gallery, 96 Broad St., Schuylerville. "Nurture Nature." 695-3181. Featuring Mikel Wintermantel, Karen Elem, Leslie Peck, Nancy Magnell, Takeyce Walter, Audrie Sturman, Celeste Susany, Kate Edwards and David Hill. Through Dec. 31. Mandeville Gallery, Union College, 807 Union St., Schenectady. "Slippery Slope." Georgie Friedman created a site-specific video installation exclusively for the atrium area of the Peter Irving Wold Center. Through November. Also, "Charles Steckler: Contrary to What Sometimes Happens." Steckler is a draftsman, stage designer and collage and diorama artist. He combines many different means of manipulating materials, such as assemblage, painting, printmaking and photography to create his art. Schick Art Gallery, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs. "Eclectic Earth." 580-5049. Works by 13 contemporary ceramics artists: Jill Allen, Linda Cordell, Bryan Czibesz, Melody Ellis, Raymon Elozua, Thaddeus Erdahl, Gail Heidel, Matt Kelleher, Steven Montgomery, Tim Rowan, Hide Sadohara, Jane Shellenbarger and Colleen Toledano. Ends Thursday. Thompson Giroux Gallery, 57 Main St., Chatham. "En Masse III." 392-3336. A wide selection of contemporary work from more than 40 artists. Through Jan. 8. MUSEUMS Albany Institute of History & Art, 125 Washington Ave., Albany. "The Art of Seating." American chair designs from the early 19th century to the present day. The chair is experienced not only as a functional item, but as sculpture the chair as art. Through Dec. 31. Also, "Spotlight: Alexander Hamilton." The exhibition highlights Hamilton's connections to Albany through personal papers, family heirlooms, historic preservation efforts and a portrait painted by Albany's Ezra Ames (1768-1836). Also, "Rock and Roll Icons: Photographs by Patrick Harbron." An exhibition taken from Harbron's body of concert and portrait photography of influential musicians and groups of the 1970s and 1980s, captured at pivotal moments in their careers. Through Feb. 12. American Italian Heritage Museum, 1227 Central Ave., Albany. Italian Presepe. 435-1979. A traditional nativity scene by artist Joseph Anastasio. Also, Italian Christmas Traditions & Customs exhibit featuring pieces in oil, iconography and sculpture. Through December. The Arkell Museum at Canajoharie, 2 Erie Blvd., Canajoharie. http://www.arkellmuseum.org ''The Wizards of Pop: Sabuda & Reinhart.'' The exhibition features the work of pop-up book creators Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart. Through Dec. 30. Also, ''Looking Backwards: The Politics and Art of Judge Magazine.'' Political cartoons from the 19th century. Through Dec. 30. The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs. "A More Perfect Union." The exhibit foregrounds the museum as town square for the greater Skidmore and Capital Region communities. Through Jan. 1. Also, Elevator Music 31 "Political Echo Chamber." American political advertisements from the emergence of television in the mid-20th century. Also, "Sixfold Symmetry: Pattern in Art and Science." Bringing together contemporary and historical artworks, artifacts and material culture from around the world, the showcase looks at why humans discern, design and desire pattern. Through March 12. The Hyde Collection, 161 Warren St., Glens Falls. "Transforming The Hyde: The Feibes & Schmitt Gift." http://www.hydecollection.org Selections from the recent gift of modern art from the collection of Werner Feibes and the late James Schmitt. Through Dec. 16. Also, 80th annual Artists of the Mohawk-Hudson Region exhibition. Michael Oatman has created an art experience that includes 126 works from 106 artists that stretches the boundaries of the regional art show and features video, collage, mixed media, photography, oil, gauche, sculpture, watercolor and intervention works. Through Dec. 31. Irish American Heritage Museum, 370 Broadway, Albany. "Scenes of Ireland." 427-1916. Paintings from local artists consisting of landscapes, seascapes, cityscapes, still lifes, interiors and portraits. MASS MoCA, 87 Marshall St., North Adams, Mass. ''Explode Every Day: An Inquiry into the Phenomena of Wonder.'' http://www.massmoca.org Also, "Sarah Crowner: Beetle in the Leaves." Also, "Alex Da Corte: Free Roses." Also, "Here Comes the Sun." Colombian-born, Miami-based artist Federico Uribe's magical, colorful, sculptural menagerie of animals. Chicago-based artist Nick Cave wraps the Kidspace ArtBar in a graphic Kaleidoscopic Playground, a participatory art-making lab inviting visitors to explore their senses, emotions and self. Also, "The Shape of Things: Photographs from Robert B. Menschel." A compact history of photography, from its inception to the early 21st century, in 100 images. Through May 7. Norman Rockwell Museum, 9 Route 183, Stockbridge, Mass. (413) 298-4100. ''Norman Rockwell's 323 Saturday Evening Post Covers.'' Exhibition of original cover tearsheets features each of Rockwell's illustrations for the publication, created between 1916 and 1963. Also, ''Hanna-Barbera: The Architects of Saturday Morning.'' The exhibit provides a glimpse of the animation powerhouse. Through May 29. Red Door Studio and Gallery, 408 Fulton St., Troy. Gallery Opening. Free. View the work and studio space of six local artists. Through Dec. 31. State Museum, 222 Madison Ave., Albany. "The People's Art: Selections from the Empire State Plaza Art Collection." The collection has been heralded as one of the greatest of modern American art in any single public site. This exhibit features 20 works by 17 artists and includes paintings and sculpture by modern masters such as Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, Helen Frankenthaler, Franz Kline, David Smith and Alexander Calder. Through Sept. 3, 2017. Also, "Hudson Valley Ruins." Photography and architecture exhibition based on the work of Robert Yasinsac and Thomas Rinaldi, who photograph the region's forgotten cultural treasures. Through Dec. 31. Also, "Path to Statehood: New York's Constitutions and the U.S. Constitution." New York has had four constitutions, adopted in 1777, 1821, 1846 and 1894. The manuscript texts of New York's constitutions are "treasure" documents carefully preserved by the State Archives. Through Monday. University Art Museum, University at Albany, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany. "Future Perfect: Picturing the Anthropocene." 442-4035 or http://www.albany.edu/museum Explores our conflicted relationship to the natural world. Ends Saturday. EXHIBIT SPACES Albany Public Library, Pine Hills Branch, 517 Western Ave., Albany. "Mediating Illusion: Landscapes." A contemporary spin on landscape art featuring works by Theresa Bloise, Thomas Lail, Michael Oatman and Charles Sommer. The art show was curated by Jessica Cone, the library's art exhibition coordinator. Through March 26. Albany Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday ordered the state inspector general to investigate alleged racial bias within the state prison system in the wake of a New York Times report detailing numerous instances of bias, particularly in upstate prisons. State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott is to recommend to the governor reforms for immediate action, Cuomo said in a statement, reported by the Times Tuesday morning. The governor also will recommend candidates to the state Parole Board to ensure it "is reflective of the population is serves" in response to additional findings by the Times that showed black inmates were denied parole at higher rates than white inmates. "I am proud to have the most diverse administration in New York State history, and I will be advancing new appointments to the Senate this upcoming session to ensure the state's Parole Board is reflective of the population it serves," Cuomo said in a statement. "Everyone should share that goal." Among the Times findings, detailed in a lengthy weekend piece, were that black and Latino inmates were disciplined at higher rates than white inmates, those inmates were sent to solitary confinement more often and for longer periods of time, and general racial disparity between inmate populations and the guards who work in the system. In particular, the Times highlighted that at Clinton Correctional Facility, the maximum security prison in Clinton County that has been scrutinized in the wake of the high-profile 2015 escape by two inmates, only one of 998 guards is black. In a statement, the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, the union that represents prison employees, noted the dangerousness of prisons and the fact that corrections officers conduct themselves "with professionalism and integrity to keep our prisons secure and our communities safe." "The flawed New York Times report failed to recognize that it's a hearing officer, not a member of NYSCOPBA, who controls the disciplinary process for inmates," the union said. "That determination depends on the severity of the infraction and the inmate's history of behavior in prison, and corrections officers have no role in the process." mhamilton@timesunion.com 518-454-5449 @matt_hamilton10 Albany A former Guilderland schools employee charged with sexually victimizing a 3-year-old preschooler on the playground of the Westmere Elementary School will remain free on $75,000 bail. James Hockenbury, 49, appeared Wednesday before Albany County Judge Peter Lynch, who unsealed an indictment charging him with first-degree criminal sex act, the legal term for sodomy. Police arrested Hockenbury in April after he gave a detailed statement admitting to the incident. Hockenbury told police, among other statements, that he is attracted to children and, "I feel like (expletive) for what I did," according to court papers. Hockenbury has a lengthy history of working with children and, along with his wife, started a baby-sitting service. From Sept. 8 to Nov. 13, 2015, Hockenbury worked as a part-time, temporary cafeteria monitor at Lynnwood Elementary School. And from 1988 through 2001, he was a teacher's aide at Pine Bush and Guilderland elementary schools. He also has been a volunteer at Christ the King Parish in Guilderland, where he served as a eucharistic minister, altar server's trainer and one-time faith formation instructor. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Hockenbury taught faith formation at St. Madeleine Sophie Parish in Guilderland, a spokeswoman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany said at the time of the arrest. Hockenbury recently worked at Securitas Securities, offers on-site, mobile and remote guarding services, security systems and corporate risk management. Of all the businesses affected by the Thanksgiving Day fire on Caroline Street, Seth Berger admits Sperry's had the least damage. Yet the planned demolition Thursday of the restaurant's neighboring building, 26 Caroline, sparks new concerns for the manager. "We share a wall with 26 Caroline," said Berger on Wednesday. "That wall hasn't been exposed in 80 years. We don't know the integrity of that wall." Then again, he admits, it's difficult for Sperry's to re-open later next week with a burned-out building next door. "It's a safety hazard," said Berger. "It doesn't have a roof. And as long as it's there, it will be hard to get rid of the smoky smell. So now we'll have a pile of rubble." The Saratoga Springs Preservation Society tried to save the building's facade. But after a review by an independent engineer with Ryan Biggs Associates, both its owner Louis Lazzinnaro and the Preservation Society said it was impossible to save. The main problem is that leveling the building will have to start at the structure's front as the back is inaccessible. The brick work, including its exterior cornices, are also unstable. "It's unfortunate," said Lazzinnaro who also owns Nove Italian Restaurant in Wilton. "I would have liked to preserve it. But because of the layout, there is nothing I can do. It's a dangerous situation." The Thanksgiving fire started with a faulty electrical cord in a storage room in Mio Posto on Putnam Street. It spread to the Hamlet & Ghost and 26 Caroline (former home to The Living Room), while the Ice House and Sperry's were damaged by smoke and water. No one was injured. The blaze pushed Mio Posto to seek a new location, ended jobs for 18 at Hamlet & Ghost and 44 at Sperry's, and displaced seven tenants from Caroline Street apartments. Bailey's Saratoga on Phila Street is having a fundraiser for tenants at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Sperry's co-owner Scott Johnson, former Saratoga Springs mayor, said when the restaurant holds its grand reopening in about two weeks, a portion of proceeds will go to employees. A bartender at nearby City Tavern, Megan Burdick, said she thinks the fire and demolition is sad. So too does Mayor Joanne Yepsen. "It's a sad day for Saratoga, but safety is first." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The State Police posted online Wednesday to say they are seeking eight defendants statewide, including two people from the Capital Region. A 57-year-old woman arrested with nine pounds of pot is wanted in Montgomery County, and a 24-year-old man charged with heroin possession and failing to appear in court is wanted in Clifton Park, State Police said. Paulette A. Reid, 57, is wanted in Montgomery County for felony criminal possession of marijuana. Reid was stopped by troopers on the Thruway for a traffic violation and found with nine pounds of marijuana, State Police said. Reid is described as a 5-foot-6 black woman with black hair and brown eyes, weighing 165 pounds. Jacob E. Burell, 24, is wanted in Clifton Park for failing to appear in court in June on a misdemeanor criminal possession of a controlled substance charge. Troopers arrested Burell, a passenger in a stopped car, after they found him with heroin, State Police said. Burell's last known address was in Fort Edward and he is described as a 5-foot-5 white man with brown hair and green eyes, weighing 150 pounds. Anyone with information about wanted individuals is asked to contact the New York State Police immediately. Citizens should not take any police action other than contacting troopers by calling (518) 642-9455 or emailing Crimetip@troopers.ny.gov. State Police are also seeking six other people: Elizabeth Vanorden, 23, is wanted in Port Jervis for felony criminal possession of stolen property. State Police said Vanorden stole a relative's debit card, and withdrew and charged $3,805. Trooper's investigation revealed her boyfriend Jeffrey C. Vandermark assisted with these unauthorized charges and he is wanted for the same felony charged, State Police said. Vanorden is described as a 5-foot-2 white woman with blonde hair and hazel eyes, weighing 150 pounds. Cory L. Norton, 41, is wanted in Champlain for felony criminal possession of stolen property and felony bail jumping. Norton stole a car in Canada and drove into the United States on Nov.3, 2003, State Police said. He was arrested and posted $1,000 bail after his arraignment but never reappeared in court to answer the charge, State Police said. Norton has ties in Canada and Virginia, and his last known address was in Brooklyn. Norton is described as a 5-foot-11 American Indian man with black hair and brown eyes, weighing 230 pounds. Jason Aldrich, 32, is wanted in Rochester for aggravated driving while intoxicated. He was arrested in June after a traffic stop, State Police said. A chemical test identified his blood alcohol content was over .18 percent. Aldrich is described as 6-foot-4 white man with brown hair and eyes, weighing 185 pounds. Melissa J. Davis, 49, is wanted in North Collins for failing to appear in court Jan. 1, 2008, on a driving while intoxicated charge and other traffic violations. Davis was arrested Oct. 28, 2007 after a chemical test showed her blood alcohol content was .11 percent. She is described as a 5-foot-4 American Indian woman with brown hair and eyes, weighing 215 pounds. Herbert Gibson, 33, is wanted in Nassau County for driving while intoxicated and other traffic violations. Gibson driving a white Volkswagen on the Southern State Parkway when he was stopped in 2014 and later arrested for drunken driving, State Police said. His last known address is in Far Rockaway and he is described as a 5-foot9 black man with black hair and brown eyes, weighing 205 pounds. Kenneth B. Wilson, 43, is wanted in Dickinson for misdemeanor criminal obstruction of breathing, misdemeanor unauthorized use of a vehicle and harassment, a violation. In January 2014, Wilson was fighting with a woman he knew over borrowing her car. When she refused, Wilson choked and kicked her, then drove off with her car when she gave him the key, State Police. Besides this warrant out of Dickinson, Wilson is also wanted in Binghampton and Vestal, State Police said. Wilson is described as a 6-foot-3 black man with black hair and brown eyes, weighing 285 pounds. Albany Lydia Polgreen, a former Times Union reporter, has left the New York Times to become The Huffington Post's editor-in-chief, one of the most prestigious posts in a shifting media landscape. Polgreen, 41, who spent several years as a Times foreign correspondent covering wars and ethnic violence across Africa, succeeded Ariana Huffington, the online news site's founder and namesake. The left-leaning news aggregator and blog was sold for $315 million to AOL in 2011, six years after it was started. It is headquartered in New York City. Polgreen earned a master's degree at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 2000, the same year she joined the Times Union to cover a suburban beat and crime. She was quickly promoted to cover the city of Albany. She spent nearly three years at the Times Union, where she was a prolific staff writer. She also had a keen eye for offbeat feature stories, such her piece on a seventh-generation dairy farmer, George Mesick, who switched to buffalo for a better return on investment at his Castleton farm. Her kicker at the story's end mentioned a farm delicacy, "Rocky Mountain oysters," a euphemism for buffalo testicles. "They kinda taste like clams, though not fishy," Messick's wife, Gerry, told Polgreen. Polgreen took on powerful and entrenched interests in her Albany reporting, and she was occasionally the subject of critical letters to the editor for her watchdog journalism. She left the Times Union in 2002 and, after a brief stop at the Orlando Sentinel, joined the metropolitan staff of the Times and later became the paper's Johannesburg bureau chief and South Asia correspondent. She received the George Polk Award for Foreign Reporting in 2007 for her coverage of the conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan. Her Africa reportage yielded other top honors, including the Overseas Press Club award and Livingston Award for International Reporting. Polgreen was born in Washington, D.C., and spent most of her childhood in Kenya and Ghana. Her father was a federal government employee. Huffington left the organization she created and in August launched Thrive Global, a website focused on health and wellness. Polgreen told reporters it was a difficult decision to leave the Times after nearly 15 years, but taking over the reins of the HuffPost was a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Polgreen will oversee an operation with about 350 employees, scores of unpaid contributors and 17 international editions. David Wood won the online site a Pulitzer Prize in 2013 for a 10-part series on the lives of severely wounded combat veterans and their families. Colonie police made their presence known Wednesday at Shaker High School after a threat deemed not credible. The district said the police became aware late Tuesday of a text message allegedly sent around by a Shaker student, referencing hearing another student would possibly be coming to the school armed in the morning. The police checked out the claim overnight and determined it was not credible, the district wrote on its website, but decided to dispatch officers Wednesday to the high school and Shaker Junior High to be extra cautious. Police are expected to remain there throughout the school day. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Editors note: This essay was originally published in 2015, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the closing of internment camps. The defining moment for many Japanese Americans of my parents' generation was the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The dominoes of that event continue to fall to this day. My mother, born Helen Kaneichi, is one of those dominoes. I believe she was forever scarred by that event. At 13, she was taken from her family farm in Biola (just outside of Fresno) to a swamp in Arkansas. Presidential Executive Order 9066 ordered Japanese Americans living on the West Coast to evacuate to hastily constructed internment camps across the United States for their own protection. At least, that was the rationale. There was no privacy. Barbed wire and gun towers surrounded the camp. My grandfather (on my dads side), Tokio Shirakawa, was taken away and was not seen by his family for months. No one knew where he was. My moms brother, Takeo, volunteered for the U.S. Army and died fighting the Germans in France. He died fighting for the country that had put his family into these camps. If that isnt irony, what is? It is through this lens that we view the internment photographs by Ansel Adams today. I respect Adams. As a high school kid, I grew up admiring his work. Its one of the reasons why I picked up camera and went on to become a professional photographer. My favorite photographer is Adams. Its easy to look at his internment photos and judge them harshly. Theyre well-composed and sometimes theyre pretty. They are everything Adams was as a photographer. Compared to Toyo Miyatakes photographs, they sometimes seem dishonest. Miyatake was a Los Angeles-based professional who was interned in Manzanar, the same camp Adams pictures were taken. His are more documentary in nature. They tell a different story than Adams. The two photographers met at the camp and in 1979, Adams and Miyatake produced a book, 'Two Views of Manzanar.' In some respects, Adams made photographs that he would rarely attempt again. His tight portraits in the blazing sun were not taken under ideal circumstances. But in doing so, we have a handful of the best portraits taken in the camps. His photograph of Japanese Americans packing their suitcases atop a car was not his style. He rarely photographed people in motion. Shot from the back, it represents going away as well as any photograph from this time. Then there is the ironic photo of Toyo Miyatakes family in their barrack, smiling for an obvious set up photo. The happy group sits on their living room couches near a Christmas tree and a stack of magazines. What could be more American? How bad could it be for those damned Japanese? This is the kind of picture Adams is sometimes criticized for. Its too neat, too perfect. Yes, a photo like this could be used for public relations purposes, to show the rest of the country how nicely the enemy was being treated. But when you talk to the Japanese who lived through this, it is exactly what they wanted out of life. To be American, to be happy in their home with their family. It wasnt true at the moment, but it was their dream. Ansel Adams/Library of Congress Thankfully, the war ended and my mother and fathers families returned to the Central Valley. My dads farm was still there, taken care of by the African American family across the street. The same was true for my moms ranch; the neighbors kept it going. That wasnt true for every family returning to their homes, however. Many lost everything. Racism was still rampant. I believe Adams thought of Manzanar as an assignment. He made the best images he could, without concern for later implications. He told his subjects to smile. They didnt refuse. Irony surrounds the incarceration of the Japanese Americans during World War II. Oddly, Adams' photographs represent that irony better than anyone's. Brad Shirakawa is a Bay Area photographer, he has taught photojournalism at San Jose State University. . Veteran journalist, political satirist, and former Rajya Sabha member, Cho Ramaswamy died earlier today in Chennai following a cardiac arrest. By India Today Web Desk: A little over a day after the demise of Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa, Cho Ramaswamy, her long-time confidante, passed away in Chennai's Apollo Hospital. The 82-year-old, much like Amma, died following a cardiac arrest. Read more: Journalist, actor, playwright Cho Ramaswamy dead advertisement WHO WAS CHO RAMASWAMY? Born Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy, Cho was a senior journalist, political satirist, lawyer, and a former Rajya Sabha member. He was also an actor, film director, and a playwright. Ramaswamy tweaked his name to Cho after playing a character in a skit named Thenmozhiyal. In 1970, he founded political Tamil magazine Thuglak, which he also edited. The magazine was known for its fearless criticism of the government in power in the State or at the Centre. From India Today Magazine: Books '80: The old and the new 'BIG FAN OF RAMASWAMY': PM MODI Ramaswamy had campaigned for Prime Minister Narendra Modi during elections. Upon his passing, Modi expressed his condolences in a series of tweets, referring to Ramaswamy as "insightful, frank and brilliant." Cho Ramaswamy was a multidimensional personality, towering intellectual, great nationalist & fearless voice who was respected and admired. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 7, 2016 While introducing him at an event in Tamil Nadu, Ramaswamy described Modi as the "Merchant of Death". In his speech, Modi in turn described Ramaswamy as "Rajguru", and called himself his "fan". Ramaswamy's description was actually a dig at Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who has earlier called Modi "Merchant of Death", targeting him over the 2002 Gujarat riots. Read more: When Cho Ramaswamy introduced PM Narendra Modi as Merchant of Death The feisty Cho Ramaswamy introduces me as the 'Merchant of Death.' Do watch this memorable interaction. https://t.co/2FsF64sVvH Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 7, 2016 JAYALALITHAA'S FRIEND, CONFIDANTE Ramaswamy is said to have befriended a young Jayalalithaa in his college days, when he was a member of a theatre troupe. Over the years, he went on to become one of Jayalalithaa's trusted political advisors. When Ramaswamy was hospitalised last year, Jayalaithaa visited him, reassuring him that he would get well soon. Ramaswamy was suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). Reports say he was watching Jayalalalithaa's funeral procession on TV till yesterday afternoon. Later, his condition deteriorated and he had to be put on a ventilator. Also read: Rajinikanth pays homage to veteran actor, playwright Cho Ramaswamy --- ENDS --- advertisement This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Albany Students in Albany and its Dutch sister city Nijmegen renewed a connection Tuesday via Skype after a nearly 70-year hiatus that began with heartfelt letters of friendship sent back-and-forth across the Atlantic in the wake of World War II's destruction. A group of eighth-graders at Albany Academies spoke with their counterparts at Mondial College in Nijmegen for 30 minutes using a webcam and internet connection. They touched on everything from wartime history to a shared obsession with Snapchat and Netflix. "It was pretty cool. I like the fact that we reconnected," said Albany Academy student Owen Robinson. He took out his cellphone and made a connection on the mobile messaging app Snapchat with Bo Van Horssen, a girl at Mondial, a co-educational public high school. Mondial students were intrigued to learn students at the Albany Academies a merger of the Albany Academy and Albany Academy for Girls study in single-gender classes until the upper grades and that all students wear mandatory uniforms. Car-culture Albany students, who are driven to school or arrive by bus, were fascinated to find out most Mondial students ride bicycles to school daily, in all weather, as part of a bike-centric Dutch culture. "This helps us learn about Dutch culture, which is a big part of Albany's history," said 8th grader Sara Phillips. The Skype exchange was organized by Anja Adriaans, founder and chair of the Friendship Albany-Nijmegen group as a kickoff to a pen pal exchange and future programs between the sister cities in advance of the 2017 Tulip Festival in May. That will mark the 70th anniversary of Albany's 300-ton humanitarian shipment to Nijmegen of food, clothing, building materials and other goods donated by residents. The Nijmegen aid drive was led by longtime Mayor Erastus Corning 2nd, who studied at the Albany Academy. He was a World War II combat veteran who witnessed firsthand death and destruction across Europe. In the Allied effort to liberate occupied Nijmegen and drive the German Army back across the Waal River into Germany, 48 paratroopers with the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division were killed during a bridge assault on Sept. 20, 1944. Bombing and fighting left 2,200 civilians in Nijmegen dead and more than 5,500 injured, more than 3,500 homes destroyed or damaged and three-quarters of the historic city center reduced to rubble. The Albany humanitarian shipment was a godsend for a battered city. "This is a historic moment. We are reviving an old friendship," said Adriaans, who has made several trips to Albany, including a recent lecture at the Albany Institute of History and Art. She screened a long-lost black-and-white film made in Nijmegen to thank residents for their generosity that she tracked down. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. In gratitude for the 1947 humanitarian shipment, Dutch officials sent cases of tulips to Albany. They were planted in Washington Park and became a centerpiece of the city's Tulip Festival. The Mondial students sent a box of post cards, photos and notes to Albany, including some who interviewed grandparents about their World War II memories. The Albany Academies' students will write back. The Dutch students showed a box of their favorite Dutch cookies and treats they plan to ship. "This is another opportunity for an active, authentic learning experience for our students," said Don Brandt, director of the lower and middle schools at Albany Academy. "This showed the universality of teenagers," said Mary Ellen Tomson, who teaches 8th grade history at the Albany Academy for Girls. "When they started talking about Snapchat, it made that wide ocean shrink." pgrondahl@timesunion.com 518-454-5623 @PaulGrondahl AstraQom Expansion Bolsters Brazilian Business VoIP By Steve Anderson , Contributing Writer AstraQom was already well-known in the voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) both for its business VoIP services and its telecommunications cloud services. It's about to get just a little more well-known as the company makes a formal expansion and steps into the Brazilian market. International expansion is nothing new for AstraQom, who has already established deals with customers in 70 countries worldwide. Now, however, AstraQom is part of the huge Brazilian market for business VoIP service, and has set up shop in the Edificio Candelaria Corporate building in Rio de Janeiro. The fifth largest country in the world, with around 206 million people to its credit, Brazil offers a lot of opportunities that many smaller nations couldn't. Throw in the 120.6 million Internet userswhich represents 59.1 percent of the total populationand it's a recipe for serious success in business VoIP and cloud-based communications systems. AstraQom should be up to the challenge, though, as it boasts the world's largest cloud architecture for VoIP operations, reports note, and offers local numbers for those 70 countries in which it operates, a great move for global business wanting the credibility boost of a local number. AstraQom International's senior global reach engineer Mark Myers commented What has always made the AstraQom brand stand out and allowed us to remain a step ahead is our ongoing commitment to the most innovative and sophisticated locally based technology. Our move into Brazil sends a strong signal that we are continuing to reshape the international telecommunications scene on multiple continents including South America. It might be a bit difficult for AstraQom going forward, especially given that the country recently underwent something of a fairly large-scale revamping of its telecom market following the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Then again, AstraQom might well have been waiting for just such a move; since AstraQom is more dealing with online services rather than online infrastructure, by holding out until the infrastructure was in place, AstraQom may be in the best position going forward to take advantage of all that new construction to provide services. Of course, these days, many infrastructure providers also offer services, so the market might be a bit limited. Still, AstraQom has made quite the move, and has expanded its repertoire to one of the biggest countries on Earth. Just how far it goes in this market remains to be seen, but it's certainly made the steps to make quite a splash in Brazil. Please enable JavaScript to view the Edited by Maurice Nagle [December 06, 2016] China Smart Meter Industry Report, 2016-2020 NEW YORK, Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2015, China's smart meter shipments reached 150 million units, up 6.8% yr-on-yr; expected to grow to 160 million units in 2016. In the future, with the continuous development of IoT (Internet of Things), the smart meter market will grow steadily at an average annual rate of over 8.0% in 2016-2020. Smart meter consists mainly of smart electric meter, smart water meter, smart gas meter, etc. Among them, smart electric meter boasts the highest market penetration rate, approximately 95%; followed by smart gas meter with over 50%. Smart Electric Meters are mainly promoted in the form of unified bidding by State Grid and China Southern Power Grid (began smart electric meter tender in 2016). In 2015, 90.99 million smart electric meter tenders were won from State Grid, single-phase smart electric meter and three-phase smart electric meter accounted for 88.9% and 11.1% respectively, of which, single-phase smart electric meter manufacturers had scattered tenders, while three-phase smart electric meter showed relatively high market concentration due to certain technical barriers. In 2015, Yantai Dongfang Wisdom Electric Co., Ltd. and Wasion Group registered the highest bid-winning rate in respectively fields of 0.5S three-phase smart electric meter and 0.2S three-phase smart electric meter, with respective market share of 17.5% and 69.7%. Smart Gas Meterrecords shipments of 19.4 million units in 2015 and (an expected) 24.3 million units in 2016. As the market penetration grows, the figure may exceed 50 million units by 2020. At present, main suppliers in the market include Goldcard, Shaanxi Aerospace Power Hi-Tech Co., Ltd., HangZhouInnover Technology Co., Ltd., etc. In2015, Goldcard took the first place with a 10.2% market share. Smart Water Meter records shipments of 11.73 million units in 2015 (up 13.7% yr-on-yr) and (an expected) 13.49 million units in 2016. Currently, the market penetration of smart water meter is far below that of smart electric meter and smart gas meter, indicating a larger growth space. Key manufacturers are Sanchuan Wisdom Technology Co., Ltd., Suntront Tech Co., Ltd, Ningbo Water Meter Co., Ltd., etc. with annual capacity of more than one million units. Primary driving factors in the future development of smart meter industry in China include IoT popularization, ladder price policies, etc. IoT requires intelligent analysis of the collected data, thus smart meter is essential. And the application of NB-IoT technology in smart meter can solve the traditional meter wiring, high costs of wireless remote transmission equipment and other problems, but also make data accuracy rate as high as 99%. In 2017, with the release of NB-IoT series industry standards, NB-IoT will see large-scale application in the commercial sector, thus providing technical support for the development of smart meter. So far, ladder pricing system has seen a wide range of implementation in water, electricity and gas fields, and traditional meters can't copy all data at the crucial point-in-time of calculating ladder price. Therefore, the popularizing rate of smart meter in water, electricity and gas fields will improve further. The report highlights the following: Status quo, market size, market structure, and competitive landscape of China smart meter industry; Overview, policies, market size, market structure, competitive landscape, import & export, and State Grid tender of smart electric meter industry; Overview, development environment, market size, and competitive landscape of smart water meter industry; Overview, policies, market size, and competitive landscape of smart gas meter industry; Development history, development environment, market size, competitive landscape, and prospects of heat meter industry; Operation, smart meter business, etc. of 6 foreign and 16 domestic smart meter manufactures. Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04420306-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 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/china-smart-meter-industry-report-2016-2020-300374022.html SOURCE Reportlinker [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] Dubai Government Land Department Boosts Citizen Engagement with Altitude-powered Contact Centre Government Office bolsters commitment to customer service excellence with world-class Contact Centre Dubai, United Arab Emirates; 7 December 2016- Altitude Software, a global provider of omnichannel solutions to deliver great customer experiences, and Emirates Real Estate Solutions (ERES), the technology arm of Dubai Land Department (DLD), today announced the complete roll-out of the Altitude uCI solution at DLD contact centre, to ensure excellence in customer care delivery. A partnership with Al Rostamani Communications LLC, the leading UAE-based information technology and telecommunications company, has resulted in the successful implementation of the Altitude uCI 8 customer interaction management solution at DLDs head office in Dubai. Altitude solutions include inbound and outbound voice, blending and predictive dialing, email management, business campaign scripting and online monitoring. Altitude uCI solution also allows workflow definition according to the scoring and situation of each customer, maximizing productivity while maintaining a good customer relation. The DLD contact centre specifically aims at powering key DLD departments that include Real Estate Regulatory Agency, also known as RERA (the regulatory arm); Real Estate Investment Management & Promotion Center (the investment arm); Rental Dispute Settlement Center (the Judicial arm) and Dubai Real Estate Institute (the educational arm). His Excellency Sultan Buti Bin Mejren, Director General of DLD said: This customer-centric approach utilises technology in order to boost the satisfaction and happiness of our customers. As well as providing enhanced DLD services, these improvements also tie in with the Governments Smart Dubai agenda - which aims to optimise technology in order to achieve high levels of happiness for all of the Emirates residents and visitors. Mr. Bin Mejren concluded: DLD continually strives to exceed citizens and residents satisfaction by providing a great number of services that go beyond just providing registration and titling, but rather provide a fully integrated experience for customer. Improving contact centre efficiency while enhancing citizen engagement Since implementing the new customer interaction management solution, DLD and its customers have observed benefits such as reduced time and cost of generating manual reports regarding the overall activity of DLDs customer service operations, a boost in the usage of the voice self-service channel by 65%, and increase in voice interactions answered in 15 seconds or less by 65%, and a decrease in abandoned calls by 42%. The main customer service campaign handled by the DLD contact centre is related to the EJARI support line, a revolutionary system to make Dubai real estate sector one of the best regulated rental markets in the world. The system is aimed at creating transparency on the clauses and provisions of a private rental agreement signed by landlords and tenants, and at making such documents enforceable by law. The DLDs Altitude Voice Portal solution enables Dubai residents, landlords or property management companies to check the status of an Ejari account or application at any time. The contact centre handles all Ejari enquiries related to lease agreement registration, renewals, cancellations, transfers and terminations. The DLD Contact Centre is also able to intelligently route interactions, automate outbound dialling, as well as utilize real-time contact centre performance dashboards. The flexibility of the new system specifically enables the advanced blending of outbound and inbound operations and campaigns, with a strong offering of built-in desktops for customer care and proactive service operations. "Our work with the Dubai Land Department is a clear demonstration of how ARC can provide robust customer interaction management solutions to public service organisations," said Youssef Fawaz GM at Al Rostamani Communications. Altitude's highly flexible and reliable contact centre technology address the GCC markets evolving needs and are a key reason for our strong relationship in the region. It has been a real pleasure working with such a citizen-centric organization as DLD. They have a culture of putting citizens in control of their service interactions, states Riadh Boukhris, Altitude Software MENA President. The DLD initiative is another good example of our commitment to address Citizen Engagement Projects as well as to make our MENA region a world-leader in Customer-Service for the people to enjoy the right Customer-Service anytime, anywhere. End. As a community-building service, TMCnet allows user submitted content which is not always proofed by TMCnet editors. If you feel this entry is of inferior quality or wish to report it for some reason, please forward the URL to "webedit [AT] tmcnet [DOT] com" with your comments. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The medical officer and his two assistants of the NDMC-run Charak Palika Hospital in Moti Bagh, south Delhi, were accused of raping a 22-year-old trainee. While the doctor and one assistant has been arrested, two other assistants are absconding. By Ajay Kumar: A doctor at a south Delhi municipal hospital and his assistants are among four men accused of gangraping a female intern on the pretext of a job offer, police said on Tuesday, reinforcing the city's ugly reputation on women's safety. Authorities arrested Dr Afzal Khan, 40, who's a medical officer at the NDMC-run Charak Palika Hospital in Moti Bagh, and his 53-year-old associate Krishan Pal, a dark room assistant. advertisement The 22-year-old victim, a student of the Institute of Public Health and Hygiene in Delhi, was receiving professional training at the centre. Two other accused - Surender (50), another dark room assistant, and Dharam Singh (40) - are still absconding, a police officer said. The incident highlights the persistence of such crimes against women despite a public outcry four years ago that led to stronger laws against sexual assault following the fatal gang rape of a young physiotherapist on a bus in the Capital. ALSO READ | Gurugram doctor held for raping woman after job promise WHAT HAPPENED "In her statement, the victim said that she was doing an internship at Charak Palika Hospital run by the NDMC, and was lured by the accused on the pretext of providing employment. She was later sexually assaulted by all the four accused," said additional deputy commissioner of police Manishi Chandra. The incident came to the knowledge of police on Tuesday when the victim filed a complaint at Moti Bagh police station. "The woman said that she came in contact with Krishan in October and her sexual exploitation began in the last week of the same month. He allegedly coerced the victim into a non-consensual relationship with Afzal Khan and Dharam Singh," Chandra said. The woman visited the hospital almost every day during her sixmonth internship from March to September 2016. She was reportedly gang-raped by the accused on various occasions. The intern felt cheated when she did not get a job and approached police, officials said. "The victim was not part of the hospital for the past two months. She was later approached by the accused. She did not complain against the men to higher authorities. We will take necessary action against them and we condemn such incidents," said Ranbir Singh, director of Charak Palika Hospital. Also Read: Woman undergoing dengue treatment claims rape by doctor at Gandhinagar hospital Top naval doctor accused of molestation, Navy orders probe --- ENDS --- [December 06, 2016] Rusk County Memorial Hospital Chooses Harris Healthcare Affinity ERP Solution Rusk County Memorial Hospital (RCMH) has selected Harris Healthcare Affinity Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution for its automation and integration of day-to-day accounting and financial activities. Harris Healthcare is a fully integrated, single-provider financial IT solution developed specifically for healthcare facilities. David Kuehn, RCMH Chief Financial Officer, said, "We are excited to implement a system that is user-friendly and offers a number of advanced features our old system did not provide. With Affinity ERP, we have significantly reduced the number of days to close month end, improved AP turnaround and improved efficiency with less staff time required. We know Affinity ERP will not only provide cost savings, but will also benefit employees and patient care." Last month, Harris Healthcare successfully implemented the "Go Live" phase for the General Ledger, Accounts Payable, and Asset Management products on-time and 10% under budget. Materials Management and Budgeting will "Go Live" on December 1st. Cost Accounting, the Human Capital suite and the remainder of Supply Chain Management will be included in upcoming implementation phases. With the purchase and implementation of the entire Affinity ERP product suite, RCMH will have a comprehensive view of the organization, including key performance indicators relating patient care to expenses and cash flow. RCMH is the fourth hospital to recently select Harris Healthcare in Wisconsin. Chris Sherback, Director of Harris Healthcare ERP Solutions, said, "We are extremely honored to be working with RCMH, and ensuring their financial work flow management is at its best. They are one of many hospitals moving to EPIC for billing and clinical systems, and they came to us because of strong recommendations from their peers who have faced similar challenges." With a 30-year history as a global healthcare IT provider, Harris Healthcare envisions bringing improved solutions to Wisconsin's medical care facilities, and improving healthcare costs throughout the area. Harris Healthcare's Affinity solutions group will be reaching out to all clients with special offers allowing them to take advantage of this high-impact integrated solution set. Please visit our website for more detail. About RCMH: Rusk County Memorial Hospital is a critical access medical center located in Ladysmith, Wis., that comforts, heals and empowers people to be well. In addition to providing medical/surgical care and intensive care, the hospital offers comprehensive surgical services, emergency care, urgent care and transitional care services through the swing bed program. Ancillary services of digital imaging and laboratory are provided, as well as rehabilitative therapies, including cardiac rehabilitation and physical, occupational and speech therapies. The Rusk County Memorial Hospital's Clinic at Riverside is a provider-based rural health clinic that provides primary care to patients of all ages. About Harris Healthcare: The Affinity Solutions group operates as a division of Harris Healthcare, which focuses on bringing together the best healthcare software and making it available and interoperable under one umbrella. Harris Healthcare provides award-winning, proven, flexible solutions that improve the safety, quality and efficiency of patient and also facilitate timely, accurate, and complete revenue management for health systems of any size. We streamline processes, increase productivity and drive satisfaction at all levels. Harris Healthcare supports clients around the world with a staff of over 900 professionals, including the largest staff of clinicians, physicians and nurses in the industry. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161206006452/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 06, 2016] Global Stepper Motor Market - Growth & Demand Forecast to 2022 - Growing Demand for Automation Solutions in Packaging & Labeling Industry - Research and Markets Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Stepper Motor Market Size, Share, Development, Growth and Demand Forecast to 2022" report to their offering. The global stepper motor market is driven by increasing demand for energy-efficient and precise motion control. The growing level of automation along with high expenditure on medical electronic products in economically emerging countries are among key growth catalysts for the market. The stepper motor market is facing stiff competition from servo motors, especially in high-power, closed-loop applications. The demand for automation solutions in the packaging and labeling industry has grown significantly. The modern stepper motor integrated packaging machineries are more efficient, reliable and productive at a reduced cost, which is a trend witnessed in the global stepper motor market. Waterproof stepper motors have facilitated corrosion-free operation of motors used in the food and beverage packaging industry. The stepper motor market in the medical equipment industry isexpected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. Applications such as raising and lowering a hospital bed need stepper motors. Moreover, a stepper motor offers constant rotational speed in ventilator systems. During recent years, stepper motors witnessed high demand from the manufacturing unit of X-ray machines, IV pumps, and blood analyzers. An application such as an oxygen concentrator uses a stepper motor in fans for cooling. The compact size and low noise makes stepper motors a preferred choice for medical applications. Asia-Pacific accounted for about 45% share of the global stepper motor market in 2015. Europe is expected to be the slowest-growing market of stepper motors during the forecast period, owing to lower industrial output along with downward migration of manufacturing industries. Companies Mentioned: Nippon Pulse Motor Co. Ltd. Schneider Electric (News - Alert) SE ABB Ltd. Applied Motion Products Inc. Delta Electronics Inc. Sanyo Denki Co. Ltd. National Instruments (News - Alert) Corporation Nidec Corporation Lin Engineering LLC Faulhaber Group Oriental Motor Co. Key Topics Covered: 1. Research Scope & Methodology 2. Executive Summary 3. Market Outlook 4. Global Stepper Motor Market Size And Forecast (2012-2022) 5. Global Stepper Motor Market, By Geography 6. Competitive Positioning And Market Share Analysis 7. Company Profiles And Strategic Developments For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/m678wl/global_stepper. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161206006459/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 06, 2016] Asia Pacific Broadcast Switchers Market Forecast 2015-2023 NEW YORK, Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- KEY FINDINGS Asia Pacific is the fastest growing market for broadcasting switchers with an estimated CAGR of 8% over the forecasted period. The region has the three largest emerging economies of China, India and South Korea which have a significant place in the global market. China is expected to have the largest market share in broadcasting switchers market. Broadcast switchers are utilized in the transmission of video and audio signals in the broadcasting network. Broadcast switchers are a key part of video broadcast and the introduction of which has made the video transmission process easy. Broadcast switchers mainly find their use in control rooms, remote trucks, edit suites and many more. Market insights There is a rising penetration of television across the globe. The significantly rising usage of digital television and high definition television is exected to improve the experience associated with video broadcasting. The growing demand for high definition video quality is an important factor that has pushed the need to opt for digital broadcasting. With the use of broadcast switchers, live broadcast can be carried out efficiently. These factors are expected to drive the broadcast switchers market. The global broadcast switchers market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecasted period of 2016-2023. Some of the factors restraining the global broadcast switchers market are high capital investment required for the equipment and other procedural events of broadcasting; also lack of proper standardization process in content distribution is expected to hinder the growth of the market. Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04379319-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 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/asia-pacific-broadcast-switchers-market-forecast-2015-2023-300374073.html SOURCE Reportlinker [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 06, 2016] Silver Spring Networks to Participate in the UBS Access Conference Call on Smart Grid Prospects on December 8th, 2016 Silver Spring Networks, Inc. (NYSE:SSNI), a leading networking platform and solutions provider for the Internet of Important ThingsTM, today announced its participation in the UBS Access conference call on Smart Grid Prospects on December 8th at 2:00 p.m. ET. Interested parties may access the conference call live via a dial-in number: Dial-in Numbers Toll Free: 888-227-5895 International: +1-303-223-2696 Passcode: 21836895 A dial-in replay of the conference call will be available until December 15, 2016 and can be accessed at 800-633-8284 (Toll Free) or +1 402-977-9140 (Toll) passcode 21836895. During the course of this event, Silver Spring may disclose material developments affecting its business and/or financial performance. The presentation time is subject to change. Please contact the financial institution hosting the conferences for additional details. About Silver Spring Networks Silver Spring Networks enables the Internet of Important Things by reliably and securely connecting things that matter. Cities, utilities, and companies on five continents use the company's cost-ffective, high-performance IoT network and data platform to operate more efficiently, get greener, and enable innovative services that can improve the lives of millions of people. With more than 24.9 million devices delivered, Silver Spring provides a proven standards-based platform safeguarded with military grade security. Silver Spring Networks' customers include Baltimore Gas & Electric, CitiPower & Powercor, ComEd, Consolidated Edison, CPS Energy, Florida Power & Light, Pacific Gas & Electric, Pepco Holdings, and Singapore Power. Silver Spring has also deployed networks in Smart Cities including Copenhagen, Glasgow, Paris, Providence, and Stockholm. To learn more, visit www.ssni.com. Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements During the course of this presentation, Silver Spring Networks may make forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of the company. Statements including words such as "anticipate", "believe", "estimate" or "expect" and statements in the future tense are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or actual future results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to the filings Silver Spring makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual events or actual results to differ materially from those discussed during the presentation. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the presentation. Silver Spring assumes no obligation to, and does not necessarily intend to, update these forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161206006476/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 06, 2016] Topre Releases REALFORCE RGB Premium Gaming Keyboard in North America CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif., Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Elite Gamers Require Elite Gear. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446258 That's why the REALFORCE RGB Premium Gaming Keyboard combines the world-renowned comfort of TOPRE premium key switches with a full spectrum of colors and tops it off with EXCLUSIVE customizable actuation points for unsurpassed accuracy and speed. Actuation Point Changer EXCLUSIVE Premium Topre Electrostatic Capacitive Switches 16.8 Million (RGB) Color Per-Key Backlighting Keycap Compatibility Stem Software Control Designed & Assembled in Japan Actuation Point Changer (APC) An exclusive to the REALFORCE RGB, the Actuation Point Changer (APC) allows you to customize various points for detecting key activation, making it 25% faster than competing mechanical keyboards. Switch seamlessly from lightning fast responsiveness for gaming or adjust tighter response for accuracy in typing. 1.5mm Great for double-tapping or lighting fast response in RTS, or first person shooters 2.2mm Standard key press actuation distance 3.0mm Longer travel time can be used for very critical actions in MMORPGs or for ensuring error-free documents for work APC provides a new level of comfort to truly customize your typing and gaming experience. Precision Tuned. Premium Grade. Powering every REALFORCE keyboard is Topre's revered electrostatic capacitive key switch. For 15 years, Topre engineers have refined this technology to provide the ultimate in comfort and tactility for keyboard users. Now gamers get to experience the best so they can perform the best. Velvety smooth feel for satisfying, tactile key presses Evenly distributed 45G to avoid finger fatigue Anti-ghosting and full N-Key Roll Over (NKRO) to ensure your commands are executed No key chattering and quieter than mechanicals to keep the lines of communication clear "Keyboard enthusiasts have shared their love for Topre around the world through forums and word of mouth," says Shinichiro Uchigasaki, President of Topre, "and now after we want to advance our technology with Actuation Point Customization (APC) to give gamers a new level of control for their gaming gear." RGB Per-Key Backlighting 16.8 Million Colors REALFORCE keyboards have prided themselves on creating the best feeling key switch, but now includes RGB per-key lighting to meet the demands of gamers. Customize your keyboard's backlighting through the included software application. Represent your team, guild, or just yourself through a full spectrum of colors and set profiles to swap as needed. Keycap Compatibility The REALFORCE RGB includes high quality, double-shot sculpted keycaps to retain the premium feel, durability, and design. But what if you want more customization? REALFORCE RGB has you covered with MX stem compatibility so you can switch up your style with any 3rd party accessory keycaps. Made in Japan We proudly honor our commitment to quality, durability, and technological sophistication by continuously improving. Topre's tradition includes highly controlled quality assurance methods and skilled factory processes to develop products that instill and retain confidence. Availability REALFORCE RGB is NOW available for sale in North America retail channels and distributed through partners select partners: Seasonic Amazon NCIX (Canada) MechanicalKeyboards.com Elitekeyboards.com About Topre Since 1935, Topre has focused on advancing technology in emerging industries. So, it's no surprise that in 1983 as a new age of computers was emerging, Topre wanted to create a keyboard that would live up to their legacy and help their engineers design with comfort and performance in mind. Thus, began the introduction of the electro-capacitive key switch. Over 33 years later and Topre has become synonymous with keyboard enthusiasts as arguably the best feeling keyboards on the market. Now, Topre has developed a keyboard that is designed for PC gamers and aims to bridge eSports professionals with the best keyboard technology. Press Contact [email protected] Related Files REALFORCE-RGB-ProductGuide1.1.pdf Related Images image1.jpg image2.png Related Links Topre Website This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/topre-releases-realforce-rgb-premium-gaming-keyboard-in-north-america-300374063.html SOURCE Topre [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 06, 2016] Creativity 365 Empowers Teams to Collaborate Better with Enhanced Content Ecosystem STATE COLLEGE, Pa., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Kdan Mobile Software Ltd. (Kdan Mobile), an Asian software developer headquartered in Taiwan, announced the rebranding of its content ecosystem as Creativity 365 to further emblematize the value of creativity at work. Formerly known as All Access Pack, the Company has updated its Creative App Series and cloud services to meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of collaboration in office or at school. With its upcoming Creativity 365 volume purchase program, Kdan Mobile looks set to expand its service scope in new market segments and grow its already-impressive user base. The development of Creativity 365 is a timely evolution as the Company strengthens its content creation workflow for collaboration needs on particularly mobile devices. Kdan Mobile has reinforced the security protection of its cloud services and five flagship apps in Creativity 365, including PDF Markup, Pocket Scanner, NoteLedge, Animation Desk, and Write-on Video. With its major content publishing platforms - My Markups, NoteTube, and AniZone, Kdan Mobile has built an ecosystem for users to showcase their own works and discover inspirations from others' creations. According to Kdan Mobile, the Company boasts a 60% conversion rate from free trial to paid subscription, and has already ecured over two million registered members enjoying the robust data security on the firm's proprietary Kdan Cloud services. Business and education users stand to benefit the most from Creativity 365. The ecosystem looks set to fulfill different work scenarios as it supports all major operating systems including iOS, Android, Macintosh, and Windows. "We aim to ride on the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) movement, making the platform easily adaptable to different workflows," said Kenny Su, CEO of Kdan Mobile, "Small-medium enterprises, studios, and education institutions can now easily collaborate over Kdan Cloud and its content publishing platforms across different devices and various operation systems." Kdan Mobile claims that it will continue on enhancing Creativity 365 to be a solid mobile solution for collaboration. Part of the strategy involves extending the team account management in its content creation platforms. Currently, Creativity 365 provides a variety of tools that enable different team members to create and manage digital contents seamlessly. The Company represented that users would be able to streamline their workflow with Creativity 365's multimedia and document solutions, share the contents to the publishing platforms or sync with Kdan Cloud, and invite others to access and continue editing the contents across all smart devices, desktop computers, and Macs. Along with the launch of Creativity 365 and volume purchase programs, Kdan Mobile now offers a 3-month free trial to education users that runs through January 6th, 2017. Eligible students, faculty and staff can sign up at https://kdanmobile.typeform.com/to/mvpSmn to test out Creativity 365. For enterprise users, Creativity 365 Business volume package is available upon request at the Kdan Creative Store https://creativestore.kdanmobile.com/creativity365business. About Kdan Mobile Software Ltd Since 2009, Kdan Mobile has been a dedicated provider of mobile software applications and online services that allow users to better leverage their productivity and creativity. Kdan's works are being backed by more than 60 million downloads worldwide; their solutions empower the world to create, distribute, and conjoin projects via a variety of devices across platforms. Kdan Mobile is headquartered in Taiwan, with operations in Mainland China and the U.S. Media Contact: Clare Lo Global Marketing & PR Specialist Kdan Mobile Software Ltd. +886-6-3131660 [email protected] http://www.kdanmobile.com/ Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20161202/8521607901 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 06, 2016] Hikvision Achieves No.1 Ranking in the A&S Security 50 HANGZHOU, China, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Underlining the company's position as the world's leading supplier in innovative video surveillance products and solutions, Hikvision has achieved Number 1 overall position, being placed at the top of the rankings in A&S magazine's 'Security 50' 2016, with a 43.6% leap in revenues, following a rise to second place in 2015 from third place in 2014. Ranking public-listed manufacturers by product sales revenue, gross profit, and profit margin, participants in the A&S Security 50 range from exclusive manufacturers to end-to-end solution providers, and provides the security industry with a 'Who's Who' of the global security market's most successful companies. Following Hikvision's recent achievement of winning No.1 position in the Scene Classification category at the ImageNet Large Scale Visual Recognition Challenge 2016, this latest achievement illustrates how Hikvision's strong and sustainable technology development is providing a solid platform for the company's success. Via the sustained expansion of its global network, Hikvision is also placing the importance of localised support and service to its partners and users at the forefront of its operation. "This outstanding A&S Security 50 achievement demonstrates Hikvision's continuing dedication to its investment in innovation an excellence," says Cynthia Ho, Vice President at Hikvision. "By responding rapidly to emerging market trends, Hikvision's smooth transition from analog, to digital, IP and HD, and onward to advanced video intelligence, has provided the catalyst for another year of massive growth for Hikvision. "The company seizes every opportunity and trend in the security industry to develop dynamic and innovative products that meet the ever changing needs of market demands. Beyond video surveillance, we see Artificial Intelligence and big data as the inevitable trend of the future, where the technology could help greatly improve operational efficiency for commercial businesses, transportation and many more sectors." Weiqi Wu , VP at Hikvision in charge of R&D: "Since its very beginning, Hikvision has invested heavily in building a first class R&D capability, which has laid a solid foundation for the company's success. Also, our strong R&D management system ensures the highly efficient operation of our R&D team. Over the past decade, Hikvision has embraced world-leading management practices and tools, such as IPD, CMMI and PDM, to continuously optimize the company's product development process. "Applying this methodology has led to the development of 'best-in-class' products and services that not only meet the needs of the industry, but are also quickly accepted by the market. Underlining Hikvision's industry-leading R&D capability, this year, the company has achieved CMMI Maturity Level 5 certification. Looking to the future, Hikvision will continue to push the boundary of security technology and develop even more high-quality products for our customers worldwide." About Security 50 Security 50 is comprised of world leaders in the security industry ranked solely by product sales, with participants ranging from exclusive manufacturers to end-to-end solution providers. More information can be found at http://www.asmag.com/rankings/ About Hikvision Hikvision is the world's leading supplier of video surveillance solutions. Featuring the industry's strongest R&D workforce, Hikvision uses its state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities to design and develop innovative CCTV and video surveillance products for any security need. For more information, please visit Hikvision's website at www.hikvision.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 06, 2016] Boomtown Sells Out 7th Consecutive Demo Day at the Boulder Theater Boomtown Accelerator, which nurtures selected startups through a 12-week mentoring program, today announced their Fall 2016 teams that will take the Boulder Theater stage this evening at 6 p.m. to present their companies at Demo Day. This fall's Boomtown cohort includes seven startups working to address a wide variety of business demands through innovation. Through participation in Boomtown's demanding and thorough accelerator program, these startups were able to gain access to the tools they need most in the early stages. In an effort to reach out and help foster innovation at an earlier stage, Boomtown selected two student teams not involved in the current cohort to experience presenting at Demo Day. Teams from the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business and the University of Colorado at Boulder will present alongside the current Boomtown graduates. "During each session, I am in awe at both the innovation and unbelievable hard work every team demonstrates throughout the program," said Toby Krout, co-founder and executive director of Boomtown. "We are immensely proud of all seven companies and are pleased to add the student teams to the presentations and look forward to seeing what they've been developing." Demo Day allows companies to present their ideas to potential investors, strategic partners and the general public. The Boomtown companies being showcased include the six cohort teams and one team, Grownetics, who has participated in Boomtown's connectivity lab: IndiCard : A community of hospitality employees that helps them save money on food and drinks around the country for being in the industry. A community of hospitality employees that helps them save money on food and drinks around the country for being in the industry. Predictive ReCognition b>: Deep learning and visualizations to help the neighborhood hospital save $20 million+ in fees, costs and penalties associated with value-based care. b>: Deep learning and visualizations to help the neighborhood hospital save $20 million+ in fees, costs and penalties associated with value-based care. WorkTrip : Provides the mobile tools to track and record tax deductions for business travelers. Provides the mobile tools to track and record tax deductions for business travelers. Meer : Uses Facebook's (News - Alert) data to personalize travel packages based on the budget provided. Uses Facebook's (News - Alert) data to personalize travel packages based on the budget provided. Wellness Intel : Helps people make intelligent health decisions. Helps people make intelligent health decisions. Alef Omega : This is math for the right side of the brain. The app turns equations into tangible things that you can explore and play with without first having to know the rules. This is math for the right side of the brain. The app turns equations into tangible things that you can explore and play with without first having to know the rules. Grownetics: The future of agricultural artificial intelligence. By combining big data and machine learning optimization algorithms, Grownetics helps growers reduce costs, decrease energy usage, and increase overall quality and yield. Riviter : Traveling from the University of Chicago, Riveter gives retailers the ability to turn intent into a sale. Riviter's powerfully precise visual search algorithm helps retailers eliminate lost sales from stockouts and irrelevant product suggestions while increasing revenue by suggesting products that deliver on what the customer is looking for without IT integration or private customer data. Traveling from the University of Chicago, Riveter gives retailers the ability to turn intent into a sale. Riviter's powerfully precise visual search algorithm helps retailers eliminate lost sales from stockouts and irrelevant product suggestions while increasing revenue by suggesting products that deliver on what the customer is looking for without IT integration or private customer data. Qualify: The brainchild of two CU students, Qualify gamifies college mobile dating by requiring successful quiz completion before gaining access to view someone's profile. About Boomtown Based in Boulder, Colo., Boomtown aims to discover and support promising Internet, mobile, software, Internet of Things (IoT) and Healthtech startups. Boomtown is currently in its seventh tech and second Healthtech classes and has graduated more than 50 companies since its founding in 2013. For more information, visit www.boomtownaccelerator.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161206006531/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 06, 2016] Glassdoor Announces Winners Of Its Employees' Choice Awards Recognising The Best Places To Work In 2017 In The UK Expedia, ARM and HomeServe Take Top Spots LONDON, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Glassdoor, the world's most transparent jobs and recruiting site, has announced the winners of its ninth annual Employees' Choice Awards, celebrating the Best Places to Work in 2017 across North America and parts of Europe. Unlike any other workplace awards, the Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards are based solely on the input of employees who voluntarily provide anonymous feedback, by completing a company review, about their job, work environment and employer over the past year. This year, the Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards feature six categories, honouring the Best Places to Work across the UK, U.S. (both large and small companies), Canada, France and Germany. There is one category in the UK: 50 Best Places to Work (honouring employers with 1,000 or more employees). Winners are ranked based on their overall rating achieved during the past year. (Ratings based on a 5-point scale: 1.0=very dissatisfied, 3.0=OK, 5.0=very satisfied): The top five UK Best Places to Work in 2017 are: 1. Expedia1 (4.3 rating) - second year in a row at the top of the ranking 2. ARM (4.3 rating) 3. HomeServe UK (4.3 rating) 4. Mott MacDonald (4.3 rating) 5. Hays Plc (4.3 rating) "Company culture and the employee experience are critical considerations for job seekers everywhere when deciding where to work. The Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards are solely determined by the authentic voice of those who really know a company best - the people who work there. This really helps job seekers identify the Best Places to Work in the UK," said Diarmuid Russell, Glassdoor Head of Internatioal. "Employers where employees love to work continue to prove that they have a recruiting and business performance edge. We're proud to celebrate the 2017 Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards winners in earning this incredible achievement." Glassdoor's 50 UK Best Places to Work in 2017 list features winning employers across diverse industries with technology and retail dominating, but also companies in finance, accounting, energy and more. Expedia is the first company in the UK to rank No. 1 twice, and is among only ten employers that have made this list for three consecutive years. Twenty four employers are debuting as Best Places to Work this year, including HomeServe UK (Third; 4.3 rating), Peninsula (Sixth; 4.2 rating) and Salesforce (Eighth; 4.2 rating), among others. When employees submit reviews about their company on Glassdoor, they are asked to give their opinion on some of the best reasons to work for their employer (pros), any downsides (cons) and are encouraged to provide advice to management. Employees are also asked to rate how satisfied they are with their employer overall, rate their CEO, as well as rate five key workplace attributes, including giving their opinion on career opportunities, compensation & benefits, culture & values, senior management and work-life balance. In addition, employees are asked whether they would recommend their employer to a friend and whether they believe their employer's business will perform better, worse or remain the same in the next six months. Employees' Choice Award winners for the 2017 Best Places to Work are determined using Glassdoor's proprietary algorithm, taking into account the quantity, quality and consistency of Glassdoor-approved company reviews shared by UK-based employees between 2 November, 2015 and 30 October, 2016. At a minimum, employers considered for the list must have received at least 30 company reviews during the eligibility period. For reporting simplicity, ratings are displayed to the nearest tenth, though calculations extend beyond the thousandth to determine final rank. Complete report methodology can be found and downloaded here: https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/List/about-employees-choice-awards.htm SEE THE 2017 WINNERS: All winning employers across this year's six categories can be found by visiting: 50 Best Places to Work UK 50 Best Places to Work U.S. 50 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work For U.S. 25 Best Places to Work Canada 25 Best Places to Work France 25 Best Places to Work Germany VIDEO, PHOTOS + EMPLOYEE COMMENTARY: See links below to download and embed video interviews showcasing what employees and senior leaders at winning employers have to say about their workplaces: VIDEO: Inside Expedia (No. 1, UK) VIDEO: Inside Bain & Company (No. 1, U.S. large companies) VIDEO: Inside Greenhouse Software (No. 1, U.S. small & medium companies) VIDEO: Inside Shopify (No. 1, Canada) VIDEO: Inside Microsoft (No. 1, France) VIDEO: Inside SAP (No. 1, Germany) Workplace/office photos and employee commentary about winning employers are also available upon request. Please email: [email protected]. About Glassdoor Glassdoor is the world's most transparent jobs and recruiting marketplace that is changing how people search for jobs and how companies recruit top talent. Glassdoor combines job listings with anonymous reviews, ratings and salary data to help people find a job and company they love. This level of transparency, in turn, helps employers attract the right candidates for their company and culture at a fraction of the cost of other channels. Glassdoor offers employers job advertising, job posting and employer branding solutions in addition to robust talent analytics. Launched in 2008, Glassdoor has job listings and data for more than 600,000 employers in 190 countries and is available on iOS and Android platforms. For labor market trends and analysis, visit Glassdoor Economic Research. For career advice and job related news and tips, visit the Glassdoor Blog. Glassdoor is a registered trademark of Glassdoor, Inc. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446387LOGO [December 07, 2016] eBaoTech Congratulates AXA Tianping for Winning Gartner Innovative Digital Business Model Award SHANGHAI, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- eBaoTech, a leading digital solutions provider for the global insurance industry announced today that its client, AXA Tianping, received Gartner's Asia Pacific Most Innovative Digital Business Model Award by its Internet Insurance Initiative enabling the sales of personalized insurance products, backed by eBaoCloud. The 2016 Gartner Financial Services Eye on Innovation Awards were announced at Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2016, October 24-27, Australia. The awards recognize innovative use of technology-enabled capabilities to highlight "best-in-class" financial industry initiatives launched within the past 12 months and to offer insight as to developments in digital innovation. AXA Tianping (AXATP) with full name of "AXA Tianping Property & Casualty Insurance Company Limited", currently is the largest foreign-capital property and casualty insurance company in China market. AXATP is determined to become an industry leader in China domestic e-insurance field. As the insurance industry adapts in the digital age and China's insurance regulator is liberalizing the pricing model to allow insurers to provide more innovative auto insurance, AXATP was looking for a solution and partner to increase market share by leveraging digital technology in an open digital ecosystem. The underlying solution is eBaoCloud, a revolutionary engine o enable the insurance industry to go digital full steam. On eBaoCloud, AXATP now is able to launch auto insurance products with scenario and customer based service, and create more cross-selling. eBaoCloud offers all eBao Micro Services on a common platform and enables deep connectivity for typical ecosystem participants, including insurance carriers, brokers, agents, FinTech start-ups, etc. eBaoCloud can be adopted on SaaS, PaaS and other models. Since its launch in June 2015, more than 300 products by over 40 insurance carriers have been launched on eBaoCloud, from general insurance, life insurance to health insurance. "It was our pleasure to work with eBaoTech's team in the past 12 months. A team with full dedication and lots of creative ideas. The proposal submitted for the Gartner Financial Services Eye on Innovation Awards was only one out those many great ideas. Congratulation to the team. You deserve the Award." AXA Tianping CIO Philip Yu gave high praise for the project. "AXA Tianping is one of our first tenants on eBaoCloud. We are very excited that our joint innovations with client was recognized by global top IT research and consulting organization," added Woody Mo, CEO and President of eBaoTech Corporation. "We look forward to exploring and creating more innovative models with AXATP and providing continuous support and value to our client." More information about the award: http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/3488017 About AXA Tianping AXA Tianping is established by merger and acquisition between Tian Ping Auto Insurance Company Limited, originally the first auto-insurance-specialized company in China, and the wholly-owned subsidiary of the largest global insurance group AXA in China. It currently is the largest foreign-capital property and casualty insurance company in China market. The company offers a variety of insurance products, mainly including motor vehicle traffic accident liability compulsory insurance, commercial motor vehicle insurance, SME general insurance, home insurance, cargo insurance, liability insurance, short-term accident insurance, health insurance, etc. About eBaoTech eBaoTech was founded in year 2000 with a mission to "make insurance easy". Today, with business in more than 30 countries globally, serving over a hundred carriers and numerous agents, brokers, and other ecosystem players, eBaoTech has become a global leader in insurance technology. eBaoTech offers two groups of solutions: eBao Cloud and eBao Software. eBao Cloud provides nearly real time capability of technology adoption for insurance industry. While eBao Software offers more traditional on premise implementation of software products for insurers and large brokers/agencies to optimize operation and support business growth. eBaoTech's hallmark is "Rapid Customer Success" (RCS), with a strong focus on delivering business value to its customers fast. Digital insurance is the central theme in the coming years and eBaoTech is well positioned to be a partner and enabler for insurance industry to accelerate technology adoption and move to digital age fast. For more information, please visit www.ebaotech.com. Logo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20150727/0861506750LOGO [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: Scores of Air India passengers were left high and dry after their flight landed in Jaipur due to inclement weather conditions prevailing over Delhi. The passengers were traveling on-board the Muscat-Delhi-Hyderabad flight. As per a passenger who boarded the flight in Muscat, due to foggy conditions prevailing in Delhi, the Air India flight landed in Jaipur at 4:30 am and all the passengers remained in the plane for about six hours. Thereafter, the passengers were asked to deboard and made to wait at the Airport's transit lounge for several more hours. The Air India management, it was alleged, failed to come up with any cogent response or solution to the problems faced by people. Families with small kids and passengers with medical condition were being troubled in particular . --- ENDS --- advertisement [December 07, 2016] Bonsai App Launches with Alec Monopoly at Dundas Square TORONTO, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Shop Bonsai will be taking over Dundas Square to commemorate the Toronto-based startup's nation-wide launch. Shop Bonsai is Canada's first mobile retail marketplace curated for the millennial male. Launching with hundreds of local and international brands, Bonsai provides millennials a unique way to shop one-of-a-kind labels and browse daily content. The iOS application is the first editorial-driven retailer that's designed to integrate house-created content within a seamless retail shopping experience. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446432LOGO With the large influx of international luxury and independent labels in the Canadian market, Bonsai's merchants use the platform to optimize their digital touch points in an increasingly digital age. Brands can manage products and pricing in real-time with a personal concierge service and in-house creative team to stay on top of the latest design trends. Bonsai's disruptive technology elevates the mobile content experience, giving users access to daily style updates from influencers and photographers from around the world. The product will launch with editorial features produced at home in Toronto and abroad in Los Angeles, Boston, New York and Hong Kong; featuring brands such as Bang and Olufsen, Shwood, Kollar Clothing, Get Fresh Company, and Tokyobike. Founded with the collective vision of millennials Saad Siddiqui, Kunal Khemani and Justin Laird in February of 2016, Shop Bonsai fills a void in the marketplace as a pillar of culture and commerce. From December 13-16, Bonsai invites the public to celebrate art, culture and style in the heart of Toronto. By taking over the centre of Dundas Square with an interactive design exhibit built out of stacked shipping containers, Bonsai stands to deflect all the shopping madness by inviting Toronto into its world of editorial content. For the first time, experience shopping without nosy salespeople or dye tags. Bonsai is changing the way users shop with meaningful and relevant content. The week will commence with famed graffiti artist Alec Monopoly performing a live art installation. Monopoly's rebellious subject matter revolves around the corporate greed that gave rise to the Global Financial Crisis of 2008. His symbolisms of revolution and uprising capture Bonsai's markedly anti-retail approach to shopping. Come witness the launch of Toronto's best-kept secret and become the first to join the #retailrevolution. For press inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Related Images image1.png image2.jpg image3.png Related Links Instagram 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/bonsai-app-launches-with-alec-monopoly-at-dundas-square-300374273.html SOURCE Shop Bonsai [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] Vaco Expands Healthcare Business With Key Acquisitions NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- National consulting and talent solutions firm, Vaco, today announced the formation of Pivot Point Consulting, a Vaco Company. Vaco's healthcare IT division, Vaco Healthcare, acquired Pivot Point Consulting based in Seattle and Greythorn based in Bellevue, WA to offer expertise in EHR implementation, training, optimization, legacy and go-live support, project management and strategic advisory services. The new HIT services firm brings together more than 50 employees and 250 consultants across the nation. "Expanding our team to include Pivot Point and Greythorn enhances Vaco's extensive healthcare network and nationwide scale with award-winning expertise and accreditation," Vaco Healthcare Managing Partner Matt Simpson said. "We are excited to offer our clients even more in the way of consulting, contract and direct-hire solutions." The newly combined organization will: Service the full scope of EHR implementation from pre-selection to support, project management, training, go-live, optimization and legacy support. Offer a LIVESite division that provides top tier credentialed trainers and go-live support consultants along with advisors on best practices, gap analysis and key expense management savings. Provide strategic advisory services to guide response to value-based care, revenue cycle transformation, quality improvement programs, privacy and security demands, and the value of advanced analytics. Pivot Point Consulting is a healthcare IT consulting firm that provides implementation, staff augmentation and advisory services for healthcare provider organizations. In 2016, Pivot Point ranked number 1 in KLAS for Epic Consulting in the Select Category and number nine in Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work. They are leaders in EHR consulting services, trategic planning, project management, PMO, legacy and go-live support. With employees in 30 states, the company has provided services to over 40 healthcare organizations, including large multi-hospital networks, academic institutions, pediatric hospitals and local community clinics. "This new venture broadens our global reach and complements our extensive menu of services," said Rachel Marano, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Pivot Point Consulting. "Combining the talents of these three businesses strengthens the options for our current and prospective clients." Greythorn specializes in placing top industry talent in healthcare IT on a project and permanent basis. Like Pivot Point, Greythorn has a significant focus in providing resources with Epic EHR expertise. Through their LIVESite delivery system, Greythorn provides Epic training experts, hands-on training leadership support, strategy and planning, project management, and staff engagement and retention solutions. The company also offers a dynamic Open Source/Big Data direct-hire staffing team that continues expansion within that community. "The cultures of our three businesses match extremely well," said Ben Weber, Managing Partner of Greythorn. "Greythorn has produced results here in the U.S. for over 16 years. We look forward to building on our success as part of this new company." Pivot Point Consulting, a Vaco Company begins offering services to healthcare provider organizations as an integrated business on Jan. 2, 2017. About Vaco Vaco offers consulting, contract and direct-hire solutions in the areas of accounting, finance, technology, healthcare, operations and general administration. With more than 30 offices across the nation and beyond, Vaco has been on Inc. magazine's list of the nation's fastest-growing private companies for the last 10 years. Vaco is dedicated to developing creative client solutions, long-term relationships and lifelong careers. For more information, visit vaco.com. About Pivot Point Established in 2011, Pivot Point Consulting is a healthcare IT consulting leader providing implementation, optimization, project management, legacy support and strategic advisory services nationwide. The company has earned many industry and workplace quality awards including: #1 in KLAS for Epic Consulting in the Select Category in 2016, #3 for HIT Implementation Support and Staffing in the 2015/2016 Best in KLAS: Software & Services report, #9 in Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work in 2016, #4 Fastest Growing Company by Consulting Magazine in 2015, Consulting Magazine's Seven Small Jewels Award, Puget Sound Business Journal's #1 Fastest Growing Eastside Seattle Firm, Puget Sound Business Journal's #3 Fastest Growing Firm in Washington, Rising Star of the Profession by Consulting Magazine and Crain's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in 2014 & 2015. For more information about Pivot Point Consulting, visit www.pivotpointconsulting.com. About Greythorn Greythorn is a specialist technology and healthcare IT recruitment consultancy, placing highly skilled talent across the United States and Canada in full-time and contract roles. Through a boutique approach and specialist expertise that focuses on specific industries and technologies, Greythorn partners with like-minded businesses that are looking for true value from a recruitment partner. For more information, visit greythorn.com. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vaco-expands-healthcare-business-with-key-acquisitions-300374267.html SOURCE Vaco [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] Onapsis Joins IBM Security App Exchange Community Onapsis, a global expert in business-critical application security, today announced that the Onapsis Security Platform integrates with IBM (News - Alert) security intelligence technology to provide customers with improved visibility into their network security. Utilizing QRadar to consolidate different sources of network security, this integration with the Onapsis Security Platform (OSP) will extend the existing visibility of QRadar, as well as security process and workflows to include results from OSP. The new application is freely available to the security community through IBM Security App Exchange, a marketplace where developers across the industry can share applications based on IBM Security technologies. As threats are evolving faster than ever, collaborative development amongst the security community will help organizations adapt quickly and speed innovation in the fight against cybercrime. The Onapsis Security Platform leverages IBM Security QRadar, the company's security intelligence platform which analyzes data across an organization's IT infrastructure in real-time to identify potential security threats. Leveraging QRadar's new open application programming interfaces (API), the Onapsis Security Platform allows Onapsis and IBM customers to have extended coverage for real-time monitoring and reporting of advanced tacks targeting SAP (News - Alert) business systems. "With this new integration, subscribers of the Onapsis Security Platform can now send OSP events to their IBM QRadar SIEM for increased visibility into their company's network security. Alarm activity designated by the user is transferred in real-time to QRadar for comparison with information gathered from other sources within the network. This includes things such as including information flows or traffic, and data about ports and protocols, asset context, events from third-party devices, feeds, and other sources to provide your company with a complete security posture assessment," said Alex Horan, Director of Product Management, Onapsis. About Onapsis Onapsis is the pioneer in cybersecurity and compliance solutions for cloud and on-premise ERP and business-critical applications. As the proven market leader, global enterprises trust Onapsis to protect the essential information and processes that run their businesses. Headquartered in Boston, MA Onapsis serves over 200 customers including many of the Global 2000. Onapsis' solutions are also the de-facto standard for leading consulting and audit firms such as Accenture, Deloitte (News - Alert), E&Y, IBM, KPMG and PwC. Onapsis solutions include the Onapsis Security Platform, which is the most widely-used SAP-certified cyber-security solution in the market. Unlike generic security products, Onapsis' context-aware solutions deliver both preventative vulnerability and compliance controls, as well as real-time detection and incident response capabilities to reduce risks affecting critical business processes and data. Through open interfaces, the platform can be integrated with leading SIEM, GRC and network security products, seamlessly incorporating enterprise applications into existing vulnerability, risk and incident response management programs. These solutions are powered by the Onapsis Research Labs which continuously provide leading intelligence on security threats affecting SAP and Oracle (News - Alert) enterprise applications. Experts of the Onapsis Research Labs were the first to lecture on SAP cyber-attacks and have uncovered and helped fix hundreds of security vulnerabilities to-date affecting SAP Business Suite, SAP HANA, SAP Cloud and SAP Mobile applications, as well as Oracle JD Edwards and Oracle E-Business Suite platforms. Onapsis has been issued U.S. Patent No. 9,009,837 entitled "Automated Security Assessment of Business-Critical Systems and Applications," which describes certain algorithms and capabilities behind the technology powering the Onapsis Security Platform and Onapsis X1 software platforms. This patented technology is recognized industry wide and has gained Onapsis the recognition as a 2015 SINET 16 Innovator. For more information, please visit www.onapsis.com, or connect with us on Twitter, Google+, or LinkedIn. Onapsis and Onapsis Research Labs are registered trademarks of Onapsis, Inc. All other company or product names may be the registered trademarks of their respective owners. About IBM Security IBM's security platform provides the security intelligence to help organizations holistically protect their people, data, applications and infrastructure. IBM offers solutions for identity and access management, security information and event management, database security, application development, risk management, endpoint management, next-generation intrusion protection and more. IBM operates one of the world's broadest security research and development, and delivery organizations. For more information, please visit www.ibm.com/security, follow @IBMSecurity on Twitter (News - Alert) or visit the IBM Security Intelligence blog. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005414/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] IEEE Conference Launched in Ras Al Khaimah The 5th International Conference on Electronic Devices, Systems and Applications (ICEDSA 2016), sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE (News - Alert)), was today launched in Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005480/en/ Organizers and keynote speakers at the ICEDSA 2016 Conference at AURAK (Photo: ME NewsWire) Taking place on the AURAK campus, the conference runs until Thursday, December 8, and focuses on the latest theoretical ad practical developments in the field of electronic devices, systems and applications. The conference was organized by the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) in conjunction with its strategic partner, the Universiti Teknologi Mara, a Malaysian university based in Shah Alam, Selangor. A branch of the local Ras Al Khaimah government, RAK Municipality, sponsored the three-day event. The ICEDSA 2016 opening remarks were delivered by Professor Eesa Bastaki, chair of the conference and honorary chairman of the IEEE's UAE section, and featured a keynote session with prominent speakers such as Prof. Ahmed Kishk, Dr. Ayman Alnashar, Prof. Rabab Ward and Prof. Amine Bermak. Speaking of the conference's importance, Professor Mousa Mohsen, Dean of the AURAK School of Engineering, commented, "The fact that we are hosting such a prestigious conference is a demonstration of how quickly this university is developing. IEEE is the most distinguished professional association in our field, so it is a great honor for us to be the hub for this event, where great minds have come to interact and share knowledge." Over the next three days a number of parallel sessions will be taking place across the university's campus, with more than one hundred academic papers being presented. Prof. Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, president of AURAK, added, "It gives me immense satisfaction when I see people travelling from around the world to participate in conferences at our university. This is just further evidence that AURAK is quickly becoming one of the UAE's leading universities." The American University of Ras Al Khaimah's School of Engineering offers a total of eleven programs, including bachelor's degrees in electronics and communications engineering, computer engineering and computer science, making the conference particularly relevant for the large number of students who attended. *Source (News - Alert): ME NewsWire View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005480/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] Match-Trade Launches Trader's Room Solution for FX Brokers Irvine, California, Dec. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Match-Trade Technologies LLC, ("Match-Trade" or the "Company"), headquartered in Irvine, California, is pleased to announce the launch of Match-Trade (M-TT) Traders Room Solution for FX Brokers. As a complement to Match-Trade White Label offering, M-TT Traders Room application will assist FX Brokers to automate the most critical aspect of their operations. In the M-TT Traders Room area, FX Brokers clients will be able to open the new demo or live accounts automatically, send deposits and request withdrawals. M-TT support different types of payment gateways such as Paypal, Skrill, Neteller and others which are currently popular in the market. Match-Trade can add other payment gateways and additional functionalities as requested by customers. All activities performed by FX Brokers clients on system administration is logged in the system, and all interested parties will receive additional emal notifications about the requested actions. Additionally, each client can use this application as an e-wallet, which allows making instant transfers to trading accounts in case of insufficient margins or any other unexpected situation that requires the immediate transfer of funds. M-TT Traders Room application is fully integrated with both MT4 server and Match-Trader Trading Platform. The most important features of Match-Trade Traders Room: Opening Demo and Live accounts from website Opening new accounts from Traders Room application Various deposit and withdrawal options, e-payments supported Transferring funds between accounts E-Wallet functionality Automatic email notifications about all clients activities Partner Area (IB) Flexible options configured according to broker needs This solution is available for all Match-Trade clients, and also one may buy this service for external clients and servers. About Match-Trade Technologies Match-Trade Technologies LLC, ("Match-Trade"), headquartered in Irvine, California is a fully integrated Forex technology provider that delivers turnkey matching engine solutions to all forex market participants looking to access the retail and institutional spot forex markets. Match-Trade has combined state of the art software components of matching engine technology that enables forex providers (Brokers, Prime Brokers, and other LPs) to participate in the new generation of transparent, distributed and independent ECN forex market. Match-Trade Technologies LLC www.match-trade.com Phone: +1 949-783-9974 Skype: match-trade Email: [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] Owens Corning and Concrete Preservation Institute Announce Support for CPI's Career Skills Program and Restoration of Pearl Harbor Monument Owens Corning (News - Alert) and the Concrete Preservation Institute (CPI) today announced an agreement through which Owens Corning and its Foundation will support CPI's Career Skills Program at Pearl Harbor. This program will restore the historic Battleship Row mooring quays, while helping U.S. Army personnel transition to civilian jobs. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005227/en/ Representatives from Owens Corning and Concrete Preservation Institute on a Battleship Row mooring quay at Pearl Harbor. Owens Corning and its Foundation will support CPI's Career Skills Program at Pearl Harbor to restore the historic mooring quays, while helping U.S. Army personnel transition to civilian jobs. (Photo: Business Wire) Details of the agreement include: Owens Corning Foundation will donate $100,000 to support CPI's Career Skills Program at Pearl Harbor Owens Corning will donate fiberglass composites to CPI for use in restoration work, where appropriate, in the Pearl Harbor Battleship Row mooring quays - used to secure the ships along Battleship Row and the last structures remaining from the attack on December 7, 1941 Owens Corning volunteers will provide materials expertise to the project "CPI's Career Skills Program gives us a great opportunity to help the men and women of our military transition to civilian life," said Don Rettig, president, Owens Corning Foundation. "Starting this relationship and work with CPI on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day makes it especially meaningful to our employees." "Launching the program this year, the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, highlights the importance of honoring the past while nspiring the future," said Dr. Tanya Wattenburg Komas, founding director, president, and CEO, CPI. "With the generous support of Owens Corning, we are honored to help preserve this important national monument while contributing to meaningful veteran employment that addresses a national workforce development need for skilled trades and management in all areas of construction, including repair of infrastructure." CPI's Career Skills Program is the first overseas program to be approved by the U.S. Army and the only one focused on concrete. Service members from any military branch can participate in the Pearl Harbor program at no cost due to program partnerships, donations, and grants. Active-duty service members will participate in CPI's three yearly, 12-week sessions for the Battleship Row mooring quay restoration project. They will learn hands-on about concrete, construction, and historic preservation while helping preserve one of the country's most important historical sites. "In our Composites business, we're committed to developing solutions to help reinforce our future, which involves both preserving national treasures and improving the integrity of future structures," added Teresa May, vice president of strategic marketing, Composite Solutions Business, Owens Corning. Owens Corning sponsored the graduation of the first cohort to complete CPI's Career Skills Program at World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument on December 5. CPI will work with the National Park Service and other stakeholders to determine the proper preservation approach and then contribute its expertise in concrete repair and material systems. When appropriate, this may include the use of advanced reinforcing materials within the concrete system to ensure durability. About Owens Corning Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) develops, manufactures and markets insulation, roofing and fiberglass composites. Global in scope and human in scale, the company's market-leading businesses use their deep expertise in materials, manufacturing and building science to develop products and systems that save energy and improve comfort in commercial and residential buildings. Through its glass reinforcements business, the company makes thousands of products lighter, stronger and more durable. Ultimately, Owens Corning people and products make the world a better place. Based in Toledo, Ohio, Owens Corning posted 2015 sales of $5.4 billion and employs about 16,000 people in 25 countries. It has been a Fortune 500 company for 62 consecutive years. For more information, please visit www.owenscorning.com. About Concrete Preservation Institute CPI is a non-profit educational foundation with Field School locations at Alcatraz Island and Pearl Harbor. CPI is a partner of the U.S. National Park Service and an official Career Skills Program for the U.S. military. The Institute is supported by industry sponsorships, charitable donations, and partnerships to fund the training program and preserve structures that might not otherwise be preserved due to declining federal capital improvement budgets. CPI directors are internationally recognized experts in concrete repair and preservation. They teach in the Field School program, contribute to advancement of the repair industry through development of repair technology and approaches, engage in ongoing special projects around the world, and offer industry professional development. For more information, please visit www.cpi-foundation.org/. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005227/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] Cogent and BellChild to Launch Next Generation iBRESS Service Mississauga, Ontario, Dec. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. (Skkynet) (OTCQB: SKKY), a global leader in real-time cloud information systems, announces that Cogent Real-Time Systems, a Skkynet subsidiary, signed a memo of understanding with BellChild Ltd. of Osaka, Japan, to launch the next generation iBRESS cloud service. This MOU supports the rollout of an Asian-market specific SaaS (Software as a Service) for secure, real-time data communication suitable for Industrie 4.0 and Industrial IoT (IIoT) applications. We are pleased to strengthen our relationship with BellChild in this way, said Paul Thomas, President of Skkynet, and build on the success of the current iBRESS Secure Cloud Micro Service, which we have been offering jointly for the past 18 months. Adding the capabilities of the SkkyHub service to BellChilds portfolio will significantly enhance their ability to serve their customers. Users of the improved iBRESS service will be able to securely connect industrial plants, machines, or individual sensors and actuators to a complete Industrie 4.0 or IIoT system. This will allow BellChild customers to monitor and control their industrial processes in real time, from a web page or mobile phone, as well as log data directly to any database or Big Data repository. The improved service requires no programming, and allows users to seamlessly integrate existing systems using standard protocols, while incrementally adding Industrie 4.0 or IIoT capability as needed. Underpinning the iBRESS and SkkHub services, Skkynets patented technology for secure, outbound-only connections is fully compatible with corporate IT policies, and ensures no exposed attack surface no open firewall ports, no VPN, and no extra hardware. It provides Industrie 4.0 and IIoT connectivity at in-plant networking speeds of microseconds over nework latency, and processes up to 50,000+ data changes per second. About BellChild BellChild is a system integration company focusing on secure system development, robust infrastructure development, and advanced operations capabilities. BellChilds BEAM platform provides highly secure cloud services for the financial sector. The company develops and maintains secure servers used to support high-speed financial transactions, which is also used to provide a robust and secure platform to support industrial cloud-based systems in the form of iBRESS service. For more information, see http://www.bell-c.co.jp/. About Skkynet Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. (OTCQB: SKKY) is a global leader in real-time cloud information systems. The Skkynet Connected Systems platform includes the award-winning SkkyHub service, DataHub, WebView, and Embedded Toolkit (ETK) software. The platform enables real-time data connectivity for industrial, embedded, and financial systems, with no programming required. Skkynets platform is uniquely positioned for the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 because unlike the traditional approach for networked systems, SkkyHub is secure-by-design. For more information, see http://skkynet.com. Safe Harbor This news release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future, and results of new business opportunities. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, such as the inherent uncertainties associated with new business opportunities and development stage companies. Skkynet assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements. Although Skkynet believes that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate. Investors should refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in Skkynets annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Contact Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. Paul E. Thomas, President Office: (888) 628-2028 Fax: (888) 705-5366 Web: http://skkynet.com Email: [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] Veridium Appoints Former HSBC Fintech Head James Stickland as New CEO Biometrics software startup brings on fintech veteran to drive company growth BOSTON, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Veridium, a leader in biometrics-based authentication technology, today announced the appointment of new CEO James Stickland. Stickland, a seasoned financial technology industry executive with decades of experience, has served in senior executive roles for HSBC, JPMorgan Chase and Cisco, where he specialized in expanding a pipeline of venture capital and accelerating innovation within emerging technology portfolios. He most recently served as managing director of U.K.-based fintech firm Red Deer Systems. As CEO, Stickland will primarily be focused on driving business strategy, revenue and investment growth, and will be based out of Veridium's London office. The appointment comes three months after Veridium, formerly known as Hoyos Labs, rebranded and launched its end-to-end biometric authentication solution, VeridiumID. VeridiumID is a server-based sysem for biometric authentication that works in conjunction with an enterprise's mobile app and Veridium's front-end, mobile SDK. Prior to his role at Red Deer Systems, where he was responsible for the firm's strategic direction, Stickland was director of innovation and investments at HSBC's fintech division. With a strong track record as a senior executive within both the financial services industry and tech startup sector, he is uniquely well positioned to lead the company as it addresses key security issues impacting the global 2000, financial services, healthcare and government organizations. "Passwords are dead and can no longer be relied on to safeguard companies or consumers from the threat of fraud and data breaches. Biometrics are now a valid replacement for these authentication efforts," said James Stickland, CEO, Veridium. "Enterprises across the globe are attempting to tackle the ongoing problems associated with identity and access management, and VeridiumID is perfectly positioned to fully support these efforts. There is an incredible void for a biometric authentication offering that can be adopted on a widespread basis across an enterprise, remain cost-effective and eliminate the major security concerns. Veridium's technology has cracked this nut and I am very much looking forward to joining the company and taking this solution to market." About Veridium Veridium is a leading provider of end-to-end biometric authentication designed to safeguard enterprises' most critical assets. Powered by an unmatched legacy of biometrics R&D, Veridium solutions help organizations to increase security, reduce fraud, and cut the costs associated with passwords and traditional multi-factor authentication solutions. Veridium has offices in Boston and New York, U.S.; Oxford and London, U.K.; Houten, Netherlands; and Bucharest and Timisoara, Romania. For additional information, please visit www.veridiumID.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] Fareportal partners with Amadeus to integrate preferred airline seat selection NEW YORK and MIAMI, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Fareportal, a high-tech, high-touch travel company powering the next generation of travel, and Amadeus, a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel industry, announced today that customers booking through CheapOair or OneTravel now have the ability to book preferred seating on select airline partners through Amadeus' global distribution system. The new technology allows travelers booking flights on CheapOair and OneTravel to see a real-time view of the available seats along with any additional costs associated with preferred seating. Due to Fareportal's history of successfully selling ancillary products, Fareportal was selected by Amadeus as a partner to pilot test this new functionality on American Airlines flights. "We are proud to offer our customers the option to purchase added value products on our sites," said Sam Jain, CEO of Fareportal. "Working with Amadeus to make its ancillary products available for sale on CheapOair and OneTravel emphasizes our commitment to providing customers with more choices when booking their trip." The system integration allows customers to select paid seats through the interactive seat map before checkout for a seamless booking process and an enhanced customer experience. And although this back-end update will go unnoticed by consumers during the booking process, behind-the-scenes connectivity based on the latest NDC standards will help ensure more user satisfaction. "At Amadeus, we are focused on providing technology and global travel content that enables our industry partners to offer consumers clear and convenient options so they can book their desired travel experience. The broader the choice, the better it is for the entire travel ecosystem," said Scott Gutz, Chief Executie Officer, Amadeus North America. Fareportal is dedicated to continually improving technology as well as providing added value for customers. Fareportal is excited to continue to lead innovation in the ancillary product category to offer customers more choices and more flexibility. About Fareportal Fareportal is a high-tech, high-touch Travel Company that powers the next generation travel concierge service. Utilizing its innovative technology and company owned and operated global contact center, Fareportal has built strong industry partnerships providing access to over 450 airlines, 150,000 hotels, and hundreds of car rental companies that serve millions of customers every year. With a portfolio of consumer travel brands, including CheapOair and OneTravel, Fareportal's airline partners can benefit from access to a broad customer base that books high-yield international travel and add-on ancillaries. About Amadeus Amadeus provides the technology which keeps the travel sector moving - from initial search to making a booking, from pricing to ticketing, from managing reservations to managing check-in and departure processes. Our products and solutions help to improve the business performance of our customers: travel agencies, corporations, airlines, ground handlers, hotels, railways, car rental companies, airports, cruise lines and ferry operators. At the heart of our approach is innovation. Amadeus was recognized in 2014 and 2015 as the leading European investor in R&D for the travel and tourism sector by the EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard, which ranks European companies by total investment in R&D. Over 4 billion have been invested in R&D since 2004. It is this strong commitment that we believe will enable us to continue working with our customers and partners to shape the future of travel. Amadeus works in more than 190 markets with a worldwide team of more than 14,000 people. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the company reported revenues of 3,913.0 million and EBITDA of 1,465.0 million. Amadeus is listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange and forms part of the IBEX 35 Index. Follow Amadeus: https://www.facebook.com/amadeusnorthamerica https://twitter.com/amadeusnews https://www.linkedin.com/company/2780?trk=tyah https://www.youtube.com/user/amadeusnorthamerica http://blogamadeus.com/feed/ https://plus.google.com/113862376434257859271/posts MEDIA CONTACTS: Kathi Moore [email protected] (646) 738-7813 Debbie Iannaci [email protected] (305) 499-6448 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160606/375651LOGO Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161207/446452LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fareportal-partners-with-amadeus-to-integrate-preferred-airline-seat-selection-300374298.html SOURCE Amadeus [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] Timing is everything for successful abandoned-cart email campaigns NEW YORK, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers may abandon online shopping carts for many reasons: a phone call, a child's needs, scheduling an appointment. The challenge for brands is how to bring those customers back to complete the transaction, especially if they've abandoned a cart multiple times. According to Experian Cross-Channel Marketing's Q3 2016 Email Benchmark Report, customers who received multiple abandoned-shopping-cart emails were 2.4 times more likely to complete a transaction than customers who received only one. Additionally, the analysis found that customers who received multiple abandoned-shopping-cart emails had a multiple transaction rate 44 percent higher than those who didn't. "Many brands are hesitant to send multiple emails for fear of bombarding customers with communications and rightfully so. But it's important to bring these customers back into the loop, particularly during the holiday season," said Spencer Kollas, vice president of global deliverability for Experian's Cross-Channel Marketing, which helps brands leverage customer data to empower insight-driven marketing. "In order to find the happy medium between burdensome and effective email messaging, marketers need to take a customer's past behavior into account. By testing various suppression strategies, marketers can find the optimal cadence for email communication." The analysis examined email marketing campaigns that had business rules in place for trigger emails. For example, it looked at the business rules for email communications to consumers who abandoned multiple online shopping carts in a short period of time. These campaigns often had suppression rules of 24 hours, two weeks or 30 days. Findings showed that the shorter, 24-hour supprssion period proved more successful, as marketers were allowed to send more than one abandoned-cart email to the same email address. In fact, 10 percent of the recipients analyzed received more than one abandoned-cart email and generated 18 percent of the total transactions for these campaigns. Email benchmarking trends The Q3 2016 Email Benchmark Report also examined year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter email marketing trends. The analysis found that total click rates have declined year-over-year for the past four quarters, while the percentage of clicks generated on mobile phones has increased during the same time period. "As mobile usage continues to grow, brands need to prepare for the potential of declining overall click rates for the foreseeable future," continued Kollas. "With this in mind, marketers can better position themselves for success on the mobile platform by ensuring their call-to-action buttons are clearly visible and easy to use." Other findings: Fifty-six percent of total email opens occurred on mobile phones or tablets in Q3 2016, a 4 percent increase from a year ago. While email volume increased 19.8 percent year-over-year in Q3 2016, transaction rates, revenue per email and average order value all remained relatively steady during the same time period. Declines in revenue per email and average order value were driven by lower average order values for luxury brands ( $539 in Q2 2016 compared with $472 in Q3 2016). in Q2 2016 compared with in Q3 2016). Seventy-three percent of consumer products and services and 76 percent of multichannel retail brands had year-over-year gains in email volume in Q3 2016. For a complimentary download of the full report, click here. About Experian We are the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to our clients around the world. We help businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision-making. We also help people to check their credit report and credit score and protect against identity theft. In 2016, for the third year running, we were named one of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" by Forbes magazine. We employ approximately 17,000 people in 37 countries and our corporate headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; California, US; and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended March 31, 2016, was US$4.6 billion. To find out more about our company, please visit http://www.experianplc.com or watch our documentary, "Inside Experian." Experian and the Experian marks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners. Contact: Jordan Takeyama Experian Marketing Services 1 714 830 7561 [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140226/MM73173LOGO-c To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/timing-is-everything-for-successful-abandoned-cart-email-campaigns-300374168.html SOURCE Experian [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The quarrel had started over an issue of hiring an auto-rickshaw. By Tanseem Haider: Delhi Police has achieved a major breakthrough by arresting an absconding accused, Mukesh Kumar, a resident of Rajasthan wanted in the murder case of an African national, Masonda Ketada Olivier. Mukesh had been on the run for the past six and a half months and had a cash reward on his head of Rs 20,000. On May 20, a violent quarrel incident involving a Congo national was reported from Kishangarh, where three people- Mobin Azad Saifi, Mukesh and Prakash had thrashed Masonda Ketada Olivier to death. advertisement The quarrel had started over an issue of hiring an auto-rickshaw. A PCR call was made by a passerby, after which the victim was taken to AIIMS, where he was pronounced brought dead. Two of the accused persons- Mobin Azad and Saifiand Prakash were arrested soon after but accused Mukesh Vishnoi was absconding and managed to evade his arrest for six months. Mukesh was proclaimed an offender by the Delhi High Court on November 8 and since then, several teams of Delhi Police had been looking for him. On December 6, acting on specific tip police apprehended Mukesh coming from Jaipur from a bus station in Delhi. --- ENDS --- [December 07, 2016] Deb USA, Inc. Launches New Website The skin care solutions expert Deb USA, Inc. has launched a new website. The new site brings together all of the elements in the group's fight against occupational skin disorders and the spread of infections - which is in line with its mission to 'Make Hands Matter in the Workplace.' At www.debgroup.com/us, customers can find product details, share information and learn about hand hygiene and skin care. Deb has also created a launch video to introduce the website, which is available at: https://youtu.be/AA5gJGrICdE "Occupational skin disorders and the spread of germs can affect both an organization's efficiency and the health and well-being of its staff," said Isabelle Faivre, Vice President of Marketing, Deb North America. "Our new website provides employers and employees with the information and resources they need to combat these threats." Every market sector requires its own hand hygiene and skin care program. Based on years of experience and research, Deb has developed dedicated programs for sectors including industrial, commercial, healthcae and food. They consist of three elements: Essential Products, Vital Information and Highest Standards of Behavior. To find the right information on Deb's new website, users simply need to select the market sector that best fits their requirements. An easy-to-use product selector leads to pages that provide detailed information about Deb's wide range of skin care products, including pre-work creams, hand cleansers, hand sanitizers and restorative creams. "In addition to the most comprehensive range of occupational skin care products available on the market, Deb provides employers and employees with training and educational materials," said Faivre. "Many of these materials are easily accessible on our website." The website includes responsive design functionality, maximizing the user experience whether using a smart phone, a tablet or a desktop computer. The Resources section provides downloads including videos, posters, signs and brochures. Deb's blog features weekly thought-leadership articles on hand hygiene, prevention of occupational skin disorders, infection prevention, and food safety. Explore the new website today: www.debgroup.com/us About Deb Group Headquartered in the UK and with North American headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., Deb Group provides dedicated skin care programs for a wide range of industries and organizations that value their employee and customer well-being. In 2014, Deb Group acquired Stoko Professional Skin Care to become the world's largest specialist occupational skin care company. The combined organization encompasses 23 companies operating in 19 countries, with Deb products used over 150 million times every day. The Deb product lines include Travabon, Stokoderm, Refresh, Estesol, Solopol, Kresto, Deb InstantFOAM, Stokolan and KrestoGT. In 2015, Deb Group was acquired by SC Johnson, a privately held, family company and one of the world's leading manufacturers of household cleaning products, and products for home storage, air care, pest control and shoe care. To learn more, visit www.debgroup.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005719/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] Winner of Become A Montrealer contest revealed! French blogger Ben Mahi chosen from over 100 candidates worldwide MONTREAL, Dec. 7, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Society for the Celebration of Montreal's 375th Anniversary and Montreal International today announced the winner of the Become A Montrealer contest. Ben Mahi, an international blogger from France will represent Montreal and its 375th celebrations on social networks. You can get to know him by watching the video Unveiling of BAM winner. A French citizen of Algerian origin, Ben has been dreaming of coming to Montreal ever since he was a child. He has over 80,000 followers on his Instagram account. "I am so excited to make my dream come true. I can't wait to live in this city, show the world what an incredibly warm city Montreal is and above all, share this amazing adventure with all of my followers and everyone who wants to get to know me. The expression Good things come to those who wait is very much a part of my story. I am proud to represent the city of my dreams during its 375th anniversary. Montreal, I love you!" "Ben has an impressive following on social media," said Alain Gignac, General Manager of the Society for the Celebration of Montreal's 375th Anniversary. "But it's really his charming personality, his enthusiasm and his love for Montreal that won us over. We can't wait to meet him, and we are very proud to have him as our new ambassador." "The festivities going on during Montreal's 375th anniversary allowus to highlight the city's dynamism and creativity shine on the international stage. We have teamed up and rallied Montrealers together around this ambitious project," said Mr. Hubert Bolduc, President and Chief Executive Officer of Montreal International. "This passion and enthusiasm will allow our city to shine internationally, a key factor in its ability to attract foreign investors, international organizations, strategic talents, students and international meetings," he added. The Become A Montrealer contest Launched in November 2015 by Montreal International and Society for the Celebration of Montreal's 375th Anniversary, the competition included several different rounds. The five finalists who were chosen by a joint jury were first required to produce a video before advancing to an interview and eventually being voted on by the public. Click here to see the rounds and rules. The winner will join Montreal's 375th anniversary team and create different types of content for social media. He will also act as an ambassador among bloggers, Instagram influencers and foreign media. He will attend and provide coverage of the some 175 events being held throughout 2017. His salary will be paid by the Society, and he will be able to stay in a luxury apartment provided by Prevel. About the Society for the Celebration of Montreal's 375th Anniversary The Society for the Celebration of Montreal's 375th Anniversary is a non-profit organization whose mission is to organize the celebrations and socioeconomic contributions that will highlight Montreal's 375th anniversary in 2017. With a focus on promoting Montreal expertise, it acts as a catalyst for local forces to carry out its mandate: mobilize the community, implement a funding strategy, rigorously manage funding, develop quality programming and ensure the visibility of the celebrations. The Society benefits from the support of the Ville de Montreal, the Gouvernement du Quebec and private funding from 11 Great Montrealers. For more information: 375mtl.com For the complete list of press releases and other images and videos, go to our virtual press room here. Follow us live on our Twitter feed @375Mtl. Follow us on Facebook. SOURCE Societe des celebrations du 375e anniversaire de Montreal [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] Infer Launches New Predictive Behavior Scoring for Pardot; Expands Sales Intelligence Capabilities Infer Inc., a leading predictive sales and marketing platform that helps companies win more customers, today announced several enhancements to its product portfolio. The latest improvements to Infer Glance, a sales and account intelligence application, as well as Infer's new predictive behavior scoring for Pardot, reflect the company's strategy to continue deepening integrations with other enterprise systems. Infer's open architecture makes it easier than ever for sales reps and marketers to infuse predictive intelligence into their decision-making in order to grow revenue more quickly. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005319/en/ Infer Glance's new "similar accounts" functionality leverages the company's sophisticated data science to analyze a specific business-to-business (B2B) prospect and instantly display its direct competitors that are already existing customers. (Photo: Business Wire) "The significant product improvements we've made in 2016 reflect how we're helping businesses reimagine automation through data science," said Vik Singh, CEO and co-founder of Infer. "The market for AI solutions is rapidly expanding, and Infer fuels predictive adoption by serving as a guide that intelligently and continuously identifies revenue whitespace in a company's funnel. In just a few years, I'm confident that every modern enterprise with a CRM system will also be leveraging predictive analytics and AI to supercharge its revenue growth." Infer Glance Sales Intelligence Powers More Productive Conversations Businesses of all sizes, such as AdRoll, AppDynamics, Bitly, Druva and Nutanix, leverage Infer Glance to power the sales intelligence layer in their martech stack. It reveals unique prospect attributes and analytics from Infer's predictive models directly within a company's Salesforce CRM interface, giving sales reps the most complete view of each contact or account at their fingertips. Today, the company is adding new insights into "similar accounts" for every lead, contact, account or opportunity. This functionality leverages Infer's sophisticated data science to analyze a specific business-to-business (B2B) prospect and instantly display its direct competitors that are already existing customers. With this visibility, sales reps can craft more personalized prospecting messages that include compelling case studies and other highly targeted assets. Infer Behavior Scoring for Pardot Dramatically Increases Sales and Marketing Impact Infer also deepened its marketing automation integrations by launching predictive behavior scoring for Pardot, with early adopters at PlanGrid, Social Tables and UserVoice. Already available for Marketo and Oracle Eloqua (News - Alert), Infer's behavior scoring uses the most advaced data mining in the industry to model every snapshot of a prospect's behavior. This capability helps companies accurately prioritize B2B deals that are likely to close within a set time period (i.e. the next three weeks). With the addition of Infer behavioral models, Pardot users can now benefit from more of the platform's features, such as account-based behavior scoring, lead-to-account matching and top event and activity dashboards. All of this functionality advances a company's account-based sales and marketing strategy by allowing teams to prioritize the best-fit accounts, tailor personalized outreach and engage at the right time. "Infer's easy-to-use predictive intelligence is the brains of our stack. Its actionable insights help us identify, prioritize and convert more customers faster, while giving our sales and marketing teams the tools they need to be successful," said Connor Fee, chief operations officer at UserVoice. "With Infer behavior scoring for Pardot, we've increased our sales efficiencies and created a data-driven definition of a marketing-qualified-lead." Infer's Rapid Product Enhancements Propel Predictive Adoption and Best Practices In 2016, the predictive sales and marketing category saw a marked shift towards mainstream adoption. According to Gartner's (News - Alert) 2016 Digital Marketing and Advertising Hype Cycle1, "As all forms of marketing look for greater efficiency and effectiveness, predictive analytics are rapidly gaining the attention of advanced marketers." Best-in-class businesses such as Bitly, Nutanix, Okta and Pandora (News - Alert) are just a few of the predictive innovators that make Infer's customer community the largest in its industry. For example, after implementing Infer Predictive Scoring, Shoretel boosted conversion rates for its largest category of leads by 8x and its overall conversion rate by thirty-eight percent. Infer continues to invest in its open ecosystem and bring new, powerful products to market. The company extended its award-winning platform this year through new third-party integrations and connectors for Microsoft Power BI, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Marketo Insights, Oracle Eloqua, Pardot, Salesforce and Google (News - Alert) Analytics. Furthermore, Infer released several new products to general availability, including the AI-powered Infer Profile Management, Infer Glance and Account-Based Behavior Scoring. Finally, the company rolled out regular user experience and reporting enhancements across its product portfolio, including updates to its platform interface, Salesforce reporting package and Marketo (News - Alert) connector. About Infer Founded in 2010, Infer delivers a predictive-first platform that helps companies win more customers. It leverages proven data science to rapidly model the untapped data sitting in enterprises, along with thousands of signals from the web. Infer has the largest customer base in its category, and more 5-star ratings than any other predictive vendor on G2 Crowd. Customers include several large enterprises and numerous high growth companies like AdRoll, Cloudera, New Relic, Tableau, Xactly and Zendesk. Headquartered in Mountain View, California, Infer is funded by leading investors, including Redpoint Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, Social+Capital Partnership, Sutter Hill Ventures and Nexus Venture Partners. Additional Resources Learn more about Infer's momentum on the Infer blog Follow Infer on Twitter @InferInc Become a Facebook fan of Infer Find Infer on LinkedIn 1 Gartner, Inc. "Digital Marketing and Advertising Hype Cycle" by Andrew Frank, Mike McGuire, July 15, 2016 View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005319/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] Keystone Insurers Group adds Nulty Insurance Agency in Michigan Nulty Insurance Agency, with locations in Kalamazoo, Otsego, Iron Mountain and Buchanan, has joined Keystone Insurers Group to become Keystone's second pioneer partner agency in the Wolverine State. "During the first meeting with this agency, it was apparent they had to become a Keystone partner; they're just a natural fit," said Elizabeth Schenk, Keystone's vice president of sales and geographic expansion. "Not only are they currently experiencing success, they're embracing change, implementing new ideas and setting the stage for future success." "Nulty Insurance is excited to become a Keystone Partner agency," Nulty Insurance President TG Nulty said. "Our relationship with Keystone provides us with support that will enhance our ability to deliver the very best to our clients." About Nulty Insurance - Nulty Insurance was originally established in 1945 by TG Nulty's grandfather and currently employs more than 50 professionals. The agency has experiencd a steady growth in new business with diverse hiring and leadership promotion and benefits consultation for the Affordable Care Act. President TG Nulty joined the agency as a producer in 1998 and became president in 1999. For more, visit www.nulty.com. About Keystone Insurers Group (Keystone) - Keystone started in 1983 when four independent insurance agencies teamed up to pool their experience and expertise. Determined and scrappy in the face of a difficult market, this small group believed that agencies could be stronger and more successful if they linked arms. Today, that passion and spirit that started Keystone continues. Growing to almost 300 independent agency partners in 11 states, Keystone provides its agents with a community of like-minded agencies, industry expertise, and access to specialized products for their clients. Keystone is ranked number two on Insurance Journal's 2016 list of Top 20 Privately-Held Property/Casualty Agency Partnerships. For more information, go to www.keystoneinsgrp.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005822/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] GEICO announces new job opportunities coming to Virginia and North Carolina in 2017 As 2016 comes to a close GEICO reveals its plan to bring new job opportunities to Virginia and North Carolina in the New Year. Job seekers interested in a challenging and rewarding career need look no further. GEICO's Virginia Beach office is recruiting new talent to join its expanding team of sales, service and claims associates. Auto damage adjuster positions are available at various locations throughout Virginia and North Carolina. One of the company's accelerated leadership programs - the Management Development Program (MDP) - is also seeking recent college graduates interested in launching their career. "As GEICO continues to grow in Virginia and North Carolina, it allows us to bring new job opportunities to the local communities," said John Pham, regional vice president. "If you have a passion for customer service, a strong attention to detail and work well in a fast-paced environment, we want to hear from you. This is an opportunity you don't want to miss out on. Qualified candidates are encouraged to visit GEICO's career page and apply today." Prior insurance experience is not required. GEICO will provide those with a willngness to learn with all required training for associates to become licensed insurance professionals. GEICO offers competitive starting salaries, a comprehensive benefits package, continuing education, tuition reimbursement, on-site college courses, career growth opportunities, community engagement opportunities and a friendly, supportive workplace. To learn more about career opportunities and to submit an application, visit https://www.geico.com/careers/office-locations/virginia-virginia-beach/. GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the second-largest private passenger auto insurance company in the United States. GEICO, which was founded in 1936, provides millions of auto insurance quotes to U.S. drivers annually. The company is pleased to serve more than 14 million private passenger customers, insuring more than 23 million vehicles (auto & cycle). Using GEICO's online service center, policyholders can purchase policies, make policy changes, report claims and print insurance ID cards. Policyholders can also connect to GEICO through the GEICO App, reach a representative over the phone or visit a GEICO local agent. For more information, go to www.geico.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005875/en/ [December 07, 2016] Fitch Affirms OneBeacon's Ratings; Outlook Stable Fitch Ratings has affirmed the 'BBB+' Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of OneBeacon Insurance Group, Ltd.'s (NYSE: OB) (OneBeacon) holding company and the 'A' Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) rating of its operating subsidiaries. Fitch has also affirmed the 'BBB+' IDR of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (White Mountains). OneBeacon is 76.1% owned by White Mountains. All Rating Outlooks are Stable. A full list of rating actions follows at the end of this release. KEY RATING DRIVERS Fitch's rating action was driven by OneBeacon's solid capital position and strong investment portfolio. Offsetting these positives are modest concerns about the company's ability to produce sustainable calendar year combined ratios in line with specialty peer averages. OneBeacon transformed itself into a diversified speciality insurance company with a Bermuda platform after shedding its run-off operations, standard commercial and personal lines of business. Fitch believes this transformation provides the company an optimal platform to compete with specialty peers and generate consistently strong operating profits. For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2016, the company produced a GAAP calendar year combined ratio of 98.0% compared to a 96.3% for the prior year period. Year-to-date 2016 results were impacted by almost 2 pp of adverse reserve development which was only partially offset by slightly lower catastrophes. Furthermore, the lower premium base has elevated the expense ratio putting additional strain on profitability. Fitch's current ratings of OneBeacon reflect an expectation that future reserve development will be neutral over the next 12 to 18 months. OneBeacon's reserve composition has shifted over time as the underwriting portfolio migrated towards specialty lines that tend to have short to medium tail loss payment patterns. Greater loss reserve stability was fostered by the company's sale of run-off business segments and higher reinsurance utilization on current business. OneBeacon's financial leverage was 21% as of Sept. 30, 2016 and Fitch does not anticipate financial leverage to increase materially over the rating horizon. GAAP fixed charge coverage was 4.8 times (x) year-to-date 2016 following 5.6x in 2015 and a five year average of 5.3x. Fitch expects OneBeacon to maintain a fixed charge coverage of at least 5.0x. In 2016, White Mountains sold several significant assets including Sirius International Group, Ltd. and its holdings in Symetra Financial Corp. leaving the holding company with approximately $1.8 billion in undeployed capital as of Sept. 30, 2016. Fitch expects White Mountains will gradually return capital to shareholders while exploring new investment opportunities. Fitch's ratings of OneBeacon are standalone and do not factor in any explicit or implicit support from White Mountains. Fitch does recognize though that White Mountains ownership of OneBeacon can be favourable in terms of financial flexibility but notes that OneBeacon does not receive any ratings uplift from this ownership. RATING SENSITIVITIES Key rating triggers that could lead to a downgrade are: --Sustained adverse loss reserve development of 5% or greater of prior year equity; --Sustained GAAP calendar year combined ratios over 100% or sustained fixed charge coverage below 5.0x; --Financial leverage above 30%. Key rating triggers that could lead to an upgrade include: --Improvement in competitive market position while continuing to produce favorable operating results while not sustaining deterioration in other credit factors. FULL LIST OF RATING ACTIONS Fitch has affirmed the following ratings with a Stable Outlook: White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. --IDR at 'BBB+'. OneBeacon U.S. Holdings, Inc. --IDR at 'BBB+'; --$275 million 4.6% due Nov. 9, 2022 at 'BBB'. OneBeacon U.S. insurance subsidiaries: Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company; Homeland Insurance Company of New York; Homeland Insurance Company of Delaware; OBI America Insurance Company; OBI National Insurance Company. --IFS at 'A'. Additional information is available on www.fitchratings.com. 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View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005913/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] Ringer Consulting Group Seeking Nominations of Non-Profit Organizations ROSWELL, Ga., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ringer Consulting Group, a premiere full-service digital marketing agency specializing in customized website development/design and database solutions, is accepting nominations of statewide non-profit organizations for a chance to receive a charitable gift of pro bono services valued at $12,000. Submissions are accepted now through Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. Ringer will then review and narrow the field of qualifiers, and the public will vote for one of 10 finalists from Monday, Dec. 19 to Friday, Dec. 30, 2016. Visit www.HireARinger.com/charity to submit an organization. Nominated non-profits must either be Georgia-based, or have an operatingchapter within the state, to qualify for receipt of Ringer's annual charitable gift. Individuals submitting nominations do not need to be directly affiliated with his or her chosen charity. Ringer Consulting Group usually selects one eligible 501(c)3 charity to receive pro bono services to help that organization reach a wider audience online. This year, Ringer's founder and CEO Gabriel Meacham decided to change the selection process: Rather than taking nominations from his staff, Meacham has invited the public to nominate charities they deem worthy of a contribution. Ringer will also select two charities instead of one, that will receive custom websites and/or databases free of charge. Both pro bono donations are valued at $12,000 each. "Everyone at Ringer Consulting feels very strongly about lending a hand whenever we can," Meacham said. "That's why we decided to become a part of the spirit of giving, and offer pro bono work, which can greatly benefit and enhance organizations that don't necessarily have the budget or manpower to put toward a web development project. The end of the year seems like a logical time to find two charities in need of a robust website or database." The winning charities will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017. Contact: Monika Meacham, 404-219-5550 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ringer-consulting-group-seeking-nominations-of-non-profit-organizations-300374640.html SOURCE Ringer Consulting Group [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] The Role of an IRO in Competitive Intelligence TORONTO, Dec 7, 2016 /CNW/ - With the rapid rate of change in the Canadian business landscape, smart companies are keeping a close watch on both their competition and on public sentiment about their industry. While some form of competitive intelligence has been carried out informally by investor relations officers (IROs) all along, today it is marked as a core of function of an IRO's role. 95% of IROs surveyed by Canadian Investor Relations Institute (CIRI) regularly gather information on their company's competitors. CNW spoke with Canadian investor relations experts about their methods, and summarized the conversations in a new white paper, now available for download. Intelligence gathering requires a thoughtful and deliberate approach and IROs are placing a focus on efficiency, effectiveness and strategic importance. The best strategy seems to be one of cross-departmental collaboration, where IR partners with Communications, Marketing and Customer Service to share knowledge gleaned from engagement channels and monitoring sources. "Competitive intelligence can't be siloed in an organization," explains Greg Secord, vice president of investor relations for OpenText Corp. "Each department is stronger in one area of expertise." This approach ensures the IRO is on tp of issues and aware of trends that are outside of the portfolio yet impactful to valuation. Social media monitoring is emerging as an invaluable source of market intelligence. Information about customer opinion, trending news or a groundswell of public interest in the industry at large can have enormous benefit. Deploying the correct tools to track company, competitor and industry mentions helps companies paint a more complete picture of the competitive environment in real-time. Investor relations professionals interested in effective competitive intelligence tactics are invited to download our white paper 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 ] [December 07, 2016] Softchoice Recognized Again as Best Place to Work by Employees on Glassdoor Softchoice, a leading North American IT solutions and managed services provider, has been honored for the second year in a row with a Glassdoor Employees' Choice Award, recognizing the company as one of the Best Places to Work in 2017. The Employees' Choice Awards program, now in its ninth year, relies solely on the input of employees, who elect to provide feedback on their jobs, work environments and companies via Glassdoor. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207006017/en/ Softchoice (News - Alert) has been honored for the second year in a row with a Glassdoor Employees' Choice Award, recognizing the company as one of the Best Places to Work in 2017. (Graphic: Business Wire) "We devote a lot of time, energy and resources to ensure we provide growth opportunities and challenging careers that enable our people to unleash their potential," said David MacDonald, President and CEO, Softchoice. "This recognition from Glassdoor is very special because it comes from the unsolicited, unfiltered feedback from the people who make our culture what it is." Softchoice's award-winning corporate culture has a lot to do with its focus on growing and developing its employees. This includes offering training programs for all employees, and providing frequent open and transparent communication on the performance and direction of the company. Softchoice offers many reward and recognition programs that celebrate th impact employees make on their co-workers, customers and business partners. Softchoice also offers numerous opportunities to participate in employee-led philanthropic activities, like Softchoice Cares. "Providing our people with a meaningful work environment, that also provides the opportunity for personal and professional growth, is at the core of our values," said Kelly Breedon, SVP People & Growth. "This award is a reflection of our fantastic culture, through the hearts and minds of our employees." Softchoice's corporate culture has also been recognized by Achievers as one of its 50 Most Engaged Workplaces in North America (2015), and a Best Workplace in Canada by the Great Place to Work Institute for 11 straight years (2006-16). "Company culture and the employee experience are critical considerations for job seekers everywhere when deciding where to work. To help, the Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards recognize companies that truly stand out as Best Places to Work because they're purely determined by the authentic voice of those who really know a company best - the employees," said Robert Hohman, Glassdoor CEO and co-founder. "Employers where employees love to work continue to prove that they have a recruiting and business performance edge. We're proud to celebrate the 2017 Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards winners in earning this incredible achievement." The Best Places to Work are determined using company reviews shared by Canada-based employees between November 2, 2015 and October 30, 2016. To be considered for the Canada category, a company must have at least 1,000 employees and received at least 25 company reviews from Canada-based employees during the period of eligibility. The final list is compiled based on Glassdoor's proprietary algorithm, and takes into account quantity, quality and consistency of reviews. About Softchoice As a leading North American provider of IT solutions and managed services, Softchoice combines the efficiency and reliability of a national IT supplier with the personal touch and technical expertise of a local solutions provider. Softchoice's holistic approach to the technology includes solution design, implementation, asset management and cloud services, as well as access to one of the most comprehensive and cost-effective technology distribution networks in North America. With over 1,300 employees, Softchoice manages the technology needs of thousands of corporate and public sector organizations across the United States and Canada. About Glassdoor Glassdoor is the world's most transparent jobs and recruiting marketplace that is changing how people search for jobs and how companies recruit top talent. Glassdoor combines job listings with anonymous reviews, ratings and salary data to help people find a job and company they love. This level of transparency, in turn, helps employers attract the right candidates for their company and culture at a fraction of the cost of other channels. Glassdoor offers employers job advertising, job posting and employer branding solutions in addition to robust talent analytics. Launched in 2008, Glassdoor has job listings and data for more than 600,000 employers in 190 countries and is available on iOS and Android platforms. For labor market trends and analysis, visit Glassdoor Economic Research. For career advice and job-related news and tips, visit the Glassdoor Blog. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207006017/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] Fitch Affirms PerkinElmer's Ratings at 'BBB'; Outlook Stable Fitch Ratings has affirmed PerkinElmer Inc.'s (PerkinElmer) Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'BBB'. The Rating Outlook is Stable. A full list of PerkinElmer's ratings follows the end of this release. KEY RATING DRIVERS --Gross debt leverage has generally remained between 2.0x and 2.5x, and Fitch expects this metric to continue to approximate these levels in most periods. As has been the case historically, Fitch anticipates that gross leverage could temporarily exceed 2.5x if the company issues incremental debt to finance targeted acquisitions. --Adjusted EBITDA margins have stabilized at levels near 20%, which represents a 400 basis points (bps) improvement over levels reported in 2011, benefitting from successful execution of restructuring and a shift in business mix toward higher margin consumables and services businesses. Fitch projects that the company will be able to sustain and likely improve upon these levels going forward. --Fitch anticipates low or mid-single digit organic growth over the forecast period, driven by growing demand in emerging markets supplemented by new products. These growth drivers should more than offset industry headwinds that include softer demand in government and academic end markets. FX headwinds have eased in 2016 after pressuring reported revenue growth by 6% in 2015. --Free cash flow (FCF) generation has been consistently solid and should remain so for the foreseeable future. Fitch projects annual FCF of $250 million or more for the next few years, benefitting from EBITDA growth, minimal required contributions to pension plans and continued manageable CAPEX requirements. --The present top priority for capital usage remains asset purchasing, specifically small opportunities. In the absence of acquisitions, Fitch believes that shareholder returns, especially opportunistic share repurchases, will take precedence over debt reduction. KEY ASSUMPTIONS Fitch's key assumptions within the rating case for PerkinElmer include: --Revenues increase in 2016 to 2019 by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.3%, reflecting slower growth in 2016 due to a shorter fiscal year, modest FX headwinds and a soft near term outlook for instrument sales, followed by stronger growth later in the forecast period. --Fitch models EBITDA growth resulting from growing revenues and moderate margin expansion, derived from cost efficiencies resulting from ongoing Lean operating initiatives. --EBITDA growth backstops stronger cash flow generation. FCF exceeds $250 million in 2016 and builds from there, benefitting from stable capital expenditures, modest pension funding requirements, and long-dated debt maturities. --Incremental debt increases of $50 million from 2017-2019 to help fund acquisitions, resulting in gross leverage approximating 2.3x-2.4x throughout the forecast period. --Potential for increased share repurchasing and/or leveraging transactions; however, Fitch expects that the actions, if realized, would be undertaken in a financially disciplined manner. RATING SENSITIVITIES Maintenance of PerkinElmer's 'BBB' rating would be supported by average gross debt leverage levels between 2.0x-2.5x, EBITDA margins approximating 20%, and U.S.-generated cash flows well in excess of annual debt servicing requirements. Near term upward ratings momentum is unlikely in the near term. Longer term, an upgrade could be considered if PerkinElmer were to achieve the following: --Maintain gross debt leverage below 2.0x for a period of consecutive years accompanied by EBITDA margins approximating 20%; --Continue to generate U.S.-based cash flows well in excess of annual debt servicing requirements; --Significantly increase its scale and further expand the scope of products and services. Downward rating action could result from heavy pressure on operations or leveraging shareholder-friendly actions or acquisitions such that debt leverage was expected to exceed 2.5x for 18-24 months or longer. PerkinElmer's ratings could also be downgraded if the company's U.S.-generated cash flows decreased to a level where the company's ability to internally fund its annual debt servicing requirements came into question. Operational weakness could stem from lower-than-anticipated results due to poorer-than-expected sales performance as the company's diversified portfolio cannot withstand headwinds of capital expenditure constraint in Europe, and tightened global research spending. EMERGING MARKETS DRIVE GROWTH Continued, strong demand in emerging markets has helped to offset softer conditions in developed markets, particularly in PerkinElmer's more capital-intensive businesses. In particular, government and academic end markets have been more challenging, as well as industrial and, more recently, environmental businesses. Importantly, Fitch believes that substantial runway remains for continued robust growth in PerkinElmer's key emerging markets, particularly China and India. This constructive outlook is supported by global population growth and an expanding middle class in emerging markets that will continue to generate demand for high quality health care outside of the U.S. This is particularly true in the area of reproductive health, where PerkinElmer enjoys a strong competitive position globally. PerkinElmer's Environmental Health business should likewise benefit from growing demand for food supply chain security and a world-wide shortage of clean water. These factors are driving increased regulatory scrutiny and spurring demand for increased monitoring of air, food and water quality. Fitch sees the potential for double digit organic growth in emerging markets over the forecast period that will more than offset single digit organic revenue declines in developed markets, where PerkinElmer has recently seen reductions or delays in instrument purchases. The recent softness in demand for equipment bears watching. It could reflect short term delays or reduction in capital outlays due to the uncertain global economic and political environment, including possible concerns about implications of Britain's pending exit from the EU or the outcome of the recent U.S. presidential election. On the other hand, if lower demand for PerkinElmer's instruments persists over a longer time period, it could suggest a weakening in PerkinElmer's competitive position in these areas that could ultimately have negative rating implications. Fitch projects that PerkinElmer could report compound growth in reported revenues of around 2.3% through 2019. Continued demand for PerkinElmer's diversified portfolio should be further bolstered by new offerings across the Human Health an Environmental Health segments. BOLT-ON (News - Alert) ACQUISITIONS REMAIN PRIORITY FOR CAPITAL DEPLOYMENT Although capital used for share repurchases has recently exceeded amounts deployed for acquisitions, Fitch believes that PerkinElmer's highest priority for capital deployment remains asset purchasing. Specifically, Fitch expects that PerkinElmer remains focused on small to moderate-sized opportunities to gain access to technology and broaden the research and product portfolios as well as targets in adjacent markets. For the latest 12 months (LTM) ended Oct. 2, 2016, Fitch calculates that PerkinElmer repurchased $138 million of common equity (net of share issuances), while completing acquisitions of $104 million over the same time period. Fitch attributes this allocation to an absence of attractively priced targets, rather than a shift in financial policy in favour of shareholder returns over business development. While PerkinElmer has occasioally used debt to help fund targeted acquisitions, gross debt leverage has generally remained between 2.0x and 2.5x, and Fitch expects this metric to continue to approximate historical levels in most periods. As has been the case historically, Fitch anticipates that gross leverage could temporarily exceed 2.5x if the company issues incremental debt to finance acquisitions of a slightly larger size. In the absence of attractive acquisition opportunities, Fitch believes that shareholder returns, especially opportunistic share repurchases, will take precedence over debt reduction. Fitch sees potential for increased share repurchasing over the intermediate term given reasonable debt leverage and solid FCF generation. Fitch anticipates that the actions, if realized, would be undertaken in a financially disciplined manner. PerkinElmer has also publicly guided that it is considering pruning its portfolio in Fitch expects any cash proceeds resulting from these dispositions to be reinvested in PerkinElmer's business or returned to shareholders through share repurchases. RECENT MARGIN IMPROVEMENT DURABLE, FURTHER IMPROVEMENT POSSIBLE PerkinElmer has successfully executed its strategic focus on margin expansion as evidenced by EBITDA margins stabilizing at current levels around 20%, which represents meaningful improvement from 15.7% margins generated in 2011. The margin expansion reflects benefits of multiple rounds of restructuring initiatives as well as a shift in product mix toward higher margin businesses, including software services (35% of revenues) and consumables (24%). Additional margin expansion appears achievable, as the company is in the process of implementing various Lean initiatives intended to reduce materials spend and realize manufacturing and logistics efficiencies. Margin expansion could also be aided by selective pruning of businesses that are outside of PerkinElmer's four core areas of focus, which include reproductive health, food analysis, emerging diagnostics, and pharmaceutical services. Each of these four areas is averaging double digit organic growth and generating operating margins greater than the company's current consolidated level of around 18.5%. PerkinElmer targets an additional 400bps of margin expansion by 2020 but Fitch conservatively models more moderate margin improvement over forecast period, leading to EBITDA margins of close to 22% by the end of 2019. GROSS DEBT LEVERAGE SUPPORTIVE OF 'BBB' RATING Gross debt leverage has generally been maintained between 2.2x-2.4x for the past several years as occasional, modest increase incremental debt increases to help fund acquisitions have been offset by EBITDA growth. Fitch views gross debt leverage of between 2.0x-2.5x as commensurate with the company's current 'BBB' ratings. Given Fitch's outlook for low to mid-single-digit revenue growth and moderate margin expansion, the company should be able to maintain leverage within this range fairly comfortably if it so chooses. Fitch nevertheless expects that PerkinElmer will occasionally use debt to help fund acquisitions, which could cause PerkinElmer's gross debt leverage to occasionally exceed 2.5x. Fitch believes that PerkinElmer's 'BBB' rating provides flexibility for the company to temporarily exceed 2.5x gross debt leverage if the company were to demonstrate a pathway to reducing leverage closer to 2.5x within 18-24 months. LIQUIDITY PerkinElmer's debt maturity schedule is laddered and fairly simple. The company's capital structure is comprised of two unsecured debt issuances ($500 million of 5% notes due in 2021 and EUR500 million of 1.875% notes due in 2026) and $45 million of bank borrowings under a $1.0 billion revolving credit facility. PerkinElmer has intermittently drawn under its unsecured credit facility to help fund modest sized acquisitions. All debt, including bank facilities, is held and will be issued at PerkinElmer Inc. as there is no finance subsidiary. Fitch's estimates that incrementally improving EBITDA margins, manageable capital spending, a consistent dividend and modest pension contributions will yield annual FCF of $250 million or more annually. Steps taken in recent years to fund the U.S. defined pension benefit plan and improve operational efficiency have materially boosted cash flows versus levels reported in 2012 and 2013. FCF totalled $259.0 million for the LTM as of Oct. 2, 2016, representing a FCF margin of 11.4%. This result continues a trend of steady improvement that PerkinElmer is poised to build upon over the forecast period, assuming stable debt levels. Fitch anticipates that PerkinElmer will continue to generate cash in the U.S. in amounts that are more than sufficient to fund the company's annual interest expense of roughly $37 million, annual dividends of $32 million, and CAPEX requirements that have ranged between $25 million-$40 million. FULL LIST OF RATING ACTIONS Fitch has affirmed PerkinElmer Inc.'s ratings as follows: --Long-Term Issuer Default Rating at 'BBB'; --Senior unsecured credit facility at 'BBB'; --Senior unsecured notes at 'BBB'. The ratings apply to approximately $1.1 billion of consolidated debt outstanding as of Oct. 2, 2016. The Rating Outlook is Stable. Summary of Financial Statement Adjustments - Financial statement adjustments that depart materially from those contained in the published financial statements of the relevant rated entity or obligor are disclosed below: --Historical and projected EBITDA is adjusted to add back non-cash stock based compensation. 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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. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207006025/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A resident of West Delhi's Dwarka grabbed the puppy who had sneaked into the man's residence, tied it up and chopped off his legs with a hacksaw. This was just because the canine had given him a minor scratch. The stray puppy had its two legs severed by 34-year-old Pramod on December 2 in Dwarka, southwest Delhi. By Mail Today: Man's best friend just met its worst enemy. A Dwarka resident severed two legs of a puppy with a hacksaw after the stray gave him a minor scratch. And experts say he could potentially get away by paying a fifty-rupee fine, thanks to a decades-old law. The horrific incident took place on December 2 when the two-month-old canine sneaked into the residence of Pramod, an unemployed man who goes by one name and was often found in an inebriated state by neighbours. Pramod welcomed the puppy and also offered it some food. advertisement In its eagerness, the dog grazed the accused's leg with a paw. "Soon after he noticed the scratch on his leg, he became angry and he rushed off to get a blade," said Gaurav Sharma, an animal rights activist, quoting Pramod's wife's statement. "Then he grabbed the puppy and tied it up before cutting its legs with a blade (a front and a back leg). As he was unable to cut through the bone, he arranged a hacksaw. While he was chopping the legs, Pramod was enjoying the whole process." Also read | Hyderabad man arrested for raping and killing dog Two medical students who threw dog off roof fined Rs 2 lakh each THE RISING CRUELTY AGAINST ANIMALS The episode adds to a grim litany of cruelty against animals in India. Last month, an animal enthusiast shared on Facebook photographs of a dead female monkey that was disemboweled with its limbs tied at a medical college in Tamil Nadu. An FIR was filed against some students. Kerala authorities are investigating political activists for killing dogs, tying the corpses to a pole and parading them in public in September to protest against dangerous strays. Two Chennai students were arrested in July for throwing a dog off a rooftop. There was massive social media outrage after a video they made of the incident went viral. On Sunday, Delhi Police received a call that people residing in a colony opposite Tihar Jail were torturing stray dogs. A team of cops reached the spot and warned the residents to stop such activities. ALSO READ | Monkey tortured and killed by medical college students in Tamil Nadu's Vellore, FIR lodged WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED Gaurav says he learnt about the Dwarka incident over the phone from a girl who lives near Pramod's home and claims he often attacked stray dogs. The accused's wife narrated the episode to the activist when he went to rescue the puppy. She said that a few months ago, Pramod brought home a monkey and then chopped it up. However, these allegations are yet to be investigated. advertisement The woman also accused her husband of torturing her and their six children whenever he got drunk. At times, he would hang them upside down, she said. Based on all these allegations, a call was made to the police control room on December 2 and cops took Pramod from his home to the Dwarka sector-9 police chowki. A complaint was filed by the activist on behalf of the woman. The case was later transferred to the Palam Village police station. Sources say that the complaint has not been converted into an FIR as the woman is wary of punishing her husband. Pramod was previously booked in a case of domestic violence, they added. The puppy has been sent to a foster home and is up for adoption. Activists say since punishment against animal cruelty is not severe, such sadistic acts often go unchecked. According to Delhi Police data, as many as 105 cases had been registered till mid-November under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Last year, a total of 114 such cases were registered while the figure was 110 in 2014. Several police officials, animal rights activists and veterinarians Mail Today spoke to said attacking stray dogs with knives or bullets, or any other kind of abuse, is part of initial preparation by people who are yet to debut in the world of crime. advertisement People often indulge in animal abuse to express their violent personality, they added. Also Read: Doggone Hyderabad: Canine shot dead, puppies burnt alive in two animal cruelty cases Kerala stray dog menace: People allegedly barge into homes, kill sheltered dog --- ENDS --- [December 07, 2016] Bridgepoint Education's Chief Academic Learning Officer to Join Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Panel SAN DIEGO, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Andrew Shean, chief academic learning officer at Bridgepoint Education, has been selected to be a panelist for a webinar hosted by Online Learning Consortium (OLC). The webinar, titled "Developing a Unified Content Strategy in the Time of Adaptive, Digital and OER", will be held on December 14 at 12 p.m. EST. Joining Dr. Shean on the panel will be Nick White, director of competency based learning solutions for Capella University, and Sarah Riddlebarger, vice president of solutions and services at Ed Map. "It is an honor to be selected as an OLC panelist and speak on the role of online learning within higher education," said Dr. Shean. "With technology and online academic resources continuously evolving, it is important to discuss and share how education providers can help support the success of our students. At Bridgepoint Education, we embrace the latest technology and continue to find ways to further enhance the student experience." The pnel will discuss content strategy considerations, including discovering and implementing online educational resources (OER), faculty incentives and support, evolving from print to digital and student inclusive access at scale, and the change management and training needed to achieve success. As Bridgepoint's chief academic learning officer, Dr. Shean leads the centralization of resources across Bridgepoint's two academic institutions, Ashford University and University of the Rockies, to drive greater productivity related to learning resources. This positions Bridgepoint's academic institutions to deliver an even higher quality education through best practices in instructional design, innovative use of educational technology, and successful student outcomes. For more information about OLC, or to register for the December 14 OLC webinar, visit http://onlinelearningconsortium.org/webinar/developing-unified-content-strategy-time-adaptive-digital-oer/. About Bridgepoint Education Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE:BPI) harnesses the latest technology to reimagine the modern student experience. Bridgepoint owns two academic institutions Ashford University and University of the Rockies. Together, these programs, technologies, and resources represent a unique model for advancing education in the 21st century. Bridgepoint stands for greater access, social learning, and exposure to leading minds. For more information, visit www.bridgepointeducation.com, www.facebook.com/BridgepointEducation, or call Marianne Perez, Media Relations Manager, at 858.668.2586 x11636. Contact: Marianne Perez, Media Relations Manager 858.668.2586 x11636 [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161207/446704 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140912/145861 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bridgepoint-educations-chief-academic-learning-officer-to-join-online-learning-consortium-olc-panel-300374746.html SOURCE Bridgepoint Education, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] Breather, The Go-To Solution For The Mobile Workforce, Raises $40 Million To Grow On-Demand Space Network NEW YORK, Dec. 7, 2016 /CNW/ -- Breather, the leading network of on-demand meeting rooms and workspaces, announced today it has closed $40 million in funding, bringing the company's total funding to $73 million to date. This Series C round was led by Menlo Ventures, the venture capital firm behind Uber, Tumblr, Warby Parker and Siri. The financing included follow-on investments from Valar Ventures RRE Ventures, Slow Ventures, and Real Ventures, follows a Series B in 2015 and a Series A round in 2014. The investment positions Breather as the most well-funded startup in the growing on-demand workspace sector. Founded in Canada in 2012, Breather currently operates a rapidly growing network of more than 300 spaces across 10 global markets, including New York, San Francisco, London and more. In 2016, the company expanded to new markets including Chicago, Washington DC, Los Angeles and Toronto. Breather has tripled its footprint in 2016 and is on track to increase density in its existing markets and continue its expansion to new markets in 2017. "Breather has tapped into a real need in the workplace. There hasn't been a company of its kindoffering spaces on-demand," said Venky Ganesan, Managing Director of Menlo Ventures. "Breather has a tremendous vision to connect the world's spaces and make them accessible to all." Menlo Ventures has a track record of success with pioneering startups, funding 70 public companies and overseeing more than 100 mergers and acquisitions since its inception in 1976. Ganesan has joined Breather's Board of Directors. Breather's expanding customer base spans a wide range of users from freelancers and startups to large, multi-national corporations. Breather's clients represent a global shift in the way businesses and individuals work. The company's "Breather for Business" program has onboarded thousands of large organizations and small businesses since its start in 2015 and has grown 5x in this year alone. Notable clients include Apple, Google, Uber, GE, American Express, L'Oreal and IBM, which use the spaces for meetings and team off-sites. "Over the past year, we've seen hundreds of new businesses sign up every month," said Julien Smith, CEO and co-founder of Breather. "We're excited to partner with Menlo Ventures because of their experience and alignment with our vision." The latest round of funding will fuel Breather's product innovation, allowing it to expand its network of users, and grow its footprint of spaces. Unlike co-working models, Breather has no membership fees or long-term contracts. Instead, the company offers its users quiet, dedicated meeting rooms and workspaces on a "pay-per-use" basis through the company's proprietary app and booking technology. The app allows users to instantly browse, book and access a space of their own. Breather has partnered with some of the largest and most prestigious landlords in each of its markets, with a unique business model that sets it apart from pure marketplace companies. Users have praised the inspiring aesthetic and consistent experience of Breather's spaces, which are designed by the company's in-house team. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/breather-the-go-to-solution-for-the-mobile-workforce-raises-40-million-to-grow-on-demand-space-network-300374816.html SOURCE Breather [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] Wireless Telecom Group Announces Appointment of Michael Kandell as CFO Wireless Telecom Group, Inc. (NYSE MKT:WTT), a leading provider of high-performance radio frequency infrastructure and test & measurement solutions for wireless and advanced communications, announced today that Michael Kandell is joining the Company as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective January 2, 2017. Michael joins Wireless Telecom Group from Avaya (News - Alert), Inc. where he was Senior Director of Accounting. As CFO, Michael will be responsible for contributing to top-line growth initiatives, strategic expansion, financial governance, and capital management across all of the Company's financial operations. "Michael brings terrific skills to our finance and accounting team from his experience at technology and manufacturing companies serving both multinational and national market segments. He has an extensive background in financial planning and analysis, finance and accounting, SEC (News - Alert) filings, investor relations support, and strategic M&A. I am thrilled to welcome Michael to Wireless Telecom Group as we take on new challenges ahead," said Tim Whelan, CEO of Wireless Telecom Group. Whelan continued, "I am particularly impressed with Michael's ability to lead a financial function in a complex, technology driven international business, while having a keen eye for operating performance. He is a key addition to our leadership team and represents another major step in our commitment to strengthening our ability to drive growth and profitability." Mr. Kandell will succeed Robert Censullo, who has served as Wireless Telecom Group's CFO for five years. Mr. Censullo will report directly to Mr. Kandell as Corporate Controller. "Robert's commitment to the Company has been vital during the last 3 years," said Whelan. "I am grateful for all he has done to ensure financial stability and drive cost reductions over the last2 years to position us for the future." Mr. Kandell has more than 18 years of financial management experience. He held various positions of increasing responsibility in finance at Avaya. Prior to Avaya, Mr. Kandell worked at Precision Partners, Inc. for 3 years and at Ernst & Young LLP in New Jersey for 7 years. He received his Bachelors of Science degree in accounting from College of New Jersey. Mr. Kandell is a Certified Public Accountant. Forward Looking Statements Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this news release may be considered "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include declarations regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual results. Specifically, no assurances can be made with respect to: the management team's ability to accelerate the Company's strategic initiatives and to focus on innovation and growth; the management team's ability to provide contributions and guidance; the Company's ability to deliver differentiated, strategic value from innovative products in radio frequency and test & measurement solutions; and the Company's ability to advance specialized innovation and operational excellence to serve its customers and core markets. Further information regarding risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company's results are identified in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. About Wireless Telecom Group, Inc. Wireless Telecom Group designs and manufactures radio frequency (RF) and microwave-based products for Wireless and advanced communications industries and markets its products and services worldwide under the Boonton, Microlab and Noisecom brands. Its complementary suite of high performance components and instruments includes RF combiners and broadband combiner boxes for in-building distributed antenna systems deployments (DAS), RF power splitters and diplexers, hybrid couplers, peak power meters, signal analyzers, noise modules, precision noise and generators. The Company serves both commercial and government markets with workflow-oriented, WiFi (News - Alert), WiMAX, satellite, cable, radar, avionics, medical, and computing applications. Wireless Telecom Group is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, in the New York City metropolitan area, and maintains a global network of Sales and Service offices for excellent product service and support. Wireless Telecom Group's website address is http://www.wirelesstelecomgroup.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207006166/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). Russian Embassy lodged a protest with the Ministry of External Affairs saying that the functioning of embassy is getting affected, thanks to the demonetisation drive. By India Today Web Desk: It is not only millions of Indian who are facing difficulties since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 not being accepted as legal tender, Russian Embassy too has joined the league. The Russian Embassy lodged a protest with the Ministry of External Affairs regarding shortage of cash affecting the functioning of embassy. The Russian Envoy has urged the government to take immediate steps, reported ANI. advertisement Also read: 5 reasons why Vladimir Putin is to Russia what Narendra Modi is to India Calling the current limit of Rs 50,000 per week "inadequate", Ambassador Alexander Kadakinhas wrote to the MEA to get the restrictions on cash withdrawal lifted. "Such an amount is totally inadequate as regards the embassy's salary and operational expenditure requirements," the letter read as reported by the Financial Times. Also read: Star Wars? Russia develops futuristic destructor beam weapons system Ministry of External Affairs has referred the matter to Department of Economic Affairs of the Finance Ministry. The embassy has said that a retaliatory action will have to be explored if no action is taken soon. This is the first time since PM Modi's announcement that a foreign Embassy has protested against the cash crunch. --- ENDS --- Feeling the heat of cash crunch, left-wing extremists are reportedly trying to find ways and means to convert demonetised currency into valid notes. By Atir Khan: People have been rattled by the cash crunch following the government's demonetisation drive. Another group hit by this decision is that of left-wing extremists, who are now allegedly indulging in desperate coercive tactics to convert their black money into white to fund their activities. Feeling the heat of cash crunch, left-wing extremists are reportedly trying to find ways and means to convert demonetised currency into valid notes. advertisement Mobilising Jan militia, villagers According to intelligence sources, extremists are mobilising Jan militia, villagers, relatives, friends and small contractors and businessmen. Reports suggest that extremists are distributing old notes to them and have directed them to deposit the cash in their bank accounts. ALSO READ: Post-Demonetisation: 27 public sector bankers suspended after Bengaluru IT raid Once the money is converted into legal tender, it will be handed back to the leaders of extremist groups. Sources said that people under duress have little choice to say no to extremists and are therefore doing their bidding. "Maoists, for their patronage, get a flat cut of two per cent in major development projects being undertaken in the left-wing extremist affected areas," said an intelligence officer. Conducting meetings across India If intelligence sources are to be believed, left-wing extremists are allegedly sitting on more than Rs 1,000 crore unaccounted money in old currency notes, which they now wish to convert through their sympathisers and by using coercive means. A series of meetings of left-wing extremist outfits have taken place in this connection in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Odhisha, Kerala and Uttarakhand. ALSO READ: Demonetisation alone cannnot curb black money menace, Nitish warns PM Modi Sources said meetings have taken place in Dhanbad, East Singhbhum, Giridih districts in Jharkhand. Meetings were also held along the Andhra-Odisha border in weekly markets of Visakhapatanam. In Odisha, such meetings were held at Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Boudh and Nayagarh areas. Similar activity was also reported in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, and in Thrissur district of Kerala, and Nainital and Pauri towns in Uttarakhand. Protest against demonetisation According to intelligence sources, extremist groups are forcing villagers to help them convert their black money into white. Organisations sympathetic to left-wing extemists have been critical of the demonetisation move. Sources said Mahila Mehnatkash Sangathan has distributed pamphlets criticising government's demonetisation decision and has also organised a protest. ALSO READ: Post demonetisation, Income Tax department sends 30 cases of irregularities to Enforcement Directorate, CBI Association for Protection of Democratic Rights held a demonstration and also issued a press release demanding immediate rollback of the decision. In Uttarakhand, Inqlabi Mazdoor Kendra, Krantikari Lok Adhikar Sangathan, Parivartankami Chhatra Sangathan and Pragatisheel Mahila Ekta Kendra distributed pamphlets in Nainital and Pauri towns. United Students' Democratic Front and Bhagat Singh Ambedkar Students Organisation posted articles and statements, criticising the decision to scrap high-value currency, on social media. advertisement In the wake of intelligence reports, government agencies are keeping a tab on suspicious bank transactions in left-wing extremist affected areas. ALSO READ: Demonetisation a good start in crackdown on black money: Here are the other challenges ALSO WATCH --- ENDS --- A month later, queues outside banks are still visible even as the Prime Minister now advocates building a "less-cash" society, asking farmers and traders to use their mobile as their bank and wallet. By India Today Web Desk: It has been a month since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes on November 8 evening. In a television address that evening, the Prime Minister had said that corruption and black money were the two biggest bane for India. A month later, queues outside banks are still visible even as the Prime Minister now advocates building a "less-cash" society, asking farmers and traders to use their mobile as their bank and wallet. advertisement A look at the demonetisation story so far: On November 8, the Prime Minister in his address said, "The magnitude of cash in circulation is directly linked to the level of corruption. Inflation becomes worse through the deployment of cash earned in corrupt ways". He said to break the grip of corruption and black money, the government has decided that from midnight Rs 500 and RS 1000 currency notes will cease to be legal tender. "The Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes hoarded by anti-national and anti-social elements will become just worthless pieces of paper," Narendra Modi said. Source: Reuters As per the initial announcement, the withdrawal limit was capped at Rs 10,000 per day and Rs 20,000 per week. Further, till November 11, people could use their old notes at government hospitals, railway and airline ticket counters and utilities. The long queues outside banks led to the government relaxing some norms . Withdrawal limit was increased to Rs 24,000 while the over-the-counter currency exchange limit was increased from Rs 4,000 to Rs 4,500 on November 13. Cash withdrawal limit at ATMs too was increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 per day. Till date, the government has made several changes to the norms which were first announced on November 8. After reports on crop sowing taking a hit due to no availability of cash, the government allowed farmers to buy seeds with old Rs 500 currency notes. A November 17 announcement allowed farmers to withdraw up to Rs 25,000 per week from their KYC-compliant account. Following reports on abuse of Jan Dhan accounts for stashing money, the RBI capped the withdrawal limit to Rs 10,000 per month. Source: Reuters The demonetisation decision has also taken a toll on the common man , with reports of some dying while standing in queues to collect money. Some others who could not understand why their hard-earned money suddenly lost its value died of shock. An eight-year-old after her father was unable to pay for the petrol while rushing her to a hospital in Mahua Mafi village in Uttar Pradesh. On November 17, the government made more modifications to the existing rules. Families could now withdraw up to Rs 2.5 lakh for weddings . The currency exchange limit was reduced from Rs 4,500 to Rs 2,000 per person. Traders in agricultural mandis were permitted to draw up to Rs 50,000 in cash per week to pay for sundry expenses like wages. Also, government employees up to Group C could draw Rs 10,000 salary in advance in cash. In between all this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has continued to address people at various public gatherings and his Mann ki Baat radio show. Making an emotional appeal at an event in Goa on November 13, Modi asked "honest" people of the country to bear the hardships for another 50 days. Exactly two weeks later on November 27, the Prime Minister urged farmers and small traders to go cashless at his monthly Mann ki Baat address. "Common man will be trouble free if they are made aware of the digital financial transaction options," he said asking youths to lead the change. Source: Reuters The Opposition has cornered the government in the Winter Session of Parliament over the inconvenience faced by the people in the wake of demonetisation of currency. With just a week left before the one-month session ends, the BJP government has failed to break the impasse as the Opposition is firm with its demand on voting on demonetisation decision. The Prime Minister's alleged silence on the issue in Parliament has also come under attack. ALSO READ: Few takers for jewellery in Mumbai post demonetisation as Zaveri Bazar market wears deserted look ALSO READ: How Modi changed (and changed) the demonetisation narrative ALSO WATCH --- ENDS --- HBO Max reportedly leaks Last of Us show release date Thanks to an apparent mistake in the HBO Max app, we now know that The Last of Us' HBO show is (probably) almost here. The YI Home Camera 2 produces decent video, and has great audio, but it registers motion alerts only once every few minutes. Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test . Today's best YI Home Camera 2 deals (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) No price information (opens in new tab) Check Amazon (opens in new tab) The YI Home Camera 2 ($129.99) is a second-generation Wi-Fi security camera, but it feels and functions like the new kid on the block. It has some nice innovative features, such as crying-baby alerts and gesture-recognition video recording. But it has no web portal, it limits its alerts to once every 10 minutes, and its app is so streamlined that it stints on features. Although the YI Home Camera 2 may work well as a baby monitor, and has impressive hardware specs, we can't recommend it as a security camera until its alert system improves. Design The YI Home Camera 2 is an attractive, elongated, white oval that sits on a short, white, pivoting stand. It's about 5 inches tall by 2.5 inches wide by 1 inch deep, and weighs less than 5 ounces. The 6.5-foot USB power cord plugs into a port on the 3-inch-round base. The microSD card slot and the reset button are both under the back cover, an arrangement that can be seen as either sensible or inconvenient. The microphone is under the lens, and the speaker is in the back. Eleven infrared LED beads circle the lens. The YI mounts on a wall or other flat surface using an adhesive. When asked about the longevity of the adhesive, YI representatives told us, "We have tested [it] on many surfaces in controlled environment[s], and [it] could last for as long as one year if not more." We prefer the mounting screws that come with most other security cameras, which last until you unscrew them. The YI supports 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi on the 2.4GHz band, and uses 2048-bit RSA private key encryption for the initial encoding key exchange, which should keep out any hackers. Regular data is encrypted with AES-128, and video is encoded with h.264HP level 5.1/ROI/LBR (SmartAVC). Installation Installing the YI camera was very simple and straightforward. First, we removed the camera's back to insert the microSD card, then plugged the camera into an outlet near our Wi-Fi router. To install the mobile app, we scanned the QR code in the setup booklet. After that, the app provided unambiguous guidance and voice confirmations each step of the way, including supplying a second QR code to pair the app with the camera. When we moved the YI camera from next to our router (the best place to set up a security camera) to our test monitoring location in another room, the app on our phone recognized it almost immediately. The camera has continued to work reliably with no loss of connection for several weeks. Mobile Apps The YI Home mobile app (which supports Android and iOS) is the camera's only software for accessing and controlling the camera. It has no web portal. When you first connect the camera to your phone, an overlay walks you through the process of using the camera. However, that useful overlay is never again viewable unless you reset the camera and reinstall the mobile app. The app's FAQ page is useful if not deeply informative, though you'd first have to find it under the Account icon at the bottom of the main screens. The Android and iPhone apps are nearly identical. The Home screen is a vertical page that displays snapshots of each connected camera's last recorded video. (Up to 12 YI cameras can be connected.) Just below each snapshot is a Camera Sharing icon. Tapping on a Home screen snapshot reveals each camera's page, which contains a live view and icons for sound, video capture, microphone, snapshot and enlarge. Tap on the live view, and the icons are replaced by a timeline. The live view also has a pull-down menu to switch among auto, HD and SD video, and displays the data-streaming rate. Settings are found in the upper right corner. On Android, the main menu has one submenu called Settings (for activity zone, motion and baby detections and alerts) and another submenu called Camera Settings (for the status light, camera name, lens distortion and firmware update). On an iPhone, it's even more confusing: The two different submenus are both called Settings. MORE: Best Smart Home Tech The vertical live view displays a list of recorded video alerts, organized by date, with a timestamp, a caption (such as "human detected") and a thumbnail snapshot. The app often displays a generic placeholder thumbnail until the app downloads the associated alert clip. The camera's live view doesn't auto-rotate. Instead, you'll have to tap on the enlarge icon to rotate and fill the screen with the live view. You'll keep the icons and the timeline, but you'll lose the Settings and shrink icons. A back arrow returns you to the vertical view. Navigation icons have unambiguous labels: Cameras (the Home page), Alerts (videos of recent activity alerts), Album (user-saved photos and videos) and Profile (user name, password, YI store and FAQs). You can filter the alerts by specific cameras, by type of activity (Motion, Human, Baby Crying or Gesture) and by date. A two-finger interactive 4x digital zoom works well on the live view and when you access history videos from the timeline. But when you tap on an alert snapshot, you can't zoom in on the resulting video to see details. One problem we had with the mobile app is that when it launches, the first thing you often see isn't the app, but an advertisement for YI cameras. Motion and Sound Detection Smart Detection controls are buried in an ambiguously named Settings submenu. You'll find on/off switches for Activity Region, Human Detection and Baby Crying Detection. Sliders adjust the alert sensitivity level and alert frequency (low, medium or high). Activity Region to sets a single rectangular zone to be watched for motion. You can turn on Region of Interest encoding to increase the clarity of the image inside the zone. In our tests, we found only a small increase in clarity in our defined Region of Interest. Human-figure detection did a decent job of filtering out nonhuman activities. But as with almost all of the other cameras we've tested, the YI thought our cat jumping on the dining room table was human. The audio is quite good, but the only audio-detection alert the YI has is Baby Crying. This worked well when we played a recording of a baby crying. But the camera also generated a Baby Crying alert when we dropped a piece of metal on the floor. Still, this is an important feature for parents to have to supplement any baby monitors, especially when leaving a child in someone else's care. MORE: Canary Wireless Security Camera Review Gesture Recording is an interesting feature that worked flawlessly in our tests. If you stand within 2 meters (about 6 1/2 feet) of the YI, raise your palm next to your face and make a fist, the camera will give a 1-2-3 count and then record a 10-second video. In the Alerts list, that was labeled as a "Heartwarming Message." This feature might be useful as a way to send someone video greetings, although it's not clear how it adds to the functions of a security camera. The YI limits video recording to tiny segments of time: 6 seconds for most alerts, and 10 seconds for human-detection alerts. After any alert video has been recorded, the YI has a 10-minute "cool off" period during which no alert can be generated and no video can be recorded. That's the default setting, which apparently was intended to minimize the number of alerts a user received. (Some other cameras achieve this by instead "learning" which kinds of motion can be ignored.) You can reduce the YI's alert-cooling-off period to 5 minutes or to 3 minutes by adjusting the alert-sensitivity level, but the entire feature limits the amount of visual information you can get regarding any single incident and thus limits the YI's usefulness as a security camera. We found that sometimes, the alert video recorded only enough footage to see someone entering the room, but shut off before the person got close enough to be identifiable. Too bad you'll get no further visual information for at least another 3 minutes, by which time a burglar could have cleaned out your living room and left the house. Alerts are sent out only as app notifications to your mobile device, not as emails. Video and Audio Quality The YI's 1/2.8-inch HD CMOS sensor and 130-degree wide-angle lens produce 1080p videos that look quite good on a phone's small screen. On larger screens, the YI's images tend to be soft compared to videos from other security cameras, such as the Netgear Arlo Q, even when shot in good light. If you are simply monitoring a room remotely on your phone, the video quality of a well-lit scene is acceptable, and the saved video would probably be good enough to identify an intruder as long as he or she faces the camera before the alert clip's 10 seconds are up. The 4x digital zoom (available only in the live or timeline views) works well at interpolating data, so that we could see faces and other details on our phones. The 11 infrared LEDs won't illuminate a pitch-black scene (as the Nest Cam Outdoor can), but they work well in very dim light. However, motion blur is so bad that it's impossible to identify anyone who isn't standing still. MORE: How to Secure Your (Easily Hackable) Smart Home Video recording may be set at 1080p at 25 frames per second and 1.5 megabits per second, 1080p at 20 fps and 1 Mbps, or 720p at 20 fps and 500 kilobits per second. The app says that a 32GB microSD card can record and store up to three days of footage at 1080p at 20 fps. We were impressed with the YI's two-way audio, which has a sampling rate of 48 KHz. When we spoke through the app to the monitored room, the sound was clear and bright, even when we were standing 10 feet away from the camera at a 90-degree angle to the speaker. In fact, it was much cleaner than the Nest Cam Outdoor's two-way audio. The sound that the app received from the camera wasn't quite as clean, but it was still clear, loud and easy to understand. Scheduling The scheduling interface for motion and audio detection is clean and very easy to use. You scroll through hourly increments to set start and end times, and then use radio buttons to choose which days of the week to monitor. However, you can create only three custom settings (for any days of the week), and you can't set a time interval that spans midnight. You can suspend any custom setting with a single tap, or switch to 24/7 monitoring without losing the custom settings. Cloud Storage When we tested the YI camera, it relied only on local storage, and no cloud storage was available. However, representatives of the YI company (part of the Chinese electronics manufacturer Xiaoyi) told us that the company would soon offer paid cloud storage, although they could not give us an estimate of when that would be. A new feature People Counting will be available only to cloud subscribers. It will provide daily and weekly reports on foot traffic, which would be more useful for commercial subscribers than home users. Library and Playback The YI uses the included 32GB microSD card to hold alert videos, user-saved clips and snapshots. You can access alert videos two ways: Scroll through the timeline, or tap on an alert snapshot (on the camera's live view page or on the alert page) to open the video player. We had some difficulty with the timeline view. When we scrolled to a specific time that was the same as a timestamp on an alert video, we often didn't see the same scene as we did in the alert video. The player was more reliable. MORE: Nest Cam Outdoor: Solid Security, With A Catch The Album area of the app holds user-saved videos and snapshots. Tap a video's thumbnail to view it in vertical or horizontal modes or to share the video. When you tap a snapshot thumbnail, it opens in a vertical screen with lots of white space and can't be rotated to horizontal mode. Snapshots can also be shared. Sharing Sharing a camera feed with a friend or family member can't be done remotely. Instead, your friend must first install the YI mobile app, and then scan a QR code displayed on your phone to authorize his or her own phone. That's right you have to meet physically with the other person to initiate the share. Your friend will have access to the camera's live view only, but can create video clips and snapshots and use the intercom function to talk through the camera. He or she can also name the camera and set the resolution to SD, HD or Auto. You can share saved video clips and snapshots too. The app will search your mobile device for social media and sharing apps, and will show them as sharing options. Unfortunately, when we selected Sharing to Facebook, the app held onto that choice as a preference and no longer gave us the option to share using any other service. A YI spokesperson said the company plans to fix this problem with a software update. Bottom Line The YI Home Camera 2 has some nice features, including very good audio, gesture recognition and crying-baby alerts. The sense of innovation that appears to flavor the YI's development makes us want to pay attention to see what the company comes up with next. However, the limitations of the camera's current software, and the restrictions on the frequency and the length of video captures even during a "human detected" alert makes it less than desirable as a security camera. We hope that the YI's functionality improves in the future. Clay Chastain: Petition For Streetcar Expansion Today, citizens of Kansas City will submit to the city a new streetcar expansion initiative (Plan B) that challenges the city's vision (Plan A) on how best to move the city forward around advances to the city's lacking public transportation system.Currently, the city and streetcar supporters are backing Plan A which proposes extending the streetcar line to the Plaza / UMKC and doing it via a restricted election which prevents citywide voters from weighing in on this important civic decision.Au contraire,' Plan B will not only transform the city's "Touristy Frou Frou" streetcar line into a rapid citywide rail system to more benefit the working man, but it also lets citywide voters decide the merits of the plan.In general, Plan B proposes to begin transforming the city's ineffective and unpopular diesel bus transit system into a quiet, zero-emission and economic generating streetcar / electric bus system.Specifically, Plan B is designed to expand the city's 2.2-mile downtown streetcar line into a 26-mile rapid citywide streetcar system that will connect the northland to the southland, the eastside to the westside and utilize an auxiliary electric bus system to expand its service area. This revolutionary streetcar system will feature streetcars traveling at faster speeds, stopping far less frequently and operating predominantly in Greenway corridors separated from traffic.The cost of the this streetcar / electric bus system is $1.0 billion and its construction, operation and maintenance would be primarily funded via a 3/8-cent sales tax increase for 25-years and federal matching funds.No city in the country has ever proposed such a smart, fast and convenient streetcar system. Kansas City will lead the way, get back to its transit roots and greatly benefit from its innovation.Clay Chastain...Designer of the streetcar expansion initiative############## A total of 30 international and local banks are preparing to negotiate with renewable energy projects to finance the second phase of the feed-in tariff projects with $3 billion, a report said. The banks include the International Financing Corporation (IFC), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Export-Import Bank of China, the KfW Development Bank, BNP Paribas, HSBC, and the African Development Bank (AFDB), Daily News Egypt reported, citing government sources. The list also includes English, American, Norwegian, and Italian banks, as well as Arab banks, such as the National Bank of Egypt, Emirates NBD, the Commercial International Bank (CIB), the Arab African International Bank (AAIB), Banque Misr and the Al Baraka Bank of Egypt. The sources added that a number of banks had approved the financing of projects in the first stage but pulled out due to a dispute on the conditions of arbitration. After its amendment, the banks will continue to negotiate with investors. Eskan Bank, a leading provider of housing finance in Bahrain, said the initial public offering of Bahrain's first Sharia-compliant retail real estate investment trust (REIT) has exceeded 95 per cent subscription rate. Securities & Investment Company (Sico) was the mandated lead manager for the IPO, which opened on November 22 and closed on December 6. It was also the BD19.8 million ($52 million) REITs sub-investment manager and market maker. Announcing the results, Eskan Bank and Sico said the IPO offered 144.3 million units of the total 198 million units in issuance at an offer price of BD 0.100 units, totalling BD14.4 million ($38.2 million). The IPO opened on November 22 and closed on December 6. We note the support the REIT has received from concerned from officials, especially Minister of Housing and the chairman of Eskan Bank Bassim Bin Yaqoob Al Hamer. His directions and support throughout the REITs formation period, the first of its kind in Bahrain, was invaluable," remarked Dr. Khalid Abdulla, the general manager of Eskan Bank. "This REIT provides a unique investment opportunity in the Bahraini real estate sector, which shall be managed by a professional team that aims to maximize returns," he added. Moreover, Dr Abdulla said: "Subscriptions in the REIT units exceeded our expectations considering the challenging regional economic conditions, we are particularly delighted with the amount of subscription received from the retail investors as they were the prime target of this IPO." "We extend our gratitude to investors who have demonstrated their faith in the product. We now look forward to the listing of the REITs units on the Bahrain Bourse on 2 January 2017 after which all unit holders can start trading through their appointed broker," he noted. The Trust announced that units will be allotted in consultation with the lead manager, according to the allotment basis detailed in the offering prospectus, with eligible applicants being allotted their full subscription amount. Allotment notices will be mailed to applicants by December 22 to the address specified on the application form. Lauding Eskan on the closing of the landmark IPO, Najla M. Al Shirawi, the chief executive of Sico, said it is all the more significant given the current highly-challenging market conditions. "It is particularly pleasing that the unique structuring of the offering, with benefits comprising attractive returns, diversity, liquidity and lower risk, proved to be so popular with retail investors fulfilling the objective of Eskan bank to benefit individual investors," she added.-TradeArabia News Service 30 days since it came into force, demonetisation scheme still attracts Opposition's wrath as cashless or defunct ATMs, struggle by commoners to carry out basic day-to-day business has continued. People have been queuing up outside ATMs, most of which are either defunct or run out of cash before long. By Supriya Bhardwaj: In a month that the demonetisation decision has been in effect for, there have been a host of reactions ranging from those expressing support despite the inconvenience while others slamming the government for its implementation. Leaders across party lines have their own take on the issue and have shared their experiences. Speaking to India Today, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Renuka Chaudhury slammed the government for the decision. "Give us 'Udhar' (borrowing) card instead of Aadhar card to run the house. People have been facing so much trouble due to the move." advertisement Also read | Almost 12 lakh crore old notes deposited since demonetisation came into force, says RBI Chaudhary said, "Lines outside banks nd ATMs haven't diminished anywhere. Government and BJP were asking us to wait and we have been waiting, waiting and waiting. I think now the time has come for the government to come up with a new scheme. Forget the Aadhar card, give us the Udhar card and let us run our houses." DESTRUCTION OF INFORMAL SECTOR Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said, "Today's admission by revenue secretary shows that this whole demonetisation is nothing but a farce. Revenue secretary is saying that the entire amount of 14 lakh will come back. So this exercise has nothing to do with black money but has only destroyed the informal sector. We have lost 120 precious lives." A MONTH-LONG AGONY NCP MP DP Tripathi said, "This has been a month-long agony. We had hoped that day-to-day basic necessities of people will be taken care of by this government, but we are only seeing long queues. How long will people stand in queues to get money for their basic necessities?" ONLY PEOPLE IN CREAMY LAYER ARE FINE, REST SUFFERING JD-U MP Sharad Yadav said, "It has only been a month and the entire country is standing in line. During the Emergency, only a few political leaders suffered but due to demonetisation, the entire nation is suffering. Apart from those who belong to the creamy layer, rest are suffering." ATMs DON'T HAVE MONEY Congress MP Raj Babbar said, "ATMs even in Parliament don't have money. People are suffering and government is trying not to have a debate on this matter." Also read | Almost 12 lakh crore old notes deposited since demonetisation came into force, says RBI ENTIRE PURPOSE OF BRINGING THIS SCHEME DEFEATED Congress MP Rajiv Shukla said, "Government is not aware of the ground situation. They are not able to calibrate the anger and anguish of the people. When Revenue Secretary has said that the entire money has come into the bank, it means the issue of black money is not there. Common people are suffering. Those who had black money have converted it. The entire purpose of the scheme has been defeated." --- ENDS --- advertisement Hempel, a leading paint manufacturer, is set to open a new factory in Kuwait next year in line with its plans to boost the company's production capacity to 19 million litres from the current 13 million litres. The 20,000-sq-m facility, which is likely to be launched in the first quarter of 2017, will have cooling facilities, and will produce solvent-borne as well as water-borne products, said a statement from Hempel, which is celebrating 50 years of its operations in Kuwait. Within five decades, Hempel has emerged as a major force in the country with a 60 per cent share of the marine coatings market, and 30 per cent of the construction paint market. It is also contributing to major projects including the Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah Hospital, Al Sabah Housing Project, First Ring bridges, Kuwait Opera House, Kuwait Towers, and Kuwait National Petroleum Companys Clean Fuel Project, said a top official. Karsten Pedersen, group vice-president and CEO of Hempel Middle East-West, said: Kuwait holds a special place in our hearts. It was our gateway to Middle East markets. Fifty years later, Hempel Kuwait is stronger and more dedicated, with a leading position in the paints market." He was speaking at the Golden Jubilee ceremony held recently in Kuwait which was attended by a large number of guests including engineers, contractors, consultants, suppliers and other key industry players. In 1966, Hempel Group partnered with Al Rashed Family, and United Industries Company, establishing Hempel Kuwait, which started producing marine coatings at an early stage to meet the needs of the countrys shipbuilding industry, and also supplying decorative paints that protected and beautified Kuwaits infrastructure, including schools, mosques, hospitals and other civil structures. Hempel Kuwait's production line expanded steadily, and three years after its inauguration, the company began manufacturing protective paints in 1969 and further broadened its product range to produce decorative paints in 1973. It played a key role in safeguarding the countrys oil industry through partnerships with Kuwait Oil Company, Kuwait National Petroleum Company, and Kuwait Oil Tanker Company. For Hempel, Kuwait was the gateway to other GCC states. Khaled Al Rashed, member of the board of directors at Hempel Middle East-West, said: We are proud today as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing our first factory in Kuwait. "Hempel succeeded in the past five decades in forging solid partnerships with all segments of the Kuwait society by producing high quality paints that protect peoples assets. Today, the company crowns its great successes with the announcement of the opening of the new factory next year, he added.-TradeArabia News Service National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) has signed an initial agreement with Thailand's PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP) to study Changuleh oilfield, a report said. PTTEP would have six months to study Changuleh as well as Balal and Dalamperi oilfields, Iran Daily reported, citing Shana. The Oil Ministry would then decide on whether to award the project's development to PTTEP. A similar agreement had earlier been signed with Norway's DNO for studying Changuleh which lies on Iran's border with Iraq, NIOC deputy managing director for Engineering and Development affairs Gholamreza Manouchehri, was quoted as saying in the report. The target production of Changuleh is 50,000 bpd, according to the report. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved Alaska Air Groups $2.6 billion acquisition of Virgin America after the former agreed to implement limited changes to its codeshare agreement with American Airlines. Alaska Air Group is the parent company of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air Industries. "We couldn't be more excited about receiving DOJ clearance for our merger with Virgin America," said Alaska Air Group chairman and CEO Brad Tilden. "With this combination now cleared for take-off, we're thrilled to bring these two companies together and start delivering our low fares and great service to an even larger group of customers." Alaska was not required to divest any assets as a condition of DOJ clearance. The majority of Alaska and American codeshare flights will remain intact. The DOJ did not require changes to any other agreements between Alaska and American, including interline or reciprocal loyalty agreements, or any of Alaska's other airline partnerships. The company plans to close the transaction in the very near future, taking into account the lawsuit filed by private plaintiffs in US District Court in San Francisco. Lawsuits of this kind are not uncommon with mergers. The company believes the plaintiffs' claims are without merit and plans to defend its acquisition of Virgin America accordingly. "We remain confident in the merits of this transaction," Tilden said. "The expanded West Coast presence and larger customer base create an enhanced platform for growth, which is good for investors, employees and especially customers who benefit from more choices, increased competition and low fares." Alaska Airlines, together with its regional partners, flies 32 million customers a year to more than 110 cities with an average of 970 daily flights throughout the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico and soon Cuba. TradeArabia News Service Jermyn Street Real Estate Fund, a Turkish-Arab venture has announced plans to spend close to 300 million ($322 million) for redeveloping a luxury seaside resort outside the capital city of Athens in Greece, said a report. The redevelopment plans for the Astir Palace hotel complex were submitted yesterday (December 6) by Jermyn Street Real Estate Fund, which recently acquired a 90 per cent stake in the property as part of a key privatisation scheme under Greeces international bailouts since 2010, the Gulf Times reported. The fund represents investors from Turkey, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and other Arab countries. The sale, which was completed in October this year, was earlier agreed upon in 2014 but was delayed by Greeces leftist-led government which vowed to stop privatizations, the report said. An administrative court had also ruled that the planned construction violated national law but that hurdle was removed when Jermyn Street and Greece agreed in January on an amended special zoning plan to align the plots development with the courts ruling, it added. National carrier Qatar Airways will offer daily non-stop flights between Doha and Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland, commencing June 12, 2017. Situated on Irelands east coast, Dublin features many cultural and historic highlights and has long attracted visitors from all over the world. Visitors to the city are able to see attractions such as St. Patrick's Cathedral and Dublin Castle, while also being in easy reach of the citys beaches and the famous Wicklow Mountains. Dublin also serves as the gateway to all of Ireland with its lush countryside and many historic attractions. Qatar Airways group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker said: Qatar Airways has seen unprecedented growth in recent times and continues to launch new destinations on our global route map, enhancing connectivity for our passengers from around the world. The launch of flights to Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is an exciting addition to our network and I am confident that business and leisure passengers will benefit from our Boeing 787 Dreamliner service and smooth onward connections through our home and hub, Hamad International Airport. Dublin Airport managing director Vincent Harrison said he was delighted that Qatar Airways will be launching its Dublin to Doha service in 2017. We look forward to welcoming the new daily Doha service from June and to working closely with Qatar Airways to promote the route. This service will bring extra choice and convenience for passengers and will also add Dublin and Ireland to Qatars growing global network. Qatar Airways Boeing 787s provide a superior experience with spacious cabins and custom-made seats in both Business and Economy Class. The aircraft features 254 custom-made seats across its Business and Economy Class cabins with specially designed interiors. Business Class is configured in a 121 layout with 22 seats, while Economy has 232 seats in a 333 layout. All seats feature individual television screens and on board WIFI, with Business Class seats reclining into a fully flat bed. Passengers flying from Dublin will enjoy a quick and convenient transfer at Hamad International Airport as they travel onwards to the more than 150 destinations on Qatar Airways' global network. Offering more than 100 retail and dining options and unique services such as a swimming pool, hotel and spa, designed exclusively for those in transit, the airport is sure to further enhance the passengers overall travel experience. Qatar Airways has opened 13 new destinations in 2016 year-to-date. The new cities added this year are Atlanta, Boston and Los Angeles in the US; Birmingham, UK; Helsinki, Finland; Pisa, the fourth destination in Italy; Yerevan, Armenia; Marrakech, the second destination in Morocco; Ras Al Khaimah, UAE; Windhoek, Namibia; Sydney and Adelaide in Australia; Krabi in Thailand and will return to the Seychelles on December 12. - TradeArabia News Service Iowa City, IA December 7, 2016 ACT announced today that it will provide workforce certification that measures foundational job readiness for thousands of workers in Mexico and for Mexicans working abroad under special agreements with the National Council for Standardization and Certification of Labor Competencies; CONOCER, a public entity of the Mexican federal government responsible for promoting the development of the National System of Competencies; and the Foundation for the Improvement of Education in Mexico, AC (FUNDAMEE). ACT workforce development certification is based on assessments and training that assists employers in identifying candidates who possess core competencies of career readiness, such as critical thinking and problem solving, as well as teamwork and collaboration. ACTs workforce certification will enable employers to confidently identify, select and hire qualified candidates, especially first-time job seekers, said ACT Chief Commercial Officer Suzana Delanghe. ACTs agreements with CONOCER and FUNDAMEE are designed to help thousands of younger workers and students bridge the gap between education and workplace competencies and take advantage of new opportunities to improve their personal and work lives. CONOCER, which reports to the Ministry of Public Education, is responsible for promoting and regulating the processes of standardization and certification of labor competencies. Its mission is to develop the productive potential of human capital for the competitiveness of Mexico, through the National System of Competencies. Thus, it ensures the quality of the certification processes of workers and serves as a fundamental reference for work training systems. FUNDAMEE is a non-profit organization certified by CONOCER to train, evaluate and certify the labor competencies and skills of individuals, based on national labor standards. CONOCER and its National Network evaluate and certify workers competencies, and in doing so, we boost productivity and competitiveness of enterprises and organizations, said Director General of CONOCER Alberto Almaguer Rocha, Ph.D. FUNDAMEE President Alberto Ortiz-Pavon stated, Our partnership with ACT will further our ability to provide a valid credential recognized by more than 20,000 employers and organizations in Mexico and the USA. Under this agreement, ACT will provide assessments and materials in English and Spanish. More than 3.5 million individuals have participated in workforce readiness training and certification and earned a Career Readiness Certificate in the US. The credential distinguishes qualified candidates in the hiring process, benefiting workers and employers. ACT is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people achieve education and workplace success. Headquartered in Iowa City, Iowa, ACT is trusted as the nations leader in college and career readiness, providing high-quality achievement assessments grounded in more than 50 years of research and experience. ACTs uniquely integrated set of solutions provide insights that empower individuals to succeed from elementary school through career. To learn more about ACT, go to www.act.org. 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). As with everything else when we started planning our trip to Albania, the idea of Albanian food was a big question mark in our minds. For no good reason, our expectations werent high, but we assumed we would make the best of whatever we were faced with. And, if that didnt work, I had protein bars in my bag. We were blown away. Albanian cuisine is Mediterranean cuisine. That means it has elements that most people will recognize from familiar Italian, Greek, and even Turkish foods. Traditional Albanian food is fresh, flavorful, varied, and sinfully cheap. With seafood, feta cheese, tons of vegetables, and the herbs of the Mediterranean, there is everything to love about the culinary options in Albania. Heres a look at some of the great foods (and one drink) you cant miss on a trip to Albania. Burek Burek is everywhere in Albania A savory pie with layers of flaky phyllo goodness is perfect pretty much any time of day. Burek (also byrek or borek) is a triangular pie filled with salty cheese, spinach, cabbage, meat, or a combination of those ingredients. Burek and similar dishes are found in lots of countries that were formerly part of the Ottoman Empire. Think of it like Greek spanakopita with a larger variety of fillings. Because Im picky about meat, burek became my go-to dish in Albania because I knew that even the vegetarian version would be good and filling. It was on the menu of most every restaurant, but its also a popular street food item especially from vendors called Byrektore that sell it by the slice. Fergese Rich fergese A filling side dish, fergese was one of our favorite Albanian dishes. The vegetarian version (Fergese e Tiranes me piperka) is made with peppers, tomato, egg, and curd cheese (similar to cottage cheese). Everything is mixed together, warmed, and served with bread. Pretty damn delicious. Fergese me melci is a similar dish that becomes a bit more like a casserole because it includes liver. Tave kosi The national dish of Albania, tave kosi is a baked dish of lamb, rice, yogurt, and eggs. Cooked in a casserole dish, it emerges with a texture similar to a creamy quiche. The name translates to soured milk casserole, but try not to think of it that way because its delicious and will surely appear on your table more than once on a trip to Albania. Aegean salad Aegean salad and tarator Albanian foodlike many cuisinesis heavily influenced by its past. Select parts of Albania were once home to Greek tribes, and parts of modern Greece are only about 20 miles from the Albanian coast, so it makes sense that there would be a fair amount of culinary overlap. Many things that North Americans might think of as Greek food are often actually Ottoman or immigrant-influenced and have a very close cousin in Albania. The Aegean salad we frequently had was the same as any Greek salad you might find around the worldcucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and a feta-like cheese, topped with vinegar and olive oil. With local, fresh summer vegetables, it was outstanding. Tarator Tarator, a dish similar to Greek tzatziki, is a starter at many meals. Made of yogurt, garlic, parsley, cucumber, and olive oil, the refreshing dish is served cold, often with bread. We made it a point to have tarator as often as possible. Seafood Some of the plentiful coastal seafood Albanias entire west coastall 200 miles of itborders the Adriatic sea. That means that theres tons of opportunity to get amazing seafood. During our stops along the Albanian Riviera, we tried mussels, shrimp, and fish, and the best grilled octopus Ive ever had. And it was all fresh, expertly prepared, and absurdly cheap. Served with a bit of Albanian wine, it couldnt have been more perfect. Yogurt and honey Decadent yogurt and local honey Yogurt is a staple of Albanian cuisine. Whether sweet or savory, in casseroles or in dips, it makes an appearance at many meals. The best yogurt we had on our trip was sheeps yogurt topped with local honey and walnuts (kos mjalte dhe arra). Id never tried sheeps yogurt and Im not a big fan of walnuts, but the combination of the ingredients was one of the most delicious things ever. One of our friends spent the rest of the trip trying to recreate it for breakfast every morning. Grilled meat Grilled meat is a staple Albanians love their grilled meat. If youre a meat eater, the good news is that most anything is available expertly grilled, whether in a restaurant or as street food. Tirana even has a whole street of grill restaurants. One of our favorite discoveries was pljeskavica, a grilled, spiced meat patty made of pork and beef (and sometimes cheese), which is similar to a hamburger. Sallate shope Sallate shope A traditional food in the Balkans, sallate shope has different names in Bulgaria, Croatia, and other nearby countries. A simple salad, it is made of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, peppers, and parsley. The vegetables are salted and tossed with sunflower oil and vinegar. Its all topped with a sinful amount of shredded sirene, a white brine cheese. Qofta Qofta korca, veal meatballs Meatballs called qofta are also a popular Albanian food. As in other cultures, they are essentially meat mixed with a variety of spices. In Albania, they sometimes include additions like rice or bulgur. Most often, we saw beef or lamb versions of qofta and even once came across vegetarian qofta made with potatoes, onions, peppers, and egg in place of the meat. One of Lances favorites was qofta korca, a veal meatball dish topped with a tomato and onion sauce. Qifqi Qifqi rice balls A specialty of the city of Gjirokastra, qifqi are rice balls flavored with herbs and bound together with eggs. They were a tasty vegetarian addition to our lunch in the UNESCO World Heritage city. Rakia Rakia is not for the faint hearted Hold onto your hats, folks. Rakia is some strong stuff. The national drink of Albania, this fruit brandy is often home brewed or brewed in-house at restaurants, and it is high octane. You wont make it far without being offered a taste. Because rakia (also called raki) varies from place to place, some offerings are better than others, but its worth a try. The most common flavors we found were grape, plum, and apricot, but since its 40% ABV, you really dont taste much. It reminds me a lot of the white whiskey or moonshine often found in the US. We visited Albania as guests of JayWay Travel. All opinions of the cheesy and grilled are our own. The Amsterdams nearing Disneyfication may turn one of the most beautiful cities in the world into a theme park according to its residents. They are urging the government to control the number of incoming tourists before it becomes a norm. Amsterdam sets an important emphasis to the balance of work, living, and recreation. According to Amsterdam Today, the hustle and bustle continue to double in Netherlands tourism capital. Meaning, the rapid elevation of Amsterdams tourism is on the verge of depriving the city its livability. In an estimated data of the International tourism to Amsterdam has grown 12% more with the increasing travelers from the middle class. Unlike a few decades back, middle-class people dont have many opportunities to travel outside their countries. Disneyfication is believed to be one of the city governments unattended problem. Telegraphs report highlights the similar scenarios ongoing to some of the most in-demand travel spots in the world. Italys Venice, San Francisco USA and Barcelona Spain are among the destinations with a very high influx of tourists. The overdevelopment is incurring in an impairment of its natural beauty with how overdeveloped those places have become. The Dutch tourist boards recent update had figured over 15 million tourists descend on Amsterdam just this year, which the 8 million are tourists from abroad. That remarkably large number of visitors alone is very overwhelming, especially for a small city like Amsterdam. Some residents even joked that the number of visitors each year are surpassing the number of inhabitants in the city. Lamenting residents are throwing the blame to the peer-to-peer online marketplace and homestay network Airbnb. The accommodation concept originated by Airbnb are getting things out of control, if not resolved right away. Allowing residential properties to become a short-term lodging place for tourists are slowly changing the face of Amsterdam city. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 The Opposition parties will hold a black day to protest against demonetisation on December 9. By Supriya Bhardwaj: The Opposition parties unanimously decided to observe 'black day' on Friday as mark of completion of a month of announcement of the demonetisation move. The Opposition MPs in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will protest at the Gandhi statue tomorrow around 10 am in the Parliament. They will also tie black band as a mark of protest. Inside Parliament's both houses the Opposition will once again press for the discussion along with voting on demonetisation issue. advertisement The decision was taken during the Opposition parties leaders meet, which was attended by 14 political parties MPs, on Thursday afternoon. Prior to this around 200 MPs from the Opposition parties' united front had protested near Gandhi statue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 8. Also read: Demonetisation: Double trouble for northeast, petrol pumps in Manipur without fuel Crackdown on black money: Is Govt's bold decision a real game-changer? Demonetisation nightmare hits peak marriage season Income Tax raids in Delhi, Mumbai to find banned 500 and 1000 rupee notes India Goes to Banks: Millions stand in long queues, Madras HC praises Modi govt's cash purge --- ENDS --- Right after the French customs removed their operations in La Mole Saint-Tropez airport, private jet planes are restricted to land at the famed French resort's local airport. The new policy has taken effect just this November due to the French government's effort to cut the cost of employing customs officials who are not working full-time at the Saint-Tropez airport. The new policy applies to private jet planes coming from the countries outside of Europes Schengen passport-free zone. The most affected travelers are those from the Middle East, Russia, Britain and other 26 more countries. The French authorities admit that this is badly affecting not only the tourism of Saint-Tropez but also the wealthy travelers with properties in the coastal town. According to DailyMails report, the wealthy travelers need to take helicopters from Toulons local port or nearby Cannes before they can make it to Saint-Tropez. The renowned French peninsula welcomes approximately 4,000 aircraft, which sums up about 8,000 flights each year. With the prohibiting of private jet planes, it marks to possibly downsize the thousands of visitors each year, particularly those 26 European countries. The head of the private jet group, Cedric Lescop have stated that he had received numerous complaints from wealthy travelers with five to 25 million homes in Saint-Tropez. And they are unwilling to understand the reasons that came forth with the decision. Lescop added that his clients have no problem paying the required tax to pay for customs officials at the Saint-Tropez airport. Following the rapid decline of visitors after the policy took effect, it provoked objections from businesses and officials. Christian Estrosi, the president of the regional council of Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur now appeals to reverse the governments decision. He is concerned about the impact of the implemented restriction on tourism. There are no updates as of the moment whether or not the policy will be lifted in favor of Saint Tropezs tourism. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 Prince Harry took a diversion trip to Toronto to visit girlfriend Meghan Markle. Harry was scheduled to fly back to London from Barbados but he opted to take 1,700 mile diversion just to see his American girlfriend. Prince William's brother is said to be madly in love with Meghan as he could not bear being apart from her. Because of this, after his Caribbean Tour, he directly went to visit Markle in Canada. Following this news, it seems like Harry is already serious with Markle. So can people expect of a royal engagement soon? Meghan was in Canada for the filming of "Suits" and 24 hours before Prince Harry visited her, she was spotted buying flowers as per Daily Mail. People have wondered if the actress was making some preparations prior to the arrival of the prince. It has been speculated that Queen Elizabeth already gave Harry the blessing to propose to the "Suits" actress as per Celebrity Dirty Laundry. According to sources, Meghan Markle caught the attention of the Queen because of her humanitarian works and engagements. Moreover, reports are rife before that when the actress stayed in London; she already met Prince William and Kate Middleton. With all those indications, it seems like a royal wedding is underway. But before that, some claim that Harry might propose to Meghan this Christmas. Most especially when rumors have escalated that Queen Elizabeth actually invited the American actress to Sandringham for the Christmas celebration. It was just last month when Prince Harry confirmed that he and Meghan Markle are indeed in a relationship. He even issued a statement through Kensington Palace to defend his girlfriend from the media and the press. But the two were never seen together in public yet and that's what the fans and people are waiting to see and witness. The actress just keeps on dropping understated hints on her social media about the budding relationship. Well, the couple might have their first public appearance on Christmas, timely for the rumored engagement. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 The World Travel Awards, dubbed as the Oscars for Tourism, held its prestigious ceremony in the Maldives this year. The most coveted award, the World's Leading Tourist Attraction, was won by Titanic Belfast, the largest Titanic exhibition in the world. After winning Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction earlier this year, beating some stiff competitors like Rome's Colosseum and The Eiffel Tower, Belfast went on to compete in the world attraction category, bringing with it Ireland's first award since the initiation of World Travel Awards 23 years ago. It's also the 2nd time United Kingdom got the award after 10 years. Titanic Belfast first opened its doors in 2012 on the 100th anniversary of the Titanic's sinking, in the exact location where the famous ship was built and launched. Since then, tourists from all over the world have been visiting the world-acclaimed attraction, even celebrities like Adele, Michael Buble, and the "Titanic" film director, James Cameron. Her Majesty The Queen has also visited the site. To recognize the award, over one million votes from 216 countries were cast, and eight global contenders were chosen. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the Las Vegas Strip, USA, Machu Picchu, Peru and Guinness Storehouse, Ireland were among the finalists, but Titanic Belfast won them all over. With this new recognition, citizens of the Northern Ireland were overjoyed, with Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster offering her congratulations. The Dailymail UK quoted here as saying: "In just four short years, Titanic Belfast has become an iconic tourist must-see, attracting over three million visitors from all over the world." "While it's no surprise to me it has been recognized in this way, it is a wonderful achievement to win the world's best accolade ahead of other venues like Machu Picchu and Abu Dhabi's Ferrari World," Foster added. Titanic Belfast was built on a 77-million pound budget. The shape of the building was designed according to the same shape of the bow of the ship, and when you look at it from the sky, the building is shaped like a star, which represents the White Star Line connection. The building's chief executive, Tim Husbands, was more than overjoyed for receiving the prestigious award. According to a press release, he said: "Over the past few years, we have continued to go from strength to strength but to be voted the World's Leading Tourist Attraction by both the industry and the public for excellence in tourism and for our original product, is really the jewel in our crown. "We are delighted that this award firmly shines a spotlight not only on RMS Titanic Belfast but Belfast and Northern Ireland, and celebrates our authentic insight and connection to RMS Titanic." See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 Christmas day is just around the corner and for sure, many kids are excited about the gifts they will receive from Santa. Every year, both kids and adults expect to accept gifts from friends, families and of course from Santa. It is said that Santa is riding his sleigh to deliver the gifts around the globe. But wouldn't it be fun if you can see where Santa is and if he is already near your home? Many kids believe that Santa is currently making his last-minute preparations for the gifts he will be delivering. While waiting, kids can use the Google Santa Tracker. This app has been used by children for 12 years to track Santa's route but this year, it has new features that makes it more exciting. According to Travel and Leisure, the Santa Tracker will become a digital advent calendar wherein new surprises will be revealed every day until Christmas Day. There will be different games that will teach the children about the world as well as about various cultures. It is like waiting for the grand gift while learning along the way. This would include learning about how people from different parts of the world celebrate the holiday and how they would say "Merry Christmas" in various languages. There will also be a hunt for Santa's misplaced gifts for a game called Present Quest and many other fun activities. Kids can even learn basic programming and coding while using the Santa Tracker. When the big day for gift giving arrives, one can ask "Where is Santa" using Google Home or a Pixel device. The tracker goes live on Dec. 24 where everyone can see where Santa is heading. So, had you been naughty or nice? If you've been nice, Santa might be on his way to your home on Christmas Day and you can see that through the Google Santa Tracker. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 Paris' love locks is said to have been destroying the city's bridges. Known for being a symbol of many couples' love, the love locks has existed for many years now. These love locks are now being taken down from the bridges. It was said that these love locks will be auctioned to support refugees in the city. Many people including tourists were sad once the city's authorities decided to take down the love locks. It has already been a part of the city's history and one of its main attractions that many other countries copy. Removal operations of locks place on different bridges such as the Pont des Arts have been remove since June last year. According to reports by Travel and Leisure and The Guardian, removed locks will then be auctioned to the public and the generated sales will be used to support the refugees in Paris. The forecasted sales of the love locks will be about $107,250. The day of the auction has not yet been revealed by the city officials but the auction is reported to take place in the Credit Municipal de Paris. Furthermore, those love locks which will not be bought in the auction will be melted and still be sold. As explained by Bruno Julliard, Paris' first deputy mayor, "Members of the public can buy five or 10 locks, or even clusters of them, all at an affordable price." According to Julliard, "All of the proceeds will be given to those who work in support and in solidarity of t refugees in Paris." As the city plans on improving the refugee program by more and more camps to cater the many refugees, the funds taken from the love locks will indeed be of great help. As expressed by Lis Anselmo, from No Love Locks campaign, regarding this matter, "an expression of the true meaning of love in action, and hopes other cities around the world will follow the lead of Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo." See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 Uddhav had criticised government's implementation of the demonetisation move. Rajnath was unhappy when Shiv Sena joined Mamata Banerjee's protest against the same. By Mayuresh Ganapatye: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackery today met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at the latter's residence in New Delhi. According to sources in Shiv Sena, Uddhav discussed with Rajnath the issue of demonetisation and its effect on the people of Maharashtra in a half-an-hour closed-door meeting. RAJNATH MIFFED WITH SENA JOINING DEMONETISATION PROTEST Last month, both leaders had had a brief chat on the same topic over the phone. Rajnath was not happy when Shiv Sena joined Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee's protest against demonetisation. advertisement Also read | Uddhav Thackeray meets RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, discusses demonetisation Uddhav was quite vocal about his criticism of the manner of implementation of the demonetisation decision and had attacked the government for the incovenience that people were having to face standing in long queues outside banks and ATMs. He did slam the government via Shiv Sena's mouthpiece Saamana. Sometime on Thursday afternoon, the Sena chief is likely to meet Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to discuss the impact demonetisation has had on people's lives. Also read | Uddhav Thackeray attacks Modi over demonetisation, says shedding tears on TV not enough --- ENDS --- Many of us who are interested in more sustainable ways of living are probably also tuned into alternative methods of education. Forest kindergartens, homeschooling and unschooling are some of the diverse educational trends that are emerging beyond the narrow constraints of conventional schooling paradigms. "Worldschooling" is yet another option to add to this growing list. Going by other names like "edventuring", "road schooling" or "travel schooling", the worldschooling concept generally combines self-directed learning that's enriched with an active engagement with the world, often in the form of travelling. A growing number of families are educating their kids this way by journeying the world full-time, either saving up to do a family gap year or working remotely as digital nomads, perhaps running an online business, or perhaps traveling cheap through long-term housesitting. In traveling slowly, families are able to spend more time together and immerse themselves in new experiences. So while there's no one way to 'do' worldschooling, here are a few things to consider. Kids can learn without school because the world teaches naturally. Children have an inborn curiosity that compels them to learn things from the world around them. When kids arent confined to an isolated classroom and instead given the freedom to pursue their own interests, they will naturally develop a sense of purpose, self-motivation, and self-confidence. The notion of unschooling arises from this natural tendency, and worldschooling adds another layer to this by literally transforming the world into a giant, interactive classroom. This perspective shift will inspire a profound desire in kids (and parents) to explore and engage with their daily experiences in a much deeper way, without being limited by the expectations of others. Kids can learn subjects like geography, history, math, art, music, different languages, current world events, critical thinking, and social responsibility in a hands-on way through first-hand experience, rather than non-contextually from a textbook. American worldschooling mom Lainie Liberti and teenage son Miro are one example of how an open curiosity to pursue the unknown can actually enrich life. Mother and son left for South America for what was supposed to be a one-year trip. Eight years later, the two are still abroad and have so far lived in 15 countries. They are now working to build international "temporary learning communities" via their initiative, Project World School, which offers immersive worldschooling retreats for teens in Asia, Latin America and beyond. Lainie and Miro recently gave an enlightening TEDx talk about their experiences: For Lainie, one key issue was to consciously let go of previous notions of what an "education" is, and how learning happens. "Before we left on our travels, I believed that the only true education was facilitated by professionals in formal educational institutional settings, [and] must include testing, measuring and evaluation in order to be valid or considered 'education'", says Lainie. All that shifted after we started traveling. [We] traveled and explored each day with a renewed sense of freedom and lightness tapping onto our natural curiosity which led our daily itinerary. Eventually, we noticed we started to replace the word 'education' with the word 'learning' when we spoke of our travels. Through our experiences, many questions were sparked and conversations never imagined were initiated. Together, our explorations prompted further investigations and together my son and I dug in deeper as a result of our natural curiosity. Boom. Just like that, we were engaged in learning and we weren't being evaluated, tested or measured. And the process was fluid and effortless. We witnessed the world around us transformed into a limitless classroom. samira hachad/CC BY 2.0 New technologies make remote work and remote learning possible. New technologies and the growth of remote work allows worldschooling parents to travel and work at the same time. To cover more difficult subjects in greater depth, many parents avail themselves of online educational tools like Khan Academy and Lynda, plus a whole host of online tutoring services. Apps like Mango Languages, Duolingo, Memrise and many more help kids and parents alike learn new languages and skills. These online tools were invaluable to Theodora Sutcliffe of Escape Artistes, a worldschooling mom from the UK who is now based out of Indonesia: After 93-year-old actor Dilip Kumar began complaining of a swelling his right leg, he was rushed to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital by his wife Saira Banu on Tuesday morning. He tweeted on Wednesday morning that he is feeling much better. By India Today Web Desk: Veteran actor Dilip Kumar has been hospitalised. The 93-year-old actor was admitted to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital on Tuesday morning. This happened just days before he would celebrate his 94th birthday. According to a report in Times of India, Dilip Kumar began complaining of a sudden swelling in his right leg. His wife, Saira Banu was alarmed and she rushed her husband to the hospital. advertisement SEE PICS: Remembering ten timeless classics of Dilip Kumar "I was anyway planning to take him for a routine check-up, but the swelling alarmed me. He was also complaining of cold and cough. I don't ignore anything even remotely suspicious when it comes to Dilip saab's health. The doctors are examining him; he's under observation. He's very comfortable with the team here. I just hope there is nothing serious. Inshallah, I will take him home before his birthday on Sunday," Saira Banu was quoted as saying. Dilip Kumar earlier on Wednesday morning shared a series of tweets from inside Lilavati hospital and assured fans that he is better now. Feeling much better now. Was admitted to Lilavati hospital for routine checkup. Your prayers are with me. pic.twitter.com/ii3nCMJG3f Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) December 7, 2016 A wonderful team of doctors here along with my personal physicians Dr. S Ghokale, Dr. Nitin Ghokale and Dr. R. Sharma. pic.twitter.com/cYeX4wWHSZ Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) December 7, 2016 Health is wealth said somebody. Mein aap sabhi ka mashkoor hoon ki aapne hamesha apni dua'on mein mujhe yaad rakha. pic.twitter.com/dWzxDpQiUa Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) December 7, 2016 In the last few years, Dilip saab has been hospitalised quite often. His health was getting worse around September, 2011 with some tweets even spreading misinformation about his death. In September 2013, the actor suffered a heart attack and was admitted to Lilavati Hospital. The actor had undergone heart surgery 14 years ago. Again in December 2014 and April, this year, Dilip Kumar was hospitalised on account of suffering from pneumonia. Considered one of the greatest actors ever in Hindi cinema's history, Dilip Kumar holds the Guinness World Record of winning the most number of awards as an Indian actor. Apart from other awards, Dilip Kumar won a total of 8 Filmfare Best Actor awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993. WATCH: Mimicking Dilip saab was difficult, says Shah Rukh Khan --- ENDS --- Donald Trump, in a tweet, said 'Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!' By Santosh Chaubey: Donald Trump has tweeted to express his strong disapproval of the new Boeing 747 jumbo jet to replace the existing one being used by the US President. And he has sighted 'out of control' cost for it. He tweeted, "Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!" advertisement Trump, according to a report in the Washington Post, later explained his tweet, "The plane is totally out of control. It's going to be over $4 billion for Air Force One program, and I think it's ridiculous. I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number. We want Boeing to make a lot of money, but not that much money." Though the new jet is for future presidents as Trump's tweet says and as it will come into service in 2024 and therefore Donald Trump would not be able to use it even if he gets another term in 2020, the cost quoted by Trump here will go from his administrations coffers only. ALSO READ | Trump threatens to tax companies for moving business and jobs out of US TRUMP ON A SPREE TO ESTABLISH POPULIST CREDENTIALS Trump, the billionaire US President Elect, who has promised to lower taxes, create jobs and prevent them from going out of the US, free the US of 'illegal immigrants', regulate the presence of immigrants, erect a border wall along Mexico, to shut down Obamacare, the healthcare programme launched by Barack Obama and many other populist policies, it seems, is on a spree to establish his populist credentials before his Presidency's inaugural on January 20. Before this, he had announced that he would take just $1 as salary. The US presidential pay package is $400,000 a year. He said he would not take any vacation as well. Soon after winning the presidency, he announced his plans to erect a wall along the US-Mexico border to prevent the Mexican immigrants. He has claimed to broker a deal and save 1000 jobs from going to Mexico and has threatened to make life financially difficult for the companies who take businesses or jobs out of the US by imposing an import tariff of 35 per cent. Forbes estimates US President Elect Donald Trump's net worth at $4.5 billion that makes him the richest US President so far. He is a real estate mogul and his organization runs various businesses in different countries. He owns four personal planes including a Boeing 757 jet that has gold-plated seat-belts and bathroom fittings. advertisement ALSO READ | Donald Trump's extraordinary deal-making skills may resolve Kashmir issue: US Vice President-elect Donald Trump bonds with Nawaz Sharif bigly, it's bromantic, so fantastic --- ENDS --- Tribune News Service Chandigarh, December 6 Fifty-four years after its inception and several cases of research misconduct, the PGI, one of the countrys most prestigious health care institutes, has come up with its own guidelines on plagiarism. According to PGI officials, the guidelines have been formulated after a close study of the policies of other research institutions, including AIIMS and the IIT. Copying of 10 consecutive words will be considered plagiarism, informed sources. Notably, four cases of unethical research practices by senior faculty members of the PGI had come up at the governing body meeting, chaired by the Union Health Minister. The PGI had served notices but due to the lack of guidelines, the accused had gone scot free. Keeping in view the urgent need to have a policy on plagiarism, a committee was constituted under officiating PGI Director Dr Subash Varma to frame the guidelines. According to the guidelines, the licence to use the software to detect plagiarism must be given to each faculty member of the institute. Sources say if a case of plagiarism comes to light, a standing committee will evaluate and examine the same in a time-bound manner. Meanwhile, a review for an international website done by one of the three shortlisted faculty members for the post of the new PGI Director, has come under scanner, informed sources. The review, published in 2013, was withdrawn earlier for a brief period in 2015 after allegations surfaced that it contained parts copied from another writers paper, said sources, adding that the review had remained withdrawn. KC Singh HEART of Asia conference at Amritsar, attended by 14 participating and over two dozen supporting countries was jointly inaugurated on December 4 by Afghanistans President Ashraf Ghani and Indias PM Narendra Modi. It brought diplomatic theatre to Punjab and transitory focus on the holiest shrine of the Sikhs. It also stirred, to borrow from Marcel Proust, remembrance of things past. Firstly, the visit of Afghan President and PM Modi to the Golden Temple, the foundation of which was laid by Hazrat Mian Mir, a Sufi saint, on December 28, 1588, was a great opportunity missed to bury past hurts. While Sikh religion rose from the reformist Bhakti movement, it was chiselled by resisting religious persecution by some Mughal rulers and Afghan marauders in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Golden Temple, often targeted, was eventually defiled and destroyed by Afghans under ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali. His raid of 1764 to target Sikhs, their holy places, particularly Amritsar, is etched in Sikh memory. Thus reducing President Ghanis Golden Temple visit to a photo-op in the parikarma with PM Modi, without his expressing regret then or next morning, when he addressed the conference, was a great historical opportunity lost for contextualising Afghanistans current battle against the Taliban or the entire Islamic worlds struggle with radical Islam. After all, the Taliban destroying the Bamiyan Buddhas or ISIS now levelling churches or old monuments in Syria were displaying the same bigotry that Muslim despoilers of Indian places of worship showed in centuries past or even the Catholic Inquisition did in Portuguese occupied Goa of that period. It took a courageous German Chancellor Willy Brandt to kneel at the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising monument on December 7, 1970, to kick-start the debate in Germany to take ownership for the sins of their Nazi past. Secondly, the rubric Amritsar Declaration ignored that the 1994 declaration issued from Akal Takht demanding autonomy for Sikhs is also so titled. Ironically, while that resolution sought a looser federation in India, the present declaration seeks closer integration in the entire region from Central to Southern Asia. It ignores two critical elements. One, globally the trend is towards de-globalisation and protectionism, particularly in the West and the US, where benefits of regional integration are being questioned. Two, the heart of the matter is distrust amongst nations of the region, particularly between India and Pakistan, without which connectivity and trade cannot develop. The Heart of Asia conference was envisioned in 2011 to create a framework for discussion amongst neighbours of Afghanistan, as the declaration states, to increase trust and confidence in the entire region. This was to ensure that Afghanistan did not relapse into the post-1990 civil war between surrogates of neighbouring powers. It is common sense to conclude that to make Afghanistan economically self-reliant and wean it away from the narco-terror cycle of financing it needs to connect to regional trade and investment pathways. The Amritsar Declaration recognises this and addresses it in two parts. One deals with existing challenges; and the other on how to achieve prosperity. The former highlights the intermingling of terrorism, narcotics and radicalised Islam and exhorts participants to use national means and international commitments to counter that threat. The latter envisions connectivity and free trade across the entire region, based on the linking of existing and planned road, rail and port developments. For instance, the Indian trilateral agreement with Afghanistan and Iran for the development of Chabahar Port and the Chinese One Belt, One Road initiative are but two of a maze of currently separate ventures connecting China and Russia to Central Asia and further to South Asia. At the heart of this vision for a new Asia lie India-Pakistan relations, bedevilled by distrust and rivalry. At Amritsar, India caught Pakistan in a pincer move between President Ghani alleging that without Pakistani help the Taliban could not survive and Indias own lament that Pakistan must stop exporting terror and using it as an adjunct to their foreign policy. Although South block denied any meeting with Pakistans de facto foreign minister Sartaj Aziz, it is unbelievable that messages would not have been exchanged. If that did not happen, it was another opportunity lost as no muscular policy towards Pakistan can work without keeping the door open for ascertaining what effect, if any, the policy is having on Pakistans thinking. The Amritsar Declaration signals emerging consensus amongst Afghanistans neighbours that a stable Afghanistan is a condition precedent for a stable region. This cannot be achieved unless rivalries and zero-sum gaming are abandoned. Pakistan, in particular, has to reconcile that an independent government in Kabul will deal with other neighbours, including India. Furthermore, the region will not allow a regression to the Taliban era with Pakistani veto over who ran Kabul. Para 14 of the Amritsar Declaration lists terrorist groups endangering the region, including the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad which are ISI-sponsored groups for targeting India. This gave India bragging rights on cornering Pakistan as China has been stalling the listing of their leaders by the UN Security Council. The question however remains about Indian strategy in dealing with the troublesome neighbour. The so- called surgical strike has failed to deter Pakistan otherwise there would not have been beheadings of Indian soldiers at the LoC or the Nagrota attack. India can either escalate retaliatory strikes, by weapons fire or actual intrusion, hoping the Pakistan army will eventually sue for peace. Alternatively, India could give some time and space to the new chief of Pakistan army staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa to see if he modulates his armys tactics by putting the terror modules on leash, albeit temporarily. Assuming President-elect Donald Trumps benediction or Chinese President Xis restraint, despite provoking him in Arunachal Pradesh, is poor strategising. As a rising power, beset currently with demonetisation disruption, it is not in Indias interest to escalate tension. All talks are not kowtowing, nor is chest-thumping a strategy. A dose of realistic diplomacy all around is overdue. The writer is a former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs Apoorvanand THE nationalism discourse which started with the advent of the present government of the BJP, the political arm of the RSS, at the Centre touched a new low recently. A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court issued a directive as part of an interim order that all films should now be viewed with nationalist eyes. Nationalism has to be drummed into the heads of the cine-watchers by playing the national anthem before the film starts, with all doors closed and the audience left with no option but to stand up and imbibe constitutional patriotism by fixing their eyes on the Tricolour on the screen and sounds emanating from the speakers. The bench does not want a song and dance about nation, so we expect not a fluttering but a stately static tricolour to shame us into nationalism. People are disappointed, questions are being asked whether the learned judges have not overreached in their zeal to nationalise the nation. The most worrying part of the judgment, however, is that the judge who wrote it would be heading the Supreme Court soon. So, we better take a deep breath to receive more of the kind in the coming years. Nationalism is like religion. Are you born religious? Do you get it automatically from somewhere? No. You need to be schooled in the rites and norms of the religion. There is always a suspicion in the minds of the purohits and pandas of the cult that the followers suffer from a permanent lack. They prescribe daily private and periodic collective rituals to keep religiosity alive. Reformers who have tried to de-ritualise religions and get the pure kernel of it are sadly mistaken. Religion without its ritual part is beyond human comprehension. Have you not seen people who fill their notebooks with Ram naam? In our culture, Naam jaap enjoys great respect. But Naam is an abstraction. Unless you put a face to a name it is meaningless. So Naam has to combine with roop. What is the roop, or face of this nation? Before answering this, let us recount a story that is part of our Puranic tradition but which must be a product of the folk genius of this ancient nation that never misses a chance to puncture the claims of high culture. It is about the venerated Narada who keeps chanting Narayana, Narayana during his cosmic wandering. One day, filled with the pride of his bhakti, he went to Narayana to stake claims for the post of his first devotee. Narayana smiled and nodded at the demand. Who remembered him more than him, the hurt bhakt asked. Narayana pointed in the direction of the mortal earth. A farmer tilling his fields! Go to him, commanded the all-pervading life-giver. Narada rushed to the earth with divine speed to encounter his competitor. He followed him closely without being seen. The poor man was busy with his dailyness. There was nothing spiritual about what he was doing. Caught in his mundane existence, the name of the supreme never appeared on his lips. When the eventless day drew to its close, the tiller before retiring to his bed or whatever was there in the name of it, whispered, Ram, Ram. Narada was filled with indignation. Only once in a day and that too as a lullaby! And the Lord has the cheek to pitch him against me with whose very existence is woven the name of the Almighty! Without losing time, he returned to Naryana and asked how could he be compared with the lowly farmer. Narayana proposed a test. Narada had to carry a bowl filled to the brim with oil on his head for a day. The condition was that he had to come back to him without spilling a drop of it. Narada was amused but did he have an option to tell his master that this was no way to test his loyalty? He put the oil-filled bowl on his head and started his journey. Constantly aware of the condition, he moved around without letting a drop fall. At sunset, he returned to the all-knowing, filled with a feeling of triumph: he had passed the test. Despite having cosmic ears, Narayana asked him how many times he had remembered him. Narada was dumbfounded. Not once! His mind was constantly on the oil- bowl and the godly condition. See, you forgot me completely and how! In the old story-telling ways, there was always a scope for the moral of the tale. Modern fiction sneers at moralising, so let us be content with the story. We know that by making him enact a story, Narayana could not mend the ways of Narada. He still roams around with his veena and his chant and the farmer still goes on tilling his land and from time to time, hangs himself, not by the thread of Ram Naam but with a noose around his neck. Religions have lived through stories. Nations also fictionalise themselves to be communicable to their people. But stories which are written with a mission of moralising bore their listeners. They have to endear themselves to their readers. They have to be humorous, erotic, unpredictable to keep the readers with them while they unfold. A good reader is one who reads his novel at least twice. And good novels are mines which are dug again and again by the readers for new gems of meanings. Nations, to be alive for their people have to have this aesthetic appeal in them. They are a two-way meaning-making exercise. They also have to find meaning in their people. They have to have a sense of incompletion in them, a sense of inadequacy. They wait for new readers. They are unfinished paintings, there always a scope for a new stroke, a fresh colour. They are not sacred , museum pieces not to be touched and altered. They need to soiled by impure,working hands. Our good lordships know their Ramayana and shastras for they did remember the oft-quoted Janani Janmabhumishcha. They are better advised to visit them again to read them as tales of exiles and think somewhat deeply about the final exile which Sita had to endure. What was the nation of Sita, my lordships? Ram did return to his Ayodhya. But where did Sita return? Why did she not accept the invitation of the Ayodhyapati Ram to come back and preferred to disappear? How did Ayodhya lose its inviting charm? Read the Ramayanas again my lords, there are at least 300 of them! The writer is a Professor of Hindi at Delhi University. Tribune News Service Chandigarh, December 7 With the Union Ministry of Home Affairs forwarding Karan Singh Dalals complaint against Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu to the state Home Secretary for appropriate action, the Congress MLA today sought the ministers dismissal for a fair probe into the charges. Acting on a PMO reference to Dalals complaint sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs forwarded it to the Haryana Home Secretary on October 28. Being a state subject, the government is requested to take action in the matter as deemed appropriate. The action may please be conveyed directly to the petitioner, read the letter from the Union Ministry. I have already waited for two months, but received no response from the Home Secretary. I wrote to him today that I was ready to provide further documents or clarification, if needed, Dalal said. He said it was not possible for an officer of the rank of Additional Chief Secretary to hold a fair inquiry against a Cabinet minister. Reiterating allegations against the minister of misuse of position for furthering his familys business interests, Dalal said either Capt Abhimanyu should resign on moral grounds or Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar should sack him. Dalal alleged that the BJP government in Haryana had deliberately delayed by manipulation the start of Dadam Stone Mines, spread over 55.5 hectare, to ensure that the mine allotted to Sainik Mining and Allied Services, owned by Capt Abhimanyus family, could continue earning huge profits. He alleged that the governments action had already resulted in a revenue loss of Rs 1,000 crore to the exchequer, besides resulting in loss of employment to hundreds of youth. Capt Abhimanyu, in his capacity as Finance and Excise and Taxation Minister, has violated the code of conduct for ministers. The code mentions disclosing the details of assets and liabilities and business interests of ministers, Dalal had noted in his letter to the Prime Minister. The code of conduct mandates every minister to ensure that members of his family are not engaged in any business activity, including supply of goods to the government or any business which is dependent primarily on grant of licences, permits or quotas from the government, Dalal had written. He alleged that the minister had been using his influence to further his business interests in Haryana and other BJP-ruled states. He alleged that the minister had violated not only the code of conduct as minister, but Peoples Representation Act as well by hiding details of his business interests. Rubbishing Dalals allegations, Capt Abhimanyu claimed that Bhupinder Singh Hooda had been using his stooges to level false and frivolous allegations against him as the former Chief Minister was perturbed by inquiries ordered by the BJP government. Capt Abhimanyu said he had not joined politics after leaving his business to make money, but some persons were in the habit of considering others like themselves. He said the BJP government believed in transparency and holding a probe into all allegations. If irregularity worth even a single rupee in public life is proved against me, I will not only quit my ministerial post, but give up politics as well, he asserted. R Sedhuraman New Delhi, December 6 The CBI today pleaded in the Delhi High Court that it did not require the Himachal Pradesh Governments consent to investigate the disproportionate assets (DA) case against Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. Virbhadra Singh had accumulated the DA amounting to about Rs 6 crore during 2009-11 when he was a Union Minister in Delhi, where the CBI had jurisdiction to book the case, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) PS Patwalia argued before Justice Vipin Sanghi. Patwalia rejected Virbhadra Singhs contention that since the DA case was in Himachal Pradesh the investigation agency was supposed to have taken the state governments permission for conducting the probe. The place of the assets was immaterial. If it really mattered, no prosecution could be launched against those who took their ill-gotten wealth out of the country, the ASG pleaded. He also questioned the logic behind Singhs contention that the CBI had no right to register a fresh case after closing the first preliminary enquiry for lack of evidence. The agency was duty bound to conduct further investigation in the light of fresh evidence in the form of LIC policies purchased in the name of Singh and his family members, the ASG argued. He rejected Singhs plea for copies of investigation or status reports as these had no relevance once the chargesheet was ready in the case. The CBI is seeking Delhi HCs nod for filing the chargesheet as the Himachal HC had restrained the agency from taking such a step without the HC approval. The agency had gone to the Supreme Court, challenging the HP HCs ruling, but the SC transferred the case to Delhi HC without modifying or quashing the Himachal HCs order passed on Singhs plea. Ambika Sharma Solan, December 7 The Special Investigating Team (SIT) of the police is awaiting the prosecution sanction from the authorities to file a charge-sheet against six officials of the local Municipal Committee and Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) Department for their inability to check the outbreak of jaundice in Solan and its surrounding areas. More than 700 people had contracted jaundice while one person lost his life earlier this year. DSP Amit Sharma, who is heading SIT, said the investigations had been completed and they had sought the sanction from the authorities for filing the charge-sheet in the court. He confirmed that two officials of the MC and four from the IPH Department had been found negligent in containing the disease and were booked under Sections 269, 336 and 304-A of the IPC for endangering the personal safety and life of the people and causing death by negligence. An assistant engineer (AE) and a junior engineer (JE) of the MC and two AEs and as many JEs of the IPH Department had been found guilty for the disease which had spread its tentacles in November last year. The prosecution sanction was awaited from the Secretary, Urban Development, for the two MC officials while the Superintending Engineer of the IPH Department was supposed to accord this permission for action against IPH Department officials. The SIT had been constituted on the directions of the high court to probe the negligence of officials who had failed to ensure the supply of clean drinking water to the residents. More than 700 cases of jaundice had surfaced in the area. Though names of senior officials of the MC and the IPH Department too had surfaced, they were not named as accused. Reports of water samples lifted by the IPH Department as well as health officials form a crucial part of the evidence which establish the laxity of the officials. Tribune News Service & PTI Jammu, December 7 A day after Hurriyat leaders extended the invitation to tourists and yatris from across the country to visit Kashmir, BJP leaders spoke in differing voices while reacting to the separatists appeal. National general secretary Ram Madhav today said the action of the separatists depicted their hypocrisy while Central ministers hailed the invite. Hurriyat leaders comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Yasin Malik on Tuesday invited tourists and yatris (pilgrims) to visit Kashmir and enjoy hospitality of people and beauty of paradise on the earth. Ridiculing separatist leaders invitation, Madhav said, I think there is some spelling mistake in the invitation extended by the separatists to the tourists across the country. Instead of inviting terrorists they (Hurriyat leaders) have mistakenly extended invitation to the tourists. Speaking to reporters after holding meetings with state BJP leaders, he said, On one hand separatist leaders are pretending to be peace lovers by extending invitation to the tourists but simultaneously issuing shutdown calendars to spread bloodshed and destruction in the Valley. He said, tourism and shutdown calendar cant go together. Madhav, who is the architect of the PDP-BJP government in J&K, said Hurriyat leaders were the biggest hypocrites, creating trouble in restoring peace in the Valley. He also took National Conference president Farooq Abdullah to task for offering support to the Hurriyat Conference. On Monday, Farooq had said his party was ready to follow the separatists till they are on the right path and are leading the nation in the right direction. It is very unfortunate and irresponsible statement. Dont know what has gone wrong with the National Conference, he said, adding that Farooq earlier used to criticise the Hurriyat and now he wanted to follow their path. Taking a dig at the recent statement of former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for absolving Pakistan of its role in the current turmoil, the BJP stalwart said, It is really surprising that Omar is advocating Pakistan and Farooq is toeing Hurriyat line. Meanwhile, the Centre today hailed the separatist Hurriyat Conferences invitation to tourists and pilgrims to visit the Kashmir Valley. Welcoming the initiative, Minister of State for Tourism Mahesh Sharma said, My big salute goes to all those who support tourism, and yes, we are for it. The vision of our great Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) is to see that the Valley comes back to life again. We are all prepared to see and ensure that the tourism industry in the Valley flourishes. If any step needs to be taken for that, we will come forward. Tourism will change the shape of the Valley and will bring the glory back...as a Tourism Minister I welcome their initiative and of course other calls will be taken by the Government of India, Sharma told reporters in New Delhi. Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said everyone should promote tourism as Jammu and Kashmir had been very, very important for the sector. If there is peace in the Valley, tourism will flourish there and if tourism increases, it will economically benefit the state and its people. Promotional tourism is absolutely necessary to revive the economy because it is a very important part of their social life, Rijiju said. Samaan Lateef Tribune News Service Srinagar, December 7 Due to unending shutdown calendars, the separatist camps are facing discontent within their ranks as insiders term the coming together of three top separatists Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Yasin Malik as an alliance of individuals instead of parties. The announcement of shutdown during government-imposed curfew days, shutting doors on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh-led all-party delegation and ignoring the constituent factions, which were mostly against the calendars, have become a bone of contention among the separatists. Geelani and Mirwaizs Hurriyat Conference factions and Malik-led Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) have been jointly issuing shutdown calendars following the killing of Burhan Wani on July 8. However, sources said the leaders were taking decisions at an individual-level and their programmes did not represent the views of constituent parties. As the discord is growing within the three factions, the sources insisted that the disintegration of the Geelani and Mirwaiz factions could happen soon while Malik would continue to be the lone horse in his faction. The sources said Geelani never held any party meeting or consultation with the leaders of constituent parties like Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) of Shabir Shah, Muslim League of Masrat Alam, National Front of Nayeem Khan and others. Similar discontent is in Mirwaizs Hurriyat Conference which has been a part of the joint resistance shutdown programme. The sources said Mirwaiz had no support of senior leaders liked Prof Abdul Gani Bhat of the Muslim Conference and Bilal Lone of the Peoples Conference. Mirwaiz represents his Awami Action Committee and not the Hurriyat Conference. He never consulted us because we would have never supported the shutdown calendars keeping the failure of the 2010 unrest in mind, a Hurriyat leader said. The Home Minister-led 26-member delegation of politicians to the Valley was not given audience by separatists on September 5 when they landed here for a two-day visit. The separatists even showed cold response to CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury and three fellow members of the delegation who tried to meet them. Simply shutting doors on senior politicians, who have been supporting the Kashmir issue in Parliament, would not solve the problem, said a separatist leader, whose party is the constituent of Geelani faction. The disgruntled leaders alleged that the three leaders without application of mind closed the Rs 8,000 crore fruit industry and are now worried about the tourism industry to appease a few hoteliers and bureaucrats. What was the need to impose shutdown when the government had announced curfew for the first two months of the agitation, a senior leader of the Mirwaiz faction told The Tribune. He said the unrest was an opportunity for them to gain political space in the J&K and also get acceptance from the international community. Because of the lack of vision, we failed to mobilise the civil society in the country or garner the support of international community, he said. There is a general feeling among the leaders of the separatist factions that they should pull out from both Hurriyat Conference factions and work independently. By PTI: From Lalit K Jha Washington, Dec 7 (PTI) A former US Army official has said that to win the war against Taliban in Afghanistan, it is essential to destroy their safe havens in Pakistan, alleging that Pak military provides intelligence, training and logistics assistance to them. "Whats required is a new strategy with a commitment to force the elimination of sanctuaries in Pakistan,"General (rtd) John M Keane, a former vice chief of the army and chairman of the Institute for the Study of War, told members of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday during a Congressional hearing on worldwide threats. advertisement "Taliban sanctuaries exist in Pakistan where the Pakistan military provides intelligence, training, and logistics assistance to enhance the Taliban operational performance while providing continuous safe haven," he said. Keane said no insurgency has ever been defeated while it maintains sanctuary outside the conflict area. "We are in this current situation largely because the war in Iraq itself became protracted and much needed forces could not be applied to Afghanistan, US ground forces, particularly the Army is too small to fight two counter insurgencies simultaneously," he added He also stated that the Obamas policy was not to win the war but to end US involvement. "The new administration must call for a political and security assessment and face the harsh realities of possibly squandering 15 years of US combat in Afghanistan war not winnable," he asserted. "Whats required is a new strategy with a commitment to force the elimination of sanctuaries in Pakistan and a commitment to provide to the ANSFs the enablers they need to turn the momentum: intelligence, attack helicopters, strike fighter support, medevac, anti-IED capabilities," Keane said. "Without an on-the-ground assessment, I honestly cannot tell you if that is sufficient, how many additional troops are required to support those functions and for how long,? he said. Senator Jack Reed, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the decisions by the President to maintain approximately 8,400 US troops in Afghanistan into 2017 and to support the Afghan Security Forces has laid the foundation for a sustainable US and international security presence in Afghanistan. "The decision also sent an important message to Afghans, the Taliban and others in the region, including Pakistan, regarding the commitment of the United States for progress in Afghanistan," he said. "Assuming the continued support of the Afghan government and the support of its people, I hope the next administration will follow a conditions-based approach to US presence in Afghanistan that provides flexibility in the number of military personnel deployed, to support of our longer-term strategy, there," Reed said. PTI LKJ RSD ARK RSD --- ENDS --- advertisement Tribune News Service Srinagar, December 6 The separatist leadership today appealed to tourists and pilgrims to visit the Kashmir valley, terming it as paradise on earth, and promising to safeguard their rights in a desperate attempt to kick-start the dormant tourism sector in the region. In a joint statement, Syed Ali Geelani, Yasin Malik and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq the three separatist leaders steering the ongoing unrest said the people of Kashmir had been safeguarding and providing exemplary hospitality and safety to tourists and yatris. We have been taught hospitality, humanity and safeguarding the rights of guests by our great religion. Tourists and yatris from the world, including India, who intend to visit Kashmir are most welcome, the separatist leaders said. We invite them to come to Kashmir and enjoy our hospitality and the beauty of paradise on earth, they said. The appeal from the separatists has come at a time when the Kashmir region is slowly limping out from the impact of unrest, which is nearing the completion of its fifth month. The unrest has had a devastating effect on the regions tourism sector as footfall of holidaymakers hit a zero while the Valley was paralysed by protests and shutdown. The separatist trio said they wholeheartedly welcomed the tourists and pilgrims who intended to visit Kashmir. Our religion Islam and the prophet of Islam have taught us to be kind with our guests and serve them and safeguard their rights at every cost. This is also embedded in our Kashmiri culture and ethics and that is why our hospitality has been exemplary throughout the history, they said. Millions of tourists from the world, including India, have been visiting Kashmir from centuries and enjoying the mesmerising beauty of this paradise on earth, the separatists said. Our history shows that we as a nation have always stood firm with these ethics and teachings and we have always respected, safeguarded and served our guest during hardest of times and worst calamities, they said. Sumit Hakhoo Tribune News Service Jammu, December 7 After suffering Rs 3,000-crore loss and delaying tourism development projects worth Rs 500 crore during the past five months of continued shutdown and violence in Kashmir, separatists appeal to tourists and pilgrims has not been taken seriously by those associated with the hospitality sector. Widespread protests and a series of attacks on vehicles carrying pilgrims and tourists by mobs washed out the tourism season in the Valley this year. The violence engulfing 10 districts of Kashmir following the elimination of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8 by the security forces led to cancellation of bookings and forced thousands to flee Srinagar. Though the effect on the flow of pilgrims, especially to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in the Jammu region, and foreign tourists to the Ladakh region has not been much but violence has created a fear among people outside the state. The Hurriyat Conference weekly protest calendar led to a complete shutdown in the Valley and stone-throwers further ensured that it was enforced strictly by people and many of them had to face the wrath of protesters. We are not even getting inquiries from people about Kashmir. Pilgrims and adventure-seeking foreigners carry the impression that the whole of state is facing unrest. People dont want to visit the Valley, said Sarveshwar Katoch, general manager, Worldride Travels, a New Delhi-based company. Those associated with the tourism and transport sector question the logic of separatists call for inviting tourists when thousands of people had to flee from the state. Many visitors from outside the state were caught in the stone-throwing, restaurants remained shut, people were being fleeced in hotels. Transporters were afraid to operate due to fear of mobs. People want to spend a holiday in a peaceful environment, not in the shadow of stone-throwers, said Pawan Sharma, who looks after ticketing and tour plans at Alex Travel Agency. The present situation prevailing in the Valley has also ruined the work done by successive governments in projecting the peaceful image of the state. We dont take separatists statement seriously at least in the Jammu region. Their statement does not make any sense as they have contributed to making the image of Kashmir as a violent place, said Satwant Singh Rissim, a researcher of law in Jammu University. Rissim also runs a family transport business, which suffered following protesters targeting trucks in the Valley. Even holidaymakers are treading cautiously and dont want to take any decision in haste. Our preference would be Himachal Pradesh or other hill stations. Who wants to spend holidays in a place where violence has become a norm? said Rajni Sharma from Jaipur who was on a visit to the Vaishno Devi shrine. New Delhi, December 7 With noisy protests continuing to stall Parliament for the third week, BJP veteran LK Advani on Wednesday expressed deep distress over the way the Lok Sabha proceedings were being conducted, saying neither the Speaker nor the Parliamentary Affairs Minister was running the House. A visibly agitated Advani was heard expressing his unhappiness to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar over the continuing protests in the House at a time when some opposition members had even come to the side of Treasury benches raising slogans in the Well. Neither the Speaker nor the Parliamentary Affairs Minister is running the House, he was heard remarking just before the House was adjourned 15 minutes ahead of the lunch recess, amid slogan-shouting by Congress and TMC members. I am going to tell the Speaker that she is not running the House...I am going to say it publicly. Both sides are a party to this, he said as Kumar was seen pacifying the senior parliamentarian. He also pointed to the media gallery, apparently suggesting that his comments would be reported. As the House was adjourned, the 89-year-old leader asked a Lok Sabha official till what time it had been adjourned. When told that it was till 2 pm, he snapped, Why not sine-die? Earlier too, Advani was seen expressing his displeasure over the situation in the House to Kumar. PTI Vibha Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 7 With the Opposition sticking to its demand for discussion under Rule 184 in the Lok Sabha and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Rajya Sabha, the BJP also hardened its stance, condemning the manner in which they were stalling Parliament. The ruling party passed a resolution in its Parliamentary Party meeting on Wednesday, welcoming peoples support for demonitisation despite the trouble they were facing. The message the BJP tried to send through the weekly strategic meeting is that whereas the government had been trying to convince the Opposition to be part of a debate on the issue, it was being stonewalled in its efforts. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister again appealed to the Opposition to allow Parliament to function, sources said. He was joined by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The country is moving towards cashless economy and the message should be spread across, the Prime Minister said. Union Minister Ananth Kumar briefed the media about the meeting. The Prime Minister thanked the 125 crore people of the country for supporting him. The way the opposition parties are trying to change the goal post and disrupt Parliament is undemocratic, Kumar said, adding that the Prime Minister is ready to reply in both Houses of Parliament. New Delhi, December 7 Offering his condolences to the family of noted journalist and political analyst Cho Ramasawamy who passed away on Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday remembered the eminent personality as a dear friend, adding that he was pained by his demise. Taking to Twitter the Prime Minister posted old video clips of Ramaswamy introducing him at a public event calling him Merchant of Death. The feisty Cho Ramaswamy introduces me as the 'Merchant of Death.' Do watch this memorable interaction. https://t.co/2FsF64sVvH Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 7, 2016 (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Cho Ramaswamy was a multidimensional personality, towering intellectual, great nationalist & fearless voice who was respected and admired. Above all, Cho Ramaswamy was a dear friend. I have been to his annual readers meeting which were an unprecedented editor reader interface, he said in a series of tweets. Asserting that Ramaswamy was insightful, frank and brilliant, the Prime Minister expressed his greif at his demise. Political satirist and founder editor of Tughlak magazine, Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy popularly known as Cho Ramaswamy passed away due to cardiac arrest in a Chennai hospital. He was 82 years old. He was also adviser to former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa. He is survived by wife, a son and a daughter. His body has been taken to his residence at MRC Nagar where his friends, family and public will pay their last respects. Taking to Twitter, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping Pon condoled Chos demise. I deeply saddened on the demise of Multifaceted personality shri.#choRamaswamy. My condolences to his family & Thuklag staff,thousands. Of its readers. May his soul rest in peace, he said in a series of tweets, Cho was also an actor, comedian, editor, film director and lawyer. He was popularly known for his unbiased views on political matter and bold nature. His magazine carried critical thoughts and raging views with admirable fearlessness. He has acted in 89 movies and featured in 15 plays, besides directing five movies and writing the screenplay for another five films. ANI Islamabad, December 7 Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz on Wednesday admitted that the government was presented with only "insufficient evidence" on alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav who is under detention. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Addressing a full Senate chamber, Aziz said the dossier on Jadhav contained mere statements. It did not have any conclusive evidence," he was quoted as saying by the Geo TV. "What the dossier contained was not enough. Now it is up to the authorities concerned how long they take to give us more matter on the agent," Aziz said. Jadhav, who was reportedly arrested in Balochistan after he entered from Iran, has been accused by Pakistan of planning "subversive activities" in the country. Pakistan Army had also released a "confessional video" of Jadhav, who said he was the serving Indian Navy officer. India has acknowledged Jadhav as a retired Indian Navy officer, but denied the allegation that he was in any way connected to the government. PTI Karachi, December 7 Amidst Indo-Pak tensions, Pakistan has rejected a consignment of 10,000 bales of cotton worth USD 3.3 million from India citing violation of plant quarantine rules by importers. The shipment of ginned cotton at Karachi Port was imported by seven textile mills. It was rejected by the Plant Quarantine and Certification Services Office, Ministry of National Food Security and Research Department of Plant Protection, Dawn News reported. The rejection sent shock waves in Pakistans textile industry which has been striving for permission to import cotton from India, the report said. Last year, 2.7 million bales worth USD 800 million were imported from India to make up for the shortfall after cotton crop failure. The customs deputy collector informed that the consignment was imported in violation of the Pakistan Plant Quarantine Act 1976 and Rules 1967 and said the consignment would be returned to India at the expense of importers. The private sector has imported around 1.2 million cotton bales from different countries and orders for 0.3 million bales of Indian cotton have been placed, according to officials. According to the textile industry leaders, the cotton imported from countries other than India was cleared by the customs authorities without any issue, the report said. Zahid Mazhar, Senior Vice-Chairman All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma), was critical of the government policy of not allowing cotton imports from India. He said unbridled arrival of cotton yarn from the neighbouring country was causing injury to the domestic spinning industry. The industry needs around four million bales of imported cotton this year to meet the supply shortfalls, Mazhar said. Pakistan is expected to produce around 10.05 million bales this year against an estimated demand of 15 million bales. India is the second largest textile and clothing exporter in the world, contributing around 5 per cent to the global textile and clothing trade, said India Brand Equity Foundation, a trust established by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Tensions have been running high between India and Pakistan at the LoC and got escalated after the cross border terror attack on an army base in Nagrota in Jammu. PTI Chennai, December 7 Cho S Ramaswamy, a fearless commentator, was a multi-faceted personality who left his imprint in the fields of journalism, theatre, cinema and not the least politics and became a name to reckon with in Tamil Nadu with satire and quick repartee being his forte. The legendary Cho, as he was widely known, was unflinching in his stand on issues and spared no politician from criticism and never minced words while making a point. Cho moved with political stalwarts with absolute ease but still would never shy away from making a point against them, whenever warranted. However, he was a master in drawing the line, keeping politics and other differences out of personal life, making him a much respected and even endearing personality among political leaders, ranging from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tamil Nadu stalwarts like M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Cho played a leading role in bringing the DMK and the fledgling Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) to end the corrupt rule of Jayalalithaa in 1996. Superstar Rajinikaanth had also played a role in the stitching of an alliance between the DMK and TMC which routed the AIADMK in the polls. However, years later, Cho became one of the bitter critics of the DMK and strongly backed Jayalalithaa during the 2011 elections. The DMK was routed in the polls then. The late chief minister looked up to him as an adviser and guide till recently. Incidentally, Cho was admitted to the same hospital where Jayalalithaa died on Monday. A lawyer by profession, Cho was a popular name in theatre, cinema and journalism. He always had an anti-Congress streak in him and during the Emergency had resisted the establishment and was also averse to dynastic politics. But his critics found in him sympathy for the saffron forces. In his ultimate onscreen satire, as it is considered till date, Cho wrote and acted in the titular role of the film Mohammed bin Thuglaq (1971), an unabashed take on the prevailing political situation of those times, especially the style of politics practised by the late Indira Gandhi. Chos sharp dialogue and critical portrayal of issues left a mark in Tamil cinema. He was featured more in comedy roles, but occasionally played serious characters too. He had acted in a number of films, including those of matinee idols MG Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan, besides Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. In his film roles, the actor would seldom let go of an opportunity for a humorous take on politics, using a particular scene to his advantage. His well-timed jokes and witty takes on politics often left the audience in splits. Cho had penned screenplays for a number of films, besides writing many plays. His magazine Tughlaq, launched in 1970, held an equally critical stance in which his Question-Answer pages, laced with humour and satire, were a huge hit among the readers. Later, he took this directly to the public, holding an annual event coinciding with Pongal festival where he would take questions from audience and make his trademark replies. Such events have been attended in the past by various leaders and celebrities, including Modi, BJP veteran LK Advani, Rajinikanth and many others. In the initial days of his journalistic foray he had incurred the wrath of the Karunanidhi government in the early 70s when Tughlaq magazine published photographs of Dravida Kazhagam volunteers taking out a procession in which they garlanded images of Hindu idols. The issue was proscribed and seized. He had also floated an English weekly Pickwick which folded up without lasting for long. During the NDAs second term, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee got him nominated as a Rajya Sabha member between 1999 and 2005. He shared a good equation with Modi and campaigned for the BJP nominating him as the Prime Ministerial candidate before the 2016 elections. Modi had attended one of the annual readers conferences he used to hold in Chennai for editor-reader interface of the Tughlaq magazine. PTI Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 7 With the Supreme Court agreeing to hear a petition on December 9, challenging the appointment of Rakesh Asthana as CBIs interim Director, the Congress today openly accused the government of vitiating the selection process. A Bench of Chief Justice TS Thakur, Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice L Nageswara Rao will hear a PIL by Common Cause, an NGO, challenging the appointment of Rakesh Asthana as arbitrary. Red-flagging the government move appointing Asthana, a 1984 Gujarat-cadre IPS officer, as interim chief of the premier probe agency, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, in a letter to the PM, sought an urgent meeting of the selection committee tasked to select the CBI chief. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Under the Lokpal Act, a three-member selection panel comprising the Prime Minister, leader of the largest Opposition party in the Lok Sabha (Mallikarjun Kharge in this case) and the Chief Justice of India is to select the CBI Director. Also, under a previous SC judgment, the new Director needs to be appointed before the incumbent demits office after a two-year fixed tenure. Kharges letter says the government failed to convene a meeting of the selection committee in time to select the new CBI chief and suddenly transferred the seniormost CBI officer to the Home Ministry to make way for Asthana as interim chief, indicating intentions to foist a suitable candidate in that position. The Congress, which plans to raise the matter in Parliament, asked why RK Dutta, the senior-most officer with the CBI, was transferred to the Home Ministry on November 30, barely two days before Anil Sinha, the previous CBI Director, was to demit office. Kharges letter to PM says, The Government failed to convene a meeting that was to be chaired by you to finalise the selection of the Director. With the sudden transfer of Special Director RK Dutta, the senior-most officer after the Director, as Special Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs on November 30, it now appears that this was done deliberately to facilitate giving the charge of the post of CBI Director to an officiating junior officer. The government tonight said Asthana had been given charge as an interim arrangement. For selecting a full-time CBI Director, the selection panel would meet soon, said sources. Ravi Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Gurdaspur, December 7 Former Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) chief Wassan Singh Zaffarwal has reportedly gone into hiding even as Gurdaspur police is conducting search operations in his home district of Gurdaspur and at various other places across Punjab. The police have launched a crackdown on Sikh radicals ahead of the controversial Sarbat Khalsa slated to be held in Moga on Thursday. His native village of Zaffarwal falls under the Dhariwal police station. On November 8, a police party led by DSP (Dhariwal) AD Singh followed Zaffarwal till Moga before losing track of him. Sources say the police tried to establish his whereabouts from his mobile phone but later he switched it off. The police party raided a few deras around Moga before returning to Gurdaspur. SSP Jasdeep Singh confirmed that the former terrorist had managed to give the police a slip in Moga. We are trying to ascertain his position. Once we do that it will be a matter of time before we take him into preventive custody. Chances of him surfacing at the Sarbat Khalsa tomorrow are also not being ruled out. We are taking all types of precautions to ensure he does not take part in tomorrows event, the SSP said. The SSP added that the Pathankot district SAD (Amritsar) unit president Gurmeet Singh Maan was taken into preventive custody from his residence in Gurdaspur today morning. Sources claim that like Zaffarwal, Maan too had fled and he returned after the police allegedly intimidated his son. His son is a government employee and as he was leaving for work in the morning when the police reached his home and told him to accompany them. He then rang up his father who returned to his house after an hour, an officer, on the condition of anonymity, said. In Pathankot district, SSP Rakesh Kaushal said that police had identified just two Sikh hardliners. Both of them are elderly people and have given to me in writing that they will not take part in tomorrows programme, he said. Meanwhile, radical Sikh organisation Dal Khalsa has said that it will hold a rally for victims of police firing and forced disappearances on December 9 at Batala on the occasion of the 68th International Human Rights Day. Spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh added that his organisation condemned the police crackdown on Sikh activists ahead of the Moga event. By Vidya : Fauzia Ansari, a Mumbai college professor, and her husband Nehal Ansari returned home from Amritsar a few days ago. But their disappointment of not being able to meet Pakistan Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz in Amritsar to seek permission to meet their son Hamid Ansari lodged in Peshawar jail could soon be over. Hamid has been convicted by Pakistani military court for 3 years on charge of espionage. The Peshawar High Court has granted Hamid visitation rights. advertisement The couple is urging the Pakistan embassy to grant them consular access or visas so that the two can meet their son in Peshawar jail. Also read | Heart of Asia: Sartaj Aziz arrives in Amritsar; to meet PM Modi, Afghan president "We were just fancying our chances to go and meet Aziz in Amritsar. Because of heavy security at the Heart of Asia conference, we could not go there. So we waited at the Golden Temple the entire day hoping to get a glimpse of him if he turned up there. But due to security reasons, he was not allowed. As they say, when one door is closed, another is opened," says Fauzia, pointing to the Peshawar High Court's latest order. ALL ABOUT HAMID ANSARI Hamid, a 31-year-old engineer from Mumbai, had told his parents in 2012 that he was going to Afghanistan to look for a job but had vanished from there. It was only in 2014 that Fauzia got to know that Hamid had been arrested, but did not know his whereabouts. Finally this year, parents came to know that Hamid was in the custody of the Pakistan military court, convicted on charge of espionage. Hamid has been transferred to the Peshawar jail. He himself filed a writ petition in the high court there, asking for three things -- one that the time he spent in jail as an undertrial be set against his three years sentence. Second that he be transferred to a safe place as he had been attacked inside jail and thirdly that he should get visitation right along with health and proper food facilities. Also read | Ashraf Ghani at Heart of Asia: Pakistan shelters terrorists, Taliban testifies Mazhar Alam, Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court, disposed of his petition, saying that it had become meaningless as Hamid had already been shifted to a separate cell in the jail. The court also noted that the issue of three years' sentence in jail to be set against his term as undertrial was an issue that concerned the jail and the military authorities and the civil court had no jurisdiction on the issue. However, Chief Justice Mazhar Alam did grant him visitation rights. The order says, "The convict be treated strictly in accordance with the law and he be provided visitation rights as well as health facility, including other rights as provided in the jail manual and prison rules, after conviction." advertisement HOPE VISA WILL BE GRANTED SOON: PARENTS "We have asked for the granting of visa innumerable times. Our high commission has also asked for consular access to Hamid to be granted, but the Pakistani government has not been giving the same. Now with this court order, I am hopeful that the visa will be granted soon and we will get to meet our son," says Fauzia, who recently came to know about the court order. Fauzia and Nehal are planning to apply for visa to Pakistan this month. --- ENDS --- Varinder Singh Tribune News Service Bathinda/Talwandi Sabo, December 7 To prevent Sikh leaders from entering Punjab from Haryana and Rajasthan for participating in the proposed Sarbat Khalsa on Thursday, Punjab Police sealed interstate borders on Wednesday. The Bathinda district administration has also refused permission to the organisers to hold the Sikh congregation at Talwandi Sabo. An uneasy calm prevails at Talwandi Sabo which has virtually been converted into a police cantonment by the Punjab Police and personnel of the Rapid Action Force (RAF). Technically, the administration has disposed off the application of the United Akali Dal leaders seeking permission for the congregation. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the Bathinda administration on Tuesday to take a decision regarding permission within 24 hours. The Deputy Commissioner has denied permission to the Sarbat Khalsa organisers on the basis of a police report to the district administration that Sikh leaders could create a serious law and order problem if they were allowed to hold the congregation at the Natt road venue at Talwandi Sabo. The police has put barricades on the interstate borders of the state with Haryana and Rajasthan. The akhand path which was started by the United Akali Dal workers, led by Gurdip Singh Bathinda, on December 6 in a mobile van was not disrupted by the police for fear of a religious backlash. Sanjay Bumbroo Tribune News Service Fatehgarh Sahib, December 7 Sangrur AAP MP Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday alleged that Pakistan had no role in the Nabha jailbreak case as it was staged by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal in order to eliminate Mann and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal in view of the forthcoming assembly elections in Punjab. Mann was addressing a rally to launch the election campaign of party candidate Lakhvir Singh Rai at the old Sirhind grain market. In his hour-long speech, Mann wondered as to how Sukhbir, who is also the Home Minister, came to know within 15 minutes that the attack was organised from across the border. He asked the people not to fear such incidents as these were being organised across the state to terrorise people. He said false cases were being registered against AAP leaders to terrorise them. Lashing out at the SAD and Congress, Mann said both political parties were hand-in-glove to wrest power in the state. He said the SAD was now deliberately asking its MLAs to resign from the party and join the Congress so that an impression was created among people that the Congress would come to power. He said the government had failed to identify the policemen who had killed two youths after the desecration of the religious books at Bargari village in Faridkot. Mann claimed that whatever development the Badals had initiated in the state was done to promote their business interests. He said roads were being four-laned as buses owned by the Badals were plying on them. He said Sukhbir was far away from reality, and the Badals who felt happy seeing lines of tractors at grain markets didnt know that farmers were bringing the newly bought tractors to sell them to raise funds for the marriage of their daughters. Varinder Singh Tribune News Service Bathinda/Talwandi Sabo, Dec 7 The Bathinda administration today refused to give permission to Sikh leaders to hold Sarbat Khalsa at Talwandi Sabo on Thursday. The Deputy Commissioner has denied permission to the organisers on the basis of apprehensions expressed by the police in its report that Sikh leaders could create a serious law and order problem if they were allowed to hold the congregation on the Natt road at Talwandi Sabo. To prevent Sikh leaders from sneaking into Punjab from neighbouring states of Haryana and Rajasthan, the police have sealed the interstate borders. An uneasy calm is prevailing at Talwandi Sabo town. A large number of police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel have been deployed to tackle any situation arising out of the possible confrontation with the Sikh leaders. The administration has disposed of the application of United Akali Dal leaders seeking permission for the congregation. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed it on Tuesday to take a decision within 24 hours. The akhand path, which was started by Sikh activists led by Gurdip Singh Bathinda of the United Akali Dal yesterday, is on at the site. The police are not allowing people to gather there in large numbers to avoid any law and order situation. More than 250 Panthic leaders have already moved to Haryana and Rajasthan fearing police action even as parallel "jathedar" Baljit Singh Daduwal has asserted that he would be reaching Talwandi Sabo to attend the "bhog" of the "akhand path" on December 8 and to participate in the "Sarbat Khalsa" with his supporters and the Sikh sangat. The police are still conducting raids at the residences of Sikh leaders. The police fear that the Panthic leaders could disrupt the SAD's Moga rally tomorrow. Bid to disturb peace Patiala: Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said a handful of self-styled leaders were hell bent on holding a congregation at Talwandi Sabo to hatch conspiracies to derail the process of development and peace in the state and push it back to turbulent times. Talking to the media on the sidelines of his Sangat Darshan at Tohra village, Badal reiterated the state government could not allow these divisive forces to hold Sarbat Khalsa. He said the government was committed to preserve the law and order at any cost, besides strengthening the social fabric and maintaining peace and harmony in the state. TNS BD Kasniyal Pithoragarh, December 7 In his third public meeting in Uttarakhand, BJP national president Amit Shah today lambasted the Congress government in the state and appealed to people to oust it. He alleged that the government had broken all records of corruption since the formation of the state. The rally was held at Haldwani on the culmination of BJPs Parivartan Yatra in the Kumaon region. He said peoples aspirations could be fulfilled only through systemic change. The yatra may have come to an end but the process of change to oust the Harish Rawat government and form a BJP government had just started. By parivartan we dont just mean change of a chief minister. We mean systemic change with the departure of one party and the advent of another at the helm. When we appeal to you for change we want you to dislodge a corrupt government and install a transparent government, like the one being run by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre, which can usher in development, give an unprecedented boost to tourism and stop migration from hills, he said. In his 20-minute address at MB College ground in Haldwani, the BJP national president said the state was created by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to develop the region. He said Vajpayee did not dream of an Uttarakhand where liquor and mining mafia called the shots. Shah said Vajpayee had envisioned a developed hill state with a strong economy based on tourism from where people did not migrate elsewhere in search of livelihood. Atalji created the state while Narendra Modi will get it rid of corruption and change it, he said while addressing a crowd of over 10,000 people. Shah announced that if the party comes to power in the state, it would construct a four-lane road to the Char Dhams and link all the Dhams and the main spots of the state with railways. Shah blamed Chief Minister Harish Rawat for alleged corrupt conduct and emphasised on achievements of the Union Government on various fronts. He also touched upon the demonetisation issue and said the measure had made only black money hoarders unhappy. The move has been praised the world over. Only those who have amassed black money are unhappy about it, Shah claimed. Terming Congress newfound concern about implementation of OROP as fake, he said the partys failure to implement it despite being in power shows how little it cared for the Armed Forces. It is the BJP Government at the Centre which brought the Bill on One Rank, One Pension for ex-servicemen, Shah said. He pointed out that the massive crowds at his three rallies in the course of the yatra was an indication that people had made up their mind to throw a corrupt government out of power. He was confident that the BJP would win in the coming polls and form the next government with a two-thirds majority, Shah added. Former Chief Ministers Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri, Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, state party general secretary in charge Shayam Jaju, BJP state president Ajay Bhatt and Union Minister of State for Textiles Ajay Tamta addressed the rally while a full galaxy of BJP leaders from the state attended it. (With inputs from PTI) Tokyo, December 7 The United States has "enduring" interests in the Asia-Pacific region and is working for an orderly transfer of power to the administration of President-elect Donald Trump, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Wednesday. Carter is in Japan to try to soothe anxieties caused by the victory of Trump, who has called for allies to pay more to sustain US forces, or face their possible withdrawal. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The outgoing administration of Barack Obama made Asia and US alliances there a top priority. Details of Trump's approach to the region remain scant, but he wants to see key US allies, such as Japan and South Korea, shoulder a greater share of defence costs. "The United States has important interests in this region, and therefore, because many of those interests are shared with Japan, we have a common interest in strengthening the capabilities of the alliance," Carter told reporters. Carter said he could not speak for Trump's incoming administration but he knew and respected James Mattis, a retired Marine general, who is Trump's nominee to run the Pentagon. "I am committed to an orderly handover of responsibilities in the Department of Defense so that my successor can hit the ground running," he said. "American interests in this region are enduring and our alliance provides many benefits to both our sides." In a nod to concerns about a rising China, whose aggressive maritime activities in the East and South China Seas have fed territorial rows with several countries in the region, including Japan, Carter said Washington and Tokyo share common interests and values. "It is very important to stick up for things like freedom of navigation in this region and freedom from coercion, and these are areas that we also have a shared vision," he said. Carter next heads for India, which has reached a deal with the United States on using each other's military bases for repairs. They have also been cooperating on an Indian aircraft carrier project. Reuters Damascus: Seven-year-old Bana al-Abed, whose tweets about bombing in Syria's Aleppo brought international attention, has fled her home amid intense fighting. But her father said she and her family were safe. "Hello my friends, how are you? I am fine. I am getting better without medicine with too much bombing. I miss you. Bana," she tweeted. IANS NZ passport robot fails in facial recognition Sydney: A New Zealand man of Asian descent had his passport photograph rejected when facial recognition software mistakenly registered his eyes as being closed. The automated system told 22-year-old engineering student Richard Lee the photo was invalid because his eyes were closed, even though they were clearly open. Reuters Sri Chinmoys cake sets Guinness record New York: A new Guinness World Record has been set in the US for most candles on a birthday cake - where a staggering 72,585 candles were lit on the occasion of late Indian spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy's 85th birth anniversary. Chinmoy Kumar Ghose, better known as Sri Chinmoy, taught meditation in the West after moving to New York City in 1964. PTI Washington, December 7 US President-elect Donald Trump urged the government on Tuesday to cancel an order with Boeing Co for a revamped Air Force One, one of the most prominent symbols of the US presidency, saying costs were out of control. It was the latest example of Trump using his podium, often via Twitter messages, to rattle companies and foreign countries as he seeks to shake up business as usual in Washington. Trump, who takes office on January 20, took aim at what he called cost overruns even though the plane is only in development stages. Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order! Trump said on Twitter. It was not immediately clear what prompted the timing of his complaint. Trump, who has vowed to use his skills as a businessman to make good deals that benefit American taxpayers, then made a surprise appearance in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York, where he amplified his comments. The plane is totally out of control. I think its ridiculous. I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number. We want Boeing to make a lot of money but not that much money, he told reporters. Boeing has not yet begun building the two replacements for the current Air Force One planes, which are scheduled to be in service by 2024. Boeing has not yet been awarded the money to build the proposed replacements. We are currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serve the unique requirements of the President of the US, the company said. Boeing Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg called Trump after his remarks and they had a constructive dialogue, sources said. Muilenburg told Trump the cost of the airplane could be lowered if the US Air Force changed its requirements and the issue would likely be resolved without a major dispute. President Barack Obama, who flew on the aging Air Force One to Tampa, Florida, on Tuesday, has called the plane one of the best perks of the presidency. Reuters FGM survivors can feel whole again with reconstructive surgery. By India Today Web Desk: While the brutal practice of FGM continues to be prevalent in many part of the world, there maybe a ray of hope for young girls who fall prey to this practice. Reports say there is a surgical procedure that can reverse FGM. In other words, doctors believe the external female genitalia which is cut off during FGM can be "surgically restored". advertisement Dr Bowers, a California-based gynaecologist specialised in transgender surgical care, is one of the few doctors who can perform such reconstructive surgery. A transgender woman herself, 58-year-old Bowers began performing FGM-reversals in 2009. An organisation named Clitoraid approached her to train under French urologist Dr Pierre Foldes, who developed this reconstructive procedure. ''My thriving personal practice and association with Clitoraid affords me the opportunity to perform surgery pro-bono, charging only for the operating room and the anesthesia procedure.'' Bowers told Al Jazeera. She currently practices from her clinic in California, which she admits limits the pool of patients who can access the surgery. However, the surgery Bowers practices is not without controversy. In response to a 2012 paper by Dr Foldes, leading British doctors argued that surgery to correct FGM was ''not anatomically possible'' . WHAT IS FGM? Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a cruel practice which involves removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. It is basically carried out as a way to control women's sexuality, which is sometimes said to be insatiable if parts of the genitalia, especially the clitoris, are not removed. It is thought to ensure virginity before marriage and fidelity afterward, and to increase male sexual pleasure. Often under the guise of a holiday, western girls are circumcised in hospitals under the supervision of medical practitioners - a practice often referred to as ''vacation cutting''. ''These women experience a loss of identity post-FGM,'' says Bowers. Founder of African Women's Health Centre, Dr Nawal Nour said, "More than 125 million girls and women globally are living with female genital mutilation and three million undergo such procedures every year''. --- ENDS --- Photo: Jack Roberts U.S. Xpress has accepted an invitation to join the Alliance for Driver Safety & Security, also known as The Trucking Alliance, beginning in 2017. The Chattanooga, Tennessee-based carrier is one of several transportation companies to join The Trucking Alliance in recent months, joining the refrigerated carrier KLLM, Cargo Transporters, and truck insurance brokerage company Aeon Transportation & Risk Solutions. U.S. Xpress is one of the largest privately owned trucking companies in the country. The Trucking Alliance is a small coalition of carriers and allied business that support common operating principles and safety reforms to reduce large truck accidents and improve the working environment of drivers. It supports technologies and procedures such as electronic logging devices, truck speed limiters, hair testing for driver pre-employment drug screening, forward collision warning/mitigation systems. U.S. Xpress is one of the nations top freight carriers because its co-founders, Max Fuller and the late Pat Quinn, created a culture that a company can be efficient for customers without sacrificing drivers safety, said Craig Harper, executive vice president and chief operations officer of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, and a member of the Alliance board of directors. U.S. Xpress continues to exhibit these characteristics under Maxs leadership, and the Trucking Alliance will benefit from their membership. As part of agreeing to join The Trucking Alliance, U.S. Xpress president and chief operating officer Eric Fuller will join the organizations board of directors. Lisa Pate, chief administrative officer for U.S. Xpress, will serve on the Alliance Advisory Group, a committee that assists the board of directors with analysis and recommendations on safety regulations and proposals. The Trucking Alliance is advancing safety reforms that can improve highway safety and the quality of life for truck drivers, said Fuller. Training, education, and safety are core values at U.S. Xpress, and we look forward to working with these elite carriers that share the same principles. Trucking Alliance companies collectively employ around 41,000 people and use 30,000 tractors, with 140,000 trailers and containers to deliver freight throughout North America. For more information, click here. By PTI: New York, Dec 6 (PTI) A hijab-clad New York City Transit employee was pushed down the stairs at a subway station by a man who called her a "terrorist", the latest in a series of incidents in which headscarf-wearing women have been targeted in the US following Donald Trumps win. Soha Salama, a 45-year-old Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) station agent who was wearing a hijab with her uniform, was injured when she was pushed down the stairs at Grand Central Terminal by a man. advertisement She was on her way to work yesterday when the man confronted her, the New York Post reported. "Youre a terrorist and you shouldnt be working for the city," the hate-monger spewed at her while the two were on a subway train, as he jabbed at her MTA patch. He followed her off the train and pushed her down the stairs. Her ankle and knee were injured and she was taken to NYU Langone Hospital by a good Samaritan passerby, police said. She was nursing a twisted knee and a swollen ankle. Salama, a mother of four, told WABC-TV that it is "my first time I faced something like that." "I wasnt able to say anything. I was afraid he was going to throw me down the tracks or do more bad to me than he already did. He was like pushing me down," she was quoted as saying by media reports. "This is the great state of New York -- we welcome people of all cultures, customs and creeds with open arms," Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement about the incident that also outlined other attacks involving the MTA, including hate graffiti and literature on trains. "We do not allow intolerance or fear to divide us because we know diversity is our strength and we are at our best when we stand united," he was quoted as saying. His comments mirrored those made earlier by Mayor Bill de Blasio over a string of bias crimes, including one against a hijab-clad Muslim police officer who was the victim of a hate crime over the weekend. The attack on the transit employee comes just days after a Muslim student was assaulted aboard a US subway train by three drunk white men who repeatedly screamed "Donald Trump!" and hurled anti-Islam slurs before trying to rip her hijab off. The incidents are among a series of such cases of intimidation and assault that have been reported across the country against hijab-clad women following Trumps win. Earlier this month, a Hijab-clad Muslim student was allegedly struck in the face with a glass bottle in broad daylight at the University of Washington campus in Seattle. advertisement In another incident, a hijab-clad woman was allegedly accosted at a US store by another customer who called her a "terrorist" and told her to "get out" of the country. Also, a Muslim students hijab was allegedly ripped off and her hair pulled down by a classmate at a school in Minnesota. PTI ASK AKJ ASK --- ENDS --- The partnership between Legal Aid of Oklahoma and the Cherokee Nation is a win-win for both. It also is a double win and a problem for Legal Aid because others are seeing how they can benefit from the statewide organization and want similar services. It also creates a need for funding and additional pro bono lawyers. Executive Director Michael Figgins said the relationship with the Cherokee Nation is focused on helping people with domestic violence and medical issues. We are working with other Native American tribes who are seeing the advantage of having an attorney embedded in their organization to assist with legal issues, he said. We also are working with the Latino community in Oklahoma City to develop a similar program. A federal AmeriCorps grant for Legal Aid and the Cherokee Nation will make it possible for four attorneys to be located at the tribes headquarters in Tahlequah. We always are looking for funding, Figgins said. There is a lot of need, and the economy is tough. We expect to be at a break-even point this year, and private practice attorneys willing to take on pro bono cases are deeply appreciated. Reflecting on the need, the executive director said agencies with embedded attorneys available for clients make a difference in the legal services that are provided. Instead of telling their clients to visit an attorneys office, they can simply refer them to a lawyer that is two doors down the hall. Figgins said Legal Aid funding limitations reduces the organizations ability to assist the large number of qualified clients in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and other cities that have offices. Clients receiving priority assistance are in difficult situations. I am really concerned about people living in rural counties with similar problems, he said. They hear about us and want our services. Volunteer lawyers often work on family law issues, a category that some cannot do because they do not have related experience. Corporate lawyers who do transactional work also fill a vital function. Figgins said he is working with a group in Mangum that wants to establish a 501c3 focused on helping veterans. A transactional attorney could help that group significantly, he said. People often ask why poor people need lawyers, but they often have legal needs they dont recognize that they have. Legal Aid wants to make certain that people with civil needs are represented when they go to court. Monetary and volunteer lawyers are needed to help these needs be realized. Thats what Legal Aid of Oklahoma does, Figgins said. 918-581-8480 As publisher of a local fashion magazine, ExcellStyle, Shari Tisdale knows what it takes to be a trendsetter. Now, she is imparting that expertise to the next generation. Tisdale oversees a mentoring program called Project Hallway Fashion Troupe, which started in November at Central High School. Entrepreneurs who visit the school twice a week educate students in such areas as graphic and fashion design, interviewing techniques and how to create a style. Its about building the collaborative relationships and involving the community to see what these kids are doing, which is amazing, said Tisdale, education director for Runway Tulsa. We want to really expose the young people to the opportunities and help them recognize how vibrant a fashion industry we have in Tulsa and encourage them to stay in Oklahoma. During a recent class, Tisdale and students brainstormed with Denna Clark, who teaches fashion design at CHS, and Aszurdee Sade, founder of The Fashion Cruiser, a mobile boutique. Talk centered on the design of such items as scarves, bow ties and chokers, the sale of which will go back into the support of the program and a production at the end of the school year. We want to keep it simple, effective and make sure the quality is there, Tisdale said. We want to create the buzz for people to watch for and for people to support. Desmond Jones, who aspires to start his own makeup or clothing line, and Alex Brown are both seniors who are enrolled in the project. Im just really into fashion and makeup, just the industry in general, Brown said. Thats just who I am. I design clothes all the time. Im thinking this class can really bring my drawings to life. Tisdale said she would like to parlay the program into internship and scholarship opportunities at universities and technical schools. Im really thrilled about the program because they get a chance to showcase their individuality as far as fashion and fashion design, said Denise Davis, dean of students at CHS, whose Fine and Performing Arts Magnet Program offers nearly 40 fine arts courses. They get a chance to explore ideas. They get a chance to meet different people in the industry that are here in Tulsa. So they can explore the possibility of becoming a fashion designer. Sade said she is impressed by the students inquisition and willingness to learn. They are putting their best feet forward, she said. They are doing the designs. They are doing the fashion shows. They are coming up with their own business structure to sell their products. We get to promote that atmosphere throughout the school, in the hallways. Thats what Project Hallway Fashion Troupe is about. Its not just models, not just the it girls and guys, but role models. Thats what fueled me to come here in the middle of my day to be a part of these young peoples lives. The Sand Springs Public Schools Board of Education discussed current and potential programs at some of the school sites at their meeting this week. Tulsa Technology Center Associate Superintendent of Outreach and Advancement Robert Franklin said hed worked with former Sand Springs Public Schools Superintendent Lloyd Snow to advocate for a pre-engineering program in the past. We lost that program and couldnt quite get it back, Franklin said. He said Tulsa Technology Center is considering partnering with the school district for a pre-engineering program, pending approval of Tulsa Techs Board of Education. Its a big deal because this country is critically dependent on people who know how to make things work, Franklin said. Sand Springs Board of Education President Mike Mullins described the potential for the program as an early Christmas gift for the district. Charles Page High School Principal Stan Trout said his school implemented a response-to-intervention (RTI) program that supports and addresses student academic, social and behavioral needs. Trout said his school built time into the school day twice per week for students to pursue their own interests, such as homework help, tutoring, student organization meetings and more. In other news, the board: Recognized Cross Country State Champion Cheyenne Walden Recognized All State softball players Sydney Pennington and Jessica Collins Presented Administrative Assistant for Federal Programs Beth Shope with a Pacesetter Award Presented Charles Page High School Band Director Kyle Wright with a Coin of Excellence award. Approved the employment of a Title I paraprofessional for the Garfield STEAM Academy and a teacher at the Early Childhood Education Center for the 2016-2017 school year. STILLWATER A Payne County district judge denied an attorneys request Tuesday to move the trial of the woman charged in last years deadly crash at Oklahoma State Universitys homecoming parade. Despite arguments from defense attorneys concerning potential jury bias due to extensive media coverage, the impending trial of Adacia Avery Chambers, 26, will remain in Payne County, Associate District Judge Stephen Kistler ruled. Authorities allege that Chambers drove her car through a crowd at the parade, killing four people and injuring dozens of others. She faces four counts of second-degree murder and 42 counts of assault and battery by means or force likely to produce death. Killed in the crash were retired OSU professor Marvin Stone and his wife, OSU employee Bonnie Stone, both 65; University of Central Oklahoma graduate student Nikita Nakal, 23; and Nash Lucas, 2. Defense attorney Tony Coleman filed a motion in early October seeking to move the trial to another county. He argued that widespread pretrial media publicity as well as community support and identifications with the victims in the case would not allow Chambers to receive a fair trial in Payne County, where she lives. During a hearing Tuesday, Coleman accused local law-enforcement of creating a media frenzy by hosting a pre-emptive news conference following Chambers arrest and circulating false information that she was intoxicated at the time of the crash. According to Coleman, the tight-knit nature of the community in Stillwater and the rest of the county would make it impossible to select an impartial jury. Defense attorneys submitted five affidavits written by local community members who support a change in trial location. One affidavit featured 33 signatures of Payne County residents, three of whom were questioned Tuesday. Two of those questioned are students at OSU and described numerous accounts of locals harboring negative feelings toward Chambers and already deciding she is guilty. Several people, according to the students, continued to believe was intoxicated despite news that her blood test showed otherwise. The defense also called on former state Sen. Ed Long, who has lived in Stillwater for 12 years and stays active in the community. I dont know of anybody who doesnt believe (Chambers) is guilty, Long told the court. Prosecutors focused their arguments on how the affidavits and signatures were collected only from Stillwater residents and not those elsewhere in Payne County. They noted that no evidence was presented showing that prejudices extended to the rest of the county insight that played a large factor in Kistlers decision to not move the trial. This county is much more than OSU, much more than Stillwater, Kistler said. The motion could be revisited if a qualified jury cannot be selectedthrough voir dire, the process of questioning prospective jurors to discern biases and determine whether they can remain impartial. The judge also overruled a handful of other motions recently filed by Coleman, including one requesting the suppression of certain statements Chambers reportedly told police in the immediate aftermath of the crash. During the hearing, defense attorney Bo DeBose stated that authorities did not read Chambers her Miranda rights until after she was booked into jail and that therefore her statements should not be admissible. Kistler heard testimony from six witnesses, five of whom were law-enforcement officers, to determine whether Chambers comments should be allowed during the trial. Nathan Oglesby, who attended the parade with his family, told the court he had heard a loud crashing noise followed by someone yelling to watch out. When he looked up, he said, he saw a car plowing through the crowd. He approached the vehicle after it stopped near where he was standing to check on the driver and asked her what had happened. She responded that she was trying to kill herself, Oglesby testified. Oglesby then guided Chambers to a lawn chair as others began to lift her vehicle to help someone pinned under a tire. Stillwater Police Officer Kevin Radley testified that Chambers appeared mostly uninjured, except for a scratch on her hand. After he asked her what had happened, Chambers said something about wanting to relieve her sins, Radley told the court. Additional witnesses spoke of Chambers being handcuffed and placed in the back of a nearby Payne County deputys patrol car. The deputy, Marvin Noyes, said these steps were taken for her own safety and not because she was under arrest, citing her alleged suicidal comments. Stillwater Police Officer Sean Millerman said Chambers appeared sluggish and that her speech was thick and slow, indicating intoxication. Noyes said he could not smell alcohol on Chambers and that she told him she had not taken any medication or suffered from a medical condition. Millerman proceeded to arrest her on suspicion of DUI. He took her to the Stillwater Medical Center for a blood test before booking her into the Stillwater Jail. At the jail, Millerman read Chambers her Miranda rights and attempted an interview, which she declined, he told the court. During the trial, DeBose argued that because Chambers was being held in the patrol car against her will, she could reasonably assume she was in custody and that her comments could not be used against because she had not been Mirandized. However, prosecutors countered that officers only asked Chambers about her health and what happened, questions that are routine during investigations involving crashes. Kistler ruled against the defense, adding that Chambers voluntarily made the statements to officers. Because they werent part of a custodial interrogation, he said, the statements could be used during trial. Kistler also overruled motions that sought to prohibit victims families from showing emotion in court and the suppression of photos showing autopsies and the deceased. Chambers has remained jailed in lieu of $1 million bail since her arrest Oct. 24, 2015, the day of the crash. The trial is to begin Jan. 10. Authorities are stressing the need for consumer safety during the holidays, when crimes targeting shoppers and vacationers tend to increase. Law enforcement officials typically see a rise in packages disappearing from porches and car break-ins at shopping areas around years end. Tulsa Police Sgt. Shane Tuell describes these types of thieves as opportunists taking advantage of the gift-laden period. Larcenies, shoplifting, burglaries from vehicles all that tends to spike during the holiday season because bad guys realize that people are stockpiling gifts to give away, which they normally dont do throughout the rest of the year, Tuell said. In recent years, the police department has partnered with the Tulsa County Sheriffs Office in carrying out Operation Safe Shopper. Between late November and Christmas Eve, the two agencies increase their presence at major shopping centers as a preventative measure. The idea, Tuell said, is to discourage would-be thieves by maintaining a visible presence in those areas. According to Tuell, the opportunists watch shoppers as they load gifts into their vehicles before heading to the next store. They just sit there and watch for that opportunity to present itself, he said. Its very quick for them to smash your window, grab what they need and take off. The Sheriffs Office has set up two observation towers at Woodland Hills Mall to oversee the parking lots, Deputy Justin Green said. The towers, which can be elevated up to 30 feet, are equipped with surveillance cameras and are often manned by deputies or officers. Around this time of year, they help to monitor the parking lots and observe whats going on, make people feel safer going in and out, Green said. The deputy said he has noticed a significant decrease in smash-and-grab thefts since the Sheriffs Office began deploying the towers about six years ago. But the extra surveillance and patrols can help only so much, and holiday shoppers continue to find themselves victimized. Green encourages people, when out shopping, to hide their valuables in the trunks of their vehicles or under their seats rather than in plain sight. He also advises against walking to and from shops while distracted, such as with a cellphone, which can prevent you from keeping an eye out for shady characters. Other options include shopping with a partner, parking in well-lit areas and having your keys ready while heading to the car, as pick-pocketing and strong-armed robberies arent uncommon. Theres no need to stand by your vehicle for three or four minutes fumbling trying to get your keys when you can have them out and be ready to get inside, Green said. Sometimes we dont think about those things, but its the little stuff that can be a big factor in keeping safe. Tuell recommends not carrying around a large or open purse as well as keeping a wallet in the front pocket as opposed to the rear to reduce the chances of being targeted. I dont know how to say this without making it sound bad, but dont make yourself an enticing victim, Tuell said. You just dont want to appear to be that person who isnt ready for anything. Thieves dont limit themselves to public settings. They often seek out packages delivered to doorstops. Online purchases surge in the weeks leading to Christmas, bringing with them a higher number of porch larcenies. Tuell suggests having packages delivered to your employer or a local store if they allow it where they must be signed for before being picked up. Another option is to let a trusted neighbor know the scheduled delivery time and have them watch for it. Further, police discourage residents from setting out large boxes, such as for a big-screen TV, on the curb, alerting passersby of an expensive present waiting inside. And when going on a holiday vacation, Tuell says its best to not broadcast the trip on social media, so others wont know when nobody is home. He also proposes putting a stop on mail and the newspaper or having someone pick them up. The Tulsa Police Department and the Sheriffs Office allow residents to request a watch order on their homes during vacation. When a watch order is submitted, officers or deputies will periodically drive by and watch for suspicious activity. Tuell said its unfortunate precautions need to be taken during a time meant to signify giving and togetherness. Thats whats disgusting about bad guys and individuals that prey upon people who are trying to buy gifts for loved ones and trying to do good things, he said. Some of these shoppers are out purchasing things for Toys for Tots and toy drives. Unfortunately there are those that take advantage because theyre, quite frankly, more than likely too lazy to earn an honest living. Mayor G.T. Bynum convened the citys leaders of early childhood, K-12 and higher education on his first full day in office. Bynum made education a central platform issue of his successful mayoral campaign. While city government has no formal role in the issue, Bynum said he wants to use his time and position as mayor to support and advocate for education like never before. We decided to call it the Mayors Education Cabinet, Bynum said. What are the challenges and opportunities we face? There was a lot of talk, as you would expect, about funding, but more importantly, that we need to get out of the mindset that everything that the city does is in a silo and everything the schools do are in a silo and theres no overlap, when in reality there are a number of areas for collaboration. Those gathered around him Tuesday afternoon in a conference room in City Hall included early childhood education advocates, superintendents of the Tulsa, Jenks and Union school districts and leaders of Tulsa Tech and all of the major colleges and universities in town. Bynum reiterated his campaign commitment to defer to professional educators on whats best and then use the megaphone his position gives him to help communicate and advocate for them at the local, state and even federal levels. I come to this with great humility knowing that I am not the expert on this. They are. This is uncharted territory for us as a city, and I told them that, he said. Tulsa Superintendent Deborah Gist said the new support and collaboration has come at a time when public school educators could really use a boost. Im encouraged. Its been a hard fall, said Gist, referring to the recent failure of a 1 percent sales tax initiative that would have provided all teachers with a raise. The failure of State Question 779 was and is difficult on our system. Our teachers are really struggling, and as a result we are all struggling with them. This gives us a chance to think about the future and whats possible and new opportunities, and it was really encouraging. One area where Bynum sees an opportunity to make an early difference is to call on his supporters and other concerned residents to volunteer. One of the things we talked about a lot today is what are the two or three things we could ask of volunteers in our community to really focus all of that energy and enthusiasm in one direction, rather than having this shotgun approach where citizens dont know where their time could best be had, he said. Bynum said he observed discussions on Tuesday that for him reinforced the need for such citywide discussions about education to be held on a regular basis. There were a lot of discussions today that were between one educational institution and another about issues they face that had nothing to do with the city, but weve created the environment for that type of discussion to occur, he said. Tulsa Community College President Leigh Goodson said the meeting focused largely on common challenges the various entities face, so the group could get started on the same page. I think its a good group that appreciates the agenda that the mayor put forward during his campaign, Goodson said. Todays topic at some level centered around how do we work on our various funding mechanisms so that we can adequately fund education. The Mayors Education Cabinet is planning to talk more specifically about next steps at its next meeting, set for early January. A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha delivered the verdict after dismissing the appeals moved on behalf of the convicts. Harkatul Jihad al Islami chief Mufti Abdul Hannan flanked by Bangladesh police outside a court in Dhaka on October 2, 2005. Photo: Reuters By Press Trust of India: Bangladesh's Supreme Court today upheld the death penalty handed down to the chief of HuJI militant group and two of his associates for a 2004 terror attack on the British envoy in the country that left three policemen dead, clearing the way for their execution. A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha delivered the verdict after dismissing the appeals moved on behalf of the convicts, including Harkatul Jihad al Islami (HuJI) chief in Bangladesh Mufti Abdul Hannan. advertisement "The appeals are dismissed," Sinha said in a brief ruling. POLICEMEN KILLED IN 2004 GRENADE ATTACK The trio could now be hanged within months unless they seek a review of the verdict. But chances of overturning a death sentence in a review is extremely rare in Bangladesh. Hannan and his two accomplices had filed an appeal against a High Court judgement in February this year that had validated a lower court verdict handing them down the capital punishment. In 2004, the then Bangladesh-born British High Commissioner Anwar Chowdhury narrowly escaped the grenade attack at an Islamic shrine in northeastern Sylhet. Three policemen were killed and 70 others were wounded in the attack. On December 23, 2008, the Sylhet Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal sentenced Hannan, Bipul and Ripon to death and two others to life imprisonment for the grenade attack. GRENADE ATTACK ON PRIME MINISTER SHEIKH HASINA Hannan and seven other operatives of his outfit were earlier sentenced to death by another court in Dhaka for a deadly 2001 bomb attack that killed 10 people during Bengali New Year celebrations. Twenty one HuJI men, including Hannan and an ex-junior minister of previous BNP government are now being tried for a grenade attack on Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina on August 21, 2004. The then opposition leader Hasina narrowly escaped the attack that left 24 people dead. The United States several years ago designated HuJi as a foreign terrorist organisation and "specially designated global terrorist". BOMB BLASTS IN INDIA HuJI's involvement is also suspected in several bomb blasts in India. HuJI was formed in 1992 by Bangladeshis who had fought in Afghanistan in the war against Soviet forces. It was the first Islamist extremist outfit to have emerged in the Muslim majority nation. Hannan took over its leadership in the late 1990s. In October 2005, it was officially banned by the government of Bangladesh. --- ENDS --- One former PNM stalwart says there is only one fit to head the political entity and it's not The Australian Directors Guild has slammed the hiring of a Canadian director by FremantleMedia Australia to helm Foxtels reimagining of Picnic at Hanging Rock. Canadian director Larysa Kondracki has been granted a visa as establishing director on the 2017 series, now in pre-production in Sydney. Her credits include The Americans, Better Call Saul, Gotham, Rogue, Heroes Reborn and The Whistleblower. The ADG opposed a Visa application by FremantleMedia claiming it did not meet the Net Employment Benefit Test. In a press release it suggests a number of Australian directors currently working overseas were approached but none working in Australia. Australian directors are amazed and astonished at the choice of a foreign director to work on a classic especially as it is not a co-production and is being fully financed in Australia, said ADG CEO Kingston Anderson. The Net Employment Benefit test clearly states that to get a 420 Visa there needs to be a net employment benefit for the Australian industry. As this production was always going to be shot in Australia and is fully financed by Australian money including funds from Screen Australia and Foxtel it clearly does not have any net employment benefit for Australians as one of the major jobs on the production is being given to a Canadian. The ADG claims the government has been approving 420 Visa applications for as many as 20 overseas foreign directors a year, especially in the area of television commercials. But the hiring of a foreign director for a TV drama with local funding may well be a first, and also contradicts recent Screen Australia policies addressing gender parity. It is clear to the ADG that the government has no interest in supporting Australian creative talent by not upholding their own rules when it comes to Visa approvals and being inconsistent in the way it applies the rules, Anderson said. In light of the recent Screen Australia figures stating that only 17% of Australian feature films were directed by women and Screen NSWs figure that only 22% of TV drama were being directed by Australian women this is a slap in the face to all the good work that is being done by the industry to redress the balance. Its saddens the ADG to see Screen Australia, Foxtel and Fremantle Media supporting Canadian television directors at the expense of Australians. The original Picnic at Hanging Rock was directed by Peter Weir. FremantleMedia declined to comment. The Turnbull government has partnered with Netflix to create a self-regulation tool which will allow for faster classification of titles for Australian viewers. A year in the making, the tool will overlay Netflix technology with Australias classification ratings and used as part of a pilot program over the next 12 months, according to a report in the Australian Financial Review. Netflix has previously warned shows could be premiered later in Australia than the rest of the world due to a slow classification process. It has been lobbying the government to allow SVOD players to self-regulate. Television broadcasters in Australia traditionally have had in-house classifiers to assess content. The Classification Board will review a number of the results to make sure the tool correctly classifies content based on Australian standards. By PTI: Bengaluru, Dec 7 (PTI) India today successfully launched its latest remote sensing satellite, RESOURCESAT-2A, which would be useful foragricultural applications like crop area and productionestimation, drought monitoring, soil mapping, cropping systemanalysis and farm advisories generation. In a flawless mission, Indian Space Research Organisations workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C36 blasted off at 10.25 AM from the spaceport at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh and injected the satellite into orbit after a flight of 17 minutes 05 seconds. advertisement "It has been a perfect launch," ISRO Chairman Kiran Kumar said. The satellite, once brought to its final operational configuration, will begin to provide imagery from its three cameras and the data will be useful for agricultural applications. The 1,235-kg RESOURCESAT-2A is a follow on mission to RESOURCESAT-1 and RESOURCESAT-2, launched in 2003 and 2011 respectively. It is intended to continue the remote sensing data services to global users provided by RESOURCESAT-1 and 2. ISRO said PSLV-C36, the 38th flight of PSLV, blastedoff from the First Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan SpaceCentre with the ignition of the first stage. Then the subsequent important flight events, namely strap on ignitions and separations, first stage separation,second stage ignition, payload fairing separation, secondstage separation, third stage ignition and separation, fourthstage ignition and cut-off, took place as planned, ISRO said. After a flight of 17 minutes 5 seconds, the vehicle achieved a polar Sun Synchronous Orbit of 824 km height inclined at an angle of 98.725 degree to the equator (very close to the intended orbit) and 47 seconds later, RESOURCESAT-2A was separated from the PSLV fourth stage. After separation, the two solar arrays of RESOURCESAT-2A deployed automatically and ISROs Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) here, took over the control of the satellite. ISRO said in the coming days, the satellite will bebrought to its final operational configuration,following which it will begin to provide imagery from its three cameras. Kumar said the satellite is going to provide continuity to "our three tier imaging data, which will be extremely useful for various applications of land and water." "I wish to congratulate the entire ISRO team for the wonderful job they have done and for putting one more operational satellite into orbit," Kumar said. MORE PTI KSU RA APR DV --- ENDS --- As the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor assaulted the minds of the American people, the U.S. Army Air Corps was already preparing for war. Approximately 2,000 troops arrived to Tyndall Field that day to prepare for a critical new career -- aerial gunnery. And as people in America remembered this somber moment in history, Airmen of Tyndall reflect on the heritage of the base that claims the same date, Dec. 7, 1941. In December 1940, a site board determined the area located 12 miles southeast of Panama City, Floridas East Peninsula, would be the best location for a new base. The official ground-breaking, held by the U.S. Army and local dignitaries, occurred May 6, 1941. At the ceremony, Harry Fannin, then-Panama City mayor, dug the first hole, and Col. Warren Maxwell, Tyndalls first commander, swung the first ax against one of many stubborn palmetto plants. The first spade of dirt moved, and the first axe was sung, but the base sought an identity. Although construction was well underway, the base lacked a name, said Ted Roberts, 325th Fighter Wing historian. Congressman Bob Sikes put forth the idea of naming the school in memory of Lt. Francis B. Tyndall. A Sewall Point, Florida native, Lieutenant Tyndall was a fighter pilot during World War I and was credited with shooting down four German planes during 1918. Years later, while inspecting Army fields near Mooresville, North Carolina, July 15, 1930, Tyndalls plane became lost in the clouds and crashed, killing him instantly. Congressman Sikes felt that this war hero represented his nation well, and proposed to name the new installation Tyndall Field June 13, 1941, Roberts added. As the airfield and schoolhouse became operational, thousands of troops passed through Tyndall Field, usually by railroad. Such personalities as Clark Gable, an actor famous for his character in Gone With the Wind, attended gunnery training at Tyndall. Throughout Tyndalls history, it has had numerous designations, missions and assigned units, and has been home to more than 65 types of aircraft. Bringing Tyndall into the modern era, the base reorganized in 1991 to streamline defense management. The U.S. Air Force Air Defense Weapons Center inactivated while Headquarters, First Air Force, moved from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, to Tyndall AFB, Roberts said. The newly re-designated 325th Fighter Wing became the installation host unit Sept. 1, 1991, Roberts said. Additionally, the unit transferred from being an Air Combat Command wing to focus solely on training within the Air Education and Training Command and assigned it to 19th Air Force. Training became Tyndalls primary focus. After the World Trade Center attack on Sept. 11, 2001, Tyndall evolved as a key force in the War on Terror, when the 43rd Fighter Squadron, activated in 2002, prepared the F-22 Raptor to take the fight to the enemy. In December 2005, the Raptor was designated as the F-22A and became an operational platform, Roberts said. March 17, 2008, the first F-22 Basic Course commenced with four students constituting a small group try out. All four students graduated October, 31 2008, and became the first pilots trained specifically for the F-22 rather than transferring from other aircraft to the Raptor. When USAF decided to retire the F-15 C/D models because of age and structural issues, Tyndall sought an expanded role beyond training F-22 pilots. Senior Air Force leaders acknowledged Tyndalls superior geographical position and superb ranges and decided to reinstate the combat coded 95th Fighter Squadron, stock it with a full complement of 24 F-22 Raptors, and return the base to Air Combat Command. The rest as they say, is history. Happy birthday Tyndall, Roberts added. Family Advocacy Program: Supporting Airmen and their Families The 325th Medical Group Mental Health Flights Family Advocacy Program enhances Air Force readiness by promoting family and community health and resilience through multiple services geared toward education and counsel. The Family Advocacy Program provides programs and services each day to our military families in an effort to promote awareness, advocate for non-violent communities and enhance our populations knowledge and personal strengths for building and maintaining airmen and family wellness, said Michelle Lasater, 325th MDG Family Advocacy outreach manager. Although, we offer specialized services for individuals facing an abusive situation, we offer ongoing support to our families as they transition through key phases of life, such as dating, marriage, becoming a new parent and during times of loss, such as divorce. Some of these services include child raising education services, outreach programs and anger management classes. All these have the common goal of making the home life of Tyndalls Airmen better. The New Parent Support Program is a voluntary education program for any parents with a child under age 3. The goal is to educate and prepare new parents for pregnancy, birth and infant care through the first three years of life. We take care of active duty families, said Dale Vance, 325th MDG Mental Health Flight family advocacy nurse. We provide new parents with home visit lessons on infants growth and development, infant care and childcare counseling. We also answer any question in general on child care during classes we hold the last Tuesday of each month at the 325th Medical Group. Tyndalls New Parent Support Program also supports parents at Naval Support Activity Panama City. Our goal is the education and support for the families so that we can have healthy, resilient communities within the military, Vance said. We do have a set schedule, but if someone needs us to come later at night well try and work with them. For Tyndall families living off base, the program will also support visits in the in the area. There are approximately 30 parents enrolled in the program and they are looking to add more to improve the military community in the Panama City area. The Family Advocacy Program also offers classes in childbirth preparation, breast feeding preparation, and expectant and new father courses. Participants may sign up for the courses by contacting the Family Advocacy Group. Improving ones knowledge base and building a skillset is a great way to improve ones ability to make a healthy choice when faced with adversity, Lasater said. Life is unpredictable, and one of the best support systems that our military population has that the civilian community doesnt, is the Family Advocacy Program. Our vastly experienced and expert staff is readily available to assist when needed. Pilots operating flight 6E 342 have been kept off flying duties till investigations and discussions with Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are complete, an IndiGo spokesperson said. By Press Trust of India: Budget carrier IndiGo has taken off duty the two pilots of its Kolkata flight, carrying West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, over which a row had erupted following 'Trinamool Congress' (TMC) allegations that the aircraft was not accorded priority in landing despite fuel shortage. Pilots operating flight 6E 342 have been kept off flying duties till investigations and discussions with Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are complete, an IndiGo spokesperson said. The two pilots would not be restored as long as the investigation by the aviation regulator DGCA is completed, the airline said. advertisement Following the uproar by the TMC members in Parliament, the government had said the DGCA had launched its probe into the issue. The inquiry was conducted by the regulator, supported by IndiGo safety department, the airline said, adding that as an airline it always complies with the DGCA guidelines. Also read: Mamata flight incident: IndiGo says plane had adequate fuel IndiGo captain had followed all Standard operating procedures (SOPs) as laid by the regulator and at no stage the captain declared a fuel priority or an emergency, it said. "There has been no violation or breach of any regulatory requirement in the above mentioned matter. We are taking up the matter in greater detail with the DGCA," the spokesperson added. Also read: Mumbai on alert after IndiGo pilot spots suspicious drone Also read: Plot to kill Mamata Banerjee? TMC alleges her plane was running low on fuel, ATC kept it on hold --- ENDS --- Canada will provide additional 8.1 million dollars for carrying out the law enforcement reform in Ukraine next year. Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said this following his visit to Canada, the Interior Ministry press service reports. "Canada is a reliable partner and friend of Ukraine in carrying out the reforms and protecting the territorial integrity of our state. The implementation of this project is important for us, as it is aimed at the development of the National Police, facilitates further training of the law enforcement officers and introduces new standards in the work of the police," Avakov said. He noted that 6.6 million dollars in Canadian aid would be aimed at improving skills of Ukrainian law enforcement officers through involvement of the experts and trainers of the Canadian police. 1.5 million dollars in aid are to be allocated for modern technical equipment for police units and departments. ol Lviv Regional State Administration and Turkish company Atlas Global Energy have signed a memorandum on the construction of a wind power station with capacity of 20 megawatts in Skolivsky district in Lviv region. The total sum of investments will make up about EUR 20 million. The memorandum was signed by First Deputy Chairman of Lviv Regional State Administration Rostyslav Zamlinsky and founder of Atlas Global Energy LLC Enis Fakioglu, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "During the first phase, the capacity of wind power station will be 20 megawatts. However, in future a 50 MW wind turbine can be installed. Currently the drawing up of design estimate documentation, as well as of other needed documents, is taking place, and it is planned to build first wind turbines as early as in 2018, Enis Fakioglu said. Rostyslav Zamlinsky, in turn, said that Lviv Regional State Administration will facilitate as much as possible the realization of the project, as this direction is a priority one in the strategy of region's development. He also added that a road map on the implementation of the alternative energy project in Skolivsky district will be developed in near future. iy In August-October 2016, NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine purchased 1.8 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Axpo Trading AG, CEZ, a.s., Engie SA, Eni Trading & Shipping S.p.A., RWE Supply & Trading GmbH and Uniper Global Commodities SE within the second round of disbursement of revolving credit facility funds from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), according to the PR Department of Naftogaz of Ukraine. All six suppliers were selected by the EBRD prequalification procedure concluded in July 2016. The total cost of 30 concluded contracts amounted to $334 million, of which $300 million were received through the credit facility and $34 million - own funds of Naftogaz. The weighted average price of contracts totaled $185 per a thousand cubic meter at delivery point. iy The Government of Ukraine has decided to increase funding of state programs for HIV and TB treatment by 140% each. Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Rozenko said this at the meeting of the Coordinating Board of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in Geneva on Tuesday, the Government portal reports. "Despite deep economic crisis in 2014-2015 due to the military aggression [of Russia against Ukraine], the Government made an unprecedented decision to increase state funding for HIV treatment and TB treatment programs by 140% each," Rozenko said. In his view, this step as well as the active participation of the international donors should allow Ukraine to double the number of patients who will receive antiretroviral treatment in 2017. ol facebook like button Tweet tweet button for twitter Published December 6, 2016 MONROE, La. On Saturday, Dec. 10, at 10 a.m., the University of Louisiana Monroes Fall 2016 Commencement Ceremony will take place in ULMs Fant-Ewing Coliseum. Degrees will be conferred by ULM President Dr. Nick J. Bruno to students in ULMs three colleges and graduate school. Those students who finished their degrees during the summer sessions will also receive their degrees. Louisiana State Senator Ronnie Johns will serve as the Commencement speaker. Senator Johns is a 1972 graduate of ULMs (formerly Northeast Louisiana University) School of Pharmacy and practiced retail pharmacy for 10 years in his hometown of Bunkie, La. In 1982, he made a career change and was appointed as an agent with State Farm Insurance Co. in Sulphur, La. where he lives today and still manages his State Farm Agency. Senator Johns has devoted his legislative career to many business-related issues, health care issues, is a strong advocate for domestic violence victims, for adoption and foster care of children, and victims of human trafficking. Several honor graduates will also be recognized during the ceremony. They are designated as summa cum laude (3.900-4.000), magna cum laude (3.750-3.899) and cum laude (3.500-3.749). For those who cannot attend, the live webcast can be found at ulm.edu/commencement/. Shortly after the conclusion of the event, a full recording of the event will be archived for viewing. For seating and guest information, visit http://ulm.edu/commencement-info/. According to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), real time simulation checks and data transmission checks have been completed and the satellite has been switched on. The ISRO said the internal checks on the rocket and its systems have been completed. By Indo-Asian News Service: India today morning successfully put into orbit its own earth observation satellite Resourcesat-2A in a text book style. "Today we had a successful launch of Resourcesat-2A to provide three tier imaging data. The satellites solar panels were deployed. The launch was perfect," A.S. Kiran Kumar, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), said soon after the launch. Kumar said that for the first time a camera was put on the rocket, and as a result the launch of the satellite and the deployment of solar panels were seen. advertisement Around 10.25 am the PSLV-XL variant rocket standing 44.4 metres tall and weighing 321 ton tore into the morning skies with fierce orange flames at its tail. Gathering speed every second, the rocket raced towards the heavens amidst the cheers of the ISRO officials and the media team assembled at the port here. At the rocket mission control room, Indian space scientists at ISRO were glued to their computer screens watching the rocket escaping the Earth's gravitational pull. Around 18 minutes into the flight, the rocket slung the 1,235 kg Resourcesat-2A into an 817 km polar sun synchronous orbit. The PSLV rocket is a four stage/engine rocket powered by solid and liquid fuel alternatively. According to ISRO, Resourcesat-2A is a follow on mission to Resourcesat-1 and Resourcesat-2, launched in 2003 and 2011 respectively. The new satellite Resourcesat-2A is intended to continue the remote sensing data services to global users provided by it two predecessors. #WATCH: PSLV-C36 carrying Resourcesat-2A launched successfully from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota (AP) pic.twitter.com/Ecf5WmJy1y ANI (@ANI_news) December 7, 2016 The Resourcesat-2A carries three payloads which are similar to those of the earlier two Resourcesat's. They are a high resolution Linear Imaging Self Scanner (LISS-4) camera operating in three spectral bands in the Visible and Near Infrared Region (VNIR) with 5.8 m spatial resolution and steerable up to 26 degree across track to achieve a five day revisit capability. The second payload is the medium resolution LISS-3 camera operating in three-spectral bands in VNIR and one in Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) band with 23.5 m spatial resolution. The third payload is a coarse resolution Advanced Wide Field Sensor (AWiFS) camera operating in three spectral bands in VNIR and one band in SWIR with 56 m spatial resolution. The satellite also carries two Solid State Recorders with a capacity of 200 Giga Bits each to store the images taken by its cameras which can be read out later to ground stations. The mission life of Resourcesat-2A is five years. --- ENDS --- advertisement Sharon Gray, 46, pictured in Edinburgh, Scotland, runs a charity for the homeless called Meal On Me, which offers meal tickets for participating cafes and restaurants around the city. UNHCR/Andrew McConnell THE VOLUNTEER Name: Sharon Gray Age: 46 Occupation: Volunteer with Meal on Me and the Edinburgh Central Mosques food bank Home: Edinburgh In 2014, Sharon Gray helped start Meal on Me, a charity that provides coffee and meals at participating cafes around Edinburgh city centre for the homeless and poor. At the time, Gray, a mother of four, was herself in temporary accommodation. Meals on Me grew out of cooperation between the Central Edinburgh Mosque, the Bethany Trust and the Rock Trust. Gray, who studied anthropology at the University of Edinburgh, converted to Islam during her studies and started volunteering for the food bank at Edinburgh Central Mosque. When Syrian refugees first started coming to Edinburgh in 2015, they looked to Sharon for help. "Last year, I was contacted by someone from the local Syrian community asking me whether I was aware of newly arrived Syrian refugees in the city. I had of course seen the news and the response and I felt kind of disempowered. I cannae do anything, Ive got two young kids, I have nae got the money, I have nae got the physical ability. All of that. What does it mean to stand and chat at the school gate? Thats a big culture here. Its about taking children to the park together, or inviting people over for dinner. Thats integration. But then he came to my doorstep and asked me directly: What can you do? Straight away I thought we can give meal vouchers, we can give bus passes. So we did. We found a small group of ladies who said they would get involved, so they held collections for food and toiletries. We had a small storage space at the mosque, and when the refugees did arrive, we arranged with the council for them to visit. And we had collected shoes, clothing -- the minute somebody knows you are collecting, you end up with more than you can manage. And it gave us this connection with the council. For myself, the motivation was two-fold. Yes, there were these people coming here in need of help. But I also wanted to reach out to our fellow Scots to reassure them that, look these are just normal people, these are people who have just lost theirs homes and houses and they need a helping hand. People dont understand even the terminology: refugees, migrants. All these words are bandied about and people I generalise, of course have this concept that they come here and they get everything: benefits, housing, help, support. We approached a local library to ask for a room. Then we found somebody who did play therapy. Her sister-in-law could teach English. So we asked them to volunteer and brought them together. So its the small things that help. I think its hugely important that people are integrated. Its about humanising on both sides. What does it mean to stand and chat at the school gate? Thats a big culture here. Its about taking children to the park together, or inviting people over for dinner. Thats integration. Its on that micro-level that it works. We approached a local library to ask for a room to use for refugees. They gave us a room, and through a mutual contact we found somebody who did play therapy. Her sister-in-law, it turned out, could teach English. So we asked them to volunteer and brought them together. Weve now had six sessions of English and weve had women coming from as far away as Leith, an hour or more on the bus. I was homeless myself. I have been skint and I know what its like having to choose between paying your electricity meter or buying your food. Meals on Me came from knowing what its like to be so skint that when someone asks you to go for a coffee you dont have the confidence to accept. And that applies to refugees. Here in Scotland there is a saying: 'Were all Jock Tamsons bairns, were all the children of Adam.' Were all from the same stock. When I hear stories from refugees and I hear how they lost their mums, their dads, their cousins, and so on, I think it must be a rollercoaster. Ive lost family members. I get it, a wee bit. Of course, Ive not lost my house and Ive not had to leave my country. People in Scotland are very welcoming and tolerant. People in Scotland are very welcoming and tolerant. But people also have very short memories. At least the media has a short memory. Theres a dumbing down of peoples understanding. During the Second World War, refugees went to Morocco, to Canada, even to Syria. But we have this fear, all you see on the news is masses of boats, swarms of refugees and people are so fearful. But we have space here, not just physically, but in our hearts. We just need to open it up." Sharon's story is part of a series about people across the UK showing refugees a #GreatBritishWelcome. Vivienne Jones, pictured outside her home in Malvern, County Worcestershire, UK. Vivienne is a volunteer who helped bring the Vietnamese boat people to Malvern in 1979 and is now part of the Malvern Welcomes group campaigning to bring Syrian refugees to the town. UNHCR/Andrew McConnell THE GREAT GRANDMOTHER Name: Vivienne Jones Age: 73 Occupation: Retired Home: Malvern, Worcestershire In 2014, Malvern Welcomes began advocating for Malvern, a small picturesque town in the hills of western Worcestershire, to take in Syrian refugees. Their efforts led to the county applying to take part in the UKs Syrian Vulnerable People Relocation Scheme. Vivienne Jones was one of the first volunteers to work with the group. In the 1970s, Vivienne volunteered with her local church to welcome Vietnamese refugees, the so-called boatpeople, to Malvern. This time, she said, the public mood has been a lot less welcoming. But the great grandmother did not let visible anger dissuade her and persisted in the faith that we all belong to the same human family. We all belong to the same human family. For about ten weeks I stood outside Waitrose and held petitions for Malvern Welcomes [a grassroots advocacy group urging local authorities to take in Syrian refugees] to see what support there was to welcome refugees in our town. And what I realised was that there is a lot of fear. Not in all, not a majority. But for many. The town of Malvern in County Worcestershire, UK. UNHCR/Andrew McConnell Some people just walked by and shouted abuse. They used language I was not quite used to hearing. It is what they get in the media. But its mainly the elderly. I was amazed at how many mums and dads signed and brought their children along to see. A lot of young people were happy to sign. I dont remember the same controversy with the Vietnamese [in the late 1970s]. In those days, Malvern was just white. I think there was so much in the media about these poor people in boats and there was this compassion because nobody felt they were going to interfere with our lives. It was such a new thing. Jane Knowles, pictured in her shop, Just So, in the center of Malvern. Jane is a member of the Malvern Welcomes group: 'If I was in their position I would be moving heaven and earth to find a safe place for my children." UNHCR/Andrew McConnell Three Vietnamese families came to Malvern. I was with the churches who helped them and we scrubbed the floors and made the houses ready and cooked the meals. The people who came were quite highly educated, they had money and they managed to come out. This is different: bringing people from camps, especially the vulnerable, people with disabilities or who have been tortured. But it must be the right thing to do. We must give it a try. I am a Catholic and this year is the year of mercy. Ive spoken out at church, and people come to me and say: when are they coming, Ive collected such and such in my loft. People are aware and thinking about it. They asked me to say a few words about refugees. So I said a small prayer, trying to remind my audience that we are all the same. Help us to remember, I said, that we all belong to the same human family. And give us the compassion and imagination to help in any way we can. It must be the right thing to do. We must give it a try. I didnt think it would take this long and Ill be really disappointed if refugees dont come [to Malvern]. What I want to make sure doesnt happen is that it isnt local bureaucracy saying they need to be in a bigger town. Why cant we have a say? We can look after them. And in time they can do whatever they want, cant they? Those people, they must be so desolate. They must feel the world is against them in every way. For them to come here and see that there are people in this strange world ... if they meet love and care and green fields and fresh air, it would be good for them, wouldnt it? Its what I would like for myself and for my children. Meet others like Vivienne who are showing refugees in the UK a #GreatBritishWelcome. Refugees and migrants walk through a field in Slovenia after after crossing the border from Croatia in this 2015 file photo. UNHCR/Mark Henley GENEVA UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has updated its tool kit for protecting vulnerable people on the move, in response to a sharp increase in global flows of both refugees and migrants in the decade since it was published. UNHCR issued its original 10-Point Plan of Action in 2006, setting out a framework to help countries ensure that people in need of international protection travelling within broader mixed migratory movements could be identified and assisted. The updated Plan issued today provides an overhauled set of best practises for states, civil society organizations and other UN partners, taking into account larger and more complex flows of people in todays world. What this10-Point Plan on mixed movements does is collect practices, good examples, and ways and means to deal with the phenomenon of human mobility in all its dimensions in its refugee dimension, but also its migratory dimension, said UNHCRs Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Volker Turk. Turk noted that, since 2006, the number of people on the move worldwide as a result of conflict, violence and persecution has roughly doubled to 65 million, including over 21 million refugees. Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Volker Turk discusses updated 10-Point Plan The increase has accelerated some already emerging dynamics in human mobility. These include an increase in the number of people seeking safety beyond the countries of first asylum in Europe, and other parts of the world such as the Northern Triangle of Central America, and Southeast Asia and the growing use of smuggling and trafficking routes by mixed flows of refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants. It is clear that countries and organizations such as UNHCR and NGOs will have to deal with these new realities, Turk said. The 10-Point Plan shows practically, on the basis of over 100 new examples that were added to make the case, that indeed you can manage and address these phenomena, he added. It provides a nuts and bolts approach to help states and humanitarian workers identify vulnerable people on the move and in need of international protection, and respond appropriately to their needs, Turk said. He gave as an example identifying and safeguarding women who are victims of human trafficking, so that they can testify against the traffickers. Other examples included providing alternatives to custody for children especially unaccompanied and separated children and meeting the special needs of particularly vulnerable people, including refugees suffering from trauma. Sometimes we have people who are very traumatized as a result of what they went through and we need to launch a proper response to that. You need to take care of people in an appropriate manner, Turk said. So all of these examples that are collected in this document will hopefully help practitioners around the world to deal with human mobility in a humane and positive manner that shows that we can, if we do it collectively, address the challenges together, he added. Iraqis displaced by fighting in Mosul prepare food at Hasansham camp, Iraq. UNHCR/Ivor Prickett GENEVA In the biggest show of support ever, donor governments today pledged an initial $701 million for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to help nearly 69 million displaced or stateless people in its operations worldwide in 2017. The pledges made at the donor meeting in Geneva will help UNHCR provide support to people fleeing major conflicts including in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, South Sudan and the Lake Chad region as well operations in more than 100 countries around the world. UNHCRs budget for all operations for 2017 stands at US$7.3 billion. Todays pledges do not cover all needs, but they provide an important signal to the organization of the anticipated funding for next year, allowing it to plan and continue operations without interruption. It represents a large increase over the US$687 million pledged a year ago, which was then a record. We are calling on our government donors to work with us to make sure that all displaced people can access protection and build a secure future, said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. Our top priority is saving lives and protecting the rights and dignity of refugees, people displaced within their own countries, and stateless people. That means offering practical support over the longer term including to the countries and communities that host them. What is new in UNHCRs approach this year, Grandi added, is an increased emphasis on working with development agencies. We are placing an ever greater emphasis on working in partnership, he said. That calls for partnership with development actors like the World Bank, the International Labour Organization and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, partnership with the private sector and obviously partnership with displaced people themselves. Refugees needs have never been greater, Grandi added, but the countries of the world have also shown their commitment to work together to find lasting solutions. UNHCRs budget is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from governments and, increasingly, from individuals, corporations and foundations. For 2016, UNHCR expects to receive the highest proportion ever of what it asked for 54 percent, or some US$4 billion out of the US$7.51 billion currently budgeted. The trawlers captain had abandoned the ship and naval authorities in the region had pushed it back out to sea, bereft of fuel and potable water with over 800 refugees and migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh onboard. With passengers crammed above and below deck in sweltering heat, a deadly brawl over water erupted. As the fight spread above and across the deck, Yasin,* 10, his parents and three siblings aged three to nine found themselves caught between passengers slicing crowbars and axes at each other. We all jumped into the sea to save our lives, Yasin says. Another man who had jumped helped Yasin onto a couple of wooden planks that had been ripped from the hull, but there was nothing else to keep Yasins parents afloat. Their bodies eventually surfaced not far from his five-year-old sister, Begum, who had also drowned. His younger brother Ilias and little sister Gultaz were nowhere to be seen. Yasin was alone and bobbing in the open sea 100 kilometres off the coast of Indonesia. We all jumped into the sea to save our lives." Over 10 days in May 2015, Indonesian fishermen rescued 1,800 refugees and migrants from three abandoned boats. More than 500 were refugee children, and most of them were alone, unaccompanied by any family members. Yasin was one of them. Around 170,000 refugees and migrants are believed to have attempted the journey between 2012 and 2015; some 2,000 are believed to have perished en route. But when the well-travelled smuggling route was suddenly disrupted by authorities, the smugglers cut their losses. They abandoned Yasin and thousands of others in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, after no government in the region would allow their boats to disembark. The slight youngster was among hundreds of stateless refugees rescued from the sinking vessel they had boarded from Myanmar hoping to find opportunity in Malaysia that they were denied at home, where restrictions on freedom of movement had made life untenable. Six of us got on the boat together, Yasin recalls. The family left Myanmar from their hometown of Sittwe in the western state of Rakhine, where intercommunal violence in 2012 displaced over 140,000 people. About 120,000 remain in camps today, the vast majority of them stateless people. Yasin, a 10-year-old Rohingya refugee, speaks with a UNHCR staff member in Indonesia. UNHCR/Tarmizy Harva Yasin and his family left Myanmar from their hometown of Sittwe in the western state of Rakhine, where intercommunal violence in 2012 displaced over 140,000 people. UNHCR/Tarmizy Harva The misery Yasin has seen in his short lifetime is enough to break even the most resilient adult, and yet when UNHCR staff visited him recently, Yasin was buoyant, unburdened. UNHCR/Tarmizy Harva "We always had to hide on the way to school," Yasin recalls. "If we said we were Muslim, they would beat us." UNHCR/Tarmizy Harva As a particularly vulnerable refugee with little chance of local integration in Indonesia or legal entry into Malaysia, Yasin has been approved for resettlement to the United States. UNHCR/Tarmizy Harva We always had to hide on the way to school, Yasin recalls. If we said we were Muslim, they would beat us. What he cannot yet articulate is how official constraints on the movement of ethnic Rohingya families like his has cut them off from any kind of sustainable livelihood, and given them little choice but to take to sea. My father promised he would send me to school in a new country, Yasin said. The family departed in early 2015. Smugglers transferred them from boat to boat until packing them onto the gray fishing trawler, with over 800 people crouched shoulder-to-shoulder on two levels above deck and two levels in the hold below. The captain was a round man who spoke Thai and Burmese, with a shaven head and the tattoo of scorpion stretching across his left bicep. Yasin believed that his parents and three siblings had drowned, but two survived. Not long after Yasins family had been transferred to the trawler, the captain set sail towards Malaysia and, from his perch in the cabin one level above the stern, aimed his gun down at a Rohingya man sitting on the deck by the bow. The captain pulled the trigger, and the passenger crumpled over, blood streaming from his head. Some survivors said it was a ritual among the people smugglers, the sacrifice of one to ensure safe voyage for the many. After he was plucked from the water weeks later, Yasin believed that his parents and siblings had all died but he was mistaken about Ilias and Gultaz. He had been taken to a shelter in Medan, Indonesia, and did not know that they had also been rescued, only to a different shelter in Langsa, 170 kilometres away. Ilias and Gultaz were under the same impression, that everyone else was dead. A woman who travelled with and helped take care of them remembered the hollow look in Gultazs eyes. It was as if she was unknown to me, to any of us, said the woman. She was lost. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, registered Ilias and Gultaz in Langsa on May 20, 2015, almost right after they had been rescued. For protection staff, it was hard to forget the story of how their entire family had drowned: their parents, their sister Begum, and, they thought, their brother Yasin. So when UNHCR moved on to Medan to register the next batch of survivors, including Yasin, they quickly recognized the parallels in his story. He sat next to the staff, eyes fixed on their laptop screen as they scrolled through a database of missing family members. His details matched with Ilias and Gultaz, and when staff pulled up their photographs, Yasin looked confused at first. Then he smiled and cried, the first rain after a long drought. UNHCR tried to reunite the siblings, but Medan and Langsa are in different provinces, and there were administrative hurdles to bringing children across provincial lines. As months passed, the wait to be with each other, and for any kind of solution in Indonesia, seemed to go on indefinitely. A thousand Rohingya in Indonesia faced a similar predicament, and in their desperation to see their loved ones and earn a living, some began arranging their own passage to Malaysia. They sought out the only means of travel that has ever been available to them, people smuggling, and once again embarked on a risky, albeit shorter, sea crossing. Just this month, 54 Indonesians died when their boat capsized as they attempted the crossing. We always had to hide on the way to school." Seeing no other options on the horizon, two Rohingya women who helped look after Ilias and Gultaz in Langsa joined one of the groups heading to Malaysia and, without UNHCRs knowledge, brought Ilias and Gultaz with them so that the children could join an uncle of theirs already in Malaysia. They made it safely to shore, and the uncle has taken Ilias and Gultaz under his care. Yasin calls his uncle now and then to hear from his brother and sister. I miss them, he said. We wanted to be together, but we couldnt. Last month, violence broke out in Rakhine state again. Villages have been burnt down again. People are fleeing again. The misery Yasin has seen in his short lifetime is enough to break even the most resilient adult, and yet when UNHCR staff visited him recently, Yasin was buoyant, unburdened. Not in a detached way, as we might fear for a child wrapped in harrowing memories, but steady and bright, lifted by the prospect of going to school again, like his father had promised. I was told Im going to America, Yasin says. Im going to study there. As a particularly vulnerable refugee with little chance of local integration in Indonesia or legal entry into Malaysia, Yasin has been approved for resettlement to the United States. Ilias and Gultaz, he hopes, will be able to join him. I want to study and become an engineer, Yasin says. Even just talking about it with you makes me happy. *All refugees names have been changed for protection reasons. By India Today Web Desk: In losing Jayalalithaa on December 5, 2016, Tamil Nadu lost its queen. Supporters waited outside Chennai's Apollo Hospital--wailing, praying for their Amma to come back, but the battle had been lost. Former AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa had passed away and the country had lost a mammoth political figure. To call Jayalalithaa a cult figure would be an understatement. Amma to many, a thorough politician for some and one of Tamil movie industry's brightest stars, Jayalalithaa was many things; predictable not being one of them. advertisement Also Read: Chennai is all shut, but Amma canteens continue to serve food to people Ahead of her times in ways more than one, Jayalalithaa's accidental tryst with movies invoked new life into the Tamil movie universe and gave birth to several trends in the bargain. Headgears, sleeveless blouses, transparent strappy sandals--Amma's wardrobe was a star in itself. And today, on her birth anniversary, we take a glimpse at the trends she gave birth to: 1. Statement accessories Her love for statement neckpieces and headgear is evident in several rare pictures surfacing on the internet. From pairing huge pendants with sarees to sporting elaborate, Cleopatra-ish headgear, Jayalalithaa had been there, done that. Picture courtesy: Instagram/ bollytota, hansika_is_my_idol 2. Sandals with translucent straps The trend of translucent footwear is believed to date back to 1946 when shoes made of PVC plastic were conceptualised due to a shortage of leather in France. What gradually evolved into 'jelly' footwear much later had already found way into a young Amma's wardrobe. Picture courtesy: Facebook/ Mukesh Kumar Also Read: Jayalalithaa: A shy actress who became Queen of Tamil Nadu 3. Sleeveless blouses and kurtas Not just her political prowess, Amma was one of the earliest women to have ever adopted the trend of sleeveless blouses and kurtas. Some say she wasn't allowed to watch her first Tamil film, Vennira Aadai, due to it being awarded an 'A' certificate. Why? Well, the movie featured Jayalalithaa, then 17, bathing under a waterfall wearing a saree with a sleeveless blouse. Picture courtesy: Facebook/Sarah Eddiah Also Read: A day without Jayalalithaa: Tamil Nadu in mourning, burial site at Marina Beach visited by thousands 4. Winged eyeliner A rage in the fashion world today, the trend of winged eyeliner was embraced by the former AIADMK supremo many years ago. She sported the look in many of the 140 movies she'd been a part of. Picture courtesy: Instagram/parithyilamvazhuthi 5. Skirts An important element for the success recipe of Tamil movies at one point, Jayalalithaa is also said to be the first Tamil actress to have ever donned a skirt on screen during the mid-'60s. --- ENDS --- A day after Jayalalithaa was laid to rest at Chennai's Marina Beach, Tamil Nadu mourns the loss of one its tallest leaders. By India Today Web Desk: A day after J Jayalalithaa, the Amma to one and all, was laid to rest next to her mentor MG Ramachandran (MGR) at Chennai's Marina Beach, her supporters and partymen thronged the burial site today. Thousands visited the site of her burial to pay their respects to the late chief minister. Some All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) supporters and partymen tonsured their heads at the burial site of Jayalalithaa, mourning her loss. Credit: @Iamtssudhir advertisement DMK CONDOLES DEATH Jayalalithaa's death has also brought a change of stance in Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), AIADMK's bitter rival for several decades in Tamil Nadu politics. ALSO READ: Why a practicing Iyengar like Jayalalithaa was buried, not cremated DMK chief M Karunanidhi issued a statement on Tuesday offering condolences, his son and heir MK Stalin said her death is an "irreparable loss to the people of Tamil Nadu". Credit: @Iamtssudhir Credit: @Iamtssudhir THE OTHER SASIKALA On Tuesday, Jayalalithaa's aide Sasikala Natarajan, partymen and supporters walked with her in her last journey from Rajaji Hall to Marina Beach. The poster brought out by DMK on Jayalalithaa. (Photo credit: @ajit_ranade) ALSO READ: Jayalalithaa's property: From Toyota Prado, farm land to gold and silver jewellery However, expelled AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP Sasikala Pushpa was not permitted to go near the casket. Though she managed to come up to the stairs, party functionaries and police personnel present there did not allow her to go any further. She was seen having an argument before leaving the place. ALSO READ: From silver screens to being Amma: 10 path-breaking decisions only Jayalalithaa could execute Pushpa was expelled from AIADMK by Jayalalithaa in August this year for bringing bad name to the party after she had a public spat with DMK MP Tiruchi Siva at Delhi airport. The MP had later claimed she was slapped by a "leader" and faced threat to her life in Tamil Nadu. She had also lashed out at the AIADMK saying it is full of "slaves". (With inputs from PTI) ALSO READ: Chennai: PM Modi pays tribute to Jayalalithaa; OPS, Sasikala break down ALSO WATCH --- ENDS --- A Facebook post on late Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa, made by an Indian Harvard student, went viral with over 33,000 shares. Now, a journalist who found uncanny similarities between this viral post and a New York Times article from last year, decided to call the writer out for plagiarism, triggering a fierce debate about it. Is the viral Facebook post on Jayalalithaa by Harvard student a product of plagiarism? Photo courtesy: Facebook\CharanyaKannan, The New York Times By Vivek Surendran: In this era of digital journalism, rather social media journalism, the chances of tweets and Facebook posts becoming news is more than news becoming tweets. There is a very valid reason behind this phenomenon of churning out news from stories shared by real people, and that reason is the potential of these stories to connect with millions of readers. Stories shared by social media users, be it as a Facebook post, a single tweet or as a tweet thread, are more often that not brimming with emotions -- anger, sorrow, revolt, fear, happiness, shock, hope, surprise -- all of which could resonate with the readers. advertisement For instance, check out these stories... Kerala man feeds hungry street kids in a restaurant, gets surprised by the bill Laughed enough watching the world's fastest cashier woman? Now, know the truth about her Man's emotional post about autistic son having no friends goes viral, receives support from around the world Amid war clouds, Pakistani comedian's post goes viral: How biryani, Sania, Katrina can keep us together Ganpati bhakt auto driver gives free ride to man rushing to mosque, offers return fare So, when someone makes a Facebook post that reads like a first-person account, where the content is something relevant on the internet, and the post is being shared widely, media houses tend to pick it up and make "news", but at times, without thorough inspection of its origin. HARVARD STUDENT'S VIRAL FACEBOOK POST ON JAYALALITHAA Charanya Kannan, a Harvard student as per her Facebook bio, made a long Facebook post about Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalithaa on December 5, the day Amma breathed her last. The post made in the evening, when news channels across the country were running Amma's health condition live, caught the attention of many Facebook users, and more so, when Amma's death was confirmed by 11.30 PM the same day. Charanya's Facebook post went viral within hours, and in just two days got over 82,000 likes and 33,000 shares. Many media houses across the country, including national media, picked up Charanya's post and made it news saying "Harvard student's Facebook post about Amma goes viral" exponentially increasing the reach of the post and in turn increasing the number of shares. WHAT IS THE ISSUE HERE? The content Charanya put out from her Facebook profile, in the tone of a first-person account, had uncanny similarities with a New York Times article titled "What happens when a State is run by movie stars? " from last year. A journalist working with Reuters, Tresa Morera, who initially shared Charanya's post like many others, soon realised she had read the same content elsewhere, and a quick Google search gave her the New York Times article by Rollo Romig. She decided to call Charanya out on the grounds of plagiarism. advertisement CHARANYA RESPONDS Charanya responded to Tresa's accusation of plagiarism saying what she wrote in her post were facts and tried explaining where she had picked it up from, in bits and pieces, ranging from TV interviews to random Google searches, and also said that she had done a research on Jayalalithaa for an article she had written for the Huffington Post. She made it clear that she had no intention to plagiarise and that she never made the post expecting it to go viral. Another Facebook user stepped in, thanked Charanya for clarifying, and told her that since there are ideas and words in her post making it look like they were directly lifted from the NYT article, it would be good to give readers a clarification that it's not entirely her write-up. DEBATE ON PLAGIARISM BEGINS Charanya did not budge from her stand that she just referred to different articles on the internet to better what she wanted to write, but Supriya Kurane, the user who intervened, maintained that she did not accuse Charanya of plagiarism but just thought it would be better if due credits are given to other researchers' works. advertisement MEANWHILE, TRESA HAD A PARALLEL DEBATE GOING ON Mark Austin, a Tokyo-based journalist who taught journalism at the Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media in Bangalore between 2010 and 2015, was completely in support of Charanya and said "plagiarism is a pretty serious slur to throw on someone". Responding to him, Tresa said she would stick to what she posted and that they should just agree to disagree. THE DEBATE IS POSSIBLY STILL GOING ON AND SOME WANTED NEWS ORGANISATIONS TO UNDERSTAND... Amid all this, a half-witted man, possibly annoyed with Tresa for calling out someone who wrote about "Amma", thought he could get away after threatening Tresa. --- ENDS --- The iPhone 6S battery replacement is now offered free of charge by Apple, who blames "ambient Air" exposure of its battery components, which resulted in unexpected shutdowns. Apple will also include a diagnostic capability in its iOS 10.2 update next week, which may indicate that the battery flaw issue may have affected more Apple devices than what was previously reported. The iPhone 6S battery replacement comes after a series of reports by users of unexpected shutdowns of their Apple devices. The tech giant has now pinpointed the problem and the affected devices, identifying iPhone 6S manufactured between September to October 2015 as having battery components exposed to "controlled ambient air." The battery components were left exposed to outdoor air far longer than necessary before being assembled in a battery pack of the iPhone 6S. This resulted to the battery degrading faster than usual, thereby causing an unexpected shutdown. Apple also stressed that the iPhone 6S battery replacement stems from a battery flaw and not a "safety" issue. After the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 debacle, the Cupertino giant wants to assure consumers that the iPhone 6S and all other Apple devices are safe. The iPhone 6S is designed to shut down automatically in cases when the electronics experience low voltage, The Verge reported. For those with iPhone 6S, Apple advises a visit to the local Apple store to verify eligibility for the iPhone 6S battery replacement. Once verified, a new iPhone 6S battery will be ordered, which will take a week to arrive. Users will be instructed to back-up the phone, turn off Find My iPhone and then drop off the iPhone 6S when the battery arrives, taking an hour or two for the battery to be replaced, Macworld reported. However, the problem may be bigger than what Apple previously reported. Last Friday, Dec. 2, Apple posted the iPhone 6S battery replacement announcement on its website, offering a tool where users can check if the serial numbers of their iPhone 6S make them eligible for the offer. Then on Monday, Dec. 5, the company posted in its Chinese website that a diagnostic capability will be included in its iOS 10.2 software update, rolling out next week. Apple has admitted that there other Apple devices like the iPhone 6 that are having the same battery issue even if their phones are outside of the timeframe provided. This does not bode well for Apple devices, which were recently plagued with another flaw, known as the "touch disease" where iPhone 6 touchscreens have been unresponsive. Nonetheless, Apple has been offering the best customer service as confirmed with its swift response with the iPhone 6S battery replacement. Harvard University has been slammed for planning to blacklist students for joining some social clubs. The school's faculty has taken a stand against the school's plan. The College Fix reported that the school's faculty is considering a motion "arguing that Harvard should not penalize students for their involvement in Greek life or final clubs." Apparently, Harvard is planning to render said students ineligible for fellowships and leadership positions. According to The Harvard Crimson, both college administrators and Professor Harry R. Lewis have passed documents to lobby faculty members with their respective arguments about the institution's plan to blacklist students who are part of single-gender social organizations. The "Frequently Asked Questions" documents focused on questions about the place of final clubs, sororities and fraternities at Harvard as well as the role of faculty members in the social lives of undergraduates. Harvard administrators announced last May that members of unrecognized single-gender social organizations are barred from becoming captains of varsity teams, holding leadership positions in recognized student groups or even from receiving College-endorsement for top fellowships. The ban will begin with the class of 2021. In response, Lewis, along with 11 other professors, created the motion. The aim is that "Harvard College shall not discriminate against students on the basis of organizations they join." On the other hand, college administrators focus on the issues of exclusivity, discrimination and sexual assault that are associated with the unrecognized social groups. The document they circulated also includes a list of existing groups, their locations and how many members they have. It was estimated that 25 to 30 percent of students belong to single-sex final clubs or Greek organizations. Authors of the administration's document have not been identified. "While the College's concerns have 'historically been about the behavior and practices of male clubs,'" the document read, "both male and female organizations 'exclude on the basis of gender' and are inconsistent 'with the Faculty's long-held view that the College should not become a Greek school.'" Posters of Adolf Hitler and swastikas were found at two locations on the University of Chicago campus on Monday. This comes as the nation continues to see an increase of racist acts in schools after president-elect Donald Trump's victory. Chicago Tribune reported that posters with Hitler, swastikas and the slogan "No Degeneracy, No Tolerance, Hail Victory" were found inside the campus of the University of Chicago. The posters have since been removed. The school announced that campus police are investigating the case. No other details have been released. According to ABC 7, a neo-Nazi group may be the culprit behind the racist messages. It was noted that the name of the symbol of The Atomwaffen Division was on the posters. "The university is aware of this material... which was found and immediately removed at multiple locations on campus yesterday morning," the university said. "We are investigating the incidents." The Chicago Tribune added that the group had claimed credit for the posters. The slogan "Hail Victory" is the English translation of "Sieg heil" by the Nazis. The slogan was repeatedly cheered by attendees at a meeting of the National Policy Institute, which is a white nationalist group. Last month, the president and provost of the University of Chicago urged students to commit to the school's values. "[We ask] for your help and commitment to the values of diversity and inclusion, free expression and open discourse," they said. This comes as the latest in a string of hostile and racist acts in campuses after the victory of president-elect Donald Trump. The Republican presidential nominee has been vocal about his plans for immigration and the deportation of undocumented students. "Now that our man Trump is elected," a poster found inside the campus of Texas State University read. "Time to organize tar and feather vigilante squads and go arrest and torture those deviant university leaders spouting off that diversity garbage." Nadia Murad, a Yazidi woman, urged students and young people in general to end terrorism. She survived the attack of the Islamic State and was held captive by the group. University World News reported that Murad spoke to students at the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, last week. She believes that the youth should counter the ideologies of hate in the future. "Today the goal of terrorism is to end peace," she said. "It is a threat to the world. Terrorists who use religion to hide behind their acts pose a danger to all of us - and not just to a single community." "The world has failed to put an end to terrorists or bring them to justice. But I think that the youth, students studying here, can do a lot. We need your help to stand with us - it will be the youth and not politicians who will end terrorism." Murad admitted that she and others have brought the case to more than 20 countries to little avail. She believes that the future is the young people. The 23-year-old survivor, who is a winner of the European Union's prestigious Sakharov Prize for human rights, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, described how, in history, many countries supported organizations that now perpetrate acts of terror. This has led to terror being spread around the world. Murad spoke at the University of Leicester as part of the School of History, Politics and International Relations Public Lecture Series. It focused on the Kurds and the Middle East. "If we all do our small part, in every corner of the world, I believe we can end genocide and mass atrocities against women and children," she added. "If we have the courage to stand up and fight for those we don't know - who live thousands of miles away - we can make a difference. The world is one community and we need to act as such." Meanwhile, several institutions in the United States have taken a stand to protect undocumented students against Trump's threats. Students and faculty banded together to defend these students. A student at Stanford University has sued the institution for failing to protect women. This comes after a sexual predator was said to have been allowed to graduate even with several reported assaults on female students. SFGate reported that the civil rights suit was filed on Monday at the U.S. District Court in San Francisco. This comes only months after the case of former Stanford student Brock Turner for sexual assault on an unconscious woman on campus. Brock Turner was recently released on Sep. 2 after only serving three months of his six-month sentence, which faced backlash for its leniency. Stanford rape case judge Aaron Persky has gained backlash as well after he reportedly gave another athlete, who was charged with attacking his girlfriend, a break. The latest case against Stanford stated that Mr. X, the assailant, allegedly attempted to rape the plaintiff in Feb. 2014 after she refused to perform oral sex. The assailant was also said to have physically assaulted and verbally abused the victim. The plaintiff, who is identified as Jane Doe, had ended her relationship with Mr. X prior to the assault. Later, she discovered that two other students had been sexually assaulted, battered or threatened by the assailant between 2011 and 2014. It was believed that Stanford officials "ignored those reports" but ordered Mr. X to stay away from Jane Doe. The university has also banned the assailant from campus for 10 years. Nonetheless, he was allowed to obtain a bachelor's and master's degree. The lawsuit added that the school did nothing when Mr. X violated the orders, including the non-contact directive. "Women will not have an equal opportunity to succeed academically until the epidemic of sexual violence on campus ends," Rebecca Peterson-Fisher, the lead attorney for Equal Rights Advocates, one of three law firms representing Jane Doe in the action, said. "Institutions like Stanford need to be held accountable for their failure to recognize the severity of these crimes and to comply with Title IX." Education costs, combined with the cost of housing, can be a too much for students to bear. Thanks to a housing program located in Netherlands, some Dutch students don't need to pay for their stay anymore. They also get to change the life of an elderly person, too. Residential and Care Center Humanitas, a longterm care facility located in Deventer in Netherlands, is actually a retirement home for elderly people, the Independent reports. It opened its doors to Dutch university students, offering them free housing in exchange for just a little favor: 30 hours a month (roughly an hour per day, depending on the student's schedule) to spend with the senior-aged residents living in the facility. The idea of letting students stay to take care of senior-aged individuals came by concerns regarding the cost of aged care as well as student housing in Netherlands, Humanitas Deventer CEO Gea Sijpkes told ABC. The government stopped funding care costs for those aged 80 and above in 2012, and student housing increased from 341 Euros per month in 2012 to 366 Euros today. "I want to be the warmest and nicest house where every elderly person wants to live," Sijpkes said. "But I thought, how can I accomplish that? If you do that with staff, then it costs a lot." "If you do that with students, then there is a social return on investment against loneliness." Sijpkes continued. "That's the idea." So far, there are six university students living in the retirement home, all of them living as "neighbors" to the aged men and women residents. All of them commit to give time to their older neighbors, either to accompany them to watch sports, prepare their meals, celebrate birthdays, keep them company when they're sick, or teach them skills such as emailing, social media, using Skype, making graffiti art, or even spending unstructured time together. "When I get home from school or work, I visit my neighbour for an hour or so," Jurrien Mentink, a 19-year-old resident at the care home, said. "Elderly people are full of life. As a student, you can learn a lot." Parents often worry about their child's screen time and try to find ways to lower or reduce them. A new study, however, shows that parents actually spend a lot of screen time too. In the report titled "The Common Sense Census: Plugged-In Parents of Tweens and Teens," Common Sense Media surveyed over 1,700 parents whose children were between 8 and 18, asking them about how they use media and talk to their kids about it. They found that parents were avid users of media as well, gathering well over nine hours of screen time any given day, the Chicago Tribune reported. Of the nine hours, about 82% (almost eight hours) are dedicated to personal screen media activities such as watching TV, spending time on social media such as Facebook, and some video games. The rest are dedicated for work. Common Sense Media also found that many parents are concerned about their child's screen time. About 43% of parents admitted to worrying about their child spending too much time online, and about a third of the respondents said they think the technology is negatively affective their child's sleep. Still, parents believe that media has its positive impact on their kids. Nearly all of the parents (94%) think technology positively supports their child's schoolwork and education. About 44% also think that social media helps improve their child's relationships with his or her friends. Parents, however, generally believe it's important to monitor their child's use of media. Most think that it's important to monitor their safety, about two-thirds say that monitoring their child's use is more important than respecting the child's online privacy, and more than 40% of parents (two in five) check their child's devices and social media accounts frequently. Despite the huge amount of screen time these parents have, many of them believe that they are good role models for their child's use of media. "In fact, 78 percent of all parents believe they are good media and technology role models for their children," Common Sense Media's director of research, Michael Robb, wrote in a blog post. "Mothers are more likely than fathers to report this." Parents believe that media is a positive tool that will help their child in many ways. And because there are no hard-and-fast rules as to how much screen time a person should have, parents should work on learning how to use media to help their child achieve better personal and academic development. University of Edinburgh students, responding to a poll conducted by the institution, largely voted to have nap pods installed in their campus as a means to increase student satisfaction, news reports say. More than 1,900 students participated in the voting, with 1,616 in favor of installing four nap pods costing 10,000 each, the Scotsman reports. Although the school is not pressured to accept the student-proposed project, many students are clamoring for a nap on campus: about 93 percent of students responding to a recent survey of 1,500 said they have felt the need to have a nap while on campus, and about 76 percent said they needed to go home to get a nap they need. A spokesperson for the Edinburgh University Students' Association told The Tab, the school newspaper, that the school administration will discuss the student proposal. "Students have voted to endorse proposals to discuss provision of rest facilities with the University, who will take any further decisions on implementation," the spokesperson said. If the school decides to approve the proposal and install the four nap pods, it might be able to raise the level of satisfaction among students. According to Daily Mail, a student-led think-tank called the Buchanan Institute reported that the university's student satisfaction level is pretty low - the 120th among all universities in the UK. The nap pods might help raise that up. Google, which uses nap pods created by MetroNaps, has installed the expensive recharging units to encourage its workers to perform better. Sleep, according to Harvard Medical School's Dr Charles Czeisler, is directly linked to wellbeing and productivity. Other students, however, don't like the idea of purchasing expensive sleeping pods. "This is the most ridiculous motion I have ever read," one student wrote on social media in response to the proposal. "How about we get enough study spaces for students or working disabled toilets or a more diverse range of books or equal and independent access to university buildings or pavements that aren't falling apart or funding for mental health programs or any number of things before we build 'nap pods'." Parents often find it challenging to develop a college mindset to their high school students. The good news is that there is now a mobile app for that. Numerous North Jersey schools are implementing the Raise.me scholarship discovery platform to assist students obtain financial credits from colleges for what they do during the four years in their high school career. These include grades, volunteer work, and extracurricular work. Ramsey High School is currently in its second year in implementing the program. Midland Park Jr./Sr. is about to introduce the program to its seniors. The Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District has joined the program, as reported by the North Jersey. Students get demotivated at a $65,000 annual college tuition. But because of the program and the things they did in high school, they do not have to worry about the humongous tuition as they can obtain a discount. It might not be such a large amount of money but this shows the student that their high school work is significant. Raise.me is web-based achievement and activity registry that high school students accomplish as they go through high school. The registry can be connected to one or more of 200 participating colleges. Each college designates a financial credit to specific activities and achievements. Examples include obtaining $100 in credit for a course. A student could earn $300 for being a member on the lacrosse team. A student can garner $1,000 for volunteering with the ambulance corps. The program also mentors students on choices they can make to increase their credits. A college may suggest that credits will increase if students continue with a second or third year of a foreign language or opts to have an advanced placement over a basic level course. High schools students can enroll in the program for free. Seed money for Raise.me was from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, King Center Charter School, College Summit, and Facebook. Students do not have to apply to the colleges with which they link. However, students can only obtain financial credits by a particular college if he enrolls and is accepted at that institution. Besides heading the bench in NJAC matter, Justice Khehar, 64, has also headed a bench which had set aside the imposition of President's Rule in Arunachal Pradesh in January this year. By Harish V Nair: Justice JS Khehar, who headed the five-judge constitution bench in the Supreme Court that struck down the controversial NJAC Act for appointment of judges, was on Tuesday recommended as the 44th Chief Justice (CJI) of India. The current CJI TS Thakur wrote a letter recommending the name of Justice Khehar, who is the senior most judge of the Supreme Court to be his successor. Justice Khehar, 64, will be the first Chief Justice from the Sikh community and he will succeed CJI Thakur, who will be demitting office on January 3, 2017. advertisement Justice Khehar, who will be sworn in on January 4, will hold the tenure for over seven months till August 27, 2017. Besides heading the bench in NJAC matter, Justice Khehar has also headed a bench which had set aside the imposition of President's Rule in Arunachal Pradesh in January this year. He was also a part of the bench which sent Sahara chief Subrata Roy to jail while hearing the matter relating to the refund of money invested by people in his two companies. ALSO READ | Supreme Court keen to appoint women judges now --- ENDS --- December 7 2016 Springfield Properties has committed to paying 28m in developer contributions after its plans for a giant 1bn development were approved by Perth and Kinross Council.The Bertha Park masterplan calls for construction of 3,000 homes, commercial premises and schools on the outskirts of the city, accessible via the proposed Cross Tay Link Road.Under the deal Springfield has committed 14m toward a new primary school, 12.5m for the proposed link road and a parcel of land to host a brand new secondary school Perth & Kinross councillor John Kellas, said: The city is one of the fastest growing places in Scotland. The Bertha Park development will ensure this expansion continues by not only providing everything a growing community needs including good quality housing and schools, but, also by creating business and leisure opportunities.The development will also improve the areas infrastructure by providing new cycle paths and walking routes into the city of Perth as well as a new network of roads.Work on the 30-year masterplan isnt expected to begin for another year. By PTI: Colombo/Kuala Lumpur, Dec 6 (PTI) Leaders from countries that have a significant Tamil population like Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore, including Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, today condoled J Jayalalithaas demise with the diaspora grieving the loss of their beloved leader. "Chief Minister (Tamil Nadu) Jayalalithaa was a leader dearly loved by her people. I express my condolences to her loved ones and the people of Tamil Nadu," Sirisena said. advertisement Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa also offered his condolences, saying "she captured the hearts of Indias Tamil community". Rajapaksa, during his presidency, had invited Jayalalithaa to visit Sri Lanka to witness the post-war conditions. Jayalalithaa had a checkered relationship with Sri Lanka. While the Sinhala majority supported her strong anti-LTTE sentiments, they did not favour her for her pro-Tamil nationalist stance. The Tamil minority in Sri Lanka favoured Jayalalithaa for her ability to pressure New Delhi to nudge Sri Lankan political leadership to grant concessions to Tamils. Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan is travelling to Chennai to pay tributes to Jayalalithaa. Balakrishnan willbe travellingwith hisMinistry officials, a government statement said. According to official statistics, 74 per cent of Singapores population is of Chinese ethnicity, while 13 per cent are of Malay heritage and 9 per cent of Indian, including Tamils. In Singapore, Tamil is an official language along with English, Mandarin and Malay. Foreign Affairs Minister Balakrishnan was also born to a Tamil father. In Malaysia, the countrys largest ethnic Indian party condoled Jayalalithas demise, describing her as a "super woman". "As we all know, the late J Jayalalithaa was a charismatic leader and had done a lot for the Indian people, especially concerning for welfare of the poor, the women and the marginalised community," said Vel Paari, Treasurer General of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) and son of Samy Vellu, who served as MIC president for almost three decades. Malaysias Senate President S A Vigneswaran also expressed condolences over Jayalalithaas death. "I am very sad. All (of us) knew Jayalalithaa. She was also a famous actress. Hope the people (of Tamil Nadu) will be calm," he said. Malaysias 28 million population comprises 8 per cent ethnic Indians a majority of whom are Hindu Tamils. Their ancestors came to Malaysia more than 100 years ago and many were brought by the British. In South Africa, the South African Tamil Federation (SATF) has called on all its affiliates across the country to host special prayer services for the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, describing her as "a friend of the Tamil community worldwide". PTI CORR GS JB FH ASK AKJ ASK --- ENDS --- advertisement "Both the Opposition and the government are not able to run the House," Advani said. By Brijesh Pandey: It was a dressing down that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar never saw it coming his way. In a rare intervention in Lok Sabha today, veteran BJP leader LK Advani lashed out at both the Narendra Modi government and the Opposition, charging them of being unable to run Parliament in the wake of the standoff over demonetisation. As the Opposition parties continued creating ruckus in both Houses, a visibly upset Advani called Kumar and said, "Neither the Speaker nor the Parliamentary Affairs Minister was running the House." advertisement The Minister was seen pacifying the 82-year-old BJP veteran but it didn't had any effect. He continued his tirade and further said, "I am going to tell the Speaker that she is not running the House. I am going to say it publicly. Both sides are party to this." Pointing towards the Opposition MPs, Advani said, "They are not interested in any debate. The Speaker should find a way or remove them from the House." Advani also said that if the Opposition continues behaving like this, their salary should be deducted. An embarrassed Ananth Kumar had to return to his after the exchange. Advani's remarks came almost 10 minutes before Lok Sabha was adjourned ahead of the recess. DEADLOCK CONTINUES Parliament's winter session has remained largely suspended for nearly three weeks now over the Opposition's demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi must speak on his decision to ban old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. ALSO READ | Demonetisation: PM Modi attacks Opposition for not allowing Parliament debate Today, the Lok Sabha witnessed protests again over demonetisation as the Opposition insisted on a debate with voting even as the House had taken up a debate under Rule 193 on Monday. Opposition members, however, kept raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and created a ruckus, forcing the adjournment. Similar scenes were witnessed in Rajya Sabha too where a united Opposition has continued with its demand that PM Modi must make a statement on demonetisation. "Halfway through the debate, you disrupt it. Then you raise conditions that have never been raised in history. The PM cannot listen to each and every member of the House. He has many other big responsibilities," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said. Both the Houses of Parliament have been adjourned for the day. --- ENDS --- Speaking at the Agenda Aaj Tak 2016 conclave today, Parrikar reiterated that peace is the most desirable situation for any country. By Punya Prasun Bajpai: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has expressed the hope that the tension at India-Pakistan border will subside. It is necessary to augment strength and display it to bring about peace at borders, he said. Speaking at the Agenda Aaj Tak 2016 conclave here today, Parrikar reiterated that peace is the most desirable situation for any country. But in order to bring about peace, a country has to increase its strength and also display it. India is known for treading the path of peace. But a country which compromises out of fear is called coward, he said. advertisement Talking about India's preparedness in the session 'Hain taiyyar hum (We are ready)', the Defence Minister stressed India does not adopt an aggressive posture as part of its policy of not attacking first. Any decision is taken depending upon the prevailing circumstances, he said. Parrikar said that there would be minor losses in war-like conditions. Martyrdom is not desirable. Even India does not want war to take place. The country also loses soldiers when tension on the borders increases. "But as Defence minister, it is our duty to protect our people," he said. FREE HAND TO ARMED FORCES On surgical strikes, he said it is the job of the armed forces to cross the border. But the decision regarding this is taken by the political leadership. "Some started feeling jealous of the success of the surgical strikes. They felt the Centre will take its credit. However, we would have been criticised if it had failed. If the responsibility of taking a decision in this regard was of the Narendra Modi government, the credit for its success should also accrue to it," he said. Parrikar said the Modi government has given a free hand to its armed forces. "This was not the case earlier," he said. The Minister said the Modi government was politicising the armed forces. Without naming West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he accused her of dragging the Army into politics. "I had said this in Parliament that the Army should not be dragged into politics," he said. Parrikar claimed that he was capable enough to take any decision because of his background. "I have been associated with the RSS, I am a BJP man and was an IIT student. But these are not related to the decision regarding the surgical strikes," he said. The Minister clarified that he does not mention surgical strikes or the Centre when he addresses public rallies. Nor he takes Pakistan's name. "I have a good sense of humour but on several occasions it creates controversies," he said. Parrikar also talked about the defence purchases and said the procedure was being improved. On comparing the Indian armed forces with those of Israel and Lebanon, he said he felt proud of our country's military. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE --- ENDS --- In a paper published online November 30, 2016, in Melanoma Management, Adam Riker, MD, Professor of Surgery and Chief of Surgical Oncology at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, reviews approaches to manage melanoma, including one tested at LSU Health New Orleans that provoked a complete response in a patient with a long history of the disease.Combinatorial immunotherapy represents the newest advance. Riker and colleagues recently reported results of a novel combinatorial immunotherapy Phase II clinical trial at LSU Health New Orleans. Twenty-five patients were given a combination of an interferon and a melanoma vaccine genetically altered to trigger a potent immune response. The researchers found that the approach clearly activated the immune system in a select few, including the astounding complete response in a patient who had melanoma for eight years at the time of the study. Riker and co-author Erika Bisgaard, now an MD and an alumna of LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, also discuss a first-of-its-kind therapy for inoperable melanoma in the skin and lymph nodes. The FDA recently approved talimogene laherparepvec (IMLYGIC, T-VEC). It uses herpes simplex virus-type 1 designed to selectively replicate within tumors and produce GM-CSF, a white blood cell growth factor that enhances systemic anti-tumor immune responses. This combination has shown a complete response rate of 10.8%. Melanoma is a form of skin cancer in which cancer cells form in melanocytes. Melanoma can occur anywhere on the skin. It is more likely than other skin cancers to metastasize or spread to other parts of the body, and the number of new cases has been increasing over the past 40 years. The death rate varies by age - fewer people younger than 50 have been dying from melanoma since the mid-1980s, with the death rate on the rise in people age 50 and older. LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans educates Louisiana's health care professionals. The state's most comprehensive health sciences university, LSU Health New Orleans includes a School of Medicine, the state's only School of Dentistry, Louisiana's only public School of Public Health, and Schools of Allied Health Professions, Nursing, and Graduate Studies. Modi condemned the Opposition parties for creating impasse and not allowing debate on major reforms like demonetisation in Parliament. Modi also talked about the people's support to the government over demonetisation. By Brijesh Pandey: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today condemned the Opposition parties for creating impasse and not allowing debate on major reforms like demonetisation in Parliament. He also asked the BJP MPs to aggressively publicise the government's initiatives like demonetisation and digitisation. Talking to mediapersons, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar quoted PM Modi as saying that the kind of log jam being created by the Opposition in both Houses of Parliament is undemocratic. advertisement ALSO READ | How Modi changed (and changed) the demonetisation narrative The BJP Parliamentary Party also passed a resolution today hailing the people for their support to demonetisation. "We passed a resolution moved by Home Minister Rajnath Singh about the kind of popular support this economic decision of Modi has received. We also censured Congress and TMC for the way they have been obstructing Parliament," Kumar said. PM Modi told the party MPs that the way they campaign during elections, they should publicise demonetisation and digitisation on the ground level. "This is not the responsibility of the Centre alone. You are the representatives of the people and, therefore, you go among them. Explain cashless economy and digitisation to the people," the Prime Minister said. Modi also talked about the people's support to the government over demonetisation. "The people shoot even on the issue of overtaking in Delhi. We should appreciate the patience of the people. It means the people's power is with us," he said. The PM lamented that the Opposition was not allowing Parliament to function. "I went to the Rajya Sabha but the Opposition shouted slogans against me. Despite this, I kept sitting in the House. They still didn't take part in discussion," the PM said, asking the BJP MPs to expose the Opposition. --- ENDS --- Southern Airports Services Joint Stock Company (SASCO) is listed under code SAS on the Unlisted Public Company Market (UPCoM). SASCO operates in the airport services business and holds the largest market share in supplying products and services at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Viet Nams largest airport by number of passengers. - Photo cafef.vn ACV currently holds 67 million shares of Sasco, equal to 51 per cent of the airport services providers chartered capital. ACV plans to sell the four million shares between December 6 and January 4. SASCO is listed under code SAS on the Unlisted Public Company Market (UPCoM). The companys shares were up 2.2 per cent yesterday to close at VND27,500 per share. SASCO operates in the airport services business and holds the largest market share in supplying products and services at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Viet Nams largest airport by the number of passengers. In 2015, Tan Son Nhat International Airport received more than 26 million passengers, slightly higher than the airports registered capacity of 25 million passengers per year. In the first nine months of this year, the southern international airport received some 24 million passengers, an increase of 24 per cent from the previous corresponding period. SASCOs main products and services include duty-free products, arts & crafts, local specialties and business lounges, as well as food and beverages, travel, transportation and advertising services. Of these main business activities, selling duty-free products and renting business lounges generated the highest profits for SASCO, with total profit of VND120 billion in 2015. SASCO has the comparative advantage over competitors in the duty-free products sector as it is supported by strategic partner Imex Pan Pacific Group, which holds 80 per cent market share in domestic high-end fashion. In the first nine months of 2016, SASCO earned VND1.54 trillion in revenue, a yearly increase of 4 per cent, and VND169 billion in profits, an increase of 12 per cent year-on-year. In the mid-term period, the expansion of Tan Son Nhat International Airport, which is expected to be completed in 2018, will increase the airports passenger capacity by 60 per cent to 40 million passengers per year. That will help SASCO improve its income and profits in the next three to five years. SASCO will also have an opportunity to expand its market when it becomes the largest service provider at Long Thanh International Airport, which is scheduled to become operational in 2025. Indonesian search and rescue personnel work to rescue people trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building following an earthquake in Pidie, Aceh province on Dec 7, 2016. (Photo: CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN/AFP) The number of casualties was expected to rise and more than 70 people had been seriously injured, said national disaster management agency spokesman Sutopo Nugroho. "52 people have died, 73 sustained serious injuries and 200 others are lightly injured," Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told reporters. "Those figures are expected to rise given the massive destruction." The USGS upgraded the magnitude to 6.5 from an initial reading of 6.4 and issued a yellow alert for expected fatalities and damage. Mosques and shops were flattened in the small town of Meureudu, where the force of the quake sent people fleeing from their homes. No tsunami alert was issued. The head of the local disaster agency, Puteh Manaf, said the sole hospital in the district had been overwhelmed by the number of injured. "Hundreds are estimated to have suffered injuries," he told AFP. Rescue operations were under way to find those believed trapped beneath the rubble, with heavy machinery being used to shift the debris. A witness said local residents were wandering the streets, unable to return to their damaged homes and fearing aftershocks. Images from the scene showed homes levelled, mosque spires toppled and cars crushed under rubble. "The earthquake was felt strongly and many people panicked and rushed outdoors as houses collapsed," Sutopo Nugroho of the national disaster management agency (BNPB) said in a statement, adding that few injuries, and no deaths, had been reported. Social media images showed buildings reduced to rubble, fallen electricity poles, and people gathering outside at street corners. District official Apriadi Achmad said that an elderly man had died, possibly from a heart attack, and there were fears for dozens believed to be trapped inside damaged homes. "Several shophouses and homes have caved in in Pidie Jaya district and the owners are still trapped there," Achmad, chief of the local disaster management office, told AFP. "We are now deploying heavy machines to help out and hopefully we can save the ones who are trapped," he said. Seismologists said the earthquake was felt across much of Aceh province, which was devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. At least five aftershocks followed the quake, said Eridawati, local head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency. "Some casualties and damage are possible and the impact should be relatively localised," it said, giving a 44 per cent chance of the quake resulting in between one and 10 deaths. In the coastal town of Sigli, people panicked and fled their houses to seek shelter away from the sea. "We are now evacuating to Tijue because we are afraid of a tsunami," said Nilawati, one of those heading several kilometres inland. The United States Geological Survey said the quake struck at a depth of 17km on Aceh's northeastern coast. No tsunami warning was issued. At least five aftershocks were felt in the hours after the initial quake, the disaster management agency said. The region suffered massive destruction in 2004 when a quake of magnitude 9.2 triggered a tsunami that wiped out entire communities in Indonesia and other countries around the Indian Ocean. Indonesia was the hardest hit, with more than 120,000 people killed in Aceh alone. Talking exclusively to India Today, the Mongolian envoy to India Gonching Ganbold hopes that the Narendra Modi government will help raise Mongolia's concerns with Beijing on increased taxation. By Smita Sharma: Miffed with the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama's recent visit to Mongolia, China has increased taxes severely on land transit into the country. Now Mongolia has asked India to step in and help deescalate the crisis it finds itself in with China. Talking exclusively to India Today's Smita Sharma, the Mongolian envoy to India Gonching Ganbold hopes that the Narendra Modi government will voice their concern on the issue to Beijing, so as not to be seen supporting China on the issue. advertisement Q. Tell us what is the issue that Mongolia is facing with China ? Weather in Delhi is getting cooler and pleasant but the weather in Mongolia is extremely cold since the winter season has set in. We have already had 16-18 snowfalls which is huge. The Development and Reforms Committee and Border Crossing Authorities of China, has issued an executive order under which each passing goods, commodities and products, which cross over into Inner Mongolia, are subjected to an increased tax. Heavy trucks and lorries are also subjected to pay 10 Chinese yuan extra as tax. If the commodities are worth more than 10,000 Chinese yuan, then there is an additional tax of 0.2 per cent. This could lead us to a lot of hardship during the winter season. Q. Why has China increased this extra tax or blockade? Unfortunately, the Chinese side has neither given us a notification or explanation. Personally I thought this could be related to the recent visit of the Dalai Lama to Mongolia. Q. So you have written to the Indian MEA. What is your hope that the MEA will be able to help you out with? Mongolia and India are old friends. Whatever happens to us, whether good or bad, we usually exchange information. In such a way, I went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on a routine meeting and met my colleagues and friends and informed them of the sudden and surprise move made by our neighbour. Q. The Dalai Lama is a contentious issue even betwen India and China. Do you really think India will be able to do anything to help Mongolia on this issue? We are also a Buddhist country. A large portion of our population is Buddhist. The Dalai Lama's visit was not arranged by the government. The Government of Mongolia is very persistent on one China policy. However, the Chinese government not only expressed dismay more than one time, but also protested it. Personally, I think it should not intermingle with our day-to-day routine life in light of the cold season and vast economic and trade relations, that certain unpleasant steps might lead to disruptions. advertisement Q. You have authored books on Modi, have been writing about his foreign doctrine. You think Modi should be able to personally take this up with China? Imagine we are in a public area, someone steps on your toys, other people will also criticise. It may be construed as encouragement or tacit consent. So that unpleasant step should also be known to Indian public and they should also express their displeasure in this regard. Otherwise, these people might think that India supports China. Q. Have you received any reply from the MEA yet? No reply yet, but I hope that the government of India will take note of it. --- ENDS --- Hu Tieu is a type of noodle with seasoned and saute beef. Even though it is not as popular as Hu Tieu Nam Vang and Hu Tieu My Tho, the Hu Tieu dish of Sa Dec still has a special position in the list of many gourmets. The most important ingredient, the noodle used in this dish must be milky white, soft, sticky and fragrant. The sauce is usually made with pig bones. It is pretty hard to make because the cook must maintain a medium temperature and continuously scoop the bubbles out of the boiling pot. The other important ingredients of the dish are the boiled meat including grinded lean meat, sliced lean meat, meat balls, etc. To decorate the bowl, the cook adds Vietnamese onion, cabbage, and coriander. Besides, eaters can also choose to have Hu Tieu with other fresh herbs and veggies, sauces, chilies if they want to. Nowadays, Hu Tieu is a popular and inexpensive dish in Sa Dec. You can find this dish almost everywhere in the district, but the most interesting restaurants usually locate on Tran Phu Street. One restaurant definitely worth your visit is Hu Tieu of sister Dau on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street. German Chancellor and leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union party CDU Angela Merkel reacts after she was re-elected as chairwoman at the CDU party convention in Essen, Germany, December 6, 2016. Photo REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach Outlining a strategy to counter populism that has consumed key allies abroad, Merkel vowed there would be no repeat of last year's record refugee arrivals. She also stressed it was legitimate for Germany to expect newcomers to integrate, and this included a rejection of the niqab full-face veil. "The full veil must be banned wherever it is legally possible," she told the annual gathering of her centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Next year's polls will "not be a walk in the park" as Germany is deeply polarised, Merkel warned, but urged the population to remain "sceptical about simple answers". "Rarely is it the simple answers that bring progress to our country," she said, in a clear reference to the upstart anti-Islam and populist AfD, which Merkel had previously criticised as offering no solutions to problems. 'WE ARE THE PEOPLE' Merkel, who has led Germany for 11 years, last month confirmed she would run for a fourth term but acknowledged that the election would be "more difficult" than any other she has contested. There have also been questions about whether the 62-year-old has fresh ideas to offer in a world upended by Brexit, the surprise election of Donald Trump and the departure of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi following a crushing referendum defeat championed by populists. The CDU has suffered setbacks in five consecutive state polls as voters punished Merkel for her liberal refugee policy, with more than a million people seeking asylum in Germany since 2015. Tackling the hot button issue head-on, Merkel vowed that "a situation like that of summer 2015 can and must not repeat itself". She also stressed that each asylum request would be examined carefully, and "not all can and will stay" in Germany. Merkel's CDU and its Bavarian sister party CSU secured a decisive win of 41.5 per cent at the last election in 2013 - its best result since national reunification in 1990, on the back of strong approval for her tough stance on austerity for debt-stricken EU nations. Three years on, there are rumblings of discontent - even within her own party - following her September 2015 decision to admit refugees fleeing war in mostly-Muslim nations, a move that deeply polarised Europe's biggest economy. Reflecting the mood, party faithful re-elected on Tuesday Merkel as chief for the next two years, but gave her just 89.5 per cent - her second worst score, and the worst since she became chancellor in 2005. Her lowest was in 2004, when she was approved by 88.4 percent. National media had suggested that a score below 90 per cent would be a slap in the face. Party members are particularly anxious to halt a haemorrhage of support to the AfD, which has gained a firm footing as a protest platform for disgruntled voters. The upstart party now enjoys around 12 per cent support, according to opinion polls. At the last general election it fell short of the five-percent threshold to ensure representation. Hitting out directly at the populists as well as the xenophobic PEGIDA movement, Merkel wrestled their "we are the people" rallying cry back, declaring to sustained applause: "We all get to determine who 'the people' are - not just a few, no matter how loud they are." 'DISGRACE' Beyond domestic issues, Merkel also devoted a large part of her address to crises abroad as she noted that in 2016, "the world has not become stronger and more stable, but weaker and more unstable". She deplored the failure of the international community to alleviate the suffering in Syria's besieged city of Aleppo, calling it a "disgrace". Merkel said she was shocked to see tens of thousands of Germans hitting the streets to demonstrate against free trade deals but virtually no protests against the bloodletting in Syria. "There is something wrong there," she said. She also underlined the importance of holding the European Union together, saying Germany will do well "only when Europe does well too." In the face of the mountain of challenges, Merkel urged her delegates: "You must, you must, help me." The development of the entire automobile industry has not met the demands of the Government and investors since its total capacity is just nearly 500,000 units per year. - Photo brandsvietnam.com The aim is to make prices competitive for locally-made products. The proposal, based on the report from VBFs auto-motorbike research group, was made at the annual forum organised by the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank Group in collaboration with Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment in Ha Noi on December 6. VBF said the production cost for a locally-manufactured car could be 20 per cent higher than the cost of a similar vehicle made in Thailand and Indonesia when the tax on complete built up units (CBU) is down to zero per cent in 2018, under the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement. According to the report, thanks to efforts by the Government along with the growth rate this year, the sale of CBUs and complete knock down units was estimated to increase by 300,000 units, a year-on-year rise of 22 per cent. However, development of the entire automobile industry, with more than 20 companies and 40 brand names in Viet Nam, has not met the demands of the Government and investors since its total capacity is just nearly 500,000 units per year. VBF said the failure in reaching full capacity could worry investors and even force them to question the possibility of new investment in the future. According to the VBF report, domestic automakers are facing many disadvantages due to small-scale production. They have to import almost all the components for assembling; it is costly to pay expenses for transport and package services, besides also paying import taxes. To boost the local automobile industry, VBF also asked the Government to tighten and make supervision of the import of CBUs and used vehicles more transparent. In addition, the Government should clarify the content of its policies to support domestic automobile production, which is mentioned in the prime ministers Decision 229/QD-TTg, issued on February 4, 2016. VBF said the support policies were crucial for domestic automakers to develop their business. However, they were unclear, so it was difficult for automakers to prepare production projects and ask the Government for support. US Secretary of State John Kerry (R) listens to US ambassador to the NATO Douglas Lute during a meeting in Brussels. (AFP/JOHN THYS) "The change of the administration will not change the unwavering commitment of the US to ... our NATO obligations," Kerry said after talks with his NATO counterparts in Brussels. "The US commitment to NATO and Article Five transcends politics," added Kerry, referring to the military alliance's collective defence policy in which an attack on one member is an attack on all. Trump stoked concerns that Washington's near 70-year European defence guarantee might no longer hold when he said on the campaign trail he would think twice about helping NATO allies who did not pay their defence dues. His commitments particularly alarmed eastern European NATO countries that are on edge about a more assertive Moscow following Russia's annexation of Crimea and involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. But Kerry insisted that both the Trump administration and the US Congress would continue to back NATO. "I'm absolutely confident that the next administration and Congress will stand together," Kerry said in his swansong to Europe. "I am confident Article Five is not going to be held hostage to the lack of one country or other (to meet its defence spending commitments) ... Article Five is much larger, it is about principle." The top US diplomat also gave his backing to Trump's pick for defence secretary, retired general James "Mad Dog" Mattis. "I am confident in some of the people I have seen so far, General Mattis ... I am certain they will remain committed to the core components of the transatlantic alliance," Kerry said. But he insisted he had no idea of his likely successor as secretary of state. "The list of people replacing me is growing," Kerry said, with names bandied about for weeks including former Trump critic Mitt Romney, one-time CIA director David Petraeus, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker or even former UN ambassador John Bolton. Kerry meanwhile insisted that the historic nuclear deal with Iran, which Trump promised during his campaign to tear up, was worth keeping. "The Iran nuclear agreement has made the world safer," he said. Overall Kerry said that the world should wait to see what Trump actually does and "must not get all churned up over things that have not happened or appointments that have not been named." "Common sense will prevail," he added. 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. By PTI: Washington, Dec 7 (PTI) NASA is building a a robotic spacecraft equipped with the tools and technologies needed to repair or refuel satellites currently in orbit. The US space agency has awarded a USD 127 million contract to the California-based Space Systems/Loral of Palo Alto for Restore-L Spacecraft Bus and Support Services. Space Systems/Loral will provide spacecraft bus, critical hardware and services for the development, deployment and operations of the Restore-L mission. advertisement They also will provide related services to accomplish mission integration, test, launch and operations. The Restore-L Project is managed within NASAs Satellite Servicing Projects Division at the agencys Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. Restore-L is a free-flying mission projected to launch in 2020 to perform in-orbit satellite servicing in low-Earth orbit. PTI MHN SAR MHN --- ENDS --- The use of debt bondage to retain workers in contemporary forms of slavery and child labor is widespread in Cambodias brick factories and authorities are making no efforts to eradicate the crimes, according to a new report by rights group Licadho. On Friday December 2, the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, Licadho published the report Built on Slavery: Debt Bondage and Child Labor in Cambodias Brick Factories. The report was based on a study of Cambodias main brick production center to the north of Phnom Penh, Kandal and Tbong Khmom provinces. Eleven sites were identified, containing over 100 factories that employed thousands of workers. Around 50 workers, including adults and children, were interviewed between June and August 2016. The report found that debt bondage is widely used by factory owners as a way of guaranteeing a long-term, cheap and compliant workforce. The factory owners secure the loans against a promise from employees that they will work in the factory until the loan is repaid. The initial need to borrow money commonly arises as a result of a crisis such as sickness in the family or crop failure, and the starting loans are small, often only $200 to $300, the report detailed. The pay in factories, however, is so low that workers struggle to earn enough to subsist let alone pay back their debt and many end up taking more loans from the factory owners. Over time, the debts grow and workers interviewed for the research owed sums ranging from $1,000 to $6,000, amounts that they will never pay off. When debt reaches these levels, it can pass from one generation of a family to the next, and the study found some families with three generations all working to pay off the debt. Many children are often forced to help their parents work because of the low rates of pay and a system of payment by piece, which means that with more family members joining the workforce, the number of bricks produced rises along with the family income. Chhun Muyly, the owners daughter and general manager at Chhun Thor brick factory in Kdeychas village, Chroy Chanva district, told VOA Khmer on Friday that at her factory, like at others in the country, employees are working to pay off their debts. However, she claimed the workers were in that position by choice, having asked before getting the jobs to receive a lump payment when they first started that they would then pay back during the job, rather than receiving a salary. Not only [at] my factory. When it is a brick factory, 100 per cent [of workers] have debts For example, one person named A wants to work here. That doesnt mean [they] want to work and get paid. Thats not how it is. They would say now lend me $1,000 or $2,000 and I will bring my children and my wife to work in the factory, she explained. Responding to reports of child labor, Muyly argued that it is like giving them a chance to help boost their familys income, as their parents wouldnt be able to afford to send them to school anyway. Normally I am an investor; I am the owner; I always think that if there is workforce to push work forward, thats good. But for the parents, they also think that its good to make use of their childs labor, she said. From an NGOs perspective she said the employment of children is problematic because the children should be at school, but if the family does not have ability to send them to school, they cant study. How can they feed their kids? Thats how it is. Debt bondage and child labor are unlawful under Cambodian legislation as well as several international treaties that Cambodia is party to. Licadhos report also found that as a consequence of workers total dependence on the factory owners and their fear of reprisals, they are unwilling to challenge their working conditions or treatment, which frequently breach criminal and civil law, while the authorities responsible for enforcing the law take no steps to do so. Am Sam Ath, Licadhos monitoring manager, told VOA Khmer on Friday that factory owners should think about the ability of workers to pay back the debt when giving loans to them. He added that giving loans to workers that they are unable to pay back becomes a thread tying them to the factory, explaining that some employees who have wanted to leave to get married have been forced to stay to pay off the debt. We can see thats like slavery, [they have] no rights at all, he said. Regarding child labor, Sam Ath said factory owner should find a solution with parents to give workers children a chance to go to school, while working conditions should comply with the law. Labor Ministry spokesman Heng Sour told VOA Khmer on Friday that he had not yet seen the report, while questioning its reliability. He claimed that the ministry has been working with partner organizations on the issue of debt bondage and child labor and, according to the ministrys observations, no such problems exist in the brick factory sector, while issues identified in agriculture and salt farming had already been solved. Sour also criticized Licadho for not reporting the abuses to authorities when they encountered them. First, I want to know the purpose of the study. Second, I want to know their will in doing the report. Third, I want to know about the real mission of Licadho if they are a socially responsible NGO [that] respect human rights, wish to promote human rights [and] want to protect childrens rights or not? If so, they should not have kept it [to themselves]; they should have informed [authorities], he said. He said the ministry would look into the report and continue working with partner organizations to deal with the issue. Later on Friday, the Ministry of Labor issued a press release claiming that it had taken action to investigate the allegations. In its report, Licadho also highlighted the hazardous working conditions in brick factories and the appalling and unsanitary living conditions of factory housing. It gave examples of severe injuries suffered by brick factory workers, including children, who have lost arms in brick factory machinery. The report concluded that the combined practices of debt bondage and child labor are responsible for trapping multiple generations of families in a repeating cycle of poverty and servitude. The beneficiaries of these practices, it said, are the factory owners who profit from a cheap and easily exploitable workforce. The report called on the Cambodian government to take immediate steps to free all bonded brick factory workers by ordering the immediate cancellation of all existing debt. It also called on foreign governments to ensure that international investors are aware of the role played by debt bondage and child labor in the Cambodian construction industry, and to support the Cambodian government to bring about their elimination. Kem Sokha, the deputy leader of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, who was granted amnesty by King Norodom Sihamoni late last week on the request of Prime Minister Hun Sen, has said that he shares the same vision of a united Cambodia as his adversary. On December 2, King Sihamoni issued a decree pardoning Sokha, who was sentenced to five months in prison for missing a court appearance earlier in the year. Two days later, at a party meeting, Sokha said the pardon had been granted without condition and no deal had been struck. This is the first step of the political solution. I am free with no conditions made and we have agreed to this. There was no trade-off, he said. He added that some people had raised concerns that the agreement was linked to a split in the party, or that concessions had been made on issues such as the partys stance on border demarcation with Vietnam. However, Sokha dismissed the concerns. To be honest, the prime minister and I have the same vision and values for the future of our nation, for national unity into the future, he said. Sokha said he would soon join party meetings in parliament, having been restricted to party headquarters for several months over fears he would be arrested if he ventured out. Ou Virak, president of the Future Forum think tank, said he thought that there may be ulterior motives to the decision, such as an attempt to divide the party. The opposition party is not strong. Even though it was formed as a merger between two dynamic and popular people, its still a weak party, he said, referring to the partys founding, in 2012, when Sokhas Human Rights Party merged with Sam Rainsys eponymous party. President Barrack Obama on Tuesday touted his administration's achievements in combating terrorists. In his final speech on national security delivered at Florida's MacDill Air Force Base, Obama said the United States has weakened Islamic State and reduced its image to that of barbarians and murderers, and that al-Qaida has been sidelined with the death of its leader Osama bin Laden. The president warned that Americans must uphold the country's values for continued success against terrorism. Despite widespread cases of gang rape and rape being committed across South Sudan by government forces, rebel forces and unidentified armed groups, not one individual has been arrested or sentenced to prison, South Sudan in Focus reported this week. On Wednesday, a top African Union official called on South Sudans government to apprehend and punish soldiers who sexually abused women during the three years of conflict in the country. Bineta Diop, the African Unions special envoy for women, peace and security, said punishing the perpetrators of sexual abuse against women will guarantee the security and dignity of South Sudanese women. Diop met this week with South Sudan Gender, Child and Social Welfare Minister Awut Deng Acuil, women activists and others in Juba about how womens rights can be protected in South Sudan, despite ongoing fighting. Diop said the African Union (AU) has launched a campaign aimed at restoring the dignity of women in South Sudan. It is being led by African Union Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, who said, its time for us to silence the guns in South Sudan. Its time for us to restore peace in this country, but in particular we must restore the dignity of women in South Sudan. Diop added that the AU stands firmly with South Sudanese women who launched 16 days of activism against sexual violence. She said the AU wants women to have a say in finding solutions to South Sudans widespread problem of sexual abuse. They deserve to be considered as human beings. So restoring the dignity is for us to stand together as men, as officials, as international authorities, as AU, all of us to say that women of South Sudan have suffered and its enough and we need to give them the dignity they deserve. Diop said its important to hear the voices of victims and survivors trapped in South Sudans conflict so that womens rights are not violated in the future. We need also to see peace in South Sudan. But we need also to reconcile. We have been hearing from the messages that the women have brought to us. We need to stop the violence. We need to have the security in our house, in our family, in our community, saif Diop. Diop called on national, state, and local government officials to enforce the laws and arrest and punish the criminals who violate womens rights. Mahawa Kaba Wheeler, AU Director of Women Gender Development, said the aspirations of women and youth must be recognized. She said the AU wants to see the energy of youth and women being tapped to make peace a reality in South Sudan. When the right of dignity has been violated, [that is] really [one of] the fundamentals for peace; to guarantee the right of dignity. When there is no peace, there is no human dignity, and the lack of peace means basically that most of your rights do not exist, said Wheeler. U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner released a statement on Monday saying sexual violence has become widespread in South Sudan and the perpetrators of such crimes must be punished. When Michel Temer took over Brazil's presidency in May, many hoped he could overcome the political gridlock, corruption scandals and economic obstacles that have hobbled Latin America's biggest country. But seven months into the job, Brazil's problems look just as intractable as they did when Temer and his congressional allies orchestrated the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff, his predecessor. Like a sequel to her administration, Temer's is already beset by scandal, an unwieldy legislature and an economy that risks entering a third year of recession. Instead of hope and change, after 13 years of increasingly feckless government by the leftist Workers' Party, even those who enabled Temer's ascent fear more of the same. "We already have a crisis of confidence as bad as it was with Dilma," said Cristovam Buarque, a veteran senator scorned by fellow leftists for supporting Rousseff's impeachment. "There is no indication the country has a way out of this mess." Quick fix unlikely A quick fix would be rare in Brazil's chaotic, multiparty democracy. After all, Temer, as vice president, was part of Rousseff's administration and, critics say, helped create the mess. His Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB), a shape-shifting mix of conservatives and pork-barrel centrists, was a key part of the Workers' Party coalition. And Temer, a backroom dealmaker who calls his specialty "arbitrating conflict," is not the commandeering, inspirational savior that many Brazilians crave. "This is someone known for accommodation, not for leading with ideas, certainty and strength," said Rafael Cortez, a political scientist at Tendencias, a Sao Paulo consulting firm. The president and his aides say they remain confident they can pull Brazil from the morass. But many Brazilians are growing impatient, with memories fresh of an economic boom that preceded the Rousseff administration. The recession is proving relentless, pushing unemployment toward a 12 percent level unseen in over a decade. Last week, government data showed the economy contracted for a seventh consecutive quarter. Confidence is so low and wallets so bare that businesses are not investing and consumers are not spending. If federal finances were not hurting enough, with the deficit this year expected to equal 10 percent of the economy as tax revenues plummet, Temer recently agreed to help troubled state governments. Several states are so bankrupt they will most likely need full-fledged bailouts. Spending cap, social security To make way for future growth, Temer has bet on two measures economists have long argued would make Brazil more efficient: a constitutional amendment to limit government spending and an overhaul of the costly social security system. Even if they are passed quickly which is far from certain amid political tumult that threatens to derail a Senate vote on the spending cap the measures will provide little immediate relief. "There is a horrendous fiscal crisis ahead and the government has only been thinking about the medium and the long term," said Monica de Bolle, a Brazilian economist at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. She is one of a few to have suggested Temer consider tapping the International Monetary Fund anathema to some in a country that during the boom took pride in weaning itself off decades of foreign assistance. "The government is going to need cash and it doesn't make sense to just sit, wait and hope," de Bolle added. The messy political situation is compounded by growing tension between the executive, legislative and judicial branches. Temer recently lost his fourth minister to graft allegations. On Monday, a Supreme Court judge sought to strip the Senate presidency from Renan Calheiros, a party colleague of Temer's, after indicting him on corruption charges. On Tuesday, Calheiros said he would resist the order. If the full court forces his removal, Calheiros' replacement, a Workers' Party stalwart, is expected to delay the spending-cap vote. The lower house, rattled by a plea bargain deal by employees of engineering firm Odebrecht SA that could implicate dozens of lawmakers in a kickback scandal, disgusted Brazil last week by passing a bill meant to intimidate judges and prosecutors. Stocks, currency take hits Combined, the troubles have undermined confidence further. Local stocks and Brazil's currency, the real, are trading well below peaks reached after a post-impeachment boom. The Eurasia Group, a political risk consultancy, on Monday raised its probability to 20 percent that Temer would not finish his term, citing growing unrest and possible fallout from the kickback probe, which could touch Temer himself. Having gone through one traumatic ouster, few Brazilians are eager for another aborted administration. Even if Temer is unpopular, with approval ratings mired at around 14 percent, some see no benefit in his failure. "We have to hope for improvement," said Rogerio Chequer, a Sao Paulo businessman who leads Vem Pra Rua, a conservative group that organized street protests in recent years. "We need economic development, we need better politics and we need a way out of this deadlock." The task of preventing Democratic Republic of Congo's political crisis from spiraling into fresh conflict falls to the country's Catholic Church, one of the few institutions to emerge from decades of turmoil with its credibility intact. The role as mediator of last resort illustrates the clout of the Church in Congo home to some 30 million faithful where Catholic leaders have long gone beyond their pastoral duties to fill the void left by an absent state, providing health care and schooling, and promoting human rights and democracy. In October, Congo's President Joseph Kabila appeared to have secured the backing of regional leaders for an African Union-mediated deal with some opposition leaders to remain in power until April 2018, a year and a half after his second and last term in office ends. However, heavyweight rivals such as veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi and millionaire businessman Moise Katumbi boycotted the process, insisting Kabila step aside this month. Diplomatic and political sources said neighboring leaders delivered a clear message to Kabila in private at a summit in Angola seek help from CENCO, the Catholic Bishops' Conference in Congo, to get more rivals on board, or risk major unrest. "No one is better positioned today to be the honest broker. Not the discredited AU, nor the West," said Pascal Kambale, a Congolese human rights lawyer working for the Open Society Foundations. Since then, Congo's bishops have spent a month shuttling between rival camps in a bid to bridge the gap between those who signed the Oct. 18 AU-backed deal and those holding out. CENCO is in a race to secure a deal ahead of Dec. 19, the official deadline for Kabila to leave power. Citing a ruling in May by Congo's highest court, Kabila's camp says the president can remain in office until a new president is elected. Opposition leaders, and many on the streets of Kinshasa, the fiercely anti-Kabila capital, say he must give way to an interim administration. Tension is ramping up, with hard-line opposition supporters threatening protests, and Kabila's camp, in return, accusing them of preparing insurrection. United Nations peacekeepers have shifted some troops to the city in anticipation of trouble and many expatriates are temporarily moving families abroad. Tom Perriello, the United States special envoy to the region and one of the strongest international voices calling for Kabila to respect the constitution, told Congress last week CENCO's mediation was the best chance of avoiding wide-scale violence but warned it was working on "borrowed time." CENCO issued a statement on Dec. 2 cautioning that the gap between the sides remained wide despite weeks of talks, with issues ranging from the basic interpretation of respecting the constitution to the timing and financing of elections. "The situation is critical," it said. "CENCO ... calls on all sides to show responsibility and good will to prevent our country from slipping into an uncontrollable situation. May the Virgin Mary intervene for our people and our country." Leopold to Mobutu When King Leopold II ran Congo as a private fiefdom, he depended heavily on the Catholic Church to help administer the vast territory. In return, the Church was free to evangelize. Under dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, efforts to replace legacies of colonial rule with local culture saw the Church's authority challenged, but economic crisis and mismanagement meant Catholics still substituted for the state in many places, providing education and health care to millions. In the 1990s, the Church took a more active role in politics, challenging Mobutu as well as playing a leading role in a national dialogue with similarities to the present political process. In 1992, security forces opened fire on a Catholic-led pro-democracy protest, killing at least 20 people. Keen to maintain a healthy relationship with the Church, Congo signed a bilateral treaty with the Vatican this year that will return property confiscated under Mobutu, give the Church customs exemptions and shield the Church from government. In Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, Congo has one of the most senior African bishops advising the pope on reforms of the Catholic Church. Like the pope, the Vatican's ambassador to Kinshasa is an Argentine and the pair are close, diplomats say. "Kabila doesn't want to be seen to be on the wrong side of the Church," a Kinshasa-based diplomat told Reuters. For all its clout, however, the Catholic Church has long trod carefully in the minefield of Congolese politics. On the one side, it has been prepared to take a firm line tackling corruption and standing up for democracy and human rights. But it has also found itself reined in and seeking compromise. This is in part due to internal divisions but also down to fears of being blamed for violence or hijacked by opposition leaders riding on its broad following. Never has this been clearer than during the 2011 elections, when CENCO's network of 30,000 observers gave it the best-informed view of the vote. After Kabila was declared winner, the Church called for the results to be corrected. Kambale said CENCO was deeply divided, with many bishops keen to publish results that would have challenged the official tally but leaders from the east against the idea. "In the end, they decided that the unity of the church was more important than the truth. I think they are now agonizing over this," he said. Pope direct with Kabila By 2014, a number of pro-Kabila politicians were floating the idea of tinkering with the constitution to allow the president to stay in power. While visiting the Vatican, Congo's Catholic bishops issued an open letter against any such initiative. As Mobutu did before him, Kabila's government accused the bishops of straying beyond their ecclesiastical role and pandering to foreign influences. When it became clear this year's elections would be delayed, Catholic leaders planned a major march for February 2016 to remember those killed in 1992. In the end, CENCO called it off, officially due to concerns the event would be hijacked by politicians. Pressure from Rome also played a role, according to the diplomat. "They were reined in as they were seen to be too close to the opposition." CENCO supported the AU-mediated talks but pulled out after security forces killed dozens of protesters in September. CENCO then also called for the deal to be renegotiated to make it more inclusive and clarify that Kabila cannot stand for re-election. Soon after the deaths, Kabila, an Anglican, flew to Rome. The pope was "direct and chilly," a senior Vatican source told Reuters, adding: "The pope told him to follow your constitution and do things that are in the best interests of your people." Diplomats say CENCO has secured some concessions in talks, including opposition recognition that Kabila could remain in power until the delayed vote, but blockages remain over when it would be held and the lack of a clear statement from Kabila not to engineer a possible re-election. The U.N. Security Council issued a statement Monday supporting CENCO's efforts and opposition leaders have said they are open to further talks to break the deadlock. However, there have been mixed messages from Kabila's side. Kabila met CENCO for the first time Monday and his office said he was fully supportive of CENCO's efforts. Over the weekend, though, Kabila's political coalition had said it believed CENCO's initiative had failed and no more time should be wasted. "Kabila's camp is still convinced that they can repress anything on the streets and keep on going," an official close to the CENCO mediation effort said, asking not to be named. Cuba and the United States will draw up a road map for deepening their detente on Wednesday in a first meeting since the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president and the death of Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro. The fifth U.S.-Cuban bilateral commission comes at a time of increased uncertainty about the future of U.S.-Cuban relations given Trump's promise to end the detente if Cuba did not offer a better "deal." The administration of outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama has pressed American companies to complete additional business deals in Cuba to help further cement the president's policy by the time Trump takes office on January 20. "We will define the actions that will be carried out in the coming weeks to further the process of improving relations," the Cuban foreign ministry said on Tuesday. Those actions would include high-level visits and accords of cooperation in areas of mutual interest, it said. Wait-and-see approach Communist-ruled Cuba has so far mostly stayed quiet on Trump's statements, waiting to see whether he converts his tough rhetoric into policy change. Several major U.S. companies, such as General Electric , are in the final stages of negotiating deals with Cuba, sources familiar with the matter say. One of those sources, based in Washington, said more than half a dozen announcements, ranging from cruise ships and travel to manufacturing and telecommunications, are believed to be in the works. Negotiations may have been affected by the nine days of official mourning for Castro, the source said. Castro had given Cuba an outsized influence in world affairs during his half century as president, partly by clashing with the United States. His younger brother, Raul Castro, who took over as president in 2008, made history two years ago by agreeing with Obama to end Cold War hostility and start normalizing relations. Since then, the two countries have opened embassies, restored commercial flights, opened travel options and negotiated agreements on issues affecting the environment, law enforcement, the postal service and communications. Obama, who visited Cuba earlier this year, has also gradually poked holes in the U.S. embargo on the Caribbean island through executive orders. But Trump says Obama ought to have cut a "better deal." Campaign rally At a campaign rally in Miami, which has a large population of Cuban exiles, he said he would seek to reverse Obama's moves to open relations with Cuba unless its leaders allowed religious freedoms and freed political prisoners. U.S. supporters of the detente say it is improving Cubans' lives while contributing to opening the socialist system in place, for example by fostering the fledgling private sector. A bipartisan group of U.S. congressional leaders and four Cuban entrepreneurs will hold a joint news conference on Wednesday to urge Congress to lift the U.S. embargo on Cuba. The Cuban entrepreneurs will also urge Trump not to reverse the thaw, according to a statement issued by the office of pro-detente Senator Patrick Leahy. 1 Kathleen Chavez, left, talks with her father Ray Chavez, right, age 104, of the USS Condor. The oldest living survivor from the Pearl Harbor attacks along with the remaining living survivors of the USS Arizona gathered at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, in Honolulu, Hawaii. While a few designers have made news saying they would not dress the future first lady, Carolina Herrera said she'd be honored if Melania Trump wore one of her outfits. The famed designer spoke about Trump on the red carpet before she received an honor of her own Monday night from the Women's Leadership Council at Lincoln Center. Who might dress the wife of President-elect Donald Trump has become an issue after designers Sophie Theallet and Tom Ford, who have both dressed first lady Michelle Obama, said they wouldn't do so for Mrs. Trump, a former model. But when asked if she would, Herrera said, "Of course I will, as the first lady of this country I will. Of course.'' She added, " It is an honor to dress the first ladies of the country and it's something to do for the United States. It's not for myself. It's for the public.'' Obama has worn Herrera while in the White House. Herrera was lauded at the event for her 35 years of fashions by Emmy Rossum and Seth Meyers, among others. Diana Ross sang a mini-concert in Herrera's honor, including hits like "Ain't No Mountain High Enough'' and "I'm Coming Out.'' Rossum and Meyers both used wedding dress tales to testify about the greatness of Herrera. The "Shameless'' actress said Herrera, whom she called "the chicest women alive,'' was the first to design for her on the red carpet, and over the years, helped her get out of her comfort zone. "She persuaded me to embrace increasingly bolder and brighter prints,'' Rossum said. "She dared me to stand out.'' Rossum said she excitedly called Herrera to design her gown for her upcoming wedding. "I knew without question that only she could make the wedding dress of my dreams, and she has approached that task with the same care, elegance and enthusiasm that only she can,'' Rossum said. "I couldn't be more honored at the thought of wearing her dress on my big day.'' Meyers' wife also wore Herrera for their wedding. On the day, the late- night comedian recalled how his wife came down with food poisoning and had to go to the hospital, but rallied for the ceremony. "I was still concerned as to how she would look as she walked down the aisle, because I have to be honest, she did not look great in the hospital,'' he said to laughs. "It was problematic, because I put on the tuxedo, I looked fantastic.'' But his fears were allayed when she put on her Herrera gown. "I cannot tell you how much it meant to me and how in awe I was when my wife walked down the aisle after she had been lying on that gurney, on those fluids, and it was all such a credit to this Carolina Herrera wedding gown she was wearing,'' he said. "She was completely transformed.'' MHA informed the committee about a three-tier coastal security ring provided by the Marine Police, Coast Guard and Indian Navy. By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: The Parliament committee on home affairs has cautioned Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and security agencies about possible use of uninhabited islands being used as safe havens to regroup. Committee further warned that terrorists may use new modus operandi and unconventional methods to launch terror strikes in India. MHA stated that Lashkar-e-Taiba's threats to India's coastal security are well known. advertisement Information on poaching by Myanmar fishermen, Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmar by sea which is likely to impact security of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has also been shared. The committee also mentioned that marine police should be watchful in thwarting any incursions by foreigners. Subsequently, MHA informed the committee about a three-tier coastal security ring provided by the Marine Police, Coast Guard and Indian Navy. It has talked of a number of measures including deployment of ships and aircraft for patrolling. In addition, a chain of radars and a network of Automatic Identification System ( AIS) covering the country's coastline is operational for round-the-clock surveillance. Also read: Spike in terror incidents in 2016, but more terrorists killed in J-K: MHA Also read: Ashraf Ghani at Heart of Asia: Pakistan shelters terrorists, Taliban testifies --- ENDS --- Japanese telecommunications giant SoftBank Group plans to invest $50 billion in the U.S. economy and add 50,000 jobs, President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday. Trump appeared in the lobby of the Trump Tower with Masayoshi Son, the chief executive of SoftBank, to announce the news, and later put it out on Twitter. Son did not say what specific investments SoftBank would make. While talking to reporters, he held up a piece of paper with the same figures that Trump had announced, but which also specified that the investment would be made over the next four years. Mattis announcement Later Tuesday at a rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Trump formally announced that he has chosen retired Marine General James "Mad Dog" Mattis for secretary of defense. He called Mattis, "one of the most effective generals and extraordinary leaders of our time," who will help America "destroy terrorists and face our enemies head on." Michael O'Hanlon, a senior defense expert at the Brookings Institution, calls Mattis "one of the best read, best informed and most experienced generals of his generation." Mattis has served as the head of U.S. Central Command, which carries out U.S. operations in the Middle East, and the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO forces. He briefly addressed the crowd, thanking Trump for the nomination. The retired general will need a congressional waiver in order to be confirmed as secretary of defense. Mattis would otherwise be ineligible to serve because of a law that requires a seven-year wait for former members of the military to serve in the post. He has been retired for less than four years. Fayetteville is the latest stop on Trump's "thank you" tour to salute his supporters. The venue is near several major military bases, including Fort Bragg. WATCH: Trump Announces Mattis as Defense Secretary Nominee WATCH: Trump Seeks Elimination of Defense Sequester for Nominee Campaigned on jobs Trump, in his unlikely march to the White House, had campaigned on bringing more jobs to America, particularly in manufacturing regions hit hard by the recession and globalization. The SoftBank deal is the second he has arranged to keep his promises to voters. Last week, he announced that the Carrier Manufacturing Corporation would keep nearly 1,000 jobs in Indiana instead of outsourcing them to Mexico.* WATCH: Trump Touts $50 Billion Investment in US by Japanese Investor In contrast, a shocking tweet from Trump on Tuesday could cost billions of dollars for one of the leading U.S. companies. The billionaire real estate mogul said he wants to cancel an order for a new Air Force One, the plane that flies U.S. presidents around the world. The government has contracted with the Boeing Company to construct at least two new planes, which would go into service in 2024. The planes initially cost about $3 billion, but the costs have reportedly been rising, prompting Trump to tweet "the costs are out of control." Boeing responded to Trump's criticism of the rising costs, saying in a statement that the contract is for $170 million, not the "more than $4 billion" included in Trump's tweet. "We are currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serves the unique requirements of the president of the United States," the statement said. The statement from the aerospace giant suggested that the project is simply in one of several phases that must be completed during the development and building process. "We look forward to working with the U.S. Air Force on subsequent phases of the program, allowing us to deliver the best planes for the president at the best value for the American taxpayer." WATCH: Trump Slams Boeing for Pricey Air Force One Upgrade Following Trump's tweet, Boeing stocks slid by more than 1 percent in pre-market trade, according to CNBC. Sold all stocks But Boeing's slide did not affect the president-elect's own bottom line because, according to his spokesman, Trump sold all of his stocks in June. "The president-elect sold all of his stock back in June. I do not know if he had any Boeing stock at that time," said Trump spokesman Jason Miller. A financial disclosure filed in May showed Trump owned Boeing stock valued at between $50,001 and $100,000. Trump's stock portfolio, which is separate from his broader real estate and branding businesses, accounted for a tiny fraction of his personal fortune. Most of his money is in real estate. Recount grows Also Tuesday, a presidential vote recount in Michigan expanded to several new counties, including its largest, Wayne, which includes Detroit. And in Wisconsin, where 23 of the 72 counties had finished recounts by Tuesday, Trump had widened his margin over Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton by 146 votes. He beat Clinton in the November 8 election in the Midwestern state by about 22,000 votes. A federal judge in Philadelphia also scheduled a hearing Friday on a request for a recount. Earlier this week outside Trump Tower, supporters of the three-state vote recount joined Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein in a rally to ensure an "accurate, secure, and fair" vote. "We are here to assure Donald Trump that there is nothing to be afraid of," Stein said. "If you believe in democracy, if you believe in the credibility of your victory, put down your arms, end your bureaucratic obstruction, end your intimidation and join we the people of America who are calling for a democracy that serves all of us and elections that we can trust." A judge has ordered a hand recount begin in Michigan, one of three battleground states that Stein believes may have been hacked due to aging voting machines. Similarly, she is pushing for a federal court order to enact a recount in Pennsylvania. * Editors note: President-elect Donald Trump and the Carrier Manufacturing Corporation claim that more than 1,000 jobs will remain in Indiana thanks to a deal struck between the incoming administration and Carrier.But several news organizations, as well as the head of the union representing many Carrier workers, say the actual number of jobs saved is around 800.VOA attempted to verify how many jobs were preserved, however the public relations department at United Technologies Corp., Carriers parent company, is not accepting questions from the media. A decade-long trademark dispute between U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and China has attracted wide media attention since the real estate mogul and reality television star won the Nov. 8 election. Trump filed a Chinese trademark application in December 2006 for the word "Trump" in Class 37, covering myriad commercial and residential real estate services such as building construction, repairs, and heating and air circulation systems installation. A man named Dong Wei, however, had filed an application for "Trump" in the same category just days ahead of him. After Donald Trump's application was rejected by the Chinese Trademark Office, he appealed to the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board (TRAB) and lost. Then he sued TRAB in the Beijing Intermediate People's Court. The court dismissed his case, citing Article 28 of China's Trademark Law that disallows identical or similar trademark registration. In May 2015, the Beijing Higher People's Court sustained the original ruling by the lower court. On Tuesday, Zhou Dandan, a Beijing-based lawyer who represented Trump in the trademark case, noted it was not surprising that Dong succeeded in keeping his trademark because although Trump and his services have been world famous, they were not a household name in China back in 2006. Andy Sun, executive director of the Hawaii-based Asia Pacific Legal Institute, added that under Chinese trademark law, domain names are registered on a first-come, first-served basis. Ruling in Trumps favor After several failed attempts to register his trademark, Trump sought to invalidate some of Dong Wei's trademark services in Class 37 that had been left unused. In September 2016, the TRAB ruled in Trump's favor, invalidating Dong's mark with respect to everything except mining and drilling. Trump's new mark was published in the Trademark Gazette on Nov. 13, and it will proceed to registration within three months if no one files an opposition. Judging from a letter Trump sent to former U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke in 2011, some analysts are now wondering whether the trademark disputes will have any negative impact on U.S. trade policy toward China, especially in the area of intellectual property protection, once Trump takes office in January. In the letter, Trump asked Locke to intervene on his behalf in a lawsuit he brought against a Macau coffee shop that had registered the word "Trump." Faithless, corrupt and tainted Trump also called China's entire judicial system "faithless, corrupt and tainted," and urged other countries to refrain from any trade practice or business relationships with China. Sun, of the Asia Pacific Legal Institute, however, urged the public to take a wait-and-see approach about Trump's trade policy toward China. He told VOA that if Trump quits the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal, as he promised during the presidential campaign, many countries could be pushed to join the China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, in which requirements for intellectual property protection are much less stringent than those in the TPP. It is difficult for Trump to strike a subtle balance amid all the entanglements, Sun said. Proposed changes to Chinas policing law would grant officers greater discretionary power to use firearms in cases involving public and national security, a step that some activists contend could diminish human rights protections. China last week published draft amendments to its Police Law of 1995. A notice on the Chinese Public Security Bureaus website said public comment would be accepted through December. One amendment, Article 31, proposes that police be allowed to use firearms against suspects of public and national security offenses under certain circumstances: if suspects ignore their warnings and try to flee or resist arrest, or when officers face life-threatening assault. Analysts say such provisions align with those enshrined in Chinas controversial counterterrorism laws passed in late 2015. One measure permits police to use weapons in emergency circumstances on people committing violent acts, where their warnings prove ineffective. Another revision, Article 32, would prohibit police from using weapons against pregnant women or children, or at places where inflammable explosives or radioactive materials are stored. Discretionary power The proposals set a clearer boundary for country-level police to use firearms, but ends up allowing authorities to show discretion in determining which circumstances concern public and national security. China's legislature, the National Peoples Congress, is expected to approve the draft law. Li Xiangyang, a human rights lawyer from Shandong province, told VOA that while its new restrictions are minor, the draft in general expands the polices discretionary power, which will create room for police to attack human rights activists. Li also expressed concerns over the proposed laws enforcement, because police serve those in power and have often abused their powers. "Amendments to the policing law will not make a difference," Li added. "Let me say this: As long as the authoritarian rule in China remains, the rule of law wont be honored no matter how progressive the countrys laws have been revised." Some rights defenders fear police could gun down dissidents, whom they sometimes define as terrorists or mobs. Rights activists say the measures could give police legal justification to use or abuse their power. Internet censorship Patrick Poon, China researcher at Amnesty International in Hong Kong, shared similar concerns. He said the draft law would let police further censor news coverage of natural or manmade disasters. Under current law, officers responding to such disasters can cordon off disaster sites, blocking individuals or vehicles access for safety reasons. But under the draft revision, Poon said officers also could clamp down on disseminating news about such disasters via the internet. "When necessary," according to Article 29, local police will be further allowed to "implement internet controls if an approval is secured by a province-level public security bureau. In 2009, China cut off internet access to Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang province, hoping to stem the flow of information about ethnic unrest and police intervention that left at least hundreds dead. It was the deadliest protest since the 1989 crackdown on Tiananmen pro-democracy demonstrations. The countrys new cybersecurity law, adopted in early November and slated to take effect next June, already gives Chinese authorities the right to block internet access during public-security emergencies. Imbalances Poon said the draft measures provide no checks and balances on expanded police powers. Already, he said, Chinese police officers who commit abuses can operate with impunity because the country lacks an independent judicial system. For example, Poon said, police rarely are held accountable for acts of torture because of the way they work with courts in China. Its hard for the judiciary to investigate charges of illegal evidence obtained through torture, because that challenges police authority, he added. "Because of the imbalance of power between the public security, the prosecutors and also the court, its very often very unlikely for the prosecutors, the procuratorate to investigate such claims" of tortures or forced confessions, Poon told VOA. Ensuring rights But Zhan Zhongle, a professor of Beijing Universitys Law School, lauded the draft, saying it would uphold the principle of minimum harm on citizens as police perform their duties. He said the legislation should ensure the rights of all parties. While giving the police discretionary power, the law should also take into consideration in three regards: firstly, the polices authority and responsibilities, secondly, personal and property safety of all parties involved, as well as public security, Zhan said. In other words, he agreed that the armed police should have a certain level of discretion in using firearms. But the law should be clarified to prevent them from overstepping their power, which risk citizens rights. Upon seeing the draft, some Chinese netizens responded approvingly while others reacted with harsh words. A Weibo user wrote that police are now licensed to kill, while another questioned why the draft doesnt require that police keep a video record to document their actions and reduce the possibility of abuse. Forces in Somalia's Puntland region have retaken Qandala, the only town in the country that was controlled by fighters allied with Islamic State. Fadumo Yasin Jama, a reporter for VOA's Somali Service, says Puntland troops recaptured the Red Sea coastal town just after 10 a.m. local time Wednesday. Jama said pro-IS fighters fled Qandala as the attackers entered by land and sea. We were near the shore of Qandala when the troops entered," she said. "Puntland forces have been firing guns when they landed on the beach and entered the town but they were not receiving any response. The Puntland forces included clan militias, police and regional government soldiers. They reached Qandala after an 11-day trek over rough terrain with narrow roads. Jama said the troops who arrived by sea seized the old fish factory and the historic headquarters of the district commissioner, built by Italian colonists. The troops are entering the homes and other buildings right now, one by one, she said. Puntland officials said their forces had two major clashes with the militants on Saturday and Monday. Regional Planning Minister Shire Haji Farah, who led the offensive, told VOA that his forces killed 30 pro-Islamic State fighters and wounded 35 others. Farah said they seized three vehicles from the militants, including a truck carrying laptops, medicine and items that could be used for explosives. He said their task now is to help people resettle the town. We appeal to the people of Qandala who fled to return to the town, to come; we want to tell them that the town is peaceful, the will help them resettle, Farah said. Farah said the militants fled to Gurur in the mountainous areas south of Qandala. He said the troops will pursue the militants. A security source told VOA that 21 militants, among them a senior commander of the pro-IS fighters, Mahad Maoallim, were spotted in Gurur village this morning. The source said the men asked for water and food and then left the village. The villagers told the security forces that one of the men was wounded. There is no word on the whereabouts of the groups leader Abdulkadir Mumin. Residents of Qandala after the militants captured it on October 26. Jama said she did not see any civilians Wednesday, saying the town was empty. We asked the first troops who entered the town if they saw any human being, they said they have not, she said. "The doors of the shops were open. I could see items being sold inside left untouched. Some of the homes were also left open, the items and furniture scattered as if their owners fled the town in a hurry, she said. Islamic State has tried to win support in Somalia since 2014 but has lured only a small number of Islamist militants away from the country's dominant jihadist group, al-Shabab. Face covered in tears, Agnes endured each painful contraction in the basement where she had spent the past few months. Several hours later, she finally went to the emergency room of a Washington, D.C., hospital. Her husband, at home in Nigeria, cried when told by phone that she had delivered a healthy baby boy. Their dream was finally reality: They had a son, one with a "guaranteed" future. "I wanted to give my child an American passport," said Agnes, whose surname is being withheld to protect her child. "We believe when we come down there to have our babies, they are sure of a better future." Much of the debate about immigration has been over whether to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, whether to halt refugees from entering the U.S., and what to do about the families who have settled in the United States illegally. On the campaign trail, President-elect Donald Trump dominated the airwaves, due in part to his calls for tighter immigration controls. However, for thousands of foreigners who desire American residency, there is no need to go through lengthy immigration or asylum procedures. Instead, a "baby on the way" is all it takes to gain access to land. There are no laws prohibiting foreigners from traveling to the United States to give birth; the children born here are automatically American citizens, according to the Constitution. However, in the attempt to gain citizenship for their children through birth, many commit immigration fraud, exploit the health care system and in some cases place the lives of the babies in jeopardy. Illegal access "There is nothing in the law that makes it illegal for pregnant women to enter the United States," said Virginia Kice, spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She added, however, that the "vast majority" of women hoping for an American child misrepresent the purpose of their visit in order to gain tourist visas. That, Kice said, is criminal. Even if they declare they are entering the U.S. to give birth, there is another barrier to overcome. The State Department notes visas are granted on an individual basis, but the family must provide proof of sufficient funds to cover any planned and unplanned medical costs. Agnes, who improperly used a tourist visa, said many of her friends were denied visas for disclosing the truth of their pregnancies. "Some of them were turned back at the airport simply because they want to come and have the child," she said. For those who make it through border controls without the right documentation, there is no threat of a penalty to the newborn. The child is still considered a beneficiary of the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to "all persons" born on U.S. soil, regardless of the laws broken to be born here. The United States is in the minority of countries that still grant birthright citizenship. And that has some Americans deeply upset. "It's totally inappropriate to bestow U.S. citizenship on the child without requiring a minimum residency requirement," said Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), a group opposed to birthright citizenship. Stein argued that the 14th Amendment was never intended to undermine immigration controls by "allowing people to manipulate the system so that they could give birth to the people here, even though they really have no attachment to the community." While there are no official numbers on "birth tourism," the Center for Immigration Studies estimates that about 36,000 women come to the United States every year to give birth so their children can automatically become American citizens. CIS, which favors lower levels of immigration, reports that "birth tourism" is largely practiced by Chinese, but families also come from Taiwan, South Korea, Nigeria, Turkey, Russia, Brazil and Mexico. Many of these "birth tourists" hail from countries with economic or environmental instability; while some are motivated by the availability of better health care in the U.S., others hope the child may one day serve as the family ticket to the "American dream." These children are able to return to the United States at any time to receive opportunities reserved for residents, including free public education during the primary and secondary years, government aid and scholarships. They are also eligible for certain jobs, including many government positions. An added benefit is that a U.S. passport also allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to most countries in the world 174, according to Henley & Partners, a global ranking firm. Perhaps the most coveted privilege is that these children, when they turn 21, can sponsor a green card for their parents. Very lucrative business Several U.S. and international businesses have seen birth tourism as their passport to wealth. These outfits give promises of healthy babies, with "USA" stamped on their backsides, while charging fees up to $80,000. Federal authorities raided several birthing houses last year in California, a hot spot for such businesses catering largely to Chinese women. According to affidavits by federal investigators, the companies offered not just lodging, meals, drivers and translators, but also counseling on how to fraudulently secure visas, deceive U.S. immigration authorities and scam hospitals. Undercover agents posing as clients were instructed by agencies to arrive two to three months before due dates, to wear loose clothing to hide protruding bellies and how to respond to customs officers in order to conceal the true intention of their visit. In the investigation of Chao Chen and Dong Li, who ran one of the raided birthing operations (You Win USA), court documents state that while customers had the ability to pay $50,000 to the business owners, they failed to pay hospital bills that often exceeded $25,000 per birth. In most cases, customers paid about $4,000, an amount designed for indigent or low-income patients lacking insurance. In some cases, the families paid nothing at all. According to ICE, the cases are all still pending, but depending on the nature of the activity and financial dealings of the business owners of such schemes, the birth house operators may also be charged with conspiracy and money laundering in addition to visa fraud. Despite the federal crackdowns, businesses continue to market to a broad range of clients while representing American childbirth as an affordable option. Deluxe Childbirth Services targets African parents with ads promising an "error-free" birth in the U.S. for $6,000 or less. The business, based in California and Lagos, Nigeria, was co-founded in 2012 by a Nigerian woman who herself gave birth to three children in the United States. In August, a private New Jersey hospital was exposed for advertising birthing services to families in Russia. "Childbirth in New York is the best investment in the future of your family!" read the Russian-language AmeriMama website, since taken down. According to a report by NJ Spotlight, the "AmeriMama" program at Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center offered to arrange medical services and secure the baby's citizenship papers, passports and travel visas for fees ranging from $8,500 to $27,500. The hospital is now under new management; no charges were brought against the former managers. Dangerous way to save Back in her Lagos apartment, Agnes, the woman who spent part of her labor in a Washington basement, grappled with what she called the "Naija hustle": erratic electricity and surging prices for necessities like rice and cooking gas. Over the phone, the 33-year old mother of two complained about life in a country dealing with its worst economic downturn in more than a decade and plagued with a reputation of corruption across all levels of society. That's why, she said, her family looked for ways to cut corners in her pursuit of U.S. citizenship for her younger child. Instead of an agency, Agnes opted to stay with a family recommended by her pastor. She also avoided regular checkups with an obstetrician, even after her pregnancy went several weeks past her estimated due date. "I was scared I couldn't afford it," she said. "I was avoiding a lot of costs, like the antenatal [pre-birth] fee." Instead, she found a registered nurse who was willing, off the books, to stop by the house to administer a drug to induce labor. The medicine causes intense contractions and calls for close fetal monitoring, which was not done. According to Olu Ibironke, a former midwife in Nigeria, foregoing proper medical oversight is a cost-cutting practice common among African birth tourists, with many choosing to not see a doctor until after their water breaks. "It is cheaper but it is dangerous," said Ibironke. Now serving as a registered nurse in a Maryland maternity ward, she told of a pregnant woman who arrived at the hospital for delivery and discovered her baby no longer had a heartbeat. "A full-term baby! What do you say to that?" she added. "Sometimes it doesn't work out for them." Researchers at Children's Hospital of Orange County, in southern California, documented more deaths and higher complications in the neonatal intensive care unit among babies born to the birth tourist families. "They were more likely to need surgery" said Dr. Michel Mikhael, lead author of the study. "And just because they have more complex problems, they were more likely to stay in the hospital longer." Longer hospital stays amount to even higher bills in a country where the costs for medical services are rising. For some families, the quest to save money becomes dangerous. "That's the first thing they will ask if he [the baby] is going to stay in [intensive care], how much am I going to come out with?" said Ibironke. Mikhael added that many of the families in the study originated from the Middle East and China where, he said, treatment is sometimes based on cost rather than medical need. "We come across a lot of times when a family says, 'OK, so how much will this antibiotic cost me? Can I say, "Don't give my child antibiotics because I don't [want to] pay for it?" ' " And in some cases of medical distress, the parents abandoned the children, leaving them to the adoption system. "They felt they are not going to be able to provide them with the same medical care back in their home country," Mikhael said. Ethics and morals aside, this is a "crass manipulation of our generosity," said FAIR's Dan Stein, adding it's "an abuse of the system" to leave taxpayers with the cost of caring for these children. Greater good Some groups like FAIR are calling for an end to birthright citizenship, arguing for legislation that mandates newborns take their mother's citizenship until they have met a minimum residency requirement. But UCLA law professor Hiroshi Motomura said it would be a "mistake" to try to change the law, considering the number of birth tourists. "There are some times the rules benefit more than the group you intended it to, but the group you intended it to benefit is significant and larger, and so you stick with the rule," Motomura said, adding that it's a "classic 'tail wagging the dog' if you are letting a small number of people affect the citizenship of a much larger group." Motomura said there are nearly 40 countries whose citizens do not need a visa to enter the United States and are able to have children in the country without committing visa fraud. Birth tourism, he said, should be looked at as a means to help these babies integrate into American society and the American workforce, adding that it's "an investment in getting really skilled immigrants 20 years down the road." Esther Eghosa, who did not want her real name used, will join the workforce in a few months after her college graduation. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, her mother then an airline stewardess took her back to Nigeria when she was just a few weeks old. She returned at age 14 to complete high school and has gone on to earn an undergraduate degree in computer science; her college education, for the most part, has been paid for by federal and state grants. Citing her experiences interning at a large government contracting firm, modeling on fashion runways and interviewing for a position with the CIA, Eghosa said she considered herself "blessed" to have been born in the U.S. American citizenship, she said, secured her a highly coveted, full-time job with security clearance. But, she conceded, it has not secured her allegiance. "I classify myself more as Nigerian than American," she said. "I'm just using my citizenship for the opportunities." While she loves living in the United States, she added that the last six years away from her family has been difficult; many nights she's cried, longing for a hug from her mother. A perfect world would be one where she could bring her loved ones to the United States, she said. Her dream will become reality in a few months, when she begins the process of bringing her parents over to see the life she has created with the investment they made 20 years ago. Arab Gulf countries wrapped up a two-day summit in Bahrain's capital, Manama, Wednesday, after discussing major regional concerns that included Iran, Yemen, Syria and Iraq. King Hamad of Bahrain sounded a cheerful note, in his final remarks to the 37th annual summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The king thanked his fellow Gulf leaders for attending, along with British Prime Minister Theresa May, for her presence. Prime Minister May addressed the summit at the final session, discussing mutual concerns over terrorism and Iran. May vowed to strengthen defense cooperation with the Gulf States, many of which were once British protectorates, noting that Britain would help them defend against what she called "Iran's aggressive regional actions." "Gulf security is our security. Extremists plotting terror attacks in this region are not only targeting the Gulf, but as we have seen, targeting the streets of Europe, too, May said. Whether we're confronting the terrorism of al-Qaida or the murderous barbarity of Da'esh (Islamic State), no country is a more committed partner for you in this fight than the United Kingdom." Iran told to stop "meddling" GCC Secretary Abdel Latif Zayani also addressed the closing session, underlining the major threats and challenges facing Gulf States. He called for stronger defense and economic cooperation among the Arab Gulf states to counterbalance regional threats to their stability. Zayani also insisted that Iran should stop what he called its "meddling" in the internal affairs of Gulf countries, and end its occupation of three small islands which are claimed by the UAE. Iran and Saudi Arabia have been at loggerheads over dominance in a number of Arab countries, including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Bahrain. Iran has tended to support Shi'ite populations in those countries, while Saudi Arabia, conversely, has tried to bolster Sunni communities. Saudi King Salman accused Iran of attempting to destabilize Gulf countries by using sectarian differences to foment discord. He argues that Gulf countries must strengthen mutual cooperation in the face of blatant outside meddling (by Iran) and the mutual threats of terrorism and sectarianism that are being used to destabilize the region. Trump a concern to Gulf State leaders Gulf leaders have also expressed concerns in recent weeks over possible friction with the U.S. under President-elect Donald Trump, who suggested during the recent U.S. election campaign that Gulf States should pay more for their own defense and that immigration of Muslims to the U.S. should be stopped. Despite possible frictions, however, Trump's pick for defense secretary, retired Gen. James Mattis, has indicated in the past that he supports strong U.S. defense cooperation with the Gulf States, in order to counter what he perceives as the major threat posed by Iran. A human rights group says many U.S. public schools remain hostile to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. Human Rights Watch says the students are often subjected to bullying, harassment and bigotry from classmates and school officials based on the students' sexual orientation and gender identity. The rights group said Wednesday it interviewed more than 350 students and 145 parents, teachers and administrators in five geographically diverse U.S. states Alabama, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah and Texas that are among 31 U.S. states that do not have anti-bullying or anti-discrimination laws specifically for LGBT students. The rights group said that the anti-LGBT bullying took on many forms, including physical violence, sexual assault, verbal harassment, cyberbullying and exclusion from school groups. Previous studies While the HRW report did not cite specifics, a 2015 online study by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), an anti-bullying group, found nearly three-quarters (73.9 percent) of students reported personally experiencing some type of peer victimization in the past school year. The report found the peer victimization included having mean rumors or lies told about them at school (54.8 percent), property damage (38.9 percent), cyberbullying (33.8 percent), and sexual harassment (28.8 percent). That poll was conducted of 1,367 U.S. secondary school (middle or high school grades) students age 13-18, and 1,015 U.S. secondary school teachers. A 2016 study by the federal government, titled the Youth Risk Behavior Study, found that 8 percent of students who identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual nationally experienced higher rates of depression and suicidality than their heterosexual peers. The study also found that 42.8 percent of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth respondents had seriously considered suicide in the previous year, and 29.4 percent had attempted suicide, compared with 14.8 percent of heterosexual youths who had seriously considered suicide in the previous year and 6.4 percent of heterosexual youths who had attempted suicide. The national YRBS is conducted every two years during the spring semester and provides data representative of ninth- through 12th-grade students in public and private U.S. schools. Insults, attacks reported "In every state we visited, we heard stories of students who were insulted, cyber-bullied or attacked, and teachers who allowed discrimination and harassment because they see it as normal behavior," said Ryan Thoreson, a fellow in the Human Rights Watchs LGBT rights program. The report released Wednesday said that students in same-sex relationships were barred or discouraged from attending school events as a couple, while transgender students were denied access to facilities, classes and school activities because of their gender identity. Human Rights Watch called for enactment of laws to ensure schools are more inviting, including sexual education that is "medically and scientifically accurate," and inclusive of LGBT youths. A coalition of nations, led by the United States, called for an immediate cease-fire in Aleppo and condemned Russia for interfering with attempts to bring humanitarian aid to those civilians trapped in the Syrian city. "Aleppo is being subjected to daily bombings and artillery attacks by the Syrian regime, supported by Russia and Iran. Hospitals and schools have not been spared. Rather, they appear to be the targets of attack in an attempt to wear people down. The images of dying children are heartbreaking," the group of six nations said in a statement Wednesday. The leaders of those countries -- Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Britain, and the U.S. -- called on the Syrian government to agree to the U.N.'s plan in Aleppo and allow humanitarian aid into the city. Syrian rebels have agreed to a five-day cease-fire to ensure the humanitarian evacuation of civilians from the eastern part of the city. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is scheduled to hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Hamburg, Germany later Wednesday. The two diplomats have held numerous talks in hopes of reaching a diplomatic solution to the civil war. Kerry who was in Brussels on Tuesday to participate in his final meeting with NATO foreign ministers, said he hopes to relaunch peace talks between the Syrian regime and the opposition, but has received little help from the government of President Bashar al-Assad. "We have been trying to find a way to get to the negotiating table ... but Assad has never shown any willingness," Kerry said. "Russia says Assad is ready to come to the table... and I am in favor of putting that to the test." The rebels made the ceasefire proposal Wednesday morning, just hours after Syria's Russian-backed army gained control of at least three-quarters of Aleppo's Old City, which had been under rebel control since 2012. The rebel factions are proposing that around 500 people needing urgent medical care be evacuated under the supervision of the United Nations. They are also proposing that other civilians who wish to leave be allowed to travel to rural northern Aleppo, where there is no government presence, instead of neighboring Idlib province, which is besieged by Russian airstrikes. The rebels say once the humanitarian situation has been alleviated, they will discuss the future of Aleppo. There has been no response from Damascus about the rebels' offer. The fall of Aleppo's Old City caps a major offensive launched by the army late last month to drive the rebels out of eastern Aleppo and marks a major victory for the government of President Bashar al-Assad in the now five-year-old conflict. Parts of the historic Old City neighborhood, which was declared a UNESCO Heritage site 30 years ago, were devastated in the takeover, and witnesses say swaths of the historic sector are now virtually unrecognizable. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors and reports on Syria's civil war, says 369 civilians have been killed in the offensive on east Aleppo, including 45 children. Another 92 civilians -- including 34 children -- were killed by rebel shelling on government-held west Aleppo. U.N. special envoy Stefan de Mistura said last week he expected eastern Aleppo to fall to government forces by the end of December, without a negotiated settlement to end the four-year rebel occupation. Tens of thousands of civilians are thought to be trapped in eastern Aleppo despite a huge surge of refugees fleeing in the past two weeks for the relative safety of government-controlled western districts. Monitors last week estimated that 18,000 civilians in the east had moved into western neighborhoods and more than 9,000 others into a Kurdish-controlled district. In a separate development, Syria's state-run SANA news agency says a military airport located west of the capital of Damascus was hit Wednesday morning by several Israeli surface-to-surface missiles. It was the second such airstrike carried out by Israeli forces on positions outside of Damascus in a week. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has been nominated to be the next United States ambassador to China. Branstad is a longtime friend of Chinese President Xi Jinping and his nomination, first reported by Bloomberg, was welcomed by Beijing. The nomination, first reported by Bloomberg, was welcomed by Beijing. "Governor Branstad is an old friend of the Chinese people," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang. "We welcome the fact that he is to play a great role in promoting the development of China-US relations." President Xi has known Branstad since 1985, when he visited Iowa as part of an official delegation studying pig-raising techniques. China is a crucial export market for the Midwestern state of Iowa, which is a major producer of pigs, soybeans and corn. Personal ties to Xi Branstad's personal ties with Xi could help smooth relations between the U.S. and China, which have come into greater focus since Donald Trump's victory. Last week, Trump spoke over the phone with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, breaking decades of U.S. diplomatic protocol and angering Beijing. It was the first official contact between a U.S. president or president-elect and Taiwan's leader since the U.S. recognized the Beijing government in 1979. The New York Times reports that the phone call was the result of six months of behind the scenes work by former U.S. Senator Bob Dole acting on behalf of the Taiwan government. The report said Dole's Washington law firm (Alston & Bird) received $140,000 from May to October for the work. Hawkish stance During his campaign, Trump took a hawkish stance on China, vowing to label it a currency manipulator and impose a 45 percent tariffs on all Chinese imports. Branstad, 70, was one of the earliest Republican supporters of Trump's presidential campaign. His office has not confirmed the appointment. If confirmed, he would replace current U.S. Ambassador Max Baucus, a former U.S. congressman who has served in the post since 2014. Iran's destabilizing actions across the Middle East constitute a security threat that rivals that of Tehran's nuclear ambitions, Republican and Democratic U.S. senators said Tuesday. "Iranian proxies remain a direct threat to the United States and our allies today," said the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Republican Bob Corker of Tennessee, pointing to Lebanese Hezbollah, Shia militias in Iraq, and Houthi insurgents operating from Yemen, as well as Tehran's influence in Syria. "American citizens, uniformed and civilian, have been victims of Iranian terror. Iran-sponsored [entities], directed, trained and equipped are a threat to U.S. forces and American citizens today," said the committee's top Democrat, Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland. "This is a problem that directly threatens U.S. security. In my consultations with leaders in the region, it is crystal clear that Iranian terrorism is on equal grounds with the nuclear threat [posed by Tehran]," Cardin added. The committee met as Congress looks ahead to the presidency of Donald Trump, who has promised to take a hard line with Iran. Experts on the Middle East who testified before the committee said there are steps that Congress and the next administration can take to limit Iran's ability to foment regional conflict. "Ratchet up direct and indirect operations to disrupt IRGC [Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps] activity and interdict support for proxies," recommended Melissa Dalton of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. "Conduct cyber-disruption of Iranian proxy activities, expose Iranian-backed groups, front companies and financial activities outside its borders," Dalton said. "Exploit nationalist sentiment in the region that bristles at Iranian interference through amplified information operations, sustained financial pressure on the IRGC and proxies, and minimize the space that the IRGC can exploit in the region by building the capabilities of regional partner security forces." Dalton conceded, however, there is no magic bullet to contain Iran's regional ambitions. "Absent ideological changes in the Iranian government, the United States will not be able to change Iran's reasoning for supporting proxy groups," she said. Corker said Iran's destabilizing actions in the Middle East deserve greater attention than they have received so far. "One reason I opposed the nuclear deal with Iran was that I feared it would end up being our de facto Middle East policy, and that countering Iran's regional efforts would take second fiddle [a back seat], if you will," the chairman said. Cardin was one of only four Democratic senators who opposed the international nuclear accord with Iran. Nevertheless, he argued it would be a mistake to scrap the accord, as Trump has threatened to do. "We cannot just walk away without risking the credibility of U.S. commitments, the U.S. leadership role in enforcing sanctions and the security of our partners," Cardin said. "I fear that walking away from the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] now amplifies the prospects of war with Iran, while leaving the United States isolated." Speaking on the second day of Agenda Aaj Tak Conclave 2016 today, Javadekar said innovation needs to be encouraged in primary education. By Punya Prasun Bajpai: Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister has said the standard of education in the country has registered a significant improvement due to the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan which had started during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government's tenure. He said 98 per cent of the children have started going to school after the implementation of Right to Education. Speaking on the second day of Agenda Aaj Tak Conclave 2016 today, Prakash Javadekar said innovation needs to be encouraged in primary education. The creative mind of children should not be suppressed. Inquisitiveness among them should be promoted, he said. advertisement He said the Narendra Modi government is focusing on the issue of brain drain. All efforts are being made to check brain drain. There is need to strengthen research infrastructure. There is a scope to enhance scholarship. The government will create 20 world class universities. In the days to come, there will be reduction in the number of those going abroad, he said. The HRD Minister claimed that the government spent Rs 1.75 lakh crore last year on higher education. This will be increased in the days to come. The capacity to spend will increase when tax income will increase. The money will be used for the growth of the country, he said. Making a significant announcement in the course of the programme, Javadekar said the government is in favour of according full autonomy to deemed universities or private universities of top standards. An arrangement would be made to grant 90 per cent autonomy and only 10 per cent regulation to such institutions, he said. Talking about learning outcome, the Minister said it would be a teacher's responsibility to ascertain the level of knowledge which a Class 8 student should have. The issue of holding Class 5 and 8 examinations should be left on the state governments. There should not be any examination till Class 4. Tenth Board examination will take place, he said. EDUCATION A NATIONAL AGENDA Javadekar said education is not a political agenda. It is a national agenda. The government does not indulge in politics over education. The standard of education will improve by exchanging the good works. Only those countries progress which have good universities and there are better facilities to conduct research. There is a need to improve the education policy every 20 years, he said. Talking about the priorities of the Narendra Modi government, he said the education system will be improved in mission mode. The mere paper work to complete formalities will not be allowed to continue. The Modi government's target is "Sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabko acchi shiksha (everyone's support, everyone's progress, good education for all)", he said. On Sanskrit education, the HRD Minister the three-language formula will continue. There will be no compulsion over the issue of language education. All languages should be respected. Only knowledge of subjects is not education. The drive to acquire knowledge is true education, he said. advertisement Speaking on the condition of schools in Kashmir, he said the children did not quit the educational institutions. They did not leave studying. They kept studying even at home and performed excellent result in the Board exams. The stone-pelting incidents also stopped after the implementation of demonetisation. The media should debate the kind of punishment which those burning schools should get, he said. Javadekar talked about the inconveniences being faced by schools in Pune because of demonetisation and said the people should bear some difficulties in order to eradicate black money of 50 years. He also said the Modi government was thinking of ways to reduce the weight of school bags. Parents instead of the children complete the project works assigned in school. This practice needs to be stopped, the Minister added. --- ENDS --- A battalion of soldiers crawls across the desert sand with assault rifles cocked. It's a routine exercise, but these are no ordinary troops they are Arabs who have chosen to fight for the Jewish state. While the vast majority of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are Jews and nearly all their conflicts have been against Arab nations a trickle of Israeli Arabs volunteer for the army. Most are Bedouin, a community native to southern Israel. But some are other Arab citizens of Israel, the descendants of Palestinians who remained during the 1948 war of the state's founding, when hundreds of thousands of their brethren fled or were forced from their homes by advancing Israeli troops. Access to unit rare Why did I decide to enlist? asks Sergeant Yusef Salutta, a 20-year-old Arab from the north of Israel who serves with the Desert Reconnaissance Battalion. The army rarely grants journalists access to the unit. Because I'm from this country and I love the country and I want to contribute, he said. Everyone should enlist, anybody who lives here should enlist. The military conscripts young Jewish men and women, but not Arabs. It does not report exact numbers of Arab volunteers, but officials say there are several hundred among the 175,000 active personnel. A silver Star of David necklace hung around Salutta's neck, and he chatted with fellow-soldiers in Hebrew. Some see volunteering as betrayal At a time when Israel is expanding its settlements in the West Bank and Palestinians fear they may never end up with their own state, some Israeli Arabs see volunteering for the military as betrayal. This phenomenon, we totally reject it, said Ahmad Tibi, an Israeli-Arab member of parliament. What could go through a person's mind when he serves against his people? We try to educate people that this is not the way. Volunteers say their families are supportive, and that they are prepared to take criticism. I don't care about them, said Salutta. I need to be part of the country, to be like everybody else. Some recruits harassed The head of the IDF Minorities Unit, Colonel Wajdi Sarhan, said some Israeli-Arabs saw service as a way to improve their chances in life. [It] can get easier when you hold an Israeli soldier or reservist ID card," said Sarhan. To be a soldier in the army, it's actually an identity certificate of Israeli-ness, which can help integration. He said some recruits faced threats and harassment at home from fellow Israeli-Arabs. In some cases, they are allowed to travel to and from military duty out of uniform. When it comes to Israel's decades-old conflict against the Palestinians, there is no question if they are required to fight, they must. I assume that anyone who decided to be a combat soldier in such a unit took this into consideration in advance, said Sarhan. The resignation of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi following Sunday's no vote in a referendum on constitutional change has dealt another political blow to the European Union. Fears are growing that the political uncertainty could worsen the chronic problems of Italian banks and spread to other parts of Europe; but, many analysts say the referendum result was about domestic issues and markets have given a muted response to the upheaval. Several Italian banks were struggling with bad loans well before Sunday's referendum. Analysts put the total figure at $390 billion. "Nothing has really changed" Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena which claims to be the world's oldest bank planned to raise $5.4 billion in capital. Now those investments are in jeopardy and the bank could be nationalized. Luigi Scazzieri of the Center for European Reform says there is hope that investors will not be put off. In the immediate term they might find it slightly more difficult to raise capital, which they need to cover their bad loans, Scazzieri said. However, nothing has really changed in the banking situation since the situation previous to the referendum. Borrowing costs rise Italy's borrowing costs have risen since Sunday's vote; but, Europe is better able to prevent a repeat of the 2008 euro debt crisis, according to Yves Bertoncini of the Paris-based analyst group the Jacques Delors Institute. "The EU is more equipped to face a possible problem in Italy than it was five years ago, Bertoncini said. We have an ECB [European Central Bank] playing its role, we have a European Stability Mechanism able to rescue Italy if needed. Prime Minister Renzi will remain in power until parliament passes the 2017 budget. The president has said he will avoid calling immediate elections but the political uncertainty could turn market sentiment against Italy, says Giovanni Orsina of Luiss-Guido Carli University in Rome. Orsina says the troubles over the constitution and the electoral laws now add to the uncertainty over the government. So, he adds, one can say that Italy's overall is entering a period of uncertainty. Call for Immediate elections The opposition Five Star Movement which tops opinion polls is demanding immediate elections and a vote on leaving the euro; but, Scazzieri says fears that Italy will exit the single currency are overplayed as new electoral laws will most likely deliver a coalition government. "The new law crucially is going to be based on a proportional system most likely, Scazzieri said. And such a system is going to make it extremely hard for single parties such as the Five Star Movement to gain power at the next elections; but, of course they are calling for a referendum on the euro. The small matter is that this is actually unconstitutional." The hope in Italy and Europe, analysts say, is that a smooth political transition will help avoid a stormy end to a year of upheaval. What was billed as the last big gathering of survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor took place Wednesday in Hawaii 75 years to the day after the bombing that brought the United States into World War II. Thousands stood and clapped when a few dozen survivors joined active duty servicemen and women and National Park Service rangers in dedicating wreaths to those killed. About 2,400 people died that day, most of them members of the U.S. Navy. The ceremony started with the USS Halsey sounding its whistle to mark the start of a moment of silence at 7:55 a.m. - the same moment Japanese planes began their assault on December 7, 1941. F-22 fighter jets broke the silence when they flew in formation overhead. For U.S. military men and women, especially because we are in Japan today, its a chance to reflect on the sacrifices of those who have come before us, General Stephen Lanza, commander of the Armys I Corps based on the U.S. West Coast, told VOA Wednesday. WATCH: US Remembers Pearl Harbor Amid Military Exercises With Japan The remembrance comes amid annual U.S. military exercises with Japan, a once bitter enemy turned strong ally. In the exercises, dubbed Yama Sakura, the U.S. and Japanese work together to fight various simulated threats. Trust between militaries Lanza, who leads the U.S. contingent in Yama Sakura, said the exercise reinforces the alliance with Japan and builds trust between the two militaries. Each year the U.S. Army pairs with one of Japans five armies for Yama Sakura operations, and this year the U.S. is collaborating with Japans Western Army. The beauty of this operation with Japan is that we are supporting them, Lanza told VOA Wednesday. Even though we are operating bilaterally, our success is the success of the Japanese Western Army. The war game is normally conducted by the nations ground forces, but the 2016 war games also include coordination among with the countries naval and air forces. The aim is to better synchronize joint operations in the event of an attack. Abe to Pearl Harbor This years exercises come ahead of a historic event later this month, when Shinzo Abe becomes the first Japanese prime minister to visit the Pearl Harbor memorial to those who died in the aerial raid. But those who expect Abe to apologize are likely to be disappointed. The purpose of the upcoming visit is to pay respects to the war dead, not to offer an apology, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said in Tokyo. The Japanese prime minister, who visited U.S. President-elect Donald Trump last month in New York, is concerned about a possible weakening of the U.S.-Japan alliance under the new administration, according to Koichi Nakano, professor of Japanese politics at Tokyos Sophia University. So he is doing all he can to send signals that U.S.-Japan relations are strong and indispensable, Nakano told VOA. Abes words at Pearl Harbor will be very closely parsed, as are all statements by high Japanese officials about the war, said senior fellow Denny Roy at the Hawaii-based East West Center. I would like to hear some kind of recognition that it was an act of aggression for Japan to attack Pearl Harbor. 'Apologies not necessary' But many of Abes supporters dont want him to apologize or say anything near an apology, Roy told VOA. Apologies are not necessary, according to Tetsuo Kotani, senior fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs. Abe, he said, only needs to express remorse for those who suffered and died in the human tragedy and express a sincere commitment to peace. The Hawaii visit by Abe will be an appropriate complement to President Obama's visit to Hiroshima this past summer. The message is that Japan acknowledges its past, and that it is ready to move forward, said retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Dave Stilwell. Abes visit to Pearl Harbor will come just weeks prior to the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th U.S. president. Trump has questioned the fundamentals of Americas military alliances with Japan, South Korea and NATO. Relations at crossroads? Roy, of the East West Center, also sees the Abe visit, in part, as meant to reaffirm the Japan alliance right before the Trump administration takes office, given some of the fear of what might become of the alliance based on the campaign rhetoric. Japan once erred and challenged the emergent U.S.-centered international order, but has since repented and is now serving the international order as a good sidekick of the U.S., said Professor Nakano in Tokyo. The irony is that Abe at heart doesnt believe any of it, and now he is met by Trump, who doesnt believe any of it either. Strengthening the U.S.-Japan military alliance has been justified in recent years as crucial to maintain the liberal international order, Nakano told VOA. And the entire logic is now bankrupt as neither of the two leaders of the alliance will be a liberal, so God knows where the U.S.-Japan alliance will drift to. But General Lanza told VOA military leaders he has worked with in the Pacific, including Japan, are looking for U.S. leadership. I think our presence matters, Lanza said, adding that a U.S. military presence helps with other militaries growth, professionalism and readiness. A nongovernmental organization is accusing Kenyan security forces of making dozens of people disappear since 2012. Its report focuses on Kenya's coastal communities, where there is a large Muslim population. "What Do We Tell the Families?" from Haki Africa details the deaths or disappearances of 81 people during that time. Twenty-two of the deaths allegedly were caused by excessive force by police; four occurred in police custody; 31 involved cases of alleged extrajudicial execution; and 24 were thought to be enforced disappearances. Haki Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid said Kenya's counterterrorism police and members of specialized units were involved in the cases, and the victims all had something in common. "Although most victims on our list are youths, there are also sheiks, imams and preachers, some of them well over 50 years old," Khalid said. "The common thread is that all victims are Muslims. All fall into a category of being perceived by authorities to be actual or potential terror suspects." Haki Africa interviewed relatives of the victims, witnesses and government officials. One woman, Muna, who did not use her real name, said police picked up her husband a year ago, and she wants to know where they took him. She said her children ask her every day where their father is. She does not know what to say. Caught between violent forces Coastal communities in Kenya have been increasingly caught between violence meted out by Kenya's security agencies and the threat of violence by extremist groups against those who do not share their views. The report said the extrajudicial killings and disappearances have taken place amid a wider set of "iron fist" tactics deployed by counterterrorism forces. The result is that many coastal communities perceive themselves as victims of collective punishment, eroding trust between community members and authorities. The report also said authorities have failed to conduct proper investigations into the disappearances and have given no official confirmation of the identity of the perpetrators. The Independent Police Oversight Authority has the powers to investigate the police, but not other security departments. Its chairman, Macharia Njeru, said, "There is no doubt whatsoever that we cannot counter radicalization, we cannot deal with terrorism, by breaking the law. That is totally inexcusable. We are a constitutional democracy, and there cannot be any excuse at all for members of the national police service or indeed any other member of the national police organs not adhering to the rule of law." Haki Africa's Khalid said he strongly believed that the best weapon available to fight the injustices of terrorism was the promotion of human rights, rule of law and a just society. An analysis of ways to control mosquitoes that transmit diseases like Zika virus, yellow fever and dengue concludes existing methods are not ideal and may even be counterproductive. There is a lack of clear evidence as to what works best, according to the review of studies looking at mosquito control interventions. In the report published in PLoS Neglected Diseases, author Paul Hunter of the University of East Anglia in Britain and colleagues looked at a variety of control strategies that have been used over the years and reviewed their effectiveness. While some studies showed that chemical spraying was up to 76 percent effective in reducing mosquito populations, others suggested that spraying had little effect. Biological controls, such as introducing larvae-eating fish to water where mosquitoes are breeding, appeared to be better at reducing their numbers. Hunter said chemical spraying might create a false sense of security among people in areas infested with disease-carrying mosquitoes, who are then less likely to try to remove areas around their homes where mosquitoes might breed. The World Health Organization recommends a variety of measures to control mosquito populations, including educating local populations on how to eliminate those breeding sites. Hunter concurred that community education is key in helping to break the disease transmission cycle, but he called for more attention to be paid to the availability of resources for mosquito elimination strategies. He noted public health funding tends to be lowest in low- and middle-income countries where mosquito-transmitted diseases are endemic. NATOs chief urged allies to maintain sanctions against Russia as foreign ministers wrapped up a two-day meeting in Brussels. The meeting also focused on European security and the upcoming Trump administration in the United States. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said cease-fire violations have increased massively in eastern Ukraine, with hundreds of explosions daily from military equipment banned under the Minsk cease-fire accord. The international community must keep pressuring Russia to respect its obligations," said Stoltenberg. "Especially while the security situation in eastern Ukraine remains so serious, it is important that economic sanctions be maintained. He said a four-way meeting last week between Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany did not make headway in shoring up the Minsk agreement. But he said diplomacy is the only solution. Secretary of State John Kerry, who marked his last NATO meeting in Brussels, was holding talks later Wednesday in Germany with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, but reports suggest the key focus is the conflict in Syria. Russia and Ukraine blame each other for lack of progress in resolving the eastern Ukraine conflict that has killed nearly 10,000 people since April 2014. Germanys foreign minister said he expects European sanctions against Russia to be automatically rolled over next year when they are up for renewal. But it remains unclear whether U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will take a softer line on Russia. And in France, top presidential contender Francois Fillon supports lifting the sanctions. Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer, who heads the Paris office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, said "everyone pretty much agrees within NATO that the relationship with Russia is probably not leading to anything positive with regards to Ukraine or Syria or Iraq." "So there is a problem," she added, "and we have to work with that relationship, without cutting a deal with Russia or sacrificing Ukraine, to find a solution in Syria or Iraq. The Brussels meeting also discussed the security situation in Afghanistan and Turkey, and finalized a pact for closer military ties between NATO and the European Union. Secretary of State Kerry also sought to reassure allies that Washingtons commitment to NATO would not change under a Trump administration. Environmental activists and Native Americans are applauding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' decision to deny an easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline. But some activists worry that President-elect Donald Trump could reverse the decision after he is inaugurated on January 20. Meanwhile, as VOAs Greg Flakus reports from Bismarck, North Dakota, the states energy industry keeps producing oil and gas to be shipped out on trucks and rail cars. News reports around the world in recent weeks have focused on protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline, which was to pass under Lake Oahe, a Missouri River reservoir, transporting oil from the western regions of the state through South Dakota and Iowa to a terminal in Illinois. At issue for many protesters are the rights of indigenous people, as well as the protection of water resources. The standoff near Standing Rock also involves a larger issue, however, and that is opposition by some environmentalist groups to the use of fossil fuels, which scientists say contribute to global warming. The $3.8-billion Dakota Access Pipeline would never have been proposed, planned or funded were it not for the incredible increase in oil production in this northernmost Central Plains state in the past 12 years. Using the hydraulic fracturing and horizontal-drilling technology developed in Texas to extract natural gas from shale deposits deep below the earths surface, drillers in North Dakotas Bakken shale region were able to produce large amounts of oil as well as gas. Soon derricks and pump jacks spread all over the northwestern part of the state and beyond. Towns like Williston and Watford, near the picturesque Badlands, struggled with fast population increases as workers poured in from other states. Energy boom North Dakota soon passed Alaska to become the second-largest oil-producing state in the United States, just behind Texas. The industry now generates more than $12 billion annually and supports more than 30,000 direct jobs. In 2001, just before the oil boom, North Dakotas Gross National Product (GDP) was well below the U.S. average; by 2011 it was 29 percent above the national average. The earnings of oil workers support local businesses and help create jobs outside the energy sector. Tax revenue from the industry has also helped this relatively remote, lowly populated state to fund many projects that benefit all citizens, according to North Dakota Governor Jim Dalrymples spokesman, Jeff Zent. It has allowed us to do some great things for North Dakota, a lot of capital projects, statewide infrastructure improvement, he said. It is definitely felt throughout the entire state. Pipeline protest friction The protests that pushed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to put the Dakota Access Pipeline on hold while a thorough assessment is completed, though, also generated frictions between the Standing Rock Tribal Council and the North Dakotans, including some American Indians, who benefit from the oil and gas industry. Some critics also accuse radical groups from elsewhere of having had too much control of the protest activities. In a VOA interview at the state capitol, Zent said some of the anti-fossil-fuel groups involved in the protest opposed the pipeline even though environmental experts have judged it to be much safer than the rail lines used now to transport oil. You have organized groups who oppose what appears to be a very sound project, a project that actually provides one of the safest transportation modes for oil, Zent said. That is a concern not only for industry, but it should be a concern for everybody. Zent said most people in North Dakota support the continued development of oil, gas and coal, along with renewable energy. He said North Dakotans have strong ties to the land and want to protect the environment, but the Standing Rock conflict has created ill feeling. The protesters say police blocking them from the construction site used excess force, including rubber bullets, flash-bang grenades and water cannons, in freezing weather, against unarmed demonstrators. Law enforcement officials assert that some protesters attacked them. Zent said the conflict has strained state courts and state funds. There is a considerable cost to the government to provide public safety, those costs are adding up everyday and I think, generally speaking, the people of North Dakota would like this to be resolved, he said. Standoff far from over The decision to halt the last phase of the pipeline construction and the arrival of a blizzard late Sunday put everything on hold. But many participants in the protest movement have vowed to remain at the camp on the Cannon Ball river to make sure officials follow through. Frederica Helmiere, who participated in a multi-faith service at the protest camp Sunday and left after the announcement of the Army Corps of Engineers decision, told VOA a close community of American Indians, environmentalists and ordinary citizens who support them has developed at the camp and they will remain vigilant. I think a fair number of people will stick around to make sure, she said. I think they were prepared to be there through the whole winter; I think they were prepared for the long haul. If need be, I think, this community can stay there for a long time and my suspicion is that they will want to make sure that this is, in fact, truly dead in the ground. At the same time, however, some pipeline supporters are optimistic that President-elect Donald Trump, who strongly supports U.S. domestic energy development, will reverse the decision to halt the pipeline construction once he takes office on January 20. But legal experts say that might not be easy. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled federal agencies cannot arbitrarily change policies or abandon studies, such as the assessment of the Dakota Access Pipelines route, just because a new president has taken office and orders a reversal. The assessment could take months to complete, and the company carrying out the construction may opt for a different site rather than wait that long. In some ways, it could be any class photo from the 1940s. The sepia-toned image shows 30 fifth-graders 26 girls and four boys at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Waikiki. Most are smiling, some look stern. A few have no shoes. Yet this picture is different in one striking way: Each child is holding a bag containing a gas mask, a sign of how war had suddenly broke apart the routines of their adolescence on December 7, 1941. Three of the students, now in their mid-80s and all friends who have kept in touch over the years, reflected recently on the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 75 years ago and the mark it left on their childhoods. Children watched from roofs Joan Martin Rodby remembered the carefree walks to school, and her family building an air raid shelter in their yard. Florence Seto, who is Japanese-American, recalled sharing ice cream with Rodby, and being worried that her family would be taken away. Emma Veary reminisced about her days singing, and her family covering the windows at night so Japanese pilots couldn't use the light of homes to guide them. On the morning of December 7, a Sunday, Japanese bombers flew across Oahu and began their assault. Some children climbed onto the roofs of homes to see what was happening. The planes were so close to the ground in some cases that they could make out the Rising Sun insignia. Soon, smoke rose over the water, about 10 miles from Veary's home near Waikiki. Poor choice of words Veary, then 11, climbed atop a neighbor's house. Back then, Waikiki didn't have any high-rise hotels and condominiums to block the view, so she could see all the way to the naval base. Her parents yelled at her to get down as soon as they heard about the attack. Seto, who lived a few blocks away near homes belonging to Navy families, remembered a neighbor rushing out of her home, screaming about how the Japanese, using an epithet common at the time, had attacked Pearl Harbor. The young Seto ran home, and, using the same word, told her parents, both immigrants from Japan. That didn't go over too well, she said. Gas mask drills The attack killed more than 2,300 people, nearly half of them on the battleship USS Arizona. More than 1,100 were injured. After the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered a speech before Congress, calling December 7 a date which will live in infamy. The U.S. declared war against Japan. Veary, Seto and Rodby suddenly found themselves living in a war zone, as an ever-present worry about a Japanese invasion permeated life in their island home. About a month or two after the attack, Rodby and her classmates were issued gas masks. Rodby, who was 10 at the time, remembers being tested on how quickly she could don the mask. If an air raid siren went off, they had to be able to put the masks on in seconds. The children put their gas masks around the backs of their chairs while in class. When playing outside, they kept them in a set spot so they could grab them right away. It was like an extra arm we had to have all the time, Rodby said. Stocked air raid shelter At home, Roby's father, who worked at Honolulu Iron Works, built an air raid shelter in their yard. They didn't know how long the war would last or how long they would need it, so they stocked it with pillows, blankets, dishes and a kerosene lamp to make it comfortable. We would have food down there and artificial lighting and the more we needed the air raid shelters, the fancier they got inside. I mean, people would have beds and they put flooring in,'' she said. Her school had air raid trenches dug by parents and volunteers. They were covered with grass, tin or wood so any airplanes flying overhead wouldn't be able to spot them. Tough times, happy memories Many of Rodby's war memories are happy ones, though. She recalls walking and skipping the four blocks or so from her home to the school, meeting friends along the way. They'd be a big group by the time they reached campus. Seto said the only scary part of the entire war was when military police, carrying guns with fixed bayonets, showed up at her house looking for her father. Her neighbors, who served in the Navy, suspected he was hoarding food and reported him after he used his painting business truck to load up on Vienna sausage, Spam and rice for friends. Seto's immigrant parents had trouble communicating with the police. Her brothers explained what their father was doing and gave the police the names of families they were helping. The military police apologized and left, she said. The families who called the police were good friends of the Setos. Their children played with Seto and her siblings. They were just afraid. It was a scary time, she said. Family friend deported Government authorities detained 1,330 Japanese-Americans and Japanese nationals from Hawaii, particularly community leaders like Shinto priests and teachers. Seto said her father was investigated, but she believes he was spared because a business associate vouched for his trustworthiness. But a family friend, a restaurant owner, was deported. We didn't know any details except my mother and father would talk about it and then hush up when we would come close by, she said. Many of Seto's other memories were happy ones. She had the most fun helping out in the pineapple fields to fill in for men who left to serve in the military. Everyone did their part, she said. Meals for soldiers Soon after the attack began, Veary's father got a call to go to Pearl Harbor to help rescue sailors. He was a tug boat captain for a local shipping company. He didn't come back for more than a day. Life under the threat of further Japanese attacks meant her family had to cover their windows to block any light from escaping at night. Wardens would patrol neighborhoods to make sure no light was visible through the windows. They would knock on the door of offending houses. But there were plenty of light-hearted moments, too. She practiced her singing, including in front of audiences a talent that would later become her profession. During the holidays, Veary's brother and sister would bring servicemen they met on the bus home to eat food cooked by their mother and their neighbors. Environmental activists hailed on Tuesday Indonesia's ban on converting peatlands into plantations but said enforcement was critical to reducing annual fires that shroud parts of Southeast Asia in choking haze. Indonesia announced on Monday that companies were banned from turning peatlands into palm oil and other types of plantations, and must restore peatlands they have degraded. Peat soils contain huge quantities of carbon in the form of organic matter, which accumulates over hundreds of years and provides nutrients for plant growth. When peatlands are drained or cleared by fire to make way for plantations, the carbon is released into the atmosphere. Environmental experts welcomed Indonesia's ban in light of a global accord signed in Paris last year to lower carbon emissions blamed for a warming planet. "This regulation will be a major contribution to the Paris climate agreement and a relief to millions of Indonesians who suffer the effects of toxic haze from peat fires," said Nirarta Samadhi, Indonesia country director for the World Resources Institute thinktank, in a statement. Indonesia, the world's 6th largest emitter of greenhouse gases, according to the country's Peatlands Restoration Agency, has more than 15 million hectares of peatlands, an area twice the size of Ireland. WRI estimates by 2030, the new ban could help Indonesia cut up to 7.8 gigatons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to roughly all the annual greenhouse gases emitted by the United States. Peaty soil, found in many parts of Indonesia, is particularly flammable when dry, often causing fires to spread beyond their intended areas. Every year smoke from fires used to clear land for palm oil and pulp and paper plantations in Indonesia clouds the skies over much of the region, raising concerns about public health. Indonesia has been criticized by neighbors and green groups for failing to end the annual fires, which were estimated to cost Southeast Asia's largest economy $16 billion in 2015, and left more than 500,000 Indonesians suffering from respiratory ailments. Yuyun Indradi, a forest policy researcher at the Jakarta office of international campaign group Greenpeace, said Indonesia's ban was a "good move." However, Indradi said Indonesia had introduced several moratoria aimed at protecting the environment before. "A key problem has been enforcement and lack of transparency," Indradi told the Thomson Reuters Foundation, adding that previous environmental policies - such as requiring companies to protect carbon-rich deep peatlands - had been widely ignored. "The big question will be how to get the new regulation enforced," he said. Shah Rukh Khan looks absolutely intense as gangster Raees Alam in the new poster of Raees. The trailer of the film will release today at 11am. By India Today Web Desk: A day ahead of Raees's trailer release, the new poster of the Shah Rukh Khan film is here and SRK looks every bit as larger than life and badass as one would expect his character in the film to be thanks to Raees's power-packed teaser. ALSO READ: Mahira Khan's role in Raees reduced? ALSO READ: Why SRK and Salman will probably never star in a movie together advertisement ALSO READ: When I got a call from Shah Rukh Khan MOVIE REVIEW: Dear Zindagi Shah Rukh Khan shared the poster on social media platforms and immediately his fans went into a tizzy, seeing their favourite superstar in a never-before-seen avatar. Aaj Raees ka naya poster dekho? kal trailer dekhne ko milega! Ab #ApnaTimeShuru pic.twitter.com/D0p8ivqtHE Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) December 6, 2016 Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, Raees is the story of Raees Alam (Shah Rukh Khan), a Gujarat-based bootlegger-don whose increasingly powerful empire is brought down by cop ACP Ghulam Patel (Nawazuddin Siddiqui). Pakistani actor Mahira Khan makes her Bollywood debut with Raees, playing the wife of SRK's character. Earlier, Shah Rukh had shared a small video message on YouTube, where he said that the trailer of Raees would directly reach select theatres across India on 7th December and fans sitting in the theatre would be able to interact with Shah Rukh Khan who would be answering his fans' questions. Raees is said to be based on the dreaded real-life Gujarati don Abdul Latif who at one time was wanted by the police for over 40 cases of murder. After getting arrested in Delhi in 1995, Latif was shot by the police in Ahmedabad when he was allegedly trying to escape. The gangster film is scheduled to release on January 26 next year. WATCH: What works and doesn't work in Shah Rukh-Alia's Dear Zindagi --- ENDS --- American flags hung from every pole and business in the small Mississippi town of Wesson as the remains of a 23-year-old sailor headed to his last resting place Wednesday, 75 years to the day after he was killed at Pearl Harbor. Fireman 1st Class Jim H. Johnston was buried with full military honors in his hometown. He was one of 429 crewmen killed on the USS Oklahoma when it was attacked by Japanese aircraft on December 7, 1941. The attack triggered the entry of the United States into World War II. The Riverwood Family Funeral Service was contacted by the Navy to make the arrangements and owners offered their services free of charge. About 250 local residents gathered around the family plot at the Wesson Cemetery as Johnston was buried next to his parents. Governor Phil Bryant attended the graveside service and thanked Johnston and all of the Mississippians killed in World War II for their service. Frank Springs, Johnston's nephew from Lucedale, Mississippi, was one of the family members attending the service. He spoke briefly thanking others for attending. Bryant gave Springs a commemorative governor's coin and placed one on Johnston's wooden casket In October 1949, a military board ruled that many of the remains from the Oklahoma, including Johnson's, were non-recoverable. Scientists using mitochondrial DNA analysis, circumstantial evidence, laboratory analysis and dental comparisons eventually matched Johnston's records. Seventy-five years ago on December 7, the Japanese military launched an unprovoked and deadly attack on the American naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. President Franklin Roosevelt described that day in 1941 as a date which will live in infamy during an appearance before a joint session of Congress the very next day. After a brief and forceful speech, the United States officially entered World War II when lawmakers approved a resolution declaring a state of war with Japan. Three days later, Japanese allies Germany and Italy also declared war on the United States, and the U.S. Congress reciprocated. The attack came as a profound shock to the American people. Strong domestic support for isolationism that is, to stay out of the war unfolding in Europe, which had begun two years before disappeared. During that time, the United States was assisting Britain in beating back the Nazi advance under Roosevelts congressionaly approved lend-lease plan. Lend lease was the presidents way of honoring the American publics distaste for direct involvement while simultaneously providing support for the U.K. without American bloodshed. After Pearl Harbor, Roosevelts alliance with Britain was now a given and was buffeted by his already warm relationship with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The December 7 attack by Japan lasted just two hours, but it proved devastating nonetheless. The Japanese managed to destroy nearly 20 American naval vessels, including eight battleships, and more than 300 airplanes. More than 2,300 Americans soldiers and sailors were killed and upwards of 1,000 others were wounded. It would take four more years before the war ended, in large part due to an uncomfortable alliance between the United States and the Soviet Union, and the American decision to drop two atomic bombs on Japan. The military defeat of Germany and its allies also brought an end to German Chancellor Adolph Hitlers Final Solution, the German leaders plan to exterminate the Jewish people. World War II remains the most destructive conflict in history. World War II fatality statistics vary, with estimates of total deaths ranging from 50 million to more than 80 million. The higher figure of more than 80 million people includes deaths from war-related disease and famine. Among the fatalities: 6 million Jews who were killed by the Nazis. The legacy of the war would include the spread of communism from the Soviet Union into eastern Europe, and later, to China. Global power shifted from Europe to the two rival superpowers the United States and the Soviet Union which spent the next five decades fighting what was known as the Cold War. Donald Trumps stated non-interventionism irks hawks on Capitol Hill and could split Republican lawmakers when the president-elect becomes Americas commander in chief next month. Youre going to be involved [in foreign conflicts] whether you want to be or not, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina told VOA, providing what he described as his two cents of advice for Trump. You cant defeat radical Islam from our shores. You have to be on the ground over there [abroad]. And you cant maintain victory without a follow-on [military] presence, added Graham, a long-serving member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Speaking in North Carolina Tuesday, Trump said he does not want to have American forces fighting "in areas that we shouldn't be fighting in and that a "destructive cycle of intervention and chaos must end. "We will stop racing to topple foreign regimes that we know nothing about, that we shouldn't be involved with," Trump told supporters at a post-election rally. The president-elect also formally announced he has chosen retired Marine General James Mattis as his nominee for secretary of defense. Mattis, who earned the nickname Mad Dog during his service, is no stranger to U.S. military interventions. He commanded a Marine division during the 2003 invasion of Iraq and later oversaw U.S. operations in Afghanistan and Iraq as head of U.S. Central Command. Obviously he [Trump] knows what hes getting with General Mattis, said Republican John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. I know him very well. General Mattis and I share the same view about the importance of American leadership. While not directly criticizing Trumps non-interventionism, McCain said a more assertive U.S. role on the world stage is needed. The failure of this president [Barack Obama] to lead has led to 500,000 killed [in Syria] and six million refugees, the Arizona senator said. Some Republicans are taking a wait-and-see approach on how Trump will perform as commander in chief. Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri said Trumps non-interventionist message is not inconsistent with anything the president-elect said during the campaign. If the president-elects position is that we shouldnt intervene just because we can, of course thats right. Other Republicans warmed to the president-elects message. Common sense and smart is how Alabama Senator Richard Shelby described Trumps statements on U.S. military might. We cant govern the world. We dont want to govern the world. We dont want to be the worlds policeman, Shelby added. Non-interventionism is more commonly advocated by left-of-center Democrats than right-leaning Republicans. But Democrats who agree, at least conceptually, with Trumps anti-regime change message told VOA they do not trust the messenger. When George W. Bush was running [for president] in 2000, he told us he wasnt going to be toppling any regimes, either, said Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy. And then he put a bunch of people in the Defense Department who were committed to toppling regimes. On issues of national security and intelligence, no one is likely to have more influence in Donald Trump's White House than retired Lieutenant General Michael T. Flynn. Yet Flynn, Trump's incoming national security adviser, has gained prominence in Republican politics by fueling conspiracy theories and Islamophobic rhetoric that critics warn could create serious distractions or alienate allies and embolden enemies if it continues. "His job is to ensure that the White House is focused at all times on all of the threats that the United States faces abroad,'' said Julianne Smith, a former deputy national security adviser to Vice President Joe Biden. She said she was "deeply troubled'' by a Flynn tendency to promote fake news stories on his Twitter feed. "You don't want to have a distracted national security adviser,'' said Smith, who now directs the strategy and statecraft program at the Center for a New American Security. Sharing bad intelligence She was among several national security experts who raised concerns Tuesday about Flynn's willingness to share bad intelligence on a social media feed as he prepares to move to the West Wing. Flynn served until 2014 as the head of U.S. military intelligence. Although he left that job over disputes with the Obama administration over policy and his management of the Defense Intelligence Agency, he is widely regarded as a top intelligence officer, a job that requires an understanding of the power of disinformation. The issue of sharing fake news was highlighted when Flynn's son, Michael G. Flynn, tweeted about the false idea that prompted a shooting at a Washington, D.C., pizza parlor. He had been promoting a conspiracy theory that Hillary Clinton's allies had been operating a secret pedophilia ring in the restaurant and noted it would remain a story until "proven to be false.'' Vice President-elect Mike Pence acknowledged Tuesday that the younger Flynn was helping his father with scheduling and administrative items during the presidential transition but told CNN "that's no longer the case.'' Asked repeatedly whether a security clearance was requested, Pence refused to answer directly. "Whatever the appropriate paperwork was to assist him in that regard, Jake [Tapper], I'm sure was taking place,'' he said. Trump's team did not clarify whether Michael Flynn Jr.'s departure from Trump's transition team was related to the tweets. Less than a week before the election, the elder Flynn tweeted a link to a story that falsely claimed Clinton emails contained proof of money laundering and sex crimes with children, among other illegal activities. The incoming national security adviser called the baseless story a "must read'' and instructed his followers: "U decide.'' Conspiracy theorists Flynn also promoted conspiracy theorists, some of them white supremacists, throughout the campaign even as he emerged as Trump's highest-profile national security adviser. He encouraged his followers to read a book by Mike Cernovich, whose website has suggested Clinton's campaign chairman was part of a "sex cult with connections to human trafficking.'' Flynn also tagged white nationalist Jared Wyand, whose website is popular with "alt-right'' followers. Flynn's appointment is not subject to Senate confirmation. Representative Adam Schiff of California, the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee, said Tuesday that Flynn's willingness to promote fake news "raises profound questions about his suitability for this important position.'' Trump's team did not respond to questions about Flynn's social media activity. Pence praised Flynn more broadly Tuesday, even as he distanced the incoming administration from Flynn's son. "We are so grateful and honored to have General Flynn as our nominee for national security adviser. He brings an extraordinary wealth of experience,'' Pence said. The role of national security adviser has varied by administration, but usually centers on coordinating the policy positions of the secretaries of state and defense, the attorney general and other members of a president's team. Close proximity It is an especially important position because of the national security adviser's access to the president in the West Wing of the White House. Flynn's office will be steps away from the Oval Office, proximity that allows him to act as a gatekeeper on a wide range of issues, including matters of war and peace as well as diplomacy and intelligence. He is expected to have more direct access to the president than national security officials in the Cabinet. Aside from attending Trump's daily intelligence briefings and senior staff meetings, Flynn will also oversee the National Security Council, a White House department that has grown to about 400 people involved in making policy recommendations. Flynn, who turns 58 in December, served for more than three decades in the Army. "If the national security adviser is going to be the direct conduit between the president and the national security world, of course it's a concern that that adviser is being taken in by conspiracy theories and fake news,'' said Tom Nichols, a professor at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where Flynn obtained a master's in national security and strategic studies in 2001. Whoever has the president's ear on international affairs, Nichols said, should have "a firm grip on what's true and what's false.'' U.S. President-elect Donald Trump returned Tuesday to his vision of a non-interventionist foreign policy for the United States, saying, as he did during his campaign, that he does not want American forces fighting "in areas that we shouldn't be fighting in." At a "thank you" rally for his supporters in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Trump said his focus instead will be on defeating terrorists, including the Islamic State group. "We will stop racing to topple foreign regimes that we know nothing about, that we shouldn't be involved with," Trump said, insisting the United States must end a "destructive cycle of intervention and chaos." Fayetteville neighbors the U.S. Army's Fort Bragg, the world's largest military base, as well as the U.S. Air Force's Pope Field. Eight military installations dot the state. Trump pledged to build up the military with the purpose of projecting strength, not aggression. As a candidate, Trump frequently questioned whether NATO and other allies were pulling their weight. On Tuesday, he said he wanted to strengthen "old friendships" and seek new ones. At the same rally, Trump formally announced his choice of retired Marine General James Mattis as his nominee for secretary of defense. "Under his leadership, such an important position, we will rebuild our military and alliances, destroy terrorists, face our enemies head on and make America safe again," Trump said. Michael O'Hanlon, a senior defense expert at the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank, called Mattis "one of the best read, best informed and most experienced generals of his generation." Mattis has served as the head of U.S. Central Command, which carries out U.S. operations in the Middle East, and the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO forces. The retired general will need a congressional waiver in order to be confirmed as secretary of defense. Mattis otherwise would be ineligible to serve because of a law that requires a seven-year wait for former members of the military to serve in the post. He has been retired for less than four years. Pizzagate Trump's transition team also cut ties Tuesday with Michael G. Flynn, the son of the president-elect's choice to be national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn. The younger Flynn had an advisory role with his father and an official transition team email address, though the exact extent of his involvement with the incoming administration is unclear. He came under intense criticism for sharing fake news stories, including spreading the so-called Pizzagate conspiracy that alleges a pizza place in Washington, D.C., is involved in a pedophilia ring with ties to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. A gunman was arrested Sunday after firing a shot inside the restaurant. He'd told police he'd traveled from his home in North Carolina to "self-investigate" the conspiracy. After the arrest, Flynn again tweeted about Pizzagate. "Until #Pizzagate is proven to be false, it'll remain a story," he wrote. The elder Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general, has his own history of promoting false claims, including some involving Clinton. Japanese investment announced Earlier Tuesday, Trump appeared in the lobby of his New York office building with Masayoshi Son, the head of Japanese telecommunications giant SoftBank, who announced plans to invest $50 billion in the United States with a goal of creating 50,000 jobs. SoftBank had established a fund in October, along with Saudi Arabia and others, to invest up to $100 billion in technology companies. The $50 billion initiative announced Monday would come from that money. No timetable was given for the investments focused on startup companies. Trump claimed credit for Son's commitment, saying on Twitter it would not have happened had he not won last month's election. SoftBank owns U.S. mobile carrier Sprint, which two years ago had a proposed merger with T-Mobile rejected by regulators on anti-trust grounds. Analysts believe such a merger would be easier under Trump, who is a proponent of removing regulations he says are killing businesses. Campaigned on jobs Trump, in his unlikely march to the White House, had campaigned on bringing more jobs to America, particularly in manufacturing regions hit hard by the recession and globalization. The SoftBank deal is the second that Trump has used to boast about keeping his promises to voters. Last week, he announced that the Carrier Manufacturing Corp. would keep 800 jobs in Indiana instead of outsourcing them to Mexico. Carrier still plans to outsource hundreds of jobs from another Indiana plant. Trump also wrote on Twitter that he wants to terminate an order for a new Air Force One, the plane that flies U.S. presidents around the world. The government has contracted Boeing to construct at least two new planes, which would go into service in 2024. The total cost was initially expected to be about $3 billion. Trump wrote that "the costs are out of control, more than $4 billion." Boeing responded to Trump's criticism with a statement saying at this point in the process only a much smaller amount of money has been committed. "We are currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serves the unique requirements of the president of the United States," the aerospace giant's statement said. "We look forward to working with the U.S. Air Force on subsequent phases of the program, allowing us to deliver the best planes for the president at the best value for the American taxpayer." The Islamic State group is seeing some defections in its leadership in Syria as two senior commanders have fled in recent days to territory held by rebels fighting the Syrian regime, local sources and a monitoring group said. Two high-ranking commanders of Tunisian origin and some close followers with Egyptian backgrounds left the Syrian city of Raqqa, Islamic State's de facto capital, and headed to the rebel-held city of Idlib, in northwestern Syria, according to reports on the ground. The militant group's "internal situation is getting worse day by day," said Hussam Eesa, spokesman for Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently, an activist group that reports on IS movements in the city. The activist group, which has monitors inside Raqqa, verified the defections of IS commanders, Eesa said. IS has been attempting to fortify its hold on Raqqa as a Kurdish-dominated militia alliance has mounted a slow assault on villages north of the city once controlled by IS. U.S. jets have bombed the outskirts of the city. U.S. officials vowed in October that an offensive will clear out IS militants from Raqqa. Noteworthy defections The two IS leaders who fled Raqqa "are noteworthy because they are reportedly Tunisian sheikhs who were senior members of IS who helped formulate strategic external attacks in the West," said Nicholas A. Heras, a Middle East researcher at the Washington-based Center for a New American Security. IS is fighting multiple battles with U.S.-backed Iraqi and Kurdish forces in Syria and Iraq especially in strongholds in Mosul and around Raqqa. Amid mounting IS casualties in Iraq, there are reports of IS leaders fleeing to Raqqa where dissension among the leadership is reportedly growing over how to fight the battles, analysts say. "IS has a central leadership in Iraq and Syria," said Sadradeen Kinno, a Syrian reporter who closely follows Islamist groups in the country. "Whenever an internal strife arises, some members want to survive" by leaving, he said. The two leaders who fled, Abu Zur al-Tunisi and Bilal al-Shawwash, have reportedly joined the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham formerly known as the al-Nusra Front, which has been fighting against the Syrian government since the country's civil war broke out in 2011. Idlib province Fateh al-Sham, which severed ties with al-Qaida in July, controls much of Idlib province and is considered the main Islamist rival to IS in Syria. The defections "demonstrate that Fateh al-Sham is the organization best positioned to accept any influx of foreign jihadist commanders and their fighters that defect from [IS]," analyst Heras said. "Global Salafist jihadist operatives, like [the] two Tunisian sheikhs, still view Fateh al-Sham as an al-Qaida organization that is successfully building a safe haven in Syria for them to continue to plan to wage jihad against the West," he said. The presence of former IS commanders in the rebel group "would encourage many other foreign members [of IS] to defect," Syrian activist Eesa said. IS has lost several top commanders in U.S. coalition airstrikes. IS this week named Abu Hassan al-Muhajir as its new spokesman, replacing Abu Muhammad al-Adnani who was also killed in a U.S. drone strike near the Syrian town of al-Bab in late August. December 19 marks the end of President Joseph Kabila's second five-year term in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and many in the country are nervous as the date approaches. Elections were to have been held this year but have not been organized. Kabila now plans to remain in office until polls can be held in 2018. A large opposition coalition known as the Rassemblement views the president's prolonged second and, under the constitution, final term as a power grab. This group wants him to leave at the end of his mandate, and it calls for elections in 2017. The lack of common ground between the parties has observers fearing a repeat of September 19, when a Rassemblement demonstration in Kinshasa descended into violence. The United Nations says security forces killed more than 50 people over two days. The U.S. government and others in the international community support the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), the influential body which represents the Catholic Church and has been working to find a compromise. Tom Perriello, the U.S. special envoy to the Great Lakes region who was in Kinshasa to meet with Kabila and others, told VOA on Tuesday that "our most urgent message is the absolute importance of full cooperation with the CENCO process run by the Catholic bishops to try to organize a broad consensus among the key stakeholders on how we can move forward. ... Even though we're in the 91st minute of stoppage time, the reality is that there is still a bit of time on the clock here for the sides to come together." Last week, it appeared the church's efforts had failed when Kabila's political alliance, the "presidential majority," walked away from the mediation. But this week, the president reaffirmed his support for the process. "It was unfortunate that key members of the majority declared it dead, but perhaps fittingly for the bishops, it was resurrected on the third day and we're back at it," Perriello said. "So I think partly as a matter of faith, we are going to continue to support this process in its entirety up until December 19 in the hope that there can be a breakthrough." Blame for both camps Perriello said the situation need not have reached this dangerous stage, and that both sides deserved some blame. "But we've also been very clear publicly and privately with President Kabila that a statement 18 months ago or 12 months ago or six months ago, stating with absolute clarity what remains crystal clear in the constitution, would have been incredibly constructive, de-escalatory and created much more space for dialogue," he said. Early this week, the head of the U.N. mission in the DRC warned of the possibility of a "major outbreak of politically related violence" on December 19. Perriello noted that when there was political violence in Burundi, Washington imposed sanctions on individuals from both the government and opposition. U.S. Marine Corps Commandant General Robert Neller, like much of the Pentagon top brass, is pretty happy about President-elect Donald Trump's campaign pledge to rebuild America's military after years of congressionally imposed spending caps. But ask Neller about Trump's main proposal to increase the number of Marine infantry battalions from 24 today to 36, and he pauses. "That's a lot," Neller told Reuters in an interview. Neller, like many of his Pentagon colleagues, thinks America's military needs to shift quickly to prepare for more sophisticated adversaries than the insurgents the United States has been fighting in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. That will require more troops, including in the infantry. But Neller wants more cyber, intelligence and avionics specialists, as well as additional jets, amphibious ships and other weaponry that can better prepare the Marine Corps for a potential conflict with another country. Islamic extremists are certainly lethal, Neller says, but are not nearly as capable as even the Russia-backed separatists that Ukraine is fighting, whose arsenal includes drones, radar and accurate artillery, for example. "If you think the next war's going to be like this [counter-insurgency battle], then OK fine. I don't think it is. I don't," Neller said."It's going to be much more difficult. It's going to be much more complicated. It's going to be much more sophisticated." At the Reagan National Defense Forum in California, Neller said his wish-list for the Marine Corps included speeding up purchases of higher-end items, including Lockheed Martin's stealth supersonic F-35 aircraft and the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) made by Oshkosh. Trump's campaign proposal for the Marine Corps was based on a Heritage Foundation study that determined that 36 active-duty battalions would be necessary to wage two wars at once. "Having this ability deters other competitors from trying to take advantage of the U.S. being 'tied down' in a conflict in one region," wrote the Heritage Foundation's Dakota Wood. To that end, Trump has also pledged to build an active Army of around 540,000, up from about 475,000 today and build a Navy approaching 350 surface ships and submarines, up from just over 290 ships today. He pledged to give the Air Force at least 1,200 fighter aircraft, about 100 more than today. Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James, speaking at the same defense forum, welcomed the possibility of more aircraft and, like Neller, expressed interest in accelerating the acquisition of F-35 aircraft. "Additional aircraft would certainly allow us to be able to do different jobs across the word simultaneously," James said, also noting the need for a new bomber. But James also spoke of other high-end capabilities, including in space, and warned about the need for Congress to fund nuclear modernization, which some estimates say will cost about $1 trillion over the next three decades. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson said the U.S. arms industry is ready and capable of boosting production of new ships to meet Trump's campaign pledge. Shifting the current target of 308 ships upwards would be "remarkably easy," as long as there is funding to pay the bill. "If it's resourced, it's a matter of working closely with the industrial base, and they definitely are ready to do that," he told Reuters, adding the only limiting factor would be hiring and training workers to build the new ships. Republicans, who will control both houses of Congress and the White House after Trump is sworn in on Jan. 20, see good prospects for raising military spending levels and scrapping a 2010 law that imposed mandatory cost caps on defense spending. Still, it's unclear how Trump will fund all of his planned programs, which beyond the military spending spree includes paying for a major U.S. domestic infrastructure program. For Neller and other Pentagon chiefs, investing to prepare for more advanced threats is a priority, regardless of whether Trump makes good on his pledges. "The only thing we're not going to do is stay the same. We're not. Can't. I'd be derelict in my duties," Neller said. Opponents of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, including the wife and mother of a jailed dissident leader, have begun a sit-in outside the Vatican demanding that the government free political prisoners. Leopoldo Lopez has become a cause celebre among opposition supporters, who accuse Maduro of trampling human rights. The U.S. government, the United Nations and international rights groups have all called for Lopez's release. His wife, mother and a few Venezuelan and Italian supporters began their protest in St. Peter's Square on Sunday by putting chains around themselves. They later moved meters away to a covered area across the street from the square where homeless people often sleep, and say they will stay there indefinitely. "We are here for the 108 political prisoners who are being held unjustly in Venezuela. They must be released," Lilian Tintori, Lopez's wife, told Reuters Television. On Tuesday night, the group was huddled on blankets and eating pizza and pasta brought by supporters. "We ask the Vatican, as an international representative, to demand that the government of Nicolas Maduro respect international agreements and free my husband," she said. Vatican representatives in Venezuela have been involved in negotiations between the opposition and the government, but the talks have stalled. Lopez was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in anti-government protests two years ago. He was at the forefront of demonstrations demanding Maduro's resignation. Forty-three people died during the protests. Lopez had publicly called for peaceful resistance to the Maduro government and was behind bars during most of the unrest. Critics say his trial was a mockery and Lopez, whom Maduro refers to as a dangerous criminal, was imprisoned to stifle dissent. As the darkness falls on the plains around Bunambiyu, a remote village in Tanzania's northern Shinyanga region, Elizabeth Julius switches on her solar lantern to finish sewing clothes for her customers. Not long ago, nightfall would have forced her to close her tailoring shop, or use a smoky kerosene lamp. But with the solar-powered lamp, Julius can now sew for as long as she wants. "Solar energy has entirely changed my life. I use it at work and at home, yet it doesn't cost me anything," said the 29-year-old entrepreneur and mother of two. "I often wake up at night to work because I need the money to support my family," she said. Julius and her husband, Zablon, used to earn barely enough to meet the needs of their growing family, she said. But three years ago, Julius secured a $500 bank loan to buy solar lanterns, which she sold to customers. With the additional income earned, she then sought another larger loan to expand her tailoring business to include a barber shop, mobile phone charging facility and consumer goods shop, all powered with solar energy. Now "we are more productive than ever before. On average we can get 50,000 shillings ($25) a day, even more," she said. Training for women Julius' success is due in part to training from Energy 4 Impact, a London-based nonprofit group that works in East and West Africa to improve access to energy. One focus of the group's work is lifting rural women from poverty through clean-energy entrepreneurship. The group's new WIRE (Women Integration into Renewable Energy) value chain project aims to assist 400 female solar entrepreneurs by 2020 with training and finance, and help some of them provide 360,000 people in Kenya and Tanzania with access to clean cooking and solar lighting products. The program is part of the Partnership on Women's Entrepreneurship in Renewables (wPOWER) launched by the U.S. State Department in 2013. Besides helping women grow their businesses, the effort aims to reduce climate changing emissions and deforestation for firewood, said Jerry Abuga, an Energy 4 Impact spokesman. Godfrey Sanga, a program manager for Energy 4 Impact, said helping women create clean energy businesses makes sense, as women are good at creating networks in rural areas and can spread the use of clean power. Since 2013, 1,200 micro-businesses and 200 small and medium ones in East Africa have received help, and seen their sales rise an average of 32 percent a year, project officials said. Julius said business management and technology training through the project was key to helping her scale up her business and her income. "I have nothing to complain about. Virtually everybody in the village is happy with what we are doing and our services are exclusively solar," she said. In Tanzania where only 21 percent of the population has access to grid electricity, according to Tanzania Ministry of Energy and Minerals, helping women become energy entrepreneurs is a useful way to improve lives of millions of people in rural areas, said Sanga, of Energy 4 Impact. Almost 69 percent of the population in Kenya and 95 percent in Tanzania depend on firewood, charcoal and dung for cooking, the company said. Smoky fires and kerosene lamps are a major source of household air pollution causing 14,300 deaths annually in Kenya and 18,900 in Tanzania, the company said. Reliable equipment? While the use of solar energy has been rapidly growing in Tanzania, getting quality equipment from reliable suppliers can still be a problem, Sanga said. Growing interest in solar energy has attracted unscrupulous sellers, whose poor-quality equipment can then hurt confidence in switching to solar, he said. "Poor quality and substandard or fake products is one of the main factors that is discouraging people from using the clean energy technologies, due to frequent failures and general poor performance," Sanga said. The Energy 4 Impact effort helps make sure high-quality, reliable equipment and the knowledge to maintain it is available, he said. The effort also aims to bring solar power to rural areas of Tanzania where many people still remain unaware of the technology. To boost interest, the project hopes to assist solar entrepreneurs in putting on roadshows, forums with women and youth groups, and media campaigns, he said. "By showcasing successful businesses and demonstrating the benefits using the clean technologies in increasing productivity, incomes and saving costs, it is expected that many people will be interested in adapting and using them in their lives for themselves and their families," Sanga said. Thalaivar Rajinikanth paid homage to veteran actor-playwright Cho Ramaswamy at his residence in Chennai. By India Today Web Desk: Journalist, political analyst and comedian Cho S Ramaswamy died on Wednesday at Apollo Hospital, said an official. He was 82. A former member of Rajya Sabha, Ramaswamy was ailing for some time and was in the hospital where he breathed his last at around 4 am. ALSO READ: Rajinikanth pays tribute to Jayalalithaa ALSO READ: Kamal Haasan's controversial tweet about Jaya advertisement A very good friend of Cho Ramaswamy, superstar Rajinikanth paid homage to the veteran actor at his residence in Chennai. Addressing the media, Rajinikanth said, "Had come to offer my condolences and pay tribute." Speaking about Cho Ramasamy, he said, "He never compromised on his writings for anybody's sake. May his soul rest in peace." It must be noted that Rajinikanth, who returned from the US in July, organised a special screening of Kabali for Cho Ramasamy. It was reported that Cho appreciated the film and congratulated producer Kalaipuli S Thanu. Cho Ramaswamy shared screen with Rajinikanth in films like Guru Sishyan, Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai, Adhisaya Piravi and Manithan He is widely known for his satirical play Muhammad bin Tughluq. --- ENDS --- Yemen on Tuesday appeared to reject a U.N. plan to end its civil war, saying the road map would create a dangerous international precedent by legitimizing the rebellion against the country's internationally recognized government. Yemen's position deals a major setback to international efforts to end the 20-month conflict, which has unleashed a humanitarian disaster and killed more than 10,000 people. A December 6 letter to the Security Council from Yemen's U.N. mission, seen by Reuters, called U.N. envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh's plan a free incentive to the Houthi-Saleh rebels, legitimizing their rebellion, their agenda." "The Ould Cheikh road map creates a dangerous international precedent, encouraging coup trends against elected authorities and national consensus. Which are in clear violations of internationally established laws and norms." Rebels hold capital Sanaa Since March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Iran-allied Houthi rebels and forces loyal to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and trying to restore to power internationally recognized President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The coalition has failed to dislodge the Houthis and their allies in Yemen's army from the capital, Sanaa. The U.N. proposal to end the stalemate envisions Hadi handing his powers to a less divisive deputy in exchange for the Houthis quitting major cities. Saudi Arabia appeared to support plan The December 6 letter detailed a list of actions necessary for any political solution, including that Saleh and Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi must leave political life and leave the country with their families into self-imposed exile for a period of at least 10 years. A senior diplomat at the United Nations told Reuters last month that Saudi Arabia appeared to accept Ould Cheikh's initiative and had encouraged Hadi to deal with it. The United Arab Emirates, another key country in the coalition, has said it supported the plan, which the United States and the United Kingdom also endorse. Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama's visit to Mongolia's capital city of Ulaanbaatar last month for religious teachings has raised concerns for China. Following the warm welcome extended by Mongolia, a country of largely Buddhist population towards the Tibetan Buddhist leader, China has reacted by imposing a hike in tariffs on Mongolian trucks passing through Chinese territory. Ambassador-designate of Mongolia, Gonchig Ganbold has urged India to provide clear support against the difficulties caused by the recent hike in tariffs that would result in transport obstruction with the flow of essential commodities and likely turn into a humanitarian crisis. China believes that the Dalai Lama is a separatist, an opponent of Beijing, and has repeatedly urged countries to stay away from China's internal policies and not to meet with the Nobel laureate. More on the report below: Excitement is building in Ghana's capital as the West African country prepares to elect a president and parliament on Wednesday. Although campaigning by the political parties has officially ended the streets of Accra are adorned with colorful, predominantly promoting the ruling NDC party or the main opposition NPP. President John Drahami Mahama is seeking a full term after taking over from John Atta Mills, who died in 2012. Mahama will face opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo. Accra resident Kwasi Nantwi said he is excited to vote, but suggests he will not cast his ballot for the current president. "I am excited because we have gone through four years of many troubles, particularly the economy and that is what excites me, that I am going to cast my vote for change," Nantwi said. Importer Frank Boamah said he is also seeking change. The election is all about the economy to me. Because as a businessman all I am looking for is for the economy to be good so that I can import more, get money so things will be okay with me. We need people here to buy the goods from us so the money can stay in the country. [My goods] that I brought in they are not buying. I am not going to keep this president, Boamah said. Another Accra resident of the capital city, Bright Coker, said he will vote for Mahama. "I want him to continue, because if we change him for now, for Ghana, you know, if we change our government, the infrastructure of the policy the government is doing, it will [be at] stake," Coker said. Voting begins 0700 UTC and ends at 1700 UTC Wednesday. The electoral commission says official results will be announced at most 72 hours after the polls close. The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai has described President Robert Mugabes State of The Nation Address (SONA) on Tuesday as uninspiring. Reacting to the SONA, the MDC-T said, As expected, the State of the Nation Address (SONA) that was presented by President Robert Mugabe in Parliament on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 was much ado about nothing. The SONA was uninspiring, puerile and dumb. What a big yawn! In a statement, the MDC-T noted that instead of addressing critical issues such as the grinding poverty that is afflicting at least 75% of the Zimbabwean population in both rural and urban areas, rampant unemployment particularly among the youth and the financial disaster that has been caused by the unwise and cruel decision to introduce bond notes into the financial market, Mr. Mugabes SONA was bereft of details on concrete and sustainable measures and policies to resuscitate the comatose economy. Its apparent that Mugabe is living in dreamland because, according to his SONA, he had the audacity to talk about an economy that is in resurgence mode whilst the stark reality on the ground points to an economy that is now dead; with at least 96% of the people being engaged in the informal sector. (President) Mugabe proudly made reference to the purported economic revival that was sparked by the promulgation of Statutory Instrument (SI) 64 of 2016. In actual fact, capacity utilisation both in the manufacturing and industrial sectors remains woefully depressing. Put simply, SI 64 of 2016 has completely and utterly failed to spur economic resurgence by stimulating domestic manufacturing and industrial growth. Indeed, as long as Stalinist and fascist economic policies such as the Zanu PF indigenisation template remain in our statute books, we should simply forget about the occurrence of an economic resurgence any time soon. The MDC-T said as a government-in-waiting, we reiterate what we have always been saying all along : Mugabe is the problem and not part of the solution. His advanced age and apparently frail health distinctly single him out as one of Zimbabwes biggest if not the biggest national security threat. The old man should so the nation a huge favour by announcing his immediate retirement from office. With Mugabe continuing at the helm, Zimbabwe is now like a jumbo jet that is on high altitude but on auto pilot and quickly running out of fuel. The only inevitable result is a horrendous crash with fatal consequences. The MDC-T further noted that Mr. Mugabes SONA was completely silent on electoral reforms, adding that Zimbabwe is in the present socio-economic crisis primarily because of bad politics. The Zanu PF regime has been rigging elections since 1995 and because the country has never held free and fair elections for more than twenty years, a political crisis has also developed over the years; in the process debranding Zimbabwe as a nation and also driving away both domestic and foreign direct investment (FDI). Without addressing the need to adopt electoral reforms that will guarantee the holding of free and fair elections, (President) Mugabes SONA completely missed the point and dwelt on petty and peripheral issues that do not positively impact on the reconstruction of the national political and socio-economic discourse. The opposition party said indications are that 2017 will be a very difficult year for the majority of the people of Zimbabwe. It said, most, if not all, financial institutions have virtually run out of hard currency and no meaningful deposits are being made at the banks. Its just a matter of time before the national financial system grinds to a complete halt. What Zimbabweans are now asking President Mugabe to do is to urgently present a State of Resignation Address (SORA). Once Mugabe gets out of the scene, the people are able, willing and ready to pick up the pieces and rebuild our mighty motherland. There was no immediate reaction from the government and ruling Zanu PF party. Mr. Mugabe has been in power since independence from British rule in 1980. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is planning to release $7 million worth of $2 dollar bond notes sometime this week. According to the internet-based independent business news platform, The Source, the RBZ said, In line with the strategy to release the Bond Notes on a measured or drip feed basis, the Bank would like to advise the public that it is releasing the second batch of $2 Bond Notes amounting to $7 million this week. This brings the total amount of Bond Notes disbursed to $17 million against a value of $70 million payable to exporters of goods and services under the Export Incentive Scheme. The Source added that the central bank noted in a statement released today that it would release $5 bond notes denominations into the market in due course. The notes, which the RBZ says are designed to boost exports, trade at par with the US dollar. The bank released the first batch of bond notes worth $12 million last week. They have since been snatched from banks by clients struggling to get cash on a daily basis in Zimbabwe, hard-hit by liquidity constraints. The central bank said it will release a total of $75 million worth of bond notes by the end of this year, out of a total of $200 million under an African Export and Import Bank facility. Sceptics say the bond notes are not a permanent solution to Zimbabwes economic crisis. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Most Italians, distrustful of the broad powers vested in Renzi, have foiled his reform plans which flout the constitution. But in order for a new path to be laid out for our country, [yet] another fundamental No is needed: No to the military reform that has rendered Article 11, one of the fundamental pillars of our Constitution, inoperable. Internal economic and political choices, such as those proposed by the Renzi government and rejected by the majority of Italians, are actually inextricably linked to foreign and military policy choices. One lot is functional to the other. When quite properly, a proposal is put to us to increase social expenditure, we cannot ignore the fact that everyday Italy is burning up 55 million euro on military expenditure (a figure provided by Nato, [but] which is actually much higher). When it is correctly asked that the citizens have a say in the domestic policy, we cannot ignore that they have no say on foreign policy which continues to be channelled towards war. When the referendum campaign was underway, Admiral Backer of the U.S. Navys announcement made at the beginning of November passed almost in total silence: Muoss terrestrial station at Niscemi, which covers most of Europe and Africa is operational. Built by General Dynamics a US giant in the military industry with an annual turnover of 30 million dollars - the station at Niscemi is one of Muoss four terrestrial stations (the others are in Virginia, Hawaii and Australia). Among the satellites of Lockheed Martin [yet] another US giant in the military industry with a 45 billion turnover Muos connects to the Pentagons network of command, submarines and warships, bomber fighters and drones, military vehicles and terrestrial units moving in any part of the world they are in. When the Muos station at Niscemi started to be operational, this empowered Italys role as the launching pad for US/Nato military operations towards the South and East at the very time that the USA was getting ready to install the new B61-12 nuclear bombs on our territory. Furthermore, the plan for European defense presented by Federica Mogherini also passed in almost complete silence during the referendum campaign: this provides for the commitment of battle groups, which can be deployed within 10 days up to 6,000 km from Europe. In the second half of November the biggest battle group, of which Italy is the guiding nation, carried out the exercise, European Wind 2016 in the province of Udine. In this exercise, 1,500 soldiers from Italy, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia and Hungary participated, with a hundred armoured vehicles and many helicopters. Since January, the Italian-led battle group, whose full operational capacity has been certified, has been ready for deployment in crisis areas notably in Eastern Europe. So as to avoid coming to blows with Washington, Mogherini has made it clear that this does not mean creating a European army but a more effective defense system, which fully complements Natos. Translation? The EU wants to increase its military force which is still under US command in Nato (of which 22 of the 28 EU member states are members). Meanwhile, the NATO Secretary General thanks the newly elected president Trump for flagging up the issue of military expenditure, specifying that despite the progress made in carving up duties, there is still much to be done. In other words, the European Nato members will have to bear a far greater military expenditure. The 55 million euro that we pay every day for the military, will soon increase. But on this point there will be no referendum. Youth Forum Meeting with Minister Linares A group of youngsters aged between 12 and 16 who are in the forming stages of a Youth Forum met with the Minister for Youth, the Hon Steven Linares last week. The Youth Forum aims to provide participants with the opportunity to explore the social issues affecting young people in Gibraltar, and offers them a chance to express their concerns at Ministerial level, with the hope of influencing future policies. The group met several times before the meeting to discuss and research the issues most pertinent to young people in Gibraltar at present. The initial meeting was a unique opportunity to voice their opinions directly to Minister Linares, and look at possible solutions and strategies. Any young person interested in the Youth Forum can find out more by contacting Caroline Dixon or Sarah Wadsworth on 20041948. For any general information about the Gibraltar Youth Service please contact Mark Zammit, Principal Youth Officer on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 20078637. R-L: Director Ben Lewin and co-executive producer Mark Kunerth filming the episode R-o Road T-r Trip. Photo: Eric McCandless/ABC LOS ANGELES Speechless actors John Ross Bowie and Micah Fowler are working through a scene for a January episode of the ABC comedy on the Fox lot. In it, we see JJs (Fowler) mischievous side for the first time: During a stop at a crafts fair during a family road trip, somebody mistakenly assumes the DiMeos are selling water from their car, which gives JJ an idea to peddle off the familys junk yoga pants, a curling iron, among other items out of their truck. Impressed by his sons initiative, the father (Bowie) and son start conspiring. Between takes, director Ben Lewin stands up from his seat and walks over to the actors. Micah, dont smile this time, he tells the 18-year-old newcomer. Just think. JJ, who uses a wheelchair, has a nonverbal form of cerebral palsy which means Fowler (who also has cerebral palsy, but can speak with some difficulty), relies solely on his facial expressions for his performance. Sometimes I just want JJ to say it, says Fowler, during an interview in his trailer, acknowledging that depending on only his face to perform can get tough. It helps that his director understands him. Lewin, 69, the writer-director of the 2012 critically acclaimed film The Sessions, survived boyhood polio and uses crutches to walk. Its a real challenge to give the audience a sense of whats in your mind and whats developing in your mind when you cant speak, Lewin says of working with Fowler on the scene. What I was trying to get out of him was, he was seeing all this stuff laid out and as they see it laid out, he realizes this is all crap, how am I going to sell this? So I was just trying to get the sense of the idea brewing. Before Speechless the ABC comedy starring Minnie Driver and Bowie as Maya and Jimmy, the heads of the DiMeo family, raising JJ and their two other children in Orange County the Australian indie filmmakers American TV resume was limited to one episode each of Ally McBeal and Touched By an Angel. Lewins approach to actors is simple: Treat each one individually. Everyone has got a different shtick, a different set of issues, and you work each person in different ways, he said. Its not very obvious, but I dont relate to Micah as a special-needs actor. Of course, theres a whole kind of physical element to it, but youd be amazed how that just disappears. My kids, for instance, dont cut me any slack whatsoever. Get your own bloody coffee! So Im not inclined to cut anyone slack because they need more than someone else. For his part, Fowler is acutely aware of how rare it is to work with a disabled director (Lewin is one of two disabled directors who are members of the Directors Guild of America). The experience taught him, he says with a big smile, that no dream is too high. The warmly received show is ABCs newest family comedy to succeed at presenting family life from a specific perspective. In this case, creator and showrunner Scott Silveri (Friends, Perfect Couples) mined his own family for comedy his older brother has cerebral palsy and he has two younger siblings. Silveri had tried to tell their story for years, but had trouble landing on a tone that didnt feel preachy. Its a tough tone to pull off, Silveri says. I also didnt want it to be beat-for-beat my family. There are some direct connections, though: 16-year-old Mason Cook, who plays middle-child Ray, is modeled after Silveri. And the element that gives the show its distinctive point of view was inspired by the Silveris: Embracing being different and not apologizing for it not even a little bit, he says. Not only did we not feel less than, we felt special. There were other families on our block that had a kid with a disability. But there werent any families who laughed harder than us. Growing up in the 70s, he and his family didnt have the types of online and community support that exists today. This kind of funny and sweet thing happened where I went to read about families like ours and met a lot more people who went through the same thing, he says. What I found was that we fit into these cliches, and there was something oddly comforting about that. He discovered there were many loving, tough mothers who will do anything and everything to protect a special-needs child the way Maya (Driver) does, harassing the school principal about installing a wheelchair ramp and meticulously orchestrating every moment of JJs first date. Driver was drawn to the part of Maya because of how unusual she was. She has to fight very hard, Driver says. Shes in a difficult situation. But she also makes me laugh. Shes got a weird charm. Lewin knows mothers like Maya he had one. I had this mixed relationship with my mother, and in a way, she made me who I am, and in the other way, I wanted to run to the other side of the earth from her, Lewin says, laughing. I think the show really does get into that dynamic. I had an out-of-control mother. I guess I was lucky I wasnt her husband. Lewin is the comedys first disabled director, but Silveri has notably assembled a team of people who have personal experience caring for others with disabilities. Several of the shows writers have either siblings or children with disabilities, and Silveri hired two consultants with disabilities. The writers have gone on field trips to physical-therapy centers and listened to guest speakers in their office. The show also struck up a partnership with the Cerebral Palsy Foundation for feedback on story lines and scripts. Its important for us to make this show as realistic as possible, Silveri said. They dont have veto power, but they make us aware of things we should be sensitive to since we are here to entertain and be funny. This is not a documentary, but we do want to get it right. Bowie, who also has a recurring role on The Big Bang Theory, remembers hearing about Speechless during pilot season from actors who thought the subject matter was too risky. This is either going to be really, really sentimental or its going to be really tasteless, Bowie recalled of the chatter about the show. I thought to myself, Okay, what if its neither, or what if its a decent balance of both? Wouldnt that be a show Id want to watch? Then he read the script and caught onto the shows dark sense of humor. Really early on in the script theres a moment where Ray calls JJ a bully, he recalls. Ive never seen a kid who uses a wheelchair called a bully. I really wanted in. When Bowie met Fowler and realized playing with nonverbal cues would become a cornerstone of the comedy, he readily welcomed the challenge. In earlier iterations of the pilot script, JJ spoke through an augmented speech device on an iPad, but that didnt feel as fun to dramatize, Silveri says. Then, the producer met a young woman with cerebral palsy (who later became one of the consultants on the show) who uses a communication board like the one JJ uses on the show, and a human aid to verbalize what she is expressing. They had this great rapport and it was another dynamic to play with, another person to help add to scenes, Silveri says. Inspired by his meeting, Silveri created a character, Kenneth, played by comedian Cedric Yarbrough, as JJs aide. Instead of a computer, Silveri says, we have one of the funniest guys on the planet. Because having Fowler use the board can become repetitive and drags out jokes, Yarbrough is given license to speed-read. If we simply had him reading off the board, realistically wed get about three pages done for every Wednesday night, Silveri says, laughing. You think as a writer you want this blue-sky canvas to do whatever you want, but its actually fun to work inside a box. Its like a puzzle: How are we going to have two characters communicate when only one is speaking, and whats a fun way to keep it active? Micah is so good and so expressive that a lot of times in editing we will cut the line and just have a look sell it. It worked in the silent movies for a long time. Thats what ultimately drew Lewin to Speechless: its unexpected mix of humor and compassion. I wouldnt want to work on a show that made you cringe, but I like to work on a show that almost says the wrong thing on a fairly regular basis. It bangs into political incorrectness, Lewin says, and that tickles me. Related Stories Micah Fowler on Representing Disability on TV L-R: John Ross Bowie, Ben Lewin, co-executive producer Mark Kunerth, and Micah Fowler. Photo: Eric McCandless/ABC Actor Ajith Kumar and wife Shalini paid homage to the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu Jayalalithaa late night on December 6th. By Pramod Madhav: Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK's undisputed leader Jayaram Jayalalitha, who passed away on December 5th, was buried next to her mentor MG Ramachandran at the MGR Memorial in Marina beach. Hoards of people visited Chennai and Marina to witness the historic event. ALSO READ: Didi Amma anoint Thala her successor? ALSO READ: Rajinikanth pays homage to Jayalalithaa advertisement ALSO READ: Why Kamal Haasan's tweet about Jayalalithaa is not insensitive Ajith Kumar, who has been rigorously shooting for his upcoming film in Bulgaria, arrived Chennai last night. The Billa star, along with his wife Shalini, paid their final respects to Amma. Ajith Kumar Hearing the demise of veteran actor-playwright Cho Ramaswamy, Ajith Kumar, who was supposed to leave Chennai today, paid homage to the veteran actor along with his family at Cho's residence. Ajith Kumar and Shalini It must be noted that Ajith Kumar has always been an admirer of Jayalalithaa. He once again his admiration with this noble gesture. On the work front, Ajith Kumar is teaming with director Siruthai Siva for the third time after their successful blockbusters likes Veeram and Vedalam. The film is expected to release next year. WATCH HERE: Jayalalithaa passes away --- ENDS --- Every country has its share of touristic offerings, and for Germany they include such bounties as castles, beer, sex clubs, and yes, nude beaches. On his continued quest to understand the world, Conan OBrien takes a trip to Germany in another special that airs this Wednesday, December 7, at 10 p.m. on TBS (the late-night host has previously done remote episodes in Cuba, the Korean peninsula, and Armenia). In this exclusive clip, a fascinatingly jacked Flula Borg introduces Conan to the delicious freedom of a nude beach while wearing nothing but a studded fanny pack, naturally. Conan is fully clothed, wearing a black T-shirt and jeans while hes talking to Flula. Come on, Conan! Show the people if that red hair is real or not. Bowie. Photo: Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns/Getty Images On January 8, David Bowie wouldve turned 70 years old. To celebrate that milestone and the one-year anniversary of his death, a collective of his friends and collaborators are throwing him a worldwide birthday party. In a month-long event called Celebrating David Bowie, multiple cities around the globe will host a series of concerts for the late legend. New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, London, and Sydney are all scheduled to partake in the event, which is being put on for charity. Bowie collaborators including Mike Garson, Adrian Belew, Earl Slick, Fishbones Angelo Moore, Gaby Moreno, Bernard Fowler, Joe Sumner, and more will tour the show, starting first at Londons O2 Academy Brixton on January 8. Gary Oldman, who introduced the Brit Awards tribute to Bowie, will also lead that show. New York Citys Terminal 5 will host the show on the anniversary of Bowies death, January 10. Yesterday, Bowie received his first-ever Grammy nominations for an individual album or song. Jeremy Irons at the Breakthrough Prize Awards. Photo: C Flanigan/FilmMagic/Getty Images Accompanied by his mixed terrier, Smudge, on the red carpet at the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California, actor Jeremy Irons explained his fear of a revolution following Britains Brexit vote and Donald Trumps election. I think both the Brexit vote and Trump, that was a cry for help from people who felt they were being ignored, Irons told Vulture at the 5th annual Breakthrough Prize, where he was a presenter. Were going through a slow revolution when in 20, 30 years well look back and see it started with the collapse of Lehman Brothers when we realized that unregulated capitalism is like unregulated water: It will drown you. While Irons believes that capitalism is one of the greatest systems, if not the greatest system, he thinks it requires reform and regulation. It has to be regulated otherwise it sweeps away the poor, usually. And I think we have to address that. I think the Brexit vote and Trump are both the same thing what those voters were saying is, We feel government isnt doing anything for us, said Irons. One of the reasons government, I think, isnt doing anything for the poor or for society as a whole is because governments are bound by global capitalism and all their decisions are about trade. But there has to be other ways to run countries than economics. We have to think about ideas and social ideas. During Tuesday nights post-election special The Messy Truth With Van Jones, the political commentator brought on various voices to discuss the state of both major American political parties, including liberal filmmaker Michael Moore. Jones, a vocal Democrat, was ready to hear problems facing both sides of the aisle, saying early in the program, I think both political parties need to take a good long look in the mirror because right now, they both kind of suck. He called on Moore to speak on the Democrats weaknesses because the documentary-maker famously called Donald Trumps win in the Rust Belt months before the election. First of all, I havent been grieving for the last month because I got over my five stages back in June, Moore quipped. He explained that he could see what the polls werent showing, because he understood that the Rust Belt was hurting economically. They saw Trump as their human Molotov cocktail that they wanted to throw into the system and blow it up, Moore said. They didnt necessarily agree with everything with Trump, but they were angry enough to make this point. Moore reiterated that he was particularly adept at understanding the working-class voters of Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Michigan, who were previously a stronghold for Democrats. I live in Michigan, I dont live in the bubble, Moore told Jones. When a fellow Michigan voter spoke to Moore about why he liked Trump the president-elects negative stance on NAFTA Moore agreed with NAFTAs problems, but insisted that he wasnt sure Trump would make the changes necessary. He has an ideology that he believes in, and its called Donald J. Trump. Thats what hes going to make sure that hes gonna take care of. Krysten Ritter in Marvels Jessica Jones. Photo: Myles Aronowitz/Netflix The revelation that Bernardo Bertoluccis Last Tango in Paris featured a nonconsensual rape scene has reignited conversations around sexual assault onscreen. This discussion has dominated the TV landscape in recent years, with Game of Thrones receiving backlash for its ongoing tendency to subject female characters to gratuitous acts of sexual violence. In an in-depth piece for Variety, TV critic Maureen Ryan spoke to a number of writers and showrunners about TVs onscreen rape epidemic, and found that, much like viewers, many are feeling fatigue with the ubiquity of sexual violence as a go-to plot device. Exorcist EP Jeremy Slater describes it as a plague on the industry, adding that when he was choosing writers for his forthcoming horror series, 30 to 40 of the 200 submitted scripts featured rape scenes. For male showrunners, sexual assault is always the go-to when looking for traumatic backstory for a female character, explains one female writer. You can use it as a reason for anything she might do. Shes damaged goods, physically, emotionally and mentally, and I think that is a bad, bad message to send to women who have been sexually assaulted. Ryan points to the overcrowded TV landscape as a motivation for the current onscreen arms race, in which depicting extreme violence becomes a way to garner attention amid a glut of competition. Rape becomes an easy plot device to fall back on when writers are looking to inject drama and emotion into a narrative. The nexus of sex and violence is the cinematic equivalent of a cheap sugar rush, explains Michelle Lovretta, EP and showrunner of Lost Girl and Killjoys. Its a fast-hitting combo of a lot of powerful inputs titillation, taboo, character conflict, deep betrayal. In one scene, you could change the narrative arcs of a whole swath of your characters, and that kind of bomb can be pretty tempting for storytellers. Yet, encouragingly, a number of the showrunners and execs Ryan spoke with expressed the desire to end the use of rape as a cheap narrative device. I personally think that it stains a story, in a way, in that it prevents you from being able to celebrate different aspects of sexuality, says American Gods EP and co-showrunner Bryan Fuller, who banned writers from using sexual violence as a plot point on his previous show Hannibal. America as a country has a very fucked-up attitude regarding sex and sexuality, so there is something [troubling] about the punishing of characters for their sex and sexuality. Which is not to say that rape shouldnt be dealt with onscreen, just that there are ways to depict sexual assault that dont trivialize the experience or use it as fodder for a male characters growth. Ryan points to Jessica Jones, The Americans, Rectify, Sweet and Vicious, Orange Is the New Black, Queen Sugar and the Shondaland shows as examples of programming that has presented nuanced and sensitive depictions of sexual violence. One thread common to most (but not all) of these shows: the presence of female voices behind the scenes. We know that if we want better depictions of women on TV, we need more women in TV; while numbers have improved, female creatives are still underrepresented across the board. More female voices are needed, obviously, but whats also crucial is that men learn how to listen to women and let go of their perceptions, said one female writer. People need to push back against these assumptions about what makes a female character interesting, especially in prestige TV, where these ideas seem to be ever-present. Sometimes going there is valid and powerful. Sometimes its lazy and exploitative, adds Lovretta. The difference comes down to why youre telling this story, who youre telling it through, and what youre saying in the process. Kamal Haasan is being criticised no end by Tamils for his "insensitive" tweet mourning the death of the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa. By Srivatsan: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK's undisputed leader Jayaram Jayalalitha passed away in Chennai's Apollo Hospital late on Monday night. She was 68. While the entire state is in mourning, in the dock is veteran actor Kamal Haasan. His tweet from yesterday, mourning the death of Jayalalithaa, hasn't gone down too well with Tamils. First things first, no matter how hard one attempts to suppress the fact that Tamil cinema isn't driven by politics, the elephant invariably shows up. When MG Ramachandran swore in as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu in 1977, it was not only the dawn of a revolutionary leader, but also the emergence of Tamil cinema's political affiliation. In some ways, MGR also paved an avenue for actors who aspired to become politicians. advertisement In fact, legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan was vehemently criticised for forming the Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani party, which backed Janaki Ramachandran after MGR's death when the AIADMK split into two. ALSO READ: Kamal Haasan's controversial tweet about Jayalalithaa ALSO READ: Rajini pays homage to Jayalalithaa When it comes to cinema and politics, South actors have left no stone unturned, be it MGR or Tollywood superstar NT Rama Rao. This was the scenario in the '70s and early '80s. However, the '80s saw the rise of Kamal Haasan, who went on to break the MGR-Sivaji patriarchy. When the break happened, critics predicted yet another politician when Haasan catapulted to stardom. From then, Kamal Haasan has been vocal about his disdain over politics. Unlike Rajinikanth, who's the star among the masses, Haasan always stayed away from politics. That's precisely why PM Modi welcomed Rajinikanth to join the BJP and Haasan to endorse his Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Be it his personal life or as an actor, Haasan has been bold and brazen. At times, even at the cost of his own peace. Sometimes, his poignant take on religion, politics and casteism has landed him in controversy, and has been followed by an apology that does more damage than good. After Jayalalithaa's death, while condolence messages were pouring in from everywhere, Kamal Haasan took to Twitter and wrote, "Deepest sympathies with those who are concerned." Though the tweet had no offensive statement about Jayalalithaa or the party - it didn't even as much as mention Jayalalithaa's name - Haasan's subdued message saw a huge uproar from Tamils. Haasan's tweet is but a mere reflection of cinema, it's how you perceive it that matters. ????? ???????? ??? ??????. Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) December 6, 2016 Some of the tweets suggested that it was Haasan's personal vendetta against Jayalalithaa after Ulaganayagan's Vishwaroopam was banned in Tamil Nadu, back in 2013. It's a well-known fact that Haasan had a major fallout with Jayalalithaa over Vishwaroopam. Touted to be a lone wolf, Haasan had to single-handedly prove his nationalism, while the film fraternity kept watching the drama on television. It was only after his emotional speech that many celebrities, including superstar Rajinikanth, backed him. advertisement The then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa, came under the radar for ordering a 'surgical strike' against freedom of speech. Haasan locked horns with the AIADMK again when he criticised the government for having failed to provide adequate relief measures during the Chennai floods last December. Having said that, Haasan is not someone who's less aware of the gravity of the situation. Nor is he a politician to gain publicity through a person's death. He's way beyond that. It's funny that people accuse Haasan, who made a film like Anbe Sivam , which was based on altruism and humanism. Despite the fan frenzy and adulation an actor/actress enjoys, the plight of being a celebrity is that one's life is easily accessible to people. And hence, they're bound to answer strange questions. I mean, why would anybody want to know an actor's take on, say, NASA's Mars mission? Before one accuses a celebrity of being insensitive, one has to mull over his/her life beyond cinema. What we read on paper about their life is not what it actually is. Not just in films, a celebrity has to go through a gamut of emotions in real life too. advertisement Considering the recent set of events that Haasan has had to go through in his personal life, it's evident that he's not in his right mind-space. As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, each time an iconic leader passes away, people tend to become melodramatic, which is completely understandable. After Rajinikanth's homage to Amma, it's only normal to expect Kamal Haasan's. People are entitled to rant about Haasan's message, especially after DMK supremo Kalaignar Karunanidhi went ahead and wrote a heart-rending post about his staunch rival Jayalalithaa. However, professing hatred against Kamal Haasan merely because he didn't write 'RIP' isn't understandable. Despite a revolutionary leader that Amma was, the unspoken fact is that her hands are covered in blood. Also, if Haasan had a personal grudge against Jayalalithaa, he wouldn't have requested fans to not celebrate his birthday when the chief minister was hospitalised. ? ????? ???????????. ? ??? ???? ??????, ?? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ??????. Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) October 23, 2016 At this point of time, people are concerned about his take on Jayalalithaa - as both an actor and a politician. They're at their most vulnerable. They need someone who they have adored for years to join them in this time of grief, to empathise with them. Also, Jayalalithaa is not just any random politician for whom one needs to express grief. She was a fierce leader who has successfully led the AIADMK all these years. advertisement Arguably, Haasan's tweet was nowhere close to insensitive or imprudent. Though Haasan's message is clearly addressed to those who are "related" to Jayalalithaa (friends, family or even Tamil people), this could've been lessened had he at least mentioned Jayalalithaa's name in his tweet. It seemed more a courtesy message than one of condolence. For once, his message wasn't hard-hitting like his films. Kamal Haasan has often been praised and criticised for his intellect. Some of his films (Uttama Villain) are extremely difficult to comprehend, and his tweet about Jayalalithaa is no different. His intent is clear, but not the message.(The writer tweets as LoneWolf_7126.) WATCH HERE: Jayalalithaa passes away ALSO SEE: JAYALALITHAA FULL COVERAGE --- ENDS --- By PTI: From Sajjad Hussain Islamabad, Dec 5 (PTI) Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today honoured Pakistans only Nobel laureate scientist Dr Abdus Salam by renaming the Physics department of a leading university after him, risking a backlash from fundamentalists who consider the physicist a heretic. "Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been pleased to give in principle approval for the renaming of National Centre for Physics at Quaid-i-Azam University (Islamabad) as Professor Abdus Salam Center for Physics", according to a statement. advertisement It said Sharif has directed Ministry of Federal Education and Professional to put up formal summary for renaming of the center for approval of the President of Pakistan. The PM has also been pleased to approve the grant of five (5) fellowships annually to Pakistani students for PhD in the field of Physics through Higher Education Commission in reputed international universities. "The fellowship programme is named as Professor Abdus Salam Fellowship," according to his office. Sharif has taken this decision in recognition of the "great contributions of renowned Pakistani physicist Dr Mohammad Abdus Salam" who is a major figure in the 20th century theoretical physics. Salam shared the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contribution in the field of physics and become the first Pakistani to receive a Nobel Prize in science and the second from an Islamic country. "His remarkable achievement earned fame and prestige for the country which rightly deserves to be valued," PMO said. Unfortunately, the recognition came late as by the time Dr Salam was honoured by the Nobel committee, Ahmadis were declared non-Muslims as part of Islamisation in 1974. In 1984, they were banned from calling themselves Muslim. They are banned from preaching and even from travelling to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. Their publications are prohibited. Ahmadi mosques have been shut down. Ahmedis were prosecuted by the fundamentalists and contribution of eminent people like Dr Salam was ignored. Sharifs decision may pitch him against the extremists who are still active to regularly attack the Ahmadiyya people. In May 2010, suicide bombers killed 80 people at two mosques during Friday prayers. PTI SH ZH AKJ ZH --- ENDS --- Waco City Council on Tuesday voted 6-0 to pay $468,000 for a feasibility study paving the way for a bus rapid transit system that council members hope will reinvent public transportation here. Transit officials envision reorganizing the citywide system around a 10-mile express bus corridor, with 10 to 14 neighborhood circulators tying in to new bus shelters along the corridor. The corridor would likely follow Franklin Avenue. The system would cut in half crosstown travel times that now typically take an hour, Waco Transit general manager John Hendrickson said. He said some trips from the south to north extremities of Waco actually can take two hours. The study by AECOM Technical Services, due in 14 months, would provide details of how to make a more efficient system work. Councilman Jim Holmes said he wants to see the system in place sooner rather than later. This is fantastic, Holmes said. Its transformative. Taking two hours to get from one side of town to the other is unacceptable. I wish it wouldnt take a year to get the study back. Were going to do it right, Hendrickson answered. Its a big investment for all of us. $70 million Hendrickson said the city could compete in 2018 for federal funding for the new system, which could cost more than $70 million. If funded, the system could be ready to roll by 2022. I feel confident we can get some federal participation, Hendrickson said. The question is how much well get. Well be competing against cities like L.A. and Chicago. Costs for the system include building a dozen or so sheltered and handicap-accessible bus stops, as well as traffic light modifications giving the four express buses priority. The study itself will be funded by the Waco Metropolitan Planning Organization and a city transit fund, with most of that money ultimately coming from state and federal agencies. Councilman Dillon Meek said he was thrilled and thankful for the vision to revamp the bus system. This will allow people who dont have access to automobiles an easy way to get around the community in a way they havent been able to before, he said. It will also bring in a group of people who otherwise wouldnt use public transit. In other business Tuesday, the council: Approved on second reading a $20.2 million expenditure of downtown Tax Increment Financing Zone funds on improvements at the Brazos Promenade, the public-private riverfront development. The money will remediate industrial waste at the city-owned site, build sidewalks and streets throughout the development, improve University Parks Drive and renovate the farmers market. Approved a six-month lease with Night Flight Concepts, which is planning to launch regular tours of Waco from the Heritage Square parking lot under the name BlueSky Helicopter Tours. Voted 4-2 to approve a special permit for a bed and breakfast home stay at 2921 Rickert Drive, to be operated by Deanna Leach. However, City Attorney Jennifer Richie said it is unclear whether the vote is sufficient to approve the permit because of a state law that requires a supermajority vote when a sufficient number of neighbors oppose a special permit through a petition. The city received such a petition, but Leach presented another petition this week indicating that some original opponents had changed their minds. Richie said that petition will have to be reviewed. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals reversed the capital murder conviction and death sentence of Albert Leslie Love Jr. on Wednesday, ruling text messages were improperly used against him because they were obtained without a warrant. Love was convicted and sentenced to death after a trial in Williamson County in 2013 in the March 2011 shooting deaths of Keenan Hubert, 20, and Tyus Sneed, 17, at the Lakewood Villas apartment complex, 1601 Spring St. The court, in a 6-3 opinion with three dissents, awarded Love a new trial because his Fourth Amendment rights were violated when the contents of his text messages were improperly admitted against him because they were obtained without a warrant. Love will be returned to McLennan County to await another trial. The reversal sent shock waves through the McLennan County Courthouse, where officials were unclear if Loves retrial can be held in McLennan County, if it will be returned to Williamson County or moved to another county. Loves trial was moved to Georgetown because the trial of his co-defendant, Rickey Donnell Cummings, was held first in Waco. Cummings conviction has already been affirmed by the appeals court. McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna and his first assistant, Michael Jarrett, did not return phone messages Wednesday. Former McLennan County prosecutor Greg Davis, who led the prosecution team in Loves trial, said Wednesday the Court of Criminal Appeals has been reviewing cases involving access to cellphone records for some time. When Cummings and Love were prosecuted, federal law required they be obtained in that manner, and neither state nor federal law at that time required a search warrant, Davis said. Since those trials ended, the courts rulings have changed, he said. Now, some five years later, the court has for the first time decided that a search warrant is in fact required to obtain such records. Further, the court has chosen to apply this new requirement retroactively in this case, despite the fact that the records were obtained in accordance with the law as it existed at the time. While I certainly respect the courts decision, I deeply regret the effect it will have upon the families of the victims in this case, Davis said. Cummings, like Love, is a Bloods gang member who was sentenced to death in 2012 for his role in the double slaying. Cummings younger brother, Darvis Cummings, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in September 2014 after he pleaded guilty to murder as a party to the ambush slayings. Deontrae Majors and Marion Bible, who were in the front seat of the car, were wounded in the attack but managed to flee to safety. Prosecutors told the jury at Loves trial that Cummings and Love wanted to kill Hubert out of revenge because they thought he killed their best friend, Emuel Man Man Bowers III, at East Waco Park the year before. It mattered little to Love, the prosecutors said, that three other men were with Hubert in the car when he opened fire with his AK-47, spraying at least 19 shots with the high-powered assault rifle. Prosecutors introduced Loves cellphone records, which included 37 pages showing the contents of about 1,600 text messages. Among the most damaging was one sent to Bowers mother shortly after the ambush attack that said, mission accomplished. Later, after Rickey Cummings was arrested, Love sent a text to his former girlfriend, saying, hide the guns. Trial testimony showed that Bowers mother, Shelia Bowers, whom Love and Cummings called Mama Shelia, was upset that Waco police investigators had not arrested anyone in her sons murder. Prosecutors showed photos of Loves numerous tattoos that tie him to the Bloods gang. On his right arm are the words R.I.P. Man Man next to a tattoo of an AK-47. The Court of Criminal Appeals ruling says that after a review of the record as a whole, the court finds that the probable impact of the improperly-admitted text messages was great. As we cannot determine beyond a reasonable doubt that the text messages did not contribute to the jurys verdict at the guilty phase, we hold that the error was not harmless. Ten local nonprofit groups received parts of $54,000 on Tuesday, courtesy of the popular Baylor University course Philanthropy and the Public Good. Students presented large checks to thankful recipients in the Presidents Suite at McLane Stadium. Andy Hogue has taught the course for five semesters. The 10 organizations being awarded grants today are in many respects very different, serving varying ends in the social sector, enriching different segments of our community through their good work, Hogue said. But what unites you in fact, what unites us is this radical notion of hospitality. The very idea practiced and modeled to us by early Christians who set off to tell the world there is no us and them. We are Gods, and it is incumbent upon us, a gift to us, that were able to share with another. Largest donation The Cove, which offers shelter and safety to homeless Waco Independent School District youth, received the largest donation $11,500 for a new industrial kitchen. The Cove will better provide meals to children, train children in cooking and catering, and rent the kitchen to vendors when children are not present. It means so much to the kids, said Teri Holtkamp, executive director of The Cove. The $54,000 comes from the Once Upon a Time Foundation, which partners with universities for courses like this one. Throughout the course, students meet with nonprofit groups and examine the greatest needs. They then decide how much money to give to best serve them. Interim President David Garland pointed to a recent Wall Street Journal ranking that lists Baylor fifth nationally in student engagement. It is one of the most transformative classes that I think our students can have on this campus, Garland said. This is a classic example of how our students are engaged in the community, and I do believe that they will capture a philanthropic spirit from this program. Mission Waco received $6,000 for its Renewable Energy and Agriculture Project initiative. The money will help fund a greenhouse and aquaponics system next to Jubilee Food Market its new nonprofit grocery store and train the public on health, agriculture and stewardship. I love the fact that Baylor students are learning how to give, Mission Waco Executive Director Jimmy Dorrell said. I think a lot of the folks that come to Baylor have opportunities in the future to be donors and generous. To have to work through the process of learning how to screen, deciding what to give to and not give to, thats a rare gift. From our side, the recipient side, were really, really blessed. University scholar Janessa Blythe said she was pleased to join a justice initiative outside of the classroom. Going through those steps, I think you learn it in a more in-depth way because youre walking the road, as opposed to seeing bullet points on a PowerPoint, she said. ----- Grant recipients The Cove: $11,500 Texas Hunger Initiative: $10,000 Talitha Koum Institute: $7,240 Mission Waco: $6,000 Creative Waco: $5,000 World Hunger Relief Inc.: $4,000 Cultural Arts of Waco: $2,800 LIT Waco: $2,760 Family Abuse Center: $2,500 Youth Chorus of Central Texas: $2,200 We are living in a trying time for our democracy. Many of us are questioning the survival of our deeply divided society. Seventy-five years ago today, Americans faced an even graver danger when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, destroying much of our navy and killing 2,403 Americans. The enemy then was a foreign power, but the challenges at home were not very different from what we see around us today. The American response to Pearl Harbor showed the power of public service to bring distrustful, hurting citizens together and forge a stronger nation. We can learn from that experience today as we reflect on where to begin in healing our more recent wounds and re-defining the American promise for the 21st century. At the time of the Pearl Harbor attack, the United States was deeply divided. Most Americans had not recovered the wealth they lost during the Great Depression, and they remained insecure about their futures in a weak economy. Insecurity fed bigotry and intolerance. The vast majority of Americans opposed war against the fascist powers. They remembered the costs of the First World War and the unsatisfying results. They hated many elements of fascism but did not believe it was worse than Soviet communism, British imperialism or the continued growth of Oriental, African and Jewish groups in the lands conquered by the fascists. America First was a rallying cry for ordinary white Americans who felt mistreated by elites, scarred by economic difficulties and dislocated by international policies. The Japanese intended their attack to inflame the divisions in the United States, much as Russian, Chinese, the Islamic State group and North Korean leaders seek to exploit our divisions today. But contrary to these expectations, the United States emerged more united in 1941 because it had leaders, especially President Franklin Roosevelt, who tied the war effort to public service, not partisan positions or special interests. Defending American territory and defeating those who threatened it, Roosevelt spoke directly to citizens: Every single man, woman and child is a partner in the most tremendous undertaking of our American history. We must share together the bad news and the good news, the defeats and the victories the changing fortunes of war. The American people heard the call and responded. They would collectively serve their country in different forms some on the battlefield, many more in factories to improve the world, despite their lingering reservations and differences of viewpoint. Roosevelt articulated a big goal for all groups, and he made everyone a participant, a stakeholder and, yes, a public servant. He called the war effort a covenant with each other before all the world. After the war, the public service ethic inspired by Pearl Harbor continued. Americans from all backgrounds served their country in the military, politics, philanthropy and many other fields. Through the GI Bill, public service provided access to education and homeownership, both designed to bring citizens together in improving themselves and sharing neighborhoods. For the pre-baby boomer generation who lived through Pearl Harbor as young men and women, working for your country, paying taxes for the common good and defining your success by your public service were essential parts of citizenship. They built the schools, roads, power plants and businesses that continue to undergird our prosperity. But by the late 1960s, amid controversies over civil rights and an unpopular war in Vietnam, many Americans rejected public service. Bipartisan agreement in 1973 to eliminate conscription and make the military an all-volunteer profession contributed to an abandonment of public service as a marker of citizenship. By the end of the century, the majority of our nations business, academic and media elites had never served their country in any serious way a complete reversal from a generation earlier, when public service was a necessary step to leadership and respectability. Today, we will never overcome our current divisions by continuing to argue over the issues that divide us. Nor will we rally together magically behind a charismatic outsider who promises to blow it all up. The lesson of Pearl Harbor is that a divided nation needs a common mission and a shared commitment to public service to build new bonds for cooperation, as occurred 75 years ago. Programs like Teach for America, AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps are a start, but they remain very small. Our citizens can do so much more. We should begin with our crumbling infrastructure and fighting terrorism, two topics that received extensive attention in the recent presidential campaign. Our national and state leaders should create new avenues for young Americans to get involved in addressing these needs, perhaps volunteering their skills for a year or two, followed by assistance with education. Young men and women can apply their talents as engineers, translators, social workers and even soldiers. They will learn to work with people very different from themselves and take pride in contributing to the public good. They will define their success not just in what they earn but how they serve their fellow citizens. Our divided country needs a new generation to get out of its segregated neighborhoods and away from its electronic devices to work together in public service. That is what the Pearl Harbor generation did when attacked by a foreign foe. Young men and women are fed up with politics as usual, and they are eager to become another greatest generation, if only we will give them a chance. Jeremi Suri holds the Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Leadership in Global Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. His newest book, forthcoming in 2017, is The Impossible Presidency: The Rise and Fall of Americas Highest Office. LINCOLN The 2016 Nebraska Soybean Day and Machinery Expo on Dec. 15 will assist soybean producers in planning for next years growing season. The expo will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. in the pavilion at the Saunders County Fairgrounds at 635 West First Street in Wahoo. Presenters include University of Nebraska researchers and specialists, Nebraska Soybean Checkoff representatives, soybean growers and private industry representatives. Jason Norsworthy, a weed scientist at the University of Arkansas, will discuss the current status of herbicide resistance in the United States with specific detail given to the extent of the problem in Nebraska cropping systems. Norsworthy will outline reasons for the development of herbicide resistance and provide strategies for growers to maximize weed control and protect against further resistance. Roger Hoy, director of the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory, will discuss large equipment, tires and compaction. Loren Geisler, Nebraska Extension plant pathologist, will provide the latest on management of soybean sudden death syndrome. Cory Walters, assistant professor and grain and oilseed economist at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, will discuss marketing for soybean and corn crops. The expo also will include an update on the Nebraska Soybean Checkoff and association information. Producers will be able to visit with representatives from seed, herbicide, fertilizer and equipment companies and view new farm equipment during a 30-minute break at 9:45 a.m. A complimentary lunch will be served at noon. The Saunders County Soybean Growers Organization requests that each participant donate one or more cans of nonperishable food to the food pantry. Registration is available the day of the expo at the door. There is no registration fee. For more information about the program or exhibitor information, visit http://ardc.unl.edu/nebraskasoy- expo, call 800-529-8030 or e-mail kglewen1@unl.edu. The program is sponsored by Nebraska Extension, the Nebraska Soybean Checkoff, Saunders County Soybean Growers Organization and private industry. WAVERLY For the past two weeks, Waverly students and staff across the district brought in various food and household items as they went about their normal school days. Desired items were canned food, toothbrushes, paper towels, facial tissues, diapers, baby formula, hand soap, laundry detergent and much more. Students delivered those items to First United Methodist Church on Monday as part of the districts annual Community Care Drive. The high school alone collected about 500 items, said Waverly High School Student Council Member Mia Hartley, who headed the drive this year. Overall, students estimated they doubled the amount of donations from last years drive. Student Council members made it a priority to get people excited about the event. There was a lot of enthusiasm from the students this year, Hartley said. We formatted the drive as a grade level competition. Each grade designed a box where they put their food. The student council would tally up the food for each grade at the end of each day and the grade with the most donations is going to get doughnuts and juice. The drive helps instill a sense of community among students and their neighbors. I think it's important for schools to hold these kind of drives because it brings a real sense of community to our students and can open their eyes to how fortunate many of them are, Hartley said. One in eight Nebraskans struggle with finding access to food on a regular basis, according to Feeding America, a non-profit dedicated to fighting hunger across the country. About 15 percent of rural households are food insecure, and 7.4 million people living in rural areas are below the federal poverty line. Donations made during the drive will end up at the Waverly and Eagle food banks. The Waverly Food Bank allows a family to visit the pantry once every three months, receive two bags of food for every individual in the family and receive a Lovegroves gift card to purchase perishable items. The pantry is typically kept stocked through donations from churches, individuals and community organizations. The Community Care Drive has typically fallen during the winter because there is usually a need for more donations. I think this time of year is a great time of year to have a care drive because since it's around the holidays everyone is in a giving spirit, Hartley said. There is also a lot of need for food during this time of year. The drive is just one of many charitable events high school students organize during the school months. Our school hosts many other charity events throughout the year, Hartley said. For example, during homecoming week we choose a cause to raise money for throughout the week. We play an annoying song over the speakers during passing period, and in order to make it stop the students must donate money until we reach our designated goal. Donations to the Waverly Food Bank can be made at First United Methodist Church on weekdays. Those interested in donating to the Eagle Food Pantry can bring items to Eagle United Methodist Church. By India Today Web Desk: Sushant Singh Rajput has repeatedly claimed that he is single, but rumours of his relationship with Kriti Sanon refuse to die down. After his break-up with long-term girlfriend Ankita Lokhande, Sushant reportedly got close to his Raabta co-star during their shooting schedule in Budapest. ALSO READ: Did Sushant Singh Rajput pay a midnight visit to Kriti Sanon's home on her birthday? advertisement ALSO READ: Are Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon in a relationship? After chilling at a Mumbai hotel last month, the duo made sure not to be snapped together and even exited separately. Now, according to a report in Mumbai Mirror, the rumoured couple dirty-danced at designer Manish Malhotra's 50th birthday bash. Bollywood Life quotes a source present at the party as saying, "Sushant and Kriti were together throughout the whole party. They were very comfortable and close to one another. In fact, they couldn't take their eyes of each other. They enjoyed the night, however they chose to leave separately." --- ENDS --- General (rtd) John M Keane said no insurgency has ever been defeated while it maintains sanctuary outside the conflict area. Taliban militants, who were arrested by Afghan security forces arrive during a presentation to the media in Jalalabad city, Afghanistan on December 6, 2016. Photo: Reuters By Press Trust of India: A former US Army official has said that to win the war against Taliban in Afghanistan, it is essential to destroy their safe havens in Pakistan, alleging that Pak military provides intelligence, training and logistics assistance to them. "What's required is a new strategy with a commitment to force the elimination of sanctuaries in Pakistan," General (rtd) John M Keane, a former vice chief of the army and chairman of the Institute for the Study of War, told members of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday during a Congressional hearing on worldwide threats. advertisement "Taliban sanctuaries exist in Pakistan where the Pakistan military provides intelligence, training, and logistics assistance to enhance the Taliban operational performance while providing continuous safe haven," he said. US INVOLVEMENT Keane said no insurgency has ever been defeated while it maintains sanctuary outside the conflict area. "We are in this current situation largely because the war in Iraq itself became protracted and much needed forces could not be applied to Afghanistan, US ground forces, particularly the Army is too small to fight two counter insurgencies simultaneously," he added. Map of areas under Taliban control in Afghanistan. Map of areas under Taliban control in Afghanistan. He also stated that the Obama's policy was not to win the war but to end US involvement. "The new administration must call for a political and security assessment and face the harsh realities of possibly squandering 15 years of US combat in Afghanistan war not winnable," he asserted. "What's required is a new strategy with a commitment to force the elimination of sanctuaries in Pakistan and a commitment to provide to the ANSFs the enablers they need to turn the momentum: intelligence, attack helicopters, strike fighter support, medevac, anti-IED capabilities," Keane said. "Without an on-the-ground assessment, I honestly cannot tell you if that is sufficient, how many additional troops are required to support those functions and for how long," he said. SUSTAINABLE SECURITY PRESENCE IN AFGHANISTAN Taliban militants, who were arrested by Afghan security forces stand during a presentation to the media in Jalalabad city, Afghanistan on December 6, 2016. Photo: Reuters Senator Jack Reed, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the decisions by the President to maintain approximately 8,400 US troops in Afghanistan into 2017 and to support the Afghan Security Forces has laid the foundation for a sustainable US and international security presence in Afghanistan. "The decision also sent an important message to Afghans, the Taliban and others in the region, including Pakistan, regarding the commitment of the United States for progress in Afghanistan," he said. "Assuming the continued support of the Afghan government and the support of its people, I hope the next administration will follow a conditions-based approach to US presence in Afghanistan that provides flexibility in the number of military personnel deployed, to support of our longer-term strategy, there," Reed said. --- ENDS --- advertisement By PTI: Colombo, Dec 7 (PTI) Tamil Nadus new Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and Opposition Leader M K Stalin should continue with the same policy of pressurising Sri Lanka to address Tamils concerns in the country as J Jayalalithaa did, a hardline Tamil politician said here today. "We hope Panneerselvam and Stalin will have the same interest in the Sri Lankan issue," M K Shivajilingam said. advertisement Shivajilingam, a hardline nationalist and relative of slain LTTE supremo V Prabahakaran, said Jayalalithaa had, at all times, shown interest in pressurising New Delhi to make Sri Lanka address Tamils concerns. Jayalalithaa was a strong advocate of preserving Tamil Nadu fishermen in fishing in Palk straits despite the Sri Lankan Navy arresting them for trespassing into Sri Lankan waters, he said, adding that by doing this, she was only trying to cater to the demands from Tamil Nadu fishermen. Yesterday, President Maithripala Sirisena condoled her demise with the diaspora grieving the loss of their beloved leader. Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa also offered his condolences. Rajapaksa, during his presidency, had invited Jayalalithaa to visit Sri Lanka to witness the post-war conditions. Jayalalithaa had a chequered relationship with Sri Lanka. While the Sinhala majority supported her strong anti-LTTE sentiments, they did not favour her for her pro-Tamil nationalist stance. The Tamil minority in Sri Lanka favoured Jayalalithaa for her ability to pressure New Delhi to nudge Sri Lankan political leadership to grant concessions to Tamils. PTI CORR CPS AKJ CPS TRK --- ENDS --- On this day, the 75th anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor, we at WarbirdsNews thought our readers would be interested in learning more about a largely forgotten target of the Japanese forces that infamous Sunday morning: Marine Corps Air Station Ewa. The base played a pivotal role in prosecution of the Pacific War in the years that followed December 7th, 1941, but it closed within a decade of the wars conclusion. Though long deactivated, some significant structures still exist at the site even now, and there are ongoing efforts to save them. This article will relate some of MCAS Ewas history, and also what remains today Ghosts of Pearl Harbor: Saving the Crossroads to Marine Aviation in the Pacific Theater Words: by Matthew McDaniel Images: via The US National Archives, except where noted The scene was utter chaos as shocked witnesses ran for cover from the machine gun fire of strafing aircraft. Japanese Zero fighters, Val dive-bombers, and Kate torpedo-bombers screamed back and forth overhead. While their primary targets were mostly naval vessels in and around Pearl Harbor, any targets of opportunity were under equally deadly and immediate threat. Such targets included the four dozen military aircraft parked at Marine Corp Air Station (MCAS) Ewa, located 7 miles west of Pearl Harbor. Ewa was not among the several large military air bases on Oahu specifically targeted in the two-wave Japanese attack. However, being nearby and directly under one of the aggressors flight paths to Battleship Row made it an easy target. So easy, in fact, that the aerial assault on Ewa actually preceded the attack on Pearl Harbor by two minutes. Ewas inventory of Marine Corps aircraft was virtually annihilated. In spite of the destruction that rained down upon MCAS Ewa that Sunday morning, the base proved immediately vital, and remained so throughout Americas involvement in WWII. This was especially true for the naval battle historians consider to be Americas direct response to Pearl Harbor. The epic clash of carriers which became known as the Battle of Midway is widely accepted as the most important engagement in U.S. naval history. By sinking all four of the Imperial Japanese Navys major aircraft carriers, the Allied victory at Midway greatly diminished Japans ability to wage offensive war in the eastern Pacific. This in turn insulated the Hawaiian Islands from further enemy attack, allowing them to rapidly become the primary staging point and training ground for military personnel and equipment headed to the Pacific Theaters war zones. However, MCAS Ewas important contribution to the astonishing success of Allied forces in the waters and skies near Midway Atoll is now largely forgotten. Ewa became the crossroads for Pacific Theater Marine Corps Aviation. Today, 75 years after Japanese aircraft riddled MCAS Ewa with bullets, many historical reminders of its role in the build-up to the Battle of Midway remain. Sadly, a good number are undocumented, most are unprotected, and some are facing the imminent threat of destruction from urban encroachment. Ewa Development: 1925 through 1941 Ewa Mooring Mast Field opened in 1925 as a base for dirigibles (rigid airships), complete with a 100-foot mooring mast centered inside a 2,000 foot wide, cleared circle. The mast met the specifications for docking the USS Shenandoah. Sadly, the massive airship crashed in Ohio (with the loss of 14 crew) on September 3rd, 1925, before she could make the Pacific crossing to Hawaii. The mooring mast remained intact and unused until 1932 when the US Navy had it shortened by 50-feet to accommodate the sister-airships USS Akron and USS Macon. But both vessels had crashed by 1935 before either could launch for Hawaii, and their losses effectively brought the US Navys dirigible program to an end. Though never used for its intended purpose, the mooring mast remained standing, becoming a navigational landmark. Construction crews built a 1,500 emergency airstrip nearby the mast, and military squadrons from neighboring bases would often regroup overhead. Even the famous Pan Am Clippers used the mast as a navigational fix. Eventually, the Navy saw more potential for the area. They bought 3,500 acres of adjacent land for the purpose of Naval and Marine flight operations in September 1940. Concurrent to Ewas reconfiguration as a Marine Corps Air Station, the US Navy was developing the opposite end of the same property into what would eventually become Naval Air Station (NAS) Barbers Point. MCAS Ewa was commissioned on February 3rd, 1941. While officially operational, MCAS Ewa was still in a very primitive state, with Marines living in tents rather than barracks and the crows nest atop the mooring mast serving as the Air Stations control tower. But, by late November 1941, enlisted troop barracks and officers quarters were completed, along with a second runway and other infrastructure. The tranquility would last for barely a week. Under Attack: Dec. 7, 1941 In a fatal irony, the old mooring mast proved useful as a navigation aid to the enemy as well. Attacking Japanese aircraft on that Day of Infamy used the tower as a rendezvous point, strafing Ewas runways, aircraft, equipment, and personnel as they passed overhead. They met with little resistance, as the best defensive measures against enemy aircraft that those at Ewa could offer were pot shots with pistols and Springfield rifles. After hitting various targets on Oahu, Japanese aircraft would again rendezvous over the Ewa mast, expending any remaining ammunition upon the base, before returning to their awaiting carriers. Four Marines and two civilians were killed during the assault on Ewa, and 13 Marines were wounded. While no Ewa-based aircraft were able to defend their home, two US Army Air Corps P-40s from Haleiwa Airfield did engage the Japanese over Ewa. MCAS Ewas aircraft belonged to Marine Air Group 21, Squadrons VMF-211, VMSB-231, VMSB-232, and VMJ-252. The list of damaged or destroyed airframes included: Grumman F4F-3 Wildcats (11) Vought SB2U-3 Vindicators (8) Douglas SBD-1 & -2 Dauntless (23) Two Grumman J2F-4 Ducks A Lockheed JO-2 Electra Junior (aka: Lockheed Model 12) A Sikorsky JRS-1 (Not to be confused with the USN Pearl Harbor attack veteran JRS-1 now preserved by the Smithsonian). Two Douglas R3D-2s (Douglas only built twelve DC-5s and four became Marine R3D-2 paratroop transport variants. These two were both repaired and returned to service). A North American SNJ-3 Texan Of these 49 aircraft, 33 were destroyed while 16 sustained serious damage. The bases emergency response vehicles were badly shot up too. While Ewa had suffered terrible punishment, their losses paled in comparison to those wrought at Pearl Harbor and other military bases across Oahu. Because Japanese aircraft passed over Ewa on their way to bomb their primary targets or upon returning, few had spare bombs to drop on Ewa. Thus, while the enemy strafed Ewa heavily throughout the morning, igniting fires across the base, the runways and ramps remained operational afterwards, and free of bomb craters. Leaving Ewas infrastructure relatively intact was a seemingly small miscalculation, but the base proved critical to protecting and operating the few combat aircraft that remained airworthy. Ewa became ground zero for the rapid resumption and intensification of the build-up of Americas Pacific aviation fighting force. Desperate for Cover Clean up at Ewa began immediately. Other Oahu airfields were severely damaged and many offered little in the way of cover for their remaining aircraft. Everyone expected Japanese forces to make additional attacks on the Hawaiian Territory, so protecting the few remaining aerial assets was a high priority. No aircraft revetments yet existed at Ewa, but the air station offered two advantages: two useable runways and natural camouflage from nearby high grass and dense stands of Kiawe trees. Aircraft deemed repairable were immediately pushed into the undergrowth and covered with palm leaves, branches, tarps, nets, or anything else at hand. An Army pursuit (fighter) squadron moved in too, awaiting repairs to their home runways at Wheeler Field. Crews laboring to build neighboring NAS Barbers Point were reassigned to expand Ewa, which included enlarging the two existing runways while adding two more. In early 1942, within weeks of the attack, construction began on what would soon total 75 aircraft revetments at Ewa. The earliest shelters were simply piled sandbags plastered with stucco. Aircraft access was via crushed coral taxiways and asphalt aprons. Strangely, many of these original revetments survive in better condition than their later, sturdier counterparts. The first domed revetment in Hawaii appeared at Ewa and several geometric variations followed. Many of them survive in amazingly good condition for their age; some relatively easy to access and some buried in dense vegetation. All remaining revetments have one thing in common; they hid and protected aircraft bound for the Battle of Midway. Destination: Midway Atoll Even before the Japanese attack, Marine pilots had already deployed from Ewa to Wake and Midway Islands, as well as the carriers. Those who remained were the first members of newly-organized squadrons as more men and replacement aircraft arrived following the surprise attack. Throughout the first half of 1942, a steady stream of Marine aviators, mechanics, and support personnel passed through Ewa during the buildup for Midway. Many of the aircraft Marines flew were US Navy castoffs. The Marines flew whatever was available, including some dangerously outdated types like the Brewster Buffalo and Vought Vindicator. At Midway, the Ewa Marine pilots fought against many of the same Japanese aircraft and crews that had attacked Ewa and Pearl Harbor six months earlier. The first Medal of Honor of WWII went to Ewa pilot Capt. Henry Elrod, USMC, for heroism in defense of Wake Island. The only Medal of Honor resulting from the Battle of Midway was also bestowed upon an Ewa pilot, Capt. Richard Fleming, USMC, who attacked the Japanese cruiser Mikuma while flying a Vought SB2U Vindicator dive-bomber. After the U.S. victory at Midway, MCAS Ewa continued to transition an ever-increasing wave of Marine and Naval aviators and aircraft between arrival from the mainland and their Pacific combat postings. In fact, nearly every WWII Marine Corps aircraft or aviator passed through MCAS Ewa! At the conclusion of hostilities, Ewa did the opposite, out-processing aviation personnel and deactivating marine and naval aircraft. Decommissioned On June 18th, 1952, one decade and two weeks after Ewa pilots contributed to the stunning success at Midway, MCAS Ewa officially closed. Korean War-era jets demanded longer runways than those at Ewa and extensions were infeasible, due to the close proximity of NAS Barbers Point. So Ewas land became part of Barbers Point, while maintenance of its aviation infrastructure stopped (including the historic revetments). The buildings disappeared. Except for their brief use in the 1970 film Tora! Tora! Tora!, Ewas revetments and place in history were largely forgotten. Nature reclaimed the old air base. The Navy decommissioned NAS Barbers Point in 1999 and it became the civilian airfield now known as Kalaeloa Airport, John Rodgers Field (PHJR). Preservation Around 2007, Ewa historian John Bond discovered that much of MCAS Ewa still existed, hidden under thorny trees and thick overgrowth. By 2013, pressure was mounting for the Navy to release the former MCAS Ewa & NAS Barbers Point acreage for residential and commercial development projects. Far too many historical areas, structures, and artifacts have already been lost. However, Mr. Bond, his team, and others have been working diligently to prevent further losses, hold off developers, and get Ewa and its revetments the protection, recognition, and preservation they deserve via State and National governmental programs and services. While those fights are far from over, progress thus far includes: The entire 1941 Ewa airfield (appx. 175 acres) has been placed on the National Register as a Battlefield. Unfortunately, this area does not include the entire MCAS Ewa, and thus excludes the early 1942 revetments built immediately after the Pearl Harbor attack. The later 1942 concrete dome revetments have been identified in a Navy Base Realignment & Closure document as eligible to become a National Historic District. This has not, however, actually happened as of this writing. The Ewa Battlefield is considered the larger area around and above the Ewa airbase where a battle was fought on U.S. soil on Dec. 7, 1941. This Battlefield was placed on the Hawaii State Historic Register in Nov. 2015 and on the National Register in May 2016. A National Park Service Battlefield protection program grant was recently awarded to identify and list some of the concrete dome revetments. However, not all are currently included, nor are the earlier sandbag and stucco revetments, which still stand but remain under threat. For more information or to contribute information or assistance in preservation measures, visit these websites and blogs: http://ewafield.blogspot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Save-Ewa-Field-270728152937385/ https://www.nps.gov/places/ewa-plain-battlefield.htm https://www.nps.gov/abpp/grants/battlefieldgrants/2016grantawards.html http://ewa-battlefield-nomination.blogspot.com/ About The Author: Matthew McDaniel is a Master & Gold Seal CFII, ATP, MEI, AGI, & IGI and Platinum CSIP. In 26 years of flying, he has logged 16,000 hours total and over 5,500 hours of instruction-given. Currently, he flies the Airbus A-320 series for an international airline, holds eight turbine aircraft type ratings, and has flown over 80 aircraft types. Matt is one of 25 instructors in the world to have earned the Master CFI designation for 7 consecutive two-year terms. Hes been a freelance aviation author since 2003 and owns Progressive Aviation Services, LLC (www.progaviation.com). He can be reached at: matt@progaviation.com or 414-339-4990. Copyright 2016, Matthew McDaniel. First publication rights granted WarbirdsNews. All other rights reserved by copyright holder. By PTI: From Aditi Khanna London, Dec 7 (PTI) British steel workers unions began crucial talks with Indian giant Tata Steel today to secure the future of the UKs biggest steel plant. Representatives from Community, Unite and GMB union began talks at the Tata-owned Port Talbot steelworks in south Wales. "We are seeking a positive future for the UK business and during discussions with the trade unions we made substantial assurances to achieve this," a Tata Steel statement said. advertisement While the details of the deal are yet to be confirmed, unions had insisted on maintaining the sites two blast furnaces in talks with management last week. The Tata Group employs more than 4,000 at Port Talbot alone, and hundreds more at other sites across the UK at Trostre and Shotton, Corby, Hartlepool and at sites in the West Midlands. Workers at the Port Talbot plant are today expected to be given the opportunity to approve a rescue plan. If the plan is agreed, it could see investment in the Welsh site in return for concessions on staff terms and conditions and would mean job security for thousands of workers, according to UK media reports. Central to the plan is the retention of both of Port Talbots blast furnaces, which turn iron ore and coke into molten iron. One was due to stop production in 2018 but unions have been fighting to keep it open. Earlier this year, Tata Steel announced all of its plants across the UK would be put for sale. But in July the sale came to a halt. Last month the firm signed a"letter of intent" with UK-basedLibertyHouse Group to enter into exclusive negotiations for the potential sale of its Speciality Steels business for an enterprise value of 100 million pounds. Meanwhile, Tata Steel and workers union leaders have been in talks over the existing final salary British Steel Pension. The next defined contribution into the scheme of 60 million pounds is due next March. The Welsh government said it is committed to providing Tata with a 60-million-pound funding package, as long as it maintains existing primary steelmaking capacity over the long-term. PTI AK KUN AKJ KUN --- ENDS --- A project led by Theatre Royal Waterford has been selected as one of the five arts projects in the country for funding from the... CHANGES to the junction between New Street and Barrack Street have backfired, becoming yet another source of traffic chaos in the heart of the... Valentines Day is a time to reflect and appreciate the relationships in our lives. However, it can also be a time to reflect on... By India Today Web Desk: Hina Khan has been tweeting a lot about the current season of Bigg Boss 10 since its launch. She has been mostly supporting her on-screen son Naksh aka Rohan Mehra. Looks like the makers have gauged her interest in the reality show and has invited her for Salman Ki Sabha this weekend. We saw Manu's fiancee, Mona's boyfriend and Manveer's bhabhi last time. Most likely, 'Akshara' would be seen talking about Rohan Mehra's graph on the show. advertisement Also read: Bigg Boss 10: Manu Punjabi to return to BB 10 house, confirms fiancee Rumours of her entering the BB 10 house were also rife some time back, but the actress vehemently denied the reports. Accompanying her on the show, will be Bigg Boss 8 finalist and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 9 participant Karishma Tanna. Both Hina and Karishma will also be interacting with other contestants. Also read: Bigg Boss 10: Wild card entry Elena Kazan gets evicted from the house We can't wait to see Rohan's reaction on seeing Hina! --- ENDS --- Experts discuss causes, triggers and relief tips for potential New Years Brain Fog Most of us will be familiar with that feeling right after Christmas... Christmas is such an important time for family reunions, but there are many of us for whom Christmas is also a time when those... There comes a moment in every organisation's journey, Dr Rebecca Parsons says, when the decision to fight gender bias even if it means losing a lucrative client is a make or break one. For Dr Parsons, the chief technology officer of software development company ThoughtWorks which this year beat Google and Facebook as the United States' top company for women in tech, that moment presented itself in the worst possible way. It didn't happen to her directly, although Dr Parsons is no stranger to gender-based discrimination, having in the late 1970s been told by Bradley University's then male computer science professor that girls can never excel at maths and science. (Boy, did she prove him wrong, later working as assistant professor of computer science at the University of Central Florida, and then at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, one of just two US organisations in which classified work towards the design of nuclear weapons has been undertaken). Tax Office bosses are urging their 18,000 public servants to end their resistance to the Coalition government's industrial relations policies when they vote in a massive workplace ballot beginning on Thursday morning. But unions are campaigning hard for a no-vote, saying the proposal on the table erodes workplace rights and offer pay rises of just 1 per cent per year, when the years of delays are taken into account. The ATO is chasing multinationals for $2 billion in unpaid tax, says Tax Commissioner Chris Jordan. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Public servants in the giant Defence Department were told on Tuesday night that they had rejected for the third time an enterprise agreement offered under the hardline public sector bargaining policy, with an increased No-vote of 58.4 per cent. Departmental boss Dennis Richardson thanked his staff for their votes and saying the issue would be revisited in 2017. Mandurah will miss out on hundreds of millions of dollars in funding earmarked for Australia's regions after the Turnbull government classified the Peel region part of the Perth metropolitan area. Major projects in the City of Mandurah and large parts of the Shire of Murray, including Pinjarra, Coolup and North Dandalup will not be eligible to apply for the government's $297.7 million Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF). The Turnbull government had previously decided the areas on the map in pink, including Mandurah and the Peel region, were part of the Perth metropolitan area. Nambeelup, which will be home to the Peel region's multi-billion dollar Transform Peel project, was also classified as part of Perth. It is not clear if Transform Peel, which requires Commonwealth funding and was expected to generate 33,000 jobs over the coming decades, is in jeopardy as a consequence of the decision. Birdlife Australia has added its voice to concerns over the Roe 8 highway project, saying fauna plans for the site fail to safeguard the protected rainbow bee-eater. Police handed out 18 move-on notices at Beeliar Wetlands on Wednesday as protesters gathered for the third day running to challenge the works that began on Monday. They have vowed to meet each morning this week to pressure the government to suspend work until the outcome of their High Court action is known and further detail is available on the area's protected wildlife. Birdlife Australia has now raised concerns that environmental management plans released days before the works began failed to identify protected migratory birds on the site in breeding season and left them vulnerable to the destruction of their nests and chicks. A West Australian mother who starved her three-month-old daughter then allowed the body to decompose inside a cooler bag in a shed has pleaded guilty to manslaughter mid-way through her murder trial. Tamara Louise Thompson had been on trial in the WA Supreme Court accused of failing to provide proper sustenance and nourishment to baby Destiny, whose body was discovered wearing a nappy and wrapped in a muslin cloth inside a cooler bag in July 2015. Tamara Louise Thompson. Thompson pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter on Wednesday. Some members of the jury cried last week as prosecutor Carmel Barbagallo outlined the state's case, while Thompson also wept throughout the proceedings. WA Police are warning the public about a suspicious traffic infringement email circulating around Perth. The email contains official WA Police branding, including a list of sponsors, and warns recipients they have 'been issued with a vehicular traffic infringement with Video-Data link.' WA Police say people who receive the suspicious speeding fine email should refrain from clicking on any of the links. The notice goes on to list an infringement number, date of issue, amount due and a due date. A WA Police spokesperson said while the email may seem legitimate, people who receive it should refrain from clicking on any of the links it lists. "WA Police currently only issues traffic infringements by either handing an on the spot infringement to a person or posting a traffic infringement- either handwritten or camera- to the offender in the mail," they said. "We do not currently issue traffic infringements by email or SMS." Los Angeles subway commuters were met by heavily armed deputies, dogs and bag searches on Tuesday as authorities responded to a report of a possible terrorist attack on the Metro Red Line's Universal City station. Increased security was visible across the Los Angeles County transit system as the FBI, LAPD and Sheriff's Department dealt with what they characterised as imminent threat of unknown credibility following a report from an overseas tip line. Los Angeles Police Commander Horace Frank, a top department counter-terrorism expert, said word of a potential attack came from a public tip line in Australia. Analysts are still trying to assess the credibility of the information, he said. "It was very specific and detailed, and given it was imminent, the decision was made to make it public," he said. "If they are testing us or turns out not to be credible, we have shown we have the ability to gather information from overseas and respond rapidly in Los Angeles." 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. A Regional Joint Coordinating Committee (RJCC) meeting of the Trade Facilitation Project for East Africa was held on 24 November 2016, at Kigali, Rwanda. Commissioners General and Commissioners Customs from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, as well as representatives from the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat, Japan Customs, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Headquarters and JICA country offices in East Africa attended the meeting. Mr. Richard Tusabe, Commissioner General of the Rwanda Revenue Authority chaired the meeting. Mr. Ernani Checcucci, Director, Capacity Building Directorate, represented the World Customs Organization (WCO) together with the Manager of the WCO/JICA Joint Project. The Trade Facilitation Project in the East Africa started in 2007, with support from JICA. In 2015, the WCO and JICA concluded a Memorandum of Cooperation and initiated discussion on how to enhance cooperation between the two organizations to provide better support for Customs administrations. One of the concrete outcomes of this discussion was the development of WCO/JICA Joint Project on Trade Facilitation in Africa that was launched in July 2016. This was the first RJCC meeting following the launch of the WCO/JICA Joint Project. In his opening remarks, Mr. Checcucci outlined the history of the project and the synergies that the partnership provides, such as increased use of WCOs international standards and access to WCO experts for the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Project in East Africa. The meeting discussed a number of key issues on Trade Facilitation in East Africa including the benefits of One Stop Border Post (OSBP) operations and the so-called "Master Trainer Programme" which has been contributing to the capacity building of both Customs officials and Customs brokers in East Africa in sustainable manner. The WCO/JICA Joint Project Manager introduced the upcoming activities to be held in 2017 in cooperation between the WCO and JICA. The participating Commissioners General and Commissioners Customs welcomed this development. The Trade Facilitation Project in East Africa is expected to be completed by December 2017 and the WCO is committed to work with JICA and Customs administrations in East Africa to achieve the project objectives together through the new framework of WCO/JICA cooperation. 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. Orange S.A. provides various fixed telephony and mobile telecommunications, data transmission, and other value-added services to customers, businesses, and other telecommunications operators in France and internationally. It operates through France; Spain and Other European Countries; The Africa and Middle East; Enterprise; International Carriers & Shared Services; and Mobile Financial Services segments. The company offers mobile services, such as voice, SMS, and data; fixed broadband and narrowband services, as well as fixed network business solutions, including voice and data; and convergence packages. It also sells mobile handsets, mobile terminals, broadband equipment, connected devices, and accessories. In addition, the company provides IT and integration services comprising unified communication and collaboration services, such as LAN and telephony, consultancy, integration, and project management; hosting and infrastructure services, including cloud computing; customer relations management and other applications services; security services; and video conferencing, as well as sells related equipment. Further, it offers national and international roaming services; online advertising services; and mobile virtual network operators, network sharing, and mobile financial services, as well as sells equipment to external distributors and brokers. Orange S.A. markets its products and services under the Orange brand. The company was formerly known as France Telecom and changed its name to Orange S.A. in July 2013. Orange S.A. was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Issy-les-Moulineaux, France. Faraday Lectures at WSU Make Chemistry a Family Holiday Event December 8, 2016 OGDEN, Utah In celebration of the holiday season and science, Weber State University will host the annual Faraday Lectures in the Lind Lecture Hall Rooms 125 and 126 on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.. The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited to auditorium capacity of 324. Carol Campbell lights a chemical on fire Chemistry professor Michelle Paustenbaugh, assistant professor Brandon Burnett and instructor Carol Campbell will don clothing from the 1800s and conduct a number of scientific demonstrations. Some of the experiments the trio perform include the use of cryogenics, or very low temperatures, and combustion. WSU President Charles Wight will participate as master of ceremonies. Faraday Lectures pay homage to Michael Faraday, a renowned English scientist, known for his contributions to electromagnetism and electrochemistry. Faraday hosted Christmas Lectures at The Royal Institution in London from 1825-1861. WSU has continued the holiday tradition to entertain and educate both children and adults. The Faraday Lectures is a great opportunity for us to show off how amazing our natural world is, Burnett said. When you understand some very simple ideas, you open up the possibilities to see and do wonderful things. We love to use the Faraday Lectures to connect with the community, especially kids, and engage them in chemistry by presenting some neat tricks that nature has to show us. Burnett will dress as Michael Faraday. Paustenbaugh and Campbell will dress as science pioneers Marie Curie and Marie Lavoisier, respectively. Faraday Lectures is a fun way to explore different areas of chemistry with lots of demonstrations, including several that are new this year, Campbell said. We will also be looking to our audience for some volunteers. Curie, noted for her radiological work, became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in 1903. She shared that prize, which was in physics, with her husband Pierre Curie and the French physicist Henri Becquerel. Lavoisier was instrumental in the success of her husband, Antoine Lavoisier, who discovered the Law of Conservation of Mass. After marrying in her early teens, she worked alongside her husband in the laboratory. She also contributed detailed drawings of scientific equipment to her husbands publications. I hope people will gain an appreciation for the understanding of the natural world through chemistry and science, Paustenbaugh said. Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University. For high resolution photos, visit the following link: wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Colleges-and-Departments/Science-College-of-Science/Faraday-Lectures-2014 Paducah Police make an arrest in an attempted arson 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. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Dec. 06, 2016 | MAYFIELD, KY By West Kentucky Star Staff Dec. 06, 2016 | 02:08 PM | MAYFIELD, KY Graves County deputies charged a man with growing marijuana while they were investigating a domestic violence call. The Graves County Sheriff's Department says deputies responded about 4 am Monday to a home on Jacks Road. They spoke to 53-year-old Timothy Gorham, who had reportedly assaulted his wife. Deputies say she had apparently left the home after the incident. While taking to Gorham, deputies said they could smell marijuana on him, and he admitted he had the drug in his home. Gorham surrendered a small amount of marijuana to deputies. Police executed a search warrant at the home, since they had heard Gorham had a gun during the alleged assault. Authorities seized 22 mature marijuana plants at the home, along with methamphetamine. Gorham was arrested on charges of assault 4th degree - domestic violence, tampering with physical evidence, cultivating marijuana - more than 5 plants, trafficking marijuana over 5 pounds, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Gorham was taken to Graves County Jail. 06 Dec 2016: A crude oil transmission line was shut down in western North Dakota following a leak that spilled oil into a creek, the state said on Tuesday.The size of Mondays leak and extent of the spill were not yet known. It occurred as Native Americans, climate activists and other protesters were camped around 200 miles away at the Dakota Access pipeline project site over concerns a leak there could contaminate the water supply.The leak that prompted the shutdown was discovered in a six-inch pipeline operated by Belle Fourche Pipeline Company, the North Dakota Department of Health said. An undetermined amount of crude oil was spilled, the state said.A series of booms have been placed across the creek to prevent downstream migration and a siphon dam has been constructed four miles downstream of the release point, Bill Suess, spill investigation program manager for the North Dakota Department of health, said.The spill leaked oil into the Ash Coulee Creek in Billings County.Since 2011, the Belle Fourche Pipeline has had 10 reported spills, totaling 4,848 barrels and $2.26 million in property damage, according to the U.S. Department of Transportations Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA).The federal agency has also issued six warning letters to the pipeline company regarding integrity issues and safety procedures.PHMSA has been notified of the incident, an agency spokeswoman said.Belle Fourche Pipeline is a 783-mile liquids pipeline. The company transports crude oil in the Williston Basin of western North Dakota and eastern Montana, and the Powder River Basin of Wyoming, according to the company website.The leak occurred as Native Americans, climate activists and others protested at the Dakota Access pipeline project site over concerns a leak there could contaminate the water supply.At the weekend they were rewarded with the news that the Army Corps of Engineers, in response to a lawsuit filed by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, denied Energy Transfer Partners a permit for building the pipeline under the Missouri River at the current site, and pending an environmental review. The review could take anywhere from six months to a year. MCGRADY SAYS STATE HELP IS COMING TO PAY FOR FLOODS AND WILDFIRES FROM THE FLOODS THAT DRENCHED COASTAL AND EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA---TO THE WILDFIRES AND DROUGHT THAT SCORCHED THE WEST Rep. Chuck McGrady, R-Henderson, who has been in Raleigh this week working on the legislation, said he expects to see some relief targeted for western counties, but the size and scope of the legislation has yet to be established. Henderson County's Representatrive in the N.C. General Assembly told the Carolina Public Press that The bill started out a month and a half ago only focused on issues in the east related to Hurricane Matthew, but now weve had the fires in the west, McGrady said in an interview Monday with Carolina Public Press. My expectation is that the bill will provide enough money to be a down payment toward addressing the damages that have occurred. McGrady said its still too early to fully assess the damages and costs of the fires, which have burned an more than 55,000 acres in Western North Carolina. The state forest service has been doing a good job tracking its costs, he said, but the impact of the fires on local governments is less clear right now. [Check current status of WNC wildfires, via the NC Forest Service, here.] McGrady said initial aid offered in the special session is likely to be targeted at the cost of fighting the fires, with an additional aid package coming next year. Once the scope of federal aid is established and local governments in WNC have had time to assess impacts, the legislature could plan additional state assistance. Over the next weeks and months as the numbers get clearer, I would anticipate another bill early in the upcoming session that would take care of everything, McGrady said. Rep. John Ager, D-Buncombe, said the legislature should make sure some help for the west to recover from drought and fires comes out of the session. It is definitely on my agenda that we roll in fire relief, Ager said. He said hes worried that local fire departments are tapping their reserves to cover the costs of keeping firefighters in the field. Help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is coming, Ager said, but time is tight. Theres only so many of these paychecks that the local fire departments can cover, he said. Now, 12 more people have been sentenced to prison terms on this basis. According to the BBC, the charges included, spreading prostitution and promoting corruption via the publication of obscene images online, inciting Muslims to corrupt themselves through putting on fashion shows, and spreading a Western-style culture of nudity. The resulting sentences ranged from five months to six years, and most seemed to be closer to the upper limit. Most convicts were also barred from working in the fashion industry after their release, and also from traveling abroad for a period of years. The convictions and underlying accusations are very much in keeping with other reports of politically or culturally motivated arrests and intimidation. But the timing of this report also encourages readers to view it as contrasting with other recent Iranian rhetoric. Last week, it was reported that two Iranian nationals had been arrested in Kenya on suspicion of plotting terrorist activities. The World Bulletin noted that the Iranian Foreign Ministry had reacted angrily to the incident, demanding that Kenya release the two men. Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi also seemed to blame Israel for the incident, referring to hostile intervention of a third party in a finished case, undoubtedly with the intention of damaging good Iran-Kenya relations. The arrestees, Sayed Nasrollah Ebrahimi and Abdolhosein Gholi Safaee were apprehended along with a Kenyan driver after they were seen monitoring and taking photos or video of the Israeli embassy. As various recent reports have made clear, political prisoners in the Islamic Republic of Iran are often convicted after being arrested without cause, after with a case against them is built through interrogations and torture, which sometimes last for months. Some targets of the current crackdown have been accused of being leading members in some sort of Western-based infiltration network, although the Iranians have provided no evidence of the existence of such a network, much less of the defendants memberships in it. It seems clear that these people tend to come under suspicion merely because they have personal or professional connections to the West or because they hold citizenship both in Iran and in a Western country. This was evidently the case, for instance, with Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was sentenced to five years in prison after visiting her parents in Iran, along with her two-year old daughter Gabriella. It was apparently also the case with Robin Shahini, who was also visiting family in Iran after having lived abroad for 18 years, and who was given a staggering 18 year sentence for charges that were never made public. No such secrecy surrounds the case against Ebrahimi and Safaee, and The Tower reports that there is clear justification for suspecting them of terrorist activities. Before being spotted outside the Israeli embassy, the two men had visited two members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, who are serving prison sentences for a 2013 conviction on charges of carrying out terrorist attacks against Western targets. The Tower also notes that their case fits a recognized pattern of Iranians using diplomatic cover to hide their destabilizing behavior. While it is still possible that the two men are innocent, there is a clear double standard in Irans objecting to the well-founded suspicions against them while rebuffing international criticism of arrests and convictions that stem from unsubstantiated claims of foreign infiltration and plots for the soft overthrow of the Iranian regime. Speaking to the Iranian parliament on Sunday, Rouhani insisted that President Obama is obliged to let the ISA expire, and he reiterated a common Iranian talking point about the renewal being a violation of the JCPOA. Leading members of the US Congress, however, insisted that the reauthorization of the sanctions bill would be essential to retaining a credible threat of snap back in the event that Iran is found to be in violation of the agreement. Agence-France Presse reported last week that the Obama administration had conclusively determined that renewal of the ISA was not prohibited by the JCPOA. As such, the president is expected to sign the bill, in defiance of Rouhanis apparent ultimatum. In his remarks to parliament, Rouhani promised that the Iranian government would act promptly in response to the bills passage. It is unclear what sort of action was being promised, but Reuters had previously reported that two bills were being considered by Iranian lawmakers. Member of Parliament Akbar Ranjbarzadeh indicated on Friday that he would introduce a bill to fully halt implementation of the JCPOA. But an alternative bill was set to take the rather more moderate action of initiating a boycott of American products. The latter option would, in theory, preserve the sanctions relief negotiated under the JCPOA, but prevent the US from benefiting in the form of its own trade deals with Iran. The Seattle-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing recently received government authorization for the sale of jet liners to the Iranian fleet, but the multi-billion dollar deal would presumably be scuttled by Irans punitive action. It is highly likely that Iran would be willing to let go of this and other individual trade deals, regardless of how much it needs them. But the severity of that need will presumably constrain the Islamic Republic against purposefully cancelling the JCPOA altogether. This was the conclusion presented by the Los Angeles Times on Monday, in an article that also quoted Rouhani as saying that Iran has no intention of abandoning the deal. Rouhani insisted that the benefits of the deal were clear to everybody, despite the hardline criticism that has been levied against it for its failure to bring about an immediate and comprehensive economic recovery. Lingering threats from the US have made it difficult for the Iranians to find financing or to engage in trade that relies on the US dollar. Yet there have been numerous deals struck between Iran and global partners including several in Western Europe. And it is unlikely that even Iranian hardliners would relinquish these opportunities casually. The same thing appears to be true of Irans partners in those various trade deals, and this promises to further strengthen the JCPOA even as it faces threats both from Tehran and from Washington. UPI detailed a number of the trade and investment deals that have grown out of the nuclear agreement in an article on Monday. That article went on conclude that it will be difficult for US President-elect Donald Trump to convince the world to follow his lead when he takes office in January and begins pushing a more assertive Iran policy. AFP agreed with this assessment, making specific reference to China as a potential obstacle to Trumps plans. As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and Russia were both among the seven parties that negotiated the JCPOA. And both have been growing increasingly close to Iran. AFP notes that the Chinese Foreign Minister recently met with his Iranian counterpart and used the associated press conference to warn against domestic politics in the US creating a threat to the nuclear deals ongoing implementation. While campaigning for office, Trump described the JCPOA as one of the worst agreements in American history and repeatedly indicated that he would tear it up. Post-election analysis has tended to focus on the logistical difficulty of following through on such a promise where a multilateral agreement is concerned, and Trump has revised his position to emphasize the possibility of renegotiation. But the UPI and AFP reports cast serious doubt upon the prospects for him bringing even close US allies back to the table, let alone the Iranians themselves. What may very well come to pass under his administration is mutual escalation in rhetoric over the deal and the alleged violations on each side. Whereas the Iranians regard the ISAs renewal as a violation of the spirit of the deal, American lawmakers have said the same thing about Iranian provocations, including repeated tests of nuclear-capable ballistic missiles that the Islamic Republic is called upon to avoid. The Americans have also accused Iran of violating the strict letter of the law, for instance by twice exceeding the deals limit on Irans stockpile of heavy water, a byproduct of nuclear reactions. These sorts of violations have been effectively disregarded by the Obama administration, which maintains that minor violations need not be met with a punitive response as long as they are corrected. The Trump administration can be expected to take a different view, and several analysts have suggested that by merely enforcing the deal strictly, the White House may be able to compel Iran to walk away from the deal. Trump may take other steps to antagonize the Iranians, as well. On Friday, Reuters reported that he had been speaking to congressional Republicans about the prospect for increasing the types of sanctions that are not covered by the JCPOA. This action had already been considered by some legislators in advance of the ISAs renewal. The bill that passed the Senate last week and the House two weeks earlier was described as a clean reauthorization of the sanctions, and as such it passed overwhelmingly, with only one vote against it in the House and none in the Senate. The bill would have been much more contentious, however, if it had taken a different form, imposing new sanctions as well as renewing the existing ones. As well as seeking to avoid unnecessary controversy over the bill, the Republican leadership may have also determined that they would be in a much better position to impose new sanctions separately, under a president whose views on Iran policy are more similar to their own. Many of Trumps advisors include persons who are notably hawkish on Iran, including some who are known supporters of the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI or MEK), the banned resistance group that advocates a popular uprising and regime change in Iran. This has already begun to rattle some in Tehran. Minoo Aslani weirdly criticized Color The World Orange campaign by The United Nations, on the occasion of the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, saying that this campaign calls on women not to express their affection and love for their family. Why should they commit themselves to UN, to achieve gender equality in the next 15 years? Aslani slammed the regimes officials, adding, it is heard that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed on jobs to be divided equally between men and women. This is against womens dignity. She complained that some people are against the marriage of 17-years-old girls and consider it an example of violence against women. She asked, Why? The marriage of girls at a young age is an honor and the judiciary should promote such thought in the society. She called the questionnaires which were distributed to evaluate performances of different official bodies on gender equality is unconstitutional and The judiciary must act. Minoo Aslani protested women working in a mixed environment. she called it an example of violence against women and an issue which disrupts womens security. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 06/12/2016 (2158 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The RBC Foundations Emerging Artists Project has donated $500,000 toward the Winnipeg Art Gallerys proposed Inuit Art Centre, it was announced Tuesday. The announcement took place during the ArcticNets 12th Annual Scientific Meeting, a conference being held this week at Winnipegs RBC Convention Centre. RBCs donation today will lead to emerging artist exchanges between artists in Manitoba and Canadas Arctic, providing avenues for artists to grow and expand their techniques and experiences, Stephen Borys, the gallerys director and CEO, said in a release. BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS RBC regional president Kim Ulmer announces a $500,000 donation to the WAG's Inuit Art Centre. The gallery possesses more than 14,000 pieces of Inuit art, the largest collection in the world. Earlier this year it accepted a loan of 7,000 works from the Nunavut government while the territory plans a gallery of its own. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 07/12/2016 (2157 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Fresh off winning a national Startup Canada award last week for entrepreneur support, North Forge Technology Exchange is opening its first satellite centre, in Pinawa, with more likely to come. North Forge East opens this week in Pinawa to service communities in eastern Manitoba including Lac du Bonnet, Beausejour, Grand Beach, Anola, Dugald, Oakbank, Sagkeeng First Nation, Powerview-Pine Falls and Selkirk. In the week its website has been up, its attracted applicants from across the region, including from Steinbach. WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES North Forge has expanded rapidly during its short existence. The idea is North Forge will leverage its track record of success in helping entrepreneurs in Winnipeg to the eastern region of the province to help them develop their concepts into businesses. It will make its extensive and growing bench of expert mentors available to members of North Forge East along with a range of services, including co-working space with Wi-Fi, video conferencing equipment, meeting and event space, grant assistance, investor and market intelligence, networking opportunities, training and access to the Winnipeg Fabrication Labs prototyping equipment. North Forge is a result of meaningful collaborations, and thats whats behind the opening of our office in Pinawa, said president Jeff Ryzner. Enthusiastic support from Pinawa Mayor Blair Skinner and from Canadian Nuclear Laboratories helped make North Forges first sub-office a reality. Shane Li, an official with Pinawa Community Development Corp., will be the president of North Forge East. This is not just about Pinawa, he said. Entrepreneurs from across the eastern region of the province can access the same information and services provided by North Forge. In 1963, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (now Canadian Nuclear Laboratories) built the town of Pinawa to provide a community for employees of the Whiteshell Laboratories nuclear research facility. Over the past 20 years, Whiteshell Laboratories has been in the process of being decommissioned. The resulting job loss has impacted the economy of Pinawa and its neighbouring municipalities. Among other things, North Forge has invested in cloud infrastructure and additional software licences so that, for example, entrepreneurs in Pinawa can access design software linked directly with 3D printers at North Forges Winnipeg Fabrication Lab on Adelaide Street. There, qualified staff and volunteers can produce products generated by the designer from a remote location. Pinawa is likely the first of multiple remote locations for North Forge. Ryzner said discussions have been ongoing to set up locations in Brandon and somewhere in the north. martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 07/12/2016 (2157 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Wellness Institute at Seven Oaks Hospital caught the attention of several hospital officials from China in a chance encounter a few years ago. Over the course of about four years, that attention led to the complex arrangement whereby the hospital helped open a similar facility through a long-term development and management agreement with Rizhao Hospital, in a small resort city in the north of China on the Yellow Sea. This week, Seven Oaks Hospital Chronic Disease Innovation Centre, the not-for-profit organization formed to support medical research in Winnipeg and that operates Canada Wellness Institute, its international division was selected as the winner of a business excellence award by the Canada China Business Council. The award recognized the centres inclusion of China in its business strategy. The 80,000-square-foot centre in Rizhao, modeled after the Wellness Institute, opened in the summer of 2015. The centre is continuing its work with the Rizhao pilot site, which has already expanded once and is in discussions with hospitals in other parts of China to create additional facilities. Seven Oaks officials said the Rizhao facility continues to operate successfully and talks are ongoing with several other potential locations to develop in China, although none are imminent. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 07/12/2016 (2157 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The province is getting some blue-ribbon advice to reduce red tape. Finance Minister Cameron Friesen announced the participants of a 14-member panel Tuesday that will focus on regulations that stifle business competitiveness and slow the delivery of public services. Conservative MLA Shannon Martin (Morris) and Carmele Peter, president of Winnipeg-based Exchange Income Corp., were appointed as co-chairs of the red-tape reduction task force. Also included are prominent businessmen Henry Borger, president of Borland Construction Inc., and Don Streuber, executive chairman and CEO of Bison Transport. Friesen said launching the task force is part of the governments commitment to rebuilding Manitobas economy. Excess regulation and unnecessary red tape create a drag on economic growth, costing Manitoba businesses hundreds of millions of dollars per year, he said in a news release. Eliminating barriers that stifle growth will create jobs as we work toward rebuilding the Manitoba economy. Manitoba is currently ranked last in the country in measurements of regulatory accountability by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. The province has no regulatory measurement system, no constraints placed on the expansion of regulatory requirements and no legislation to ensure accountability for provincial decisions, Friesen said. For years, Manitobas employers have advocated for a more transparent, effective and efficient regulatory environment, said Bill Gardner, chairman of the Manitoba Employers Council. This task force will provide an accountable and transparent process to bring forward red-tape removal recommendations that will make our province more prosperous while also reducing government expenses, he said in the government release. Other members of the task force include: Vera Goussaert, executive director of the Manitoba Co-operative Association; management consultant Al Goodz; Wade Linden, director of operations with the Southport Aerospace Centre Inc.; Winkler Mayor Martin Harder; Marilyn Braun-Pollon, vice-president, prairie and agribusiness with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business; and Don Sierens, founder and president of Sierens Equipment Ltd., a steel fabrication business. The task force will initially focus its efforts on four specific industries through several sub-committees that include government MLAs and external representatives. They include: Agriculture and food processing: Blair Yakimoski, MLA for Transcona; Marilyn Braun-Pollon and Dan Sierens; Transportation: Greg Nesbitt, MLA for Riding Mountain; Wade Linden and Don Streuber; Non-profits: Janice Morley-Lecomte, MLA for Seine River; Vera Goussaert and Alan Goodz; Land development: Jeff Wharton, MLA for Gimli; Henry Borger and Martin Harder. The task force will begin its consultations in January. Friesen said he is expecting recommendations and a plan of action from the group by spring. He said full implementation of the recommendations is anticipated by May 2018. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 07/12/2016 (2157 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is urging the Trudeau government and Canadian businesses to take advantage of opportunities created by the significant policy shift likely to take place in the U.S. under a Donald Trump presidency. When the new (U.S.) administration is sworn in on January 20 we are looking at substantive changes in policy, Perrin Beatty said in a speech in Winnipeg Wednesday morning. Its not certain what those changes will be, but Beatty noted Trump has said he wants to make the U.S. economy more productive, which can have positive and negative implications for Canada. JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Perrin Beatty, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Winnipeg Wednesday. Since the Canadian economy is now growing at a much slower rate than anticipated, an amped-up U.S. economy might make it even tougher for Canadian business to crack into the huge American market where currently 75 per cent of our exports end up. At a time when Canadian competitiveness is lacking, if American competitiveness improves significantly it puts at risk Canadian businesss ability to compete, he said. However, if the U.S. economy picks up, it potentially means greater demand for Canadian goods and services. On the trade front, Beatty believes there are new breakthroughs possible for Canadian business despite Trumps stated goal to re-negotiate trade deals and to pull out of the Trans Pacific Partnership. He said that sentiment in the U.S. should not be seen as an isolated event. Populism is spreading across the Western industrialized countries where they are saying We see others as a threat, we are pulling back from the world and turning inward our prosperity depends on cutting ourselves off rather than reaching out and engaging more with the rest of the world, Beatty said. The global trade environment is unlike anything like we have ever known. Having said that, Beatty believes Canada has a chance to be pro-active on the trade front and gain an upper hand. If we are successful in concluding our agreement with Europe, we will have a free trade agreement with Europe making it possible for Canadian goods and services to have easier access to those rich markets, he said. The U.S. and Europe are going nowhere with their negotiations. He said that could mean American companies that have operations in Canada could increase Canadian production as a gateway to Europe. Similarly, if the TPP dies I hope it doesnt Canada should be prepared to move ahead aggressively with an agenda to develop bilateral deals with TPP countries. We have already negotiated the basis for much of that. He said Canada could serve as the bridge between European and Asia Pacific countries and North America for goods and services going both ways. martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 07/12/2016 (2157 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. After standing up with the Standing Rock Sioux and halting the completion of an oil pipeline in North Dakota, Manitoba First Nations people and Winnipeg environmental activists who were there say theyre bracing for a pipeline fight north of the border. The head of the Southern Chiefs Organization fears environmental extremists will prevent resource development from happening for struggling First Nations. Water-safety and alternative-energy advocates say its time to turn off the tap for dirty oil and prevent all pipeline construction. They all hailed Sundays peaceful resolution in North Dakota. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it would not grant an easement for the Dakota Access pipeline the Sioux tribe said could threaten their water source and cultural sites. The announcement came one day before several hundred protesters were ordered to leave federal land with the National Guard and law enforcement armed and waiting. SUPPLIED Clayton Thomas-Muller, a campaigner with climate change activists 350.org and a member of Manitoba's Mathias Colomb First Nation on "media hill" Monday at Cannon Ball, N.D. where supporters of the Standing Rock Sioux are hunkering down for the winter in spite of Sunday's victory. One of the things Im grateful for is we wont be seeing Grandma with a bullet hole in the side of her head had there been a violent response to remove people from there, said Grand Chief Terrance Nelson of the Southern Chiefs Organization. Hes been to the site four times and met with Standing Rock Sioux tribal chairman David Archambault. Its their land. It is a victory in the way that further violence was averted, said Nelson, who was there shortly before protesters were tear-gassed last month. Back home in Canada, Nelson says hes worried about protesters preventing First Nations from benefiting from resource development, not law enforcement turning violent. I question whether or not some of our people understand weve been infiltrated by environmental extremists telling us we have to save Mother Earth by shutting down a pipeline, he said. Shutting down a pipeline doesnt save Mother Earth if youre still travelling by car. Oil will still be transported whether its by rail or truck and First Nations will still get nothing, said Nelson, who expected the subject of pipelines would come up at a meeting of the Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa Tuesday with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Im not a climate change denier, said Nelson. It is going to kill millions of people, and it does affect us. However, to have a non-emotional debate and an intelligent debate doesnt seem possible under the existing scenario with people shouting down others, said Nelson. I drove to Standing Rock, and I put gasoline in my car, he said. I dont see any horses in the parking lot, and we eat imported food that comes here by diesel trucks. How can we say were against all pipelines? On Nov. 29, Trudeau announced approval for Enbridge Inc.s $7.5-billion Line 3 pipeline-replacement program. Nelson said his home community of Roseau River First Nation has never received a dime from Enbridge since Line 3 was built in the 1950s. The line runs through nearby Gretna from Hardisty, Alta., to Superior, Wis. First Nations should benefit from such projects, said Nelson. Im prepared to sit with Enbridge and TransCanada Pipelines and provide information to our people, said Nelson. How do we do something about 60 to 95 per cent unemployment in the 32 First Nations in the Southern Chiefs Organization if we can never talk about economic-development projects? Nelson asked. Giving in to Big Oil isnt the answer, say Winnipeg activists reached at the Dakota Access encampment Monday. Building new pipelines keeps Canada hooked on fossil fuels and less inclined develop alternative-energy sources, said Clayton Thomas-Muller with climate change group 350.org. Even though Prime Minister Trudeau is saying yes to a project, that doesnt mean that project will be built, said Thomas-Muller. Opponents are shunning financial institutions that support the oil industry with the #BankExit campaign, said Sadie-Phoenix Lavoie, the University of Winnipeg Students Association vice-president of external affairs. This is something that has happened across the country, where young individuals are closing accounts with those banks that are funding the oil industry and investing in pipelines, Lavoie said from Cannon Ball, N.D. The federal government subsidizes the oil industry when it should be subsidizing the development of alternative sources of energy, said Lavoie, who opposes all pipeline construction. Thomas-Muller said water protectors arent claiming victory and going home. Theyre hunkering down for the winter and the pipelines next move. This is not a checkmate, said Thomas-Muller. This is check. This buys us some time for preparation for whatever comes next. carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca [December 07, 2016] Internet Facing Unprecedented Challenges; Time to Act is Now Says Internet Society Today at the 11th Internet Governance Forum (IGF), a United Nations-convened conference taking place in Mexico, 6-9 December, the Internet Society urged the global Internet community to redouble its efforts in addressing the wave of unprecedented challenges facing the Internet. Speaking to representatives from governments, the private sector, non-profit organizations, and academics from around the world, the Internet Society's President and CEO Kathryn Brown, stressed the importance of the Internet in creating social and economic opportunity, in accelerating human progress and in developing knowledge-based societies. She also implored the Community to engage in addressing the hard challenges that have arisen for the Internet in the 21st century. "The open, trusted, global Internet has delivered on its promise as a tool to change lives, enhance growth and provide essential human services - but the progress is uneven and threatened by challenges that have grown, just as the Internet has grown," said Ms. Brown at the IGF Opening Ceremony. "Now is the moment to tackle the most important challenges before us to advance our shared objective of bringing the Internet to everyone, everywhere." The lack of affordable access to the Internet and the disparity in levels of access across the world remains a key challenge for the Internet. With just under half of the global population expected to be online by the end of 2016, Internet growth rates are slowing, resulting in a deepening digital divide between those with access and those without. Deploying infrastructure, increasing usability, and ensuring affordability are critical for expanding Internet access and globally eliminating divisions in society, as are the policy frameworks to enable this. "Multiple security issues are damaging user confidence and have emerged as the existential threat to the future of the Internet. We must act now to reverse this trend," added Brown. The consequences of security and access challenges are in sharp focus in Mexico. As Internet adoption and connectivity continue to grow, with 45% of the population online, so do the number of cyber-attacks. In fact, Mexico ranks as the second country with the largest number of cyber-attacks in Latin America after Brazil, with a 40% increase in reported cyber-attacks in 2014 alone. The Internet Society will use IGF this week to emphasize the importance of stakeholder participation in matters of access, trust and security. The Internet Society believes that governments should not act unilaterally in responding to legitimate safety and security concerns. Rather, it is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to act locally in contributing to a global effort to maintain and increase trust in the Internet, while safeguarding the rights of users. In her address, Ms. Brown reiterated the outcome of the WSIS+10 Review meeting in December 2015, at which governments around the world recommitted themselves to the principle of the inclusive, multistakeholder model for Internet governance as the best way to build the Internet of the future. "We still have time - but there is urgency," she concluded. "We must work together now to solve these significant emerging challenges facing the Internet, using the value in the multistakeholder model and the power of collaboration to offer solutions for connecting the unconnected and increasing user trust." About the Internet Society Founded by Internet pioneers, the Internet Society (ISOC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the open development, evolution, and use of the Internet into the future. Together with its growing global community of chapters and members, the Internet Society supports Internet-led innovation, promotes the use of best practice technologies and encourages the adoption of policies that enable universal access to a globally connected, trusted Internet. The Internet Society is also the organizational home of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005450/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 07/12/2016 (2157 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Its not easy being a lobbyist. In order to be effective, you need great relationships with all governments, regardless of political stripe. You have to represent the interests of your membership, industry, sector or profession with firmness, while still remaining credible to the public at large. Its a delicate balancing act that, quite frankly, few individual or organizational lobbyists manage to pull off. WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Chris Lorenc, president of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association, speaks to media after Tuesdays EPC meeting at city hall regarding the preliminary city budget. For the most part, the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association has been very successful at skating that fine line between the interests of its members (large construction contractors), the government and the general public. The association is a valuable resource for journalists, providing expert commentary and analysis of government policy on infrastructure. And for the most part, it has maintained an equally good relationship with local and provincial government officials, regardless of who was in power. Recently, however, the association has strayed somewhat from its well-balanced approach by launching a series of radio attack ads aimed at Mayor Brian Bowman. The ads argue, from the organizations point of view, the mayor and council are in effect cutting about $100 million in funding for street repairs over the next six years. Government investment in core infrastructure is the lifeblood of the associations members. Any reduction in funding is an issue you would expect to hear about from the association and its respected president, Chris Lorenc. The ad campaign is certainly a provocative gesture, putting the group and its membership in direct conflict with the mayor. You would have to believe Lorenc and construction contractors believe this is a fight worth having. However, the association took a much different approach when it came to similar decision-making at the Manitoba legislature, where the Progressive Conservative government of Premier Brian Pallister has also trimmed considerable money from its long-term infrastructure investment plans. In November, the new Tory government confirmed it would cap total infrastructure spending at $1 billion, with about half that for core infrastructure. That is about $130 million less than the NDP spent last year and nearly $200 million less than the NDP had planned to spend in the 2017 construction season. In this instance, however, the construction association was entirely empathetic. There will never be enough money to handle the challenges this province faces, but the commitment to an announced level is fundamental to our ability to expand our capacity and bid competitively, Lorenc said. Why would Bowman be subjected to a critical radio-ad campaign while Pallister is lauded for his fiscal prudence? A number of possible factors can explain this clear double standard. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Premier Brian Palliister speaks at a ceremony to officially unveil a plaque commemorating the 100th Anniversary of some Manitoba women receiving the right to vote at the Manitoba Legislative Building Tuesday morning. Nov 29, 2016 First and foremost, Bowman has provoked some ire from the Winnipeg business community and its lobbyists. From public sparring with True North owner Mark Chipman over development of city-owned land downtown, to the current battle with homebuilders over the imposition of a development fee, Bowman has picked some big fights with some big names in the local business community. There is also a growing sense among political observers that Bowman, the darling of the 2014 municipal elections, is waning in overall popularity. Lobbyists, who have an innate ability to smell a politician on the way down, may believe Bowman will be vulnerable in the next municipal election. On the other side of the equation, it seems obvious the construction association is trying to build support with a provincial government that is still in its early days. That shouldnt be too difficult given the group is more in tune politically with the Progressive Conservatives. Lorenc is a longtime PC supporter and a fixture at party functions. Philosophically, he sees the world through the same lens as Pallister, a condition that no doubt convinced Lorenc to give Pallister the friends-and-family exemption from the attack ads. That does not mean the construction association is immune from repercussions. Hammering one level of government while using kid gloves with another may pay early dividends, but in the long term, it will only cause an erosion of effectiveness. Labour organizations know about this phenomenon. Given their official connection to the NDP, unions tend to thrive when NDP governments are in power and struggle when parties of other stripes take over. That is certainly true now as a Tory government amends labour laws to make it easier to beat back union certification and seeks wage concessions from its public-sector bargaining groups. The same dilemma holds true for organizations not as formally ingrained in the hierarchy of a political party, such as the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg. For the 17 years the NDP was in power provincially, the firefighters group was a constant presence at party and government events. Unlike many other lobby groups, it insisted on endorsing politicians and parties at election time. WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Mayor Brian Bowman speaks to reporters after the throne speech Monday in the Legislative building. And during provincial elections, the firefighters group directly and publicly supported the NDP. Its not surprising, then, it is finding life much more difficult with a Tory provincial government, particularly on issues such as the self-regulation of paramedics. The firefighters group has always fought against any increased independence or profile for paramedics, concerned that would reduce its influence among paramedic-trained firefighters. President Alex Forrest thought he had a deal with the former NDP government to quash paramedic self-regulation; the new Tory government, not surprisingly, is open to the idea. The construction association will find an important lesson in the firefighters groups current dilemma. In particular, the influence you enjoy today could be a distant memory tomorrow if you provoke your enemies faster than you placate your friends. dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 06/12/2016 (2158 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr apologized Tuesday for suggesting last week Canada would call in police or the military if violent protests erupt over pipeline construction. I didnt choose my words carefully last week, and I regret that, Carr said following Tuesdays cabinet meeting. The point I wanted to make was that one of those characteristics of Canada that makes us such a special country is that we have not only tolerance for dissent, but we embrace dissent because it is an essential characteristic of who we are to be Canadian. And I also wanted to make the point that civil disobedience and peaceful protest is very much a part of our history and I should have left it at that. The Liberal MP from Winnipeg South Centre has been battling demands for an apology and hearing calls for his resignation since he responded to a question from business leaders in Edmonton last week, asking what the government would do if protests against pipeline construction turned violent: Adrian Wyld / The Canadian Press Files Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr said he didn't choose his words carefully when talking about how the government would deal with violent pipeline protesters. If people choose, for their own reasons, not to be peaceful, then the government of Canada through its defence forces, through its police forces will ensure that people are kept safe, Carr said. We have a history of peaceful dialogue and dissent in Canada. Im certainly hopeful that tradition will continue. If people determine for their own reasons that that is not the path they want to follow, then we live under the rule of law. Carrs comments came during a trip to Alberta immediately after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the approval of two applications for Kinder Morgans Trans Mountain pipeline expansion in Alberta and B.C. and Enbridges Line 3 replacement, which runs from Alberta to Wisconsin, through Manitoba. His comments angered many in the anti-pipeline movement, particularly in indigenous communities, many of whom perceived the comment as a threat against all protests. In the days following the comment Carr said repeatedly it was not intended as a threat but didnt apologize until Tuesday. I regret if people were concerned; I wanted not at all for images to be conjured up, he said. I just wanted to make what I thought was the simple point and the important point that peaceful protest is very much who we are as Canadians, and also as Canadians, we respect the rule of law. And thats probably a better way of expressing it. Trudeau drew applause from the crowd at the Assembly of First Nations annual special chiefs assembly in Gatineau, Que., when he mentioned Carrs apology for unfortunate comments and said he was proud of him for delivering it. Some chiefs from Quebec cancelled plans to walk out over Carrs remarks during Trudeaus speech. Trudeau said reconciliation requires mutual respect between the federal government and indigenous people, and that includes, Apologizing when we say things that we shouldnt. In the end, Trudeau was met with smiles and a standing ovation. Although there was some disappointment he did not take questions from the floor, he was mobbed during his departure by some in attendance, forcing a temporary pause before the meeting could continue and prompting AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde to refer to the PM as Elvis. Bellegarde said with Carrs apology, now we move on. mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 06/12/2016 (2158 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. City police are asking the public for help in identifying five individuals and a vehicle believed to be associated with the 1998 killing of Tania Marsden. Tania Marsden Marsden was last seen celebrating her 18th birthday at the Gordon Downtowner Motor Hotel on Sept. 9, 1998. Her decomposed body was found floating in the Assiniboine River near the Perimeter Highway 20 days later. An autopsy revealed that she had been strangled and then submerged in the river with a large concrete slab. Police identified her body through fingerprints. Police issued a search warrant at 865 Selkirk Ave. on Nov. 15 in relation to Marsdens murder. The investigation has since led police to three males and two females who they believe could help identify Marsdens killer. The individuals are believed to have had some contact or interaction with Marsden before her death. Police need help identifying the individuals in five composite sketches. They are persons of interest to us at this point in the investigation and we would like to speak to each and every one of them, Sgt. Shawn Pike, a Project Devote team commander said at a press conference Tuesday. Pike says the sketches represent what each individual looked like in 1998. Hairstyles may have changed and faces will have aged over the past 18 years. They could also be anywhere in Canada. If (someone) looks at one of those photographs and thinks, well it might be that person but Im not really sure, we ask that they call us anyhow, and give us an opportunity to follow it up, Pike said. Police are also seeking information on a white, mid-1980s four-door sedan, which could be connected to one or more of the persons of interest. Pike says any bit of information is helpful, no matter how small. A mid-1980s white coloured four-door sedan is of interest to investigators. The family of Tania Marsden have been having to deal with this one way or the other for 18 years, said Pike. Think of whats happened in your lifetime or in anyones lifetime in an 18-year period. People who do have information out thereand we know that they have informationwe ask them to take the time, find the courage, think of the family out there and reach out to us at Project Devote. Anyone who believes they have information in regards to the sketches or the vehicle can reach Project Devote directly at 1-888-673-3316, call Manitoba Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, submit a tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com or text TIPMAN along with a message to CRIMES (274637). Male #3: Indigenous, medium build, short Brown hair, age in 1998: 20 25 years Male #1: Indigenous, six feet tall, thin build, short brown hair, brown eyes, approximate age in 1998: 25-30 years old. Female #1: Indigenous, five-foot-three, medium build, shoulder-length black hair, brown eyes, age in 1998: 25 30 years Male #2: Indigenous, six feet tall, medium build, short Brown hair, brown Eyes, age in 1998: 25 30 years Female #2: Indigenous, five-foot-three, medium build, shoulder-length black hair, brown eyes, age in 1998: 25 30 years rebecca.dahl@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @rebeccadaahl Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 07/12/2016 (2157 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In the eight years that have passed since Craig McDougall was shot and killed by Winnipeg police, much has changed in how police shootings are investigated in Manitoba. Zane Tessler, the civilian director of the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba, took the stand Wednesday at the inquest into 26-year-old McDougalls death, testifying investigations into serious injuries at the hands of police officers typically take weeks to complete, not several years. Timeliness is the goal, Tessler said. My personal target is to do it within weeks, not months. Craig McDougall The independent unit came into force in June 2015 and is now responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving on- or off-duty police officers in Manitoba. Because no such investigative unit existed at the time of McDougalls death, the Winnipeg Police Services homicide unit handled the investigation into the police shooting and completed it in 2010. A subsequent review by the Ontario Provincial Police deemed the shooting justified. The mandatory inquest into McDougalls death wasnt called for until 2013. The long delay in this case is an issue provincial court Associate Chief Judge Anne Krahn will consider before making any recommendations about what, if anything, could have been done to prevent McDougalls death. Now, all police forces in the province must notify Tessler when a police shooting or other serious incident happens, and the independent unit sends a team of investigators to the scene. The units team depends on the responding police force to preserve the scene and keep involved officers separate from each other until it arrives. All officers, whether they were involved in the incident or witnessed it, must complete their notes before the end of their shift. Notes from witness officers must be handed over to the independent unit, and notes from the officers involved are kept in care of the police chief as part of the units procedure, Tessler said. From there, the unit interviews everyone involved in the incident and completes a report; police are no longer expected to investigate themselves. The inquest previously heard from a former member of the WPS homicide unit who testified he believed the homicide unit still investigates police shootings and the independent unit shadows the WPS investigations. Under questioning from McDougall family lawyer Corey Shefman, Tessler said the independent unit had gone to the highest level to ensure police agencies in the province were informed about its mandate. Tessler said he would be surprised if a member of a police force in Manitoba didnt understand the role of the independent unit. Shefman and Winnipeg Police Service lawyer Kim Carswell are set to finish questioning Tessler when the inquest continues Friday. More changes have come in the past eight years, and not all of them positive the overrepresentation of indigenous people in jail and in foster care has got worse since McDougall died, an expert witness testified Wednesday. Jonathan Rudin, program director of Torontos Aboriginal Legal Services, has extensively researched indigenous people and the criminal justice system in Canada. He testified about systemic racism Wednesday, saying the fact police handcuffed Craigs father, his fathers girlfriend and his uncle in the front yard of their home moments after the shooting and kept the cuffs on while they were taken to the police station even after it became clear they were not a threat could be indicative of systemic racism. There is no justification as far as I can tell for continuing to handcuff those individuals, Rudin said. Its as though everyone sort of thought, This is normal. The inquest into the 2008 police shooting is the first in Manitoba to specifically consider the role of systemic racism. Rudin said he didnt believe witnesses wouldve been handcuffed and kept on the ground in a middle-class neighbourhood. That everyone (on scene) could allow this to happen speaks to the fact that their training was not very good, he said. Systemic racism does exist in the Canadian criminal justice system, Rudin said. In his testimony, which focused on historical reasons why indigenous communities are more likely to distrust police, who have often acted as agents of colonialism by carrying out instructions from governments of the day, Rudin said he believes police cultural-awareness training is improving. Under questioning from inquest lawyer David Gray, Rudin said he believes its important for police training programs including programs designed to help officers work effectively with indigenous communities to be re-evaluated regularly. Theres no question this is an area in which police forces are still trying to get it right which is to their credit but we dont know that theyve got it right yet, Rudin said of police training and bias-free policing policies. After McDougall didnt heed police demands to drop the knife he was holding, he was Tasered twice and shot at four times in the front yard of his West End home shortly after 5 a.m. Aug. 2, 2008. Because shots were fired less than two minutes after officers arrived called to the home after Craig phoned 911 to falsely report hed been stabbed its hard to say whether systemic racism contributed to the shooting itself, Rudin testified. I dont think you could point to anything within those 100 seconds that could point to systemic discrimination, he said. As for how McDougalls family was treated afterward, he said that is not something that I think can be explained other than as an example of systemic discrimination. katie.may@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @thatkatiemay Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 06/12/2016 (2158 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Winnipeg police are struggling to keep up with the citys sex trade as the action moves from the streets to the Internet. A police report to the Winnipeg Police Board notes community groups believe the number of exploited sex-trade workers who can be found on the streets has declined from 500 individuals to 100, but there is a suspicion the number of exploited workers has mushroomed on the Internet. Police Chief Danny Smyth said its been difficult to identify and track down the number of individuals exploiting sex workers, and he has no idea how many exploited individuals are now involved in the trade who make initial contact through the Internet. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Police Chief Danny Smyth said its been difficult to identify and track down the number of individuals exploiting sex workers, and he has no idea how many exploited individuals are now involved in the trade who make initial contact through the Internet. There are so many sites (on the Internet), I wouldnt know where to begin. The report to the police board raised red flags about investigative issues. As those involved in the sex industry become more technologically savvy, investigators are starting to fall behind due to inadequate equipment, software and training, the report states. Technology has changed the way men buy sex, making it possible for a greater percentage of sexually exploited women to work indoors. The Internet simply has expanded the size of the sex trade in the city and has created a whole new class of workers from various backgrounds and ages. This has had a large impact on policing from an operational standpoint. Smyth said just as the criminals have adapted with the technology, so, too, will the police. When I started, pre-Internet time, any of our enforcement efforts would have been on the street. Now its really trying to balance our approach, he said. There is still some street-level sex trafficking, but now youre seeing many people using the Internet and arranging meets at hotels. Smyth said police will likely be placing their own ads on one of the popular Internet sites that hosts most of the sex-trade activity a modern twist on the traditional undercover operation. Thats not a new technique. Weve done that on the street for years and years, but now were having to adapt and respond to the Internet. aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 06/12/2016 (2158 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. It turns out Manitoba Hydro and Manitoba Public Insurance workers arent the only public employees who are subsidized to work downtown. Employees of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and eHealth get a little help paying for parking spots. But over at Diagnostic Services Manitoba, a public-sector diagnostic health-care service provider, 75 employees who hold a monthly parking spot near its 155 Carlton St. office are given $103 per month to subsidize the cost of the spot. Employees pay out of pocket for the remaining $93 to $112 cost of the parking spot, a spokeswoman for Diagnostic Services Manitoba said. MICHAEL CHRISTIANSON / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Every WRHA worker downtown pays a flat rate of $89 a month for parking. However, the WRHA subsidizes the remaining balance on some spots based on the lease agreement for various parkades with lease holders. The $92,000 spent by DSM annually pales in comparison to the nearly $2 million spent annually on a blanket downtown allowance given to Manitoba Hydros 1,600 employees and Manitoba Public Insurances 1,000 employees, over and above their salaries, as compensation for having to work downtown. Officials with both Crown corporations said it was to compensate for parking or transit costs used by the employees to get to work. However, the allowance is not attached to a parking spot or a bus pass. Scott Powell, a spokesman for Manitoba Hydro, said the $840 annual downtown allowance given to its 1,600 employees working at Manitoba Hydro Place on Portage Avenue was introduced by Manitoba Hydros senior management team in 2008, when the utility consolidated employees from several locations in the brand-new office tower. It was brought in to cover some of the higher costs associated with being downtown transportation, parking, Powell told the Free Press. Employees at MPIs Cityplace offices are given $600 annually, an allowance built into its four-year collective agreement signed in 2013. The news comes as both Crown corporations have applied for rate hikes in the coming year, citing financial distress. Hydros 2015 compensation showed the median salary, including overtime and benefits, among the nearly 6,000 Hydro staff in Manitoba earning more than $50,000 was $91,565. Ron Schuler, the provinces Crown services minister, criticized Manitoba Hydros growing levels of debt and blamed the former NDP government for its poor financial health. He said the skyrocketing salaries and money spent on downtown allowances show the direction pursued by the previous NDP government has not been working for Manitoba Hydro. These figures are therefore certainly concerning and are one of the reasons our government has committed to prudent and sustainable fiscal management and transparent budgeting not only within core government but also amongst Manitobas Crown corporations, Schuler said in a prepared statement. Almost no other civil servants working for the Province of Manitoba or the City of Winnipeg receive an allowance or subsidy for working in downtown Winnipeg. A spokeswoman for the provinces civil service commission said no subsidies are provided to employees working downtown for any government department, which include Manitoba Health officials at 300 Carlton St. and the Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade Department located at 111 Lombard Ave. There is also no subsidy or allowance offered to civil servants at city hall, whose offices are located on Princess Street and on Main Street. The Free Press asked several other government organizations including the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Manitoba eHealth and Diagnostic Services Manitoba and found that instead of a blanket allowance, in some cases the employer partially subsidized the cost of a parking stall. Every WRHA worker downtown pays a flat rate of $89 a month for parking. However, the WRHA subsidizes the remaining balance on some spots based on the lease agreement for various parkades with leaseholders. The range of top-ups paid out by the WRHA was not immediately available. kristin.annable@freepress.mb.ca Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 07/12/2016 (2157 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TWO important Winnipeg agencies may be at odds over how to approach the harm of sex work. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority issued a position statement last week calling for decriminalization of sex work between consenting adults as a necessary step to promote the health and human rights of sex workers. This statement echoes the position taken by major public health organizations, including the World Health Organization and the Canadian Public Health Association. The Winnipeg Police Service, meanwhile, noted in its quarterly report to the Winnipeg Police Board this week the number of people involved in street solicitation has dropped significantly in recent years. But the report goes on to state the Internet has expanded the size of the sex industry and created a whole new class of workers involved through indoor work: those who initiate sexual-service transactions online. The report implies more police resources are needed to keep up with the more technologically savvy sex industry. In late 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada declared unconstitutional those federal laws that prohibit street solicitation, living off the avails of prostitution and keeping a bawdy house. Noting transactional sex between adults was not an illegal act, the court found these laws created unsafe conditions and prevented sex workers from taking steps to reduce risks. In so doing, the laws denied sex workers their constitutionally protected right to security of the person. The federal government responded in late 2014 by making it an offence, for the first time in Canadas history, to offer to purchase or to purchase sexual services from another adult. In a move many believed to be unconstitutional, the government also substantially re-enacted laws prohibiting street solicitation by sellers or buyers and keeping a bawdy house. The governments action was animated by the belief all sex work is inherently exploitative. The police report simply demonstrates Winnipeg police are doing their job by enforcing the new criminal law. However, there is wide variation in prostitution law enforcement strategies across Canada and even in different neighbourhoods within the same metropolitan area. For example, the Vancouver Police Department sex-work policy explicitly states consensual transactional sex is not an enforcement priority. Researchers have heard the Toronto police, on the other hand, regularly conduct warrantless inspections of massage parlours, ostensibly to ensure they comply with city health bylaws. But women working in these establishments have told researchers they believe the main purpose of the inspections is to look for evidence of sex work, such as condoms and lubricant. It is hard to ignore the profound negative consequences of criminal laws prohibiting consensual transactions between adults on sex workers safety. Over the past two decades, urban centres have experienced epidemics of violence against street-based sex workers. It must be acknowledged that as many as 70 per cent of those involved in street-level work in Winnipeg are indigenous, and many are children. Girls and women become involved because it is one of the few ways they have to ensure they are fed, housed and clothed. Some indigenous organizations resolutely believe criminalization will end demand, but others believe the immediate dangers to the safety and health of women and girls are so significant, harm reduction rather than abolitionist approaches must be pursued. Indoor work is preferred by most participants to outdoor work, because historically it has been largely ignored by law enforcement. It is also much easier when working indoors to insist clients use condoms. However, since the 2014 amendments, researchers in both Vancouver and Toronto have found some managers of indoor venues, such as massage parlours, are now refusing to allow sex workers to keep condoms on-site. If found, police might use the condoms as evidence of sex work. This emerging practice is nothing short of a public-health disaster in the making. Every credible human rights organization in Canada supports criminalizing payment for sex with minors and the trafficking, coercion or exploitation of adults in the sex industry. But these organizations are split over whether all sex work should be criminalized. Given the tension between the health authoritys policy and Winnipeg police practices, we need these agencies to meet with indigenous womens organizations, sex workers organizations and front-line service providers to discuss practically and pragmatically how to reduce the health and safety risks faced by local sex workers. Karen Busby is a law professor and the academic director of the Centre for Human Rights Research at the University of Manitoba. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 07/12/2016 (2157 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. An armed gunman walked into a pizza joint in Washington, D.C., Monday and shot the place up. No one was injured. For the most part, these types of incidents in the United States are so frequent they seldom make the news, particularly all the way up north to Winnipeg. Except this particular pizza joint had been the victim of a fake news report suggesting failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and her top campaign aide were running a child-pornography ring on the site. The shooter apparently had come to self-investigate the restaurant for himself. Welcome to the era of fake news, as media outlets and platforms such as Google, Twitter and Facebook try to figure out how to control their proliferation and what role they played in the ascension of Donald Trumps presidency. But Canadians shouldnt look down their noses at the gullibility of the American news consumer, given the role fake news is playing in politics in this country. JUSTIN TANG / THE CANADIAN PRESS Alberta Premier Rachel Notley Take for example the ridiculous rumour that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is the love child of Margaret Trudeau and Fidel Castro. According to Snopes.com, this little nugget came from a user on the Donald Trump subreddit /r/The_Donald. This, by the way, would be physically impossible as neither of Mr. Trudeaus parents had visited Cuba prior to the pregnancy. Regardless, the rumour was embraced and then when discovered played off as satire. Why cant anyone just take a joke? Except the satire allowed the public to begin taking potshots at not only Mr. Trudeaus mother and her morality but also at his political ideology and his too-close ties to communism. Its bunk, but that didnt stop viewers from piling on the outrage. Fake news may be laughed off as satire, but it is also propaganda. Its very deliberately set up to support claims climate change is fake, the media are lying to us all and feminists, Muslims and gay people are denying everyday Canadians/Americans whats rightfully theirs. Fake news comes from a certain ideological segment, the alt-right. By the way, alt-right is just code. Its a veiled way of talking about values that endorse racism and white supremacy, and it rose to the publics attention, again in the context of the Trump win. Misnaming a viewpoint as alt-right instead of labelling it for what it is racism, is part and parcel of this propagandist bent. If theres any doubt the idea of the alt-right with its package of fake news hasnt hit Canada yet, the events last weekend in Edmonton serve as a chilling reminder it has. At a rally organized by Rebel Media to protest the carbon tax, Wildrose Leader Brian Jean called the imposition of the tax an attack on our way of life. Protesters chanted: Lock her up in reference to Premier Rachel Notley, who has been irrationally blamed for the drop in the Alberta economy. Federal Conservative candidate Chris Alexander, also at the rally, was the impetus for that chant. Another federal Conservative hopeful, Kellie Leitch, has also been criticized for a survey that discussed preventing immigrants into the country who espouse anti-Canadian values. Sound familiar? In Canada, we have our very own rust-belt outrage being fuelled by propaganda from the alt-right including Rebel Media. Its easy to be smug about the American election of Donald Trump, but history could be repeating itself in this country. [December 07, 2016] Beyond the Holidays: How to Prioritize IT Projects for 2017 By Special Guest INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) BUDGETS WILL INCREASE BY MORE THAN 25% IN 2017 ACCORDING TO NEW TECH GUIDE FROM MONDO NEW YORK CITY -Dec. 7 2016 - IT budgets will increase by more than 25% in 2017 according to a majority of the C-level executives surveyed by Mondo, a leading high-end technology and digital marketing resourcing firm, in their latest Tech Trends and Talent guide. Based on the exclusive survey data, the guide reveals the top priorities for IT spending in 2017 are cybersecurity, software development, and emerging technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). It also covers the upcoming IT and Tech hiring trends for 2017. Cybersecurity is the top priority for technology executives, with 73 percent of respondents planning to invest in cybersecurity in 2017. Around 30 percent of the technology executives surveyed indicated that their networks need more security. To solve the cybersecurity challenge, 60 percent believe investing in in-house cybersecurity talent is more secure than outsourcing, according to the national Mondo survey. "The demand for cybersecurity professionals in 2017 will continue to surge, and we are seeing that the most valuable security skills are for intrusion detection, secure software development, and attack mitigation," said Gianna Scorsone, Vice President of Marketing and Sales Operations for Mondo. "The massive cybersecurity talent gap poses a significant problem to hiring for these needs and skills. While companies prefer to hire in-house, they often can't find the qualified talent they need and may turn to outsourcing in 2017." To meet software development needs in 2017, companies are evaluating the "build" vs. "buy" approach. Forty-eight percent of respondents reported plans to invest more in in-house development of enterprise software in 2017, while 52 percent reported plans to invest more in purchasing enterprise software. The guide delves into the differences between respondents in this debate. It also notes that the top software developer position that organizations plan to hire in 2017 is the back-end developer, which is crucial to software, website and database development. According to respondents, artificial intelligence (AI) is finally here and 32 percent of C-level executives surveyed have begun incorporating it to replace human functions. Efficiency (38%), task ability (23%), and reducing human errors (24%) are cited as the top reasons that organizations plan to use artificial intelligence. "With more than 20 years of experience and more than 70,000 Digital Marketing and IT placements across various industries, we understand the latest technology trends and hiring needs," added Scorsone. "Along with cybersecurity and software development skills, augmented reality skills will be in top demand in 2017. Augmented reality will transform how companies do business and disrupt the way consumers interact with their physical environments." The Mondo survey is based on responses from more than 7,000 business professionals - 52 percent C-level and 48 percent manager-level. Pre-order the latest Tech Trends & Talent guide from Mondo to receive exclusive access to additional data and insights on the future of technology. About Mondo Mondo is the largest nationwide staffing agency specializing solely in high-end, niche IT, Tech, and Digital Marketing hiring needs. It provides resources on a contract, contract-to-hire, and permanent basis. For nearly two decades, Mondo has been delivering staffing solutions that bridge the talent gap and accelerate technology and digital marketing innovation for global brands including Deutsche Bank, Facebook (News - Alert), NBC Universal, ZipCar, eBay, Random House, and many more. Headquartered in New York City, Mondo has offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Denver, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta. To learn more, visit www.mondo.com or call 212-257-5111 and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn (News - Alert). # # # For more media information, contact: Lisa Hendrickson LCH Communications for Mondo 516-767-8390 516-643-1642 (cell) [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] There was a sense of foreboding in the fleet. In Europe, the swastika flew over Paris and the Nazi tanks rolled within sight of Moscow, while the Japanese imperial juggernaut had hammered away at China, swallowed up southeast Asia and turned most of the South Pacific into a Japanese lake. "Things look bad," Alvin Claussen wrote to his parents back home in Winona. As residents across Winona sat down to Thanksgiving dinner, many gave thanks that the United States had so far managed to stay out the war as 1941 entered its final weeks. But the growing tension between the American government and the Japanese empire was a growing worry for him and his bunkmates, Claussen wrote from the U.S.S. Craven, a destroyer at anchor in Pearl Harbor. Not far away, aboard the battleship Oklahoma, the possibility of war was on the mind of another Winona sailor, Owen Teska, 20. "We have a good navy and it will take someone better than Germany or Japan to beat us," he wrote home to his family. "But if worse comes to worst, I'll be right in there pitching, and so will all the other fellows." The worst was coming. When all hell broke loose On the morning of Dec. 7, Japanese warplanes roared across the sky above Oahu. Aboard the U.S.S. Arizona, Coxwain Edward Janikowski had just put a boatload of shipmates into the harbor bound for church services ashore. He looked up to see the blood-red rising sun emblazoned on the wings of the aircraft overhead. Then all hell broke loose. In 1991, on the 50th anniversary of the attack, Janikowski told Winona Daily News reporter Mark Metzler what happened next. I had the watch four to eight in the morning, and this happened at eight. When the planes came over, I knew right away. They dropped bombs right away at the airfield at Ford Island. Then they came over us and they dropped some more. And we knew right away. I saw the wings the big rising sun on the planes. They were so low over the ship you could see them the pilots you could see what they looked like. An officer told me, General Quarters! This is not a drill. The Japanese are bombing Pearl Harbor! Then he had me running all over the quarterdeck and getting different people. He told me to go in and get the lieutenant commander out of the wardroom. And then I opened the hatch up, and that was the end of it. A Japanese bomb had detonated in the battleship's forward powder magazine, touching off a massive explosion that ripped the bow from the ship and sent Janikowski flying 20 feet across the deck, over the side and into the water water set ablaze with the 18,000 gallons of fuel oil escaping the ships ruptured fuel tanks. I didnt even know I was burning. My whole face, my hair was burned off, my hands were burned, and then I went into the water, and the water was burning," Janikowski sad. Less than five minutes had elapsed since the attack began. As the Arizona settled to the bottom, more than 1,000 sailors were trapped below decks and perished. Only 248 of the 1,425 officers and men aboard the Arizona survived. "Some of the boys a lot of them lost their lives jumped 100 feet into this burning sea. Our clothes caught fire when we hit the water. I was dressed in the service, whites at the time, and big holes were burned in the uniform," he recalled in a 1942 interview, shortly after he was released from the hospital. "The swimming I learned in the old Mississippi came In handy. None of us had time to get any life preservers." "It was hard going in the burning oil. I headed for shore but did not make it. I went out, and was picked up by a boat (the same boat he had launched moments before) and taken to a hospital ship. I don't remember much of the first few days." Days after the attack, the hospital ship Solace, with Janikowski aboard, set sail for the United States. Recovery from horror I think my happiest day was Christmas Day in Vallejo, Calif., because they said a submarine was following us all the way to San Francisco," Janikowski told Metzler in the 1991 Daily News story. In the hospital at Vallejo he was briefly reunited with one of his shipmates. One of the guys called my name. I didnt know who he was, he was so burnt, Janikowski said. "'Im Goshen,' he said, and I said, 'Oh.' He was all black. He could see I suppose. And he lived, too. He was burnt all over his body. Not far from the Arizona, the U.S.S. Oklahoma had fared little better. Hit by three torpedoes dropped by Japanese torpedo bombers, the Oklahoma, mortally wounded, turned turtle in the harbor, trapping hundreds of crewmen inside the hull many of whom were saved when rescuers braved explosions and burning oil to dive down to open hatches and cut through the hull to allow men to escape drowning or suffocation. Lloyd Timm, 20, from Kellogg, Second Class Seaman aboard the U.S.S. Oklahoma, was among the 429 crewmen killed. His brother, Warren Timm, 21, had only recently transferred from the Oklahoma to train in aviation mechanics in Jacksonville, Fla. where he was the day of the attack. Owen Teska, manned his gun as the call to General Quarters sounded and was "right in there pitching" until the ship capsized beneath him. He survived the sinking and the war. Janikowski's parents wouldn't learn their son had survived the sinking until December 18. He would be the second Winona area Pearl Harbor casualty to be reported. On Dec. 16, the first casualty notice arrived when a War Department telegram informed the family of Howard Irmscher of Fountain City that Howard had been "lost in action on a ship in the performance of his duty and in service to his country." However, Irmscher, who had been stationed at Pearl Harbor, surprised his family on New Year's Eve with postcards telling them "I am well and getting along well. Letter follows." The cards were followed by an official Navy Department apology on New Year's Day. For other families, the news was grim. On Dec. 21 parents of Harold William Ham, a farm boy from St. Charles, and Joseph Morris Johnson from Rushford, were notified that their sons had died in the Pearl Harbor attack. Other families had even a longer wait. It wasn't until Jan. 7 that Mrs. Bertha Johnson of Houston was notified by the War Department that her son, Private First Class Olaf A. Johnson, stationed at Hickam Field on Dec. 7, had been killed in action. Alvin Claussen was aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Craven escorting the carrier U.S.S. Enterprise from Wake Island to Pearl when the Japanese struck, avoiding the attack. However, on July 4, 1944, he was serving as radioman aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Strong when it was hit by a Japanese torpedo and sunk. Four days later he was able to contact his parents, assuring them he was "very much alive." "It was a hard blow to the Island," Janikowski said while on leave in 1942, "and a lot of the fellows lost their lives, but there are many more there now to take their places." "They need us fellows now and I'll be going back," he said. He did go back. His injuries kept him out of combat for the balance of the war, but he served as crewman on the admirals launch at Pearl Harbor. He would go on to a career in the Navy, serving 21 years, then spending the next 16 years as a civilian employee in the Navy Yards in Bremerton, Wash. He retired in 1976. In 1991, Janikowski was present for the 50-year anniversary commemoration at the memorial above the decks of the Arizona in Pearl Harbor. There, above the final resting place of 1,100 shipmates, he met President George Bush and his wife, Barbara. "I shook his hand twice and Barbara's, too," he said, in an interview with the Daily News. When examining the names of the dead interred below, Janikowski found 50 names of men he knew. "When I go aboard that memorial and I look at a name, I can just see the face, the guys that I used to go on the beach with," he said. I still remember peoples faces. When the holiday season comes around, most college students focus on finishing the semester with passing grades. But University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County junior Brandon Schleiter isnt like most college students he looks for a decent Santa Claus costume to rent. For the past two years, the 25-year-old elementary education major from Naperville, Illinois has visited young patients at childrens hospitals across the state dressed as Santa. Schleiter said reactions from the kids can vary, but with some help from parents, most are happy to meet the big man. Some are bashful, some are super excited, some are questionable as to whether Im real or not, he said. But their parents usually tell me something about them in the hallway so I can sell the story. Schleiter was inspired to start the visits after working as a teachers aide at May Watts Elementary School in Naperville. One of his former students there was diagnosed with cancer and recently passed away. He wanted to meet Santa, but he never made it that far, Schleiter said. Schleiter took it upon himself to make sure other children wouldnt miss the opportunity. He made his first Santa visit to American Family Childrens Hospital in Madison last December and has been to several others since. Schleiter said the strength of the children that he sees during the visits help him put life into perspective. When I was a kid, I was playing video games and having fun with my friends, he said. I wasnt fighting for my life in the hospital, doing treatments and having to use a walker to get to the bathroom. Schleiter said he believes many of the kids have had their childhood taken from them, and he hopes to give some back during the visits. Schleiter also has organized a fundraising effort with the Lake House Bar and Grill in Wisconsin Dells to support Madison and Milwaukee area childrens hospitals. The bar will hold a bingo night Thursday, and all proceeds will be donated to the hospitals. Ten percent of food sales from the weekend will support the cause as well, and the bar will accept cash and check donations via mail. Schleiter plans to drop off half of the money at the American Family Childrens Hospital in Madison and half at the Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee after his Dec. 22 finals. Were going to leave it up to the hospitals where the money will go, Schleiter said. Theyre both great organizations. Lake House Bar and Grill owner Heath Fjordan said the fundraiser was Schleiters idea, and he was happy to collaborate and support the mission. A longtime friend, Fjordan said Schleiter often puts the needs of others before his own. Hes got a heart of gold, he said. Hes willing to do just about anything for everybody. A separation agreement between Sauk County government and its top administrative official will cost taxpayers nearly $135,000, and establishes a gag order that may prevent the public from learning more. The county released a copy of its agreement with Administrative Coordinator Renae Fry on Monday in response to a request from the Baraboo News Republic. Under the deal, the county must pay Fry a full years salary totaling more than $125,000. Social Security and Medicare taxes will cost taxpayers an additional $9,600, according to Sauk County Controller Kerry Beghin. Fry could not be reached for comment Tuesday. The deal also specifies that the county will not contest Frys application for unemployment benefits if she cannot find another job within a year. The maximum payout under those circumstances would be just more than $19,000. She would not be eligible to apply for unemployment benefits until November of 2017, and the benefit levels may change by then, Beghin said. The county will deduct money from Frys payouts to cover her health insurance premiums over the next year. The agreement also prevents those with knowledge of an employment dispute that preceded Frys dismissal from speaking out. Gag order Fry was selected for the job in March after the county paid a search firm nearly $24,000 to find qualified candidates. Her predecessor, Interim Administrative Coordinator Brentt Michalek, signed a similar deal in June in which he was paid nearly $25,000 to resign. Terms of Frys separation agreement may make it difficult for the public to learn about what led to her dismissal. A gag order spelled out in the document prevents Fry from speaking negatively to the media or anyone else about county government or the 31 elected members of the Sauk County Board. She is allowed to speak openly only during the course of seeking employment outside Sauk County. The agreement only restricts two representatives of county government from speaking negatively about Fry: Sauk County Board Chair Marty Krueger and the countys attorney, Sauk County Corporation Counsel Todd Liebman. The document says Liebman shall instruct county board supervisors not to make any disparaging comments about Fry, but doesnt explicitly restrict them from doing so. Inquiry sought One county board member who has called for an independent inquiry into the countys hiring and dismissals of administrators said he is concerned that Krueger and Liebman are singled out in the agreement. Obviously, they are at the center of the problem, said Supervisor Peter Vedro of Baraboo. It stinks all around. Vedro said it appears there is a power struggle within county government that involves Krueger and Liebman that has cost county taxpayers. Reached by phone Tuesday, Liebman said although it appears that he and Krueger are singled out in the agreement, that wasnt the intention. The intention was to create a situation where this is an agreeable departure, Liebman said. He declined to comment further on the separation agreement, saying its terms restricted him from doing so. Krueger did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. Dismissals defended Sauk County Board Vice Chair Joan Fordham of Baraboo said she does not believe the dismissals of Fry and Michalek are indicative of a larger problem. She pointed out that Michalek no longer served as the administrative coordinator when he signed a separation agreement in June. While Fordham said she was not familiar with what led to Michaleks departure, she viewed it as a separate matter. Fordham said it was Fry who signed Michaleks separation agreement, and Fordham denied that anyone on the county board was involved in his departure. Supervisors on the committee responsible for overseeing Michalek and his department have said they were surprised to learn that he had signed a separation deal. One of those supervisors said she had a conversation with Krueger in which he seemed to have special knowledge of negotiations between the county and Michalek. Krueger, who once sparred with Michalek during a public meeting, has said he doesnt recall the conversation. He has denied that he was involved in Michaleks dismissal. Any time you hire somebody, you dont know whether its going to be a good fit for you or a good fit for them, Fordham said. I just see (the dismissals of Michalek and Fry) as two very separate instances. These are personnel issues, and a lot of them need to be kept confidential. Reconsideration requested On Nov. 4, the News Republic requested documents related to Fry and Michaleks performance appraisals and dismissals. Liebman denied access to several key documents in a Nov. 22 letter, citing a statute that exempts employee personnel documents from release. He also referenced a law that allows government bodies to discuss certain matters in closed session. On Tuesday, News Republic Editor Todd Krysiak responded with a letter in which he asked Liebman to reconsider his denials. Krysiaks letter cited the Wisconsin Department of Justices Open Records Compliance Guide, which says the exemption cited by Liebman does not apply to those who hold local public office. The legal definition of local public office includes county administrators and administrative coordinators, according to the guide. The compliance guide also states that a records custodian who denies access to a document on the basis that it was presented in a closed meeting must demonstrate that there was a need to withhold the record at the time of the request. Your letter does not, Krysiak wrote in his response to Liebman. The News Republic also is still pursuing a separation agreement that was presented to Fry prior to a Nov. 3 meeting of the boards five-person Executive and Legislative Committee. It used to worry me that my children cant tell time from a clock with hands. But now Im more concerned about ensuring they acquire a more important skill telling fake news from real. Every generation throws up its hands over once-critical skills going by the wayside, I suppose. My grandparents probably thought it was strange I wasnt taught how to milk a cow or use a slide rule. With the world going digital, teachers arent going to spend a semester showing kids how to read a clock. They might as well teach a unit on using the librarys card catalog. If it still has one. But today, discerning legitimate news from satire not to mention complete fabrication is crucial. According to a new study from Stanford researchers, its a skill many American students have yet to master. Just like me with cow-milking. Researchers spent more than a year studying how middle school, high school and college students in 12 states evaluated information online. Researchers were shocked by students failure to determine the credibility of tweets, Facebook posts and websites. They fear a generation of easily duped people will bring down our society. But in fairness to todays youths, they werent the ones who bought all those pet rocks in the 1970s. And lets face it, vetting information has never been more difficult. There are more news sources than ever before, and todays headlines wouldve seemed unthinkable only a few years ago. Cubs win World Series. Trump elected president. Dylan wins Nobel Prize. At this point we might read a headline like Narwhals breed with musk oxen, take over Greenland and accept it as fact. You might assume youngsters are Internet-savvy because they were born holding iPhones, but the study found they tend to accept information as presented, without supporting evidence. This may come as great news to parents looking to convince their kids not to repeat the misdeeds of their youth Why shouldnt you follow your favorite band on a European tour? Its a bad idea, because I said so but it should prove troubling when you consider were going to hand some of these kids the nuclear launch codes in 30 years. The trouble for todays youths is that fake news sources are proliferating. When I was growing up, all we had was The Onion and Saturday Night Live. Today, Comedy Central pays the bills with satiric news shows, and the Internet teems with sites offering spoofs, spin and straight-out lies. Even your local newspaper publishes a column by some goofball who foresees narwhals mating with musk oxen. How are kids to tell fact from fiction? The study found students failed to differentiate between news articles and sponsored content ads masquerading as news. Somehow, children born in the post-Photoshop world also accepted photographs as legitimate, without verified sources. And they couldnt tell real and fake news apart on Facebook. The kids might deserve a pass here, too. After all, half the things your friends post on Facebook are lies. Oh yeah sure, their kids are awesome at everything, their marriages are a constant source of elation, and their mothers-in-law are cherished treasures. If you believe all that hooey, I have some photos of narwhal-musk oxen babies for sale. Because Facebook is a minefield of misinformation, it should come as no surprise that only a quarter of students could tell a Fox News parody article from the real thing, or that more than 30 percent argued the parody was more trustworthy. No respectable journalist especially not a wisecracking humor columnist would encourage kids to believe everything they read. In an age when anyone with Internet access can become a reporter, every consumer must become an editor. With so many outlets and so few gatekeepers, we all must become fact checkers and critical thinkers. These are skills that, unlike reading a slide rule or using the Dewey Decimal System, likely will become even more important in the years to come. Thats why the findings of the Stanford study are a call to action for every parent. My kids may never be able to you what it means when the big hand is on four and the small hand is on six. But when it comes to evaluating what they read online, Im going to make sure they know what time it is. The Volunteers of Columbus Community Hospital will host a cookie walk Monday, Dec. 12 from 7 a.m. to noon at the hospital. A variety of holiday cookies will be available for $8 per pound, choose your own assortment. Packaging will be provided. Police said an Elroy man decided to jump out a hospital window to escape police custody on Saturday. Joshua A. Campbell, 30, escaped from Mile Bluff Medical Center after being arrested by the Juneau County Sheriffs Office. Campbell was arrested for taking and driving a vehicle without consent and abandoning it. After being transported to the hospital, Campbell fled but was apprehended around 8:30 p.m. The sheriffs department received a tip from a local citizen that Campbell was staying at a residence on State Street in Mauston. According to a press release, a resident at the address was also taken into custody for obstructing law enforcement and harboring a felon. The sheriffs department reported there was no threat to public safety after Campbell escaped. Several agencies assisted in Campbells capture, including police departments in Mauston, New Lisbon and the Wisconsin State Patrol. For the charges of taking a vehicle without consent and abandoning it, Campbell will make an initial appearance on Wednesday at the Juneau County Justice Center. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for Jan. 19. Its the holiday season, a time when many of us look at our credit-card balances and say a bad word starting with f, and I am not referring to fa la la la la. Yes, this is the time of year when we traditionally spend money we dont have to buy gifts for people we dont even necessarily like. But do we really have to go into debt to celebrate the holidays? No! Think about the message of the heartwarming holiday song about the Little Drummer Boy. He was poor, and he had no gift to bring to the baby Jesus. So what did he do? Thats right: He robbed a convenience store. No! That is not true. Back then they didnt even have convenience stores. The Little Drummer Boy gave the gift of his talent, which consisted of whacking relentlessly on his drum, which was no doubt greatly appreciated by the baby Jesus and his exhausted parents. Why dont you do the same thing this holiday season? We dont mean whacking on a drum for your loved ones (although that would still be more thoughtful than giving them fruitcake). We mean using your artistic talent to create a unique holiday-themed craft gift that sends the heartfelt message: I spent very little on this. Wait a minute, you are saying. What if I have no artistic talent? No problem! You dont need artistic talent! All you need is a red ribbon and some pine cones, which are available for free in any national park. To make your holiday craft, get some item that you have sitting around your house a candle, a bar of soap, a flower pot, a spatula, a lightly used toilet plunger, etc. Now simply use your ribbon to tie a pine cone to it, and Ho! Ho! Ho! Youve transformed your ordinary household item into a unique holiday-themed craft gift not sold in stores! Perhaps you are thinking, That seems like a lot of work for a stupid and useless gift. Isnt there an easier way? Yes, there is. You can order one of the ready-made stupid and useless gifts featured in our Annual Holiday Gift Guide, which for the past 27 years has been rated the nations No. 1 gift guide by a distinguished panel of distinguished panelists. As always, every item in this guide is a real product that we actually purchased with somebody elses money. Also every item has been subjected to a rigorous quality-control procedure under which we look at the item in a rigorous manner and go, Huh. That is the reason we are able to offer our iron-clad Gift Guide Guarantee: If you purchase one of these items, and for any reason you are not 100 percent satisfied with it, simply return it to its original container, place it in an oven and bake it for three hours at 450 degrees. That should do it. But enough with the legal mumbo-jumbo. Lets take a look at the items that made the cut for this years gift guide, starting with: POOP LIKE A CHAMPION CEREAL $11.99 plus shipping and handling from Amazon.com (At the time of publication, this item is unavailable). Suggested by Sue Eckhardt of Gatesville, Texas. Heres a thoughtful gift that is sure to make an impression on everybody on your holiday gift list who has a colon. Unlike ordinary ho-hum breakfast cereals, Poop Like A Champion contains and here we are quoting the manufacturer a stupendous amount of soluble and insoluble fiber. This cereal will blast through your digestive tract the way Godzilla went through Tokyo, clearing out everything in its path. Your colon will be as clean as a whistle, as empty as a prairie in January. It may even emit tumbleweeds. So this year, give the gift that says and here we are again quoting the manufacturer Your life is about to change from the bottom up. INFLATABLE TOAST $6.75 plus shipping and handling from Amazon.com (price may vary). If youre like many imaginary people, you have often said: I sure would like some toast, but at the moment I have no bread or toaster with me! Well, we are pleased to announce that the days of not being able to have toast whenever you want it are over, thanks to inflatable toast. This product comes in a convenient tin; when you want toast, you simply take the product out of the tin, blow it up, and voila! (French for What the heck?) you have something that looks vaguely like toast when viewed in a dim light. The only drawback that we can see is that you cannot actually eat it. But on the positive side, you can use it again and again. This gift is sure to be a big hit with everybody on your holiday list, at least until they remove the wrapping. OKTOBERFIST DRINKING GLOVE $49 Euros (approximately US $55) plus shipping and handling from www.theoktoberfist.com Ask any trained professional for the secret to drinking huge quantities of beer, and chances are he or she will answer: BURRRRRPPPPP. But upon completion of the belch, chances are that, moments before throwing up on your shoes, he or she will say: Wrist support. Yes, wrist support is vital, which is why the beer consumers on your holiday list need the Oktoberfist, also known as Lederhosen for your hand. This is a leather thing that you strap to your hand to provide the support you need to continue raising heavy steins long after the other members of your party have been reduced to using straws. It has a visually attractive look that will coordinate nicely with whatever you wear, assuming you belong to a motorcycle gang. The Oktoberfist also boasts a built-in wallet, so you will always know where your money is, even though you have no idea what happened to your pants. PIZZA POUCH $8.50 plus shipping and handling from Amazon.com. Suggested by Terri Card of Corvallis, Oregon. Its everybodys nightmare scenario: You have a slice of pizza, but you dont want to eat it right away, and you dont want to give up the use of one or both of your hands to carry it. Until now, your only practical option was to carry the slice on your head (this is still the system used throughout Europe). But now there is a better way, and that way is the Pizza Pouch. This is a triangular plastic pocket with a lanyard attached. You slide your pizza slice into the pocket and hang it around your neck; now both of your hands are free to drive a car, go jogging, dance in a ballet recital, perform open-heart surgery, etc., knowing your pizza slice is right there around your neck whenever you need it. This is also a useful item to wear to a business meeting, dental appointment, court appearance or any other occasion where youre concerned that there might not be enough food. FACT: This is the only pizza-transport accessory sanctioned to be worn during Olympic competition. TV VIEWING BEER MUG $14.99 plus shipping and handling from Amazon.com (price may vary). Suggested by Rick Day of The Villages, Florida, Sue Eckhardt of Gatesville, Texas, and Jeffrey P. Brown of Atlanta. Without question the most annoying thing in the world and we include the Kardashian family in this statement is when youre watching TV, and you take a sip of your beer, and the far rim of your mug blocks your view of the screen at a crucial moment. Dont you HATE that? Of course one possible solution would be to not sip your beer at crucial moments, but that sounds to us like a lot of work. A better solution is to use the TV Viewing Beer Mug, which has a special rim that is sloped at a scientific angle so you can still see the screen while youre sipping. It is only a matter of time before whoever thought of this wins a Nobel Prize. This mug is made of genuine plastic, so the lucky person you give it to is sure to cherish it for, at minimum, a lifetime. For obvious reasons, this is the beer mug preferred by commercial airline pilots, especially during landings. STRAP-ON TAIL $13.21 plus shipping and handling from Amazon.com (price may vary). Suggested by Janice Gelb of Melbourne, Australia, and Jeff Meyerson of Brooklyn, New York. Heres the perfect gift to give yourself or any person on your holiday list who wishes to make a fashion statement, specifically: I have a tail. Obviously you could wear it on Halloween, but you can also use it in any situation where you want to stand out from the crowd. Lets say you want to interview for a job. The other applicants will probably try to make an impression by wearing suitable business attire. BORRR-ing. Think of the reaction youll get when you stroll in and announce, I need to sit backward on this chair, because of my tail. The interviewers will definitely remember you. They might even hire you, for fear that otherwise you, as a tailed individual, would sue them for tailism, which for all we know is a real thing. Wearing a tail is also an excellent way to add some-much needed levity to funerals. COCKROACH POOL FLOAT $29.95 plus shipping and handling from Amazon.com. Heres a great gift for anybody who owns a swimming pool and would like to prevent guests from using it. This is a pool float that, when inflated, looks like an enormous cockroach. And when we say enormous, we mean roughly the same size as a standard South Florida cockroach. This thing will instantly transform any pool or patio into a pool or patio occupied by a large hideously repulsive insect. People wont even want to look at it, let alone go near it. But driving guests away is only one use for the giant cockroach. You can take it with you on airplanes and claim its a service insect, and they have to let you. Or you can put it in the passenger seat of your car and legally drive in the carpool lane in every state in the nation. These statements must be true, because youre reading them in a newspaper. This is the only giant inflatable cockroach endorsed by both Martha Stewart and Stephen Hawking. HANDERPANTS $11.09 plus shipping and handling from Amazon.com (price may vary). Suggested by Craig Roberts of Meridian, Idaho. Every once in a while somebody comes up with a product so unusual, so extraordinary and so unexpected that we strongly suspect narcotics were involved. That is definitely the case with Handerpants, which are billed as underpants for your hands. Why do you need underpants for your hands, you ask? Well, according to the manufacturer, Handerpants have and this is a direct quote hundreds of uses. So that clears that up. We think Handerpants will make the perfect gift for everybody on your holiday list who has hands. Possibly you even know somebody who, because of a bizarre anatomical configuration, could wear Handerpants as actual underpants. We prefer not to think about it. BIG BAG OF CHARM-STYLE MARSHMALLOWS $11.69 plus shipping and handling from Amazon.com (price may vary). A common question from concerned parents is: How can I be certain that my children are getting enough sugar in their breakfast cereal? For these parents, theres no better gift than this one-pound bag of 100 percent pure marshmallows. It is an unfortunate nutritional fact that certain popular marshmallow-based breakfast cereals such as Lucky Charms also contain take a look at the label if you dont believe us non-sugar ingredients with names such as oats and whole grains. These ingredients tend to dilute the impact of the marshmallows. But by adding charm-style marshmallows from this one-pound bag, you can boost the all-important Marshmallow-To-Food-Ratio (MTFR) of your childs breakfast cereal. Or you can skip the cereal altogether and feed your child a nice heaping bowl of 100 percent marshmallows. For real convenience, you can pour the contents of the bag directly into the childs mouth. Then just stand back and enjoy parenthood. Stand WAY back. DOG CAMOUFLAGE HOODIE $18.95 plus shipping and handling from Amazon.com (price may vary). Dogs are wonderful animals, but they are not good at stealth. They tend to barge into situations, barking loudly. They have not mastered the technique of creeping silently around before pouncing suddenly upon their prey, like cats. The result is that the average household dog, although it desperately would like to, never gets anywhere near any kind of prey. This is OK, because your modern dog doesnt really need to capture prey; your modern dog is overweight from being fed regular meals plus 17 treats per day and rarely being called upon to do anything more physically taxing than pass gas. But now you can turn that special dog on your holiday gift list into a deadly predator, thanks to this dog camouflage hoodie. This thing renders your dog completely invisible. Even YOU will not be able to see your dog. Youll just see a growing pile of deceased squirrels on your bed. SQUIRREL BUSTER SQUIRREL CALLER $12.99 plus shipping and handling at Amazon.com (price may vary). Heres the perfect gift for the person who lacks a dog but would still for some insane reason like to come into closer contact with squirrels. According to the manufacturer, this squirrel caller is suitable for both professional and recreational squirrel-calling. It can reproduce the calls of both grey and fox squirrels, including alarm bark, distress scream, grey squirrel chatter, grey squirrel squeal and fox squirrel chatter. Were not sure why a squirrel would be attracted toward the sound of another squirrel barking out an alarm. To be honest, we didnt even know that squirrels barked. Nevertheless we highly recommend this product, which, in addition to calling squirrels, makes a terrific icebreaker at cocktail parties (OK, everybody! Guess whether this is distress scream or grey squirrel squeal!) INGROWN TOENAIL PHONE COVER $28.34 plus shipping and handling from Amazon.com (price may vary). Heres an item that totally validates the old saying, Its better to give than to receive. You definitely would not want to receive this item, which is a cell phone cover featuring a highly realistic color image of an ingrown toenail. Were trying to think of why anybody would want such a thing. The only explanation weve come up with is theft deterrence: A would-be thief would think twice about touching a phone encased in this thing, for fear of becoming infected. We personally would not want it in our house, let alone next to our ear. But perhaps there is somebody on your holiday list who would enjoy it. If so, you need to get that person some help. MIDDLE-AGED-MAN WALL STICKER $30.30 plus shipping and handling from Amazon.com (price may vary). Do you have any hard-to-please teenagers on your holiday gift list? If so, heres a cool gift that they are bound to dig the most. This is a life-size peel-and-stick photograph of a middle-aged man looking at you with a kindly, slightly bemused expression, as if to say I dont understand what this is about either! This item is bound to be a big hit with teens, who love nothing more than having images of middle-aged people watching them when theyre in their rooms. But its also great for college students and even older people, as we can see by these actual Amazon user reviews, which we are not making up: I put this up in my study area at the start of the semester and my GPA is up to 3.9 now. Following my purchase of the Wall Peel, I am proud to say that I have become the highly successful owner of my own orthopedic surgery practice. This is also the only peel-and-stick photograph displayed in the Louvre. (Dave Barry is a humor columnist for the Miami Herald. Write to him c/o Miami Herald, One Herald Plaza, Miami, FL 33132.) 2016 Miami Herald Visit Miami Herald at www.miamiherald.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. _____ [December 07, 2016] Equisoft partners with Sun Life to launch leading-edge illustrations application MONTREAL, Dec. 7, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - EquiSoft announced today that it has partnered with Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada ("Sun Life") to launch Sun Life Illustrations across Sun Life's advisor network. Sun Life Illustrations leverages the strengths of EquiSoft's InsuranceElements, recognized as the most user-friendly illustrations system on the market. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161207/446570LOGO) EquiSoft's InsuranceElements platform supports sales illustrations and quoting, electronic application, financial planning and asset allocation, on both web-based and mobile platforms, thus providing solutions that span the entire chain value for life and annuity carriers. Its industry-leading user interface and state-of-the-art technology allow carriers to become autonomous with regards to the configuration at a low cost of ownership. Sun Life's application was first launched in 2015 to Canadian insurance and financial advisors, in both online and disconnected modes. The new version to be released in December 2016 will not only allow advisors to easily quote and illustrate advanced un Life products, such as variable Universal Life, but it will also provide embedded sales strategies. Sales strategies enable advisors to prepare needs based illustrations to show how insurance can be used to address a specific situation, and can compare to an alternative investment all within a few clicks. "In 2015, Sun Life had launched its Term and Guaranteed Income Fund products on the InsuranceElements platform," said Luis Romero, Founder and CEO of EquiSoft. "Our experts have worked closely with Sun Life this year to adapt the configuration which is now 100% compliant with Canada's new tax regulations. We are very proud to have been selected by Sun Life for this important mandate, and to contribute to launching their new products", added Romero. "The updates being introduced in December are a result of three years of close collaboration between the Sun Life team and the EquiSoft team," said Annalee Moore, AVP of Business Management Distribution Services, Sun Life Financial Canada. "The consistent intuitive design should be appealing to Canadian advisors and will deliver a fully functional illustration system on the web, mobile and desktop giving advisors more flexibility and functionality." About EquiSoft Inc. Founded in 1994, EquiSoft offers innovative business solutions to its clients in the insurance and wealth management industries to support their growth by taking advantage of new technologies. The firm develops and markets innovative front-end applications (InsuranceElements and WealthElements) recognized as having industry-leading user interface and state-of-the-art technology, in addition to being an Oracle OIPA integration partner for more than 15 carriers globally. To complete this unique offering, EquiSoft also brings extensive experience in data migration through its subsidiary, Universal Conversion Technologies (UCT). Finalist for the 2016 Outstanding Service Provider Award by Insurance Business, EquiSoft has a growing team of nearly 250 specialized resources based in Canada, the US, Latin America, South Africa and India. The firm is currently implementing life insurance systems in six countries. Website: www.equisoft.com/insurance SOURCE EquiSoft [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] When it comes to politics, Americans are famously known for having remarkably short memories. And so it was again following the Nov. 8 election that Donald Trump supporters began writing letters to their newspaper editors decrying the anti-Trump demonstrations that had broken out in many cities across the country. You didnt see conservatives acting that way when we were disappointed that Barack Obama won in 2008 and 2012, wrote one. Suck it up and act like adults and accept that the people have spoken, said another. Youre all a bunch of babies. Oh, really? How soon they forget the crude characterizations of Americas first black president that blanketed the country following both of Obamas successful elections: an effigy of Obama being burned on a cross in front of a Southern church, protesters rallying around a huge poster of a gallows noose with the caption Hang in there Obama, protesters holding up signs that read A village in Kenya is missing its idiot, deport Obama, and other signs reading Weve got a monkey in our zoo, now we have one in the White House. Yup, these conservatives accepted the election of Barack Obama with utmost grace. Even before he was sworn into office Jan. 20, 2009, the birther movement went into full swing, flooding the internet with fake news stories that the newly elected president was here illegally he wasnt born in the United States but in Kenya. Besides, he was a Muslim and was secretly plotting the takeover of the U.S. government. A black church was set afire in Massachusetts and property was destroyed in Pennsylvania, Texas and North Carolina. And there at the forefront of those malicious lies about Obamas birth was the man who now bristles when people suggest hes a poor excuse to be president of the worlds most powerful country: Donald Trump himself. Aside from just plain racial bigotry, there was no excuse to ridicule Obama. He had made no brash or untrue statements, he hadnt threatened to deport whole classes of people, he didnt claim he was going to put blacks ahead of whites or threaten to crack down on certain religions. There was no reason to fear Obama except one, of course. He is black. Quite different from the man were about to put in the White House in a matter of weeks. Mexicans, Muslims, gays and many others who were pilloried during Trumps campaign have every reason to be afraid of whats ahead and to voice their concerns with demonstrations, which the U.S. Constitution protects. And while many Trump supporters are complaining about the demonstrations, there have been several incidents of violence directed at the groups of people Trump denigrated during the campaign. There hasnt been such a rash of hate crimes in the U.S. since Barack Obama was elected Americas first black president, the Southern Poverty Law Center reported. Muslim women report having their hijabs ripped from their heads, school kids have been ridiculed and told to go back to their own countries, reported incidents of bullying are increasing. Right here at home a diverse Fitchburg family was told it wasnt welcome. In Monona someone painted swastikas on park playground equipment to celebrate the Trump victory. Its why nationally syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts Jr., a leading African-American political columnist, insists he isnt interested in coming together with Trump to give him room to be president. Understand: If this were just about politics, Id never say something like that, he wrote recently. No, Id do what youre supposed to when the candidate you favored is defeated. Suck it up. But my anger is not about any given policy of the new president. No, it is about him, about the election of a fundamentally unsound, unserious and unfit man, a misogynist who brags about sexual assault, a bigot cheered to victory by the Ku Klux Klan. I have no idea how to heal woman hating and no desire to come together with the Klan. I am similarly impatient with those who say we must give the new president a chance to lead and hope for his success. Is that what Republicans did for Barack Obama when they gathered on the night of his inauguration and plotted a conspiracy of obstructionism to cripple his presidency? Is it what Donald Trump did when he spent years questioning the veracity of an ordinary birth certificate? My sentiments, exactly. It seems like it was just yesterday when Fox News political commentator Chris Wallace was lecturing one of the presidential candidates regarding the peaceful transition of power. That candidate was eventually elected president. Wallace challenged candidate Donald Trump repeatedly when he didnt receive the answer he wanted to hear. Trump finally left the newsman hanging with, Well see. The national media had a field day with this debate exchange in late October. They openly chastised Trump and practically declared him insane. It was inconceivable that any reasonable person would openly challenge the vote. They were so concerned about how Trump would react if he had lost there was a multitude of stories on Election Day about what might happen if Trump refused to concede. The medias conclusion about a Trump non-concession speech? Nothing would happen. The election is the election and there was nothing Trump could do about it. Volumes of ink and film were spent explaining there was absolutely nothing that would change his fate. Ironically, it was Hillary Clinton who refused to come out at 2 a.m. and concede the race. Instead, her campaign manager, John Podesta, sent supporters home declaring the race wasnt over despite the fact it was pretty clear the path to election defeat had been sealed. The Clinton camp most certainly didnt go to bed. They were looking for anything that would give them an opportunity to overturn her fate as another one of historys also-rans. Fortunately, for Clinton, less reasonable people are trying to help her. Green Party candidate Jill Stein and Rocky De La Fuente, of the Reform Party of the United States of America, are trying to overturn the election in the favor of anyone but Trump. With about 31,000 votes, and 1,500 votes respectively, its not very likely Stein and De La Fuente actually believe theyre going to make up almost 1.4 million votes by recounting all of the votes cast here in Wisconsin. And then the Clinton camp decided to join in the fight. Theyve stated theyre just protecting their votes. Or from another point of view, its an all-out assault against the will of the Wisconsin electorate that delivered Trump a 22,000 vote victory. The irony of this election saga doesnt end with Clintons early-morning scorn for her most loyal supporters. It lies in the fact that this challenge comes from a group of people who have mocked conservatives for believing there is voter fraud in America. The only reason they are bringing this challenge is because they are alleging voter fraud occurred. Unlike the GOPs calls for Voter ID, this recount alleges an even more massive voter fraud conspiracy. Voter ID wants to address voter integrity by assuring every vote was cast by American citizens not people who claim foreign residency or illegal residency. This recount alleges that either the voting machines were rigged or Russians hacked the system. I am not sure how the process in Michigan or Pennsylvania works, the other two states they are challenging, but these allegations border on reckless in the Badger state. There are more than 1,700 polling locations that upload their data to 72 county clerks before the vote count is centralized in Madison. There are no less than five to seven poll workers at each of the polling locations who report to the local clerk. Their results are then confirmed by 72 Board of Canvassers with at least three members per board reviewing and certifying the results. That means there are more than 11,000 people overseeing the process. Either none of them have seen anything out of the ordinary or the Russians have really pulled one over on us. One thing's for sure, its difficult to pull off a scam this epic with this many people involved. For years the left has mocked the right for alleging voter fraud. At the end of the day, they have now officially confirmed they believe it is occurring as well. Like all things in politics, the question for the voters is to determine which side is correct; or can they assume its all a bunch of hooey. Based on what weve learned thus far is that voter fraud exists when people misrepresent who they are at the polls, the Russians are hacking the vote, or tens of thousands of Wisconsinites are conspiring to affect the outcome. In the end, a recount is likely to prove two of those theories incorrect. It seems the president-elect will be proven correct once again. In Columbia County, the historic presidential recount is over. In Marquette County, its expected to be finished Wednesday. Ballots in both counties were hand-counted starting on Thursday, and in both cases, the task was on target for completion well before the state-imposed deadline on Monday. Columbia County Clerk Susan Moll said there were no significant changes in the vote totals from the Nov. 8 election, even after 29,914 ballots were eyeballed by municipal clerks and trained election workers. The previously canvassed results showed that Republican Donald Trump got 14,160 votes to 13,525 for Democrat Hillary Clinton. On Tuesday afternoon, Moll said, she was finalizing the numbers from the recount that ended Monday evening, after the ballots from the countys four cities -- three reporting units from Portage and one each from Columbus, Lodi and Wisconsin Dells -- were recounted simultaneously. With sign-off from the Board of Canvass (Moll, Bobbie Goodman and Margo Miller), which should happen sometime today, Columbia County will officially be done with its recount. Marquette County still has four municipalities left to recount, noted Deputy Clerk Debra Kemnitz. The recounting of 7,955 ballots -- which had been interrupted by County Clerk Gary Sorensens obligations to participate in various County Board oversight committee meetings --should be done by this afternoon, she said. Moll attributed Columbia Countys quick finish, and the ability to complete the recount without having to convene on weekends, to the availability of experienced poll workers and the willingness of municipal clerks to interrupt their regular work to help with the counting and verify their voting records. Having all this experience helped make things very efficient, she said. But the Wisconsin recount -- demanded and paid for by the campaign of Green Party candidate Jill Stein --still cost considerable time for county staff members, and that loss will not be recouped. According to estimates filed Thursday with the Wisconsin Elections Commission, Columbia County estimated its recount cost at $126,281.85, and Marquette Countys cost was estimated at $17,541.76. Voter intent The recount showed, if nothing else, that Columbia Countys 10-year-old electronic tabulating system is accurate, Moll said. Any changes, she said, were done by determining voter intent. For example, a voter who circled a candidates name instead of filling in the oval beside the name might not have had the vote counted during the initial tabulation, but it would have been counted in the recount. And, there was at least one protracted discussion regarding a vote for a write-in candidate -- and the Board of Canvass determined that the voter did indeed intend to vote for the candidate, even though the candidates name was spelled wrong on the ballot. During the recount, one of the observers -- Dennis Kern of Poynette -- raised questions about whether voter tabulating systems nationwide could be manipulated or tampered with, since the computer codes for counting votes is proprietary to the voting systems manufacturer, and is not known to the government officials who operate the machines. Moll said she doesnt share that concern, because the system is set up so that its difficult, if not impossible, for someone to get access to the coding mechanisms, including the computer server that tabulates the votes. Thats true of Columbia Countys current election equipment, she said, and its even more true of the new equipment that the county will acquire next year. New equipment The 2017 budget, which the County Board adopted last month, calls for spending $312,365 for new election equipment. The money will come from the $1.2 million one-time payment to the county from American Transmission Company for the environmental impact of a high-voltage power line that is now under construction. Plans call for acquiring the equipment in the summer, and training clerks and election workers in its use so that it can be used for the first time in 2018 elections, Moll said. A secure room in the new Administration Building, now under construction alongside the Portage Canal, will be set aside for the server that tabulates votes. Like the current system, it will include paper ballots, which will not look substantially different from the ballots now used in Columbia County elections. Moll noted, too, that before Columbia County acquired its present election equipment in 2006, all of the countys ballots were run through an electronic tabulator at the courthouse on the night of an election, instead of being electronically tabulated at each polling place. Michigan billionaire Betsy DeVos has sought for years to undermine public education as an advocate for irresponsible and discredited schemes to steer money away from the programs and the public school students that need them most. Shes a special-interest power player who has used her money to warp the politics of Wisconsin and states across the country in order to advance an education agenda that is as unworkable as it is irresponsible. Now, President-elect Donald Trump wants to make DeVos his secretary of education. Trump could not have chosen a worse nominee than DeVos, who the American Federation of Teachers President Randy Weingarten identifies as the most ideological, anti-public education nominee put forward since President Carter created a Cabinet-level Department of Education. Weingarten, who has worked closely with teachers and parents in Wisconsin and states across the country, objects to DeVos because of the billionaires advocacy for an agenda the AFT president says would put the focus of the Trump administration on privatizing, defunding and destroying public education in America. But Weingarten also notes another problem with the DeVos nomination: DeVos has no meaningful experience in the classroom or in our schools. The sum total of her involvement has been spending her familys wealth in an effort to dismantle public education in Michigan. DeVos is a political operative, not a serious thinker regarding education. The problem is that DeVos is not promoting honest debate about whether her proposals would actually benefit elementary and secondary school students. She is playing politics in the ugliest and most irresponsible of ways. A former chair of the Michigan Republican Party, DeVos and her husband Dick (a former Michigan gubernatorial candidate) have directed tens of millions of dollars into the ideological and electoral infrastructure that supports school privatization. Nowhere is the impact of the DeVos family fortune greater than in the movement to privatize public education, declared a People for the American Way study, which explained how the DeVos political operation has used a family fortune to create an intricate national network of nonprofits, political action committees and federal groups known as 527s that effectively fund the political arm of the school voucher movement. The DeVos operation has warped politics not just in Michigan but in Wisconsin. It has actively supported Gov. Scott Walker and his allies for years. Betsy DeVos has been a driving force for the privatization of our public schools. Shes used her familys wealth to reward politicians who support her agenda across the nation, including Scott Walker and Republicans in Wisconsin, said One Wisconsin Nows Scot Ross. Being a billionaire whose hobby is underwriting campaigns to steal our public school dollars and send them to unaccountable private schools disqualifies her from being our secretary of education. Thats an all-too-accurate assessment of Betsy DeVos, and we urge Wisconsins senators to oppose her nomination to serve in Donald Trumps Cabinet. An aging population represents a challenge and an opportunity for the region's housing market. Senior citizens make up a large portion of the nation's residential footprint. According to the U.S. Census Bureaus American Community Survey, in 2013 baby boomers utilized 39 percent of the total occupied single family residences. The changes in the population have a dramatic impact on the housing market, as some baby boomers choose to remain in their homes, while others seek more affordable housing options and some look to downsize into senior living communities. Baby boomers are the demographic group born postWorld War II, generally recognized as between the years 1946 and 1964. This includes people who are between 52 and 70 years old in 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Senior communities Aging and Disability Resource Center of Eagle Country social worker Julie Mayer said senior living facilities can be an attractive option for those struggling to keep up with larger properties. "It gets to be difficult to maintain a yard and home as we age, she said. As people grow older, they also can lose their mobility, threatening their ability to take care of themselves and limiting opportunities to socialize. Mayer said some senior communities offer independent apartments that have a common community room where activities, potlucks and socialization occur. Increasing socialization prevents seniors from becoming isolated, depressed and keeps them engaged and their minds active," Mayer said. Seniors living on fixed incomes from Social Security also can struggle to afford senior housing. "Assisted living is expensive," Mayer said. "That $4,000 a month goes really quick. Growing demand Some areas have been unable to keep up with the demand generated by baby boomers for senior living options. In Juneau County, many seniors relocate to Mauston to reduce drive time for shopping, medical care and other necessities. Those factors raise demand for senior housing there. Aging and Disability Resource Center of Eagle Country Director Char Norberg oversees the organization's Mauston office said the area has many facilities that cater to seniors, but the options available and locations of those facilities don't always fulfill the needs of the population. In Juneau County we have quite a bit of housing for seniors and persons with disabilities that are income-based and income-restricted," she said. "And rent is considered fair for the area." Outside of the county's seat, resources for seniors quickly dwindle. Mauston and Elroy are the only communities in the area that have grocery stores. It can be difficult for seniors who seek to remain in their homes to arrange for transportation. You have to work your schedule around whats available and you have to travel a longer distance to get to your necessities, Norberg said. Its very difficult for seniors to age in a place where amenities are not readily available Its hard to age in a smaller community." Tom Gavin, manager of First Weber Realtors in Reedsburg, said the elderly are choosing to stay in their own homes longer, both due to personal choices and as a result of limited senior housing options. "Overall the demand is high and the market is strong," Gavin said of the general housing market. "I think there is a need for housing all across the board in Sauk County. He added that as more seniors stay in their homes longer, fewer properties are available to those considering moving to the region or buying for the first time. Taking action Recognizing an opportunity to address a dearth of senior housing options in Wisconsin Dells, a company whose ownership team includes former Gov. Tommy Thompson and former state Majority Leader Mary Panzer, has proposed a multi-dimensional, senior-living development. The city has approved preliminary plans for the Riverwood Eagles Nest senior housing development, which will include a full range of living options for people 55 and older, from duplex apartments to assisted living and memory care facilities. The project will include 26 independent living duplex apartments, 30 assisted living and 12 memory care units, and a three-story, 38-apartment moderate-income building. Groundbreaking for the first phase could take place as early as spring. Wisconsin Dells Mayor Brian Landers said he made addressing senior housing in the Dells a goal of his most recent campaign. The last time I think we built anything for seniors was in the 1960s, he said. Seniors are growing out of their houses. As they age it becomes more difficult for them to maintain. He said facilities in Reedsburg and Baraboo were drawing seniors away from the Dells by offering better housing options. Many of the jobs we have available here could be filled by seniors who still want to be in the workforce, Landers said. The Dells is also a great place to live besides having a tourist draw. We dont want to see our seniors leaving the community." He said helping seniors to live locally can impact many areas. Its about a balance of economics, Landers said. Seniors sell their homes. We have a lot of younger couples, many who are in apartments but we want them to be homeowners, so their kids go to our schools and shop in our stores. So it does have another aspect as seniors leave. Established facilities like Oak Park Place in Baraboo have planned expansions based on projected continued growth and demand. Since this generation is so much larger, there will naturally be a greater demand for these services," said Oak Park Regional Director of Marketing Jasmine Rogness. The proposal will expand the facility's independent and assisted living areas. While Oak Park Place does have openings, Rogness said they tend to fill quickly. Specialized care Mayer said while there is a generalized need for senior housing options in Sauk County, she highlighted memory and dementia care as areas where demand outstrips available services. Tivoli in Portage offers assisted living and memory care on its campus, but also is looking toward the future need for independent living as well. People are retiring and downsizing their bigger houses, so then they wonder whats out there, whats next, said Karolyn Graser, director of assisted living for Tivoli. They like having a gym available and the doctors close by and their shopping. Graser said assisted living facilities offer seniors their own studio apartment with kitchenettes and bathrooms, where everything is handicapped accessible. Staff also is available at any time to offer assistance. We are a stepping stone before nursing home," Graser said. In offering numerous types of services, Tivoli aims to offer a full range of senior care. Its a continuous care notion, so you essentially can move in when you retire and as your needs progress, all of that is offered on one campus," Graser said. "You can walk across campus to see your spouse. Its what our vision for the community looks towards." About 2,300 vehicles have stopped to view the holiday light show at August Derleth Park that began Nov. 18 as part of the Holiday Light Parade, Tree Lighting Event and Fireworks Extravaganza. The nearly 50,000 LED Christmas lights in the display are synchronized to change along with holiday music broadcast on FM 95.5, which loops from 5-9 p.m. every night through Dec. 31. Viewers are encouraged to park their cars in the Sauk City parks lot to watch the show. Prairie du Sac resident Ron Kindschi is the man behind the display, in which he estimated he has invested more than $100,000. I brought it here; I built it originally for Mt. Horeb, said Kindschi, a retired engineer. Most of what is here was brought with me to Prairie du Sac when I moved here two years ago. Kindschi approached the Sauk Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce with the light show idea in the spring. After receiving approval, some modifications were necessary before it could be placed in the park. It was against a building in Mt. Horeb, he said. So bringing it here I had to redesign it to be free-standing in a field and make it three-dimensional. Kindschi spent the summer making the changes and adding posts to hold the 10 and 15-foot-high assemblies designed to withstand winter weather. On Oct. 10, utility workers from the villages of Prairie du Sac and Sauk City helped move everything to the park and do a basic setup. Kindschi said he spent the next month connecting more than a miles worth of electrical cables to get everything up and running. Using a computer, Kindschi programmed the lights to time with music to create the light show. Im not an artist or a musician but an engineer, he said. Using software, Kindschi is able to identify the beat of the music and make lights twinkle, change intensity of fade in or out. Its about the variables, Kindschi said. Its up to me what I want to do within a period of time. The show is different from others like it. In other light shows like this they are really displays you drive through, he said. In this one, its more of a light show than a light display. Prairie du Sac artist Diane Cepon designed three cartoon displays that are lit to go with a childrens holiday-themed music set. I dont do it for money, I just do it as a hobby for charity, Cepon said. She said she started design work in July on the characters, which include Mickey and Minnie mouse, Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Peanuts gang. All of the lights in the show are LED, limiting the cost to operate the displays. I calculated it and the amount of power consumption costs 47 cents per night, said Kindschi. I have measured the amperage as a show is in operation and the wattage probably averages around 100 watts or less, which is less than a large hair dryer. Chamber Member Services Coordinator Stephanie Brickl said she was impressed with the number of cars that have gone through. It has definitely brought a lot of people to the area, she said. Ive heard nothing but good news. The people who have gone have loved it. Its doing really well. Brickl said events that help draw people to the Sauk Prairie area are important to local businesses. Ultimately thats the goal, she said. We are really wanting people to come here, see the show, and maybe go shopping and eat here really experience the Sauk Prairie area. Kindshci said he was inspired to build light sets while traveling the world as an engineer. Im a guy that has done a lot of different, weird stuff, Kindschi said. I got turned on by Christmas displays in big store windows in London and Paris. It looked like fun to me so I researched it and I went to Disney World and saw how the lights were synchronized to the music. Thats how it evolved. Kindschi said he plans to meet with the villages and Chamber this week to discuss another possible year for the display. Every year the goal is to make it bigger and better, Kindschi said. Im definitely looking for some wow things to put in there. [December 07, 2016] Hartford Public Library Enriches Catalogs with Syndetics Unbound MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Hartford Public Library has teamed with ProQuest to offer a more dynamic and engaging patron experience with Syndetics Unbound, a catalog enrichment service that combines two best-of-breed technologies: the Syndetic Solutions service and the LibraryThing for Libraries system. Using Syndetics Unbound, the Hartford Public Library will embed rich information and guided discovery directly into their existing catalogs. Syndetics Unbound helps transform the traditional online catalog into an innovative and compelling showcase of materials. Patrons benefit from a more modern, intuitive experience that includes expansive coverage of global books and other media. Syndetics Unbound was added to both Hartford Public Library's modern discovery layer, and their legacy "classic" catalog. "We are thrilled to join forces with Hartford Public Library," said Kevin Sayar, Senior Vice President and General Manager, ProQuest Books. "It is an honor to support their vision of a contemporary library and to partner with them in their commitment to providing users with greater information, better recommendations and more rewarding experiences." "We appreciate the options Syndetics Unbound provides for offering a virtual look at our shelves, and gathering information about the books traditionally found onbook jackets," said Mary Billings, Chief Public Services Officer at Hartford Public Library. "This enhances our ability to inspire reading and guide learning, core aspects of our mission." For librarians, Syndetics Unbound is designed to use right out of the box, with no customization needed and an easy-to-use admin tool that provides element configuration, holdings management, and coverage and usage reports. It also helps libraries maximize their acquisitions budget by putting all materials within easy reach. For patrons, Syndetics Unbound is easy and engaging. Data from ProQuest's Syndetic Solutions integrates with the reader tools in LibraryThing for Libraries for rating, sharing and reviewing books they've read. Most importantly it brings patrons the features they expect from everyday web use. The mobile-optimized user interface works on smartphones and tablets so patrons can easily connect to the library wherever they are. About LibraryThing (https://www.librarything.com/) LibraryThing for Libraries is created by LibraryThing, a leader in social networking for readers and in software for libraries. LibraryThing.com counts over 2 million members who have cataloged 110 million books. LibraryThing for Libraries offers libraries a suite of enhancements for catalogs and websites, such as Book Display Widgets, BookPsychic and a variety of others. All are available to libraries via ProQuest. About ProQuest (http://www.proquest.com) ProQuest connects people with vetted, reliable information. Key to serious research, the company's products are a gateway to the world's knowledge including dissertations, governmental and cultural archives, news, historical collections and ebooks. ProQuest technologies serve users across the critical points in research, helping them discover, access, share, create and manage information. The company's cloud-based technologies offer flexible solutions for librarians, students and researchers through the ProQuest, Alexander Street, Bowker, Dialog, Ex Libris and SIPX businesses and notable research tools such as the RefWorks citation and reference management platform, the Pivot research development tool and the Ebook Central, ebrary, EBL and MyiLibrary ebook platforms. The company is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with offices around the world. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120620/DE27948LOGO-a To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hartford-public-library-enriches-catalogs-with-syndetics-unbound-300374387.html SOURCE ProQuest [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Winners of prestigious VCs Awards announced Several Witsies were honoured for their outstanding service at the 2016 Vice Chancellors Awards. Each year, the Vice-Chancellor awards individuals and groups who have greatly contributed in serving the Wits community through their excellent work. At a function held at last week at the new Tshimologong Precinct in Braamfontein, Wits VC, Professor Adam Habib, handed out awards for excellent service in research, transformation, academic citizenship and teaching. Vice-Chancellors Research Award The 2016 Vice-Chancellors Research Award was awarded to Professor Ebrahim Momoniat, from the School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics. The award is Universitys most prestigious award for research. The purpose of the Vice-Chancellors Research Award is to stimulate research and research-related scholarly activities by acknowledging and rewarding a quite exceptional worker, who has been engaged in research and more general scholarly activity at the University over a sustained period of years. Vice-Chancellors Academic Citizenship Award Professors Judith Bruce and Barry Dwolatzky were joint winners of the VCs Academic Citizenship Award. The award recognises an individuals cooperative involvement, as an academic, professional and subject specialist, in the community of their Faculty, the University, the wider national community, and the international community of scholars, in delivering a service, performing tasks, and making contributions to the functioning, wellbeing, and upliftment of these communities. It includes those organisational citizenship activities conventionally classed as administrative duties as well as those related to community service or community participation. Professor Bruce is the Head of the School of Therapeutic Sciences and has gone way beyond the duties as the Head of School and launched the NEPAD project on Nursing and Midwifery Education in Africa attest to her as being more than a worthy co-winner. Professor Dwolatzky has been the Director of the Johannesburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) since May 2007 and since his appointment, he has made an impressive impact with a diverse portfolio. He was awarded for his role in the development of the JCSE, which epitomises the building of partnerships between academic institutions and the communities around them. Vice-Chancellors Individual Teaching and Learning Award Dr Peace Kiguwa, a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Humanities, has been nominated won the 2016 Vice-Chancellors Individual Teaching and Learning Award. Dr Kiguwa was also unanimously selected by colleagues in the Faculty as one of the recipients of the Faculty Teaching and Learning Award for 2016. Dr Kiguwa currently works as an Independent Reseacher on two joint projects funded by the Ford Foundation on Young Womens Leadership in Higher Education and Destabilising Heteronormative Practice within Higher Education (funded by Aid International). She also serves as research consultant for Poetso Music Project, an NGO-based venture focused on the rehabilitation of male prisoners through music Vice-Chancellors Transformation Award Nqobile Malaza was the recipient of the 2016 VCs Transformation Award. She was awarded for her work which made a major impact of a transformative nature in her school as well as the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment. Malaza was the first chairperson of the School Architecture and Planning Transformation Committee and subsequently chairperson of the Engineering and Built Environment Faculty. Last year, she started groundwork for the Students Success Fund to raise funds for needy and deserving students. Vice-Chancellors Team Teaching Award A team of academics from the Department of Media Studies comprising of Dr Nicky Falkof, Professor Mehita Iqani, Dr Dina Ligagaz, Dr Cobus van Staden, Dr Ufuoma Akpojivi, Dr Iginio Gagliardone and Dr Glenda Daniels won the VC Team Teaching Award 2016. The group was unanimously nominated by their colleagues in the Faculty for the Award. They had developed and demonstrated a deep capacity for team work, collegiality and inclusive decision-making across the three years of their undergraduate curriculum which had significant implications for the quality of their intellectual environment as well as for throughput rates. The pass rate for the 1st year course Media and Society (SLLS1005) increased from 67.4% in 2014 to 90.4% in 2015 as a result of innovations in course design, teaching schedule and use of e-learning books. Wits' 2016 achievements [LETTER] Dear colleagues, students and friends of the University: Let me start with a note of gratitude to students and staff, and the friends of Wits University. We would not be where we are today, were it not for your support during this difficult year. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation to each and every one for the role that you have played in enabling Wits to complete the 2016 academic year. In essence, we lost only three teaching days. This is remarkable given the immense challenges which we faced in recent months. The Council of Wits University also expressed its appreciation to all staff, students, management and other key stakeholders who enabled the completion of the 2016 academic year. Completion of the 2016 academic year Wits University has successfully completed its official examinations for 2016 and is now preparing to accommodate deferred and supplementary examinations as part of the second sitting. The successful completion of the academic year under strenuous circumstances was no easy feat and would not have been possible were it not for the unwavering commitment of the majority of the University community. I laud our students who attended classes and persevered in the face of adversity, and their parents and guardians who walked this journey with us. I recognise the extreme toll and burden carried by our academic, professional, and administrative staff who stood tall in the face of adversity and who were often the recipients of abuse, fear and hostility on the frontline. We acknowledge those who have gone the extra mile to accommodate the extended academic programme to ensure that we complete the year successfully. To all our donors and alumni who continued to support Wits during this difficult period, I thank you for your commitment, loyalty and contribution to this great University. We have exceeded our fundraising and development targets for 2016, thanks to your contributions. Read more about Why Wits Matters. We have received 70 000 applications for about 6 200 first year spaces and we look forward to welcoming first year students to Wits in 2017. A way forward for 2016 I have penned my reflections on the 2016 #FeesMustFall campaign. While Wits supports the goal of free, fully-funded, quality, decolonised higher education, the #FeesMustFall movement has fractured our community and left us fragile. We must now take the opportunity to have a frank discussion within our community about the purpose of the University, our role in society, our rules of engagement with each other, transformation, expanding opportunities for youth and the funding of higher education. Achievements There are too many achievements to mention in this newsletter and the majority of the major achievements are captured on the Wits website. Visit www.wits.ac.za for details. Topping global rankings Wits University has recorded some incredible achievements in 2016 on several fronts. Wits topped the global rankings on the continent in the prestigious Academic Ranking of World Universities and jumped 62 places in the Best Global University rankings. We are first in the Centre for World University Rankings and in the top 200 in the Times Higher Education rankings, from amongst about 25 000 universities in the world. Wits has also entered the top 100 globally in ranking by subject in clinical medicine and was placed 77th in the Clinical, Pre-Clinical and Health subject area for 2016-2017. Research on the rise Wits is a research intensive university that is locally relevant and globally competitive. Wits was awarded a R60-million grant to establish a national e-science teaching and training platform, a great step forward in the big data area. Our researchers have demonstrated a 100-times increase in the amount of information that can be packed into light. Africas first Chair in Digital Business has been established at Wits, as was the Johannesburg City Chair in Economic Development, focused on developing smart cities. Research in the Humanities is on the increase, with several academics being recognised internationally and locally for their work in improving the lives of all. Catch up on the latest research at Wits University via www.wits.ac.za/research Research output at Wits has seen a 41% increase since 2012, an incredible achievement by any measure. Wits is home to 26 A-rated researchers who are global leaders in their field, with over 380 ratedresearchers. We host or co-host six DST/NRF Centres of Excellence, the highest of all South African universities. Wits is also home to 26 South African Research Chairs and is the largest producer of medical specialists and super specialists in the country. Wits ranks in the 1% in the world and some Wits researchers also rank in the top 1% in their fields globally. Read the latest research report. Academic standards remain high Wits continues to attract talented students from across the country. Throughput rates across all faculties are increasing and all Wits' professional programmes continue to be accredited by the relevant external bodies. This is one measure of Wits' quality, aside from the relevant internal and external audits and review systems. Our students and staff continue to win major national and international awards. In 2016, Wits became the first university in Africa to launch Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) via edX, an online learning platform established by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This is part of Wits' suite of online offerings that will be made available over the next three years to enhance access to higher education. These include MOOCs, short online courses, and ultimately online degree programmes. Developing Wits footprint It has been an incredible year for the digital revolution at Wits. We are investing over R500 million in a new ICT system which will be implemented in the coming years. Wits is also transforming Braamfontein into a young, vibrant precinct for its notable tech-savvy and innovative community. Together with our partners in government, business and industry, we officially launched the Wits Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in Braamfontein, Johannesburg in September this year. Setswana for new beginnings, Tshimologong is Johannesburgs newest high-tech address, where the incubation of start-ups, the commercialisation of research and the development of high-level digital skills for students, working professionals and unemployed youth will take place. In Parktown, Wits has played an integral role in the establishment of the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital (NMCHT) on the Wits Education Campus. The hospital will be a world-class, highly advanced specialised childrens hospital which will save lives. The University is the lead academic partner of the hospital that is located on land donated by Wits. It will serve as a hospital for specialised training and research. The NMCH was launched on Friday, 2 December 2016 and will receive its first patient in 2017. Wits has also made tremendous advances via the Wits Rural Facility which serves as a base for a range of research and teaching programmes across Wits faculties and schools, both within the facility and in surrounding communities. This enables a multidisciplinary approach to learning about and addressing rural issues. Transformation In 2015, the University announced an accelerated plan to advance transformation through a number of key strategies. I am pleased to announce that we have made significant progress in several areas including transformation of the academy. Senate and Council approved a budget of R45 million obtained via a donation to diversify the academy at Wits. To date, 19 appointments have been made to diversify the academy and 18 interviews are underway across faculties. In addition, 37 enabling grants totalling R6 million have been awarded to academics across the five faculties. All faculties are tackling matters related to curriculum reform to ensure that our academic programmes are transformative, innovative, relevant and appropriate, and that they speak to our national and continental issues and priorities. The Universitys Language Policy has been approved by Senate and Council and the executive team is developing a plan to resource its implementation. All official University letterheads are also being revised to reflect information in three languages - English, isiZulu and Sesotho. The reformed Institutional Naming Committee is active and a new naming policy has been approved. The insourcing of workers as per the Council decision taken this year is underway with the Insourcing Task Team made up of representatives of workers, management, students and academics meeting regularly. The Transformation Office and other Wits departments are also working on programmes related to institutional culture and to promoting a diverse residence life experience. The entire University is grappling with issues related to access and the funding of higher education. Our processes and policies surrounding gender equity, gender based harm, sexual harassment and rape are being reviewed. The current policies and procedures can be found on the Gender Equity Office webpage. Conclusion Despite the overall challenges that we have experienced, the University has recorded remarkable achievements in the 2016 year. I am hopeful that the national processes that are in play will go some way towards resolving the current impasse around higher education funding. In the meanwhile, I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank you for giving of yourself for the greater good of the University and for the advancement of our society. Enjoy the break and keep safe during the holiday period. Professor Adam Habib is the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. The technology evolution of the early 1990s gave rise to the designation of a CIO being created. Its not that before the development of the designated post, the responsibility was not carried out with the same importance, but technology and IT was gaining such momentum and cybercrimes were rising; it prompted other C level executives to give due importance to a post that represented the businesss IT estate through the eyes and ears of a subject matter expert. CIOs of organizations have had their work cut out for them ever since the coinage of their designation. They have been at the forefront of implementing cybersecurity laws and practices that are in the interest of the business and their customers. With a Juniper Research report estimating the total cost of cybercrimes to reach $2.1 trillion by 2019, CIOs cannot risk dropping the ball in regard to the security and safety of their businesses IT estates. CIOs of organizations have filed petitions and are strongly crusading for better and more vigilant cybersecurity laws. Despite the thorough implementation of the existing cyberlaws and security practices, cybercriminals have found loopholes in the systems and have managed to raise the total cost of data breaches from $3.52 million in 2014 to $3.79 million in 2015. This year has also seen its share of infamous cyberattacks across the globe. Infamous cases of cybersecurity breaches in 2016 Accounts of more than 20,000 Tesco Bank customers were breached and money was stolen from them in November 2016 in the UK, causing the organization to stop all of its online operations for the time being. The bank went on record to say that the capital lost due to this breach would be borne by the bank. Adrian Davis, Managing director for EMEA, said, Business leaders have not realized just how much their organizations have changed in the digital age and how this is leaving them vulnerable. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) asked Lincoln Financial Securities Corp. (LFS) to pay a $650,000 fine earlier this week. Hackers attacked a cloud based server of LFS and stole confidential information, which included Social Security Numbers, of over 5,400 customers in 2012. FINRA also strongly advised the company to implement stringent cybersecurity protocols. Meanwhile, 3.2 million debit cards that were being used in the Indian economy were compromised in late October this year. Several users reported unauthorized usage that was traced back to China to their respective banks and financial institutions. A report by The Economic Times predicts that nearly 26 lakh cards have to be replaced. However, the most alarming fact is that it took the banks and financial organizations a long time to trace back and identify the cyberbreach. Promising uncompromised security Organizations are making every effort to ensure that the highest data security is provided to their customers. Further to that, organizations are asking their customers to bear some of the burden of higher security measures by adding further layers of security to the existing protocols. This is causing the quality of digital experiences to fall. A McKinsey survey goes on to highlight that a customer has to deal with an average of 14 passwords; which means with the added security layers, businesses are adding to the complexity of the authentification process. Image via McKinsey & Company (News - Alert) Another McKinsey report records that business leaders are aware of the impact that technological developments could have on their business. Cybersecurity is being labeled as the biggest concern for leading firms across the globe. Some businesses believe that cybersecurity is likely to have a negative impact on business, while others disagree by saying that cybersecurity will lead to positive business impacts. The report claims that 33 percent of Indian executives believe that cybersecurity will have a positive effect on their business and the economy at large. Five cyberlaws and practices that will pique your interest To understand the effects of cybersecurity, it is prudent to be abreast with some unconventional practices and cybersecurity laws that are prevalent across the globe. Here are five cybersecurity practices and laws that will pique your interest. 1. Bounty hunters According to the latest edition of the Bugcrowd report issued in June, 2016 its not the tech companies that are enthusiastic about launching a bug bounty program, but businesses from the retail, finance and banking industries that are running them. Social Media giant Facebook has a very active bug bounty program through which it has already paid over $1 million to researchers in over 51 countries. Image via Bugcrowd The Cybersecurity Act of 2015 encourages the private sector and the U.S. government to collaborate with each other to curb the cybersecurity threats. 2. The Queens Verdict In May 2015, owing to the growing concerns of cybersecurity and cyber terrorism, the Queen announced that the most egregious digital criminals ones that cause significant damage to peoples lives or national security will be handed the life sentence. According to a report by Forbes, Nigeria had reworded its cybersecurity law to make it more comprehensible. The report said, any attack on critical national infrastructure that causes a death will be punished by hanging. 3. Safeguard ones well-being A SANS Institute report of February 2014 recorded that 94 percent of healthcare organizations have been the victim of a cyberattack. Medical devices and infrastructure that are connected through the Internet of Things (IoT) are subject to attacks. In order to protect such devices, there have been various standards that have been set-up and are being maintained to ensure the safety and security of patients and medical facilities. The Health Exchange Security and Transparency Act is the latest addition made to the set of laws that cover cyberattacks in the field of healthcare and medicine. 4. A new high in the dark The Economist has reported over $50 million worth of transactions being traded in the Dark Net Markets through Bitcoins. However, a report by The Indian Express goes on to highlight the efforts made by The Narcotics Control Bureau to curb such activities in India. The NCB successfully interdicted two such groups who were trying to operate in the country. Image via The Economist 5. Chinese whispers On November 7, China announced a new version of cybersecurity laws that cover data localization, surveillance, and authentic details requirements. Users will have to reveal their real identity to use messaging services, and businesses have to adhere to practices of mandatory in-country storage. China has taken this bold move despite discouragement from its global advisors. In an interview with The Guardian, Rogier Creemers, a researcher in the law and governance of China at Leiden University in the Netherlands, said, Chinas government has come to recognize that cyberspace immediately and profoundly impacts on many if not all aspects of national security. Organizations need to continuously reassess the cyberthreats and vulnerabilities and re-align their cybersecurity practices accordingly. Security compliance and ease of use need to work in tandem with each other. The negative sentiments of businesses with respect to cyberlaws need to change. Cyberlaws are almost a means to an end, hopefully giving us what we are all after: a safe and secure environment to operate and function in. About the Author Lucjan Zaborowski is the Head of Digital for 1E. He is also an experienced marketer and Project Manager with a solid understanding of digital acquisition and optimization, product marketing and program management. He has over six years of experience in multi-channel digital acquisition. He is keen to learn and stay up to date with the latest marketing trends. Edited by Alicia Young The following companies are subsidiares of MetLife: 10700 WILSHIRE LLC, 1201 TAB MANAGER LLC, 1350 EYE STREET MANAGER LLC, 1350 EYE STREET OWNER LLC, 150 NORTH RIVERSIDE PE MEMBER LLC, 1925 WJC OWNER LLC, 23RD STREET INVESTMENTS INC., 500 GRANT STREET ASSOCIATES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, 500 GRANT STREET GP LLC, 6104 HOLLYWOOD LLC, AFP GENESIS ADMINISTRADORA DE FONDOS Y FIDECOMISOS S.A., AGENVITA S.R.L., ALICO HELLAS SINGLE MEMBER LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, ALICO OPERATIONS LLC, American Life Insurance Company, BEST MARKET S.A., BLOCK VISION HOLDINGS CORPORATION, BLOCK VISION OF TEXAS INC., BORDERLAND INVESTMENTS LIMITED, BOULEVARD RESIDENTIAL LLC, BUFORD LOGISTICS CENTER LLC, CC HOLDCO MANAGER LLC, CHESTNUT FLATS WIND LLC, CLOSED JOINT-STOCK COMPANY MASTER-D, COMPANIA INVERSORA METLIFE S.A., CORPORATE REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC, COVA LIFE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, DAVIS VISION INC., DAVISVISION IPA INC., DELAWARE AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, EURO CL INVESTMENTS LLC, EXCELENCIA OPERATIVA Y TECNOLOGICA S.A de C.V., FORTISSIMO CO. LTD, FUNDACION METLIFE MEXICO A.C., GLOBAL PROPERTIES INC., General American Life Insurance Company, Grand Bank N.A., HASKELL EAST VILLAGE LLC, HOUSING FUND MANAGER LLC, INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL AND ADVISORY SERVICES LIMITED, INVERSIONES METLIFE HOLDCO DOS LIMITADA, INVERSIONES METLIFE HOLDCO TRES LIMITADA, LHC HOLDINGS LLC, LHCW HOLDINGS LLC, LHCW HOTEL HOLDING 2002 LLC, LHCW HOTEL HOLDING LLC, LHCW HOTEL OPERATING COMPANY 2002 LLC, LUMENLAB MALAYSIA SDN. BHD., Logan Circle Partners, MARKETPLACE RESIDENCES LLC, MC PORTFOLIO JV MEMBER LLC, MCJV LLC, MCPP OWNERS LLC, MCRE BLOCK 40 LP, MEC HEALTH CARE INC., MET 1065 HOTEL LLC, MET CANADA SOLAR ULC, METLIFE 1007 STEWART LLC, METLIFE 1201 TAB MEMBER LLC, METLIFE 425 MKT MANAGER LLC, METLIFE 425 MKT MEMBER LLC, METLIFE 555 12TH MEMBER LLC, METLIFE 8280 MEMBER LLC, METLIFE ACOMA OWNER LLC, METLIFE ADMINISTRADORA DE FUNDOS MULTIPATROCINADOS LTDA., METLIFE ALTERNATIVES GP LLC, METLIFE ASHTON AUSTIN OWNER LLC, METLIFE ASIA HOLDING COMPANY PTE. 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LTD, METLIFE FM HOTEL MEMBER LLC, METLIFE FUNDING INC., METLIFE GENERAL INSURANCE LIMITED, METLIFE GLOBAL BENEFITS LTD., METLIFE GLOBAL HOLDING COMPANY I GMBH, METLIFE GLOBAL HOLDING COMPANY II GMBH, METLIFE GLOBAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION S.A. De C.V., METLIFE GLOBAL INC., METLIFE GLOBAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT CENTER PRIVATE LIMITED, METLIFE GROUP INC., METLIFE HCMJV 1 GP LLC, METLIFE HCMJV 1 LP LLC, METLIFE HEALTH PLANS INC., METLIFE HOLDINGS INC., METLIFE HOME LOANS LLC, METLIFE INNOVATION CENTRE LIMITED, METLIFE INNOVATION CENTRE PTE. 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DE C.V., METLIFE MEXICO HOLDINGS S. DE R.L. DE C.V., METLIFE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., METLIFE MEXICO SERVICIOS S.A. DE C.V., METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT FUND II LP, METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT GP II LLC, METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT GP LLC, METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT II RATED FUND LP, METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT PARALLEL FUND LP, METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT PARALLEL GP LLC, METLIFE MMPD II SPECIAL LLC, METLIFE MULTI-FAMILY PARTNERS III LLC, METLIFE OBS MEMBER LLC, METLIFE OFC MEMBER LLC, METLIFE ONTARIO STREET MEMBR LLC, METLIFE PARK TOWER MEMBER LLC, METLIFE PENSION TRUSTEES LIMITED, METLIFE PENSIONES MEXICO S.A., METLIFE PET INSURANCE SOLUTIONS LLC, METLIFE PLANOS ODONTOLOGICOS LTDA., METLIFE POWSZECHNE TOWARTZYSTWO EMERYTALNE S.A., METLIFE PRIVATE EQUITY HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE PROPERTIES VENTURES LLC, METLIFE RC SF MEMBER LLC, METLIFE REAL ESTATE LENDING LLC, METLIFE REINSURANCE COMPANY OF BERMUDA LTD., METLIFE REINSURANCE COMPANY OF CHARLESTON, METLIFE REINSURANCE COMPANY OF VERMONT, METLIFE RETIREMENT SERVICES LLC, METLIFE SECURITIZATION DEPOSITOR LLC, METLIFE SEGUROS S.A., METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING FINCO LLC, METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING FUND LP, METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING GP LLC, METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING HOLDINGS LP, METLIFE SERVICES AND SOLUTIONS LLC, METLIFE SERVICES CYPRUS LTD., METLIFE SERVICES EAST PRIVATE LIMITED, METLIFE SERVICES EEIG, METLIFE SERVICES EOOD, METLIFE SERVICES SOCIEDAD LIMITADA, METLIFE SERVICES SP Z.O.O, METLIFE SERVICIOS S.A., METLIFE SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL FUND GP LLC, METLIFE SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL FUND LP, METLIFE SOLUTIONS PTE. 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DE C.V., ML CERRITOS TC MEMBER LLC, ML CLAL MEMBER LLC, ML CORNER 63 MEMBER LLC, ML DOLPHIN GP LLC, ML DOLPHIN MEZZ LLC, ML HUDSON MEMBER LLC, ML MATSON MILLS MEMBER LLC, ML MILILANI MEMBER LLC, ML OMD MEMBER LLC, ML ONE BEDMINSTER LLC, ML PORT CHESTER SC MEMBER LLC, ML SENTINEL SQUARE MEMBER LLC, ML SLOANS LAKE MEMEBR LLC, ML SOUTHLANDS MEMBER LLC, ML SOUTHMORE LLC, ML SPOKANE INDUSTRIAL MEMBER LLC, ML SWAN GP LLC, ML SWAN MEZZ LLC, ML TERRACES LLC, ML THIRD ARMY INDUSTRIAL MEMBER LLC, ML VENTURE 1 MANAGER S. DE R. L. DE C.V., ML VENTURE 1 SERVICER LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 1 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 2 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 3 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 4 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 5 LLC, ML-URS PORT CHESTER SC MANAGER LLC, MLIA MANAGER I LLC, MLIA PARK TOWER MANAGER LLC, MLIA SBAF COLONY MANAGER LLC, MLIA SBAF MANAGER LLC, MLIC ASSET HOLDINGS II LLC, MLIC ASSET HOLDINGS LLC, MLIC CB HOLDINGS LLC, MLJ US FEEDER LLC, MM GLOBAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT CENTER S.A. DE C.V., MMP CEDAR STREET OWNER LLC, MMP CEDAR STREET REIT LLC, MMP HOLDINGS III LLC, MMP OLIVIAN OWNER LLC, MMP OLIVIAN REIT LLC, MMP OWNERS III LLC, MMP OWNERS LLC, MMP SOUTH PARK OWNER LLC, MMP SOUTH PARK REIT LLC, MNQM TRUST 2020, MREF 425 MKT LLC, MSHDF HOLDCO I LLC, MSV IRVINE PROPERTY LLC, MTL LEASING LLC, MTU HOTEL OWNER LLC, NATILOPORTEM HOLDINGS LLC, NEWBURY INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, OCONEE GOLF COMPANY LLC, OCONEE HOTEL COMPANY LLC, OCONEE LAND COMPANY LLC, OCONEE LAND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LLC, OCONEE MARINA COMPANY LLC, OMI MLIC INVESTMENTS LIMITED, PACIFIC LOGISTICS INDUSTRIAL NORTH LLC, PACIFIC LOGISTICS INDUSTRIAL SOUTH LLC, PARK TOWER JV MEMBER LLC, PARK TOWER REIT INC., PJSC METLIFE, PLAZA DRIVE PROPERTIES LLC, PREFCO FOURTEEN LLC, PREFCO XIV HOLDINGS LLC, PROVIDA INTERNACIONAL S.A., SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES INC., SAFEGUARD HEALTH PLANS INC., SAFEHEALTH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, SOUTHCREEK INDUSTRIAL HOLDINGS LLC, ST. JAMES FLEET INVESTMENTS TWO LIMITED, SUPERIOR PROCUREMENT INC., SUPERIOR VISION BENEFIT MANAGEMENT INC., SUPERIOR VISION HOLDINGS INC., SUPERIOR VISION INSURANCE INC., SUPERIOR VISION INSURANCE PLAN OF WISCONSIN INC., SUPERIOR VISION OF NEW JERSEY INC., SUPERIOR VISION SERVICES INC., Safeguard Health Enterprises, Security First Group Inc., THE BUILDING AT 575 FIFTH AVENUE MEZZANINE LLC, THE BUILDING AT 575 FIFTH RETAIL HOLDING LLC, THE BUILDING AT 575 FIFTH RETAIL OWNER, THE DIRECT CALL CENTRE PTY LIMITED, TRANSMOUNTAIN LAND & LIVESTOCK COMPANY, UVC INDEPENDENT PRACTICE ASSOCIATION INC., VERSANT HEALTH CONSOLIDATIONS CORP., VERSANT HEALTH HOLDCO INC., VERSANT HEALTH INC., VERSANT HEALTH LAB LLC, VIRIDIAN MIRACLE MILE LLC, VISION 21 MANAGED EYE CARE OF TAMPA BAY INC., VISION 21 PHYSICIAN PRACTICE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, VISION TWENTY-ONE MANAGED EYE CARE IPA INC., Versant Health, WDV ACQUISITION CORP., WFP 1000 HOLDING COMPANY GP LLC, WHITE OAK ROYALTY COMPANY, WHITE TRACT II LLC, and Willing. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen France SAS, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Suzhou Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel Ireland Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Brooks Instrument LLC, Brooks Instrument Shanghai Co. Ltd, Buell Industries Inc., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS Australia Pty Limited, CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures Australasia S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Coeur, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Coeur Shanghai Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Denison Mayes Group Limited, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., E2M Production B.V.., E2M Technologies B.V.., E2M Technologies Inc.., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO Holding AG, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, Exhibit 21, FEG Investments L.L.C., Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., Filtertek SAS, GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech Taicang Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Belgium B.V., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart International Singapore Pte. Ltd., Hobart Japan K.K., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components Chongqing Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components Langfang Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium B.V., ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS UK Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW China Investment Company Limited, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Construction Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Services Manila Inc., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Contamination Control Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Deutschland GmbH, ITW Diagraph GmbH, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EAE B.V., ITW EAE Mexico S de RL de CV, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW EU Holdings Ltd., ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.L., ITW European Finance Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance III Co. Ltd., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Thailand Ltd., ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France Luxembourg S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Holdings X Limited, ITW Holdings XI Limited, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW Materials Technology Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd., ITW Metal Fasteners S.L., ITW Mexico Holding Company S. De R.L. de C.V., ITW Mexico Holdings LLC, ITW Morlock GmbH, ITW Mortgage Investments II Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments III Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments IV Inc., ITW Netherlands Administration BV, ITW Netherlands Beta B.V., ITW Netherlands Finance Alpha BV, ITW New Universal LLC, ITW New Zealand, ITW Ningbo Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Novadan Sp. Z.o.o., ITW PPF Brasil Adesivos Ltda., ITW Packaging Technology China Co. Ltd., ITW Participations S.a r.l., ITW Pension Funds Trustee Company, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Japan Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Korea Limited, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids OOO, ITW Performance Polymers ApS, ITW Performance Polymers Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers and Fluids Group FZE, ITW Peru S.A.C., ITW Poly Mex S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Polymers Sealants North America Inc., ITW Pronovia s.r.o., ITW Pte. Ltd., ITW Qufu Automotive Cooling Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Real Estate Germany GmbH, ITW Residuals III L.L.C., ITW Residuals IV L.L.C., ITW Rivex, ITW SMPI, ITW SPG Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Simco-Ion Shenzhen Co. Ltd., ITW Slovakia s.r.o., ITW Spain Holdings S.L., ITW Specialty Film LLC, ITW Specialty Films France, ITW Specialty Materials Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Sverige AB, ITW Sweden Holding AB, ITW Test & Measurement Equipment Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, ITW Test and Measurement Italia Srl, ITW Test and Measurement Services Industry and Trade Ltd., ITW Texwipe Philippines Inc., ITW Thermal Films Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW UK, ITW UK Finance Beta Limited, ITW UK Finance Delta Limited, ITW UK Finance Gamma Limited, ITW UK Finance Limited, ITW UK Finance Zeta Ltd., ITW UK II Limited, ITW Universal II LLC, ITW Welding, ITW Welding AB, ITW Welding GmbH, ITW Welding Products B.V., ITW Welding Products Group FZE, ITW Welding Products Group S. DE R.L. De C.V., ITW Welding Products Italy Srl, ITW Welding Products Limited Liability Company, ITW Welding Produtos Para Solgdagem Ltda., ITW Welding Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW de France, ITW do Brasil Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Illinois Tool Works Chile Limitada, Illinois Tool Works ITW Nederland B.V., Illinois Tool Works Inc., Impar Comercio E Representacoes Ltda., Industrie Plastic Elsasser GmbH, Inmobiliaria Cit. S.A. de C.F., Innova Temperlite Servicios S.A. de C.V., Innovacion y Transformacion Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Instron Brasil Equipamentos Cientificos Ltda., Instron Foreign Sales Corp. Limited, Instron France S.A.S., Instron GmbH, Instron Japan Company Ltd., Instron Korea LLC, Instron Shanghai Ltd., Instron Thailand Limited, International Leasing Company LLC, Isolenge - ITW Sistemas de Isolamento Termico Ltda., Itw Spraytec, KCPL Mauritius Holdings, Kester, Kleinmann GmbH, Krafft S.L., Loma Systems, Loma Systems BV, Loma Systems Canada Inc., Loma Systems sro, Lombard Pressings Limited, Lumex Inc., Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z.o.o., M&C Specialties Co., MAGNAFLUX GmbH, MEHB Holdings Limited, MGHG Property LLC, MTS 2 LLC., MTS 3 LLC., MTS China Holdings LLC, MTS Europe Holdings LLC, MTS Holdings France S.a.r.l., MTS Japan Ltd.., MTS Korea Inc.., MTS Systems China Co. Ltd., MTS Systems Corporation, MTS Systems Danmark ApS., MTS Systems Europe B.V., MTS Systems Finance C.V.., MTS Systems Germany GmbH, MTS Systems Holding B.V.., MTS Systems Hong Kong Incorporated, MTS Systems Limited, MTS Systems Norden Aktiebolag, MTS Systems S.r.l, MTS Systems., MTS Systems.., MTS Sytems Do Brazil, MTS Testing Solutions India Private Limited., MTS Testing Systems Canada Ltd., Manufacturing Avancee S.A., Meritex Technology Suzhou Co. Ltd., Meurer Verpackungssysteme GmbH, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Miller Insurance Ltd., NDT Holding LLC, NOVADAN APS, North Star Imaging Inc., Nova Chimica S.r.l., Orbitalum Tools GmbH, PENTA-91 OOO, PR. A. I. Srl, PT ITW Construction Products Indonesia, Pacific Concept Industries Limited Enping, Panreac Quimica S.L., Paslode Fasteners Shanghai Co. Ltd., Peerless Machinery Corp., Polyrey, Premark FEG L.L.C., Premark HII Holdings LLC, Premark International, Premark International LLC, Prolex Sociedad Anonima, QSA Global Inc., Quimica Industrial Mediterranea S.L., R&D Engineering A/S., R&D Prague s.r.o., R&D Steel ApS., R&D Test Systems A/S., R&D Tools and Structures A/S., RDGDK Engineering Private Limited, Ramset Fasteners Hong Kong Ltd., Rapid Cook LLC, Refrigeration France, S.E.E. Sistemas Industria E Comercio Ltda., ST Mexico Holdings LLC, Sealant Systems International Inc., Sentinel Asia Yuhan Hoesa, Shanghai ITW Plastic & Metal Co. Ltd, Simco Japan Inc., Simco Nederland B.V., Societe de Prospection et dInventions Techniques SPIT, Speedline Holdings I Inc., Speedline Holdings I LLC, Speedline Technologies GmbH, Speedline Technologies Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Speedline Technologies Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Stokvis Celix Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Stokvis Danmark ApS, Stokvis Holdings S.A.R.L., Stokvis Promi s.r.o, Stokvis Prostick Tapes Private Limited, Stokvis Tapes B.V., Stokvis Tapes Benelux B.V., Stokvis Tapes Deutschland GmbH, Stokvis Tapes France, Stokvis Tapes Hong Kong Co. Limited, Stokvis Tapes Italia s.r.l., Stokvis Tapes Limited, Stokvis Tapes Limited Liability Company, Stokvis Tapes Norge AS, Stokvis Tapes Oy, Stokvis Tapes Polska Sp Z.O.O., Stokvis Tapes Shanghai Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Sverige AB, Stokvis Tapes Taiwan Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Tianjin Co. Ltd., Stolvis Holdings II S.A.R.L., Subsidiaries, Technopack Industria Comercio Consultoria e Representacoes Ltda., Teknek China Limited, Teknek Japan Limited, Teksaleco Ltd., The Miller Group Ltd, Thirode Grandes Cuisines Poligny, Tien Tai Electrode Co. Ltd., Tien Tai Electrode Kunshan Co. Ltd., Unichemicals Industria e Comercio Ltda., VR-Leasing Sarita GmbH & Co. Immobilien KG, VS European Holdco BV, Valeron Strength Films B.V., Veneta Decalcogomme S.r.l., Versachem Chile S.A., Vesta, Vesta Global Limited, Vesta Guangzhou Catering Equipment Co. Ltd, Viltronics Soltec, Vitronics Soltec B.V., Wachs Canada Ltd., Wachs Subsea LLC, Weigh-Tronix Canada ULC, Weigh-Tronix UK Limited, Wilsonart International Holdings LLC, Wynn Oil South Africa Pty Ltd., Wynn's Automotive France, Wynn's Belgium BVBA, Wynn's Italia Srl, Wynn's Mekuba India Pvt Ltd, and Zip-Pak International B.V.. 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 following companies are subsidiares of Accenture: 2nd Road, ?What If!, ?What If! China Holdings Limited, ?What If! Holdings Limited, ?What If! Limited, ACN Consulting Co Ltd, AD.Dialeto (Digital Agency acquired by Accenture), AFD.TECH, AGS Business and Technology Services Limited, AIG Shared Services Business Processing Inc, ASM Research Inc., ASM Research LLC, ATAN, Accenture (Botswana) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (China) Co. Ltd., Accenture (Shenzhen) Technology Co. Ltd., Accenture (South Africa) Pty Ltd, Accenture (UK) Limited, Accenture 2 Business Process Services S.A., Accenture 2 LLC, Accenture A/S, Accenture AB, Accenture AG, Accenture AS, Accenture Africa Pty Ltd, Accenture Agencia Interativa Ltda, Accenture Australia Holding B.V., Accenture Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture B.V., Accenture BPM Operations Support Services S.A., Accenture BPM S.C.R.L., Accenture BPS Services S.p. z o.o., Accenture Branch Holdings B.V., Accenture Bulgaria EOOD, Accenture Business Services for Utilities Inc, Accenture Business Services of British Columbia Limited Partnership, Accenture Business and Technology Services LLC, Accenture C.A., Accenture Canada Holdings Inc, Accenture Capital Designated Activity Company, Accenture Capital Inc, Accenture Central Europe B.V., Accenture Chile Asesorias y Servicios Ltda, Accenture Cloud Services GmbH, Accenture Cloud Software Solutions Limited, Accenture Cloud Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions LLC, Accenture Cloud Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd, Accenture Co. Ltd, Accenture Communications Infrastructure Solutions Ltd, Accenture Company Ltd, Accenture Consulting Pty Ltd, Accenture Consulting Services Ltd Tanzania, Accenture Consultores de Gestao S.A., Accenture Consultoria de Industria e Consumo Ltda, Accenture Consultoria de Recursos Naturais Ltda, Accenture Credit Services LLC, Accenture Customer Services Distribution SASU, Accenture Customer Services Ltd, Accenture Danismanlik Limited Sirketi, Accenture Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trustees Limited, Accenture Defined Contribution Pension Plan Trustees Limited, Accenture Delivery Poland S.p. z o.o., Accenture Dienstleistungen GmbH, Accenture Digital Holdings GmbH, Accenture East Africa Limited, Accenture Ecuador S.A., Accenture Egypt LLC, Accenture Enterprise Development (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Accenture Federal Services LLC, Accenture Finance II Limited, Accenture Finance Limited, Accenture Finance and Accounting BPO Services S.p.A., Accenture Finance and Accounting Services S.r.l., Accenture Financial Advanced Solution & Technology S.r.l., Accenture Flex LLC, Accenture GP LLC, Accenture Global Capital Designated Activity Company, Accenture Global Engagements Limited, Accenture Global Holdings Limited, Accenture Global Services Limited, Accenture Global Solutions Limited, Accenture GmbH, Accenture HR Services S.p.A., Accenture Healthcare Processing Inc, Accenture Holding Brasil Ltda, Accenture Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Accenture Holdings (Iberia) S.L., Accenture Holdings B.V., Accenture Holdings France SASU, Accenture Hungary Holdings Kft, Accenture Inc, Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company, Accenture Industrial Software Solutions Kft, Accenture Industrial Software Solutions SA, Accenture Insurance Services B.V., Accenture Insurance Services LLC, Accenture International B.V., Accenture International LLC, Accenture International Limited, Accenture Japan Ltd, Accenture Korea B.V., Accenture LLC, Accenture LLP, Accenture Lanka (Private) Ltd, Accenture Limited, Accenture Lithuania UAB, Accenture Ltd, Accenture Ltda, Accenture Maghreb S.a.r.l., Accenture Managed Services SRL, Accenture Management GmbH, Accenture Marketing Services LLC, Accenture Marketing Services Limited, Accenture Middle East B.V., Accenture Minority I B.V., Accenture Mozambique Limitada, Accenture Mzansi Pty Ltd, Accenture NV/SA, Accenture NZ Limited, Accenture Nova Scotia Unlimited Liability Co., Accenture OOO, Accenture Operations GmbH, Accenture Operations S.p. z o.o., Accenture Operations Services Private Limited, Accenture Operations Services Sdn Bhd, Accenture Outsourcing S.r.l., Accenture Outsourcing Services S.A., Accenture Oy, Accenture Panama Inc, Accenture Participations B.V., Accenture Participations II Limited, Accenture Peru SRL, Accenture Post Trade Processing SASU, Accenture Post-Trade Processing Limited, Accenture Process (Mauritius) Ltd, Accenture Pte Ltd, Accenture Puerto Rico LLC, Accenture Qiyun Technology (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd, Accenture S.C., Accenture S.L., Accenture S.R.L., Accenture S.p. z o.o., Accenture S.p.A., Accenture SASU, Accenture SG Services Pte Ltd, Accenture SRL, Accenture Saudi Arabia Limited, Accenture Sdn Bhd, Accenture Service Center SRL, Accenture Services (Mauritius) Ltd, Accenture Services AB, Accenture Services AG, Accenture Services AS, Accenture Services GmbH, Accenture Services Morocco SA, Accenture Services Oy, Accenture Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Services S.p. z o.o., Accenture Services SRL, Accenture Services and Technology S.r.l., Accenture Services s.r.o., Accenture Single Member S.A. Organization Information Technology & Business Development, Accenture Solutions Co. Ltd, Accenture Solutions Private Limited, Accenture Solutions Pte Ltd, Accenture Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Solutions S.p. z o.o, Accenture Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture State Healthcare Services LLC, Accenture Sub II Inc, Accenture Sub III Inc, Accenture Sub LLC, Accenture Systems Integration Limited, Accenture Sarl, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Accenture Technology Solutions (Dalian) Co. Ltd., Accenture Technology Solutions (HK) Co. Ltd., Accenture Technology Solutions (Thailand) Co. Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas S.A., Accenture Technology Solutions GmbH, Accenture Technology Solutions Oy, Accenture Technology Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions S.A. de C.V., Accenture Technology Solutions S.r.l., Accenture Technology Solutions SASU, Accenture Technology Solutions SRL, Accenture Technology Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture Technology Solutions Slovakia s.r.o., Accenture Technology Ventures B.V., Accenture Technology Ventures SPRL, Accenture Tecnologia Consultoria y Outsourcing S.A., Accenture Uruguay SRL, Accenture Vietnam Co. Limited, Accenture Zambia Limited, Accenture do Brasil Ltda, Accenture plc, Accenture s.r.o., Acceria, Acquity Group, Adaptly LLC, Adaptly UK Limited, AddVal Technology, Adqptly, Advantium Inc., Advoco, Agilex Technologies Inc., Alfa Consulting, Allen International, AlphaBeta Advisors, Altevie Technologies S.r.l., Altima, Altima (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Altima Asia Ltd, Altitude, Altitude LLC, Altius Consulting Limited, Altius Data Solutions Private Limited, Analytics 8 LP, Analytics 8 Pty Ltd, Analytics8, Aorui Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Apis, Apis Group Pty Ltd, Appaloosa Technology SASU, AppsPro, AppsPro, Arca, Arca Ingenieros y Consultoria S.L., Arca Telecom S.L., Ariba - BPO, Arismore, Artio People (Payroll) Pty Ltd, Artio People Pty Ltd, Aspiro Solutions (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Automation Partners Pty Ltd, Avanade (Guangzhou) Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd., Avanade Asia Pte Ltd, Avanade Australia Pty Ltd, Avanade Belgium SPRL, Avanade Canada Inc, Avanade Consulting Poland S.p. z o.o., Avanade Denmark A/S, Avanade Deutschland GmbH, Avanade Europe Holdings Limited, Avanade Europe Services Limited, Avanade Finland Oy, Avanade France SASU, Avanade Holdings LLC, Avanade Hong Kong Ltd, Avanade Inc, Avanade International Corporation, Avanade Ireland Limited, Avanade Italy S.r.l., Avanade Japan KK, Avanade Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avanade Middle East Limited, Avanade Netherlands B.V., Avanade Norway AS, Avanade Poland S.p. z o.o., Avanade Schweiz GmbH, Avanade South Africa Pty Ltd, Avanade Spain S.L., Avanade Sweden AB, Avanade UK Limited, Avanade do Brasil Ltda , Avanade Osterreich GmbH, Avenai, Avieco, Axia Ltd., BABCN LLC, BCS Consulting, BCT Solutions, BCT Solutions Pty Ltd, BENEXT, BPO Servicos Administrativos Ltda, BRIDGE Energy Group, BRIDGEi2i, Beacon Consulting Group Inc., Beijing Genesis Interactive Technology Co. Ltd., Beijing Zhidao Future Consulting Co. Ltd, Benext, Berico Technologies LLC, Bionic, Bionic Solution LLC, Blue Horseshoe, Boomerang Pharmaceutical Communications, Bow & Arrow, Bow & Arrow Limited, Brand Learning, Brand Learning Group Limited, Brightstep AB, Byte Prophecy, Byte Prophecy Private Limited, CAS, CRMWaypoint, CS Technology (Australia) Pty Ltd, CS Technology (UK) Limited, CS Technology Group LLC, CS Technology LLC, CadenceQuest Inc., Callisto Integration Europe B.V., Callisto Integration Europe Limited, Callisto Integration LLC, Callisto Integration Ltd, Capgemini - North American health practice, Capital Consultancy Services Inc, Certus Solutions Consulting Services Limited, Certus Solutions Ltd, ChangeTrack Research Pty Ltd., Chaotic Moon Studios, Chengdu Mensa Advertising Co. Ltd., Cimation, Cirrus Connect Australia Pty Ltd, Cirrus Connect Limited, Cirruseo, Clarity Insights, ClearEdge Partners, Clearhead, Clearhead Group LLC, ClientHouse GmbH, Cloud Sherpas, Cloud Sherpas (GA) LLC, Cloud Sherpas Japan G.K., Cloud Sherpas New Zealand Limited, Cloudeasier SAS, Cloudpoint Limited, Cloudsherpas Inc, Cloudworks, Cloudworks Consulting Services Inc, Cloudworks Technology LLC, Computer Research and Telecommunications LLC, Concrete Desenvolvimento de Sistemas Ltda, Concrete Solutions, Concrete Solutions Ltda, Context Information Security, Context Information Security LLC, Context Information Security Limited, CoreCompete LLC, CoreCompete Limited, CoreCompete Private Limited, Corliant Inc., Creative Drive LLC, Creative Drive US LLC, CreativeDrive, CreativeDrive Digital Content Services (Shenzhen) Co Ltd., CreativeDrive EMEA Limited, CreativeDrive Singapore Pte Ltd, CreativeDrive UK Group Limited, Cutting Edge Solutions Limited, Cygni AB, Cygni Norrsken AB, Cygni Stockholm AB, Cygni Syd AB, Cygni Vast AB, Cygni Ost AB, Cygni Ostersund AB, DAZ Systems Inc, DAZ Systems LLC, DAZSI Systems (India) Pvt. Limited, DI Futures Corporation, Data Essential SARL, Davies Consulting, DayNine Consulting, DayNine Consulting (New Zealand) Limited, DayNine Consulting LLC, Declarative Holdings LLC, Decora Marketplace LLC, Decorado Marketplace Ltda-EPP, Defense Point Security, Deja vu Security, Design Strategy and Research de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Designaffairs LLC, Digiplug S.A.S., Digital Results Group LLC, Double Digit Limitada, Double Digit Pty SA, Droga5, Droga5 LLC, Droga5 Studios LLC, Droga5 UK Limited, Duck Creek Technologies, ESR Labs, ESR Labs AG, EdenOne Solutions Limited, Edenhouse ERP Holdings Limited, Edenhouse Solutions Limited, Enaxis Consulting, Enaxis Consulting LP, End to End Analytics LLC, End-to-End Analytics, Endorphin Medici (M) Sdn Bhd, Energuia Web S.A., Energy Management Brokers Limited, EnergyQuote JHA, Enimbos, Enimbos Global Services S.L., Enkitec, Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions LLC, Enterprise System Partners, Enterprise System Partners B.V., Enterprise System Partners Bilisim Danismanlik Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Enterprise System Partners Global Corporation, Enterprise System Partners Limited, Enthusian Pty Ltd, Entropia, Entropia (M) Sdn Bhd, Entropia Holdings Pte Ltd, Entropia Intercraft Sdn Bhd, Epylon, Ergo, Espedia S.r.l., Ethica Consulting Group, Ethica Consulting S.p.A., Evopro Group, Exactside Limited, Experity, Exton Consulting, Exton Consulting Spain Strategy&Management S.L., Exton Germany GmbH, Exton International SAS, Exton Italia S.r.l., Exton SAS, FGM LLC, Fairway Technologies Inc, Farah BidCo Limited, Farah MidCo Limited, Farah Topco Limited, Filmproduction ApS, First Annapolis Consulting Inc., First Annapolis Consulting LLC, Fjord, Focus Group Europe, Formicary, Founders Intelligence, Fruendo S.r.l., FusionX, Future State Consulting LLC, FutureMove (Beijing) Automotive Technology Co. Ltd., FutureMove Automotive, FutureMove Automotive Co. Ltd., GRA Supply Chain Pty Ltd, Gagel Group S de R.L. de C.V., Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda, Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda., Genfour, George Group Consulting L.P., Gestalt LLC, Gevity, Gren utvikling AS, H.B. Maynard and Co. Inc., HRC Retail Advisory, Hagberg Consulting Group, Hahntel Ltda, Halo Partners LLC, Hamilton Holding Company S.A, Hangzhou Aiyunzhe Technology Co. Ltd., Happen, Happen GP Limited, Happen Limited, Headspring, Hjaltelin Stahl, Hjaltelin Stahl A/S, Hjaltelin Stahl K/S, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting Malaysia Sdn Bhd, IBB Consulting, ICM.S S.r.l., IMJ Corp, IMJ Corporation, INSITUM, IQSP Consulting LLC, IT One Company Limited, ITBS Servicios Bancarios de Tecnologia de la Informacion SL, Icon Integration, Icon Integration (NZ) Limited, Icon Integration Pty Ltd, Imagine Broadband (USA) Limited, Imagine Broadband USA LLC, Imaginea Inc, Imaginea Technologies LLC, Industrie IT (Hong Kong) Ltd, Industrie IT (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Industrie IT Group Pty Ltd, Industrie IT Pty Ltd, Industrie&Co, Infinity Works Consulting Limited, Infinity Works Holdings Limited, Infinity Works Management Limited, Infinity Works Midco Limited, Informatica de Euskadi S.L., Innotec International EAD, Innotec International S.p. z.o.o., Innotec Marketing GmbH, Innotec Marketing International Ireland Limited, Innotec- Marketing Spain S.L, Insitum Consultoria Argentina SRL, Insitum Consultoria S.A. de C.V., International Biometric Group LLC, International Biometric Group UK Limited, Intrepid, Intrepid Futureworks Sdn Bhd, Intrigo Systems Inc, Intrigo Systems India Pvt. Limited, Intrigo Systems LLC, Inventor Technology Ltd, InvestTech, Investtech Systems Consulting LLC, ItSafer Continuity Services S.L., JKD Consulting LLC, Javelin Group, K Comms Group Limited, KSC Studio LLC, Kaper Communications Limited, Karma Communications Debtco Limited, Karma Communications Group Limited, Karma Communications Holdings Limited, Karmarama, Karmarama Comms Limited, Karmarama Limited, King James Group, Knowledge Rules Inc., Knowledgent, Knowledgent Group LLC, Kogentix, Kogentix LLC, Kogentix Limited, Kogentix Singapore Pte Ltd, Kogentix Technologies Private Limited, Kolle Rebbe, Kolle Rebbe GmbH, Kream Comms Limited, Kunstmaan, Kurt Salmon, Kurt Salmon Canada LTD, Kurt Salmon US LLC, LEXTA, LINKBYNET, LINKBYNET Indian Ocean (L.I.O) Ltd, LabAnswer, Lexta GmbH, Lexta UK Limited, Lien par le reseau Inc, Lien par le reseau infrastructures Inc, Lin Bo (Shanghai) Network Technology Co. Ltd., Link By Net SAS, Link By Net SRL, Link By Net Vietnam Company Limited, Linkbynet East Asia Ltd, Linkbynet Singapore Pte Ltd., Loud & Clear Creative Pty Ltd, Lumenup S.A., MAXIM Systems Inc., MCG US Holdings LLC, Mackevision CG Technology and Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Mackevision Japan Co. Ltd., Mackevision Korea Ltd, Mackevision LLC, Mackevision Medien Design, Mackevision Medien Design GmbH, Mackevision Singapore Pte Ltd, Mackevision UK Limited, Maglan, Maglan Information Defense Technologies Research Ltd, Maihiro, Matter, Maud Corp Pty Ltd, Maxamine International, Measuretek LLC, Media Audits Ltd., Media Hive, Mediasenz Pty Ltd., Meredith Specialty LLC, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing LLC, Meridian Informed Purchasing Ltd., Mindtribe, Mistral Wind Operations Servicos Empresariais Unipessoal Lda., MobGen, Mortgage Cadence LLC, Mortgage Cadence an Accenture Company, Most Champion Ltd, Mudano, Mudano Limited, Myrtle Consulting Group LLC, N3, N3 (Dalian) Business Consulting Co. Ltd., N3 Brazil Consultoria em Marketing Ltda, N3 Germany GmbH, N3 LLC, N3 North America LLC, N3 Results Australia Pty Ltd, N3 Results Ireland Limited, N3 Results Japan G.K., N3 Results Limited, N3 Results Malaysia Sdn Bhd, N3 Results Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., N3 Results S.A.S., N3 Results Singapore Pte Ltd, N3 Results Unipessoal Lda, NYTEC, Nanjing Demeng Advertising Co. Ltd., Nashco Consulting, NaviSys Inc., Nell'Armonia Israel Ltd, Nell'Armonia SAS, Nell'Participation SAS, NellArmonia, Neo Metrics Analytics S.L., Neo Metrics Chile S.A., New Content, New Content Editora e Produtora Ltda, New Energy Group, News Imaging LLC, NewsPage, NewsPage (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, NewsPage Pte Ltd, Northstream, Novetta Holdings LLC, Novetta LLC, Novetta Solutions LLC, Novetta Topco LLC, OCTO Technology, OPS Rules Management Consultants, Octagon Research Solutions Inc., Octo Technology Pty Ltd, Octo Technology SA, Odgaard ApS, Olikka, Olikka Pty Ltd, Olympus Systems Corporation, Openmind, Openmind S.r..l., Openminded, Openminded SAS, Operaciones Accenture S.A. de C.V., OpusLine, Orbium, Orbium AG, Orbium Consulting Limited, Orbium Inc., Orbium Ltd, Orbium Pte Ltd, Orbium Pty Ltd, Origin Digital, PCO Innovation, PLM Systems S.r.l, PRION GmbH, PT Accenture, PT Asta Catur Indra, PT Kogentix Teknologi Indonesia, PacificLink Group, Paja Finanssipalvelut Oy, Parker Fitzgerald Inc, Parker Fitzgerald International Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Limited, Parker Fitzgerald PTY Ltd, Parker Fitzgerald Services Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Solutions Limited, Pecaso Ltd., Pegasus Production A/S, Pegasus Production K/S, Phase One Consulting Group, Pillar Technology, Pollux, Pollux Automation Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pollux Canada Inc, Pollux S.A.S., Pollux USA LLC, Pragsis Bidoop, Pragsis Bidoop UK Limited, Pramati Technologies Europe Limited, Pramati Technologies Private Limited, Presence of IT Workforce Management North America LLC, PrimeQ, PrimeQ Australia Pty Ltd, PrimeQ Ltd, PrimeQ NZ Pty Limited, Procurian Inc., Prof. Homburg GmbH, Proquire LLC, PureApps Ltd., Qi Jie Beijing Information Technologies Co. Ltd., RBCP Fund 1-A Vapor Blocker LLC, RBCP Platform Vapor Blocker I LLC, REPL Consulting LLC, REPL Consulting Limited, REPL Digital Limited, REPL Group K.K., REPL Group Pty Ltd, REPL Group Worldwide Limited, REPL Pte Ltd, REPL Software Limited, REPL Technology Limited, Radiant Services LLC, Random Walk Computing Inc., Reactive Media Pty Ltd., Real Protect, Realworld OO Systems Ltd., Redcore, Redcore (New Zealand) Limited, Redcore Group Holdings Pty Ltd, Redcore Pty Ltd, Revolutionary Security, RiskControl, Root LLC, Rothco, Rothco Limited, S3 TV Technology Ltd., SALT Solutions GmbH, SEC Servizi, SOPIA Corp., Sagacious Consultants, Salt Solutions, Sandbox Studio LLC, Sapling Bidco Limited, Sapling Midco Limited, Sapling Topco Limited, Schlumberger Business Consulting, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace (UK) Limited, Seabury Consulting, Seabury Corporate Advisors LLC, Seabury Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Search Technologies BPO Inc, Search Technologies International LLC, Search Technologies LLC, Search Technologies Limited, Securiview SAS, Sentelis, Sentor Managed Secuirty Services AB, Servicios Tecnicos de Programacion Accenture S.C., Seven Seas Business Ventures LLC, Shackleton, Shackleton Chile S.A., Shackleton S.L.U., Shanghai Baiyue Advertising Co. Ltd., Shun Zhe Technology Development Co. Ltd., SigInt Technologies LLC, Silveo, Silveo Consulting India Private Limited, Simian Pty Ltd, SinnerSchrader, SinnerSchrader AG, SinnerSchrader Content GmbH, SinnerSchrader Deutschland GmbH, SinnerSchrader Praha s.r.o., Sirvart S.A., Sistemes Consulting S.L., Skylink SAS, Soltians Limited, Solutions IQ LLC, SolutionsIQ, SolutionsIQ India Consulting Services Private Limited, Somers Ventures Ireland Limited, Somers Ventures LLC, Spacelink SAS, Storm Digital, Structure Consulting Group LLC, Sutter Mills, Synership LLC, Systor AG, T.A. Cook, TXF LLC, Tambourine, TargetST8, Tech - Avanade Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Tecnilogica Ecosistemas S.A., Tecnilogica, The Brand Learning Partners Limited, The Callisto Integration Corporation, The Monkeys, The Monkeys Pty Ltd, The Myrtle Group, Total Logistics, Tquila, Trivadis, Trivadis AG, Trivadis Austria GmbH, Trivadis Denmark AS, Trivadis Germany GmbH, Trivadis Holding AG, Trivadis Partner AG, Trivadis Services AG, Trivadis Services SRL, Troop Studios Pty Ltd, VanBerlo, Vector Acquisition Company LLC, Vector Topco LLC, Verax Solutions, Vertical Retail Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd, Vertical Retail Consulting Ltd, Vivere Brasil Servicos e Solucoes SA, Vivere Brasil Solucoes De Credito Ltda., Wabion GmbH, WaveStrike LLC, White Cliffs Consulting LLC, Wire Stone, Wire Stone LLC, Wise Partners SAS, Wolox, Wolox Colombia S.A.S, Wolox LLC, Wolox Mexico S.R.L de C.V., Wolox S.A., Wolox SpA, Workforce Insight, Workforce Insight LLC, Yesler, Yesler LLC, Yesler Limited, Yesler Singapore Pte Ltd, Zag, Zag Australia Pty Ltd, Zag Limited, Zag USA LLC, Zebra Worldwide Australia Pty Ltd, Zebra Worldwide Group Limited, Zebra Worldwide Media Pty Ltd, Zenta, Zenta Global Philippines Inc, Zenta Mortgage Services LLC, Zenta Recoveries Inc, Zenta US Holdings Inc, Zestgroup, Zielpuls, Zielpuls (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zielpuls GmbH, avVenta, designaffairs, designaffairs Business Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., designaffairs GmbH, designaffairs group China Co. Ltd., dgroup, i4C Analytics, iDefense, solid-serVision.com GmbH, and umlaut. Read More Glen Carbon -- Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) 2016 Nut, Candy & Magazine (NCM) Program was a great success as 3,892 girls sold nearly $603,000 of the delicious nuts, candies and magazines. Cheyenne McFarland from Mattoon was the Top Seller for the Western Coles County area and Ariana Sluder from Ashmore was the Top Seller for the Eastern Coles County area. Girls who participated in the NCM program benefit from learning by earning and developed five valuable life skills goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics. Proceeds for the NCM program help GSSI develop leadership programs for girls, recruit and train adult volunteers, improve and maintain camp properties and provide financial assistance so Girl Scouting is available to all girls. One of the successful components of the NCM Program was the Gift of Caring option. Customers could purchase a can of Honey Roasted Peanuts that, instead of enjoying themselves, would be donated to US military troops. Through Gift of Caring, over 2,000 cans of Honey Roasted Peanuts were purchased for the military. The success of the Nut, Candy & Magazine Program wouldnt be possible if it were not for the great work of our amazing girls, their supportive parents and our fantastic volunteers, said Kelly Jansen, GSSI Director of Product Program. Not only does this program generate proceeds to benefit Girl Scouts right here in southern Illinois, but it also allows girls to gain valuable skills that will last a lifetime, Jansen added. The Girl Scout Mission: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Todays Girl Scouts not only enjoy camping and crafts, but they also explore math and science, program robots and learn about diversity, good citizenship, leadership and teamwork. GSSI serves approximately 13,000 girls and more than 4,800 adult volunteers throughout southern Illinois. Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is a Proud Partner of United Way and is a not-for-profit organization supported by various United Ways throughout the region. For more information, call Tricia Higgins at 618-242-5079. 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 CHARLESTON (JG-TC) -- Eastern Illinois University will be celebrating the holidays again this year during the closing week of the semester for students. According to a press release, community residents are once again invited to join EIU students, faculty and staff for the university's annual holiday gathering. The event is scheduled to take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday in Old Main's Cougill Foyer. Parking is available in most university lots after 5 p.m. Guests may park in the "X" lot, located east of Old Main. Following an annual tradition, this year's gathering again will showcase six holiday trees, five of which feature decorations made by students of Ashmore, Carl Sandburg, Jefferson, Lake Crest (Oakland) and Mark Twain elementary schools. Refreshments will be made available and holiday music will be played, according to the release. Economic contribution from Hinkley 'gaining recognition' 07 December 2016 Share Media coverage of Hinkley Point C has tended to focus on EDF Energy's financial agreement with the UK government and is only now being recognised for the economic benefits it will bring to the local economy, Nigel Knee, head of the company's nuclear policy, said yesterday. EDF Energy's updated analysis shows that almost 4 billion ($5 billion) will go into the regional economy of the South West of England over the lifetime of the project, Knee told delegates at the Budapest Energy Summit. (Image: EDF Energy) This figure comprises about 1.5 billion during construction and 2.4 billion during operations in today's money, he said. During construction, the gross value to the local economy will be over 200 million per year during the years of core construction activity, he added. And with preferred bidders nominated or contracts signed for over 90% by value of the construction contracts for Hinkley, UK-based businesses are set to secure 64% of the total construction spend. Hinkley Point C will be "at the forefront of the revitalisation of the UK's industrial and skills base", he said. This is being achieved through partnering with suppliers, communities and employees; investing in a new Delivery Command Centre in Bristol; and the UK's first commercial degree-level apprenticeship. Based in Somerset, the plant will consist of two EPRs with a combined capacity of 3.2 GWe. Generating 26 TWh per year, it will provide 7% of UK power generation. First electricity is scheduled to be produced in 2025. The project received a long-awaited and positive final investment decision from the EDF board on 28 July, only for the UK government to immediately postpone signing its supporting agreements. On 15 September, the government announced its approval of the project. The contract-for-difference (CfD) based on a strike price of 92.50/MWh - agreed with the previous government in 2013 - was confirmed. The strike price was based on the cost estimate for the project of 18 billion. "We had no doubt since the spring that we were going to get there and work is progressing well on site. We now have 465 million in contracted commitments to businesses in the South West region," Knee told World Nuclear News on the sidelines of the conference. "Those economic aspects are only now getting a bit more coverage, but highlighting those is really important." Under a deal agreed last October, China General Nuclear (CGN) will take a 33.5% stake in Hinkley Point C. In addition, the two companies will develop projects to build new plants at Sizewell in Suffolk and Bradwell in Essex, the latter using Chinese reactor technology. The CfD agreement is crucial to the project, he said, but CGN's strategy in the UK is long term. "It's not just looking at Hinkley Point, it's about learning how we do things in the West, through Sizewell C, and getting themselves in a position where they can take forward their own project at Bradwell B with our support. CGN recognises that we understand how the UK regulator works and the planning requirements. In practice, the engineering capability will be in China and CGN are establishing their people here in the UK and we'll be supporting them in the delivery of those two aspects." Asked to what extent the UK's nuclear supply chain will be involved at Bradwell, Knee said, "Theres a lot of water to go under the bridge before we get to that point." Sizewell C will also operate two EPRs and EDF Energy will work with CGN to progress a UK Generic Design Assessment with regulators for Bradwell B for the type of reactor proposed - the UK-HPR1000. Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics IAEA meets to strengthen security as USA disposes of plutonium 07 December 2016 Share The USA has asked the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to monitor and verify the disposition of surplus plutonium in South Carolina, US energy secretary Ernest Moniz said on 5 December. Moniz's announcement was made at an IAEA conference which aims to strengthen global nuclear security. Amano and Moniz meet during the Vienna conference (Image: D Calma/IAEA) In his statement to the IAEA International Conference on Nuclear Security: Commitments and Actions, Moniz said work was beginning at the US Department of Energy's (DOS) Savannah River site in Aiken, South Carolina to dilute and dispose of 6 tonnes of surplus plutonium. Consultations were beginning with the IAEA for the monitoring and verification of the process, Moniz said, which would be a "tangible commitment by the United States to ensure the material will not be used again in nuclear weapons." The DOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announced earlier this year that the 6 tonnes of plutonium at Savannah River would be dispositioned using the 'dilute and dispose' approach. This entails blending the plutonium oxide with an adulterant, which reduces the concentration of the plutonium and makes it harder to extract a purified material, rendering it unattractive from a nuclear proliferation point of view. The diluted material is then packaged in secure canisters for permanent disposal in a geologic repository. The 6 tonnes of plutonium to be dispositioned is in addition to previous commitments to dispose of 34 tonnes of surplus plutonium under the 2000 Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement (PMDA) between the USA and Russia, Moniz said. A protocol to the PMDA, signed in 2010 by then-US secretary of state Hillary Clinton and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, committed both countries to dispose of 34 tonnes of surplus weapons-grade plutonium each by using it as fuel in civil nuclear power reactors to produce electricity. Earlier this year, the NNSA announced it would use the dilute and dispose approach instead of converting surplus plutonium into mixed-oxide fuel for use in light water reactors. In September, Russia issued a presidential decree suspending the PMDA. Strengthening nuclear security The IAEA conference, which runs until 9 December, has brought together 2000 participants from more than 130 of the agency's member states and 17 international, regional and non-governmental organisations to review the status of the international security regime. A ministerial declaration, adopted at the conference's plenary session, welcomed advances made by member states in developing and enhancing their security regimes but recognised that "much more work remains to be done." The declaration underlined the importance of keeping pace with evolving challenges and threats. Ministers also encouraged the IAEA to continue efforts to promote the "universalisation" of the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, which entered into force earlier this year. "Terrorists and criminals will try to exploit any vulnerability in the global nuclear security system," IAEA director general Yukiya Amano said in his opening address to the conference. "Any country could become the target of an attack. That is why effective international cooperation is vital," he said. The conference's work and the ministerial declaration will contribute to the IAEA's nuclear security plan for 2018 to 2021, Amano said. Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics MATTOON (JG-TC) -- Three individuals were arrested on crack-cocaine related charges Tuesday at a residence located about a block north of Mattoon Middle School. The Illinois State Police reported that these arrests, plus a fourth elsewhere, occurred when the East Central Illinois Task Force and the Coles County Crisis Response Team executed search warrants. The warrants resulted from a month-long investigation into crack cocaine distribution in Mattoon, according to the press release. One of the warrants was executed at 9:23 a.m. Tuesday at 808 S. Ninth St., north of Mattoon Middle School. State police reported that Ron R. Cole, 43, of Peoria; Justin J. Sargent, 28, of Peoria; and Monica L. Bailey, 28, of Mattoon were arrested there on charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school. The other warrant was executed at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday at Old State Village, Lot No. 13, where Lydia N. Phillips, 33, of Mattoon was arrested for delivery of a controlled substance. She and the other three individuals who were arrested are being held at the Coles County jail. East Central Illinois Task Force Commander Ryan Starrick said Wednesday afternoon that having the Coles County Crisis Response Team help execute search warrants is a standard procedure in cases involving illegal drugs. Starrick said the task force had the situation contained at 808 S. Ninth St. prior to the search warrant being executed, so they did not alert school officials in advance of this operation. New Year day is a worldwide celebration mainly held on January 1st for countries that have adopted the Gregorian calendar. The day sometimes differs depending on various religions and cultures as well as the type of calendar used. The days also vary depending on the observation of seasons. Despite this, New Year celebrations all over the world are marked with festivities with people wearing new clothes, sharing with the needy and making a variety of delicacies for the celebration. New Year's Eve Dates From Around The World In 2017 Gregorian The Gregorian New Year is the most celebrated New Year internationally by countries that use the Gregorian calendar with celebrations beginning on the night of December 31st and continue into the New Years Day on January 1st. Shogatsu Shogatsu is the cultural New Year day in Japan celebrated since 1823 when Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar. The day was formerly celebrated based on the Chinese lunar calendar. The date will fall on January 1st in 2017. Novy God The Russians celebrated New Year on September 1st until the adoption of the Christian era in the 18th century. Novy God represents both the New Year and New Year Eve celebrations. The date for 2017 will be on January 1st. Tet Tet is a religious, cultural and national New Year celebration in Vietnam that falls on January or February. The day will be celebrated on January 28th, 2017 depending on the Vietnamese calendar. Sollal Sollal is a Korean New Year day that marks the beginning of every new Lunar Year based on the Korean lunar calendar. The day will be celebrated on January 28th, 2017. Chun jie The day marks the New Year celebration in respect to the Chinese lunar calendar. Chun jie is celebrated between January 21st and February 20th on the Gregorian calendar. The day will be celebrated on January 28th, 2017. Tsagaan Sar Tsagaan Sar is the Mongolian Lunar New Year day based on the Mongolian lunar calendar which will be celebrated on February 26th, 2017. Hindu Most of the Hindu regions celebrate New Years Day during the first day of the first Hindu month, Chaitra. According to the Gregorian calendar, New Year will be celebrated on March 28th, 2017. Kha b Nissan Kha b Nissan is the cultural Assyrian New Year day celebrated on April 1st at the beginning of spring. Nowruz Nowruz is a religious, ethnic and international Iranian new year day that is celebrated on March 20th or 21st every year. Songkran Songkran is Thailands New Year day that is celebrated for two days starting April 13th. The day marks the beginning of a year based on the Buddhist or Hindu solar calendar. Aluth Avurudda The Sri Lankans celebrate New Year on April 13 based on solar movement. Vaisakhi Vaisakhi is celebrated as the New Year day by the people of Pakistan on April 13th to mark the start of spring. Choul Chnan Thmey The day marks the beginning of the Cambodian year on April 13th with celebrations lasting for three days. Enkutatash Enkutatash is the Ethiopian New Year day celebrated on September 11th based on the Gregorian calendar. Rosh Hashanah Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year celebrated on September 20th. The day marks the beginning of the new Jewish civil year. Hijri Hijri marks the New Year day based on the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslims will celebrate the New Year on September 22nd, 2017. Significance While New Year is considered a secular celebration, it plays a significant role as the beginning of another year which for most people is a new start in their religious and secular lives. 5. Description and History - Today, Thingvellir is a national park located in the southwestern region of Iceland. This park lies along the border between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The historical and cultural significance of Thingvellir dates back to 930 AD. People of Norse and Celtic origin began to inhabit Iceland around 874 AD and by 930 AD, the population had grown significantly. This growth created the need for a larger form of government. Around this time, the owner of the present-day Thingvellir region was found guilty of murder and lost ownership of his land. This area was centrally located for community leaders from all regions of Iceland and became the site for the Althing Parliament, the most powerful legislative and judicial commission. Public speeches, announcements, and arguments were held from Logberg (also known as Law Rock), a natural rocky area within Thingvellir. Parliament was held here from 930 AD until 1798. Thingvellir was a culture center during this time. During annual parliamentary meetings, residents from all over the country would travel here and set up temporary housing in order to remain informed about legislative decisions. In addition, these individuals came to sell and trade goods and services, share news from different regions of the country, take part in games and feasts, and watch a wide variety of entertainers. This was the hub around which Icelandic language, literature, and culture were formed. 4. Tourism and Education - Today, Thingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most popular tourist destination in the country. Tourists can visit the tourist center and learn more about the historic, geographic, and environmental significance of this region. Additionally, visitors can go camping, hiking, and snorkeling or scuba diving within the Silfra Lake and Canyon. The lake was created as the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates moved away from each other. Ruins from the temporary housing, market booths, and Parliament can still be seen here as well. 3. Uniqueness - Thingvellir is unique for a variety of reasons. Perhaps one of the most important aspects of this site is that it provides a glimpse into the evolution of Viking communities over nearly a thousand years. Geographically, it is unique due to volcanic and tectonic activity that has created the rift valley located here. Several of the fissures throughout the region are filled with clear water. The Peningagja is full of coins that visitors began throwing after the King of Denmark visited in 1907. Doing so has become a European tradition. 2. Natural Surroundings, Sights, and Sounds - This important national park is surrounded on three sides by mountains and bordered by Lake Thingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland, on its south side. The majority of the area within these borders is made up of grass-covered lava fields cut through with several rifts, the most famous of these is the Silfra which is filled with crystal clear water. Rocky patches and cliffs can also be seen throughout the Thingvellir. The Oxara River flows through here as well, creating the Oxararfoss Waterfall. 1. Threats and Conservation Efforts - The park is managed by the Thingvellir Commission, which works to preserve the area and ensure its sustainability. Despite their dedication, the park does face some environmental threats. One of the most pressing environmental concerns in Iceland is rapid glacier loss as a result of global climate change. This suggests an increasing temperature in the country, which could affect the native plants and animals of Thingvellir. The government of Iceland and the Thingvellir Commission are, however, committed to conservation efforts. These efforts are laid out in the parks Management Plan. Additionally, the government has implemented and follows a strategy and action plan against climate change. Email Sign Up For Our Free Weekly Newsletter Sign Up Free | The WPJ Weekly Newsletter Relevant real estate news. Actionable market intelligence. Right to your inbox every week. Go Thank you for your interest! You will now be receiving our Weekly Real Estate Newsletter. Real Estate Listings Showcase According to JLL's Year-endpublished this week, the launch of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect is expected to further support demand from PRC financial services firms in Central Hong Kong. Along with a tight vacancy environment, this will help Central Hong Kong buck the trend to be the only office submarket to record rental growth in 2017.Office tenant decentralisation gathered pace in 2016 as the rental gap between core and non-core office areas widened to their largest levels in five years. Grade A office rents in Central HK are now, on average, up to 3.3 times higher than those in non-core areas. The move out of Central HK was highlighted by a couple of UK law firms relocating to Hong Kong East, a trend that had previously not been seen in the market. The market also saw several foreign banks downsize their footprints in Central HK. Outside of Central HK, insurers were among the most active taking on expansion as insurance premiums surged on the back of increasing demand from Mainland Chinese policyholders. In Central HK, requirements from PRC financial services firms remained as the major driver of demand, accounting for about 44% of all new lettings (by floor area), up from 35% in 2015.Beyond the all-important banking and finance sector, the leasing market also benefitted from the expansion of co-working space operators. US operator, WeWork, was the most notable new market entrant, leasing 105,400 sq. ft across two locations in Wanchai/Causeway Bay. The appeal of co-working platforms led to a number of landlords reserving floors with an eye to accommodate operator requirements.A steady pipeline of new construction has seen Kowloon East overtake Wanchai/Causeway By as the second largest Grade A office submarket in the city, in terms of stock. It also now has the highest vacancy rate (10.7%) among all key Grade A office submarkets. Though still at relatively low levels on Hong Kong Island, vacancy rates started to trend higher towards the latter part of the year as demand, in general, remained weak.Sustained PRC demand in Central HK helped push rents up by 9.2% to HKD111.9 per sq. ft through the first 11-months of 2016. Rents are now about 4% shy of the all-time highs set in 2008 just prior to the Global Financial Crisis. In contrast, increasing supply side pressure contributed to rents in Tsimshatsui and Kowloon East to retreat by 0.5% and 1.5%, respectively, through the first 11-months of the year.Ben Dickinson, Head of Leasing at JLL commented, "The launch of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect should further support demand from PRC financial services firms in Central HK. But we expect leasing demand will moderate in 2017 owing to the modest growth forecasted for the local economy. Net take-up is expected to amount to about 690,200 sq. ft, compared with a net withdrawal in 2016. We expect Central HK to be the only submarket to record rental growth next year, in the range of 0-5%, on the back of a tight vacancy environment. All other office submarkets are expected to post declines with rents in Kowloon East, where vacancy is concentrated, under the greatest pressure." Military branch plans to upgrade its cybersecurity systems and update technology. According to an article on fortune.com, the United States Air Force has committed to spend $18.8 million on cybersecurtity, inking a contract with Endgame to provide digital defense software to the branch of the military. Recent reports from the Air Forces Scientific Advisory Board, made up of a committee of tech experts under the direction of the Secretary of Defense, warned of pockets of vulnerability in the infrastructure of the military, that could lead to hacking and computer-based attacks. This purchase seems to reflect the Air Force is prepared to take action to protect its systems, and to equip their forces with the latest available technologies to defend its assets. The branch announced last year they had committed $1.5 million to a program to test Endgames products, and now they are saying they plan to deploy the product across thousands of internal computers. These computers, used by cyber protection teams, will monitor hacking and offensive activity and participate in exercises within the organization to test their ability to thwart attacks, using hackers to attempt a break-in. The article described the deal as potentially the largest of the year in the segment of the market that involves endpoint detection and response, a part of the overall cybersecurity industry that is estimated at $74 billion. Saying the government is often seen as falling behind in technology, CEO of Endgame, Nate Flick, himself a former Marine captain with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, added, But in the case of cybersecurity, parts of the Department of Defense and military are the leading edge of adopters in the world. Flick took over as CEO in 2012 and began to focus the companys efforts on defensive tools, attracting security professionals who were seeking to actively eliminate adversaries from their Information Technology systems. Since the companys founding in 2008, the firm has maintained a close relationship with the military and intelligence communities of the government. This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions . The author will be giving away a $20 Amazon/BN GC via Rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour. Lexa Kozlov must pay off her family's massive debt to the mob... all while raising even more money to save her little sister. The result? A never-ending (and incredibly illegal) stakeout for the Bratva. Lexa barely has time to sleep, let alone find love. Enter Caelin Vass, the handsome Scotsman who runs Empire Investments. Caelin offers Lexa a new job with dollars galore, as well as a hot bod (his own) to contemplate every workday. Even so, Lexa isnt sure. Freaky things keep happening whenever Lexa and Caelin are alone. The energy between them is magical, sensual, and way overwhelming. Is Lexa leaving her old prison just to enter a worse one or is Caelin Vass all he seems and more? ***12,000 word novella, previously published on Kindle Vella as Blood Slave*** En Picture use Unless otherwise stated all photos on this site are copyrighted Jim Budd. They should not be used without authorisation and due credit. Please contact me on budmac@btinternet.com for all use. There will usually be a charge for use in commercial publications papers, magazines, websites etc. and for other commercial uses. Photos that are used for commercial use without permission will be charged double the fee for the use of photo and for breach of copyright. Commercial organisations asking to use photos for no payment may not always receive a polite response. People throughout Melbourne, Australias second largest city, faced the threat of thunderstorm-related asthma deaths again last weekend, less than two weeks after eight people died and more than 8,500 were hospitalised on November 21. On that day, the chronically-underfunded public health system in the state of Victoria, of which Melbourne is the capital, essentially broke down, with dangerously-ill people unable to call ambulances in time. In most cases, people received no official warning of the danger. Fortunately, a similar storm last weekend was less severe than initially forecast. Ambulance Victoria said paramedics responded to several dozen calls relating to asthma on Sunday afternoon. In response to the public outrage over the way in which the system crumpled on November 21, officials said 15 extra road crews were rostered on. But in a sign of alarm, pharmacies reported selling out of asthma-related products, particularly spacersdevices that make it easier for people to take asthma medication. On November 21, Melbourne, a city of more than three million people, ran out of ambulances despite the authorities reportedly calling in 60 extra ambulance crews. Police and fire crews had to supplement the ambulance service, along with non-emergency patient vehicles and field doctors trained for disasters. Hospital emergency departments were overwhelmed, with patients sleeping on the floors of some hospitals. At least two major hospitals, including Royal Melbourne, ran out of Ventolin, a basic asthma medication. With a more than six-fold increase in calls to the ambulance emergency linesone call every four and a half secondsnot all incoming calls were answered. In some cases callers were not informed they would be waiting for long periods for an ambulance to attend, resulting in deaths in at least two cases. Families spent desperate minutes trying in vain to resuscitate their loved ones. At Sunshine Hospital, in the western suburbs, 18 ambulances were banked up in the early hours of November 22. Paramedics attended to patients because the lack of beds prevented their patients from being admitted to the hospital. This, in turn, meant they could not respond to the mounting emergency in the surrounding suburbs. Victorian state Health Minister Jill Hennessy denied any responsibility for the breakdown, insisting the event was entirely unpredictable. Interviewed on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation television program 7:30, she described the events as like having 150 bombs go off at once in 150 different places. Drawing parallels to war conditions is spurious, designed to promote the perception of a system under siege by outside and hostile forces about which nothing could be done. In fact, the state Labor government and health officials received prior warnings of the storm, its severity and its probable consequences. Biomedical Science Associate Professor Cenk Suphioglu from Melbournes Deakin University, who helps maintain Deakin Airwatch, a pollen count and forecasting facility, anticipated a high risk of thunderstorm-related asthma on November 21 based on prevailing weather conditions. His study established a link between rye grass pollen as the chief allergen in thunderstorm-related asthma, with an initial publication appearing in the international medical journal the Lancet in 1992. There are abundant fields of rye grass in and around Melbourne, making the city particularly susceptible to thunderstorm-related asthma outbreaks. Respiratory specialists in Victoria appealed for an advance-warning system for thunderstorm asthma five years ago, further exposing the governments claims that the deadly weather event was unprecedented. Researchers called for more warnings when thunderstorms followed days of high pollen counts in a letter published in the Medical Journal of Australia in 2011. Those conditions matched the weather on November 21 when the pollen count was extreme, temperatures topped 35C (95F) and northerly winds reached 56 kph (35 mph). In their letter, specialists working at Austin Health in Melbourne drew conclusions from thunderstorm-related asthma events in Melbourne in 2010, 1989 and 1987. They proposed that additional warnings of elevated risk of asthma exacerbations in pollen-allergic individuals should be made when springtime and summertime thunderstorms follow several days of high or extreme pollen counts. No such warning systems were established. Extreme outbreaks occur when pollen grains, of which there are high concentrations in Melbourne in spring and summer, are carried into the humid cloud base by hot drafts just before a storm. The pollen grains then absorb moisture, causing them to rupture and release large numbers of significantly smaller pollen particles. These minute particles are able to pass into the lower respiratory system, triggering an asthma attack in asthmatics and with the potential to trigger an asthma attack for the first time in those with hay fever. The commencement of the storm brought these particles to ground level and, judging by the severe health impacts, distributed the pollen over a radius of about 50 kilometres. To dissipate the growing anger over the debacle, the state government announced an inquiry, to be headed by a former police chief. Its only purpose will be to divert the blame away from its root causes in the underfunding of the health system by successive governments, Labor and Liberal-National alike. To cover his governments tracks, Premier Daniel Andrews pledged $500 million to be spent over the next five years to improve Ambulance Victoria, in a deal brokered with the assistance of the ambulance trade union. Even if honoured, this promise is for a paltry amount that will not overcome the cuts that have already taken place. There is a long history of budget cuts in both state and federal spheres, resulting in public hospital closures, ward shutdowns and nursing and ancillary staff shortages. A new stage was marked when the Rudd and Gillard federal Labor governments, between 2007 and 2013, removed block funding from the national public hospital system. In its place, hospitals are now paid a national efficient price for each procedure actually performed, constantly pushing them to lower costs and undercut each other. The current federal Liberal-National coalition government has continued this attack, slashing health funding nationally by an estimated $1.8 billion over four years, and $57 billion over a decade. During the campaign for the July 2 federal election, the Labor Party junked previous vows to reverse this cut. The author also recommends: The Australian elections save Medicare fraud [27 June 2016] Authorities in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia have called off searches for three people missing in the wake of widespread flooding that caused massive landslides last month near the small indigenous Kanak settlement of Houailou, on the east coast of the main island. Five bodies were recovered, including two children, in mud that descended on the villages of Ouakaya and Gouareu after torrential rain weakened a nearby mountain side. Still missing are a 34-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, as well as an eight-year-old girl. Another eight people were injured, while a number of houses were washed away and 80 villagers lost all their possessions. Over 400 millimetres of torrential rain fell in 12 hours overnight on November 22, causing widespread destruction. Millions of tonnes of rocks and mud were washed off the mountain in what authorities described as unprecedented landslides. More torrential rain later forced about 200 people to evacuate to emergency accommodation. Relief teams managed to restore most of the water and power supply systems in flood-affected areas of the east coast by November 25. Residents close to streams and mountainsides have been warned of the risk of more problems, and schools in the flood-affected areas were closed. Radio New Zealand reported that New Caledonias president, Philippe Germain, described the catastrophe as one not seen since the 19th century. Germain said damage assessments were under way and the French government promised to release emergency assistance. However, the government released only $US18,000 to the Red Cross to help the victims. The destruction and loss of life were predictable and entirely preventable. The affected zone is on customary land where building permits are not required. The villages were hit by landslides which came off a mountain range that the mayor of Houailou, Pascal Sawa, said had been weakened by nickel mining and bush fires. The area was deemed in danger after major slips in 2008 and 2011. Nearby mining activity by transnational conglomerates is known to exacerbate the risk of mudslides. There is widespread opposition, particularly among the local Kanak population, to the unregulated activities of the mining companies that cause major environmental degradation, often on traditional native lands. In May 2014 the Brazilian-owned Vale nickel plant at Goro, near the capital Noumea, was shut for three weeks after 100,000 litres of effluent containing acid entered a creek, killing about 1,000 fish and sparking protests at the mine site. The Southern provincial government ordered a halt to operations and started legal proceedings under its environmental code after the spill. Such repeated incidents have prompted calls for the $US6 billion plant to be closed permanently. Clashes erupted between police and scores of Kanak youth after the 2014 spill. About 150 riot police with armoured vehicles were used to reopen a key road south of Noumea which was blockaded during the unrest. Young protesters frustrated at the spill, and the apparent lack of response from Kanak chiefs, caused an estimated $US20 million in damage to Vale offices and vehicles. The adverse ecological impacts of the activities of mining companies have previously brought protests from environmental groups. A 1991 study by the South Pacific Regional Environmental Program observed that 1 million tonnes of solid mass of dumped material from the nickel mines caused a shift of the delta of a lagoon by about 300 metres due to sedimentation. Erosion of hill slopes is reported to have continued even after the closure of some open-cut mines on the main islands east coast. According to the Ramsar Organization, many wetlands in interior regions have either been lost or spoiled. Rivers and streams have been choked with tailings from the waste material dumped from the mines. This has resulted in a rise in river bed levels and consequent flooding of fertile agricultural lands. Many river delta areas and coral reefs have been affected, creating changes in aquatic flora and fauna. The mining companies have long received favoured treatment by the New Caledonia political establishment and French authorities. The industry is the territorys biggest private sector employer, accounting for a quarter of all jobs and 710 percent of its output. When tourism is excluded, nickel ore and derived metallurgical products represent about 97 percent of exports and 80 percent of foreign exchange earnings. Frances Socialist Party government recently announced tax concessions amounting to $200 million to avert a closure of the Koniambo nickel plant in the Northern province. The key investor, Swiss-based Glencore, which has a worldwide debt of $30 billion, had cast doubt on the companys future in the wake of a 40 percent drop in the global market price of nickel. The New Caledonian industry recorded losses of $1 billion in 2015. The French state has also helped prop up the territorys two other nickel producers, SLN and Vale. The oppressed Kanaks, who make up 44 percent of the territorys 270,000 population, invariably bear the brunt of the activities of the corporations. Under French colonial rule, the Kanaks are socially disenfranchised, with many continuing to live in primitive, subsistence circumstances in outlying rural villages. Noumea is a polarised capital, where many low-paid workers live in slum conditions. Bitter industrial disputes involving workers in the mines and nickel smelters, and disturbances involving alienated Kanak youth, are on the rise. A century or more of colonial domination and indifference, particularly by the local imperialist powers Australia and New Zealand, has also left the island states of the southwest Pacific underdeveloped and vulnerable to increasingly frequent severe weather events resulting from climate change. Last summer, a powerful El Nino weather pattern hit an estimated 4.7 million people across 13 Pacific countries, with food and water shortages leading to suffering and many deaths. In a report released last October, the Catholic aid agency Caritas detailed multiple social and humanitarian disasters following cyclones Pam and Winston in 2015 and earlier this year. Last month flooding and landslides hit two provinces in the Solomon Islands as heavy rain moved across the country. Landslides also affected the capital, Honiara. Australias ABC Pacific Beat reported on November 25 that 7,500 people on Bougainvilles Nissan Island are experiencing an unprecedented food shortage, with their crops devastated by a series of extreme weather events, culminating in a year of constant torrential rain. With no assistance from the Autonomous Bougainville Government, the situation is becoming dire. The author also recommends: French crackdown on youth delinquency in New Caledonia [22 November 2016] President-elect Donald Trumps appointment of Ben Carson to head the cabinet-level Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) underscores the extreme right-wing character of the incoming administration. Carson, the 65-year-old retired neurosurgeon who made a name for himself with his right-wing attacks on the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which he absurdly compared to chattel slavery, was briefly in the running for the Republican presidential nomination earlier this year. He dropped out last March and endorsed Trump, who has now rewarded him with the cabinet appointment. The naming of Carson continues Trumps pattern of selecting top-level appointees whose major qualifications are their hostility to the social programs they are charged with overseeing. Betsy de Vos, who was nominated to head the Department of Education, is the wife of the billionaire owner of the Amway Corporation and has worked for more than 30 years to destroy public education by replacing it with a voucher system. Tom Price, the Georgia Congressman named to head the Department of Health and Human Services, is a fanatical advocate of the privatization of Medicare and Medicaid. Carson, Trumps first African-American cabinet appointment, has advanced as his main qualification the fact that he grew up in impoverished circumstances in Detroit. Carson argues that his own career, including 30 years as the head of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, demonstrates that, as he paraphrased his mother in his autobiography, if you dont succeed, you have only yourself to blame. The housing nominee is a vitriolic opponent of all government programs to provide affordable housing, alleviate poverty or combat de facto racial segregation. These government-engineered attempts to legislate racial equality create consequences that often make matters worse, he wrote in 2015. As for the growing crisis of poverty and its consequences, he said during his campaign for the presidential nomination that [W]e the people have the responsibility to take care of the indigent in our society. Its not the governments job. The nominee also earned a reputation for Islamophobia during the presidential campaign. As summed up by Huffington Post, Carson thinks Islam isnt a religion and has argued that theres a covert Muslim plot to destroy the US from within. A spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations issued a statement declaring, Based on his past Islamophobic statements and policy positions, all American should be very concerned on how Dr. Carson would treat Muslim HUD employees or Muslims seeking agency services. HUD was established as a Cabinet department in 1965, as part of Lyndon Johnsons War on Poverty. No sooner had it come into being, however, than it became increasingly starved for funds and political support, the victim of the growing economic crisis and its especially severe impact on the older industrial centers of the US. Programs for affordable housing were sharply cut back beginning in the 1970s. Many public housing projects were left to decay, and today the New York City Housing Authority, the biggest and supposedly the most successful of public housing departments, faces a capital repairs backlog of nearly $20 billion. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has an annual budget of $47 billion and about 8,000 employees. In a country of 320 million, with several million homeless or one step away from homelessness, where more than one-quarter of the population spends 50 percent or more of their income on housing costs, HUD does not begin to meet basic needs. Much of its operations focus on Section 8 voucher programs, which provide rental assistance to about 4.8 million households. It also provides some mortgage assistance. The construction of federally-backed affordable housing has slowed to a trickle in recent decades. Today the focus of the private construction industry is on luxury units in gentrifying neighborhoods of cities like New York, Boston, San Francisco and elsewhere, while millions struggle to keep a roof over their heads. This is the free market, which will supposedly solve the problems of inadequate and unaffordable housing. The nomination of Carson likely means the scrapping of anti-discrimination policies established as far back as the 1960s and 1970s. Particular attention has been called to the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Final Rule, a legal requirement announced in 2015. According to a report in the New York Times this week, it provides communities with detailed data on factors like racial demographics, poverty rates, school quality and housing voucher use to help them determine whether lower-income and minority families are isolated from good schools or segregated from opportunity. These communities are then required to draft plans to reduce segregation where it exists. Data and studies to come up with conclusions that are obvious from the beginning will do nothing about the lack of decent-paying jobs and the necessary funding to provide affordable housing for all. Here, as in every sphere of social life, the choice presented to the working class is between the false promises of the Democrats and the unrestrained austerity and ruthlessness of the Republicans. While Carsons nomination is clearly a warning and an escalation of the attack on social rights, the Democrats likewise represent Wall Street and differ only tactically on the tempo of attacks on the working class. This was clearly revealed in the reaction of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to Carsons appointment. De Blasio, who postured as the most militant opponent of Trump following Election Day, told a press conference this week that he would work together with the arch-reactionary at HUD. Because he doesnt have a formal background in housing issues, it will be important for him to see what the reality is for our people, the mayor said, as reported on the DNAInfo web site. Ill take him on a tour of our public housing and show him how important our affordable housing programs are. And I hope we can work well together. On December 1, President Francois Hollande of the Socialist Party (PS) announced that he would not run for re-election in next years French presidential election. This is the first time since the creation of the office of the French presidency, at the beginning of the Fifth Republic in 1958, that a president has not sought to win a second term. In a surprise 10-minute televised speech from the Elysee presidential palace, Hollande said, I have decided not to run in the presidential elections for my own succession. His decision came as the field was opened for PS presidential candidates to run in the partys primary. Hollandes decision not to seek a second term had been widely predicted given his status as Frances most unpopular president ever. He regularly receives a single-digit approval rating in polls, which have also found that if the election were held today, he would come in fifth in the first round of voting and be eliminated from the runoff. Hollande also tried to justify his presidency, citing his unpopular budget cuts: I acted with the governments of [prime ministers] Jean-Marc Ayrault and Manuel Valls to rebuild France and make it fairer. Today, as I speak, the budget has been repaired, Social Security is balanced and the countrys debt has been preserved. After Hollandes announcement, Valls declared his candidacy for the PS primary and resigned as prime minister; he was replaced by former Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve yesterday. Valls said, I am running because France must use all of its weight in a world that no longer is what it once was: terrorist threats, rise of the far right I want a France that is independent and unbending on its values. For now, polls show Valls is the front-runner among PS presidential candidates, leading former Economy Minister Arnaud Montebourg. Valls belongs to the more explicitly right-wing sections of the PS and has repeatedly stated that the PS should remove the word socialist from its name, because it doesnt mean anything anymore. He became prime minister in 2014 after being interior minister, and supported intensified austerity as well as the state of emergency imposed last year. Valls took the unprecedented action of threatening social protests against the PS labour law with a police ban, and repeatedly used article 49.3 of the French constitution to impose the law without a vote in the National Assembly. Hollandes decision to not seek a second term comes as the PS faces its deepest crisis since its foundation in 1971. The PS expects a major setback in the 2017 presidential elections, in which the neo-fascist National Front (FN) would win the first round, eliminating the PS candidate. It is unclear whether the PS would even be the main opposition party if either the FN or the right-wing Les Republicains (LR) wins the elections. Hollande was therefore prevailed upon to allow Valls to run in the PS primaries, due to take place on January 22-29. The 2017 French presidential election marks a lurch to the right by the ruling elite, amid growing instability across Europe following the Brexit referendum in June and the election of Donald Trump as the US president in November. Far-right nationalist forces are gaining strength across Europe, exploiting growing social anger against EU austerity measures and diverting it along chauvinist lines. In France, the FN benefiting is from the discrediting of the PS, posing as an alternative to traditional parties of the French establishment, the PS and LR. The collapse of the PS is the result of deep disillusionment among the masses with its anti-worker record. Whenever it held officeunder Francois Mitterrand as president (1981-1995), during the Plural Left government led by Prime Minister Lionel Jospin (1997-2002), and under Hollande since 2012it ditched its electoral promises and attacked the working class. Hollande came to power in 2012 by criticizing the policy of his predecessor, the unpopular right-wing incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy, declaring that austerity is not Frances fate. After his election, however, he embarked on EU-led austerity measures and imperialist interventions in the Middle East and Africa, above all in the former French colonies of Syria and Mali. Over the last four years, Hollande implemented sweeping austerity measures and pro-business reforms that slashed workers living standards and sent unemployment soaring. Under the so-called Responsibility Pact, the PS imposed more than 50 billion in social cuts and 40 billion in cuts to corporate taxes. Along with his pro-business spending cuts, Hollande oversaw plant shutdowns including PSA-Aulnay and Goodyear-Amiens, slashing thousands of jobs. While attacking workers social rights, the Hollande government deepened its attack on basic democratic rights, with measures to expel Roma and dismantle their encampments in France, in order to appeal to the FN electorate. The most notorious was the deportation of a 15-year-old Roma schoolgirl, Leonarda Dibrani, who was ordered off a school bus and deported to Kosovo. Thousands of students marched across France, denouncing Hollandes repression of immigrants. As his presidency went on, it became ever clearer that Hollande was seeking to sustain his policies of militarism and repudiating all the social gains won by the working class in the 20th century by appealing to far-right and nationalist sentiment and moving towards police-state rule. Seizing on the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks, carried out by Islamist networks mobilized in NATOs war in Syria, the PS has imposed an indefinitely extendable state of emergency, giving sweeping powers to police and intelligence services supposedly to fight terror. Hollande took over much of the FNs programmeimposing a state of emergency, forming a National Guard, and trying to legitimate the Nazi Occupation-era policy of deprivation of nationalityas he sought to fashion a political base to impose austerity and war. Despite massive opposition and protests against the regressive El Khomri labor reform law, the government imposed it without a parliamentary vote, using article 49.3 of French constitution. The unpopular law gives companies more flexibility to fire workers, lengthen the work week and cut wages, and more broadly to negotiate contracts with trade unions that violate Frances Labor Code, effectively scrapping much of the labor protection traditionally enjoyed by French workers. The emergence of Valls as the currently favored PS candidate is a sign that the PS aims to continue the shift far to the right in bourgeois politics overseen by Hollande. Italian President Sergio Mattarella has frozen the resignation of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi until the budget for 2017 is adopted. Renzi submitted his resignation on Monday evening after voters had rejected his constitutional reform on Sunday by a large majority. The budget has already been approved by the House of Representatives (Lower House). According to media reports, it could pass later this week in the second chamber of parliament, the Senate, but this is not certain. What happens after the adoption of the budget is an open question. Mattarella could call for a transitional government. The current finance minister Carlo Padoan and Senate President Pietro Grasso are both under discussion as possible heads of the government. From 2011 to 2013, such a technocrat cabinet under Mario Monti ruled for one and half years, without being legitimized by the electorate, and initiated the brutal austerity measures that Renzi then continued. The right-wing parties who led the campaign against the constitutional reform are insisting on immediate elections. The Five Star Movement of Beppe Grillo and the far-right Lega Nord sense that the rejection of the referendum provides an opportunity for them to take over the government. Forza Italia, the party of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, has also called for early elections. On Monday, Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said that elections in February were possible, although as a result of the rejection of the new constitution there is currently no valid election law. Alfano is chairman of the New Centre-Right Party, which split from Forza Italia three years ago to form a government with Renzis Democrats (PD). The passage of the Budget Law, which the president wants Renzi to oversee, bears the hallmark of Brussels and Berlin. Like Renzis entire reform policies, its aim is to restructure the countrys debt-ridden banks and Italys huge debt mountain at the expense of the working class and poorer layers of the middle class. This policy has already led to a social disaster for large sections of the population. Italian industrial production has declined by 25 percent since the financial crisis of 2008, while youth unemployment remains at nearly 40 percent. The massive rejection of the constitutional reform was mainly a vote against this policy. Most observers had expected Renzis defeat, but assumed a closer result. This proved to be far from the mark. With a voter turnout of 68 percent, high for Italy, 19.4 million voted against the constitutional reform and only 13.4 million voted in favour. The result was strongly influenced by the level of social inequality in Italy. The poverty-stricken south voted No by two-thirds. Of the countrys 20 regions, only three relatively well-off ones voted Yes: Trentino-Alto Adige, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. The result was even clearer among young voters aged 18-34 years. This layer voted 68 percent against and 32 percent for the reform, although Renzi had tried to use his relative youth (41) and the high proportion of women in his cabinet to appeal to younger voters. Young people are among the main victims of Renzis reforms. Nearly 40 percent are unemployed, while the rest just manage with precarious jobs or are looking for work abroad. Among the 35 to 54 age group, the No votes outweighed the Yes by 63 to 37 percent. Only among older layers over 54 years old did the Yes votes predominate, with 51 percent in support. In the cities of Rome, Milan, Turin and Bologna, the vote also followed the social gradient. While the Yes vote in the centres outweighed that in the periphery, the economically neglected and rundown suburbs voted mainly No. Spiegel Online commented, The high turnout in the referendum and the clear anti-government line shows one thing above all: Italians are extremely unhappy with their state, their authorities, their lives. And they have every reason to be. As in many countries, economic globalization has also divided Italian society into a tiny rich layer of winners and a large layer of losers. Representatives of the EU and the German government are clearly worried by Renzis resignation, but reaffirmed at the same time that they would stick to their harsh austerity course. Chancellor Angela Merkel said that she was sad about the outcome of the referendum, but Europe would still stick to its course. From my point of view, we will continue our work in Europe, and we have set the right priorities. In business circles, meanwhile, there are growing concerns that Renzis defeat could herald the end of the euro and the European Union. Ulrich Grillo, President of the Federation of German Industry (BDI), said, The risk of new political instability was increasing for economic development, financial markets and monetary union. The Centre for Economics and Business Research considers the chance that Italy remains in the euro zone for the next five years to be small. According to the British economics consultancy, the referendum showed that Italian voters would not tolerate indefinitely the chronic unemployment, stagnant wages and Brussels-imposed austerity that now came with euro membership. There is no doubt Italy could stay in the euro if it were prepared to pay the price of virtually zero growth and depressed consumer spending for another 5 years or so. But that is asking a lot of an increasingly impatient electorate. We think the chances of their sustaining this policy are below 30 per cent. Also, in the Financial Times, Gideon Rachman warns, The European project is under unprecedented strain. Britains decision to leave is the most striking evidence of this. But, in the long run, the unfolding crisis in Italy could pose a more severe threat to the survival of the EU. The reasons for this are political, economic and even geographic. The EU is a reactionary instrument of the most powerful European business and financial interests. It is responsible for ruthless attacks on the working class, the brutal sealing of the borders against refugees and growing militarism. But there is considerable danger that right-wing organizations will exploit the widespread opposition to the EU and direct it into a reactionary, nationalist direction. Support for the European Union and its austerity policies by the Social Democrats, trade unions and their pseudo-left supporters has created a political vacuum that the far right is seeking to fill. Some 120,000 retired union coal miners and their families are at risk of losing their health care and pensions in the coming months. The growing insolvency of the various health and retirement funds overseen by the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) is rooted in the continuing global economic crisis and the resulting collapse of commodities prices, which has led to a string of coal operator bankruptcies, slashed production, and mass layoffs throughout the coal regions. At immediate risk are health care benefits for 22,600 retired coal miners from Patriot Coal in West Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio. The Patriot Retirees Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association (VEBA) has already sent letters to about 16,100 retired miners informing them that due to critical funding shortages, their health care benefits will be discontinued as of December 31, 2016. Another 6,500 retirees will lose benefits early next year. The insolvent VEBA plan for the Patriot retirees was brokered between the company and the UMWA following Patriots Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2012. Unable to reach an agreement on sufficient concessions from the UMWA after months of closed-door negotiations, the bankruptcy court approved Patriots reorganization plan in May 2013, granting the company permission to scrap its collective bargaining agreement with the union, and permitting Patriot to cease providing health care to its retirees. The 2012 Patriot bankruptcy occurred at the beginning of the downturn in the coal industry, which has since transformed into a general collapse. That Patriot was the first of the major coal operators to fall victim to the crisis, however, was no accident, but was deliberately prepared over the course of the last decade. Patriot was created by Peabody Energy in 2007 as a means of shedding mounting legacy liabilities associated with its union operations east of the Mississippi. Upon its creation, the mining giant sold Patriot 13 percent of its assets, but burdened it with about 40 percent of its health care liabilities. In 2008, Patriot purchased Magnum Coala similar spinoff of union operations carried out by Arch Coal in 2005which transferred about 12 percent of Archs former assets along with 97 percent of its retiree health care liabilities. Both deals left Patriot with more than three times as many retirees than active miners, more than 90 percent of them having never worked a day for the young company. The UMWA put up no serious resistance to the formation of these shell companies and limited its response to the assault on its members living standards to impotent protest stunts, rallies, and a public relations campaign aimed at pressuring the mining companies involved for concessions. In October 2013, the UMWA, Patriot, and Peabody reached a global settlement that allowed Patriot to cease its contributions towards retiree health care and transfer these obligations to a union-controlled VEBA. The deal was modeled closely on the VEBA set up between the United Auto Workers and the Detroit Big Three automakers. From the start, the settlement left the Patriot VEBA woefully underfunded, securing a little more than $400 million from the two companies over the next four years, or about one-fourth of the $1.6 billion the union estimated was needed for the long-term funding of retiree health care, which currently costs about $8 million a month. The UMWAs concessions, however, proved not enough to return Patriot to profitability as the crisis in the coal industry only deepened. In May 2015, Patriot filed for bankruptcy again, this time selling the majority of its assets to Blackhawk Mining and transferring its remaining assets and liabilities to an affiliate of the Virginia Conservation Legacy Fund. In its approved bankruptcy plan of October 2015, Patriot and Blackhawk escaped obligations for retiree health care and exited the 1974 UMWA Pension Plan with Blackhawk only agreeing to assume liabilities for any active UMWA miners it rehired at its operations. In the wake of the Patriot deal, Peabody went into court arguing that Patriots shedding of its obligations to retiree health care voided the global settlement reached in October 2013. Having paid out only $165 million of $310 million it agreed to, Peabody reached an agreement with the UMWA in January 2016 to pay only $75 million of its remaining $145 million to the Patriot VEBA. Peabody then filed its own bankruptcy petition in April 2016 from which it has yet to emerge. Alpha Natural Resources also followed Patriots lead, declaring bankruptcy in August 2015. The company won approval to sell its most profitable assets in West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming 11 months later to a newly created Contura Energy. Its remaining operations were consolidated in a reorganized Alpha. As part of its restructuring, the court granted Alpha permission in May 2016 to break its contract with about 610 active UMWA miners and cease further contributions for union retiree health care benefits to about 2,600 retired miners, as well as escape from its obligations to the 1974 UMWA Pension Plan. A subsequent union contract reached in July 2016 with both Alpha and Contura covering 900 miners did not include either retiree health care or pension provisions. Instead, the two companies contributed lump sum payments totaling $28.5 million to a separate union-controlled VEBA, funding Cecil Roberts admitted would not last long, considering Alpha had complained about spending nearly $53 million on union health care in 2015 alone. In addition to the imminent risk to the various UMWA retiree health care plans, the union is warning that its pension plans also face insolvency after recording large losses due to the 2008 economic crash and the growing list of coal operators using the bankruptcy courts to discharge existing liabilities and end future contributions. According to the union, contributions to the 1974 Pension Plan have fallen by two-thirds over the past year. The UMWA pension funds currently support about 89,000 miners or family members with an average monthly payout of $560, in addition to another 22,000 coal miners who are vested but not yet receiving benefits. If the fund collapses, these liabilities will be assumed by the federal Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation and will likely be subject to deep cuts. What is under way is an historic assault on benefits and living standards won through bitter struggles waged by generations of coal miners. The UMWA Health and Retirement Funds has its origin in the massive strike wave conducted by American workers at the close of World War II. In addition to strikes in auto, steel, railroads, meat packing, and other industries, the coal miners waged a series of powerful strikes, some in defiance of back-to-work orders from both the union bureaucracy and the White House, to secure the UMWA Funds in agreements signed in 1946 and 1950. However, under the leadership of the nationalist and pro-capitalist John L. Lewis, the union tied funding for the UMWA Funds to royalty payments exacted from the coal operators for every ton of coal mined, thus binding the fate of the coal miners to the health of the US coal industry and American capitalism in general. In exchange for the UMWA Funds, Lewis agreed to support the coal industrys mechanization of the minesat the cost of hundreds of thousands of mining jobs over the subsequent decadesbelieving the increased efficiency would lead to increased coal production and thus stable benefits flowing to a slimmed workforce. In reality, however, the contradiction of this funding mechanism ensured that the UMWA Funds remained chronically underfunded with the union limiting benefits and resisting royalty increases in order to safeguard the health of the coal industry and the solvency of the programs. Now, under conditions of protracted crisis, the coal operators are moving to scrap what remains of these limited health and pension benefits. In line with the UMWAs strategy of protecting the profitability of the US coal industry, the union has turned to Congress for a bailout of its insolvent retiree health care and pension plans. It is backing passage of the Coal Miners Protection Act which would allow about $220 million of the approximately $490 million a year in general tax dollars which flow into the Abandoned Mine Lands program for abandoned mine cleanup to be diverted into the UMWA retiree benefit programs over the next decade. While the legislation currently has bipartisan support, some Republican legislators are opposed to the move claiming it aids only retired union coal miners while doing nothing to insure the benefits of non-union retirees. This stop work meeting is being held in flagrant violation of teachers democratic rights. While New South Wales Teachers Federation (NSWTF) bureaucrats and the Department of Education and Communities (DEC) know what is in the latest Salaries and Conditions agreement, teachers, who will have to work under its provisions for the next three years, have been kept in the dark. In its arrogance, the union has decided to tell us only what it thinks we should know. Why? Because they are well aware that if we were fully informed, we wouldnt vote for it. The Socialist Equality Party calls all NSW public school teachers present to move and back procedural motions demanding that the full 20172019 Salaries and Conditions agreement be circulated well in advance of any vote. The meeting should reject the agreement on principle. All teachers need time to read and discuss the document with rank-and-file colleagues, independently of the union. We insist that the NSWTF immediately posts it on-line and delays the vote until at least December 15. Given the NSWTFs past betrayals, which have resulted in the transformation of public education into a system based on intimidation and threats, producing fear, anxiety and unprecedented levels of stress among students, teachers and parents alike, teachers should carefully scrutinise every word. Referring to the 20142016 salaries agreement, which teachers were called to vote on in 2014 before reading the full document, president Maurie Mulheron claimed at the time, Theres been no concessions, theres been nothing given up. Yet, that deal with the Department of Education (DoE) introduced a streamlined process for sacking teachersthe misnamed Teacher Improvement Program (TIP), in which underperforming teachers can be summarily dismissed in as little as 10 weeks; they are bound to an extraordinary confidentiality requirement, and accorded no right of appeal. The 20142016 salaries agreement also replaced the long standing incremental pay scaleunder which teachers were paid according to years of experiencewith a standards-based pay, a veiled step towards making teachers income dependent on student test results. Rank-and-file teachers were not even given the opportunity to vote on the 20162020 Staffing agreement in December 2015. It was cobbled together by the union and DoE, with no input from teachers, and simply rubber-stamped by the unions 300-member council over the summer school holidays. That staffing agreement, described by the union as a significant achievement, which had secured major gains, expanded the powers of principals to hire temporary teachers. It also allowed the education department to identify up to eight schools in which all (not just alternate) permanent teacher vacancies could be chosen by the principal. Over the past six months, the Baird state government has escalated the damaging effects of NAPLAN (National Assessment ProgramLiteracy and Numeracy) with Stronger HSC Standards and Bump It Up, and reintroduced inspectors in schools for the first time since the 1970s. Neither of these measures has been put to mass meetings or a vote. Without any consultation with its members, the union has worked closely with the government on Stronger HSC Standards, which requires Year 9 students to achieve a high Band 8 in their NAPLAN tests to be eligible for the HSC, thereby marginalising the states most disadvantaged students. And for its services to the Baird governments agenda, the NSWTF was rewarded with one of the 6 core seats on the new Education Standards Authority, to replace BOSTES (Board of Studies Teaching and Educational Standards) in 2017. As far back as 2009, the teacher unions called for the re-introduction of school inspectors, after these had been eliminated altogether from public schools in the 1970s, in the wake of major strikes and walkouts by teachers. In its coverage of the Australian Education Unions (AEUs) call, which the union again initiated without any input from its members, the Murdoch press reported, under the headline Bring back school inspectors, says national teachers union, that the AEU had called for a charter of school accountability, containing 10 principles. Schools have much to learn from external review, Angelo Gavrielatos, then president of the federal AEU, declared. In October this year, legislation authorising spot checks (i.e., external reviews) was passed in the NSW parliament, handing over to school inspectors the power to deregister and close public schools and to dismiss underperforming teachers. Inspections can now be triggered by parent complaints, a turnover of senior staff or by poor academic results, paving the way for teachers to be blamed, punished and sacked. As for the regressive Bump It Up program, the NSWTF is now complaining that it was not consulted. That is hard to believe. The programs goal is to massively intensify standardised testing, in which the union has a significant vested interest. In 2010, it called off a national teacher boycott of NAPLAN after being invited into a working party with the Gillard Labor government to implement the testing regime. Does any teacher seriously believe the NSWTF will oppose Bump It Up once it is sitting at the governments table? In any event, on September 2 NSWTF general secretary John Dixon wrote to Mark Scott, Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, making clear the unions support. He wrote, Whilst generally supportive of the aims of the Bump It Up strategy, Federation believes the lack of prior consultation with the union representing the teachers, executives and principals responsible for implementing the strategy, is unacceptable. Given the ongoing failure of the union to organise prior consultations with teachers regarding the current agreement, its hypocrisy is breathtaking. Teachers need to take stock of the rapid deterioration in public education over the past seven years and probe the reasons why it is happening. The underlying rationale has been to hand public schools over to private management, and then to privatise them completely. This agenda of government cost-cutting was spearheaded by the Rudd and Gillard Labor governments when they introduced NAPLAN and the My School website in 2009 and 2010, modelled on similar measures introduced in the US and the UK, with equally disastrous results. Earlier this year, the Conservative British government released a white paper on education calling for all government schools to be converted into academies, that is, into state-funded but privately-run schools, by 2022. In the US, 300,000 public school teachers and education workers have been sacked under the Obama administration, and entire school districts turned into charter (privately-run and, in many cases, for-profit) schools. President-elect Trump has recently appointed to the position of Education Secretary in his administration, Betsy DeVos, a billionaire donor to the Republican Party and an advocate of vouchers, where parents are given a voucher, enabling them to take their child out of a public school and place them in a private one, thus subsidising the private system with public funds. Numerous studies both in Australia and internationally document the negative effects of standardised testing on students and its role in undermining progressive theories of education. The real needs of students are ignored, while governments seize on plateauing and declining literacy and numeracy student scores to continually step up testing and impose ever more regressive teaching models onto schools, which bring with them an increasingly authoritarian climate. For their part, the Australian teacher unions continue hailing the Gonski school-funding regime. The origins of the Gonski model, unveiled by former Labor Prime Minister Julie Gillard, lie in an inquiry commissioned by a former chairman of the Australian Stock Exchange, David Gonski. It was always a fraud. The proposed spendinggrossly inadequate compared to the real needs of the crisis-stricken public school systemwas so much hot air. It was touted in an era of bipartisan commitment to austerity budget cuts and relegated to the distant future, while the model immediately imposed regressive measures undermining teachers job security and professional autonomy, an aspect of Gonski that has been covered up by the teacher unions. Unless teachers take a stand on this salaries and conditions agreement, they can expect further new regressive measures. What next, after NAPLAN, My School, Bump I t Up, Stronger HSC Standards, Performance Development Plans, school inspectors, contract teachers, Local Schools, Local Decisions? The entire public education system, instead of being orientated towards childrens needs, is being more and more closely geared to the demands of big business and finance capital. Teachers have a critical role to play in defending the rights of students to a high quality, well-resourced and funded public education. The Socialist Equality Party insists that every child has a social right to a public education, from kindergarten to tertiary level, geared to their intellectual, cultural and creative development. But, like all the social rights of the working classto a job, a liveable income and to free, high-quality health care, to a dignified and funded retirementthe right to education immediately conflicts with the agenda of the ultra-wealthy oligarchy that exercises dictatorship over economic and political life. The NSWTF has fully integrated itself into this agenda, operating as nothing less than an arm of government. The Socialist Equality Party calls on teachers to begin to organise independent rank-and-file committees in all schools, made up of the most self-sacrificing and trusted teachers. Such committees should aim to unite with teachers throughout the state, nationally and internationally, on the basis of an anti-capitalist and socialist program, to end the subordination of education and all social needs to the profit interests of the banks and major corporations. 1. Comments must not be racist, misogynistic, homophobic, or otherwise bigoted. 2. Comments must not involve little more than name-calling and insulting remarks. 3. Comments must not be made by "anonymous" or "unknown". 4. Comments must not try to sneak in some free advertising for themselves (like spam). I invite anyone who wishes to comment on this blog to do so. I enjoy the comments, whether you agree with what I have said or not. But some people want to abuse the right to comment, and since this is my blog, I have decided to lay down the following rules. If your comment violates these rules, it will not be published. The Socialist Equality Party urges nurses at Sharp Healthcare in San Diego to reject the contract that the United Nurses Association of California is seeking to push through in shotgun votes this week. In November, nurses voted overwhelmingly to strike after rejecting the companys last, best and final offer. Nurses are demanding competitive salaries in line with other institutions, nurse retention, retirement benefits, higher levels of staffing and patient safety. The UNAC has been engaged in closed-door negotiations with Sharp for months. In late November, the union abruptly cancelled a three-day strike after the company agreed to measures that would guarantee union dues from new nurses. Almost immediately after the strike was called off, the UNAC announced a victorythe details of which are being kept from nurses until they attend ratification meetings. No serious gains for nurses could be won on this basis. Moreover, if the deal was truly a victory, the union would not be trying to ram through a vote before allowing nurses adequate time to study and discuss the agreement. On the first day of voting, and throughout the negotiations on social media, many nurses expressed frustration and anger. One nurse commented, in a post that was quickly deleted from the union Facebook page, after 29 years in this union we have never been asked to ratify a contract we have not been able to read days before a vote. Very Unorthodox. Based on details obtained by the WSWS, the contract apparently gives entry-level clinical nurses a wage increase of 12 percent in the first year, 5 percent in the second year and 4 percent in the final year of the contract. For advanced clinicians and per diem nurses, the first year pay increases are 9.25 percent and 8 percent, respectively. This would leave the nurses with a base pay hike of between 17 percent and 21 percent over the course of the contractfor most nurses, less than the final proposal they rejected overwhelmingly. Meanwhile, the cost of living continues to get higher and higher. One modification to the new contract is the requirement that all new hires join the union. Nurses will be required to pay dues for the first 90 days of hire, after which they would have to notify the union within a 5-day window of their intent to withdraw. While the union has claimed that this will help solve the problem of recruitment and retention of well-trained and experienced nurses, nothing could be further from the truth. What has happened? The union has assisted the company in keeping wages low in exchange for guarantees to its own income stream. Moreover, the contract does nothing to improve the retirement plans or retiree medical benefits for veteran nurses, or address the other major grievances of nurses. In recent years, at Sharp and at many other hospitals, management have given nurses additional charting and safety checks to performyet nurses are expected to care for the same number, or sometimes more, patients during their shifts. In addition, declining health in the American population has increased the acuity of many patients who may suffer from hypertension, obesity, psychological, or behavioral issues, all of which require a greater amountand increased frequencyof attention by nurses. Management can also cancel shifts, leaving the remaining nurses to work harder with the decreased staffing levels. The conditions facing Sharp nurses raise basic political issues. Their struggle is bound up with the broader attack on health care, supported by both Democrats and Republicans, which is aimed at shifting costs onto patients as well as increasing the workload of nurses and other hospital workers. In California, billions of dollars have been cut from medical services under both Democrats and Republicans. In 2004, Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger slashed two billion dollars in health services, reducing or eliminating coverage for 110,000 Californians. Following the 2008 economic crisis, thousands of California medical workers lost their jobs due to budget restructuring. Just last year, Jerry Brown and the Democratic Party oversaw a reduction of 10 percent in reimbursements for Medi-Cal, the state-subsidized health insurance program. As for the Obama administration, its principal domestic initiative, the so-called Affordable Care Act, requires workers to purchase subpar and high-cost health insurance, while encouraging companies to slash their own health care programs. With the election of Donald Trump and the appointment of long-time opponent of Medicare Tom Price as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services, the ruling class is planning to intensify the attack on the working class, with health care a prime target. Already there are discussions over the privatization of Medicare and major cuts to Medicaid. This will inevitably be accompanied by further attacks on the wages and benefits of nurses, along with an increase in workloads, particularly for hospitals in working-class communities. Within this context, the unions serve to isolate different struggles of the working class and keep them subordinated to the capitalist two-party system. The working class must fight back! To begin this struggle, the SEP urges nurses to vote no. No contract can be passed before nurses have enough time to study and discuss what they are being asked to sign their names to! We urge nurses at Sharp to form rank-and-file committees to organize meetings independently of the union, reach out to health care workers and other sections of the working class, and prepare a serious struggle against the assault on health care and health care workers. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality is winning widespread support among students and faculty at New York University for its campaign against political censorship and for the free association of student organizations. Last month, the NYU Student Activities Board denied the IYSSE club status even though it completed all necessary requirements, including submitting the signatures of more than 200 students who wanted to form the club. The SAB falsely claimed that the IYSSE is too similar to other organizations on campus and cited other irrelevant justifications. It also argued that the SAB has the right and duty to reject the vast majority of new club applications, supposedly due to a lack of funds. On Monday, the student newspaper, the Washington Square News, published an op-ed from an IYSSE supporter under the headline, IYSSE Demands Free Speech at NYU. It points to the massive financial resources held by the university and the connections of NYU administrators to Wall Street, the US military and monarchies in the Persian Gulf. The attack on students right to form groups, it states, is even more significant when one considers its contextthe election victory of Donald Trump, ushering in what will be the most right-wing government in U.S. history. In response, several professors wrote to the IYSSE expressing support for the campaign. Supporters of the IYSSE are distributing copies of an open letter to the SAB. They have received more than 100 signatures to a petition insisting that the club approval process must protect the democratic rights of all students, not be subject to the political biases of the administration or SAB. It calls for the decision against the IYSSE to be reversed and for a public forum of students, faculty and staff to reform the club approval process. Daniel, an NYU student majoring in economics, said about the IYSSE being blocked, Censorship happens at every level. We see it through the media, and government, and even our day-to-day actions. Based on what you are telling me, it sounds like they [the administration] are censoring you as a way to stop a movement that would go against the Democrats and Republicans. Asked what he thought about the Democrats and Republicans, he responded, They are the establishment that is backed by the corporations. You can see laws written by corporations so that it benefits them. This includes issues like mass incarceration. People profit from those jails, and then they exploit the prisoners as free labor. The NYU administration has close ties to the political establishment and the financial and corporate elite in New York. The chairman of the Board of Trustees for NYU, William R. Berkley, is himself a billionaire. Laurence Fink, the vice chairperson, is the CEO of BlackRock Financial, a Wall Street firm that the Obama administration brought in to oversee the bank bailout in 2008-09. Fink had a net worth of $340 million in 2012. Zaikai, an undergraduate student who signed the petition Tuesday, said she was concerned with the attack on democratic rights in the US, especially with the election of Trump. Im in agreement with you about the Democrats, but I wasnt happy about the results of the election. To tell you the truth, I wasnt happy with either of the candidates. I believe the real issue is the system, not just the Democrats and the Republicans. The Democrats are carrying out neoliberal policies or policies they benefit from, not the working people. Isnavys said she felt the election was about more than Democrats or Republicans, that it was about the impact on people. The issue is the average person and the world you want to live in. I urge people to read Martin Luther Kings speech in the Birmingham jail, stating that in her opinion King spoke out against oppression. Olivia said she did not consider herself to be a socialist but agreed that the IYSSE should have the right to have a club on campus and felt that more views needed to be heard. I was a Bernie Sanders supporter. I thought the outcome of the election was worrisome. I wanted to see a change. A lot of people wanted that. I understand that a lot of people who voted for Sanders also voted for Trump. Zain, an NYU student, said about the election, I didnt like either candidate. I felt like I was pushed away from the Democrats, which is the party I grew up supporting. I didnt realize all the concerns I have with the Democratic Party. Hillary Clinton raised a lot of concerns for me. She is not fighting for the interest of normal people, or what they should be fighting for. They [the Democrats] are just bourgeois. They felt they could shame people to not vote for Trump. They didnt count on an opposition around Trumps rhetoric helping him. Now I feel more supportive of socialism. In a speech delivered Tuesday to a military audience at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, President Barack Obama made a veiled warning about the threat to American democracy posed by 15 years of unending war. The speech, delivered at a base that headquarters US special operations forces, was a defense of his administrations own record, little more than six weeks before Obama turns over the White House to Donald Trump. The departing commander-in-chief criticized specific policies associated with Trump, including support for torture and unilateral US military action, without naming his successor. Obama began by acknowledging that when he leaves office January 20, I will become the first president of the United States to serve two full terms during a time of war, an assertion that his audience applauded. He reiterated his confidence in the military, declaring, I believe that the United States military can achieve any mission; that we are, and must remain, the strongest fighting force the world has ever known. This too, was greeted with applause. The bulk of the speech, however, consisted of drawing lessons from the struggle against Al Qaeda and ISIS, most of them presented as warnings against making the war on terror the focal point of American national-security policy. Terrorists dont pose an existential threat to our nation, and therefore do not require an all-out military mobilization on the scale of World War II or the Cold War, he argued. He also warned that we cannot follow the path of previous great powers, who sometimes defeated themselves through over-reach. That was why, he said, he had withdrawn the bulk of US ground troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, so that they would be available elsewherei.e., against Russia and China, although he did not cite these as targets for future US military operations. Obamas main focus was the impact of the war on terror on democratic procedures and the potential transformation of the United States into a garrison state. These terrorists can never directly destroy our way of life, he said, but we can do it for them if we lose track of who we are and the values that this nation was founded upon. One of those values was opposition to torture, he stressed, implicitly rebuking President-elect Trump, who has proclaimed his support for waterboarding and other forms of torture during his campaign, and who has appointed a pro-torture congressman, Mike Pompeo, to head the CIA. He also opposed efforts to impose religious tests on immigrants and refugees, to single out American Muslims for discrimination or repression, and to use the US military for grabbing the resources of those we defeated. These sallies were all aimed at statements made by Trump during the election campaign. Without drawing any explicit connection, Obama then cited the Nuremberg Tribunals after World War II, at which Nazi leaders were found guilty of war crimes and executed or imprisoned. The colossal hypocrisy of Obamas speech, and the absurdity of his pose as the defender of the rule of law and democratic rights, are underscored by reference to the Nuremberg Tribunals. What Obama did not mention is the declaration of the chief prosecutor at the tribunal, US Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson, that the basic crime alleged against the accused Nazi leaders was the planning and execution of a war of aggression, from which, Jackson said, all the other war crimes flowed. By this standard, the top officials of the Obama administration, including Obama himself, deserve to be hauled before a new tribunal to face war crimes charges. Obama concluded with a more general warning over the impact of protracted war, with each new military operation justified by reference to the now-distant events of September 11, 2001. Democracies should not operate in a state of permanently authorized war, he said. Thats not good for our military, its not good for our democracy. While his explicit argument was that Congress should pass a new Authorization for the Use of Military Force against ISIS, rather than leaving the president to rely on the authority dating back to 9/11, the implications of these comments were more sweeping. They recall the speech he delivered in May 2013 on the dimensions of the war on terror, when he declared, We have to be mindful of James Madisons warning that no nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare. At the time of the May 2013 speech, the World Socialist Web Site noted the contradictory character of Obamas remarks. On the one hand, he admitted the reactionary and anti-democratic implications of the war on terror, in which the US government had waged illegal wars, tortured and murdered prisoners, and spied on the American people. On the other hand, Obama asserted, as chief executive, his own authority to continue the spying, to wage drone-missile warfare, and even to assassinate American citizens, without any legal or judicial restraint. Obamas speech at MacDill Air Force Base had something of the same character. He outlined at some length the supposed efforts of his administration to wage war without atrocities, interrogate prisoners without torture, and protect the American people from terrorism without resorting to mass surveillance. In reality, the Obama administration has carried out the most sweeping attacks on democratic rights in the name of the struggle against terrorism: authorizing blanket capture of all telecommunications and Internet traffic; keeping open the Guantanamo Bay detention camp; shielding the Bush administration officials who oversaw CIA torture; persecuting whistle-blowers who exposed US government crimes such as Julian Assange, Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning; and carrying out a systematic program of drone-missile assassinations worldwide, on an unparalleled scale. But Obamas speech amounted to an admission that the policies he has pursued have paved the way for an even more right-wing and undemocratic policy once Trump enters the White House. Obama is aware that the incoming government will be one of immense repression and violence, and he cautions Trump against excesses. At the same time, he and the Democratic Party are doing everything possible to smooth the way for Trump, declaring him the legitimate president-elect despite losing the popular vote by more than 2.6 million. Underlying Obamas warnings are not only concerns that he might at some point face his own Nuremberg trial, but, more basically, a wariness over the far-reaching and potentially explosive implications of the overt trashing of constitutionally guaranteed rights. Historically, the United States is based on the US Constitution. Once that tie is severed, there is little to hold the country together. Beyond his advice to Trump, Obama appeared to be appealing more to the military itself, which exercises an overbearing and dominant influence over the entire state, including his own administration and the incoming Trump-led government. The choice of the venue was significant. Rather than addressing the American people about the perilous state of American democracy, he spoke before the headquarters of US Special Operations Command, concluding with an appeal that our men and women in uniform and the citizens who support you carry forward what is best in us. The author also recommends: The war on terror and the fate of US democracy [28 May 2013] The death toll from last Fridays fire at a warehouse in Oakland, California stands at 36, with 85 percent of the burnt-out structure having been searched. Among the dead, some of whom have yet to be identified, are young people and artists who made their home in the 86-year-old sprawling two-story structure known as the Ghost Ship. The building was leased to an artists collective in the Fruitvale district of the city. It was the deadliest building fire in the US since a Rhode Island nightclub fire in 2003, which claimed 100 lives. The tragedy has horrified the San Francisco Bay Area and the world, leaving many asking how such an event could take place in 21st century America. It is unclear at this point whether criminal charges will be filed against the owner of the building, Chor Nar Siu Ng, who owns several other blighted properties in Oakland, or against Derick Ion Almena, who leased the property, lived there with his wife and three children, and ran the artists collective. Looking for an individual to blame, the media has launched a campaign against Almena in particular, who lost many people he knew in the blaze. Authorities have pointed to electrical problems and the lack of basic fire safety provisions in the dilapidated structure. At the root of the tragedy, however, lies the dysfunctional character of American capitalism, including a housing crisis born of poverty, social inequality, and years of neglect by government authorities. The Bay Area, long known as a haven for artists and students, is now largely unaffordable for workers and young people. Along with the tech boom of the last six years, housing prices have skyrocketed. Warehouses and lofts in San Franciscos former industrial areas have given way to high-end condos and workspaces to house tech start-ups and their employees. More than 2,000 people are evicted annually in the city. This has pushed artists and others struggling to find affordable housing to Oakland, across the San Francisco Bay, and beyond. Now these areas are also increasingly unaffordable, with the median cost of available rentals in Oakland standing at $3,000 a month, far beyond what is affordable for most Americans. People living in buildings such as the Ghost Ship are faced with the choice of living in substandard housing or being homeless. Speaking to CBS, a city councilor from Fruitvale estimated that there are some 200 warehouses in Oakland that have no papers, no permit, no fire code, nothing. If occupied, these structures are disasters waiting to happen. And while building inspectors apparently ignore these deathtraps, no measures are taken to alleviate the growing crisis that leads to their use as housing. The Bay Areas economy has spawned a small army of billionaires, with 50 of them making it onto the Forbes 400 list of richest Americans in 2016. Oakland itself is increasingly socially polarized, home to the fifth largest cluster of elite zip codes in the US, ranked by a combination of high income and education level attained. At the same time, more than 800,000 people in the region live below the poverty line. The housing crisis in the Bay Area mirrors that of metropolitan areas across the country. The Los Angeles Times reports that more than 20,000 rent-controlled apartments in LA have been taken off the market since 2011 to make way for pricey homes and condos for the wealthy, leading to hundreds of evictions this year. Evictions are taking place not only in thriving real estate markets like San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles, but also in places like Milwaukee and St. Louis, where deindustrialization and unemployment, combined with wages that do not keep pace with the cost of living, are driving people out of their homes. According to a report released last year by Harvard University titled Projecting Trends in Severely Cost-Burdened Renters, by 2025 nearly 15 million US households will devote more than half of their income to rent. Those unable to keep pace with their rent or mortgage payments will find themselves evicted and possibly homeless. The federal government has long since abandoned any responsibility for the provision of decent housing, leading to disasters like that in Oakland last week. According to the US Fire Administration, an organization that tracks fire deaths based on media reports, there were 2,290 fire deaths in the US in 2015, many of them in mobile homes or other substandard housing. The first US national housing legislation, passed in 1937, went beyond providing low-cost public housing and was aimed at improving the lagging economy by funding jobs to build affordable housing. Public housing today has largely ceased to exist, with units sold off to developers to turn a quick profit, and those in need of housing waiting years if not decades for openings to use their Section 8 housing vouchers. The Obama administration, following the Bush and Clinton administrations before it, has made no pretense of establishing a public works program to address the woeful state of infrastructure in the USwhether in housing, roads, bridges, energy grids or in other vital areas. President-elect Donald Trump has made clear his attitude toward the housing crisis with his nomination of Ben Carson to run the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Carson, a retired neurosurgeon with no professional housing policy experience, has declared his hostility to the entire concept of public housing and social provision in general, stating: It really is not compassionate to pat people on the head and say, There you poor little thing, Im going to take care of all your needs, your health care, your food and your housing, dont you worry about anything (Conservative Political Action Conference, February 26, 2015). The Socialist Equality Party calls for an immediate halt to foreclosures and evictions and for the provision of billions of dollars to provide decent, low-cost housing to those in need. Housing is a social right that can be assured only by placing the home construction and financing industry under public ownership. For tragedies like that in Oakland to be averted in the future, public funds must be poured into the construction of new homes for working families. Such a project can be undertaken only under a workers government based on a socialist program, which treats affordable housing as a basic human right, not a privilege reserved for the wealthy. The German government is expanding deportations of refugees and intends to erect what will in effect be a deportation apparatus. To this end, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees has commissioned a feasibility study from the consultancy firm McKinsey that calls for an increase in deportations. Following a meeting of the federal and state interior ministers last week, federal Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere (Christian Democrats, CDU) outlined the goals of the deportation policy for 2017. He stated that of the 1 million refugees who arrived in Germany in 2015 and 2016, around half had not and would not receive recognition as refugees. The minister demanded that we get better in the area of repatriations, including voluntary repatriation as well as deportation. As a result, the federal and state governments were preparing an agreement for a national pooling of resources to improve repatriations. A nationwide coordination office for repatriations would deal with practical questions, such as how refugees from various states could be brought together and transported in the same aircraft. Already this year, the government has implemented 100,000 so-called repatriations of refugees. Together with 27,000 forced deportations, more than 60,000 refugees avoided deportation by agreeing to voluntarily leave the country. These numbers are to increase drastically in the years ahead. Since we are getting more rejections, we have to improve still further, de Maiziere stated. In addition, the government plans to strengthen fortress Europe. According to Spiegel Online, the federal Interior Ministry is preparing an agreement with Tunisia to establish an internment camp for refugees there. Refugees who seek to reach Europe via the central Mediterranean route will in this way find it impossible to set foot on European soil. Instead, immediately after their rescue they will be brought back to Africa. A departmental head of the federal police in the Interior Ministry is currently pushing for support for this plan from Italy and the European Union (EU) Commission. In this way, the German government intends to intensify pressure on refugees. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees has been working for some time on the ways in which mass deportations could be enforced. They hired the consultancy firm McKinsey to complete a feasibility study, the conclusions of which have been made available to Die Welt . It proposes 14 measures for a stricter repatriation for foreigners obliged to leave. The McKinsey report appeals for return management 2017 to be coordinated between the federal and state governments so as to achieve measurable successes. Assuming the existence of 485,000 refugees required to leave, the report offers a cynical cost benefit analysis to justify mass deportations in financial terms. According to this, monthly expenditure on a refugee amount to 670, which amounts in total to 3 billion annually. By contrast, the cost of a forced deportation is only 1,500 and in the case of a voluntary repatriation just 700. In addition, the study complains about the length of time taken up by deportation proceedings. From the confirmation of the obligation to leave to the final departure there is an average of 12 months for completed deportations, and in some cases even 4.5 years. To accelerate deportations, the reports main proposal is a vast expansion of deportation and detention centres. Deportation detention and custody prior to departure should be organised so as to make them effectively usable in practice, the consultancy firm writes. The consultants also propose stricter legal controls for those tolerated as refugees. They should be given food and clothing as benefits in kind rather than money, if they cannot be deported due to illness or missing papers. The financial flexibility of refugees can in this way, in the opinion of the study, be reduced. The feasibility study was announced by Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) during her summer press conference to identify problems with deportations and make suggestions for improvements. According to Spiegel Online, the company claimed payment for 687 consultant days, amounting to a total cost to the government of 1.86 million. The line of argument advanced by government representatives, the federal office for refugees and the consultancy firm, that refugees are exploiting social welfare, avoiding deportations and costing billions plays directly into the hands of right-wing extremist forces. With the planned mass deportations, vast expansion of detention centres and cutting of social welfare, the federal government is adopting the programme of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Within the government, some demands even go far beyond this. Thomas Strobl, the deputy chair of the CDU and interior minister in the Baden-Wurttemberg Green-CDU coalition government, called for the establishment of a repatriation agreement with Egypt, even though the al-Sisi regime tramples human rights underfoot and regularly abuses, tortures and persecutes refugees. Strobl even believes that those accepted as refugees should have social welfare benefits reduced massively, because Whoever is searching for protection from war and persecution, the main issue for them is not welfare benefits. That we provide protection to refugees who fear for life and limb does not mean that we must make it possible for refugees to enjoy our standard of living. Ahead of the CDU party congress, which began yesterday, the party integrated Strobls proposals into its main resolution. In it, it is stated, The reasons for detention ahead of deportation must be expanded if there is a risk posed by those obliged to depart. In addition, deportation detention should be extended from four days to four weeks. Whoever provides false information or refuses to identify themselves would lose the status of an approved refugee, and their authorisation to work and welfare benefits would be slashed. The right to asylum has been undermined repeatedly since the autumn of 2015. This has included the expansion of safe countries of origin, the rapid conducting of asylum procedures in reception centres or emergency facilities, the cutting of assistance benefits, deportations without warning, relaxation of the restriction on deporting those who are sick, the limitation of family reunification, a residency restriction for those accepted as refugees and much more. The German governments new plans will eclipse all of this. Yesterday was day two of the Supreme Court hearing on whether Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May can trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, beginning the UK departure from the European Union (EU), without a vote in Parliament. The government is challenging last months High Court decision ruling that Parliament alone has the right to trigger Britains EU exit. In the morning, the governments legal representatives continued to defend their intention to trigger Article 50 by utilising the Royal Prerogative--previously used by monarchs--with no prior debate and no Parliamentary vote. Attorney General and Tory MP Jeremy Wright QC claimed that Parliament was not being by-passed, arguing, We say that use of the prerogative in these circumstances would not only be lawful but fully supported by our constitutional settlement, in line with Parliamentary sovereignty and in accordance with legitimate public expectations. He submitted that the UK operated a dualist constitutional system and Parliament has a clear understanding of prerogative powers. Where Parliament limits these powers, it does so carefully and specifically, said Wright. At the conclusion of his submission for the government, James Eadie QC said that if the government was forced to allow Parliament to vote on an Article 50 bill, the solution in legal terms is a one-line act. This would merely state that the government intended to trigger Article 50 and certainly wont set out possible arguments and how it intends to negotiate. He added, It may be that would lead to all sorts of Parliamentary complications and possible additions and amendments and so on, but thats the solution. In its ruling, the High Court supported a group of pro-EU claimants, led by Gina Miller, a London-based investment fund manager, demanding Parliament vote on triggering Article 50. They agreed on the basis that when the UK passed the 1972 European Communities Actpaving the way for the UK to join the European Economic Communityrights were conferred on citizens via that Act of Parliament. It was therefore not within the realm of Royal Prerogative to take away those rights, as only a sovereign Parliament could do this. In the Supreme Court, several of the judges, Lord Wilson and Lord Neuberger (the president of the Court), questioned the governments counsel. Wilson raised that Parliament and the government had collaborated together in 1972 and asked, If entry was the result of a joint effort, should our departure [from the EU] also not be so? May became prime minister after previous Tory leader David Cameron resigned following the shock Leave vote in the June referendum. The Tories already had a slim majority in Parliament, which has been further reduced to 13 under May. Up to three quarters of MPs, across all parties, are supporters of remaining in the EU. May was opposed to allowing Parliament the right to trigger Article 50 on the basis that they would demand the inclusion of amendments--including preserving access to the EUs Single Marketas this would alienate the Tories substantial Eurosceptic base and threaten the fall of her government. In his submission on behalf of Miller, Lord David Pannick QC said that the 1972 Act had a constitutional status that prerogative powers were insufficient to nullify. He argued that prerogative powers to make and unmake international treaties are deliberately limited to the extent that they cannot affect domestic law. Prerogative power ends where domestic rights begin, he said. Pannick continued, My submission is that it is inherently unlikely... that Parliament when it enacted the 1972 act... intended that such fundamental change could be set aside by a minister. Even as the Supreme Court met, the crisis engulfing the ruling elite over Brexit intensified. Michel Barnier, nominated as the EUs chief negotiator in its talks with Britain, chose Tuesday to make his first formal statement on the EUs position. Barnier outlined a further hardening of an already hard-line position that the EU is taking over Brexit. As opposed to the oft-cited two-year negotiating period for Britain and the EU to work out the terms of exit, he declared, Time will be very short. Barnier insisted that no talks would begin without notification via Article 50, before stating, Its clear that the actual negotiation period will be shorter than two years... All in all, there will be less than 18 months. If, as Theresa May has said, we receive notification by the end of March, it is safe to say the negotiations could start a few weeks later and Article 50 agreement would have to be reached by October 2018. His team would preserve the unity and interests of the EU-27 in its talks with Britain. He insisted that the UK would have to accept an inferior trade deal to that of the members of the EU, warning, Being a member of the EU comes with rights and benefits... Third countries can never have these rights and benefits. Scotching all talk that the UK could continue accessing the Single Market without agreeing to accept the four fundamental freedoms of the EU--free movement of goods, services, capital and peopleBarnier declared these were indivisible and There can be no cherry picking. Barniers hostile intervention confirms that the EU views the Brexit crisis as an existential threat to which it must respond firmly. He spoke just 48 hours after the defeat of an EU-backed referendum, which forced the imminent resignation of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. With an escalating economic and political crisis breaking out continent-wide, the EU is insistent that the UK is rapidly forced out on the harshest terms possible in order to stem further crisis. A British government spokesman sought to play down Barniers remarks, while stating that this was the first indication that European officials planned to complete Brexit negotiations within 18 months. Later yesterday, the government was also forced to accept a Labour motion to be presented in Parliament today by Sir Keir Starmer, the Shadow Brexit Secretary. Labours motion calls on the Prime Minister to commit to publishing the Governments plan for leaving the EU before Article 50 is invoked, while accepting there should be no disclosure of material that could be reasonably judged to damage the UK in any negotiations to depart from the EU. Starmer said, We will also push for a plan to be published no later than January 2017 so that the House of Commons, the devolved administrations, the [parliamentary] Brexit Select Committee and the British people have a chance to scrutinise it. May was forced to accept the motion, on the basis of the government amending it, as up to 40 pro-EU Tory rebels were pledged to back Labour. According to the Guardian, May is challenging Labour and other opposition MPs to accept three conditions; that article 50 should be invoked by the end of March; that the result of the referendum should be accepted; and that the publication of the plan should not undermine the governments stance in the Brexit negotiations. The Tory amendment is authored by May, Chancellor Philip Hammond, Home Secretary Amber Rudd, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Brexit Secretary David Davis and Conservative chief whip Gavin Williamson. Mays position as the leader of a crisis-ridden party and government is increasingly untenable. Leading Tory Eurosceptic MP Steve Baker endorsed the government amendment as one that would hasten Brexit, declaring, Every MP should respect the result by voting with the Government for this excellent amendment to trigger Article 50 on the Prime Ministers schedule. On Monday, John Longworth, co-chair of Leave Means Leave, which has the backing of senior Tories, called on May to come clean, adding, Its incumbent on government to give clarity. Calling for a hard Brexit, Longworth stated, Its important that in the New Year the government makes it clear that were going to leave those two institutions, the single market and the customs union. The Chinese government has issued a warning over US President-elect Donald Trumps phone call last Friday with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, which breached longstanding diplomatic protocols. The leaders of the US and Taiwan have not spoken since 1979 when Washington cut diplomatic ties with Taipei and implemented a One China policy, recognising Beijing as the sole legitimate government of China. Having initially downplayed the phone call, the Chinese foreign ministry told the media on Monday that Beijing had made solemn representations with the relevant party on the US side. Spokesman Lu Kang suggested that Trump had not made a mistake, saying the president-elects team was fully aware of Chinas solemn attitude on the issue [of Taiwan]. The Peoples Daily, the state-run organ of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), published a front-page commentary on Monday condemning the phone call as despicable for violating the One China policy and breaking the tradition of avoiding direct contact between US and Taiwanese leaders. It stated that Trumps action had thus penetrated to the heart of China-US ties as the One China policy was the foundation of bilateral relations. The commentary declared: Trumps unscrupulous actions have set off alarms for the development of bilateral ties. China will surely be on guard. It warned: Trump and his transition team ought to recognise that creating trouble for China-US relations is just creating trouble for the US itself Considering the size and increasing mutual reliance of both countries, creating troubles for China wont make the US great. The article reiterated that Taiwan remained a core interest for China of great importance to Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity. Beijing regards Taiwan, where the defeated Kuomintang (KMT) fled after the 1949 Chinese revolution, as a renegade province and has stated that it would seize the island by military means if a Taiwanese government ever declared formal independence. Trumps phone call with Tsai was not a blunder. It was a conscious provocation designed to put China on notice that his administration intends to overhaul US relations with China. His incoming chief of staff, Reince Priebus, who has close ties with Taiwan, told the media that Trump knew exactly what was happening when he spoke to Tsai. In subsequent tweets, Trump dismissed concerns about the conversation, again branding China as a currency manipulator and denouncing its massive military complex in the South China Sea. During the US presidential election campaign, Trump repeatedly said he intended to declare China to be a currency manipulator and impose tariffs of 45 percent on Chinese importsmoves that could trigger a trade war. Trumps reference to the South China Sea is another indication that his administration intends to ramp up Obamas confrontation with Beijing over the South China Sea, where the US Navy has already conducted three freedom of navigation intrusions into waters claimed by China. While China has over the past two years engaged in significant land reclamation and building on islets under its control, claims that it has constructed a massive military complex are simply false. Trumps call with Taiwan has been broadly supported by those layers within the Republican Party, the media and the military-intelligence apparatus who have been critical of the Obama administration for not prosecuting Obamas pivot to Asia against China aggressively enough. Stephen Moore, a Trump economic adviser, expressed the view most crudely, declaring on Monday: We gotta stand by Taiwan. We see whats happening in China with the way theyre sabre-rattling out there in the East, and its about time we do what Reagan did: We stand up to bullies and say were not gonna let you do this. If China doesnt like it, screw em, he added. Such language only raises the stakes in an already tense situation in East Asia, brought on, not by Chinese bullying, but rather a relentless US diplomatic offensive and military build-up under the Obama administration throughout Asia aimed at subordinating China to American interests, even at the risk of precipitating a war. The Chinese regime, which represents the interests of the ultra-rich oligarchies that have benefitted from capitalist restoration, is organically incapable of making any appeal to the working class in China or internationally. Its military expansion has only played into Washingtons hands and heightened the danger of war. Far from any retreat into isolationism, Trump is indicating that he has every intention of intensifying the US confrontation with China. He has already announced plans to expand the American military, particularly the US Navy, which is central to the Pentagons AirSea Battle strategy for war with China. Moreover, Trumps bluster, recklessness and disdain for established diplomatic norms adds a new uncertainty and instability into world politics that can only greatly exacerbate geo-political tensions. Even among those who are supportive of a more aggressive policy toward China, there is a recognition of the immense dangers involved. Former CIA analyst Christopher Johnson told the Wall Street Journal that Obama might have brought too much predictability to US-China relations over the past eight years. A little unpredictability is a good thing, but too much is scary. There is a fine line there between good predictability and scary, and thats the balance that has to be found, he said. Trumps extreme right-wing nationalism and Make America Great Again rhetoric threatens to trigger a trade war between the worlds two largest economies that could plunge the global economy into deep recession. Trade war leads to war. Unable to secure its dominance through economic means, US imperialism will inevitably resort to military mightas it has done time and again over past 25 years. The determination of Trump and his militarist advisers to use any and all means to confront and undermine China to achieve American hegemony in Asia and around the world greatly heightens the danger of an open clash and conflict between nuclear-armed powers. The author also recommends: Trumps phone call with Taiwan: A provocation against China [6 December 2016] TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A proposed wastewater pipeline in North Florida has two counties at odds. For decades, the Foley Cellulose Mill in Taylor County has used the Fenholloway river for industrial dumping. Now, the construction of a new pipeline is causing concern among environmentalists, as its new dumping site moves closer to the Gulf of Mexico. At the heart of the issue is water quality and damages that the proposed Foley Cellulose Pipeline in Taylor County could have on neighboring Wakulla County, a county that depends on its waters for economic viability. Although the project may have immediate benefits many are worried about the long term damages and harm to the area communities. "Taylor County made the choice for those jobs I understand that, but don't give us your pollutants," said Dr. Howard Kessler, a Wakulla County commissioner. Jim Moody, a Taylor County commissioner had opposing feeling. "This is the lively hood of Taylor County to start with and people have seen the change in the Mill over the years and seen how they have improved it and how much money they have spent on the environment end of the amount of effluent going out of the mill." Georgia Pacific's Foley Cellulose Mill in Perry, is its economic engine creating 17%-20% of the jobs in Taylor County, contributing millions of dollars to the area. The recent plans to extend a chemical effluent pipe downstream on the Fenholloway River's mouth about a mile from the Gulf of Mexico, has created a stir with neighboring Wakulla County. Wakulla County's coastline is about 20 miles from the river's mouth, and county commissioners are concerned the toxic waste being dumped could negatively impact the grass beds, aquatic life, water quality, and ultimately public health of its residents. "The concern that I and many others have is what is being dumped what was the Fenholloway River is a toxic mixture of harmful chemicals among them is dioxin," said Kessler. Dioxins are a group of chemically-related compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants and are mainly by-products of industrial processes. More than 90% of human exposure is through food, mainly meat, dairy products, fish and shellfish. According to Scott Mixon with Foley Cellulose, the plant hasn't registered Dioxin in it's testing in years. "People often focus on the pipeline and moving the discharge point. Before we move the effluent discharge we're going to redo and implement our wast water treatment system." So far the company has spent over a 120-million dollars in Mill improvements which have helped produce a cleaner discharge. Another 70 to 100-million dollars is expected to be spent on a New Waste Water Treatment facility which will greatly reduce the toxicity of the effluent being discharged. That phase of the project must be completed first before the Pipeline can project can move forward. In it's current state, the river is acting as a filtration system for the Mill. Many of the chemicals precipitate out when they hit the water settling at the bottom of the river. Many believe the proposed pipeline will eliminate the filtration process and dump a more concentrated waste closer to the Gulf. The fact is the effluent will first be processed through a new Waste Water Treatment System before being discharged down the pipeline, making it an even cleaner effluent than current conditions. Mixon said, "The color of the water is something we're really focused on. We've already achieved a 54% reduction. We are using the best technologies that is available to us to bring the River back to a class-3 standard and bring the River back to what is was prior to 1954 when the mill was built." But not everyone is on board with the changes "It's just not the matter of, I have this permit to build this pipeline so therefore I can Build it, It's let do what's right for the people and let's do what's right for the environment," said Kessler. Currently the permitting for the Foley Cellulose Pipeline sits with the Corp. of Army Engineers. There is still an appealing process and Commissioners in Wakulla County are urging the public to get involved. They will be having talks with the Environmental Protection Agency to hopefully get some type of compromise or understanding before the plan gets underway. If you have a story idea for the INSIDERS send us an email to abc27News@wtxl.tv attention the INSIDERS. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - UPDATE: Today, a special ceremony will be held to swear-in the re-elected Commissioner Scott Maddox. This announcement comes after the courts decision Monday that Maddox is a resident in the Capital City and therefore will be able to serve the community. The District Court of Appeals raised the lift of stay on Maddox today. Tallahassee Resident Dr. Erwin Jackson said he does not intend to appeal what the judge ordered. The ceremony will take place at 5 p.n. in the City Hall Mezzanine on South Adams Street. Watch a live stream of the ceremony on the City of Tallahassees Facebook page. _____ TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - After Thursday's trial was cut short, Commissioner Scott Maddox is expected to be back in court Friday for claims that he doesn't live within Capital City limits. As he appears in court for a hearing, Maddox will be dealing with a suit that claims Maddox does not live within city limits and therefore can't serve as a commissioner. A judge originally threw out that suit saying that Maddox did indeed qualify. But an appellate court has overturned that ruling, saying the court did not address pending motions. Judge Karen Gievers agreed to continue Thursday's proceedings on Friday in order to give the prosecution more time to question Maddox. Battered with bad publicity in recent years, the death penalty's public support has declined. But earlier this month when voters in Nebraska, Oklahoma and California had their say, they voted to retain and even expand it, making clear that the controversial punishment is far from finished. But even while public support for the death penalty remains in place, the political ground underneath that support has shifted in important ways. In years past, the issue split clearly along left/right political cleavages, with conservatives favoring and liberals opposed. Today, those fault lines are much less clear, and a bit less coherent. California, for example, a consistently blue state, embraced the death penalty in two November ballot propositions. The shifting ground is also apparent in deep red Utah, which in 2015 approved a law bringing back the firing squad. Then a year later, in 2016, a bill that would have abolished the death penalty altogether passed the Senate and came within a floor vote in the House of going to the governor's desk. Had that bill been passed and signed, Utah might have found itself in a position similar to Nebraska, where heavily Republican voters earlier this month rebuked a heavily Republican state Legislature by reinstating the death penalty. In 2015, the Nebraska Legislature voted to abolish the death penalty and then overrode the veto of Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts. In Nebraska's single legislative house, 35 of its 49 members are currently Republican. In what became an inter-party squabble, Republican Gov. Ricketts became a driving force in the ballot initiative to overturn the death penalty abolition in November of this year, donating $300,000 of his own to the cause. In short, death penalty opponents, though discouraged by election results this year, may have more growth potential at the political right and center than is apparent at first glance. Only time will tell if those seeds bear fruit. Strange alignments Conservative intramural squabbles on the death penalty reflect growing skepticism about trust in government power among some conservative thought leaders, particularly the tea party wing of the party. In 2015, conservative columnist George Will, though not a tea partier, announced his opposition to the death penalty. At the same time, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Indiana) has been an outspoken opponent of open-ended domestic surveillance programs, and Utah's Sen. Mike Lee has been been a leading advocate of reducing mandatory minimum sentences, even partnering with liberal Democrats on this issue. Both Lee and Paul are considered children of the tea party movement. Meanwhile, in deep blue California, the voters are not ready to let go. Golden State voters went 62 percent for Hillary Clinton while also voting to legalize marijuana and regulate gun magazines. But on the same ballot they easily rejected a measure to eliminate the death penalty, while narrowly endorsing one that would speed up executions by limiting appeals. Oklahoma voters also weighed in on Nov. 8, using a constitutional amendment to remove the death penalty from the judiciary's reach. Oklahoma had been a flashpoint of controversy in 2014 after a gruesome botched lethal injection. An unusual spike Since 2014, anti death-penalty advocates had felt it was only a matter of time before the opinion and policy shifted in their favor, as they rode a wave of publicity over exonerations on death row and controversies about humane lethal injection drugs. In 2015, the Deseret News noted that "public support for the death penalty has been on a steady downward curve since it reached a high of nearly 80 percent of Americans supporting it in 1994, according to Pew Research Center data. Today, 55 percent support capital punishment, Pew found, with large variations in ethnic groups. Blacks and Latinos are much more likely to oppose it." But looking at the larger picture over time, it seems that choosing 1994 as a starting point might muddle the picture. According to Gallup, 60 percent of Americans today support the death penalty, the exact same percentage that supported it in 1937. In between, there have been ups and downs, ranging from a low of 42 in 1966 to a high of 80 percent in 1994. The year 1994 was also very near the peak of violent crime in America. Violent crime rates began climbing sharply in the late 1960s and continued to push upwards, cresting in the mid-1990s before beginning a sharp downward descent that brought them down today to levels not seen since 1960. Public opinion polls seem to clearly follow crime over that time period, with support for the death penalty spiking just after crime rises, then falling gradually as crime falls. If this link between violent crime and public opinion on the death penalty is accurate, then the 60 percent level of death penalty support today may not be the result of a downward slide that is destined to continue. The drop may be, rather, the ebbing of an unusual dual spike upward and back down to more normal levels. Confidence that this slide will continue may be misplaced. Possible openings Digging a little deeper, the Gallup data yields some interesting insights into how death penalty opponents might unpack the issue to their advantage. Since 1985, in addition to asking about support for capital punishment, Gallup has asked poll takers if they would endorse life in prison with "absolutely no possibility of parole" as an alternative to the death penalty. Given that option, respondents in 1997 near the peak of the crime wave chose the death penalty by 61 to 29, compared with 80 percent who chose the death penalty in the question that did not mention other options. By 2014, a much more narrow 50-45 were in favor of the death penalty when offered the alternative, compared with 60 percent who supported the death penalty when not offered the alternative. This indicates slippage across the board, but it also suggests openings to reframe the issue by offering alternatives. One key question is whether people see the death penalty as a deterrent to violent crime. The shifts over time on this are quite striking. In 1985, 62 percent said yes, it was a deterrent, but supportive responses dropped steadily and by 2011, the most recent year Gallup asked the question, just 32 percent saw the threat of punishment by death as a deterrent. In an open-ended question about why voters supported the death penalty, 50 percent in 1991 chose some variation of "the punishment fits the crime," but that number had dropped to 35 percent by 2014. Explanations for supporting the death penalty, which had long focused on deterrence and retribution, are now much more scattered, with no dominant answers. These changes suggest the public may have become a little unclear on its reasoning, and thus more open to persuasion. Another opening may lie in attitudes toward false convictions. Gallup only records answers on this in 2003 and 2005. In 2005, 57 percent of respondents estimated false conviction rates at between 1 and 5 percent. No one knows the true number of false murder convictions, as the Deseret News has noted previously, with estimates varying from a low of .33 percent to a high of between 3 and 5 percent, estimates very much in line with public perception. It is worth noting that the Gallup survey showed few if any respondents believing that false convictions never happen. That means nearly all death penalty supporters apparently accept at least some small risk that some people will be falsely convicted and executed. The challenge for death penalty opponents is to replace that vague statistical awareness of possible innocence with real human faces. Last week, Utah Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty hosted a forum on the death penalty featuring Ray Krone, a wrongly convicted Arizona man who sat on death row for 10 years before being exonerated through DNA evidence. For now, polls show the traditional American consensus in support of the death penalty appears to be holding near its historic norms. But openings may exist to disrupt it from both ends of the political spectrum, and with different avenues of persuasion. And He shall reign for ever and ever Joel Kontinen Praising God has been an essential part of Christmas since a group of shepherds... WATERVILLE A lawsuit brought by the family of an Orondo woman killed by a freight truck in a dramatic 2015 wreck was dismissed last week as On Tuesday, ultra-Orthodox council members from various factions refused to attend a joint municipal committee hearing concerning LGBT communities and rights in Jerusalem. This comes three weeks after the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, Shlomo Amar, called the gay community "a cult of abomination." Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Uri Banki, the father of Shira Banki who was murdered at the gay pride parade in Jerusalem in 2015, said, "This committee is taking the community, putting it on the map and saying 'we will not let you disgrace, murder or curse us. We won't allow you to trample on us.'" Shira Banki The committee was held to raise awareness on services offered by city bodies and companies to the LGBT community. Among the issues raised in the discussion was promotion of community clinics with services to the gay community, training nurses to deal with single-sex parent families and investments in organizations dealing with issues of sexual identity in different sector, such as with Arabs and the Haredim. Addressing the meeting, Uri Banki said, "In this city, we have enough wars and enough people who love to fight. The purpose of such an event is to lift up a community without stepping on someone else. We can't achieve anything without connecting." Itai Gutler, the city councillor charged with LGBT community issues, added, "For many years, the issue of the LGBT community was excluded from discussions at city hall. As a council member, it is important for me, especially in light of what Rabbi Amar said and the murder of Shira Banki, to say to the gay community 'welcome.' I am proud to make a little history here. We are not ashamed of the gay community. We accept it and we embrace it and we as a city will do that is necessary to ensure that all issues will be addressed." TAMPA - US President Barack Obama on Tuesday warned that the United States would not be able to wipe out terrorism with military might as he offered a sweeping defense of his administration's national security record. In his final major speech on counterterrorism as president, Obama argued that his administration had been able to make al Qaeda "a shadow of its former self" and had put Islamic State on its heels, but said terrorism would remain a threat to the United States. "Rather than offer false promises that we can eliminate terrorism by dropping more bombs or deploying more and more troops or fencing ourselves off from the rest of the world, we have to take a long view of the terrorist threat and we have to pursue a smart strategy that can be sustained," Obama said during a speech at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. JAKARTA - At least 54 people were killed, and dozens were missing after a magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit the northern Indonesian province of Aceh on Wednesday, officials said, collapsing buildings and sending panicked residents fleeing into the streets. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Maj. Gen. Tatang Sulaiman, the army chief in Aceh, said 52 have died in Pidie Jaya, the district closest to the epicenter of the undersea quake. A local health agency said eight were young children. Another two people died in neighboring Bireuen district, one of them a teacher at an Islamic building school, who died after being hit by falling debris, according to health worker Achmad Taufiq. Destruction in Indonesia (Photo: EPA) National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told a news conference that the death toll could increase. An agency document said 273 people were injured and about a quarter of them seriously. Some 245 buildings were seriously damaged or destroyed, mostly in Pidie Jaya, including 14 mosques and the remainder largely dwellings and shop houses. Roads also cracked and power poles toppled over. In the capital Jakarta, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said he has ordered all government agencies to take part in the rescue efforts. A frantic rescue effort involving dozens of villagers, soldiers and police was underway in Meureudu, a severely affected town in Pidie Jaya district, which was closest to the quake's epicenter. Excavators and rescuers were trying to remove debris from shop and other buildings where people were believed buried. Destruction in Indonesia (Photo: Reuters) "Dozens are missing but we don't have accurate data on the total yet," said Khairul Nova, an official at the Aceh search and rescue agency. Wednesday's quake hit the east coast of the province, about 170 km (105 miles) from Banda Aceh. TV footage shows destruction in Aceh (Photo: Reuters) More than 40 buildings including mosques, stores and homes were flattened in the Pidie Jaya district, which located 18 kilometers (11 miles) southwest of the epicenter, according to Pidie Jaya District chief Aiyub Abbas. Roads cracked and power poles toppled over. Abbas said there is an urgent need for excavation equipment to move heavy debris and emergency supplies. Images on television and social media showed rescue personnel taking bodies in black bags away from the rubble, victims being rushed to hospital, flattened buildings and fallen electricity poles, and people gathering outside at street corners. Destruction in Indonesia (Photo: AFP) "The earthquake was felt strongly and many people panicked and rushed outdoors as houses collapsed," Nugroho said. Heavy machinery was being used in the search for victims, said Risky Hidayat, another search and rescue official in Aceh. Searching through the rubble (Photo: AFP) A volunteer for the Indonesian Red Crescent in Pidie Jaya regency in Aceh described scenes of heavy damage and said many people had been injured. "There isn't enough medical staff around," the Red Crescent's Muklis, who like many Indonesians uses one name, told TVOne. Treating the wounded (Photo: EPA) The US Geological Survey said the shallow 6.5 magnitude earthquake that struck at 5:03am (10:03pm GMT Tuesday) was centered about 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of Reuleut, a town in northern Aceh, at a depth of 17 kilometers (11 miles). It did not generate a tsunami. At least five aftershocks were felt in the hours after the initial quake, the disaster management agency said. Searching through the rubble (Photo: EPA) Aceh, on the northern tip of Sumatra island, was devastated by a massive 9.2 magnitude earthquake, which triggered a tsunami centred on its western coast near the provincial capital, Banda Aceh, on December 26, 2004. The disaster wiped out entire communities in Indonesia and other countries around the Indian Ocean The world's largest archipelago, Indonesia is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. The 2004 tsunami killed a total of 230,000 people in a dozen countries, with Indonesia being hit the hardestmore than 120,000 people were killed in Aceh alone. What is happening at the Defense Ministry? Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Several days after ministry officials said they were unaware of any Iranian involvement in the German ThyssenKrupp conglomerate, which sells submarines and warships to Israel, they admitted on Tuesday that they had already known in 2004 that an Iranian corporation held about 5 percent of the companys shares. It happened hours after Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman told the Knessets Finance Committee, for the first time, that the issue was known. It was a glorious case of zigzagging. On Thursday evening, we approached the Defense Ministry with the details we had exposed about the involvement of the Iranian regimes foreign investment company in the German conglomerate. We added links to the available information on the Web, but Defense Ministry officials insisted on a formal response that we are unaware of any Iranian ownership in the ThyssenKrupp company. The INS Rahav submarine. We worked with the Germans so that the secrets would be kept, says senior security source (Photo: IDF Spokespersons Office) On Friday, we reported in Yedioth Ahronoth that a chunk of the Israeli money from the submarine deal made its way into Iranian hands through ThyssenKrupp, which produces the submarines sold to the Navy, as well as the Sa'ar 6-class corvettes. Part of ThyssenKrupps shares are held by the Iran Foreign Investment Company (IFIC), a government-owned company and the main channel for the investment of Iranian government funds around the world, mainly through two subsidiaries. The Iranian involvement raised alarming questions regarding a possible exposure of the Iranian shareholders to one of the IDFs most classified projects. On Friday, after the report was published, we approached the Defense Ministry again and received the same answer. This repeated itself on Saturday evening and on Sunday. By then, however, we already reported that information about the Iranian connection had been delivered to the defense establishment more than a decade ago. Only on Monday morning, after being asked about it, Lieberman said: The issue was known. Many things were decided long before I arrived at the Defense Ministry. In any event, it has no impact. There was no other alternative. Following his comments, the ministrys response changed as well: A thorough examination conducted in the Defense Ministry over the past few days with the officials in charge of the matter in the ministry revealed that they had known since 2004 that IFIC held 4.5 percent in the German ThyssenKrupp at the time, and the required security cover was provided accordingly. Sources in the Defense Ministry explained that they had discovered the details only during an examination which ended on Monday, and that upon realizing their mistake they changed the response. But a senior security source who was involved in the matter in the previous decade told Yedioth Ahronoth on Monday that he was amazed by the ministrys statement on Friday. The Director of Security of the Defense Establishment knew about the Iranian involvement, as did all the relevant officials in the defense establishment. We worked with the Germans so that the secrets would be kept and that we would know how to supervise them as well, the source said. Israel didnt really have many alternatives apart from the Germans, he added. It was the best product, they gave us a discount, and there was a concern that if we bought from a different European country, like Britain or France, they might impose sanctions on us for diplomatic reasons and the project would be stopped. He admitted that they knew there was a problem trading with Iran, especially because of the money Iran would make out of the deal in an era in which Israel fights to thwart such trade ties, but added that it was the least worst option. Nebraska's largest farm advocacy group and Gov. Pete Ricketts took drastically different approaches to calling for property tax relief this week. Ricketts said on Tuesday he wants Nebraskas county assessors to be more selective with how they value property, following the Nebraska Farm Bureau's call to shift the state's tax burden from property to sales taxes. The Nebraska Department of Revenue plans to issue assessment guidelines next week for throwing out certain types of sales that artificially drive up the market value of land, Ricketts announced during a news conference Tuesday at the Nebraska Farm Bureaus annual convention in Kearney. We have high property taxes. USA Today ranks us the fifth worse state for property taxes, Ricketts said. The situation were in has developed over 10 years as ag land valuations have risen dramatically. Sales prices are one factor county assessors use to calculate land values, which are then used to figure property tax bills. Higher assessments typically mean higher tax bills. Ricketts focused on agricultural land saying values are being thrown out of whack by land sold at a premium because of issues like special financing, land trades for tax advantages, recreation and once-in-a-lifetime sales that create bidding wars. The Department of Revenue directive will provide county assessors with guidance about which sales to throw out when calculating values, Ricketts said. Ricketts said he remains committed to existing Property Tax Credit Relief Fund levels but didnt address calls from the Nebraska Farm Bureau to shift an additional $600 million toward property tax relief by increasing the state sales tax by a percentage point and doing away with sales tax exemptions for things like food, internet sales and other goods and services. Ag industry shouts for property tax relief have been increasing in volume for years as farmers and ranchers struggle to make ends meet in the face of low prices for row crops and livestock. Farmers expect to lose money on virtually every ear of corn harvested this year, and most other commodities are faring little better or worse. With 2016 coming to a close, farmers have seen three consecutive years of declining profits, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. National net farm income, a measure of agricultures profitability, is expected to slump to $66.9 billion, a 17.2 percent decrease from last year. While farmers' income has dropped, their tax bills have not. Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson said during an interview that the governors announcement on assessments is a good thing, but farmers need more relief. There has been a shift during the past decade, Nelson said, putting a greater burden on the shoulders of property owners to fund local government and services, including schools, law enforcement and local roads. In Nebraska, he said, property taxes make up 48 percent of contributions to funding government and public infrastructure, followed by income taxes (33 percent) and state sales tax revenue (19 percent). Nelson said it would take a nearly $1.1 billion shift from property to sales tax to bring equality to the system and rebalance the three-legged stool. It would be politically difficult to get that amount in one year, he added, which is why the Farm Bureau is asking the Legislature to consider about half that. Farm Bureau figures dont take into account local option sales taxes or other taxes like the gas tax. U.S. Census Bureau records of Nebraskas taxes show that combined local and state sales tax make up 30 percent of funding, property taxes 35 percent and income taxes and local tax revenue 27 percent with the remainder from other sources, according to a breakdown provided by the OpenSky Policy Institute. Becky Gould, executive director of social justice advocacy group Nebraska Appleseed, agreed Nebraska needs tax reform but said pitting two sections of the tax code against each other as the Farm Bureau proposes isnt the best way to get it. It would make more sense to take a look at the whole of our tax code and make sure, as we rebalance things, were not taking anything off the table, she said. Income tax should be part of the conversation, too. Gould said sales taxes hit working families' pocketbooks harder. A sales tax on food can be particularly harmful to low-income families, Gould said. We do have a lot of families who are already struggling to put enough food on the table as it is. Under the Farm Bureau plan, all revenue raised by an increase in the state sales tax, which currently is 5.5 percent, would be shifted to the states property tax relief fund and distributed according to existing rules. A Syrian military official said Wednesday that Israel attacked the Mezzeh Air Base in western Damascus, causing a series of explosions in the early hours of the morning. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "The Israeli enemy launched at 3am several surface-to-surface missiles from Lebanese territory towards western Tel Abu Al Nada. The missiles fell in the area of the Mezzeh Air Base. As a result, fires broke out at the base with no injuries," the official told SANA, the Assad regime's official news agency. The Hezbollah-affiliated Al Mayadeen TV channel reported that Israel attacked military posts inside the air base overnight, with its planes firing missiles from Lebanese airspace. According to the report, loud explosions were heard as a result of the attack for half an hour. Fire at the Almaza Air Base Meanwhile, the English-language Al-Masdar News site, which is believed to have close ties to the Syrian regime, claimed the explosions were not caused by an Israeli attack, but rather by a fire that broke outapparently at one of the base's arms or ammunition depots. Lebanese news site Elnashra reported the claims that Israel attacked a command center and a runway at the air base, but it too was unable to confirm the reports. The TV news networks Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya, affiliated with the rebels fighting to topple the regime in Syria, also reported on the explosions but did not determine the reason behind them. Al Arabiya did, however, quote officials who claimed the explosions to be the result of an Israeli attack. The Mezzeh Air Base is considered one of the most secure regime-held areas of the Syrian capital and houses several arms and ammunition depots. Last week, Arab media reported that Israel attacked a Syrian army outpost and a Hezbollah arms convoy not far from the highway connecting Damascus and Beirut. Both attacks were reportedly carried out by aircraft flying over Lebanese airspace. The IDF declined to confirm or deny the reports, merely stating: "We do not respond to foreign reports." WASHINGTON - US President-elect Donald Trump sold all of his stocks in June as he plunged into the costly general election campaign, his transition team abruptly announced Tuesday. His advisers provided no proof of the transactions and would not explain the apparent sell-off. The announcement comes amid swirling questions about potential conflicts of interest between Trump's expansive financial holdings and the decisions that will reach his desk as president. Some details of Trump's finances are unknown given that he never released his tax returns during the presidential campaign, breaking decades of precedent. On Tuesday, Trump said the government should cancel its multibillion-dollar order with Boeing for new Air Force One presidential planes. Asked on a conference call with reporters whether Trump had investments in Boeing, spokesman Jason Miller said the president-elect had sold all of his stocks in June. Trump's campaign did not announce the sell-off at the time, despite the fact that it could have been politically advantageous for the businessman to be seen taking steps to avoid potential conflicts of interest. MOSCOW - The Russian defense ministry says a Russian colonel who worked as a military adviser in the government-controlled part of the Syrian city of Aleppo has died in rebel shelling. The fatality marks Russia's third casualty this week, after two nurses were killed in a rocket attack on a makeshift Russian military hospital in Aleppo. The ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that Col. Ruslan Galitsky was wounded in rebel shelling of a government-controlled neighborhood several days earlier and has died of wounds. The Syrian government and its ally Russia have rejected a cease-fire for the war-torn city, keeping up the military offensive amid rebel retreats and massive displacement of Aleppo civilians. The Prime Minister's Office insisted on Tuesday that neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor the National Security Council knew of the Iranian government's investment in the German-based ThyssenKrupp , which signed a lucrative deal with Israel. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter On Tuesday afternoon, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman admitted that his ministry has known since 2004 that an Iranian government-owned foreign investment company holds almost five percent of the shares in ThyssenKrupp, which is contracted to build three submarines and four warships for the Israeli Navy. "The issue was known," Lieberman told the Knesset's Finance Committee on Tuesday, only days after his ministry denied having any such knowledge during the time of the transaction. Netanyahu tours INS Rahav submarine (Photo: Reuters) "Many things were decided before I got to the Defense Ministry, but at the end of the day whoever looks over the protocolsincluding the cabinet and the National Security Councilwill see that this is not what it seems. The reality and the facts are far from what we hear in the media. In any event, it was known and it has no impact," he insisted. "The State of Israel had no other alternative." The Prime Minister's Office explained that military acquisition deals were done by the Defense Ministry. Officials in Netanyahu's close circle added that the warning from Israel's intelligence community of the Iranian-bought shares in ThyssenKrupp and of the danger that classified information could leak to Tehran came in 2004when Ariel Sharon was prime minister. When asked when Netanyahu learned of Iran's involvement in the company, officials at the PMO said: "On Friday, from the report in Yedioth Ahronoth." Netanyahu is not the only one to claim he did not know of Iran's investment in ThyssenKrupp. On Tuesday night, a member of the security cabinet also said he and his fellow ministers were not briefed on the matter, noting the issue caused a lot of embarrassment among the ministers. Defense officials who were involved in negotiations over the deal insisted on Tuesday that out of all the options on the table, this was the least bad one. MOSCOW -- The Kremlin said on Wednesday that a potential US-Russia deal to allow Syrian rebels to safely leave Aleppo was still on the agenda, but that no talks were planned between the two countries for now. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call that Russian and US experts were in contact about Syria, but said he was not aware of any talks being planned at a higher level. Very few rebels had quit Aleppo so far, said Peskov, who described those who were left there as "terrorists" who were uniting around former Nusra Front fighters. Palestinians have sharply criticized the Regulation Bill, which aims to legalize thousands of Jewish homes built on private Palestinian land in the West Bank. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The legislation passed in the Knesset in a preliminary reading by a vote of 60 to 49. It must pass three more readings before becoming law, the first of which is scheduled for Wednesday. The Palestinian Authority's Foreign Ministry issued a harsh statement that the bill comes in the context of the Israeli right and extreme right wing tightening its control and imposing its unjust and extremist ideology on the joints of the government in Israel. It called on the US to recognize the Palestinian state, and to translate its positions into practical steps that will save the two-state solution of peace and opportunity. Palestinian President Abbas (Photo: AFP) It then lists what those US steps should be: This would include the immediate cessation of settlement building throughout, the US recognizing the State of Palestine, and supporting the draft resolution against settlements in the UN Security Council. Palestinian Executive Committee member Hanan Ashrawi had even harsher words. Such a bill constitutes a legal travesty, she said in a statement. Israel is persistently and willfully legislating outside the realm of international law in order to legalize its criminal settlement agenda, considered a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Ashrawi added. The bill was originally meant as a way to stave off the impending demolition of the outpost of Amona, near the West Bank community of Ofra and not far from Ramallah. The High Court of Justice has ruled that the outpost, which houses 40 families, is built on privately-owned Palestinian land, and must be dismantled by December 25. Israeli officials have been trying to find a solution to Amona for months. One idea is to move the entire outpost to a neighboring hill, but that alternative has encountered both resistance from Amona's residents and legal issues. The current Regulation Bill will not apply to Amona. The newer version of the bill says the state would allow Jewish Israelis who live on privately-owned Palestinian land to use the land, but not to own it. It also applies only to outposts that the government helped establish. Palestinians who can prove ownership of the land would receive compensation. Criticism of the bill came from within Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahus coalition as well as from outside. Benny Begin, a long time Likud parliamentarian and the son of former Prime Minister Menachem Begin, voted against the bill , saying it violates international law. The attorney general had opposed the original version of the bill, saying that it violated international law, and even Netanyahu had said it would do diplomatic damage Article written by Linda Gradstein. LAHORE -- A Pakistani court has charged four men with the murder of a woman social media star, including her brother, but all four deny involvement in her death, their lawyer said on Wednesday. Her brother, Muhammad Waseem, addressed a news conference while in police custody a day after the killing, telling reporters about the need to protect his family's "honour". A cousin, Haq Nawaz, and two other men including taxi driver Abdul Basit and Zafar Khosa were also indicted at a hearing on Monday, said Sardar Zafar Ahmed, defence counsel for all four men. All four pleaded not guilty, Ahmed said. President-elect Donald Trump laid out a US military policy on Tuesday that would avoid interventions in foreign conflicts and instead focus heavily on defeating the Islamic State militancy. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter In the latest stop on a "thank you" tour of states critical to his Nov. 8 election win, Trump introduced his choice for defense secretary, General James Mattis, to a large crowd near the Fort Bragg military base, which has deployed soldiers to 90 countries around the world. "We will stop racing to topple foreign regimes that we know nothing about, that we shouldn't be involved with," Trump said. "Instead, our focus must be on defeating terrorism and destroying ISIS, and we will." President-elect Trump and Marine Corps Gen. (ret.) James Mattis (Photo: AP) Trump's rhetoric was similar to what he said during the election campaign when he railed against the war in Iraq. In Fayetteville, he vowed a strong rebuilding of the US military, which he suggested has been stretched too thin. Instead of investing in wars, he said, he would spend money to build up America's aging roads, bridges and airports. Even so, Trump said he wants to boost spending on the military. To help pay for his buildup, Trump pledged to seek congressional approval for lifting caps on defense spending that were part of "sequestration" legislation that imposed cut spending across the board. "We don't want to have a depleted military because we're all over the place fighting in areas that we shouldn't be fighting in. It's not going to be depleted any longer," he said. American forces (Photo: AFP) Trump said any nation that shares these goals will be considered a US partner. "We don't forget. We want to strengthen old friendships and seek out new friendships," he said. He said the policy of "intervention and chaos" must come to an end. While US armed forces are deployed in various places around the globe, they are only involved currently in active combat in the Middle East, specifically Iraq and Syria. "We will build up our military not as an act of aggression, but as an act of prevention," he said. "In short, we seek peace through strength." Trump described Mattis as the right person for the job and urged Congress to approve a waiver to let him take on the civilian position. Under US law, a military leader must be retired for seven years before becoming eligible to become defense secretary. Photo: EPA Speaking to the crowed, Mattis said, "I look forward to being the civilian leader as long as the Congress gives me the waiver and the Senate votes to consent." "We're going to get you that waiver," Trump said, returning to the microphone. "If you don't get that waiver there are going to be a lot of angry people." A terror cell planning a shooting attack at the Ofra settlement in the West Bank was arrested by the Shin Bet in a joint operation with the IDFs Judea and Samaria Division and Border Police Special Forces units, it was cleared for publication on Wednesday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Shin Bet investigations revealed that the cell, which was comprised of three Palestinian minors, committed four shooting attacks during October and November 2016 using homemade weapons. Scene of previous Ofra terror attack (Photo: TPS) Weapons and vehicles used by the terrorists were seized by security forces during the arrest. The Shin Bet commented that the "attacks the cell planned and committed, which were revealed during the course of the investigation, demonstrate the high level of threat that local terror activities pose, especially with the access to weapons and/or the means to produce them. "The Shin Bet, together with the IDF and Israel Police will continue to act to expose and prevent the activities of terrorist cells." In addition to their arrests of the members of the terrorist cell, IDF Border Patrol also arrested their family members, who were supposedly involved in hiding the weapons used to carry out the attacks. American and British intelligence agencies spied not just on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , but also on Israeli diplomats, academic institutions and Israeli defense companies, Le Monde reported on Wednesday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The French newspaper's report is based on new information from whistleblower Edward Snowden, who copied and leaked classified information from the National Security Agency (NSA) in 2013, revealing the extent of US spying around the worldincluding on its allies and its own citizens. According to Le Monde, the NSA and the British GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) eavesdropped on Israeli diplomats both in Israel and abroad, private Israeli defense companies, Israeli government agencies in charge of international cooperation and research centers at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem known for their high scientific level. NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden (Photo: AP) NSA and GCHQ databases included the phone number of a high ranking official at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, as well as email addresses of Israel's ambassadors to Kenya and Nigeria. MK Ahmad Tibi was also one of the targets. Among the defense companies spied on was Ophir Optronics, which specializes in the field of optical fibers and laser, a field that is becoming more and more central in modern warfare. Snowden's documents also reveal that the American and British agencies spied on the Palestinian Authority as well, eavesdropping on former Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qurei (known as Abu Alaa) and monitoring Palestinian diplomats in France, Belgium , Portugal , Pakistan, South Africa and Malaysia among others. BENGHAZI -- Libyan militias that were expelled from the eastern city of Benghazi are now advancing toward the country's vital oil terminals, seeking to establish control over Libya's primary revenue source. The so-called Benghazi Defense Force launched its assault on Wednesday, taking over three eastern towns including the al-Sidra terminal, according to lawmaker Tarek al-Jaroushi, who is the head of the national security committee in the internationally-recognized parliament. DUBAI -- British Prime Minister Theresa May and leaders from six Gulf Arab countries agreed Wednesday to counter Iran's "destabilizing activities," a pledge meant to calm nerves following the nuclear deal with world powers. The decision came at the end of a two-day summit in Bahrain of the Gulf Cooperation Council, a regional bloc of Western-allied countries including the tiny island nation, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. "There is no military solution to the region's armed civil conflicts," the communique read. Concern over Iran remains for the GCC, whose member nations have bulked up their own militaries as a deterrent. For her part, May said that all parties must "work together to push back against Iran's aggressive regional actions, whether in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Syria or in the Gulf itself." Germany urged Israel in unusually strong language on Wednesday to scrap legislation that would legalize Israeli settlement homes built on private Palestinian land in the West Bank, saying this would break international law. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Germany tends to be more reserved than other European nations in its criticism of Israel due to the legacy of the Nazi Holocaust, but it has objected in the past few years to Israeli settlement expansion on land Palestinians claim for a state. Photo: Reuters Israel's parliament gave initial approval on Monday to a revised bill on the settlement homes, a move that has drawn international condemnation and follows the victory in the November 8 US presidential election of Donald Trump, one of whose aides has hinted at a more tolerant US stance on settlements. A German Foreign Ministry spokesman told a government news conference: "We're extremely concerned about this development and have noted with consternation statements made by Israeli government officials during this debate. "Such a bill violates international law," he said, adding that Israel would undermine its commitment to finding a "two-state solution"a Palestinian state in territory Israel captured in the 1967 Six Day Warif the bill were passed. Amona (Photo: AFP) Asked whether Germany and the European Union should punish Israel with economic or diplomatic sanctions, the spokesman said: "We don't think that sanctions would be the right path in this case to make headway in the Middle East peace process." The last round of US-brokered Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed in April 2014, with settlements among the key issues. Israel's Knesset voted 60-49 in favor of the amended bill on Monday. It must pass three more votes at unspecified future dates before becoming law. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took a gamble this week by voting for the measure, risking international censure and possibly legal action in order to appease far-right members of his coalition who have been emboldened by Trump's election. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Wednesday that Israel was working to thwart the transfer of advanced weapons and WMDs from Syria to Hezbollah. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Lieberman's comments to European Union ambassadors in Israel were made after the Syrian regime once again accused Israel of attacking its military facilities early Wednesday. "We act primarily to protect the safety of our citizens and defend our sovereignty, and we're trying to prevent the smuggling of sophisticated weapons, military equipment and weapons of mass destruction from Syria to Hezbollah," the defense minister said. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman (Photo: Saban Forum) He reiterated that Israel had no intention of interfering in the civil war in Syria, but noted that "when I am asked, time and time again, what should be the nature of a possible future accord in Syria, I say and repeat that it doesn't matter what accord it reached because in any case, the Iranians and Assad cannot be part of the accord." The defense minister also told the European ambassadors that cooperation between Hamas in Gaza and the Islamic State's Sinai branch has increased in recent months. "In today's world, it's clear you cannot count on the international community, and each country should only rely on itself," he said. Lieberman meeting with EU ambassadors to Israel (Photo: Ariel Hermoni, Defense Ministry) On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Lieberman said it would not be realistic or possible to reach a permanent accord with the Palestinians in the coming years because of the extreme positions of Palestinian Authority leader Mahdmoud Abbas. "That's why the idea of a final-status agreement will be delayed by at least a few years, and in the meanwhile we need to allow for normal life in Judea and Samaria for both Jews and Palestinians," he said. He asserted that "it's clear today that the settlements are not an obstacle to peace and that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not the center or the reason of instability in the Middle East. Despite that, European leaders continue treating it as the biggest problem in the world." Lieberman lamented the fact that "at least 500 people are killed in the Middle East every dayfrom South Sudan to Iraq. It's a lot graver and more important than what's happening in Amona, but you don't see any mention of it in European media." "It's hypocritical of you to keep talking about the settlements all the time," he added. "I'm waiting for you to start talking about North Korea and Iran's ballistic missiles." BEIRUT -- The Lebanese army on Wednesday said it had arrested four people in connection with the fatal shooting of a soldier and the wounding of a second on Sunday at a military installation in northern Lebanon. Four people were arrested in dawn raids in Beqaa Safrin, the town where the attack took place, and weapons used in the shooting were seized, an army statement carried by the state National News Agency said. An army source said the men were Lebanese and belonged to an Islamic State militant cell. A Somali official says security forces have recaptured a port town from ISIS-linked fighters in the semi-autonomous state of Puntland. Yusuf Mohamed, the governor of Puntland's commercial hub of Bossaso, says 30 militants and four soldiers were killed during the operation Wednesday to recapture Qandala. Residents confirmed that troops entered the town after fighters retreated into nearby villages. The seizure of Qandala in October had been the first victory for the ISIS-linked fighters, who are expanding the areas under their control amid a rivalry with the homegrown al-Shabab extremist group. Forty families from the Amona outpost which the High Court of Justice has ordered be evacuated at the end of the month will be transferred to temporary caravans in the adjacent settlement of Ofra and perhaps relocated to a new settlement, as part of a new possible solution to the ongoing crisis. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The new proposal comes in the wake of legal objections raised in the last 24 hours to an initial solution approved by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit according to which the residents would be enabled to move their homes to a location around 300 meters north of the outpost. In the meantime, a new settlement is set to be established for the evacuated residents near Shvut Rachel in the Binyamin region. Protest by Amona residents According to the new haphazard plans, which are now being consolidated with the Civil Administration, 20 families will be temporarily transferred to vacant lands in Ofra while the other 20 families will be transferred to lodgings in the settlement. The Attorney Generals Office says this is one solution being discussed among a series of alternatives, while the Defense Ministry continues to search for other possibilities. Legal officials involved in the issue have said that the temporary solution involving caravans and populating Shvut Rachel as a permanent solution currently represent the most plausible outcome. Upon realizing that the solution to which the government had agreed was expected to fail, the Civil Administration hurried to establish the new structures in Ofra. The plan is expected to be completed over the coming 24 hours and afterward will be reviewed by the government. For their part, the residents have objected to any relocation of their homes, including to Ofra or waiting for the establishment of a new settlement. According to the residents, the only solution is the Regulation Bill which includes the controversial Clause 7 which was struck from the original bill proposal since it demanded the retroactive legalization of Amona despite the fact that the courts had already ruled on the matter. From our point of view, only the Regulation Bill is the only solution. Or we will see here a nasty evacuation, the Amona official warned. Meanwhile, Germany urged Israel, in unusually strong language on Wednesday, to scrap legislation altogether, arguing that it would break international law. A court has ruled that 26-year-old Hilal Azazia will remain in custody until Sunday for falsely passing himself off as a medical doctor to over 300 patients at Sheba Medical Center's emergency room, over a period of a month-and-a-half. Police suspects that Azazia carried out such invasive procedures as drawing blood and inserting IVs. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Azazia (R) and the emergency room at Sheba Medical Center (Photo: Ofer Amram) Azazia would apparently photograph himself in the hospital's different examination rooms while wearing a lab coat and a stethoscope. An emergency room worker claimed that after Azazia realized that an investigation had been opened into his conduct, he erased his Facebook page. Azazia had worked in the past at Sheba Medical Center' as a nursing student, but was fired several months ago. Despite "treating" patients for some time, a member of the medical staff filed a complaint only this week. He was reportedly arrested shortly thereafter. Police officers arrived at the emergency room on Wednesday to question the staff and try to establish what procedures Azazia had performed on patients. Patients at the emergency room expressed their concerns over the case, but said that they felt relieved after hearing of his arrest. Among other things, Azazia is suspected of pretending to be a public servant, a medical doctor and of fraud. Extending his arrest until Sunday, a judge at the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court stated that "The impression received from the case does not (explain) the liberty, oversight and kinds of procedures that the suspect had supposedly carried out." A police representative said that Azazia has accepted having carried out the actions he is accused of performing. Azazia's legal council, attorney Merav Ben Shabat, attempted to minimize the severity of her client's actions. "Everything was done under medical supervision. He didn't perform any surgical actions, only simple blood pressure exams." She also claimed that he arrived at the emergency room as a volunteer, and that those in charge were informed of his presence. Sheba Medical Center issued a statement regarding the matter assuring that "The issue is under police investigation, and we are cooperating fully." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday over the phone. He told Hollande that if the upcoming international peace conference slated for in Paris will be canceled, Netanyahu will agree to sit with Palestinian President Mahnoud Abbas directly, without insisting on preconditions. Netanyahu's statement repeats past statements he has made, in which he had already expressed a willingness to meet with Abbas without preconditions. One such statement, for example, was made by Netanyahu during a recent United Nations speech. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed French President Francois Hollande in a telephone call Wednesday evening of his willingness to fly to Paris to engage in direct talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas without preconditions. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Netanyahus suggestion was made as an alternative to the French-initiated international peace conference, in which the Israeli prime minister has already announced his countrys refusal to participate, based on the premise that it will not contribute to peace. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Francois Hollande (Photo: AFP) If the conference did not take place, Netanyahu told Hollande that he would fly to the French capital to meet with Abbas without preconditionsa long-held line espoused by the Israeli premier. Last month, a number of Western diplomats told Arab media outlets that the election of Donald Trump to the US presidency nudged France into retreating from the initiative, which was set to take place before the years end. Despite the claims, however, Abbas advisor Husam Zomlot, who is slated to become the the next Palestinian ambassador to the United States, said that Elysee Palace and the French president already confirmed the date on which the international peace conference would take place, and that Paris was already setting the wheels in motion to bringing about its implementation. Netanyahu shakes hands with Mahmoud Abbas (Photo: GPO) The remarks of the Western diplomats came after different reports claiming that France decided to temporarily abort the initiative following heavy international and Israeli pressure. According to the diplomats, the French decision, which has yet to have been officially confirmed, mainly stems from the election of President-elect Donald Trump, but also the general indifference displayed by the current US administration. Paris has remained determined to stage the conference. It believes that bringing the two leaders to meet with Hollande a day after the conference would be a way of circumventing Israeli accusations that the French initiative aims to impose a multilateral solution. France has repeatedly tried to breathe new life into the Israeli-Palestinian peace process this year, holding a preliminary conference in June where the United Nations, European Union, United States and major Arab countries gathered to discuss proposals without the Israelis or Palestinians present. The conference of foreign ministers was aimed at agreeing on a joint statement that would reaffirm the two-state solution on the basis of pre-1967 borders and according to Security Council resolutions, diplomats said. "We have to recreate the conditions for a two-state solution and we are determined more than ever to do everything to implement our initiative. The sooner the better," Ayrault told reporters at a news conference with his Spanish counterpart, Alfonso Dastis. Ayrault confirmed that invitations had been sent to Netanyahu and Abbas to attend a face-to-face meeting. Diplomats said that Hollande was also planning to call US President Barack Obama to discuss the issue. Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah said the Palestinians welcomed "any French effort to salvage the faltering political process." The last, US-backed talks ended in failure in April 2014, and the outgoing US administration appears unwilling to tackle the issue before President-elect Donald Trump takes over in January. With Obama wary of being seen picking a fight at a time when he hopes to persuade Trump to preserve parts of his legacy, including the Iran nuclear deal, Obamacare and the opening to Cuba, it is not clear whether the United States will attend a new meeting in Paris. In New York, diplomats at the United Nations said Arab state ministers were due to meet next week to discuss a Palestinian push for a UN resolution on settlements and were likely to decide the content of a draft text and when it would be circulated to the Security Council. Diplomats said New Zealand was also working on a draft UN resolution on the Middle East peace process that would reaffirm the Security Council's commitment to a two-state solution. Two Hamas terrorists were killed while working on an attack tunnel intended for an infiltration from Gaza into Israel collapsed in the territory near the border with Israel, according to a statement issued by the group. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter A Hamas tunnel leading from Gaza (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit) Gaza's Health Ministry said another Palestinian was injured in the incident. Hamas said they were working in a "resistance tunnel." Hamas is currently trying to rebuild its vast underground tunnel network that was decimated in the 2014 war in Gaza between Hamas and Israel. More than a dozen have reportedly died during the last year. Hamas overtook Gaza by force in 2007 after routing troops loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and has since fought three wars with Israel. Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - On Monday, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the Yuma Police Department assisted the U.S. Marshals with attempting to locate Dandre Norman. Norman was seen driving a 1997 Ford F150 pickup truck in the 2500 block of West 8th Street. A Yuma Police Department marked patrol unit attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the Ford F-150 driven by Dandre NORMAN, but he immediately sped up failing to stop. The attempted traffic stop was terminated. A short time later, Norman collided into another vehicle with the Ford F-150 in the 1800 block South Madison Avenue. Norman fled on foot and a perimeter was set up. Norman was located in the front yard of a vacant residence in the 1800 block of Maple Avenue. Norman was processed and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center without further incident. Washington: President elect-Donald Trump has called for cancellation of a brand new 747 Air Force One, which is being built by Boeing. Trump, who is set to take over US presidency, claims the new aircraft to be too expensive. In a Twitter post earlier Trump said: Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order! Meanwhile, reacting to Trump's tweet, the White House defended the deal of new Air Force One aircrafts with Boeing company. White House press secretary Josh Earnest said: "I think the American people would expect that future presidents would benefit from unique and upgraded capabilities while flying aboard Air Force One." Converting a pair of 747-8 jumbo jets to state-of-the-art luxury command centers by 2024 had been estimated to cost USD 3 billion when Boeing was picked for the job in January 2015. The legendary light blue and white liveried jets -- "United States of America" emblazoned on the fuselage and an American flag on the tail -- are a powerful symbol of US might. The two 747-200 aircrafts currently used as Air Force One has been in flight since the Reagon era in 1980s. Though the two planes have been heavily modified, they are due to reach the end of their planned 30-year life in 2017. In 2009, President Barack Obama halted a project to replace the Marine One helicopters that ferry the president. Costs had soared to nearly USD 11.5 billion after the 28 helicopters were ordered in 2005. White House: President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Iowa Governor Terry Branstad to serve as the next US ambassador to China, the media reported on Wednesday. Branstad's nomination evoked a positive response from Beijing, which hailed him as "old friend", signalling that his appointment might help in calming tensions with China heightened by Trump over the past week. A Bloomberg report, citing anonymous people close to the matter, said that Branstad had accepted the offer. The Iowa governor had met with the Republican billionaire earlier on Tuesday at Trump Tower in New York. Afterward, Branstad, 70, declined to comment about whether he had been offered a job, telling reporters only that he is excited about a Trump presidency and the "quality of the people that he`s attracting to the cabinet." Branstad has known Chinese President Xi Jinping since 1985, when Xi visited Iowa as a provincial official, Bloomberg reported. Branstad has since visited China several times and gave a dinner for Xi in Des Moines in 2012 nine months before he became Chinese president. Branstad was also an early supporter of Trump`s campaign. His son Eric served as the state director for the real estate tycoon`s campaign in Iowa. News of Branstad`s nomination comes amid new tensions with China after Trump smashed almost four decades of diplomatic protocol last week by speaking directly to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. The move risked a serious rift with Beijing by calling into question one of its self-described "core interests" -- the "One China" policy. Tsai`s conversation with Trump was the result of months of lobbying by Taiwan, The New York Times reported. China regards self-ruling Taiwan as part of its own territory awaiting reunification under Beijing`s rule. After China protested to Washington at Trump`s breach, the president-elect responded with a Twitter broadside accusing Beijing of currency manipulation and militarizing the South China Sea. During his campaign this year, Trump also accused China of trying to "rape our country" with unfair trade policies. United Nations: Alarmed by prevailing escalation of tensions with India along the Line of Control(LoC), Pakistan told United Nations on Tuesday to play its role to resolve Kashmir issue and help in de-escalating tensions with India. Pakistan blamed India for closing door on any bilateral engagement and told top United Nations officials that the world has a 'moral responsibility' to settle apprehension with India. Syed Tariq Fatemi, a special subordinate on Pakistan Foreign Affairs, met UN Secretary General-designate Antonio Guterres, Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson and Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffery Feltman during his day-long visit to the city According to press release issued by Pakistan, Fatemi told the top UN leaders that Indian forces had stepped up ceasefire violations on the Line of Control and the Working Boundary to divert international attention from the alleged human rights atrocities, particularly the targeting of civilians, in Kashmir. "India had also closed the doors on any bilateral engagement. In this situation, the UN had a moral responsibility to call for ending human rights violations" in Kashmir, "play its role in resolution of this long festering dispute and help in immediately de-escalating tensions", he said, according to the release. Fatemi, accompanied by Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi, said, Pakistan expected the United Nation to play its role in ensuring peace and stability in the South Asian region, especially in the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He said while Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had reached out to India and made efforts to develop a mutually beneficial relationship, the efforts were not being reciprocated by New Delhi. Fatemi had also briefed the UN officials about alleged human rights violations by Indian forces on the Kashmiri people. He also said, indigenous uprising in Kashmir had led to the killing of over a hundred people and injuries to thousands. The press release said that the UN leadership called for resumption of dialogue and de-escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan added that Eliasson expressed concern at the regional situation and called for the lowering of tensions. On Afghanistan, Fatemi said Pakistan was ready to play its part for peace and stability in the country. Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tribute to former Rajya Sabha member Cho Ramaswamy (82), who died at Apollo Hospital in Chennai on Wednesday. Fondly addressed as Cho, the veteran journalist and political commentator was suffering from illness and breathed his last at around 4 am. He is survived by wife, son and daughter. Taking to Twitter, the PM described Cho Ramaswamy as insightful, frank and brilliant. PM Modi further called Cho a multidimensional personality, towering intellectual, great nationalist. Late Tamil Nadu chief minister and AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa was a good friend of Ramaswamy and used to seek his views. Notably, Jayalalithaa passed away on Monday and at the same hospital. Ramaswamy was founder editor of Thuglak magazine and was known as a satirist. He had acted in many movies and featured with top actors like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. Here's what PM Narendra Modi tweeted: Cho Ramaswamy was a multidimensional personality, towering intellectual, great nationalist & fearless voice who was respected and admired. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 7, 2016 Above all, Cho Ramaswamy was a dear friend. I have been to his annual readers meeting which were an unprecedented editor reader interface. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 7, 2016 Cho Ramaswamy was insightful, frank & brilliant. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family & countless readers of Thuglak. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 7, 2016 Meanwhile, superstar Rajinikanth and actors Ajith and Suriya were among the first celebrities from Tamil filmdom to pay homage to the well-known actor. A multi-faceted personality Ramaswamy a law graduate, was also a play writer and a stage actor. He has also directed several movies and was also a screen play writer. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Obituaries Newsletter Sign up to get the most recent local obituaries delivered to your inbox. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Berlin: While marking her pitch for a fourth term on Tuesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, has called for 'Burkha' ban in the country, said refugee crisis must never be repeated. "The full veil is not appropriate here, it should be forbidden wherever that is legally possible. It does not belong to us," she said at the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) gathering. It's not the first time that party leaders have proposed banning the Islamic dress, with Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere also calling for the veil to barred from public places in August. Dutch MPs voted for a similar prohibition in the Netherlands in November, covering public transport, education, healthcare and government buildings and punishing fractions with fines. Support for bans on 'Burkha' has been growing across Europe since France became first country to implement such a law in 2011, followed by countries including Belgium, Bulgaria and parts of Switzerland. Markel is active and unobstructed for a new term leading the CDU to launch her bid for a fourth term as German Chancellor. In 2014, she had won the support of 96.7 per cent of party delegates, one of her best results. But due to growing anti-migrant sentiment in the country and the arrival of one million asylum seekers in the continuing refugee crisis, her popularity has been dented. Merkel has broadly been criticized for her accommodation to make borders accessible in September 2015. Opponents had blamed Merkel for the policy of mass sexual assaults on New Year's Eve in Cologne and two terror attacks by Islamic State supporters. The Hague: Alan Tieger, a prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, has called for sentencing Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb general accused of war crimes including the 1995 genocide of thousands of Muslims in the town of Srebrenica, to life in prison. 74-year-old Mladic has been charged with two counts of genocide related to the war to carve an ethnically pure Serb state out of multi-ethnic Bosnia, alongside Bosnian Serb political leader Radovan Karadzic, sentenced in March to 40 years` prison. Mladic, however, denies the charges. "It would be an insult to victims living and dead and an affront to justice to impose any sentence less than the severest available under the law - a life sentence," said Tieger. Berlin: Three teenage boys accused of a jihadist bomb attack on an Indian wedding that left a Sikh priest badly wounded went on trial in Germany on Wednesday. All three extremists of 16 years-old at the time, allegedly set off a home-made bomb in April outside a prayer hall where a Sikh wedding was taking place, also leaving two others with lesser injuries. The accused youths were born in Germany, had met on social media after being radicalised by ultra-extreme Salafist Muslims, and got together to accomplish the attack in the western city limits of Essen. Prosecutors allegation that they had sought to kill "non-believers" with a device they had built from a fire extinguisher shell and chemicals ordered from online shopping site Amazon. All three accused face charges including attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm. Neriman Yaman, the mother of one of the accused, the now 17-year-old Yusuf, has described her torment as she watched her young son become radicalised in the book "My Son, the Salafist". The Turkish-born author describes how she pursued help from mosques and state authorities as her son from age 14 turned to a fundamentalist version of Islam. She says Yusuf started speaking in verses, watched Arabic-language preachers online, joined a group that handed out Korans on the street and married a teenage girl wearing a burqa. Yusuf even joined a de-radicalisation programme run by the German domestic security agency BfV, she recounts, but allegedly went on to commit the attack anyway. "As parents we were powerless," she later told journalists. "The another side was stronger than us ... The only comfort in this huge misfortune is that no-one has died." Chandigarh: Ahead of 'Sarbat Khalsa' (grand assembly of Sikhs), Punjab Police have detained senior leaders and activists of radical Sikh organisations. Also, police officials conducted raids to round up other radical leaders as well. Among those detained were Gurdeep Singh, Parminder Singh and 30 others from Bathinda district. 'Sarbat Khalsa' Radical Sikh organisations and leaders have called for a 'Sarbat Khalsa' in the Sikh religious town of Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district on December 8. The congregation has been called just before assembly elections early next year. Radical Sikhs on November 10 last year announced the appointment of convicted Khalistan terrorist Jagtar Singh Hawara as the Jathedar (chief) of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikh religion. The congregation of radicals held in Chaba near Amritsar had also announced the "removal" of all Sikh high priests. Hawara was convicted in the assassination conspiracy of then Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, who was killed by a human bomb in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995. Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali Dal later rejected all the resolutions passed at the unofficial 'Sarbat Khalsa'. The Akali Dal termed the congregation as "a gathering of anti-Panthic forces". Allahabad: A petition challenging the election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency on Wednesday was dismissed by the Allahabad High Court. Justice Vikram Nath, single bench Judge, allowed the preliminary objection raised by PM Modi's counsel and rejected the petition of Ajay Rai, Congress MLA who had lost in the elections in 2014. "No material has been placed on record to make the petition triable," the judge said. The Allahabad High Court reckoned the view that the petition was "half- hearted" and termed as "vague and bald statements, based on media reports" the allegations by Ajay Rai about the expenditure on PM Modi's campaign being far in excess of permissible limits. Washington: The Modi government's tough stand on regulating the flow of foreign funds to NGOs in the country has found opposition among a section of US lawmakers, who have now expressed concern over the alleged curbs. Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the powerful House Foreign Relations Committee said, "It is my hope that by bringing attention to this issue, as were doing here today, the 145,000 children will not be tragically denied the services they desperately need, and that American families....can continue to send the USD 38 a month for food and education fees to the poorest of the poor. The clout of Christian NGOs in the US administration can also be gauged from the fact that US Secretary of State John Kerry had raised the same issue with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during his visit to New Delhi in September. Among the organisations that are under the watch of the Indian government is Compassion International (CI) and Kerry had singled out its case while seeking a re-look from the government of India. CI also featured prominently in Royce's statement. "In India, it (CI) is the single largest contributor of aid for children living in extreme poverty," he said. "We have spent nine months and hundreds of hours dealing with the Indian bureaucracy on this, and it looks like the bureaucracy is trying to run out the clock," Royce said. Compassion International is a Christian charity organisation which is often accused of being engaged in religious conversions in India. Mission of Compassion International Compassion's website defines its mission: Our three Cs distinguish us. Christ Centered. Child Focused. Church Based. A blog post on the website on Compassion's work in South America talks about the importance of church planting. So, what does Compassion have to do with church planting? Well, there is a common challenge in many countries where we work. We know where children are living in extreme poverty. We also know that 85% of people who follow Jesus Christ choose to do so between ages of 4-14. However, there are often no local Christ-centered churches in their communities or no church that intentionally disciples children, a blog post on the importance of church planting explains. Interestingly, the India page only speaks only about its holistic child development program and says that a curb on its activities will impact the lives of more than 130,000 babies, children and young adults. John L. Allen Jr, Editor, Cruxnow.com, a website that covers the Catholic Church, explained CI's motto in these words: Compassion International is, beyond any doubt, a distinctly Christian charitable enterprise. Its motto, after all, is, releasing children from poverty in Jesus name. He goes on to attribute the restrictions on NGOs to the rise of Hindu nationalism after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister. However, the Indian Government has maintained that its policies are not aimed at any one particular NGO and all that it expects the NGOs to do is to 'follow the rules'. American Hindus oppose Congressional hearing on NGO issue A top Hindu American outfit has opposed the Congressional hearing on Compassion International's troubles in India. Calling it "an undue endorsement" of one religion over other, Suhag Shukla, executive director of the Hindu American Foundation said, We believe that Compassion International's claim that it is a humanitarian organisation only, while its publicly stated mission is evangelisation, is disingenuous." We are deeply concerned that diplomatic and congressional efforts on its behalf could be interpreted as a tacit approval of work that contradicts our nation's principles of religious freedom and pluralism," Shukla said after the House Foreign Relations Committee held the hearing. It also compromises "our ability to enforce compliance of US laws by foreign nationals and American credibility regarding commitment to law and order given Compassion International's disregard, at best, and circumventing, at worst, of Indian law," she said. Moreover, advocating specifically on behalf of Compassion International may signal the American government's tacit approval of predatory and ethically questionable tactics targeting children for religious conversion," she said. With agency inputs New Delhi: An Educational institutions to take global ranking process "seriously" to level up top ranks in international rating agency reports and said there was no lack of excellence or merit among teachers and students of the country, President Pranab Mukherjee told on Wednesday. While speaking at the Founder's Day celebration at St Stephen's College, President Pranab Mukherjee expressed happiness that two Indian institutions figured in top 200 in the world and hoped that many more will follow soon. "He said that in every educational congregation he has emphasised on the fact that Indian institutions should take the ranking process seriously in order to find a place in the top ranks in reports by international rating agencies. This is because we have excellent faculty members as well as brilliant students and do not lack in merit," a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson said quoting Mukherjee. The spokesperson said the President emphasised on providing necessary skills, education and training to the young population to ensure availability of world job market to them, otherwise the demographic dividend will turn into a "liability." The country should have growth along with increasing opportunities for employment, he added. The President said it was important to create an atmosphere of research and innovation as well as a spirit of questioning in educational institutions. Expressing happiness on being part of Founder's Day Celebration of the 135-year-old institution, Mukherjee urged the students of the College that through whatever position they occupy in society in future, they should contribute towards solving the problems of the people of the country, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson added, the president also pointed to the need of solving the problem of energy deficiency without disturbing the environment. Lt Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung was also present in the function. St Stephen's observes death anniversary of Canon Samule Scott Allnutt, December 7, as its Founder's Day. (With PTI inputs) Delhi: Delhi police Cyber Cell on Wednesday received reply from Twitter on IP address used by suspects who hacked Rahul Gandhi and Congress' Twitter handle saying that it was operated from five countries. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) Anyesh Roy told IANS, "The countries identified are Sweden, Romania, the US, Canada and Thailand. The Delhi Police Cyber Cell received information on a mail from Twitter about the IP addresses used by the suspects. We have tracked some of the IP addresses and are trying to trace the suspects who used them. We are verifying them online and through other methods." On November 30, Congress vice president's official Twitter account was hacked and some expletives-laden tweets were posted. After the hacking, Congress had raised questions on the digital safety of all Indians. Gandhi's account was hacked around 8.45 pm and some messages with profanities were put out, but these were deleted soon thereafter. The name of the verified Twitter handle - @OfficeOfRG - was also changed. The next day, Delhi Police had lodged two FIRs in connection with the hacking of the two twitter accounts and had sought log details from the micro-blogging site and also the Congress server to identify the culprits. "A case has been registered by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) under Section 66 of the IT Act. Twitter has been asked to provide details of log of the account for investigation purpose," Dependra Pathak, Delhi Police spokesman and Joint Commissioner (Southwest) had said, as per PTI. A similar FIR was registered by the EOW in connection with the hacking of Congress' website. Reacting to the hacking, Rahul had tweeted - "To every one of you haters out there. I love all of you. You're beautiful. Your hatred just doesn't let you see it yet." Congress had later tweeted, "Hello everyone! We are back. The tweets in the morning lacked wit, evidently. Anyway, Mr Modi, back to people's questions, care to answer?" (With Agency inputs) Islamabad: Pakistan government was presented with only "insufficient evidence" on alleged 'Indian spy' Kulbhushan Jadhav who is under detention, as per Pak PM's advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz. Addressing a full Senate chamber, Aziz admitted that the dossier on Jadhav contained mere statements. "It did not have any conclusive evidence," he was quoted as saying by Geo TV. "What the dossier contained was not enough. Now it is up to the concerned authorities how long they take to give us more matter on the agent," Aziz said. However, later, Pakistan released a statement saying that statement attributed to Aziz on alleged 'Indian spy' was 'absolutely incorrect'. "There is irrefutable proof against Kulbhushan Yadav who had also made a public confession in March this year, Pakistan's statement said, as per ANI. Jadhav, who was reportedly arrested in Balochistan after he entered from Iran, has been accused by Pakistan of planning "subversive activities" in the country. Pakistan Army had also released a "confessional video" of Jadhav, who said he was the serving Indian Navy officer. India has acknowledged Jadhav as a retired Indian Navy officer, but denied the allegation that he was in any way connected to the government. In March this year, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had said that the External Affairs Ministry had been asked to extend all possible help to Jadhav. "We do agree, to the extent I know, that he is an Indian citizen and we have asked for consular access," Parrikar had said. Giving details, the Minister had said that he had "indicated" to the MEA that Jadhav was an ex-officer and should be given all assistance and support required. It is said that he often carried cargo to and from Iranian ports bordering Pakistan and has nothing to do with India's external intelligence agency, RAW. PTI had quoted sources saying at that time that there was no proof that Jadhav, who owns a cargo business in Iran, was arrested in Balochistan. Jadhav could have been arrested after he strayed into Pakistani waters and was being wrongly charged, sources had said. (With Agency inputs) New Delhi: A Parliamentary panel questioned the top brass of Home Ministry on Wednesday that what steps were taken to prevent brazen acts on security establishments in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. Congress leader and former Home Minister P Chidambaram, asked a team of top officials led by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi the reasons for repeated terror attacks on security installations in Parliamentary Standing Committee meeting on Home Affairs. The MPs, cutting across party lines, cited the example of terror attacks at the brigade headquarters at Uri and Pathankot air base besides the recent attack at an army station in Nagrota, in which seven Army personnel, including two Major-rank officers, were killed, sources said. The lawmakers also wanted to know what preventive actions have been taken by the government to check such attempts. In his reply, the Union Home Secretary said the strike at the army camp in Nagrota was a terror attack carried out by terrorists belonging to Pakistan-based militant groups. Mehrishi said the probe into the Nagrota attack has been handed over to NIA which will unravel the conspiracy hatched in Pakistan, sources said. The Home Ministry has already handed over the probe into the Nagrota case to the NIA. The probe agency has re-registered the case at its police station here and a team of officers of the NIA will reach Jammu shortly to visit the crime scene and commence the investigation. It will also place the FIR before the NIA Special Court in Jammu. NIA, which was formed in 2008 at the initiative of Chidambaram, functions as the country's central counter-terrorism law enforcement agency Dear Food Doc: I have products in my pantry and refrigerator with 2016 use by dates. Does that mean they will be unsafe in 2017? We had a short power outage and the freezer temperature warmed up to 40 F. Is the meat safe to eat? Dear Readers: These are definitely among the two most common food safety questions asked by consumers. Indeed, my mother-in-law asks me these questions as often as she asks about her grandchildren. No one wants to be responsible for having accidentally served unsafe foods to unsuspecting friends and family. For that reason, Food Safety Rule No. 1 is, "When in doubt, throw it out." That being said, its wasteful, costly, and painful to toss out perfectly edible food that poses no danger. Thus, the question for consumers is how to know the difference between foods that are perfectly fine and those that need to be tossed. Food scientists like to recommend Rule No. 1 because it takes the thinking out of the equation. Nonetheless, knowing a little food science can guide you through these situations. For the power outage question, how low the temperature remains inside the freezer is crucial. If the freezer door is kept closed, the temperature can stay cold for many hours. Thus, meat and other items can stay frozen for up to a day, longer if the freezer is full. Even if the power is out for a longer time, you will still be OK as long as the food temperature stays below 40. The worst case scenario is when the power is out long enough to have warmed the food above 40. You then have only about two hours, and then all bets are off. Thats when Rule No. 1 needs to be enforced. Its worth noting that you can still re-freeze properly thawed foods. It will not help quality, but at least, microbiologically, there is no harm. There are exceptions for less perishable foods. Pickles and catsup, for example, are made with vinegar. That makes them inherently well-preserved. Low moisture products like peanut butter, nuts and dried fruits do not require refrigeration for safety. A few dairy products, such as butter and parmesan cheese will also be just fine. Same for sugary jams and jellies and dry fruits. For just about everything else, however, its sayonara. Better safe than sorry. Now to the question about the "used by" or "sell by" dates on foods. These labels are a source of considerable consumer confusion. Indeed, "sell by," "use by," and "best if used by" all have quite different meanings. Milk and most other perishable foods have sell-by dates. These dates tell the retailer to sell it or mark down the price, but get it gone by the time that date hits. The use-by date on most food packages is mostly for the consumers benefit. Whats important to know is that the use-by date is not a hard and fast rule. I assure you -- nothing horrific will happen if you consume a food the day after the use-by date. Thats because use-by or best if used-by dates are more about quality than safety. Once past the date, perishable products will generally remain just fine for at least a few days before reaching spoil status. Milk may eventually become slightly oxidized, and meat may lose its nice red color. There may also be untended consequences of use-by dates. Many consumers unnecessarily toss out perfectly safe foods that are beyond the use-by date. Already, Americans waste billions of pounds of edible foods, and public misunderstanding of use-by dates contributes to the problem. Consumers may simply have a negative view of foods as they approach the use-by date. In one study, researchers at Cornell gave consumers yogurt with different use-by dates. Some were labeled as 30 days prior to expiration, one day prior, one day after and 30 days after. Not surprisingly, consumers thought that the product with the freshest date actually tasted better. What they did not know was that all the yogurts were actually the same. What would really help consumers is some sort of indicator that could be attached to the package that tells you that the product still meets quality and safety expectations. Such indicators are currently being developed, maybe even in 2017. New Delhi: Government and security agencies were warned on Wednesday about possible use of uninhabited islands in seas being used as safe haven by terrorists. In its report, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs said that terrorist may use new modus operandi and unconventional methods to launch terror strikes in India by using the uninhabited islands. The Home Ministry, in its submission, the said that threats from terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba to India's coastal security have been shared with agencies concerned from time-to-time. Inputs such as poaching by Myanmmar fishermen and Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmmar by sea and its likely impact on the security of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have also been shared. The Committee mentioned that marine police should be watchful in thwarting any incursions by foreigners in any island. The Home Ministry has informed the panel about the three tier coastal security ring provided by marine police, Coast Guard and the Indian Navy. It has also mentioned a number of measures including deployment of ships and aircraft for patrolling. (With Agency inputs) New Delhi: The National Investigating Agency (NIA) will probe the last month's terror attack on Indian Army base in Jammu and Kashmir's Nagrota. According to PTI, the NIA on Wednesday registered a case with regard to the November 29 terror attack on an Army base in Nagrota, in which seven Indian soldiers, including two officers, were killed. The NIA registered the case at its police station in Delhi following instructions from the Union Home Ministry. The case has been filed for offences under sections 120B, 121, 307 of the Ranbir Penal Code or RPC and sections 7, 27 of the Arms Act, 1958. The case was earlier filed at the Nagrota Police Station against unidentified terrorists, who had entered the army camp near the Baleeni Bridge. "The case at the Nagrota Police Station was registered on the basis of information received at the police station that on November 29, some heavily armed unknown terrorists, on the directions of their foreign handlers, had entered into the Army Camp at Nagrota, near the Baleeni Bridge and started indiscriminate firing on the army personnel with the intention to kill them," the NIA said in a statement. A team of NIA officers will visit the crime scene and start the investigation. It will also place the FIR before the NIA Special Court in Jammu. With IANS inputs Bellary: Former minister Gali Janardhana Reddy's driver has allegedly committed suicide and blamed the mining baron for mentally harassing him, reports said on Wednesday. In the alleged suicide letter, driver Ramesh Gowda claimed to know how Reddy converted Rs 100 crore black money into white. The driver also alleged that 20 percent commission was paid to a Karnataka Administrative Service officer, Bheema Nayak, for helping Reddy in converting his unaccounted money. The mining baron, who spent three years and four months in prison, is out on on conditional bail in graft cases related to the multi-crore mining scam in Andhra Pradesh and his home state. He was in news last month for his daughter's lavish marriage function. Reports had claimed that Reddy spent Rs 500 crore on his daughter Bramhani's wedding on November 16. A blockbuster wedding of mining baron and former minister Reddy's daughter marked by unmitigated opulence took place at the sprawling Palace Grounds on Wednesday at Bengaluru, raising a firestorm of controversy. The five-day extravaganza with ceremonies held against the backdrop of lavish settings concluded on Wednesday as the ostentatious wedding stirred a huge row over its timing when people across the country are reeling under cash crunch after demonetisation of high value currencies. Days after lavish wedding of Janardhan Reddy's daughter, Income Tax officials on Monday raided his Obulapuram mining company. The I-T raids were conducted at Reddy's Obulapuram mining company in Karnataka's Bellary. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had arrested the tainted baron September 5, 2011 from his house at Bellary in the state`s mineral-rich northern district along with his brother-in-law and his Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) managing director BV Srinivasa Reddy and drove them to Hyderabad central jail in neighbouring Telangana. In the main case, Reddy`s company (OMC) was accused of altering mining lease boundary markings and indulging in illegal mining in the Bellary reserve forest, spanning the border districts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Mumbai/Pune: Believe it or not but travel time between Mumbai and Pune may be cut down to 25 minutes! Yes. You read it right. As of now, Mumbai-Pune journey time is about three hours by train but Hyperloop Transportation Technologies has put forth a new proposal before transport ministry. According to this new proposal, travel time between Mumbai and Pune may be reduced to 25 minutes! Hyperloop Hyperloop runs faster than an aircraft at a speed of 1,120 kmph. Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, a Los Angeles-based company, has designed a new way to move people. Hyperloop is a concept where a pod-like vehicle travels through a near-vacuum that's contained within a tube. The firm has asked the transport ministry for land to run a pilot project of its high-speed transportation service. Elon Musk-backed Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) co-founder Bibop G Gresta on Tuesday said the company is ready to build hyperloop between Mumbai and Pune, but the decision is left with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to go ahead with the project. "Gadkari has a proposal to build the hyperloop on his table and he has to take a decision. If he wants to go ahead with it, we are ready, and it will be a feasibility study to begin with to lay line between Bombay (Mumbai) and Pune," he told media in Bengaluru on the sidelines of the Carnegie Global Technology Summit 2016. Asked about the regulatory challenges to build hyperloop in India, Gresta said Gadkari, during the meeting, had expressed the Indian Government's willingness to help the company in this regard. "I had asked Gadkari to help us with regulatory norms. He (Gadkari) said we are willing to do that," he added. Among the prominent cities and countries where the hyperloop will be built are California, Utah, Illinois, Florida, Indianapolis, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Spain, France, Slovakia, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Botswana, South Africa, Russia, China, Malaysia, India, Indonesia and Australia. Gresta said the company has received an investment of over $100 to build hyperloop in these countries and cities around the globe. "We have received over 100 million dollars to build hyperloop in as many as 20 countries," he said. Replying to a query, Gresta said the first hyperloop is expected to be launched in Abu Dhabi. (With agency inputs) Chennai: South superstar Rajinikanth paid tribute to journalist, former Rajya Sabha member, political analyst and comedian Cho S Ramaswamy, who died here on Wednedsay following illness. Rajinikanth visited Ramaswamy's residence and offer condolences to the family. Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah offered condolences to Cho's family, friends. "Ramaswamy's demise is a great loss to the nationalistic, democratic discourse," Shah said. Ramaswamy was suffering from illness and breathed his last at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai today morning, where former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa breathed her last on Monday night. The former Rajya Sabha member was the founder of the political magazine Thuglak magazine. He had acted in many movies and featured with top actors like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. Late Jayalalithaa was a good friend of Ramaswamy and used to seek his views. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jayalalithaa called on him when he was seriously ill early this year. He has written, directed and acted in over 20 Tamil plays which were performed over 5,000 times, acted in 180 movies scripted 14 movies, directed four films. On the small screen Ramaswamy has written, acted and directed several serials in Tamil and has also written novels. Port Blair: The Indian Navy on Wednesday launched a rescue operation to evacuate almost 800 tourists stranded at Havelock Island in Andaman and Nicobar Islands due to heavy rains and a storm. Naval ships INS Bitra, Bangaram, Kumbhir and LCU 38 were deployed for evacuation and will ferry tourists to Port Blair. The sudden evacuation mission was initiated at the request of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands disaster management, which speculates that a "cyclonic storm" might strike Havelock, an island about 36 km from capital Port Blair. "There is a deep depression (in the sea) about 310 kms from Port Blair. That is why the Navy was contacted as we don't want to take any chances," an official from Directorate of Disaster Management, A&N administration, told IANS. The official said that because of heavy rains and winds, the difficulty tourists are facing is to reach the jetty to board the ships. "We can't say as of now that the depression will turn into a cyclone," the official said. They expect the evacuation to be completed by the evening, he said. Navy spokesperson Captain DK Sharma said the ships were in the area and that there was a bad sea state. He said the ships departed from Port Blair around 0315 hours onwards. Sharma said all the ships will go alongside and ferry tourists to Port Blair. Their highest consideration is the safety of the tourists. "HADR Indian Navy swings into action to evacuate 800 stranded tourists at Havelock Island. Four ships sailed at Port Blair and in the area," the Navy spokesperson tweeted. The meteorological department forecast "heavy to very heavy" rainfall and "rough to very rough" seas around the islands in the next 24 hours. Havelock is the largest in the chain of islands that form the Ritchie's Archipelago and belongs to the Andamans. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected an 'apology' rendered by Uttar Pradesh Minister and Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan for calling a gang-rape incident "a political conspiracy". The SC felt it "was not an unconditional apology". On November 17, Khan had offered in the SC to render an unconditional apology to the Bulandshahr gang-rape victims for his controversial remarks. Khan had told a bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Amitava Roy that he would file an affidavit to the effect that he never intended to hurt the feelings of the victims -- a woman and her daughter -- and if they felt hurt or insulted, he offered an unconditional apology. The crime occurred on July 29 night when the 34-year-old woman and her teenage daughter were gang-raped by five to six assailants in Dostpur village on National Highway 91 in Bulandshahr district after waylaying their car carrying six members of the family from Noida. The court has scheduled the next hearing for December 15. Meureudu: The death toll from a strong 6.5-magnitude earthquake that struck Indonesia`s Aceh province on Wednesday has nearly doubled to 97, a military chief said. "So far 97 people have been killed and the number keeps growing," Aceh military chief Tatang Sulaiman told AFP. The shallow 6.5-magnitude quake struck Pidie Jaya district at dawn, as some in the predominantly Muslim region prepared for morning prayers. Mosques and shops were flattened in the small town of Meureudu, where the force of the quake sent people fleeing from their homes. No tsunami alert was issued. The head of the local disaster agency, Puteh Manaf, said the sole hospital in the district had been overwhelmed by the number of injured. Rescue operations were under way to find those believed trapped beneath the rubble, with heavy machinery being used to shift the debris. Khairul Nova, an official at the Aceh search and rescue agency, said: "Dozens are missing but we don`t have accurate data on the total yet." A witness said local residents were wandering the streets, unable to return to their damaged homes and fearing aftershocks. Images from the scene showed homes levelled, mosque spires toppled and cars crushed under rubble. The local hospital was struggling to cope, with the injured being treated on the ground outside the front of the building. Patients were also being sent to a neighbouring district with greater facilities, said deputy district chief Said Mulyadi. He said at least seven children were among the dead, and many more had suffered broken bones and other injuries. "There are many shophouses have caved in, and many (people) are alive but trapped," he said. Seismologists said the earthquake was felt across much of Aceh province, which was devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. At least five aftershocks followed the quake, said Eridawati, local head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency. The US Geological Survey upgraded the magnitude to 6.5 from an initial reading of 6.4 and issued a yellow alert for expected fatalities and damage. Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide. Aceh lies on the northern tip of Sumatra island, which is particularly prone to quakes. In June, a 6.5-magnitude quake struck off the west of Sumatra, damaging scores of buildings and injuring eight people. A huge undersea earthquake in the Indian Ocean in 2004 triggered a tsunami that engulfed parts of Aceh. The tsunami killed more than 170,000 people in Indonesia and tens of thousands more in other countries around the Indian Ocean. (With Agency inputs) Banda Aceh: A powerful earthquake struck off Aceh province on Indonesia`s Sumatra island on Wednesday, killing at least 25 people. Dozens were feared trapped in the rubble. Pidie Jaya district chief Aiyub Abbas said hundreds of people in the district have been injured and more than 40 buildings including mosques, stores and homes were flattened. The district is located 18 kilometers (11 miles) southwest of the epicenter. The shallow 6.5-magnitude quake hit just north of the small town of Reuleuet, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. There was no tsunami alert. The quake struck at dawn, as some in the predominantly Muslim region prepared for morning prayers, local officials said. The head of the local disaster agency, Puteh Manaf, said the sole hospital in the district had been overwhelmed by the number of injured. "The data we have now is that 25 people have been killed and hundreds are estimated to have suffered injuries," he told AFP. Local district secretary Iskandar Ali also confirmed the figure, citing preliminary data that showed at least 25 had died in the quake. Mosques, homes, and shops were flattened in the quake, with images from the worst-hit areas showing significant damage. Local resident Hasbi Jaya, 37, said his family was asleep when the powerful quake struck. "We immediately ran outside the house but it crumbled. Everything from the roof to the floor collapsed, and was destroyed," he told AFP. "I looked around and all my neighbours` houses were also completely destroyed." The local disaster management agency said rescue efforts were under way to save those trapped beneath collapsed buildings. "Some people are still trapped inside shophouses, and we are trying to evacuate them using heavy machines and by hand," local agency head Puteh Manaf told AFP. Patients were also being sent to a neighbouring district with greater facilities, said deputy district chief Said Mulyadi. He said at least seven children were among the dead, and many more had suffered broken bones and other injuries. "There are many shophouses have caved in, and many (people) are alive but trapped," he told AFP. Seismologists said the earthquake was felt across much of Aceh province, which was devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. At least five aftershocks followed the quake, said Eridawati, local head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency. The USGS upgraded the magnitude to 6.5 from an initial reading of 6.4 and issued a yellow alert for expected fatalities and damage. "Some casualties and damage are possible and the impact should be relatively localised," it said. In the coastal town of Sigli, people panicked and fled their houses to seek shelter away from the sea. "We are now evacuating to Tijue because we are afraid of a tsunami," said Nilawati, one of those heading several kilometres inland. Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide. Aceh lies on the northern tip of Sumatra island, which is particularly prone to quakes. In June, a 6.5-magnitude quake struck off the west of Sumatra, damaging scores of buildings and injuring eight people. A huge undersea earthquake in the Indian Ocean in 2004 triggered a tsunami that engulfed parts of Aceh. The tsunami killed more than 170,000 people in Indonesia and tens of thousands more in other countries around the Indian Ocean. (With Agency inputs) Before Adam Rhoads went to Jamaica to serve in the Peace Corps, the Alliance-born volunteer was spice averse. Now, he said, I dont eat anything other than cereal without hot sauce. He went to Jamaica for the first time about a dozen years ago, Rhoads said, and one of the first things to catch his eye was a product on nearly every dinner table, Grays Pepper Sauce. The locals in the Trelawny Parish applied it liberally to almost everything, including traditional Jamaican jerk chicken, which Rhoads often saw grilling at a roadside stand. Get that and a cold Red Stripe, youre good to go, he said. Rhoads lives in Lincoln now, and he wanted to bring some of that flavor back to Nebraska with him. He also wanted to help nonprofit organizations run by former Peace Corps volunteers in the process. His own, Mystic Rhoads Productions, is doing that with two products, a hot sauce and Jamaican jerk seasoning blend sold under the name Dirt Nap Dip. While in Jamaica, Rhoads went beyond becoming an appreciator of the local affinity for seasoning. He and other volunteers participated in a hot sauce contest at a festival they helped create, the Trelawny Yam Festival. In 2007, the hot sauce he concocted got a gold medal. "I got that recipe by being in Jamaica," he said. Dirt Nap Dip's Jamaican-inspired Habanero Pepper Sauce is a traditional recipe -- unlike Rhoads' attempts at home-brewing while in Jamaica -- "We would take the weirdest stuff we could find and throw it in a bucket." For a while, he tried ordering yellow yams, a Jamaican staple, from a vendor in New York. But the truck ride to Nebraska was often unkind at best, he said. So in Nebraska, every couple of months, Rhoads rounds up pounds of habanero peppers, tomatoes, limes, garlic and a few other basic ingredients from local farmers or grocery stores. Then he heads to Unadilla, where he rents kitchen space in a former school cafeteria and whips up batches of jerk seasoning and hot sauce. On Thursday, hell join local vendors at the Embassy Suites for the Lincoln Holiday Craftacular, which runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. And on Sunday, he'll join a collection of Lincoln-based food and craft producers at the Love, The Locals. The event is hosted by The Bay, 2005 Y St., and runs from noon to 6 p.m. Rhoads posted one tailgate-friendly recipe per Nebraska game this past season on Mystic Rhoads' Facebook page (facebook.com/mysticrhoadsproductions), and he shared a simple jerk chicken recipe with the Journal Star. It can also be found online at mysticrhoads.org, where you can either order products or find Nebraska stores that sell them, as well information on the charities that are benefiting from Dirt Nap Dip sales. Jamaican Jerk Chicken 3 pounds chicken, any parts 3-4 tablespoons Dirt Nap Dip Jamaican Jerk Seasoning 3-4 tablespoons liquid (water, vinegar, beer -- your choice) Olive oil to coat pan Combine seasoning and liquid, whisk together. Coat chicken evenly with mixture and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to one night in advance. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan. Sear all pieces of chicken on both sides and place in baking dish. Cover dish with foil and bake at 350 F until tender (at least 20 minutes). Enjoy. Beirut: Syrian rebels in besieged eastern Aleppo called on Wednesday for an immediate five-day ceasefire and the evacuation of civilians and wounded. However, they gave no indication they were ready to withdraw as demanded by Damascus and Moscow. The Syrian army and allied forces have made rapid gains against insurgents in the past two weeks and look closer than ever to restoring full control over Aleppo, Syria`s most populous city before the war, and achieving their most important victory of the conflict now in its sixth year. In a statement calling for the truce, the rebels made no mention of evacuating the several thousand fighters who are defending an ever shrinking area of eastern Aleppo. Syria and Russia, which supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, have said they want rebels to leave Aleppo and will not consider a ceasefire unless that happens. Retaking Aleppo would also be a success for President Vladimir Putin who intervened to save Moscow`s ally in September 2015 with air strikes, and for Shi`ite Iran, whose elite Islamic Republic Guard Corps has suffered casualties fighting for Assad. The Syrian government now appears closer to victory than at any point in the five years since protests against Assad evolved into an armed rebellion. The war in Syria has killed hundreds of thousands of people, made more than half of Syrians homeless and created the world`s worst refugee crisis. Outside of Aleppo, the government and its allies are also putting severe pressure on remaining rebel redoubts. The Syrian army now controls all of the Old City of Aleppo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site including the Umayyad Mosque, which had been held by rebels, the Observatory said. Rebels have lost control of about 75 percent of their territory in eastern Aleppo in under 10 days, Director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdulrahman, said. The Kremlin said on Wednesday that a potential US-Russia deal to allow Syrian rebels to leave Aleppo safely was still on the agenda. Damascus and Moscow have been calling on rebels to withdraw from the city, disarm and accept safe passage out, a procedure that has been carried out in other areas where rebels abandoned besieged territory in recent months. Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Monday calling for a week-long ceasefire. Moscow said rebels used such pauses in the past to reinforce. While rebels say they could fend off the offensive for some time to come, the fighting is complicated by tens of thousands of fearful civilians trapped in the rebel-held area, many of them related to the fighters, the official said, as per Reuters. A UN official said on Wednesday about 31,500 people from east Aleppo have been displaced around the entire city over the past week, with hundreds more seen on the move on Wednesday. With hospitals, clinics, water and food cut off, U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said the situation was "heart-breaking." On the other hand, Assad said that recent Army advances in Aleppo will completely change the course of the battle in all of Syria, pro-Damascus television station al-Mayadeen reported. Assad described Aleppo as the "last hope" of rebels and their backers, "after their failure in the battles of Damascus and Homs", the station said, citing an interview with al-Watan newspaper expected to be published on Thursday. "The decision to liberate all of Syria is taken and Aleppo is part of it," Mayadeen quoted him as saying. Assad indicated that developments in the fighting over the past year led to "the results we see today", it said. (With Reuters inputs) A former Nebraska State Probation Office drug technician who slipped a drug dealer information and falsely reported the dealer had taken and passed drug tests in exchange for money got federal prison time Wednesday. Senior U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf said Victor Ramirez was the second ex-state probation employee to come before him in two months after grievously violating the trust of the system. In November, Kopf gave Thomas Peterson nine years in prison for using his position to sexually exploit women he supervised. "It ought to be considered to be an enormous embarrassment to the state of Nebraska," the judge said. Peterson's case was far more serious, he said, but what Ramirez did could have resulted in significant harm to people had the information been used for nefarious purposes. While working at the Nebraska State Probation Office in Lexington, Ramirez took $400 cash four or five times last year from a longtime friend who was on probation. He took the money in exchange for searching license plate numbers and arrest warrants, and for falsely saying the probationer had provided clean urine and breath samples when he hadn't been tested, Kopf said at Wednesday's hearing. The friend came forward about what Ramirez had done and wore a wire in meetings with him, trying to get a deal on new charges. When confronted, Ramirez immediately admitted what he had done and estimated he had accepted $2,000 to $2,400. "It does seem to me that I need to be very concerned about general deterrence," Kopf said. "Which in plain speaking means to send a signal to every damn state probation office employee that you're going to get hammered if you engage in (such) conduct." Kopf sentenced Ramirez to 18 months in prison, plus two years of supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Everett had recommended a year in prison, the low end of federal guidelines, saying Ramirez also lost his job and is now a convicted felon. "I don't think any probation officer out there would look at that as a slap on the wrist," he said. Omaha defense attorney Bill Eustice said Ramirez's sole motivation was to help his parents, who needed the money. His client realized it was wrong, he said, but he didn't realize it could be dangerous. Some of the information was available on the Internet. "He should've known better," said Eustice. "Obviously a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and obviously Mr. Ramirez created a weak link in the criminal justice system." Ramirez was indicted in April on six counts of interfering with commerce under color of official right and pleaded guilty to one. He said he knows what he did was wrong. "I take full responsibility for my actions. At the time, I didn't know I was putting people in danger," said Ramirez, who worked at the State Probation Office from Sept. 3, 2013, until Jan. 13, 2016. DAKOTA CITY -- Two men accused of killing and dismembering an Emerson man were bound over to district court Tuesday to face murder charges. Andres Surber, 25, and Brayan Galvan-Hernandez, 18, both of Wakefield, waived their preliminary hearings in Dakota County Court. Judge Kurt Rager set their arraignments for Jan. 10 in Dakota County District Court and continued the $5 million bond on which each is being held. Both are charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony. Surber, who was released from a Nebraska prison in May after serving 34 months of a five-year sentence for felony charges, also has been charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The two are accused of killing Kraig D. Kubik, 41, with a 9mm firearm on Nov. 1. Authorities went to Kubik's home near Emerson the morning of Nov. 2 after his young son told someone at school that his father had been killed or harmed, court documents said. Evidence eventually led authorities to a severed arm and leg in the trunk of a Chevrolet Impala at a home in rural Dixon County. The rest of Kubik's remains were found four days later in a creek about four miles away. Using a national database, authorities matched the fingerprints to those belonging to Kubik. Autopsy results showed a gunshot wound to Kubik's head. Editors Note: Sam Trethewey is general manager of SproutX, Australias first agtech accelerator program which recently completed its first pre-accelerator cohort. This program was designed for very early stage business ideas and was mostly done remotely. The cohort culminated in a virtual pitch day last week. Here, Trethewey and his colleagues share their key learnings from the process, which started as an idea in February. Like watching a child grow is the best way I can describe the experience of seeing Australias first cohort of agtech entrepreneurs come through an acceleration program. It was a wonderful moment and an exciting one for Australia. Over 300 people from around the nation applied to participate with only 100 making it in (that was a long night full of tough decisions!). The 6-week program was open to early stage ideas or talented individuals without an idea who wanted to learn about agtech and lean startup methodology. The course was delivered online and with weekly meetup sessions in Melbourne for those that could make it, but social media was awash with discussions, collaborations and networking as the cohort grew. There were one-on-one mentoring sessions and a line-up of seasoned entrepreneurs and subject matter experts who stretched the minds and comfort zones of our teams. To keep the learnings short and sharp for you, Ive asked Andrew Lai, SproutX accelerator director, a few questions for you and provided some of my own comments alongside his responses. Sam: What feedback did you get from participants in the early stages of the program? Andrew: The most common bit of feedback from our group of entrepreneurs was the pathway SproutX offered regarding what to do next. Though many of the founders had tremendous experience and skills, they had been sitting on their ideas for sometimes years, and they just didnt know how to go about implementing them. Andrew nails it here, in fact that was the whole reason Findex and the National Farmers Federation joined forces to start SproutX. There has been no support network for entrepreneurs in this space, and as agtech is quite specific and struggles in generic programs and spaces, the networking, cross-pollination of knowledge and even emotional support were vital to the cohorts successful completion. Sam: What were the more specific learnings you felt the cohort experienced? Andrew: As with all pre-accelerator type courses, the biggest challenge is always to get people to get out of the office and in front of customers. A founder might think they have the best idea in the world, but they generally receive a sobering reality check once they speak to potential customers about it. Market Validation. Need we say more. Sam: Mate weve had an enormous year as SproutX was just an idea in February. What has been your greatest takeaway from this course as its director? Andrew: From SproutXs perspective, the Pre-Accelerator validated our own theory that Australia is a hotbed for agtech with enormous latent potential. Personally, its been the incredible passion of the participants, and the national interest has been tremendous. Passion is something we see in most agricultural sectors all around the world, and it was great to see that infiltrate into agtech and to drive relationships and long, productive days for our teams. On to 2017 I think its important to add that SproutX is also a startup and as a takeaway, traction has been our biggest enabler. Weve come into a conservative sector with suppressed capacity and a never-seen-before service amidst suffocating hype around innovation. Interest in all corners has never diverted from us, but nothing has beat traction. Showing off the goods to existing and potential stakeholders has accelerated our progress and fed value back into our own model as it evolves to meet market needs. 2017 will see us maintain this momentum to deliver a full accelerator program and continue the community building. The University of Nebraska system could cut as much as $13 million from its budget in a mid-year course correction. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Ronnie Green told the Faculty Senate on Tuesday the states projected revenue shortfall could require the UNL campus to slash its budget by about $6 million next spring, even before the university contemplates potentially larger cutbacks in its next biennial budget. Last week, Gov. Pete Ricketts said he would propose a flat two-year budget to state lawmakers in January, acknowledging that in keeping the budget flat, NU will need to make cuts as priorities have shifted for state government. Green said the governors proposal could result in broad cuts across the university. State appropriations to UNL add up to about $265 million a year. This is certainly not final, because there is a lot of deliberation that will happen in the Legislature, but weve been told to plan for a 4 percent cut to the university -- at a minimum -- in state appropriations, Green told faculty leaders. Earlier this year, the NU Board of Regents approved a biennial budget request totaling $605 million in state funds for 2017-18 and $630 million in 2018-19 -- a 4.4 percent increase that would help fund a 2.4 percent salary increase for university employees. While many pieces of the university budget are up in the air -- including tuition costs passed onto students, collective bargaining agreements with staff on the Omaha and Kearney campuses and other moving parts -- Green said UNL is preparing to go through its outlined processes for scaling back. Any cuts, however, would be made with the premise that we were preserving the academic core of the institution at all costs, he said. The former head of UNLs Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Green said he has tracked the relationship between declining crop and livestock commodity markets and the states shrinking revenue projections. The outlook is that we potentially wont improve for three, four or more years, he said. To slash $6 million from UNLs budget in the short term -- Green said state leaders informed the university they would be amending the current budget in January -- the university plans to lean on money saved since a hiring freeze was put in place by NU President Hank Bounds in November. Bounds directed campus chancellors to make recommendations on essential hires while also looking at openings across the system for places the university could make cuts. Green said Tuesday UNL has filled roughly 30 positions since the freeze was announced, the majority of which were faculty positions already in the hiring stage, with the OK from Bounds. An additional 38 positions in the interview stage deemed mission critical by UNL were sent to Bounds on Monday for approval, while 140 positions will remain unfilled across the campus for the time being. Some of the savings realized from not hiring for those positions will bolster UNLs cash flow for the remainder of the fiscal year, and the university will look at dipping into its cash reserve to cover the remainder of its budget obligations. Green said UNL will follow its budgeting process and consult with the Faculty Senate, Academic Planning Committee and other organizations before any cuts would be made. In the meantime, university leaders have been meeting with Ricketts and lawmakers to talk about the universitys part of the state budget, Green said. The rescission, or mid-year budget cut, is expected to be one of the first items on the Legislatures agenda in January, even before it tackles the next biennium in the long session. "The governor is still finalizing his budget recommendation, which he will propose in January," said Taylor Gage, spokesman for Ricketts. Despite the doom and gloom, Green said he woke up Tuesday feeling optimistic about UNLs future. I know how counter-intuitive that sounds. When youre thinking about a reduced budget, what can be good about that? he said. Its not overall a good thing, but I can tell you it is an opportunity for us to grow, for us to continue on our strategy. Were not going to let this set us back. Tata Steel has pledged to stay in Britain, reversing its decision to sell assets including the vast Port Talbot plant in Wales, unions say India's Tata Steel has pledged to stay in Britain with a 1.0-billion investment plan to support steelmaking at its Port Talbot plant in Wales and elsewhere, unions said Wednesday. "Steel unions have today secured a commitment from Tata Steel to secure the future of jobs and production at Port Talbot and other steelworks across the UK," read a statement issued by trade unions Community, GMB and Unite. "This proposal comes eight months after Tata announced their original intention to sell their UK steel assets." A number of "significant" measures include keeping two blast furnaces at the South Wales plant for five years and a commitment to seek to avoid compulsory redundancies for a similar period. Tata will commit to a ten-year investment plan of 1.0 billion ($1.3 billion, 1.2 billion euros) to support Port Talbot and secure the future of other sites. And it will launch consultations on closing and replacing the costly old British Steel pension scheme which it inherited with the purchase of steelmaker Corus in 2007. The unions added that, after meeting with company executives at the Port Talbot facility, the latest proposal was "welcome". "The past year has been incredibly difficult for steelworkers and their families," said Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of the Community union. "When Tata announced in March that they planned to sell the steelworks, no-one knew if they would have a job by Christmas. "This proposal would secure jobs for years to come and bring serious investment not just to Port Talbot but to steelworks across the UK." Earlier this year, Tata Steel had announced that it was considering the sale of its loss-making British assets, blaming the decision on a global oversupply of steel, cheap imports into Europe from countries including China, high costs and currency volatility. At the start of July, it revealed that it was holding strategic discussions with several companies, including German conglomerate Thyssenkrupp, over the possible formation of a joint venture for European steel operations. In late November, the company agreed to start exclusive talks for the sale of its speciality steel assets to metal processing firm Liberty House. Tata currently employs around 11,000 people in Britain. SoftBank's flamboyant founder Masayoshi Son was among the first businessmen to meet then President-elect Donald Trump in November and pledged $50 bn to help create US jobs President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday Japan's SoftBank has agreed to invest $50 billion in business and job-creation in the United States. Trump made the announcement on Twitter as he met with SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son in New York, later striding into the lobby of Trump Tower to brief reporters in person. "This is Masa of SoftBank from Japan and he's just agreed to invest $50 billion in the United States and 50,000 jobs," he told reporters, with his arm around Son. The Republican provided no details on the precise nature of the investments or how they would create jobs. Standing in the lobby of Trump Tower, Son brandished a document featuring the names of SoftBank and of Foxconn, the Taiwanese technology giant, that read: "Commit to invest $50bn + $7bn in US, generate 50k + 50k new jobs in US in next four years." "I just came to celebrate his new job," Son said of the president-elect. "Masa said he would never do this had we (Trump) not won the election!" the president-elect tweeted. While Trump took credit, Son told the Wall Street Journal in an interview the money will come from a $100 billion investment fund he is setting up with Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and other partners, a move announced in mid-October. The 59-year-old Japanese billionaire, who has said he wants to become the Warren Buffet of the tech industry, plans to use the SoftBank Vision Fund to invest heavily in the "Internet of Things," artificial intelligence and robotics, the Journal reported. SoftBank already has investments in the United States: in 2013 it paid $22 billion for 80 percent of Sprint. Son initially set his sights on a merger with T-Mobile, but that plan was abandoned due to likely opposition from US regulators. The Journal said Son declined to comment on whether he plans to make another try to join the two telecom firms. Bert and Jack Yates serve with the IMB-SBC in Nairobi, Kenya. Jack, whose heart's desire is to equip and teach God's children in Africa to carry out the Great Commission, serves as the Principal of the Kenya Baptist Theological College. Bert serves as the Prayer Networker for the Sub-Saharan African Peoples Affinity, sharing what God is doing in our part of the world and how others can join in His work! Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government spent more than $416,000 to renovate a two-year-old office building in downtown Ottawa, including paying more than $5,000 for 56 coat hooks. Among the taxpayer-funded renovations carried out to the 17-floor Elgin Street office tower since the Liberal government came to power: $52,413 to build a bike storage room; $59,451 for new furniture; and $3,426 to "modify the lighting to an existing quiet room" by installing a window film and a dimmer switch. The largest expenses were $131,640 for acoustical panels and another $75,781 for a "demountable partition." Some renovations were carried out for safety reasons, such as $4,562 to remove a tripping hazard, or $772 for two convex mirrors to cover an area between the freight elevator and a blind corner. 'A lot less ... at Canadian Tire' The expenses are detailed in the government's response to an opposition MP's order paper question, tabled in the House of Commons this week. In the documents that outline $416,067 worth of renovations during the Liberal government's first year in office, it was the spending on coat hooks that raised the eyebrows of opposition critics. The Treasury Board, which keeps tabs on government spending, shelled out $5,148 "to supply and install 56 coat hooks in washrooms." The Finance Department spent another $3,254 to supply and install an unspecified number of robe hooks in a "shower facility." New Democrat MP Daniel Blaikie said he would like an explanation from the government of how 56 coat hooks ended up costing that much. "You can go pick up 56 coat hooks for a hell of a lot less than $5,000 at the local Canadian Tire, and they actually look pretty good." Conservative MP Blaine Calkins was surprised to find out how much the government spent. "I have absolutely no idea how something this simple could end up costing taxpayers this much money," he said, pointing out most Canadians would pick up coat hooks at a local hardware store for a few dollars. Story continues While the money was spent after the Liberals came to power, Jean-Luc Ferland, spokesman for Treasury Board President Scott Brison, said some of the renovations were authorized while the Conservatives were still in office. "The renovations to the James Michael Flaherty Building began under the previous government in early 2015, well before we formed government. None of them applied to the ministers' offices, and they were authorized within each department in accordance with Treasury Board policies." Ferland could not say whether the coat hooks, for example, were authorized under the Liberal or the Conservative government. Alain Belle-Isle, spokesman for the Treasury Board, said the nature of the Flaherty building contributed to the costs. "The renovations include things such as addressing tripping hazards identified after the building was completed, and improving sound insulation in shared workspaces. "The highly secure nature and constant use of facilities such as the Flaherty Building normally result in additional costs due to requirements such as security supervision for after-hours work." Finance and Treasury Board offices The James Michael Flaherty building, named after the now-deceased former Conservative finance minister who oversaw a government-wide cost-cutting exercise to balance the budget, is leased to the federal government. It houses an estimated 2,600 federal public servants who work for the Finance Department and Treasury Board as well as the offices of cabinet ministers Bill Morneau and Scott Brison. The building opened in 2014. Pierre-Alain Bujold, spokesman for Public Services and Procurement Canada, which handles real estate for the federal government, said the renovations were part of the government's goal of providing a "safe, healthy and productive work environment" for public servants. "Based on their experience in the building over the past two years, the tenants and the landlord identified improvements that could be made to make the work environment more efficient and secure and allow federal public servants to work smarter and greener in their service to Canadians," he wrote. Calkins, however, said spending more than $400,000 in renovations on a new building is "a shocking waste of taxpayers' money" and part of a bigger problem. "The shocking part isn't that they are making changes. The shocking part is that nobody is actually asking the question 'How much is it going to cost and is it value for money?'" Blaikie also questioned why the federal government spent so much on renovating a new building. "It's just poor planning if you have to do $400,000 worth of work on it afterwards," he said. "I think that people expect that when you build a new building that you're going to be able to use it without that kind of major work for some time." Elizabeth Thompson can be reached at elizabeth.thompson@cbc.ca Strategic Directions | Feature VR, AR, and the Internet of Things: Life Beyond Second Life A Q&A with Phil Repp "It gets even more interesting when virtual and augmented reality meet the Internet of Things." Phil Repp Ball State University has been exploring virtual reality since the early days of Second Life. Here, CT talks with Vice President for Information Technology Phil Repp about how our hyper reality has changed, with more advanced virtual reality, augmented reality, the ability to work in HD, the inclusion of the IoT and datasets, and the increasing accessibility of related tools and devices. Mary Grush: When did Ball State University start working with virtual reality and related technologies, and why was that priority for you? Phil Repp: Our own efforts in VR began in the mid-90s and grew out of the need to have greater visualization of ideas in many of our disciplines on campus. Grush: Hadn't there been strides in visualization in some disciplines much earlier than that? Repp: Ways to visualize ideas has been a kind of search for a very long time, particularly in the design disciplines. You can even find it dating back to the 15th century in examples like Filippo Brunelleschi, who invented perspective: He didn't like the idea of flat drawings of his buildings, so he learned how to show dimension through perspective. And there have been stages in various disciplines over time e.g., mathematics and the sciences where discipline-specific visualization tools took several steps forward. So the search for better visualization of ideas has been on for centuries, but recently technology has taken it to a whole different level. And VR can both span disciplines and offer an intuitive experience. For us at Ball State University, when technology tools started to get more sophisticated and VR became more generally available you remember the early days of Second Life, for example that's when we began experimenting with the hyper reality of representing and visualizing ideas. Soon we were using many 3D tools, virtual reality, and augmented reality to move ourselves toward the ability to represent things in a way that would be closer to what's in a person's mind's eye in sharing and communicating an idea. Grush: Since then, you have had many virtual reality and augmented reality projects on campus. How do you coordinate all that experimentation? Repp: You can imagine, from all that experimentation came all kinds of efforts we'd like to recognize and keep investigating. The leader for this type of work on our campus is John Fillwalk, who is the director of our Institute of Digital Intermedia Arts within our Information Technology Division. He's an academic, a media specialist, a designer, and a creative leader who has taken our work with these tools to new levels. Grush: How does John focus this work? Repp: What John has done is to take the idea of visualization and turn it into a hyper reality. That hyper reality can take many forms, in many disciplines and contexts across campus. For example, he has been working with archeologists, trying to understand how celestial alignments would appear in ancient Rome, or considering how Stonehenge got its celestial alignments. In another project he tried to offer the experience of Buffalo Bill's Wild West show and what his encampment would look like. People can take themselves back to that time. It is an attempt to express and visualize that reality and take someone closer to what it might have really been like. Rollin Fritch grew up as landlocked as any young man could be, spending his first 21 years surrounded by soil in Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. Far from the one ocean that would take his life, far from the other that would give him honor. The youngest of eight hadn't had an easy childhood. He was born in northeast Kansas but raised on a farm near Du Bois, in Pawnee County. His family broke apart when he was a boy in the 1920s, and he came of age during the Depression of the 1930s. He got as far as the 10th grade in Pawnee City and left his father's farm a few years later to join a brother at Cudahays packing plant in Sioux City. As a girl, Donna Fuller shared a kitchen table with her uncle, though she was too young at the time to remember the man now. Still, she has done enough genealogy to know more about him than anyone. She knows all of the dates that define his life and his death. And she knows he was always willing to help his family, she said. Like the time a mouse surprised her mother at their small house in Sioux City. Uncle Rollin jumped up and said, 'I'll get it,' Fuller said. He was a sweet person; he was just a good person. But the family historian doesn't know why the young man from the middle of the country chose the Coast Guard when he chose to enlist. That I could not answer, she said. When Pearl Harbor was bombed, he knew he didn't want to work in a packing plant. He was a young man willing to serve our country. * * * By Jan. 8, 1945, he had been on the water for nearly three years, patrolling the Eastern Seaboard and participating in island invasions in the South Pacific. Now he was aboard the USS Callaway, an attack transport ship leading a convoy toward the Philippine island of Luzon. The armada -- a line of transport and cargo ships, landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles -- was just 35 miles from shore when three Japanese kamikaze planes appeared. Fritch and the other gunners got to work, spraying the attackers with 20 mm fire. They shot down two planes, but the third made it through. Rollin Fritch did not try to hide from what was coming. Fritch remained at his post, forfeiting all chance of escape as he continued to fire his weapon, said a Coast Guard press release. He fought bravely until the very moment the aircraft crashed into the starboard side of the bridge in a burst of flames that rattled the ship to its very keel. The attack claimed 29 Callaway crew members, including the 24-year-old from the Midwest. After his death, Fritch was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. * * * Back in Nebraska, his oldest brother, Edwin, was distraught. It was hard for him to lose the baby of the family, the youngest one, said Edwins daughter, Bonita Schuster. He felt responsible, like it should have been him, not the baby brother. Edwin Fritch had tried to enlist but was told no, his daughter said. He was older, married and had four children. There were tears in Sioux City, too. Glenn Fritchs daughters werent used to seeing their father cry. It was very unusual, Donna Fuller said. We figured thats when he got the word his brother was killed. Seaman 1st Class Fritch was buried at sea the day he died, though his family later placed a marker at the cemetery near Du Bois. The Coast Guard shipped his personal possessions to his oldest brothers house in Pawnee County, where they were put in a trunk in the attic. Us kids were not allowed to play with it, but my mother would open it up and show us the pictures, Schuster said. We grew up very much aware he had given his life up for the country. * * * Rollin Fritch had been gone for more than 70 years when his nieces phone rang in Pawnee County. The Coast Guard was calling, telling Schuster it was naming its new fleet of 154-foot fast response cutters after enlisted heroes, the backbone of the service. It was out of the blue that we learned it, she said. They said they chose to name one after Rollin based on his service, not only because of what he did on that particular battle. They said it was because of other deeds he had done previously. A Coast Guard historian needed someone to tell him Rollin Fritchs story, and he eventually was directed to Donna Fuller in Sioux City. I said, Oh, boy, youve got the right person, Fuller said. She started working on her familys genealogy in 1978, and she was able to copy and send 75 pages of information about her uncle to the Coast Guard. They really got to know who Rollin Fritch was. Fuller was named the ships honorary sponsor and, last year, she and her brother toured a shipyard in Louisiana to check on its progress. They met relatives of other Coast Guard enlisted members whose names would grace the new fleet. Some of them survived, she said. They were still heroes; they just all had different stories. * * * Late last month, more than 30 of Rollin Fritchs descendants gathered in Cape May, New Jersey, to commission the fast response cutter carrying his name across its stern. It would have been like a family reunion, Fuller said, but they were surrounded by military brass and guided by maritime tradition. There were speeches and ceremonies and gift-giving; Fuller gave the ships captain a framed photo and biography of her uncle; the Coast Guard presented her with a collection of his medals. There were so many admirals, I just cant tell you how many dignitaries there were, Fuller said. Everything was perfect and everything was so sweet. The Rollin Fritch will be the first of the new Sentinel-class cutters stationed in the Coast Guards Mid-Atlantic region, patrolling the Eastern Seaboard from New Jersey to North Carolina, securing the coastline, searching for drug and human smugglers, helping sailors in distress. It will carry a crew of 20 and two officers and is designed to stay at sea for as long as five days, traveling nearly 3,000 nautical miles. Its commanding officer, Lt. Jason McCarthey, gave it a motto: Until Properly Relieved. Rollin Fritchs devotion to duty reminds us how to conduct ourselves aboard this ship, he said in a press release. He manned his gun until the very end. Back in Pawnee County, Schuster wondered what her uncle would have thought about all of the attention. Im sure he was a very humble young man and never would have dreamt that he would come to this honor and have his name live on, she said. He was just doing his job. Digital Literacy Report: Digital Natives Easily Duped by Information Online Many students are having a hard time judging the credibility of online news, according to a new study from Stanford University. Researchers at the Stanford Graduate School of Education assessed middle, high school and college students on the their civic online reasoning skills, or the ability to judge the credibility of information that floods young peoples smartphones, tablets and computers. The Stanford History Education Group recently released a report that analyzes 7,804 responses collected from students across 12 states and varying economic lines, including well-resourced, under-resourced and inner-city schools. To test news literacy, the researchers administered 56 tasks that involved open web searches. They found that when it comes to evaluating information that flows on social media channels like Facebook and Twitter, students are easily duped and have trouble discerning advertisements from news articles. Native advertising, for example, proved vexing for the majority of students, according to the report. For one task, 203 middle school students were asked to evaluate the homepage of Slate magazines website. More than 80 percent of students believed that an advertisement with the words sponsored content was a news story. Several even responded that it was sponsored content, yet identified it as a credible news story. Many people assume that todays students growing up as digital natives are intuitively perceptive online. The Stanford researchers found the opposite to be true and urge teachers to create curricula focused on developing students civil reasoning skills. They plan to produce a series of high-quality web videos to showcase the depth of the problem that will demonstrate the link between digital literacy and citizenship, according to the report. The report, Evaluating Information: The Cornerstone of Civic Online Reasoning, can be found here. Releases from NASA, NASA's Galex, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, HubbleSite, Spitzer, Cassini, ESO, ESA, NASAs Chandra X-ray Observatory, Royal Astronomical Society, NRAO, Astronomy Picture of the Day, Harvard-Smithsonian Center For Astrophysics, Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, Gemini Observatory, Subaru Telescope, W. M. Keck Observatory, Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, JPL-Caltech, Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, ICRAR, etc Donald Stratton, the subject of this column, grew up in Red Cloud, Nebraska. -- Editor Only five of the 335 men who survived the unprovoked attack that sunk the USS Arizona on Dec. 7, 1941 remain alive. Donald Stratton, 94, is one of them. He has added to the historical knowledge of that day and the beginning of America's entry into World War II in a new book, "All the Gallant Men: The First Memoir By a USS Arizona Survivor." Typical of so many men of that era, the book (written with Ken Gire) is less about Stratton, a 19-year-old kid from a tiny Nebraska town ravaged by the Great Depression, and more about the men with whom he served. According to the book, total casualties at Pearl Harbor on that fateful day amounted to 2,403 dead and 1,176 wounded. Many of Stratton's shipmates lie interred in the bowels of the Arizona, which still secretes oil, a constant reminder to "never forget." People too young to have known men of that era, or who never asked grandparents about their World War II experience, will find in Stratton's book a quality that has declined in modern times -- modesty. "We were not extraordinary men," he writes. "Truth be told, most of us had enlisted because there were precious few jobs to be found where we lived." The isolationist spirit was strong in 1941. Here's Stratton on the patriotism that overwhelmed isolationism after the attack: "Love for country welled up inside seemingly every American, coming out in the songs we sang, in the movies produced, in the newspaper articles that were written. ... We were ordinary men. What was extraordinary was the country we loved." Compare this sentiment to what we see in today's movies, newspaper articles and songs. Stratton writes, "We loved who (America) was, what she stood for. We loved her for what she meant to us, and for what she had given us, even in those meager times." People of that generation were taught to be grateful for the little they had and not to be envious of others, who might have more. That's another contrast with the envy-greed-entitlement spirit of our age. There have been numerous accounts of that awful day, but few as personal as Stratton's. What comes through as one reads about the unbelievable cruelty of "smiling and waving" Japanese pilots, as they rained death on a nation that was officially at peace, was the heroism of young men who witnessed explosions, flying body parts, burning oil, shattered metal and peeling flesh. Where did that heroism come from? These were still mostly adolescents whose previous battles were over acne and getting a date for a Saturday night dance. It is a question raised by historians and commentators over the years. The answer is that their strength was instilled in them by parents and the circumstances of their lives. Doing without material things can force one to focus on what matters, such as developing character and other virtues that seem in short supply in today's celebrity culture. "All the Gallant Men" is deeply personal. Stratton still remembers the names of many of his shipmates who died, as well as those who survived. He brings them back to life as ghosts from the past, their futures snuffed out by war. Today we are a divided nation. Nothing unites us. We prefer tearing down to building up, and suffer for it. Stratton's book reminds us of a better America, an America that was strong in character, not just military power. As president-elect Donald Trump attempts to "make America great again," he might recall that true greatness is not found in external prosperity or military might alone. Rather, as Donald Stratton reminds us, it comes from within. Initial goal to determine treatment efficacy of iTeos' immuno-oncology drug candidates Option for iTeos to license Cristal's proprietary nanotechnology platform for development of up to three immuno-oncology therapeutic candidates MAASTRICHT, The Netherlands and GOSSELIES, Belgium, Dec. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cristal Therapeutics, a Dutch privately-held life sciences company developing novel nanomedicines against cancer and other diseases and iTeos Therapeutics SA, a Belgian privately-held biotechnology company applying its expertise in translational tumor immunology to the development of novel cancer immunotherapies, today announced a strategic partnership for the discovery, development and commercialization of optimized immuno anti-cancer drug candidates, using Cristal Therapeutics' medicinal nanotechnology CriPec platform. The initial goal of this partnership is to determine the therapeutic efficacy of targeted drugs using Cristal's CriPec application in iTeos' preclinical models which have been proven to be predictive in combinations of several immune activators - such as IDO1 and TDO2 - with checkpoint inhibitors. iTeos has an option to license Cristal's proprietary nanotechnology platform to support the development and commercialization of up to three of its immune tumor-targeting programs. CriPec, a proprietary nanotechnology platform, consists of tuneable polymers and biodegradable drug linkers that allow for the rational design and straightforward manufacturing of custom-made nanomedicines. Applying the CriPec platform - drugs entrapped in CriPec nanoparticles - results in immuno nanomedicines with a superior product profile as compared to the native drug molecule. CriPec nanoparticles improve the disposition of thousands of drug molecules per particle and allow the controlled release of these molecules specifically at the target site. This results in an improved therapeutic efficacy and tolerability. Joost Holthuis, Cristal Therapeutics' CEO, commented: "This partnership with iTeos allows us to assess and demonstrate the application of our CriPec nanoparticles, specifically in the area of novel immuno-oncology therapies. We are focused on applying our nanomedicine platform to several promising oncology indications, some of which will be evaluated for the iTeos' development pipeline." Michel Detheux, , iTeos' CEO, added: "We are very pleased to enter into this partnership with an emerging clinical-stage nanomedicine platform company. Cristal has a strong and experienced management team, and has demonstrated the capability to quickly develop valuable therapeutic programs. We look forward to applying their platform to some of our drug candidates. We believe it has particular potential in the evolving area of causing so-called "cold tumors" - which are less responsive to checkpoint inhibitors - to become susceptible to various immuno-oncology therapies." About Cristal Therapeutics Maastricht, The Netherlands based Cristal Therapeutics, is a privately-held life sciences company developing novel nanomedicines against cancer and other diseases, by using its patented CriPec platform. CriPec transforms drugs into polymeric nanoparticles via an innovative process. These nanoparticles provide improved distribution throughout the body. The substantial improvement of the efficacy and safety of the drugs entrapped in CriPec nanoparticles has been demonstrated in several preclinical disease models. Cristal Therapeutics' products in development are primarily aimed at treating patients suffering from cancer but offer also opportunities for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. CriPec docetaxel is the most advanced product candidate, and is under clinical evaluation for the treatment of solid tumors. For more information please visit www.cristaltherapeutics.com. About iTeos Therapeutics S.A. Based in Gosselies, Belgium, iTeos, a spin-off of Ludwig Cancer Research (LICR) and de Duve Institute (UCL), is focused on expanding the benefits of immunotherapy for cancer patients. The company is developing a proprietary pipeline targeting A2A, immune checkpoints and non-immunogenic tumors. It has licensed its IDO1 program, now in Phase 1 development, to Pfizer. iTeos' competitive edge is in the combination of expertise in drug discovery and translational tumor immunology. The company uses a unique platform to identify rational combinations of immunotherapies and novel targets. The company is supported in part by the Walloon Region of Belgium and the FEDER (European Fund for Economic and Regional Development). For more information please visit www.iteostherapeutics.com. French English Wednesday 7 December 2016 APRIL starts reorganising its international operations The Board of Directors met today under the chairmanship of Bruno Rousset and approved the plan to reorganise the Group's operations in Switzerland and the United States. APRIL therefore begins to streamline its international operations, which was one of the priorities set in 2015 for the following years. These priorities mainly aim to restore the profitability of loss-making operations and drive sustainable growth. Accordingly, in Switzerland APRIL has sold its assistance operations and initiated the run-off of its health insurance portfolios. In a market troubled by regulatory changes since 2012, the Group chose to focus solely on international student health insurance, a proven and recognised expertise in France that is now strongly exported around the world. In the United States, the Group decided to outsource assistance claims handling for the Spanish and English-speaking countries of the American continent to a third-party service provider, selected primarily for its high quality of service. By refocusing on its travel insurance distribution business, currently at breakeven, via partnerships with travel insurance aggregators and online travel agencies, APRIL should benefit from a more flexible cost structure and thereby cut its losses. These measures will lead to recognise an impairment on some assets amounting to 16m (including 13m in goodwill), with no impact on cash and 1m in restructuring costs for the current year. These operations represent the first step of the Group's international businesses reorganisation, a process that is expected to be carried on in 2017 with a less significant impact. The impact of these measures in the Group's accounts should make up for most of the non-current operating expenses forecast for the year, which are estimated at around 20m. They do not affect the forecast decline in current EBIT that was previously announced, which could reach the lower end of an 8-12% range for 2016 compared to the previous year. "These reorganisations stem from the priorities that were previously announced and allow us to redeploy our capabilities as we promote the exportation of our expertise. They are an important first step in streamlining our international operations and they foster the Group's strong commitment to long-term dynamics" Emmanuel Morandini, APRIL CEO, stated. Upcoming releases: - 24 January 2017 after market close: 2016 Full-year sales - 8 March 2017 after market close: 2016 Annual results This release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assessments or assumptions that were reasonable at the date of the release, and which may change or be altered due to, in particular, random events or uncertainties and risks relating to the economic, financial, regulatory and competitive environment, the risks set out in the 2015 Registration Document, and any risks that are unknown or non-material to date that may subsequently occur. The Company undertakes to publish or disclose any adjustments or updates to this information as part of the periodical and permanent information obligation to which all listed companies are subject. Contacts: Analysts and investors Guillaume Cerezo: +33 (0)4 72 36 49 31 / +33 (0)6 20 26 06 24 - guillaume.cerezo@april.com Press Samantha Druon: +33(0)4 72 00 46 56 - samantha.druon@insign.fr About APRIL Established in 1988, APRIL is an international insurance services group with operations based in 31 countries in Europe, America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and the leading wholesale broker in France. Listed on Euronext Paris (Compartment B), the Group posted sales of 798m in 2015. Its 3,800 staff members design, manage and distribute specialist insurance solutions (health and personal protection, property and casualty, mobility and legal protection) as well as assistance services, for private individuals, professionals and businesses, by pursuing the ambition APRIL set itself from the very beginning: to change the image of insurance and make it easier and more accessible. Driven by a strong entrepreneurial culture, the group bases its development on four values in support of its customers: building trust, pushing boundaries, innovating and keeping things simple. Full regulated information is available on our website at www.april.com (Investors section). Dutch English French Brussels, December 7, 2016 --- Solvay has obtained clearance from the Brazilian antitrust authority, CADE, for the agreed sale of its 70.59% stake in Solvay Indupa to chemical group Unipar Carbocloro. Completion of the transaction, at a total enterprise value of US$ 202.2 million as announced in May, is expected to take place in the next weeks. Solvay Indupa produces PVC and caustic soda in Brazil and Argentina. Follow us on twitter @SolvayGroup An international chemical and advanced materials company, Solvay assists its customers in innovating, developing and delivering high-value, sustainable products and solutions which consume less energy and reduce CO2 emissions, optimize the use of resources and improve the quality of life. Solvay serves diversified global end markets, including automotive and aerospace, consumer goods and healthcare, energy and environment, electricity and electronics, building and construction as well as industrial applications. Solvay is headquartered in Brussels with about 30,900 employees spread across 53 countries. It generated pro forma net sales of 12.4 bn in 2015, with 90% made from activities where it ranks among the world's top 3 players. Solvay SA (SOLB.BE) is listed on Euronext in Brussels and Paris (Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLB.BR). Acetow is a cellulose acetate tow leader in filtration applications in consumer goods as well as in plastic and textile. Headquartered in Freiburg, Germany, Acetow is a worldwide producer with five production sites and has almost a century of experience in its core competence acetylation. Its innovation strategy is based on improving its core business and diversification. WASHINGTON -- I was home with my family Sunday afternoon when an email arrived from a reader with a proposal. He wanted to lynch me. "Rope, Tree, Journalist," the man wrote. "Some assembly required." To this slogan, made popular by T-shirts Donald Trump supporters wore at his rallies, my would-be hangman added his offer: "I will assemble for you." This bit of, er, gallows humor was the latest, though far from the worst, of the sort of correspondence my colleagues and I have been receiving lately. There was a time when threats against journalists, like threats of any sort of political violence, were exceedingly rare. But in Trump's America, such threats are neither rare nor idle. If you doubt that, consider the events in recent days at Comet Ping Pong, the family pizza place in Northwest Washington I've been frequenting with my daughter ever since she was a toddler a decade ago. Lately, the owner and staff at Comet have been getting death threats, spurred by radio host Alex Jones, a conspiracy theorist with close ties to the president-elect. Jones has been whipping up a bogus and bizarre accusation that Comet is a front for a Hillary Clinton-affiliated pedophilia ring, and the resulting calls and messages threaten a "public lynching" of this nonexistent ring. "I pray someone comes to Comet pizza with automatic weapons and kills everyone inside," wrote one. Comet's owners asked the FBI for help but heard nothing in reply from James Comey's agents. They heard instead from a North Carolina man, carrying an assault rifle, who walked into Comet and started shooting on Sunday afternoon -- by coincidence, about the same time I got the email from the aspiring hangman. The man told police he had come to "self-investigate" the pedophilia conspiracy. Mercifully, nobody was hurt. The notion that Clinton and her aides are involved in pedophilia has been furthered by none other than Michael Flynn, the man Trump tapped to be his national security adviser. On Nov. 2, Flynn tweeted about allegations that Clinton emails included evidence of "sex crimes with children." Even after the man fired his assault weapon inside Comet on Sunday afternoon, Flynn's son, Michael Flynn Jr., spread further suspicion on Twitter about Comet and the Clinton pedophilia ring. This would appear to be the new normal: Not only disagreeing with your opponent but accusing her of running a pedophilia ring, provoking such fury that somebody takes it upon himself to start shooting. Not only chafing when criticized in the press but stoking anti-media hysteria that leads some supporters to threaten to kill journalists. After The Washington Post reported Sunday about the Comet gunman and the nonsense conspiracy theory that motivated him, the reporters received emails and tweets saying "I hope the next shooter targets you lying sacks of s--- in the media." Trump is not directly responsible for every violent word or action of his followers. But he foments violence. Trump, during the campaign, fantasized about Clinton and her judicial nominees being assassinated. He boasted that "I bring rage out" in people, and his violent rallies proved it. Since the election, Trump has falsely accused the media of inciting violence. At his speech in Ohio last week he denounced the "dishonest" media no fewer than six times. He has also been encouraging Jones, leading publicist of the Comet-Clinton-pedophilia absurdity. Trump has praised Jones's "amazing" reputation, called Jones after winning the presidency to thank him for his support, and has regularly parroted Jones's conspiracy ideas. Now we are beginning to see the consequences of the rage and paranoia Trump has encouraged: A disturbed man fires an assault weapon in a place where tots play ping-pong. If Trump were a different leader, he would declare that political violence is unacceptable in a free society. But instead he continues to fuel rage against his opponents and his critics. More and worse violence will inevitably follow. 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 I was returning to Hawaii after visiting my family in Lincoln. Having a knee replacement triggered the metal detector and required a pat-down. All OK with the pat-down. However, the folks viewing the Xray of my backpack asked if it was OK to check it out. Of course I agreed. One of the officers found an unacceptable item in my bag. It was a credit-card size multi tool that did a lot of stuff- bottle opener, micro wrench, rule, a compass aid and oh yeah a very sharp blade an inch and a quarter long. It had been a Christmas gift over a year ago and had gone missing when I returned home. June Simpson ("Shame on Trump voters," Dec. 2) ) said "Stupidity should hurt" about those who voted for Trump. Gee, that hurts my feelings. I need a safe room to go and contemplate what I should do with the rest of my life. She talks about our private parts and grabbing them; why is Bill Clinton in the room? She mentions that Trump will grab our Social Security, take our constitutional rights away from us, and our economic future is in jeopardy. Listen June, you are so full of it that when I read this in bed I could not stop laughing, Trump is NOT president yet, but helped save 1,100 jobs in Indiana the other day. He has been communicating with other countries that have called to congratulate him and they seem pretty optimistic about him being the leader of the FREE world. With a person who is used to getting things done in the business world, maybe he can get things done in America that have not been done in years, such as an economy that will lift all boats not just the wealthy like Obama's administration. Yes, Katy, bar the door, this next four years could be a ride to prosperity for all who take advantage of it. You whiners can sit on your back sides and whine, or work to make America great. Roger Yant St., Lincoln Michaela Hahn will be the next principal at Culler Middle School, 5201 Vine St., starting in January. Hahn is associate principal at Lincoln Northeast High School, where she has been since 2000. At Culler, she will replace Gary Czapla, who will be the first principal at Moore Middle School, 8700 Yankee Woods Drive, set to open next fall. In a message for Culler families, Hahn said: I have had the great fortune of spending most of my professional life working with students and families in the Northeast part of town. I love the culture of pride and tradition and am beyond thrilled to get the opportunity to serve the students, parents and teachers at Culler. It is an incredibly strong school and I look forward to helping that tradition of excellence continue." Hahn began at Northeast as a special education teacher and department chair. She became a special education coordinator in 2003, and an associate principal in 2011. She graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, earned a masters degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and is in the process of earning her superintendency endorsement. Hahn also completed her administrative practicum at Culler in 2005. While at Northeast, Hahn worked on projects such as the graduation requirement committee, adaptive schools training and the secondary technology advisory committee. KENOSHA U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is scheduled to appear in Kenosha next week for a television show taping. Sanders, who sought the Democratic Party nomination for president this year, will be at United Auto Workers Local 72, 3615 Washington Road, at about 2 p.m. Monday for a town hall meeting with MSNBCs Chris Hayes. The program will air at 7 p.m. Monday. The UAW building is located just southeast of Bradford High School. Hayes show billed the program as All in America: Bernie Sanders in Trump Country. The event is not ticketed, but a big crowd is expected. Sanders also visited Kenosha during the presidential primary campaign, making a March 30 speech at Carthage College. He won the Wisconsin primary over eventual Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton with about 57 percent of the vote. BURLINGTON The process of replacing Burlington's Jefferson Street Bridge is underway. A meeting tonight will be residents' first opportunity to provide public feedback on the initial plan to replace the bridge, which crosses the Fox River in between North Spring Street and North Calumet Street. Representatives from CORRE, a Madison-based civil engineering firm, and an engineer for the state of Wisconsin will attend the meeting, which will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Burlington Police Station, 224 E. Jefferson St., to answer questions. Although the bridge won't be replaced until the summer of 2019, Jim Bergles, Burlington's director of public works, stressed the importance of not surprising citizens with the project. "Jefferson is a high-traffic street and thats why we're giving the city plenty of notice," Bergles said. According to a fact sheet compiled by Bergles, the project will also include sidewalk improvements and replacement of curb ramps for American with Disabilities Act compliance in the areas surrounding the bridge. While the bridge isn't in need of immediate replacement, City Administrator Carina Walters said the city has been discussing the replacement for a while. "The bridge is a total replacement," she wrote in an email. "This has been on the citys docket for several years." Design accents Early discussion about the project centered on the bridge's design, according to Bergles, and the new bridge will likely have a similar look to the city's East State Street bridge, which it replaced in the early 2000s. Elected officials told Bergles that they want some sort of fox design on the bridge, since it passes over the Fox River. "They want some type of character to it that enhances the city," Bergles said. Bergles added that while preliminary discussion has focused on the new bridge's core design, Wednesday's meeting will focus on exterior design. In addition to gathering public input, the city is in the process of conducting historical and geological analyses for the project, according to Bergles. He said bids for the project will likely go out in late 2017, with the design process taking place in 2018. Considering the bridge's significance, Bergles thinks early public involvement in the process is important. "We just want to keep people informed as to whats going on," he said. Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life! YEREVAN. US Ambassador to Armenia, Richard Mills, on Tuesday made a very strange and shocking statement to reporters, according to Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper. Speaking about recently appointed Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan, he said what he had listened so far from the PM, and with respect to giving priority to the matter of corruption, is encouraging. Mills believes that Karapetyan is responding to the problems that he is hearing from the Armenian people. As per the US diplomat, corruption must be fought against, also since it can hamper business growth and investments in Armenia. In his view, corruption can be a problem also for national security, since it can enable corrupt officials and corrupts businessmen outside Armenia to have an effect on developments in Armenia. If we have a correct understanding of the course of the thoughts of Richard Mills, then he considers Karen Karapetyan a corrupt Russia official, whose appointment as Prime Minister of Armenia is a national security threat. Naturally, the addressee of this statement is not only Karapetyan; this is also a speech directed at [Armenias President] Serzh Sargsyan because, after all, he invited Karapetyan to Armenia [from Russia], wrote Haykakan Zhamanak. RACINE Parents and students gathered in the gym of Goodland Elementary School Tuesday to hear firsthand from school administrators and faculty about why the school received a fails to meet expectations grade from the state Department of Public Instruction. The event was called Soup, Sandwich and Solutions, with a goal to help parents understand what some of the issues are at the school, 4800 Graceland Blvd. The school report cards were released by DPI last month and showed performance results for every public school in Wisconsin. One of the key points the school staff emphasized was absenteeism, which resulted in the school having five points subtracted from its total score because more than 13 percent of students were chronically late. Had those points not been deducted, the school would have received a grade of meets few expectations. We have to reach out to parents, share this information and help them to take ownership of it, said Janet Colvin, the schools principal. This is something we need to work together on. Wendy Rowley, executive director of accountability for the Racine Unified School District, told the parents in the audience how bad the situation really is. You had 16 percent of the students here absent 19 days or more, Rowley said. This is the second highest absenteeism rate in the entire district. Students are missing school more here than at almost every other school in the district. Some good news The DPI measured the schools ability to close the achievement gaps with traditionally lagging students. On this topic, Rowley told the parents that the school is closing the achievement gaps above the state average. That is a huge win for your school, Rowley said, and the parents responded by applauding. Colvin hopes the parents become more involved in their students education and she wants to be more transparent with the schools results. Looking at literacy, mathematics, those are things were going to work on in school, but we need our parents to help us at home as well, Colvin said. Goodland Elementary School has a lot of staff who are working together for the good of students who understand that were educating the whole child. That were not just that test score. Parents reaction Jessica Arjon came to Tuesdays presentation with her two sons who both attend Goodland and had not realized the impact absenteeism was having on the school. Im probably one of the moms whose (students) attendance is very poor, Arjon said, adding she has another child currently at Childrens Hospital in Wauwatosa. Sometimes its just hard taking them to school and going up there (to Childrens Hospital) so I have to work on that. Arjon said that since the school report cards came out, shes been scheduling doctor appointments for after school so she doesnt have to pull her children out of classes during the day. I figure if you can recognize your problems it would be easier to work on them, Arjon said. Were working on it. Ive been doing a lot better. Even for parents like Brandy Harris, whose children dont have a problem with absenteeism, there are still areas on which to improve. My daughter is here (on time) but she does need help with math and reading comprehension, Harris said. Because she can do it when someone helps her, but I want her to be able to do it when no one is helping her. Harris said shell focus more on helping her daughter do math at home and read with her. Harris added that having the parents come to the school and hear the information from school staff was helpful. I think it was good and important for me to know that the school needs our help, Harris said. The school is asking us to help them help us. Newspaper: Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty to be signed in Georgia US delivers more than 200 artillery systems to Ukraine since February 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 STEPANAKERT. In accordance with the arrangement reached with the authorities of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Mission will conduct a planned monitoring of the Line of Contact between the armed forces of Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan. The monitoring will be held on Thursday, in the direction of NKR Askeran Region, northeast of Kengerli village, the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. From the positions of the NKR Defense Army, the monitoring will be conducted by Ghenadie Petrica (Moldova) and Khristo Khristov (Bulgaria), field assistants to the Personal Representative to the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. The Artsakh authorities have expressed their readiness to assist in holding the monitoring and to ensure the safety of the OSCE Mission members. STEPANAKERT. Within the framework of his working visit to Washington D.C., Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh) Prime Minister Arayik Haroutyunyan met with officials of the Armenian Assembly of America, and the Armenian National Committee of America. They discussed the prospects for deepening cooperation on issues of national importance and matters relating to Artsakh, the NKR Government informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. Also, Haroutyunyan underscored the role of these two organizations in the decision-making process of US state agencies, and in raising awareness of Artsakh. Subsequently, the NKR PM attended a reception by the Embassy of Armenia in Washington D.C. In his remarks at this event, the Premier spoke about the state-building, economic development, and ensuring security in the NKR. He also stressed the importance of the Armenian diasporas exclusive participation in the development and international representation of Artsakh. In addition, Arayik Haroutyunyan responded to several questions from those in attendance. WASHINGTON, D.C. Armenia is an important partner of the United States (US), and we are interested in seeing Armenia economically developed. US Congressman Adam Schiff, who is also Vice Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, told the aforesaid to the Voice of America Armenian service. For the development of Armenias economy, the congressman pointed to high-tech which, in his view, has great prospects in the country. He added that Armenia, owing to its national intellectual potential, can become the Silicon Valley of the Caucasus. Schiff noted, however, that Turkeys blockade as well as problems with Azerbaijan are among the important external obstacles standing in the way of Armenias economic development. He also called on US diplomats to react more drastically and substantively to ceasefire violations by Azerbaijan. The congressmen linked the importance of US relations with Armenia also to the existence of a large American-Armenian community. But Schiff expressed concern by the next US administrations future position on matters relating to Armenia and the American-Armenian community, especially regarding Armenian Genocide recognition. He stated that US President-elect Donald Trump and some members of his team have economic interests in Turkey and Azerbaijan, and that this may adversely affect the Armenian agenda in the US. Separately, Congressman Adam Schiff positively assessed Armenias contribution to accepting refugees from Syria. Also, he underscored the protection of the nationalincluding Armeniansand religious minorities in Syria and Iraq. RACINE The presidential recount wrapped up in Racine County on Wednesday, and as expected, the results did not appear to change much. Through Tuesday, Democrat Hillary Clinton gained 56 votes in Racine County while Republican Donald Trump lost three votes, according to numbers submitted to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Elections Commission officials were reviewing final tallies from Racine County and expected to release them Thursday, Dec. 8, commission spokesman Reid Magney said. County officials were not able to release final tallies Wednesday. Clinton had picked up the bulk of her additional votes in the City of Racine, where she ran the strongest. For example, 13 Clinton votes in Ward 4 were not counted on election night due to nonstandard pens used to mark ballots, according to the commission. The numbers before the recount showed Trump with 46,611 votes in the county compared to Clintons 42,512 votes. Some objections raised While the result was not expected to change, Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein and those working on her behalf said they wanted to ensure the integrity of the election. Liz Whitlock, observing on behalf of the Stein campaign, said Wednesday she raised an objection over some ballots recorded as undervotes, meaning the voter did not cast a vote in the presidential category. Whitlock said she and another observer hand-counted a ward as ballots were fed into the machine and found several ballots marked for a candidate but counted as under votes for various reasons the line wasnt filled in all the way, for example. Whitlock believed those ballots should count, saying the intent of the voter was clear. County Clerk Wendy Christensen said she disagreed with that assessment; the vote totals stood. The recount of nearly 97,000 ballots in Racine County went smoothly overall and ended quicker than anticipated, Christensen said. The county originally anticipated working up to the 8 p.m. Monday deadline. We had so many more volunteers that showed up to help, Christensen said. Vote-counters worked at the Racine County Courthouse until about 9 p.m. each night since the recount began on Dec. 1. Additional machines and work spaces and past experience with recounts also helped, she added. Many of my staff have been through a recount before, so we were a little more familiar with some of the process, Christensen said. The county most recently did a recount during the 2012 state Senate recall election in which about 75,000 ballots were cast. The year before, there was a statewide Supreme Court recount. Clinton gain minimal Stein is paying for the cost of the recount, which in Racine County was estimated at about $120,000. As of Wednesday afternoon, the recount in Wisconsin was about 70 percent complete. Democrat Hillary Clinton had gained 82 votes on Trump, who won the state by more than 22,000 votes. Most changes in vote totals were due to human error, the commission said in a release Wednesday. An earlier version of this story misstated the affiliation of an observer hand-counting ballots. The story has been corrected. The Council of Europe (CoE) is ready to help in confidence building between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, Ioannis Kasoulides, told APA news agency of Azerbaijan. Our main principle during [Cypruss] chairmanship [of the Committee of Ministers of the CoE] is to remain neutral, said Kasoulides. As far as I know, the OSCE [i.e. the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe] Minsk Group is working to find a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Whats important is that Armenia and Azerbaijan, for a peaceful solution to this problem, remain committed to their obligations to the Council of Europe. As the Council of Europe, we fully support the Minsk Group mediators efforts to restore negotiations. I think a meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian president by the summer would be a step forward to achieve a peaceful solution the conflict. The Council of Europe can make its own contribution by creating conditions for full confidence between the parties until the conflict is over. The Council of Europe is ready to help both countries about this problem. Prime Minister of Armenia, Karen Karapetyan, on Wednesday met in Gyumri with the community heads of Shirak Province, and discussed the main challenges of this province. Karapetyan noted that the priority is business development and job creation in Shirak. There is no alternative, added the PM. It is business that creates jobs, pays taxes. Also, the Premier called on the Shirak community heads to consider clear plans for the development of their communities, and to work towards their implementation. We need to know where we can invest money so we can get maximum effect, said Karen Karapetyan. We need to bring this country out of this situation by helping one another. Official representative of State Department Mark Toner commented on the reference to the Armenian Genocide made by U.S. Ambassador to UN Samantha Power. Ambassador Power gave the remarks in the context of honoring Elie Wiesels lifelong efforts to raise awareness about the Holocaust and to convince others to stand up in the face of these kinds of injustices and mass atrocities. And they certainly didnt her remarks didnt reflect any kind of shift in the Administrations policy, Toner said during the Tuesday briefing. Asked why the Administration is not using the term genocide, Toner said: This President, this Administration, as have past administrations, have repeatedly mourned and acknowledged that 1.5 million Armenians were massacred or marched to their deaths in the final days of the Ottoman Empire. And weve also called for a full and frank acknowledgement of the facts of what happened around those deaths. And that remains our policy. I dont want to get into terminology or how we referred to it. We acknowledged that 1.5 million Armenians were massacred, as I said, and we want to see a full historical accounting of those events. However, State Department representative did not answer the question whether relations with Turkey stop this administration from saying the word genocide. YEREVAN. All graduates from previous years of the Diplomacy and International Relations and Diplomats Training courses of the Diplomatic School of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Armenia reunited Tuesday in capital city Yerevan. Welcoming the graduates of the previous six years, Diplomatic School Director, Ambassador Vahe Gabrielyan, stressed the importance of this schools courses in terms of the diplomatic service of Armenia and the education sector of the country, the MFA news service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. Also, Gabrielyan thanked the European Union (EU) for its continued assistance to the Diplomatic School, and sponsorship to its various events. In his remarks, head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Piotr Switalski, likewise stressed the importance of the Diplomatic School of Armenia. In addition, Political Science Professor Paul Sharp delivered a presentation on the expediency of academic study of diplomacy by diplomats. The reunion also brought together Armenias deputy FMs, heads of various MFA departments, and directors of several other state agencies where Diplomatic School graduates are working. Armenia MFA Diplomatic School graduates reunite 15:34, 07.12.2016 In his remarks at the event, head of the EU Delegation to Armenia stressed the importance of this school... YEREVAN. All graduates from previous years of the Diplomacy and International Relations and Diplomats Training courses of the Diplomatic School of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Armenia reunited Tuesday in capital city Yerevan. Welcoming the graduates of the previous six years, Diplomatic School Director, Ambassador Vahe Gabrielyan, stressed the importance of this schools courses in terms of the diplomatic service of Armenia and the education sector of the country, the MFA news service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. Also, Gabrielyan thanked the European Union (EU) for its continued assistance to the Diplomatic School, and sponsorship to its various events. In his remarks, head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Piotr Switalski, likewise stressed the importance of the Diplomatic School of Armenia. In addition, Political Science Professor Paul Sharp delivered a presentation on the expediency of academic study of diplomacy by diplomats. The reunion also brought together Armenias deputy FMs, heads of various MFA departments, and directors of several other state agencies where Diplomatic School graduates are working. YEREVAN. - In the market conditions, Armenia could also have not received such cheap gas as today. Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan said the aforementioned in the National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday, responding to the question of MP Tigran Urikhanyan. In 2013, the Armenian Government sold 20 percent of the shares of ArmRosgazprom to Russian Gazprom, which became the 100 percent owner of the republics gas and transport system, its subsidiary coming to be called Gazprom Armenia. According to Karapertyan, the deal was definitely beneficial for Armenia, since the Government didnt receive any dividends from these 20 percent. Moreover, Russian Gazprom didnt receive dividends either, since the means were reinvested back in the company. Thus, I dont see anything bad in that we were able to extinguish this part of our foreign debt. And if we ask whether the gas price could be lower, the answer is no, it couldn't. The gas price for Armenia was always the lowest in the region,'' Karapetyan added. But the PM doesn't consider this position to be correct either. ''There was a danger that the market prices would prove to be much higher than the one which Armenia received as a result of talks. Let's say, the same 270 would form, and Gazprom would say: ''Well, I'm giving [the gas] for $240''. But consequently, we recived [gas] for $189,'' he noted. In December 2013, Russia signed an agreement with Armenia on supplying gas by $189 per 1000 cubic meters. In 2015, the price was reduced to $165 to compensate the losses of Gazprom Armenia as a result of the Armenian dram devaluation. On April 7, the price of $150 was announced after the meeting between the Armenian and Russian prime ministers. RACINE Saturday holiday shopping trips just got a little cheaper for the rest of December. Thats because the Racine City Council Tuesday approved a special motion to make parking in Downtown, Uptown and West Racine free for the four remaining December Saturdays. The motion, introduced by Seventh District Alderman Ray DeHahn, originally included just Downtown parking, but was amended to include Uptown and West Racine by Third District Alderman Michael Shields. DeHahn said Friday that he suggested the idea to stimulate Downtown shopping. The idea has been suggested before but never implemented, DeHahn said. Ive been on this council for 12 years and weve yet to try anything like this, DeHahn said. I thought, this is worth a try. Shields proposed expanding the free parking to Uptown and West Racine as a way to let shops outside of Downtown benefit from DeHahns plan. They have shopping and they do business too, Shields said. So if were going to do one of them, we might as well do all of them. Assistant Commissioner of Public Works Thomas Eeg estimated that the lost parking revenue for the city would be about $10,000, with about $8,000 of that coming from Downtown. Eeg added that about half of that overall loss comes from meter money and the other half comes from parking tickets. Some opposition First District Alderman Jeff Coe, the alderman for the Downtown area, said he consulted with Downtown Racine Corp. Executive Director Devin Sutherland about the parking exception. Sutherland polled roughly 60 Downtown business owners and while most who responded were in favor, some felt the free parking would not benefit customers. The customers dont get the parking places, Coe said. The employees take them. The people that live up in the apartments, theyre not moving their cars. Coes concern was shared by Mary Osterman, the owner of Copacetic at 409 Main St. Osterman spoke during the public comment session at the beginning of the meeting to share her concerns. As good as it sounds, the reality is that it will be abused by Downtown residents and some surrounding businesses employees, she said. On the concerns regarding employees, DeHahn had a recommendation for business owners. If you run a business and you truly care about your business Downtown, you arent going to encourage your employees to park anywhere your customers would park, he said. YEREVAN. - Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan considers correct the deal of conceding to Gazprom 20 percent share of the Armenian Government in Hayrusgazard. Karapetyan said the aforementioned in the National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday, responding to the question of MP Tigran Urikhanyan as to whether he doesn't find it illogical for the Government to pay for something from its assets. ''I see nothing illogical in that you can pay by your assets against something, especialy when you are [thereby] reducing the foreign debt,'' the PM said. Karapetyan also noted that he doesn't agree with the observation that that deal caused Gazprom to raise the gas tariff for Armenia. ''In all times, the gas price for Armenia has been the lowest possible in the region. Never has the gas been delivered to Armenia at a price which was not the cheapest in the region.'' To the MP's observation that he worked in Gazprom at the moment of making the aforementioned deal and thus took part in it, Karapetan noted: ''I was a member of the Board of Directors at Gazprom and also a manager in three organizations. None of the three had anything to do with Armenia. I didn't take part in that deal. But I reiterate, I consider that deal logical.'' Iranian MPs: Powerful Iran will never tolerate changing of its borders Newspaper: Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty to be signed in Georgia US delivers more than 200 artillery systems to Ukraine since February 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 YEREVAN. - 25 percent privatization of the Georgian-Armenian transit gas pipeline (Georgian section of Mozdok-Yerevan pipeline) doesn't pose risks for the country. Karapetyan said the aforementioned in the National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday, responding to the question of MP Shirak Torosyan, who recalled the plans of Giorgi Kvirikashvili's government to sell 25 percent of the shares of the Georgian oil and gas corporation, which owns that gas pipeline. In the PM's words, in the event of selling the mentioned 25 percent, including to Azerbaijan, there is no risk that the Georgian side will cease implementing its agreement obligations on transit gas. ''You ask whether the risks may rise if that percent also goes up? They may, but this will already be a different step, one related to interstate relations. And in this case we know what arguments we can bring to our neighboring friendly country. And if we talk about this nowin case of 25 percentwe risk to appear at least incorrect,'' the PM said. Ansar Dine Claims Freeing Over 100 Prisoners in Attack on Jail in Niono, Attacking French and MINUSMA Forces President-elect Donald Trump was tweeting again on Tuesday morning -- this time calling for the cancelation of a Pentagon order from Boeing (BA) for a new 747 aircraft to use as Air Force One. Trump called the $4 billion cost "out of control" and ended his tweet with "Cancel order!" Boeing stock is lower by 0.43% early this afternoon. CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" hosted Council on Competitiveness CEO Deborah Wince-Smith on Tuesday's show. She weighed in on a number of topics, including the Trump tweet. "The U.S. Council on Competitiveness as you know brings together CEOs and university presidents and labor leaders. We're very pro-business, we're very pro-growth and we really believe the private sector needs to lead. So I think the comment about Boeing is a little bit concerning in terms of the president," Wince-Smith said. However, she added that there are "so many exciting things" on the way from the Trump Administration to get the economy growing. "Very importantly, how we're going to jump start our stagnant productivity and really ensure that we have a higher standard of living for all Americans. And that's really where we're focused," she continued. The discussion then moved on to the Carrier deal Trump and V.P.-elect Mike Pence struck last week. The deal resulted in about 1,000 jobs remaining at the heating and air-conditioning company's Indiana location, rather than moving to Mexico. Trump has said there will be consequences for companies that take jobs out of the U.S., even tweeting about 35% taxes at the border. "I think those issues are really evolving right now, and from the perspective of the U.S. Council on Competitiveness, we have worked for so many years to make the business case for our manufacturing enterprise and the talent and the skills. So keeping this big infrastructure in the United States and ensuring that we're going to move to advanced manufacturing, while at the same time we're going to educate our workers, this is very, very important," Wince-Smith said. As far as the threat of increased tariffs, Wince-Smith believes a lot of it might just be talk, and the intent is to send a signal that Trump is serious about keeping jobs in the U.S. and building up manufacturing and infrastructure. The Council on Competitiveness and Gallup put out a report titled "No Recovery," which CNBC's Sara Eisen called "very gloomy" due to the expectation of a lack of growth in productivity and the economy. Eisen asked if Wince-Smith is more optimistic now than before the election. "Well this is a very significant report," the CEO responded. "It's looking really at 50 years of the decline in U.S. productivity. What's very, very important coming out of this report, and I urge everyone to read it, is that we have three sectors in our economy -- health care, education and housing -- that account now for 36% of all economic activity. And there is absolutely no productivity in these sectors." If the productivity and the quality of those three sectors are not fixed somehow, the U.S. will not see the long-term growth, productivity and standard of living that the country needs, Wince-Smith said. Behind the Facades in France: What expats and the mainstream media (French and American alike) fail to notice (or fail to tell you) about French attitudes, principles, values, and official positions California Legislator Files Superbug Tracking Bill State Sen. Jerry Hill says his bill would set up the first system in the nation to track antibiotic-resistant infections and deaths. A California state senator, Sen. Jerry Hill, has introduced a bill this week that would require the creation of a system to track antibiotic-resistant infections and deaths related to infections caused by "superbugs." He filed another bill that aims to require passengers who ride in buses equipped with seat belts to wear them and a third bill to require each law enforcement agency in California to have a written procedure in place to account for all of its guns. "These bills are aimed at improving public health and safety and the accountability of agencies and systems that are intended to protect Californians," said Hill, D-San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. He introduced the bills on the first day of the new legislative session after taking the oath of office for his second four-year Senate term. His Senate Bill 43Superbug Tracking is legislation to set up a first-in-the-nation system to monitor and track antibiotic-resistant infections and deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate antibiotic resistance kills 23,000 Americans each year and sickens some 2 million people, and in California, health authorities estimate superbugs are to blame for 3,000 deaths and 260,000 illnesses annually, Hill reported, yet California and the federal government don't track antibiotic-resistant infections or deaths associated with the infections. "We cannot hope to effectively combat superbug infections without such critical information. What we don't know can kill us," Hill said. Hill's SB 22Law Enforcement Firearms Accountability Bill is an attempt to improve law enforcement agencies' oversight of their firearms, Hill said. The bill requires each law enforcement agency in the state to have the written procedure and a process for annual inventories, reconciliation of guns on hand with guns listed in inventory, a process for reporting lost or stolen guns, and a disciplinary procedure for officers who fail to report a lost or stolen firearm. Press release: Revel Systems today announced they are expanding their partnership with FreedomPay, the leader in secure payment technology for stadiums, hospitality, restaurants, gaming lodging and retail merchants. As the dynamics of the POS landscape change and there is a shift in customer expectation to have the ability to place orders from multiple devices,it is prime for a transition. To effectively address and solve the evolving clients needs, businesses must supply highly secure, up to date technology. The FreedomPay and Revel partnership is reshaping the customer shopping experience, supplying unprecedented protection for payment transactions coming from any channel. Were expanding our partnership with FreedomPay by providing EMV solutions to our clients, said Bobby Marhamat, Chief Revenue Officer at Revel. FreedomPay secures our clients data with PCI-validated point-to-point encryption and tokenization, delivering greater transaction security. FreedomPay provides three layers of secure payment technology with PCI-validated P2PE, EMV support and tokenization that delivers the highest level of payment protection. As hacks and ransomware attacks continue to increase, FreedomPays platform ensures clear text cardholder data is encrypted and replaced by surrogate values rendering cardholder data useless. With FreedomPays PCI-validated solution, clients also benefit from reduced costs and simplified PCI DSS requirements. FreedomPay is excited to partner with Revel and provide their clients with an innovative and flexible solution, and one designed to satisfy their expanding needs. We share Revels philosophical approach to business by powering solutions that will solve tomorrows problems for businesses worldwide, said Christopher Kronenthal, Chief Technology Officer at FreedomPay. About Revel Systems Revel Systems iPad POS was founded in 2010 in San Francisco with the goal of changing the Point of Sale market. Founders Lisa Falzone and Christopher Ciabarra developed a quick, intuitive and secure iOS-based Point of Sale system by combining cloud-based technology and the mobility of the Apple iPad. Revel Systems software offers a feature-rich POS solution for restaurant, retail and enterprises with integrated payroll, inventory tracking, customer relationship management and more. With the introduction of the Revel Marketplace, Revel iPad POS System users can now integrate directly into third-party enhancements, including mobile payments, online ordering, gift or reward cards and advanced financial software suites. About FreedomPay The FreedomPay Commerce Platform is the best way for merchants to simplify complex payment environments. Validated by the PCI Security Standards Council for Point-to-Point Encryption (P2PE) along with EMV, NFC and DCC capabilities, global leaders in retail, hospitality, gaming, education, healthcare and financial services trust FreedomPay to deliver unmatched security and advanced value-added services. With broad omni-channel integrations across top point-of-sale, device manufacturers and payment processors, supported by rapid API adoption, FreedomPay is driving the future of commerce and customer interaction. For more information, go to www.freedompay.com. More Point of sale news: Shelfbucks Acquires Portfolio of Patents (electronic retail shelf labels) Shelfbucks Acquires Portfolio of Patents Covering Technology for In-Store POP Display Execution, Compliance, Performance Measurement 24 patents originally held by Goliath Solutions provide Shelfbucks with industrys largest portfolio of patent protected technology to assess the success of its customers retail campaigns AUSTIN, Texas December 6, 2016 Shelfbucks Inc., the number one in-store retail merchandising optimization platform, today announced it has acquired 24 granted patents that cover technologies used to measure execution, compliance and performance of in-store merchandising displays. The patents also cover technology for monitoring in-store advertising conditions and engaging in-store shoppers with advertising content. The acquisition provides Shelfbucks with the single largest portfolio of patent protected technology in this industry segment. The patents were originally granted to the former Goliath Solutions, an early pioneer in radio-based technology platforms and the first company to prove to the retail and CPG industry that automated measurement of in-store merchandising and marketing display execution, compliance and performance ultimately drives significantly increased product sales and gross margins. Shelfbucks also announced last month that the co-founder of Goliath Solutions and architect of the acquired patents, Gary Overhultz, has joined the company as chief implementation officer. Goliath, which operated from 2002 to 2013, incorporated radio technology directly into point-of-purchase (POP) merchandising displays and in-store marketing materials. The company had successfully signed more than 100 CPG brand customers and was installed in multiple retailers, including leading drug chain Walgreens. Under the direction of Mr. Overhultz, Goliath Solutions was the first company to prove to the retail and CPG industries that automated measurement of in-store marketing display execution, compliance and performance ultimately drives significantly increased product sales and gross margins. These patents form a foundation of CPG industry game changers, individually and collectively enabling new levels of actionable insights about merchandising optimization, consumer messaging, and inventory management, Mr. Overhultz said. Through technology and processes detailed in this group of patents, the timeliness, breadth, and accuracy of available retail data are substantially improved. Shelfbucks has taken this technology to a new level of functionality, accuracy and cost-effectiveness. Im delighted to be part of the CPG revolution as both an author and an implementer. Shelfbucks acquired the patents from Chicago-based CapX Partners, a capital provider to middle market companies as well as private equity sponsored and venture capital backed firms. CapX Partners was a significant investor in Goliath Solutions from its early days of success, and was instrumental in the companys development of its industry-changing platform. As Goliath Solutions was laying the foundation for this entirely new industry capability, we became extremely passionate about what it would achieve in the future, said Jeffry Pfeffer, managing partner of CapX Partners. With its enhanced technology, platform, established partners and solid leadership, we know that Shelfbucks shares our vision and will take the full capabilities of this IP portfolio to a much higher level. We look forward to supporting Shelfbucks along its very exciting path for growth. Erik McMillan, CEO of Shelfbucks said: The addition of these 24 granted patents to our existing intellectual properties gives Shelfbucks the industrys largest portfolio of patent protected technologies and enables us to secure the long-term success of our customers in-store marketing efforts. Having greatly advanced the technology in recent years, Shelfbucks can now uniquely enable CPGs and retailers to measure and optimize the value of their in-store marketing programs. CPG and retail customers incorporate the Shelfbucks platform into POP merchandising programs, enabling continuous, daily reporting on when and where displays are installed within retail stores. Shelfbucks provides detailed insights on performance against marketing and sales goals, enabling brands to optimize their campaigns to maximize sales. Shoppers browsing a product area can also easily interact with Shelfbucks-enabled merchandising materials using their smartphones to immediately access product content, promotional offers, ratings and reviews, and other relevant product or category information. CPG brands and retailers understand the growing importance of optimizing in-store shopper marketing through data-driven merchandising decisions and personalized mobile interactions with shoppers at the point of purchase, Mr. McMillan added. We are working with the industrys most prominent POP display companies, brands and retailers to create a vast digital ecosystem that measures campaign performance with incredible scale and accuracy, while directly engaging with shoppers to enhance their satisfaction and create larger purchase patterns. Our acquisition of these granted patents now further protects official Shelfbucks partners and customers while we help the industry realize new growth opportunities for the long term. About CapX Partners Founded in 1999, CapX Partners (CapX) is a specialty finance company that focuses on private equity and venture backed portfolio companies looking for debt financing in the $2-$20 million range. CapX provides senior and mezzanine debt including lease lines and favors manufacturing, distribution, technology, energy and healthcare industries with an emphasis on revenue producing fixed assets. For more information on CapX, visit www.capxpartners.com. About Shelfbucks Shelfbucks is the #1 in-store merchandising optimization and mobile media platform, enabling retail and CPG brand customers to realize additional revenue and brand equity from in-store marketing programs with insights that lead to better merchandising decisions, and new personalized shopper experiences that lead to increased sales per visit. Additional information on Shelfbucks is available at www.shelfbucks.com. Watch industry leaders speak on digital coming to the in-store experience at www.shelfbucks.com/faqs. SmartShelf and SmartDisplay are trademarks of Shelfbucks Inc. The Point of Sale News ( www.pointofsale.com ), now finishing its 7th year, does not sell software, hardware, POS products or POS services we are strictly focused on POS news, information and resources for business owners and managers. Our background in building and installing POS systems goes back to 1983, and weve helped thousands of businesses get automated. If you have a POS related question or a suggestion for an article, feel free to email us and well try to help. If the above article was useful or informative, please feel free to use the buttons below to share it with others. Thank you. MO: Bill Introduced to Hold Gun Free Zone Owners Liable for Damages By Dean Weingarten. December 5th, 2016 Article Source In 2016, SB 1736/HB2033 was passed in the Tennessee legislature. The bill was an attempt to hold businesses that chose to ban defensive firearms from their premises responsible for damages. That was a step to far for the Tennessee legislature. The bill was cut back to say that businesses that did not ban firearms would be immune from lawsuit for actions that resulted from their lack of a ban. In Missouri, Representative Schroer has introduced a bill, HB 96, that is very similar to the original HB 2033 in Tennessee. From news-leader.com: The proposal, known as House Bill 96, which would apply when a person who is authorized to carry a firearm, is prohibited from doing so by a business and is then injured by another person or an animal. If the injured person could otherwise have used a gun for self-defense, they could sue the business, which assume(s) custodial responsibility for the safety and defense of any person on their property who could carry. ....... Early days for this bill as it has only just been introduced. However, should it follow through and be passed it certainly could radically reduce the numbers of 'gun-free-zones' within commercial enterprizes. It would not of course affect locations controlled by federal statute for 'no guns' but any move towards reducing at least some 'gun-free-zones' is welcome. Some other states should pay attention to this but in some cases we won't be holding our breath! "You don't have to be Jewish to fight by our side." 2016 JPFO All rights reserved. jpfo@jpfo.org 1-800-869-1884 Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership 12500 NE 10th Pl. Bellevue, WA 98005 USA Americas most aggressive civil rights organization We make the NRA look like moderates Join JPFO Back to Top MO: Bill Introduced to Hold Gun Free Zone Owners Liable for Damages Comments By Dean Weingarten. December 5th, 2016 Article Source In 2016, SB 1736/HB2033 was passed in the Tennessee legislature. The bill was an attempt to hold businesses that chose to ban defensive firearms from their premises responsible for damages. That was a step to far for the Tennessee legislature. The bill was cut back to say that businesses that did not ban firearms would be immune from lawsuit for actions that resulted from their lack of a ban. In Missouri, Representative Schroer has introduced a bill, HB 96, that is very similar to the original HB 2033 in Tennessee. From news-leader.com: The proposal, known as House Bill 96, which would apply when a person who is authorized to carry a firearm, is prohibited from doing so by a business and is then injured by another person or an animal. If the injured person could otherwise have used a gun for self-defense, they could sue the business, which assume(s) custodial responsibility for the safety and defense of any person on their property who could carry. Here is the opening paragraph of HB 96. From mo.gov: 1. Any business enterprise electing to prohibit the possession of firearms or other arms by the placement of signs as authorized under section 571.107, or other provisions of chapter 571, shall assume custodial responsibility for the safety and defense of an person who is authorized to carry fire arms or other arms under chapter 571 while such person is on the premises of the business enterprise. The provisions of this section shall not apply to private property not used for commercial purposes or private residences of any type. For purposes of this section, business enterprise means any business that sells or provides goods or services to the general public. The bill has not been scheduled for any committee hearings or any of the process that will be required to guide it through the legislature. It has only been introduced. If passed, it creates a powerful incentive for property owners or managers not to put up No Gun signs, or to take them down if they are now in place. If property owners or managers put up a no gun sign, or leave one in place, they are held responsible for damages to legal gun carriers who disarmed because of the sign. They are held responsible for damages that occurred to the legal gun carrier because of being disarmed on the way to and from the premises where they were legally prevented from being armed. Only those locations that are required to be Gun Free Zones by state or federal law are exempted. No thinking property owner, unless they are strongly politically or ideologically motivated, will go against these incentives. The bill follows a trend in several other states. Kansas grants immunity from liability to property owners and managers from damages that may result from legal gun owners possessing firearms on or in their property. Wisconsin does the same. Tennessee, as mentioned above provides a level of immunity to businesses which do not ban firearms. The Missouri Legislature has been friendly to Second Amendment supporters. Watch this space for future developments. 2016 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included. Link to Gun Watch Back to Top News Windows 10 'Creators Update' To Bring Security Enhancements Microsoft is planning to deliver some added security improvements for organizations when the Windows 10 "Creators Update" gets released. The Windows 10 Creators Update was announced in October as a coming feature update to the operating system that will deliver creative tools support for applications, such as 3D and augmented-reality support. Today, Microsoft described some security improvements that also will be arriving with this release. Editor's note: this story was updated on 12/7 with Microsoft's responses. Microsoft hasn't indicated exactly when the Creators Update will arrive, but it's expected to appear perhaps in March 2017 as Windows 10 version 1703 (the so-called "Redstone 2" release), according to this story by long-time Microsoft reporter Mary Jo Foley. That arrival date was confirmed by her unnamed "sources," she said. Multiple security enhancements were announced today by Microsoft with the coming Windows 10 Creators Update. Details were missing regarding availability across Windows 10 product editions, as well as licensing details. Some of the improvements, though, involve Microsoft's Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection service, which previewed in March but was released for production environments last month with the Windows 10 "anniversary update" (version 1607). Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection is a post-breach security analysis service that Microsoft plans to sell as part of its top-of-the-line Secure Product Enterprise E5 subscription offering. The E5 subscription dependency is shown in the table at the bottom of this page. Microsoft's Secure Productive Enterprise offerings, which came into effect this quarter, combine licensing for Office 365 services, the Windows 10 Enterprise edition and the Enterprise Mobility + Security suite bundle, as described back in July. That said, here are the security improvements that are planned for the Windows 10 Creators Update, without licensing details. Windows Security Center. The Windows Security Center apparently is a new "centralized portal" for showing security events. It will link with Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection, an Exchange Online e-mail security protection service that uses underlying Microsoft Intelligent Security Graph technology (it's actually the "portal for Windows Defender ATP," a Microsoft spokesperson clarified). The Windows Security Center will let IT pros track attacks "across endpoints and email," Microsoft's announcement explained. The announcement added that the Windows Security Center "was first released in the Anniversary Update" (version 1607). However, it didn't show up on Microsoft's TechNet list of new features for that release. Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection. Microsoft plans to add detection, intelligence and remediation capabilities to this service with the Windows 10 Creators Update. As mentioned above, the Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection service analyzes security breaches after they've occurred. It's not the same thing as the Windows Defender antimalware service built into Windows 10, despite the similar name. However, the service is going beyond being just an analysis tool. Microsoft is planning to add remediation support to this service, too. It will be possible with the Creators Update "to isolate machines, collect forensics, kill and clean running processes and quarantine or block files with a single click in the Windows Security Center," Microsoft's announcement promised. In addition, Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection will have access to sensors in the Creators Update operating system to detect "threats that persist only in memory or kernel level exploits." Lastly, it will be possible to add "intelligence into the Windows Security Center." Here's how a Microsoft spokesperson described that capability: SecOps can leverage an open API to define alerts unique to their environment within Windows Defender ATP, based on incidents of compromise (IOCs). Those will get surfaced in the Windows Security Center. Customers' own TI will not be shared with anyone else. Windows Analytics. Windows Analytics is associated with Windows Upgrade Analytics, an operating system deployment planning tool that's part of Operations Management Suite subscriptions. However, Windows Upgrade Analytics can be used as a standalone tool with a free Azure subscription for Enterprise customers, according to a talk by Michael Niehaus, director of product marketing for Windows. With the Windows 10 Creators Update, there will be an updated Windows Analytics dashboard. This updated dashboard will permit "organizations to use their own telemetry to provide new insights and ensure compliance on the upgrade, update and device health processes within their organizations," Microsoft's announcement stated. Details were omitted. UEFI In-Place Conversion. The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is the BIOS replacement found in new PCs. Organizations may have PCs that support UEFI, but they may have put Windows 7 on them and used the traditional BIOS instead. Microsoft plans to deliver an ability with the Windows 10 Creators Update to convert these machines to UEFI as part of the in-place upgrade process from Windows 7. The conversion tool can be used with System Center Configuration Manager, as well as other tools, according to the spokesperson: This conversion tool can be used as a standalone tool, or it can be integrated with management tools such as System Center Configuration Manager and other management solutions. Mobile Application Management. Microsoft will provide a feature in the Windows 10 Creators Update that "will protect data on personal devices without requiring the device to be enrolled in a Mobile Device Management solution." A video accompanying Microsoft's announcement showed an information protection type of capability. For instance, the copying of text from a work application into a personal application was prevented. It also showed access getting blocked after an employee termination. Details about this capability weren't described. Windows Update Size Improvements. Microsoft plans to reduce the size of its updates with the Windows 10 Creators Update. A "differential download" technology promises a 35 percent reduction in file size. Improvements to "express updates" using System Center Configuration Manager could "reduce the monthly update size by up to 90%," Microsoft suggested. These size reductions are part of a coming "Unified Update Platform" technology, Microsoft previously indicated. Niehaus had suggested that a Windows 10 feature update could be reduced from 3.5GB to 2.5GB under this approach. Monthly updates could be reduced to around 1.8GB in size, he added. Exact timing wasn't described, but previews of some of these Creators Update improvements are expected to show up for Windows Insider Program testers "over the next few weeks," Microsoft indicated. More than 30 people were missing off the Yemeni island of Socotra on Wednesday after a cargo vessel carrying islanders home from the mainland sank in the Indian Ocean, authorities said. At least 26 passengers were rescued from the water after a major search operation in the early hours, President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi said in a statement on the official sabanew.net website. The ship sank northwest of Socotra -- around 350 kilometres (220 miles) from Yemen's south coast -- which has been hit by rare tropical cyclones in recent months. Hadi called for "doubling efforts to broaden rescue operations to reduce the scope of the catastrophe that has struck the inhabitants of Socotra." Officials declined to say if inclement weather was behind the disaster but Yemeni Fisheries Minister Fahd Kavieen earlier told reporters that the vessel had "an accident." "Sixty people, including women and children, were aboard the vessel, which was also carrying small fishing boats," he said. The government said United Arab Emirates jets were assisting search and rescue operations alongside Yemeni coastguards as well as two ships from Australia and Austria. It did not specify whether those vessels were merchant ships or part of an international flotilla that has been fighting piracy off the nearby Somali coast. Although long ruled from Yemen, Socotra lies closer to the coast of Africa than it does to the Arabian Peninsula. It sits at the exit of a busy shipping lane from the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea into the Indian Ocean. For years it was prey to piracy from the lawless Somali coast and it is in one of the most heavily patrolled maritime areas on Earth. Kavieen did not specify whether warships of the international counter-piracy operation were taking part in the search for survivors. He said that the ship had been out of contact for several days and its sinking was confirmed on Tuesday. "Vessels have been combing the area since the early hours and there is significant hope that the passengers have survived," he said. Yemen has been ravaged by conflict for the past two years, disrupting transport links to the archipelago. The port of Mukalla, from which the sunken freighter set off, was controlled by Al-Qaeda for a full year until it was retaken by pro-government forces in April. Air links to Socotra from elsewhere in Yemen have all but ground to a halt as Hadi's beleaguered government battles rebels who still control the capital Sanaa. There are no regular passenger ferries either, forcing islanders to seek berths on the occasional cargo vessel. Throughout the devastating conflict that has pitted forces supporting Hadi against Shiite rebels and their allies, Socotra has remained loyal to his Saudi-backed government and has been spared the violence gripping much of Yemen. - Tourism potential - Socotra has enormous tourism potential which has never been realised because of the repeated conflicts suffered by Yemen. Its isolation from the landmasses of both Africa and Asia has led to the evolution of unique plant life, much of it found nowhere else on Earth. Among the most famous is the dragon's blood tree, a bizarre umbrella-shaped plant that earned its name from its blood-red sap which was much sought after as a dye in the ancient world. Persistent unrest in the nearby Horn of Africa has meant that the waters around Socotra have seen a steady flow of Ethiopian and Somali migrants ready to risk the perilous sea crossing in the hope of reaching Yemen's energy-rich Gulf neighbours. At least 79 people have perished while attempting to cross the Gulf of Aden this year, the UN refugee agency has said. Prosecutors on Wednesday urged UN war crimes judges to impose a life sentence on former Serb military commander Ratko Mladic, once dubbed "the Butcher of Bosnia." "It would be irresponsible and an affront to justice to impose anything other than a life sentence," prosecutor Alan Tieger told the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia as the prosecution wrapped up its case after a four-year trial. "The time has come for General Mladic to be held accountable for those crimes against each of his victims and the community he destroyed." Mladic, 74, has denied 11 charges including two of genocide, as well as war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the bloody 1992-95 Bosnian conflict. More than 100,000 people died and 2.2 million others were left homeless in what prosecutors say was a relentless campaign of ethnic cleansing, aimed at chasing all non-Serbs from Bosnian territory with the aim of creating a Greater Serbia. After living openly in Serbia despite an international arrest warrant against him, Mladic was finally captured in 2011 after 16 years on the run. His trial opened in May 2012. During three days of closing arguments, prosecutors insisted Mladic, despite defence arguments, was the man "who was in charge, who called the shots." "His concern was not that Muslims might create a state, his concern was to have them vanish completely," Tieger told judges on Monday. The defence team will now open three days of closing arguments on Friday and into next week. A verdict and judgement is not expected until some time in 2017. By Dominique Patton and Steve Holland BEIJING/NEW YORK (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump will nominate Iowa Governor Terry Branstad as the next U.S. ambassador to China, choosing a longstanding friend of Beijing after rattling the world's second largest economy with tough talk on trade and a telephone call with the leader of Taiwan. The appointment may help to ease trade tensions between the two countries, the world's two biggest agricultural producers, diplomats and trade experts said. Branstad has visited China at least six times, and Chinese President Xi Jinping has travelled to Iowa twice, including once while Branstad was governor. Branstad's appointment also suggests that Trump may be ready to take a less combative stance toward China than many expected, the experts said. Trump in a statement cited Branstad's qualifications including experience in government and longtime relationships with Xi and other Chinese leaders. The nomination, which will be formally made once the Republican president-elect is sworn in on Jan. 20, was well received, even among some Democrats. "He's tenacious, and trust me, with the Chinese, you need to be tenacious," U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, said of Branstad. Trump, who defeated Hillary Clinton in last month's election, has said that when he takes office he intends to declare China a currency manipulator, meaning it keeps the yuan artificially low to make its exports cheap, and has threatened to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese goods coming into the United States. Added to that, his unusual decision to accept a call from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen last week prompted a diplomatic protest on Saturday from Beijing, which considers Taiwan a renegade province. Trump's transition team played down the exchange as a courtesy call, but the White House had to reassure China that its decades-old "one-China" policy was intact. Branstad's established personal connection with China could help smooth a relationship defined largely by international security matters and by bilateral trade, where the massive U.S. trade deficit with the country is a source of friction. "It means that the Trump team understands that it is important to have an ambassador who has access to Xi Jinping, Bonnie Glaser, a China expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, said of the pick. Branstad called Xi a "longtime friend" when Xi visited Iowa in February 2012, only nine months before he became China's leader. On Wednesday, Branstad said he and Xi have had a "30-year friendship" and added: "The president-elect understands my unique relationship to China and has asked me to serve in a way I had not previously considered." Before his nomination was announced, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang called Branstad an "old friend" of China when asked in Beijing about a Bloomberg report on the appointment, although he said China would work with any U.S. ambassador. "We welcome him to play a greater role in advancing the development of China-U.S. relations," he told a daily news briefing. Xi's ties to Iowa go back more than 30 years: He visited Iowa in 1985 on an agricultural research trip when he led a delegation from Hebei Province, returning 27 years later and reuniting with some of the people he had met. Trump's stance on China has been in particular focus since Friday's call with Tsai, the first such top-level contact with Taiwan by a U.S. president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter adopted a "one-China" policy in 1979, recognising only the Beijing government. DUMPING ALLEGATIONS China is the United States' largest trading partner in goods. But imports from China far outstripped U.S. exports, making for a trade deficit with China of $336.2 billion in 2015, according to the U.S. Trade Representative. Specific U.S. trade concerns include allegations that China is dumping steel and aluminum in global markets below the cost of production, hurting American producers. In the agricultural sector, the United States has been unable to get Beijing to lift anti-dumping measures on U.S. broiler chicken products and an animal feed ingredient known as distillers' dried grains (DDGS). China is one of Iowa's biggest export markets, so Branstad is well placed to deal with China-U.S. trade issues, said Professor Huang Jing, an expert on Chinese politics at the National University of Singapore. "This really sends a message that Donald Trump wants to handle China at the bilateral relationship level," he said. Branstad, 70, visited China most recently as the leader of a trade mission that made stops in Beijing and Hebei in November. He will be somebody who clearly understands agriculture representing U.S. interests in China, said Dale Moore, executive director for public policy at the American Farm Bureau Federation. (Reporting by Sangameswaran S in Bengalaru, Christian Shepherd in Beijing, John Ruwitch in Shanghai; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu and Matt Spetalnick in Washington, Tom Polansek and Mark Weinraub in Chicago and Kay Henderson in Des Moines; Writing by Richard Cowan and David Ingram; Editing by Robert Birsel, Martin Howell, Frances Kerry and Jonathan Oatis) In a country where Gay Pride parades require massive security and almost half the citizens think homosexuality is a disease, Serbia is drawing patients from around the world seeking sex change operations to become men. Offering experts in the field for a fraction of the cost in western Europe and America, Belgrade has become a surprising centre for the complex gender reassignment surgery. One Italian patient began the transition to become a man 14 years ago and visited Belgium, Britain and Germany looking for the best clinic to complete the procedure. In the end the 38-year-old anaesthetist chose the Belgrade Centre for Genital Reconstructive Surgery, led by Miroslav Djordjevic, a professor of urology and surgery in the Serbian capital. "I did a lot of research and contacted many centres and I found that almost everyone was a student of Professor Djordjevic, so I wanted to go to the source of this knowledge," said the bearded and softly-spoken patient, speaking to AFP a few days after surgery. He asked to be identified only by the initials A.T. Djordjevic operates on about 100 international sex change patients each year from countries including Japan, Brazil, South Africa, Australia and the United States. Another 20 or so come from around the former Yugoslavia. Eighty-five percent of his patients are seeking female-to-male operations, a rarer and more complicated procedure than the reverse. - Yugoslav pioneers - For general healthcare Serbia is not widely considered a medical tourism destination, although it does draw some foreigners seeking cheap dentistry Take, for example, gallstone treatment in Serbia, which "is five times cheaper than in Germany, but nobody comes here for gallstone treatment," said 51-year-old Djordjevic. He said patients come to his centre, which opened in 2006, because it's one of fewer than 20 around the world that can perform the full female-to-male surgery -- and it's unique because "we perform everything in one stage". "We do, at the same stage, the removal of the breasts, removal of female internal genitalia... and then we finish our surgery with the creation of a neophallus," he explained. This medical speciality started in Serbia in the late 1980s under Djordjevic's mentor Sava Perovic, a surgeon who pioneered developments in treatment for transgenders. Another centre in his name, the Sava Perovic Foundation, also performs female-to-male sex changes in Belgrade. Media-savvy Djordjevic denies that value-for-money is the main reason for Serbia's popularity, although A.T. paid 15,000 euros ($16,000) in Serbia for surgery that would have cost 60,000 euros in Britain. The Italian patient said he could have had his operation for free at home but he believed the surgeons there lacked enough experience. David Ralph, a London-based consultant urologist who specialises in penile construction, said lower hospital costs rather than surgical expenses appeared to be what drove down prices in Serbia. "At the end of the day the patients get the same," Ralph told AFP, although he said he preferred to do female-to-male surgery in a series of smaller operations to reduce the chance of complications. In any case the pre-surgical procedure is lengthy: a patient should undergo a thorough psychiatric evaluation and hormone treatment totalling up to two years. - 'Violence, bullying, rejection' - Serbia's success in this special strand of medical tourism is incongruous with the widespread attitudes towards gays and transgenders in the patriarchal country of seven million people. At Belgrade's Gay Pride march in 2010, hardline nationalists attacked participants and clashed with police, wounding 150 people and prompting officials to ban the parade for the next three years. Thousands of riot police are now deployed for the annual event and the city centre is locked down. A UN-backed survey on discrimination in late 2013 showed that 49 percent of Serbians believed homosexuality was a disease that should be treated. Transgenders face even greater stigma and "suffer a tremendous amount of violence, bullying, rejection" from a young age, according to activist Milan Djuric, who also goes by the name of Agatha and works for a local NGO, Gayten-LGBT. Attacks reported last year included a couple beaten in a southern Serbia cafe because one of them was transgender, and a transgender woman who was attacked on a public bus in Belgrade. In a milestone move, the government agreed in 2012 to bear two-thirds of the cost for its own citizens' sex change operations. "But it doesn't solve a whole array of other issues of concern," said Djuric, who is campaigning for a gender identity law to help transgender people, particularly in changing their personal documents. Italian A.T. said he was unaware of the level of prejudice that existed across Serbia, but expressed relief at finding somewhere to finish his operation successfully. "It is relaxing to be finally at the end of the transformation," he said. Rather than hiding SQL in a drag-and-drop interface, Holistics.io makes the language the star of the show, and helps analysts build comprehensive reports In the world of media production, there is no software quite like Adobe Creative Suite. Whether it is Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Final Cut or Illustrator, the entire rolodex of products has one thing in common: It is not friendly to newbs. And yet, for nearly every person who has taken the time to learn the software, it becomes nearly impossible to use anything else. There is nothing more frustrating than knowing how to do something, only to be restricted by the software, and Adobes success is built on the feeling of near-total creative control. Holistics.io, a Singaporean business intelligence startup, approaches its product with the same mindset. Instead of catering to non-technical people with an easy to use interface, Holistics is catering to people who already know what they are doing (or can devote the time to learn). One of the differentiating factors is a lot of the platforms out there are designed for the non-technical to use. So they will strip down the complexity in favour of a bare-bones drag-and-drop interface. So although it is great for a non-technical, it hides the complexity of the environment, explained Co-founder and CTO Huy Nguyen in a conversation with e27. The B2B SaaS product leverages SQL by allowing data analysts to enter queries, choose the visualisation they want and then help present the data in a way that is useful to the non-technical people on the team. Furthermore, every time a business person opens the report, the SQL query runs again so the most up-to-date data is presented. Nguyen believes SQL is the new Excel, and that in many ways, the people who know how to use SQL will find jobs in the same way masters of Excel were employed over the last couple of decades. The end result is this: Instead of a drag-and-drop interface that is easy for the masses to use (but runs into trouble when certain metrics are requested), it is a platform that makes life easier for data professionals already familiar with SQL. Story continues All of the [competitions] tools want to hide SQL from [the user], and give them a drag-and-drop interface. What we do is reverse this and promote SQL as a first class citizen, said Huy. Also Read: A Singapore private university is investing US$35.1M to develop entrepreneurs This is why the comparison to Adobe is apt. SQL takes time to master, which means Holistics is targetting the professional user much like how it is nearly impossible for amateurs to make decent graphics on Final Cut Pro in the first few months. However, once the user has gotten the hang of the product, it becomes extremely powerful. For example, one of Holistics customers built over 400 unique reports within two months of onboarding the platform. That kind of diversity of data would be difficult to reproduce on a more user friendly system. If the idea sounds too niche to work, the company is proving that theory wrong. Holistics is completely bootstrapped to this point, has six employees, and is already profitable. Plus, the startup has a client list that includes well-known brands like 99.co, Tech in Asia, Grab, Kaodim, Traveloka and KFit. (Grab was its first customer.) Finding engineering talent One of the key tenets of the Holistics business model is that it builds its platform around a companys existing infrastructure. According to Nguyen, they are one of the only companies to work with a clients database a stark contrast to most other solutions that require a complete shift to the new software. Basically our customers onboard the platform and then they engage the data team to build the reports and dashboards, says Nguyen. As one might expect from this type of company, Holistics requires top-notch engineers to fill its ranks. The engineering team is based in Vietnam and while, yes, Nguyen admits finding talent is hard, he says it is not impossible. Plus, the team has two characteristics that make it an attractive place for an engineer to work. We have a strong background in engineering so that attracts the good ones, [and] our engineering problems are quite challenging, he said. Looking ahead Over the last year, the company has focused on figuring out the pain-point it wants to solve and how to convey the correct message to customers. Holistics thinks it has a solid platform, and because it has been positioning itself as a global company, the startup is beginning to spread its wings. Which means, because it has found its audience, the next step is figuring out how to scale the product. Now, Holistics is starting to spread its wings and is working to build a scaleable product for a global audience (currently, the company does need to instal the infrastructure manually). It wants to build a lightweight product so any new tech startup can just onboard Holistics and have their data analytics infrastructure taken care for them. Also Read: A brief history of algorithms (and why its so important in automation, machine learning, and everyday life) One of the more interesting nuggets from Holistics client outreach strategy is the companys use of the question/answer website Quora. Nguyen says the company actually landed its American client through inbound marketing by participating in the platform. So we didnt know, but if you look at it, when people search What is a BI tool for startups? or what is an affordable BI tool? It always go to Quora. Someone on Quora will ask that question. So you just go in, make your pitch, and if it is compelling enough they will visit your site, explained Nguyen. Data analytics is crucial for the success of any business in the internet economy, and Holistics is trying to prove that the best way to approach it is not by making it easy for the company to use but rather by empowering those who are best to find its full potential. - Copyright: think4photop / 123RF Stock Photo The post Designed for professionals, Singapores Holistics.io wants to be the Adobe of data analytics appeared first on e27. President-elect Donald Trump came under fire Thursday for picking a global warming skeptic as his new environment chief, ahead of a visit to the American Midwest that helped him win the White House. The 70-year-old property tycoon, who has never previously held elective office, has spent the majority of his time since his November 8 defeat of Hillary Clinton sequestered in his New York headquarters building his cabinet. His team says more than 50 percent of those positions have now been filled, with 43 days to go before the Republican will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, the oldest man ever inaugurated into the office. He reportedly will nominate fast food executive Andy Puzder to be his labor secretary. The transition team says his pace of appointments outstrips that of any modern US administration, but opponents hounded Trump for nominating an ally of the fossil fuel industry to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Trump's choice of Oklahoma's attorney general Scott Pruitt has outraged many Democrats and environmental experts who fear that he will reverse outgoing Democratic President Barack Obama's efforts to combat climate change. In announcing the nomination of Pruitt -- who will need Senate approval -- Trump complained that "for too long," the EPA had spent "taxpayer dollars on an out-of-control anti-energy agenda that has destroyed millions of jobs." Pruitt "will reverse this trend and restore the EPA's essential mission of keeping our air and our water clean and safe," the president-elect said. The EPA chief can wield strong influence on US actions to combat climate change: the agency both determines what international commitments the country is able to make, and implements them. - 'Outer extreme edge' - Opponents scoffed at Trump's suggestion that Pruitt will be a safe steward of the environment, pointing out he has spent much of his time battling the very agency he is now tapped to lead. "Scott Pruitt has spent the past several years fighting tooth and nail to help polluters erase or circumvent the critical environmental protections our nation has put in place," said Steny Hoyer, the number two Democrat in the House of Representatives. "There is nothing good about this," Michael Burger, executive director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School, told AFP. "Pruitt is a known conspirator with the fossil fuel industry and I mean that in a literal sense," he said, pointing to the Oklahoman's 2014 efforts with oil companies to battle EPA regulations. Ken Kimmell, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists, described Pruitt as someone "on the outer extreme edge, and putting him in charge of EPA could really have devastating consequences." While campaigning, Trump said Obama's environmental regulations were hamstringing US businesses and vowed to roll back regulations and slash corporate taxes in an effort to drive job creation and business growth. But he does seem to be courting opinion from the other side of the political aisle, meeting this week with former Democratic vice president-turned-climate campaigner Al Gore and also reportedly with actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who is an active environmentalist. While his cabinet nominations offer clues as to Trump's projected policies, observers worldwide remain on tenterhooks over how exactly he will manage the climate, national security, trade, immigration and foreign policy. - Stops in Ohio and Iowa - All eyes remain fixed on his pending announcement of his candidate for secretary of state, with Exxon chief executive Rex Tillerson and former Ford boss Alan Mulally reportedly late additions being considered. But Trump will take a break from cabinet interviews on Thursday when he heads to Ohio to meet the survivors and first responders of last week's car-and-knife campus attack before headlining a victory rally in swing state Iowa. Trump, who during the campaign called for Muslims to be banned from entering the United States, tweeted after the November 28 attack that the assailant, who migrated from Somalia, should not have been in the country. Abdul Razak Ali Artan was shot and killed by police after driving into a crowd and then slashing several people with a knife. Officials said 11 people were treated for injuries. Investigations into the motive are ongoing. Artan reportedly referred to Al-Qaeda teachings on Facebook. A jihadist-linked news agency called him a "soldier" of the so-called Islamic State group fighting in Iraq and Syria. It will be Trump's second visit to Ohio since winning the election, having kicked off his victory tour in Cincinnati last week. The Rust Belt state, won by Trump, voted for a Republican to take the White House for the first time since 2004. From there, Trump will travel to Des Moines to headline a "thank you" rally with Vice President-elect Mike Pence, following similar previous events in Cincinnati and North Carolina. Also in attendance will be Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, a long-time Trump supporter and long-time personal friend of Chinese President Xi Jinping who has been nominated to serve as ambassador to Beijing. Increased inventory and worker numbers can raise the potential for theft during the busy holiday season. And the last thing a business wants when incurring higher labor costs is a decrease in returns. According to the National Retail Federation, retailers lost approximately $44 billion from theft in 2015. Of that amount, more than 34 percent was stolen by employees. A blog post from the risk management firm Pinkerton said that employee theft constitutes the second leading cause of inventory shrinkage behind customer shoplifting. Whether on the sales floor, in a warehouse, driving a delivery truck or handling returns, employees have easy access to valuable inventory, creating temptations to steal, the post said. Small businesses can take several steps to prevent employee theft during the holidays and throughout the year. For instance, evaluating daily transactions, reviewing security camera videos each day and validating each voided or deleted sale can help mitigate theft. Having cameras and supervisors visible on the sales floor may also help. Other deterrents include communicating company policies, outlining theft protocols with new hires, using behavioral interview methods and conducting extensive background checks. Scott Humphrey, a senior risk specialist with Travelers Insurance, shared the following theft prevention tips in a telephone interview with Small Business Trends. Tips on How to Prevent Employee Theft Hire in Advance of Need Businesses need to quickly hire a raft of temporary workers during the holidays to keep up with demand. However, to ensure adequate time is available to train new hires properly on policies and protocols and run background checks, Humphrey advises employers to begin the hiring process early at least a month in advance of the need. If you anticipate increased sales, you will need more people working the floor, dealing with inventory and working with customers, give yourself enough time to hire the employee, Humphrey said. Make sure that who youre hiring is the person you want. Have an Inventory Management System Humphrey said that its vital for businesses to keep an accurate track of inventory to ensure money coming in and items sold match up. Otherwise, they will experience shrinkage. Retailers need to have a good inventory management system, to know what items they have in store, he said. Manage the Register Well A common area that contributes to theft is at the register, Humphrey said. Some items sold will come back to be returned or exchanged. An employee may take something back in for a certain amount that is different than the cost of the item or imply the item came back when it didnt. As such, there should be controls around the register to mitigate theft. Humphrey recommended the following: Keep credit card and other personally identifiable information away from easy access; Have employees sign in and out of the register so that when transactions occur, the employer will know who handled them; Give managers an override code to ensure oversight of transactions. Monitor Security Cameras Daily Humphrey advised that businesses have security cameras in place, particularly at the register, and monitor them daily for nefarious activity. He also recommended the use of security guards on premise as a theft deterrent. Communicate Policies and Procedures Clearly Companies should communicate company values, ways of treating patrons and policies regarding theft to employees clearly, Humphrey said. Explain that dishonesty is grounds for termination. Tell the employees what you are going to do and then follow through when necessary. Its reasonable to expect some shrinkage during the holiday sales period, and some of that will come from employees. Taking the steps outlined above can help mitigate loss and make for a more profitable season. Mike and Jesse are adding interesting stuff to the blog in our spare time, so pardon the miscellany and lack of any organization. If you need to email about something (not hood ornaments) that isn't relevant to the comment section, e mail me at jbohjkl@yahoo.com, which will be responded to pretty fast on weekdays Images used IAW Title 17 U.S. Code 107 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/107 This is under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial License, which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non commercial and is otherwise in compliance with the license.See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/legalcode Robert Gilpin, R.I.P. - The Washington Post : His greatest book was written in 1981, but the main theory in it is perhaps more trenchant now... Report Parents Admit to Social Media Spying on Their Teen and Tween Children Two thirds (67 percent) of parents say monitoring their childrens media use is more important than respecting their privacy, according to a report released Tuesday by Common Sense Media. More than two in five parents (41 percent) say they check their childrens devices and social media accounts always or most of the time. The report, The Common Sense Census: Plugged-In Parents of Tweens and Teens a collaboration with the Center on Media and Human Development at Northwestern University examined the screen time for children ages 8-18, as well as their parents. Some other key findings include: Parents of tweens and teens say they spend more than nine hours a day with screen media; 78 percent of those parents say they believe they are good media and technology role models for their children; Many parents are concerned about their childrens social media use and other online activities for example, they worry that their children may become addicted to technology (56 percent) and say they believe that technology use negatively impacts their childrens sleep (34 percent); Fifty percent of parents indicated they thought that using social media hurts childrens physical activity; Hispanic/Latino parents tend to be more aware and more concerned, and they say they manage their childrens media use more than white or African American parents; and 94 percent have positive attitudes about the role of technology in their childrens education. For the study, 1,786 parents of children ages 8-18 were interviewed between July 8 and July 25, 2016. The project was directed by Michael Robb, director of research at Common Sense, and Alexis R. Lauricella, associated director of the Center on Media and Human Development at Northwestern University, with oversight from Ellen Wartella, director of the Center on Media and Human Development at Northwestern. Common Sense Media is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children thrive in a world of media and technology, according to its website. The organization provides nonpartisan information and advice to parents, teachers and policymakers. The full report is available on this Common Sense website. High-Stakes Testing Feds Finalize Assessment Parts of ESSA Six weeks before it hands over the reins to a new leadership, the Obama administration has issued the final word on assessments in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Months before President Obama signed ESSA into law last year, the U.S. Department of Education had issued a new "Testing Action Plan" that called for "fewer and smarter assessments." The new ESSA rules on testing specifically found common agreement among the committee that drafted the regulations earlier this year, according to coverage by Politico, a media company focused on politics. In a summary of the final regulations the department stated that the rules are intended to make sure states "administer high-quality, annual assessments that are worth taking" and that "provide meaningful data about student success," while at the same time encourage states and districts to use innovation in their testing. As Secretary John King explained in comments prefacing a White House "convening" on "Better, Fewer and Fairer Assessments," this morning, "When done poorly, testing can become a costly distraction, consuming an excessive amount of valuable instructional time while only asking low level question that require just memory and not demonstration of real understanding." Under the new regulations, he added, "States have more flexibility than under No Child Left Behind in designing their assessment systems while maintaining important protections to preserve students' civil rights, including students with disabilities and students who are learning to speak English." The final rules encourage the department to grant "innovative assessment demonstration authority" to up to seven states during an "initial demonstration period of three years," as long as those states "continue to meet the requirements of Title I." (Title I provides additional financial aid to districts and schools with high percentages of students from low-income families.) One ESSA document specifically references support for "innovative assessment systems" that may use "cumulative year-end assessments, competency-based assessments, instructionally embedded assessments, interim assessments or performance-based assessments." The demonstration period may also be extended to five years and an additional two years beyond that if needed in order to scale the assessment system statewide. Another change that surfaced in the final rules is a rework on how states handle the use of alternate testing to streamline the criteria. As Politico explained, typically, those have been used with students who have major cognitive disabilities. ESSA imposes a 1 percent cap on the number of students who qualify for those assessments in any given subject; above that cap, states must request a waiver. While the draft rules stipulated that states must monitor districts that exceed the cap as well as those "that significantly contribute to a state's exceeding the cap," the final rules crank back on that expectation and tell the states to focus only on those districts exceeding the cap. The goal, according to the summary: to ensure the waivers "are reserved for exceptional situations" and that the waiver requests share "transparent state-level information on the number and percentage of students, including by subgroup, taking the alternate assessment." A third area of variation between the draft and final rules addresses the assessments of Native American students, to clarify the use of native language assessments in a dedicated school or program. The earlier draft required those students to be tested for English language proficiency by the end of eighth grade. The final rule says states can administer assessments in Native American language to those students in any subject until the students are in high school. Although ESSA promotes the use of computer-adaptive testing, which can provide a more precise assessment of a student's ability with fewer questions, the topic of eliminating unnecessary testing gets only a single mention. There, the new regulations state that if a student is taking an advanced math class in eighth grade, he or can take the assessment typically given to a high school student enrolled in a comparable class, as long as the state uses end-of-course tests in high school and the eighth grade curriculum is aligned with that course. "States can go beyond the multiple choice and short answer questions at the end of the school year that are so familiar to all of us," said King. "Using technology the experts in this field are making it possible for test questions to be more like real-world tasks, more like what our students are asked to do in college and on the job, solving problems and applying their knowledge to unique situations. Who knows? Students may even like taking these new types of assessments, especially if they provide students immediate feedback and empower them to take more control over their own learning." DGAP-News: Symrise AG / Key word(s): Change of Personnel/Contract The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Supervisory Board reaffirms Dr. Heinz-Jurgen Bertram as CEO for a further five-year term The Group continues with profitable growth course Strategic focus remains on fast-growing market segments, portfolio diversification and access to natural ingredients The Supervisory Board of Symrise AG has again renewed the contract of CEO Dr. Heinz-Jurgen Bertram ahead of schedule for a further five-year term until 2022. Under his leadership, through the focused streamlining of the portfolio and by identifying new market segments, Symrise has substantially expanded its leading position and tapped into market segments beyond the traditional flavors and fragrances business. The reaffirmation of Dr. Heinz-Jurgen Bertram as CEO ensures leadership continuity and creates the foundation for further profitable growth. The Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Dr. Thomas Rabe, said: "We've been working with Dr. Heinz-Jurgen Bertram very successfully and in a spirit of trust for many years. We are therefore pleased to reaffirm his appointment as CEO for a further five years before his contract is up for renewal. Dr. Bertram has been part of the Executive Board for more than ten years and has worked with Symrise for nearly three decades. He has accelerated the pace of the Company's international development and diversification. Symrise has an excellent reputation among its customers and in the capital market. With the early renewal of Dr. Bertram's contract, we are ensuring the Group's continued successful development." In recent years, Symrise AG has established new business areas and increased its competitiveness through strategic acquisitions, in particular with regard to functional product solutions in the fields of nutrition and personal care. Moreover, the Company has increased its access to sustainable and renewable key raw materials for the production of fragrances and flavors. Symrise has been cooperating, for instance, with vanilla farmers in Madagascar for many years. Dr. Heinz-Jurgen Bertram (58), who has a doctorate in chemistry, has performed in various management functions at the Bayer Group, the Haarmann & Reimer Group and Symrise since 1985. Since 2003, he has held several senior positions with Symrise, and was appointed to the Executive Board in 2006. Since August 2009, he heads the Company's business activities as CEO. About Symrise: Symrise is a global supplier of fragrances, flavors, cosmetic active ingredients and raw materials as well as functional ingredients. Its clients include manufacturers of perfumes, cosmetics, food and beverages, the pharmaceutical industry and producers of nutritional supplements and pet food. Its sales of more than EUR2.6 billion in 2015 place Symrise as one of the global leading companies in the flavors and fragrances market. Headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, the Group is represented in over 40 countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Asia, the United States and Latin America. Symrise works with its clients to develop new ideas and market-ready concepts for products that form an indispensable part of everyday life. Economic success and corporate responsibility are inextricably linked as part of this process. Symrise thus takes sustainability into account in every part of its corporate strategy. The company was awarded the German Sustainability Award in 2012. In 2013, Symrise was certified as a "Green Company" by DQS. Symrise - always inspiring more. www.symrise.com Media contact: Investor contact: Bernhard Kott Tobias Erfurth Tel: +49 (0)5531 90-1721 Tel: +49 (0)5531 90-1879 Email: bernhard.kott@symrise.com Email: tobias.erfurth@symrise.com Social media: twitter.com/symriseag linkedin.com/company/symrise youtube.com/agsymrise xing.com/companies/symrise 2016-12-07 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de A former carnival worker awaiting trial in the 1975 disappearance of two young Maryland girls Katherine and Sheila Lyon has been indicted on a charge of rape in an unrelated case involving a 6-year-old-girl in Northern Virginia in 1996, according to court records made public Tuesday. Lloyd Lee Welch, 59, allegedly committed the Virginia assault aboard a houseboat in Prince William County. The indictment charges him with rape, aggravated sexual battery and indecent liberties, all felonies. The latest charges might give authorities leverage to try to learn more from Welch about the case of the Lyon sisters, who disappeared from a shopping mall north of Washington on March 25, 1975, when Sheila was 12 and Katherine 10. For four decades, detectives made no arrest in the Lyon case. That changed last year, when Welch was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Detectives had found his name in old case files from the 1975 period, when he had been considered a witness, not a suspect, and re-interviewed him multiple times. Snippets of the freshly recorded interrogations played in court this year in connection with the Lyon case indicate that detectives and prosecutors think Welch knows more about what happened to the girls and about others who may have been involved in their disappearance. Their bodies have not been found. Welch has denied harming the Lyon sisters. His attorneys in the murder case Aaron Houchens and Anthony Anderson did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. The woman in the new Virginia case, now 27, described her account of an assault in an interview with The Washington Post I remember it very clearly, she said. It will never leave my mind. The woman spoke to The Post on the condition that her name not be used. The Washington Post generally does not identify people who report that they were victims of sexual violence unless they choose to be identified. Her account to The Post was consistent with what she has recently told investigators, according to two law enforcement officials with direct knowledge of the case. She said she was 6 when she met Welch at a carnival with her family on the day she said he attacked her. He came across as a very nice person, she said. He plays that Im a nice guy very well. You would think he was someone who you could get along with and trust. The night of the alleged assault, she said, she went to sleep on a houseboat where she and her family lived. She said she slept on the bottom bunk of a bed, with two younger brothers sleeping on the top bunk. She said two adults were in a different part of the boat. She said she awoke to Welch raping her but remained silent because she was afraid he would hurt her. I didnt know what to do. I kept acting like I was asleep, she said. She said the alleged attack was not reported to the police at the time. Her accusations in the incident surfaced recently as part of the broader Lyon sisters investigation, according to the woman and law enforcement officials. The woman said its a burden Ive had to carry. If I see someone who looks like him, it freaks me out. She said she thinks often about the Lyon sisters and their family and said she hopes her case can be used to find more answers for them. Im hoping that they do find all the answers they are looking for, she said. Finding answers has been a priority for Maryland and Virginia officials overseeing the investigation. According to authorities, when Welch was 18, he and others abducted the Lyon sisters from a shopping mall in Wheaton, killed them and disposed of their bodies on a mountain in rural Bedford County, Va. At the time the sisters went missing, Welch worked for a traveling carnival company. He lived in the Hyattsville area of Maryland. He had burglary convictions in 1978 in Montgomery County and in 1982 in Prince Georges County. Later, in South Carolina, he pleaded guilty to grand larceny and to molesting a 10-year-old girl. Then, in Delaware, he pleaded guilty to molesting another 10-year-old girl. An outrageous criminal history, Delaware prosecutor Susan Purcell characterized his record in court in 1998. In the Lyon sisters case, detectives combing case files several years ago came across Welchs name in a report from 1975. They studied his statements, and tracked him to a prison in Delawarewhere he was serving time on the molestation case and interviewed him during repeat visits. On the basis of what they heard, detectives said in court records, they concluded that Welch and others had disposed of the girls bodies in Bedford County. A grand jury in Bedford indicted Welch last year on two counts of murder in the case of Katherine and Sheila Lyon. His trial is set for April. sisters-1stld-writethru DENVER Two Colorado electors filed a lawsuit Tuesday to overturn a state law requiring electors to cast their ballots for the presidential candidate who won their state. Hillary Clinton won Colorado on Nov. 8. The two electors, Polly Baca and Robert Nemanich, are Democrats who want to be free to cut a deal with their GOP counterparts and vote for someone else to prevent Donald Trump from becoming president. The lawsuit is part of a long-shot attempt at denying Trump the presidency when the electoral college meets on Dec. 19 to cast votes. The electors are part of an informal group from Colorado and Washington state lobbying Republican electors to select someone besides Trump. If they can peel off enough of Trumps 306 electors to support a consensus Republican, they hope to add enough Democratic votes to make that candidate president. One name floated as a consensus pick was Ohio Gov. John Kasich, but he took himself out of the running, saying Americans should accept the outcome of the election. The electors argue the Colorado requirement, similar to ones binding electors in 28 other states, violates their First Amendment rights. Its unclear precisely what the penalties would be for violating the statute. On Monday, a Republican elector in Texas announced in the New York Times that he could not vote for Donald Trump even though the GOP candidate won his state. DALLAS An Islamic grassroots organization that funded 12 billboards across Dallas and Fort Worth to combat misinformation about Islam has been receiving more hate calls in Dallas than in other cities participating in the nationwide campaign. The Islamic Circle of North America used mosque donations to fund the billboards spread across the citys highways, the Dallas Morning News (http://bit.ly/2gA63Zl ) reported. The billboards read ISLAM = Racial Equality and provide a hotline phone number and website for Why Islam? New Jerseys hotline call center manager Imam Jawad Ahmed said the group should do more of these campaigns in Dallas because of the amount of hate responses to the billboards. They would just curse the Muslims in general and say things like racial slurs, go back to your country, or get out of America, things like that. The billboards in Dallas have been up for five weeks, in which the group has received 75 phone calls. While the hotline did receive calls cursing Muslims, Ahmed said the majority of callers were non-Muslims that wanted to learn more about the religion. The groups local spokesman Furqan Ansari said the billboards are a response to the rise of hatred aimed at minorities, including Muslims, which coincide with the election of President-elect Donald Trump. About 52 of the at least 867 hate crimes reported since the election were aimed at Muslims. We wanted to show DFW residents the things said in the election campaign were not true, Ansari said. He said the political talk has made people have a lot of hatred and discrimination against Muslims. The groups volunteers are trained to tell people that Islam promotes peace when callers ask about the religions view on terrorism and the Islamic State. ICNA does not view Islamic State members as Muslims, Ansari said. Following the tense relationship between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities in the U.S., many Muslim organizations and mosques are holding open-house events to educate others on the religion and those who follow it. ___ Information from: The Dallas Morning News, http://www.dallasnews.com NEW YORK A woman has agreed to settle her lawsuit against JetBlue Airways after it mixed up her 5-year-old son with another boy and flew him to the wrong city, her lawyer said Tuesday. With regard to the matter of Maribel Martinez, et al v. Jet Blue Airways the parties have agreed to amicably resolve this matter, attorney Sanford Rubenstein said in a written statement. Details of the settlement werent disclosed. New York-based JetBlue Airways Corp. declined to comment. Martinez had charged in the lawsuit that she suffered great emotional distress, extreme fear, horror, mental shock, mental anguish and psychological trauma when she went to meet her sons Aug. 17 flight at John F. Kennedy International Airport and he wasnt on it. The little boy, Andy Martinez, had been mistakenly put on a flight to Bostons Logan Airport instead of the flight to Kennedy. According to the court papers, JetBlue staffers at Logan escorted Andy to a woman he had never seen before and told him he was being reunited with his mother. Meanwhile, a boy who was supposed to be on the flight to Boston had been put on Andys New York-bound flight and was presented to Martinez. Both boys had flown out of Cibao International Airport in the Dominican Republic. It took three hours for JetBlue to sort out what had happened and put the mother and son on the phone with each other, the lawsuit charged. SANTA FE Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales got choked up speaking to the citys Immigration Committee on Tuesday, promising he will stand up for the citys immigrants in the face of a new presidential administration some feel threatens their futures. This election has been very tough on our immigrant community, he said to the committee and about 15 others in the audience. Youve had to endure from the earliest days of Donald Trump, a person who has called all of us rapists, thugs, murders an individual who has never spent a day in the life of an immigrant or a child hoping for the American dream. And the whole election was driven by trying to divide our country, by penalizing cities that were welcoming, that knew we were stronger when we provided opportunity for everybody. Gonzales who after the election appeared on CNN, Fox News and National Public Radio to defend sanctuary cities like Santa Fe that dont help enforce federal immigration law said he felt compelled to speak out, remembering what his mother used to tell him: You have a voice, you better use it to help people when they need help from us. The mayor then got emotional. I want you to know how proud I am to be able to tell your stories, he said. After pausing for about 20 seconds to gather himself, he add, And talk about your struggles, your hope of being a part of country that respects you, and how you make our city special. I want you to know as long as I have a voice, as long as Im mayor, I will tell the beautiful stories of your families, your children, your contributions to our community, the fact that you make our country a great place by your presence, and to let you know that you shouldnt have any fear. Gonzales said that no matter how much the Trump presidency tries to create fear and division, we wont let that happen here. Were not going to let them come into our city and hurt and disrupt families that are contributing, who are raising children, who are in pursuit of our great American dream. Prior to Gonzales remarks, several people in the audience thanked the mayor for standing up for immigrants. Later in the meeting, there was mention that Santa Fe would serve as a refugee resettlement city and that interfaith groups were preparing for the first family to arrive in January. Americans have many expectations of their government, but foremost among them is that it will keep them safe. Indeed, in a recent survey, respondents ranked defense as the governments highest priority. Unfortunately, the just-released third annual edition of The Heritage Foundations Index of U.S. Military Strength has sobering news for them. The index provides a benchmark against which to measure the ability of U.S. forces to defend enduring national security interests at home and around the globe. Each edition assesses the global security environment and U.S. military strength over the past year. Collectively, they indicate an alarming trend. The costs and consequences wrought by years of inadequate defense funding, combined with a high operational pace across the armed services, are seriously compromising our national defense. The index uses the ability to fight and win two wars nearly simultaneously as a benchmark by which it measures U.S. military strength. This benchmark, first used by the military after the end of the Cold War, serves to deter potential adversaries who might find an opportunity to act while the U.S. is engaged in another conflict. Based on an exhaustive review of the Department of Defenses own studies and of historic force deployments, the index editors concluded the following measures as necessary to fulfill this ability: Navy: 350 ships (current level: 272) Air Force: 1,200 active component fighter aircraft (current level: 1,113) Army: 50 brigade combat teams (current level: 31) Marine Corps: 36 infantry brigades (current level: 23) Despite serving as the militarys standard for decades, the concept of a two-war capable force has recently been criticized as excessive. Heritage believes these critiques are situational, that Americas military requirements should be based on Americas strategy, interests and the threats not the current budget situation. The services and the public agree. According to Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Mark Milley, The only thing more expensive than deterrence is actually fighting a war, and the only thing more expensive than fighting a war is fighting one and losing one. The true value of preventative measures, however, is difficult to estimate. The price of comprehensive home insurance may place greater strain on a family budget month-to-month, but it is pocket change to a family that has just watched its house burn to the ground. If you wait until you see the first plume of smoke, it will always be too little, too late. The same is true for the military. It takes time, money and commitment to build and maintain a fighting force of the size and strength our country needs. Having a military of the proper size is just one part of the solution. The military must also be ready with the right numbers of people, training, weapons and supplies. Yet Americas military is suffering from shortages in all these areas. The Air Force is currently short 700 fighter pilots. While it may only take a day to distribute pink slips, it takes two years for an individual to become an operational fighter pilot, and seven years for a pilots skill set to fully mature. The Armys main combat platforms its tanks, fighting vehicles and helicopters are now decades old, with no replacement programs in sight. Worse, the decline in U.S. military strength has coincided with a rise in global threats, and the modernization and expansion of the Russian, Chinese, Iranian and North Korean militaries. Although the threat of a large scale war between near-peer competitors is inconceivable to many, it is important to consider whether an Americas unwillingness to properly prepare for a major war could in fact increase the risk of its occurrence. Unlike an unfortunate but unintended house fire, U.S. adversaries can and will act opportunistically. A continued decline in the size and strength of U.S. forces will invite aggression. With years of documented damages inflicted by budget cuts, the next administration must immediately work to stop the bleeding, using the wisdom of our first president, George Washington: If we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for war. Rachel Zissimos is a researcher in the Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. As President Franklin Roosevelt told the nation the day after Japans sneak attack against the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941, has unquestionably become, as he predicted, a date which will live in infamy. Just before 8 a.m. that Sunday, the Japanese Imperial Navy launched its surprise attack on the peaceful harbor on the southern shore of Oahu, Hawaii. Japan had not declared war on the United States before launching its attack. Less than two hours later, 21 ships were sunk or damaged and 2,403 U.S. troops were dead. The day after Roosevelts infamy speech, Congress declared war against Japan, marking the United States entry into World War II. Today, 75 years later, we remember not only the date, but the destruction, the lives lost, and the atomic fury we unleashed on Japan to hasten the end of the worlds most brutal global war. Its fitting that we recall that horrific day of the attack on Pearl Harbor, honor those who died there, reflect on the years of conflict that followed and contemplate a better way forward. Although we can still replay the old newsreels and republish the photos of the destruction of Pearl Harbor, were rapidly losing the invaluable firsthand accounts from those who were there that day, and the lessons behind them. We know of only a handful of Pearl Harbor survivors in our state and, when the 80th anniversary arrives, its likely fewer will remain. So today, in particular, is a day to honor them, recognize their service and sacrifice, and promise to never forget them. We would do so at our own peril. Despite the seething hatred that once enveloped both the Japanese and Americans, we have become surprisingly enduring allies. President Barack Obama visited Hiroshima in May, becoming the first sitting American president to visit that city since the United States dropped the atomic bomb there on Aug. 6, 1945, killing tens of thousands instantly. Later this month, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Pearl Harbor, becoming the first sitting Japanese leader to do so since Japan attacked the United States. While critics might denigrate such exchanges as political theater, its our sincere hope they foster a deeper understanding of our shared past and a willingness to pursue a more peaceful path in the future. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. Copyright 2016 Albuquerque Journal University of New Mexico President Bob Frank is seeking an independent investigation into what his lawyers call the unlawful disclosure of confidential and defamatory records relating to his employment, and demanding that UNM provide him reports of all investigations regarding him that were initiated by the regents. Franks attorney filed the tort claims notice Tuesday, the day before the UNM Board of Regents is scheduled to discuss the possibility of suspending or firing Frank. Last week, several documents critical of Frank were obtained by media outlets, including the Journal. The disclosure and publication of these defamatory reports was intended to harm Dr. Franks reputation, and in direct violation of UNM policy and New Mexico law, according to the tort claim notice served to the regents. Attorney Travis Jackson of the Foster, Reider and Jackson firm wrote in the notice that one or more regents initiated multiple investigations into Dr. Franks conduct to create a pretext for the termination of his employee contract. The president is seeking an independent investigation to find the source of the document leaks to the media, while calling on the school to preserve documentation, such as emails or recordings, from the regents or any UNM employees regarding the documents. In the claim sent out Tuesday, Frank again asked the board for a copy of attorney Alice Kilborns report, which was critical of Franks managerial style. Last week, the Journal obtained a copy of Kilborns report, which was ordered by the regents. In it, some employees interviewed said Frank was condescending and rude, while others described him as generally affable and pleasant in most interactions. Kilborn also said in her report she did not see Franks behavior rising to the level of a hostile work environment as defined under law, but she did see evidence of shades of a hostile working environment. Meanwhile, local community leaders contacted by the Journal said their interactions with Frank have been positive. Mayor Richard Berry said he and Frank were both passionate about UNM, Albuquerque and the state of New Mexico, and that they worked well together and improved educational and economic opportunities for the people we serve. Terri Cole, president and CEO of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber is not privy to internal matters at UNM, but she said Frank had a good relationship with the business community. He has worked hard to bring synergy between higher education, technology and business. Frank played a key role in the Innovate ABQ project, the high-tech research and development hub the university is building at Central and Broadway with the city, the county and private partners. Pamela Pyle, the UNM Faculty Senate president, said on Tuesday she did not have enough information to comment at this time. Chris Sanchez, a spokesman with the Governors Office, did not respond to the Journals attempt to reach him Tuesday. The Kilborn report mentioned Frank in connection to perceived unprofessional communication with the Governor (Susana Martinez) and her chief of staff. The regents are political appointees of Martinez. Term ends in May Frank, whose salary is $362,136, announced in September that he would not seek to renew his contract, which ends May 31. As part of his resignation agreement, regents promised him a tenured faculty position at the schools Health Sciences Center with a $350,000 salary. Last Thursday, the regents held a closed-door meeting to discuss the Kilborn report. The day prior, the Journal received the report and parts of an audit of Franks expenses. The audit said Frank reimbursed himself an extra $5,500 out of a total of more than $200,000 in expenses, and that he repaid it. On Sunday, the regents issued a notice that they would meet today to discuss the termination or suspension of Frank. According to Franks contract, he loses his faculty appointment if his contract is terminated with just cause. If termination is pursued, Frank would receive a statement explaining the grounds for his termination and be given a chance to respond in writing to the notice within 30 days, according to his contract. Following his response or failure to do so, the board would vote. Grounds for a just-cause firing include dishonesty, willful misconduct, insubordination and conduct that involves moral turpitude or that would tend to bring public disrespect or contempt or ridicule upon the university. Copyright 2016 Albuquerque Journal Charles Wieland was up early the morning of Dec. 7, 1941. The 19-year-old sailor had drawn mess duty and was in the galley helping prepare Sunday breakfast for his USS San Francisco shipmates. It was quieter than usual, with many of the San Franciscos crew and officers on liberty or still sleeping in their berths. The 588-foot-long heavy cruiser had been docked at Pearl Harbors Naval Shipyard since early October. We were getting ready to go into dry dock for a major overhaul, Wieland said recently at his Rio Rancho home. It took us from the first part of November taking off all the food, all the ammunition, the (gun) powder until early December. The eight-year-old ship was scheduled to have her keel scraped and some of her massive guns replaced, along with a laundry list of routine repairs. At 7:55 that morning, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. Less than two hours later, 21 ships had been sunk or damaged and 2,403 U.S. troops were dead. President Franklin Roosevelt called the attack unprovoked and dastardly, and rightly predicted that the date would live in infamy. The United States declared war on Japan the next day, marking its entry into World War II. Today, 75 years after that attack, Wieland is at Pearl Harbor, paying homage to the men and women who served and died that day. A day of infamy Down in the San Franciscos galley, Wieland heard the muffled sound of explosions. When the Japanese planes began flying over, the bridge sounded general quarters and we all went to our battle stations, Wieland, a slim fellow with a firm handshake and head full of gray hair that belies his 94 years, said as he began talking about that day of infamy. But it didnt do us much good. We had all the powder in storage on the beach. Wielands main job on the San Francisco was loading a trio of the ships nine 8-inch guns. The guns were housed in two forward turrets and a single aft turret. My battle station was the lower powder room of the No. 2 turret, he said. But there was no powder there that day. The San Francisco was docked less than 1,000 yards south of Battleship Row between the USS New Orleans and the USS Honolulu and had a ringside seat to the destruction. The dive bombers concentrated on the ships around Ford Island and the nearby Hickam Field, hoping to destroy the fleets most lethal ships and prevent U.S. planes from engaging them or tracking them back to their aircraft carriers. Only sporadic strafing runs were made on other ships, and the San Francisco was spared. Nobody was answering on the ships power phone, so we started trying to get out of the ship, Wieland said. In the darkness of the powder room, Wieland asked his shipmates whether he should flick his Zippo lighter to search for a battle lantern. It was a gamble, he said, because there could have been residual dust in the powder room that could have exploded. You were supposed to leave cigarette lighters topside, but hardly anyone did, so they told me to go ahead and light it, and we found a battle lantern and started moving up through the ship, he said. As they passed the armory, a sailor shoved a Browning automatic rifle into his hands a weapon Wieland said wasnt much help against enemy planes. The group emerged on the ships fantail and saw the chaos enveloping the harbor. A few sailors fired rifles and pistols at the planes, hoping for a lucky shot, but mostly venting their anger. The scene, Wieland said, was both surreal and horrific. Because of all the oil leaking from the battleships, the water was on fire, Wieland said. There was one motor launch out there, going around picking bodies out of the water. Some of them were dead, some were burnt. One of our guys was walking down the pier when he got nicked by a bullet. He was the ships only casualty that day, he said. Seven and a half decades later, one particular scene from that morning sticks in Wielands mind: One of the Japanese planes came rolling by us, and the pilot flipped the canopy back and was laughing at us, Wieland said, a tinge of disgust in his voice. Anyway, they ended up with their butts beat. As the day wore on, Wieland returned to the galley to feed the crew, wondering how he an Iowa boy who, as the oldest of his five siblings, joined the Navy to help his struggling family had wound up in the middle of what was sure to be one hell of a war. Because the San Francisco was undamaged in the attack, its crew was directed to get the ship combat ready. We had gone there to go into dry dock, Wieland said. We didnt quite make it. It took only seven days to reload the ship. They has us working around the clock. Worked our butts off, Wieland said. We got very little sleep, just catnaps when we could. The San Francisco left Pearl Harbor on Dec. 14 with Task Force 14 and headed for Wake Island. For the next two years, the ship sailed throughout the Pacific as U.S. troops island-hopped their way toward Japan. Late in the summer of 1942, Wieland was transferred to the USS Cygnus, a refrigerator ship tasked with delivering tons of food to troops stationed throughout the Pacific, for the remainder of the war. Wieland finished his six-year Navy hitch in 1946, joined the Navy Reserve, and was reactivated for nearly two years during the Korean War, ending up as a machinists mate first class. When he left the Navy for good, he worked a variety of jobs, first at the San Francisco shipyards, then with Southern Pacific Railroad. His last job was as a mechanic with Pan American World Airways, a job he held 28 years. He retired in 1982 and moved to Rio Rancho, where he met and married his third wife, Fern. Met her square dancing, Wieland said wistfully. Married her on July 5, 1986, and had 28 wonderful years with her. She died two years ago tomorrow, right here in this house. Fern Jean Wieland died Nov. 24, 2014, three days before Thanksgiving. Back to Pearl Ferns daughter, Jean Schneider, lives just a few blocks from her stepfather. She said Wieland first mentioned returning to Pearl Harbor during a family trip to Washington state in October. He said he wanted to go because it was the 75th anniversary and he wasnt sure he could make the 150th anniversary, Schneider said with a laugh. When they got back to Rio Rancho, Wieland had her and her husband, Duane Schneider, drive him to a local travel agency, ostensibly to check prices for the trip. I thought we were just getting estimates on the cost of the trip, Jean Schneider said. He told her the dates he wanted to go, then took out his checkbook and wrote the check. When she asked her stepfather if he was sure thats what he wanted, he assured her it was. Im going just to show you guys where I was, he told her. I want you to see it, and I want to be the one to show it to you. Although its the Schneiders first trip to Hawaii, it will be Wielands third. He took Fern there several years ago, he said, but the exact date escapes him. Me and my rememberer dont remember so good anymore, he said with a wink. Albuquerques Pearl Harbor Commemoration The Zia Chapter of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors Association will mark the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor at 3 p.m. today at the visitors center of the New Mexico Veterans Memorial, 1100 Louisiana SE. The ceremony will include videos of six Pearl Harbor survivors Charles Wieland, John Stanhope, Stan White, Roland Burr, Garland Wharton and Lyle Main talking about 9/11. The event is free and open to the public, particularly Pearl Harbor survivors and their families. For information, call Bob Scott at 833-3770. Sylar, the male Tasmanian devil who died in late October at the ABQ BioPark Zoo, apparently died from bacterial pneumonia, according to a necropsy performed on the animal by the zoos head veterinarian, Carol Bradford. The just-released necropsy report also found that Sylar suffered from moderate heart disease and reactive changes in his liver and spleen as a result of the heart disease and pneumonia. Both pneumonia and heart disease are fairly common causes of illness in older Tasmanian devils, Bradford said. Sylar was five and a half years old at the time of his death. Reported life span in Tasmanian devils is five to eight years. Keepers on Oct. 28 noticed that Sylar was lethargic and coughing. A medical treatment plan was immediately begun, but he died the next day in the zoos veterinary clinic. The Tasmanian devils, part of an ambassador program, are owned by the government of Australia, which was immediately notified of Sylars death, Dave Mathews, deputy director of the Albuquerque Cultural Affairs Department, said Tuesday. The department manages the zoo and the other BioPark attractions. Sylars death leaves the zoo with three females, two of which came to the zoo in 2013 and the third one in December 2015. While the male and female devils could interact in their exhibit space, it was highly unlikely that the females could get pregnant because they were older and considered to be beyond the breeding age, Mathews said. In any event, he said, the zoo does not now and has never operated a captive Tasmanian devil breeding program, and certainly not one sanctioned by the Australian government. If the government of Australia wants us to take a more active role in conservation for the Tasmanian devil, we would consider it, Mathews said. Sylar is the second Tasmanian devil to die at the zoo. In October 2014, a male named Jasper was found dead in his exhibit space. It was determined that he most likely died after a log in his enclosure slipped and struck him. Tasmanian devils are native to Tasmania, an island off the southeast coast of Australia. Their numbers have been decimated in the wild by a highly contagious cancer called devil facial tumor disease that causes tumors on their faces, necks and around the ears, Tammy Schmidt, the zoos curator of mammals, told the Journal in the days after Sylar died. First identified in 1996, the disease is one of only three contagious cancers known in mammals, and there is no treatment or cure. The disease is spread through biting, which is part of the animals normal competitive feeding and mating behavior, she said. The animals are listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. It is estimated that no more than 25,000 Tasmanian devils are left in the wild. When Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden held a news conference Tuesday to announce that three small children were dead, many asked the same question: Again? An alarming number of children have been killed in Albuquerque recently, many of them in violent, high-profile crimes that have left the community reeling. And Mondays horrific shooting, which happened in the heart of one of Albuquerques more established and well-known neighborhoods, was perhaps even more shocking due to the number of victims. A 5-year-old boy, 6-year-old girl and 9-year-old boy all siblings are dead. Their mom was left in critical condition herself. Mayor Richard Berry said in the news conference that too many children in Albuquerque have died from violence in recent years. There is no way you can fill the tearing away of the soul of the community when a child is lost in a senseless act of violence, Berry said. You can do everything you can to make it better moving forward, but you can never replace the loss of a child. Other young victims of adults alleged criminal acts include: Lilly Garcia, 4 Lilly was shot and killed on busy Interstate 40 in October 2015 during a road rage incident between her dad and another man. Lillys dad, Alan Garcia, was driving her and her brother home from school when the suspect, Tony Torrez, got in an altercation with Garcia and the men exchanged words. Torrez then opened fire on Garcias truck. Lilly, who was sitting in her car seat, was struck by one of those bullets and died at a local hospital. Torrez was arrested and charged with murder. He took a plea deal last week for a lesser second-degree murder charge and was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Jayden Dayea, 1 Police responding to a call on Feb. 29, 2016, found 1-year-old Jayden covered in bruises with blood in his mouth. They couldnt save him, and he died at the scene. Jayden had been with his moms boyfriend, Jorge Ortega, that day. Its unclear what exactly happened because police said at the time Ortega was too drunk to be interviewed, but he had blood on his chest. He was charged with child abuse resulting in death and criminal sexual contact. His trial is scheduled for May 2017, according to online court records. Victoria Martens, 10 The killing of 10-year-old Victoria Martens was one of the citys most shocking crimes ever. She was stabbed, dismembered and set on fire before officers found her body early in the morning of Aug. 24. Victoria had a 10th birthday party planned for that day. Her own mother is among those charged. Michelle Martens, Fabian Gonzales and Jessica Kelley have all been charged with murder, rape and other crimes. Victorias death prompted calls across the state for justice, and some used it to suggest reinstating the death penalty in New Mexico. Nhi Nguyen, 11 Nhi had just started school in Albuquerque after moving from Vietnam with her mother and was soaking up every minute. But her mothers abusive relationship ended all that when the moms husband, Trinh Tran Van, shot and killed the girl and her mother, Cam Thi To. He then turned the gun on himself. The bodies of all three were found on Aug. 28. To had been working at a nail salon to support the family and send money back to family members in Vietnam. Police said there was a history of abuse between her and Van, and he had an open case for allegedly battering her. A family friend said the couple had agreed to split up only a few days before the shooting. Carmen Esmeralda Rivera Nevarez, 10 Carmen was in her familys SUV just after midnight the morning of Nov. 13 when another vehicle slammed into them. The girl was ejected on I-25 and died at the scene. Police say the driver of the other vehicle was Xavier Nelson, now 23, who was racing another car down the interstate at speeds up to 110 mph before he crashed into Carmens familys SUV. Officers found the prescription sedative Alprazolam in his pocket, and hes been charged with vehicular homicide. Chand Maoist cadres held with huge cache of ammunition Police on Tuesday arrested four activists of the Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN Maoist in possession of a huge cache of ammunition in Jajarkot. WASHINGTON With an atypical burst of bipartisanship, the Senate shipped legislation to President Barack Obama on Wednesday lowering hurdles for government drug approvals as the 114th Congress bumped toward the end of a two-year run highlighted by upheaval and stalemate. A week after the House easily approved the biomedical bill, senators passed it by a similarly overwhelming 94-5 margin. That was testament to a package that plans spending $6.3 billion over the next decade on popular efforts like cancer research and battling drug addiction. This is a reminder of what we can do when we look out for one another, Obama said in a written statement that promised his signature. Referring to families that have endured losses to cancer, Alzheimers and drug abuse, he added, Their heartbreak is real, and so we have a responsibility to respond with real solutions. This bill will make a big difference. This is an opportunity we cannot miss, and were not going to miss it, said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate health committee. Before adjournment, which leaders targeted for later this week, lawmakers were also tackling bills financing government agencies into late April, mapping Pentagon programs and planning water projects. In a chamber where senators can flash barely concealed animosity, they showed their more gracious side with speeches lauding departing colleagues including Sens. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., and Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H. The Senate floor was also the stage for accolades to departing Vice President Joe Biden, who served 36 years as a Democratic senator from Delaware. Youve been a real friend, youve been a trusted partner and its been an honor to serve with you, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said to Biden, who presided over the tribute. That comradery was also reflected in the biomedical bill, which included a planned $1.8 billion for cancer research. Biden, whose 46-year-old son Beau succumbed to the disease last year, has championed such work. That bill, which also takes steps to sharpen federal mental health programs, drew praise from scores of pharmaceutical, device and other medical industry associations and from numerous patients groups. It was opposed by consumer organizations and liberals who said the measures shortcuts for Food and Drug Administration approvals would endanger consumers and represented a sellout to drug makers. They also complained that it will take later legislation for Congress to provide the funds the bill envisions. Congress should not have had to jeopardize patient safety to increase medical research funding, said Michael Carome, director of Public Citizens Health Research Group. The drug bill was a cooperative capstone to a Congress that has seen its share of tumult. A conservative rebellion booted Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, from office last year. Democrats staged an overnight sit-in on the House floor protesting the GOP-led Congress inaction on gun control. Senate Republicans refused to let Obama fill a Supreme Court vacancy after Justice Antonin Scalia died last February. The two parties gridlocked over easing trade barriers with Pacific Ocean nations and revamping criminal justice statutes, and in a prelude to next years battles, Obama vetoed a repeal of his health care law. It took months for lawmakers to approve money to combat the Zika virus. Congress did extend dozens of minor tax breaks for individuals and businesses, reshaped how Medicare reimburses doctors and rewrote federal education and transportation programs. Before adjourning, lawmakers still needed to approve government-wide spending legislation. It contained money to keep agencies functioning into next spring, when the new President Donald Trump and GOP-run Congress would make final budget decisions. It included $4.1 billion in disaster aid for Louisiana and other states, $170 million to help Flint, Michigan, rebuild its lead-poisoned water system and other funds for U.S. anti-terrorism operations overseas. It also contained a provision to help former Gen. James Mattis become Trumps Defense secretary by making it easier for Congress next year to waive the required seven-year wait before military retirees can head the Pentagon. No one was expecting the bill to fail which would produce a Friday night government shutdown but there were lingering disputes to resolve. These included complaints from coal country lawmakers that the measure insufficiently extended health care benefits for 16,000 retired mine workers, whose coverage is slated to end Dec. 31. Democrats were unhappy the bill provided just $7 million of the $35 million the Obama administration requested to beef up security in midtown Manhattan, home to President-elect Donald Trump. By 92-7, the Senate gave preliminary approval to a defense policy bill that would block Obama from his goal of shuttering the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. A $558-million water-projects bill was in jeopardy, due to a fight over spending for California that pitted agricultural against environmental interests. ___ Associated Press writers Matthew Daly and Richard Lardner contributed to this report. SEOUL, South Korea Opposition lawmakers in South Korea are pressing ahead with their plan to impeach President Park Geun-hye Friday, but the embattled leader, after saying she would resign if the parliament demanded it, is digging in. Park is at the center of a corruption and influence-peddling scandal that is astounding even by South Korean standards. She is under intense political and public pressure to step down, with her approval rating at 4 percent and hundreds of thousands of South Koreans taking to the streets each weekend to demand her resignation, with another rally planned for Saturday. Opposition lawmakers plan to bring a motion Friday, the last day the National Assembly meets this year, and are confident they will win enough support from representatives in Parks ruling Saenuri party to cross the two-thirds majority needed to impeach the president. If the motion succeeds, it will go to the Constitutional Court for approval, which could take six months, but Park will be suspended immediately and the prime minister will take over. Park met with leaders of the Saenuri party Tuesday and signaled that she would not step down until the court had ruled, meaning this political paralysis could drag on for months. President Park said that even if an impeachment motion is passed as planned, she is determined to calmly and solemnly move forward for the nation and people as she watches the adjudication process of the Constitutional Court, Chung Jin-suk, Saenuris floor leader in the National Assembly, told local reporters after the meeting. With the political crisis coming to a head, some South Koreans are wondering if the country is arriving at a turning point similar to the one it experienced almost 30 years ago. After mass protests across the nation in 1987, the military-led government agreed to democratic overhauls that included holding direct presidential elections. Maybe this moment is not as momentous as the change from military dictatorship to democracy, but it feels like an opportunity to make the much-needed next leap, analysts say. During the last three decades, weve made remarkable progress in terms of economic development and human rights, said Kang Won-taek, a political science professor at Seoul National University. But many people think were now at a crossroads. We havent found the leadership to lead the country to a more promising future. South Korea made an astonishing transformation from a poor, agrarian nation in 1960s to the rich, high-tech powerhouse it is today. This metamorphosis was driven by the current presidents father, military strongman Park Chung-hee, whose government support for conglomerates such as Samsung and Hyundai not only powered industrialization but also forged the bond between politics and business that endures today. But there is now a sense of stagnation. The big companies are facing challenges exemplified by the way Samsung Electronics had to cancel its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone because it kept catching fire. Hanjin, one of the worlds biggest shipping lines, collapsed in August amid falling demand in a slowing global economy and has filed for bankruptcy. Young Koreans complain about a two-tier society where those born with a golden spoon in their mouths get into the best universities and secure the plum jobs, while those born with a dirt spoon work long hours in low-paying jobs without benefits. Many people want a breakthrough to help overcome such trying questions, Kang said. This sense of unfairness is one of the key factors that has been sending people here out onto the streets to call for Parks resignation. Every president since democratization has become embroiled in some kind of bribery debacle. But this time is different. Those scandals were centered on relatives usually brothers and sons of the presidents. This one is focused directly on the president herself. After campaigning on the theme that she was incorruptible she has no children and is estranged from her siblings it has emerged in recent months that Park had been taking advice from a secret confidante on everything from North Korea policy to her wardrobe. The confidante, Choi Soon-sil, a lifelong friend and daughter of a shadowy cult leader, used that relationship to enrich herself to the tune of at least $70 million and get advantages for her family, prosecutors say. One of the countrys leading universities apparently bent its admission rules to allow Chois daughter in. To explain the anger to an American audience, Kim Ou-joon, the host of a hugely popular political podcast, explains it this way: Imagine how angry and betrayed [Donald] Trumps supporters would be if they found out that he was gay, Muslim and broke at the same time. How would his supporters react if everything they believed in him turned out to be false? This situation could have a silver lining, said Lee Chung-min, a professor of international relations at Yonsei University who served as Parks ambassadorfor international security affairs. There is a growing clamor for real political reform, real generational change and cleaner politics, he said. Changing the constitution to allow presidents to serve two four-year terms would be a good start. Since democratization, presidents have been limited to a single five-year term, a provision meant to guard against a return to authoritarian rule. But it has also had the effect of turning presidents into lame ducks after two years. There is universal support for making this change but disagreement on how to do it. Some ruling party lawmakers are now pushing the idea of constitutional restructuring as a solution to the current crisis, allowing Park, who was elected in 2013, to bow out early as it makes the change to a four-year term. But the opposition parties want Park out before they begin negotiations on constitutional change. Some analysts say the whole system needs retooling to make the president less powerful and to overhaul the political party structure, which sees parties coming and going every election. The current crisis is the result of conflicting views held by the citizens living in the 21st century and a political class stuck in a 20th-century style of ruling, said Kim, the podcaster, whose weekly program is called Popeyes, a play on the pejorative name for Park: the chicken. The podcast is usually downloaded 10 million times a week, but it has spiked to 14 million recently. The political and business class still believes in the system built by Parks father, where corruption was tolerated for the sake of economic growth, but the people want something different, he said. The collapse of the ruling classs paradigm will bring about a positive change in South Korea, Kim said. South Koreans now have the chance to start afresh by truly living in the 21st century. A change of administration at the next election will be a start. The whole process might take a bit longer than people expect, but I believe it can happen because the fundamental and irreversible awakening of the public has already begun. There may be an additional factor driving the public. South Koreans identify themselves with national success, so its not hard to imagine their shame from this case, said Oh Chan-ho, a researcher at Sogang Universitys Institute of Social Sciences and author of popular political books about Korean youth. Shame has been added to festering corruption, labor problems and economic issues, meaning that more people have come out on to the streets. There is reason to be optimistic, said Lee of Yonsei. I think were the only country in the world that has gone through so much change in such a short period of time and succeeded, he said, citing the progress made despite decades of authoritarian and military dictatorship. We have a vibrant democracy, the economy is spluttering but is okay. We can adapt and deal with any kind of adversarial situation. Creating something new out of chaos is something that Korean people are good at. skorea Donald Trump ran one of the most unorthodox and successful political campaigns in modern history. One aspect of the campaign that hasnt received much attention is the Trump ad strategy: How did the Trump media team sell one of the best known and least traditional candidates in history to a skeptical public? GOP media consultant Larry Weitzner was at the center of that effort. The CEO of GOP ad firm Jamestown Associates, Weitzner crafted the Trump TV message. Weitzner and I exchanged emails earlier this week and he agreed to an interview. Our conversation, conducted via email and lightly edited, is below. Q: Donald Trump is a very, very unorthodox candidate. And a very famous one. What challenges did that pose in terms of running ads about him? Weitzner: President-elect Trump was not a typical political candidate and he did not want typical political ads. Theres no way he would walk through a factory talking to camera while reading lines from a TelePrompTer. Mr. Trump wanted high-energy, high-impact ads that fit his message, and that is what we gave him. He instantly rejected ads he deemed boring. This ad (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFmF7fDew78) particularly satisfied Mr. Trumps desire for high-energy, high-impact, non-boring communication. [Trump campaign chairman] Steve Bannon and [campaign manager] Kellyanne Conway told me we needed an ad capturing the fact that Mr. Trump started a movement, not a campaign. The ad isnt issue-oriented, but it captures the feeling everyone on the Trump campaign, everyone at his rallies, and everyone supporting his candidacy saw as great enthusiasm for his movement. Mr. Trump is also a pro when it comes to production and lighting. We had to make sure lighting and set-ups were perfect on production shoots. I even hired crew that previously lit him on The Apprentice. Once Mr. Trump was confident we knew what we were doing, everything went very smoothly. Submitting spots for review was another unorthodox aspect of the campaign. Bannon, [Trump son-in-law] Jared Kushner and [Trump digital director] Brad Parscale directed me to produce spots for review without approving scripts they wanted to see our vision. I loved that. It gave us a chance to do some interesting ads without idly waiting around for script approval. One of the closing ads, Choice was the result of a brainstorming session at Jamestown Associates Philadelphia office, where our team came up with the concept of uniquely focusing on one American voter and the choice she was tasked with making. Another ad, Change clearly illustrated the change Mr. Trump would bring to D.C. versus Hillary Clintons more of the same. Finally, the closing ad, Argument for America was originally produced as a two-minute web video. After seeing it and sharing it with the Trump team, Parscale who gets credit for the idea told me, Everyone loves it, we are putting it on TV. Now, that is unorthodox. Two-minute political commercials dont usually air nationwide. It blew up on social media, with more than eight million hits, greater than any TV ad produced by either campaign. So many people have told us that ad was the turning point in deciding to vote for President-elect Trump. Q: Hillary Clinton was outspending Trump on TV in most swing states throughout the fall. How did you combat that spending disadvantage? Weitzner: We had to grin and bear it. We tried to be smart with where and how we spent money on TV, and we had a very robust earned and digital media campaign. We tried to produce impactful spots with a little bit of edge to cut through the political noise. Q: What ad or ads that you guys did really cut through the clutter? And, why? Weitzner: When Hillary Clinton said that half of Donald Trumps supporters resided in a basket of deplorables we knew wed been handed a gift. The deplorables comment was her 47 percent moment, truly revealing her disdain for millions of hard-working people in this country. The moment her deplorables comment was reported, I spoke to my partner, Jason Miller, who served as head of communications for the campaign, about how big a game-changer this could be. We instantly got to work on an ad. We produced it over the weekend and Jason showed it to Mr. Trump who loved it. Mr. Trump had two great recommendations: first, include more of Hillary speaking about all the deplorables, next; sharpen the closing line of the script to emphasize Hillarys elitism. The edits turned a good ad into a great ad, and was followed by this ad that drove the point home. Q: What ad that Clinton did hurt you guys the most? Why? Weitzner: The Clinton campaign produced uniformly excellent negative ads. They hurt. What was missing was a message that gave swing voters something to vote for, rather than against. They tried, but could never really connect because their messenger was not believable or relatable. Q: Finish this sentence: The single biggest untold story of the Trump ad campaign is __________. Now, explain. Weitzner: Donald Trump is a brilliant man, who more than anyone, understood American voters yearned for change and hope that someone could Make America Great Again. trump-ads David S. Cohen was sworn in as the deputy director of the CIA in February 2015 after spending six years at the Treasury Department handling terrorism, financial intelligence and financial crime issues. In a conversation with Tom Fox, Cohen discussed his adjustment to the CIA, his leadership style, the issues that keep him up at night and what he does to decompress. Fox is a guest writer for On Leadership and the vice president for leadership and innovation at the nonprofit, nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Was it a difficult transition coming to the CIA as an outsider? There was an enormous amount about what the agency does that was new to me. That includes the operational work and some of the exquisite, technical and technological work that the agency does, as well as the vast support function that enables the agencys worldwide operations. It was a steep learning curve. I got up to speed relatively quickly, but until you are here and working in this environment, the scope of what we do is difficult to appreciate. What have you done to earn the trust of the career staff? There is a mission focus in this agency that is exemplary and part of that is the notion that everybody needs to be part of the team and needs to be functioning at a high level. I found a real desire by the staff to help me get into a position where I could be an effective deputy director. I did not find people throwing up barriers or refusing to allow me into the club. It was just the contrary. They wanted me to succeed because they want the agency to succeed. How would you describe your leadership style? One of the lessons Ive learned from watching good leaders is that they care about their people. And their focus isnt up, it is down. I try to ensure that I can engage with the people who are working directly for me and several rungs down. I seek to understand and appreciate their work and view them as important parts of the team. I also try to model the behavior that I expect from others. That means working hard, taking the job seriously and employing a little bit of a Tim Geithner-ism. Geithner, the former Treasury secretary, gave out little rubber bracelets that said, No jerks, no whiners, no peacocks. It is a pretty clear guidepost on how you expect everybody to behave. What other leadership lessons have you learned over the years? The person who is probably most influential on how I think about leadership was a guy named Jack Miller, who was the founding partner of the first law firm that I worked at. He followed the care about your people principle. From his partners to the support staff to the couriers to everybody in the law firm, Jack cared about them, knew them and made sure they were succeeding. He also was highly demanding and insisted on quality work. If you put those two things together, you will have a successful organization. What is your biggest leadership flaw? The hardest thing for me to do as a leader, and I dont do enough of it, is giving honest, critical feedback. It is part of demanding that people do their best and being honest by saying that the briefing, that paper, that interaction-you didnt knock it out of the park. Everybody has a different degree of conflict avoidance, and its difficult to break through that and offer constructive feedback because its a difficult conversation. I dont do a good enough job at that. What is one of the biggest public misperceptions of the CIA? The agency obviously operates largely in secret. From that flows the biggest misperception, which is that we operate outside of oversight, outside of legal and policy constraints. The reality is that we have extensive interaction with Congress, particularly with our oversight committees in the House and the Senate. We are on a daily basis sending written congressional notifications about significant intelligence activities-things weve done well, things that have gone badly and new initiatives that we are undertaking. There also is a misperception that we dream up covert action programs and execute them outside of any tether to the rest of the administration, which is just not true. Covert action programs are the presidents programs. They start with a presidential finding that defines the objective and the authorities we can employ. There is a lot of back and forth about the operation of covert action with the president and the presidents staff. What keeps you up at night? There are more difficult national security problems confronting our country today than there have been for many years, whether its North Korean nuclear activity, Chinese activity in the South China Sea, the situation in Syria and Iraq or what is happening in Venezuela. In addition, there is the expanding threat coming from the cyber world where there are malicious actors who have capacity to cause us harm. Thats an area where we are working as hard as we can, but it is also a persistent worry. What would people be surprised to know about you? I go to yoga every Sunday morning with my wife. It is a great way to decompress, at least for a few hours. And then I like to make homemade pasta from scratch. Ive been branching out from the basics to more exotic pastas. My favorite recently has been ricotta gnocchi. I even made my own ricotta. cia-deputy-qanda HOUSTON Texas highest criminal court threw out the conviction of a Waco man sent to death row for the 2011 ambush slayings of two men, saying Wednesday that a proper search warrant wasnt used to obtain text messages that tied him to the killings. The texts were used against ruled 29-year-old Albert Leslie Love Jr. at his capital murder trial. The strongest evidence of his guilt came from the improperly admitted text messages, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals said in a 6-3 ruling, but those messages could not be obtained without a probable-cause warrant. Love is one of two men on death row for the fatal shootings of 17-year-old Tyus Sneed and 20-year-old Keenan Hubert, who were among four people sitting in a car who were shot in what prosecutors said was a gang-related ambush in retaliation for another killing. The slaying victims each had eight gunshot wounds. Text messages are analogous to regular mail and email communications We hold that (Love) had a reasonable expectation of privacy in the contents of the text messages he sent, the court said. McLennan County prosecutors had argued they obtained a court order to secure 37 pages of phone records showing about 1,600 text messages and the judge at Loves trial allowed the text messages into evidence over the objection of Loves attorneys. The appeals court, however, said the order pertained to other laws covering phones and was inapplicable to this case. It also said prosecutors could not compel Loves cellphone provider to turn over his messages without first obtaining a warrant supported by probable cause. Loves appeals attorney, Ariel Payan, called the ruling kind of a once-in-a-lifetime deal. It was a little bit of a surprise, to be honest, he said, particularly after appeals court judges asked questions during oral arguments that gave him the impression of a lot of resistance to the appeal. McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna did not immediately respond to a message from The Associated Press. A jury in 2013 convicted Love of capital murder and then deliberated about 90 minutes before deciding he should be put to death rather than serve life without parole. His trial, moved to Georgetown because of publicity, came a year after a companion, Rickey Donnell Cummings, was sentenced to die. The appeals court a year ago upheld Cummings conviction. Neither Cummings, 27, nor Love has had an execution date. CARLIN, Nev. A Colorado man is facing drug charges in northeast Nevada after police pulled him over for a taillight violation while driving on U.S. Interstate 80 west of Elko. Carlin Police Chief Dennis Fobes says 28-year-old Nguyen Tran of Aurora, Colorado allegedly was traveling with four large duffel bags filled with 70 pounds of marijuana. Fobes told the Elko Daily Free Press (http://tinyurl.com/zuqeq6f) an officer searched Trans car after he pulled him over Friday night and smelled the pot. He says the officer also found a meth pipe under the front seat of the vehicle, and later discovered three Hydrocodone pills in his pocket. In addition to being ticketed for the tail lamp violation, Tran has been charged with one count each of trafficking marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, selling and possession of a controlled substance. ___ Information from: Elko Daily Free Press, http://www.elkodaily.com AMERICUS, Ga. A man fatally shot one Georgia police officer and wounded a second before fleeing an apartment complex near a college campus that went on lockdown as a precaution, authorities said. They said the suspect is believed to be armed and dangerous. The shooting took place when the two officers were responding to a domestic dispute in Americus, about 130 miles south of Atlanta, Americus police Chief Mark Scott said. Americus police Officer Nicholas Smarr, 25, died and Georgia Southwestern State University Officer Jodi Smith was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition, Scott said. Both had been officers since 2012. Its a tremendous loss to our family, Scott said of Smarrs death. Its a tragedy beyond words. One of our family members has been taken from us. The suspect, 32-year-old Minguell Kennedy Lembrick, was still at large and local, state and federal law enforcement officers were searching for him, Scott said. Scott urged anyone who sees Lembrick to call police but warned, Do not attempt to approach him. He is armed and dangerous. GBI Director Vernon Keenan said his agency and the FBI are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to Lembricks arrest. Later Wednesday, the Peach County Sheriffs Office, Byron Police Department and Fort Valley Police Department contributed another $10,000 to the fund. This is a very dangerous individual. We need to have him off the streets, Keenan said. We need him arrested so he can face the courts. Lembrick already had outstanding warrants for kidnapping and other charges related to a previous domestic incident, but the officers didnt know whom they were dealing with when they responded to the 911 call, Scott told reporters. Shortly after the shootings Wednesday, a message posted on Lembricks Facebook page read: other life gone not going to jail. Also posted to Lembricks account was a four-second Facebook Live video showing a young man partly concealed by shadows saying, Im gonna miss yall folk, man. The final message on Lembricks page read: Love yall. All three posts had Facebook timestamps between 10:13 a.m. and 10:41 a.m. The video was removed a few hours after it was posted. Georgia Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Nelly Miles confirmed to The Associated Press that the Facebook page belongs to the suspect. The university issued an alert on its website saying the shooting occurred off campus but that the campus was on lockdown. University interim President Charles Patterson told reporters the lockdown remained in effect late Wednesday afternoon. At least five other Georgia law enforcement officers have been killed by gunmen in the line of duty this year. A deputy U.S. marshal, Patrick Carothers, was fatally shot Nov. 28 while trying to serve a warrant at a home in rural Long County, about 55 miles southwest of Savannah. Law officers with Carothers returned fire and killed the suspect, Dontrell Montese Carter. Carothers was deputy commander of the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force for the U.S. Marshals Service. On Nov. 6, two Peach County sheriffs deputies were shot while responding to a report that a middle Georgia man used a rifle to threaten people riding a motorcycle and a four-wheeler near his property. Sgt. Patrick Dondron and Deputy Daryl Smallwood died from injuries suffered in the attack near Byron, about 16 miles southwest of Macon. Ralph Stanley Elrod was charged with murder and aggravated assault on a police officer. Eastman Patrol Officer Timothy Smith died after being shot Aug. 13 while responding to a call of a suspicious person with a gun in the rural city about 60 miles southeast of Macon. Royheem Delshawn Deeds was charged with murder in the case after he was caught hiding in the trunk of a car in Florida. Riverdale police Maj. Greg Barney was killed Feb. 11 after he was shot four times while chasing a fleeing suspect as drug investigators searched a metro Atlanta apartment building. Jerand Ross was charged with murder after another officer shot and wounded him. ___ This story has been corrected to reflect that the officers were shot Wednesday, not Tuesday. WASHINGTON Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly carved out a reputation as a highly respected, but often outspoken commander who could roil debate with blunt assessments or unpopular directives on issues ranging from women in combat to the treatment of detainees at the Guantanamo Bay detention center. But the man chosen by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security holds a more somber distinction. The battle-hardened veteran, who served three tours in Iraq, is the highest-ranking officer to lose a child in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan. That status, as part of what the military calls a Gold Star family, puts him in the Cabinet of a presidential candidate who verbally attacked a Gold Star family: the Khans, Muslim-American immigrants who lost a son in Iraq and had criticized Trump at the Democratic National Convention. Kellys son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Kelly was killed in November 2010 in Afghanistan. Trumps choice, who joined the Marine Corps in 1970, retired this year, wrapping up a three-year post as head of U.S. Southern Command, which spanned some of the more fractious debate over the Obama administrations ultimately failed attempt to close Guantanamo. Transition officials confirmed Trumps pick of Kelly on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly before any official announcement. If confirmed by the Senate, Kelly would take over the nations newest federal agency. The department was formed after the Sept. 11 terror attacks to get the U.S. government better-positioned to prevent and respond to incidents. Kelly would be the fifth person to lead the department, which includes agencies that protect the president, respond to disasters, enforce immigration laws, protect the nations coastlines and secure air travel. His selection bolsters concerns about an increase in military influence in a Trump White House and as Trump moves forward on his signature issue to build a wall along the southern border and go after people living in the country illegally. In Kelly, Trump would have another four-star military officer for his administration. James Mattis, a retired four-star Marine general, is Trumps pick for defense secretary. Immigration enforcement is a familiar issue for Kelly. Southern Command, based in South Florida, regularly works with DHS to dismantle immigrant smuggling networks. It has partnered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in an operation targeting human smuggling into the U.S. and helped with the rescue of children arriving alone at U.S. borders. If Trump follows up on campaign promises to toughen immigration enforcement, the department will be charged with beefing up the screening of immigrants allowed to come into the U.S., and finding additional resources to track down and deport people living here illegally. It will also need to find a place to house these immigrants while theyre awaiting deportation. Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said she hopes that Gen. Kelly is willing to stand up for facts, families and the Constitution. America will not be made great by dragging parents away from their children, by squandering billions of dollars on a wall that does little to secure the border, or by rejecting freedom of religion and echoing the darkest chapters of persecution, she said. Scraping for federal funds and equipment to battle such problems will not be a new challenge for Kelly. At Southern Command, he was often blunt about his need for more resources to fight the drug trade. During a 2014 hearing, he told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he didnt have the ships or surveillance assets to get more than 20 percent of the drugs leaving Colombia for the U.S. The most contentious issue Kelly faced, though, was the push to close the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detention center, and proposals to bring detainees to a facility in the U.S. if they could not be sent to other nations. Lawmakers opposed closing Guantanamo, arguing it is the ideal location for terror suspects captured in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. The Pentagon faced criticism for not moving more quickly to release detainees to other countries. Those decisions largely rested with the defense secretary, but Kelly absorbed some of that anger even though his job was simply to carry out the transportation of the detainee after the decision was made. He also raised concerns about the costs of moving detainees to the U.S. While commander there, he also placed more limits on media access to Guantanamo and restricted information about hunger strikes. He believed prisoners were eating just enough to be considered hunger strikers without endangering their health in order to manipulate public opinion. In his final Pentagon news conference, he spoke about the loss of his son a topic he didnt often discuss publicly. To lose a child is I cant imagine anything worse than that. I used to think, when Id go to all of my trips up to Bethesda, Walter Reed, Ill go to the funerals with the secretaries of defense, that I could somehow imagine what it would be like, Kelly said. But, he added, when you lose one in combat, theres a in my opinion theres a pride that goes with it, that he didnt have to be there doing what he was doing. He wanted to be there. He volunteered. Kelly said he gets occasional letters from Gold Star families who are asking, Was it worth it? And I always go back with this: It doesnt matter. Thats not our question to ask as parents. That young person thought it was worth it, and thats the only opinion that counts. ___ Associated Press writers Eileen Sullivan and Alicia A. Caldwell contributed to this report. ___ This story has been corrected to show Robert Kellys rank to 1st Lt. and Mattis title as former Marine general. President-elect Donald Trump lavished praise on President Obama on Wednesday and said he is taking his predecessors guidance on political appointments, but it seems unlikely that he followed the presidents advice in his most recent Cabinet picks. People familiar with the transition confirmed Wednesday that Trump has chosen Scott Pruitt, the attorney general of Oklahoma, to head the Environmental Protection Agency. It is an unconventional pick in that Pruitt is among a group of attorneys general that sued to block the EPAs implementation of the Clean Power Plan, the Obama administrations effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector. Hes also joined other states in suing the EPA over regulations to curtail the emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, from the oil and gas sector. Oklahomas economy is highly dependent on the petroleum industry. Trump, according to people familiar with the transition, has also decided to nominate retired Marine Gen. John F. Kelly as his homeland security secretary. Kelly, a blunt-spoken border security hawk who clashed with the Obama administration over women in combat and plans to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, would inherit a massive and often troubled department responsible for overseeing perhaps the most controversial part of Trumps agenda: his proposed crackdown on illegal immigration. The news about Kelly, who retired in February as chief of U.S. Southern Command, followed the revelation that Trump had selected Terry Branstad, the long-serving Republican governor of Iowa, as ambassador to China. Earlier in the day, during an interview with NBCs Today show, Trump said he liked Obama, and they had good chemistry, a sharp turnaround from Trumps strategy of stoking political division with anti-Obama rhetoric on the campaign trail. I have now gotten to know President Obama. I really like him. . . . We have a really good chemistry together, Trump said, adding that he has solicited Obamas input on personnel during his transition to the presidency. I take his recommendations very seriously, Trump said. And there are some people that I will be appointing and in one case have appointed where he thought very highly of that person, yes. The Today show interview focused on Trumps selection as Time magazines Person of the Year. But he took aim at Time for also labeling him President of the Divided States of America. He told Today host Matt Lauer that the term was snarky and that his campaign, often criticized for its heated and highly partisan tone, was not responsible. When you say divided states of America, I didnt divide them. Theyre divided now, Trump said. . . . Im not president yet. So I didnt do anything to divide. In a comment sure to raise eyebrows among the many people he has battled on Twitter, Trump said he is very restrained on the social media site and then took aim at the news media, a frequent target of his tweets. Frankly, its a modern-day form of communication, Trump said. I get it out much faster than a news release. I get it out much more honestly than dealing with these dishonest reporters. Trump also tried to clarify Tuesdays surprising news that he sold all of his shares in companies in June, a move that could have created a cash windfall as he ramped up to begin a costly general-election presidential campaign. Experts said the sell-off could help address conflict-of-interest worries about his stock portfolio, a sizable part of Trumps financial life, and Trump said that, indeed, was his primary consideration. I was never a big stockholder, but I bought a lot of different stocks, Trump told NBC. I dont think its appropriate for me to be owning stocks when Im making deals for this country that maybe will affect one company positively and one company negatively. So I just felt it was a conflict. As he is prone to do, Trump also teased the possibility of other major transition developments in the coming days. I have some other big announcements coming up today and actually tomorrow, he told NBC, adding that he is closing in on perhaps his biggest selection of all: Who will represent the United States overseas as secretary of state? The prestigious post has been the subject of an extraordinary battle, with some Trump advisers publicly bashing one of the leading candidates, 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, and urging Trump to instead select former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani. Other candidates include retired Army general and former CIA director David Petraeus; Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn.; and an unorthodox possibility cited by Trump in the NBC interview: ExxonMobil chief executive Rex Tillerson. We have a great, great gentleman, the head, the boss over at Exxon, and, you know, hes built a tremendous company over 30 years with great style, said Trump, who said he is likely to announce his nominee for secretary of state next week. Asked whether he is publicly dangling Romney as revenge for his stark criticism of Trump during the campaign, Trump said Romney remains under consideration. Ive spoken to him a lot, and weve come a long way together. We had some tremendous difficulty together, and now I think weve come a long way, Trump said. . . . Its not about revenge. Its about whats good for the country. And Im able to put this stuff behind us. The day began with news of Branstad being chosen to represent the president in Beijing. The Iowa governor has extensive ties to China and a decades-long personal friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The move, confirmed Wednesday by a transition official, could help assuage concerns raised by Trumps phone call Friday with Tsai Ing-wen, the president of Taiwan, which China considers a rogue province. Yet in the NBC interview, Trump also raised his recent Twitter outburst, in which he continued a long-standing habit of attacking China, this time over its trade and currency policies and its territorial claims in the South China Sea. I talk about important things on Twitter, he told NBC. I talked about, you know, as you know, recently with China. The selections of Kelly and Pruitt, however, are unlikely to soothe any concerns about Trumps stance on border security or the environment. During the Today show interview, Trump called his selection by Time as its Person of the Year a very, very great honor. In an interview with the magazine for its cover story, he reprised his controversial remarks from his campaign announcement speech from June 2015 in which he said some Mexican immigrants are criminals and rapists. Speaking about crimes committed by foreign-born assailants, Trump told the magazine: They come from Central America. Theyre tougher than any people youve ever met. Theyre killing and raping everybody out there. Theyre illegal. He also seemed to preview the proposed crackdown on illegal immigrants that was a central part of his campaign, saying that those who commit crimes are finished. Trump did not back off on his promise to revoke Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, a 2012 initiative that has given temporary protection from deportation to hundreds of thousands of people who arrived in the United States as children. Yet he expressed sympathy for the dreamers, as children of illegal immigrants are sometimes called. Were going to work something out thats going to make people happy and proud, he said, without providing details. They got brought here at a very young age. Theyve worked here. Theyve gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And theyre in never-never land because they dont know whats going to happen. Chris Mooney, Brady Dennis and Steven Mufson contributed to this report. transition-1stld-writethru RIO COMMUNITIES The body of a 1-year-old girl who was missing after a house fire in Rio Communities on Tuesday night has been found in the rubble. Valencia County Sheriff Chief Deputy Gary Hall said the girls body was located late Wednesday afternoon near the kitchen area of the home. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. County officials initially said a 3-year-old child was missing, but State Police said late Wednesday it was a 1-year-old child. Rio Communities Fire Chief Jason Gonzales said Wednesday morning that personnel from the state Fire Marshals Office, New Mexico State Police and the Valencia County Sheriffs Office were at the destroyed home in the 200 block of Avenida del Fuego, investigating the fire and had been trying to determine the whereabouts of the child. The mom on scene did say a child was still inside, Gonzales said. A mother, grandmother and one male child were taken out. We were told there was one child not at home, who was spending the night with a friend. Hall said he received conflicting information as to whether there were two or three children in the family. Gonzales said fire engines from Rio Grande Estates Fire Department responded to the blaze shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday. The house was fully engulfed when they arrived, he said. We tried to make entry several times, but the ceiling had already collapsed in the center, Gonzales said. The sheriffs deputies who arrived on scene first tried to enter as well, but it was too hot. At this time, the cause of the fire is undetermined, the chief said. Fire crews from Rio Grande Estates, the city of Belen, Jarales-Pueblitos, Los Chavez, Tome-Adelino and Manzano Vista, as well as Valencia County emergency services were on the scene until midnight. What should I do? The call came from an acquaintance. Apparently this is what Im most famous for: wrecking my familys perfect vacation. And, the rumor continues, I can tell you exactly what to do if you wreck yours. I know. Perfect vacations are a myth we create by curating our photo albums; goofy grins go in, slumps of boredom get edited out. With teenagers around, it gets more challenging. What ancient ruin can compete with a night doing nothing with a friend? This comes exactly when the family getaway goes on the clock. In our case, with one daughter halfway through college and the other soon on her way, the countdown to summer internships, jobs with few personal days, mates with their own holiday plans had already begun. My solution? Plan a family vacation as if it were the last, the one that would create memories we could reflect upon forever. The result? A Christmas Eve departure, an overnight in the capitol city of San Jose, and a puddle-jumper to a rainforest hotel for a week in Costa Rica. For once, everyone was looking forward to the trip. The college girl, whod spent her previous summer in Ecuador, couldnt wait to be the designated translator. The high school girl had just discovered her best friend went on an almost identical trip last year and it was awesome! The husband was so excited to get away he forgot to beg me not to over-pack. They nearly swooned when I sprang the surprise that Id planned a day trip to a beach where a couple of American landlubbers could get surfing lessons from actual Costa Rican teenagers. If only I had thought to check my passport. Day of departure, suitcases lined up in the hall, my husband broke the news. Your passports expired. He still cant explain why he checked. Although his finger pointed to the evidence, expiration date eight months ago, I wasnt bothered. I grabbed the wrong one, I said. Obviously. I wasnt the kind of person whod forget to renew her passport. I was the kind of person who filled out the hotel form indicating in-room snack food preference. I returned with the bad news everyone else seemed to already know. The expired passport was my most current one. Go, I told them. The three of you should go. Ill get a new passport and join you. Were not going, my husband said. Not without you, the girls chimed in. I could tell by their tone the leave-mom-at-home option had already been discussed and discarded. They wouldnt budge. It was like settled law. My thinking turned magical. It was a Christmas Eve flight. Would a Newark airport security agent even notice my passport expired? Dubious, my husband called a colleague who used to work in travel. She contacted the Costa Rican consulate. Then she set us straight. If I managed to get past Newark security and fly to Costa Rica, the customs agent there would send me home on the next flight. There is a Need it in a Hurry? section on the U.S. Passport website but the sub-category Need It Now? is reserved for Life Or Death Emergencies. So I called the general hotline instead, the one For All Other Situations. The line was busy. I wasnt alone. A Google search for Expedited Passports yielded scores of outfits offering speedy renewal services. But the cost was outrageous and besides, were they for real or were they identity thieves? I decided against finding out. When the hotline call finally went through, a kind man listened quietly to my story and then told me the bleak facts. Passport offices were closed for Christmas Eve. Theyd be closed for Christmas Day and for the weekend. After that, emergencies were by appointment only. I know, the man said, in a voice youd use to comfort a bereft child. Ten years goes by much faster than you think. Suddenly I realized why Id always liked my passport photo; it was a 10-year-old photo of a much younger me. After the man gave me an appointment for four days hence in Philadelphia, my husband gave me the final bad news. It didnt matter when my appointment was. All Christmas week flights to Costa Rica were fully booked. It was 3:00 when, like a patient whod bled out in the emergency room, our jungle holiday was declared dead. Because of my out-of-character inattention, the family vacation of a 17-year-old girl, a 20-year-old college student, a husband who worked too hard and a writer previously known as a careful planner, was ruined. I saw it in their faces, the surprise that it was good old mom who ruined it. And then, the bigger surprise: My older daughter gently asked if she could make me a cup of tea, maybe peppermint or chamomile? My younger daughter sweetly suggested we watch episodes of The Office together, on demand. My husband chimed in with the idea of checking out Christmas movie offerings. The only thing they were upset about was that I felt Id failed them. Mothers often find themselves held responsible when random things go wrong. Say, the weatherman promised a blizzard but it turns out not to be a snow day. Thats on us. At first were surprised to find we have this useless superpower to make things go wrong. But eventually most of us accept it. Yet now, when it was undeniably 100 percent my fault, instead of the silent treatment I got kindness, tea, hugs and love. Also Chinese takeout, which my husband picked up and which we ate in the living room, sitting on the floor around the coffee table, something wed never done before. So when the call came I let my passport expire.What do I do? I said, nothing. Just hope. Hope youve loved your family hard, even when theyve made mistakes. Then maybe, if youre really lucky, the day you wreck their perfect vacation, theyll love you hard right back. Star is a former movie executive turned author whose novel Sisters One, Two, Three will be published Jan 1 by Lake Union. In addition to the Washington Post her essays have appeared in the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and Family Circle. Visit her at www.nancystarauthor.com and follow her on Twitter @NancyStarAuthor. vacation-essay WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, a New Mexico Democrat who had been considering running for governor in 2018, announced Wednesday that he will forgo a gubernatorial campaign and instead remain in the U.S. Senate. The two-term senator, 68, said his seniority on key Senate committees is too important to relinquish, especially as Republican President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in January. Udalls current Senate term runs for four more years. This is not the time to weaken our position in Washington, Udall said. President-elect Trump has proposed policies with respect to health care, constitutional rights, immigration, privatizing public lands, and foreign policy that could be devastating to the citizens of New Mexico. My seniority, my reform agenda and my appointments to the Appropriations Committee, the Indian Affairs Committee, the Commerce Committee, and the Foreign Relations Committee are indispensable to the well-being of the state, Udall said in a Wednesday statement. New Mexico depends significantly more on federal funding than it does on state revenue. New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, a Republican, has two years remaining on the four-year term her second she was elected to in 2014. Martinez is barred from seeking a third term in 2018, leaving an open field for the states top elected office. In that regard, Udalls decision could have a domino effect, as other Democrats who are considering gubernatorial bids had been watching to see whether Udall would run before making up their minds. A spokeswoman and political adviser to Attorney General Hector Balderas said Wednesday that the first-term Democrat, a former state auditor and state representative, was seriously considering a gubernatorial run. Hes concerned about the direction of our state, Balderas adviser Caroline Buerkle told the Journal. Hell make a determination in the near future. State Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, also acknowledged Wednesday that hes considering running but said hes focused on the coming 60-day legislative session and will likely not announce a decision until the session is over. There cant be any question our state is on the wrong track, said Cervantes, who praised Udalls decision to remain in Congress and advocate for New Mexicos interests. Another possible candidate, U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-N.M., who was re-elected to New Mexicos 1st Congressional District last month, told the Journal in November that she was seriously considering a run, even if Udall decided to get into the gubernatorial race. Asked about Udalls announcement Wednesday, she sidestepped mention of her own political plans. Sen. Udall has always put New Mexico first, and I have no doubt he will continue to do that as our senior senator, Lujan Grisham said. I look forward to working with him and presenting a united front on behalf of New Mexicos working families. Republicans who are considered possible gubernatorial candidates include Lt. Gov. John Sanchez, U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce and Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry, who is not seeking re-election next year. Tom Udalls decision to not run for governor will open up the field of candidates, especially on the Democratic side, said longtime New Mexico political observer Brian Sanderoff, president of Research & Polling Inc. Some prospective candidates were waiting on the sidelines to see whether or not he was going to leave the U.S. Senate and cap off his political career back home. In announcing his decision, Udall said many New Mexicans had urged him to run for governor. He also said that he believed he had the necessary backing and experience to address pressing state issues including education, jobs and renewable energy as governor, but ultimately determined the state would be better-served by his remaining in the U.S. Senate. When I was elected to the Senate, I committed to standing up in Washington for New Mexico families to ensure everyone has an opportunity to get ahead and their needs never take a back seat to wealthy special interests, he added. I believe that pledge is even more important now. President-elect Donald Trump is expected to nominate Scott Pruitt, the attorney general of the oil and gas intensive state of Oklahoma, to head the Environmental Protection Agency, a move signaling an assault on President Barack Obamas climate change and environmental legacy. Pruitt has spent much of his energy as attorney general fighting the very agency he is being nominated to lead. He is the third of Trump appointees who have key philosophical differences with the missions of the agencies they have been tapped to run. Ben Carson, named to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development, has expressed a deep aversion to the social safety net programs and fair housing initiatives that have been central to that agencys activities. Betsy DeVos, named Education secretary, has a passion for private school vouchers that critics say undercut the public school systems at the core of the governments mission. The news about the choice of Pruitt was confirmed by a transition official, who would not speak for attribution before the official announcement. Pruitt, who has written that the debate on climate change is far from settled, joined a coalition of state attorneys general in suing the agencys Clean Power Plan, the principal Obama-era policy aimed at reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector. He also has sued, with fellow state attorneys general, over the EPAs recently announced regulations seeking to curtail the emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, from the oil and gas sector. On his Linked In page, Pruitt boasts of being a leading advocate against the EPAs activist agenda. After he was elected attorney general in 2010, Pruitt established a Federalism Unit to more effectively combat unwarranted regulation and systematic overreach by federal agencies, boards and offices, according to his online bio. And he has gone on to challenge the administration not just over the environment but over a host of other areas. He joined other Republican attorneys general in a lawsuit over Obamas immigration policies. He has also sued the administration over the Affordable Care Act, saying the health care mandate on religious employers to provide coverage including contraception was unconstitutional. He has sued over the Dodd-Frank financial reform. An ally of the energy industry, Pruitt, along with Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange, came to the defense ExxonMobil when it fell under investigation by attorneys general from more liberal states seeking information about whether the oil giant failed to disclose material information about climate change. We do not doubt the sincerity of the beliefs of our fellow attorneys general about climate change and the role human activity plays in it, they wrote at the conservative publication National Review. But we call upon them to press those beliefs through debate, not through governmental intimidation of those who disagree with them. In an interview with The Washington Post in September, as a Washington, D.C., federal appeals court was preparing to hear arguments over the Clean Power Plan, Pruitt detailed why he has remained a leading opponent of the EPAs efforts to curb carbon emissions by regulating power plants. What concerns the states is the process, the procedures, the authority that the EPA is exerting that we think is entirely inconsistent with its constitutional and statutory authority, he said at the time. Agencies such as the EPA, he said, should not be trying to pinch hit for Congress. This is a unique approach by EPA, whether they want to acknowledge it or not, he said of the provisions of the Clean Air Act that the agency had relied upon to write new regulations. The overreach is the statutes do not permit [EPA officials] to act in the way they are. They tend to have this approach that the end justifies the means . . . They tend to justify it by saying this big issue, this is an important issue. But he added thats where Congress should have authority, not EPA. This is something from a constitutional and statutory perspective that causes great concern. Environmental groups reacted with alarm Wednesday at the nomination. And New York state attorney general Eric Schneiderman vowed to use the full power of his office to wage a legal battle to compel enforcement of environmental laws under Trump. Scott Pruitt has a record of attacking the environmental protections that EPA is charged with enforcing. He has built his political career by trying to undermine EPAs mission of environmental protection, said Fred Krupp, the president of the Environmental Defense Fund. Our country needs and deserves an EPA administrator who is guided by science, who respects Americas environmental laws, and who values protecting the health and safety of all Americans ahead of the lobbying agenda of special interests. Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, said that over the past five years, Pruitt has used his position as Oklahomas top prosecutor to sue the EPA in a series of attempts to deny Americans the benefits of reducing mercury, arsenic, and other toxins from the air we breathe; cutting smog that can cause asthma attacks; and protecting our wetlands and streams. Pruitt has also fought to limit the scope of the federal government in regulating pollution of rivers under the Waters of the United States rule. Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), who has been active on environmental issues, said, Scott Pruitt would have EPA stand for Every Polluters Ally. In 2014, the New York Times reported that a letter ostensibly written by Pruitt alleging that the agency overestimated air pollution from natural gas drilling was actually written by lawyers for Devon Energy, one of the states largest oil and gas companies. Industry representatives expressed satisfaction with the choice Wednesday. The office he headed was present and accounted for in the battle to keep EPA faithful to its statutory authority and respectful of the role of the states in our system of cooperative federalism, said Scott Segal, head of the policy group at the lobbying and legal firm Bracewell. Given that we are almost two decades overdue for an overhaul of the Clean Air Act, there is interest on both sides of the aisle to look at that statute. David Rivkin, a constitutional litigator who represented Pruitt and Oklahoma in challenging the Clean Power Plan, said he believed Pruitt would be able to make sure the EPA lives up to its mission of protecting air and water while avoiding federal overreach. General Pruitt has been the leader among the AGs in defending federalism, the key feature of our constitutional architecture, said Rivkin, a partner at Baker Hosteler, adding that he believed Pruitt would ensure both environmental protection and constitutional fidelity. Pruitts outlook reflects his home state: Oklahoma ranked fifth in the nation in onshore crude oil output in 2014, has five oil refineries, and is home to the giant Cushing oil storage and trading hub, where the price for the benchmark West Texas Intermediate grade is set every day. Although oil and natural gas production sagged in the 1990s and early 2000s, the surge in horizontal fracturing, or fracking, has boosted output. The states natural gas output accounts for 10 percent of the nations overall total. For the week ended Oct. 28, there were 73 drilling rigs in operation in Oklahoma. Pruitt has served as head of the Republican Attorneys General Association, a group that has relied heavily on funds from ultraconservative groups and the oil industry. The biggest contributors this year included the Judicial Crisis Network, the U.S. Chamber of Commerces Institute of Legal Reform, Sheldon Adelson, oil conglomerate Koch Industries and Murray Energy, a leading coal mining company. Pruitt, a Kentucky native who moved to Oklahoma to attend the University of Tulsa law school, has also been active in religious groups. He serves as deacon of the First Baptist Church of Broken Arrow. In 2012, Pruitt was named a trustee of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before serving as attorney general, he was a member of the state legislature. Dallas investor Doug Deason, a friend of Pruitt, said he expects the Oklahoma attorney general to immediately get to work rolling back the EPAs silly overreach and to let states handle environmental oversight. Just like most Republican attorney generals, especially in energy-producing states, he has been really frustrated with the government and the EPAs overreach into everything, Deason said. But Deason said liberals will be happily surprised by Pruitts open-minded attitude, adding that he is willing to look at things. He will bring a more balanced, logical look at environmental regulation, he said. Pruitts selection was strongly supported by Oklahoma oil billionaire Harold Hamm. The nomination suggests an extraordinarily tough road ahead for the Clean Power Plan, president Obamas signature climate policy. However, the precise fate of the regulation most immediately turns on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which has not yet ruled in the lawsuit brought by Pruitt and his fellow attorneys general against the agency Pruitt is now named to lead. Some have suggested that Pruitts hands might be tied because he participated in litigation against the agency, Segal said in an email. This is a silly position. There is no conflict in representing your state on litigation dealing with rules of general applicability and then serving your nation as a federal official. Dismantling the regulation if it survives the courts would not be simple, because the agency has already finalized it meaning that to undo and replace it would require a public notice and comment process. Environmental groups would likely sue the agency over such a move. However, some of the Clean Power Plans objectives appear to have been already realized long before it came into effect. The United States is already burning less coal and more natural gas, meaning fewer carbon dioxide emissions. In 2030, the EPA projected in its final Clean Power Plan rule, coal would be reduced to providing 27 percent of U.S. electricity, with natural gas at 33 percent. Yet this very year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, natural gas will provide 34 percent of U.S. electricity, and coal 30 percent. The Washington Posts Matea Gold contributed to this article. epa-1stld-writethru GLENDALE, Ariz. The Latest on a shooting at a Walmart store in Glendale (all times local): 2:30 p.m. Police in suburban Phoenix say theyre looking for two suspects in connection with a shooting inside a Walmart store that wounded two men. Glendale police also say theyve determined Wednesday mornings shooting wasnt random and the shooter and the victims know each other. One suspect is between 25-30 years old and believed to be the shooter and the other suspect is a teenager. Officers were called to a shooting scene inside the store around 11 a.m. and found two men with gunshot wounds that are not life-threatening. News video showed a person being wheeled from the store on a gurney to an ambulance. The person appeared to be sitting up. The names and ages of the victims havent been released. __ 12:30 p.m. Glendale police now say both people who were shot inside a Walmart store suffered non-life threatening injuries. They say theyre still searching for the shooter in Wednesday mornings incident. Officers were called to a shooting scene inside the store around 11 a.m. and found two people with gunshot wounds. News video showed a person being wheeled from the store on a gurney to an ambulance. The person appeared to be sitting up in the gurney. The names and ages of the two victims havent been released yet. Police say the suspect was seen leaving the area in a vehicle. 12:15 p.m. Glendale police say they are searching for a suspect who shot and wounded two people inside a Walmart store in the city. They say officers were called to a shooting scene inside the store around 11 a.m. Wednesday and found two people with gunshot wounds. Police say person was transported to a hospital with a life-threatening injury and the other person sustained a gunshot wound thats not life-threatening. The names and ages of the two victims havent been released yet. Police say the suspect was seen leaving the area in a vehicle. 10:50 a.m. Glendale police say theres been a shooting at a Wal-Mart store and that there are two victims. Those victims conditions arent known but news video showed a person being wheeled from the store on a gurney to an ambulance. The person appeared to be sitting up. Police did not release additional information on the situation, and did not immediately respond to a request for comment. President-elect Donald Trump chose retired Marine General John Kelly to lead the Department of Homeland Security Wednesday. Kelly served as the head of the U.S. Southern Command, a posting that gave him oversight of U.S. security operations for Central America, the Caribbean, and the entirety of South America. Trump settled on Kelly in part for his Southwest border expertise, according to people familiar with the deliberations. In that role, General Kelly grappled with issues relating to the international illicit drug trade and the flow of narcotics, including heroin and cocaine, from countries in the Southern Hemisphere to markets in the United States. Donald Trump has said that drugs are coming over the southern border at a record clip, and that building a wall along that border will help address the opiate epidemic in places as far away as New England. Trumps notions of cross-border drug trafficking arent supported by the latest federal data, which show drug seizures falling along the southwest border in recent years. And General Kellys own views on the flow of drugs are considerably more nuanced than Trumps. In an interview with the Military Times earlier this year, Kelly acknowledged that addressing the opiate epidemic is more an issue of decreasing demand for drugs here at home than it is a question of cutting off the supply of drugs in the countries they originate from. For years and years and years weve been encouraging [South American] countries to do more to combat the drug trade, Kelly said. And of course they say, Well, why dont you do more to stop the demand for drugs? So if youre a Latin American, and were harping on them to do more to stop the flow of drugs, they say: Wait a minute. As we look north, the real problem is the demand. For years, federal drug policy focused on reducing the supply of illicit drugs via tactics like destroying crops like coca, poppy and cannabis. Reformers have long argued that these tactics are ineffective so long as demand for drugs remains high, and that federal dollars are best directed toward treatment and education initiatives that reduce the demand for illicit drugs. Kelly cited state and federal anti-smoking efforts as a successful example of how to reduce the use of drugs. The solution, he told the Military Times, is for Americans to stop using drugs. Now, youre never going to go to zero, but weve got great programs to convince Americans not to do things or to do things. Weve got great anti-smoking programs. I think when I was a kid a pack of cigarettes was 25 or 30 cents, and 70 percent of Americans smoked. Now I think its 23 percent and, of course, it costs you a million dollars to buy cigarettes. Crucially, authorities never tried to reduce tobacco use by outlawing cigarettes, arresting smokers, or destroying tobacco crops in the field. Kelly is, however, critical of marijuana legalization. He calls the plant a gateway to harder drugs (this notion is disputed by many drug abuse researchers and the National Institute on Drug Abuse). He does support the use of medical marijuana, however: Im not a doctor, he told the Military Times, but Im told it has a medical use. So whether its veterans or anyone else, if it helps those people, then fine. Medicine is medicine. Kellys nomination would be the third Trump cabinet pick whos an outspoken critic of marijuana legalization. Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions has been harshly critical of legalization efforts, arguing that good people dont smoke marijuana. Georgia Rep. Tom Price, Trumps pick to run the Department of Health and Human Services, has been one of the most reliably anti-marijuana members of Congress in recent years, voting against even modest reform bills. As DHS secretary, Kelly wouldnt have as direct an impact on federal drug policy as the attorney general or the Health and Human Services secretary. But if confirmed, he would be one more cabinet-level skeptic of marijuana legalization in an era of increasing marijuana legalization at the state level. pot WASHINGTON Exiled Chinese dissidents on Wednesday urged President-elect Donald Trump to champion human rights in China and recognize self-governing Taiwan as a full democratic country. Several former political prisoners spoke before at congressional commission days after Trump spoke by phone with Taiwans president in defiance of decades of diplomatic convention. That has fueled speculation Trump could adopt a tougher American policy toward China although he has shown little interest in advocating for civil liberties in the communist-ruled nation. Rebiya Kadeer, an exiled leader of the Muslim Uighur minority, told the hearing: Any sign that the United States is ready to relinquish its commitment to raising human rights concerns in favor of achieving policy gains elsewhere will be a victory for China. Yang Jianli, a veteran of the 1989 pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square that were crushed by China, said Trump should focus on American values and strike directly at the vulnerable spots of the regime to force Chinas democratic transition. Yang advocated modification of U.S. policy on Taiwan to reflect a full democratic country status and affirm its legitimacy by allowing Taiwan to be a normal member of the international community. That would imply a shift in the one China policy adhered to by Washington since it switched diplomatic recognition of China from the self-governing island of Taiwan to Beijing in 1979. He also urged U.S. support for more democracy in Hong Kong, where critics say China has moved to erode the citys semi-autonomous status. Yang has previously criticized Trump on China human rights issues. In March, he co-authored a newspaper commentary faulting Trump for saying during a Republican presidential debate that a strong, powerful government had put down the Tiananmen Square protests. Trump said he didnt endorse the crackdown, but he did liken it to putting down a riot. Two Republican lawmakers also urged Trump to prioritize human rights in his China policy. Rep. Chris Smith said the new administration should shine a bright line on abuses, a sentiment echoed by Sen. Marco Rubio, who was a rival of Trump for the Republican presidential nomination. Rubio appeared to criticize Trumps pick for ambassador to China, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who has known Chinese President Xi Jinping for more than 30 years and has long promoted his states trade with China. Rubio said the ambassador should reflect human rights priorities, not simply someone who is going there to catch up with old friends. Wei Jingsheng, who spent 18 years in Chinese prison for his democracy advocacy, urged the Trump administration to follow through on threats to impose trade tariffs on China, saying that the U.S. would win a trade war as China cannot risk losing its U.S. market. CHARLESTON, S.C. A survivor of last years massacre at a black South Carolina church testified Wednesday that her Bible study group had just closed their eyes and started praying when a loud sound shattered the stillness. The basement room went dark. When Felicia Sanders opened her eyes, she saw a young white man the parishioners had welcomed to the study only a half-hour earlier. Dylann Roof was mowing down the pastor and eight others with gunfire and hurling racial insults. Sanders, the first witness in Roofs death penalty trial, fought back tears as she recalled sheltering her granddaughter under a table and telling her to play dead. She watched in horror as her son Tywanza and her 87-year-old aunt, Susie Jackson, were killed in the fusillade. At one point, she looked across the courtroom toward Roof and called him evil, evil, evil. The gunman had planned the attack for months and traveled about 100 miles to Charleston on June 17, 2015, to attack Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest black church in the South, because of what it represented, prosecutors said. He told the parishioners he was killing them because blacks were raping white women and taking over the country. In a manifesto found later, he said he hoped to start a race war. The attorney for the 22-year-old all but conceded during opening statements that Roof committed the slayings but suggested that he should be spared the death penalty. One of three survivors, Sanders said Roof came by the Wednesday night gathering and was given a study sheet and a Bible by the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, the churchs pastor and a state senator. When she heard the loud noise, she assumed something was wrong with the electricity. Then she saw the real reason. I screamed he had a gun, she said. But by that time, Pinckney had already been shot. Soon her son was hit. I watched my son come into this world and I watched my son leave this world, she said before becoming so distraught that U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel called a recess. Several people sitting among the survivors family members and several jurors dabbed away tears. Roof, wearing a striped prison jumpsuit, just stared down at the defense table, as he did throughout the day. He just sits there the whole time. Evil, evil, evil as can be, Sanders testified. In the prosecutions opening statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Richardson said Roof had a cold and hateful heart. He pulled the trigger on that Glock .45 more than 70 times that night. More than 60 times he hit parishioners, the prosecutor said. Before the slayings, Roof had posed in photos with the Confederate flag. The attack prompted South Carolina to completely remove the emblem from its Capitol grounds. Other state and local governments voted to take down Confederate monuments, remove the flag from parks or rename government buildings honoring Confederate soldiers. If Roof is convicted, the case will move to the penalty phase, where he plans to act as his own lawyer to apparently fight for his life. A panel of 12 white jurors, five black jurors and one person of another race were selected, according to court officials who said the alternates will not be picked until the end of the trial. Defense attorney David Bruck said the facts of the case are largely undisputed and that he would likely ask few questions of the government witnesses. He may not call any witnesses of his own. The defense has said repeatedly in both federal and state court that Roof is willing to plead guilty if capital punishment is taken off the table. Prosecutors have refused. Roof faces another death penalty trial next year in state court. Bruck urged jurors to pay attention to the little things and use their common sense to determine what made Roof hate black people so much. He tried to hint at reasons why Roof should not be put to death, but prosecutors objected, saying that was for the penalty phase. The judge agreed. Roofs trial began only days after another one with racial overtones ended in a mistrial. Jurors could not agree on a verdict for former North Charleston police officer Michael Slager, who shot a black man in the back as he was running away from a traffic stop. A bystander recorded the shooting, and it was seen widely on TV and online. The church slayings took place a little more than two months after the Slager shooting, and Charleston has stayed mostly calm, unlike other cities where police shootings and perceived racial injustice has rocked communities. State prosecutors plan to retry Slager. New Mexicos largest electric utility asked state regulators Wednesday for an average system rate increase of 14 percent two months after the most recent increase showed up on consumer bills. Following through with plans announced earlier this year, Public Service Company of New Mexico filed an application with the state Public Regulation Commission seeking an increase of $99.2 million and a return on equity of 10.125 percent. This (rate request) is primarily about decreasing pollution and going forward with our capital investments, PNM Chief Executive Pat Vincent-Collawn told the Journal. Our customers tell us the No. 1 most important thing to them is reliability (of their electricity), and this will allow us to make that possible. Vincent-Collawn said the overall 14.3 percent rate increase would be spread out over two years to soften the impact for customers: 7.2 percent ($5.82 for the average residential customer) at the beginning of 2018, and 7.1 percent ($4.67 for the average residential customer) in 2019. The rate increase would mean all classes of customers would see an average 11 percent rise in their monthly bills. Residential customers would see an average increase of 13 percent. Nearly half the $99.2 million request is for costs associated with a settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency and several other parties aimed at reducing air pollution in the Four Corners area. As part of the settlement, PNM will retire two units at the coal-powered San Juan Generating Station, which it plans to replace with other coal as well as nuclear-generated power at a cost of $35 million. Another $9 million in the request goes toward the $90 million PNM will spend on pollution-reduction equipment at the coal-powered Four Corners Power Plant and other infrastructure projects related to the settlement. The rest of the $99.2 million request includes $20 million in other ongoing capital investments, $11 million for costs associated with customers using less energy and $9 million in adjustments made as a result of various electric cooperatives ending their contracts with the utility. The company has not asked regulators to consider any of the items rejected by the commission in the last rate case, one of the most contentious in recent memory. That includes millions of dollars in investments in the nuclear-powered Palo Verde Generating Station and air pollution controls at San Juan, the two items that accounted for most of the controversy in the previous case. The previous case lasted 13 months and ended in September, when regulators gave PNM a $65.7 million revenue bump, compared with the $123.5 million it requested. The new rates went into effect in October and resulted in an average customer increase of 7 percent across the system. PNM is appealing the commissions decision to the New Mexico Supreme Court. Asked what the company would do to address customers most affected by a utility rate increase New Mexicos poorest residents Vincent-Collawn said the company will continue to invest in its Good Neighbor Fund, a program aimed at helping low-income customers with their bills. PNMs announcement that it is seeking another rate increase has sparked public scrutiny of Vincent-Collawns $5.2 million compensation package, most of which is paid for by shareholders. Of her $800,000 salary, $250,000 comes from ratepayers. Asked about the appropriateness of her compensation, Vincent-Collawn said it is commensurate with that of other chief executives at similar-size utilities. People who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies or who support the so-called gay culture' cannot be priests in the Catholic church, the Vatican said in a new document on the priesthood. The document said that the churchs policy on gay priests has not changed since the last Vatican pronouncement on the subject in 2005. Some have been hoping for more openness toward gay priests ever since Pope Francis uttered perhaps the most famous sentence of his papacy when he was asked in 2013 about the subject of priests who are gay Who am I to judge? But the Churchs Congregation for the Clergy, in a document approved by Francis, declared that bishops and clergy who oversee seminaries should indeed judge candidates sexuality, and should ban them from becoming priests on that basis. The document, called The Gift of the Priestly Vocation, has an official publication date of Dec. 8 but was posted online earlier. It covers many aspects of the priesthood, only touching on the subject of sexuality on a few pages toward the end of the lengthy report. It quotes from the 2005 document on the subject of gay priests: The Church, while profoundly respecting the persons in question, cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called gay culture. Such persons, in fact, find themselves in a situation that gravely hinders them from relating correctly to men and women. One must in no way overlook the negative consequences that can derive from the ordination of persons with deep-seated homosexual tendencies. The Church, while profoundly respecting the persons in question, cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called gay culture. Such persons, in fact, find themselves in a situation that gravely hinders them from relating correctly to men and women. One must in no way overlook the negative consequences that can derive from the ordination of persons with deep-seated homosexual tendencies. While that paragraph might seem to lay people to very clearly ban a gay man from becoming a priest, some experts said on Wednesday that in fact it leaves large loopholes for many gay men to enter seminaries. It comes down to the definition of deep-seated tendencies. While some might say that ones sexuality is a deep-seated part of a person, so any man attracted to men is ineligible for the priesthood, others find wiggle room in that language. A man who is gay but who believes the churchs teaching against gay sex and who can commit to a life of celibacy just as straight priests do does not have deep-seated homosexual tendencies, in the view of some bishops. Not much has changed, said the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and the editor-at-large of America magazine. The people who were open to accepting healthy gay men into the seminaries will still do it. It does not negate the fact, nor could it, that there are thousands of healthy and hard-working and holy and celibate gay priests throughout the world. Msgr. Stephen Rossetti, a Catholic University of America professor who has written books on psychological care for priests, said clergy have consulted him about whether they should admit specific men to seminaries based on their sexuality. The question they ask comes out of this Vatican language, Rossetti said: Ive had rectors sit me down and say, What do I do with this guy? Is it deep-seated? Rossetti said his own recommendation would have to do not only with whether the man is or has been involved in a sexual relationship, but also with whether his sexuality is central to his identity or not. If hes marching in the gay pride parade, Im going to say, Mm, I dont think so. This document was the latest event in what many see as a pattern in Franciss papacy. The popes words, often in extemporaneous remarks, lead liberals to hope that church policies will change. Then the Vatican reaffirms its traditional positions. In recent months, after Francis excited feminist hopes by creating a committee to study women serving as deacons, he said women will probably never be priests. He wrote a major document on family issues that suggested people who have divorced and remarried outside the church might be able to receive communion, but has refused to clarify when clergy have asked if they should indeed interpret that document as a change in the churchs stance on who can take communion. One of the mistakes people make when theyre interpreting Pope Francis, they expect hes out to change everything, Rossetti said. I dont see him as changing our teachings, so much as helping us be more compassionate people. gay-priests Drop in cardamom prices worries Lamjung farmers Large cardamom farmers in the western Nepali district of Lamjung are worried these days, as prices of the spice have dropped sharply due to over production and lower demand in India. TAKOMA PARK, Md. The Pentagon says a soldier from Maryland has died of injuries sustained in an explosion at a U.S. airfield in Afghanistan. The Department of Defense said in a news release that Sgt. First Class Allan E. Brown of Takoma Park died Tuesday at Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Military officials say on Nov. 12, a suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device inside the base at in Bagram, Afghanistan. The bomb killed two U.S. servicemen and two American contractors. The Pentagon says Brown was among the 16 U.S. service members injured in that attack. Brown, who was 46, was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. When President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that Japanese corporate giant SoftBank had agreed to invest $50 billion in the U.S. and create 50,000 new jobs, he presented it as a triumph for American workers. But economists and analysts who have been scrutinizing the announcement suggest it might be a bigger win for the Japanese telecom and Internet conglomerate, SoftBank, and its billionaire founder, Masayoshi Son. Analysts said the Japanese telecom and Internet conglomerate could be angling for lucrative benefits, including the regulatory approval to carry out one of the largest telecom mergers in recent history, between Sprint, which SoftBank owns, and rival carrier T-Mobile. It could also be cultivating a friendly environment for further technology investments Son is seeking to make in the United States. I think Son must have thought how to use Trump and this opportunity for his business, said Mana Nakazora, chief credit analyst at BNP Paribas Securities. Shares of SoftBank Group Corp rose 6.2 percent on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Wednesday to close at their highest level in more than a year. Shares of Sprint Corp rose nearly 9 percent on Wednesday, while T-Mobiles stock climbed more than 4 percent. Collectively, the companies added billions of dollars in market value after the announcement. Trump said on Twitter on Tuesday that Son said he would not have made the investment if Trump had not won the election. But analysts said that the $50 billion investment would likely come from a $100 billion fund created by SoftBank and the Saudi government Son said as much to the Wall Street Journal and that much of the fund might have been destined for the U.S. anyway. SoftBank announced in October that it would dedicate at least $25 billion toward the $100 billion so-called SoftBank Vision Fund to invest in global technology companies in the next five years. Saudi Arabias public investment fund pledged to invest up to $45 billion in the same time period, with the additional $30 billion coming from outside investors. Son must have intended as much as half of the Vision Fund to go to the U.S., as hes aware that there are great companies in Silicon Valley. But he chose this time to announce it as Trump is now going to be the next president, said Jun Tanabe, a SoftBank analyst at JP Morgan Securities in Tokyo. Mr. Son already created the $100 billion fund and chose to invest $50 billion into the U.S. I suspect he would have done this whether the winner was Trump or Hillary, Suzuki Kazuto, professor of international political economy at Hokkaido University, tweeted Wednesday. A SoftBank spokesperson declined to comment whether the funds would be coming from the SoftBank Vision fund or give further information regarding the investment. Trumps spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment. Analysts suggested it would be difficult to deploy $100 billion in investment in global technology without looking largely to the U.S. and Silicon Valley. In 2015, for example, venture capitalists invested $148 billion worldwide in 8,381 deals, according to consulting firm EY. The U.S. accounted for roughly half of that investment. In 2016 so far, about 60 percent of all venture capital in the world has gone to the U.S., said Jeff Grabow, U.S. venture capital leader for EY. The U.S. would be the first place anybody would look. Analysts said Sun may be seeking to improve the chances of a merger between SoftBanks Sprint and T-Mobile, a deal which would create a mobile carrier larger than Verizon and almost as big as AT&T. Sprint and SoftBank abandoned an effort to purchase rival telecom carrier T-Mobile in 2014 a deal valued at roughly $32 billion after the Federal Communications Commission signaled the deal might violate antitrust laws. Trump will be responsible for appointing the next chairman to the FCC. Speaking from the lobby of the Trump Tower on Tuesday, Son said that he wanted to celebrate Trumps election because he would do a lot of deregulation. SoftBanks original plan may come true with the new FCC chairman, Naoshi Nema, analyst at Cantor Fitzgerald, said in a note. Analysts also speculated the deal could be an effort to smooth the way for other investments in the U.S. in the future, and specifically ward off the suspicion that sometimes surrounds foreign investment. Its possible that the SoftBank Vision Fund, the money coming from overseas, will start investing in American companies one after another, so theres a risk that Trump might criticize the move, said Hideaki Tanaka, senior analyst at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co. Instead, Son first paid his respects to Trump by showing that SoftBank would be investing in American start-ups and hiring locals, said Tanaka. This could help SoftBank do its business in the U.S. more smoothly. It could give an impression that his company is friendly to the U.S. In the last two months, Trump has taken an unusual new approach toward companies, negotiating with the air conditioner and furnace manufacturer Carrier to keep hundreds of jobs at an Indiana furnace factory from moving to Mexico, and singling out gear-maker Rexnord on Twitter for plans to offshore facilities. He has threatened American firms that outsource jobs with retribution, and proposed a 35 percent tariff against U.S. firms that do so. Some lawmakers and Trump allies have celebrated the deal with Carrier. Peter Wallison, former White House counsel under Ronald Reagan and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, said there isnt enough evidence yet to say that Trump will continue to single out companies. We havent yet seen a real policy that would suggest to me that is the way he is going to conduct his presidency. But others have argued that Trumps actions represent the beginning of a policy of negotiating with companies on an individual basis, which in turn will create an incentive for companies to threaten to send jobs overseas in exchange for deals at home. Indiana agreed to $7 million tax subsidies to save the Carrier jobs. In a Washington Post op-ed last week, former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders criticized Trump for delivering Carrier tax and regulatory favors in return for keeping jobs in the state, arguing that the practice could allow companies to hold Trump hostage. [H]e has signaled to every corporation in America that they can threaten to offshore jobs in exchange for business-friendly tax benefits and incentives. Even corporations that werent thinking of offshoring jobs will most probably be re-evaluating their stance this morning, Sanders wrote. Matthew Mitchell, a senior research fellow at the libertarian Mercatus Center, says its unclear what direct benefits SoftBank may receive from the Trump administration, if anything. But he added that the president shouldnt be involved in the investment decisions of individual companies, because it risks making the U.S. government reliant on the support of companies to carry out its policies. I think were getting into this world now where theres no longer a taboo about picking winners and losers. And to me, thats a big concern, because institutionally thats in some way what has set the U.S. apart from banana republics, he said. Yuki Oda contributed reporting from Tokyo. trump-softbank MIAMI A Florida woman has been charged with making death threats against the parent of a child who died in the Sandy Hook school shooting massacre because she thought the attack was a hoax, federal authorities announced Wednesday. Lucy Richards, 57, of Tampa was arrested Monday after a grand jury indictment on four felony counts of transmitting threats, the U.S. Justice Department said in a statement. The threats were made in January 2016 according to authorities and included messages that said, you gonna die, death is coming to you real soon, and LOOK BEHIND YOU IT IS DEATH. Court documents added that another threat said, theres nothing you can do about it. The unidentified parent now lives in South Florida and the indictment said the threats were made in Palm Beach County Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Schall wouldnt say how the threats were delivered or provide more details, but the indictment indicates all four were sent on the same day. Schall also didnt provide further details of why federal authorities said the woman thought the attack was a hoax. The indictment comes nearly four years after the Dec. 14, 2012, shootings in which a gunman with a rifle killed 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. The man also killed himself and his mother. Richards awaits an initial court appearance Dec. 19 in Fort Lauderdale. Department of Justice documents didnt list an attorney for the woman. Each felony charge of transmitting threats is punishable by up to five years in prison in event of a conviction. In recent years, conspiracy theorists have posted videos on the internet claiming to show evidence that the Sandy Hook shootings were a hoax, arguing that the event was staged to erode support for Second Amendment rights to bear arms. Federal Department of Finance Bern, 07.12.2016 - On 7 December 2016, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) published the fourth mutual evaluation report on Switzerland. Overall Switzerland receives good marks and achieves an above-average result compared to those countries already reviewed. The FATF acknowledges the quality of the Swiss system for combating money laundering and terrorist financing. In its report, it made a series of recommendations to improve Swiss legislation and its implementation. The last complete mutual evaluation report on Switzerland was published in 2005. The new report reflects the progress that Switzerland has made since then. It is based on a clear, political will to enhance the integrity of Switzerland's financial centre and the strong commitment of the authorities concerned. The subject of the review is the legislative system on the one hand and the effectiveness of the measures for combating money laundering and terrorist financing which Switzerland took based on the 40 FATF recommendations which were revised in 2012. In relation to the legal system, Switzerland was assessed as compliant or largely compliant in 31 of the 40 recommendations. In assessing effectiveness as a key element of the FATF's evaluation of Switzerland, it fared well in seven of the eleven topic areas examined. In addition, the FATF found no significant gaps in the system. Overall Switzerland's results can be considered to be good even in comparison to the other countries which have already been reviewed. Switzerland must, however, pursue its efforts in combating money laundering and terrorist financing which is why the report contains a series of recommendations to improve Swiss legislation and its implementation. In the case of legislation, Switzerland got good marks amongst other things for the criminalisation of money laundering and terrorist financing, mutual assistance, targeted financial sanctions, the transparency of legal entities and legal constructs (including trusts) and the Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS). The FATF did, however, find some vulnerabilities in the system, in particular in the preventive measures and the subordination to the Money Laundering Act of lawyers, notaries and fiduciaries relating to some non-financial activities such as the establishment of companies and trusts. With regard to the effectiveness of the system, the FATF underscores the good understanding of money laundering and terrorist financing risks in Switzerland, the quality of the analysis of financial information by the Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) and its appropriate use in criminal investigations. In addition, the FATF recognises the effectiveness of criminal prosecution in the area of money laundering and terrorist financing and the quality of international judicial cooperation. It is also welcomed that Switzerland has seized substantial sums and has refunded these to the countries which suffered losses through bribery. It also underlines the appropriate implementation of targeted financial sanctions and judges the risk-based supervision developed by FINMA to be positive. In contrast, the FATF voices criticism of certain aspects of financial intermediary supervision and the international cooperation of the MROS. There is also room for improvement in the implementation of preventive measures on the part of the financial intermediaries. On this point, the number of suspicious activity reports is considered to be too low in relation to the significance of the Swiss financial centre. The coexistence of the obligation to notify and the right to report in practice leads to confusion. Switzerland will be subject to a follow-up process which is normal in the context of the FATF evaluations. The Federal Department of Finance (FDF) will analyse the recommendations of the report in the context of the interdepartmental coordinating group on combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism (CGMF) and will submit a corresponding proposal in 2017 to the Federal Council. Address for enquiries Anne Cesard, Deputy Head of Communications, State Secretariat for International Financial Matters SIF tel. +41 58 462 62 91, anne.cesard@sif.admin.ch Publisher Federal Department of Finance https://www.efd.admin.ch/efd/en/home.html We can help you make sense of the agribusiness industry, extending from chemicals and fertilizers used as inputs into agriculture, to the commodities, food and by-products that are an output to farming, with policy and regulation applied at every step of the value chain. 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. Taiwanese tech company ASUS has announced that its press event at the upcoming CES trade show in Las Vegas will be held on January 4th, 2017. The company has already started sending out press invites for the Zennovation event that is expected to be a launch-pad for a high-end smartphone powered by the Snapdragon 835 SoC from Qualcomm. Although neither the invite nor the dedicated webpage on its global website says anything about the rumored handset, the invite prominently features the Qualcomm Snapdragon logo on the top left corner, as can be seen from the image below. That being the case, large sections of the online tech media are now speculating about what to expect from the company at Last Vegas next month. The company recently launched its ZenFone 3 range of smartphones, which includes the premium ZenFone 3 Deluxe, the mid-range ZenFone 3 and the entry-level ZenFone 3 Laser and ZenFone 3 Max handsets. ASUS has long been one of the most reputable names in the world of technology, and theres no real dearth of DIY PC builders who swear by the quality and performance of products manufactured by the company. From motherboards to graphics cards, from monitors to keyboards, the companys name has been synonymous with PC components and accessories for well over two decades now. However, even though the Taiwanese firm has a towering presence in the PC industry, it did not make a serious foray into the world of smartphones up until 2014, when it unveiled a slew of well-priced, high-quality handsets at the CES trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Named ZenFone 4, ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6, none of the devices came with flagship-level hardware, but were mostly praised by the media and users alike for what they brought to the table at such pocket-friendly price-tags. The Zen branding has served ASUS well over the years, and the company is known to play around with the word while naming its products and press events. Cases in point are the bunch of Zenvolution events the company has hosted in Taipei, Beijing and New Delhi over the past couple of years to launch its various Zen-branded products ZenFones (smartphones), ZenPads (tablets) and ZenBooks (notebooks). Fares drop as airlines slash fuel surcharges Domestic airlines followed up on a drop in aviation fuel prices by slashing fuel surcharges on Tuesday. High Court upholds verdict in torture case The High Court in Tulsipur, Dang, has upheld the Banke District Courts verdict against three police officers on the charge of torture. Honour deal Dr Govinda KC broke his hunger strike on the 22nd day on Sunday morning after he reached a 12-point agreement with the government the previous night. Energy from Iceland could help safeguard Northern Ireland's electricity supply, the North's economy minister said. The North Atlantic country enjoys massive volcanic resources and Simon Hamilton declared Northern Ireland would be a good place to land a giant undersea cable pumping some of the plentiful supply of geothermal power to the UK. British ministers have previously discussed an interconnector, which would be one of the longest in the world at around 750 miles. Geothermal energy is extracted from the heat stored in the Earth's core and is readily available in Iceland because it is close to tectonic plates. The Arctic country gets most of its power from hydro and geothermal sources. There have been concerns in Northern Ireland about power blackouts within the next decade as demand could outstrip supply. Mr Hamilton said technology like battery storage and better energy market links with the rest of the UK and Republic of Ireland may help meet the challenge. He added: "We should be thinking ambitiously about further afield as well to ensure that we have security of supply and put downward pressure on prices as best we can." The Democratic Unionist was quizzed by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee of MPs at Westminster about an energy link with Iceland. He responded: "We should not think just about the North/South interconnector, we should think more about East and West but we should be looking at more opportunities. "I am not saying that they are simple or easy or low cost options but I can recall the last prime minister talking openly about this (Icelandic) option and I am just making the point that I think Northern Ireland would be as good a destination to land an interconnector." He said it would not be a matter primarily for Stormont ministers. "If it was being taken forward at a UK Government level I think Northern Ireland would be as good an option to land that into and connect into the rest of Great Britain and it would be to everybody's benefit." Despite falling electricity prices, he said, the market at present was too small. "It is not as efficient as we would want it to be. When you integrate it with a bigger market you get a much more efficient market." Plans to overhaul European Union rules on bank capital were strongly criticised by several EU finance ministers on Tuesday, increasing uncertainty over financial regulation. The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, proposed in November a wide-ranging reform of rules on bank capital requirements and loss-absorbing buffers, mostly to incorporate into EU law agreements reached at global level. But as EU finance ministers debated the proposals for the first time, many blasted the Commission plan, raising concerns about several elements. Ministers from Eastern European countries and smaller EU states, such as Luxembourg, rejected a Commission proposal to allow EU banks to hold capital only in their home countries. The reform is intended to reduce costs for banks, which would no longer be required to hold capital buffers across national subsidiaries. But smaller countries in which foreign lenders operate fear that may mean bank subsidiaries are insufficiently capitalised, with negative consequences for local taxpayers if they fail. European schemes to protect banks and depositors at EU level are already in place, but smaller states think that is not enough. Luxembourg finance minister Pierre Gramegna urged the Commission to make sure the proposal would not reduce financial stability and security for local bank depositors. British finance minister Philip Hammond criticised another Commission proposal which would require non-EU systemic banks to reorganise their activities in the EU under a holding company. The plan aims at making big lenders safer but would also increase their costs. Big U.S. banks would be the first to be hit, but as Britain prepares to negotiate its exit from the EU, London fears British lenders may be affected after Brexit. European Central Bank Vice President Vitor Constancio also chipped in, saying the proposals did not sufficiently address the divergent application of banking rules in EU states, and warning that supervisors may find it difficult to oversee banks. Germany, the biggest EU economy, has also criticised the Commission's plan for not appropriately reducing bank risks. Berlin fears it could end up rescuing lenders from weaker euro zone states with German taxpayers' money, if banks are not pushed to ensure their capital shields are sufficient. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie About us Modified On Dec 07, 2016 05:24 PM By Tushar for BMW X3 2014-2022 The X3 petrol is only offered in the xLine grade, while the X5 petrol is available exclusively in the Design Pure Experience variant Having recently introduced the 320i and 520i sedans, BMW India has now launched the X3 and X5 SUVs in their petrol avatars as well. Both feature the latest generation TwinPower Turbo petrol motors and will be locally assembled at the German automakers plant in Chennai. The X3 xDrive28i xLine has been priced at Rs 54.90 lakh, while the X5 xDrive35i Design Pure Experience (5 seater) can be yours for Rs 73.50 lakh (both prices ex-showroom Delhi). Variant Watch Petrol vs Diesel Pricing In terms of pricing, the X3 petrol sits in the middle of the range. Heres a look at the variant wise ex-showroom, Delhi pricing: X3 xDrive20d Expedition (Diesel) Rs 30.99 lakh X3 xDrive20d xLine (Diesel) Rs 53.90 lakh X3 xDrive28i xLine (Petrol) Rs 54.90 lakh X3 xDrive30d M Sport (Diesel) - Rs 61 lakh Its a similar story with the X5 petrol as well. Given below are the ex-showroom Delhi prices: X5 xDrive30d Expedition (Diesel) - Rs 67.90 lakh X5 xDrive30d Design Pure Experience (Diesel) Rs 72.90 lakh X5 xDrive35i Design Pure Experience (Petrol) - Rs 73.50 lakh X5 xDrive30d Design Pure Experience (Diesel) (7 Seater) - Rs 76 lakh X5 xDrive30d M Sport (Diesel) - Rs 78.50 lakh X3 Petrol BMWs middle-weight SUV gets a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol mill that produces 245PS of power and 350Nm of torque that help it achieve a claimed 0-100kmph time of 6.5 seconds identical to the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC. The SUVs feature list includes bi-xenon headlights with daytime running LEDs, LED foglights, a panorama glass roof and a 2-zone climate control. It also gets BMWs iDrive touch infotainment system with navigation and a 205W, 9-speaker sound system. X5 Petrol The X5 petrol employs a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that makes 306PS of power and 400Nm of torque, enabling a 0-100kmph sprint in just 6.5 seconds. This is identical to the X3 xDrive28is sprint time and about 0.5 seconds behind the GLE400 4MATIC, which Mercedes-Benz launched in August this year at Rs 74.90 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The big SUV gets features like adaptive LED headlights, a powered tailgate, heated wing mirrors with integrated LED indicators and a 4-zone climate control. It also gets the iDrive touch infotainment system with a Harman Kardon 600 W, 16-speaker sound system Both, the X3 and X5 get all-wheel drive with the output transmitted through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It remains to be seen, if and when, the X1 and X6 will be offered with petrol motors. Read More on : BMW X3 Modified On Dec 08, 2016 12:47 PM By Rachit Shad Sales figures from January till November 2016 surpass that of the whole calendar year of 2015 German automaker Mercedes-Benz has achieved total unit sales of 18,93,619 in the first eleven months of 2016. That means that the auto major has already surpassed the total number of unit sales for the whole of last year. In November 2016, 1,82,602 automobiles with the three-pointed star were delivered to customers worldwide. During the same month, Mercedes-Benz was the premium automotive brand with the most new-car registrations in Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, USA, Mexico, Canada, Japan and Taiwan. Confirming the feat achieved, Ola Kallenius, member of board of management of Daimler AG, responsible for marketing and sales of Mercedes-Benz cars, said, With double-digit growth since the beginning of the year, we surpassed last years total unit sales by the Mercedes-Benz brand already in November. This makes 2016 a new record year for Mercedes-Benz. The growth percentage for November 2016 was the highest in Europe, followed closely by that of China. The consolidated sales figure for Europe alone was 78,797, out of which 25,599 vehicles were sold in Germany alone. The German carmaker achieved its best-ever figures in Great Britain, Spain, France and Belgium. In the Asia-Pacific region, the Stuttgart-based auto major clocked 63,918 unit sales in November 2016, out of which 42,310 were sold in China alone. The company claimed that the new E-Class and the SUVs which sold in record numbers this November helped achieve the sales milestone. Come 2017, the three-pointed star will launch its new E-Class sedan in more markets such as India. The company is also readying itself to launch an all-terrain variant of the E-Class which was showcased at the 2016 Paris Motor Show in the first half of 2017. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 7, 2016 Contact: Soyia Ellison, soyia.ellison@cartercenter.org KHARTOUM, SUDAN The Carter Center, the impartial non-governmental organization founded and led by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, plans to hold three meetings in the coming days with a group of international experts and key Sudanese stakeholders to discuss possibilities for peace in Sudan. The meetings are not part of the official mediation that the African Union is conducting, but rather supplemental, exploratory gatherings designed to begin to identify points of common ground among all key Sudanese parties. The Carter Center team met today with government officials representing the Office of the President, the National Assembly, the Sudan Armed Forces, the National Intelligence Service, the National Dialogue, and others. Later in the week, the team will meet with representatives of Sudanese groups advocating for the interests of women, youth, traditional communities, and the poor. It will also meet with armed and political opposition actors. The Center is prepared to meet with all Sudanese stakeholders. The Carter Center has a long history in Sudan and is invested in its success, said Jordan Ryan, vice president of the Centers peace programs and a participant in the meetings. We want to do whatever we can to help bring peace to its people, and we think facilitating meetings like this is a small way we can contribute to the peace process. This weeks meetings are exploratory, but we hope they will be the first in a series. The international experts assembled by The Carter Center all have dealt with strife in their home countries and plan to share with the Sudanese some of their experiences in working to resolve a variety of controversial issues. The experts are: Roelf Petrus Meyer of South Africa, a former Minister of Defense and the South African governments chief negotiator with the African National Congress. of South Africa, a former Minister of Defense and the South African governments chief negotiator with the African National Congress. Monica McWilliams of Ireland, co-founder of the Northern Ireland Womens Coalition political party and later a delegate to Irelands Multi-Party Peace Negotiations. of Ireland, co-founder of the Northern Ireland Womens Coalition political party and later a delegate to Irelands Multi-Party Peace Negotiations. Amine Ghali of Tunisia, Who after Tunisias revolution served as a member of the National Commission to Investigate Corruption and the National Commission on the Transitional Justice Debate. of Tunisia, Who after Tunisias revolution served as a member of the National Commission to Investigate Corruption and the National Commission on the Transitional Justice Debate. Karim Thabet of Yemen, former project manager for the United Nations Development Programs Yemen Integrated Social Cohesion and Development Project. of Yemen, former project manager for the United Nations Development Programs Yemen Integrated Social Cohesion and Development Project. Miriam Coronel Ferrer of the Philippines, former chairperson of the Peace Panel of the government of the Philippines in the negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The Carter Center in Sudan The Carter Center, an impartial and non-partisan, non-governmental organization, has worked in Sudan since the late 1980s, as former U.S. President Jimmy Carter worked directly to negotiate between the parties and support the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Milestones include negotiation of the 1995 "Guinea worm cease-fire," which gave international health workers almost six months of relative peace to enter areas of Sudan previously inaccessible due to fighting, and the 1999 Nairobi Agreement between Sudan and Uganda, in which the governments pledged to stop supporting rebels acting against each other's governments. The Carter Center also observed elections in Sudan in 2010 and the referendum on independence for South Sudan in 2011. In addition, it helped eradicate Guinea worm from the country and is working to eliminate river blindness and control trachoma. Translation ### "Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope." A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide. The Fundraising Regulator has confirmed that the Fundraising Preference Service will only apply to direct marketing communications via text, phone, email and addressed mail, rather than all communications. The regulator initially said that the FPS would apply to all communications via all channels, and repeated that assertion in a clarification note on Friday. But it has now confirmed that it will only apply to marketing communications via four channels. A spokesman for the Fundraising Regulator told Civil Society News that the Fundraising Preference Service would cover all direct marketing communications via [text, phone, email and addressed mail], although the FPS would not stand in the way of charities getting in touch with their supporters using legitimate interests on other communications such as standing orders/direct debits, legacies and volunteering. This statement appears to update the commentary in the regulators own Clarification on the FPS statement, published on Friday. In that statement, the regulator said to make things as straightforward as possible FPS will cover all charities and all communications. The statement also said that committed donors are unlikely to want to opt out from the charities they support, particularly where charities have sought their consent for contact and make sure they renew it periodically. The regulators spokesman ruled out the idea of any further consultation or a review of the FPS model put forward by the boards decision. He said that in creating the model, the regulator consulted thoroughly with the sector. While we are always open to feedback, we are not looking to make major changes to our decision. The spokesman confirmed that the Fundraising Regulator will keep the delivery of the FPS under review from day one, and said it would aim to have a formal review of the FPS after one year of its operation. Reset button would not have helped someone like Olive Cooke The Fundraising Regulator also told Civil Society News that the fundraising reset button that was part of both the original FPS recommendation in the Etherington Review, and the subsequent working group model, would not have helped someone like Olive Cooke. The regulator said that the reset button had not been implemented in the final decision following consultation with the sector, who felt the measure would be too blunt. A fundraising stop all option would not have helped someone like Olive Cooke who was also a donor who wanted to stay in touch with some charities, said the regulator. Instead, the regulator said it would strongly encourage anybody who feels overwhelmed by contact from charities to use this service. We can then speak to that individual and work out a solution that better protects them from charity communications. Of course, the FPS is just a part of the solutions. Charities are making great strides in ensuring that conduct is improved, including making sure their consents to contact are up to date. However, there is still some way to go to ensuring conduct meets the standards expected by the public. Indian arrested with gold worth Rs 3.3 million An Indian national has been arrested from Hetauda with gold worth Rs 3.3 million. 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. A former CEO, who pled guilty to stealing nearly $2 million from the now-defunct Veterans Health Administration Credit Union, will start the New Year in prison. A Michigan judge last week sentenced Fuataina Afutiti, 50, of Westland to two and half years to up to 20 years in state prison. She was also ordered to pay a restitution balanced of $1.2 million. It is unknown, however, how many years the former CEO will spend in prison. Afutitis court appointed attorney and the state prosecutor did not return a phone call from CU Times seeking comment. Afutiti was ordered to begin her prison sentence on Jan. 4. Danielle Castro was inspired to help her credit union develop a loan program for first-time homebuyers after learning about the Federal Home Loan Bank of New Yorks First Home Club program and watching the experiences of people she knew. Pittsford Federal Credit Unions Community Relations Specialist, 25-year-old Castro first heard about the FHC program in 2012-2013 while an intern for the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Rochester, which aids with the counseling portion of the program for some institutions that offered it. She learned more while working at First Niagara Risk Management in 2014-2015, which offered FHC loans through the banking portion of the company. Launched in 1995, the First Home Club offers an incentive for households with incomes at or below 80 percent of area median income to save toward the purchase of a new home. FHC subsidy funds of up to $7,500 can be used to provide down payment and closing cost assistance. These subsidy funds grant $4 for each $1 saved to qualified first-time homebuyers who follow a systematic savings plan and participate in a homebuyer counseling program. After a tumultuous campaign in which he violated every rule of American politics, and with a promise to drain the swamp in the nations capital, Mr. Trump is going to Washington. In a stunning victory that defied the polls and pundits, Donald J. Trump was elected as the 45th president of the United States. But he wasnt the only winner in last months election. The Republican Party also won big and will maintain control of both the House and Senate, and for the first time since 1929, Republicans will now control the presidency, both houses of Congress, most governorships and state legislatures, and will pick the next Supreme Court justice. President-elect Trump has indicated that his top three priorities are immigration, health care, and jobs, but many in the industry are wondering if a Trump presidency could derail the Department of Labors (DOLs) fiduciary rule, and how a Trump presidency will affect retirement policy. At this point, there are no specifics proposals on retirement issues, but with health care a top priority of the incoming administration, health savings accounts (HSAs) may be the first to be affected. Health Savings Accounts A post to President-elect Trumps official government website, www.greatagain.gov, elaborates on a key campaign promise, indicating that the Trump administration will work with Congress to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and replace it with a solution that includes HSAs. The website provides few details, but notes that the incoming administration will return regulation of health insurance to the states, work with Congress to enable people to purchase insurance across state lines, and work with Congress and the states to re-establish high-risk pools to ensure access to health insurance coverage for individuals who have not maintained continuous coverage. Any effort to expand the role of HSAs in healthcare will be well-received by the Republican controlled House and Senate, who want to provide a more decentralized approach to healthcare, and by individuals and businesses seeking to lower their health insurance costs. DOL Fiduciary Rule There has been a great deal of speculation as to what the election of Donald Trump means for the DOLs fiduciary rule. While Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton supported the DOLs fiduciary rule, writing in a New York Times op-ed that the rule is a common-sense effort to prevent conflicts of interest by financial managers, President-elect Trump has not taken a formal position on the fiduciary rule, although an adviser to the president-elect has stated that the rule should be scuttled. That is easier said than done, given that the initial applicability date of the rule is April 10, 2017, less than 90 days after President-elect Trump takes office. The president-elect has a number of options available, including issuing an executive order that states that the guidance will not be enforced, or delaying or suspending the effective dates of the regulation. Congress also could enact legislation that would overturn the DOLs fiduciary rule, but it is unclear if Republicans could garner enough Democratic support to meet the Senates 60-vote threshold to bring the bill to a final vote. The DOL also could issue new regulations which would replace the current DOL fiduciary rule, just as the Obama administration replaced the fiduciary rules issued in 1975. That however, would be a time-consuming process, given the amount of time required for Senate confirmation of key DOL appointees. And, once the new administrations appointees are in place, replacing the rule would require issuance of proposed regulations, a public comment period, and a review of the regulations by the Office of Management and Budget, prior to release of the final regulations. It is almost certain that the fiduciary rule would be in place for some time before it would be replaced by a new regulation. And, while the Trump administration could choose to not enforce the rule, it would not be able to exempt financial organizations using the best interest contract exemption from exposure to breach of contract and class-action lawsuits. Comprehensive Tax Reform One the campaign trail, both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump spoke of the need for tax reform. Now, with Republicans in control of both the White House and Congress, chances for comprehensive tax reform have risen dramatically. In a post-election interview reported in The Wall Street Journal, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) indicated that a major tax rewrite is a top agenda item for next year, noting that House Republican staffers are already writing parts on the plan. President-elect Trumps tax plan is very similar to the tax reform blueprint that House Republicans introduced in June, in that both plans would lower individual and business tax rates. And, while Donald Trumps plan proposed limiting the value of certain itemized deductions and exclusionsincluding the value of the exclusion for employee contributions to defined contribution plans and IRAschanges to retirement savings incentives also are part of the House Republican plan. Both plans are shy on specifics, but the House Republican blueprint would continue the current tax incentives for savings while the Ways and Means Committee works to consolidate and reform the multiple different retirement savings provisions in the current tax code to provide for effective and efficient incentives for savings and investment. This could result in significant changes to employer-sponsored retirement plans if Congress decides to simplify the plans by adopting one set of rules to cover all plan types. The blueprint also calls for the creation of a more general savings vehiclesuch as Universal Savings Accountsto which individuals could contribute, and which would allow withdrawals of contributions and earnings at any time, for any reason, without penalty. Creation of these new savings accounts with their greater flexibility for penalty-free withdrawals would likely have a significant impact on IRAs. Once the new Congress convenes in January, the president-elect is sworn in, and the new administrations political appointees are in place, we will have a clearer picture of how a Trump presidency will affect retirement policy. Stay tuned. A damaging chemical imbalance in the brain may contribute to schizophrenia, according to research presented at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Annual Meeting in Hollywood, Florida. Using a new kind of MRI measurement, neuroscientists reported higher levels of oxidative stress in patients with schizophrenia, when compared both to healthy individuals and those with bipolar disorder. "Intensive energy demands on brain cells leads to accumulation of highly reactive oxygen species, such as free radicals and hydrogen peroxide," according to the study's lead investigator, Dr. Fei Du, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. In schizophrenia, excessive oxidation - which involves the same type of chemical reaction that causes metal to corrode into rust - is widely thought to cause inflammation and cellular damage. However, measuring this process in the living human brain has remained challenging. Du and colleagues at McLean Hospital measured oxidative stress using a novel magnetic resonance spectroscopy technique. This technique uses MRI scanners to non-invasively measure brain concentrations of two molecules, NAD+ and NADH, that give a readout of how well the brain is able to buffer out excessive oxidants. Among 21 patients with chronic schizophrenia, Du observed a 53% elevation in NADH compared to healthy individuals of similar age. A similar degree of NADH elevation was seen in newly diagnosed schizophrenia, suggesting that oxidation imbalance is present even in the early stages of illness. More modest NADH increases were also seen in bipolar disorder, which shares some genetic and clinical overlap with schizophrenia. In addition to offering new insights into the biology of schizophrenia, this finding also provides a potential way to test the effectiveness of new interventions. "We hope this work will lead to new strategies to protect the brain from oxidative stress and improve brain function in schizophrenia," Du concludes. ### This work was supported by grants from MH092704 (F.D.); NARSAD (F.D.); NARSAD (D.O.); MH094594 (D.O.); MH104449 (D.O.); Shervert Frazier Research Institute (B.M.C.). Presenter: Fei Du, PhD Assistant Professor of Psychiatry McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School When you start a new job, it's normal to spend the first day working out who's who in the pecking order, information that will come in handy for making useful connections in the future. In an fMRI study published December 7 in Neuron, researchers at DeepMind and University College London provide new insights into how we acquire knowledge about social hierarchies, reveal the specific mechanisms at play when that hierarchy is our own (as compared to that of another person), and demonstrate that the brain automatically generates signals of social rank even when they're not needed to perform a task. The work could prove useful in guiding future research, not only in neuroscience, but also in artificial intelligence. In order to determine how we learn about social hierarchies, the authors asked 30 healthy college students to perform a task in the fMRI scanner. In this task, they learned about the power structure of a fictitious company that they imagined working in the future and that of one of their friends. They learned about the relative power of different people in each company, through watching "contests" between pairs of individuals and seeing who won. Once they understood the power structures of both companies, they then saw pictures of individual people from each company and had to decide which company the person worked for. "We found that the way in which participants learn about the power of individuals was best explained by a process of Bayesian inference" says Dharshan Kumaran, a research scientist at DeepMind. "Essentially you have an estimate about the level of power of each person, which you update as you receive new information (i.e., the outcome of a contest between 2 people." In this context, you can actually gain knowledge about how powerful someone is when they're not around: for example, if you see that Jane wins a contest against Paul, and later Paul wins many contests against other people, you should probably up your estimate of Jane's power because the evidence suggests that Paul is much better than you might have previously thought. So what this means is that people are able to rapidly form a coherent understanding of the whole hierarchy through putting together the outcome of different interactions between people, filling in missing pieces. "We found that different processes seem to be used for learning about and representing a social structure that you yourself are part of, compared to a social structure that involves someone else" says Dharshan Kumaran. "The prefrontal cortex, a region that is highly developed in humans, was particularly important when participants were learning about the power of people in their own social group, as compared to that of another person. This points towards the special nature of representing information that relates to the self." Indeed, sophisticated social interactions necessitate distinguishing one's own thoughts, goals, and preferences from those of other people--a cognitive function we know humans in particular excel at. "Part of the reason we do neuroscience research at DeepMind is because our ultimate goal is to develop artificial general intelligence that can be applied to solve some of the world's most intractable problems." says Kumaran. "Understanding how we ourselves learn structured forms of knowledge is a key component of what we'd call 'intelligence,' and it is therefore an important focus for our research." ### This work is supported by DeepMind in London, the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at the University College London, and the Wellcome Trust. Neuron, Kumaran, Banino, Blundell, Hassabis, Dayan: "Computations Underlying Social Hierarchy Learning: Distinct Neural Mechanisms for Updating and Representing Self-Relevant Information" http://www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(16)30802-9 Neuron (@NeuroCellPress), published by Cell Press, is a bimonthly journal that has established itself as one of the most influential and relied upon journals in the field of neuroscience and one of the premier intellectual forums of the neuroscience community. It publishes interdisciplinary articles that integrate biophysical, cellular, developmental, and molecular approaches with a systems approach to sensory, motor, and higher-order cognitive functions. Visit: http://www.cell.com/neuron. To receive Cell Press media alerts, contact press@cell.com. The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) congratulates Dresden-based construction engineer Professor Dr.-Ing. Manfred Curbach on winning the 2016 Deutscher Zukunftspreis. On 30 November 2016, Curbach and his team were selected from among three candidates for the Deutscher Zukunftspreis - the Federal President's Award for Innovation and Technology. Federal President Dr. h.c. Joachim Gauck presented the award, worth 250,000 euros, to the researcher from the Technical University of Dresden and his colleagues, Professor Dr.-Ing. Chokri Cherif and Professor Dr.-Ing. Peter Offermann. Together, the three researchers have developed an alternative to conventional reinforced concrete. Their new concrete composite contains carbon instead of corrosion-prone steel. This material, a structure of fine carbon fibres, is lighter and more durable than steel. Components made from carbon-reinforced concrete can therefore be made much thinner while extending the lifetime of a structure. DFG President Strohschneider commented: "From the DFG's viewpoint, this award is a recognition of the tremendous importance of basic research, even at a time when science and the humanities are increasingly under pressure to produce economically usable results. Manfred Curbach and his team have taken their concrete composite material from basic research to large-scale application within the construction industry, demonstrating the potential to be found in fundamental research as well." The award-winning researchers and their project "Carbon Concrete, A Fascinating Material - Economical, Efficient, Attractive" were nominated for the Deutscher Zukunftspreis by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. Manfred Curbach has received DFG funding in several projects for a number of years. Between 1999 and 2011 he was the spokesperson for the Collaborative Research Centre "Textile Reinforcements for Structural Strengthening and Retrofitting", which laid essential scientific foundations for the new carbon concrete, and he is currently the spokesperson for the Priority Programme "Concrete Light -Future Concrete Structures". Curbach was also a member of the DFG Senate between 2002 and 2008. He is currently the spokesperson for the DFG review board for Construction Engineering and Architecture. Most recently, in 2012 a DFG-nominated research team led by Professor Birger Kollmeier from the University of Oldenburg received the award for the advanced development of hearing aids. The Deutscher Zukunftspreis has been presented by the Federal President every year since 1997 in recognition of innovative research achievements and their development as marketable technologies. ### Further Information DFG media contact: Press and Public Relations, Tel. +49 228 885-2109, presse@dfg.de DFG programme contact: Dr.-Ing. Holger Eggemann, Engineering Sciences, +49 228 885-2655, Holger.Eggemann@dfg.de Using marine sediment cores containing isotopes of aluminum and beryllium, a group of international researchers has discovered that East Greenland experienced deep, ongoing glacial erosion over the past 7.5 million years. The research reconstructs ice sheet erosion dynamics in that region during the past 7.5 million years and has potential implications for how much the ice sheet will respond to future interglacial warming. The team, made up from researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of Vermont, Boston College and Imperial College London, analyzed sediments eroded from the continent and deposited in the ocean off the coast, which are like a time capsule preserving records of glacial processes. The research appears in the Dec. 8 edition of the journal, Nature. Understanding of early Greenland glaciation remains fragmentary, uncertain and for some periods, contradictory; much of what is known comes from marine sediments. The first presence of ice-rafted debris suggests that East Greenland glaciers initially reached the coast about 7.5 million years ago, whereas the surface texture of the sand grains suggests that glaciation there began 11 million years ago. "The East Greenland ice sheet has been dynamic over the last 7.5 million years," said lead author and University of Vermont scientist Paul Bierman. "Greenland was mostly ice-covered during the mid-to-late Pleistocene. At major climate transitions, the ice sheet expanded into previously ice-free terrain, confirming that the East Greenland Ice Sheet consistently responded to global climate change." Using Lawrence Livermore's Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry, LLNL scientist Susan Zimmerman and collaborators analyzed the isotopes of beryllium (Be) that were found in the quartz sand from ice-rafted debris in sediment cores. Analyzing those isotopes in sediment shed from the continent and stored at the bottom of the ocean as marine sediment gives scientists insight into how Greenland responded to climate change in the past, and how in turn it may respond in the future. The concentration of cosmogenic nuclides in rock, sand and soil reveals the exposure history of the surface. Cosmic rays continually bombard Earth and produce Al and Be isotopes in mineral lattices. Production rates and nuclide concentrations decrease exponentially within a few meters of the surface, so covering a landscape with ice stops cosmogenic nuclide production in the underlying rock. Subsequent glacial erosion first removes the most highly dosed, near-surface material before excavating rock from depths containing progressively lower isotope concentrations. Thermal conditions at the ice-sheet bed control its ability to erode, incorporate and transport rock and sediment. Warm-based ice can effectively erode rock and transport sediment to and off the coast, while cold-based ice, below the pressure melting point, is frozen to the bed and generally non-erosive; it buries and preserves ancient landscapes rather than eroding them. The isotopic record in the new research thus focuses on the areas of the ice sheet that were warm-based. "A clearer constraint on the behavior of the ice sheet during past and, ultimately, future interglacial warmth were produced by looking at beryllium and aluminum records from our coring site," Bierman said. "Our analysis challenges the possibility of complete and extended deglaciation over the past several million years." ### Founded in 1952, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) provides solutions to our nation's most important national security challenges through innovative science, engineering and technology. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is managed by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. Khandbari-Kimathanka road: NA airlifts heavy duty vehicles to project site The Nepal Army has airlifted two excavators and two tractors to the construction site of Khandbari-Kimathanka road to speed up the work. Hendrik Hildebrandt from the Argelander-Institut fur Astronomie in Bonn, Germany and Massimo Viola from the Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands led a team of astronomers [1] from institutions around the world who processed images from the Kilo Degree Survey (KiDS), which was made with ESO's VLT Survey Telescope (VST) in Chile. For their analysis, they used images from the survey that covered five patches of the sky covering a total area of around 2200 times the size of the full Moon [2], and containing around 15 million galaxies. By exploiting the exquisite image quality available to the VST at the Paranal site, and using innovative computer software, the team were able to carry out one of the most precise measurements ever made of an effect known as cosmic shear. This is a subtle variant of weak gravitational lensing, in which the light emitted from distant galaxies is slightly warped by the gravitational effect of large amounts of matter, such as galaxy clusters. In cosmic shear, it is not galaxy clusters but large-scale structures in the Universe that warp the light, which produces an even smaller effect. Very wide and deep surveys, such as KiDS, are needed to ensure that the very weak cosmic shear signal is strong enough to be measured and can be used by astronomers to map the distribution of gravitating matter. This study takes in the largest total area of the sky to ever be mapped with this technique so far. Intriguingly, the results of their analysis appear to be inconsistent with deductions from the results of the European Space Agency's Planck satellite, the leading space mission probing the fundamental properties of the Universe. In particular, the KiDS team's measurement of how clumpy matter is throughout the Universe -- a key cosmological parameter -- is significantly lower than the value derived from the Planck data [3]. Massimo Viola explains: "This latest result indicates that dark matter in the cosmic web, which accounts for about one-quarter of the content of the Universe, is less clumpy than we previously believed." Dark matter remains elusive to detection, its presence only inferred from its gravitational effects. Studies like these are the best current way to determine the shape, scale and distribution of this invisible material. The surprise result of this study also has implications for our wider understanding of the Universe, and how it has evolved during its almost 14-billion-year history. Such an apparent disagreement with previously established results from Planck means that astronomers may now have to reformulate their understanding of some fundamental aspects of the development of the Universe. Hendrik Hildebrandt comments: "Our findings will help to refine our theoretical models of how the Universe has grown from its inception up to the present day." The KiDS analysis of data from the VST is an important step but future telescopes are expected to take even wider and deeper surveys of the sky. The co-leader of the study, Catherine Heymans of the University of Edinburgh in the UK adds: "Unravelling what has happened since the Big Bang is a complex challenge, but by continuing to study the distant skies, we can build a picture of how our modern Universe has evolved." "We see an intriguing discrepancy with Planck cosmology at the moment. Future missions such as the Euclid satellite and the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope will allow us to repeat these measurements and better understand what the Universe is really telling us," concludes Konrad Kuijken (Leiden Observatory, the Netherlands), who is principal investigator of the KiDS survey. ### Notes [1] The international KiDS team (http://kids.strw.leidenuniv.nl/team.php) of researchers includes scientists from Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Australia, Italy, Malta and Canada. [2] This corresponds to about 450 square degrees, or a little more than 1% of the entire sky. [3] The parameter measured is called S8. Its value is a combination of the size of density fluctuations in, and the average density of, a section of the Universe. Large fluctuations in lower density parts of the Universe have an effect similar to that of smaller amplitude fluctuations in denser regions and the two cannot be distinguished by observations of weak lensing. The 8 refers to a cell size of 8 megaparsecs, which is used by convention in such studies. More information This research was presented in the paper entitled "KiDS-450: Cosmological parameter constraints from tomographic weak gravitational lensing", by H. Hildebrandt et al., to appear in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. The team is composed of H. Hildebrandt (Argelander-Institut fur Astronomie, Bonn, Germany), M. Viola (Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands), C. Heymans (Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK), S. Joudaki (Centre for Astrophysics & Supercomputing, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia), K. Kuijken (Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands), C. Blake (Centre for Astrophysics & Supercomputing, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia), T. Erben (Argelander-Institut fur Astronomie, Bonn, Germany), B. Joachimi (University College London, London, UK), D Klaes (Argelander-Institut fur Astronomie, Bonn, Germany), L. Miller (Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK), C.B. Morrison (Argelander-Institut fur Astronomie, Bonn, Germany), R. Nakajima (Argelander-Institut fur Astronomie, Bonn, Germany), G. Verdoes Kleijn (Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands), A. Amon (Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK), A. Choi (Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK), G. Covone (Department of Physics, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy), J.T.A. de Jong (Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands), A. Dvornik (Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands), I. Fenech Conti (Institute of Space Sciences and Astronomy (ISSA), University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Department of Physics, University of Malta, Msida, Malta), A. Grado (INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Capodimonte, Napoli, Italy), J. Harnois-Deraps (Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada), R. Herbonnet (Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands), H. Hoekstra (Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands), F. Kohlinger (Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands), J. McFarland (Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands), A. Mead (Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada), J. Merten (Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK), N. Napolitano (INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Capodimonte, Napoli, Italy), J.A. Peacock (Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK), M. Radovich (INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Padova, Italy), P. Schneider (Argelander-Institut fur Astronomie, Bonn, Germany), P. Simon (Argelander-Institut fur Astronomie, Bonn, Germany), E.A. Valentijn (Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands), J.L. van den Busch (Argelander-Institut fur Astronomie, Bonn, Germany), E. van Uitert (University College London, London, UK) and L. van Waerbeke (Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada). ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory by far. It is supported by 16 countries: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, along with the host state of Chile. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory and two survey telescopes. VISTA works in the infrared and is the world's largest survey telescope and the VLT Survey Telescope is the largest telescope designed to exclusively survey the skies in visible light. ESO is a major partner in ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, close to Paranal, ESO is building the 39-metre European Extremely Large Telescope, the E-ELT, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky". Links Research paper - http://www.eso.org/public/archives/releases/sciencepapers/eso1642/eso1642a.pdf Photos of the VST - http://www.eso.org/public/images/archive/search/?adv=&subject_name=VLT%20Survey%20Telescope Contacts Hendrik Hildebrandt Head of Emmy Noether-Research Group Bonn, Germany Tel: +49 228 73 1772 Email: hendrik@astro.uni-bonn.de Massimo Viola Leiden Observatory Leiden, The Netherlands Tel: +31 (0)71 527 8442 Email: viola@strw.leidenuniv.nl Catherine Heymans Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh Edinburgh, United Kingdom Tel: +44 131 668 8301 Email: heymans@roe.ac.uk Konrad Kuijken Leiden Observatory Leiden, The Netherlands Tel: +31 715275848 Cell: +31 628956539 Email: kuijken@strw.leidenuniv.nl Richard Hook ESO Public Information Officer Garching bei Munchen, Germany Tel: +49 89 3200 6655 Cell: +49 151 1537 3591 Email: rhook@eso.org Kyoto, Japan -- With a little help from chickens and video cameras, scientists have captured live the moment when skin gets darker. In a study appearing in Scientific Reports, a Japanese team has filmed and demystified the process by which melanin -- molecules that give skin its color -- are carried to the epidermis. "Our study settles a long-standing debate about how melanin is transported from melanocytes, cells where it is synthesized, to keratinocytes, cells which it protects in the actual body," says Ryosuke Tadokoro of Kyoto University's Graduate School of Science, who led the study. Melanin pigments protect the skin from DNA damage by surrounding -- and thus guarding -- the nuclei of keratinocytes. "The melanin production process has been extensively studied, but since it needs to travel somehow, it's also crucial to understand the transport process in order to develop effective dermatological treatments," explains Kyoto University's Yoshiko Takahashi, senior author of the study. "In our experiments, we mimicked in 3D how cells are actually organized. We also used chicken tissue, which is similar to ours in terms of how melanocytes are distributed throughout the skin." Using a new in-house fluorescence imaging technique, the team found that melanocyte membranes form 'blisters', which become vehicles for carrying melanosomes. Once the cargo is loaded, these structures pinch off, migrate, and are 'eaten' by keratinocytes. The melanosomes then enter the cells and surround their nuclei, protecting them from damage. "Controlling skin pigmentation is crucial for protecting our skin from UV damage," continues Takahashi, pointing out that vesicle formation and the proteins necessary for it are analogous to how cancer cells spread to different parts of the body. "This finding, while just a first step, could have significant implications in cosmetic contexts and in studies of depigmentation syndromes and skin cancer." ### The paper "Melanosome transfer to keratinocyte in the chicken embryonic skin is mediated by vesicle release associated with Rho-regulated membrane blebbing" appeared 2 December 2016 in Scientific Reports, with doi: 10.1038/srep38277 Kyoto University is one of Japan and Asia's premier research institutions, founded in 1897 and responsible for producing numerous Nobel laureates and winners of other prestigious international prizes. A broad curriculum across the arts and sciences at both undergraduate and graduate levels is complemented by numerous research centers, as well as facilities and offices around Japan and the world. For more information please see: http://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en The Tibetan Mastiff is famed for its high-altitude prowess, showing a remarkable strength and endurance to 3-mile elevations and even higher. Evolutionary biologists have successfully identified the genes responsible for this adaptation, yet an elusive question remained: Exactly how did they acquire the adaptation? The answer, found by a Chinese research group led by Zhen Wang and Yixue Li, sheds light on not only the genetic origins of high-altitude elevation, but a remarkable tale of interbreeding in the adaptation of both dog and modern man. Their new study demonstrates strong genetic evidence that, when man first settled into the Tibetan plateau, the recently domesticated Tibetan Mastiff interbred with the Tibet grey wolf, and a DNA swap being introduced at two genomic hotspots is the key to acquiring their special high altitude powers. The study appears in the advanced online edition of the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution. The recent sequencing of the dog and wolf genomes has been a boon of study to evolutionary biologists. Now, the Chinese group utilized the genomes for their comparative Tibetan study. First, they showed that Tibetan Mastiffs are much more closely related with other Chinese dogs rather than grey wolves. Secondly, they found two unique genomic hotspots, the EPAS1 and HBB loci, that show the significant signals of interbreeding with the Tibet grey wolf and underwent strong positive selection. And in a spectacular coincidence, it turns out to be the same location, same gene, same mechanism -- interbreeding -- as in humans. And as for modern humans? Well, other recent studies suggest that Tibetans repeated this interbreeding adaptation---recent evidence shows that they may have also acquired their high-altitude adaptation by interbreeding with an ancient hominid known as the Denisovans. Even in evolutionary biology, history may have a way of repeating itself. So perhaps it's not surprising after all that 'man's best friend' would adapt in a similar manner. The study adds to the significant evidence generated by scientists of the profound contributions and adaptations that can occur as a result of ancient interbreeding. ### Breathing is not just for oxygen; it's now linked to brain function and behavior Scientists discover breathing rhythm synchronizes activity in the human brain Inhaling through nose heightens memory and response to fearful stimuli Effects disappear during mouth breathing CHICAGO -- Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered for the first time that the rhythm of breathing creates electrical activity in the human brain that enhances emotional judgments and memory recall. These effects on behavior depend critically on whether you inhale or exhale and whether you breathe through the nose or mouth. In the study, individuals were able to identify a fearful face more quickly if they encountered the face when breathing in compared to breathing out. Individuals also were more likely to remember an object if they encountered it on the inhaled breath than the exhaled one. The effect disappeared if breathing was through the mouth. "One of the major findings in this study is that there is a dramatic difference in brain activity in the amygdala and hippocampus during inhalation compared with exhalation," said lead author Christina Zelano, assistant professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "When you breathe in, we discovered you are stimulating neurons in the olfactory cortex, amygdala and hippocampus, all across the limbic system." The study was published Dec. 6 in the Journal of Neuroscience. The senior author is Jay Gottfried, professor of neurology at Feinberg. Northwestern scientists first discovered these differences in brain activity while studying seven patients with epilepsy who were scheduled for brain surgery. A week prior to surgery, a surgeon implanted electrodes into the patients' brains in order to identify the origin of their seizures. This allowed scientists to acquire electro-physiological data directly from their brains. The recorded electrical signals showed brain activity fluctuated with breathing. The activity occurs in brain areas where emotions, memory and smells are processed. This discovery led scientists to ask whether cognitive functions typically associated with these brain areas -- in particular fear processing and memory -- could also be affected by breathing. The amygdala is strongly linked to emotional processing, in particular fear-related emotions. So scientists asked about 60 subjects to make rapid decisions on emotional expressions in the lab environment while recording their breathing. Presented with pictures of faces showing expressions of either fear or surprise, the subjects had to indicate, as quickly as they could, which emotion each face was expressing. When faces were encountered during inhalation, subjects recognized them as fearful more quickly than when faces were encountered during exhalation. This was not true for faces expressing surprise. These effects diminished when subjects performed the same task while breathing through their mouths. Thus the effect was specific to fearful stimuli during nasal breathing only. In an experiment aimed at assessing memory function -- tied to the hippocampus -- the same subjects were shown pictures of objects on a computer screen and told to remember them. Later, they were asked to recall those objects. Researchers found that recall was better if the images were encountered during inhalation. The findings imply that rapid breathing may confer an advantage when someone is in a dangerous situation, Zelano said. "If you are in a panic state, your breathing rhythm becomes faster," Zelano said. "As a result you'll spend proportionally more time inhaling than when in a calm state. Thus, our body's innate response to fear with faster breathing could have a positive impact on brain function and result in faster response times to dangerous stimuli in the environment." Another potential insight of the research is on the basic mechanisms of meditation or focused breathing. "When you inhale, you are in a sense synchronizing brain oscillations across the limbic network," Zelano noted. ### Other Northwestern authors include Heidi Jiang, Guangyu Zhou, Nikita Arora, Dr. Stephan Schuele and Dr. Joshua Rosenow. The study was supported by grants R00DC012803, R21DC012014 and R01DC013243 from the National Institute on Deafness and Communication Disorders of the National Institutes of Health. CORVALLIS, Ore. - Sockeye salmon that evolved in the generally colder waters of the far north still know how to cool off if necessary, an important factor in the species' potential for dealing with global climate change. Sockeyes, which spawn in fresh water and spend two to three years in the Pacific Ocean, range from southern Alaska south to the Columbia River. Research by Oregon State University revealed that sockeyes at the northern edge of that range, despite lacking their southern counterparts' evolutionary history of dealing with heat stress, nevertheless have an innate ability to "thermoregulate." Thermoregulation means that when their surroundings warm up too much, the fish will seek cooler water that precisely meets their physiological needs. A study conducted by an OSU researcher at an Alaska lake during a heat wave shed light on sockeyes' ability to find the water temperatures they need. Multiple earlier studies had demonstrated thermoregulation behavior among sockeye salmon at lower latitudes, but northern populations' behavioral response to heat stress had largely gone unexamined. While it may seem obvious that any fish would move around to find the water temperature it needed, prior research has shown thermoregulation is far from automatic -- even among populations living where heat stress is a regular occurrence. "Often what's happened has been counterintuitive, so we had no idea what to expect," said Jonathan B. Armstrong, assistant professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences' Department of Fish and Wildlife, the lead author on the study. "About 40 million sockeye return to Bristol Bay every year. These huge salmon runs are a big part of the regional culture and economy, so how these fish respond to climate change will have very real effects on people's lives. It's encouraging that the sockeyes showed this innate capacity to respond." Results of the research were recently published in Conservation Physiology. Armstrong and his collaborators at the University of Washington worked in 2013 at Little Togiak Lake -- one of five major lakes in the Wood River watershed that drain into Bristol Bay, a fishery that produces nearly 70 percent of all the sockeye salmon caught in the United States. Bristol Bay is close to the 60-degree latitude that marks the northern boundary of the sockeyes' primary range. Adult sockeye salmon return to the Wood River system from the Bering Sea in early summer, then mature and develop secondary sexual traits before spawning later in the summer or at the beginning of fall. During the time between entering fresh water and spawning, the fish group together in their lake's epilimnion -- the upper, warmer level of water in a thermally stratified lake. Usually the fish congregate, or stage, near tributary inlets and along shorelines. During a staging period of unusually warm weather - maximum daily air temperatures hovered around 80 degrees for a week, the second-warmest heat wave on record - researchers used a seine to capture fish and outfitted 95 of them with devices that logged water temperatures at 20-minute intervals. What they learned from the 40 recovered temperature loggers was that when the epilimnion temperature rose above about 12 degrees Celsius, or about 53 degrees, the fish thermoregulated by moving to tributary plumes or to deeper water. By swimming away from the rising temperatures, the fish expended 50 percent less energy during the warmest conditions - 64 to 68 degrees - than they would have had they stayed put. "The hotter it is, the more energy they burn, but these fish don't just want the coldest water possible," Armstrong said. "If they were cars looking for maximum fuel efficiency, they'd just find the coldest water, but instead it's a Goldilocks sort of thing - they're looking for not too warm, not too cold. "They want their system to go fast enough for them to go through maturation before they spawn, where they go from these silver torpedoes to these crazy, exaggerated beasts of sexual selection with a red body and green jaws." Armstrong noted the broader message of the study is what it says about the ability of animals to exploit the kinds of diversity of temperature and diversity of habitat found in ecosystems that are intact and not heavily developed. "There's all this diversity and connectivity up there," Armstrong said. "Fish have lots of options for coping with warming or environmental change in general. "When we develop watersheds, we often simplify habitats and take away these options. In our research we are constantly stumbling across new and interesting ways that fish and wildlife thrive by exploiting diversity in temperatures, often at small spatial scales that would be very easy to overlook. This study is one more example of how all the little details matter, and they could be what save animals from climate change, or at least reduce the impacts." ### COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Two genetic mutations known to play a role in many solid cancers might also help explain why a subset of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients develop the disease, according to new research from The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC - James). The mutations (which occur in the CCND1 and CCND2 genes) have been previously implicated in solid tumors but this new report represents some of the first data describing the role of these mutations in core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML), a form of cancer that affects blood-forming tissue (bone marrow). It is well-established that the two primary types of CBF-AML -- called t(8;21) and inv(16) -- are related on a molecular level and are both identified by the presence of a merged genetic mutation, or fusion gene. Researchers know, however, that the fusion gene alone is not capable of causing leukemia independently. "The hematology community has long sought to determine what other factors in addition to the fusion genes occur in this special type of leukemia. We are now the first to describe that mutations in CCND1, and among the first to describe that mutations in the sister gene CCND2 are unique features of CBF-AML with t(8;21)," says Ann-Kathrin Eisfeld, MD, first author of the study, Internal Medicine resident in the Physician-Scientist-Training program of OSU and researcher with the OSUCCC-James Leukemia Research Program in the laboratories of Clara D. Bloomfield, MD, and Albert de la Chapelle, MD, PhD. "In addition, we have collected the first evidence that mutations in CCND2 lead to more aggressive growth of leukemia cell lines. Based on those results, we can now test if they actually provide a transformative 'second hit' that propels the cells carrying the fusion gene to progress into cancer," adds Eisfeld. The OSUCCC - James team reports its findings online ahead of print Nov. 15, 2016, in the journal Leukemia. Additional insights were also presented at the American Society of Hematology meeting on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016. Study Design and Results A previous comprehensive study of gene mutations in CBF-AML reported the presence of at least one genetic mutation in 85 percent of the patients studied, leaving the remaining 15 percent of patients to harbor other, as yet not discovered mutations. For this new study, Eisfeld and colleagues searched a large cohort of CBF-AML samples for the missing mutations that, together with the fusion genes, might contribute to the leukemia in this subgroup of cases. The team analyzed pretreatment bone marrow and peripheral blood samples from a 177 adult CBF-AML patients who received similar medical treatment through a national clinical trial conducted at multiple centers across the United States. Using a customized, targeted next-generation sequencing approach, the team looked for mutations in 84 leukemia- and/or cancer-associated protein-coding genes. Laboratory tests were also performed on blood or bone marrow cells to look for chromosomal irregularities. Researchers discovered two significant new mutations in the cyclin D1 (CCND1) and cyclin D2 (CCND2) genes, representing the first dual evidence of these recurrent genetic mutations in patients with t(8;21) AML. CCND1 and CCND2 mutations were found in 15 percent of patients with t(8;21), making it the third most common mutation among this subgroup of AML patients. "This is extremely valuable information that was previously unknown and it might help us develop targeted therapies more likely to help patients with this disease in the near future," adds Eisfeld. Researchers say this enhanced understanding of molecular alterations in CBF-AML could help explain the differences in clinical features between patients in the two subtypes of the disease, and especially also to patients with other types of leukemias. ### Co-authors of this study include Jessica Kohlschmidt, PhD, Deedra Nicolet, Sebastian Schwind, MD, James Blachly, MD, Shelley Orwick, Chandni Shah, Maryam Bainazar, Karl Kroll, Christopher Walker, PhD, Albert de la Chapelle, MD, PhD, Krzystof Mrozek, PhD, John Byrd, MD, Clara Bloomfield, MD, of OSUCCC - James; Andrew Carroll, MD, of the University of Alabama Birmingham; Bayard Powell, MD, of Wake Forest University Comprehensive Cancer Center; Richard Stone of Dana Farber; Jonathan Kolitz, MD, of Hofstra North Shore-Long Island Jewish School of Medicine; Maria Baer, MD, of the University of Maryland. Funding was provided in part by the National Cancer Institute (grants CA101140, CA140158, CA180861, CA196171, CA016058, CA180821, CA180882, and CA077658), the Leukemia Clinical Research Foundation, the Warren D. Brown Foundation, the Pelotonia Fellowship Program (to Eisfeld), and by an allocation of computing resources from The Ohio Supercomputer Center. About The OSUCCC - James The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute strives to create a cancer-free world by integrating scientific research with excellence in education and patient-centered care, a strategy that leads to better methods of prevention, detection and treatment. Ohio State is one of only 45 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers and one of only four centers funded by the NCI to conduct both phase I and phase II clinical trials on novel anticancer drugs. As the cancer program's 306-bed adult patient-care component, The James is one of the top cancer hospitals in the nation as ranked by U.S. News & World Report and has achieved Magnet designation, the highest honor an organization can receive for quality patient care and professional nursing practice. At 21 floors with more than 1.1 million square feet, The James is a transformational facility that fosters collaboration and integration of cancer research and clinical cancer care. For more information, please visit cancer.osu.edu. In West African cities, male circumcision rates in 1950 were negatively correlated with HIV-2 prevalence from 1985, according to a study published December 7, 2016 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Joao Sousa from the University of Leuven, Belgium, and colleagues. The HIV-2 virus likely emerged in humans around 1930-40 and is less widespread than the predominant HIV-1, remaining mostly within West Africa. Whilst male circumcision is known to be associated with reduced HIV-1 prevalence, because the foreskin is highly vulnerable to infection, the association between male circumcision and HIV-2 prevalence had not previously been examined. The authors of the present study gathered the published results of large scale HIV-2 serosurveys, conducted from 1985 onwards, of the populations of 30 West African cities. They combined estimates of historical male circumcision frequency in 218 West African ethnic groups with demographic data to estimate male circumcision frequency for each West African city at various time points. The researchers then matched HIV-2 prevalence with the estimated male circumcision frequency in each city to identify any correlation. The authors found that cities with higher male circumcision rates in 1950 generally tended to have lower HIV-2 prevalence at the time of the first serosurveys in 1985-91. Generally, male circumcision was far less common than it is today, and varied more by country. Cities in two countries, Guinea-Bissau and Cote d'Ivoire, which are thought to have acted as epicenters during the emergence of HIV-2, had particularly low male circumcision rates, reinforcing the negative correlation. Whilst the data on male circumcision and HIV-2 prevalence were obtained in different years, making it difficult to link the two directly, the authors state that HIV-2 may only have been able to achieve high prevalence in West African cities where a substantial proportion of the population was uncircumcised. "Lack of circumcision may have been a driving factor in initial HIV-2 emergence," says Sousa. ### In your coverage please use this URL to provide access to the freely available paper: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=info%3Adoi/10.1371/journal.pone.0166805 Citation: Sousa JD, Temudo MP, Hewlett BS, Camacho RJ, Muller V, Vandamme A-M (2016) Male Circumcision and the Epidemic Emergence of HIV-2 in West Africa. PLoS ONE 11(12): e0166805. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0166805 Funding: The research done by JDS and AMV in this study has been supported in part by grant G.0611.09N, funded by the Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek - Flanders (FWO, http://www.fwo.be/en/), Belgium. MPT's fieldwork in Guinea-Bissau was conducted within the framework of the project "The prophetess and the rice farmer: innovations in religion, agriculture and gender in Guinea-Bissau", PTDC/AFR/111546/2009, funded by Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia, (FCT, http://www.fct.pt/), Portugal. VM is a Fellow of the Parmenides Center for the Conceptual Foundations of Science, part of Parmenides Foundation, Germany. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. American scientists bring the total number of new fishes described as part of the Smithsonian's DROP Project to 12 following the latest 2 new species discovered Living in deep reefs in the Atlantic Ocean, the banded basslet, a small and colorful species with a wide range of distribution, has long been thought to undergo significant changes during its growth into an adult. Suspiciously, the juveniles appeared much more heavily banded. Recently, however, American scientists figured out that the 'juveniles' were in fact a new species. In a paper published in the open access journal ZooKeys, Dr. Carole C. Baldwin, Ai Nonaka, Dr. Luke Tornabene, all affiliated with the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, and Dr. Ross Robertson, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama, describe two new basslet species discovered in the Caribbean off the southern coast of Curacao. Their finding comes as part of the Smithsonian's Deep Reef Observation Project (DROP), devoted to documenting the biodiversity in the poorly studied depth zone of 50-300 m with the help of a special submersible, called Curasub. Having been previously confused with the banded basslet's juveniles, one of the new species was discovered after the submersible's hydraulic arms collected specimens with smaller size and thicker bands from shallower depths. Subsequent study of the specimens revealed additional morphological, as well as molecular, evidence that suggest the specimens represent a new species. The species is characterized by predominantly white to tan colored body with three vertical blackish bands, one running across its head, and two along the body. The latter often appear hourglass-shaped, with their middles being narrower and lighter. Due to this resemblance, the authors suggest that the new species is commonly called Hourglass basslet, while its scientific name is Lipogramma levinsoni, in recognition of the generous and continuing support of research on neotropical biology at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (Panama) made by Frank Levinson. The second new basslet from Curacao can be distinguished by the three dusky bars likewise running across its head and body. Its ground color is yellow to white, with the bar at the rear being much lighter than the rest. Reflecting its appearance, its common name is proposed to be Yellow-banded basslet, while its scientific identity is Lipogramma haberi, in recognition of Spencer and Tomoko Haber, who funded and participated in one of the submersible dives that resulted in the collection of a paratype of the new species. In their study, the researchers also point out that it is likely that there are at least two additional cryptic species belonging to the same genus. Those species are currently being analyzed in ongoing investigations of the Caribbean deep-reef ecosystems. Past discoveries made as part of the DROP Project at Curacao include adorable fishes such as the Stellate scorpionfish and the Godzilla goby. To recognize all involved in the DROP research program, the team have described the small blenny fish as Haptoclinus dropi, after the project itself, while another goby species, Coryphopterus curasub, bears the name of the submersible used in the dives. ### Original source: Baldwin CC, Robertson RD, Nonaka A, Tornabene L (2016) Two new deep-reef basslets (Teleostei, Grammatidae, Lipogramma), with comments on the eco-evolutionary relationships of the genus. ZooKeys 638: 45-82. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.638.10455 Additional information: About the DROP Project: The Deep Reef Observation Project (DROP) is a Smithsonian research program launched to explore marine life and monitor changes on deep reefs in the southern Caribbean. Found below SCUBA diving depths, deep reefs may represent the most diverse underexplored marine ecosystems in the world. Shallow water coral reefs are in peril globally, but comparatively little is known about deep reefs, including what role they may play in the survival of shallow reefs above. Diving to 1,000 ft. in a state-of-the-art submersible is allowing Smithsonian marine scientists to visit deep reefs to study and monitor these ecosystems. Since 2011 DROP has received funding from Smithsonian's Consortium for Understanding and Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet, National Geographic's Committee for Research and Exploration Grant, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, the National Museum of Natural History and private donations. HOUSTON - (Dec. 7, 2016) - Bringing order to disorder is key to making stronger and greener cement, the paste that binds concrete. Scientists at Rice University have decoded the kinetic properties of cement and developed a way to "program" the microscopic, semicrystalline particles within. The process turns particles from disordered clumps into regimented cubes, spheres and other forms that combine to make the material less porous and more durable. Their study appears in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Journal of Materials Chemistry A. The technique may lead to stronger structures that require less concrete -- and less is better, said Rice materials scientist and lead author Rouzbeh Shahsavari. Worldwide production of more than 3 billion tons of concrete a year now emits as much as 10 percent of the carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, released to the atmosphere. Through extensive experiments, Shahsavari and his colleagues decoded the nanoscale reactions -- or "morphogenesis" -- of the crystallization within calcium-silicate hydrate (C-S-H) cement that holds concrete together. For the first time, they synthesized C-S-H particles in a variety of shapes, including cubes, rectangular prisms, dendrites, core-shells and rhombohedra and mapped them into a unified morphology diagram for manufacturers and builders who wish to engineer concrete from the bottom up. "We call it programmable cement," he said. "The great advance of this work is that it's the first step in controlling the kinetics of cement to get desired shapes. We show how one can control the morphology and size of the basic building blocks of C-S-H so that they can self-assemble into microstructures with far greater packing density compared with conventional amorphous C-S-H microstructures." He said the idea is akin to the self-assembly of metallic crystals and polymers. "It's a hot area, and researchers are taking advantage of it," Shahsavari said. "But when it comes to cement and concrete, it is extremely difficult to control their bottom-up assembly. Our work provides the first recipe for such advanced synthesis. "The seed particles form first, automatically, in our reactions, and then they dominate the process as the rest of the material forms around them," he said. "That's the beauty of it. It's in situ, seed-mediated growth and does not require external addition of seed particles, as commonly done in the industry to promote crystallization and growth." Previous techniques to create ordered crystals in C-S-H required high temperatures or pressures, prolonged reaction times and the use of organic precursors, but none were efficient or environmentally benign, Shahsavari said. The Rice lab created well-shaped cubes and rectangles by adding small amounts of positive or negative ionic surfactants and calcium silicate to C-S-H and exposing the mix to carbon dioxide and ultrasonic sound. The crystal seeds took shape around surfactant micelles within 25 minutes. Decreasing the calcium silicate yielded more spherical particles and smaller cubes, while increasing it formed clumped spheres and interlocking cubes. Once the calcite "seeds" form, they trigger the molecules around them to self-assemble into cubes, spheres and other shapes that are orders of magnitude larger. These can pack more tightly together in concrete than amorphous particles, Shahsavari said. Carefully modulating the precursor concentration, temperature and duration of the reaction varies the yield, size and morphology of the final particles. The discovery is an important step in concrete research, he said. It builds upon his work as part of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology team that decoded cement's molecular "DNA" in 2009. "There is currently no control over C-S-H shape," Shahsavari said. "The concrete used today is an amorphous colloid with significant porosity that entails reduced strength and durability." Concrete is one focus of Shahsavari's Rice lab, which has studied both its macroscale manufacture and intrinsic nanoscale properties. Because concrete is the world's most common construction material and a significant source of atmospheric carbon dioxide, he is convinced of the importance of developing "greener" concrete. The new technique has several environmental benefits, Shahsavari said. "One is that you need less of it (the concrete) because it is stronger. This stems from better packing of the cubic particles, which leads to stronger microstructures. The other is that it will be more durable. Less porosity makes it harder for unwanted chemicals to find a path through the concrete, so it does a better job of protecting steel reinforcement inside." The research required the team to develop a method to test microscopic concrete particles for strength. The researchers used a diamond-tipped nanoindenter to crush single cement particles with a flat edge. They programmed the indenter to move from one nanoparticle to the next and crush it and gathered mechanical data on hundreds of particles of various shapes in one run. "Other research groups have tested bulk cement and concrete, but no group had ever probed the mechanics of single C-S-H particles and the effect of shape on mechanics of individual particles," Shahsavari said. He said strategies developed during the project could have implications for other applications, including bone tissue engineering, drug delivery and refractory materials, and could impact such other complex systems as ceramics and colloids. ### Rice postdoctoral researcher Sakineh Moghadda is lead author of the paper. Co-authors are Rice graduate students Sung Hoon Hwang and Shuo Zhao, postdoctoral researcher Sreeprasad Srinavasan, undergraduate Benhang Shi and Kenton Whitmire, a professor of chemistry; visiting scientists Vahid Hejazi and Joseph Miller of C-Crete Technologies in Houston; Aali Alizadeh of C-Crete Technologies and Irene Rusakova, a senior research scientist at the University of Houston. The National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy supported the research. Read the abstract at http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2016/ta/c6ta09389b#!divAbstract This news release can be found online at http://news.rice.edu/2016/12/07/decoding-cements-shape-promises-greener-concrete/ Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews Related materials: Multiscale Materials Laboratory home page: http://rouzbeh.rice.edu/ George R. Brown School of Engineering: http://engineering.rice.edu Rice Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: http://www.ceve.rice.edu Rice Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering: https://msne.rice.edu Images for download: http://news.rice.edu/files/2016/11/1212_CEMENT-1-web-1lpd9zs.jpg Rice University scientists created microscopic cubes and other shapes of cement and crushed them to test their mechanical properties. The shapes may serve as "seeds" for the bottom-up manufacture of stronger, more durable concrete. (Credit: Multiscale Materials Laboratory/Rice University) http://news.rice.edu/files/2016/11/1212_CEMENT-2-web-1a6n34v.jpg An isolated cement cube created by the lab of Rice materials scientist Rouzbeh Shahsavari. Microscopic cubes and other shapes may serve as "seeds" in programmable cement for stronger, less porous and more environmentally friendly concrete. (Credit: Multiscale Materials Laboratory/Rice University) http://news.rice.edu/files/2016/12/1212_CEMENT-4-web-15gu05y.jpg Rice University materials scientists have mapped the morphogenesis of cement hydrates used in concrete. Their work could lead to finer control of the microscopic shape of cement particles for the manufacture of stronger, more durable and more environmentally friendly concrete. (Credit: Multiscale Materials Laboratory/Rice University) http://news.rice.edu/files/2016/12/1212_CEMENT-6-web-u01d5o.jpg Rice University materials scientists have mapped the morphogenesis of cement hydrates used in concrete. It could lead to a way to "program" cement particles for the manufacture of stronger, more durable and more environmentally friendly concrete. (Credit: Multiscale Materials Laboratory/Rice University) http://news.rice.edu/files/2016/12/1212_CEMENT-7-web-ps52n6.jpg Rouzbeh Shahsavari (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University) Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,910 undergraduates and 2,809 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for happiest students and for lots of race/class interaction by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. To read "What they're saying about Rice," go to http://tinyurl.com/RiceUniversityoverview. Developing a broader skill of empathy is a more realistic goal for medical students and doctors than urging them to be more compassionate. Writing in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, Dr David Jeffrey, an honorary lecturer in palliative medicine at the Centre for Population Health Sciences in Edinburgh, says that doctors are at risk not only of personal distress but eventually burnout if their feelings of sympathy and compassion for patients override the more nuanced stance of empathy. Dr Jeffrey writes that empathy is generally regarded an essential component of the doctor-patient relationship but doctors have always struggled to achieve a balance between empathy and clinical distance. "The central question seems to be how to empathise without becoming overwhelmed and burning out?" Current concern about a deficit of empathy in clinical practice is mirrored in medical undergraduate education, where there is some evidence of a decline in empathy as students move through their training. Dr Jeffrey suggests a broad model of empathy, which could replace the vaguer concepts of sympathy and compassion. This, he says, would enable improvements in patient care, psycho-social research and medical education. "Empathy starts with curiosity and imagination", writes Dr Jeffrey. "Doctors need to imagine being the patient undergoing the patient's experience, rather than imagining themselves undergoing the patient's experience. This more sophisticated approach requires mental flexibility, an ability to regulate one's emotions and to suppress one's own perspective in the patient's interests." ### Empathy, sympathy and compassion in healthcare: Is there a problem? Is there a difference? Does it matter? (DOI: 10.1177/0141076816680120) by David Jeffrey will be published by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine at 00:05 hrs (UK time) on Wednesday 7 December 2016. For further information or a copy of the paper please contact: Rosalind Dewar Media Office, Royal Society of Medicine DL: +44 (0) 1580 764713 M: +44 (0) 7785 182732 E: media@rsm.ac.uk The JRSM is the flagship journal of the Royal Society of Medicine and is published by SAGE. It has full editorial independence from the RSM. It has been published continuously since 1809. Its Editor is Dr Kamran Abbasi. Sara Miller McCune founded SAGE Publishing in 1965 to support the dissemination of usable knowledge and educate a global community. SAGE is a leading international provider of innovative, high-quality content publishing more than 1000 journals and over 800 new books each year, spanning a wide range of subject areas. A growing selection of library products includes archives, data, case studies and video. SAGE remains majority owned by our founder and after her lifetime will become owned by a charitable trust that secures the company's continued independence. Principal offices are located in Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC and Melbourne. Kofi Annan downplays claims of Myanmar genocide Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan says he would not describe the violence being committed against Myanmar's Rohingya minority as "genocide". Children exposed to secondhand marijuana smoke show measurable amounts of the drug in their bodies, a researcher at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has found. The study was published in the journal Pediatric Research. The study found that when young children are exposed to secondhand marijuana smoke, measurable amounts of primary metabolite of the active component in psychoactive chemical 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) appears in samples of their urine. Because earlier analytical methods were developed to measure biomarkers of marijuana in primary users of the drug, a new, more sensitive analytic method was developed and used by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to quantify the trace biomarkers resulting from secondhand marijuana smoke exposure. "This shows that, like tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke is inhaled by children in the presence of adults who are using it," said Karen Wilson, MD, Debra and Leon Black Division Chief of General Pediatrics, and the Vice-Chair for Clinical and Translational Research for the Department of Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "In areas where marijuana use is legal, or common, education is needed to counsel parents on the dangers posed to their children by secondhand smoke." For the study, urine samples were collected from 43 babies between the ages of one month and two years who were hospitalized in Colorado with bronchiolitis, and their parents were asked to complete a survey about marijuana smoking habits. The samples were analyzed, and levels of biomarkers for a marijuana metabolite (COOH-THC) were recorded. COOH-THC was detectable in 16 percent of the samples, at concentrations between 0.04 and 1.5 nanograms per milliliter of urine - lower than would be seen in a primary user. This percentage was consistent with the number of parents who self-reported marijuana usage in the survey. "Parent reported screening questions in areas where marijuana is legal is a helpful first step," said Dr. Wilson. "While we do not know yet whether this exposure poses a health risk to children, this study highlights the urgency of further investigation." ### About the Mount Sinai Health System The Mount Sinai Health System is an integrated health system committed to providing distinguished care, conducting transformative research, and advancing biomedical education. Structured around seven hospital campuses and a single medical school, the Health System has an extensive ambulatory network and a range of inpatient and outpatient services -- rom community-based facilities to tertiary and quaternary care. The System includes approximately 7,100 primary and specialty care physicians; 12 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 140 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and 31 affiliated community health centers. Physicians are affiliated with the renowned Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which is ranked among the highest in the nation in National Institutes of Health funding per investigator. The Mount Sinai Hospital is in the "Honor Roll" of best hospitals in America, ranked No. 15 nationally in the 2016-2017 "Best Hospitals" issue of U.S. News & World Report. The Mount Sinai Hospital is also ranked as one of the nation's top 20 hospitals in Geriatrics, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Diabetes/Endocrinology, Nephrology, Neurology/Neurosurgery, and Ear, Nose & Throat, and is in the top 50 in four other specialties. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked No. 10 nationally for Ophthalmology, while Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai St. Luke's, and Mount Sinai West are ranked regionally. Mount Sinai's Kravis Children's Hospital is ranked in seven out of ten pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report in "Best Children's Hospitals." For more information, visit http://www.mountsinai.org/, or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. CHAPEL HILL-- University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers and collaborators are working to predict, before treatment, whether an aggressive type of breast cancer will respond to chemotherapy. In a study presented at the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, researchers report they developed a model that can predict which triple negative breast cancer patients will respond to chemotherapy. Katherine Hoadley, PhD, a UNC Lineberger member and assistant professor in the UNC School of Medicine Department of Genetics, said the model was moderately successful at predicting response, but more work is needed to improve its accuracy. "Our goal was to identify a gene expression signature pattern in cancer cells that might be able to help us predict who's going to respond to chemotherapy prior to actually giving the treatment," said Hoadley, the study's first author. Triple negative breast cancer is a particularly aggressive breast cancer type that has no targeted treatments. Patients with this disease do have higher response rates to chemotherapy, however, compared with some other subtypes. While targeted treatments are designed to attack specific molecular features that help drive cancer, chemotherapy more widely attacks all rapidly dividing cells. Hoadley said knowing in advance which triple negative breast cancer patients will respond to chemotherapy could help physicians determine the best course of treatment. To develop the prediction model, researchers analyzed the expression of genes from breast cancer samples drawn from 389 patients before treatment, and they also drew upon data on how those patients responded to treatment. They split the sample data into training and test sets. Gene expression signatures were analyzed in the training set to identify the signatures that best associated with a complete response to treatment. They then used the signatures they uncovered to determine the ability to predict response in the remaining samples. They found the model could predict which samples had a complete pathologic response for 68 percent of patients who actually did achieve pathologic complete response to the treatment. And for patients who did have residual disease after chemotherapy, the test successfully indicated they did not have pathologic complete response for 64 percent of those cases. Hoadley said the researchers will continue to work on the model to improve its accuracy. She said they plan to include other features of cancer cells in their model, such as molecular indicators of how the immune system is responding to the cancer, genetic mutations and the number of copies of each gene. "If we can validate our model in future data sets, our work could help us identify patients who are likely to respond to existing, or even less, chemotherapy and those who could benefit from more chemotherapy or novel approaches," she said. ### In addition to Hoadley, other authors include: Terry Hyslop, PhD; Chris Fan, MS, Donald A. Berry, PhD; Olwen Hahn, MD; Sara M. Tolaney, MD, MPH; Charles M. Perou, PhD; and Lisa Carey, MD. This project is supported by and the National Cancer Institute and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Susan G. Komen supported the collection of biopsies at UNC. Hoadley is supported by a grant from Susan G. Komen. New moms are increasingly using expressed breast milk (either pumped or expressed by hand) instead of directly breastfeeding their babies, according to a UBC study. The study also found that moms who use expressed breast milk typically transition their babies to infant formula feeding sooner than their breastfeeding peers, a trend that may impact the health of our next generation. "Breast feeding is the unequalled method for feeding infants," says Marie Tarrant, director of nursing at UBC's Okanagan campus. "It has been previously determined that breastfeeding is important for the nutrition, immunology, growth and development of infants and toddlers. Anything that contributes to shortening the recommended six months of exclusive breastfeeding is a concern." Tarrant and her research team, including co-author Dorothy Bai of the University of Hong Kong, studied the infant feeding practices of more than 2,000 moms living in Hong Kong. They found that during a five-year stretch, mothers moved away from directly breastfeeding their infants to using expressed breast milk, which is usually delivered via a bottle. "New mothers may believe there is no difference between expressed breast-milk feeding and direct feeding at the breast," says Tarrant. "Although expressed breast-milk feeding provides greater benefits than infant formula, bottle-feeding may increase the risk of respiratory issues, asthma, rapid weight gain and oral diseases." The study demonstrated that those moms who expressed breast milk were more likely to quit breastfeeding earlier than moms who directly breastfed. Tarrant believes that a lack of breastfeeding support may be partly to blame for this feeding behaviour. She suggests that providing greater access to professional lactation (breastfeeding) support to new mothers, particularly in the first 24 hours after birth, could ensure that new infants receive the optimal nutrition. According to Stats Canada, there were more than 350,000 Canadian babies born in 2015/2016. In 2012, 89 per cent of women initially breastfed their babies, and only 26 per cent were doing so six months later. Difficulty with breastfeeding is the most common reasons for not continuing with the practice. ### The study, recently published in Public Health Nutrition, was funded by the Health and Medical Research Fund, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Scientists have gained fresh insight into the nature of dark matter, the elusive material that accounts for much of the mass of the Universe. Calculations based on a study of distant galaxies, using a powerful telescope, suggest that dark matter is less dense and more smoothly distributed throughout space than previously thought. The results, from an international team of scientists, will inform efforts to understand how the Universe has evolved in the 14 billion years since the Big Bang, by helping to refine theoretical models of how it developed. Scientists studied wide-area images of the distant universe, taken from the European Southern Observatory in Chile. They applied a technique based on the bending of light by gravity - known as weak gravitational lensing - to map out the distribution of dark matter in the Universe today. Their study represents the largest area of the sky to be mapped using this technique to date. To eliminate bias in their results, scientists carried out three sets of calculations, including two false sets, only revealing to themselves at the outcome which of the sets was real. The new results contradict previous predictions from a survey of the far-off universe, representing a point in time soon after the Big Bang, imaged by the European Space Agency's Planck satellite. This previous study used a theoretical model to project how the Universe should appear today. The disagreement between this prediction and the latest direct measurements suggests that scientists' understanding of the evolving modern day Universe is incomplete and needs more research. The latest study, published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, was carried out by a team jointly led by the University of Edinburgh, the Argelander Institute for Astronomy in Germany, Leiden University in the Netherlands and Swinburne University of Technology, Australia in an ongoing project called the Kilo Degree Survey, or KiDS. It was supported by the European Research Council. Dr Hendrik Hildebrandt of the Argelander Institute for Astronomy in Germany, who co-led the study, said: "Our findings will help to refine our theoretical model for how the Universe has grown since its inception, improving our understanding of the modern day Universe." Dr Massimo Viola of Leiden University in the Netherlands, who co-led the study, said: "This latest result indicates that the cosmic web dark matter, which accounts for about one-quarter of the Universe, is less clumpy than we previously believed." Professor Catherine Heymans of the University of Edinburgh's School of Physics and Astronomy, who co-led the study, said: "Unravelling what has happened since the Big Bang is a complex challenge, but by continuing to study the distant skies, we can build a picture of how our modern Universe has evolved." ### NO case of necrophilia has ever come before UK courts, although British awareness of the offence is high - and was further raised by some of the most distressing revelations about Jimmy Savile's activities. It is also of one the dark themes of current BBC TV series Rillington Place, dramatising the crimes of 1940s mass murderer John Reginald Christie. Is this absence of prosecutions evidence that Britons are almost entirely resistant to necrophilic activity? Or has national prudishness and fear of embarrassment masked the true incidence of a crime that even lawmakers have found difficult to confront? These are issues tackled by the University of Huddersfield criminologist Dr Jason Roach. He was asked to provide a British perspective to an academic publication dealing with necrophilia globally. It was a challenging assignment, and Dr Roach hopes that his chapter will prompt other researchers to investigate aspects of the topic, such as whether British people really do engage in necrophilia less than Americans. The book is titled Understanding Necrophilia: A Global Interdisciplinary Approach (Cognella). Its co-editors include Dr Eric Hickey, a leading U.S. expert on the psychology of crime, with whom Dr Roach has collaborated in the past, leading to an appearance by Dr Hickey at a University of Huddersfield symposium on child homicide in 2015. The link led to an invitation to contribute to the new publication, but when he began his research, Dr Roach found that there was an almost complete absence of case studies in Britain. In fact, he used the phrase No Necrophilia Please, We're British as the darkly humorous title to his chapter. He ponders a paradox that while necrophilia as a crime would appear to be almost non-existent in Britain, a very high proportion of people understand the meaning of the term. This cannot be attributed to the media, according to Dr Roach, because the subject is rarely reported. One hypothesis Dr Roach explores is that "the attitude of the British criminal justice system towards necrophilia echoes that of the British public, i.e. one of embarrassment, whereby those caught are either not charged with a criminal offence or, perhaps for the sake of the deceased's family, are charged with a less degrading offence such as grave robbing. Both routes will produce less attention-grabbing stories". Dr Roach analyses the attitudes of the police and the law in Britain towards necrophilia. He provides a concise history of the legal status of the offence, complicated by ambiguities over whether a dead body can be regarded as anyone's property. Sexual interference with a corpse was not deemed a crime under the Sexual Offences Act of 1956, because a corpse is unable to give or withhold consent and, for the purposes of the law, is no longer a person. Not until the Sexual Offences Act of 2003 did necrophilia become a criminal offence in its own right, but there is no evidence that anyone has ever been prosecuted. Dr Roach's chapter also examines police attitudes, and was told by one senior officer that it was very unlikely that police would ever urge the Crown Prosecution Service to charge an offender. Dr Roach provides his global readers with an account of the Jimmy Savile affair - including strong suggestions that the TV and radio celebrity sexually interfered with corpses of deceased hospital patients - and concludes that for many in Britain "he is the primary reason why they know what necrophilia is in the first place". ### CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Weed scientists in at least two Midwestern states have been reporting for years that a conservation program meant to provide habitat for pollinating insects is sowing bad seeds - including seeds of the potentially devastating agricultural weed Palmer amaranth - along with the good. Now, researchers at the University of Illinois have traced the weed seeds to at least one source: pollinator habitat seed sold by a company in the Midwest. A tag on the seed mix claims it is 100 percent weed-free. The provider of the seed, whom the researchers declined to name, is one of dozens of companies that sells seed mixes used in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Pollinator Habitat Initiative and Conservation Reserve Program. "We're not going to name the company because we don't think this is the only one distributing weed seeds in their pollinator seed," said U. of I. crop sciences professor Aaron Hager, who led the research at Illinois. The USDA and the Farm Services Agency, which helps administer the program, do not license the seed companies or inspect the seed mixes farmers use in the pollinator program, said Yvonne Odom, the executive director of the Champaign County, Illinois FSA. They do review the seed tags, which are supposed to accurately represent the varieties and abundance of seeds in the mix and the presence or absence of weeds, she said. The Illinois team germinated the seeds and grew the plants in a greenhouse to identify them. They found seeds of several species of the genus Amaranthus, including smooth pigweed, waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, a wildly prolific seed producer that grows up to 7 feet tall. Some Palmer amaranth populations are resistant to several groups of herbicides, Hager said. Once established, herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth is almost impossible to stop. Some cotton farmers in the South have discovered that it can ruin once-productive farmland in only a few years. "There are a lot of scary stories about Palmer amaranth coming from the mid-South," Hager said. "It's hard to describe this species as anything less than potentially devastating. It's put people out of business before." Herbicide resistance has become such a problem for farmers that reports of illegal herbicide use during the growing season to control resistant weeds are on the rise across the Midwest and South. At least one recent murder, in northeast Arkansas, was directly related to a farmer's illegal use of the herbicide dicamba to control resistant weeds. So far, researchers have found Palmer amaranth growing in dozens of counties. At least 35 of 48 counties in Iowa with Palmer amaranth infestations, two in Illinois, two in Ohio and one in Indiana saw the problem first on conservation program lands. The University of Minnesota also recently identified its first occurrence of Palmer amaranth in Minnesota, on land enrolled in the pollinator habitat program. (See map.) "These are just the ones that have been detected," Hager said. Growers and extension educators need proactive guidance on how to prevent the newly introduced Palmer amaranth from moving onto agricultural land, Hager said. "I don't know whether those enrolled in the pollinator habitat program are allowed the flexibility needed to control these populations," he said. "We don't have any issues at all with the concept behind the pollinator habitat program; it's a good program," Hager said. "But as a result of this program, we've now introduced Palmer amaranth to potentially thousands of acres of land, and we need to know what we are going to be allowed to do to try to stem the spread of it. And we need to do that quickly." Odom said participants in USDA conservation programs who suspect that they have weeds such as Palmer amaranth growing in their pollinator plots should call their local FSA administrator to report the problem and ask for guidance. She said restricted mowing and applications of herbicides will likely be recommended for such infestations. ### Editor's note: To reach Aaron Hager, call 217-333-9646; email hager@illinois.edu. Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have invented a novel live-cell imaging method that could someday help biologists better understand how stem cells transform into specialized cells and how diseases like cancer spread. The Photonic Crystal Enhanced Microscope (PCEM) is capable of monitoring and quantitatively measuring cell adhesion, a critical process involved cell migration, cell differentiation, cell division, and cell death. "Our approach is important because there are not currently label-free and high-resolution imaging tools that allow cell-surface interactions to be quantified and imaged dynamically, although these processes are fundamental to things like wound healing, tissue development, tumor invasion, and cancer metastasis," said Brian Cunningham, a professor electrical and computer engineering and of bioengineering at Illinois. Most conventional imaging methods rely on fluorescent dyes, which attach to and illuminate the cell components so they are visible under a microscope. However, fluorescent tagging has its limitations--namely that it is invasive, difficult for quantitative measurement, and only provides a short-term window of time for cell examination and measurement due to photo bleaching. By using the PCEM, the researchers have successfully measured the effective mass density of cell membranes during stem cell differentiation, and cancer cell response to drugs in an extended period. Their results, "Quantitative imaging of cell membrane-associated effective mass density using Photonic Crystal Enhanced Microscopy," were reported in the journal Progress in Quantum Electronics, (November 2016, Volume 50). According to PCEM lead researcher Yue Zhuo, a post-doctoral Beckman Institute Fellow, fluorescent tagging doesn't allow scientists to see how a protein or cell changes over time. "You can see the cell for maybe a few hours maximum before the fluorescent light dies out, but it takes several days to conduct a stem cell experiment," said Zhuo. "Scientists commonly use fluorescent tagging because there's no better way to monitor live cells due to their low imaging contrast among cellular organelles. That urges us to develop a label-free and high-resolution imaging method for live cell study." The Illinois team's microscope functions with an LED light source and a photonic crystal biosensor made from inexpensive materials like titanium dioxide and plastic using a fabrication method like nanoreplica molding. "Our sensor can be massively fabricated easily, and our cost to make the sensor is less than $1 each." noted Zhuo. In Zhuo's apparatus, the photonic crystal biosensor is an optical sensor which can apply to any attachable cells. The sensor surface is coated with extracellular matrix materials to facilitate cellular interactions, which are then viewed through a normal objective lens and recorded with a CCD camera. "The advantage of our PCEM system is you can see as the [live] cell is beginning to attach to our sensor, and we can quantitatively and dynamically measure what happened at that time," Zhuo said. "We're able to actually measure a very thin layer on the bottom of the cell that's about 100 nanometers, which is beyond the diffraction limit for visible light." In the future, Zhuo plans to outfit the microscope with higher imaging resolution and someday hopes to be able to build a library of cell adhesion data for scientists. "Different types of cells will have different dynamic attachment profiles." she explained. "We can use this library to screen different types of cells for tissue regeneration, disease diagnostic, or drug treatment, for example, see how diseased cells spread, or see how the cancer cells respond to different drug treatment." ### Cunningham is the Donald Biggar Willett Professor of Engineering and director of the Micro + Nanotechnology Lab at Illinois. This project was funded by grants from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. Research collaborators include associate professor Brendan Harley and post-doctoral researcher Ji Sun Choi (chemical and biomolecular engineering), and graduate student Hojeong Yu (electrical computer engineering). ANN ARBOR --The long-term threat of getting a pink slip is giving some older workers the blues. Employees believing for multiple decades that they will lose their jobs leads to heightened levels of fear and distress, a new University of Michigan study suggests. Unlike previous studies that tracked workers for only a few years, U-M researchers followed the same people for 25 years. "Our data give us the unique opportunity to examine to observe how the persistence of job insecurity is related to greater psychological distress in later life," said Sarah Burgard, an associate professor of sociology and research associate professor at the Institute for Social Research. Burgard, the study's lead author, and researcher Sarah Seelye said persistent job insecurity that extends over a 25-year career--and the chronic employment stress associated with it--is a reality for many Americans. Researchers used data from the Americans' Changing Lives study, in which nearly 435 people completed five surveys from 1989 to 2011 about how they felt during the past week and any concerns about job security. Respondents were interviewed before and after the Great Recession (December 2007 to June 2009) to capture their perceptions of their job standing in the wake of that massive downturn. The findings indicate stress from perceived job insecurity was high among minorities and those without a high school degree. In addition, older workers may experience distress due to their circumstances. Burgard said age discrimination or an employer's perception that health problems could become more prevalent later in life could endanger this older segment's ability to keep a job. When researchers adjusted the findings based on age, race and educational attainment, among other factors, the respondents' health changed significantly more for those who were persistently concerned about job loss?. In times like these, ?employers and managers can do several things to help workers stay healthy even if job threats loom, the researchers said. "It is important to keep people informed about what's going on," said Seelye, a doctoral student in sociology. "Not knowing whether a pink slip may be coming or not is very stressful." Providing information about impending layoffs or office relocations, for instance, rather than letting rumors circulate, allows workers to think about a response and do some advance planning, researchers said. Burgard also suggested that policymakers and employers should think about the health care costs and productivity losses that could occur in a workforce composed of many insecure employees, especially during and following economic downturns.? "Those who face the worst burden are those who have faced uncertainty the longest, and it is important to think about the costs of restructuring a labor force and social supports in ways that create such vulnerable workers," she said.? The study appears in the current issue of Society and Mental Health. ### The University of Oklahoma has been awarded a five-year, $166 million grant by NASA to advance understanding of Earth's natural exchanges of carbon between the land, atmosphere and ocean. The primary goals of the Geostationary Carbon Cycle Observatory, led by Berrien Moore, OU Vice President for Weather and Climate Programs, are to monitor plant health and vegetation stress throughout the Americas, and to examine the natural sources and processes that control carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane in the atmosphere. "To say this is an extraordinary achievement by Dr. Berrien Moore and our research team is an understatement," said OU President David L. Boren. "The grant is one of the most exceptional in the history of the University and is testimony to the outstanding national stature of our research team. I cannot think of a more exciting way to observe the holiday season than with the announcement of this remarkable grant." The mission will launch on a commercial communications satellite to make observations over the Americas from an orbit of approximately 22,000 miles above the equator. The OU-led geoCARB team will build an advanced payload employing otherwise unused launch and spacecraft capacity to advance science and provide societal benefit. Mission collaborators include the Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center in Palo Alto, California; SES Government Solutions Company in Reston, Virginia; the Colorado State University in Fort Collins; and NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California, Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Colleagues and laboratories from France, Australia and Mexico also are contributing to the project. The mission was competitively selected from 15 proposals submitted to the agency's second Earth Venture - Mission announcement of opportunity for small orbital investigations of the Earth system. ### PITTSBURGH, Dec. 7, 2016 - Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC have engineered a protein that reverses carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in mice, a discovery that could potentially lead to the creation of the first antidote in humans to the often deadly poisoning, according to research published today in the journal Science Translational Medicine. CO poisoning is responsible for more than 50,000 emergency room visits in the United States annually, and is one of the leading global causes of poisoning death. A colorless, odorless gas, CO is extremely effective at replacing oxygen molecules in hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying protein in blood. CO exposure also results in debilitating effects on the body and the brain, including cognitive deficits that in some cases can persist months or years after a poisoning event. "Despite being the most common poisoning worldwide, we still do not have an effective antidote for CO exposure," said Mark T. Gladwin, M.D., chair of medicine, Pitt School of Medicine, Dr. Jack D. Myers Professor of Internal Medicine, and director of the Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute. "Our protein is extraordinarily effective at scavenging CO from the blood, and could potentially prove to be a significant advance in the treatment of CO poisoning." Current treatment options for CO poisoning--administering 100 percent oxygen or using a pressurized hyperbaric chamber to administer oxygen at greater than normal air pressure--focus on trying to replace CO in blood with oxygen as quickly as possible. However, both these treatments are only moderately effective. Moreover, transporting patients to a hyperbaric chamber requires a significant amount of time, and many poisoned patients may not be stable enough for this therapy. When studying neuroglobin (Ngb), a hemoglobin-like protein present in the brain, Gladwin and his team discovered it could bind CO with an unusually high affinity. Based on prior knowledge of how the protein works, researchers engineered a mutant version of the protein, called Ngb H64Q, that was an even better scavenger of CO. In a purified sample of red blood cells infused with CO, they found that Ngb H64Q was 1,200 times faster at forcing CO to release itself from being bound to hemoglobin than just air alone. When tested in a mouse model of non-lethal CO poisoning, they found that Ngb H64Q was significantly better at removing CO from hemoglobin than 100-percent oxygen treatment. The normal half-life of CO in humans after poisoning (time it takes for half of the CO to be eliminated from the body) is 320 minutes, and even with 100-percent oxygen therapy, that time is 74 minutes. With the antidote therapy, the CO half-life was reduced to only 23 seconds. In a mouse model with lethal levels of CO poisoning, seven out of eight mice treated with Ngb H64Q (87.5 percent) survived the duration of the experiment, while 10 percent or less survived in the control groups. Additionally, the antidote restored blood pressure and improved the amount of oxygen that was present in tissues, suggesting that Ngb H64Q works by scavenging CO from hemoglobin and allowing oxygen to bind in its place, thus restoring normal oxygen delivery. Importantly, CO bound to Ngb H64Q was detected in the urine of mice shortly after treatment, which indicated that the rodents were able to excrete the antidote from the body without any major toxic effects. "If approved, this antidote could be rapidly administered to victims in the field, eliminating costly delays that occur with current treatment options," Gladwin said. "We still need extensive safety and efficacy testing before an antidote is available on the shelf, but our early results are very promising." Researchers plan to scale up their safety and efficacy testing in animal models and hope to advance to clinical trials within the next few years. ### Ivan Azarov, Ph.D., Ling Wang, M.D., Ph.D., and Jason J. Rose, M.D., all from Pitt, were the study's lead authors. Additional contributors included Qinzi Xu, M.D., Xueyin N. Huang, Ph.D., Ying Wang, Ph.D., Lanping Guo, Ph.D., Charles F. McTiernan, Ph.D., Christopher P. O'Donnell, Ph.D., Sruti Shiva, Ph.D., and Jesus Tejero, M.D., Ph.D., all of Pitt; and Chen Liu, Ph.D., Kamil B. Ucer, Ph.D., Andrea Belanger, Ph.D., and Daniel B. Kim-Shapiro, Ph.D., of Wake Forest University. The study was supported in part by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute SMARTT (Science Moving towArd Research Translation and Therapy) Program, the Institute for Transfusion Medicine and the Hemophilia Center of Western Pennsylvania; and National Institutes of Health grants F32 HL132418, R01 HL111706, R01 GM113816, R21 ES027390, R01 HL058091, R01 HL098032, R01 HL125886, P01 HL103455, T32 HL110849 and T32 HL007563. For access to a video interview with Gladwin, please contact Lawerence Synett at SynettL@upmc.edu or 412-302-4127. About the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine As one of the nation's leading academic centers for biomedical research, the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine integrates advanced technology with basic science across a broad range of disciplines in a continuous quest to harness the power of new knowledge and improve the human condition. Driven mainly by the School of Medicine and its affiliates, Pitt has ranked among the top 10 recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health since 1998. In rankings recently released by the National Science Foundation, Pitt ranked fifth among all American universities in total federal science and engineering research and development support. Likewise, the School of Medicine is equally committed to advancing the quality and strength of its medical and graduate education programs, for which it is recognized as an innovative leader, and to training highly skilled, compassionate clinicians and creative scientists well-equipped to engage in world-class research. The School of Medicine is the academic partner of UPMC, which has collaborated with the University to raise the standard of medical excellence in Pittsburgh and to position health care as a driving force behind the region's economy. For more information about the School of Medicine, see http://www.medschool.pitt.edu. About UPMC A world-renowned health care provider and insurer, Pittsburgh-based UPMC is inventing new models of patient-centered, cost-effective, accountable care. It provides nearly $900 million a year in benefits to its communities, including more care to the region's most vulnerable citizens than any other health care institution. The largest nongovernmental employer in Pennsylvania, UPMC integrates 60,000 employees, more than 20 hospitals, more than 500 doctors' offices and outpatient sites, and a more than 3 million-member Insurance Services Division, the largest medical and behavioral health services insurer in western Pennsylvania. Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC ranks No. 12 in the prestigious U.S. News & World Report annual Honor Roll of America's Best Hospitals. UPMC Enterprises functions as the innovation and commercialization arm of UPMC while UPMC International provides hands-on health care and management services with partners in 12 countries on four continents. For more information, go to UPMC.com. http://www.upmc.com/media Contact: Lawerence Synett Phone: 412-647-9816 E-mail: SynettL@upmc.edu Contact: Arvind Suresh Phone: 412-647-9966 E-mail: SureshA2@upmc.edu Make drafting of bill transparent: NHRC The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has questioned the government intent behind drafting an amendment bill to the transitional justice keeping from the constitutional body that is mandated to advise the government for review of laws and draft bills related to human rights. A University of Queensland-led study involving researchers from three continents has found habitat destruction still far outstrips habitat protection across many parts of the planet. Associate Professor James Watson of UQ's School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management and the Wildlife Conservation Society said the published study revealed more than half the planet could now be classified as completely converted to human-dominated land use. "An area of 4.5 million square kilometres, or about two thirds the size of Australia, has been converted to human-dominated land use in the past two decades alone," he said. "As a consequence of past and recent habitat loss, almost half of the world's ecoregions now must be classified at very high risk, as 25 times more land has been converted than protected. "These highly converted and poorly protected ecoregions occur across all continents, and dominate Europe, south and south-east Asia, western South and North America, western Africa, and Madagascar." Associate Professor Watson said the researchers assessed rates of habitat conversion versus protection at a 1km resolution across the world's 825 terrestrial ecoregions - areas that contain unique plant and animal communities - since 1992. He said it showed there had been considerable gains in global efforts to increase the size of protected areas, but alarming levels of habitat loss persisted. Dr Oscar Venter, of the University of Northern British Columbia, said it was time political leaders recognised that simply chasing protected area targets while ignoring the impacts of rampant habitat loss was not a good solution for much of the world's imperiled species. "We need to specifically target protected areas to places where habitats are disappearing, before it is too late," he said. The researchers identified 41 ecoregions across 45 nations that are in a 'crisis state', where humans have converted more than 10 per cent of the little remaining habitat in the past two decades. "These crisis and at-risk ecoregions are clearly the places where targeted conservation interventions need to be prioritised," Associate Professor Watson said. "But this means a rethink in how nations do conservation planning. "Nations tend to place protected areas in remote locations, where nobody else is vying to convert the land. "This does not help save threatened biodiversity, and we must urgently start strategically placing new protected areas in zones that will be destroyed without conservation action." The researchers from a range of universities and NGOs made their report in the international journal Conservation Letters. This week 196 signatory nations of the Convention of Biological Diversity meet in Cancun, Mexico to discuss their progress towards averting the biodiversity crisis. ### Major scientific breakthrough research has discovered new materials offering an alternative to battery power and proven to be between 1,000-10,000 times more powerful than the existing battery alternative -- a supercapacitor Major scientific breakthrough research has discovered new materials offering an alternative to battery power and proven to be between 1,000-10,000 times more powerful than the existing battery alternative - a supercapacitor. The new technology is believed to have the potential for electric cars to travel to similar distances as petrol cars without the need to stop for lengthy re-charging breaks of between 6-8 hours, and instead re-charge fully in the time it takes to fill a regular car with petrol. The scientific findings made by Augmented Optics Ltd and its wholly owned subsidiary Supercapacitor Materials Ltd with the University of Surrey and University of Bristol have produced a safer, faster charging, more efficient and greener alternative to battery power and supercapacitor abilities as we currently know them. Ground-breaking research from the University of Surrey and Augmented Optics Ltd., in collaboration with the University of Bristol, has developed potentially transformational technology which could revolutionise the capabilities of appliances that have previously relied on battery power to work. This development by Augmented Optics Ltd., could translate into very high energy density super-capacitors making it possible to recharge your mobile phone, laptop or other mobile devices in just a few seconds. The technology could have a seismic impact across a number of industries, including transport, aerospace, energy generation, and household applications such as mobile phones, flat screen electronic devices, and biosensors. It could also revolutionise electric cars, allowing the possibility for them to recharge as quickly as it takes for a regular non-electric car to refuel with petrol - a process that currently takes approximately 6-8 hours to recharge. Imagine, instead of an electric car being limited to a drive from London to Brighton, the new technology could allow the electric car to travel from London to Edinburgh without the need to recharge, but when it did recharge for this operation to take just a few minutes to perform. Supercapacitor buses are already being used in China, but they have a very limited range whereas this technology could allow them to travel a lot further between recharges. Instead of recharging every 2-3 stops this technology could mean they only need to recharge every 20-30 stops and that will only take a few seconds. Elon Musk, of Tesla and SpaceX, has previously stated his belief that supercapacitors are likely to be the technology for future electric air transportation. We believe that the present scientific advance could make that vision a reality. The technology was adapted from the principles used to make soft contact lenses, which Dr Donald Highgate (of Augmented Optics, and an alumnus of the University of Surrey) developed following his postgraduate studies at Surrey 40 years ago. Supercapacitors, an alternative power source to batteries, store energy using electrodes and electrolytes and both charge and deliver energy quickly, unlike conventional batteries which do so in a much slower, more sustained way. Supercapacitors have the ability to charge and discharge rapidly over very large numbers of cycles. However, because of their poor energy density per kilogramme (approximately just one twentieth of existing battery technology), they have, until now, been unable to compete with conventional battery energy storage in many applications. Dr Brendan Howlin of the University of Surrey, explained: "There is a global search for new energy storage technology and this new ultra capacity supercapacitor has the potential to open the door to unimaginably exciting developments." The ground-breaking research programme was conducted by researchers at the University of Surrey's Department of Chemistry where the project was initiated by Dr Donald Highgate of Augmented Optics Ltd. The research team was co-led by the Principal Investigators Dr Ian Hamerton and Dr Brendan Howlin. Dr Hamerton continues to collaborate on the project in his new post at the University of Bristol, where the electrochemical testing to trial the research findings was carried out by fellow University of Bristol academic - David Fermin, Professor of Electrochemistry in the School of Chemistry. Dr Ian Hamerton, Reader in Polymers and Composite Materials from the Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Bristol said: "While this research has potentially opened the route to very high density supercapacitors, these *polymers have many other possible uses in which tough, flexible conducting materials are desirable, including bioelectronics, sensors, wearable electronics, and advanced optics. We believe that this is an extremely exciting and potentially game changing development." *the materials are based on large organic molecules composed of many repeated sub-units and bonded together to form a 3-dimensional network. Jim Heathcote, Chief Executive of both Augmented Optics Ltd and Supercapacitor Materials Ltd, said: "It is a privilege to work with the teams from the University of Surrey and the University of Bristol. The test results from the new polymers suggest that extremely high energy density supercapacitors could be constructed in the very new future. We are now actively seeking commercial partners in order to supply our polymers and offer assistance to build these ultra high energy density storage devices." ### (SALT LAKE CITY) -- As a teenager just moved to Iowa from war-ravaged Germany in 1950, John M. Opitz, M.D., wanted to study developmental biology, but his "very Prussian" mother insisted he go to medical school instead. The intervening 65 years have shown the wisdom of her insistence. A professor of pediatrics at the University of Utah School of Medicine, Opitz is one of the world's foremost authorities in medical genetics, the discipline dedicated to identifying, treating and understanding human genetic disorders, some so rare that only a handful of people worldwide are known to have them. His phone rings regularly with calls from physicians around the globe seeking information about genetic syndromes: What are the physical and biological characteristics of particular disorders? What causes them? Can they be treated? Since beginning his medical career in the 1960s, he has defined and documented numerous genetic syndromes, more than a dozen of which bear his name, pioneered phenotype, or the analysis of the physical and biological manifestations of genetic disorders, and laid foundational work for finding genes associated with genetic disorders. In the process, he built the framework for medical geneticists worldwide to learn how to analyze phenotypes. In the 1950s, while still a student, he rediscovered the concept of the developmental field, which comprises groups of cells that organize an embryo from an evolutionary basis by passing traits and characteristics of a species from generation to generation over thousands of years. "The developmental field is what makes a mallard a mallard and not a teal, and a teal not a mallard," Opitz says, "and because of this, a mallard and a teal can tell the differences between them, hence don't interbreed and are, by definition, different species." His introduction of the developmental field concept into medial genetics made a major contribution to understanding human malformations and malformation syndromes. In 2011, the American Society of Human Genetics recognized Opitz's seminal contributions to medical genetics when it awarded him the organization's highest honor -- the William Allan Award, given annually to a scientist who has made far-reaching contributions to human genetics for a sustained period. Now 81 and retired from seeing patients for failing eyesight, Opitz has gained another prestigious honor, this one from his birth country. On Dec. 3, 2016, in a ceremony in Salt Lake City, he received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany - also called the Bundesverdienstkreuz (BVK) or Federal Cross of Merit -- the only national decoration awarded by the German government. The award recognizes those who have had a profound impact on building the relationships between Germany and other nations. Opitz has taught and conducted scholarly work in Germany and other European countries for decades and was nominated for the BVK by two esteemed German physician-colleagues, Christoph Viebahn, of the University of Gottingen, and Jurgen Spranger, emeritus chair of pediatrics at the University of Mainz. "John is gifted with a sharp eye, utter carefulness, bedazzling memory, ability to focus on the essential facet, immense working power and incessant curiosity," Spranger says. "He has delineated so many new conditions that he had to use his patients' initials to name them." Salt Lake City attorney Charles W. Dahlquist, II, former honorary German consul in Utah, wholeheartedly recommended Opitz for the award. "Any time scientists of Dr. Opitz's brilliance and capability work together across national borders, it builds a relationship between our two nations," Dahlquist says. "He is a wonderful representative of both the United States and Germany." A Life Shaped By War Born in Hamburg, Germany, near the North Sea, his life was indelibly shaped by World War II. Separated from his mother for almost seven years before and during the war, he contracted tuberculosis and spent 15 months in the isolation ward of a sanitarium. The soft-spoken Opitz remembers as a child looking out over his hometown, buildings aflame and bodies in the streets. "One becomes a survivor," he says. "Life as a survivor is very difficult." After his father died of tuberculosis in 1941, his mother was unable to care for him in that bomb-ravaged city, so she sent young Opitz to live with his grandfather until the war was over. Finally, in 1947, he and his mother reunited and lived in Nuremburg for three years. Prior to that she had served as U.S. interpreter during the war-crimes trials. In 1950, they immigrated to Iowa City where his uncle was a professor of cello and chamber music at the University of Iowa. Opitz immediately took to his new country. "There was something about America," he says. "Its openness and the kindness and goodness of the people - even to a child former enemy -- appealed to me." He studied zoology at the University of Iowa under Emil Witschi, a renowned zoologist and expert in genetics, developmental biology, and evolution, and began medical school at the University of Iowa in 1955. After graduating in 1959, he began his residency and then fellowship in pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin, where he studied under Klaus Patau, Ph.D., a plant cytogeneticist, and David W. Smith, M.D., a pediatric endocrinologist considered the father of dysmorphology -- the study of structural defects, particularly congenital malformations, in people. Smith introduced Opitz to a facility in Wisconsin where severely mentally disabled children and adults lived, and shortly after that he began his life's work of learning to recognize physical and biological signs and symptoms of disorders. When patients died, he took part in the autopsies to learn the biological basis of their disorders. At that time, in the early 1960s, Opitz devoted himself to understanding the genetic, developmental, and evolutionary factors that influence abnormal human development. This, combined with his observations of patients, says his U of U colleague John C. Carey, M.D., a medical geneticist and professor of pediatrics, allowed Opitz to begin laying the foundation for clinical genetics, delineating phenotypes and identifying syndromes, including: Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS), a development disorder caused by a defect in the way cholesterol is synthesized, which can result in profound mental disability, learning and behavioral problems and physical malformations and maladies such as fused second and third toes or extra fingers and toes; malformations in the heart, lungs, and kidneys; microcephaly (small head), and numerous other congenital anomolies. Opitz G/BBB syndrome, a condition with two forms with physical malformations that include wide-spaced eyes; defects of the larynx; trachea; and esophagus; heart defects; absence of tissue connecting the left and right halves of the brain, and other defects. C syndrome, an extremely rare disorder in which severe mental disability is common, along with physical malformations that include a triangular shaped head, caused by the premature union of the frontal skull bones; narrow pointed forehead; flat nasal bridge; short nose; abnormalities of the ear; loose skin, and other problems. Opitz-Kaveggia (FG) syndrome, an X chromosome-related disorder that affects intelligence and behavior, and causes a range of physical malformations and maladies, including a large head (macroencephaly); heart defects; seizures; weak muscle tone; broad thumbs and toes; widely set eyes; abnormalities in the tissue connecting the left and right halves of the brain; small ears, and downward pointing outside corners of the eye. Only several hundred cases of FG syndrome types 1-7 have been reported worldwide. Simple Goal Although he is widely known for identifying and discovering genetic disorders, Opitz, whose tall and slender figure was unmistakable as he walked the hallways of University of Utah Hospital and Primary Children's Hospital for years, says identifying genetic syndromes has never been his primary objective. "My goal simply was to care for the patients and their families." Along with the landmark work he began in the '60s, Opitz, founded the American Journal of Medical Genetics in 1976, becoming its first editor-in-chief and remaining in that position until 2001. A highly regarded forum for scholarly analysis of phenotypes of genetic disorders, the first volume appeared in 1977. The journal was initially published quarterly, but the reception and demand for it led to monthly publication the following year. "The seminal work of Dr. Opitz extends to the early days of the history of what we now consider clinical genetics," says Carey, who served as editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Medical Genetics from 2001 until recently. "He is unarguably a pioneer in the field." His valuable contributions to identifying and describing genetic syndromes and diseases earned Opitz an international reputation, but his passion for medicine and science extends even further. A keen student of the history of science, he has written about major figures such as Mary F. Lyon, an English geneticist who discovered X-chromosome inactivation -- the process that inactivates one of the two female X chromosomes in mammals and has important biological implications -- and John L. Down, the British physician who first described Down syndrome. His interest in history intertwines with a third passion, one that will benefit the U through Opitz's generosity: collecting rare historical books and documents. Donating a Rare Collection Opitz now is working with the U's Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library to donate books such as a 1725 edition of "De humani corporis fabrica" (On the Fabric of the Human Body), originally written and illustrated by Andreas Vesalius and one of the most influential books on human anatomy; an 1848 letter about barnacles written by Charles Darwin; an 1866 reprint of the first paper on Mendalian Genetics, written by Gregor Mendel, the founder of the science of genetics; and a less-than-flattering report card that Mendel signed and issued to a student for the 1860-61 school year. Dozens of other books and documents will be donated, including a 1538 Latin translation of the collected works of Aristotle. The voluminous collection can attract scholars worldwide to the University, according to Melissa L. Rethlefsen, MLS, deputy director of the Eccles Health Sciences Library. "We're very excited," she says. "It's just really good for the University to have such a strong collection in developmental biology and the origin of the field of genetics." The library is building a vault to house the collection in the appropriate temperature and humidity to preserve the documents. Many of the older texts are written in Latin - no problem for Opitz, a classical scholar who reads the language, and speaks Italian and his native German and English as well. With additional training in embryology, anatomy, pathology, developmental biology and other disciplines, he has skills few can avail. Although retired from seeing patients, Opitz maintains an office at the U Department of Pediatrics while pursuing research in the subject that piqued his interest before he studied medicine: developmental biology. He still publishes and collaborates with other physicians and scientists -- he has published more than 500 peer-reviewed studies, books, chapters and other works -- quietly going about his work. Opitz has received numerous other awards in his career, including induction into the German Academy of Science -- the Leopoldina -- and honorary degrees from universities in Bologna, Italy, Kiel and Lubeck, Germany, Copenhagen and Ohio State University. Not one to draw attention to himself, Opitz, in his own way, takes pride in receiving the BVK. "There have been some very good people who have received the award," he quietly says. ### Many people are prone to 'remembering' events that never happened, according to new research by the University of Warwick Around 50% of us are susceptible to believing we've experienced fictitious events, University of Warwick research finds False memory study included over 400 people Raises questions around the authenticity of memories used in forensic investigations, court rooms. Misinformation in the news can create incorrect collective memories, affecting behaviour and attitudes of society. Many people are prone to 'remembering' events that never happened, according to new research by the University of Warwick. In a study on false memories, Dr Kimberley Wade in the Department of Psychology demonstrates that if we are told about a completely fictitious event from our lives, and repeatedly imagine that event occurring, almost half of us would accept that it did. Over 400 participants in 'memory implantation' studies had fictitious autobiographical events suggested to them - and it was found that around 50% of the participants believed, to some degree, that they had experienced those events. Participants in these studies came to remember a range of false events, such as taking a childhood hot air balloon ride, playing a prank on a teacher, or creating havoc at a family wedding. 30% of participants appeared to 'remember' the event -- they accepted the suggested event, elaborated on how the event occurred, and even described images of what the event was like. Another 23% showed signs that they accepted the suggested event to some degree and believed it really happened. Dr Wade and colleagues conclude that it can be very difficult to determine when a person is recollecting actual past events, as opposed to false memories - even in a controlled research environment; and more so in real life situations. These findings have significance in many areas - raising questions around the authenticity of memories used in forensic investigations, court rooms, and therapy treatments. Moreover, the collective memories of a large group of people or society could be incorrect - due to misinformation in the news, for example - having a striking effect on people's perceptions and behaviour. Dr Wade comments on the importance of this study: "We know that many factors affect the creation of false beliefs and memories -- such as asking a person to repeatedly imagine a fake event or to view photos to "jog" their memory. But we don't fully understand how all these factors interact. Large-scale studies like our mega-analysis move us a little bit closer. "The finding that a large portion of people are prone to developing false beliefs is important. We know from other research that distorted beliefs can influence people's behaviours, intentions and attitudes." Scientists have been using variations of this procedure for 20 years to study how people can come to remember wholly false experiences. ### The paper, 'A Mega-analysis of Memory Reports from Eight Peer-reviewed False Memory Implantation Studies', is published in Memory. It is co-authored by Dr Kimberley Wade at the University of Warwick, UK, Dr Alan Scoboria at the University of Windsor, Canada, and Professor Stephen Lindsay at the University of Victoria, Canada. The court also acquitted and discharged Nadzri on the charge of possessing a machete on the same date and place. Kuala Lumpur: A Muslim medical graduate in Malaysia charged with damaging statues of Hindu deities at a temple has been acquitted after he was found to be mentally unsound at the time of committing the offence. A Sessions Court Judge said it was clearly proven that accused Fathi Munzir Nadzri, 29, committed the offence, but a psychiatrist confirmed that he was suffering from Bipolar Affective Disorder with Psychotic Features Manic Phase. Yes, he did it but on the balance of probabilities, he was found to have done it while he was in an unstable state of mind and did not know that he was committing an offence, the judge said. The court also acquitted and discharged Nadzri on the charge of possessing a machete on the same date and place. Nadzri was charged with causing damage to the statues at the Sree Muneeswaran Aman temple in Ipoh last year and being in possession of a machete. Malaysia is a Muslim majority country but has a minority population comprising ethnic Hindus and Chinese. Source : Deccan Chronicle The Muskegon Museum of Art (MMA) in Michigan will be showcasing an 18th century manuscript in Sanskrit of an extract from the sacred Hindu text Puranas, from December eight to February 12, in its Expressions of Faith exhibition. Expressions of Faith combines the written and printed word with the visual arts to examine the impact that religious faith has made on artists, a Museum announcement says, and adds: In giving visual form to religious figures and stories, artists shaped how believers perceived their faith, and in doing so influenced the evolution of the religion itself. Commending MMA for exhibiting Hindu text manuscript, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, said that art had a long and rich tradition in Hinduism and ancient Sanskrit literature talked about religious paintings of deities on wood or cloth. Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged major art museums of the world, including Musee du Louvre and Musee dOrsay of Paris, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Los Angeles Getty Center, Uffizi Gallery of Florence (Italy), Art Institute of Chicago, Tate Modern of London, Prado Museum of Madrid, National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, etc., to frequently organize Hindu art focused exhibitions, thus sharing the rich Hindu art heritage with the rest of the world. Award-winning MMA, which was dedicated in 1912, claims a world-class collection of visual art and committed to fostering the lifelong study and appreciation of the visual arts. Charles Johnson III and Judith Hayner are Trustees Chair and Executive Director respectively. Puranas are exceptionally popular texts of Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) as the ultimate goal. There are about three million Hindus in USA. Source : From Our Correspondent Mindset needs to change Persons with disabilities in Nepal are doubly marginalised, first by poverty and second by social and economic exclusion. Join Leonard Peltier Support Group of Silicon Valley, LPSG SV, on Saturday 10th December to honor Leonard Peltier, an honorable leader and Native Rights activist, and all political prisoners, on International Human Rights Day.Saturday 10th December6:00p.m. - 8:00p.m.School of Arts & Culture @ Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., corner of King Road, San Jose, CA.This is a potluck. Please bring something to share with othes.Program includes statements by and about:Leonard PeltierMumia Abu-JamalReverend Edward PinkneyOscar Lopez RiveraMove 9Rasmea OdehKevin CooperLove Not Blood CampaignDisaster Support Network for the Philippines (DSNP)Leonard Peltier is an activist, an artist, a humanitarian and a writer. He is of the Anishinabe, Dakota, and Lakota Nations and traces the roots of his political activism to the rank racism and brutal poverty he experienced every day as an Indigenous child growing up on the Turtle Mountain Chippewa and Fort Totten Sioux reservations in North Dakota.As an activist, Leonard Peltier has been a tireless advocate for Indigenous Rights since his teen years. A participant in the American Indian Movement (AIM), he went to assist the Oglala Sioux people on the Pine Ridge Reservation in the mid-1970s where on June 26, 1975, a tragic shoot out occurred. He was wrongfully convicted for the deaths of two FBI agents & has been illegally incarcerated since 1976.Leonard Peltier is a self-taught artist. His style is an outgrowth of drawing & carving lessons he received as a child from tribal elders. Although limited by the prison environment, he has emerged as a master of Indigenous Art. Leonards artwork reflects his beliefs & commitment to Native American culture. It is The Peoples struggle to survive & his desire to portray their cultural beauty that inspires him to paint. In 1986, Leonard suffered a stroke & lost about eighty percent of his sight in his left eye. My eye problem has slowed me down considerably, but I am still inspired.Leonard Peltier has made remarkable contributions to humanitarian & charitable causes during his over 4 decades in the torture chambers called prison. He has won several human rights awards, including the North Star Frederick Douglas Award; Federation of Labour (Ontario, Canada) Humanist of the Year Award; Human Rights Commission of Spain International Human Rights Prize; & the 2004 Silver Arrow Award for Lifetime Achievement. In 2009, for the sixth consecutive year, Mr. Peltier was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. He has played a key role in getting people from different tribes, with a history of animosity, to come together in peace. He advocates for peaceful resolution of all Native American issues & respect for the rights of others.In 1999 Leonard Peltiers book Prison Writings: My Life is My Sundance, was released and was met with critical acclaim. In addition, he often writes commentaries which are read publicly and published on his official website.Doing time creates a demented darkness of my own imagination; doing time does this thing to you. But of course, you dont do time. You do without it. Or rather, time does you. Time is a cannibal that devours the flesh of your years day by day, bite by bite. Leonard PeltierFor more information about Leonard Peltier:For more information about Mumia Abu-Jamal:For more information about Reverend Edward Pinkney:For more information about Oscar Lopez Rivera:For more information about Move 9:For more information about Rasmea Odeh:For more information about Kevin Cooper:For more information about Love Not Blood Campaign:For more information about Disaster Support Network for the Philippines (DSNP):Sponsored by LPSG Silicon Valley (Leonard Peltier Support Group).Endorsed by: Justice for Palestinians, San Jose Peace & Justice Center, South Bay Committee Against Political RepressionFor more information contact Donna Wallach:(h) 408-557-8824 (cell) 408-569-6608 Des Moines, IA -- Efforts to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline continue in Iowa. Wednesday, December 7th, Water Protectors gather to stop operations at the Iowa Utilities Board in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. This is deemed a nonviolent civil disobedience action by the Catholic Workers of Des Moines and Mississippi Stand, a grassroots direct action group fighting the Dakota Access Pipeline in Iowa. The morning at 9AM starts with a Nonviolent Civil Disobedience Training from the Catholic Workers of Des Moines at 1310 7th Street, Des Moines Iowa. From there, at 12PM the citizens will mobilize to the Iowa Utilities Board at 1375 E Court Avenue. The training is important to attend, to ensure the spirit of the action will be nonviolent and civil, said Frank Cordaro, an organizer of the training.The Iowa Utilities Board has overseen the Dakota Access Pipeline construction here in Iowa and many Iowans feel that the Board has done an inadequate job. Next Thursday, December 15th, will be a court appearance that the Board has in front of the Courts of Iowa for misusing Eminent Domain for the benefit of a private corporation while not properly enforcing its own codes of conduct.Jessica Reznicek, of Iowa, started a hunger strike in front of the Iowa Utilities Board demanding a meeting with the appointed board members. She went without food and shelter in front of the Board for over 12 days and no response from the Board. Her actions did result in her arrest for occupying a public space.A day after the Army Corps of Engineers announcement of not granting permits to Dakota Access LLC to continue construction up in North Dakota, the company responded defiantly stating that it is fully committed to ensuring that this project is brought to completion and fully expect to complete construction of the pipeline without any additional rerouting in and around Lake Oahe. Nothing this Administration has done today changes that in any way.Mississippi Stand A new report has warned that Brexit will create significant job losses, damage economic growth and harm trade in Ireland. The document, put together by influential German business leaders, says Ireland will suffer most from the UK's exit of the European Union if our special circumstances are not understood by other EU capitals. According to the Irish Independent, the report explains the impact Brexit will have on key industries including the agri-food and tourism sectors. The report by the German Chambers of Commerce Worldwide and the German-Irish Chamber of Commerce said: "Ireland, as the EU member state most connected with Britain, will suffer most from the market volatility and unpredictability that Brexit brings in its wake. "This report highlights how Brexit will damage Ireland's economic growth, harm trade and create significant job losses. "The report also explains how Brexit will have distressing consequences for Ireland's key industries, including the FDI sector, agri-food, and tourism, and how Brexit could seriously impinge on Ireland's energy security," it said. The alarming report also said a 'hard Brexit' with harsh terms for Britain could actually force Ireland towards the EU exit door. "By imposing very harsh terms on Britain to discourage other member states from exiting the EU, the EU need to actively consider whether this will build momentum towards an 'Irexit', further undermining European cohesion," the report said. "The purpose of this briefing paper is to make clear how intrinsically linked the Irish and British economies are and how Ireland will unduly suffer because of Brexit if Ireland's special circumstances are not understood in Brussels, Berlin and all of the EU capitals," the report said. Two years after the worlds biggest exporter backed the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries switch to a pump-at-will strategy to defend market share, Saudi Arabias oil minister promised to bear the biggest burden in curbing global supply. The market response suggests it may have been the prudent thing to do. By promising to cut production by just 4.7%, the country gained an 18% jump in oil prices. The pain of prices below $50 (46.7) had become too much for the Arab worlds largest economy. Saddled with budget deficits, the country cut spending and burned through more than a quarter of its foreign financial reserves in two years. The persistent price slump also threatened the centrepiece of the reforms sketched out by the countrys powerful deputy crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman: Privatising what could become the worlds biggest publicly traded oil company, Saudi Arabian Oil Co. Even $60 oil isnt enough to solve all the countrys fiscal issues, Apostolos Bantis, a credit analyst at Commerzbank in Dubai, said. Its more a question of building confidence in the economy. If crude stabilises at higher prices, that will give more certainty and provide a stronger basis for the Aramco IPO. Brent crude has jumped to about $55 a barrel since Opecs late November decision to cut about 1.2m barrels a day from its collective output. Saudi officials will meet counterparts from Russia and other independent producers on Saturday to arrange a reduction of 600,000 barrels a day in non-Opec supply. For the Saudis, success would look like oil prices where they are now or a bit higher. The best outcome would be fighting shale to a draw and maintaining market share, said Robin Mills, chief executive of Dubai-based consultant Qamar Energy. The kingdoms cabinet said this week that the Opec accord will stabilise oil markets and lead to greater investment in the industry, according to the official Saudi press agency. When Opec met in November 2014, Saudi Arabia refused to cut output in the face of oversupply, leading Brent crude to collapse from its peak that year of more than $115 a barrel. The country has since sold its first international bonds, raising $17.5bn (16.4bn) in the biggest-ever issue from an emerging-market nation. Its also preparing to sell up to 5% of the state oil company, the crown jewel known as Saudi Aramco. Opecs output deal wont undo the fiscal damage wrought by three years of falling oil prices. For the Saudis, the agreement isnt so much about getting the country back in the black as it is about underpinning an ambition to wean the economy off oil, Bantis said. Bantis and Qamars Mills both see oil staying above $50 a barrel next year, with Mills forecasting Brent at $55 to $60 for the six months that the deal is in place. Opec can extend the deal for another six months. Prices are still far below break-even levels for Saudi Arabia, said Edward Bell, an analyst at Dubai-based bank Emirates NBD. The countrys fiscal break-even price will drop to $79.70 a barrel this year from $92.90 in 2015, the IMF said in October. Saudi Arabia agreed to pare its production by 486,000 barrels a day, to more than 10.05m, according to Opec. Iran, which the Saudis oppose in proxy wars from Syria to Yemen, is authorised to boost its output under last weeks accord. Saudi Arabia is taking a big risk by reversing the pump-at-will strategy it had pursued to win market share, Mills said. If prices fall or if too much non-Opec oil floods the market, the Saudis could come under pressure to make deeper cuts, he said. The architect of Saudi Arabias pump-at-will policy, former oil minister Ali al-Naimi, said last week the new approach could work, if Opec members hold to it. His caveat: The unfortunate part is we tend to cheat. Michael Geary, of Foxrock, settled for 894,470, after interest and penalties, in a case involving the underdeclaration of income tax. While down on the 46.5m recouped from medical consultants in the first quarter, three such businesses made the latest list settling for a combined 1.35m. At the beginning of this year, Revenue said that it was satisfied with progress made on its medical consultants compliance programme, which brought in 39m in 2014 and 2015 and has investigated things such as the claiming of personal expenses against professional income, incorrect tax deductions claimed in relation to salaries or pensions of spouses, and insufficient documentation to support large expenses claimed as tax deductions. Also mentioned on the latest list covering the three months to the end of September were Dalkey-based medical consultant Michael A Murphy, who settled for 242,731, and Dublin firm Reproductive Medicine Specialists, which settled for 213,332. The second quarter of the year yielded just 534,252 from one business in the sector. In total, Revenue recouped just over 12.7m from tax settlements in the third quarter of the year, nearly 5m less than in the preceding three-month period. The third quarter tends to be the quietest for tax settlements. The latest list details 64 cases, down from 101 in the second quarter, but roughly unchanged on a year-on-year basis. Half of the 64 cases were for amounts exceeding 100,000, of which eight exceeded 500,000. Three cases yielding a combined 630,000 related to Revenues investigations into offshore assets and/or funds. There were 10 settlements from persons/businesses in the Cork region, worth a combined 1.72m. Topping the latest list was Co Armagh-based property developer OKeefe Developments which is in liquidation which settled for 895,931, after interest and penalties, for underdeclaration of Vat. Two more property developers made the list with settlements of more than 500,000 the Co Donegal-based EL McGettigan & Sons, for 733,639, and dissolved Ballsbridge firm Highball, which settled for 669,315. It was revealed last month by Minister for Finance Michael Noonan that of the 41.1m in tax settlements published in 2016, prior to yesterdays list, less than half has been paid in full so far. In response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fail TD Sean Fleming, it was revealed that of 189 settlements worth 41.1m, only 20.3m was recouped from 71 settlements. Mr Noonan also revealed that the value of settlements part paid or being paid by phased payment agreement so far in 2016 came to 6.9m. The value of settlements subject to collection or recovery enforcement proceedings was 7m. Senators Ged Nash and Ivana Bacik made the request as they launched an opposition bill seeking to address the historic wrong by the State. Until 1993, homosexuality was illegal in Ireland, with roughly 2,000 people brought before the courts under the controversial rules over the first seven decades of Irish independence. Speaking to reporters outside the Dail, Labours equality spokesperson Mr Nash said the reality is these people have never received a formal apology for what happened. He added that while Enda Kenny was not responsible for the situation he, as sitting Taoiseach, should apologise on the States behalf. Weve come a long way in the last 23 years since homosexuality was decriminalised, but we still have a long way to go, he said. What were trying to do here is address an historic wrong that was committed through the State. Nobody can remove the wrongs, but this is a very important gesture. There are a considerable number of LGBT citizens who havent been able to live and love in the climate we have in Ireland today. There are probably a couple of thousand, many who are still alive and some who sadly are not. Both senators said they are anxious to receive all-party backing to the apology plan, which is outlined in the Conviction for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016. While admitting they have yet to receive confirmation of formal support for the bill, published yesterday, they do not believe any rival party is likely to be opposed to the move. A formal identification of the three men who died after their car caught fire following a collision on the N72 outside Dungarvan may still take a number of days. However, two of the three were named locally as Mr Dixon, who was in his 20s and from Dungarvan; and Mr Tobin from Old Parish in Co Waterford, who was in his 30s. Tributes were paid to both men on social media. Rest in peace Eamon Dixon, one Facebook user posted. Eamon Dixon Such tragic news you were such a lovely person so kind & Christmas just around the corner its so sad. And rest in peace too Mikey Tobin also a nice man that always was full of his fun always messing and joking about things half the time you wouldnt know was he serious or messing, the tribute read. Investigations into the cause of the crash continue. Five of the six people in the other vehicle continue to recover from their injuries in hospital. They are Mary Bermingham; her partner Gary Fenton; and her four children, who are aged between six and 14 years old. Gary Fenton and Mary Bermingham Meanwhile, the funeral arrangements for the 21-year-old killed in a crash outside Fermoy, Co Cork, on Monday morning have been announced. Kieran Colgan died at the scene after his car collided with a 4X4 at approximately 8am on Monday morning. Mr Colgan will lie in repose at OSullivans Funeral Home, Kilbehenny, from 5pm to 8pm this evening followed by removal to Mitchelstown Parish Church, where his funeral Mass will be held tomorrow. The scene of fatal road traffic crash on the N72 Fermoy to Ballyhooly road at Castlyhyde near Fermoy, Co Cork. A 22-year-old man was killed. Picture: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision Elsewhere, the funeral of a young woman who died in a single-car collision outside Cork on Friday night was held yesterday. Mandy OLeary, 29, from Farranree in Cork City, was driving northbound the on N20 Cork-to-Limerick road when the incident took place, near the turn off for Blarney at approximately 10.25pm. Her requiem mass took place at the Church of the Resurrection in Farranree, followed by burial at St Catherines Cemetery, Kilcully. He further alleged that the regions business world, as well as its legal and accounting professions, has been left tainted by the deal between Nama and US vulture fund Cerberus. The race to the bottom Cerberus brought to Ireland when it secured the property loan portfolio in 2014 is absolutely shameful,he told the Oireachtas jobs committee. He was being questioned about recent reports that Cerberus paid almost no tax on huge profits reaped by its acquisition of the Project Eagle portfolio. Several investigations are ongoing into the sale of the Northern Ireland property loans by Nama, which was set up to clean up the mess left in Irish banking by the 2008 property crash. I think it has been a shame on this land what Cerberus has done it is absolutely shameful, said Mr O Muilleoir. Ordinary peoples businesses destroyed, then picking their winners and chosen few. Then, worse than that, corrupting the entire political, business, legal, accountancy profession north of the border, for sure, by their practices. He said reports Cerberus was able to use an entirely legal loophole since shut to pay very little tax on its substantial profits did not surprise him for a minute. The only thing that surprises me is that they paid any taxes even a thousand euro that they paid any tax at all, said Mr O Muilleoir. Because that is the values of the race to the bottom they have brought to the business world here. Independent TD Stephen Donnelly told the committee accounts filed in recent days showed Cerberus made a taxable profit of 168m on its Project Eagle property portfolio. However, it was obliged to pay just 1,596 tax on the profits, Mr Donnelly said. The TD said if the legal tax loophole had continued, the Irish exchequer would have lost up to 20bn from vulture funds who have bought up 40bn worth of Irish commercial property assets. The Project Eagle portfolio was bought by Cerberus in April 2014. Another US company, Pimco, a leading bidder in the sale, has said it pulled out weeks earlier because it was asked for a fixer payment of 16m for three parties behind the scenes. The money was to be shared equally by Belfast businessman Frank Cushnahan, US law firm Brown Rudnick and Ian Coulter, a managing partner of Belfast solicitors Tughans, Pimco previously told a parliamentary committee. Mr Cushnahan was formerly a Nama adviser on Northern Ireland, on the recommendation of the Democratic Unionists. All parties have denied any wrongdoing. The UKs National Crime Agency, the US Department of Justice, and its Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as parliamentary committees in Dublin and Belfast, are all investigating the Project Eagle sale. Nepali Congress still divided on way forward Nepali Congress, the largest party in Parliament, is yet to come with a united front on the constitution amendment bill, raising questions if the coalition partner has whole-heartedly supported the proposal. Every year students from universities and institues across the country contribute more the 100,000 hours of volunteering for good causes. StudentVolunteer.ie is a brand new online resource which sets students up with opportunities to volunteer in areas where they would have an interest. It is the first student portal of its kind and aims to enhance students' awareness of their roles and responsibilities when it comes to fighting homelessness, social exclusion and helping members of our aging population. The voluntary work that I have completed over the past year with the UCC Cancer Society has taught me a number of things which I believe will be helpful in the future," says Aine McGrath a student in BA Early Childhood Studies in UCC. "Being able to work well with people, both in a team and in a client relationship, will be very useful in my career as I work with other people to make a positive change in communities and within families. We are delighted to have launched nationally this week with our ten colleges across Ireland, in line with #IVD2016 https://t.co/feJ5G8nblx pic.twitter.com/b7AJ9Mmzwl studentvolunteer.ie (@StudentVol_IE) December 7, 2016 The portal is open to over 100,800 students across all higher education institutions across the country as well as 8,000 registered Civil Society Organisations. Charities such as Barnardos, TeenLine, Special Olympics Ireland, and Habitat for Humanity will benefit greatly from this new initiative, the likes of which rely heavily on student volunteers. Habitat for Humanity Ireland is delighted to be involved with the launch of Studentvolunteer.ie," says Clare Cullen, programme support officer with Habitat for Humanity Ireland. "It is a great platform on which to introduce our work to third level students, as well as a brilliant way to encourage volunteerism and active citizenship in general." Students! @Barretstown are looking for volunteer Caras and Interpreters for their Spring and Summer camps, apply: https://t.co/r3IXWHndOI pic.twitter.com/Bu8bcypV8O studentvolunteer.ie (@StudentVol_IE) December 6, 2016 Students from @ITTVolunteer sleeping out tonight for @PMVTrust- you can donate to them here https://t.co/Ez8BeFLVIy, best of luck! pic.twitter.com/51E4tAo4eJ studentvolunteer.ie (@StudentVol_IE) December 5, 2016 For more information go to StudentVolunteer.ie The news came as Qatar Airways announced yesterday that it will operate a new direct daily service from Dublin to Doha, the capital of Qatar, from June 12 next, using a 787 Dreamliner. Norwegian, whose Irish subsidiary, Norwegian Air International, finally secured a foreign carrier permit from US authorities last weekend, said it has begun detailed planning to launch routes from Cork and Shannon airports to Boston and New York. An announcement on flight schedules and fares is expected in early 2017. However, Norwegian said it is committed to making long-haul travel affordable and accessible to all. Airline CEO, Bjorn Kjos, said the long-awaited services will create huge business, leisure, and tourism opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic: Detailed planning work started immediately after having received the permit, with the first flights planned to take off next summer. I look forward to confirming full details in early 2017, but I can promise passengers that our flights from Cork and Shannon will be focussed on making transatlantic travel affordable for all, with low-cost fares and a high-quality service. The fares are expected to be in line with Norwegians prices on its existing routes from other European cities to Boston which are priced from just 160 one way , or 300 return. And with Norwegian taking delivery of new aircraft next year, the company said its fares from Ireland could be even lower. It also confirmed that the routes will be operated by crew from two new bases it plans to establish in the US a move expected to create at least 150 crew and pilot jobs and that it is actively recruiting crew and pilots across Europe to match its fleet growth and route expansion plans. Mr Kjos praised the support received from across Ireland during the airlines long-running application with the US authorities over the last three years. However, the decision by the US authorities to grant the NAI permit has been criticised by the Air Line Pilots Association of North America (ALPA). The ALPA president, Tim Canoll, said they are considering all options to reverse the decision which he described as an affront to fair competition and will ultimately result in the loss of US jobs and, potentially significant losses for the US international aviation industry. Norwegian has repeatedly rejected claims that it established an Irish subsidiary to operate under a flag of convenience model in a bid to skirt labour laws. News of the NAI permit breakthrough came just weeks after Icelandic airline, WOW, announced plans to fly from Cork to eight cities in North America, via a 90-minute stop-off in Reykjavik, from next May. Nevada Sunrise Gold Corp. (TSX.V: NEV) ("Nevada Sunrise" or the "Company") announces the completion of ground geophysical and geochemical surveys at the Roulette Gold Project ("Roulette", or the "Project") located in White Pine County, eastern Nevada, USA, at the southeastern extent of the Carlin Trend. The 2016 geochemical and geophysical results were integrated into a 3D model, which has provided high-priority targets that Nevada Sunrise plans to drill in the spring of 2017. 2016 Exploration Program The 2016 exploration consisted of multi-element geochemical sampling along 11.2 line kilometres (6.7 line miles) of grid. In addition, 4 kilometers (2.4 line miles) of Volterra 3D-IP ground geophysical surveying was completed as a follow up to a 2015 survey carried out by Nevada Sunrise. Exploration at Roulette is focussed on determining the extent of two jasperoid outcrops ("Parlay" and "Gambit") known from historical prospecting and mapping, one of which is mineralized. The Parlay jasperoid was sampled in August 2014 by Nevada Sunrise and returned 4.44 grams/tonne gold over a sample length of 3.30 metres (10 feet), and 1.05 grams/tonne gold over a sample length of 2.64 metres (8 feet). "Roulette is a classic example of a Carlin Trend project overlooked in recent years because of its sediment cover," said Warren Stanyer, President and CEO of Nevada Sunrise. "Historical explorers were attracted to Roulette because of the mineralized jasperoid on the property but were unable to determine its buried source. The use of modern geophysical techniques to help outline the extent and depth of favourable geology provides us with targets that can be drilled with a much higher degree of confidence." Geochemical Results A total of 400 soil samples were taken at 25 metre intervals on lines spaced 200 metres apart to complement historical work by U.S. Gold (now McEwen Mining Inc.), and Cordex Exploration Co., prior to the Company's acquisition of the Project. The 2016 survey lines were extended to the north and east over interpreted faults. Anomalous values ranging up to 15.5 ppb gold, 205 ppm arsenic and 5.1 ppm antimony were found in the soils. The geochemical signature appears to be spatially associated with both jasperoid locations and along interpreted brittle structural faults. This may suggest an association of brittle structure and silicification, a characteristic also consistent with Carlin-type mineralization. Geophysical Results The 2016 ground induced polarization/resistivity survey was designed as an extension of the work Nevada Sunrise performed in 2015 over a 1,500 metre-long area, where strong chargeability anomalies were detected in the southern part of the grid, and another chargeability anomaly was partially-surveyed within the northern end of the grid, short of the property boundary. In order to provide a suitable overlap with the latest survey results, data was gathered on the three northernmost lines of the Roulette grid, and then merged and blended with the 2015 results to produce a single, coherent model. The 2015 survey had delineated three high chargeability anomalies along a NNE trending band of elevated chargeability values that closely follows the interpreted Joana-Pilot Shale contact. The two southern anomalies, A1 and A2, appear to be related to the Parlay and Gambit jasperoid showings. A third anomaly, A3, was mapped on the northernmost survey line along strike from the jasperoid showings. The 2016 survey shows that A3 continues to the north, becoming larger and higher amplitude. It is traced for some 300 plus metres strike length, where it terminates sharply forming an ENE striking lineation along its northern edge. This anomaly appears to form a pod shaped body, narrow and elongated to the northeast. Modelling suggests it has a depth extent on the order of 200 metres and appears to lie on top of the westerly dipping Guilmette formation limestone. Nevada Sunrise considers each of A1, A2 and A3 as prime drill targets. Combined geological mapping, geochemistry and geophysics (3D-IP survey) have provided three distinct targets for drilling and four proposed drill holes. Nevada Sunrise is in the process of permitting these four drill sites in preparation for drilling in early 2017. A "depth slices" animated plan map of the combined 2015-2016 3D-IP geophysical surveys can be viewed on the Company's website at http://www.nevadasunrise.ca/projects/roulette/. About Roulette Roulette (formerly known as the Grulla property) consists of 120 unpatented claims totaling 971 hectares (2,400 acres) located approximately 45 kilometers (30 miles) north of Ely, Nevada in a fertile area of mineral exploration. The Project was acquired from an underlying vendor by Nevada Sunrise in 2014 (see Nevada Sunrise news release dated November 14, 2014). The conceptual target at Roulette is a sediment-hosted, Carlin-type, disseminated gold deposit. Gold is commonly micron-sized, and is associated with hydrothermal alteration of carbonate host rocks. Nevada Sunrise believes that Roulette is under-explored, and until 2015-2016, there is no known ground or airborne geophysical surveys in the public record. Historical drilling is unconfirmed as to drill hole location, footage or results. To the north of Roulette is McEwen Mining Inc.'s ("McEwen") Limousine Butte project, which according to McEwen's public disclosure, three deposits hosts a measured plus indicated resource of 241,080 ounces of gold, and an inferred resource of 50,700 ounces of gold (Source: "NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Limousine Butte Project, White Pine County Nevada", dated July 1, 2009, authored by Telesto Nevada Inc.). To the northwest, Freeport-McMoran Inc. ("Freeport") holds a large claim block (approximately 30,000 acres, or 12,000 hectares) prospective for porphyry copper/gold deposits, which encompasses the Butte Valley copper prospect Freeport acquired in 2012 from Quaterra Resources Inc. Roulette shows geological similarities to the Alligator Ridge gold deposits located about 36 kilometers (24 miles) to the west, now part of Barrick Gold's Bald Mountain gold mine. The Alligator Ridge mine was discovered in the mid-1970s and produced approximately 700,000 ounces of gold from three deposits in the 1980s. Roulette and Alligator Ridge share certain sedimentary rock formations known to host Carlin-style mineralization, namely a sequence of Devonian/Mississippian limestones and shales including the Guilmette Limestone, Pilot Shale, Joana Limestone and Chainman Shale. Nevada Sunrise considers the geological setting of Alligator Ridge as a model for future exploration on the Roulette Project. John R. Kerr, P. Eng., is the Company's designated Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. Source: Nevada Sunrise Gold Fields Netherlands Services B.V. ("Gold Fields Netherlands"), a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Gold Fields Ltd. (NYSE: GFI), announces that it has agreed to subscribe for 42,850,000 common shares ("Common Shares") of Maverix Metals Inc. ("Maverix"), as well as 10,000,000 warrants ("Warrants") to purchase Common Shares (the Common Shares and Warrants collectively, the "Consideration Securities"). The Warrants are exercisable at a price of US$1.204 per Common Share for a period of five years from issuance. The Consideration Securities will be issued from treasury in connection with the purchase by Maverix of a portfolio of royalty interests from certain affiliates of Gold Fields Netherlands (the "Transaction") pursuant to a master purchase and sale agreement dated December 4, 2016 between, among others, Gold Fields Netherlands and Maverix (the "Agreement"). The Transaction is expected to be completed on December 20, 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter (the "Closing Date"). Based on the number of outstanding Common Shares as at the date of the Agreement and taking into account the anticipated issuance to a third party of 10,000,000 Common Shares upon the early exercise of certain warrants held by such third party which is to take place concurrently with the closing of the Transaction (and assuming no further issuances of Common Shares by Maverix prior to such time), the Consideration Securities will represent 32.3% of the outstanding Common Shares as of the Closing Date on a non-diluted basis, and 37.0% of the outstanding Common Shares on a partially-diluted basis (accounting for the exercise of the Warrants). Prior to entering into the Agreement, neither Gold Fields Netherlands nor any of its affiliates owned or controlled any Common Shares or other securities of Maverix. The Common Shares will be issued for an agreed purchase price of US$0.7369 per Common Share or US$31,576,165 in aggregate, or, expressed in Canadian dollars, CDN$0.9799 per Common Share or approximately CDN$41,990,000 in aggregate (converted using the noon rate of exchange for Canadian dollars into United States dollars on December 2, 2016 as posted by the Bank of Canada (the "BoC Exchange Rate")). The Warrants will be issued for a notional purchase price of US$375,000 in aggregate or US$0.0375 per Warrant, or, expressed in Canadian dollars, approximately CDN$499,000 in aggregate or CDN$0.0499 per Warrant (converted using the BoC Exchange Rate). The Consideration Securities will be held by Gold Fields Netherlands for long term investment purposes. Gold Fields Netherlands will continue to monitor the business, prospects, financial condition and potential capital requirements of Maverix. Depending on its evaluation of these and other factors, and subject to certain restrictions pursuant to a shareholder agreement to be entered into between Gold Fields Netherlands and Maverix on the Closing Date, Gold Fields Netherlands may from time to time in the future increase or decrease its direct or indirect ownership, control or direction over the Common Shares or other securities of Maverix through market transactions, private agreements, dilution through third party subscriptions from treasury or otherwise. SOURCE Gold Fields Netherlands Services B.V. Kootenay Silver Inc. (TSX.V: KTN) (the "Company" or "Kootenay") is pleased to report 6 additional core drill holes have been completed and submitted for assaying, with the core drill rig collared on the 7th hole within the La Soledad Zone, located approximately 1,000 meters south of the Company's established La Cigarra silver resource in Chihuahua State, Mexico. Drilling on La Soledad is part of a current 3,000 meter, multi-phase discovery and resource expansion program underway to assess and evaluate several high priority targets that have been identified proximal to the La Cigarra deposit with the potential to add near surface silver resources to the project. The Company drilled the first 11 holes of the program on La Cigarra's adjoining RAM structure resulting in an entirely new silver discovery (see news release dated November 23, 2016), within a large structurally controlled anomalous silver trend measuring 3.8 kilometers in length. Combined with the 5 holes drilled on the La Soledad structure, the Company reports it has completed a total of 16 holes to date on the program. The La Soledad structure is contained within the southern extension of the main La Cigarra mineralized system that currently measures over 6.5 kilometers in length and remains open to the north and south. A comprehensive ground exploration and reconnaissance program recently conducted by Kootenay on La Soledad confirmed mineralization along the structure occurs as quartz vein breccias up to 8 meters in width with peripheral veins and stockworks in a 60 to 80 meter wide zone. Previous rock and chip sampling taken by both Northair Silver and Kootenay returned high-grade silver values of 582, 458, 323, 278, 277gpt. Kootenay's technical team report the mineralized quartz breccias share similar textural affinities to the major Veta Colorada Mine located to the east of the La Cigarra Property (immediately north of the City of Parral) and to the San Francisco Del Oro and Santa Barbara veins being actively mined immediately south of La Cigarra. To view maps of the La Soledad Structure highlighting the silver in rock sampling program click on the following links: La Soledad Silver in Rock Sampling Plan; La Soledad Silver in Rock Sampling Image. The Soledad Zone is one of 8 prospective targets that have been identified proximal to the La Cigarra deposit with the potential to add near surface silver resources to the project. In total, the Company completed an additional 1,000 meters in drilling in the 5 diamond drill holes on La Soledad structure. Results from Phase I drilling on the La Soledad will be announced as soon as assays from the program are compiled and interpreted by the Company. Drilling Notes The current 16 drill holes are the first phase of a planned ongoing, multi-phase drilling program that will be conducted on the La Cigarra project over the next 12 to 18 months. Follow up drilling of the RAM and the La Soledad structures is expected to commence in the early part of the New Year and will form part of a larger strategy to test additional undrilled targets and the extensions of the La Cigarra Deposit itself. Once the current 3,000 meter drill program is complete and results of re-logging and detailed mapping of the deposit are interpreted, the details and dates of the anticipated follow up programs will be finalized and announced in a future news release. Sampling and QA/QC All technical information for the La Cigarra exploration program is obtained and reported under a formal quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") program. Samples are taken under the direction of qualified geologists and stored in sealed bags. Samples are delivered by the Company via courier to ALS Minerals ("ALS") in Chihuahua. The samples are dried, crushed and pulverized with the pulps being sent airfreight for analysis by ALS in Vancouver B.C. Systematic assaying of standards is performed for precision and accuracy. Analysis for silver, zinc, lead and copper and related trace elements was done by ICP four acid digestion, with gold analysis by 30 gram fire assay with an AA finish. Qualified Persons The Kootenay technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects) and reviewed on behalf Kootenay by James McDonald, P.Geo, President, CEO & Director for Kootenay, a Qualified Person. About Kootenay Silver Inc. Kootenay Silver Inc. is an exploration company actively engaged in the discovery and development of mineral projects in the Sierra Madre Region of Mexico and in British Columbia, Canada. The Company's top priorities are the advancement of the La Cigarra silver project and the Promontorio Mineral Belt, in Chihuahua, Mexico and Sonora, Mexico, respectively. The La Cigarra property is 26 kilometers from the historic mining city of Parral and boasts nearby power, good road access, gentle topography, and established infrastructure. La Cigarra currently hosts a resource estimate of 18.54 million tonnes containing 51.47 million ounces of silver in the Measured & Indicated categories grading 86.3 gpt silver and 4.45 million tonnes containing 11.46 million ounces of silver in the Inferred category grading 80 gpt silver. The mineralized system at La Cigarra has been traced over 6.5 kilometers and is defined at surface as a silver soil anomaly and by numerous historic mine workings. The La Cigarra silver deposit is open along strike and at depth and is approximately 25 kilometers north, and along strike, of Grupo Mexico's Santa Barbara mine and Minera Frisco's San Francisco del Oro mine. The Promontorio Mineral Belt includes the Company's La Negra high-grade silver discovery and its Promontorio Silver Resource. The Promontorio Mineral Belt is under option to Pan American Silver whereby they can earn a 75% interest in the project with US$16 million of expenditures and payments with Kootenay retaining a 25% carried to production interest (see news release February 16 and March 4, 2016). The Promontorio Silver Resource currently hosts a resource estimate of 44.5 million tonnes containing 92 million ounces of silver equivalent in the Measured & Indicated categories grading 64.3 gpt silver equivalent and 14.6 million tonnes containing 24.3 million ounces of silver equivalent in the Inferred category grading 52 gpt silver equivalent. The Company's core objective is to create value by acquiring silver resources through discovery and acquisition and testing those resources with the ultimate goal of developing them into silver production if they are proven to be economically viable. Source: Kootenay Silver Lawmakers from three opposition parties the Democratic Party of Korea, the People's Party and the Justice Party hold placards during a rally at the National Assembly, Wednesday, calling for the ruling Saenuri Party to join a vote on the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. / Yonhap By Yi Whan-woo The three main opposition parties held a joint rally at the National Assembly, Wednesday, vowing to collaborate firmly for the passage of an impeachment motion against President Park Geun-hye. Lawmakers from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and two minor opposition parties the People's Party and the Justice Party reaffirmed that impeaching Park is the only measure to normalize state affairs paralyzed by a corruption scandal surrounding Park and her confidant Choi Soon-sil. "This is to show our firm resolution that we remain united until the end," the three parties said. They also said they will continue to cooperate after Park's possible impeachment to revamp and stabilize government affairs, although they have not yet set up a specific plan for if they succeed in ousting the President. NFC chief Shrestha recalled The Ministry of Supplies has called back the general manager of Nepal Food Corporation (NFC) Shivahari Shrestha citing incompetence and possible misappropriation of funds. Plaintiffs who have filed Kentucky medical malpractice lawsuits allege doctors and medical professionals in Kentucky have in some way failed to meet an acceptable standard of care when providing medical services to patients. Kentucky medical malpractice claims include allegations of medical negligence against doctors, health care providers, and organizations who may be involved in harm against patients. FREE KENTUCKY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWSUIT EVALUATION Send your Kentucky Medical Malpractice claim to a lawyer who will review your claim at NO COST or obligation. GET LEGAL HELP NOW Kentucky Medical Malpractice Claims That there was a medical professional/patient relationship in effect That the medical professional was negligent in his or her duties That the negligence caused harm That the harm led to damages. Kentucky Medical Malpractice Laws Kentucky Medical Malpractice Legal Help Medical malpractice is a claim made against a health care provider that alleges that person did not carry out his or her duties in a way that meets an appropriate medical standard of care. For a claim to be medical malpractice, it is not enough that the patient is unhappy with his or her treatment. A medical malpractice claim must show that the medical professional's care fell below the standard of a competent medical professional's care.To make a Kentucky medical malpractice claim, the patient must show:Patients who believe they have a medical malpractice claim against a doctor, other health care provider, or health care organization will likely need to provide medical reports, expert testimony, supporting documentation, and physical evidence as part of their claim.Kentucky has a short statute of limitations for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. In Kentucky patients have one year after the harm occurred or should reasonably have been discovered. If the discovery of harm does not happen immediately, patients have until five years from the date of the alleged negligent act or omission to file a lawsuit. If the discovery of harm happens after five years have passed from the negligent act or omission, the patient may not be able to bring a lawsuit.Children have until one year after they turn 18 to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice.Kentucky currently does not have any laws limiting the amount patients can recover in a medical malpractice lawsuit.In one Kentucky medical malpractice lawsuit, the family of a man who died of heart disease and complications from an ulcer was awarded $1.45 million punitive damages. James Milford Gray was uninsured and paraplegic when he reportedly sought treatment at St. Joseph Hospital and was given medication, but lab tests and x-rays that were ordered were not actually conducted. Gray was discharged from hospital twiceand refused admission oncewithout receiving proper treatment and later died. The hospital involved appealed the decision but Kentucky's Court of Appeals affirmed the decision . In 2016, Kentucky's Supreme Court upheld the $1.45 million award. The hospital has said it is confident it provided appropriate care to Gray.If you or a loved one has suffered similar damages or injuries, please click the link below and your complaint will be sent to a lawyer who may evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation. Apr-27-20 LifeStyle The best LifeStyle shows are right here, from Australia and around the world. Catch up with the experts on home design and interiors, food and cooking, the property market, and get fresh ideas with the savviest of renovators. Whether you need inspiration for cooking up a storm, to refresh a tired room, or tips to sell your property, Foxtel LifeStyle will always something new for you to watch. Enjoy your favourite experts like Andrew Winter and Neale Whitaker, or Deb Hutton and Jamie Oliver live or On Demand. Get Foxtel Beyonce has scooped nine nominations for the 2017 Grammy Awards, extending her lead as the most-nominated woman in Grammys history. The star is up for the main prize, album of the year, for her ambitious visual album, Lemonade, which tackles themes of race and female identity. Her single Formation is also up for song and record of the year. In all three categories, she is up against Adele who previously won the ceremonys top three prizes in 2012. Beyonce now has 62 Grammy nominations across her work as a solo artist and as part of Destinys Child, making her the fourth most-nominated artist ever. She has won 20 trophies altogether, although she has yet to clinch the album of the year prize, having been beaten to the title by Beck in 2015 much to the disgust of Kanye West, who stormed the stage in protest. West receives eight nominations this year for his album The Life Of Pablo all in the rap categories. Drake and Rihanna also have eight nominations, including three for their hit collaboration, Work. Image copyright AP Image caption Drake, whose album Views is the most-streamed record of the year, is nominated in multiple categories Making Grammy history is Chicago-born musician Chance The Rapper, whose album Coloring Book is the first streaming-only record to be recognised by the Recording Academy. He achieves seven nominations, including best new artist, without ever releasing a physical album or digital download. Bowie snub Beyonce and Adele go head to head with Justin Bieber, Drake and country star Sturgill Simpson in the best album category. If Adele wins, she will become only the second woman to receive the best album prize twice, after Taylor Swift. Notably absent from the shortlist is David Bowie, who was tipped to win for his critically-acclaimed Blackstar album. The record does make an appearance in the best alternative album category, as does Radioheads A Moon Shaped Pool. Coldplay have also fared badly, receiving just one nomination best music video despite selling millions of copies of their latest album, A Head Full Of Dreams. Prince receives a posthumous nomination for his final album, Hit N Run Phase Two, in the best engineered, non-classical category, where Blackstar also makes the shortlist. British star James Corden will host the 2017 Grammy Awards, which take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, 12 February. Image copyright AP Image caption Rihanna now has 32 nominations and eight wins to her name Main nominations Album Of The Year Adele 25 Beyonce Lemonade Justin Bieber Purpose Drake Views Sturgill Simpson A Sailors Guide To Earth Record Of The Year Adele Hello Beyonce Formation Lukas Graham 7 Years Rihanna ft Drake Work Twenty One Pilots Stressed Out Song Of The Year Adele Hello Beyonce Formation Justin Bieber Love Yourself Lukas Graham 7 Years Mike Posner I Took A Pill In Ibiza Best New Artist Kelsea Ballerini The Chainsmokers Chance The Rapper Maren Morris Anderson .Paak Best alternative album David Bowie Blackstar PJ Harvey The Hope Six Demolition Project Bon Iver 22, A Million Iggy Pop Post Pop Depression Radiohead A Moon Shaped Pool Best pop album Adele 25 Justin Bieber Purpose Ariana Grande Dangerous Woman Demi Lovato Confident Sia This Is Acting Best rap album Chance The Rapper Coloring Book De La Soul And The Anonymous Nobody DJ Khaled Major Key Drake Views Schoolboy Q Blank Face LP Kanye West The Life Of Pablo Kumawood actor Kofi Adu, popularly known as Agya Koo, has expressed anger at delays in the start of voting at his polling centre. The actor, who was in a queue to vote, got infuriated after it was revealed that the presidential ballot box had a crack. He was at the Bantama Sub-Metro centre inside the Bantam Palace in Kumasi to cast his ballot. Agya Koo, according to JoyNews correspondent Ohemeng Tawiah, was not enthused when it was made known that the cracked ballot box will delay voting at the centre. As at 7:45, close to an hour after polls opened, voting at the centre had not started. The centre has 643 registered voters. The popular actor in September this year announced at a press conference in Kumasi that he was going to campaign for New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Agya Koo established a movement aimed at getting the NPP presidential candidate 57% of the votes on December 7. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com Accra, 7th December, 2016 - Strategic Communications Africa Ltd. (Stratcomm Africa) on Saturday December 3rd, 2016 held the 10th edition of the spirit-filled Praise Jam gospel concert. Dubbed the All White Praise Jam, the event brought together over one thousand, five hundred patrons at the Accra International Conference Centre to offer praises and thanksgiving to God Almighty for His goodness throughout the year. The theme for the 10th Anniversary of what has become the biggest gospel concert in the month of December was, Our God, Our Rock, Our salvation.10 years and counting based on Psalm 62:6. Patrons were treated to soul- inspiring performances from the finest Gospel musicians in Ghana. These included Joe Mettle, Daughters of Glorious Jesus, SP Kofi Sarpong, Eugene Zuta, Pastor Bright, E-Rock and Gramophone chorus among others. Welcoming guests to Praise Jam, Ms. Gillian Heathcote, General Manager, Communications of Stratcomm Africa encouraged the audience not to relent in believing in God despite the difficult situations that may confront them. She thanked the sponsors for their support and encouraged them to keep investing in the Kingdom Business. In a brief message, Ms. Esther Cobbah, Chief Executive Officer of Stratcomm gave thanks to God for 22 years of Stratcomm Africa and ten years of Stratcomm Africa Praise Jam. She thanked God for the IPRA United Nations Award for Public Relations and Sustainable Development that Stratcomm Africa received at this years International Public Relations Association (IPRA) Golden World Awards for Excellence in Public Relations ceremony held in Doha, Qatar as well as the many other awards that the organization has won over the years. Ms. Cobbah gave glory to God for the many testimonies that people continue to share from their participation in Praise Jam. A house built on a rock remains standing even when the torrential rains come, even when the flood waters rise, the house remains firmly in place. That is how we feel about rooting our company in the Word of God, in Jesus Christ our Saviour. We have felt secured in the face of adversity. We have grown our business and we have gained recognition and won many awards, she added. This years event was sponsored by Jospong Group of Companies, Casilda, Beige Capital, John Moore International, Cadling Fashions, Page Hotel, Awake water and supported by many media organizations including, GTV, UTV, TV Africa, Viasat 1, Live FM, Kasapa FM, Starr FM, Sweet Melodies, Sunny FM, Starr FM, Spectator, Business and Financial Times, Herald, Finder, Class Fm, Daily Graphic, Ghanaian Times, Enquirer, Modern Ghana, and Today Newspaper. Oppon parties continue House obstruction, next meet put off for Dec 9 The main opposition CPN-UML along with other parties obstructed Legislature-Parliament meeting on Wednesday. Actor John Dumelo has voted and to prove who he voted for, he shared a photo of his ballot on social media. The actor, shortly after casting his ballot Wednesday, posted a photo of his choice for president, John Dramani Mahama, on Snapchat. He captioned the photo: Im voting for peace, stability and economic property [prosperity] #toaso. John is an avid supporter of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its presidential candidate John Mahama. He has on several occasions mounted platforms to campaign for the party. The actors action, however, contravenes the Electoral Commissions rules which prevent voters from going into the booth with their bags and purses, pens, food and drinks and mobile phones. No mobile phones, food, pens or drinks will be allowed at the voting area, EC Chair Charlotte Osei outlined during a press conference Tuesday, The measure, according to the EC is to help ensure free and credible electioneering process. Voters have also been warned not to take or share photos of their votes. But all that appears to have been contravened by the actor. Attempts by Myjoyonline.com to reach the actor for a reaction has proved futile. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com Today is election day in Ghana. As Ghanaians head to the polls, Media personality, TV producer, and model, Vimbai, is sending a heartfelt goodwill message to them. She took to Instagram to state: Throwing it back to Sunday when I had the honour of hosting the Ghana Movie Awards: The norm in Africa is to usually stay away from a place so close to their elections, but I love the fact that this doesn't apply to Ghana! There was no fear or tension in the air - simply a palatable excitement and positive anticipation and energy as they counted down to their big day! Wow!! Thank you Ghana for being a great example and a true big brother of African democracy! Wishing Ghana a peaceful day as votes are cast, may the will of the people be done. #IstandWithGhana Medase!!! #PanAfricanGang Ghana's president-elect Nana Akufo-Addo reads his acceptance speech in Accra on December 9, 2016. By Pius Utomi EKPEI (AFP) 10.12.2016 LISTEN Accra (AFP) - It was a case of third time lucky for Ghana's Nana Akufo-Addo, who struck a chord with voters fed up with corruption and a flagging economy to win the presidential election. The 72-year-old rights lawyer and former foreign minister, narrowly lost the 2008 and 2012 elections to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC). But after garnering 53.8 percent of the vote this time, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) leader pledged to stand by his ambitious electoral promises which include free high school education and a factory in each of Ghana's districts. "I will not let you down. I will do all in my power to live up to your hopes and expectations," Akufo-Addo told an ecstatic crowd at his house in the capital Accra late Friday. "I will do my best to serve your interests and put our country back on the path of progress and prosperity." Akufo-Addo, who speaks with a British accent and sports tortoiseshell glasses, had banked on the backing of those frustrated with a slew of corruption scandals, unreliable electricity and sluggish economic growth. He had campaigned on a platform promising to boost growth and deliver jobs. While incumbent John Mahama has been slow to address what many perceive as worsening corruption, Akufo-Addo had promised to act quickly to stop a "borrowing binge" that has "mortgaged our future". He campaigned hard across the country, brandishing his party's red, white and blue flag emblazoned with an elephant as a symbol for radical change. Jobs for the youth An economic liberal, Akufo-Addo focussed on creating more jobs -- especially among youth who face growing levels of unemployment -- and on modernising the commodity-dependent economy. His "one district, one factory" programme would encourage private sector investment, as would a policy of slashing corporate taxes. Akufo-Addo was born in Kyebi, in the eastern region of Ghana into the political elite. He is related to three of the "Big Six", politicians dubbed as Ghana's founding fathers, including his father who served as president. Akufo-Addo studied in England and has enjoyed a successful career. He worked in England and France before returning to Ghana. When multi-party democracy was restored to the west African country in 1992 after decades of military rule, Akufo-Addo became involved with the NPP, later serving as both justice minister then foreign minister under President John Kufuor between 2001 and 2008. In the last election, he lost 47.7 to Mahama's 50.7 percent. Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) - Nigeria's military campaign against Boko Haram Islamists is increasingly bogged down as it confronts suicide attacks, looting and indiscriminate slaughter while the UN warns the affected region faces the "largest crisis in Africa". In northern Borno state, the epicentre of the insurgency that has spread to three neighbouring countries -- Chad, Cameroon and Niger -- Nigeria's army has unleashed a barrage of air and land assaults. The counter-insurgency has clawed back some territory, but Boko Haram has responded by stepping up guerrilla tactics, ambushing troops when it can and terrorising civilians when it cannot. In late November major general Leo Irbor hailed his men's success in freeing "more than 5,200 people" over a month. But the high number freed merely highlighted Boko Haram's capacity to capture and hold vast, heavily populated areas. Villagers under siege are typically forced to abandon their crops, devastating local food supplies. Those who are freed by the army are generally transported to camps where basic supplies are also desperately scarce. The United Nations estimates that 14 million people will need outside help in 2017, particularly in Borno State, after seven years of conflict that has killed at least 20,000 people and left 2.6 million homeless. 'Scorched-earth' The scale of humanitarian suffering has become more apparent as troops recapture and discover the "scorched-earth" conditions of villages that have fallen into the hands of Boko Haram. But local people complain that there are not enough security forces deployed to effectively battle the menace of Boko Haram. The same day as Irbor hailed the liberation of the civilians, five people were killed in insurgent raids on villages near Chibok, the district that gained notoriety for the Boko Haram kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls in 2014. The Boko Haram raiders looted and burned houses, set fire to crops that were ready for harvesting, and killed the locals -- even though the army had been alerted to the assault. "We've heard there are 700 soldiers to secure the zone bordering the Sambisa forest that is the Boko Haram stronghold", said Ayuba Alamson, a resident of Chibok. The forest covers an area of about 1,300 square kilometres (500 square miles). "We need another battalion," said Alamson. Though Boko Haram has been weakened and casualty numbers followings its attacks are often low, the frequency of their strikes "enable it to keep up the pressure on security forces and force them to deploy", said Omar Mahmood, a researcher at the Institute for Security Studies, stretching them further. 'Famine-like' Troop numbers are also being pulled away to fight on another front, Nigeria's south where militants have been sabotaging oil pipelines and other installations vital to the country's export earnings in a fierce dispute over local autonomy and the distribution of petrodollars. And with tensions mounting between Shiite and Sunni Muslim communities in the country's northwest, authorities are struggling to guarantee security for Nigeria's 180 million people. The number of killings in the northeast, which increases after the end of the rainy season each year, is a particular cause for concern -- especially on the border with Niger. Territory in Niger has become the stronghold of Abu Musab al-Barnawi, who was declared a local leader by the Islamic State group after Boko Haram declared its allegiance to the jihadists. Anti-terrorist consultant Yan St-Pierre, director of the Modern Security Consulting Group, said that pressure on Islamic State jihadists in northern Libya has, perversely, pushed its activities further south, to countries bordering Nigeria. As a result, their "effectiveness for supplying (Nigerian jihadists) with weapons and logistic materiel has greatly improved over several weeks," he told AFP. While IS and Boko Haram fighters battle the Nigerian army, hunger is spreading among both villagers and the swelling ranks of displaced people in the ravaged northeast. The UN has warned that 75,000 children in the region are at risk of death within "a few months". What the World Food Programme has called "famine-like" conditions have prompted experts to warn against seeking victory over the jihadists at all costs. "The Nigerian army, which has adopted a purely military strategy for seven years, needs to change its approach if it wants to win this war," said St-Pierre. European experts will be arriving in Liberia this week to conduct a two-day training of Liberian fisheries inspectors and monitoring personnel. The capacity-building event will take place in Monrovia on 8-9 December. Representatives of the European Commission (EC), the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), the Spanish Fishing Monitoring Centre (FMC), the Liberian FMC and the Bureau of National Fisheries (BNF) will participate in the training. On the request of Liberia, the workshop will focus on remote tracking of tuna vessels. Participants will reinforce their knowledge of vessel monitoring tools such as the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and the satellite-based Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). The training has been organised in the framework of the five-year Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) and protocol between the European Union and the Republic of Liberia, signed on 9 December last year. Under this agreement, Spanish and French purse seiners and surface long-line vessels who pay the appropriate licence fees can fish for tuna and tuna-like species in Liberian waters. In addition, the EU pays an annual compensation to Liberia, including money to support the Liberian fisheries policy. This includes measures to reinforce fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance, as a way to ensure sustainable fisheries in Liberian waters. This training further contributes to that goal. Kumasi, Dec 06, GNA - Regional and constituency officers of the All People's Congress (APC) have thrown their weight behind Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, Presidential Candidate in tomorrow's election. They said the rank and file of the party would be voting for him. A statement signed by Mr. Noah Kyei, the Regional Chairman and made available to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), expressed total support for declaration made by their General Secretary and Presidential running mate on November 27. It said after a careful scrutiny of candidates in the presidential race, the members of the party were convinced that the NPP's standard-bearer was the right man to lead the nation. Nana Akufo-Addo's incorruptible leadership, the statement said was what Ghana needed at this time of its political history. The cutting edge policies - one district one factory, one village one dam, the Zongo Development Fund, one million dollars to each constituency and others, were going to transform the economy and create jobs for the teeming unemployed youth, it added. It rallied voters to go out and vote for Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP. GNA By Kwabia Owusu-Mensah GNA Accra, Dec. 6, GNA - Dr Francis Hasford, a Ghanaian Medical Physicist, has been adjudged the winner of the 2016 International Union of Pure and Applied Physics' (IUPAP) Young Scientist of the Year in the field of Medical Physics. Dr Hasford, who is a Senior Research Scientist with the Radiological and Medical Sciences Research Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), becomes the first ever African to win this prestigious prize, which is awarded to the best performing young scientist in the world below the age of 40 years in a particular field of pure or applied physics. Prof Slavik Tabakov, the President of the International Organisation for Medical Physics (IOMP), at the award presentation, which took place at the Headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria, expressed his joy about the development of Medical Physics in Africa. A statement by the Ghana Society for Medical Physics, copied to the Ghana News Agency, said Dr Hasford has earned several credentials including his role as a Lecturer and Head of the Medical Physics Department of the School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana, and the Deputy General Secretary of the Ghana Society for Medical Physics. He was also the Chairman for the Education and Training Committee of the Federation of African Medical Physics Organizations (FAMPO), and Ghana's Coordinator for the IAEA's Technical Cooperation Project RAF 6044 (Medical Physics in Support of Cancer Management). In 2016, he served as a visiting lecturer on behalf of the IAEA for the Medical Physics Masters Programme at the National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The statement said Dr Hasford, obtained his Masters and PhD degrees in Medical Physics from the University of Ghana in 2006 and 2015 respectively, but his PhD thesis titled 'Ultrasound and PET-CT Image Fusion for Prostate Brachytherapy Image Guidance,' was undertaken through an IAEA Sandwich Fellowship programme between the University of Ghana and the University of Witwatersrand, in South Africa. His research was supervised by Professor John Amuasi, Professor Kwame Kyere and Professor Willy Vangu, who are all great scientists, and the outcome of which has since been presented at national and international conferences, where it was even adjudged as the best poster presentation at the Maiden University of Ghana Doctoral Conference in November 2015. His research interest covers medical imaging in support of cancer treatment, and has over thirty peer reviewed research articles to his credit as well as supervised more than twenty Masters Research theses in the last five years. The statement said Dr Hasford thanked the IUPAP and the IOMP for the honour, and dedicated the award to all young Medical Physicists in Africa. He urged his colleague Medical Physics professionals to be motivated by the award and to be strongly committed to the development of the profession on the continent. GNA By Christabel Addo, GNA Tamale, Dec. 6, GNA - A clash between supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) around midnight on Monday at Chereponi in the Northern Region has left one dead and 14 others injured. The supporters were returning to Chereponi after attending separate final rallies of both parties when the incident occurred. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Ebenezer Tetteh, Public Relations Officer of the Northern Regional Police Command, who confirmed the incident to the GNA in Tamale, said five of the critically injured were on admission at the Yendi Hospital and three others were also on admission at the Chereponi Polyclinic. ASP Tetteh said six of the injured were treated and discharged at the Chereponi Polyclinic. He said the cause of the clash was not known adding no arrest has been made. He said a team of police and military reinforcement arrived at Chereponi to maintain law and order. GNA By Albert Futukpor, GNA 06.12.2016 LISTEN Agona Swedru (N/R), Dec. 6, GNA - Dr Ekow Spio -Garbrah, Minister of Trade and Industry, has called on the chiefs and the people of Zab Zongo in the Agona West Constituency to vote for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the coming polls. He said the NDC led by John Mahama has done exceedingly well in improving the roads, health infrastructure, education and agriculture to raise the living standards of Ghanaians. Dr Spio-Garbrah said this when he called on Chief Imam Ali Moro and his elders at Agona Swedru Zab Zongo as part of his campaign tour to solicit votes for NDC in the Central Region. The Minister said government under President Mahama has rebranded rural enterprise programmes under the Business Advisory Center to create an enabling environment for women to improve their small and medium scale businesses. He said the NDC government has made life better for Ghanaians and asked them to retain the party to continue its good work. Chief Imam Moro expressed appreciation to government for changing their damaged electricity wires and brought them a new transformer after the 2010 flood disaster. He said when the disaster occurred in 2010, the Islamic School was destroyed and pleaded to the government to help fund the construction of school block. Chief Imam Moro appealed to government to construct storm drains at Zab Zongo to help prevent disasters in the community. Mr Charles Obeng -Inkoom, a member of the delegation, said Zongo communities in Ghana are the backbone of the National Democratic Congress as they have helped to improve their lot. He assured the chiefs and the people of Zab Zongo of the assembly's effort to build an Islamic school for them. Mr Obeng Inkoom and Dr Spio - Garbrah donated 50 bags of cement to the chiefs and an unspecified amount of money towards the building of Islamic School. GNA London (AFP) - British finance minister Philip Hammond on Wednesday flies to South Africa, followed by trips next week to Japan and South Korea, as Britain seeks "stronger global ties" before Brexit. "As we leave the EU, Britain's future prosperity depends on maintaining the strongest possible economic links with our European neighbours, while building on the already strong economic partnerships we have with the world beyond Europe," Chancellor of the Exchequer Hammond said in a Treasury statement. "In the course of these visits I'll be discussing how the UK can deepen its economic and investment ties with these countries and make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead." The Treasury added that Hammond, who on Tuesday was in Brussels to discuss Britain's impending departure from the European Union, "will embark on a series of international trips to showcase the UK's commitment to forming even stronger global ties". Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May has stated that she will formally trigger the two-year EU divorce process by the end of March 2017. However, Brussels and London face the daunting prospect of gruelling negotiations on future trade deals with the European Union and countries outside of the bloc. On his trip to South Africa, Hammond will visit the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and partake in a roundtable discussion with business leaders from major local companies. South Africa is Britain's biggest export market in Africa, with its bilateral trade hitting almost 8.0 billion ($10.2 billion, 9.5 billion euros) in 2015. Hammond will go on to meet the Japan's finance minister Taro Aso and Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda, as well as with Softbank chief executive Masayoshi Son. The mobile giant's recent $32-billion takeover of iphone chipmaker ARM Holdings is the biggest Asian investment in the UK. In South Korea, Hammond will hold bilateral meetings with government ministers and the Bank of Korea's governor Lee Ju-Yeol. Over 70 UML cadres arrested for disrupting PM's programme Over 70 cadres of CPN-UML have been arrested from Dhangadi for disrupting a programme to be attended by PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Millions of Ghanaians all over the country will head to the polls this morning, December 7, 2016 to take part in the countrys seventh elections of the fourth republic. But a number of them decided to get a head start by queuing as early as 11 hours to the opening of polls at 7 am today [Wednesday]. A polling centre at Santa Maria The earliest reported queues were at Santa Maria in the Anya Sowutuom constituency at about 9 pm on the day before voting day. Ashiaman At around 10 pm yesterday [Tuesday] some queues were also sighted in Ashiaman and the Adentan constituencies by Citi News. Adentan In the Eastern Region, Citi News correspondents also noted queues at Koforidua and at Suhum on the dawn of the voting day. Early queueing at Suhum At a Kwadaso constituency polling centre in Kumasi, the first person reported at 12:30, long before the electoral officials who reported at 4:40am today. These persons, eager to exercise their franchise, are part of the over 15 million registered voters who will be expected to cast their ballots when the polls open at 7am across the country. Some voters in the Ledzokuku constituency arrived as early as 2am Voting will take place in 28, 992 polling stations across the 275 constituencies. By: citifmonline.com/Ghana Bohicon (BAnin) (AFP) - Pregnant with her fourth child in a clinic in Benin, Rosine is relieved to learn that she does not have AIDS, after a free test considered a national health priority. "I was afraid the test would be positive. My husband is a driver, you know," the woman in her 40s told AFP at the maternity clinic in the small town of Bohicon, where she was screened. For 15 years, authorities in Benin have sought to tackle mother-to-child transmission of HIV with free care, from the initial tests to antiretroviral (ARV) drugs if a patient proves seropositive. A programme that covers 87 percent of the public and private maternity clinics in the small west African country has been a success, cutting the rate of mother-to-child transmission almost by half between 2012 and 2016, from 14 percent of cases to 7.6 percent. "This is completely integrated into maternal care, it's routine," said Blandine Mekpo, who has been a midwife for 11 years. "All the women who come in for a prenatal consultation agree to the test." Elise cradles her little son in her arms. Fifteen months ago, the young mother learned that she was infected with HIV. The clinic at once provided her with a free box of ARV drugs, which worked. Her child of six months does not have the virus. "This is a great joy," Elise says. "The treatment saved me, they saved my son and my husband. He is the only one to know. I live a normal life, like all women and all mothers." Medical staff will nonetheless continue to monitor Elise's son until he is 18 months old. "When a mother takes ARVs, she doesn't transmit the virus to her child, neither during pregnancy nor at birth, nor while breast-feeding," Mekpo points out. The risk of transmission is less than one percent, compared with a risk of 35 percent in the absence of preventive treatment. At 1.2 percent across Benin, the rate of HIV-positive people is low by African standards. Of every hundred births recorded at the Bohicon clinic during a month, two mothers on average have proved seropositive. But during the entire year, only one child was subsequently infected. Get the men involved Several factors contribute to such good results, with free provision of screening and care at the top of the list. The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) provides test kits, while the Global Fund against AIDS, TB and Malaria provides ARV therapy. In Bohicon, the drugs are now stored on hospital premises. "Before, there was a risk of running out because everything was stocked in Cotonou," the economic capital on the Gulf of Guinea, said Nicole Paqui, the doctor heading up UNICEF's AIDS programme. "Today, test kits and medication are available in permanent fashion in all the public health zones," she added. Training for nurses and care assistants has helped to make maternity clinics friendlier places to welcome mothers. AIDS has become less of a taboo subject and health workers no longer take fright when a new case is detected. But in Bohicon as elsewhere, difficulties arise for medical and social reasons. Some patients give up on treatment because of unpleasant side-effects, while others shrug off their HIV-positive status for fear of being stigmatised. Money can also be a problem, for instance whenever a man refuses to pay for his wife to travel to the maternity clinic. Female mediators help to overcome such obstacles by accompanying women during the medical process. "When they notice that some women are no longer attending, they go out to their homes to fetch them," said the head coordinator of health care in the area, Blaise Guezo-Mevo. Seventy percent of the women concerned are found. "And when we recover them, we don't lose them again," the doctor added. In mid-November, the ministry of health launched an ambitious campaign to bring the rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV down below five percent in the next four years. If this goal is to be achieved, men have to be brought into the process. "The involvement of spouses is indispensable," Paqui said. "When the man is informed and supportive of his spouse, she'll go all the way. But if she has to hide, the protocol is not effective." Elise is one of the lucky ones. Her husband came to take a test, which proved negative, and he is ready to fetch drugs for her from the clinic. "Screening husbands is still difficult," Mekpo says. "Yet screening is a matter for couples." Ghanas seventh presidential and parliamentary elections in the fourth republic are underway nationwide. Over 15 million voters will be casting their ballots across 28, 992 polling centres in the country's 275 constituencies. Reports from Citi News correspondents nationwide indicate that generally, election materials were delivered on time and that the polls were generally opened minutes after the stipulated time. There were, however, some polling centres that received their election materials late. Some polling stations in the Tafo Constituency in the Ashanti Region were yet to receive the electoral materials as, for instance, in Pankrono Primary Polling station, electoral materials arrived 5 mins before 7am. There are long winding queues at most polling centres Citi News visited, with the average time voters cast their ballot ranging from 2 to 3 minutes. Thousands of the over 15 million voters decided to get a head start by queuing as early as 11 hours to the opening of polls. One of the earliest reported queues was at the Freeman Methodist polling center in Suame in the Ashanti Region as the first person arrived at around 8:30pm on Tuesday night according to Citi News Kojo Akoto Boateng who is heading Citi FMs coverage of the elections in the Ashanti Region. Seven candidates including the incumbent John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the presidential candidate of the largest opposition party, New Patriotic Party, (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, will contest the presidential polls. Also contesting in the presidential elections are the flagbearers of the Peoples National Convention (PNC), Dr. Edward Mahama, the National Democratic Party (NDP), Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings and the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP), Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom. Jacob Osei Yeboah, who also contested the polls in 2012 is the only independent candidate in the race. By: citifmonline.com/Ghana President John Mahama recently managed to trick the eyes of Ghanaian popular voters who do not vote in elections to appreciate what he calls development projects initiated under his government. He succeeded in commissioning the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange a propaganda he is doing well to argue that he needs a second term of office as a president of Ghana. But in the end, failed to trick the minds of the silent majority that forms the electoral college who will cast their ballots in the selection process come December 7,2016. This became evident couple of days after the commission was over and some hawkers were interviewed as to whether they will reward the president by voting for him. Some traders around the interchange blankly stated "that won't let us vote for him.We want change". In a latest development a Ghanaian resident in Toronto tried to praise the president to his relatives back home in Ghana only to recieve the biggest shock ever in his life of the response they gave him. The Ghanaian who only gave his first name as John thought his relatives were complaining unnecessary about economic hardship as a result of unemployment so he can remit them dollars all the time. According yo John when he read the story on the internet that the president had commissioned a 44 million dollars Kwame Nkrumah interchange, he suspected that his relatives were duping him in the name if the president and economic crisis. One phone call to him by one of his nephews to pay his rent for him, John said he responded by saying," but the president just commissioned an interest interchange to attract investors into the country to create jobs for you?" Surprisingly, John's nephew responded with a question which shocked him by asking," Na interchange wofa yedi?" To wit, do interchange put food on the table? All the presidential candidates in Ghana have explained in their own words why they deserve your support at the ballot box come December 7,2016. President Mahama is appealing for second term while the biggest opposition NPP leader Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo is asking for change of government. Ghanaians have to assess their lifestyle and vote accordingly. Continuing its long-standing relationship with De Beers Marine (part of the De Beers group of companies), Tenova TAKRAF Africa has delivered a Tenova Dynamic Scrubber for installation on a new deep-water diamond exploration and sampling vessel, the MV SS Nujoma. The vessel will be operated by Debmarine Namibia off the coast of Namibia and the West Coast of South Africa. Debmarine Namibia is a joint venture marine diamond prospecting and mining company owned equally by De Beers and the Government of the Republic of Namibia. TAKRAF Africas scope of work covers design, supply, manufacture and delivery, as well as technical assistance during installation and commissioning on the quayside and at sea (where hot commissioning will take place). De Beers Marine placed the order for supply of the scrubber following successful completion of the initial design study phase awarded to ADP Consulting. The 4.5 m3/sec scrubber was ordered in November 2015 and will be installed by ADP Consulting on the sampling vessel, which is under construction at the South African port of Cape Town. As a wet dust extraction system, the Tenova Dynamic Scrubber will collect dust extracted from the air in a slurry, before discharging it into on board sumps that utilize seawater. The air vented to the atmosphere will contain less than 30 mg/Nm2, well within environmental regulations. In the diamond-processing industry, wet dust-collection systems are the preferred means of achieving low dust emission levels to protect both operators and machinery. The highly specialized and technologically advanced MV SS Nujoma will become the sixth ship in the Debmarine Namibia fleet and will be registered at the Port of Luderitz in Namibia. It is named after Namibias founding president, Dr. Sam Nujoma. Previously known as Bateman Engineered Technologies (BET) prior to the acquisition of the Bateman Group by Tenova in 2012, TAKRAF Africa supplied dynamic scrubbers as well as other equipment for most of De Beers Marines sea mining vessels. These include the deep-sea mining vessels, the MV Debmar Pacific, the MV Debmar Atlantic and MV Peace in Africa. TAKRAF Africa has an extensive reference list of more than 3,000 dust control systems installed in Southern Africa over the past 50 plus years. Tenova Dynamic Scrubbers are simple to operate and enable low dust emissions to be achieved with relatively low capital and operational costs. The scrubbers are used for general dust collection of medium to heavy dust loads with an efficiency of 99 % for particles in the 1 to 2 micron range. The smallest dynamic scrubber can handle 0.2 m3/s, while twin arrangements of the largest scrubber handle up to 65 m3/s. We highly value such repeat orders as they are testimony to both the superior performance of TAKRAF Africas technology as well as to our commitment to supporting our products over their complete lifecycles, says Jimmy Tomlin, Manager: Air Environmental Control, TAKRAF Africa. We are proud to have been associated with De Beers Marine since the 1990s. Tenova TAKRAF is an integrated solutions provider to the global mining, bulk material handling and minerals industries, offering innovative technological solutions as well as process and commodity knowledge along the industry value chains. With the integration of the well-known DELKOR brand of products into TAKRAF, the offered portfolio for the mineral beneficiation and processing sectors has been considerably enhanced. Further information is available at www.takraf.com . Tenova is a worldwide supplier of advanced technologies, products and engineering services for the mining and metals industries. Further information is available at www.tenova.com . Islamic finance assets grew 7% hitting US$ 2 trillion at the end of 2015 2015s drop in oil prices took a toll on the performance of financial institutions 622 institutions provided Islamic finance education in 2015 35 countries practise Islamic finance regulation in 2015 Thomson Reuters ( www.ThomsonReuters.com ), the world's leading provider of intelligent information for businesses and professionals, and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) ( www.ICD-IDB.org ), the private sector development arm of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), today released the key findings of the fourth edition of the Islamic Finance Development Report at the World Islamic Banking conference (WIBC) 2016, held in Bahrain. The report continues to examine key statistics, top performers and the trends across five indicators that are significant for the development of the US$2 trillion Islamic finance industry across 124 countries. Global Islamic finance development, as measured by the IFDI global average value, declined to 8.8 in 2016 from 9.9 in 2015, reflecting the poor performance of many nations due to aspects that are based on actual market practice, such as financial performance and corporate social responsibility. Malaysia, Bahrain and the UAE continue to dominate the IFDI report for the 4th consecutive year. However, Malaysia posted a slight decline in its overall IFDI performance in 2016, as a result of weaker financial performance. Outside of the top 15, noteworthy emerging countries that have moved up the IFDI rankings are South Africa, Morocco, Tanzania, Japan and Russia, with each nation taking serious steps towards developing their Islamic finance industries. Among the regions with high potential in Islamic finance is West Africa. Khaled Al Aboodi, CEO of ICD said: Currently, West Africa, and Africa in general, is at a stage where there is a need to broaden the source of funds required to support its large infrastructure deficit and plug its revenue shortfall caused by the global commodity slump, and Islamic finance can be the solution. The recent sovereign issues in Africa will not only serve as an impetus for other African governments to follow suit and diversify their financing instruments via sukuk, but they will help the Islamic finance industry to mature and pave the way for private sector growth and the development of capital markets in countries where they are still nascent. Unprecedented oil price storm hindered Islamic finance performance, but not asset growth The impact of global events like the sharp drop in oil prices lowered the financial performance of countries that have an Islamic finance presence, like the GCC. Although the drop in oil prices did not impede the growth of global or GCC Islamic finance assets (except for Kuwait which reported a 3% decline in assets), it did lead to a decline in profitability measures such as ROA. It also resulted in negative equity performances for a variety of listed Islamic financial institutions, particularly in takaful and Shariah-compliant equities that also make up part of Islamic fund portfolios. Sukuk was the least vulnerable of the asset classes, however the sector witnessed lower issuance volumes in 2015. In 2015, Saudi Arabia held the largest amount of Islamic finance assets worldwide (US$ 447 billion), while Malaysia dropped in ranking to hold the 3rd largest asset base (US$ 434 billion.) This was down to slow asset growth that was not sufficient to offset the devaluation of the ringgit in 2015. Iran remains the worlds 2nd largest Islamic finance jurisdiction (US$ 414 billion). Nadim Najjar, Managing Director at Thomson Reuters, Middle East and North Africa said: Despite lower financial performance by some in 2015, we maintain a positive outlook for the industry projecting those Islamic finance assets to reach US$ 3.5 trillion by 2021. We have seen South Asian countries post the greatest amount of growth in Islamic finance assets after the introduction of Islamic windows for different financial institutions, which shows the increased acceptance of Islamic finance products in the region. Islamic banking remains strong in many countries and its growth is also supported by the continued development and introduction of it and other Islamic finance sectors in new countries. East and West gear up for a renewed Islamic finance presence through research and education There were 622 Islamic finance education providers in 2015, while 2,224 research papers were produced worldwide between 2013 and 2015. Among the key enablers for the development of Islamic finance education are Islamic education institutions, which can be found in abundance in Malaysia, Indonesia and Pakistan. Turning to the West, countries with developed higher education systems, such as European nations Luxembourg and Belgium are joining the ranks of Islamic finance education. Meanwhile, the UK has also benefited from the demand for Islamic finance education from Islamic markets. A need for better corporate governance through the regulation of Islamic financial institutions Governance saw steady growth, as measured by the Regulation, Shariah and Corporate Governance sub-indicators. There are 35 countries with at least one type of Islamic finance regulation in practice. Meanwhile, several countries with low corporate governance values need to strengthen their financial reporting framework for Islamic financial institutions. This is evidenced by the low number of disclosed items that need to be reported in annual or financial reports. However, Malaysia and Pakistan made great strides in upholding Shariah governance framework during 2015, while African nations Nigeria and Morocco are moving towards a centralized Shariah board approach. There were 1,068 Shariah scholars representing different Islamic financial institutions in 2015. Lack of CSR transparency in Islamic financial institutions remains the key issue Corporate Social Responsibility is another indicator that was weaker in terms of development. There are two measures when it comes to a CSR mandate: one is the disclosure of CSR activities by Islamic financial institutions which was low as measured in different Islamic financial institutions annual or financial reports. The other is the total amount of CSR funds disbursed by these institutions, which reached US$ 672 million in 2015. There is still a need for better transparency of Qard al-Hasan - one of the components of CSR funds disbursed - as few institutions disclosed their amounts. Buzz for Islamic finance diminishes slightly compared to previous years The popularity of Islamic finance declined due to a slight fall in the number of conferences held and exclusive news items, sliding to 112 and 17,795 respectively in 2015. The most extensive Islamic finance news was generated from the GCC which soared on the back of numerous stories on how the drop in oil prices impacted the Gulf and Middle Easts different Islamic finance sectors. In addition, 2015 has witnessed notable efforts to spread awareness of Islamic finance through seminars across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Europe. In total there were 213 seminars held globally in 2015. To learn more about IFDI 2016 and to download the ICD Thomson Reuters Islamic Finance Development Report, please visit http://APO.af/RX5KlR . Accra, Dec. 6 GNA - The management, pupils and staff of St Nicholas Preparatory School, Tema New Town welcomed distinguished visitors, guests, parents and guardians to attend their annual St Nicholas Day celebrations on Sunday, December 4. The children and staff entertained the large and very appreciative audience to a morning of culture, music and dance. The day began with a Service of Thanksgiving in the magnificent Greek Orthodox Church, built in the grounds of the school and which provides a beacon to mariners as they enter Tema. The service was led by Reverend Father Irenios Opoku with appropriate prayers and hymns. Distinguished guests were then invited to sit under canopies to enjoy the spectacle under the flags of Ghana, Greece and the UK. St Nicholas School was pleased to welcome many distinguished visitors, including Rev Yankey representing the Sailors' Society, Charles Narh Teye who represented Ghana in the Para Olympic Games in London (2012) and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil (2016) in the 80kg Powerlifting class and Ivan Quashigah of Farmhouse Productions who provided all video, photography and sound equipment for the event. Mr Quashigah also invited the cast of YOLO who later that evening won eight awards at the prestigious Ghana Movie Awards 2016. The programme began with the children singing the St Nicholas School anthem, followed by poetry recitals in Ga, Ewe, English and French. The audience was then entertained with a cultural display which showcased the extraordinary dancing abilities of the children, all wearing traditional Ghanaian costumes. The audience fully appreciated the cultural significance of the performance. The audience then enjoyed songs from the nursery classes and watched the splendid parade and march past by the school's Cadet Corps, all dressed in naval uniform and with instruments kindly donated by Aiglon College, Switzerland. The band played and the cadets marched, both with remarkable skill and discipline. The National Anthems of Ghana, Greece and the UK were then sung by all who attended. The inspection of the cadets was then undertaken by the representative of the Paramount Chief of Tema, accompanied by Mr Enoch Adu, and by a visitor from British Airways, Captain James McNeillie who had flown a 747 to Accra the previous evening, but still honoured the invitation. Mr Patrick McLachlan represented the trustees of St Nicholas. Prizes were awarded by Madam Deborah Eleazar to those pupils who had distinguished themselves during the past year at St Nicholas. Speeches were made by Innocent Fiagadzi (pupil) and Mrs Rita Damani (Tema East Sub-Metro Director of Education), who remarked that education was the best legacy that any nation could give its citizens and thanked the school authorities for their efforts made on behalf of the pupils. Choreography and songs were very much appreciated by the audience, and a most enjoyable occasion was closed by Madam Eleazar, who took the opportunity to thank her fellow trustee, Captain Alkiviadis Kappas for his constant efforts on behalf of St Nicholas, which are fully appreciated by all pupils, staff and management of the school. Visitors were then able to visit the new IT facilities and library, kindly donated by the Maria Tsakos Foundation, The Soutos Group of Companies, TCM (Tsakos Colombia Shipmanagement) and Haris Broumidis (the previous CEO of Vodafone, Ghana). GNA Accra, Dec. 7, GNA - Ghanaians would on Wednesday, December 7 go to the polls to elect a new president and 275 parliamentarians. The Presidential and Parliamentary elections will start at all the 275 polling stations from 0700 hours and end at 1700 hours. Seven presidential candidates are contesting for the highest office in the land. They are President John Dramani Mahama of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC); Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP); Mr Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, Convention People's Party (CPP); and Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, National Democratic Party (NDP). The others are Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Progressive People's Party (PPP); Dr Edward N. Mahama, People's National Convention (PNC); and Mr Jacob Osei Yeboah, an independent presidential candidate. The candidate who wins 50 per cent plus one of the votes wins the presidential contest and would rule for four years. In the event of no candidate winning that 'magic number' in the first round, there would be a run-off between the top-two candidates in two weeks. Figures from the Electoral Commission say, the voting population is 15,712,499. There are 28,992 polling stations, 275 Constituency Collation centres and 1,158 candidates including 136 female contestants. Ghana returned to constitutional rule in 1992 and has voted to elect presidents and members of parliament from that year to date. The 2016 elections make the democratic process the seventh so far. GNA Dzodze, Dec. 7, GNA - A total of 67,234 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots in the Ketu North Constituency in the Volta Region on Wednesday. Mr Francis Avorgbedor, the Returning Officer of the Constituency said about 550 Presiding Officers and Polling Assistants have been engaged. He said polling materials had been delivered to police stations in the Constituency to be conveyed to the polling stations. The Returning Officer expressed optimism of event free polls, known as election hotspot in the Region. Ketu North has 38 electoral areas with James Klutse Avedzi of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the incumbent Member of Parliament. Mr Avedzi is facing stiff competition from three other candidates from the New Patriotic Party, the Progressive People's Party and the All People's Party. GNA's coverage of the elections, dubbed: 'GNA Tracks Election 2016,' is being funded by the Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL), the Nation's foremost indigenous oil marketing company and CIMG 2015 Petroleum Company of the year. It also had sponsorship from Life Petroleum. GNA Tempane (UER) Dec. 7, GNA - The Institute for Democratic Governance's (IDEG) GIF Elections Platform, which is also known as the Parliamentary Candidates debate, has successfully ended in the Tempane Constituency of the Upper East Region. The debate, which was part of a series of Parliamentary Debates, being organised by IDEG across the country in selected constituencies, seeks to provide a platform for the political parties to publicise their manifestos and development plans for their constituencies. It also aimed at creating the space and environment for policy dialogues and a more issues driven-driven campaign, while promoting bargaining and democratic social contracting between citizens and their representatives The event, which was organised with support from STAR-Ghana, the Danish Institute of Parties and Democracy, the Ford Foundation, and Mondelez International, attracted a massive procession and wild jubilation in Garu Tempane, where supporters of the various political parties poured on the streets amidst drumming and dancing to the Teachers Credit Union Hall, to support their candidates. The participating candidates included, Mr Joseph Dindeok Kpenka of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Samson Laar of the Progressive People's Party (PPP), Mr Sampson Ayaaba of the Convention People's Party (CPP), and Dr Francis Adam Asaana, an independent candidate. Mr David Adakudugu, of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who is the incumbent Member of Parliament, could not participate in the debate because he had to leave for an emergency meeting in Accra. Dr Kwesi Jonah, who is a Senior Research Fellow at IDEG, urged the citizens to use the platform as an opportunity to assess the candidates and their policies, and to subsequently hold them accountable when they are elected into office. The issues of the debate were: Education and Health and Employment, which were drawn from a study conducted by the National Commission for Civic Education in 2016, on Matters of concern to the Ghanaian voter, with particular reference to the Region. Like their euphoric supporters, the candidates were full of enthusiasm and energy as they delivered their addresses and responded to questions from the audience. GNA PM 'influences' process to grant affiliation to B&C Medical college In a bid to expedite the process to grant affiliation to Jhapa-based B&C Medical College, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has allegedly put pressure on Nepal Medical Council (NMC) to submit its preliminary findings to Ministry of Education (MoE). By GNA Reporter Accra, Dec. 7, GNA - The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has created a situation room at its head office in Accra to provide vital link between the district/regional offices and the head office ahead of the elections on Wednesday. In a statement by the NCCE and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday, the situation room would relay the information that shall be received to other relevant agencies and stakeholders for the necessary actions to be taken. According to the statement, the Commission said it had deployed its officers across the country to observe the general election as efforts to ensure free, fair and credible elections in the 2016 polls. The statement noted: 'The objective of the observation to gauge compliance with the electoral regulations and processes as well as timely information to address issues or incidents that have the potential to degenerate into violence before, during and after the elections.' The statement mentioned that the public could contact the NCCE Situation Room through 0299502328, 0299500702, 0299502268, 0299502268, 0299500704, 0202280603, 0542151146, 0540607809 to pass on relevant information and election related activities. GNA 07.12.2016 LISTEN By Iddi Yire, GNA Accra, Dec.7, GNA - The Electoral Commission (EC) has outlined measures to reduce the incidence of rejected ballots in this year's general election. Mrs Charlotte Osei, the EC Chairperson said the colour of the indelible ink used to mark a voter's finger would be different from the ink on the thumbprint pad. She explained that this was to help reduce the confusion caused by finger stains on the ballot paper resulting in the rejection of ballot papers. Speaking in Accra at the EC's final press briefing before the Wednesday general election, Mrs Osei said the ballot paper design had also been improved. She said the boxes were larger and the black lines in between the candidate's pictures were thicker to minimise incidents of thumb prints appearing in more than one box and causing the rejection of the ballot. GNA By Iddi Yire, GNA Accra, Dec.7, GNA - Mrs Charlotte Osei, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission says special provision has been made for tactile jackets for ballot papers for voters with visual impairment to enable them exercise their franchise on the Wednesday polls. Speaking in Accra at a press briefing, Mrs Osei explained that this was to enable them vote as independent persons. "For all persons with disability and vulnerable voters such as pregnant women and the aged, we have advised all our officers to give them priority to vote. "So we would like to urge all voters to be patient at the polling stations and allow such persons to be assisted to vote before you," she added. Mrs Osei said as part of security measure, a total ban on the riding of motor bikes 400 meters away from polling stations. GNA 07.12.2016 LISTEN By GNA Reporter Accra, Dec. 7, GNA - Employees of Airtel Ghana have donated gift items to more than 1,400 pupils of the La Wireless Cluster of Schools in Accra ahead of the Christmas festivities. The items donated included 'Samaritan Boxes' comprising gifts, toys, clothing, stationery and shoes to the nine basic schools that make up the La Wireless Cluster of Schools - one of Airtel Ghana's adopted schools. A statement issued in Accra by Mr Richard Ahiagble, the Head, Corporate Communications and copied to the Ghana News agency (GNA) said Airtel had over the years invested in the schools providing infrastructure, teaching and learning materials. Recently, the company inaugurated a fully stocked library and ICT Centre for the Cluster and launched a coding club to empower and provide an avenue for the pupils interested in coding to fully harness their potential. The Legal and Corporate Affairs Director, Mrs Hannah Agbozo said: 'Airtel's vision for all the schools under its award winning School Adoption Programme is to ensure improvement in both infrastructure and the human potential.' She said earlier this year Airtel provided a fully equipped Library and ICT Lab to serve as 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,' She said. Maame Dufie Cudjoe, Airtel Ghana's Corporate Social Responsibility Manager said: '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.' Mr. Cyril Opoku, the Circuit Supervisor representing head teachers of the various schools of the Cluster, expressed gratitude to Airtel Ghana for the continuous support. Under Airtel's 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. GNA By Morkporkpor Anku, GNA Accra, Dec. 7, GNA - An Accra Circuit Court has granted GHa 70,000.00 bail to Stephen Borketey, a student for allegedly possessing firearm, discharging of firearm without lawful authority and causing harm. Per the bail conditions, Stephen would produce two sureties, one to be justified and reappear on December 21. Chief Superintendent of Police Duuti Tuaruka told the court that the complainant in the case was unemployed and a native of Delta State in Nigeria. He said on November 25 at about 1030 hours, the complainant poured waste on the compound of the accused father's, where he was a tenant. He said this angered the accused and he confronted the complainant and generated into exchange of words between the two. The prosecution said the accused entered into his mother's room and brought out a single barrel gun belonging to his late father and shot at the left leg of the complainant. Chief Supt Duuti said the complainant was rushed to the Christian Medical Centre and was transferred to the 37 Military Hospital. The accused person later reported to the Police Station and after investigation, he was charged. GNA Edobo (W/R), Dec. 7, GNA - Mr Dan Bossoe, President of the Association of Jomoro Citizens based in Accra, has pledged to give cash rewards to the best communities in the Takinta zone if they cast their votes favourably for the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He said the cash rewards would be made if wins NDC 85 per cent of votes in the December 7 polls. He said the communities made up of Takinta, Adusuazo, New and Old Kabenlah-Suazo, Old and New Edobo, Old and New Ahobre, Egbazo and Atwebanso would receive GHE 5,000.00 each if the NDC wins the elections. Mr Bossoe, a native of Takinta, made the pledge at New Edobo near Half-Assini, when he addressed a large crowd of NDC Party Members in the Zone at the Edobo/Atwebanso District Assembly (DA) Basic School Park after a five-hour procession through the streets of the area. He said the rewards stated are his own personal initiative and would be redeemed on December 9. The procession organised by the leadership of the Party started at Adusuazo at about 0500 hrs and paraded through various through towns in the Zone amidst two brass bands and ended at Half-Assini around 1000hrs. Mr Bossoe said President Mahama has pledged to bring the Osagyefo Power Badge and Domunli Thermal Plant Projects at Effasu and Bonyere respectively in the District on stream in his next administration, if he is re-elected. He said the Domunli project to be sited in the Zone has the potential to open up the area and create more job opportunities for the people. Mr Gideon Konibah, the Constituency Chairman of the party in the area, said President Mahama has kept faith with the Constituency in his first term and deserved their endorsement for another term. He appealed to the constituents not to vote on a 'skirt and blouse' basis in the election but vote for the NDC Parliamentary Candidate, Mr Thomas Elleamo Yankey as well, to enable the President get the needed Parliamentarians to approve his programmes and policies. He said the Jomoro Citizens in Accra have launched a crusade dubbed "Vote Mahama" in the area to ensure a resounding victory for the President in the coming elections. Meanwhile, the National Commission for Civic Education, the National Peace Council and other important bodies related to the management of our civic responsibilities and the maintenance of peace have stressed the need for the electorate to avoid voting for monetary gains or personal gifts. Voters, they advise must rather assess the manifestos or policies presented by the various political parties and the competencies of their candidates and vote in the national interest. GNA 07.12.2016 LISTEN Pokrom-Nsabaah (E/R), Dec. 7, GNA - Parents and guardians have been called upon to honour their obligations in schools for their children to be regular in class. Madam Irene Appiah, the Headmistress of the Mission of God Academy School made the call when the academic facility celebrated its 5th Speech and Prize-giving Day at Pokrom-Nsabaah, near Aburi in the Akuapim South District of the Eastern Region. She said the inability of some parents and guardians to pay the school fees of their wards promptly was a major concern for the running of the School. She said the School took part in the 2014 to 2016 Basic Education Certificate Examination and the first two batches scored 100 per cent, placing the 6th position out of 32 schools. 'The last batch results is yet to be collected with the hope that they will scored high marks,' she said. Madam Appiah appealed to philanthropic organisations to support the School with a bus to aid the children who travelled far distances as well as the construction of a library block and computer laboratory. Mr Macdonald Kenneth Kwame Quaye, Customer Service Officer of the Electricity Company Ghana of the Nsawam District, who chaired the function advised the school children to take their lessons very seriously so that the fees paid by their parents would not go wasted. GNA 07.12.2016 LISTEN By Robert Tachie Menson Jnr, GNA Dormaa Ahenkro (B/A), Dec. 7, GNA - Superintendent Washington Foli, the Dormaa Municipal Police Commander, has appealed to security personnel to be extremely vigilant on Wednesday to prevent 'macho men' from getting hands on ballot boxes before and after the polls. He urged them to cooperate with election officials and party agents at the various polling centres and avoid creating unnecessary tension and confusion. Addressing a cross section of security personnel in the area after a health walk, Supt Foli asked them to strive to be professionals in their conduct, which was key to ensuring credible and peaceful elections. He called on them to remain neutral in the performance of their duties and not to compromise on professional integrity, adding that failure on their part could spell disaster. He said they should report at the local Electoral Commission's Office by 0300 hours on voting day where they were expected to accompany election officers to dispatch materials to the various polling centres. GNA By Iddi Yire, GNA Accra, Dec. 7, GNA - Security officers who could not exercise their franchise during the Special Voting would be deployed close to the polling stations where they registered, so that they can vote, Mrs Charlotte Osei, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission has said. She said they would have priority in the voting queues. "Over the last few days, there were complaints from security personnel about their inability to locate their names on the special voting lists." "It is important to clarify that special voting is for staff of the Electoral Commission (EC), security agencies or journalists who are to be deployed outside their usual places of residence on election day. Special voting is not for all officers of the security agencies, or electoral officers or journalists," Mrs Osei stated on Tuesday in Accra during the Commission's press briefing prior to the December 7 general election. 'Accordingly the EC works with the list provided by the institutions. As we have stated repeatedly, the challenges were occasioned by a number of factors," she said. She said persons who did not transfer their votes when the transfer window opened earlier, wanted to use the Special Voting as an opportunity to transfer their votes into a constituency other than where they were registered to vote. Mrs Osei said some security agencies did not submit any list at all, and some of those who submitted provided incomplete data on their officers. "So it was difficult to assign them to their polling stations. Not all officers were going to be deployed for polling station duties on election day and so were not intended for special voting, but a lot of people turned up to vote when their names were not included in the special voters list," she stated. She noted that Special Voting was not for all. "As a listening Commission and in consultation with the political parties and hierarchy of the security agencies, we set aside a second day for the continuation of the special voting exercise for officials whose names were not on the special voting list. "As a Commission, it is our job to run elections and to get people to vote. We are not interested in denying anyone his or her right to vote," she said. She said the challenges encountered by some of the officers could have been avoided. Mrs Osei said however, the reasons for those challenges were not within the control of the Commission. "So it was not a deliberate effort on our part to prevent anyone from voting. We are happy to announce that there was an 80 per cent turnout in the Special Voting on December 1 and December 4." "This is consistent with the turn out numbers we are expecting in this year's election," the Chairperson added. GNA 07.12.2016 LISTEN By Iddi Yire, GNA Accra, Dec. 7, GNA - The Electoral Commission (EC) is ready to conduct credible and transparent general election on Wednesday, December 7. According to Mrs Charlotte Osei, the Electoral Commissioner all the 97 items required for each Polling Station for this year's elections have been distributed to all the 216 districts. She said Voters Register, Supplementary Lists and Polling Station Lists, have all been given to the parties and candidates. "It is untrue that we have split Polling Stations on the blind side of any political party," Mrs Osei stated on Tuesday in Accra at a press briefing prior to the 2016 general election. "All the parties are aware of Polling Station locations and have registers for all the Polling Stations," she added. She said Polling Station list and locations have also been shared with security agencies and observers. She noted that all Officers required on Election Day have been recruited, rigorously trained and assigned to all the 28,992 polling stations were expected to be on duty on election day. "Our National Collation Centre is ready. Each Presidential Candidate is entitled to two representatives at the Centre at all material times during the collation process until the final results are declared," Mrs Osei said. She said there would be representatives of the main observer groups, as well as the National Media Commission, National Commission for Civic Education, the Ghana Journalists Association and the Women's Situation Room. She said all the 275 Constituency Collation Centres were ready; adding that Parliamentary candidates were entitled to two agents at the Constituency Collation Centres. "There is also a Media Centre for regular press briefings on election day and until the final results are declared," Mrs Osei said. "We are expecting a total voting population of 15,712,499. "Voting will take place at 28,992 Polling Stations in 275 constituencies across the country," she said. Mrs Osei said the Commission had deployed about 148,000 election officials to conduct the polls. "We are receiving support from about 64,000 security personnel to ensure a safe and peaceful environment for all voters to exercise their franchise." She said the EC had deployed 70,709 biometric verification devices (BVDs); stating that "there will be two BVDs per polling station with sufficient backups to deal with any unexpected challenges with any of the devices at the polling stations". "We have four technicians on standby in each of our district offices to respond rapidly to any technical challenges at any polling station," she said. She noted that the EC had 20 technical staff manning the 24-hour Operations Centre to provide rapid response to any issues from across the country. "We have accredited over 12,400 Foreign and Local Observers," she said. GNA Protests continue, banda called off in Butwal As major parties continue to bicker over a constitution amendment bill, which has sparked protests with majority of those taking to the streets opposing the plan to split Province 5, a knot of demonstrators in Dhakdhahi in Rupandehi staged a rally in support of the bill. Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Rob Davies tonight bestowed the Lifetime Achiever Award on Ms Gloria Serobe, Executive Director of WIPHOLD and CEO of Wipcapital, at the 4th Annual South African Premier Awards hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Ms Serobe has more than 30 years of experience in leading public and private domestic and multinational institutions. The annual South African Premier Business Awards, held under the theme Rewarding Business Excellence are a key feature on the Department of Trade and Industrys (the dti) calendar and celebrate national corporate excellence and success. Minister Davies, in congratulating Ms Serobe said, Ms Serobe has always reached for the glass ceiling, aiming to shatter it for herself and women after her. Her efforts over three decades aimed at transforming the national socio-economic fabric culminated in her establishing Women's Investment Portfolio Holdings Limited (WIPHOLD), an investment and operating company owned and managed entirely by black women. South Africans like Ms Serobe inspire the nation that when excellence is a way of life, success is assured. Minister Davies also announced the winners of each category saying they are playing their part in building a competitive national commercial sector which contributes to the countrys growth and development objectives. The winners in each category are: M Dreyer cc was awarded the Enterprise Development Support Award Aerosud Aviation (Pty) Ltd was awarded the Manufacturer Award Solar Capital received the Investor of the Year Award Saab Grintek Defence received the Exporter Award Thata uBeke Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd received the Black Industrialist Award Nestle South Africa and Bidvest Protea Coin (Pty) Ltd received the Play Your Part Award Ekurhuleni Artisans and Skills Training received the Proudly South African Award Computers 4 Kids cc and AM Group (Pty) Ltd were the joint recipients of the SMME Award Icebolethu Group received the Women Owned Award Baclan Energy Pty Ltd trading as E-Waste Africa received the Young Entrepreneur Award The Awards are jointly hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry, Brand South Africa and Proudly South African. Tsogo Sun, Old Mutual and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange are sponsors to the Awards. To arrange interviews call Mamosa Dikeledi on (012) 394 1680/076 023 4170 or email [email protected] OR call Tsabeng Nthite on 011 712 5000/076 371 6810 or email [email protected] The town of Tshikapa was the scene of clashes between alleged militiamen and security forces between 2nd and 3rd December 2016, resulting in loss of lives, injuries and extensive property damage. "MONUSCO strongly condemns violence from whatever quarter, and remains concerned at the increasing levels of violence in the Kasai and Central Kasai provinces and reaffirms its commitment to supporting the authorities in restoring State authority and bringing calm, stated Maman Sidikou, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the DRC. MONUSCO extends its condolences to the families of the victims, condemns the acts of violence perpetrated and the human rights abuses committed. A MONUSCO multidisciplinary team will be travelling to Tshikapa in the coming days to assess the situation and meet with local authorities with a view to supporting them in enhancing security measures. Tension is brewing in the Jaman North constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region over the delay in commencement of voting. Voting which was expected to begin at 7:00am is yet to start in all the polling stations in the constituency raising fears among some voters. Afram Odiakopa, a reporter at Jenya radio told Citi News that voting delayed in all the polling stations in the constituency because executives of the National Democratic Congress in the area raised concerns over the voter transfer list which they claimed was bloated by over 30 names. The NDC executives raised concern that the transfer register is bloated by over 30 names and they won't allow the EC officials to dispatch the electoral material unless the names are expunged, he told Citi News. Odiakopa further reported that scores of voters are currently in queues awaiting the outcome the crunch meeting. By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana Follow @AlloteyGodwin The police at Assin Darmang in the Assin South District of the Central Region have intercepted an amount of GH83,000 being conveyed in a Sprinter bus with registration number GE8996-16, which was said to be travelling from Cape Coast to Kumasi. According to the law enforcement agents, the money is in the denominations of GH10p, GH20p, GH1, GH2, GH20 and GH50 loaded in 35 Ghana Must Go bags. Briefing DAILY GUIDE, the Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Sgt Raymond Asaaba, said the driver of the bus by name Adamu Zakar was transporting the money to Kumasi when members of the regional elections security task force, who were having a meeting in the area, stopped the bus mid-way through its journey. Sgt Asaaba stated that the officers demanded to know the owner of the bags but nobody showed up, a situation which compelled them to order Zakari to let all the passengers alight and the bags brought down; and that when they opened it they saw the money in the denominations stated above. He added that the 10 pesewa coins totaled GH2,900, Gp20 coins summed up to GH13,600, GH1 totaling GH52,500 and the GH2 notes summed up to GH14,000. He said the mode of transporting the money needed some documentation and for that matter, the vehicle was impounded. Sgt Asaaba hinted that a five-member delegation from the Ghana Commercial Bank Tuesday morning reported at the regional police headquarters that they were aware of the money. He added that the GCB Bank officials in their meeting told the police that it was normal for people to request for lower denominations to do their businesses. The Police PRO further said the police had asked that the owner should report at the police station for collection. From Sarah Afful, Cape Coast Email:[email protected] The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement of the continuation of the mediation led by the Conference episcopale des eglises du Congo (Catholic Church - CENCO), to achieve a more inclusive consensus on the holding of elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He takes note of President Kabila's expressed support and encouragement to CENCO's mediation, and of the stated readiness of The Rassemblement opposition platform to remain engaged in dialogue. The Secretary-General expresses his support for the mediation led by CENCO. He calls on all political actors in the DRC to recommit themselves to this mediation. Less than two weeks before the end of President Kabila's second and final term in office, the Secretary-General underlines the need to pursue, in earnest, this Congolese-owned process to reach a consensual and peaceful solution to the current impasse. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has expressed concern about the alleged movement of some arms and ammunition to certain parts of the country by the military prior to today's elections. At a press conference in Accra yesterday, Chairman of the party's campaign team, Peter Mac Manu said, The NPP is extremely concerned about numerous reports regarding the movement of G3 rifles from armories in the various military units in Tamale, Kumasi, Tema and Accra. According to him, the G3 [a weapon which has been decommissioned for military use] rifles and ammunition from these armories were loaded onto police vehicles, beginning Monday evening, and were being conveyed to areas all over the country. He commented: These weapons may be distributed to new police recruits who have received less than two months of training, even though the police are not authorized to carry weapons while stationed at polling stations during voting. According to Mr Peter Mac Manu, decommissioned rifles have been given out to cadres who have passed out as police men to intimidate voters at the various polling stations. He claimed over 250 of such rifles had been deployed to Tamale where two people were reported dead in clashes between NPP and NDC supporters in Chereponi. He feared that some of these rifles might end up in the wrong hands. The NPP campaign chairman wondered what the decommissioned rifles would be doing at the polling stations except to harass and intimidate voters at the various centres. The NPP has demanded an immediate explanation by the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and other relevant government officials. A large movement of weapons to untrained new police recruits is a disturbing development just 12 hours before election day. Mr Mac Manu also urged the media, elections observer missions, the international community and Ghanaian citizens to demand transparency and work to prevent any potential for intimidation or violence by state security services that would undermine the credibility and results of today's polls. We would like to reassure all NPP supporters that this matter will be dealt with quickly. Considering the fact that the elections would determine the future of the country, Mr Manu charged, We must not be deterred or intimidated. Instead he said, We fully expect Ghana's security services to exercise their duties honourably and without favour. He urged Ghanaians to exercise their right to vote for change tomorrow. 600,000 Fake Voter Cards The NPP campaign chairman also revealed that the party had picked up information that the NDC, in collusion with the Electoral Commission, had printed 600,000 voter IDs which had been distributed to NDC supporters across the country. By Charles Takyi-Boadu Following the approval of the appointment of three new Ambassadors by the National Assembly this morning, the President of the Republic, President Danny Faure, met with Ambassador Michelle Murray, Ambassador Jean-Claude Adrienne, and Ambassador Conrad Mederic at State House this afternoon. President Faure presented the Ambassadors with their Instrument of Appointment as Ambassador and congratulated them on their appointments. The President also thanked members of the National Assembly for their support and the important role they played in appointing the new Ambassadors. Some dignitaries of both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the governing National Democratic Congress have voted at various constituencies in the country. The Presidential Candidate of the NPP, Nana Addo voted at the Rock of Ages polling station at Abuakwa South constituency of the Eastern Region. A few minutes after casting his ballot, Nana Addo appealed to Ghanaians on his Facebook page to go out and vote peacefully despite the challenges. I just voted at the Rock of Ages Polling Station in the Abuakwa South Constituency. I appeal passionately to all of you to go out and vote in an orderly and peaceful manner. There might be queues, there might be hold-ups and there might be some local difficulties, but I appeal to you to be tolerant and vigilant. Please be prepared to make the critical sacrifice of time. If we want change, we have to vote for change. I urge the Electoral Commission, security personnel and all the officials to do their work professionally. Let us make sure that the process is transparent and credible. Ghana is, then, the winner, he added. Former President Rawlings has also voted. Wife of the President , Lordina Mahama also cast her ballot at the La Dadekotopon constituency, specifically at the Rangoon primary polling station while Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah also voted at the Suhum Community Centre polling station in the Suhum constituency in the Eastern Region. By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana Follow @EfeAnsah The Electoral Commission of Ghana has responded to the situation at Sampa in jaman North constituency of the Brong Ahafo Region with the statement below We are aware that Sampa polling station in Jaman North has not opened. The parties are in dispute. It is being addressed. All voters will get the opportunity to vote, if they were in the queue by 5pm. EC Of all the days, the official Liquidator of the DKM Micro-finance choose to display the list of investors and clients of the defunct company on the election day. Many people voters in the early hours of the abandoned the queues upon hearing the news to check if their names were captured on the list. The crowd grew bigger at the forecourt of the DKM office in Bolgatanga as the hours went by and the information kept spreading across the Bolgatanga central and East constituencies for obvious reason, (people are concerned about their welfare and cash). A DKM client who gave his name only as Ishmael, said he was going to vote to make his life. better, but retrieving his DKM investment was more important to him than whoever becomes the President or Member of Parliament. We are told that this is the last opportunity and that if you dont see your name and fail to complain, then you should forget your money. I cannot forget my money. I would rather forget the vote. He said. What made matters worse is the conflicting dates of payment of their investments, some claimed that the Liquidator was supposed to pay them their monies on December 7 and 8, 2016 while others said they had received information from the Ghana Commercial Bank that Clients and Investors in the Upper East Region would be paid from 12-15th December, 2016. As the move to the DKM Micro-finance office to check for the presence of their names, they then move to the Ghana commercial Bank in Bolgatanga for a confirmation of the payment date. Some residents who spoke to the Daily Guide said it was a deliberate attempt to reduce peoples interest in the election in the Bolgatanga Central. Meanwhile the voting in the Bolgatanga Central and East were peaceful in the early hours and continued throughout the day. The only problems were the late start of the exercise across many polling stations due to either late arrival of materials or personal. There were long queues in to Daily Guide News the early hours of the day and the hour went by the queues dwindled. The queues will become long again as the sun start setting down. FROM: EBO BRUCE-QUANSAH, Bolgatanga. Rally in Bhairahawa against attack on entrepreneur Neupane A rally was organised in Bhairahawa on Wednesday demanding action against those involved in attack on businessman and Vice Chairman of Siddhartha Chambers of Commerce and Industries (CCI), Kul Prasad Neupane. President John Mahama 07.12.2016 LISTEN If you have sailed before like I did in my heydays, you will realize that the work of a captain on board a ship is similar to that of a commander in an armed force. When things become hot at the war front and the army is about to lose a battle, the commander has two choices to make. He either orders the soldiers to retreat or surrender. In the heat of the battle, retreat is the best solution because the soldiers can regroup and fight back. After all, did they not say, he who fights and runs away lives to fight another day? When a ship develops a fault or hits an iceberg and about to sink, the captain, again, has two options. He will assemble all the crew at the Captain's Bridge and instruct the sailors to lower all the lifeboats and make them ready for evacuation. The first to enter the life boats are the sailors followed by the engineers. In maritime law, the captain should be the last person to abandon ship. That was why when the Italian Costa Concordia cruise ship was about to sink and the captain, Fransisco Schettino abandoned ship and left behind the crew and passengers he was jailed. Mr. Jerry John Rawlings and his wife Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings founded the NDC. In fact they did put their noses on the grindstone to nurture the party to become so formidable that for eight years the NDC ruled this country. Mr. Rawlings and Nana Konadu could be likened to a captain and his assistant on board a ship. When Mr. Rawlings left power in 2000, he kept on supporting the NDC and did not hesitate to mount political platform to campaign for the party during the 2004, 2008 and 2012 general elections. In the run-up to the 2012 general elections, the assistant captain of the ship, in the person of Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings abandoned ship because she was shabbily treated by the party she and her husband had founded. The lady went all out to form her own political party and named it National Democratic Party (NDP). The sign which was bodily written on the wall that Mr. Rawlings, the captain would unceremoniously abandon ship was when the late Professor Evans Atta Mills was the president of Ghana. Rawlings told Ghanaians that about 60% of government functionaries under Mr. Mills were corrupt and that they have abandoned the ideals upon which the NDC was formed. He referred to some of them as babies with sharp teeth and kept the heat on Mills until he died. As supporters of the NDC started leaving the party in droves, Asiedu Nketia, the General Secretary of the NDC assured them that they have chained the barking dog and so people should not fear to enter the house, in reference to Mr. Rawlings. The comment made by Asiedu Nketia pained Rawlings so much so that he increased the tempo and went haywire, calling the NDC all sort of names, including greedy bastards. When the 2016 electioneering campaign started Ghanaians were expecting Mr. Rawlings to hit the road as usual to campaign for the NDC but that did not happen. The man is 'sitting his somewhere' minding his own business. After all, as a chained dog, what can he do but to stay where he has been chained. Because the man who chained him is not prepared to unchain him, Rawlings' silence is understandable. Knowing very well that the crowd puller has been chained and has refused to be unchained to join the campaign trail, Mr. Mahama assembled his campaign team minus the chained dog. Even the Chief of Staff, Mr. Julius Debrah who is supposed to be at the Flagstaff House managing the affairs at the seat of government on daily basis is out there campaigning and talking like a serial caller. It was this accomplished loser (Remember he contested on three occasions against Mr. Opare Ansah at the Suhum Constituency and lost) who went to the Brong Ahafo Region to tell the people there not to patronize Kalypo drinks because they will contract disease if they did. The guy did not know by saying that he was killing a local industry which produces the drinks. ENTER KWAMENA AHWOI The thirty six year-old man or woman, who is occupying senior positions in government, the military, police or who is a successful businessman or farmer was not born in 1981 when Kwamena Ahwoi, a senior member of the PNDC held the nation at ransom. Anytime I hear Kwamena Ahwoi on campaign platform castigating Nana Akufo Addo and trying to look like a good person, I always cast my mind back just to recollect what this man did to Ghanaians when the PNDC was in power. I must admit that it is not worth reminding people of the pain they went through during the revolutionary days but for the sake of the younger generation it is only proper for some of us who witnessed the barbaric act to remind the younger generation so that they could know the type of person Kwamena Ahwoi is. At the peak of the revolution, the junta formed what was called Citizens Vetting Committee, (CVC) headed by Kwamena Ahwoi. The man's beards were longer than that of Osama Bin Laden and he looked fearful. In those wish-to-forgotten crazy days, if an announcement was made on Radio Ghana that you were to appear before the CVC, you had to say your last prayers because you would either end up in jail or your hard won assets would be seized and your bank accounts frozen. To Kwamena Ahwoi and his CVC, every rich man or woman in Ghana was a thief or criminal. Those who appeared before the CVC were not given any opportunity to hire lawyers and they in fact, did not spend much time there. Anytime Kwamena Ahwoi and his CVC sat, we had drugged and drunk soldiers fully armed and standing behind Kwamena Ahwoi and his CVC men who were always shabbily dressed to make it look as if they were working for poor Ghanaians. Today Kwamena Ahwoi, the man who seized people's properties and froze their bank accounts is living in a luxurious mansion and enjoying the good things in life. Thirty five years down the line, Kwamena Ahwoi, the man who ordered and supervised this shameful game, this insidious farce is out there campaigning for John Dramani Mahama, another person who is supervising over naked corruption and thievery of our national coffers. If Kwamena Ahwoi comes to your town to campaign do not believe him because all what he is doing is to throw dust into the eyes of the poor folks out there. So many Ghanaians whose assets were seized by Kwamena Ahwoi's CVC died prematurely and their blood will sure continue to soil his hands. Kwamena Ahwoi knows he is living with disturbed conscience and posterity will write his name in bronze. Mr. Ahwoi should look around and see how the NDC ministers, MMDCEs and other functionaries have grown rich within a matter of eight years and compare it to those whose properties were seized and he will know that he treated people badly. I AM A NORTHERNER SO VOTE FOR ME The Akans say if you meet strong man in a fight, you forget that you have teeth in your mouth which you can use to bite your opponent. This election is about issues but sadly Mr. John Dramani Mahama has turned everything to pettiness. During the 2012 electioneering campaign, Mr. Mahama went to the Northern Region to tell the people there that they should vote for him because unlike Nana Akufo Addo, he is a Northerner and he will move in sympathy with them when he became the president of Ghana. Ghanaians kicked against those tribal comments and condemned the pronouncement without mincing words. The people of the Northern Region swallowed what candidate Mahama told them and voted for him. It was the biggest mistake they ever did. The SADA, Asongtaba and other social interventions which were introduced to assuage the suffering of the people of the Northern Region ended up to be a create, loot and share project. The people of the Northern Region are still living in abstract poverty while Mahama, his children and wife, Lordina Mahama, who hails from the Brong Ahafo Region, are living in luxury. The man is at it again, believing that, as usual, the people of the Northern Region will buy his crap. Somebody should tell John Mahama that the human mind is dynamic and so the people of the Northern Region have wised up and will prove to him that once bitten twice shy. So Dr. Edward Nasigri Mahama should also go to the Northern Region and tell them that he hails from the Northern Region so they should vote for him? Habba, Mahama, what sort of desperation is this? Anyway, if he is a Northerner as he claims, why did he not marry a Gonja woman but chose to come down south to marry a Brong woman? Or, may be Gonja women are not beautiful. You see, tribalism has no room in Ghana today because we have intermarried. Rawlings is an Ewe and married to an Asante royal. Prof. Mills was a Fante and married a Ga, Nana Addo is an Akyem and married to a Ga, the late Prof Busia was a Brong man and married a Ga woman and Mr. Kufour, an Ashanti is married to a Brong woman. What is the big deal in these marriages? If Mr. Mahama has nothing to say, he should not say it here in Ghana. He can tell the marines. Yours sincerely is from the Northern Region and married to an Akyem royal. Eric Bawah A MASS of people in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region, were seen traveling to their hometowns and possibly other regions in the country yesterday to partake in today's presidential and parliamentary polls. Virtually all the bus terminals in the city, for instance, Kejetia, Asafo Market and Metro Mass at Abrepo Junction were inundated with a lot of travelers during the paper's visit Tuesday morning. The mass movement seemed to have overwhelmed the operators of the various bus terminals, as inavailability of buses to convey the voters to their various destinations, became a huge challenge. Some of the people told DAILY GUIDE that they had been in long queues for several hours, and that from all indications, their chance of getting buses to their destinations looked very slim. NPP Rescues Voters The Ashanti Regional branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which was perhaps aware of the challenges that the voters were facing, quickly organized buses for them to travel to their various destinations free of charge to exercise their franchise. Holiday Mood Meanwhile, business activities in Kumasi and its environs were very dull Tuesday morning. Most of the shops in the city were closed and so the atmosphere could be likened to a holiday. The paper gathered that most of the shop owners either decided to stay at home and relax ahead of today's polls or they had traveled to their hometowns or other regions to vote. Security Men Deployed Some huge military vehicles were seen on the streets of Kumasi Tuesday afternoon. The sudden arrival of the vehicles, which looked a bit scary, became the topic for discussion among residents of Kumasi. Some said the vehicles had been brought to scare the people from going out in large numbers to vote, but others also argued that they (vehicles) clearly showed the preparedness of the security agencies to maintain law and order. Meanwhile, several buses which were fully laden with policemen and personnel from other security agencies, were also seen plying the streets of the city Tuesday afternoon. Before their departure from the police headquarters in Kumasi, COP Kofi Boakye, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, charged the security personnel to act professionally to make the polls peaceful. FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi Few readers would know that the late Rudolf Leopold (1925-2010), founder of the Leopold Museum in Vienna, had an interest in African and Oceanian arts and even those aware of this, would hardly know that he assembled a collection of some 600 artefacts from Africa and Oceania. An exhibition in the Leopold Museum, entitled Fremde Gotter Faszination Afrika und Ozeanien, (Foreign Gods: Fascination of Africa and Oceania), 23 September 2016 to 9 January 2017, demonstrates the extent of this interest. (1) Many of these artefacts may be viewed in this exhibition which offers a variety of objects: masks, chairs, spears, boats, etc. from numerous peoples in Africa and Oceania. Many Yoruba, Baule and Bambara artefacts as well as Asante and Fante fertility dolls are displayed. Dogon masks are also represented. What the exhibition does well is to show the extent to which modern art owes much of its inspiration and style to African and Oceanian arts. The juxtaposition of non-European art and works of acclaimed Western artists such as Picasso, Fernand Leger, Kirchner, Emil Nolde, Max Pechstein, Max Ernst, Constantin Brancusi, Amedeo Modigliani and others shows how much European artists copied from African and Oceanian models or if you prefer, how much non-European art inspired them. It is true that the story of the influence of African and Oceanian art on the European avant-guard has been told several times before, especially since the publication, Primitivism in 20th Century Art (1984) by William Rubin. But since there have been attempts even by artists such as Picasso (2) to play down the non-European influence, it is worth having the story retold until it becomes part of the general education of the Western world that is usually inclined to dismiss any idea of contribution to the modern world by non-Europeans. When we also learn that Brancusi who had been heavily influenced by African art even destroyed some of his earlier works that showed African influence, then it becomes evident that the story must be repeated often. Jacob Epstein has stated: Brancusi, some of whose early work was influenced by African art, now declares categorically that one must not be influenced by African art, and he even went so far as to destroy work of his that he thought had African influence in it. (3) Yoruba, Nigeria, Ibeji Twins, Photo: Leopold Museum, Wien. Emil Nolde, Man, Fish and Woman, Nolde Stiftung Seebull The inability or unwillingness to inform their public about the contribution of non-Europeans to human progress, has led to the extraordinary belief in many Western countries that only people of European descent have contributed to progress. This erroneous conception has resulted in increasing racism and demands for deporting non-Europeans from Western countries. For those who have not seen many exhibitions on African art, this exhibition is not a bad introduction. We were nevertheless not overly impressed by the general quality of the African artefacts, which does not match that of other exhibitions we have seen in Brussels, Berlin, Geneva, London, Paris, Vienna and elsewhere. Kota Gabon, Reliquary Figure, Mbulu-Ngulu, Photo Leopold Museum, Wien. Fernand Leger, Design for La creation du monde, private collection, Switzerland. I could not help feeling that the exhibition smacks of the old ethnology museums. The spears from Oceania that confront the viewer when she enters the exhibition seem to want to remind us that we are dealing with a wild and dangerous backward peoples. Too many objects are cluttered together even though the display halls are very spacious. Leopold seems to have had a great fascination for the Yoruba ibeji twins for there is large collection of them in the exhibition. But must one display all the ibeji that Rudolf Leopold collected? We were intrigued by the title Fremde Gotter (Foreign Gods) and were wondering whether we will see shrines and statues of gods. Nothing like that caught our eyes and hardly any of the objects we saw reminded us of gods except perhaps a kota, a Yoruba divination or oracle plate and a dance stab of Eschu, also called Elegba, the trickster god of the Yoruba. We recall that Western ethnologists have suggested in the past that many objects in non-European societies were charged with spiritualism and were worshipped by the people. Veneration of ancestral objects was confused with worshipping the objects. There is also the old European belief that most African sculptures represented gods and were called fetish. The European missionaries contributed to the belief that these objects were devoted to pagan gods and evil spirits. They urged Africans converts to Christianity to burn their artefacts but at the same time the missionaries carefully collected them and sent them to Europe. Some museums in Europe owe their beginnings to such collections or benefited from collections by Christian missionaries. It is then clear why the curators chose the title Foreign Gods; they probably wanted to appeal to the latent European desire for exoticism. A straightforward title such as African and Oceanian Arts would perhaps not have attracted a large crowd. It would also have put these arts on same level as Western arts. This exhibition demonstrates once more that Vienna holds a lot of African art. The other Vienna museum that also has many pieces of African art, especially the famous Benin Bronzes, the Volkerkundemuseum, now Weltmuseum, has closed its African Section for some 16 years, 2000-2016. Could one imagine a section of a museum dealing with Western art being closed for 16 years? Apparently the renovated Weltmuseum will open in autumn 2017. What I missed in the exhibition is precise information about the methods for the original acquisition of the large number of artefacts. Were they part of the colonial loot or gifts from grateful potentates or simply purchased in an open art market? Naturally,there is not a word about restitution in the exhibition. The Leopold Museum is not unfamiliar with issues and questions regarding restitution of looted artefacts. Baule Mask, Ivory Coast, Photo: Leopold Museum, Wien. Amedeo Modigliani, Study for a Sculpture, Collectione.E.W.K. Bern/ Davos. The question of the return of artefacts that were looted or stolen during the colonial era must be recognized by all as an essential part of the history of art of those formerly dominated or subjugated areas of the world. There are uncountable sites on the internet that discuss issues relating to the Benin Bronzes, the Kohinoor diamond and other looted objects. There have also been several conferences on restitution issues and the United Nations and UNESCO have passed several resolutions urging the return of artefacts to their countries of origin. ICOM's Code Of Conduct for museums contains several provisions including the need for museums to take initiative in the restitution question. Can one really talk about African art and ignore the major issues of restitution as if nothing has happened since the colonial days? Can one simply ignore the independence of the African States that raised the issue of art objects looted or stolen under colonial administration? Dogon,Mali. Picoreur mask, Photo, Leopold Museum We left the exhibition feeling that some of the best pieces of the Leopold collection may have been sold in Doretheum auctions and that what we have in the current exhibition may be the lot that remains, the left-overs as it were. Were the curators under an obligation to organize an exhibition at all costs? The Leopold Museum may well consider whether it would not be better to concentrate on modern art, collect modern African art where the is no such issue of restitution and where the general opprobrium of loot and violence does not feature prominently. Ancestor Skull Overmodelled, Middle Sepik River,New Guines,Photo;Leopold. Some readers may wonder why the art of Africa is treated together with the art of a region, located many thousands of miles away from Africa. The answer is fairly simple: Westerners who have over many decades considered themselves as superior human beings, have considred Africans and also the peoples of Oceania as being at the bottom of a scale of human development, with the white people on top. The philosophers of the European Enlightenment, such as Kant, Hume and others have reinforced this racism with their false theories about human development. (4) This racist conception which influenced many ethnologists(when they were not he originators) seems to prevail even in our days, albeit in more subtle ways. Many westerners continue to attribute to Africans and other peoples, usually of darker pigmentation, a primitiveness from which it appears we will never be able to escape. How else can we explain that exhibitions still take place, branding us as primitive peoples with their primitive art,with or without inverted commas? Many auction houses that make huge profits from selling looted African and other arts continue to advertise our artefacts as works of primitive art, that is the works of primitive peoples. Disrespect for Africans and all things African can also be seen in the attempts made to compare Africans to children or their art to child play. Paul Klee is cited in the exhibition as saying; There are primitive beginnings in art,such as one usually finds in ethnographic collections or at home in ones nursery. (5) Many of our contempoary Westerners do not feel inclined to combat these prejudices which they do not consider important. Indeed many do not recognize the prevalence of racism at all in various soheres of life.. An ancestral figure, Lihir Island,Melansia,Photo Leopold Museum Elisabeth Leopold,widow of Rudolph Leopold, writes in the catalogue of the exhibition, under the title, Love of Aboriginality, the following: When I watched the film The Tribal Eye-Behind the Mask by David Attenborough I felt that we perseive the way of life and the emotions of the African people,their culture,their religious beliefs,their customs and traditions and therefore also their masks and sculptures like a foreign world. At the same time,their objects are highly fascinating,as they resonate within us as from afar,like the mystical and mysterious,like an original childlikeness. The great often abstract carvings reflect the essence,the souls,the deep connection to the aboriginal The African people have been shaped over centuries and millennia by the climate and landscape of their continent ,by rocky hills,deserts,savanas and scrubland,but also by a fantastic fauna. They have a deep belief that the souls of the dead live on; they do not doubt the soulfulness of all living beings.(6) The translator of the original German text seems to have sensed that such a text should not be published in our days and tried to minimize the possible damage it could cause. So where the German original writes about extreme Klima, the English version leaves extreme out and gewaltigen Landschaften is rendered landscape. The reference to original childlikeness clearly throws us back to the early ehtnologists with their arrogant and condescending attitude towards non-European peoples and their cultures. Some even thought Africans could not draw properly.We are also reminded of the early attitudes towards modern art where some people thought any child could draw what Picasso and other modern artists were producing. Could the editor of a catalogue for an exhibition in a modern art museum not influence this? African art then remains for many Westerners, what they still continue to describe as, primitive art, with or without inverted commas. This exhibition may not reduce or destroy such false convictions but would cause many to pause and think about the values to be attached to such loaded descriptions when they remember the development of modern art and African contributions thereto. It is certainly praiseworthy for Westerners to exhibit African art, primitive or not. But it would surely be even better if some the many African artefacts in the West were returned to Africa to be dispalyed by Africans within their own culture and to stimulate further developments. 6/12/2016. Kwame Tua Opoku. NOTES 1. www.leopoldmuseum.org/de/ausstellungen/77 2. Regarding Picasso and Africa, see among others, Jacques Kerchache, Picasso Afrique - etat desprit, Editions du Centre Pompidou,1995; Laurence Madeline and Marilyn, Picasso and Africa, Bell Roberts Publications, Cape Town, 2006; Peter Stepan, Picassos Collection of African and Oceanic Art, Prestel Verlag, Munich, Berlin, London, New York, 2006. 3. Jacob Epstein, Let there be sculpture; Chapter 17,African and Other Primitive Carvings. 4. See also K.Opoku, Why Europeans, even intellectuals have difficulty in contemplating the restitution of Stolen African Artefacts? Wolf Lepenies and the Ethnology Museum, Berlin , www.afrikanet.info/archiv1 www.modernghana.com K. Opoku, Is Africa closer to Oceania than to Europe? Visit to an Exhibition on African and Oceanian Arts www.modernghana.com/news/176041/1/is-africa-closer-to-oceania-than... 5. Es gibt namlich noch Uranfange von Kunst,wie man sie eher im ethnographischen Museum findet oder daheim in der Kinderstube. p.58 Norbert Wolf, Uta Grosenick, Expressionismus,Taschen Verlag, 2004. 6.Als ich den Film The Tribal Eye-Behind the Mask von David Attenborough gesehen hatte, begriff ich, dass wir die Lebensweise und Gefuhle der Afrikanischen Menschen, ihre Kultur, ihre Religiositat, ihre Sitten und Gebrauche und somit auch ihre Masken und Skulpturen wie eine fremde Welt empfinden. Zugleich aber sind sie in hochsten Masse faszinierend, denn sie bringen wie von Ferne etwas in uns zum Klingen, wie das Mystisch, das Geheimnisvolle, wie eine ursprungliche Kindlichkeit. Die groartigen, oft abstrakten Schnitzereien sine Spiegelbilder der Wesenheiten, der Seelen, der tiefen Verbundenheit mit dem Ursprunglichen Der afrikanische Mensch ist uber Jahrhunderte und Jahrtausende hinweg gepragt worden von dem extremen Klima und den gewaltigen Landschaften des Kontinents, von Felsbergen, Wusten, Savannen und Buschland, aber auch von der fantastischen Tierwelt. Er hat eine tiefe Glaubigkeit, dass das Wesen der Toten weiterlebt, er zweifelt nicht an der Beseeltheit alles Lebendigen. pp.13-15 of the exhibition catalogue, Fremde Gotter -Faszination Afrika und Ozeanien, Foreign Gods-Fascination Africa and Oceania, Verlag der Buchhandlung Walter Konig, Koln, 2016. Change is indeed coming! Perhaps 2016 is just a year of change. First was Nigeria, then USA and most recently not even the banning of internet and international calls could stop the wind of change from blowing away Yahya Jammeh in The Gambia. The wind of change is in full swing! Yes, call 2016 a year of change and you are absolutely damn right. In the next few hours change must happen in Ghana too; for democracy and for posterity and prosperity. First and foremost, the change must happen to reclaim independence for all Ghanaians irrespective of any sectional colouration and to return Ghana to true democracy. This change we crusade for is an agenda for jobs to the many hopeless unemployed youth teeming across the length and breadth of this country; for repair of the collapsing NHIS especially for the "freely" free maternal care services to return; for a better and much affordable education for our future leaders; for our national transport systems to work again; for agriculture and businesses to thrive and many others. The activism of the youth of this country is pivotal to the desirous change we need. We must be the focal point, leading the charge and crusade for that change. We must be the point of reference for the future generations after the change. We must live the change we yearn for. Yearning for change means urging out the votes and supporting the change to the end. We must show our outrage disdain against not just the flourishing corruption enterprise in the government but in addition the impunity that it's accompanied with. Very often we remember the "Big Six" with fond and deference, what do we want the next generation to remember us for? 2016 voters will either be remembered for their ruthless abhorrence against corruption or for condoning it and with impunity. Anybody who votes for NDC is an accomplice of corruption and guilty of the impunity, by association. This election is bigger than just party colours or whatever ties; it's the surety for the future of Ghana. Tomorrow is another independence day for Ghana. Mr. Mahama the president has demonstrated that he is neck-deep in corruption. Even he himself cannot vouch for his own incorruptibility and integrity. In short, Mahama and corruption are intertwined. Nana Akufo-Addo is a lawyer by profession, and he's trained several topnotch lawyers in Ghana. He's achieved virtually everything and anything there's to aspire for. But he still wants to burden himself with the onerous responsibility of leading mother Ghana. He wants to pride himself with the enviable legacy of a visionary Akufo-Addo government. He's not corrupt, never has been nor will ever be. He seeks your mandate on December 7 not to fill his pockets or enrich his family and friends. Beyond January 7, when Nana Akufo-Addo busies himself with providing competent leadership there's one competent gentleman to think through prudent economic policies that will propel Ghana to stardom among her peers. That man is Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia! He's an economist par excellence and a top chartered banker, with distinction. His accurate and unparalleled analysis of the economy of Ghana has earned him the epithet "economics prophet". Others say he's the economic soothsayer of our time, but he's actually an economics doctor. He's always diagnosed our economy with certain accuracy and prescribes the best dose for our ailing economy. He's also recognized in the glitterati of the economics world. Above all he's a rare responsible politician; identified more as a technocrat, with honours. Mr. Mahama, on the other side, is a communication expert. So trust him to sweet talk you into trouble. He'll say what pleases your ears but do whatever he wishes. Unlike Nana Akufo-Addo, Mahama has nobody to point to as his mentee or next-of-king, sort of. And Lee Kuan Yew, 1st PM of Singapore, would say, "In a different world we need to find a niche for ourselves, little corners where in spite of our small size we can perform a role which will be useful to the world. To do that, you will need people at the top, decision-makers who have got foresight, good minds, who are open to ideas, who can seize opportunities like we did... MY JOB REALLY WAS TO FIND MY SUCCESSORS. I FOUND THEM, THEY ARE THERE; THEIR JOB IS TO FIND THEIR SUCCESSORS [my emphasis]. So there must be this continuous renewal of talented, dedicated, honest, able people who will do things not for themselves but for their people and for their country. If they can do that, they will carry on for another one generation and so it goes on. The moment that breaks, it's gone." Hon. Atta Akyea, for example, is one well-known mentee of Nana Akufo-Addo who eventually succeeded him as MP. Can we say the same of Mahama? It matters not a jot in the end than Ghanaians (shareholders of Ghana) dictating the direction and path to which we wish our country to journey along. A path of slavery or salvation? Let's cast out the corruption that's galvanised Mahama and his cohorts to same degree that the average Ghanaian's hope is bled dry. Even the most peripheral political observers know how most NDC government officials suddenly come to live in their own isolated world of conspicuous consumptions. Corruption is now endemic like an epidemic sweeping through every nook and cranny of this country. Like a monster in daycare centres. In fact what spooks much is not only the milking of our resources to the beck and call of some handful vampires, but Mahama's resolve to bribe his way to retain Ghana's most revered throne. A giver and taker of bribe cannot lead us again. They say, once bitten twice shy. After personally inflating costs of private presidential jets and having himself under the scrutineer-watch of his boss Prof. Mills, Mahama was later gifted a Ford Expedition car by his Burkinabe-contractor-friend (Kanazoe) for sending a delegation to the latter's father's funeral. His very latest attempt to bribe Chairman Abdul Fatawu Bugri Naabu to denigrate and rundown Nana Addo, albeit exposed, was to give credence to their ethnocentric ads on TVs and radios. Especially that, "...they (NPP) have always seek to marginalise the north, lord over northerners..." How hilarious! We can connect the dots here. Mahama's determined to corrupt our institutions and every dissenting Ghanaian as long as that keeps him in the flagstaff house. We may have a short memory, because even life is too short. But we still remember the presidential jets brouhaha; we know still the office that oversaw the Sad SADA Story. The GYEEDA scandal. The Smarthy's Bus branding thievery. Kanazoe Ford saga. The independence brochure shame. The rot is simply deep-seated under incompetent Mahama government. Yes Mr. President, we have eternalised all these in our short memories. Don't forget! We remember the toll of deaths your darling dumsor left behind us too; the number of jobs it ravaged and the insecurities it greeted us with under your incompetent leadership. Peace and justice is necessary for the development of this country. Nana Addo fought against Acheampong's Union government from within and Rawlings' Military regime, without, to bring multi-party democracy. Nana Addo conceded defeat to late Prof. Mills after a closely-fought election in 2008 resulting in the most slimmest of margins (some 30, 000 votes) without calling for a recount. His conduct after the 2012 election left Ghana, Africa and many forgotten corners of the world awestruck. He said, among others, "I accept that what the Court says brings finality to the election dispute... Everything in my bones, in my upbringing and in what I have done with my life thus far makes it imperative that I accept a decision made by the highest court of the land, however much I dislike or disagree with it. I am saddened by the verdict and I know that many of our supporters are saddened too. However, for the sake and love of our country, we must embark on a path that builds, rather than destroys, to deal with our disappointment. I appeal to all members and supporters of our party, the NPP in particular to accept the verdict of the court. Even in our disappointment we can take pride in the way we have conducted ourselves. Even in our disappointment we can take pride that the NPP has again led the way in deepening Ghanas democracy... I intend to take some time out of the hurly burly of politics, get some rest, reflect and then announce whatever decision I come to in the not too distant future... The whole world has watched us in wonder and admiration. Our reaction to this judgment will be watched keenly in Africa and beyond and will set a precedent for generations to follow. It is now up to all of us Ghanaians to put the dispute behind us and come together to iron out our differences, ease the tensions among us, and come together to build our country. There are myriads of problems facing us as a people. This is the time for us all to come together and work to find solutions to the challenges that confront our people. To my party, the NPP, I say we have a lot to be proud of; there are more than three years left in this political cycle to be a worthy opposition, and also position ourselves for the battle of 2016. Today, let us wish our President well and thank the Almighty for His mercies to our nation. The battle continues to be that of the Lords. God bless Ghana." As my friend Manasseh Awuni Azure would say, when Nana Akufo-Addo speaks it's difficult to pick a soundbite because there are simply loads to choose from. I couldn't agree more with him. As for Mahama, we know you cannot be peaceful and a tribal bigot at the same time. Ending with a quote by Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare, "The only path to progress is to change things that are not working." Mahama and NDC is not satisfying our wishes and aspirations as a people. Let's change for progress! Vote wisely tomorrow! Vote for change! I vote Nana! God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong! The writer is Mohammed A. Razak Wumpini. He's a former student leader of the University for Development Studies, a youth activist and the CENAB-Ghana Coordinator of Northern Region. You can reach him via [email protected] or via phone on 0249240121/0200927958. 07.12.2016 LISTEN Reports from Sampa, the Capital of the Jaman North Constituency of the Brong Ahafo Region, indicates that voting has been re-scheduled for Thursday, December 8th, 2016. This was as a result of discrepancies in the Constituencys voters register which as reported by Suncity Radio earlier today. Following consultations among stake-holders, political parties, the electoral Commission, and the national Peace Council, it has been agreed that voting will now take place on Thursday, to allow officials to resolve the issues at stake. SUNCITY RADIO 97.1-SUNYANI The Electoral Commission has quashed a decision by political parties to postpone voting in the Jaman North constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region. Representatives of the various political parties and stakeholders in the area agreed to postpone the exercise to Thursday following a disagreement over the voter transfer list. But the EC in a statement on its Facebook page said voting must proceed today. Election materials are on the way to polling station. Jaman North voters: go and vote, the statement added. By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana Follow @AlloteyGodwin Eugene Boakye Antwi (middle) with Collins Owusu Amankwa and Beatrice Serwah Derkyi during the press conference The Ashanti Regional branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has appealed to the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to be fair and firm in the discharge of their duties during today's polls. According to the party, the neutrality of the security agencies, especially the police and the military, would go a long way to make the polls credible to ensure law and order. Eugene Boakye Antwi, the parliamentary candidate of the NPP for Subin Constituency, urged the police in the region not to kowtow to pressure from the ruling government to flout the law. He also admonished the police not to try to intimidate members of the NPP in the region, stressing that such acts could pose serious threat to security and peace of the region. The aspirant stated emphatically that the NPP doesn't have any agenda against the police service or police chief in the region, especially COP Kofi Boakye. The NPP is campaigning to kick the non-performing National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, led by President Mahama, from political power. We are not targeting any police officer. Mr. Boakye Antwi entreated NPP members to visit their various polling centers to cast their votes for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and all NPP parliamentary candidates to move Ghana forward. He stated that the NPP would strongly kick against any attempt by any person or group of people to rig the polls, urging the security agencies to work to ensure law and order during the election. Touching on other issues, Mr. Boakye Antwi noted that about 25,000 ballot papers, 65 percent of which were thumb-printed for President Mahama, were found in Room Four of the Madison Lodge in Kumasi on Monday. According to him, officials of NPP got credible information that the electoral materials were being kept in the hotel so they led the police to the hotel but could not arrest the suspects. From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi Police in Kumasi have re-arrested a 59-year-old man who reportedly jumped bail last year. He was incarcerated for impersonating and parading himself as a chief and brother of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. Nana Kwadwo Amoa Apem Okogyeabour is accused of regularly dressing up as chief in order to deceive and defraud the unsuspecting public, posing as director of a reportedly non-existent organisation called 'Fighting Corruption Against Asante Chiefs.' He was arrested in 2015 in early February at Manhyia, the seat of the Asante overlord, where he had asked some of his victims to meet him with sheep and drinks for onward presentation to Otumfuo. Manhyia Divisional Police Commander, Rev. Supt. Dr. Nyamekye Andani-Ameyaw, said among the accused person's victims are one Mohammed Akaanya, Bawa Amaya and Seidu Shaibu. He was on trial for an alleged $4,450 fraud case when he jumped bail and went into hiding until he was re-arrested at Asokore-Mampong Circuit Court on similar offences. The police chieftain told DAILY GUIDE that the accused, a native of Ahenema-Kokoben near Kumasi, claimed to be a cousin of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and that he (Apem Okogyeabour) is a mason by profession. According to Rev. Supt. Andane-Ameyw, the man denied carrying himself as a chief, even though he had been engaging in the identity fraud for some years now, always parading in the city and defrauding people. He said the accused person allegedly defrauded one Ishmaila of $4,450 under the pretext of giving it to His Royal Highness, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in exchange for the cedi, as the king needed some dollars for his trip. He normally introduces himself as a cousin of Otumfuo to people and offers to help those in need of land, the police commander disclosed and added that the accused was introduced to four of the victims by a trader, Mrs. Felicia Baako. Accompanied by a man identified as his friend, Amoah Apem Okogyeabour was arrested at the forecourt of the Manhyia Palace by police officers at about 10:30 am, Supt Andane-Ameyaw recounted. From Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi The Northern Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has indicated that the party will deploy 40 polling assistants to protect ballot boxes at the various polling stations in the region today. According to him, the NPP would not allow any political party to rig this year's elections. The outspoken chairman stated that his men would remain at the polling stations to protect the ballot boxes after casting their ballot. If they see any strange movements of any intruder who attempts to get closer to the ballot box, they will deal with those persons swiftly. Chairman Bugri stated categorically that the NPP would not allow the Electoral Commission (EC) to adjourn the election. He indicated that the election is supposed to start at 7am and end at 5pm, adding that in last elections, the NPP made a mistake which allowed NDC to rig the elections. We all know December 7 is the voting day and so if anything should happen, the elections won't continue because we won't allow it. Bugri Naabu advised the police to be vigilant because members of some political parties in the region, who do not respect the police, fire gunshots at the EC Office and go scot-free. We are not in Liberia where everyone is allowed to carry a gun and shoot discriminately and go scot-free. The NPP Chairman gave assurance that the party would not cause any commotion in the region because the party had warned its supporters to remain calm and respect the law. He entreated party supporters in the Northern Region to vote massively for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the various parliamentary candidates on December 7. Chairman Bugri was optimistic the NPP would win 25 seats in the Northern Region and obtain 80 percent of total valid votes in the presidential election. From Eric Kombat, Tamale In this report, Odimegwu Onwumere writes that there is a new form of violence against women through the media and calls on the general public to respect the right to dignity of the human person Violence against women is gradually assuming a new form through the media. As the watchdog of the society, the media which have been playing a role in sensitizing the wide-ranging masses on the need to stop the violence against women, are at the same time meting out enormous treaties of violence against women through publishing pictures of the raped or battered women and other contraventions of privacy of women, knowing how sensational they are. On September 28 2006 an Amy Jussel, a public affairs commentator published an article with the title Media has a role to play in curbing violence against girls. In that treatise, the irked Jussel admonished as a matter of urgency that the media have to stop glamorizing, romanticizing and sexualizing content under the auspices of violence prevention! Online Violence Researcher A. N Nwammuo, writing on Social Media and Perpetuation of Violence against Women in Nigeria: The Case of Facing Death on Facebook said that clowns and criminals have invaded the internet and the World Wide Web negatively, causing problematic pains to the women world. Social media forms, due to their high interactivity, are used to perpetuate violence against women... The case of Cynthia Osukogu provides basis for this assertion, said A.N Nwammuo. Jussel went further, We need to recognize that mass media is critical in communicating a responsible voice to curb violence against girls and women. As it is, hyper-sexualized environs have created a minefield that even young K-5 elementary girls are faced with dodging daily. One Kamala Sarup, writing on the topic Violence Against Women And Role Of Media (Thursday, 13 January 2005) commended some journalists, but added, "Although some in the media are to be commended for their ongoing efforts to reflect sensitive, diverse, and egalitarian images, others in the media still incorporate images that convey destructive messages. Still women's bodies are used as objects to sell products." Lack Of Privacy, Security and Safety Over the years, violence against women has taken novel forms. There have been videos of abused ladies posted online or through other means of technology. Many women have been killed through contacts they made online while using the internet or phones. On 19 November 2010, Inter Press Service (IPS), South Africa, reported, As more and more women go online using computers and mobile phones, many are silenced through acts of violence, sexism and censorship. In most cases women do not know what to do to protect themselves against such violations. Nor are there adequate measures adopted by telecommunications companies, internet service providers and software developers to protect users privacy, security and safety. Nwammuo intoned, Violence against women through facebook manifests in many forms ranging from the use of words, photographs and physical injury resulting to the death of many women... Such violence has led to emotional, psychological and physical torture of Nigerian women." The IPS source said that in their bid to look into gender based violence, ICTs and the role of media, Association for Progressive Communications (APC) Women and Inter Press Service (IPS) Africa hosted a media discussion on November 17 2010, tagged Click Against Violence: Taking 16 Days of Activism Online. Both ICT and VAW affect our capacity to completely enjoy our human rights and fundamental freedoms. Women and girls are increasingly experiencing violence when using the internet and mobile phones, said Jan Moolman from APC Womens Networking Support Programme (APC WNSP) who spoke about Protecting Womens Rights Online. Further, Jan Moolman, said, Acts of violence against women in the real world are replicated online, including cyber stalking, cyber bullying, surveillance and other acts that violate womens safety and privacy. ICTs are changing the ways in which women experience and respond to violence. Politicized Violence According to the source, Pratyoush Onta stated in his report: The mainstream media is very much politicized and it picks up women issues according to the political interest of patron political parties. Due to the lack of resources and trained work force, the media is not capable to produce widely impressive materials. Some of the women issues like trafficking, prostitution and rape come in the media just to create sensation. The media seem to be less concerned about women's issues and rights. Defining Violence Against Women But defining violence against women, the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, said, Violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led to domination over and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women, and that violence against women is one of the crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into a subordinate position compared with men. Some groups of women, such as belonging to minority groups, indigenous women, refugee women, migrant women, women living in rural or remote communities, destitute women, women in institutions or in detention, female children, disabled women, elderly women and women in situations of armed conflict, are especially vulnerable to violence. Mrs. Josephine Effa Chukwuma, the Executive Director of Project Alert on Violence Against Women, a Lagos-based organisation which is about 12 years old, said early this year that violence against women is a human rights abuse. Mrs. Effa wasnt just mouthing, she proved that she knew what she was talking about, being a specialist of English and Literary Studies, with a Masters degree in Development Studies obtained from The Netherlands in 1992, and concentrating on women and development and then International Law and Social Justice. Sensitizing Society On November 29 2016, the Educating Nigerian Girls in New Enterprise, ENGINE, a non-governmental organisation, NGO, hyped its initiative dubbed Walk of a 1000 Men, as part of measures to sensitize the society against some incongruous attitudes that women are treated with in the world and called for a stop to any forms of violence against women. The Chairperson of ENGINE, Mrs. Amina Salihu was worried, saying that the scheme was bent on addressing the causative factors of gender based aggression that often result to corporal, sexual, psychosomatic, unwritten harm or torment to women and girls. Mrs. Effa said that when a woman is being beaten by her husband or kicked around, that is torture! And, Chapter 4, of the Constitution governing the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which focuses on fundamental human rights says, Every Nigerian, man, woman or child, has a right to dignity of the human person, freedom from torture, etc., she said. In another vein, Lakshmi Puri, an international figure at the ACP-EU Parliamentary Assembly, 19 June 2013, said, "When one in three girls in developing countries is likely to be married as a child bride; when some 140 million girls and women have suffered female genital mutilation; when millions of women and girls are trafficked in modern-day slavery; and when womens bodies are a battleground and rape is used as a tactic of war it is time for action." Odimegwu Onwumere is an award-winning journalist based in Rivers State. Tel: +2348032552855. E-mail: [email protected] Reconstruction of health post buildings delayed The reconstruction of 41 health facilities buildings in Gorkha has been halted since last year due to negligence of NGOs and INGOs involved in the rebuilding works. Juba (AFP) - Veteran British pilot Maurice Kirk has had his share of mishaps flying vintage planes around the world, but even his maverick mettle was tested after crashing in war-torn South Sudan. Kirk, 71, was taking part in a rally flying vintage planes across Africa when he accidentally veered off course nearly two weeks ago, ending up in South Sudan instead of a town in Kenya just across the border. It was the second time he went missing during the rally -- whose exasperated organisers have disqualified him for his antics: flying with an unfit aircraft and broken compass, and forgetting all his maps in a Khartoum hotel. Stricken with malaria in the South Sudanese capital Juba, Kirk told AFP how he crash-landed in Kapoeta -- the site of violent clashes in July between warring parties in the country -- shortly after all the pilots were detained in Ethiopia for two days. "I was headed for Lokichogio (Kenya) and I simply ran out of daylight. I think I was suffering from malaria then and I had difficulties as a pilot-in-command. And I'm afraid I scratched her a little bit," he said. His rough landing left him with a puncture, broken propeller and other damage to his 1943 Piper Cub. Locked up by police Maurice Kirk was taking part in a rally flying vintage planes across Africa when he accidentally veered off course, ending up in South Sudan instead of a town in Kenya just across the border Kirk said he was "generally attacked" by locals when they stumbled upon him, slapping him around and herding him into the local police station. "They put me into a cubbyhole with no water, no bucket. And they left the lights on and the flies were everywhere," he said. "They kept me there for four or five days... And every time the embassy rang, they would stand to attention with the phone and comb their hair," he said. Kirk has been recounting his adventures on his Facebook page, issuing desperate pleas to save his plane and get spare parts shipped to him, while detailing his severe nausea and headaches before he was transported to Juba and diagnosed with malaria. "Malaria frightened me a lot," said the pilot who was injured in 2005 when he crash-landed in Japan on a solo bid to fly around the world in a vintage plane. He also crashed in the Caribbean in 2008. As he struggles to get a visa to legalise his presence in South Sudan, Kirk's biggest fear is that his plane will be stripped by locals. "I fear that because its upended, it's an ideal slide for the local children. It's very very old, it's older than me." 'The man is a legend' Sam Rutherford, organiser of the vintage plane rally which is expected to reach Cape Town in nine days, told AFP they were still trying to help Kirk despite his disqualification. "Nothing can be done with the plane until he is fit -- but it is likely to have been stripped before that happens... Very sad, but it's not a good place to leave an aeroplane damaged and unattended." Despite his ordeal, Kirk says he is "besotted" with the countries he has visited in Africa. While his maverick attitude angered many during the rally, he has plenty of fans on social media cheering him on and comparing him to adventurous aviators of old. "Maurice Kirk is never lost, he is just occasionally uncertain of his current location. The man is a legend!" one friend wrote on his Facebook page. Kirk, who dubs himself the Flying Vet for his days as a veterinarian, is a colourful character who parachuted into his own wedding and has also spent 20 years as a "chronic litigant" embroiled in dozens of court cases. After sinking in the Caribbean, where he was saved by US coastguards, he landed on the Texas ranch of then US president George W. Bush in 2008 to deliver a letter of thanks, and was promptly arrested and placed in a psychiatric clinic. After his experiences in South Sudan, Kirk is far from done with adventure. Kirk said he plans to fly his plane "to Mexico, to President Trump's wall" to ask permission to be allowed back in the United States. 07.12.2016 LISTEN Readers of this column of mine may have been starved of my teachings for a while seeing as its now been over two months since I last posted any article here. But then, just this past Sunday afternoon, I woke up from a short nap and was compelled to further engage my thoughts on matters relating to the above caption to this article which Id been meditating on and putting into bits of writing for a while. Then, I jumped out of bed and walked to my desk very determined to finish typing out this article so as to have it made available on my column to readers on December 7, 2016, as Ghana goes to the polls to vote in a Presidential and Parliamentary Election, and also for my readers to chew on in the early days of year 2017 as well. Incidentally, I could only continue with my typing after being drawn to read an article that caught my eye on the internet posted by The Federalist and titled, Calling Catholicism A Middle Ages Dictatorship Is Laughably Ignoranta somewhat interesting political article which you may also like to read. So then, here is the URL to it: http://thefederalist.com/2016/10/30/calling-catholicism-middle-ages-dictatorship-laughably-ignorant. I am sure you too would be awed, as I had been myself, by the breathtaking photo that goes with the article showing a company of Roman Catholics marked with thick crosses (of ash?) on their foreheads (purporting to mean that they are sealed for Heaven?) gathered in a very sombre mood!! Well, did you ever have anyone say to you: I am a Catholic; and I will die a Catholic?? Maybe, you are a Protestant Christian who wanted to reach out to a Roman Catholic who seemed to be in no way enthused about your faith and therefore snarled at you with these words!! For me, I have heard these words on many occasions; not from one person, two, or even three, but from several people who vouched and swore to me by Jove that they would die while living the Roman Catholic tradition! And I am sure if you have been around Earth for as long as I have been, or even longer, you too would definitely have heard of a lot more Catholics than I have, who have similarly expressed their passion about their religion! Now, if you are like I had naively been in time past, in not weighing such statements by Roman Catholics, and thus failing to understand or appreciate their passion in and by such words concerning their faith, I will in this article share some things with you which could be of spiritual value in your relationship with Catholicsthat is, for those of you readers who are non-Catholic Christiansand this sharing of mine could yet even be of value for Roman Catholics as well! The words of the caption to my article imply that any good or bad Protestant Christian and any good or bad Roman Catholic, depending on your judgment of any of them, all stand the same before the Creator!! This statement may seem to be an irritating, hard and or harsh one for many, particularly Protestant Christians, to take in. However, I wish to entreat every serious-minded truth seeker who reads this article to continue to its end since the proof to this assertion, which is based on two major facts or reasons, is given herein! The first reason that draws me to the conclusion that every Protestant Christian is as good as any Roman Catholic can be traced to the very origin of Christianity, in ca. 320 CE (Common Era), when Roman Catholicism was the only denomination and brand of Christianity at the time; and so, everything Christianity was in effect all and everything about Roman Catholicism! Therefore, Roman Catholicism produced Christianity in much the same way as can be said that Christianity produced Roman Catholicism!! Later on in 1517 CE when Martin Luther fought what he perceived as evils in Roman Catholicism, thinking rather narrow mindedly that it was Roman Catholicism per se that had grown to produce these evils which had to be fought and eradicated at all cost, he very much misdirected his zeal and energy! Rather, Martin Luther ought to have waged his war against the very faith which established Roman Catholicism, which is Christianity, and not against Roman Catholicism alone! It seems to me that Martin Luther thought Christianity was good and that it was Roman Catholicism, together with its leadership, which was bad and evil-laden!! But then, Martin Luther ought to have known that Roman Catholicism was just a vessel that was used to hold and propagate Christianity; and that any vessel other than Roman Catholicism which was also used to contain the tenets of Christianity would breed the very same evils that he had identified and fought in Roman Catholicism! Well, no one today should blame Martin Luther in this error and misdirection of his energy, simply because history is fully replete with situations when acts committed by zealous and well-meaning men were later judged not to have been driven by revelation knowledge, and thus brought disastrous consequences to their followers! Failing to identify the root causes of whatever evils Martin Luther found in Roman Catholicism, he went ahead to break away to form what was later on known as the Protestant Reformation Movement (PRM). Yes, the PRM was probably devoid of the 95 numbered evils Martin Luther claimed to have identified in Roman Catholicism, but could these, if indeed they were evils, possibly be the ONLY evils that plagued Roman Catholicism at the time?? How about if there existed in Roman Catholicism at the time much more than the 95 evils Martin Luther claimed to have identified?? What if the evils in Catholicism were, say, 100 in total?? Certainly, that would mean then that Luthers PRM had five other unidentified evils left in it as its heritage from Roman Catholicism, to fester and ultimately render the PRM also evil!! And as you must know, a little leaven leavens the whole lumpcf. Qorintiyim Echad (First Corinthians?) 5:6 and Galatiyim (Galatians?) 5:9! Also, we read more in this regard in the scriptures, perhaps in a converse form, thus; . . . whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all!!cf. Yaakov (James?) 2:10. So then, it was not long after the PRM came into being that its true nature and colors, and value or relevance, began to be seen of it! The PRM imploded because of the little leaven residue left within its DNA as its inheritance from its parent stockRoman Catholicismand then, it began to gradually evolve to become the now hydra-headed, conglomeration of denominations in Protestant Christianity that we see today! All of these denominations, even though verbally anti-parent (Roman Catholicism) and rebellious to their origins, are unable to live in unity and at peace with each other as belonging to one same PRM and begotten of one leader (Martin Luther)!! The question one must ask is: If Luthers PRM had at its inception anything better in spiritual value and content than Roman Catholicism, why the schism, divisions, fragmentations and animosity which immediately characterized it after its birth, and which have continued and worsened on to today?? It is plainly obvious that the PRM is today still living out the character and very nature that brought it forthutter spiritual blindness, a never ending intolerance, rebellion and breakaways! Hence, it is easy to see the obvious lack of spiritual cohesion of the PRM member denominations of Pentecostals, the Charismatic Movement, Anglicans, Methodists, Churches of Christ, Baptists, Evangelicals, dyed-in-the-wool Lutherans, Churches of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Jehovahs Witnesses, and what have you, all of which are only anti-Catholic Protestants by mouth, but are the same as raw Roman Catholicism by deeds and values! Before you protest against me for saying that Roman Catholicism and todays PRM are the same, you must first be able to take away the unholy unity, oneness and agreement they have among them as defined by the word Church and through them all being followers of a certain Jesus Christ, who they claim to be the Savior-Son of the Most Highwords, all of which are of earthly and post-Babel origin, and therefore only of the effect of promoting confusion on Earth today, just as happened at Babel of mans historic past! So then, if the PRM and Roman Catholicism are of the same beliefs, in so far as the name Jesus Christ and the word Churchwhich are their pillars to every brand of Christianity (whether Roman Catholic or Protestant)are concerned, then did Martin Luther not just take his followers out of a frying pan and right into the fire?? You see, Roman Catholicism and the PRM both agree, though wrongly, that the Goy (Gentile) words, JESUS CHRIST, constitute the name of the Savior who was begotten by Ivri (Hebrew) parents in Yisroel! Agreeing to believe in the Goy name JESUS CHRIST as the name of the Savior, they (Catholics and Protestants) ignore the fact that, before the Savior was born to Earth, a strict message was delivered from Elohiym through a malak (angel?) to his would-be parents on two occasions instructing them to name him, when born, with the same Ivrit (Hebrew tongue) name by which the Saviors own Av (Father) in Shamayim (Heaven?) had named and addressed him, long before his incarnation to Earth!! What Martin Luther should therefore have done was to expunge JESUS CHRIST from Roman Catholicism, which, in his day and even beyond his days, was all and everything known as Christianity, simply because of the name CHRIST fabricated by men as being the name of the Savior in order to create Roman Catholicism!! Part II This expunction of the name JESUS CHRIST from Roman Catholicism would have opened the eyes of all followers of Martin Luther in his day, and particularly those today, to the obvious fact that even the word Christianity does not exist in any English Bible and thus, reveal the fact that the English Bible does not even hint of teaching any subject matter on Christianity! That would have furthermore led mankind to know that Christianity, whether Roman Catholicism or Protestantism, could never bring about salvation to mankind! And then, Roman Catholicism, and for that matter Christianity, would have died instantly, to make way for the return or restoration to mankind of the pure, holy, saving message (or faith) ever known, subscribed to, and lived by all the men who walked, talked, ate and slept with the Savior when he was on Earth! This same message of salvation is what was preached by these foremost followers of the Savior after his ascension and was thus accepted by all salvation seekers of the first century, up until the fourth century, when Christianity (the public enemy spearheaded by Roman Catholicism) came into being to destroy the purity and sanctity of that saving message. Now, it must be known that the faith which saved everyone of the followers of the Savior as a result of his (the Saviors) teachings to them was, at the time and even long before the Saviors coming to Earth, known among the children of Yisroel as HaDerekh (The Way)cf. Beresheet (Genesis?) 3:24, Shemot (Exodus?) 32:6, Malakhi (Malachi?) 2:8, YahuKhanan (John??) 14:6, and Maasim (Acts?) 24:14and that HaDerekh (the way) at its inception never had any relation to any non-existent phantom going by the name JESUS CHRIST and or whatever is termed Christianity today. And so, HaDerekh ALONE will continue to save any sinner today and tomorrow, without any involvement of the name JESUS CHRIST or the religion called Christianity!! Note that HaDerekh is NOT the same as what theologians have termed Judaism, by their erroneous descriptions and misrepresentations, as being the saving faith of the children of Yisroel in their historic past, or even what will save any one of them today! Note here too that Judaism is a Goy word whose origin can be traced to Babel; and thus, it has no value or significance in defining the saving faith crafted by Yahuwah Elohiym and kept in His mind long before the happenings of Babel, so as to be revealed in Ivrit and executed in due time, firstly, for the good of Yisroel and, subsequently, for all mankind!! Please, read Maasim (Acts?) 24:14 carefully to learn what definition Shaul (Saul? or Paul??), a shliakh (apostle?) of the Savior, gives to HaDerekh so as to know and to understand that Christianity was never mentioned anywhere in the scriptures as an item of faith for salvation and thus has no value or relevance to mankinds salvation! You see, it was when the last of the men who walked and talked with the Savior at the time he was on Earth with mankindprecisely, YahuKhanan the beloved, (John??), who passed-on or slept while he was imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos in ca. 100 CE, in fulfillment of the word of the Savior in MattithYahu (Matthew?) 13:24-30, 37-43that Christianity was born, in a place far away from YahuSalem, by, of and for a Goyim-only following! Can you imagine that?? Could there ever be a faith or religion worthy of and for mankinds salvation which originates from outside of YahuSalen in Yisroel and which goes by the Goy name JESUS CHRIST, and yet has any children of Yisroel subscribe to it for their salvation?? There could never be such a faith acceptable to Yisroel! So then, no Torah-believing children of Yisroel can ever be Christians in order to believe in the Goy-name JESUS CHRIST as belonging to a so-called Savior of mankind! It must therefore be forcefully taught that because Christians are obviously the products or intended harvests of Christianity, they are thus the tares that are revealed in MattithYahu 13:24-30, 37-43, and that it does not really matter at all whether one is a good or bad Roman Catholic, or of any one of the countless denominations that Martin Luthers PRM has produced! For, whether Roman Catholic or Protestant, the value is the sametares that are only fit and destined for blazing firesfor they are all Christians!! The only little difference between Protestant Christians and Roman Catholics is that, one may be a good Roman Catholic while the other, even if a good Protestant, is the bad Roman Catholic!! Is anybody cautioned in this?? Now let me give the second reason why I deem every Protestant Christian to be the same as any Roman Catholic! As said earlier, right from the beginning of this article, the Roman Catholic Church came into being as a man-made organization centuries after the ascension of Yahushua! Now, this man-made religion was so cleverly crafted and structured so as to enable it draw all mankind into it with the unholy power of the Roman Empire aiding it; at times brutishly!! This objective of man-made Roman Catholicism is clearly stated in the article of The Fideralist , written by a passionate and practicing Roman Catholic, which I referred to in my introduction to this article. The relevant parts of this article are quoted here, thus: The Catholic Church . . . has been around for what feels like forever, everyone has an opinion about it, its accustomed to stinging criticism, but its not going anywhere. . . . It embraces one-fifth of the whole human race, in every culture, far exceeding the reach of the Roman Empire. It has outlasted every human institution on earth, including the second-place contender, the Chinese Empire. The church has watched history unfolding, changed its course, and in turn has been changed itself. . . .(2016). See? It is very clear that there is no hand of the Creator in the coming to Earth of Roman Catholicism! It is the Roman Empire that created Roman Catholicism!! Yes indeed, the Roman Catholic Church can boast of being bigger and more powerful than even what established itthe authority of the erstwhile Roman Empiresimply because the Roman Empire established Roman Catholicism to suck up people of every culture into it, and it has greatly succeeded in this objective. And since it was said earlier on that Christianity has always been the other name for Roman Catholicism, then, all Christianity [Roman Catholicism] is, clearly, the modern day Roman Empire!! Just open your eyes wide to behold the frontiers of Roman Catholicism [Christianity] for you to accept my assertion! Spiritually, only true children of Yisroel are alienated from this Roman EmpireRoman Catholicism and Protestantism put together to form Christianity!! Well, Roman Catholicism or Christianity may seem to look good to many simple-minded people. This is so, because, Christianity deceitfully portrays to all its adherents that whatever doctrines it teaches and whatever tenets it holds are endorsed by the Creator and have even originated from Him! In teaching such a deception, Christianity has had the English Bible (a most popular version of it being termed the Authorized Version aka the King James Version) as its power of attorney from the Creator! Many people easily subscribe to Roman Catholicism and or Protestant Christianity simply because they know that the Creator would have all men become united as one, in and by the name of His son as their Savior. Unfortunately, they (Catholics and Protestants) do not know that long before the foundations of the Earth were laid, the Most High One named His only begotten son as Yahushua, and that the will and purpose of the Most High One in naming His son Yahushua was to enable this unity among all kindred of Earth to come about for all who believe in this name! So then, such people (Christians!) are wrong in their beliefs and profession of the Goy name JESUS CHRIST as being what name they think or suppose is able to unite mankind, spiritually, to a good end!! As already stated, the true name of the Savior is Yahushua and this name could never be the same as JESUS CHRIST, simply because there is no either or with the Most High One!! You see, the kingdom of Elohiym, the Creator [who, by the way, never revealed His name to anyone to be the Goy word God!], is ONLY established in Shamayim (Heaven?), by and of the name Yahushua long before Creation! On the Earth-side of Creation, however, the kingdom of men (and of the devil??) seems to have been founded on, by and of, the name JESUS CHRIST, a phantom spirit! May all be guided and guarded by this plain truth! Let me say that the English Bible, which both Protestant and Roman Catholic Christians consider to be the infallible word of the Most High One, and have thus adopted as their constitution, and which they also see as a holy handbook and guide to life in Eternity with the Most High One in a soon-to-commence Eternity, is only a forgery and, thus, bereft of truth!! Part III Evidence that the English Bible is bereft of truth can be seen from the many versions and editions that it has at any one time; all of which are constantly working at perfecting its content in attempts at making it worthy and safer for the consumption of its readers! If the English Bible were the true word of the Most High One and, thus, intended by Him to be believed for salvation, why would we have so many versions of it, constantly evolving into new editions in order to improve on its content, with even the so-called amplified versions all aimed at convincing mankind to believe them for salvationfor who can revise, edit, and, or amplify the word of the Most High One on His behalf?? And what at all can human wisdom do that would be of any value to and worthy of honoring the Creator when mankind has not been mandated and led to do so by the Most High One, such as mankind did in the past and is still even doing today in translating the holy word of the scriptures from their Ivrit origin to any of the post-Babel languages of Earth?? You see, the English Bible is a translation of an initially holy, pure, clear and perfectly correct word of Elohiym that was delivered by Him in Ivrit to the children of Yisroel to be their guide on how they must live their lives on Earth, so as to receive His blessings and be on HaDerekh to the bosom of their father Avraham and ultimately to Him in Shamayim. Now, every word that can be attributed to Elohiym must therefore be proven to have come out of His mouth in Ivrit to the hearing of an Ivrim (a Hebrew man) and or that He inspired an Ivrit-speaking holy Ivrim in visions and or dreams to pen such words in Ivrit as His messages and instructions, meant originally for the Ivrit-only speaking nation of Yisroel! And this is the plain truth because everything of and about Elohiym, His son, and His kingdom first existed and was fully described and recorded in Ivrit in books, sealed and kept by Him in Shamayim, long before Creation and the subsequent proliferation of man-made languages of post-Babel origin, value and effect! So then, no part of any book attributable to Elohiym could be of any origin other than Ivrit; which is the only language Elohiym and His son, and all their holy loyal malakim (angels?) ever speak, in and out of Shamayim! Neither Elohiym nor HaBen (the son) would condescend to using any man-made language of the Goyim (Gentiles) of Earth in communicating their will to mankind nor would even permit any of their malakim to deliver any message from them in a Goyim language to anyone on Earth!! In fact, the only lingua franca in Shamayim is Ivrit, just as is the same in Yisroel, which is an extension and or embassy of Shamayim to Earth and exclusively owned by Elohiym!! So then, the assertion by theologians that some parts of their English Biblenotably Ezra and Daniel, and the entire New Testament narrativeswere first written (after first being inspired??) in Aramaic and Greek, respectively, before being translated into English is one made in complete ignorance about the ways of Elohiym, and thus seeks to render such portions of scripture as uninspired by Yahuwah Elohiym!! The ignorance of theologians about the fact that Elohiym and HaBen speak ONLY Ivrit and never any Goy tongue, coupled with the fact that no one translator ever had the mandate of Elohiym to translate His Ivrit-revealed word into any Goy language, has misled salvation seekers into believing an English Bible that is devoid of the wisdom of Elohiym and therefore cannot render salvation to even the most diligent subscriber of its narratives! So then, I can confidently say that what has actually been denied salvation seekers, through the translations of the scriptures from Ivrit to any of the post-Babel languages of Earth, is the very power they seek to save them! In as much as the English Bible is totally bereft of power to save mankind from sin and has only become a book of stories that can only tickle the minds of its readers, every Christianall of whom belong to any one of the numerous brands of Protestantism and Roman Catholicismwho is depending on the English Bible for salvation will definitely be disappointed at the end of time!! And in this disappointment, all breeds of Protestants and good or bad Roman Catholics will share equally its shame!! Now, let me point out just seven practices common to both Protestant Christians and Roman Catholicscoming from the fact that they both wrongly consider the English Bible as the word of the Creator, and, thus swallow it hook, line and sinkerany one of which takes any salvation seeker off course, unawares, and eventually unto the bosom of the deceiver!! Let us first look at events and happenings that were associated with the Savior in the last hours to his sacrificial death on Earth. First, let us consider the event of his last meal with his talmidim (disciples?), the night before his sacrificial death and how both Protestant Christians and Roman Catholics wrongly celebrate what they deem to be a memorial of this event. Yes, indeed, the Savior institutionalized the celebration of this meal as a memorial in remembrance of his deaththat is, that his holy life and body which were given up in sacrifice for the remission of the sin of mankind must always be celebrated in his memory. And as everyone must know, no memorial is of any daily, weekly or even monthly essence, value, or benefit! And so, the choice by Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians to celebrate this last meal of the Savior as either a daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly event, just by their whims, makes such practices of no relevance to the actual instructions of Yahushua to all seekers of his salvation desiring liberation of their lives from bondage to the devil as to when, where and why they must celebrate the memory of this last meal! The obvious lack of appreciation and or understanding of the specific instructions of the Savior to celebrate the last supper has turned all Christians into ignorant folks who zealously think to turn the mandated celebration of an evening meal (the Last Supper) into a Sunday morning breakfast! Sadly, all this misguided faith of Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians has come about as a result of them holding tenaciously onto the English Bible, as though it contained the infallible word of the Creator! The translation of the holy and pure Ivrit word of Yahuwah Elohiym into English (or any other Goy language), which are all done without His mandate and supervision, has caused the actual meaning of the word of the Creator which He uttered in Ivrit to be lost! Had Englishmen, who are todays de facto generals of a later-day Roman Empire, not translated the Ivrit word of Yahuwah into English, whatever instructions Yahuwah Elohiym gave to the children of Yisroel for observance of, say, the feast Khag Pesakh (which can never be same as Passover!) on their last night in Mitzrayim (Egypt), in remembrance of how He delivered them from bondage, would never have been lost to salvation seekers today in the actual meaning and essence of the Last Supper! And then, salvation seekers today would have discerned from the events the children of Yisroel observed at the behest of Yahuwah Elohiym on their last night in Mitzrayim what the Last Supper of Yahushua stood for, physically and spiritually, and its relevance and power as being the memorial of the Saviors sacrificial death which he willingly permitted in order for mankind to come into the provisions for an eternal salvation from the devil, as established by Yahuwah Elohiym! And then, all the ignorance of Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians, which has misled them into celebrating a Last Supper that was meant to be the Khag Pesakh in private homes, in every evening that commenced the eternally fixed date of Nisan 14 of every year of the Ivri calendar, into todays weird celebrations of no significance in date and time, and which are done at venues away from and outside of homes, could have been avoided!! Now, if the destiny of the saved is tied to the strict observance of the Khag Pesakh at its appointed time and mannerwhich feast is what was fulfilled by Savior Yahushua in his death for and on behalf of all his genuine followers at the time and in the futurehow then are the destinies of Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians any different, since they both err in every issue associated with the Last Supper, and the Khag Pesakh for that matter?? Part IV Let me go on to reveal my second practice or belief of both Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians that makes them of no difference to each other, since this belief does not inure to the spiritual benefit of any salvation seeker. The second issue that binds all Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians together as one people of common destiny is known collectively to them as the Cross! This cross is thought to have been originally made out of two wooden timber beams of unequal lengths that were nailed together in a perpendicular fashion to each other, with the vertical component being much longer than the horizontal beam. It is onto such a man-made cross that all Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians strongly believe that the Savior was nailed, with his arms fully stretched out along either sides of the horizontal beam and left to die, hanging, in his self-willed sacrifice for the salvation of mankind!! However, I can confidently say that the cross is one of the biggest deceptions of Christianity! You see, everything that had to befall or happen to the Savior in his days on Earth had an antecedent to it revealed in the Tanakh (Old Testament?) and or was even foretold as a nevuah (prophecy?) destined to happen to him! But, nowhere in all the Tanakh do we learn of a cross upon which the Savior was to die in sacrifice for the remission of the sins of mankind. In a revelation by the Savior himself about his death and how it was to bring healing and life to all who would believe in his true name, mission to Earth and death, he likened this spiritual healing to one that came to any children of Yisroel who, upon being bitten by a snake during their wilderness journey from Mitzrayim to Canaan, would look at a replica of a snake made of brass by Moshe (Moses?) and hung on a pole (not a cross!) so as to be forever healed of the effects of the snake bite and, ultimately, of all diseases caused by the devil (the old serpent), in and by the Saviors own sacrificecf. Bamidbar (Numbers?) 21:8-9 and YahuKhanan (John??) 3:14-15!! So then, if the Savior made reference to a pole (or even a tree, as seen in other parts of scripture) as being the natural item of creation upon which his bruised body was to be hanged to die a slow asphyxiated death, then where from this idea of a man-made cross of Roman Catholics and all Protestant Christians?? I bet you; the cross is the idea of the Roman Empire which established Roman Catholicism and also later on gave birth to Protestantism as an offshoot to Roman Catholicism!! Any belief in and veneration of the cross is, thus, an honor rendered to the memory of the Roman Empire!! You see, the armies of the Roman Empire had, as their banner, a wooden cross with a band of white cloth arranged to loosely hang on the two horizontal arms of this wooden cross; and borne or held aloft as a flag in the lead of any invading infantry or cavalry and on masts of their ships to herald their advance. It is this emblem of the armies of the Roman Empire which was adapted by its Commander-in-Chief, Emperor Constantine, into a so-called cross of crucifixion upon which the Savior is said to have been nailed to his death, an event that had happened more than two centuries earlier!! By this, Emperor Constantine made Christianity one and the same with his Empireand thus the reason why Roman Catholicism or Christianity is forever intrinsically related to the Roman Empire. History shows that the cross was used in Goy lands as a symbol of idol worship many centuries before the coming of the Savior and the birth of Emperor Constantine. For example, there is in the British Museum a statue of the Assyrian king Samsi-Vul, who was the son of Shalmaneser, around whose neck is an almost perfect Maltese cross!! An accompanying figure to that of Samsi-Vul is that of Ashur-nasir-pal, also bearing a similar cross. These give evidence to the popularity of the cross among Assyrian pagan idol worshippers long before the death of the Savior! Again, in this British Museum, a statute of the ancient Greek goddess Diana is pictured with a cross over her head, in much the same way the "Virgin Mary" of Roman Catholics is represented by many medieval artists. Bacchus, the Greek idol in charge of wine, is often pictured wearing a headdress adorned with crosses. Also, long before the coming of the Savior, the use of cross symbols in idol worship was a popular practice among the people of Egypt!! So then, it is obvious that the use of the cross as a symbol of veneration was an adaptation into Christianity by Emperor Constantine, who established Christianity three centuries after the death of the Savior! No evidence exists of any followers of the Savior using the symbol of the cross before the time of Christianity in the fourth century!! In fact, there is absolutely no evidence that the first century followers of the Savior ever used the cross symbol for any purpose. Nowhere does the holy Ivrit word of Yahuwah Elohiym command its use! But then, the word of Yahuwah Elohiym surely would have instructed it if He expected this of His children!! You see, there are only two ways approved by Yahuwah Elohiym by which anyone deserving of death, due to any violation of His Torah (instructions or laws), was to be put to death by his fellow members of the house of Yisroelthat is, by stoning or hanging on a tree! In the manner of hanging on a tree, we see this in Devarim (Numbers?) 21:8-9, Yehoshua (Joshua?) 8:29 and in all testimonies by eye witnesses of the Saviors death as are recorded in Maasim (Acts?) 5:30, 10:39, 13:29, Galatiyim (Galatians) 3:13 and Kefa Echad (First Peter??) 2:24! Note that this hanging was never done by the neck of the one to be executed, in which case his death would normally have been very quick and almost instantaneous! This hanging was, however, done by having the wrists of the ones hands clasped over each other in a position over the head in order for the one to be executed to die slowly by a gradual and progressive malfunction, culminating in failure or collapse of his internal organs! So then, the evolution today of silvery crucifixes worn by all kinds of Christian Clergymen, purporting to portray them as a manner in which the Savior died on a so-called cross, only advertizes deception and misinformation! And since Yahuwah Elohiym deceives no one, but it is His enemy who deceives people, it means then that any Christian who is misled to be infatuated in displaying his love for and attachment to the cross is simply living in bondage and service to the devil!! Seriously, one must begin to think of all the zealous veneration and worship people give to the cross and crucifixes by kissing them, dangling them upon their chests and stomachs from necklaces and often tucking them into their breast pockets, all of which is done in ignorance of the fact that they are being deceived by the devil, and that such people are actually in his service!! One must also think if there be anything of holy spiritual value or essence in the open display of crosses on the pinnacles to the roofs of church buildings of Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians, as well as on pulpits, doors, items of clothing, finger and ear rings, book covers, decorations and drawings, coffins for the dead, tombstones, and whatever property conceivable as relating to Christianity or belonging to Christians! It is sad that the cross, which is a man-made object, is believed by Christians to have spiritual value and power and is thus worshiped and venerated in much the same way as any idol in paganism is worshipped by pagans! And yet, neither Roman Catholics nor Protestant Christians know, think or see any evil in this?? Oh my!! The simple ordinary cross of yesterday, which was made of wood and available to ordinary members of Protestant Christianity and Roman Catholicism alike, has today evolved into many kinds with very complex designs, flamboyance and sizes, as distinguishing features, meant for use according to the hierarchical order of church clergymen and other church officers!! It seems to me that the size, complexity of design and ornamental value of the cross one dangles from ones neck also connote ones level of spiritual fervor or power, ranking, reverence that must be accorded the one by all ordinary or lower-ranked fellow members of the ones church, as well as ones influence, etc, in ones church! Well, I must say this value and reverence accorded to the cross is equally the same among Roman Catholics, and Protestant Christianswho deceive themselves and all others in claiming to be anti-Catholic, while holding unto the ideals of Roman Catholicism regarding the cross!! Today, the cross is displayed as a piece of jewelry in ear and finger rings, necklaces, wrist, arm and ankle bangles, etc, as amulets by the rich and affluent so-called celebrities and high class professionals of circular music and the movie industry, many of whom indulge in all kinds of despicable obscene behavior, thus revealing the cross as nothing of any holy spiritual value ever since it was used to establish Christianity!! The wearing of crosses by well-known brazen Satanists of the art, music and film industry reveals it as having become mature in its intents of deception, and thus takes all who adorn it on their bodies and other objects into full blast idol worship! May every truth seeker beware of this! It is sad to note that history has been allowed to repeat itself in this worship of the cross! Just as the brazen serpentwhich was made and hung on a pole under the instruction of Yahuwah Elohiym by Moshe during the wilderness journey of Yisroel in order to bring healing from snake biteslater on became a symbol of idolatry to ensnare Yisroel, so has a supposed cross, on which it is claimed that the Savior died, become to Christians! For many centuries after the death of Moshe, this brazen serpent was worshipped as an idol by the children of Yisroelwho saw nothing wrong in thisuntil the advent of the holy rule of king KhizkiYahu (Hezekiah?) who deemed the practice as idolatrous and an affront to the ways of Yahuwah Elohiym and thus saw to its destruction, as we learn from the accounts of Melekim Sheni (Second Kings??) 18:4!! In these evil days of mankinds existence on Earth, may the mercies of Yahuwah Elohiym inspire the destruction of the cross, an idol of worship for both Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians, in order to rid the Earth of the evil that is spread by the veneration of the cross by ignorant, over-zealous and deceived seekers of salvation! Part V And now, to the third issue that is believed by both Roman Catholics and Protestants which, will soon become manifest to all of them as being detrimental to their quest for salvation! For centuries, Christianity has wrongly taught that the Savior was sacrificed on a Friday in the month and year of his death and then buried in the evening of that same Friday; and that he resurrected at the dawn of the Sunday following this supposed Friday evening burial! However, that is a very serious evil to preach since that would invalidate the entire scripture in MattithYahu (Matthew?) 12:40, the fulfillment of which was and is meant to give the irrefutable proof that Yahushua, the Savior, was indeed the MashakhYahu (Masayah? or Messiah??), the anointed of Yahuwah, whom He sent from Shamayim (Heaven?) on a mission to HaAretz (the Earth)! Or is it that all Christian clergymen of both Protestant and Roman Catholic persuasions, down through the ages to date, all have a math challenge?? Do they not see the obvious impossibility of being able to obtain a correct count of three days and three nightsas MattithYahu 12:40 reveals must be the proof that Yahushua is forever the MashakhYahuif indeed the Savior was buried in the evening of a Friday and then resurrected in the ensuing Sunday dawn?? You see, any Friday evening (at 6:00pm) to an ensuing Sunday dawn (even if at 6:00am) only has within that time span and thus can only manifest a correct count of one night (of 12 hours), one day time (of 12 hours), and then, one more night period (of 12 hours); totaling only a half (that is, 36 hours) of the required time span of 72 hours for three days and three nights to ensure an unchallengeable resurrection of the Savior! Besides this obvious error that Christian clergymen of both Roman Catholic and Protestant denominations have preached and lived with for centuries, without anything prompting them of their error, is also the fact that no one who is buried in an evening hour can have his expected resurrection hour fulfilled at any time other than the same evening hour during which the one was buried! So then, if Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians both believe in a JESUS CHRIST as their Savior, whose death they claim to have happened on a Friday and his resurrection on an early Sunday morning, then their faiths have clearly established their Savior JESUS CHRIST as fake and an imposter; and they both live in a common deception of same evil consequences!! No doubt, the flagship sermon of all Christian clergymen is one that is centered on their own understanding [misunderstanding?] of the times (hours) of death, burial, and resurrection of the Savior! This flagship sermon is what they preach to their listeners, intending to lead them into the salvation of Elohiym; which is only available in the true name Yahushua! However, because they base their sermons on their erroneous belief that the Savior, after being sacrificed, was buried on a Friday evening and that he resurrected on a Sunday morning, this flagship sermon of theirs benefits nobody! Despite preaching this error, leaders of both Protestant and Roman Catholic denominations often go further to teach that if the Savior never resurrected from the dead, then Christians would have been the most pitiful people on Earth; for they (Christians) would have remained in their sinswithout a credible Saviorand thus, would have remained unsaved!! And yet, in all this, they fail to see or recognize the obvious impossibility of obtaining a correct count of three days and three nights between their much-acclaimed Friday evening burial and the following Sunday morning, which would thus render their Sunday dawn resurrection fake and therefore of the same value, consequence and effect as no resurrection having happened at all!! For, who can ever be saved by believing falsehood and deceptionparticularly, the deception of a Sunday dawn resurrection, when, in actual fact, this resurrection occurred at the evening hour that commenced the observance of Shabbat on the Seventh [last] Day of the Week (6:00pm Friday), in the week and month in the year it happened?? Dear reader, let me try to lay bare the facts of the death, burial, and resurrection times (hours) of the Savior in the year in which these events occurred, which may have been hid from you all this while! First of all, let me state that the year in which these events took place was 2028 FC (From Creation) according to calendar of Yahuwah which the children of Yisroel have lived by in the past and even still do today! The month in year 2028 FC in which all these happenings took place was Nisan (aka Aviv) and this is the first month of the calendar of Yisroel. Furthermore, the date of the Last Supper of the Savior on Earth was Nisan 13, 2028 FC! This date, like every other day (date), commenced at the sunset hour of 6:00pm and came to an end at the next 6:00pm in order to give way for Nisan 14, the eternally fixed day for Khag Pesakh (feast of Passover??), to commence in all Yisroel!! So then, from the sunset hour that preceded the Saviors eating of his Last Supper on Earth, through to his arrest in a grove outside the walls of the YahuSalem, to his unfair trial in the courts of Pontius Pilate and Herod, and finally to his crucifixion on Hor Gulgotha, it must be understood that all these events occurred in the one same day of Nisan 13, 2028 FC, and also that this same day was the preparation day for all children of Yisroel towards the celebration of Khag Pesakh, a feast set by Yahuwah Elohiym, which by Torah law must commence at the sunset hour (of 6:00pm) which ushers in Nisan 14 in every year!! Therefore, the Savior was hanged to die in the afternoon of Nisan 13 and thus gave up his spirit toward the sundown of Nisan 13 which preceded the coming in of Nisan 14, 2028 FC. Now, at exactly the sunset time of 6:00pm that ushered in Nisan 14, 2028 FC, the lifeless body of the Savior had been laid to rest in a tomb and a tomb stone rolled over the tombs entrance! This time of securing the tomb was determined, supervised and remote-controlled from Shamayim (Heaven?) by Yahuwah Elohiym to coincide perfectly with the very time the cadavers of all lambs killed for Khag Pesakh found their way into the private homes of the children of Yisroel and, then, with all front doors shut behind them, the activities marking the celebrations of Khag Pesakh commenced in earnest!! So then, at exactly the 6:00pm hour at which Nisan 15, 2028 FC was born, the Savior had been in his tomb for one full day of one nighttime period of twelve hours and one daytime period of twelve hours! Therefore, at exactly the 6:00pm hour at which Nisan 17, 2028 FC began, the Savior had accomplished all the three days and three nights mandated by his Av, Yahuwah Elohiym, for him to be in the belly of the Earth, in proof that he was and is, indeed, the MashakhYahu (Masayah? or Messiah??) according to the revelation of His word in MattithYahu (Matthew?) 12:40, and also coinciding perfectly with the 6:00pm hour of his burial!! The resurrection of the Savior therefore had to happen according to the predetermined will of Yahuwah Elohiym exactly at the 6:00pm hour which brought Nisan 17, 2028 FC into being and not at some dawn or early morning hour!! Now, I can say with all certainty that Nisan 17, 2028 FC fell on a Seventh Day of the Weeka Shabbat!! In all certainty again and also as born by historical record, the resurrection of the Savior happened at the exact point in time that Nisan 17, 2028 FC commenced; and this date was never a first day of the week (Sunday?)cf. YahuKhanan (John??) 21:1but a Seventh Day of the Week Shabbat instead!! Part VI You see, since no one in the kingdom of Yahuwah Elohiym ever works on any Shabbat day, it was not possible for Yahushua, the Savior, to be in the tomb on the Shabbat (Saturday??), still doing the work he came to Earth to execute for the salvation of mankind, and only to resurrect in some early morning hour on the first day of the week (Sunday??), as is taught by Roman Catholics and Protestant Christiansa teaching which is without any iota of logic and is in obvious violation of the Torah-laws of Yahuwah Elohiym concerning Shabbat! It must now be clear to readers that it was impossible for Yahushua to be awakened from the dead by his Av (Father) on the first day of the week (Sunday? or Sun Day??) and, more impossibly so, in the early morning of this supposed Sun Day! A few more words would later on be said about the fallacy in an early morning Sun Day resurrection for the Savior being touted by Christian clergymen, but let me point out one catastrophic effect of believing this fallacy now! Sadly, this fallacy has doomed both Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians, and yet they all seem not to be aware of it as a falsehood! How hard it is to come by truth!! This particular fallacy in an early Sun Day morning resurrection constitutes my fourth identified deception of the devil which I seek to reveal in this article! It is heart-breaking to know that this deception has been lived with so much relish by both Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians for centuries!! This particular deception lies in a certain wrong and evil teaching that the Shabbat law of the Torah has become defunct since the death of the Savior, and that Sun Day is now sanctified and mandated by Yahuwah Elohiym as the day in which mankind must worship Him!! Obviously, this veneration of Sunday over and above the Seventh Day of the Week Shabbat by all Christians today, and even since time immemorial, is because all Christians have been deceived to think that the resurrection of the Savior happened on a Sunday dawn, which has thus deemphasized the Seventh Day of the Week Shabbat [day] worship mandated by Yahuwah Elohiym and caused it to be replaced with Sun Day worship [but of who or which deity??]!! And so, since the eternal destiny of every Shabbat breaker is revealed as deathcf. Bamidbar (Numbers?) 15:32-36and inasmuch as all Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians are constantly guilty of breaking this particular Torah of Elohiym with impunity, they must all have a common fate and destiny, which is spiritual and physical death! Obviously then, all Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians live in the state of spiritual death, unawares; in much the same way that any pagan or idol worshipper of the past or present who breaks this Torah of Yahuwah Elohiym, either willfully or ignorantly, is destined to suffer doom!! Since Yahuwah Elohiym is no respecter of persons and is also just and righteous in all His judgments, no breaker of His Shabbat today (whether Roman Catholic or Protestant Christian) goes without being sentenced to death, as was what happened to a Shabbat breaker during the wilderness journey of the children of Yisroel cited in Bamidbar (Numbers??) 15:32-36! So then, whether Roman Catholic or Protestant Christian, their eternal destinies are the same since there is no difference in the substance of faith among them with regards to this issue of violation of the Torah law on Shabbat!! The fifth wrong committed by both Roman Catholics and Protestants, for which reason punishment from Yahuwah Elohiym is due them all in equal measure, is centered on the titles and job descriptions that Christian clergymen assign themselves and lead their followers by; all of which is done without any mandate of Yahuwah Elohiym given to them to award titles of their choice to themselves!! You see, whenever Yahuwah Elohiym gives anyone a job to do for humanity and for Him, He defines the work function for the one. If the person deserves to have any title to go with his work, then Elohiym Himself defines and gives him one. And so, such titles must never be equated to any man-made equivalents at the behest of any man!! Now, because every kind of work that Elohiym ever had in mind to assign to any man to execute in His name, and also to work with Him as co-laborercf. Marqos (Mark?) 16:20, Qorintiyim Echad (First Corinthians?)was already determined by Him long before Creation, and obviously before that person was ever born, that persons work function and title could never be described or defined by or in any of the post-Babel languages that were developed by mankind long after Creation of the heavens and Earthcf. Bereshiyt (Genesis?) 11:1-9! So then, Elohiym is not involved in giving to Christian clergymen such Goy titles as apostle, bishop, evangelist, pastor, priest, prophet, reverend, etc, since none of these words were in existence in His mind before or at Creation nor would ever have gotten into His thoughts to be used in expressing Himself to His Creation! As stated earlier in this article, the only language in existence before Creation, and which was in fact used by Yahuwah Elohiym to express His mind and call into manifestation all of Creation, is Ivrit; and this is the ONLY lingua franca of Shamayim (made to be so, forever). This was also later on to become the lingua franca of Yisroel in the days when its inhabitants lived in a spatial domain that was the ONLY Embassy of Shamayim to (and on) HaAretz (the Earth)! So then, every worker in the employment of Yahuwah Elohiym must have a title and work function given to him in Ivrit; and this worker MUST ONLY be a man who must live all his life according to the entire Torah law! And so, whenever such a worker was called, say, kohen (priest??), navi (prophet??), melek (king??) or shliakh (apostle??), he had to have a full blown beard together with all other facial hairs always made visible and in plain display in compliance with Torah law, or else be refused entry into the presence of Yahuwah Elohiym to render Him any service [as high priest??] on behalf of himself or his followers; and even be killed if he ventured into His presence without all his facial hairs in full display! The ignorance of Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians about the fact that Yahuwah Elohiym employs and works ONLY with MEN who sport Torah-compliant beards all the time and everywhere is all because they have been misled by Replacement (Equalization) Theologians who illegally equalized the holy works of kohen, navi, and melek of the house of Yisroel in service to Yahuwah Elohiym to those of a priest (who leads people in their serving/worship of idols in temples), prophet or prophetess (who speaks for Goy deities) and king (a male ruler of a Goy nation), respectively, which has made them incapable of discerning who a true servant or worker of Yahuwah Elohiym actually is and must be!! After these theologians equalized the holy Ivrit titles of Shamayim and Yisroel to unholy titles borne by Goy people, these holy Ivrit titles were dispensed away with and therefore have become unknown to all Christians, just so Christian clergymen would be perpetually known and addressed by these unholy Goy titles such as reverend, pastor, apostle, bishop, evangelist, prophet, etc, any of which are permissible for the use of either males or femalescontrary to the fact that Elohiym has no females in His workforceand even by any people who are ignorant of the Torah law of Yahuwah Elohiym!! Leaders of both Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians bear titles that are unknown to Yahuwah Elohiym and thus are of no relevance or value to Him in His business! Therefore, such titles cannot benefit anyone who is led by someone who bears any of them, in that persons bid to obtain the salvation Yahuwah Elohiym wrought for mankind, in and by the sacrifice of Yahushua! And, despite the fact that Yahuwah Elohiym never uses superlatives in His manner of speech, Christian clergymen are all too happy in defining the titles they accord themselves in such superlative terms as: Reverend, Very Reverend, Most Reverend, Right Reverend; Bishop and Arch Bishop; Associate Pastor, Pastor and Senior Pastor; Overseer and General Overseer; Apostle and Apostle General, etc!! So then, if the work done by Christian clergymen is fraught with titles and work descriptions which do not originate from Yahuwah Elohiym, how can they themselves and those who follow them get to reach the Abode of Yahuwah Elohiym so as to dwell with Him during the soon-coming Eternity?? Therefore, there is only one common disappointment and doom awaiting all Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians, simply because they do not have the right people who are conscripted and blessed by Yahuwah Elohiym to serve them with His truth in order to ensure they obtain His salvation which is ONLY OBTAINABLE in the name of Yahushua. Part VII My sixth exposure of error through this article involves a practice of Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians, who, without any endorsement or mandate from Yahuwah Elohiym, indulge in the celebration of many pagan or man-made feasts with relish annually! Such feasts include Christmas, Easter (Eoster, Astarte, Ishtar?), Good Friday, All Souls Day, etc; none of which is mentioned in any of the scriptures of the Tanakh (Old Testament?) or Beyrit Khadasha (New Testament?) for any children of the Most High One to dabble in!! The irrelevance of the celebrations of these feasts to the chances of anyone wanting to enter the salvation of Yahuwah Elohiym is clearly seen in the Goy names they bear and the wild revelry and overindulgence that characterize their celebration! Every feast bearing a non-Ivrit name is unholy just by its Goy name alone, without even talking about how it is celebrated to meet the desires of the flesh; and such feasts will never concern the Creator or yield any good and holy dividends to even its most pious-looking and sanctimonious-looking celebrants!! You see, ever since Yahuwah Elohiym gave His Torah to the children of Yisroel, in which He also spelled out what feasts they were to observe and celebrate in His name and honor and according to set times in their due seasons and prescribed manner, He has always stood by His Word to ensure that the children of Yisroel observed and celebrated them, as if they were shadow events to their actual celebrations involving all residents of Shamayim concurrently! So then, the celebrations of feasts by the children of Yisroel throughout all their generations on Earth have always been deemed as echoes of happenings in the presence of Yahuwah Elohiym in Shamayim! That is why these feasts are termed the feasts of Yahuwah (the LORD) and not just the feasts of the children of Yisroelcf. Vayikra (Leviticus??) 23:2, 4, 37-39in the references to the feasts of Pesakh, Matzot, Yom Kippur, Shavuot (or Shabbos Shabbaton), Sukkhot, Hanukkah, etc! The celebrations of any man-made feasts, which are unknown to Yahuwah Elohiym and thus unapproved by Him, are abominable and sinful in His sight. Such feasts are termed by Him as feastings at the table of devilscf. Qorintiyim Echad (First Corinthians?) 10:21! In all of this, no Roman Catholic or Protestant Christian will escape the wrath of Yahuwah Elohiym for celebrating such feasts as Christmas, Easter, and others, which He has not given permission for His children to be part of! And now, to my seventh and last identified error that is held by all Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians and which must be exposed to them in this article of mine. Critical readers of this article would by now have realized the danger in presenting wholly in English (and any other Goy language for that matter) a message for mankinds salvation that was originally delivered by Yahuwah Elohiym Himself and His son and holy men and malakim (angels) to the children of Yisroel, originally only meant for them and thus uttered in Ivrit! This great danger arises because of an obvious loss in value, content, power, efficacy, etc, in every script that is derived through translation from one other language, either of which may be entirely different from each other, such as is the case between Ivrit (or more aptly, what is termed Biblical-Hebrew) and modern English! So then, every reader of the English Bible must begin to appreciate the fact that this book could not correctly and adequately represent the unblemished word of Yahuwah Elohiym that was uttered by Him in Ivrit and meant for understanding and obedience by Ivrit-speaking audience of Yisroel! It is obvious that by the work done by translators in translating the Ivrit word of Yahuwah Elohiym into the Greek Septuagint, and then to the Latin Vulgate, and finally into the so-called authorized KJV English Bible, the visible Ivri-personality of the Savior as revealed in the Ivrit word is progressively diminished and dulled in the English Bible, thus robbing him (Savior) of all his Ivri-DNA, culture and roots! Ultimately, the Savior is made to look like any ordinary Englishman who must always be in a white collar shirt and black suit! This is why all pastors and bishops of English-based Christianity don themselves in suits in Jimmy Crow fashion, thinking to look like and thereby portray this savior of make-belief English stock, who they claim to live in them and so must be made visible in them as well! The over reliance on the English language to teach an Ivrit-based message for the salvation of mankind has led to the evolution of English words, manner of speech and expression, literature and sensibilities which have no meaning or relevance to the original Ivrit message, and in many instances such English expressions have rather distorted or polluted the original message altogether! All translators, down the ages, have erred in translating certain key Ivrit wordssuch as names, titles of people, tribes, places, feasts of Yahuwah Elohim, currencieswhich ought never to have been translated at all, because by translating them they have introduced entirely new concepts and strange names of Goy value and effect (Babel-type confusion?) into otherwise pure holy Ivrit words, thoughts and concepts, and thereby tell lies about what Yahuwah Elohiym is supposed to have said in Ivrit!! For instance, even though the Ivrit words, Ruwakh HaQuodesh, do mean Spirit The Holy, it was wrong and should not have been accepted for translators to translate Ruwakh HaQuodesh to Holy Ghost/Spirit and thereby forever deny mankind knowledge of this true name of the essence and power that is of Yahuwah Elohiym and which is always given as a gift to dwell in the hearts of all His true and genuine children who are saved, in and, by the sacrifice of Yahushua!! You see, no one ever responds to the meaning of his name when it is uttered, even if there exists a meaning to that name. Rather, the name is simply uttered to gain the desired response and effect. So then, no one shouts out Father of Many Nations in wanting to draw the attention of Avraham, even though Avraham in Ivrit truly means Father of Many Nations in English! By giving their readers the new terminology or name Holy Spirit while denying them knowledge of Ruwakh HaQuodesh, Bible translators have forced them to act silly, by craving and asking Yahuwah Elohiym to fill their hearts with a so-called Holy Spirit who is neither of Him nor found anywhere in Shamayim!! I can confidently say that all the many Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians who swear by Jove to be filled and living with some Holy Ghost are, after all, only living with a familiar spirit! This fact is easily verifiable from a simple observation of the manner in which this so-called Holy Ghost/Spirit is invoked at the whims of clergymen and made to openly display in a weird and scary manner in churches! What a pity! For centuries, Protestant Christians have lived with these same seven erroneous beliefs that define the faith of Roman Catholics, and so one may be wondering what they really protest against when they share this strong bond and unity in these core values of their common faith?? The core values which unite Protestant Christians and Roman Catholics are much stronger than any that divide them. In fact, progressive Protestant Christians today do not see any reason why they broke away from Roman Catholicism in 1517 through the PRM of Martin Luther and so are staging a return to their originRoman Catholicismfor there never truly was a breakaway from Roman Catholicism in the first place! Led by one of the most popular leaders of the Charismatic Movement, Kenneth Copeland of the Kenneth Copeland Ministries (KCM) in the USA, and his friend Bishop Tony Palmer (also a friend of Pope Francis), in their declarations to the world thatThe Protest is Over . . . No More Protestant Church and Brothers and sisters Luthers protest is over . . . and we are all Catholics again,many hardcore Protestant Christians are today being led in drones back to their rootsRoman Catholicismto which they had in fact still belonged ever since the inception of the PRM! Listen to Bishop Tony Palmer speak to urge and announce the return of Protestant Christians to Roman Catholicism via the internet links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxup_QnfSHg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA4EPOfic5A. You will be amazed by what you hear if you thought you were a Protestant Christian and that Protestantism had any relevance to you today! For all you know, you may have been sold out by your leaders for just a pittance! You may also want to hear more on this treachery from yet another television evangelist of the Charismatic Movement in the USA, by name Benny Hinn, talking about his relation and work with the Vatican via the youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KgDSDkUcVk. How I wished Martin Luther were alive today to see the futility of his overzealous works which have brought his followers no spiritual benefits and, indeed, nowhere but right into the fire which boiled the fat from out of which he took them! How sad!! Part VIII Now, in conclusion of this whole caboodle regarding Roman Catholics, Protestant Christians and Christianity, let me first recap some of the things I stated earlier on in this article. It is a truism that in the beginning and or in the days of the Savior there was no Christianity, until ca. 320 CE when an Emperor of the Roman Empire established this religion in order to profess and teach the tenets of Roman Catholicism; though, obviously, some of these tenets have changed over the years to what are known to its adherents today. So then, Roman Catholicism is synonymous with Christianity, simply because Christianity was ALL about Roman Catholicism when it first came into being! One can thus find in Roman Catholicism everything in the totality of all the denominations that constitute Christianity, all because Roman Catholicism is the only true mother of all Christian denominations in the world today! For, as stated earlier, the entire PRM of Martin Luther which brags as being anti-Catholic is in fact the first and only offshoot of Roman Catholicism!! None of the PRM churches are in anyway non-Catholic because, while they may not pray in the name of the Virgin Mary, recite the Rosary, genuflect to a statue, follow the stations of the cross, baptize infants purporting to enable them enter the salvation of the Creator, and so on, they are yet indeed Catholic in every way in having their same faith in a JESUS CHRIST as their Savior, believing in a so-called Sunday morning resurrection by this savior JESUS CHRIST, believing that their savior JESUS CHRIST was sacrificed on a cross and thus making this cross an object of worship, and in such other issues cardinal to the tenets of Christianity! Let me say here in fulfillment of a promise I made earlier on (in the Part VI of my article) that I would be saying a few more words later on about the fallacy in an early Sunday morning resurrection about the Savior, as has been touted by Christian clergymen of Roman Catholicism and Protestantism ever since 320 CE, that this deception occurred and has lived this long because a cloak of spiritual blindness was deliberately cast over the eyes of mankind by his enemy right in the beginning to enable this lie be concocted! It is not possible for this liethat the Savior resurrected on a Sundayto continue to have flourished unto this day if the arch enemy of Yahuwah Elohiym were not the one who masterminded its fabrication! Mankind ought to have seen the devils handiwork in all of this, more so when he had vowed to mess up all set times and seasons and laws established by Yahuwah Elohiymcf. DaniEl (Daniel) 7:25! It is sad that mankind, with all his great wisdom, which rates him next to Elohiym, would fail to see this trickery of the devil in order to have shot it down long ago! It is just too sad to know that mankind had gone to sleep in a long spiritual stupor and thus allowed himself to be deceived by the enemies of Yahuwah Elohiym for such a long time to his doom. I bet to say the time of truth is now!! Miraculously, in the year 1999, in the same year that an agreement was made between Protestant Christians and Roman Catholics to call off the protest and reunite by their common umbilical cord as Roman Catholics, a new version King James Bible was published that would kill Christianity and forever render it incapable of resurrecting!! Yes, this new bible is titled the Restored Name King James Version (RNKJV) Bible and in it, the actual Ivrit names of the Most High One and His son are restored in replacement of the Goy names that were sacrilegiously attributed to them in previous editions! Also, many other startling changes have been made to the previous editions of 1611 and 1982 in this third and current RNKJV edition!! In this RNKJV Bible of 1999, the word God (of the 1611 and 1982 KJV editions) is replaced with Elohim, just as Jesus is also replaced with Yahushua, Christ with Messiah, Christian with Messianic and Christians with Messianics!! Wonderful news, I must say; but unheard of since 1999 because some people of evil intent towards you do not want you to hear it!! Note that Elohim and Yahushua are Ivrit names of the Most High One and His son, respectively, which were revealed to the children of Yisroel long before the ca. 320 CE advent of Christianity!! What this means is that, all publishers and copyright owners of the KJV have erred since 1611 in giving their readers the words God and Jesus as being the names of the Most High One and His son, respectively, and that anyone who believed their error as the truth has missed the very salvation that he sought in and by these names! Like seriously?? Yes, seriously! For there is no name given by Shamayim to Earth by which anyone may be saved except Yahushua [not JESUS CHRIST]!! So then, what have all JESUS believers been led into by believing these first two editions of the KJV Bible that have deceived them into believing that JESUS CHRIST was the Savior?? According to the publishers of the RNKJV, the names by which all mankind should have sought salvation, ever since the 1611 publication of the KJV, are Elohim and Yahushua! They accept blame for the deception in God and Jesus by the publications of their predecessors and, therefore, by their bold publication of the RNKJV, have thus issued an apology on behalf of these predecessors to all inhabitants of the Earth for leading them away from the salvation of the Creator all these many long centuries!! I must urge all to accept this apology; and revert to Elohim and Yahushua immediately!! If all Christians would accept this apology of the KJV publishers and instead begin to call their supposed savior JESUS CHRIST by the name Yahushua Messiah offered by the RNKJV, Christianity would clearly and forcibly be established as being an illegal and illegitimate religion born of evil right from the day of its inception, and that no one has ever been saved by his beliefs in Christianity! Bam!! Bam!!! Now, it is often said that once bitten, twice shy and so I became very apprehensive of this Messiah, Messianic and Messianics stuff of the RNKJV Bible when I was first led to it, even though, happily, I recognized that they effectively wiped out Christ, Christian, Christians, and Christianity from the face of the Earth to be eternally forgotten of by salvation seekers!! For, I know that when, ultimately, all these Messianics (mechanics??) stuff of the RNKJV effectively take over from Christians, then, there will obviously be no Roman Catholic Christians to endure the protestations of Protestant Christians; nor would there be a people to call themselves Protestants! No Christians would exist to war against each other!! Peace at last?? But then, deep in my thoughts over my apprehensions with regards to the words Messiah, Messianic and Messianics in the RNKJV, I learned that these three words are also of English origin and therefore unholy for use by the Most High One who only speaks Ivrit; and that these words were even non-existent in the days of the Savior to have been known and used to describe him or his followers! In fact, no followers of the SaviorYahushua HaMashakhYahu (Yahushua, the anointed one of Yahuwah)during his days on Earth or those following his ascension to Shamayim were ever called or referred to either by his name or title! And so, just as the fabrication of the Goy wordsChrist, Christian and Christianshave now been deemed harmful and detrimental to the fortunes of all who sought the salvation of Yahuwah Elohiym that is in Yahushua and thus ought to be replaced, so also must the words Messiah, Messianic, and Messianics, all of which are Goy words as well, be done away with in the teaching of the salvation message of Yahuwah Elohiym!! Note that Yahuwah Elohiym does not call His children by a group name, not to even think of Him giving them a name derived from a Goy word, since all Goy words shall in due course vanish, together with all who are named by them; whilst the Ivrit word of Yahuwah Elohiym shall forever stand and remain, together with all who abide in and live by this word! For me, I am simply too delighted and honored to be addressed as Talmid HaYahushua (follower of Yahushua) or Maggid/Moreh HaDerekh (Preacher/Teacher of The Way) than to describe myself in seemingly lofty Goy names such as Pentecostal, Charismatic, Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist, Roman Catholic, etc, which have no essence or meaning in the kingdom of Yahuwah Elohiym! So my dear Catholic faithful, when next you snarl in anger at your Protestant neighbor, putting it to him that you are a proud Roman Catholic and would die while steadfastly clinging unto this religion, just be sure you are living in the place where life and immortality abound; and that indeed, this Protestant fellow is truly a worrisome enemy! For, you may have a common destiny with him, for all you know! Shalawam!! PS #1: Dear reader of this article, you may benefit from reading some of my articles published in this column which relate to the substance of this particular article. Their titles and URLs to them are: Seven Most Ridiculous Lies Crafted by Lucifer in the KJV Bible Exposed!! (Part I): https://www.modernghana.com/news/693671/seven-most-ridiculous-lies-crafted-by-lucifer-in-the-kjv-bib.html The Only Language the Creator Speaks is Ivrit! (Part I): https://www.modernghana.com/news/670099/the-only-language-the-creator-speaks-is-ivrit-part-i.html, Hurray! The Name JESUS CHRIST Finally Deleted In Latest King James Version Bible!!Letter to a Reader: https://www.modernghana.com/news/663141/hurray-the-name-jesus-christ-finally-deleted-in-latest-king.html If Christianity Is English, It Wont Save! https://www.modernghana.com/news/657327/if-christianity-is-english-it-wont-save.html Why Modern Bibles Are Without the Name JESUS CHRIST?? (Part I): https://www.modernghana.com/news/680428/why-modern-bibles-are-without-the-name-jesus-christpart.html Shalawam PS #2: Should readers of this and any of my articles have serious questions or suggestions, they may contact me via e-mail by clicking on Contact on the Home Page of my website, http://sbprabooks.com/BongleBapuohyele. You may also want to purchase a copy of my bookBeware of This False Doctrine: Of Reciting the Sinners' Prayer for Salvationvia the same web address so, together, we walk the narrow way to the presence of Elohiym. Shalawam aleikhem This update is being provided due to the many enquiries being received by the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG) from former councillors that are eligible for receiving the once-off gratuity payment. As at 2 December 2016, 4910 applications out of a possible 4942 were received by the Department. We wish to thank all stakeholders for facilitating the submission of the completed documentation to the Department, and requests that any outstanding applications be urgently submitted. The process of paying gratuity to those who submitted their forms and are eligible has commenced. The payments are based on the pensionable salary of each councillor. It is important to note that those eligible would be councillors that served a minimum of 24 consecutive months and whose term come to an end from 1 April 2016 and onwards. It is important to note that the payment process is a complex one and as very slow, and is subjected to the following: Verification of applications that were received by the Department; Calculation of the gross gratuity payment, based on the formula that was recommended by the Commission; The obtaining of individual tax directives from the South African Revenue Service; The deduction of the individual tax obligation for a recipient from the gross gratuity payment; and Payment of the net gratuity into the nominated bank account of the former councillor. In the event where an eligible councillor has passed on, such gratuity must be paid to the beneficiaries or estate of such a councillor. Based on the process outlined above, it is anticipated that the payment process will be finalised during the first quarter of 2017. It is important to note that every effort is being made to process and finalise the payments as soon as possible. All applicants are therefore requested to be patient and allow the Department sufficient time to follow due process so as not to compromise compliance requirements in this regard. FBNBank Ghana has scaled up its money transfer services with the introduction of TransFast Money, a global remittance service. Managing Director of the bank, Gbenga Odeyemi, said the addition was to present customers with a range of options when remitting for business transactions and to their families back home. According to the World Bank, one in seven people worldwide are migrant workers and we know that within the global percentage are many Ghanaians and Nigerians who need to remit money regularly to their families and friends back home, and at FBNBank Ghana, we want to ensure that no matter where our customers and their relations are, they can send money, said Mr. Odeyemi. We also know that the global remittance economy is a huge economy which is fast expanding and as a player in the global money economy, we want to play our part in its growth. With TransFast, FBNBank Ghana is proud to introduce a renowned brand to its customers and potential customers, he added. TransFast Money is the latest addition to other money transfer services offered by the bank such as Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria, Sigue and Integrity. With its headquarters in New York, TransFast provides multi-currency, cross-border payments for companies and individuals through a wholly owned direct-to-bank network in accordance with all international laws and safeguarding customers' information. For any money transaction, safety, reliability and convenience are critical and FBNBank Ghana strives to give our customers that and more in a comfortable and friendly environment. Mr. Gbenga Odeyemi said. Aside FBNBank branches in Ghana and some West African countries, TransFast can be accessed around the world in First Bank of Nigeria branches and agencies all over the globe, as well as from 200,000 pay points across 120 countries. FBNBank Ghana Limited is a subsidiary of FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, an FBN Holdings Plc Company, which is Nigeria's leading financial services institution by total assets and gross earnings, and one of the largest corporate and retail banking financial institutions in sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa). A business desk report The Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr Abdul-Nashiru Issahaku, has commissioned the first ever financial institution of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Bank called Services Integrity Savings and Loans Company (SIS&L). Addressing military and civilian personnel at the forecourt of SIS&L, which is located near the GOIL Fuel Station along the Burma Camp-Trade Fair Centre road in Accra, Dr Abdul-Nashiru Issahaku disclosed that there are currently 29 licensed savings and loans companies operating in the country. He therefore urged management of the new company to adopt technology to gain a foothold in the highly competitive market. The Governor urged officials of SIS&L to put a robust risk management system in place to protect them against shocks of the industry. He further urged them to improve their credit underwriting standards and risk management systems to ward off any potential risks. Weakness in corporate governance still remains a challenge in the non-bank financial institution sector, and I am confident that the level of discipline the Armed Forces are noted for would be brought to bear on the operations of Services Integrity Savings and Loans Company, he mentioned. Dr. Abdul-Nashiru Issahaku also called on management of the bank to be mindful of the various financial and banking reforms. The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Air Marshal Michael Sampson-Oje, said that the inauguration of the financial institution of Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) was a dream come true. He averred that a committee was commissioned five years ago to carry out feasibility studies for the establishment of the institution which is the first of its kind in the sub-region. He assured that SIS&L would work hard to maintain the highest standards that would win both the confidence of personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces and members of the public. He said a certificate to operate was issued to SIS&L during the tenure of Dr. Henry Kofi Wampah, the former Governor of the Bank of Ghana. Board Chairman of SIS&L, Maj. General Opuku Adusei, revealed that the GAF personnel would have access to mortgages ME Financing, Fallen Heroes Fund, among others. Maj. Gen. Opoku Adusei was hopeful SIS&L would eventually grow steadily to become a leading universal bank to serve the needs of Ghanaians. By Solomon Ofori Ballot box snatchers Police in Nhyaeso arrest two men who attempted to snatch a ballot box at a polling station. The two successfully picked the box and bolted with it into a house. But for the vigilance of the youth who mounted a chase and retrieved the box, the two would have bolted with it. -Myjoyonline LAGOS, Nigeria, 7 December 2016,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/- The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) will host what is being billed as the continent's most critical summit on African infrastructure in Abuja, Nigeria, on 27-28 March 2017. AFC Live 2017, to be opened by Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari, is a global event that will bring together financiers, developers and policy makers to discuss how to increase private sector investment and deal flows in the African infrastructure space. The two-day event will also mark the Corporation's remarkable first decade since its inception in 2007. It has invested over $4 billion on projects covering 26 African countries and it is setting regional benchmarks in its complementary service areas - project development, financial advisory and principal investing. The theme for the two-day event is 'AFC Live 2017 - Connect. Engage. Innovate - The African Infrastructure Revolution'. (The first edition of AFC Live was held in 2014). The often poor state of the existing infrastructure has been identified as the major bottleneck to Africa's development. The pressure on these assets will continue to intensify in light of the explosive population growth and expanding urbanisation. Rapid and sustained infrastructure development is essential if the continent is to unlock its potential and embark on an era of prosperity. While the challenge is enormous, the response has been robust, led by organisation such as the AFC. A growing number of expertly constructed private-public partnerships (PPP) has led to an upsurge of infrastructure projects across the continent and are helping to build tomorrow's Africa. But much more still needs to be done. "Our unique public and private shareholder base and our in-depth knowledge of the African market positions us well to address Africa's pressing infrastructure investment and development needs" says Andrew Alli, President and CEO of AFC. "But we need to find new models to fast track investments and reduce lead times from inception to completion". AFC Live will explore these ideas and concepts in depth, showcase recent success stories and provide networking and deal making facilities. "Today," says Alli, "investors can partner with a growing number of African institutions, and private sector companies, to take advantage of the African opportunity, as well as working with them to navigate the perceived African risk. The return on investment, as the AFC has proved, is considerable. By getting the key players in this space under one roof, I am sure numerous ways to scale up investments and put together the right frameworks to encourage private sector investment in key sectors will emerge". The AFC last week signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Morocco's Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) aimed at increasing pan-African collaboration in financing vital infrastructure projects in North and Sub-Saharan Africa. The MoU signing comes on the back of the launch of the Africa Infrastructure Development Association, a private sector initiative to bring about successful financing and project development solutions for infrastructure projects across the continent. 07.12.2016 LISTEN By Iddi Yire, GNA Accra, Dec. 7, GNA - The Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA), has wished Ghanaians successful and peaceful elections as they embark on the seventh presidential and parliamentary elections under the fourth Republican Constitution. The Executive Director of FOSDA, Ms Afi Yakubu in an interview with the Ghana News Agency expressed confidence that Ghanaians would conduct themselves peacefully during and after the December 7, polls to ensure non-violent, free and fair elections. According to Ms Yakubu, civil society and other state and non-state actors have put in a lot of effort to ensure that Ghana sails through this election without any blemish. She said FOSDA with support from its development partner had trained and deployed more than 250 patriotic Peace Ambassadors working selflessly to ensure that peace prevailed in their constituencies before, during and after the elections. "We will continue to work hard, but at this point our individual and collective effort is crucial to keep the peace. "We understand that the stakes are very high in this elections, but we urge all individuals, groups, politicians and political parties to hold themselves in check and resort to peaceful means of resolving misunderstanding as happened with the 2012 election petition," she added. On the performance of key stakeholders such as the Electoral Commission and the Security Agencies, the Executive Director commended their work so far and urged them to do more to ensure peaceful elections. "The security agencies must be swift, approachable, tactical and unbiased in their approach to ensure the satisfaction of all parties. "The media should also be objective and professional in their reportage, in order not to spark any violence." She entreated all Ghanaians, especially the political parties and their supporters to trust the electoral process and the democratic structures put in place to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections. 'We need to have faith in the systems we have put in place as a nation and work together to strengthen them. Violence should not be an option," she said. GNA Winneba (C/R) Dec. 7, GNA - Five hundred and four Poling Agents representing the various political parties contesting the Effutu parliamentary have attended a day's training courses at Winneba. The training programme was organised by the officials of Effutu Directorate of the Electoral Commission (EC). The Agents were schooled on various guidelines, rules and regulations guiding the elections. Addressing the closing section of the programme, Madam Emelia Akortia Effutu Municipal Electoral Officer, cautioned the participants not to do any anything contrary to the education principles given the at the training. She said any polling agent who would go contrary to the principals of the electoral laws, would be found guilty and may be fine or imprisoned. Each of the participants was given a copy of the Guide to candidates and agents hand book. GNA By Hafsa Obeng, GNA Accra, Dec. 7, GNA - Hajia Aisha Abdul Kadir, National Secretary of FOMWAG, has called on Muslim women to justify the peaceful greetings of Islam by their everyday behaviour and character during Wednesday's elections. She said it was important as Muslim women to give a deep reflection of what peace really meant to them and not just the mere verbal slogan that came from their mouths everyday. Hajia Abdul Kadir made the call at a day's Seminar and prayer session organised by the Ghana Muslim Women's Fellowship in collaboration with the Federation of Muslim Women's Associations in Ghana (FOMWAG), in Accra. The seminar was on the theme: 'Peaceful elections; the role of the Muslim woman.' She said if Islam meant peace, and Muslim women should be honest, just, sincere, respectful, non violent, calm and faithful to give the true definition and meaning of peace, and by this all could be assured of the peaceful election envisaged. She said at the national level, the Muslim woman must show interest and give their views in discussing political issues and policies of Ghana, be abreast of current affairs and express their views and opinions appropriately through the social media, electronic and print media. 'By so doing we would not be left behind but rather contribute meaningful to the development of the nation and also to improve our living standards,' she said. She noted that at home women must make their children their friends, open up to them, chat with them and advise them against obnoxious political attitudes of politicians and their manipulations, as well as be good listeners and respect the views of their children. 'Allah has created we women in a special way so much so that, when we say something our children would be all ears to listen, because the Prophet Mohammed has said that the paradise of children lie under the feet of their mothers. And mothers also have a responsibility to train and teach them good moral behavior to conduct themselves well.' Hajia Aida Gibril, Deputy National Ameera of FOMWAG said Muslim women must take the initiative of walking the talk of peace if that would calm the nerves of politicians and the electorate to smoke the peace pipe in Ghana during and after the elections. She noted that according to the Holy Quran Chapter 25 verse 63, it says: 'The Servants of Allah are they who walk on the earth in humbleness, and when the ignorant address them, they say' peace'. She urged Muslim women to respect individual views irrespective of their family, religion, academic, and political differences, but consciously mobilise other women for education, sensitisation to get more informed about the need to preach peace and eschew violence. Dr Sheikh Amin Bonsu, National Chairman of the Ghana Muslim Mission called on all Muslims to ensure to go out peacefully on the election day to cast their vote and return home immediately after that. He urged the polling officials, political party agents, observers, the security and the electorate to ensure to maintain calm in and around the polling stations. He also appealed to all drinking bar operators to close their shops during the hours of the elections in order for people to abstain from drinking to cause chaos and inciting people in and around the communities. GNA Constitution amendment: SLMM drops a hint that itll support bill With the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) blowing hot and cold, the government still seems to be in a sort of fix over the constitution amendment bill it has registered at the Parliament Secretariat. 07.12.2016 LISTEN By Francis Ameyibor, GNA Accra, Dec 07, GNA - Ghanaians started voting across the country, on Wednesday, to choose a President and 275 Parliamentarians after an exhaustive electioneering, as the country continues to build on its democratic credentials. An estimated 15,712,499 registered voters are expected to cast their votes in some 28,992 polling stations nationwide. Seven Presidential candidates representing six Political Parties and an Independent Candidate are contesting the Presidential Elections: Convention People's Party (CPP); National Democratic Party (NDP); National Democratic Congress (NDC); Progressive People's Party (PPP); New Patriotic Party (NPP) and People's National Convention (PNC). President John Dramani Mahama of the NDC, who is seeking a second-term, is being challenged by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the NPP, Mr Ivor Kobina Greenstreet of the CPP, Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom of the PPP; Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings of the NDP, Dr Edward Mahama of the PNC and Mr Jacob Osei Yeboah, the Independent Candidate. Voting started at 07:00 hours and it is expected to end at 17:00 hours in the open view of the public, the Electoral Commission (EC) has stated. However, those in the queue at 17:00 hours would be allowed to vote. Political Party agents, and agents of candidates are observing proceedings at the polling stations, while security officers are stationed to main law and order to keep the peace. There also local and foreign observers, including those of the European Union and the African Union monitoring affairs across the country. Presiding Officers in charge of polling stations inspect the ballot papers in the presence of the agents, enter the total number, show the ballot boxes to the public to ascertain that they are empty and then place them in the open for voting. The ballot papers bear the names of candidates, parties and symbols for voting in secret, even though, in the open. Mrs Charlotte Osei, the Chairperson of the EC, told the Ghana News Agency that the Presiding Officer might extend the voting period if circumstances prevented the start of the polls at exactly 07:00 hours. She said the counting of the ballots cast would start immediately after the last voter had cast his or her vote to close the polls. Thus, the Presiding Officer would open the ballot box in the presence of party agents and any other persons who would wish to witness the counting from a reasonable distance. The EC Chairperson said the Presiding Officer would sort out ballots cast in favour of each candidate, count them one by one to the hearing of those present and once everybody was satisfied, record it on the Result Form. The Presiding Officer would sign the form, while the agents certified that the results were correct, she said. The Presiding Officer would then publicly announce the results and signed copies would be given to the party or candidate agent. GNA 07.12.2016 LISTEN By Iddi Yire, GNA Accra, Dec. 07, GNA - The Electoral Commission has announced that the toll free line for their technical staff and linked to the national operations room is ready. Mrs Charlotte Osei, the EC Chairperson said the shortcode #6363 was for the public to contact the Commission speedily on Election-Day, was active. "You can also use that number to check where you will be voting," she said. "Text your voter ID number to 6363 and you will get a response telling you your registration status and polling station details," she added. She said the Media Team of the Commission could also be contacted on the toll-free numbers 0800-818-818 or 0303968750 or 0303976568. GNA By GNA Election Team Kumasi, Dec 07, GNA - Voters have been pouring in at polling centres across the Ashanti Region to cast their ballot in the presidential and parliamentary elections. Long snaking queues had been formed before voting started at a number of centres visited by the Ghana News Agency (GNA). The atmosphere looked generally relaxed as the people, patiently waited for their turn to cast their ballot. At Atwima-Boko R/C Primary 'B', in the Kwadaso Constituency, 65 out of the 920 people expected to vote at the centre had voted, as of 08:00 hours. Sixty (60) had cast their ballot at the Bantama Methodist Centre. The voter population here is 540. Mr. John Atia, the Presiding Officer, told the GNA that, things had so far gone well. The absence of validation stamp, delayed voting for about an hour at the New Bantama M/A Primary School, centre where 695 have registered to vote. In the Kwabre East Constituency, voter enthusiasm has been high. At Ahwiaa- Anyinam, Ebuom Taxi Rank, R/C primary and D/A JHS centres, early turn our was impressive. Things were not any different at Mamponteng Fire Service, Asenua D/A, Aboaso and Ntonso-Tewobaabi centres. At the Ntonso Old Court House the Presiding Officer, Mr. Kwadwo Boahen, told Reporters covering the election under the 'GNA Tracks Election 2016,' project, funded by Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL), the nation's foremost indigenous oil marketing company, and CIMG 2015 Petroleum Company of the Year, that 91 people had voted as of 08:15. There are 901 registered voters at this centre. Voting has also been peaceful in the Asante-Akim North Constituency. All was calm at the Agogo CMB Station 'A', CMB Station 'B', Court House 'A' and Court House 'B' centres. In the Ejisu Constituency, voting has so far been smooth with no reported nasty incident. The election materials were delivered on time and a visit to the polling centres at Kokobra, Baworo and Ejisu, saw voters calmly taking their turns, to vote. At the Ejisuman SHS 'B' where 663 voters are expected to vote, 58 had already gone through the exercise, with 76 out of the 936 voters in the Experimental School One 'A' having voted by 08:22 hours. GNA By George-Ramsey Benamba, GNA Accra, Dec. 7, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama, expressing his confidence in the strength of Ghana's institutions to undertake the electioneering task, urged polling officials and all others in the exercise, to conduct themselves in a fair and neutral manner. "I commit to stand with you and beside you, every step of the way as one of you and also as President -together with the security agencies, the National Peace Council, traditional rulers, religious leaders, our international partners and all other stakeholders in taking on this sacred and noble responsibility for a safe and peaceful Ghana." In a nationwide address to Ghanaians ahead of Wednesday's Polls, President Mahama said after six successful elections in the Fourth Republic, the onus was on Ghanaians to exhibit what had over the years put them together-peace and unity. He expressed confidence that Ghana would emerge from the polls even stronger and more respected among the comity of Nations. "The moment is here, when we must consolidate our democratic credentials and demonstrate to the rest of the world that Ghana ranks amongst the best in the world when it comes to the quality of our governance." He declared:"We have led the rest of Africa in the liberation struggle and have been the shining light of Pan-Africanism and pride in our African heritage. But we have also been through decades of political instability. " He said although Ghana went through some political disturbances and instability, she blazed the trail for a return to constitutional and democratic governance and had since then become iconic in the rule of law and respect for human rights. "We have benefited from the democratic dividend with an economy that has grown positively over the last 24 years." "My fellow citizens, Ghana shall pass this test with distinction. Ghana will continue to rise. Let us vote in peace and tranquility ." GNA By GNA Election Team Kumasi, Dec 07, GNA - Voter turnout in the early hours of voting has been impressive across the Ashanti Region. It has additionally been smooth and peaceful with no reported confusion at any of the 5,190 polling centres in the 47 constituencies. Some voters in the region began queuing up at the centres, five clear hours before voting officially started. Except for the absence of validation stamps, which delayed the process in few places, everything has so far gone well. At the Juaso SHS School 'A' in the Asante-Akim South Constituency where 528 people are expected to vote 56 had cast their ballot, when the Ghana News Agency (GNA) got to the place, an hour into the exercise. Forty (40) out of the voter population of 581 at the Juaso Post Office centre had voted. In the Afigya-Kwabre, Bosomtwe, Asokwa and Adansi South Constituencies, things were not any different. At the Church of Pentecost Central Assembly in the Adansi South, 101 out of the 650 registered voters had voted, when Reporters of the Agency covering the polls under the 'GNA Tracks Election 2016,' project, funded by Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL), the nation's foremost indigenous oil marketing company, and CIMG 2015 Petroleum Company of the Year, visited at 0910 hours. One hundred and seven (107) had voted at the Esereso D/A Primary School with 157 having exercised their franchise at the Esereso D/A East. The two centres have a combined voter population of 1,347. At the Feyiase Clinic 'A', the Presiding Officer, Cynthia Kwanin, told the GNA that 114 people out of the expected 807 had voted at 09:30 hours. One hundred and forty-one (141) had exercised their franchise at the Feyiase Clinic 'B' where 781 people would be voting. At Ebom in the Afigya-Kwabre, 135 registered voters had cast their ballot at 09:42 hours. GNA By Caesar Abagali, GNA Walewale (N/R), Dec. 7, GNA - Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the running mate to the flag-bearer of the New Patriotic Party, was the 152nd person to cast his vote at 09:44 hours at the Kperiga D/A Primary School Polling Station 'A' in the Walewale Constituency of the Northern Region. Dr Bawumia expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise so far, and remarked that 'God will bring smiles on the faces of the NPP by the end of the day'. He advised the people to comport themselves and refrain from engaging in any acts that would disturb the peace in the country. He was accompanied by his wife, Hajia Samira Bawumia who voted at the Kperiga D/A Primary School Polling Station 'B' in the same constituency. The Regional Minister, Mr Abdallah Abubakar, who is also the parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Walewale Constituency is expected to cast his vote there later in the day. At the Walewale Cotton Office Polling Station, 71 people had voted as at 08.45 hours. The Presiding Officer Ali Abdul Mumin told the Ghana News Agency that the Verification machine had earlier rejected three voters, who were eventually verified manually. The queues are growing longer at all polling centres in the Constituency as the day wears on. A total of 15,712,499 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots at 28,992 Polling Stations in 275 constituencies across the country in Wednesday's Presidential and Parliamentary elections. GNA Accra, Dec 7, GNA - Johnie Carson, a Board member of the National Democratic Institute in Washington DC, who is leading a team of observer in Ghana has commended the smooth commencement of voting at the Ridge Church School Polling Station, in Accra. In an interview with GNA, Mr Carson said it was his first time observing elections in Ghana but has observed voting in other African countries. Comparing voting in Ghana to other African countries, he said: 'Ghana has outstanding tradition of holding free, fair and impartial elections. 'It has also had peaceful elections which has built for itself a reputation of best democracies and also a peaceful changing of power.' Mr Carson expressed optimism that Ghana's electoral history will continue today and show the way to other countries around the world. He added that the observer group will be visiting about 12 different polling stations and return to observe the tabulation at Ridge Church School Polling Station. Frank Mensah, the Presiding Officer at the Ridge Church School Polling Station, said besides the delay in beginning the voting, everything was running smoothly. He explained that the delay was because the centre was the last point of distribution of voting materials. NDI Ghana Election Mission Leadership is fielding an international election observation mission for Ghana's presidential and parliamentary elections today, December 7. Leadership of the delegation comprise Ambassador Johnnie Carson, former Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, U.S. State Department; Justice Yvonne Mokgoro, former Justice of the South African Constitutional Court; Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh, Senior Associate and Regional Director for Africa, NDI; and Mr. Pat Merloe, Senior Associate and Director of Elections, NDI. The delegation includes 30 political and civic leaders, elections experts, and regional specialists from 14 countries. GNA By Team, GNA Ho, Dec. 7, GNA - Voting has started smoothly in all 168 polling stations in the Ho Central Constituency of the Volta Region. At about 05:00 hours, voters had formed long queues at the centres awaiting arrival of voting materials and start of the exercise at 07:00 hours. At the Ho SSNIT Flat Centre 'A' polling station, Madam Felicia Akuaku, Assemblywoman for the area told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that voters started forming queues at the Centre from 0200 hours. Mr Leonard Akoetey, Presiding Officer for the Centre said 535 voters were expected to cast their ballots at the Centre. Voting started on time at the Centre and at about 07:30 hours, 20 people had voted. At the Stadium Office 'B' Centre, the GNA was told that long queues had been formed at about 04:00 hours. When the GNA got there at about 07:30 hours, 27 people had voted out of 541 on the electoral register. Ms Selina Ahiable, Presiding Officer at the Centre said, 'the exercise is smooth.' At the Sokode Lokoe Vocational Institute, the atmosphere was very calm with a total number of 537 registered voters and 22 transferred registered voters expected to exercise their franchise. Party agents were seen collaborating with the Presiding Officer to cross check documents ahead of start of the polls. At the Sokode Loke L/A Primary School, petty traders took advantage of the long queues to make brisk business, with some serving voters with breakfast at a fee. A total of 932 registered voters with 31 transferred voters are expected to cast their ballots at the Centre. Special arrangements have been made for the elderly, pregnant and lactating mothers. Security officers, polling agents and election observers were at all the Centres. The start of polling was equally smooth and peaceful in the Ketu North Constituency, where about 67,000 voters are expected to cast their ballots at 109 polling stations. Mr Francis Avorgbedor, Returning Officer for the Constituency told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that all materials had been distributed to the polling stations at about 06:00 hours. A total of 443 voters had registered to vote at the Court Hall polling station in Dzodze District Electoral Commission office yard. At about 06:00 hours when the GNA visited the Centre, a relatively long queue was formed at the Centre awaiting the start of the exercise at 0700 hours. Polling agents of the National Democratic Congress, the New Patriotic Party and the All People's Party placed their seals on the ballot boxes before the exercise started. The GNA spotted security officers and some election observers at the Centre. GNA's coverage of the 2016 elections, dubbed, 'GNA Tracks Election 2016,' is being funded by the Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL), the Nation's foremost indigenous oil marketing company and CIMG 2015 Petroleum Company of the year. It also has sponsorship from Life Petroleum. GNA By Elsie Appiah-Osei, GNA Accra, Dec. 7, GNA - Voting commenced in most polling stations across the Dome-Kwabenya Constituency in the 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. At the Oforikrom Amusing Centre Constituency, voting started at exactly 07:00 hours with all materials being intact. Some of the voters the Ghana News Agency (GNA) spoke to said they had to spend the night at the polling station just to exercise their franchise on time to avoid the rush hour. Mr George Osei Nti, the Presiding Officer of the Polling Station, disclosed that as at 03:30 hours when he arrived at the polling station, long queues had already been formed. He said all the materials needed for the elections were intact with 856 electorate expected to cast their ballots. "We have enough materials for the exercise and we are all set for the day's activity, and to ensure order, and peaceful election, the electorate will be voting according to numbers," he said. He explained that four parliamentary candidates from the National Democratic Congress, New Patriotic Party, Convention People's Party and People's National Convention were competing in the Constituency and they all had their agents representing them. Mr Kofi Mensah, the first person to cast his vote, told the GNA, he came to the polling station at 21:30 hours on December 6 to wait for the Day to break. The GNA observed that voting was going on smoothly amidst tight security. The GNA also observed that special treatment was accorded the aged, nursing and pregnant mothers as well as persons with disability. GNA By GNA Team Bolgatanga, Dec. 7, GNA - The Presidential and Parliamentary elections started peacefully at polling centres in the Upper East Region on Wednesday morning with voters waiting in long queues for their turn to cast their ballots. Queueing started at about 04:30 hours in most places despite the cold harmattan winds, while the voting commenced between 07.00 hours and 07.30 hours as some polling stations had to wait for the materials before they could start. At the Town Council Polling Station in the Builsa South Constituency, 30 people had voted by 7:55 hours while about 50 more people waited in the queue. At the Logniisa polling station in the same Constituency, 55 people out of the 316 on the voters register had cast their ballots by 08:30 hours while 95 out of the 729 on register had voted at the Central polling station as at 08.55 hours. The Balobia polling station and the Adda Primary polling station in the Navrongo Central Constituency had long queues of over 100 voters when voting commenced at 07:00 hours. By 07:31 hours, 24 people had cast their votes at the Namolo JSS 'B' polling station, while 50 voted at Sabolo polling station, all in the Navrongo Central Constituency. Both stations had over 100 people in queue. The Paga Primary Polling Station had about 30 people in queue while 20 had voted by 08:00 hours. At the Cocoa Board Polling Station, 56 people had cast their votes at 08.20 hours. The Winkongo Old Clinic Polling Station in the Talensi Constituency recorded 28 votes out of the 324 registered voters as at 7:30 hours when the GNA visited the place. At the Duulugu Primary Polling Station in the Bolgatanga East Constituency, 28 people had cast their votes by 08:00 hours, while eight people had voted at the Agric Polling Station in the same Constituency as at 08:17 hours. Meanwhile shops in the Bolgatanga township were closed until about 08:30 hours, as the shop owners had gone exercise their vote. GNA's coverage of the elections, dubbed: 'GNA Tracks Election 2016,' is being funded by the Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL), the Nation's foremost indigenous oil marketing company and CIMG 2015 Petroleum Company of the year. It also had sponsorship from Life Petroleum. GNA Soaltee, NAC join hands Soaltee Crowne Plaza Kathmandu and Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has entered into a commercial agreement for joint promotion in developing mutual business opportunities on tourist generating markets like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore in India and Dubai. By Maxwell Awumah, GNA Kpando, Dec 7, GNA - Three Parliamentary Candidates (PCs) are battling the incumbent, Della Sowah, candidate on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Kpando Constituency's available 35,191 registered votes. The three, Mr Elvis K. Djampoh of the New Patriotic Party (NPP); Mr Daniel Karl of the National Democratic Party (NDP); and Mr Isaac Adjanya, representing the Convention People's Party (CPP), would solicit for votes in 72 polling centres. Voting in the Constitution is picking up with scores of queues of prospective voters waiting patiently for their turn to exercise their franchise. Ghana News Agency's interviews revealed the District Council Hall Centre had recorded 160 votes out of the expected register of 816, three and half hours into the exercise. Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission's information on its website indicate that 116 Parliamentary Candidates are battling for 1,282,396 votes in the Volta Region. It said 2,506 polling stations would host the contest in 26 Constituencies. The NDC and the NPP are contesting all the Region's 26 Constituencies with the CPP filing in 19. PPP and Independent candidates are contesting in 14 and 13 Constituencies, respectively with the rest being shared among the NDP and the People's National Convention (PNC). GNA 07.12.2016 LISTEN By Iddi Yire, GNA Accra, Dec 7, GNA - Political youth groups including five main political parties within 15 constituencies have signed a peace pact to express and confirm their commitment to ensuring peace before, during and after the December 7 polls. The participating parties included the Convention People's Party (CPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP), Progressive People's Party (PPP) and People's National Convention (PNC). The project dubbed: 'Promoting Electoral Integrity in Ghana, 2016 and Beyond' also aimed at encouraging political parties to stand against injustices, impunity, and use of abusive languages that could lead to violence in their constituencies, communities and districts. It is being implemented by Development Gateway International (De- GAIN) in the Greater Accra Region, Socio Serve Ghana (SSG) in the Eastern Region and Global Action for Women Empowerment (GLOWA) in the Volta Region, and supported by European Union (EU). In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, after the signing ceremony, Mr Amoah Kwaku Karikari, Co- Executive Director of De- GAIN, noted that there had been a lot of community engagements with the youth groups in the various constituencies. He explained that these engagements created a common ground for all stakeholders to sign a binding document that would peg them to either promote peace or serve as peace agents in their communities. The Co- Executive Director said the project began with a familiarization visit and the formation of youth networks, as the facilitators observed that some of the constituencies had youth groups but were not under the National Youth Authority. 'So there was a need to bring them together and this created an opportunity for them to meet regularly, and as well organise programs such as drama to sell ideas of peace within the constituencies," he added. He noted that facilitators of the project also organised a similar programme to develop a youth agenda, a document that indicated that the youth were committed in promoting education, health, youth employment and other related issues. Mr Karikari said the project was crowned with conflict management workshops, which eventually lead to the signing of the peace pact, as such; political parties must use non-violence approach to resolve disputes. He told the Agency that the event registered participants representing political parties, National Commission for Civic Education, National Youth Authority as well as the various youth networks which include Keepfit clubs and drivers association; from Eastern, Greater Accra, Volta, Ashanti and Western Region. He said the 15 constituencies includes; Adaklu, Nkwanta North, Ketu South, Lower Manya Krobo, Asuogyaman, Suhum, Amansie West, Offinso North, Sekyere Afram Plians, Tarkwa Nsueam, Sefwi Akontombra, Wassa Amansi East, Cape Coast South, Efutu and Mfantseman. He said peace was valuable, however if peace would prevail there should be justice. "The stakeholders of elections particularly the Electoral Commission and Security Agencies must apply the legislative instruments managing the elections," he said. "Let us all go by the rules," he added. Part of the peace pact document reads: 'We, the undersigned individuals representing our political parties and youth groups in 15 constituencies for the aforementioned project, having participated in the capacity building workshop on conflict and conflict resolution, violence prevention and communication by De-GAIN, in order to engage us in ensuring a peaceful democratic elections and a political process thereafter that serves the national good". GNA Ho, Dec 07, GNA - Voting is underway in the Hohoe Constituency in a calm atmosphere despite the area being marked as one of the flashpoints in the Volta Region. The Constituency has a voting population of 73,613 with 138 polling centres in 30 electoral areas. The Ghana News Agency (GNA) was told that at about 03:00 hours, the Electoral Commission had dispatched electoral materials to the various polling stations with escort of security officers. At the School for the Deaf- Adabrake Polling Station, a total of 635 voters were on the register with an absentee list of eight and 31 transferred voters. Voting started at 07:10 hours in the presence of security officers, party agents and observers from the European Union, as well as Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO). At the MA Adabraka Polling Station 'A', there are 633 voters on the register with an absentee list of 13. MA Adabraka 'B' Polling Station has 609 registered voters with an absentee list of nine. Ahlusuna Mosque Centre 'A' and 'B' have voter populations of 1,014 and 828 respectively. They have no list of absentees. Turnout at the various polling stations visited by the Ghana News Agency at about 07:30 hours was a bit low and characterised by late starts, which the Presiding Officer attributed to late arrival of materials. Special arrangements were done for the aged to not to spend long periods in queues. GNA By Afedzi Abdullah, GNA Cape Coast, Dec. 7, GNA - Voting took off smoothly with long winding queues in almost all the polling stations that the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited in the Central Region. Most of the queues started building up as early as 04:00 hours when the electoral officials had not even arrived at the polling stations to mount their materials for voting to start at 07:00 hours. People used stones, chairs, gallons and other materials to form queues anxious and determined to cast their votes early to avoid any inconveniences. In most of the polling stations the GNA visited, the elderly, expectant mothers, health workers and physically challenged persons were allowed to cast their ballots without jointing the queue, while others were given seats to wait for their turn. At the Abura Ahmadiyya Primary Polling Station, 64 out of 642 eligible voters had cast their ballots as at 0817 hours, while 43 out of 832 had voted at the Abura Ahmadiyya Primary 'B' as at 07:45 hours, with Roman Catholic 'A' recording 23 out of 818 voters as at 07:40 hours. When the GNA visited the UCC Main Library Polling Station 'A' at 09:45 hours, a total of 105 out of 660 had cast their votes while 104 out of 685 had also cast their votes in UCC library 'B' polling station at the same time. The situation was not different from more than 10 other polling stations visited by the GNA in the Cape Coast North and South constituencies as people waited anxiously to cast their votes. At the Cape Coast Town Hall 'A' Polling Station where 718 eligible voters were expected to vote,158 had voted as at 09:15 hours. Mr Benjamin Frank Hagan, the Presiding Officer at the station, told the GNA that the station had 22 transfer voters while two persons were not allowed to vote because their names were found in the external list. He explained that the two might have done double registration or did not check their names during the voter exhibition exercise. Turnout at the various stations at the Abura Asebu Kwamankese District have been very encouraging as queues were formed long before voting started exactly at 07:00 hrs in many of the polling stations. Voting at Nkontrodu, Amissano, Elmina, SSNIT Flats Daddy's Block A and B in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafor-Abrem Consituency were all going on without any incidents. Two people who could not be verified were allowed to vote manually. GNA By Dennis Peprah, GNA Sunyani, Dec, 07, GNA - Misunderstanding between polling officials and voters, who could not find their names on the voters' roll, slowed down voting in some polling centres in the Sunyani East Constituency. It took the intervention of the security officers detailed to maintain law and order to calm things down and prevent any escalation. The Presiding Officers at those centres confirmed to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that those with valid voter identification (ID) cards but could not trace their names in the register would vote. Some of the affected people expressed disappointment and threatened to boycott the election. Except for this challenge, everything has so far gone well. Voting materials were delivered to the centres on time as the people queued up to cast their ballot. At all the polling centres visited by reporters covering the polls under the 'GNA Tracks Election 2016,' project, funded by Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL), the nation's foremost indigenous oil marketing company, and CIMG 2015 Petroleum Company of the Year, political party agents were there, making sure everything goes well. GNA By Kwamina Tandoh, GNA Sekondi, Dec. 07, GNA - Nana Efua Ahimaa II, the Paramount Queen Mother of Sekondi Traditional Area, on Wednesday called on the electorate to maintain the peace and stability of the nation. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at the Ahenfie Polling Station in the Sekondi Constituency, Nana Ahimaa, who had cast her ballot, said most valuable assets that Ghanaians, irrespective of political, religious and ethnic affiliation should always embrace is peace, unity, mutual understanding and co-operation. As at 08:00 hours the GNA visited the station, the environment was calm with security personnel present. Mr Francis Rigglet, the Presiding Officer, said a total of 748 people were expected to vote adding that the exercise was progressing smoothly with all election materials provided on time. At the 42/11 Polling Station there were long queues of voters waiting patiently to cast their ballots with security personnel, election observers and polling agents well represented. Mr Stanley Kofi Ansah, the Presiding Officer, said the exercise had been peaceful and orderly and was expecting 722 voters to cast their ballot. He said there were 10 transfer votes at the station but no proxy. Mr Ben Brookman, the Presiding Officer of Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) Primary School Dankessim A, confirmed a smooth process at the station. In all 108 parliamentary candidates comprising 100 males and eight females would contest in 26 constituencies in the Western Region with 1,579,749 registered voters expected to vote. GNA By Laudia Sawer,GNA Ningo, (GAR), GNA - The parliamentary candidates for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the Ningo-Prampram Constituency have expressed their satisfaction at the ongoing election process. Mr Sylvester Tetteh, Parliamentary Candidate for the NPP, told the Ghana News Agency at the Dzidas Cinema Hall '2B' at Old Ningo that the election process had been calm in the constituency. Mr Tetteh indicated that he was yet to receive any report of anomalies from his agents at the 93 polling stations. He expressed the hope that the calm environment would persist throughout the day adding that he was impressed at the high turnout. Mr Samuel Nartey George, Parliamentary Candidate of the NDC, also confirmed the smooth election process in the constituency. Mr Nartey George however claimed there were some few hitches which he refused to comment on stating he was not ready to grant an interview on that. Superintendent of Police Alex Kumangtani, Prampram District Commander, also confirmed that peaceful nature of the polling exercise in the constituency. Superintendent Kumangtani said he had visited several polling centres in the District and was happy that all was calm. Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission officials as at 10:30 hours were seen busily setting up a projector screen at the constituency's collation centre at the Great Ningo Police Station. GNA The Hague (AFP) - The UN's top court on Wednesday ordered France to ensure the protection of Equatorial Guinea's diplomatic mission in Paris, and rejected a French request to dump a case brought by Malabo. "France shall, pending a final decision in the case, take all measures at its disposal" to ensure the "inviolability" of a building in Avenue Foch, Paris, described by the African nation as a diplomatic mission, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled. France disputes that the building is a diplomatic mission. But the tribunal in The Hague sidestepped Equatorial Guinea's demand to order France to temporarily suspend a corruption trial before French courts brought against the son of its president, saying it would not make any other provisional measures in the case. Malabo argued the French trial of Teodorin Obiang should be frozen until the ICJ has ruled on its complaint that France has violated Obiang's diplomatic immunity. Obiang, the 47-year-old son of oil-rich Equatorial Guinea's veteran ruler, goes on trial in France in January on charges of plundering his country's coffers to fund a jet-set lifestyle. Promoted by his father Teodoro Obiang Nguema to vice president in June, Obiang is accused of using the proceeds of corruption and embezzlement to fund an array of purchases, from a luxury home to private jets and top properties, to pop star Michael Jackson's famous white glove. In 2012, French authorities swooped on the Obiang family's six-storey mansion on Avenue Foch -- one of the most upmarket addresses in Paris -- seizing it along with a fleet of luxury cars including two Bugatti Veyrons and a Rolls-Royce Phantom. Police also took away vanloads of valuables, including paintings, a $4.2-million clock and fine wines worth thousands of euros per bottle. Reading the judgement, vice president Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf said the court was "of the view that, pending a final decision in the case, the premises presented as housing the diplomatic mission of Equatorial Guinea at 42 avenue Foch in Paris should enjoy treatment" afforded diplomatic missions under the Geneva Convention. The court also "rejects the request of France to remove the case" from its workload, Yusuf added. Obiang's trial will be the first arising from a series of landmark investigations in France into the allegedly ill-gotten gains of a handful of African leaders. The two suspects in the police vehicle being transported to the police station The timely intervention of an armed police patrol team saved two women from being assaulted by a mob at Asafo in Kumasi for allegedly engaging in multiple voting through the use of Electoral Commission (EC) branded reflector jackets. The two women, one of them an EC official moved away from her post at the polling station near the Asafo Palace to behind a drinking spot and handed over her EC jacket to the other woman. The one who is not an EC official after receiving the jacket, moved to the polling centre and feigned as though she was an EC official who could not participate in the Special Voting and that she should be allowed to vote. According to an eye witness, Akua Benewaa, she was in her room on the first floor of the building when she saw the two exchanging the EC reflective jackets embossed with Polling Official at the back. She said she immediately descended and confronted the two. The other woman confessed that she had used the jacket to vote only twice at various polling stations and begged for forgiveness. Not quite after Benewa had questioned them, a crowd was attracted to the scene and when they got to know about the modus operandi of the two, they started insulting and tried to attack them. Sensing danger, some others called the police whose timely intervention prevented the crowd whose numbers were swelling by the minute from physically attacking the two. The police had to use Taser guns to scare away the crowd some of whom had picked stones and clubs ready to attack the two. -Graphiconline The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has called for a high sense of professionalism on the part of media practitioners in the coverage of today's general elections. A statement signed by the president of the Association, Mr Affail Monney and released in Accra last night urged the media to continue to uphold decorum and circumspection in their coverage. The following is the full press statement; Beginning this election year, the GJA has been drawing the attention of its members and the general public to the crucial role that journalists in particular and the media in general are expected to play through coverage to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election. In fact, as an Association, we have always made it clear that the role of a free media is indispensable under the circumstances Ghana finds itself, to ensure that its electoral process is free and transparent. It was for this reason that we got the Electoral Commission to restore the right of media personnel to early/special voting which was withdrawn during the 2012 Election. Judging from some of the media infractions, the heated debates as well as the rancor and acrimony that characterized the campaigns and activities of certain political parties this year, particularly the NDC and NPP, we cannot take chances with media coverage. The GJA, therefore, urges the media to continue to uphold decorum and circumspection in their coverage. Both conventional and social media need to serve as guardians and promoters of free, fair, credible and peaceful elections. Throughout the coverage of the polls, Journalists must at all times cross-check every piece of information that they receive and be fair to all subjects of the news. They should not report hearsay as facts, even if they emanate from party officials. This equally applies to those operating on social media. We urge all stakeholders, particularly, the Electoral Commission, political parties, the electorate, and indeed civil society to accord all media professionals, particularly journalists in their line of duty, the necessary assistance, so that they can give of their best. All political parties must impress upon their supporters to desist from any acts of provocation or attacks on media personnel in their line of duty, as has been the case in the past. Furthermore, the GJA advises media personnel on assignment to walk away from any violent provocation or physical attacks and report the incident immediately to the police, National Media Commission, GJA or GIBA, We wish the media a successful coverage of the polls. Affail Monney President Student unions demonstrate in Baulwatar against constitution amendment bill Various student unions close to the opposition parties on Wednesday held demonstrations in front of the Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar to protest the registration of the constitution amendment proposal in Parliament. 07.12.2016 LISTEN From Samuel Agbewode, Ho. The President of the National House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Asogli Traditional Area, Togbe Afede XIV, has charged all the political parties contesting today's general elections to be law-abiding and avoid any intimidating tactics to ensure peace during and after the voting. According to him, the manipulation of the electoral process to one's advantage would definitely lead to anarchy. This, he noted, would not only tarnish the image of the country, but also destabilise the development process. The President of the National House of Chiefs said this when the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Volta Region called on him at his residence to congratulate him on his election as the new President of the National House of Chiefs. He charged the political parties to commit themselves to peaceful, free and fair elections that would not disturb the peace and stability of the country. It is good that you have decided, as a party, to congratulate me on my election as the President of the National House of Chiefs, and I thank you for the honour, but how can I work in a country that is plunged into violence during or after the election? The President who would emerge after a violent election would equally find it extremely difficult to govern the country and that is why I ask that all parties should put aside selfishness and greed during the elections, to ensure peace, he said. Togbe Afede observed that conflicts during elections erupt in many Africa countries, because the leaders wanted to control state resources that would eventual benefit the few in government, whilst majority of the people continue to suffer. The President of the National House of Chiefs noted that political elections should help strengthen the unity the nation is enjoying, and that political party leaders should comport themselves and stop relegating the interest of the state to the background. Meanwhile, the Volta Regional Secretariat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has cautioned the leadership of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to stop the underground work currently ongoing to rig the elections. According to them, signals they have picked up indicated that the ruling party was contemplating using the police to arrest their Regional Chairman, Peter Amewu, and pave the way for them to carry out their plans of rigging the elections. According to the party leadership, the NDC had allegedly started trailing the regional executives, and that a vehicle, with registration number GT 411-16, was being used to execute their intended plans. The party warned that if what NDC had plotted was not aborted, they would respond appropriately, when attacked. Speaking at a news conference at Ho, the Volta Regional Secretary of the NPP, Mr. Joseph Homenyah, said the party is yearning for peaceful, free and fair elections, and that evidence they had gathered pointed out that the NDC planned to visit violence on them, must be condemned. Mr. Homenyah showed the media some face-masks the NDC had allegedly given out to some youths in Ho and other parts of the region to create confusion and later turn round to blame the NPP for it. The Volta Regional NPP Secretary told the journalists that they got the information from a church in Ho, as one of its members was given the face-mask with an order from the NDC to keep it, and that he would later be told how to use it. The church member, who was alarmed, took the face-mask, but went and showed it to his pastor. Homenyah, therefore, appealed to the security agencies to arrest anybody in a mask on election day, because the NPP members of Operation Eagle Eyes would not use masks during their activities. The military a moment ago preached some bitter message of calmness into a popular thug in the Kwabre East constituency in the Ashanti region. The young man popularly called Kwabre Otwee (to wit the Deer of Kwabre) decided to take it out on an election official at a polling station at Adanwomase where he felt the officer was acting illegally. According to the popular gangster, the EC official was stamping the back and front of the ballot paper, a claim he alone could attest to. The electoral process was virtually brought to a standstill as he threw his weight about in a braggadocios display, totally oblivious of the men in camouflage who were gazing silently at a distance. Abusua FMs Frank Ntoo reports that the Kwabre Otwees bravado and gusto was however diffused with the pace of a deer with a single slap from a military man. He noted that smooth Voting has resumed with Kwabre Otwee still yet to come out of his sombre shock for any media interviews. Ivan Korshie Heathcote Fumador ultimatefmonline.com A National Democratic Congress (NDC) polling agent today had to endure some beating for the mistake of an electoral officer in the Abuakwa Division School Polling Station B in the Atwima Nwabiagya constituency of the Ashanti region The electoral officer confessed to not stamping the back of a ballot paper after a voter had taken the paper and already cast his vote. The young polling agent of the NDC got in-between the queuing voters and the other electoral officers who had then engaged in a heated debate amidst calls for the voter to be allowed to re-vote with a fresh and stamped ballot paper. Ultimate FMs Azia Survival reports that the agent joined the other electoral officers who were vehemently against the call for the vote to be retaken much to the disdain of the electorates who pounced on him and begun beating him up. She reports that the police was swift to whisk him away and restored calm to the electoral process. Azia however indicated that the electoral officers resolved to refuse the voter another chance to vote but have decided to stamp that particular ballot paper if identified during counting. Ivan Korshie Heathcote Fumador ultimatefmonline.com Plans are in high gear for the inaugural United Nations World Data Forum, taking place in Cape Town, South Africa, on 15-18 January 2017. Over 1,000 data experts from more than 100 countries have pre-registered for the Forum, including from national statistical offices, data scientists from the private sector and academia, international organizations, and civil society groups, as well as political leaders and sustainable development advocates. Speakers will be posted online at UNdataforum.org as they are confirmed. The Forum, which will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Center, will be a unique opportunity for major producers and users of data and statistics to collaborate, launch new initiatives, and innovative solutions to deliver better data on health, education, income, environmental indicators and other aspects of sustainable development. In more than 100 sessions and parallel events, ranging from data labs and interactive knowledge-sharing spaces, to more traditional keynote speeches and panel discussions, all participants will have a platform to contribute their ideas. I am confident that the first UN World Data Forum will generate fruitful collaboration across the statistics and data communities, and cutting edge practical solutions to current challenges, said Mr. Wu Hongbo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, who heads the Secretariat for the Forum. I also hope it will boost political and financial support and partnerships for improving statistics and data capacity in many countries, to harness the power of data for the public good and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Innovative approaches Among many points of discussion, the Forum will feature presentations and data labs focusing on a number of innovative solutions, including: How using mobile phones and online interviews can improve the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of gathering data, based on experiences in Africa and Latin America. How high-res satellite images can be used to map poverty and measure soil fertility and crop yields. How call records and other sources can be used to gather better data on migration and refugees. How open data can improve the productivity of African agriculture, showcasing practical lessons learned from an 8-year public-private partnership, the Africa Soil Information Service, including ways to incorporate new technologies such as crowd-sourcing, remote sensing and drones. How involving mobile carriers, banks and social media companies in partnerships can generate new, large-scale data sources. How civil society groups are using data to talk to governments about citizens experiences and priorities, and how this can build accountability and change policy. Core issues Other plenary sessions and panels will focus on core issues agreed by the organizing committee, including: A new look at how to harness the data revolution for sustainable development; Rethinking how to build official statistical capacity in those countries where it is needed, encouraging new commitments and collaborations; Integrating new data sources and big data innovations into existing structures, and how to facilitate data sharing and collaboration across sectors; Counting minorities and vulnerable groups and improving gender data so that we leave no one behind and ensure the protection of human rights; and Understanding the world through data: data visualization, literacy and journalism. The Forum was agreed by the UN Statistical Commission based on a recommendation by the UN Secretary-Generals Independent Expert and Advisory Group on a Data Revolution for Sustainable Development. Improved use of data and statistics will be crucial to achieving the transformational vision of a better future for people and the planet, set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development agreed by world leaders at the UN in September 2015. Better data is needed to track progress and inform policy decisions from the local to the global levels. Rapid expansion in new sources of data is creating large-scale opportunities for innovative solutions, which need to be integrated with strengthened official data mechanisms and structures. The first UN World Data Forum will be hosted by the Government of South Africa and Statistics South Africa, with support from the Statistics Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. A number of partners including governments, the World Bank, UNICEF, and several civil society organizations and research institutes -- are collaborating to organize the Forum. For Media: Media wishing to cover the Forum should register online as participants in the Media category; there is no deadline for media to register. More information can be found at UNDataForum.org, or follow on Twitter @UNDataForum. Plenary sessions will be livestreamed for broader access. Press briefings are being planned for Johannesburg-based media the week of 9 January, and for media in Cape Town just prior to the Forum. Details will be posted on the Forum website media page. The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has announced that it will present its final report of the proposed Minimum Capital requirement to the board of the bank by close of this year. The Bank of Ghana earlier this year met with the International Monetary Fund to design regulatory capital and the economic capital. Currently, banks are required to hold 120 million cedis as the minimum capital. Some observers have predicted that the increase may go beyond 300 million cedis. Speaking to Citi Business News, the Head of Banking Supervision at the bank of Ghana, Mr. Raymond Amanfu disclosed that the bank will by close of this year present its recommendations to the board of the bank to decide on the implementation. According to him, there are many parameters that have been drawn to allow the board and management design the implementation modalities. There are a whole lot of parameters, as a regulator I will have to push all those parameters together and then my board will look at it and then look at the options and then decide, he explained. He pointed out that these modalities will included the time frame banks are required to fulfill the requirement and how it will be carried out. The work has been done it is left with management and the board to decide and then look at the option s. the options are basically, how much, how they are going to pay it , how do we stagger it or we will ask them to bring lump sum , what time frame are we looking at, he said. By: Lawrence Segbefia/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana Johannesburg (AFP) - Finance minister Philip Hammond on Wednesday said Britain was working on strengthening ties with non-EU partners before exiting the European Union. After a string of "constructive" talks with top political and business leaders, the chancellor of the exchequer, who is currently in South Africa, pledged millions in aid for developmental programmes. "As Britain leaves the EU, we will be deepening our work with our international partners to build ever stronger economic links around the world," he said in a statement issued by the British embassy in Pretoria. "South Africa is a key strategic partner for the UK in Africa and internationally, and we are determined to see that go from strength to strength." The visit is the first leg in a three-nation tour that will take the minister to Japan and South Korea. Hammond, who on Tuesday was in Brussels to discuss Britain's impending departure from the European Union, is embarking "on a series of international trips to showcase the UK's commitment to forming even stronger global ties," according to Treasury. Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May has stated that she will formally trigger the two-year EU divorce process by the end of March 2017. However, Brussels and London face the daunting prospect of gruelling negotiations on future trade deals with the European Union and countries outside of the bloc. In South Africa, Hammond met his counterpart Pravin Gordhan and International Relations Minister Maite Nkoane-Mashabane. 'Tackle barriers' He also visited the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and took part in a roundtable with leaders from major local companies. Hammond told South African business leaders that Brexit "is in no way a vote by the British people to turn inwards, to close the doors, to turn our backs on the world, (it's) quite the opposite." "We will manage the Brexit process very much with business equities in mind ... we need to continue to attract foreign direct investment to the UK," he assured the captains of industry and commerce. During the talks with political leaders, he confirmed "up to 35 million ($44 million) for an ambitious new prosperity programme over the next four years supporting inclusive economic development in South Africa". The two countries will achieve this by working together to "tackle barriers to trade and growth, increase competitiveness, and improve ease of doing business". "This funding is a key part of the UK's strategy for helping promote economic growth." South Africa is Britain's biggest export market in Africa, with its bilateral trade hitting almost 8.0 billion ($10.2 billion, 9.5 billion euros) in 2015. To build on the close business ties between the two countries, several commercial deals were announced including a $180-million Rolls Royce service contract with the national carrier South African Airways "South African Airways have signed a new TotalCare service order for Trent 700 engines made by British company Rolls Royce that power five Airbus A330 aircraft," the statement said. On Thursday, Hammond is expected in Cape Town where he will meet start-ups to discuss synergies with British tech businesses and investors. From South Africa he flies to Japan to meet the finance minister Taro Aso and Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda, as well as with Softbank chief executive Masayoshi Son. The mobile giant's recent $32-billion takeover of iPhone chip designer ARM Holdings is the biggest Asian investment in the UK. In South Korea, Hammond will hold bilateral meetings with government ministers and the Bank of Korea's governor Lee Ju-Yeol. 07.12.2016 LISTEN The Koforidua branch of the Moment of Glory Prayer Army (MOGPA) has donated items worth thousands of Ghana cedis to the Koforidua Regional Hospital children's ward. The items donated include three bags of rice, 10 plastic chairs, toiletries, fruit juice, baby diapers, six boxes of biscuits, one gallon of cooking oil, three buckets of washing powder, pineapples, four bottles of liquid washing soap, six gallons of parazone, as well as 15 pieces of MOGPA bed sheets. Presenting the items on behalf of the General Overseer, Rev. Isaac Osei Bonsu, the Resident Pastor, Godfred Quaye, said the items were from the childrens department of MOGPA, as part of the branchs one year anniversary in Koforidua. He further said his outfit would continue to support the ward in order to seal the relationship between them. The Principal Nursing Officer in charge of the childrens ward, Faustina Asare, indicated the donation had come at the right time, since it would go a long way to help avert some challenges they face. She, however, expressed gratitude to the founder for his continuous support to the ward. 07.12.2016 LISTEN Stories from Isaac Akwetey-Okunor ([email protected]).. The Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF-Ghana), a pan-African network of organisations and individuals working in the interest of women, has advised the government to create and implement policies that oppose violence against women and children in the country. The Communication and Advocacy Officer of WiLDAF-Ghana, Abigail Edem Hunu, disclosed that in order to reduce the high rate of domestic and non-domestic violence in the country, there is the need for the strong implementation of laws, policies and action plans on violence against women. She made this disclosure during this year's 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence campaign, which started from November 25 to December 10, 2016, and was observed at Adeiso, in the Upper West Akyem, which was supported by Oxfam and Crossroads International. It was under the themes: 'Orange the World: Raise Money to End Violence against Women and Girls' and From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Make Education Safe for All. The campaign seeks to raise awareness of gender-based violence, strengthen local networks, and create platforms for individuals and groups to lobby the government on the subject, since the prevalence rate of gender-based violence is on the rise, as unearthed by different national surveys, despite the governments efforts in tackling this issue. As part of solutions to help curb gender-based violence, WiLDAF again called on the government to speedily pass the legislative instrument to the Domestic Violence Act 2007, and implement the 2014 recommendations of the CEDAW Committee to Ghana. WiLDAF believes that there are serious gaps in the national response to limit gender-based violence, despite the numerous governmental organisations established, such as Domestic Violence Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) and Human Trafficking Secretariat among many others. In order to close these gaps, it has urged the government to urgently provide a national shelter for victims, survivors and those at risk of domestic violence, as they believe it would help solve the problem. Aside the government, WiLDAF is encouraging development partners, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and corporate bodies to invest directly in women and girls, towards protecting them from violence and discrimination, and empower girls, through the provision of safe spaces in schools and in communities, to protect them from violence. On this year's elections, the pan-African network of organisations and individuals working in the area of women called on all key players in the election process to ensure free, fair and violence-free elections. 07.12.2016 LISTEN Mr. Seth Terkper, Minister of Finance, has noted that the country needs stronger indigenous oil marketing companies (OMCs) to propel the economy. With a growing Oil and Gas economy, vibrant indigenous OMCs are what we require to make our local content policy succeed. Ultimately, a stronger and financially solvent indigenous OMC is good for a stronger cedi. As we embrace competition, it is important indigenous OMCs up their game and strengthen their capital base, so that they can rub shoulders with other multinationals and also be players in sectors such as the bunkering, which demands huge financial commitment, Mr. Terkper stated at GOIL end-of-year award and dinner in Accra. The Finance Minister noted that GOIL continue to play crucial role in stabilizing the once turbulent petroleum marketing sector. Indeed, the performance of indigenous companies like GOIL has vindicated government's decision to de-regulate the sector in July 2015. I would like to recall that when government took that decision, some in the industry were concerned that a liberalized environment will result in increased prices, which will not be beneficial for the consumer. The other concern was the thought that government will lose control of this critical sector, he said. Mr. Terkper however noted that, the deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector has had a positive impact on government's finances and has cushioned the country tremendously, the shocks associated with crude price volatility on the international market. For instance in 2013, Government spent a whopping US$2.6 billion to import finished petroleum products from Europe for local consumption. After deregulation, data from the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) indicates that the Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs) accounted for 74 per cent of the imports, while government institutions imported the remaining 26 per cent. Clearly a huge financial burden was removed from government after deregulation. Let me emphasize that, it is in pricing that the effects of deregulation has greatly impacted on the consumer. No doubt, government's decision to de-regulate the petroleum downstream sector has brought about stiff competition and compelled players in the sector to reduce their prices which have eventually benefitted the consumer, the Finance Minister noted. Speaking on the topic; The relevance of indigenous OMC in the de-regulated petroleum downstream industry in Ghana, Mr. Terkper said indigenous OMCs have a stabilizing role to play. Let me also put on record the important role GOIL has played in stabilizing the market and helping the consumer to get fairer fuel prices on the market, he said. He, however, noted that other indigenous OMCs can only play that role if some of them can consolidate and muster the financial muscle. Professor William Asumaning, GOIL Board Chairman, noted that GOIL continued to focus on growing its core business through value-added joint venture engagements, take-over of distressed competitor stations and acquisition of new stations. He said despite the challenging market conditions and stiff competition, the Company achieved the biggest market share among the over 80 Oil Marketing Companies. GOILs fuel sales during the year 2015 exceeded its own target and remains on course in the retail business through competitive pricing, offering quality additivated products, value for fuel purchased by our cherished customers and maintaining a high level of visibility by the strategic spread of its stations. Prof Asumaning said in June 2015, when the other Bulk Distribution Companies (BDCs) were finding it difficult to import finished petroleum products into the country, BOST together with GOENERGY (a subsidiary of GOIL) rose up to save the situation. As a result, the country did not experience any significant fuel shortage. Once again, GOENERGYS contribution to the implementation of the deregulation exercise in the country is a success story we can all share, he said. He said the synergy between GOIL and GOENERGY has pushed the Company as a group to grow to a level we are all proud of. Prof Asumaning therefore commended GOIL Board, Management, staff, Filling Station attendants, customers, the media and other stakeholders including Banks for supporting GOIL. Mr Patrick Akpe Kwame Akorli, Group Chief Executive Officer of GOIL, received award for over 20 years dedicated service to GOIL in several subordinated positions. Mr Akorli has worked through the ranks to his current position as the Group CEO and Managing Director. Other staffs who have worked between ten and 35 years of service were also awarded. Source: GNA 07.12.2016 LISTEN From Sebastian R. Freiku, Kumasi.. Madam Juliana Osei Bonsu of Osborn Ventures, a waste Management company in Kumasi has punched holes in the claim by Mr. John Alexander Ackon, the Ashanti Regional Minister acting as the Metro Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) that, the assembly paid GH258,897 to her company for sanitation services provided between 2007 and 2012. She claims that the KMA has not paid any amount to her for services rendered the KMA per a contract her company entered into with the KMA in 2007. The KMA contracted Osbon Enterprise to do door-to-door collection of solid waste and refuse at Asawase for a period of five years for the KMA, in a bid to fight filth in the metropolis. Madam Juliana of Osborn Ventures has since 2013 instituted an action for the payment of the amount and other monies in pursuant to an agreement entered into by the two parties. She is also seeking interest on the sum from January 2007 to date of the final payment at the prevailing bank rate, as well as general damages for unlawful termination of plaintiff's contract with the defendant. She explained that the subject matter is pending before a law court where the KMA is contesting an action against it for the payment of GHc532,476.40 owed to Osbon Enterprise. In June, 2015, a Kumasi High Court (Commercial Division) gave judgment to the effect that the KMA should pay an amount of GHc249,188.40 representing five months of subsidies from January to May 2008 and a monthly sum of GHc33,051.31 for the period from January to October 2008. The KMA was also to pay interest on the total sum as prayed in addition to GHc800,000 general damages as well as a cost of GHc50,000.00. As a result, the defendant/respondent KMA declared its intention to file Notice of Appeal and subsequently filed an application for a stay of execution on the grounds that the judgment was given in the absence of the KMA. The Court presided over by His Lordship Justice Kofi Akrowiah on July 12, 2016 in upholding the application for stay of execution, ordered that half of the judgment debt be paid by the defendant into Court and half be paid to the plaintiff as defendant judgment debtor pending the determination of the appeal. It is against this background that Madam Juliana has vehemently protested against the claim by the Regional Minister that the KMA had paid some amounts of money to Osbon Enterprise. She said the said Ministerial claim has created the wrong impression that she is dishonest in the eyes of her bankers and debtors following delayed payments by the KMA. Last week, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly appealed to the government for an urgent financial support and legal assistance to deal with GH50.2 million judgment debt and 49 court cases. The Regional Minister, John Alexander Ackon, said at the formal opening of the second session of the General Assembly in Kumasi that the Assembly has now been saddled with a total judgment debt of GH50.5 million and that the situation is distracting the Assembly from effectively carrying out its mandate and damaging its image. According to Mr. Ackon, court orders have taken a chunk of the Assembly's financial resources from almost all its bank accounts. He indicated that between 2015 and July 2016, KMA paid GH976,120.62 to Sapso Construction Ltd purported which constructed market stalls in 1994 but the cost of the project was not paid for by the KMA at the time. The Minister also said GH258,897 was paid to Freko FD Enterprise Ltd and Osbon Ltd for sanitation services provided between 2007 and 2012. Mr. Ackon says currently, the court has granted three companies to seize and sell KMA's movable and immovable properties to settle judgment debts. But Madam Juliana, as she is commonly known, has said the claim by the minister is untrue and wondered why some payments had been made to other companies but her company was yet to be paid a pesewa in spite of court directives. She also wondered why the KMA should use her company to solicit as huge as GHc50.5 million for servicing of judgment debts by the KMA. The CEO of Osbon Enterprise said she suspects some mischief since the KMA has even filed a stay of execution against orders of the court to pay some amounts pending the determination of the case. Madam Juliana also indicated that if indeed the KMA had paid some amounts to her company, why it (KMA) would move round seeking arbitration per some eminent chiefs and also go to the extent of filing a stay of execution of a court's order in an attempt to delay payment due her. She has, therefore, appealed to the public to disregard the claim by the KMA that it had paid monies to her company with contempt. Tiwaris hunger strike gets students backing Students staged a rally in Rajbiraj, the district headquarters of Saptari, on Tuesday to show their solidarity with Bikas Tiwari, who has been staging a hunger strike for the last two weeks demanding various reforms and facilities at Gajendra Narayan Singh Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital. 07.12.2016 LISTEN From Richard Owusu-Akyaw, Kumasi.. Female head porters, commonly known in the local parlance as 'Kayayei', in the Asokore Mampong Municipality are rooting for President John Dramani Mahama ahead of Wednesday's general elections. Constituting themselves as the United Kayayei for Ashanti Region (UKAR), they have declared their support for President John Mahama. At a press conference held at Akwatia Line in Kumasi on Sunday, Mr. Bawa Idrisu, Secretary of United Kayayei for Ashanti Region (UKAR), stated: We, the members of (UKAR), wish to state that we have seen a massive infrastructure development carried out by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government in the Ashanti Region. Mr. Bawa outlined some of the achievements of the Mahama-led administration as the re-development of Kumasi Kejetia, re-development of Asawasi, Tafo and Atonsu markets, which markets, they say, are their source of livelihood to support their families up north. We, therefore, rally and throw our support for John Dramani Mahama to continue the good work he has done and still doing for Mother Ghana, UKAR declared. The porters lauded President Mahama for massive improvement concerning peace and security in the three northern regions, which has helped reduce rural-urban migration drastically. Mr. Al-Goodman Kamaladen, Chairman of UKAR, emphasised that Mahama has been a good leader and deserves their votes for a massive victory of 58% and 189 seats in the parliamentary elections. Pix: Mr. Bawa addressing the conference 07.12.2016 LISTEN From Alfred Adams, Takoradi As Ghanaians go to the polls today, the Western Region would be one of the regions the two dominating political parties, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), would battle to win. The region, regarded as a swing one, holds the key in deciding which political party forms the next government. It is as a result of this that the flagbearers of the two leading political parties paid a number of visits to the region to sell their messages to the electorate. The region has 26 constituencies, with the ruling party controlling 18, whilst the opposition NPP controls a meager eight. In rounding up their campaigns, the two leading parties, considering the importance they attached to the region, held mammoth rallies to bring an end to their campaigns. Whilst the flagbearer of the opposition NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo, chose the Sekondi Constituency to hold a rally to round up his campaign in the region, the flagbearer for the ruling NDC party, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, on the other hand, chose the Tarkwa Constituency. The Chronicle can report that the decision by the two to hold regional rallies at both Sekondi and Tarkwa was strategic. For instance, the Sekondi Constituency, where the opposition NPP chose to hold it rally, was to 'water the ground' for the party and its parliamentary candidate, Mr. Andrew Egyapa Mercer, considering the growth of the ruling party in the constituency. This reporter can report that the NPP, which controls the Sekondi seat, risks losing it for the first time to the ruling party. The continuous growth and support for the NDC in the Sekondi Constituency, coupled with the number of development projects the government had lined up for the area, is working magic for the party. Talk of the asphalting of all roads and streets in Sekondi, including the revamping of the Sekondi rail line, has attracted support for the ruling party. As a result, it would not be surprising if the NDC, for the first time, snatches the Sekondi parliamentary seat from the hands of the NPP, considering the turn of events that transpired in the last parliamentary election. Tarkwa, where the ruling party chose to hold it regional rally, was also to prepare the ground for its parliamentary candidate, comedian Seth Kwame Dzokoto, to wrest the seat from the hands of the NPP entrant, Mireku Duker. The popularity of the comedian is a daunting task Mireku Duker has to battle with in order to retain the seat for his party. Tarkwa Constituency has since time immemorial been a stronghold of the NPP. The Western Region is divided into three southern, middle and northern belt. Whilst the ruling party is very strong in the northern and the middle belt, the opposition NPP is strong in the southern belt. The northern belt consists of Bia, Akontombra, Bodi, Sefwi Wiawso, and Sefwi Anwiaso-Bekwai, where the ruling party is dominating. In all the four constituencies that make up the northern belt, the ruling party has full grasp of the votes. But the NPP managed to win one of the seats in the northern belt Sefwi Anwiaso-Bekwai. In the middle belt, which consists of Enchi, Amenfi Central, Amenfi West, Wassa Akropong and Prestea Hunni Valley, the ruling party is also very dominant, winning all the votes, including the three Nzema constituencies. In the three Nzema constituencies Jomoro, Ellembelle and Evalue-Gwira the ruling party has vowed to increase it votes for the President. The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has pledged to increase the presidential votes by 16,000. Considering the level of development the constituents have received under the government, it would not be surprising if the NDC votes go beyond the number predicted by Armah Buah. The NPP, on the other hand, has dominated the southern belt constituencies Takoradi, Sekondi, Ahanta West, Kwesimintsim and Effia for a long time. Until the last election (2012) where the NPP lost one of its strongholds ( Ahanta West Constituency) to the ruling party in the parliamentary election, all the aforementioned have remained faithful to the NPP. Monitoring done by this reporter reveals that the ruling party would increase its votes in the strongholds of the NPP in the southern belt, particularly the Effia and Sekondi constituencies. Effia and Sekondi are the two constituencies the NPP could lose, considering the strength of the parliamentary candidates fielded by the ruling party. Ebenezer Assifuah and Michael Ottoo of Sekondi and Effia respectively are giving a 'hell' of a time to their opponent from the NPP in the parliamentary race. The NPP is also expected to snatch back the Ahanta West Constituency seat it lost to the ruling party in the last elections. 07.12.2016 LISTEN Ghana elects on national level a head of state , the president, and a legislature. The president is elected for a four-year term by the people. The Parliament of Ghana has 275 members, elected for a four-year term in single-seat constituencies .] The presidential election is won by having more than 50% of valid votes cast, whilst the parliamentary elections is won by simple majority, and, as is predicted by Duvergers law , the voting system has encouraged Ghanaian politics into a two-party system , creating extreme difficulty for anybody attempting to achieve electoral success under any banner other than those of the two dominant parties. Elections have been held every four years since 1992. Presidential and parliamentary elections are held alongside each other, generally on 7 December. 1960 electio Presidential elections were held for the first time in Ghana on 27 April 1960. The elections were held alongside a referendum on creating an executive presidency . The winner of the election would become the countrys first President if the new republican constitution was passed (which it did). There were only two candidates in the election: Kwame Nkrumah , incumbent Prime Minister and leader of the Convention Peoples Party and J. B. Danquah , United Party. Kwame Nkrumah won the polls by getting 1,016,075 votes or 89.07% with J. B. Danquah garnering 124,623 or 10.93%. Registered voters 2,098,651 voters. 1969 election Ghanaian parliamentary election was held on 29 August 1969. This was the first parliamentary election since the 1966 coup which toppled the Nkrumah government . The election was to select members for the 140 seat legislative body and was won by the Progress Party led by Kofi Abrefa Busia who became the Prime Minister of Ghana . Kofi Abrefa Busia and Progress Party garnered 877,310 votes and 105 seats; Komla Agbeli Gbedemah and National Alliance of Liberals got 463,401 votes and 19 seats. Registered voters 2,362,665 and turnout of voters was 1,493,371 1979 election General elections were held in Ghana on 18 June 1979, with a second round of the presidential election on 9 July 1979. The presidential election resulted in victory for Hilla Limann of the Peoples National Party , who received 62.0% of the votes in the run-off. Hilla Limann of the Peoples National Party -631,559 votes; Victor Owusu of Popular Front Party 533,928 Second Round: Hilla Limann 1,118,305; Victor Owusu 686,097 Voter turnout 1,804,402 1992 election Presidential elections were held in Ghana on 3 November 1992. The result was a victory for Jerry John Rawlings, who won 58.4% of the vote. Jerry John Rawlings represented The Progressive Alliance, a coalition of the National Democratic Congress, the National Convention Party and Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere (EGLE) garnered 2,323,135 votes; Albert Adu Boahen of New Patriotic Party 1,204,764 votes. Registered voters 7,401,370 and turnout of voters was 3,978,070. 1996 election General elections were held in Ghana on 7 December 1996. The presidential election resulted in a victory for the incumbent, Jerry Rawlings of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Jerry Rawlings (NDC) 4,101,674; John Kufuor (NPP) 2,829,726 Registered voters 9,279,605 and turnout of voters was 7,266,693. 2000 election General elections were held in Ghana on 7 December 2000, with a second round of the presidential election on 28 December. The presidential elections resulted in a victory for John Kufuor of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The election marked the first transfer of power via the ballot box in the countrys history. John Kufuor (NPP) 3,131,739; John Atta Mills (NDC) 2,895,575 votes. Since no candidate received more than 50% of the votes, a run-off election was held. Second Round Results: John Kufuor 3,631,263; John Atta Mills 2,750,124 Registered voters 10,698,652 and turnout of voters was 6,605,084 2004 election General elections were held in Ghana on 7 December 2004. The presidential elections resulted in a victory for incumbent John Kufuor of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). John Kufuor of New Patriotic Party 4,524,074 votes; John Atta Mills of National Democratic Congress -3,850,368 votes Registered voters 10,354,970 and turnout of voters was 8,313,908 2008 election General elections were held in Ghana on 7 December 2008. Since no candidate received more than 50% of the votes, a run-off election was held on 28 December 2008 between the two candidates who received the most votes, Nana Akufo-Addo and John Atta Mills . Mills was certified as the victor in the run-off election on January 3, 2009, by a margin of less than one percent. It is to date the closest election in Ghanaian history. John Atta Mills of National Democratic Congress 4,070,889; Nana Akufo-Addo of New Patriotic Party 4,204,073. Second round results: John Atta Mills 4,527,909; Nana Akufo-Addo 4,443,654 Registered voters 12,472,758 and turnout of voters was 9,094,364 2012 election General election was held in Ghana on Friday 7 December 2012. Owing to the breakdown of some biometric verification machines, some voters could not vote, and voting was extended to Saturday 8 December 2012. John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress was declared winner of the election with 50.7% of the vote. The opposition New Patriotic Party filed a petition at the Ghanaian Supreme Court to review the election results. The petition failed. John Dramani Mahama (NDC) 5,573,572; Nana Akufo-Addo (NPP) 5,263,286. Registered voters 14,158,890 and turnout of voters was 11,246,982. 2016 election? John Dramani Mahama (NDC) ??? Nana Akufo-Addo (NPP) ??? Profile of leading Candidates John Dramani Mahama (NDC) John Dramani Mahama was born in Damongo on 29 November 1958. He hails from Bole in the Northern region. His father, Emmanuel Adama Mahama , a wealthy rice farmer and teacher, was the first Member of Parliament for the West Gonja constituency and the first Regional Commissioner of the Northern Region during the First Republic under Ghanas first president, Kwame Nkrumah . Mahama had his early education at Achimota School and then proceeded to Ghana Secondary School ( Tamale , Northern region ) and the University of Ghana , Legon , receiving a bachelors degree in history in 1981 and a postgraduate diploma in communication studies in 1986. He also studied at the Institute of Social Sciences in Moscow in the Soviet Union , specializing in social psychology; he obtained a postgraduate degree in 1988. After completing his undergraduate education, Mahama taught for a few years. Upon his return to Ghana after studying in Moscow , he worked as the Information, Culture and Research Officer at the Embassy of Japan in Accra between 1991 and 1995. From there he moved to the anti-poverty non-governmental organisation (NGO) Plan International s Ghana Country Office, where he worked as International Relations, Sponsorship Communications and Grants Manager between 1995 and 1996. Political career John Mahama was first elected to the Parliament of Ghana in the 1996 elections to represent the Bole /Bamboi Constituency for a four-year term. In April 1997, Mahama was appointed Deputy Minister of Communications. He was promoted to the post of Minister of Communications in November 1998, serving in that post until January 2001, when the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) handed over power to the New Patriotic Party s government. In 2000, Mahama was re-elected for another four-year term as the Member of Parliament for the Bole/Bamboi Constituency. He was again re-elected in 2004 for a third term. From 2001 to 2004, Mahama served as the Minority Parliamentary Spokesman for Communications. In 2002, he was appointed the Director of Communications for the NDC. That same year, he served as a member of the team of International Observers selected to monitor Zimbabwe s Parliamentary Elections. As an MP , he was a member of Standing Orders Committee as well as the Transport, Industry, Energy, Communications, Science and Technology Committee of Parliament. In 2003 Mahama became a member of the Pan-African Parliament, serving as the Chairperson of the West African Caucus until 2011. He was also a member of European and Pan African Parliaments Ad-hoc Committee on Cooperation. On 7 January 2009, Mahama became the Vice-President of Ghana . In line with Ghanas constitution , Mahama became President of Ghana on 24 July 2012 on the death of his predecessor, John Atta Mills . Nana Akufo-Addo (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was born on 29 March 1944. His father's residence, Betty House at Korle Wokon in Accra, was effectively the headquarters of the country's first political party, the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), Three of the Big Six the founding fathers of Ghana were his relatives: J. B. Danquah (grand uncle), William Ofori-Atta (uncle) and Edward Akufo-Addo (his father). Akufo-Addo received his primary education first at the Government Boys School, Adabraka, and later at the Rowe Road School (now Kinbu), both in Accra Central. He went to England to study for his O-Level and A-Level examinations at Lancing College , Sussex . He returned to Ghana in 1962 to teach at Accra Academy Secondary School, before going to read Economics at the University of Ghana, Legon, in 1964, earning a BSc (Econ) degree in 1967. He subsequently studied law in the UK and was called to the English Bar ( Middle Temple ) in July 1971. Akufo-Addo was called to the Ghana bar in July 1975. He co-founded the law firm Akufo-Addo, Prempeh & Co., which has become one of the prominent law firms in Ghana. Akufo-Addo was the first Chairperson of DHL (GH) Ltd; and the first Chairperson of the Ghana Committee on Human and Peoples Rights. He was responsible, through his association with the US company, Millicom, for introducing mobile telephony into the country. Political career In his early thirties, Akufo-Addo was the General Secretary of the broad-based People's Movement for Freedom and Justice (PMFJ), this group led the NO campaign in the UNIGOV referendum of 1978. In 1991, Akufo-Addo was the chairman of the Organising Committee of the Danquah-Busia Memorial Club, a club dedicated to the preservation of the memory and ideals of the two great advocates of Ghanaian democracy, J. B. Danquah and K. A. Busia . In 1992, he was the first national organiser of the NPP. In 1992, Akufo-Addo set up and financed The Statesman newspaper, which has become the unofficial mouthpiece of the NPP. In 1995, he led the famous Kume Preko demonstrations of the Alliance For Change (AFC), a broad-based political pressure group, which mobilised millions of people onto the streets of Ghana to protest the harsh economic conditions. Akufo-Addo was elected three times between 1996 and 2008 as Member of Parliament for the Abuakwa South constituency in the Eastern region of Ghana. From 2001 to 2007, as Cabinet Minister, first as Attorney-General and Minister for Justice for two years, and later as Foreign Minister for five years, Akufo-Addo served in the government of President John Kufuor with distinction. In August 2006, Akufo-Addo chaired the meeting of the Security Council which took the decision that halted Israel's massive incursions into Lebanon. 07.12.2016 LISTEN By Pascal Kafu Abotsi ([email protected]).. The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) says it has deployed 8,000 of its members, including 1,500 Parallel Vote Tabulation Observers, in the countrys 275 constituencies, and as well as the National Results Collation Centre, to observe and report on todays election results, collation, tabulation, and declaration. 7,000 observers would be deployed as Rapid Response Observers (RROs) to a representative sample of polling stations throughout the country, while the remaining 1,000 of its Regional Coordinators, Constituency Supervisors and General Assembly Members would perform their roles as Roaming Observers (ROs) in all the 10 regions. At a press conference in Accra yesterday, the Co-chair of the CODEO Board, Professor Miranda Greenstreet, announced that the essence of monitoring the elections, which her outfit had been engaged in since 2008, was to complement the efforts of the Electoral Commission (EC) and all stakeholders in ensuring a free, fair and peaceful election. According to her, all trained CODEO observers were recruited from member organisations, and that precautions were taken to ensure that recruited members were strictly non-partisan and professional. Touching on the preparations of the election day field observation, including the deployment of RROs and Roaming Observers (ROs), Professor Greenstreet stated that they commenced with a national training-of-trainers workshop for its 30 Regional Coordinators (RCs) in September. This, she added, was followed by the training of 550 Constituency Supervisors (CS) in October, and was concluded with the training of its 7,000 stationery RROs in November. At each level of the training, CODEO observers were taken through the legal framework for elections, code of conduct for observers, what to observe at the polling stations, and personal security, among others, she said. With its data collection method, Professor Greenstreet stressed that the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) system CODEO employed during the 2008 and 2012 elections would remain unchanged. The PVT is an advanced observation methodology that builds on the conventional election observation method. It involves deploying trained and accredited non-partisan and independent observers to a nationally representative sample of polling stations, she explained. The strategy, she believed, would not only enable CODEO to independently verify the accuracy of the tabulation process, but also boost citizens and voters' confidence in the electoral process and outcomes, and assure them that their votes would be counted and properly tabulated. United Nations (United States) (AFP) - A New Zealand lawmaker who has led UN aid efforts worldwide is to be named UN mission chief in South Sudan, one of the world's toughest peacekeeping jobs, diplomats said Wednesday. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has sent a letter informing the Security Council of his intention to appoint David Shearer as the UN envoy to South Sudan and head of UNMISS, succeeding Ellen Margrethe Loj of Denmark. Shearer, a 59-year-old member of New Zealand's parliament, served as UN deputy envoy in Iraq from 2007 to 2009, following UN assignments in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Israel, Rwanda, Liberia and the Balkans. Council members have until Friday midday to raise objections, but diplomats expect the appointment to be approved. The United Nations has some 14,000 peacekeepers in South Sudan, where a civil war has been raging since December 2013. The peacekeepers have come under heavy criticism for failing to protect civilians, including women who were raped by government soldiers in Jubly, not far from the gates of a UN compound in Juba. Ban last month warned the council that South Sudan faces a "very real risk of mass atrocities" and that peacekeepers would be powerless to stop such a bloodbath. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced more than 2.5 million, but UN diplomats expect the crisis to worsen. South Sudan won independence from Sudan in 2011 with strong support from the United States. The United States is pushing for an arms embargo and sanctions, but Russia and China are opposed to such measures. By Nana Asare, GNA Accra, Dec. 7, GNA - A total of 562 voters had cast their ballot out of 1,402 voters at the New Methodist Polling Station A and B in the Weija-Gbawe Constituency as at 11:00 hours. A Presiding officer, Farida Adjei, told the Ghana News Agency that there had been no incidence so far and that though they had in their possession of the tactile device meant to assist the visually impaired so far no such person has come to vote. She said voting in the polling station had been smooth and the electorates seem to be comporting themselves. At Gbawe Presby Polling Station B, 240 voters had cast their ballots out of 633. The Presiding officer, Eric Asante, told the GNA that there had been only one manual verification at the time whilst those without voter identity cards were three. Mr Samuel Opoku Agyeman, Presiding Officer of Polling Station B, said 254 out of 629 had voted as at 12:30 hours whilst there had also been a constant flow of voters to the station since the polls begun at 07:00 hours. Loretta Bechem, Presiding Officer at the New Life Polling Station A, also in Weija-Gbawe, said 317 out of 740 voters had cast their ballot as at 12:40 hours and there was no queue at the time. In Ablakuma North, 226 had voted as at 13:05 hours out of a total number of 552 at the United Pentecostal Church, popularly known as Asoredanho. Ms Mary Ayittey, the Presiding Officer, told the GNA that one police officer could not vote because his details was not in the register even though his card and polling station code tally. Also at the Ghana Revenue Authority Polling Station A also at Asoredanho, 372 had voted as at 13:40 hours from an expected total of 641. Mr Meshack Appiah, Presiding Officer, told the GNA that there were six absentee voters,13 on the Exclusive List and eight on the Multiple Voters List. When the GNA got to Ablakuma West Most Holy Heart School, the polling station had been divided into four namely; Polling Station 16 A and B and 15 A and B. At 16 A, 274 had voted out of an expected 663 with one voter being manually verified, while at Polling Station 16 B, a total of 314 had voted out of a total of 787 voters as at 13:45 hours. At the Polling Station 15 A, 340 voters had voted out of 796 whilst at Polling Station B 273 had voted out of 640. Voting continues. GNA By Patience Gbeze, GNA Accra, Dec.7, GNA - Voting in four polling stations within Bortianor/Ngleshie Amanfrom Constituency has delayed. Mr Seth Aryee, the Presiding Officer of the MA Junior High School attributed the delay to the late receiving of the material. Materials arrived at 07:13hours at MA Junior High School at Amanforom and as at 07:37hours, the Electoral Commission (EC) officials were still setting up and cross checking the electoral materials with party agents. Meanwhile, there were long queues at all the centres visited by GNA reporters and the voters waited patiently for the commencement of the exercise. Mr Joseph Buabeng, an elder at Amanfro Pentecost, told the GNA that he came to form the queue on December 6 at 22:00 hours in a bid to cast his vote early. Mr Anthony Kwayeng said he sent his children to join the queue for him early. They both called on Ghanaians to ensure peace during and after today's exercise. At Anyaa Sowutuom Constituency, voting started at 07:00hours at the Crusade Academy Polling Station A and 'B' at A-Lang. Electoral officers got to the station at 04:30 hours to meet handful of the electorate already in queues waiting to cast their ballot. GNA Elmina (C/R), Dec. 7, GNA - Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, Presidential Candidate of the Progressive People's Party (PPP) on Wednesday cast his ballot at SSNIT Flat Daddy's Block 'B' Polling Station at Elmina. Dr Nduom who is making his third attempt at the presidency on the ticket of two different political parties, was optimistic of performing better in this elections compared to 2012. He polled 64,363 representing 0.59 per cent of the total valid vote cast in the previous election and is hoping to surpass the figure in the 2016 elections. He was accompanied by his wife and brother-in-law who is also the Parliamentary Candidate for the PPP. Interacting with the media after casting his ballot, the Ghanaian business magnate, re-echoed his lack of confident in the Electoral Commission (EC) lamenting on the hullabaloo surrounding the filling of his nomination forms. He said the elections could not be said to be free and fair if such issues continued to persist in the electoral processes, but expressed the hope that changes would be made in subsequent elections. The presidential hopeful expected the EC to immediately undertake some reforms after the 2016 elections among which were the implementation of the political parties' law and ensure that only those who complied with the directives would be allowed to participate in the next election. He said the outcome of elections affected the lives of the people and urged the people to vote for a secured future. In his observation of the election process in the KEEA constituency, he noted that some ballot boxes carried 2012 tags adding that, such things left people to speculate that someone was making arrangement to rig the elections. He accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of vote buying and some electoral officials of campaigning for the NDC. Dr Nduom commended his supporters for comporting themselves well during the campaigning period and urged them to remain calm after the election. Voting at Nkontrodu. Amissano, Elmina, SSNIT Flats Daddy's block A and B in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafor-Abrem (KEEA) Constituency were all going well without any incidents. The GNA observed that some people failed to thump print the ballot papers and in their attempt to drop them directly into the ballot box, the EC officials noticed and directed them on how to vote. GNA By Afedzi Abdullah, GNA Akwatia (E/R), Dec 07, GNA - Voting in the presidential and parliamentary polls has been smooth and peaceful in Akwatia, one of the major election flashpoints. People were seen standing in long queues, waiting patiently to cast their ballot at polling centres in the constituency visited by the Ghana News Agency (GNA). There was heavy security presence to make sure that nothing went wrong. Voter turnout was encouraging as about 75 per cent of people expected to vote at centres toured by the Agency had already voted. Journalists of the national wire serve have been covering the polls under the 'GNA Tracks Election 2016 Project, being funded by the Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL), the nation's foremost indigenous oil marketing company. GNA By Adu Gyemfi, GNA Accra, Dec 7, GNA - First Lady Mrs Lordina Mahama on Wednesday voted in the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections at the Rangoon Prisons Polling Station near the Prisons Headquarters at Cantonments in Accra. After she had cast her ballot, Mrs Mahama, who was clad in white apparel, urged eligible voters to cast their ballots in peace to maintain the status quo. Three of her children also voted at the same polling station. GNA By Lydia Asamoah, GNA Villagers forced to walk for four hours to recharge phone battery The locals of Paramulsam and Mulsam villages located at the border with Jumla are forced to walk for four grueling hours just to recharge their mobile phones. Walewale (N/R), Dec.7, GNA - The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Abdallah Abubakar, who is also the Parliamentary Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Walewale Central Constituency, has cast his vote at the Fongni Polling Station 'A' in Walewale. In his comments he expressed satisfaction about the voter turn-out which he said had defeated earlier suggestions of voter apathy. He was, however, not satisfied with the number of security personnel posted to each polling stations, describing it as inadequate considering the large number of voters who had turned up. Earlier on, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the running mate to the flag-bearer of the New Patriotic Party, had cast his vote at the Kperiga D/A Primary School Polling Station 'A' in the same Constituency. Dr Bawumia expressed satisfaction about the conduct of the exercise so far, and advised the people to comport themselves and refrain from engaging in any acts that would disturb the peace in the country. He was accompanied by his wife, Hajia Samira Bawumia who voted at the Kperiga D/A Primary School Polling Station 'B'. Rounds conducted by the GNA have so far shown that the process is progressing peacefully and smoothly at all polling centres in the Constituency. GNA By GNA Team By GNA Election Team Kumasi, Dec 07, GNA - Large crowds of people had gathered at the 5,190 polling centres across the 47 constituencies in the Ashanti Region to witness the counting of the ballot papers after voting had officially ended. The conduct of the polls was generally peaceful in the region with few reported challenges. This largely, had to do with the absent of validation stamps, which delayed the start of the election in some places and the shortage of parliamentary ballot papers in two Bekwai communities - Edwenase and Kokofu. Turnout appeared impressive as voter enthusiasm was high. Many of the voters started queuing at the voting centres long before the exercise started at 0700 hours. Security arrangements put in place worked to perfection, aided by the vigilance of the political party agents and the general public. GNA The Electoral Commission has commended the various stakeholders for a fruitful collaboration enjoyed in the first phase of the conduct of polls which began Wednesday, December 7, 2016. Addressing a Press conference in the capital, Accra, after voting officially closed in all centres across the country, the chairperson of the commission, Charlotte Osei said she was enthused about the out-turn of the process so far, calling on all to continue in the same spirit till the end of the elections. I am very proud of the work that weve put out today.We want to thank you and ask that as the voting starts the same spirit of dialogue and patience that weve seen from political parties and their agents, we would urge them to continue in that spirit, she reiterated Weve started the counting process in most polling stations. Its transparent and inclusive process. And we are looking forward to a very successful completion of the process. It is her maiden test on the job, with regards to handling of polls in the West African nation -Ghana. Ms. Osei prior to the polls December 7, pledged new transparency measures but was still criticized by opposition supporters for her alleged closeness to the ruling NDC party. However, critics have already revered the efficiency of the Election Management Body(EMB) in conducting a smooth democratic process this year. Ghana is a bellwether and anchor for Africas democratic trends. The outcome of this poll will be closely watched and could have an outsized regional impact, Alex Vines,head of the Africa program at the Chatham House, a London-based think tank has said. Voting was successful at the Okaikwei North constituency in the Greater Accra Region. No major incident has been recorded at the time when Citi News Jonas Nyabor filed this report however pockets of agitation and misunderstanding erupted at some polling stations visited within the Achimota electoral area. A total of about 76,000 registered voters are expected to cast their ballot across all 106 polling stations in the constituency. Voting started by 7.20am at the Victory Nursery school polling station A and B voters numbering over two hundred had queued to cast their ballot at the official opening of polls at 7am. Early electorates Some electorates had reported to various polling stations within the constituency as early 7pm Tuesday night. A man who gave his name as Alex said he reported to the polling station at 7.30pm on Tuesday night to avoid the long queue that characterizes the voting at the Achimota central market polling station. Missing names Some electorates who visited the Abofu Presby School could not find their names in the voters register and were turned down and redirected to other polling stations. Others who reported without their Voters ID card were allowed to vote after their biometric details were confirm in the electoral roll and duly verified by the biometric verification device. Oldies, lactating mothers considered All polling stations visited within the constituency heeded the Electoral Commissions (EC) appeal to give preferential treatment to the elderly, lactating mothers, persons with disability amongst other persons in marginalized groups. Delays in commencement of poll At the Anumle basic school and the Solid Rock Chapel polling stations all in the Anumle electoral area, voting was delayed to 8.30am even though all materials had arrived at the polling stations before 7am. EC officials said they were unable to start on time due to the absence of a lid to the ballot boxes brought to the polling stations. It took more than a hour to have the district electoral officer return to the polling stations to provided the lids before polls start. Presence of security personnel All polling stations had at least two security officers deployed to man them. The officers comprised those from the Fire Service and the Ghana Police Service. Confusion over situation of ballot cubicles Position of ballot cubicles had been a major issue of concern for most polling agents across the constituency. The polling agents insist the cubicles must be positioned in way that allows for persons in the queue to witness the activity of anyone voting but not the persons choice of candidate. Consensus on the matter in the various polling stations in the constituency has been swift hence preventing delays in the voting process. By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana Killeen, TX (76540) Today Cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 81F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy with late night showers or thunderstorms. Low 71F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Beef dipped in sauce and roasted over open fire have been a tantalizing delicacy in Nigeria for a long time. Nigerians enjoy snacking on this small pieces of meat stringed on sticks while on the go. As delicious as Suya and Kilishi are, the revelation we are about to make may make you lose interest in the two. If you are one of the people who make daily contribution to Suya or Kilishi sellers, then you had better get prepared for what is coming for you. Apart from the government banning the production of the spiced meat Nigerians enjoy eating as snack, these information will prevent you from putting yourself into trouble for the love of meat. If you are a Nigerian who reside in your home country, then the chances of you knowing either of the two delicacies or both at once are high. If you are familiar with Suya, then you are just a step away from knowing Kilishi. Kilishi is the family member of Suya that had a longer time getting dried or smoked with heat. While Suya contains diced pieces of meat, the beef used for Kilishi is dried, flat seasoned beef that can be broken with hands. Apart from the fact that both Suya and Kilishi are made from beef, they also seem to have the same seller. These delicious mouth-filling delights are mostly sold by 'Abokis' in the night. Kilishi is not sold with the regular vegetables like onions, cucumbers, tomatoes and ground peppper in Suya. All the spices must have been prepared into a mixture which is rubbed on the beef before the drying and cooking begins. Find below some of the mind boggling reasons why you may never want to eat Suya and Kilishi again: 1. High risk of having cancer Perhaps you do not know that the eating of Suya and Kilishi may cost you your life as a result of the processes through which they are made. Meet roasted over open fire often get charred; while roasting them, some chemicals get released. Precisely, the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are generated when food is being processed over charcoal, wood and gas. Consuming food charred and filled with chemicals will put you at risk of having cancer. In pregnancy, the developing fetus may be predisposed to asthma while having low IQ. READ ALSO: This lady's huge asset will leave you in confusion (photos) 2. Unhealthy environment We would be mild by justifying your patronage of Suya sellers; hunger brings the worst out of people and may prevent you from focusing on your environment in a bid to alienate the gnarling pain you may be feeling. However, the next time you get so hungry, make sure you grab something healthy to eat in order to live long. Suya and Kilishi are often sold in dirty environments that should make you question the cleanliness of the seller and the processes the roasted meat have gone through earlier. Do not shut your eyes to these small things as you may end up spending more in the hospital as a result of your negligence. 3. Contraction of diseases Being in discomfort may not be the only agony you get to suffer if you do not practice healthy living. Not cooking your meat properly before eating may make you contract diseases like Taenia Saginata. It is a beef worm that grows within the body of the host without one suspecting. At the latter stage of the worm's growth, you may experience dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain and headaches. In extreme cases, this worm may interfere with the normal functioning of the body system by causing intestinal obstruction. This condition may require immediate surgical procedure. READ ALSO: Touching! One-legged man does THIS for a living (video) 4. What kind of meat is being prepared as Suya? No one is trying to create unnecessary fear in you. It is important for you to pay close attention to the foods and drinks you eat. Although it may be difficult monitoring the preparation of every food you eat, you can caution yourself and cultivate good eating habit. With the economic situation, you can never ascertain the type and quality of meat being cooked as Suya and Kilishi. Watch this video to learn how to make Suya by yourself: After knowing all these, will you still be willing to buy peppered gizzard and beef from your favourite Suya spot tonight? Stay safe! Source: Legit.ng Access Bank of Nigeria has warned Nigerians not to deposit money in any institution that is not insured by the Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). MMM pyramid scheme (bitcoinhub) The bank in a letter sent to its customers, cautioned that those involved in the controversial ponzi scheme, stand a risk of loosing all their money. The letter further advised that the scheme is not in line with any applicable investment product and may ultimately lead to the loss of funds on the long run. READ ALSO: MMM participants panic over reports of Ultimate Cycler's crash Read the full letter below: MMM Federal Republic of Nigeria made a grand entrance into the Nigerian investment market in 2016. MMM stands for Mavrodi Mondial Moneybox and takes its name from its founders, Sergei Panteleevich Mavrodi, Vyacheslav Mavrodi, and Olga Melnikova. The scheme was established in 1989 by these three Russian nationals, and promises its clients 30 per cent return on investment (ROI) for money put into the system for 30 days. The scheme prides itself as a mutual aid fund through which recruited members contribute money to assist others Source: Legit.ng Aisha Buhari has disclosed that she been rejecting gifts from people even before Muhammadu Buhari became president. Aisha Buhari has said she does not intend to collect gifts as the wife of the president even in the future. Speaking at the launch of a new campaign against graft tagged, Women Against Corruption in Abuja, on Wednesday, December 7, Aisha said she does not intend to collect gifts as the wife of the president even in the future. READ ALSO: Senate moves to confirm appointment of EFCC boss Magu She said: People have been trying to bring some gift items to me but I have not been collecting them. Right from when I was campaigning with the Wife of the Vice President for our husbands, we did not take a dime from anyone and we have continued like that till today. I have never collected any gift and I am not ready to do so even in the future." she said to the received thunderous applause from the audience. READ ALSO: Senate moves to grant immunity to federal, state lawmakers Recall that the EFCC disclosed that Nigerian Women Against Corruption, (WAC), was initiated based on the significant role of women in the family and in the society at large. The anti-graft agency had said: "WAC is aimed at getting the women to buy into the corruption fight and to raise the consciousness of the consequences of corruption in the minds of their household in particular and also to create awareness of the evil of corruption in the larger society." EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu reportedly endorsed programme on the basis that the women engagement will enhance the fight against corruption. Source: Legit.ng The International Institute for Strategic Studies, a British research institute for international affairs, has received 25 million, a quarter of its income, from the Bahraini royal family over the last five years, confidential documents obtained by The Guardian reveal. The documents show that both parties agreed to keep the donations secret, leading to criticisms of the think tank, which calls itself a non-partisan organisation, independent of government and other bodies, especially in light of the human rights abuses of which the Al Khalifa family have been accused. The IISS publishes reports and think pieces on the state of foreign affairs, as well as organizing conferences and summits for high-profile political leaders, one of which, the Manama Dialogue, is located in Bahrain and will be attended by British foreign secretary Boris Johnson later this week. The Al Khalifa family has been criticized for human rights abuses in the country, especially over the governments handling of Arab Spring protests, which included the torture and killing of political dissenters. Human Rights Watch currently says that the countrys human rights climate remains highly problematic, citing its imprisonment of peaceful protestors, activists and political opposition members. In a statement to The Guardian, the IISS defended the donations, saying that the think tank has full freedom to establish its research agenda, develop its publications programme, hire the researchers it chooses and publish the conclusions they independently arrive at, and that the Bahraini government expressly gives the IISS full freedom to develop the agenda [of the Manama Dialogue] and invite participants in line with priorities it judges to be important to encourage strong debate on regional issues and facilitate important diplomatic contacts. The government of Bahrain said in its statement that its donations, as well as the agreement to keep them secret, was not out of the ordinary for a forum of this scale and significance. WATCH: Reviewing PokerStars' Super High Roller Final Table at EPT 13 Barcelona December 07, 2016 PokerNews Staff Fedor Holz was looking to continue his winning streak at the European Poker Tour Season 13 in Barcelona in the PokerStars 50,000 Super High Roller Event. Holz, as the No. 1 player in the world, tried to add the just over 1.3 million prize to his bankroll. The final nine were Timothy Adams, Daniel Dvoress, Sam Greenwood, Ahadpur Khanga, Alexandros Kolonias, Sylvain Loosli, Erik Seidel and Julian Stuer. Listen in as James Hartigan and Joe Stapleton commentate the final table or jump to our recap of the event. New Orleans-based proposal planning company serves clients from around the world 1 2 3 Proposals in New Orleans Stacey Asaro Owner of Project Proposal New Orleans Proposals End -- Project Proposal is gearing up to help clients plan picture-perfect wedding proposals this holiday season. The New Orleans-based company will be helping suitors propose by planning custom, memory-making moments for popping the question.Stacey Asaro launched Project Proposal during summer 2015, and since that time, she has served clients from around the world. She has helped people from as far away as the United Kingdom come to New Orleans to create romantic, unforgettable proposals.Asaro's parents owned a wedding reception facility, which gave her a firsthand look at what brides really want - as well as the passion to start her very own company. Now, Asaro helps suitors create the perfect proposal moment - and proposal story.Project Proposal is now accepting clients for the 2016 holidays. More information can be found at http://projectproposalnola.com/ Project Proposal works with clients to create perfect wedding proposals in New Orleans. Owner Stacey Asaro grew up seeing beautiful weddings unfold at her parents venue, Southern Oaks Plantation, and she's heard the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to wedding proposals. Now, she helps clients around the world personalize their engagement events within the captivating city of New Orleans. Custom cable manufacturer, Stonewall Cable, earns ISO 9001:2015 certification with no findings during their recent audit. Stonewall Cable End -- Stonewall Cable, a custom cable manufacturer in Rumney, NH, is excited to announce it has been awarded the distinction of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certification by NQA (Acton, MA). After months of preparation, training sessions and internal audits, Stonewall has successfully transitioned from the ISO 9001:2008 standard to the ISO 9001:2015 standard.ISO 9001 is the internationally recognized standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS). It is the most widely used QMS standard in the world, with over 1.1 million certificates issued to organizations in 178 countries. ISO 9001 provides a framework and set of principles that ensure a common-sense approach to the management of organizations to consistently satisfy customers and other stakeholders. In simple terms, it provides the basis for effective processes and effective people to deliver an effective product or service time after time.NQA, the global ISO registrar that provided Stonewall Cable's certification, conveyed congratulatory sentiments. Christi Friedrichs, Director of Business Development for NQA specifically noted "Stonewall Cable's successful achievement of ISO 9001:2015 without any major, or even minor, findings is truly impressive and shows unequivocal evidence of the company's commitment to the highest level of quality for its cable customers. Clearly, Stonewall is demonstrating, through objective and measurable standards, the ability to manage continuous cable product demands while balancing the flexibility required for continuous improvements. Stonewall's customers can feel rest-assured of their commitment to ensure its products and services meet the rigorous demands of ISO 9001:2015."The dedication and rigorous attention to detail by Stonewall's Quality Assurance Manager and the audit team was instrumental in smoothly introducing and implementing process and procedure changes to the framework and properly transitioning the entire organization to adhere to the standard principles. Participation and conformity among employees was overwhelming, and the staff worked diligently to adhere any modifications and are committed to the QMS principles.Being ISO 9001:2015 certified assures Stonewall's customers that they can expect outstanding consistency, high quality products, and a high level of customer satisfaction. For over 30 years, Stonewall's dedication to quality, continual improvement and customer satisfaction has resulted in an exceptional reputation for excellence within the government and industry sectors. Being awarded the distinction of the ISO 9001:2015 standard is a testament to Stonewall's mission, commitment to quality, and quality policy. A sound QMS such as ISO 9001 allows Stonewall to thrive as a cable manufacturer, selling the highest quality custom cables to government and industry.Complying with ISO 9001:2015 also enables the opportunity for continual improvement and a work environment where leaders have a hands-on approach and engage employees. The seven quality management principles are: customer focus, leadership, engaging the people, process approach, improvement, evidence-based decision making, and relationship management.NQA is a leading global independently accredited certification body, providing assessments (audits) of organizations to various Management System Standards since 1988. NQA is part of NTS, the leading independent provider of environmental simulation testing, inspection and certification services in the USA. NTS serves a broad range of industries, including the civil aviation, space, defense, nuclear, telecommunications, industrial, electronics, medical and automotive markets.Stonewall Cable Inc. has been in the cable manufacturing business since 1985. At their facility in Rumney, New Hampshire, they manufacture all types of computer and network cables as well as harnesses for government, commercial, and industrial applications. Stonewall's unmatched quality record keeps customers coming back. To learn more about Stonewall's capabilities or to inquire about a quote for an upcoming project, please call Stonewall Cable customer service at 1-800-525-3303 or visit http://www.stonewallcable.com MicroSourcing Philippines, Inc., a business process outsourcing (BPO) and offshoring solutions provider, recently opened a new delivery center at Eastwood City Cyberpark in Quezon City, Philippines. Contact MicroSourcing Philippines, Inc. ***@microsourcing.com MicroSourcing Philippines, Inc. End -- To address the expansion needs of new and existing clients, MicroSourcing opens a new delivery center in Eastwood City.A blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to formally launch the new delivery center which is located at 9th Floor E-Commerce Plaza Building, Eastwood City Cyberpark, Bagumbayan, Quezon City. With an area of 2,103.80 sqm., it can accommodate more than 400 seats as well as the standard MicroSourcing facilities such as meeting rooms, MS Cafe, locker rooms, server rooms, training room, clinic, and a nap room.E-Commerce Plaza is a class A and PEZA-approved building which also houses several other BPO companies.CEO Sjoerd Krosse believes that opening a new delivery center in Eastwood City is a great move for MicroSourcing. "Eastwood, having been where MicroSourcing started its original operations, is home to a lot of clients who grew with us throughout the years. We are excited to expand our capacity in Eastwood, which was urgently needed to facilitate the growth of our existing Quezon City-based clients. The site also creates new spaces for incoming clients and we hope that they, too, will grow with MicroSourcing in the years ahead."This is the third office of MicroSourcing in Eastwood City. Overall, the company has seven delivery centers: the headquarters is located at Picadilly Star Building in Taguig City, while the other offices are in Mall of Asia, Ortigas, and Cebu.###About MicroSourcing Philippines Inc.:MicroSourcing is a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Offshoring solutions provider based in Manila, Philippines. We offer a full range of delivery models ranging from small project outsourcing to offshore staffing and larger scale virtual captives. Please visit http://www.microsourcing.com for more information. We solve your every light issue with our creative and bright products By: Malumiereled Media Contact Malumiereled ***@malumiereled.be +3242753602 Malumiereled+3242753602 End -- Malumiereled has been a top-notch brand that has come forward with their brilliant creation. They have set a strong mark on the market, as the lights they sell are built with the LED technology. With the emergence of such innovative technology in lights, the customers have shifted their focus from the ordinary lights to these brilliant ones.As already said, the lights are manufactured with the LEDs and produce a great shine and brightness all over the place. It is highly beneficial as the power of illumination reaches to a great distance, making it easy for the people see clearly. People become aware of the things that often goes unnoticed due to the dim and dull lights.Moreover, the lights like, headlamps, bike lights, ribbon band, decorative lights comprise alkaline batteries that can last for very long hours. These batteries are rechargeable and have the ability to stay for days. Apart from the qualities, these products have a beautiful appeal and can add a great fashionable touch to the surroundings.The quality of the products, durability, and the cost are the other consideration that the customers might think about before purchasing. Regardless, the products are built with superior quality materials and can be used for prolonged years. Besides, the cost is reasonable and is considerably lower than the competitive brands.- Malumiereled is a well established brand of Belgium that has solved every problem related to the lights. People who are constantly facing troubles with their light management has found their aid with Malumiereled. The distinguished and innovative lights have made it very convenient for the customers to use them indoors as well as outdoors of the house. The lights are structured appropriately such that they can add maximum advantages to the users. To cope up with the darkness in nature, the company has designed varieties of fashionable and light-weight equipment that can be used for outdoor fun.If you are in search of perfect gears to match your outdoor need, this is the firm you need to trust. Get in touch with the experts through the mail or number that is given below. You may also pay us a visit to the address mentioned below.Address- Rue Fabricienne 9 at 4130 ESNEUX (Belgium)Lotissement BAYOL 8, (France)F-12240 RIEUPEYROUXEmail- info@malumiereled.bePhone No- +32 4 275 36 02/ 32(0)478657310Website- https://www.malumiereled.be/ shop/ The relaxing of many border areas in Myanmar has opened up the possibility of original two-centre trips combining the country with Thailand. This inspired Bamboo Travel to create the newly launched 'Slow Road from Thailand to Burma' itinerary. By: Bamboo Travel Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp Contact Mick Thompson, Travel Dog PR ***@traveldogpr.co.uk Mick Thompson, Travel Dog PR End -- Having welcomed tourists back in recent years Myanmar (Burma) has now relaxed many of its borders, which means more overland routes from Thailand, and vice versa, are now possible.This has inspired Bamboo Travel to launch a new trip called 'The Slow Road from Thailand toBurma', linking the cultural attractions in central Thailand with some fascinating, and previously tricky-to-reach areas in Southern Myanmar.The trip starts with the frenetic delights of Bangkok, with two days spent in the city including a comprehensive private tour to see all the main sites including the stunning Grand Palace, Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and the floating market, before moving on to the serene majesty of former Thai capitals Ayutthaya and Sukhothai.Head west, before crossing the Burmese border at Mae Sot to the historical city of Moulmein the fourth largest city in Myanmar and the main trading centre and seaport in the south east of the country. It was also once the heartland of the British in the colonial era where Kipling penned the classic 'Mandalay'.The journey continues, passing along wide rivers and through karst landscapes on the way to Yangon, for a chance to explore this fascinating, and rapidly changing, city. The former capital of Myanmar, Yangon is the country's largest city with a population of nearly six million, and is the most important commercial centre.Although its infrastructure is undeveloped compared to that of other major cities in southeast Asia, it has the largest number of colonial buildings in the region.Other highlights of the tour will include a cruise on Mekhala River, a guided tour of Bilu Island, a boat ride to Hpa An and a drive to the Golden Rock.The tour ends with a few days on the golden sands of Ngwe Saung Beach, with time to relax and reflect on a great adventure.The holiday costs from 4195 per person (two sharing) which includes international flights, 17 nights' B&B (plus four lunches and one dinner), private transfers and tours and a private guide.Bamboo Travel (020 7720 9285, www.bambootravel.co.uk LEAP and its CEO, Dr. Clayton Lawrence, were honored to receive a White House Letter of Commendation from President Barack Obama in late November. LEAP LLC is honored to receive White House Commendation. Contact Lawrence Executive Alliance of Professionals ***@leap4staffing.com 202-349-4089 Lawrence Executive Alliance of Professionals202-349-4089 End -- Dr. Clayton Lawrence, as CEO and President of Lawrence Executive Alliance of Professionals (LEAP), LLC, has received a White House letter of commendation from President Barack Obama. The commendation comes on the heels of the healthcare staffing company celebrating its ninth anniversary and following several other significant awards and distinctions received over the course of the last few years.Earlier in 2016, Dr. Lawrence was honored when he was entered into The Congressional Record for his work in business and civic leadership throughout the greater Washington D.C. region and abroad. The official entry, as put forth by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, noted the job growth spurred by LEAP since its inception in 2007, hiring more than 160 employees, in 10 different states (DC, MD, VA, CA, GA, NC, KS, WA, NY, and KY), representing 3 regions of the country and thus, developing both a local and national presence.Furthermore, The Congressional Record highlighted key honors earned by Dr. Lawrence and LEAP in making mention of Dr. Lawrence's 2015 DC Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Person of the Year Award, his distinction as the Valedictorian of the 2015 Class of the Small Business Administration's Emerging Business Leaders Initiative, and his earning of the 2014 Washington Business Journal's Minority Business Leader Award.Dr. Lawrence was also recently recognized as a member of a forty-two person executive delegation to Cuba, led by Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III, and the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's President, Ms. Angela Franco."There is no greater honor for an American than to be acknowledged by the highest offices in the land for the work you are doing daily to help continue making this the greatest country in the world," Dr. Lawrence stated when asked about the commendation. "Twice now, we have been recognized by our highest political leaders and offices, and to have President Obama offer his commendation as he completes his great service to our nation is truly a humbling and extraordinary acknowledgement."To learn more about Dr. Lawrence and Lawrence Executive Alliance of Professionals, please visit http://www.leap4staffing.com Local author Steve Gerkin will be available to sign copies of book End --The story of Tulsa's transformation from a nineteenth-century cow town into the "Oil Capital of the World" has been above ground for years, but a great reservoir of Tulsey Town's heritage has remained beneath the surface. These neglected tales include the dirigible flyover of 1929, the Hominy Indians' victory over the New York Giants and the legendary final performance of Spade Cooley, convicted killer and the self-proclaimed "King of Western Swing." From the horrors of the city's early race riot and the proud legacy of Greenwood (aka Little Africa or Black Wall Street) to Tulsa's iconic landmarks and unforgettable personalities, Steve Gerkin provides an evocative and enjoyable voyage through T-Town's hidden history.A graduate of Oklahoma State University and the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Steve Gerkin has been a This Land Press contributing editor for three years. This Land is a Tulsa-based social media company, whose focus is Oklahoma writers writing about Oklahoma-related issues. He retired as a general dentist in 2010 and as a professor of wine education for seven years at Oklahoma State University in 2013. Gerkin is a lifetime member of the Oklahoma and Tulsa Historical Societies.Barnes & Noble5231 East 41StreetTulsa, OK 74135Saturday, December 17th, 2016; 2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or online.The combination of Arcadia Publishing & The History Press creates the largest and most comprehensive publisher of local and regional content in the USA. By empowering local history and culture enthusiasts to write local stories for local audiences, we create exceptional books that are relevant on a local and personal level, enrich lives, and bring readers closer - to their community, their neighbors, and their past. Have we done a book on your town? Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com By: Kent State College of Business Administration Contact Joni Bowen ***@kent.edu Joni Bowen End -- The College of Business Administration announces Rita McGrath, Ph.D., professor at Columbia Business School, as the keynote speaker for the 2017 Spirit of Women in Business Conference. The conference will be held on March 9, 2017.McGrath is regarded as one of the world's top experts on strategy and innovation with particular emphasis on developing sound strategy in uncertain and volatile environments. Her ideas are widely used by leading organizations throughout the world, who describe her thinking as often provocative, but unfailingly stimulating. She fosters a fresh approach to strategy amongst those with whom she works.McGrath maintains an impressive social media presence with a rating of one of the 25 smartest women to follow on Twitter by. She writes regularly for's online edition, authors "The Entrepreneurial Strategist" column forand blogs regularly at HBR.org. She is also one of the's Experts, a group of industry and academic thought leaders who weigh in on topics covered inRecognized byas the number one business book of the year, McGrath authored a best-selling book;She is one of the most widely published authors in theincluding thebest-selling "Discovery Driven Planning" (1995), which was recognized as an early articulation of today's "lean" startup philosophy and has been praised by Clayton Christensen as one of the most important ideas in management ever.McGrath joined the faculty of Columbia Business School in 1993. Prior to life in academia, she was an IT director, worked in the political arena and founded two startups. She received a Ph.D. from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and has degrees with honors from Barnard College and the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs.The Spirit of Women in Business Conference brings together women from diverse professional backgrounds. Last year, more than 250 business professionals, along with undergraduate and graduate students from Northeast Ohio and beyond, attended the event. The day-long conference includes a 60-minute keynote speech with Q&A, as well as three breakout sessions, each with presentation options for attendees to choose.Sponsorship opportunities for the event are still available. For information on sponsorship, contact Erin Nunn at enunn1@kent.edu For more information about the Spirit of Women in Business Conference and to register for the event, visit http://www.kent.edu/ business/swib is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) and one of the largest colleges of business in Ohio. The College has more than 4,300 students representing 43 countries with over 85 full-time faculty from 16 countries.The college grants undergraduate through graduate degrees, and is one of only three public business colleges in Ohio with a comprehensive Ph.D. program. The MBA program is offered in an accelerated format. The Executive MBA program offers two tracks: one targeting corporate professionals and the other healthcare executives. The M.S. in Accounting and M.A. in Economics are specialized master's degrees for those seeking advanced study in these disciplines. The College also offers a Master of Science degree in Business Analytics (MSBA) that spans all industries and organizations. The college boasts 10 undergraduate majors, 12 minors and a Professional Sales Certificate program.The college is listed as a, ranked as a, one of only 23 accounting programs worldwide to be(Institute of Management Accountants), rankedand(Sales Education Foundation)The college boasts an onsite Career Services Center and International Programs Office dedicated to business students, and operates the Global Management Center, the Center for Information Systems and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation all propelling scholarly research, establishing innovative industry partnerships and providing outreach to Northeast Ohio and beyond.The college grants undergraduate through graduate degrees, and is one of only three public business colleges in Ohio with a comprehensive Ph.D. program. The MBA program is offered in an accelerated format. The Executive MBA program offers two tracks: one targeting corporate professionals and the other healthcare executives. The M.S. in Accounting and M.A. in Economics are specialized master's degrees for those seeking advanced study in these disciplines. The College also offers a Master of Science degree in Business Analytics (MSBA) that spans all industries and organizations. The college boasts 10 undergraduate majors, 12 minors and a Professional Sales Certificate program.The college is listed as a, ranked as a, one of only 23 accounting programs worldwide to be(Institute of Management Accountants), rankedand(Sales Education Foundation)The college boasts an onsite Career Services Center and International Programs Office dedicated to business students, and operates the Global Management Center, the Center for Information Systems and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation all propelling scholarly research, establishing innovative industry partnerships and providing outreach to Northeast Ohio and beyond. A special Christmas Giveaway has just been launched on Amazon.com, where participants can win Aroma Bravo's Medium Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee. Contact Charles C Harmon Co LLC ***@gmail.com Charles C Harmon Co LLC End -- Good news to all coffee lovers all over the country! Aroma Bravo, an organic coffee and tea brand based in Nevada, has just launched a special giveaway to celebrate the yuletide season. The said Christmas giveaway is currently running on Amazon.com, and participants have the chance to win a 12-ounce pack of Aroma Bravo Medium Dark Roast Whole Coffee Beans.Anyone who is over 18 years of age, legally residing in the U.S., and has an Amazon.com account is eligible to join the contest. All participants really have to do is follow Aroma Bravo's official Twitter page in order to win the coffee giveaway."This Christmas giveaway is our way of expressing our deep gratitude for the successful launching of our brand last month. So we invite everyone to come and join our little contestwho knows, you could be one of the lucky winners of our Organic Medium Dark Roast Coffee," A spokesperson for Aroma Bravo said.Aroma Bravo Coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans sourced all the way from Marcala, Hondurasone of the best organic coffee makers in the world. Each bean is grown, harvested, roasted and packed by experts so that consumers can get the best coffee in every cup."So if you want to indulge in great-tasting coffee that's rich with flavor, then this is your chance to try it for free. You will be amazed at the well-balanced taste and aroma of our Honduran whole bean coffee. A smooth cocoa flavor with subtle hints of honey and caramelone cup will never be enough once you get started!" the spokesperson went on.The Christmas Coffee Giveaway will conclude on December 13, 2016 at 11:59 PM PST. Amazon.com will then draw 10 lucky participants and notify them. The winners will each receive Aroma Bravo's best-selling whole bean coffee, just in time to enjoy this Christmas season.Interested participants can get more details about the giveaway is available at https://giveaway.amazon.com/ p/11ff8e7db61719ce Aroma Bravo is a trusted seller of certified organic coffee beans online. Many customers highly recommend the brand for sourcing the best-tasting, medium dark roast coffee from Marcala, Honduras. Heitman Real Estate has reported on an impressive display of office leasing activity in Bratislava, with 22,000 sqm of office space leased this year. This success reflects a strong recovery in the Bratislava office rental market after a challenging few years for real estate. Heitman is one of the [] The retail market in Romania was characterized in 2016 by a high volume of delivered space and entry of new brands, which opened their first shops both in already existing shopping centers and in recently opened projects. New names are expected on the market, especially among Polish brands. In 2016, [] Although retail sales in most European countries are largely stagnating or even declining, retail spaces in shopping centers continue to grow, according to RegioData. Accordingly, the market shares of this synthetic form of trade are also growing. With regard to the area shares of shopping centers in... [] Ducati India kickstarted their second innings in the country in 2015, when they entered the country as Ducati India, a 100% subsidiary of Ducati, Italy. Before that, Ducati bikes were sold in India via a local distributor. Today, Ducati has 7 dealerships across India, one each in Gurgaon, Kochi, Pune, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. The company plans to add more dealership to their network next year. Today, the company shared a detailed price list of all their motorcycles on offer in the country. Below is the price list they shared. Model Ex-Sh Price Rs Multistrada 950 Ducati Red/Star White Silk 12,82,000 Multistrada 1200 Ducati Red 15,38,000 Multistrada 1200 S Ducati Red 17,51,000 Multistrada 1200 Pikes Peak 20,76,000 Multistrada 1200 Enduro Ducati Red 18,05,000 Multistrada 1200 Enduro Phantom Grey 18,16,000 Hypermotard 939 Ducati Red 11,16,000 Hyperstrada 939 Ducati Red 12,19,000 SuperSport Ducati Red 12,08,000 SuperSport S Ducati Red 13,39,000 Monster 797 Ducati Red 8,05,000 Monster 797 Star White Silk/Dark Stealth 8,14,000 Monster 1200 Ducati Red 23,02,000 Monster 1200 S Ducati Red 28,12,000 Monster 1200 S Liquid Concrete Grey 28,21,000 Scrambler Icon Ducati Red 7,23,000 Scrambler Icon Yellow/Silver 7,33,000 Scrambler Classic Orange 8,48,000 Scrambler Full Throttle Black 8,48,000 Scrambler Mach 2.0 Roland Sands 8,52,000 Scrambler Cafe Racer Black Coffee 9,32,000 Scrambler Desert Sled Ducati Red 9,32,000 Scrambler Desert Sled White Mirage 9,45,000 959 Panigale Ducati Red 14,58,000 1299 Panigale R Final Edition 59,18,000 Diavel Dark Stealth 16,10,000 Diavel Diesel 21,72,000 XDiavel Dark Stealth 16,60,000 XDiavel S Thrilling Black 19,30,000 The entire global lineup of Ducati is made available in India. All prices are Ex-Showroom India. Ducati India Pvt. Ltd. reserves the right to change prices and specifications at its discretion without any prior notice. Prices include GST but exclude local state levies that are applicable in each state, from time to time. Ask for specific on-road prices from your local Ducati dealer. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a novel strategy to reprogram cells from one type to another in a more efficient and less biased manner than previous methods. The ability to convert cells from one type to another holds great promise for engineering cells and tissues for therapeutic application, and the new Wisconsin study could help speed research and bring the technology to the clinic faster. The new approach, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), uses a library of artificial transcription factors to switch on genes that convert cells from one type to another. Natural transcription factors are cellular molecules that bind to DNA to turn genes on and off. They help determine cell fate, meaning that if a cell is destined to be a skin cell, a heart cell or an eye cell, different transcription factors switch on specific sets of genes that program the cell to attain one state or another. Using artificial transcription factors made in the lab, researchers are trying to find which ones best mimic these natural changes in cell fate. "Our interest in changing cell fate comes from understanding how cells selectively use the information in our genomes to make specific cell types and also from the many therapeutic benefits such knowledge can offer," says Asuka Eguchi, the study's lead author and a member of Professor Aseem Ansari's lab in the UW-Madison Department of Biochemistry. "For example, if a patient needs a certain cell type, the idea is we can reprogram their own cells to what they need, rather than relying on donor cells. This allows us to study patient-specific cells and potentially avoids issues with immune response where a patient's body could reject the cells." Conventional methods for finding the correct factors to change cell fate require scientists to perform a trial-and-error approach. They need prior knowledge about which combination of the thousands of natural factors would possibly work within a tightly choreographed timeframe to program cell fate. It is a slow, laborious, failure-prone process, the researchers say. The new method utilizes "libraries" of millions of artificial transcription factors that were designed to bypass natural controls and switch on genes that might be activated in a given cell type. In addition, the factors contain an attachment that lets them bind and work in concert to affect genes, a step not traditionally taken. By exposing the library of factors to cells, they can see if cell fate changed in any of them. If so, they can revisit those cells to see which factors were responsible. For their experiments, the Wisconsin group started with mice fibroblasts, a cell in connective tissue, and looked for them to be reprogrammed into what are called induced pluripotent stem cells. Given proper cues, these types of stem cells can become any type of cell in an animal's body, including humans. By reprogramming, the researchers mean that the artificial factors would trigger all of the right genes to cause the cell to shift from one type to another. "Imagine you have millions of keys and only a unique key or combination of keys can turn a motor on," says Ansari, who is also affiliated with UW-Madison's Genome Center of Wisconsin. "We test all those keys in parallel and when we see the motor fire up, we go back to see exactly which key switched it on." In the process of testing their tool, the researchers discovered three combinations of the artificial factors that reprogrammed a fibroblast into a stem cell. The factors played a role similar to that of a natural transcription factor important in a process, called Oct4. "In this unbiased approach, we can try to basically cast a wide net on the whole genome and let the cell tell us if there are important genes perturbed," Ansari says. "It's a way to induce cell fate conversions without having to know what genes might be important because we are able to test so many by using an unbiased library of molecules that can search nearly every corner of the genome." The reprogramming of fibroblasts into stem cells has been well studied. The researchers put their approach to the test in this context because it places a high-bar and requires significant changes to the cell. With this proof of concept, the Wisconsin scientists hope other researchers use their method to discover new genes that can drive more difficult conversions of cell fate. "Generating these pluripotent stem cells also helps us avoid having to make embryonic stem cells, which can be controversial," says Eguchi, who is a recent graduate of the UW-Madison Cellular and Molecular Biology Training Program. "We can also start better investigating direct conversions, which are conversions from one cell type to another without the need to go to the pluripotent stage first because that can cause problems in some contexts. This tool opens up the doors to research these areas more effectively." Women treated with a common chemotherapy drug combination have more young eggs in their ovaries afterwards, research has found. A small study indicates that a therapy commonly used to target Hodgkin's lymphoma appears to increase the number of non-growing eggs in women's ovaries. Researchers say it is too soon to link the outcome to fertility, but believe more research is needed to better understand the findings and their implications. Scientists from the University of Edinburgh analysed samples of ovary tissue donated by 14 women who had undergone chemotherapy, and from 12 healthy women. They found that the ovaries from eight of the cancer patients, who had been treated with a drug combination known as ABVD, had a much greater incidence of immature, or non-growing, eggs compared with tissue from women who had received a different chemotherapy, or from healthy women of a similar age. The ovary tissue was seen to be in healthy condition, appearing similar to tissue from young women's ovaries. If further research can reveal the mechanism by which treatment with ABVD results in increased production of eggs, this would aid understanding of how women might be able to produce more eggs during their lifetime, which was until recently thought to be impossible. Researchers had set out to better understand why treatment with ABVD is one of the few cancer drug combinations that does not impact on women's fertility. Future studies will examine the separate impact of each of the four drugs that combine to make ABVD -- known as adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine -- to better understand the biological mechanisms involved. The study, published in Human Reproduction, was supported by the Medical Research Council. Lead researcher Professor Evelyn Telfer of the University of Edinburgh's School of Biological Sciences, said: "This study involves only a few patients, but its findings were consistent and its outcome may be significant and far-reaching. We need to know more about how this drug combination acts on the ovaries, and the implications of this." UCLA researchers have discovered a previously unrecognized type of progenitor cell that, though rare in most regions of the human prostate, is found in uncommonly high numbers in inflamed areas of the gland. These progenitor cells have the ability to initiate prostate cancer in response to genetic changes. The study results suggest inflammation increases overall risk for the disease by increasing the available pool of progenitor cells that can develop into prostate cancer. Scientists have known that one of the risk factors for high-grade prostate cancer is chronic inflammation of the prostate (a process in which cells from the immune system have taken up residence in the gland), but they have been unsure how this process led to cancer. UCLA-led research previously showed that two different types of cells, known as basal and luminal, represented potential progenitor cells and, with varying degrees of aggressiveness, could initiate prostate cancer. Further research by colleagues at Johns Hopkins Medical Center observed that prostate cells in the proximity of inflammation appeared different under the microscope and expressed different genes, leading to the hypothesis that they were more likely to proliferate than prostate cells from areas without inflammation. The UCLA-led team was able to test this hypothesis in human cells and found that cells from areas with inflammation are progenitor cells that can initiate aggressive tumors, validating their previous hypothesis and laying the foundation for the new study. Led by Dr. Andrew Goldstein, an assistant professor of molecular biology, the UCLA researchers investigated the CD38 gene, which is expressed by most (but not all) luminal cells in the human prostate. By comparing luminal cells that express CD38 with those that do not, they found that a greater proportion of luminal cells without CD38 had the potential to expand and grow. Results also showed that these CD38-negative luminal progenitor cells are rare in regions without inflammation but are significantly more common in regions of inflammation. The UCLA team then discovered that prostate tumors without CD38 were also more likely to be aggressive, to recur after initial treatment, and to metastasize. The scientists hypothesized that the aggressive cancers which do not express CD38 may also arise in luminal cells that do not express CD38. These luminal progenitor cells without CD38 were found to be target cells for transformation, meaning that they can initiate cancer. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer. About 1 man in 39 will die of prostate cancer each year, and an estimated 180,000 new cases of the disease are reported annually in the United States. The study furthers our understanding of the role that inflammation, progenitor cells and the CD38 gene play in the development of prostate cancer, and these findings can help lead to the development of improved treatments and screening methods for the disease. At two miles long and five inches in diameter, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide (WAIS) ice core is a tangible record of the last 68,000 years of our planet's climate. Completed in 2011, the core is packed with information, but it's also packed with noise and error, making the climate story hard to read. Figuring out whether blips in the data are evidence of humans spewing carbon into the atmosphere, odd North Atlantic weather events, or equipment malfunctions often challenges the scientists trying to read the ice cylinder's story. Drawing from information theory, a research team led by Santa Fe Institute Omidyar Fellow Joshua Garland has proposed new, more sophisticated techniques that promise to make ongoing interpretation of the WAIS core easier and extract new kinds of data that could change the way we think about Earth's climate. "There is information in these records that we didn't know existed until now, and it has opened doors where we didn't even know there was a door before," says James W.C. White, director of the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research and a collaborator on the project. In the first application of the new technique, Garland, White, and team focus on stable water isotopes present in the ice, the mix of which is a good proxy for nearby sea-surface temperatures at the time ice formed and, therefore, a good way to track climate change over thousands of years. Just plot the isotope mix over time, and you can see how temperatures changed. What's harder to see, however, is whether those changes result from natural processes or external influences -- say, Industrial Revolution activities. That's where information theory and something called permutation entropy come in. advertisement In information theory, entropy is a measure of the unpredictability of information content. Permutation entropy essentially is a way to quantify the predictability of a future event. Imagine an isolated climate system, void of game changers like supervolcanos or humans. Everything you'd need to predict the future climate would be contained in Earth's climate history. When game changers arrive, they inject new information that couldn't have been predicted from the climate's past patterns -- and that should manifest as an increase in permutation entropy (i.e., more unpredictability). In fact, there are early signs in the WAIS record of an entropy increase roughly 10,000 years ago, at the beginning of the Holocene, suggesting human impacts on our climate began well before the Industrial Revolution. Confirmation of that finding is pending. Meanwhile, Garland and team have already made two other surprising discoveries using their technique. The first concerns Dansgaard-Oeschger events, during which Greenland rapidly warms during glacial periods, triggering ripple effects throughout the world. Geoscientists hypothesize that these events begin with some kind of external shock. But when Garland and team looked at another core, the North Greenland Ice Core, there didn't appear to be an increase in permutation entropy -- in other words, no external shock -- suggesting the events are likely part of the climate's standard operating procedure. These initial results call for more study. In another surprise, Garland and team discovered an anomaly in the WAIS ice-core data that had eluded others -- an anomaly they eventually traced to the use of an older instrument to analyze one section of the ice core. Using the permutation entropy technique, WAIS researchers are now looking for similar anomalies deeper in the ice core. Their paper, "A First Step Toward Quantifying the Climate's Information Production Over the Last 68,000 Years," appeared in Advances in Intelligent Data Analysis XV, the proceedings of the 15th International Symposium on Intelligent Data Analysis, Stockholm, Sweden, October 13-15, 2016. It was a busy month with lots of nuggets, the biggest news was Google's beginning of their mobile first index. We also saw an unconfirmed Google update on November 10th and maybe a reversal a week later. Google updated their featured snippets algorithm and potentially their top stories algorithm as well. We had tons of Google Search Console changes, see the list below. We had also a ton of SEO tidbits we covered, see below. Let's not forget all the user interface changes, including a new desktop search interface which I think is now rolling out but I can be wrong. The ongoing WebmasterWorld thread has the typical chatter - nothing too crazy right now. And if you missed last month, catch up over here. Here is my recap: Google Algorithms: Google SEO:Google Webmaster & Search Console:Google User Interface:Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld Google has added a new schema markup type for books in their developer center. Aaron Bradley posted about it on Google+ explaining that this was just added on December 3, 2016. It is currently a closed beta, but you can apply to be part of it by filling out this form. These "book actions" make "Google Search an entry point for discovering books and authors, enabling Search users to quickly buy the books that they find directly from Search results," Google said. Here is what the card looks like, including the buy e-book feature: Aaron Bradly added: It's worth noting that, not for the first time, Google is providing publishers with schema.org URLs that don't actually exist - here as values for the required EntryPoint Google-required property actionPlatform. All of these "schema.org" URLs Google glibly provided as actionPlatform targets will return a 404 if you actually attempt to fetch them (and no, you won't find them in pending.schema.org either): * http://schema.org/DesktopWebPlatform * http://schema.org/MobileWebPlatform * http://schema.org/AndroidPlatform * http://schema.org/IOSPlatform It's perhaps understandable that when Google requires a new schema.org class or property that they just invent one rather than put it through the pipeline, but this happens frequently enough that I think we need to coin a phrase for these faux, Google-minted URLs. I propose "schoogle.org URL" Purchasing books seems to be purely organic and no AdWords ads built into them, yet. You can learn more about it in the developer center. Forum discussion at Google+. Page Content Europe is home to nine of the 10 countries best equipped to help employers attract, develop and retain employees and Switzerland tops that list, according to the third annual IMD World Talent Report by the IMD World Competitiveness Center in Lausanne, Switzerland. The center is a part of IMD business school. The center and school are a part of the International Institute for Management. The research is based on more than two decades' worth of competitiveness-related data and an analysis of 61 countries. Countries were ranked in three areas: Performance in investment/development, which the report defined as the resources committed to home-grown talent. Public and private resources include total public expenditures on education, health care infrastructure and employee training. Appeal, or the ability to attract and retain talent from an overseas talent pool. Readiness, defined as the quality of the available skills of the talent pool inside and outside the country. Within the three areas, researchers considered availability of education, apprenticeships and employee training, worker motivation, language skills, cost of living, quality of life, pay, tax rates and older employees leaving the workforce.The top 10 countries for attracting, keeping and developing talent are: Switzerland, retaining its No. 1 ranking for the third consecutive year. Denmark, retaining its No. 2 ranking from 2015. This is the third year it has made the top 10 list. Belgium, returning for its second year to the top 10 list. Sweden, returning for a third year. The Netherlands, retaining its No. 5 ranking from 2015; this also is its third year on the list. Finland, retaining its No. 6 ranking from 2015 and marking its third year in the top 10. Norway, for a third year. Austria, joining the list for the first time. Luxembourg, marking the second year it has made the top 10 list. Hong Kong, joining the list for the first time. "The data suggest that countries that achieve a balance between investing in local talent and the ability to attract overseas talent perform consistently well," the report said. In the 2016 rankings, "All of the countries in the top 10, except for Hong Kong, are European, relatively small and with outstanding education systems," said professor Arturo Bris, director of IMD's World Competitiveness Center, in a video. "All these countries share very similar attractive indicators: They invest a lot in education. They provide foreign and domestic talent with a very high quality of life, and they provide development opportunities for individuals not only in early ages but during their entire professional careers." In a news release he noted that "small can be beautiful when it comes to talent management, as it's harder for larger countries to adopt and adapt effective systems." He said he found it "striking" that nearly every Nordic nation ranked in the top 10. He attributed that primarily to their education systems that he said "feed the economy with the required talent." Bris acknowledged that Europe faces challenges, "including poor economic growth, declining momentum and negative expectations." However, he added, "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." [SHRM members-only resource: Country Guides] The U.S. ranked 14th overall, as it did in 2015, although it ranked second for appeal among all countries. Switzerland ranked first for appeal. Venezuela ranked last overall among the 61 countries. The U.S. hasn't been in the top 10 since 2008. Bris cited what he called the U.S.'s "inadequate public investment" in education for its failure to make the top 10. It's a problem also plaguing other countries, such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and China, he noted. Bris thinks many Nordic countries are on the top 10 list primarily due to having education systems that teach people the skills that businesses seek. "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," he said in a news release. "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." But Are They Happy? A separate global study by Universum, a research and consulting firm headquartered in Sweden, found that western European Nordic countries have the most satisfied, loyal workers. In fact, seven of the countries on the World Talent Report top 10 list are among the top 10 of Universum's Global Workforce Happiness Index. Being able to retain experienced talent is not just a matter of keeping employees satisfied with their jobs; it is also tied to how employees compare to their peers in other organizations, Universum noted in a news release. Employers can use the index to understand the country's culture and determine which aspects of work culture to emphasize in order to attract or retain talent, according to Daniel Eckert, Universum research project manager. Universum conducted the study between September 2015 and September 2016 with more than 200,000 young professionals in 57 markets who had one to eight years of experience. Respondents were young female and male professionals; young professionals with a background in science, technology, engineering and mathematics; and young professionals with a business background. "Employee happiness is crucial for retaining good talent as well as having a motivated workforce that delivers great results and continuously innovates. If the young professionals in a market show low levels of discontent, this is a good sign for the economy as a whole," Eckert said in a news release. "However, it's at these times when it's harder to [secure] the best talent from your competitors." In most countries, the main drivers for job change are better compensation and benefits and better opportunities for advancement, he noted. This index scored three factors: employee satisfaction, willingness to recommend the current employer and likelihood of switching jobs in the next two to four years. "A striking finding [in this index] is that in the countries where young professionals are less happy, an important driver is professional development and learning opportunities, while in the happier countries, improved work-life balance is a top driver," he said. The top 10 countries on the Global Workforce Happiness Index are: Denmark. Norway. Costa Rica. Sweden. Austria. The Netherlands. Finland. Belgium. Hungary. Czech Republic. The United States ranked 36th on the indexbehind South Africa and ahead of Kazakhstan. Ghana was ranked the lowest among the 57 countries studied. The Human Rights Commission is welcoming the news that the youth justice age will be raised to 18. Chief Commissioner David Rutherford says the move is a positive one and in line with recommendations the Commission made to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child earlier this year. In September, as part of our submission, we recommended the Government bring the upper age of New Zealands youth justice system into conformity with the CRC and that there was a review of the age of criminal culpability under section 22 of the Crimes Act 1961. This was supported by the Committee in their own recommendations. We are pleased to see that the Government agrees with this. Childrens rights advocates in New Zealand have been calling for this change for years in order to bring our childrens legislation more fully in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This is also a great acknowledgment of their efforts. David says getting the youth justice age raised is an indication for the Government taking action on issues that are impacting our young people, but this work must continue. Both the Commission, in its original submission, and the CRC in its concluding observations, made recommendations that must be implemented if we are to really start addressing poverty, homelessness, inequalities and the protection of children from abuse and violence. These other recommendations included: A change to the name of the Vulnerable Childrens Ministry and proper resourcing of Childrens Teams to ensure that they can adequately respond to reported cases of child abuse Ensuring that laws, such as adoption laws, social security provisions and family court legislation properly take into account the best interests of the child. Changes to the Education Act to ensure that disabled children have a legally enforceable right to inclusive education Changes to laws and processes relating to surgery on disabled and intersex children to ensure that their rights and bodily integrity are better protected Urgent action to address inequalities in relation to health, housing and education in relation to Maori and Pasifica children Seeing the remaining recommendations implemented will require a cross Government commitment with the appropriate resourcing and funding, but will reap years of reward for our most at risk young people. When Gertie the aardvark first arrived at ZURI Orphanage in Namibia, she was weak, dehydrated and covered in sores. She'd also lost her mom. ZURI Orphanage Thankfully, Erika de Jager, the orphanage founder, knew exactly how to care for Gertie. She bottle-fed the aardvark, and made her feel comfortable in dog beds so she could sleep as long as she wanted. Aardvarks are nocturnal, but when Gertie was very young, she slept for most of the day and night. ZURI Orphanage But Gertie's older now - de Jager estimates that she's 4 months old. She's still too young to be released into the wild, but she's getting more active and playful ... especially when de Jager is getting ready for bed. ZURI Orphanage "Last night at 12 a.m. she decided it was time to play," de Jager tells The Dodo. "As I was trying to sleep, she stood up with her little feet on the bed. All I saw were these big ears." Dodo Shows Faith = Restored Woman Tries Every Day For A Month To Rescue This Dog ZURI Orphanage When de Jager does manage to get some sleep, she works as a veterinarian. One of her jobs takes her to a neighboring farm where she treats a couple of horses. Since Gertie's still a baby who needs constant supervision, de Jager brings her along. Gertie doesn't seem to mind these daytime outings, especially as she gets to play with the neighbor's Jack Russell terriers, Krummel and Zettie. ZURI Orphanage "Krummel fell in love at first sight," de Jager says. "She didn't leave [Gertie] alone for a minute. She followed her around everywhere. Sometimes dogs have a strong motherly instinct and will look after babies. I suspect Krummel is like this." ZURI Orphanage Zettie, on the other hand, was a bit more standoffish. "She was a bit scared of Gertie," de Jager says. "But once she realized that Gertie was a great new friend, she was the happiest little puppy." ZURI Orphanage Now Zettie just wants to play. And play. And play. And play. ZURI Orphanage "Zettie will run and fall in front of her like puppies do," de Jager explains. ZURI Orphanage Gertie also loves spending time with de Jager's dogs, Spokie and Zarah. "Gertie will follow Zarah and just walk with all the dogs," de Jager says. "They will often lick her and she will follow them." ZURI Orphanage Gertie might only have dog friends now, but de Jager hopes she'll eventually meet other aardvarks in the wild. ZURI Orphanage But for the moment, Gertie still has some growing up to do. "She's not even eating yet," de Jager says. "She still drinks out of a bottle. Gertie will be with us for still a long time. Even my staff are sad because she's growing so fast." ZURI Orphanage No doubt the dogs will miss Gertie, too. ZURI Orphanage To follow Gertie's adventures, go to ZURI Orphanage's Facebook page. You can also help aardvarks and other African animals by making a donation to Zuri Orphanage here. Love is tearing Rudy's toy apart. And with it, his little pug heart. Hana Tran-Byck You see, the 4-year-old dog has been loving a very particular kind of toy pretty much since he was old enough to chew. Hana Tran-Byck It's a stuffed fox, technically called the Vandring Rav, where it was sold at Rudy's local Ikea in New York City until recently. While the toy was designed for children between the ages of 3 and 7, its description reads like a personal ad for lonesome pugs: "Good at hugging, comforting and listening and are fond of play and mischief." Dodo Shows Dodo Heroes Woman Devotes Her Life To The Stray Dogs Of Bali IKEA When his owners, Jason Byck and Hana Tran-Byck, brought home the first set of stuffed foxes - they're sold in sets of two - it was love at first bite. The toy, along with all of its clones, was named Foxy. Hana Tran-Byck "When we brought it home and showed them to him, he immediately started crying," Tran-Byck tells The Dodo. They were sobs of love, of course. Or, as Tran explains, "a whiny noise he makes when he really wants something." Rudy napped with Foxy. He invited everyone to behold how lovely Foxy is. Hana Tran-Byck And he gets up in the night to haul Foxy into bed - especially if his owner foolishly forgets to tuck him in with his one-and-only. "He sneaks it into the bedroom in the middle of the night and brings it into bed and I wake up in the middle of the night with a wet toy brushed up against my leg," Tran-Byck says. Hana Tran-Byck But Foxy hasn't been holding up well against Rudy's onslaught of adoration. In fact, Rudy's slobbery kisses have worn down countless foxes - all of them have been retired and seamlessly replaced. "The foxes usually get really torn and ratty," Tran-Byck explains. "Sometimes he likes to eats the stuffing, so we pull out a lot of the stuffing so it ends up looking like a sad rag." Rudy doesn't seem to have noticed the transition from tattered worn-down fox to bright and shiny new one. Hana Tran-Byck But Rudy does notice when his owner tries to pass off another toy on him. "I've tried other Ikea toys - there's a pig one, too - and he's not interested in it," Tran-Byck says. "It's just the fox." Hana Tran-Byck Tran-Byck has even tried hiding Foxy, hoping to give Rudy's other toys a chance. Hana Tran-Byck Maybe it's because Foxy has always been there for Rudy - when he was recovering after being hit by a car, and through the big move from Toronto, Canada, to New York City. But today, Rudy may be down to his last fox. And there's no telling what kind of catastrophe that could spell for his lovelorn heart. Ikea has stopped selling the toy fox at his local Ikea. "We recently went to Ikea to find this toy and it wasn't there," Tran-Byck says. "I then went on to the U.S. Ikea website and it wasn't there and also tried the Canadian one. No dice." Think you might have an extra Ikea fox hanging around? Send an email to rudytranbyck@icloud.com Before Rudy's bed gets too cold. Hana Tran-Byck There's a lot we can learn from the resilient spirit of a formerly mistreated dog -and this pup named Tarzan is certainly no exception. Volunteers from Hope for Paws, a California-based animal rescue group, recently came to aid of the frightened stray, who'd been living for weeks in brambles on the side of a freeway. It's unclear how he came to be there, desperately clinging to life all alone, but he seemed to understand the moment when his sad ordeal was finally drawing to an end. Suddenly, he never stopped wagging his tail, as this touching video of his rescue shows. Sure, pigs might not be able to fly themselves (with some exceptions), but this sweet swine is here to make the process a little easier for the those of us who will be taking to the skies. San Francisco International Airport This week, certified therapy pig LiLou landed a job at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), where her charms will be put to good use. She's joined the facility's friendly troupe of comfort animals, known as the Wag Brigade, who'll be on hand to deliver smiles to countless weary holiday travelers. Dodo Shows Foster Diaries Scared Pittie Gets So Happy When He Meets This Guy And His Pack Of Dogs San Francisco International Airport Petting LiLou isn't only encouraged - it's something she insists on. "The response has been great and very positive," an SFO spokesperson told The Dodo. San Francisco International Airport LiLou is believed to be the first airport therapy pig in the United States, but she's sure to fit right in among her mostly canine colleagues. "Since its launch in 2013, the SFO Wag Brigade has become a favorite amenity among travelers," airport official Christopher Birch said in a release. "With the addition of LiLou, we can look forward to more moments of surprise and delight for guests at our airport." The eyes of the world were once again on the UK this morning, as Queen Elizabeth was laid to rest NEW YORKHudsons Bay Co. tumbled as much as 6.8 per cent after third-quarter results missed estimates, a sign the owner of Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor is struggling to cope with a moribund department-store industry. Excluding nonrecurring items, the company posted a third-quarter loss of 56 cents a share in the period, which ended Oct. 29. Analysts had projected a deficit of 22 cents, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Sales and adjusted earnings also fell short of predictions. Hudsons Bay blamed sluggish demand in the key retail segments of womens apparel, department stores and luxury products last quarter. Its trying to bounce back by managing its inventory better, improving customer service both online and in stores and renovating stores in Europe. The Toronto-based company also added a robot fulfillment system in Canada. There are further areas for improvement, and we will continue to evaluate our options, chief executive officer Jerry Storch said in the statement. The stock fell as low as $13.55 in Toronto trading on Tuesday. Thats its lowest level since November 2012, when Hudsons Bay Canadas oldest company, which has its roots in the fur trade held its initial public offering. Even before the rout, the shares were down 20 per cent this year. Luxury department stores have lost their allure among younger shoppers, raising concerns about their long-term health. Hudsons Bay has been trying to broaden its appeal by opening lower-priced Saks Off Fifth stores and acquiring the e-commerce site Gilt. Rival Neiman Marcus Group is taking similar steps. It teamed up last month with the upstart chain Rent the Runway to lure millennial traffic. https://www.thestar.com/business/2016/11/23/department-stores-rethink-strategy-as-they-lose-ground-to-online-shopping.html The slowdown has renewed calls for Hudsons Bay to do more with its real estate. The company has worked with developers on joint-venture projects with properties, but it could do more, M Partners analyst Steven Salz said in a note. He recommends a spinoff of its real estate. HBC has created value with its JVs, but we believe it must surface this value through a public structure so the market can see a daily marker of exactly what thats worth, he said. With assistance from Eric Lam To SHARE: Mexico is overtaking Canada as the No. 2 exporter of goods to the U.S. this year, in a sign of how economic ties have deepened between the two countries even as the relationship is being questioned by president-elect Donald Trump. Shipments from Mexico totalled $245 billion (U.S.) in the first 10 months of the year, according to Commerce Department figures released Tuesday, ahead of Canadas $230 billion. If the trend continues, it would be the first time ever the U.S. bought more imports from its neighbour to the south. The two countries ended 2015 tied in exports to the U.S. The trend of catching up to Canada puts China and Mexico as the top two exporters to the U.S. just as Trump prepares to take office in January, reflecting the strong pull of lower cost jurisdictions for the U.S. economy. Canada, which has one of the highest cost bases in the Americas, has seen its share of U.S. imports fall to about 13 per cent from around 20 per cent two decades ago. Integration with Mexico has become more solid than with Canada, said Marco Oviedo, chief Mexico economist for Barclays Plc. Manufacturing continues to be very competitive in terms of wages and location to other U.S. producers and suppliers. The growing links between Mexico and U.S. hinge on motor vehicles. Mexico has won new factories over the past six years from Toyota Motor Corp., Volkswagen AGs luxury Audi unit, Kia Motors Corp. and BMW AG up to $25.9 billion in new auto investments since 2010, according to the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan fuelling car shipments totalling $90 billion in the first 10 months. Thats versus $54 billion from Canada. Canadas cost base is also a big part of the story. Canadas labour bill has swelled with unit labour costs in U.S. dollars, a key index of competitiveness, increasing by 64 per cent since 2002 even with Canadas currency weakening in recent years. Mexicos average salaries meanwhile rose 0.5 per cent a year in the decade through 2014, the least among the 11 largest Latin American nations after Venezuela, International Labor Organization data show. Our competitiveness hasnt been what it could be, Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz, who grew up in General Motors Co.s Canadian production hub of Oshawa, told lawmakers in October. Auto manufacturers can just as easily do it in Mexico, and get a fine dedicated workforce, they get the advantage of lower costs. And the problems go well beyond the auto sector for Canada. In a down year for all shipments to the U.S., Canadian exports have fallen 7.7 per cent so far in 2016, versus a 1.6 per cent drop for Mexico. The twist is that, even with Canada suffering from lost trade to Mexico, there is little populist anger. According to Oshawa Mayor John Henry, Canadians should rise to the challenge of competition and be a good friend in the world. The world has changed in the auto industry a lot since the 1990s, automation, more and more countries are making cars, Henry said in an interview. But based on the economics of Canada, given an equal playing field, we can build the best vehicles in the world. Read more about: SHARE: When it comes to Ontarios new plan to overhaul taxation on spirit distilleries, the provinces booze makers either see the glass half full or pretty much empty. A rift has appeared in the historic spirits industry amid planned legislation that is expected to go to a final vote Thursday that would replace a longtime, unpopular LCBO bottle markup with a 61.5 per cent tax per bottle of alcohol sold in independent distillery stores. While craft distillers have made plain their disgust with what the government has proposed for them in Bill 70, industry experts including Spirits Canada the association that represents established giants like Crown Royal, Wisers and Canadian Club calls it a win for which the up-and-comers should actually be grateful. Guys, this is a benefit take it and work with it, advises Spirits Canada president Jan Westcott. Finance Minister Charles Sousa says a distillers share of the revenue from a $39.95 bottle of spirits sold at their on-site store is currently about 39 per cent. Changes proposed in the budget bill would increase their share of the revenue to about 45 per cent which the small players acknowledge is an improvement, just not near what they anticipated. This tax is a major blow to the sustainability of distilleries working to provide Ontario farm-to-table, grain-to-glass spirits and ignores the lessons of what works and what doesnt from Ontarios own wine and beer tax policy, as well as the successful spirits tax policies in places like British Columbia, says Rocco Panacci, co-founder of the new Yongehurst Distillery in Toronto. The tax rate would be 10 times what Ontario wineries pay for on-site sales, he notes. Although this change does improve the situation by a buck or so per bottle, it isn't anywhere close to where it needs be in order to see distilleries of our size growing, hiring employees, innovating, said Panacci. Essentially we'll just continue surviving, Craft distillers say they are particularly upset after they had lobbied for years for a graduated tax system by volume, as is done in B.C., and similar to the current taxation of craft beer and wine in Ontario that has helped spur the explosive growth of those industries in recent years. The number of small distillers in the province has jumped from two in 2011 to 16 today, and a boom was expected in craft whisky, vodka and rum distilleries earlier this year when the government signaled changes were coming to ease the tax burden on these small businesses. For three years, we were led to believe that the government heard us on the importance of a graduated tax. Bill 70 proves otherwise, and guarantees that Ontario misses out on the craft distilling renaissance happening throughout the rest of North America, said Charles Benoit, president of the Ontario Craft Distillers Association. In fact Benoit, co-founder of the Toronto Distillery Company, warns he will have to shut down his distillery in the Junction, which makes single-grain whiskies, dry organic gin and beet spirits, in the new year if the bill passes. NDP Finance critic Catherine Fife said Tuesday that Ontarios craft distillers were blindsided by Bill 70. It will force many of them to sell their products abroad instead of in Ontario, change their business models entirely, or simply just shut down, she said in the legislature. But Canadian whisky expert and author Davin de Kergommeaux said he doesnt buy it, considering there have been many success stories among the independents under the current system. John Hall of Forty Creek took a tiny copper pot still and turned it into a very profitable business that he then sold for over $180 million, said de Kergommeaux, author of the award-winning book Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert and chairman of the prestigious Canadian Whisky Awards. Similarly, Barry Stein and Barry Bernstein made a careful assessment of expenses and revenues, and have turned their Still Waters distillery in North Toronto into a booming success, he said of the makers of popular Stalk & Barrel whisky. And this was under the current, less generous tax regimen, he pointed out. He said with the tax overhaul, distilleries will not only survive, they will thrive. Hobbyists and triflers who jumped in without doing the math wont last no matter how much the government does for them, he added. However, de Kergommeaux says the new legislation is not everything hed hoped for either, favouring a taxation model by volume similar to the way wine and beer are taxed. Westcott says this is at least a first step, and as a lifelong lobbyist, he knows government tends to make incremental changes rather than risking a backlash, in this case from Mothers Against Drunk Driving and others. We all know the government treats spirits differently than beer and wine. The fact that Ontario allows them for sale in farmers markets and now in grocery stores but excluded spirits confirms that, noted Westcott. In a letter to individual craft distillers in November, Sousa said: I acknowledge that some would have preferred our government to move to a graduated, per-litre tax rate and to adopt policies used in other provinces. Proposed changes in Bill 70 are an important step forward and we are committed to continuing to work with you to develop an approach that is appropriate for Ontario. SHARE: LONDONBritish regulators fined U.S. drugmaker Pfizer and distributor Flynn Pharma a record 89.4 million pounds ($149.6 million Canadian) Wednesday for increasing the cost of an epilepsy drug by as much as 2,600 per cent. Pfizer and Flynn Pharma charged excessive and unfair prices for the drug used by 48,000 people in Britain, the Competition and Markets Authority said. Pfizer was fined 84.2 million pounds ($140.9 million Canadian) and Flynn Pharma 5.2 million pounds ($8.7 million Canadian). This is the highest fine the CMA has imposed and it sends out a clear message to the sector that we are determined to crack down on such behaviour and to protect customers, including the NHS (National Health Service), and taxpayers from being exploited, Philip Marsden, chairman of the case decision group for the investigation, said in a statement. The authority said the companies removed the official brand of Epanutin, Pfizers name for phenytoin sodium capsules, so they could increase the price. As a result, the NHS saw the bill for drug increase to 50 million pounds in 2013, from 2 million pounds in 2012. The companies deliberately exploited the opportunity offered by de-branding to hike up the price for a drug which is relied upon by many thousands of patients, Marsden said. Pfizer rejected the ruling, saying that Epanutin was a loss-making product and the deal with Flynn Pharma helped secure supplies of the drug for patients. It plans to appeal, as does Flynn Pharma. In this transaction, and in all of our business operations, we approached this divestment with integrity, and believe it fully complies with established competition law, Pfizer said. Pfizer said the increased price of the drug was still 25 per cent to 40 per cent lower than the cost of an equivalent medicine by another supplier to the NHS. The ruling highlights real policy and legal issues concerning the respective roles of both the Department of Health and the CMA, in regulating the price of pharmaceutical products in the U.K., the company said. Pfizer will seek clarity on these issues as part of the appeal process. Regulators around the world are getting tough on drugmakers amid soaring prices that companies say are justified by years of research and product development. In one recent case, drugmaker Mylan said it would pay $465 million (U.S.) to settle allegations it overbilled Medicaid, the U.S. program that provides health insurance for poor people, for its EpiPen, used to provide emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions. In another, Turing Pharmaceuticals former CEO Martin Shkreli increased the price of Daraprim by 5,000 per cent. The drug is the only approved treatment for toxoplasmosis, a life-threatening parasitic infection that mainly strikes pregnant women, cancer patients and AIDS patients. SHARE: New research has shed more light on one of Canadas enduring mysteries the fate of the Franklin expedition. Scientists used lasers and high-energy beams from the Canadian Light Source in Saskatoon to illuminate the last few months of the doomed 19th-century British voyage to the Northwest Passage. The study, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, firms up earlier conclusions that the Franklins 129 crew members didnt die of lead poisoning from canned food. It also suggests the expedition was running low on supplies long before its ships became stranded in ice all from the careful examination of a tiny piece of toenail. This is kind of like a Canadian myth, said co-author Laurie Chan. I get excited at the opportunity to work on it and talk about it. The Franklin expedition headed north, never to return, in 1845. Some remains of its crew have been discovered, along with ghastly evidence of cannibalism. Its two ships, Erebus and Terror, were found within the last two years by underwater archeologists. But how things went so badly wrong has remained a mystery and a legend. The latest chapter began two years ago. Jennie Christensen, an environmental consultant with expertise in toxicology, thought it would be productive to use the latest laser technology to examine one of the Franklin corpses discovered on Beechey Island in 1984. She got in touch with Chan, a colleague at the University of Ottawa. The team applied to the Museum of History in Ottawa and the Inuit Heritage Trust, which has custody of the bodies. Eventually, they were granted a small piece of toenail from able seaman John Hartnell. They used lasers and the University of Saskatchewans synchrotron to peer inside the toenail to a layer unaffected by outside contaminants. Toenails grow about three millimetres a month, so the clipping provided a pretty good picture of what Hartnell had been eating and the state of his health in the last weeks of his life. What it revealed was a long-standing, severe zinc deficiency. That zinc deficiency would explain that he had a very low immune function, Chan said. In the tough environment, he probably contracted infections and died from (tuberculosis). Hartnell was so weak in the month before he died, his body released all the lead that had been stored in his tissues. That caused previous researchers to suggest lead poisoning was the culprit. The toenail also revealed that Hartnell had eaten very little meat, despite large reserves of canned meat in the ships hold. We see a clear decline of meat consumption, said Chan. If all the canned food (had lasted) he should not have that problem. Its probably because some of the canned food was spoiled. Nor were the sailors able to turn to the sea to replenish their stores. Hartnells toenail showed little seafood residue. We would expect, with the meat declining, he would eat a lot of seafood. But not really. Either he was not successful at getting seafood or they were just not able to do it. Chan said the results pertain only to Hartnell. But using the same technology on other Franklin bodies could shine further light on a story that has inspired poets, songwriters and novelists. Being able to have the opportunity to work on this and try to contribute to solve this puzzle is an honour, Chan said. Hopefully, well be able to continue working on finding more about them. Read more about: SHARE: A Toronto doctor has lost his bid to sue the past president of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association for libel over an email she sent to other lawyers, warning that he altered medical reports on victims of car accidents to thwart their insurance claims. In a 44-page judgment, Justice Sean Dunphy dismissed the libel suit, writing that lawyer Maia Bents concerns about Dr. Howard Platnick have merit and that there is a public interest in not stifling debate about reports from medical experts. There is credible and compelling evidence before me that the defences of justification and qualified privilege are reasonably likely to succeed, Dunphy wrote, adding that Bents comments about Platnick appear to have been substantially true and correct or are fair and reasonable comment upon those facts. Platnicks lawyer, Tim Danson, said he and his client are disappointed by the decision and plan to appeal. Platnick, a family physician, has worked almost exclusively over the last decade as a medical expert for insurance companies or assessment companies hired by insurers to evaluate claims. Bent expressed concerns about his reports in an email to 670 lawyers on the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association listserve in Nov. 2014, a week after dealing with him at an arbitration hearing over an insurance claim at the Financial Services Commission of Ontario. Bent, then president-elect of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, was representing a client who had been in a car accident and whose claim for catastrophic injury had initially been denied by TD Insurance. In assessing the claim, TD retained assessment company Sibley SLR to obtain independent medical assessments from specialists. Sibley asked Platnick to sum up the specialists reports in an executive summary report. Platnick wrote that the consensus conclusion of specialists in this case was that the accident claim was not serious enough to warrant a catastrophic impairment rating. But a neurologist who had assessed the accident victim had testified at the hearing that he had no input into this conclusion and that important sections of the report he had prepared for Sibley had been removed without his knowledge, Bent wrote in her email to colleagues. The sections were very favourable to our client. (The neurologist) never saw the final version of his report which was sent to us and he never signed off on it, she wrote. Platnicks report formed part of the basis for the insurance companys initial denial of the accident victims claim, the decision states. But following the neurologists testimony at the arbitration hearing, TD Insurance suddenly changed its tune. (TDs lawyer) must have received instructions from the insurance company to shut (the case) down at all costs because it offered an obsence amount of money to settle, which our client accepted, Bent wrote in her email. Bents email stated that other reports from Sibley had also been altered: We obtained copies of all the doctors (files) and drafts and there was a paper trail from Sibley where they rewrote the doctors reports to change their conclusion from our client having a catastrophic impairment to our client not having a catastrophic impairment. Bent wrote that she had dealt with another case in which Platnick had changed a doctors decision from a marked to a moderate impairment. That case related to Platnick phoning a specialist and persuading her to change her report so that it corresponded with the economic interest of his client, the decision states. Bent advised fellow lawyers that in similar cases they should always get files from assessors and Sibley. The email was leaked to the FAIR Association of Victims for Accident Insurance Reform, which commented upon it in an insurance industry newsletter. Platnick sued Bent, charging that he was dropped as a service provider by many insurance companies as a result of her words. Danson said that Platnicks charter rights have been violated under Ontarios new anti-SLAPP legislation, which regulates retaliatory strategic lawsuits against public participation. Sebley vice-president Bikram Daulay said he had no comment. Phone calls to TD Insurance were not returned. In his decision, which was released on Dec. 1, Dunphy wrote that the public interest is better served by dismissing the suit: (I am) not satisfied that the public interest in permitting the plaintiffs suit to proceed outweighs the public interest in protecting the communication made in this case. (Platnicks) suit has in fact had a substantial chilling effect on discussion and debate about the proper use and utility of this type of derivative experts report in the accident benefit claims process. Dunphy said Platnicks finding in the case was most certainly false and misleading. Bent declined to comment on the case, but her lawyer, Howard Winkler said: The decision reflects a recognition of the skill and experience of Ms. Bent in obtaining the disclosure she did and vindication of her decision to share what she learned with her colleagues. I believe that Ms. Bent was a hero for exposing what she learned. The case also represents an important opportunity to reconsider the role of executive summary reports commissioned by insurers in the determination of catastrophic injury claims in Ontario. In my view, it is a practice that should be immediately abandoned. SHARE: OTTAWAOne of the longest and most contentious defence procurements in Canadian history will inch closer to conclusion Thursday when the federal government announces a replacement for the militarys ancient search-and-rescue planes. The decision comes 14 years after the Chretien government first launched plans to replace the air forces Buffalo and Hercules aircraft, the oldest of which have been flying since the 1960s. What followed was a series of missteps and controversies eerily reminiscent of those that have plagued the effort to replace Canadas aging CF-18 fighter jet fleet. Public Procurement Minister Judy Foote and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan will announce the winning bid during an event at Canadian Forces Base Trenton alongside air force commander Lt.-Gen. Mike Hood. Government officials werent talking Wednesday, but industry sources say European aerospace giant Airbus has won with its C-295 design, beating out Italian firm Leonardo, which entered its C-27J Spartan into the multi-billion-dollar competition. Brazilian company Embraer had also submitted a design, but was not seen as a contender. The government originally budgeted $3 billion for 17 aircraft plus a 20-year maintenance contract, but those numbers have since been erased and the companies were asked to include in their bids the number of aircraft they think Canada needs. The Buffalos and older-model Hercules are used to respond to thousands of emergencies across the country every year. The government is expected to frame Thursdays announcement as a win for the air force and Canadas troubled military procurement system, which has been the subject of withering criticism in recent years. Yet the search-and-rescue plane project has epitomized those problems in many ways for more than a decade. Efforts to replace the Buffalos and Hercules were launched in 2002, with money set aside by the Martin government in 2004 in anticipation of the first new plane being delivered in 12 to 18 months. But like with the F-35 several years later, the Defence Department was accused of rigging requirements for the new search-and-rescue airplane so only one specific aircraft, the C-27J, could compete. The military denied it rigged the process, but a National Research Council report published in March 2010 backed up the allegation and called for the requirements to be rewritten. The Conservative government subsequently took the project out of National Defences hands as also happened with the F-35 and gave it to the Department of Public Procurement. It also put in place an array of checks and balances which then-defence minister Peter MacKay subsequently blamed for slowing the project to a crawl. In the meantime, the government has been spending more and more time and money maintaining the six aging Buffalos and 13 Hercules aircraft. Auditor General Michael Ferguson warned in May 2013 that the air forces search-and-rescue capabilities were crumbling as a result. Media reports have also revealed over the years that officials have gone to great lengths to keep the planes flying, scouring the globe and even resorting to raiding a museum piece for spare parts. University of Calgary associate professor Rob Huebert said any movement to get a new plane in the air will be welcome, but the devil will be in the details, such as how many aircraft Canada intends to buy. You can always talk about replacement, Huebert said. But is it going to be a Band-Aid, or will this be a significant forward contribution to the nations need for rescue? Read more about: SHARE: JOIN THE CONVERSATION Anyone can read Conversations, but to contribute, you should be a registered Torstar account holder. If you do not yet have a Torstar account, you can create one now (it is free) Sign In Register At least 22 pedestrians were struck in the city on Tuesday, including a collision in North York that left one woman dead. At least 16 of the accidents police responded to on Tuesday came within two hours, starting at around 6 p.m., during a crappy and wet night in the city, said Const. Craig Brister, spokesperson for Toronto Police Services. Brister said 22 is a low estimate for the night, adding that he had heard of more, but couldnt yet confirm the total. UPDATED STORY:15 pedestrians hit in one day, Toronto police say Tuesday morning began with a fatal collision. An elderly pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle near Sheppard Ave. W. and Bathurst St. in North York around 7:30 a.m. At around 6:30 p.m., police responded to another serious collision involving two pedestrians in the Queen St. E. and Dalhousie St. area. Both were transported to the hospital, one with serious injuries. In majority of Tuesdays accidents, the pedestrian suffered only minor injuries, according to police and Toronto paramedics. This is the biggest round of pedestrians being struck that Ive come across, Brister said. He has been spokesperson for Toronto police for a little over a year. I have no idea why its happening. It could be the weather, the darkness anything. The last time police saw a similar surge in pedestrian accidents was between Nov. 2 and Nov. 3, when 14 pedestrians were hit between sunset and the next morning. Police are advising drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to be extra cautious while driving as the roads become more slippery. SHARE: Stefan Bozickovic sits hunched in a chair as he gazes intently at a movie on his iPad. Hes watching Maid in Manhattan again, says his mother Nada Bundalo. He loves Jennifer Lopez. He loves romance. But there is nothing romantic about Stefans life. Stefan, 22, who has autism and a seizure disorder, has been locked up on the psychiatric ward at St. Michaels Hospital for almost a year while he awaits provincial funding for a group home placement in the community. Except for a 10-metre walk to the shower room once a week, Stefan has not been allowed outside his barren hospital room as a precaution to protect nurses and others from his increasingly frequent violent outbursts, his parents say. From noon until 8 p.m. every day, a security guard and mental health worker are stationed outside his room. The mental health worker gives Stefan his meals and ensures he uses the washroom. The security guard is there in case Stefan becomes anxious and aggressive. This is so sad, says Bundalo, choking back tears. It is inhumane to keep a person with a disability locked up like this when they are not sick. In a damning report last August, provincial Ombudsman Paul Dube highlighted more than 250 cases like Stefans where adults with developmental disabilities are needlessly placed in hospitals and psychiatric units at significant cost to the health system. Dube urged the province to take the lead in fixing systemic problems province-wide and to intervene in crisis cases so that these vulnerable adults are not returned to abusive situations nor housed in hospitals, nursing homes or other inappropriate places. His report, titled Nowhere to Turn, was based on 1,400 complaints from desperate families, like the Bozickovics, struggling to care for adults with developmental disabilities such as autism. At the time, Community and Social Services Minister Helena Jaczek apologized to families and vowed to provide more leadership and better inter-ministry co-ordination. But the crisis continues. Since his August report, Dubes office has received an additional 72 complaints, including a plea for help from Stefans family. After months of futile calls to the ministrys adult development services office, Bundalo contacted the Star. On Monday, barely four hours after the Star emailed Jaczeks office, Bundalo says she was told funding has been approved and two Toronto agencies have offered Stefan a space, subject to an assessment of his needs. In a statement Tuesday, a spokeswoman for Jaczek acknowledged the urgency of the case and the broader need for more community options. We are committed to working with the family to assist in finding an appropriate residential setting and are confident that one will be found, said Lyndsay Miller. While we have made progress in expanding supports for adults with developmental disabilities, we recognize that we have much more to do, she added. There are still too many people waiting for services, but we remain committed to providing funding to individuals, as well as continuing to find unique, creative ways of providing services and supports for adults with developmental disabilities and their families. There are 33 psychiatric beds on the 17th floor at St. Michaels Hospital and all are in high demand, said spokeswoman, Leslie Shepherd. The hospital does not typically comment on individual patients, she added. Since Stefan is receiving no real treatment hospital administrators have been urging the family to take him home, Bundalo says. But Bundalo, 60, has already suffered a heart attack and mild stroke from the strain of caring for her disabled son. His 68-year-old father Nikola Bozickovic is undergoing cancer treatment for a second time. We had Stefan when we were older, and it is not safe for him to be at home anymore, Bundalo says. He has broken all of our furniture. He was hanging from the light fixture and threatening to jump off the balcony, she says. We had to call the police to help us take him to the hospital. But had we known he would be here a year like this, deteriorating, I dont know if we would do it again. For the past year, the parents have visited their son daily. Bundalo gets up early to cook for him and her husband arrives at the hospital at 10 a.m. to feed and keep him company for the morning. Bundalo visits in the afternoon and her husband returns at 9:30 p.m. to help Stefan fall asleep. His sister Isidora, 33, who works nearby, often visits on her lunch hour. We dont want him to feel we have abandoned him here, Bundalo says. Shocked by Stefans increasingly agitated state, and frustrated that the hospital has barred the family from taking him outside for fresh air, they have been desperately searching for alternatives. In October, they found a private group home in a rural setting about an hour north of the city willing to take Stefan on a respite basis while he awaits a government-funded space. The cost of the security guard and mental health worker at the hospital would have paid for Stefans care in the private group home, Bundalo says. But since the ministry does not have a purchase-of-service-agreement with the home, the family was told the province would not approve the move. This is despite the fact all eight young men at the home are receiving ministry funding through agencies that serve adults with developmental disabilities, she notes. We are thankful that we have the hospital to keep (Stefan) safe when in crisis. We are grateful that the ministry is providing support workers to relieve (us) and to help change him, feed him. We are thankful to everyone who looks after him, Bundalo writes in a letter to the ministry and provincial ombudsman. But my concern is that even with all the resources . . . he does not benefit. For a fraction of the cost of keeping Stefan in hospital, he could be transferred to a community setting with staff trained to work with people with autism, she writes. Keeping him (in hospital) violates Stefans basic human rights because he is there not for treatment but because of his disability. Her sons condition, aggravated by undiagnosed stomach pain, has gone downhill since his confinement in hospital where he has been physically restrained and unnecessarily medicated due to his disability, Bundalo says. He went from being a very affectionate child to pulling back and getting scared even if you gently touch him, she says. Our son is not beyond help, Bundalo says. He can be a sweet, affectionate young man, who enjoys his computer and spending time with his family. For two weeks last summer, Stefan attended a specialized camp where Bundalo says he was a different person, even from the one we saw at home when he was in distress. This tells us that he can thrive, given the right environment and support, she says. He has waited long enough for this help and it shouldnt take a call to the Toronto Star to get it. SHARE: A gas leak in downtown Toronto led to buildings being evacuated near Church and King St. These included the Omni King Edward Hotel Wednesday morning. Police say that nine buildings along Church, Colborne, and King Sts. were evacuated at around 8:29 a.m. Wednesday morning, after construction workers struck a gas main at a nearby construction site. Church St. was closed between King and Front Sts. for two hours as Enbridge and Toronto Fire Services worked to stop the leak. Toronto Fire Services say the leak was capped as of 11:15 a.m., and that people will be allowed into the buildings soon. SHARE: Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne is apologizing for rising electricity rates but the head of Toronto Hydro calls the ongoing uproar over power bills a piling-on exercise. Anthony Haines made the comments Wednesday in a morning speech to the Toronto Region Board of Trade. The chief executive of the city-owned electricity distributor said Ontarios move away from coal-fired power Ontario closed its last plant in 2014 was intended to improve the environment and allow renewal and modernization of the power grid at the lowest possible price. But while smog days that once saw Torontonians urged to spend dozens of summer days indoors have disappeared, along with attendant health costs, people are judging Wynne and the energy industry solely on rates, Haines said. Bills for Toronto Hydros residential customers have risen on average about 5 per cent per year for the past decade, he added, while Statistics Canada figures suggest electricity has remained steady at about 2 per cent of an average households total spending. He pointed to a Canadian Press story citing internal government polling conducted before Wynne announced rate relief, suggesting 94 per cent of residents were eager for a break on rates, and said the premier has been annihilated in Question Period over energy costs. Somebody said to me one time People love to be part of a gang. Its a piling-on exercise right now and it affects us all, Haines told the business audience. Everybody who is in the (energy) industry will be tainted by the piling-on so lets have a fact-based conversation, he said, City of Toronto water rates have risen more steeply 234 per cent in the past decade, according to city figures but few people are complaining about them. Asked after the speech exactly who is piling on Wynne, Haines said: Who isnt? Everybodys jumping on this issue. We need to be sensitive to this price increase but we need to look at the benefits that came along with it. I get that people are having a hard time paying their bills but lets focus on helping those people who need it the most. To that end, he took issue with Wynnes rebate that will cost taxpayers about $1 billion annually to save the typical Ontario household about $130 a year, with extra projected savings of $540 a year for rural electricity customers. Haines said it makes more sense, and would be cheaper, to cut by half the bills of Toronto Hydros 104,000 households with incomes low enough to qualify for some form of assistance. If we have a finite amount of money (for relief), rather than distribute it equally my preferred path would be to focus on those people who need it most. For his utility, Haines said booming condo development and the cost of building the grid skyward remains a challenge, while the biggest opportunity is electric vehicles that provide revenue and spread out the costs of the existing grid. Haines noted in his speech that the federal government announced in Toronto on Monday it will provide a loan to subsidize the installation of 25 quick-charge stations across Ontario. Rapid charging will cost $20 per hour, with per minute billing, while the standard charging costs $1.50 per hour. Haines told the audience that electricity to charge an EV costs his utility about $2.50. EVs are the best news story as an industry and we cant let people move electricity charging prices to gasoline equivalent, he said. Theres a wonderful opportunity for our customers to take advantage of this new energy source but we have to make sure we keep our eye out for abuse. His speech was the first since Mayor John Tory announced the end of discussions around the potential sale of part of Toronto Hydro to help fund grid upgrades as well as TTC and Toronto Community Housing capital projects. The city instead plans to invest $200 million from reserve funds in Toronto Hydro to end a cash-flow crisis at the utility, while boosting Hydros annual dividend to the city that helps the government balance its books. Haines said after the speech he is quite happy about the novel arrangement. Asked how much Hydro has spent on consultants and other costs related to plans for a possible privatization, he said: Im not going to talk about that we had a range of people we used . . . Read more about: SHARE: In the early morning hours of Feb. 27, 2016, Acting Sgt. Deborah Smith of the South Simcoe Police was investigating a possible impaired driver north of Toronto. Smith, who was following up on a complaint from a civilian, asked the driver to provide a breath sample. Its alleged he refused, and as Smith attempted to arrest him, the driver pulled away from the officer. It was not until Smith unholstered her Taser and warned the driver that he complied with her demands and was arrested. The alleged confrontation took place in Innisfil, but required the attention of the Toronto Police Service because the driver arrested was one of their own: Toronto police Const. Daniel VanWart. VanWart pleaded guilty to driving with over 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, according to the Ministry of the Attorney General. The Ministry said via email that a different charge related to the same events, for impaired driving, was withdrawn April 28; charges of assault resist arrest and obstructing a peace officer were withdrawn Nov. 3. VanWart declined to comment at his home in Innisfil last month. Ive asked you to get off my property. No further comment, OK? said VanWart. He is on administrative duties at 14 Division, a spokesperson said in an email. VanWarts alleged actions, while he was off-duty, also prompted two charges of discreditable conduct at the TPS internal disciplinary tribunal. A description of the alleged confrontation with the South Simcoe Police is contained in a Notice of Hearing for the TPS tribunal. The Star submitted a freedom of information request to the South Simcoe Police, seeking records related to VanWarts arrest. The service refused the request, writing in a Nov. 10 letter that the case is currently before the courts. Records would also be withheld after the matter was resolved because the records requested are law enforcement records used for training purposes, the service claimed. VanWarts arrest comes at a crucial time for the TPS, as it cautiously ramps up penalties for officers who drive drunk, in an attempt to curb bad behaviour and maintain or restore public trust in the force. As the Star reported last year, dozens of officers from the Greater Toronto Area, and Ontario Provincial Police members, have been disciplined for drinking and driving since 2010. The Star found that the TPS had doled out the most lenient penalties an average of about 20 days docked pay. Meanwhile, the OPP, as well as services in Durham, Peel, Halton and York, tended to demote officers. Now, close observation of the Toronto tribunal suggests that the TPS is catching up with its counterparts. We started quite some time ago, asking for higher penalties, said Insp. Peter Callaghan, who prosecutes disciplinary cases for the Toronto police. The current penalty range wasnt getting the message across. Callaghan is the service prosecutor on the VanWart matter. Warnings about strong penalties for impaired driving are not new, but Acting Deputy Chief Richard Stubbings said it may still take time for the message to permeate among TPS members. I would probably have liked to see stronger penalties earlier on, but you have to look at whats acceptable at the time said Stubbings, referring to case law and community sentiment. He believes dismissal could be an appropriate penalty if there is not a decrease in the rate of impaired driving. Stubbings also emphasized that officers face professional discipline even when they avoid criminal conviction and said the baseline penalty for impaired driving is now a six-month rank reduction. The discrepancy in penalties among police services was well-known among some police officers, if not the general public. A 2006 OPP document stated that while the provincial police warned officers that drunk driving would result in demotion, Toronto handed out penalties ranging from six days off to 12 days off. In the disciplinary hearing of Const. Enis Egeli, demoted earlier this year for impaired driving on the Gardiner in 2013, Callaghan submitted the Stars reporting to underscore the need to ensure public confidence. (Negative media attention and harm to the reputation of a police force are common considerations when tribunals decide on penalties.) Weve been trying to make the case for quite some time that this is damaging our reputation with the public, said Callaghan, who is also the acting superintendent for Professional Standards Support. The Star was a useful tool in that. (Supt. Debra Preston, who decided on Egelis penalty, wrote: Although these articles have not influenced my decision about penalty, they do highlight the concern and general intolerance of the community around impaired driving in general, and more so about this offence being committed by the officers who serve their community." Whether harsher penalties are actually changing officer behaviour is unclear. In deciding on an appropriate penalty for Egeli, Preston wrote in an April decision that there had already been three arrests of Toronto officers in 2016 for impaired driving. By late September, there had been five arrests of Toronto officers for impaired driving. According to numbers released to the Star in September, there were 71 impaired driving arrests of Toronto cops between 2004 and 2016. This included a high of 13 arrests in 2009 and lows of two arrests in 2005, 2010 and 2015. A spokesperson said via email that one York Regional Police officer has been charged with impaired driving this year; no Durham officers have been arrested for impaired driving this year, according to the service. Sgt. Barry Malciw of the Halton Regional Police Service refused to provide figures, and said the Star could make a freedom of information request. Peel police say theyve had no incidents of impaired driving for 2016. One Toronto officer arrested this year is Const. Sebastian Szulc, whos alleged to have failed a roadside breath test while off-duty in Burlington where his car was broken down on an exit ramp from the Queen Elizabeth Way, according to a TPS notice of hearing. A charge of care and control of a motor vehicle with over 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood remains before the courts. Peter Thorning, a lawyer for Szulc, said the officer suffered a mechanical issue with his vehicle. Theres going to be a trial, you know. Hes going to plead not guilty, Thorning said. Thorning doesnt believe harsher penalties curb bad behaviour. He also believes disciplinary tribunals, where cases are typically overseen and prosecuted by police, can crack down too hard on officers in an attempt to avoid perceptions of bias. In the history of the human race, its never worked Harsher penalties never modify behaviour, Thorning said. Demotion packs a financial punch, and is considered a severe penalty, second only to dismissal. According to Durham Regional Police Association president Randy Henning, an officer demoted from first- to second-class constable for a year would lose approximately $9,000 to $10,000 in salary and could see their pension shrink. Callaghan said tribunals must work within established precedent, handing out penalties to officers that align with past punishments for officers whove committed similar misconduct. A drastic deviation from precedent gives an officer a stronger case for appeal. And because a hearing officer, who functions like a judge during disciplinary proceedings, must maintain their independence, a police service cannot standardize penalties for particular offences, Callaghan said. Insp. Charles Young, who prosecutes OPP disciplinary cases, said tribunals can heighten penalties when warnings have been communicated to police officers. Young cautioned that dismissal remains a possibility. I see it heading in that direction, said Young. We havent gotten to where we need to be. SHARE: A major union has followed through its threat to sue Premier Kathleen Wynne and two cabinet ministers to halt the further privatization of Hydro One. The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which issued a notice of intent to sue two months ago, filed the lawsuit in hopes of stopping the Liberal government from selling more shares in the Crown utility. CUPE and opposition parties have raised concerns the sale will sacrifice a steady revenue stream from Hydro One into government coffers and drive up electricity rates. They should not proceed with any sale until this matter is resolved, CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn told a news conference Wednesday, a day after the suit was filed. He called Hydro One a vital asset that Wynnes government has no mandate to sell. The suit names Wynne, Finance Minister Charles Sousa, and Infrastructure Minister Bob Chiarelli, who held the energy portfolio when the decision was made to put 60 per cent of Hydro One on the market. About half of those shares were sold to investors in offerings last November and in April as part of the governments plan to raise $9 billion, and $5 billion of this was slated for debt reduction and $4 billion to improve public transit. No date has been set for the sale of another tranche of shares as officials monitor market conditions. Hydro One shares closed at $22.23 Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange, well down from their peak of $26.80 earlier this year, but above their trading low of $21.53. The first shares went out at $20.50 each in an initial public offering, while they were priced at $23.65 on the second offering. CUPE claims the government was in a conflict in holding political fundraisers (including one event for which tickets cost $7,500 each) in which cabinet ministers hobnobbed with investment bankers vying for lucrative contracts to handle the privatization, earning their firms millions of dollars. While the legislature last week passed fundraising reforms to eliminate what opposition critics called cash for access, the government has insisted nothing was illegal. Opposition parties hold similar fundraisers, where lobbyists and donors mingle with MPPs who could one day end up in government. The Ministry of Energy said there was nothing improper about the fundraising, noting the integrity commissioner has already reported on this matter and confirmed that there was no wrongdoing. Wynne said the money from the Hydro One sale is needed to help bankroll her governments 12-year, $160-billion program to build more public transit lines, expand service on existing lines and upgrade bridges and roads across the province. The broadening of the ownership of Hydro One has everything to do with . . . investing in the infrastructure projects that were talking about here today, she said Wednesday at a news conference about the Eglinton Crosstown rail line. She has argued her administration is maintaining control of Hydro One, in which no private stakeholder is allowed to hold more than 10 per cent, while unlocking the value of the company to benefit citizens stuck in gridlock. Read more about: SHARE: The Secret Service agents told the Carrier workers to stay put, so Chuck Jones sat in the factory conference room for nearly three hours, waiting for president-elect Donald Trump. Hed grown used to this suspense. Seven months earlier, at a campaign rally in Indianapolis, Trump had pledged to save the plants jobs, most of which were slated to move to Mexico. Then the businessman won the election, and the 1,350 workers whose paychecks were on the line wondered if hed keep his promise. Jones, president of the United Steelworkers 1999, which represents Carrier employees, felt optimistic when Trump announced last week that hed reached a deal with the factorys parent company, United Technologies, to preserve 1,100 of the Indianapolis jobs until the union leader heard from Carrier that only 730 of the production jobs would stay and 550 of his members would lose their livelihoods, after all. At the Dec. 1 meeting, where Trump was supposed to lay out the details, Jones hoped he would explain himself. But he got up there, Jones said Tuesday, and, for whatever reason, lied his a-- off. In front of a crowd of about 150 supervisors, production workers and reporters, Trump praised Carrier and its parent company, United Technologies. Now theyre keeping actually the numbers over 1,100 people, he said, which is so great. Jones wondered why the president-elect inflated the victory. Trump and Pence, he said, could take credit for rescuing 800 of the Carrier jobs, including non-union positions. Of the nearly 1,400 workers at the Indianapolis plant, however, 350 in research and development were never scheduled to leave, Jones said. Another 80 jobs, which Trump seemed to include in his figure, were non-union clerical and supervisory positions. (A Carrier spokesperson confirmed the numbers.) And now the president-elect was applauding the company and giving it millions of dollars in tax breaks, even as hundreds of Indianapolis workers prepared to be laid off. Trump and Pence, they pulled a dog and pony show on the numbers, said Jones, who voted for Hillary Clinton but called her the better of two evils. I almost threw up in my mouth. Spokespeople for Trump did not respond to requests for comment. In exchange for downsizing its move south of the border, United Technologies would receive $7 million in tax credits from Indiana, to be paid in $700,000 installments each year for a decade. Carrier, meanwhile, agreed to invest $16 million in its Indiana operation. United Technologies still plans to send 700 factory jobs from Huntington, Indiana, to Monterrey, Mexico. T.J. Bray, 32, one of the workers who will keep his job, sat in the front row during the Dec. 1 meeting as Trump spoke. A corporate employee had guided him specifically to that seat, he said, so he suspected he might be part of Trumps remarks. On Carriers makeshift stage, Trump paraphrased the words of an unnamed Carrier employee who talked to an NBC reporter after the election. Bray was the only Carrier employee who had appeared on television that day. Apparently, he realized, Trump was saying he inspired the deal. He said something to the effect, No, were not leaving, because Donald Trump promised us that were not leaving, and I never thought I made that promise, Trump said. Not with Carrier. I made it for everybody else. I didnt make it really for Carrier. In fact, Trump did make that commitment, and its on video. Theyre going to call me and they are going to say Mr. President, Carrier has decided to stay in Indiana, Trump had said at the April rally. One hundred per cent thats what is going to happen. Last week, though, the president-elect told the Carrier crowd he hadnt meant that literally. I was talking about Carrier like all other companies from here on in, Trump said. Because they made the decision a year and a half ago. But he believed that was and I could understand it. I actually said I didnt make it when they played that, I said, I did make it, but I didnt mean it quite that way. Trump asked if the employee hed been referencing was in the audience. A woman yelled that her son was, and Trump began to compliment that son, though he hadnt spoken in the television news segment. (Bray said that a United Technologies spokesperson later told him Trump meant to single him out.) I was confused when he was like, I wasnt talking about Carrier, Bray said. You made this whole campaign about Carrier, and were still losing a lot of jobs. Bray clapped that day, anyway, for the 800 that would remain on American soil. Read more about: SHARE: BUTTE, MONT.Several thousand snow geese died after a snowstorm forced tens of thousands of the migratory birds to take refuge in the acidic, metal-laden waters of an old open pit mine in Montana last week. But the toll could have been much worse, said Mark Thompson, environmental affairs manager for mine company Montana Resources. Along with the Atlantic Richfield Co., Montana Resources is responsible for Berkeley Pit, a Superfund site in Butte. Witnesses said the pit looked like 700 acres of white birds, on Nov. 28, Thompson said Tuesday. Since then, employees of MR and Arco have used spotlights, noise makers and other efforts to haze the birds off the water and try to prevent others from landing. The companies estimate that over 90 per cent of the birds were chased off by the morning of Nov. 29, Thompson said. Workers received some advance notice about the incoming flock from an off-duty Montana Resources employee about 25 miles away, who called to report there were about 25,000 geese in the air in Anaconda, Thompson said. I cant underscore enough how many birds were in the Butte area that night, Thompson said. Numbers beyond anything weve ever experienced in our 21 years of monitoring by several orders of magnitude. The employees did incredible things to save a lot of birds and they really put their heart and soul behind it, he said. They did everything they could think of. Typically, Butte sees between 2,000 and 5,000 birds all year, including spring and water migration, Thompson said. The estimated death toll is based on drone and aircraft flights over the pit, which holds about 45 billion gallons of water. Thompson said federal and state agencies are still confirming the number of dead geese. Nonetheless, the company expects the total will be many times more than the 342 that died in 1995, prompting the creation of the mitigation effort that seeks to protect birds from the toxic water. Some of the things that MR and Arco experimented with this time were successful, Thompson said, and may be adopted into the mitigation plan if theyre approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. The companies are looking at incorporating emerging technologies, such as drones, he said. The companies are going to investigate to try and determine what circumstances led to this kind of perfect storm, with thousands of birds making a late migration and then facing a snowstorm at a time that Berkeley Pit had the only open water in the area. University of Montana Western professor Jack Kirkley, who specializes in ornithology, told The Montana Standard that recent milder winters arent encouraging birds to head south as early and in some cases, are causing some to stay in places where theyve never stayed the winter before. He notes that there are 4 million to 6 million snow geese on the continent, and there are some concerns that the population is too high. MR and Arco could be fined if the EPA determines the companies were not in compliance with the bird hazing program, but Thompson said he is confident the efforts were adequate. SHARE: The Toronto neurosurgeon accused of first degree murder in the death of his doctor wife was charged with uttering threats and assaulting her in 2005, when the couple was newly married. Dr. Mohammed Shamji charged with murder after Dr. Elana Fric-Shamjis body was found last week in a suitcase was charged with assault and two counts of uttering threats after a May 2005 incident; two months later, Shamji signed a peace bond and the charges were withdrawn. The details of the incident, which occurred while the young doctors lived in Ottawa, and the conditions placed on Shamji as part of the peace bond were not accessible to staff at the Ottawa courthouse, who said the case file is now in storage. However, a police source told the Star Tuesday the 2005 charges were in connection to a domestic dispute between Shamji and Fric-Shamji. The couple lived in Ottawa until around 2012. Shamji was completing his residency in neurosurgery and Fric-Shamji had established a popular family medicine practice that abruptly closed when Shamji was offered a job with Toronto Western Hospital. Last week, Shamji, 40, was charged with first-degree murder after Fric-Shamjis body was discovered near the West Humber River Thursday afternoon. She had been reported missing by family, though not by her husband. According to colleagues and friends, Fric-Shamji had opted to end the couples 12-year marriage just days before. The two were still living under the same roof, in their North York home, at the time of Fric-Shamjis death, according to one close friend. We discussed that sometimes divorce is a good thing, said Dr. Lesley Barron, an Ontario general surgeon, of a conversation she had with Fric-Shamji just days before her death. She said a weight was lifted off her now she had decided to go ahead with leaving her husband. In a statement Monday, staff from the University Health Networks division of neurosurgery, where Shamji was employed, said employees were shocked and distressed. The UHNs neurosurgical team is now working to reassign Shamjis patients some of whom are awaiting specialized spinal cord surgery to other doctors. That work is also happening at Scarborough General Hospital, where Fric-Shamji worked in the family practice teaching unit. Friends and colleagues are reeling from the death of the doctor, mother of three and exercise enthusiast, repeatedly described as brilliant, lively and whip smart. Lindsay Bisset, a fellow doctor whose kids attend the same school as the Shamji children, described her to the Star as passionate about her children, her work and her physical fitness. She adored her kids and was a terrific mom. On Tuesday night, rallies across Canada marked the National Day of Remembrance on Violence against Women in Canada, the anniversary of the slaughter of 14 women by Marc Lepine, known as the Montreal Massacre. At a gathering at University of Toronto, Fric-Shamji's name was expected to be among the women whose lives were memorialized. Shamji was arrested in a Mississauga coffee shop Friday. He remains in custody until a bail hearing later this month. SHARE: BEIRUTStaring a punishing and brutal defeat in the face, several Syrian rebel factions on Wednesday proposed a five-day ceasefire in the eastern part of the city of Aleppo so the wounded, sick and other civilians can be evacuated. The proposal came as Syrian government troops and allied militiamen declared they have seized control of three-quarters of the enclave that the opposition controlled since 2012. The ceasefire proposal was signed by the Aleppo command centre, apparently a reference to the collection of factions fighting inside the eastern enclave. A rebel spokesman said Al Qaeda-linked group Fatah al-Sham Front, which has a limited presence in the enclave, will abide by the proposal. The offer made no mention of a rebel pullout from Aleppo, though the proposal said the fate of the city is to be negotiated after the humanitarian crisis eases. The Syrian government and its ally Russia had previously rejected a ceasefire for the war-torn city, keeping up the military offensive that has forced rebel retreats and massive displacement of Aleppo civilians. On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were meeting for talks on Syria in Germany. Earlier Wednesday, Syrian government troops and allied militiamen seized more ground in Aleppos ancient quarters, further widening their control over an enclave in the divided city, Syrias state media and an opposition monitoring group said. With the latest gains, the endgame for Aleppo, which has been carved up between the government and the rebel side for the past four years, appears to draw even closer. If Aleppo the countrys former commercial hub is captured by government troops, it would be a turning point in the conflict, putting the four largest cities in Syria and the coastal region back under state control. Also Wednesday, the state SANA news agency said that Israel launched several surface-to-surface missiles that hit near a military airport west of Damascus, triggering a fire. Israel had no immediate comment. SANA said the missiles fell within the perimeter of the Mezzeh military airport, the main airbase in the Damascus area. It lies on the western edge of the capital and had previously come under rebel fire. No injuries were reported. It was the second such Israeli strike into Syria recently, according to the Syrian government, following two missiles fired from Lebanese airspace toward the outskirts of Damascus last week. But Wednesdays attack is believed to be the first from Israel into the vicinity of Damascus in years. Israel is widely believed to have carried out a number of airstrikes in Syria in the past few years that have targeted advanced weapons systems, including Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles and Iranian-made missiles. The arms are believed to be destined for the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah militant group, a close ally of the Syrian government and a fierce enemy of Israel. Rebel defences in eastern Aleppo have collapsed rapidly in the face of a massive government assault backed by Russia and thousands of Iranian-backed Shiite fighters. On Tuesday, Syrian government forces captured Aleppos centrally located al-Shaar neighbourhood, securing about 45 square kilometres (17 square miles) of the besieged enclave less than two weeks after launching their ground offensive. The offensive was preceded by an intensive bombing campaign that knocked out medical facilities and left the civilian population reeling from the violence. According to the Observatory, 369 civilians, including 45 children, were killed in eastern Aleppo since Nov. 15. The Observatory said 92 civilians, including 34 children, were killed in the government-controlled western Aleppo that came under rebel fire. SANA said Syrian forces on Wednesday established control over two districts north of the Aleppo Citadel in the heart of the city the Aghiour and Bab al-Hadid neighbourhoods after rebels abandoned positions and retreated further south. The new gains have choked the rebels, forcing them to pull back to other parts of the Old City, said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. A map provided by the Syria army showed a quickly shrinking opposition enclave a pointed leaf-shaped territory in the centre, abutting already government-controlled Aleppo districts. In a statement, the Observatory said dozens of bodies littered streets stretching from al-Shaar to the southern part of eastern Aleppo, including the Old City, as a result of ongoing intense government bombardment. Capt. Abdel-Salam Abdel-Razek of the rebel Nour el-Din el-Zinki faction one of the largest operating inside Aleppo said the ceasefire proposal was driven by humanitarian concerns because of the rising death toll and intensive destruction. He said currently there was no talk of rebels leaving the city. The proposal calls for the immediate evacuation of 500 seriously wounded and for allowing civilians wishing to leave to head to northern rural Aleppo, where there is almost no government presence. It also calls for negotiations over the future of the city of Aleppo once the humanitarian crisis eases. Abdel-Razek said this humanitarian pause is to be monitored by the United Nations. Wissam Zarqa, an English teacher in eastern Aleppo and an outspoken government opponent, said the rebel retreat from large parts of Old Aleppo was concerning. We are exhausted. There is a lot of death and unprecedented destruction, he said. SHARE: WASHINGTONCanada, the United States and four other Western powers called Wednesday for an immediate ceasefire in the Syrian city of Aleppo and accused Russia of blocking efforts to halt the bloodshed. In a joint statement, the leaders of Britain, Germany, Italy, France, Canada and the U.S. demanded that Syrias government address the humanitarian crisis by allowing United Nations aid in to eastern Aleppo. They said the UN should investigate reports of war crimes committed in Syria. We condemn the actions of the Syrian regime and its foreign backers, especially Russia, for their obstruction of humanitarian aid, the leaders said, adding that hospitals and schools appeared to have been targeted in an attempt to wear people down. The display of diplomatic unity appeared intended to build support for a five-day ceasefire for eastern Aleppo that several Syrian rebel groups proposed Wednesday in hopes of allowing civilians to flee, including the sick and wounded. But White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the statement was not in response to any specific proposals. Still, the calls for a pause in fighting have grown more urgent as Syrian government troops and their allies push deeper into Aleppo, forcing rebels to retreat and civilians to leave their homes. Syrias government and Russia rejected a previous ceasefire for Aleppo while continuing to try to oust rebels from the city. The top U.S. and Russian diplomats planned to discuss the crisis further during talks Wednesday in Germany. Diplomacy has not delivered for the people of Aleppo, thats for sure, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said Wednesday in an Associated Press interview. But she said the U.S. would never give up on that approach. It is not us that walked away from diplomacy. It is Syria and Russian Federation. The White House said the U.S. was also considering additional sanctions on those helping Syrias government to try to up the pressure, but acknowledged those penalties have thus far been ineffective. The Western leaders reserved some of their harshest condemnation for Russia, the Syrian governments strongest ally. They charged that Moscow was blocking action at the UN Security Council intended to stem the violence and accused both Russia and Iran of duplicity, arguing they were claiming to support a political solution but were really unwilling. Read more about: SHARE: With little notice and stunning quickness, anti-abortion legislators in Ohio stand one signature away from enacting the most stringent abortion law in the U.S. in the hopes of sparking a nationwide reversal of the legal right of women to terminate their pregnancies. With a day left in their annual session, lawmakers Wednesday delivered to Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, a revived heartbeat bill, a ban on abortions from the moment a fetus heartbeat can be detected, which can be as early as five or six weeks from conception. They left no exemptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, but abortions would be permitted to save the life of a pregnant woman. No person shall knowingly and purposefully perform or induce an abortion on a pregnant woman, the bill reads, with the specific intent of causing or abetting the termination of the life of the unborn human individual the pregnant woman is carrying and whose fetal heartbeat has been detected. The legislation has already drawn promises of legal challenges from the American Civil Liberties Union, even before Kasich decides whether to cast a veto. The Ohio Senate passed the abortion-ban amendment to an unrelated bill concerning child-abuse reporting on Tuesday afternoon, then passed the bill itself and sent it to the Ohio House, which voted 56-39 on Tuesday night to send the bill to Kasich for his signature. Within hours, a Midwestern state that had already placed a number of restrictions on abortions opened the door to a new round of legal challenges on an issue likely to be key under president-elect Donald Trump, who will be nominating at least one U.S. Supreme Court justice early in his new administration. Conservative Ohio legislators mentioned Trump specifically in explaining the timing of their action. New president, new Supreme Court nominees changed the dynamic, and there was a consensus in our caucus to move forward, Ohio Senate President Keith Faber, a Republican who opposed a similar bill in 2014, told WHIO-TV on Tuesday. I think the issue is still one thats about tactics and strategy. At the time of his original vote against such restrictions in 2014, Faber said he didnt see a difference between a six-week ban and an outright abortion ban, which is unconstitutional under the Supreme Courts Roe vs. Wade ruling legalizing abortion nationwide. Previous abortion limits that centered on detecting a fetal heartbeat have failed in the courts, and Kasich in 2014 said he was unsure of such a bills constitutionality when an Ohio House committee sent a fetal-heartbeat bill to the floor, where it failed. Kasich, who unsuccessfully ran for the GOP presidential nomination this year, has generally favored moderate restrictions on abortion. I am pro-life with the exceptions of rape, incest and the life of the mother, he said on CNN in February. Ohio already has a fetal viability bill, which forbids abortion of fetuses if a doctor determines they have a reasonable chance of viability. So-called heartbeat bills were passed in Arkansas, over the veto of then-Gov. Mike Huckabee, and in North Dakota, only to lose upon legal challenges. Trumps position on abortion has been difficult to pinpoint. In a presidential debate, he said the Roe vs. Wade decision would be overturned as he names conservative justices to the high court. Trump said in the same debate that the issue of abortion should be left to individual states. Read more about: SHARE: MEUREUDU, INDONESIARescue workers, soldiers and police combed through the rubble of a devastated town in Indonesias Aceh province Thursday, resuming a search for earthquake survivors that was halted at night by rain and blackouts. Nearly 100 people died in the shallow and powerful quake that struck northeast Sumatra before dawn on Wednesday. Hundreds were injured and dozens of buildings were destroyed. The worst damage appears to be in Pidie Jaya district near the epicentre, but assessments of the region are still underway. Scores of rescue personnel were crawling over a market in Meureudu, the hard-hit town, where many shop houses collapsed. One shop owner, Hajj Yusri Abdullah, didnt hold out much hope of finding survivors. He said nearly two dozen bodies were pulled from the market debris the day before. They included a group of eight made up of a newlywed couple and family members holding an ornate celebration known as Antar Dara Baro. Some people spent the night outdoors while thousands of others took refuge in mosques and temporary shelters. Many were homeless after the magnitude 6.5 quake destroyed or damaged their homes and others were too scared to return home. Killer quakes occur regularly in the region, where many live with the terrifying memory of a giant Dec. 26, 2004, earthquake that struck off Sumatra. The magnitude 9.1 quake triggered a devastating tsunami that killed more than 100,000 Acehnese. Acehs disaster mitigation agency said Thursday the death toll had risen by 1 to 98 and more than 8,000 displaced people were at several shelters in Pidie Jaya. The Indonesian government has declared a two-week emergency period in Aceh and some aid was already reaching hard-hit areas. Humanitarian organization CARE said it would was leading a joint assessment mission of four international aid organizations. It will take several more days to get a full picture of the impact, CAREs Indonesia director Helen Vanwel said in a statement. We know from experience that after an earthquake of such a scale, people urgently need water, shelter, food and medicine, she said. The Indonesian Red Cross deployed emergency response teams and announced bank accounts for donations. Its head of disaster management, Arifin Hadi, said five water trucks had been sent into the quake area. Aid, including hygiene kits, tarpaulins, jerry cans, blankets and family assistance kits, is being distributed, with more to be sent from Jakarta, he said. The International Organization for Migration sent an assessment team to Aceh. The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was centred about 19 kilometres southeast of Sigli, a town near the northern tip of Sumatra, at a depth of 17 kilometres. The agency had initially placed the epicentre undersea. It did not generate a tsunami. Siti Rukiah, 51, a mother of four, was among the many people who took refuge for the night in local mosques. She and about 100 other people from Pante Raja, a seaside village in Pidie Jaya district, fled to Nur Abdullah mosque located on higher ground in a nearby hamlet. She said the quake felt so powerful she had to grab onto a table to keep from falling down. She was sure a tsunami was coming. Im really scared about a tsunami, said Rukiah, whose brother and neighbours died in the 2004 disaster. She said she didnt want to return home not only because my house is damaged, but I am still afraid an aftershock could cause a tsunami. Acehs disaster mitigation agency said more than 600 people were injured. The national disaster agency said about 245 buildings were seriously damaged or destroyed in Pidie Jaya and neighbouring Bireuen district, including 14 mosques. The rest were mainly dwellings and shop houses. Roads also cracked and power poles toppled over. The worlds largest archipelago, Indonesia is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. The 2004 quake and tsunami killed a total of 230,000 people in a dozen countries, most of them in Aceh. John Ebel, professor of earth and environmental sciences at Boston College, said there is a risk of aftershocks that even if relatively weak could cause further damage to buildings, particularly because modern building codes arent consistently enforced in Indonesia. The general hospital in Pidie Jaya was overwhelmed with the numbers of injured, and many people were being treated in tents pitched on its grounds, according to its director Muhammad Reza Faisal. Read more about: SHARE: Here are the highlights of my best books of 2016 shortlist. Blitzed: Drugs in Nazi Germany, by Norman Ohler. By 1939, Nazi Germany was full of get-up-and-go, thanks to cocaine, morphine and above all, crystal meth. Its why their Panzers just kept roaring through. Until they didnt, which always happens with drugs like Pervitin, which could be easily bought in shops. They turn on you, as they did on Hitler himself. Ohler is a novelist whose hell-bent writing has offended the house style in German history writing, which is Plodding Deutsch Gothic. Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right, by Jane Mayer. This mapping of malevolent Koch money in politics is the best work of reporting out of the U.S. this year, which is saying something. I dont have to summarize it. The subhead does it for me, a peculiar trend in publishing which thinks a title is a headline and you dont have to read the actual book. You do. Hunted by her enemies, New Yorker writer Mayer risked her career to write this expose. Money flows like blood. Golden Hill, by Francis Spufford. The cleverest writer in England, Spufford plays with categories and has finally written a historical novel. I dont like the genre but this tale of a Briton sailing to Manhattan in 1746 with a stash for some mysterious purpose was so immersive that I felt drugged (the highest compliment a novel can be paid). New York was still tiny think of the immense darkness of the continent at whose edge the little city perched and full of brutes and snakecharmers, so no change there then. Spufford takes prose to ghostly levels. I floated as I read it. Firewater: How Alcohol is Killing My People (And Yours) by Harold R. Johnson. This is an extraordinary memoir by a Cree writer who understands the damage alcohol does when used to kill the pain caused by white Canadians stealing and torturing Indigenous children throughout this nations history. I know many white alcoholics but its always the drunk Indian. Why? Firewater is a great book; it burns in the hand. The Course of Love, by Alain de Botton. In this novel/tract, the great philosopher takes an axe to romantic love, having children and basically, everything humans do. He sounds a bit like Livia Soprano Its all a big nothing but he has his usual evenness of tone that coats the doom. Yes, love is illogical, your ambitions absurd, and in 30 years your children might turn out to be pub bores. But the good order and continuity of civilization depends to some tiny but vital degree on [these] quiet unnoticed labours. So theres that. Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance, Strangers in their Own Land, by Arlie Russell Hochschild, White Trash, by Nancy Eisenberg. Heres a trio of books by Americans about Americans who were so miserable at their perceived loss of status, whatever that is, that they voted for Trump. If my lifes blown up, lets blow everything up, was the thinking. The theme studied by these three is feeling over fact. Vance is a wonderful memoirist, Hochschild a brilliant sociologist and Isenberg seems primed to take offence, which is how this whole thing started. Second-Hand Time, by Svetlana Alexievich. The Belarusian author won the 2015 Nobel literature prize for her oral histories of Soviet (and colonized) citizens, who may well be tied with the Chinese for the not-much-coveted People Most Abused by 20th Century Tyrants award. Theyre doing well in the running for winning the 21st century too, but climate change may hand it to a drought-stricken African nation or somewhere underwater. Alexievichs interviews are extraordinary: revolution, world war, mass slaughter, the Holodomor, death by vodka, oligarchy, etc. Spare a thought for them. They suffered, and along came Putin. You May Also Like: Taste in an Age of Endless Choice, by Tom Vanderbilt. I dont want more choice, I want nicer things, said Edina Monsoon in Absolutely Fabulous. Well, choice is all you have, so suck it up. Vanderbilt, a meticulous investigator of the way Americans live now, explains that people are guileless and genuine choice is a fantasy. As inequality rises, people dress more alike. Its called wanting to look like Zuckerberg. And you do, you poor sad man. Everything is marketed: even carbonation has its own vocabulary. Netflix figures out your preferences; rarely are you flattered by their assessment. Wrote Henry James: He guessed at intense little preferences and sharp little exclusions, a deep suspicion of the vulgar and a personal view of the right. Still true. SHARE: What makes Saturdays lock-her-up rally in Edmonton so Trumpian is that it said more about media than reality. The rally became front-page news this week thanks to an online video that featured Conservative leadership candidate Chris Alexander grinning and apparently keeping time as a crowd of about 1,500 called for the incarceration of Alberta premier Rachel Notley. Commentators from across the political spectrum gave Alexander a metaphorical spanking for his failure to challenge demonstrators when they began chanting, in reference to Notley, Lock her up. That chant, of course, was the signature tune of Donald Trumps successful presidential campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton an affirmation of his claim that she had broken the law by using an insecure email server during her time as secretary of state. At a literal level, the Edmonton chant was ludicrous. No one not even Notleys fiercest political critics has suggested that she committed a crime. The main rap against her in Alberta stems from her New Democratic governments decision to impose a carbon tax. In fact, the rally was called to protest this carbon tax. Thats what the various invited speakers including Alexander were talking about. In a normal world, few outside of Alberta would have paid much attention. Big networks like CBC didnt even have cameras at the rally. The Edmonton Suns original story, posted Saturday, made no reference to the lock-her-up chant although it did note that the crowd put on a lively display of signs and made plenty of noise. But this is not a normal world. It is a Trumpian world in which roles, as well as the boundary between fact and fiction, blur. The rally was organized by an online outfit called Rebel Media. Founded after the death of the Sun News Network in 2015, Rebel Media describes itself as a fearless source of news, opinion and activism. Its founder, right-wing gadfly Ezra Levant, refers to himself as Rebel commander. Just as Sun News was an attempt to ape the successful conservative U.S. network Fox News, Rebel Media bears an eerie resemblance to Breitbart News, the online voice of hard-right U.S. politics. Its head, Stephen Bannon, is now a major Trump adviser. Rebel Media put together the Edmonton rally, even arranging to bus in supporters from other cities. Levant was one of the speakers. Rebel Media also covered the event that it organized. As far as I can figure, it was a Rebel Media video posted online that provided visual news coverage of the now-infamous chant. The video, replayed by CTV and others, caused an uproar. The calls to imprison Notley were described as anti-democratic and anti-woman. Mainstream Conservatives fell over one another to distance themselves from the event. Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose said those chanting for Notley to be jailed were acting like idiots. Even former Conservative minister Jason Kenney, who aspires to replace Notley as Alberta premier, tsk-tsked. Oddly enough, Alexander almost had one of the more reasonable takes on the event. He pointed out that with unemployment at historic highs in Alberta it is not surprising people are intemperate. But he also said on CBC that he was somewhat shocked, taken aback, mortified even by the calls to lock up Notley. Asked why then he didnt say anything, he replied I was playing for time a not entirely convincing answer. Overall, two conclusions can be drawn from this Trumpian event. First, mood is more important than fact. I expect those in the crowd knew Notley has broken no law. Rather, they were channelling their inner Trump to make the point they were mad. Second, it may no longer suffice for media to be content with mediating with being the conduit between reality and audience. There is great pressure on them to be players. This is not new. It is a throwback to the 19th century, when media were explicitly partisan and expected to be so. As in the 19th century, the current trend to overtly politicized media is a response to economics. In a world where they can no longer count on mass advertising to pay the bills, media need hyper-loyal audiences audiences who believe only those they believe in and who trust no one else. Donald Trump understands this. We shall see if future anti-NDP rallies in Alberta stay away from chants like lock her up. We shall see if Commander Levant mellows. I wouldnt bet on either. Thomas Walkom appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Read more about: SHARE: As equity markets see a modest rotation away from large-cap tech stocks in the aftermath of Donald Trump's election victory, a company headed by the chair of Trump's CEO-filled Strategic and Policy Forum is raising cash by unloading one of its most valuable tech assets. It could be a coincidence, or perhaps just reflective of the fact that some P-E firms aren't exactly in a buying mood when it comes to tech, following a multi-year bull run. Or perhaps not. Three weeks after filing to take IT security services provider Optiv Security public, Blackstone (BX) has announced it's selling a majority stake in Optiv to fellow investment firm KKR (KKR) . Terms are undisclosed, but a New York Times column published shortly before the agreement was announced suggest the deal is worth nearly $2 billion. For reference, Optiv had pro forma revenue of $972.6 million and adjusted EBITDA of $97.5 million in 2015. Optiv is the latest in a string of tech-related acquisitions for KKR. This year, the company has also bought ERP software provider Epicor in a $3.3 billion deal, and snapped up contact center software provider Calabrio in a deal reportedly worth $200 million. Regarding Blackstone, it should be noted that the company was apparently open to an Optiv sale long before Trump's win. Bloomberg reported in April Blackstone was getting set to take Optiv public while simultaneously exploring a sale (the proverbial dual-track process). In addition, Blackstone has been cautious this year when it comes to tech dealmaking, at least with regards to U.S. firms. Two of its largest tech deals have involved Indian companies -- a $170 million investment in travel tech firm IBS, and the purchase of a controlling stake in IT outsourcing provider MphasiS from HP Enterprise (HPE) in a deal worth up to $1.1 billion. Blackstone also teamed with New Mountain Capital to invest $570 million in U.S.-based supply chain software firm JDA Software. HP Enterprise is a holding in Jim Cramer'sAction Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells HPE? Learn more now. Still, the timing of the Optiv deal is noteworthy. Just four days ago, Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman was named the chairman of the Strategic and Policy Forum. The Forum, which also features the likes of GM (GM) CEO Mary Barra,JPMorgan (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon and Disney (DIS) CEO Bob Iger, will advise Trump on various economic and business policy matters. Beyond that, Schwarzman has been eager to voice his optimism about the regulatory environment a Trump Administration will provide for businesses. "Things are going to change, and I think things are going to change a lot," he declared during a November talk. On Tuesday, Schwarzman predicted Trump's victory would lead to a "very substantial reversal of regulations of all types" for the financial sector. But for tech, the policy changes expected to be produced by a Trump Administration are generally seen as a mixed bag at best, with offshore and corporate tax reforms offset by potentially unfavorable policies on trade, immigration and net neutrality. By contrast, Trump's win is seen as a more clear-cut positive for financial, energy, infrastructure and pharma companies, among others. One can't help but wonder if Schwarzman, who appears to have Trump's ear, feels that it's in Blackstone's interests to lower its exposure to tech relative to other sectors in such an environment. Sage (SGPYY) , the British software group, said Wednesday that it's considering a sale of its North American payments business. The U.K.'s second biggest software firm after ARM Holdings (ARMH) said it was "evaluating potential strategic options" for the business but "there can be no certainty that this evaluation will lead to any transaction." Sage's shares added 0.2% in the opening hour of London trading to change hands at 619 pence each, although the stock has only gained 2.65% since the beginning of the year. In the November, the company said that there were challenges in the payments business, which saw just 4% revenue growth in the year ended Sept. 30, 2016, compared with the previous year. In its full-year earnings released last month, the Newcastle, England-based company, which offers software for accounting, HR and business management, said revenue advanced 6.1% to 1.57 billion ($1.96 billion). Operating profit margin expanded to 27.2% from 26.5%. The North America business accounted for 450 million of revenue in the year and the payments product saw revenue of 116 million. Sage attributed revenue growth to a 32.3% jump in subscriptions, accelerating from a 28.9% increase in the previous year, reflecting the company's transition from SSRS. The company is in the midst of a transformation program. It has amassed 51 million in cost savings over the year and expects to make a similar amount in the next financial year. The program will weigh on profits next year with the costs expected to reach 100 million. Sage said it expects to launch 27 new cloud-based products in the next 12 months. PostNL (PNLYY) , the Dutch postal services company, rejected a sweetened takeover offer from Belgium's Bpost (BPOSY) on Wednesday, sending shares down more than 11%. The Belgian suitor tabled a revised bid, supposedly a "best and final" offer, in late November for 5.75 per share. The final offer valued the Dutch operator at 2.7 billion ($2.8 billion) and represented a 53% premium to the 12 month average share price of the target. It was to be paid in both cash and shares. PostNL stock fell 11.7%, to change hands at 4.18 on Wednesday at 10:30 GMT, the lowest since Oct. 18. Bpost stock was up 0.81%, at 21.90. A combination would have created the fourth-largest postal operator in the European Union in revenue terms and the third largest when measured by the bottom line. Bpost said in a recent presentation that a key attraction to the merger is the opportunity to combine its own "efficient mail operations" with PostNL's advanced parcel delivery operation. But the Dutch firm said on Wednesday that it is concerned about the Belgian government's stake in the combined entity, which would be around 40% following the merger. "The [management and supervisory] boards are of the opinion that Belgian state influence in conjunction with a complicated governance structure at various corporate levels will make the combination inefficient and not agile to respond to its challenges," PostNL said in a statement. "[It would be] essentially bringing the Dutch postal market back to the times prior to its liberalization." PostNL also flagged a lack of support for the merger coming from the Dutch government, which is important because as the official provider of national postal services in the Netherlands, the prices that PostNL is able to charge for stamps are set by the government. The Dutch system of reviewing stamp prices every year has left the board at PostNL concerned that if it defies the government and backs the idea of a merger, the company and stockholders might suffer for it when the government makes its determination on whether to approve the next round of price increases proposed by PostNL - which will apply for the 2018 year. The company also warned that a merger with any state-owned company could lead to further regulatory action from the Dutch government in order to "safeguard the liberalized postal market". Germany's DAX performance index hit a 52-week high Wednesday as bank shares surged on reports of a government-led rescue of failing Italian lender Banca Monte dei Paschi di Sienna (BMDPY) The equity benchmark touched 10,925 points in the first hour of trading in Frankfurt, led by a 4.5% gain for Deutsche Bank (DB) , which traded at 17.21 each, the highest since April 29. Rival Commerzbank (CRZBY) also added to session gains, rising 3.4% to 7.25, taking the two-day advance past 10%. The Stoxx 600 Banks Index, the broadest measure of European banks shares, was quoted 1.9% higher at 169.24 at 10:20 GMT, the highest since January 13. Italy's La Stampa newspaper reported Wednesday that the government was planning to ask the European Stability Mechanism, the region's permanent bailout fund, for a 15 billion ($16.1 billion) loan that would be used to effectively nationalize Banca Monte dei Paschi. The speculation helped lift Italian bank shares, which have been suffering from investor concern over the state of their balance sheets, which recent Bank of Italy data suggests could be as high as 360 billion. Italy's FTSE MIB index, the country's equity benchmark, traded 1.2% higher Wednesday, led by a 2.4% gains for the FTSE Italy Banks Index. German lenders have some of the biggest exposures to Italian banks and businesses in Europe. Recent data from the Bank for International Settlements, the so-called central bank for central banks, indicates that Europe's biggest economy has around $93 billion in Italy-linked exposures. Deutsche Bank's most recent annual report, covering 2015, states that it's "financial institutions exposure is predominantly geared towards larger banks in Spain and Italy, typically collateralised. Sovereign exposure is at what we view as a manageable level." Of the bank's reported 26,164 billion next credit risk exposure, more than half (13.269 billion) relates to Italy, which Deutsche describes as "principally to highly diversified, low risk retail portfolios and small and medium enterprises in Italy and Spain, as well as stronger corporate and diversified mid-cap clients." Oil prices have been on a tear since OPEC announced a production cut agreement at the end of November, but appear to have paused for breath in the past two days in the first sign that the rally may not have the legs many hoped. West Texas Intermediate futures for delivery in January traded Wednesday at $50.68, down 0.5% and falling for the second day after hitting a year high of $51.79 on Monday. Europe's benchmark Brent crude futures for delivery in Feb. was also down 0.5% Wednesday at $53.65, off Monday's high of $54.94. Prices are still up 15% since the cartel agreed to lop 1.2 million barrels off its production for six months beginning from January. But there are a reasons to believe that WTI and Brent may have now found their new mid-term levels and that risk has shifted to the downside. The first is Russia. The world's biggest oil producer, and a handful of other non-OPEC producers, are due to meet with OPEC Saturday. OPEC has promised that Russia will deliver a 300,000 barrel per day cut, and said other producers will cut a further 300,000. "There is still skepticism around Russia and the rest of non-OPEC's willingness to join the cuts," Goldman Sachs noted on Wednesday. "Similar to the OPEC meeting, we would expect a positive headline, with Russia likely to verbally commit to a 300kbpd cut and other countries (Mexico, Egypt) likely to dress up declines as planned cuts." Traders will be looking out to see if Kazakhstan signs up to the non-OPEC deal. The central Asian country is on the verge of a significant increase in output, with the International Energy Agency tipping production to grow by 160,000 barrels a day over 2017, meaning a cut to its output would force a significant adjustment to supply models and new momentum for oil prices. The second reason for the pullback in oil prices is OPEC itself. With prices higher and the agreed cuts not due to come into play until the end of this month it is hardly surprising that evidence is emerging that member nations have turned the pumps up to 11 in a bid to maximize earnings. In the usual course of things Saudi Arabia would already have cut production to seasonally lower winter levels by this time but appears to have delayed that dip. The increase is raising questions about members willingness to abide by quotas, which history tells us are likely to be breached. Goldman is forecasting output will overshoot quotas by about 26%, though a look at OPEC member's historical compliance to its own targets suggests production is likely to come in 40% over the quotas. Yet even if OPEC and non-OPEC members play their roles to the full there is good reason to believe that oil will hit a brick wall at somewhere about this level. The WTI forward price curve, which tracks expectations of the future price of oil, has remained stubbornly at or just below $55 per barrel, largely due to a wave of hedging by U.S. shale players who have taken advantage of oils rally to secure revenues that will allow them to scrape a thin profit and reopen wells that have been idled. With that in mind, the next key date for oil prices may not the pow-wow on the Dec. 10, but two days later when the International Energy Agency releases its latest shale output update, including a forecast for January production. The Justice Department Tuesday approved Alaska Airlines' (ALK) merger with Virgin America (VA) and both sides declared victory. DOJ said in a prepared statement that it would require Alaska "to significantly reduce the scope of its codeshare agreement with American (AAL) , the world's largest airline" if it wants to complete the $4 billion deal. The goal for DOJ was to preserve the competitiveness with American that Virgin America has shown, especially since it gained valuable slots and gates in the settlement that enabled the 2013 American/US Airways merger. Meanwhile, Alaska CEO Brad Tilden said in a prepared statement, "We couldn't be more excited about receiving DOJ clearance." Alaska noted that it was "not required to divest any assets as a condition of DOJ clearance" and that "the majority of Alaska and American codeshare flights will remain intact." Airline experts said the settlement was a clear positive for Alaska: Repeated delays in reaching a deal had prompted speculation that more divestitures, perhaps of airport gates, would be required. "Great deal," said aviation consultant Bob Mann. "No hard asset divestitures {and} able to compensate for modest codeshare loss because no prohibition of reciprocal full frequent flyer earn/burn." Under the existing codeshare agreement with American, Alaska can market American flights on more than 250 routes, while American can market Alaska flights on about 80 routes. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Alaska said the settlement means it will lose codeshare revenue of $15 million to $20 million in 45 markets. The 45 markets represent about $60 million of annual revenue, but the carrier believes it can recapture much of the lost revenue by operating its own flights on the affected routes. Deutsche Bank analyst Mike Linenberg estimated the after-tax result will likely be less than $10 million, or about 10 cents a share. JPMorgan analyst Jamie Baker wrote in a report that the "DOJ price tag {was} less than feared," largely because Alaska and Virgin America have very few slots at capacity controlled airports. Slots "are the only hard, regulated assets" for which divestitures can be mandated, he noted. Baker raised his target price for Alaska to $93.50. In late morning trading, Alaska shares were up 63 cents to $85.63. For the DOJ, the settlement was not about limiting the prospects for Alaska, which after the merger will control just 6% of the U.S. airline capacity. Rather, DOJ said, it wants to limit the advantage to American, one of four airlines that controls 80% of capacity. The threat posed by the merger, DOJ said, was that Virgin America's competitiveness ends. "The codeshare agreement between Alaska and American creates an incentive for Alaska to cooperate rather than compete with American," DOJ said in a court filing. "Virgin has served as one of American's fiercest competitors," DOJ said. "Roughly two-thirds of Virgin's network overlaps with American's network, and Virgin has aggressively competed with American on many of these overlap routes in ways that have forced American to respond with lower fares and better service. "Unless the codeshare is substantially modified, the proposed merger would diminish the important competition Virgin has provided on these routes," the agency said. Besides limiting code sharing, DOJ demanded the right to approve any transactions involving the slots and gates that Virgin America was awarded as part of the 2013 settlement. "Virgin's ownership of many of these assets and aggressive competition with American is no coincidence -- consumers were promised the benefits of expanded Virgin service to counteract the anti-competitive effects threatened by the 2013 merger between American and US Airways," the agency said. That was another merger where both sides declared victory. The Justice Department got slots at Reagan National and LaGuardia airports, the airlines got the merger they needed, labor unions were rewarded for lobbying and even some consumer advocates said they were not displeased. In the Alaska case, the airlines started with less to give up, and the possibility remains that as Alaska grows, it can perhaps become a larger, more important national competitor. This article is commentary by an independent contributor. At the time of publication, the author held no positions in the stocks mentioned. Croda International Plc creates, makes, and sells specialty chemicals in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, Asia, and Latin America. It operates through four segments: Consumer Care, Life Sciences, Performance Technologies, and Industrial Chemicals. The company offers adhesives; crop protection additives and adjuvants, seed enhancement and animal health chemicals, chemical bio-stimulants, and specialty additives for agricultural films; and lubricant additives, coatings and polymers, vehicle cleaning chemicals, and products for automotive textiles and fibers, as well as specialty additives for plastics, and battery and catalyst industries. It also provides specialty ingredients for self-tanning, color cosmetics, bath and shower, deodorants, anti-perspirants, depilatories, men's grooming, and oral hygiene, as well as skin, hair, sun, body, and baby care applications; construction chemicals and bitumen additives; dietary supplements; and materials and polymer additives for electronics and devices. In addition, the company offers chemistries, emulsifiers, fuel and power generation additives, and polymer additives; food additives; specialty polymer additives for furniture and wood applications; household, industrial, and institutional cleaning products; lubricants; oleochemicals; and packaging, print, and paper chemicals. Further, it provides paints and coatings; active pharmaceutical ingredients; thermal management products; plastic and rubber products; skin health products; hygiene and industrial nonwovens, botanical extracts, tissues, and textile auxiliaries; and water treatment chemicals. Additionally, the company offers bio-based phase change materials for buildings and ventilation, clothing and healthcare, electronics and devices, food and refrigeration, energy storage and recovery, temperature controlled packaging, and vehicles and automotive applications. The company was incorporated in 1925 and is headquartered in Goole, the United Kingdom. State Street Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of financial products and services to institutional investors worldwide. The company offers investment servicing products and services, including custody; product accounting; daily pricing and administration; master trust and master custody; depotbank services; record-keeping; cash management; foreign exchange, brokerage and other trading services; securities finance and enhanced custody products; deposit and short-term investment facilities; loans and lease financing; investment manager and alternative investment manager operations outsourcing; performance, risk, and compliance analytics; and financial data management to support institutional investors. It also engages in the provision of portfolio management and risk analytics, as well as trading and post-trade settlement services with integrated compliance and managed data. In addition, the company offers investment management strategies and products, such as core and enhanced indexing, multi-asset strategies, active quantitative and fundamental active capabilities, and alternative investment strategies. Further, it provides services and solutions, including environmental, social, and governance investing; defined benefit and defined contribution; and global fiduciary solutions, as well as exchange-traded fund under the SPDR ETF brand. The company provides its products and services to mutual funds, collective investment funds and other investment pools, corporate and public retirement plans, insurance companies, foundations, endowments, and investment managers. State Street Corporation was founded in 1792 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. AstraZeneca PLC, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of prescription medicines. Its marketed products include Calquence, Enhertu, Faslodex, Imfinzi, Iressa, Koselugo, Lumoxiti, Lynparza, Orpathys, Tagrisso, and Zoladex for oncology; Brilinta/Brilique, Bydureon/Byetta, BCise, Byetta, Crestor, Evrenzo, Farxiga/Forxiga, Komboglyze/Kombiglyze XR, Lokelma, Onglyza, Qtern, and Xigduo/Xigduo XR for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism diseases; Bevespi Aerosphere, Breztri Aerosphere, Daliresp/Daxas, Duaklir Genuair, Fasenra, Pulmicort, Saphnelo, Symbicort, and Tudorza/Eklira/Bretaris for respiratory and immunology; and Andexxa/Ondexxya, Kanuma, Soliris, Strensiq, and Ultomiris for rare diseases. The company's marketed products also comprise Synagis for respiratory syncytial virus; Fluenz Tetra/FluMist Quadrivalent for Influenza; Seroquel IR/Seroquel XR for schizophrenia bipolar disease; Nexium, and Losec/Prilosec for gastroenterology; and Vaxzevria and Evusheld for covid-19. The company serves primary care and specialty care physicians through distributors and local representative offices in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. It has a collaboration agreement with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to research, develop, and commercialize small molecule medicines for obesity; Neurimmune AG to develop and commercialize NI006; Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to develop eplontersen, a liver-targeted antisense therapy in Phase III development for the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis; Proteros Biostructures GmbH to jointly discover novel small molecules for the treatment of hematological cancers; Sierra Oncology, Inc. to develop and commercialize AZD5153. The company was formerly known as Zeneca Group PLC and changed its name to AstraZeneca PLC in April 1999. AstraZeneca PLC was incorporated in 1992 and is headquartered in Cambridge, the United Kingdom. Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the adhesive technologies, beauty care, and laundry and home care businesses worldwide. The company's Adhesive Technologies segment offers adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings for various business areas, including packaging and consumer goods; automotive and metals; electronics and industrials; and craftsmen, construction, and professional industries. This segment markets its products primarily under the Loctite, Technomelt, Bonderite, Teroson, and Aquence brands. Its Beauty Care segment provides hair cosmetics; and body, skin, and oral care products, as well as operates professional hair salons. This segment distributes its products through brick-and-mortar stores, hair salons, third-party online platforms, and direct-to-consumer channels primarily under the Schwarzkopf, Dial, and Syoss brands. The company's Laundry & Home Care segment offers heavy-duty and specialty detergents, fabric softeners, laundry performance enhancers, and other fabric care products; hand and automatic dishwashing products; cleaners for bathroom and WC applications; household, glass, and specialty cleaners; and air fresheners and insect control products for household applications. This segment markets its products primarily under the Persil, Bref, Purex, all, and other brands. Henkel AG & Co. KGaA was founded in 1876 and is headquartered in Dusseldorf, Germany. The following companies are subsidiares of PepsiCo: Alimentos Quaker Oats y Compania Limitada, Alimentos del Istmo S.A., Amavale Agricola Ltda., Anderson Hill Insurance Limited, Asia Bottlers Limited, BAESA Capital Corporation Ltd., BFY Brands, BFY Brands LLC, BFY Brands Limited, BUG de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Balmoral Industries LLC, Bare Foods Co., Barrhead LLC, Be & Cheery, Beaman Bottling Company, Bebidas Sudamerica S.A., Beech Limited, Bell Taco Funding Syndicate, Bendler Investments II Ltd, Bendler Investments S.a r.l, Beverage Services Limited, Beverages Foods & Service Industries Inc., Bishkeksut OJSC, Blaue NC S. de R.L. de C.V., Blue Cloud Distribution Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Arizona Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Arkansas Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Colorado Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Florida Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Georgia Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Illinois Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Indiana Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Iowa Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Kentucky Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Louisiana Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Minnesota Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Mississippi Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Missouri Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Nebraska Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Nevada Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of North Carolina Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Ohio Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Oklahoma Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Pennsylvania Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of South Carolina Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Tennessee Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Texas Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Virginia Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Wisconsin Inc., Blue Ridge Sales LLC, Bluebird Foods Limited, Bluecan Holdings Unlimited Company, Bokomo Zambia Limited, Bolsherechensky Molkombinat JSC, Boquitas Fiestas LLC, Boquitas Fiestas S.R.L., Bottling Group Financing LLC, Bottling Group Holdings LLC, Bottling Group LLC, Bronte Industries Ltd, C & I Leasing Inc., CB Manufacturing Company Inc., CEME Holdings LLC, CMC Investment Company, Caroni Investments LLC, Centro-Mediterranea de Bebidas Carbonicas PepsiCo S.L., Ceres Fruit Juices Pty Ltd, ChampBev Inc., China Concentrate Holdings Hong Kong Limited, Chipsy International for Food Industries S.A.E., Chipsy for Food Industries S.A.E., Chitos Internacional y Cia Ltda, Cipa Industrial de Produtos Alimentares Ltda., Cipa Nordeste Industrial de Produtos Alimentares Ltda., Cocina Autentica Inc., Comercializadora CMC Investment y Compania Limitada, Comercializadora Nacional SAS Ltda., Comercializadora PepsiCo Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., Compania de Bebidas PepsiCo S.L., Concentrate Holding Uruguay Pte. Ltd., Concentrate Manufacturing Singapore Pte. Ltd., Confiteria Alegro S. de R.L. de C.V., Copella Fruit Juices Limited, Copper Beech International LLC, Corina Snacks Limited, Corporativo Internacional Mexicano S. de R.L. de C.V., CytoSport Holdings Inc., CytoSport Inc., Davlyn Realty Corporation, Defosto Holdings Limited, Desarrollo Inmobiliario Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Dilexis S.A., Donon Holdings Limited, Drinkfinity USA Inc., Drinkstation Inc., Drinkstation Innovation Co. Ltd., Drinkstation Limited, Dutch Snacks Holding S.A. de C.V., Duyvis Production B.V., EPIC Enterprises Inc., Echo Bay Holdings Inc., Elaboradora Argentina de Cereales S.R.L., Enter Logistica LLC, Environ at Inverrary Partnership, Environ of Inverrary Inc., Eridanus Investments S.a r.l, Evercrisp Snack Productos de Chile S.A., FL Transportation Inc., FLI Andean LLC, FLI Colombia LLC, FLI Snacks Andean GP LLC, Fabrica PepsiCo Mexicali S. de R.L. de C.V., Fabrica de Productos Alimenticios Rene y Cia S.C.A., Fairlight International SRL, Far East Bottlers Hong Kong Limited, Food Concepts Pioneer Ltd., Forest Akers Nederland B.V., Forty-Six Peaks Holding Inc., Fovarosi Asvanyviz es Uditoipari Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag, Freshwater International B.V., Frito Lay Gida Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Frito Lay Poland Sp. z o.o., Frito Lay Sp. z o.o., Frito Lay de Guatemala y Compania Limitada, Frito-Lay Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Frito-Lay Dip Company Inc., Frito-Lay Dominicana S.A., Frito-Lay Global Investments B.V., Frito-Lay Inc., Frito-Lay Investments B.V., Frito-Lay Manufacturing LLC, Frito-Lay Netherlands Holding B.V., Frito-Lay North America Inc., Frito-Lay Sales Inc., Frito-Lay Trading Company Europe GmbH, Frito-Lay Trading Company GmbH, Frito-Lay Trading Company Poland GmbH, Frito-Lay Trinidad Unlimited, Fruko Mesrubat Sanayi Limited Sirketi, GB Czech LLC, GB International Inc., GB Russia LLC, GB Slovak LLC, GMP Manufacturing Inc., Gambrinus Investments Limited, Gamesa LLC, Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Gas Natural de Merida S. A. de C. V., Gatorade Puerto Rico Company, General Bottlers of Hungary Inc., Golden Grain Company, Goveh S.R.L., Grayhawk Leasing LLC, Green Hemlock International LLC, Grupo Frito Lay y Compania Limitada, Grupo Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Grupo Mabel, Grupo Sabritas S. de R.L. de C.V., Gulkevichskiy Maslozavod JSC, Hangzhou Baicaowei Corporate Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Hangzhou Haomusi Food Co, Hangzhou Haomusi Food Co. Ltd., Hangzhou Tao Dao Technology Co. Ltd., Health Warrior, Health Warrior Inc., Heathland LP, Helioscope Limited, Hillbrook Inc., Hillgrove Inc., Hillwood Bottling LLC, Hogganfield Limited Partnership, Holding Company "Opolie" JSC, Homefinding Company of Texas, Hudson Valley Insurance Company, IC Equities Inc., IZZE Beverage Co., Inmobiliaria Interamericana S.A. De C.V., Integrated Beverage Services Bangladesh Limited, Integrated Foods & Beverages Pvt. Ltd., International Bottlers Management Co. LLC, International KAS Aktiengesellschaft, Inversiones Borneo S.R.L., Inversiones PFI Chile Limitada, Inviting Foods Holdings Inc., Inviting Foods LLC, KAS Anorthosis S.a r.l, KAS S.L., KFC, Kevita Inc., Kinvara LLC, Kungursky Molkombinat JSC, Larragana S.L., Latin American Holdings Ltd., Latin American Snack Foods ApS, Latin Foods International LLC, Lebedyansky, Lebedyansky Holdings LLC, Lebedyansky LLC, Limited Liability Company "Sandora", Linkbay Limited, Lithuanian Snacks UAB, Mabel, Marbo Product d.o.o. Beograd, Marbo d.o.o. Laktasi, Matudis - Comercio de Produtos Alimentares Limitada, Matutano - Sociedade de Produtos Alimentares Lda., Mid-America Improvement Corporation, Mountainview Insurance Company Inc., Muscle Milk, NCJV LLC, New Bern Transport Corporation, New Century Beverage Company LLC, Noble Leasing LLC, Northeast Hot-Fill Co-op Inc., Office at Solyanka LLC, Onbiso Inversiones S.L., One World Enterprises LLC, One World Investors Inc., P-A Barbados Bottling Company LLC, P-A Bottlers Barbados SRL, P-Americas LLC, PAS Luxembourg S.a r.l, PAS Netherlands B.V., PBG Canada Holdings II LLC, PBG Canada Holdings Inc., PBG Cyprus Holdings Limited, PBG Investment Partnership, PBG Midwest Holdings S.a r.l, PBG Soda Can Holdings S.a r.l, PCBL LLC, PCNA Manufacturing Inc., PR Beverages Cyprus Holding Limited, PR Beverages Cyprus Russia Holding Limited, PRB Luxembourg S.a r.l, PRS Inc., PSAS Inversiones LLC, PSE Logistica S.R.L., PT Quaker Indonesia, Papas Chips S.A., Pei N.V., Pep Trade LLC, Pepsi B.V., Pepsi Beverages Holdings Inc., Pepsi Bottling Group Global Finance LLC, Pepsi Bottling Group GmbH, Pepsi Bottling Group Hoosiers B.V., Pepsi Bottling Holdings Inc., Pepsi Bugshan Investments S.A.E., Pepsi Cola Colombia Ltda, Pepsi Cola Egypt S.A.E., Pepsi Cola Panamericana S.R.L., Pepsi Cola Servis Ve Dagitim Limited Sirketi, Pepsi Cola Trading Ireland, Pepsi Logistics Company Inc., Pepsi Northwest Beverages LLC, Pepsi Overseas Investments Partnership, Pepsi Promotions Inc., Pepsi-Cola Advertising and Marketing Inc., Pepsi-Cola Bermuda Limited, Pepsi-Cola Bottlers Holding C.V., Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company Of St. Louis Inc., Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Ft. Lauderdale-Palm Beach LLC, Pepsi-Cola Company, Pepsi-Cola Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Pepsi-Cola Far East Trade Development Co. Inc., Pepsi-Cola Finance LLC, Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers Poland Sp. z o.o., Pepsi-Cola Industrial da Amazonia Ltda., Pepsi-Cola International Cork, Pepsi-Cola International LLC, Pepsi-Cola International Limited, Pepsi-Cola International Limited U.S.A., Pepsi-Cola International Private Limited, Pepsi-Cola Korea Co. Ltd., Pepsi-Cola Management and Administrative Services Inc., Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing Company Of Uruguay S.R.L., Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing International Limited, Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing Mediterranean Limited, Pepsi-Cola Marketing Corp. Of P.R. Inc., Pepsi-Cola Mediterranean Ltd., Pepsi-Cola Metropolitan Bottling Company Inc., Pepsi-Cola Mexicana Holdings LLC, Pepsi-Cola Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Pepsi-Cola National Marketing LLC, Pepsi-Cola Operating Company Of Chesapeake And Indianapolis, Pepsi-Cola Sales and Distribution Inc., Pepsi-Cola Technical Operations Inc., Pepsi-Cola Thai Trading Co. Ltd., Pepsi-Cola de Honduras S.R.L., Pepsi-Cola of Corvallis Inc., PepsiAmericas Nemzetkozi Szolgaltato Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, PepsiCo ANZ Holdings Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Alimentos Antioquia Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Colombia Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Ecuador Cia. Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Z.F. Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos de Bolivia S.R.L., PepsiCo Amacoco Bebidas Do Brasil Ltda., PepsiCo Asia Research & Development Center Company Limited, PepsiCo Australia Financing Cyprus Limited, PepsiCo Australia Financing Limited Partnership, PepsiCo Australia Financing Partner 1 LLC, PepsiCo Australia Financing Partner 2 LLC, PepsiCo Australia Financing Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Australia Holdings Pty Limited, PepsiCo Australia International, PepsiCo Austria Services GmbH, PepsiCo Azerbaijan Limited Liability Company, PepsiCo BeLux BV, PepsiCo Beverage Sales LLC, PepsiCo Beverage Singapore Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Beverages Bermuda Limited, PepsiCo Beverages Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo Beverages International Limited, PepsiCo Beverages Italia Societa' A Responsabilita' Limitata, PepsiCo Canada Finance LLC, PepsiCo Canada Holdings ULC, PepsiCo Canada Investment ULC, PepsiCo Canada ULC, PepsiCo Captive Holdings Inc., PepsiCo Caribbean Inc., PepsiCo China Limited, PepsiCo Consulting Polska Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo De Bolivia S.R.L., PepsiCo Del Paraguay S.R.L., PepsiCo Deutschland GmbH, PepsiCo Eesti AS, PepsiCo Euro Bermuda Limited, PepsiCo Euro Finance Antilles B.V., PepsiCo Europe Support Center S.L., PepsiCo Finance Americas Company, PepsiCo Finance Antilles A N.V., PepsiCo Finance Antilles B N.V., PepsiCo Finance South Africa Proprietary Limited, PepsiCo Financial Shared Services Inc., PepsiCo Food & Beverage Holdings Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo Foods A.I.E., PepsiCo Foods China Company Limited, PepsiCo Foods Group Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Foods Guangdong Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Nigeria Limited, PepsiCo Foods Private Limited, PepsiCo Foods Sichuan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Taiwan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Vietnam Company, PepsiCo France SAS, PepsiCo Global Business Services India LLP, PepsiCo Global Business Services Poland Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo Global Holdings Limited, PepsiCo Global Investments B.V., PepsiCo Global Investments S.a r.l, PepsiCo Global Mobility LLC, PepsiCo Global Real Estate Inc., PepsiCo Global Trading Solutions Unlimited Company, PepsiCo Golden Holdings Inc., PepsiCo Group Finance International B.V., PepsiCo Group Holdings International B.V., PepsiCo Group Spotswood Holdings S.a r.l, PepsiCo Gulf International FZE, PepsiCo Hellas Single Member Industrial and Commercial Societe Anonyme, PepsiCo Holding de Espana S.L., PepsiCo Holdings, PepsiCo Holdings LLC, PepsiCo Holdings Toshkent LLC, PepsiCo Hong Kong LLC, PepsiCo Iberia Servicios Centrales S.L., PepsiCo India Holdings Private Limited, PepsiCo India Sales Private Limited, PepsiCo Internacional Mexico S. de R. L. de C. V., PepsiCo International Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo International Limited, PepsiCo International Pte Ltd., PepsiCo Investments Europe I B.V., PepsiCo Investments Ltd., PepsiCo Ireland Food & Beverages Unlimited Company, PepsiCo Japan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Light B.V., PepsiCo Logistyka Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., PepsiCo Management Services SAS, PepsiCo Manufacturing A.I.E., PepsiCo Max B.V., PepsiCo Mexico Holdings S. de R.L. de C.V., PepsiCo Nederland B.V., PepsiCo Nordic Denmark ApS, PepsiCo Nordic Finland Oy, PepsiCo Nordic Norway AS, PepsiCo Nutrition Trading DMCC, PepsiCo One B.V., PepsiCo Overseas Corporation, PepsiCo Overseas Financing Partnership, PepsiCo Panimex Inc, PepsiCo Products B.V., PepsiCo Products FLLC, PepsiCo Puerto Rico Inc., PepsiCo Sales Inc., PepsiCo Sales LLC, PepsiCo Services Asia Ltd., PepsiCo Services CZ s.r.o., PepsiCo Services LLC, PepsiCo Twist B.V., PepsiCo UK Pension Plan Trustee Limited, PepsiCo Ventures B.V., PepsiCo Wave Holdings LLC, PepsiCo World Trading Company Inc., PepsiCo Y LLC, PepsiCo de Argentina S.R.L., PepsiCo de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., PepsiCo do Brasil Industria e Comercio de Alimentos Ltda., PepsiCo do Brasil Ltda., PepsiCola Interamericana de Guatemala S.A., Pet Iberia S.L., Pete & Johnny Limited, Pine International LLC, Pine International Limited, Pinstripe Leasing LLC, Pioneer Food Group Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Groceries Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Group Ltd., Pioneer Foods Holdings Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods UK Ltd, Pioneer Foods Wellingtons Pty Ltd, Pipers Crisps Limited, PlayCo Inc., Pop corners, PopCorners Holdings Inc., Portfolio Concentrate Solutions Unlimited Company, Premier Nutrition Trading L.L.C., Prestwick LLC, Prev PepsiCo Sociedade Previdenciaria, Productos Alimenticios Rene LLC, Productos S.A.S. C.V., Productos SAS Management B.V., Punch N.V., Punica Getranke GmbH, Q O Puerto Rico Inc., QFL OHQ Sdn. Bhd., QTG Development Inc., QTG Services Inc., Quadrant - Amroq Beverages S.R.L., Quaker Development B.V., Quaker European Beverages LLC, Quaker European Investments B.V., Quaker Foods, Quaker Global Investments B.V., Quaker Holdings UK Limited, Quaker Manufacturing LLC, Quaker Oats Asia Inc., Quaker Oats Australia Pty Ltd, Quaker Oats B.V., Quaker Oats Capital Corporation, Quaker Oats Europe Inc., Quaker Oats Europe LLC, Quaker Oats Limited, Quaker Sales & Distribution Inc, Raptas Finance S.a r.l., Rare Fare Foods LLC, Rare Fare Holdings Inc., Reading Industries Ltd, Real Estate Holdings LLC, Rockstar Energy Drink, Rolling Frito-Lay Sales LP, S & T of Mississippi Inc., SIH International LLC, SVC Logistics Inc., SVC Manufacturing Inc., SVE Russia Holdings GmbH, Sabritas LLC, Sabritas S. de R.L. de C.V., Sabritas Snacks America Latina de Nicaragua y Cia Ltda, Sabritas de Costa Rica S. de R.L., Sabritas y Cia. S en C de C.V., Sakata Rice Snacks Australia Pty Ltd, Sandora Holdings B.V., Saudi Snack Foods Company Limited, Sea Eagle International SRL, Seepoint Holdings Ltd., Senselet Food Processing PLC, Senselet Holding B.V., Servicios GBF Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Servicios GFLG y Compania Limitada, Servicios Gamesa Puerto Rico L.L.C., Servicios SYC S. de R.L. de C.V., Seven-Up Asia Inc., Seven-Up Light B.V., Seven-Up Nederland B.V., Shanghai PepsiCo Snack Company Limited, Shanghai YuHo Agricultural Development Co. Ltd, Shoebill LLC, Simba (Proprietary) Limited, Simba Proprietary Limited, Sitka Spruce, Smartfoods Inc., Smiles and Bites Holdings S.de R.L. de C.V., Smiths Crisps Limited, Snack Food Investments GmbH, Snack Food Investments II GmbH, Snack Food Investments Limited, Snack Food-Beverage Asia Products Limited, Snacks America Latina S.R.L., Snacks Guatemala Ltd., So Spark Ltd., Soda-Club CO2 Atlantic GmbH, Soda-Club CO2 GmbH, Soda-Club CO2 Ltd., Soda-Club Switzerland GmbH, Soda-Club Worldwide B.V., SodaStream, SodaStream Australia Pty Ltd, SodaStream CO2 SA, SodaStream Canada Ltd., SodaStream Enterprises N.V., SodaStream France SAS, SodaStream GmbH, SodaStream Iberia S.L., SodaStream Industries Ltd., SodaStream International B.V., SodaStream International Ltd., SodaStream Israel Ltd., SodaStream K.K., SodaStream New Zealand Ltd., SodaStream Nordics AB, SodaStream Poland Sp. z o.o., SodaStream SA Pty Ltd., SodaStream Switzerland GmbH, SodaStream USA Inc., SodaStream Osterreich GmbH, South Beach Beverage Company Inc., South Properties Inc., Spitz International Inc., Sportmex Internacional S.A. de C.V., Springboig Industries Ltd, Spruce Limited, Stacy's Pita Chip Company Incorporated, Star Foods E.M. S.R.L., Stokely-Van Camp Inc., Stratosphere Communications Pty Ltd, Stratosphere Holdings 2018 Limited, Streamfoods Ltd, TFL Holdings LLC, Tasman Finance S.a r.l, The Gatorade Company, The Good Carb Food Company Ltd., The Pepsi Bottling Group Canada ULC, The Quaker Oats Company, The Smith's Snackfood Company Pty Limited, Thomond Group Holdings Limited, Tobago Snack Holdings LLC, Tropicana Alvalle S.L., Tropicana Beverages Limited, Tropicana Europe N.V., Tropicana United Kingdom Limited, Troya-Ultra LLC, United Foods Companies Restaurantes S.A., V-Water, VentureCo Israel Ltd, Veurne Snack Foods BV, Vitamin Brands Ltd., Walkers Crisps Limited, Walkers Group Limited, Walkers Snack Foods Limited, Walkers Snacks Distribution Limited, Walkers Snacks Limited, Whitman Corporation, Whitman Insurance Co. Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann Beverages JSC, Wimm-Bill-Dann Brands Co. Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann Central Asia-Almaty LLP, Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods LLC, Wimm-Bill-Dann Georgia Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann JSC, and Wimm-Bill-Dann Ukraine PJSC. Read More Morgan Stanley is the 6th largest financial institution in the US. The company is ranked 61st on the Forbes Fortune 500 list and is the 39th largest bank in the world. A financial holding company, Morgan Stanley provides a full range of financial services to clients around the world. Morgan Stanley was formed in 1935 as a result of the Glass-Steagall Act. Glass-Steagall separated commercial and investment banking in a way that forced the then-largest bank J.P. Morgan & Co to split into two groups. J.P. Morgan & Co. chose to retain the commercial side of the business while partners Henry S. Morga, grandson of J.P., and Harold Stanley took the investment end. In its first year, Morgan Stanley did 24% of the IPO business and maintains a lions share of the market to this day. The original company existed and grew through acquisitions until 1987 when it merged with Dean Witter Discover & Co. The new Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Discover & Co existed for 14 years until 2001 when the name was shortened back to Morgan Stanley. The bank is credited in part with both beginning and ending the financial crisis of 2007/2008. The Process Driven Trading unit lost $300 million in one day due to a short-squeeze that popped the bubble in the housing market. After teetering on the brink of failure Morgan Stanley agreed to become a bank holding company regulated by the Federal Reserve, a key factor in the original decision to split from parent J.P. Morgan & Co. Ironically when given the chance, present-day J.P. Morgan refused to buy Morgan Stanley but that was for the better. Today, Morgan Stanley operates through three segments via offices in 41 countries and employs more than 75,000 people. Revenue in 2021 topped $49 billion and total assets topped $1.15 trillion. The operating segments are Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments. The Institutional Securities segment is by far the largest and most profitable. It offers a range of services and products for businesses, institutions, and entities that include capital raising, strategic advisory, underwriting, advice on M&A, restructuring, and real estate. The Wealth Management segment provides brokerage and investment advisory services for individuals and employers. The services include brokerage, financial planning, company stock-plan administration, insurance, mortgage loans, lines of credit, and retirement planning. The Investment Management segment provides investment products to a range of institutions, organizations, corporations, and governments. The following companies are subsidiares of Brinker International: BI INTERNATIONAL SERVICES LLC, BI MEXICO HOLDING CORPORATION, BIPC GLOBAL PAYROLL COMPANY LLC, BIPC INVESTMENTS LLC, BIPC MANAGEMENT LLC, BRINKER AIRPORTS LLC, BRINKER ALABAMA INC., BRINKER ARKANSAS INC., BRINKER ASIA INC., BRINKER BRAZIL LLC, BRINKER CANADIAN HOLDING CO. ULC, BRINKER CANADIAN RESTAURANT CO. ULC, BRINKER CB LP, BRINKER CB MANAGEMENT LLC, BRINKER FHC B.V., BRINKER FLORIDA INC., BRINKER FREEHOLD INC., BRINKER GEORGIA INC., BRINKER INTERNATIONAL PAYROLL COMPANY L.P., BRINKER LOUISIANA INC., BRINKER MICHIGAN INC., BRINKER MISSISSIPPI INC., BRINKER MISSOURI INC., BRINKER NEVADA INC., BRINKER NEW JERSEY INC., BRINKER NORTH CAROLINA INC., BRINKER OF BALTIMORE COUNTY INC., BRINKER OF CARROLL COUNTY INC., BRINKER OF CECIL COUNTY INC., BRINKER OKLAHOMA INC., BRINKER OPCO LLC, BRINKER PENN TRUST, BRINKER PROPCO FLORIDA INC., BRINKER PROPERTY CORPORATION, BRINKER PURCHASING INC., BRINKER RESTAURANT CORPORATION, BRINKER RHODE ISLAND INC., BRINKER SERVICES CORPORATION, BRINKER SOUTH CAROLINA INC., BRINKER TEXAS INC., BRINKER VIRGINIA INC., CHILIS BEVERAGE COMPANY INC., CHILIS INC. a Delaware corporation, CHILIS INC. a Tennessee corporation, CHILIS INTERNATIONAL BASES B.V., CHILIS OF BEL AIR INC., CHILIS OF KANSAS INC., CHILIS OF MARYLAND INC., CHILIS OF WEST VIRGINIA INC., Grady's Inc., MAGGIANO'S OF ANNAPOLIS INC., MAGGIANO'S OF HOWARD COUNTY INC., MAGGIANO'S OF KANSAS INC., MAGGIANOS BEVERAGE COMPANY, MAGGIANOS HOLDING CORPORATION, MAGGIANOS INC., MAGGIANOS OF TYSONS INC., MAGGIANOS PROPERTY CORPORATION, MAGGIANOS TEXAS INC., PEPPER DINING HOLDING CORP., PEPPER DINING Inc., and PEPPER DINING VERMONT INC.. Read More Throughout all levels of education up to college, the Cuban curriculum incorporates theoretical and practical knowledge about Civil Defence and natural, technological and health risks. Students are trained on the concepts of prevention, preparedness and recovery in disaster situations, so that when disaster strikes, they can act accordingly. Additionally, all students are involved in the Explorers, a school organization that prepares them for life outdoors. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, UNICEF has been working for three years with communities in the central and eastern provinces that are particularly vulnerable to these catastrophes. More than 14,000 children and adolescents from 128 schools have participated in this programme to strengthen their capacity to deal with disasters. Meteorological briefing notes, performing arts, and physics problem sets on extreme weather events are just some of the methods used to incorporate preparedness into school curriculums. As part of the learning process, students do exploratory visits that allow them to identify the risks that surround their school and community, and then work collaboratively creating risk maps and evacuation plans. Knowing the risks that surround us and our evacuation map prepares us for life, says Jose Antonio, 10, a student of the Esteban Caballero Estrada School, located in the intricate green mountains of Tercer Frente, Santiago de Cuba. In the childrens circle Little Friends of Vilma Espin, children between 4 and 6 years old learn about disasters through theatre, routines and themed toys such as emergency means of transportation. Its a seismic area, we are close to the sea. It's good that children get familiarized from early age, says Xiomara, 64, the grandmother of a student. Students with disabilities also participate in preparedness training. The contents are the same for all, the drill is the same for all. My students assimilate things better in a more practical and less theoretical way, says Yurisan Rivas, a teacher at the 18 April Joint School Centre. The involvement and commitment of teachers is the key, and since 2013, almost 2,000 teachers have participated in this project through workshops of methodological guidelines. Support us - Help us upgrade our services! Maintaining our website and our free apps does require, however, considerable time and resources. We're aiming to achieve uninterrupted service wherever an earthquake or volcano eruption unfolds, and your donations can make it happen! Every donation will be highly appreciated. Improved multilanguage support Tsunami alerts Faster responsiveness Design upgrade Detailed quake stats Additional seismic data sources Download and Upgrade the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online: Android | IOS to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online: We truly love working to bring you the latest volcano and earthquake data from around the world.We need financing to increase hard- and software capacity as well as support our editor team.If you find the information useful and would like to support our team in integrating further features, write great content, and in upgrading our soft- and hardware, please PayPal or Online credit card payment )., these features have been added recently: HIRING Job-placement firm accused of racial bias A national job-placement company discriminated against blacks in favor of Hispanic workers to comply with racially based criteria of some clients seeking employees, according to a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of several African Americans. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago, alleges that Personnel Staffing Group used code words to disguise racially guided decisions, such as using the Spanish word for bilinguals to refer to Hispanics. Personnel Staffing Group, also known as MVP and MVP Staffing, has more than 60 offices in nearly 40 states. The suit names Personnel Staffing and seven of its client companies as defendants and cites instances of alleged bias by a suburban Chicago branch office. A statement from lawyers and activists announcing the suit said some companies seek to get around anti-discrimination laws by using job placement firms. The suit says that some companies claimed that black workers were more likely than Hispanics to complain about work-safety issues. It also says that African Americans were often offered less desirable work. Associated Press ECONOMY U.S. productivity rose in 3rd quarter The productivity of American workers rose in the July-September quarter at the fastest pace in two years, while labor costs slowed after a big jump in the spring. Productivity increased in the third quarter at a 3.1 percent rate, the Labor Department reported Tuesday. That followed three quarterly declines and was the best showing since a 4.2 percent jump in the third quarter of 2014. Labor costs edged up at a 0.7 percent rate in the third quarter following a 6.2 percent jump in the second quarter. The productivity figure was unchanged from an initial estimate a month ago. Economists say the jump in productivity in the summer will be short-lived and are forecasting that productivity will return to the anemic gains seen over the past nine years. Associated Press Also in Business Makers of the Snuggie blanket and other products sold mainly on TV have sued Amazon.com, accusing the Internet retailer of trademark infringement for letting an astronomical number of counterfeit products to be sold through its website. The suit was filed Monday night by Allstar Marketing Group, Ideavillage Products and Ontel Products, which said they have lost profits because Amazon has enabled counterfeiters to offer impossibly low prices and trick consumers into thinking their products are genuine. (Amazon chief executive Jeffrey P. Bezos owns The Washington Post.) From news services Coming Today President-elect Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, visit the Lincoln Memorial before the Make America Great Again concert. Jan. 19, 2017 President-elect Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, visit the Lincoln Memorial before the Make America Great Again concert. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post He has been holding interviews and meetings as he prepares to enter the White House. Trump has been holding interviews and meetings as he prepares to transition into the White House. Trump has been holding interviews and meetings as he prepares to transition into the White House. Heres what President-elect Donald Trump has been doing since the election Heres what President-elect Donald Trump has been doing since the election The turbulence began Tuesday morning with one of President-elect Donald Trumps signature tweets of wrath: a public jab at Boeing alleging that the cost of building Air Force One had spiraled out of control. That came an hour after Boeings chief executive was quoted questioning Trumps stance on trade. In the afternoon, Trump directed his attention elsewhere, taking credit in a surprise announcement for a Japanese conglomerates months-old pledge to invest $50 billion in the United States. In the raucous hours in between, a top Trump aide announced offhandedly that, months before, Trump had sold his entire stock portfolio, which some ethics advisers had worried could raise questions about conflicts of interest during his presidency. It was a day of big pronouncements and few details, leaving many wondering whether this would be the unusual and unpredictable way that Trump will govern when he takes office next month. The Posts Rosalind S. Helderman explores the details behind the announcement that President-elect Donald Trump sold all his shares in companies in June. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post) That style, including his opaque personal financial dealings and his sudden shots at certain companies, has helped unnerve a corporate America that traditionally craves stability. Some business leaders and economists have worried whether executives can speak their minds about the president-elect or his policies without fear of facing Trumps rage. Twisting peoples arms is inherently problematic for a president, said N. Gregory Mankiw, a professor of economics at Harvard who served as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers under President George W. Bush. The president has so much power, you always wonder if theres some implicit threat to individuals, and that goes beyond what I think a limited government should do, Mankiw said. But some defended Trumps highly visible way of doing business in his transition to the Oval Office. Lanhee Chen, policy director of Mitt Romneys presidential campaign, who is now at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution, said he was not terribly concerned by Trumps interactions with individual corporations and chief executives. I just assume this is what generally happens, Chen said. I dont think it is that unusual for a president to make appeals to specific companies. What may be unusual is the public nature of the communications. But the activity itself is not uncommon for presidents or for governors, he said. Taking on Boeing Trump has for months targeted companies that, like his own, have shipped jobs overseas. In a string of early-morning tweets Sunday, he threatened retribution or consequence for companies that move operations out of the country, as well as a 35 percent tariff on goods sold back to the United States. Trumps Boeing slam Tuesday, though, was something new. The president-elect criticized the Chicago-based jet manufacturer, alleging that the costs of its federal contract to build a new Air Force One had, as Trump said, spiraled out of control. President-elect Donald Trump announced that a Japanese bank, Softbank, "has agreed to invest $50 billion in the United States, and 50,000 jobs." Trump met with Masayoshi Son, the CEO of SoftBank, at Trump Tower Tuesday. (Video: The Washington Post/Photo: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) Trumps tweets came roughly an hour after the publication of a Chicago Tribune column citing Boeing chief executive Dennis Muilenburgs suggestion that Trump and Congress back off from the 2016 anti-trade rhetoric. Trump spokesmen did not explain why he had targeted Boeing and did not provide other details. But they contributed to the confusion, by claiming Tuesday morning that Trump had in June sold a stock portfolio that by last year was worth up to $40 million. The sale of Trumps shares in big banks, oil conglomerates and other companies with business before the government would have netted Trump millions of dollars during his costly presidential campaign. It also could help him tamp down worries over conflicts of interest between his private holdings and public job. Opaque finances But beyond spokesman Jason Millers comments Tuesday to The Washington Post, Trump representatives have not provided records of stock transactions or other details since a financial-disclosure filing released in May. Over the past five months, Trump campaign officials gave no indication of the stock sale. Trump has also refused to release his tax returns, which would provide more detailed information about his financial holdings. As president, Trump will be subject to the Stock Act, a 2012 law that requires elected officials, including the president, to publicly disclose any stock transactions worth at least $1,000 within 45 days. By Tuesday afternoon, Trump had taken a new turn, announcing that a Japanese telecommunications firm, SoftBank, had agreed to invest $50 billion in U.S. start-ups, a move he tweeted that the company would never have done had we [Trump] not won the election! The president-elect made a brief showing in the gilded lobby of Trump Tower to announce the investment, smiling for the cameras and shaking hands with the firms chief executive, Masayoshi Son. The deal, however, is not new. The money will come from a $100 billion joint investment fund that Son established in October using money from partners, including Saudi Arabias state-owned investment fund. SoftBank has invested in the United States in the past, including paying $22 billion in 2013 for a 80 percent share of Sprint. The firm also led a $1 billion investment round last year in San Francisco-based online lender Social Finance. Trumps announcements followed his assertion last week that he had saved 1,100 jobs in Indiana through a deal with air-conditioning company Carrier. The agreement, which includes $7 million in state incentives for the company, will actually keep 800 workers in the state, while 600 jobs will still go to Mexico. In an interview Monday with CNBCs Jim Cramer, the chief executive of Carriers parent company confirmed that it had made the deal in part out of fear. There was a cost as we thought about keeping the Indiana plant open, United Technologies chief executive Greg Hayes said. At the same time . . . I was born at night but not last night. I also know that about 10 percent of our revenue comes from the U.S. government. After Trump concluded his public events at Carrier on Thursday night, he took on a second company that has announced it is moving jobs from Indiana to Mexico. Rexnord of Indiana is moving to Mexico and rather viciously firing all of its 300 workers. This is happening all over our country. No more! he tweeted Friday. Rexnord, which is based in Milwaukee, announced in June that it was closing an Indiana plant, resulting in the loss of 300 jobs. Long-run risk? Keith Hennessey, director of the National Economic Council under Bush, warned about the impact of Trumps approach to business and trade, which he said could do long-run economic harm to the U.S. When a politician rewards his business friends and punishes his business enemies its called crony capitalism, Hennessey wrote in a blog on his personal website Monday. It creates incentives for other business leaders to spend their time and money trying to get similar political access with elected officials, Hennessey added. And a firm leader now knows it can initiate a negotiation with the Trump Administration simply by threatening to outsource jobs. In his blog, Hennessey urged Trump to stop trying to tell individual American business leaders how to run their companies. He said his criticism was aimed at Trumps maneuvers involving Carrier, Rexnord and tariffs, but said he did not want to comment on Boeing. Mankiw, the former Bush economic adviser, said that targeting individual companies runs contrary to equal protection of the law, which is a fundamental principle of fairness, violating founder John Adamss contention that the United States should be a nation of laws and not men. Beyond using the power of the presidency to intimidate in unpredictable and unfair ways, no individual could efficiently manage the economy, company by company, said Mankiw, who indicated before the election that he did not plan to vote for Trump. When a chief exec is making individual calls to individual companies, hes in some sense acting like a central planner, Mankiw said. We have a lot of history under communism that suggests it doesnt work well in practice, and thats the direction youre heading in as the president starts to weigh in on individual business decisions. Tom Hamburger and Matea Gold contributed to this report. Hundreds of people gather in front of the Petit Cambodge and Carillon restaurants after a terrorist attack in Paris on Nov. 13, 2015. (Virginie Nguyen Hoang/For The Washington Post) I was sitting in a restaurant in Paris last November when I learned that one arrondissement over, terrorists were attacking restaurants and killing people. As my fellow diners and I quickly paid our checks and scurried down the street to safety, everyone eyed the restaurant warily. It was a small place on a corner, with huge glass windows and an open kitchen. Nowhere to hide. Among the 130 who died in multiple attacks that night were those who were having a casual dinner or drinks at the restaurants Le Carillon, Le Petit Cambodge, Cafe Bonne Biere, La Casa Nostra and La Belle Equipe. Six months later, a gunman attacked an Orlando gay bar and killed 49 people. And on Sunday in Washington, a gunman strode into Comet Ping Pong on Connecticut Avenue to self-investigate a false conspiracy theory that the restaurant was host to a Clinton pedophilia ring. Although the intent behind this attack was different and, thankfully, no one was hurt it underscored the industrys vulnerability. [Pizzagate: From rumor, to hashtag, to gunfire in D.C.] The reality of our business is that we welcome the public the entire public, said Ruth Gresser, owner of Pizzeria Paradiso. But one day, someone could show up with a gun. Although her staff has procedures in place if a customer becomes belligerent switch servers, dont touch the patron, call the police if things get violent the thought that theres now a political level that is entering the realm is new, she said. Were not used to that level of aggression and violence. There is the question that a lot of us are starting to wonder: How prepared do we need to be in dealing with this kind of situation? A police officer leads a bloodied woman away from the scene of a shooting rampage at a McDonald's restaurant in San Ysidro, Calif. (Lenny Ignelzi/AP) To be honest? Pretty prepared, says Andy Hughes, a law enforcement consultant and former assistant director of homeland security for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. A restaurant is a wonderful target because its full of people, and theyre all sitting down, Hughes said. Theres not a lot of locked doors that you can run behind. The incidents in Paris, Orlando and Washington are just recent examples in a history of violence at restaurants and bars. In 1984, a gunman entered a McDonalds in San Ysidro, Calif., and shot 40 people, killing 21 , before he was killed by a SWAT team sniper. That was the deadliest mass shooting in the nation until 1991, and another restaurant shooting happened: In Killeen, Tex., a gunman drove his car into the window of a Lubys restaurant and shot 50 people, killing 23, before he shot himself. According to police, Edgar Maddison Welch, the alleged Comet gunman, apparently had a different motivation: He believed the false Pizzagate conspiracy theory concocted after Hillary Clinton campaign chairman John Podestas emails were leaked. Businesses surrounding the restaurant were also targeted. The thought that someone could show up with a gun definitely crossed my mind, said Matt Carr, owner of the Little Red Fox, a bakery and market next door. He had contacted the FBI about threats made against him, including callers who threatened him with a firing squad, prior to the Sunday incident. Were a mom-and-pop place, said Carr, who operates the market with his wife. This is not what I signed up for. I make coffee and pastries. Dealing with this kind of online threat is not in our wheelhouse. Signs of support at Comet Ping Pong in D.C. (Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post) Police say Welch fired at the restaurants inside doors, not at guests.He told police he was planning to rescue child sex slaves that the Internet rumors alleged were being kept in the restaurants back rooms. But in the first confusing seconds after someone walks into a restaurant with a gun, patrons have no way of knowing why hes there. So the advice is what experts repeat after every mass shooting: Run, hide, fight. The problem is that restaurants are often big rooms with open kitchens and few hiding places. Many have only two exits one in the front and one in the back. You have a large number of people coming in and out that may or may not be familiar with the restaurant, said Mike Clumpner, president and chief executive of Threat Suppression, a public safety consulting firm. People arent as aware of their exits as they should be. Theyre also there to relax, so people let their guard down, Clumpner said. And they might be drinking, which could delay their reactions. In a 60 Minutes interview last November, then-D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier encouraged people to fight back if they ever find themselves in an active shooter situation that they cant escape. I always say if you can get out, getting outs your first option, your best option, Lanier said. If youre in a position to try and take the gunman down, Lanier said, its the best option for saving lives before police can get there. Police shut down Connecticut Avenue outside Comet Ping Pong. (Jim Lo Scalzo/European Pressphoto Agency) If you have to fight in a restaurant, Clumpner says to remember that youre already armed: You have a fork and a knife with you. You need to fight, and you need to understand that you are in the fight of your life. Patrons can also throw chairs and plates to distract a gunman. But the chance that diners will find themselves in such a situation is still quite small. And the fear of a restaurant gunman shouldnt interfere with your enjoyment of life, says Hughes. Thats why the hashtag #JeSuisEnTerrasse I am on a terrace trended after the Paris attacks. We dont need to be scared to go to a restaurant to eat with our family, Hughes said. But we do need to be prepared. Restaurant and bar owners are realizing that they do, too. Government officials met with some owners in January, describing the dangers of being a soft target and reiterating the importance of security at the door. Gresser has proposed a training course on restaurant violence to the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington. A spokesperson for the group said that nothing specific had been planned yet. People pass by Comet Ping Pong the day after the attack. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post) [The Capitol may be ready for a terrorist attack. But is your favorite bar?] Derek Brown, owner of the Columbia Room, Eat the Rich and other local bars and restaurants, posts staff members at doors to check bags and keep an eye on the street. He and his staff also have plans for getting guests out in the event of a natural disaster or a violent incident. something Gresser said is now moving to the top of her priority list, too . I think every restaurant should be prepared, Brown said. I hate to say it. I wish it wasnt the case. As for Comet, owner James Alefantis has employed private security. A spokesman for the restaurant, who asked not to be named to avoid online harassment, said law enforcement has advised Comet not to give specific details, adding that Comet has taken every step possible to make sure that the restaurant continues to be a safe place. Police have increased their presence on the block, and Carr said that the alarm company used by several businesses plans to host security training for them. Clumpner pointed to the safety briefings that flight attendants give travelers before takeoff. Theyre there for safety first, hospitality second, and I think restaurateurs should realize that, too, he said. But restaurateurs are trained to put hospitality first, and thats what makes these incidents so difficult for the industry to accept. The industry is fundamentally set up to serve and to satisfy peoples expectations and desires. We want to say yes, Gresser said. So the idea that thats potentially being disturbed has been very uncomfortable. On Dec. 10, Domenica Marchetti, pictured in this 2011 photo with her book on pasta, will be signing copies of her new book, Preserving Italy. (Mark Gail/The Washington Post) THURSDAY WINE DINNER: Five courses paired with wine from Portugal. 6:30 p.m. $90, not including tax and gratuity. Carmellos, 9108 Center St., Manassas. 703-368-5522. carmellos.com. SATURDAY BOOK SIGNING: Cookbook author Domenica Marchetti signs copies of her book Preserving Italy: Canning, Curing, Infusing, and Bottling Italian Flavors and Traditions, (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016). 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Olio2go, 8400 Hilltop Rd., Suite H, Fairfax. 703-876-4666. olio2go.com/storefront.aspx. SUNDAY CULINARY HISTORIANS OF WASHINGTON: Libby OConnell, author of The American Plate: A Culinary History in 100 Bites (Sourcebooks, 2014), discusses food during Americas Gilded Age. 2-4 p.m. Free. Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, Meeting Room A, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda. 202-487-6740. appetite@kousoulas.com. chowdc.org. MONDAY DINNER AND BOOK LAUNCH: Five courses of Indian cuisine in celebration of Monica Bhides novel, Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken (Bodes Well Publishing, 2016). 6:30 p.m. $80 for one, $155 for two. National Press Club, the Fourth Estate Restaurant, 529 14th St. NW. 202-662-7500. press.org/events. TUESDAY 18TH CENTURY IMPORTS LECTURE: A show-and-tell program about coffee, spices, sweetmeats and more. Noon-1 p.m. Free. DAR Museum, 1776 D St. NW. 202-628-1776. museum@dar.org. dar.org. COOKING CLASS: Chefs Seng Luangrath and Bobby Pradachith teach how to make a full Lao meal. 4-7 p.m. $150 for one, $250 for two. Thip Khao, 3462 14th St. NW.bit.ly/2ghKtZp. RESERVE NOW DEC. 14 CHAMPAGNE DINNER: Five courses paired with sparkling wines. 6:30 p.m. $99, not including tax and gratuity. Bastille, 606 N. Fayette St., Alexandria. 703-519-3776. bastillerestaurant.com. Kara Elder Send event listings to food@washpost.com with CALENDAR in the subject line. Pan-seared diver scallops with roasted red and yellow pepper coulis, roasted artichoke, haricots verts and nicoise olives at Marcel's Sunday brunch. (Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post) Indulgence comes in all shapes and sizes flavors, too. Here are a few of my favorite things: delights that make life more worth living, even if only in my dreams. Pancakes and pearls Moez Ben Achour is the sommelier at Marcel's. (Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post) Aunt Lila's pancakes with berry compote. (Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post) Sunday brunch at the hautest French restaurant in town, Marcels by Robert Wiedmaier, features food thats every bit as rich as dinner think chestnut soup and diver scallops lapped with shallot beurre blanc plus a deal sure to quicken the pulse of a discerning drinker: 50 percent off all the restaurants 400-plus wine selections. Marcels is your chance to roll out of bed and enjoy, sans guilt, a perfect pork schnitzel with a fine red burgundy for under a Franklin. The mood by day is as dreamy as at night, except that brunch gives visitors a chance to better see the dinerys finery, from the thick white linens that cushion your elbows to a subdued color scheme that brings to mind oysters, pearls and champagne. Mussels gratin with tomato fondue and salmon carpaccio worthy of a gold frame are carry-overs from the dinner or pre-theater menus. Otherwise, the brunch dishes are fresh creations. Someone in your party should order Aunt Lilas pancakes, based on a recipe from Wiedmaiers aunt in Alaska. The secret to their fluffiness: Egg whites and yolks are beaten separately, resulting in a texture akin to a souffle. Tufts of vanilla whipped cream, a shower of berries, a dusting of powdered sugar and a last-minute brush of butter further elevate the eye-opener to a breakfast hall of fame. One question for the dashing sommelier and general manager, Moez Ben Achour: What wine goes with pancakes, please? He doesnt hesitate to suggest Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Brut, normally listed for $450, but easier to digest at half that price especially if someone else is treating. 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-296-1166. marcelsdc.com. Brunch entrees $18 to $35. Four-star classes If youre going want to learn to make four-star meals at home, Patrick OConnell has a program for you. (Goran Kosanovic/For The Washington Post) What to gift food devotees who think they have everything? How about a chance to learn from some of the best cooks in the business? The four-star Inn at Little Washington makes fantasies come true for amateur cooks with its Stagiaire Program, a one-, two- or three-day opportunity to study whatever youre interested in: Baking, butchering, sauce-making and pasta creation are among the many on-site options. The bespoke packages include chefs pants and matching apron; an autographed copy of chef Patrick OConnells cookbook (Refined American Cuisine); lunch (but not dinner); discounts at the inns gift shop; and a 25 percent discount on a room at the inn. And yes, there will be face time with the star of the show, OConnell, whose staff never schedules a class when hes away. Rachel Hayden, spokeswoman for the esteemed dining destination, says the program attracts three primary types: hardcore foodies in search of a different experience, fans of the Inn who want to see it from an insiders perspective and rabid entertainers hoping to step up their game at home. The Stagiaire isnt for everybody, however. Basic knife skills and general stamina are prerequisites; participants spend much of their eight-hour days on their feet. We used to do five-day stages, recalls Hayden. No one survived! 309 Middle St., Washington, Va. 540-675-3800. theinnatlittlewashington.com. Custom-designed stages cost $1,000, $1,800 or $2,400. Steak heaven Chef Joseph Palma of Bourbon Steak. (Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post) A study of A5 Miyazaki Japanese Wagyu. (Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post) Chef Joe Palma has been busy putting steaks through the hearts of the competition over the past year, expanding his meat program at Bourbon Steak in Georgetown from eight selections to an impressive 26. Its a cattle call with lots of designer brands: Wagyu from Japan, so tender and richly marbled you feel as if youre grazing on meat butter; grass-fed, pleasantly iron-y boneless rib-eye from Tasmania; cornfed New York strip from the respected Allen Brothers in Illinois; and (open wide) a 68-ounce tomahawk rib-eye from Shenandoah Co-op in Virginia. Dry-aged for two months, the last is dubbed The John Wayne by Palma. Remove eight ounces of bone and maybe six ounces of fat and the carnivore still has plenty to chew on. If the beef from 7X Ranch in Colorado tastes especially delightful, it might have something to do with cows that have grazed on alfalfa, clover and brome in mountain meadows. A trick to joining the Clean Plate Club: Forgo the gratis bouquets of french fries and three dips that start a meal. Take a pass on the bread, too. Youll want to make space for substance at what has become the headiest of Washington steakhouses. 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-944-2026. bourbonsteakdc.com. Steaks $34 to $495 (for a 12-pound bone-in rib roast). A side of quiet Among the most sought-after extravagances these days is solitude. Just ask Susan Gage, whose eponymous Maryland-based catering company benefits from noise pollution in restaurants. In a single week recently, she booked three separate parties with clients who told her they preferred entertaining at home, where they could hear themselves think, says the caterer. Conversation is an important part of dinner, says Gage. Its social and nourishing. With very few exceptions, you pay dearly for quiet in Washington restaurants. A special case is DeCarlos, the longtime Italian dining room that serves the purpose of a country club in Spring Valley. The menu is far from trendy, your waiter may be matter-of-fact and it helps to know what to order: creamy bean soup, agnolotti stuffed with spinach and set on Parmesan cream, maybe moist roast chicken. Michelin inspectors wont be dropping by, in other words. Still, if you crave a heart-to-heart with someone, or dont care to read lips, this WASP retreat has what youre looking for: pools of space around the tables, cozy burgundy booths with walls that almost reach the ceiling and a sound check (66 decibels) that compares favorably to normal conversation. All this and free parking, too. When a friend tells me clergy go to DeCarlos when church members need to talk in private, I understand. Frank Sinatra will never sing over their conversation. 4822 Yuma St. NW. 202-363-4220. decarlosrestaurant.com. Entrees $19 to $58. A tasting menu with a twist Romanesco cauliflower couscous with baby pickled turnips, stuffed figs with cashew creme, salsa verde and cheddar crumble at Elizabeth's Gone Raw. (Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post) Elizabeth Petty holds a bowl of kale chips in the dining area at her restaurant and catering company in a D.C. townhouse. (Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post) Mindful diners looking for the pomp and circumstance of a steakhouse, hold the meat, have a friend in Elizabeth Petty. Shes the owner of the Catering Company of Washington, based in an elegant townhouse downtown, where she presides over an upscale vegan dinner party on Friday nights. Billed as Elizabeths Gone Raw, the evening commences with (very good) cocktails at a marble bar on the ground floor and continues with a seven-course dinner upstairs in a plush 56-seat dining room dressed with gilt-framed portraits and chandeliers. The menu changes monthly, but always hews to two mandates: The dishes are all plant-based, and no ingredient is heated to more than 115 degrees. Given the kitchens challenges, the joy is in how pleasing so much of the food is, starting (last month at least) with an amuse-bouche, leek panna cotta, garnished with cold-smoked coconut bacon coaxed from young Thai coconut and maple syrup. Gingery butternut squash soup gets its creaminess from almond milk, while a colorful citrus salad, sweetened with date puree and decorated with hearts of palm, features what looks like a poached egg but is in fact a pineapple sphere. Pierce the white (made with coconut puree) and a rivulet of pineapple juice follows. The course I most want to eat again: figs stuffed with cashew creme and served atop a base of couscous fashioned with crumbled cauliflower marinated with rice wine vinegar and salt. For tang, pickled baby turnips ride along. Equally intriguing was a smoked beet sausage, zesty with smoked paprika and chili flakes and arranged on thin spaghetti squash noodles jump-started with sun-dried tomatoes. And black truffles. Earthy-crunchy the evening is not; a dedicated sommelier proffers organic wine pairings for an additional $55 or so. Bottom line: Fine dining doesnt need meat to matter. 1341 L St. NW. 202-347-8349. elizabethsgoneraw.com. Seven-course, plant-based menu $75 per person. Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly listed the address of DeCarlos. It is 4822 Yuma St. NW. Dear Heloise: If I freeze a quart of fat-free milk, will it taste the same when it thaws? B.J., via email B.J.: Let me start by stating that I have been known to freeze skim milk before, and I have not had a problem. Some foods will have texture changes or slight taste changes after freezing. Milk producers dont recommend freezing milk because temperature changes may affect the consistency, but many people do. Try it for yourself and see if you are happy with the taste and texture of the milk after you have thawed it in the refrigerator. Most any food can be frozen (with the exception of eggs in the shell and canned items. You can freeze items once removed from the can). However, personal preference will determine whether you are happy with the defrosted product after freezing. Dear Readers: Many of us are trying to make better, healthier food choices, especially when eating away from home. Here are some hints to try the next time you eat out: Ask for salad dressings, gravies and sauces to be served on the side. Substitute whole black beans for refried, and corn tortillas for flour. Do not order fried food. Select foods that are steamed, broiled or grilled. Instead of potato side dishes, ask for extra vegetables. When ordering pasta, choose red sauces. White sauces are made with cream and butter, which equals calories and fat. With these small changes, you can be satisfied but healthier. Dear Heloise: I cant stand how cold my hands become when working with chopped meat. I discovered that if I put the meat in a zipper-top plastic bag, add all the ingredients and knead the bag to mix, I can mold the meat into a loaf and roll it out onto a sheet pan. I never have to touch the meat! For meatballs, I put the bag in the refrigerator for an hour and then use a small ice-cream scoop to form the meatballs. Easy peasy, and hands stay warm and clean! Susan, via email Dear Heloise: I discovered that my vacuum pump for sealing food in plastic bags had quit working. I turned on the hot water and let it run for a few minutes. Then I held the bottom seal of the pump under the water for about 30 seconds, turned it upside down and filled it with water for a few more seconds. I shook off the water and tried it out. It worked fantastic! Ron W., Lakeland, Fla. Dear Heloise: Contrary to most directions, I never drain fried foods on paper towels. The bottom ends up soggy or has bits of paper towel stuck to it. I always use some kind of rack over newspaper. Cooling racks are fine, but I mostly use an old oven rack from a retired toaster oven. The greasy rack cleans easily in the dishwasher. Russell, via email Heloises column appears six days a week at washingtonpost.com/advice. Send a hint to Heloise , P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Tex. 78279-5000, or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com. One Maryland school district could allow elementary schoolchildren to take cellphones and other devices to school if a proposed update to district regulations is adopted. (Carolyn Kaster/AP) The youngest children in Montgomery Countys public schools could soon be allowed to bring cellphones and other electronic devices to campus under newly proposed rules. Students would not be able to use the devices during the school day in elementary schools unless a teacher permits them as part of classroom instruction, but students could use phones and tablets after dismissal or on school buses if the rules pass. The reality is, they are in our elementaries now, said Patricia ONeill, a county school board member who noted that cellphones are ubiquitous in middle schools and high schools. She said the proposed change would largely focus on keeping up with the times. Part of a broader update to the districts regulations on personal mobile devices, the change could take effect as soon as next school year. School board members discussed the change at a recent committee meeting, but it requires Superintendent Jack Smiths approval. It comes as another sign of technologys advance in the nations K-12 schools, where parents interest is often a driving factor for districts to allow elementary school students to carry cellphones, said Ann Flynn, director of education technology at the National School Boards Association. Many parents want to stay in touch with children for safety or logistical reasons, she said. Its definitely a trend were seeing at younger levels being allowed to bring cellphones on campus, she said. [Schools move toward Bring Your Own Device policies to boost student tech use] Students in Loudoun County elementary schools are allowed to bring cellphones but can use them only in emergencies. In Arlington and the District, cellphone policies are up to individual schools; Fairfax Countys rules about cellphone use vary by school, but a spokesman said he was not aware of any ban on having them on school property during the school day. Prince Georges County permits portable electronic devices across grades, with rules about their use. Discussion about revising the rule in Montgomery which would end a ban on students taking cellphones to elementary school has drawn some skepticism. Lisa Cline, a PTA leader in Gaithersburg, said current practices are sufficient, allowing families to seek a waiver if a child needs to bring a cellphone to school. She said she has yet to hear any evidence that would support the change and worries about the effect cellphones could have on elementary school culture. To expect a child to turn it off and not touch it when its in his backpack is a lot to ask for a 7-year-old, said Cline, who wrote a letter to district officials. Her subject line: Cell phones for ES kids? Seriously? [6,473 Texts a Month, But at What Cost?] Paul Geller, president of the countywide council of PTAs, said he has heard parents voice concerns that cellphones could be a distraction in the classroom or a burden for teachers. Some also worry that allowing cellphones could intensify the gap between the haves and the have-nots. Geller said some parents might appreciate their children having cellphones when they walk home alone or take buses long distances. Others say cellphones, when used as part of a teachers lesson plan, might help meet the districts technology needs, he said. My hope is that theyre going to allow some public comment about it, Geller said. Schools spokesman Derek Turner said the district does not expect a public-comment process because the matter is considered a regulatory change. The district had meetings with groups of students, teachers, principals and parents as officials developed the changes, he said. We will still connect with a few more groups to make sure there is buy-in, Turner said. Catherine Carpela, who has taught first-grade and third-grade classes at Weller Road Elementary School in Silver Spring, said she doesnt support the concept, which she believes could add to the many responsibilities teachers already bear. I dont want to spend my time monitoring inappropriate cellphone usage when I could be using that time for instruction, she said, questioning how devices would be secured, given that young students stow their belongings in cubbies or backpacks, not lockers. School district administrators presented the change at a board committee meeting just before Thanksgiving as part of proposed revisions to the districts regulation on personal mobile devices, which include phones, tablets and laptops. The new regulation would include a number of rules about appropriate use and a requirement that students using their own devices at school access the Internet through the districts network, not private cellular providers, to limit exposure to potentially harmful sites. It would continue to allow high school students to use mobile devices during lunch. School board member Rebecca Smondrowski suggested extending lunchtime use to middle-schoolers, as well. Smondrowski said in an interview that the regulatory change does not aim to promote cellphones in elementary schools but recognizes their presence and provides guidance for their use. There also could be benefits for instruction at some point, she said. More and more, as were moving into a digital time and digital instruction is becoming greater and greater, this allows teachers to take advantage of resources when possible, she said. Sherwin Collette, the districts chief technology officer, said the update would mesh with a broader goal allowing students to use their own devices to augment other technology used for classroom instruction. There is a benefit to the district as well, he said at the committee meeting. Collette said district staff compared Montgomery with other school systems as they considered amending the regulation and underscored that cellphones already are coming into elementary schools. Schools work with their students and families around the ground rules about that, and they deal with issues of discipline that arise when one is stolen or comes out of the backpack when it shouldnt, he said. Parents understand that the school systems not responsible for any damage to them. Amanda Lenhart, a researcher who studies teenagers and technology, noted that one recent study found that, on average, U.S. children get their first cellphones when they are about 10, an age when many children are in elementary school. I think parents wrestle with this a lot: What is the right age to give a child a cellphone? she said. Sarah Kessler, a mother of two in Boyds, said that in her community, students tend to get cellphones just after elementary school. She opposes the idea of using cellphones in class during the school day: I dont see how this policy benefits students as a whole when so few elementary school students own cellphones. In this 2013 photo, Steve Thomas, a Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission facility technician, modifies a broken shopping cart to catch flushable wipes before they get to the pumps that are up clogging sewer equipment. (Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post) Pre-moistened personal wipes labeled as flushable popular with potty-training toddlers and other consumers looking beyond traditional toilet paper soon might have to meet new government rules for toilets in the nations capital. Under legislation passed unanimously Tuesday by the D.C. Council, wipes marketed as flushable would have to abide by new standards that the city and its sewer agency would set for how quickly they break apart post-flush. If Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) signs the legislation, the city would be the first in the nation to regulate the definition of flushable, experts for both the sewer and wipes industries say. Officials for D.C. Water and other U.S. sewer utilities say such wipes have rapidly become a growing problem since 2008, when their popularity took off. Other flushable products quickly followed, including pop-off scrubbers for toilet-cleaning wands. [Why your sewer utility wants you to hold off on flushing that flushable wipe] Sewer utilities say the wipes jam pumps, break equipment and require machinery to use more energy. They also collect fats, oils and grease that some restaurants and residents pour down drains to sewer agencies additional dismay and form large fatbergs that clog pipes and send raw sewage backing up into basements and overflowing into streets and rivers. The problem costs U.S. utilities between $500 million and $1 billion annually, industry officials say. D.C. Water said it spends more than $50,000 a year to clear such clogs, in addition to the $100,000 it can cost for major repairs, such as when pump stations fail. We know theyre contributing to backups, said George S. Hawkins, D.C. Waters general manager. People think by using products labeled flushable that theyre relieving the problem, when theyre actually making it worse. The wipes industry says the legislation would make it impossible for flushable wipes now available in the United States to continue to be sold in the city. The industry also framed the legislation as a privacy battle, taking out newspaper ads urging, Keep the D.C. Council out of your bathroom. Dave Rousse, president of the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, said the D.C. law would set an unreasonable standard for how quickly the wipes must break apart. The law likely would backfire, he said, because toilet users would increasingly turn to baby wipes, which arent designed to be flushed. The end result will be an effective ban on these products in the city, Rousse said. The challenge is that the consumers need for supplemental cleansing wont go away. [Manufacturer agrees to stop using flushable claim on some wipes] The wipes that are clogging and jamming sewer systems, he said, are those that arent designed to be flushed, such as baby wipes, disinfectant wipes and facial cloths. Theres no evidence that theres a problem at all with wipes marketed as flushable, Rousse said. These wipes are incapable of causing those problems. Hawkins said D.C. Water and the citys Department of Environment and Energy likely will base the citys flushability rules on international standards because the United States has no national standard. Sewer utilities say the industrys own standards are too lax. The bill also would require wipes that arent marketed as flushable to have more conspicuous Do not flush labels. The legislation, sponsored by D.C. Council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3), would take effect Jan. 1, 2018. Cynthia Finley, of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, said that utilities hope the D.C. legislation will gain traction nationwide. Similar proposals have failed in Maine, California and New Jersey. A bill before the New York City Council appears to have stalled, Finley said. Its okay to use a wipe, Finley added. Just put it in the trash can. THE DISTRICT Man is fatally shot in citys Northeast A man was shot and killed Tuesday in a Deanwood-area neighborhood in Northeast Washington, according to D.C. police. The shooting occurred a few minutes before 11:30 a.m. at a house in the 1500 block of Olive Street NE, near the Deanwood Metro station. The street is lined with single-family homes between Minnesota Avenue and the Anacostia Freeway. Police said the victim, whose name had not yet been released, was pronounced dead at the scene. Peter Hermann MARYLAND Temple Hills man dies from gunshots A man was fatally shot in Prince Georges County on Monday evening, police said. Officers were dispatched to the 3200 block of Curtis Drive in Temple Hills about 8:20 p.m. after a reported shooting, Prince Georges police said in a statement. They found Michael C. Roberts, 26, of Temple Hills with gunshot wounds. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the statement said. Police said they did not think the shooting was a random crime. Justin Wm. Moyer Student says man tried to abduct her Police said they are investigating a report that a man tried to abduct a female high school student in Gaithersburg on Monday. The student from Watkins Mill High School told police that a man approached her about 7 a.m. as she walked to a bus stop in the Cider Mill apartment community on Lost Knife Circle. The man told her to shut up and tried to put a black bag over her head, the student told police, but fled when she screamed. She described the man as black, in his mid- to late 30s, about 5 feet 5 inches tall, with a medium build, wearing black pants and a black-hooded sweatshirt with a red logo on it, police said. Police asked anyone with information about the incident to contact them at 240-773-5400 or call 866-411-TIPS (8477). Watkins Mill High School also posted a letter about the incident. Please speak with your son/daughter about this incident and the importance of staying alert, taking headphones out, and making a habit of walking to school with a friend, said a letter from Principal Carol Goddard. Justin Wm. Moyer THE DISTRICT Police identify shooting victim in Deanwood D.C. police have identified a man who was fatally shot Tuesday inside a house in the Deanwood neighborhood. Terry Crutchfield, 45, of Southeast Washington, was shot shortly before 11:30 a.m. at the home in the 1500 block of Olive Street NE near the Deanwood Metro station. Police said Crutchfield had been shot twice in the abdomen. Authorities have not commented on a possible motive, and no arrests have been announced. Peter Hermann MARYLAND Hospital worker charged with abuse A medical tech at United Medical Center in Southeast Washington has been charged with sexually abusing a patient under his care, according to D.C. police and prosecutors. The suspect was identified as Premarcos Simon, 51, of Waldorf, Md. He was charged with first-degree sex abuse of a patient, and was released by a D.C. Superior Court judge on Monday. Simon denied the allegations, according to a police arrest affidavit. A hospital spokesman could not immediately be reached Wednesday. Peter Hermann MARYLAND Courthouse evacuated in Prince Georges The Prince Georges County Courthouse in Upper Marlboro was evacuated and children from a day-care center were moved to a nearby fire station Wednesday after a suspicious package was detected at about 12:15 p.m. by bomb-sniffing dogs, authorities said. Prince Georges County Fire Chief Marc Bashoor said authorities were investigating what was in the package that caused three dogs individually to react to a possible problem. He said there were no chemicals or explosives. Many roads were closed for more than hour during the investigation. Lynh Bui and Justin Wm. Moyer $15 wage in Montgomery hits snag Montgomery County Council President Roger Berliner on Wednesday delayed action on a proposal to boost the minimum wage to $15 an hour, saying he wanted a study of how the change would affect businesses and residents in the county. Five of the councils nine members have signed on to sponsor the bill. The health and human services committee had been expected to advance the legislation Wednesday, setting up final passage by the council next week, at its last legislative session of the year. Montgomery joined with the District and Prince Georges County in 2013 to lift the minimum wage to $11.50 an hour by no later than October 2017. In June, the District voted to raise the wage to $15 by 2020. Montgomerys minimum wage is $10.75. It will rise to $11.50 in July. Bill Turque Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announces plans to introduce legislation for paid sick leave benefits in Maryland's next legislative session. Chris Shank, his chief legislative officer, is at right. (Brian Witte/AP) Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) will propose legislation requiring companies with at least 50 employees to provide five days a year of paid sick leave, triggering a likely standoff with Democratic lawmakers who tried to pass a more expansive law this year. Hogan, who owned a real estate company before taking office, described his bill as a common-sense approach that would cover nearly all working Marylanders without placing an unmanageable burden on job creators. Businesses with fewer than 50 employees would be eligible for a tax break if they offer paid sick leave. Hogans proposal would make Maryland just the eighth state, along with the District of Columbia, to require paid sick leave for a significant proportion of employees. Connecticut, California, Massachusetts and Oregon have implemented such rules; Arizona, Vermont and Washington passed mandates this year. Montgomery County, Marylands largest jurisdiction, enacted its own sick-leave requirement this year. The laws include a wide range of guidelines, but in most cases they apply to employers with fewer than 50 workers and therefore cover a wider swath of businesses than Hogans plan. In Maryland, where Democrats hold strong majorities in both chambers, advocates have pushed for paid sick leave for years. They had a victory in this years legislative session, when a proposal requiring businesses with at least 15 employees to provide sick leave was approved in the House of Delegates. That bill covered all part-time employees, while Hogans bill would cover only those who work at least 30 hours a week. The 2016 legislation, which business groups said would place an undue economic burden on employers, did not advance in the Senate. Hogan announced his proposal for 2017 at a news conference Wednesday that did not include any lawmakers, advocates or representatives of business groups. Sen. Thomas M. Middleton (D-Charles) said the governors bill was an attempt to head off legislation that he and other liberal lawmakers are preparing that again would include to smaller businesses. The governors proposal drew immediate praise from House Minority Whip Kathy Szeliga (R-Baltimore County), who runs a construction business with her husband and said the bill strikes a good balance in protecting employees while not hamstringing new businesses. The proposal is similar to an amendment that Republicans proposed during the debate on sick leave this year. Del. Ariana B. Kelly (D-Montgomery), who co-sponsored the bill that died in the Senate in April, called the governors proposal well-intended but insufficient, in part because it would not include employees who work less than 30 hours a week. It sounds like a reasonable compromise, but in reality its not providing coverage to the people who need paid sick leave the most people who dont have it now, and the part-time and low-wage hourly workers, Kelly said. A bill covering businesses with at least 50 employees would affect about 473,000 workers, advocates said this spring, compared with about 595,000 who would have been entitled to paid sick leave under the 2016 House bill sponsored by Del. Luke H. Clippinger (D-Baltimore City). Its great that Governor Hogan is recognizing the importance of this issue, but the proposal as we understand it would cover far too few workers across Maryland, said Elisabeth Sachs, executive director of the Job Opportunities Task Force, one of the states leading proponents of paid sick leave. Hogans bill would require employers to follow the state law on paid sick leave even in jurisdictions that have enacted more generous policies. Among such jurisdictions is Montgomery County, which requires employers with more than five employees to provide a minimum of one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. Its critical that this legislation does not preempt local jurisdictions that have stepped up and done the right thing, Montgomery County Council member Tom Hucker (D-Eastern County) said. Montgomery County families dont need their paid sick leave stripped by the governor. . . . State law should always be a floor, not a ceiling. With Democratic lawmakers expected to introduce their own sick-leave bills in the House and Senate, advocates and business groups are gearing up for a legislative battle in the three-month session that begins Jan. 11. If the governor is willing to sit down with the various interest groups and forge a compromise, Im all for that, said Middleton, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee. But he has to sit down and work it out. Hyattsville has become the first municipality in Prince Georges County to extend voting privileges to non-U.S. citizens, joining six other Maryland cities that passed similar measures years ago. The 11-member council voted unanimously Monday to allow residents to register if they provide government identification and proof of residency, including a sworn affidavit. [Hyattsville becomes 2nd city in the country to lower voting age to 16] Council member Joseph Solomon (Ward 5), who was one of the bills sponsors, said that he was inspired by a resident who voiced a concern about the councils decision in early 2015 to lower the voting age for municipal elections to 16. While she viewed our actions as positive, it was a slap in the face to our residents who owned homes and were not citizens but deserved a voice, Solomon said, recalling the womans comments at a community meeting. She really felt that the council was enabling kids to vote without recognizing there were adults that had been silenced. Noncitizens are still barred from running for office and from voting in county, state or federal elections. To register to vote, they must have lived in Hyattsville for at least 30 days. CASA, an immigrant advocacy organization, estimated that about 15 percent of Hyattsvilles approximately 18,000 residents would be affected by the new law. The cities of Takoma Park, Barnesville, Garrett Park, Glen Echo, Martins Additions and Somerset all in Montgomery County also have expanded voting rights to noncitizens. [Takoma Park stands by its noncitizen voting law] Mount Rainier, another Prince Georges County municipality, is considering a similar proposal and is likely to vote on it early next year. Solomon, who is the incoming president of the Prince Georges County Municipal Association, said that he plans to push the issue with other cities as well. If youre in local government, your role is to serve the residents of your city, Hyattsville Mayor Candace Hollingsworth said. You cant be so narrow in your thoughts about who you represent that you completely disregard a group that receives the services and benefits of the work you do. The post of Montgomery County Council president is largely ceremonial but for one major exception: They control the weekly agenda. Council member Roger Berliner (D-Potomac-Bethesda), installed Tuesday by his colleagues for a one-year term, wasted no time exercising his prerogative by holding up action Wednesday on a closely watched bill to raise the countys minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2020. A national Fight for $15 movement, led by labor unions, has helped push the higher wage into law in the District, California, New York and other jurisdictions. Berliner, heeding the wishes of the countys business community, called for a study on the local economic effect of a $15 wage before taking action. The Montgomery proposal, sponsored by Council member Marc Elrich (D-At Large), is supported by five of the nine members. County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) has said that he would sign the measure, but with a phase-in period extended to 2022. The councils health and human services committee was expected to move the bill Wednesday, setting up final passage by the council next week at its last legislative session of the year. But the three-member panel deadlocked. Council member George L. Leventhal (D-At Large), the committee chair, voted in favor. Council member Craig Rice (D-Upcounty) was opposed. Berliner, the third member of the committee, came to the hearing with friendly amendments including one that extended phasing in of the raise to 2023 for certain employers. Then he surprised the rest of the panel by abstaining. Legislation can go to the full council without a favorable committee recommendation. But Berliner, exercising his presidential discretion, said that he would not send it yet and instead would ask his colleagues next week to approve an economic impact study. Never mind that there has already been intensive examination of than the risks and benefits of raising the minimum wage. Shelves full of reports have come down on each side. Berliner said most of that scholarship has had a national focus. He said that he wants council staff, perhaps in collaboration with an outside consultant, to look at the potential effects in Montgomery County. Lets get every bit of data we can to make the most informed decision we can make, he said. Council members Sidney Katz (D-Gaithersburg-Rockville) and Nancy Floreen (D-At Large) also favor some form of study. Berliner promised that if he could not garner sufficient votes by next Tuesday to launch such an effort, then the $15 proposal would come to the council in January. Elrich helped lead an unusual regional effort to raise the minimum wage in 2013, when Montgomery joined with the District and Prince Georges County to require pay of at least $11.50 an hour by no later than October 2017. The measure passed 8 to 1 in Montgomery, a margin that belied serious divisions among members. The District took the next step in June, approving a raise to $15 by 2020. Montgomerys current minimum wage is $10.75. It will rise to $11.50 next July. Elrich expressed frustration with Berliners decision. I dont understand how a proposal that doesnt have five sponsors gets dealt with before a proposal that has five sponsors, Elrich said. That seems to me, in the time Ive been here, an unusual use of power. Comet Ping Pong customers came out to support the restaurant after a gunman entered it with an assault rifle, firing it at least once. Several other businesses on the block have received other threats as well. (Whitney Shefte/The Washington Post) Comet Ping Pong customers came out to support the restaurant after a gunman entered it with an assault rifle, firing it at least once. Several other businesses on the block have received other threats as well. (Whitney Shefte/The Washington Post) What was finally real was Edgar Welch, driving from North Carolina to Washington to rescue sexually abused children he believed were hidden in mysterious tunnels beneath a neighborhood pizza joint. What was real was Welch a father, former firefighter and sometime movie actor who was drawn to dark mysteries he found on the Internet terrifying customers and workers with his assault-style rifle as he searched Comet Ping Pong, police said. He found no hidden children, no secret chambers, no evidence of a child sex ring run by the failed Democratic candidate for president of the United States, or by her campaign chief, or by the owner of the pizza place. What was false were the rumors he had read, stories that crisscrossed the globe about a charming little pizza place that features ping-pong tables in its back room. The story of Pizzagate is about what is fake and what is real. Its a tale of a scandal that never was, and of a fear that has spread through channels that did not even exist until recently. Pizzagate the belief that code words and satanic symbols point to a sordid underground along an ordinary retail strip in the nations capital is possible only because science has produced the most powerful tools ever invented to find and disseminate information. Comet Ping Pong owner, James Alefantis, addresses reporters during the reopening of his restaurant days after a gunman entered with an assault rifle, firing it at least once. (The Washington Post) What brought Welch to the District on a crisp Sunday afternoon in early December was a choking mix of rumor, political nastiness, technological change and the intoxicating thrill that can come from running down a mystery. His actions Sunday in one of Washingtons wealthiest neighborhoods reminded Americans that last months election did not quite conclude the strangest political season in the nations history. Welch did not shoot anyone in the disturbance on Connecticut Avenue NW, but he delivered a troubling message about the shattering of trust in a troubled time. On Oct. 28, FBI Director James B. Comey told Congress that he was reopening the investigation of Hillary Clintons use of a private email server when she was secretary of state. New emails had been found on a computer belonging to disgraced former New York congressman Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of top Clinton aide Huma Abedin. Two days later, someone tweeting under the handle @DavidGoldbergNY cited rumors that the new emails point to a pedophilia ring and @HillaryClinton is at the center. The rumor was retweeted more than 6,000 times. The notion quickly moved to other social-media platforms, including 4chan and Reddit, mostly through anonymous or pseudonymous posts. On the far-right site Infowars, talk-show host Alex Jones repeatedly suggested that Clinton was involved in a child sex ring and that her campaign chairman, John Podesta, indulged in satanic rituals. When I think about all the children Hillary Clinton has personally murdered and chopped up and raped, I have zero fear standing up against her, Jones said in a YouTube video posted on Nov. 4. Yeah, you heard me right. Hillary Clinton has personally murdered children. I just cant hold back the truth anymore. Jones eventually tied his comments about Clinton to U.S. policy in Syria. 1 of 15 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad See the reaction after gunman enters D.C. pizzeria to investigate conspiracy theory View Photos A man from North Carolina fired shots in D.C. restaurant Comet Ping Pong on Sunday. He told authorities he came to check out a fake news story involving Hillary Clinton. Caption A man from North Carolina fired shots in D.C. restaurant Comet Ping Pong on Sunday. He told authorities he came to check out a fake news story involving Hillary Clinton. Dec. 6, 2016 Signs of support hang on the building of Comet Ping Pong in Washington, D.C. The business reopened after Edgar Maddison Welch from North Carolina discharged his assault rifle at the popular Chevy Chase restaurant claiming he was there to investigate a fake news story on the Internet about a child sex ring. Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue. According to YouTube, that video has been viewed more than 427,000 times. Over the next couple of days, the wild accusations against Clinton gradually merged with a new raft of allegations stemming from WikiLeaks release of Podestas emails. Those emails showed that Podesta occasionally dined at Comet Ping Pong. On Nov. 7, the hashtag #pizzagate first appeared on Twitter. Over the next several weeks, it would be tweeted and retweeted hundreds or thousands of times each day. An oddly disproportionate share of the tweets about Pizzagate appear to have come from, of all places, the Czech Republic, Cyprus and Vietnam, said Jonathan Albright, an assistant professor of media analytics at Elon University in North Carolina. In some cases, the most avid retweeters appeared to be bots, programs designed to amplify certain news and information. What bots are doing is really getting this thing trending on Twitter, Albright said. These bots are providing the online crowds that are providing legitimacy. Online, the more something is retweeted or otherwise shared, the more prominently it appears in social media and on sites that track trending news. As the bots joined ordinary Twitter users in pushing out Pizzagate-related rumors, the notion spread like wildfire. Who programmed the bots to focus on that topic remains unknown. On the Friday before the election, James Alefantis, who owns two restaurants on the same block in upper Northwest Washington, noticed something odd in his Instagram feed: a stream of comments calling him a pedophile. Upset, Alefantis told some of his young employees at Comet Ping Pong about the hateful comments, and they poked around online. They found rapidly burgeoning discussions on Reddit, 4chan and Instagram about a purported child sex ring operating out of their restaurant. Alefantis, who grew up in an affluent section of the District, was no stranger to politics. He had held a fundraiser for the Clinton campaign at Comet. Hed had a relationship with David Brock, the erstwhile Clinton nemesis who had a midcareer political conversion and became a pro-Clinton advocate. And Alefantis had lots of customers and friends in liberal Democratic circles. When Alefantis opened Comet a decade ago, hed had a run-in with an advisory neighborhood commissioner, a local official who did not like it when Comet put ping-pong tables on the sidewalk. That commissioner had warned that having game tables on the sidewalk might bring rapes and murders to the virtually crime-free neighborhood. Now, a decade later, a Washington Post column about that dispute was trending on Twitter. Somewhere out there, thousands of people were hungrily searching the Internet for anything remotely troubling about Comet Ping Pong. In the final days before the election, other shopkeepers on the block began to receive threatening phone calls and disturbing emails. Strangers from faraway places demanded to know about symbols on their shop windows or photos on their walls. Across from Comet, at the French bistro Terasol, co-owner Sabrina Ousmaal noticed a disturbing Google review of her restaurant that alleged that Terasol, too, was involved in a plot to abuse children. Then, more online comments appeared, focusing on a photo on Terasols website that showed Ousmaal and her daughter posing with Clinton, who had eaten there several years earlier. The Internet sleuths also fixated on a heart logo that appeared on the restaurants site as part of a fundraiser for St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, which Ousmaal, a cancer survivor, has supported for years. These maniacs thought that was a symbol of child pornography, said her husband and business partner, Alan Moin. Its crazy. The family removed the symbol from their site, but the online comments adapted to the new reality: Terasol must be hiding something. The anonymous calls increased. What can we do? Ousmaal said. There is no basement. There is no tunnel. There is nothing. Alefantis and other merchants were mystified: Where was this all coming from? Cant anyone make it stop? The merchants approached Facebook and Twitter and asked that disparaging, fictitious comments about them be removed. The shopkeepers said the replies they got advised them to block individual users who were harassing them. The owner of 4chan, Hiroyuki Nishimura, said in an email to The Post that Pizzagate reminds me that a country indicated [there were] stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and many people and countries were deceived. It is same old story. Nishimura, a Japanese Internet entrepreneur, said the rumors about Comet could be false: Some people, who believe they do something good, may be deceived by false information. But, he said, their motive was good; they did it for saving children. On Connecticut Avenue, the hate calls and death threats kept mounting. Surely, the shopkeepers thought, this will all go away after the election. On Election Day, Brittany Pettibone, a right-wing online activist in California who writes science-fiction novels with her twin sister, tweeted drawings of children under the label Sexualized children, child abuse, pools, and bondage. She wrote that the images were a look inside Hillary Clintons friend Tony Podestas house. Tony Podesta, a Washington lobbyist, is Johns brother. Pettibone attached the hashtag #PizzaGate. We need to expose this, she wrote in another tweet. Dozens of commenters responded almost immediately. How do we make this VIRAL? one wrote. Several of the most frequent and prominent purveyors of the Pizzagate rumors said they first learned about the supposed conspiracy from Pettibones postings. I was one of the first, Pettibone said in a brief conversation Tuesday. She said she would not take part in an interview: Im uninclined to speak to mainstream media because during the election cycle, they made the right look like nut jobs because we suspected Hillary had a health issue, and it turned out she did. For a few days after Donald Trumps victory, a relative calm returned to Comet. But along the block, merchants were hearing from all manner of strange callers. At Besta Pizza, owner Abdel Hammad got an urgent message from the company that maintains his website. A reviewer alleged that his shops simple, pizza-shaped logo was a symbol of child pornography. Hammad, an Egyptian immigrant who voted for Trump, was stunned. Its a slice of pizza, he said. Hammad removed the image from his site but could not afford more than $2,000 to pay for new signs out front. Why did you change the website?! anonymous callers screamed at him on the phone. Were going to put a bullet in your head, one threatened. Down the block, at Politics and Prose Bookstore, employees noticed tweets and other online posts that included them on a list of stores linked by underground tunnels that do not exist. The fact that one of the shops co-owners, Lissa Muscatine, had worked as Clintons speechwriter and adviser for two decades quickly became one more data point in the Pizzagate activists conspiracy theory. The shops phone rang off the hook with profane, abusive calls from across the country. Employees simply hung up, over and over. Frustrated and frightened, merchants along the block talked to the police. They called the FBI, which said the threats were a local matter. On Nov. 16, Jack Posobiec, a former Navy Reserve intelligence officer who had spent much of the previous year as a leader of a pro-Trump grass-roots organization, decided hed had enough of just reading tweets and blog posts about the pizza place in his city. Posobiec, 31, had never eaten at Comet; he had never even heard of the place until he started reading about it on conservative, antigovernment media sites. I didnt pay much attention to it before Election Day because I was focused on the campaign, he said. With that going on, who wants to talk about pizza? Now, with Trump elected, he read the posts more closely. Any story that accused Clinton, John Podesta and Brock of nefarious deeds deserved some investigation, he thought. He believed the Clinton campaign was full of secrecy and deception. It seemed reasonable to Posobiec that Podesta might have organized a sex ring in cahoots with Brock. But the only part of the scenario that was real was that Podesta had been known to eat pizza at Comet. This part is false: pictures purporting to show that symbols, such as butterflies and spirals, in signs at Comet and other shops were statements about pedophilia. Posobiec said he was curious and confused. He and a friend decided to go have some pizza. They walked into Comet eight days after the election, sat down and ordered. Posobiec got the garlic knots. His friend got a beer. But they were not just hanging out. Posobiec was using his phone to broadcast his evening at Comet on Periscope, an app that allows users to stream video live. Part of the experience of living in 2016 is live, on-the-scene broadcasts, he said. People have lost faith with government and the mainstream media being any real authority. After the Iraq War, after Benghazi, people are searching for other sources of information. If I can do something with Periscope and show what Im seeing with my own two eyes, thats helpful. Posobiec said he never made any disturbance inside Comet, but the restaurants managers saw him take his camera into a back room where a childs birthday party was underway. It did not seem appropriate for a childs party to be broadcast on a strangers Periscope feed. The manager asked two D.C. police officers who happened to be across the street to assist. Posobiec and his friend were gently refused service and asked to leave, said a person familiar with the restaurants decision. Posobiec offered to pay for what he had ordered. The manager said it was on the house. Posobiec said he was not there to make a scene. I didnt have any preconceived notions, he said. I wasnt sure. I thought I could just show it was a regular pizza place. That evening, after Posobiec was ushered out of Comet, Pettibone tweeted: Youre my hero for doing this, Jack. Never let go. On Twitter, the hashtag #pizzagate peaked in the hours after Posobiecs video appeared. On Nov. 22, Reddit closed its r/pizzagate subreddit, a site forum focused on a particular topic. The site said it was concerned that Pizzagate posts were revealing private information about people at Comet and nearby stores. We dont want witch-hunts on our site, it said. The decision sparked allegations of censorship from some people who were spreading the Pizzagate rumors. They moved their discussion to a similar site, Voat. On Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, two men carrying protest signs showed up outside Comet. Alefantis went outside and offered the men coffee. They declined the offer. On the phone and online, threats poured in, with as many as 150 calls a day. The shopkeepers approached D.C. police for help. An officer advised them that the online rumormongering was constitutionally protected speech. Ousmaal replied in an email that she respects freedom of speech but that derogatory libelous and hateful blogs and emails should not and cannot qualify. The officer, Anthony Baker, responded, I dont have anymore options to give unfortunately. A D.C. police statement issued Tuesday said that the department became aware of the fictional allegations contained in the false news story last month; however, despite postings of offensive language, we did not receive reports of any specific threats. Officers advised the staff to immediately report to police any threats made against the establishment or individuals. Earlier this fall, in Salisbury, N.C., Edgar Maddison Welch saw some friends doing drugs and he started preaching at them, aggressively. Danielle Tillman, 23, was the best friend of Welchs girlfriend. She said she had just taken acid when Welch got upset, chanting Jesus name at her. He grabbed my hand and got in my face and was like, Let the demons out of her, Tillman recalled. It was super weird. Welch, known to friends as Maddison, had struck friends as a sweet young man whod had trouble finding his way. He had dabbled in acting his father ran a small movie studio out of his house and in writing and firefighting. None of it stuck. He liked to hike, long stretches out West, through mountain ranges, over rivers, into national forests. A few years ago, he told his hometown newspaper that through hiking, he had broken his addiction to the Internet. But Welch had another habit. He was arrested several times on drug-possession charges and his name appeared on a forged prescription, according to police records. He was convicted of marijuana possession and public drinking and was sent to a substance-abuse program. Friends say Welch, 28, in recent months grew far more outwardly religious. He sees himself as someone who is a protector, said his friend Charles Dobson, 28. He is just a thrill-seeking guy. On his Facebook page, Welch has posted biblical verses and psalms, some related to the end of days, along with photos of his two children. Only by your power can we push back our enemies, one verse reads. Only in your name can we trample our foes. A few years ago, Welch told a longtime friend and former roommate, Dane Granberry, about stories he had read online describing miles of secret tunnels under the Denver airport. Welch, who had also been fascinated by conspiracy theories about the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks having been staged by the United States, had become obsessed with the tunnels idea and spent long hours reading articles, watching videos and searching for details. Hes into doing his own research, Granberry said. I dont think he has very much faith in the media, but none of us do. Granberry said her friend needed to see things for himself. On Friday or Saturday, Welch drove to the District, according to court testimony. He showed up at Comet on Sunday about 3 p.m. Gareth Wade, 47, and Doug Clarke, 50, were sitting down for pizza and beer when a server told them that someone had walked in with a gun. As Welch passed by their table, he told them to vacate the building. They rushed out. Outside, dozens of D.C. police officers swarmed the area, evacuating businesses and blocking off streets. A police helicopter circled overhead. Inside Comet, Welch, armed with a Colt AR-15 assault rifle, a .38-caliber Colt revolver and a folding knife, fired his gun two or three times, police said. Welch, dressed in jeans, a T-shirt and a hooded sweatshirt, remained inside for about 45 minutes, searching for underground vaults or hidden rooms, police said. At least one gunshot broke off a lock to a door. It led not to hidden sex workers but to a computer room. The bullet damaged a computer tower. At some point, a Comet worker who had been in the back freezer retrieving dough and had missed the earlier commotion heard the shots and emerged into the restaurant. Welch swung the rifle in his direction and the worker fled out onto the avenue, police said. Finally, Welch responded to police calls for him to leave the building and surrender. He put his AR-15 on top of a beer keg and his revolver on a table. He came out with his hands up, following police commands to walk backward toward them. Welch was handcuffed, and Sgt. Benjamin Firehock asked him why he had done it. Welch said, according to the arrest affidavit, that he had read online that the Comet restaurant was harboring child sex slaves and that he wanted to see for himself if they were there. [Welch] stated that he was armed to help rescue them. [Welch] surrendered peacefully when he found no evidence that underage children were being harbored in the restaurant. Within hours of Welchs arrest, online conspiracy theorists had already decided that he was not one of them. Some suggested he was a false flag, a government plant an enemy of their cause who had been used in an elaborate plot to conceal the truth. For years, people have made similar claims about everything from the 9/11 attacks (a government conspiracy to justify war, they say) to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting (a government conspiracy to justify gun control, they say). Now, in Welchs case, the conspiracy theorists insisted that the real news about his dangerous assault was, in fact, fake news. Comet Ping Pong reopened Tuesday night; the crowd was large and supportive. For some months now, Stefanie MacWilliams, 24, a stay-at-home mother of a 1-year-old boy in Ontario, has written nearly every day, usually about politics, for Planet Free Will, a conservative website based in the United States. Her husband, a mechanic, is the familys main breadwinner, but MacWilliams has been earning some money, too, writing a lot about how good Trump would be for America, and a fair amount about how bad President Obama was. Starting in early November, MacWilliams noticed that stories based on the Podesta emails were making waves. A friend who knows Im interested in politics and shares conspiracy things with me sent MacWilliams stories about Comet Ping Pong. Then she happened upon Posobiecs live stream from Comet. This, she decided, was a story. She told the Pizzagate tale in a YouTube video, on Twitter and on Planet Free Will. In the third paragraph of her story, MacWilliams wrote that we must stress that there is as yet no concrete evidence of any wrongdoing. She thought she was being quite responsible. She had read Internet chatter about strange happenings and code words, and she thought this needed investigation. She was miffed that Posobiec had been escorted out of Comet when his video tour might have gotten to the bottom of the mystery. MacWilliamss story spread via social media. She became part of what she called a worldwide citizen investigation of Pizzagate. When she saw Reddit and Twitter react to the conspiracy theory, respectively shutting down a discussion forum and suspending the accounts of some users, she worried that a coverup was underway. As soon as you tell people they cant talk about something, theyre going to talk about it a whole lot more, she said. MacWilliams calls herself a journalist, but she does not try to be 100 percent accurate, either. She believes the beauty of the Internet is that people can crowdsource the truth. Eventually, what is real will emerge, she said. Pizzagate, she said, is two worlds clashing. People dont trust the mainstream media anymore, but its true that people shouldnt take the alternative media as truth, either. The lack of stories about Pizzagate in the mainstream press meant that the back channels of the Internet would step into the breach. But how does this end? What could constitute proof that there is no conspiracy? Some Pizzagate buffs want a video tour showing that there are no secret rooms or tunnels. Others say they would need more. MacWilliams remains caught up in the thrill of the chase. There is a camaraderie to it, she said. It is like sitting around with your friends saying, What really happened to JFK? It is like a giant game, especially nowadays when you can crowdsource thousands of emails and figure out whats going on. Its like a real-life Kennedy assassination where all the stuff is at your fingertips, and its happening today. When the New York Times mentioned her site on Nov. 21 as a source of fake news, MacWilliams got a little angry, but she also had reason to smile: The traffic on Planet Free Will soared as never before. The story is everywhere. Some Americans especially keen on Pizzagate find themselves being accused of being Russian stooges, or of working for hackers intent on disrupting the American political process. In a small city north of Tel Aviv, in the small hours of the night, Avrahaum Segol, a New Yorker who emigrated to Israel 15 years ago, makes call after call back to Washington. He says he has never been to Comet Ping Pong, but he is burning with a need to know. He found the elderly woman whose family once owned the colorful neon sign that sits over Comets front door. Alefantis bought the sign from a defunct liquor store in Adams Morgan. Segol called the woman and spelled out his baroque story. He quoted from an H.G. Wells story called In the Days of the Comet, and he wondered whether the symbols on the sign crescents and stars might reveal a message about sexual misdeeds or satanic rituals. The woman listened to some of this, then told Segol, Youre an idiot. She hung up on him. He is undeterred. He sends letters to the president of the United States and the chief justice, and to newspaper editors and reporters, and to TV and radio hosts. He calls The Post to explain how the Supreme Courts ruling on same-sex marriage connects with the symbols on the Comet sign. He calls to explain why his family left him. He calls to say why the death of a former CIA chief may be connected to Pizzagate. He calls to ask whether the neighborhood around Comet is known for murderers and thieves. Were living in such a queer time, Segol said. He said his investigation of Pizzagate is a work of art. I tell my kids, There are no mysteries, only facts unknown. He asks to be contacted by email, but he warns that he does not open emails unless he knows they are coming in advance. Its hard to trust anyone, he said. Keith L. Alexander, Jennifer Jenkins, Michael E. Miller, Faiz Siddiqui, Julie Tate and Craig Timberg in Washington and Rachel Weiner in North Carolina contributed to this report. Edgar Maddison Welch, 28, is alleged to have entered the Comet Ping Pong pizza restaurant in Northwest Washington and terrorized the place with a semiautomatic rifle. He was reportedly on a mission to break up a juvenile-sex-trade operation that hed read about on the Internet. Instead of becoming a hero, however, Welch was arrested and charged with committing assault with a dangerous weapon. He may have been duped by a fake news website, police say. Nevertheless, when it comes to the criminal justice system, he can still expect to get a certain amount of preferential treatment. [Alleged gunman tells police he wanted to rescue children at D.C. pizza shop] Just being a white man pretty much guarantees it. In surrendering to police Sunday afternoon, Welch walked backward out of the pizzeria unarmed and with his hands up. Hands up, unarmed, standing with your back to police thats generally recognized as a nonthreatening stance. Police did not shoot him. But that didnt work for Terence Crutcher, 40, who was shot and killed by Tulsa police in September. Crutcher had his hands up and back turned, and he was unarmed, according to police. But Crutcher was also black a fact that studies have shown can affect a cops reflex, cause an already itchy trigger finger to twitch just a bit quicker. Research shows that people associate blackness with threat in study after study, says Stanford professor Jennifer Eberhardt. Its not something that is just about the police. Its not something that is just about white people. Its a function of how were socialized. A Washington Post report on police shootings last year found that black Americans were 2.5 times as likely to be shot and killed by police as white Americans. Unarmed black men, such as Crutcher, were five times as likely to be shot and killed by police as unarmed white men. [Fatal force: Police shot and killed 984 people in 2015] Kajuan Raye, 19, was fatally shot in the back last month. The Chicago officer accused of killing Raye said the teen had pointed a gun at him. But investigators found no gun to support that claim. Gun, no gun it hardly matters. When it comes to police perceptions of black men, the hand itself can appear to be a handgun. As Michelle Alexander notes in her book on the mass incarceration of black people, The New Jim Crow, the very meaning of being black has been conflated with being a criminal in the white American mind. And it wasnt by happenstance. Rather, it was constructed by political and media elites as part of the broad project known as the War on Drugs, Alexander writes. As a result, millions of black people were criminalized and disenfranchised for engaging in the same drug-using behavior in which white people took part with impunity. With the war on drugs, the nations criminal justice system became a legalized way for white America to express its racial animus and resentment covertly, since it was considered politically incorrect to be overtly racist back then. To be a white criminal is not easy, by any means, but as a white criminal you are not a racial outcast, though you may face many forms of social and economic exclusion, Alexander writes. Whiteness mitigates crime, whereas blackness defines the criminal. During his arrest, Welch got on the ground as ordered. But no officer pulled out batons and started beating him the way Metro Houston cops are accused of beating Darrell Giles, 31, as he sat on a train platform in September. Police did not stand over him and empty the clip of a service weapon into his body, the way a Chicago cop did to Laquan McDonald, 17, in 2014. Welch was not shot on sight the way Cleveland police shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice. None rolled down the windows of their patrol cars and shot him, as a D.C. police officer did in September to Terrence Sterling, 31, an unarmed black motorcyclist who collided with a patrol car that had cut him off. It is quite likely that Welch is in trouble because he acted on information from a fake-news website. But he enters a judicial system in which the scales of justice have been weighted in favor of whites, and against blacks, in part because of fake news writ large: the war on drugs. Welch, having been caught allegedly using an AR-15 assault-style rifle in the commission of a crime in the nations capital, is still alive. Presumed innocent until proven guilty, he now can have his day in a court. To read previous columns, go to washingtonpost.com/milloy. Correction: An earlier version of this column incorrectly identified the officer who shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice. It was a Cleveland officer, not a Cincinnati officer. Thousands of vehicles daily pass the Peace Cross, a well-known landmark in Prince Georges County. Its presence is being challenged in federal court. (Mark Gail/For The Washington Post) The fate of a 40-foot-tall cross that dominates a busy Maryland intersection provoked impassioned debate in a federal courtroom Wednesday, at one point including a question about whether cutting off the arms of the cross might resolve the legal issues. Two appeals court judges clearly stated that there is no way to view the Peace Cross in Bladensburg other than as a symbol of Christianity. The third judge on the appeals panel just as strongly said that the marble-and-cement monument is a secular war memorial honoring the death and sacrifice of those lost in battle. At issue for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit is whether the 90-year-old Peace Cross planted on a grassy public median violates the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from favoring certain faiths over others. At times, the judges appeared distressed to have to decide whether the monument should be removed from public land without clear guidance from the Supreme Court. The high court has allowed some monuments with religious content to stand and rejected others on public sites. Two 4th Circuit judges suggested Wednesday that the parties could more easily resolve the case by changing who owns the land or moving the site of the cross or even stripping the crosss arms. There are no good answers, Judge James A. Wynn Jr. said. You ought to figure out a way not to put us in this situation. Judge Stephanie D. Thacker also suggested trying to find an out-of-court solution. [A court's cross to bear: memorial monument or religious endorsement?] The towering, pink-hued cross honors the 49 Prince Georges County men who died in World War I. The monument was completed in 1925 with funds raised by the American Legion and local families. It sits on land owned by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, a state agency that pays for upkeep and repairs, according to court filings. The appeal was brought by the American Humanist Association after a U.S. District Court judge last year declined to order that the cross be removed, saying that it is a historically significant secular war memorial. On the base of the monument are the words valor, endurance, courage and devotion. A bronze plaque lists the names of the men. Thacker questioned whether commuters passing through the intersection of the two busy state roads could discern that the monument is anything other than a religious symbol, in part because the plaque is hard to see from the roadway. How would a reasonable observer not take that as religious? she asked attorneys for the American Legion on Wednesday. Christopher DiPompeo said the court should consider the monuments long history as a community gathering spot for events marking Veterans Day and Memorial Day. The cross, he said, is part of a larger memorial park in the immediate area honoring veterans of other wars. A symbol that has religious significance can also take on a secular meaning, he said, adding that the monument must remain standing. Chief Judge Roger L. Gregory appeared to agree that the cross has long commemorated death and sacrifice. Isnt it also a place where we remember people who died so others might live? he asked several times. Monica Miller, who argued on behalf of a Washington-based group that represents atheists and others, said the cross-shaped monument sends a message of exclusion and noted that some ceremonies at the location have included prayers. It gives the impression that only Christians are being honored, she said. Miller said her organization would support moving the monument to private land or removing the arms of the cross. Hiram Sasser, deputy chief counsel for First Liberty Institute, which helped in the defense of the cross, said, It was surprising to hear a suggestion, on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, that it may be appropriate to disfigure a 90-year-old veterans memorial. William C. Dickerson, an attorney for the park and planning commission, declined to comment outside the courtroom after the hearing. D.C. police have identified a man who was fatally shot Tuesday inside a house in the Deanwood neighborhood. Terry Crutchfield, 45, of Southeast Washington, was pronounced dead on the scene, according to police. He was shot shortly before 11:30 a.m. at the home in the 1500 block of Olive Street NE, near the Deanwood Metro station. Police said Crutchfield had been shot twice in the abdomen and was found dead in a second-floor kitchen in the back of the residence. Authorities have not commented on a possible motive and no arrests have been announced. It is unclear what connection the victim has to the home, located near a pedestrian tunnel leading to the station. Two women were shot and two other people also required medical treatment after a dispute broke out Tuesday evening in the Annandale area of Fairfax County, police said. None of the four was in life-threatening condition, according to county police. The shooting was reported about 5:15 p.m. in the 7500 block of Davian Drive, a residential street, police said. All of those involved knew one another, and there was no danger to the surrounding community, police said. The two women who were shot were 19 and 20 years old, police said. Police said they were found a short distance from the scene of the dispute and were taken to a hospital, where their condition was reported to be stable. During the fight, police said, a juvenile suffered injuries, but it was not clear how they were inflicted. She was also taken to a hospital, police said. Another woman was treated for a medical emergency that was not considered life-threatening, authorities said. None of the four was identified by name. No motive was given for the dispute, which remained under investigation. Police said they had recovered a gun. One resident of the block said the incident might have occurred outdoors, in front of one of the houses. I just heard some noises, he said. The noises, he said, suggested an argument. He said he also heard sounds that could have been gunshots. The man said a police officer came to his door to ask about his welfare and told him that officers would return later with more information. Another resident of the block, who lived a little farther from the shooting scene, said he had not heard anything out of the ordinary. Two other people who lived within a block of the shooting scene also said they had heard nothing unusual. One resident said the neighborhood is known as Annandale Terrace. He and others interviewed described the area as relatively quiet. At least three of them said they could recall no previous incidents of gunfire. This is like an eye-opener, one woman said, expressing surprise on being told of the shooting. The site of the shooting is about a mile east of the Capital Beltway and west of Ravensworth Drive. It is about 200 yards north of Annandale High School. A medical tech at United Medical Center in Southeast Washington has been charged with sexually abusing a patient under his care, according to D.C. police and prosecutors. The suspect was identified as Premarcos Simon, 51, of Waldorf, Md. He was charged with first-degree sex abuse of a patient, and was released by a D.C. Superior Court judge on Monday. His next court appearance is Dec. 15. Simon denied the allegations, according to a police arrest affidavit. He did not respond to requests for comment. A call to his attorney at the Public Defender Service was not immediately returned. Police said in the affidavit that the female patient was being treated on Sunday for trouble breathing and had just been checked by a doctor when Simon entered the room to conduct some procedures. The woman said she was inappropriately touched during one of the procedures, and that she used her cell phone to take a photograph of the medical tech and sent it to a friend. The woman also complained when her doctor returned to the room. Police were called and interviewed Simon at his home. The affidavit says Simon admitted to helping the woman with a procedure but denied that he inappropriately touched her. A statement from United Medical Center said the incident, which occurred in the emergency department, is currently under review by members of the hospitals administrative team. A spokesman declined to comment further. Police are urging anyone who feels theyve been victimized to call 202-727-9099. But a police spokeswoman said that at this time, authorities have no evidence suggesting there are additional cases. Terrell Powell, an electricians apprentice who lives in Southeast Washington, said he and a co-worker found a noose hanging from a doorway at a D.C. construction site on Nov. 28. (Courtesy of Terrell Powell) It was like any other day at work. Terrell Powell was an hour early, arriving at the construction site in Southwest Washington before anyone else. The electricians apprentice took the hoist up to the seventh floor, to where he always kept his tools. Then he stopped, looked up and saw what he had seen before only in movies: a noose in the doorway. [Two nooses found at D.C. construction site] It was just hanging there, said Powell, 47, of Southeast Washington. He found the noose with a co-worker around 5:45 a.m. on Nov. 28, and the pair called a safety project manager, who promised to look into it. A second noose was found after lunch, said Terrell Powell. He said it was hanging from a ladder. (Courtesy of Terrell Powell) We just stood there and looked at it for a minute, Powell said. The Clark Construction site was part of the Wharf project in Southwest Washington. Powell told himself then and there that he wouldnt leave the job. Hed been there for eight months and wanted to finish what he started. Its history, and I wanted to be a part of that, he said. But after lunch, Powell found another noose. I was putting up an electrical panel, and I just happened to look at the right of me and there it was hanging on a ladder, he said. [First came the build the wall chants. Now a noose has been found at the same middle school.] That was his last day on that job. Powell finished his work, packed up his things and didnt look back. He has since picked up another job. But Powell said finding the nooses which he had seen only in westerns and shows about slavery was absolutely frightening. I feel like I was a target because what are the chances that theres all those black dudes running around that building there, and [I] find two nooses in one day, he said. I just wanted to finish the day and get out of there. Powell has not forgotten the nooses. He cant: The pictures he took are still on his cellphone; he even posted them on Facebook. His dad called from North Carolina to tell him about several nooses that were discovered in Maryland. And Tuesday evening, a D.C. police officer stopped by his house to ask him questions about the two nooses he saw at the construction site. A D.C. police spokesman said the department is investigating the Nov. 28 discoveries. An official with Clark Construction Group said in a statement that the company determined that a subcontractor employee was involved in the incident and that he was fired from the project. [He said, Mom, they put a noose around my neck and they pulled it tight and it choked me. ] But authorities in Marylands Calvert County are examining the D.C. case after five nooses were found at a construction site, and investigators are wondering whether theres a connection. Were looking into that now, said Capt. Steven Jones, a spokesman for the Calvert County Sheriffs Office, where detectives are investigating the discovery of nooses left at a site at Dominion Cove Point facility in Lusby. The incidents began in April, and the latest noose, which was found around 11:50 a.m. Wednesday, was collected as evidence, according to a department news release. Jones said no one has been fired over the discoveries and no victims have come forward, but detectives are continuing to investigate. We might not be able to lock anyone up in this case as of right now, he said. But we would still like to find out who did it and, if nothing else, were going to get them terminated and removed from Calvert County. As for the D.C. case, Powell believes the subcontractor who was fired did not act alone. He said the nooses are a message that racism is real and out in the open now. This is I hate you all day long, he said of the nooses. Its something that needs to be out there something people need to know about. Authorities at the Calvert County Sheriffs Office ask anyone with information about the nooses found at the Lusby site to contact the department by calling 410-535-2800 and asking for Detective Nicholas DeFelice. Jennifer Jenkins contributed to this report. The Prince Georges County Courthouse in Upper Marlboro was evacuated and children from a day care center near the building were moved as a precaution to a nearby fire station after a suspicious package was detected in the area Wednesday by bomb-sniffing dogs, authorities said. Officials determined Wednesday afternoon the package did not contain explosives and was not a threat. Prince Georges County Fire Chief Marc Bashoor said authorities are investigating what exactly was in the package that caused three different bomb sniffing dogs to alert deputies to a possible problem. The chief said there were no chemicals or explosives. Many roads in the area were closed for more than hour during the investigation, disrupting traffic. At around 12:15 p.m., bomb-sniffing dogs alerted deputies to a suspicious package on a delivery truck dropping off materials to the courthouse in the 14700 block of Main Street in Upper Marlboro, said Mark Brady, a spokesman for the Prince Georges County fire department. The dogs routinely screen deliveries coming into the courthouse, and their discovery triggered a routine call to the county fire departments bomb squad, Brady said. After screening the packages, the fire department determined there was no threat and the package was not an explosive. The fire department gave the all clear after about an hour and 15 minutes. The courthouse, a day care center and local businesses were evacuated out of an abundance of caution, Brady said. Children evacuated from the day care center can be picked up at the Marlboro Moose Lodge on Main Street in Upper Marlboro, the Prince Georges County Sheriffs office said. Seventy-five years after Japanese warplanes streaked over the hills here, laid waste to the harbor, and forced the United States into the cataclysm of World War II, thousands gathered on a placid Wednesday morning to pay tribute to those who died that day. Many assembled on a covered pier that jutted near the spot where remnants of the USS Arizona rest just beneath the surface, unmoved since it was shattered by enemy bombs on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, killing 1,177 sailors and Marines. Those in attendance came from across the country including wrinkled old men from small towns, who as young men had been here and still choke up at the memory of lost shipmates. We lived through it, came home, got married, had children and grandchildren and great grandchildren, and lived a big life, Louis Conter, 95, who had been on the Arizona, said the day before. They lost theirs immediately, and theyre the ones that should be called heroes, he said. USS Arizona survivor Louis Conter signs autographs before the start of a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor at Kilo Pier on Dec. 7, 2016, in Honolulu. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images) (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images) The dignitaries assembled on flag-bedecked Kilo Pier around sunrise, just about the time the first wave of 350 enemy planes from six aircraft carriers attacked that Sunday morning, sinking the battleships Arizona and USS Oklahoma and crippling a dozen other vessels. [A date that still lives in infamy] The attack also destroyed planes and buildings in the area, and killed about 2,400 people. Eleven hundred were wounded. In some ways, Wednesday morning was like the one 75 years ago, with ships tied up, and the sun turning the scattered clouds a pinkish blue. And, like that day, it was hard to imagine so violent an attack in such a peaceful spot. There was moment of silence during the proceedings, broken by a flyover of roaring Air Force fighter jets, and the mournful horn of a guided missile destroyer that glided by, a huge American flag waving in salute. All week, the community has been filled with visitors here to remember the day of infamy, as President Franklin D. Roosevelt called it. Some on Wednesday wore T-shirts emblazoned with pictures of individual survivors, and the names of ships they served on. The Navys Pacific Fleet Band, clad in white, played marches an act reminiscent of the bands that were playing aboard ships as the attack began in 1941. Pearl Harbor survivors have been thronged with people eager to express gratitude, grab a selfie and hear their stories. Well-wishers waited in a long line to have Don Stratton, 94, of Colorado Springs, sign copies of his new memoir, All the Gallant Men. Stratton, one of only a handful of Arizona survivors left, was terribly burned on the battleship and escaped by climbing hand over hand across a rope that someone had thrown from a neighboring vessel. I dont know how I made it, he said. But Im here. It was quite a day. I got a lot of shipmates out there, he said Tuesday, referring to the wreck in the harbor, as he sat in a USS Arizona ball cap at a book-signing table at the National Park Service site here. He owed them a salute of honor, and Im here to do that, he said. [One died at Pearl Harbor, the other lived. 75 years later theyre reunited.] Visitors also crowded around James DeWitt, 95, of Culver, Ind., as he sat in his wheelchair at the Park Service site. He had been aboard the USS Antares, a supply ship that was towing a barge into Pearl Harbor, when the attack began. We [werent] going very fast, and we didnt have an armament, he said. But the Antares spotted a Japanese submarine trying to sneak into the harbor, raised an early alarm and was later assailed by enemy planes. DeWitt was 20 in 1941. He had joined the Navy in 1939. The Antares had been at sea for 37 days and was just arriving at Pearl Harbor two and a half hours ahead of the Japanese, he said. We never did get into the harbor. He said he could see the smoke in the harbor from the first wave of attacking planes, and then the Antares, itself, became a target in the second attack, he said. There were eight of us on the bow of the ship . . . and somebody yells. . . . And we hit the deck. About that time, they opened fire. . . . But they were shooting at the bridge, thank goodness. He said he saw an enemy plane fly by. Asked what it looked like, he said, Well, I didnt get too much time to look at it. . . . You could see the orange ball [insignia] under the wings. Conter, of Grass Valley, Calif., told reporters Tuesday of his last minutes on the Arizona, as the fires consumed the forward part of the ship and it gradually went under. We stayed on the after end, and pulled bodies and people out of the fire, he said. They were coming out of the fire. We laid them down on deck, and were putting them on boats to get them to the hospital. After about 40 minutes, we were getting water on the quarter deck up to our knees, he said. An officer ordered abandon ship, he said. We took what bodies we had, and what people we had, into the motor launch. We got them to the hospital. We came back, and fought the fire until Tuesday, before we got off, he said. It burned for three days. The Japanese launched the surprise attack, hoping they could cripple U.S. forces in the Pacific, as they expanded their Asian empire. The remnants of the sunken Arizona, spanned by a white memorial arch, now rest adjacent to USS Missouri, the huge battleship on which the official Japanese surrender took place in 1945. The Arizona, begun in 1914, and the Missouri, begun in 1941, were both built in the Brooklyn Navy Yard and were both state of the art in their day. Now they are together, one sunk, one afloat, marking the beginning and the end of World War II for the United States and the men and women who served in it. Calvert County These were among reports received by the Calvert County Sheriffs Office and the Maryland State Police. Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call the Criminal Investigation Division at 410-535-2800 or 301-855-1194, the Crime Solvers line at 410-535-2880 or the state police Prince Frederick Barrack at 410-535-1400. DUNKIRK AREA THEFTS/BREAK-INS Dunkirk, Nov. 26. A license plate was stolen from a vehicle in a park-and-ride lot. Lakeside Ct., 10:45 a.m. Nov. 25. Property was stolen from a vehicle. Mariner Cir., Nov. 25. A stethoscope and a hospital ID badge were taken from a vehicle, and cash was stolen from another vehicle. LUSBY AREA THEFTS/BREAK-INS Gregg Dr., Nov. 23. A bicycle was stolen. Gun Smoke Ct., Nov. 25. Cash was stolen from two vehicles. Planters Wharf Rd., Nov. 22. Two men broke into vehicles and stole property. Two Lusby men, 22 and 24, were charged with theft of less than $100, malicious destruction of property worth less than $1,000, and rogue and vagabond. The 24-year-old was additionally charged with interfering with an arrest, theft scheme of less than $1,000 and possession of paraphernalia for a controlled dangerous substance. Platte Rd., Nov. 22. A propane tank filled with gas was stolen from a home. Sycamore Rd., Nov. 21. Two wallets were stolen from a vehicle. PRINCE FREDERICK AREA THEFTS/BREAK-INS Solomons Island Rd., Nov. 22. Two dealer license plates were stolen from a car dealership. Charles County These were among reports received by the Charles County Sheriffs Office and the Maryland State Police. For information, call 301-932-2222 or 301-870-3232. The website ccso.us has crime statistics and information on crime prevention programs. REWARDS FOR INFORMATION Crime Solvers will pay a reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment. The 24-hour hotline is 866-411-8477. Callers may remain anonymous. CHARLOTTE HALL AREA THEFTS/BREAK-INS Allens Fresh Rd., 10000 block, 12:57 p.m. Nov. 25. A front door at a home was kicked in, and property was stolen. A male was arrested, and charges were pending. WALDORF AREA ASSAULTS/ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE Bramley Ct., 10000 block, 6:43 p.m. Nov. 25. A man lured an acquaintance inside a home and shot him. A Lanham man, 29, was charged with attempted first-degree murder. St. Marys County These w ere among reports received by the St. Marys County Sheriffs Office and the Maryland State Police. For information, call 301-475-8008. To submit a tip, call Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333. The Leonardtown Barrack of the state police has an anonymous tip line at 301-475-2936. ABELL AREA THEFTS/BREAK-INS Robert Lacey Rd., Nov. 23. Property was stolen from a vehicle. BUSHWOOD AREA THEFTS/BREAK-INS Upland Dr., Nov. 26. A vehicle was entered; nothing was reported stolen. CHAPTICO AREA THEFTS/BREAK-INS Arrowhead Ct., Nov. 25. A home was broken into. DRAYDEN AREA THEFTS/BREAK-INS Windmill Point Rd., Nov. 28. Property was stolen from a home. GREAT MILLS AREA THEFTS/BREAK-INS Chancellors Run Ct., Nov. 28. Property was stolen from a home. Frigate Pl., Nov. 28. Property was stolen from a vehicle. HOLLYWOOD AREA THEFTS/BREAK-INS Hollywood, Nov. 28. Property was stolen from several vehicles. LEXINGTON PARK AREA ASSAULTS Lexington Park, 11:18 p.m. Nov. 11. A man refused to leave a bar, became disorderly and pushed a sheriffs deputy, and spit on a deputy. A Pennsylvania man, 25, was charged with second-degree assault, resisting arrest, failure to obey a lawful order, disorderly conduct and public intoxication. ROBBERIES Three Notch Rd., Nov. 28. A woman standing in line at a store was hit from behind; her phone and wallet fell to the ground. Someone picked up the phone and wallet and fled. THEFTS/BREAK-INS Chapman Dr., Nov. 26. Property was stolen from a home. Columbus Dr., 7:53 p.m. Nov. 18. A man who was evicted from a residence damaged a lock and entered the home. A Lexington Park man, 47, was charged with fourth-degree burglary and malicious destruction of property worth less than $1,000. Enterprise Rd., Nov. 28. A home was broken into. Fox Ridge Rd., Nov. 23. A vehicle was entered; nothing appeared to be stolen. Old Missouri St., 8:59 a.m. Nov. 26. A cellphone was stolen from a business. The phone was traced and found. A Lexington Park woman, 30, was charged with theft of less than $1,000. ARSON Rogers Dr., 7:26 p.m. Nov. 24. A man poured gasoline on a house and threatened to burn it down. A St. Inigoes man, 25, was charged with making an arson threat. MECHANICSVILLE AREA THEFTS/BREAK-INS Little Ranch Lane, Nov. 28. Cash was stolen from a home. Richard Cir., Nov. 28. Someone was seen fleeing a home. Signs of support hang on the building at Comet Ping Pong. The Northwest Washington pizzeria reopened Tuesday night after a gunman fired an assault weapon there Sunday. (Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post) The little boy in the galoshes and Batman jacket abandoned his dad and ran for Comet Ping Pongs front door. He tugged at the handle as raindrops pelted his brown hair. It was 4:53 Tuesday evening, and for the first time since a North Carolina man with an assault rifle walked into the Northwest Washington pizzeria searching for proof of an absurd online conspiracy theory, the neon lights outside the restaurant glowed. Jeremy Koenig, a high school English teacher, had already tried to explain to his 6-year-old son, Will, what had happened Sunday at the restaurant: A man with a gun came to investigate a fake news story and fired at least two shots before surrendering to police. [Pizzagate: From rumor, to hashtag to gunfire in D.C.] But it didnt seem to penetrate until Monday, when father and son learned that, the day after the chaos and the arrest of Edgar Maddison Welch, Comet was closed. Why? Will had cried. Comet Ping Pong owner James Alefantis addresses reporters during the reopening of his restaurant. (The Washington Post) They came back again Tuesday, determined to support Comet and to get Will his cheese pizza, minus the garlic. As soon as the doors opened, they headed inside, along with two other diners who had been waiting in the rain. Fifteen minutes later, Comets owner, James Alefantis, walked out with a stack of pizzas to give to a dozen or so waiting reporters. Next to him were three drooping bouquets of flowers and a collection of rain-soaked signs of encouragement. Hate has no place, read one. We love Comet, read another. On a Facebook page named StandWithComet, 1,700 people had committed to visit the restaurant on Friday to show their support. For weeks, Alefantis had been subjected to a relentless barrage of online attacks and death threats. The online mob inexplicably believed that Hillary Clinton was running a child sex ring from inside the restaurant, and before long, the entire block of Connecticut Avenue was swept up in the harassment. Three doors down, at Besta Pizza, owner Abdel Hammad had periodically shut off his phone lines before a pair of protesters barged into the shop last week and photographed a manager, who broke his fingers when he tried to stop them. Across the street, at Terasol, a French bistro, the owners had twice reported the abuse to police before Sundays incident and, eventually, asked the phone company to block calls from anonymous numbers. The attacks on those two restaurants and Politics & Prose, a bookstore also inundated with online hate, have mostly subsided, but Terasol got another threatening call Tuesday its not over and someone who phoned Besta the same day threatened to shoot Hammad, his staff and their customers. He reported it to police. [Were going to put a bullet in your head: #PizzaGate terrorizes D.C. shop owners] No one knows whether the torment will end. But there was Alefantis, standing in front of his restaurant Tuesday night, open for business. Comet Ping Pong customers came out to support the restaurant after a gunman entered it with an assault rifle. Several other businesses on the block have received threats, as well. (Whitney Shefte/The Washington Post) Weve been completely overwhelmed and incredibly, incredibly touched by the support of our community here in Washington and around the world, and we look forward to serving you for many years to come, he said before declining to answer questions. The journalists soon dispersed, and Alefantis walked back inside, passing a 6-foot-2 security guard stationed by the front door. Another would soon be posted by a back door. Alefantis, who somehow looked both exhausted and buoyant, welcomed his patrons, shook their hands, escorted them to tables. A blond woman in a black jacket approached the bar and wrapped her arms around him. He hugged her back and, for several seconds, closed his eyes. Yall have had better weeks, huh? a woman nearby who was considering whether to order a calzone asked her server. For sure, he said. We really appreciate you guys coming. Minutes later, a gray-haired diner added her name to hundreds of others on a bright yellow poster We Stand with Comet that hung from a wall in front of the bar. Coraje, she wrote the Spanish word for courage. Earlier, a man waiting for his pizza had suggested to a woman sitting with him that the restaurant seemed slow. Maybe it was the weather, but then again, maybe it was something more than that. Who could blame any customer reluctant to return? But dozens did, and as the night continued, the mood seemed to shift. The sound of the Beatles Something, And I Love Her, Imagine played as the smell of fresh pizza dough in the wood-burning oven wafted. Beneath a rotating disco ball shaped like a cinder block, kids slurped their sodas and parents sipped their IPAs. When Will and his father finished dinner, they headed to the back of the restaurant for a game of table tennis. And in the dining room where every table had filled by 6:30 and by the end of the night Comet would serve 340 pizzas to nearly 400 patrons people complained about the weather, debated Donald Trumps Cabinet appointments and checked their phones, both to post #StandWithComet photos to Facebook and, like they would anywhere else in Washington, to read their emails. It was a Tuesday night at the neighborhood pizzeria. Ellis A. Cohens script, called The Secrecy, is about Elizabeth P. Betty McIntosh, one of the countrys most legendary female spies. (Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post) Ellis A. Cohen was shopping at a strip mall in Maryland about 2 months ago. I cant say where, Cohen said. A lot of conversations with the true crime author, novelist and Hollywood producer go like this. A mysterious man started walking toward him. He had on a button-down shirt, jeans and sneakers, Cohen said. He says, Your screenplay with the Central Intelligence Agency that has been embargoed has been lifted. McIntosh, seen in 2011 in Woodbridge, Va., served in the nation's first espionage agency, the Office of Strategic Services. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post) Cohen was startled. How could a random bystander know about his script collecting dust? Then, Cohen recalled, the man mentioned a sensitive scene. When he said that, I believed him, because the only other people with the script were Betty and the CIA. I said, Is there anybody Im supposed to call? And he just walked away. I didnt follow him. Betty is Elizabeth P. Betty McIntosh, one of the countrys most legendary female spies. The two had begun working on a screenplay about her life more than a decade ago. But she called a halt to it. She said the CIA didnt want the movie made. But McIntosh died a year and a half ago at 100. And then the man approached Cohen in the mall. He took it as a sign that it was okay to revive The Secrecy, his screenplay based on interviews with McIntosh about her days during World War II with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), Americas first centralized spy agency. Cohen has hired the Baltimore law firm Wright, Constable & Skeen, which is helping him find agents and legal representation in California. The 71-year-old said he no longer fears the CIA. His script depicts how McIntosh supposedly learned that Japan might have tried to obtain nuclear material during World War II. Its not clear why she would have taken the script to the CIA for approval. The CIA is legally allowed to redact the written works of current or former agency employees and contractors not journalists or Hollywood screenwriters who have never taken Langleys secrecy oaths. Maybe McIntosh felt obligated to take the script to the CIA since she told Cohen so much about her spy life, he said. Or maybe what she had to say was not quite accurate. OSS and nuclear history experts are skeptical of the things Cohen says McIntosh told him. A CIA spokesman declined to comment, citing a general rule that it does not discuss cases that may or may not have gone before its Publications Review Board. Cohen, who produced the television movies Dangerous Evidence (1999) and Love, Mary (1985), said he is just relieved he can try to put The Secrecy on the big screen. For years, he has been stewing over the proliferation of espionage tales that have surfaced on television, often with the consultation of the CIA, while his project languished. [Ex-spies infiltrate Hollywood as espionage TV shows and movies multiply] When I saw Homeland debut, I got really ticked off. It seemed like it was sanctioned by CIA, and I am sitting here waiting around, Cohen said inside his apartment, where the walls are plastered with old news clippings about his Hollywood heyday and photographs of him alongside actors and artists such as Tennessee Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Sammy Davis Jr. and Faye Dunaway. I went through a very frustrating period. I never knew whether to take Betty seriously when she said my movie had classified information. I didnt know if she was trying to make me disappear. I asked, Is there anyone I can call at the agency? She always said, No, dearie. [Decades after espionage duty, spy girls find each other in retirement] Cohen said he began talking on the phone with McIntosh shortly after the 1998 release of her second memoir, Sisterhood of Spies. Hed met her publisher at a book fair in Washington and expressed interest in turning McIntoshs life into a movie. From 1999 to 2004, Cohen and McIntosh talked over the phone, and he visited her once at her home in Loudoun County, Va. The juiciest nugget in his script? McIntosh said she and two other OSS officers, based in New Delhi, were out for a Japanese meal in late 1943 or early 1944 when she overheard a Japanese businessman tell his colleagues about their countrys plans to build a nuclear weapon with uranium-235. Then-OSS chief Gen. William Wild Bill Donovan, acting on McIntoshs intelligence, convened his aides and Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves, the director of the Manhattan Project the Allied effort to build a nuclear bomb and made a stunning declaration: Now we can confirm Albert Einsteins assumption of a [Japanese] superbomb . . . and they have been using poor Indian peasants who have been smuggling German uranium-235 or U-235 over the Hump into Burma. From there, the [Japanese] have been using fishermen to carry the U-235 back to Tokyo. Based on what Betty told me, Groves hurried up the Manhattan Project because of her discovery, Cohen said. Betty claimed this upset the CIA. She said it was still classified information. The story sounds dubious to Alex Wellerstein, a nuclear historian at the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey. Ive looked in some detail at the Manhattan Projects intelligence files, and I have never heard of any kind of overland transfer of uranium, Wellerstein said. In general, the United States has no indications during the war that Japan was interested in nuclear technology and did not assume they were capable of pulling off the work involved. We know why the Manhattan Project accelerated it was due to entirely separate kinds of circumstances. Cohen says he checked her story out with other OSS officers, including Eloise Page, Donovans secretary, who died in late 2002, and Edwin Putzell, Donovans executive officer, who passed away in late 2003. Still, Douglas Waller, the author of the 2011 biography of Donovan, is extremely skeptical. A Japanese businessman in New Delhi would have nuclear weapons information that someone like Betty who worked in propaganda would overhear? And it would get back to Donovan? I saw no cable traffic on that, said Waller, who reviewed more than 40,000 pages of OSS messages and other material for his book. But Cohen is moving forward with his screenplay, despite the naysayers. In October, his lawyer contacted The Washington Post with a jubilant news release: The Central Intelligence Agency recently gave a go-ahead to my clients embargoed screenplay, his attorney J. Neil Lanzi declared. Ellis A. Cohen was prohibited from showing or selling or producing The Secrecy as a motion picture. Now it appears he has a green light. And should The Secrecy ever go into production, Cohen will face a tough call: Who plays McIntosh? Its not kosher to drop a name, Cohen said, laughing. But I can say this: someone like Jennifer Lawrence. A. Donald McEachin, center, a Democratic state senator from Richmond who was recently elected to the House of Representatives, gets directions from a staffer on procuring a parking pass as he prepares for his congressional stint on Dec. 1. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post) A. Donald McEachin has the third-worst office on Capitol Hill and he couldnt be happier. The newly elected representative from Virginia fared poorly in the lottery for congressional office space last week, drawing number 48 out of 50. Theres nothing glamorous or even desirable about the cramped room on the third floor of the Rayburn House Office Building that McEachin will call his own. But that didnt dampen the spirits of the third-ever African American to represent the Old Dominion in the House of Representatives. Any office is better than the office that your opponent got, chirped McEachin, 55, a former state senator, who was so dazzled by his first official visit to the Capitol that he alternated between high-fiving his fellow freshmen and tearing up. He joins the House after Democrats took a shellacking nationally. Republicans control both chambers of Congress, and Republican Donald Trump is preparing to move into the White House. But as his party scrambles to find its way, McEachin said it would be a mistake to retreat from its emphasis on diversity. If the outcome was an adverse reaction to browning, blackening and gaying of America, he said, then theres nothing I can do about that. We are the party of inclusion. McEachin was elected from a newly drawn district that runs from Richmond and its suburbs south to rural counties along the North Carolina border. A panel of federal judges set the boundaries of the formerly Republican district after ruling that the old design illegally packed African American voters into the neighboring congressional district, diluting their ability to influence elections elsewhere. His election marks the first time two African Americans have represented Virginia at the same time a bit of trivia that pleases McEachin but he says doesnt define him. This should be accepted as commonplace and not extraordinary, he said. McEachin said he does not want to be pigeonholed as someone primarily concerned with police shootings and voting rights. I am certainly not ashamed of the civil rights heritage that I carry, he said. But Id like to believe there are additional aspects to my service that will also be found valuable. He campaigned on the need to address climate change, expand rural broadband and extend the time members of the military spend at home between deployments as well as improve the Department of Veterans Affairs. House Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) tapped McEachin to be a regional whip, which requires him to know the positions of lawmakers in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. Hes sort of a big teddy bear of a man, Hoyer said. What a wonderful smile and great welcoming personality. A trial lawyer, husband to a Richmond prosecutor and father of three grown children, McEachin knows how to wield his 6-foot-5-inch frame to comfort or cajole. At once goofy and cerebral, McEachin, 55, is a Star Trek fanatic who hails fellow freshmen with a Hey, man. An Army brat born in Germany, he was a teenager when he became a delegate for Edward M. Kennedys failed presidential campaign at the 1980 Democratic national convention. He studied political science at American University before earning his law degree at University of Virginia. Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), House assistant Democratic leader, predicted McEachin would have a long career in the House, long enough to perhaps see Democrats regain control. Hes young enough to benefit from the pendulum swing, said Clyburn, who attended McEachins wedding almost 30 years ago. The pendulum, in my opinion, is already moving back to the left. To advance his political career, McEachin unseated a string of vulnerable fellow Democrats. After three terms, McEachin ran for attorney general and lost badly. The defeat stung, and he found himself struggling to find a purpose. Then one day at church, he had an epiphany and decided to rededicate himself to using the levers of government to help people. Talking about that moment as he sat in a subterranean cafeteria filled with the chatter of young staffers last week, McEachins chin quivered and his eyes filled with tears. He enrolled in seminary at Virginia Union University, became an ordained Baptist minister and then ran for office and was returned to the House of Delegates. In 2007, McEachin made a bid for the Virginia Senate, taking on 30-year incumbent state Sen. Benjamin J. Lambert III, an African American lawmaker weakened by his endorsement of Republican George Allen for the U.S. Senate over Democrat Jim Webb. The race split Richmonds black community, but McEachin won by 15 percentage points. A few years later, he faced the greatest test of his faith when he was diagnosed with rectal cancer. I was mad as fire, he said, wiping away tears. But soon he understood the meaning of a premonition he had one night on a long solo walk. He was convinced that he would face struggle, but God would take care of him. Three years later, he was cancer-free. He turned the experience into a sermon for his Ebenezer Baptist Church congregation in Hanover and a renewed zeal for Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, which the GOP-controlled legislature has blocked. As caucus chair, McEachin was at the center of negotiations over a bill that freed Dominion Virginia Power from financial audits and protected the utility giant from having to reduce rates. The company, the biggest corporate donor to Virginia politicians, gave $107,272 to McEachin over the course of his career, according to data compiled by the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project. Lobbyists for Dominion Virginia Power said they had the votes to win but were unsure whether Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) would sign it. McEachin persuaded Dominion to increase its solar investments, giving Senate Democrats political cover to support it and handing Dominion a veto-proof majority. In his race for Congress, McEachin defeated Henrico Sheriff Mike Wade in a campaign that had one sharp moment. The only part that upset me was when he tried to make me look like I was a racist, Republican Wade said. During a debate over police brutality, Wade said most African Americans shot by police are already on the way to jail and suffer from a mental illness or substance abuse. A stunned McEachin recalled a night he was stopped by police looking for a suspect whose car did not match McEachins vehicle. When I got pulled over . . . I didnt have a mental health problem, and I wasnt on my way to jail, he said. He still offered Wade tickets to the inauguration. Back at the office lottery in the Capitol, McEachin chose among three remaining offices that were cramped, inconvenient or a long walk from the House floor. He joked with the stern superintendent of House office buildings that he would prefer to occupy the spacious and soon-to-be-vacant office of Rep. Xavier Becerra, a California Democrat who is resigning to serve as his states attorney general. So I want to select [his office], he said. It didnt work, but McEachin didnt care. He raced up to his new digs and unwittingly barged in on the staff of a Kentucky Republican who is vacating the office. Then he bounded off to select his carpets and drapes. Well have our bad days, he said, but this is the place to be. An emergency room entrance at a hospital in Santa Clarita, Calif. (Jason Redmond/AP) The nations hospital industry warned President-elect Donald Trump and congressional leaders on Tuesday that repealing the Affordable Care Act could cost hospitals $165 billion by the middle of the next decade and trigger an unprecedented public health crisis. The two main trade groups for U.S. hospitals dispatched a letter to the incoming president and Capitol Hills top four leaders, saying that the government should help hospitals avoid massive financial losses if the law is rescinded in a way that causes a surge of uninsured patients. The letter, along with a consultants study estimating the financial impact of undoing the Affordable Care Act, makes hospitals the first sector of the health-care industry to speak out publicly to try to protect itself from a sharp reversal in health policy that Trump is promising and congressional Republicans have long favored. When it was enacted in 2010, the health-care law was a product of a delicate balancing act among various parts of the health-care industry. Each essentially agreed to sacrifices in exchange for the prospect of millions of Americans gaining insurance to help cover their medical expenses. Since Trumps election last month, most health-industry sectors have quietly been trying to glean and influence the thinking within Congresss GOP majority and the president-elects transition team. Post reporter Amy Goldstein walks us through what changes health care will face under a Trump presidency. President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on his promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. (The Washington Post) Americas Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the insurers main lobby, has been holding private meetings with members of Congress. According to an AHIP spokeswoman, the group is urging that a repeal of the Affordable Care Act avoid disrupting newly gained coverage, eliminate certain taxes the law placed on insurers and replace the requirement that most Americans carry insurance with strong financial incentives for coverage. [Trump spurs fears, hopes among Americans insured by the Affordable Care Act] In contrast, the American Hospital Association and the Federation of American Hospitals (FAH) convened a news conference Tuesday to release the studys findings and draw attention to their concerns. Charles N. Chip Kahn III, president of FAH, a for-profit group, said the amount of money that hospitals could lose under a repeal of the Affordable Care Act was unsettling. Joann Anderson, president of Southeastern Health, a financially fragile rural hospital in Lumberton, N.C., one of that states most economically depressed areas, said the prospect of repealing the health law without a replacement to keep people insured is gut-wrenching. . . . We cannot take additional cuts. The study, by the health economics consulting firm Dobson DaVanzo, used as its starting point a bill that is the only Affordable Care Act-repeal legislation that Congress has produced. It was vetoed early this year by President Obama. That legislation would have eliminated crucial parts of the health law among them, federal subsidies for health plans people buy through insurance marketplaces created by the law, penalties for violating its insurance requirements, and the expansion of Medicaid that 31 states have adopted. Borrowing from Congressional Budget Office estimates, the study says a similar repeal would cause an additional 22 million people to be uninsured by 2026. By then, it predicts, hospitals would lose $165 billion as a result and $102 billion more unless the government reverses payment cuts the law made to hospitals that treat many uninsured patients. The hospital groups say that if Trump and Congress repeal the Affordable Care Act without replacing it right away, they should also restore government payments for hospital care of Medicare and Medicaid patients to what they were before the 2010 law. When it was enacted, the premise was that hospitals could absorb lower payments if more people were insured. [ Obama urges the public to tell Republicans not to abandon the ACA ] A spokeswoman for House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) noted that Ryan has said he favors a transition period to phase out the law but has not specified how long he prefers. A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said that the senator has held over 100 meetings with hospital leaders, employees and patients to hear firsthand about the damage the law is doing. Spokesmen for the Trump transition team did not answer repeated requests for a reply, except for a note that said: We have received your request. Due to the volume of requests coming in, response time may be slower than usual. INDIA Huge leap recorded in honor killings in 2015 India has registered nearly an 800 percent surge in the number of honor killings reported last year, leading state officials and womens rights groups to urge investigations into how such crimes persist. Indian police registered 251 cases of honor killings in 2015, compared with 28 a year earlier, when India began counting them separately from murder, according to a statement this week by Junior Home Minister Hansraj G. Ahir to Parliament. The surge could partly reflect more willingness by people to report such crimes, which many still consider just punishment for women and men who defy communal customs by marrying outside their religion, clan or caste. Often, the perpetrators are relatives seeking to punish young couples for bringing shame to the family. Womens rights activists say the government must pass legislation to recognize the crime as unique to target perpetrators. Honor killings are common enough among Hindus and Muslims to regularly make newspaper headlines in a country where most marriages are arranged by families. Most cases are reported in northern states such as Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, where caste councils wield enormous power in village life. Associated Press NATO 150 Turkish officers lost since coup attempt NATOs top military officer said Wednesday that about 150 Turkish officers have been recalled or retired from the alliances high command since a coup attempt in Turkey. U.S. Army Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti said that losing so many seasoned officers had placed an extra load on our remaining people and obviously has an impact on their military. In rare public comments about the July coup attempts effect on NATO, Scaparrotti also expressed concern about the welfare of the departed officers and their families. He said the chief of Turkeys army had assured him that they would be treated well. Turkey, a NATO ally, has launched a large-scale crackdown on followers and institutions it thinks are linked to U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Ankara of masterminding the plot to topple the government. Authorities have arrested close to 38,000 people and purged more than 100,000 others from government jobs, including the military. Gulen has denied orchestrating the coup attempt. The officers who were recalled or retired from NATO make up about half of Turkeys roughly 300-officer contingent at the North Atlantic Treaty Organizations high command in Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands. Scaparrotti said he had no suspicion that the Turkish officers might have been involved in the coup plot. Associated Press BRITAIN Government agrees to divulge Brexit plan Britains House of Commons voted Wednesday to back Prime Minister Theresa Mays March 31 deadline to start the United Kingdoms formal exit from the European Union, after the government agreed to publish details of its negotiating plan. The Conservative government has been reluctant to reveal much about its strategy or goals, saying that would weaken its hand in E.U. negotiations. Fearing defeat through an opposition motion calling for ministers to disclose more details before the talks start, the government agreed to publish a plan. However, it did not make promises on how specific the plan would be. The government also proposed a concession by amending the motion to state Parliaments support for triggering E.U. exit talks by March 31. The vote marked the first major success in efforts by pro-E.U. lawmakers including those in Conservative ranks to influence the course of Brexit. About 48 percent of electors voted to stay in the bloc, and many want to avoid a hard Brexit, in which the country leaves the E.U. single market in goods and services. Associated Press Malta is first in Europe to ban gay conversion therapy: Malta has become the first European nation to ban gay conversion therapy, imposing fines of up to $10,750 and a jail term of up to one year for offenders. Parliament has approved a law that effectively outlaws attempts to cure gay people of their sexual orientation. The law also lowers to 16 the age at which minors can request a gender change without their parents approval. France arrests 3 in June police killings: French police arrested three men in connection with the killing of two police officials this year by an extremist claiming loyalty to the Islamic State group. The Paris prosecutors office said three people with links to attacker Larossi Abballa were arrested and placed in custody. On June 13, Jessica Schneider and Jean-Baptiste Salvaing were stabbed at their home. Their 3-year-old son survived. Abballa was fatally shot when police stormed the home. From news services Veterans march with activists near Backwater Bridge just outside of the Oceti Sakowin camp as they demonstrate against plans to pass the Dakota Access pipeline near Cannon Ball, N.D., on Dec. 5. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters) THE OBAMA administration announced Sunday that it is denying an easement needed to build the Dakota Access Pipeline, which would run crude oil from North Dakota to Illinois. The project is mostly built on private land but requires approval from the Army Corps of Engineers to cross federally regulated waters, including Lake Oahe, a section of the Missouri River. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe , which governs a reservation near the lake, objects that the project threatens its water and violates sacred land. The protest camp the tribe created has swelled with activists from across the country, who have clashed with local authorities. So, with the harsh Dakota winter descending on the camp, the Army Corps said Sunday it would examine new routes in consultation with tribal leaders. It is hard not to have sympathy for the tribe. Driven off their territory and cordoned into a small reservation, the Standing Rock and other Native American communities were victims of grave injustice as white Americans moved relentlessly west in pursuit of land and fortune. The area outside the reservation still holds historical and cultural significance, which deserves careful consideration. Yet that is exactly what the Standing Rock Sioux already received, to the degree the federal government could provide it. A September court ruling denied its request for an injunction against the project, in part because, according to U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg, the federal government exceeded legal requirements that it consider potential archeological damage and seek input from Native American leaders when considering permits for pipeline water crossings. In fact, the court documented the great lengths to which the Army Corps went to engage with the Standing Rock Sioux and adjust the routing when concerns were aired. The tribe demanded more, including that the Army Corps scrutinize the pipeline route from beginning to end even though the agency does not have jurisdiction over the private land on which most of it will run. Mr. Boasberg noted that the tribe made this request for administrative overreach based on little serious evidence of impending harm. Standing Rock needs to offer more than vague assertions that some places in the Midwest around some bodies of water may contain some sacred sites that could be affected, the judge wrote. For its part, the Army Corps insists it faithfully followed the law but that it made a policy decision to seek a more robust consideration of alternatives and additional public information, according to a spokeswoman. Yet it is not as though the originally proposed route, which at places carefully snaked around sensitive sites, was arbitrary. In fact, it would parallel an existing gas pipeline tunneling below Lake Oahe. If this new process uncovers a Goldilocks route that everyone can support, great. But, as with any infrastructure project, it is unlikely there is a magic solution that satisfies every preference. Politicizing the permitting process, moreover, is unlikely to make it fairer. Protesters celebrate after an announcement Sunday that the Army would not grant an easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline to be built under Lake Oahe in North Dakota. (Zoeann Murphy/The Washington Post) The Dakota Access affair is the second major instance of pipeline activism in recent years. It and Keystone XL became highly visible symbols of much larger fights about the environment and tribal rights. But no matter how big the issues activists attached to them, these pipelines, at their core, are nothing more than routine infrastructure projects, thousands of which underpin the U.S. economy. The approval or denial of one or two will do little to cure global oil addiction or right generations of harm to tribal groups. In her Dec. 4 op-ed, The peril of an angry minority, Anne Applebaum, drawing on her dense knowledge of Britain and its politics, criticized Prime Minister Theresa May for making herself and her government and party liable to never-ending pressure from the ignorant and unreflective xenophobes who pushed through the Brexit decision in this years referendum. However, on Dec. 1, a quite different possibility emerged. In a by-election occasioned by a different issue (a proposed additional runway at Heathrow Airport, opposite the Thameside Richmond Park parliamentary constituency in which the by-election took place), Zac Goldsmith was defeated. He earlier was the Trumpian candidate for mayor of London who conducted an extremely sordid but losing campaign against the new mayor, a Muslim. The surprise victor in the by-election, Sarah Olney, supports remaining in the European Union. The London region generally favors staying in the European Union. Perhaps this suggests that the prime minister will face a resurgent pro-E.U. electorate, grown by buyers remorse. Norman Birnbaum, Washington TWO EUROPEAN elections on Sunday produced a mixed result in the ongoing struggle between populist nationalists and Western political establishments. The populists claimed victory after Italys prime minister was forced to resign after losing a referendum on constitutional reforms. But Austrias nationalist right was defeated in a presidential vote and the result in Italy may have been, for the continents centrists, a blessing in disguise. Matteo Renzi, a center-left reformer, staked his prime ministership on a complex reform that would have emasculated Italys Senate and stripped powers from regional governments. The vote turned into a referendum on his nearly three years in power, with the populist Five Star Movement agitating for a no vote. The 60 percent margin defeat caused the partys leaders to boast euphorically about an inevitable Five Star government which would be a potentially fatal setback for the European Union. The constitutional changes werent just opposed by the populists, however. Pillars of the Italian establishment, such as former prime minister Mario Monti, argued against them as well, and for good reason. Designed shortsightedly by Mr. Renzi to allow him to form a government capable of ramming through the structural reforms Italy needs, they would have allowed a party that won only a plurality in a general election to dominate the political system. That could have opened the door for Five Star or other extremist movements to grab power. As it is, Italys government is likely to be turned over to an establishment caretaker while Parliament argues over a new election law. When a vote is finally held, more likely in 2018 than next year, a majority coalition probably will be needed to form a government, making a populist takeover less likely. In the meantime, the main risk will be that shaky Italian banks trying to raise fresh capital will lurch toward failure. But that is the kind of crisis that Europes political and financial leaders are used to managing. Against this concerning but muddled result, Austrias presidential election offered a clear signal. Norbert Hofer of the far-right Freedom Party waged a campaign that might have been modeled on that of Donald Trump, complete with slurs against Muslims and immigrants and the spreading of malicious fake news. He was decisively beaten by independent Alexander Van der Bellen, who attributed his win to a broad movement for freedom, equality and solidarity, one his campaign manager predicted could spread across Europe. With crucial elections still to come next year in the Netherlands, France and Germany, all pitting right-wing populists against pro-European centrists, liberal democrats across the West have to hope that Austria was an augur of a gathering resistance to extremism. The Dec. 5 Metro article Extension of Md. fracking halt likely as legislative fight looms quoted Del. Jason C. Buckel (R-District 1B) as saying, In general, I think it would be unfair to suggest that theres been a significant movement of people opposed to fracking in Allegany or Garrett. I disagree. As a business owner long involved in this issue in Garrett County, I know the anti-fracking movement is strong and growing. At an Allegany County meeting two weeks ago, anti-fracking comments dominated for hours, with several dozen people speaking in favor of a ban. Almost 700 Frostburg residents, more than voted in the last municipal election, have signed a petition supporting a fracking ban within city limits, and hundreds have turned out at public meetings on the issue. Mr. Buckel attended the Frostburg and county delegation meetings. In August, the House Environment and Transportation Committee held a hearing in Garrett County on fracking; an overflow audience of 450 attended, with 70 percent speaking against fracking. The Garrett County towns of Mountain Lake Park and Friendsville have passed fracking-ban ordinances and received support from their citizens. Fracking opposition in Western Maryland comes from farmers, business owners, students, health professionals and faith leaders. We insist that for the sake of our health and communities, Maryland ban fracking once and for all. Paul Roberts, Friendsville, Md. The writer is board president of Citizen Shale. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) is running for Democratic National Committee chair. Heres what you need to know about him. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post) Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) is running for Democratic National Committee chair. Heres what you need to know about him. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post) Jeremy Ben-Ami is president of J Street, a Washington-based organization that advocates a diplomatic resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In recent days, attacks on Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) over his attitudes toward Jews and Israel have picked up steam. Running for chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee, Ellison is but the latest public figure with pro-Israel views that depart from the hawkish dogma of the traditional pro-Israel establishment to find his personal credibility and qualification for high office under fire. Lets be clear: Like all of us, Ellison has made mistakes for which he has apologized. But if the goal of pro-Israel advocacy is to educate and change minds, then wouldnt it be cause for celebration that a public figure who at one time defended the Nation of Islam has come to believe in the state of Israels right to exist and defend itself? I personally have talked at length with Ellison about Israel and the Middle East. Ive traveled with him to the region, where we met Israeli and Palestinian officials, activists and civilians. I and all those whove taken the time to get to know him have always found him to be deeply thoughtful and well-informed. While my organization and I do not comment on internal Democratic deliberations and make no endorsement for the position of chair, it is absolutely clear that Ellison is qualified for the position and, like other candidates, worthy of serious consideration. [Keith Ellison isnt an anti-Semite. Hes the victim of a vicious smear.] He is a strong supporter of the two-state solution, believing both the Palestinian and the Jewish people have the right to self-determination. He believes concessions and compromise on sensitive issues are the only way to bring a peaceful end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and secure Israels future as a Jewish and democratic state. These views are entirely consistent with those of the large majority of Jewish Americans and, in fact, a great deal of the Israeli security establishment. Like him, they oppose actions by both sides, such as settlement expansion and incitement to violence, that make resolving the conflict more difficult. Like him, they support the Iran nuclear agreement for its success in defanging Irans nuclear program through diplomacy, without firing a shot. Unfortunately, some American Jewish leaders choose to define pro-Israel not in terms of ones concern for Israels future, but by lockstep adherence to the positions taken by the sitting Israeli government. For years, there have been efforts to silence or delegitimize voices in our politics and our community who speak out about the strategic and moral dangers of the ongoing occupation of the West Bank, its devastating impact on Palestinians and its dangerous implications for the country going forward. Rather than engage in meaningful and substantive debate, some of these voices prefer to simply label those with whom they disagree as anti-Israel, or even worse, anti-Semitic. As in Ellisons case, they unearth regrettable or poorly chosen words uttered years ago, take them out of context and use them as a weapon. These tactics greatly hurt our national discourse on Israel and the Middle East. They limit open and honest debate over the best ways to help Israelis and Palestinians advance peace and democracy in the region. They force to the sidelines or silence many with critical views. They create the false impression that American Jews are monolithically hawkish, and that we applaud and endorse shortsighted and self-destructive policies advanced by the current Israeli government. Moreover, at a time when incidents of genuine anti-Semitism and xenophobic hatred are on the rise across the country and white nationalists are crawling out from under their rocks with cover from some aides to the president-elect campaigns such as the one directed at Ellison shamefully misdirect ire toward people who agree with the Jewish communitys values of tolerance and respect. Recent polling makes clear that Ellison represents the policy views of the significant majority of Democrats and of Jewish Americans. Leaders with similar views and values are going to be the future of the Democratic Party, of our country and of the American Jewish community. It is time for those who disagree to halt the personal attacks and smears. These tactics do not win friends for the Jewish community or help ensure that American policy will be pro-Israel in the long run. Frankly, they may have the opposite effect. Enough is enough. Disagreements over policy should be welcome and encouraged in a healthy democracy. Campaigns grounded in name-calling and character assassination aimed at silencing dissent are unacceptable and need to stop. Like many Americans, I celebrate with the Carrier employees in Indiana whose jobs will remain in Indiana at least for the time being even though I recognize that we taxpayers will pay a ransom for that victory [The price of ending the made-in-Mexico label, news, Dec. 3]. And they are only a fraction of the Americans affected by the loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs. There are eight Trump hotels in the United States, with a collective total of more than 3,500 guest rooms. What if Mr. Trump furnished those rooms with duvets, robes, slippers and appliances manufactured in the United States rather than in China, and with bed linens and flatware made in the United States rather than in Italy, and with table linens that were made in the United States instead of in France, and with bathmats and towels made domestically rather than in India, and with American china instead of Japanese china, and with furniture made here instead of in Turkey? Knowing how many American jobs would be saved and/or created by such a change by Mr. Trump would help all of us better understand the impacts of international trade and what is required to create more jobs here. Sandra Stephon, Fort Washington Lawrence H. Summerss Dec. 4 Wonkblog essay, Trumps Carrier deal could damage American capitalism forever [Business], missed a couple of points related to businesses getting a special deal. I have seen this play out locally and nationally and have come to the conclusion that there are two types of businesses. Businesses that play by the rules (regulations), are innovative and can solve problems to produce a better product to succeed are one type. Businesses that work to circumvent the rules, influence politicians and seek a special deal are the other type. It is no wonder the president-elect chose the latter with Carrier because he runs his businesses the same way. Brian England, Columbia Much ado has been made about the president-elects dealmaking prowess. Even how he celebrates deals was touted on the front page of The Post above the fold: Trump demonstrates the art of celebrating the deal [Dec. 3]. The president-elect cajoled Carrier to keep about 800 jobs in the United States; for how long is unknown. He forced Carrier, whose parent company is United Technologies, a government contractor, to accept $7 million from Indianas taxpayers. To soften the hardship, Carrier will s end more than 500 jobs to Mexico anyway. Presumably these were different jobs. Thats a great deal indeed, but not for Indiana. For Trump University grads, a great deal is a great deal no matter who comes out on top. And thats worth celebrating? Is this the new way The Post will assess the triumphs to come? Santiago Testa, Washington He has been holding interviews and meetings as he prepares to enter the White House. Trump has been holding interviews and meetings as he prepares to transition into the White House. Trump has been holding interviews and meetings as he prepares to transition into the White House. If you thought Donald Trump was the face of Americas anti-establishment movement, hold on to your chapeaus: A wild wind is rising. Want to know whats more anti-establishment than a president-elect who refuses to play by the rules? How about similarly spirited electors going AWOL and sending someone else to the Oval Office? Could it happen? Might. A movement headed by a mostly Democratic group calling itself Hamilton Electors is trying to persuade Republican electors to defect not to cede the election to Hillary Clinton but to join with Democrats in selecting a compromise candidate, such as Mitt Romney or John Kasich. It wouldnt be that hard to do. Mathematically, only 37 of Trumps 306 electors are needed to bring his number down to 269, one less than the 270 needed to secure the presidency. On the Hamilton Electors Facebook page, elector Bret Chiafalo, a Democrat from Washington, explains the purpose of the electoral college. If you havent previously been a fan of the electoral system, you might become one. [Time for Republicans to stand up to Trump] Bottom line: The Founding Fathers didnt fully trust democracy, fearing mob rule, and so created a republic. They correctly worried that a pure democracy could result in the election of a demagogue (ahem), or a charismatic autocrat (ahem), or someone under foreign influence (ditto), hence the rule that a president must have been born in the United States. We know how seriously Trump takes the latter. Most important among the founders criteria for a president was that he (or now she) be qualified. Thus, the electoral college was created as a braking system that would, if necessary, save the country from an individual such as, frankly, Trump. It is worth noting that 50 former Republican national security officials and foreign policy experts co-signed a letter saying that Trump would be a dangerous president. Do we simply ignore them? At least one Republican elector, Christopher Suprun, has decided to pay heed. In an op-ed in Tuesdays New York Times, Suprun, a paramedic in Texas, outlined all his reasons for not rubber-stamping Trump, saying he owes a debt not to his party but to his children. He urged others to join him. This, apparently, they can do, though some states may impose penalties. Hamilton Electors are raising funds to pay any such costs that may accrue. The Washington Post's Paul Kane speaks to Libby Casey about President-elect Donald Trump's unfounded claim that millions of people voted illegally for Hillary Clinton. (The Washington Post) Alexander Hamilton, suddenly a star on both Broadway and Main Street, wrote that the electoral college affords a moral certainty that the office of President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications. Electors would prevent the tumult and disorder that would result from the candidates exploiting talents for low intrigue, and the little arts of popularity. Speaking of Trump. How wise our founders were. And how unwise are we to pay so little attention to their far keener insights. It is, perhaps, a sign of these upside-down times that Democrats, usually preferring the popular vote, are suddenly genuflecting to the electoral college and Republicans, who so often defer to the founders original intent, shift principle so swiftly, presumably in hopes of taking the ultimate escalator ride in the golden palace of King Trump. Tut-tut. Meanwhile, those on both sides who remain opposed to Trump are dismissed as either sorry losers or as dining on crow and sour grapes. But the stakes are too high and the evidence of Trumps presidential aptitude deficit too severe for such trivializing designations. His demonstrated lack of judgment and impulse control should send shivers down the spines of all Americans in consideration of the nuclear arsenal he is poised to have at his fingertips. [Democrats can stop Trump via the electoral college. But not how you think.] Thats not all of it, but its enough. Without consulting advisers or sleeping on it, for which he is not known, Trump can authorize a nuke upon the slightest provocation or none. All previous modern-day presidents have had the same authority, of course, but all have also been experienced statesmen, nary a reality-show celebrity (nor snake-oil salesman) among them. Trumps friends have told me theyre confident hell solemnly respect the burden of such power, but nothing thus far justifies their faith. After his election victory, Trump hasnt much bothered himself with intelligence briefings. He ignored 37 years of diplomatic precedent by chatting with the president of Taiwan, upsetting China. He spoke like an inarticulate ninth-grader with Pakistans prime minister, according to that countrys readout. Trump apparently told the prime minister that hes a terrific guy doing amazing work and that Trump is ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems. Oh, really? Which ones? Electors are scheduled to meet Dec. 19 in their respective states to cast their final ballots. If there are 37 Republicans among them with the courage to perform their moral duty and protect the nation from a talented but dangerous president-elect, a new history of heroism will have to be written. Please, be brave. Read more from Kathleen Parkers archive, follow her on Twitter or find her on Facebook. Is America becoming a rogue state? The State Department stopped using the term years ago to describe the likes of Iran and North Korea, figuring it was needlessly provocative. But it would seem the incoming Trump administration plans to handle its affairs domestic and foreign in a manner that meets the dictionary definition of a rogue state as one that conducts its policy in a dangerously unpredictable way. Even before Donald Trump threw Sino-American relations into a new round of turmoil by speaking with the Taiwanese leader and by trolling a nation of 1.4 billion people on Twitter, Trump and his team set off new chaos between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, with Trump praising the repressive regime of the latter and pledging to visit, while a member of his transition team told the former that Trump supports designating Pakistan a terrorist haven. Trump snubbed our closest ally, Britain, by having post-election calls with nine foreign leaders before granting British Prime Minister Theresa May the honor. He shattered protocol by suggesting Britain name Nigel Farage, the Brexit leader, ambassador to the United States. Meanwhile, NATO leaders meeting in Brussels this week were on edge about Trumps coziness with Russia and his dismissive words about the alliance. According to foreign government accounts, Trump praised Philippine President Rodrigo Dutertes campaign against drug users and dealers, which has killed at least 4,500 people in five months. And he hailed Kazakhstan dictator Nursultan Nazarbayev for his fantastic success that can be called a miracle. The Washington Posts Jia Lynn Yang explains the back story on relations between the U.S., China and Taiwan and the ramifications of Friday's telephone call between President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. (Alice Li,Victoria Walker/The Washington Post) Jittery world leaders are unlikely to be reassured to learn that the man Trump tapped to run the Pentagon goes by the nickname Mad Dog. The domestic picture is no less chaotic. Trump is now open to keeping the Paris climate pact, after calling climate change a hoax. He campaigned against Goldman Sachs as a symbol of corruption and is now stocking his administration with Goldman bankers. He pledged to reinstate waterboarding and to repeal Obamacare but is rethinking both. He riled supporters with a pledge to prosecute and imprison Hillary Clinton but has reconsidered. He dropped his pledge to ban Muslims or those from terrorism-prone countries from entering America in favor of better vetting of all immigrants. He now says his border wall may be a fence in parts, and he dropped his talk of mass deportation of illegal immigrants. His nominee to be commerce secretary assures Americans that tariffs are the last thing to which the Trump administration would resort only to be contradicted by Trump himself, who tweeted Sunday that here will soon be a 35 percent tariff on imports from companies that offshore jobs. But for all the promises Trump is breaking, there is one he has kept without wavering: his vow to be unpredictable. We must as a nation be more unpredictable, he said this year. We have to be unpredictable, and we have to be unpredictable starting now. Some suggest that there is a method to Trumps madness, that he is trying to make would-be adversaries think he is irrational and capricious, thereby making foes and rivals wary of pushing him too far. This is why North Koreas Kim Jong Un gets a wide berth. On a lesser scale, this also underpinned Richard Nixons Madman Theory during the Vietnam War: If he appeared to be crazy enough to use nuclear weapons, the theory went, North Vietnam and the Soviet Union might back down. But in Trumps application of the Madman Theory there seems to be less theory than madman. There may be advantages to keeping foes and opponents off guard, but Trump is baffling friends and allies, too. In foreign affairs, unpredictability spooks allies and spreads instability. And unpredictable policy at home has long been seen as toxic for business. For these reasons, George W. Bush made predictable leadership a matter of pride. When I covered his White House 16 years ago, I found that the best way to predict Bushs actions was to listen to his words: He did exactly what he said he would do. Many didnt like the result, but Bush made it easy for Republicans in Congress to follow his lead. Now, Trumps uncertain trumpet is having the opposite effect. The corporate welfare offered to Carriers parent company to keep jobs in the United States has some previously supportive conservatives complaining about crony capitalism. His revived talk of high tariffs on imports has GOP congressional leaders worried about a trade war. On his decision to speak with the Taiwanese leader, Trumps would-be defenders were split: Was it a meaningless courtesy, as some Trump advisers said? Or a well-thought-out shift in U.S. policy, as others claimed? The widespread chaos suggests Trump isnt signaling new policies as much as hes winging it. His unpredictability is not a theory. Its the absence of one. Twitter: @Milbank Read more from Dana Milbanks archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. The case before the Supreme Court involved an investment banker, the brother who pestered him for insider information, and a brother-in-law who made a bundle of money. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg) The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it violates insider- trading laws for a corporate officer to make a gift of insider information to a relative, a decision that makes it easier for those who police Wall Street to bring prosecutions. The court ruled unanimously that it does not matter if the person supplying the information received money or property or was otherwise compensated for the resulting deals. The courts decision eased a crimp on prosecutions that a New York appeals court had imposed in 2014. [Is it insider trading to give information to a relative?] Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., a former federal prosecutor, wrote the narrow opinion for the eight-member court. He said it was easily decided by the courts decision in a 1983 case, Dirks v. SEC, that said a jury can infer that a tipper breached his duty when he receives something of value or makes a gift of confidential information to a trading relative or friend. Federal prosecutors had chafed at the 2014 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit in New York, which said there must be something more at least a potential gain of a pecuniary or similarly valuable nature. Preet Bharara, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, praised the Supreme Courts ruling. In its swiftly decided opinion, the court stood up for common sense and affirmed what we have been arguing from the outset that the law absolutely prohibits insiders from advantaging their friends and relatives at the expense of the trading public, said Bharara, who recently met with President-elect Donald Trump and agreed to remain in the job. Todays decision is a victory for fair markets and those who believe that the system should not be rigged. The case involved an investment banker, the brother who pestered him for insider information, and a brother-in-law who made a bundle of money. Maher Kara, a former investment banker at Citigroup, gave confidential information about health-care industry mergers to his older brother, Michael. Michael bought and sold stock based on the tips and then passed the information to his brother-in-law, Bassam Salman. Salman made a profit of more than $1 million by trading on the confidential information before being prosecuted for securities fraud. He was convicted in 2013 and sentenced to three years in prison. (Maher and Michael Kara both pleaded guilty to securities fraud in 2011 and cooperated with the government.) Salman appealed, arguing in part that Maher Kara had not received money, gifts or any other reward in exchange for the tips. But Alito said what was important is that Maher Kara knew that the information was being illegally used. Here, by disclosing confidential information as a gift to his brother with the expectation that he would trade on it, Maher breached his duty of trust and confidence to Citigroup and its clients a duty Salman acquired, and breached himself, by trading on the information with full knowledge that it had been improperly disclosed, Alito wrote. Alito acknowledged the court was settling different interpretations from the 2nd Circuit and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in San Francisco, which upheld Salmans conviction. The 2nd Circuits holding that the person supplying the information must also receive something of a more tangible nature is inconsistent with Dirks, Alito wrote. Maher would have breached his duty had he personally traded on the information here himself then given the proceeds as a gift to his brother, Justice Alito wrote. It is obvious that Maher would personally benefit in that situation. But Maher effectively achieved the same result by disclosing the information to Michael, and allowing him to trade on it. After a more than eight-year crackdown on Wall Street cheating, Bharara was forced to toss out more than a dozen insider-trading convictions over the past year. The ruling, he said, created an obvious road map for unscrupulous investors. When President-elect Donald Trump started the week with a tweet storm calling for a 35 percent tariff on U.S. companies that ship jobs abroad, he took aim at decades of free-trade orthodoxy and much of the Republican conference in Congress. Trumps soon-to-be governing partners on Capitol Hill preached harmony with the incoming president and tried to sidestep reporters questions about how Trumps proposal mesh with their own long-standing philosophies. They didnt entirely succeed. For some, it was impossible to avoid addressing Trumps views, or talking about their opposition to some of them, or laying bare a potential collision course between his agenda and theirs. When hes right we should uphold him and support him, said Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah). If we dont know, we ought to at least support him as much as we can. If hes wrong, we ought to tell him hes wrong. Im not going to support something I know is wrong. It isnt just trade. Deficit hawks, plus Republicans itching to dismantle Obamacare, reform entitlement programs or defund Planned Parenthood all are trying to figure out how their policy positions will fare under President Trump. Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), in the past has warned that protectionist tariffs would start a trade war. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) What most would not say is how willing they will be to oppose Trump outright. In many instances, these Republicans have forced themselves into ideological and rhetorical contortions to accommodate the populist views of their partys new standard bearer. When Trump talks protectionist tariffs, Hill Republicans discuss comprehensive tax reform. When Trump says he will build a border wall, GOP lawmakers refer to securing the border, perhaps without a physical barrier. When Trump talks about getting tough with China, lawmakers play down any major policy shift. The awkward dance was on display on Capitol Hill this week after Trumps tweet storm about imposing tariffs, an idea that violates a core principle for most Republicans that the free market is king. The tweets sent usually chatty Republican lawmakers dashing through halls, slipping away behind closed doors and feigning phone calls in hallways to avoid questions from reporters. Its not been something that in our office weve focused a great deal on, said Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), who in the past has warned that protectionist tariffs would start a trade war. Im not going to comment on tweets, said Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), a former presidential candidate, as he rushed to wave off a throng of reporters on his way to catch a train in the basement of the Capitol. Lets wait until the inauguration, and well work through all of those issues. Im not sure that he is specifically suggesting that we should have 35 percent tariffs as much as he is suggesting that the playing field is not level for the average American worker, said Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who voted last year for a major trade bill. Among more than a dozen Republicans on Capitol Hill surveyed Monday, most dismissed Trumps recent positions as temporary ideas that could change once he takes office. Listen, if you take every single thing that the president-elect has said on the campaign trail to heart and look for a policy to follow it, I think well be hard-pressed to see some of those comments become policy, so Im not as concerned about that as maybe others might be, Scott said. Many suggested that Trumps more extreme positions, like the tariff, are part of a broader plan to cut taxes and eliminate regulations. Others think Congress will lead the way on policy and force Trump to conform to orthodox GOP values to get laws passed. I think a lot of it is going to be generated by Congress and not necessarily the administration, said Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Tex.). I think it is going to be a conversation and a two-way street. Even Vice President-elect Mike Pence pushed back gently on the tariff proposal. On MSNBCs Morning Joe on Tuesday, Pence said: What we dont want to do is for companies to say, It cost it costs this much to manufacture it overseas and sell it in the United States and it costs this much in taxes and regulations and other burdens to manufacture here in the United States. Weve got to put the American worker and American jobs first. But thats a belief in the free market. Such comments are likely to hearten many Hill Republicans. They see Pence, a former House member, and Cabinet picks such as House Budget Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-Ga.) who has been nominated to be secretary of health and human services as the chief drivers of Trumps policy agenda. Who is he putting in positions of authority? Mike Pence, and hes going to be working hand and glove with Paul Ryan, said Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). It just seems to me that hes putting a traditional Republican administration together. At a speech to the Heritage Foundation on Tuesday, Pence seemed to address Republican anxieties, vowing repeatedly that Trump would work closely with conservatives on the Hill. Pence cited the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, judicial appointments, free-market concerns over imposing tariffs and a military buildup as examples of issues on which Trump would partner with congressional Republicans. Pence also suggested that it will be an active session. I told my colleagues there to buckle up, he said. The vacations over. There also is the possibility of influence from the private interest groups that share House Republicans views on free trade and have played a huge role in helping finance many of these Republicans campaigns. Thirty-five percent tariffs would be devastating to consumers and businesses, David McIntosh, the president of Club for Growth, a free-market, small-government advocacy group. The majority leader is right to caution against protectionism and to urge a robust debate on free markets and trade. McIntosh was referring to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who sparred with reporters over how he squared his own free-market principles with Trumps views. He was hammered with questions about the tariff idea and whether it was permissible to offer companies tax breaks and incentives to avoid moving jobs overseas. Under pressure from Trump, Carrier announced last month that it would refrain from moving hundreds of Indianapolis manufacturing jobs to Mexico in return for a package of state tax incentives the sort of deal many conservatives have derided as crony capitalism. Finally, McCarthy threw his hands up, exasperated: Take a deep breath. Hes not sworn in yet. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.), meanwhile, at a news conference Tuesday, defended Trumps tariff idea by changing the subject. Its consistent with our goal to make American businesses and American products more competitive in a global economy, Ryan said, and we believe the best way to achieve that goal is through comprehensive tax reform. Ryan also, again, promoted his Better Way policy agenda as a blueprint for upcoming legislation. The blueprint hews to conservative principles and largely steers clear of Trumps campaign agenda, but it tackles some subjects such as entitlement reform, an issue on which Trump has been cautious. The idea was, if we actually won the election by campaigning on solutions and ideas, we would be ready to govern, Ryan said. And here we are. We are ready to hit the ground running. Trump will rely on Congress to be able to check off major parts of his domestic agenda, including repealing the ACA and remaking immigration laws. One potential advantage is the selection of congressional Republicans for key administration posts. Reps. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.) and Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.) members of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus met Monday with Trump in New York. Bridenstine, a former Navy pilot, has been mentioned for NASA administrator. Mulvaney is a contender to lead the White House Office of Management and Budget. Mulvaney, in particular, could play a crucial role if tapped as budget director, lending fiscally conservative credibility to Trumps spending plans. He has sharply criticized Republican leaders for failing to adhere to strict budget caps, including in defense spending. Trump has said he favors increased military spending, but tapping Mulvaney could help smooth over intraparty clashes between House leaders and the hard right. Getting two or three Freedom Caucus members in the administration cant help but smooth the way for a good transition and a very productive first 100 days, said Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), who was elected Monday as the groups chairman for the upcoming Congress. Congressional Republicans also will have the chance to test their ability to guide Trumps thinking early next year when they begin work on tax reform. House Republicans have worked for months on elements of a tax code overhaul that they hope will have wide support among Republicans, but it is unclear where Trump will stand on critical issues such as how to tax the money that companies earn abroad. Tax writers have been cautiously optimistic that Trump will see their reform blueprint as a logical starting point for negotiations. We have a running start on these things, said Rep. Peter J. Roskam (R-Ill.), one of the top tax writers in the House. But, obviously, the X factor is the Trump administration. . . . I think Donald Trump has redefined what is possible. One area where Trump stands to have a freer hand and more agreement with congressional Republicans is in his foreign-policy agenda. Although Trump caused an uproar Friday when he upended diplomatic tradition with China by speaking to Taiwans president, many Republicans were happy to see him take a harder line against China. Corker, who is under consideration to be Trumps secretary of state, played down the significance of the call. World leaders have realized how accessible he is he got a call, he took it, Corker said. I think probably a lot more is being read into it than is the case. Corker declined to say whether he would have advised Trump to accept the call: He operates in a very different way than most people who assume the office, and thats why he was so successful in his race. And my guess is there will be much in the way of protocol thats very different with his presence. Vice President-elect Mike Pence arrives at a Get Out The Vote rally to stump for a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, Louisiana Treasurer John Kennedy, left, in New Orleans Dec. 3, 2016. (Gerald Herbert/AP) Foster Campbell evokes the era of Louisianas Democratic populists when he describes John N. Kennedy, his Republican opponent in the states Senate election on Saturday. If people want somebody who is phony, a flip-flopper and has been on every side and has been everything but a Baptist preacher, they need to vote for John Kennedy, Campbell, a 69-year-old elected utility regulator, drawls in one throwback line. I dont wear a thousand-dollar suit to walk down a gravel road. He does, Campbell says in another that refers to a recent Kennedy campaign ad. Its like you close your eyes, and youre listening to Huey Long ridicule his opponents with a one-liner that put them in their place, said Bob Mann, a Louisiana State University professor, referring to the assassinated former governor, one of the most colorful politicians in the history of Louisiana. But Louisianas Democratic populist period has long passed, and that helps explain why Kennedy, the state treasurer, is the heavy favorite to win the Dec. 10 election for the U.S. Senate the last in the country thanks to the states unique election laws. With President-elect Donald Trumps upset victory over Hillary Clinton, and with Congress remaining in GOP hands, it is shaping up as one final humiliation for Democrats. A man who identified himself as a guest of former Klansman and U.S. Senate candidate David Duke, center, talks to Duke as Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, left, and lawyer Caroline Fayard take their places before a debate for Louisiana candidates for the U.S. Senate on Nov. 2, 2016, in New Orleans. (Gerald Herbert/AP) Here in Louisiana, Republicans now control the state legislature and hold all statewide elective offices except for the governorship, which John Bel Edwards won in an upset last year over U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R). Dogged by a prostitution scandal, Vitter chose not to seek reelection to the Senate this year. [Thugs, prostitutes and spies: La. governors race gets raucous at the end] That opened the door to Kennedy, who in the primary paced a 24-candidate field, defeating Republican U.S. Reps. John Fleming and Charles W. Boustany Jr., and David Duke (R), the onetime Ku Klux Klan grand wizard who 25 years ago served a term in the Louisiana House. Kennedy has worked for state government during 25 of the past 29 years he was elected treasurer in 1999 but is running as an anti-Washington outsider with a few good lines of his own. I believe in more freedom, not more free stuff, he says. I believe love is the answer, but own a handgun just in case, he adds. The swamp in Washington, D.C., has to be drained, he said in a recent TV ad. I can help. After all, we know a thing or two about swamps in Louisiana. Kennedy has been a fervent supporter of Trumps. In a recent ad, Kennedy says the Affordable Care Act sucks and promises to seek its repeal. Vice President-elect Mike Pence visited New Orleans last weekend to fire up Republican voters for Kennedy. And on Friday, Trump is headlining a get-out-the-vote effort for Kennedy at the Dow Chemical Hangar at the Baton Rouge airport. We have one more race to win this year, right here in your great state, Pence told several hundred cheering supporters. We need one more push. Democrats throughout the country have rallied behind Campbell for the same reason. We have one more chance to get one more senator to stand up to Trumps xenophobic agenda, said Kate Gould, a staff member at a nonprofit organization in Washington who has worked with Idealists 4 Hillary and others to organize phone banks for Campbell. For everyone who wants to put roadblocks on the Trump agenda, getting another senator will be crucial for that. Dan Pfeiffer and Jon Favreau, former aides to President Obama, interviewed Campbell last week on their podcast, Keepin It 1600. Buoyed by Democrats nationally, Campbell outraised Kennedy in the most recent reporting period, $2.5 million to $1.6 million. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, however, has played virtually no role in the election a request for comment went unanswered while the National Republican Senatorial Committee has opened 10 field offices across the state. A Kennedy victory would give Republicans a 52 to 48 advantage in the Senate. Not everyone is always happy to go with the leadership, said Sen. Roger Wicker (Miss.), who chairs the Republican committee. So 52 gives you a bit of a cushion. [A new prostitution scandal roils Louisiana Senate race] A Kennedy defeat, he added, would be a bucket of cold water in the face on the heels of a great victory for Mr. Trump. The only independent poll released in recent days showed Kennedy with a comfortable advantage of 52 percent to 38 percent. Kennedy, 65, has given Campbell plenty of ammunition to attack his authenticity. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and Oxford University, and he is a former corporate attorney who has become increasingly folksy, particularly after becoming a Republican in 2007. Kennedy first ran for the Senate in 2004 as a Democrat in a race won by Vitter. Kennedy endorsed Sen. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts, the Democratic presidential candidate that year, and was quoted in a profile as acknowledging that he had previously been in favor of abortion rights a position he now says he never held. Kennedys past comments prompted Defend Louisiana, a pro-Campbell super PAC, to air an ad attacking him from the right on abortion. The ad alleges that Kennedy supported abortion from 1988 to 2004 and, as viewers hear a beating heart, posts the number 22,581,040 on the screen. Thats how many children were aborted during John Kennedys career as a pro-choice politician, the announcer says, citing figures from National Right to Life. Nonetheless, that antiabortion group has endorsed Kennedy, who is running as an economic and social conservative who wants to cut taxes, build Trumps proposed wall along the Mexican border and wont say whether he thinks human activity has caused climate change. Campbell had a long antiabortion record in the state Senate and even voted in 1991 for a bill that outlawed abortion in all instances. As treasurer, Kennedy has never voted on an abortion bill but scored 100 percent on National Right to Lifes questionnaire, while Campbell declined to fill it out. In all of our communications, he has made the pro-life commitment across the board, said Benjamin Clapper, the Louisiana director for the National Right to Life Victory Fund. [David Vitter, once a favorite, has a fight on his hands in La. governors race] The National Rifle Association has endorsed Kennedy, even though Campbell, a cattle farmer and insurance agency owner, has a collection of antique guns and ends one ad by firing a shotgun. Kennedy made a name for himself as a fiscal watchdog in Louisiana by railing against the spending practices of Gov. Kathleen Blanco, a Democrat, and Gov. Bobby Jindal, her Republican successor. He has won few friends among elected officials. John spends a lot of time criticizing other people, said Mary Landrieu, a Democrat who was defeated when she sought a fourth U.S. Senate term in 2014. At the end of the day, you want people who build things, not just tear them down. For years, Kennedy has pushed unsuccessfully to get the governor and the legislature to sharply reduce state contracts, citing deals that he says exemplify government run amok. Kennedy, for example, has ridiculed a $1.5 million contract for giving massages to Swedish rabbits, although the Advocate newspaper reported that doctors have applied what researchers learned to help the recovery of soldiers badly wounded in war. John is very good at identifying hot-button issues and using them for his political advantage. I give him credit for that, said Jay Dardenne, a veteran Republican elected official who is now Edwardss top budget official. The Posts Rosalind S. Helderman explores the details behind the announcement that President-elect Donald Trump sold all his shares in companies in June. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post) The Posts Rosalind S. Helderman explores the details behind the announcement that President-elect Donald Trump sold all his shares in companies in June. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post) President-elect Donald Trump said in an interview with NBCs Today show Wednesday that it would pose a conflict of interest for him to own a stake in dozens of companies that could be affected by his decisions as president, but he did not say whether he would apply the same standard to his much larger holding in his own business. His comments came a day after his spokesman told reporters that Trump had sold off his stock portfolio in June, transactions that had not been announced at the time and came as Trump was ramping up for a costly general-election campaign that he had said he would fund partly with his own money. Trumps spokesman provided no documentation of the stock sales and no additional details, including how much Trump had made as a result of the transactions or how he had spent the money he earned as a result. [Trump sold all shares in companies in June, spokesman says] Trump told the Today host Matt Lauer that he sold the stock because he thought he was likely to win the election in November and did not want a conflict. I dont think its appropriate for me to be owning stocks when Im making deals for this country that maybe will affect one company positively and one company negatively. So I just felt it was a conflict, he said. In Trumps most recent legally mandated financial disclosure, which he filed in May 2016 and described his holdings as of December 2015, he had reported owning shares of major banks, as well as oil and technology companies a total stock portfolio he valued at as much as $40 million. Still, stocks made up a relatively small portion of Trumps overall real estate and licensing business empire. He has indicated that he will provide more details on Dec. 15 about legal documents that are being crafted that will take him completely out of business operations of the Trump Organization, which holds real estate and licensing deals worldwide. He has given no indication, however, of whether he plans to divest his ownership interest in those deals, a step many ethics experts believe is the only way to ensure it is clear that his actions as president are not designed to assist his business. A spokesman for the Office of Government Ethics, which advises elected officials about avoiding conflicts, has said that divestiture resolves conflicts of interest in a way that transferring control does not. [Trump announces he will leave business in total leaving open how he will avoid conflicts of interest] In an interview Nov. 23 with the New York Times, he appeared to resist the idea of selling his company, as opposed to simply turning over control to his adult children, as he said he would do during the campaign. Thats a very hard thing to do, you know what, because I have real estate. I have real estate all over the world, which now people are understanding, he said, when asked if he planned to sell his company. I think that, you know, selling real estate isnt like selling stock. Selling real estate is much different, its in a much different world. His spokesman did not immediately respond to a question Wednesday about why it would be a conflict to have ownership in companies through stock but not to own his company. Asked by Lauer why the public is only just now hearing about stock trades that took place five months ago, Trump responded: I let everybody know. I let everybody know. And Im not, I was never a big stockholder, but I bought a lot of different stocks, and I had a lot of stocks before then, too. And what I did was I sold them. Trumps campaign in fact did not disclose the transactions at the time of the sale. In an interview with FOX Business Network in August, Trump appeared to allude to the trades. I did invest and I got out and it was actually very good timing, he said then, indicating that he thought the market was dropping. But Trumps team has not responded to questions in recent weeks about his stock ownership. Stock prices have also generally risen, not fallen, since Trump sold in June. Drew Harwell contributed to this report. Turkish authorities have evicted tens of thousands of people in security operations in a predominantly Kurdish district of southeastern Turkey, a human rights group said Tuesday. Amnesty International said in a report that Turkish authorities, by expropriating and demolishing homes, have prevented the return of those displaced with a policy that may amount to collective punishment. Amnestys Europe director, John Dalhuisen, said that a year after a round-the-clock curfew was imposed in Sur, thousands of people remain displaced from their homes, struggling to make ends meet and facing an uncertain future in an increasingly repressive atmosphere. Turkish officials did not comment on the report. They have said that the vast security operations and 24-hour curfews in Sur and other predominantly Kurdish areas were necessary for security to root out fighters linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, which Turkey, the United States and the European Union consider a terrorist organization. PKK-linked and -inspired militants had dug trenches, raised barricades and booby-trapped areas in neighborhoods where they have sought to claim autonomy, including in Sur, a historic district in the city of Diyarbakir, widely seen by Turkeys Kurds as their regional capital. A cease-fire between the government and the PKK collapsed in July 2015. As the conflict escalated, large sections of Sur were placed under curfew in December 2015. That restriction remains in place in six neighborhoods, though clashes ended in March. In the report, released to coincide with the anniversary of Surs curfew, Amnesty slammed authorities for devastating the lives of ordinary people under the pretext of security. The rights group estimates that more than 500,000 people have been displaced in eastern and southeastern Turkey as a result of curfews and crackdowns. Andrew Gardner, Amnesty Internationals Turkey researcher, said the unnecessary extension of the curfew in Sur and the authorities failure to facilitate the return of residents suggest a premeditated plan to achieve security through changing the structure and infrastructure of these areas. Residents displaced from Sur and other areas have struggled to find alternative housing, livelihoods and education for their children, according to the report, which drew on the testimony of 26 displaced families. Families have received insufficient compensation and aid from the government. The hardship has been compounded by a nationwide state of emergency imposed after the failed July 15 coup, which has seen the closure of Kurdish media outlets and detention of Kurdish politicians and lawyers. Police stand guard at the ancestral home of Zenaida Luz in the Philippine town of Gloria. (Kimberly Dela Cruz for The Washington Post) For years there have been rumors about the masked men on motorbikes. The vigilante killers who stalk the Philippines ride two by two, sidling up to targets, shooting at close range. They hit their mark, then speed away. They almost always escape police. Since President Rodrigo Duterte swept to power promising to kill all the countrys criminals, there have been thousands of these deaths, part of a rush of violence that has claimed at least 4,500 lives in less than five months. Duterte has repeatedly urged on the killings yet denies a state link. It is gangland justice, he says it is out of his control. But a murder on the island of Mindoro offers the most compelling evidence in years of what many have long believed: Some vigilante killings are coordinated hits with links to the police. In October, a 51-year-old anti-crime activist named Zenaida Luz stepped out of her home and was shot to death by two men on a motorbike. Police who happened to be near the scene apprehended two suspects in flimsy disguises not drug dealers, but high-ranking officers. Both were arrested and charged. The case sent a shock through the Philippines. Local journalists and rights groups have worked for years to find links between summary executions and the state, stymied by the fact that few cases are ever investigated. As a rare instance in which riding in tandem shooters were actually caught, and suspects actually charged, Luzs case adds to a body of evidence that stretches back two decades to Dutertes time as a city mayor. Then, as now, there was talk of state-linked death squads targeting crime suspects and taking out foes. Then, as now, this type of killing was dismissed as drug-world violence, giving would-be assassins license to shoot. They kill activists and pass it off as drug-related. They kill their enemies and pass it off as drug-related, said Jose Malvar Villegas Jr., president of Citizens Crime Watch, an anti-crime group for which Luz worked. They kill everything. It is not evident why Luz was murdered, but her killing was clearly supposed to look like it was linked to the drug trade. From the approach on motorbikes to the costumes, every step was standard operating procedure for the would-be vigilantes of the day. The killers came at night, as they often do. Luz received a text message from a man who said he needed help not unusual for an activist who took on local oligarchs and law enforcement. About 11:40 p.m. on Oct. 9, she stepped into the humid island air and was ambushed, shot in the back, the stomach and the leg, according to the police report. When Luzs son Edward saw her on the pavement, he feared she had been framed. If they werent caught, he said, everyone would have connected my mom to drugs. A shrine at the family home of Zenaida Luz dedicated to her awards and accomplishments. (Kimberly Dela Cruz for The Washington Post) Members of the Gloria police department were in quick pursuit. They chased the gunmen down rural roads and saw a second motorbike backup peeling away. A shootout sent the lead bike skidding. As officers approached, the injured men yelled Tropa! Tropa! or Troops! Troops! to signal they, too, were police Senior Inspector Magdaleno Pimentel Jr. and Inspector Markson Almeranez, in mask and wig. Both men were graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy assigned to work on Mindoro. In September, Almeranez was given an award by Philippine National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa, a Duterte ally who is the face of the war on drugs. Ruel Magtibay, a police officer from the town of Socorro, where Almeranez was the chief, said the whole station was surprised by the arrest. He declined to speculate on whether Luzs death was linked to police or personal matters both are possible, rights groups say. The Socorro police station, where Inspector Markson Almeranez was the chief. (Kimberly Dela Cruz for The Washington Post) Inspector Ruel Magtibay, deputy chief of the Socorro police, said the station was surprised by the arrest. (Kimberly Dela Cruz for The Washington Post) Dutertes endorsement of extrajudicial killing and hints that perpetrators will walk serve as a dog whistle for the formation of death squads that operate at the behest of local government and police, said Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. Once a government any government has implicitly or explicitly given the green light for death squads to operate, he said, its extremely difficult and dangerous to keep them under control and to rein them in if or when they go rogue. For those who have tracked Dutertes rise, none of this is surprising. As the mayor of Davao, a city in the southern Philippines, Duterte earned the nickname the Death Squad Mayor because of the hit men who stalked his streets, killing suspected criminals and government critics alike. A 2009 investigation found that hundreds of people, including children as young as 14, were executed by assassins with ties to local officials and the police. The model was later copied by other cities, most notably Tagum, where city-supported killing teams morphed into pay-for-hit operations. Rather than distance himself from the Death Squad label, Duterte embraced it. If you are doing an illegal activity in my city, if you are a criminal or part of a syndicate that preys on the innocent people of the city, for as long as I am the mayor, you are a legitimate target of assassination, he told the media in 2009. Killing became a campaign promise. If I make it to the presidential palace, he said when he was running for president, I will do just what I did as mayor. You drug pushers, holdup men and do-nothings, you better get out, because Ill kill you. Faced with criticism at home and abroad, Duterte now alternates between denying involvement and calling for blood. In September, when a man claiming to be a former member of a Davao death squad testified that Duterte ordered hit men to kill dozens, the presidents team called it a lie. But on Oct. 16, days after Luz was murdered, Duterte told the press that it was fine for him to encourage vigilantes. If the vigilante would take over, I cannot control it, he said. Perlita Alvarez stands inside the office of Citizen Crime Watch, where her sister Zenaida Luz had been a volunteer for years. (Kimberly Dela Cruz for The Washington Post) The call to chaos is what terrifies Luzs family members, who are now living under police protection. With Duterte promising to protect police who kill, will the men who allegedly killed Luz ever face trial? Glorias police chief, Ruel Lito Fronda, acknowledged that it may be tough. The suspects were uncooperative, he said, and had yet to surrender key pieces of evidence, including their phones. On Mindoro, the killing continues. In late November, Wilson Viray, 51, a former member of the town council in Naujan, succumbed to 13 gunshots wounds. They came for him on a motorbike, then they sped away. Kimberly dela Cruz contributed to this report. Read more: Heres how one man survived when a death squad came after him Duterte: Hitler killed millions of Jews. I will kill millions of drug addicts. Before Duterte was the Philippines president, he was the Death Squad mayor Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news A protester wears a mask of South Korean President Park Geun-hye while performing during a rally calling for Park to step down in Seoul. (Ahn Young-Joon/AP) Opposition lawmakers in South Korea are pressing ahead with their plan to impeach President Park Geun-hye on Friday, but the embattled leader, after saying she would resign if the parliament demanded it, is digging in. Park is at the center of a corruption and influence-peddling scandal that is astounding even by South Korean standards. She is under intense political and public pressure to step down, with her approval rating at 4 percent and hundreds of thousands of South Koreans taking to the streets each weekend to demand her resignation, with another rally planned for Saturday. Opposition lawmakers plan to bring a motion Friday, the last day the National Assembly meets this year, and are confident they will win enough support from representatives in Parks ruling Saenuri party to cross the two-thirds majority needed to impeach the president. If the motion succeeds, it will go to the Constitutional Court for approval, which could take six months, but Park will be suspended immediately and the prime minister will take over. Park met with leaders of the Saenuri party Tuesday and signaled that she would not step down until the court had ruled, meaning this political paralysis could drag on for months. President Park said that even if an impeachment motion is passed as planned, she is determined to calmly and solemnly move forward for the nation and people as she watches the adjudication process of the Constitutional Court, Chung Jin-suk, Saenuris floor leader in the National Assembly, told local reporters after the meeting. South Korean President Park Geun-Hye bows during an address to the nation at the presidential Blue House in Seoul on Nov. 29. (Jeon Heon-Kyun/Reuters) With the political crisis coming to a head, some South Koreans are wondering if the country is arriving at a turning point similar to the one it experienced almost 30 years ago. After mass protests across the nation in 1987, the military-led government agreed to democratic overhauls that included holding direct presidential elections. Maybe this moment is not as momentous as the change from military dictatorship to democracy, but it feels like an opportunity to make the much-needed next leap, analysts say. During the last three decades, weve made remarkable progress in terms of economic development and human rights, said Kang Won-taek, a political science professor at Seoul National University. But many people think were now at a crossroads. We havent found the leadership to lead the country to a more promising future. [South Koreas president offers to resign if demanded by lawmakers] South Korea made an astonishing transformation from a poor, agrarian nation in the 1960s to the rich, high-tech powerhouse it is today. This metamorphosis was driven by the current presidents father, military strongman Park Chung-hee, whose government support for conglomerates such as Samsung and Hyundai not only powered industrialization but also forged the bond between politics and business that endures today. But there is now a sense of stagnation. The big companies are facing challenges exemplified by the way Samsung Electronics had to cancel its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone because it kept catching fire. Hanjin, one of the worlds biggest shipping lines, collapsed in August amid falling demand in a slowing global economy and has filed for bankruptcy. Young Koreans complain about a two-tier society where those born with a golden spoon in their mouths get into the best universities and secure the plum jobs, while those born with a dirt spoon work long hours in low-paying jobs without benefits. Protesters hold candles during a rally against South Korean President Park Geun-Hye in Seoul on Dec. 3. (Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images) Many people want a breakthrough to help overcome such trying questions, Kang said. This sense of unfairness is one of the key factors that have been sending people here out onto the streets to call for Parks resignation. Every president since democratization has become embroiled in some kind of bribery debacle. But this time is different. Those scandals were centered on relatives usually brothers and sons of the presidents. This one is focused directly on the president herself. After campaigning on the theme that she was incorruptible she has no children and is estranged from her siblings it has emerged in recent months that Park had been taking advice from a secret confidante on everything from North Korea policy to her wardrobe. The confidante, Choi Soon-sil, a lifelong friend and daughter of a shadowy cult leader, used that relationship to enrich herself to the tune of at least $70 million and get advantages for her family, prosecutors say. One of the countrys leading universities apparently bent its admission rules to allow Chois daughter in. To explain the anger to an American audience, Kim Ou-joon, the host of a hugely popular political podcast, explains it this way: Imagine how angry and betrayed [Donald] Trumps supporters would be if they found out that he was gay, Muslim and broke at the same time. How would his supporters react if everything they believed in him turned out to be false? [As South Koreas assembly readies impeachment, paralysis looms] This situation could have a silver lining, said Lee Chung-min, a professor of international relations at Yonsei University who served as Parks ambassador for international security affairs. There is a growing clamor for real political reform, real generational change and cleaner politics, he said. Changing the constitution to allow presidents to serve two four-year terms would be a good start. Since democratization, presidents have been limited to a single five-year term, a provision meant to guard against a return to authoritarian rule. But it has also had the effect of turning presidents into lame ducks after two years. There is universal support for making this change but disagreement on how to do it. Some ruling party lawmakers are now pushing the idea of constitutional restructuring as a solution to the current crisis, allowing Park, who was elected in 2013, to bow out early as it makes the change to a four-year term. But the opposition parties want Park out before they begin negotiations on constitutional change. Some analysts say the whole system needs retooling to make the president less powerful and to overhaul the political party structure, which sees parties coming and going every election. The current crisis is the result of conflicting views held by the citizens living in the 21st century and a political class stuck in a 20th-century style of ruling, said Kim, the podcaster, whose weekly program is called Popeyes, a play on the pejorative name for Park: the chicken. The podcast is usually downloaded 10 million times a week, but it has spiked to 14 million recently. The political and business class still believes in the system built by Parks father, where corruption was tolerated for the sake of economic growth, but the people want something different, he said. The collapse of the ruling classs paradigm will bring about a positive change in South Korea, Kim said. South Koreans now have the chance to start afresh by truly living in the 21st century. A change of administration at the next election will be a start. The whole process might take a bit longer than people expect, but I believe it can happen because the fundamental and irreversible awakening of the public has already begun. [Scandal shows that Korean disease of corruption is far from cured] There may be an additional factor driving the public. South Koreans identify themselves with national success, so its not hard to imagine their shame from this case, said Oh Chan-ho, a researcher at Sogang Universitys Institute of Social Sciences and author of popular political books about Korean youth. Shame has been added to festering corruption, labor problems and economic issues, meaning that more people have come out on to the streets. There is reason to be optimistic, said Lee of Yonsei. I think were the only country in the world that has gone through so much change in such a short period of time and succeeded, he said, citing the progress made despite decades of authoritarian and military dictatorship. We have a vibrant democracy, the economy is spluttering but is okay. We can adapt and deal with any kind of adversarial situation. Creating something new out of chaos is something that Korean people are good at. Yoonjung Seo contributed to this report. Read more Prosecutors link South Korean president to corruption scandal Japan and South Korea sign long-awaited intelligence-sharing deal 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 Libyans celebrate as forces come close to securing the last Islamic State holdouts in Sirte, Libya, on Monday. (Reuters) Libyan militias backed by American airstrikes said they have cleared the stronghold of the Islamic State in Libya, a defeat that would set back the groups ambitions in North Africa. The country, however, remains very unstable amid battles between rival militias, and the remaining militants could still undermine a fragile U.S.-backed unity government, analysts say. Libyan fighters erupted in celebration in the coastal city of Sirte on Tuesday after a nearly seven-month struggle to oust the Islamic State, as the mostly pro-government forces were searching for any remaining militants. The Islamic States hopes of extending its self-proclaimed caliphate beyond Syria and Iraq into Libya have been dashed, at least for now. But while their propaganda war and recruiting efforts have also been weakened, analysts said, the group remains active in other parts of the country. Libya faces the specter of clandestine cells staging terrorist attacks, much like theyve done recently in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan after battlefield reverses in those countries. The retaking of Sirte is certainly a negative blow to Islamic State affiliates in Libya because they will no longer have a territorial stronghold in the country, said Claudia Gazzini, senior Libya analyst for the International Crisis Group. This is significant because it no longer gives them the possibility to operate in the open or to recruit and levy taxes directly. Yet despite its demise, Gazzini said, we cannot rule out that the group will carry out attacks in other parts of the country. [Why its taking so long for the U.S. and its allies to defeat ISIS in Libya] Libya descended into turmoil following the killing of dictator Moammar Gaddafi in 2011 in the aftermath of the countrys Arab Spring uprising. The oil-producing nation fractured into fiefdoms controlled by competing groups of former rebels. Rival governments were established in the capital, Tripoli, and in the east, with each claiming authority. In the vacuum, the Islamic State and other extremist groups emerged in Libya. In early 2015, in alliance with other radical factions, the Islamic States affiliate seized parts of Sirte, situated in the heart of Libyas oil crescent. Within months, the militants had tightened their grip on the city and sought to create their own government. The militants viewed Sirte as a possible fallback capital if their headquarters in the Syrian city of Raqqa fell. Recruits from other parts of Africa and the Middle East as well as within Libya streamed to Sirte, which was where Gaddafi was born. Operationally, it was an important base and logistics hub for other ISIS fronts in Libya, said Frederic Wehrey, a Middle East analyst with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The fall of Sirte arrives at a tense moment for Libya. Rival militias have been battling for territory and economic gain in recent days in the worst eruption of fighting in the capital in more than a year. Clashes are also underway in Benghazi, Libyas second-largest city, pitting Islamists against forces loyal to Gen. Khalifa Hifter, a powerful commander who recently seized control of key oil terminals, while his rivals were focused on besieging Sirte. The violence has further challenged the authority of the unity government, which has struggled to exert control since it arrived in Tripoli in March. Those challenges are poised to become even more complicated as the Islamic State plots its next moves and a possible revival. [Migrant boat traffic from Libya to Europe is surging and turning deadlier] For it to find a place to govern and rule, it would need to find a locale suffering from marginalization and some sort of tribal or social constituency that would welcome it as well as a preexisting jihadist infrastructure, Wehrey said. Today, some Islamic State militants are fighting in Benghazi. Analysts say that others who fled Sirte may have relocated to southern Libya, including the city of Sebha. The south offers a haven to regroup, but its remoteness in the Libyan Desert makes it more difficult for it to attract recruits and stage attacks. There have also been reports of Islamic State activity in western Libya, including in the town of Bani Walid, where sympathetic tribes have provided the militants with safe houses, and in the coastal town of Sabratha, where the Islamic State has strong links to smuggling and other criminal networks. Its hard to predict whether they still have a leadership capable of thinking up next steps, said Mattia Toaldo, a Libya analyst and senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. The real question is whether the single jihadists will find a new home in other jihadist groups. Tripoli could become the militants next target. Violence in the capital would further undermine the governments authority and dissuade foreigners from returning. Tensions are also growing between Islamist militias in the city, and any eruption of fighting could aid Islamic State cells. Any outright conflict between these groups would certainly throw in disarray what little security there is in Tripoli, and this could open space for radical groups like IS, said Gazzini, referring to the Islamic State. Even as the unity government seeks to capitalize on the liberation of Sirte and bolster its international legitimacy, many of its supporters are increasingly dissatisfied. The militias that ousted the Islamic State are mostly from the city of Misurata. Many Misuratans say the recent clashes in Tripoli are an attempt by their rivals to claim the capital. The Misuratans are not happy with this and might try to mobilize forces to Tripoli in the upcoming weeks, Gazzini said. Or they could end up fighting Hifters forces, Toaldo said. The more the instability, the greater the possibility that the Islamic State will regroup and that other extremist groups will form in Libya. The important thing to underscore is that jihadism and the radical threat in Libya is still very much present, especially given the institutional breakdown of the state, the alienation of vast swaths of youths, marginalized towns and tribes, Wehrey said. Read more: As oil output falls, Libya is on the verge of economic collapse ISIS sends car bombs against U.S.-backed forces advancing on Raqqa Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Syrian government forces swept through the Old City of Aleppo on Wednesday as rebel forces besieged and facing certain defeat debated when to withdraw from their shattered stronghold. The governments push into the historic heart of Syrias largest city marks a defining moment in more than five years of war. The army and allied militiamen now control three-quarters of east Aleppo, the rebels most important enclave. The accelerating rebel collapse came as Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met in Germany for a last-ditch effort to agree on conditions that would allow the city to be evacuated. Kerry said the two would meet again Thursday morning. More than 730 people have been killed in Aleppo since the government offensive began on Nov. 15, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group. On Wednesday, the militants called for a five-day cease-fire to allow civilians, including an estimated 500 people in need of medical evacuation, to leave for the countryside north of the city. But officials within the armed opposition, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said a much broader agreement was being discussed involving a full withdrawal from the city. Activists said dozens of rebels had already fled. In comments published Wednesday, President Bashar al-Assad said victory in Aleppo would be a huge step toward the end of Syrias war. [In Aleppo, theres no way of counting the dead] The eastern districts of the city have been under siege since July, with bombardment by Syrian and Russian warplanes killing hundreds of civilians and destroying hospitals that treated the wounded. Repeated government warnings in recent weeks sent via text message or printed on airdropped leaflets have urged residents to leave, warning that those who stay will be annihilated. In the winding, close alleys of Aleppos 12th-century Old City, history has been erased. The 14th-century Old Souk has burned, and at the Umayyad Mosque, metal spikes twist out where a minaret once stood. Inside what remains of the rebel enclave, there is a growing humanitarian crisis. Amid blistering bombardment, thousands of residents displaced by the offensive now shelter inside abandoned apartment blocks. Food has almost run out, and fuel stocks are so low that rescue workers say they are often unable to reach the wounded. Photographs from the area Wednesday showed several bodies piled outside a hospital. Even by Syrian standards, the recent bombardment and shelling have been the most intense in Aleppo, Hanaa Singer, UNICEFs representative in Syria, said in an emailed statement Wednesday. The Syrian war has left almost half a million people dead and spurred the greatest refugee crisis since World War II. It has also become a proxy battleground. While Iran and Russia have kept Assad afloat, the United States, Turkey and the Persian Gulf states have offered varying degrees of support to groups that took up arms against the government in 2011. In recent months, diplomacy has focused mostly on stanching the crisis in Aleppo. President Obama and the leaders of Germany, France, Britain, Canada and Italy on Wednesday signed a public statement saying they condemn the actions of the Syrian regime and its backers, especially Russia, for the Aleppo attacks and their refusal to allow humanitarian aid into the city and other besieged areas of Syria. The Western leaders called on Syria and Russia to agree to a plan proposed by the United Nations for a cease-fire, humanitarian aid and talks on a transition government between the opposition and Assad. France will host a meeting in Paris on Saturday for opposition supporters from Europe and the Middle East; Kerry will attend. The leaders statement came after Russia and China on Monday vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a seven-day truce in Aleppo. It was the sixth time that Moscow has blocked U.N. action on Syria. In Germany, no progress was reported. Lavrov emerged from his meeting with Kerry in Hamburg after just over an hour, saying he had to leave for another appointment. Kerry told reporters that the two had obviously talked about the extraordinarily dire situation in Aleppo, and we exchanged some ideas about it and we intend to reconnect in the morning to see where we are. Asked before the meeting if Russia would support a cease-fire, Lavrov told reporters as the meeting began that he had agreed to support the American proposal of the 2nd of December. In a meeting between the two Friday, Kerry proposed the safe departure of civilians and thousands in the moderate opposition, leaving behind the al-Qaeda-linked group that Russia and Syria insist is the target of their attacks. When the rebels balked at the deal, Russia said it assumed it was off the table, but Lavrov agreed to meet with Kerry in Hamburg, where both are attending a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The Kremlin confirmed Wednesday that a Russian military adviser in Aleppo died of wounds sustained in a rebel mortar attack. It was the third Russian fatality in Syria this week. As pro-Assad forces moved in on the rebels final enclave, civilians there said they had nowhere left to run. In their voice messages, explosions crackled in the background. And when asked whether they were safe, residents repeated the same words: Im alive. DeYoung reported from Hamburg. Andrew Roth in Moscow and Zakaria Zakaria in Istanbul contributed to this report. Read more: Syrian rebels in talks with U.S. about surrender in Aleppo Russia, China veto UN proposal to stop deadly violence in Aleppo Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Photo credit: Facebook / Twitter From Cosmopolitan A 15-year-old in Lawrence, Massachusetts has been arrested and charged for the murder of his high school classmate, whose decapitated body was found by the Merrimack River north of Boston last week. Photo credit: Facebook On Saturday, Mathew Borges was charged with murdering and decapitating 16-year-old Lee Manuel Viloria-Paulino, who first went missing on Nov. 18 after he left his grandmother's house but never returned home. "It's shocking, it's heartbreaking," Lawrence Police Chief James Fitzpatrick said during a news conference. "I haven't seen anything like this in my career and I hope to never see anything like it again." The decapitated and severely mutilated body of Viloria-Paulino was discovered by a woman walking her dog last Thursday. Police reportedly discovered the victim's head nearby to the body; however, Viloria-Paulino's forearms had also been cut off, and it's unclear if officers were able to recover them, as well. Photo credit: Facebook "There's no words," the victim's mother Katiuska Paulino told the Boston Herald. "No words ... There's nothing I can say that is going to change anything at all." People reports that Borges "allegedly stabbed and mutilated Lees body so severely that his autopsy took 11 hours." Multiple sources report that the teens both attended Lawrence High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts, but the extent of their relationship and a motive for the gruesome murder still remains unclear. Mugshot of Mathew Borges, 15, accused of killing, decapitating Lee Viloria-Paulino, 16, his classmate at Lawrence High. pic.twitter.com/bzgXWnEYRt - Laurel J. Sweet (@Laurel_Sweet) December 5, 2016 Borges reportedly told police that he had last seen Viloria-Paulino alive after the two went down to the river to smoke marijuana Nov. 18 before parting ways. However, a police report suggests that the 15-year-old confessed to the murder to a witness. Story continues "A witness told investigators that Mathew told him he did something bad," a police report states, according to the Washington Post. "Mathew then told him that he stabbed a kid and cut his head off, killing him. When Mathew said this he was motioning with his hands as if he was stabbing someone and cutting someone's head off. Mathew then walked out of the house." Borges is currently being held without bail and will be due back in court Jan. 10. He is being tried as an adult. Additional reporting from the Associated Press. Follow Gina on Twitter. You Might Also Like Women are reportedly getting their hair chopped off in public in Japan. (Photo: Getty Images) Hair is a hot commodity these days. A graduate student in Japan was reportedly arrested this week on suspicion of causing bodily harm by cutting off around 35 centimeters (about 14 inches) of a womans long black hair from behind on a packed train, according to Asia and Japan news site the Asahi Shimbun. The hair was for an online auction, said local police who spoke to the assailant. Apparently, hair is commonly sold on Japans version of eBay, Yahoo Auctions, and is a big business, according to the Asahi Shimbun. The items for sale usually feature pictures of gleaming locks of hair tied at one end or the back of a long-haired woman who is the source of the item, accompanied by titles and descriptions, according to the site. If youre in the market for some hair, you might read a description like, High school student hair; very silky to the touch, and Teen hair; straight permed. One item had a starting price of 34,000 yen, which is about $300, and came with a DVD filled with photos of the actual haircut. While hair is sometimes used for wigs in Japan, wigmakers usually get their hair from dealers based in China and other countries, not the back of a bus, according to the Asahi Shimbun. One of the descriptions specifies that the purchase is good for those with a strong hair fetish. An official from another auction website that also sells hair told the Asahi Shimbun, We live in a time where various desires can come to life on the Internet. People who love hair must be purchasing them through auction websites. Police had been looking for the perpetrator of around 30 hair-cutting incidents on trains in the area since May 2013, according to the website. Investigators said the suspect has confessed to similar attacks. Unfortunately for Americans, this crime isnt unique to Japan. In 2015, a man was arrested in Oregon for chopping off a womans hair without permission in a discount store. According to the New York Daily News, this man had a history of fondness for womens hair. Authorities had become familiar with the man after several arrests involving his affection for womens hair. In 2009 he became known as the TriMet Barber after he was caught cutting and gluing womens hair on Portlands TriMet bus service. He was once arrested disclaimer, this is gross for masturbating on a womans hair on a bus. Story continues In Europe, there was a murderer with a hair fetish who would cut off womens hair and place it in the hands of his victims after the murder. While these stories are creepy, hair fetishists or trichophiles arent always evil. According to Mark D. Griffiths, PhD, these extreme cases are not representative of those who enjoy this paraphilia. According to Griffithss article in Psychology Today, trichophilia is a sexual paraphilia (sometimes called trichopathophilia, hirsutophilia, and/or hair fetishism) in which individuals derive sexual pleasure and arousal from human hair (most commonly head hair). The source of sexual arousal may be derived from viewing, touching, or (in extreme cases) eating hair. While we can understand fetishes, with haircutters on the loose, well be keeping our luscious locks on lockdown when were out in public. Lets keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Photo credit: undefined From Esquire Those stalwart folks out on the prairie in North Dakota deserve all the fireworks that can be launched into the gelid air in celebration of the Army Corps of Engineers decision to re-route the Dakota Access pipeline. What they did was a masterpiece of organizing in support of a cause once deemed to be hopeless. The decision to bring in veterans from across the country to defend the activists camping on the prairie was a masterstroke, as was the decision to set up a specific Amazon account for supplies. In the spirit of the people who walked into the firehoses in the 1960s in the American South, they completely reversed the attempts by authorities to break their movement through over-aggressive policing. I often cite William Lloyd Garrison's admonishment to the critics who said his abolitionism went too far: I am aware that many object to the severity of my language but is there not cause for severity? I will be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as justice. On this subject, I do not wish to think, or to speak, or write, with moderation. No! no! Tell a man whose house is on fire to give a moderate alarm; tell him to moderately rescue his wife from the hands of the ravisher; tell the mother to gradually extricate her babe from the fire into which it has fallen; - but urge me not to use moderation in a cause like the present. I am in earnest- I will not equivocate - I will not excuse - I will not retreat a single inch - AND I WILL BE HEARD. These people lived those words to their fullest. [contentlinks align="center" textonly="false" numbered="false" headline="Related%20Story" customtitles="What%20Do%20You%20Do%20Without%20Water?%20What%20Does%20Anyone%20Do?" customimages="" content="article.51156"] Of course, their victory could be temporary; in a little over a month, a new administration will assume power and that administration is committed to fossil fuels with a devotion that can fairly be described as fanatic. The people of the prairie, it seems, are very conscious of that. From Reuters: Story continues The mood among protesters has been upbeat since the rejection was announced on Sunday afternoon at the Oceti Sakowin camp in Cannon Ball, North Dakota. Activists were seen hugging and letting out war cries in response to the news. With the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump supportive of the project, activists were concerned a reversal could be coming. "This is a temporary celebration. I think this is just a rest," said Charlotte Bad Cob, 30, from the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. "With a new government it could turn and we could be at it again." Tom Goldtooth, a Lakota from Minnesota, and a co-founder of Indigenous Environmental Network, said he expects Trump to try to reverse the decision. "I think we're going to be in this for the long haul. That's what my fear is," he said. These are not idlers. These are not back-to-the-land hippies who seek trees to hug. These are dedicated political actors using the tools of American protest in the best traditions of that form. Moreover, these are lifetime victims of the kind of environmental injustice that is too often overlooked because it happens to people about whom society and politics seem to value less than someone in Youngstown who's pissed because he has to hit "1" for English. You simply don't mess with water. People who teach that lesson deserve more than a few skyrockets. Click here to respond to this post on the official Esquire Politics Facebook page. You Might Also Like A young California mother vanished last month in the middle of a seemingly normal day. Weeks later, she reappeared traumatized by captors, beaten and branded, her family says. Subscribe now to PEOPLE, or pick up this weeks issue, on newsstands Friday, for much more on this case. As authorities hunt for two women who allegedly kidnapped Sherri Papini, friends and family of the 34-year-old California mother-of-two are struggling to make sense of her mysterious, sudden abduction. Why did they beat her and break her nose and brand her and burn her? Papinis friend and former co-worker Joyce Travis tells PEOPLE in this weeks issue, on newsstands Friday. Every one wants to know why. Everyone wants the answer, Travis says. I am sure Sherri doesnt know either. I am sure she is just as confused today. Papini was found Thanksgiving morning on a roadside about 150 miles from her home in Redding, California 22 days after she says she was abducted during a morning jog. Her weeks in captivity were a nightmare, according to those closest to her. Her husband, Keith Papini, said in a statement to PEOPLE that Sherri was repeatedly beaten, the bridge of her nose broken and she was branded. Sherri reportedly weighed 87 pounds when she was found and, according to the woman who called 911, looked panicked and frightened. Of the branding, Travis says it was almost like they didnt want her to be beautiful anymore. Keith has tearfully described how Sherri withstood her abduction: in part by imagining she was with her children, 4-year-old Tyler and Violet, 2. It Was Getting Despairing Sherris disappearance was catapulted to national prominence by her friends and family, who quickly went public with their fears that she had been abducted. The truth and what remains unknown has unsettled them all. When walks in the room everyone turns around and looks, and she is the girl you cant hate because she is so nice, says Travis, who met Sherri when the two worked together at AT&T. Everyone who knew her were all distraught she was gone and hoping and praying she was safe and sound. As time went on, it was getting despairing. Story continues 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 Travis believes that Sherri was likely abducted by sex traffickers: I believe it was an abduction from the beginning because of her size. She is so tiny, and I can just imagine her running at the side of the road and someone thinking she is a teenager and take her for sex trafficking. She looks like a kid. Redding Mayor Missy McArthur who texted the words Hallelujah to the Papinis the morning Sherri was found opines that she may have just been at the wrong place at the wrong time. I still think it is random crazy, because they apparently cut her restraints and threw her out of the car, she says. For sex trafficking, they probably wouldnt have released her. Friends have also rallied around Sherri against those who claim the case is some kind of twisted hoax (speculation investigators also dispute). It makes no sense you would do any of that to yourself, Keiths co-worker Nick Hurley tells PEOPLE. For me knowing her and how she was with her kids I knew right away that someone forcefully took her. There was no way she would leave her kiddos. Investigators continue their search for the two women Sherri says abducted her (reportedly the only two women she says she saw during her captivity), but they have said no one is ruled out as a suspect. A motive has not been disclosed. Sherris sister, Sheila Koester, is thrilled about her sisters safe return and hopes that authorities dont give up before they find the alleged abductors. I am just hoping that the sheriffs department can continue their investigation and we can find out everything we can for her, Koester tells PEOPLE. I hope whoever did this to her is brought to justice. We all have hope that we will have some closure. Photo credit: Getty From Cosmopolitan Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein has initiated recount efforts in three states - Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan - where Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton by a combined margin of 103,519 votes. (A fourth, partial recount is underway in Nevada, by independent presidential candidate Roque De La Fuente). Though considered an "extreme long shot" by the New York Times, Stein's campaign raised her initial goal of $7 million - twice as much as she raised in her failed campaign bid - in just a matter of days. Clinton's campaign has cooperated with the effort. However, Stein is not pursuing the recount to curry favor among Clintonites. Instead, her mission, she says, is to ensure voter integrity. Though there is no evidence of hacking or machine tampering, cyber security expert J. Alex Halderman suggested it was possible. Stein spoke to Cosmopolitan.com about the latest in the recount effort, how she plans to spend any excess in fundraising, and what's next. How much have you used up of the money that youve raised, and what are you planning to do with the remaining funds, if any? In order to handle the allegations that are being incurred right now from the state, from the boards of election, from the lawyers, from the efforts to publicize the campaign, and from the volunteer campaigns on the ground - which require a lot of support and management for the volunteers - we will require $9.5 million, and that does not include, for example, the $1 million that Pennsylvania wanted to add to the cost. Those could go up quite a bit depending on other actions of the state. What weve raised total was $7.1 million when I last looked, and I believe that was yesterday. Assuming that it ends up not costing as much as you anticipate, if you do have leftover funds, how will they be used and how transparent will that process be in terms of what donors want? So, the process will be completely transparent, and I should mention that the money is all raised and deposited into a dedicated and segregated account. The donor list, by the way, will be made public by the Federal Election Commission and that will happen this week. The rules for donations are basically the same rules that we used to fundraise with as a political campaign: that is a maximum donation of $2,700. However, we know that the average donation is approximately $47 or $48, and that there have been over 150,000 donors. Story continues If, by some miracle, there was money leftover, that money would be appropriated according to FEC guidelines, and the options, as I understand it, would be refunding the money or making a decision as to how to continue supporting election integrity efforts that can carry on the work of this campaign. And if that were to happen, what we would be actually very excited about doing is having every contributor vote on a set of options for exactly how that money would be spent, so that it could be a participatory democratic process whereby the donors decide, and we would use a voting system that we think should be used all the time - you rank your choices, and that way, we could come up with one or more options for exactly how those funds will be spent according to the wishes of the donors. Tell me about the decision to pursue action in federal court instead of paying out the $1 million bond to the state of Pennsylvania. Well, the problem was not that it was too expensive, but that it was a dead-end course of action. If you want to verify vote in Pennsylvania, it requires three voters to each go to a notary public and get a statement notarized. So three people have to do this in each precinct and there are 9,000 precincts, so if you want to do a full recount, you have to get 27,000 people to notarize legal statements and then get them filed with the precinct elections administration. So its extremely complicated and extremely labor-intensive and very, shall we say, not user-friendly to everyday people who want to ensure that they have verified vote. Then theres the other issue of the political entrenched court system where they put the recount campaign in an impossible situation by calling for a court date that would require evidence about the problems with the voting system before we would have the evidence. They advanced the date to a time that would make to impossible to actually present a case. What are the next steps in each of the three states, and what are you expecting to happen? We have nine lawsuits that are active right now in which these, basically, our right to a secure and fair vote is being fought out. In Wisconsin, we are moving ahead. Out of 72 different counties, all but about 10 are performing that hand-count, which is really a tribute I think to the court system and to the local elections people. Were still hoping that the remaining 10 or so counties that are not doing a hand-count will come around. Then in Michigan, we just had this decision after midnight last night - we were all kind of flabbergasted - this incredibly inspired decision by a judge in Michigan who said that the hand-count should proceed, quickly. The recount was set to start on Friday until the Trump lot began to create all sorts of obstructions, which has delayed the process. However, Donald Trump and his cronies have filed a whole bunch of legalistic land mines that we have to now basically deal with and there are court cases that are going forward now. [Michigan] Attorney General [Bill Schuette], who is a political crony of Donald Trump himself, has filed a lawsuit that is attempting to stop the case from going forward, and I believe that is the next legal hurdle in Michigan. And in Pennsylvania, we have basically a dead end. So we have now filed in federal court for the recount to go forward in order to ensure the constitutional right to vote is protected in Pennsylvania. What is your response to those who say that it was your fault that Trump got elected, and have you faced any backlash for your campaign? So a lot of people are looking for someone to blame the election outcome on. But if you look at the numbers, heres what you find: Exit polls tell us very clearly that Green voters - 61 percent of Green voters would not vote for Donald Trump or for Hillary Clinton. They would only vote Green, so these were not votes that were taken away. Its a myth that Green votes are taken away from Hillary Clinton or that they would automatically go to Democrats. There were many Trump supporters who were going to support Bernie Sanders. So there is surprising crossover here. The American voting public is complex. Simple rules dont apply. We have a democracy which is in trouble. A lot of people didnt like their choices here. It was the most disliked and untrusted set of candidates in our history. And many people were interested in other choices. What have you and Hillary Clinton discussed about the recount, if anything? Nothing. We have had zero contact. Our lawyers have communicated with each other, so that we will not interfere and not get in each others way. There has otherwise been zero contact between our campaigns. Youve said before that both candidates were not your candidate, but do you believe they are equally unfavorable, and do you think that the Green Party will have the same struggles under Trump that they would under Clinton? The struggles are different, but in my view, its a sinking ship under Democrats and under Republicans. For example, you know, its a choice between coal - Trump supports - or fracking - which Clinton supports. Theyre both a dead end for the environment. In my view, this has been a bipartisan process that has essentially thrown everyday working people under the bus. Our jobs are going overseas, our wages are declining, a generation is locked in debt, over half of our discretionary budget is being spent on wars that are making us less secure, not more secure, so - and the climate is in meltdown, and Barack Obamas policy and the policy of two Democratic Houses of Congress with all of the above, which has been an absolute disaster. Were not getting out of here alive under a Democratic or Republican leadership. Thats why I think its very important for us to stand up for a democracy that serves us. In order to do that, we have to start with a voting system that counts in which we the voters can have confidence that our votes are going to be counted, and, number two, that we need to move on from there and create a voting system in which we can vote our values, not our fears, and, number three, we need to open up our debates so that our voters can actually be informed and empowered to make real decisions because real choices were locked out of this election, and thats an incredible disservice to voters. There was a spike in hate crimes and racially charged incidents in the aftermath of Trumps election. Do you think that that would have increased after Clintons win, if she had won? Its hard to know because forces or racism and immigrant-bashing had really been released during the election. And would you have seen the frustration of those forces on account of Trumps loss? You know, I dont know. What I know is that its very important that we stand up with principled leadership on behalf of our communities who are at risk - the immigrant, the Muslim, the Latino, the LGBTQ community, women. We need to stand up not only in the streets but also in the halls of power, and we need to ensure that were moving forward. If you look at the policies of Hillary Clinton, unfortunately - well, and Bill Clinton as well that Hillary supported - this opened the floodgates to mass incarceration. It created the militarization of the border and the recruitment of local police into the anti-immigrant policies. Its been a bipartisan problem that frontline communities are in the target areas and have already been in the target areas, although its more explicit under Donald Trump. It is absolutely unconscionable how both parties have contributed to this very difficult situation that were in right now, and it underscores that we need principled and new leadership going forward. Will you run for office again? I describe myself as a "mother on fire" and I am currently practicing political medicine because its the mother of all illnesses. As a medical doctor, thats how I come to be here. My concern when I get up out of bed in the morning is, are my kids going to make it? And I know my kids arent going to make it unless all kids are going to make it because right now were in a situation where theyre not, where theyre looking at this economy, which is a disaster zone for a generation locked in debt that doesnt have the jobs that enable them to even have a place to live, let alone start their own family. We have really a human rights disaster being lived out right now by an entire generation of young people. If you look at the catastrophe of the climate, it is only accelerating under Democrats as well as under Republicans. I dont have a crystal ball. I just know that Im here and Im committed as long as Im breathing. Mothers fight for their kids, and thats what Im doing. Your recount has generated more than your campaign did. How did that make you feel? Oh, I think its great. I think its actually nothing short of miraculous that weve been able to stand up and fill the void of leadership now, and its full speed ahead. Hopefully, well come out of this not only with a vote count that we can trust and reforms to that voting system, but reforms to the election system, so that we dont have to have another election where people are voting against the candidate theyre most afraid of. Follow Prachi on Twitter. You Might Also Like Former Old Kampala Divisional Police Commander Joram Mwesigye is today expected to appear in Court and defend himself on allegations that he assaulted a TV journalist Andrew Lwanga. This is after Buganda Road Court Grade one magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu ordered Mwesigye who is at the rank of Assistant Superintended of Police to clear his name by defending himself on the said allegations, after she had studied the evidence of the six prosecution witnesses on 11th November 2016. Mwesigye faces three counts including assault, occasioning actual bodily harm and other two counts of malicious damage to property. Prosecution says on the 12th /January 2015 along Namirembe Road and Bakuli, in Kampala, Mwesigye unlawfully assaulted Lwanga and damaged his video camera and that of another TV journalist Joseph Ssetimba. The 2 journalists had been assigned to cover a peaceful demonstration by a youth group known as the jobless youths who were marching to present a petition to the Inspector General of Police. Lwanga sustained spinal injuries from the said assault and has since been using crutches. 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 Every year since Charles Lindbergh landed on the cover of TIME as 1927s Man of the Year, the magazines editors have named a Person of the Year, that individualor idea, or groupwho has most influenced the years news, for better or worse. Ten years ago, however, TIME chose not to put a famous person on the cover of the annual Person of the Year issue. Instead, they placed an order for 6,965,000 pieces of reflective material so that youyes, you! could be on the cover. As then-Managing Editor Richard Stengel explained, the choice (and the attendant cover design) was a result of the recognition that, largely thanks to the power of the Internet, individuals were wielding power in new and dramatic ways: From user-generated images of Baghdad strife and the London Underground bombing to the macaca moment that might have altered the midterm elections to the hundreds of thousands of individual outpourings of hope and poetry and self-absorption, this new global nervous system is changing the way we perceive the world. And the consequences of it all are both hard to know and impossible to overestimate. There are lots of people in my line of work who believe that this phenomenon is dangerous because it undermines the traditional authority of media institutions like TIME. Some have called it an amateur hour. And it often is. But America was founded by amateurs. The framers were professional lawyers and military men and bankers, but they were amateur politicians, and thats the way they thought it should be. Thomas Paine was in effect the first blogger, and Ben Franklin was essentially loading his persona into the MySpace of the 18th century, Poor Richards Almanack. The new media age of Web 2.0 is threatening only if you believe that an excess of democracy is the road to anarchy. I dont. So it should have been no surprise that youTIMEs readerstook the chance to respond to the choice. Story continues Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter In letters to the editor, many readers expressed the idea that the choice was a well-deserved recognition for Internet users. But many others thought the selection was a cop-out. An Austin, Texas, readers reaction to seeing You on the cover was Ewww. Its sad that a once important cultural touchstone has devolved into the equivalent of everyone-gets-a-trophy day at summer camp. A Manhattan Beach, Calif., reader argued that the choice completely missed the real power of the Internet, suggesting a better pick to reflect the power of the Internet would have been Craigslist founder Craig Newmark for creating a website that caters to the real stuff of daily life. The cover has endured as a jokefor example, one Reddit user wondered aloud whether it was worth mentioning in a cover letterbut the logic behind the choice has more than endured. People who share images, videos, ideas and even fake news have been driving the news cycle in innovative ways for the past 10 years and will likely continue to do so for years to come. In other words, you have taken to heart the ideas expressed by one Stamford, Conn., reader all the way back in 2006: 13 books you absolutely HAVE to read before they become movies in 2017 Whether you are a purist or you just like to know what you are getting yourself into before you begin a film, you understand the importance of reading a book before it becomes a movie. And if you are less interested in another Marvel movie and would prefer to see more literary-based films, then youre in luck, since 2017 has a decent amount of films based on books. However, you better get to reading quick if you want to be able to compare these movies to their source materials since 2017 will be here before you know it. While there are many highly-anticipated books being adapted into films right now like the memoir The Glass Castle with Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson, and Naomi Watts we focused only on the movies that have official announced release dates in 2017. That way, you can schedule your reading accordingly. (Although, please note movie release dates can change.) So here are 13 books you should put your reading list ASAP before they hit the big screen in 2017. 1. Hidden Figures 91utlpkersl Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae star in this movie based on the non-fiction book by Margot Lee Shetterly about black female mathematicians at NASA in the 1960s. (NBCs Timeless actually just did an episode featuring Hensons character, the incredibly inspiring Katherine Johnson.) Start your 2017 right by not only seeing Hidden Figures, but by reading the book. When you need to read the book by: January 6th (limited release on December 25th). 2. Live by Night 51ae0tdghl Get ready for the new Argo because Ben Affleck wrote, directed, and stars in this film based on the novel by Dennis Lehane. This gangster film has an impressive cast and youll have some extra time to read the source novel if you wait until the movie is in wide release. When you need to read the book by: January 13th (limited release on December 25th) 3. A Dogs Purpose W. Bruce Camerons novel about a dog who gets reincarnated will most likely have you in tears when Josh Gad voices the pup in the movie version, which also stars Dennis Quaid. Story continues When you need to read the book by: January 27th 4. Fifty Shades Darker 51rh6dtbql The second book in E. L. James Fifty Shades trilogy is coming to theaters in 2017 and you can breeze through the first two steamy erotic novels before Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan return as Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey. When you need to read the book by: February 10th 5. Tulip Fever 51hemzgyrcl Deborah Moggach, whose book These Foolish Things inspired the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, wrote the novel Tulip Fever about a young woman who has an affair with an artist commissioned to paint her portrait in the Netherlands in the 1600s. Actress Alicia Vikander stars in the film with Christoph Waltz as her husband, so you know it will be superbly acted. When you need to read the book by: February 24th 6. Before I Fall 51n3rkwtwsl Based on Lauren Olivers YA book, Before I Fall stars Zoey Deutch as Samantha Kingston, a girl who lives the day of her death over for one week. This one is going to be emotional, you guys. When you need to read the book by: March 3rd 7. The Zookeepers Wife Jessica Chastain stars as the title character in this movie based on the 2007 non-fiction book by Diane Ackerman about the real-life Antonina Zabinska, whose husband ran the Warsaw Zoo in Poland during WWII. This true story about Zabinska using the zoo to help Jewish people hide from the Nazis is guaranteed to be gut-wrenching. When you need to read the book by: March 31st 8. Wonder 41nzpgermyl Rooms Jacob Tremblay will star opposite Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson as Auggie, a boy with facial deformities. Wonder is based on the 2012 childrens novel by R. J. Palacio that has an important lesson of acceptance that is good for both kids and adults to read. When you need to read the book by: April 7th 9. The Circle 41rjxirkiyl Based on David Eggers 2013 novel about a young woman who gets a job at an internet company, The Circle has a star-studded cast that includes Tom Hanks and Emma Watson. When you need to read the book by: April 28th 10. The Dark Tower 71dnmhlpcul You might not be able to get through all eight books of Stephen Kings The Dark Tower series before the Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey movie premieres, but you can at least read the first book, The Gunslinger. When you need to read the book by: July 28th 11. It 51meixuanql Another King adaptation to hit movie theaters is based on the authors 1986 novel It. The movie will be a two-parter and although there was already a miniseries starring Tim Curry, that wont make Bill Skarsgards Pennywise the Dancing Clown any less creepy. When you need to read the book by: September 8th 12. Red Sparrow 51ryfg77cfl Jennifer Lawrence is finished with The Hunger Games, but she is starring in a new movie based on a book trilogy. Red Sparrow is the first book in former CIA operative Jason Matthews The Red Sparrow trilogy (only the first two books are out right now) about a modern Russian intelligence agent. When you need to read the book by: November 10th 13. Murder on the Orient Express 51km1eirgdl Agatha Christies mystery novel featuring her detective Hercule Poirot is getting a movie remake courtesy of Kenneth Branagh. Even if you have seen the original 1974 film, it wouldnt hurt to read a classic Christie book. When you need to read the book by: November 22nd In a world where movies are easier to access than ever, let this list motivate you to get literary by reading these books before their movie versions are released. Your brain will thank you for it. The post 13 books you absolutely HAVE to read before they become movies in 2017 appeared first on HelloGiggles. Investors generally expect companies valued at billions of dollars to go public. Companies that issue an initial public offering (IPO) can use the funds to invest in growth opportunities. In exchange, they are exposed to much greater public scrutiny and will have a larger group of shareholders to answer to. Lately, several high-profile tech IPOs, including companies like Groupon and Twitter, have proven very disappointing. Perhaps for this reason, and also potentially due to an uncertain macroeconomic environment, many massive companies have remained private. Others, such as Snap, Inc., the owner of Snapchat worth an estimated $20 billion, have announced plans to go public in 2017. ALSO READ: 40 Countries the US Government Doesn't Want You to Visit PrivCo, a company specializing in the finances of private corporations, provided 24/7 Wall St. with its estimates of revenues, valuations, and funds raised by some of the largest private global companies. PrivCo listed 18 major private companies that appear poised to issue a public offering some time in 2017. These companies range from MapR Technologies, which has a valuation of $488 million, to Uber, which is valued at $68 billion. All of the companies on this list currently have hundreds of millions to billions of dollars in funding. Before going public, funding comes from a range of sources including banks, investment firms, and venture capitalists. For a given companys private investors, an IPO provides an exit strategy, or an opportunity to withdraw funding, and profit, from their investment. The alternative is to look for a single strategic buyer. Large companies that have raised significant capital are often cutting-edge tech companies, and most of this list consists of such companies. New technologies and new markets present opportunities for startups to establish themselves and gain substantial revenue. Spotify, which PrivCo estimates will be worth $8 billion when it goes public, has been the most popular music streaming application. DJI is the global leader in the manufacturing of private-use drones. Uber has forever changed the makeup of public taxi systems in cities around the world. Story continues Several of the companies on this list represent new media, either news sources or communications. Snap, Inc., which has already filed its paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a public offering, owns Snapchat, one of the hottest social media apps in the world today. Buzzfeed and Vice Media, which have helped change the way content is read and distributed on the internet and television, are also on this list of potential valuable IPOs. As most of the major companies on this list represent substantial venture capital investment in new technologies, a large share are located in or near the Silicon Valley area in California. Other companies on this list are not American, but have found success abroad following the models of certain American tech companies. Consumer electronics company Xiaomi, which is a leading producer of smartphones, is considered by many to be the Chinese Apple, while Coupang is a massive South Korean e-commerce company that has been likened to Amazon. PrivCo provided 24/7 Wall St. with a list of companies that may go public in 2017. PrivCo established its list using a number of filters--including minimum thresholds for revenues, revenue growth, total funding, and location. All funding and revenue figures were provided by PrivCo, and are as of the most recent available funding period. These are the 18 biggest companies to IPO in 2017. 18. MapR Technologies > Industry: Data analytics software > Total funding: $224 million > Last known valuation: $488 million > 2015 revenue: $130 million Data analytics software company MapR was founded in 2009. Due to its subscription-based model, the revenue of MapR is relatively steady and predictable. The company has raised hundreds of millions in recent years from a handful of companies, including Alphabets growth equity investment fund, Google Capital. The company is expected to go public in mid-2017. ALSO READ: School Districts Spending the Most Per Student 17. MediaMath > Industry: Adtech > Total funding: $200 million > Last known valuation: $1.0 billion > 2015 revenue: $601 million MediaMath helps companies optimize their digital advertising in a field known as adtech. The company's demand-side platform is one of its most successful products and one of the reasons the company was able to raise more than $200 million. Two of the companys competitors have gone public in the last two years and some industry observers speculate MediaMath will soon follow suit. 16. Buzzfeed > Industry: Publishing > Total funding: $496 million > Last known valuation: $1.7 billion > 2015 revenue: $168 million With journalism increasingly moving online and away from print, several publications have pioneered the new forms of media consumption. At the forefront of this transition is media giant Buzzfeed. The company, which helped popularize the so-called listicle, is one of the most popular sites on the web with approximately 200 million unique visitors each month. The company has raised nearly $500 million. At a 2015 tech conference, Buzzfeed CEO Jonah Peretti announced the companys intention to go public. 15. Blue Apron > Industry: Meal delivery > Total funding: $194 million > Last known valuation: $2.0 billion > 2015 revenue: $360 million Several companies have benefitted from the growth of online food ordering and delivery. Unlike Seamless, which facilitates restaurant deliveries, and Freshdirect, which delivers food from supermarkets, Blue Apron delivers meal kits that include food and instructions to make the meal. Blue Apron has been the most successful in the field making $360 million in revenue in 2015. Earlier this year, the company began meeting with a number of banks to evaluate and compare IPO strategies. 14. Domo > Industry: Business analytics > Total funding: $600 million > Last known valuation: $2.0 billion > 2015 revenue: $75 million Domo is a data analytics and visualization platform originally designed for executives to better understand the performance of their companies. Domo CEO Josh James initially wanted to go public by the end of 2015 but held off due to market volatility. The company has so far raised $600 million from investment firms, including Blackrock, T. Rowe Price, and Fidelity Investments. 13. Social Finance > Industry: Lending platform > Total funding: $1.4 billion > Last known valuation: $4.0 billion > 2015 revenue: $115 million Social Finance, or SoFi, is a San Francisco-based tech startup. SoFi was founded five years ago as a peer-to-peer lending platform for Stanford University students and alumni. Today, it has evolved into a nationwide finance company that offers mortgages, personal loans, and wealth management services. SoFi is the second largest online lender after publically traded Lending Club. ALSO READ: America's Fastest Growing Beer Brands 12. Vice Media > Industry: Media > Total funding: $730 million > Last known valuation: $4.5 billion > 2015 revenue: $915 million What began in 1994 as a free magazine in Montreal is now a Brooklyn-based multi platform media giant that made $915 million in revenue in 2015. Vice Media is a news outlet that often reports on edgy topics, such as sex and drugs, and is marketed to millennials. According to PrivCo estimates, Vices valuation at IPO may be close to $5.0 billion. 11. Coupang > Industry: E-commerce > Total funding: $1.4 billion > Last known valuation: $4.7 billion > 2015 revenue: $968 million There are a number of highly-valued, private e-commerce companies that are making names for themselves. South Korean e-commerce company Coupang is one. Sometimes referred to as the Amazon of Korea, the company has raised $1.4 billion and is worth nearly $5 billion. While initially the company was eager to go public, in a 2015 press conference, Coupang founder Kim Beom-suk indicated that it may hold off, as long as the company can raise money without an IPO. 10. Chobani > Industry: Food > Total funding: N/A > Last known valuation: $5.0 billion > 2015 revenue: $1.6 billion Created by a Turkish immigrant, the Chobani yogurt company was just an idea in 2005. Today, it is the largest Greek yogurt brand in the United States. Despite making nearly $1.6 billion in revenue last year, the company has been borrowing heavily and may need to go public to raise more capital. Discussing the widely anticipated IPO, Chobani's CFO Mick Beekhuizen told the Wall Street Journal earlier this year, Everything is on the table. 9. Spotify > Industry: Music streaming > Total funding: $2.1 billion > Last known valuation: $8.0 billion > 2015 revenue: $2.2 billion Spotify, an unlimited music streaming service that launched in 2008, has 30 million paid subscribers. Some industry observers have speculated that recent changes in the Swedish company's leadership and the apparent shift of its finance operations to its New York office signal an IPO in 2017. Due in part to hefty commissions paid to the music industry, Spotify has lost money each year it has been in operation, and an IPO could certainly help give the company some breathing room. 8. Stripe > Industry: Electronic payment > Total funding: $190 million > Last known valuation: $9.0 billion > 2015 revenue: $450 million When Facebook and Twitter users make in-app purchases, it is e-payment company Stripe that facilitates these financial transactions. Stripe accounts for 14% of all electronic payments, the second largest share in the industry after PayPal. Headquartered in San Francisco, Stripe supports businesses in 25 countries. Though many speculate the company will go public in 2017, co-founder John Collison recently told Bloomberg News that the company is happy with its private status. ALSO READ: The Best and Worst Run States in America: A Survey of All 50 http://247wallst.com/special-report/2016/11/22/the-largest-private-company-in-every-state/ 7. Dropbox > Industry: Cloud computing > Total funding: $1.1 billion > Last known valuation: $10.0 billion > 2015 revenue: $558 million Cloud storage and sharing company Dropbox provides services to 500 million individual users and 200,000 businesses worldwide. Now worth roughly $10 billion, Dropbox is currently one of the most valuable private companies in the world. Insiders report that the company has already met with advisors to discuss an IPO in 2017. 6. DJI > Industry: Drones > Total funding: $600 million > Last known valuation: $10.0 billion > 2015 revenue: $1.0 billion Da-Jiang Innovations Science and Technology Co., better known as DJI, is by far the worlds leading producer in the increasingly popular consumer drone industry. The company's Phantom drone line, which is now in its fourth generation, is the most popular drone brand in the world. While exact numbers are not available, the company has sold close to 1 million units worldwide. While DJI CEO Frank Wang Tao denied plans for a public offering, a leaked company document suggests the company may go public in 2017. 5. Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) > Industry: Aerospace > Total funding: $1.2 billion > Last known valuation: $12.0 billion > 2015 revenue: $1.1 billion One of the worlds largest private space exploration companies, SpaceX was founded in 2002 by billionaire and entrepreneur Elon Musk, who also co-founded Tesla Motors. The company has reached several important milestones, including vertically landing a rocket on a drone ship in the ocean. While the company is shrouded in speculation about a potential IPO, some argue its $1.2 billion funding and Falcon 9 rocket launch failure in September make a public offering unlikely next year. 4. WeWork > Industry: Real estate management > Total funding: $1.7 billion > Last known valuation: $15.0 billion > 2015 revenue: $250 million Renting out office space to businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs, WeWork is effectively a real estate management company. However, WeWork has an extremely high $15 billion valuation, which is more closely aligned with major Silicon Valley tech companies. At a tech conference over the summer, company CEO Adam Neumann stated he was not afraid to take the company public, and indicated he was eager to make his investors money. 3. Snap Inc. > Industry: Social media > Total funding: $3.2 billion > Last known valuation: $20.0 billion > 2015 revenue: $59 million Describing itself as a camera company, the Snapchat social media platform has over 150 million daily users. Last month, the company filed paperwork for an IPO and is expected to go public in March 2017. Currently valued at about $20 billion, the messaging company is the most valuable American social media platform to go public since Facebook hit the trading floor in 2012 with an $81.2 billion valuation. ALSO READ: The Drunkest City in Each State 2. Xiaomi > Industry: Consumer electronics > Total funding: $1.5 billion > Last known valuation: $45.0 billion > 2015 revenue: $12.5 billion Much like Apple, Chinese tech company Xiaomi produces a wide variety of popular consumer electronic devices, including smartphones. Based its most recent round of funding in 2014, the company is valued at $45 billion. Xiaomi has struggled to maintain market share recently, and some have speculated the companys window for a public offering is closing. 1. Uber > Industry: Car service > Total funding: $13.0 billion > Last known valuation: $68.0 billion > 2015 revenue: $1.5 billion Valued at $68 billion, Uber is the most valuable tech startup in the world. Though CEO Travis Kalanick has publicly stated his intent to hold off on a public offering for as long as possible, it is not clear how long that may be. Unlike some companies that may go public in 2017, Uber can continue funding its business without an IPO. However, others have argued shareholders will seek to have the company go public while revenues are still rising. Related Articles Follow along as we introduce the finalists of the2016 T+L Photo Contest. These nine photographers come from all over the United Statesbut their photos span the entire world. For Round 2 of the contest, we asked each finalist to subject a few more of their photographs showcasing their talent and a video outlining why they should be named the winner. Don't forget to vote for your favorite photographer before the voting ends on December 13th. Travel photographer Caroline Morrow made it to the second round of the 2016 T+L Photo Contest with her shot of Half Dome in Yosemite Valley (pictured above). It's a location that's photographed hundreds of times every year, but our photo editors were impressed by its fresh feel. "Landscape had thousands of submissions," said Photo Director Scott Hall."People take the same photo, so for someone to be able to take something that so photographed well, this is a good example of how you take a clichsubject and make it original. Photo Editor Alex Arnold puts it simply: Kudos for taking an original photo of Half Dome. Travel + Leisure Photo Contest Travel + Leisure Photo Contest Travel + Leisure Photo Contest Her favorite subject is evident: landscapes. She takes that love of nature into her work lifeshe spends her days working at an outdoor store."When I'm capturing landscapes, I want other people to see these photos and feel how I felt in that moment," she says. "For example, the photo of the sun setting over the reservoir in Jackson,Mississippi. I would have sat there for hours watching that sunset. I want other people to feel peace and serenity when they see that photo." Travel + Leisure Photo Contest Travel + Leisure Photo Contest Travel + Leisure Photo Contest You can get to know more about Morrow and her photography strategies in her finalist video. Check it outand don't forget to vote! Related Articles Taxes are complicated for everyone, especially if you're self-employed. Many self-employed people see their incomes fluctuate from year to year. That can make it difficult for planning. If your income significantly dropped off, consider converting all or a portion of your retirement accounts to a Roth IRA, while you're income is lower, says Edward Collins, founding partner and wealth advisor at Artisan Wealth Management in Lebanon, New Jersey. "While a conversion creates a taxable event in the year of conversion, the long-term benefits of tax-deferred growth and tax-free access to the funds in retirement might just outweigh those upfront costs," Collins says. [Read: Prep Your Portfolio for the New Year.] Here are three important questions to ask before the end of the year: What can I do to lower my tax bill before year end? Determine what is deductible from industry conferences and membership dues to business travel. "The biggest mistakes I see is people not knowing what you can and can't deduct on your taxes," says Stephen Alred Jr., founder of Ignite Financial in Atlanta. Consider buying business equipment by Dec. 31 to take advantage of IRS Section 179 of the tax code that allows businesses to deduct the full price of up to $500,000 on qualifying purchases such as software, a printer or farm equipment. If you're healthy, consider opening a health savings account to take advantage of saving for qualified medical and retiree health expenses on a tax-free basis, Alred says. Look at optimizing home office deductions. Do this by determining whether it's the simplified option -- where a portion of the residence is exclusively used on a regular basis for business purposes and can be deducted at the standard $5 per square foot, but does not exceed 300 square feet, or the regular method that takes a percentage of the home used for business using IRS form 8829, whichever is more beneficial for your specific situation, says Dave Du Val, chief advocacy officer for TaxAudit.com in Sacramento, California. Story continues Either way it's essential to keep good records. That includes receipts for expenses you pay, such as rent, mortgage, internet and phone bills, along with equipment and capital improvements, such as a computer and printer, Du Val says. For business travel, it's important to keep a mileage log where the self-employed person has the date, destination, starting and ending odometer, whom you met with, the address of the location and the business purpose. Du Val says the IRS wins a lot of audits because "they know the taxpayer doesn't keep all the required information." Ideally, he says, mileage logs should also be kept for all personal uses for the vehicle, as well as business purposes. [See: 7 of the Best Stocks to Buy for 2017.] Consider adding spouses and children to the business. "Hiring children can be a way to acclimate family to the business, transfer income to a lower tax bracket for use by the children for their expenses and possibly create earned income allowing contributions to IRA accounts for children to use for education or first time home purchase or retirement," says Julia Brufke Wenger, partner of Bala Financial Group in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Do I have the right retirement account for my situation? Consider whether or not you should start a solo 401(k) or simplified employee pension -- SEP IRA -- to save more cash than a Roth or traditional individual retirement account, Alred says. Alred says he considered creating a solo 401(k) and SEP IRA to help lower his income bracket by choosing a tax deferred option. He ended up creating a SEP IRA because there was less paperwork and it was an overall easier process. A SEP IRA allows you to contribute whatever is the lesser amount: 25 percent of your net earnings from self-employment -- your revenues, minus expenses minus the deduction of half of your self-employment tax and deduction from your SEP IRA contributions -- or $53,000 in 2016. An individual 401(k) allows an employer to make a contribution in the role as an employee and in the role of employer, which translates into an employee contribution of $18,000 for 2016 and 2017, ($24,000 if you are 50 or older) and an employer contribution of 20 percent multiplied by your business's profit, minus the deduction for one-half of your self-employment tax. "A solo 401(k) may work best for a self-employed individual who wants to max out a contribution but have less than $72,000 of income and $96,000 if over 50," says Colin Exelby, president and founder of Celestial Wealth Management in Towson, Maryland. "In that situation, the solo 401(k) will allow for higher dollar deferral than the 25 percent SEP IRA contributions." A Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees -- also called a SIMPLE IRA -- is usually created by a small business owner on behalf of an employee, including the owner if that person is a sole proprietor. For this plan, an employee's contribution equals to 100 percent of your net earnings from self-employment, up to $12,500 for 2016 ($15,500 if you are 50 or over) and an employer contribution is equal to 3 percent of your net earnings from self-employment -- which means your revenues, minus your expenses, times 92.35 percent, to account for your deduction for one-half of your self-employment tax. There's also a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA and a defined benefit plan. [See: 7 of the Best ETFs to Own in 2017.] "The defined benefit plan is ideal for a 55-plus-year-old self-employed with high income and no employees, but many don't know about it," says Debra Brennan Tagg, managing partner of Brennan Financial Services in Addison, Texas. What can I do to be more prepared for 2017? Tax professionals are quick to point out that taxes shouldn't just be reviewed at year end. Put together a 100-day plan in December, says Jason Hogg, CEO Partner for Tritium Partners in New York. Be honest about what's working and what's not working in your business, Hogg says. "Start shutting down and cutting ties with any activities, employees or customers that aren't going to produce results in the new year so you can hit the ground running after the holidays," he says. The worst mistake is being complacent and sticking with the status quo without any goals or plan to reach those goals, he says. "There's a reason you started your own business," Hogg says. "Are you living up to your vision and your dreams? If the answer is no, take note of what's holding you back and do something about it." More From US News & World Report Taxes are complicated for everyone, especially if you're self-employed. Many self-employed people see their incomes fluctuate from year to year. That can make it difficult for planning. If your income significantly dropped off, consider converting all or a portion of your retirement accounts to a Roth IRA, while you're income is lower, says Edward Collins, founding partner and wealth advisor at Artisan Wealth Management in Lebanon, New Jersey. "While a conversion creates a taxable event in the year of conversion, the long-term benefits of tax-deferred growth and tax-free access to the funds in retirement might just outweigh those upfront costs," Collins says. [Read: Prep Your Portfolio for the New Year.] Here are three important questions to ask before the end of the year: What can I do to lower my tax bill before year end? Determine what is deductible from industry conferences and membership dues to business travel. "The biggest mistakes I see is people not knowing what you can and can't deduct on your taxes," says Stephen Alred Jr., founder of Ignite Financial in Atlanta. Consider buying business equipment by Dec. 31 to take advantage of IRS Section 179 of the tax code that allows businesses to deduct the full price of up to $500,000 on qualifying purchases such as software, a printer or farm equipment. If you're healthy, consider opening a health savings account to take advantage of saving for qualified medical and retiree health expenses on a tax-free basis, Alred says. Look at optimizing home office deductions. Do this by determining whether it's the simplified option -- where a portion of the residence is exclusively used on a regular basis for business purposes and can be deducted at the standard $5 per square foot, but does not exceed 300 square feet, or the regular method that takes a percentage of the home used for business using IRS form 8829, whichever is more beneficial for your specific situation, says Dave Du Val, chief advocacy officer for TaxAudit.com in Sacramento, California. Story continues Either way it's essential to keep good records. That includes receipts for expenses you pay, such as rent, mortgage, internet and phone bills, along with equipment and capital improvements, such as a computer and printer, Du Val says. For business travel, it's important to keep a mileage log where the self-employed person has the date, destination, starting and ending odometer, whom you met with, the address of the location and the business purpose. Du Val says the IRS wins a lot of audits because "they know the taxpayer doesn't keep all the required information." Ideally, he says, mileage logs should also be kept for all personal uses for the vehicle, as well as business purposes. [See: 7 of the Best Stocks to Buy for 2017.] Consider adding spouses and children to the business. "Hiring children can be a way to acclimate family to the business, transfer income to a lower tax bracket for use by the children for their expenses and possibly create earned income allowing contributions to IRA accounts for children to use for education or first time home purchase or retirement," says Julia Brufke Wenger, partner of Bala Financial Group in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Do I have the right retirement account for my situation? Consider whether or not you should start a solo 401(k) or simplified employee pension -- SEP IRA -- to save more cash than a Roth or traditional individual retirement account, Alred says. Alred says he considered creating a solo 401(k) and SEP IRA to help lower his income bracket by choosing a tax deferred option. He ended up creating a SEP IRA because there was less paperwork and it was an overall easier process. A SEP IRA allows you to contribute whatever is the lesser amount: 25 percent of your net earnings from self-employment -- your revenues, minus expenses minus the deduction of half of your self-employment tax and deduction from your SEP IRA contributions -- or $53,000 in 2016. An individual 401(k) allows an employer to make a contribution in the role as an employee and in the role of employer, which translates into an employee contribution of $18,000 for 2016 and 2017, ($24,000 if you are 50 or older) and an employer contribution of 20 percent multiplied by your business's profit, minus the deduction for one-half of your self-employment tax. "A solo 401(k) may work best for a self-employed individual who wants to max out a contribution but have less than $72,000 of income and $96,000 if over 50," says Colin Exelby, president and founder of Celestial Wealth Management in Towson, Maryland. "In that situation, the solo 401(k) will allow for higher dollar deferral than the 25 percent SEP IRA contributions." A Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees -- also called a SIMPLE IRA -- is usually created by a small business owner on behalf of an employee, including the owner if that person is a sole proprietor. For this plan, an employee's contribution equals to 100 percent of your net earnings from self-employment, up to $12,500 for 2016 ($15,500 if you are 50 or over) and an employer contribution is equal to 3 percent of your net earnings from self-employment -- which means your revenues, minus your expenses, times 92.35 percent, to account for your deduction for one-half of your self-employment tax. There's also a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA and a defined benefit plan. [See: 7 of the Best ETFs to Own in 2017.] "The defined benefit plan is ideal for a 55-plus-year-old self-employed with high income and no employees, but many don't know about it," says Debra Brennan Tagg, managing partner of Brennan Financial Services in Addison, Texas. What can I do to be more prepared for 2017? Tax professionals are quick to point out that taxes shouldn't just be reviewed at year end. Put together a 100-day plan in December, says Jason Hogg, CEO Partner for Tritium Partners in New York. Be honest about what's working and what's not working in your business, Hogg says. "Start shutting down and cutting ties with any activities, employees or customers that aren't going to produce results in the new year so you can hit the ground running after the holidays," he says. The worst mistake is being complacent and sticking with the status quo without any goals or plan to reach those goals, he says. "There's a reason you started your own business," Hogg says. "Are you living up to your vision and your dreams? If the answer is no, take note of what's holding you back and do something about it." Dawn Reiss is an award-winning journalist in Chicago who has written for TIME, Reuters, Chicago Tribune, The Atlantic and Travel + Leisure and many other publications. Follow her on Twitter, Google+ and Instagram @dawnreiss. The International Criminal Courts Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda says she is frustrated by diplomatic ping pong by member states and unwillingness to arrest some inductees. Framers of the Rome Statute envisaged full cooperation by state parties to execute ICCs requests, including effecting arrests, and, therefore, decided not to establish a police or separate force to carry through its decisions. However, speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing trial of former LRA commander Dominic Ongwen in the Hague, Bensouda noted that some states do not take the responsibility as parties to the Rome Statute to arrest wanted suspects seriously. She has however promised to secure Ongwens conviction as proof of commitment to deliver justice victims of LRA war in northern Uganda. Regarding threats by some African states to withdraw from the ICC, Bensouda said the court would continue prosecuting accused persons, whether or not they are heads of states or government enjoying immunity at home, as long as there are credible allegations against them filed at the court. Meanwhile today the prosecution will conclude their opening statements and the legal representatives for victims will make their opening statements in the Ongwen trial. The presentation of evidence by the Prosecution in the case will commence in January 2017. On 23 March 2016, Pre-Trial Chamber II confirmed the 70 charges brought by the Prosecutor against Dominic Ongwen, an alleged former Commander of the Lords Resistance Army and committed him to trial. best shows on hulu - fargo FX Last Updated: January 4th As many different services vie for your attention, Hulu has really upped the ante in terms of its streaming catalog. While the service may have gotten rid of its free content, there are more than a few reasons to stick with it. So here are the best shows on Hulu right now, ranked. Related: The 50 Best Series On Netflix Right Now Hulu 30. Difficult People (3 Seasons) Sometimes the New York City that comes across in the average sitcom is a sanitized place of nice people just trying to achieve their dreams. Difficult People is here to laugh at those nice dreamers and tell them that theyre full of sh*t. Julie Klausner (who also created the show) and Billy Eichner star as two wannabe comics in their 30s who are struggling to get their careers off the ground while they see nearly everyone else in their lives find success. Fueled by bitterness, some genuine talent, and lots of bad behavior, Julie and Billy careen through New York Citys showbiz scene, hoping that they may one day conquer. Add To Hulu Watchlist For more of the best streaming picks on Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu, subscribe to our What To Watch newsletter. dead like me Showtime 29. Dead Like Me (2 Seasons) Before you watch Bryan Fullers American Gods, go back in time for this underrated deep cut about the afterlife. When George (Ellen Puth) gets killed by a toilet seat falling from a space station, she discovers that life after death is a lot like the mundanity of living. She still has to hold down a soul-crushing job, her coworkers still dont like her, and shes still kind of an asshole. However, with Fullers deft approach to character building, a novel premise, and great performances from actors like Mandy Patinkin, Dead Like Me is worth a first, or second, look. Add To Hulu Watchlist casual Hulu 28. Casual (3 Seasons) Casual could have been just another character-driven family dramedy, but it has managed to deftly avoid the pitfalls of that prevalent genre. While the second season has veered more into the drama aspect of dramedy, it is still as sharply written and realized as ever. Even as we cringe as the characters make increasingly self-destructive choices, they are compelling enough to keep you coming back episode after episode. Plus, Michaela Watkins manages to make the journey of finding yourself after divorce realistic and watchable. Eat Pray Love this is not. Story continues Add To Hulu Watchlist broad-city Comedy Central 27. Broad City (3 Seasons) There are few shows out there that are as consistently manic and hilarious as Broad City. The dream team of Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson make living in New York seem like a screwed up fairy tale, and yet it is still more realistic than almost every other depiction of twentysomething life in the Big Apple. Their apartments are terrible, their sex toys are plentiful, and they are there to expose the cult-like nature of the co-op. While the jokes fly fast, they still manage to work in some pathos, especially in season three, which examines the changeable nature of friendship and how some relationships arent made to last. Add To Hulu Watchlist Scrubs NBC 26. Scrubs (9 Seasons) Scrubs is more than Guy Love. Despite the shows penchant for trafficking in absurd humor, Scrubs managed to pack in deeply emotional moments while also getting called the most accurate television show about the medical profession. While the final season may have been a departure from the original charm (it did give us Eliza Coupe, though, so it gets a pass), Zach Braff has never been more likable than he was as J.D., who was navigating his time at Sacred Heart from intern to physician. With hilarious moments of genuine friendship to the most cutting insults you wish you could use but fear HR repercussions, Scrubs proves that you dont have to be an over the top soap opera or led by a genius misanthrope to keep people watching.Scrubs is showrunner Bill Lawrence at his best, and it definitely holds up to repeat viewings. Add To Hulu Watchlist Adam Scott - Party Down Starz 25. Party Down (2 Seasons) There is always a little twinge of sadness when you finish a Party Down binge. With only two short seasons, there is always a feeling of what could have been. A show about people who can really only be classified as losers, Party Down masks a sharp emotional pain beneath hilarious guest stars and Are we having fun yet?! If you have ever been disappointed by how your life has turned out, be it by circumstance or your own bad choices, you will painfully relate with someone on the titular catering crew. Adam Scott and Lizzy Caplan have killer chemistry as two self-destructive people who see themselves as better than their circumstances but refuse to make the kind of decisions that will help them get what they want. Its easier to coast along and mock the absurd customers than to actually try. Add To Hulu Watchlist ITCrowd.Bann Channel 4 24. The I.T. Crowd (5 Seasons) One of Hulus main strengths is its extensive catalog of British television. One of the highlights is the bizarre world of The I.T. Crowd, a series that good-naturedly mocks the absurdity of corporate culture and geek culture in equal measure. Honestly, this is the show that The Big Bang Theory wishes it could be. As Moss (Richard Ayoade), Roy (Chris ODowd), and Jen (Katherine Parkinson) waste time in a dead-end tech support job, lurking in the forgotten basement of the most generic corporation in recent memory, the absurd adventures and outlandish supporting characters make The I.T. Crowd even funnier with every rewatch. Whether you understand the evils of Windows Vista or the plight of goths in the workplace, there is something for everyone at Reynholm Industries. God damn, these electric sex pants! Add To Hulu Watchlist the oc FOX 23. The O.C. (4 Seasons) For a certain generation, The O.C. was it. Whether you wanted to be them or date them, the affluent teens of Orange County are the benchmark of the teen drama genre. The O.C. was that perfect intersection of escapism and easily digested indie rock and gave us new twists on the classic high school archetypes. It wasnt a perfect show (Hide and Seek is ruined forever), but in a genre filled with bad performances and unearned melodrama, The O.C. felt like a breath of fresh air. As Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie) went from a delinquent in Chino to at home at the Cohens, fans all learned a little bit about growing up along the way. Also to never, ever go to Tijuana. This show gave us Sandy Cohen, best television dad ever, and the iconic You know what I like about rich kids? Nothing. and for that, we are grateful. Add To Hulu Watchlist web-peep-show Channel 4 22. Peep Show (9 Seasons) There are few sitcoms as endlessly inventive and bitingly funny as Peep Show. Born from the hilariously warped minds of British comedians David Mitchell and Robert Webb, the series focuses on Mark and Jez, two combatant roommates who are both failing at being an adult in their own awful ways. Told from different character perspectives, viewers get an inside look into their inner monologues. Youll may cringe into your sofa at some of their foibles, but never stop laughing. As these two idiots try and fail to successfully navigate life, at least they have the best and sharpest jokes. Add To Hulu Watchlist south park gaming COmedy Central 21. South Park (21 Seasons) Any show that has lasted as long as South Park is bound to have its ups and downs. The irreverent antics by some forever-grade-school kids isnt for everyone, but its impossible to discount its cultural impact. On top of repeatedly killing Kenny, South Park has time and time again taken on the absurd parts of modern life and turned a warped microscope on them. No one gets out unscathed, from Kanye West to internet commenters, but to be skewered by the brilliant minds of Trey Parker and Matt Stone is an honor in itself. Spending 19 seasons in South Park, Colo., may seem like a daunting task, but it is an ultimately rewarding one. For the most ambitious of television binge watchers, South Park is their comedy Everest. Add To Hulu Watchlist BlackBooks Channel 4 20. Black Books (3 Seasons) Do you love alcohol and hate other people? Then Black Books is the show for you. Set in a used bookshop run by a cantankerous Irishman who courts failure with every action he takes, Black Books is a beautiful wine lolly of a television show, one so clever that you wont even mind the laugh track. (How do British sitcoms get away with the laugh tracks?) Bernard (Dylan Moran), Manny (Bill Bailey), and Fran (Tamsin Greig) are the classic underachievers of the sort that litter British TV, but done in an exceptionally absurd way. They destroy their kitchens, make their own wine, and avoid cleaning up their utter filth, and youll wonder how they even keep their shops open. If you want to take your witty retorts to the next level, Black Books is your necessary curriculum. Add To Hulu Watchlist melissa fumero brooklyn nine nine interview 3 FOX 19. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (5 Seasons) The antics of this New York police precinct are endlessly hilarious, with every character getting their moment to shine. Brooklyn Nine-Nine has one of the most wonderful casts currently on television, and it hasnt slowed down a bit from its banner freshman season. While it is technically Jake Peraltas (Andy Samberg) show, its one of the few true ensemble shows on television right now. Its not that Samberg isnt good, he is, but the same could also be said of Stephanie Beatrizs Rosa or Terry Crews Terry or almost every other character. A workplace comedy at its core, Brooklyn Nine-Nine proves that showrunner Mike Schur is on a hot streak that shows no sign of slowing down. Add To Hulu Watchlist sons of anarchy mayans FX 18. Sons of Anarchy (7 Seasons) While the show may have lost a little steam in the middle of its run, when Sons of Anarchy was good, it was electric. As Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam) struggled to find his place as the leader of his fathers old motorcycle gang, he is often made to wonder if the violence and stress on his family is worth the adrenaline and power. Kurt Sutter is a divisive figure in Hollywood, but he caught lightning in a bottle with SoA. With an endless parade of shocking moments and killer characters, few shows will keep you on the edge of your seat in the same way. Youll be awfully glad you arent a part of SAMCRO, but you wont be able to look away all the same. Just dont go out and buy a motorcycle on a whim. You probably cant pull off the leather. A television binge is the safer way to go. Add To Hulu Watchlist spaced Channel 4 17. Spaced (2 Seasons) Fans of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz need to return to the show that birthed the miraculous creative team of Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost. Spaced captures the Gen X experience in a totally unique way. Like a hopelessly nerdy Reality Bites, the trials of Tim (Pegg) and Daisy (Jessica Hynes) will feel painfully real for those of us who have had dead-end jobs, dead-end relationships, and a seemingly dead-end life. Its not all so bad, though. Despite the sometimes dire circumstances, the show maintains a pleasant optimism. Even if The Phantom Menace let you down, at least you can rewatch the original Star Wars trilogy as many times as you want. While the show is decidedly more low key than Wrights future film endeavors, you can see the trademark style coming through in every single frame. Add To Hulu Watchlist you're the worst FXX 16. Youre the Worst (3 Seasons) If youre looking for a show that will kick you in the balls and then pass you a mimosa, Youre the Worst is that show. It might have you crying tears of laughter in one scene, then leave you wondering this is a COMEDY, right?! in the next. Its that dichotomy that makes it so vital to the modern television landscape. You owe it to yourself to be introduced to the familiar toxicity of Gretchen (Aya Cash) and Jimmy (Chris Geere) before the FX comedy returns. There are few comedies that so aptly mock modern mores of adulthood while still treating its characters with compassion, even if they dont deserve it. Plus, there are few shows that perfectly express how it feels to be clinically depressed. Come for the trash juice, stay for the insight. Add To Hulu Watchlist misfits E4 15. Misfits (5 Seasons) There is a rough-around-the-edges quality that makes Misfits irresistible. A rotating team of adolescents gains supernatural powers while theyre fulfilling their criminal community service requirements, but the X-Men they are not. Its not easy to categorize them as the good guys considering all of the people they accidentally kill, but they certainly mean well. Fans of Game of Thrones and Preacher will see some familiar faces, but the whole cast is aces. There are rumblings of an American remake, but hopefully, that will never come to fruition. There is something so decidedly British about Misfits, but not in the stuffy way that people assume. Its gritty, its crass, and to water that down for stateside sensibilities would be a crime. Add To Hulu Watchlist It's Always Sunny FX 14. Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia (12 Seasons) Theres no denying that the protagonists of Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia are amoral psychopaths. (Looking at you especially, Dennis.) But there are few shows out there that will elicit the same belly laughs. As these raging narcissists hang around Paddys Irish Pub, you will be struck by the lack of self-awareness while at the same time hoping things never change. Glenn Howerton and Charlie Day shine especially bright, sucking into a vortex of kitten mittens and Nightman. Whether or not you believe in a higher power, you will thank your gods that you are better adjusted than these assholes. Still, even after 10 seasons, we wouldnt have them any other way. Add To Hulu Watchlist rick-morty-ban adult swim 13. Rick and Morty (2 Seasons) Many wondered how Dan Harmon would follow up the perfection that was Community at its peak, and he certainly delivered with Rick and Morty. Like a demented version of Back to the Future, Rick and Morty follows a super scientist and his less-than-genius grandson on a variety of adventures. Its part cartoon, part cosmic horror. Who knew that following a vomiting scientist and his dimwitted grandson could be so brilliant? Rick and Morty is a demented work of escapism for adults thats not to be missed. Its also a still relatively underground show thats waiting to burst forth into a broader audience. Get in on the goodness now. Add To Hulu Watchlist archer-season-6-episode-5-looking-up Fox 12. Archer (7 Seasons) While it started as a hilarious James Bond spoof, Archer has really evolved into a show that can stand on its own. As super spies Sterling Archer (H. Jon Benjamin) and Lana Kane (Aisha Tyler) are out doing the cool derring do for ISIS (not that ISIS), the rest of the desk jockeys are left to deal with their mess and a lack of unionization. Archer quickly banishes the idea that cartoons are just for children (seriously, this show is not for children) with enough sex, drugs, and terrible behavior that Bond himself would blush. Add To Hulu Watchlist twin-peaks CBS 11. Twin Peaks (2 Seasons + The Return) Despite being off the air for decades, the mysteries of Twin Peaks still tormented viewers, and even after the 2017 revival, theyll left more confused than ever. After the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee), FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) peers beneath the veneer of the small town of Twin Peaks, Wash., and finds a strange darkness under the surface. If youre a fan of bizarre mysteries and a damn fine cup of coffee, Twin Peaks is the head trip for you. Add To Hulu Watchlist happy-endings-season-1 ABC 10. Happy Endings (3 Seasons) In a fairer world, Happy Endings would have run for 10 seasons and gotten a movie. Alas, that is not the world that we live in, and this weird little romcom only lasted for three seasons. While it appeared to be yet another show about twenty- and thirtysomethings livin life in the big city, the mile-a-minute jokes, screwball humor, and stereotype-breaking characters made it something different. If you spend your time wondering what a three-way marriage between Mandy Moore, Michael Moore, and Mary Tyler Moore would look like, this is your show. Despite a not-so-happy ending in 2013, fans (and the cast) are still hoping for a miracle renewal by a streaming service or whatnot. Stranger things have happened. Either way, this is the perfect show for your next weekend bingeathon, even if it will just leave you wanting more. Add To Hulu Watchlist Mulder--Scully-The-X-Files Fox 9. The X-Files (11 Seasons) Many sci-fi shows have come into the geeky pantheon of television, but The X-Files remains a benchmark. While the revival series wasnt quite what fans were hoping for, seeing the unbeatable team of Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) back in action was a treat. Still, going back to the beginning is the only way to go with the show. Whether you get caught up in the monster of the week storylines or like digging into the overarching mythology, The X-Files will stick with you for years to come. Add To Hulu Watchlist Image (1) battlestar-galactica-the-last-supper.jpg for post 496454 SYFY 8. Battlestar Galactica (4 Seasons) Another imperfect sci-fi entry, Battlestar Galactica dared to be different. Following in the Star Trek vein of thinking persons science fiction, Battlestar Galactica was equal parts thrilling and frustrating. After most of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol are wiped out by the Cylons, humanity is left to wander space looking for a new home. Under the leadership of Commander Adama (Edward James Olmos) and President Rosen (Mary McDonnell), the military ship Galactica is the only thing standing between the remaining humans and the Cylon threat. This Peabody Award winning show featured ever shifting alliances, interesting philosophical ponderings, and plot twists that will make you scream in frustration, and is a must watch show for more than just sci-fi fans. Add To Hulu Watchlist community NBC 7. Community (6 Seasons) Has there ever been a sitcom as downright clever as Community? Aside from the gas leak year, Community was quicker than nearly every other comedy out there, with jokes flying fast but also taking seasons to reach a punchline. After getting caught with a phony degree, former lawyer Jeff Winger (Joel McHale) heads to Greendale Community College to get a legitimate degree. There he gets into increasingly hilarious hijinks with his Spanish study group. Between paintball wars, zombie outbreaks, and the increasingly ridiculous presence of Senor Chang (Ken Jeong), Community is never, ever boring. Quit living in the darkest timeline and get to watching. Add To Hulu Watchlist Buffy_the_gift Warner Brothers 6. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (7 Seasons) Joss Whedon has gone on to giant blockbusters since his days on The WB, but Buffy the Vampire Slayer will forever be his magnum opus. Buffy offered the perfect blend of horror, comedy, and feels, with episodes and characters that have stuck with viewers for years. Sarah Michelle Gellars titular slayer perfectly balanced the ordinary pains of growing up against the extraordinary and supernatural circumstances that come with living on a Hellmouth. The clothing and catchphrases might be deeply rooted in the 90s, but the themes are timeless. Even if you dont know your standard demon curse from an ancient rune, Buffy is essential. Itll rip your heart out, but youll like it anyway. Add To Hulu Watchlist seinfeld-black-white-cookie Castle Rock 5. Seinfeld (9 Seasons) For a show about nothing, Seinfeld has left a cultural imprint that few shows can boast of achieving. Back before shows about neurotic people were the latest trend, Jerry Seinfeld blended his own neuroses with his stand up act, creating a New York landscape that many could relate to. With stories based on the minutiae of relationships and every day living, Seinfeld embedded itself in the cultural zeitgeist like few shows have done. Even if youve never seen an episode, you still know about the Soup Nazi and Newman. Plus, Veep fans will enjoy seeing a pre-presidential Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the hilariously frazzled Elaine Benes. If youve been meaning to watch the show that has made people laugh for decades, Hulu has you covered. Add To Hulu Watchlist Hulu 4. The Handmaids Tale (1 Season) Although Margaret Atwoods novel was published back in 1985, the series premiere in 2017 still felt relevant as hell (and earned it a spot among our best TV shows of 2017 list). America as we know it is no more, taken over by a Christian fundamentalist organization and newly christened Gilead. However, things are not as idyllic as the name would suggest, as women are no longer allowed to have jobs, rights, hold property, or have any sort of agency. Instead they are either handmaids, a select few still-fertile women who are essentially used as broodmares for powerful men, and Marthas, who work in the rich households. Elisabeth Moss turns in a strong performance as Ofglen, the titular handmaid who is trying to survive and escape to her fugitive family, but Alexis Bledel steals the show in a devastating supporting turn. The Handmaids Tale grabs viewers by the face and demands that they keep watching from the get-go, but prepare to get a little angry as the series progresses. Add To Hulu Watchlist Getty Image 3. 30 Rock (7 seasons) Few shows have as many jokes per minute as 30 Rock. The brainchild of Tina Fey, 30 Rock shows the daily madness of an SNL-like variety show, which Feys Liz Lemon at the helm. As she tries (sometimes failing) to wrangle her writers and her actors (Tracy Morgan and Jane Krakowski), Lemon also attempts the ever elusive dream of having it all. Her quest will feel very, very familiar to viewers, particularly women, as they try and balance, work, life, love, and even a small bit of success. With Alec Baldwin turning in his best performance to date (come at me, Glengarry Glen Ross fans) as Jack Donaghy, Lemons boss, mentor, and eventual friend, 30 Rock has the perfect blend of weirdness, sharp writing, and genuine laughs that will make it a favorite for years to come. Add To Hulu Watchlist Parks and Recreation NBC 2. Parks and Recreation (7 Seasons) There simply isnt a better show to binge watch when you need a pick me up than Parks and Recreation. Hilarious, smart, and relentlessly sunny, Parks and Recreation is a balm to weary viewers. Amy Poehlers Leslie Knope has joined the ranks of television icons, but the supporting cast is no less wonderful. If youre looking for a show about good people trying to do good things while making good jokes, Parks and Recreation will be your new favorite show. While the first season feels a bit too much like a riff on The Office, it finds its feet in season two and never lets up. While so much of todays comedy is mired in cynicism, Parks and Recreation will make you want to do better. It also gets better with each rewatch, so pour yourself some Snake Juice and enjoy. Add To Hulu Watchlist FX 1. Fargo (2 Seasons) The announcement that the relatively unknown producer Noah Hawley would be turning the classic film Fargo into an anthology series, it was met with a healthy dose of skepticism. However, by the end of the first episode, fans were hooked. Instead of a rote retelling of the classic crime tale, viewers were treated to a top-notch cast, shocking violence, incredible character names, and stunning visuals. While honoring the legacy of the original film in the details, Fargo managed to become a unique and essential addition to the current television landscape. Add To Hulu Watchlist What TV shows do you need to watch in 2018? Check out the TV Avalanche podcast to find out! Gov. Branstad and President Xi in 1985 Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, whom President-elect Donald Trump intends to nominate as US ambassador to China, has a decades-old relationship with the country's president, Xi Jinping, that dates back to the 1980s. Branstad has accepted Trump's offer for the position, the president-elect's transition team confirmed Wednesday, and Chinese officials were quick to praise Branstad as an "old friend." Branstad and Xi's first meeting occurred in 1985 Xi had traveled to Iowa as part of a delegation that visited family and commercial farms, according to the Des Moines Register. Then, Branstad was in his first term as governor, just two years after Iowa launched a sister-state relationship with China's Hebei province. They met again on Branstad's 2011 visit to China, when Xi had become vice president. The men held a 45-minute discussion, during which Xi reminisced about the hospitality he had experienced in Iowa during his 1985 visit, The Washington Post reported. Over the next five years, Branstad and Xi met frequently, mostly during trade missions. Branstad's nomination is expected to reassure the Chinese, who have been wary of Trump's past behavior and comments. Over the past week, Trump has assailed China's trade and currency policies and threatened punitive tariffs on Chinese goods. He also came under fire for accepting a congratulatory phone call last Friday from the president of Taiwan, which is not recognized as a sovereign nation by China. The US cut off official diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979 in favor of relations with Beijing. NOW WATCH: Obama gives Trump advice during their first White House meeting More From Business Insider Everything finally came together during the Tuesdays midseason finale of NBCs This is Us. Episode 10 made several heartbreaking revelations about Kate and Rebeccas relationship, the fate of Dr. K, and Williams personal life most of which viewers have been waiting all season to figure out. The episode titled Last Christmas took place around Christmas. Kate (Chrissy Metz) was in town to spend the holidays with her family, all of whom gathered at Randalls (Sterling K. Brown). In addition to having wanted to visit her two brothers and mother Rebecca (Mandy Moore), Kate was scheduled to undergo Gastric Bypass surgery in the hopes that it would speed up her weight loss process. A consultation with her doctor for the surgery revealed that she had been taking Prozac to treat depression, which was news to her mom. The pair had a discussion that showed fans just how deep issues run in this family, as Rebecca questioned her role in Kates mental anguish. Did I do this? I did. Didnt I? she asked her only daughter. Viewers also caught up with Dr. K (Gerald McRaney) the doctor who birthed Kevin, Kate and their brother who died during the show. In a flashback sequence, Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca found themselves at the hospital for an emergency with Kate. It is revealed to them that Dr. K was dying from internal bleeding and was in the hospital alone. This struck a chord with Jack and Rebecca, who decided to stay by his side. The moment was made that much more heartbreaking when a young Randall entered the room. He gifted the doctor with a snow globe as a token of his appreciation. Randall thanked Dr. K for helping his parents to adopt him following the death of the third triplet. The midseason finale of This is Us shed light on plenty of other issues surrounding Kevin (Justin Hartley), Randall, William (Ron Cephas Jones) and more. Here are the most gut-wrenching moments from Season 1, episode 10: Kevin Finally Found His Passion And (Maybe) Love, Too: After striking out big time with Olivia (Janet Montgomery) during Season 1, episode 9, Kevin was on to new prospects. During the midseason finale he was invited to celebrate Chanukah with Sloane (Milana Vayntrub) and her family. Although the two were not dating going into the gathering, it seems love is on the horizon. Kevin listened to his potential girlfriend deliver a passionate speech during the meal, which inspired him both personally and professionally. Story continues With Olivia among the missing, producers decided to cancel the play they were working on but Kevins not ready to call it quits just yet. He opened up to Sloane during the finale, telling her he was willing to fund the play himself. Could it be that Kevin has finally found both a career and woman that he loves? Only time will tell. William Left A Lover Behind When He Moved In With Randall: During episode 10 fans were introduced to Jesse (Denis OHare). In the finale, he and William reunited for the first time, which left viewers in tears. Jesse delivered a speech about Williams disappearance during Narcotics Anonymous, telling attendees that having lost his lover pushed him to turn back to drugs. Despite having felt abandoned, Jesse wanted nothing more than to spend Williams final days by his side. William Hill, I loved you and you left. Now Id like to spend whatever time you have remaining together, he said. Talk about a tearjerker! This is Us Photo: NBC Dr. Ks Fate Was Revealed: Viewers first saw Dr. K in the hospital during a flashback. They saw him once again later in the episode in another, during which he woke up after a surgical procedure. Dr. K was as shocked as many watching This is Us to find that he had survived and was going to live a little longer. Randall Convinced A Friend Not To Commit Suicide On Christmas Eve: During an office Christmas party, Randall confronted a friend named Andy played by Westworld star Jimmi Simpson. His co-worker was contemplating jumping from the building that night, but was stopped in his tracks by Randall. The father of two reminded Andy that his daughter was waiting for him at home, which got him thinking about all the reasons he had to live. Andy decided not to kill himself, which prompted Randall to repeat a phrase first uttered by his mother during the midseason finale Nothing bad happens on Christmas Eve. Toby Showed Up At Randalls House On Christmas: Kate decided she was done with Toby (Chris Sullivan) in the episode prior, but he wasnt ready to give up. He showed up at the family home on Christmas, which was enough to have This is Us viewers reaching for the tissues. The moment became all the more cry-worthy when Toby collapsed on the ground after forming a bond with members of Kates family. Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) urged someone to call 911, but the episode came to a close before anything more was revealed. It is not yet know when This is Us will return for more episodes on NBC. Related Articles Angra dos Reis, Brazil Brazils visa waiver during the Olympics was a success for one big reason: it encouraged travel beyond the big cities. The tourism board hopes to bring back the waiver, and if youre planning to take advantage, save time to visit Angra dos Reis, between Rio and Sao Paulo. This popular Brazilian vacation area is where cariocas go to escape the crowds. Its where many of the countrys elite have their beach villas, says Martin Frankenberg of Matuete, who has access to several of these glamorous rentals. Big changes are coming to the region. In May, Brazilian chain Fasano will open a long-awaited 54-suite hotel in a complex that includes a marina, golf course, restaurants, and a spa. The design is striking, with elevated wooden buildings that look like theyre floating, all with open-air terraces and views of the forest and sea. And the government recently pledged $8 million to improve the infrastructure on Ilha Grandean island thats so popular that theyve had to impose a daily limit on visitors. Stephanie Wu SambaPhoto/Cassio Vasconcellos/Getty Images Donald Trump has claimed that Japan's SoftBank will invest $50 billion in the U.S., creating 50,000 new jobs, but details are sketchy and the money appears to be from a previously announced fund targeting artificial intelligence startups. The president-elect met with SoftBank founder and CEO Masayoshi Son in New York on Tuesday, and later tweeted: "Masa (SoftBank) of Japan has agreed to invest $50 billion in the U.S. toward businesses and 50,000 new jobs Masa said he would never do this had we (Trump) not won the election!" In fact, money for the investments will likely come from the SoftBank Vision Fund, a $100 billion investment vehicle, which includes a $45 billion pledge from Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, which was announced in October, before the U.S. election. The fund is dedicated to investing in AI startups and related companies. A spokesperson from SoftBank's headquarters in Tokyo would confirm to The Hollywood Reporter only the $50 billion amount and that Son had said the aim was to create 50,000 jobs, but not if there was any new money for the investment. The paperwork from the meeting, that Son showed the media in New York, had the logo of Taiwanese iPhone manufacturer Foxconn (Hon Hai) next to SoftBank's on the page with the investment figures. The SoftBank spokesperson declined to comment on Foxconn's involvement. Given that SoftBank's entire group, including its Japanese mobile operations, U.S. mobile carrier Sprint, British chip-maker ARM and Yahoo Japan, employs a total of just under 70,000 people, the claim of 50,000 new jobs in the U.S. seems unrealistic. The fund is set to invest in AI and other advanced technology startups, which tend to employ relatively small numbers of people. Son's real purpose in meeting with Trump may be to secure regulatory approval for a Sprint takeover of rival mobile carrier T-Mobile. SoftBank bought an 80 percent stake in Sprint in 2013 and attempted to buy T-Mobile the following year, but was blocked by antitrust regulators. Story continues "He will do a lot of deregulation," Son said of Trump following his meeting with the president-elect. SoftBank is currently overseeing a $2 billion cost-cutting program at loss-making Sprint, axing thousands of jobs. A takeover of T-Mobile would almost certainly result in more job cuts. Investors reacted positively to the meeting with Trump and announcements, with stock in SoftBank rising 6.2 percent on Wednesday in Tokyo. Read more: 'Your Name' Now Second-Highest-Grossing Japanese Film, Passing 'Howl's Moving Castle' Admit ityou've been waiting all year long for Starbucks seasonal menu to roll around so that you can order your favorite festive latte. Trust us, were right there with you. From gingerbread to peppermint mocha, the holiday drinks that Starbucks offers not only taste delicious, but they provide that added touch of festivity and end-of-year cheer that we all need. However, clocking in at over 300 calories, some of these lattes may not be the best drink option during the time of year when temptations surround you. Rather than avoiding them altogether, make one or more of these few minor adjustments so that you can take advantage of healthier options. This way, you dont have to give up your joyous trip to Starbucks and the blissful feeling of sipping on a wintery drink out of that signature red cup. 1. Opt for a Low-Fat or Alternative Milk If youre simply looking to save calories, swap out whole milk for nonfat, soy, almond, or coconut. Sure, one could argue that theres no need to avoid full-fat dairy, but in the case that you just want to shave off a couple calories, this is in easy swap that barely sacrifices flavor. 2. Ask for a Half Pump of Syrup Yes, Starbucks offers a wide range of sugar-free syrups, but those a chock full of other artificial sugar. Instead, ask for a half pump of regular syrup. This will cut back on the fat and calorie content by far, and you still get that festive flavor that you know and love. Lets face it, these lattes are sweet, so scaling back on the syrup aint no thang. 3. Use the Spice Station You know those shakers looming by the milk and cream counter that you probably never touch while youre doctoring up your drink? Try them! Without adding any calories, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla powder, and chocolate powder are all easy ways to add a touch of warm, cozy flavor. We think you can even go sans syrup and rely on these aromatic spices for your coffee. 4. Make It a Misto Not only is it an extremely fun word to say, mistos are, in our humble opinion, the most underrated drink on the Starbucks menu. Rather than a latte, which is espresso and steamed milk, a misto is coffee and steamed milk. By these ratios, theres much less milk in a misto, thus cutting calories significantly, but still providing that foamy mouthfeel of a hot latte. If you want, you can ask for a pump of syrup in this so as not to completely miss out on the holiday fun. Story continues 5. Get a Tall While it may be tempting to consume 20 ounces of a Cinnamon Dolce Latte, trust us, you dont need it. Take slow, long sips and make every last drop of that delicious holiday latte count. Plus, tall beverages cost less, so wins all around! [tiImage is_image="1" image_id="228281" image_style="375x375" align="right"] 6. Make Your Order at Home Instead We understand that theres something magical about walking into Starbucks, hearing them call out your name, and skipping up to the counter as the jolly barista hands you your Chai Eggnog Latte. However, if youre up for some fun DIY action, make a lighter latte at home for a fulfilling treat in the comfort of your own kitchen. Armed with these simple swaps and tips, you can navigate the holiday menu at Starbucks without sinking hundreds of calories and double digit sugar numbers. We don't plan on missing out on our holiday coffee order, and neither should you. Just do so in a smarter, lighter way. An adoptive mother has been arrested for allegedly keeping teens labeled as "special needs" in deplorable conditions in a home outside Houston. The seven teens, ages 13 to 16, were removed from the home of Paula Sinclair, 54, on November 23 after authorities received reports they were malnourished, locked in a room and struck with a wooden paddle, causing bodily injury. County officials first publicized the case Tuesday. Read: Mom of 2 Boys Swept Away at 'Grand Canyon of the East' Speaks Out: 'I Knew Right Away They Were Gone' According to a police statement, the teens were kept in a single room in the residence that was found covered in feces. One of the teens had Down syndrome and was reportedly in a soiled diaper when taken from the home. Sinclair has been the children's guardian since they were babies. "I cannot think of a more deplorable situation than what we have learned in this case," said Sheriff Troy E. Nehls. "These people are taking advantage of a lousy situation at the expense of children who cannot fend for themselves. It is absolutely heart-breaking." Sinclair and 78-year-old Allen Richardson have been charged with injury to a child and aggravated kidnapping. They were being held Tuesday at the Fort Bend County jail. The two were arrested Saturday and each is being held on a $100,000 bond. Authorities said it was unclear if Sinclair lived at the home. Her relationship with Richardson was also unclear. Sinclair and Richardson told authorities they had done nothing wrong, sheriff's office spokeswoman Caitilin Espinosa told The Associated Press. Detectives learned that all seven children would stay in one room at the home. When Paula Sinclair needed to take Richardson to see the doctor, the children would be kept in a closet roughly five feet, by eight feet in size, Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. "The closet already had clothes and boxes inside, so space was even smaller, and the adults were often gone so long that the children would urinate on themselves," the statement read. Story continues Read: Just Ahead of Thanksgiving, a Courthouse Gets Record Number of Adoptions When interviewed by the county's Children's Advocacy Center personnel, it was discovered that all the children have learning disabilities and none had ever attended school, officials said. The children have been removed from the home and are being cared for by county officials. The sheriff's office said Tuesday that they've received "countless" offers to donate to the teens' cause. "This does not surprise us at all that our community wants to help," the office wrote on in a Facebook post. "If you would like to drop off a gift card, we will ensure it benefits them by purchasing toys, books, or needed items." Watch: Man Brought to Tears When Step-Daughter Gives Him Adoption Papers for His Birthday Related Articles: Photo credit: Keystone - Getty Images From Popular Mechanics More than three-quarters of a century have passed since the "day that will live in infamy." Just before eight o'clock in the morning on December 7, 1941, a Japanese force made up of 350-plus planes, supported by submarines, cruisers, destroyers, and battleships, attacked Pearl Harbor, a U.S. naval station on Oahu, Hawaii. In total, 2,403 people died in the attack on Pearl Harbor. Japan destroyed 19 American ships, including the USS Arizona, which remains underwater. You know what came next. The aftermath of the attack plunged the country into WWII, making it, as The New York Times reported the next morning , "...the first time in its history, the United States finds itself at war against powers in both the Atlantic and the Pacific." But even now, 77 years later, there's probably a lot you don't know about Pearl Harbor. We look at five lesser-known facts about one December day that changed the course of history. Photo credit: Courtesy of The National WWII Museum The "Sleeping Dragon" Almost Stayed Asleep It's a day taught in every history book, and arguably one of the most transformative days in American history-next to Independence Day and 9/11. But according to historian and author of Pearl Harbor: From Infamy to Greatness Craig Nelson, it should have never happened in the first place. Speaking with Popular Mechanics, Nelson says failed negotiations on both sides of the table failed to prevent war. Erroneously, America pigeonholed Japan into a similar fascist system like Nazi Germany then ravaging Europe. "They thought the Japanese were just like the Nazis, in that they were unified behind a philosophy, a madman dictator, and the unstoppable force of fascism," says Nelson. "They weren't... the Japanese government was so chaotic that it changed hands 15 times in 14 years." Because of this constant turn-over, there were moments in the lead-up to war that the United States could have negotiated a peace with an incoming government, most notably with Japan's last civilian prime minister Fumimaro Konoe . America's misunderstanding of Japan's political turmoil eventually led to war. Story continues Unfortunately, things on the other side of the Pacific weren't much better. Not everyone was in agreement about entering into war with the United States, including the admiral who planned the Pearl Harbor attack Isoroku Yamamoto , who had actually studied at Harvard . "He...warned his military superiors that such as attack would awaken a giant sleeping dragon that Japan could not hope to materially defeat," wrote Keith Huxen, senior director of research and history at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, to Popular Mechanics, "However, he was ignored." While Admiral Yamamoto did lead the attack as ordered, he turned out to be right about waking up America from its global slumber and forever changing the course of history. Photo credit: Getty Images One Japanese Communications Officer Changed the World Forever In the run-up to World War II, wireless telegraphy was the most effective and efficient way for far-away nations to communicate. This was certainly the case between the United States and Japan, who were talking via cable right up to the attack. On December 6, President Roosevelt sent a cable to his Japanese counterpart Emperor Showa in hopes of "dispelling the dark clouds" by appealing to the two countries' long-standing peace and friendship. But Major Morio Tomura, an Army officer stationed at the Tokyo's cable office, delayed the conciliatory cable arriving for the Imperial Palace by ten hours because he believed that war was Japan's destiny. When the cable finally arrived, Japan already composed a 14-part cable announcing the end of negotiations that was to be sent back to America with the intention of delivering it 30 minutes before the strike. Although it might sound weird in modern warfare, it's part of the samurai/bushido honor code to notify someone before attacking them. However, the same Major Tomura delayed the cable yet again and it didn't arrive until nearly two hours after the attack. "The entire day of infamy," says Nelson, "you can almost say was caused by this one character." The Mysterious New Yorker Ad That May Have Been a Warning On November 22, 15 days before the strike at Pearl Harbor, several odd advertisements showed up in New Yorker Magazine for a dice game called "The Deadly Double." The initial ad features a headline reading "Achtung, Warning, Alerte!" (German for "Attention, Warning, Alert") with an illustrated image of people in an underground bunker enjoying the dice game. Underneath, further copy says, "We hope you'll never have to spend a long winter's night in an air-raid shelter, but we were just thinking... it's only common sense to be prepared." It then explains all the things one will need, like canned goods, blankets, cigarettes and "Chicago's favorite game...(in bold letters, stylized letters) The Deadly Double." Throughout the magazine, the other advertisements refer back to this main one, however one featured a close-up pair of dice with the numbers 12 and 7 showing. For some, these extraordinarily bizarre ads were actually a warning about Pearl Harbor. According to Nelson's book, investigations into the matter lead to dead-ends since the ad was delivered in person to the office and the fee paid in cash. There are conflicting reports that the company mentioned (Monarch Publishing Company out of New York) and its game ever even existed. Either way, Nelson thinks the ads were in poor taste and definitely creepy, but likely unrelated to the attack. Photo credit: Courtesy of The National WWII Museum The Lingering Specter of Pearl Harbor The 2,403 people who perished in Pearl Harbor were not the only victims. Many survivors endured lingering PTSD, a psychological disorder that often went undiagnosed during this time. According to a 1989 study , 65 percent of Pearl Harbor survivors still suffered from PTSD flashbacks decades after the attack. In addition, nearly a quarter reported that certain stimuli (like engine noises) startled them and caused flashbacks. No one illustrates the sadness post-Pearl Harbor PTSD more than Sterling Cale . While docked when the bombs started dropping, he immediately dived in the water to save dozens of his fellow sailors. The USS Arizona blew up during this daring rescue. After the attack, since Cale appeared visibly unscathed, he was given the unenviable job of collecting dead bodies from the ships. As Nelson's book mentions, often he wasn't collecting bodies-so much as dust. Flash forward about six years later and Cale is at a family picnic on the beach when a wave unexpectedly pulls his two-year-old son out to sea. Cale jumps into the water to save his child, only to freeze and go into shock. Luckily, the family's dog miraculously pulled the little boy to safety, but Cale's trauma prevents him from ever getting near a shoreline again. Photo credit: Getty Images The USS Arizona is Still Leaking Fuel On December 6, the USS Arizona took on a full load of 1.5 million gallons of fuel in preparation for a January mainland trip. The next day at about 8:10 a.m., a Japanese bomber dropped its 1,700-lb. payload onto the ship igniting the fuel. A horrific explosion lifted the 33,000-ton ship out of the water and ripped it in half. This explosion, and subsequent fires (which burned for 2 1/2 days afterwards), killed 1,177 sailors and marines, or about 80 percent of the crew on board. Since that day, the USS Arizona continues to leak oil into the harbor at an estimated 2 to 9 quarts each day . According to most estimates, there's still nearly half a million gallons of thick, bunker C fuel oil still trapped in the rusting ship. Easily observed by visitors, some call the oil slick the "tears of the Arizona" or "black tears ." However, various environmental studies have concluded that a "catastrophic" release of the fuel oil is inevitable , but scientists are not sure of when this could happen. ('You Might Also Like',) Whether it's modern art, American history, space travel or spies, the District of Columbia has a museum that will appeal to your passions. The city is home to a number of exceptional cultural and educational institutions, including multiple Smithsonian museums that are free to visit. To help you decide which museums deserve a spot on your to-do list, U.S. News asked several local experts for recommendations. Below are the eight museums you won't want to miss on your next trip to the nation's capital. National Museum of African American History and Culture The newest addition to the Smithsonian family is "one of the things we're very proud of. I encourage individuals to make a stop here," says Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO of the city's tourism site, Destination DC. The museum provides an in-depth look at African-American history, community and culture. Its collection of nearly 37,000 objects includes artifacts from slave ships; a slave cabin from a plantation on Edisto Island, South Carolina; a dress sewn by Rosa Parks; and Harriet Tubman's shawl. [Read: 5 Charming Neighborhoods to Visit in Washington, D.C.] The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You have to go online to book a time slot ahead of your visit, though the museum distributes a limited number of same-day passes. Admission is free. National Museum of American History The National Museum of American History has the best of the U.S. under its roof, says Kitt Vidnovic, senior concierge at The Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown. This branch of the Smithsonian protects and preserves items that played a key role in American history and culture. "Imagine having all the first ladies' inaugural gowns, a pair of the ruby slippers from 'The Wizard of Oz' and the flag that flew over Fort McHenry, all in one place," Vidnovic says. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. International Spy Museum The spy museum is a good choice for families, says Greg Leinweber, general manager at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC. Adults and kids alike will love the James Bond-style "spy versus spy" displays and interactive spy experiences, he says. Visit the museum's School for Spies gallery to learn all about spy craft's gadgets and technologies, and test your "spy skills" at various stations. Story continues Hours vary by day, so check the museum website for updates. Admission is $21.95 for adults, $14.95 for youths age 7 to 11 and free for younger children. National Air and Space Museum With its displays of the lunar landscape and massive collection of aircraft, the National Air and Space Museum is another top choice for kids, Leinweber says. Learn about America's history of aviation, and take a tour of the Earth's solar system as seen through the eyes of robotic explorers. You can visit its original spot on the National Mall, or drive out to the Chantilly, Virginia, site of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, which features an observation tower, exhibits on aerobatic flight and the space shuttle Discovery. [Read: 10 Best Brunch Spots in Washington, D.C.] The museums are free and open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Though parking at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center costs $15 before 4 p.m.) Both locations have an Imax theater, which sells tickets for various shows. Smithsonian American Art Museum This branch of the Smithsonian houses the nation's first collection of American art. Located in Chinatown, the Smithsonian American Art Museum displays paintings, sculptures and more from such renowned artists as Mary Cassatt, Georgia O'Keeffe and William H. Johnson. In the National Portrait Gallery, which is located in the same building, the portraits of the American presidents are always popular, Leinweber says. He adds, "The great thing about this museum is [that] it's open later in the evening, until 7 p.m." The museum is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free. National Gallery of Art Located on the National Mall, the National Gallery of Art showcases some of the world's finest works. With pieces from the Renaissance to the impressionist era to today, this expansive collection takes visitors on a trip through art history. Sherri Dalphonse, executive editor of Washingtonian magazine, urges visitors to see the newly renovated East Building, which features modern and contemporary art. "It is just stupendous. I'm recommending that to everyone now. They've made that into a must-see museum for modern art. It really highlights the art in a great way," she says. The National Gallery of Art is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is free. Newseum The Newseum offers visitors an inside look at the media industry and the role journalism has played throughout history -- from the death of President Abraham Lincoln to the fall of the Berlin Wall to 9/11. A local favorite, this extensive museum caters to all ages. "There are green rooms where kids can act as if they're on television," Leinweber says. The Newseum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $22.95 for adults, $18.95 for seniors, $13.95 for youths age 7 to 18 and free for younger children. Admission is good for two days. [Read: The Best Things to Do in Washington, D.C.] National Museum of the American Indian This Smithsonian museum houses artifacts from North and South American Indians. What makes this facility particularly special is that Native American voices had input in the design of the museum's unique exhibits, architecture and landscaping. It also has a great cafe, according to Vidnovic. The Mitsitam Cafe ("Mitsitam" means "let's eat" in the native language of the Delaware and Piscataway peoples) provides visitors the opportunity to enjoy a variety of Native American food. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and the cafe is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. To experience more of what the District of Columbia has to offer, check out the U.S. News Travel guide. Jennifer Lubell is a freelance writer in the Washington, D.C., metro area. Follow her on Twitter. Photo credit: Courtesy of sweetcitycandy.com From Delish You already know how you can transform someone's life just by buying them groceries or treating them to a warm meal, but around this time of year, you can double up on those benefits by buying goods that also donate a portion of their proceeds to a charity you support. This time of year, even big businesses are getting in on the holiday spirit. Here are a few to keep on your radar as you cross off that Christmas list. When you buy a gift basket, the company will donate 15 percent of the cost to the Great American Milk Drive, a charity that provides milk to children and families in need. It may not be much, but it's something: 2.5 percent of all sales of these fashion-forward glass bottles go toward providing clean water to families in India. This healthy food company donates meals to children in need, in partnership with We Feed. Whenever you buy a health bar from Kutoa-like its cherry cashew or chocolate banana treats-the brand donates food to a child in need. For every bag of M&M's sold at Walmart now through Dec. 25, a gallon of milk is donated to a local food bank. The profits from buying these assorted wines goes to charities that help provide clean drinking water, plant trees and adopt animals (among other things!). With each purchase of a Mission 7 product (they have a plethora of specialty gums, gummies and more) they donate to an array of charities that benefit the planet, from planting trees to building homes for the homeless. The name of this product says it all: Every time you buy a bar, the company donates a package of life-saving food to children in need. Follow Delish on Instagram. You Might Also Like The minister of trade, industry and cooperative Amelia Kyambadde wants the Uganda Investment Authority be transferred from the ministry of finance to her docket. This, she says will foster proper monitoring of investment licenses and compliance levels of foreign traders in the country. Kyambadde has been appearing before parliaments committee on trade and industry, praised over by the deputy chairperson Alex Ruhunda of Fort Portal Municipality to explain the presence of foreign traders mainly Chinese who operate without trade licenses. Kyambadde has told the committee that it would be difficulty for her ministry to interfere in the duties which are entirely under ministry of Finance and asked members to instead transfer the Uganda investment Authority to the ministry of trade. Beirut (AFP) - At least 80,000 people have fled east Aleppo since the Syrian army began an operation in mid-November to recapture the rebel-held sector of the second city, a monitor said Wednesday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the figure included residents who have sought refuge in the government-held west of the city and a Kurdish-controlled enclave between the two sectors. But it does not include others who have fled south to remaining rebel-held territory, Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said. The army has made swift progress in its operation to recapture east Aleppo and now controls three-quarters of the sector, which had been a rebel bastion since 2012. The government has been urging civilians to leave for months, and has accused the rebels of holding residents hostage for use as "human shields." Before the assault began, an estimated 250,000 people remained in east Aleppo, which was surrounded by government forces in mid-July, halting deliveries of basic goods. By Tim Baysinger and Aishwarya Venugopal NEW YORK (Reuters) - Interpublic Group of Cos, one of the world's biggest advertising companies, said on Wednesday that the U.S. Justice Department had asked one of its standalone domestic agencies for documents regarding video production practices. It disclosed the request a day after the Wall Street Journal reported that the Justice Department's Antitrust Division was examining whether advertising agencies rigged bids to favor in-house production units, citing people familiar with the matter. (http://on.wsj.com/2h1OMbV). That story did not identify which advertising firms were being scrutinized in the investigation, which it said has been under way for the past few months. "We can confirm that one of our standalone domestic agencies has been contacted by the Department of Justice Antitrust Division for documents regarding video production practices and is cooperating with the government," Interpublic said in a statement. Justice Department officials could not immediately be reached for comment. A spokesman for WPP Plc, the world's biggest advertising firm, declined to say if the firm had been contacted by the Justice Department. Representatives with Omnicom Group Inc, and Publicis Group SA could not immediately be reached. The Wall Street Journal report said the government is investigating whether agencies compelled independent production companies to inflate their prices to make it easier for their own in-house units to be awarded those contracts. They are trying to determine whether the company violated federal antitrust laws that prohibit bid rigging and price fixing, the newspaper reported. Interpublic's statement said its code of conduct requires it act in the best interests of clients. "In the case of production, that means requiring triple bids on all projects above a minimal dollar threshold, it said. Interpublics shares were up 0.6 percent at $23.40 in midday trade. Large advertising companies have ramped up their own production efforts in recent years as a way to grow new revenue streams and keep up with advertisers increasing demand for video content. (Reporting by Aishwarya Venugopal in Bengaluru and Tim Baysinger in New York; Additional reporting by Joel Schectman in Washington) A funny thing happened to some right-leaning filmmakers trying to make their case that conservatives aren't welcome on college campuses: They weren't allowed on a college campus. At least that's according to a letter that their lawyers fired off to California State University, Northridge in southern California. Comedian Adam Carolla and radio host Dennis Prager are touring the nation's universities while making their documentary film, No Safe Spaces, and their first stop, scheduled at CSUN, was canceled, according to lawyers, because the content of a talk they were to give was deemed politically incorrect. The presentation was supposed to consist of Carolla interviewing Prager at the Campus Theater on Dec. 1. The topic was rather vague, but it invariably was to focus on the duo's assertion that the political left has a stranglehold on most colleges, and it was to be filmed so that some portions would have presumably ended up in No Safe Spaces. But while negotiating for the use of the venue, the filmmakers, Justin Folk and R.J. Moeller, say they were informed that "people higher up the food chain" at CSUN weren't happy about the "content" of the planned presentation, and their lawyers say laws may have been broken. Read more: Adam Carolla to Explore University "Safe Spaces" in Upcoming Documentary "It appears your institution may have caused damage by committing unlawful content-based discrimination against my client and others," wrote Kurt Schlichter of Schlichter & Shonack on behalf of Moral Compass, the limited partnership set up by the filmmakers. The letter obtained by The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday is dated Dec. 2 and addressed to CSUN president Dianne Harrison. The filmmakers say they also were told that the appearance of Prager and Carolla might cause some students to protest, and in a letter informing them that they weren't able to use the venue, a CSUN a representative wrote: "The scope and logistics around the event is just not feasible." Story continues The college has in the past hosted President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Louis Farrakhan, poet Maya Angelou and other dignitaries at various places on campus. The college told THR that the venue for the Prager-Carolla event was not approved for purely logistical reasons and that the rental negotiations were handled by CSUN's non-profit auxiliary, called The University Corporation. "Based on the typical end of semester increased activity, The University Corporation determined that this rental request could not be accommodated," the organization said in a statement emailed to THR. "At no point was the rental approved. Representatives made an inquiry, and logistics could not be accommodated." The lawyer, though, maintains that the filmmakers were strung along for six weeks, led to believe the venue was available for rental and unaware of any problems. Then, the reason for CSUN not closing the deal kept changing. "It is disturbing that a public university would seek to remove an event from its campus because of the 'content' involved," the attorney wrote. "To then back down from the 'content' claim and now use a laughable 'logistics' excuse is also disturbing." No Safe Spaces is filming with Carolla and Prager primarily over the fall and is a feature-length documentary about political correctness at universities. It derives its name from the so-called "safe spaces" that were created at some universities during Donald Trump's presidential campaign. Safe spaces usually consist of coloring books, stuffed animals, bubble-blowing toys and the like, and were built for students who find it disturbing to hear opinions they don't agree with. Late Tuesday, University Corporation president and executive director Rick Evans noted that Prager and Carolla spoke at the campus separately about three years ago, in the pre-Trump, pre-safe space era, and that he has no objection to them appearing together there in the future. "I'm confident there's a time and place for this event. Discussions about security concerns and electronics had not taken place yet," he said. "I can't have my people scrambling at the last minute," Evans said. "Availability is the first step, not the last one, and there were enough dangling loose ends for me to deny the request, for their sake and ours. We need to start from scratch. I want this event to occur. The police department will determine the necessary level of security." Dec. 6, 5:30 p.m.: Updated with comments from Evans. These are good times for Adam Driver, who recently sat down for an interview for my video series The Actors Side. On Sunday, he was named Best Actor by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association for the Jim Jarmusch film Paterson, a wonderfully quirky, meditative look at the life of a bus driver who also writes poetry. Its a deceptively simple-looking performance by Driver in a movie thats more profound and complex than you imagined. Driver began earning high praise for it coming out of the Cannes Film Festival, where Paterson premiered. Driver will also be seen this season in Martin Scorseses long-gestating Silence in which he and Andrew Garfield play 17th century Jesuit priests who travel to Japan in search of their mentor. These are two roles that could not be different from each other, but represent the broad range of Drivers talent, which has also been on display for six seasons as the needy love interest of star Lena Dunham in HBOs Girls. That show wraps its run next summer. He will be continuing his role as Kylo Ren in yet another chapter of the Star Wars saga in Star Wars: Episode VIII due next December. In our wide-ranging, and fun, interview we talk about all of this as well as the thing that drives Driver to act. Paramount will bow Silence on December 23 with expansions in early January. Meanwhile, Bleecker Street will release Amazons Paterson in New York and Los Angeles on December 30. Check out our conversation above. Related stories The Bart & Fleming Podcast Episode #5: China's Play In The Hollywood Game Martin Scorsese's 'Silence' Plots January Expansion Mel Gibson, Andrew Garfield And Bill Mechanic On The 15-Year Ordeal To Scale 'Hacksaw Ridge' Fear not, stressed-out travelers: LiLou the therapy pig is here. The San Francisco Airport (SFO)introduced its very first therapy pig Monday, as part of its Wag Brigade, aproject that employs therapy animals to soothe passengers in the airport. With red-painted toes and a bright blue tutu, LiLou made her first appearance Monday, to the delight of children and adults alike at the airport. Performing tricks while wearing her pet mevest, the small pig wasan instant hit. Therapy pig with kids Since its launch in 2013, the SFO Wag Brigade has become a favorite amenity among travelers, SFO's director of guest experience Christopher Birch said in a statement. With the addition of LiLou, we can look forward to more moments of surprise and delight for guests at our airport. Lilou is a Juliana pig, a breed that typically grows to be 30-50 pounds and 13-15 inches high.She is joining a team of nearly 300 dogs, cats and rabbits that serve on this team at SFO, according to the same release. This San Francisco project is not the first that has sought to incorporate therapy animals for the enjoyment and well-being of travelers. Airports in San Jose, Los Angeles, Miami and Oklahoma City have all instituted their own version of a therapy dog program, where passengers can pet a gaggle of different dogs Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport put their own spin on the trend with their therapy horses. A miniature horse named Dakota from a nearby farm piloted the program back in March, local news outlets reported. But for now, LiLou appears to be the only therapy pig in the airport business. To follow more of her adventurers, admirers can join her more than 2,000 fans on Instagram. Related Articles Shares of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. AMD hit a new 52-week high of $9.54 on Tuesday following rumors that the company has inked a licensing agreement with Intel Corporation INTC for its graphics processing units (GPUs). The stock closed the days session at $9.45, up 8.87% on healthy volumes of 92.02 million. As per media sources, Intel is licensing Advanced Micros Radeon GPUs with a purpose to use them in its next generation CPUs. In this regard, we note that Intels current licensing agreement with NVIDIA Corporation NVDA for its GPUs is scheduled to expire in Mar 2017. It should be noted that Radeon technology has been gaining traction, which is a positive for the company's top line. Notably, AMD along with Alienware partnered with Fox and New Regency to launch virtual reality (VR) in Assassin's Creed Movie, in which the Radeon technology was used. Moreover, on Oct 14, AMD announced a partnership with online retail giant Alibaba for the supply of Radeon Pro GPUs for its cloud services. ADV MICRO DEV Price ADV MICRO DEV Price | ADV MICRO DEV Quote What this Means for AMD? As per a Technavio report, the global demand for GPUs is expected to witness moderate growth with shipments of over 67 million units by 2020. Moreover, as per an IDC report, the performance of integrated GPUs is likely to improve over time, decreasing dependency on discrete GPUs. However, discrete GPUs will still rule the roost in the fields of high performance computing. In this regard, we note that Advanced Micro has recently inked a three-year partnership with Mentor Graphics MENT, which will enable it to offer more choices to embedded developers in the x86 architecture high-performance computing segment. (Read More: AMD and Mentor Graphics Ink Deal on Embedded Technology) That said, currently the GPU market is being dominated by two major players Advanced Micro and NVIDIA with the latter having the lions share of revenues. Although the Intel deal is yet to be confirmed, it could prove to be a game changer for Advanced Micro if it materializes. We believe that, it will help Advanced Micro to gain more traction in the GPU space and close in the market share gap with NVIDIA. Story continues Stock Performance Overview Notably, Advanced Micros stock has outperformed the broader Zacks Electronics-Semiconductors industry on a year-to-date basis. While the stock has returned a phenomenal 229.3%, the industry has returned only 40.7%. The upside momentum in the stock was primarily driven by the introduction of several new Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) and GPUs. Additionally, upcoming products like Zen are expected to drive top-line growth in the long run. However, Advanced Micros increased costs related to product introductions will likely impact the companys profits this year. Zacks Rank At present, Advanced Micro carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them now>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report MENTOR GRAPHICS (MENT): Free Stock Analysis Report ADV MICRO DEV (AMD): Free Stock Analysis Report INTEL CORP (INTC): Free Stock Analysis Report NVIDIA CORP (NVDA): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research London (AFP) - AFPTV correspondent Will Vassilopoulos on Wednesday won an award for his coverage of the migrant crisis in his native Greece from Britain's Rory Peck Trust which supports freelancers globally. Greek-Canadian Vassilopoulos was awarded the Rory Peck Award for news for his footage of migrants and refugees arriving in Greece after crossing the Aegean Sea from Turkey. Filming between October 2015 and March this year, he followed the new arrivals' journey from the island of Lesbos to the makeshift Idomeni camp on Greece's northern border with Macedonia. Vassilopoulos' footage there covers demonstrations by those at the border and an attempt by hundreds of migrants to cross a river to reach Macedonia. Collecting the award at the British Film Institute on London's Southbank, Vassilopoulos said it had been "very challenging" covering the crisis. "There is an emotional toll for all of us in the field. It hurts you really hard when it happen at home," he said. "My intensions were always to film with upmost respect for migrants, and to film them with dignity." Judges said Vassilopoulos' work stood out for his long sequences and his eye for detail. "It brought the humanity of it home so much. Itas difficult to do something exceptional when everyone is shooting it, however tragic and important the story is, and Will really managed that," the judges said on the Rory Peck Awards website. Also shortlisted for the news award was AFPTV journalist Nabil Hassan, for his work in Yemen covering fighting between Shiite Houthi rebels and government forces. The third shortlisted journalist was Waad Al Kateeb, nominated for her coverage in Syria of the aftermath of an airstrike in which three brothers were hit while out playing in Aleppo. - Courageous journalists trapped in Aleppo - The Syrian city has been devastated by the war and has suffered intense bombardment in recent weeks as President Bashar al-Assad's forces try to defeat rebels in Aleppo. Story continues Speaking on the sidelines of the Rory Peck Awards, AFP's global news director Michele Leridon praised the work of Karam al-Masri, the news agency's journalist in the city. "I am amazed at the courage shown by Karam and our team in Aleppo who are trapped by the fighting," she said. Al-Masri in September recounted his experience of years spent living through the conflict, including being tortured in detention. "The massacres and the bombings have become normal, along with images of children under rubble, the injured, bodies torn to pieces," wrote al-Masri, who was a law student at Aleppo University before the war started. AFPTV's coverage in Aleppo was recognised by the Rory Peck Awards last year, when journalist Zein Al-Rifai took the news prize for his coverage of the everyday lives of people in rebel-held areas. The 2014 winner for news was Pacome Pabandji, who won for his coverage of the civil war in the Central African Republic. This year's news features prize was awarded to journalist Marco Salustro, for footage published by Vice News of an unofficial detention camp in Tripoli, the Libyan capital, where he witnessed the abuse of migrants. Marcel Mettelsiefen picked up the current affairs award for his coverage of three young sisters and their brother after their father was captured by the Islamic State group in Syria. The filming was commissioned by ITN Productions for Channel 4 Dispatches in association with ZDF and WGBH/Frontline. The Rory Peck Awards were launched in 1995 by the Trust, set up in memory of freelance journalist Rory Peck who was killed in Moscow in 1993. The awards recognise the best freelance news cameramen and camerawomen around the world. AMSTERDAM, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Dutch supermarket group Ahold raised its forecast for free cash flow to 1.6 billion euros ($1.72 billion) in 2017 from an estimated 1.3 billion euros this year, as its July merger with Belgium's Delhaize bears fruit. Ahead of a meeting with investors in London, Ahold-Delhaize said it would launch a 1 billion euro stock buyback program in 2017 and hopes to double online sales to 4.6 billion euros by 2020. It repeated its target of 500 million euros in cost savings, purchasing savings, and other improvements due to the merger by mid-2019. The combined company is one of the largest retailers in the eastern United States, where it operates the Stop & Shop, Giant, Food Lion and Hannaford supermarket chains, and is the leading operator in the Netherlands and Belgium. ($1 = 0.9329 euros) (Reporting by Toby Sterling, editing by Louise Heavens) The proprietors of the newly constructed multibillion abattoirs along Hoima road have decried daily power blackout that affect their rate of production. The president early this year commissioned this factory managed by Egypt Uganda food Security Company with capacity to slaughter 500 cows on daily basis. According to Hisham Ghaffar the marketing manager, the company expected constant power supply but this has remained a challenge despite presidential pledge. He said that the factory experience power outage on daily basis and this affect their cold-rooms and entire value chain. He is now calling for urgent government intervention if they are to remain in business. Hisham made the revelation during the ongoing Exporters annual conference organized by Uganda export promotions board. Shares of Alaska Air Group ALK have been on an uptrend in recent times. The stock has comfortably outpaced the Zacks categorized Transportation-Airline industry over the last three months. The stock gained almost 19% compared with the industry, which advanced just 10.45% over the same period. The Seattle, WA-based carrier, received further good news as it moved a step closer to buying the California based low-cost carrier Virgin America VA, following the receipt of the antitrust clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Alaska Air Group intends to acquire Virgin America for approximately $57 per share. The deal, which is valued approximately at $4 billion, inclusive of debt and capitalized aircraft operating leases, was announced in April. Attached Rider The anti-trust clearance is however not free of conditions. Although Alaska Air Group wont have to sell any assets, it will have to reduce the scope of its code-sharing agreement with American Airlines Group AAL. Alaska Air Group currently derives around $190 million revenues annually from the agreement. According to a report on Wall Street Journal, the modification of the agreement implies that Alaska Air Group would have to forego code-sharing revenues in about 45 markets, which amounts to $15 million to $20 million annually. The routes where the DOJ has prohibited the Alaska Air/American Airlines code sharing pertain to the ones where Virgin America and American Airlines currently compete. The same is also prohibited on routes where Alaska Air Group was likely to launch operations (in combination with American Airlines) following the closure of the deal. Alaska Air Group was not too perturbed by the condition and appeared confident of recovering the lost revenues. However, Alaska Air Groups code-sharing deal with another heavy-weight airline Delta Air Lines DAL which accounts for approximately $65 million of Alaska Air Groups top line annually was left untouched by the DOJ. Story continues DOJs Approval Did Not Come Easily The DOJs approval did not come immediately. The deal was initially expected to be closed by Sep 30. However, that was not the case as the companies agreed not to close the deal before Oct 17, to allow the antitrust division of the DOJ more time to review the proposed merger. Delays continued even after Oct 17, making its fate uncertain. This approval is a positive step toward the completion of the deal, which is expected in the very near future. Now, the lone hurdle that remains, is the ongoing lawsuit in the federal court of San Francisco, which was probably the reason why a date for closure was not mentioned. However, Alaska Air Group remains confident about the successful resolution of the dispute. Consequently, we expect investor focus to remain on updates regarding the lawsuit, the resolution of which would help the deal to close. This would then create the fifth largest U.S. airline (in terms of passenger traffic). Zacks Rank Alaska Air Group currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them now>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report DELTA AIR LINES (DAL): Free Stock Analysis Report ALASKA AIR GRP (ALK): Free Stock Analysis Report AMER AIRLINES (AAL): Free Stock Analysis Report VIRGIN AMERICA (VA): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research In a recent interview with HOLA! magazine, Alec Baldwin opened up about impersonating Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live, and how he hopes it can help heal the country. "I'm glad people find it funny," Baldwin, 58, said of his portrayal of the president-elect. "But at the same time, I think people were very worried about the election. Both sides are very passionate, so it's been a very, very difficult time in this country. I haven't felt like this in a long, long time. There are bad feelings on both sides, so to have the opportunity to give people a chance to talk and laugh about it is a good thing." WATCH: Alec Baldwin Explains Donald Trump's Tweeting Habit on 'Saturday Night Live': 'My Brain is Bad' While his impression has been praised by many, there are those who don't find it funny. Baldwin's youngest brother, Stephen, supported Trump through his run for office and told CBS News in October that that the election was no laughing matter. "I think it's getting a little too nasty right now," he said. "I don't think there's anything funny about this election." Trump himself, who has hosted SNL on numerous occasions, also doesn't seem to have a sense of humor about Baldwin's portrayal of him. The former reality show host aired his grievances on Twitter over the weekend after the NBC sketch show mocked him for his controversial tweets. "Just tried watching Saturday Night Live -- unwatchable!" he wrote. "Totally biased, not funny and the Baldwin impersonation just can't get any worse. Sad." Just tried watching Saturday Night Live - unwatchable! Totally biased, not funny and the Baldwin impersonation just can't get any worse. Sad Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2016 ...@realDonaldTrump Release your tax returns and I'll stop. Ha ABFoundation (@ABFalecbaldwin) December 4, 2016 Baldwin responded to Trump's critique with a tweet of his own. Story continues "Release your tax returns and I'll stop," he wrote. "Ha." Despite the war of words he's engaged in on Twitter, at home, Baldwin lives a peaceful lifestyle with his yoga studio owner wife, Hilaria, and their three children: 3-year-old daughter Carmen, 1-year-old son Rafael and 2-month-old son, Leonardo. As a Spanish native, Hilaria told HOLA! that it is imperative for her that her children speak Spanish. WATCH: Alec Baldwin Reacts to Donald Trump's Presidential Win: 'He's All Yours, America' "Carmen's first language is Spanish," Hilaria, 32, told the magazine. "I only speak Spanish with her ... and with Alec she is smart enough to know that she needs to switch to English. Alec's Spanish is getting better and better. His accent is very good." "Maybe by the time I'm 90, I will nail it," Baldwin joked. But the 30 Rock star doesn't need to know a romance language to be romantic. WATCH: 'The Simpsons' Predicted Donald Trump Would Be President in 2000: 'It Was a Warning to America' "As far as love at first sight, it was for me, but I think a lot of people have fallen in love at first sight with Hilaria," Baldwin said about meeting his future wife in a New York restaurant. "I'm in a long line of people in love with Hilaria, and for some strange reason, I won." Hilaria has a new lifestyle book, Living Clearly, which will be published later this month. Related Articles Aden (AFP) - More than 40 people were rescued off the Yemeni island of Socotra on Wednesday after a cargo vessel carrying islanders home from the mainland sank in the Indian Ocean, authorities said. Several others were still missing after a major search operation in the early hours, President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi said in a statement on the official sabanew.net website. The official Saba news agency said that 42 people, including four women, had been rescued "and the search is continuing for 20 missing." The ship sank northwest of Socotra -- around 350 kilometres (220 miles) from Yemen's south coast -- which has been hit by rare tropical cyclones in recent months. Hadi called for "doubling efforts to broaden rescue operations to reduce the scope of the catastrophe that has struck the inhabitants of Socotra." Officials declined to say if inclement weather was behind the disaster but Yemeni Fisheries Minister Fahd Kavieen earlier told reporters that the vessel had "an accident". The government said United Arab Emirates jets were assisting search and rescue operations alongside Yemeni coastguards as well as two ships from Australia and Austria. Saba said at least two passengers had been rescued by these vessels. Although long ruled from Yemen, Socotra lies closer to the coast of Africa than it does to the Arabian Peninsula. It sits at the exit of a busy shipping lane from the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea into the Indian Ocean. For years it was prey to piracy from the lawless Somali coast and it is in one of the most heavily patrolled maritime areas on Earth. Kavieen did not specify whether warships of the international counter-piracy operation were taking part in the search for survivors. He said that the ship had been out of contact for several days and its sinking was confirmed on Tuesday. "Vessels have been combing the area since the early hours and there is significant hope that the passengers have survived," he said. Story continues Yemen has been ravaged by conflict for the past two years, disrupting transport links to the Socotra archipelago. The port of Mukalla, from which the sunken freighter set off, was controlled by Al-Qaeda for a full year until it was retaken by pro-government forces in April. Air links to Socotra from elsewhere in Yemen have all but ground to a halt as Hadi's beleaguered government battles rebels who still control the capital Sanaa. There are no regular passenger ferries either, forcing islanders to seek berths on the occasional cargo vessel. Throughout the devastating conflict that has pitted forces supporting Hadi against Shiite rebels and their allies, Socotra has remained loyal to his Saudi-backed government and has been spared the violence gripping much of Yemen. - Tourism potential - Socotra has enormous tourism potential which has never been realised because of the repeated conflicts suffered by Yemen. Its isolation from the landmasses of both Africa and Asia has led to the evolution of unique plant life, much of it found nowhere else on Earth. Among the most famous is the dragon's blood tree, a bizarre umbrella-shaped plant that earned its name from its blood-red sap which was much sought after as a dye in the ancient world. Persistent unrest in the nearby Horn of Africa has meant that the waters around Socotra have seen a steady flow of Ethiopian and Somali migrants ready to risk the perilous sea crossing in the hope of reaching Yemen's energy-rich Gulf neighbours. At least 79 people have perished while attempting to cross the Gulf of Aden this year, the UN refugee agency has said. By Steven Shapiro When we started, everyone said, Youre crazy. Youre going to pay drug addicts to go to work? Harriet Karr-McDonald and her husband, George, took a leap of faith when they established the Doe Fund in memory of a homeless woman known only as Mama. We said, Yeah, thats what we believe America is. In exchange for hard work, you get money. In exchange for giving up drugs, you can work and you get paid. And we were right. Through the New York City-based nonprofit, the couple started the Ready, Willing & Able program, which has helped more than 22,000 men transform their lives. Most havent graduated from high school. And they have experience with the criminal justice system, mostly drugs, says George McDonald. Program trainees are provided a place to live and are paid to work, cleaning the citys streets and parks while they pursue education and other training. Graduating from NYU was a dream come true that I didnt even think I could possibly dream, says Terrance Coffie, one of the Doe Funds most notable graduates. Coffie told Yahoo Global News Anchor Katie Couric that his life was heading down a dead-end road after growing up in foster care and ending up in prison. You become limited to what resources you have, opportunities, and for me, like millions of others, it became a cesspool of life, he said. Coffie embraced the Ready, Willing & Able program and took advantage of all its resources. He graduated from New York University and is currently pursuing his masters degree in social work. Like Coffie, Angel Lopez grew up in foster care and spent time in jail for selling drugs. I had to get some money cause nobody was giving me any money. No foster parent was giving me money, he said. Lopez made the most of his opportunity with the Doe Fund and took part in the culinary arts program. He now works full-time at the programs Brooklyn facility as an in-house chef. Im a role model to other guys too that come there, Lopez said. They say, Wow, this young guy is in here. Hes teaching us how to cook, how to bake? I say, Yeah, bro, you could do it. All you got to do is just stay humble so you wont crumble. Chicago (AFP) - John Glenn, who made history twice as the first American to orbit the Earth and the first senior citizen to venture into space, has been hospitalized, a spokesman at the Ohio State University college bearing his name said Wednesday. No details were offered on Glenn's illness or condition, but spokesman Hank Wilson of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs told AFP that the former astronaut had been admitted more than a week ago to the university's James Cancer Hospital. "I caution that even though Sen. Glenn is at The James that does not necessarily mean he has cancer," Wilson said. A hospital spokeswoman contradicted Wilson's account, saying Glenn was not listed in the cancer hospital's patient directory. Glenn is 95 years old and has been in declining health, undergoing heart-valve replacement surgery in 2014 and suffering a stroke, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer which broke the story of his hospitalization. The former astronaut served as a Democratic senator from Ohio for 24 years after his 23-year career in the US military and space program. In 1962 he was the first US astronaut to orbit the Earth in a flight lasting just under five hours, and returned to space decades later at the age of 77 -- becoming the oldest astronaut in space. Barack Obama awarded Glenn the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012, the country's highest civilian honor. "On the morning that John Glenn blasted off into space, America stood still," Obama said during the medal ceremony. "The first American to orbit the Earth, John Glenn became a hero in every sense of the word," the president said. Glenn served in both World War II and the Korean War, and in 1957 he made the first nonstop supersonic flight from Los Angeles to New York. Freetown Approves Project Expansion and Addition of 30,000 Square Foot R&D Facility DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / December 7, 2016 / AmeriCann, Inc. (ACAN), a company that is developing sustainable, state-of-the-art medical cannabis cultivation properties, announced the approved expansion of the cultivation and processing infrastructure for the Massachusetts Medical Cannabis Center (MMCC). AmeriCann's design and engineering team presented a plan to the Freetown Planning Board on December 6th to expand the 1 million square foot Massachusetts Medical Cannabis Center (MMCC) development. The Freetown Planning Board voted unanimously in favor of the expansion of the project Tuesday night. Previously, The Freetown planning board gave unanimous Site Plan approval to the 1 million square foot development plans in a public forum on December 8, 2015. The expanded plan includes a new, 30,000 square foot Research and Development (R&D) facility in the first phase, which will allow the company to conduct R&D and expand the cannabis production capacity for its tenants for the project in 2017. The R&D facility is in addition to the approved first phase of 130,000 square foot cultivation and processing facility. "We are pleased that Freetown has approved the expansion of our plans to include a cannabis research and product center in the first phase," stated Tim Keogh, CEO of AmeriCann. "The goal is to make MMCC the place in the northeast U.S. for the creation of a wide variety of exciting new advanced products for medical cannabis patients." AmeriCann has closely monitored the Massachusetts medical marijuana market during the planning of MMCC and expanded the initial phase of the project based on market demands. The addition of the 30,000 square foot cultivation and processing facility will increase production capacity and allow AmeriCann, through its Preferred Partners, to conduct proprietary R&D in a smaller, controlled environment. AmeriCann will focus R&D efforts on emerging technology, lighting systems, nutrient lines, plant science and genetics, greenhouse coverings, and environmental controls to increase efficiency and functionality of AmeriCann's "Cannopy" system. The new building will be a proving ground for new systems and equipment before implementation in the larger production facilities planned on the property. Story continues The R&D facility will meet the same requirements for security, design and operational efficiency as the larger buildings planned on the property. MMCC is expected to be one of the largest and most technologically advanced cannabis cultivation facilities in the nation. In October, AmeriCann completed the acquisition of the 53-acre Massachusetts property from Boston Beer Company (NYSE:SAM) for $4,475,000 cash. The regulated cannabis industry is expected is to be one of the fastest growing industries in the country. The respected Wall Street firm of Cowen & Co recently released a research report projecting dramatic growth for the industry from the current $7 billion nationally to over $50 billion in ten years. About AmeriCann AmeriCann is a publicly traded company that plans to develop and lease sustainable, state-of-the-art medical cannabis cultivation properties. The Company has over 1,000,000 square feet of facilities in the planning and design stages of development. The Company has designed a proprietary line of cannabis infused products which will be branded and licensed to companies in regulated markets. AmeriCann, Inc. is a Certified B Corp, an acknowledgment of the company's commitment to social and environmental ethics, transparency and accountability. AmeriCann became the first public cannabis company to earn this respected accreditation. More information about the Company is available at: www.americann.co. About Massachusetts Medical Cannabis Center The Massachusetts Medical Cannabis Center is approved for more than 1,000,000 square feet of medical cannabis cultivation and processing in Freetown, Massachusetts. The state-of-the-art, sustainable, greenhouse project will consist of multiple planned phases for tenants in the Massachusetts medical marijuana market. AmeriCann's Cannopy System uniquely combines expertise from traditional horticulture, lean manufacturing, regulatory compliance and cannabis cultivation to create superior facilities and procedures. The first phase potential of the project consists of a 160,000 sq. ft. of cultivation and processing infrastructure. AmeriCann can expand the first phase based on patient demand without any disruption to the ongoing operations. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (which Sections were adopted as part of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "prospects," "outlook," and similar words or expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "should," "would," "may," and "could" are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated results, performance or achievements. The Company disclaims any intention to, and undertakes no obligation to, revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, a future event, or otherwise. For additional uncertainties that could impact the Company's forward-looking statements, please see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2015, which the Company has filed with the SEC and which may be viewed at http://www.sec.gov. Contact Information: Corporate: AmeriCann, Inc. 3200 Brighton Blvd. Unit 114 Denver, CO 80216 (303) 862-9000 info@americann.co www.americann.co Twitter: @ACANINFO Investors: Hayden IR hart@haydenir.com (917) 658-7878 SOURCE: AmeriCann, Inc. After the bruising 2016 campaign, Americans are broadly optimistic that Donald Trumps election will invigorate the economy but fearful that it will further divide the nation along lines of class, race and party. While a solid three-fifths of American adults indicated that as a result of the election they expect the U.S. economy to become more competitive internationally, and half expect their own opportunities to improve, majorities anticipate that relations between Americans of both different classes and different races will deteriorate, a new Allstate/Atlantic Media Heartland Monitor Poll has found. In a measure of the skepticism Trump faces after winning the Electoral College while losing the popular vote, Americans divide almost exactly in half on whether he will succeed in uniting the country to move toward progress. Likewise, the share of adults who say he will govern in a way that reflects bias against certain groups in society is nearly as large as the percentage that says he will try to govern as the president of all Americans, the poll found. Recommended: Despair and Hope in Trumps America On nearly all of these questions, public opinion flows through the same grooves as the election results themselves. Trump draws preponderant, even euphoric, levels of support from white men without a college education, and somewhat more measured but still substantial backing from white men with college degrees and white women without them. Those were the three key groups who powered his victory. But he faces much more critical assessments in the poll from the groups that most resisted him during last months voting: members of the Millennial generation, minorities, and college-educated white women. One notable exception to that pattern may provide Trump an important opening: On several questions, particularly when asked whether the elections outcome will improve opportunity for you and your family, African American and Hispanic men display considerably more optimism than women from those groups. Story continues Overall, the poll underscores just how closely divided and uneasy the election has left the nation: the adults who said they were happy (18 percent) or satisfied (16 percent) about the outcome were outnumbered by the 40 percent combined that picked disappointed (18 percent), scared (15 percent) or angry (7 percent). The largest group, at 21 percent, described themselves simply as surprised. Notably, that anxiety did not reflect a polling sample tilted toward Clinton supporters: Clintons lead in the self-reported vote of those who responded to the poll was two percentage points, almost exactly her advantage in the most recent tallies of the popular vote. Recommended: Trump Could Violate the Constitution His First Day in Office In follow-up interviews, several Trump supporters who responded to the poll described him, in effect, as a risk worth taking: while several expressed some (or even many) doubts about him, they believed it worth trying someone from an unconventional background after more traditional politicians had failed to reverse the trends they decry in American life. "He might be a fresh start: You don't know, said Dennis Stanek, a firefighter in Houston who backed Trump. All I know is the direction everything has gone in the last 10-plus years has been completely different from the way I'd like to see it. It's not so much that I'm a Donald Trump fan, it's just that I'm so much an anti-big government fan. On the other side, Louise DiLullo, a non-profit administrator now staying home with a small child outside Akron, Ohio, expressed the visceral disorientation and disbelief of many Clinton supporters about the unexpected result. I have a six-month old daughter, and I held her on my lap and ... nursed her while I made calls for Hillary Clinton, she said. I really wanted her to see that she could be anything, and that she could approach something like that without question, that she could be a leader. And that the electorate voted for a man who has said such horrible things about women, and about other communities -- Muslims, African Americans, Latinos, immigrants, you name it -- that he said such horrible things and that he can be--he would be preferable to a woman? It has made me cry multiple times in the past month. Recommended: Are Democrats Wasting Their Time Taking On the Electoral College? The latest Heartland Monitor Poll is the 27th in a series examining how Americans are adapting to the changing economy. The new poll focuses on reactions to the 2016 election and the publics priorities and expectations for the new administration and Congress. The Atlantic will be reporting results from the survey over the next week. The most encouraging signal for Trump in the results is the broad expectation that his victory will improve the economy. The share of adults who expect the national economy to improve over the next 12 months spiked to 39 percent, a big jump from 22 percent in the most recent Heartland Poll last June. Thats the highest percentage expecting improvement over the next year since the poll conducted immediately after President Obamas reelection in 2012 (though notably, the share now expecting improvement still falls below the 44 percent in that survey). Meanwhile, the share in the new poll that expect the economy only to stay the same over the coming year dipped to just over one-fifth--after hovering around two-fifths since early 2015 in Heartland surveys. Another 28 percent said they expected the economy to deteriorate--slightly more than the level in Heartland polls since early 2015. Two other questions also reinforced a distinct note of economic optimism after Trumps victory. Exactly 60 percent said they expected that because of the election The American economy will be more competitive in the world. Only 30 percent said it would be less competitive; another 4 percent expected no change. Somewhat less emphatically, exactly 50 percent said because of the election There will be more opportunity for you and your family. One-third said they expected less opportunity; one-in-eleven expected no change. Anticipation of better times ahead was virtually unanimous among adults who said they voted for Trump: 94 percent believed the U.S. would grow more competitive and 87 percent expected an uptick in their personal prospects. But these positive expectations were shared relatively broadly. For instance, not only did 59 percent of both Baby Boomers and members of Generation X expect the nations international competitiveness to improve under Trump, so did 56 percent of Millennials. Also agreeing were narrow majorities of both minorities and college-educated white women, groups that were deeply skeptical of Trump throughout his candidacy. Overall three-in-10 Clinton voters said they expected Trump to improve the nations international competitiveness. Opinions diverged more on whether his election would produce greater personal opportunity. But even on that front, one-third of minorities, 45 percent of Millennials and 47 percent of college-educated white women joined big majorities of college white men and non-college whites in expecting more opportunity. Just under one-in-five Clinton voters concurred. African Americans were the only major group in which a majority said they expected less opportunity under Trump, though a plurality of Hispanics also expected less. Notwithstanding the relative breadth of this optimism, the stratospheric expectations among working-class whites--Trumps core constituency from the primaries on--stand out. In Heartland Monitor Polls dating back to 2009, those non-college-educated whites have usually been the most pessimistic group on almost any economic question. But in the new poll, fully 73 percent of non-college-educated white men said they believe Trump will improve the nations international competitiveness and 70 percent say his election will improve their own economic opportunities; for white women without a college degree, the numbers are only a modestly more restrained 63 percent and 56 percent respectively. The share of non-college-educated white men who expect the economy to improve over the next year jumped from 20 percent in June to 50 percent now; the share of non-college-educated white women who expect improvement nearly doubled, to 46 percent. (By contrast, the share of minorities who expect improvement actually declined slightly since June.) Joel Barfoot, a retired probation officer living near Montgomery, Alabama, is one of the Trump supporters confident about better times ahead. The last five years working in the state of Alabama, I was taking home less pay than the five years previous because of the cost of insurance and no raises or anything, he said. I see where Mr. Trump is talking about maybe putting a trillion dollars into the infrastructure to create jobs that way, but I also think there will be more and more American companies that probably come back they wont be outsourcing [anymore]. Diana McKeen, a retired nurse in Belmont, Maine, also thinks Trump will reverse years of decline in her area. Where I live, almost everything has gonethe shoe factories and shipping factories, all those things when I was in high school, all those things were shipped overseas, she said. Now we have Bank of America, things like that. But for the average person here, there really isn't anything stable." McKeen doesnt think Trump will restore the same jobs, but thinks his promise to combat outsourcing will make a difference. Hes saying things arent going to go overseas, she said, and so a lot of the products might be made more here in America so more jobs will come this way. Still, most Clinton voters were dubious that Trump could improve either the nations overall competitiveness or their own opportunities. DiLullo was one. Now staying at home with a child, she has a masters degree in public administration and has lived in southern Ohio, where she saw some of the worst poverty you can imagine. Shes dubious that Trump can reverse that extended decline. Donald Trump can promise all day long that hes going to bring all these jobs back to America, but those coal mining jobs and the economies that it created are never coming back, she said. I don't think there's any proof or any validity to the promises Donald Trump is making to bringing [those types of] jobs back to areas like that. On another major campaign emphasis for Trump, a somewhat more equivocal 48 percent said they expected as a result of his election the U.S. would be more safe from terrorism; 36 percent said it would become less safe, with the rest expecting no change or saying they didnt know. But the picture was very different on questions about how Americans expected Trump to affect the nations social and partisan divisions. By nearly two-to-one, adults expected his election would make the political system more, not less, divided. Clinton supporters (at 86 percent) overwhelmingly expected more division, but so did a substantial minority (35 percent) of Trump voters. Just over seven-in-10 Millennials and minorities, and just under two-thirds of college-educated white women, expected greater partisan division. Eric Nelson, an auto repair technician in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, who backed Trump, predicted that the president-elects conflicts with so many other Republicans during the campaign might actually prove liberating for him. "I believe because he didn't really have the support of his own party, I think that he's almost more like having an independent, and I would hope that maybe when issues are brought forward rather than fight it one party against another, it might be looked at more [as] the issue rather than which party is pressing it, you know, Nelson said. He might listen more to the content rather than who's delivering it after it's all said and done. By virtually identical margins, narrow majorities expected other important fissures to widen under Trump. By 51 percent to 41 percent, American adults expected relations between different social classes to deteriorate. By 52 percent to 39 percent, adults expected deterioration in relations between different racial and ethnic groups. Again, Clinton voters were the most pessimistic (with over 80 percent expecting a heightening of tensions on each front) but a measurable number of Trump voters (roughly one-fifth in each case) also anticipated more turbulence. On both questions, whites split about evenly on whether they expect more division, while about two-thirds of non-whites thought conditions would worsen. Women were also more likely than men to expect growing division. Those polled split closely on whether Trump would be more part of the solution or the problem. While a narrow plurality of 49 percent agreed the president-elect will lead the nation to come back together, a nearly equal 46 percent said that the divisiveness highlighted during the campaign will continue to pull us apart and hinder progress. Attitudes on this question almost completely followed the 2016 result: While 91 percent of Trump voters thought he would unify the nation, fully 83 percent of Clinton voters disagreed. Assessments of Trumps personal inclinations produced the same precarious divideand underscored the apprehension he faces as he approaches the White House. Only a narrow 51 percent majority agreed, Trump will try to govern as the president of all Americans, while 45 percent expected he will govern in a way that reflects bias against certain groups in society. About three-fifths of both college-educated white men and non-college-educated white women, and an overwhelming 70 percent of non-college-educated white men, believed Trump would be a president for all Americans. But about three-fifths of both Millennials and non-white adults (including nearly two-thirds of African Americans) said they thought he would reflect bias; college-educated white women were the most conflicted, dividing almost exactly in half. Overall, the gender gap on this question was substantial: while 57 percent of men thought Trump would govern for all Americans, just 46 percent of women agreed. Among Hispanics, men were particularly more likely than women to believe Trump would try to serve all Americans as president. William Foley, a college engineering professor in Clifton Park, New York, who voted for Clinton, said he believed an appeal to racial bias was central to Trumps success as a candidateand that he expected similar notes from him as president. "I think the appeal to race and not-like-me was a major factor in this election, he said. Youre not like me because of religion. You're not like me because of your country of origin. You're not like me because of your skin color." Once Trump is president, Foley continued, I believe that its going to be reflected upon immigration pools, regardless of origin of the person, be it South American, Middle Eastern, Asian, whatever. Because of some of the comments [from him] was nationalism in a multicultural country, which is hard to define." The poll also made clear that after the grueling race most Americans see plenty of scars that need healing. At least 70 percent of adults identified five separate sources of conflict that emerged in 2016 as either a serious or somewhat of a problem for the nation, including strained relations between: police and African American communities; the rich versus the poor; business and political elites versus average Americans; native-born citizens and immigrants; and whites and non-whites. Clinton voters were more likely than Trump supporters to identify each of these as problems, but at least 60 percent of the winners voters agreed in each case. (Clinton voters were most likely to identify as problems relations between police and African American communities and the rich against the poor; for Trump voters, the top finishers were elites against average Americans, and black-police relations.) At least 37 percent of all adults identified each of those five divides as a serious problem (with police/African American relations topping the list.) How Americans Assess Demographic Divides Majorities also perceived relations between urban and rural Americans, and white- vs. blue-collar workers as either a serious or somewhat of a problem. Just under half saw comparable degrees of risk in conflicts between men and women, and older and younger Americans. From all of these different angles, the poll converges on the same message. While many Americans, particularly Trumps supporters, believe his victory will move the economy forward, roughly half the nation fears that his ascent will set the country back by deepening the cracks that his march to the White House so starkly revealed. Atlantic Assistant Editor Leah Askarinam contributed. The latest Allstate/Atlantic Media Heartland Monitor Poll is the 27th in a series examining how Americans are experiencing the changing economy. This poll examines the publics to-do list for Washington in the coming year, and which political leaders Americans trust most to respond to the nations most pressing problems. It surveyed 1,000 adults by landline and cell phones from November 16 to November 21, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. The survey was supervised by Ed Reilly, Megan McNally and William Cullo of FTI Consultings strategic communications practice. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. Amy Schumer is firing back at haters who have body-shamed her following news that she will play Barbie in Sony Pictures' upcoming live-action film inspired by the famous doll. The Trainwreck actress shared a swimsuit photo to Instagram on Tuesday while defending herself to online trolls. NEWS: Amy Schumer Celebrates One Year Anniversary With Boyfriend Ben Hanisch "Is it fat shaming if you know you're not fat and have zero shame in your game?" wrote the star, who was also nominated for two GRAMMY awards on Tuesday. "I don't think so. I am strong and proud of how I live my life and say what I mean and fight for what I believe in and I have a blast doing it with the people I love. Where's the shame? It's not there. It's an illusion." Schumer added that when she looks in the mirror she sees a great and fearless "friend, sister, daughter and girlfriend," and thanked fans who have offered kind words and support. The star also offered her sympathy to "the trolls who are in more pain than we will ever understand," and noted that the harsh words she has received about her body only strengthen her suitability for the role. "I want to thank them for making it so evident that I am a great choice," Schumer wrote. "It's that kind of response that lets you know something's wrong with our culture and we all need to work together to change it. Anyone who has ever been bullied or felt bad about yourself I am out there fighting for you, for us. And I want you to fight for yourself too!" RELATED: Amy Schumer to Play Barbie in Upcoming Live-Action 'Family Comedy With Heart' "We need to laugh at the haters and sympathize with them," continued Schumer, who just cancelled her upcoming Australia/New Zealand tour, citing illness. "They can scream as loud as they want. We can't hear them because we are getting sh*t done. I am proud to lead by example. I say if I'm beautiful, I say if I'm strong. You will not determine my story. I will" Story continues The actress previously hit back at body-shamers earlier this year following her Hawaiian getaway with boyfriend Ben Hanisch. She also called out Glamour magazine for featuring her in their "plus size" issue in April. Body-shamers didn't stop the comedian from enjoying one of the biggest body-flaunting nights of the year. She and her sister, Kim Caramele, rocked Old Navy pajamas to poke fun at Monday's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. See the pic in the video below. Related Articles On Wednesday, Apple Inc.s AAPL SVP of Internet Software and Products Eddy Cue told Billboard that the companys highly successful music streaming platform Apple Music has hit 20 million paying subscribers. Apple Music has been signing up new customers at an intense, impressive rate since its debut back in June 2015. At the beginning of this year, the platform hit 10 million subscribers, and has now, less than a year and a half into its existence, reached the 20 million milestone. But its still only about half of what its biggest rival, Spotify, has been able to accumulate over the years, and thats just Spotifys paying subscribers. Overall, the Swedish streaming firm actually has more than 100 million users, with many choosing to listen to the ad-supported free tier. Apple Music, however, is the second-biggest streaming platform, cruising past other competitors like Tidal, Napster, Pandora, and others. "It's been quite a year," said Cue. "We were thrilled to see that we could take [artists'] passions and drive them all the way to No. 1. Chance the Rapper, who we put on Apple Music exclusively, hit the top 10 on the Billboard charts [based on streams alone], and I can't recall that being done before." Cue also said that 60% of Apple Music customers had not made an iTunes Music Store purchase in the past year, as the vast majority of new subscribers were new users, and 50% of subscribers live outside of the United States. Apple Music is now available in over 100 countries including Brazil, China, Canada, India, and Russia. Stocks that Aren't in the NewsYet 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 now >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report APPLE INC (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research New York (AFP) - Apple's streaming service says it has reached 20 million subscribers, showing quick growth as the tech titan tries to close in on sector leader Spotify. Apple Music launched in June 2015 as Apple, which revolutionized digital music with iTunes 15 years ago, saw the future in streaming -- a service that allows online listeners to play unlimited music on demand. Senior Apple official Eddy Cue, revealing the figures in an interview with Billboard published late Tuesday, predicted further rapid gains entering 2017. "There are billions of people listening to music and we haven't even hit 100 million subscribers. There's a lot of growth opportunity," Cue told the music-industry magazine. He said that more than 60 percent of Apple Music subscribers have not bought from iTunes for the past year -- a sign of streaming's steady rise over pay-per-track downloads. Apple Music still trails Spotify, which announced in September that it had 40 million paying subscribers. The Swedish company also has a free, advertising-backed tier -- controversial among some artists -- which brings Spotify's total listeners to 100 million. Spotify and Apple Music have plenty of smaller competitors including established streaming players Deezer and Rhapsody and rap mogul Jay Z's upstart Tidal. Online retail giant Amazon in October entered the streaming war, offering a discount rate to subscribers who use the company's speakers. Apple, like Tidal, has sought to erode Spotify's base by offering exclusives. Apple Music had early windows in which it alone offered the latest albums by leading hip-hop artists Drake, Chance the Rapper and Frank Ocean. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the figures. Yahoo Finance is tracking the stocks youre following, based on your Yahoo Finance ticker searches. Apple (AAPL) The tech giant said it added three million Apple Music users since September, bringing its total paid subscriber count to 20 million. Apple Music is now in second place behind Spotify which has 40 million. Starbucks (SBUX) The Seattle coffee giant discusses its future strategy at its Investor Day. Outgoing CEO Howard Schultz said the company is only in the early days of growth, pointing to the Reserve business and strong growth in China as big revenue drivers. Fitbit (FIT) The wearable maker is acquiring Pebbles software assets, including intellectual and personal properties, but did not not acquire the companys hardware products. Fitbit co-founder and CEO James Park said the company sees an opportunity to build on our strengths and extend our leadership position in the wearables category. Mylan (MYL) The company is cutting less than 10% of its workforce as it works to restructure its business and streamline global operations. Mylan says it plans to disclose additional details as initiatives are finalized. Vera Bradley (VRA) The retailers shares were halted ahead of the companys earnings release. Shares plunged as Vera Bradley lowered its full-year outlook after missing its own forecast for the third quarter. Pfizer (PFE) Britains Competition and Markets Authority is fining Pfizer $107 million for allegedly overcharging the national health-care system for an epilepsy drug thats used by about 48,000 patients in the country. The U.K.s top antitrust regulator said Pfizer broke competition law by charging unfair prices. He was not, according to police, the smartest armed robber to pass through town. For one thing, he didnt get one red cent when he held up a Gulf station in tiny Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, authorities said. For another, surveillance cameras captured him running from the robbery, changing clothes behind a Dumpster, and leaving his cap and pants inside, according to police. Read: Suspects Dressed as Clowns Arrested After Armed Robbery in Taco Bell and Domino's And then there was the bragging, officers said. Police Chief Chad King took to Facebook, calling out Robert Watkins, 32, and posting several photos of the man suspected of robbing the service station on Thanksgiving Day. "We have the video of you changing your clothes before, and after, the robbery," King posted to the social network. "We have you stashing your clothes, your fingerprints were on the counter you slammed and, best of all, your hat is full of your DNA." You have the option to turn yourself in," King added. "Contact us as listed above. Its only a matter of time before we find you. Make it easier on yourself now, because we WILL find you. Sure enough, after King received several phone calls and Facebook messages, Watkins was arrested in Meadville, about 110 miles away, the chief said. The guy bounces around, hes kind of like a drifter. A lot of people dont like this guy, King told InsideEdition.com. Witnesses reported him in an area bar, bragging about robbing the Gulf station, King said. Over the weekend, citizens of Meadville reported seeing him on the street and alerted Kings department, he said. Pennsylvania State Troopers picked up Watkins and booked him into the Allegheny County Jail, where he is being held in lieu of $50,000 cash bail on charges of armed robbery, making terroristic threats and theft, authorities said. Read: Canoodling Couple Unaware That an Armed Robbery Was Happening Inside Their Bar Story continues He has pleaded not guilty. The police chief was on duty Thanksgiving Day when the station got hit, and responded to the call, he said. The robber had waved a gun at the clerk, screaming Im going to shoot you! Im going to shoot you! King recounted. But the clerk refused to turn over what was in the cash register. Eventually, the bandit grabbed a bottle of Gatorade, two packages of tobacco, and ran off, King said. Watch: 'Spelling Bee Bandit' Spells Robbery Wrong on Note Each Time He Steals: Cops Related Articles: Damascus (AFP) - President Bashar al-Assad said victory in Aleppo would be a "huge step" towards ending Syria's five-year civil war, ignoring pleas for a truce as rebels in the city lose more ground. In a blistering three-week offensive, Syrian government forces have seized about 80 percent of east Aleppo, a stronghold for rebel groups since 2012, with increasingly cornered opposition factions calling for an "immediate five-day humanitarian ceasefire". The United States, Britain and France have also called for a truce, warning of a "humanitarian catastrophe". US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov were set to meet Thursday in Germany's Hamburg after talks the previous day failed to achieve a breakthrough on efforts to halt the fighting in the devastated city. Asked at the start of the session about Russia's position on a ceasefire, Lavrov said: "I am in agreement, and I confirm support for the American proposal of December 2", referring to a meeting with Kerry in Rome at which they were believed to have agreed on a plan to evacuate civilians and rebels from east Aleppo and to work towards a new ceasefire. Tens of thousands of children in Aleppo are "sitting targets" in the ongoing fighting, according to Save the Children Syria Director Sonia Khush. "It defies belief that after nearly six years of suffering through this war, the international community is still willing to stand by as civilians are bombed with seeming impunity," she added. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 19 civilians were killed in the regime bombardment of east Aleppo on Wednesday. In an interview with Syrian daily Al-Watan, published Thursday, Assad said defeating the beleaguered rebels in Aleppo "will be a win for us, but let's be realistic -- it won't mean the end of the war in Syria". "But it will be a huge step towards this end." Story continues When asked about the possibility of a truce in Aleppo, Assad said, "it's practically non-existent, of course". Assad said a rebel loss in Aleppo "will mean the transformation of the course of the war across Syria" and would leave opposition factions and their backers with "no cards left to play". Aleppo was once known as the beating heart of culture and commerce in Syria, but the outbreak of fighting there four years ago left it divided between rebels in the east and government forces in the west. In his wide-ranging interview, Assad pledged to fight rebels even beyond Aleppo, because "the war in Syria will not end until after the complete elimination of terrorism". "Terrorists are present elsewhere -- even if we finish with Aleppo, we will continue our war against them," he said. - 'Only available solution' - Assad touted local agreements between his government and rebel groups as the best way to resolve Syria's complex conflict. Such deals have seen opposition fighters quit a string of towns around Damascus in recent months, often in exchange for an end to regime bombardment. "It is the only available solution, in parallel with striking the terrorists. Its success has been proven over the past two to three years, and is now speeding up," Assad told Al-Watan. He said these agreements had protected Syrian civilians and infrastructure and allowed former rebels to "return to the bosom of the state. What more could we want?" Syria's conflict erupted in March 2011 with widespread demonstrations but has since turned into a brutal multi-front war drawing in world powers. Many Western countries cut ties with Damascus in 2011 and have imposed crippling economic sanctions, but Assad said he remained open to better relations with them. "We really do want ties with every country in the world, including the West, despite our previous knowledge of their hypocrisy." London (AFP) - WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has told authorities investigating him over a rape allegation that his accuser "made it very clear" she wanted to have sex, according to testimony he released Wednesday. His statements are the first he has made to investigators since taking refuge in Ecuador's embassy in London over four years ago to avoid extradition to Sweden for questioning in the matter. He has said he fears Sweden would then hand him over to the United States to answer for the leaking of diplomatic cables and other classified documents by his whistleblowing website. "I want people to know the truth about how abusive this process has been," the 45-year-old Australian said in a statement he released with the testimony. Swedish prosecutors dropped a sexual assault probe into Assange last year after the five-year statute of limitations expired. But they are still investigating a 2010 rape allegation, which carries a 10-year statute of limitations. An Ecuadoran prosecutor grilled him last month over the rape claim with questions supplied by Swedish prosecutors. Assange told the prosecutor he met the woman who has accused him of rape at a 2010 talk in Stockholm, where he was based after WikiLeaks released 75,000 secret Pentagon documents about the war in Afghanistan. The woman, known as SW in the documents, "appeared to be sympathetic to my plight and also appeared to be romantically interested in me", adding that she invited him back to her home. She "made it very clear that she wanted to have sexual intercourse with me," he added. "During that night and again in the morning we had consensual sexual intercourse on four or five occasions." In a copy of her testimony seen by AFP, she said she woke up the next morning to find Assange having unprotected sex with her and decided to file a complaint after talking with friends. Elisabeth Fritz, the lawyer for Assange's alleged victim, said last month it was "time for this to go to trial" after six years of legal battles. Story continues "We are expecting that the prosecutor will announce charges after this questioning and that these charges lead to a trial in a Swedish court," she said. WikiLeaks's public profile dwindled while its mastermind remained holed up in the embassy. But it recently returned to prominence with the leak of tens of thousands of emails from the US Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton's campaign in the final weeks of the race for the White House. Assange denied influencing the shock election result and rejected claims he had links with Russia. STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Wikileaks founder Julian Assange released on Wednesday his testimony from last month's London questioning in a Swedish rape investigation, saying he was innocent and that it was clear the sex was consensual. Assange, 45, has been holed up at Ecuador's London embassy since 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden for the investigation of allegations, which he denies, that he committed rape in 2010. "You have been found to have subjected me to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. You have denied me effective legal representation in this process," Assange said in the testimony. He was questioned for two days at the Ecuadorian embassy in London in November. Ecuador has said it will deliver a written version of the testimony this month to Swedish prosecutors, who will then take a decision on if and how to continue with investigation. A U.N. panel said in February that his stay at the Ecuadorean embassy amounted to arbitrary detention, and that he should be let go and be awarded compensation. Assange, who is Australian, says he fears further extradition from Sweden to the United States, where a criminal investigation into the activities of Wikileaks is ongoing. A spokeswoman at the Swedish Prosecution Authority declined to comment. (Reporting by Daniel Dickson; Editing by Tom Heneghan) Astronaut and former U.S. Senator John Glenn has been hospitalized. Officials at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at Ohio State University confirmed that the 95-year-old had been hospitalized for more than a week to but did not provide further details about his condition, the Associated Press reports. The exact illness that led to his hospitalization has not been revealed, although his health, including his eyesight, has been in decline over the past few years. anybody whos 95, any illness is always bad, college spokesman Hank Wilson told Cleveland.com. Glenn underwent heart valve replacement surgery in 2014 and suffered a stroke. Hes being treated at the James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State but that does not mean he has cancer, Wilson said. Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth in 1962 a journey that turned him into an American hero and a household name. The former Marine pilot who served in World War II and the Korean War, followed his time at NASA with a 25-year career as a senator representing the state of Ohio. In 1998, Glenn became the oldest person to fly in space at age 77. The Atlantic continues to grow its masthead with the hire of U.S. politics and foreign policy reporter Julia Ioffe. Currently a contributing writer for Politico Magazine, Ioffe will cover national security, foreign policy, and politics for The Atlantic magazine and TheAtlantic.com. She will begin with The Atlantic in early 2017. Julia Ioffe is an indefatigable reporter, a gifted analyst, and an elegant writer and Im so happy shes decided to join The Atlantic, said editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg. The addition of Julia to our already growing politics and foreign affairs teams is a cause for celebration. Our readers will benefit greatly from her work." Ioffe joins The Atlantic at a time of record audience growth. Last month TheAtlantic.com broke its audience record by nearly 1 million unique visitors, bolstered by expanded coverage of Politics & Policy. The magazine also sold a record number of subscriptions coming off the election last monthtoppling the previous monthly record by 50 percentand is the only title among its competitive set to increase newsstand sales this year. Recommended: How to Kill the Middle Class Ioffe covered the 2016 election for Politico Magazine, and was also a contributor at Huffington Posts Highline and a columnist at Foreign Policy. Prior to that, she was a senior editor at The New Republic, where she wrote about foreign affairs, Russian politics, the Sochi Olympics, and the invasion of Ukraine. Before joining The New Republic in 2012, Ioffe was a Moscow-based correspondent for Foreign Policy and The New Yorker. Shes been a finalist for the Livingston Award twice: for a 2013 profile of Sen. Rand Paul and 2011 piece on Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. In 2009, Ioffe received a Fulbright to live and work in Russia. Ioffe joins a growing team. Last week The Atlantic announced the hire of McKay Coppins to the politics team. Jane Yong Kim recently became editor of the Culture section, and Sarah Zhang was hired as a staff writer covering science, tech, and health. Story continues Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. By Colin Packham and Byron Kaye SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's center-right Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Wednesday ruled out introducing carbon pricing on emissions from the country's power generators after a backlash from within his own party. Turnbull told reporters in Sydney the government would "not be imposing a carbon tax" or "an emissions trading scheme", only days after his energy minister flagged the possibility of such a program. The move has frustrated energy firms who had supported the scheme and now say the government's policy casts doubt over the ability of Australia - one of the largest carbon emitters on a per capita basis due to its reliance on coal-fired power plants - to meet its own carbon reduction goals. "Whatever happens, it needs to be a market-based mechanism that puts a price on carbon," said Catherine Tanna, managing director of EnergyAustralia, the country's third-largest electricity retailer and second biggest carbon emitter. Power generators account for roughly one-third of Australia's carbon emissions. The policy issue has strained relations between Australia's political leaders and its energy generators, which have called for more clarity on how much electricity providers must generate through renewable sources. The federal government wants 23.5 percent of Australia's energy mix to come from renewables by 2020, but nearly all states have set much more ambitious renewable goals to cut carbon dioxide emissions from their electricity sector - clouding the outlook for many generators. With several states proposing renewable electricity generation targets of more than 50 percent, Tanna says energy generators believe compliance will be difficult. Australia aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 under the Paris climate accord. "Australia's climate policy is quite unorganized and there is no certainty for power generators on investment or divestment," said David Blowers, energy fellow, Grattan Institute. Australia's energy minister Josh Frydenberg on Sunday said the country may introduce an emissions scheme for power generators, requiring electricity producers to purchase credits from other generators should they exceed emission thresholds. But after criticism from influential conservative figures within the ruling Liberal Party, Turnbull on Wednesday ruled out any form of pricing of emissions. The Prime Minister is under pressure over poll numbers that have fallen to the lowest levels since he assumed office in September 2015 and has at times been openly rebuked by conservative members of his coalition. He was deposed as leader of the Liberal Party in December 2009, primarily as a result of his support for a price on carbon emissions. (Reporting by Colin Packham and Byron Kaye; Editing by Sam Holmes) SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's competition regulator said on Thursday it will not oppose state-owned Chinese chemicals group ChemChina's proposed $43 billion (34 billion) acquisition of Swiss seeds group Syngenta. The deal would be China's biggest ever foreign acquisition and is also facing scrutiny from European antitrust regulators. Australia's Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said it examined the deal because ChemChina owns a subsidiary that competes with Syngenta in Australia. It found the proposed deal would not damage competition in the sector, as the combined entity would still compete with businesses such as Bayer, BASF, Monsanto and DuPont. "Very few customers raised competition concerns," ACCC chairman Rod Sims said in a statement. (Reporting by Tom Westbrook; Editing by Chris Reese) By Curtis Skinner OAKLAND, Calif. (Reuters) - Authorities in Oakland, California, said on Tuesday they had identified all but one of the 36 victims whose bodies were pulled from the debris of a fire that ripped through a dance party at a warehouse at the weekend. Emergency workers have searched and cleared at least 90 percent of the charred building, officials told a news conference. Searchers were still sifting through the rest of the structure on Tuesday evening in a non-stop operation. "This has been a heavy labor operation plus a heavy mental operation," Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed said. A local state of emergency has been proclaimed, she said, potentially allowing for state and federal funds to help cover the costs of the inferno, the cause of which has yet to be determined. Reed said the City Council was set to ratify the proclamation later this week. The blaze erupted late on Friday in a sprawling two-story building known as the Ghost Ship that was leased to an artists' collective. The coroner's office has completed autopsies on half the 36 victims, said Alameda County Sheriff's Office spokesman J.D. Nelson. He said 35 had been identified, and the families of 30 notified. Nelson said smoke inhalation, typical for a major fire of this kind, was found to be the cause of death in all those examined. Survivors said flames spread quickly and billowing thick, black smoke blinded and choked those struggling to flee. One victim's body was positioned in a way to shield another person, who also died, Nelson said. Officials have said arson was not immediately suspected. However, charges ranging from involuntary manslaughter to murder could be brought, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley told reporters on Monday. BUILDING COMPLAINTS The dance party was held on the second floor, which partially collapsed. The 10,000-square-foot (900-square-metre) building lacked sprinklers and smoke detectors, and wooden pallets partially formed a makeshift stairway between its first and second floors, officials said on Monday. It had just two exterior doors. Story continues The manager of the warehouse, Derrick Almena, broke down on Tuesday during an interview with NBC's "Today" program and declined to answer questions about the condition of the building before the fire. He said he was sorry. "I'd rather get on the floor and be trampled by the parents," Almena said. "I'd rather let them tear at my flesh than answer these ridiculous questions." Oakland Mayor Libby Schaff told an evening news conference that three complaints had been made against the warehouse between 2005 and 2014, according to the city's planning and building department. Schaff said two complaints were made in 2014, one alleging construction of housing without permits and another claiming construction materials were blocking the sidewalk. The third, in 2005, alleged that a vacant lot next to the warehouse was being used as a parking lot and homeless encampment, Schaff said. Schaff said the city was still compiling data and reports about the warehouse from other city agencies, including the police and fire departments. Among the dead was Chelsea Dolan, 33, a San Francisco-based musician who, according to her Facebook page, was scheduled to perform as a DJ at the warehouse on Friday night. "She was someone so talented, she could have been a diva if she wanted to, but she never was," Dolan's friend, Gehno Sanchez Aviance, said on Sunday. Thousands gathered for a candlelight vigil in Oakland on Monday night to mourn the dead. (Additional reporting by Kristina Cooke and Dan Levine in San Francisco and Gina Cherelus and David Ingram in New York, and Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles; Editing by Alistair Bell, Jonathan Oatis and Paul Tait) This article originally appeared in the Motley Fool. Americans do a lot of shopping around the holidays. The average consumer plans to spend over $900 on gifts this season, according to the American Research Group, and many of us will inevitably wind up spending much more. However, all of that shopping can really take a toll on your finances, so here are a few pitfalls you should be certain to avoid. 1. Ignoring your holiday budget It happens to the best of us: We make lists, look at our finances, come up with a total number we're comfortable spending -- and then toss it all out the window. A study by T. Rowe Price found that 58% of shoppers never manage to stick to a holiday budget. Meanwhile, 53% of parents admit to buying everything on their kids' wish lists, no matter the cost. And 64% acknowledge that they typically spend more during the holidays than they should. Adhering to a holiday budget will help keep your spending in check, so if you're going to take the time to create a budget, make sure you actually follow it. 2. Chasing deals for the sake of getting a deal It's hard to ignore the plethora of deals available during the holidays. But buying things you don't actually want or need at a lower price doesn't mean you're getting a deal; it means you're throwing away money unnecessarily. Before you go shopping, whether it's at stores or online, make a list of the items you're looking for and pledge not to stray from it, no matter how enticing the offer. For example, if a tablet that normally retails for $150 is available for $75, and it's on your list, by all means, grab it. But if you were never planning to buy a tablet in the first place, move on. 3. Taking on credit card debt Credit card debt is a big problem for most American households, and it tends to escalate around the holidays. In a recent survey by MagnifyMoney, 26% of Americans stated that they expect to take on more debt during the 2016 holiday season. And of those who plan to rack up debt, 66% anticipate that it will take more than three months to pay it off. Story continues Last year, the average shopper added $1,073 in debt during the holidays. At 16% interest, which is what many of today's cards might charge (if not more), paying that amount off over the course of a year would add almost $100 in interest payments. To avoid the temptation of charging up a storm, leave your credit cards at home when you shop and stick to cash purchases instead. You'll lose out on some of the benefits of paying by credit card, but you'll lower your risk of taking on unnecessary debt. 4. Forgetting about gift cards That pile of unused gift cards sitting in your desk drawer is as good as cash. If you're short on funds but have gift cards available, try using them to purchase things for other people before you spend money of your own. If the gift cards you have won't help knock things off your loved ones' wish lists, try getting cash for them instead. There are several ways to turn unwanted gift cards into money you can actually use. 5. Tapping your 401(k) If you've failed to save for the holidays but have a chunk of cash sitting in your 401(k), you may be tempted to dip into your account rather than take on credit card debt. T. Rowe Price found that 11% of shoppers took money from a dedicated retirement account to fund their holiday shopping. But withdrawing from your retirement savings to pay for holiday gifts is actually one of the most financially detrimental moves you could make. First, if you take money out before you reach 59-1/2, your withdrawal will be subject to a 10% penalty. On top of that, your withdrawal will be taxed as ordinary income, so if you take $1,000 out of a 401(k) and your effective tax rate is 25%, then you'll wind up losing $250 to taxes. But it's not just penalties and taxes you'll contend with. Any money you take out now is money that won't be available to you in retirement. Worse yet, you'll lose out on not just the principal amount you withdraw, but the growth on that principal. Remember, $1,000 can turn into $10,000 over 30 years if your retirement plan investments generate an average annual 8% return -- all the more reason to leave that money alone. The holidays can wreak havoc on your finances if you're not careful, so whether you're checking small items off your shopping list or staring down the deal of the century, make sure you think before you buy. The more you overspend this month, the more you'll pay the price come 2017. 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 Los Angeles County District Attorneys office will not be prosecuting Russell Crowe after rapper Azealia Banks claimed he assaulted her and kicked her out of his hotel room during an intimate dinner party in October, PEOPLE can confirm. According to accounts, Banks, 25, was among 10 guests joining Crowe, 52, for a laid-back evening of dinner and music at a private gathering in the Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 15. She was brought to the party as rapper and director RZAs plus-one where she claimed she was spat on, choked, thrown out of a room, and called a n by Crowe. Banks filed a police report with Beverly Hills Police Department shortly after 3 a.m. the following day. But on Tuesday, the D.A. declined to prosecute Crowe. The D.A.s office declined to file charges due to lack of sufficient evidence, a spokesperson for the office told PEOPLE. Reps for Banks and Crowe did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment. In court documents obtained by PEOPLE, the D.A.s office goes into more details of what they found in their investigation. Several attendees describe Banks, not Crowe, as the assaultive party, the documents read. Witnesses state that prior to being ejected from the hotel room by Crowe, Banks repeatedly used a racial epithet, was verbally aggressive to party attendees and threatened to break a glass to cut the throat of a female guest and/or Crowe. Guests report after this threat was made, they saw Crowe struggle with Banks to prevent Banks from using the glass she picked up, seemingly to carry out her threat, the documents continue. It was then that Crowe escorted Banks out of the room. concludes a tier of fact would find the physical escort out of the room was justified to prevent the imminent violence threatened by Banks. Story continues The reports correspond with those made by RZA in a Facebook post on Oct. 20, where he explained he flew the 212 rapper out to Los Angeles for work and invited her to Crowes party where she began acting erratically. Before the night is over Azealia is insulting half the room she becomes loud and obnoxious, RZA wrote in the post. Azealia threaten (sic) to cut a girl in the face with a glass, then actually grabs a glass and physically attacks for no logical reason. Russell blocked the attack and expelled her from the suite. And a source close to the situation previously told PEOPLE that Crowe never called Banks the N-word. Per all of the witnesses, her erratic behavior and abusive language scared everyone there, the source said. No one called her the N-word. She was yelling the N-word at everyone else. RELATED VIDEO: RZA Defends Russell Crowe, Slams Azealia Banks Claims in Facebook Post Russell behaved like a hero, the source continued. He acted in defense of his guests and removed her from his suite by putting her in a bear hug and picking her up. As for the spitting, the D.A. concluded it would be inappropriate to hold Crowe criminally accountable for the minor battery of spitting on Banks gloved hand as it was incidental to preventing more serious threatened violence. They added that a witness at the door states the saliva did not make contact with Banks. In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Banks previously said she is prepared to forgive Crowe in order to heal, but chose to file a police report about the incident due to Russells lack of remorse and compassion. I want him to take accountability for his actions, Banks said. I believe that Russell is a damaged man and I hope the prospect of legal action will force him to seek help in overcoming his personal demons. Banks has found herself at odds with stars like Zayn Malik, Sarah Palin and Disney Channel actress Skai Jackson in the past. Crowe is no stranger to controversy either. Crowe was arrested in 2005 after striking a desk clerk with a phone. Getty Image Getting too deep into Azealia Banks stories is akin to strapping on a VR helmet and diving into an H.P. Lovecraft story. No good can come of it, and trying to comprehend what youre seeing will only lead to madness. Thats why for the most part we try to avoid covering the constant beef-starter too closely. But her recent story that she was forcibly ejected from a party at Russell Crowes house by Maximus himself was too insane to pass up. The Los Angeles District Attorneys Office apparently agreed, at least with the insane bit. TMZ reports that Banks battery case against the actor has been thrown out with the office claiming that Crowe was justified in his removal of Banks from the party to prevent the imminent violence threatened by Banks. As for the claims that Crowe spit on her, the office says that was incidental to preventing more serious threatened violence. Several witnesses including RZA, who invited Banks to the party said that Banks was threatening attendees of the party. The Wu-Tang member said that Banks said she wouldcut a girl in the face with glass and then actually grabbed a glass and physically attack[ed] for no logical reason. Banks has yet to respond to her case being thrown out. The Bachelor wine collection is finally here and we think the Bachelor Nation would approve Watching The Bachelor, wearing yoga pants, and drinking wine is pretty much every womans go-to activity on Monday nights and now its just gotten a lot easier to unwind and watch the ABC series, thanks to Bachelor approved wine. Yes, there is officially a Bachelor wine collection, so you never need to leave your house again to buy wine for your viewing parties although you might need to go out and get snacks! If there is one thing weve learned from watching both The Bachelor and The Bachelorette season after season its that there is always a lot of drinking involved. Whether its the ladies at the Bachelor Mansion or your girl squad on your couch, alcohol is a must. While you could drink beer like Kaitlin Bristowe did with her men, or cheers to another season with champagne, if youre a true Bachelor fan youre probably drinking wine, so why not make it Bachelor wine? Cheers to Monday Night! #TheBachelor starts now! A photo posted by bachelorabc (@bachelorabc) on Feb 9, 2015 at 5:02pm PST In honor of Nick Vialls season about to start it officially premieres on January 2 Bachelor Wines has unveiled its collection of special wines, perfect for pairing with your viewing parties. According to the wines site, Our dramatic collection of wines were crafted to take you on your own romantic journey as you experience every moment of love, every moment of heartbreak that is THE BACHELOR. These sassy wines come in three different flavors, but they are all California wines, aka the birthplace of The Bachelor. You can order The Fantasy Suite, One on One, and The Final Rose, or buy in bulk, because you can never have enough wine to deal with all the drama and on-screen make out scenes. Sadly, you cant actually get your bottle, or two, or three right this minute, but you can preorder them online now. Theyll arrive before Season 21 wow that is SO many seasons of The Bachelor begins, dont worry. Now all you need is your favorite yoga pants, maybe a Bachelor shirt youve bought over the years (we know you have one) and lots of snacks! The post The Bachelor wine collection is finally here and we think the Bachelor Nation would approve appeared first on HelloGiggles. Bangladesh's highest court on Wednesday upheld the death sentence handed down to a top militant and two of his followers for a 2004 attack on the British ambassador that left three people dead. The Supreme Court rejected the appeals by Mufti Abdul Hannan, head of Harkatul Jihad Al Islami (HuJI) and two members of the banned militant group. The appeals are "dismissed", Chief Justice S.K. Sinha told the court in a brief ruling. They could now be hanged within months unless they seek a review of the apex court's verdict. But chances of overturning a death sentence in a review is extremely rare in Bangladesh's judicial history. "We think we'll seek a review of the verdict. But it depends on the decision of the three," Mohammad Ali, the state-appointed defence lawyer, told AFP. The trio were originally convicted in 2008 of murder and masterminding the grenade attack in May 2004 on then British high commissioner Anwar Choudhury, who was only slightly injured. The attack came just weeks after the Bangladeshi-born diplomat took up the post and occurred as he was visiting a historic Sufi shrine in the northeastern city of Sylhet. The blast left three worshippers dead and scores injured. The British High Commission had welcomed the conviction of those involved but opposed the use of the death penalty, which is outlawed in Britain. Police said at the time of the attack that the group was plotting "to avenge the deaths of Muslims in Iraq and across the world by America and Britain". HuJI was formed in 1992 by Bangladeshis who had fought in Afghanistan in the war against Soviet forces. It was the first Islamist extremist outfit to have emerged in the Muslim majority nation of 160 million and it was transformed into a deadly group after Hannan took over its leadership in the late 1990s. The group has been accused of a series of deadly blasts targeting a Christian church, a mosque of Ahmadi Muslims, rallies of secular activists and communists. Story continues "He started the Islamist terrorism in Bangladesh and masterminded a series of deadly attacks in the late 1990s until his arrest (in 2005)," deputy attorney general Sheikh Monirzzaman Kabir told AFP. According to Kabir, Hannan went to the Pakistani city of Karachi in the 1980s to study in a madrassa, but left it to join the Afghan war. "He then came back to Bangladesh and joined a madrassa as its principal but quit to join HuJI," Kabir added. Hannan was also being tried for the August 2004 grenade attack on an opposition political rally in Dhaka being held by Sheikh Hasina, the current Prime Minister. More than 20 people were killed and Hasina was wounded. He has also been sentenced to death for a bomb attack on a Bengali new year's festival in 2001 that left 10 people dead and scores wounded. DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh's Supreme Court upheld death sentences on Wednesday for three members of an outlawed Islamist militant group in connection with a grenade attack on the British ambassador in 2004. The Islamists, including the head of the Harkat-ul Jihad Islami group, were sentenced to death in 2008 for the attack in which three people were killed and about 50, including then British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury, were wounded. A panel of four judges headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha upheld the death sentences for the three, including the group's leader, Mufti Abdul Hannan, Deputy Attorney General Bashir Ahmed told reporters. The court also upheld life imprisonment for two others for the May 21, 2004, attack, he said. Defense lawyer Mohammad Ali told reporters he would file petitions seeking a review of the court's judgment. The attack came after Friday prayers at a Muslim shrine in the northeastern district of Sylhet. The Bangladesh-born British envoy was wounded in the leg. The militant group was blamed for several other attacks, including a bomb blast later in 2004 on a rally by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was then the leader of the opposition. Twenty-three people were killed and more than 150 wounded in that attack. Hasina suffered partial hearing loss. The ruling came amid rising concern over the growth of Islamist militancy in the Muslim-majority South Asian country of 160 million people, which has seen a string of deadly attacks recently, the most serious on July 1, when gunmen stormed a cafe killing 22 people, most of them foreigners. (Reporting by Ruma Paul; Editing by Robert Birsel) President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama's daughters are growing up fast. In a new interview, the Obamas reveal 18-year-old Malia and 15-year-old Sasha are ready to get out and explore the world, but they themselves might not exactly be ready for that! "They're ready to get out, just out from their parents' house," the president admits to People. "The fact that their parents' house is the White House may add to it. But Malia's going off to college. She's a grown woman." WATCH: President Obama Talks to Daughters Sasha and Malia About Trump -- 'Fight for Treating People With Kindness' "She's still a baby," Michelle hilariously insists. Malia is attending Harvard in the fall of 2017 after taking a gap year. In June, the Obamas celebrated a milestone when she graduated from Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, Sasha is still a sophomore at Sidwell. "They're ready to get out of the nest," Barack says. "We don't think they're ready, but they certainly think they're ready." Still, it's safe to say Malia and Sasha will never forget their formative years spent in the White House. "There's a sentimentality about this place, that they've had so many amazing experiences, and the staff are part of the family," the commander-in-chief explains. "It is different for them than for most kids in that when they leave, they won't be able to come back home. Malia's spoken about how she regrets the fact that she won't have that home base in the same way." The Obamas also talk about this year's hard-fought election in the joint interview, and Michelle reveals that she wasn't exactly on pins and needles on election night, when Donald Trump pulled off a stunning victory over Hillary Clinton to become the 45th President of the United States. "I went to bed," Michelle tells People. "I don't like to watch the political discourse; I never have. I barely did with him [my husband]." Story continues "Once you do what you can do, then the rest is easy," she adds. "It was in the hands of the American people." The Obamas heavily campaigned for Clinton, and Michelle was praised for her passionate, and emotional speeches denouncing Trump. The mother of two isn't backing down from her comments today. "Anything that I felt about the election I said and I stand by," she says. As for the president himself, he remains optimistic about the future, and says that the often negative campaign tones shouldn't "negate all the progress that's been made." "The truth of the matter is that when I got elected, there was still racism and misogyny and, you know, anti-gay sentiment in America," he notes to the magazine. "In the wake of this election, those elements are still there, but it doesn't negate all the progress that's been made. It just means that elements of our culture get amplified sometimes." "The battle to be vigilant, on behalf of kindness and tolerance and fairness and equality, that's a day-to-day thing that each of us is responsible for," he continues. "That doesn't change because of one election. It's something that has to be tended to all the time." And he says he definitely sees hope in the younger generation, particularly, in his own daughters. "You talk to Malia and Sasha. The idea that you'd discriminate against somebody because they had a different sexual orientation? It's crazy to them," Barack says. "That generation right behind us, and I believe each successive generation, as long as we're doing our job of being good models for it, they're going to move this country forward in a better direction." WATCH: Malia and Sasha Ditch Final Turkey Pardon, President Obama Explains 'They Just Couldn't Take My Jokes Anymore' Earlier this month, the Obamas and their daughters attended their final annual National Christmas Tree Lighting. Performances at the event included Chance the Rapper, James Taylor, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, The Lumineers and Yolanda Adams. Watch below: Related Articles Adam Daniel, better known as Amine, is a Portland-based rapper who is climbing the Billboard Hot 100 with his bright and infectious track "Caroline," which currently sits at No. 12. The accompanying music video, which was released in June, has garnered over 47 million views. And though the rapper is a self-described "small-town boy," his success is no coincidence -- his full, melodic music and feel-good persona are a refreshing contrast to hip-hop's darker sounds, like Drake's cold OVO beats or Travis Scott's serious verses. Amine, who counts Kanye West and Andre 3000 as his biggest style inspirations, wears his personality in bright colors and loud cultural references, qualities that propel both his sound and fashion forward. The "Caroline" video was a self-directed, yellow-tinged ode to bananas and the streets of Portland, where he grew up with Ethiopian immigrant parents. Pulled together through favors from friends, the video is entirely self-styled with his crew dressed in Amine's own clothing. He debuted his "Caroline" look with a friend's borrowed Pulp Fiction shirt and bright yellow Docker pants he turned into the already iconic yellow shorts. "A lot of people ask me where I got the shorts from, like what designer it was," he tells Billboard. "And I'm like nah, they're just Dockers." #happynationalbestfriendday -- A photo posted by Amine (@heyamine) on Jun 9, 2016 at 12:30am PDT Like many great creatives, Amine doesn't want to be confined to one art form -- he saw the video as an opportunity to express his love of film, especially anything directed by Quentin Tarantino. Along with the song's reference and the Pulp Fiction tee, he incorporated Big Kahuna Burger, a fictional Hawaiian-themed fast food restaurant from the Tarantino movie, in his visuals. Along with film, Anime keeps his eye for style relevant in his music as well. He references street brands Fubu and Dada in his Amharic-laden single "Baba," and poses with his favorite Supreme and Opening Ceremony gear on Instagram. "My music is colorful. The intention for it is to be good for whoever's listening to it, and my style is good for me," Amine says of his clothing. "I just like wearing what I like and I can't tone it down. I like bright shit that pops." And though he claims he could "never rock all-black," he does like to stick to the basics, often wearing T-shirts with H&M swim trunks as day shorts. Story continues 1mill A photo posted by Amine (@heyamine) on Jul 12, 2016 at 9:12am PDT For his politically charged national television debut performance of "Caroline" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the emerging rapper worked with stylist Christina Pacelli to create a simple yet eye-catching outfit. Amine sported a yellow leather moto jacket by Danish brand Soulland with custom hand lettering on the back reading "Silence and Darkness," a Ksubi white tee, and Han Kjobenhavn jeans (a brand he wears often). The ensemble was clean and confident, much like his debut. With an exciting merch line -- which includes a cut and sew sweater he designed himself -- and a studio album debut on the horizon of 2017, Amine's future career as a rapper, style icon and overall influential creative is as bright as his Dockers. When asked what to expect from him in the new year, his reply is very on-brand: "A lot of yellow." Bella Hadid looks like an ethereal alien beauty in Paper Magazine and we dig it SLAY KWEEN SLAY! Bella Hadid took it all off for Paper Magazine, and we barely recognize her. Take a raven-haired beauty and turn her platinum blonde, throw in hints of Cyndi Lauper, Annie Lennox, Billy Idol, and a little Catherine Deneuve as Miriam Blaylock in The Hunger, and you get this punked out vixen. Hadid walked the Victorias Secret Fashion Show on Monday for the first time. I was really surprised but excited, she says. She tried out last year but didnt get cast, which is bonkers. But 2016 is her year. She was the face of Dior last spring, and is currently working on a campaign for Nike. The Los Angeles-native is a passionate equestrian and planned to compete at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. However, she had to give up her dreams due to her battles with Lyme Disease, with which she was diagnosed in 2012. Theres so much more to Hadid than meets the eye, and we think this photo spread shows that. Girls just want to have fun. Sweet dreams are made of this. Click the link in our bio for the uncensored photos #OUTSPOKEN @NicolasMoore Styling by @karlie.floss / @shannon_sense Story by @abbyschreiber28 Hair by @edwardlampley Makeup by @kabukinyc Nails by @chiharu1222 A photo posted by Paper Magazine (@papermagazine) on Dec 6, 2016 at 9:22am PST When the hunger knows no reason. @NicolasMoore Styling by @karlie.floss / @shannon_sense Story by @abbyschreiber28 Hair by @edwardlampley Makeup by @kabukinyc Nails by @chiharu1222 A photo posted by Paper Magazine (@papermagazine) on Dec 6, 2016 at 10:01am PST Aside from her ascending career in modeling, Hadid is primarily focused on her health eating well and working out. And she hopes to get back into photography. When she moved to NYC back in 2014, she studied at Parsons School of Design, but had to drop out due to her modeling schedule. Story continues Hi @karlie.floss A video posted by Bella Hadid (@bellahadid) on Dec 6, 2016 at 12:05pm PST She also hopes to get into acting, telling Paper, I think it would be really fun, because its exciting to be in front of the camera on film instead of just pictures. I have so many goals, she says, and we fall for her a little more. Creative ambition is sexy, yall. The post Bella Hadid looks like an ethereal alien beauty in Paper Magazine and we dig it appeared first on HelloGiggles. Categories Celebrity Beauty Bella Hadid is having the best week ever when it comes to her modeling career. Not only did she crush it on the runway during her Victorias Secret Fashion Show debut, but she was honored with the Day 1 spot in Love magazines annual advent calendar. If you thought her winning streak was over, think again. Bella was also unveiled as Paper magazines Winter 2016 cover girl, closing out the glossys print edition for this year. However, if it werent for her name being featured on the front, we probably wouldnt have recognized her photo. A photo posted by Paper Magazine (@papermagazine) on Dec 6, 2016 at 9:03am PST Bella is pictured in platinum blonde, slicked back hair, resembling Christina Aguilera during her Dirrrty days. Its a polar opposite from the dark, nearly black hair were used to seeing her with, but thats not to say we arent fans of the switch. As for her makeup, shes covered in neon hues and gemstones. Her green smoky eye takes the trend to a new, envy-worthy level, and we might even have to give it a go ourselves. (The rainbow lipstick bedazzled in jewels well leave to the pros.) Watch this space for her moves in 2017. The CW The first half of The Flash Season 3 is now behind us like lightning in the Speed Force, but that doesnt mean repercussions from Flashpoint are over. In fact, it looks like they might be very far from done. In last nights midseason finale, villain Savitar revealed some heavy information about Team Flashs future. Will these things come to pass? And will Barry ever learn to just live his life? Last nights episode title, The Present, turned out to have multiple meanings. It was the holiday episode, H.R. had S.T.A.R. Labs decorated, Joe was planning a family get-together (with his new girlfriend invited no less), and Barry looked like he might have forgotten to buy a gift for Iris. But we were also in the present as we realized late in the episode that Barry had traveled forward in time without meaning to. But lets back up a bit first. We finally got some backstory for Savitar and Julien in this episode which not only gave us Indiana Jones vibes but also Harry Potter references. Turns out, Julien had no idea he was also Doctor Alchemy, the conduit for Savitar. While trying to bring back his dead sister years ago, he unknowingly unleashed the god by opening a box containing the stone we previously saw this season. But Savitar is easily (?) defeated byclosing said box. Of course, you have to obtain the box first. Seeing Harry Potter actor Tom Felton discuss the Philosophers Stone was great but Savitars motivations were the really interesting part of this episode. Thanks to Barry enlisting the help of Jay Garrick Earth 3s Flash we find out Savitar was the first man ever granted speed and over time became the god of motion. In a flashback, were shown Savitar from behind (its hard to tell here but if Savitar winds up being played by a white actor later on in the show thatll be a terrible move) holding the stone. We find out its based on Hindu mythology and had the power of creating metas (Before the world knew they were even a thing? This is giving me X-Men: Apocalypse vibes.). Hes been around so long and amassed so much power, he can seemingly travel to anywhere in the multiverse (not that its so hard for our heroes these days) but still needs someone to go first and prepare for his arrival. Why? Thats unfortunately not explained. Story continues Then again, neither is Savitars creation of metahumans. The plan in this episode itself is to restore all the metas from Flashpoint to serve as servants of Savitar but as weve seen, Barry is really no match for him anyway, so they serve as believers more than anything else as he doesnt seem to have a grander plan. Jay explains Savitar has come to his Earth because Barry has grown powerful enough to challenge him, but we also already know Wally is faster than Barry [Edit: I missed the caveat of him being faster than Barry was at the start of his training.] so why did Savitar help him get his powers and why isnt he going after him instead? Well, because its actually about revenge. And even then, things get a little confusing. Once Barry reveals his identity to Julien they enlist him to channel Savitar who delivers the group a frightening prophecy: One shall betray you, one shall fall, one will suffer a fate far worse than death. Is he just trying to rattle them or does he actually have future knowledge? Turns out, he has future knowledge. He also reveals that at some point in the future, Barry traps him for eternity (in the box and buried in India?). For someone who likes time travel stories, this is getting a bit wibbly-wobbly for me. Everything you took from me, I want it back, he says. So once again, everything is Barrys fault. But their troubles arent over. The team devises a plan to utilize both Jay and Barrys speed to throw Savitars box prison into the Speed Force. It also has the unfortunate side effect of throwing Barry into the future where he witnesses Savitar killing Iris. At first, I thought we were seeing the future future, like, the one weve seen teased in that newspaper article, but it turns out it was only five months from now. Jay pulls him back to the present pretty quickly and scolds him about going to the future. I got the sense Jay had been down this road before. Part of me even wondered if he was Future Barry, carrying with him a certain knowledge and attempting to lead his younger self down a smarter path than he ran. I doubt theyd pull another switcheroo with that particular character but considering Earth 3s Jay is the spitting image of Barrys dad, whats to say Jays younger self doesnt look exactly like Barry? My head hurts. Needless to say, despite the prophecy and what Barry saw in the future jump, Jay implores him to live in the now. To stop worrying about what might or might not happen. But on a show with time travel, are any consequences really final? Trying to change something may be what sets it in motion in the first place just as much as letting time tick by on its own. Will Barry finally choose to live in the present with his job back, his own apartment (a swank one thanks to his S.T.A.R. Labs cash) and Iris by his side? This is Barry Allen were talking about so probably not. But perhaps for the sake of everyone he loves, Barry should remember the wise words Doc Brown gave to Jennifer and Marty at the end of Back to the Future III: Your future hasnt been written yet. No ones has. Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one, both of you. - By James Li Bill Nygren (Trades, Portfolio), portfolio manager of the Oakmark Funds, invests in companies that trade at substantial discounts to their business value. As discussed in the fund's prospectus, the Oakmark Select Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation based on the assumption that the company's stock price converges to the intrinsic value over time. Nygren and his partners view each stock buy as "a piece of the business" instead of simply a stock certificate. The Oakmark Select Fund portfolio manager eliminated positions in LinkedIn Corp. (LNKD), Monsanto Co. (MON) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCAU) during the third quarter. With the proceeds from these transactions, Nygren invested in 6.5 million shares of MGM Resorts International (MGM). LinkedIn Nygren sold his 1.3 million share stake of LinkedIn at an average price of $191.68 per share. With this transaction, the fund manager pared his portfolio 1.7% and realized a net gain of about 38.32%. LinkedIn, a well-known professional networking website, reported strong third-quarter earnings as discussed in a previous article. The company increased its member page views 27% during the quarter, yielding a 20% year-over-year growth in unique member page views. Diluted earnings per share based on generally accepted accounting principles increased 42 cents from third-quarter 2015 to six cents. On June 11, Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) announced a $26.2 billion merger agreement to acquire LinkedIn for $196 per share. The companies definitively agreed to the all-cash transaction two days later when LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner and Chairman Reid Hoffman supported the transaction and both boards unanimously approved the merger. The companies expect to close the merger by the end of 2016. As of Dec. 2, the merger received approvals from several global clearances from the U.S., Canada, Brazil and South Africa. Three days later, the European Commission at Brussels cleared the merger, allowing the merger to close in the coming days. Story continues In his commentary letter, Nygren listed the fund's largest contributors: LinkedIn, Apache Corp. (APA) and Alphabet Inc. (GOOG) (GOOGL) returned 66%, 67% and 28% respectively. Although LinkedIn likely has good growth potential based on its earnings report, Nygren eliminated his LinkedIn position, likely due to the pending merger with Microsoft. Monsanto Co. Nygren sold his remaining 1.67 million shares of Monsanto at an average price of $104.91. The fund manager trimmed his portfolio 1.2% with this transaction. The agricultural inputs company has a 0.19 cash-to-debt ratio and interest coverage slightly above Ben Graham's required threshold of 5. Despite this, the company has strong Altman Z-scores and Beneish M-scores. As these factors essentially offset each other, the company's financial strength ranks 5 out of 10. Monsanto reported $2.99 in as-reported EPS for fiscal year 2016 and expects fiscal year 2017 as-reported EPS to range between $3.83 and $4.35, likely due to increased demand for two soybean products. However, despite the good earnings outlook, the company still has several warning signs: including declining operating margins and per-share revenue, increased long-term debt and high dividend payout ratios. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Nygren sold 24.4 million shares of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) at an average price of $6.59 per share. The fund manager realized a net loss of 28% with this transaction. 215b83fc51f4cc8e10312811e7fe72c5.png The company's stock price has decreased since Nygren took a position in FCA during second-quarter 2015. Although the company reported strong third-quarter results, which include a 29% increase in adjusted EBITDA and a 1.3% increase in group adjusted EBIT margin, the company still has declining profit margins. MGM Nygren made one new stock buy during the third quarter, MGM. As discussed in his commentary letter, the Oakmark Select Fund established a position in the casino operator due to undervaluation of the company's recovery potential in Las Vegas and the profit improvement plan. Additionally, Nygren claims that MGM's management has diligently tried to "monetize latent real estate value and improve the balance sheet." Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM, reflected on the company's strong third-quarter, which included diluted EPS of 93 cents and net incomes of $536 million. The former increased 81 cents from third-quarter 2015 while the latter expanded 706%. The chairman also praised the company's efforts to execute good opportunities, strengthen the organization, improve the balance sheet and position the company for high growth. The latter two align with Oakmark Fund's investing thesis. See also GuruFocus provides two types of guru picks: latest guru picks and real-time picks. Generally, investors must report their quarterly portfolio to the Securities and Exchange Commission within 45 days after the end of the quarter in a Form 13F filing. However, if an investor makes a trade in a company where he owns more than 5% of the total shares outstanding, the SEC requires him to file a Schedule 13D within 10 business days after the transaction takes place. Such guru picks are known as real-time picks, one of several features that we offer to premium members. Additionally, the premium membership gives access to all value screeners, including the All-in-One Guru Screener that offers over 150 filters. The premium plus membership gives further access, including backtesting for up to 10 years, the Manual of Stocks for all U.S. companies, and over 4000 institutional 13F and 13D filings. Please refer to the membership levels page for all member benefits. If you are not a member, we invite you to a free seven-day trial. Disclosure: I do not own stock in any of the companies mentioned. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Certain songs become ubiquitous every December, especially if you're tuning into one of around 160 stations in the U.S. that play holiday music 24/7 this time of year (or stepping into just about any retail destination). Some songs, though, become even more inescapable than others -- a phenomenon that eventually led to the genesis of Billboard's Holiday Songs chart in 2011. Below are the 10 most popular songs in that chart's history. Chances are, you've already heard all of them at least a dozen times this season, proving that holiday hits are truly the gifts that keep on giving (to songwriters, at least!). 10. "Last Christmas," Wham! Since 1984, George Michael's onward-and-upward Christmas anthem has been a seasonal favorite, earning covers by everyone from Taylor Swift to Jimmy Eat World. 9. "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," Andy Williams More than 50 years in, this 1963 Andy Williams staple shows no signs of fatigue: It's currently at No. 6 on the Holiday Songs chart. 8. "White Christmas," Bing Crosby "I want you to take down a song I wrote over the weekend. Not only is it the best song I ever wrote, it's the best song anybody ever wrote!" is what Tin Pan Alley legend Irving Berlin is reported to have told his secretary in 1940, just before writing "White Christmas" -- arguably as important to the American songbook as "God Bless America," which Berlin, a secular Jewish-American immigrant, also wrote. The song rose to prominence thanks to Crosby's performance in Holiday Inn, which earned it an Academy Award for best original song in 1943 and has been popular ever since: According to Guinness World Records, it's the best-selling single of all time. 7. "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)," Trans-Siberian Orchestra The medley of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Carol of the Bells" was first released on the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's 1996 debut -- since then, they've become a holiday powerhouse. Story continues 6. "A Holly Jolly Christmas," Burl Ives Burl Ives first sang the song as Sam the Snowman, narrator of the beloved 1964 stop-motion classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer -- since then, it's become one of country music's most-covered Christmas tunes. 5. "Feliz Navidad," Jose Feliciano The Spanglish single has become one of the world's most popular Christmas songs -- no surprise given its endless sing-a-long potential. 4. "Jingle Bell Rock," Bobby Helms The country classic, featuring the guitar of Nashville legend Hank Garland, was actually written by two ad men (think Don Draper, but in Atlantic City) in 1956 -- which might explain how catchy it is. 3. "The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)," Nat King Cole The legendary crooner found one of his most enduring hits in this Mel Torme composition -- originally written, according to Torme, as a mind-over-matter attempt to stay cool during a stifling summer day. 2. "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," Brenda Lee At just 13 years old, Brenda Lee instantly became a rockabilly legend with the recording of this Christmas party classic -- it's even featured in seminal holiday film Home Alone as Macaulay Culkin's pretend party soundtrack. 1. "All I Want for Christmas Is You," Mariah Carey M.C. is the place to be, especially around the holidays -- "All I Want for Christmas Is You" takes the top spot, and is so popular that it re-enters the Billboard Hot 100 every December. Billboard's Top 10 Holiday Songs are based on actual performance on Billboard's weekly Holiday 100 chart - which encompasses airplay, sales and streaming data - between its Dec. 10, 2011, inception and the chart dated Jan. 9, 2016 (the last list compiled during the 2015-16 holiday season). Songs are ranked based on cumulative chart points earned over the ranking's five-year history. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Areas of patchy fog early. Sunny skies. High 69F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. Low 52F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. NEW YORK, Dec 7 (Reuters) - BlackRock Inc is replacing one of the leaders of its nearly $42 billion BlackRock Global Allocation Fund and adding three new portfolio managers. Aldo Roldan, a managing director and portfolio manager, is stepping down from helping manage the company's largest mutual fund because he wanted to reduce his day-to-day responsibilities, a BlackRock spokeswoman said. Roldan will work on the Global Allocation team as a "senior investor," focusing on research and analysis, she said. Three other investors will get top billing, according to a regulatory disclosure this week. Those three being elevated include Russ Koesterich, the fund's head of asset allocation, as well as David Clayton and Kent Hogshire, two senior investors who already assist on the fund. The changes take effect Jan. 1. (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in New York; Editing by Jim Finkle) Warner Bros. If you were hoping Blade Runner 2049 would address the long-argued Is Decakrd a replicant? question, youre out of luck. Turns out director Denis Villeneuve (Sicario) isnt planning to get into that at all, which should make for some interesting interviews with Harrison Ford down the road Im sure. Villeneuve is directing this sequel coming straight off his work on Arrival with a script and story by Hampton Fancher, Michael Green, and Ridley Scott. Set for a October 6, 2017 release, the film will star a returning Ford as Rick Deckard, Ryan Gosling, Robin Wright, Jared Leto, Mackenzie Davis, Dave Bautista, and more. When Halt and Catch Fires Davis was added to the cast I theorized she could be playing a Pris model considering her dramatic resemblance to original star Daryl Hannah but that didnt help me come to terms with how they would address Ford/Deckards aging if he is, as Scott has attested, a replicant. After seeing Blade Runner for the first time I was surprised to learn anyone thought Deckard was a replicant as I didnt actually take anything remotely like that from the film. It was a while later I found out Scotts Directors Cut actually tried to make sense of this and even later when someone finally got him to say, He is definitely a replicant. So why wouldnt the sequel address this? The Playlist reports on an interview Villeneuve did with the site Allocine: In an interview with Allocine (in French, and Im paraphrasing the following), the filmmaker says it was very important to him not to break the tension of the mystery that lingers around Scotts original movie, or solve all its riddles. You might think that because Nexus 6 replicants only have a four-year lifespan, that the return of Ford in Blade Runner 2049 as Deckard answers the question regarding his humanity, but Villeneuve says not necessarily. Its an interesting debate to start all over again, especially when you consider the story unfolding on HBOs Westworld about artificial intelligence and humanity. Its of course something brought up in almost every tale about robots, androids, etc. but this is something we thought was put to bed in the case of Blade Runner. Scott previously gave details on how the film might start but no word on whether thats remained since the project actually started moving. Villeneuve previously expressed some concern over how fans will take to his style. Its not Ridley Scott, its me, and that its different, he said. Its still the same universe, we are still in the same dream, but its mine, so its like I have no idea how you people will react, I dont know. It has its own life. Perhaps Villeneuve preferred Deckard to be a human but had to compromise considering Scott thinks the opposite? Perhaps this Deckard is a new old replicant? What do you think? Blake Livelys New Year resolution about fitting into her jeans again is so relatable Shes an A-list celebrity and full-blown movie star, but Blake Lively is still one of the most relatable actresses in Hollywood. If you didnt believe it before, her recent Instagram post will leave you with no choice but to nod fervently in agreement. Just like the rest of us, she seems to have, um, indulged over the Thanksgiving season. This left Blake with tighter jeans than she had before. We know all about it, girl. New Years resolution started early-- I WILL fit into my jeans again gall darnet. Thanks @getepicured for making it tasty. This is not an ad. This is me getting it up for healthy food. A photo posted by Blake Lively (@blakelively) on Dec 5, 2016 at 7:38am PST New Years resolution started early I WILL fit into my jeans again gall darnet. The struggle is real. Theres just too much goodness happening during Thanksgiving (and the holidays in general) for us to turn down pumpkin pie, fried turkey, leftover stuffing. Whats a girl to do except enjoy herself?! And it seems like thats precisely what Blake has done. But there comes a time when you just feel like wearing some clothes that arent stretchy again, so Blake has kicked off the healthy eating once again. What were just dying to know, though, is what that cupcake is in the top corner of the photo. Is that real? Are there rhinestones on it? Can we have it? We know that Blakes got a thing for sweets. Just look what her hubby brought for her a few weeks ago and how stoked she was about it. The ways I know that @vancityreynolds got himself into huge trouble on @teamcoco tonight: Not only did he come home with my true love, @levain_bakery cookies, but he personally toasted them for me and brought me a cup of milk WITH ICE. Literal brownie points. #IfYoureABirdImABird A photo posted by Blake Lively (@blakelively) on Nov 2, 2016 at 8:36pm PDT Um, drooling. And before that, she proved she was a donut princess. Story continues Spending my breaks on set of the @lorealmakeup commercial trying to pick the right makeup base for my doughnuts... I'm gonna be fiiiiiine A photo posted by Blake Lively (@blakelively) on Sep 20, 2016 at 4:01pm PDT Let us count the ways we love you, Blake. But really, can we have that cupcake? The post Blake Livelys New Year resolution about fitting into her jeans again is so relatable appeared first on HelloGiggles. MAGNOLIA, TX / ACCESSWIRE / December 7, 2016 / CEO John Kemp is pleased to announce that Blue Earth Resources, Inc. (OTC PINK: BERI) has contracted Tigger Environmental Products as the National Sales Manager and Directors of Distribution for Blue Earth Cleaners. Tigger Environmental Products brings over 30 years of industry experience and dozens of distributors to the table for the company, which creates tremendous opportunity in bolstering sales. In Tigger Environmental Products' time in the cleaning soap and chemical industry, they have sold products to giant enterprise customers, such as Halliburton, Weatherford, Exxon, Chevron, Eaton, GDS Industries, Scott Emblements and many more. In the past, they have focused on the oil and gas industry and mechanical motor shops, but their focus is broadening to include all industries-- including direct-to-consumer sales. The expanded sales efforts will include strategic marketing programs and award-winning advertising to support Blue Earth Resources product sales across the country. The company's emphasis on operational excellence supported by stringent operating guidelines and comprehensive employee training is proving viable as industry titans like Tigger Environmental Products seek to partner with BERI. These key partnerships are expected to greatly improve sales, cash flow, and brand equity as a whole. John Kemp stated, "Our Bayou Solve, Blue Lift Off, Orange Rig Wash and Purple Dyno-Max products are gaining major traction, and distributors are beginning to approach us in hopes of selling our products. We believe we will continue to expand our distribution network across the globe in the coming months, and this partnership with Tigger Environmental Products is a great start." About Blue Earth Resources Inc.: Blue Earth Resources, Inc. is trading on the OTC PINK under the symbol BERI. The Company is an independent holding and acquisition company engaged in the acquisition, development and production of many types of businesses. The Company seeks to deliver strong shareholder returns through an effective acquisition and development program that incorporates sound business practices with the strong experience of our management team. The goal is to steadily increase proven business models and to be able to participate with business owners who are specialist in their own business's which, in turn, will lead to enhanced cash flows and earnings per share. The foregoing material may contain forward-looking statements. We caution that such statements may be subject to uncertainties and that actual results could differ materially from the fore-going statements. Readers accordingly should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which do not reflect unknown or unanticipated events or circumstances occurring after the date of these forward-looking statements. Story continues Safe Harbor: This release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements appear in a number of places in this release and include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding the intent, belief, or current expectations of Blue Earth Resources, Inc., its directors or its officers with respect to, among other things: (i) financing plans; (ii) trends affecting its financial condition or results of operations; (iii) growth strategy and operating strategy. The words "may," "would," "will," "expect," "estimate," "can," "believe," "potential" and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Blue Earth Resources, Inc.'s ability to control and their actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. More information about the potential factors that could affect the business and financial results is and will be included in Blue Earth Resources, Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Blue Earth Resources Inc. Contact: John Kemp 832-988-5199 Email: jkemp@blueearthresources.com SOURCE: Blue Earth Resources, Inc. Former Sen. Bob Dole has worked for months furthering Taiwan's interests with the Trump campaign and the transition team -- efforts aside from his likely role facilitating a controversial phone call between the president-elect and the leader of the island nation, according to disclosure forms filed with the Justice Department. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, the official representative of the Taiwanese government in Washington, paid Dole's law firm, Alston & Bird LLP, $20,000 a month to advocate on Taiwan's behalf in the U.S., according to public documents first reported by BuzzFeed that were filed in accordance with the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The disclosure comes after Dole, a former Senate majority leader who represented Kansas for 35 years before resigning to run for president in 1996, told The Wall Street Journal on Monday his law firm "may have had some influence" in setting up the call. But documents filed on Nov. 30 revealed that within the previous six months, Dole had on behalf of Taipei convened a meeting between embassy staff and Trump's transition team, arranged a telephone briefing with a Trump campaign policy director, and set up a meeting between a Taiwanese ambassador and Sen. Jeff Sessions, Trump's pick to be attorney general. The documents also say the former senator "coordinated with the Trump campaign regarding a participation in a U.S. delegation to Taiwan" and worked to further Taipei's goals at the Republican National Convention and in the party's platform. Dole, 93, endorsed Trump for president in May and was the only former Republican presidential nominee to attend the GOP convention in Cleveland. The documents indicate the law firm was paid tens of thousands of dollars over the course of the ongoing arrangement, in which Dole agreed to work in his capacity as Alston & Bird's special counsel assisting Taiwan with its agenda "as it relates to the U.S. administration and Congress." Story continues Earlier disclosures state that Dole sent letters requesting meetings with Taiwanese officials to former Secretary of State Colin Powell and former secretaries of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff. No U.S. president has spoken directly with a Taiwanese leader since 1979, when the Carter administration established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. While maintaining relations with Taiwan, the U.S. has refused to recognize its sovereignty. Trump's call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen angered Beijing, which lodged an official protest as observers on both sides of the Pacific scrambled to determine if the president-elect intended to disrupt nearly four decades of U.S. policy. Gabrielle Levy covers politics for U.S. News & World Report. Follow her on Twitter (@gabbilevy) or email her at GLevy@usnews.com. Bob Dole Bob Dole, a former US senator from Kansas and 1996 Republican presidential nominee, has apparently been working to get Taiwanese leaders and the Trump transition team on the same page. In addition to an unprecedented phone call with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen last week, Dole has been working on behalf of Taiwan to establish relationships with the incoming Trump administration, according to a New York Times report published Tuesday. Dole's Washington law firm, Alston & Bird, was paid $140,000 between May and October this year for his efforts, The Times said. That phone call was widely criticized last week for breaking a nearly four-decade practice by the US of avoiding diplomatic acknowledgement of Taiwan. The US suspended formal relations with the country in 1979 after establishing a One China position which states that "there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China." Taiwan women president Tsai Ing-wen As the fallout from Trump's conversation with Taiwan's president rippled through Washington and China, Trump shot back succinctly, saying the Taiwanese leader wanted to wish him "congratulations on winning the Presidency." However, according to The Times, Taiwan has been seeking deeper connections with Trump, his advisers, and other Washington leaders. They see a new president, a Republican, and theyd like to develop a closer relationship, Dole told the newspaper. The Times points to a January letter that outlined terms of Dole's partnership with Taiwan's unofficial embassy in the US the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office which also stipulated a $25,000-a-month retainer for Dole. Bob Dole Trump Story continues Here are some terms of the agreement: Help Taiwan enter into the Trans-Pacific Partnership (Trump has vowed to remove the US from this). Assist Taiwan with achieving its "military goals" Orchestrate access to congressional leaders from both the Democratic and Republican parties. Obtain access to Republican presidential candidates and the party's national convention Though it is unclear what conversations are happening between Trump's transition team and other foreign governments, Dole's lobbying appears to counter the president-elect's campaign and post-election language that railed against the influence of Washington insiders. Dole, a long-established lobbyist, said of his work between Taiwan and Trump's inner circle: "When you represent a client and they make requests, youre supposed to respond." NOW WATCH: The last time a losing candidate had a wider popular vote margin than Clinton was in 1876 here's the bizarre story More From Business Insider U.S. President-elect Donald Trump seems to have crossed swords with Boeing over the production of Air Force One 747 aircraft. Trump tweeted Tuesday that the plane could cost more than $4 billion, alluding that the airline company may be taking advantage of the United States. Trump also suggested that the Air Force One program should be canceled because of the cost. "Cancel order!" he remarked in one of his tweets. Well, the plane is totally out of control. Its going to be over $4 billion for [the] Air Force One program," the 70-year-old said Tuesday. And I think its ridiculous. I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number. We want Boeing to make a lot of money, but not that much money. Following Trumps comments, the White House clarified that the Air Force One cost cited by the president-elect did not correlate with the arrangements made between Boeing and the Department of Defense. It should be noted that Trumps tweet came 22 minutes after the Chicago Tribune published a story quoting Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg who expressed concerns over Trumps trade views at a speech Friday. Meanwhile, the Republican has credited himself with two deals Carrier and SoftBank since he won the presidential election last month. It remains to be seen whether Trump will negotiate a deal with Boeing as well. In February, Carrier had said that it was likely to move 2,100 jobs to Mexico due to increasing cost. The following month, Trump said during his presidential campaign that he would intervene and stop the outsourcing if he's elected as the president. Last Thursday, Trump announced at a Carrier plant in Indiana that he had reached a deal with the firms parent company United Technologies to keep the plants some 1,000 jobs. The deal was reached by giving the company a $7 million tax break. Now theyre keeping actually the numbers over 1,100 people, which is so great, Trump said at the time. Story continues On Tuesday, Masayoshi Son, the founder and CEO of Japanese technology conglomerate SoftBank, announced that his company will invest $50 billion and create 50,000 jobs in the U.S. Trump reportedly took credit for the deal. Also, a new Politico/Morning Consult poll showed that the president-elects Carrier deal has garnered him favorable view from majority of those surveyed. According to the poll, 60 percent of the respondents said they have a favorable view of Trump after Carrier decided to keep some manufacturing jobs at its Indiana plant. A little over half of the voters also said that it was OK for the president and the vice president to negotiate with individual private companies on a case-by-case basis, Politico reported. The poll was carried out last Thursday and Friday after the deal was announced. Related Articles By Thomas Escritt THE HAGUE (Reuters) - Prosecutors told a U.N. tribunal on Wednesday that Ratko Mladic, the Bosnian Serb general charged over the murder of thousands of Muslims in the town of Srebrenica in 1995 must be sentenced to life in jail. Mladic, 74, is charged with two counts of genocide - part of the attempt to carve an ethnically pure Serb state out of multiethnic Bosnia - alongside political leader Radovan Karadzic, who was sentenced in March to 40 years' prison. "It would be an insult to victims living and dead and an afront to justice to impose any sentence less than the severest available under the law - a life sentence", said Alan Tieger, lead prosecutor on the tribunal's last major case. Summing up at the end of the four-year trial, prosecutors said Mladic had given the order to kill thousands of Muslims in the U.N.-protected enclave of Srebrenica in July 1995 after systematically starving them over the previous winter. "The time has come to take revenge on the Turks of this region," Mladic said on a television broadcast, played in court, on the eve of the fall of the enclave, where thousands of Muslim Bosniaks had fled believing it to be a safe haven. Mladic, wearing a crumpled grey suit, read a newspaper for much of the hearing, occasionally nodding or shaking his head in response to prosecutors' words. The massacre, Europe's worst since World War Two, triggered NATO air strikes that ended the three-year Bosnian war, part of a wider Balkan conflict that saw Yugoslavia broken into seven states in a series of wars that killed 130,000 people and lasted for most of the 1990s. Prosecutors at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia cited Mladic's orders to cut off power and water to Muslim parts of Bosnia's capital Sarajevo, besieged by his Serb Republic forces for more than three years. Prosecutor Peter McCloskey dwelt on the pain felt by victims and surviving loved ones, unable to say final goodbyes after wives, husbands, parents and children were torn from each other in Srebrenica. "I looked and looked for someone who was able to put something down on a scrap of paper. But of course they were not able even to hold a pencil," he said, referring to the dead. He read as a substitute American Civil War soldier Sullivan Balou's letter of farewell to his wife Sarah, written a week before his death in 1863. Mladic's lawyers will respond later this week. Judges are expected to hand down a verdict and sentence next year. (Editing by Louise Ireland) (Adds Bayer statement) By Arno Schuetze FRANKFURT, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Italian healthcare group Bracco is working on a potential bid for the radiology supplies unit that Germany's Bayer AG is considering selling, people close to the matter said. Bracco has mandated an investment bank to find a partner for a possible joint offer for the unit, which may be valued at more than 4 billion euros (4.3 billion), they said. The asset has also caught the eye of French peer Guerbet , which has also been in talks with potential partners, they said. Bayer has not yet made a final decision on whether it will sell, but earlier this year mandated Goldman Sachs as a sellside advisor and sent out information to prospective buyers, the people said, adding that the auction had been expected to start next year. Bracco declined to comment, while Guerbet was not immediately available for comment. Bayer said in a statement that the radiology business is not for sale, declining further comment. The German chemicals and healthcare company is acquiring U.S. seed maker Monsanto, but has said it does not depend on any assets from the sale of the radiology unit to finance the $66 billion deal. Bayer is also offering the radiology unit to private equity groups interested in healthcare assets such as Advent, Carlyle or Cinven, the sources said, adding that a tie-up with a strategic bidder would likely give them an edge in a potential auction. The radiology business generates more than 1.5 billion euros in revenue. Bayer has been taking steps to narrow the focus of its healthcare division to prescription pharmaceuticals and consumer care products. In 2014, it sold a unit making vascular catheters to Boston Scientific Corp for $415 million, followed by the sale of a blood glucose meter business to Panasonic Healthcare Holdings for 1.02 billion euros last year. DERMATOLOGY Bayer has not yet completed the sale of it dermatology unit put up for sale earlier this year, and for which it hopes to fetch up to 1 billion euros, people familiar with the matter said, adding that buyout group Avista remains the last bidder. Story continues Suitors such as India's Lupin and investor BC Partners have dropped out, sources said, cautioning that Bayer may pull out if its price expectations are not met. Lack of patent protection for the unit's long-established products as well as the geographical spread of its sites are seen as weighing on the attractiveness of the asset. Bayer declined to comment on the dermatology business, while Avista was not immediately available for comment. ($1 = 0.9310 euros) (Reporting by Arno Schuetze, Pamela Barbaglia, Sophie Sassard and Ludwig Burger; Editing by Alexandra Hudson and Adrian Croft) BRASILIA, Dec 7 (Reuters) - The Supreme Court is seeking an agreement to resolve Brazil's constitutional crisis that would allow indicted Senate head Renan Calheiros to stay on the job as long as he is not allowed to become president of the country in the line of succession, the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper reported on Wednesday. The Supreme Court will meet at 2 p.m. (1600 GMT) to decide whether to uphold or overturn an injunction by one of its justices ordering Calheiros' removal because he was indicted for embezzlement. Calheiros, whose mandate expires when Congress goes into its Christmas recess in a few days time, refused to step down on Tuesday. The Brazilian real strengthened over 1 percent in early trading as concerns eased that Calheiros' ouster could potentially delay the approval of austerity measures. Stock markets had not yet opened. (Reporting by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Daniel Flynn) - 1 2022 2 290,9 , 18% 2021 36,6% . (Adds details on court's decision, comments from Petrobras, context on divestment plan) By Roberto Samora SAO PAULO, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Brazil's federal auditing court (TCU) asked state-controlled oil company Petrobras on Wednesday to temporarily suspend its divestiture program while the court reviews asset sales procedures. The decision could delay Petrobras efforts to raise $15.1 billion from asset sales by the end of 2016 as a way to reduce its huge debt -- the largest in the global oil industry. The company wants to raise $19.5 billion more in 2017 and 2018. The court said five ongoing Petrobras asset sales that are nearing conclusion can be finalized, accounting for around $3.3 billion, but asked the company to refrain from signing any new sale plans 'until new order.' There is no date set for a final ruling by the court. TCU's decision follows recommendations from its experts about procedures used by Petroleo Brasileiro SA, as the company is formally known, on the asset sales. According to the decision published on Wednesday, the court thinks the company should be much more transparent in its divestiture program as it is a state-controlled entity. Laws governing public entities in Brazil require ample disclosure of business information. There is a debate among lawyers regarding to what degree those laws would apply to a company that is also owned by private investors, as is the case with Petrobras. Petrobras said the TCU ruling is positive in a sense, since it allows the firm to close deals that were near completion. It said it plans to comply with the court's determination. "The company is already reviewing its divestment procedures and is committed to following the court's recommendations for improvements," Petrobras said in a statement. Petrobras reaffirmed its targets to raise $15.1 billion by end-2016 and $19.5 billion more in the next two years. Although the TCU said it would let Petrobras conclude deals that are already well-advanced, it is not clear how many of the recent transactions the oil company would be able to finalize if it strictly follows the court's order. Petrobras's Chief Executive Officer Pedro Parente said 10 days ago that the firm had raised close to $11 billion in asset sales so far and that it intended to reach the $15.1 billion target by the end of December. (Writing by Marcelo Teixeira; Editing by Daniel Flynn and Alistair Bell) By Michael Holden and Estelle Shirbon LONDON (Reuters) - The referendum in which Britons voted to leave the European Union is not legally binding, the Supreme Court was told on Wednesday during a hearing on who has the power to trigger Brexit. The court is considering an appeal by the government against a ruling last month that ministers need parliament's consent to invoke Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, the first formal step in the process of leaving the bloc. The government's fear is that parliament could delay Prime Minister Theresa May's plan to trigger Article 50 by the end of March and water down ministers' Brexit strategy. The case has inflamed passions in Britain, with pro-Brexit critics saying those challenging the government through the courts were seeking to thwart the will of the people. On Wednesday, police announced they had arrested a man on suspicion of making racist threats against Gina Miller, the lead challenger. David Pannick, the lawyer acting for Miller, told the court the Brexit referendum had important political consequences but no legal force. "Parliament has deliberately chosen a model which does not involve any binding legal effect," he told the 11 Supreme Court justices during an exchange on the 2015 Referendum Act that set the rules for the referendum. Pannick argued that the 2015 act did not say what should happen after the referendum, and that since triggering Article 50 would effectively nullify the 1972 act through which Britain joined the EU, only parliament could authorise such a step. Supreme Court President David Neuberger reflected out loud on the assertion that the referendum was merely advisory. "It could be said to be a bit surprising that ... an act such as the Referendum Act and an event such as the referendum has no effect as a matter of law," he said. The issue goes to the heart of the controversy generated by the case. Many politicians in May's Conservative Party and some pro-Brexit newspapers say the courts would be overstepping their constitutional role if they ignored the express will of the people by putting obstacles in the government's chosen path. Miller and Pannick counter that their case is not aimed at blocking Brexit but rather at ensuring parliament is properly involved in the process. They won convincingly in the High Court in November. The government of Scotland, where a majority voted to remain in the EU in the referendum, intervened in the Supreme Court case on Wednesday, siding with Miller and the other challengers. The Edinburgh executive, run by the Scottish National Party, is looking for ways to prevent Scotland from being taken out of the EU against its will, and has raised the possibility of a future referendum on independence from the United Kingdom. Its chief legal officer, James Wolffe, argued that while Edinburgh could not veto Brexit, the process should unfold in parliament to respect Scotland's rights under the constitution. (Writing by Michael Holden and Estelle Shirbon; Editing by John Stonestreet and Hugh Lawson) By Michael Holden and Estelle Shirbon LONDON (Reuters) - The referendum in which Britons voted to leave the European Union is not legally binding, the Supreme Court was told on Wednesday during a hearing on who has the power to trigger Brexit. The court is considering an appeal by the government against a ruling last month that ministers need parliament's consent to invoke Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, the first formal step in the process of leaving the bloc. The government's fear is that parliament could delay Prime Minister Theresa May's plan to trigger Article 50 by the end of March and water down ministers' Brexit strategy. The case has inflamed passions in Britain, with pro-Brexit critics saying those challenging the government through the courts were seeking to thwart the will of the people. On Wednesday, police announced they had arrested a man on suspicion of making racist threats against Gina Miller, the lead challenger. David Pannick, the lawyer acting for Miller, told the court the Brexit referendum had important political consequences but no legal force. "Parliament has deliberately chosen a model which does not involve any binding legal effect," he told the 11 Supreme Court justices during an exchange on the 2015 Referendum Act that set the rules for the referendum. Pannick argued that the 2015 act did not say what should happen after the referendum, and that since triggering Article 50 would effectively nullify the 1972 act through which Britain joined the EU, only parliament could authorize such a step. Supreme Court President David Neuberger reflected out loud on the assertion that the referendum was merely advisory. "It could be said to be a bit surprising that ... an act such as the Referendum Act and an event such as the referendum has no effect as a matter of law," he said. The issue goes to the heart of the controversy generated by the case. Many politicians in May's Conservative Party and some pro-Brexit newspapers say the courts would be overstepping their constitutional role if they ignored the express will of the people by putting obstacles in the government's chosen path. Miller and Pannick counter that their case is not aimed at blocking Brexit but rather at ensuring parliament is properly involved in the process. They won convincingly in the High Court in November. The government of Scotland, where a majority voted to remain in the EU in the referendum, intervened in the Supreme Court case on Wednesday, siding with Miller and the other challengers. The Edinburgh executive, run by the Scottish National Party, is looking for ways to prevent Scotland from being taken out of the EU against its will, and has raised the possibility of a future referendum on independence from the United Kingdom. Its chief legal officer, James Wolffe, argued that while Edinburgh could not veto Brexit, the process should unfold in parliament to respect Scotland's rights under the constitution. (Writing by Michael Holden and Estelle Shirbon; Editing by John Stonestreet and Hugh Lawson) * Pfizer, Flynn Pharma fined for charging excessive prices * Cost of epilepsy medicine increased up to 2,600 percent * Drugmakers dispute decision and plan to appeal (Adds detail on previous largest fine, other pharmaceutical cases) By Ben Hirschler LONDON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Britain's competition watchdog has fined Pfizer a record 84.2 million pounds ($107 million) for its role in ramping up the cost of an epilepsy drug by as much as 2,600 percent. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) also fined Flynn Pharma 5.2 million pounds for overcharging for phenytoin sodium capsules, following a dramatic price hike in 2012. The CMA's ruling comes amid a growing debate on both sides of the Atlantic about the ethics of price hikes for old off-patent medicines that are only made by a few firms and where there is little competition. U.S. drugmaker Turing Pharmaceuticals, led at the time by hedge fund manager Martin Shkreli, caused outrage last year by raising the U.S. price of Daraprim, an old anti-infective drug, by more than 5,000 percent to $750 a pill. In the case of phenytoin sodium capsules, the UK price charged for 100 mg packs of the drug jumped from 2.83 pounds to 67.50 in 2012, before reducing to 54.00 from May 2014. As a result, annual spending on the capsules by Britain's National Health Service rose from 2 million pounds in 2012 to about 50 million in 2013. The CMA said UK prices were many times higher than elsewhere in Europe. Pfizer used to market the medicine under the brand name Epanutin but sold the rights to Flynn, a privately owned British company, in September 2012. It was then debranded, meaning that it was no longer subject to price regulation, and the price soared. "The companies deliberately exploited the opportunity offered by debranding to hike up the price for a drug which is relied upon by many thousands of patients," Philip Marsden, chairman of the CMA's case decision group, said on Wednesday. "This is the highest fine the CMA has imposed and it sends out a clear message to the sector that we are determined to crack down on such behaviour." Story continues The previous highest fine of 58.5 million pounds was handed to British Airways in 2012 for colluding with rival Virgin Atlantic on fuel surcharges. That was imposed by the CMA's predecessor, the Office of Fair Trading. Pfizer said it planned to appeal all aspects of the verdict. The U.S. drugmaker said the medicine had been loss-making and it was therefore forced to consider whether it could continue supplying it. Pfizer added that the price set by Flynn was actually 25 to 40 percent less than the cost of an equivalent tablet form from another supplier. Flynn's chief executive David Fakes said punishing his company, which also plans to appeal, for selling phenytoin capsules for less than phenytoin tablets "beggars belief". The CMA also ordered both to reduce their prices, a move that lawyers said could trigger claims for redress from customers who had been over-charged. In February it fined GlaxoSmithKline 37.6 million pounds for striking deals to delay the launch of cheap generic copies of its former blockbuster antidepressant Seroxat. The watchdog has four other ongoing investigations into the pharmaceutical sector. ($1 = 0.7903 pounds) (Editing by Jane Merriman/Keith Weir/Alexander Smith) Johannesburg (AFP) - Finance minister Philip Hammond on Wednesday said Britain was working on strengthening ties with non-EU partners before exiting the European Union. After a string of "constructive" talks with top political and business leaders, the chancellor of the exchequer, who is currently in South Africa, pledged millions in aid for developmental programmes. "As Britain leaves the EU, we will be deepening our work with our international partners to build ever stronger economic links around the world," he said in a statement issued by the British embassy in Pretoria. "South Africa is a key strategic partner for the UK in Africa and internationally, and we are determined to see that go from strength to strength." The visit is the first leg in a three-nation tour that will take the minister to Japan and South Korea. Hammond, who on Tuesday was in Brussels to discuss Britain's impending departure from the European Union, is embarking "on a series of international trips to showcase the UK's commitment to forming even stronger global ties," according to Treasury. Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May has stated that she will formally trigger the two-year EU divorce process by the end of March 2017. However, Brussels and London face the daunting prospect of gruelling negotiations on future trade deals with the European Union and countries outside of the bloc. In South Africa, Hammond met his counterpart Pravin Gordhan and International Relations Minister Maite Nkoane-Mashabane. - 'Tackle barriers' - He also visited the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and took part in a roundtable with leaders from major local companies. Hammond told South African business leaders that Brexit "is in no way a vote by the British people to turn inwards, to close the doors, to turn our backs on the world, (it's) quite the opposite." "We will manage the Brexit process very much with business equities in mind ... we need to continue to attract foreign direct investment to the UK," he assured the captains of industry and commerce. Story continues During the talks with political leaders, he confirmed "up to A35 million ($44 million) for an ambitious new prosperity programme over the next four years supporting inclusive economic development in South Africa". The two countries will achieve this by working together to "tackle barriers to trade and growth, increase competitiveness, and improve ease of doing business". "This funding is a key part of the UK's strategy for helping promote economic growth." South Africa is Britain's biggest export market in Africa, with its bilateral trade hitting almost A8.0 billion ($10.2 billion, 9.5 billion euros) in 2015. To build on the close business ties between the two countries, several commercial deals were announced including a $180-million Rolls Royce service contract with the national carrier South African Airways "South African Airways have signed a new TotalCare service order for Trent 700 engines made by British company Rolls Royce that power five Airbus A330 aircraft," the statement said. On Thursday, Hammond is expected in Cape Town where he will meet start-ups to discuss synergies with British tech businesses and investors. From South Africa he flies to Japan to meet the finance minister Taro Aso and Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda, as well as with Softbank chief executive Masayoshi Son. The mobile giant's recent $32-billion takeover of iPhone chip designer ARM Holdings is the biggest Asian investment in the UK. In South Korea, Hammond will hold bilateral meetings with government ministers and the Bank of Koreaas governor Lee Ju-Yeol. LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Prince Harry turned trader on Wednesday, taking calls alongside brokers at British interdealer ICAP for the company's annual charity day. Wearing a navy suit, the prince answered the phones alongside traders in fancy dress costumes for the charity day where all ICAP's profits from 60 offices are donated to more than 200 charities worldwide. ICAP, buyers and sellers of bonds, currencies and swaps, began their charity day in 1993 and have raised over 120 million pounds ($151 million) with celebrities brought in to help raise money. (Writing by Patrick Johnston; Editing by Tom Heneghan) By Patrick Graham and Alasdair Pal LONDON (Reuters) - A British clampdown on retail trading platforms prompted warnings among industry players and investors on Tuesday that some smaller firms may not be able to sustain their business under the new stricter rules. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) placed limits on the leverage which can be offered to individual investors betting on currency and other asset prices, knocking more than a third off the market values of larger players IG Group and CMC Markets.. The FCA said that on average 82 percent of individual clients lose money. Those losses tend to translate into quick and easy gains for the firms and may fall if investors post relatively higher deposits behind trades. "Given the prices quoted, the costs of the business, advertising bans in certain key countries, for some marginal players this (change in regulation) will sound the death-knell," said David Woolcock, . That in turn might also have a knock-on affect on bigger players, some of whom provide technology to or take clients or trades from smaller rivals. "If people are more informed in plain language, and realise that there are real dangers, it will deter some people. There is going to be a hit there," Woolcock said. Despite the market reaction, some welcomed the FCA's action, with IG saying it might enhance the outcomes for clients. A risk manager with another large broker told Reuters it was not clear whether revenues would fall because clients would now be trading for longer before losing their deposits. Marco Baggioli, head of brokerage at Abu Dhabi-owned ADS Securities, said that the FCA was protecting the industry, unlike in some European jurisdictions and reducing the leverage to 1:50 was "very healthy". Some retail customers are currently being offered more than 1:200. "Volumes will drop for a few months and then people will come back and they will have more diversified portfolios," Baggioli said. Dozens of small individual investors were effectively bankrupted by losses last year when the Swiss National Bank suddenly removed its longstanding ceiling on the franc, prompting regulators to look at the market. Story continues A number of traders allege they were not treated fairly by brokers, while others have complained about their treatment by some of the dozens of brokers registered in Cyprus. Cypriot regulator CySEC announced its own clampdown on some brokers' behaviour last week. "It is the first volley in a closer look at the industry," said Jacob Ma-Weaver of hedge fund Cable Car Capital, which has a short position in Plus500, whose shares fell by 28 percent on Tuesday. (Editing by Alexander Smith) London (AFP) - British Prime Minister Theresa May secured a symbolic victory on Brexit on Wednesday after MPs agreed not to delay her plans to begin exit talks by the end of March, although she had to promise to give them more details of her negotiating strategy. Lawmakers voted 461 in favour of supporting May's timeline to trigger Article 50 of the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, which will trigger divorce negotiations with Brussels. A total of 89 MPs voted against the non-binding motion, with the results announced in parliament. In an amendment to an opposition motion in parliament, May agreed to provide further details on her negotiating strategy before triggering Article 50. LONDON (Reuters) - British police have arrested a man on suspicion of making racist threats online against Gina Miller, who has challenged the government over how to trigger Brexit in a legal battle that has inflamed passions in Britain. Miller, 51, an investment manager who says she does not want to block Brexit but rather to ensure parliament is properly involved in the process, has received death threats and abuse since featuring prominently in media coverage of the case. Britons voted to leave the European Union by 52 to 48 percent in a June referendum, and the nation remains bitterly divided over the issue. Miller has been cast by critics as an establishment figure trying to thwart the will of the people, which she denies. London's Metropolitan Police said on Wednesday they had arrested a 55-year-old man in Swindon, western England, on suspicion of making "racially aggravated malicious communications" against a 51-year-old woman. Miller confirmed the arrest was in connection with threats she has received. "It is one of several ongoing police investigations," she said in an email to Reuters. Police said the arrested man was taken to a police station in Wiltshire, western England, and later released on bail. The state prosecution service is considering whether to bring charges. As part of the same investigation, police also issued a "cease and desist" notice to a 38-year-old man from Fife, Scotland, they said. The government is appealing to the Supreme Court this week against a November ruling by the High Court that it needs parliament's assent before it can trigger Article 50 of the European Union's Lisbon Treaty to formally begin Brexit talks. On the opening day of the four-day hearing, Supreme Court President David Neuberger alluded to the abuse and threats directed at Miller and others connected with the legal battle. "Threatening and abusing people because they are exercising their fundamental right to go to court undermines the rule of law," he said. (Reporting by Michael Holden, writing by Estelle Shirbon; editing by Stephen Addison) London (AFP) - Britain's competition watchdog said Wednesday it had fined Pfizer A84 million after the US pharmaceutical giant hiked massively the price of an anti-epilepsy drug, heavily impacting the tax-funded National Health Service. "The Competition and Markets Authority has imposed a record A84.2 million ($106.3 million, 99.1 million euros) fine on... Pfizer, and a A5.2 million fine on the distributor Flynn Pharma after finding that each broke competition law by charging excessive and unfair prices in the UK for phenytoin sodium capsules," the CMA said in a statement. The watchdog also ordered the pair to reduce their prices. In a separate statement, Pfizer said it "refutes the findings" and would lodge an appeal. The CMA said the fines followed "prices increasing by up to 2,600 percent overnight after the drug was deliberately de-branded in September 2012", meaning it was no longer subject to price regulation. As a result, National Health Service expenditure on phenytoin sodium capsules increased from about A2 million a year in 2012 to about A50 million in 2013, the watchdog claimed. "The prices of the drug in the UK have also been many times higher than Pfizeras prices for the same drug in any other European country," it added. The CMA said phenytoin sodium capsules are used to prevent and control seizures for around 48,000 patients in the UK. But since epilepsy patients who take the capsules are advised not to switch to other products owing to possible loss of seizure control, the NHS had no choice but to pay the increases, it added. "The companies deliberately exploited the opportunity offered by de-branding to hike up the price for a drug which is relied upon by many thousands of patients," said Philip Marsden, who chaired the CMA investigation's decision group. "These extraordinary price rises have cost the NHS and the taxpayer tens of millions of pounds," he added. Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f310150%2fscreen_shot_2016-12-07_at_3.31.05_pm The second man on the moon has had a hell of a week. While accompanying a tourist group to the icy plains of Antarctica, former astronaut Buzz Aldrin's health took a worrying turn. The 87-year-old was airlifted to nearby New Zealand after his "condition deteriorated," according to a statement. By curious happenstance, the Apollo 11 pilot saw his path to recovery supervised by one David Bowie the medical doctor that is, not the late musical and Space God. SEE ALSO: This rocket company clearly wants to be as cool as SpaceX Aldrin's mission director Christina Korp tweeted out a picture of the two men deep in conversation, alongside Bowie's MD plaque at the Canterbury Hospital, joking "you can't make this stuff up." Thank heaven @TheRealBuzz's doctor is David Bowie. You can't make this stuff up. pic.twitter.com/jbqqZeWgx9 Christina Korp (@Buzzs_xtina) December 5, 2016 The former real life space man's Twitter game has been strong, since his admittance to hospital, with hilarious recovery antics documented by Korp and Aldrin from driving nurses nuts to some genius subtweeting about Kim Kardashian. Catching up on the world while I'm stuck in quarantine. Apparently @KimKardashian is out in public again. pic.twitter.com/syUjbvt8ak Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) December 4, 2016 The nurse is making @TheRealBuzz do his least favorite thing - exercise. So he walks too fast for her to catch up to get it over with. pic.twitter.com/iCB6SdHr2Y Christina Korp (@Buzzs_xtina) December 4, 2016 We've been trying to figure out who we know in New Zealand and @Buzzs_xtina says we should invite @AJemaineClement & @Bret from @fotc! pic.twitter.com/9vInvcFhwe Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) December 5, 2016 Someone sent me affirmation cards. The first one said "Follow your inner moonlight. Don't fight the madness". Howl! pic.twitter.com/5C9IHg9gan Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) December 5, 2016 Aldrin remains in medical quarantine, but if Korp's Twitter feed is anything to go by, Dr. Bowie may have worked a different kind of star dust, and the moon walker will be back to exploring the vast reaches of this earth sometime soon. SIA may tighten budget on passenger giveaways as fuel cost surges. The on-board giveaways, famously rolled out to every passenger in the 1970s by Singapore Airlines Ltd., will be unsustainable for some carriers after OPECs production cuts announced last week drive up the cost of fuel, a report from Bloomberg said. Quoting aviation analyst, the report said other options would include cutting unprofitable routes, retiring gas-guzzling aircraft and raising fares. The deal came at the worst time for carriers such as Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. and Singapore Air that are battling excess capacity and declining premium traffic. Patricularly vulnerable to such rising fuel costs are Asian operators as their profit margins are about half those of their North American peers after competition pushed down fares. "In order to survive, some Asian airlines may be forced to ape U.S. low-cost carriers and charge for extras -- ranging from food and alcohol to checked-in baggage -- that have been taken for granted on long-haul flights for decades, according to Mathieu De Marchi, a Bangkok-based aviation consultant at Landrum & Brown," the report said. Check out full story here. More From Singapore Business Review By Robin Respaut SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Democrats in California's state Senate announced on Tuesday a series of infrastructure funding bills that would invest billions in roads, bridges, housing and water projects. Infrastructure investment has been at the forefront of political agendas this year, from President-elect Donald Trump's promise to unveil a massive national infrastructure spending plan to voters' support of billions of dollars of infrastructure bonds in November's election. Both Trump and his rival, Hillary Clinton, campaigned promising infrastructure investment. Trump called for $1 trillion in infrastructure spending over 10 years, but it remains unclear how much would come from the federal budget. Democrats in the California Senate proposed five bills on Tuesday, including one that would use $6 billion a year over the next decade to repair roads and bridges and improve transit systems across the state. According to the proposal, the bulk of the money is to be raised through a phased-in 12 cent per gallon gas tax increase, along with increases to the diesel excise tax and vehicle registration fees. California's freeway system faces a $59 billion maintenance shortfall over the next decade and local governments face another $78 billion shortfall for local highways and bridges. The need for infrastructure funding is echoed across the country. "Our transportation infrastructure is in dire condition. The longer we wait to fix it, the more it will cost us," State Senator Jim Beall of San Jose and sponsor of the transportation bill, said in a statement. Two housing bills raise money for affordable housing, one of them through a $75 fee on real estate transaction documents. California is home to 21 of the 30 most expensive rental housing markets in the country, and many parts of the state face serious housing shortages. Another bill proposes to issue a $3 billion general obligation bond aimed at addressing the housing stock shortage. Story continues Senator Toni Atkins of San Diego, sponsor of one of the housing bills, said infrastructure was "at the top of the list" of challenges facing California, and Tuesday's package of bills would "go a long way toward improving quality of life for Californians and grow our state's economy." Another bill would fund state and local parks and water infrastructure through a $3 billion general obligation bond. Despite recent rains, California is in the fifth year of drought. In 2014, state voters passed a $7.5 billion bond to fund water infrastructure projects throughout California. Senate leader Kevin de Leon of Los Angeles, sponsor of Tuesday's bill, noted that there is still "a high unmet demand for new water and natural resource investment." (Reporting by Robin Respaut; Editing by Daniel Bases and Phil Berlowitz) US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the US-Japan alliance has never been stronger during their meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday, December 6. Abe thanked US President Barack Obama and Carter for their efforts in reinforcing the relationship and facilitating the return of nearly 10,000 acres of land in Okinawa to Japan on December 22. The land had been used by US Marines for jungle warfare training, according to Japan Today. Abe also mentioned his proposed visit to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial later this month to show Japans determination for the future that we must never again repeat the demonstration of war. The prime minister will become the first Japanese leader to visit Pearl Harbor, 75 years after Japans attack in 1941. He will not, however, apologize for Japans wartime atrocities, according to Kyodo News. Credit: US Navy via Storyful Catalyst Global Media, the London production company led by Charlotte Walls, is to make a movie based on poet and novelist Owen Sheers verse-drama Pink Mist, which explores the human cost of modern warfare, inspired by interviews with soldiers and their families. Pink Mist was originally aired as a radio play on the BBC, and a book of the play won the Wales Book of the Year award. A stage version, which was produced by Bristol Old Vic theater and later played at Londons Bush Theater, was voted one of the top 10 plays of 2015 by the Guardian and Observer newspapers. It centers on three young soldiers from Bristol, England, who are deployed to Afghanistan. Childhood friends still in their teens, each have their reasons for enlisting and within a short space of time they return home to the women in their lives (a mother, a wife, a girlfriend), all of whom must now share the psychological and physical aftershocks of their service. Sheers said: The ongoing issue of the shadows cast by conflict into civilian lives is one that is ever more pressing. I hope the film will contribute meaningfully to a counter narrative that re-humanizes the suffering of those caught in the wake of a psychological or physical wounding. Great films always start with great material, and we know we have this with Pink Mist, Walls said. Telling the powerful story of Pink Mist through a cinematic lens will allow audiences to connect and react in ways they had not before and this is very attractive to us as creative storytellers. Sheers, whose credits include Resistance and I Saw a Man, recently wrote the BBC-commissioned The Green Hollow, a drama portraying the events surrounding the deaths of 144 people in a coal-mining-related disaster in Wales that was aired in the U.K. to mark the 50th anniversary of the tragedy. Since launching just over a year ago, Catalyst has put together a strong slate of film, TV and digital projects. On the TV side, the company most recently partnered with John Woo (Mission Impossible II, Face/Off) to produce scripted television series Cognition, a crime thriller covering two serial-killer investigations set in two stylistically contrasting worlds: the vast and desolate lands of Americas declining Midwest, and the thriving and overpopulated streets of the Far East. Story continues Catalyst also executive produced Peter & Wendy, based on the novel Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, written by the BAFTA-winning writer Adrian Hodges (My Week With Marilyn) and starring Academy Award-nominated actor Stanley Tucci and international pop star Paloma Faith as Tinkerbell. Pink Mist joins a burgeoning film slate at Catalyst. The company is executive-producing a stage adaptation from Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, the supernatural thriller Ghost Stories, starring Nyman, Paul Whitehouse, Alex Lawther and Martin Freeman, and being produced by Claire Jones and Robin Gutch for Warp Films; the coming-of-age British comedy Finding Your Feet, starring BAFTA winner and Oscar nominee Imelda Staunton, Timothy Spall, Celia Imrie and Joanna Lumley; and the rock-and-roll black comedy The Hype, the first film to come out of Catalysts multi-year, multi-picture partnership with Warner Music to identify and develop a slate of feature biopics and documentaries based on Warner Musics artists. Related stories Catalyst Sets Chris Boyle McQuarry to Write Rock-and-Roll Movie 'The Hype' (EXCLUSIVE) Ceremonies commemorate 75th anniversary of attack on Pearl Harbor Greg Murphy plays the Navy Hymn during a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Dec. 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, on board The Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial in Camden, N.J., Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) It has been 75 years, but U.S. Navy veteran James Leavelle can still recall watching with horror as Japanese warplanes rained bombs down on his fellow sailors in the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor that brought the United States into World War Two. Bullets bounced off the steel deck of his own ship, the USS Whitney, anchored just outside Honolulu harbor, but a worse fate befell those aboard the USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS Utah and others that capsized in an attack that killed 2,400 people. The way the Japanese planes were coming in, when they dropped bombs, theyd drop them and then circle back, said Leavelle, a 21-year-old Navy Storekeeper Second Class at the time of the attack. Leavelle, now 96, was among 30 Pearl Harbor survivors honored at a reception in Los Angeles before heading to Honolulu to mark Wednesdays 75th anniversary of the attack. The bombing of Pearl Harbor took place at 7:55 a.m. Honolulu time on Dec. 7, 1941, famously dubbed a date which will live in infamy by U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt. Fewer than 200 survivors of the attacks there and on other military bases in Hawaii are still alive. Wednesdays commemoration at a pier overlooking the memorial to the sunken USS Arizona built in the harbor is set to begin with a moment of silence at precisely that time. (Reuters) See more news-related photo galleries and follow us on Yahoo News Photo Tumblr. Philadelphia Democrat Chaka Fattah may spend a 17 to 21 years in prison after federal prosecutors urged U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III to sentence him for a longer term than most regional politicians in federal corruption cases. Fattah, 60, served as the United States Representative for Pennsylvanias 2nd congressional district from 1995 to 2016 and was also on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. His political career spanning almost 30 years ended after he was convicted on several charges of racketeering and corruption in June, resigning from office two days later. For over 20 years, Fattah held himself out ... as a champion of education and clean government, Justice Department lawyer Eric L. Gibson wrote in a filing late Monday, seeking a sentence within the guideline range, the Associated Press reported. Instead, Fattah sought to strengthen himself politically, enrich himself and his co-conspirators, steal from non-profits and the federal taxpayers, and defraud his campaigns, their creditors and a credit union. What Did Fattah Do? According to the Justice Department, Fattah borrowed $1 million from a wealthy supporter during his failed 2007 campaign to be Philadelphias mayor, following which he used an education non-profit founded by him to repay much of the money, with charitable donations and grant funds. The former congressman reportedly covered up the transactions through sham contracts, tax returns and campaign finance documents. Prosecutors say Fattah also used campaign money to repay $23,000 of his sons student loan debt between 2007 and 2011 and unsuccessfully lobbied President Barack Obama for an ambassadorship or U.S. Trade Commission appointment for former Philadelphia deputy mayor Herbert Vederman. Vederman was found guilty of bribing Fattah with gifts including cash payments of $18,000 to help with the purchase of a vacation home in the Poconos. However, Vedermans lawyers maintain that those gifts were signs of their client's long friendship with the congressman and nothing more. Story continues Prosecutors differ with Vedermans lawyers and Gibson wrote in a separate filing: Vederman shows that he still does not understand a point that the jury appears to have had no problem grasping. Whether Vederman and Fattah were friends or not, Vederman committed a crime when he gave Fattah things of value in exchange for official acts. Friendship does not mitigate bribery. What are Prosecutors Seeking? The former congressman will be sentenced Monday. Prosecutors, along with the 17- to 21-year sentence, are also seeking more than $600,000 in restitution from Fattah and four other co-defendants. Most Philadelphia-area politicians involved in federal corruption cases received sentences that were far lower than this but prosecutors maintain that the recommended sentence fell within the federal sentencing guidelines for the crimes Fattah was involved in. Fattah understood the power and trust given to elected officials and that corruption benefits the few at the expense of the many, Gibson wrote. He chose to violate the trust of his constituents and the taxpayers to line his pockets and advance his personal and professional goals at their expense. How Has Fattah Responded? While defense lawyers have not filed their sentencing brief as of now and did not immediately return the APs calls for comment Tuesday, in the past Fattah has maintained that he is proud of his record on education and home foreclosures. This is an extraordinarily difficult day for me and my family, Fattah had said after he was convicted in June. While today's outcome isnt what we had hoped, I respect our nations judicial system. Related Articles The Supreme Court on Wednesday stretched out the schedule for filing written briefs in the new test case on transgender rights. Among other effects of the change will be that the new government of President-elect Donald Trump will get time to decide whether to get involved and, if it wishes to change federal policy. The Court had for the first time taken on the question of transgender rights when it agreed on October 28, 2016 to review the case of Gloucester County School Board v. G.G. Under the Courts normal briefing schedule, the Obama administration would have faced a deadline of January 18 two days before the Trump inauguration to file a brief supporting G.G.s rights that is the governments current view on the issue involved. The deadline for the Obama administration would have been seven days after G.G.s merits brief was due, on January 11. Under the new schedule, shown on the docket page for the case (docket 16-273), G.G.s merits brief will now be due on February 23, and the government if it were going to enter the case as an amicus case would have a March 2 deadline for filing. At this point, it is unknown what position the Trump administration will take on the overall question of transgender rights and on the specific question at issue in the Gloucester County case of what rights transgender people have to use sex-segregated intimate facilities, like toilets, showers and dressing rooms. As of now, the highest profile policy of the Obama administration is that transgender students attending schools that receive federal funds have a right to use the intimate facilities that correspond to their gender identity, not to the gender assigned them on their birth certificates. The policy is based on the view that federal law banning sex bias in publicly funded education programs also bans bias based on gender identity. That policy, however, is not now spelled out in binding federal regulations, but only in policy letters or guidance issued by federal education officials. If the new Trump government opts not to follow that policy, it could simply announce new guidance without having to issue any formal new regulations. Story continues In any event, the Supreme Courts change of the briefing schedule in the Gloucester County case gives the new Trump government time to settle its position on the issue as the Supreme Court case develops. A change of position by the new government, however, would not put an immediate end to the pending case. That is because the school board is challenging a federal appeals court decision that applied the Obama administration policy in that case. And, in any event, the lawyers for G.G. the transgender high school senior boy involved in the case make their own argument that federal law on sex bias also bans gender identity discrimination. Government policy on such legal questions is not necessarily driven by the demands of Supreme Court case schedules. But a schedule set by the Court can influence how much time the lawyers for the parties have to make up their minds what to say in the briefs they will file. There is no indication that the change in the briefing schedule for the transgender case was brought about to accommodate the new Trump administration. The normal schedule, if it had not been changed, would have required the school board to file its merits brief next Monday (now, it is due January 3) and that date would have set up the time for the Obama administration to get involved, if, as seems likely, it was going to do. 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 Supreme Court to rule on police shooting Constitution Check: Why is the Pentagon usually led by a civilian? Is there a workable way to judge racial gerrymanders? Chicago Fire is bringing back another member of the Dawson clan, but don't expect a happy reunion. America Olivo is set to reprise her role as Laura, the ex-wife of Antonio (Jon Seda) in an upcoming episode of the NBC firefighter drama, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Olivo is set to appear in episode 12 of Fire's current fifth season, tentatively set to air Jan. 24. Although this marks her first episode of Fire, Olivo is no stranger to the Chicago universe. She has appeared as Laura for six episodes of spinoff Chicago P.D., mainly early in the series run when the Dawsons were still happily married before Laura served Antonio with divorce papers at the end of season one. They have two children together. Seda was a regular on P.D. until November, but he will make the full-time move to legal spinoff Chicago Justice when it launches early next year. He has also been recurring heavily on Chicago Fire this season now that his character is involved with his sister Gaby's co-worker, paramedic Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer). No word yet on whether Antonio's ex-wife and his new girlfriend will come face-to-face in the episode. Olivo's recent TV credits include FX's The Strain and Netflix's Degrassi: Next Class. She is repped by TalentWorks and Vanguard Management Group. Chicago Fire returns Tuesday, Jan. 3, at a special time, 9 p.m., on NBC. Last night, Donald Glover, Microsoft, and creative collective Wolf + Rothstein hosted a Return to Pharos event in Venice, California. It was billed as a discussion of Gambino's concert event PHAROS, a phone-less immersion experience that took place at Joshua Tree this past summer. Evidence of the concert was lacking, due to the phonelessness, but that's about to change in January. At the event, attendees again had their phones locked for a discussion that included Glover, his management team, and representatives from Microsoft. They were informed a 360-degree video of the full PHAROS concert will be available in January. Glover also took some time to talk about the creative process behind "Awaken, My Love," detailing a house that him and his team call The Factory. Its a space that hosted the writing staff for Atlanta by day. By night, music for "Awaken, My Love!" was recorded. He touched on how he wanted to create a communal space like that in order for people and ideas to flow and form more freely. Watch the newly-released video for "Me & Your Mama" here. Continue Reading On PigeonsandPlanes More from PigeonsandPlanes Beijing (AFP) - China has urged Washington to block Taiwan's president from passing through the US, after reports said she may stop in New York for talks with Donald Trump's team, following a protocol-smashing phone call between the pair. The president-elect broke with decades of precedent last week to accept a congratulatory phone call from Tsai, angering Beijing which regards the island as a rogue province awaiting unification. Taiwan's Liberty Times reported that President Tsai Ing-wen may seek to meet members of Trump's team while in New York on her way to Central America, though her office would not confirm the plan to AFP. The trip would take place before Trumps inauguration on January 20, the newspaper said. Taiwan has diplomatic relations with 22 states and the island's leaders make regular visits to its small group of allies in Central America and the Caribbean, often stopping in the US for meetings with sympathetic lawmakers. China's foreign ministry called on Washington to block any stopover in the United States. Tsai's "true intention is self-evident", it told AFP on Wednesday. "We hope America abides by the principle of the One China policy and the three US-PRC Joint Communiques and does not allow her transit." Countries that have formal diplomatic ties with Beijing cannot enjoy such links with Taipei and vice versa. Both Beijing and Taipei in principle consider themselves the only legitimate power in charge of both China and Taiwan. Beijing further warned against Washington giving an "erroneous signal to 'Taiwanese independence' forces". Trump's surprise call with Tsai and subsequent Twitter barrage criticising Chinese military expansions and accusing it of manipulating its exchange rate seemed to have caught Beijing off-guard. - 'Diplomatic rookie' - China's foreign ministry repeatedly deflected or downplayed reporters' questions Monday. But by Tuesday, state media were trotting out attacks on Trump as a "diplomatic rookie". Story continues On Wednesday they emphasised the need for calm, with experts in the often shrill Global Times urging China to "watch and wait" until Trump takes office and not to "play his games". Reports suggest the call was long-planned by both sides, but whether Trump wants a wholesale change in US policy on Taiwan is still unclear. Communist Party authorities will be closely watching Trump's picks for secretary of state and ambassador to China as a sign of whether he truly intends to take a hard line on the world's second-largest economy. Although the United States is Taiwan's main ally and arms supplier, it has not had official diplomatic relations with Taiwan since 1979, when it switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing. Asked about Tsai's visit, a US State Department spokesman said at a briefing on Monday that such transits were in keeping with "longstanding US practice" and noted the US "usually" allows Taiwan's leaders to pass through the country. It would be the second such trip for Tsai, who stopped over in Miami and Los Angeles on her way to Panama and Paraguay earlier this year during her first overseas trip as president. Beijing protested to Washington over that trip as Tsai met with US politicians in Miami. Previous presidents of Taiwan have also transited the US, with Tsai's predecessor Ma Ying-jeou stopping in Hawaii in 2014 and Boston in 2015. Taiwan has haemorrhaged allies in recent decades as they jumped ship to align with an ascendant China. BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) - A Chinese regulator has fined a local unit of U.S.-listed medical device firm Medtronic PLC (MDT.N) 118.5 million yuan (13.6 million) for price fixing, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said in a statement on Wednesday. The state planner said it had fined Medtronic (Shanghai) Management Co following an investigation into monopolistic behaviour related to the firm's cardiovascular and diabetes medical device products. The NDRC said Medtronic had carried out monopolistic behaviour with its distributors and local partners to fix prices and set lower limits on the resale price to hospitals. "We can confirm that Medtronic was investigated by China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) related to the country's anti-monopoly law, and Medtronic accepts the NDRC's decision," a company spokesman said in emailed comments. "We are absolutely committed to ensuring that we are in full compliance with local laws and regulations." China has fined car makers, drug manufacturers and white goods firms over the last year for price fixing, while medical device makers came under the spotlight as far back as 2013. Foreign firms from the United States, Japan and Europe still dominate China's medical devices market, although China has said it wants to create domestic champions in the sector. (Reporting by Beijing Monitoring Desk and Adam Jourdan in SHANGHAI; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Stephen Coates) A chemistry professor in China has been convicted of exporting $600,000 worth of psychoactive drugs per month to the U.S. and Europe, in a case that has drawn comparisons with the hit AMC television series Breaking Bad. The scientist, surnamed Zhang, was found guilty Tuesday of selling 32 kg of illegal drugs including the MDMA-like methylone and the so-called zombie drug Flakka, which has been linked with a series of savage attacks. Prosecutors suspect that the true quantity produced was at least 10 times that. Zhang and two accomplices admitted charges of smuggling, selling, transporting and manufacturing illegal drugs, but according to state media argued in mitigation that they did it for research purposes rather than for consumption. The 46-year-old Zhang majored in chemistry at a top university in Wuhan, the capital of central Chinas Hubei province. State media describes him as now an associate professor with the same institution. Zhang reportedly rented an 800-sq-m production plant in a local industrial park and used Western Union and Bitcoin to facilitate his illicit deals. He was first arrested last year after customs found the drugs in a package for export and raided his lab. Read more: Global drug war pivots to China with the rise of legal highs It is impossible to say that I do not regret [selling the drugs] as now I am living in a detention house, he told Beijing TV last year while awaiting trial. Zhang has been dubbed Chinas real-life Walter White, after the lead character of Breaking Bad, who used his skills as chemistry teacher to manufacture high-quality methamphetamine and ended up a drugs kingpin. According to a BBC report upon Zhangs initial arrest, police said he found while acting as a visiting academic in Australia that some psychoactive drugs were in heavy demand, but hard to find there. He decided to make those drugs when he got back to China for profit. Zhang will be sentenced at a later date. With reporting by Zhang Chi / Beijing Chinese vessel Dong Hai Jiu 101 concluded its underwater search operations in a remote part of the southern Indian Ocean to locate the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said in its latest search update that the vessel "commenced passage to Fremantle to demobilise the Phoenix Remora III Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) before the vessel returns to Shanghai." The agency, which is leading the search for the missing Boeing 777-200, moved from deep tow operations to AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) and ROV operations in October 2016. Dong Hai Jiu 101 vessel has completed 33 dives with the ROV since October 2016. The vessel departed the search area on Dec. 3 and has completed its missions in the search for MH370. "Deep tow vehicles are equipped with side scan sonar and multibeam echo sounders, making them ideal for searching large areas of the seafloor in a single pass," ATSB said. "The ROV on Dong Hai Jiu 101 has been used to reacquire, investigate and eliminate sonar contacts of potential interest identified during previous deep tow and AUV search operations." ATSB also said that Fugro Equator paused its underwater search operations on Dec. 6, and will resume operations in the next few days. The vessel is expected to complete its mission in the remaining parts of the 46,000 square-mile search area by January/February 2017. Last month, ATSB released sonar images of the man-made objects, including oil barrel and cable debris, that were examined by an ROV. Flight MH370 went missing on March 8, 2014, with 239 people on board while on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. A multimillion-dollar search for the missing plane has so far yielded no concrete clues as to the plane's whereabouts. The underwater search is expected to be completed by early 2017, following which the search will be suspended if no credible clues are found leading to the plane's fate. Related Articles The key to understanding the history of Earth can be found in 500-year-old clams that most unassuming fisherman dredge up to be used in soup, a new study has suggested. By studying growth rings inside the shells of quahog clams, which are also known as chowder clams, scientists were able to patch together 1,000 years of north Atlantic Ocean history, according to research published Tuesday in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications. The findings may help scientists better understand how changes in the ocean, parts of which are hundreds of millions of years old, will impact and form new weather and climate patterns. The analysis of shell growth rings is similar to the practice of removing tree cores to determine water and temperature data over time from tree rings. Using shells from the North Icelandic shelf, scientists from Cardiff University and Bangor University in Wales were able to better understand the role of ocean activity on climate in the past and compare those conditions to recorded recent history. The changes that we are seeing in ocean chemistry are unprecedented relative to the last 1,000 years, David Reynolds, lead author and researcher from Cardiff University, told USA Today. The study shed new understanding of the relationship between the warming atmosphere and planet observed today and the historical relationship warming trends have had with the ocean. Before the industrial age, the global climate was marked by a gradual cooling with fluctuations caused by things like solar and volcanic activity. However, in the 19th and 20th centuries, human activity and greenhouse gas emissions began to change climate patterns and processes. Those changes have in turn led to a rise in global temperatures and changes to natural processes on Earth, including the chemical makeup of oceans and their circulation patterns. While the ocean influenced the atmosphere during pre-industrial times, the atmosphere has a heavier influence now, the new study suggested. Story continues Temperatures have been breaking records recently. The United States experienced its warmest autumn on record, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Wednesday, and recorded its second warmest November in recorded history. Related Articles Clashes erupted in Athens after a protest march on December 6, commemorating the police killing of 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos eight years ago that sparked weeks of rioting in the Greek capital. After hundreds marched peacefully, street battles broke out in Athens central Exarcheia district as protesters reportedly hurled petrol bombs and rocks at riot police, who responded with tear gas. Exarcheia was the location of the fatal shooting in 2008, which followed an altercation between youths and two police officers. Credit: YouTube/Will Horner via Storyful INDIANAPOLIS For 50 years, from 1963 to 2013, there was either a Bayh or a Lugar representing Indiana in the U.S. Senate. Birch and Evan Bayh won five elections, while Dick Lugar lost a 1974 showdown with the elder Bayh, then rattled off six victories. All told, these two dynasties accrued close to 15 million votes. A good part of their combined successes were prodigious political and state organizations that raised the bucks, stroked allies and the media, and dealt swift retribution for anyone who got out of line. There was an obsession for detail. I remember as a political reporter for the Elkhart Truth in 1988 when Evan Bayh was running for governor, my phone rang and there was Bayhs campaign manager, Joe Hogsett, on the line. How ya doing? he asked. What are you working on? Anything I can help you with as far as our campaign goes? The careers of the two Bayhs and Lugar, all once invincible, ended in defeat. Birch Bayh lost to Dan Quayle in the 1980 Reagan landslide. He governed in big style as a liberal in a conservative state, authoring two constitutional amendments, Title IX, parting with President Lyndon Johnson on the disastrous Vietnam War while attempting to retire the Electoral College. He never won a Senate race by more than a few percentage points. Because of such risky positions, he stood the chance of getting washed out in a national wave that occurred with son as his campaign manager. Evan Bayh won a term as secretary of state, two gubernatorial terms, the second in landslide fashion, then won two Senate terms with more than 60 percent. But Evan Bayh had national ticket ambitions, he governed in a cautious style as to not ruin his chances, and in 2010, sensing the aroused and zealous Tea Party movement and a controversial vote over Obamacare, he ducked a reelection bid that initiated his partys six-year slide into oblivion. Like the senior Bayh, Lugar governed at an epic level, rescuing Chrysler Corp in his first term, denouncing the election of Philippine tyrant Ferdinand Marcos, convinced President Reagan to oppose South African apartheid, and with the collapse of the Soviet Union, joined forces with Democrat Sam Nunn to systemically round up and protect Russian nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. The Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Act was a presidential-level achievement that probably saved civilization from a catastrophic terror attack on a Hiroshima scale. In 2006, Lugar was so strong, Democrats didnt even oppose him. Believing an ascension into worldwide statesmanship, Lugar let his state organization wither. County chairmen couldnt coax him to a Lincoln Dinner, and in 2012 he was defeated in the Republican primary, skewered over the fact he didnt live here. The irony for a senator who had achieved policy that should have earned him a Nobel Peace Prize is that the Indiana Republican Party hasnt even bothered to honor him. Like Lugar, Evan Bayh fell this past November on the residency issue. After leaving the Governors Residence in 1997, winning his first Senate term the following year, he moved to Washington and stayed there. He and his family became wealthy, working the inner channels of power in DC. He sat on $10 million for six years. Had he given John Gregg $2 million in 2012, it could have been a deciding factor in a race he lost by 2 percent, rendering Mike Pence a historical footnote. In July, Evan Bayh returned. But instead of doing what most politicians do - file for the primary, build relationships with the media and party, he took a short cut instead, nudging Baron Hill out of the race, figuring he could use his hoarded $10 million on a TV air war to return to power. Democrats I talked with this summer and fall had a distinct ambivalence about Bayhs return. It was all about him, they said. He was stingy. He set in motion the partys atrophy in rural Indiana that ultimately bred the opening that Donald Trump brilliantly exploited. The people can sense a phony and a facade, and that was where Evan Bayh de-evolved. He ran TV ads with his twin sons (who lived here only as toddlers and are now at Harvard) wearing Indiana State University and Pacer T-shirts. In a WTHR/Howey Politics Indiana Poll in September, Bayhs favorable/unfavorables stood at 48/28 percent. After Republican nominee Todd Young, the NRA and U.S. Chamber hammered him on his residency, his career as a Washington insider, his accumulated wealth (which rose 350 percent during his two Senate terms), his Obamacare vote, our November poll showed his fav/unfavs at an astounding 39/45 percent. It was an utter evisceration. Evan Bayh has been ruthlessly defined by them, said Public Opinion Strategies Pollster Gene Ulm. It is the destruction of a brand. Lessons for future Hoosier senators: Live and work among us. Raise your family here. Shop at Marsh or Martins. Build a statewide organization and keep it fine tuned. Seek your millions in votes, not dollars. As former Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson once noted, dynasties dont end up on a melody, they screech when they seize up. Evan Bayh lost to Todd Young 52-42 percent, and as he exited on Election Night, he strangely sang Happy Birthday to his sons. The columnist is publisher of Howey Politics Indiana at www.howeypolitics.com. Find him on Facebook and Twitter @hwypol. Two Colorado electors filed suit Tuesday in federal court, challenging a state law requiring them to vote for the winner of the popular vote when the Electoral College meets in less than two weeks. Polly Baca, a former legislator, and Robert Nemanich are Democratic electors two of the states nine electors who say they want to vote their conscience, their attorney, Jason Wesoky, told the Denver Post. Republican Donald Trump needs 270 electoral votes to be confirmed as president. Unofficial election results indicate he has 306 but is trailing Democrat Hillary Clinton in the popular vote by 2.6 million ballots. Colorado voters favored Clinton. Baca and Nemanich are members of the so-called Moral Electors movement, which is seeking to block a Trump presidency, suggesting electors vote for a different Republican candidate to throw the election into the U.S. House. A third Colorado elector, Michael Baca is working with electors in other states. There is no federal law that requires electors to vote for the winner of the popular vote, but 29 states and the District of Columbia do impose such a requirement, Colorado among them. Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams, a Republican, has said he would replace any faithless electors and sharply criticized any who would switch their votes, arrogant. The very notion of two Colorado electors ignoring Colorados popular vote in an effort to sell their vote to electors in other states is odious to everything we hold dear about the right to vote, Williams said. Though Hillary Clinton and Timothy Kaine won the majority vote in Colorado and are qualified for office, plaintiffs cannot be constitutionally compelled to vote for them, the lawsuit states. Plaintiffs are entitled to exercise their judgment and free will to vote for whomever they believe to be the most qualified and fit for the offices of president and vice president, whether those candidates are Democrats, Republicans or from a third-party. Story continues The suit challenges the state law based on the First, 12th and 14th amendments. Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who sought the Republican presidential nomination but dropped out during the primaries, has been mentioned as an alternative to Trump but tweeted a statement Tuesday urging electors not to vote for him. A Change.org petition calling on electors not to support Trump has gained nearly 4.8 million signatures since it was filed Nov. 10. The Electoral College meets Dec. 19. Related Articles Just over two weeks before celebrating the birth of Jesus, Catholics will celebrate Thursday God enabling Jesus mother Mary to be conceived free of sin. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a major occasion in many countries throughout the world. What does it celebrate? There is a widespread belief that the Immaculate Conception refers to the Jesus entrance into the world. In fact, it concerns the Virgin Mary. While it is believed that Marys conception of Jesus was virginal, it is said that Mary was conceived biologically. However, the Catholic Church teaches that God kept her free from original sin in the womb as it had been foreshadowed that she would bear Jesus Christ. In this way, she is said to be full of grace. It was formally defined in the Catholic Church by Pope Pius IX in 1854. The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin, he said. How is it celebrated? The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church. These are the days on which practitioners are obliged to attend mass. The number of days of obligation varies between countries. Pope Francis Immaculate Conception Photo: Franco Origlia/Getty Images In the United States, the feast is one of six holy days of obligation. Two others also involve Mary the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, celebrating her motherhood of Jesus, and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, marking her entrance into heaven. Where is it celebrated? It is believed that the Feast of the Immaculate Conception was first celebrated in Syria as early as the fifth century. In eight countries, it is now the patronal feast day, with those nations selected the Virgin Mary as their official patroness. In a number of countries, including Argentina, Italy and Spain, the feast is also a public holiday. Related Articles We issued an updated research report on Companhia Siderurgica Nacional SID or CSN on Dec 7, 2016. The company produces hot and cold-rolled flat steel, galvanized sheets and tin plates for the packaging, automotive and construction industries. It currently has a market capitalization of approximately $4.8 billion. After the release of third-quarter 2016 results on Nov 14, shares of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional yielded a return of 9.6%, outperforming the return of 8.9% by the Zacks categorized Steel Producers industry. We believe that Companhia Siderurgica Nacionals diversified business structure, with exposure in steel, iron ore mining, logistics, cement and energy industries will prove beneficial over the long run. In the third quarter, roughly 40.1% of the companys total revenue was sourced from non-steel businesses. As projected by the World Steel Association (Nov 2016), improvements of 0.2% in 2016 and 0.5% in 2017 in world steel demand will favor steel producers like CSN. Also, demand for steel in Brazil will likely improve with the increase in infrastructural investments. In addition, Companhia Siderurgica Nacional consistently strives to improve its production capabilities and services. For 20142019, the company has planned investments totaling R$21.3 billion, including R$12 billion for the mining business, R$0.4 billion for steel, R$1.4 billion for cement and R$7.5 billion for miscellaneous purposes. In the third quarter, Companhia Siderurgica Nacionals net loss contracted 80% year over year, while loss per American Depository Receipt came in at 2 cents. Net revenue grew 13.6% on the back of higher sales volume in the mining segment. Cost of sales, as a percentage of revenue, decreased, while gross margin improved 500 basis points. Companhia Siderurgica Nacional currently holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Other stocks worth considering in the steel industry include POSCO PKX, Ternium S.A. TX and Gerdau S.A. GGB. While both POSCO and Ternium sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Gerdau carries a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. POSCO and Gerdaus earnings estimates for 2016 and 2017 have been revised upward over the last 60 days. Ternium S.A. has a positive average earnings surprise of 11.38% for the last four quarters. Also, earnings estimates for 2016 have been revised upward over the last 60 days. Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them now>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report CIA SIDERUR-ADR (SID): Free Stock Analysis Report POSCO-ADR (PKX): Free Stock Analysis Report GERDAU SA ADR (GGB): Free Stock Analysis Report TERNIUM SA-ADR (TX): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Kinshasa (AFP) - DR Congo's independent human rights commission Wednesday blamed both the government and the opposition for the deaths of 46 people, most of them by gunfire, in clashes in Kinshasa in September. Scores more were hurt in the capital when "non-identified elements in the police" and "protesters using stolen weapons" clashed September 19 and 20 in opposition protests against President Joseph Kabila, a commission report said. The release of the CNDH report, its first since the commission was set up in July 2015, was hailed by the European Union, a major donor to the vast resource-rich nation. Democratic Republic of Congo has seen months of trouble ahead of the official end of Kabila's mandate on December 20, his second term in office. He is barred from serving again but has never said he plans to step aside and last month cut a power-sharing deal with fringe opposition politician Samy Badibanga as prime minister in a move that effectively extends his term to early 2018. The CNDH toll for the September protests, which were organised by anti-Kabila coalition Gathering, was slightly lower than the UN toll of 53 dead. Gathering brings together mainstream opposition parties that back longtime Kabila rival, Etienne Tshisekedi. There were signs of an easing of political tension in the country this week when Tshisekedi agreed to join mediation talks headed by the country's bishops, the deputy secretary of Congo's National Episcopal Conference said. The talks, which aim to agree on a transition ahead of April 2018 presidential elections, showed "there is goodwill all round," said Andre Masinganda. Tshisekedi's Gathering had snubbed talks involving the authorities up until this week. The formal talks are set to start "Thursday December 8 2016" at 10am (0900 GMT) in Kinshasa, according to a statement released late Tuesday. However the UN mission in Congo, MONUSCO, is bracing for violence ahead of December 20, UN Special Representative to DR Congo Maman Sambo Sidikou said in New York on Tuesday. Story continues "MONUSCO has further updated its contingency plans and is further adjusting its posture and deployment to mitigate politically driven violence and to protect civilians," he said. Kabila came to power after the murder of his father Laurent-Desire Kabila by a bodyguard in 2001 during the Second Congo War, which ended two years later. Elected in 2006, he went on to win a second five-year term in a 2011 vote that the opposition decried as rigged. Belgrade (AFP) - In a country where Gay Pride parades require massive security and almost half the citizens think homosexuality is a disease, Serbia is drawing patients from around the world seeking sex change operations to become men. Offering experts in the field for a fraction of the cost in western Europe and America, Belgrade has become a surprising centre for the complex gender reassignment surgery. One Italian patient began the transition to become a man 14 years ago and visited Belgium, Britain and Germany looking for the best clinic to complete the procedure. In the end the 38-year-old anaesthetist chose the Belgrade Centre for Genital Reconstructive Surgery, led by Miroslav Djordjevic, a professor of urology and surgery in the Serbian capital. "I did a lot of research and contacted many centres and I found that almost everyone was a student of Professor Djordjevic, so I wanted to go to the source of this knowledge," said the bearded and softly-spoken patient, speaking to AFP a few days after surgery. He asked to be identified only by the initials A.T. Djordjevic operates on about 100 international sex change patients each year from countries including Japan, Brazil, South Africa, Australia and the United States. Another 20 or so come from around the former Yugoslavia. Eighty-five percent of his patients are seeking female-to-male operations, a rarer and more complicated procedure than the reverse. - Yugoslav pioneers - For general healthcare Serbia is not widely considered a medical tourism destination, although it does draw some foreigners seeking cheap dentistry Take, for example, gallstone treatment in Serbia, which "is five times cheaper than in Germany, but nobody comes here for gallstone treatment," said 51-year-old Djordjevic. He said patients come to his centre, which opened in 2006, because it's one of fewer than 20 around the world that can perform the full female-to-male surgery -- and it's unique because "we perform everything in one stage". Story continues "We do, at the same stage, the removal of the breasts, removal of female internal genitalia... and then we finish our surgery with the creation of a neophallus," he explained. This medical speciality started in Serbia in the late 1980s under Djordjevic's mentor Sava Perovic, a surgeon who pioneered developments in treatment for transgenders. Another centre in his name, the Sava Perovic Foundation, also performs female-to-male sex changes in Belgrade. Media-savvy Djordjevic denies that value-for-money is the main reason for Serbia's popularity, although A.T. paid 15,000 euros ($16,000) in Serbia for surgery that would have cost 60,000 euros in Britain. The Italian patient said he could have had his operation for free at home but he believed the surgeons there lacked enough experience. David Ralph, a London-based consultant urologist who specialises in penile construction, said lower hospital costs rather than surgical expenses appeared to be what drove down prices in Serbia. "At the end of the day the patients get the same," Ralph told AFP, although he said he preferred to do female-to-male surgery in a series of smaller operations to reduce the chance of complications. In any case the pre-surgical procedure is lengthy: a patient should undergo a thorough psychiatric evaluation and hormone treatment totalling up to two years. - 'Violence, bullying, rejection' - Serbia's success in this special strand of medical tourism is incongruous with the widespread attitudes towards gays and transgenders in the patriarchal country of seven million people. At Belgrade's Gay Pride march in 2010, hardline nationalists attacked participants and clashed with police, wounding 150 people and prompting officials to ban the parade for the next three years. Thousands of riot police are now deployed for the annual event and the city centre is locked down. A UN-backed survey on discrimination in late 2013 showed that 49 percent of Serbians believed homosexuality was a disease that should be treated. Transgenders face even greater stigma and "suffer a tremendous amount of violence, bullying, rejection" from a young age, according to activist Milan Djuric, who also goes by the name of Agatha and works for a local NGO, Gayten-LGBT. Attacks reported last year included a couple beaten in a southern Serbia cafe because one of them was transgender, and a transgender woman who was attacked on a public bus in Belgrade. In a milestone move, the government agreed in 2012 to bear two-thirds of the cost for its own citizens' sex change operations. "But it doesn't solve a whole array of other issues of concern," said Djuric, who is campaigning for a gender identity law to help transgender people, particularly in changing their personal documents. Italian A.T. said he was unaware of the level of prejudice that existed across Serbia, but expressed relief at finding somewhere to finish his operation successfully. "It is relaxing to be finally at the end of the transformation," he said. Donald Trumps former campaign manager says the president-elect has already accomplished more in the month since his election than President Obama has in the last four years. Donald Trump, in the first four weeks of his presidency, has done more to help this country than I think Barack Obama has done in the last four years, Corey Lewandowski said in an interview with Fox News Sean Hannity on Tuesday. Lewandowski, an informal Trump adviser expected to join his administration, said Trump has a shown a stronger commitment to the U.S. military and American businesses than the Obama administrations second term by vowing to reduce the amount of government regulations so they can continue to grow at a rate higher than the current economy. His presidency is summed up in two words: America first, Lewandowski said. I love it. At an event at Carrier Corporation in Indianapolis last week, Trump touted his ability to broker a deal that he said would keep 1,100 factory jobs from being moved to Mexico. Those are hard-working Americans who are going to be able to keep their jobs here and have a great Christmas, Lewandowski said. You can say again, Merry Christmas, because Donald Trump is now the president. You can say it again. Its OK to say, its not a pejorative word anymore. But according the United Steelworkers union, workers at the plant were informed that Trumps deal with Carrier will save 730 positions, while more than 550 are still being moving to Monterrey, Mexico. He got up there, and, for whatever reason, lied his ass off, Chuck Jones, president of the United Steelworkers 1999, which represents Carrier employees, told the Washington Post. I almost threw up in my mouth. Story continues On Tuesday, Trump took credit for Japan-based SoftBanks $50 billion investment in U.S. startups after a meeting with Masayoshi Son, the companys chief executive, at Trump Tower. Masa (SoftBank) of Japan has agreed to invest $50 billion in the U.S. toward businesses and 50,000 new jobs, the president-elect tweeted. Masa said he would never do this had we (Trump) not won the election! But according to Bloomberg, SoftBan and Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund unveiled a good portion of the venture before the Nov. 8 election. No matter. Donald Trump is a businessman, Lewandowski said. Fifty billion dollars and 50,000 jobs in the first four weeks? We continue down this path, were going to have to have an increase in immigration to fill up all these jobs. Two appellate courts, one federal, the other state, Tuesday issued contradictory opinions on the presidential recount in Michigan as state officials re-examined ballots in eight counties and were scheduled to start the process in others. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati and the Michigan Court of Appeals handed down opposing opinions on whether the recount, sought by Green Party candidate Jill Stein, should go forward. The 2-1 6th Circuit opinion upheld U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmiths decision to order the recount, saying the judge had not abused his discretion in doing so. The Michigan Republican Party had sought to block the recount. The ruling, however, did not address whether the recount was legal, just eliminated a delay in starting it. "If subsequently, the Michigan courts determine the ... recount is improper under Michigan state law for any reason, we expect the district court to entertain any properly filed motions to dissolve or modify this order in this case," the court said. In a dissenting opinion, Judge David McKeague said Goldsmith had overstepped. On the state level, the appellate court ruled 3-0 the Board of Canvassers never should have allowed the recount to proceed because Stein did not qualify as an aggrieved candidate since she won only 1 percent of the vote. The court ordered the board to reconsider and reject the recount petition, saying Stein had no standing because she had no chance of winning the election. recount Photo: Rebecca Cook/Reuters Stein has said the purpose of the recount is to establish confidence in the U.S. election system, saying she wants to allay suspicions of irregularities. "For the voices of Michigan's people to be heard and their votes counted in the 2016 presidential election, Michigan must complete a recount," Stein's attorneys in the 6th Circuit petition. "In this election, the machines failed to register votes for president in over 75,000 ballots cast. Story continues President-elect Donald Trump has railed against Steins recount challenges in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, accusing her of conducting a scam to fill party coffers. All three states voted for Trump. In Michigan, Trump beat Democrat Hillary Clinton by just 10,704 votes. The Pennsylvania challenge has since been halted. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette late Tuesday asked the federal panel to stay its order. In the interim, we will keep recounting, said Chris Thomas, the states elections director. The Board of Canvassers was scheduled to meet at 9:30 a.m. EST, Wednesday. Related Articles KENDALLVILLE The City Council Tuesday night praised Flint & Walling officials for not only expanding operations into a vacant industrial building and creating jobs but bringing the manufacture of a new product line from a plant in Mexico. Council members unanimously approved two tax abatement resolutions for the company that is celebrating 150 years in business in the Kendallville community. These are two huge benefits to our community (job creation and bringing an operation from Mexico), and we should be proud to have a company like Flint & Walling in the community, said Councilman Steve Clouse. Councilman Frank Walkup praised Flint & Walling for its 150 years of business in Kendallville and the good wages it pays its employees. Councilman Regan Ford complimented the company for taking over a vacant building that probably would have sat empty for a while and investing more than $5 million in the community. Mayor Suzanne Handshoe reminded the council that during the recession in 2009 and 2010, Flint & Walling was one of the few companies not to lay off employees. A three-year abatement was approved for the companys $1,250,000 purchase of the former Superior Essex building at 800 W. Mitchell St. State law allows for a maximum three-year abatement on buildings that have been vacant for at least one year. Superior Essex closed its West Mitchell Street magnet-wire plant in April 2015, resulting in the loss of 52 jobs. Flint & Walling is in the process of acquiring the 97,995-square-foot building. The sliding-scale abatement means Flint & Walling will pay no taxes on the building in the first year, with 66 percent abated in the second year and 33 percent in the third year. The company will save approximately $70,138 in taxes. A 10-year, sliding-scale abatement was approved for $4,069,500 in equipment. The sliding scale means Flint & Walling will pay no taxes on the equipment in the first year, with 90 percent abated in the second year, 80 percent in the third year and so on. The company will save about $240,000 in taxes. Flint & Walling will be introducing a new line of electric motors and is planning to bring products currently made in Mexico back to the United States. The company presently has 164 employees manufacturing pumps and water systems at its plant at 95 Oak St. The tax abatements will help the company retain its employees and add 20 full-time employees for the new product line. The Economic Development Advisory Committee voted Nov. 28 to recommend the abatements. Flint & Walling hopes to occupy the West Mitchell Street building this month and begin making electric motors by the end of January. The expansion will generate approximately $880,339 in wages. The abatements must be approved by the state before taking effect. In other business, the council passed on first reading a special ordinance fixing the following 2017 elected officials salaries: Mayor Suzanne Handshoe, $54,557; Clerk-Treasurer Sheryl Hanes, $51,339; council members, $4,500; and Board of Public Works and Safety members, $4,500. Handshoe and Hanes will receive a $1,000 pay raise, the same as city employees, and council members and Board of Public Works and Safety members salaries will remain the same as this year. Elected officials salaries are covered by the citys general fund and water and sewer funds. The ordinance will be eligible for second and third readings at the councils Dec. 20 meeting. Council members also recognized Tree Commission member David Christianson for his service on the commission and new police Officer Matthew Todd, who was sworn in by Handshoe and Police Chief Rob Wiley. Every day, police departments throughout the country encounter people with mental illness. Officers must stabilize volatile situations, build quick rapport with troubled people, make what amounts to a rapid psychiatric assessment and keep the surrounding public safe. It's a tall order. That's where crisis intervention training comes in. It helps officers recognize people with conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, protect people with autism or dementia from wandering into danger, keep suicidal people from harming themselves and prevent armed people experiencing psychotic episodes from hurting others. [See: 9 Things to Do or Say When a Loved One Talks About Taking Their Life.] In November, the Montgomery County Police Department allowed two U.S. News reporters to attend sessions during a weeklong training in Rockville, Maryland, that the county's Police Department Chief J. Thomas Manger described as "all about getting more tools" to officers who deal with mentally ill people on the street. Packed Agenda This crisis intervention training, or CIT, encompassed a packed 40 hours that could easily fill a college semester, admits Officer Scott Davis, coordinator for the Montgomery County CIT program. On the first day alone, officers heard from a teen with autism, had a schizophrenia-like experience with distressing voices, learned about suicide and violence prevention and discussed practical matters such as emergency petitions and hospital-related issues. In one seminar, Officer Laurie Reyes, the autism/intellectual and development disabilities officer for Montgomery County, explained that with autism, people sometimes show no fear of consequences, have verbal limitations and are sensitive to light and touch. Reyes brought in a 14-year-old boy with autism with whom she's worked. "Understand that we don't respond to directions right away," the teen said. Things like loud voices or noises make him feel uncomfortable, he explained. Story continues Officers also donned headsets to experience what it is like to hear voices. It started as low, indeterminate whispers from one voice. Before long, there were multiple voices, male and female, some agitated, others denigrating, laced with obscenities. Maria Zammichieli, a psychologist with the Montgomery County Crisis Center, asked officers: "Can you imagine what it's like for people who hear voices who have no idea when they'll stop or when they'll start?" The training "is needed now more than ever for cops," said participant Detective Frank Tona of the Charles County [Maryland] Office of the Sheriff. "The training taught us to recognize and assess the symptoms of mental illness, while at the same time keeping the patient, citizens and your fellow officers safe." Nationwide Need Increasingly, law enforcement agencies are providing training to their officers on how to peacefully resolve encounters with people with mental health issues, says Louis Dekmar, first vice president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and chief of police in LaGrange, Georgia. More than 2,500 police departments now hold regular CIT trainings nationwide. "Mental illness has become criminalized because ultimately it's the police who are dealing with these individuals," Dekmar says, pointing to the dramatic reduction in psychiatric treatment beds in public hospitals in the last six decades -- from more than 500,000 in the 1950s to fewer than 50,000 nationwide today, although the U.S. population has doubled. Interest in CIT continues to grow amid a series of highly publicized police-involved shootings, followed by widespread community anger. Mental illness of some sort is often a factor: -- An analysis by The Washington Post found that one-quarter of the 462 people shot to death by police nationwide during the first six months of 2015 were suffering from a mental or emotional crisis. Most of these people were armed, and police were called by family members or others who reported that the person was behaving in an erratic manner. -- A review that the Los Angeles Police Department released publicly in March, reported by the Los Angeles Times, found that 14 of the 38 people shot by LAPD officers in 2015 were mentally ill. -- An Atlanta Journal-Constitution series documented that at least 25 percent of the 184 people police officers fatally shot in Georgia since 2010 showed some signs of mental illness. Dekmar says crisis training has helped officers in his department resolve more encounters peacefully. The LaGrange Police Department began providing crisis intervention training to its officers around 2004. Before the training, officers used force during arrests between 100 and 120 times a year. Post-training, the department has averaged between 48 and 60 uses of force a year, the chief says. Multiple police encounters aren't uncommon for people with mental health issues. The LaGrange police department identified 25 such people who officers had arrested 200 times combined. In 2013, LaGrange officials launched a mental health court program, providing treatment options instead of incarceration. Since then, the 25 people have been arrested three times collectively. The shift is "what happens when police understand the mental health issue," Dekmar says. [See: How Social Workers Help Your Health.] Team Response The Montgomery County Police Department has been providing CIT training for 16 years, Davis says. Officers are exposed to a variety of perspectives, including insights from community members as well as a speaker from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Midway through CIT training, officers visit two area mental health facilities. CIT classes are held in the Montgomery County Crisis Center, which provides 24/7 services to people in need, by phone or in person. The center, operated under the Department of Health and Human Services, also offers a Mobile Crisis Outreach team that will respond anywhere within the county to provide emergency psychiatric evaluations. Police can turn to the team for expert consultation, and therapists may be incorporated to provide a dual response. Behavioral health technicians, licensed clinical social workers and psychologists may also bring their expertise to the scene. Real-Life Quandaries On the last day of training, the classroom atmosphere was mostly relaxed as officers acted out on-the-street scenarios with trainers in character as people in a mental health crisis. Responses were evaluated and critiqued by Crisis Center therapist Mary Witteried and colleagues, along with police trainers. The exercise provided a chance for participants to zero in on less-helpful behaviors, like multiple officers speaking simultaneously and adding to the sense of chaos. Scenarios such as the following, taken from real-life cases, posed "What would you do?" challenges: -- The call comes in from a group home: A resident is acting strangely. When the officers arrive, the person is soaked in sweat and urine and doesn't respond when asked if he's diabetic or is taking medication. Bystanders aren't sure. Cops get an emergency petition, and the person is rushed to the hospital. It turns out the person, whose blood sugar was above 500, had diabetes-induced psychosis. Despite officers' intervention, the person died two days later. -- The well-to-do man calls repeatedly. He's been hearing things through walls, and certain his house will be burglarized, keeps changing the locks. In need of treatment for his delusions, he's afraid to leave his home. Officers performing in the scenario reassure him they'll keep an eye on his belongings while he's gone to make it easier to get him to help. But therapists disagree with this solution -- it's not a realistic use of manpower. Lying to the man will erode credibility. However, the officers defend their approach -- you do what must to wrap up the case. Instead, a veteran suggests, tell him you'll be sure to lock up after everyone leaves. Reassuring but truthful. [See: 10 Concerns Parents Have About Their Kids' Health.] These are just some of the quandaries that police officers deal with on a routine basis. "By nature, officers try to go out there and help people anyway," Davis says. "That's why we signed up for the job." It's better to be polite during cases, he says, for instance calling people "sir" or "ma'am" and not trying to be tough. He advises helping people save face a bit -- if possible, showing up in casual khakis and official polo shirts instead of full uniform. Or avoiding handcuffing people in the street in view of their neighbors. During tense encounters, he says, it's good to "slow things down, let people vent, let people do their thing. If they want to cuss for a couple more minutes, that's fine. If they're not hurting somebody else -- me or themselves -- then we're OK with that." For Davis, it helps to put himself in another's shoes. "I couldn't even begin to imagine what a lot of these individuals go through," he says. "With their battle with hearing distressed voices; auditory hallucinations. [They] didn't sign up for that. They didn't say, 'This is how I want to live my life.' You've got to try and get them help. Show a little bit of understanding; a little bit of empathy." Hosting a CNN special dubbed The Messy Truth, political commentator Van Jones explored how Americans are feeling about the election a month later. It turns out that nobody's feeling very good. Featuring both Hillary and Trump voters as well as specials guests Rick Santorum, Republican strategist Ana Navarro and filmmaker Michael Moore, the show began with a folksy, impassioned appeal by Jones, who decried the nation's fractured state. "This is America," he began. "At some point we have got to do better." He went on to lay blame on both major political parties, saying that they both "kinda suck" and pointing to Democrat "elitism" and Republican "bigotry and bias." He added that while he didn't expect the two sides to agree during the program, he hoped that they would engage in "constructive disagreement." Based on the results, he's going to have to host a lot more shows. Read more: CNN's Van Jones on Bill Maher, Prince and That On-Air KKK Debate The hour began with a segment depicting Jones' road trip to Ohio, which had the feel of a National Geographic ethnographic exploration. There, cake box in hand, he visited an Ohio family of Democrats, including three grown children, who had voted for Trump despite having supported Obama in the last two presidential elections. They had "voted for change," explained the father. All of them, that is, except his wife, who voted Democratic down the line but declined to cast a vote for Hillary. "She scared me," she said of Hillary, although admitting that Trump scared her as well. "We are what makes the world go round," the patriarch explained about the manufacturing companies in the Rust Belt, adding, in a subtle paraphrase of Trump's trademark line, "We truly want to make America better." When Jones asked him what he actually wanted Trump to do, he replied, "We want him to come to the area." These are people who are clearly starved for attention, and it's safe to say that now they've got it. Story continues Back at the studio in New York City's Time Warner Center, Jones talked with Santorum, whom he described as "America's sweater vest-wearing superdad." (Unfortunately, the last time we had one of those, he turned out to be an alleged serial rapist.) Admitting to his guest that "we live in different bubbles," the host quickly turned the conversation to race, asking Santorum if he had been bothered by Jones' comment shortly after the election that it was a sign of an American "whitelash" against a black president. Read more: Michael Moore: "Majority of Americans Did Not Want Donald J. Trump" "You stirred up my family," Santorum replied, before going on to say that if anyone was to blame for America's increased racial tensions, it was Obama, apparently for having brought up the issue. Santorum continued his bizarre line of reasoning in response to a question from a Muslim law student who described the "devastation and fear in the eyes" of her family members and friends after Trump's election. "You should feel much better about religious liberty" under Trump than Obama, Santorum told her, while Jones was probably wondering if the whole program had been a big mistake. Santorum's worst moment came in response to a tearful appeal by a young undocumented Mexican immigrant who was brought to this country when she was seven. Now an engineering instructor, and terrified that she'll lose her career and be deported, she asked Santorum what advice he would give her. In a display of the sort of compassionate conservatism that we can expect to see for at least the next four years, Santorum advised her to leave the country. "Give the gift that America's given you to the world," he said in his most Mister Rogers tone. Except he made it clear she wasn't welcome in his neighborhood. Navarro quickly jumped in, praising the young woman as the sort of person America should value and imploring her to stay and fight, and to be public about it. "Anonymity is no longer an option," Navarro told her. Navarro, who's essentially broken from her own party, delivered a fiery diatribe against Trump's hateful, racist rhetoric. "Donald Trump released the Kraken," she thundered, earning points for the savvy pop culture reference. But Navarro was a pussycat compared to Moore, one of the few Democrats who actually forecast Trump's victory months before it happened. (Perhaps Moore should become the new head of the Democratic National Committee.) "I got over my five stages [of grief] back in June," Moore commented, pointing to his having accurately predicted that Trump would win the four "Brexit states" of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. "I live in MichiganI don't live in the bubble," Moore pointed out. Even while decrying the Democrats, who lost two of the last five presidential elections despite having won the popular vote - "They lose when they win!" he marveled - Moore advised them to "take some comfort" in the fact that the majority of Americans voted against Trump. Moore also sharply disagreed with a voter who said that he supported Trump because of his pro-American trade policies. "He hasn't done anything for you yet," Moore told him. "He raised the issue," the man responded. Jones tried to persuade Moore that the Democrats should work with the president-elect, arguing that if they didn't, it would only lead to the sort of paralysis that's afflicted Washington for years. But Moore would have none of it, describing Trump as a "malignant narcissist" and saying that it was the "responsibility" of Congressional Democrats to "block and obstruct." "This is not a Kumbaya moment," Moore declared, adding that the day after Trump is inaugurated, the Republican majority Congress would pass "one piece of suffering after another." Ah well. So much for "constructive disagreement." Read more: Michael Moore's Once-Shocking Prediction of a Trump Presidency Now Feels Very Prescient By Igor Ilic ZAGREB (Reuters) - Public sector trade unions on Wednesday rejected a wage bill increase proposed by the Croatian government and invited the country's conservative prime minister to join the negotiations in person. The government agreed in early 2009, at the beginning of the global financial crisis, that it would increase the wages of public sector workers 6 percent a year once the economy grew on average 2 percent in two consecutive quarters. That condition was met last year but the government, led by the HDZ party which was also in power in 2009, now says the salary increases are unsustainable given the country's fragile budget. The government proposes a small compensation payment for 2016 before a two percent wage rise in January and an additional two percent increase next December, union leaders said. "We do not accept the government's proposal. We invite Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic to join the talks which are set to continue on Friday," Branimir Mihalinec, one of the union leaders, told a news conference. The Unions want the full six percent increase in 2017 which they say could be done in phases and a solution for the raise they say they were due this year. The annual cost of the salary increase promised in 2009 would be an estimated 1.5 to 2.0 billion kuna ($284.64 million), or some 0.5 percent of gross domestic product, according to the government and unions. The government says it wants to resolve the deadlock but that any solution must not undermine its fiscal consolidation efforts. Croatia is under pressure from Brussels to reduce its budget gap and tame the public debt. Public debt currently stands at about 85 percent of GDP. For years Croatia has run a budget gap of more than three percent of GDP for years. The government targets a gap of 1.7 percent this year and 1.6 percent in 2017. It expects its 2017 budget proposal to be adopted on Thursday. The unions have threatened legal action if no solution is found. (Reporting by Igor Ilic; editing by Richard Lough) ARTISTIC ROOTS Descended from a long line of Chinese artists and poets, Szeto, 31, got plenty of encouragement from his parents when it came to creative pursuits. But his mother did have one suggestionto eschew Hollywood in favor of Hong Kong, where opportunities for Asian actors are more plentiful. But Szeto ultimately decided to leave his hometown of Vancouver and move to Los Angeles, not only because of his lifelong love for American movies but because he saw a chance to fill a void. At least I tried, instead of following the tide to Hong Kong, where Im just the same as everyone else and Im not changing anything, he says. And oh, man, Im so glad theres a good result so far. BIG BREAK Although Szetos studied acting for years, The Edge of Seventeen is his first major film, in which he plays an awkward high schooler named Erwin. And while Szeto was the first actor whom writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig and producer James L. Brooks cast, he couldnt help but feel overwhelmed when he got to set. Still, he says, his own nervousness helped him connect with Erwin and his clumsy attempts to get the girl. Overcoming that worked for Erwin as well, Szeto says. I barely had to do any character work because I felt it on set. TAKING A CUE Since debuting at the Toronto Film Festival, the R-rated film has been hailed as a snarky heir to the John Hughes teen-movie throne, due in large part to its sharp, sparkling dialogue. Actress Hailee Steinfeld stars as the angsty protagonist Nadine (and the object of Erwins affection), and despite their age gap, Szeto found himself picking up tips from his teenage costar. Thats something I had to accept, learning from this 19-year-old that is a goddess of acting, he says. And she can sing. PAVING THE WAY Fremon Craig told Szeto she wrote Erwin as Asian-American to reflect the friends she had in college, and as the debate rages on about Asian underrepresentation and whitewashing in Hollywood, Erwin makes for a rare character: the Asian-American love interest (whose race isnt a plot point). Szeto says he was aware of the roles revolutionary significance from the moment he was cast, calling it a big deal to the Asian community, but hed rather see less time spent analyzing Erwin and more time devoted to creating other characters like him. This is a small victory, says Szeto. We should definitely give it a nod and continue moving forward because theres so much more we can do. Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham's 11-year-old son, Cruz, has released his debut single, "If Every Day Was Christmas," with proceeds going to a youth charity in the UK, Make Some Noise. The budding pop star has also signed with Justin Bieber manager Scooter Braun, who was quick to defend his tween charge when a British radio host took a shot at the Beckham's for putting their son in the spotlight. Cruz Beckham began teasing the song on his Instagram account earlier this week (it is available now on iTunes), before it debuted on British radio on Wednesday morning (Dec. 7). During the Capital FM appearance to announce the single, Cruz told listeners the song brings together his two favorite things: "singing and Christmas... and it's amazing to put those together and the money is going to charity," he said, according to Sky News. Dad David Beckham said he was "really proud," of his little guy. "He's having fun, he's enjoying it." The appearance wasn't without controversy, though, as irascible British radio host Piers Morgan criticized the Beckhams on "Good Morning Britain," for "putting these kids into the public domain while simultaneously saying privacy." Morgan said Cruz should be "going to school" instead of releasing singles. The young star's manager, Braun, came to his defense when Morgan tweeted, "he's an 11-yr-old child being cynically pimped out by his famous parents with your collusion. Be proud Scooter!" Braun shot back, "he is an 11 year old who wanted to make a song to help other kids. Once again Piers shows why he is a jackass and why his show was cancelled." Cruz Beckham has made his official musical debut! The 11-year-old son of Victoria and David Beckham released his first single "If Everyday Was Christmas" on iTunes on Wednesday. "#IfEveryDayWasChristmas out now on @AppleMusic!! All proceeds to @makenoise," Cruz tweeted, promoting the British charity. #IfEveryDayWasChristmas out now on @AppleMusic!! All proceeds to @globals_make_some_noise smarturl.it/IEDWCi A photo posted by Cruz Beckham (@cruzbeckham) on Dec 6, 2016 at 11:41pm PST WATCH: Cruz Beckham Performs Incredibly Sweet Cover of Justin Bieber's 'Home to Mama' -- Listen! Cruz's proud mom also posted a video of his backup choir, writing, "Love a choir at Christmas!! So proud of @CruzBeckham Thank u @RodneyJerkins X VB #IfEveryDayWasChristmas @AppleMusic." But not everyone was pleased with the youngster's decision to release new music. Good Morning Britain co-host Piers Morgan slammed the Beckhams on Wednesday's show. "I think your children should go through schooling if [you have] famous parents, without being pushed into the commercial world too early," he said, after holding up a bucket and saying he wanted to throw up into it over the news. It's out with the sick bucket again with @piersmorgan and today's culprit is Cruz Beckham and his new Christmas single... @susannareid100 pic.twitter.com/R7rZKYAAZf Good Morning Britain (@GMB) December 7, 2016 The outspoken talk show host also took to Twitter to continue his tirade against the famous family, writing, "They deliberately exploit their family for commercial gain. We are thus all entitled to comment," and added, "I'm trying to protect Cruz Beckham from his fame-hungry parents." Story continues Cruz's voice has been compared to a young Justin Bieber, and the Biebs' longtime manager, Scooter Braun, even got into the conversation, slamming Morgan on Twitter. They deliberately exploit their family for commercial gain. We are thus all entitled to comment. https://t.co/dW63Gr4Nuw Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 7, 2016 I'm trying to protect Cruz Beckham from his fame-hungry parents. https://t.co/vOqXuS5qfh Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 7, 2016 WATCH: Victoria and David Beckham's Adorable Son Cruz Channels Justin Bieber Again "He is an 11 year old who wanted to make a song to help other kids," Braun wrote. "Once again Piers shows why he is a jacka** and why his show was cancelled Some people in this world make a living out of finding the worst in every situation. It means they have a career.. not class. Just a career." He went on to personally call out Morgan, writing, "@piersmorgan how about you match him dollar for dollar to the charity? Instead of criticizing step up and help these kids the way Cruz is." Some people in this world make a living out of finding the worst in every situation. It means they have a career..not class. Just a career Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) December 7, 2016 . @piersmorgan how about you match him dollar for dollar to the charity? Instead of criticizing step up and help these kids the way Cruz is. Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) December 7, 2016 Morgan replied, "Stop pretending this is about charity when it's about promoting Brand Beckham & making YOU a ton of money off another young kid's back Only one massive hypocrite around here, Scooter the guy using a kid to line his pockets. Again" Stop pretending this is about charity when it's about promoting Brand Beckham & making YOU a ton of money off another young kid's back. https://t.co/5kZySmr49I Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 7, 2016 MORE: Cruz Beckham Sounds Just Like Justin Bieber in Victoria Beckham's New Video The Beckhams have not publicly responded to Morgan's comments, but have long been supportive of their son's blossoming music career. David first posted a video of Cruz singing Anna Kendrick's "Cups" in April, which sparked fan interest in his Bieber-like sound. For more from Cruz's singing career, watch the clip below! Related Articles By Patricia Zengerle and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers joined more than 100 Cuban entrepreneurs on Wednesday to urge President-elect Donald Trump to continue President Barack Obamas engagement with Havana, despite Trumps threat to end detente with the island. Preparing for what could be a long fight, five congressional Democrats and one Republican held a news conference in Washington with Cuban entrepreneurs whose businesses had grown since the two countries moved toward more normal relations two years ago. "I hope that the next president of the United States, as a businessman, understands our needs," said Yamina Vicente, who owns Decorazon, a party planning and decorating business in Havana. "A few years ago, a new era of dreams in Cuba began. I hope that my children will be able to dream, too," Vicente said. More than 100 Cuban small business owners sent a letter to Republican Trump on Wednesday urging him not to roll back Obama's rules to ease restrictions on travel, trade and investment and toward more normal diplomatic relations. The appeal to Trump from Cuba's fledgling private sector underscored uncertainty about future relations between the two former Cold War foes, given his vow to halt what he called Obamas "deal" unless Havana agreed to new terms. Obama administration officials, seeking to further cement changes before Trump takes office on Jan. 20, held talks with Cuban counterparts in Havana on Wednesday. It was the first such meeting since Trump's election and the death of Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro. Appealing to Trump's roots as a real estate developer, the Cuban entrepreneurs wrote, As a successful businessman, were confident that you understand the importance of economic engagement between nations. "Additional measures to increase travel, trade and investment will benefit our companies, the Cuban people and U.S. national interests," they wrote. RESTAURANTS, HAIR SALONS, CAR REPAIR The letter was organized by Cuba Educational Travel, a U.S. company that arranges trips to the island, and the Washington lobbying group Engage Cuba. It was signed by startups and small entrepreneurs including family-owned restaurants, technology firms, car services and hair salons. The Obama administration has pressed for additional business with Cuba in hopes of making detente irreversible. Companies fear reversing Obamas opening could cost them hundreds of millions of dollars. Several U.S. airlines have begun direct flights to Cuba, a U.S. firm signed a contract to manage a hotel there, and industries from agriculture to technology are looking into opportunities involving the island. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd and Norwegian Cruise Line said on Wednesday they had received approval from Cuba's government to operate cruises to the island. Cuban officials in Havana said on Wednesday that they are open to continuing to deepen the detente with the Trump administration, but also hope to reach half a dozen more business agreements before Obama leaves office next month. Obama and President Raul Castro announced a breakthrough in diplomatic relations in December 2014. Since then, ties have been restored, and Obama has used executive actions to ease some business and travel restrictions, although the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress has resisted removing the broader U.S. embargo. Trump has said Democrat Obama should have cut a "better deal," echoing critics who have said Cuba won too many concessions from the United States. At a campaign rally in Miami, Trump said he would seek to reverse the policy unless Cuba allowed greater freedom. The Cuban government so far has mostly refrained from commenting on Trump's statements. Obama's opening to Cuba is considered one of his legacy foreign policy achievements. Supporters say the policy is improving Cubans' lives while opening cracks in the socialist system. Democratic U.S. Representative James McGovern urged businesses that might have Trump's ear to make the case for further opening. "Make sure that they know that it is important that we not go backward. Call the president-elect, Tweet the president-elect. Whatever works," he said. Raul Castro started introducing market-style reforms in 2011. Cuban entrepreneurs have complained, however, that more changes are needed. Private businesses still have no access to wholesale stores and can only import or export via government agencies. Internet service on the island is also limited. (Additional reporting by Sarah Marsh in Havana; Editing by Andrew Hay, Jim Finkle, Grant McCool) This dad had a precious freakout over alpacas, and it will make your day A man traveling in Peru sent his family photos of an alpaca he met and proceeded to freakout about how cute it was. Alexandria Neonakis, 32, posted screenshots of her familys group text, in which her dad, Dimitrus, shared photos of the alpacas and his trip to Peru. This was the absolute SOFTEST most HUGGABLE animal EVER. It is an alpaca, he wrote to his family, alongside a photo of him hugging the alpaca with the happiest grin on his face. Its wool was so soft on my face it kept me laughing. That was the softest ever. My dad is in Peru having a melt down over alpacas. pic.twitter.com/d7JkPM1tWs Alexandria Neonakis (@Beavs) December 6, 2016 Alexandria said her dad then went out of his way to meet other Alpacas on his trip. I guess the rest of the internet also thought it was awesome, Alexandria said. Twitter users retweeted her screenshots more than 30,000 times. According to Alexandria, her father is a lover of animals but Alpacas are definitely his new favorite. Well, Alexandria: Your dad is OUR new favorite. The post This dad had a precious freakout over alpacas, and it will make your day appeared first on HelloGiggles. Related Links: Contrary to popular belief, the vehicles of the United States Armed Forces are not fuelled by warlock blood and 3 Doors Down records. Americas military might still requires somewhat more traditional fuels, but as The Daily Shows Hasan Minhaj discovered, the U.S. Navy is currently embracing a new green era. Who says Late Night Week cant be educational and environmentally conscious? On tonights edition of the Comedy Central news program, Minhaj investigated the navys shift into employing a biofuel strategy and (more importantly) pondered whether or not the Armed Forces can be a badass organization without going hard on fossil fuels. Whats next? The naval band performing My Morning Jacket tunes during its gap year? Seeing as this is The Daily Show, Minhajs faux expose is mostly an opportunity to skewer voices calling for an end to exploring better options for the environment. (Disappointing political tactics ahoy!) Oh, also the Secretary of the Navy got to analyze Minhajs artistic rending of what would happen to Americas naval strength if things kept moving in this method. What in the world is that? Is that a doobie? asks Navy Secretary Ray Mabus. Yes, Mr. Secretary, that is a doobie. Come to think of it, attitudes towards marijuana in the country suggest that such an approach wouldnt do half-bad. (Via Comedy Central) FORT WAYNE Two Carroll High School students Hunter Zabolotney and Jake Arnett were involved in a car crash Nov. 28, leaving them both critically injured. The accident happened around 9:15 p.m. on the 6800 block of Schlatter Road. The car was reported to have hit a utility pole and was found in a wooded area in close proximity to the crash. An officer on scene reported that heavy rain and wind could have contributed to the crash. Both boys were taken to the hospital in critical condition. In this time of tragedy, Carroll High School students are coming together in support of their classmates. In particular, senior Xavier Walden has launched a fundraiser to help alleviate a portion of the two families financial burdens. Walden ordered wristbands sporting Hunter and Jake Strong on them, and is selling them for $4 each. He is advertising them on Twitter along with a message to spread the word. He came up with the idea for wristbands after remembering his own time spent in the hospital, and hopes that this will let both Zabolotney and Arnett know that they have emotional support. Nobody was taking action about the situation, just discussing it, Walden said. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and raise money for these guys and their families whose lives are going to be different because of the accident. He reported that he has received orders of up to 20 wristbands at a time, and a multitude of people have simply purchased one or two. With his sisters help, Walden has also created a GoFundMe page as an option for those who wish to contribute more than the amount for a wristband. Through Monday, over $1,500 was raised. Its amazing to see so many people want to contribute and help. I just know somebody would do the same for me, Walden said. Many students have been emotionally affected by the crash. For those who feel they need someone to talk to, Carroll High School provides grief counseling in times of tragedy. The schools Student Assistant Program counselor Paige Clingenpeel is a therapeutic support crisis intervention provider employed by Parkview. Students who need support while dealing with a tragedy are advised to go to Clingenpeel and are not required to schedule an appointment. She has taken courses in grief therapy and is able to provide help for the students who need it. Clingenpeel isnt the only resource available to students. She believes the staff at Carroll handles students grief well and effectively connects students to services they need. She also says that teachers are becoming much more observant of how their students are feeling. Here at this school, I do not believe teachers are here to just teach and then send them off, Clingenpeel said. I think they truly want a relationship with these kids, and so they are able then to pick up on some of these struggles these teens are having. Carroll is connected through staff, students, and administrators, and that can be seen during a time like this. The student body has shown support for one another as well as staff showing support for the students. The Carroll community continues to do its best as Zabolotney and Arnett begin recovery and as Clingenpeel describes, will continue to support one another as a family. Tess Plazek is a Carroll High School senior interning with KPC Media Group. Will Cris Cyborg Justinos next fight in the UFC be at featherweight? (Getty) The ongoing saga of what weight Cris Cyborg Justinos next fight would be at has been a complicated one. However, it appears that the UFC was willing to finally open the door for one of the most dominant women in all of MMA to compete in a newly formed featherweight division. Although Justino had fought twice in the UFC at a catchweight of 140 pounds, the Brazilian struggled mightily to make weight on both occasions and stated that she wouldnt be able to cut below that without having severe medical issues. Without a 145-pound division, she essentially was a fighter who floated around with nothing at stake. UFC president Dana White revealed on the UFC Unfiltered podcast that Justino, who currently holds the Invicta FC 145-pound title, was offered a pair of fights against Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie for what would be the inaugural UFC womens featherweight title. Unfortunately, Justino turned both fights down. I offered Cris Cyborg a title fight at 145 pounds about a month ago, White said. She had eight weeks to get ready for it. She said she couldnt make the weight. A second fight was offered with more time for Cyborg to make weight. Again, Justino declined. Then I offered her another 145-pound title fight for Brooklyn [UFC 208 on Feb. 11]. She turned it down. She turned down two 145-pound title fights. White expressed frustration with Cyborgs decision considering that she has long implored the UFC to introduce a 145-pound decision. But the Invicta champion spoke to MMA Fighting and revealed her reason for declining both fights. In my last weight cut I almost died, she said in a statement. I was in the bathtub cutting weight, and I thought, I will die in this bathtub. It was the worst weight cut in my life. She placed blame on nutritionist George Lockharts methods to get her down to the 140-pound limit but ultimately had to shed 24 pounds in seven days to make weight before her September 24 bout with Lina Lansberg, which she won by second-round TKO. She stated that she would no longer work with Lockhart and explained that the weight cut left her in treatment for 10 days. When the call came for Cyborg to open up the 145-pound division, she simply wasnt physically ready to train and compete. [The UFC] invited me to fight again, but this time at my weight and for the belt, but with 10 weeks notice, she said. Knowing that I was recovering, like I said, I told them I can fight anyone in March, but I need to take care of my body, and no mention of the fact that Im dealing with severe depression and cant have another brutal weight cut like before. This decision is more important than the belt or the division, Im thinking about my health. What appeared to be an end to an ongoing situation has only brought up more questions than answers. Will the UFC still offer her the opportunity to open up the womens featherweight division despite her declining a pair of fights? If that door opens again, who will it be against? This certainly wont be the last time we hear about Cyborgs dealings with the UFC. Although Nick Cannon has been wearing turbans throughout the year, comedian Dane Cook took issue with it on Tuesday night. Following the airing of the Victorias Secret Fashion Show, the funny man took to Instagram to call the Americas Got Talent host out for wearing something he felt was inappropriate, and Cannon responded the following day. He wore a matching tie and bottom lip lipstick too to match this horrific clothing mistake x10000. This pic makes me so frustrated that I want to delete it already and I think I will because this makes me want to quit Instagram, Cook wrote attached to a photo of Cannon in the turban. In his post, the comedian condemned the actor for walking out of the house thinking his choice to wear the turban in public was okay. Along with wanting to quit Instagram, Cook blamed Cannon for making him punch his refrigerator out of frustration and spit on a birds nest. The comedian ended his post by telling people to follow him on social media. Nick Cannon Photo: Getty On Wednesday, Cannon responded to Cooks rant telling the comedian to call him so he can school him in the King Business. The actor posted the comment as a part of a caption attached to several pictures of himself wearing a turban. The host previously explained that wearing a turban is much deeper than a trendy fashion choice. I want to represent my inner king, and to do it in a fly way, he said. Its a great conversation piece but it also allows me to express that spiritual side I have a good time with it, but it actually does mean a lot to me, Cannon said during a Facebook live interview with People. Cook has yet to respond to Cannons latest post. Related Articles Enter for a chance to win on December 6, 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: $198 Travel + Leisure may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this email. Sonyis 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 Giveaways is open to residents of the 48 contiguous United States and D.C., age 18 or older. Void in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, outside the United States and 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 Unless youre a total Scrooge, its hard to argue with the fact that glitter lights and colorful accents make a home look more cheerful and inviting. But you also probably know that if youre trying to sell your home, buyers need to have an easy time imagining themselves (and their own holiday traditions) in your home. You dont have to ditch the holiday decorations altogether. But you shouldnt hang all the boughs of holly, Christmas lights, Hanukkah menorahs, and every holiday card you receive, either. So how do you walk the line during these merry months and let the holiday spirit flow without turning off buyers? Hey, weve got some tipsan early secret Santa gift from us to you! 1. Depersonalize the decorations Its important the design appeals to as many different home buyers and tastes as possible, says Erika Dalager, marketing manager at roOomy, a virtual home staging site. The sellers personal life should not be prominently featured throughout the home. That means avoiding the personal decorations that appeal mostly to you and your family: Best Mom tree ornaments your kids made in preschool Named Christmas stockings Religious tokens and symbols A ton of holiday cards Photos of your babys first Christmas Hope Mazzola, a real estate broker with William Raveis in Katonah, NY, says glitzing a home with over-the-top decorations is like wrapping a house in an ugly holiday sweater. Less is definitely more when it comes to holiday decorations while selling your home, Mazzola says. Enhancing the features of the home versus adding all the bells and whistles will keep buyers on track. 2. Consider the neighborhood If your whole neighborhood gets in the spirit, you dont want to look like a Grinch. Greg Pease/Getty Images But if your neighborhood is ablaze with holidays lights, which herald the blocks values and attract like-minded buyers, then you dont want to be your blocks resident Grinch, says Tori Toth, a New York City home stager. If your neighborhood is festive during Christmas, then a buyer would expect Christmas decorations at your home, Toth says. On the other hand, if you live in a politically correct neighborhood with a mix of religious beliefs, use more generic decorations to promote seasons greetings rather than your specific holiday. Story continues Some real estate pros, however, say you should forgo the decorations regardless of what your neighbors are doing. Putting up decorations while your home is on the market poses more risk than it offers reward, says Sam Pawlitzki, a Los Angeles Realtor. I recommend that sellers stick to the rule of keeping their house impersonal. 3. If you must decorate Sometimes less is more. HannamariaH/iStock Follow these tips for decorating your home while its for sale during the holidays: Avoid the kitsch: Inflatable snowmen, reindeer on the roof, a gazillion angels flapping their wings, or life-size Mike Pence mannequins can seem in poor taste and turn off potential buyers. Classic is always best: Hang an elegant wreath on the front door, rather than a Santa stops here! sign, says Jamie Novak, author of Keep This, Toss That. Dont overdo lights: Simple white lights can add a festive touch without blinding buyers during walk-throughs. Skip the tree: You cant win with a tree. If its too big, it distracts viewers and can make the room seem small. It can also block the flow and make the space seem crowded. And if its tiny, its depressing and sad. Decorate a tree only if you have a great room and you want to show off a high ceiling. Box up the greeting cards: Holiday cards on tables make the room look messy. Stick them in a drawer. Protect presents: Dont stack gifts under a tree or put them on display. The last thing you want this holiday is for a stranger with sticky fingers to walk away with a present. Lock the presents in your car trunk, especially during an open house. Choose scents over scenes: The smell of simmering cider or baked cookies will delight the senses more than garlands strung over everything that doesnt move. Light a fire: A roaring fireplace during a weekday showing is a cozy way to celebrate the winter and warm visitors as well. Nothing cozies up a home like a roaring fireplace. Ron_Thomas/iStock Pump up powder rooms: Place peppermint-scented soaps and candles in the bathrooms along with a few tasteful, holiday-themed towels. They give the rooms some spirit and interest. Celebrate your tradition with color: This may not be the year you display the religious symbols of your holidays, but you dont have to forsake them altogether. If you celebrate Hanukkah, hang a wreath with shades of blue. For Christmas, your wreath can be made of evergreen boughs and pine cones. For Kwanzaa, add red berries to a green wreath. In the end, the most important holiday decision youll make is whether to keep your home on the market during Yuletide: Youll have fewer house hunters, but more motivated buyers. Ask your Realtor whether you should consider delisting your home for the holiday season, and starting fresh after the new year. Watch: How to Decorate a Coffee Table for Each Season The post How Decking the Halls For the Holidays Can Grinch Up Your Home Sale appeared first on Real Estate News & Advice | realtor.com. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md. (Photos: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call, J. Scott Applewhite/AP) Two House Democrats called Wednesday for the creation of a bipartisan national commission modeled after the one that investigated the Sept. 11 terror attacks to investigate foreign interference in the 2016 election. But President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he still rejects, as he did during the campaign, the publicly stated conclusions of the U.S. intelligence community that the Russian government directed cyberattacks against political organizations as part of an effort to interfere with the U.S. election process. I dont believe it. I dont believe they interfered, Trump told Time in an interview that accompanied the magazines selection of him as Person of the Year. Asked by Time if he thought the conclusion of Americas spies was politically driven, Trump said, I think so. Trumps unyielding view would seem to make it less likely that there will be any sort of public probe. But Democrats are determined to press the issue, pointing to recent developments including the alarming rise of fake news sites linked to Russia that they argue make this a matter of bipartisan concern. Regardless of whether you voted for Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton or anyone else, Russias attacks on our election are an attempt to degrade our democracy and should chill every American Democratic, Republican or independent to the core, said Rep. Elijah Cummings, the ranking minority member on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Like the 9/11 commission, this commission will conduct a truly bipartisan and comprehensive review of these attacks and offer specific recommendations to prevent future attacks on our electoral process. Cummings and California Rep. Eric Swalwell, the ranking Democrat on the CIA subcommittee of the House Intelligence Committee, are introducing legislation Wednesday to create a National Commission on Foreign Interference in the 2016 Election. Like the 9/11 commission, the panel would be bipartisan and independent, with 12 commissioners appointed by congressional leaders from both parties. It would be charged with conducting a full-scale investigation into the cyberattacks against the Democratic National Committee and other political groups and leaders. Story continues At the same time, Democrats are pressing the Obama administration to declassify more intelligence details on the attacks and requesting a classified briefing for all members of Congress. Some Republicans, including Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, have also said they believe the issue needs to be investigated. Heres what I would tell Republicans, Graham recently said. We cannot sit on the sidelines as a party and let allegations against a foreign government interfering in our election process go unanswered because it may have been beneficial to our cause. Meanwhile, one of the Democratic leaders in the effort, Rep. Adam Schiff of California, ranking minority member on the House Intelligence Committee, blasted Trump on Wednesday for refusing to accept the conclusions of U.S. intelligence agencies about the Russian hacking and said his new remarks carry water for the Kremlin. Unable to accept the loss of the popular vote and unwilling to acknowledge the Russian role in hacking his opponents campaign, Trump is now peddling two fictions, that millions of illegal immigrants voted and the intelligence community is lying, Schiff said. Both are enormously damaging to the country. Democrats spied an early opportunity this week to divide President-elect Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans on two sleeper issues, previewing a tactic the party could use next year to broaden its popular appeal. Before floor debates in the Senate on Tuesday, Democrats called for long-term funding for retired coal miners health benefits and making permanent Buy America provisions in a water infrastructure bill that would require the government to only fund projects that use American-made steel. Both are working class-focused issues that target the heart of Donald Trumps support in coal country and in steelmaking counties that helped swing the election. We challenge the President-elect to follow through on his promise to Americas working families, incoming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters on Tuesday afternoon. Stand with Democrats in supporting steelworkers and miners across the country. Tell the Republicans to reverse course. Neither water infrastructure nor miners health are glamorous, big-ticket items. But on both, Republicans in Congress are at odds with the ethos, if not the letter of Trumps campaign promises to protect American mining and manufacturing. Republicans in the House led by Speaker Paul Ryan removed a provision from the Water Resources Development Actan infrastructure spending bill on the countrys waterwaysthat would require using American-made steel. Republicans have said in the past they believed the provision would ultimately direct federal funding to some domestic companies and not others. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, meanwhile, has called for temporary funding for miners health benefits as part of a continuing resolution, or short-term government funding mechanism, instead of a long-term fix. What I recommended to the House was miners healthcare for the duration of the CR [continuing resolution], and Im hopeful optimistic that will be part of the CR when it comes over from the House. Story continues Democrats call the Republicans positions inadequate, saying they want a long-term fix in the form of legislation called the Miners Protection Act. Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, along with his Republican counterpart, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, and a couple dozen others called on the legislation to pass by the end of 2016 in order to address shortages in the miners health funds. It sounds like Mitch McConnell is at war with the coal miners, said Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois. Trump campaigned heavily on protecting coal miners, which helped him win states like West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio by large margins. While McConnells proposal would extend a decades-old miners healthcare fund, the solution is not the long-term fix Democrats and some Republicans are calling for. Republicans said they wanted to make sure miners got benefits. Were trying our best to meet those needs, said Rep. Hal Rogers of Kentucky, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Obviously I want to see us take care of those miners as best we can, considering the circumstances. The water infrastructure bill would require government projects to use American-made steel, a provision that is a major boon for steelmakers who have hemorrhaged production to China and Turkey. By removing my Buy America standard, Speaker Ryan and House Republicans are embracing the status-quo in Washington. This is a failure by House leadership to make a solid commitment to American manufacturers and workers, Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, who pushed for the provision, said in a statement. As Democrats struggle to find their footing after a disastrous election, many in the party have called for measures to build support among working class voters in the so-called Rust Belt states. For Democrats it is less a change it reflects less a change in policy than a change in messaging, as they seek to highlight differences between the President-elect and his party, and seek to reclaim their title as the party of the working class. Democrats lost by significant margins in old manufacturing states such as Ohio and Pennsylvania and faced surprise defeats in Michigan and Wisconsin. Over the next year they will seek to make back their losses, in part by muddying the Republicans and Trumps message. Were beginning to see the fault lines emerge, the divisions that will dominate Washington next year, said Schumer. Only this time, instead of the fault lines falling between Democrats and Republicans, theyre falling between the President and his own party. Senate Democrats have staked out one of the policy arenas in which they will challenge the Trump administration: changes to the health care entitlement programs Medicare and Medicaid. Trump pledged repeatedly during the campaign that he would not touch entitlement programs if he were elected. However, his appointment of Rep. Tom Price of Georgia to run the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as comments from House Speaker Paul Ryan about Republican priorities in the coming Congress, have left Democrats concerned that the popular but expensive programs will suffer under a Trump administration. Related: GOP Sets the Clock for Obamacare Repeal Price has long called for an overhaul of the system that would devolve more power to the states and rely less on government-run programs than on private insurance purchased with government subsidies. Ryan has also suggested using vouchers or similar programs to bring market forces to bear on health care costs. On Wednesday, 21 Democratic senators -- including Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders -- released a letter to the President-elect urging him to keep his promise. We are writing to you to express our strong concerns that you have been remarkably inconsistent in your important campaign promise to protect and defend the Medicare and Medicaid programs and appear now to support policies that endanger the Medicare and Medicaid benefits that provide healthcare to tens of millions of seniors, people with disabilities, and low- and middle-income Americans. The nomination of Congressman Tom Price for Secretary of Health and Human Services underscores this concern. During your campaign for President of the United States, you differentiated yourself from your 16 primary opponents by noting that you were the only Republican who would protect Medicare and Medicaid. After winning the election, you suddenly appear to be using language supporting policies that would gut the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Story continues Related: Heres the Problem With Trumps Plan to Sell Health Insurance Across State Lines Citing language directly from Trumps campaign appearances and published proposals, the Democrats urged him to reconsider aligning himself with Republicans who, they argue, want to privatize the government health care system. It's not too late to fix this problem, they wrote. We ask that you rapidly and publicly clarify in plain language for the American public that you continue to stand behind your campaign promises; that you will not raise the Medicare eligibility age; that you will not privatize, voucherize, or otherwise cut Medicare benefits; and that you will not put in place changes to Medicaid that force enrollees' coverage to be dropped and benefits to be cut or limited. You promised Americans you would not cut Medicare or Medicaid - please tell Americans you will stand by your promise to them. At a press conference Wednesday, Schumer said Democrats would fight tooth and nail to protect the program. The drama over how the federal government manages health care reform is likely to play out over a period of years. While Republicans have promised to repeal the Affordable Care Act immediately when the next Congress begins, top lawmakers on Wednesday said that they expect to create a three-year phase-out period during which a replacement can be devised. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: More than 60 Democratic members of Congress are urging President Obama to protect the hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants who signed up for his deferred action program before he leaves office next month. You have pardoned hundreds and hundreds of people convicted for drug offenses, Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., said at a Wednesday press conference in Washington. We want you to use that same pardon power for hundreds of thousands of young people who came forward because you asked them to come forward. You asked them to come forward. With that comes responsibility, Mr. President, he added. The White House has informed the Democrats that the clemency power could not give legal status to any undocumented individual and that only Congress has that power. Cecilia Munoz, the director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, said in a podcast last week that a mass pardon would not protect a single soul from deportation. But the Democrats say in a new letter to Obama that he still has the responsibility and authority to issue a narrow reprieve for all civil immigration violations the young people may have committed. That would not create legal status, they argue, but could make them eligible to apply for it. Jeffrey Crouch, a law professor at American University, said that even if this mass grant of pardon for a civil offense was possible, its unlikely that Obama would want to open up this can of worms so close to the end of his presidency. It would also be a departure from his unprecedented work commuting the sentences of more than 1,000 federal prisoners serving decades-long sentences for non-violent drug crimes. Granting clemency for a civil offense would be a real departure from how clemency is generally used, Crouch told Yahoo News. Presidents have issued mass pardons in the past, such as Jimmy Carters blanket clemency for draft dodgers, but those related to criminal not civil offenses. But the Democratic representatives say Obama has a responsibility to protect the young people who trusted him and the government. I hope the president will do the right thing, Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, said. Story continues Since Obama announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in 2012, more than 750,000 young people have submitted fingerprints, undergone background checks and paid fees to protect themselves from deportation and receive permission to work legally for two years. These young immigrants, sometimes called Dreamers, were brought to the United States as children by their families. The Democrats are raising the specter that President-elect Donald Trump could deport all of these people once he takes office, since hes vowed to immediately rescind all of Obamas illegal executive actions and to deport everyone who immigrated to the country illegally. Donald Trump when hes president is going to know where they live, where they study, who their family is, Gutierrez said in Spanish during the press conference. But Trump said in an interview with Time magazine published Wednesday that he would work something out for the young immigrants. They got brought here at a very young age, theyve worked here, theyve gone to school here, he said. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And theyre in never-never land because they dont know whats going to happen. Hes also said his deportation plans would focus on criminal immigrants, though its unclear exactly what that means. Its possible Congress will work out that solution for the immigrants before Trump is sworn in. Sens. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., are planning a bill that would give the young immigrants legal status before Trump takes office. View the Democrats letter to Obama below: Pharrell walking the runway at the Chanel show in Paris on Tuesday. (Photo: Getty Images) What did Pharrell Williams have on his head at the Chanel Metiers dArt show in Paris on Tuesday? Because it sure looks as if the surprise celebrity guest model was wearing a Chanel yarmulke. The musician walked the runway in a long dark blue version of Chanels signature tweed jacket, a black shirt, and matching jeans, with strings of Chanel pearls draped around his neck, silver gloves in (not on) his hand, white shoes, and a hat markedly smaller than the ones he typically wears. The golden, layered, and crumpled-looking headpiece clung to the crown of his head like a yarmulke the small, round headpiece Jewish men wear. With Hanukkah around the corner, it wouldnt be that crazy for a yarmulke to hit the runway (it actually kind of looked like a bejeweled latke!), but Williams has never publicly identified as Jewish; in 2013, he told British GQ Style that he was a Universalist. Pharrell walking through the Paris Ritz venue. (Photo: Getty Images) According to Vogue, theres no word yet on whether the high-fashion headpiece will be heading to production or not. If this were a religious reference, it wouldnt be the first time Chanel ventured into cultural territory. In multiple Chanel shows throughout 2013 and 2014, models wore feathered headdresses, and some were dressed like cowboys. Native American activists were not pleased. However, Chanel told Daily Mail, The Chanel-Dallas Metiers dArt 2013/2014 collection is a celebration of the beauty of Texas. Native Americans are an integral part of Texass rich history and culture, and the feather headdress, a symbol of strength and bravery, is one of the most visually stunning examples of the creativity and craftsmanship they possessed. Karl Lagerfelds Chanels 2015/16 Cruise Collection drew inspiration from Korean culture, from the shapes and colors of the dresses to the patterns of the pants to the thick braids wrapped around the models heads, with sticks and clips holding the braids in place. The eye and brow liner definitely skewed Korean as well. Story continues But Chanels cultural and religious risks all started back in 1994, when Lagerfeld put Claudia Schiffer on the runway in a dress covered with what he thought was a love poem from the Indian subcontinent inspired by the Taj Mahal but was actually a passage from the Koran. Oops. Needless to say, that did not go over well. The chief executive of Chanel had to visit and apologize to the rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris. Lets see how people react to the stylish yarmulke Dont be surprised if Lagerfeld pays a visit to your temple sometime soon. Follow us on Instagram , Facebook , and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. The director of The Last Tango in Paris has responded to the outrage over *that* scene Following the outcry earlier this week, the director of The Last Tango in Paris, Bernardo Bertolucci, has released a statement defending the controversial rape scene involving Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider. Last week, an old interview of Bertolucci discussing the scene, which sees Brandos character rape Schneiders character with a stick of butter, surfaced in which the director told how Schneider wasnt informed of the controversial sexual assault scene. The video caused uproar on social media, with actors such as Chris Evans, Jessica Chastain, and Anna Kendrick condemning both Brando and Bertolucci. Speaking in the interview, Bertolucci said that he wanted Schneider to react humiliated, adding that, I think she hated me and also Marlon because we didnt tell her. Now Bertolucci has responded to allegations that Schneider wasnt informed of the scene. In a statement released on Monday (December 5th), the Italian director, whose last film was released in 2012, said that he wanted to clear up any misunderstanding regarding his comments. I specified, but perhaps I was not clear, that I decided with Marlon Brando not to inform Maria that we would have used butter. We wanted her spontaneous reaction to that improper use [of the butter], he said. That is where the misunderstanding lies. Somebody thought, and thinks, that Maria had not been informed about the violence on her. That is false! Maria knew everything because she had read the script, where it was all described. The only novelty was the idea of the butter. Bertoluccis comments are a direct contradiction to a 2007 interview that Maria Schneider gave where she said that the infamous butter scene wasnt included in the script. Speaking to The Daily Mail, the actor said that she felt a little raped. That scene wasnt in the original script. The truth is it was Marlon who came up with the idea, she said. They only told me about it before we had to film the scene and I was so angry. I should have called my agent or had my lawyer come to the set because you cant force someone to do something that isnt in the script, but at the time, I did. Story continues Sadly, Schneider passed away in 2011 at the age of 58. The actor never filmed another nude movie scene again, and relocated her career to France after filming Last Tango. If you have experienced sexual violence and are in need of crisis support, please call the RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). The post The director of The Last Tango in Paris has responded to the outrage over *that* scene appeared first on HelloGiggles. Ahead of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story hitting theaters December 16, Disneys Hollywood Studiosin Orlando, Florida, has announced several new Star Wars experiences for visitors coming later this month, some of which are inspired by the upcoming film. Visitors who head to the Star Wars Launch Bay, where you can see movie props, engage in themed games, catch videos from the series, and greet characters from the films, will find updated replicas from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and new making-of footage from the film. Guests can also get a sneak peek at the AWR troopers featured in the movie, which will join the studios daytime show, Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away, in their Stormtrooper gear for daily performances starting December 16. There will also be a Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks display, the most elaborate fireworks display in the parks history. The Star Wars: The Force Awakens 3D simulated space flight will now include randomized tracks to start and end at various locations throughout your journey, with new scenes from Star Wars: Episode VIII arriving to the attraction next year. Disneys Hollywood Studios will also be introducing a new Star Wars tour that takes visitors through a seven-hour journey across the parks many galactic experiences. The tour includes an inside look at Star Wars Launch Bay, a screening of Star Wars: Path of the Jedi, goodies based off of the films at the Backlot Express, a reserved spot at the fireworks display, and participation in the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party, where youll get themed desserts and drinks from the films. The company said it will begin opening reservations for January tours soon. Related Articles By Abdourahim Arteh DJIBOUTI (Reuters) - Djibouti's economy is expected to grow 7 percent in 2017 from a projected 6.5 percent this year, helped by investment in ports, telecommunications and airports, its budget minister said. Strategically located at the southern entrance to the Red Sea on the route to the Suez Canal, Djibouti has been seeking to expand its role as transhipment hub and export route for its landlocked neighbour Ethiopia. It is also home to U.S. and French, Japanese bases, while China is building a military base. Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf told Arabic newspaper Asharq al-Awsat at the weekend that Saudi Arabia was discussing building a base. "The growth rate is projected at 7 percent in 2017, generated by the increase in direct investment," Budget Minister Bodeh Ahmed Robleh told Reuters late on Tuesday. He said the economy would be boosted by activity at its ports, airport and free trade zones, as well as in telecommunications. Djibouti is expanding its port facilities to handle more bulk commodities, containers and other goods. It is also constructing two new airports to handle more tourists and cargo. The Horn of African nation is already the main export and import route for fast-growing Ethiopia, and the two nations are now connected by a new 750-km (470-mile) electrified railway line. Djibouti says it plans $12.4 billion in investments between 2015 and 2020, mostly using Chinese financing. Robleh was speaking after the cabinet approved a 120 billion franc ($674.92 million) budget for fiscal year 2017, with spending focussed on improving water supplies, desalination of sea water, housing, building powerlines, drilling geothermal exploratory wells and the construction of port terminals. "The objective of the 2017 Budget is to increase the supply of quality basic services, improve the education system and strengthen the health system, as well as housing and decentralization," Robleh said. ($1 = 177.8000 Djibouti francs) (Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Edmund Blair) By Sebastien Malo NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Nearly 2 million immigrants with college degrees in the United States are out of work or in low-skilled jobs at a cost of billions of dollars in tax revenue every year, researchers said on Wednesday calling for "smarter" immigration policy. In a report Washington DC-based thinktank Migration Policy Institute (MPI) said college-educated immigrants employed in low-skilled jobs miss out on more than $39 billion in wages. As a result, government loses out on more than $10 billion in taxes it would have otherwise collected, according to the report which MPI says offers the first-ever estimates of the economic costs of "brain waste". "(It's) the old, familiar story of doctors driving taxicabs," said Michael Fix, MPI president and a co-author of the report jointly published by U.S.-based non-profits New American Economy and World Education Services. Nationwide, the federal government amassed $1.5 trillion from individual income taxes in the 2015 fiscal year, according to the Pew Research Center, a Washington DC-based thinktank. Fix said "brain waste" was a concern with a rapidly increasing share of immigrants arriving in the United States holding at least a bachelor's degree. The country attracts the largest number of immigrants in the world but many fail to get employment matching their qualifications due to factors such as a foreign education, the report said. It also identified ethnicity, country of origin and proficiency in English as issues contributing to "brain waste". For example, nearly half of foreign-educated Mexican immigrants in the United States are underemployed or unemployed, the report said. "As the immigrant workforce becomes ever more educated it only makes sense to try to fully leverage their talents," Fix said in a statement. Immigrants in the United States numbered some 41 million people in 2015, about 13 percent of the country's population of 321 million, according to U.S. Census data. Story continues The report's findings come a month after Donald Trump won the Nov. 8 U.S. presidential election, promising mass deportations of undocumented migrants among other issues. [nL1N1DV2A5] "The economy takes a hit in every case where a high-skilled immigrant is underemployed or can't find work," said John Feinblatt, chairman of New American Economy in a statement. "Smarter immigration policy can help connect workers of every background to jobs that match their skill sets and make the economy stronger for all of us." (Reporting by Sebastien Malo, 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) Donald Trump is TIME's Person of the Year for 2016. The U.S. president-elect, who beat all odds to first trounce fellow Republicans then shock the world with a general election win over Hillary Clinton last month, succeeds the 2015 honoree, German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Read: LeBoycott: Hoops Superstar LeBron James Refusing to Stay at Trump Hotels "Its a great honor," Trump told the Today show's Matt Lauer on Wednesday. TIME writer Nancy Gibbs explained that the magazine chose Trump, in part, based on the "scale of his disruption." "This real estate baron and casino owner turned reality-TV star and provocateur never a day spent in public office, never a debt owed to any interest besides his own now surveys the smoking ruin of a vast political edifice that once housed parties, pundits, donors, pollsters, all those who did not see him coming or take him seriously. Out of this reckoning, Trump is poised to preside, for better or worse," Gibbs wrote. First runner-up to Trump was his vanquished general election foe, Clinton. "Clinton represents both the tantalizing possibility that a woman can be President and the obstacles that a woman candidate must overcome," TIME's Charlotte Alter wrote. Behind Clinton, TIME listed "The Hackers" who swayed politics, infuriated businesses and put the privacy of millions of Americans in jeopardy with countless security breaches that made headlines in 2016. "True bombshell revelations were few and far between. But that wasnt the point. In this style of conflict, the objectives are to provide distracting grist, however innocuous, for the media mill and, more important, to sow doubt about the integrity of the electoral system," TIME wrote. Read: Ms. Trump Goes to Washington? Ivanka Reportedly Planning to Relocate Family to D.C. TIME reveals their decision each December and has named a Person of the Year since 1928. Story continues Former honorees include Barack Obama, Mark Zuckerberg, Pope Francis and Adolf Hitler. Watch: Bad Blood: Clinton, Trump Campaign Spokeswomen Duke It Out at Forum Related Articles: (WASHINGTON) President-elect Donald Trump has chosen retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, whose last command included oversight of the Guantanamo Bay detention center, to run the Department of Homeland Security, people close to the transition team said Wednesday. Kelly, who joined the Marine Corps in 1970, retired earlier this year, wrapping up a final, three-year post as head of U.S. Southern Command, which spanned some of the more fractious debate over the Obama administrations ultimately failed pledge to close Guantanamo. He served three tours in Iraq, and holds the somber distinction of being the most senior military officer to lose a child in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan. His son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Kelly was killed in November, 2010, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Highly respected, often outspoken, and known as a fierce, loyal commander, Kelly will take over the nations newest federal agency, with responsibilities from airport security and terrorism to immigration and the Coast Guard. The department was formed after the Sept. 11 terror attacks to get the U.S. government better-positioned to prevent and respond to future attacks. If confirmed by the Senate, Kelly would be the fifth person to lead the department, which includes agencies that protect the president, respond to disasters, enforce immigration laws, protect the nations coastlines and secure air travel. His selection bolsters concerns about an increase in military influence in U.S. policy in a Trump White House and as Trump moves forward on his signature issue to build a wall along the southern border and go after people living in the country illegally. Transition officials confirmed Trumps pick of Kelly on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly before any official announcement. In Kelly, Trump would have another four-star military officer for his administration. James Mattis, a retired four-star Marine general, is Trumps pick for defense secretary. Story continues Immigration enforcement is a familiar issue for Kelly. Southern Command, which is based in South Florida, regularly works with DHS to identify and dismantle immigrant smuggling networks. It has partnered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in an operation targeting human smuggling into the U.S. and helped with the rescue of children arriving alone at U.S. borders. If immigration enforcement is prioritized the way Trump promised during his campaign, the department will be challenged with beefing up the screening of immigrants allowed to come into the U.S., and finding additional resources to track down and deport people living in America illegally. It will also need to find a place to house these immigrants while theyre waiting for deportation. Scraping for federal funds and equipment to battle such problems will not be a new challenge for Kelly. As the head of Southern Command, he was often blunt about his need for more resources to fight the drug trade that sweeps into the U.S. from South America. During a 2014 hearing, he told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he didnt have the ships or surveillance assets to get more than 20 percent of the drugs leaving Colombia for the U.S. He said he often had very good clarity on the drug traffickers, but much of the time I simply sit and watch it go by. The most contentious issue Kelly faced, though, was the Obama push to close the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detention center, and proposals to bring detainees to a facility in the U.S. if they could not be returned to other nations. Members of Congress stridently opposed any move to close Guantanamo, arguing that it is the ideal location for terror suspects gathered up in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. The Pentagon faced criticism for not moving more quickly to release detainees to other countries. Those decisions largely rested with the defense secretary, but Kelly absorbed some of that anger even though his job was simply to carry out the transportation of the detainee after the decision was made. He also raised concerns about the costs of moving the detention center to the U.S. and the expanse of security that would be needed. By the time he left the Southern Command job, there were fewer than 100 detainees at the center, compared with 680 at its peak in 2003, and 245 when Obama took office. In his final Pentagon press conference in January, Kelly waded into a number of hotbed issues, including the Marine Corps initial opposition to putting women in combat jobs. He said his biggest concern was that there would be pressure to lower standards because that may be the only way it could work in the years ahead. He then spoke openly about the loss of his son a topic he didnt often raise in a public setting. To lose a child is I cant imagine anything worse than that. I used to think, when Id go to all of my trips up to Bethesda, Walter Reed, Ill go to the funerals with the secretaries of defense, that I could somehow imagine what it would be like, said Kelly. But, he added, when you lose one in combat, theres a in my opinion theres a pride that goes with it, that he didnt have to be there doing what he was doing. He wanted to be there. He volunteered. Kelly said he gets occasional letters from gold star families who are asking, Was it worth it? And I always go back with this: It doesnt matter. Thats not our question to ask as parents. That young person thought it was worth it, and thats the only opinion that counts. President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday that the CEO of Japans SoftBank plans to invest $50 billion in the United States, aiming to create 50,000 jobs. Trump visited the lobby of Trump Tower with SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son after they met on Tuesday. Hes one of the great men of industry, so I just want to thank you very much, Trump said, speaking to reporters and to Son, who held up what appeared to be a PowerPoint slide with details of their announcement. Son, a billionaire technology investor, told reporters that the money would be invested in startups in the U.S. He said the money will come from a $100 billion investment fund he set up with Saudi Arabia, the Wall Street Journal reported. Trump took credit for the deal, claiming on Twitter that Masa said he would never do this had we (Trump) not won the election! Son told the Journal that he likes Trump very much. See original article on Fortune.com More from Fortune.com Moments after he was named Time's Person of the Year, President-elect Donald Trump called into the Today show to discuss the honor, his interpretation of the cover headline ("Donald Trump: President of the Divided States of America") and many of his recent headline-making decisions. Anchor Matt Lauer opened up Wednesday morning's 11-minute, wide-ranging interview by asking Trump for his reaction to the annual honor, despite the president-elect saying in the past that the magazine would never pick him. Last year, Germany's Angela Merkel took the top honor, while Trump was third on the list. "It's a great honor. It means a lot," said Trump, adding that he grew up reading the magazine. "I've been lucky enough to be on the cover many times this year, and last year, but I consider this a very, very great honor." Lauer reminded Trump that the magazine picks someone who has influenced the events of the year - for better or for worse - and asked if Trump considers it to be a compliment. Responding to the "Divided States of America" cover line, Trump said, "I didn't divide them. They're divided now, there's a lot of division and we're going to put it back together and we're going to have a country that's very well-healed, and we're going to be a great economic force and build up our military and safety, and we're going to do a lot of great things and it's going to be something very special." He later conceded that the addition of the word "divided" was "snarky," but said, "I'm not president yet, so I didn't do anything to divide." He then praised President Obama, saying now that he's gotten to know him he "really" likes him: "We talk. He loves the country. He wants to do right by the country and for the country and we, obviously, disagree on certain things but I really like him as a person." Story continues Hillary Clinton earned the No. 2 spot on Time's list with the third going to "The Hackers," which managing editor Nancy Gibbs called "a new cyber security threat we saw this year of state-sponsored hackers looking to delegitimize an American election." Read more: Donald Trump Named Time's Person of the Year During the interview, Lauer and Trump also delved into topics ranging from Trump's tweeting to his criticism of Alec Baldwin's Saturday Night Live portrayal and his recent high-profile comments on Boeing, China and Mitt Romney. Though Trump said in his first interview as president-elect to 60 Minutes that he would be more restrained on Twitter, Lauer said he had not seen Trump follow through on the vow since his election, referencing his recent social media bouts with the cast of Hamilton, China, Boeing, the media and SNL. "Is this proving to be a habit that you're having a difficult time breaking?" asked the anchor. "No, I think I am very restrained and I talked about important things," replied Trump, defending his comments about China. "Frankly, it's a modern-day form of communication," he added, saying his total number of followers across platforms is now more than 40 million people. "I get it out much faster than a press release, I get it out much faster than dishonest reporters because so many reporters are dishonest." Lauer then asked Trump why he doesn't simply stop watching SNL. "Well I hosted SNL when it was a good show," he replied. "It's not a good show anymore. First of all, nothing to do with me, there's nothing funny about it. The skits are terrible." He then added about Baldwin, "I like Alec but his imitation of me is really mean-spirited and not very good. I don't think it's good. And I do like him, I like him as an actor. But I don't think his imitation of me gets me at all and it's meant to be very mean-spirited, which is very biased. "Frankly, the way the show is going now and you look at the kind of work they're doing, who knows how long that show's going to be on? It's a terrible show." Lauer then chimed in about the veteran NBC sketch series, "I think the show is going to be fine." Read more: Alec Baldwin's Trump Can't Stop Tweeting During National Security Briefing on 'SNL' Lauer also pressed Trump on his picks and potential picks during his transition, prompting Trump to confirm former rival Romney is still under consideration for secretary of state. "We've come a long way together," Trump said, shooting down speculation that he's stringing the former governor of Massachusetts along as a form of retaliation. When pressed about his comments made yesterday about canceling the order for Boeing's new Air Force One planes, which Trump would fly on if he ran for and were to be elected for a second term, Trump again said he thinks the planes "are too expensive," After the public back-and-forth, Trump said he'd spoken to the head of Boeing, presumably CEO Dennis Muilenburg, yesterday to negotiate the prices. Trump said the planes would cost more than $4 billion, while Boeing said in a statement it was currently under contract for $170 million. Lauer asked Trump if his comments were again in retaliation, as Muilenburg recently criticized Trump's trade policies. Trump said he didn't see the comments and blamed The Washington Post for an article about U.S. corporations being "unnerved," despite Boeing suffering a dip in the stock market in the wake of yesterday's events. "No matter what you do, they'll never say good," he said about the newspaper. "They're so unnerved that the stock market is at an all-time record since I've been elected." Read more: Donald Trump Wants to Cancel Air Force One Order He added, "I believe in free trade but I don't believe in stupid trade and stupid trade is when our companies all move out of our country, fire their workers and then come back in, Matt. If they want to fire their workers, move to Mexico or some other country and sell their product into our country, they're going to be paying a tax." Trump also elaborated on yesterday's announcement from his team that he sold all of his stock market holdings in June. "I thought that I was very much going to be winning [the election] and I think I would have a tremendous conflict of interest owning all of these different companies," he said, adding that he was never a big stockholder. "I don't think it's appropriate for me to be owning stocks when I'm making deals for this country that maybe would be affecting one company positively and one company negatively." Watch the full Today interview below. What have we learned from Donald Trumps now infamous decision to chat by phone with Taiwans president? First, Trump wants the world to know he means to do things his own way. He has refused the intelligence briefings always offered a president-elect, a sign that he doesnt value information or insight from the current foreign policy and intelligence establishment. As for China, Trump doesnt care what was agreed in the past. While surrogates work carefully to explain what he does and doesnt mean, the man himself has made clear hell make waves whenever he wants. Its not simply that Trump didnt know that Beijing would be infuriated by a call with Taiwans president, the first publicly acknowledged conversation between U.S. and Taiwan chief executives since 1979. Its that Trump quickly tweeted out the good news. The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you! Beyond surprise and irritation over the call, China will be further provoked by Trumps reference to Taiwans Tsai Ing-wen as president, which suggests he recognizes Taiwan as an independent state. Read More: Behind TIMEs Donald Trump Person of the Year Cover Trumps response to the criticism hes gotten since the call shows that hes as thin-skinned and fact-challenged as ever. Following restrained Chinese criticism of the call, Trump retaliated via Twitter. He accused China of devaluing its currency, while Chinas leaders have worked hard to prop up the yuans value. He claimed that the U.S. doesnt tax Chinese imports. In fact, the U.S. has imposed tariffs on Chinese steel, tires and solar panels. This episode also shows that Trump is either not listening to advisors, given that many important foreign policy positions have not yet been filled, or that the ones he does listen to are reinforcing his worst instincts. He has also made clear that he intends to make policy without consulting, or even warning, U.S. allies. Story continues Read More: Donald Trump on Russia, Advice from Barack Obama and How He Will Lead Clearly, Trump wants to play games with the worlds most important bilateral relationship. Who cares what China wants? Trumps supporters will ask. Let China worry about what Americans want. But Trump has demonstrated hes willing to pick pointless fights with a country that has the motive and the means to fight back in ways that cost U.S. companies and U.S. workers. Trump grabbed the chance to play the tough guy, but what does the US gain from his chat with Tsai? No word from Team Trump. This is a worrying precedent. Trump remains both impulsive and defensive, a bad combination for any leader. His Taiwan tweet is the first serious mistake of his presidency. Imagine how many more hell make even before he takes the oath of office. By Gene Emery An experimental test for the parasite that causes babesiosis was able to prevent the disease from infecting people through blood transfusion, according to a new study of nearly 90,000 U.S. blood donors. Carried by ticks, babesiosis can cause serious malaise and fatigue. In some people, particularly the elderly, it can be fatal as the parasite infects oxygen-carrying red blood cells. Some people experience no symptoms. Like Lyme disease, it is often spread by deer ticks. It is most prevalent in the Northeast and Midwestern United States and its the most common cause of blood infection transmitted by a blood transfusion. "Not all the cases are terribly symptomatic, but some can be terribly symptomatic," said Dr. Charles Ericsson, head of clinical infectious diseases at the University of Texas' McGovern Medical School in Houston, who was not involved in the new study. "This will have an impact on public health policy." The combination test, under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and developed by Massachusetts-based Imugen, is designed to put a dent in those odds. "These results directly tell us screening is feasible and, from the results we generated, screened blood did not appear to be infectious. So the test system we used appeared to be effective in preventing transfusion-transmitted babesia," coauthor Dr. Susan Stramer, vice president of scientific affairs at the American Red Cross, told Reuters Health. In 10 counties in Connecticut and Massachusetts, where the disease is relatively common, there were 14 cases of babesiosis among recipients of unscreened blood versus none when screening was done. The test looked for parasite DNA in red blood cells and for traces of the antibodies that appear when a blood donor has been infected and is fighting off the disease. The researchers, reporting in the New England Journal of Medicine, also did follow-up tests of the blood on hamsters. When parasite DNA showed up in the blood cells, the hamster tests confirmed that those cells carried a high risk of infection, Ericsson told Reuters Health. Stramer said the cost of the test is probably about $20 to $25 per unit of blood, although that price might come down if it's approved and mass-produced. In contrast, testing for the Zika virus costs about $6 to $13 she said. The babesiosis test is currently available to blood banks on an experimental basis, she added. Of the 89,153 donated samples tested, including from sites in Minnesota and Wisconsin, 335 were positive in some way for the infection. The test only works for Babesia microti, the species of the parasite that causes most cases of the disease, though another species, Babesia duncani, was implicated in 3 of 162 cases of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis from 1979 through 2009, the authors note. Although babesiosis doesn't seem to be spreading quickly to other parts of the country, it "is currently an infectious risk to the U.S. blood supply," Stramer and her colleagues write. "It was responsible for 27 percent of the deaths (4 of 15 deaths) in blood-transfusion recipients that were reported to the FDA from 2010 through 2014." They said it might be most cost-effective to limit the test to areas where the disease is endemic. "It pretty much stays confined to the Northeast and up in Wisconsin," Ericsson said. "The problem, of course, is that people travel so much. So I don't think you'd want to limit your blood supply protection." Both the Red Cross and Imugen financed the study. Coming into Dubais Muhr feature competition boasting kudos for best first feature and best actor from the Berlinale, Hedi is an engrossing, realist drama about an inhibited young man whose mother basically runs his life, and how, in the week leading up to his wedding, he meets a free-spirited woman who opens a whole new world of possibilities for him. Writer-director Mohamed Ben Attia sees his film as a metaphor for Tunisia after the Jasmine revolution. I wanted to tell this story of Hedi, a young man who doesnt know where hes going or what he likes to do, until he meets Rim, he says. This love story upsets all of his points of reference and allows him to know himself better and to discover himself. What he can do and what he cant do. Learn a bit more about the type of person hes going to be. Its in that concept that I find the interesting parallel. Six years after the revolution, were still at this stage of the learning process and of trial and error, the director notes. Just like Hedi, the day after the revolution, we thought that everything would be possible, and quickly. We were immersed in a sort of naivete. Just like lovers, we believed that we were strong and invulnerable. Today weve learned a bit more about ourselves, and we continue to learn. From the frightening, She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed mother to the lovely, free-spirited Rim, the films female characters are stronger and more interesting than the lethargic Hedi. I think the obstacles to a woman flourishing paradoxically allow her to surpass herself, Ben Attia notes. It is through certain social difficulties that a woman is able to impose herself by overcoming them. For the man, on the other hand, his privileged position does not help him in anything. Today we dont expect much of a man other than that he succeeds in his studies, find a job and establish a family. A model of success that is beginning to suffocate, and thus weaken, him. In a character-driven film such as Hedi, the right cast is essential. Majd Mastoura, who plays the title role (and took the Berlinale best actor prize) came to the casting call because of a Facebook announcement. His sensitivity and his intelligence immediately impressed me, Ben Attia notes. Story continues In his life, he is very different from Hedi. He is exuberant, he loves street poetry, dance Our challenge was therefore multi-fold. He had to succeed in personifying Hedi in his approach, his look, his voice. Nomadis Images producers Dora Bouchoucha Fourati and Lina Chaabane Menzli recommended Rym Ben Messaoud for the part of Rim. When we put the two face to face, we knew that we had our couple, Ben Attia says. Ben Attia, who studied finance before going into filmmaking, had worked with Nomadis Images on several short films before Hedi. Hedi also benefitted from a pair of illustrious co-producers, the Belgian brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne. We did many meetings by Skype, Ben Attia recounts. They always asked for details related to the intention and to the truth of Hedi. They helped me a lot by doing this. They were delicate and very curious, which of course motivated me a lot, he adds. What impact have the Berlinale awards had so far? Aside from the visibility, what touches me every time is the testimony of certain viewers who, despite everything, find similarities with their own lives. The universality of the subject is an important point for me, and to succeed in arousing this emotion remains overall the true essence of this profession. He has already started working on his next feature script. It is again a simple story about ordinary people who show us something that is bigger and stronger than anything we can imagine. Related stories Dubai: Delphine Garde-Mroueh Discusses Arabian Nights Section International Market Makes Waves at Dubai Film Festival Female-Centric Films at Core of 13th Dubai Film Fest Lineup DUBAI Normally, when one hears about a national focus at a film festival, it has to do with the screening program. But at this years DIFF, the Dubai Film Market (DFM) is reaching out to Europes Nordic region by inviting representatives from the film institutes, film funds, sales agents, distributors and producers interested in co-productions to learn more about the film culture and practices of the Arab world and do some intensive networking. DFM head Jane Williams says this is the first time that Dubais film market has taken the initiative. Were always looking for new opportunities for the Arab producers and areas where partnerships and co-financing can be found, she notes. She also points out that by coming to DIFF, the Nordic guests will have the opportunity to meet a greater percentage of the Arab film industry than they could at markets such as Berlin or Cannes. An extensive list of professionals from the Nordic region will share a stand in the market, participate in panels and networking events and get the scoop on sources of financing, available government support and distribution opportunities between the regions. Some 20 films from the region will be available in the Cinetech and a feature produced by each of the Nordic countries will screen in DIFFs Cinema of the World strand. Swedish Film Institute Festivals Manager Petter Mattson says the migration issue has heightened interest in this collaboration. Sweden together with Germany has welcomed the biggest amount of refugees in Europe from Syria, he notes. The question of building a stronger relationship on a cultural level between the north and the south is therefore even more important, he adds. We need to do everything we can, within our respective fields, to facilitate understanding between these very different cultures and film is definitely a good starting point. Williams also underscores that it is important that expat Arab directors realize that they are eligible to apply for the Dubai Film Connection, the co-production market of the Dubai International Film Festival, as they may not be able to easily access the national funds of their new country. She says, Sometimes they want to tell stories that have backgrounds that the people in the funds dont understand. Thats why funds from other parts of the world are interested in coming to Dubai to understand more about the film cultures in the region, the stories, the players and where there might be possible partnerships. Story continues Both Williams and Mattsson agree that having the Nordic delegation at DIFF is an important first step to build better networks between the Arab region and the Nordics. As Mattsson notes, In the end we, of course, want more film rights to Swedish and Nordic films to be sold to the region, but I realize that this is a goal that we have to be patient with reaching. The Nordic delegation includes Danes such as Noemie Ferrer Schwenk, Head of International at the Danish Film Institute; Nicolai Korsgaard, Sales Manager at TrustNordisk; producer Eva Jacobsen whose project, Western Arabs with director Omar Shargawi is at the Dubai Film Connection; Mahdi Fleifel, a Danish director of Palestinian origin whose short documentary, A Man Returned screens in the Muhr short competition; Danish-Iraqi director Masar Sohail, whose short The Republic of TM screens in the Muhr Gulf competition; producer Thomas Heurlin who is developing Marias Rejse with Iraqi director Rania M. Tawfik; and helmer Andreas Dalsgaard, co-director with Obaidah Zytoon of the Arabian Nights documentary The War Show. The Swedish attendees include Mattsson; Pia Lundberg, Head of International, Swedish Film Institute; SF Studios Sales Manager Peter Torkelsson; Linda Mutawi, the Swedish co-producer of Ibni, from Emirati director Lafi Abood; and Martin Persson, Swedish coproducer of In the Land of Wonder from Egyptian helmer Nadine Khan. Rounding out the Nordic guest list is Laufey Gudjonsdottir, Director of the Icelandic Film Center; Jaana Puskala, Head of Feature Film Promotion at the Finnish Film Foundation; Khadar Ahmed, a Somali director whose Cannes 2015 Cinefondation Residence project The Grave Digger is being developed by Finnish producer Mete Sasioglu; and Kristian Takvam Kindt and Gjermund Granlund from Norways Film fra Sr fund. Related stories Dubai Seeks Closer Ties Between Global Producers, Arab Entrepreneurs Director Annemarie Jacir's 'Wajib' Takes Dubai Film Connection Nod Dubai Film Connection Co-Prod Mart Announces Arab Projects That Made The Cut Paris (AFP) - Earth's days are getting longer but you're not likely to notice any time soon -- it would take about 3.3 million years to gain just one minute, according to a study published on Wednesday. Over the past 27 centuries, the average day has lengthened at a rate of about +1.8 milliseconds (ms) per century, a British research team concluded in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society A. This was "significantly less", they said, than the rate of 2.3 ms per century previously estimated -- requiring a mere 2.6 million years to add one minute. "It's a very slow process," study lead co-author Leslie Morrison, a retired astronomer with Royal Greenwich Observatory, told AFP. "These estimates are approximate, because the geophysical forces operating on the Earth's rotation will not necessarily be constant over such a long period of time," he specified. "Intervening Ice Ages etcetera will disrupt these simple extrapolations." The previous 2.3 ms estimate had been based on calculations of the Moon's known Earth-braking forces, causing the ocean tides. For the new study, Morrison and his team used gravitational theories about the movement of Earth around the Sun, and the Moon around Earth, to compute the timing of eclipses of the Moon and Sun over time, as viewed from our planet. They then calculated from where on Earth these would have been visible, and compared this to observations of eclipses recorded by ancient Babylonians, Chinese, Greeks, Arabs and medieval Europeans. "We obtained historical, relevant records from historians and translators of ancient texts," explained Morrison. "For example, the Babylonian tablets, which are written in cuneiform script, are stored at the British Museum and have been decoded by experts there and elsewhere." The team found discrepancies between where the eclipses should have been observable, and where on Earth they were actually seen. Story continues "This discrepancy is a measure of how the Earth's rotation has been varying since 720 BC" when ancient civilisations started keeping eclipse records, they wrote. Factors which influence the Earth's rotation include the Moon's braking effect, Earth's altering shape due to shrinking polar ice caps since the last Ice Age, electro-magnetic interactions between the mantle and core, and changes in the mean sea level, said the team. The slowing of Earth's orbit is the reason the world's timekeepers have to adjust high-precision clocks every few years to ensure they remain in sync with our planet's rotation. Cairo (AFP) - Egypt has an ambitious three-year reform plan that, with foreign help, can revive its struggling economy, the minister of international cooperation told AFP. In an interview, Sahar Nasr said the "three-year strategy" will lead to a return of investments, boost industrial production and create jobs. It comes as Egypt faces not only falling growth and a currency crisis following years of political turmoil, but also increasing public discontent over rising prices. "Once these reforms are all in place, there will be a positive impact on the economy, and on the social front," Nasr said. "Especially in the medium and long term." The economy of Egypt, the most populous Arab country, has faced major challenges since the 2011 ouster of longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who took power after the 2013 overthrow of his Islamist predecessor Mohamed Morsi, has vowed to get the economy back on track. His government has sought help abroad and on November 11 the International Monetary Fund approved a $12 billion loan to Egypt over the next three years. The country will also benefit from the release of the first tranche of a $1 billion World Bank loan and the deposit by the African Development Bank of the first tranche of a $1.5 billion loan. Cairo is also finalising an $800 million loan with the European Union. Nasr said the aid programmes are helpful but will provide only temporary support. Donors are "helping Egypt to stand on solid ground, helping Egypt not to rely on foreign aid, and not to rely on any borrowing from international financial institutions" in the long run, she said. - 'Three pillars' of reform - The international aid is "to improve Egyptians' living standards", she said, in a country where 27.8 percent live below the poverty line and public debt is nearing 100 percent of Gross Domestic Product. The goal is a return to sustainable economic growth of six percent by 2018, compared with 3.5 percent in the first half of this year. Story continues The government's reform plan is based on "three pillars", Nasr said. The first is to boost private sector investment. "The key of the reform programme is improving the business environment, encouraging industrialisation, and also promoting exports," she said. The second is restructuring the budget, including by cutting subsidies, which represent 7.9 percent of government spending. "On social housing, subsidies were initially going to the developers and we moved from this supply side to the demand side, so that subsidies would be effectively targeted to the low-income or middle-income households in a very transparent and effective manner," Nasr said. The third pillar is monetary reform, she said, describing it as "a major step in terms of economic stability". Egypt floated its currency on November 3, which was followed by a devaluation from the fixed rate of 8.8 pounds per dollar to a traded rate of 18 pounds per dollar last week. Nasr said the planned reforms had been "delayed for decades". International assistance could also be directed at specific areas of the economy, she said, pointing to the energy sector. The Egyptian energy sector is undergoing "political reform," Nasr said, with the country taking its first steps towards renewable energy with wind and solar power projects. Asked if foreign aid could represent an additional burden for public finances, Nasr said the government is "monitoring very carefully and we are watching our external debt". "Before finalising any deal, we make sure that the project is repayable." CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's state oil company signed a $200 million loan agreement on Tuesday with the African Export-Import Bank to help expand electricity generation and distribution, an Afreximbank statement said. The government announced in August that it was raising household electricity prices by 40 percent as part of plans to eliminate power subsidies in the next few years. Consumption of cheaper electricity has exacerbated energy shortages and power cuts in summer months. Afreximbank president Benedict Oramah said the facility agreed with the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation would ensure uninterrupted energy supply for Egyptian industry by financing imports of oil and gas products. Egypt floated its currency in November, enabling the government to clinch an IMF loan it hopes will help revive an economy hampered by political uncertainty since the 2011 uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak. Oramah said Afreximbank had in recent years invested about $2 billion in energy generation and distribution in Egypt and in exporting energy products from Egypt to Africa. Egyptian petroleum minister Tarek El Molla said the loan would "complement the efforts of the government in meeting the continuing needs for the development of the country", the statement said. (Reporting by Giles Elgood; Editing by Ruth Pitchford) Every end is a beginning, and though immersive Barcelona party brand elrow will look fondly upon its days at Space Ibiza, the colorful cast and crew could not be more excited for what the future holds at its new home at Amnesia Ibiza. The last three years at Space were more than memorable as the elrow family operation brought themes like "Bollywood," "Psychedelic Trip," and "Rowlympic Games" to life through a mix of theatrics, decoration, animation, and costume. For Amnesia, the company will continue to deliver show-stopping themes every Saturday and revitalize its "all night long" formula, which puts one superstar DJ at the decks throughout the evening as the surreal and fanciful environment unfolds around the music. "After many years of friendship with the Amnesia family, we are very happy and excited," the elrow group says in a statement. "The most incredible club in the world and the most crazy and bizarre party of the moment coming together to create an explosive combination that will be unforgettable. We are going to make sure that the audience will relive the essence and the crazy spirit that has always represented the white island." Elrow is no stranger to new beginnings. The family business has been entertaining crowds since 1870. As the umbrella company of the literal Arnau family, it also owns Los Monegros festival and club Florida 135. "We both really wanted to work together," an Amnesia Ibiza representative says in a statement. "We share the same passion, identity and above all the love for music. We can not imagine a more perfect combination anywhere else." Specific themes and DJ bookings can not yet be revealed, although elrow promises nothing but the highest quality stars and theatrics. Tickets, however, are already on sale. (Updates prices in text and table) By Bruno Federowski SAO PAULO, Dec 7 (Reuters) - The Brazilian real strengthened on Wednesday as concerns eased that the ouster of Senate President Renan Calheiros could potentially delay the approval of fiscal measures. Major newspapers reported Brazil's Supreme Court is seeking an agreement that would allow Calheiros to keep his post if he agrees to step out of the presidential line of succession. Calheiros refused on Tuesday to accept a Supreme Court injunction removing him from office because he was indicted last week for embezzlement, pushing the country toward a constitutional crisis. The Brazilian real, which strengthened to a two-week high on Wednesday, later pared gains to close at 3.38 per greenback, an increase of 0.59 percent. Other Latin American currencies also firmed, with the Mexican peso closing at 20.33 per dollar, an increase of 0.23 from Tuesday. Gains by Brazil's benchmark Bovespa stock index, which rose 0.53 percent, were limited by a drop in shares of state-controlled oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA amid falling oil prices. Key Latin American stock indexes and currencies at 2115 GMT: Stock indexes daily % YTD % Latest change change MSCI Emerging 870.13 1 8.48 Markets MSCI LatAm 2332.73 1.71 25.34 Brazil Bovespa 61414.40 0.53 41.67 Mexico IPC 45609.90 1.12 6.13 Chile IPSA 4224.67 0.24 14.79 Chile IGPA 21075.86 0.22 16.11 Argentina MerVal 17196.77 -0.22 47.29 Colombia IGBC 9798.00 -0.18 14.63 Venezuela IBC 36110.61 -0.88 147.53 Currencies daily % YTD % change change Latest Brazil real 3.4032 0.37 16.00 Mexico peso 20.3375 0.23 -15.28 Chile peso 654.82 0.79 8.38 Colombia peso 3002.41 -0.05 5.56 Peru sol 3.403 0.29 0.32 Argentina peso 15.9950 -0.50 -18.83 (interbank) Argentina peso 16.25 -0.43 -12.18 (parallel) (Reporting by Bruno Federowski; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Leslie Adler) Hollywood is strewn with the phantom doubles of films that might have been if early casting instincts had been followed. Over time, these ghosts bear less and less resemblance to their existing incarnations, to the point that they barely seem conceivable. (What would Casablanca have looked, or sounded, or felt like with Ronald Reagan and Ann Sheridan instead of Humphrey Bogart and Igrid Bergman?) La La Land is but a few months old in the minds of those who saw it first, but already its impossible to imagine with the once-mooted Miles Teller and Emma Watson in place of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone: Teller and Watson are adept, attractive performers, certainly, but Damien Chazelles modern-vintage musical moves entirely to the rhythm of the star duo it got. The duo are now immortalized at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Both accomplished, independent leading players in their own right, Gosling and Stone nonetheless bring an invaluably entwined history to La La Land: Its their third on-screen collaboration, following 2010s winning romantic comedy Crazy, Stupid, Love, and 2013s plasticized underworld romp Gangster Squad. Even the latter, stiffer film proved the tinderbox energy between them; in both, Goslings laconic cool and Stones spacier sweetness complement each other. Hollywood doesnt cultivate recurring star pairings as much these days as they did in the golden age, when studio bosses recognized the renewable chemistry between a Katharine Hepburn and a Cary Grant. Gosling and Stone have something of that easy, teasy energy between them. In La La Land a more complex, compromised love story than either of their previous team-ups the dynamic between them deepens and diverges somewhat. Their sparring is as effervescent as before, yet its Goslings self-pitying jazzman who comes off as the more vulnerable romantic; Stones starlet-in-waiting gets the pithier lines, the more guarded heart. This may be an expansion of their on-screen relationship, but it shouldnt be a revelation to fans of either actor individually. Story continues Well before his taut, taciturn work in Drive sealed him in the public imagination as the decades most unflappable sex symbol, Gosling had shown us how he could hurt. He nabbed a deserved first Oscar nomination as an earnestly dedicated but self-destructive schoolteacher in Half Nelson; he was robbed of a second for his finest screen work to date in Blue Valentine, a wrenching study in unsustainable artistry and emotional wreckage that one could view as a rawer blueprint for his characterization in La La Land. These breakthroughs merely built on the gangly, riveting angst he had demonstrated in such youthful showcases as Henry Beans making-of-a-terrorist drama The Believer in 2001. Stone got her official stamp of approval as a serious actress last year with a supporting Oscar nod for her work as Michael Keatons bristling daughter in Birdman earned principally with a hot hairdryer blast of a monologue directed against her father, detailing his manifold failings with merciless economy. It was good, gutsy stuff, but those who thought it a step up for her had perhaps undervalued the detail and layering of her earlier comic work. The Oscar nom, for starters, should have come before for her incandescent star turn in Easy A, in which she articulated the rotating facades of adolescence turning on a dime from sexual cockiness to cluelessness with ease, while bantering like an old pro with vets Patricia Clarkson and Stanley Tucci. La La Land is the first vehicle shes had since then that gives her as many notes to play. She was a good sport with ungenerous material in the Amazing Spider-Man reboots, while her two outings with Woody Allen showed off her vigor without giving her a complete person to play, but one senses her richest phase is beginning. One hopes it includes further opportunities for her and Gosling to tango. Related stories 'La La Land' Director's Ex-Wife Gets Last-Minute Executive Producer Credit (EXCLUSIVE) After a Tough 2016, Is Oscar Ready for an Upbeat Winner? Trio of Films Break Out in Oscar Race Energica Clears California Legal Hurdle Italian electric motorcycle manufacturer Energica says it has obtained a sales license for California. The U.S. division, Energica Motor Company, Inc., will have a display site known as Galleria Energica in San Francisco and a sales and service facility in Redwood. The company plans to develop a dealer network in Southern California. Meanwhile, it has also recently completed agreements for an outlet in Israel, with Auto Electric as the importer. Energica says it sees Israel as an important market for the development of the brand. Israel is well-known as a pioneer in the battery industry and charging systems, but also for the presence of several high-tech companies. Energica Motor Company S.P.A. describes itself as "the first Italian manufacturer of supersport electric motorcycles, the ultimate expression of Italian exclusivity, masterfully manufactured in the Italian Motor Valley in Modena, Italy. The Energica Ego and Energica Eva are available through authorized importers in the United States and Europe. More information. Washington (AFP) - Environmentalists are gearing up to battle President-elect Donald Trump, who promised on the campaign trail to roll back laws and regulations that protect the environment and fight global warming. Trump also said he would withdraw the United States, the world's second-largest greenhouse-gas polluter after China, from the Paris global climate accord signed in 2015 by 192 countries. But the Republican real-estate tycoon has modified that position since his November 8 election win. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Trump hinted he may support global accords on climate change, saying he had "an open mind." As a candidate Trump had called the concept of global warming a hoax, but he acknowledged to the Times there was "some connectivity" between human activity and climate change. "Some, something. It depends on how much," he said, adding that he would still remain concerned about how much green measures would "cost our companies." On Monday, Trump held a lengthy meeting in New York with Democratic former vice president Al Gore, a key environmentalist and leader in the fight against global warming. "I found it an extremely interesting conversation and to be continued, and I'm just going to leave it at that," Gore told reporters after his talk with Trump. - Bracing for Trump - Environmentalists are bracing for Trump to take office on January 20 with his Republican Party in control of Congress. "If Trump tries to go backwards on climate change and the protection of the environment, he will run headlong into an organized mass of people who will fight him in the courts, in Congress and on the streets," vowed Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club, one of the largest US environmental organizations, with 2.4 million members. "We got more new members joining the Sierra Club in three weeks since the election than for the full year... with 9,000 new monthly donors," Brune said in an interview. "People are worried and feel angry." Story continues Environmentalists criticize the president-elect's choices for interviewees as he prepares his transition to the presidency, talking to billionaires linked to the oil and coal industries and notorious climate-change skeptics. One of them, Scott Pruitt, the Oklahoma attorney general who is suing the Environmental Protection Agency, is reportedly Trump's pick to head the EPA -- which Obama used via executive order to cut carbon emissions. The EPA would be the vehicle Trump could use to roll back Obama's regulations. In addition, the chief executive of oil and gas giant ExxonMobil, Rex Tillerson, has emerged as a candidate to be secretary of state, the nation's top diplomat. The mobilization of environmentalists against Trump has taken to television, for example, with John Oliver, the British host of "Last Week Tonight," a weekly HBO show, calling for action. Oliver recently asked Americans to donate to and join environmental protection organizations, citing in particular the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). - 'Outpouring of support' - In an interview, Susan Casey-Lefkowitz, chief program officer of the NRDC, a New York-based organization with 2.5 million members, said that since Trump's election there has been "a real outpouring of support -- people standing with us against any potential rollback from environmental protection." She said NRDC is preparing a petition "that will go to Trump immediately to let him know that people do not want rollback from core environmental protection." A key tactic would be to focus on the importance of protecting air and water quality, two goals widely shared, even by Trump's supporters, she said. For May Boeve, the head of climate campaign group 350.org, the best way to mobilize working-class Americans who voted for Trump "is to push for a 100 percent renewable-energy economy that works for all." "Clean energy remains the greatest potential job creator in the 21st century, while climate change is still our greatest threat," Boeve said. The New York-based nonprofit organization is "preparing for the fight of our lives," she said, and planning a mass demonstration in Washington when Trump is in the White House. Taking a more wait-and-see stance was Elliot Diringer, an expert at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, a bipartisan nonprofit organization that works to reconcile energy production and climate protection. "One of the biggest lessons of the election season was unpredictability and it remains true today," he said. "So we cannot prejudge and hopefully he will listen to scientists and business leaders and others and take climate seriously," Diringer added. Gloria Steinem, a board member of Equality Now, joined donors and supporters of the organization to honor actress and activist Jane Fonda, political activist Jaha Dukureh, and producers Laurie MacDonald and Walter Parkes. The third annual "Make Equality Reality" fundraising gala at Montage Beverly Hills celebrated the accomplishments of these four individuals in their efforts to promote equal rights around the world. Equality Now is an international human rights organization dedicated to fighting for equal rights under the law for men and women around the world. Combining grassroots activism with legal advocacy, they fight to end violence and discrimination against women by changing laws around the world. In addition to advocating for legal equality and justice for girls, their efforts focus on ending female genital mutilation, sex trafficking and sexual violence. Their annual gala sought to raise money for these efforts, as well as to honor the work of four great "powerhouses for change" in 2016. Guests included Maria Bello, Lily Tomlin, Joss Whedon, Aubrey Plaza, Elizabeth Olsen, Mae Whitman, Kathy Griffin, Ruby Rose, Maggie Grace, Melanie Griffith, and civil rights lawyer Gloria Allred. Guests and honorees walked the red carpet at the Montage Hotel Beverly Hills on Monday night. Actress Maria Bello, who studied international women's rights at university, says Equality Now's legal advocacy efforts are what attracted her to the organization. "When you change the law, you change the country, you start to change the society," she says. Read more: Gloria Steinem on the Politics of "Trumpism," Why She's Behind Hillary Clinton: "It's Not Identity Politics" (Q&A) Wende Zomnir, founding partner of Urban Decay makeup who partnered with Equality Nowon the event, echoed these sentiments, telling THR, "You can change minds all day long, but changing the law is what really is going to change women's lives. . . The women's empowerment landscape is very broad and diverse, but I do think that what Equality Now is doing with changing the actual laws is probably the most important thing we can do because then we have a legal footing to stand on." Story continues Director Joss Whedon has been a supporter of Equality Now since its early days - one of its founders, Jessica Neuwirth, was a former student of his mother's and a member of her high school chapter of Amnesty International. Whedon stressed the importance of Equality Now's efforts in our current political climate, saying, "The climate of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct that came to light when Trump was running . . . that sort of sexual violence and that kind of day-to-day micro-aggressive intrusion is going to be the thing that needs to be pushed back against." Steinem, an integral force in the women's movement and second wave feminism, told THR that she is encouraged by how many people actively support feminist causes today. "In my generation, it was like twelve crazy women, now it's a majority. I mean, we have Beyonce putting feminism in a song." Given this, she says the question that irks her the most is when reporters ask, "How is the women's movement doing and where is it going?" "It's like asking 'describe the universe and give two examples,'" she says. "They wouldn't say that about the Civil Rights movement, or the Peace Movement, but it's like we're just one thing." The event, hosted by Matt McCoy, featured a series of tributes to the honorees and remarks from the guests of honor. The evening also included two dramatic performances from Odley Jean and Lola Blackmann, members of the GoodCapp Arts/The Cappiello Studio ensemble. The performances addressed experiences of female genital mutilation and cyber-bullying/sexual harassment. Actress and comedian Lily Tomlin introduced long-time friend and collaborator, Jane Fonda, saying, "We still have work to do taking out the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigots out there. And we are all so lucky to have Jane on the job." Tomlin first worked with Fonda on 1980's 9 to 5, which tackled female equality in the workplace. Fonda earned a raucous standing ovation and garnered further applause when she noted she had caught a cold at Standing Rock, demonstrating the tireless nature of her political activism. Fonda is an advisory board member for Equality Now's Adolescent Girls' Legal Defense Fund. She described her experiences with a community in Egypt and how education and career opportunities positively altered their society. Fonda praised the "hands-on, flexible, culturally sensitive, and economically astute" work of Equality Now and concluded with a call to action saying, "In this very challenging time, when we all feel we have a shroud of disbelief and despair hanging over us, you get active and you lift the veil." Gloria Steinem took the stage to introduce honoree Jaha Dukureh, founder of Safe Hands for Girls and female genital mutilation survivor and activist. Steinem spoke to the role of reproduction freedom and bodily integrity in ensuring equality and true democracy. She joked about efforts to control the female body, quipping "I think if Marx and Engels would have started out saying, 'we're going to seize control and the means of reproduction,' they would've gotten further." Jaha Dukureh, who was also honored this year as one of the 2016 Time 100, spoke about her life as a survivor of female genital mutilation and child marriage. Equality Now saved her when she was fifteen, and she has worked with them since then to fight to end female genital mutilation around the world within a generation. She credits Equality Now with helping her find a voice as an activist, joining her in her efforts to organize the first ever United States summit on female genital mutilation and study its practice here in the U.S. She told THR, "Your voice is bigger than you can ever imagine. They can take everything away from you, but no one can ever take your voice away from you, so use it. Shout!" Malala Yousafzai joined the proceedings with a pre-recorded video segment to honor Laurie MacDonald and Walter Parkes, who produced the documentary He Named Me Malala, about her life and activist efforts for female education. She said, "I'm hopeful and sure you will inspire many more people around the world, and you will lead this fight for women and girls." Debbie Allen, who co-produced Amistad (1997) with MacDonald and Parkes, then took the stage to introduce them in person and speak about their ability to give voice to people who have been silenced through their films. Laurie MacDonald closed out the night by pointing to Malala and Equality Now as examples of how we can all fight for equality, saying, "It can seem so daunting and impossible to promote change in a world which seems, more than ever, to be careening out of control. But women like Malala, and organizations like Equality Now, teach us that it all begins with something within all of our grasp. It begins with speaking up." 1980s pop rock band The Bangles closed out the evening with an acoustic medley of some of their greatest hits: "Manic Monday," "Hazy Shade of Winter," and "Walk Like An Egyptian." Read more: 'Awards Chatter' Podcast Jane Fonda ('Grace and Frankie') If you're looking for that perfect Christmas classic to watch this holiday season, you won't find it in this list. Here are the 25 worst Chris It seems that Equinix Inc. EQIX is firing on all cylinders to expand its data center business across different regions. After completing the acquisition of Telecity Group Plc this year, the company yesterday entered into another deal to buy certain data center assets from Verizon Communications Inc. VZ. Per the definitive agreement, Equinix agreed to acquire 24 data center sites, which consist of 29 data center buildings across 15 metro areas, in operation from Verizon for a total cash consideration of $3.6 billion. The deal is anticipated to be complete by mid-2017. Why is Verizon Selling its Assets? Verizons move is believed to be a part of its effort toward shifting its focus on the mobile video and advertising arena as the telecommunication industry is currently undergoing consolidation. It should be noted that the company has agreed to acquire Yahoo! Inc. for approximately $4.8 billion and has been trying to enhance AOLs web properties. These strategic initiatives are likely to help Verizon in making its presence felt in the mobile video advertising arena and better compete with already major players in this field such as Alphabets GOOGL Google, Facebook FB and Twitter. Furthermore, the recent sale agreement with Equinix will bring in much needed funds for completing the pending acquisition of Yahoo. Buyout Makes Sense for Equinix The addition of the aforementioned facilities will prove to be beneficial for Equinix for various reasons. First, the company will be able to expand its interconnection capabilities in the United States and Latin America. Per the company press release, the data center facility in Miami will be a key interconnection point and will help Equinix in expanding its services in across Latin America. Second, the transaction will open three new markets for Equinix Bogota, Culpeper and Houston, thereby increasing its operations to 43 markets across five continents. Furthermore, with the addition of 29 new data center buildings, Equinixs total number of data center will be 175 and span approximately 17 million gross square feet across the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific markets. Story continues Third, the addition of new data centers is expected to help Equinix to further expand its foothold in the enterprise segment. The 24 data center sites service roughly 900 customers, which according to the company includes a significant number of enterprises. Acquisitions A Key Growth Strategy Acquisitions have remained one of the key growth strategies for Equinix. This year, the company completed the acquisition of Telecity for $3.8 billion, thus becoming the number one European data center operator. Equinix made several important acquisitions last year as well. In Jan 2015, Equinix acquired Nimbo a leading professional services company, primarily focused on enabling enterprises to develop and implement hybrid cloud. In September last year, the company commenced a cash tender offer for all issued and outstanding shares of Tokyo-based Bit-isle through its Japanese subsidiary. All these acquisitions have made decent contributions toward total revenue growth. Bottom Line Expansion in important markets and consolidation of facilities in existing ones have been an important part of Equinix's core strategy. Equinix continuously strives to boost its revenue base as well as profitability by offering upgraded technology to attract clients. Moreover, the recurring revenue model has provided much-needed support to the company's revenue stream over the years. The company's cloud and IT service businesses are its fastest growing segments and account for roughly one fourth of the total revenue. Further, Equinix remains positive on growing demand for data centers. To meet the growing demand for cloud services, the global interconnection and data center company is expanding its IBX data centers globally and gaining popularity among tech companies looking for data management. Thus, the company expects its total addressable market for retail data centers to increase at a CAGR of 8% from 2013 to 2017 and reach $24.0 billion. Based on this projection, Equinix projects a revenue growth rate of 10% through 2017. Therefore, we believe that by acquiring data center assets from Verizon, Equinix will be in a better position to capitalize on this opportunity. Furthermore, the deal will help the company in further strengthening its global footprint and bring in additional revenues by adding approximately 900 customers. Shares of Equinix have been steadily treading higher on a year-to-date basis. The stock generated a return of approximately 9% compared with the Zacks REIT-Equity Trust industrys negative return of 1.6%. Currently, Equinix carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them now>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report EQUINIX INC (EQIX): Free Stock Analysis Report VERIZON COMM (VZ): 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. Zacks Investment Research With racially charged police shootings causing outrage across the country, law enforcement experts believe the deadly encounters can be prevented with a new type of training. Read: Cop Gets Out His Dancing Shoes to Collect Donations for Salvation Army's Kettle Drive Camden County Police Chief Scott Thomson, who oversees police in Camden, New Jersey sometimes called the most dangerous city in the country says there are keys to de-escalating a situation. Thomson told Inside Edition: Just because we can use deadly force doesn't mean we should automatically resort to it if there are other options that we can employ. He says that one of the most important tactics for officers to follow is not to shoot first. Thomson took Inside Edition through his department's tactical headquarters where cops are being trained to de-escalate confrontations. There was a situation where cops say a mentally ill suspect in Camden was swinging a knife. A year-and-a-half ago our officers would have shot and more than likely killed this individual, Thomson said. Police ended up Tasing the man and he dropped the knife. He was taken into custody and no one was injured. Traditionally we train officers to try to resolve situations as quickly as possible. And often times that is a recipe for disaster, Thomson said. In a training exercise, a detective portrayed a troubled woman wielding a knife. Officers are told are given a series of directives in their training. The first is to open a dialogue, followed by keeping a safe distance. The third is to buy some time and keep the dialogue going until backup arrives. Read: Toddler Receives Teddy Bears Made From Slain Father's Police Uniform In a real confrontation, officers keep their Tasers at the ready. During the training exercise, the confrontation was diffused peacefully. What we stress to our officers here is make sure everybody goes home, Thomson said. Story continues Chief Thomson said there has been a 44 percent reduction in excessive force complaints since the program was implemented last year. Watch: 2 Iowa Police Officers Shot Dead in Separate 'Ambush-Style' Attacks Related Articles: * Ukraine was promised visa-free regime by the European Union * Kiev jittery about waning support in stand-off with Russia * Ukraine minister sees 'complete impotence' in EU By Alastair Macdonald and Pavel Polityuk BRUSSELS/KIEV, Dec 7 (Reuters) - The European Union is putting its credibility and reputation at risk by letting internal political wrangling stall a promised easing of visa requirements for Ukraine and Georgia, the head of the European Council said. In a letter sent to European Parliament President Martin Schulz on Tuesday and seen by Reuters, Donald Tusk urged the legislature to compromise with national governments to unblock visa liberalisation. Both former Soviet states feel aggrieved that Brussels in not making good on its promises. "At stake here are the legitimate hopes and aspirations of the nations who are our neighbours, as well as the reputation of the European Union, which has categorically and repeatedly committed itself to the issue," the former Polish premier wrote. "Even though all the parties in this debate have their own good arguments and undoubtedly good will, it seems we are getting close to squandering our joint efforts," he added, saying failure to deliver would be "an unforgivable mistake". Comments by senior Ukraine officials in interviews with Reuters criticising the delay in loosening visa restrictions were unusually outspoken and cut through public displays of bonhomie shown at a Ukraine-EU summit in Brussels in November. "While of course the Ukrainian president and his delegation tried to keep optimism publicly, I understand very well if they return to Kiev somewhat disappointed," Anders Fogh Rasmussen, an adviser to Ukraine's president,said. "I would even use a stronger word. I think it's a kind of betrayal from the EU side, taking into account that Ukraine has carefully fulfilled all necessary criteria for visa liberalisation," the former NATO chief said. Allowing 45 million Ukrainians and 5 million Georgians to travel into Europe's Schengen zone without applying in advance for visas was a potent incentive for people there to accept hard reforms from the governments in Kiev and Tbilisi as they sought to come closer to the EU and distance themselves from Russia. Story continues But the migration crisis, when over a million people from Syria and elsewhere arrived in Europe last year, alarmed EU governments under pressure from anti-immigrant parties, notably in Germany and France which both face elections next year. National governments and the European Parliament are now at odds over a mechanism to suspend visa waivers in emergencies and further negotiations were due later on Wednesday. (Additional reporting by Margaryta Chornokondratenko in KIEV and Gabriela Baczynska in BRUSSELS, editing by Ralph Boulton) By Alastair Macdonald and Pavel Polityuk BRUSSELS/KIEV (Reuters) - The European Union is putting its credibility and reputation at risk by letting internal political wrangling stall a promised easing of visa requirements for Ukraine and Georgia, the head of the European Council said. In a letter sent to European Parliament President Martin Schulz on Tuesday and seen by Reuters, Donald Tusk urged the legislature to compromise with national governments to unblock visa liberalization. Both former Soviet states feel aggrieved that Brussels in not making good on its promises. "At stake here are the legitimate hopes and aspirations of the nations who are our neighbors, as well as the reputation of the European Union, which has categorically and repeatedly committed itself to the issue," the former Polish premier wrote. "Even though all the parties in this debate have their own good arguments and undoubtedly good will, it seems we are getting close to squandering our joint efforts," he added, saying failure to deliver would be "an unforgivable mistake". Comments by senior Ukraine officials in interviews with Reuters criticizing the delay in loosening visa restrictions were unusually outspoken and cut through public displays of bonhomie shown at a Ukraine-EU summit in Brussels in November. "While of course the Ukrainian president and his delegation tried to keep optimism publicly, I understand very well if they return to Kiev somewhat disappointed," Anders Fogh Rasmussen, an adviser to Ukraine's president,said. "I would even use a stronger word. I think it's a kind of betrayal from the EU side, taking into account that Ukraine has carefully fulfilled all necessary criteria for visa liberalization," the former NATO chief said. Allowing 45 million Ukrainians and 5 million Georgians to travel into Europe's Schengen zone without applying in advance for visas was a potent incentive for people there to accept hard reforms from the governments in Kiev and Tbilisi as they sought to come closer to the EU and distance themselves from Russia. But the migration crisis, when over a million people from Syria and elsewhere arrived in Europe last year, alarmed EU governments under pressure from anti-immigrant parties, notably in Germany and France which both face elections next year. National governments and the European Parliament are now at odds over a mechanism to suspend visa waivers in emergencies and further negotiations were due later on Wednesday. (Additional reporting by Margaryta Chornokondratenko in KIEV and Gabriela Baczynska in BRUSSELS, editing by Ralph Boulton) Paul Ryan tried to curb concerns about Donald Trump 's business conflicts Wednesday, contending that the president-elect can separate from his empire "however he wants to." "I have every bit of confidence he's going to get himself right with moving himself from the business guy that he is to the president he's going to be," the House speaker told CNBC's "Squawk Box." Concerns about mixing business and politics have tracked the billionaire developer since his election last month. Trump has businesses and real estate holdings around the globe, and he has seemingly admitted once to discussing a business topic with a foreign official since his presidential win . Trump next week plans to detail how he will separate from his businesses. Trump has indicated his three eldest children will run his companies, but that may not resolve conflicts as they serve on his transition team and daughter Ivanka sat in on a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Ryan said the "legal details of how he divorces himself from his business" do not concern him in Congress. marines ramadi truck Eight years ago, two US Marines from very different walks of life met for the first time when they were put on guard duty at 7:30 in the morning. Just minutes later, the pair of Marines guarding a gate in Ramadi, Iraq, were staring down a large blue truck packed with 2,000 pounds of explosives. They could have sought cover, like an Iraqi policeman on the scene who ran away and lived. Instead, Lance Cpl. Jordan Haerter and Cpl. Jonathan Yale stood their ground. Their split-second choice saved the lives of 50 people. In 2010, then-Lt. Gen. John Kelly who was just tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security told their story to a packed house just four days after he had lost his own son, Robert, to combat in Afghanistan. He spoke of the 9/11 attacks, the enemy that America was fighting, and praised the brave men and women who had volunteered to go overseas since then. Then he moved to the remarkable story of these two Marines, which he told the crowd, showed the "quality of steel in their backs." Here's what he said: Two years ago when I was the Commander of all U.S. and Iraqi forces, in fact, the 22nd of April 2008, two Marine infantry battalions, 1/9 The Walking Dead, and 2/8 were switching out in Ramadi. One battalion in the closing days of their deployment going home very soon, the other just starting its seven-month combat tour. Two Marines, Corporal Jonathan Yale and Lance Corporal Jordan Haerter, 22 and 20 years old respectively, one from each battalion, were assuming the watch together at the entrance gate of an outpost that contained a makeshift barracks housing 50 Marines. The same broken down ramshackle building was also home to 100 Iraqi police, also my men and our allies in the fight against the terrorists in Ramadi, a city until recently the most dangerous city on earth and owned by Al Qaeda. Yale was a dirt poor mixed-race kid from Virginia with a wife and daughter, and a mother and sister who lived with him and he supported as well. He did this on a yearly salary of less than $23,000. Haerter, on the other hand, was a middle class white kid from Long Island. Story continues They were from two completely different worlds. Had they not joined the Marines they would never have met each other, or understood that multiple Americas exist simultaneously depending on ones race, education level, economic status, and where you might have been born. But they were Marines, combat Marines, forged in the same crucible of Marine training, and because of this bond they were brothers as close, or closer, than if they were born of the same woman. The mission orders they received from the sergeant squad leader I am sure went something like: Okay you two clowns, stand this post and let no unauthorized personnel or vehicles pass. You clear? I am also sure Yale and Haerter then rolled their eyes and said in unison something like: Yes Sergeant, with just enough attitude that made the point without saying the words, No kidding sweetheart, we know what were doing. They then relieved two other Marines on watch and took up their post at the entry control point of Joint Security Station Nasser, in the Sophia section of Ramadi, al Anbar, Iraq. A few minutes later a large blue truck turned down the alley wayperhaps 60-70 yards in lengthand sped its way through the serpentine of concrete jersey walls. The truck stopped just short of where the two were posted and detonated, killing them both catastrophically. Twenty-four brick masonry houses were damaged or destroyed. A mosque 100 yards away collapsed. The trucks engine came to rest two hundred yards away knocking most of a house down before it stopped. Our explosive experts reckoned the blast was made of 2,000 pounds of explosives. Two died, and because these two young infantrymen didnt have it in their DNA to run from danger, they saved 150 of their Iraqi and American brothers-in-arms. When I read the situation report about the incident a few hours after it happened I called the regimental commander for details as something about this struck me as different. Marines dying or being seriously wounded is commonplace in combat. We expect Marines regardless of rank or MOS to stand their ground and do their duty, and even die in the process, if that is what the mission takes. But this just seemed different. The regimental commander had just returned from the site and he agreed, but reported that there were no American witnesses to the eventjust Iraqi police. I figured if there was any chance of finding out what actually happened and then to decorate the two Marines to acknowledge their bravery, Id have to do it as a combat award that requires two eye-witnesses and we figured the bureaucrats back in Washington would never buy Iraqi statements. If it had any chance at all, it had to come under the signature of a general officer. I traveled to Ramadi the next day and spoke individually to a half-dozen Iraqi police all of whom told the same story. The blue truck turned down into the alley and immediately sped up as it made its way through the serpentine. They all said, We knew immediately what was going on as soon as the two Marines began firing. The Iraqi police then related that some of them also fired, and then to a man, ran for safety just prior to the explosion. All survived. Many were injured ... some seriously. One of the Iraqis elaborated and with tears welling up said, Theyd run like any normal man would to save his life. What he didnt know until then, he said, and what he learned that very instant, was that Marines are not normal. Choking past the emotion he said, Sir, in the name of God no sane man would have stood there and done what they did. No sane man. They saved us all. What we didnt know at the time, and only learned a couple of days later after I wrote a summary and submitted both Yale and Haerter for posthumous Navy Crosses, was that one of our security cameras, damaged initially in the blast, recorded some of the suicide attack. It happened exactly as the Iraqis had described it. It took exactly six seconds from when the truck entered the alley until it detonated. You can watch the last six seconds of their young lives. Putting myself in their heads I supposed it took about a second for the two Marines to separately come to the same conclusion about what was going on once the truck came into their view at the far end of the alley. Exactly no time to talk it over, or call the sergeant to ask what they should do. Only enough time to take half an instant and think about what the sergeant told them to do only a few minutes before: ... let no unauthorized personnel or vehicles pass. The two Marines had about five seconds left to live. It took maybe another two seconds for them to present their weapons, take aim, and open up. By this time the truck was half-way through the barriers and gaining speed the whole time. Here, the recording shows a number of Iraqi police, some of whom had fired their AKs, now scattering like the normal and rational men they weresome running right past the Marines. They had three seconds left to live. For about two seconds more, the recording shows the Marines weapons firing non-stop...the trucks windshield exploding into shards of glass as their rounds take it apart and tore in to the body of the son-of-a-bitch who is trying to get past them to kill their brothersAmerican and Iraqibedded down in the barracks totally unaware of the fact that their lives at that moment depended entirely on two Marines standing their ground. If they had been aware, they would have known they were safe ... because two Marines stood between them and a crazed suicide bomber. The recording shows the truck careening to a stop immediately in front of the two Marines. In all of the instantaneous violence Yale and Haerter never hesitated. By all reports and by the recording, they never stepped back. They never even started to step aside. They never even shifted their weight. With their feet spread shoulder width apart, they leaned into the danger, firing as fast as they could work their weapons. They had only one second left to live. The truck explodes. The camera goes blank. Two young men go to their God. Six seconds. Not enough time to think about their families, their country, their flag, or about their lives or their deaths, but more than enough time for two very brave young men to do their duty ... into eternity. That is the kind of people who are on watch all over the world tonightfor you. NOW WATCH: The Secret Service seized $30 million in fake money in its biggest bust ever More From Business Insider By Steve Holland and Sarah N. Lynch NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former U.S. Attorney Debra Wong Yang is being considered to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Trump administration, a source familiar with the situation said on Tuesday. Yang is a partner at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher in Los Angeles where she represents corporate defendants in white-collar crime investigations and compliance matters. Previously, Yang served as the first female Asian-American U.S. attorney. She was appointed to the Central District of California by Republican President George W. Bush in 2002 and left in 2006 to join Gibson Dunn. Yang is a longtime friend of Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and donated to his presidential campaign. If tapped, she would become the second consecutive former federal prosecutor to lead the SEC. Its current chair, Mary Jo White, previously served as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. Yang did not respond to a call or an email requesting comment, and it is not clear if she is the leading contender for the top SEC job. Other names that have been floating around include former SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins, who is helping oversee the transition for financial regulation, and Ralph Ferrara, a former SEC general counsel who is also on the transition team. Unlike Atkins or Ferrara, Yang is not considered to be as deeply steeped in securities regulatory policy matters. Yang has represented a variety of corporate clients and also previously served as a Justice Department-appointed monitor for a medical device company. Currently, she is representing Allergan Plc in a lawsuit filed last month against a company called Amazon Medica for trademark infringement, false advertising and unfair competition related to its selling Botox with foreign labels to U.S. doctors. She has also represented Uber Technologies Inc in a class action lawsuit to force the company to pay its drivers overtime and minimum wage. Yang was among the Gibson Dunn attorneys who were hired to conduct an outside investigation into the "Bridgegate" scandal. Their March 2014 report exonerated Christie, finding that he had no involvement in the decision to close lanes on the George Washington Bridge linking New Jersey and New York City. Two of Christie's former close associates, Bridget Kelly, his deputy chief of staff, and Bill Baroni, the former deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, were convicted for their roles in the scandal last month. During their trial, former Port Authority official David Wildstein, who previously pleaded guilty for his involvement, testified that he and Baroni had in fact discussed the lane closures with Christie. Christie has not been charged with wrongdoing. Defense attorneys in the case and local media in New Jersey have raised questions about the independence of Gibson Dunn's investigation, citing Yang's personal friendship with Christie and efforts to raise money for his campaign. RICHMOND, VA / ACCESSWIRE / December 7, 2016 / Exactus, Inc. (EXDI), a life science company that is developing and commercializing ultra-fast, handheld, point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tools powering informed patient management, announced today the appointment of James R. Erickson, Ph.D. as Chief Business Officer. Dr. Erickson will report to Philip J. Young, President and CEO of Exactus. James started his career as a post-doc at Onyx Pharmaceuticals and has since worked primarily in business development roles for diagnostic and biopharmaceutical companies, including AGY Therapeutics, Entelos and Titan Pharmaceuticals. In 2005 Dr. Erickson founded BayPoint Biosystems, a proteomic company focused on commercializing diagnostics/research tools-oriented technology from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. From 2005-2013, BayPoint established biomarker discovery and companion diagnostic development alliances with 12 pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and life science companies. Immediately prior to joining Exactus, James worked as Senior Transaction Advisor at Ferghana Partners, a healthcare investment bank focusing on financings, M&A, and corporate partnering in the diagnostic and therapeutic sectors. "We are fortunate to have an executive with such a broad background in developing novel diagnostic platforms," said Mr. Young. "James' experience in both the technical as well as the transactional aspects of bringing diagnostic to fruition will be an important addition to our management team. We are excited to have James on board as the Company advances towards commercialization of the FibriLyzer platform." About Exactus, Inc. Exactus is a publicly traded life science company based in Richmond, Virginia that is developing and commercializing point-of-care (POC) diagnostics for measuring proteolytic enzymes in the blood. We anticipate our lead product, the FibriLyzer, will provide a simple and affordable means to assess the fibrinolytic status of patients in a broad range of applications and that the use of the FibriLyzer could provide the basis for improved management of patients who are at-risk of hemorrhage, speeding treatment decisions and potentially improving patient outcomes and saving money. Our second product candidate, the MatriLyzer, may be used to detect the recurrence of cancer, and can be used as an at-home monitoring device or during routine office visits. The appearance of elevated levels of collagenase, the enzyme that degrades collagen, have been proven to be an early hallmark of cancer. The MatriLyzer can communicate directly with the attending oncologist via a smart phone application to ensure that (i) the tests are being used properly and (ii) when collagenase levels are elevated signaling the need for the patient to have a more thorough examination. For more information about Exactus, please visit our website at: www.exactusdx.com. Forward-looking statements This press release and any statements of representatives and partners of Exactus, Inc. (the "Company") related thereto contain, or may contain, among other things, certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's plans, objectives, projections, expectations and intentions and other statements identified by words such as "projects," "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "potential" or similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results (including, without limitation, the actual timing for, or actual results of, the Company's clinical trial described herein or the FDA's review of such results) may differ significantly from those set forth or implied in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond the Company's control). The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. For more information: Company Contacts: Philip J. Young, President and CEO pyoung@exactusinc.com Corporate Communications Contact: Tim Ryan, EVP tryan@exactusinc.com 212.242.7777 Investor Relations Contact: Robert Haag Irth Communications robert@irthcommunications.com SOURCE: Exactus, Inc. From the public files at the La Crescent Police Department. Wednesday, Nov. 23 12:41 a.m. Damage to property reported, N. Chestnut St. Repair to be paid for by subject who caused damage. 5:49 a.m. Informational regarding juvenile conduct, S. Elm St. 10:24 a.m. Houston County Sheriffs Office background check for a permit to carry a firearm applicant, Shore Acres Rd. 11:45 a.m. Auto unlock, N. First St. 11:49 a.m. Trouble with party, Larch Ave. Subject left upon request. 12:15 p.m. Emergency medical, Cornforth Ave. 12:40 p.m. Public assist request, N Elm St. 4:31 p.m. Report of brush fire, Hwy. 14/61. The fire was put out. 6:35 p.m. Motorist assist with a flat tire, Hwy. 14/61. 8:20 p.m. Report of a burglar alarm, Shore Acres Rd. Alarm was determined to false. 8:46 p.m. Officer attempted to stop a vehicle for failure to dim headlights, Hwy. 16. The 46-year-old La Crosse man led officers on a 12-mile pursuit. Stop sticks were deployed successfully and the subject took of running where he was apprehended by La Crescent and Houston County Sheriffs Office deputies. The suspect was arrested for failure to dim headlights, driving while intoxicated, fleeing police officers and possession of methamphetamine. Thursday, Nov. 24 Permit to purchase firearm application, Main St. 12:22 a.m. 46-year-old La Crescent woman cited for possession of marijuana, Hwy. 16. 12:54 a.m. Welfare concern, S. Ninth St. Suspicious activity. 1:55 a.m. Driving complaint reported. Vehicle was believed to have traveled into Wisconsin prior to officer arrival to the area. 4:04 p.m. Welfare check regarding juvenile children, N. Second St. 8:57 p.m. Concern for welfare, Main St. Subject located in Texas. 9:25 p.m. Emergency medical, Larch Ave. Friday, Nov. 25 9:44 a.m. Emergency medical, Larch Ave. 9:44 a.m. Emergency medical, S. First St. 9:57 a.m. Emergency medical, Main St. 2:47 p.m. Trouble with juveniles playing on a business roof, Sycamore St. 3:42 p.m. Cat running at large was taken to La Crescent Animal Rescue, N. Second St. 5:12 p.m. 911 hang-up call, Dell Ave. Everything was fine upon scene. Juvenile playing with the phone. 8:25 p.m. Noise complaint, S. Oak St. Area was quiet upon officer arrival. Unable to locate. 10:15 p.m. 20-year-old Preston man cited for speeding, Hwy. 16. Saturday, Nov. 26 3:23 a.m. Burglary alarm reported, Walnut St. Determined to have been false. 11:08 a.m. Emergency medical, Town Hall Rd. 9:59 p.m. 21-year-old Rosemount woman cited for speeding, Hwy. 14/61. Sunday, Nov. 27 2:59 a.m. Assisted Minnesota State Patrol with a complaint of an individual walking on I-90. Subject was located and was walking after his girlfriend following behind motor vehicle. Subjects reported having a verbal domestic dispute. 5:58 a.m. Emergency medical, CTH 1. 11:30 a.m. Minnesota adult abuse report received, Town Hall Rd. Incident reported occurred in La Crescent Township and case was referred to the Houston County Sheriffs Office. 6:10 p.m. Request for a welfare check, S. Seventh St. Subject located in La Crosse and everything was fine. 9:17 p.m. Driving complaint was received regarding a vehicle being operated without working lights, N. Second St. Contact was made with the driver who reported to be unfamiliar with the car and was assisted with activating the light system. Monday, Nov. 28 9:04 a.m. Fraud reported, Main St. 5:10 p.m. Emergency medical, Fireside Ct. 5:24 p.m. Allegations of harassment, S. 14th St. Incident documented at the request of the complainant. 5:59 p.m. Trouble with neighbor complaint, S. 14th St. Issue resolved by La Crescent zoning office. 7:43 p.m. Credit card fraud reported, Main St. Tuesday, Nov. 29 12:10 a.m. Suspicious activity near Veterans Park, N. Chestnut St. Officer investigated. 9:30 a.m. Amended order for protection papers placed on file, CTH 12, Dakota. 3:59 p.m. Bicycle was reported to have been stolen, N. Second St. 4:07 p.m. A credit union reported suspected fraudulent credit card activity in the area of the city of La Crescent, S. Walnut St. Incident is under investigation. 7:15 p.m. Assist La Crosse Police Department with contacting a subject believed to be in La Crescent, S. Oak St. Subject was staying with a friend and contact was made. Wednesday, Nov. 30 6:41 a.m. Winona County Sheriffs Office requested assistance with an unknown alarm sounding in the city of Dakota, River St. Contact was made with homeowner. 9:18 a.m. Credit card fraud reported, Main St. 10:12 a.m. Assisted Winona County Sheriffs Office with a subject reported to be out of control, Veterans Rd. 1:12 p.m. Houston County Human Services requested a welfare check on an individual, Kistler Dr. 1:16 p.m. La Crescent resident reported a phone scam, Redwood East. 1:55 p.m. Hang up 911 call, S. Walnut St. Believed to have been related to repairs being done to the system. 3:56 p.m. Credit card fraud reported, Main St. 6:35 p.m. Harassment complaint, S. 14th St. Incident documented as event was not criminal violation. 10:55 p.m. Emergency medical, Willow St. Thursday, Dec. 1 8:19 a.m. Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle by juveniles, S. First St. Incident referred to county attorney for criminal prosecution. 12:00 p.m. La Crescent resident applied for multiple pet permit, Cedar Dr. 12:06 p.m. La Crescent resident obtained bicycle license, S. Elm St. 12:40 p.m. Trouble with party acting inappropriately, N. Second St. 1:03 p.m. Application for permit to purchase a firearm, N. 13th Ct. 2:28 p.m. Trouble with party, Main St. 4:19 p.m. Emergency medical, S. Second St. 4:33 p.m. Juvenile caught using tobacco, S. First St. 5:18 p.m. Trouble with juvenile, S. Elm St. 8:16 p.m. Parking complaint, Juniper St. 8:56 p.m. Report of two runaway juvenile, S. Elm St. Officers located the juveniles and returned them home. 9:33 p.m. Minnesota adult abuse report received, Lancer Blvd. Amanda Stanton and Josh Murray may have left paradise, but their relationship is here to stay. ET's Katie Krause caught up with the Bachelor in Paradise stars (who got engaged on the show's season three finale this summer) at 102.7 KIIS-FM's Jingle Ball on Friday, where they couldn't help but gush about taking the next step. EXCLUSIVE: 'Bachelor in Paradise' Couple Grant Kemp and Lace Morris Split "We're enjoying life, enjoying the kids and having a good time. We love each other. We're having a great time," Murray reported. "I feel like we've been through a lot in the past couple of months. I mean, kind of merging our families together. He brought his dog with him, he's meeting my kids. So, it's been a lot, but I definitely feel like we've gotten stronger through it," Stanton chimed in. "We're really happy." While their relationship is now stronger than ever, the couple admits that adjusting from island life to real life wasn't easy, adding that watching the show air was one of the hardest parts. "I tried to stay away from social media and what everybody says, but I know it's tough because she wasn't used to the criticism and neither was I," Murray said. "The way everything was portrayed, it made [our relationship] seem like it was bad so we understand people's concerns, but there's no concern for us." "Hopefully people see how we are in real life, and we're having a great time," he added. EXCLUSIVE: Ben Higgins on Living and Working With Lauren Bushnell: 'It Isn't Healthy' Part of real life for the couple meant moving Murray from Atlanta, Georgia, to the Orange County house Stanton shares with her two young daughters, Kinsley and Charlie, which he says has been great for their relationship. "It's been a great decision," he explained. "Yeah, I love her little ones more than anything, so we're excited." Story continues With Stanton's two kids and the couple's "hectic" lives, wedding planning has been a little difficult -- the two say they've been "talking about it" and are "hopefully planning a date soon" -- their more immediate plans include gathering both of their families together for the holidays. "His family and my family are all flying out to Orange County, so we're going to have like, a big family get together, which will be fun," Stanton said, adding that the couple are excited to start new traditions with their family, like Elf on the Shelf and buying a Christmas tree. EXCLUSIVE: Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici Are Planning Baby No. 2! "It's going to be a lot of fun. [It's] my family's first time kind of traveling for the holidays to the west coast they love Amanda and the kids," Murray explained. "The first time they met them was in Kansas City, we brought them up to see one of my brother's games and they fell in love immediately, so they're excited to see them." As for whether the couple will be tuning in to watch new Bachelor -- and Stanton's ex -- Nick Viall's upcoming season, they say they wish him "nothing but the best." "We've moved on from everything," Murray said. "We're very happy in our lives, and we wish him nothing but success in his." EXCLUSIVE: Luke Pell Reveals What to Expect From Nick Viall's 'Bachelor' Premiere Related Articles Can you imagine a more charming, pleasant boss than John Krasinski? While the 37-year-old actor has made a bid for movie stardom in his years since leaving The Office, he's also quietly established himself behind the camera: He made his directorial debut with 2009's Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, in addition to helming several episodes of the NBC sitcom. This year marked the release of his latest effort, The Hollars, a goofy but heartfelt indie about a man (played by Krasinski) who returns to his hometown when his mom falls ill, forced to deal with his dysfunctional family even as he and his pregnant girlfriend start one of their own. The film premiered at Sundance earlier this year and is now available on DVD. Krasinski got on the phone with ET to talk directing nerves, knowing right away that he would marry Emily Blunt, how fatherhood has changed him, and exactly how "jacked" he'll get for his return to TV on Jack Ryan. EXCLUSIVE: Emily Blunt Gushes About Husband John Krasinski: 'He's the Perfect Man' Sony Pictures Classics ET: I imagine that the first day directing your first set must have been terrifying. But you've had a decent amount of experience now. How were you feeling going into the first day of The Hollars? Krasinski: I think that going into the first day of anything is terrifying. A lot of people have said it probably more eloquently than me, but if you go into that first day and you're not terrified, something's wrong. [Laughs] Because usually that means you're overconfident and usually that means the movie's going to be bad. For me, there's this set of nerves that makes me feel oddly safe. The more nervous I am -- and I stay a good dose of nervous -- allows me to maintain that movie can always get better, from the day you start shooting it to the day you premiere your movie. You can always get better. What did you learn from that first film and from directing episodes of The Office that you took with you into this movie? Oh, man! A whole bunch! Brief Interviews was a movie that I adapted from an incredibly, incredibly amazing book and a very personal book for me. David Foster Wallace is such a huge voice for me to follow. I think he's phenomenal. So, there was this idea of doing him justice, doing the words justice. And I gotta say I directed that one out of complete and total ignorance, because I'd never done it before. We went through the process and only when I was done did I learn what a blessed process it was, because one day my D.P. and I were having drinks and he looked back and said, "Wow, man. That was a great experience, but it could have gone wrong here, here, here and here." showed me the minefield that was there and how I somehow meandered my way through without hitting one. Going into this one, I think that ability of foresight and looking down the road and planning on things going wrong in advance really helped me. I don't know how "expertly" [I handled those landmines]. It was more, like, in a cold flop sweat as I maneuvered through it. Story continues When you release a movie and the reviews start coming in, how is it different as a director than as an actor? I don't know. I sound like I'm 92 years old, but being in the business for a decent amount of time, you really do learn -- or you hope to learn -- that you don't allow the reviews to impact you. I've learned from several very astute, very smart people that the day before the movie comes out, you need to feel about your movie as you're always going to feel. That's when you should solidify how you feel. Then how other people feel about your movie is completely up to them. And I think that is very healthy and really helpful. It's difficult sometimes, but for me, I knew what I wanted to get out of the movie and I knew what I thought was special in this movie. I knew that there would be people who, if they liked it, they were really going to like it. And I like that there are people that, if this isn't your type of movie, then you're not going to like it. But we did a lot of Q&As, and I think that having people be so emotionally overwhelmed even throughout asking their questions was so incredibly meaningful for me and I really appreciated when people connected to the movie the way I did. You went off to shoot this shortly after having your first daughter [Hazel in 2014], which was timely since your character is expecting his first child in the movie. How did being a new dad change your approach to playing a soon-to-be dad? In every single way. It's funny, when I signed on as an actor about seven years ago, I had a complete and total different idea of what this script was and what the movie was; I connected as a member of a family. To be the head of a family is a completely and totally different thing. My daughter was four-and-a-half months old when we went to go shoot this movie and to say that my understanding of the movie changed from seven years ago to the day that we started shooting would be the biggest understatement of the year. I came in with an incredibly open nerve. I was thinking about things in a totally different way, how having a baby changed how I looked at my parents, how I looked at my brothers, how I looked at the idea of what I thought I was going to be as a dad to what I ended up feeling as a dad. All those things were playing into every single day that I was directing. It was all pretty intense stuff, so hopefully that helped the actors and they didn't think I was having a nervous breakdown. Getty Images Your character also grapples with whether he wants to marry Anna Kendrick's character and his fears about becoming a dad. Did you have that one moment in your own life where you knew that you wanted Emily to be your wife, or that you'd be great parents together? Oh, yeah! 100 percent. I mean, I don't know who meets Emily Blunt and doesn't hope that you get to become her husband. So, that was pretty immediate for me. But also, my parents have been happily married for many, many years and truly feel like they're more in love today than they were the day they met. Marriage has always been an incredibly sacred thing that you're hoping gets to come your way and something where you get to share happiness with someone else, so I've always respected the idea of marriage and wanted to get married. I will say it's tough. It's a big commitment and it's hard to look at these different people through that lens, because it's an intense lens to put anybody under. But Emily, through any lens, is someone that you just pinch yourself that you even get to be around her, let alone married to her. And now as a father of two, did you have any of those same fears about becoming a dad? Yeah. Absolutely. One of the things I found so interesting is it felt like there was this idea before we had kids, every time you'd talk to your friends, you ask them what it's like and the sort of standard answer, 99 percent of the time is, "It's amazing! You're going to love it! It's really special!" Which it is! All those things are true. But no one says that it's tough and no one says that it's hard and no one says that they're scared. I had one friend who actually had a baby while we were shooting a movie together and I remember saying to him, like, "Oh, man! How is it being a dad?" And he said, "It's the best thing that's ever happened to me and it's so unbelievably hard." The only thing I want is to be a quarter of as good a person as my parents, so I was going into this parenting thing thinking if I could just follow half of their lead, I would be fine. And you realize the moment your child arrives, it's extremely personal. There is no manual. Not your parents, not a book, not your friends can help you. It's got to be very individual and that is a very terrifying thing to have thrown at you, that you thought, If I just do these things it's going to work out perfectly. And then you realize the incredible power in it being personal, that your journey is unlike any other journey that people are having. Certainly there are general similarities, but the specific journey you're going through with your kid is just with you and that person. You came to direct The Hollars in a more roundabout way. [Krasinski signed on as an actor and agreed to direct it himself after financing fell out.] But as you move forward in your career, is directing something you're wanting to pursue more and more? Absolutely. I'm a little crazy. I'm one of those people that loves being busy and I love trying new things. Certainly [in] my acting career since The Office, I've wanted to try new things, so getting to do things like 13 Hours was awesome. And directing for me, I'm always learning and I know that. In fact, my favorite directors say that they're constantly learning. That the moment you think you've nailed it is the moment you usually leave the business. But I know what you're saying. This one I was cast as an actor and really came into directing. I think the truth is I respect directing so much. I'm not one of those actors who just said, "And now I'm going to be a director!" Like it's a forgone conclusion. I respect it so much that I have to be the right guy for the job. I hope another one comes along, because I would like to do it, but I won't direct just to direct. I will do something that I feel is incredibly personal and something that I can't not do. You and Emily haven't worked too extensively together on many projects, but would you ever want to direct her in something? That would be great. We've always wanted to work together, but it's just about finding the right story and also finding a story that's unique and specific enough that the story itself will be a better story than just the idea of us working together. And that's somewhat difficult to find, if that makes any sense. We want the narrative to be the movie itself, not overwhelmingly just that we're married and we worked together. I want to switch gears from directing to producing. You were an executive producer on Manchester by the Sea, which has been getting loads of Oscar buzz. What has that been like? It's just been incredible to watch, because it's a true testament to how things in this business can work out perfectly. It was my original idea, it was the first idea that I ever had for a screenplay, and yet, I know very, very well, clearer than anything else, that if I had been the one to write it, it would not be the movie that you guys have seen and everyone is celebrating. It is so from [Kenneth Lonergan]'s brain. It's just the perfect equation of how things can work out: I had the idea, I gave it to Kenny, Kenny did exactly what only Kenny can do with a script like this, and then handed it to someone like Casey [Affleck] who does something that only Casey can do with a performance. It's kind of reminding me of when I was back in college. No one was being in plays because it was going to make them famous. No one was going to see these plays. You did it because you loved it. You wanted to tell a story. You sat around with your friends and you had a couple beers and you each gave each other a part and you all did something fun. That's exactly what this is. You give it to the people you respect and you love what they do, and they do exactly what you love about them and out comes this incredibly unique, incredibly special movie. So, I will say it is so much fun to be in the stadium. Even being on the team bench here, close to this project, has been amazing and I'm cheering them on all the way. I'm so proud of it. We also just found out that your buddy Jimmy Kimmel will be hosting the Oscars. Could we see a Handsome Men's Club reunion at the Academy Awards? [Laughs] Maybe! I'm an executive producer. You know they don't invite executive producers to the Oscars. It's producers or bust, that's what I hear. So, I'll be watching it at home, I'm sure. Not that Manchester needs it, but I'm happy to pull some strings and maybe have Jimmy read a different name out. Though I think Manchester has a great shot at being read off the paper anyway. Paramount Pictures And next up for you is the Jack Ryan TV series on Amazon. What made you want to get back into television? It's not that I didn't want to be back in television, but I'm sure you understand, it had to be something special. Because certainly there will be no more special experience for me in my career than The Office. No matter what I do, it's the thing that started out my career, it's the thing I owe every opportunity to, so there's nothing that's going to be as special as The Office. But it has to come close. The idea of doing the Jack Ryan show was a very interesting idea, but Carlton Cuse, who's the showrunner and one of the creators of Lost, explained [that], as much as we all love these movies, I think jamming all that Tom Clancy in this character into a two hour movie is a very difficult task. This character is a brain, he's an analyst, his superpower, if you will, is his problem solving. The way to get to the real richness and the deep idea of who Jack Ryan is is to do it in long form television. And that just hooked me. Because then, perhaps we're doing the books -- or the character. It's not based on the books -- but [doing] the character himself better justice by doling it out and almost making it feel like a book. Relying on the character's brains, then, does that make you less pressure that you have to get 13 Hours jacked for this? [Laughs] I'm working out right now for it, so it feels as difficult as 13 Hours. I do like the idea that he has to look a little more normal. Though, listen -- he's a Marine and after doing 13 Hours, I know the Marines well. I think they're going to tell you, "You better get 13 Hours jacked for it and do us proud." So, I'm doing it for them! Related Articles By Florence Tan SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil major BP (BP.L) is shipping almost 3 million barrels of U.S. crude to customers across Asia, pioneering a lengthy and complex operation likely to become more popular after OPEC last week announced deep production cuts. BP's efforts, involving one of the world's longest sea routes, seven tankers and a series of ship-to-ship transfers, underscore a desire among oil traders to develop new routes to sell swelling supplies of cheap U.S. shale oil to Asia, the world's biggest consumer region. While exports of U.S. crude have been allowed since a 40-year ban was lifted a year ago, the distance, cost and complexity of shipping to Asia has so far kept the flow to a trickle. Now, using its global shipping and trading network, BP was able to grapple with U.S. port limitations and the need to transfer oil between ships off Malaysia to split cargoes for customers across Asia, according to trade sources and shipping data in Thomson Reuters Eikon. "Keeping regional price differentials, different tanker rates, and the forward price curve in mind while considering the delivery needs and schedules of your counterparties is not something many oil trading firms can do," said a shipping source in Singapore, who had knowledge of the operations. "BP is one of perhaps half a dozen firms capable of doing so," he added, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to publicly discuss operations. BP declined to comment. OPEC INCENTIVE While BP's operations are currently the most sophisticated, others have also begun developing U.S./Asia trade. China's Unipec, the trading arm of Asia's largest refiner Sinopec , is shipping about 2 million barrels of WTI to China this month, while trading house Trafigura is also exporting some 2 million barrels of U.S. oil to Asia. Incentives to bring U.S. crude into Asia have risen after the Middle East-led producer club of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia agreed to cut output, encouraging refiners across the region to seek alternatives to offset potential supply shortfalls. Story continues "OPEC is putting U.S. shale oil to the test... (and) we will truly see what it can deliver," said Bjarne Schieldrop, chief commodity analyst at SEB. He predicted 2017 would be a "shale oil party" with a surge in U.S. exports after the OPEC production cuts. The operation to send the oil, worth around $150 million (118.37 million pounds), to Asia-Pacific buyers lasted four months and involved BP traders in the United States and Singapore, while colleagues from London were responsible for ship chartering, the sources said and data showed. BP took advantage of arbitrage between cheaper U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) (CLc1) crude and the global benchmark Brent (LCOc1). The deal was aided by cheap tanker rates and a price/time curve, where future oil deliveries are more expensive than those for immediate discharge, making sourcing oil from as far away as North America profitable. FROM GOLA TO MALAYSIA BP's operations to Asia kicked off in mid-September, when it chartered the large Suezmax-class tanker Felicity to load crude from the smaller Aframax-class vessel Eagle Stavanger in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) off Texas. Days later, also at GOLA, BP transferred oil from three Aframax-class tankers to the C. Excellency, a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC). The transfers were necessary as American ports cannot load oil on the biggest tankers. A VLCC can carry 2 million barrels of oil, enough to meet two days' worth of Britain's consumption, while a Suezmax and an Aframax can load 1 million barrels and 800,000 barrels, respectively. Too big for the Panama Canal, the Felicity and C. Excellency sailed around South Africa to the Linggi International Transhipment Hub in Malaysia where their cargoes were split up again for delivery across Asia-Pacific. In late October, the Felicity transferred part of its oil to the smaller Aframax Taurus Sun, which then delivered 300,000 barrels of WTI Midland crude to Thailand, according to shipping data. The C. Excellency received the rest of the Felicity's cargo in Malaysia, then transferred oil to Aframax-class British Gannet in November. On Wednesday, shipping data shows that the British Gannet docked at BP's Kwinana refinery in Perth, Australia to make its final delivery. The cargo will have travelled more than 16,000 nautical miles (30,000 km) from GOLA. Meanwhile, C. Excellency received some fuel from another super-tanker, the Gener8 Andriotis, and this week headed to Sriracha in Thailand to deliver 300,000 barrels of WTI, shipping data showed. Sources involved with the shipment said some of that oil would likely proceed to Japan. While BP's operation stands out size and complexity, more long-haul trades are likely. "As Middle East producers and Russia are due to cut their output, large crude buyers (in Asia)... will likely import an incremental amount from longer-haul sources," said Erik Nikolai Stavseth from Norway's Arctic Securities. To view graphic on U.S. shale costs falling click http://tmsnrt.rs/2g6CY7r (Additional reporting by Liz Hampton and Marianna Parraga in HOUSTON, Catherine Ngai in NEW YORK, and Keith Wallis in SINGAPORE; Editing by Henning Gloystein and Lincoln Feast) Ryan Gosling is the hottest leading man in Hollywood and now, with his role in the new musical dramedy La La Land, the acclaimed star has returned to his song and dance roots. Gosling has come a long way since he started off as a teenage star, but it turns out his favorite memory of his early days in musical theater came before he ever got his big break. "My uncle was an Elvis impersonator and I was in his act when I was 8," the 36-year-old heartthrob told ET's Carly Steel at the premiere of La La Land in Los Angeles on Tuesday. "He was wonderful and an inspiration to me, so that was fun." WATCH: Ryan Gosling Singing and Dancing as a 12-Year-Old Will Make Your Day Despite his background in performing, Gosling said that mastering the classic ballroom-style numbers in his latest film was a far cry from the dance styles he learned for his time as a cast member on the All-New Mickey Mouse Club in the early 1990s. "'90s hip hop is a little different from soft shoe and all the other stuff that they asked us to do here," Gosling joked. "I thought maybe some of that might help, but it really didn't. It was like starting all over again." As for his on-screen love interest, Emma Stone, she said acting on stage at a young age helped shape her appreciation for her upcoming musical spectacular. "I think playing Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh was helpful for this," Stone joked of her time as an teenage actress growing up in Phoenix, Arizona. "I did a bunch of youth theater [growing up] and it was really a wonderful experience." WATCH: Listen to Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone's Gorgeous 'La La Land' Duet In La La Land, Gosling plays Sebastian, a dedicated, struggling jazz pianist who meets Mia (Stone), an aspiring actress who is becoming disenchanted with the audition grind. The two fall in love as Sebastian and Mia encourage and support each other's career dreams. Story continues In real life, Gosling says there's another special woman he credits with supporting him throughout his careers ups and downs: "My mom." Stone shares similar sentiments. "My mom. Always my mom," Stone said, when asked who she credited for encouraging her throughout her career. "She's the best." WATCH: Emma Stone Recalls 'Sweating All Over' Ryan Gosling While Training for 'La La Land' Recently, ET sat down with Stone, who had nothing but praise for her La La Land co-star's dance skills. Asked to describe Gosling's fancy footwork in three words, Stone said, "Really super great." Check out the video below to hear more from the actress about reuniting with her Crazy, Stupid, Love co-star. La La Land hits theaters Dec. 9. Related Articles By Kylie MacLellan LONDON (Reuters) - While the British government tries to prevent parliament from having to pass a law to trigger the country's exit from the European Union, Reuters research indicates the lower house would in fact support it, based on lawmakers' recent statements. Prime Minister Theresa May has said she aims to launch the two-year negotiating period for the country's departure from the 28-nation bloc by the end of March and that the referendum vote in June to leave the EU provides sufficient instruction. The High Court has said parliamentary approval is required to invoke Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon treaty, governing the EU exit process. The government is challenging that decision in the Supreme Court, which began hearing the case on Monday. If the government loses, the House of Commons lower chamber could in theory block Brexit, because a majority of lawmakers supported staying in the EU at the referendum. But recent public comments made by remain-supporting lawmakers from the ruling Conservative Party and main opposition Labour Party indicate that May would have more than the number of votes the government would need to pass a Brexit bill. Their positions, set out on social media, on their own websites or in media interviews, reinforce the likelihood of Brexit, which has wide implications for the EU and beyond. They could change by the time the Supreme Court rules in January, however, and any Article 50 bill could also face trouble in parliament's upper chamber, the House of Lords, although if it blocked the bill the government could retable it. THE NUMBERS At least 64 Conservative and Labour lawmakers in the lower house have said they plan to vote to trigger Article 50 if parliament is given a say. Lawmakers from the Democratic Unionist Party, Ulster Unionist Party, and UK Independence Party, who number 11 in total, will also back it. A further 98 members of parliament are either whips, tasked with getting lawmakers to vote the way the government wants, or ministers, and are therefore required to vote with the government. In addition, 129 others from the two main parties backed quitting the EU, bringing the total to 302. Seventy-three lawmakers have said they respect the outcome of the referendum or would not ultimately block the start of divorce talks, indicating they could either vote for or abstain. While the government in theory needs 322 votes to be sure of passing a bill, any abstentions would bring that number down. If all 73 abstained, the number needed to pass the bill would drop to 285, so it would still easily go through. "Of course there are different views on what an EU exit should look like," John Penrose, a remain-backing lawmaker and former minister wrote on grassroots website ConservativeHome. "But if we start bickering about them before we've even begun our journey to leave the EU, we will never take the first step," said Penrose, who has introduced a motion to parliament calling for it to support triggering Article 50. A total of just 22 remain-backing lawmakers from the Conservative and Labour parties have said they either definitely would or may vote against triggering Article 50, depending on what information they have at the time. The Scottish National Party's 54 lawmakers, all of whom represent areas which voted to remain, and the pro-EU Liberal Democrats, who are seeking a second referendum on the final Brexit deal, have also said they may vote against. Last week a Liberal Democrat who campaigned on a promise to vote against starting Brexit talks won a parliamentary seat previously held by May's Conservatives and members of other small parties may also vote against. SEEKING ASSURANCES The BBC reported the government has prepared a three-line piece of legislation which it believed would be "bomb-proof" against amendments by lawmakers seeking to add conditions. Some will still try. Labour have said they plan to amend the bill to secure assurances over access to the EU's single market and protection of workers' rights, something the government says would tie its hand in upcoming negotiations. "We will not frustrate the process by voting down Article 50, but we cannot have a debate in a vacuum," Labour's Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer told parliament last month. "The future relationship of the UK in the world is at stake. The Prime Minister simply cannot keep all this to herself." Lawmakers on Wednesday backed a call by Labour for the government to set out its plans for leaving the EU before formal talks begin. In a symbolic vote they also supported, by 461 to 89, May's Brexit timetable. While some argued this effectively meant lawmakers were agreeing to support the start of exit talks regardless of the exact legal process, Labour's Starmer said lawmakers were "not voting to trigger article 50 or to give authority to the Prime Minister to do so". Single market access, protecting jobs and the economy and safeguarding worker's rights were the top three most important issues mentioned by remain-supporting lawmakers in their public comments on what they would seek to prioritise in Brexit talks. But many lawmakers are now more focussed on lobbying the government once talks have begun than holding up the process. "It is vital that there is full scrutiny and accountability during the process," Labour lawmaker Hilary Benn, chair of parliament's Brexit committee, said. "It has also been argued that parliament should delay the triggering of Article 50 until there is a firm deal on the table, but this can't happen for the very simple reason that until negotiations begin ... no deal will be able to be reached." (Additional reporting by Himanshu Ojha, editing by Philippa Fletcher) MUMBAI (Reuters) - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) unexpectedly kept its policy repo rate unchanged at 6.25 percent on Wednesday, despite calls for action as an intense cash shortage threatens to slam the brakes on the world's fastest growing major economy. Here are some initial reactions to the decision. COMMENTARY: SAMRAT DASGUPTA, CEO, ESQUIRE CAPITAL INVESTMENT, MUMBAI "The policy rate decision is very surprising. We expected at least a 25 basis point cut in the repo rate so that the economy gets stimulated a little bit. But it doesn't look like that is happening. There is already a slow down in the economy because of demonetization. So we expected some action to be taken." "We certainly expect the RBI to cut rates in the next policy meet. It will become a big problem otherwise." "Inflation will remain low. This was an opportunity for the governor to cut rates; so I think it is a missed opportunity." SANDIP SABHARWAL, DOMESTIC PRIVATE FUND MANAGER, MUMBAI: "Market rates are down so policy not very relevant." "Withdrawal of Incremental CRR from 10th Dec is a positive. RBIs assessment of inflation outlook is likely to be wrong given demands destruction post demonetization." "Urjit Patel seems to have tried to prove that he has not sold his soul to the government." VARUN KHANDELWAL, MANAGING DIRECTOR, BULLERO CAPITAL, DELHI "The way RBI has been operating over the last three weeks has been a bit bewildering. For example, when demonetization happened, the RBI should have announced the CRR measures on that day itself instead of announcing it ten days later." "The RBI seems to be a little inconsistent in the different things it are trying to say." "It is difficult to say at this point whether there will be a rate cut in the next policy meet because that will again be a function of how demonetization has played out. I think the RBI would prefer to see what the Fed does, and if the Fed is not very hawkish, they will probably cut (rates) at the next meet." Story continues CHAKRI LOKAPRIYA, CIO; TCG GROUP HOLDINGS LLP, MUMBAI "We read that RBI thinks there is a demand crunch and lack of cash will lead to supply constraints which will raise inflation. RBI is seeing growth at 7.1 percent vs. 7.6 percent and higher inflation due to supply constraints." "RBI should have cut rates to bring back growth rather than focus on supply side risks which are more sticky. Focusing on items such as rise in crude prices as risks over which RBI has no control is not an appropriate stance." RUPA REGE-NISTURE, CHIEF ECONOMIST, L&T FINANCE HOLDINGS, MUMBAI: "I think RBI will cut the rates in the next policy meet quite aggressively, by 50 basis points." "They left the rates untouched because they had to focus on financial stability and rupee stability. Whatever transmission had to happen has already happened." TIRTHANKAR PATNAIK, INDIA STRATEGIST, MIZUHO BANK, MUMBAI "We are certainly disappointed with the lack of clarity from the policy commentary on the impacts of demonetization." "The central bank's decision to keep rates unchanged opens up room for a rate cut in February. While we do not see any upside risks for the next two quarters, we do believe that the monetary policy stance will be more dovish going ahead." DEVENDRA KUMAR PANT, CHIEF ECONOMIST, INDIA RATINGS, NEW DELHI "It was not a surprise to us. The situation is pretty uncertain both global and domestic. Commodity prices are inching up. Monetary policy should not viewed from the point of view month-to-month inflation. Policy should always be about what the future looks like." KUNTAL SUR, PARTNER, RISK & REGULATORY, PWC INDIA, MUMBAI "Global factors like stronger a US dollar, possibilities of a further rate hike by the Fed in Dec & hardening of oil prices internationally may have forced RBI to keep repo rate unchanged at 6.25 percent. The market liquidity will be maintained as RBI announced withdrawal of incremental CRR from Dec 10." (Reporting by Mumbai and Bengaluru Newsrooms; Editing by Euan Rocha) (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump plans to nominate wrestling magnate Linda McMahon as his choice to head the Small Business Administration, Trump's transition team said in a statement on Wednesday. The following is a list of Republican Trump's selections for top jobs in his administration. All the posts but that of national security adviser require Senate confirmation: TREASURY SECRETARY: STEVEN MNUCHIN Mnuchin, 53, is a relatively little-known but successful private equity investor, hedge fund manager and Hollywood financier who spent 17 years at Goldman Sachs before leaving in 2002. He assembled an investor group to buy a failed California mortgage lender in 2009, rebranded it as OneWest Bank and built it into Southern California's largest bank. The bank came under fire for its foreclosure practices as housing advocacy groups accused it of being too quick to foreclose on struggling homeowners. DEFENSE SECRETARY: JAMES MATTIS Mattis is a retired Marine general known for his tough talk, distrust of Iran and battlefield experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. A former leader of Central Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East and South Asia, Mattis, 66, is known by many U.S. forces by his nickname "Mad Dog." He was once rebuked for saying in 2005: "It's fun to shoot some people." U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: U.S. SENATOR JEFF SESSIONS Sessions, 69, was the first U.S. senator to endorse Trump's presidential bid and has been a close ally since. Son of a country-store owner, the Alabama senator and former federal prosecutor has long taken a tough stance on illegal immigration, opposing any path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. COMMERCE SECRETARY: WILBUR ROSS Ross, 78, heads the private equity firm W.L. Ross & Co. His net worth was pegged by Forbes at about $2.9 billion. A staunch supporter of Trump and an economic adviser, Ross helped shape the Trump campaign's views on trade policy. He blames the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico, which went into force in 1994, and the 2001 entry of China into the World Trade Organization for causing massive U.S. factory job losses. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY: U.S. REPRESENTATIVE TOM PRICE Price, 62, is an orthopedic surgeon who heads the House of Representatives' Budget Committee. A representative from Georgia since 2005, Price has criticized Obamacare and has championed a plan of tax credits, expanded health savings accounts and lawsuit reforms to replace it. He is opposed to abortion. HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY: BEN CARSON Carson, 65, is a retired neurosurgeon who dropped out of the Republican presidential nominating race in March and threw his support to Trump. A popular writer and speaker in conservative circles, Carson previously indicated reluctance to take a position in the incoming administration because of his lack of experience in the federal government. Carson is the first African-American picked for a Cabinet spot by Trump. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: ELAINE CHAO Chao, 63, was labour secretary under President George W. Bush for eight years and the first Asian-American woman to hold a Cabinet position. She is a director at Ingersoll Rand, News Corp and Vulcan Materials Company. She is married to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky. EDUCATION SECRETARY: BETSY DEVOS DeVos, 58, is a billionaire Republican donor, a former chair of the Michigan Republican Party and an advocate for the privatisation of education. As chair of the American Federation for Children, she has pushed at the state level for vouchers that families can use to send their children to private schools and for the expansion of charter schools. [L1N1DO0KC] DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: JOHN KELLY The final leadership role of Kelly's 45-year career was head of the U.S. Southern Command, responsible for U.S. military activities and relationships in Latin America and the Caribbean. Kelly, 66, differed with Democratic President Barack Obama on key issues and has warned of vulnerabilities along the United States' southern border with Mexico. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ADMINISTRATOR: SCOTT PRUITT An ardent opponent of President Barack Obama's measures to stem climate change, Pruitt, 48, has enraged environmental activists, but he fits with the Republican president-elect's promise to cut the agency back and eliminate regulation that he says is stifling oil and gas drilling. Pruitt became the top prosecutor for Oklahoma, which has extensive oil reserves, in 2011, and has challenged the EPA multiple times since. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATOR: LINDA MCMAHON McMahon, 68, is a co-founder and former CEO of the professional wrestling franchise WWE, which is based in Stamford, Connecticut. She ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut in 2010 and 2012, and was an early supporter of Trump's presidential campaign. U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS: GOVERNOR NIKKI HALEY Haley, 44, has been the Republican governor of South Carolina since 2011 and has little experience in foreign policy or the federal government. The daughter of Indian immigrants, she led a successful push last year to remove the Confederate battle flag from the grounds of the South Carolina state capitol after the killing of nine black churchgoers in Charleston by a white gunman. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: RETIRED LIEUTENANT GENERAL MICHAEL FLYNN Flynn, 57, was an early Trump supporter and serves as vice chairman on his transition team. He began his U.S. Army career in 1981 and was deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq. Flynn became head of the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2012 under President Barack Obama but retired a year earlier than expected, according to media reports, and became a fierce critic of Obama's foreign policy. CIA DIRECTOR: U.S. REPRESENTATIVE MIKE POMPEO Pompeo, 52, is a third-term congressman from Kansas who serves on the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, which oversees the CIA, National Security Agency and cyber security. A retired Army officer and Harvard Law School graduate, Pompeo supports the U.S. government's sweeping collection of Americans' communications data and wants to scrap the nuclear deal with Iran. (Reporting by Washington Newsroom; editing by Peter Cooney, Bill Trott and Jim Finkle) (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump was scheduled to hold additional meetings on Wednesday as he forms his administration before taking over from Democratic President Barack Obama on Jan. 20. The Republican president-elect has held more than 80 meetings so far, according to his transition team. This week, Trump was to meet with the following people: WEDNESDAY RAHM EMANUEL * Democratic Chicago mayor, former White House chief of staff for U.S. President Barack Obama and political director under former Democratic President Bill Clinton PAT MCCRORY * Republican governor of North Carolina who on Monday conceded the state's gubernatorial race to his Democratic challenger SCOTT PRUITT * Oklahoma attorney general, whose name has been mentioned as possible Environmental Protection Agency administrator * Was also scheduled to meet with Trump on Nov. 28 ANDREW PUZDER * Chief executive officer of CKE Restaurants whose name has been mentioned as possible labor secretary * Second meeting with Trump THURSDAY RETIRED ADMIRAL STAVRIDIS * Retired U.S. Navy Admiral, former supreme allied commander of NATO, dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University FRIDAY JOE MANCHIN * U.S. Senator from West Virginia, a Democrat NEXT WEEK Trump has also invited technology industry leaders for a meeting on Dec. 4, according to media reports citing transition officials. Reuters could not immediately confirm the reports. (Reporting and writing by Doina Chiacu, Susan Heavey and Eric Walsh; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, W Simon and Frances Kerry) People attend an open house at the new Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. (Photo: Mark Lennihan/AP) Federal authorities indicted a Tampa, Fla., woman on Wednesday, accusing her of issuing death threats to a parent whose child died in the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre. According to the indictment, Lucy Richards believed that the school shooting was a hoax. She is accused of sending messages like you gonna die, death is coming to you real soon and LOOK BEHIND YOU IT IS DEATH to the unnamed parent, who now lives in Florida. A fringe conspiracy theory denies the authenticity of the Sandy Hook massacre, which shocked the nation Dec. 14, 2012. Adam Lanza shot and killed 20 young children and six adults before killing himself at the Newton, Conn., school. The shooting led to a renewed push for federal gun control legislation, which is at the center of some of the conspiracy theories about the massacre. Among the people who have questioned the shooting is talk radio host Alex Jones, who interviewed President-elect Donald Trump during the campaign. Jones, a prominent conspiracy theorist, said Trump called and thanked him after winning the election. I dont know what the truth is. All I know, the official story of Sandy Hook has more holes in it than Swiss cheese, Jones said on his radio show last month while denying that he has deliberately labeled the shooting a hoax. A hoax is also allegedly responsible for an incident on Sunday in which a man walked into a Washington, D.C., pizzeria and started shooting. According to police, the 28-year-old gunman, Edgar Maddison Welch, said he wanted to self-investigate a conspiracy theory accusing the pizzeria of being the center of a sex ring involving Hillary Clinton and her campaign chair. The fake news industry has been in the spotlight since the November election, which featured a number of viral, false stories about the race. The fictitious news articles took off on platforms like Facebook and Google. According to the U.S. attorneys office in South Florida, Richards was arrested Monday and charged Wednesday with four counts of transmitting threats in interstate commerce. Each count carries a maximum term of five years in prison. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day is repeatedly told to teenagers everywhere. To students, the reminder can be translated as nagging and a nonessential; to Black River Falls High School students, the phrase is a statement backed by their schools breakfast served every day. Im just such a firm believer in breakfast. If a student is focused on hunger, then they wont learn. Black River Falls School Districts Nutrition Services Supervisor Connie Seiber said. Students are now getting balanced meals not just pick-me-ups. The program started six years ago when Black River Fall High School Counselor Sue Leadholm attended a conference on alcohol and drug prevention. There she met a representative of the national nonprofit, Fuel Up to Play 60. They promote better nutrition for the students and exercise, we are able to apply funding through Fuel Up to Play 60, Leadholm said. The first couple of years when we started working with them, we focused on physical activity. We had annual wellness days where students would be encouraged to come outside and play kickball, or walk. In the past three years the school has shifted to nutrition. Leadholm said the schools staff had noticed that students were not eating breakfast. Serving breakfast started small at the school; at first, the students were given simple foods like yogurt. That soon developed into extensive breakfast choices and the need to move breakfast from the classrooms to the cafeteria before the first bell. There are three reasons for that, Leadholm said. The first being the selection, the kitchen would make hot items but since they werent delivered right away they wouldnt be warm by the time the students got them. The second is waste; we would take so many food items to the classrooms that wouldnt be used. And the third is staffing. It takes time to get the items into the bins and transport them, this way the kitchen staff can stay in the kitchen. The school also provides a free or reduced lunch program. There are 44 percent of the 517 students at Black River Falls High School who qualify for the state funded free or reduced lunch. I know for a fact that some students eat the breakfast and lunch we provide, and thats all they eat for the day, Leadholm said. Although the free or reduced lunch program is funded through the state, the breakfast program is funded through a Fuel Up to Play 60 grant the school qualifies for. Fuel Up to Play 60 works with the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. The school receives the funding based off of how many students are participating, Seiber said. It was change at first, which can be a little fearful, we didnt know if we could financially afford to serve breakfast, there were so many variables. Although the schools program has had some success, the school is looking for ways to increase student participation. One avenue is the student ambassador club. The club, which has five members, focuses on expanding breakfast participation and physical participation. Three of the members work solely on physical activity, while the other two members, McKayla Gilbertson, 16 and Emma Goodenough, 15, work on the nutrition side. If the school breakfast program doesnt have enough kids using it, it could be terminated, Goodenough said. Less than half of the students at the high school take advantage of the breakfast. We want to get it to 50 percent or higher. We both eat breakfast at school every day. The two sophomores have partnered through the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, a program they have participated in since sixth grade, to draw more students to the schools breakfast. We work in advocacy and we problem solve. This year we are trying to increase breakfast and milk sales at the school, Goodenough said. The two hope to propel breakfast sales with the addition of iced coffee and milk-based drinks to the menu. A lot of the same people eat breakfast at the school every day, Gilbertson said. People dont eat sometimes based off what theyre serving. If theres coffee everyday, then they will at least see whats for breakfast when theyre getting the coffee. The coffee and milk-based drinks offered by the school will be free to the students. A trial period for the program will start after winter break. Weve bought two packs of the Milk Magic (the flavoring for the drinks), Gilbertson said. We talked to the food service ladies and Kemps has donated 200 cartons of milk to us, we have a $400 grant from Fuel Up to Play 60. Weve talked it out and I think it will be successful. Due to the concentrated efforts the school has made, it was recently recognized as a model school to represent breakfast in Wisconsin. Im proud that weve been recognized and its wonderful that the students have participated in the program but its the food service that has gone the extra mile, Connie (Seiber) who has had the paperwork organized and filled out, our staff for working together, she said. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Relatives of Malaysian businessman Low Taek Jho plan to take fresh court action in a bid to prevent the U.S. government from seizing assets as part of an investigation into the scandal-tainted 1MDB fund, according to a U.S. court filing. Four relatives of Low Taek Jho will file court actions in New Zealand and the Cayman Islands this week to have real estate and other assets transferred to a new trustee, according to a motion on Monday in federal court in Los Angeles. The motion seeks to push back a hearing, giving the relatives time to take their case to courts in New Zealand and the Cayman Islands, which the government had argued were the proper venues for their requests. The government is opposed to delaying the hearing from Dec. 12 to Jan. 23, the filing says. The businessman, commonly referred to as Jho Low, is among the people named in civil lawsuits filed in July by the U.S. Department of Justice, which alleged that more than $3.5 billion was misappropriated from the 1MDB fund. The lawsuits seek to seize $1 billion in assets allegedly siphoned off from 1MDB and diverted into luxury real estate in New York, Beverly Hills and London, valuable paintings, and a private jet. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak established the fund in 2009 and chaired the advisory board until recently. The move by Low's relatives to try courts elsewhere came after the U.S. government opposed a previous attempt to replace their current trustee, which they say is unable to file a claim to transfer control of the assets. In addition to Low, the Department of Justice has also named Riza Aziz in its lawsuits. Aziz is Najib's stepson and founder of Red Granite Pictures, which produced the 2013 Hollywood blockbuster "The Wolf of Wall Street". The lawsuits do not name Najib but say more than $700 million of misappropriated funds flowed into the accounts of "Malaysian Official 1", who U.S. and Malaysian officials have identified as Najib. Najib has denied any wrongdoing and said Malaysia will cooperate in the international investigations. (Reporting by Nathan Layne in NEW YORK and Praveen Menon in KUALA LUMPUR; Editing by Leslie Adler and Paul Tait) Fareed Zakaria has a tough challenge ahead of him: Trying to sum up President Barack Obamas eight-year tenure as U.S. President in about two hours. In a two-hour special, The Legacy of Barack Obama, set to air this evening at 9 p.m. on both CNN and CNN International, Zakaria examines the successes and failures of Obamas presidency, looking at both his ambition and the way that led him to try to put new policies into place. Too often, Zakaria said in an interview, we focus on the sensational and the daily scamper. What we are trying to do is ask what will this presidency look like when the history books are written? The author, who hosts a Sunday program on CNN that looks at policy and international affairs, said he aimed to drill deeply among Obamas closest advisers. Among the interviewees are former senior adviser David Axelrod; presidential historian Doria Kearns Goodwin; former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel; U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner; senior advisor Valerie Jarrett; retired General David Petraeus; U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry; and President Obama himself. Many last looks at a presidents legacy can afford to take a more definitive tone, but Zakaria noted his effort will end with a question mark, owing to President-elect Trumps vows to undo many of President Obamas signature accomplishments. Its definitely a cliffhanger, he said. Every segment we did we have to ask ourselves: How much of this get unraveled in the first few days of Trumps presidency? How much will be unraveled in the first few months? Zakaria and his producers had to take steps to explain to viewers why some initiatives will stick around despite the new leaders promises, and acknowledge some were bound to be repealed. But he found much to seize upon as well. From the start of his first term, Zakaria said, Obama was determined to make a mark. The ambition and the desire to be consequential are some of the most interesting things about Obama, he noted. There is a note of desire to emulate President Ronald Reagan, said Zakaria. Reagan was able to fundamentally reshape the trajectory of America in a way that Bush was not able to and Clinton was not able to. You can tell that Obama really wanted to move certain things forward. The report will also examine Obamas ability to achieve forward strides in such areas as criminal justice and climate change, despite being opposed by a Republican-dominated Congress for six of his eight years in office. Story continues There are mistakes, too. After killing Osama bin Laden and crippling al Qaeda, the Obama administration had to confront a more dire threat. Three years later, ISIS is storming across the sceen. Syria is in chaos. The new terror group is capturing and beheading Americans and capturing Iraqi towns, explained Zakaria. How did this happen? The report will also look at Obamas inability to get lawmakers to come together on gun violence, particularly in the wake of the Sandy Hook shootings Newtown, Conn., in 2012. He mounts this very aggressive campaign involving the families and the parents of the victims, and still he falls six votes short in the House of Representatives, and you can just tell, Zakaria said. His face is livid with anger, but hes also heartbroken. Zakaria and his team collected so much in their interviews that some outtakes are likely to surface on Fareed Zakaria GPS, his Sunday-morning CNN program, as well as online. Related stories Cable-News Hopes for 'Nightline' Moment for Election-Cycle Shows Megyn Kelly Fields Early Offers From Rivals: Could She Go to CNN? Donald Trump Slams CNN, Flag-Burning in Early Morning Tweets Desperate Housewives alum Felicity Huffman just landed a starring role in ABCs upcoming comedy, Libby and Malcolm. The series explores todays concept of divided politics and how it can affect the life of a married couple who come from opposing sides. Libby (Huffman) is a strong and brilliant Republican, while Malcolm (Courtney B. Vance) is a liberal pundit who also happens to be very charming and approachable. At work, Libby and Malcolm go head-to-head on their new political talk show. At home, they will try to raise their three children with the same points of view. Filming for Libby and Malcolm will kick off as soon as Huffman completes her work on American Crime Season 3. Libby and Malcolm is created by Black-ish showrunner, Kenya Barris. The shows executive producers include E. Brian Dobbins, Huffman and Vance. As of late, there is still no official release date for Libby and Malcolm, but its first episode will most likely air next year. Meanwhile, Huffman gained recognition as an actress when she starred in the TV series Desperate Housewives. The show spanned eight seasons until it aired its final installment on May 13, 2012. Following the shows cancellation, Huffman spoke with The Hollywood Reporter to express how emotional it was for her and her co-stars to say goodbye to Wisteria Lane. Its really the water weve been swimming in for the last eight seasons. Our children have grown up. Its going to be a real sea change. Its been the most wonderful years of my professional life, she said. Since exiting the franchise, Huffman has starred in American Crime and Boomerang. She will also play the role of Duchess Avedon in Presence. Felicity Huffman Photo: Reuters/Danny Moloshok Related Articles Alexandria (United States) (AFP) - A fierce legal battle over the patent for a revolutionary gene-editing technique played out Tuesday in a US court, with billions of dollars at stake. The tool called CRISPR-Cas9 -- hailed as faster, cheaper and more accurate than current gene-snipping methods -- holds fabulous promise for applications in medicine and agriculture. It is to genetics what word processors meant as progress compared to typewriters. In one corner of the fight are two women regularly considered possible candidates for a Nobel prize: French microbiologist Emmanuelle Charpentier of the Max Planck Institute in Berlin and biochemist Jennifer Doudna of the University of California, Berkeley. Opposing them is Feng Zhang, a leading light at the Broad Institute, a research facility affiliated with Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Both sides claim to have developed CRISPR-Cas9. It allows scientists to edit, with pinpoint accuracy, stretches of the genome by removing, adding or changing pieces of the DNA sequence. Major medical labs and biotechnology companies see the technique as having stunning potential. But critics worry over ethical concerns, such as changing DNA within reproductive cells, because these tweaks will be passed on from generation to generation. The three scientists were represented by lawyers at the court in Alexandria, Virginia for a hearing that lasted less than 50 minutes. There is broad agreement that Charpentier and Doudna -- winners of many prizes in the past four years -- discovered this gene-editing technique that has raised so many hopes. Their work was published in the journal Science in June 2012. But they described using CRISPR with simple organisms such as bacteria. They filed for a patent in May 2012. The Broad Institute, with Zhang, filed a patent request in December 2012 for a successful test of CRISPR with eukaryotes -- more advanced organisms whose cells contain a nucleus with a membrane. Story continues This step forward opened up vast possibilities for extending gene-editing to human cells. The question before the three-judge panel Tuesday was whether Zhang benefited from the discovery of the other two scientists or was actually responsible for moving CRISPR forward as a technology. "Dr Zhang had already started to work on it prior to" the publication of his rivals' work, said Steven Trybus, lawyer for the Broad Institute. Quoting an interview that she gave, Trybus said Doudna "experienced many frustrations trying to get it in human cells." A lawyer for the other side sought to dismiss any suggestion that his clients had failed. Todd Walters, a lawyer for the University of California, said Doudna has granted hundreds of interviews and "there is no statement in the record that she believed that it wouldn't work in eukaryotic cells." What will the judges do to attribute paternity for the discovery of the century in biotechnology? They can decide that one side wins it all, or split things up by assigning some patents to both sides. No decision is expected for weeks. But either way, CRISPR-Cas9 is destined to keep the world of genetics abuzz for a long time. Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE:RDS.A) announced Wednesday it has signed a provisional agreement with Iran to explore future energy projects in the region. Though the agreement is nonbinding and the terms have not yet been fully disclosed, Shell said it is working to further explore areas of potential cooperation with Tehran. Shell, the second largest listed oil firm in the world, is the biggest company to express interest in the country since sanctions were lifted in January as part of Irans perceived compliance with the controversial nuclear deal. The Anglo-Dutch oil giant could provide a huge boost to Irans energy industry, which took a tremendous hit as a result of financial restrictions imposed by the U.S. and other Western countries. People fail to realize how desperate the economic crisis in Iran had become as a result of sanctions. Iran was almost flat on its back financially, dead broke, John Hannah, deputy national security advisor for the Middle East under Vice President Dick Cheney, told FOXBusiness.com. Since the sanctions were lifted, businesses have been cautious about investing in Iran. For U.S. companies in particular, additional obstacles took the form of separate sanctions imposed over Irans support of terrorism and its human rights abuses. Still, opportunities for financial gain in the region are plenty, and businesses now seem eager to buy in. Last month, Total SA (NYSE:TOT) signed a deal with Tehran worth $4.8B to develop the South Pars gas field, the largest in the world. The French oil and gas giant is now reportedly looking to negotiate an oil deal as well. But it is not just energy companies touching down in Tehran. European plane manufacturer Airbus, along with U.S. aerospace and defense company Boeing (NYSE:BA), were both given the greenlight to sell aircraft to Iran earlier this year. Boeing, which has been a recent victim of President-elect Donald Trumps ire over the cost of its new 747 Air Force One jets, told FOXBusiness.com it looked forward to working with the President-elect after his victory last month, and would remain cooperative with his policies in the region. Story continues Should the U.S. Government determine it is appropriate that the sanctions removed under the nuclear agreement snap back into place, we would comply with that determination, the companys vice president of communications, Gordon Johndroe, said. The political uncertainties regarding Trumps policies toward Iran are profuse. The President-elect, who has called the deal the worst deal ever negotiated and has pledged to dismantle it, has sparked sharp criticism from Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in recent days. In an address at the University of Tehran, President Rouhani asked "Do you think the United States can rip up the JCPOA (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal)? Do you think we and our nation will let him do that?" Tehran also reportedly held a vote on Sunday, to ban "the purchase of U.S. consumer goods including animal and agricultural products" in response to the unanimous Senate decision to renew the Iran Sanctions Act. The Iranians have no clue what to make of Trump. The uncertainty no doubt has them very nervous. And it has only gotten worse with the appointment of people like [General James] Mattis, [Rep. Mike] Pompeo and [General Mike] Flynn who are known to favor a much tougher approach toward Iran, Hannah said. Nevertheless, Shell, which has significant financial interests in the U.S., is no stranger to navigating the difficult relationship between Iran and the Western world. It was one of the first Western companies to reinvest in Irans oil sector following its post-Islamic Revolution reopening in the 1990s, though that investment was ultimately cut short by the imposition of tighter financial sanctions. Royal Dutch Shell stock was trading slightly higher Wednesday afternoon. Related Articles One of the most important court decisions in Wisconsin political history was argued largely in secret. The arguments were made in briefs that were heavily redacted or entirely shielded from public view. The evidence was hidden. Most of the litigants were anonymous. The level of secrecy is something I havent ever heard of happening in Wisconsin, says David Schultz, a retired University of Wisconsin law professor who has watched the state Supreme Court for 40 years. Unless the high court decides to unseal its files, the public will remain ignorant of the full facts and arguments it considered when it shut down the John Doe II investigation centered on Gov. Scott Walkers campaign known in court documents as Unnamed Movant No. 1. Leaked and inadvertently unsealed records revealed that Walker raised large, undisclosed donations for ostensibly independent political groups, which in turn ran issue ads prior to the 2011 and 2012 Senate recall elections and the 2012 gubernatorial recall. These are unregulated, thinly veiled communications often intended to influence elections without expressly advocating for or against any candidate. When two lawsuits aimed at killing the probe and a third filed by prosecutor Francis Schmitz attempting to save it made their way to the Supreme Court, the majority of justices agreed that most of the issues should be argued in secret to prevent testimony which may be mistaken or untrue from becoming public. In July 2015, by a 4-2 vote, the court ended the probe, declaring that the conduct under investigation was not illegal and ordering that the evidence be returned to the subjects or destroyed. The court later amended its order to direct that the remaining evidence be turned over to the court. No one was ever charged. But questions remain: What exactly did Walker do behind the scenes to fight the recalls? What evidence did prosecutors offer that two of the justices had conflicts of interest? Did prosecutors abuse their discretion in investigating activity that the subjects argued was protected political speech under the First Amendment? And, importantly, did the court follow the law and precedent when it decided to shut down the investigation? Or did it, as Justice Shirley Abrahamson charged in her dissent, engage in a blatant attempt to reach its desired result by whatever means necessary? In October, two nonprofit and nonpartisan groups the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council and the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism filed a public records request with Diane Fremgen, the clerk of the Supreme Court, asking that the case file be opened. Fremgen denied the request, saying the court had directed her to maintain certain filings in the case under seal even essential records such as motions and briefs filed with the court. There are, we understand, concerns about releasing some exhibits attached to the court filings, on grounds that this evidence was illegally seized by prosecutors and should remain sealed. But Fremgen decided not to split those hairs, denying the entire request. Abrahamson, for her part, has argued the case should be open, writing, The public has a constitutional, statutory and common law right of access to judicial proceedings and judicial records. We agree. Unless the high court decides to unseal its files, the public will remain ignorant of the full facts and arguments it considered when it shut down the John Doe II investigation centered on Gov. Scott Walkers campaign ... Police clashed with anti-austerity protesters in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, December 6, as state legislators voted on budget cuts. Protesters rallied out the Rio de Janeiro Legislative Assembly during the debate. Demonstrators were mainly public servants some of whom have not been paid for months, according to local media. Police used tear gas and pepper spray and officers were photographed firing stun grenades from the window of a nearby church, triggering complaints from the the Rio diocese, who dubbed the police action an invasion, the BBC reported. Dozens of people were injured in Tuesdays protest and nine arrests were made. Credit: Instagram/alinalinanana via Storyful First Lady Michelle Obama inspires us as she talks about her election night reaction For eight years, we have looked up to the First Lady for her wisdom, poise, and unending kindness. We will be sad to see her leave, but we wish her all the most incredible things for the future. In an interview with People Magazine, Michelle Obama revealed what she did on election night when Donald Trump was elected. And in classic Michelle fashion, her answer is nothing but positive. While many have been upset by the results of the election, Michelle offers a calmness and acceptance that reminds us why shes so incredibly awesome. Check out First Lady Michelle Obamas words here: When asked what she did on election night, Michelle said, I went to bed. And we dont blame her! Michelle continued, I dont watch debates. I dont like to watch the political discourse. I never have. I barely did with him. Once you do what you can do, then you rest easy. Its in the hands of the American people. We are so impressed by Michelles dignified response. We could learn a lot from her courage and positivity. We find it inspiring that Michelle trusts our democracy, even at a time when many people have questioned it. Michelle famously encouraged us to stay classy during a tough election. She said, When they go low, we go high. And shes clearly sticking to that. Michelle told People that she got to say everything she wanted to say during the election. And I stand by that, she said. She and Baracks job now is to make the transition as easy as possible for the new administration. She is so optimistic, and we love that. We are so going to miss this incredible lady when she leaves the White House. Thank you, Michelle, for being an amazing First Lady that we all admire. The post First Lady Michelle Obama inspires us as she talks about her election night reaction appeared first on HelloGiggles. After days of heavy rainfall, roads in Koh Samui, the second largest island in Thailand, were severely flooded on December 5. Koh Samui is in the province of Surat Thani, which has been declared a disaster area, according to the Bangkok Post, citing Gov Auychai Inthanak of Surat Thani. Torrential rainfall was expected to continue in Thailands southern provinces, including Surat Thani, according to Thailands meteorological agency. The agency also warned that strong winds could lead to waves reaching 7-10 feet in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Credit: YouTube/Alex Ledak via Storyful By all accounts, Donald Trump places an enormous premium on loyalty. And thats a good thing. But Trump is a pragmatist. And thats another good thing. Trumps original campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, was a zealot -- a brash acolyte who egged on his bombastic boss and was unafraid to confront the media and stomp on the toes of the Republican Establishment. Without the sometimes manic Lewandowski, the Trump candidacy might have faltered. Related: Trump Fires Campaign Manager Lewandowski, Gives Manafort the Job But when it was time for Lewandowski to go, Trump cut him loose. And when Paul Manafort, Lewandowskis successor as chief campaign guru became a liability because of his foreign entanglements, Trump reportedly listened to the advice of his children and financial backer Rebekah Mercer and brought in Kellyanne Conway to assist Manafort. In short order, Manafort was eased out and replaced by the duo of Conway and Steve Bannon. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, one of the 16 primary rivals vanquished by Trump, became an early endorser and coat-holder who almost openly salivated at the prospect of being picked as the GOP nominees vice president. When that didnt happen, he settled for chief of the transition team. But after Christies aides were convicted in the Bridgegate scandal and the governor left them hanging out to dry, he also became a liability and was ousted, according to Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner. Now Trump is faced with another loyalist who must be marched out of the Tower: former Army General Mike Flynn. The trouble with dispatching Flynn is that he has already been named National Security Adviser. But thats the trouble with keeping him, too. Related: Day of the Generals: Trumps Tilt Toward the Military Flynn might have skated into the West Wing (and he still might) were it not for a nutbag from North Carolina who believed fake news stories that said children were being held as sex slaves at Washington pizza restaurant Comet Ping Pong part of a ring led by Hillary Clinton and rushed in to investigate on Sunday, assault rifle in hand. Story continues The white knight responding to the fabrication called Pizzagate and was arrested. The incident might simply have been added to the incalculably long list of bizarre election-related moments were it not for the explosion of outrage over the proliferation of fake news and the fact that among those dumping this garbage can of lies on Americas head was ex-General Flynn. The New York Times said on Tuesday that less than a week before the election, Flynn posted a fake news story on Twitter claiming that New York cops and prosecutors were investigating Clinton and top members of her campaign for pedophilia, money laundering, perjury and other major felonies. That wasnt a one-off. Flynn and his 33-year-old son Michael G. Flynn, who has served as chief of staff at the consulting firm his father founded when he left the military, Flynn Intel Group, have a history of disseminating fake news and what The Times calls unsubstantiated claims. Related: Here's Why Fake News Spreads So Fast on Facebook A Politico story on Monday accused General Flynn of pushing dubious factoids including the one about Clinton and child sex trafficking -- at least 16 times since August 9. In July, he retweeted a post that on its face seemed anti-Semitic. Even after the incident at Comet Ping Pong, Michael G. Flynn tweeted: Until #Pizzagate proven to be false, it'll remain a story. The left seems to forget #PodestaEmails and the many coincidences tied to it. On Monday morning, Veep-to-be Mike Pence said on the MSNBC show Morning Joe that General Flynns son had no role on the transition team. That statement was contradicted later in the morning by Trump spokesperson Jason Miller who said the younger Flynn had been helping his father but was no longer involved with transition efforts. Removing the son from involvement in the transition was the easy part. Its the father that presents Trump with a conundrum. Related: China Says Terrorism, Fake News Impel Greater Global Internet Curbs After introducing his choice for Defense Secretary, former Marine General James Mad Dog Mattis, at a thank you rally in Fayetteville, N.C., on Tuesday, Trump said, I believe we are in the process of putting together one of the all-time great Cabinets that has ever been assembled in our nations history. Mattis is certainly a step in the right direction a smart appointment that will reassure the global community. A second similar step would be to name Jon Huntsman, the former Utah governor and ambassador to China, as Secretary of State. But Trump cannot afford to undermine his effort to build a credible team by retaining General Flynn as his National Security Adviser. Yes, it will be embarrassing to replace Flynn, who was as loyal a campaign stalwart as Christie or former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, another problematic supporter looking for a job, but the general has tweeted away any benefit of the doubt about his judgment. Related: Most Americans Back 'Just The Facts' News Stories: Pew Survey Before General Flynn was dismissed by President Obama, he was chief of the Defense Intelligence Agency, and earlier he directed intelligence operations in Afghanistan, where he was credited with being expert at unraveling complicated terrorist organizations. Flynn was also a proponent of open-source intelligence relying on information available in the Internet Age enhanced by traditional, clandestine collection methods. He wrote an influential white paper, Fixing Intelligence, and has been described as an innovator who sought to update intelligence collection and dissemination practices to comport with modern technology. Still, he was either unable to distinguish between the truth and fake news or he chose to spread heinous falsehoods. How can Trump or the public have any confidence that he will be able to offer the high-value, credible advice that the president should expect when he has demonstrated such a cavalier attitude toward the facts? General Flynn admirably served his country. He can admirably serve it again by stepping aside as National Security Adviser and walking out of Trump Tower with his head held high. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: A former Texas high school teacher was recently arrested for allegedly having sex with one of her students after the two connected on Snapchat, according to multiple reports. Alaina Ferguson was arrested on Nov. 30 and charged with sexual assault, according to jail records. McKinney, Texas, police spokeswoman Sgt. Ana Shelley declined to comment further on Fergusons case as it is an open investigation, but she confirmed Fergusons arrest to PEOPLE. Rumors of the former algebra teachers two-month relationship with a 16-year-old student spread throughout Plano Senior High School, according to The Dallas Morning News. The student allegedly told police he wrote his Snapchat username at the top of a test while in Fergusons algebra class, according to CBS News. Ferguson, 24, allegedly replied via the app, and the two met a few days later and had sex on a park bench. CBS News reports that the teenager and Ferguson allegedly had sex while his friend took the dog for a walk. They allegedly had sex in her apartment on several occasions. CBS DFW, a local station, reports the two allegedly often played beer pong at her apartment as well, which she shared with her fiance. Ferguson allegedly told the student she knew the relationship wasnt right but that it felt right at the time, according to these reports. Ferguson was released on Dec. 1 on $100,000 bond, following her arrest, according to jail records. She worked for the Plano school district from August to October, says district spokeswoman Lesley Range-Stanton. Ferguson resigned from her job on Oct. 14, but school and district officials were unaware of any criminal investigation involving her until after her resignation, Range-Stanton says. The district declined further comment. It was not immediately clear if Ferguson has entered a plea to her charge. PEOPLE could not immediately reach her defense attorney for comment. A message left Monday afternoon at Fergusons home was not returned. Reporting by ADAM CARLSON Linda McMahon, the former CEO of WWE, has been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump as the next administrator of the Small Business Administration. McMahon, who has waged unsuccessful campaigns for the Senate in Connecticut, was a major contributor to a super PAC that supported Trump. In a tweet, she said that she was honored to be appointed to the position. Honored to be appointed by President-Elect @realDonaldTrump to serve as head of @SBAgov advocating for our small businesses & entrepreneurs! she wrote. Honored to be appointed by President-Elect @realDonaldTrump to serve as head of @SBAgov advocating for our small businesses & entrepreneurs! Linda McMahon (@Linda_McMahon) December 7, 2016 Trump, in a statement, said that Linda is going to be a phenomenal leader and champion for small businesses and unleash Americas entrepreneurial spirit all across the country. He noted that she helped grow WWE from a modest 13-person operation to a publicly traded global enterprise with more than 800 employees in offices nationwide. She left WWE in 2009 to pursue a political career. She helped found the company with her husband, Vince McMahon, in 1980, and the company grew into a powerhouse in the world of professional wrestling. A major part of the SBAs work is to provide government guarantees for loans to small businesses. Trump once appeared at a Wrestlemania event, in which he body slammed McMahon and then helped shave his head. Related stories AT&T, Time Warner Chiefs Grilled on Donald Trump's Campaign Promise to Block Merger Donald Trump Says 'SNL' Was a 'Good Show' When He Hosted, But 'It's Not Anymore' Donald Trump Named Time Magazine's Person of the Year But who are the two greatest beneficiaries? The impact of recent government-back relief for Singapore Oil & Gas companies is not expected to be large, but every bit helps, said DBS Vickers Securities. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has recently announced enhanced support measures for the marine and offshore engineering (M&OE) companies based in Singapore, in view of the intensifying financial challenges for the sector amidst a prolonged industry downturn. The support is in the form of new incremental loan facilities from SPRING Singapore and IE Singapore available to Singapore-based M&OE industry players (see table on next page for definitions). This comprises i) the Bridging Loan facilities, which provides up to S$15m in borrowings to M&OE companies/groups for working capital purposes, and ii) the Internationalisation Finance Scheme (IFS), which was already in place, but its maximum quantum has been increased from S$30m to S$70m. According to the research house, Pacific Radiance and Ezra are key beneficiaries while PACC Offshore Services Holdings (POSH), Nam Cheong, Vard, and Mermaid Maritime may not qualify. Here's more from DBS Vickers Securities: Within our coverage of SGX-listed OSV players and shipbuilders, we think PACRA and Ezra (including subsidiary EMAS Offshore) qualify for, and would benefit the most from, the S$15m Bridging Loan facility. PACRA is 68% held by Mr. Pang Yoke Min, a Singaporean, and has its headquarters in Singapore, thereby qualifying as a candidate. Ezra also has its headquarters in Singapore, and including its management's stake, we think the 30% local shareholding criteria should be met. These two names have been seeing negative cash flows and have relatively low cash balances; thus the Bridging Loan should make a positive impact, at least for a while. Others such as POSH (c.81% held by the Kuok Group from Malaysia), Nam Cheong (majority Malaysian-entity held), Vard (majority Italian-owned and no operations in Singapore), Mermaid Maritime (c.76% held by the Thoresen group and related promoters based in Thailand) do not seem to meet the eligibility criteria. More From Singapore Business Review Paris (AFP) - Yannick Noah was named captain of France's Fed Cup team for the second time on Wednesday, just five days after having his contract as Davis Cup skipper extended by a year. The 56-year-old former French Open champion takes over the national women's team from Amelie Mauresmo who held the job from 2013 to 2016. Mauresmo stepped down last month after revealing she was pregnant, a day after the team lost in the final to the Czech Republic. Noah led the Fed Cup team to the 1997 title with victory over the Netherlands. The 1983 Roland Garros champion will take charge for the first time in his second spell when France face Switzerland in Geneva on February 11 and 12. Noah took over the Davis Cup team for a third time in September 2015 after captaining France to victory in 1991 and 1996. France lost in the semi-finals of the 2016 Davis Cup to Croatia and travel to Japan for the first round of the 2017 edition in February 3-5. Florange (France) (AFP) - Towering above the Moselle valley in northeast France are two rusting testaments to the dashed hopes of Francois Hollande's presidency that loom large over the election of his successor next year. Five years after steel giant ArcelorMittal snuffed out the last two blast furnaces in a crucible of France's heavy industry, the workers who fought to save their beloved "cathedrals", as they call them, are still seething. Lakshmi Mittal, the Indian billionaire owner of the sprawling steelworks that runs between the towns of Florange and Hayange, is the target of much of their ire. But the ruling Socialists are also feeling the heat. They are accused of betraying voters who elected Hollande on a promise to tame capitalism and keep the Florange fires burning. "I will never again vote Socialist. Never. It's over," said Lionel Burriello, a 39-year-old mechanic, who followed his Italian immigrant father into the steel mills. "It was a shit job, toiling in the heat and the dust. But we took pride in it," said the trade unionist, one of the 629 workers who were moved to jobs in the site's rolling mills or pensioned off under a 2012 compromise brokered by the government. For Olivier Weber, another son of the valley who carried out the last smelting operation in October 2011, the loss of the hot steel mills robbed the region of a key marker of its identity. "Seeing the furnaces is like seeing the graves of relatives in the cemetery. It's painful," the 35-year-old said. - When steel was gold - The deindustrialisation that fuelled Brexit and Donald Trump's rise to the White House has created fertile ground for far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who is hoping to pull off a similar upset in the April-May election on a protectionist platform. More than 1.5 million manufacturing jobs have been lost in France in the past 25 years, with some of the country's best-known manufacturers like Peugeot and TGV high-speed train maker Alstom among those requiring a leg-up recently from the state. Story continues Situated at the crossroads between France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, the Lorraine region where the Moselle valley is situated has kept afloat thanks to a broad manufacturing mix. But the signs of decline sparked by the crisis in Europe's steel sector, which claimed a steelworks in Gandrange in 2008, are starting to stack up. "It's becoming a wasteland here," said Gabriele Mariotti, the owner of a cafe on the main street of Hayange, a grey town at the foot of the blast furnaces. "The gold in this valley was steel. Now there's nothing left. They sent it all overseas," said Fernand, a scrap metal dealer and FN supporter whose son was among hundreds of people laid off from ArcelorMittal subcontractors in the past five years. In 2014, Hayange made headlines when it dumped its longtime Socialist mayor for a young gun from Le Pen's National Front (FN). Trade unionist Frederic Weber fears the FN could spring a similar surprise in the presidential election, which polls show ending in a duel between Le Pen and Francois Fillon, a Thatcherite conservative. "People here are lost," says Weber. "They tell us they will either not vote at all or vote FN." On a visit to Florange in October Hollande defended the five-year commitment he secured from ArcelorMittal in 2012 to preserve jobs and plough 180 million euros ($193 million) into the area in return for the mothballing of the furnaces. "The battle was won," Hollande declared -- an assessment contested by the workers, who resent him for overriding former economy minister Arnaud Montebourg's proposal to temporarily nationalize the site. Last week, Hollande announced he would not stand for re-election, paving the way for his prime minister, Manuel Valls, to throw his hat in the ring. "Whether it's Hollande or Valls, it's the same thing. It's just a change of packaging," Weber said. - Globalisation's losers - Local Socialist lawmaker Michel Liebgott accuses "Made in France" champion Montebourg -- who is also running for the party's presidential nomination -- of perpetuating "a romantic vision of the working class that no longer exists". "In today's factories, people are sitting at computers," Liebgott argues, calling for greater investment in training people to work in high-tech plants. Burriello, who is running for parliament next year on a hard-left list, said voters drawn to populist candidates faced a choice between two "us-versus-them" programmes. "With the National Front, it's us versus contract workers from other European countries. With the far left, it's us versus the financial oligarchy." The opportunities and pitfalls of Europe's open borders are on daily display in Lorraine, where 90,000 skilled workers commute across the border each day to Luxembourg for better wages, while the unskilled eke out a living at home. It's a politically toxic cocktail for Liebgott, whose 20-year parliamentary career could be in jeopardy if he stands again in the general election in June. "I'd be happy to make it to the second round," he says. Hola Tannerinos! Fuller House, Netflixs most popular show, returns Friday, Dec. 9 after an excruciating nine-month wait. From dating a San Francisco Giant (hello, Hunter Pence!) to Mexican wrestling (Lucha Kaboom) to planning a 13th birthday party that goes hilariously wrong, DJ, Stephanie, and Kimmy have had their fair-share of hijinks and theres much more to come! Yahoo TV spoke with Full House/Fuller House creator Jeff Franklin to get a sneak peek at what audiences can expect from Americas favorite TV family in Season 2. With holiday-themed episodes, a surprising new romance for Stephanie, and a special guest appearance by New Kids on the Block, anything is possible when it comes to the Tanner-Gibbler-Katsopolis-Gladstone household. DJs love life was a big focal point last season. Is the Steve/Matt/DJ love triangle still in play? Jeff Franklin: Absolutely. The triangle is now a pentagon. While DJ was having her summer of introspection to decide what to do, the other guys got girlfriends, so its even more complicated. Juicy! Will Stephanie have any more luck in the romance department this season? She does have a new boyfriend in Season 2, and that is going to be Kimmys brother, Jimmy [played by Switched at Birth star Adam Hagenbuch]. All sorts of complications will come with that relationship, which will be a lot of fun for people. Stephanie was trying to figure out her life and music career during Season 1. Where do we find her in Season 2? Instead of concentrating on being a DJ, she is pursuing her singing career. One thing we learned from Season 1 was just how great a vocalist Jodie [Sweetin] is, so were using that. In fact, on December 9th, she is releasing on iTunes an original song that she does on the show. Were all very excited for her. Shes really, really good. Is Stephanies new singing career something that Jodie brought to the creative team, or did that plot development just happen naturally? I knew she could sing, but she was so shy about it initially. She wasnt pushing her talent at all, but I asked her to record something for me and it was just beautiful. I really pushed her to sing, and she just gets better and better. Im really happy with this direction for her character. Story continues DJ, Stephanie, and Kimmys new she-wolf pack was a big highlight of the first season. Can you tease any of the new hijinks theyll be getting into? I can tell you that this will really be a fun season. At one point, they turn into wedding crashers, and at another they are visited by their favorite band of all time, New Kids on the Block. There are plenty of opportunities for the three of them to have fun together. I feel like the world has been waiting for a Fuller House/New Kids on the Block crossover. All of us know each other so well, 25 or 30 years now, so of course Ive known about Candace [Cameron Bure]s and Andrea [Barber]s favorite band. I knew it would be a dream-come-true for the girls to have NKOTB on the show. Its something Ive been pursuing for a while, and it finally came together. Candace Cameron Bure, Michael Campion, Elias Harger (Credit: Michael Yarish/Netflix) A key theme of Full House was the sisterhood between Tanner girls. You now have an interesting chance to explore the nature of brotherhood with the Fuller boys. Are there any storylines with the brothers youre looking forward to sharing this season? Theres a crisis with the family dog that brings Jackson and Max together. Theres a story about Jacksons lack of self-confidence and his feeling like hes not really special in any particular way. His little brother plays a big part in helping him through that. They also have an opportunity to unite. For the first time, we meet Joeys family this season. That Joeys kids are troublemakers is no surprise, and having to deal with them also brings Jackson and Max together. Speaking of Joey, can you give us an update on the extended Tanner-KatsopolisGladstone family? Does Becky still have baby fever? Becky does have baby fever, and thats a big part of their storyline this season. We wrapped the storyline for Season 2 around the holidays: theres a Halloween show, a Thanksgiving show, a Christmas show, a New Years show. Those celebrations provide lots of opportunities for the extended family to get together. Youll have to see how it plays out. Dave Coulier, Bob Saget, Lori Loughlin, John Stamos, Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin (Credit: Michael Yarish/Netflix) Bob Saget and John Stamos shared set pictures from the Thanksgiving episode on their social media. Can you talk about the atmosphere on a typical day on one of those shoots? There are so many bodies on the stage because the cast just keeps growing and growing. I think more than 13 people are included in the cast now. The numbers area lot to manage, but we still get all the work done and have fun at the same time. Having the extended cast present for the holiday episodes is challenging but certainly worthwhile. When we have the cast of Full House and Fuller House reunited, theres nothing else like it on TV. Theres no series that spans 30 years like we do. The love that everyone has for each other in and out of character is so obvious. We really treasure these moments that we have together. Anything else we can look forward to in Season 2 of Fuller House? Many characters from the past make an appearance this season, including the return of Gia and Girl Talk. We also did a special high school reunion episode in which DJ gets to be reunited with Nelson and Viper, her two boyfriends after she broke up with Steve. Plus, Cathy Santoni is back! Lots of fun stuff. Season 1 of Fuller House is streaming now on Netflix. Season 2 hits Dec. 9. On Wednesday, Starbucks (SBUX) executives gathered in New York City for the companys investor day event. During the presentation, the coffee giant unveiled plans for new stores, new products, and future changes in its rewards program. The Starbucks rewards program of the future will probably include multiple redemption tiers, said Matt Ryan, chief strategy officer of Starbucks, at the conference. Currently, gold is the only status level beyond the basic membership. Future changes to the program will also expand how customers can acquire stars. We finally have the ability to take stars beyond retail stores, he said. We can now put stars on products like K-Cups and were going to be piloting doing it on our ready-to-drink products as well. For K-Cups and ready-to-drink products, customers will be able to earn stars by acquiring star codes off of the packing. (As of now you could earn stars for anything you buy in the store.) Starbucks caught some heat in April when it announced a new loyalty program, which would reward members with stars based on how much money they spent. The old program awarded stars based on number of visits. The new system had some customers promising to boycott Starbucks, but the company says it hasnt seen a change in coffee habits. In fact, the Seattle-based retailer currently has 12 million members in its rewards program, an 18% rise year over year. The program transition is successful and complete, Ryan said. We have a 94% retention rate, which is stronger than it was prior to the switchover in the program. Its fairer and customers like the program better, unequivocally. Tweaking the program also came with a change in the functionality of the app, making it easier for Starbucks to target offers to specific customers. In October, the company started supplying personalized one-time offers through the app. These offers give members a chance to earn points faster, and are uniquely generated based on individual customer behavior. In November, Starbucks began to roll out personalized suggestions and recommendations for purchases during checkout. This process will continue through 2017. Story continues One of the biggest changes for loyal Starbucks visitors is the coming introduction of a Starbucks Rewards Visa Card with Chase Bank. This prepaid debit card will be reloadable and give customers the chance to earn rewards for all purchases made wherever Visa is accepted. Rewards can only be redeemed at Starbucks. The card will launch within a year. Brittany is a writer at Yahoo Finance. Read more: Starbucks raised prices these hacks will save you money These suitcases will charge your phone. Are they worth it? The 9 best travel gifts for under $75 By David Beasley ATLANTA (Reuters) - Georgia executed on Tuesday a man convicted of fatally shooting his father-in-law and kidnapping his estranged wife and her sister in 1990, making him the ninth person put to death in the state this year. William Sallie, 50, was pronounced dead at 10:05 p.m. EST at the state prison in Jackson, where he was executed by lethal injection, the Georgia Department of Corrections said in a statement. The execution was carried out after the United States Supreme Court denied Sallie's request for a stay, the department said. Sallie became the 19th person executed in the United States this year, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Georgia has carried out more executions this year than any other U.S. state, according to the group. Another execution is scheduled in Alabama on Thursday. At the time of the murder, Sallie was separated from his wife, Robin, and their 2-year-old son, who were living with her parents in rural Bacon County in south Georgia. Dressed in green camouflage and carrying a pistol, duct tape and handcuffs, Sallie broke into the Moore house in the early morning and shot his sleeping in-laws, John and Linda Moore, according to court records. John Moore, 49, died from his injuries. Sallie then handcuffed Robin and her 17-year-old sister, and took them back to his trailer, releasing them later that night. Sallie was originally convicted and sentenced to death in 1991, but the Georgia Supreme Court later ordered a new trial after it was disclosed that one of the defense attorneys had a conflict of interest. He was convicted again in a second trial. Sallie's lawyers had petitioned the State Board of Pardons and Paroles to commute his sentence to life without parole. They argued that a juror was biased against Sallie and lied about having a "checkered and tumultuous" history of divorces and child-custody fights. The juror later told investigators that she pushed a divided jury for a death sentence. (Editing by Letitia Stein and Andrew Hay; Editing by Will Dunham and Richard Pullin) Long lines formed in Accra on December 7 as voters turned out for Ghanas general election. President John Mahama, dubbed Obama Mahama during his election fours ago, was running for his second and final term, but was being challenged by opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo amid a faltering economy. Prior to the vote, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NCP) had been accused by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) of voter intimidation. Akufo-Addo also questioned the independence of the countrys electoral commission and the neutrality of the police force, according to the Wall Street Journal. Mahama on December 5 said the opposition was deliberately undermining confidence among voters in the election results, and said Akufo-Addo was failing to promote peace and a lack of violence, VOA reported. Credit: Instagram/Abang Mercy via Storyful The digital music era has seen no shortage of lawsuits over payment for songs - but the latest battle is poised to rock the industry. Global Music Rights, a boutique performing rights organization, claims the country's 10,000 radio stations are acting as a cartel to keep payments to songwriters artificially low, according to a complaint filed Tuesday in California federal court. At the heart of the issue is how songwriters get paid when their music is played on a terrestrial radio station. Here's how it works: Most rightsholders are represented by either ASCAP or BMI. Those organizations typically license music through "blanket licenses" covering their entire collections. Consent decrees issued by the Department of Justice decades ago in an effort to avoid antitrust issues require ASCAP and BMI to give a license to anyone who's willing to pay for one. Music industry heavyweight Irving Azoff launched GMR in 2013 in an effort to give elite songwriters another option and, hopefully, more money. While GMR boasts songwriters behind hits by artists including John Lennon, Kenny Chesney and Drake, its roster of about 70 clients and 26,000 works pales in comparison to the combined 22 million compositions held by ASCAP and BMI - according to the complaint, that is by design. "GMR has not accumulated and has no intention to amass the market power that other PROs have wielded," writes attorney Daniel Petrocelli. "By keeping its catalog small and high-quality across the board, GMR is able to provide personalized customer service to its songwriters and keep the cost of those services low." GMR is now suing the Radio Music License Committee because it claims the group is ensuring there is no competition among radio stations in order to stifle the rates they pay to license songs. "RMLC's member stations are competitors," writes Petrocelli. "Yet these 'competitors' created and actively participate in a 'committee' whose very purpose is to negotiate with PROs as a group and destroy competition among them in the acquisition of performance license rates." Story continues According to the complaint, GMR has been in negotiations with RMLC since shortly after it was launched but they have yet to reach a deal - because GMR won't agree to an industry-wide licensing deal and binding rate arbitration. Efforts to negotiate with member stations directly have failed, with two exceptions. Earlier this month RMCL filed its own antitrust lawsuit against GMR, claiming the boutique has created an artificial monopoly over its works and seeking to make GMR subject to DOJ oversight for rate-setting like ASCAP and BMI. A footnote in the complaint states this lawsuit is not in response to RMLC's suit but rather the group's illegal conduct including price fixing, information sharing and threats of group boycotting. RMLC did not immediately reply to a request for comment, but a Nov. 28 memo from chairman Ed Christian posted on its website says: "RMLC is continuing to explore negotiations with GMR while the litigation goes forward, and we remain committed to achieving the best possible result for the industry." It's worth noting that Petrocelli is currently wrapping up one of the biggest fights over music payment in recent years. He's representing SiriusXM in a lawsuit brought by Flo & Eddie of The Turtles to secure royalties for pre-1972 song recordings, which aren't protected by federal copyright law. They reached a settlement on the eve of trial, but the court has not yet approved it. This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter. Ian Rhodes Will Lead the GlyEco Team Effective Immediately ROCK HILL, SC / ACCESSWIRE / December 7, 2016 / A leader in sustainable glycol technologies GlyEco, Inc. (OTC PINK: GLYE) ("GlyEco" or the "Company"), announced its Board of Directors has appointed Ian Rhodes Chief Executive Officer and President effective immediately. Mr. Rhodes is currently the Company's Chief Financial Officer having joined GlyEco in February 2016. "I am honored to have been appointed as GlyEco's next CEO. It is a privilege to be part of an organization that delivers high quality services and innovative solutions to the customers in the automotive, heavy duty and specialty markets. I'm excited to work with a talented team that knows the industry and the regions where we operate," said Mr. Rhodes. "I look forward to positioning our team to be successful, produce a positive return for our shareholders, and deliver unparalleled levels of products and services to our markets." Rhodes succeeds Grant Sahag, who announced his resignation from the Board of Directors and as the Chief Executive Officer to pursue new ventures. "I appreciate the opportunity to have served the shareholders of GlyEco and our incredible team of executives, managers, and support staff," Mr. Sahag continued "I look forward to Ian and the team continuing to create lasting value for GlyEco." Mr. Rhodes commented, "On behalf of the entire GlyEco family, I wish to thank Grant for his six years of service to our organization." Mr. Rhodes continued, "Grant is a consummate professional and I appreciate his dedication to GlyEco and the progress we have made under his leadership." Mr. Rhodes began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he was an Audit Senior Manager and had oversight over some of the firm's largest audit clients. He then served as the Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, and Treasurer of Arch Capital. Most recently, Mr. Rhodes served as Chief Financial Officer of Calmare Therapeutics Incorporated. Story continues Concurrent with Mr. Rhodes' appointment as Chief Executive Officer, the Company has begun a search for a new Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Rhodes will serve as Interim Chief Financial Officer until the naming of a successor. About GlyEco, Inc. GlyEco is a collector, manufacturer, and distributor of glycol products sold to automotive and industrial customers throughout the United States. Our six facilities deliver superior quality glycol products through a fully-integrated solutions platform. We are dedicated to providing solutions, not just products: consistent, timely, and customized service; environmentally safe handling of waste; product and technology education; and technical performance support. For further information, please visit: http://www.glyeco.com. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties impacting the Company's business including, increased competition; the ability of the Company to expand its operations through either acquisitions or internal growth, to attract and retain qualified professionals, and to expand commercial relationships; technological obsolescence; general economic conditions; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Contact: GlyEco, Inc. Ian Rhodes Chief Executive Officer, President and Interim Chief Financial Officer irhodes@glyeco.com 866-960-1539 SOURCE: GlyEco, Inc. Leading domain registration and web hosting provider GoDaddy Inc. GDDY agreed to acquire Host Europe Group (HEG), a European web hosting provider. The deal is valued at 1.69 billion (US$1.79 billion), including 605 million to be paid to the selling shareholders and 1.08 billion in assumed net debt. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2017, subject to customary regulatory and other closing requirements. In response to the news, shares went up more than 4% to a high of $36.45, eventually closing at $36.37. Also, shares of GoDaddy have been steadily treading higher on a year-to-date basis. The stock generated a return of 8.36% compared with the Zacks Internet Services- Delivery industrys loss of 7.77%. More About Host Europe Group Host Europe Group is one of Europe's largest independent web hosting firms. It operates brands such as 123Reg, Domain Factory, Heart Internet and Host Europe. Notably, for 2016, the company is on track to generate approximately US$328 million in bookings and approximately US$139 million in adjusted EBITDA. Host Europe Group was purchased by private equity owner Cinven in 2013 for 438 million and since then has done well to evolve as a leader in its field. Banks including Barclays, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank and Royal Bank of Canada will debt finance this potential sale for $1.69 billion. It appears that Europes highly liquid loan market is eagerly waiting to grab the opportunity. The deal will complement GoDaddy's business as HEG has a similar customer base comprising small ventures and web professionals. This will give GoDaddy a better understanding of the needs of customers. Blake Irving, GoDaddys Chief Executive said HEG like his company is extremely attentive to the web needs of small businesses. He said, They are completely aligned with what we are doing. Our Take The acquisition makes sense as HEG will strengthen GoDaddys foothold in the European market. Story continues In Europe, HEG has more than 1.7 million customers, most of them in Germany and the U.K. Therefore the deal will expedite GoDaddys expansion throughout the region, keeping in sync with the companys strategy to expand internationally. In the last reported quarter, GoDaddy reported $129.2 million in international revenue, up 21% year over year. Going forward, investments in products, its technology platform and customer care as well as delivery of innovative and increasingly personalized products and services globally should continue to expand its international presence. Also, GoDaddy has been targeting a shift toward dynamic online presence for small business. The company has branched into the more profitable business of hosting websites for small businesses and consumers. The buyout of HEG should expedite this shift. The acquisition will significantly boost GoDaddys Hosting and Presence revenues. Last quarter, this business generated $174.1 million and accounted for 36.9% of total revenue. It grew 3.9% sequentially and 4.2% year over year. The deal is expected to expand revenues in this space. GODADDY INC-A Price GODADDY INC-A Price | GODADDY INC-A Quote Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider Currently, GoDaddy has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the industry are Cognex Corporation CGNX and Itron, Inc. ITRI, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and Fortive Corporation FTV, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. 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. Fortive Corporation delivered a positive earnings surprise of 8.42% in the trailing four quarters. Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them now>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report ITRON INC (ITRI): Free Stock Analysis Report COGNEX CORP (CGNX): Free Stock Analysis Report GODADDY INC-A (GDDY): Free Stock Analysis Report FORTIVE CORP (FTV): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Today marks the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, that killed more than 2,000 U.S. service members and civilians, including five La Crosse-area servicemen. Its hard to believe its been 75 years, Betty Amundson Fukuda said last week, recalling the death of her cousin, Leo Amundson of La Crosse. According to Tribune files, the four other La Crosse-area residents who died in the attack were Darrel Hess, George Naegle and Helmer Hanson, all of La Crosse; and Olaf Johnson of Houston, Minn. Amundson, the son of Alvin and Olga Amundson, died aboard the battleship USS Arizona, which sank. He had graduated from Central High School earlier that year. Amundson enlisted in the Marine Corps in July. His father had to sign for him because Leo was only 17 at the time, Fukuda recalled. Leo was a very nice young man, and serious, said Fukuda, who was raised on a farm near Cashton and now lives in La Crosse. We were surprised to hear that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor, said Fukuda said, who at the time was a freshman at Cashton High School. Her family later heard that Amundson had been on the USS Arizona and was missing. Fukuda still has a copy of Amundsons high school graduation picture, and two news stories about him that she clipped from the La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press newspaper. One, from the Feb. 1, 1942, newspaper, is headlined Leo Amundson dies in action and said Marine headquarters reported Amundson died in the attack. (A story in the Dec. 23, 1941, newspaper had said Amundson was missing.) The second newspaper clipping Fukuda still has is headlined Parents of youth killed in action receive U.S. purple heart citation. Fukuda remembers attending a memorial service for Amundson sometime in 1942 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in La Crosse. It was quite a large gathering, she said of the service. It was very sad. It was one of the first for La Crosse-area servicemen who died in World War II, and she later attended others. Amundsons father took his death especially hard, Fukuda said. She thinks that was because he had signed the papers that allowed Amundson to enlist in the Marines at age 17. Fukuda said she and her late husband, Tom, who was born in Hawaii, visited the USS Arizona Memorial many times over the years. The names of her cousin and the others still entombed on the sunken battleship are inscribed on a large wall inside the memorial. Students interested in a career training program now have more information in making that educational investment decision. The Department of Education for the first time released data on the earnings of graduates from thousands of different career training programs on its website last month. The data release, the first of two, highlights the outcomes of students attending career college programs. The second part of the data, which will include debt information, will be released next month. "This will give us more data to better advice students about making wiser, economically-sound decisions about their future," says Kate Simmons, a guidance counselor at Brewster High School in New York, where more than 20 percent of her students enroll at two-year institutions. "I can help my students decide on what is the best return on investment for them without taking out too many loans." [See four college savings tips for community college students.] With this information, a student interested in nursing at Central Alabama Community College, for example, can now go to the education department's financial aid website and find out that recent graduates of the school's vocational nurse training program earn around $32,000. The department intends to add these data to the College Scorecard -- a consumer tool that provides data on cost, debt, graduation and post-college earnings -- early next year. More than 3,000 institutions that offer career training programs will be required to show this information to prospective students before enrolling in January, a government official says. "For the first time we have information for every career program in the country about how much students who left the program a few years ago are earning," says Debbie Cochrane, vice president of the Institute For College Access and Success, or TICAS, a California-based nonprofit for higher education. "It's important information in deciding whether or where to enroll." Story continues From the new data, there are a couple ways students can evaluate a career college program. -- View earnings by program: In the past, experts say, most information on student outcomes were based on national or regional career salaries. "The primary takeaway is there is a lot of variation certainly from program to program. Within the same program, we see a lot of variation of what different graduates earn," says Cochrane. [Learn how community colleges are expanding online.] A program for a certificate in heating, ventilation and air conditioning -- commonly called HVAC -- can vary widely, the TICAS spokeswoman says as an example. From the new earnings data, a prospective student can compare student outcomes for the same type of program. Graduates with an HVAC certificate from Houston Community College, for example, earn $28,115 on average compared with those who attended Lone Star College--North Harris, where students made $37,923 on average. The department's gainful employment earnings data also show that programs offered by community colleges outperform comparable for-profit programs. Graduates of public undergraduate certificate program earn nearly $9,000 more than graduates who attended a for-profit, the department's data show. "Places the make promises that sound too good to be true are likely to be venues where you get ripped off," says Barmak Nassirian, director of federal policy at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities in the District of Columbia. [Know your risk factors for delaying graduation, accumulating more debt.] -- Compare debt-to-earnings rates: Debt data is also important in considering an educational outcome, experts say. "Programs with higher earnings may not look as good in light of their debt," says Cochrane. "The debt data, which isn't released yet, is important to consider in light of earnings." Calculating the debt-to earnings rates can determine whether a career college is leaving a student with unaffordable debt and poor employment prospects, government officials say. "You can use the data for someone not cut out for a four-year college to look at jobs, where people didn't overspend on their education," says Simmons , from Brewster High School. Experts say debt isn't a terrible thing if students can repay their loans comfortably on their salaries. Institutions with career college programs that perform poorly in debt-to-earnings measures and fail to improve their quality will eventually be barred from participating the department's federal student loan program, officials say. "This data is going to help us sell community colleges a little better, and we can look at what they're earning and how much debt they take out," Simmons says. Searching for a college? Get our complete rankings of Best Colleges. Farran Powell is an education reporter at U.S. News, covering paying for college and graduate school. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at fpowell@usnews.com. LONDON (Reuters) - Chancellor Philip Hammond will seek to reassure some of the country's trade and investment partners that Brexit will not hurt them when he travels to South Africa on Wednesday and to Japan and South Korea next week. Hammond was first due to visit Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town on a two-day trip which will include meetings at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and with South African business representatives, the British Treasury said. During his visit to Japan - which has expressed concerns about the implications of Brexit for its companies - Hammond is scheduled to meet the chief executive of Softbank, which recently announced the purchase of ARM Holdings, the largest ever Asian investment in Britain. Hammond is due to visit Japan on Dec. 15 followed by South Korea on Dec. 16. British exporters currently have privileged access to markets in South Africa and South Korea via agreements those countries struck with the EU. A similar EU-Japan is currently being negotiated. Supporters of Brexit have said Britain will be able to strike replacement deals quickly once the country has left the EU. But many trade experts have said renegotiating them may prove harder to achieve. In September, Japan warned that Britain's EU exit could prompt Japanese financial institutions to relocate from London and listed the concerns of its companies about the transition away from the EU. Britain's government said in October it had given Japanese carmaker Nissan assurances that its new investment in a plant in north-eastern England would remain competitive after Brexit, but also said the firm had not been given any explicit promise of compensation for EU tariffs. "As we leave the EU, Britain's future prosperity depends on maintaining the strongest possible economic links with our European neighbours, while building on the already strong economic partnerships we have with the world beyond Europe," Hammond said in a statement. (Writing by William Schomberg; editing by Stephen Addison) U.S. government officials say Treasury Secretary Jack Lew could release early images of redesigned $5, $10 and $20 bills in an effort to pressure the Trump Administration away from reversing their plans. But doing so, officials fear, could give counterfeiters a running start and could ultimately hurt plans to add a woman to front of the currency. The Treasury Department has not confirmed that there are any current plans to release early renderings of the design, but officials inside and out of the Obama Administration have said the decision is ultimately up to the Secretary. Officials say that security should be the determining factor in any such plan. In a statement to TIME after this post was published, a Treasury Department spokesperson said the process to update the bills is well underway and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was directed to accelerate its work on the note redesign at the time of Lews announcement. That work, which could include ideas for imagery, will be documented in a way that captures the full record of the excellent progress that has been made on this project and is consistent with our primary concern for the security of our currency, a spokesperson said. The process of currency redesign is complex and was always expected to extend beyond the span of one administration. Read More: Harriet Tubman Will Replace Andrew Jackson on $20 Bill Given the results of the 2016 election, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew is in a bind. In less than seven weeks, he will hand the keys over to his successor and his legacy-securing plan to overhaul the look of our nations currency will go out the door with him. While most of the Treasury Department officials who make recommendations on which currency should change and why based on security are career employees, changes to the aesthetics are at the sole discretion of the Treasury Secretary. It is not yet known how the Trump Administration will approach the currency redesign. Story continues When the Treasury Department announced major changes to the faces of the $5, $10 and $20 bills, including the inclusion of a woman as the portrait on U.S. currency for the first time in modern history, it was widely viewed as a watershed moment. Public backlash was minimal and despite signals by government officials that the actual bills would not hit the market until the late 2020s, the nation appeared ready for a woman,Harriet Tubman, at thatto appear on the front of U.S. currency. There was one major skeptic, however: President-elect Donald Trump. Then in the throes of the primary election, Trump called the move pure political correctness and suggested moving Tubman to a lower denomination like the $2 bill. Andrew Jackson had a great history. I think its very rough when you take somebody off the bill, Trump said last spring. Read More: Donald Trump Says Harriet Tubman on the $20-Bill is Political Correctness That quote did not go unnoticed by the Treasury Department, where the redesign process is currently underway, though at the time most were still convinced Hillary Clinton would defeat Trump in the 2016 election. In October, Lew took a trip to Philadelphia where he toured the Marian Anderson museum and discussed the changes with graduate students at the Wharton School of Business. In an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, Lew said that there is already plenty of enthusiasm around their proposed changes. I think the enthusiasm about the announcement and what weve made has left an important mark, Lew told the Inquirer. I think the decisions like the decision of Harriet Tubman on the $20; people have already started calling them Tubmans and theyre not even printed yet. But Trumps surprise victory over Hillary Clinton, has led many to question what was next for the project. It is true that the enthusiasm is there. A Google image search of Harriet Tubman 20 reveals dozens of imagined designs of the new bill, which would be last in line for a redesign. In Northeast Washington, a D.C.-based artist painted a mural of Harriet Tubman as the portrait of the $20 bill. And mention of Harriet Tubmans as the new face of the currency did permeate the rap culture lexicon as many suspected, creeping its way into the remix of the O.T. Genesis song Cut It featuring Kevin Gates and Young Thug. But the next Administration could easily choose to ignore the pulse of the people. Groups like Women on 20s, which has been adamant about replacing Jackson on the currency, have already expressed concern. It would be a slap in the face of women to reverse the decision in our opinion. Susan Ades Stone, the executive director of Women on 20s told MarketWatch this week. It could, however, be much harder to ignore renderings of the future bills. It is that line of thinking that insiders say has lead Treasury to consider releasing early images. For the public were all visual people, a government official who asked to remain anonymous to discuss the process, told TIME. There are a lot of outstanding questions If women are going on the back [of the $10 note] how is that going to work? How is that going to look? The only problem with that thinking, government officials say, is that it could end up doing more harm than good. Putting anything out there prematurely, Im not sure that it gives people clarity, said an official. People will take what you put out there and think that thats final and thats not necessarily the case. Were not far enough along in the process where we can unveil or release any type of design element at this point in time. Typically, designs are released closer to the actual production of bills to reduce the likelihood of counterfeiting and to lessen any confusion in the marketplace about the U.S. bills. The focus of the redesign process, after all, is a particular bills security. Any changes to whom or what is on the bill comes last. There are some images out already. One day after the initial announcement, the Treasury Department posted images on Medium of Secretary Lew meeting with designers and printers, holding a portrait of Harriet Tubman. On the public website for the new bills, there are also multiple images that are said to have inspired the Secretarys currency plan. Releasing images early could also politicize the process, officials say, possibly giving a new administration even more reason to scrap the plan. Despite what happens to the aesthetic elements, officials in the Department are still working on the yet-to-be-announced security features of the new bills, starting with the $10 note, which is first in line to be updated. Officials say that the majority of people who work on that the team in charge of developing security features will still be in place after Trumps inauguration, meaning the security focus will continue. A change from the top, however, could mean that beyond being pushed to the back of the bill, women could ultimately get pushed off. President-elect Donald Trump continues to promote his economic growth agenda, standing by his campaign promises of slashing the corporate tax rate and decreasing regulations. Last week, Trump announced that he had struck a deal with Indiana-based Carrier Corp., saving 1,000 jobs from being exported to Mexico. Trump may have mastered the art of the deal when it came to saving jobs at Carrier, but how will his business-like approach affect the U.S. economic system? In an interview on the FOX Business Networks Countdown to the Closing Bell, Harvard Economics Professor Greg Mankiw said the President-elect shouldnt be meddling in the affairs of corporate America, and his decision to do so may not be beneficial for the economy in the long run. Theres a big difference between being a CEO of a company and being President of the United States. A CEO is basically a central planner for that company. The President of the United States is not the central planner for the U.S. economy, Mankiw said. The former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors under Bush 43 said it is highly unlikely that a president alone would be able to make the best decisions on behalf of the businesses and workers that keep the economy going. We fundamentally believe in a market economy, that is decentralized decision making, not decision making centralized in one person, the President of the United States, he said. Although Trumps ambitious efforts to save every job in the U.S. will benefit a subset of workers, Mankiw said allowing the free market to make these decisions is the best way of promoting economic growth. I think a lot of his [Trump] economic advisors people like Larry Kudlow and Steve Moore are believers in that principle and my guess is behind the scenes, they are not so enthusiastic about the some of this micromanaging, Mankiw said. Related Articles By Emma Farge BANJUL (Reuters) - Gambia's army chief has pledged allegiance to President-elect Adama Barrow, Barrow's spokeswoman said on Wednesday, reinforcing hopes that the tiny West African nation will see its first peaceful change of power in more than half a century. A self-made real estate developer who once worked as a security guard at retailer Argos in London, Barrow beat incumbent Yahya Jammeh in last Thursday's election. Jammeh, an autocrat who had banned opposition protests and pledged to rule Gambia for a "billion years", shocked Gambians by admitting defeat, raising questions about what had persuaded him that the game was up. "General Badjie called to congratulate Mr. Barrow on his victory and to offer his allegiance," spokeswoman Amie Bojang told Reuters in Banjul, a capital of white beaches and palm trees on the southern lip of the mouth of the Gambia river. An army spokesman was not immediately available to comment. Though Jammeh called Barrow to congratulate him on his victory last week, the pair have not met since the vote. The constitution says he must hand over a month after the poll. Jammeh took power in a 1994 coup that unseated Dawda Jawara, the country's leader since its independence from Great Britain in 1965. Welcomed at first on a promise of ending corruption, Jammeh became increasingly intolerant of dissent, jailing and torturing opponents, human rights groups say. "GOOD WILL" His unexpected defeat was greeted with joy in Banjul, the capital, with crowds pulling down the ubiquitous posters of a grinning Jammeh and trampling them under foot. Gambians are hoping the quiet businessman Barrow will bring a new era of stability, after living under a president who arrested people for being witches and wizards and claimed to have magical herbal cures for AIDS and infertility. Barrow has promised to end rights abuses and step down after three years as a boost to democracy. A heavy police presence remains on the streets, a hangover from an era many Gambians are hoping is now behind them. In the last two days, 31 political prisoners have been released or granted bail. Mai Ahmed Fatty, the head of Barrow's coalition transition team told Reuters in Banjul that he was not worried that a meeting between Jammeh and Barrow has not yet taken place. "We take the outgoing president at his word," said Fatty. "Part of our request ... was to release the political prisoners. This was done and it shows good will." (Writing by Edward McAllister; Editing by Tim Cocks and Richard Lough) By Andrew M. Seaman People with acute coronary syndrome caused by poor blood flow to the heart may be at an increased risk of suicide - especially in the six months following their diagnosis, according to a new study from Taiwan. Acute coronary syndrome, which includes problems ranging from a heart attack to a type of chest pain called unstable angina, has previously been linked with depression and an increased risk of poor health and death, the researchers write in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Researchers had not thoroughly looked for a link between acute coronary syndrome and suicide, however. For the new study, Dr. Chao-Han Liu of the Institute of Applied Science and Technology in Taipei and colleagues analyzed data on 41,050 people age 35 or older who died from suicide between 2000 and 2012, and 164,200 people who did not take their own lives. In the suicide group, the rate of acute coronary syndrome was 2.5 percent, compared with 1.5 percent in the comparison group. After adjusting the results to account for factors that may influence the risk of suicide, such as mental health issues and other health conditions, people with acute coronary syndrome were still 15 percent more likely to take their own lives than people without this condition. The increased risk of suicide persisted for four years but was especially high immediately following the heart patients' health scares. For these patients, the risk of suicide was three times higher during the six months after their diagnosis than it was for the comparison group, the researchers found. The risk of suicide also increased with age and with frequency of healthcare system use. Donald Edmondson, director of the Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City, told Reuters Health the study's data are strong and people should pay attention to the results. While emergency department physicians and cardiologists are becoming aware of the psychological impact of cardiac events, there is not enough information yet to say what might lead patients to suicide, said Edmondson, who wasn't involved with the new study. "We should be careful about the management of depression after a heart attack," said Dr. Samir Kapadia, who is a cardiologist and section head of interventional cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. "Maybe people taking care of depressed patients should also ask them about chest pain and heart problems, because they go hand in hand," said Kapadia, who also wasn't involved with the new research. People feeling depressed after a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome should feel free to open up to their doctors so they can be treated, Kapadia told Reuters Health. Edmondson said family and friends should also be aware and prepared to connect patients with the appropriate resources, if necessary. "Even though your husband, wife or whoever had one of these events and is going to be fine in terms of cardiovascular health and longevity, they may not be able to tell you the true psychological impact its having," he said. pearl harbor Seventy-five years ago, to the day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ushered his Cabinet into his study for what he deemed the "most important" Cabinet meeting since the onset of the Civil War in 1861. Pearl Harbor, a naval base in Hawaii, had just been attacked by the Japanese, hastening the US entrance into World War II. Michael Beschloss, a presidential historian, tweeted a readout of the fateful meeting, on Wednesday the 75th anniversary of the attack. Roosevelt told the assembled Cabinet members that the Japanese had to have been planning the attack for weeks, while, at the same time, envoys had asked for a meeting with Secretary of State Cordell Hull to begin peace negotiations. The president also asserted that the Japanese had been working in consort with the Nazi regime, who believed that victory was imminent. The Cabinet members, including Roosevelt and Hull, resolved to ask Congress to declare a state of war. Hull called it the "most important war in 500 years," and Secretary of War Stimsom asserted that the Germans had "inspired and planned the whole affair." The rest, as they say, is history. Here's the full readout from the meeting: President Franklin Roosevelt briefs his Cabinet on Pearl Harbor attack, 75 years ago tonight: pic.twitter.com/KEw6Ojb5Cn Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) December 7, 2016 NOW WATCH: Part plane, part helicopter here's what it's like to fly in the military's MV-22 Osprey More From Business Insider venus surface volcano sulfur lava esa Inside a windowless concrete room in Cleveland, Ohio, scientists have built a tiny version of Hell on Earth. Called the Glenn Extreme Environments Rig (GEER), the 14-ton steel chamber can faithfully recreate the toxic, choking, and scorching-hot conditions on the surface of Venus a once-habitable twin of Earth gone very, very wrong. Scientists at the NASA Glenn Research Center, where GEER is located, have been developing the project for the past 5 years and fired it up for the first time in 2014. Since then, researchers have lengthened their test runs and exposed all kinds of metals, ceramics, wires, mesh, plating, and electronics to conditions on "Venus" to see what lasts and what dissolves into dust. glenn extreme environments rig geer venus hell chamber nasa "In March 2015, we spent roughly 100 days at the surface of Venus, and the longest single stretch was 42 days," Lori Arnett, NASA's facility manager for GEER, told Business Insider. Their hope? Learn how to build spacecraft that can last months or even years on Venus instead of being destroyed almost instantly. "One of the last probes to visit Venus was Venera 13 in [1982], and it only survived for about 2 hours and 7 minutes," said Gustavo Costa, a chemist and materials scientist who's working with GEER. "Venus is very, very corrosive." Until a modern spacecraft drops through the planet's thick atmosphere again and explores the surface, GEER is the best way to ask what it's actually like there. "It's like Hell on Earth," Costa said. "It's very harsh." Venus is Earth's deadly twin venus nasa The second planet from the sun was, and still is, very similar to Earth. Venus is rocky and has roughly 82% the mass and 90% the surface gravity of Earth. It also has a persistent atmosphere and orbits in the sun's "habitable zone" (where water can exist as a liquid). Some researchers think the planet once had warm, shallow oceans that were cozy to life for about 2 billion years. That could be about 1.2 billion years long enough for life to emerge and thrive, if you're using Earth as a scorecard. Story continues And yet its water vanished, carbon dioxide began clogging up the atmosphere, and due to runaway global warming the world was cooked to a crisp. glenn extreme environments rig geer venus hell chamber inside nasa In short, Venus today is just about the worst place imaginable to visit in the solar system, and simultaneously an important analog to better understand our own planet. We know this thanks to nearly two dozen successful missions there, including eight orbiters and 10 landers, most of them launched by the Soviet Union. Data beamed back by these spacecraft show Venusian surface air is nearly 97% carbon dioxide, about 100 times thicker than Earth's atmosphere, and is a blistering 864 degrees Fahrenheit (462 degrees Celsius). That's twice the temperature needed to ignite wood and hot enough to melt lead. But what it's actually like to be on the surface, and what happens to materials and spacecraft that dare land there, hasn't been clear until GEER came along. What the surface of Venus is like venera 13 venus surface don p mitchell GEER pulls together everything researchers have learned to date about surface conditions on Venus into an 800-liter chamber. A mixing machine combines the known gases on Venus and a powerful heater warms them up. "It takes two-and-a-half days to warm up and five days to cool down," Leah Nakley, GEER's lead engineer, told Business Insider. Costa says one thing he's come to understand by working with GEER is just how strange the atmosphere of Venus is at the planet's surface. "It's a supercritical fluid mixture, not just a gas," Costa said. Supercritical fluids behave like a gas and a liquid at the same time. If you drink decaffeinated coffee, you benefit from them: supercritical carbon dioxide is typically washed over coffee beans to penetrate deep inside them and dissolve away most of their caffeine. metal wire geer venus exposure black crystals nasa business insider labeled This same thing can happen with metals and electronics, though, which is not a good thing for spacecraft. Normally rust-proof steel alloys dissolve, leaching out metals to form black fans of minerals, like some Gothic version of a crystal-growing kit. Costa says walking around the surface of Venus would feel like walking through air that's as thick as a pool of water. The pressure would be equivalent to sinking 3,000 feet (914 meters) underwater, yet deadly hot. A "breeze" of a few miles per hour would feel more like a gentle wave pushing you around at shore. "It's difficult to imagine this. I guess it'd be like sticking yourself inside a pressure cooker," he said. But the atmosphere of Venus also has trace amounts hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen sulfide, and sulfuric acid, which are all extremely dangerous chemicals. "Instead of having water vapor clouds, Venus has sulfuric acid clouds," he said. "And you have to go through those to even get to the surface. That is terrifying." The next mission to Venus davinci venus mission descent stages Japan is currently the only nation with a spacecraft around Venus, called Akatsuki, though it arrived 5 years late and is an orbiter, not a lander. The US, meanwhile, hasn't launched a mission dedicated to Venus since 1989 (the Magellan orbiter) and hasn't landed anything on the world in more than 45 years. However, NASA is currently mulling the launch of a proposed Venus probe called DAVINCI. If NASA chooses to fully fund that mission in as part of its Discovery program GEER is currently being upgraded in part to support researching materials for the descent probe it would arrive sometime in 2023, parachute down through the atmosphere for 63 minutes, sample gases along the way, and take the highest-resolution images yet of the surface. In the past, NASA researchers have also envisioned dropping shiny, nuclear-powered rovers on Venus. Such a mission might still be possible if the agency can design more efficient nuclear batteries and overcome its ongoing shortage of plutonium-238, a rare radioactive material that's required to fuel such power sources. NOW WATCH: NASA just completed its $8.7 billion space telescope that will replace the Hubble More From Business Insider After six months of burgers, boat rides and box seats at a Packer game, the banter between Darien Washington and Mike Hodgins is constant and effortless. But when asked to describe Hodgin's role in his life, Washington has to take a moment to find just the right words. "I guess he's like a friend who's very, very nice and also has kids and is very, very old," Washington said, while Hodgins laughed from across their booth. "He's over five times older than me." The loquacious pair were seated at The Pearl, a frequent after-school destination for the 10-year-old Washington and the 54-year-old Hodgins. Their age-defying friendship is the result of the new LaCrosse Generations program, offered by Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Seven Rivers Region in partnership with Retired Senior Volunteer Program, or RSVP, and Eagle Crest South assisted living. The compacted spelling of La Crosse is a nod to bridging the generation gap. Though 200 area children are currently matched by BBBS, the wait for a Big Brother or Sister can be long, and with adults older than 50 making up a third of the La Crosse population, the organization knew there was untapped potential to expand the program to other generations. "At any given point in our region we have 150 kids on the waiting list," said Nicki Kammel, interim executive director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Seven Rivers Region. "We're looking to recruit members age 55 and older to help fill the Big Brother or Big Sister role. The older generation brings life experience, and the patience and perspective that comes with it, to the younger generation." In addition to retirement-age "Bigs" like Hodgins, the organization hopes to sign up Eagle Crest residents as mentors, where they will hold group events and activities such as cookouts and game days, and other residents can enjoy the socialization. Big Brothers Big Sisters also offers several activities each month for all participants. The program was a natural fit for Hodgins, who is involved in several mentorship and volunteer programs, including KAMO and the Hunger Task Force, and is also a parent of four biological children and a reunification/respite foster parent, along with his wife. "I heard they were short on Bigs, that there were a bunch of kids like Darien on the waiting list," Hodgins said. "Kids have it pretty rough nowadays, and I'm retired and looking to give a little back." The two first met six months ago during a match meeting, along with Washington's mother, and signed contracts committing to one or more visits a week. While their activities range from movies to Pokemon tournaments, Washington is partial to eating out. "All the restaurants we go to are new to me," he enthused, polishing off his strawberry-white chocolate waffle cone, the fourth flavor he's sampled at the Pearl. "I get to eat delicious food." "He puts up with me for ice cream," Hodgins joked. "That's not why," Washington countered. "It's 'cause you're a boy." The comfort level and rapport between the two is a testament to the program, which gives each an excuse to "goof off and relax" while expanding their horizons. "He's got a chance to go out and be himself. He doesn't have any pressure, and I feel good because he's smiling and having fun," Hodgins said. "People always worry about scheduling and commitment, that they don't have time to be a Big, but if you have three, four hours, there's nothing out there that's going to be more rewarding. It's my favorite part of the week. My goal is to get more people in the community involved I wish they could understand the need for it and how much it means to the kids." While Hodgins provides a calming presence, Washington shows his enthusiasm through his trademark energy, often karate-chopping down the sidewalk when they explore downtown and enhancing his words with emphatic gestures and bouncing in his seat. Hodgins marvels his Little is always in a good mood, with one exception. "When he lost his hat is the only time I've ever seen him upset," Hodgins said. "I lost my hat when we went fishing," Washington explained, glancing at Hodgins. "You bought me a new hat and the second time I got a fish. (Without Mike) I definitely wouldn't get to go on a boat and probably never catch a fish." Hodgins relishes introducing his young friend to new experiences, and finds it helps him recall his own youth. "When you get to be 55, 56, you think, 'What didn't I do when I was young?' You can kind of live through these kids," Hodgins said. "My father wasn't my influence when I was young, my grandfather was, so the age difference with Darien works well for us. It's a real privilege to me, and it gets kids away from the cell phones and the video games and learning social skills. It's not a material world -- it's an experience world." Hodgins frequently imparts wisdom from his many careers and travels, and Washington soaks up the information and follows up with questions and commentary. "I've learned about 50 things from Mike," Washington said, playfully steepling his fingers. "About cars, about plants, about boats. You're always teaching me everything." "Me being older teaches a little history," Hodgins agreed. "For him to believe there weren't always 60-inch TVs and gasoline was 30 cents ..." "Everything was so much cheaper," Washington nodded. "If you had just 75 cents and you go back in time, you could buy so much ice cream." This Friday, December 9, the American actor will celebrate his 100th birthday. One of the last survivors of Hollywood's golden age, Kirk Douglas was a pioneer of the increasingly prevalent trend for actor-producers. In the course of a 70-year career in moving pictures, Kirk Douglas became a Hollywood legend. The actor, who was remarked for his distinctive dimpled chin, has played in a vast variety of films (epics, comedies, thrillers, westerns, adventure films), shot by the most prestigious directors of his day. John Huston, Billy Wilder, Vincente Minnelli, Elia Kazan, Howard Hawks, Stanley Kubrick and Brian de Palma all had the privilege of working with him in one or more of their films. Between 1946 and 2008, he featured in close to 100 films, some of which have become classics of American cinema: notably "Spartacus", "Lust for Life", "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral", "Paths of Glory" and "The Final Countdown." However, in spite of his popularity, Kirk Douglas was never awarded an Oscar, although he was nominated on three occasions: for his role in "Champion" in 1950, "The Bad and the Beautiful" in 1952, and for his performance in the role of painter Vincent Van Gogh in Lust for Life in 1957. In 1996, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences finally made up for this oversight by awarding him a lifetime achievement honorary Oscar in recognition of his 50-year career in Hollywood. An actor ahead of his time The only boy in a family of seven children, Kirk Douglas was born in 1916 in Amsterdam in upstate New York to Jewish immigrants from what is now Belarus, who had come to the United States to escape poverty and antisemitism. The one-time ragman's son quickly learned how to manage his career once he arrived in Hollywood. In the mid-1950s, he became one of the first actor-producers in motion pictures. Nowadays this dual role is a common career choice, which has attracted such stars as Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, but at the time it was extremely rare. Annoyed that he had not been given the part of Ben-Hur in the eponymous epic a role that was finally granted to Charlton Heston Douglas decided to act as the instigator of projects that he found to be pleasing and motivating. Thereafter he bought the rights to Irving Stone's novel "Lust for Life," which he brought to the big screen in 1956. The following year, he contacted industry newcomer Stanley Kubrick to entrust him with the project for "Paths to Glory." In 1960, he once again turned to Kubrick to complete his major project "Spartacus." His role as producer enabled Douglas to take on daring and politically courageous projects. He did not hesitate to work with screenwriter Dalton Trumbo who was blacklisted for communist sympathies during the McCarthy era. In September of this year, just months before his 100th birthday, the star once more expressed himself politically, penning an article attacking US president-elect Donald Trump. The 20-year-old poster boy of Hong Kong democracy, Joshua Wong, has distanced himself from his father Roger Wong, who has launched an online campaign against an initiative by HSBC to promote awareness of LGBT rights. The bank has put on temporary display rainbow-colored replicas of the famous lions that guard the entrance of its global headquarters in Hong Kong. Created by a local artist, the sculptures are designed to promote inclusiveness and tolerance. But Wong senior, a known adversary of Hong Kongs LGBT community, says the multicolored statues were disgusting and could hurt the feelings of the banks customers. He claims to have collected about 1,800 signatures for an online petition asking the company to remove the statues, withdraw a policy granting benefits to same-sex partners of employees and withhold open support for LGBT causes. A statement attached to the petition says that the banks move is tantamount to trampling on the existing family values of Hong Kong. Speaking to TIME on Tuesday, Joshua unambiguously distanced himself from his fathers activities. The younger Wong became a leader of the 2014 Hong Kong democracy protests, known as the Umbrella Revolution, when he was just shy of his 18th birthday, appearing on the cover of TIME. He has since become a globe-trotting activist, meeting members of U.S. Congress and rallying Asias youth to demand more democratic governance. He is also the founder of a socially progressive political party, Demosisto, which on its website calls for passage of an antidiscrimination law, recognition of same-sex unions and legal protections for transgender people. The party has pushed for Hong Kong to enact a law called the Sexual Orientation Discrimination Ordinance (SODO), which, if passed, would be a milestone for the semiautonomous Chinese city, as it presently offers no explicit protections for sexual minorities. Story continues Me personally, I support this, Joshua Wong tells TIME. In what surely must make for awkward talk at the dinner table, the elder Wong is the founder of an organization explicitly opposed to the policy his son has lobbied for, called the Family School SODO Concern Group. It appears, however at least on social media that his progeny is more popular. A Facebook page for Roger Wongs anti-gay lobby group has only 3,002 Likes compared to his sons 305,067. With reporting by Kevin Lui / Hong Kong Designers in the CFDA Fashion Incubator program pose before their showcase at the W Victory Hotel in Dallas. (Photo: Courtesy CFDA + W Hotels) In an increasingly crowded fashion market, building a brand thats both successful and sustainable is no easy task just ask the many labels, from big-name startups to indie ventures, that fail each year. But since 2010, emerging New York City-based designers have found a champion in the Council of Fashion Designers of Americas Fashion Incubator, a two-year business development program that brings together 10 emerging designers for intensive business planning, mentorship with industry experts, and low-cost studio space. But its not all work. As a glam counterpoint to all that nitty-gritty business-building, W Hotels also treats Incubator participants to bonding and inspiration trips at its portfolio of luxury resorts at destinations like Bali, Vieques, and Ws newest property in Punta de Mita, Mexico. Altogether, the Incubator functions sort of like the worlds most fabulous MBA program only with tequila shots, and without a $150K IOU to Sallie Mae. Another crucial part of the Incubator program is introducing the designers to markets that are important to building their brand. Recently, the designers behind the labels Brother Vellies, Haus Alkire, Charles Youssef, Ji Oh, and Thaddeus ONeil traveled to Dallas to meet with local business owners and retail buyers, take in the gallery scene, have high tea at the original Neiman Marcus, and snap lots of Instagrams, naturally. On the final night, they showcased their designs at the W Dallas Victory hotel for an audience of buyers, influencers, fashion fans, and press, including Yahoo Style. In this, the first of two articles, we speak with CFDA president and CEO Steven Kolb, and Suzanne Cohen, the director of brand marketing for W Hotels, to learn about how the Incubator is building smarter fashion brands. Check back tomorrow for our interviews with the designers on the impact the program has had on their business. Steven Kolb, president and CEO of the CFDA, poses with Showcase guests in Dallas, including street-style star Taylor Tomasi Hill. (Photo: Courtesy of CFDA + W Hotels) Steven Kolb, president and CEO of the CFDA Yahoo Style: How do you see the CFDAs role in developing fashion talent? Steven Kolb: The whole mission of the CFDA is to support designers, because we realize that the power and success of the American fashion industry lies in supporting them at every stage of their career. For emerging talent like these Incubator brands, theres so much knowledge and expertise we can share with them, from people who may have made the mistakes and been through all the challenges, and can help them avoid pitfalls and take the right path. We believe an investment in young talent is an investment in the industry overall. Story continues The Incubator program is just one of the ways CFDA supports the American fashion industry. Everything we do looks at the lifeline of the designers. So we start with students offering scholarships, helping them establish themselves with jobs in American brands, or helping them establish their own businesses. Then we look at emerging designers, like those in the Incubator people who have been in business for three years or so. They have distribution, theyre getting editorial [coverage] theyve built something but are still in need of development. After that comes the small-business owner who can share ideas, job opportunities, information on policy, new trends, and so on. And then there are the really big guys, the established designers, who work with us to promote the industry overall, and help upcoming designers. What impact have you seen the Incubator have on participating designers businesses? Weve had designers who expanded their use of color following a discussion with retailers, based on what they know customers respond to. Weve had buyers come into the shared studio space to pick up one designer, and they end up picking up another one for distribution too thats something that wouldnt happen if the designers were all isolated from each other. Theres probably hundreds of examples. Overall, the Incubator helps designers develop clarity on their ideas, and confidence on those ideas. The run of show, backstage at the W Dallas Victory. (Photo: Courtesy of CFDA + W Hotels) The program has been around since only 2010, but have you already found youve had to adapt it around changes in technology and the rise of social media? This is our fourth Incubator group, so, yes, seven years later, the business is very different than when we started. It changes so fast, its different tonight than yesterday, and thats true for all parts of the fashion business, from design to editorial, retail, manufacturing. So weve definitely adapted over the course of the program to fit the needs of the participants. The Incubator group in 2010 was focused on distribution building a wholesale model. Now, thats less important. Now were helping designers understand and develop different distribution channels, like direct to consumer, or helping them think differently about how to present a collection to the industry, which may not always mean a runway show. The Incubator participants go through a rigorous selection process. Is choosing the right mix of designers important to the CFDA? Its a roll of the dice, really. We pick them carefully, but individually, not by categories. Its not like we need X number of womens wear, Y number of accessory designers. Its more about who is talented, who has a point of view, and who can we help go to the next level in their business. The group ends up being pretty diverse, which is great, and reflects the number of disciplines within New York fashion. How do you see the Incubator participants interacting as a group? Its so interesting watching those relationships form. With the third [Incubator] group, one thing we started with W Hotels, which has been incredibly powerful, is the whole group went to Punta de Mita, Mexico, for a two-day off-site intensive. We were the first ones to stay at this incredible property the W had just opened. The designers were spending intensive time with the CFDA, with the W team, beginning to define their priorities within the program mapping out their inspiration trip, what cities are of interest to them for these showcases. And beyond that, theyre going surfing together, doing yoga together, taking tequila shots together. For another group, we had a similar trip to the W in Vieques [Puerto Rico]. I stayed there this summer it was unreal. Then you know what an incredible experience that is. So its on these trips where those relationships and bonds start to form. I think it was group two where Prabal [Gurung] and Maxwell [Osbourne] and Dao-Yi Chow of Public School were in it together, and theyre still friends now you see them at each others shows and events. Were in the early stages of that with this group, but that bond is something thats for life. Its so valuable to have someone to vent with and share knowledge with. Whether its where do you do knits, or where did you get that fabric? How do you get in touch with [Harpers Bazaars] Glenda Bailey? It becomes this really exciting group of shared ideas. Thats what were building on these trips with W. Julie Alkire of Haus Alkire preps for her showcase in Dallas. (Photo: Courtesy of CFDA + W Hotels) What specific services does the program offer? One of the first things they do is spend a semester working with an MBA student from NYUs Stern School. Thats like having a McKinsey [consultant] working with you. So right away, theyre refining their business strategy and learning to be fiscally responsible, things that arent always front-of-mind for creatively focused people. From talking with designers, it seems like the program helps them think critically about the costs associated with their business. Bringing that into their business is so important. Its easy to be seduced by the glamour of a big fashion show and feeling like you have to one in order to be legitimate. If nothing else, the designers come out of the Incubator knowing dont do things you cant afford, do it the best you can, and focus on the product. Thats the biggest part of what they get out of this. What advice do you find yourself giving to every young designer? Its funny, the one thing everyone asks is How do I find an investor? And sometimes, thats not a realistic question, or the person asking isnt ready for that. So I tell everyone, focus on product. Build a strong financial business. Have a core item with Ji [Oh], its shirting and really focus on that, dont worry about being a lifestyle brand. You have to build the business and be smart financially, because getting investors take time. We teach perseverance and how to be ready when those opportunities come along. Suzanne Cohen, the W Hotels director of marketing, makes a toast at a pre-showcase dinner. (Photo: Courtesy of CFDA + W Hotels) Suzanne Cohen, director of marketing for W Hotels Worldwide Yahoo Style: How does W Hotels see its involvement in the CFDA Incubator? Suzanne Cohen: W Hotels role is to give designers the chance to get the global exposure they need to help grow their businesses. That can mean anything from the budget and space for tonights showcase, trips to get inspired, exposure through our hotels worldwide things that wouldnt otherwise be possible for an emerging brand. W has built its brand around being the hip persons hotel how does this partnership build on that? Were about providing our point of view on whats new and next and offering insider access to all our guests, so its natural that wed want to nurture this emerging talent and bring it to our guests. Tell us more about the showcase and inspiration trips that W provides. Theres actually is a business reason for everything in the program so at the beginning, we meet with each designer to map out how each part of the plan can be beneficial to their business, from the showcase to the inspiration trip. With showcases like the one here in Dallas, each designer gets in front of a market, which is crucial meeting buyers, retailers, editors, stylists, the local community. All the designers agree getting that feedback and hearing what consumers think is so valuable. Table settings for a pre-showcase dinner at W Dallas Victorys Cook Hall restaurant. (Photo: Courtesy of CFDA + W Hotels) Inspiration trips are another thing a busy young designer may not take time for. Everyone in the creative industry is so busy, and taking the time to get inspiration is so valuable and coveted. We have the designers look at our locations around the world and decide which one will be beneficial for them, not from a business-building perspective but for their creative process. Its about having that time away from home, where youre seeing things, meeting people, tasting the local cuisine, touching fabrics, just taking it in. All those things you dont get to do in your daily life and the kind of experiences you dont typically have when youre on a production or a sourcing trip. How are the inspiration trips reflected in the designers work? They actually have to do a little homework beforehand on their destination so say they want to go to the Great Wall of China, or get to know the local markets, taste the cuisine of Beijing or Shanghai. They create an itinerary where they may be visiting boutiques, or seeing whats selling in that area. And they get five days of complete inspiration. Their inspiration trips become part of their next collection while theyre in the Incubator program, and then W guests can purchase them. So it comes full circle. Is tagging along one of the perks of the job? Unfortunately, I dont get to go! What aspect of W Hotels involvement with the Incubator program are you most proud of? I feel so much pride when the designers tell me that the program is making a difference in their business that theyre getting in front of the right consumers and getting marketing exposure that they couldnt pay for at this stage of their business. And that we stay friends with all the past Incubator designers, and a lot of them stay at the W on their own, because they feel like we supported them in a crucial time for their brands. It really feels like a friendship more than a business relationship. Stay tuned for our interview with the Incubator designers, coming tomorrow. What will the impact of Donald Trump's presidency be on large media deals like AT&T's planned purchase of Time Warner? IAC CEO Barry Diller - whose company is known for its high rates of M&A - believes it's still too early to tell. "We don't have a clue yet," the IAC chairman told attendees of Business Insider's Ignition conference Tuesday evening in New York. "All we have is what seems to be an offhand remark from the president-elect about AT&T and Time Warner. We have no idea how this administration will deal with M&A compared with the Obama administration." He continued: "Like many things in this incredible experiment that's taking place right now before our little eyes, we don't know." Though Diller made sure to note that he didn't vote for Trump, he appeared to approach the election results with an open mind. "Half the country voted for change. The other half didn't," he said. "That half [that voted for change] had the electoral votes. They're in charge. My attitude is, bring it on." Diller's comments came in a day filled with remarks from some of the media industry's top executives about the impact of a Trump administration on their business. Time Warner CEO Jeffrey Bewkes said earlier at BI's conference, "I thought the threat to the First Amendment came from the Democratic side more." Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam, meanwhile, expressed a similar opinion to Diller's, commenting at the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference that it was still too early to tell. Diller also was asked about remarks that AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson made earlier in the day that under Trump, the FCC likely won't prioritize net neutrality rules. "Who could blame Randall from doing that?" said Diller. "All consolidated large media players, particularly Verizon and AT&T ... all fought very hard for there never to be net neutrality and have tried every year to get rid of it." Story continues IAC CEO Joey Levin, who appeared onstage with Diller, noted that the company's businesses, which include comedy website CollegeHumor and video streaming service Vimeo, "will survive in any case." Asked about the impact of fake news on The Daily Beast, Levin noted that much of the publication's traffic is direct to its website, which he said "has a very clear editorial voice and clear journalistic standard." Diller chimed in that fake news can be controlled. "You can very easily have a process that will prevent actual fake news," he said. "And it must be adopted." One of Levin's biggest projects at IAC is his leadership of Vimeo. He stepped in as interim CEO of the service, which positions itself as an ad-free alternative to YouTube, earlier this year after the departure of CEO Kerry Trainor. When asked about his vision for the site, which Levin has said will move into subscriptions in the months ahead, he responded that Vimeo "will have a service like Netflix" but added he doesn't necessarily believe that the streamer will compete head-to-head with the original video giant. Levin also noted that Vimeo has no plans to launch a skinny bundle, even though Hulu and YouTube are both working on live TV offerings of their own. "We're very much interested in the breakup of the big bundle," Diller acknowledged, later adding, "Having Vimeo as a platform to then be able to compete in all these various niches, that's fantastic." Diller also revealed that he sees voice as the next big technology sector to focus on, pointing to Amazon's Echo and Alexa voice service. Read more: Time Warner CEO Jeffrey Bewkes Says Democrats Were Bigger First Amendment Threat Than Trump Dev Patel lion This is the time of year when we're bombarded with very serious (and often depressing) movies vying for Academy Awards nominations. 2016 is no different, with Martin Scorseses Silence, Denzel Washingtons Fences, and the indie Manchester by the Sea taking up a lot of the conversation. But thankfully, there are still some new movies to leave you happy, and one is the remarkably touching Lion. It follows the incredible true story of Saroo Brierley, who at five years old while begging at the Khandwa train station in Burhanpur, India, falls asleep in a train car and finds himself in Calcutta, 930 miles from his hometown. After surviving as a street kid and eventually being adopted by a couple in Australia, 25 years later, Brierley finds his birth mother with the help of Google Earth. Australian director Garth Davis caught wind of Brierleys story in a 2013 article producers Iain Canning and Emile Sherman handed him while he was directing episodes of Top of the Lake for them. As soon as I read the article I fell in love with the story, Davis recently told Business Insider. Interested in making a movie about Brierley, the producers rushed out to get the life rights (Brierleys book about his experience, A Long Way Home, would not be published for another year), while Davis flew to India to meet Brierley and his family. We found out that '60 Minutes' was going to India to take Saroos adopted mother to meet his birth mother. I tagged along on that trip, Davis said. Garth Davis Alexander Koerner Getty It was the first of numerous research trips Davis took to India, where he retraced Brierleys journey back when he was five years old. Later, writer Luke Davies was hired for the script and took a trip to India, too. Then the two met up at Davies house in Los Angeles and in front of a very large whiteboard began to develop the story for Lion. Around that same time, actor Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire) began to come around the house, too. Story continues He was there fighting for the role from the very beginning, Davis said. But Davis was already having doubts about how to cast the Saroo role. There wasnt an actor that I could think of that was the person in my mind, he said. That was a problem. So, even though Patel was one of the first actors to show interest, he was nowhere near the top contender. I had to catch up to him a little bit, Davis said with a laugh of Patel. His passion was really important. You just want to make sure that every person on your set wants to be there and is really passionate about the role. Because you just can't get the work to that level otherwise. So it went a long way that he was fighting for the role and his passion was there and his commitment was there. The path of Lion from idea to production went at breakneck speed. Davies spent six months on the script, completing in May of 2014. Davis, along with producers Canning and Sherman, hopped on a flight to the Cannes Film Festival weeks later where the Weinstein Company bought the worldwide rights for $12 million. Shooting began in August. It was a project that never stopped, Davis said. Though Davis was conflicted about casting the adult Brierley, he also had to find the five-year-old Brierley. A four-month talent search led to Davis casting Sunny Pawar, whom he and his team found in Mumbai. Though Pawar didnt have any acting experience, Davis said, It became pretty clear that he was our boy. But Davis said getting Pawar to be the emotional center of the movie was the biggest challenge of making Lion. lion_TWC Some of the scenes are quite complicated, Davis said. Hes doing maybe four things in a scene, three of those things may be difficult things like running to a door, asking to get off a train, looking scared all of that will be in one shot. So it's a lot of things for a five-year-old child to pull together in a scene. It's incredibly difficult to get a child at that age to do that. I don't know how to explain it. It's very sobering. Much of the film is through the eyes of young Brierley, and Pawar's performance keeps you on the edge while also being uplifting. Brierley's dedication to finding his home is unwavering. The movie is also strengthened by supporting roles from Nicole Kidman playing Brierleys adoptive mother and Rooney Mara as adult Brierleys girlfriend. Davis who's working on his next movie, "Mary Magdalene," starring Mara in the lead role is happy for the awards attention surrounding "Lion," but he said that was never the motivation. We made this because we were so moved by the story, he said. This is just a movie of passion. That, and they wanted to satisfy the request of Brierley and his family, who have been fully supportive of the movie from the beginning. They wanted to make sure the story gave people courage to love and open up the question of adoption, Davis said. They just wanted their story to be told very honestly. Lion is currently playing in select theaters. NOW WATCH: 7 details you may have missed on episode 9 of 'Westworld' More From Business Insider Thousands of ordinary Indians flocked Wednesday to the seaside grave of Jayalalithaa Jayaram, a day after a burial ceremony restricted to politicians, film stars and relatives of the reclusive but hugely popular leader. Men wearing white dhotis lined up on plastic chairs beside hastily-erected police barricades around the grave to have their heads shaved, a Hindu mourning tradition usually reserved for the death of a close relative. Many of the mourners were poor women who had travelled long distances in intense heat to pay final respects to the revered former chief minister of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, who died late on Monday aged 68. Among them was Vanita, 50, who ekes out a living rolling the cheap Indian cigarettes known as bidis. Vanita, who like many people in southern India uses only one name, said she had travelled to the state capital Chennai to see Jayalalithaa many times, and once asked for her help getting treatment for a heart complaint. "She made sure I got the operation I needed. She even gave me money for medicine. And the next time I met her she remembered me and asked how I was," said Vanita, pulling her sari to one side to reveal the scar from her surgery. "She once said, 'I am everything to my children and they are everything to me'," she said of the woman who was known simply as "Amma" or mother to her adoring fans. The former movie star, a populist champion of the poor, enjoyed god-like status in Tamil Nadu and was one of India's most powerful female leaders. She was buried on Tuesday alongside M.G. Ramachandran, her on-screen lover and predecessor as chief minister, at a ceremony attended by the stars of the film world and top political leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Media reports said her nephew was among the few relatives who attended, and there has been intense speculation about who stands to inherit the vast wealth she accrued during her time in power. Story continues An estimated one million people lined the streets to watch her glass coffin transported to the burial site amid tight security in a city that has seen outbreaks of violence after the deaths of past leaders. Most shops and restaurants reopened on Wednesday as the city began returning to normal, although schools and colleges will remain closed for another two days. The atmosphere at her graveside was largely calm, the peace occasionally broken by anguished cries of "Amma" from the mourners. One elderly woman screamed and beat her head repeatedly with her hands, banging herself against the police barricades around the grave. "She took care of everything and we wanted for nothing," said 47-year-old Paramashiva after having his head shaved. By Kailash Bathija and Krishna Eluri BENGALURU (Reuters) - Sensex is expected to rise next year but it may not scale record highs predicted a few months back, a Reuters Poll showed, mainly because Prime Minister Narendra Modi's shock currency ban is seen knocking economic growth in the next few quarters. Indian shares fell over 6 percent a day after the Nov. 8 announcement by Modi outlawing high-value bank notes, coinciding with a shakeout in global financial markets after Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election. "What demonetization did from an equities perspective is it added to an already lengthy list of risks, such as a impending Fed rate hike, Trump's win, corporate earnings slowdown and investor flight to higher-yielding assets," said CA Rudramurthy, managing director at Vachana Investments. While there are concerns Modi's demonetization drive, aimed at curbing corruption and tax evasion, will put the brakes on the economy, a more immediate risk is its impact on foreign investors who have already begun moving out of the country. In November alone, foreign investors sold nearly $3 billion worth of Indian stocks - a trend that could extend in a milder form until a sufficient amount of cash seeps through the economy and rekindles consumer demand, analysts said. Still, the median consensus in the poll of nearly 50 equity strategists and brokers taken over the past week found the BSE Sensex would rise nearly a percent to 26,650 points by the end of December from Tuesday's close of 26392.76. By mid-2017, it is forecast to reach 28,500 and then to 29,600 by the end of next year. That is significantly lower than the 32,000 points analysts predicted for end-2017 in an October poll, which would be a new record. Expectations for the broader NSE index were similarly downgraded, and it will now likely end this year at 8,250 from Tuesday's close of 8143.15. By June 2017, it is expected to rise further to 8,775. "Even if the real pain from Modi's currency ban is short-lived, it will have a big negative impact on corporate earnings, in my view, which doesn't bode well for foreign institutional inflows," Rudramurthy further added. Story continues A significant minority of respondents said the after-effects of demonetization were a bigger threat to Indian stocks over the coming year than the prospect of faster rate hikes from the U.S. Federal Reserve or Trump's protectionist policies. A majority of analysts who answered a separate question said the effects of removing the currency in circulation would be short-lived on the equity markets and don't expect the stock market to fall any further over the coming year. The crackdown on the 500 and 1000 rupee bank notes, which removed 86 percent of the currency in circulation virtually overnight, has severely hurt consumption besides leaving many companies' cash-reliant supply chains in tatters. India's central bank is likely to cut its benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points to 6.00 percent later on Wednesday, according to the latest Reuters poll, in an attempt to stabilise the economy. A separate Reuters poll last week showed the Indian rupee's recent slide has mostly run its course and it will likely weaken to 69.2 a dollar in a year, from 67.75 now. (Polling by Khushboo Mittal; Editing by Ross Finley and Shri Navaratnam) NEW DELHI (Reuters) - A train ran off the tracks in India's eastern state of West Bengal, killing at least two people and injuring six, a railways spokesman said on Wednesday, reviving concerns about safety just weeks after a crash that killed about 150 people. India's state-run rail system, the world's fourth-largest and a lifeline for millions of poorer travelers, has struggled under growing demand and a lack of investment in upgrades. The train, traveling from the eastern city of Patna to the northeastern city of Guwahati, left the tracks in the district of Alipurduar late on Tuesday, the spokesman said. "A full investigation will take place," Anil Saxena told Reuters. India's deadliest rail crash in years on Nov. 20 prompted a request from the railways to the finance ministry for about $17.5 billion to set up a dedicated safety fund, in addition to record investment pledged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to modernize the network. (Reporting by Tommy Wilkes; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Brad Nelson, a farmer who lives near Albert Lea, voted for Donald Trump last month. The 58-year-old agreed with the president-elect on many issues, like cutting regulations on agriculture and reducing health care costs. But Trump also threatened sharply higher tariffs on Chinese products, once saying that "China is ripping us off like nobody has ever seen." However, Minnesota farmers like Nelson count on billions of dollars in exports to overseas markets especially to China. "Our exports to China obviously have exploded the last 10 or 15 years," said Nelson. If Trump really goes after China, the likely retaliation could hurt U.S. farmers. Now, they're waiting to see what the Trump administration actually does. Rural Minnesota voted resoundingly for Trump, even though the candidate hammered trade deals as a centerpiece of his campaign. Those deals can be crucial for farmers' livelihoods. "Without access to the export market, we'd be in some trouble," said Joel Wiering, grain manager at the CHS terminal in the southwest Minnesota town of Ruthton. About 60 percent of the soybeans moving through the Ruthton elevator this year about $30 million worth will wind up overseas. That's just a drop in the bucket compared to the over $2 billion soybean exports bring to Minnesota's agricultural economy each year. Minnesota exports close to half its soybeans, according to Ed Usset, a University of Minnesota grain marketing economist. And Asian economies especially China are hot markets for them. Overseas demand has helped keep soybean prices from falling even more during a mostly down time in agricultural markets. Soybeans are below break-even for most farmers, but prices probably would be a lot worse without the robust exports. Farm income is projected to fall more than 17 percent this year, and many farms will struggle to show a profit. Farmers with long memories can recall the last time agricultural products got tangled up in the world politics. That was in 1980 when President Jimmy Carter halted grain sales to the Soviet Union in retaliation for its invasion of Afghanistan. "I am determined to minimize any adverse impact on the American farmer from this action," Carter said at the time. But despite that residential pledge, the nation's largest agricultural group said the embargo cost farmers $1 billion and permanently disrupted the grain trade. Now, farmers hope the Trump administration avoids a repeat. Nelson is optimistic it will, mostly based on comments from a key Trump adviser during the campaign. In September, campaign co-chair Sam Clovis said on the radio program AgriTalk that a President Trump would only change failed trade policies. With farm exports booming, Clovis said, there probably was little need for adjustments in the agricultural sector. For now, farmers will have to wait and see. "It's an unknown factor right now," Nelson said, "because you don't know what anybody's going to do at any given time." A 6.5-magnitude earthquake that hit Indonesia's Sumatra island early Wesnesday has claimed the lives of 97 people, the army chief in Indonesia's Aceh province said. Rescue workers are currently searching the rubble of several collapsed buildings for survivors. Maj. Gen. Tatang Sulaiman said in a live television interview that four people were pulled from the rubble alive. Nearly half a dozen were still believed to be buried, but it was unclear if they were alive, Sulaiman reportedly said. "Hopefully we would be able to finish the evacuation from the rubble before sunset," he said, according to the Associated Press (AP). Sutopo Nugroho of the National Disaster Management Agency said a state of emergency had been declared in Aceh, which sits on the northern tip of Indonesia's Sumatra island. 2016-12-07T062355Z_1842701500_RC19BC0D0670_RTRMADP_3_INDONESIA-QUAKE Photo: Reuters/Antara Foto/Irwansyah Putra The U.S. Geological Survey said that the shallow quake was centered about 6 miles north of Reuleut, a town in northern Aceh, at a depth of 11 miles. There was no risk of a tsunami following the quake, according to Indonesian authorities. The worst-hit area in the quake was Pidie Jaya, the district closest to the epicenter of the undersea quake. Pidie Jaya district chief Aiyub Abbas reportedly said that hundreds of people in the district have been injured and dozens of buildings have collapsed. 2016-12-07T080615Z_846694649_RC1224646B10_RTRMADP_3_INDONESIA-QUAKE Photo: Reuters/Antara Foto/Irwansyah Putra The disaster management agency also reportedly said that at least five aftershocks were felt following the initial quake. The region suffered massive destruction in 2004 when a 9.2-magnitude quake triggered a tsunami that killed 170,000 people in Indonesia, 35,000 in Sri Lanka, 18,000 in India and 8,000 in Thailand. Related Articles Photo credit: Jamie McCarthy - Getty Images From Town & Country Joshua Kushner is best known for his relationship with supermodel Karlie Kloss and for his close connection to the previous administration. He is the younger sibling of Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and former White House advisor. But Josh is also a Harvard graduate and lifelong Democrat who founded a buzzy health and technology company. And he recently became a new dad. He and Kloss welcomed their first child earlier this year. Here's what else. you need to know about Josh: He's in the tech world. In 2012, Josh co-founded Oscar Health, an insurance company aimed at millennials. The much-buzzed-about venture promised to use technology to provide more affordable healthcare options. "We're trying to build something that's going to turn the industry on its head," Josh said in 2014, according to The New York Times. Josh was also an early investor in Instagram and founded Thrive Capital, a private equity firm specializing in tech and media investments. "He is known, really, for just working," Internet entrepreneur Kevin Ryan told Esquire. "That's all he does." He proposed to Kloss in 2018 after six years of dating. The 35-year-old tech entrepreneur proposed to the model and founder of Kode with Klossy in the summer of 2018. Kloss and Josh rarely speak publicly about their relationship but are often photographed together and post about the relationship on social media. In September 2016, Kloss was spotted hanging out with Jared and Ivanka at the US Open. In 2013, Kloss told People she liked that her then-boyfriend was so not in fashion. Its really refreshing to leave all the fashion shows and shoots and chaos totally behind. He's a lifelong Democrat, and neither he nor Kloss support Trump. Although he's never spoken publicly about politics, a rep for Josh told Esquire that he is a lifelong Democrat. Kloss didn't vote for Trump, either: back in 2016, the model Instagrammed a shot of her filling out her absentee ballot and captioned it #ImWithHer. In August 2020 on her YouTube channel, she encouraged her fans to register to vote and vote by mail because "we all deserve change in November." Story continues But despite their political differencesand reports that the Kushner family did not support Josh's relationship with Kloss the Kushner brothers have not had a public rift. He graduated both from Harvard college and the business school. He started at the Ivy in 2004 as a government and political science major, and he was the executive editor of the university's Scene magazine. The publication's mission statement was "to portray the events, the people, the passions that we are all a part of." During his junior year, Josh started Votsu.com, an online gaming site with a social-networking component. He told Forbes: "I was not the best student in that I was never there. I'd be in Brazil [and Argentina] and fly back for my Thursday classes." He's a real estate heir. His father is Charles Kushner, a New Jersey real estate developer. Josh said in an interview with Forbes that he spent time with his dad on construction sites instead of at ball games. "The idea was when everyone is relaxing you should be working," Josh told the outlet. "The ball doesn't come to you." In 2005, the elder Kushner was convicted of tax evasion and witness tampering and served time in federal prison. The Kushner brothers started a company together. In 2015, the brothers launched Cadre, a company which perfectly marries their interests: real estate and tech. The venture aims to make it easier for clients to invest in real estate using technology. The company has been the subject of controversy since Jared joined the administration. In 2017, he failed to include Cadre on a disclosure formand then profited from it. Later on, it was reported the company benefited from misleading rent filings. Josh was spotted at the Women's March on Washington in 2017. Over inauguration weekend, Josh was photographed at the Women's March on Washington, a protest against President Trump. But before you call him an unlikely ally, local D.C. publication, the Washingtonian, reports he told march participants he was there "observing," as opposed to actively protesting. He attended the March for Our Lives in Washington D.C. with Kloss. In addition to participating in the peaceful protest for gun control, in the days before the March For Our Lives, a demonstration to end gun violence, Josh quietly donated $50,000 to the event, Axios reported. Students who survived the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in February planned the demonstration, which took place in Washington, D.C. on March 24. Jared reportedly sold assets to Josh when he became Senior Advisor to the President. A lifelong Democrat, Josh did not support Trump during the election, but he could stand to benefit from his presidency. In order to take on the position of Senior Advisor to the president, Jared Kushner sold many of his assets to his younger brother, and put several others into a trust run by his mother. According to the New York Times, ethicists are concerned about the arrangement, questioning "how meaning the divestiture would be" given that he is not putting his assets into a true blind trust. It also remains to be seen whether Josh's healthcare company Oscar could be impacted by healthcare legislation overseen by the Trump administration. Josh and Karlie hosted two wedding celebrations. In October 2018, Karlie and Josh wed in a small Jewish ceremony with fewer than 80 guests in upstate New York, which is also where the couple got engaged. Photos from the big day were shared on Instagram, showing a beaming Josh and Karlie. Just months after that wedding, Josh and Karlie hosted another celebration for friends and family at the Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga, Wyoming in June 2019. Karlie and various guests shared photos of the wedding weekend events on Instagram, giving fans an inside look at the festivities. It was quite the star-studded affair, with guests including Orlando Bloom, Katy Perry, Diane von Furstenberg, Ashton Kutcher, and Mila Kunis. There was even a royal in attendance; Princess Beatrice, one of Karlie's close friends, was also spotted at the party. Both Josh and Karlie appear to be enjoying married life, even during the Covid-19 pandemic. For her 28th birthday in August, Josh posted a picture of Karlie captioned "Eight birthdays together," and she commented, "best 8 years of my life In March 2021, he and Kloss announced the birth of their first child. In an Instagram post, Kushner wrote "Welcome to the world," with a photo of the newborn. You Might Also Like Starbucks Drinks The slow and steady decline of retail that's shuttering department stores and putting malls out of business is also taking a toll on Starbucks. "We can't hide behind the fact that there is a seismic change that we're experiencing as a brick-and mortar retailer," Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said at the company's Investor Day on Wednesday. As customers increasingly shop online instead of in person, Starbucks can no longer rely on foot traffic as a way to get people in the door, Schultz said. The US currently has too many stores and not enough people willing to shop in them, which Schultz predicts will result in lots of companies closing stores. Despite the challenging retail climate, however, Starbucks plans to open 12,000 new stores around the world in the next five years, with projections of 10% revenue growth. Schultz said that, in order to make this growth a reality, the company is banking on two strategies: becoming a "destination" and investing in digital. "We believe we not only have the antidote to the seismic change in consumer behavior, but we have an opportunity to really transform not only the core business to create a new source of growth and revenue," Schultz said. Becoming a 'destination' Starbucks Roastery Seattle Schultz is stepping down as Starbucks' CEO and will focus on the first goal: ensuring that Starbucks is a "destination." A large part of Schultz's new job as executive chairman will be focusing on the company's Roastery and Reserve brands. "With the opening of the Roastery, this gave us an opportunity to create a premium brand within Starbucks," Liz Muller, Starbucks' senior vice president, creative and global design, said Wednesday. Starbucks said it is planning to open 20 to 30 planned Roasteries, which are the company's tourist-friendly locations that serve expensive drinks like the $10 Nitro Cold Brew Float and roast coffee in-house. One currently exists in Seattle and five more are in the works around the world. Story continues Starbucks_Investor_Conference.JPG The company also plans to open roughly 1,000 Reserve stores, which will serve essentially as Roasteries minus the roasting, serving up small-batch coffee and a menu of food made in-house. Reserve stores will be twice the size of an average Starbucks. Starbucks also wants 20% of all its stores to have a Reserve Bar, which will serve more exotic, small-batch blends made in a wider variety of preparation methods. When Howard Schultz last stepped down as CEO in 2000, one of the company's biggest struggles was that the Starbucks brand had become diluted by its own ubiquity. When Starbucks became "sterile," in Schultz's words, customers no longer had a reason to spend money at the chain. With the Roastery, Schultz seems determined to build a super-premium brand to prevent this from happening again especially as customers have fewer and fewer reasons to shop in stores instead of online. Fighting fire with fire starbucks phones Starbucks has ambitous plans to fight the challenges presented by the growth of ecommerce by investing in tech. "We look at digital not as a marketing channel, but as a foundational part of the customer experience at Starbucks," said Matthew Ryan, Starbucks' global chief strategy officer. Starbucks' digital strategy is centered on the chain's app, which combines rewards, ordering, and payment. The company has 12 million Starbucks Rewards members, up 18% from this time last year, 8 million of whom use Mobile Order and Pay. Mobile ordering is much more efficient than ordering in person, which allows stores to processes more customers per minute during busy and crowded times. People ordering on mobile also tend to spend more money per order, research shows. The coffee giant is in the early stages of rolling out a new personalized rewards program that will allow it to push certain products and incentives to customers based on what it already knows about them. Each Starbucks customer will receive completely unique offers via email and the Starbucks app. NOW WATCH: Starbucks is hoping this new fall drink will be their next Pumpkin Spice Latte More From Business Insider Insomniac Events has announced the cancellation of Electric Daisy Carnival New York in 2017 and the debut of Electric Daisy Carnival Japan next spring. Pasquale Rotella, founder and CEO of Insomniac, first revealed the news on Sunday (Dec. 4) in a Facebook post that provided an update on Insomniac's future plans and priorities. "Although EDC New York 2017 was one of my favorites hosted in the Big Apple, we've decided to take a break in 2017," he explains. "We hope many of you East Coast headliners will join us in Vegas." EDC Japan's inaugural edition will take place at Zozo Marine Stadium and Makuhari Beach in Tokyo on April 29 and 30 next year. The collaboration between Insomniac and partners GMO Internet Group, Creativeman and Live Nation Japan is EDC's fifth international destination. "Dance music has become a global phenomenon that we are fortunate enough to share with our EDC communities around the world in India, Mexico, and the UK," says Rotella in a statement. "Taking EDC to Japan has been a goal that's years in the making, and I can't wait to deliver something really special in 2017." Early bird tickets for EDC Japan will go on sale from Thursday (Dec. 9) at 7 p.m. PT to Friday (Dec. 9 at 11 p.m. PT) here; information on the general pre-sale will be announced soon. "To everyone who has been looking forward to EDC, the wait is over. I'm so excited to finally be able to announce EDC Japan 2017 today," said GMO Internet Group Founder & Group CEO, Masatoshi Kumagai. "Last year, GMO Internet celebrated its 20th anniversary. This timing just so happens to coincide with EDC's 20th anniversary as well. We want to put a smile on the face of everyone who comes into contact with the GMO Internet Group. We're planning to make EDC Japan an amazing music festival, so please be excited." EDC Japan will feature a reimagined version of the event's iconic kineticCATHEDRAL stage, a structure that premiered at EDC's flagship event in Las Vegas in 2014 and has toured New York, Orlando, UK, Brazil, Mexico and India. LONDON (Reuters) - Insurers should pay more heed to climate risk in their investment strategies to plug an annual $100 billion "protection gap" of uninsured losses from natural catastrophes, a network of 29 global insurance players said in a report on Wednesday. The report by the network ClimateWise, which includes the Lloyd's of London insurance market, Swiss Re and broker Aon Group, said introducing a rating system to measure financial assets' resilience to climate change could help protect insurers' investment arms from losses from weather-related catastrophes. Analysis by ClimateWise member Swiss Re found losses from natural catastrophes such as windstorms and floods have increased five-fold since the 1980s to around $170 billion today, with the average annual protection gap - the gap between insured and uninsured losses - widening from $23 billion to $100 billion. The recommendation by the industry group comes two weeks after nearly 200 nations agreed over talks in Morocco to work out the rules of the landmark 2015 Paris agreement to tackle climate change. "Industry leaders now have the opportunity to step up to the challenge outlined by the Paris climate agreement," Tom Herbstein, program manager of ClimateWise said. "In particular, the industry must help shift capital flows into climate-resilient assets and resilience-enhancing investments rather than simply struggling to maintain its current underwriting exposure." Recommendations also include encouraging private investment in infrastructure projects, support for green bonds issued to finance environmentally-friendly projects, and support for resilience impact bonds. Resilience impact bonds - a hybrid of social impact and green bonds - allow investors to fund environmental projects such as forest restoration to protect against risks such as forest fires. ClimateWise was established in 2008 by the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. (Reporting by Ritvik Carvalho; editing by Carolyn Cohn and Alexandra Hudson) IRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 7, 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 serious 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. Contact: Joon M. Khang, Esq. Telephone: 949-419-3834 Facsimile: 949-225-4474 joon@khanglaw.com SOURCE: Khang & Khang LLP LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 7, 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 throughout 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 fell, causing investors 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 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 7, 2016 / Lundin Law PC, a shareholder rights firm, announces a class action lawsuit against Impax Laboratories, Inc. ("Impax" or the "Company") (IPXL) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws between February 25, 2014 and November 3, 2016 inclusive (the "Class Period"). Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares during the Class Period should contact the firm prior to the January 9, 2017 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 during the Class Period, Impax made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose: that the Company was engaged in conduct that would trigger investigations of possible collusion of generic drug pricing by the antitrust division of the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") and the Connecticut Attorney General; that the DOJ investigation and the underlying conduct would likely result in criminal charges against Impax for collusion of generic drug pricing; that the Company lacked effective internal controls over financial reporting; and that as a result of the above, Impax's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When this news was announced, shares of Impax fell in value, causing investors harm. Lundin Law PC was founded 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 certain 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 LITTLE FALLS, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / December 7, 2016 / Cantel Medical Corp. (CMN) will host a conference call and live webcast to discuss the results of the first quarter 2017, to be held Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time. Live Event Information To participate, connect approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the beginning of the event. Date, Time: December 8, 2016 at 11:00 AM ET Toll Free: 877-407-8033 International: 201-689-8033 Live Webcast: www.investorcalendar.com/IC/CEPage.asp?ID=175486 or www.cantelmedical.com Replay Information The replay will be available beginning approximately 2 hours after the completion of the live event, ending at midnight Eastern on February 8, 2017. Toll Free: 877-481-4010 International: 919-882-2331 Replay ID#: 10164 Webcast: www.investorcalendar.com or www.cantelmedical.com About Cantel Medical Corp. Cantel Medical is a leading global company dedicated to delivering innovative infection prevention and control products and services for patients, caregivers, and other healthcare providers which improve outcomes, enhance safety and help save lives. Our products include specialized medical device reprocessing systems for endoscopy and renal dialysis, advanced water purification equipment, sterilants, disinfectants and cleaners, sterility assurance monitoring products for hospitals and dental clinics, disposable infection control products primarily for dental and GI endoscopy markets, dialysate concentrates, hollow fiber membrane filtration and separation products. Additionally, we provide technical service for our products. For further information, visit the Cantel website at www.cantelmedical.com. SOURCE: Investor Calendar Professors at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse dont earn what their peers at other institutions or many professionals in the private sector do, according to a recent study. The topic of professor salaries will come before the UW System Board of Regents Thursday, when its members vote on pay raises for employees in the wake of a report showing increased faculty turnover in the system. The issue also was addressed at last weeks higher education forum, during which several UW-L professors asked the panel of legislators and higher education leaders what they would do to dispel the myth that professors earn six-figure salaries. According to Department of Education and UW-L salary data, the median salary for tenure-track faculty at the university starts at $56,900 for an assistant professor and is $78,529 for a full professor who has achieved both of the available promotions from his or her academic department. Faculty salaries vary widely by department and are influenced by market-based factors such as private-sector wages, UW-L Human Resources Director Madeline Holzem said, with an assistant professor in English being hired at that median salary level of $56,900, while an assistant finance professor earns closer to $105,900. But compared to 32 similar universities across the country included in College and University Professional Association for Human Resources data, UW-L professors begin earning 92 percent of the salary of their peers. That salary gap widens as professors gain experience and rank, with full professors earning 86 percent of their peers at another college. This makes it difficult for faculty to hear comments about being overpaid, UW-L Provost Betsy Morgan said, especially for those who have chosen to stay in the state. Winona State University in Minnesota is one of the peer institutions UW-L uses for comparison. With the campus in commuting distance of La Crosse, professors can take a job there without having to uproot their family. Our employees feel like they are losing ground, she said. They feel like their work isnt valued. Along with raising tuition for out-of-state and graduate students, the board of regents is expected to vote on a proposal to raise all System employee salaries by 2 percent each year over the next two years. System officials estimate that the raise would cost about $78 million. In the private sector, professions in La Crosse County requiring a terminal degree see varying salaries based on the sector, but all are higher than the median salary for a university professor. Lawyers earn a median salary of $67,526, according to Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development numbers, while pharmacists earn $131,817 according to the data. It doesnt bother me if I dont make as much as a doctor, said Morgan, who is also a member of the psychology department on leave during her time serving as UW-Ls provost. But it does bother me if I dont make as much as a professor in another state. Professors, lawyers, physicians and others with advanced degrees earn a lot more than the average La Crosse County resident. According to census data, annual per-capita income in the county is less than $30,000, and half of the countys households have median incomes less than $50,000. But that $56,000 median salary doesnt go as far when someone is paying off eight or more years of student loans for their education, Morgan said, or is trying to start a family. And unlike their corporate counterparts, Morgan said, university professors dont generally get to ask for raises, except for the one-time $3,500 and $5,000 bump they receive when increasing in academic rank or in some special cases. This results in a lot of compression, Morgan said, where faculty members of the same rank arent rewarded with higher compensation for their years of experience, or inversion, where professors hired at the university in previous years earn less than new hires do. Both are a result of the inability to give raises. The biggest reason for our salary woes is the lack of raises for state employees, Morgan said. Faculty earn less than they did 10 years ago in terms of buying power. The question is do you want to pay faculty fairly? Lausanne (AFP) - Retesting of samples from the London 2012 Games is expected to reveal "many more" cases of doping, a senior International Olympic Committee official warned on Wednesday. The IOC has so far retested more than 1,000 samples from the London and Beijing Olympics, aiming to detect performance-enhancing drugs that were not identifiable four and eight years ago. Dozens of competitors have been caught doping, among them Olympic champions and other medallists, as the IOC attempts to clean up Olympic competition after one of the worst crises in its history. "There will be many more (cases) to come (from London) in the coming weeks and months," warned Richard Budgett, IOC medical director. "We are still getting positive samples from London, I expect this will continue," he told reporters in Lausanne, where the IOC is based. More than 100 new positive test results have been unearthed by the IOC's reanalysis, it says. Prime among the countries snared is Russia, whose athletes were banned from the Rio Olympics this summer because of state-sponsored doping. The IOC initiated the retesting programme last year using improved techniques to catch doping cheats. By Dominique Patton and Steve Holland BEIJING/NEW YORK (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump will nominate Iowa Governor Terry Branstad as the next U.S. ambassador to China, choosing a longstanding friend of Beijing after rattling the world's second largest economy with tough talk on trade and a telephone call with the leader of Taiwan. The appointment may help to ease trade tensions between the two countries, the world's two biggest agricultural producers, diplomats and trade experts said. Branstad has visited China at least six times, and Chinese President Xi Jinping has traveled to Iowa twice, including once while Branstad was governor. Branstad's appointment also suggests that Trump may be ready to take a less combative stance toward China than many expected, the experts said. Trump in a statement cited Branstad's qualifications including experience in government and longtime relationships with Xi and other Chinese leaders. The nomination, which will be formally made once the Republican president-elect is sworn in on Jan. 20, was well received, even among some Democrats. "He's tenacious, and trust me, with the Chinese, you need to be tenacious," U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, said of Branstad. Trump, who defeated Hillary Clinton in last month's election, has said that when he takes office he intends to declare China a currency manipulator, meaning it keeps the yuan artificially low to make its exports cheap, and has threatened to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese goods coming into the United States. Added to that, his unusual decision to accept a call from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen last week prompted a diplomatic protest on Saturday from Beijing, which considers Taiwan a renegade province. Trump's transition team played down the exchange as a courtesy call, but the White House had to reassure China that its decades-old "one-China" policy was intact. Branstad's established personal connection with China could help smooth a relationship defined largely by international security matters and by bilateral trade, where the massive U.S. trade deficit with the country is a source of friction. "It means that the Trump team understands that it is important to have an ambassador who has access to Xi Jinping, Bonnie Glaser, a China expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, said of the pick. Branstad called Xi a "longtime friend" when Xi visited Iowa in February 2012, only nine months before he became China's leader. On Wednesday, Branstad said he and Xi have had a "30-year friendship" and added: "The president-elect understands my unique relationship to China and has asked me to serve in a way I had not previously considered." Before his nomination was announced, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang called Branstad an "old friend" of China when asked in Beijing about a Bloomberg report on the appointment, although he said China would work with any U.S. ambassador. "We welcome him to play a greater role in advancing the development of China-U.S. relations," he told a daily news briefing. Xi's ties to Iowa go back more than 30 years: He visited Iowa in 1985 on an agricultural research trip when he led a delegation from Hebei Province, returning 27 years later and reuniting with some of the people he had met. Trump's stance on China has been in particular focus since Friday's call with Tsai, the first such top-level contact with Taiwan by a U.S. president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter adopted a "one-China" policy in 1979, recognizing only the Beijing government. DUMPING ALLEGATIONS China is the United States' largest trading partner in goods. But imports from China far outstripped U.S. exports, making for a trade deficit with China of $336.2 billion in 2015, according to the U.S. Trade Representative. Specific U.S. trade concerns include allegations that China is dumping steel and aluminum in global markets below the cost of production, hurting American producers. In the agricultural sector, the United States has been unable to get Beijing to lift anti-dumping measures on U.S. broiler chicken products and an animal feed ingredient known as distillers' dried grains (DDGS). China is one of Iowa's biggest export markets, so Branstad is well placed to deal with China-U.S. trade issues, said Professor Huang Jing, an expert on Chinese politics at the National University of Singapore. "This really sends a message that Donald Trump wants to handle China at the bilateral relationship level," he said. Branstad, 70, visited China most recently as the leader of a trade mission that made stops in Beijing and Hebei in November. He will be somebody who clearly understands agriculture representing U.S. interests in China, said Dale Moore, executive director for public policy at the American Farm Bureau Federation. (Reporting by Sangameswaran S in Bengalaru, Christian Shepherd in Beijing, John Ruwitch in Shanghai; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu and Matt Spetalnick in Washington, Tom Polansek and Mark Weinraub in Chicago and Kay Henderson in Des Moines; Writing by Richard Cowan and David Ingram; Editing by Robert Birsel, Martin Howell, Frances Kerry and Jonathan Oatis) By Dominic Evans, Maher Chmaytelli and Patrick Markey BAGHDAD/ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - In the early days of the assault on Islamic State in Mosul, Iran successfully pressed Iraq to change its battle plan and seal off the city, an intervention which has since shaped the tortuous course of the conflict, sources briefed on the plan say. The original campaign strategy called for Iraqi forces to close in around Mosul in a horseshoe formation, blocking three fronts but leaving open the fourth - to the west of the city leading to Islamic State territory in neighboring Syria. That model, used to recapture several Iraqi cities from the ultra-hardline militants in the last two years, would have left fighters and civilians a clear route of escape and could have made the Mosul battle quicker and simpler. But Tehran, anxious that retreating fighters would sweep back into Syria just as Iran's ally President Bashar al-Assad was gaining the upper hand in his country's five-year civil war, wanted Islamic State crushed and eliminated in Mosul. The sources say Iran lobbied for Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization fighters to be sent to the western front to seal off the link between Mosul and Raqqa, the two main cities of Islamic State's self-declared cross-border caliphate. That link is now broken. For the first time in Iraq's two-and-half-year, Western-backed drive to defeat Islamic State, several thousand militants have little choice but to fight to the death, and 1 million remaining Mosul citizens have no escape from the front lines creeping ever closer to the city center. "If you corner your enemy and dont leave an escape, he will fight till the end," said a Kurdish official involved in planning the Mosul battle. "In the west, the initial idea was to have a corridor ... but the Hashid (Popular Mobilisation) insisted on closing this loophole to prevent them going to Syria," he told Reuters. The battle for Mosul is the biggest in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion of 2003. In all, around 100,000 people are fighting on the government side, including Iraqi soldiers and police, "peshmerga" troops of the autonomous Kurdish region and fighters in the Popular Mobilisation units. A U.S.-led international coalition is providing air and ground support. Iraqi army commanders have repeatedly said that the presence of civilians on the battlefield has complicated and slowed their seven-week-old operation, restricting air strikes and the use of heavy weapons in populated areas. They considered a change in strategy to allow civilians out, but rejected the idea because they feared that fleeing residents could be massacred by the militants, who have executed civilians to prevent them from escaping other battles. Authorities and aid groups would also struggle to deal with a mass exodus. KILL BOX Planning documents drawn up by humanitarian organizations before the campaign, seen by Reuters, show they prepared camps in Kurdish-controlled areas of Syria for around 90,000 refugees expected to head west out of Mosul. "Iran didn't agree and insisted that no safe corridor be allowed to Syria," said a humanitarian worker. "They wanted the whole region west of Mosul to be a kill box." Hisham al-Hashemi, an Iraqi analyst on Islamist militants who was briefed on the battle plan in advance, also said it initially envisaged leaving one flank open. "The first plan had the shape of a horseshoe, allowing for the population and the militants to retreat westward as the main thrust of the offensive came from the east," he said. About a week before the launch of the campaign, Lebanese Shi'ite Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, a close ally of Iran, accused the United States of planning to allow Islamic State a way out to Syria. "The Iraqi army and popular forces must defeat it in Mosul, otherwise, they will be obliged to move to eastern Syria in order to fight the terrorist group," he said. Hezbollah is fighting in support of Assad in Syria. Hashid spokesman Karim al-Nuri denied that Tehran was behind the decision to deploy the Shi'ite fighters west of Mosul. "Iran has no interest here. The majority of these statements are mere analysis - they are simply not true," he said. Nevertheless, securing territory west of Mosul by the Iranian-backed militias has other benefits for Iran's allies, by giving the Shi'ite fighters a launchpad into neighboring Syria to support Assad. If Islamic State is defeated in Syria and Iraq, Tehran's allies would gain control of an arc of territory stretching from Iran itself across the Middle East to Lebanon and the Mediterranean coast. RUSSIAN PRESSURE Iran was not the only country pressing for the escape to be closed west of Mosul. Russia, another powerful Assad ally, also wanted to block any possible movement of militants into Syria, said Hashemi. The Russian defence ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. One of Assad's biggest enemies, France, was also concerned that hundreds of fighters linked to attacks in Paris and Brussels might escape. The French have contributed ground and air support to the Mosul campaign. A week after the campaign was launched, French President Francois Hollande said any flow of people out of Mosul would include "terrorists who will try to go further, to Raqqa in particular". Still, the battle plan did not foresee closing the road to the west of Mosul until Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi agreed in late October to despatch the Popular Mobilisation militias. "The government agreed to Iran's request, thinking that it would take a long time for the Hashid to get to the road to Syria, and during that time the escape route would be open and the battle would still proceed as planned," Hashemi said. The Hashid move to cut the western corridor was announced on Oct. 28, 11 days after the start of the wider Mosul campaign. Fighters made swift progress, sweeping up from a base south of Mosul to seal off the western route out of the city. Abadi "was surprised to see them reaching the road in just a few days," Hashemi said. "The battle has taken a different shape since then - no food, no fuel is reaching Mosul and Daesh (Islamic State) fighters are bent on fighting to the end." IRAQ STRONGHOLD Once the Iraqi Shi'ite militia advance west of Mosul had begun, Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi told his followers there could be no retreat from the city where he first proclaimed his caliphate in July, 2014. Those tempted to flee should "know that the value of staying on your land with honor is a thousand times better than the price of retreating with shame," Baghdadi said in an audio recording released five days after the Shi'ite militias announced they were moving to cut off the last route out. Since then his fighters have launched hundreds of suicide car bombs, mortar barrages and sniper attacks against the advancing forces, using a network of tunnels under residential areas and using civilians as human shields, Iraqi soldiers say. A senior U.S. officer in international coalition which is supporting the campaign said that waging war amidst civilians would always be tough, but the Baghdad government was best placed to decide on strategy. "They've got 15 years of war (experience)... I can't think of anyone more calibrated to make that decision and as a result that why as a coalition we supported the government of Iraq's decision," Brigadier General Scott Efflandt, deputy commanding general in the coalition, told Reuters. "The opening and closing of that corridor, hypothetically, realistically, did not fundamentally change the plans of the battle," he added. "It changes how we prosecute the fight, but that does not necessarily make it easier or harder." But the Kurdish official was less sanguine, saying the battle for Mosul was now "more difficult" and could descend into a long drawn out siege similar to those seen in Syria. It could "turn Mosul into Aleppo," he said. (Reporting by Patrick Markey and Maher Chmaytelli in Erbil and Dominic Evans in Baghdad; additional reporting by John Irish in Paris and Tatiana Ustinova in Moscow; writing by Dominic Evans; editing by Peter Graff) Tehran (AFP) - Iran signed a preliminary agreement with Shell on Wednesday to work towards developing major oil and gas fields as it seeks to boost its output. The deals open the way for Shell to carry out assessments at the South Azadegan and Yadavaran oil fields, both in southwestern Iran, as well as an offshore gas field near Kish Island in the Gulf. Hans Nijkamp, a vice-president at Shell, said the deal "opens a new chapter" for the Anglo-Dutch company in Iran. "International markets remain under pressure but the Islamic republic's return brings stability for the world's energy provision as well as the country's economic health," he said at the signing ceremony. Iranian oil officials did not comment on why a spokesman had earlier said the signing also involved France's Total. Iran has estimated that the South Azadegan project alone could be worth some $10 billion. Efforts to attract foreign firms for major energy projects caused some controversy when the tenders were first announced in October. A senior commander in the paramilitary Revolutionary Guards, which has extensive economic interests in the energy sector, said it was a "disgrace" for Iranian firms to be subordinated to foreigners in the proposed contracts. But the oil ministry says foreign capital and know-how are vital to expanding the country's energy sector. Last month, Total signed a preliminary agreement for a $4.8 billion (4.3 billion euro) project to develop an offshore gas field at South Pars -- the first deal of its kind since international sanctions were lifted in January under a nuclear deal with world powers. (Adds budget details) BAGHDAD, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Iraq's parliament approved the 2017 budget on Wednesday, lawmakers said, but a member of the Kurdish KDP said his party stayed away from the vote and differences between Baghdad and Kurdish authorities in the north had yet to be resolved. A copy of the budget document said it was based on projections of an oil price of $42 per barrel and exports of 3.75 million barrels per day (bpd), including 250,000 bpd from oilfields in the Kurdish controlled region. The deficit was forecast at 21.7 trillion dinars ($19 billion), with expenditure of 100.7 trillion dinars, about 6 percent lower than this year's projected spending. "We were not present at today's session. We had objections from the beginning and we think today's budget does not meet our demands," Ahmed Muhsin al-Sadoun, head of the KDP parliamentary bloc, told Reuters. "Passing the budget today has not resolved the disputed issues between the central government and the Kurdish region, including oil exports," he said. The budget also failed to allocate enough money for salaries of state workers and peshmerga fighters in the Kurdish autonomous area, Sadoun said. "It doesn't even meet half of what is required." Current and former Iraqi central governments have said the Kurds have failed to respect deals to transfer agreed volumes of oil produced from oilfields in areas they control to Baghdad. Kurdistan is entitled to 17 percent of Iraq's overall budget, and Kurdish politicians say it needs stable revenues to pay its bills, support hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing the war with Islamic State and finance peshmerga forces. Failure to reach a deal on a festering dispute over oil cargos exported independently by Kurdish authorities could further complicate Iraq's efforts to boost output and maximize oil revenues desperately needed to bridge the budget deficit. "Now the government must find a way to reach agreement with the government of the Kurdish regional authorities," Sadoun said. ($1 = 1,162.0000 Iraqi dinars) (Reporting by Hameed Saif and Ahmed Rasheed; editing by Jason Neely and Susan Fenton) DUBLIN (Reuters) - An Irish court on Wednesday released assets worth $100 million to Mikhail Khodorkovsky, part of the former Russian oligarch's global legal effort to recoup billions of dollars seized in the years following his 2003 arrest. Khodorkovsky was Russia's richest man before he fell foul of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Yukos oil company was broken up to pay alleged unpaid taxes. He was pardoned in 2013 and is involved in a number of cases to recover funds frozen by authorities around the world. Assets worth $100 million were frozen for over five years as Irish police conducted an investigation in the wake of Khodorkovsky's 2010 conviction in Russia for money laundering. The freezing order was revoked by Dublin's District Court on Wednesday, a lawyer for Khodorkovsky Sean Gillane said. Khodorkovsky welcomed the decision, tweeting that "the lie about the money being laundered has remained a lie". The head of the International Center for Legal Protection, which is coordinating legal cases related to Yukos, said Russia was "extremely surprised" by the ruling, Russian state news agency RIA reported. He said the Russian state was not given an opportunity to represent its interests in the case. Khodorkovsky, who is being investigated in Russia on suspicion of ordering a contract killing, said in a statement he would use some of the funds to campaign for human rights in Russia. (Reporting by Conor Humphries; Editing by Louise Ireland) Dublin (AFP) - An Irish court on Wednesday released 100 million euros ($107 million) in frozen assets for exiled former Russian oil tycoon and Kremlin foe Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the Irish Times reported. Dublin District Court judge Timothy Lucey said there were no reasonable grounds for maintaining a freeze on the funds which was imposed in 2011 following an embezzlement ruling against him in Russia. The 53-year-old former oligarch, who spent a decade in prison on controversial charges and now lives mainly in Britain while supporting opposition forces in Russia, welcomed the news. "Mikhail Khodorkovsky welcomed the decision of the Dublin District Court on unfreezing assets of the investment fund of which he is a beneficiary," said a statement from his foundation, Open Russia. "He noted that he will spend a portion of the unfrozen funds to support the work of the Open Russia movement, which he founded in 2014," it said. Andrei Kondakov, head of the International Centre for Legal Protection, which leads Russia's defence on claims relating to Khodorkovsky's former Yukos oil empire, protested the ruling. "The Russian side is extremely surprised by today's decision by the Irish court as it had not been properly informed of Khodorkovsky's appeal," he said. Russia "did not have the chance to take part in the proceedings and provide the necessary evidence on the illegal origin of these funds," he added. Contacted by AFP, Khodorkovsky's Irish lawyer Dara Robinson was not available for comment. Khodorkovsky was convicted two highly controversial tax evasion and fraud trials that were widely seen as the Kremlin's retribution for him getting involved in opposition politics. After he was unexpectedly pardoned by Putin and released in late 2013, Khodorkovsky moved abroad and he now supports various opposition projects in Russia. Jerusalem (AFP) - The Israeli parliament on Wednesday voted in favour of a disputed bill on legalising some 4,000 settler homes in the occupied West Bank, in the first of three readings. Fifty-seven members of the parliament, or Knesset, voted to approve the draft legislation submitted by the party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while 51 were against it. JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that he had told French President Francois Hollande that he would not meet Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas if France pushed ahead with an international peace conference in Paris later this month. France has been trying to convince Netanyahu to meet with Abbas in Paris, in an effort to revive moribund peace talks between the two sides, Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said on Wednesday. Netanyahu has said he would only participate in direct talks. "Netanyahu told Hollande that if there will not be an international conference in Paris, he will come to meet Abu Mazen (Abbas) for direct talks without preconditions. Israel will not participate in an international conference that will not contribute to achieving peace," a statement from Netanyahu's office said. (Writing by Ori Lewis, editing by Larry King) The Italian Coast Guard released video on December 7 showing the rescue a day earlier of a group of migrants found drifting in an inflatable boat in the Mediterranean. A total of 473 migrants were rescued in five separate operations on December 6, the coast guard reported. In this video, a member of the rescue team with a camera boards the inflatable boat as it is guided to safety. We are Italians. We come to help you, he says. The video shows the migrants, including a baby, being helped up onto the rescue ship. The rescues come just days after the Italian coast guard reported the discovery of more than 1,000 people and 16 dead bodies on December 4 and 5. Credit: YouTube/Guardia Costiera via Storyful Midwest Environmental Advocates continued its science-free assault on industrial sand mining, also referred to as frac sand mining, by filing a petition with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency asking the federal agency to revoke an air quality permit granted to Superior Silica Sands. The permit, which was issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, allows SSS to expand its existing operations located in Barron County. Midwest Environmental Advocates says by issuing this permit, the DNR is ignoring its responsibilities to protect our air under federal law, and it claims, DNR is ignoring the presence of cumulative impacts of fine particulate matter from facilities including frac sand mines under its new policy. However, if anyone is ignoring the impact of industrial sand mining on air quality, it is Midwest Environmental Advocates. According to the DNR, particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5) is largely formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere such as nucleation, condensation, and coagulation and not by mechanical processes. For this reason, DNR issued guidelines instructing permit applicants to assume mechanical processes such as crushing, grinding, and sizing sand are not sources of PM2.5, which effectively means estimates of these types of particles are not required in the permit application. Midwest Environmental Advocates argues this policy is a violation of guidelines issued by EPA that say potential sources of PM2.5 should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, but when it comes to industrial sand mining, several scientific studies have found sand mining does not generate harmful levels of small particulates, supporting DNRs position. Among these studies are investigations conducted by the Wisconsin DNR, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the University of Iowa, nationally respected air-quality scientists, and nonprofits. These studies have all found air quality near frac sand mining and processing facilities is largely comparable to regional air quality, meaning the amount of PM2.5 near these facilities is more likely to be impacted by regional weather patterns than the sand facilities. The Institute for Wisconsins Health, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the health of Wisconsinites, recently conducted a thorough investigation of the potential health risks posed by frac sand mining in the state by examining the best available scientific data. It concluded none of the industrial sand sites in which PM2.5 was measured were in violation of the daily limits established by EPA. Rather than celebrate this as good news, Midwest Environmental Advocates has attempted to refute these scientific studieswhich, cumulatively, consist of thousands of air samples gathered using EPA-certified equipmentby citing a study that included a total of only six samples and relied on equipment that is not approved by EPA. This is in no way scientifically defensible. In addition to the multitude of studies that have demonstrated industrial sand mining generally does not affect air quality, air quality in Barron County, where the Superior Silica Sands facility is located, already has cleaner air than the state average, making Midwest Environmental Advocates' supposed concerns about the potential cumulative impact on air quality all the more unsubstantiated. Everyone wants to have clean air and clean water, which is why understanding the impacts of industrial sand mining is so important and why studies must be based on the best science available. Midwest Environmental Advocates' blatant disregard for scientifically valid studies conducted by multiple state agencies, universities, and air monitoring experts, while trumpeting studies with serious shortcomings, is not environmental advocacy, its environmental ambulance chasing. This petition to EPA is primarily about creating more hoops for Superior Silica Sands and other companies to jump through when they attempt to build or expand their industrial sand facilities. EPA should examine the data collected fairly and refuse to revoke this permit. LONDON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Italian bond yields fell on Wednesday after reports the government is preparing to rescue ailing lender Monte dei Paschi as hopes of a private recapitalisation fade. Sources told Reuters the government is preparing to take a 2 billion euros controlling stake in the bank, while Italian daily La Stampa reported the country is set to ask euro zone bailout fund ESM for a 15 billion euro loan for Monte dei Paschi and other struggling lenders. Italy's treasury declined comment on the La Stampa report. Ten-year government bond yields fell 5 basis points to 1.92 percent in early trading, just above three-week lows of 1.89 percent hit on Tuesday. German equivalents -- the euro zone benchmark -- were flat at 0.37 percent. (Reporting by John Geddie, editing by Nigel Stephenson) By Gavin Jones and Steve Scherer ROME (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi resigned on Wednesday after a bruising referendum loss at the weekend, with most parliamentary factions pushing for an early election in a few months' time. The 41-year-old's decision to quit after less than three years in office dealt a new blow to Western governments still in shock from Britain's vote to leave the European Union and the election of outsider Donald Trump as U.S. president. Underscoring the financial risks that heavily indebted Italy faces, Moody's changed its outlook on the country's bond rating to negative from stable, saying prospects for much-needed economic reform had shrunk after Italians rejected Renzi's proposals to revise the constitution and streamline parliament. Renzi tendered his resignation to President Sergio Mattarella, who said he would consult with political parties to decide the next steps. He asked Renzi to carry on in a caretaker capacity until a solution is found. After the consultations, which will begin on Thursday at 1700 GMT and end on Saturday afternoon, Mattarella is widely expected to ask a member of Renzi's cabinet, or a politician from his Democratic Party, to try to form a new government. Elections are due in 2018 but many politicians are calling for them to be held earlier. The political crisis sparked by the referendum coincides with a crisis in Italy's debt-laden banks, especially at its third-biggest lender Monte dei Paschi di Siena , which looks likely to require government intervention to survive. Two sources told Reuters on Tuesday that Renzi's administration was preparing to take a 2-billion-euro ($2.15-billion) controlling stake in the bank by purchasing junior bonds. On Wednesday, a Treasury spokesman denied Italy was poised to ask for a loan from the European Stability Mechanism to support its banking sector. QUICK VOTE Renzi addressed his Democratic Party (PD) before meeting the president, saying the party would only participate in a government intended to last until 2018 if it was backed by all the main forces in parliament, a prospect which seems remote. Otherwise early elections should be held as soon as possible, he said, after the Constitutional Court has ruled early next year on the legitimacy of the current electoral law. "The PD is not afraid of going to early elections," he said. Most opposition parties, including the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and the right-wing Northern League, are clamoring for a quick vote. Northern League leader Matteo Salvini said on Wednesday his party would "take to the streets" if a clear indication of the timing of the next election had not been given within a week. Infrastructure Minister Graziano Delrio, a close ally of Renzi, said an interim government should change the electoral law quickly so an election could be held "in the Spring". Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia and a left-wing minority inside Renzi's PD want a new administration to be formed with the backing of the current parliament, perhaps to last until 2018, to give them time to resolve internal party battles. Markets have reacted calmly to the political tensions, with the gap between Italian and German bond yields hitting 155 basis points on Wednesday, the tightest in about a month, having climbed as high as 193 points before Sunday's vote. Although Moody's maintained its rating at Baa2, just two notches above junk status, it said the outlook had dimmed, with the chances of meaningful economic and fiscal reform receding. "(There is) the rising risk that the stabilization and reduction in Italy's large debt burden will be further deferred," the ratings agency warned. It said it might consider cutting the rating at a future date, citing as one possible trigger "the need for a significant recapitalization of banks by the government". There was no immediate comment from the Treasury. (Additional reporting by Isla Binnie, Crispian Balmer and Francesca Piscioneri; Editing by Philippa Fletcher and James Dalgleish) ROME (Reuters) - Italian President Sergio Mattarella wants a new electoral law covering both houses of parliament before the country holds a national election, a source close to the president said on Tuesday. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who lost a key referendum on constitutional reform on Sunday, is expected to hand in his resignation after parliament approves the 2017 budget, scheduled for Wednesday. Many opposition parties have called for early elections but the head of state's position means he prefers that current electoral laws - one for the lower house and another for the Senate - be unified first, the source said. (Reporting Giselda Vagnoni, Writing by Philip Pullella) Singapore State Courts (Photo: Yahoo Singapore/Safhras Khan) An Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College East lecturer was sentenced on Wednesday (7 December) to one weeks imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to causing the death of a Malaysian motorcyclist. Chan Wai Chong, 51, was also disqualified from driving for five years after he was deemed to have failed to keep a proper lookout at a traffic junction while he was turning his car to the right, which caused the death of 33-year-old Lee Khang Ling. The court heard that on 3 March this year at about 7.10am, Chan was driving in a car with his son and daughter when he was turning right from Hougang Avenue 2 onto Hougang Avenue 8 at a signalised T-junction. Chan drove into the right turn pocket and stopped for about three seconds, and started making a right turn into Hougang Avenue 8 before the green right-turn arrow appeared, even when the traffic light was green in favour of vehicles in the opposite direction. As a result, Chan enroached into the path of the deceaseds motorcycle, which was travelling straight into the junction. The deceased, who had the right of way, could not stop in time and collided with Chans car. The deceased was thrown off his motorcycle. He was conveyed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital and was pronounced dead. In mitigation, Chans lawyer, Daniel Chen, said that his client is a careful driver and has not incurred any demerit points in the 20 years since he got his license. Chan is remorseful and has been haunted by the incident ever since it happened, Chen added. Additionally, Chan also got out of his car to render assistance to the motorcyclist and called for the police. He has also been attending counselling since the incident and gave his full co-operation to the police and pleaded guilty at an early stage. Chan has also been recognised by ITE for various contributions, including his care for students with special needs. For causing death by negligence, Chan could have been jailed for up to two years. On Tuesdays Late Late Show, James Corden visited a random Starbucks in Los Angeles where at any given moment, youre likely to find an aspiring screenwriter, or several, plugging away at what they hope will be the next great screenplay. After talking to a handful of writers, Corden settled on one story and got to work making the film right there in that Starbucks, using mostly people and materials that were already there. Over at Airfrov, we know that you guys are suckers for cute makeup packaging, thats because we are too! Disney characters tend to be the most requested ones around here, and since you guys are constantly on the prowl for the latest scoop on cute, we have here two new releases: Japan DHC x Disney Princesses and Marie cat! 2016111564179701 Source The two new collections will launch on Christmas, so if youre looking for last minute (and yet still presentable) Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers, look no further. Both series include a mix of nail polishes, hand creams and lip and cheek products. They come in very wearable yet magical colours, ala Disney style. Packaging is on-point as well, and will definitely thrill the inner Disney girl in you! Check out both collections below: Source The Princess collection of nail polishes and hand creams come in two different gifts sets (red and powder blue) for you to choose from, and each kit will have an array of products inspired by the different princesses. Red Box: Source Snow White hand cream + Ariel and Belle nail polishes 1,540 Blue Box: Source Rapunzel hand cream + Cinderella and Jasmine nail polishes 1,540 Lip Balm Source As for the lip balms, there are six in total and they will be sold in sets of three. These lip balms contain virgin olive oil and aloe extract to keep lips moisturised all day. 1,970 Marie Cat Collection Source The Marie Cat collection comes with three products lipsticks, blushes and liquid eyeshadows. The collection can be bought separately or as a three-piece gift box. These are the combinations that you can pick from for the three-piece gift box: Source Marbling Blush Source Comes in pink and orange 1,700 Lipstick Source The middle portion is a special liquid formula that will ensure that lipsticks dry evenly and easily on your lips. 1,600 Liquid eyeshadows Source These are so glittery; perfect for late-night Christmas parties! 1,280 Not going to Japan to cop these Disney goodies? No worry, simply put up a request on Airfrov and a friendly traveller will bring them back for you! Story continues Request for yours here! New to Airfrov? Heres how it works: Facebook twitter reddit pinterest linkedin mail The post Japan DHC x DISNEY collection has the most fairytale packaging yet appeared first on Airfrov Blog. TOKYO, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's economic advisers, hoping to curb Japan's ballooning healthcare costs, proposed on Wednesday reforms to the way drug prices are set, a step opposed by foreign and domestic drug makers who say the changes will stifle investment. The proposals follow a decision to halve the price of Bristol Myers Squibb Co's cancer drug Opdivo last month, and an earlier move to slash the price of Gilead Science Inc's highly effective but expensive hepatitis C drug Sovaldi. The four private-sector advisers at Abe's Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy (CEFP) proposed reviewing all prescription drug prices, which are set by the government, at least annually, rather than once every two years as currently. The advisers, including Sadayuki Sakakibara, head of Japan's biggest business lobby Keidanren, went on to call for reviewing four times a year official prices of the drugs that prove to be effective against more diseases than initially identified and which experience an unexpectedly high surge in sales. Health Minister Yasuhisa Shiozaki put forward a similar proposal at the panel's meeting on Wednesday. Based on the private-sector advisers' proposals, Abe ordered Economy Minister Nobuteru Ishihara and other cabinet ministers to map out basic guidelines by the next panel meeting later this month. Abe's advisers also called for reviewing prices on generic drugs once a year or more, which would lead to lower official prices given that market prices of medicines overall are on a steady decline. Japanese and foreign drug makers argue that not only would the changes stifle innovation by creating uncertainty over pricing but would undercut a key component of Abe's economic growth policy, which calls for attracting research and development investment from pharmaceutical companies. "The current system of biennial repricing has served Japan and the Japanese people well by ensuring the predictability of reimbursement, controlling healthcare expenditures, rewarding innovation and, most importantly, improving access for Japanese patients to the most innovative treatments available globally," said a joint statement by U.S. and European industry groups. "Adopting annual repricing threatens to undo all of these achievements," the statement said, echoing complaints by Japanese drug makers. (Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto and Linda Sieg; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman) Jeffery Dean Morgan is busy these days playing TVs most evil character on AMC series The Walking Dead. He plays Negan, a bat-yielding psychopath who loves to kill when Lucille is feeling thirsty. However, many Supernatural fans are concerned that Morgans significant role in the post-apocalypse show would hamper his chances of appearing on their favorite CW series. Morgan, as many Supernatural fans know, plays Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sams (Jared Padalecki) father John Winchester. The good news is that Morgans stint with Rick and company wont affect his availability to play papa Winchester, should the need arise. Supernatural executive producer Andrew Dabb told TVLine that the talented actors new role wont affect his appearance on the supernatural series. I dont really worry about that because by the time he comes back, Im sure [Supernatural] will have been on for 20 seasons at that point, and The Walking Dead will be long over, he joked. Jeffrey [Dean Morgan]s an amazing actor He plays such a great bad guy. But at the same time if you give him really good material, he can go back to being someone we know and love and someone we can empathize with. I have full faith in him as an actor, Dabb later added, and Im excited to see [him return as John] if it ever comes to pass. Although Dabb didnt specify when John would appear next on the CW show, it is at least comforting to know that Negan wont be killing off this character anytime soon. In other news, Ackles welcomed twins with his wife Danneel Harris Ackles on Saturday night. They named them Zeppelin Bram and Arrow Rhodes. Padalecki is also going to become a father soon. He and wife Genevieve are expecting baby number three in March. Supernatural Season 12 airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. EST on The CW. The Walking Dead Photo: Gene Page/AMC Related Articles PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / December 7, 2016 / Phillips Dayes National Employment Law Firm PC in Phoenix, Arizona, has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau since February 2015. The firm recently announced a new client review that has put them up to nearly a perfect five star rating with the BBB. The firm currently has 4.9 out of 5 possible stars based on their more than 50 customer reviews and they now carry a BBB rating of A plus. "Of course we're thrilled that our clients entrust us with their legal issues," says Jeffrey Phillips, co-founder of the firm. "We're even more thrilled that our clients take the time to leave us such stellar reviews." The firm's review on the Better Business Bureau site can be seen at https://www.bbb.org/phoenix/business-reviews/attorneys-and-lawyers/phillips-law-group-in-phoenix-az-12004989. Phillips points out that the firm has been in operations since 1993 and that they have served thousands of clients since that time with personal injury, worker's compensation, and various other related legal issues. The firm has reported that the Better Business Bureau has determined that they meet or even exceed their accreditation standards, which include a commitment by the firm to resolve any complaints that they receive from their clients, past or present. Accreditation by the BBB means that the firm has been deemed as providing quality and competency when performing legal services. "We have always striven to provide our clients with the very best representation possible," says Phillips. "We go out of our way to ensure that each client is satisfied with the results of the case; we always have and we always will." Phillips says that it is this dedication to client satisfaction, as well as their many years of experience in the legal industry, that have warranted such high praise from clients. More about the firm's history and their list of legal services can be seen on their official website at http://www.phillipsdayeslaw.com/. Story continues The BBB rates businesses on a range of aspects including building trust, establishing a positive track record, and abiding by all written and verbal agreements, among others. Phillips Dayes Law has consistently shown that they adhere to all BBB accreditation regulations, and Phillips says that they are not changing their services any time soon. More about the firm can be seen on http://finance.yahoo.com/news/law-group-headed-jeffrey-phillips-165300593.html. Contact Phillips Dayes National Employment Law Firm PC: Phillips Dayes +1 800-917-4000 3101 N Central Ave #1100, Phoenix, AZ 85012 SOURCE: Phillips Dayes Law Firm Heres all of Jennifer Lawrences beautiful and lush hair looks for the Passengers press tour Were excited to see the new sci-fi romance movie Passengers starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt and the two Hollywood heavy-hitters have been traveling the globe promoting the new movie. Listening to their interviews and the fun ways they play off each other gives us serious LOL, but, all eyes have been on Jennifer Lawrences hair looks during the press-tour. Of course, Jennifer Lawrence always has killer red carpet looks whether it be for a new movie premiere or the Oscars. During her press-tour for this movie, her outfits were made better by her hair looks, which are always sleek and exciting. Jennifer started her press tour in Paris, France, and the queen of updos stunned in this low pony look that was surprisingly casual and looked perfect with her gown and sweater combo. The fringe featured small wisps flowing around her face and of course, she manages to make it look effortless and chic. Next, the press-tour took her and her co-star Pratt to Madrid, Spain, where she rocked the business look pairing her white suit with her hair down and parted in the center. Wearing her hair down gave the look the right balance of glam and business and her loose waves make us jelly because she rocks them so well. One of Lawrences strongest hair looks came when she arrived in London, England, and kicked the glam up a notch. She not only killed the look with her amazing curve-accentuating gown, but her hair gave us total braid goals. She has a way of wearing a braid that doesnt make her look like a young school child and we know thats not easy to pull off. From the front, she looked like she was rocking a well-crafted Hollywood glam look with the slightly tussled, but totally in place look. On December 2nd her press-tour took her to Berlin, Germany, and she rocked her hair down again on the red carpet wearing an adorable outfit that showed a little more than we usually see her in. Of course, she looked like a million dollars with her loose waves that remind us of a refined 80s perm. Story continues It honestly doesnt matter what Jennifer Lawrence wears on the red carpet because were always in awe of how she keeps her personality in every look. The post Heres all of Jennifer Lawrences beautiful and lush hair looks for the Passengers press tour appeared first on HelloGiggles. If you thought Donald Trump was the face of Americas anti-establishment movement, hold on to your chapeaus: A wild wind is rising. Want to know whats more anti-establishment than a president-elect who refuses to play by the rules? How about similarly spirited electors going AWOL and sending someone else to the Oval Office? Could it happen? Might. A movement headed by a mostly Democratic group calling itself Hamilton Electors is trying to convince Republican electors to defect not to cede the election to Hillary Clinton but to join with Democrats in selecting a compromise candidate, such as Mitt Romney or John Kasich. It wouldnt be that hard to do. Mathematically, only 37 of Trumps 306 electors are needed to bring his number down to 269, one less than the 270 needed to secure the presidency. On the Hamilton Electors Facebook page, elector Bret Chiafalo, a Democrat from Washington, explains the purpose of the Electoral College. If you havent previously been a fan of the electoral system, you might become one. Bottom line: The Founding Fathers didnt fully trust democracy, fearing mob rule, and so created a republic. They correctly worried that a pure democracy could result in the election of a demagogue (ahem), or a charismatic autocrat (ahem), or someone under foreign influence (ditto), hence the rule that a president must have been born in the U.S. We know how seriously Trump takes the latter. Most important among the founders criteria for a president was that he (or now she) be qualified. Thus, the Electoral College was created as a braking system that would, if necessary, save the country from an individual such as, frankly, Trump. It is worth noting that 50 former Republican national security officials and foreign policy experts co-signed a letter saying that Trump would be a dangerous president. Do we simply ignore them? At least one Republican elector, Christopher Suprun, has decided to pay heed. In an op-ed in Tuesdays New York Times, Suprun, a paramedic in Texas, outlined all his reasons for not rubber-stamping Trump, saying that he owes a debt not to his party but to his children. He urged others to join him. This, apparently, they can do, though some states may impose penalties. Hamilton Electors are raising funds to pay any such costs that may accrue. Alexander Hamilton, suddenly a star both on Broadway and Main Street, wrote that the Electoral College affords a moral certainty that the office of President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications. Electors would prevent the tumult and disorder that would result from the candidates exploiting talents for low intrigue, and the little arts of popularity. Speaking of Trump. How wise our founders were. And how unwise are we to pay so little attention to their far-keener insights. It is, perhaps, a sign of these upside-down times that Democrats, usually preferring the popular vote, are suddenly genuflecting to the Electoral College and Republicans, who so often defer to the founders original intent, shift principle so swiftly, presumably in hopes of taking the ultimate escalator ride in the golden palace of King Trump. Tut-tut. Meanwhile, those on both sides who remain opposed to Trump are dismissed as either sorry losers or as dining on crow and sour grapes. But the stakes are too high and the evidence of Trumps presidential aptitude deficit too severe for such trivializing designations. His demonstrated lack of judgment and impulse control should send shivers down the spines of all Americans in consideration of the nuclear arsenal he is poised to have at his fingertips. Thats not all of it, but its enough. Without consulting advisers or sleeping on it, for which he is not known, Trump can authorize a nuke upon the slightest provocation or none. All previous presidents have had the same authority, of course, but all have also been experienced statesmen, nary a reality-show celebrity (nor snake-oil salesman) among them. Trumps friends have told me theyre confident hell solemnly respect the burden of such power, but nothing thus far justifies their faith. After his election win, Trump hasnt much bothered himself with intelligence briefings. He ignored 37 years of diplomatic precedent by chatting with the president of Taiwan, upsetting China. He spoke like an inarticulate ninth-grader with Pakistans prime minister, according to that countrys readout. Trump apparently told the prime minister that hes a terrific guy doing amazing work and that Trump is ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems. Oh, really? Which ones? Electors are scheduled to meet Dec. 19 in their respective states to cast their final ballots. If there are 37 Republicans among them with the courage to perform their moral duty and protect the nation from a talented but dangerous president-elect, a new history of heroism will have to be written. Please, be brave. Mathematically, only 37 of Trumps 306 electors are needed to bring his number down to 269, one less than the 270 needed to secure the presidency. Jim Parsons will star in the upcoming movie Hidden Figures, which is slated for release on Christmas Day. Ahead of its Jan. 6 release date, the Big Bang Theory actor shared a list of theaters fans can go to to see Hidden Figures on his Instagram account. In a follow-up post, the actor also uploaded a short teaser from the movie starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner and more. In the film, Parsons will play the supporting role of Paul Stafford. Hidden Figures chronicles the lives of three African-American women who are employed by NASA to solve complicated math problems and help an all-male team of engineers and scientists. While speaking with Gold Derby, Costner admitted to not knowing the story behind Hidden Figures before he was cast. In the film, he plays the role of Al Harrison, the director of the Space Task Group. I dont know that Im embarrassed or ashamed that I didnt know this story existed. I think to myself, Knothead, why didnt you know? Of course, there were African-American people that contributed in so many ways to this country, he said. In one of the scenes, Al tries to stand up against gender bias and inequality. Talking about the crucial turning point, Costner said that he was pleased he was able to do something in the film that he wouldve also done in real life. Theres a moment where we all want to tear some stuff down thats holding people back. We all wish we were that heroic. I hope I am that way in my life, he said. Hidden Figures also stars Kirsten Dunst, Aldis Hodge and Mahershala Ali. The film is slated to hit some theaters in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Baltimore Philadelphia and more on Dec. 25. Jim Parsons Photo: Reuters/Mike Blake Related Articles Joe Biden walked backed away slowly from talk of a potential 2020 presidential bid during an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Tuesday. I dont plan on running again, but to say you know whats going to happen in four years is just not rational, he told Stephen Colbert, adding the caveat that he isnt shutting the door on the possibility for good. I cant see the circumstance in which Id run, but what Ive learned a long, long time ago is to never say never. Also Read: Joe Biden: 'I Am Going to Run in 2020' Talk of a potential Biden challenge to Donald Trump in four years gained steam after the vice president seemingly jokingly told reporters on Monday, I am going to run in 2020. Im not committing not to run. Im not committed to anything. I learned a long time ago, fate has a strange way of intervening, he said, once pressed. When asked by Colbert if he regrets removing his name from contention for the 2016 primary, Biden said he didnt. I know I made the right decision for my family, he said, referencing the death of his son Beau in May 2015. Im not sure I would have been able to put my whole heart in it. What I regret is the circumstance that made me not able to run, he added. I dont regret the actual decision. It was the right decision for me to have made. Also Read: Joe Biden Blasts Donald Trump's 'Lack of Sensibilities' on 'Tonight Show' (Video) On The Late Show, Biden reiterated that he was leaving the decision about 2020 up to fate, adding that his age wont be a factor. Hell, Donald Trump is going to be 74 and Ill be 77 and in better shape, he quipped. The Late Show With Stephen Colbert airs at 11.35 p.m. on CBS. Related stories from TheWrap: Joe Biden: 'I Am Going to Run in 2020' 21 Joe Biden Memes That Won the Internet and Our Hearts (Photos) Joe Biden Blasts Donald Trump's 'Lack of Sensibilities' on 'Tonight Show' (Video) By Kim Palmer CLEVELAND (Reuters) - John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth and a former U.S. senator and war hero, has been hospitalized for more than a week, an official said on Wednesday. Glenn, 95, is at the James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State University but does not necessarily have cancer, said Hank Wilson, spokesman at the university's John Glenn College of Public Affairs, which Glenn helped found. "When you're 95, it's always considered serious," said Wilson, who did not have further details about Glenn's condition or his prognosis. Glenn, the last surviving member of the original seven "Right Stuff" Mercury astronauts, had a knee replacement operation in 2011 and underwent heart surgery in 2014. Glenn was credited with reviving U.S. pride after the Soviet Union's early domination of manned space exploration, as he became the first American to orbit the Earth on Feb. 20, 1962. Reaching speeds of more than 17,000 miles per hour, he circled the globe three times in just under five hours in the Friendship 7 capsule. Glenn instantly became a hero, receiving a ticker-tape parade in New York City and the Space Congressional Medal of Honor from President John Kennedy. His experiences as a pioneer astronaut were chronicled in the book and movie "The Right Stuff," along with the other Mercury pilots. Glenn also became the oldest astronaut ever, returning to space at the age of 77 on Oct. 29, 1998. Before he went into space, Glenn already had a reputation as one of the best test pilots in the country, setting a transcontinental speed record by flying from Los Angeles to New York in three hours and 23 minutes in July 1957. It was the first transcontinental flight to average supersonic speed. He also earned six Distinguished Flying Crosses and flew more than 150 missions as a fighter pilot in World War Two and the Korean War. Born in Cambridge, Ohio, Glenn served in the U.S. Senate as a moderate Democrat from Ohio from 1974 to 1999. (Reporting by Kim Palmer; Writing by Ben Klayman; Editing by Matthew Lewis) Washington (AFP) - John Kelly, the Marine Corps general reportedly picked by Donald Trump to be Homeland Security secretary, will be the new administration's lead figure as it pursues the president-elect's goal of boosting the fight against Islamic extremists and illegal immigration. The third general chosen for Trump's cabinet, Kelly spent 45 years in the Marines, holding a range of positions from field commands in Iraq to political liaison in Congress before finishing his career as commander of the US armed forces Southern Command covering Central and South America. That experience -- and his record administering large operations -- will be useful if he is confirmed by Congress to take charge of the Department of Homeland Security bureaucracy of 240,000 civil servants, sorely in need of rationalizing and streamlining. But meanwhile he will be in charge of fulfilling Trump's election promises to the American people to build a huge wall on the Mexican border to keep out migrants, and to tighten legal immigration processes to screen out potential extremists. The blunt-speaking Kelly is close to Gen. James Mattis, Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense. Kelly served as Mattis's top aide in the 2003 assault on Baghdad which crushed Saddam Hussein's army. But he is also shaped by the experience of having his own son, also a Marine, die in battle. First Lieutenant Robert Michael Kelly was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010. A native of Boston, Kelly, 66, enlisted in the Marines when he was 20, spent two years in an infantry company, and then left to go to university. After graduating he rejoined the Corps as a second lieutenant and steadily rose up in the ranks through a number of positions, including company and battalion commands. In the late 1990s he was the Marine Corps commandant's liaison to Congress, the first of two such stints which would give him intimate knowledge of relations between legislators and the military. Story continues In 1999 he began a two-year stint as special assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, in Mons, Belgium. In 2002-3 as a colonel and then brigadier general, Kelly returned to the 1st Marine Division, serving under Major Mattis in the successful assault on Baghdad. Five years later he was back in Iraq for the US occupation, holding two posts over the 2008-2011 period. He earned his fourth star when he was named to head the US Southern Command in 2012, a position he held until retiring in January 2016. In that job he dealt with some of the key problems that will be on his plate at DHS: the intense cross-border drug trade, illegal immigration, and violent Central American gangs which have their networks inside the United States. - Massive security bureaucracy - Managing the Department of Homeland Security though will be another massive task in itself. Established in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks, it oversees US immigration and naturalization, border patrols, the Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, transportation security, and the US Secret Service, among other functions. Representative Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said Wednesday that the department needs a sweeping overhaul. "It's time to undertake wholesale reform at DHS, including eliminating bureaucratic bloat, scrapping failing offices, and cutting through the red tape," he said in a speech at the Heritage Foundation conservative think tank. "We must make sure DHS stays ahead of our enemies and that it leverages private sector innovation to deal with emerging threats from drones, IEDs, and beyond." On Veterans Day in 2010, inside an unremarkable hotel ballroom in St. Louis, Marine Gen. John F. Kelly, delivered what the Washington Post described as a passionate and at times angry speech about the militarys sacrifices and its troops growing sense of isolation from society. That he was able to speak at all was remarkable. Four days earlier, Kellys 29-year-old son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Michael Kelly, stepped on a land mine while leading a patrol in southern Afghanistan. He was killed instantly. John Kelly, President-elect Donald Trumps reported pick for Homeland Security chief, never spoke of his fallen son by name during the speech to the Semper Fi Society that he had committed to give long before his sons death. According to the Post, the elder Kelly made one request to the officer who introduced him: Please dont mention my son. We are in a life-and-death struggle, but not our whole country, Kelly said in his speech. One percent of Americans are touched by this war. Then there is a much smaller club of families who have given all. Kelly, 66, is the highest-ranking military officer to lose a child in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan a burden of war that thousands of so-called Gold Star military families like his must bear. The chattering class and all those who doubt Americas intentions, and resolve, endeavor to make them and their families out to be victims, but they are wrong, he continued. We who have served and are serving refuse their sympathy. Those of us who have lived in the dirt, sweat and struggle of the arena are not victims and will have none of that. The four-star general, whose Marine career spanned five decades and included three tours in Iraq, spoke of the growing divide between civilians and the military, and argued that Americans who dont serve dont understand the sacrifices of those who do. Those with less of a sense of service to the nation never understand it when men and women of character step forward to look danger and adversity straight in the eye, refusing to blink, or give ground, even to their own deaths, Kelly said. The protected cant begin to understand the price paid so they and their families can sleep safe and free at night. No, they are not victims, but are warriors, your warriors, and warriors are never victims, regardless of how and where they fall. Death, or fear of death, has no power over them. Their paths are paved by sacrifice, sacrifices they gladly make for you. Story continues If anyone thinks you can somehow thank them for their service, and not support the cause for which they fight Americas survival then they are lying to themselves and rationalizing away something in their lives, he said. But, more importantly, they are slighting our warriors and mocking their commitment to the nation. Kelly, like his would-be future boss, took aim at the media for what he called negative coverage of U.S. military actions. Yes, we are at war, and are winning, but you wouldnt know it because successes go unreported, he said. And only when something does go sufficiently or is sufficiently controversial, it is highlighted by the media elite that then sets up the know it all chattering class to offer their endless criticism. These self-proclaimed experts always seem to know better, but have never themselves been in the arena. We are at war and like it or not, that is a fact. It is not Bushs war, and it is not Obamas war, it is our war and we cant run away from it. Donald Trump appears with John Kelly at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., after a meeting last month. (Photo: Mike Segar/Reuters) Todays troops, Kelly said, are not born killers, but are good and decent young men and women who for going on 10 years have performed remarkable acts of bravery and selflessness to a cause they have decided is bigger and more important than themselves. Like my own two sons who are Marines and have fought in Iraq, and until this week, Afghanistan, they are also the same kids that drove their cars too fast for your liking, Kelly said, holding back his tears, and played the god-awful music of their generation too loud. But have no doubt they are the finest of their generation. Kelly, who retired as the head of the U.S. Southern Command earlier this year, spoke openly about his sons death at his final Pentagon news conference. To lose a child is I cant imagine anything worse than that. I used to think, when Id go to all of my trips up to Bethesda, Walter Reed, Ill go to the funerals with the secretaries of defense, that I could somehow imagine what it would be like, Kelly said, according to the Associated Press. But, he added, when you lose one in combat, theres a in my opinion theres a pride that goes with it, that he didnt have to be there doing what he was doing. He wanted to be there. He volunteered. SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The judge overseeing San Bernardino, California's municipal bankruptcy said on Tuesday she would approve the city's plan to restructure its finances, according to a spokeswoman for the city. An official confirmation order is expected by late January, spokeswoman Monica Lagos added in an email to Reuters. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Jury in recent months has been signaling support for the Southern California city's plan to emerge from Chapter 9 bankruptcy after four years. The plan involves slashing bondholder debt and retiree healthcare costs while protecting pensions. San Bernardino's financial restructuring also includes folding its fire department into San Bernardino County's fire services district as a cost-cutting measure. Hit by the 2008 financial and housing foreclosure crises as well as years of budget mismanagement, San Bernardino declared bankruptcy in July 2012 with a $45 million deficit. The case is In re City of San Bernardino, in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California, No. 12-28006 (Reporting by Jim Christie; Editing by Bernard Orr) Here are just 6 reasons why Amazons Good Girls Revolt should not be cancelled Last week, Amazon Studios shocked subscribers when it cancelled critically acclaimed series Good Girls Revolt after just one season. The series which is a fictionalized version of the landmark 1970 lawsuit in which 46 female employees of Newsweek sued the magazine for gender discrimination is based on a 2012 book of the same name by Lynn Povich, one of the leading complainants in the suit. The cancellation came as a shock to many, not just because they were fans of the series, but because of its popularity amongst Amazon viewers. Data commissioned by Sony TV, the production company behind the series, found the series to have an 80% completion rate, which is higher than many of Amazons most beloved series. With latest reports citing Amazon Studios head Roy Prices disinterest in the series as the primary factor for the cancellation, there seems to be a serious underlying gender problem. While it appears that Sony is looking for another distributor, lets take a moment to reflect on the impact of Good Girls Revolt and its importance for women and men now more than ever. Here are just a few reasons (beyond popularity) why Good Girls Revolt deserves another season. 1. The series takes place around the turn of 1970, but is still incredibly relevant in 2016. The lawsuit takes place 46 years ago, but will still resonant with so many women. We continue to live in a time when women are denied opportunity because of their sex, not to mention most still make less than their male counterparts. We can connect with Patti and the women of News of the Week because, underneath their retro garb and Creedence Clearwater Revival records, theyre facing similar problems to ours. If theres one thing this show has taught us, its that 46 years may have passed but we still have much more ground to cover. 2. The women are complex and flawed (and the acting is superb). While theyre our champions and our heroes in taking on this difficult task, the women of News of the Week are complex and multilayered. Patti Robinson (Genevieve Angelson), Cindy Reston (Erin Darke), and Jane Hollander (Anna Camp) dont seamlessly pull together their lawsuit. They engage in potentially damaging office relationships and struggle to pull together enough support from the women of the office. Story continues There are also times when they are selfish and unaware of their own privilege, like Jane and her wealth, and Patti and Cindy not understanding their privilege as white women while they try to recruit the only three black women in their office to join the cause. Their portrayal is made even better because they are flawed and real. 3. Its a show about gender discrimination without pointing fingers at men. Good Girls Revolt doesnt cast men as malicious villains actively seeking to act as the foils to their female colleagues. Doug Rhodes (Hunter Parrish) is the reporter to Pattis researcher and her on-again, off-again boyfriend who wants to understand Pattis point of view but struggles to understand his privilege as a man. He loves Patti and in theory, wants her to follow her dreams to become a reporter but just does not (and in many ways, simply cannot) understand the lack of opportunity she has as a woman in a male-dominated world, let alone workforce. Similarly, Finn Woodbridge (Chris Diamantopoulos), News of the Weeks Editor at Large wants to modernize the magazine but cant shake his sexist boys club newsroom habits. While some of the men do abhorrent things, most of the male characters seem to consider their female colleagues as partners and friends without actually understanding the gross inequalities as anything other than journalistic tradition. These guys arent bad people, they just have yet to reconcile what it means to be straight white men, which would be really interesting to explore in future seasons. 4. Its a show for women of all generations. My sisters and I love watching the show because it makes us feel empowered and it inspires us to speak up and act on moments of injustice. It reminds us that were not alone in our frustrations with gender inequality and makes us realize that change is possible. At the same time, its incredible to watch the show and talk about it with our mom, who grew up during the 70s. Sure, she was a bit younger than Patti, Jane, and Cindy, but she experienced the same lack of opportunities despite intellectual abilities and drive. She remembers the sexist comments and profound male arrogance that made up her regular work environment. Specifically, this show offers young women a chance to learn and build on the womens movement that came before them, while simultaneously reminding older (or middle-aged) women why it is important to continue fighting and not become complacent. 5. There is so much more to be explored both in terms of gender and politics. The series centers around the lawsuit, but the show does an incredible job weaving in real-life events and stories within narrative. It touched on the complexities of the Vietnam War and veteran struggles back home. It references the added struggle of fitting into the office environment for a woman of color in the working world, leaving the opportunity to revisit the storyline in later seasons. The first season also featured stories that centered around illegal abortions and potential unwanted pregnancies. The point is, there is SO much left to be covered. 6. This series is essentially an ode to the power of women. Its impossible to not feel empowered watching the show. This show was created by a woman, based on a book by a woman, and is centered around women being all-around badasses. In addition to the female dominated cast, the number of women working behind the scenes on the series is almost unheard of. In the 10-episode first season, six episodes were directed by women and women made up half of the credited writers on staff. In an industry where women make up such a small percentage of showrunners, directors, producers, and writers, Good Girls Revolt is breaking barriers in a multitude of ways. Without rehashing the entirety of the past year, 2016 was a really tough year to be a woman. Good Girls Revolt was a beacon of hope for many women looking to be inspired. With or without a second season, Good Girls Revolt meant a lot for women in 2016. This series deserves to find a new home because it is telling a history that cant and shouldnt be forgotten. The post Here are just 6 reasons why Amazons Good Girls Revolt should not be cancelled appeared first on HelloGiggles. Katie Holmes has some bad news for Dawsons Creek fans. During a appearance on SiriusXMs Just Jenny Show, the actress shut down rumors of a possible DC reboot. I dont think were going to do a reunion, Holmes, 37, told the radio host. We did grow up, but we see each other every now and then. I think that the charm of the show was Kevin Williamsons writing and it was of that time and it gave teenagers this voice. It was a very, very special time a special show and I loved every minute of it. Though Holmes has shown interest in doing a reunion in the past, the possibilities seem to be stretching further and further away. Despite the fact that Dawson, Joey, Jen and Pacey wont be returning to the Creek anytime soon, for now, we can swoon over the recent reunion between Michelle Williams and James Van Der Beek. On Saturday, the former costars reunited for the first time in 13 years at Jeff Bezos and Matt Damons Manchester By The Sea Holiday Party in Los Angeles, California. Earlier this year, Williams, 36, was asked about the chances of a possible reunion. I died, the actress, 36, said on the Today show. I would have to come back as a ghost or put a lot of filters on the camera, and Ill do flashback scenes. I think its a fun thing to sort of imagine. I like imagining it. But I havent really heard anybody say anything like actually serious about that happening. (Adds quotes, background) ATYRAU, Kazakhstan, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Kazakhstan's giant offshore Kashagan field is expected to produce 8.9 million tonnes of oil in 2017 (about 192,000 barrels per day), Kazakh Energy Minister Kanat Bozumbayev told Reuters on Wednesday. Kashagan had produced more than 600,000 tonnes (4.7 million barrels) since test pumping started there on Sept. 28, of which more than 500,000 tonnes had been exported, he said. Bozumbayev also said his country was in talks with OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers and would support the organisation's stance on reducing output. "It is important that all the other (parties to the talks) reach an agreement," Bozumbayev said. "We have calculated our (production and consumption) balance and we have our own clear position. Our oil producers will not suffer." Bozumbayev said on Tuesday he planned to attend a Dec. 10 meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC producers in Vienna, but did not commit to any output cuts. Kazakhstan's output has been falling for the last three years, but Kashagan's launch is set to reverse the trend and the Central Asian country has previously said it did not want to cut production further. (Reporting by Mariya Gordeyeva; Writing by Andrew Osborn and Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Maria Kiselyova and Jane Merriman) This week marks the 75th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor. The events of Pearl Harbor had a lasting impact on America, both in the lives of the brave men who were there that day and on our country. This summer when I went to observe our naval exercises in the Pacific Ocean, I visited the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor and reflected on what happened that day, how we must make sure we avoid future attacks on our soil and the brave soldiers who fought to protect all that we hold dear. At a time when we are seeing an increasing push to cut ourselves off from the rest of the world, it is important to remember the lessons history has taught us. Withdrawing from the global stage has never worked well for us in terms of both our economic and national security, especially in the current interconnected world. We must join our allies to shape the economic rules in favor of our workers and businesses and protect our borders. This is not the time to withdraw and try to go it alone. While at the memorial I was also reminded of the numerous brave Wisconsinites who fought for our nation in World War II. Men like Otto, a 91-year-old from New Lisbon, who is one of just two remaining servicemen who served on the USS Missouri when the Japanese officially surrendered at the end of WWII. Otto was a fireman who was working in a room down the hall from where General Douglas MacArthur and Japanese leaders signed the agreement announcing surrender. Men like the World War II veteran from Eleva who served in the Pacific on the USS Chandeleur. He reached out to me for help getting replacements for the medals he earned during his service. My office was able to work with the Navy to help him secure replacements for all of the medals he had earned. And men like Bruce Bradley, who was stationed aboard the USS Arizona on Dec. 7, 1941. Mr. Bradley, unfortunately, lost his life that day but received a Purple Heart in recognition of his sacrifice and service. My office is currently working with Bradleys family on legislation to help family members of fallen soldiers get replacement medals for the ones they earned for their service. These veterans stories and many others like theirs are why I created the Veterans History Project. The Veterans History Project has collected over 100,000 stories to keep at the Library of Congress, so future generations can know our shared history. For our brave Wisconsinites who fought at Pearl Harbor and all that have served and continue to serve our country, we owe it to them to take the lessons learned at Pearl Harbor and make sure we are doing everything possible to protect our nation. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are likely to discuss safe passage for rebels out of the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo at a meeting in Hamburg, Germany on Wednesday, a U.S. official said. However, as of a couple of days ago, moderate opposition groups with whom U.S. officials had been in contact were "less than inclined" to make any such deals, the official said, on condition of anonymity. Kerry is due to meet with Lavrov on Wednesday evening in Hamburg. The Syrian army and allied forces have made rapid gains against insurgents in the past two weeks and look closer than ever to restoring full control over Aleppo, Syria's most populous city before the war, and achieving their most important victory of the conflict now in its sixth year. But rebel groups in Aleppo have told the United States they will not leave their shrinking enclave, a senior rebel official told Reuters earlier. (Reporting by Yeganeh Torbati; Editing by James Dalgleish) Hamburg (AFP) - US Secretary of State John Kerry held fresh talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Germany Wednesday but no breakthrough emerged on efforts to halt the fighting in the devastated Syrian city of Aleppo. After a meeting lasting about one hour, Kerry said the two talked "about the extraordinarily dire situation in Aleppo and we exchanged some ideas about it and we intend to connect in the morning to see where we are". Kerry, who is on a farewell tour in Europe, and Lavrov were in the northern city of Hamburg for a gathering of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe that opens Thursday. Kerry will continue on to Paris to take part in a separate meeting organised by his French, German and Qatari counterparts Saturday on Syria, the State Department said. The announcement came as the United States, Britain and France led a joint call for an immediate ceasefire to allow aid to reach Aleppo, in an appeal backed by Canada, Germany and Italy. In Hamburg Lavrov said earlier, as he walked into a hotel to meet Kerry, that he agreed and confirmed "the support of the American proposal of December 2". The Russian side had earlier said Kerry's proposal made in Rome last Friday involves a complete rebel withdrawal from eastern Aleppo, but then accused Washington of backtracking and cancelling talks due to be held in Geneva this week. Kerry denied any change of plans and Washington itself accused Moscow of stalling after Russia and China blocked a UN Security Council resolution on Monday calling for a seven-day ceasefire. Kerry, taking part in his last NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, said he would work for a relaunch of peace talks between the Syrian regime and the opposition with the help of President Bashar al-Assad's ally Russia. "Russia says Assad is ready to come to the table... and I am in favour of putting that to the test," Kerry said in Brussels. Story continues Kerry has had repeated meetings on Syria with Lavrov as the situation in Aleppo has deteriorated. Moscow launched an air war in support of Assad's forces last year, while Washington has supported rebel forces battling the regime. Kerry, asked by a journalist before the Hamburg meeting what it would take to bring peace to Aleppo, replied: "common sense". Between Kanye Wests recent hospitalization and Kim Kardashian Wests traumatic Paris robbery in October, its a tense time for the couple, sources tell PEOPLE. But despite the strain, a source close to West denies that a split is imminent. This divorce stuff is completely false, the insider tells PEOPLE. Kim does not have any plans to divorce Kanye. Shes told me its false. The picture thats being painted is that she is planning on leaving him because of the robbery and this incident. West, 39, was hospitalized at UCLA Medical Center for exhaustion and sleep deprivation shortly after he canceled the remaining dates of his Saint Pablo tour Nov. 21, and remained there over the Thanksgiving holiday. He was released from UCLA last week. Though Kardashian West, 36, was a constant presence by her husbands bedside while he remained hospitalized, an insider told PEOPLE she was overwhelmed by the situation and concerned about Wests relationship with their children, North, 3, and Saint, who just turned 1. As they work through marital frustrations, a Keeping Up with the Kardashians source tells PEOPLE that the couple are currently living in separate households for medical reasons. Kanye isnt at home with Kim and the kids, the source says. He is instead receiving outpatient care elsewhere with a medical team. Kim still seems concerned but is supportive. They dont know for how long Kanye will need outpatient care. But despite their complicated living arrangement, the West source dismisses any talk that the pair are headed for divorce. This is just not true. Despite all of their trials this year, they remain very much committed to their marriage and their family. Reporting by JANINE RUBENSTEIN William Hagen, the leader of the California Ku Klux Klan chapter, was arrested Saturday for stabbing another Klan member before a victory parade the white- supremacist group was holding in Roxboro, North Carolina, that day, to celebrate Donald Trumps presidential election. Hagen and another man who is allegedly a national Klan leader, Christ Barker, were charged with assaulting 47-year-old Richard Dillon after a drunken argument early Saturday in Barkers Yanceyville, North Carolina, home escalated into the two men stabbing Dillon, according to Capt. Frank Rose, who heads criminal investigations for the Caswell Country Sheriffs Office in North Carolina. Dillon reported the stabbing to local police at about 3 a.m. Saturday and Barker was arrested at his home shortly after, the Los Angeles Times reportedTuesday. Hagen was arrested later that day when police pulled him over while driving. Dillon was tended to at a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and discharged shortly after arriving. His two assailants were charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury and are being held at the Caswell County detention center, Rose said. Both Hagen and Barker missed the Dec. 3 parade. Fifty-year-old Hagen, was identified as the Grand Dragon or the state leader of the Loyal White Knights faction of the Klan in California by Carla Hill, who works with the Anti-Defamation League to track members of hate groups throughout the U.S. Hill said Barker was the Imperial Wizard or national leader, of the Loyal White Knight offshoot of the white supremacist group that had between 150 and 200 members across the country. And Dillon was a Klan member from Indiana. Hill said the KKK victory parade consisted of about 20 or 30 vehicles driving around the streets of Roxboro, North Carolina, waiving flags and shouting praises about Trumps election victory. She said Hagen had been seen at a white supremacist congregation in Georgia earlier this year and traveled to North Carolina to attend Loyal White Knights rallies frequently. Story continues Hagen was the leader among four other Klan members of a white lives matter rally in Anaheim, California, in February, which resulted in violence and the Klan members stabbing 3 people, according to local reports on Feb. 27. Orange County, California prosecutors determined that the Klan members had acted in self defense from the 30 counter protesters who confronted them. Trump received encouragements from members of the KKK throughout his presidential campaign but his camp denounced any members of white supremacist group supporting his candidacy. There had been 701 incidents involving apparent hate crimes in the U.S. since the presidential election, the Southern Poverty Law Center reported on Nov. 18. The latest instances occurred in New York City when a Metropolitan Transit Authority employee wearing a hijab was called a terrorist and pushed down a flight of stairs Monday, and an off duty police officer who was also wearing a hijab was threatened by a man who reportedly said he throat slit and called an ISIS b***h Saturday. Both of the victims were Muslim. The KKK has labeled itself as neither an evil nor a hateful group. But it can be seen on the Klans website that members wish to live apart from the darker races in America. It is the duty of all white Christian men and women to fight against the Communists who have stolen our Nation, the website reads in part. Related Articles Epic Records' latest signee KR is ready to save women from their failing relationships. Sampling Avant's 2004 hit "Read Your Mind" on his new record of the same name, the North Carolina upstart releases a new uplifting ode for women. "I felt compelled to write this song because I recognize that women tend to accept less than they deserve. This video highlights the beauty that I see in all women, even when they don't see it in themselves," KR tells Billboard about his new black-and-white visual. On the track, KR claims to be the man every girl dreams of when they realize that their relationship has reached its demise. "You need a man to show you the right way/ But girl don't lose yourself, I'll pray/ Do better, you be getting hurt a lot, move better/ Your new n---a or me, who better?" he offers. With 19 million views on YouTube and over 7 million plays on Soundcloud, KR is quickly climbing up the ranks of rap at 21 years old. KR will also be releasing his new project It Could Happen this Friday on all streaming services. Give his new video a look below. MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Wednesday that a potential U.S.-Russia deal to allow Syrian rebels to safely leave Aleppo was still on the agenda, but that no talks were planned between the two countries for now. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call that Russian and U.S. experts were in contact about Syria, but said he was not aware of any talks being planned at a higher level. "As regards the exit of rebels ... there was a proposal for an exit and the theme has been previously discussed, and this question is (still) on the agenda," said Peskov. "Unfortunately very few have left so far and the majority are still there." Peskov spoke as rebels in besieged eastern Aleppo called for an immediate five-day ceasefire, negotiations about the future of the city, and for medical and civilian evacuations. Peskov said rebels in eastern Aleppo were rallying around former Nusra Front fighters. "All these rebels are terrorists," said Peskov. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was due to meet U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Hamburg later on Wednesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. (Reporting by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Christian Lowe) MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin personally agreed planned Russian oil output cuts based on a consensus he had reached with big oil firms about co-operating with OPEC, the Kremlin said on Wednesday. "We already announced earlier that the theme of output cuts was agreed by the president with all the leading oil companies," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call. "The president personally carried out those contacts and the decision was taken personally by the president on the basis of a consensus that was reached with the heads of the oil companies." Peskov said every $5 increase in the price of oil meant extra income for the state budget as well as for Russian oil firms. (Reporting by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Maria Kiselyova) Only the most astute viewers of La La Land will notice a slight change to the final cut of a movie that many expect will be a formidable Oscar contender. Thats because Jasmine McGlade, the ex-wife of director Damien Chazelle, has quietly been given a last-minute executive producer credit on the upcoming musical. The change was made to the final print and now appears in the end credits, according to multiple sources who attended La La Lands glitzy Los Angeles premiere this week. McGlade has also added a new footnote on the biography of her personal website, explaining that she executive produced the picture. A source close to the studio says that the change was made because Chazelle wanted to acknowledge McGlades collaborations over the years. The credit didnt appear in the version of the film that played on the festival circuit, including Telluride and Toronto last fall, as well as its AFI Fest screening last month. It is highly unusual for a change like that to be made so close to a films theatrical release. An executive in the post-production industry said that a change of this nature can be costly. La La Land has received glowing reviews. Its the story of an aspiring actress (Emma Stone) and a jazz musician (Ryan Gosling) who fall in love while trying to make it in Los Angeles. McGlades IMDB credits still dont show her La La Land work, nor does the page for the film. However, McGlades IMDB page says that she was a key figure in the development and production of Chazelles Whiplash and the development of La La Land.' Similar language previously appeared on her personal website, but was later modified. McGlade produced Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench, Chazelles first feature, and received a special thanks in the credits for Whiplash. The two met while students at Harvard. Related stories Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling Immortalized on Hollywood Boulevard After a Tough 2016, Is Oscar Ready for an Upbeat Winner? Trio of Films Break Out in Oscar Race One ute drivers misfortune became another motorists problem while cruising down a highway near Razorback, NSW, on December 5. This video shows the ladder on top of the ute falling onto the road and getting entangled in the truck behind. CJ Vale, who was driving his Holden RC Colorado when the incident happened, told Storyful that his truck got away seemingly unscathed. The ladder just dragged for a bit and popped out the other side, no visible marks were left, said Vale. Credit: CJ Vale via Storyful Mimosas producer Lamia Chraibi is on board to produce Apartheid, the next film by Narjiss Nejjar, one of Moroccos top directors, best known for her 2003 drama Les yeux secs (Cry No More) which premiered at Directors Fortnight. An eminently political film, Apartheid sheds light on the aftermath of a chapter of North African history which saw an estimated 45,000 families of Moroccan origins ruthlessly expelled from Algeria without prior notice in December 1975. The deportation led many families composed of Moroccan and Algerian citizens to be separated and forever broken. Appartheid follows the journey of a 35-year-old woman haunted by a childhood torn apart by this forced exile to Morocco. The protagonist was 12 when she fled to Morocco with her father, leaving her mother behind in Algeria. Stripped of her identity and roots, the girl grew up with one obsession: return to Algeria and find her mother. The quest continues to shape her life as a grown woman. The film stars Aziz El Fadili, a popular TV personality, Avishay Benazra (Lorchestre de minuit) and Julie Gayet (Quai dOrsay). Conceived as a fable, Apartheid is meant to resonate with contemporary conflicts in many parts of the world (from the Middle East to Western Asia); it shows the far-reaching psychological consequences of these tragedies on victims who often feel alienated, said Chraibi, who was in Marrakech to present Oliver Laxes Mimosas, which won the Cannes Critics Week Grand Prize. Chraibi also pointed out that Apartheid portrays a strong, multilayered female protagonist as in Nejjars Cry No More, which addressed prostitution in Morocco through the tale of a former prostitute who emerges from a 25-year prison sentence and struggles to rebuild her life. Apartheid is set up as a Moroccan-French co-production as Chraibi is producing via her Paris-based company Moon & Deal and her Casablanca-based outfit La Prod. French distribution company Sophie Dulac is in negotiations to acquire French rights to the movie. Now in post, Apartheid has received subsidies from Morocco, Doha Film Institute and will be presented at Dubai Film Connection next week. Story continues Related stories Japanese Director Shinya Tsukamoto on 'Silence,' Scorsese, His Own Film Creed Nabil Ayouch's Upcoming 'Razzia' Revisits 1942 Classic 'Casablanca' (EXCLUSIVE) Morocco Attempts To Reverse Box-Office Slide The latest Fifty Shades Darker trailer is here and we are blushing We already knew the new Fifty Shades movie would be an enticing romantic story perfect for Valentines Day. But this latest Fifty Shades Darker trailer is intense on every level. The new trailer shows a pretty equal mix of tender, sexy, and downright terrifying moments between Anastasia and Christian. Thanks to the first full trailer for the film, we already had some juicy expectations. But this trailer seems to suggest that those expectations will definitely be met (and then some). Their newly rekindled romance is threatened by all sorts of unwelcome visitors. And it is taking our breath away. Just when everything seems to be going well again for Anastasia and Christian, their love comes under attack. There are all elements youd expect from the sexy film. But Fifty Shades Darker feels like a legit thriller in more than one way. Even Christians foreboding words of If something were to happen to you, I could never forgive myself, have a much scarier undertone than anything weve seen from this series before. Oh, and then theres a bunch more moments of this girl showing up and scaring everyone (especially Anastasia) and its all too much to handle. There are some moments of genuine levity. Like how Dakota Johnson (aka Anastasia) explains that shes only having dinner with Jamie Dornan (aka Christian) because shes hungry, when theres clearly much more to it. This new trailer shows that this film is going to be surprisingly well-rounded. Theres love and sex and jealousy and legitimate danger. What more could you really ask for in a story? The newest poster perfectly encapsulates everything wed hoped this movie would be. Every fairy tale has a dark side. Check out the new poster for #FiftyShadesDarker. pic.twitter.com/jlSBwT3o9q Fifty Shades Darker (@FiftyShades) December 7, 2016 The good news is we can secure our tickets to this awesome film early thanks to the newly announced advanced sales. The bad news is we still have to wait until February 10th, 2017 to see the film itself. Though, from the looks of it, itll be totally worth the wait. The post The latest Fifty Shades Darker trailer is here and we are blushing appeared first on HelloGiggles. Two Alabama men were arrested Tuesday in connection with a viral video that shows more than a dozen gun-wielding people participating in the so-called Mannequin Challenge, authorities said. The video, which has been shared more than 85,000 times since it was posted early last month, depicts a drive-by shooting frozen in time. The men shown in the video are all holding handguns. A criminal investigation led authorities to a residence in Huntsville, Ala., where they found a cache of weapons and drugs, including marijuana, two handguns, one assault rifle, one shotgun and multiple rounds of ammunition, Madison County Sheriffs Capt. Mike Salomonsky said at a news conference. Kenneth Fennell White, 49, was arrested and charged with first-degree possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm by a violent felon. Terry Brown, 23, has been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, loitering and promoting prison contraband. The Mannequin Challenge is a viral internet video trend where people remain still while being recorded. Many celebrities, including Nicki Minaj and Rob Kardashian, have posted their versions of the challenge. Wikileaks released over 57,000 emails of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans son-in-law, Berat Albayrak, who just happens to be Turkeys minister of energy and natural resources. The emails showcase Albayraks strong influence in Turkeys halls of power and reveal the inner workings of an increasingly oppressive government that many Western leaders struggle to understand. The leak, sourced to a communist hacktivist group known as Redhack that has targeted the Turkish government in the past, span 16 years worth of what appears to be Albayraks personal emails from 2000 to 2016. Neither Albayrak nor the Turkish government has yet confirmed the authenticity of the leaks. But if the leaks are legitimate, Albayrak has a major PR headache on his hands. Perhaps the most damning allegation is that Albayrak may have had indirect ties to ISISs oil trade a trade that bankrolls the terrorist groups operations through a company called Powertrans. In November 2011, the Turkish government banned road and railway transportation of oil in or out of the country, but made an exception for Powertrans. The energy company was given a monopoly over oil transportation from land-locked Iraqi Kurdistan to Turkey. Turkish media outlets reported in 2014 and 2015 that Powertrans mixed ISIS-produced oil into their shipments to Turkey, though the reports still lack hard evidence, according to the Independent. In one leaked email, Albayrak denies any affiliation with Powertrans, writing to his lawyer, I never had ties with this company! But the Wikileaks dump revealed 32 exchanges with the keyword Powertrans, including email exchanges where Albayrak directed or gave input to the company on salaries and personnel decisions. In December 2015, Turkish opposition politician Eren Erdem accused Erdogans family of having ties to ISIS oil smuggling operations, saying there is a very high probability that Albayrak was linked to the terrorists oil operations. Erdem was put on trial for treason for these remarks. Story continues At the same time period, and in the middle of a diplomatic spat between the two countries after Turkey shot down a Russian jet on the Syrian border in November of 2015, Russia threw around similar accusations. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Antonov gave a speech accusing President Erdogan and his family of being involved in the illegal business. Energy experts didnt give much credence to the Russian claims. And the fight didnt last long; Putin and Erdogan have since warmed up to each other, even unfreezing a joint gas pipeline deal that they temporarily suspended after their diplomatic spat. The latest batch of leaked emails in Turkey also reveal the governments internal efforts to crackdown on free press and social media. In its statement on the release of Albayraks emails, Wikileaks wrote, A number of emails show that since the 2013 Gezi Park protests the [ruling] AKP has invested in controlling social media, including hiring people to work on Twitter to influence messaging on the platform, despite blocking normal internet access to it for those within Turkey. Amid a surge of anti-government protests in 2013, the Turkish government formed a 6,000 person-strong social media team to promote the ruling partys line and push back on criticisms of Erdogans government. After the failed coup attempt in July, Erdogan jailed or fired tens of thousands of military personnel and civil servants and cracked down on the countrys already limited free press. In the announcement on the latest email dump, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said, The governments counter-coup efforts have gone well beyond their stated purpose of protecting the State from a second Gulenist coup attempt and are now primarily used to steal assets and eliminate critics. Turkey ranks 151st out of 180 countries on the Reporters Without Borders 2016 World Press Freedom Index, behind countries like Tajikistan, Russia, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. Turkey has also outpaced China as the world leader in jailed journalists, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Last month alone, Turkey jailed 120 journalists. This isnt the first time Wikileaks targeted Turkey. In August, it published the AKP partys email database. The government responded by blocking access to the Wikileaks website, which remains difficult to access inside Turkey. Photo credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images Not only did Lauren Graham find love with her former Parenthood costar Peter Krause, but she credits the romance to teaching her an important lesson about life. Graham, 49, starred alongside Krause, 51, on the family drama series from 2010-2015, during which their relationship blossomed and bloomed. We couldnt stop talking. Not about ourselves, but about the world and books and family, the Talking as Fast as I Can author tells Good Housekeeping in her January 2017 cover issue, which hits newsstands Dec. 13. Once we got together, there was no game play. It was like, You like me, and I like you, says Graham. It gave me an understanding of life: This is how things happen, and its completely random. The actress, who returned to her role of single mom Lorelai Gilmore in the four-part Gilmore Girls Netflix revival, recently opened up to PEOPLE about finally finding love in Hollywood. RELATED VIDEO: Lauren Graham Opens Up About Gilmore Girls, Love Life, And Her Childhood I mean, hes really my favorite person to talk to, she told PEOPLE of Krause, who made a cameo in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life thanks to Grahams suggestion. And he always makes me laugh. Hes really, really funny. She added, Its hard to explain to people when you have a fancy job like being an actor what is challenging about it. So we just kind of have that shorthand, a shared language, which is helpful. Graham, who played Sarah Braverman on the NBC series for six seasons, also tells GH that the inspiration for her book came to her while she was on the set of Parenthood. One day in my trailer in Parenthood I looked up and I had the afternoon, and it just kind of occurred as a way to be creative, but not have to be part of any other structure, Graham says of the idea of being an author, and adds, It was kind of a revelation that I could just do something on my own and the fact that it has now given me other work is like icing. I just did it for fun. Story continues As for her hidden talent, Graham says that its surprising to many as none of her characters ever partake in it. I really like to entertain, the actress adds. None of my characters ever cook, so I would think its surprising that I actually really like to. Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life is now streaming on Netflix. Think Donald Trump is a one-off? Not quite -- in many ways, he appears a successor to LBJ. Following the unprecedented election of Donald J. Trump, many continue to look for precedents. The real estate magnates intervention with Carrier reminded columnist Peggy Noonan of JFKs engagement with the steel industry. Others have likened Trumps unlikely campaign to that of another celebrity who upset the established order Ronald Reagan. The better comparison may be with Lyndon Baines Johnson. LBJ was a crude, rude and not especially popular president who got things done. Unlike President Obama, Johnson was willing to roll up his sleeves and jawbone legislators and business leaders in order to get bills passed and to move the country forward. Thats how he was able to sign civil rights legislation in an era when opposition to racial equality came mainly from Republicans but also from vehement members of his own party the Southern Democrats. He made life impossible for his foes, bullying and wheedling until the bills passed, in the process forever changing the makeup of the Democratic Party. Related: Trump Blows the Whistle on Boeings Air-Force One $3.2 Billion Contract Trump is engaged in something similar. He is already changing the discourse between the corporate world and the Republican Party. In calling out CEOs for ignoring the welfare of their own workers by moving operations overseas, by threatening retaliatory measures against firms that flee the country, and by opposing trade deals like the TPP largely crafted by corporate titans, he is upending the Chamber of Commerce-GOP partnership that has shaped economic policy for decades. As a result of his unconventional stances on trade deals and a higher minimum wage, for example, Trump has attracted millions of blue collar workers and burrowed deep into Democrat strongholds. At the same time, his unyielding stance on illegal immigration, indifference to the progressive social agenda and aversion to political correctness weakened his grip on college-educated women, the majority of whom voted for Romney in 2012. Story continues Both Trump and LBJ follow aspirational, attractive, but not especially productive presidents whose youth and inexperience contrast with their own age and resumes. For both, succeeding popular figures like JFK and Obama dampen their initial welcome, and especially from the frosty media. Just as Johnson could never be forgiven for filling the shoes of the fallen JFK, so too Trump will bear the hostility of liberals disappointed that Hillary was no Obama. Related: Why GOP Leaders Are Balking at Trumps Call for Punitive Tariffs LBJ took office in 1963, after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and in his five years in office put in place important underpinnings of the social safety net we have today, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Head Start. He laid out an agenda for creating the Great Society for all Americans, and signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965. Though ultimately felled by the Vietnam War, Johnson is considered to have engineered a highly successful domestic agenda. Johnson had shifting popular opinion backing these accomplishments. Princeton professor Julian Zelizer credits Johnsons success to the coming together of several forces, including the Civil Rights Movement, a strong union force and also liberal religious activism, which began to sway Republican hold-outs. On perhaps the thorniest issue, Zelizer writes, One of the reasons Midwestern Republicans agreed to end the Southern civil rights filibuster was that religious leaders who held great sway in their communities, were aggressively lobbying them to come to the side of civil rights. Today, Trump has a similar groundswell of support for his opposition to unfavorable trade agreements and wage-deflating illegal immigration. He also is supported by popular anger at Obamacare, and by numerous foreign policy initiatives especially the Iran deal that most Americans dislike. More generally, there is widespread antipathy to the status quo in Washington; when Trump promises to Drain the Swamp, people cheer. Related: Why Both Trump and Obama Are Wrong About How to Save American Jobs Of course, there are many differences between Trump and LBJ. Most obvious is that Johnsons ascent into the Oval Office was the conclusion of a long political career. Trump, on the other hand, is a political neophyte. But that need not hinder his program; the president-elect is choosing cabinet officials ready to go to work. Betsey DeVos knows what kind of school reforms might improve our public education system. Tom Price has already crafted a replacement for Obamacare; Wilbur Ross knows exactly what kind of trade agreement might work for American workers. There is no doubt that Trump will be willing to work alongside them. Trumps activism has already been on display, in negotiating with Carrier Corporation to keep jobs in Indiana. His willingness to talk to the CEO of the company and bargain for jobs has earned the derision of The New York Times, but plaudits from Americans hungry for a president who will intervene on their behalf. Like LBJ, and in stark contrast to Obama, Trump will not be afraid to get his hands dirty. President Obama continues to enjoy high approval ratings, even though the country voted to reject his successor and his policies. He campaigned energetically, telling voters that his legacy hung in the balance. He is correct, but the fragility of his accomplishments is his fault. He has famously rarely visited with members of Congress including members of his own party much less attempted to persuade them to come aboard his proposals. Instead, he relied on executive orders and sweeping regulations to further his agenda. As we are now seeing, those measures can be tossed overboard; theres a reason for working with Congress. Related: Heres the Problem With Trumps Plan to Sell Health Insurance Across State Lines After Obama prevailed in the disastrous 2013 budget negotiations, Senator John McCain, who voted with the president, complained that a lot of us are resentful that he didnt negotiate as hard as we think he could have or should have. He also advised Obama to sit down with your adversaries and get things worked out. If you don't, obviously you're not going to be a successful president." Being willing to engage, to bully and cajole does not guarantee Trump a successful presidency; but if he can muster support for lower taxes on businesses and a regulatory climate that rejuvenates entrepreneurship and innovation, he will be well on his way, and he will take the GOP Congress along for the ride. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: A general view of the large former monitoring base of the U.S. intelligence organization National Security Agency (NSA) in Bad Aibling south of Munich, June 18, 2013. REUTERS/Michaela Rehle A leaked NSA newsletter published Wednesday highlights the collection of phone metadata as one of the agency's "most useful tools." The document which was leaked by Edward Snowden and published by The Intercept says that the NSA has used metadata such as numbers called, IP addresses, and call duration to yield "concrete results," such as the capture of terror suspects Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and Abu Zubaida. It's worth noting that while the collection of specific metadata may have helped catch terror suspects, the agency's bulk collection has a far worse record. That program forced American telephone companies to hand over metadata on all of their customers to the NSA, which included phone numbers and duration of calls, but not content. It was changed in late 2015 to keep bulk records with the companies, requiring a court order to look at specific records. Snowden leaks largely corroborated a 2006 story on the program from USA Today, which stated that the NSA's goal was "to create a database of every call ever made" within the nation's borders, according to an unnamed official. An independent review board found that the bulk collection program, dubbed Section 215, showed "minimal value in safeguarding the nation from terrorism. ... we have not identified a single instance involving a threat to the United States in which the program made a concrete difference in the outcome of a counterterrorism investigation." At the time of the document's internal publication in January 2004, it said its FASCIA II database of metadata records held more than 85 billion records, with about 125 million records added each day. That number was expected to increase to 205 million records per day, the document said. The document is an interesting find in the Snowden cache, especially considering some of the picks for the incoming Trump administration. Both the nominee for Attorney General and CIA Director have advocated for the increased domestic spying that was implemented under President George W. Bush after 9/11. Story continues "Congress should pass a law re-establishing collection of all metadata, and combining it with publicly available financial and lifestyle information into a comprehensive, searchable database," Kansas Rep. Mike Pompeo, who was tapped for Director of CIA, wrote with coauthor David Rivkin, Jr. in a Wall Street Journal editorial in January. "Legal and bureaucratic impediments to surveillance should be removed." You can read the full document below, or read others in the cache at The Intercept. SIDToday newsletter snowden This post has been updated with language to make clear the difference between individual collection of metadata and the bulk collection program. NOW WATCH: This is why a US aircraft carrier is a force to be reckoned with More From Business Insider marijuana cannabis weed Beer sales are taking a hit in states where marijuana is legal. So far this year, beer volumes have dropped roughly 2% in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington, which have all legalized recreational pot, according to Neilsen data cited in a recent report from Cowen & Co. At the same time, marijuana consumption has grown in those states. The data indicates that many beer drinkers are swapping their six-packs for marijuana instead, and that has major implications for the beer industry especially for makers of cheaper beers like Anheuser-Busch and Molson Coors Brewing Company. "Mainstream beer" including Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Lite, is "under siege" from legal marijuana, with volumes down 4.4% in the states studied, according to Cowen and Co. analysts. Craft beer sales growth is slowing in those states, but not to the same degree. Screen Shot 2016 12 07 at 9.27.33 AM The trends show significant overlap between buyers of cheaper beers and users of marijuana. "The pressure we are seeing on lower-priced beers is consistent with the trends we are seeing in cannabis use by income group nationally," analysts wrote. "Indeed, while cannabis incidence has been on the rise nationally, over the last 10 years (through 2014, the most recently available) we have seen the biggest increases among lower-income households, where cannabis use is also highest." Screen Shot 2016 12 07 at 9.28.13 AM As additional states consider legalizing marijuana, beer companies will be at an even greater risk. "With Anheuser-Busch and Molson Coors Brewing Company controlling roughly 70% of the overall beer category in the US, there is clear risk that growing cannabis use will weigh on their businesses," analysts wrote. NOW WATCH: Animated map shows the most popular fast food restaurants in every state More From Business Insider Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f311176%2f9ef555cc356e4ea9bba11ec052e6e692 For a lot of people, the musical Hamilton will be a moment in pop culture history they will never forget. That's not so much the case for Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Instead, the Tony-winning actor and playwright spent a good amount of time on Twitter today telling the world of the various events that he is still processing and will never forget. SEE ALSO: William Shatner, Amy Schumer, Lin-Manuel Miranda win book awards POP CULTURE EVENTS FROM WHICH I HAVE STILL NOT RECOVERED, MANY YEARS LATER: A thread by Lin-Manuel Miranda Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) December 7, 2016 Obviously, King of Pop Michael Jackson was up first. "Michael Jackson doing the smooth Criminal lean live in concert," Miranda posted. Don't worry, he included a GIF of the famous move in case you're in the minority and forgot about the remarkable feat. Michael Jackson doing the Smooth Criminal lean live in concert, HBO, Bucharest, 1992 pic.twitter.com/quHUCC2xZH Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) December 7, 2016 Up next, another late legend: David Bowie. Miranda gave a special shoutout to Bowie's verse in "Under Pressure," a moment that became a personal touchstone despite Miranda being a year old when the track was released. David Bowie's "Love" verse in Under Pressure: https://t.co/qgg5YnM8WJ (I was ONE YEAR OLD when this came out, still not over it) Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) December 7, 2016 After sharing these two classics, Miranda dropped a left-field gem and highlighted the genius that is Shakira and the video she dropped for 2005's "La Tortura" featuring Alejandro Sanz. Story continues "That whole situation," Miranda said. That whole situation, indeed. Miranda then shared how he's not over a line in a Harry Potter book, a moment in Book Of Mormon readings, his first time listening to Lauryn Hill's solo album and, of course, Pulp Fiction, which he said included the best movie moment of all time. (It involves a hypodermic needle and Uma Thurman's breastplate.) Seeing @joshgad grab the mic & sing "Man Up" at the first reading of Book Of Mormon. Never recovered. pic.twitter.com/iA0RwPUB50 Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) December 7, 2016 Hearing The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill for the first time, all the way through. "IT'S FUNNY HOW MONEY CHANGE A SITUATION..." pic.twitter.com/creeN4N7lL Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) December 7, 2016 THIS MOMENT, @jk_rowling: "I am not worried, Harry,"said Dumbledore, his voice a little stronger despite the freezing water."I am with you." Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) December 7, 2016 I saw Pulp Fiction w my PARENTS in the theater. I was 14. Their FACES after the Adrenaline scene. Greatest movie moment ever. pic.twitter.com/PmIiwdT6ec Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) December 7, 2016 But the last pop culture moment he still obsesses over might come as a surprise. How close Eric & Ariel got to kissing before Flotsam/Jetsam effed it up. Still angry. pic.twitter.com/Zz1nmOEaFT Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) December 7, 2016 That's right. The creator and star of Hamilton is human just like the rest of us. No, not just because he breathes and requires water to survive, but because he's also not over that flubbed kiss in The Little Mermaid and what it says about all of our missed opportunities. Seriously, Flotsam and Jetsam will never be forgiven. BONUS: Cast of 'Hamilton' pays fitting tribute to Prince with dance party By Ludwig Burger, Greg Roumeliotis and Arno Schuetze FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Germany's Linde agreed to revive talks with U.S. rival Praxair to create a $65 billion (51.52 billion pounds) industrial gases giant which will have its main operations run from Connecticut, two sources familiar with the deal said on Wednesday. The deal is being pursued as a "merger of equals" thanks to a 50:50 valuation split, these people said. But a combined company will have its operating base in Danbury, Connecticut, where Praxair is headquartered and Praxair's Chief Executive Steve Angel will head the merged company, these sources said on Wednesday, after Linde confirmed it would resume talks. In a largely symbolic gesture, Linde will be the name of the combined company, and Wolfgang Reitzle, Linde's chairman would also be chairman of the combined firm, the sources said. A "meaningful" representation would be retained in Germany, these people said, adding that the primary listing would be in New York and the secondary listing in Frankfurt. Talks broke down in September amid disagreements over where the combined firm would have its headquarters and research and development, as well as over who would occupy the main management roles, sources told Reuters at the time. On Wednesday Linde's chief executive Wolfgang Buechele paved the way to a revived deal by stepping down with immediate effect. "With the resumption of the talks, a successful merger is now drawing near," Buechele said in a statement. Buechele will be replaced by Aldo Ernesto Belloni, a 66-year-old former executive board member who retired two years ago. "With a succession plan in place, the necessary continuity is assured without interruption for the demanding tasks of the coming months," Buechele added, without elaborating on why he was leaving some four months earlier than planned. The companies now aim to have drawn up an outline agreement before the Christmas holidays, sources close to the matter said. Belloni, who retired at the end of 2014 after 14 years on Linde's management board, is a close ally of non-executive Chairman Wolfgang Reitzle, who needed to steady the ship after an exodus of key people in the wake of the collapse of initial merger talks with Praxair in September. Finance Chief Georg Denoke left immediately after the talks failed in September while Buechele said he would stay on only until April 2017, leaving Reitzle, Buechele's predecessor as CEO, to plot the company's future course. Linde and Praxair, alongside rivals Air Liquide and Air Products , are struggling with slower economic growth that has weakened demand from the manufacturing, metals and energy industries and put pressure on smaller players, leading to further consolidation in the sector. Air Liquide bought Airgas Inc, the leader in U.S. packaged gases, in a $13.4 billion deal finalised in May. Praxair generates lower core earnings but with a higher sales margin than its German peer. Shares in Linde were up 2.4 percent at 160 euros on Wednesday, valuing the company at around 29.8 billion euros ($32 billion). Shares in Praxair were up 1.7 percent at $121, giving it a market value of around $34.6 billion. Linde decided to resume negotiations after Praxair offered to locate some central functions of the combined group in Germany, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday. Under the proposed new terms, one of the combined entity's executive board members would be based in Munich, where Linde is headquartered, and the main German sites would be preserved, the sources said. Linde said the supervisory board vote to resume talks was unanimous, meaning the board's labour representatives must have been won over. Sources close to the matter have said that opposition from the workers' representatives due to concerns for German jobs was a factor in the failure of talks in September. Still, the success of a deal hinges on a clear chain of command. On an earnings conference call on October 27, Praxair's Angel said a deal could yield significant synergies "by ensuring upfront that leadership is unambiguous, and the company is operated in a clear and consistent way." Angel said Praxair's operational excellence", could complement Linde's technology in engineering. Linde had already said last week it was considering a revised proposal it had received from Praxair about a potential merger of equals, which was confirmed by Praxair. ($1 = 0.9300 euros) (Additional reporting by Jens Hack in Munich; Writing by Edward Taylor; Editing by Greg Mahlich and Adrian Croft) By Jane Ross LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A threat to detonate a bomb at a subway station in Los Angeles was not credible, federal authorities said late on Tuesday after police spent the day searching commuters and leading bomb-sniffing dogs around stations across the metro area. Authorities found no evidence regarding a specific but uncorroborated threat made by a caller who warned that a bomb would blow up on Tuesday at the Metro Red Line's Universal City station, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said. "Based on significant similarities, law enforcement partners also believe the anonymous caller may have, on a previous occasion, reported threats that did not materialize," the FBI said in a statement. Heavy security at subway stations in Los Angeles greeted commuters on Tuesday. Armed deputies searched passengers' bags while bomb squad teams led dogs around stations across the Los Angeles County transit system, media footage showed. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who boarded a train at the Universal City station on Tuesday, said law enforcement was prepared and asked the public to be vigilant. Federal and city officials said on Monday they had been alerted by authorities in another country to a "specific" threat against the city's Red Line commuter rail system, prompting them to beef up security and alert the public. Law enforcement officials said the threat had been relayed to the FBI by a law enforcement agency in another country, where the threat had originated. Officials did not identify the country. The male caller, speaking in English, had warned authorities in that country of a potential attack on Tuesday targeting the Red Line station, which is across the street from the Universal Studios theme park, Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said. The caller did not threaten to carry out the attack, but said he was alerting law enforcement. The Red Line runs between downtown Los Angeles and northern neighborhoods, including Hollywood and North Hollywood. It carries about 145,000 passengers a day as part of the city's larger transit system. (Writing by Gina Cherelus in New York; Additional reporting by Gina Cherelus in New York and Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee; Editing by Daniel Wallis, David Gregorio and Paul Tait) Loving star Ruth Negga is absolutely stunning in her very first Vogue magazine cover! In the January issue, hitting newsstands Dec. 20, Negga shares an eye-opening perspective on being biracial, while speaking on diversity in Hollywood. EXCLUSIVE: Ruth Negga on How Feeling Alien Inspired Her Oscar-Worthy Performance and the Power of 'Loving' The 34-year-old actress was born in Ethiopia to an Irish mother, and black Ethiopian father. During her chat with Vogue, Negga details fleeing the country for Ireland with her mom at just four years old, amid an outbreak of political violence. "We were going to America," she reveals. "But my dad didn't get out in time." Mario Testino/Vogue Mario Testino/Vogue Mario Testino/Vogue MORE: Oscar Predictions With 3 Months to Go: Emma Stone, Natalie Portman & the Best Best Actress Race in Years Three years later, Negga's father died in a car accident, which they found out about via "a letter and a phone call." While her mother never remarried, Negga says she admires her strength. "She's a survivor. Very much like Mildred," the Irish-Ethiopian beauty says, referencing her Loving character. Unlike Mildred and her husband's fight to have their interracial marriage legally recognized in 1950s America, Negga mother "never" experienced the same kind of racial prejudice. On a personal level, Negga doesn't recall feeling or being treated differently as a child, despite growing up with a large extended family of "about 23 boys," whose hair and skin were noticeably different than her own. "I remember thinking, I'm just me," she tells the magazine. "When you're a kid you're just you, aren't you? It was when I moved to England that I felt it, because I was Irish and black." By the age of 11, Negga began to connect with the works of lauded African-American writers like Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, and James Baldwin. Story continues "I didn't have that many black people in my life, so I had to sort of search them out," she recalls. "And I didn't grow up in America, but I identified as much with their writing about the black experience as I did with their writing about the human experience." In regards to Hollywood's diversity gap, Negga didn't mince words calling the issue "unacceptable for a long time." "It's becoming an embarrassment," she adds noting films like Moonlight and Ava DuVerney's 13th documentary as a step in the right direction. As for Loving, the film is the first to be screened at the newly-opened National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. "The film is reminding us that there's a conversation that we need to be having still," Negga explains confessing that she and co-star- Joel Egerton, get annoyed when people say the film has a "quiet" message. "It doesn't feel very quiet to us," she says. "It feels really loud." WATCH: 'Loving' Trailer Tackles Interracial Marriage in 1950s America Related Articles Exports could turn around in 1Q 2017. October exports missed expectations to contract 8.6% y/y (-3.0% in September) amid a high base effect (+16.7% in Oct 2015). Moving forward, UOB projects exports to turn around in 1Q 2017 amid low base effects and steady commodity prices. "Combined with positive revaluation effects from the weaker Ringgit should cushion the merchandise trade surplus and current account," it said. Here's more from UOB: Compared to the previous month, exports declined by 1.1% seasonally adjusted. Breakdown of key sectors. Both manufactured exports fell 6.0% and commodity exports declined 20.4%. Components that recorded expansions were electrical and electronics (+1.2%; share 38.4%) and palm oil (3.7%; share 6.7%). Components that contracted include crude petroleum (-27.9%; share2.5%), chemicals (-4.7%; share 7.3%), LNG (-40.2%; share 3.9%), refined petroleum products (-7.4%; share 7.3%); machinery and appliances (-19.8%; share 4.2%); rubber products (-1.1%; share 2.5%); optical and scientific equipment (-5.0%; share 3.7%); metal (-43.8%; share 3.6%). Overall exports to G3 fell 14.6% y/y due to decline in exports to Japan (-29.1%; share 9.1%), US (-3.5%; share 9.1%), and EU (-12%; share 10.4%). One positive is exports to China turned around to +3.4% (share 12.1%) marking first increase in seven months while exports to Hong Kong grew 14.5% (share 3.8%). However exports to other parts of Asia (excluding China) fell a larger 10.2% (share 50.5%). Exports to ASEAN4 fell 5.1% (share: 25%) amid declines in exports to Singapore (-7.5%; share 13.9%) and Thailand (-8.9%; share 5.4%). This was offset by higher exports to Philippines (8.5%; share 1.8%) and Indonesia (5.4%; share 3.3%). Exports to CLMV grew 29% (share 3.6%) thanks to strong exports to Cambodia (30.4%), Laos (30.5%), Myanmar (57.8%), and Vietnam (24.4%). Malaysias weak exports was in line with export declines in China (-7.4% in Oct), Japan (-10.3% in Oct), Korea (-3.2% in Oct; +2.7% in Nov), and Singapore (-9.2% in Oct). Taiwan was an outlier with +5.3%. Story continues Currency and revaluation effect. Compared to the previous month, revaluation effects on trade were smaller as average USD/ MYR declined by narrower 1.5% to 4.17 in October (-2.1% to 4.11 in September). November export levels should be lifted by larger revaluation effects when USD/MYR fell 3.8% to 4.34 last month. Global trade and exports are in positive territory. Purchasing Manager Indices (PMI) signal firmer manufacturing expansions across G3 and China. However this has not translated into meaningful gains for Malaysias exports with both volumes and unit prices still declining. Global semiconductor sales recorded its second month of growth in September. However US semi book-to-bill ratio eased below 1.00 in October indicating lower orders received relative to products billed though this could be due to seasonal and event driven effects ahead of US elections. More From Singapore Business Review By Lin Taylor LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Nearly two thirds of the British women killed by men over a seven-year period were murdered by current or former partners, most of them within the first year of leaving their husbands and boyfriends, women's rights charities said on Wednesday. Between 2009 and 2015, 936 women across England and Wales were killed by men, with nearly 600 women dying at the hands of current or former partners, according to the Femicide Census commissioned by domestic abuse charities nia and Women's Aid. Of that number, over three-quarters were murdered within a year of separating from their partners, say the charities calling for the police to do more to protect women who have left violent partners. "It is very shocking that a very high proportion of women being killed are killed by an intimate partner or an ex-partner," said Polly Neate, chief executive of Women's Aid. "There's a pattern here. But at the moment, all these cases are reported very much as isolated incidents. And the lessons just aren't being learnt," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Worldwide, one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence by a man in their lifetime, the World Health Organisation says. Neate said femicide rates in England and Wales have remained consistent over the past few years, despite an independent 2014 report by a policing watchdog which criticized the police response to domestic abuse victims. The Femicide Census, which collects data from police statistics, Freedom of Information requests, newspaper stories and charity reports, showed that 125 women were killed by men in 2009 and 119 in 2015. Over the past seven years, eight percent of women were killed by their sons. One in four women recorded in the census was killed by someone unrelated to them, for example a colleague, client or neighbor. Of all the females who died after being sexually attacked, a third were killed by a stranger. "We're just not working as hard as we could to prevent women being killed," Neate said. (Reporting by Lin Taylor @linnytayls, Editing by Katie Nguyen. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters that covers humanitarian issues, conflicts, global land and property rights, modern slavery and human trafficking, women's rights, and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org to see more stories) Being falsely accused of any crime is undoubtedly a stressful and frightening time for any individual, but being on the receiving end of a lawsuit that alleges you stole an Adam Sandler movie? Well thats a miscarriage of justice on the highest level imaginable. An Oregon man has endured that nightmare, and now the court thinks he deserves a cool $17,000 payout for the misguided accusations pushed upon him. MUST SEE: Pokemon Sun and Moon guide: How to get the first Mythical Pokemon, Magearna Thomas Gonzales runs a foster care home for disabled adults, and recently found himself on the receiving end of a lawsuit from the filmmakers responsible for the 2014 Adam Sandler romp The Cobbler. As TorrentFreak reports, the suit claimed that Gonzales illegally downloaded a copy of the film, but the court wasnt convinced. Magistrate Judge Stacie Beckerman pushed back against the filmmakers claims, declaring that there was no way to prove who downloaded the film due to the fact that multiple individuals had access to the internet. Further, the judge declared that the plaintiff used overly aggressive tactics in trying to win a settlement. The Court shares Gonzales concern that Plaintiff is motivated, at least in large part, by extracting large settlements from individual consumers prior to any meaningful litigation, Beckerman wrote in a recommendation. On balance, the Court has concerns about the motivation behind Plaintiffs overaggressive litigation of this case and other cases, and that factor weighs in favor of fee shifting. That fee comes in the amount of a $17,222 compensation to be paid to the defendant in order to cover attorney fees, along with another $255 in miscellaneous expenses. Its up to the film company as to whether they want to accept the ruling or object, though if they choose to continue the fight the eventual outcome might put them even further in the hole. Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / December 6, 2016 / Marcus Hiles takes a stand for disadvantaged children and strongly advocates the right for every student to receive the highest quality of education, regardless of his or her family's socioeconomic status. Putting words into action, Hiles, the CEO of Western Rim Property Services, purchased over 3,000 backpacks - filled with binders, pencils, note cards, and other school supplies - which he personally donated to children in need throughout the Dallas/Forth Worth area. Charitable actions akin to Hiles' have become increasingly vital in recent years, as the city's inner-city school districts have struggled to overcome a 2011 decision by the state Legislature to cut $5.4 billion in education funding. Hit the hardest by the cuts were schools in low-income, urban communities, where minimal property taxes were unable to compensate for the budget loss. Since the controversial 2011 decision, these schools have lost an average of 12 percent of their full-time teachers, leaving students overcrowded and with less individual attention. As reported in the New York Times, the state of Texas considers 66 percent of students in the Dallas district at considerable risk of dropping out, and Marcus Hiles believes the city's youth must be afforded better opportunities. "For these children hailing from lower income families, a quality education plays a pivotal role in improving social mobility," Hiles elaborated. "Kindergarten through 6th grade is essential to the next generations success." http://www.MarcusHiles-News.com The president of the Texas Association of School Administrators, Karen Rue, similarly urged, "Kids deserve transformational, top-to-bottom reform. We need a better understanding of what it costs to educate 5.2 million students." To assist policymakers in ensuring every child is educated enough to command a job paying above the poverty line, the AEI-Brookings Institute, a Washington, D.C. based nonprofit public policy research organization formed a Working Group on Poverty and Opportunity. In its 2015 report, the Working Group recommended policies increasing public investment in preschool and postsecondary education, promoting social-emotional as well as academic skills, modernizing the organization and accountability of the educational system, and closing resource gaps. Education has always been a vital way for Americans to transform their economic circumstances. In a time of rising inequality, increasing the quality of and access to education has the potential to offer improved opportunities for countless American children. Marcus Hiles is a renowned real estate investor and the CEO & Chairman of Western Rim Property Services, Texas' leading supplier of affordable luxury apartments and townhomes. The son of an inner city minister, Hiles' urban upbringing led to a passion for philanthropy, and he has worked hard to alleviate hardships for economically disadvantaged women and children. Hiles charitable works include over $2.5 million in donations to education initiatives, the construction of two large churches, and the improvement of public parks, lakes, streams, and green spaces throughout Texas. Marcus Hiles - Chairman & CEO of Western Rim Property Services: http://www.MarcusHiles-News.com Western Rim Property Services- Marcus Hiles - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Western-Rim-Property-Services-Marcus-Hiles-1013270532051763/ Marcus Hiles (@marcus_hiles) - Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcus_hiles Marcus Hiles - New Luxury Apartments in Frisco, TX - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmsJNbfOh-g Contact Information: MarcusHiles-News.com marcus@marcushiles-news.com SOURCE: Marcus Hiles Married at First Sight star Jamie Otis shared a heartfelt tribute to the child she sadly miscarried in July. The 30-year-old shared a photo of her husband, Doug Hehner, pointing at her belly when she was three months pregnant with her late son, Johnathan Edward, on Instagram on Monday. EXCLUSIVE: 'Married at First Sight' Star Jamie Otis Opens Up About Sharing Photo of Her Late Son "It wasn't my choice to survive without you. So I will spend my life living for you and honoring you," Otis wrote. "I was so happy to have you in my belly. I was 3 months pregnant with you in this photo ... little did I know a month later I'd lose you." "The heartache since you left has been excruciating," she continued. "Johnny, I can't help but think of what you'd look like if you were able to stay in there safe & sound & come to us like you were supposed to for Christmas. I'll always love & honor you. You're my angel baby. Even though we only met briefly & I only got to hold you & give you kisses once - I still miss you. I'll always, always love you." In October, Otis opened up about her grief in a heartbreaking post shared on Facebook. Sharing a photo of her and Hehner cradling Johnny's tiny body in the hospital, Otis encouraged others who have suffered miscarriages not to hide their heartache. Story continues NEWS: 'Married at First Sight' Stars Jamie Otis and Doug Hehner Suffer Miscarriage "I've realized that there are SO many women who have experienced a similar loss and feel so isolated from it," Otis told ET after receiving positive feedback about her post. "It wasn't until I blogged [that I realized that] so many women feel the same way as me. It's taboo to share photos and talk about miscarriage. I really want to desensitize this topic." "Since we lost our son I've felt so alone and sad," she continued. "It's been one of the worst experiences in my life. My biggest fear is that my sweet little baby will just be forgotten and it will be like he never even existed. I wanted to share Johnny so as he looks down from Heaven he'll know how loved, cherished, and important he still is to his mommy and daddy." See more on Otis and Hehner, watch the video below. Related Articles The matriarch of a small religious sect that former members insist is a cult will spend the next two years in jail for her role in the prolonged, deadly beatings of two teenage brothers who tried to leave the group, PEOPLE confirms. Traci Irwin, 50, was sentenced on Monday after pleading guilty in Oneida County Court in New York to two counts of felony unlawful imprisonment. Irwin was charged, along with eight other members of the Word of Life Church, with the fatal beating of Lucas Leonard. The 19-year-old was savagely whipped and battered intermittently over a 12-hour period inside the church, which is located in New Hartford, New York a suburb of Utica. Lucas brother, 17-year-old Christopher Leonard, was also attacked in the Oct. 11, 2015, incident, but survived with numerous injuries. The churchs 29-year-old pastor, Tracis daughter Tiffanie Irwin, also participated in the beatings, as did the boys parents, Deborah and Bruce Leonard, and the brothers half-sister, Sarah Ferguson. Tracis was the only outstanding case stemming from the 2015 beatings, which unfolded during an alleged counseling session. Church members told police these counseling sessions occurred in a sanctuary room and involved a pastor who met with congregants to assess their spiritual state. 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. Prosecutors contended the beatings began soon after both brothers approached church leaders with their plans to leave the secretive congregation. But in the spring, Christopher, who sustained severe injuries during the beatings, testified that he and his brother had molested the children of several of the churchs members, including his half-sisters infant child. (Prosecutors had long claimed the allegations of abuse against the Leonard brothers were baseless, and that Irwin falsely accused the two teens of sexually abusing their younger siblings and cousins over the course of several years.) Story continues Court records show Bruce testified that Lucas fell down during the attacks and was ordered to stand back up. Lucas fell a second time, and he begged for the violence to cease. The father told the court that the whippings finally stopped after Lucas sustained an injury to his genitals. According to court records, he bled out from a laceration there, causing his death. Pick up PEOPLEs special edition True Crime Stories: Cases That Shocked America, on sale now, for the latest on Casey Anthony, JonBenet Ramsey and more. All told, nine people were indicted for their roles in the attack. Eight defendants accepted deals from the prosecution. Only Ferguson stood trial; she was convicted in July of manslaughter and assault and was sentenced to 25 years. Joseph Irwin, Tiffanies 23-year-old brother, previously pleaded guilty to first-degree gang assault and second-degree assault and faces eight years in prison. David Morey, 27, and his mother, 55-year-old Linda Morey, have both pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree assault and will likely be sentenced to five years behind bars. Earlier this year, the teens parents pleaded guilty to assault. Bruce Leonard faces 15 years while Deborah faces five. Tiffanies other brother, Daniel Irwin, pleaded guilty to unlawful imprisonment and will serve two years. PORT LOUIS (Reuters) - Mauritius expects foreign direct investment to come to 14 billion rupees ($391 million) in 2016, up more than 44 percent from 9.7 billion last year, its finance minister said on Tuesday. The Indian Ocean island nation is trying to expand into offshore banking, business outsourcing, luxury real estate and medical tourism, in a bid to diversify its economy away from sugar, textiles and tourism. In the nine months to September, foreign investment inflows came to 10.59 billion rupees, up 46.8 percent year-on-year, driven by real estate, financial services and insurance activities, according to Bank of Mauritius data. "They are estimated to be around 14 billion for the year 2016," Finance Minister Pravind Jugnauth told parliament. The bank said investment in real estate totalled 7.56 billion rupees, while financial and insurance activities received 2.04 billion rupees in the first nine months. France was the main investor over that period with investments totalling 3.52 billion rupees, followed by China which accounted for 1.90 billion rupees. The Bank of Mauritius expects the island's economy to grow about 3.8 to 4.0 percent in 2017. Jugnauth said the central bank forecasts a higher balance of payments surplus of around 22 billion rupees for 2016 against 20 billion last year. ($1 = 35.8000 Mauritius rupees) (Reporting by Jean Paul Arouff; Editing by Aaron Maasho and Hugh Lawson) Maddie Baillio went from college theater productions to the big time, scoring the leading role in NBCs Hairspray Live! The 20-year-old Houston native will show off her dancing and singing talents on Wednesdays premiere, but before you meet the nicest kids in town, get to know the up and coming star! An ad on Facebook announcing an open casting call for the role of Tracy Turnblad on the NBC special led Baillio to try out for the part. Despite her nerves almost getting the best of her with it being her first professional audition, Baillio headed to New York City, waking up at 3 a.m. in the hopes of being one of the first in line. She arrived at the casting event only to find she was No. 343 with over a thousand girls vying for the same coveted part. After four call-backs, an even an admitted blunder of the lyrics for Good Morning Baltimore during one go around, Baillio discovered she was going to lead the TV musical. The casting announcement happened one day after she completed her sophomore year in college. Ive always wanted to do musical theater, Ive always wanted to be on Broadway, and so its really cool that Im pretty much going to be on Broadway on TV, Baillio said in an NBC interview. Despite being a big fan of Hairsprays heroin, Baillio never played the Baltimore singing sensation before landing the NBC show. She told to Press Pass LA that her last role was playing Dracula in Dracula: The Musical. This was one of my dream roles because Tracy is the ultimate underdog and the ultimate optimist and I relate to her in so many ways, Baillio explained to Siruis XM last month. Speaking to her co-star and on-screen mother Harvey Feinstein in a cast sit-down recently, Baillio dished about her teenage self. Baillio revealed she was heavily involved in choir and theater in school but did have a history of cutting class. She considered herself to be cool in her friend group, but also admitted to having a big crush on Twilight star Robert Pattinson. Story continues Robert Pattinson as Edward, Baillio shared when asked to name what poster would be on her wall as a teen. Its a whole wall. Just of him. You can follow Maddie on YouTube (There are no videos currently uploaded to her channel), Instagram and Twitter. Dont forget to tune into Hairspray Live! Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST on NBC. Maddie Baillio Photo: NBC Related Articles Actress Meghan Markle may have made her boldest declaration of her love for boyfriend Prince Harry by sporting his and her initials on a pretty 14-karat gold necklace. Read: 'Suited' for a Prince: Is Harry About to Tie the Knot With American Actress Meghan Markle? The chain, displaying the letters M and H, is designed by Maya Brenner and sells for $240. She was spotted wearing it while filming the USA network series Suits. The prince reportedly visited her on the set of the show over the weekend before returning to England for a charity event. Read: A Royal Pain: Prince Harry Rips Media for Treatment of Girlfriend Meghan Markle On Wednesday, Harry was at a phone bank raising money for Charity Day, which he established to help raise money for various organizations. The prince was calling to raise money for Sentebale, which supports children and teens living with HIV in southern Africa. Prince Harry joins brokers at the annual #ICAPCharityDay where all revenues and commissions from the day will go to over 200 charities worldwide providing vital funds. One of the charities benefitting from the charity day is Sentebale, founded by Prince Harry to support children and adolescents living with HIV in Southern Africa. A photo posted by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Dec 7, 2016 at 3:07am PST Last week, the prince also donated blood with Rihanna for World AIDS Day. 7 countries 15 days It's been an incredible fortnight for Prince Harry's Caribbean visit, on behalf of The Queen! We'll be sharing more highlights of the visit over the coming days. Until then, thank you to ! A photo posted by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Dec 4, 2016 at 2:26pm PST Watch: Sister of Prince Harry's Rumored Girlfriend Says She Should Help Bankrupt Dad: 'Charity Begins at Home' Story continues Related Articles: Meghan Markle hasnt spoken publicly about her relationship with Prince Harry, but shes found other ways to declare her feelings for him. The actress was recently spotted flower shopping in Toronto, wearing a gold necklace bearing the letters M and H, which happen to be first initials of the couple. The personalized $240 Maya Brenner Asymmetrical Letter Necklace, which the Suits star has in 14-karat gold, features asymmetrical mini letters and charms soldered onto a delicate 16-inch cable chain. Actress Meghan Markle was recently spotted flower shopping in Toronto. (Photo: Splash News) Mila Kunis, January Jones, Gwen Stefani, and Emma Roberts all have similar pieces from the Los Angeles-based jeweler. This has always been one of my favorite pieces, Brenner said. Its whimsical, meaningful, and a perfect everyday necklace! This isnt the first accessory Markle has used to mark the relationship Prince Harry and the actress have also both been spotted wearing matching beaded bracelets. The jewelry can be seen in a number of images posted to Markles Instagram account. #TBT to my solo trip to @sfhmembers #treatyourself #UK #sohohouse #farmhouse A photo posted by Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) on Oct 20, 2016 at 6:27pm PDT Panda. Panda. Panda panda panda. ???? A photo posted by Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) on Oct 23, 2016 at 11:40am PDT Their relationship has been met with intense media coverage ever since Kensington Palace issued a statement pleading with the public to respect the couples privacy, as Markle has been subjected to a wave of abuse and harassment. Since then, Markle has reportedly taken time off from shooting her USA series, Suits. Prince Harry recently took a detour to see the actress in Toronto on his way back home to Britain after his 15-day tour of the Caribbean, according to The Sun. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Even when her boyfriend, Prince Harry, is away, Meghan Markle keeps him close to her heart! The 35-year-old Suits star stepped out in Toronto, Canada, on Saturday wearing a gold, personalized necklace with the letters M and H on it. Prince Harry, 32, was on a 15-day tour of the Caribbean on behalf of Queen Elizabeth, but made a major detour to see Markle on his way back to Britain. The prince is said to have spent the day with the American actress at her home on Sunday. The jewelry is a Maya Brenner Asymmetrical Letter Necklace in 14K gold. It is available in yellow, rose or white gold and retails for about $240 ($60 for additional letters). Coded jewelry seems to be a common theme in their relationship. The couple regularly wear matching beaded bracelets. Although it was originally thought that Harry would immediately head back to Britain where he has an official engagement on Wednesday he instead flew straight to Markle. Want to keep up with the latest royals coverage? Click here to subscribe to the Royals Newsletter. A friend of the actress recently told PEOPLE that she is head over heels for Harry. And as he was on his way to see her, Meghan cheekily displayed her colors when she shared a photo of her dog wearing a sweater decorated with the British flag. On Wednesday, Harry will be helping out in the financial center of London as he attends the ICAP fundraising day, which will partly be donating cash to Sentebale, Harrys charity that helps young people living with HIV in Southern Africa. A telling accessory! Meghan Markle stepped out in Toronto, Canada on Monday while visiting a flower shop. But it wasn't the colorful blossoms that got everyone talking. WATCH: Prince Harry Visits Meghan Markle in Toronto Following Caribbean Royal Tour The Suits star, 35, wore a gold necklace with a tiny H and tiny M on it, which fans took to represent Harry and Meghan. The Maya Brenner Asymmetrical Letter necklace is 14k gold, and retails for $240 with $60 for each additional letter. Splash News The actress has been dating Prince Harry for several months now, with the royal going public with their romance in November in an unexpected formal statement. ET confirmed that Prince Harry traveled to Toronto briefly to be with Markle after his two-week Royal Tour of the Caribbean. "Harry has been traveling and wanted to make time to see Meghan," a source told E! News. "They wanted their time together to be private." WATCH: Prince Harry Gets Interviewed by Local in Guyana, Says Being a Prince Is 'Good and Bad' The Brit returned to London this week after his Canadian excursion and attended a charity event at Broadgate Circus on Wednesday. For more on their blossoming romance, watch the clip below! Related Articles Essen (Germany) (AFP) - Chancellor Angela Merkel's party Wednesday toughened its stance on immigration and integration, demanding that dual nationality be scrapped for German-born children of foreigners and calling for a partial ban on the Muslim full-face veil. The hardline measures set the party on a collision course with its junior coalition partner Social Democrats (SPD) ahead of elections next year, and underlined the challenges faced by Merkel to rein in the more conservative wing of her party. Merkel herself had on Tuesday voiced her backing for a prohibition against the niqab or burqa "wherever it is legally possible", before the leadership of her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) voted on the issue on Wednesday. The party has also proposed to ease the deportation process for rejected asylum-seekers. But some in her party sought to go further, with the youth wing defying the leadership and winning a vote for a dual nationality rule to be reversed. Allowing dual nationality was a key demand of the SPD during negotiations with Merkel's conservatives after the last elections in 2013 that resulted in a hard-fought deal on teaming up in a left-right government. The move mainly affects Turkish migrants, many of whom had come to Germany in the 1960s and 1970s to work but have stayed on and started families here. Before 2014, their children had to give up either their parents' citizenship or their German one by the age of 23. European Union citizens are already permitted to hold both German citizenship and that of their country of origin. - 'Step backwards' - Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere warned during a heated debate on the dual nationality motion that it would be wrong to tear up a compromise with its governing partner. "We don't want to reverse that," he said, adding that it was also a blow for children of foreign origin at a time when the country is struggling with integration issues. Story continues No other party would back such a motion, warned de Maiziere, whose separate proposal for jihadists to be stripped of their German nationalities was also approved by the congress. But party delegates voted narrowly, with 319 votes in favour and 300 against, to scrap the compromise. The decision quickly drew a rebuke from the SPD, with Justice Minister Heiko Maas saying that reversing the rule "would be a step backwards for integration". SPD vice-chair Aydan Ozoguz accused the CDU of attacking "an important integration success". Given the lack of backing for it from other parties, the measure is unlikely to be ever implemented. Likewise, the call for a partial ban on the burqa is unlikely to become law as it would run into a constitutional legal tangle. But they send a potent signal ahead of the general elections expected next September as the party seeks to win back supporters clawed away by the populist and anti-migrant AfD. In that spirit, the CDU on Wednesday also called for migrants who are due to be deported to be taken into custody a few weeks before their departure rather than a few days ahead. Those who make false identity declarations should have their application for asylum rejected immediately. Deriding the centre-right party's decisions, SPD parliamentary group chief Thomas Oppermann said: "The chancellor asked the party for help (in her re-election bid) and instead got knocked between the legs." Mexico heroin poppy Opium and heroin production in Mexico has expanded significantly over the past several years, and according to data gathered by the US Drug Enforcement Administration, that increased supply has flooded the US market. Heroin from each of the world's source areas Mexico, South America, Southwest Asia, and Southeast Asia can be found in the US. But, the DEA writes in its 2016 National Drug Threat Assessment, "analysis of DEA heroin indicator programs data, production and cultivation estimates, and seizure data indicates Mexico is the predominant source of heroin in the United States." South America, where heroin production is concentrated in Colombia, is the second-most-common source of heroin found in the US. Heroin produced in Southwest Asia can be found in some parts of the US, but it mainly supplies Africa, Asia, and Europe. Southeast Asian heroin, produced mainly in the Golden Triangle area that includes parts of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, has not typically been found in the US, and while production in Myanmar has picked up, it remains below 2000 levels. "Mexico and, to a lesser extent, Colombia dominate the U.S. heroin market because of their proximity, established transportation and distribution infrastructure, and ability to satisfy heroin demand in the United States," the DEA reports. Heroin drug threat DEA report The DEA's 2015 report found that Mexican organizations were supplying about 50% of heroin seized in the US in 2012. The 2016 version of the report finds that Mexican organizations had expanded their market share to nearly 80% in 2014, whittling away the shares of South American and Southwest Asian producers. Opium and other synthetic drugs like methamphetamine are largely produced in western Mexico, in remote areas removed from state control. Guerrero state, on Mexico's southwest coast, is the country's major opium producer and its most violent state. Story continues In Sinaloa state, farther up the west coast, opium is a major crop in the region's Golden Triangle area, which spans Sinaloa, Durango, and Chihuahua states. More recently, the Sinaloa cartel, based in the state, has significantly expanded its synthetic-drug production. In 2014, 47 synthetic-drug labs were discovered in Sinaloa, followed by 80 in 2015. Through mid-October 2015, authorities had found 55 such labs. Heroin produced in Latin America also outstripped Southwest Asian heroin in purity at both the wholesale and retail levels, likely because the long distance Southwest Asian heroin travels means more people have the opportunity to distribute and dilute it. The distance Southwest Asian heroin has to travel also means it hasn't arrived in the US in quantities sufficient to challenge Latin American distribution, the DEA notes. Heroin in the US DEA report The DEA's Heroin Signature Program has also seen a rising proportion of Mexican heroin since 2003, accounting for 79% of the total weight analyzed by the HSP in 2014. The heroin market's supply routes have also undergone a shift with the rise of the Mexican version of the drug. In the 1990s and early 2000s, most of the heroin seized came from commercial air routes, which were typically used by traffickers coming from South America. In fiscal year 2008, 47% of Customs and Border Protection's seized heroin had moved by air, and 49% had moved by land. By fiscal year 2015, that balance had shifted dramatically: 19% of CBP-seized heroin had moved by air, while 81% had been transported on land. The Southwest Border region has seen the heaviest heroin-smuggling activity, recording a 352% increase between fiscal year 2008 and fiscal year 2015, from 559 kilograms to 2,524 kilograms. Heroin is usually carried in private vehicles, typically coming through California. US southwest border heroin seizures DEA report "In 2015, nearly half of all United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) heroin seizures at the Southwest Border (2,120 kilograms) were seized in the San Diego Corridor (1,048 kilograms)," the DEA reports. "Seizures in the San Diego Corridor more than quadrupled since 2010 (229 kilograms)." Despite the rise of Mexican-produced heroin, the US market for the drug retains a geographical divide. East of the Mississippi River, where there is a large user base in the Northeast and Midwest, heroin produced in South America and heroin of indeterminate origins but produced with South American methods is most common. DEA analysis found that 96.9% of samples that were of Mexican origin had been recovered in areas west of the Mississippi River. Black tar heroin Mexico US drugs free base This divide has also traditionally been reflected in the composition of the heroin itself. Eastern US markets have typically been supplied with white-powder heroin, which is made by South American traffickers. In the western US, brown-powder or black-tar heroin produced in Mexico has been most common. But as Mexican producers have tried to expand their control of the US market, brown-tar/black-tar heroin has begun appearing in eastern markets. Producers in Mexico have also started churning out white-powder heroin, using either Mexican or Colombian poppies and manufactured with either Colombian methods or a combination of Colombian and Mexican methods. This white-powder heroin has begun appearing in the western US, likely in part because of the area's growing status as a transit area for Mexican-produced heroin and because of Mexican producers' efforts to grow their market share in the region, where users might be more amenable to white-powder heroin. The DEA reports that Mexican traffickers may be pursuing people the western US who abuse controlled prescription drugs by making and distributing "counterfeit prescription opioid pills which contain heroin instead of opioid painkillers," as white-powder heroin offers "a more natural transition" than black-tar heroin. The most common iteration of this is counterfeit OxyContin pills. In addition to hooking new heroin customers, counterfeit prescription pills are a lucrative enterprise, the DEA notes, as the number of abusers of such medications is about 10 times larger than the number of heroin abusers, and such pills can be filled with cheap drugs but command premiums. tennessee fentanyl percocet How much and what kind of heroin these pills contain is often unknown, however, which can make them very dangerous, especially if that heroin contains fentanyl or other potent additives. According to the DEA, "Mexican organizations are now the most prominent wholesale-level heroin traffickers in the DEA Chicago, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC [field division areas of responsibility], and have greatly expanded their presence in the New York City area." Philadelphia in particular has seen a considerable increase in heroin use and deaths related to the drug. Through the beginning of December this year, the city was on pace for 900 drug-related overdose deaths, 30% more than last year and more than triple the city's homicide rate. Mexico's Sinaloa cartel is suspected of pushing high-quality heroin into the Philadelphia market in order to expand its presence there. Prescription-drug abusers have made up a large percentage of new heroin users in recent years. The 2014 National Survey of Drug Use and Health found there was a 139% increase in heroin use by prescription opioid abusers between 2002-2004 and 2011-2013. The 2014 NSDUH also found that the number of heroin users reporting current use that is, use in the past month increased 184% between 2007 and 2014, including a 51% increase in the last year. The number of new heroin users also doubled between 2007 and 2014, from 106,000 to 212,000. US heroin users DEA report Nine of the DEA's field divisions ranked heroin as the biggest drug threat in 2015, and nine other field divisions considered it the second-biggest threat. The 2016 National Drug Threat Survey recorded 45% of respondents saying heroin was the greatest drug threat, more than any other drug and a number that has grown from 8% in 2007. "Heroin use and availability are likely to continue to increase in the near term," the report states. Drug-poisoning deaths involving heroin have risen from about 2,000 in 1999 to more than 10,000 in 2014, seeing a 248% increase between 2010 and 2014. "Heroin overdose deaths will continue at high levels in the near term. The factors contributing to these deaths (ready availability of high-purity, low-cost heroin and a large influx of new users) continue to occur," the report concludes, though it notes that the growing prevalence of naloxone, an overdose antidote, may help mitigate those deaths. NOW WATCH: This 'heroin cave' could help addicts kick the habit More From Business Insider Donald Trumps stunning electoral victory could very well transform the United States economic relations with the rest of the world. Perhaps the most dramatic changes will be felt by Mexico. During his election campaign, Trump proposed building a massive border wall, deporting millions of undocumented Mexican workers, renegotiating NAFTA, and imposing high tariffs of up to 35 percent on Mexican exports to the United States. The wall may never be built because environmental groups will tie up the process in the courts. Large-scale deportations are also unlikely, given their cost and the likely vigorous litigation by advocacy groups. In time, any tariffs the new administration imposes on Mexican exports to the U.S. will probably be overturned by the World Trade Organization assuming Trump doesnt act on his threat to withdraw from this body as well. In the short term, however, there is little to stop the Trump administration from renegotiating or abrogating NAFTA and imposing crippling trade restrictions on Mexico. Mexicos ability to cope with the resulting shocks will largely depend whether it can implement urgently needed structural reforms. Unfortunately, the evidence to date suggests that progress has been minimal and is likely to remain so unless the country first addresses its problematic governance, particularly in the areas of corruption and rule of law. At the start of his administration four years ago, President Enrique Pena Nieto announced an impressive set of reforms that aimed, among other things, to improve education and introduce competition into the telecommunications and oil sectors. The hope was that success in these areas would create the foundation for a virtuous circle, in which rising public trust and improved efficiency would boost economic growth and create momentum for additional reforms. To date, however, only the telecommunications reforms have been successfully implemented. The other efforts have stalled, and Pena Nietos disapproval rating has risen to 66 percent, the highest recorded for any Mexican president. This has much to do with allegations of widespread corruption in both his administration and his ruling PRI party. Public trust in the Pena Nieto government has been undermined by a series of scandals. The first was its gross mishandling of the disappearance of 43 students at the hands of corrupt police in the state of Guerrero in September 2014. Next, there was a corruption scandal involving a conflict of interest when the first lady, Angelica Rivera, and Finance Minister Luis Videgaray received favors from a company bidding on government contracts. Most recently, the government has been rocked by links between organized crime and the former governor of Veracruz, Javier Duarte, a PRI member. Two other outgoing PRI governors are facing fraud charges. While the Pena Nieto administration recently announced new reforms aimed at curbing corruption, the World Banks Governance Indicators show that since he assumed office, Mexicos ranking on the world corruption index has declined considerably. Although Mexicos ranking on the global rule of law index has improved incrementally over this period, the country still lags Brazil by a wide margin. With worsening corruption and sub-standard rule of law, Mexicos inadequate governance structures have undermined its reform efforts. Education reforms are a case in point. In 2012, Mexicos educational system ranked a dismal 53rd out of the 65 OECD members though it spends more on education per capita than anyone else in the group. To address this deficiency, in 2013, Pena Nieto introduced reforms designed to curb corruption, establish teaching standards, and require teacher competency tests, which teachers would have three tries to pass before being removed from the classroom. As of July 2015, only about 80 percent of the countrys public school teachers had taken the exam for the first time, and 46.8 percent failed. Furthermore, a 2015 report by the Mexican Federal Auditors Office revealed teachers unions and local authorities had misappropriated nearly $700 million from the educational sector. The audits also revealed that 1,906 ghost schools were receiving federal funds to pay non-existent teachers. The education reforms have prompted a series of strikes by teachers and students, who claim that teaching standards and competency exams infringe on labor rights. When the strikes turned violent, the government, which had steadfastly refused to compromise, entered into discussions with the national teachers union, and rollbacks of the reform efforts are widely anticipated. The education fiasco can be directly linked to publics lack of trust in the government. This gave the teachers union an opportunity to mobilize against the reforms. Unfortunately, failure in this area will hinder Mexicos transition to higher value-added exports, as these products require workers with higher levels of technical training. Until Mexicos educational system is capable of producing these critical inputs on a large scale, the countrys ability to shift from the U.S. market to participate in rapidly growing Asia-Pacific markets will be very limited. Nor are Pena Nietos energy reforms living up to early expectations. The reforms were supposed to effectively end the 75-year monopoly of the state oil company, Pemex, over the domestic oil and gas sector. For the first time since the 1930s, nearly all levels of the energy production sector would be open to both domestic and foreign private investment. The idea was to attract enough funds to facilitate a much-needed expansion in production and revenues, which cover a large percentage of Mexicos government expenditures. While it was hoped that exposing Pemex to competition would force the company to become less corrupt, more efficient, and increasingly transparent, this doesnt seem to have occurred. In fact, accusations against management wrongdoing are on the rise. Pemex has also made scant progress in dealing with its red tape and limited productivity. The 2014 oil price collapse, which curbed hoped-for private investment, hasnt helped. As a result, international firms showed little interest in the initial bidding rounds for exploration acreage. In subsequent rounds, the government has offered more attractive terms, and international firms have appeared to be more receptive. But many remain leery of committing to the Mexican energy sector because of the high reputational risk posed by collaboration with Pemex, whose poor ethical standards give it low standing within the industry. Given these concerns, despite the recent successful bidding round, the private sectors ability to meaningfully increase Mexicos oil production is at least five to ten years away. Delays in energy reform will prolong government revenue shortfalls, thus slowing down infrastructure investment that is needed to increase the countrys competitiveness in external markets. In retrospect, the government made a mistake by viewing reforms as a quick fix that could be introduced without first addressing Mexicos underlying governance problems. The country has no choice but to reduce corruption and improve rule of law if it wishes to escape the middle income trap, a stage of development in which countries that lack a solid institutional foundation face diminishing returns on investment and slowing economic growth. Signs of the trap are apparent in the low growth rates that have plagued Pena Nietos time in office. In the October 2016, the IMF lowered its 2016 GDP growth forecast for Mexico to 2.4 percent from the 2.6 percent predicted the previous January. In August 2016, following an earlier downgrade by Moodys, S&P Global Ratings revised Mexicos outlook from stable to negative. S&P warned the country had a one-in-three chance of a rating cut within the next two years due to substandard growth and rising sovereign borrowings, which it attributed to weak governance, corruption, and a rebound in organized crime and violence. Mexicos best and perhaps only hope for coping with the threat of intensified U.S. protectionism under a Trump administration is to speed up governance reform. As matters now stand, inefficiencies associated with corruption and patronage add to the cost of many Mexican exports. By addressing these problems, Mexico would gain the flexibility it needs to complete in non-U.S. markets while creating the institutional foundation to allow the country to move to the next stage of development irrespective of possible U.S. actions. Photo credit: PEDRO PARDO/AFP/Getty Images "Take comfort," was filmmaker Michael Moore's message to Democrats when speaking to CNN's Van Jones on Tuesday night. "I think Democrats, people that voted for Hillary, first of all: feel good about the fact that the majority of Americans did not want Donald J. Trump as their president," Moore said, referring to her victory in the popular vote but loss with the electoral vote. "Take some comfort that your fellow Americans are with you." Moore appeared on the CNN special, The Messy Truth with Van Jones, which also featured interviews with American voters as well as former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum and commentator Ana Navarro. Read more: Van Jones Says Trump Is "Much Worse" Than People Think But His Voters Are "Much Better" The CNN pundit fielded questions from Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump voters, while interviewing his guests in an open forum, as he found it often "nearly impossible" to talk to "the other side." "I think both political parties need to take a good long look in the mirror because right now, they both kind of suck," Jones said introducing the show. "Let's just be honest." Identifying himself as a strong Democrat, Jones said that he thought "elitism" may have cost party the election. On Republicans, he said that the party's problem was "some bigotry and some bias, including some actually scary white supremacists have found a home in their party" and the party won't "confront it in a serious way." In Moore's interview, the filmmaker told Jones that he saw Trump's victory a mile away and he tried to set up a meeting with Democratic leaders this summer "when I knew that this was happening." "I live in Michigan. I don't live in the bubble," said the Michael Moore in TrumpLand filmmaker. In the rust belt, according to Moore, people "saw Trump as their human Molotov cocktail that they wanted to throw into the system and blow it up." Story continues Moore broke down Trump's appeal as such: "It's why I think a lot of people were drawn to Trump, because he seems like that kind of guy who's going to do something, and he understands the importance of the perception, and he understands how quickly he can change the perception too because he changes himself, you know, every other day." Calling himself "an angry white guy with a high school education," he asked Jones that, though he understands why "people I grew up with" in the Midwest voted for Trump, he wondered why people would vote for someone who says "things that are hateful, who ridicules the disabled, who says racist things." Jones answered that "hurt people holler" and when people are backed up against a wall, they do things people "can't understand." Moore agreed: "Many Americans have suffered over the last 20 years, and politicians have not helped them, so they're angry." A Trump voter spoke with Moore about why he and his co-workers voted for Trump, because he's "done more" for them than any other politician has lately, an idea Moore argued against. "He has an ideology that he believes in, and it's called Donald J. Trump. That's what he's going to make sure that he's gonna take care of," Moore said. "I don't think he's going to do anything for you, the working person." Read more: Michael Moore Talks Surprise 'TrumpLand' Film: "Look for the Good in Hillary Clinton" Moore CNN Filmmaker Michael Moore called President-elect Donald Trump a "malignant narcissist" during a CNN town-hall program on Tuesday night. Moore was a guest on "The Messy Truth," a program hosted by CNN commentator Van Jones that covered the state of US politics after the presidential election. During a segment on jobs and the economy, an audience member expressed gratitude for Trump's apparent moves to cut deals with companies ostensibly to protect American jobs. The man said, "No other politician in my lifetime has ever brought this issue to the forefront, and the fact of the matter is we do get screwed on trade." Moore responded to the man: "And when [Trump] doesn't follow through, when he doesn't get rid of NAFTA, when you're still screwed in Michigan five months from now, two years from now where are you gonna be then on this issue?" Jones interrupted, challenging Moore's assertion that Trump would not follow through on some campaign promises. Moore replied: "There's nothing in his behavior. The man is, first of all, a malignant narcissist, and he's only about himself, folks. And you're about to see that happen." Groans could be heard off-camera. The audience member got the last word: "You could say the same about Hillary Clinton." Watch the exchange here: NOW WATCH: Michael Moore tried to warn us that Trumps chances of winning were much better than people thought More From Business Insider Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f310752%2fmichelle-obama While our eyes were glued to the television on election night, First Lady Michelle Obama had other plans. "I went to bed," she told People in a joint interview with her husband President Barack Obama. "I don't watch debates. I don't like to watch the political discourse. I never have. I barely did with him [Barack]." SEE ALSO: Michelle Obama doesn't want to run for president, and yet we continue to ask her She continued: "Once you do what you can do, then you rest easy. It was in the hands of the American people." The Obamas were vocal supporters of Hillary Clinton's run for president. At the Democratic National Convention in July, the First Lady gave a heartening speech in which she coined her election season motto: "When they go low, we go high." In her interview with People, she told the magazine that she and Barack would work with Donald Trump's administration to prepare for the coming transition. "We are ready to work with the next administration and make sure they are as successful as they can be, because that's what's best for this country," she said. BONUS: Michelle Obama rocked out with James Corden and Missy Elliott (Reuters) - A military doctor treating former U.S. intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning while she serves a prison sentence for espionage denied her request to have her female gender reflected in her military records, according to a court filing. The decision further stymies Manning's attempts to be treated as a woman while imprisoned at the Fort Leavenworth military prison in Kansas, said the document filed on Monday in federal court in Washington in relation to on ongoing lawsuit. Manning has been the focus of an international debate over government secrecy since she provided more than 700,000 documents, videos, diplomatic cables and battlefield accounts to the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks. The filing said Manning asked her military medical provider, Dr. Ellen Galloway, to recommend the change in her military records since she has "achieved stability in her female gender." Her attorneys said Galloway denied the request, effectively precluding her from having her female gender noted in her records. The filing did not explain why Manning's request was refused. A representative for the U.S. Department of Justice declined by email to comment when reached on Tuesday. Manning, who petitioned President Barack Obama last month to commute her 35-year sentence to time already served, filed the lawsuit seeking better medical care for her gender dysphoria, including the ability to follow female grooming standards. Gender dysphoria is a condition of potentially severe distress or anxiety that some transgender people experience. Manning said she was confronting gender dysphoria at the time of the leaks while deployed in Iraq. She said she released the files in the interests of transparency and accountability. Manning attempted suicide on Oct. 4 at the start of a stay in solitary confinement, under which she was placed after an earlier suicide attempt in July. Her defense team said the attempts were prompted by her receiving inadequate treatment for her gender dysphoria. (Reporting by Curtis Skinner in San Francisco; Editing by Peter Cooney) A missing Oregon boys former stepmom, who has spent years under a spotlight in his disappearance, is set to appear in court on an unrelated gun charge. But shes innocent, she tells PEOPLE exclusively. Im not guilty, Terri Horman says. I dont steal things. Horman was charged with a misdemeanor last year after allegedly stealing a gun, according to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE. She is scheduled to appear in court next week for failing to appear on the original charge, according to KGW and OregonLive. Horman allegedly stole her roommates gun from their home in Marysville, California, according to OregonLive, and she was arrested for speeding in July. Thats when authorities discovered her arrest warrant for failure to appear in court, at which point she was booked into the Yuba County, California, jail and then made bail, according to the site. While Horman says shes innocent, a Yuba County sheriffs spokeswoman alleged to OregonLive, She did indeed have the firearm, Horman who was charged in Yuba County under her maiden name, Terri Moulton has for years faced scrutiny after her then-stepson Kyron, 7, went missing the day Horman dropped him off at his elementary school in Portland, Oregon, on June 4, 2010. (Horman and Kyrons father later divorced.) 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. She has never been charged in Kyrons case or named as a suspect, and no arrests have been made. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing. But Horman drew attention in part because she never spoke publicly about the disappearance. Then, earlier this year, she sat down with PEOPLE and told her side of the story for the first time since Kyron vanished. No one is looking for him anymore, she said. She said she did not harm or kill Kyron and had no idea what happened to him or where he is. She has tried to escape a group of haters who pursue her in connection with the case, she told PEOPLE at the time. Story continues Since her interview, Horman moved to an undisclosed location in California and tried to keep a low profile until this latest legal dust-up. Pick up PEOPLEs special edition True Crime Stories: Cases That Shocked America, on sale now, for the latest on Casey Anthony, JonBenet Ramsey and more. Theres this cloud over my head for something I havent done that keeps following me, Horman tells PEOPLE. (For his part, Kyrons father told PEOPLE after Hormans first interview that he hoped Ms. Horman will now cooperate with law enforcement to provide additional information that might lead to the discovery of Kyron.) She is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Dec. 16. The Yuba County District Attorneys office did not comment on her charges. The Yuba sheriffs office declined to comment. A judge declared a mistrial Monday after a jury deadlocked in the murder trial of a white police officer who shot and killed an unarmed black motorist. Panelists told South Carolina Circuit Judge Clifton Newman they were hopelessly deadlocked after deliberating more than 22 hours in the highly publicized case. Read: Police Dash Cam Footage of Walter Scott Shooting Released Former North Charleston patrolman Michael Slager was charged with murder in the April 2015 shooting of Walter Scott, who was struck five times in the back as he ran from Slager. The ex-cop fired eight rounds at Scott, 50, who ran after Slager pulled him over for a broken tail light. A bystander caught the encounter on video, which promptly went viral amid other footage of unarmed black men being fired upon by police. Slager was fired from the department and charged with murder. Scotts family said he may have run from the Slager because he feared going to jail for $18,000 in outstanding child support. His mother, Judy Scott, said afterwards, Im not sad because I know justice will be served, CBS News reported. Read: Man Who Filmed Walter Scott Shooting Considered Fleeing Town His brother, Anthony, said, Were not going to tear up this city. Were not happy. But were not sad. Slager, 35, testified last week that he chased Scott on foot, and the two scuffled over his taser. He said he opened fire out of fear for his life. The jury, comprised of one black and twelve whites, had deliberated over four days. Members had sent a note Friday saying one juror was unwilling to convict Slager. But on Monday, the jurors sent another note to the judge saying most of them were now undecided. Scotts family said outside court Monday they have been told the case will be re-tried. Watch: New Body Cam Video Shows 6-Year-Old Boy with Autism Being Fatally Shot By Police Related Articles: Modern medicine and C-sections are affecting human evolution in a very interesting way Technology and modern medicine has brought us a long way in the last hundred years. So many diseases that used to be life threatening can now be cured. Womens health has come leaps and bounds as well. In fact, according to scientists, Cesarian births are affecting human evolution. Thanks to modern medicine and birth techniques, women who might not have had successful pregnancies back in the day celebrate happy, healthy bundles of joy. Its a bit grim, but many women would not have survived birth one hundred years ago. But now, with all the medical help we have, those women are having beautiful families and passing on their genes, which are altering the human gene pool. Women with narrow pelvises often have trouble giving birth, because the baby doesnt fit down the birth canal. Today, that condition can be solved with surgery. The specific name for that kind of narrow pelvis is fetopelvic disproportion, and its becoming more common, leading doctors to ask why. In 1960, roughly 30 in 1,000 women (3%) were reported having a narrow pelvis. Today, that number has grown to 36 in 1,000 women (3.6%). The reason for the increased numbers is kinda morbid, but interesting. Dr. Philipp Mitteroecker, of the department of theoretical biology at the University of Vienna, said to the BBC, Without modern medical intervention such problems often were lethal and this is, from an evolutionary perspective, selection. Women with a very narrow pelvis would not have survived birth 100 years ago. They do now and pass on their genes encoding for a narrow pelvis to their daughters. Yikes, we dont really want to think about how often women in history died in childbirth. But its interesting that a simple surgical solution means that the genes for small pelvises are more common now than they were before. Scientists note that, while interesting, we shouldnt worry about the trend toward C-sections getting out of hand. Dr. Mitteroecker admits that the trend toward more C-sections may continue, but he doesnt think we will get to the point where a majority of babies are born via C-section. Dr. Mitteroecker also noted that there are more troubling pregnancy statistics that could cause an evolutionary change. The increase in obesity rates and the increase in mothers with diabetes could present concern from an evolutionary standpoint. Story continues Still its sobering to know how much small changes can affect humanity as a whole. Nevertheless, were grateful to modern science for making childbirth much less dangerous than it used to be. The post Modern medicine and C-sections are affecting human evolution in a very interesting way appeared first on HelloGiggles. This mom shared her pride for her postpartum body on Instagram, and it is so important Now more than ever, its important that we have body positivity on our social media and in real life. For many of us, social media can either be a place of great inspiration or a triggering mess. Thats why its so important that one mother is getting real about her postpartum body and all that it is capable of on Instagram, and it absolutely something that we all need to take note of. As a mother of four, Brittany Craigs postpartum body has endured a lot. But instead of feeling ashamed, shes proud of what her body has done, and she is sharing beautiful, unfiltered images of her postpartum body on social media. On Instagram, she is pictured holding her newborn son, Kain, a week after his birth, belly stretch marks exposed. A photo posted by Britt (@brittcraig) on Nov 29, 2016 at 11:01pm PST Craigs caption reads: I am beyond proud of what my body has endured and accomplished in the last 10 years! My body has grown and housed 4 human beings 3 of them being over 9 lbs, and somehow delivered them into this world. Minus a few rips and tears, hernias, hemorrhoids and stretch marks, my body has done the most miraculous things! Craig explained to the Huffington Post that accepting your new body is a journey: Learning to adjust, accept and most importantly embrace your new body takes time and support something not every woman has! A photo posted by Britt (@brittcraig) on Nov 24, 2016 at 8:33pm PST She also spoke to HuffPo about the realistic attitude women need to adopt in the face of a body-shaming media: After giving birth everything is out of whack!Your body is an ooey gooey mess. Your hormones are all over the place. It took 10 months for that to happen, and it should take at least 10 for it to go back! Whether youre a parent or not, we could all use a reminder of how important it is to feel proud of the things our bodies have accomplished. We commend Craig for being brave enough to share her story on Instagram, and give us courage to do the same as well. The post This mom shared her pride for her postpartum body on Instagram, and it is so important appeared first on HelloGiggles. * Bank needs to raise 5 billion euros to stay in business * Bank says has asked ECB to extend deadline until Jan 20 * State recapitalisation seen likely after Renzi's resignation (Recasts lead, adds sources) By Silvia Aloisi and Stephen Jewkes MILAN, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Italy's third biggest bank, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, has asked the European Central Bank for more time to wrap up a 5 billion euro ($5.4 billion) rescue plan that was thrown into doubt by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's defeat in a referendum at the weekend. The bank, the world's oldest, has asked the ECB to give it until January 20 to do the deal, from a previous year-end deadline, it said in a statement on Wednesday. The ECB could consider the request at a meeting of its supervisory board as early as Thursday. The meeting will discuss the situation at Monte dei Paschi, a source familiar with the matter said. Renzi's bruising defeat in Sunday's referendum on constitutional reform has cast a pall over the bank's privately backed recapitalisation plan as investors are reluctant to commit money until the political situation becomes clear. That has raised the prospect of a partial nationalisation of the bank, with sources telling Reuters on Tuesday that the Rome government could take a 2 billion euro controlling stake in the Tuscan lender. Italy must come up with a solution quickly to avoid the crisis at Monte dei Paschi spreading to the wider banking sector, but the power vacuum created by Sunday's vote is not helping. Renzi resigned on Wednesday, and a new government is expected to be appointed in coming days, but most parliamentary factions are pushing for an early election in a few months' time. Monte dei Paschi needs to raise 5 billion euros to avoid being wound down, having been rated the weakest lender in European stress tests this summer. It had planned to do so through a debt swap conversion that has raised just over 1 billion euros, a private placement with one or more anchor investors and a share sale that was due to start on Wednesday. Story continues But the political upheaval following the referendum has all but dashed the bank's hopes to pull off the deal without state aid, bankers say. Potential investors, including Qatar Investment Authority that had been considering injecting 1 billion euros or more in the lender, want to see what kind of government will succeed Renzi and whether early elections are on the cards before committing to back the deal, sources say. As hopes that the private-backed cash call will succeed fade, the government is readying a decree that would allow it to pump 2 billion euros into the lender by buying subordinated bonds held by retail investors, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Tuesday. The government hopes an injection of state capital could help persuade private investors to stump up another 2 billion which, with 1 billion euros already available from a bond swap agreed with institutional names, would fill the 5 billion euros capital shortfall. According to one person familiar with the matter, investment banks that must decide whether to go ahead with the private rescue deal, orchestrated by JPMorgan and Mediobanca , will make up their mind by Friday. A source close to a U.S. private equity fund said on Wednesday it would be interested in putting money in the lender if the Italian government also injected cash and offered some guarantees for its investment. "Now that the Italian state seems to be getting involved and the amount to be raised (on the market) is much smaller, there might be a good deal for us," the source said, adding however that certain conditions still needed to be met. The government is already the bank's single largest shareholder with a 4 percent share. ($1 = 0.9291 euros) (additional reporting by Francesco Canepa in Frankfurt and Pamela Barbaglia in London, writing by Stephen Jewkes; Editing by Adrian Croft) Even Charlie Brown couldn't have picked a worse Christmas tree. Montreal's towering tree has taken social media by storm and not in a good way. Read: How About Hat? 'Make America Great Again' Ornament Receiving Politically Charged Amazon Reviews The 88-foot-tall balsam fir was erected in the French-speaking city's annual holiday market, held at the Place des Arts. The tree, illuminated by a string of lights measuring more than 6 miles long, was meant to give the one in New York City's Rockefeller Center a run for its money. But the result was underwhelming to say the least. Montreal's Christmas tree looks like it was just released from Xmas tree rehab and needs any spare change you might have for a bus ride home pic.twitter.com/DbcHdy28M6 zak (@zaktebbal) December 6, 2016 The #Montreal #ChristmasTree is like the person you take home after last call. Looks OK when it's dark & you're drunk, but come morning... DW (@ZombiApocolypse) December 7, 2016 The tree even appears lopsided in some photos. nothing like a nice flat top christmas tree in montreal's artistic area. give is character.. #thetophattree pic.twitter.com/i4hoyB8RT6 Bagel Boinker (@rickyfranc0) December 6, 2016 Read: Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas is You' is No Longer the Most-Played Christmas Song The cringeworthy tree now also has its own Twitter account, @SapinLaid, which translates to "ugly fir." One tweet reads: "I'm proof Montreal is tolerant." Je suis la preuve que Montreal est une ville tolerante #TLMEP #KissMeImUgly Sapin de Montreal (@SapinLaid) December 5, 2016 Although the man responsible for the tree, Philippe Pelletier, has been personally dragged into the firestorm, he told InsideEdition.com he is surprised by the negative reaction. "We didn't expect that much controversy about a Christmas tree," Pelletier laughed. "What we realized [was] people don't really like when something is out of the box." Pelletier, founder of local Christmas tree business Sapin MTL, explained that when they were invited to participate in the city's holiday display, they wanted to do something big to attract attention. While he admits they originally wanted to compete with the iconic Rockefeller Center tree in New York, "What we wanted to present was a totally natural Quebec Christmas tree, without putting more branches and diamonds inside." Read: Thief Takes Page From the Grinch's Playbook, Steals Family's Christmas Tree in Broad Daylight He said the entire display was up within 72 hours. "We didn't have a month like New York," Pelletier added. Locals are also holding Montreal's town mayor, Denis Coderre, and Canadian Tire, which is sponsoring the tree, responsible. Watch: These Kids Are About to Find Out They Have a New Adopted Brother Under the Christmas Tree Related Articles: RABAT (Reuters) - Four African migrants drowned and 34 were rescued after their boat sank in the Mediterranean on Wednesday, Moroccan authorities said. The Mediterranean between Morocco and Spain was a major route around 10 years ago for migrants from Africa trying to reach Europe, but numbers fell after the two kingdoms tightened control. Moroccan authorities said the group was on an inflatable boat off the northern city of Al-Hoceima, a statement carried by state news agency MAP said. It was unclear if the boat was heading to Spain or to one of the Spanish enclaves, Ceuta and Melilla, on the Moroccan coast. Morocco said an investigation was still underway. Hundreds of African migrants try regularly to enter the two enclaves either by swimming along the coast or climbing the triple walls that separate them from Morocco. In 2015, 3,845 migrants entered Spain via sea crossings, according to the International Organization for Migration, a tiny fraction of the 956,000 that reached the rest of Europe the same way. (Reporting By Aziz El Yaakoubi Editing by Jeremy Gaunt) By Michael Georgy ABOARD THE CHARLES DE GAULLE (Reuters) - The offensive against Islamic State in Mosul could take two more months, and even if the group is defeated there it will still pose a threat to Iraq and the West, the commander of the U.S.-led coalition fighting against it said. U.S. Lieutenant-General Stephen Townsend said Iraqi forces had made significant progress since the ultra-hardline militants rampaged through the north of the country in 2014 and then declared a caliphate that also straddled parts of Syria. "I think they are going to be working on Mosul for a number of weeks more, maybe a couple of months more probably," Townsend told Reuters in an interview aboard the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle during a visit with senior military officers. The U.S.-led Operation Inherent Resolve coalition, which includes military forces from a range of Western and Arab countries, has been bombing Islamic State positions in both Syria and Iraq since 2014. It is now providing air support and some ground assistance to the Iraqi assault on Mosul in Iraq, and working with Kurdish and Arab fighters who have made advances against Islamic State in Syria. The Mosul assault, involving a 100,000-strong ground force of Iraqi government troops, members of the autonomous Kurdish security forces and mainly Shi'ite militiamen, is the biggest battle in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion of 2003. The pro-government forces have captured around a quarter of the city so far, but fighting has been slowed by the presence of an estimated 1 million civilians. Townsend said victory in Mosul would not eradicate Islamic State: "I think we are not done when Mosul is over. We are still not done in Iraq. We are still about a third of the Euphrates River valley up to the Syrian border that has to be cleared," he said. "Our partners have to go from Mosul out to the Syrian border in the West and reestablish control of their border. There is still a tough fight ahead even after Mosul." While sooner or later Islamic State fighters would "realise they are going to lose their physical caliphate", he predicted they would adapt their tactics and remain a threat, even after all their territory was reclaimed. "They will have to change what they are doing and become more of a virtual caliphate, I think. Devolve into an insurgency over time. In Iraq and Syria," he said. "They will certainly continue to plot and plan and attempt attacks on the West as long as they exist. In my view the best way we can reduce the threat of external attacks on France or the United States or the West is to kick them out of Mosul, and to kick them out of Raqqa and to chase them into the desert." Iraq's recent history, in which Islamic State formed from the remnants of al Qaeda fighters subdued during eight years of U.S. occupation, shows that defeating one militant group can lead to the emergence of a graver danger. Townsend said this meant coalition countries would have to keep a presence in Iraq. I dont have a crystal ball. I can't predict the future. I do know that they have shown the ability to come back. Al Qaeda in Iraq gave birth to ISIS, Daesh," said Townsend, using two acronyms to refer to Islamic State, also known as ISIL. "SUSTAINABLE PRESENCE" "What we have to do is we have got to play this differently so that ISIS doesnt give birth to the next extremist group that takes over Iraq," said Townsend. "We need to make sure we have a sustainable presence and a partnership in Iraq, the coalition into the future." His view was echoed by French Admiral Olivier Lebas, one of the officers he met aboard the carrier: "It is really important to stay as long as necessary to make sure that we eradicate ISIS. It is a very important phase," Lebas told Reuters. Townsend said the campaign against Islamic State in its Syrian headquarters of Raqqa would be more complex than the Mosul operation and would take more time, in part because the coalition is relying on a smaller local fighting force of Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters rather than the big Iraqi army. At the moment they are conducting an approach march, said Townsend. The aim is to eventually isolate Raqqa, lay siege to it and then attack, he added. "Mosul is hard. Its a big, complex city. The enemy has had two years to dig in and prepare their defences. Mosul would challenge the French army. It would challenge the United States army. Its really tough," said Townsend. "But there is a government in Iraq and there is an army fighting to take back Mosul. In Syria, we are trying to fight Daesh with local partners, adjacent to a civil war, with all sorts of outside influences." (Reporting by Michael Georgy; editing by Peter Graff) Thousands of people came out to the streets of Chennai, India, on December 6 to express their sorrow at the passing of Jayalalithaa, a widely beloved film icon who later became Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Jayalalithaa died of a heart attack on December 5 at age 68, according to reports. She was laid to rest at Chennais Marina Beach, next to the remains of M.G. Ramachandran, another iconic film star turned politician. Credit: Instagram/Archith Seshadri via Storyful A mysterious sea blob that looks like a psychedelic Slinky has finally been spotted, more than a century after it was first described. The translucent, sea-dwelling invertebrate, called Bathochordaeus charon, was identified recently off the coast of Monterey, California, by scientists using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Though B. charon was first discovered a century ago, no one had managed to confirm its existence in all those years, Rob Sherlock, a scientist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute who found the creature, told Live Science in an email. [See Photos of the Translucent Sea Blob] Mysterious sea creature B. charon belongs to a group of sea creatures known as larvaceans normally teensy, millimeter-size creatures whose bodies resemble a tadpole's, with a large "head" (actually a trunk) and a tail, Sherlock said. Though the sea is teeming with tiny larvaceans, the larger versions, which can have bodies extending up to 3.9 inches (10 centimeters), are much less common. To eat, the sea blob filters food through its shimmering, parachute-like mucus "house" almost 3.3 feet (1 m) in length. By waving its tail, it stirs the water and pulls particles directly into its house. Large particles get trapped and form a fine dusting of marine "snow" on the house, while the smaller particles pass through, concentrating and then funneling into a feeding tube that goes into the mouth, Sherlock said. (The tiny larvaceans also don mucus homes, but they're smaller.) If a passing squid or fish crashes through the house, or big particles clog the feeding tube, larvaceans simply move on and build another house. Without their houses, they cannot eat, Sherlock said. First sightings The first report of B. charon's existence came in 1899, when professor Carl Chun of Leipzig University came across one in the south Atlantic Ocean while leading the Valdivia Expedition, a German mission aimed at exploring the deep sea. Chun believed the creature welled up from the deepest depths of the ocean, so he named the larvacean after Charon, who in Greek mythology ferries the souls of the dead across the river Styx, the researchers reported Aug. 16 in the journal Marine Biodiversity Records. Story continues In the decades that followed, several other naturalists reported spotting giant larvaceans, though only a few were captured alive and described thoroughly. In 1936, for instance, British marine biologist Walter Garstang collected a set of giant larvaceans that differed from Chun's, and they were classified as a new species, Bathochordaeus stygius. [Marine Marvels: Spectacular Photos of Sea Creatures] Because the two sets of specimens were similar and Chun's originals were lost to history, scientists eventually began to wonder whether Chun's originally described B. charon was actually the same species as B. stygius. One famous larvacean expert even suggested combining the two species names, Sherlock said. Part of the difficulty in capturing these creatures is that they don't fare well in the trawling nets typically used to collect specimens, Sherlock said. Hiding in plain sight Sherlock and his colleagues happened upon the new species when the team's ROV, called Doc Ricketts, was exploring the waters of Monterey Bay. As soon as they saw it, the crew carefully collected it in a sealed, thermally insulated container. "Since the vehicle was recovered some tens of minutes later, the animal was alive, in fantastic shape, and we preserved it right away in order to send it to the Smithsonian," Sherlock said. "We had no idea, until we looked more closely at the specimen, that we had actually found B. charon, the species first described over a hundred years ago." Genetics and analysis of physical features confirmed the find, Sherlock said. It was official: There really were two distinct species of giant larvacean B. stygius and B. charon. "It felt like Chun had finally been vindicated after years of doubt," Sherlock said. When the team went back over videos from Monterey Bay from the past 25 years, they realized the creature had been spotted many times in the bay. Whether they dwell in places between Monterey Bay and the South Atlantic, however, remains to be seen. Still, this mythical sea blob is fairly rare; over the course of the past few decades, biologists have seen hundreds of B. stygius, but captured footage of only a dozen B. charon individuals, Sherlock said. Original article on Live Science. Editor's Recommendations OXON HILL, Md. (AP) -- The Washington Nationals did make a deal with the Chicago White Sox during their hometown winter meetings, after all, only it was for center fielder Adam Eaton, not lefty Chris Sale. The price of Wednesday's swap still was steep: Washington parted with three young pitchers, including top prospect Lucas Giolito, hard-throwing Reynaldo Lopez - who made the team's postseason roster - and 2016 first-round draft pick Dane Dunning. ''It's never easy to let go of your prospects,'' Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said. ''You feel like a proud daddy when they get to the big leagues.'' The trade came on the last day of the so-called ''hot stove'' sessions outside the nation's capital, allowing Rizzo to avoid leaving empty-handed after failing in a bid to get Sale, who instead went from the White Sox to the Boston Red Sox. ''We discussed (Eaton) and several other players with the White Sox for quite a while now. It did gain momentum after the Sale deal was done,'' Rizzo said. ''It actually came together fairly quickly over the last couple of days.'' Washington's GM also had acknowledged talking with the Pittsburgh Pirates about a deal for center fielder Andrew McCutchen. By putting Eaton in center, the Nationals can move Trea Turner - runner-up for 2016 NL Rookie of the Year - back to his natural position, shortstop. Eaton, who turned 28 on Tuesday, has three guaranteed seasons left in a $23.5 million, five-year contract that calls for him to earn $4 million next year, $6 million in 2018 and $8.4 million in 2019. The deal includes a $9.5 million team option for 2020 with a $1.5 million buyout and, if 2020 is exercised, a 2021 team option for $10.5 million with a $1.5 million buyout. Eaton has a .284 career batting average with a .357 on-base percentage and a .414 slugging percentage, with 34 homers and 177 RBIs in five seasons in the majors with the White Sox and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He led the AL in triples in two of the past three seasons. Story continues ''He's a high-energy guy,'' Rizzo said. ''There's an edge to him.'' Here's the way Nationals manager Dusty Baker described Eaton: ''The only negative I've heard is you have to calm him down a little bit, because he goes 100 percent all the time, which is not a bad way to play this game. ... He's not afraid to get dirty and grimy, greasy, nasty - do everything there is to beat you.'' Last season, Eaton hit .284 with 14 homers, 59 RBIs and 14 stolen bases, while leading the majors with 18 outfield assists. ''We see the arrow still going up with him,'' Rizzo said. As for where Eaton might hit in the lineup - like Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy, he bats left-handed - Baker said: ''That remains to be seen. We do have options to try to break them up.'' For the White Sox - who picked up high-priced third baseman Yoan Moncada, considered by many the top young talent in baseball, along with pitchers Michael Kopech and Victor Diaz, and outfielder Luis Basabe, in the Sale trade - this represents another big step in a significant overhaul after a 78-84 season and fourth-place finish in the AL Central. The 22-year-old Giolito, a first-round pick in the 2012 amateur draft, made his major league debut in June and went 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in six starts for Washington. Lopez, also 22, was 5-3 with a 4.91 ERA in 11 games, including six starts, for the Nationals in 2016. The 21-year-old Dunning was the 29th overall pick this year out of the University of Florida. ''We view all three of them, actually, as having the potential to become front-end-of-the-rotation pitchers,'' White Sox GM Rick Hahn said. ''There's still a fair amount of development with each of them.'' Brussels (AFP) - Damaging EU economic sanctions imposed on Russia over the Ukraine crisis must be kept in place to force Moscow to meet its Minsk ceasefire commitments, NATO head Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday. His comments come as the European Union discusses renewal of the sanctions amid doubts about their effectiveness and cost, and concerns that US President-elect Donald Trump may take a softer line on Russia. "The international community must keep pressure on Russia to respect its obligations, especially (when) the security situation in eastern Ukraine remains so serious," Stoltenberg said after NATO foreign ministers met their Ukrainian counterpart in Brussels. "It's important that the economic sanctions be maintained." The 28-nation European Union -- of which 22 members also belong to NATO -- imposed economic sanctions on Russia after a Malaysian airliner was shot down over rebel-held eastern Ukraine in July 2014. They have been rolled over regularly since then but on several occasions Italy -- which traditionally has close ties with Russia -- has called for a debate before going ahead. EU president Donald Tusk said last month he was confident the sanctions would be approved before an EU leaders summit on December 15 but diplomatic sources told AFP Wednesday that Italy was once again holding up the process. "The Italians want that to happen following a discussion at the summit and a presentation of the position on the ground by (French President Francois) Hollande and (German Chancellor Angela) Merkel," one EU source said. France and Germany brokered a series of accords in the Belarus capital Minsk in late 2014 and 2015 which committed Russia to ending support for the rebels in return for greater autonomy. The West says Russia supplies the rebels with military hardware and assistance, a charge Moscow denies although it says it does support their cause. Stoltenberg said the meeting with Ukraine Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin demonstrated NATO's "unwavering support" for Kiev in the face of "a massive increase in ceasefire violations." Story continues "Russia has a significant responsibility in bringing the conflict to an end," he said, regretting lack of progress in recent talks between France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said separately he expected the economic sanctions to be rolled over without much difficulty given the impasse over Ukraine. Besides the economic measures, which target Russia's oil, financial and military sectors, the EU has also imposed a separate series of travel ban and asset freeze sanctions against Ukraine and Russian figures deemed to have undermined Ukrainian territorial integrity. These sanctions expire in March. Similar sanctions imposed over the annexation of Crimea run to end-June 2017. President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday morning that he felt he had been "very restrained" on Twitter since winning the election last month. The comments came during an interview on NBC's "Today" show. "I have not seen you backing off fights on Twitter," host Matt Lauer said, noting that Trump had recently used the social-media platform to attack Boeing, the cast of Hamilton, The New York Times and other media outlets, and "Saturday Night Live." "Is this proving to be a habit that you are finding a difficult time breaking?" Lauer asked. Lauer confronts Trump on tweeting: "Is this proving to be a habit that you are finding a difficult time breaking? https://t.co/QGhdn5AQ1Z pic.twitter.com/GcpF2G7cnn Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) December 7, 2016 "No, I think I am very restrained," Trump replied. "And I talk about important things." Trump said he had also used Twitter to raise issues he was worried about in regard to China. "We talked about their devaluation," he said. "We talked about they are building this massive military fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they are not supposed to be doing, and other things." Trump also defended his use of Twitter to get his message out, contending that it was more efficient and effective than other mediums. "Frankly, it's a modern form of communication," he said. "Between Facebook and Twitter, I have, I guess, 40 million people. And that's a modern-day form of communication." "I get it out much faster than a press release," he added. "I get it out much more honestly than dealing with dishonest reporters because so many reporters are dishonest." Trump regularly used Twitter throughout the 2016 campaign to attack his rivals. In one instance, he created a media firestorm by going on an early-morning tweetstorm against Democrat Hillary Clinton and a former Miss Universe after the first debate. In early November, The Times reported that Trumps aides managed to seize control of his Twitter account as part of efforts to keep him on message during the final stretch of the campaign. Story continues President Barack Obama used the Times report to mock Trump in the final days of the campaign, arguing then that if he couldnt be trusted to be on Twitter, he shouldn't be trusted to have the country's nuclear codes. "In the last two days, they had so little confidence in his self control, they just said they're going to take away your Twitter," Obama said at the time. "If somebody can't handle a Twitter account, they can't handle the nuclear codes." As Lauer noted in his Wednesday interview, Trump promised after the election to be "very restrained" using Twitter as president. NOW WATCH: Trump slams Alec Baldwin: 'His imitation of me is really mean-spirited and not very good' More From Business Insider HAVANA Luis Reyes and his son stood as a human memorial to their fallen leader Fidel Castro in the churning Plaza de la Revolucion last week. Reyes clasped a large poster of Castro bearing the words, Hasta La Victoria Siempre Comandante! (Until the victory, always Commander!) while his son, named Fidel, held a large Cuban flag streaming overhead. The only thing missing was Reyes grandson, 3-year-old Fidel Jr., napping at home. But Castro, who was buried in Santiago de Cuba on December 5, was not the only world leader on Reyess mind. Fidel is in every one of us and we will fight for the revolution to the end. He gave us dignity and we are absolutely and utterly free, declared Reyes, 77. That is something that Donald Trump can never take from us, ever. For Cubans, the past week has been a period of intense emotion and uncertainty as they struggle to absorb not only the loss of a leader who dominated national life for close to five decades, but also the victory of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Trump has denounced Castro as a brutal dictator and has indicated that he might reverse some of the concessions made by the current administration. Cubans may be divided by varying attitudes about their revolutionary leader, but as flags remained at half-staff across the island last week they were united by one thing: anxiety about Americas unpredictable new commander in chief. Trump seems like a man with no heart, with no sense of what it means to be human, said Sara Toledano, standing in the plaza last Tuesday night with dozens of fellow workers from the Cabaret Tropicana to bid goodbye to Castro. I dont think he can even understand a country like Cuba. Since Castro died on November 25, many of the countrys 11 million citizens have struggled to grasp what the death of the 90-year-old comandante means. Given Fidels age and persistent health issues which plagued him in recent years, his passing was hardly a surprise. Few expect radical change, but the twin events of the past few weeks have many wondering if the Cuban government will take a hard-line stance in the face of a new American president in order to demonstrate national unity and solidarity to the world. Story continues Just after dawn last Wednesday, a convoy bearing Fidels ashes inside a glass-covered coffin and surrounded by white flowers began a four-day journey across the country in a reverse of the triumphant march he made into Havana with rebels in 1959. Thousands of citizens flanked the roadways for much of the journey, chanting Fidel! Fidel! while others watched a 24-hour-a-day televised broadcast. He was interred in the Santa Ifigenia cemetery next to Cuban independence hero Jose Marti. Thousands of people lined Sundays route to the cemetery shouting, Long Live Fidel before the Cuban military fired a 21-gun salute. The ashes were interred privately and foreign media were barred from the event. He was a patriot, and he made other countries pay attention to Cuba, said Edgar Alvarez, an 18-year-old auto mechanic, applauding as the caravan drove through the San Miguel del Padron municipality just outside the city. At least thats what my parents told me. Like many young Cubans, Alvarez barely knew the fatigue-clad revolutionary who defined much of life for an older generation. Fidel began to fade from public view a decade ago after he transferred power to his brother, President Raul Castro. Some millennials feel little attachment to the governing regime or the ubiquitous murals of Che Guevara and Castro throughout the country. They yearn for a different life, one of economic opportunity and access to technology, although they are careful to mute their criticism. Now that hes dead maybe I can get out of here, snapped a young woman eating ice cream, who declined to give her name. Castros legacy is mixed: He was widely criticized for silencing dissent and pursuing economic policies that led to chronic deprivation. But older Cubans vow that the values and the achievements of the revolution will live on, deeply embedded in the soul of the nation. Their list of those achievements varies little from person to person: education, health care, and national independence. Of course the revolution will continue without Fidel, declared Daysa del Pino Gonzalez, 41, a doctor taking a selfie with her mother and son in the Plaza de la Revolucion. Yes, he is gone, but his ideas and all he tried to do will continue. That is who we Cubans are. The reality, however, is that it may be difficult for things to continue as they are. In recent years, the country has been moving slowly towards a more open economy that permits limited private enterprise. Under the rapprochement between the United States and Cuba initiated by President Barack Obama, the number of tourists and remittances flowing into the country have generated billions of dollars in revenue. But larger economic change has been slow and many American businesses have been unable to negotiate deals, caught in a chokehold of Cuban and U.S. regulations. Despite early enthusiasm for the detente, John Kavulich, president of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council points out that since Obama visited the country two years ago, Cuba has purchased only a single piece of agricultural equipment from the United States, a harvesting tool which has yet to be delivered. Now, with Venezuelas severe internal difficulties forcing a reduction in financial support to the island, Cubas economic woes have worsened. Many expect that the Cuban government, moved in part by Fidels death, will be less likely to negotiate concessions with the United States, as Trump has indicated he wants to see. A key element in any deliberations will be the fact that Raul Castro is expected to retire in February 2018, ending the reign of the Castro brothers. The preferred weapon of Cuba is to show that the country is united and that certain things are not negotiable, said Ricardo Torres, an economist at the University of Havana. Thats what the countrys reaction to U.S. aggression has been historically. But Torres hopes just the opposite will happen. If Trump reverses some of Obamas initiatives, he thinks it could propel the Cuban government to seek more foreign investment from other countries out of necessity. And that, he predicts, might be hard for Trump to resist. I expect Trump to be pragmatic, not ideological, said Torres. That means looking for opportunities for American businesses. Hes a businessman after all. Whatever the Cuban government does, Kavulich, the trade council president, predicts that American companies will likely step back from their desire to do business in Cuba, at least for the moment. If the Obama administrations policy was a refrigerator on defrost, Trumps policy will be same refrigerator turned up to freezing, said Kavulich. The Cuban government is going to recoil, and the interest of U.S. companies towards Cuba may begin to evaporate because companies are going to focus upon trying to be on the good side of the Trump administration. In the meantime, many Cubans who were counting on the widening bridge to the United States to remain open are now stuck in limbo. Daisy Rojas, 63, for example, retired from her job as a tourist group coordinator this past spring and opened her home as a kind of lodge for American students studying in Havana. With the future of relations unclear, she is uncertain whether to move ahead with plans to remodel her third floor and expand, worried that American students will no longer be able to come to Cuba. If I cant keep doing this, Ill have to find something else, sighed Rojas. Maybe Ill do peoples nails, or laundry. Its hard to find a new job at my age. Ahmed Llerandi, a 32-year-old petroleum engineer, likewise quit his government job not long ago. His plan is to join his mother and brother in Miami and look for work with a private company, but now hes worried that Trumps immigration policies may make that impossible. Theres also the matter of his name. Llerandi is not a Muslim; Ahmed is a traditionally Arabic name given to him after a television character beloved by his mother. But hes worried about how it might play in the United States. Maybe Ill just send Trump my photo ID, sighed Llerandi, sitting at a Havana bar watching Trump on CNN. When he sees my blonde hair hell realize that Im a guy who really should be living in Miami. Reporting for this story was supported by a grant from The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Photo credit: RODRIGO ARANGUA/AFP/Getty Images By Maayan Lubell JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's support for a bill that would legalize Israeli settlement homes on private Palestinian land in the West Bank is seen in Israel as another feint in a power struggle within his ruling right-wing coalition. But critics in Israel and abroad fear that Netanyahu's machinations aimed at appeasing political partners could have grave consequences internationally, even if the law does not survive likely court challenges. Preliminary approval for the bill granted by parliament on Monday has alarmed the United States, European Union and United Nations, raising the possibility of some sort of U.N. resolution before President Barack Obama's term is up in January. Israeli officials are also concerned that the bill could provide grounds for prosecution by the International Criminal Court in The Hague. It prompted particularly strong criticism from Germany. Netanyahu himself cited possible court action when he initially opposed the legislation promoted by the far-right Jewish Home party and its leader, Naftali Bennett. Palestinians condemned the bill as a land grab in territory they seek for a state. But for the fourth-term prime minister, failure to support the bill would have ceded ground to Bennett in their pursuit of conservative voters that form the power base of both Jewish Home and Netanyahu's Likud. "Naftali Bennett has scared him more than the U.S. administration and more than the European Union. Even though Netanyahu has been prime minister for 11 years, he still remains more a politician than a leader," Amnon Abramovitz, political analyst for Israeli Channel Two, told Reuters. The bill passed its first reading in the legislature with 58 lawmakers voting in favor and 51 opposed. It will require two more votes, probably next week, to become law. The legislation could ultimately be overturned by Israel's Supreme Court, where human rights groups are widely expected to challenge the effective expropriation of privately owned land. Some political commentators in Israel have suggested that Netanyahu could be relying on the court to kill the bill. Netanyahu has been searching for a way to avoid a confrontation with settlers over the court's order to evacuate Amona, the largest settlement-outpost in the West Bank, by Dec. 25. Talia Sasson, a former state prosecutor who in 2005 led an inquiry into outposts commissioned by then-prime minister Ariel Sharon, said the bill was "a political stunt" to keep the coalition together. "The prime minister will come out looking good to his supporters once again -- after all, (it will be seen that) he tried to legalize the theft of lands in the West Bank, and it was the Supreme Court that got in his way," Sasson wrote in Maariv newspaper. OUTPOSTS In the five decades since Israel captured the West Bank, it has built about 120 formal settlements on the territory. Most of the world deems them illegal and an obstacle to peace with the Palestinians, who aim to establish a state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip with East Jerusalem as its capital. As well as those settlements, which Israel fully supports, settlers have established more than 100 outposts, many on hilltops across the West Bank, often with tacit government support. Under the new bill, 55 of the outposts will have official sanction, according to Israeli settlement watchdog Peace Now. Compensation would be offered to Palestinian land owners. The deeper the government becomes involved in backing settlement activity the worse it could be for Israel, said Aeyal Gross, a professor of international law at Tel Aviv University. Once the law is on the books, Gross said, it will "add a level of illegality to the existing illegality of the settlements". Saeb Erekat, secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said Israel's action stemmed from a "culture of impunity" in which Israeli leaders believed the international community would not take action against settlement activity. "We call upon all states of the United Nations, particularly Security Council members, to support a forthcoming resolution on settlements," Erekat said in a statement on Tuesday. "Additionally, we will provide the International Criminal Court with information about this and other steps taken by the Israeli government," he said. Far-right parties have been emboldened by Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election in November. Shortly after Trump's election, Bennett, who advocates Israeli annexation of part of the West Bank, announced: "The era of the Palestinian state is over." Trump has pledged to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a city that Israel regards as its capital -- a claim that has not won international recognition. Yossi Verter, a political analyst at the left-leaning newspaper Haaretz, said the power of the settler lobby had grown out of all proportion. Settlers and their supporters, he wrote, "have this government and the prime minister wrapped around their little fingers". (Editing by Jeffrey Heller and Sonya Hepinstall, Larry King) Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday rejected the possibility of a meeting with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas at a France-led peace conference later this month, his office said. Israeli officials have long opposed the initiative, which would involve an international summit in Paris at the end of December aimed at restarting long-stalled peace efforts with the Palestinians. Netanyahu told French President Francois Hollande in a Wednesday phone call however that he was willing to meet Abbas "directly, without preconditions," his office said in a statement. "Israel will not participate in an international conference that will not contribute to peace," it added. The Palestinians strongly support France's international approach, saying years of negotiations with the Israelis have not ended the occupation. Netanyahu has spoken out against "international diktats" and repeatedly called for direct negotiations. Peace efforts have been at a complete standstill since a US-led initiative collapsed in April 2014. A spokesman for Netanyahu repeated Israel's rejection of the French initiative on Wednesday. "Peace will be achieved through direct negotiations with our Palestinian neighbours, not through international conferences," David Keyes said before Netanyahu's call with Hollande. "Our position has not changed. Israel will not attend the French conference because it will push peace further away." A young mother vanished during a morning jog near her California home and was found 22 days later on the side of the highway. As she recovers, investigators push to figure out what really happened. Subscribe now to PEOPLE, or pick up this weeks issue, on newsstands Friday, for much more on this case. Sherri Papini, the mom-of-two who authorities say was kidnapped and held captive for 22 days, is living at an undisclosed location and reportedly may never return to her home near the trail in Redding, California, where she was abducted while jogging on Nov. 2. That doesnt surprise John Kelly, a noted serial killer profiler. This is going to take an awful lot of therapy, an anti-depressant, probably anti-anxiety medication, he tells PEOPLE. It will be very hard for her to navigate these traumatic waters. Its only by an act of God that they let her go, Kelly says. I have a hard time understanding that as sadistic as these are and Ive hunted many of them would let someone live. Though no arrests have been made, investigators continue their pursuit of anyone connected to Papinis abduction. Authorities have reportedly said there is not yet enough evidence to officially rule anyone out as a suspect. She can identify this perpetrator, Kelly tells PEOPLE. As he explains, If they know where she lives, she will always worry. Papini was found on the side of a highway Thanksgiving morning 150 miles from her home. Her husband and officials have said she was beaten, branded and chained, her long blonde hair chopped off. She told police she was abducted by two armed Hispanic women one with curly hair, one with straight hair who covered their faces and spoke mostly Spanish. 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 Her being branded, Kelly tells PEOPLE in this weeks issue, on newsstands Friday, is a sign of shaming and degrading that routinely occurs in sex trafficking rings. This is a sadistic situation, and she somehow was able to convince them to let her go, he says. Story continues I give her a lot of credit to be able to survive this ordeal. While Papini has not spoken publicly about her captivity, her friends and family have rallied around her, thankful for her return. Her husband, Keith Papini, has said the idea of the alleged abductors still being free is terrifying but thats not all he thinks about. My family is with me now, he said. Right now I am happy my wife is back. I dont have to raise my kids without her. The Social, one of the leading boutique music festivals in the UK, is expanding to Mexico and Colombia on March 17 and 18, 2017. The festival is curated by Nic Fanciulli and headlined by Carl Cox to bring a piece of UK's house and techno feel to Latin America. Billboard Dance spoke to Fanciulli, founder of the The Social and Saved Record's head, about the festival and how he is working to make it a memorable experience. What's your process for curating festivals like The Social? A lot of the process involves our friends because the people we try to book are people that I work with week in, week out because I'm on tour all the time and have a lot of friends on tour with me. The people I play with I respect quite a lot, so the first part of the process to it is to try and get as many of our friends in it as possible when it comes to artist. We then have a long list of artists we would like to book and we just start making phone calls. We usually have 5 or 6 people that are heroes are mine, or people who have been a massive influence over the year - not necessarily people we know, but just artists we would love to showcase such as Laurent Garnier and Four Tet - as well as Sasha and John Digweed who had their reunion this year.. So how did you and Carl Cox become friends? The first time I met him, he was playing a night in Maidstone at a club called Atomics. I was 17 and went to see him and Shades of Rhythm right around the time where I was getting into dance music. Carl Cox had just started playing when there was a massive power cut in the club, everything went black - you couldn't see anything. It was right at the moment the club was about to go off and someone managed to put a knife in the fuse box and it only made the monitors work. Then the entire sound system kicked in and all the power and the lights came on - still to this day, it's one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had in a nightclub. I remember going up to him and talking to Carl afterwards. At that time, I was only just starting out and DJing in bars - Carl really helped me over the years and was always really friendly. Even when we weren't working together and eventually when I started touring, we begun spending more time together. It was around 2009 or 2010, I decided to leave my residency at Sundays at Space and I had nothing to do in Ibiza for the summer. Carl said "Why don't you come and play for me?" So I went to do two shows with him that summer and kicked the relationship off. Story continues Moving back to The Social, what does it mean to you to bring The Social to Latin America and why did you decide to do so? The whole point of Social is an extension to what I was doing in Maidstone, which was throwing parties in alley ways, in basements and other random locations. For me, it was never supposed to be this big success story, it was just to throw a good party in the area which a lot of DJs hadn't heard. We just had such a good fan base of people where we grew up doing these street parties. Then one day I said "why don't we use the local park and build The Social up from there?" Over the last 5 years, we've gone from around 5,000 people to nearly 250,00 people this year. Luckily, I've got a good relationship with playing in Colombia and Mexico anyway, this year there were about 10 of my friends from Mexico who do great parties there and Colombia. We knew everyone goes to WMC and everyone tries to go down for the best festivals there, so we thought the best time to do it was the week before everyone heads to Miami. It worked out great, especially confirming Carl to come and do it with me which was pretty special for Central and South America because he doesn't really go there a lot. It was never a dream of me to go down there, it sort of just happened. It's weird but I'm super excited. How do you see The Social evolving in the future and in years to come? For me, it's just improving because it's a project, it's not a business. My business is my DJing and traveling around the world and making music. This is just my side project that I love doing and I work with some really amazing people. I just want to keep bringing good DJs, making the production better and getting the sound system better. We're 9 months ahead of the festival and I've got Funktion 1 down on Thursday to look around the site again to work out how we can make the sound better in all the arenas so that people that come have a better quality of sound. You're never going to be able to make it perfect for every single customer but what we're trying to do is to get it as good as it can be and that's our plan for the future. I would love to take it to more countries and work with people that are enthusiastic and believe in bringing good music to the cities. So how do you want the actual festival goers to feel after they experience The Social? I want them to feel part of it, that's the whole point of the name. For me, when I first went clubbing in the late nineties it was like a family experience, you go in and you're all in, everyone's together, there's no trouble, there's no fighting - there's nothing. It's just everyone who has worked their asses off Monday-Friday that go in, and they walk out having made new friends and listened to new music they haven't heard before and be really blown away by the whole experience, that's the ultimate goal. Just to feel good about themselves and like they've had a really good weekend. So how do you want to distinguish your festival from others? Is it through that kind of connectivity or other things as well? There aren't not many festivals that are owned and run by DJs. We're self-funded, we have to do everything ourselves. We don't have big sponsorships, we don't have all these other things but what we try to bring is really excellent sound to make the festival the most enjoyable it can be. It's taken me 5 years to find our new site because we had sound problems before and I've finally got somewhere where we don't have sound restrictions. We've got DJs that you wouldn't normally see on the same line up coming under one roof and we try to keep the ticket prices as low as possible so our customers don't feel like they're getting ripped off. Especially now since there are so many festivals and clubs in Ibiza. For more info on The Social, click here. Nick Cannon is defending his style choices. The America's Got Talent host took to Instagram on Wednesday to respond to a photo that comedian Dane Cook posted of him wearing a bright pink turban (an accessory he's taken a major liking to as of late!), which was accompanied by a lengthy message. WATCH: Mariah Carey's Ex-Husband Nick Cannon 'Has Been Really Supportive' Following James Packer Split "Last night, Nick Cannon wore this s**t," Cook's post began. "He put this on his head and he looked in a mirror and he walked away from the mirror without saying to himself, 'Hey self mayyyyyybe I shouldn't look like Zoltan and wear a f**king pink turban with one of the infinity stones from Avengers on it.'" "He went outside and people didn't stop him and say, 'Nick Cannon from Americas Best Talents Competition, we love you, so please remove that from your head please and thank you," Cook continued. "He wore a matching tie and bottom lip lipstick too to match this horrific clothing mistake x10000." "This pic makes me so frustrated that I want to delete it already and I think I will because this makes me want to quit Instagram," he added. "Don't get me wrong, Nick is a good guy and he and I go way back, but I'm gonna have to call Nick out here and say he cannont wear this f**king thing again. I just opened my fridge and randomly punched into it in utter disbelief. I also just hammered a nail into my own tire so I could walk into the woods off the side of a rural highway to spit on a birds nest. Ahhhh I've been ranting since my Voice of Doom 12 years ago on my website. Follow meeeeeeeee. Hahahaahhaah" WATCH: Nick Cannon 'Absolutely' Has a Baby on the Way With Brittany Bell While many of Cook's fans found it hilarious, writing things like, "LMAO I swear I was thinking the same thing," "This is awesome, I cannot stop laughing!! The turban probably did attack him," and "LOL, will you just marry me already?!," Cannon did not. Story continues "Yo @DaneCook call me so I can explain this Muthaf**kin King Business to you!!" he captioned a black-and-white collage of himself wearing various turbans. "#MoorishMindset #SikhLife #ReconditioningOurCommunities." Yo @DaneCook call me so I can explain this Muthafuckin King Business to you!! #MoorishMindset #SikhLife #ReconditioningOurCommunities A photo posted by LORD NCREDIBLE ALMIGHTY IkeT (@nickcannon) on Dec 7, 2016 at 6:37am PST "Humble enough to know that I am not better than anybody and wise enough to know that I'm different from the rest," another post read. A photo posted by LORD NCREDIBLE ALMIGHTY IkeT (@nickcannon) on Dec 7, 2016 at 7:00am PST WATCH: Nick Cannon Responds to Mariah Carey and Bryan Tanaka's Beach PDA Pics With His Own Cannon rocked the pink headgear Cook called him out for at the Victoria's Secret Fashion in Paris, France, last week. ET caught up with the 36-year-old actor on the red carpet for the runway show, where he said he was ecstatic about being a father for the third time. Cannon, who shares 5-year-old twins Monroe and Moroccan with ex-wife Mariah Carey, is expecting a child with his former girlfriend, Brittany Bell. WATCH: Nick Cannon Talks 'Outstanding' Feeling Expecting Another Child "It's outstanding," he gushed. "Honestly, they say even in unexpected situations, you still embrace the beauty of bringing a life into this world, because that is what life is all about." Hear more in the video below! Related Articles Borno state holds the most displaced people in Nigeria. For months, the United Nations and its agencies have warned of the possibility of a famine in Nigerias troubled northeast. Mired in a devastating insurgency led by terrorist group Boko Haram for the last seven years, the region has seen millions of people displaced from their homes and villages destroyed. With critical amenities like schools and clinics also shut down in some areas, internally displaced people (IDP) in the northeast have been housed in overcrowded camps. In June, a Doctors Without Borders report described the state of an IDP camp in Borno, the state with the most displaced people, as a catastrophic humanitarian emergency. The reports claims were corroborated by UNICEF which pegged the number of malnourished kids in Borno state at quarter of a million in July. Most recently, the UN projected that up to 5 million people could face serious food shortages in the coming year. But, in response, the Nigerian government says international agencies are exaggerating the scale of the problem in a bid to attract funding. We are concerned about the blatant attempts to whip up a non-existent fear of mass starvation by some aid agencies, a type of hype that does not provide a solution to the situation on the ground but more to do with calculations for operations financing locally and abroad, a presidential spokesman said. While admitting the effect of the Boko Haram terrorism in the region, the government says it does not see the reason for the theories and hyperbolic claims being made ostensibly to draw donor support by some of the aid agencies. The statement also describes the hype, especially that which suggests that the government is doing nothing as uncharitable and unnecessary. To its credit, president Buharis administration has made gains in the fight against Boko Haram. Territories have been regained as life is starting to return to normal in former terrorist strongholds. The government has also recorded success rescuing thousands of abductees including some of the Chibok girls whose kidnap, in 2014, made global headlines. But repeatedly, reports about the state of some IDP camps are grim and Nigerias government seems more concerned with its image as well as the perception of the president. For its part, the government has worked with groups to ease the strain on the IDP camps but the general consensus is that those efforts have not been enough. Also, strikingly, President Buhari, since taking office, has not visited any of the IDP camps in Borno, the worst affected state. Story continues All over these IDP camps from Bama to Yola, it is UN agencies that have stepped up where the government has not and picked the mantle of feeding these people, Eromo Egbejule, a freelance journalist who has spent the past three months covering IDP camps in Borno, tells Quartz. Rather than pick holes in their work, the federal government should be more interested in complementing their efforts. Sign up for the Quartz Africa Weekly Brief the most important and interesting news from across the continent, in your inbox. Sign up for the Quartz Daily Brief, our free daily newsletter with the worlds most important and interesting news. More stories from Quartz: Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) - Nigeria's military campaign against Boko Haram Islamists is increasingly bogged down as it confronts suicide attacks, looting and indiscriminate slaughter while the UN warns the affected region faces the "largest crisis in Africa". In northern Borno state, the epicentre of the insurgency that has spread to three neighbouring countries -- Chad, Cameroon and Niger -- Nigeria's army has unleashed a barrage of air and land assaults. The counter-insurgency has clawed back some territory, but Boko Haram has responded by stepping up guerrilla tactics, ambushing troops when it can and terrorising civilians when it cannot. In late November major general Leo Irbor hailed his men's success in freeing "more than 5,200 people" over a month. But the high number freed merely highlighted Boko Haram's capacity to capture and hold vast, heavily populated areas. Villagers under siege are typically forced to abandon their crops, devastating local food supplies. Those who are freed by the army are generally transported to camps where basic supplies are also desperately scarce. The United Nations estimates that 14 million people will need outside help in 2017, particularly in Borno State, after seven years of conflict that has killed at least 20,000 people and left 2.6 million homeless. - 'Scorched-earth' - The scale of humanitarian suffering has become more apparent as troops recapture and discover the "scorched-earth" conditions of villages that have fallen into the hands of Boko Haram. But local people complain that there are not enough security forces deployed to effectively battle the menace of Boko Haram. The same day as Irbor hailed the liberation of the civilians, five people were killed in insurgent raids on villages near Chibok, the district that gained notoriety for the Boko Haram kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls in 2014. The Boko Haram raiders looted and burned houses, set fire to crops that were ready for harvesting, and killed the locals -- even though the army had been alerted to the assault. Story continues "We've heard there are 700 soldiers to secure the zone bordering the Sambisa forest that is the Boko Haram stronghold", said Ayuba Alamson, a resident of Chibok. The forest covers an area of about 1,300 square kilometres (500 square miles). "We need another battalion," said Alamson. Though Boko Haram has been weakened and casualty numbers followings its attacks are often low, the frequency of their strikes "enable it to keep up the pressure on security forces and force them to deploy", said Omar Mahmood, a researcher at the Institute for Security Studies, stretching them further. - 'Famine-like' - Troop numbers are also being pulled away to fight on another front, Nigeria's south where militants have been sabotaging oil pipelines and other installations vital to the country's export earnings in a fierce dispute over local autonomy and the distribution of petrodollars. And with tensions mounting between Shiite and Sunni Muslim communities in the country's northwest, authorities are struggling to guarantee security for Nigeria's 180 million people. The number of killings in the northeast, which increases after the end of the rainy season each year, is a particular cause for concern -- especially on the border with Niger. Territory in Niger has become the stronghold of Abu Musab al-Barnawi, who was declared a local leader by the Islamic State group after Boko Haram declared its allegiance to the jihadists. Anti-terrorist consultant Yan St-Pierre, director of the Modern Security Consulting Group, said that pressure on Islamic State jihadists in northern Libya has, perversely, pushed its activities further south, to countries bordering Nigeria. As a result, their "effectiveness for supplying (Nigerian jihadists) with weapons and logistic materiel has greatly improved over several weeks," he told AFP. While IS and Boko Haram fighters battle the Nigerian army, hunger is spreading among both villagers and the swelling ranks of displaced people in the ravaged northeast. The UN has warned that 75,000 children in the region are at risk of death within "a few months". What the World Food Programme has called "famine-like" conditions have prompted experts to warn against seeking victory over the jihadists at all costs. "The Nigerian army, which has adopted a purely military strategy for seven years, needs to change its approach if it wants to win this war," said St-Pierre. Nina Dobrev recently shared some behind-the-scenes photos from her shoot with Mens Health magazine. On her Instagram account, The Vampire Diaries alum posted a collage of herself wearing a silver swimsuit. The actress can be seen standing in front of a white Chevrolet with her hair wet and curled. Dobrevs swimwear also showed off her cleavage, as well as her toned arms and legs. Upon posting, she encouraged her fans to grab a copy of the magazines December issue. Meanwhile, a forum page shared more photos of Dobrev from her recent magazine cover shoot. One photo showed the actress wearing the same swimsuit, but with her back arched and her hands above her head. She was also photographed wearing a black long-sleeved one-piece swimwear while in the pool. The long-legged actress also posed like a ballerina in one of her snaps. At present, Dobrev has already wrapped filming for her upcoming movie, XXX: Return of Xander Cage. In the movie, the actress will play the role of Rebecca or Becky. The cast also includes Vin Diesel as Xander Cage, Ruby Rose as Adele Wolff, Samuel L. Jackson as Agent Augustus Eugene Gibbons and more. XXX: Return of Xander Cage is slated to hit theaters in the United States sometime next year. In other news, Dobrev will also star in the 2017 movie Flatliners, where she will play the role of Marlo. Marlo is a one of the four medical students who experiment on near-death experiences. While doing so, the students will open themselves up to dark and serious consequences due to digging into past tragedies. Flatliners will also be released in the U.S. in 2017. Nina Dobrev Photo: Reuters/Danny Moloshok Related Articles Earlier this year, crude oil prices plunged to a low of $26 per barrel and natural gas prices faced significant pressure. At the bottom, oil traded at a 65 percent discount to its five-year moving average. While the price per barrel has recently climbed to about $50, many exploration and production companies failed, or were on the brink of failure, over the past year as borrowing rates surged and the ability to service debt was in peril. With prices still down by more than half since the price collapse two and a half years ago, which required much needed fiscal restraint as well as restructuring of outstanding debt, companies now have the breathing room they need to start investing for growth. The outcome of OPEC's most recent meeting on Nov. 30 resulted in an agreed six-month production cut of 1.2 million barrels of oil a day -- from an official production level of 33.6 million barrels a day beginning in January. Non-OPEC countries also agreed to cut by an additional 600,000 barrels. Given the dubious nature of compliance to past agreements, only time will tell if the agreed upon cuts will hold. However, given the intentions for a cut and assuming a 75 percent compliance rate, this should be enough to keep the price of oil in mid-to-high $50-per-barrel range. [See: Oil ETFs: 8 Ways to Invest in Black Gold.] This year will mark the bottom for the energy cycle and investment opportunities will continue into 2018. Here are two stocks that may have further room to advance. Valero Energy Corp. (ticker: VLO). Valero is the largest stand-alone oil refining company in the world with refining capacity of 3 million barrels per day. Fifty-five percent of the company's refineries are located along the Gulf Coast, and these refineries have the flexibility to refine a wide variety of imported and domestic crudes and export them to the growing economies of Latin America, eastern Canada and northern Europe. Valero's cash operating costs per barrel are 20 percent lower than its median competitor and 33 percent lower than its highest cost competitor. Story continues Valero has used its incremental free cash flow to improve the reliability and safety profile of its operation and to grow its dividend. The company's dividend yield of 3.81 percent is projected to grow 9 percent per year for the next three years. Valero is trading 13 times forward 12 months' earnings, which is in line with its historical valuation and reasonable for a company that is expected to grow earnings 4 to 5 percent per year over the long term. [See: 7 of the Best Stocks to Buy for 2017.] However, the earnings growth rate may be closer to 9 to 10 percent for the next two to three years. The company is spending $750 million to $850 million per year to comply with renewable identification number prices. Should the new administration reduce the cost and complexity of compliance, this move could boost earnings per share by up to $1 per share by 2018. Additionally, the company has a $2.7 billion authorization from the board to repurchase shares, which could further boost EPS by up to 10 percent by the end of 2018. Baker Hughes (BHI). In October, Baker Hughes and General Electric Co.'s ( GE) oil and gas division announced that they would be merging, with GE owning 62.5 percent of the combined company and existing Baker Hughes shareholders owning the rest. Baker Hughes shareholders are also entitled to a special $17.50 special dividend. Baker Hughes brings strong customer relationships and energy services expertise, while General Electric brings leading edge manufacturing technology that leverages the strong R&D capabilities. General Electric has used this centralized R&D center to dramatically reduce costs at previous acquisitions it has made at General Electric oil and gas. For example, it can use expertise in coatings and 3-D printing to redesign existing machinery used by BHI to reduce costs and improve the uptime for clients. Furthermore, General Electric brings expertise in imaging and data analytics, which it can sell to Baker Hughes customers as incremental services. The combined company estimates they will be able to reduce costs by $1.2 billion and increase incremental revenues by $400 million by year end 2020, assuming oil prices stay within $45 and $60 per barrel. Revenues are projected at $34 billion for 2020, which would represent less than 5 percent market share of the spending that global oil and gas companies spend annually on equipment and services. This figure is conservative and it's estimated that the new company will overtake the current No. 1 player, Schlumberger ( SLB), by 2020 due to General Electric's advanced technologies, which are critical for companies that are drilling increasingly complex and deeper wells. Assuming the new company generates $6 per share in 2020 (a return to its previous peak in 2007) and a 10 times multiple, the share would be worth $60 per share. Shareholders are entitled to a $17.50 per share dividend. It's estimated that the company's share would be worth $77.50 per share by the end of 2019. [See: 7 Notable Quotes From Warren Buffett.] As noted, there will be investment opportunities in the energy space over the next year. Valero and Baker Hughes are two examples of companies that have growth prospects, which investors should keep an eye on. Disclosure: Leslie Thompson and clients of Spectrum Management Group own VLO. Leslie Thompson, CFA, CPA, AIF, is a blogger for The Smarter Investor blog. She is managing principal at Spectrum Management Group, an Indianapolis-based independent boutique wealth management firm. You can learn more about Leslie and her team by following them on Twitter. By Laila Kearney NEW YORK (Reuters) - Two New York real estate brokers marketing a condominium in Trump Tower have used the heavy presence of U.S. Secret Service agents who protect President-elect Donald Trump as a new selling point for the luxury apartment and office building. "The best value in the most secure building in Manhattan," reads a description for a 1,052-square-foot (98-square-meter)Trump Tower condominium advertised for $2.1 million by the brokers with real estate firm Douglas Elliman. Since Trump won the Nov. 8 election, he has spent most of his time at his residence and office inside the 58-story tower, bringing heightened security that has caused traffic jams and pedestrian gridlock, frustrating commuters, shoppers and local residents. In addition to dozens of Secret Service agents, about 50 New York City police officers have been assigned to work at the tower, some of whom lead bomb-sniffing dogs through the gilded lobby. About three weeks ago, the news website Politico reported, the two brokers emailed an advertisement for the unit to clients with the subject line: "Fifth Avenue Buyers Interested in Secret Service Protection?" In a spin on the security congestion, the brokers' email described the Secret Service agents as a "new" amenity with the 31st-floor condominium, which also comes with options for health club access and room service from "Trump Bar" several floors below, Politico said. Reuters did not see the email, but Douglas Elliman said it did not approve of the agents' pitch. "This was completely unauthorized and done without the knowledge or approval of Douglas Elliman," a representative for the brokerage said in an email on Tuesday. The individual brokers did not respond to emails and calls seeking comment. (Reporting by Laila Kearney; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Jonathan Oatis) Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images David Plouffe, political insider and former key adviser to President Barack Obama, has paid $7,625,000 for a 6,000-square-foot house in San Francisco, where he now works as Ubers strategic adviser. Constructed in 1903, the recently renovated home has seven bedrooms and 5.5 baths on four levels. Its nestled right between two of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city: Pacific Heights and the Presidio. Despite its multimillion-dollar price tag, Plouffes home doesnt rank as one of the most expensive sales in the city over the past six months. Weve seen eight sales of homes topping $10 million over that time frame, topped by the October sale of a Pacific Heights home for $21.8 million. Exterior realtor.com His home boasts high ceilings, built-up moldings, hardwood floors, and oversize windows. A grand staircase is flanked by a living room and a dining room, which has direct access to a deck. The white kitchen features Calacatta marble counters, subway tile backsplashes, and a butlers pantry. The master suite includes a fireplace, dressing room, and bath with soaking rub and frameless shower. Nook with views realtor.com Plouffe, 49, was the savvy campaign manager behind Obamas 2008 presidential win. He was appointed senior adviser to the president in 2011. He took a policy and strategy job with Uber in August 2014, but later moved into an advisory position with the ride-sharing company in May 2015. He is married to Olivia Morgan, a senior adviser to Maria Shrivers A Womans Nation. The couple have a daughter and son. Sun-filled room realtor.com Bedroom realtor.com The post Obama Adviser and Uber Exec David Plouffe Buys $7.6M Home in San Francisco appeared first on Real Estate News and Advice - realtor.com. obama President Barack Obama gave an impassioned speech to troops at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa on Tuesday, defending his administration's counterterrorism and national-security strategy in the final planned foreign-policy speech of his presidency. Broadly, Obama argued that he saved American lives by not sending them into harm's way without a clear strategy and achievable goal and that he did it while remaining within the bounds of his presidential power. He attempted to protect a foreign-policy legacy that came under consistent fire from President-elect Donald Trump on the campaign trail, touting what he said were successes against terror groups. On January 20, I will become the first President of the United States to serve two full terms during a time of war," Obama said, referring to the global war on terror that he inherited from President George W. Bush. "By any measure, core Al Qaeda the organization that hit us on 9/11 is a shadow of its former self." Obama outlined how, over the past eight years, the US has "built a counterterrorism capability that can sustain pressure against any terrorist network" by consolidating partnerships with foreign allies, utilizing drones and airstrikes to target terrorist safe havens, and resisting the urge to "push all of the burden onto American ground troops." Delivering the speech at MacDill, the home to US Central Command and Special Operations Command, was appropriate given Obama's heavy reliance on a limited number of US Special Operations Forces to carry out his counterterrorism goals over the years including the campaign against the Islamic State group. "The campaign against ISIL has been relentless, sustainable, and multilateral," Obama said, using an alternative name for the terror organization. "We built an international coalition of nearly 70 nations, surged our intelligence resources to better understand the enemy, and then took the fight to ISIL in Iraq and Syria." Story continues obama Obama said that more than 16,000 airstrikes by the US-led anti-ISIS coalition have lost ISIL "more than half of its territory," as a crackdown on online propaganda and foreign fighters has limited the terror group's reach and manpower. Still, Obama warned, the fight is far from over. The emergence of ISIS was the result of "a breakdown of order that had been building for decades, which unleashed forces that will take a generation to solve." "While we have made it much more difficult to carry out an attack approaching the scale of 9/11, we face a threat that will endure," he said. "We have to take a long view of the terrorist threat, and pursue a smart strategy that can be sustained." obama Obama also criticized Congress for not voting on a new authorization of military force, or AUMF, to attack ISIS. Obama has relied on the 2001 authorization for the use of military force against Al Qaeda and "associated forces" to justify the US' military campaign against ISIS. "Democracies should not operate in a state of permanently authorized war," he said. "Congress needs to fulfill constitutional duty and authorize use of force against threats we face today. That's how democracies are supposed to work." He went on to rebuke decisions inspired by "fear," such as the use of torture and religious discrimination, including some apparent veiled shots at Trump. "I must protect our people, but I also swore an oath to defend our Constitution," Obama said. "Staying true to our tradition as a nation of laws, we prohibited torture everywhere, including tactics like waterboarding. And no one has ever told me that doing so has prevented us from obtaining good intelligence." "When we do capture terrorists, our interrogation teams have obtained valuable information without operating outside the law," he added, saying "we have to fight terrorists in a way that doesnt create more terrorists" and calling for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. Trump has in the past advocated the use of torture through tactics like waterboarding. "The US was founded so people could practice their religious as they choose," Obama continued, appearing to take aim at Trump's proposal to bar Muslims from countries with high levels of terrorist activity from entering the US. "We have bled, struggled, sacrificed, against discrimination and arbitrary rule," Obama said. "And we have a right to live in a society where we can criticize a president without threat of retribution. ... We are a nation that at our best has been defined by hope, and not fear." NOW WATCH: Here's the ad that Ivanka Trump reportedly doesn't want America to see More From Business Insider Washington (AFP) - President Barack Obama on Wednesday praised the alliance between Japan and the United States exactly 75 years after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor that led to America's entrance into World War II. President-elect Donald Trump also marked the milestone anniversary with a message praising the "American heroes" who died in the raid. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to make a historic visit to a memorial in Pearl Harbor later this month -- the first such visit by a Japanese leader -- when Obama is scheduled to join him. "As a testament that even the most bitter of adversaries can become the closest of allies, I look forward to visiting the USS Arizona Memorial later this month along with (Abe)," Obama said in a statement. "This historic visit will stand as a tribute to the power of reconciliation and to the truth that the United States and Japan -- bound by an alliance unimaginable 75 years ago -- will continue to work hand-in-hand for a more peaceful and secure world," he added. Japan's devastating attack on December 7, 1941 caught America off guard, sinking or heavily damaging eight US battleships. The two-hour assault killed 2,403 Americans and injured more than 1,100 others. Abe's visit to Hawaii will come a few months after Obama visited Hiroshima, where a US bomber dropped one of two atomic bombs that would lead to Japan's surrender. Japanese officials say Abe will not be making an apology for the Pearl Harbor attack, but commemorate the war's victims. - 'Heroism of a generation' - Recalling the huge death toll from Pearl Harbor, Obama underscored how those soldiers' sacrifices galvanized the resolve of millions of US troops and civilians. "In the hours after the attack, President Roosevelt promised that 'the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory,'" Obama said. "Thanks to the heroism of a generation, we did." Story continues Trump sent out his own statement praising those killed and wounded at Pearl Harbor. "Their shared sacrifice reminds us of the great costs paid by those who came before us to secure the liberties we enjoy, and inspires us to rise to meet the new challenges that stand before us today," Trump said, while Vice-President-elect Mike Pence visited a World War II memorial in Washington. Hawaii has organized a string of events and commemorations to mark the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. With survivors now at least in their 90s, it is possibly the last big-number anniversary they can attend, seen as a "last hurrah." US and Japanese representatives on Tuesday visited the wreck of the USS Arizona, where 1,177 sailors and Marines died. The ship's rusting remains, still visible, are now a memorial. They extended a peace offering by pouring bourbon from a World War II water bottle into the hallowed waters. During the event, known as the "Blackened Canteen ceremony," the drink is tipped from a container believed to have been held by a US airman killed in 1945 when his plane collided with another over Japan. A local farmer later recovered the canteen and built monuments to promote peace between Japan and America. During his May 27 visit to Hiroshima, Obama -- the first sitting US president to visit the city -- clasped hands with one survivor and hugged another. He reiterated calls for a nuclear-free world, but offered no apology for the atomic bombings, having insisted that he would not revisit decisions made by US president Harry Truman at the close of a brutal war. Jennifer Aniston and T.J. Miller in Office Christmas Party (Paramount) By Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter Call it a sign of the times or a sign of the movies lump-of-coal sensibility, but in the third feature from writer-directors Will Speck and Josh Gordon, the Christmas miracle is drumroll, please Internet connectivity. That might have packed a zeitgeist punch, but Office Christmas Party hasnt the slightest satiric edge. Pitting a big-hearted boss against his Scrooge of a sister, its a frenetic grab bag of strained shtick, however expertly delivered by ace comic performers. The film which reteams Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston, stars of the filmmakers second outing, The Switch offers none of the goofy bliss of their directing debut, Blades of Glory. It does gather plenty of recognizable workplace types, though, and a few laugh-worthy one-offs, in the story of the poorly run Chicago branch of a tech company and its party to end all parties. Box-office revelers are sure to flock to this bash. The least interesting of the Zenotek office inhabitants are Batemans bland every guy, freshly divorced chief technical officer Josh, and his lead engineer, Tracey (Olivia Munn). Shes the innovative risk-taker to his man of caution, or so the dialogue reminds us at regular intervals. Theres an obvious but hardly urgent romantic undercurrent between them thats as persuasive as her in-the-works brainchild, a ground-shifting Web-access system that just might save the office, if only she can work out the wrinkles in time. Related: Sundance Unveils Competition Titles, Including Gulf War Drama, ISIS Doc, Pair of Post-Ferguson Films Branch president Clay, played with clumsy sweetness by T.J. Miller, of Silicon Valley, has inherited the job from his dad. Hes an overgrown kid who hasnt a corporate bone in his body, and his approach to bottom-line matters is not unlike that of Tom Hanks characters in Big. The Santa suit he dons for the titular shindig is more than a costume; not only is Clay determined to save every employees job from his hatchet-swinging sister, Carol (Aniston), but he aims to give out bonuses, too. Story continues Sweeping in on her Louboutins with crunched numbers at her fingertips, Carol is the yin to Clays yang. Unless he can somehow land a huge deal in the hours that remain before the fiscal quarter closes, shell lay off almost half the staff. Oh, and she also cancels that afternoons holiday mixer, an obvious high point on the calendar for HR director Mary (Kate McKinnon, reliably wacky), who has already assembled the annual cheese plate, and whose multidenominational holiday sweater is the standout among Karen Patchs costume designs. The bash goes on despite Carol, ratcheted up to bacchanal status in hopes of convincing potential client Walter (Courtney B. Vance) that the company is happy and healthy. But despite the presence of a DJ, a live nativity scene, a Bulls star (Jimmy Butler), and an eggnog luge (dont ask), the party doesnt really get started until Walter receives an inadvertent snow-machine blast of cocaine straight into his nasal passages. Related: Jennifer Aniston Explains Why She Wrote Powerful Op-Ed Against Tabloid Journalism Amid Specks and Gordons exhausting concoction of comedy-of-cruelty slapstick, wishful thinking and apocalypse, there are bright glimpses of well-played character farce, as when Clays assistant, single mother Allison (Vanessa Bayer), discovers that a new hire (Randall Park) has mommy issues. And the fact that Rob Corddrys terrifically dyspeptic Jeremy heads the customer service department is a fine joke in itself. But the zingiest bits involve IT supervisor Nate (Karan Soni, of Deadpool), the hooker (Abbey Lee) he hires to play his imaginary girlfriend, and her female pimp, a take-charge boss if ever there was one, portrayed with venomous snap by Jillian Bell. With all the sharp comic timing on hand, this party should feel lighter, swifter, more agile. But against its high-rise settings and street-level action a convincing combination of Atlanta sets and Chi-Town exteriors the film struggles to find a steady comic groove. It doesnt feint; it pummels. Maybe there is no job-saving Santa after all. Office Christmas Party: Watch a trailer: John Kasich just signed an abortion bill in Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images) Update: On Tuesday, Dec. 13, Gov. John Kasich rejected the heartbeat bill, vetoing the GOP-passed legislation that would have given Ohio the strictest abortion ban in the nation, instead signing a bill that would prevent abortions after 20 weeks gestation. Neither bill included an exception for rape, incest or severe fetal anomalies. Both included an exception to save the life of a pregnant woman. Story originally published Tuesday, Dec. 6. On Tuesday, Dec. 6, the Ohio state legislature passed what is now one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country, banning abortion from the time a heartbeat can first be detected in a pregnancy (approximately six weeks gestational age), often before many women even learn they are pregnant. The bill does not contain any exemptions for victims of rape or incest. Likewise, no exemptions are afforded for fetal anomalies or health concerns of the woman. Pro-choice advocates say that the bill is intended to effectively ban all abortion in the state, and a legal challenge to the bill is expected. The heartbeat bill was passed by being added as an amendment to a bill that revised Ohios child abuse and neglect laws. Since that bill had already cleared the states House, it was not subject to any additional hearings after the abortion ban amendment was added to it. Currently, the bill is heading to Ohio Gov. John Kasichs desk for signing. A 20-week abortion ban bill is also expected to be passed by Ohios legislature on Wednesday. It remains to be seen which Kasich will sign, if any. The bill, which will go into effect in just 10 days should Kasich sign it into law, would punish any physician who performed an abortion without checking for fetal heartbeat or performing the procedure after it was detected with up to one year in prison. Doctors could also face a civil lawsuit from the mother and disciplinary action. Once a woman has made the decision to end a pregnancy, she needs access to safe, legal health care in her community. This bill would effectively outlaw abortion and criminalize physicians that provide this care to their patients. One in three women choose to have an abortion in their lifetime, and seven in 10 Americans support legal access to abortion care. Banning women from getting a medical procedure is out of touch with Ohio values and is completely unacceptable, Kellie Copeland, the executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, tells Yahoo Beauty. Clearly this bills supporters are hoping that President-elect Trump will have the chance to pack the U.S. Supreme Court with justices that are poised to overturn Roe v. Wade. We must prevent that from happening to protect womens lives. Story continues While voting was primarily split along party lines, Republicans Bill Coley, Gayle Manning of North Ridgeville and Bill Seitz joined all Democrats in voting against the amendment. Coley explained that the bill would will waste millions in taxpayer dollars on legal fees and had no chance of becoming law. On Tuesday night, opponents of the heartbeat bill stood outside the governors residence, protesting the bills passage. Abortion rights supporters protesting at Governor's residence where event is being held, just hours after Ohio Senate passed Heartbeat bill pic.twitter.com/Ze4SYM4F2A Jo Ingles (@joingles) December 7, 2016 Politicians in the Ohio state legislature just rushed through some of the most extreme abortion bans in the country. They did so in the dead of night, just days before a new Congress takes over, because they know Ohioans reject this agenda. That did not stop dozens of reproductive rights advocates from protesting at Governor John Kasichs house, Dawn Laguens, executive vice president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, tells Yahoo Beauty. These abortion bans are rejected by the public because they know how dangerous they are for women. When access to reproductive health care is blocked, women suffer. Were not going to stand for these blatant ideological attacks on our rights to make our own decisions. In the midst of concern about what a Trump-Pence administration would mean for womens health and reproductive rights, the latest move by Ohio to restrict womens access to abortion care is in line with the anti-choice record of Gov. Kasich. Hayley Smith, advocacy and policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), tells Yahoo Beauty that what is happening right now in Ohio is a perfect case study for the way that anti-choice advocates and lawmakers are attempting to effectively prevent women from accessing their constitutionally guaranteed right to abortion care. Smith notes that there is a longstanding legal precedent showing that bills that ban abortion prior to fetal viability are unconstitutional, from Roe v. Wade (1973) to Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey (1992) to Whole Womans Health v. Hellerstedt (2016). Smith also explains that when similar pre-viability abortion bans have been passed, they have been struck down by courts. That includes a similar law in North Dakota that banned abortion as early as six weeks and a law in North Carolina that banned abortion after 12 weeks; both were overturned. In its written policy on abortion, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states that abortion is an essential component of womens health care. Like all medical matters, decisions regarding abortion should be made by patients in consultation with their health care providers and without undue interference by outside parties. Like all patients, women obtaining abortion are entitled to privacy, dignity, respect and support. ACOG also notes that it affirms the legal right of a woman to obtain an abortion prior to fetal viability. ACOG is opposed to abortion of the healthy fetus that has attained viability in a healthy woman. Viability is the capacity of the fetus for sustained survival outside the womans uterus. A fetus is not viable at six weeks gestation, and recent research has found that only 23 percent of babies born between 22 and 27 weeks gestational age survive to the toddler stage, even after aggressive medical treatment. During Kasichs time as governor, Ohio has enacted 18 measures to restrict access to reproductive health care, and nearly half the abortion providers in the state have been closed. Under Kasichs leadership, Ohio has also prohibited rape crisis counselors from telling women that they have the option to access abortion services, prohibited almost all abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, mandated ultrasounds before a woman can get an abortion, and defunded Planned Parenthood resulting in the shuttering of reproductive and sexual health providers Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies program, the largest infant mortality prevention program in a state that ranks sixth in the nation for infant mortality rates for African-Americans. I think whats interesting here is that Ohio politicians have worked for years to restrict access to abortion but theyve done it not as blatantly as they are doing now, Smith says of the latest bills. They have imposed clinic restrictions intended to force clinics to close their doors; they have enacted laws to force women to delay accessing care through waiting periods. We always knew their underlying goal was to ban access to abortion completely, and now with the six-week and 20-week bans, theyre exposing whats been the goal all along. She adds, Banning abortion doesnt stop women from getting abortions, it just forces them to turn to whatever means necessary to get the care they need. In a statement, Iris E. Harvey, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, expressed her opposition to both the heartbeat bill and the 20-week ban, outlining the effect they would have on women and saying, Women should be trusted and respected to make their own, personal health care decisions not politicians. But in Ohio, politicians in the state legislature are doing just that. Today, politicians jammed through a six-week abortion ban that does not include exceptions for rape and incest. Not only is this shameful, but its dangerous for women. And the legislature plans to pass a 20-week abortion bill later this week. If signed into law, these bills would force women to travel long distances and cross state lines to access abortion. For many women, the expense and time these restrictions would force upon them would make access impossible. Lets be clear, these bills are a blatant attempt by the Ohio Legislature to ban abortion. I urge Governor Kasich to veto both bills. Lets keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Ohio Governor John Kasich speaks as he withdraws as a U.S. Republican presidential candidate in Columbus, Ohio, U.S., May 4, 2016. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk The Ohio legislature passed a bill on Tuesday that would ban abortion after the fetus' heartbeat can be detected. The so-called heartbeat bill now heads to Gov. John Kasich, who hasn't said whether he'll sign or veto it. Doctors can detect a fetus' heartbeat as early as six weeks into pregnancy. Women usually don't find out they're pregnant until four to seven weeks in meaning the bill would most likely leave many women unable to get a safe, legal abortion in the state. The bill doesn't provide exceptions allowing abortion in cases of rape or incest. Abortion-rights advocacy groups, including Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights, decried the bill, calling it unconstitutional and saying it violates the Supreme Court's 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade granting women a constitutional right to safe, legal abortions. Republican Keith Faber, the president of the Ohio Senate, told the Associated Press that Trump's victory emboldened the legislature to pass the bill, with the hope that the courts would uphold it. "I think it has a better chance than it did before" to survive a legal challenge, Faber said. President-elect Donald Trump has said he wants to appoint justices who oppose abortion and would overturn the landmark case, leaving abortion rights up to the states. "Clearly this bill's supporters are hoping that President-elect Trump will have the chance to pack the US Supreme Court with justices that are poised to overturn Roe vs. Wade," Kellie Copeland, the executive director of the abortion-rights group NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, said in a statement. "We must prevent that from happening to protect women's lives." "This bill would effectively outlaw abortion and criminalize physicians that provide this care to their patients." Abortion-rights advocates protested outside the governor's mansion Tuesday night, encouraging Kasich to veto the bill: HAPPENING NOW: Pro-choice protesters are outside of the governors mansion urging him to veto the heartbeat bill if it comes to his desk. pic.twitter.com/0QSkgCPG7F Bryant Maddrick (@Bryantwsyx6) December 6, 2016 Kasich's press secretary, Emmalee Kalmbach, declined to comment on whether he would sign the bill, according to The Columbus Dispatch. Story continues He could also line-item veto the part of the bill banning abortion, The Dispatch reports, with Kathy DiCristofaro, the chair of the Ohio Democratic Women's Caucus, describing the abortion ban as being "tacked on as a last-minute amendment" to a bill addressing child-abuse prevention. Though Kasich opposes abortion, he previously said he opposed the bill because of doubts over whether it would be constitutional. The Ohio legislature on Wednesday was also considering a bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks into pregnancy. The ACLU of Ohio has threatened to sue if either bill becomes law. Other abortions-rights advocates would most likely join it. NOW WATCH: TRUMP: Women who want abortions may have to 'go to another state' More From Business Insider By Scott DiSavino NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices slid on Wednesday on bearish U.S. petroleum inventory data and doubts that production cuts promised by OPEC and Russia would be deep enough to end a supply overhang that has weighed on markets for more than two years. Brent futures (LCOc1) fell 93 cents, or 1.7 percent, to settle at $53.00 a barrel, while U.S. crude (CLc1) lost $1.16, or 2.3 percent, to settle at $49.77. The U.S. Energy Information Administration EIA said crude inventories fell 2.4 million barrels during the week ended Dec. 2, which was more than the 1 million-barrel draw analysts had forecast in a Reuters poll. Stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub for U.S. crude futures, however, increased by a hefty 3.8 million barrels last week, the most since 2009, the data showed. Reaction to the EIA report was muted, analysts said, in part because the results were similar to the data published by the American Petroleum Institute (API), an industry group, late on Tuesday. "Focus at the moment is on the key producers and OPEC and growing doubts non-OPEC producers will be able to come up with 600,000 barrels of cuts," said Matt Smith, director of commodity research at ClipperData in Louisville, Kentucky. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries last week agreed to slash output by around 1.2 million barrels per day beginning in January to reduce global oversupply and prop up oil prices. OPEC hopes non-OPEC countries will contribute a further 600,000 bpd of cuts. Russia has said it would reduce output by around 300,000 bpd. Nigeria's Oil Minister, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, said on Wednesday OPEC's deal to cut production will go ahead even if Russia becomes the only non-OPEC country to commit to reduce output at a meeting this weekend. "While this weekend's meeting with non-OPEC producers will likely be hyped as a major breakthrough, we are maintaining an opinion that any non-OPEC production cuts will be largely of the involuntary variety," Jim Ritterbusch, president of Chicago-based energy advisory firm Ritterbusch & Associates, said in a note. Story continues Oil prices surged almost 20 percent after OPEC and Russia announced plans to cut production, but since then both OPEC and Russia have reported record production. In addition, Nigeria, which is exempt from the OPEC cuts, said on Wednesday it hoped to boost its oil production to 2.1 million bpd in January, up from 1.9 million bpd now. (Additional reporting by Christopher Johnson in London and Henning Gloystein in Singapore; Editing by Jason Neely and Richard Chang) One Versace ensemble, four fashionable celebrity takes. Can a power suit be the newest power dress? Donatella Versace says yes a woman is much more powerful in a suit than in a gown these days and one particularly striking electric-blue Versace look that fashionable celebrities cant seem to get enough of seems to be proving her point. Actress Olivia Munn stepped out in a variation of Versaces moto jacket and matching skirt ensemble while promoting her latest movie, Office Christmas Party, in New York City on Wednesday. (On the runway, Versace finished the look with a pair of black ankle booties, while Munn opted for a pair of on-trend over-the-knee boots.) But shes not the first to embrace the blue: Bella Hadid, Cara Delevingne, and even Donatella herself have all worn variations on the ensemble. Who: Olivia Munn Wearing: Versace Fall 2016 RTW Where: Promoting her movie "Office Christmas Party" in NYC Styled by: Jessica Paster A photo posted by Check The Tag (@checkthetag) on Dec 6, 2016 at 5:04pm PST Newly minted Victorias Secret runway model Bella Hadid paired the light-blue leather miniskirt and matching leather jacket with big black geometrical sunglasses and a long-sleeved turtleneck cropped sweater that put her tiny belly on full display at Versaces Milan Fashion Week show in September. Bella Hadid wears the blue look in Milan on Sept. 23. (Photo: Robino Salvatore/GC Images) Model/actress Cara Delevingne, who recently returned to the catwalk for Chanel, took the look to Comic-Con in San Diego alongside the cast of Suicide Squad in July. She swapped the leather mini weve seen on Munn and Hadid for a pair of electric blue, high-waisted pants. The long-sleeved turtleneck cropped sweater shes wearing is almost identical to Hadids, but for one small detail: the striping on Hadids cropped sweater is white; Delevingnes is that inimitable electric blue. #regram @jaredleto A photo posted by Cara Delevingne (@caradelevingne) on Jul 25, 2016 at 1:52pm PDT The mastermind behind the look, Donatella Versace herself, opted for a more conservative (read: not cropped) version of the turtleneck while announcing her upcoming appearance at Harrods in London on Instagram just a few days ago. Story continues Hello London! Guess who will be in town tomorrow, Monday 5th December? Stop by @harrods and get your copy of my new book. I'll be there to sign it from 1pm. See you soon! #DVbooktour #Harrodsxversace A video posted by Donatella Versace (@donatella_versace) on Dec 4, 2016 at 3:40am PST And just like that, one little blue Versace suit has now acquired the ultimate fashion street cred. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. The next reboot is gearing up for its release. On Tuesday, Netflix dropped the first trailer for One Day at a Time, giving viewers a first look at the Latino remake of the hit Norman Lear sitcom of the same name. The 13-episode first season bows on the streaming service Jan. 6. The multicamera comedy - which has Lear attached as an executive producer - is a reimagining of the classic CBS series and follows three generations of a Cuban-American family living under one roof. Newly single mom and military veteran Penelope (Justina Machado) enlists the "help" of her old-school Cuban-born mother Lydia (Rita Moreno) and building manager named Schneider (Todd Grinnell) while raising two millennials, her radical daughter Penelope (Isabella Gomez) and socially inept son Alex (Marcel Ruiz). Read more: 'One Day at a Time' Remake Casts 'Six Feet Under' Alum as Lead In the original series, which ran for nine seasons from 1975-1984, Bonnie Franklin's single mom had two daughters (Mackenzie Phillips and Valerie Bertinelli) whom she moved to an apartment building where the family becomes friendly with the superintendent named Schneider (Pat Harrington). Joining Lear, who was an executive producer on the original show, are How I Met Your Mother's Gloria Calderon Kellett, Men of a Certain Age's Mike Royce and Michael Garcia as exec producers. "I just love the idea because I don't see enough of that representation on the air anyplace," Lear said after the series was announced about having the opportunity to showcase three generations of Latino women. "There isn't enough of it, and I think it's a rich idea." One Day at a Time, which follows in the footsteps of Netflix's recent revivals Fuller House and Gilmore Girls, is produced by Act III Productions, Inc., Snowpants Productions and Small Fish Studios in association with Sony Pictures Television. Watch the trailer below. Sydney (AFP) - The official search for MH370 in the Indian Ocean has been reduced to one ship, Australian authorities said Wednesday, as relatives of the missing passengers launch their own hunt for crash debris in Madagascar. The Fugro Equator, one of four vessels involved in the search, remains in the 120,000 square-kilometre (46,000-square-mile) zone where investigators believe the Malaysian Airlines jet went down. The ships, three of which were contracted from Dutch firm Fugro, had been scouring the southern Indian Ocean off Western Australia state for the Boeing 777. China's Dong Hai Jiu 101, which was hunting for debris with a remotely operated vehicle -- a device tethered to a ship by a cable -- departed on Saturday, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), said. The plane disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014 carrying 239 passengers and crew. No trace of the jet has been found, but investigators have confirmed that three pieces of debris recovered along western Indian Ocean shorelines came from MH370. With more than 110,000 square kilometres already examined, the Fugro Equator's mission was expected to wrap up by February next year, the ATSB said in a statement. The news came after families from Malaysia, China and France gathered in Madagascar's capital Antananarivo on Monday as frustration grew over the failure to find the aircraft. The relatives were set to distribute brochures educating villagers on how to identify plane debris. Many next-of-kin have repeatedly complained about the lack of a coordinated search in the western Indian Ocean and along the African coast. The ATSB said in a report last month that MH370 was likely out of control when it plunged into the ocean with its wing flaps not prepared for landing. It cast doubt on theories a pilot was still in charge. The governments of Australia, Malaysia and China, where most of the passengers were from, agreed to pull the plug on the operation once the search area was fully scoured unless "credible new information" emerged. By Amanda Cooper and Catherine Ngai LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - As far as one of the worlds biggest commodities traders, Glencores chief Ivan Glasenberg, is concerned, the oil market will be at the mercy of "a cat and mouse game" between OPEC and its U.S. shale rivals in the coming year. A 16 percent price rally over the past week has delivered U.S. frackers a golden opportunity to hedge - or sell forward - their production for 2017 and beyond, to shore up their coffers against possible future price falls. Prices for prompt Brent and WTI benchmark futures contracts have hit their highest in nearly a year and a half, but this rush by the shale industry to hedge has capped the rally in prices of oil for delivery further in the future. This will probably mean no life-support for the higher-cost producers, at least as further-out prices remain below $60 per barrel, and OPEC knows this. "It's going to be a cat and mouse game between OPEC and shale oil in America," Glasenberg said this week. "OPEC members will say, 'if you (raise output), we are going to ramp up production and push oil back down to $35' ... I hope shale in America will be responsible and realize what's happened and allow the higher oil price to be sustained," he said. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed on Nov. 30 to its first production cut since 2008, whereby it will reduce output by around 1.2 million barrels per day to 32.5 million bpd from January for six months. Crucially, Russia agreed to cut output by up to 300,000 bpd in the first half of 2017, its first joint action with OPEC since 2001, and another 300,000 bpd in cuts are to be borne by other non-OPEC producing nations. NO FREE LUNCH FOR SHALE The collapse in the premium of longer-dated oil futures contracts in both the Brent (LCOc1) and U.S. crude futures markets (CLc1) shows how investors and producers alike are taking OPEC at its word. The U.S. futures curve has inverted so prices for delivery of oil in December 2017 are now above those for delivery a year later, reflecting the wall of producer selling that has materialized since OPEC made its announcement. Story continues Producers have returned very actively in the market for hedging last week after the OPEC decision, said one source with a bank active in the forward-selling market. Brandon Elliott, executive vice president of corporate development and strategy for U.S. shale producer Northern Oil & Gas, said his company had added to its hedges. "In some core Bakken areas, its economical to drill in the $45-$55 WTI price," he said, referring to the North American Bakken shale formation. "I would expect that as we lock in some of the low $50s, activity picks up a bit." Higher prices for oil for prompt delivery compared to those for delivery in the future will guarantee OPEC countries higher cash-flow income now, rather than further down the line, when they ramp production back up again. "OPEC knows this dynamic. As such they have been quite clever by only pledging a cut lasting six months to begin with. This tightens up the front end of the market," SEB commodities analyst Bjarne Schieldrop said. "OPEC would prefer though not to lift forward prices further out on the curve. They dont want to offer shale oil producers a free lunch with the possibility of a guaranteed, high profitability for new projects through a high forward price." Giving U.S. oil producers an incentive to drill more aggressively is the last thing OPEC members want, particularly since the group's decision in November 2014 to let prices fall was precisely to squeeze out higher-cost shale rivals. Venezuelan Oil Minister Eulogio del Pino said on Wednesday OPEC is aiming for an oil price that is not "too high or too low," around $60-70 a barrel, while his Nigerian counterpart Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu said he would like to see a price of $60 by December 2017. (Additional reporting by Dmitry Zhdannikov in London; Editing by Dale Hudson) MOSCOW (Reuters) - OPEC is aiming for a moderate but not too high oil price, Venezuelan Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino told Russia's TASS news agency in Caracas. "Our aim is to reach a balanced level matching the interests of producers and consumers. We don't want a price that's too high or too low," he was quoted as saying. Del Pino added that he expected oil prices to stabilise at around $60-70 per barrel following a global oil pact reached last week. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and non-OPEC nations are due to meet in Vienna on Dec. 10 to sign a memorandum on terms of the agreement. Del Pino told TASS he expected the market to rebalance in six to nine months following the deal, adding that Russia had played a "fundamental" role in reaching the agreement on Nov. 30 in the Austrian capital. Non-OPEC countries are expected to contribute a reduction of 600,000 barrels per day as part of the wider agreement, of which Russia should account for half. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak is meeting Russian oil companies on Wednesday to finalise the terms of the cut before his visit to Vienna. Del Pino said Venezuela is proposing to include Russia and Oman in a commission that would monitor the implementation of the agreement, in addition to OPEC members Kuwait, Algeria and Venezuela. (Reporting by Katya Golubkova; Editing by Dale Hudson) Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) (AFP) - The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe on Tuesday criticised authorities in repressive Turkmenistan following reports that an independent journalist was arrested for possessing chewing tobacco. The security body's media watchdog Dunja Mijatovic said Turkmenistan must "ensure journalists' safety" and immediately release Khudayberdy Allashov, whose family says he was arrested December 3. Allashov was working as a contributor for the Turkmen-language service of Radio Free Europe, which is funded by the United States congress, at the time of his arrest. The service said Monday that he was beaten upon arrest and quoted his wife as saying he could face up to seven years in jail on the charges. While nasvai, a type of tobacco ingested orally, is illegal in Turkmenistan, it is also widely consumed there, as in other parts of ex-Soviet Central Asia. Another contributor to RFE's Turkmen service, Saparmamed Nepeskuliev, was imprisoned in 2015 on narcotics charges, which critics say is a standard method used by the government to silence media. RFE's Turkmen service regularly reports on shortages and poverty in the provinces beyond the gas-rich country's white marble-clad capital Ashgabat. Turkmenistan placed 178 out of 180 countries in the 2016 press freedom index of non-profit Reporters Without Borders. With cold season here, more of us are taking over-the-counter medications, but there are some meds you should never mix and The Doctors break it down. We are joined by Dr. Tania Elliott from Doctor on Demand who reveals the pill combinations you should avoid. Watch: Cold Medications Safety For Kids Aspirin & Ibuprofen: Taking both of these meds increases your risk for bleeding, including gastrointestinal bleeding and even the possibility of developing stomach ulcers. St. Johns Wart & Cough Medicine: The combination of the herbal supplement which some use for depression and cough syrup could be deadly, Dr. Elliot warns. It can cause serotonin syndrome, an excessive of serotonin in the body. Too much serotonin can lead to sweating, confusion, tremors, diarrhea, discomfort, trouble controlling your moments, and in rare cases even death. Caffeine & Decongestants: Mixing your morning pick-me-up or even your caffeinated hot tea with a decongestant can increase your heart rate and raise your blood pressure. Dr. Elliot notes that caffeine is often an ingredient in many of our headache and pain meds, so please read carefully if taking one. Watch: Is It a Cold or the Flu? When in doubt about medications, please consult with your medical care provider. For medical questions when you dont have time to go to the doctor, check out the app Doctor on Demand to be connected with a real doctor from the comfort of your own home. Doctor on Demand was created by The Doctors' executive producer. By Mubasher Bukhari LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) - A Pakistani court has charged four men with the murder of a woman social media star, including her brother, but all four deny involvement in her death, their lawyer said on Wednesday. The woman, known as Qandeel Baloch, gained massive popularity but also drew censure in mostly conservative Pakistan for her outspoken and often risque social media posts. She was strangled to death at her home in the city of Multan on July 16. The killing sent shockwaves across Pakistan and triggered an outpouring of grief on social media for Baloch, whose real name was Fauzia Azeem. Her brother, Muhammad Waseem, addressed a news conference while in police custody a day after the killing, telling reporters about the need to protect his family's "honor". A cousin, Haq Nawaz, and two other men including taxi driver Abdul Basit and Zafar Khosa were also indicted at a hearing on Monday, said Sardar Zafar Ahmed, defence counsel for all four men. All four pleaded not guilty, Ahmed said. At least 500 women are killed each year in Pakistan at the hands of relatives over perceived damage to a family's honor that can involve eloping, fraternizing with men or any other infraction against conservative values. The government has been under pressure to pass stricter laws aimed at preventing so-called honor killings. In October, parliament unanimously passed a law that seeks to close loopholes that allows murderers to go free if they are forgiven by family members. Under the new law, relatives can still forgive convicts if they have been sentenced to death, but the convict would still have to face, at minimum, a mandatory life sentence. (Writing by Asad Hashim; Editing by Robert Birsel) A passenger plane flying to Islamabad from the northern town of Chitral reportedly crashed into a mountainous region of the country about 45 miles west of its destination Wednesday. The flight, run by Pakistan International Airlines, had 47 people on board who officials said were unlikely to have survived the impact. All of the bodies are burned beyond recognition. The debris is scattered, an official said, according to the Guardian. Among those on board the flight was pop-star-turned-evangelical-preacher Junaid Jamshed. Communication with flight PK661 was lost at approximately 4:30 p.m. local time, civil aviation sources said. The last major air disaster in Pakistan occurred last year when a military helicopter crashed, killing eight people including foreign envoys. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Related Articles A Pakistani plane carrying 48 people crashed Wednesday in the country's mountainous north and burst into flames, authorities said, as rescue workers pulled dozens of bodies from the wreckage and officials expressed little hope for survivors. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Flight PK661 came down on a flight from the city of Chitral to Islamabad, the civil aviation authority said. It was not immediately clear what caused the crash, which occurred near the village of Saddha Batolni in Abbottabad district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The military, which was part of rescue operations, said 21 bodies had so far been retrieved from the wreckage. "The way the plane crashed and broke into pieces, there is no chance of any survival," Sardar Aurangzeb Nalota, a local legislator, told AFP. Villagers were collecting body parts in shawls and on woven beds, he said, while police and rescue teams were searching the site with torches. "The fuel tank is still on fire. the plane debris is scattered in the mountains and residents told me that it is completely destroyed," Nalota said. Ilyas Abbasi, a police official in the nearest town Havelian, said the site was more than four kilometres away over hilly terrain and had to be reached on foot. The airline said the plane was an ATR-42 turboprop aircraft, which lost contact en route from Chitral. "A plane has crashed and locals told us that it is on fire," Saeed Wazir, a senior local police official, said earlier. - Nation mourns ex-singer - Among those on board was Junaid Jamshed, a former Pakistani pop star turned evangelical Muslim who was embroiled in a blasphemy controversy in 2014, according to the Chitral airport manager and a local police official. The singer's Twitter account had said he was in Chitral. Tributes were pouring in on social media for the former lead singer of the country's first major pop band, whose popular "Dil Dil Pakistan" became an unofficial national anthem. Story continues "The voice of my youth, the voice of my generation.... #JunaidJamshed you will be sorely missed," tweeted user Huma A Shah. The terrain around Havelian is hilly, roughly the same altitude as the Margalla Hills which overlook Islamabad. Pakistan's most recent air disasters involved helicopters, both in 2015. In May that year a Pakistani military helicopter crashed in a remote northern valley, killing eight people including the Norwegian, Philippine and Indonesian envoys and the wives of the Malaysian and Indonesian envoys. In August 2015 another army helicopter crashed killing 12 people, all military. The deadliest air disaster on Pakistani soil was in 2010, when an Airbus 321 operated by private airline Airblue and flying from Karachi crashed into the hills outside Islamabad while about to land, killing all 152 on board. An official report blamed the accident on a confused captain and a hostile cockpit atmosphere. - Chequered history - But the deadliest accident involving PIA came when an Airbus A300 crashed into a cloud-covered hillside on approach to the Nepalese capital Kathmandu in 1992 after the plane descended too early, killing 167 people. Despite this, PIA has been crash free for 10 years, and received a 7 out of 7 rating on the highly-cited AirlineRatings.com, which launched its annual listing in 2013. But a 2014 analysis by US statistician Nate Silver based on data from 1985 - 2014, found the airline to have a consistently high number of what he termed "near-misses" -- an indicator of risk. Most of the carrier's fleet apart from its latest Boeing 777s were also banned entry from the European Union between March and November 2007. By Elizabeth Piper and Kylie MacLellan LONDON (Reuters) - MPs backed Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit timetable on Wednesday after she headed off a rebellion in her Conservative Party over a lack of insight into the government's strategy to leave the European Union. May has come under pressure from MPs, businesses and investors to set out at least a broad picture of how she sees Britain's future relationship with the EU. She says giving too much away could weaken Britain's hand in the country's most important negotiations since World War Two. After a sometimes rowdy session in parliament, MPs voted by 448 to 75 to support a motion calling on the government to offer up its Brexit plan, but also backed the government's timetable to trigger the divorce procedure by the end of March. During the six-hour debate, the Labour Party pressed its motion for a plan setting out the government's negotiating stance in its talks with the bloc, before Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty is invoked to start the exit process. But by agreeing to the government's demand for parliament to endorse May's timetable for Article 50, Labour MPs were accused of falling into a trap -- allowing ministers to begin the divorce without consultation. Labour Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer denied the vote was on Article 50. It was a vote, he said, to force the government to offer a plan with "enough detail and clarity to end the circus of uncertainty" over Britain's future ties to the EU's single market of 500 million consumers. "Asking for a plan setting out the objectives is not to seek to undermine the UK's negotiating hand nor is it to seek a running commentary, but it is in fact to have clarity, scrutiny and accountability," he said. He said that if the government failed to provide a sufficiently detailed plan, Labour would challenge it again, he said, adding that the party aimed to head off a "hard Brexit". The answer from government was clear -- it was offering information when it could and it would produce a plan. What was not clear was what would be included in that plan. "I will make as much information as possible available without prejudicing our negotiating position," said David Davis, May's Brexit minister. May hopes to stick to her timetable but faces obstacles after a court ruled that the government needs parliament's assent to invoke Article 50. The government is challenging that ruling in the Supreme Court. A lawyer at the court said that even if parliament did vote in favour of the March deadline, that would make no difference to his case that parliament, not ministers, had the power to authorise triggering Brexit talks. (editing by Angus MacSwan) With Wisconsins historic presidential recount nearly three-quarters complete, Democrat Hillary Clinton has gained 82 votes on Republican president-elect Donald Trump. The state Elections Commission reported the figures Wednesday. It added that the first statewide presidential recount since 2004 is on pace to finish by an 8 p.m. Monday deadline. The recount has proceeded despite a federal lawsuit from Trump supporters seeking to shut it down. A hearing on the lawsuit, brought by Great America PAC, Stop Hillary PAC and Wisconsin voter Ronald R. Johnson, is scheduled for Friday. Judge James Peterson denied a request for an immediate halt to the recount last week. As of the end of the day Tuesday, Clinton had added 492 votes to her total and Trump had added 410 votes, the Elections Commission said. The original tally showed Trump leading by more than 22,000 votes out of nearly 3 million votes cast. The recount was requested by Green Party candidate Jill Stein, whose campaign paid $3.5 million. Her vote total in the state has increased by 60 votes so far. The cost was based on estimates by the county offices conducting the recount. Steins campaign will be charged for any amount in excess of what was already paid. Wisconsin Elections Commission spokesman Reid Magney said 34 of 72 counties have reported that they have completed their recounts. Those counties are Adams, Barron, Bayfield, Columbia, Crawford, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Green, Green Lake, Iron, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Menominee, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Price, Sawyer, Shawano, St. Croix, Taylor, Vernon, Walworth, Washburn, Washington and Waupaca. Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell said Wednesday that the states second-largest county, and the largest county conducting a hand recount, is about half a day ahead of schedule. Stein also has sought recounts in Michigan and Pennsylvania, where a court hearing on her request is scheduled for Friday. On Wednesday, a federal judge lifted an order that had allowed Michigans recount, effectively ending it. Some changes to original totals Nearly all officials and even the campaigns said prior to the recount that they didnt expect the results of the election to change much. Magney acknowledged there have been a few discrepancies, but said they mostly resulted from human error. In Marinette County, for example, 309 absentee ballots out of more than 20,000 werent counted because voters used a nonstandard ink pen. Because they were absentee ballots, poll workers should have recognized the problem and remade the ballots using standard pens that would be read by the optical scanner, Magney said. The problem was resolved during the recount and resulted in Trump picking up 118 more votes and Clinton picking up 166 more votes. Other examples include: In Dane County, 12 absentee ballots in Monona and 23 absentee ballots in Fitchburg were left in their certificate envelopes unopened on Election Night. In Adams County, nine absentee ballot envelopes were disqualified because they were missing witness addresses, resulting in Trump losing five votes and Clinton losing four. In Eau Claire, there were 12 votes that werent counted on Election Night due to a paper jam. In the town of Somers in Kenosha County, there was a discrepancy of 22 votes between the original canvass numbers and the recount, resulting in Trump losing one vote, Stein gaining six votes, Libertarian Gary Johnson gaining 12 votes and Constitution Party candidate Darrell Castle gaining three votes. In Langlade County, a corrected math error from Election Night resulted in Trump gaining 39 votes in the town of Rolling. In Manitowoc County, there were 24 additional votes for Clinton that hadnt been counted in the town of Centerville, and 25 votes for Trump in the town of Kossuth that had been counted twice. In Ozaukee County, Trump picked up 29 votes in Newburg due to a discrepancy in original canvass results. In Sheboygan County, the recount was able to account for 26 votes in Plymouth that werent counted on Election Day due to human error. In Vernon County, 35 ballots in Viroqua were not read by the voting machine on Election Night, resulting in nine more votes for Trump, 22 more for Clinton and the rest for other candidates. Magney also addressed several fake news stories about the recount that have circulated on social media. He said Trump votes are not being counted twice in Waukesha County, where a live stream of the recount is available. Also, ballots can be inserted in scanners face up or face down and campaign representatives are able to view and question them. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Seventy-five years ago today, Japanese forces executed a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, pulling the United States into World War II and forever changing the course of history. At the time of the attack, Glenn Miller's "Chattanooga Choo Choo" was the No. 1 song in America on the Billboard charts. Shortly after Pearl Harbor, Miller joined the war effort, leaving behind a lucrative life as swing music's biggest star. In December 1944, a little more than two years after America entered WII, a plane carrying Glenn Miller disappeared en route to France. Miller was declared dead shortly thereafter. The big band jazz pioneer was just 40. On the 75th anniversary of a day that will live in infamy, Billboard spoke with music journalist and historian Robert K. Oermann -- he's written eight books, scripted about 50 TV specials about music and continues to write a column at Music Row -- about Miller's wartime efforts, his death, and how WWII changed the type of songs being made in America. And for the curious, Oermann also lists a number of fascinating WWII-themed songs, covering everything from swing to pop to country. So when Pearl Harbor happened, Glenn Miller had the No. 1 song on the Billboard chart already? Oermann: "Chattanooga Choo Choo" had been No. 1 for quite a few weeks by the time Pearl Harbor came along, it was the biggest hit of the year and the first record to be declared a Gold record for a million selling. It's a song about trains -- people traveled by train back then, especially the troops. That's how you went to your place of deployment. It was the first hit song of the war. And Miller joined the war effort shortly thereafter? Oermann: He voluntarily enlisted. He disbanded the Glenn Miller Orchestra, started a new band called the Army Air Force Band, where he was the director to entertain the troops. He went to England and profoundly affected music overseas. At that time, our swing music was just beginning to penetrate the British consciousness. His going to England and staying there for six months was considered by the British to be highly influential in the development of their music. He also became the most famous entertainer who died during the war. He died when his plane disappeared over the English channel on a flight from England to France to entertain the troops in '44. He disappeared on December 15, and he was declared dead three or four days later when they decided there was no hope of ever finding the plane. They still haven't found any wreckage. But his fame didn't go away when he died. They actually made a movie after he died starring Jimmy Stewart, The Glenn Miller Story [in 1953]. Story continues After "Chattanooga Choo Choo" fell off, what other kinds of songs became popular? Oermann: After we entered the war, the war songs poured out. Of all the big band leaders, Glenn did more war-oriented songs. He did "(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover," "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)" and "American Patrol." Glenn Miller lead the way with those but there was a boatload of war songs in '42. There was "A Boy In Khaki, A Girl In Lace," the country industry jumped in with "There's a Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere," "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition," "The Fuehrer's Face" was a comedy record from Spike Jones. Kate Smith had "Wonder When My Baby's Coming Home," Bing Crosby had "I'll Be Home for Christmas," one of the saddest Christmas songs ever. And later there was Red Foley's "Smoke on the Water," Ernest Tubb's "Soldier's Last Letter" and Bob Wills' "Stars and Stripes on Iwo Jima." How did the soldiers overseas experience music? Oermann: It was pretty much radio. In the case of the BBC, the BBC specifically censored songs that would depress the soldiers. They wouldn't play anything that was too sad or anything about cheating wives or cheating anything. They didn't want to demoralize the troops. The BBC was very careful what they'd play. They censored "Paper Doll," the song by the Mills Brothers [a long running No. 1 during the war]. The lyrics are, "I'm gonna buy a paper doll that I can call my own / A doll that other fellows cannot steal." But the Armed Forces radio network and the U.S. radio stations pretty much played whatever was popular. And the war affected record-making materials, right? Oermann: Yes, there was the shellac shortage. It was considered essential to the war effort to gather shellac, so they had people turn in their records to melt them down to make shellac for jeep tires or whatever. So there was a shortage of records being manufactured during the war, particularly in '43. That year is when you have the fewest number of recordings being made. But it was all voluntary -- you did it because it was patriotic. Check out some of the wartime songs Oermann mentions below. One of the most controversial decisions in Supreme Court history was caused by aftershocks of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and its still being debated today. On December 7, 1941, Japanese military forces attacked the United States base in Hawaii without warning. More than 2,000 Americans died in the attack, and a united Congress answered President Franklin Roosevelts request for war. In early 1942, President Roosevelt issued Presidential Executive Order 9066, after fears generated by the Japanese attack made the safety of Americas West Coast a priority. The order started a process that gave the military power to exclude citizens of Japanese ancestry from regions called military areas. Under another provision, called Exclusion Order No. 34, a Japanese-American citizen named Fred Toyosaburo Korematsu was arrested for going into hiding in Northern California after refusing to go to an internment camp. There were 10 camps set up nationally, and about 120,000 people were interned in the camps during the war. About two-thirds of them were Japanese-Americans who were born in the United States. Korematsu appealed his conviction through the legal system, and the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case in late 1944. The court had heard a similar case in 1943, Hirabayashi v. United States, and decided that Gordon Hirabayashi, a college student, was guilty of violating a curfew order. The Korematsu v. U.S. case in 1944 decision referenced the Hirabayashi case, but it also ruled on the ability of the military, in times of war, to exclude and intern minority groups. The court ruled by a 6 to 3 vote that the government had the power to arrest and intern Korematsu. Justice Hugo Black, writing for the majority, included a paragraph that is still debated today: It should be noted, to begin with, that all legal restrictions which curtail the civil rights of a single racial group are immediately suspect. That is not to say that all such restrictions are unconstitutional. It is to say that courts must subject them to the most rigid scrutiny. Pressing public necessity may sometimes justify the existence of such restrictions; racial antagonism never can, Black said. Story continues Later in the decision, Black argued the necessity of the militarys decision. Korematsu was not excluded from the Military Area because of hostility to him or his race. He was excluded because we are at war with the Japanese Empire, because the properly constituted military authorities feared an invasion of our West Coast and felt constrained to take proper security measures, because they decided that the military urgency of the situation demanded that all citizens of Japanese ancestry be segregated from the West Coast temporarily, he said. In subsequent years, the American internment policy has been met with harsh criticism. One 1948 law provided reimbursement for property losses incurred by interned Japanese-Americans. In 1988, Congress awarded restitution payments of $20,000 to each survivor of the 10 camps. As part of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, Congress apologized on behalf of the people of the United States for the evacuation, relocation, and internment of such citizens and permanent resident aliens. President Bill Clinton awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Korematsu in 1998, and President Barack Obama bestowed the same honor on Hirabayashi in 2012. During the 1999 ceremony, Clinton said, In the long history of our countrys constant search for justice, some names of ordinary citizens stand for millions of soulsPlessy, Brown, Parks. To that distinguished list today we add the name of Fred Korematsu. President Obama awarded the medal posthumously to Hirabayashi in May. In Gordons words, It takes a crisis to tell us that unless citizens are willing to stand up for the [Constitution], its not worth the paper its written on. And this country is better off because of citizens like him who are willing to stand up, Obama said at the ceremony. Federal courts had also overturned the original convictions of Hirabayashi and Korematsu. Historical Stories on Constitution Daily On this day: The United States formally outlaws slavery Five interesting facts about Prohibitions end in 1933 Happy birthday to the Founders painter, Gilbert Stuart Wednesday marks the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, which was attacked in Hawaii by the Imperial Japanese Navy on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941. The attack claimed more than 2,400 American lives and brought the United States into World War II. The event is remembered annually on Dec. 7, with speeches, live events and a parade that takes place every year in Hawaii. This year, the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam's Kilo Pier, the National Park Service and the U.S. Navy will co-host the commemoration ceremony. The 75th remembrance will be marked by a historic moment when President Barack Obama will be meeting with Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe later this month on Dec. 27 in Honolulu. The event will mark the first time a major Japanese leader has visited the landmark site of the USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu. The official website for the commemoration day gave out the full schedule of the ceremonies to be held Wednesday. National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Commemoration: 7:45 a.m. HST (12:45 p.m. EST) to 9:15 a.m. HST (2.15 p.m. EST) at Kilo Pier, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Attack on Hickam Field Ceremony & Reception: 7:50 a.m. HST at Atterbury Circle, Hickam AFB Annual Wreath Presentation: 8 a.m. HST at Marine Corps Base Hawaii Freedom Bell Ringing: 11 a.m. HST to 1 p.m. HST at USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park Public Tours of the USCGC Morgenthau: Noon to 4 p.m. HST at Aloha Tower Pier 9 75th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Mass Band Performance: Noon to 1 p.m. HST at Battleship Missouri Memorial Fox Sports Pearl Harbor Basketball Invitational - Seton Hall vs. California, Princeton vs. Hawaii: 2 p.m. HST and 4:30 p.m. HST at Bloch Arena USS Oklahoma Memorial Ceremony: 1 p.m. HST to 2:30 p.m. HST at USS Oklahoma Memorial, Ford Island 25th Infantry Division Commemoration Ceremony: 3 p.m. HST to 3:30 p.m. HST at Fort DeRussy Double Interment Ceremony: 4 p.m. HST to 5:30 p.m. HST at USS Arizona Memorial Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade and Public Ceremony: 4:30 p.m. HST to 7:30 p.m. HST at Kalakaua Avenue, Waikiki Story continues The live stream of the 75th National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Commemoration will be made available at 7:45 a.m. HST on the following websites. Related Articles Pedro Almodovar's work is the subject of a career retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art. But the Spanish filmmaker told The Hollywood Reporter that having his 20 feature films screening at the museum has him thinking about his future. "This is like the future for me," Almodovar said of the screenings of films from his first, (Pepi, Luci, Bom), through his most recent work, Julieta. Those who see Almodovar's films at the museum, he said, will likely include a number of people who are new to his work, and he would "really like to know how they feel about all of the movies." Speaking to THR at an intimate dinner at The Modern last week to celebrate the retrospective, Almodovar called it "a dream that the general spectators can go and see your movies, your old movies, on their original screen, the big screen." Although he's based in Europe, Almodovar had paid close attention to the recent U.S. presidential election and told THR he's "terrified" in the wake of Donald Trump's win. "I was in L.A. the day of the election and I was following the TV and it was like a nightmare. Even though I'm Spanish and I'm living in Europe, we are very concerned about everything that's happening here," Almodovar said. "It's so awful that it's difficult to think about it and to think that it's real. I think we have to pay a lot of attention to what is happening because it is really a big danger everywhere." Read more: Oscars: Spain Selects Pedro Almodovar's 'Julieta' for Foreign-Language Category On a far more pleasant note, Almodovar - who was spotted talking with Cate Blanchett, whom he was seated next to, throughout the dinner - said she was one of the Hollywood actors he would like to work with. Almodovar had considered making Julieta, which opens in the U.S. on Dec. 21 and has been selected as Spain's submission for the best foreign language Oscar category, in English with Meryl Streep. The filmmaker indicated he was still interested in working on an English-language or U.S.-filmed movie, "just to take advantage of working with many wonderful actors and actresses that are here." Story continues Other high-profile guests at the intimate Modern dinner included Sony Pictures Classics' Michael Barker and Tom Bernard, John Turturro and Marina Abramovic. The retrospective, which runs through Dec. 17, was put together by associate film curator La Frances Hui and chief film curator Rajendra Roy, who told Almodovar, in his remarks at the dinner, that MoMA would "always be your home." Getty Images By Manuel Mogato and Farah Master MANILA/HONG KONG (Reuters) - Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the arrest of Jack Lam, one of Asia's top casino kingpins, on charges of economic sabotage and bribery, according to the country's police chief. Philippine authorities said they have also shut down two properties in the country that are owned by Lam, a Chinese citizen and head of Hong Kong-listed Jimei International. Lam is not in the Philippines currently, national police chief Ronald Dela Rosa told reporters on Wednesday. Last month, Philippine immigration authorities detained about 1,200 Chinese men working in call centre-like facilities for running suspected online gambling operations out of a former U.S. air base, Clark Field. Dela Rosa said in a radio interview on Saturday that an associate of Lam tried to secure their release. He said Duterte then ordered Lam's arrest. On Wednesday, Dela Rosa said Lam had indicated to the authorities that he was willing to return to the Philippines and assist in any investigations. "The feelers were to me," the police chief said. Lam's casino operations in the cities of Laoag, which is in northern Luzon, and Clark, just north of Manila, have been shut down, according to local authorities and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Jimei said in a statement on Tuesday that Lam's gaming operations in the Philippines were personally owned and not part of the group's business. "As at the date of this announcement, so far as the company is aware, Dr. Lam has not been held by the Philippine authorities," it said. Jimei did not respond to requests for comment. Lam, who used to bring high rollers to Macau's top casinos including Sands China and Wynn Macau, has faded from prominence over the past few years as Beijing's crackdown on corruption has crippled so-called junket operations. At the same time, Lam's operations in the Philippines have grown, including a rise in Chinese nationals gambling online at his gaming site. (Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) A 14-year old Phoenix boy gave his dog an early and unforgettable holiday gift. Young Mike Assi was on a school bus about 7:40 a.m. on Friday, when he spotted smoke billowing from his family home. He asked the driver to stop, bolted from the bus, and futilely tried to open the homes front door. When it wouldnt budge, he ran to the back of the house and opened the back door, freeing his 9-year old pit bull, Zach, reports Fox-10 Phoenix. I go through the backyard, I open the back door and I start yelling for him, Assi told Fox-10. He comes out through the backyard. He sat in the backyard he wouldnt move. We were too close to the house. I had to pick him up to bring him out through the front yard. Phoenix Fire Department Capt. Reda Bigler said that firefighters had not yet arrived on the scene when Assi rescued Zach. Although she praised the boys heroism, she cautioned that people should stay far away from burning structures. Its not even that fire hurts people, its that the smoke can render someone unconscious very quickly, said Bigler. But was smart. He didnt run in, even when the door opened. Bigler said the cause of the fire and damage estimates were not yet available, yet news footage showed the home was badly burned. Bigler said the family was displaced, but that no one was injured and that the fire didnt spread to other structures. Fire crews controlled the fire and kept it from burning out of control, said Bigler. You could see smoke from miles and miles away. Assi told Fox News that he wasnt deterred by the intensity of the fire. I sleep with him, hes my sisters, but I grew up with him, said Mike Assi. hes family. Family members contacted by PEOPLE declined comment. Baby its cold outside, and we feel like shirking all responsibilities and adopting hibernation as a life strategy, but these polar bears are helping us make it through. Unlike some other bears, these white wonders embrace the cold. Its an important, optimistic message for those of us heading into the cruel months of winter. These shots were taken by Canadian photographer Daisy Gilardini, who spent this past year capturing what polar bears do when they exit their dens in February and March. One of her shots, Motherhood, a photo of one of the giant animals maternally cuddling her cubs, won this years Grand Prize for the Smithsonians 14th Annual Photo Contest, besting more than 20,000 other international submissions. The photo will be on display at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., for the next year. According to the CBC, Gilardini took the shot while the bears were on their way to hunt for seals in Manitoba. She was only a hundred yards away, but didnt feel threatened by the mother bear. The photographer took plenty of photos of the polar bear family, staying out in -65 Fahrenheit temperatures to capture the frolicking trio. The family was one of several Gilardini shot during her time at Wapusk National Park, where she patiently waited for the bears to emerge from their winter dens to photograph their first playful steps back into the wild. Gilardini hopes her shots inspire others to protect the Earths stunning species and landscapes. Piers Morgan launched a blistering attack on David and Victoria Beckham this morning, accusing them of pimping out their youngest son Cruz on the pop market. The 11-year-old, who has just been signed up by Justin Biebers agent, has announced hes releasing a cutesy festive single called If Every Day Was Christmas and the very idea had Piers reaching for the sick bucket. Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid/ITV Its the idea of pimping them (him) out on the Christmas pop single market, he raged. Sorry it is like that, it is. I dont care if its for charity. Its for his little career. I say, why dont you go to school mate? Because youre not famous, your parents are famous, so why dont you just carry on your education? Let the boy go to school! Whats wrong with them? What is Cruz doing, with Justin Biebers agent? Good Morning Britain co-host Susanna Reid was clearly a little uncomfortable with Piers frothing monologue, urging him to be gentle because Cruz is only 11. An awkward-looking Richard Arnold simply tried to move the conversation on as swiftly as possible. Cruz Beckham/Capital Radio As you might expect, not all GMB viewers were impressed with Piers rant, with plenty of people taking to twitter to take the 51-year-old presenter to task. Maybejust maybe, theyre supporting their child in exploring different experiences in lifethats what parents do! said one, while another trilled: Cruzing all the way to the top of the charts! Brand Beckham rolls on. Again Beckham envy! Its for charity and the kid probably LOVED it. Get over it! said another. @piersmorgan @GMB They have connections as do you obviously he is talented enough I'm sure they wouldn't humiliate him leave them be ! Elaine Jack (@elainejjack7) December 7, 2016 Story continues @piersmorgan @GMB Maybejust maybe, they're supporting their child in exploring different experiences in lifethat's what parents do! ???? ????Tracey III ???? (@traceywray) December 7, 2016 Little Cruz unveiled the song on Capital Radio this morning, and if the reaction was anything to go by, the 11-year-old lad could well be heading for a Christmas No. 1. Lets hope someone manages to get a copy to shove in Piers stocking, eh? (Adds Pimco declined to comment) By Jennifer Ablan NEW YORK, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Investors pulled $2 billion of net cash from the Pimco Total Return Fund, once the world's largest bond fund, in November, bringing year-to-date total cash withdrawals to $12.9 billion, Morningstar said on Wednesday. The Pimco Income Fund, widely seen by investors and analysts as Pimco's new flagship fund, posted net inflows of $661 million last month, for a year-to-date total cash inflow of $12.1 billion, Morningstar data showed. "Pimco Total Return Fund is lagging its Lipper peers in 2016 and is below average on a three-year basis," said Todd Rosenbluth, director of ETF & Mutual Fund Research at CFRA. "In contrast, Pimco Income Fund is outperforming its own peer group in both periods." Pimco Total Return, which hit a peak of $292.9 billion in assets under management in April 2013, now has assets under management of $78.5 billion. Pimco Income Fund, which is overseen by Dan Ivascyn, now has assets under management of $68.15 billion, Morningstar data show. So far this year, the Pimco Total Return Fund has posted returns of 2.18 percent, lagging 74 percent of its intermediate-term peer category, according to Morningstar data. For the same period, the Pimco Income Fund has posted returns of 7.86 percent, surpassing 68 percent of its multisector bond category, Morningstar added. Pimco declined to comment on the Morningstar data. Pimco, a unit of German insurer Allianz SE, is based in Newport Beach, California, with more than $1.55 trillion in assets under management as of Sept. 30. Like BlackRock Inc and Janus Capital Group Inc , Pimco adds dividend reinvestments into its inflow figures. Research organizations such as Morningstar and the Investment Company Institute, along with many fund managers, including Vanguard, Fidelity and DoubleLine, exclude reinvestments and treat only fund share purchases as inflows. (Reporting By Jennifer Ablan; Editing by Bill Trott and Jonathan Oatis) Amid turmoil over the future of Obamacare, Medicare and Medicaid, a bipartisan coalition on Capitol Hill is renewing its call for creation of a blue-ribbon commission to recommend changes in Social Security to avert a long-term financial crisis. It has been 35 years since a bipartisan Social Security commission led by Republican Alan Greenspan helped pave the way for a congressional agreement that extended the life of the retirement system by a half century. Related: How the Democratic and GOP Platforms Clash Over Social Security Reform Now, Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, an influential and well-regarded House Republican, and Rep. John Delaney of Maryland, a moderate Democrat, have teamed up again behind a plan to create a similar 13-member panel. They will propose changes to prevent the massive trust fund from running out of money as early as 2034, the time todays 49-year-olds reach normal retirement. The Social Security crisis of the early 1980s during the Reagan administration was far more serious than the current financial challenges facing the system, and officials fearful the system would go belly up within two years. Todays problems are less serious, as more and more baby boomers retire while fewer younger Americans are paying into the system. According to the most recent trustees report issued in March, Social Securitys revenue shortfalls are continuing to mount and will total $1.4 trillion over the coming decade. But tampering with the Social Security system is a high risk venture at best. Any serious proposals in recent years such as raising the retirement age, slightly increasing the federal payroll tax, and altering the cost of living adjustments to save money -- have been met with fiery opposition from seniors organization like AARP and Democratic activists and lawmakers. Related: Medicare and Social Security Worse than They Look One of former Republican President George W. Bushs worst political blunders was championing an idea in 2004 to partially privatize the system by creating individual savings accounts. Other Republicans who have advanced similar ideas since then did so at their own political peril. Story continues Whats more, Republican President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on the promise that he wouldnt consider cutting Social Security or Medicare in addressing the nations long-term debt, a sentiment shared by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York. But proponents of a new bipartisan commission insist it would create an environment of compromise where Democrats and Republicans could set aside their partisan differences and craft a new long-term plan for 60 million Americans that would avoid a 21 percent across the board cuts in benefits down the road if nothing is done to stabilize the system. The commission plan is gaining backing form a number of fiscal conservatives groups, government watchdog organization and a smattering of moderate activists who are alarmed about Social Security and its impact on the long-term debt. Related: GOP Cuts in Medicare May Be Next After Dismantling Obamacare They are considering offering their plan again in March or April, when Congress and the new Republican president must face up to raising the debt ceiling one of the most unpopular tasks that befall the party in power. By adopting the commission idea, lawmakers could demonstrate their concern about the retirement program and the mounting debt, but without having to take any action for at least another year. Cole and Delaney stressed that their bill, which they first proposed in 2014, would not prescribe solutions to address the trust funds looming insolvency problem, and that the new panels charter would almost certainly steer clear of fundamental changes in the program. Cole said that they are only looking for fixes around the edges that would guarantee that future demands for retirement benefits dont seriously outpace incoming payroll tax revenue. At the end of the day, if you dont do entitlement reform, youre not doing anything at all to address the nations long term budget and economic problems, Cole said on Wednesday morning during a conference on Social Security on Capitol Hill sponsored by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Im more interested in process than I am in the various proposals, he said. Theres a lot of different ways, particularly with Social Security. Its a pretty easy problem to solve because its basically a math problem. We know how many people are turning 65, we know about what their life expectancy is, we know about what they paid in, you can predict the revenue flow pretty easily. Related: Social Security Trustees Project Trust Fund Will Be Tapped Out by 2034 So as long as youre not trying to make a huge philosophical point, like I want private accounts or I want an end to this, if you just want to fix the system, its a pretty easy way to get there, Cole said, adding that the commission would have a year in which to reach agreement and submit its plan to Congress. And frankly, it shouldnt take them a year. We have enough proposals to really look at it and bargain it out. It should take a long weekend, to tell you the truth. Delaney campaigned for reelection in his western Maryland district this year advocating changes in the system to assure its long-term solvency, such as raising the income cap on the federal payroll tax and enhancing benefits for retirees and the very elderly, and Cole has advanced more conservative reform ideas of his own. But were focusing on the process, Delaney said. Delaney said that he and Cole are attempting to replicate the success of the Greenspan commission in coming up with an approach that would extend the solvency of Social Security for another 75 years. Im incredibly confident that if this process is put in place, that well intentioned people who understand the program and are armed with the actuarial data that they need can put forth a program that actually strengthens the program and extends its life. The Cole-Delaney measure would create a bipartisan Commission on Long-Term Social Security Solvency with 13 members including three each appointed by Republican and Democratic party leaders in the House and Senate and a chair appointed by the president. The commission would have one year in which to produce a report, and at least nine members would have to sign onto the recommendations before Congress could hold an expedited up-or-down vote. Related: Harsh New Penalties for Social Security Fraud Are Coming Since Trump and the GOP swept to victory in the Nov. 8 election, Republicans have vowed an unprecedented shakeup of federal entitlement programs, including repealing the Affordable Care Act and pressing for major changes and cuts in the Medicare and Medicaid health care programs for seniors and the poor. But during his campaign, Trump had promised not to touch Medicare or Social Security. Coles and Delaneys timing in renewing their call for a Social Security reform commission might prove to be overkill. Cole acknowledged that unless Trump has a change of heart, nothing is likely to be done about Social Security in the near term. Frankly, we need presidential leadership, he said. But Social Security has long been known as the Third Rail of Politics touch it and you die. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: Who better to learn from than the pros themselves? Aspiring filmmakers got the surprise of their lives when Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence made an unexpected class visit at the Ghetto Film School in New York City on Tuesday. Students went to Sony Square to check out a special Passengers exhibit, in which they were able to view actual props used in the film. When the staff asked the students to participate in a mannequin challenge, Pratt and Lawrence snuck into the room to surprise the class. The Passengers costars spent the day answering questions and giving advice to students at the school. And naturally, there were plenty of hugs and cheers to go around. After the Q&A, Pratt, 37, and Lawrence, 26, posed for photos with the class, even chatting one-on-one with a few lucky students. The Ghetto Film School is a non-profit founded in 2000 dedicated to educating and inspiring the next generation of storytellers. The school has locations in both South Bronx and Los Angeles. Needless to say, anyone who skipped class on Tuesday is probably pretty mad at themselves. The surprise visit comes amid Lawrence and Pratts busy press schedule as they promote Passengers. In the sci-fi film, Pratt and Lawrence play the only two people from a group of interstellar passengers to wake up early. As they come to terms with living the rest of their lives on board the spacecraft, they begin to fall for one another. Passengers hits theaters Dec. 21. Warsaw (AFP) - Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski on Wednesday said he was "happy" the Polish Supreme Court had rejected a bid to extradite him to the United States to face sentencing over a decades-old case of statutory rape. "I'm happy this business is over once and for all. I only regret that I had to wait so long," the 83-year-old Polish-French director told private news channel TVN24. "I'll finally be able to feel safe in my own country," said the director of "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Pianist" who has won eight Academy Awards. Polanski, who lives in France and had been avoiding Poland because of the court case, now plans to visit his father's grave in the southern city of Krakow. He said he will also pay his respects to friend and fellow Polish filmmaker Andrzej Wajda, who died in October. Polanski is wanted in the United States for sentencing over the 1977 statutory rape of Samantha Gailey after a photo shoot in Los Angeles. He was arrested after Gailey, now Geimer, accused him of forcing her to have sex after drugging her. She was 13 at the time. Polanski was 43. He pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor, or statutory rape, as part of a plea bargain under which he served 42 days in detention while undergoing psychiatric evaluation. But in 1978, convinced that a judge was going to scrap the deal and hand him a hefty prison sentence, Polanski fled for France. In 2009 he was arrested in Switzerland on a US extradition request and spent 10 months under house arrest before Bern rejected the US order. The US then asked Poland to extradite Polanski in January 2015, but a Krakow court rejected the demand the following October. But after the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party came to power in November 2015 and Zbigniew Ziobro became justice minister, he announced a review of the decision, saying he wanted to "avoid double standards". On Tuesday, Poland's Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, definitively ending Poland's part in the 1977 case. Judge Michal Laskowski stressed his court's role was not to rule on the merits of the case but rather to make sure due process had been followed by the lower court. "We did not find a flagrant violation of the law," he said. Photo credit: Walter Diazundefined From Esquire India is huge. It's the seventh-largest country on Earth. At 1.27 million square miles, the geographic area of India is hard to even fathom, and scientists say that number is roughly how much of the polar ice caps have vanished this year. According to CBS News, climatologists are measuring sea ice levels in both the Arctic and Antarctica at record lows for this time of year. Sea ice is currently 1.48 million square miles below the average level between 1981 and 2010. Melting ice leads to rising sea levels that can endanger coastal areas. That includes cities like Miami, where flooding has grown steadily more common, intense, and widespread-and even landed sea creatures in residential parking garages. Today's news is in line with last month's, which showed severe losses in Arctic sea ice and North Pole temperatures as much as 36 degrees above normal. Part of this is due to El Nino, the periodic weather event that creates warmer waters in the Pacific Ocean. But a major part of it, according to the scientific experts who have spent years studying the phenomenon, is due to man-made climate change. [contentlinks align="center" textonly="false" numbered="false" headline="Related%20Story" customtitles="Will%20This%20Climate%20Change%20Stat%20Wake%20People%20Up?" customimages="" content="article.50882"] Anders Levermann, a professor at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, told Reuters that these latest readings are "an extraordinary departure from the norm." Mark Serreze, director of the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center, described the ice loss-which is also equivalent in size to two Alaskas-as "some really crazy things going on." This is all particularly alarming with the election of Donald Trump, who has called climate change a "hoax" orchestrated by the Chinese, pledged to re-energize even the dirtiest fuels (like coal), and threatened to cancel the United States' commitment to the Paris Climate Accords. Trump softened his stance in an interview with The New York Times, but also appointed a number of climate-change deniers and fossil fuel champions to his transition team. Story continues In yet another swing, though, Trump met with Nobel Prize-winning climate activist Al Gore Monday. Gore called that meeting with the president-elect and his daughter, Ivanka, "lengthy and very productive," and described a "sincere search for areas of common ground." Politico said Ivanka Trump is interested in taking the mantle as her father's "climate czar," and Gore may well have gained as much or more encouragement from her during the meeting. Al Gore says he had "extremely interesting conversation" with Donald Trump at Trump Tower: "To be continued" https://t.co/fOJpLOuj6k pic.twitter.com/m49I3NbaEI - ABC News (@ABC) December 5, 2016 Afterwards, Gore met reporters and described climate change as a graver threat than Trump's victory-despite the apparent connection between the two. "We don't have time to lick our wounds," he said, "to hope for a different election outcome." He continued: "I'm encouraged that there are groups that are digging in to work even harder. Those groups working in the courts are even more important now; those organizing on campuses are even more important now. We have to win this struggle and we will win it; the only question is how fast we win. But more damage is baked into the climate system every day, so it's a race against time." Let's hope he's right. Otherwise, everything might be about to slow down-except the chunks of ice falling into the sea, and the water pouring into the streets of Miami Beach. You Might Also Like Police clashed with anti-austerity protesters in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, December 6, as state legislators voted on budget cuts. Protesters rallied out the Rio de Janeiro Legislative Assembly during the debate. Demonstrators were mainly public servants some of whom have not been paid for months, according to local media. Police used tear gas and pepper spray and officers were photographed firing stun grenades from the window of a nearby church, triggering complaints from the the Rio diocese, who dubbed the police action an invasion, the BBC reported. Dozens of people were injured in Tuesdays protest and nine arrests were made. Credit: Instagram/vinivsb via Storyful The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Tuesday that the police killing of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa in his jail cell was a rubout and said that it could be part of a much larger conspiracy. Tuesdays landmark ruling follows a Senate inquiry into the death of Espinosawho had been publicly named on a drug list announced by President Rodrigo Duterte and of Raul Yap, the inmate of the adjacent cell. Both men were killed after a Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) raided the jail and opened fire, ABS-CBN reports. Despite the investigations outcome, in a speech on Wednesday Duterte insisted that the CIDG members involved would not serve jail time. I will not allow these guys to go to prison, even if the NBI says it was murder. After all, the NBI is under me, the Department of Justice, he said in a mixture of Filipino and English. We mayors, congressmen, who do we believe the police or a criminal? Duterte added in Filipino. Members of the raiding team had claimed that they shot Espinosa and Yap in self-defense when a gunfight broke out as they attempted to serve a search warrant. At the time, Duterte said he believed the police version of events. Read More: The Man in the Yellow Shirt Is Now Dead. Heres How That Could Upend the Philippine Drug War It is patently clear that the acts of the CIDG-8 operatives showed a community of purpose or an implied conspiracy, the NBI said in a statement, referring to the region number of the police team. There was unison in their purpose and action, signifying that they were all moved by a single criminal intent. The NBI also said that it had filed multiple murder and perjury charges against 24 members of the CIDG team, including Superintendent Marvin Marcos, who Duterte recently said that he had reinstated as the head of CIDG-8. Marcos had previously been sacked by the Philippine National Police for involvement with illegal drugs. [ABS-CBN] Pope Francis used colorful language while warning against promoting slander and disinformation in an interview with the Belgian Catholic weekly Tertio published on Wednesday. Francis said the media should be wary about scandal-mongeringeven when the story is true. Uncovering a truth about a person that is already in the past, and which has been paid for with a jail sentence, with a fine, or whatever is harmful and a sin, he said. Francis said the media, by taking pleasure in spreading such disinformation, risks falling into coprophiliaarousal derived from excrement, while its audience could fall into coprophagia, the consumption of excrement. I believe that the media should be very clear, very transparent, and not fall preywithout offense, pleaseto the sickness of coprophilia, which is always wanting to communicate scandal, to communicate ugly things, even though they may be true, he said. And since people have a tendency towards the sickness of coprophagia, it can do great harm. Vatican City (AFP) - Pope Francis on Wednesday compared scandal-obsessed media outlets who smear politicians and spread gossip to people sexually excited by excrement -- and described their readers as faeces eaters. He also lambasted "disinformation," a subject in the headlines amid debate about the growth of fake online news, and its possible influence on the US presidential election. "Disinformation is probably the biggest evil a (communications) medium can inflict, because it steers opinions in one direction, omitting part of the truth," he said in an interview with the Belgium Catholic weekly Tertio. The Argentine, 79, did not mince his words, saying some in the journalism world suffered from coprophilia -- a sexual attraction to faeces -- while readers tended to coprophagia, the consumption of excrement. "I believe the media must be much clearer, more transparent, and not fall -- excuse the expression -- into coprophilia, which is always wanting to broadcast scandals, ugly things, true though they may be," he said. "And as people tend to suffer from coprophagia, it can be very harmful," he said. His comments followed widespread debate in the United States and Britain over whether fake news may have played a part in persuading people to vote for Republican candidate Donald Trump and for Brexit. "Communication mediums have their own temptations, they can be tempted by slander, and therefore used to slander people, to smear them. This above all in the world of politics," he said. "They can be used as means of defamation... No-one has a right to do this. It is a sin and it is hurtful," he said. By TJ Strydom JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - New owner Steinhoff (SNHG.DE) (SNHJ.J) is dropping Poundland's single-price format to sell a broader range of products to thrifty British consumers, the South African company said on Wednesday. Steinhoff, on its own spending spree for no-frills furniture and general merchandise assets in Europe, bought Poundland for $800 million (635.07 million), a deal analysts said would be a prelude to an overhaul at the British retailer. The highly acquisitive firm, which also tried to buy France's Darty PLC and Britain's Home Retail, is adding apparel and footwear products from its Pep&Co chain to Poundland. "Management is quite confident that a multi-pricepoint and a different mix of product is definitely in store for the future for those brands in the UK," Chief Executive Markus Jooste said. Poundland built its business on selling products at a flat rate of 1 pound. Sales of Pep&Co products in large Poundland stores were ahead of expectations, Jooste told analysts in a call after the firm reported a 12.5 percent rise in quarterly group profit. Poundland was not included in the results for the three months to the end of September, but Jooste said that in the stores where Steinhoff had offered the new products "gross margins increased substantially". Steinhoff did not respond to a request for comment about possible store closures in Britain after reports that it planned to close 80 of its 900 Poundland shops. Shares in Steinhoff rallied 9 percent on the results, helped by clearer guidance on how Poundland and the $3.8 billion acquisition of U.S.-based Mattress Firm would be integrated into the business, analysts said. "They are moving to a multiprice format over time, it makes sense as the discount sector has been growing its market share in the UK for more than a decade," said Investec Asset Management analyst Rob Forsyth The firm further said it plans to double its clothing stores in eastern Europe to 2,000 in the next five years, extending the retailer's reach in one of its fastest-growing regions. Story continues Steinhoff's expansion into eastern Europe has been particularly rapid and profitable, with like-for-like sales in Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary up by a fifth on a year ago. It has increased the number of stores to 1,000 from only 14 around a decade ago. "There is a lot of growth still to be achieved in eastern Europe," Jooste said. The firm reported a 12.5 percent rise in operating profit to 327 million euros (279.39 million) in the quarter to September from 291 million euros a year earlier, buoyed by eastern Europe and South Africa. (Additional reporting by Tiisetso Motsoeneng; Editing by Louise Heavens and Keith Weir) On the book jacket for his new novel, All Joe Knight, a picture of Kevin Morris' pensive face looks in the direction of his author bio. The blurb lists his other published work, the "acclaimed short story collection" White Man's Problems, as well as writing credits for such publications as The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times and Filmmaker magazine. What it doesn't list is his Hollywood claim to fame: Morris is a respected attorney and founding partner at the successful firm of Morris Yorn Barnes Levine Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner & Gellman, where his clients include Matthew McConaughey and South Park masterminds Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Another omission from the bio is that Morris may be a power lawyer but he's a passionate literary head who has wanted to be a writer since he was 12 years old. That's what he told The Hollywood Reporter during a brief and recent sit-down inside Chateau Marmont's Bungalow 1, host of the book's industry-heavy launch party. Joining the 53-year-old Morris at his party were his agent wife, Gaby Morgerman and their children, his firm colleagues, including Kevin Yorn, Ailleen Gorospe, David Krintzman, Gregg Gellman, Jeff Endlich, Miles Metcoff, Ryan Goodell, Stephen Barnes and Todd Rubenstein, along with guests including Tish Cyrus, Illumination's Chris Meledandri, Viacom's Doug Herzog, WME's Elyse Scherz and Blaine Lourd. Morris read a few short passages from the Grove Press novel, which is set in Philadelphia and tells the coming-of-age story of its title character on a journey from being an orphaned kid to a driven yet troubled adult. Birthing this new book didn't come easy for Morris, who says it took seven years to complete. "I really left a lot of blood and sweat on the ground and everywhere else," he explains. But it wasn't too taxing that he would ever dream of quitting now. "I plan to write serious literary fiction for the rest of my life." And that is something that Yorn, his partner at the firm, supports. "I'm just really happy for Kev. It's been a journey for him and I'm really proud of him," Yorn says. "It's hard for him to do because he puts his soul into everything that he does in general, but he really puts his soul into writing. In this case, the pain that he went through in doing it and the beauty that he found - I can see that in him and it's now reverberating in his life. He's grown a lot in writing this book." THR asked Morris about that pain, how his clients have responded to his work and just how many more books he has left in him. Your book, All Joe Knight, is done. How does it feel? You know, it's a lot of mixed emotions. I'm kind of mourning all of the emotions that drove me to tell this story and I'm putting them in the past. I had done that to a certain extent by writing the novel in the first place and recreating that world - or really a new version of the world - in which I grew up. And so, I'm left with the question of the new emotions that I have. What is it about the place you grew up - Philadelphia in the 1970s - that compelled you to set the novel there? There's a lot about that time which serves dramatization very well. It's full of pain and sadness, despite sort of what this nostalgia-lized culture tells us with its sort of sunny and funny mini-documentaries about that time. It was a dark, hard time. For you personally? For me, yeah, and for a lot of people that I grew up with. You've mentioned darkness and the difficulties of your past several times tonight. Can you elaborate on that at all? It's more of a situation where all kids were facing some economic hardship and the economic hardship led to decisions that were really brutal on kids as they grew up. Like, having to change houses or not having the money to fix a house, or not being able to eat at night, sometimes. Having to use food stamps was a big one when I grew up. You know, those things were it caused all kinds of problems. This book is about being a kid and growing older. Would you qualify your personal story as a rags-to-riches story, for lack of a better cliche? No. It's more like I got a lot of help from the government at a lot of points [in my life]. I don't feel rags-to-riches is sort of ever fair. Let's talk about this then: This book is the culmination of seven years of hard work. It is a bit unfair to ask an author who is on the verge of releasing a brand-new book this question, but how many more books do you have in you? I'd like to keep writing novels the rest of my life. That's what I want to do. You just pray for the ability to do that. You said tonight that writing books is not something you can do on the sidelines - if you're a writer, you're a writer and that's a full-time thing. But you're also a partner at a prestigious, respected firm. Where do you find the time to write novels? I've got a place to write in Santa Monica outside of the office, which I went to a couple days a week for a period of time. It's an apartment/office, and I still have it. I started going there and I have all different kinds of strategies for where I write. I had the advantages for being able to do that and have a flexible schedule at my firm. I am not going to not [be] doing anything I didn't build that firm to not do it. There are lawyers writing every day. There are screenwriters who are lawyers. Every TV comedy writing room has lawyers in it. People are doing it. How have your clients responded? My clients are mostly my old friends, and they know me and they know what I'm like and how much this is my deepest hope. I made sure that everything was kept in check. I don't think any of them were surprised that I was writing. Alex J. Berliner/ABImages Alex J. Berliner/ABImages Alex J. Berliner/ABImages Alex J. Berliner/ABImages Alex J. Berliner/ABImages The prospect of Donald Trump becoming president prompted a host of Hollywood celebrities to pledge to move to Canada, even though many already have broken their election promises. But Amy Jo Johnson, who played the Pink Ranger in the original Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers TV series, did move north - only before the U.S. election - to launch herself as a Canadian film director. "I'm happy, I'm really happy here. I actually feel like I've become a nicer person, becoming Canadian," Johnson tells the Hollywood Reporter while attending the Whistler Film Festival. "I have friends here who say, 'We're not the backyard that you can just escape to. I tell them, good thing I did that 10 years ago,'" Johnson says of Toronto in the Trump era. The Power Rangers alum, who moved to Canada a decade ago, insists she crossed the border to leave Hollywood behind. "In my 20s, it was super fun (in Los Angeles). I was wild, and partied a lot. And when I got into my 30s, I started to panic. My mother had died, I was single, I couldn't find the right guy, my biological clock starts ticking," she recalls. Johnson initially took a role in a TV movie in Montreal before deciding to pursue permanent Canadian residency. Her immigration application included a letter of recommendation from J.J. Abrams, a co-creator of Felicity, on which she appeared in the role of Julie Emrick, best friend to Keri Russell's titular character. Even before moving to Montreal, Johnson had many acting gigs in Canada to get her first taste of life away from the distractions of Hollywood. Read more: 'Power Rangers': Watch the First Trailer for the Reboot "I had a lot of Canadian friends in Los Angeles struggling as actors," she recalls. "And I just kept saying, 'Why are you here? Go to Canada. I kept getting jobs and having to shoot in Canada and much of the cast is Canadian, so why are you here?'" Story continues "I followed my own advice, even though I wasn't Canadian," Johnson says. After a co-starring in the Canadian procedural drama Flashpoint for five seasons, which shot in Toronto, and doing a stint on Covert Affairs, Johnson wrote, directed and co-starred in her debut feature, The Space Between. The theatrical comedy, also starring fellow Flashpoint star Michael Cram, Michael Ironside and Julian Richings, debuted at the Shanghai Film Festival and opened the Carmel Film Festival, before screening in competition in Whistler. The Space Between was developed by Johnson and producer Jessica Adams through Norman Jewison's Canadian Film Centre and tapped Telefilm Canada, the federal government's film financier, for half of its budget. "It's so incredible, to be able to access this local support for filmmakers," Johnson says of Canada's generous taxpayer subsidies for indie filmmakers. Her move to Canada also inspired Johnson's second feature, My Heart Is in My Head, now in development. Read more: Bryan Cranston Joins 'Power Rangers' Movie And she's game for a role in Power Rangers should Lionsgate's movie reboot become a franchise. "Why not? They're going to do seven of them. Hopefully at one point, they'll ask me to do something," Johnson says. "I really wanted to be Rita, but Elizabeth Banks got that part," she adds of the classic Power Ranger character Rita Repulsa, an alien witch who has designs on the planet. "I think I would have made a fantastic Rita. Or some crazy villain." She's also set to do a series of Comic-Con appearances with Power Rangers co-star Jason David Frank, who played the Green Ranger, while also screening The Space Between at fan conventions. Read more: 'Power Ranger' Actor Amy Jo Johnson to Direct Debut Feature Today its Donald Trumps vow to bring down drug prices that has biotech stocks diving for cover. Yesterday it was the out of control price of Air Force One 747s being developed by Boeing. The President Elect hasnt even taken the oath of office yet, and everyone is hanging on his every tweet. Can you imagine four years of this? Its great for the media circus and advertisers, but for business leaders and investors looking for a little market stability, not so much. At some point, everyone will simply have to learn not to take everything Trump says and posts so literally and begin to understand his modus operandi. Its simple, really. Every decent dealmaker knows how to use the carrot and stick in negotiations. Thats what Trump is doing. Hes putting companies, industries and governments on notice. If its beginning to look like the former real estate tycoon is going to shake up everything, then youre starting to get the picture. Trump is not on corporate Americas side, the federal governments side, or anyone elses side, for that matter. He wants everyone to get a good deal, and that includes American taxpayers. When politicians are allowed to operate unfettered without checks and balances, guess whose side they end up on? Thats right, their own side. And that means the American people get screwed left, right and center. For far too long, the federal government has been running on autopilot, destination: big bloated bureaucracy. What Trump is doing is hitting the off switch and returning control to the American people. In other words, any politician, foreign nation or corporation caught with their hands in the American taxpayers cookie jar is going to end up getting hit with Trumps Twitter stick. Which is why were already starting to see smart leaders avoid the pain and simply go for the carrot. The inauguration is still 44 days away and hes already got United Technologies Carrier division keeping about 700 jobs in Indiana and Ford agreeing to keep a Lincoln car in Kentucky. That may not be much, but its a damn good result for a few tweets and meetings. Story continues After Trump vowed to get Apple to build their damn computers and things in this country back in January, the tech giant asked its manufacturing partners to assess the possibility of building iPhones in America. Thats not low hanging fruit, mind you. Thats a pretty big deal. Assembling even one model could mean tens of thousands of jobs. Taiwan-based Foxconn, which builds most of Apples iPhones, announced last night that its looking to expand its U.S. operations. Coincidence? I dont believe in coincidences. And after meeting with Trump on Tuesday, Softbank chairman Masayoshi Son pledged to invest $50 billion and create 50,000 jobs in America. Softbank has been on a major spending spree, acquiring the U.K.s Arm Holdings for $32 billion earlier this year and Sprint for $22 billion in 2013. If the cost of getting a good deal for the American people of reinvesting in U.S. growth, manufacturing and jobs is a little market instability, so be it. Its a small price to pay. Take it from a former senior executive who used to negotiate deals with corporate giants for a living: The carrot and stick may sound archaic, but its still the most powerful tool in business. In the hands of an American President, it can change everything for the better. Related Articles Dec 7 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories on the New York Times business pages. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. - Google said that all of its data centers around the world will be entirely powered with renewable energy sources sometime next year. http://nyti.ms/2h57v9n - SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son struck a pledge after meeting with President-elect Donald Trump of investing $50 billion in the United States, a move that he said would create some 50,000 jobs. http://nyti.ms/2h57IcA - A unanimous Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that Samsung may not have to give up $399 million in profits for copying parts of the distinctive look of Apple's iPhone. The Supreme Court returned the case to the Federal Circuit for further consideration. http://nyti.ms/2h50LIy - President-elect Donald Trump is summoning leaders of the biggest tech companies to New York for a round-table discussion. The agenda is undisclosed and perhaps still under consideration. http://nyti.ms/2h5f67R (Compiled by Sangameswaran in Bengaluru) A South Korean parliamentary probe into a corruption scandal engulfing President Park Geun-Hye sought Wednesday to compel the woman in the eye of the storm to answer questions after she rejected a summons. Choi Soon-Sil, a close friend of Park, has been charged with meddling in state affairs and using her presidential connections to force dozens of conglomerates to donate tens of millions of dollars to two foundations she controlled. Choi was among a handful of key witnesses who rejected a summons to appear Wednesday before the parliamentary committee investigating the scandal. The reasons she offered -- health issues and the need to prepare for her upcoming trial -- were rejected by the committee chairman Kim Sung-Tae. "This hearing is being criticised as a Choi Soon-Sil trial without Choi Soon-Sil," Kim said. "We will undertake all measures to make them appear," Kim said, referring to Choi, some of her family members and close associates, as well as some former officials from the presidential Blue House. Half of the witness seats at the hearing were empty. On Kim's direction, a group of around 20 men in dark suits and matching ties came forward and were handed envelopes with the names of the absent witnesses. He instructed them to bring the witnesses to the National Assembly by the beginning of the afternoon session, and added that any who refused would be held in contempt and punished. Non-compliance can carry a maximum five-year prison term. But by the time the afternoon session began, Choi's seat remained empty with only her niece turning up to face questioning. Wednesday's morning session largely focused on former Blue House chief of staff Kim Ki-Choon, with lawmakers seeking clarification on the influence Choi wielded over Park. On Tuesday, the committee had grilled the heads of the country's eight largest conglomerates over donations they made to two dubious foundations controlled by Choi. The session was televised live and millions watched in astonishment as some of the country's wealthiest and most powerful men were publicly hauled over the coals and accused of shoddy business practices. Sometimes a person's impact on your life and your work doesn't come into clear focus until you're asked to write about it. Grant Tinker, I now realize, had a huge impact on mine. All of us in the television business knew the kind of person he was and what he stood for, how he protected and championed the creative process so that writers could hold on to the purity of their vision. He understood that some shows take a while to grab hold of an audience and that the more unique the show, the longer it often takes. As a producer and network executive, he set a high bar for the rest of us. He gave us the example, and the courage, to be fierce in those jobs, to protect and nurture the creative process. I love that Grant was an English major. Not business management, or communications or film studies. He built a production company, and then a hit network schedule at NBC, on respect for and understanding of the power of the written word. Our industry was so much the better for the quiet, powerful influence of Grant Tinker. And so was I. What a man, and what a loss. Carsey is the Emmy-winning TV producer of series including NBC's The Cosby Show. This story first appeared in the Dec. 16 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe. Read more: 'Hill Street Blues' Creator Remembers Grant Tinker: "He Did Something No One Else Had Ever Done Before in TV" (Guest Column) china president putin russia Prominent neoconservative columnist Robert Kagan testified before Congress on Tuesday about the biggest threats facing the US which he says are Russia and China. Kagan warned in his prepared testimony that "the era of great-power rivalries has returned." "Only these two great powers [Russia and China] have the capacity to upend the world order which has long provided for Americans' security and well-being," Kagan told the Senate Armed Services Committee. "The unmistakable hegemonic ambitions of China and Russia threaten the stability and security of the world's two most important regions, East Asia and Europe. These regions are vital to the United States both economically and strategically." He warned against isolationist foreign policy, which President-elect Donald Trump seemed to champion during the campaign season. Kagan has been an outspoken critic of Trump he wrote a column for The Washington Post in May about how Trump could bring fascism to America. "These past 25-30 years have ... provided us a clear formula for success, a formula inherited from those early years after World War II," Kagan said. "By building and maintaining strong alliances with democratic nations and by supporting an open global economy that allows those nations to prosper, and which lifts billions of others in developing nations out of poverty, the United States can best protect its own security and the well-being of its own people." Trump said during the campaign that he thinks the NATO alliance is obsolete and suggested that if allies didn't contribute more to their own defense, the US would not fulfill its obligations to defend them in the event of an attack or invasion. "The perceived weakness and withdrawal of the United States as a result of the present administration's policies and rhetoric has unfortunately been greatly exacerbated by the comments of the president-elect and his proxies during this year's campaign," Kagan said. Story continues "Suggestions that the United States might not come to the defense of NATO allies if attacked by Russia ... that it is a 'real problem' that the United States has to come to Japan's defense if it is attacked, and in general that the United States should fulfill its security commitments to other nations only if it makes economic sense all these have only increased doubts about America's reliability as an ally and partner. They have given the clear impression to both friends and potential adversaries that the United States is turning inward, abjuring responsibility for global security, and effectively ceding hegemonic dominance of Europe and East Asia to Russia and China." Kagan stressed the importance of alliances. "Those bonds, together with a strong US military and strong US economy, prevailed in the Cold War, convinced Soviet leaders to concede peacefully, and established this extraordinary period in the history of international relations," Kagan said. "It has not been perfect, because perfection in human affairs is not possible. But by any reasonable standard, this formula has been successful and successful for the American people." He also warned the Senate committee about what could happen if the US were to weaken its ties to its allies. "In the past these great-power competitions have led invariably to great-power wars," Kagan said. "Managing these rivalries, avoiding war, and doing so without abandoning the liberal world order in the misguided belief that we will be spared when it collapses, is the greatest challenge we face today and in the years and decades to come." Kagan's testimony comes at a time when populist movements are rising across Europe and anxiety about globalization and immigration is rising. At the same time, Russia and China appear to be getting more aggressive on the world stage. "Both seek to redress what they regard as an unfair distribution of power, influence, and honor in the American-led postwar global order," Kagan testified. "Being autocracies, both feel threatened by the dominant democratic powers in the international system and by the democracies on their borders. Both regard the United States as the principal obstacle to their ambitions, and therefore both seek to weaken the American-led international security order which stands in the way of their achieving what they regard as their rightful destinies." A weakened NATO could be especially dangerous when it comes to Russia, which has been expanding its influence in former Soviet countries. Kagan noted that Russia "has invaded two neighboring states Georgia in 2008 and Ukraine in 2014 and in both cases has hived off significant portions of those two nations' sovereign territory." China, on the other hand, "has until now been the more careful and cautious, seeking influence primarily through its great economic clout in the region and globally, and using its growing military power chiefly as a source of deterrence and intimidation," Kagan said. But its military expansion in the South China Sea indicates that "China's willingness to use force cannot be ruled out in the future." NOW WATCH: Why Ivanka can't serve in a Trump cabinet More From Business Insider Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f310224%2fscreen_shot_2016-12-07_at_5.14.45_pm A group of women are sick of the "sausage party" that exists in Australia's film and television world. So Wednesday, they protested against the country's most prestigious industry awards, the AACTAs, dressed in sausage costumes. SEE ALSO: 'P*ssy grabbing' threats are now a thing in Trump's America Footage on Twitter by journalist Steph Harmon shows security forcibly removing the costumed women, who can be heard chanting "end the sausage party!" in reference to a perceived lack of gender representation on film and TV. Protesters dressed as sausages chanting to "end the sausage party" of the Aust. film industry forcefully ejected from #aactas red carpet pic.twitter.com/8aeM0p1UdV steph harmon (@stephharmon) December 7, 2016 A Facebook Live from SBS News shows smiling and chanting protesters interrupting in the background, laying on the red carpet and being dragged or chased away by security staff. The protest was organised by Women in Film and Television of New South Wales (WIFT NSW), as part of a wider campaign highlighting the low instance of female nominations in this year's awards. "Women are making more content than ever before and this year's nominations, that not only feature films but also television categories, are not at all reflective of this fact ... a deeply disappointing and shameful situation for a body that proclaims to celebrate the width and breadth of screen excellence," WIFT President, Sophie Mathisen, said in a statement. The group has called for action when it comes to achieving gender equality at the AACTA Awards, including a commitment to females comprising of 50 per cent of judges and a revision of criteria that makes films eligible for pre-selection. Story continues "It's certainly not how most of us imagined we would look at our first AACTAs but it seemed appropriate attire for Australia's biggest sausage party," Mathisen said. Oh, and they've made a rather entertaining campaign video, complete with original soundtrack: BONUS: Her Story creators explain what their Emmy nomination means for LGBTQ community rahm emanuel Mayor Rahm Emanuel of Chicago personally delivered a letter to President-elect Donald Trump asking him to leave one of President Barack Obama's programs in place that shields certain immigrants from deportation. In a letter on Tuesday, Emanuel and the mayors of 17 other major cities pleaded with Trump to preserve the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, an executive action of the Obama administration that allows certain immigrants living in the US without permission who arrived when they were children to be shielded from deportation as they pursue higher education or a full-time job. "Ending DACA would disrupt the lives of close to one million young people, and it would disrupt the sectors of the American economy, as well as our national security and public safety, to which they contribute," Emanuel wrote. He continued: "We encourage your administration to demonstrate your commitment to the American economy and our security by continuing DACA until Congress modernizes our immigration system and provides a more permanent form of relief for these individuals." Speaking with reporters after his meeting with Trump on Wednesday, Emanuel said he told Trump "we should embrace them rather than do a bait-and-switch." He added: "That they were working hard towards the American dream, and that all of us fundamentally believe that these are students, these are also people who want to join the armed forces, they gave their name, their address, their phone number, where they are, they're trying to achieve the American dream it's no fault of their own their parents came here. They are something we should hold up and embrace." The mayor also said he presented the case for so-called sanctuary cities, local governments that do not comply with federal requests to detain immigrants living in the US without permission. Repealing DACA would most likely have enormous consequences for immigrants living in the US illegally. More than 740,000 people have DACA-enabled work permits, while thousands apply for the program each month. Story continues Many Trump supporters are pressuring the president-elect to follow through on his pledge to deport millions of immigrants living in the US illegally. Trump promised throughout the 2016 campaign to roll back Obama's executive actions, and at one point he proposed a deportation force. But in an interview with Time magazine, Trump appeared to leave the door open to leaving some version of DACA in place. "I want Dreamers for our children also," Trump said. "We're going to work something out. On a humanitarian basis it's a very tough situation. We're going to work something out that's going to make people happy and proud. But that's a very tough situation." Emanuel isn't the only major Democratic municipal leader to meet with the president-elect. Trump sat down with Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York for an hour last month, and he met with Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, DC, on Tuesday. NOW WATCH: Here's the ad that Ivanka Trump reportedly doesn't want America to see More From Business Insider Aleppo (Syria) (AFP) - Syrian teenager Diaa al-Din Hassan lay in a hospital bed in western Aleppo, his eyes alive but the rest of his body motionless, paralysed after a rebel rocket attack last week. "I was on my way to work when a shell fell on the Maysaloon neighbourhood. I hit the ground and lost consciousness," the fourteen-year-old told AFP in a shared room at the Razi Hospital. A piece of shrapnel penetrated his spinal cord, paralysing him from the neck down. Diaa left school two years ago to become his family's only breadwinner, earning a meagre salary at a small sewing factory. Blinking away her tears, his mother said she tried to warn him not to venture out when the rebel shelling on their west Aleppo neighbourhood became heavy, but without success. "I have to go to work because I'm the breadwinner. If I don't go, we won't eat," Diaa insisted. "If I stayed at home, then maybe the rockets that were raining down everywhere would have also hit the house." The teenager said several friends had been wounded in previous rebel shelling while at school. "It was my turn," he told AFP. Diaa is one of thousands of Aleppo residents wounded -- some of whom will never recover -- since violence first divided the northern city in 2012. Since then, government forces have bombarded rebel-held positions in the east, while opposition factions have fired mortar rounds and rockets into western districts. Rebel fire has intensified in recent weeks after Syria's army launched an all-out assault that has seen it seize three quarters of the one-time opposition stronghold. Aleppo's surgeon general Fawwaz Hajjo told AFP at least 1,330 people have been killed in west Aleppo since the beginning of the year, the vast majority in rocket attacks. - 'Fate follows people' - Lying next to Diaa is 23-year-old Jamila Abdulrahman. Days ago, she was hanging laundry from her third-storey apartment in west Aleppo's Ithaa district when an artillery shell crashed into her home. Story continues The force threw her off her balcony, breaking her spine, hip, and leg and permanently paralysing her. Her 68-year-old mother Saliha is distraught. Even if she finds a way to pay for her daughter's treatment, "I don't know where we will go," she told AFP. "We don't have anywhere to live since our house has been seriously damaged. The doors were ripped off and the walls collapsed -- it's uninhabitable." Once Syria's celebrated cultural and commercial hub, much of Aleppo has been reduced to rubble-strewn streets and partially-crumbled buildings, particularly in the east. But the west has also been affected, and on Monday a missile tore through the centre of a four-storey building in Al-Masharqa, killing eight people. Half of them were women from a single family, according to 30-year-old Safaa Qabbani. "We were chatting and watching television after dinner when we heard a huge boom. The ceiling collapsed, there was dust and water coming from everywhere," recalled Qabbani, who lived on the first floor with her husband, mother and three sons. In a daze, she picked up her two-year-old and took him outside. "Only then did I notice the blood streaming down my forehead," Qabbani told AFP, adding that her children "have been traumatised by the incident." She and her family had moved several times around west Aleppo to escape rocket fire. "Fate follows people no matter where they try to hide," she said. - 150 wounded per day - As it advanced into the eastern neighbourhood of Masaken Hanano in late November, the army discovered a warehouse it said had been used by rebels to assemble and store rockets. An official from the army's engineering unit said it was used "to fill artillery rounds and old gas canisters with explosives, a weapon called a 'Hellcannon.'" "They are unguided missiles with a huge margin of error... but could be produced locally very easily," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Radwan Qahwatiya, deputy head of the Razi Hospital, told AFP "the flow of wounded people to our hospital hasn't stopped for a single day." "Some days we get 150 wounded people, others, as many as 50 in just half an hour," he said. At times, casualties come in "at such a rate that the cleaners haven't even had a chance to wipe the pools of blood off the floor" before the next wave arrives, he said. Upstairs, Qabbani's brother Abu Abdo says the unpredictable deluge of rocket fire has left "people living in a constant state of terror and anxiety." "All they can feel these days is a mortar round falling here, a rocket hitting there, and a gas canister crashing there," he told AFP. "You think you're living in safety but you don't know what could happen in five minutes." On the heels of President-elect Donald Trumps meeting this Monday with environmentalist and former vice president Al Gore, 97 percent of the worlds scientists might have breathed (just a little) easier. Here was a signalhowever tentativethat the incoming president was at least interested in hearing the views of those who consider climate change to be a looming threat, and who would prefer the United States do something about it. The meeting, as my colleague Robinson Meyer writes, was arranged by the first daughter, Ivanka Trump. Presumably, it is part of a reported effort to make climate change one of her signature issues in a bid to win over liberals disgusted and depressed with the tone and tenor of the new leader of the free world. It is worth noting that not only liberals are concerned with climate change: According to Gallup, 40 percent of Republicans and 64 percent of independents are worried a great or fair deal about it, an increase of nine points since the question was asked last year. And then theres the rest of the world, where not only is the existence of climate change broadly agreed upon, but is seen as a something that must be combattedwhich is why nearly the entire planet signed on to the Paris climate-change accords earlier this year. To be clear: Ivanka Trumps potential outreach on the subject would be as much international diplomacy as it would be an olive branch to distressed Democrats and concerned Republicans. Recommended: Despair and Hope in Trumps America But other indicators relating to the incoming administration do not bode as well for those who care about the warming of the earths surface: Myron Ebell, a prominent climate-change denier, continues to head the Trump transition at the Environmental Protection Agency. And The New York Times yesterday reported that: Among Mr. Trumps current top candidates for E.P.A. administrator are Jeffrey Holmstead, a lead lawyer representing states and fossil fuel companies suing to overturn Mr. Obamas climate change regulations; Attorney General Scott Pruitt of Oklahoma, who has been a key architect of that legal fight; and Kathleen Hartnett White, the director of a Texas think tank who served as a top environmental official under the former Texas governors Rick Perry and George W. Bush. Ms. White has denounced global warming alarmism and called last years international Paris Agreement on climate change a tragedy. Story continues The environmental picture remains equally grim over at the Interior Department, where the incoming president is considering appointing Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, a strong critic of the clean power regulations set in place by the Obama administration, and a forceful advocate for oil and gas. Remember, this is the governor who responded to a question about climate changeand whether it was to blame for a prolonged and historic drought that was crippling her statein 2013: It's just nature itself and the patterns that flow and so we're going to continue to pray for rain in the state of Oklahoma and hope we that we get some relief. At this point, no one can know where the Trump White House will land on a number of environmental concerns, but what we do know is this: The men and women who are likely to feel the most catastrophic effects of a warming planet are not West Coast Gore acolytes or compost-obsessed Northeastern liberals. The people on the front lines of climate change in the America are Trump voters: residents of the deep-red states in the Southeastern United States. Recommended: Trump Could Violate the Constitution His First Day in Office Last year, an initiative called Risky Business, put together by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, and the philanthropist Tom Steyer, released a report detailing the catastrophic effects of a changing climate on various regions of the United States. The Southeastprecisely the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginiais, according to Kate Gordon, the author of that report, the most vulnerable. Gordon explained that, the global South starts to encroach in the U.S. through the Southeast. Excepting Virginia (which Clinton won), these are also states where Trump claimed victory, mostly by very large margins. In Alabama and Arkansas, states Trump won by nearly 30 points each, temperatures are expected to soar in the coming years, thanks to climate changes as the result of increased greenhouse-gas emissions. Since 1980, the typical Alabaman has experienced an average of 12 days per year of temperatures above 95 degrees, while the typical Arkansan has had 19 days of it. According to the report, by 2050, there may be as many as 75 days of 95-plus degree heat. In Arkansas, over the same time frame, there may be as many as 82 days of scorching heata nearly three-month long heat wave. The same goes for Mississippi, where Trump won by nearly 18 points and where, on average, residents experience of 13 days per year of 95-plus degree heat. The state is on track to reach up to 85 days of those temperatures by 2050. Recommended: Is Trump Softening on DREAMers and Other Issues? Don't Count on It The effects of this heat are not simply discomfort, according to the report. In Texas, where Trump won by over 9 points and where the typical year sees an average of 43 days above 95 degrees, by 2040-2058, that number is likely to reach up to 106 days per year. In tandem with this, heat-related deaths are likely to increase by more than 4,500 in the same frame, the report projects. In a state like Florida, which Trump won narrowly, nearly one-fifth of the population is over the age of 64. With the largest share of elderly residents in the country, the effects of extreme and prolonged heat in Florida could be devastating: By mid-century, Florida is projected to have as many as 5,080 additional annual deaths, of which 90 percent are expected to affect people over age 64. Prolonged high temperatures will take a toll on the states energy grids, which will be taxed with over-consumption, necessitated by over-reliance on air conditioningand state energy costs are expected to rise by billions of dollars, come mid-century. Worker productivity will also decline. Remember, Gordon told me, these are states where it gets really hot and humid, so you have heat stroke issues. State economies will equally be under pressure: Increased temperatures would have potentially devastating effects on the agriculture industries. Currently, Tennessee (which Trump won by nearly 25 points) has more than 79,000 farms, which cover more than 40 percent of the states land area. Among the crops grown in the state are corn and soybeans, both of which, Gordon said, are very vulnerable to climate change. Without significant agricultural adaptation, Tennessees soybean yields will drop by as much as 31 percent by mid-century; corn yields may plummet by as much as 47 percent. In Alabama, where soybeans were the states second most valuable crop, absent significant agricultural adaptation, soybean yields will likely decrease by as much as 44 percent by midcentury. In Arkansas, corn yields will likely decrease by up to 59 percent in the following 20 years, so long as nothing is done to adapt the industry. Georgia, which Trump won by 5 points, is the countrys largest producer of broiler chickens. (Alabama is second and Arkansas is third.) According to the report: Because poultry flocks can only tolerate narrow temperature ranges, higher temperatures can disrupt performance, production, and fertility, limiting a birds ability to produce meat or eggs. Higher temperatures can also increase animal mortality. In addition, climate change can affect the price and availability of water, feed grains and pasture, and change patterns of animal diseases. And because energy costs comprise more than 50% of growers cash expenses, higher energy costs due to climate change have the potential to put additional pressure on this sector. Some crops that are grown in the region, like wheat, may have increased yields due to increased carbon levels in the atmosphere, but Gordon cautioned, the report wasnt exhaustive [in its breakdown]. Heat and humidity bring new insect species and things like moldboth of which can have devastating effects on crops and livestock. And then there is the issue of the coast. The southeast, Gordon told me, has the worst sea level rise in the U.S. That is due to a number of factors, she explained, including, the way land is at bottom the of ocean, geological formations, and Arctic versus Antarctic melt. Whatever the reason, this part of the country is on track to lose considerable (and valuable) coastal real estate with rising seas. In North Carolina, where Trump beat Clinton by almost 3 points, according to the report: By 2030, up to $4.4 billion in coastal property is likely to be flooded at high tide. By 2050, the value of property below the mean high water mark will likely increase to up to $5.6 billion. In South Carolina, where Trump won by over 4 points, the projection is almost identical: By mid-century, an additional $5.7 billion of South Carolina property is expected to be below the mean high-water mark. Louisiana, which Trump won by 20 points, faces the highest rate of sea level rise in the United States. If the country continues on its current emissions path, the mean sea level at Grand Isle, Louisiana, is likely to rise 1.9 to 2.4 feet by 2050and 4.1 to 5.8 feet by the end of the century. Mean sea-level impacts are similarly dire: By 2050, $44.8 billion worth of Louisiana property could be below mean sea level. But nowhere is this picture more grim than in Florida: According to projections, by 2050, about $152 billion worth of property in the state will be below local high-tide levels. Water problems caused by a changing climate will be particularly unkind to this section of the country: Storm surge and nuisance flooding will increase. Subsequent flooding of the Mississippi River will slow transportation of goods, complicating supply chains. And droughts elsewhere are projected to wreak havoc on the water-intensive oil and gas industries. Some of the most immediate projections included in the report will come to pass no matter who is in the White House and what their climate agenda happens to be, according to Gordon. The heat and sea level rise impactthats baked into next 10-20 years. Thats the result of emissions we put in the atmosphere, she said.But 2040 and 2050 we could actually affect. The coming years, are critical for mitigation in the next 30 years. And frankly, for adaptingwhich you cannot ignore. To some degree, the president-elect can trust that states will continue to combat climate change on their own (as California has done), regardless of what his environmental agencies unwind or reverse in terms of environmental regulation. But state action and industry reform are not a substitute for a national policy (nor international policy). And having an administration that acknowledges the reality of climate changeand the significant threat it poseswill be imperative in the medium and long term. We have to acceptand we have to have as a fundamental narrative in this countrythat climate change is a serious economic and security risk and needs to be addressed, said Gordon. We need to be global and local in addressing this issue. Trump thus far has shown haphazard allegiance to the voters who swept him into office: He appears intent to follow through on his populist promise to prevent companies from moving American jobs overseas, but he aims to fill his cabinet with billionaires whose track records display little concern for the same working class voters whose fortunes most depend on Trumps commitment to populism. Despite the fact that a significant part of his voting base, the Southeast United States, lies at the frontline of the climate battle, this regions residents have not been vocal about the peril they faceindeed, its state leaders have been downright skeptical about the very existence of the threat. Without a sizable and voluble coalition of his own supporters engaged on the issue, it is hard to imagine this particular president caring much at all. Even if that wasnt the case, its unclear how beholden Trump might feel to them in the long-term. Perhaps the best hope for the millions of Americansand billions of people around the worldconcerned about the threat of climate change is that Trumps preoccupation with the fizzy high of positive press, coupled with his daughters apparent desire to find common ground with Democrats, will result in something other than climate denialism and the unwinding of critically-important regulatory reform. As it concerns the environment, the country has little idea of where it is headed in the short-termeven if there is broad consensus as to where it may end up in the long-term. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. Reese Witherspoon and her daughter Ava look exactly alike at the Sing premiere Sometimes we forget that Reese Witherspoon is old enough to have a 17-year-old daughter, but we were pleasantly reminded at the premiere of Sing, the adorable animated movie starring Matthew McConaughey, Scarlett Johansson, and, of course, Reese. She rocked up to the premiere in style, with all three of her beautiful children and her husband Jim Toth. Reeses oldest daughter, Ava, whose father is Ryan Philippe, looked stunning in a simple black dress, a silver choker, and burgundy lipstick. When standing next to her mother, you just cant believe theyre not sisters. Premiere Of Universal Pictures' "Sing" - Red Carpet Lets talk about the resemblance. Their hair seems to be the same exact shade of blonde, for starters, and their skin equally glows. In fact, the whole family looks radiant and happy. But anybody who follows Reeses Instagram account wont be surprised. She isnt one to shy away from sharing moments of joy she has at home. This isnt the first time mom and daughter twinned it up on the red carpet. They showed up together at the 29th American Cinematheque Awards in 2015 and looked SO much like each other. If Ava didnt have pink hair at the moment, anyone could mistake them as sisters FOR SURE. A couple months ago, she posted a photo of the family celebrating her youngest son Tennessees fourth birthday. Again, um, Reese and Ava, are you sure you arent sibings?! Celebrating our sweet Tennessees 4th birthday last night! My forever favorite #NinjaTurtle #TMNT #FamilySandwich A photo posted by Reese Witherspoon (@reesewitherspoon) on Sep 27, 2016 at 11:49am PDT Avas French braids are giving us life right now. It seems like shes taking after her mother in a lot of ways shes stylish, elegant, and has a smile so sweet you feel like burying your face in a cupcake. Ever since Avas first red carpet appearance, shes been killing it in the fashion department. Were sure this is just the beginning for her. The post Reese Witherspoon and her daughter Ava look exactly alike at the Sing premiere appeared first on HelloGiggles. Investigators on Tuesday said a refrigerator may have been the source of the deadly warehouse fire that killed 36 people in Oakland, California, according to the Associated Press. Alexandria Corneiro, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, told the Los Angeles Times the refrigerator and other electrical items inside the Ghost Ship warehouse were being examined as a potential ignition source. According to KTVU, a survivor of the deadly blaze told police they saw flames coming from the refrigerator. Officials also said the fire did not appear to have been intentional and the death toll is not expected to go higher. Video from October showed Oakland police officers inside the Ghost Ship warehouse, two months before the fire. NBC News obtained footage of authorities inside the building while responding to a neighbors party. The Ghost Ship landlord, Derick Almena, helped officials get access to the rooftop. The City of Oakland requires yearly fire inspections for residential and commercial properties. However, when inspectors visited the building on Nov. 17, they could not gain access, according to city records reviewed by the San Jose Mercury News. Many have blamed the Bay Areas housing crisis for forcing lower-income individuals into illegal and unsafe living spaces like the Ghost Ship. Almena said in an interview with Today on Tuesday that the building was up to code when he signed the lease and that he was forced to make numerous improvements such as installing a hot water heater and a new electrical panel. Micah Allison, his partner, told NBC News in an interview that aired Monday that they could not afford the safety upgrades. We didnt have enough money to do the things that needed to be done there and there was no one helping us, she said. PARIS (Reuters) - The Renault-Nissan (RENA.PA) alliance on Wednesday named Renault veteran Philippe Brunet to replace the top executive in charge of engines and transmissions. Brunet will take over as global head of powertrain and electric vehicle engineering from Alain Raposo, who is stepping aside on Jan 1st, an alliance spokeswoman said, confirming a Reuters report on Tuesday. Raposo will take up a new post as Alliance Powertrain Fellow and remain "part of a strong team", the spokeswoman said. (Reporting by Laurence Frost and Gilles Guillaume; Editing by Brian Love) Crude oil, market participants have moved from the euphoric stage back to the show me stage regarding the new OPEC production deal. The market sold off modestly today in a round of profit-taking selling as the next hurdle approaches: Saturdays OPEC/non-OPEC meeting in Moscow. Some market participants are starting to become concerned that even if the next hurdle is achieved the most important hurdlecompliance to the dealmay be a lot more difficult to achieve based on OPECs history. That said, todays price retracement was less than 2% in a market that has risen about 15%since the OPEC deal was announced last week. An additional caution flag was raised today when it was reported that OPECs production hit a record high level last month (per Reuters) suggesting that even if OPEC does go through with the cuts it will be off a very high base and may not result in the market rebalancing as quickly as many are anticipating. For the moment, the major initial move to the upside may now be over as the market moves into a mode of wanting to see addition bullish news before adding new money flows into the market from the long side. This afternoon the API started the weekly inventory report cycle with a mixed report showing a slightly larger than expected draw in crude oil stocks, a larger than expected build in distillate fuel stocks and a build in gasoline inventories within the market expectations. Overall the market reacted minimally to the API data in post inventory trading. Today the EIA released their latest Short Term Energy Outlook Report (STEO). Following are the main oil highlights from the report. U.S. crude oil production averaged 9.4 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2015, and it isforecast to average 8.9 million b/d in 2016 and 8.8 million b/d in 2017. At its Nov. 30 meeting, members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries announced a framework for supply reductions among most of its members. Several non-OPEC producers also announced their intention to freeze or reduce production. The extent to which the announced plans will be carried out and actually reduce supply below levels that would have occurred in their absence remains uncertain. If the agreement contributes to prices rising above $50/b in the coming months, it could encourage a return to supply growth in U.S. tight oil more quickly than currently expected. Crude oil prices near $50/b have led to increased investment by some U.S. production companies, particularly in the Permian Basin. A price recovery above $50 per barrel could contribute to supply growth in other U.S. tight oil regions and in other non-OPEC producing countries that do not participate in the OPEC-led supply reductions. Story continues Continuing global supply growth in 2017 may postpone significant global inventory withdrawals until 2018, with the first half of 2017 showing inventory builds averaging 0.8 million b/d in our current forecast. Global inventory builds are forecast to average 0.4 million b/d for all of 2017. Despite new oil production coming online when oil inventories are at high levels globally, global economic data have been more positive than previous expectations, and increases in oil demand growth could help to support prices in the coming quarters. Oil production, particularly in the United States, has been more resilient in the current oil price environment than had been expected, as reflected in improving financial conditions at oil companies. Improved profits could encourage oil producers to increase capital expenditures and expand production in 2017 and beyond, especially if oil prices increase. EIA revised the U.S. crude oil production forecast upward from the November STEO, with average 2017 production expected to decline by less than 0.1 million b/d from 2016 levels. Total U.S. liquids production, which includes production of hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGL) and biofuels, is expected to increase by 0.2 million b/d in 2017. On the financial front, equity markets were higher with eight of the 10 markets in the Index all gaining value today. The overall EMI Global Equity Index increased by 1.08% for Tuesdays trading session with the year to date gain widening to 15.2% and only slightly below the highest level of the year to date hit during the week of Oct. 21. Seven of the ten bourses in the Index remain in positive territory for 2016. China remains in the worst performer spot in the Index with Brazil remaining on top with a 40.9% gain for the year. The positive value direction in global equity markets on the day was a positive price driver for the oil complex. On the currency front, the U.S. dollar Index traded higher on the day with the Japanese yen/U.S. dollar (JPY/USD) currency pair and the Euro/USD lower. Overall the currency markets were a negative price driver for the oil complex on Tuesday. The API released its data late Tuesday afternoon reporting a larger than expected draw in crude oil stocks with a larger than expected build in distillate and a build in gasoline inventories that was as expected. Crude oil stocks in Cushing showed a large build. As shown in the table below, the API reported U.S. crude oil stocks decreased by 2.2 million barrels with Cushing inventories increasing by about 4 million bbls on the week. They also reported a 4 million billion barrel (bbl) build in distillate fuel and a 0.8 million bbl build in gasoline stocks. Total combined inventories of crude oil and refined products were higher for the week and outside the range of market expectations also shown in the table above. I am expecting crude oil stocks to decrease by about 1.8 million barrels. If the actual numbers are in sync with my projection the year over year comparison for crude oil will now show a surplus of 32.7 million barrels while the overhang versus the five-year average for the same week will come in around 123 million barrels. I am expecting crude oil inventories in Cushing, Okla., to show a build this week as the net inflow (inflow-outflow) into Cushing increased last week. Even with some storage capacity still available in Cushing the economics of storing oil is not currently very interesting. Canadian crude pipeline flow to Cushing increased by 97,957 bpd to 380,168 bpd last week, while volumes to Patoka, IL, on TransCanadas Keystone Pipeline were 82,640 bpd below the previous week. The volumes moved to Patoka were 27.9% below the year-ago week, while volumes moved to Cushing were 92.5% above the same week last year. Canadian crude imports to the United State increased for the week ending Nov 25 by 28,000 bpd to 3.283mn bpd and are now 166,000 bpd below the record-high reached earlier this year, per the U.S. Energy Information Agency. Last week, Canadian heavy crude price differentials were stronger versus West Texas Intermediate. The Western Canadian Select crude price traded around January WTI CMA minus $15.45/bbl at the end of the week, a narrowing of the discount by $0.15/bbl compared to the previous week. According to Genscape, strong increase last week in the pipeline net flow (inflow minus outflow) at Cushing, which could result in inventories increasing in Cushing according to Genscape pipeline data only. The net flow increased by about 3.4mn bbls for the week ending Dec 2 compared with an increase of 2.1mn bbls the previous week. With refinery runs expected to increase I am expecting a build in gasoline stocks. Gasoline stocks are expected to increase by 2.1 million barrels, which would result in the gasoline year over year surplus coming in around 10.5 million barrels while the surplus versus the five-year average for the same week will come in around 13.4 million barrels. Distillate inventories are projected to increase by 1.8 million barrels even as exports of distillate fuel out of the U.S. Gulf were steady last week. If the actual EIA data is in sync with my distillate fuel projection inventories versus last year will likely now be about 6.6 million barrels above last year while the surplus versus the five-year average will come in around 27.8 million barrels. The following table compares my projections for this weeks report with the change in inventories for the same period last year. As you can see from the table last years inventories are mostly in directional sync with the projections. If the actual data is in line with the projections, there will only be modest changes in the year over year inventory comparisons for everything in the complex. Natural gas highlights Natural gas prices eased slightly on Tuesday as the cold weather is starting to settle into major areas of the United States. Todays decline was a result of a light round of profit taking selling as the market has risen strongly over the last week or so. The market remains in the uptrend that has been in play since hitting a bottom in early November. From a technical perspective, the January contract ended Tuesdays trading session still in the higher technical trading range that has only been in play for the middle of June. The Jan Nymex Nat Gas contracts current boundaries are back around $3.501/mmbtu on the support side and $3.674/mmbtu on the support end. Today the EIA released their latest Short Term Energy Outlook Report (STEO). Following are the main Nat Gas highlights from the report. Natural gas marketed production is forecast to average 77.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2016, a 1.3 Bcf/d decline from the 2015 level, which would be the first annual production decline since 2005. In 2017, forecast natural gas production increases by an average of 2.5 Bcf/d from the 2016 level. Growing domestic natural gas consumption, along with higher pipeline exports to Mexico and liquefied natural gas exports, contribute to the Henry Hub natural gas spot price rising from an average of $2.49 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) in 2016 to $3.27/MMBtu in 2017. Nymex contract values for March 2017 delivery traded during the five-day period ending Dec. 1 suggest that a price range from $2.20/MMBtu to $5.04/MMBtu encompasses the market expectation of Henry Hub natural gas prices in March 2017 at the 95% confidence level. In November, U.S. population-weighted heating degree days (HDD) were 21% below the previous ten-year average and U.S. natural gas inventory levels exceeded 4 trillion cubic feet during the middle of the month. The natural gas spot price, which represents very-near-term delivery, was more greatly affected by the record high inventories and fell by a larger percentage than the futures price. Although temperatures from December 2016 through March 2017 are projected to average 3% warmer than normal, this forecast is 13% colder than the same period last year. The expectation of colder temperatures than last winter contributes to EIAs projection of a 13% year-over-year increase in residential and commercial natural gas consumption from December 2016 through March 2017. The latest forecasts are more supportive than those issued just yesterday as the projected cold temperatures are now more severe in both timeframe forecasts. The colder than normal temperatures in the 6- to 10-day are projected to engulf the upper half of the country with the lower half still expecting above normal temperatures. The eight to 14-day forecast is now slightly more supportive than the short term forecast as the cold temperatures are as severe and are now covering as large an area as in the six to ten-day forecast. Overall the latest forecasts are projecting heating related demand now emerging over a major portion of the United States. Weekly inventory projections for natural gas This week the EIA will be releasing their weekly Nat Gas report on Thursday at 10:30 AM (Eastern Time). This week I am projecting the third net withdrawal from inventory of the year after a modest withdrawal last week. This week the model is projecting a net withdrawal of 46 BCF, which is less than the previous weeks withdrawal into inventory and less than the withdrawal from inventory versus last year as well as for the five-year average for the same week. If the actual injection is in sync with my projection the total natural gas surplus in inventory will widen compared to both last year and the five-year average. My projection for this week is shown in the following table and is based on a week that experienced a round of cold temperatures over key natural gas consuming regions in the United States resulting in a modest call on natural gas for heating related demand. The inventory year-over-year surplus will widen along with the five-year average surplus if the actual withdrawal is in sync with my model projection. This weeks projected 46 BCF net withdrawal will be neutral to bearish when compared to last year and versus the five-year average for the same week. If the actual EIA data is in line with my projections the year over year surplus will come in about 48 BCF. The surplus versus the five-year average for the same week will be around 250 BCF. Last year there was a net withdrawal from inventory of 69 BCF while the five-year average showed a net withdrawal of 61 BCF for the same week. Market View I am maintaining my overall oil view and short-term bias at cautiously bullish now that OPEC has a deal with details in place. The current fundamentals remain bearish and the global surplus still exists but now there is still good possibility the rebalancing process of the global oil market will accelerate. I am maintaining my natural gas view at neutral but upgrading my bias to cautiously bullish as the market seems to have regained it upside momentum at least for the short term. The market remains surplus but the short term weather pattern is evolving to a more seasonable temperature pattern for this time of the year. Markets ended Tuesdays U.S. trading session mostly lower heading into the opening of the Asian trading session on Tuesday night as shown below. About the Author Energy Market Analysis is published daily by the Energy ManagementInstitute 1324 Lexington Avenue, # 322, New York, NY 10128. Copyright 2008. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Subscriptions: $129 for annual orders. Editor in Chief: Dominick Chirichella, Publisher: Stephen Gloyd, Editor Sal Umek. 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 credit: Getty From Cosmopolitan Christopher Suprun, a Republican presidential elector, will not be voting for Donald Trump. Suprun announced his decision in an op-ed in the New York Times, in which he said that he could not, in good conscience, cast his vote for his party's presidential candidate. "I watch Mr. Trump fail to unite America and drive a wedge between us," he wrote. Suprun detailed the reasons he finds Trump unfit to be president, including that Trump "does not encourage civil discourse, but chooses to stoke fear and create outrage," that he has "urged violence against protesters at his rallies during the campaign," and "lacks the foreign policy experience and demeanor needed to be commander in chief." Suprun is one of 538 presidential electors who are expected to cast their votes according to the electoral score; Trump earned 306 and Hillary Clinton earned 232 electoral votes. Though rare, an elector can decide to flip his or her vote. If at least 37 Republican electors refuse to cast their vote for Trump, as Suprun is doing, there is a chance that Trump would not become president. Suprun urges his colleagues to do the same: The election of the next president is not yet a done deal. Electors of conscience can still do the right thing for the good of the country. Presidential electors have the legal right and a constitutional duty to vote their conscience. I believe electors should unify behind a Republican alternative, an honorable and qualified man or woman such as Gov. John Kasich of Ohio. I pray my fellow electors will do their job and join with me in discovering who that person should be. However, in the New York Daily News, reporter Jason Silverstein explains why the effort is likely to fail: The Constitution says that, without a majority, the House of Representatives would choose three candidates based on who received the most Electoral College votes. Those would inevitably be Trump, Clinton and some third contender who may have never even been a nominee (could be Bernie Sanders, could be John Kasich, who knows). Each state would then cast one vote for those three candidates, with the winner of that vote becoming the President. Remember: The Republicans control the House, and the majority of states (30, plus part of Maine, which has its own split system) went to Trump. Once again, the numbers are in his favor. Story continues But Americans haven't lost hope yet. An online petition urging electors to reject Trump has raised 4.7 million signatures, making it the most popular in history. Follow Prachi on Twitter. You Might Also Like By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two Republican U.S. Federal Communications Commissioners say the Trump administration should reverse many significant policies set by the telecommunications and cable regulatory body under Democratic President Barack Obama. FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly said at an event at the National Press Club in Washington that the FCC under President Donald Trump needs to "undo the more harmful policies adopted by the current commission. ... The policy direction chosen in these instances was wrongheaded, harmful to consumers and the industry, costly, and ultimately unworthy of continuation." FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai said he hoped the commission would eliminate many regulations, propose fewer new actions and seek guidance from Congress before taking many actions. He said the commission should take a "weed whacker" to unneeded rules. O'Rielly said the FCC should not have sought to micromanage the internet economy in recent years and should reconsider the decision to largely leave intact rules barring cross-ownership of media. In August, the FCC voted 3-2 to retain nearly all rules limiting cross-ownership of newspapers, radio and TV stations in the same market, a blow to struggling newspaper companies that have long pushed for the agency to relax restrictions. O'Rielly criticized the FCC's decision in October to impose stricter privacy rules on internet service providers than those imposed on websites like Facebook, Alphabet Inc's Google or Twitter Inc. "Next years commission should consider acting quickly to reverse any damaging policies put into place over the last eight years and in the last few weeks of this administration," O'Rielly said, urging the next FCC to halt action on some controversial rulemaking. The commission is currently controlled by the Democrats, including FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, by a 3-2 margin. But Democratic Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel will be forced to leave the FCC if she is not reconfirmed by the end of the month. Trump, a Republican, has not yet named a new chairman. Story continues One controversial decision made by the FCC under Wheeler was the 2015 order to reclassify broadband internet service under a section of communications law that treats them more like public utilities and subjects them to stricter rules as part of the FCC's "net neutrality" rules. Those rules bar broadband providers from giving or selling access to speedy internet, essentially a "fast lane" on the information superhighway, to certain internet services over others. Last month, under pressure from Congress, Wheeler dropped plans to push through a proposed reform of the $45 billion business data services market. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Jonathan Oatis) (Adds comments by Wal-Mart spokeswoman, adds CHICAGO to dateline) By Joanna Zuckerman Bernstein and Nandita Bose MEXICO CITY/ CHICAGO, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Retailer Wal-Mart de Mexico said on Wednesday it will invest $1.3 billion in logistics in Latin America's No. 2 economy, in what is perceived as a show of commitment to Mexico at a time of uncertainty after the election of Donald Trump. The investment in Mexico will not result in any jobs being moved from the United States, Wal-Mart spokeswoman Jo Warner told Reuters. "The investment is funded by Walmex and is necessary for expansion of Wal-Mart's Mexican business," she said. Warner did not comment on whether Wal-Mart had heard from Trump after it made the announcement in Mexico. She said the investment is not the same as companies moving jobs to Mexico. Recently, United Technologies Corp's Carrier unit decided to keep half of the 2,100 Indiana jobs it was to shift to Mexico after the U.S. president-elect worked out an agreement with the company's CEO, Gregory Hayes. The election has thrown Mexico's business world into uncertainty, as Trump has attacked U.S. companies investing south of the border and threatened to renegotiate or scrap a major trade agreement with Mexico. A large part of Wal-Mart's investment will be over the next three years, including in back-end infrastructure, said the company's chief executive, Guilherme Loureiro. He said it would create some 10,000 permanent new jobs. "It will involve the building of new distribution centers, as well as the expansion of ones we already have," he said at an event with President Enrique Pena Nieto at the president's office. Loureiro said the company had already invested 80 billion pesos ($3.93 billion) in the past four years. Wal-Mart has been looking to double sales in Mexico by 2024 by boosting its core business of running discount retail and membership stores, and expanding its fresh food business. In August it sold its Suburbia clothing chain to El Puerto De Liverpool for about $852 million in order to streamline operations in the country. Story continues At Wal-Mart's shareholder meeting in June, David Cheesewright, head of the overseas division, singled out the Mexican market as a top priority. Mexico has Wal-Mart's largest number of stores outside the United States. Wal-Mart has struggled in overseas markets, including Britain and China, but Walmex has remained a bright spot with third-quarter revenue growing 10.8 percent to 126.86 billion pesos ($6.25 billion). ($1 = 20.3110 Mexican pesos) (Reporting by Mexico City Newsroom and Nandita Bose in Chicago; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Matthew Lewis) By Peter Hobson LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's top share index is set to rise around 4 percent by the end of 2017, lagging this year's gains, analysts polled by Reuters said, while warning politics could upset predictions. Expectations were slightly more optimistic than a poll three months ago which said the benchmark FTSE 100 (.FTSE) index would dip in early 2017 before recovering. The median forecast of views from more than 20 traders, fund managers and strategists sees the FTSE 100 ending this year at 6,800 points before climbing to 6,900 points by mid-2017 and 7,065 points by the end of next year. In early October the median forecast for the index to end this year was also 6,800 points, declining to 6,750 by June and advancing to 7,000 by the end of 2017. The FTSE 100, which closed on Tuesday at 6,779.84 points, has reversed two years of falls to rise almost 9 percent in 2016, helped by a commodities rally and a slump in the pound after Britain's vote to leave the European Union that inflated the incomes of the FTSE's international firms in sterling terms. Political unpredictability is expected to continue. "We are facing a number of market risks and shocks that are yet to be priced in," said Atif Latif, director at Guardian Stockbrokers. Poll respondents listed elections in Europe, including its largest economies Germany and France, uncertainty around Brexit negotiations, a hard economic landing in China and European Central Bank tightening as risks for UK stocks. "A hard Brexit is the most likely outcome and will continue to put pressure on the domestic names," Latif said. "There is an increasingly high probability of an EU zone breakup." A wobble in China's economy could also derail surging commodity prices that have underpinned the FTSE, with the UK industrial metals index up more than 200 percent so far in 2016 and the mining index up around 100 percent. But other analysts are more positive, noting markets have taken this year's political shocks in their stride. Story continues Britain's conservative government appears to be moderating its demands for an economically damaging "hard Brexit," and the country's more moderate parliament is poised to take a greater role in negotiations. Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election may also herald a shift from the monetary stimulus that provided life support to the global economy after the financial crisis to government spending on infrastructure to boost growth. "More fiscal [stimulus] is expected in Europe thanks to Trump, hopefully in the UK too," said Mike van Dulken, head of research at Accendo Markets. Strengthening of the U.S. dollar fuelled by resurgent U.S. growth could further boost British stocks by raising the value of their international earnings, he added. The FTSE is expected to slightly underperform Europe, with the Reuters poll forecasting the broader STOXX Europe 600 index (.STOXX) rising around 6 percent by the end of 2017. [EPOLL/FRDE] (Additional reporting by Alistair Smout, Atul Prakash and Danilo Masoni; Editing by Ross Finley and Alexander Smith) Rogue One's band of rebels will be storming the Middle Kingdom a few weeks after they overrun the rest of the world. Following weeks of local speculation, Disney confirmed Wednesday that the much-anticipated Star Wars spinoff has landed a Jan. 6, 2017 release date in China, the world's second-largest film market. The release plan mirrors the approach taken with Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which landed on Chinese screens on Jan. 9 of this year. And the stakes for Lucas Film and Disney are again sky-high. China is expected to usurp North America as the world's largest film market sometime in the next few years. But as THR reported in the lead-up to Force Awakens' release, due to unique historical and cultural factors, the Star Wars saga - Disney's most valuable franchise - doesn't have the same deep nostalgic appeal in China that it does in much of the rest of the world. Force Awakens earned a healthy $125.4 million at the Chinese box office in January, but that's only the 12th biggest gross in China this year - well below other Disney titles like Zootopia ($236 million) and Captain America: Civil War ($190 million), and a far cry from Force Awakens' massive $936 million dominance in North America. Read more: 'Rogue One': 5 Things to Know About the Chinese Supporting Stars Disney is trying to change this scenario for future Star Wars installments. Having blitzed Chinese media for Force Awakens with a multifaceted marketing campaign designed to bring a galaxy far, far away a little closer to the hearts of Chinese filmgoers, the studio's next step was to pull some of China's cinematic universe into the Star Wars fold. Rogue One features two of the country's biggest stars - Donnie Yen and Jiang Wen - in major supporting roles. Wen plays the badass freelance assassin Baze Malbus, while Yen co-stars as the blind warrior Chirrut Imwe. The local stars are front and center in Disney's China poster for the film. (See the poster below and learn more about the two actors and their parts here). Story continues Directed by Gareth Edwards, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is set before the events of the original 1977 film, A New Hope (1977). It stars Felicity Jones as the head of a secret squad of Rebels looking to steal plans for the Death Star. The international cast is rounded out by rising British actor Riz Ahmed and Mexican actor Diego Luna. Rogue One premieres in Los Angeles on Saturday - with such elaborate festivities that Lucas Film is shutting down roads in Hollywood for a full week - before its release across North America on Dec. 16. It opens in some international territories on Dec. 14 and Dec. 15. Courtesy of Lucasfilms Matthew Brodericks title character in the 1986 high school classic Ferris Buellers Day Off became so iconic that its still the role hes most closely associated with. That can have its burdens: like during the recent AFI premiere of his latest film, Rules Dont Apply, when a loutish audience member bellowed out, Bueller! as the cast exited the stage. It can also overshadow the rest of Brodericks stellar three-decade filmography, beginning with his debut in 1983s sci-fi favorite WarGames and continuing on through classics like Glory (1989), The Lion King (1994), and Election (1999). The 54-year-old native New Yorker can currently be seen as a senior driver to Beattys eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes in Rules, a role Broderick told us he scored after literally having a sleepover at the Hollywood Hills home of Beatty and wife/costar Annette Bening. Broderick can also be seen in a small role in Kenneth Lonergans heartbreaking new drama Manchester by the Sea the actor and directors third collaboration after You Can Count on Me (2000) and Margaret (2011). In our latest episode of Role Recall, Broderick looked back on some of his most famous parts. Watch above and read about some highlights below: Related: Role Recall: Annette Bening on Chain-Smoking in Bugsy, Slapping Herself Silly in American Beauty, and More Ferris Buellers Day Off (1986) As you can imagine, Broderick is constantly asked about Bueller, and he says the scenes that most stick out in his head these days are the ones he shot alone, where Ferris breaks the fourth wall. [They] were really fun because [writer-director] John Hughes would just sort of make stuff up, and I would make stuff up, and we had the freedom to try anything, Broderick explained. He said, Youre an interesting actor because youre the best when youre alone, John Hughes told me. Which I hope isnt true. When it came to filming one of the more crowded scenes the famous midday parade Broderick had to grapple with a recent injury. I had rehearsed for months that scene. I had also destroyed my knee a few weeks earlier, he said. I couldnt do all the choreography wed worked on. Story continues Glory (1989) Broderick played a young Union colonel in Edward Zwicks poignant Civil War drama, and there was one scene that still haunts him, where Denzel Washingtons Pvt. Trip is whipped as punishment. It was just a movie, thank God. But it was a very disturbing thing to reenact. Cary Elwes burst into tears while we were shooting When you see a black man beaten with a whip, its very profoundly disturbing. And Denzel, of course, so brilliantly made it seem so real, so it was even more disturbing. Related: Directors Reel: Edward Zwick Looks Back at Denzels Glory Moment, Courage Under Fire, and More The Lion King (1994) Broderick figured this Disney animated project would be a cool project to show his kids one day. Not realizing theyd have to watch the father get trampled to death, he said of Mufasas famous demise. Weve learned its not as fun to watch with kids as you might think. Election (1999) There was a clear in-joke in Brodericks casting in this dark high school comedy written and directed by Alexander Payne: Here was Ferris Bueller, a teachers nightmare, now all grown up and playing a teacher. Election also helped skyrocket young star Reese Witherspoon to fame. She was like her character [the obsessive-to-the-point-of-vindictive Tracy Flick], but not evil, Broderick said. She was very driven. Very worried she wasnt going to make it. I remember she was concerned her career was running out of gas or something. I was like, I think youre going to be all right.' Watch the trailer for Rules Dont Apply: Upon the selection Tuesday of a jury consisting of two black women, eight white women, one white man and one black man, the federal trial has begun for Charleston shooter Dylann Roof. Nearly 18 months have passed since Roof, a white man aged 21 at the time, opened fire on a dozen parishioners at the Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, killing nine African Americans, including the congregations senior pastor and a state senator, and injuring three. The Defendant Dylann Storm Roof, 22, is a Columbia, South Carolina, native who had dropped out of high school while repeating the ninth grade. He had been boasting of his desire to start a race war since he began reading white supremacist websites while in high school, the New York Times reported. Citing online evidence, prosecutors said he self-radicalized through personal associations with white supremacist groups or individuals or others, according to the Associated Press. An examination of Roofs Facebook account and online activity by the Times found that he burned the American flag while lionizing the Confederate banner, wrote manifestos describing black people as inferior to whites and overtly alluded to Nazism. I have no choice, his website said. We have no skinheads, no real KKK, no one doing anything but talking on the internet. Well someone has to have the bravery to take it to the real world, and I guess that has to be me. Since the shooting, Roof has been in custody at the Charleston County Detention Center, where in early August a fellow inmate assaulted him, punching him in the face and back, the AP reported. The Events Of June 17, 2015 At 8 p.m., Roof reportedly brought his .45 caliber Glock to an evening bible study at the Charlestons Mother Emanuel AME Church. Roof sat with the group for about an hour before standing up and firing 77 times, killing eight people at the scene. Three were then hospitalized, one of whom died. Roof remained at large for at least 14 hours until police acted on a tip and confirmed Roofs arrest. Story continues The victims included State Sen. and Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, retired pastor Daniel Simmons, Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Ethel Lee Lance, Cynthia Graham Hurd, Susie Jackson, Myra Thompson and Tywanza Sanders. The survivors include churchgoers Polly Sheppard, Felicia Sanders and a 12-year-old girl. RTX1HMJO Photo: Reuters The Charges According to a South Carolina federal district court document, Roof faces 33 charges from federal prosecutors: nine counts of a hate crime resulting in death, three counts of a hate crime with intent to kill, nine counts of obstruction of exercise of religion resulting in death, three counts of religious exercise obstruction in an attempt to kill and nine counts of using a firearm to commit murder. As the state of South Carolina does not have a statute allowing prosecution for hate crimes, Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced in July 2015 the Department of Justices intentions to investigate the shooting as a hate crime, a conviction she said could leave Roof with life imprisonment or capital punishment. In May, Lynch said the Justice Department would pursue the latter. The Trial Accounts of Roofs past behavior have frightened many, but his actions in the months leading up to the trial have also attracted attention. In June, he told the federal court, through his lawyers, that he did not want a jury to decide his fate, opting instead of a lone judge, a move widely considered a risky gamble, as prosecutors will seek the death penalty. U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel denied Roofs request and later ordered a competency evaluation for the gunman, finding him capable of standing trial. Several weeks later, Gergel granted Roofs request to represent himself in the trial, then, on Monday, allowed him to have his lawyers back for the guilt phase of the trial. Roof still intended to represent himself for the sentencing portion. The Other Trial Wednesday marked the start of just one of two prosecutions against Roof. On Jan. 17, the alleged gunman is set to appear before a South Carolina circuit court judge, when hell face 13 chargesnine counts of murder, three of attempted murder and one of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crimefrom state prosecutors who, like Lynch, are pursuing the death penalty. In September, one of Roofs attorneys said he would plead guilty if the state will save him from capital punishment, according to Reuters. The Conversation Roofs case has broader implications for the country as it comes one month after the election of a president endorsed by white supremacists and the Ku Klux Klan. But, on a more local level, the trial comes two days after a federal case in Charleston, against white police officer Michael Slager, who had been videotaped killing an unarmed black man and ended in a mistrial. On Tuesday, Roofs lawyers requested a delay for the trial, citing the Slager verdict as a potential reason for the jury to lean in favor of the victims as a way to more or less compensate for what many saw Monday as a miscarriage of justice. Gergel rejected the attorneys requests. But to a greater extent Slager's fatal shooting of an unarmed black victim, Roof's case stirred a national conversation and led in part to the removal of a long-standing Confederate flag from the South Carolina statehouse and, for many, to the confrontation of race-based hatred still alive and well in the U.S. Related Articles The Trump administration may get an assist in crafting a hawkish stance toward China from Congress. One-time presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio (R.-Fla.) introduced a bill Tuesday that would slap sanctions on China for its destabilizing actions in the East and South China Seas, where Beijing has built artificial islands and airfields and warned neighboring countries to stay out. The Peoples Republic of China, the bill reads, should not be allowed to continue to pursue illegitimate claims and to militarize an area that is essential to global security. Rubio proposes sanctions including asset freezes, travel bans, and visa restrictions on any Chinese person who contributes to construction or development projects in any contested area of the South China Sea, or who is complicit in actions or policies that threaten stability of those areas. Interpreted broadly, that would target everybody from Chinese coast guard and naval personnel to construction firms to fleets of Chinese fishermen who informally patrol far-flung waters. The bill also urges a more muscular U.S. response to Chinas territorial ambitions. It calls for the United States to continue and expand freedom-of-navigation operations meant to challenge Chinas claims, and calls for the United States to meet Chinese provocations with commensurate actions that impose costs on any attempts to undermine security in the region. It isnt clear yet how much support Rubio can count on; it was introduced in committee without a single co-sponsor. Neither Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R.-TN) nor Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-MD)s office has yet responded to request for comment. In the House, Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) Trumps pick to head the CIA introduced a bill in July calling on China to cease militarization and reclamation in the South China Sea and to end provocation in the East China Sea. What is clear is that the hard-line legislation comes on the heels of a carefully arranged call between U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and the president of Taiwan, an issue that the Chinese do not take lightly. Trump also, in a series of tweets, accused China of intentionally devaluing its own currency to make it more difficult for U.S. companies to compete and of building a massive military complex in the South China Sea. Story continues Some foreign-policy analysts welcomed the bill as a way to show China some teeth. Its a welcome reminder that the United States has many tools at its disposal to influence Chinese policy in the South China Sea and East China Sea, Bonnie Glaser, director of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Foreign Policy. Though the bill has warts Glaser noted that it focuses exclusively on Chinas behavior in the disputed waters, not other claimants, and targets activities like lighthouses that arent necessarily nefarious she welcomed the effort to push back in area crucial to global trade and to the stability of Asia. Even if this bill fails, she said, it is a reminder to the incoming administration that a targeted approach to the individuals and companies involved in military activity, construction, and dredging in the South and East China Seas would be useful in taking the lead on this issue, restoring U.S. credibility in the process. But Zheng Wang, a Carnegie fellow at New America, said the highly political move could backfire. Since an international arbitration panel ruled against China in July on its legal position in the South China Sea, Zheng said, Beijing has been relatively restrained. Rubio is pushing something that is only harmful to the bilateral relationship and the national security of the United States. This is highly political and the senator himself probably does not really know the day to day issues and the development of South China Sea situation, so he doesnt know really well about the reality. Wang noted that China had been actually been more peaceful in the South China Sea since the July arbitration case in which a tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines over China, even though, at the time, Chinese President Xi Jinping rejected the decision. Given that this was the case, Wang said, this sanctions would be regarded as confusing to China. Rubio, he said, is pushing something that is only harmful to the bilateral relationship and the national security of the United States.* But China is not the only country in Congress crosshairs. On Dec. 1, the Senate voted unanimously to extend sanctions on Iran for 10 years. And the House passed a bill that would restrict travel by Russian diplomats based in the United States. The Senate has not yet approved the legislation. On Wednesday, Russia made quite clear that it would retaliate by restricting American diplomats movement if this bill were to become law. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that U.S. authorities would do well to remember that diplomacy is based on the principle of reciprocity. *Updated 5:15 PM ET Dec. 7, 2016 to include comment from Zheng Wang. Photo credit: Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images Screen Shot 2016 12 07 at 7.43.43 AM The Russian ruble is ticking up. The petro-currency is up by 0.3% at 63.6919 per dollar as of 7:50 a.m. ET after strengthening by as much as 0.4% earlier in the day. Senior executives from Lukoil, Surgutneftegaz, Tatneft, Rosneft, Bashneft, and Gazprom Neft are meeting with Russian energy minister Alexander Novak on Wednesday, according to Reuters. The oil executives are reportedly meeting to discuss output cuts related to the OPEC deal. Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, is down by 0.5% at $53.66 per barrel. As for the rest of the world, here's the scoreboard as of 7:49 a.m. ET: The British pound is down by 0.6% at 1.2607 against the dollar after data from the Office for National Statistics showed that UK industrial production fell by 1.3% in October. The Indian rupee ended up by 0.2% at 67.626 per dollar after the Reserve Bank of India held its key interest rate at 6.25%, suggesting its assessment of the economy was "clouded" by the government's decision to remove 86% of the rupees in circulation in an effort to crackdown on corruption. The Australian dollar is down by 0.2% at .7450 per dollar after the Australian economy contracted by 0.5% in the third quarter, the largest quarterly decline since the financial crisis. Australia's economy is in the midst of a streak of 25 years without a recession (two consecutive quarters with negative GDP). The US dollar index is little changed at 100.48 ahead of the JOLTS report, which will be out at 10 a.m. ET. The Japanese yen is little changed at 114.03 per dollar. NOW WATCH: Here's why Boeing 747s have a giant hump in the front More From Business Insider Ryan Gosling is very excited that Tom Hanks likes La La Land and now we want to see it even more La La Land star, Ryan Gosling is very excited that Tom Hanks likes the movie and now we want to see it even more. Is it December 16th yet? The Los Angeles based musical film is critically acclaimed, but were more excited as is Gosling that The Circle actor is a fan, because lets face it we are all-in on anything Hanks does or says, its just the truth. While visiting The Wraps interview studio at the Toronto Film Festival back in September, Gosling and La La Land director, Damien Chazelle revealed that Hanks had seen the film and interrupted his own Sully interview to talk it ip, so they took the time to thank him for his support, which is adorable. It was so exciting that he talked about the film because we talked about Tom Hanks every day on set, Gosling told The Wrap. Gosling explained that the whole cast was major fans of Hanks 1996 film, That Thing You Do, which was about an American boy band that hits the stardom level of the Beatles. We were always referencing That Thing You Do, which was a movie that we all loved, he explained. We were always trying to out quote each other from That Thing You Do, so he was alive and well on that set. La La Lands director then used their interview time to give a shout out to Hanks more recent film, Sully, which he was supposed to be promoting when he instead gushed about their musical. Emma and I went to see Sully Friday night [and] we sent Tom a picture, Chazelle revealed in the interview. Its actually great. Its phenomenal and hes phenomenal in it. Okay, now both La La Land and Sully are definitely on our holiday movie must-watch list! The post Ryan Gosling is very excited that Tom Hanks likes La La Land and now we want to see it even more appeared first on HelloGiggles. The spacecraft that returned Britain's first professional astronaut to Earth in June will land on display in London next year. Russia's Soyuz TMA-19M descent module, which touched down from the International Space Station with European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut and Expedition 46/47 flight engineer Tim Peake, will go on exhibit at the Science Museum, London in early 2017. "You do become very attached to your spacecraft because it definitely does save your life," said Peake in a statement released by the Science Museum Group on Monday (Dec. 5). "I'm absolutely delighted that my Soyuz spacecraft, the TMA-19M, is going to be returning here to the UK and may serve, hopefully, as [an] inspiration for our next generation of scientists and engineers." [Russia's Manned Soyuz Space Capsule Explained (Infographic)] The 1.7 ton (1.5 metric ton) capsule, which flew Peake and his two crewmates, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and U.S. astronaut Tim Kopra, to and from the station, was acquired by the Science Museum Group (SMG), which is responsible for several UK cultural institutions. "Russian ingenuity led to the birth of the space age," said Ian Blatchford, SMG's director. "Today it still plays a critical role, notably in long duration missions to pave the way for the next great leap into the cosmos." "It is a great honor to be here to officially acquire the first flown human spacecraft in the [SMG] collection, one which allowed Tim Peake to make his historic journey," he stated. Blatchford's signing of the acquisition agreement for Soyuz TMA-19M coincided with the 50th anniversary of the first Soyuz launch in 1966. The display of the Soyuz TMA-19M descent module builds on the Science Museum's recent exhibition, "Cosmonauts: Birth of the Space Age," which brought in 140,000 visitors, making it the museum's most popular exhibit in its history. "Cosmonauts" included the display of Soyuz TM-14, which flew the first mission to Russia's Mir space station after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1992. Story continues The exhibition, which ran from September 2015 to March 2016, also included the construction and display of a two-thirds scale replica of a Soyuz orbital module built entirely from a quarter of a million LEGO bricks. SMG acquired the Soyuz TM-19M from RSC Energia, the Russian contractor responsible for building the Soyuz and a partner in the "Cosmonauts" exhibition. Russias Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft in Kazakhstan after its return from 185 days at the International Space Station in June 2016. NASA/Bill Ingalls "We're very honored that a descent vehicle produced by our corporation will take its rightful place in the collection of one of the most important science museum groups in the world," said Vladimir Soltnsev, general director of Energia. "I would like to hope that this special symbol of Russia will become one of the highlights of the Science Museum." Soyuz TMA-19M is the latest Russian spacecraft to land on display in the home country of one of its crew. In September, the Soyuz TMA-03M descent module, which landed with Dutch ESA astronaut Andre Kuipers from the International Space Station in 2012, debuted on display at Space Expo in Noordwijk, The Netherlands. Similarly, the Soyuz capsules that returned U.S. space flight participants Charles Simonyi and Greg Olsen to Earth are exhibited in Seattle and New York City, respectively. Other astronauts' Soyuz capsules are on display in Cuba, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Poland, Romania and Vietnam. Soyuz TMA-19M will not be the only flown spacecraft on exhibit at the Science Museum, London when it premieres next year. The museum also has on display NASA's Apollo 10 command module, which flew to the moon in May 1969 on a full-up dress rehearsal for the first lunar landing. The capsule, named "Charlie Brown," is on long-term loan from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2016 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved. Editor's Recommendations Getty Images A 24-hour valet, concierge and doorman, pristine panoramic views of Central Park and the US Secret Service! Realtors are advertising the Secret Service as a new amenity as a way to lure potential buyers to Trump Tower, President-elect Donald Trumps Manhattan home base. Brokers with real estate agency Douglas Elliman sent out an email blast to prospective buyers less than a week after Trump was elected with the subject line: Fifth Avenue Buyers Interested in Secret Service Protection?, Politico reported. The email was advertising a $2.1 million, 1,052-foot condo inside the gilded 68-story Fifth Avenue tower owned by the Trump Organization. The New Aminity [sic] The United States Secret Service, read the flier in the Nov. 13 email for the one-bedroom apartment on the 31st floor. The Best Value in the Most Secure Building in Manhattan. The skyscraper is also the headquarters for Trumps transition team. Douglas Elliman officials are furious with the brokers email touting Trumps Secret Service detail as a building amenity, sources told The Post. The brokers who sent out the email blast, Ariel Sassoon and Devin Hugh Leahy, could not be reached for comment. According to StreetEasy, there are 16 sale active listings inside Trump Tower, owned by the Trump organization. Residential units are on the market for up to $11 million, while rentals are going for up to $30,000-per-month at Trump Tower, according to StreetEasy. One broker said, Foreign buyers have a fascination with buying in the building since Trump announced his run for president. Trump is expected to move to the White House after the Jan. 20 inauguration, but his wife, future first lady Melania Trump and their youngest son Baron, 10, are planning to stay at the familys glitzy penthouse suite so that Baron can continue attending his Upper West Side private school. Mayor de Blasio said Monday it costs close to $500,000 a day to provide security for the president-elect in his Midtown offices. The area surrounding Trump Tower has been snarled by traffic and barriers following the presidential election. The post Secret Service Advertised as Hot Amenity at Trump Tower appeared first on Real Estate News and Advice - realtor.com. Secretary of state candidate Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., said in an interview Wednesday that the United States cooperating with Russia is a good thing and that China is not Americas friend. If its right for us to join in and cooperate and have a better relationship with Russia in order to defeat radical Islam and to pull China back a bit, said Rohrabacher, well thats a good thing, and thats what this is all about. Russia is no longer the Soviet Union. Theres a bunch of people here who want to treat it like its still the Soviet Union and get in the Cold War. Thats not what Donald Trump wants, its not good for America, and its better to cooperate with them to actually take on real enemies. The California congressman has been rumored as a candidate to lead the State Department in the Trump administration. Rohrabacher has been referred to as Russian President Vladimir Putins favorite congressman, and he said that while most of his colleagues may view that as a negative, he doesnt mind advocating it. Rohrabacher was a speechwriter for the Ronald Reagan White House and arm-wrestled Putin at a Washington, D.C., bar in the 1990s, when the Russian president was just a deputy mayor. In a contentious exchange with Yahoo News and Finance Anchor Bianna Golodryga, Rohrabacher compared Putin to former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. When Golodryga brought up Russias history of alleged human rights abuses, he responded, Oh, baloney where do you come from? Golodryga said she immigrated to the United States from the former Soviet republic of Moldova as a political refugee. Then the audience knows youre biased, Rohrabacher retorted. Rohrabacher said that President-elect Donald Trump speaking on the phone with the president of Taiwan which broke a diplomatic norm dating back to 1979 was the correct decision. The answer to your question specifically is absolutely yes, said Rohrabacher when asked if now was the time to provoke China. The last thing thats going to motivate the Chinese is that they want to do favors for us because were kowtowing to them, were telling them how sincere friends we want to be to these vicious dictatorships that run Beijing and North Korea. Story continues If the Chinese are ever going to intercede for us, its going to be based on that we have a strong leader whos not a pushover and a strong leader who will actually threaten them not military action against them but threaten them with consequences if theyre supporting the military dictatorship attaining nuclear weapons power in Korea. So it was exactly the right thing to do. When asked about his potential candidacy for secretary of state, Rohrabacher said he was flattered to be considered. I have been discussing this with some people high up in the transition team, said the congressman, but Im really not at liberty to disclose those details. SINGAPORE Veteran Hong Kong actor Simon Yam has turned down multiple offers to move to Hollywood, where he is known for his role in Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life. Yam, who received the 27th Singapore International Film Festivals Cinema Legend award on Saturday, revealed this during an In Conversation event at the festival on Sunday. Im not going to Hollywood to make Hollywood movies, Yam said. Im staying in South East Asia. There are so many stories to be told here. Whether it is Singapore or Malaysia or China, people must tell their local stories. Build your foundation, focus on it and the world will come around. Yams performances in films including PTU, Election, Echoes of the Rainbow and Ip Man, and more recently Mrs. K have resonated around the world. Dont isolate yourself, is Yams advice to actors. The film industry is a communication between different countries, he said. Communication is a big part of Yams vocabulary and informs his craft. I love to communicate with people, observe them and engage with them, thats why I can play characters as diverse as gangsters or monks, Yam said. For now, Yam is going to look at acting in light comedies for the sake of his 12-year-old daughter Ella. Thats only for five years until she grows up, Yam says. After that I want to go back to heavy roles police, gangsters, psychopaths. Variety asked Yam whether the rumors of him starring alongside Don Wilson in Tim Delmars Killing the Seeds an Asian-set, U.S. financed gang war thriller were true. Yam asked to see the films IMDb entry and brought the house down when he said, I havent received an email from them yet. Related stories Singapore's ATF Launches With Multimedia Writing Initiatives ATF: Hulu Plans 'One-Stop Shop' For Japan ATF: Netflix Seeks Korean Production Pact With Revived D'Live The meme made the cops job easy. A heavily armed mannequin challenge in Alabama resulted in the arrests of two men for firearms and drug possession on Tuesday. The video, posted to Facebook last month, shows 22 men standing completely still and brandishing guns outside 5012 Powell Drive in Huntsville. The mannequin challenge is a viral Internet video trend in which people try to stay completely still as if they were part of a Madame Tussauds wax exhibit, typically with the song Black Beatles by Rae Sremmurd playing in the background. The shootout video, however, makes use of Aint No Comin Down by TEC & Maine Musik. Madison County Sheriffs Capt. Mike Salomonsky said someone sent the video online to the sheriffs office, prompting an investigation. Though the video has been removed from Facebook, al.com preserved it on YouTube. The criminal investigation/narcotics unit through their investigation was able to obtain enough probable cause to get a search warrant for this address, Salomonsky said at a press conference Tuesday. The Madison County Sheriffs Office was sent a video of the mannequin challenge. (Image: al.com) At 5:02 Tuesday morning, the Madison County Sheriffs Office SWAT team, the Huntsville Police Department SWAT team and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were involved when the search warrant was executed at the Huntsville home, he said. Due to the fact that there were multiple firearms in the residence, and also, because of the film, we thought that [there might be] additional people, so we used a breaching technique, which caused the front door to be removed from the residence, Salomonsky continued. SWAT teams stormed the residence and cleared the scene before a search was conducted. Authorities seized marijuana packets, two handguns, an assault rifle, a shotgun, several rounds of ammunition, magazines and a computer, Salomonsky said. Booking photos of Terry Brown, left, and Kenneth Fennell White on Dec. 6, 2016. (Photo: Madison County Sheriffs Office) All of the confiscated items were displayed on a table in front of the lectern during the press conference. Kenneth Fennell White, 49, and Terry Brown, 23, were both arrested. White was charged with first-degree possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm. Brown was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, loitering and promoting prison contraband (for arriving at jail with marijuana). Judging from social media, the law enforcement officers at the Madison County Sheriffs Office were flabbergasted that people would have the audacity to film a mannequin challenge at the same location where they allegedly sell drugs. LPWAN This story was delivered to BI Intelligence IoT Briefing subscribers. To learn more and subscribe, please click here. Sigfox, the French low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) provider, is planning an initial public offering (IPO), CEO Ludovic Le Moan told the Financial Times (FT) in an interview. The former network startup continues to mature and raise new capital to build out its networks, but could face some challenges once 5G becomes a connectivity option for the IoT. In the interview, Le Moan acknowledged the companys completion of its latest Series E funding round, in which it raised 150 million euros, and added that the company has raised about 300 million euros in total. Sigfox likely needs access to new capital, as it maintains a cable-intensive business model in order to quickly build out its networks. Unlike other IoT network providers that utilize existing networking infrastructures, such as cellular base stations, Sigfox needs to build out new network infrastructure. Further, the company has ambitious plans to expand its networks, which could make new capital necessary. Le Moan told the FT that Sigfox plans to expand from the 26 countries it's currently active in to 60 in the next 18 months. To achieve this, the company likely needs additional funding, and opening itself up to the general investing public could help. But going public could also end the companys rapid growth at a time when it still needs to continue to ramp up its operations. Sigfox has grown rapidly thus far, and its recent Series E funding round is the latest indication of this. However, after its initial influx of capital from the IPO, investment coming in could slow, making it difficult for the provider to finance its rapidly growing operations. Further, the LPWAN provider could be pushed to begin generating profit from its networks before they're fully developed and are widespread enough to fully enable the advantagesof LPWANs. Sigfox could soon face challenges with the development of 5G as an option to connect IoT devices. 5G is currently in the early stages of trials across the globe, but could arrive as soon as 2017. When it does arrive, IoT networks could move toward the network standard in order to eliminate fragmentation and ensure that most IoT devices run on a single type of network. Further, 5G can handle more data than traditional 4G LTE cellular connections, meaning that it could be ideal for IoT solutions that have thousands of devices all generating data. Sigfox may need to increase its availability and find a way to substantially differentiate itself from 5G. Story continues Although Wi-Fi and cellular networks can connect IoT devices to the internet, they have inherent characteristics that make them ill-suited to do so for small, low-power components like sensors, smart locks, and smart lights. BI Intelligence expects that more than 24 billion IoT devices will be installed globally in 2020, and the vast majority of these will fall into the small, low-power category. So networks that are better suited to connect these low-power IoT devices notably,Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs) are being developed. These networks can connect devices over large geographic areas because of their long range, but use less battery power on the devices they connect and offer cheaper data subscriptions than traditional cellular networks. Interest in LPWANs among IoT providers and end users is growing in response to the opportunities these benefits present. For example, a municipality deploying parking sensors for a smart transportation project could lower its costs by using a LPWAN instead of a cellular network. It would also then be able to replace the batteries on the sensors far less frequently. BI Intelligence has compiled a detailed report on LPWANs that explains the impact they will have on the growth of the IoT and the benefits of using LPWANs for IoT connections. It also forecasts the internet connections and subscription revenues associated with these networks and explains in detail the many standards for LPWANs that exist today. Finally, it lays out the current market landscape going forward as different network providers launch LPWANs. Here are some of the key takeaways from the report: Low Power Wide Area Networks are specifically designed for connecting low-power devices like sensors over a very long range. This makes them well suited to a wide range of IoT use cases like smart agriculture and smart cities. Low Power Wide Area Networks can connect these low-power devices at a cheaper cost than existing cellular networks. LPWANs have cheaper hardware costs and data subscription costs because they dont need to provide the high data rates that cellular networks do. BI Intelligence estimates that the total number of IoT devices connected over LPWANs will reach 700 million by 2021. This represents remarkable growth for such a new technology that has little present adoption. A number of startups and new networking providers are launching LPWANs using standards that leverage unlicensed spectrum. These providers are trying to secure networking revenues from the billions of low-power IoT devices that will go online over the next few years. Cellular network carriers are responding to this trend by developing their own standards for LPWANs that leverage their existing infrastructure that supports their 4G networks. This means they will be competing directly with some of the new providers mentioned above. Different LPWAN standards are best suited for specific use cases, and business and government organizations will need to understand the benefits of the various standards to find the solution that fits their needs. In full, the report: Details the broad need for low-cost, low-power internet connectivity for IoT devices that LPWANs will help meet. Forecasts the growth of the LPWAN market including new networking providers and traditional mobile carriers that are launching their own LPWANs. Examines how LPWANs will be adopted by different industries that are launching IoT projects. Compares the distinct characteristics and advantages of different standards for LPWANs. Explains how the LPWAN market will develop over the coming years in regards to different standards and competitors. Examines what the future of internet network connectivity for IoT devices will look like, including LPWANs and the coming of 5G mobile networks. 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 LPWANs. More From Business Insider Two speeches, warnings and promises: President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump delivered two speeches Tuesday aimed squarely at the other, shading their language in generalities, but leaving little doubt who their audience was. Obama, appearing before a roomful of troops at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa to deliver the final national security speech of his presidency, delivered a plea for caution and reflection before using the military as a blunt object, while offering a forceful rejection of torture. Adhering to the rule of law is not a weakness, he said in an allusion to Trumps calls to bring back waterboarding and other forms of torture. In the long term, it is our greatest strength. He also warned about treating terrorism as an existential threat, to the exclusion of other threats gathering in the world. A sustainable counter-terrorism strategy depends on keeping the threat in perspective, Obama said. Todays terrorists can kill, but they dont pose an existential threat to our nation. And we must not make the mistake of elevating them as if they do. The United States, he added, its a country where we can criticize a president without retribution, in a possible reaction to Trumps tweets slamming Boeing, whose CEO voiced some concern over the President-elects trade policies. Watching the detectives. The Obama speech which sought to burnish his foreign policy and national security legacy left some glaring omissions. He all but ignored the debates over the mass surveillance architecture he oversaw and fought hard to maintain throughout his presidency. As The Guardians Spencer Ackerman rightly notes, Obama reluctantly helped pass only one law curtailing bulk surveillance, a provision that left untouched the National Security Agencys ability to collect Americans international communications without warrants and the FBIs unrestrained ability to warrantlessly search through them. Story continues He also criticized Congress for not specifically authorizing war against the Islamic State, even as his own administration has relied on an ever-expanding interpretation of a 15-year old law meant to give the president power to target the masterminds of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks to go after terrorist groups in Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, and elsewhere. Hi, there. Just hours later in North Carolina, Trump introduced retired general James Mattis as his nominee to be Secretary of Defense. The nominee delivered a few short lines, likely trying to reassure service members concerned about being ordered to carry out illegal acts, and nervous allies fearful of American withdrawal from the world. Mattis said he was grateful for the opportunity to work at the Pentagon in the defense of our Constitution, and with our allies strengthened, and with our country strengthened, I look forward to being the civilian leader, as long as the Congress gives me the waiver, and the Senate votes to consent. Trump got back on the mic and added, Ohhhh, if he doesnt get that waiver therell be a lot of angry people. Such a popular choice. Theres already a real fight brewing on Capitol Hill over Mattis, The Hill reports, and some Democrats are warning Republicans not to include language in a temporary spending bill that would grant Mattis the legal waiver he needs to serve, since he has not been retired from the military for the requisite seven years. Trumps vision. The President-elects speech hit some familiar themes: non-intervention in foreign conflicts, rebuilding the military, and criticism of Obamas war-making policies. In a possible nod to his desire to focus narrowly on ISIS in Syria, he said, we will stop racing to topple foreign regimes that we know nothing about, that we shouldnt be involved with, and we dont want to have a depleted military because were all over the place fighting in areas that we shouldnt be fighting in. Trump to Boeing: Stop building the planes you havent started building yet: On Tuesday morning, just hours after Boeing CEO publicly worried about Trumps trade policies, the President-elect fired off a tweet slamming the companys work to build two new Air Force One jets, claiming that costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order! Later he told reporters that the plane is totally out of control, its going to over four billion dollarsand I think its ridiculous. Problem is, Boeing hasnt started building the planes yet, so we dont know exactly how much theyre going to cost. Boeing has so far been awarded $170 million for work on the planes, which are expected to cost $2.8 billion over the next five years. Among defense industry execs and industry analysts, the response to the tweet appears to be resignation over Trumps utterances. Speaking to reporters at an annual defense industry luncheon on Tuesday, CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association Dave Melcher told reporters, what is tweeted today is not necessarily going to be the policy tomorrow. Most of these things tend to be more emotional in context, a rapid response. We should not overreact. Likewise, industry analyst Byron Callan, a director at Capital Alpha Partners, sent out a note Tuesday that cautions not to take the President-elects words too seriously. Of Trumps tweets about defense contractors and there will be more he assures investors, we assume few will prove actionable. He also noted that since the program is still in its early stages of development, there appears to be no evidence of excess cost growth on the existing contract. Good morning and as always, if you have any thoughts, announcements, tips, or national security-related events to share, please pass them along to SitRep HQ. Best way is to send them to: paul.mcleary@foreignpolicy.com or on Twitter: @paulmcleary or @arawnsley China A week before President-elect Donald Trumps controversial call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, China flew nuclear-capable H-6K bombers around the island, according to NBC News. Taiwanese officials say that the bombers didnt encroach on Taiwanese airspace but included four other planes in the circling, including two fighter jets and two surveillance aircraft. Taiwans defense ministry also denies there was a connection between the phone call between Tsai and Trump. Aleppo Syrian rebels battling government forces in the besieged city of Aleppo withdrew from the historic Old City overnight, in the face of an intensifying government assault. The army and allied forces now hold about 75 percent of the one time rebel stronghold, as rebel groups on Wednesday called for an immediate five-day truce and the evacuation of civilians to other opposition-held territory. The choices are grim for the 250,000 residents of the eastern half of the city, FPs Paul McLeary reports. On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that if somebody refuses to leave Aleppo on good terms, he will be eliminatedthere is no other way out. Moscow has long painted all anti-government rebels in Syria with the same brush, and refuses to acknowledge the differences between Islamist groups like the al Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, and more moderate, U.S.- and Turkish-backed rebel units. South Korea South Korean military officials tell Yonhap News Agency that they believe North Korean hackers managed to break into the Souths cyber command intranet, infecting thousands of connected computers with malware including that of Defense Minister Han Min-koo. The officials say the hack originated with IP addresses based in China, where some say North Korea hosts a unit of hackers attached to its Reconnaissance General Bureau intelligence service. A complete damage assessment or detailed attribution of the attack, however, has yet to be released. MANPADS The Washington Post reports that the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act would allow the Trump administration to transfer man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) to Syrian rebels in order to target low-flying aircraft. Supporters of the anti-Assad opposition have long urged the Obama administration to provide the weapons to rebels, but critics have argued that the shoulder-fired anti-aircraft weapons could pose a threat to civilian airliners if they fell into the wrong hands. Members of the Trump administration, including the President-elect, however, have expressed skepticism about the rebels and a willingness to partner with Russia and the Assad regime. Iran Theres plenty of questions about the future of the Iran nuclear deal but for now at least the U.N. is saying that business is continuing as usual. Reuters spoke to an unnamed diplomat with access to a confidential International Atomic Energy Agency report stating that Iran transferred 11 tons of heavy water out of the country. Under the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action negotiated with Iran, the Islamic Republic is supposed to keep its supplies of heavy water under 130 tons. Irans stocks had briefly risen above that level, raising questions about Tehrans compliance but the recent transfer would reportedly bring Iran back under the 130 ton limit. Nukes Current and former officials at the Reagan National Defense Forum said the U.S. should spend more money to upgrade its nuclear arsenal, National Defense magazine reports. Senate Armed Services Committee member Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) predicted that Congress will shell out $234 billion to modernize American nuclear weapons over the next decade. Ellen Tauscher, former under secretary of state for arms control and international security affairs, argued that more investment was needed in order to buttress what she said was the declining credibility of the U.S. land-based nuclear deterrent. Propaganda Social media companies are teaming up to create a shared database of terrorist media content in order to make it easier and faster to remove from their platforms. USA Today reports that Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter, and YouTube announced theyll be sharing a database of hash values unique digital signatures of terrorist content they remove to allow partners in the project to identify remove the same media on their platforms. The move follows pressure from government officials in recent years to be more vigilant about removing and reporting terrorist propaganda. Valor Navy Secretary Ray Mabus tells USA Today that the service is upgrading two previously-awarded Navy Crosses to recommendations for the Medal of Honor, the nations highest award for valor. The move comes after a review of awards handed out since 9/11 amid complaints that services had unfairly changed the criteria for recipients. Mabus wouldnt say who received the awards or in which conflicts the recipients to be earned them. Photo Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images Six people were gunned down over 24 hours by suspected militants in a string of separate shootings in Thailand's insurgency-plagued southern provinces, authorities said Wednesday. The kingdom's far south has witnessed a Malay-Muslim insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives in the past 12 years with both militants and Thailand's military accused of rights abuses. Bombs and assassinations are the near-daily reality for civilians in the area, which is heavily patrolled by soldiers and police. The killings all took place on Tuesday, a police statement said. The first fatality was a village chief, found at his home in the early hours of the morning shot in the head in southern Pattani province's Yaring district. Soon afterwards a couple -- one of whom was a government militia member -- were gunned down as they rode a motorcycle in nearby Nongchik district. Later in the day another village chief and a Muslim civilian were shot dead in Pattani province in two separate incidents. A sixth civilian -- a Muslim man -- was gunned down in neighbouring Narathiwat province. Pattani police commander Major-General Thanongsak Wangsupa told AFP he believed the attacks were in retaliation for a series of militant arrests in the last few days. "We detained around eight people under the emergency law," he said. Thailand annexed the three southernmost Muslim Malay provinces more than a century ago and they have long chafed under rule from Bangkok. The latest insurgency broke out in 2004. Some 6,700 people have since died, the majority civilians, caught between the rebels and Thai security forces. The insurgency usually fails to grab international headlines but a spate of bomb attacks on tourist sites in August sharpened the focus on the conflict. The people wanted for those assaults, which killed two people, all come from the Thai south, raising fears insurgents could eventually expand their highly localised campaign. Peace discussions continue to stagger on, with Thai authorities unconvinced their rebel interlocutors have command and control over militant foot soldiers. Meanwhile the rebels do not believe the Thai junta is ready to hand the south a substantial level of political autonomy -- a key step towards an ultimate end to the violence. Donald Trump's curious consideration of Mitt Romney to be the nation's top diplomat is being met with a mix of skepticism and steadfast resistance from a surprising bunch: some of those who worked to get Trump elected. While the 2012 Republican presidential nominee seemingly remains among Trump's top choices for secretary of state, a group of current and former aides are quietly undermining Romney's chances. "His base would revolt," warns one campaign aide now working on the transition, speaking to U.S. News on the condition of anonymity. A second transition staffer, when asked about Romney via text message, replied with a sleeping emoji after outlining positive attributes of three other contenders for the role. A separate and former campaign aide predicted many Trump supporters would view a Romney selection as a painful betrayal, given his withering criticism of the president-elect during the primary and his reputation in conservative circles as a rudderless establishment politician. "Plus he has a plethora of other solid choices available," this former aide notes. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former CIA Director and retired Gen. David Petraeus, Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, former U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman and former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton all have been floated as prospects to lead Trump's State Department. But on a conference call Tuesday, Trump transition aides noted that besides Romney and Giuliani, they have never confirmed any other names as candidates for the job. And they stressed that some of Trump's meetings with prominent figures are to gather advice about whom to pick. On Tuesday, Trump met with ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, another seemingly longshot candidate but someone whose global perspective Trump was interested in hearing. "To ascribe all these particular individuals to jobs is a little premature," Trump transition spokesman Sean Spicer said on the call. Story continues The aides dodged a question about Trump's timeline for a decision on what is arguably his most pivotal Cabinet appointment, with Trump spokesman Jason Miller saying only, "The president-elect will let us know when he's ready." That open time frame has handed Trump's team ample space to make their case internally and through media channels about their preferences for the coveted slot. Campaign manager Kellyanne Conway has been the most vocal and direct about her resistance to Romney, citing the "breathtaking" scope and intensity of backlash from supporters who think Romney "went so far out of his way to hurt Donald Trump." [NEWS OF THE DAY: Joe Biden: I Am Going to Run for President in 2020] Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who remains a Trump adviser, has openly mocked Romney for allegedly " sucking up" to Trump. On Sean Hannity's Fox News program last week, Gingrich said, "There is an enormous base that wanted to drain the swamp, and they see Romney as the swamp." Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, who serves on Trump's transition team and met with the president-elect last week, also noted fierce anti-Romney backlash. "I have heard from many of my constituents who would rather Mr. Romney not be the choice," she says, though she notes potential pick Corker also is from the Volunteer State. Blackburn says she appreciates that Trump is taking time and care to mull the decision, but that "it would appear that it is still a little bit fluid." Asked if she could back Trump's choice of Romney, she says she is "going to be comfortable with anyone Mr. Trump chooses." But that won't be the case for many Trump supporters still furious at Romney, who unfurled a sweeping denunciation of Trump in a speech in March. On foreign policy, Romney said Trump is "very, very not smart," and added that his "foreign policies would make America and the world less safe." Even once Trump captured the GOP nomination and looked competitive in a race against Hillary Clinton, the former Massachusetts governor never came around to supporting his party's standard-bearer and firmly stated he would not vote for him. While Trump is clearly intrigued -- or at least entertained -- by the prospect of elevating one of his sharpest critics to be one of his most important governing partners, there's also the question of whether Romney could fully embody and faithfully advocate for Trump's unorthodox approaches. As just one example, while Romney has in the past pinpointed Russia as the nation's top geopolitical foe, Trump has signaled he would like to attain a closer relationship with President Vladimir Putin. Romney also holds a more interventionist worldview than Trump, who has said he wants to produce a foreign policy that avoids messy foreign conflicts and places "America First." It also must weigh on Romney that even if he is offered the position, his power could be limited in an administration populated by other, stauncher Trump allies like secretary of defense nominee James Mattis and retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, Trump's incoming national security adviser. That after two meetings Trump still has not settled on Romney may signal that his prospects have diminished. "I don't feel like Romney's likely to get it. It seems like if he was going to do that, he would've done it a week ago," says Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow in foreign policy at the Brookings Institution. "Petraeus is used to taking his orders from a civilian. He's not as part of the mainstream Republican orthodoxy. In that sense, he's a better fit with Trump." On the other hand, Romney would be a choice that commands immediate stature internationally, much like President Barack Obama's appointment of Clinton. He would be seen as a steady and competent hand at the wheel to navigate the world's most turbulent affairs. Politically, a Romney nomination also would likely face far less pushback from Democrats than Giuliani or Petraeus. Giuliani has overseas business entanglements that would earn substantial scrutiny in Senate hearings, and Petraeus famously pleaded guilty to providing classified information to a woman who was his mistress and biographer. Ironically, Romney's biggest hurdles may be finding cohesion with Trump's worldview -- which is so far proving to be less ideological and more theatrical, driven by strength and risk -- and Trump trusting him to implement it. But if Trump ultimately does select Romney, it would mark his boldest choice, one that daringly defies his base and bets on the political capital he believes he's earned. It also would gloss Trump as a gracious statesman who can rise above bitter politics for the good of the country. Then again, simply extending the olive branch to Romney in the first place may have helped achieve that goal. After all, Trump understands the theater of politics better than almost anyone. Having a consistent parade of high-profile politicians, business executives and media celebrities gliding into Trump Tower's golden elevator helps validate a presidency many still are struggling to come to grips with. "Maybe he's fundamentally undecided," O'Hanlon says. "But there's a purpose that's served even if he's not taking most of these people seriously." David Catanese is senior politics writer for U.S. News & World Report and founder of the blog The Run 2016. You can follow him on Twitter and send him feedback at dcatanese@usnews.com. Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison) has a lot to look forward to after the tragic death of his partner, FBI Agent Abbie Mills (Nicole Beharie), in Fox series Sleepy Hollow. Season 4 kicks off less than a month from now. Fox shared a new promo art for the upcoming season of the supernatural drama to TVInsider. Although it has yet to be uploaded on the shows Facebook page, fans can expect it to be up soon. The photo shows a headless Crane carrying his own head in one arm. The poster says Carry on, which is likely a nod to fans who are still mourning the death of his fellow witness, Abbie. Sleepy Hollow Photo: Fox Last seasons finale saw Cranes (and fans) world turn upside down with the death of his partner. However, a new mystery emerged from the wreckage. Ichabod was led out of town by a mysterious organization that promised him to put him in charge of an evil-fighting organization that was created hundreds of years ago by none other than George Washington. The former Oxford professor channels his grief into uncovering the secrets of this organization while searching for his fellow witness. He heads to Washington and finds himself with a new team that consists of single mom and Secret Service Agent Diana (Janina Gavankar) and two member of Washingtons covert organization: Jake (Jerry MacKinnon) and Alex (Rachel Melvin). The good news is that Jenny (Lyndie Greenwood), Abbies sister, will still be there in Sleepy Hollow. She will join Ichabod in his quest for locating the new witness. Season 4 will also see the return of the Headless Horseman and Henry Parrish (John Noble), Ichabods son. Daniel Reynolds (Lance Gross) and Sophie Foster (Jessica Camacho) will not return. Sleepy Hollow Season 4 premieres on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017 at 9 p.m. EST on Fox. Related Articles In October 2013, Spotify introduced its first Latin playlist, "Baila Reggaeton." It was an experiment: The service, launched in 2008, wasn't even available in most Latin countries until the end of 2013. But within two years, "Baila Reggaeton" had become Spotify's second-most popular playlist globally, and it has only continued to grow. "Last year at this time, we had 1.1 million subscribers. Today, we have 3.3 million," says Rocio Guerrero, Spotify's global head of Latin content programming. "It was a wake-up call for everyone. Now, Latin is a big priority for the company." Once a niche genre, Latin music has become a major force on streaming services, growing at an accelerated clip and regularly outperforming other genres. The phenomenon is evident not only on Spotify -- where three of the top seven most-streamed playlists are Latin, according to Guerrero -- but also Pandora, where the service says that in the United States, 25 percent of users identify as Hispanic and 11 percent of the music streamed is Latin. And YouTube reports that in October, 40 percent of the views for its Global Top 100 chart came from Latin America. "There's a bit of a revolution happening in Latin America with YouTube," says Ady Harley, head of music publishing partnerships for YouTube and Google Play in Latin America, adding that in the past year the region has had the biggest growth in views and watch time, and that two of YouTube's top five most-played playlists are Latin music. Daddy Yankee's hit "Shaky Shaky" has been in the top 10 of YouTube's global music chart for 11 consecutive weeks. The two main factors behind streaming's rise in the Latin market is the exponential growth of smartphone use, and Spotify, Pandora and YouTube approaching Latin fans in a more targeted manner. According to GSMA Intelligence, the international association of mobile service providers, Latin America is the world's second-fastest-growing mobile region, with smartphone adoption rising sharply: from less than 10 percent in 2011 to more than 50 percent in July 2016. That rise played a huge role in Latin music's sudden prevalence on YouTube and Shazam charts. Story continues Likewise, in the United States, according to Nielsen's 2015 Total Audience Report, Hispanics are the most avid smartphone users among all demographic groups, spending an average of 27 minutes and 36 minutes per week streaming video and audio, respectively, on their smartphones -- more than any other demo, and significantly more than the 13- to 17-minute average. For example, Pandora's Latin music plays have grown by approximately 1 percentage point per year since 2012, now accounting for 11 percent of the service's plays, says Marcos Juarez, head of Latin music programming. "That 11 percent lit a fire under us to focus on building and growing [our Latin service]," Juarez tells Billboard. "Being first to market and being the first to have extensive Latin music went a long way." According to Nielsen, which collects data from 15 services, streams of Latin music videos in 2016 through the week ending Nov. 3 stood at 21.4 billion, behind only R&B/hip-hop (34.2 billion) and pop (21.8 billion). "This is not something that only happened this year. We've been building for a while now," says Spotify's Guerrero, noting that after the launch of "Baila Reggaeton," "the artists started getting so many streams that they began breaking into the global charts. The real game-changer was when we decided to have a Latin editorial voice [curation by a person rather than an algorithm] with playlists. When Latin playlists became massive, I doubled my team."And with that growth comes market awareness: On Pandora, for example, the biggest Latin genre is regional Mexican. "There has been an awakening about Latin power in the U.S.," adds Juarez. "You just can't ignore it." This article originally appeared in the Dec. 10 issue of Billboard. Taipei (AFP) - Taiwan's tech giant Foxconn confirmed Wednesday it is in talks over a new US investment, while SoftBank shares soared after President-elect Donald Trump unveiled a $50 billion deal with the two firms. Trump announced the agreement -- which he said would bring 50,000 jobs -- in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York, alongside SoftBank's flamboyant chief executive Masayoshi Son. Son brandished a document featuring the names of his firm and Foxconn which read: "Commit to invest $50bn + $7bn in US, generate 50k + 50k new jobs in US in next four years." Foxconn, a major supplier to Apple, confirmed in a statement it is "in preliminary discussions regarding a potential investment" that would expand its current US operations, but would give no further details. "We will announce the details of any plans following the completion of direct discussions between our leadership and the relevant US officials," the statement said. The firm is the world's largest contract electronics maker and is best-known for assembling products for international brands such as Apple and Sony. But as Apple diversifies its supply chain, Foxconn has branched out into robotics, e-commerce, telecoms and biotech. Analysts said the potential deal reflected pressure on Apple to refocus on the US. Trump campaigned on a platform of bringing jobs back to the US which he said were being taken away, particularly by China. "Trump is pressuring Apple to return to the United States and Foxconn as an Apple supplier is going there to be near its client to strengthen its ties with Apple," said Arthur Liao, an analyst at Fubon Securities. Liao said he expected the new investment to focus on automation, design, and research and development, rather than manufacturing due to high labour costs in the country. Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai, employs around a million workers at its factories across China and has operations in more than 10 countries including Vietnam, Brazil and Mexico. Story continues In the US, it has a plant in Virginia for packaging and engineering which employes over 400 people. It has also announced a $40 million investment in a facility in Pennsylvania to build precision tools and develop a robotics programme. Foxconn founder Terry Gou and SoftBank's Son are reported to be good friends -- Foxconn recently contract manufactured Softbank's talking humanoid "Pepper" robots, which have been introduced into workplaces around the world including in Taiwan. Shares in Foxconn ended 0.97 percent higher at Tw$83.1 in Taipei on Wednesday. - 'Trump will take action' - Shares in Tokyo-listed SoftBank also closed up 6.19 percent after Trump's announcement, which he made while wrapping an arm around Son. "This is Masa of SoftBank from Japan and he's just agreed to invest $50 billion in the United States and 50,000 jobs," Trump told reporters. SoftBank declined to comment on details, but the funds will likely go towards acquisitions and investments in tech companies including start-ups, Japanese media said. Son has led the firm in a string of acquisitions including early investment in Alibaba, China's equivalent to eBay. He pointed to Trump's business experience as a plus. "I expect there will be various forms of deregulation," under Trump, Son told Japanese journalists in New York. "He has a lot of experience as a businessman. Unlike many politicians who do a lot of talking, but only talking, I feel like he will take action," he said. SoftBank reaped huge profits from a partial sale of its stake in Alibaba, while in June it sold Finnish game-maker Supercell Oy, creator of "Clash of Clans", to Chinese internet giant Tencent for $8.6 billion. But its US mobile unit Sprint, which it bought in 2013 for $22 billion, is still unprofitable. Son initially set his sights on a merger with US-based T-Mobile but the plan was abandoned owing to likely opposition from US regulators. Some analysts have also questioned SoftBank's most recent high-profile deal -- the $32-billion purchase of British iPhone chip designer ARM Holdings. There have been growing concerns about its balance sheet with SoftBank carrying more than $100 billion in debt. BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian chemicals group Solvay said on Wednesday it had agreed to sell its Acetow unit, which makes material used in cigarette filters, to private equity group Blackstone for 1 billion euros (844.7 million pounds), including debt. The sale, which Solvay said represented a multiple of seven times core profit (EBITDA), will generate a capital gain of 150 million euros and help to reduce its debt level. The deal is expected to be completed in the first half of 2017. "Acetow is a commodity business that is going through a decreasing market," said Pascal Juery, head of the business group overseeing the Acetow unit. "It didn't fit the group's strategy anymore," he added. Acetow made 542 million euros in sales last year, down 16 percent. More than 90 percent of Acetow's revenues come from cigarette filters. Solvay aims to move away from commoditised high-volume products towards more high-tech solutions with better profit margins. Last year, the group bought U.S. peer Cytec for $5.5 billion, which makes composite and adhesive materials for the aerospace and automotive industries. Juery said this was unlikely to be the last business shed in the company's transformation. The company is also reported to be seeking a buyer for its polyamides unit, which makes a heat-resistant engineering plastic known as polyamide 66 for various uses such as textiles, engine air ducts and cooling fans. (Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek; editing by Philip Blenkinsop) By Abdiqani Hassan QANDALA, Somalia (Reuters) - Soldiers loyal to Somalia's government retook control of a port town on Wednesday from insurgents who had declared allegiance to Islamic State, officials there said. Hundreds of pro-government fighters have been converging on Qandala in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland since it was seized last month by forces led by insurgent leader Abdiqadir Mumin "We now control Qandala port town. The IS fighters ran away into the hills without fighting," Puntlands minister for planning, Shire Haji Farah, told Reuters in the northern coastal town. Mumin used to be a commander with al Shabaab, a much larger Islamic insurgent force that is battling the weak Western-backed government to impose a strict interpretation of Islamic law. Qandala was the first town he took since declaring allegiance to Islamic State last year. It remains unclear what sort of link he has forged with the global militant group. (writing by Katharine Houreld; Editing by Catherine Evans) QAYYARAH, Iraq It was after sunset when the smuggler finally arrived. The mans face was concealed with a scarf, and he wielded a rifle. The mans instructions were clear and curt. I dont want to hear a sound, he said. I dont want to hear your voices. Follow me. He was speaking to a group of 40 men, women, and children who had fled the Islamic State-held town of Abbasi in northern Iraq. A driver had brought them from the banks of the Great Zab, a river that flows through Iraq and Turkey, to a half-finished house in a remote mountainous village and told them to be quiet and wait for dark. Parents gave their children sleeping pills and counted the hours in silence. Ghazi Ahmed Hussein was the only one in the group who had previously spoken with the smuggler over the phone. From a refugee camp 25 miles south of Erbil, in Iraqi Kurdistan, he described his escape from the Islamic States self-declared caliphate and the men who smuggle people out. Before the smuggler would take them anywhere, Hussein said, he wanted payment. The group doled out $200 per person above the age of 12, a significant sum in a country where the average monthly salary is around $600. With $5,000 worth of curled-up notes in his pocket, the smuggler led them under the cover of darkness. We walked for 11 hours, me with my 5-year-old daughter in my arms, he said. At one point there was a valley Ive never seen the place before in my life and suddenly other groups arrived. We became 300 people. Husseins smuggler left them here, and two other masked men took over. They started coordinating the group, he said. The military offensive on the Islamic State-held city of Mosul has displaced more than 73,000 people, with hundreds of thousands more expected. That will be a boon to the Iraqis who have developed a business model for bringing people to safety in exchange for hefty sums of cash. Thousands of Iraqi refugees have already escaped Islamic State-held territory by enlisting the help of smugglers, paying between $200 and $1,000 per person depending on the area. Story continues However, little is known about who the smugglers are and how they are able to operate and evade capture by the brutal extremist group. Interviews with a dozen internally displaced Iraqis from Islamic State areas, Kurdish security sources, and aid workers suggest they are mostly entrepreneurial locals some with connections to Islamic State members themselves. ISIS people are doing the smuggling to make money, said Salwan Samoody, an Iraqi police officer in the Jadah refugee camp south of Mosul, where a number of people from Hawija, Nimrud, and the besieged city itself have fled. If Islamic State members are involved in the smuggling operation, they are almost certainly risking the ire of the jihadi organization. [Islamic State leaders] want people to remain as indicative of the success of the state project, said Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi, a research fellow at the Middle East Forum. To that end, the Islamic State has worked to deter would-be migrants and their enablers. The Islamic State also mined territory to prevent civilians from fleeing months before the Mosul offensive was launched on Oct. 17. Those mines, however, are one of the main reasons some suspect the smugglers have ties to the Islamic State: Refugees consistently report that the smugglers were not just armed but skilled at maneuvering the minefields known to have been planted by the group. Police documents retrieved from the town of Shirqat, 50 miles south of Mosul, show that among the towns prison detainees were individuals accused of smuggling out families. The documents do not record penalties, but several refugees in the Debaga camp outside Erbil said those caught while attempting to flee were required to pay a fine of at least $500. If I was caught a second time, they said they would execute me, said Hazim Nazim Hussein, who was displaced from the town of Hawija. Ibrahim Hasan Mohamed, also from Hawija, said he had heard Islamic State members had ambushed families attempting to cross the river. For us, there were three possibilities: Get caught in a trap and be arrested, die stepping on a mine, or reach the Peshmerga front line, he said. For smugglers, the stakes are even higher. The price of being caught is almost always death: In August, SITE Intelligence Group reported that the Islamic State publicly executed five men in western Iraq for smuggling people into the lands of disbelief. A British Islamic State fighter said the group is aware of the rampant smuggling of people in and out of its territory. Much of the smuggling activity, he explained via the Telegram messaging app, was being carried out by local Iraqis looking to make money. Everyone is trying to stop it, he added, declining to comment on whether local smugglers might be assisted by individual Islamic State members. Its their land. They know the farms, the hills, the deserts, he said, when asked how locals could make the journey without being caught or killed. No army can put a full line of mines across its entire border. Impossible. The United Nations ethical standards dont normally allow it to condone the smuggling of people. However, it is compelled to be more accommodating in this context because for some its the only way out. Its something that traps us a lot because people are also profiting, said Francesco Motta, the director of the Human Rights Office of the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq. Smugglers are more likely local people linked with ISIS, local people who are supporters and able to act with a level of impunity or seem to know well-connected people. But we cant say for sure, he added. After this mess is cleared, we will learn what is really happening. Unsurprisingly, the refugees themselves dont ask many questions about their smugglers identities. Most said they obtained the relevant contact information from others who had escaped successfully. Those displaced from Hawija, for instance, recalled that they first heard of people being smuggled out of Islamic State-held territory in 2014, soon after the group captured the town, when government employees and members of the Iraqi security forces, fearing execution, began to flee. As the situation worsened, displaced residents said, ever more people started relying on the same smugglers who assisted in those early days. We learned about him from person to person, said Mohamed, the refugee from Hawija, now in Debaga. None of us knows who they really are. Smugglers in the so-called caliphate work differently depending on geography and the military situation. One refugee described being smuggled out of the extremist groups territory by a petrol salesman, who hid him in the backseat of his car. Another man, Arkan al-Jabbour, paid $2,400 to get his wife and three children out of Mosul, with the smuggler driving his family all the way to Syria to avoid crossing the Iraqi security forces front lines. Jabbour is convinced his smuggler had an understanding with an Islamic State member. He made an arrangement with the guard on the last checkpoint, he said. Those who fled Hawija said their smugglers were organized and efficient right up to the moment they were told that they were free. He said he wouldnt go unless there was a big group, said Ghazi Hussein, from Hawija. Refugees from the area reported that they met up to four or five smugglers at different points of the journey. They were instructed to cross the Great Zab alone and told that someone would be waiting for them on the other side. Husseins group began their journey at 11 a.m. and made it across the river by 4 p.m. There, as they were drenched from the chest down, a masked man greeted them. Are you Abu Haidars people? he asked. He had come with a pickup truck large enough to fit 20 people. In two 20-minute trips, the group was taken to a house in the village of Helwat, where they waited for the man who would take them to the valley and from there to the front line. When they arrived at the minefield separating Islamic State-held territory from the Peshmerga front, they were ordered to walk in a straight line, one behind the other, while the smuggler led the way. He knew the way. He knew exactly where the mines were, Hussein said. After hours of walking, weak with thirst and hunger, Hussein said they saw the light of the Peshmerga front line. He told us, Youre safe now. Go, he said. THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images Washington (AFP) - The son of Donald Trump's national security advisor -- who has pushed wild conspiracy theories on social media -- has been dismissed from the president-elect's transition team, Vice president-elect Mike Pence confirmed on Tuesday. "Mike Flynn Jr. is no longer associated with general Flynn's efforts or with the transition team and we're focused eyes forward," Pence told CNN, saying the younger Flynn had been helping his father with scheduling and other administrative work. The ouster of 33-year-old Michael G. Flynn, son of retired lieutenant general Michael Flynn -- who was tapped last month for the powerful national security advisor role -- came after he made controversial statements about an armed man's weekend attack at a popular pizza restaurant in Washington. Edgar Maddison Welch, 28, said he was investigating online "reports" that Comet Ping Pong was at the center of a pedophile ring linked to defeated Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. No one was hurt after Welch fired off a round from his AR-15. Police quickly arrested him, discovering two more weapons, and said he had told them he drove up from North Carolina to personally investigate "Pizzagate." Still, Michael G. Flynn tweeted that "Until #Pizzagate proven to be false, it'll remain a story." He also retweeted the comments of others promoting the fake stories about the restaurant. The incident raised questions about general Flynn himself. He had not commented publicly on the Comet incident, but in early November he tied Clinton to pedophile rings in a tweet of his own. "U decide - NYPD Blows Whistle on New Hillary Emails: Money Laundering, Sex Crimes w Children, etc...MUST READ!" he wrote ahead of the November 8 election. He also provided a link to a related fake news story. A senior member of the House Intelligence Committee said Tuesday that the government's less-than-robust response to the Sony cyberattack in 2014 may have emboldened Russian hackers to disrupt this year's election. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) suggested that the Obama administration should have done more besides publicly blaming North Korea for the hack, tied to the film The Interview, which satirized North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un. "Russia may have concluded that they could hack American institutions and there'd be no price to pay," Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the powerful committee, said at a press event hosted by the Christian Science Monitor. Russia has largely been blamed for this year's hacking of various Democratic party institutions, including the DNC and the emails of Hillary Clinton's campaign manager. The daily drip of bad news, precipitated by leaks published on WikiLeaks, which were in turn picked up by mainstream media outlets, is seen as a factor in Clinton's loss to Donald Trump. Democrats and some Republicans have called for investigations into the leaks, and Schiff joined others on Tuesday in a letter to President Obama asking the administration to brief members of Congress on Russia's efforts to interfere in the elections. Schiff also backs a proposed bipartisan committee to combat Russian efforts. "Unless we establish some kind of deterrent, this is going to be unending," he said. The "Sony Hack" exposed personal data -- including SSN's -- of thousands of past and present staffers, as well as film budgets, financial figures and thousands of emails from executives. The data breach, the worst in Hollywood history, was followed by co-chairman Amy Pascal's exit and a class action lawsuit from former employees. The U.S. government blamed the North Korean government for the hack. Like this year's election-related hacks, the Sony emails were cataloged by WikiLeaks. Ian Desmond is headed to Colorado. (Getty Images) Ian Desmond finally got his long-awaited long-term contract, agreeing to a five-year, $70 million deal with the Colorado Rockies after a make-good season that nearly made up for money he turned down in 2015, a source familiar with the contract told Yahoo Sports. The deal is pending a physical. Desmond, 31, famously turned down a seven-year, $107 million offer from the Washington Nationals in 2014 only to struggle in 2015 and take a one-year, $8 million deal from the Texas Rangers. While he was one of the best players in the American League in the first half, Desmond struggled in the second half, leaving potential suitors wary as to his Jekyll-and-Hyde ways. His versatility, on the other hand, was a big sell, as Desmond has played two positions shortstop for seven seasons and center field last year that teams covet and in short supply during this weak free agent class. Desmond is considered a strong baserunner, too, making up, in part, for a dreadful strikeout-to-walk ratio. Despite the poor second half, Desmond finished last season hitting .285/.335/.446, good enough for the Rangers to tender him a qualifying offer. By signing Desmond, the Rockies will lose their first-round pick, No. 11 overall, in the 2017 draft and Texas will receive a compensation pick in between the first and second rounds. Smart Rating: 13.45 Release year: 2010 Starring: Elle Fanning, Nathan Lane, John Turturro Christmas in Vienna is a dull affair for 9-year-old Mary (Elle Fanning), until her beloved Uncle Albert (Nathan Lane) arrives and gives her a special gift: an enchanted nutcracker. On Christmas night the nutcracker -- named NC -- comes to life and takes Mary to its magical land of sugarplum fairies and talking toys. Mary discovers that the wondrous kingdom faces a dire threat from the evil Rat King, and when the nutcracker is kidnapped, she must rally her new friends to save NC. JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African mobile phone group MTN said on Wednesday it had appointed three new executives who will join its new chief executive and finance head next year, part of a management overhaul after its first half-year loss. MTN agreed in June to pay a 330 billion naira ($1.05 billion at the time) fine in a settlement with Nigeria for missing a deadline to cut off unregistered SIM cards from its network, pushing the company into the red for the first time. MTN has tapped former chief executive of Vodafone's German business Jens Schulte-Bockum as its new chief operating officer and First National Bank's Bernice Samuels as marketing head. BT Global Services chief executive Oliver Fortuin will take on the role of executive head of business enterprise, MTN said. Executive chairman Phuthuma Nhleko said the appointments were part of a large scale transformation and operational review process. Nhleko, who stepped in a acting chief executive shortly after Nigerian regulators hit the group with a record fine, launched an overhaul of the business that is seeking new revenue streams such as mobile banking in big markets like Nigeria. Rob Shuter will take over as chief executive in March, while Ralph Mupita will join him as finance head in April. Schulte-Bockum and Samuels are set to start in January and Fortuin in March, MTN said. (Reporting by TJ Strydom. Editing Jane Merriman) By Ju-min Park and Se Young Lee SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean President Park Geun-hye, engulfed in an influence peddling scandal, said if she was impeached she would wait for a court to uphold the decision, a party official said on Tuesday, a sign a political crisis could drag on for months. Park's embattled presidency faces a critical juncture, with parliament expected to hold an impeachment vote on Friday. Even if the motion is passed, it must be upheld by the Constitutional Court, a process that could take at least months. Separately, South Korea's most prominent corporate chiefs told a parliamentary panel they had not sought favors when they made contributions to two foundations at the heart of the scandal, even as one of them acknowledged it was hard to say "no" to the government. "It's a South Korean reality that if there is a government request, it is difficult for companies to decline," said Huh Chang-soo, who heads the energy-to-retail GS Group and is also chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries, the main lobby group for the conglomerates known as chaebol. Park, 64, is under intense pressure to resign immediately, with big crowds taking to the streets every Saturday calling for her ouster. Her approval rating is at a record low of 4 percent. She would be the first democratically elected South Korean president not to serve a full five-year term. She is accused of colluding with a friend and a former aide to pressure big business owners to pay into two foundations set up to back policy initiatives. She has denied wrongdoing but apologized for carelessness in her ties with the friend, Choi Soon-sil. Park met leaders of her Saenuri party and top official Chung Jin-suk later said the president was willing to accept her party's proposal that she step down in April - which has been rejected by the opposition - but gave no indication that she was willing to quit immediately. "Unless she says she is resigning immediately, whatever she says won't satisfy the public and won't make the opposition drop their impeachment motion," said Kim Man-heum, head of the Korea Academy of Politics and Leadership. Opposition parties need at least 28 members from Park's Saenuri Party for the impeachment bill to pass with a two-thirds majority. At least 29 of them are believed to be planning to vote for the bill, members of a breakaway faction said. Last week, Park offered to step down and asked parliament to decide how and when she should resign, a move opposition parties rejected as a ploy to buy time and avoid impeachment. Rhee Jong-hoon, a political commentator at iGM Consulting, said Park would fight in the Constitutional Court to overturn an impeachment hearing. "And if the motion is overturned? She will remain in office until her term is finished. Nothing matters after the Constitutional Court rules against the impeachment bill." The heads of conglomerates controlling revenue equivalent to more than half the country's economy were questioned over whether they were pressured by Park or Choi to give money to non-profit foundations, which backed initiatives put forth by Park, in exchange for special treatment. 'HEAVY HEART' Samsung Group leader Jay Y. Lee, who sat at the center of the witness table, said Park had asked him during one-on-one meetings for support for boosting cultural and sports-related developments but did not specifically request money. "There are often requests from various parts of society including for culture and sports. We have never contributed seeking quid pro quo. This case was the same," Lee said. The 48-year-old Lee, the third-generation leader of the country's biggest conglomerate who received the lion's share of the panel's often-hectoring questioning, said he was embarrassed by the situation and was appearing with a "heavy heart". Samsung donated 20.4 billion won ($17.46 million) to the two foundations, the most of any group, and prosecutors raided its offices last month. The corporate titans ran a gauntlet of media and protesters as they entered the National Assembly for the first such parliamentary hearing featuring such a large group of chaebol bosses. The family-controlled chaebol have long dominated Asia's fourth-largest economy, working closely with the government in a system that helped the country rebuild from the ravages of the 1950-53 Korean War. But the system, critics say, is due for reform, including improved corporate governance and transparency. None of the chaebol has been accused of any wrongdoing in the case, but a protester outside the assembly held a sign saying: "Arrest the chaebol chiefs". (Reporting by Se Young Lee, Yun Hwan Chae, Jack Kim, Hyunjoo Jin, Ju-min Park, Jeong Eun Lee and Nataly Pak; Writing by Tony Munroe; Editing by Robert Birsel) The next launch of a Falcon 9 rocket is expected to occur in early January. (SpaceX Photo) SpaceX says it expects to finish its investigation of Septembers fiery loss of a Falcon 9 rocket and its payload in time for a return to flight in early January. That launch is expected to send 10 Iridium Next communication satellites into orbit from Californias Vandenberg Air Force Base. Over the past few weeks, officials at SpaceX and Iridium had been hinting that the launch might occur in mid-December, but todays update extends the postponement a few more weeks. This allows for additional time to close out vehicle preparations and complete extended testing to help ensure the highest possible level of mission assurance prior to launch, SpaceX said. We support @SpaceX announcement today to extend the 1st #IridiumNEXT launch date into early January. https://t.co/xpj7RnWoGO Iridium Corporate (@IridiumComm) December 7, 2016 A month ago, SpaceX founder Elon Musk said the Sept. 1 launch pad explosion was traced to the way liquid helium was loaded into pressure vessels located within the Falcon 9s tank of liquid oxygen propellant. The procedure chilled the oxygen so much that it turned into a solid, he said. Musk suggested that the solid oxygen could have reacted explosively with the carbon composite tank. The resulting blast destroyed the rocket as well as its payload, which included an Israeli-built satellite known as Amos-6 that was to have facilitated Facebooks plans to provide internet access in Africa. Although SpaceX is in charge of the investigation into the anomaly, the Federal Aviation Administration has to sign off on its findings and give its approval for the Iridium launch. Todays update signals that SpaceX has settled on the root cause, that it has developed a way to avoid facing similar issues in the future, and that the approval process is on track for January. More from GeekWire: An explosion on the launch site of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is shown in this still image from video in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S. September 1, 2016. U.S. Launch Report/Handout via REUTERS SpaceX, it seems, won't get back to launching rockets until January 2017 at the earliest. The announcement, made via the company's website on Wednesday, comes less than a week after SpaceX's CEO Glenn Shotwell said Falcon 9 rockets would resume launching before the end of the year. The pending launch of 10 next-generation Iridium Communications satellites would be the first since a Falcon 9 rocket turned into a huge fireball during a routine launchpad test in Cape Canaveral, Florida. While the Sept. 1 accident didn't hurt anyone, it did destroy a communications satellite that Facebook intended to lease to provide web access to Africa. It also rattled some NASA officials, who plan to use the rockets to launch astronauts into space. (Until then, the agency will have to pay Russia for rocket launches one of which recently failed.) SpaceX, which is owned by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, has been investigating the blast ever since, and suggested in its press release that it will not return to flight until that investigation is complete. Musk has called the fireball "the most difficult and complex failure" in his company's history, and has released some details about the possible cause via Twitter. The company provided the following update at its website on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. ET: "We are finalizing the investigation into our September 1 anomaly and are working to complete the final steps necessary to safely and reliably return to flight, now in early January with the launch of Iridium-1. This allows for additional time to close-out vehicle preparations and complete extended testing to help ensure the highest possible level of mission assurance prior to launch." SpaceX has not yet released its full report about the accident. NOW WATCH: Watch the dramatic moment SpaceX rocket explodes More From Business Insider Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f310905%2fbeae3ecd4cc84cdb8ac145057c4e319b Almost immediately after SpaceX's catastrophic Falcon 9 rocket explosion in September, people started wondering when Elon Musk's private spaceflight company would fly again. Now, we finally have an answer. According to an update released Wednesday, SpaceX is planning to launch its first mission since the mishap in January, after completing its investigation into the accident. SEE ALSO: SpaceX's bold plan to deliver worldwide internet with 4,425 satellites "We are finalizing the investigation into our Sept. 1 anomaly and are working to complete the final steps necessary to safely and reliably return to flight, now in early January with the launch of Iridium-1," SpaceX said in the statement. "This allows for additional time to close-out vehicle preparations and complete extended testing to help ensure the highest possible level of mission assurance prior to launch." The January mission should deliver 10 communications satellites to orbit. The September accident at the company's launch site in Florida destroyed the Israeli-made Amos-6 satellite when the Falcon 9 rocket it was housed within blew up on the pad just before a test. Experts working with the company, NASA, the Air Force and the Federal Aviation Administration have traced the explosion to a fuel tank in the second stage of the rocket, though the specific root cause of the accident hasn't been released. "I still haven't heard anything official from the FAA regarding whether they approved the return to flight or not," industry analyst Bill Ostrove told Mashable via email. "Assuming they do approve SpaceX's plan, the investigation has been positive for the company," he said. "They will have returned to flight faster than the last time. That is important for SpaceX, which has had issues with launch tempo in the past." Originally, Iridium said the launch was expected to occur in December. Story continues Musk has said that this was the most difficult accident investigation in the 14-year history of the company. Still working on the Falcon fireball investigation. Turning out to be the most difficult and complex failure we have ever had in 14 years. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 9, 2016 The September accident was the second SpaceX failure in the span of about 15 months. Another Falcon 9 rocket exploded just after liftoff in June 2015, forcing the company to stand-down for months as the incident was investigated. That failure was traced to a different problem than the most recent mishap. "Four months is on the fast side for a return to flight, but not abnormally so. It's only a little shorter than the six months it took SpaceX the last time," Ostrove said. "One of the longest return-to-flights in recent memory is Orbital ATK's Antares, which did not launch between October 2014 and October 2016," he added, noting that the company upgraded the rocket's engines during that time. All in all, SpaceX has about a 93 percent success rate, which is about two points below average for the industry at large. The accident did cause some experts to question whether the company has taken on too much, too quickly. At the moment, the company launches missions for private companies and government entities. SpaceX is also in the process of developing a spacecraft designed to take astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA, and it ultimately has ambitions to take humans to Mars. SpaceX is also performing reusable rocket tests by bringing the first stages of its launchers back down to Earth after launching payloads to space. It's thought that eventually this will greatly reduce the cost of spaceflight. However, it's unlikely that SpaceX will cut back on its ambitions anytime soon. "I suspect that SpaceX is unlikely to dial back its various efforts, as Elon Musk is calling the shots and words such as 'caution' and 'moderation' do not appear to be part of his vocabulary," industry analyst Chris Quilty said in September. BONUS: Why does SpaceX land rockets on barges? By Clare Baldwin, Andrew R.C. Marshall and Damir Sagolj MANILA (Reuters) - It's a Friday morning in late October, and Florjohn Cruz's body lies on a metal table at a funeral parlor in the Philippine capital of Manila. A forensics team is about to perform an autopsy on him - his second. His widow, Rita, glances at the tidy stitches running up his torso from the previous examination. Then she poses for the picture that will serve as proof of Florjohn's identity in the report being compiled on his death by the Philippines' Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Rita, who had been separated from her husband for more than a year, starts crying. Then she leaves the room. Rita and her grief-stricken family are desperate for answers. They don't believe the police account of the killing of her husband. The police have conducted an autopsy, but the family has asked CHR to perform a second one. Florjohn Cruz, 34, was shot dead in his mother's house in northern Manila on the evening of October 19, joining the more than 2,000 people police say they have killed so far in Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's "war on drugs." Police say plainclothes officers killed Cruz in self-defense after he fired at them during a drug-buying sting operation. The family says police burst into their home and shot Cruz, as he protested his innocence. In a rare move, the family has pushed for a second autopsy, which Reuters attended, in a bid to challenge the police version of events. With Duterte encouraging police to kill drug addicts, and officers answering his call with a near-perfect kill rate, many bereaved relatives say they are fearful of questioning law enforcement authorities. But the Cruz family crave information. There are things that don't add up. If Cruz fired first from close range, how is it possible that no policemen were injured? And how could Cruz have fired at police if he didn't own a gun? "We had no information whatsoever," said Rita. "All we saw was the body in the body bag." 'IT'S LIKE THEY JUST KILLED A DOG' According to the police report, Cruz and two accomplices were selling drugs outside the house on October 19 at about 9.45 p.m. when they realized their would-be customers were undercover police. Cruz ran inside the house, pulled a gun and shot at the officers, missing them. The police returned fire "to prevent and repel Cruz' unlawful aggression," said the report. Cruz was killed. The family tells a different story. They believe he was executed. Policarpia Cruz, 74, said she was at home with her son, who was fixing her radio, when between four and six men in civilian clothes barged in with guns drawn and ordered her outside. She said she couldn't see what happened next, but she heard her son pleading, "Please stop, there's nothing here," as the men slapped him around. Then she heard someone shout, "Gun!" Shots rang out. The police didn't allow family members back into the house to see what had happened. The family next saw Cruz's bullet-riddled body at Eusebio Funeral Services, a privately run funeral home that also serves as a police morgue. Photos taken there by the family show that Cruz was shot beneath the chin, through the heart and in the abdomen. "He's a father. He's just a normal human being who used to do drugs," said Cruz's niece, Sophia, 26. "It's like they just killed a dog." Cruz, who left behind three daughters, aged 5, 7 and 12, had stopped using drugs when Duterte took office and had never owned a gun, Sophia said. "If he really did try to protect himself with a gun, then one of the (policemen) would have got shot," she said. The police report makes no mention of officers getting hurt. Sophia said the family found a cardboard sign in the room where Cruz was killed. Scrawled in the Filipino national language, it read: "PUSHER AND ADDICT DON'T IMITATE." Hundreds of nearly identical signs have been retrieved from the corpses of drug suspects purportedly killed by vigilantes. Cruz's niece Sophia said she was "shocked" to find it. She believes it was left by the police, and thinks this may be evidence to support a widespread suspicion in the Philippines that police and vigilantes are acting together. The police report makes no mention of the sign, and Johnson Almazan, the police chief of Caloocan City, told Reuters his men "vehemently denied" leaving it. Putting such a sign there served no purpose, since "they have already neutralized Florjohn Cruz," he said. NO MONEY FROM 'UNCLAIMED BODIES' While campaigning for president, Duterte vowed to kill so many criminals if he won that people should go into the funeral business. "Are there many funeral parlors here? Go put them up now," he told a crowd in a campaign speech in March. "I'll supply the bodies to you." But most victims of Duterte's drug war are poor, and their families often struggle to pay for funeral services. The Eusebio funeral home charges about 35,000 pesos ($700) for storing and embalming a body. About one in five Filipinos lives on less than $1.20 a day, according to government statistics. The bodies of some drug war victims remain unclaimed. Orly Fernandez, Eusebio's operations manager, shows Reuters a shelf stacked with five rigid corpses dressed only in underwear. "Duterte said a lot of funeral parlors are going to be rich, but that's not the case," he said. "How can you make money from unclaimed bodies?" Fernandez said Duterte's campaign has been costly because about one in five drug-war victims arriving at his funeral home aren't claimed. They are eventually buried in a mass grave, he said. After the police autopsy, Cruz's body was embalmed at the funeral parlor and placed in an open casket. The casket sat for the next nine days in the narrow alleyway outside his mothers home. Observing Filipino tradition, family and friends gathered there to gamble with cards and listen to music, often into the early hours of the morning. Many donated money to help pay for the funeral. THREE BULLETS Autopsies conducted by CHR, a government-funded body, are free. CHR investigators screen the case for suspected human rights violations before agreeing to take it on. The autopsy room at the Eusebio funeral home is stark, clean and odorless. Kitchen knives and a sharpening stone are stacked in a sink. A wire rack holds glue, metal probes and other tools. First, the CHR team takes an inventory of Cruz's tattoos on his right upper pectoral, right arm and back. Then they remove the stitching from the previous autopsy and sponge away the embalming fluid from his torso. They discover three bullet wounds, in Cruz's abdomen, chest and head. Later, they trace the path that each bullet took. One entered his chest, crossed a lung and ventricle of his heart, then exited through his back. Another bullet entered near his navel and pierced part of his small intestine. The path of the third bullet through Cruz's brain is more difficult to trace. The CHR team finds a hole above his right ear and another in his shattered skull. With a foot-long kitchen knife and a hacksaw, the team opens his skull and finds a bullet fragment. The police coroners missed it because they didn't open his skull. Only toward the end of the autopsy does the CHR team spot the entry wound beneath Cruz's chin, obscured by embalming putty and make-up applied after the first autopsy. They use a metal probe to trace the bullet's path. It entered from underneath his chin, then the bullet split. "It happens that you sometimes overlook something," says Joseph Jimenez, a CHR coroner, referring to the difficulty of conducting a second autopsy on Cruz. "There is putty and makeup. It's not obvious." 'NEW FINDINGS' The CHR autopsy takes two hours. That's twice as long as the police autopsy, according to Eusebio's staff. At the end, Jimenez says "thank you" to Cruz's corpse, and his team observes a moment of silence. Then he explains his findings to the family. The bottom line: None of the findings of the second autopsy suggest that Cruz was executed, he says. There are no obvious clues pointing to an execution, such as a shot to the forehead or the back of the head. And only limited information can be gleaned from an autopsy on a body like Cruz's that has already been embalmed, Jimenez told Reuters. Organs change consistency, he said, and stitching destroys the edges of wounds and changes their size and shape. Nevertheless, some evidence has clearly been overlooked. And Rita seems mollified by the new information from the second autopsy. The police hadn't opened her husband's skull and hadn't found the bullet fragment lodged in his brain. She says she and her family will need to decide whether to continue to press for answers. "There are new findings," she says. "We may file a police case." Back inside the funeral parlor, Rogelio Coraza, who has worked at Eusebio for a decade, spends an hour re-stitching Cruz's wounds and bathing and dressing the body. He glues Cruzs eyes shut, then uses an assortment of sponges, brushes and make-up on the body. He then puts baby oil in Cruz's hair and combs it. After Cruz's body is placed in the coffin, he combs his hair again. Two days later, the family again leaves home with Cruzs coffin, this time for the cemetery. Family and friends crowd around the coffin inside a small concrete chapel, holding white helium balloons with the words, "We will miss you Florjohn FJ Cruz." (Reporting by Clare Baldwin, Andrew R.C. Marshall and Damir Sagolj. Editing by Peter Hirschberg and David Lague.) New York (AFP) - US coffee giant Starbucks outlined plans Wednesday to add 12,000 cafes globally by 2021, including a group of new premium stores that will showcase rare coffees and gourmet food. The store expansion includes previously-announced plans to add more than 5,000 stores in China, a market that Starbucks believes will ultimately be even bigger than the US. Starbucks currently has about 25,000 stores. The goal is to elevate the Starbucks brand "around all things coffee, retail and mobile," Starbucks President Kevin Johnson said at the company's biennial investors day. Starbucks last week announced Johnson would replace longtime chief executive Howard Schultz, who will shift to overseeing the build-out 1,000 Starbucks Reserve Stores that aim to build up the coffee chain's premium business. Two years ago, Starbucks opened a reserve roastery in its hometown of Seattle that provides an "immersive experience" to java addicts and has led to new drink concoctions such as the Smoked Butterscotch Latte and the Iced Coconut Milk Mocha Macchiato. Starbucks also said it is working to upgrade its mobile application to permit customers to order via an artificial intelligence program. Other technology efforts aim to boost sales through greater personalisation of orders. The goal of the expansion plans is to grow revenues by 10 percent and earnings per share by 15-20 percent over five years, Starbucks said. Starbucks shares rose 0.8 percent to $57.90 in midday trade. Starbucks Corporation (ticker: SBUX) is eyeing even more expensive coffee offerings for 1,000 new upscale stores. If the project of CEO Howard Schultz -- who will shift to an executive chairman role in April -- takes off, the coffee chain might just become what some millennials desire, reports Reuters. This all, of course, comes as competition swirls in the industry with further penetration of the likes of Blue Bottle and Intelligentsia in the U.S. Reuters points out that Starbucks must stand out from these competitors to do away with a "pedestrian" moniker. But Starbucks is putting its coffee where its mouth is, so to speak. Schultz is leaving the CEO role so that he can put his energy toward developing 1,000 "reserve" brand locations. Plans also include up to 30 Reserve Roastery and Tasting Rooms all over the world that will serve as showcases. Will these "reserve" locations, however, garner the attention they seek? Reserve bars have appeared in a number of Starbucks locations, and one in New York was charging $10 for coffee produced in a glass siphon. What's more, reserve stores will feature "exotic, small-lot coffees" in 8-ounce bags that could be sold for $50. Bernstein analyst Sara Senatore told Reuters these stores could raise revenue for the company pending it meets targets, though noted an economic slowdown might make its investment requirements not as alluring. Meanwhile, the CEO role will go to Starbucks President Kevin Johnson. As The Wall Street Journal points out, this type of arrangement is atypical for U.S. business. The departing CEO's role usually involves up to just a year-long chairman position during the transition -- and that's if they were effective. More details about the company's changes and plans have been pouring out on Twitter during Starbucks Investor Day, including five-year company growth targets in addition to "Reserve" updates. Story continues Schultz makes it clear he'll stay at $SBUX but on projects. Intro 4 Kevin Johnson: "He is going to be the CEO. He's got the last word." -- Jessica Wohl (@jessicawohl) December 7, 2016 Average ticket in Roastery 4x average ticket in @Starbucks store -- Schultz (Bet it's also higher margin) -- Stephanie Strom (@ssstrom) December 7, 2016 Liz Muller, SVP $SBUX creative, global design outlines Reserve stores. NY's, opening in 1.5 yrs, features 45-ft spirit, mixology bar -- Victoria Craig (@VictoriaCraig) December 7, 2016 8 of the Most Incredible Investments of the 21st Century 8 Stocks to Buy for a Great 2016 David Oliver is Associate Editor, Social Media at U.S. News & World Report. Follow him on Twitter, connect with him on LinkedIn, or send him an email at doliver@usnews.com. As Starbucks SBUX co-founder Howard Schultz steps down from his role as chief executive officer, he will shift his focus to building up the companys Reserve brand stores. The goal is to have as many as 30 Reserve Roastery and Tasting Rooms in big cities all over the world, in addition to the flagship Reserve in Seattle. Starbucks has added Reserve bars to some locations already in New York City. According to CNBC, one such cafe in Manhattans Upper East Side offers a $10 cup of coffee brewed in glass siphons, $10 flights of Reserve brews, and nitro cold brew, which is coffee that has been infused with nitrogen gas, making it creamier and richer than regular iced coffee. These Reserve rooms are an answer to the growing competition of boutique, upscale coffee chains like Intelligentsia and Blue Bottle, where prices are set slightly higher than a normal Starbucks menu. For instance, a 12oz latte at an Intelligentsia CoffeeBar goes for around $4.50, whereas Starbucks charges $3.25. Thus, Reserve Roasteries have some room to play round with higher prices. Starbucks Reserve storesand any $10 coffee menu itemwill probably be a success. The company was the first to introduce the world to high quality coffee, and many people will likely continue to spend a lot of money on coffee going forward. Its Next Five Years Speaking at the companys bi-annual investor presentation in New York City, Schultz announced financial targets for Starbucks for the next five years. The plan includes revenue growth expectations of 10%, earnings growth in the range of 15%-20%, and mid-single digit comparable sales growth at existing store locations for each year. If Starbucks were a 20-chapter book, I still think we are in chapter four or fiveOur industry-leading pipeline of innovation is more robust than ever, commented Schultz. New store openings will help this growth projection. Starbucks currently has around 25,000 stores today, and sees expansion by another 12,000 by 2021. Stronger new-store performance in the U.S., brand awareness, and mobile driving traffic should all contribute to this aggressive and robust five-year plan. Story continues Princi is a Go Earlier this summer, Starbucks announced its investment in high-end Italian bakery and pizzeria chain Princi, and on Wednesday, Schultz confirmed it. The deal allows Starbucks to develop and operate all new Princi locations outside of Italy and in the U.S. Rocco Princi founded the bakery and cafe in 1986, and today, it operates just five locations in Milan and London. The first Princi locations will be in Seattle, Chicago, and New York City, and by next year, Starbucks Reserve stores will begin serving Princi baked goods. There will be ovens used to bake breads on-sight, as well as bakers who will work solely with food and baristas who will remain solely focused on coffee. The company is even developing a special coffee designed to pair specifically with Princi foods. This partnership with Princi will help Starbucks boost its food sales, a quickly growing facet of its business that has yet to fully blossom. In the past, Starbucks food had drawn complaints about taste and consistency, and its acquisition of the La Boulange brand in 2012 helped the company turn around its food business. The Princi deal should enhance it even more. Stocks that Aren't in the NewsYet 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 now >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report STARBUCKS CORP (SBUX): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research This week marks the 75th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor. The events of Pearl Harbor had a lasting impact on America: both in the lives of the brave men who were there that day and on our country. This summer when I went to observe our naval exercises in the Pacific Ocean, I visited the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor and reflected on what happened that day, how we must make sure we avoid future attacks on our soil and the brave soldiers who fought to protect all that we hold dear. At a time when we are seeing an increasing push to cut ourselves off from the rest of the world, it is important to remember the lessons history has taught us. Withdrawing from the global stage has never worked well for us in terms of both our economic and national security, especially in the current inter-connected world. We must join our allies to shape the economic rules in favor of our workers and businesses and protect our borders. This is not the time to withdraw and try to go it alone. While at the memorial I was also reminded of the numerous brave Wisconsinites who fought for our nation in World War II. Men like Otto, a 91-year-old from New Lisbon, who is one of just two remaining servicemen who served on the USS Missouri when the Japanese officially surrendered at the end of World War II. Otto was a fireman who was working in a room down the hall from where General Douglas MacArthur and Japanese leaders signed the agreement announcing surrender. Men like the World War II veteran from Eleva who served in the Pacific on the USS Chandeleur. He reached out to me for help getting replacements for the medals he earned during his service. My office was able to work with the Navy to help him secure replacements for all of the medals he had earned. And men like Bruce Bradley who was stationed aboard the USS Arizona on December 7th, 1941. Mr. Bradley, unfortunately, lost his life that day but received a Purple Heart in recognition of his sacrifice and service. My office is currently working with Mr. Bradleys family on legislation to help family members of fallen soldiers get replacement medals for the ones they earned for their service. These veterans stories and many others like theirs are why I created the Veterans History Project. The Veterans History Project has collected over 100,000 stories to keep at the Library of Congress, so future generations can know our shared history. For our the brave Wisconsinites who fought at Pearl Harbor and all that have served and continue to serve our country we owe it to them to take the lessons learned at Pearl Harbor and make sure we are doing everything possible to protect our nation. (Reuters) - Starbucks Corp (SBUX.O) unveiled a five-year growth plan, under which it would open more stores around the world, including several high-end coffee shops, while targeting annual revenue growth of 10 percent. The company said it would add 12,000 stores globally by 2021 and target comparable sales growth in mid-single digits and profit growth of 15-20 percent a year. The world's largest coffee chain also unveiled a new feature within its mobile app that uses voice command or messaging to place orders. The feature will be tested first on Apple Inc's (AAPL.O) iOS operating system in early 2017, Starbucks said at its investor conference on Wednesday. The company also plans to open an outlet of its high-end coffee chain, Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room, in Europe, bringing the number to five globally. Details of that launch will be announced early next year, the company said. Starbucks said last week that Chief Executive Howard Schultz would step down to focus on the company's high-end coffee shops. Starbucks opened its first Reserve coffee roastery and tasting room in Seattle in late 2014, which roasts limited-supply Reserve coffees that sell for up to $50 per 8-ounce package. The company plans to open a roastery and tasting room in Shanghai next year, followed by launches in Tokyo and New York City in 2018. Starbucks also said it would accelerate the opening of Reserve coffee "bars" selling premium coffee within Starbucks cafes to 7,400 stores by 2021. The company had set a target of opening these bars in up to 1,000 cafes by the end of 2017. Starbucks's revenue has been growing at an average rate of 12.76 percent over the past five years. The company's shares were up marginally at $57.62 in early trading on Wednesday. (Reporting by Sruthi Ramakrishnan in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva) One week after Starbucks (NYSE:SBUX) founder and CEO Howard Schultz surprised investors with an after-the-bell announcement that he will step down from his post, he took the stage Wednesday at the company's investor day in New York to outline an ambitious vision for his company's future. Over the next five years, the coffee giant looks to achieve revenue growth of 10% alongside profit-per-share growth of between 15% and 20%. While growth among stores open 12 months or longer remained steady in the final quarter of 2016, the rate slowed by four percentage points to 4% from the same period in 2015. The company still expects to see mid- to single-digit comp growth each year as it plans to open 12,000 new global stores by 2021. The dip in same-store sales growth has spooked investors, but Schultz repeatedly said Wednesday hes not worried, citing innovation in the Starbucks pipeline, saying the core business has never been stronger. If Starbucks was a 20-chapter book, I still think were in chapter four or five, he said to a packed room of Starbucks shareholders before quelling lingering concerns that his transition from CEO to executive chairman meant he was departing the company. Im not leaving. Schultz reiterated his full confidence in Kevin Johnson who currently serves as the companys president and chief operating officer, and who will take over as chief executive in April. I want you to know he is going to be CEO. Hes got the last word, hes running the company, Schultz said of Johnson. The soon-to-be-CEO outlined the pillars of the companys next-phase growth strategy, which puts significant focus on building out premium offerings through an expansion of its Reserve coffees and the first-of-its kind Roastery experience. The introduction of its cold brew coffee has led to a bigger customer desire for cold beverages, which Johnson expects will represent about 50% of the company's overall beverage sales by 2021. Alongside focus on those offerings, Johnson explained the company looks to capitalize on the busy lunch rush with new, fresh and healthy food offerings, which he hopes will drive 21% of food sales over the next five years. Story continues Its not just in-store offerings Starbucks is looking to boost: The company is also placing more importance on digital engagement by enhancing its mobile app. While just 40% of the companys stores, though, are able to take advantage of mobile order and pay options, Johnson said theres an effort underway to extend that opportunity to its licensed partners around the globe. Last September, the company rolled out the option for customers to place orders on their smartphones and pick up those beverages and food in store -- a feature fit for on-the-go coffee drinkers who want to skip the in-store lines. Now, the coffee giant is expanding that ability for its 12 million Starbucks Rewards members through voice command order personalization, and more customized rewards, recommendations and opportunities to earn stars, its version of reward points, for purchases. I will honor and respect the mission and values that drive this company, will always strive to make the right decision and do the right things for partners, customers and shareholders, Johnson said, reiterating his confidence in the leadership team to carry out the companys five-year plan. Shares of Starbucks, which are down more than 4% year to date, jumped 2.21% on Wednesday amid a broad market rally. Focus on Premium to Grab Customer Attention With Johnson set to take over the c-suite next year, Schultz will shift his focus to growing Starbucks premium offerings and expansion in Reserve and Roastery experiences. Im going to focus my attention on building a new business within Starbucks which will be complimentary to the core, Schultz said. Focus for that growth -- which will be on delivering more premium customer experiences and more store capacity -- will remain in North America, where the U.S. has driven double-digit revenue growth. It will also remain on China, a market that is included in the company's fastest growing Asia Pacific region, which is home to 6,400 stores. Starbucks looks to double revenues and store count there over the next five years, and expects Japan to grow its store count to 1,700 after notching 5% comp sales growth over the last two years. Following the success and feedback of the company's Seattle Roastery, Starbucks has planned to open subsequent cafes that mimic that experience across the world. The next two phases will roll out in Shanghai and New York over the next 18 months, and will each be double the size of the Seattle location. In Shanghai, visitors will be able to purchase artisanal bakery items and sit at a Teavana bar. In the U.S., customers will also be able to try out a 45-foot long spirit and mixology bar. Related Articles Starbucks Roastery Seattle Starbucks is opening a new kind of store that serves pizza and $10 coffee drinks. The first Starbucks Reserve store will open in West Loop, Illinois next year and a second will open in Seattle. The company plans to open both stores in the second half of 2017. Eventually, Starbucks says it hopes to open 1,000 of the upscale Reserve cafes around the world. It also has plans to add Reserve Bars, which serve more exotic, small-batch blends, at 20% of its stores globally. Starbucks wants to open 20 to 30 Roasteries as well. These super-sized tourist-friendly locations serve expensive drinks like the $10 Nitro Cold Brew Float and roast coffee in-house. The Reserve stores will be twice the size of a typical Starbucks, at roughly 3,000 to 4,000 square feet. Locations will attempt to mimic the upscale feel of Starbucks' Seattle Roastery which has been described as the "Willy Wonka of coffee" with creative designs, more expensive drinks, and a menu of Princi food made fresh in-house, including pastries, pizza, and booze. "Premium and upscale" Reserve stores will have "all the bells and whistles as a Roastery," Liz Muller, Starbucks' senior vice president of creative and global design, said at Starbucks' Investor Day on Wednesday. Starbucks said that each Reserve store is estimated to make roughly $3 million in sales. That's twice as much as the average Starbucks location, and would make the Reserve chain the second most profitable restaurant chain by average sales per unit in the US, trailing only Chick-fil-A at $4 million. While Starbucks hasn't released any photos of what its Reserve stores will look like, we got a peek at a replica of a Roastery in New York City on Wednesday. Here's are some baristas at work in the coffee prep area. roastery starbucks Expect plenty of showy preparation methods like siphoning, which involves using vapor pressure and a vacuum to brew coffee. Starbucks siphoning Story continues The cups will looks totally different as well. This morning called for a signature Americano con Crema, streaked with a quick flick of sugar and a sunrise. Lovely shot @withthepoons (regram). A photo posted by Starbucks Reserve Roastery (@starbucksroastery) on Nov 30, 2016 at 9:41am PST on Nov 30, 2016 at 9:41am PST Employee uniforms look pretty classy. Starbucks Reserve outfit Here's what Princi's food, which is currently only available in Europe, looks like. Princi Starbucks hasn't revealed exactly what Princi items will be available at Reserve stores, but they have promised that pizza, sandwiches, and spirits will be on the menu. Princi "Roasteries and Reserve will require us to think differently about food," Cliff Burrows, the group president of the Siren Retail, which oversees the Reserve stores, told investors. "We know we need to have food that is worthy of our coffee, it has to be fresh food." More premium locations, like the Reserve stores, are key to Starbucks' future. Last week, CEO Howard Schultz said he was stepping down as CEO to focus on the company's Reserve and Roastery brands. "It's clear to the me that the universal interest in premium retail experiences is not skewed to only the US," Schultz told Business Insider in October. "I think there is a bigger trend here as companies face the threat of e-commerce and mobile shopping, the burden of responsibility of the bricks and mortar retailers is to create a very immersive, dynamic experience." NOW WATCH: This printer can do something incredible with a cup of coffee More From Business Insider Beirut (AFP) - Here are the latest developments on the main battle fronts in Iraq and Syria, as of 1700 GMT on Wednesday: SYRIA - Battle for Aleppo - Rebels in Aleppo called for a five-day truce and the evacuation of civilians after losing more territory including the Old City to a Syrian army offensive. Regime forces scored another important victory when the rebels retreated from the Old City, the historic heart of Aleppo, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group. State media said government troops had taken control of the Bab al-Nayrab, Al-Maadi and Salhin neighbourhoods. Remaining rebel-held districts were coming under heavy bombardment, an AFP correspondent in the area said. Pro-government forces now control around 80 percent of east Aleppo, the Observatory said, and at least 80,000 residents have fled their homes. The monitor says at least 369 people have been killed in east Aleppo during the offensive, including 45 children. Rebel fire on the government-held west of the city has killed 92 people, including 34 children, in the same period, the monitor says. - Raqa - The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed Kurdish-Arab alliance, is trying to push closer to the Islamic State group's de facto Syrian capital of Raqa. The SDF has been battling the jihadists to drive them from positions around 25 kilometres (15 miles) north of the city. IRAQ - Battle for Mosul - Since starting an offensive on October 17 to oust the Islamic State group from its last Iraqi stronghold, pro-government forces say they have recaptured almost half of eastern Mosul and are edging towards the Tigris river that divides it. The Iraqi army's 9th Armoured Division said it retook the Al-Salam hospital, the farthest it had penetrated in eastern Mosul, but it was met with fierce resistance from the jihadists and fighting is ongoing. It called for backup from the elite Counter-Terrorism Service, which has spearheaded the push into Mosul from the east and on Wednesday retook the neighbourhood of Ilam. Story continues The southern front has stopped moving north within striking distance of Mosul airport, while the northern front has also made little progress in recent days. The Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) paramilitary force has continued to gain ground in arid areas southwest of Mosul, retaking dozens of villages in the process. According to the United Nations, a total of 82,000 people are currently displaced as a result of the Mosul operation. JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's Steinhoff International is not looking at M&A deals in South America, the company's chief executive said on Wednesday, responding to a question about a possible acquisition of appliance maker Via Varejo in Brazil. "We are not looking at anything in South America," Steinhoff Chief Executive Markus Jooste said during a call with analysts after releasing fourth-quarter results. Shares in Via Varejo SA soared last month on reports that three suitors, Steinhoff among them, had expressed interest in a controlling stake in the company. (Reporting by TJ Strydom. Editing by Jane Merriman) VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 7, 2016 / Sterling Group Ventures, Inc. (SGGV) (the "Company") is pleased to provide the following corporate update: Mojo Games, a division of the Company, is currently working with its partner in India to release its poker platform nation-wide. As per the current agreement, Mojo has entered into a Joint Venture with its Indian partner with all profits to be divided equally. Mojo's Indian partner is a major media conglomerate with a large customer base which will be leveraged to drive adoption of the platform. The platform is currently in the late stages of development, with a soft launch underway including mobile applications. Mojo Games is excited to be working with its new partner VLeague, who is the exclusive online social gaming provider for Alisports' Chess and Card Division, as per the Company's press release of December 2, 2016. Mojo is planning and negotiating to launch, together with VLeague, additional sites inside, and now outside, of China, promoting recreational play and the Alisports IPT tournaments. In addition to upcoming launches with partners in India and China, the Company continues its B2B sales and operational efforts in Europe and South America. Mojo Games would also like to announce that it has been actively developing a Merger & Acquisition strategy, having identified near term targets that are a strong fit with the Company's operations. The Company anticipates that any one of the targets could present a material change and will disclose these opportunities on a timely basis. The Company would like to announce that Robert Smiley has stepped down as CFO. The Company would like to thank Mr. Smiley for his hard work as CFO on behalf of the Company and wish him well in his future endeavors. The Company is pleased to announce that Mr. Chris MacPherson is joining the Company as CFO and Director. He has spent 25 years at CIBC Wood Gundy as Vice President & Portfolio Manager. Chris has extensive experience in the capital markets and is co-founder of Mojo. Chris will be responsible for finance and marketing activities, funding and acquisition opportunities as well as assist in strategic and tactical matters. He has sat on a number of boards, including BC Hydro, and been quite active on the political stage. He has also been involved in a number of charities, including Children's Miracle and Nepal House Society. Story continues ON BEHALF of the BOARD /s/ Nicolaos Mellios ___________________ Mr. Nicolaos Mellios Chairman & CEO For further information, please check the Company's SEC 8-K filing or contact: Christopher Tsakok, MBA, CFA, Director Phone: (604) 684-1001 Fax: (604) 684-1001 info@sterlinggroupventures.com www.sterlinggroupventures.com Safe Harbour Certain statements and other information included in this press release constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including the "safe harbour" provisions of provincial securities legislation and the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "outlook," "focus," "potential," "will," "should," "would," "could," and other similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as it is subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, there is no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events, except as required by law. This press release does not constitute any investment advice or any solicitation or offer to buy or sell any securities. No representation is made on the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this press release, and the Company does not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of this press release that arise as a result of transmission. The Company may not update the information in this press release. The Company does not waive any rights, privileges, or other protections that the Company may have with respect to the information in this press release. SOURCE: Sterling Group Ventures, Inc. By Patrick Graham and Jemima Kelly LONDON (Reuters) - Sterling posted its biggest slide in two months on Wednesday after poor British industrial output data added to the sense that a month-long recovery in the currency may have run its course. Sterling fell as much as 0.7 percent to touch a one-week low against the euro of 85.145 pence, extending a slide triggered by another round of Brexit-related political turbulence late on Tuesday. Against the dollar it also fell 0.7 percent to dip back below $1.26 after the October output data showed the biggest monthly fall in four years. The weak performance by manufacturers may raise doubts about how much of a boost factories are getting from the big fall in sterling since Britain voted in June to leave the European Union. The monthly slide was largely attributed to a temporary shutdown of a major oilfield but it fuelled speculation that the economic data may finally be turning lower after proving more robust than many had forecast after the Brexit vote. "So far investors have been of the mind frame that the country is overcoming its major economic headwinds but today's number clearly shows how much off beat they are with respect to reality," said Naeem Islam, chief markets analysts with retail broker Thinkmarkets. "Sterling.. was under pressure and after the data the punishment has become more intense." Prime Minister Theresa May's on Tuesday accepted the opposition Labour Party's demand she give details of her plan for leaving the EU before formal talks begin, but she asked parliament to back her target of launching the talks in March. That provides no new details on what has become the key issue for markets: how "hard" a break from Europe she will aim for. But it reduces the chances of a delay, previously read by investors as supportive of greater compromise in the process. "Despite Downing (Street's) promise of more details on Brexit plans there remains a huge fog over the position that the UK government intends to take with its EU counterparts," analysts from Rabobank said in a morning note. "We see risk for sterling dipping back to the $1.24 area on a 3 month view in recognition of the political uncertainty that still clouds the UK." (Reporting by Jemima Kelly, editing by Nigel Stephenson) A Pennsylvania college student who was previously charged with trying to cause his girlfriend to miscarry their baby with bleach now faces an attempted murder charge. Millersville University student Theophilous Washington, 20, was in court Tuesday on allegations that he deliberately put bleach in his pregnant girlfriends water in an attempt to harm the unborn child. Read: 3 Children Killed by Mother's Ex, Mom Who Fought to Save Them Clings to Life Washington waived a preliminary hearing on several charges, including an additional charge of attempted murder that prosecutors filed at the hearing. District Judge Joshua Keller ordered that Washington be tried in Lancaster County Court on the attempted murder charge and counts of attempted murder of an unborn child and reckless endangerment. Investigators say Washington had the woman drink from a bleach-tainted water bottle on October 28. After falling ill in her dorm room, the woman called 911. A doctor examined the victim, who was approximately two months pregnant at the time, and the unborn baby. Both are believed to be physically unharmed. Washington is the father of the unborn child. "The charges are twisted and the intended result nothing short of horrifying," District Attorney Craig Stedman said in a statement in October. Read: 7 Special Needs Teens Were Kept Locked in Feces-Strewn Room by Adoptive Mom: Cops Washington remains at Lancaster County Prison on $1 million bail. A message left with Washington's attorney today has not been returned. Watch: Teen Learning to Walk Again After Being Shot in the Head 3 Times and Stabbed Related Articles: Thousands of students at Texas A&M University, along with concerned citizens from around Texas, gathered to protest white nationalist Richard Spencer on Tuesday while he speaks at the school. Spencer, who gained notoriety for holding a meeting of the so-called alt-right celebrating Donald Trumps election with Nazi rhetoric, was invited not by the university itself, but a former student who lives in the area. The alt-right movement generally favors racist and white-supremacist beliefs. Representatives for the university said they denounced Spencer, but that they could not cancel the event, WFAA reports. Students at the protest held up signs with slogans like Aggies Against Hate! and White Men Against White Supremacy, according to the Houston Chronicle. Preston Wiginton, who invited Spencer, says hes concerned about the status of whites in the U.S. and worries that they will become a minority and be ill-treated by the new society. Local police, state and federal agencies were set to be on the scene to make sure the situation remained safe. [WFAA] The school report cards were recently released, and here is a statement from the Department of Public Instruction on this years report cards: The 2015-16 report cards underwent major changes that were part of Wisconsin Act 55, the 2015-17 state budget. Variable weighting was implemented to address the impact of poverty on student achievement. The higher the percentage of economically disadvantaged students in a school or district, the higher the weight that is placed on student growth scores. The method for calculating student growth changed from student growth percentiles to a value-added methodology. Additionally, the Legislature required a change from the Badger Exam offered through the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium in 2014-15 to the Forward Exam last school year. As a result of these legislated changes and because report cards rely on multiple years of data for accurate reporting, 2015-16 report cards are based on one year each of Badger and Forward exams, the 11th-grade ACT Plus Writing and Dynamic Learning Maps assessments as well as data from the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam and Wisconsin Alternate Assessment for Students with Disabilities. Using data from three different assessments in calculations, along with other changes, makes comparisons of school and district performance to prior report card ratings inaccurate and inadvisable. Information on the Tomah Area School District report card ratings can be found on our district website (tomah.k12.wi.us) or by accessing the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Accountability website at https://apps2.dpi.wi.gov/reportcards/. Most educators agree that schools administrators and teachers should be held accountable for the achievement of students, along with parents and the students themselves. All three play an important and critical role in the success of a child. Yet I think most administrators and teachers will also tell you that there needs to be a broader definition of success and that a child should not be reduced to or defined by the results of a single test score. Let me share ideas from the Redefining Ready campaign launched by the the School Superintendents Association, which are gaining traction across the United States and which have the ability to more accurately represent the potential of our students. Students learn in a variety of ways, and they should be allowed to demonstrate readiness in a variety of ways. Focusing on college readiness, career readiness and life readiness provides us with an opportunity to focus on the whole child and not attempt to define our student body with the narrow focus of assessment results. How do we define college readiness? Indicators of being college ready include: A grade-point average of 2.8 out of 4.0 and one or more of the following benchmarks: an Advanced Placement Exam score of 3 or better; receiving an A, B, or C in an Advanced Placement class; receiving an A, B, or C in Algebra II; enrollment in a dual credit college English or math class with a grade of A, B, or C; and ACT benchmarks of 18 in English, 22 in reading, 23 in Science, and 22 in math. Additional factors that contribute to college success include FAFSA completion, enrollment in a career pathway course sequence, college academic advising, participation in college-bound bridge programs and a senior year math class. How do we define career readiness? Indicators of being career ready include an identified career interest and meeting two of the following behavioral or experiential benchmarks: 90 percent attendance, 25 hours of community service, workplace learning experience, industry credential, dual-credit career pathway course and involvement in two or more organized co-curricular activities. How do we define life readiness? Being life ready means students leave high school with the grit and perseverance to tackle and achieve their goals, a growth mindset that empowers them to approach their future with confidence, to dream and achieve big and the social and emotional skills needed for success in their future. Check out the Redefining Ready initiative and the research which led to the development of the indicators by going to website RedefiningReady.org. It is time to portray a comprehensive picture of student potential based on the rigorous academic programs, career-specific learning experiences and opportunities for social and emotional growth which our schools provide. I encourage you to support the work which demonstrates that our students and our schools are more than one test score. If you have any questions or comments about the information and opinions expressed in this edition of The School Bell, please contact Cindy Zahrte, district administrator, at cindyz@tomah.k12.wi.us or 374-7002. MUMBAI (Reuters) - Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (SUN.NS), India's largest drugmaker, said on Wednesday the U.S. health regulator has informed the company of more concerns found at its Halol manufacturing plant after a recent inspection. The approval of several of Sun's key drugs in the United States, the drugmaker's biggest market, depends on the clearance on its Halol plant in the western Indian state of Gujarat. A warning letter issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last year over violations found at the plant has already been hurting the company's sales. The latest notice, a Form 483, was issued to Sun after the FDA completed an inspection of the Halol plant on Dec. 1, the company said. Such a notice is issued when the FDA finds that conditions at a drug plant violate U.S. rules. It is unclear what violations the FDA found. Sun did not disclose them, and the FDA does not typically make such findings public. The company's stock took a beating on Wednesday after Indian brokerage IIFL said in a note to clients it was aware that the FDA's findings on the Halol plant ran 14 pages long. Sun, in its statement, did not comment on the length of the notice. It said it was working on responding to the letter within 15 days. Sun's shares were down 5.8 percent at 2.22 PM IST in Mumbai. (Reporting by Zeba Siddiqui in Mumbai; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips) ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - There are unlikely to be any survivors from a Pakistan International Airlines plane that crashed in a mountainous northern region with 47 people on board on Wednesday, a government official on the scene said. "All of the bodies are burned beyond recognition. The debris is scattered," Taj Muhammad Khan, a government official based in the Havelian region, told Reuters. Khan, who was at the site of the crash, added that witnesses told him "the aircraft has crashed in a mountainous area, and before it hit the ground it was on fire". (Reporting by Jibran Ahmad; Writing by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by Kay Johnson, Robert Birsel) A motive continues to elude investigators in the recent slaying and decapitation of 16-year-old Lee Manuel Viloria-Paulino, whose headless body was found Thursday, weeks after he vanished, partially submerged in the Merrimack River in Lawrence, Massachusetts. PEOPLE learns that authorities still cannot say what drove Mathew Borges, 15, to allegedly repeatedly stab and behead Lee, who was one of his classmates. An arrest report alleges Mathew confessed to the crime but not to police. A witness allegedly told investigators the teen had admitted hed done something bad, according to the report, which was obtained by PEOPLE. Specifically, Mathew claimed he stabbed a kid and cut his head off motioning with his hands as if he was stabbing someone and cutting someones head off, the report alleges. Investigators have also obtained surveillance video that shows Lee exiting his home the same night he vanished, according to the police report. Mathew can also be seen in the footage, which was captured the evening of Nov. 18. In the security video, the two teens allegedly walk off together and out of the frame. Lee was missing two weeks before his remains were discovered by a pedestrian. During his arraignment Monday, Mathew pleaded not guilty to a single murder count. Hayden Edward, his defense attorney, was unavailable for comment. 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. Mathew was arrested on Saturday. According to his arrest report, he told detectives he and Lee liked walking along the Merrimac River while smoking marijuana. Mathew allegedly told police that the two high school sophomores both appreciated nature and the way the boat house across the river is lit up at night. Mathew allegedly stabbed and mutilated Lees body so severely that his autopsy took 11 hours, prosecutors said. Story continues This was a horrific, horrific murder, Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said at a news conference on Saturday. While it shook the community, we were completely and totally resolved to bring this matter to justice. Hundreds attended a memorial for Lee on Friday. The next day, Mathew was charged with his murder, and the slain teens family held a brief news conference. I can describe him only as a lovely kid that hasnt done nothing bad to no one, Lees grandmother, Ivelisse Cornielle, told reporters. (Lees family declined PEOPLEs request for interviews.) Pick up PEOPLEs special edition True Crime Stories: Cases That Shocked America, on sale now, for the latest on Casey Anthony, JonBenet Ramsey and more. Borges is being tried as an adult and is being held without bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 10 for a probable cause hearing. According to various media accounts, Lees family is faulting Lawrence police for not taking initial reports of the teens disappearance more seriously. They allege that authorities dismissed their concerns, suspecting the teen had instead run away. Calls and emails to the Lawrence Police Department, seeking comment on these claims, have not been returned. Aleppo (Syria) (AFP) - Syrian rebels in Aleppo city called Wednesday for an immediate five-day truce and the evacuation of civilians to other opposition-held territory in the northern province, a statement said. The initiative, which comes after government forces seized three-quarters of the former rebel bastion in east Aleppo, was approved by all factions in the city, a representative from one group told AFP. It calls for an "immediate five-day humanitarian ceasefire" as well as the UN-supervised evacuation of people requiring urgent medical care, who it says number around 500 people. And it calls for "the evacuation of civilians who wish to leave besieged east Aleppo to the northern Aleppo province countryside," where rebels still hold pockets of territory. It rules out the evacuation of civilians to neighbouring Idlib province, where many civilians and surrendering rebels have taken refuge after leaving territory recaptured by the government elsewhere in the country. "Idlib province is no longer a safe area because of Russian and regime bombardment," it said. The initiative makes no mention of the fate of the rebels remaining in the city, who have said previously they will not evacuate. Instead, it calls for "negotiations on the future of the city" to begin after the "easing of the humanitarian situation in east Aleppo". Yasser al-Youssef of the Nureddin al-Zinki rebel group confirmed that the statement had been approved by all factions in east Aleppo, including Fateh al-Sham, the former Al-Qaeda affiliate previously known as Al-Nusra Front. At least 80,000 people have already fled eastern neighbourhoods for territory controlled by the government or Kurds elsewhere in the city, according to a monitor. More have fled south, to remaining rebel-held areas in the city. East Aleppo fell to rebels in 2012 and has been under government siege since mid-July, with international aid now exhausted and food supplies limited. More than 250,000 civilians were estimated to be in east Aleppo before the latest government offensive began in mid-November. Figures for the number of rebels in the east before the offensive began range between around 8,000 to 15,000. BEIRUT (AP) Syrian government troops and allied militiamen seized more ground in Aleppos ancient quarters on Wednesday, further widening their control over an enclave in the divided city that has been in rebel hands since 2012, Syrias state media and an opposition monitoring group said. The state news agency SANA said the Syrian forces established control over two districts north of the Aleppo Citadel in the heart of the city the Aghiour and Bab al-Hadid neighborhoods after rebels abandoned positions and retreated further south. The new gains have choked the rebels, forcing them to pull back to other parts of the Old City, said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an activist group that tracks Syrias civil war, now in its sixth year. Rebel defenses have collapsed rapidly in the face of a massive government assault backed by Russia and thousands of Iranian-backed Shiite fighters. On Tuesday, Syrian government forces captured Aleppos centrally located al-Shaar neighborhood from the rebels, security nearly three quarters of the besieged enclave less than two weeks after launching their ground offensive. A map provided by the Syria army showed a quickly shrinking opposition enclave a pointed leaf-shaped territory in the center, abutting already government-controlled Aleppo districts. The army media said the new gains bring the area controlled by the government in eastern Aleppo to about 73 percent of its original size, which is estimated to be about 45 square kilometers (17 square miles.) There was no immediate Syrian opposition comment on Wednesdays losses. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry said a Russian colonel who worked as a military adviser in the government-controlled part of the city of Aleppo has died in rebel shelling. The fatality marks Russias third casualty this week, after two nurses were killed in a rocket attack on a makeshift Russian military hospital in Aleppo. The ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that Col. Ruslan Galitsky was wounded in rebel shelling of a government-controlled neighborhood several days earlier and has died of his wounds. Story continues The Syrian government and its ally Russia have rejected a cease-fire for the war-torn city, keeping up the military offensive that has forced rebel retreats and massive displacement of Aleppo civilians. ___ Associated Press Writer Nataliya Vasilyeva contributed to this report from Moscow. Critics of AT&Ts $85 billion plan to buy Time Warner put the companies CEOs on the defensive this morning in a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy & Consumer Rights hearing that explored whether the deal would help or hurt consumers. Challengers including Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) said the media giants would have every reason to either limit rivals access to popular programming, or jack up prices. following a deal. Others added that AT&T would have more leverage to keep independent services off the DirecTV or DirecTV Now lineup, or create roadblocks for competing video providers that want to reach the telcos wireless customers. AT&T is one of the dominant gatekeepers, Public Knowledge CEO Gene Kimmelman told the subcommittee. And in other cases, including Comcasts acquisition of NBCUniversal, the Justice Department and FCC found that there are enormous incentives to benefit yourselfThis is not just about money. It is the diversity of programming. He praised AT&Ts recent introduction of DirecTV Now, which currently offers more than 100 channels for $35 a month something that CEO Randall Stephenson cited as evidence of his companys desire to offer consumers additional choices and lower prices. The online platform is opening up some, Kimmelman says. But AT&T made the offering without Time Warner, suggesting to him that a deal would not necessarily benefit the public. The real fear is whether the combined company, once it looks at its overall interests, will favor itself.They may offer a better price and offer it for some time. But will the competitive process benefit? AT&T also could surreptitiously throttle rival services on its wireless network without others knowing even if it agreed not to do so. The Justice Department doesnt have the engineers and network experts to look at all of these issuesif there is an inclination to discriminate, the consumer advocate says. Story continues Stephenson and Time Warners Jeff Bewkes countered today in the hearing that their union would benefit consumers by making the telcos wireless broadband more competitive with cable operators who dominate the business. AT&T will continue to be a leading investor in America including speedy 5G wireless technology, Stephenson says. You should expect that to continue. In addition, his company would encourage independent journalism as well as a wide array of diverse high-quality content across all of our platforms. Bewkes says the companies would have no incentive to restrict others access to Time Warner content. Weve been able to build our networks CNN, HBO, TNT, Cartoon Network only because we have broad distribution, he told the subcommittee. If we were to not offer our networks over any of the cable, satellite, telco or over-the-top platforms we would be cutting off meaningful revenue. We owned Time Warner Cable for 20 some odd years, and we managed it. It never occurred to us to do anything either restrictive or different in terms of price, position, packaging, access to networks. Stephenson added that Hollywood talent such as Clint Eastwood or Steven Spielberg wouldnt do business with his company if it limits access to content. We try to open our network to all. Entrepreneur Mark Cuban also testified for the deal. We need more companies that can compete with Apple, Google, Amazon and FacebookAlone it will be very difficult if not impossible for either [AT&T or Time Warner] to compete. Related stories CNN & Time Warner Slammed With Racial Discrimination Class Action Suit Time Warner Will Increase HBO's Budget As Competition Grows, CEO Says DirecTV Now Subscription Sign-Ups Are Ahead Of Plan, AT&T CEO Says DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - Tanzania is in talks with Nigeria's Dangote Cement on the supply of natural gas to a manufacturing plant for the building material, but negotiations are currently held up over prices, said a government body in the East African country. The $500 million cement factory in the southeastern Tanzanian town of Mtwara, set up last year with an annual capacity of 3 million tonnes, runs on expensive diesel generators and has sought government support to reduce costs. The company, whose majority owner and chairman is Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, halted production at the plant last week over technical issues. State-run Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) said talks were expected to conclude in January, with price disagreements yet to be resolved. "Dangote has held protracted talks with TPDC on the pricing of natural gas. The Dangote Cement factory has asked for gas supply at below market prices, equivalent to the price of raw natural gas from producing wells," TPDC said in a statement. "TPDC cannot sell natural gas (to final consumers) on at-the-well price because there are additional costs incurred in processing and transporting the gas," it said. Tanzania announced in February it had discovered an additional 2.17 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of possible natural gas deposits in an onshore field, raising its total estimated recoverable natural gas reserves to more than 57 tcf. Dangote, Africa's biggest cement producer, has an annual production capacity of 43.6 million tonnes and targets output of between 74 million and 77 million tonnes by the end of 2019 and 100 million tonnes of capacity by 2020. The company plans to roll out plants across Africa. In Tanzania, Dangote seeks to double the country's annual output of cement to 6 million tonnes. (Reporting by Fumbuka Ng'wanakilala; Writing by Aaron Maasho; Editing by George Obulutsa and Tom Hogue) London (AFP) - India's Tata Steel pledged Wednesday to stay in Britain, ending months of uncertainty over the future of its operations including at the sprawling Port Talbot plant. "Tata Steel UK today reached an agreement with trade unions on a number of proposals that would structurally reduce risks and help secure a more sustainable future for its UK business," it said in a statement. The group vowed to keep its two blast furnaces at Port Talbot in Wales open until 2021, invest in various British sites and overhaul pensions. Trade unions added in a separate statement that Tata has entered a "jobs pact" to avoid any compulsory redundancies over the next five years. Tata currently employs around 11,000 people in Britain, including 4,000 at Port Talbot -- the nation's biggest steel plant. Union members will now face a ballot on the proposals in the new year. "Steel unions have today secured a commitment from Tata Steel to secure the future of jobs and production at Port Talbot and other steelworks across the UK," read a statement issued by unions Community, GMB and Unite. "This proposal comes eight months after Tata announced their original intention to sell their UK steel assets." Tata will commit to a ten-year investment plan of 1.0 billion ($1.3 billion, 1.2 billion euros) to support Port Talbot and secure the future of other sites, according to the unions. The company will consult on closing and replacing the old British Steel pension scheme which it inherited with the purchase of Corus in 2007. The unions added that, after meeting with company executives at the Port Talbot facility, the latest proposals were "welcome". "The past year has been incredibly difficult for steelworkers and their families," said Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of the Community union. "When Tata announced in March that they planned to sell the steelworks, no-one knew if they would have a job by Christmas. Story continues "This proposal would secure jobs for years to come and bring serious investment not just to Port Talbot but to steelworks across the UK." Earlier this year, Tata announced that it was considering the future of its loss-making British assets, blaming the decision on a global oversupply of steel, cheap imports into Europe from countries including China, high costs and currency volatility. Tata put its European long products division up for sale as it refocussed on strip steel, in the face of a collapsing market. In May, the group sold that loss-making division to investment firm Greybull Capital, who renamed it as the new British Steel. At the start of July, Tata revealed that it was holding strategic discussions with several companies, including German conglomerate Thyssenkrupp, over the possible formation of a joint venture for European steel operations. And in late November, the company began exclusive talks for the sale of its speciality steel assets to metal processing firm Liberty House. Winter came to Buffalo County. The weather turned to snow and then to ice. In our hilly part of the world, rural people are used to finding new ways out of the valleys during bad weather. However, for residents living in Schoepps Valley (pronounced Sheps) the usual way out is not an option. The story began early August 11, 2016, when torrential rains dumped up to 11 inches in our area. Small creeks became raging rivers. Wild water took out several bridges, including the Schoepps Valley Bridge that connects a major road Highway 88 to about 20 homes and farms. Recovery from the floods is slow and wearisome. Some residents just recently were able to apply for assistance. Town officials borrowed money to fix roads and bridges, and the county may need to borrow for cleanup of a debris-filled creek that still threatens homes. But for resident in Schoepps Valley, the bridge is still out. Town officials cannot yet get funding from the state Department of Transportation to pay for a temporary bridge. Getting a new larger sized permanent bridge will take some time. Meanwhile, people are worried about getting to work. Some fear being stranded and sometimes stay with relatives in Winona, Minnesota. Without a new bridge, the only way out of the valley is a steep, windy road that becomes impassable during bad weather. The milk truck went off the dugway, Cheryl told me. She lives on a dairy farm at the bottom of what we call a dugway a road dug out of a hill. The road was blocked for five hours. People missed work. No one could come or go. One neighbor had so much trouble getting to work over so many days that she changed her job. I worry what might happen in an emergency, Cheryl said. I also heard from Jason, who milks dairy goats. Yesterday the dugway wasnt plowed till 2 p.m., he told me. We really need a temporary bridge. Jason lives in town but keeps his goats at a family farm in the valley. He travels twice a day to care for the goats. Without the bridge, his trip is much longer. In bad weather, he has a hard time getting to his animals. No one I spoke with can remember a storm like the one last August. Damage to the bridge in Schoepps Valley was so great that it not only must be replaced, it will require a wider structure to withstand potential flooding. Recently I spoke with Professor Randy Lehr, who heads up the Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation at Northland College in Ashland. He told me rainfall intensity is increasing in Wisconsin. Its raining harder, Dr. Lehr said. Culverts are too small. Too small to handle the intense rain. Lehr shared with me a map of Wisconsin with the areas of greatest rainfall intensity marked in darker green. Ashland was the center of the darkest green an area that recently experienced intense storms. All along the Mississippi River, from St. Paul to the Illinois-Iowa border, western Wisconsin was identified on the map as an area prone to increasing storm intensity. Whenever we rebuild, we should rebuild to accommodate future storms, Dr. Lehr told me. Our state policy going forward should be to allow for more effective use of public money to prepare for coming storms. Yet getting resources to build even a temporary structure or to allow work to be done on a larger bridge seems to be very slow. How do we plan for changes in weather patterns? How do we change our state policies to protect our rural residents? No one likes to travel dangerous, icy roads. Town officials want the resources to build safe temporary structures even as they work to get the money to build the larger bridge needed to withstand the ravages of more intense storms. It seems to me conditions on the ground are changing faster than the states ability to change its rules. In the next few weeks, I will be meeting with state officials to ask these questions and more. If you have concerns about our roads, bridges and coming floods, please share your concerns. You can reach my office by phone 877-763-6636 or at Sen.Vinehout@legis.wisconsin.gov. Your voice really matters.Democrat Kathleen Vinehout, Alma, represents the 31st state Senate District. A 17-year-old girl has been charged with the November murder of a pregnant mother who was left bleeding on the street in California after she was stabbed multiple times, PEOPLE confirms. The teen, whose name has not been released because she is a juvenile, was charged Thursday with two counts of murder in the deaths of 22-year-old Jasmine Preciado and her fetus. Preciado was fatally stabbed on Nov. 21 during a fight in Venice, California, according to authorities. The teenage girl has denied the charges and is scheduled to return to juvenile court on Jan. 10, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office. The teen remains in custody. It was not immediately clear if she has entered a plea or retained an attorney. The teen turned herself in to the Los Angeles Police Department on Wednesday. No other suspects have been arrested. Preciado, also the mother of a 3-year-old daughter, was killed after an alleged altercation with the teen and two men outside a store near Pacific and Windward avenues, near the popular Venice Beach boardwalk. Preciado was stabbed four times, Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter tells PEOPLE. The stab wound in the neck is what killed her, he says. Security camera footage obtained by KCBS appears to capture the last moments of the young mothers life: In the video, a scuffle seems to start near a dark SUV. A moment later, a woman runs in front of the SUV and turns, with what appears to be a knife in her left hand. She then jumps into the SUV with several others and drives off. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. Officers were called to the scene around 9:30 p.m. that Monday and found the mortally injured Preciado on the curb being held by witnesses. She was taken to a local hospital where she died of her injuries. (Her family could not immediately be reached.) A GoFundMe page was established to raise money for the young mothers funeral. So far, nearly $4,000 has been raised. A Nevada high school student was injured in an officer-involved shooting, police said on Wednesday. A campus police officer at Hug High School shot the student who had a knife and was fighting a classmate, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported. Nevada Department of Public Safety director James Wright told the AP a 16-year-old student was taken to a hospital in Reno after being shot by a campus police officer. The officer was not injured. Robert Barragan, a student at the school, told the Gazette-Journal he saw two male students fighting outside the school library, when one pulled out a knife and stabbed the other. A police officer then shot the student with the knife in the shoulder. A spokesman for the district school police told TIME that one person was injured in the incident. Washoe County School District issued a statement on its website saying Hug High School students would be released soon after 2 p.m. The campus is currently stable and secure with a heavy police presence at the school, the statement said. SELLER: Kylie Jenner LOCATION: Hidden Hills, CA PRICE: $5,400,000 SIZE: 5,154 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms YOUR MAMAS NOTES: In addition to being the youngest scion of the pop culturally ubiquitous Kardashian-Jenner family reality television juggernaut, the daughter of transgendered former Olympic athlete Caitlyn Jenner, and an entrepreneurial social media powerhouse in her own right with more than 80 million followers on Instagram, 19-year-old Kylie Jenner is also a budding luxury residential real estate tycoon who just listed one of the four multi-million dollar homes she owns in Los Angeles with an asking price of $5.4 million even though she bought it a scant five months ago for $4.5 million. Current digital marketing materials show the essentially brand new single-story residence, which does not appear to have had many alterations since the subscription-based mobile app mogul acquired it, measures in at 5,154-square-feet with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms including a master suite replete with sitting area, fireplace, fitted walk-in closet/dressing room, and a huge marble bathroom. Other high-end features and creature comforts of the unfurnished residence include a combination living/dining room with fireplace set into a painted paneled wall, a family room with wet bar and stacked stone corner fireplace, a theater room, and a roomy eat-in kitchen expensively accoutred with marble counter tops and back splashes and an extensive array of top quality designer appliances. The landscaped areas of the 3.3-acre spread, privately situated down a long driveway and nestled up to an undeveloped hillside, includes thick carpets of liberally irrigated lawns ringed by white rose bushes, a gravelled patio lit by overhead strands of lights, a courtyard with water feature, and an open air pavilion with fireplace next to a swimming pool and spa. In addition to the Hidden Hills house shes looking to cash in on to the tune of $900,000, less carrying costs, improvement expenses and real estate fees, young Miss Jenner also owns the house next door, which she snatched up in May 2016 for $6.025 million, as well as a five-bedroom and 6.5 bathroom neo-Tuscan house in a guard-gated Calabasas development that she bought in March 2015, cosmetically renovated, flipped back on the market a year later at $3.9 million and currently has available at the reduced price of $3.3 million. The clearly very deep-pocketed teenagers most recent and expensive real estate acquisition came in September when she shelled out a very grown up $12.05 million for a brand new, quasi-Cape Cod style mansion in Hidden Hills that measures in at 13,200-square-feet with 8 bedrooms and 9 full and 2 half bathrooms. Story continues Homes and estates in the exclusive, expensive and equestrian oriented Hidden Hills enclave are owned by a long list of celebs including Drake, Jessica Simpson, Miley Cyrus, and Jennifer Lopez, although shes upgraded to an 8-plus-acre Bel Air estate she scooped up earlier this year for $28 million from Sela Ward and has her Hidden Hills place listed at $12.5 million. Also in residence in Hidden Hills are Miss Jenners mother and manager, Kris Jenner, as well as her big-bootied big sister Kim who along with Kanye West released last week after a nine-day stint in the hospital after a breakdown brought on by what has been described in the press as exhaustion, dehydration and sleep deprivation own a 15,000-plus-square-foot French Country-style mansion on more than three acres they bought in late 2014 for $19.8 million. Listing photos: Sothebys International Realty Related stories Kylie Jenner Upgrades to Hidden Hills Mansion Glu Mobile Launches 'Kendall & Kylie' Mobile Game Broadway's First Actress in a Wheelchair Wants to Recreate That Kylie Jenner Photoshoot An 18-year-old was sentenced Wednesday to seven years in prison for planning a Mother's Day attack in Melbourne, the latest of a series of plots in Australia involving teenagers. The young man, who was 17 when he was arrested by police last year, pleaded guilty to one charge of committing an act, or planning the preparation of an act, of terrorism. He will be eligible for parole in five years and three months. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation said the teenager, who cannot be named, was making pipe and pressure cooker bombs for a May 10 Mother's Day attack last year when he was arrested. Police seized several items from his home, including a document entitled "Make a Bomb in Your Mom's Kitchen" on his computer, ABC said. Canberra has become increasingly worried about homegrown extremism and the terror threat level was raised in September 2014. Australian officials say they have now prevented 11 terror attacks on home soil in the past two years. But some have gone ahead, including the murder of a Sydney police employee last year by a 15-year-old boy. Counter-terror police have made a series of arrests since late 2014, with the youth and radicalisation of many of those detained a growing concern for authorities. Parliament last month passed new legislation to lower from 16 to 14 the age at which people can be subject to a control order -- which aims to prevent a terror attack by limiting a person's movements, communication and activity. Photo credit: Texas Department of State Health Services From Cosmopolitan Photo credit: Texas Department of State Health Services A 24-page booklet that women in Texas must receive when considering an abortion was updated this week by the state Department of State Health Services, and though the book promises women "a right to know the truth," the information given is lacking in clarity and contains noticeably biased phrases like "your baby" and "the baby that is growing in your womb." Mimicking a popular slogan from the pro-choice movement, the booklet is titled A Woman's Right to Know. Clinicians are required by a 2003 Texas statute to give the booklet to women considering an abortion 24 hours before a scheduled procedure, and this recent update marks the first time the literature has been changed since the original booklet was released in 2003. According to the 2003 statute - called "the Woman's Right to Know Act" - there is no periodic requirement for the DSHS to update the literature in the abortion booklet. The only rule on updating the booklet information says that the department "shall annually review the materials to determine if changes to the contents of the materials are necessary." For 13 years, it seems the department found no need to update the materials, even though new research was made available in that time. It wasn't until June 28, 2016, or the day after the Supreme Court ruled to overturn parts of Texas's omnibus abortion bill, House 2, that the department proposed updates for the very first time since 2003. The new booklet uses the phrase "your baby" 79 times. The Supreme Court's opinion in Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt was celebrated as a major win for evidence over ideology - if a state is going to pass restrictive abortion laws, it must provide legitimate evidence that those laws truly do improve women's health. While the booklets Texas forces upon women seeking abortions aren't new, the timing of the proposed updates - which were heavily criticized by physicians and researchers - seemed incredibly bold, considering the Supreme Court's opinion. Story continues One major change between the 2003 and 2016 versions of A Woman's Right to Know is the language used throughout. The new booklet uses the phrase "your baby" 79 times - that phrase only appeared four times in the 2003 version, though the old version did include 29 instances of the phrase "unborn child." Daniel Grossman, a professor at the University of California San Francisco and an investigator at the Texas Policy Evaluation Project whose research was referenced by the Supreme Court in the Whole Woman's decision, told Cosmopolitan.com that the medically appropriate term for the phrase "your baby" would actually be "embryo," or, after the second trimester, "fetus." But the words "embryo" and "fetus" only appear nine total times, combined, in the new version of A Woman's Right to Know. "I can only hypothesize that it sounds like very biased language that is meant to make women feel bad about their decision," Grossman said. "It's certainly not medically appropriate." Photo credit: Texas Department of State Health Services In June, when these now-official changes were merely proposed draft updates (which you can see linked here, courtesy of the Texas Tribune), Grossman and the Texas Policy Evaluation Project wrote a letter to the DSHS, drawing attention to "medically inaccurate information" contained in the draft. While at least one point from their letter regarding medically inaccurate information on the death risk associated with abortion seems to have been corrected in the adopted changes, the new booklet still contains some information that's misleading, at best. Still, death is mentioned several times throughout the booklet. In a section addressing abortion risks, the first risk listed, in bold print, is death - even though the most recent data shows death associated with abortion is incredibly rare (0.7 deaths per 100,000 procedures, overall). Death is again listed as the first bullet point in a section on risks associated with second-trimester abortion. Photo credit: Texas Department of State Health Services Something Grossman said is the most shocking to him is the way the booklet minimizes the risk of death associated with carrying a pregnancy to full-term. Though he clarified that the risk of death is thankfully low with both childbirth and abortion, A Woman's Right to Know uses old, outdated maternal mortality statistics in a section on risks associated with childbirth. In recent years, the maternal mortality rate has nearly doubled in Texas, for reasons that aren't yet entirely clear (but could have something to do with the drastic family-planning budget cuts made by former state Gov. Rick Perry in 2011). A Woman's Right to Know, however, does not use those new, increased maternal mortality statistics in its literature - instead citing old, nationwide (not Texas-specific) statistics that reflect a lower rate than the one that currently exists. "If theyre going to focus on [death], they should make a clear comparison between the risk for abortion and for continuing the pregnancy to term," Grossman said. "Its quite clear that risk is many-fold higher for women deciding to continue the pregnancy to term than it is for an abortion." Even in places where the booklet cites medically accurate information, the way that information is presented is often misleading - especially considering the fact that it's being given, by a medical professional, to women in the midst of making a major decision, and are then told they have to think about that decision for 24 more hours before any procedure can actually be done. Two instances that stand out as glaringly misleading are the stated risks associated with breast cancer and mental health. The booklet includes a bolded subsection titled "Breast Cancer Risk" in the section on abortion risks and in the paragraph that follows, explains there is, in fact, no associated increase of breast cancer with abortion. Another bolded subsection titled "Mental Health Risks," included in the same section on abortion risks, fails to cite a single study linking an increased risk of depression or thoughts of suicide to abortion, though the booklet mentions both of those things as potential consequences of abortion. Grossman pointed out that there is a study on the mental health outcomes associated with abortion and childbirth available (the Turnaway Study), and the Texas Policy Evaluation Project called attention to that study in its letter to the DSHS, but the booklet still fails to cite that very readily available information. If the department had chosen to cite the Turnaway Study, it would have had to write in the booklet that women who receive abortions actually tend to have better immediate mental health outcomes than women forced to complete a pregnancy that's unwanted. Mental health returns to baseline for most women in about a year. During Texas's 2015 legislative session, three state Democrats co-authored two bills to address medical inaccuracies in A Woman's Right to Know. The Texas Tribune reported that both of those bills were left pending in committee and were never passed. Follow Hannah on Twitter. You Might Also Like Photo credit: Instagram/@foolscircle From Country Living Meet LiLou, San Francisco International Airport's first therapy pig! The spotted Juliana pig recently joined the Wag Brigade, a team of dogs trained in the Animal Assisted Therapy Program from San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. She even has her own Instagram account. While SFO started the Wag Brigade program in 2013, LiLou is the first pig to join the team that roams the terminals at SFO wearing "Pet me!" vests hoping to make air travel a little less stressful for passengers. Here she is in action at the airport: Want to meet Lilou in person? While the cheery pig has no set schedule yet, airport spokesman Doug Yakel told Conde Nast Traveler, that SFO plans on having her trot through the airport at least once a month. While you'll have to be very lucky to meet LiLou, a few canine members of the Wag Brigade are at the airport every day of the week-which officially makes SFO the best airport ever (yoga rooms included). You Might Also Like A maid of honor went into labor during her friends wedding. (Photo: Stocksy) There is one unbreakable law of weddings: Nothing should steal the show from the bride and groom on their big day. One maid of honor in Australia took this rule very seriously and managed not to tell the bride that she was in labor during the entire wedding. I was in early labor pretty much all day, maid of honor Karla Barry told the West Australian about the November wedding of her best friend, Katie Letton. Katies mum was a midwife, so she monitored me and made sure I was OK. I just didnt want to ruin Katies day, so we didnt tell her. While the bride was in the dark, Barrys partner, Adam Hitchcock, said other guests lent their support. Everyone in the bridal party had kids before and knew what she was going through, so that was really helpful, he said. Though the baby wasnt due for another week, Hitchcock had a gut feeling the little one would arrive early and insisted they bring their hospital bag to the wedding. Groom Jeremy Letton told the Daily Mail Australia that his mother-in-law clued him in about Barrys situation after the ceremony. They are a top couple, Letton said. Good people and good friends. A lot of people would have just left the wedding. Karla Barry didnt let labor pains stop her from doing her maid of honor duties. (Photo: Karla Barry) Barry managed to make it through the ceremony and photos before the contractions really kicked in. It was my biggest concern either walking down the aisle, having photos taken, or during the first dance that my water would break, Barry told the West Australian. Finally, at 10 p.m., she told the bride she was leaving to give birth. Driving to the hospital, I was trying to get my bridesmaid dress off, Barry said. It was clipped and hooked, and I was having contractions at the same time. It was a bit of an exciting day, Barry said. Son Xavier arrived at 2 a.m. the next morning. Little Xaviers not the first baby to try to upstage a wedding. In 2014, Yorkshire, England, schoolteacher Lucy Morris walked down the aisle for her sisters wedding while in labor, a week after her due date. She made it until the reception, when she rushed off to the hospital, she told the Daily Mail. Queensland, Australia, bridesmaid Melissa White never made it to her friend Bernadette Beahans wedding last year. White had her baby on the morning of, so Beahan decided to take a detour to visit the new mom with the rest of her bridesmaids before she got hitched. Story continues North Carolina friends Leslie Leith and Charley Norman joked that Leith would have her baby while serving as Normans matron of honor. Much to their surprise, thats almost what happened. Leith left right after Normans ceremony and had her son two hours later. It was epic, Norman told WBTV. And it just added to such an amazing day. This is taking something new to another level, ladies. 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%2f310724%2f59e5e3bb62144968923d0b3496b4aabe When a snowstorm hit Montana last week, tens of thousands of southbound snow geese were forced to land in the nearest source of open water. It just so happened that source was a toxic pit from an old copper mine. Several thousand geese died soon after settling in the pit, which holds about 45 billion gallons of highly acidic water, according to Montana Resources, one of the mining companies responsible for the Berkeley Pit Superfund site. SEE ALSO: Seabirds may eat so much marine plastic because of its scent Witnesses described the scene on Nov. 28 as "700 acres of white birds," Mark Thompson, the environmental affairs manager for Montana Resources, told the Associated Press. "I can't underscore enough how many birds were in the Butte area that night," Thompson told the AP. "Numbers beyond anything we've ever experienced in our 21 years of monitoring by several orders of magnitude." Berkeley Pit, an open-pit copper mine that has been allowed to fill with water since its closure in 1982, is seen in this October, 2003 file photo. Image: WALTER HINICK /THE MONTANA STANDARD VIA AP The mine estimated that as many as 10,000 snow geese landed on the pit's contaminated water that night. Butte typically only sees between 2,000 and 5,000 birds all year during the spring and winter migrations combined. The snowstorm likely wasn't the only reason for the unusually large flock of geese passing over Butte. Climate change may have also played a role, environmental experts in Montana said. With Montana experiencing milder winters in recent years, many birds are migrating later than they usually do, Steve Hoffman, executive director of the Montana Audubon Society, told the Montana Standard. Snow geese typically start migrating in the first two weeks of November. But when they wait to fly south, it means "some are staying in places where they've never stayed the winter before," Jack Kirkley, an ornithologist and professor at the University of Montana-Western, told the Montana newspaper. Snow geese fly along the bank of the Berkeley Pit's toxic waters, in Butte, Montana, Nov. 30, 2016. Image: Walter Hinick /The Montana Standard via AP Story continues Thompson of Montana Resources said the geese's death toll could've been much higher if not for efforts to scare birds away from the pit. Employees of Montana Resources and the Atlantic Richfield Co. (Arco), which also manages the site, reportedly worked around the clock using spotlights, noise makers and other tools to scare the birds away from the toxic pit. About 90 percent of the snow geese had fled by the next morning. Montana Resources and Arco estimated that several thousand birds had died based on drone and aircraft flights over the pit. That's significantly more than the 342 birds that died in the toxic water in 1995. The earlier deaths prompted environmental efforts to keep birds from the pit. The companies won't release the final death toll until federal and state agencies can confirm the number, the AP said. Associated Press contributed reporting to this story. The TIME India Awards, whose inaugural edition recognized the best in Indian manufacturing at a glittering awards ceremony with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai earlier this year, are set to return in 2017 with an expanded list of categories that turns the spotlight on the new breed of startups changing the way business is done in one of the worlds fastest growing economies. Alongside prizes for the Manufacturing Innovator of the Year and the Global Manufacturer of the Year, the awards will recognize the countrys most exciting small and medium-sized businesses, with the winners to be announced at the Confederation of India Industrys Partnership Summit in Andhra Pradesh state on Jan. 27. For a second year running, TIME is partnering with top management consultancy firm McKinsey & Co. to create a shortlist of finalists. The finalists for the Manufacturing Innovator and Global Manufacturer of the Year categories will be announced at the upcoming World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Time Inc. vice chairman Norman Pearlstine will chair a seven-strong jury of international business leaders who will pick the winners. We are delighted to continue the TIME India Awards, building on last years successful launch of the competition, Pearlstine says. Working with McKinsey, our knowledge partner, we are expanding this years program to recognize small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as Indias large, proven performers. The TIME awards program is designed to recognize superb financial results and innovators whose products benefit India and the world. McKinsey senior partner Rajat Dhawan will join Pearlstine in presenting the awards next month. The inaugural edition of the TIME India Awards in February celebrated manufacturing companies for their excellence, innovation and entrepreneurship, Dhawan says. We are delighted to be partnering with TIME for the next edition, to examine an even broader canvas of Indian manufacturing enterprises which includes large, small and medium-sized companies, as well as start-ups that are catalyzing new manufacturing investment. Story continues The 2016 awards were held at the Make in India summit in Mumbai on Feb. 13, with TATA Steel, Indias first private sector steel company, winning the prize for Best in Class Manufacturing. Hero MotoCorp, the worlds largest maker of two-wheelers by volume, was named the Manufacturing Innovator of the Year, while Yogesh and Rajesh Agrawal, joint managing directors of specialty pharmaceutical company Ajanta Pharma, took home the Young Maker of the Year Award. The winners were selected by a jury of leading business minds, including General Electric vice chairman John Rice, Infosys founder N. R. Narayana Murthy, ICICI Bank managing director Chanda Kochhar, and the chief executive officer of Renault and Nissan, Carlos Ghosn. Joining them were TIMEs assistant managing editor Rana Foroohar and Kevin Sneader, Asia chairman at McKinsey & Co., with Pearlstine chairing the 2016 jury. To enter the 2017 TIME India Awards, please apply here. Community Hunger Solutions, started as a much smaller scale gleaning project in 2010, has grown and expanded to be a vital part of nourishment in many peoples lives. When the gleaning began back in 2010 it was a way to save a lot of food that wasnt getting used efficiently enough. Numbers came in that 20-50 percent of food from farms got wasted, and with hunger issues all over the world spanning from 1 in 5 to 1 in 7 people going hungry, that is unacceptable. One-third of the worlds food is never used, with food waste being one of the most globally understood issues. Half of the children in Wisconsin schools qualify financially for school lunch. With facts like these, in a community full of activists like Viroqua, it was only a matter of time before the issue started being worked on. Valley Stewardship Network started getting involved and started helping to get the word out, to local farmers and Amish communities, but in 2013 they wanted to hand it off to someone else. Daniel Chotzen and Gary Thompson with Everybody Works, an organization that provides jobs for individuals with varying abilities, took it over and began working it. Sue Noble, executive director of the Vernon Economic Development Association, helped turn the Food Enterprise Center on the north side of Viroqua into a food hub. Now Driftless Co-Option is there, Kickapoo Coffee, LuSa, and more. Community Hunger Solutions also uses it as a place to source their work from. One of the first few steps was getting the farm food to food banks that would in turn get it dispersed to food pantries. There is a large food bank in La Crosse that sells the produce they get from farmers for around 8 cents a pound. This food bank processes the food and sends it to various food pantries, servicing 15 to 20 food pantries in 18 different counties. Harmony Valley Farm, a CSA located on the outskirts of Viroqua, is the biggest donor to the organization. As Community Hunger Solutions settles into its life of sourcing good, discarded ingredients and distributing them where they are more needed, it is time to step back and ask themselves a few questions. How can we be more sustainable? The core values of the organization is to provide fresh food for food pantries in cooperation with food banks, as fresh produce is rare in places like that. They get their funding from places like Organic Valley and Wal-mart, and primarily from grants. New York (AFP) - Time magazine on Wednesday named Donald Trump its "Person of the Year" for 2016 for his stunning upset election victory that rewrote the rules of politics, delivering him to the helm of a divided America. The president-elect dialed into NBC television's Today show, welcoming the accolade as a "very, very great honor," denying he was responsible for divisions and praising outgoing Democratic President Barack Obama. The real estate tycoon, who has never previously held elected office and shocked the political establishment by defeating his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, is featured on Time's cover described as "Donald Trump: President of the Divided States of America." The magazine said its person of the year, a tradition that began in 1927, "had the greatest influence, for better or worse, on the events of the year." "So which is it this year: better or worse?" editor-in-chief Nancy Gibbs wrote. "The challenge for Donald Trump is how profoundly the country disagrees about the answer." She said 2016 had been the year of his rise and 2017 would be the year of his rule, after he is sworn into office on January 20. "Like all newly elected leaders, he has a chance to fulfill promises and defy expectations," said Gibbs. Trump won the title, she added, for "reminding America that demagoguery feeds on despair and that truth is only as powerful as the trust in those who speak it, for empowering a hidden electorate by mainstreaming its furies and live-streaming its fears, and for framing tomorrow's political culture by demolishing yesterday's." In the past Time has showed its editorial teeth by naming sinister figures -- Adolf Hitler in 1938 and Joseph Stalin both in 1939 and 1942. The president-elect told NBC's Today show that he thought the sub-heading on the front cover about a divided America was "snarky" and denied that it was his fault. Story continues "I'm not president yet so I didn't do anything to divide," he said, despite having inflamed the country by campaign rhetoric disparaging women, illegal immigrants and Muslims among others. - Takes Obama's advice - For years he criticized Obama and was instrumental in the so-called "birther" movement that questioned whether the first black president was born in the United States. "I will say this: I've now gotten to know President Obama, I really like him," Trump told NBC on Wednesday. "I can't speak for him, but we have a really good chemistry together. We talked," he said. "He loves the country, he wants to do right by the country and for the country and I will tell you, we obviously very much disagree on certain policies and certain things, but I really like him," he added. The billionaire even said that he discussed some of his possible appointments with the outgoing Democratic president. "I take his recommendations very seriously and there are some people that I will be appointing and in one case have appointed where he thought very highly of that person," Trump said. Clinton, the former secretary of state who became the closest in history to becoming America's first female commander in chief, was named the runner-up, with computer hackers in third place. The former first lady won the popular vote with around 2.7 million more votes than Trump, but the Republican won the crucial Electoral College by 306 to 232. Trump campaigned hard on a promise of bringing back jobs with the old manufacturing heartland hard hit by companies fleeing overseas and taking jobs to cheaper labor markets in China or Mexico. Trump told Time in an interview that he asked Apple CEO Tim Cook to build in the United States "a great plant, your biggest and your best, even if it's only a foot by a foot bigger than some place in China." He also addressed representing working class Americans despite his lavish wealth, living in a luxurious Manhattan penthouse. "I'm sitting in an apartment the likes of which nobody's ever seen. And yet I represent the workers of the world. And they love me and I love them," he told the magazine. "I think people aspire to do things. And they aspire to watch people. I don't think they want to see the president carrying his luggage out of Air Force One. And that's pretty much the way it is," he said. When Molly Duffy and Robbie Edwards, both 3, met in person for the first time at Boston Childrens Hospital in November, it was like theyd been best friends forever. The tiny tots, who both have light brown hair, sparkling blue eyes and infectious, toothy grins, could pass for sisters. They both love listening to Wheels on the Bus, playing house in their miniature toy kitchen sets and spending time outside. But another commonality unites the toddlers, who are the only known people in the country, and two of 11 in the entire world, diagnosed with an extremely rare disease called SPG-47 or hereditary spastic paraplegia type 47 that causes a decline in everyday cognitive and physical functions. Doctors say their symptoms, which currently include difficulty walking and talking, will worsen over time most likely shortening their lives. Theyre in this fight together, says Robbies mom, Kasey Edwards, 38. Their futures are intertwined, as we look to the future. When doctors told Kasey and her husband Chris Edwards, 41, about their daughters rare diagnosis in May 2016, they felt devastated and alone. It was surreal. We wept and said, This cant be, says Kasey, also mom to 5-year-old son Davis. No one knows much about the condition, so we knew our world would be completely changed. But we werent going to let it derail our train. The Boston parents began researching Robbies SPG-47 diagnosis, a particular subtype of hereditary spastic paraplegia that, in addition to causing the progressive decline of motor functions, leads to severe cognitive delays and microcephaly. They found only nine other known children with the condition and none were in the U.S. But, in what they describe as a miracle meeting, Kasey and Chris connected with Mollys parents Angela and Kevin Duffy, both 33, in August through a Facebook support page for parents of children with SPG. We thought she was the only person in America with this type of SPG, Angela tells PEOPLE of Molly, who was diagnosed with SPG-47 a year ago. There are over 50 types of SPG, but Molly and Robbie are the only ones with type 47. Until we found Robbie, we thought we were so alone in this journey. Story continues But now we have each other. On Nov. 14, after two months of daily texts, e-mails and video chats, Angela, Kevin and Molly flew from their Hatboro, Pennsylvania, home to meet the Edwards in person at Boston Childrens Hospital, where both girls have been patients. For more on Molly and Robbie, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday. While the girls played together at a toy kitchen, the stark reality of their uncertain future tugged at their watchful parents, who have been working to find a cure for SPG-47 ever since they met online. Molly uses a walker to move and her progressive symptoms include developmental delays and hypotonia she knows around 20 words. Robbie, who has microcephaly, suffers from complex seizures, delayed motor skill development and can speak almost 50 words. We werent satisfied with the lack of knowledge about this condition, Kevin tells PEOPLE. Now we are all working together to save our girls. Disappointed with a limited amount of research available in the medical community, the families are setting up a non-profit called Cure SPG47 to raise money for research, working closely with doctors from Boston Childrens and SPG experts from the University of Michigan, including SPG expert Dr. John Fink. We need more people to study this, says Chris. Were running Cure SPG47 together to help our daughters survive. And the Edwards and Duffys wont give up until they get some answers. We wept with this rare diagnosis, but dried our tears quickly, says Kasey. We will never stop fighting and we will never give up on our girls. It seems Tom Hiddleston just can't escape Taylor Swift, no matter how hard he tries. The 35-year-old actor even had an awkward run in with his famous ex (well, a version of her, anyway) this weekend. WATCH: Tom Hiddleston's Pal Benedict Cumberbatch Refuses to Ask Him About Taylor Swift: 'That Door Is Closed' Hiddleston was photographed jogging around North London on Sunday, when he hilariously walked right by a piece of graffiti art featuring Swift -- with a message especially for him. "Oh Tom I love you too But," Swift says into a telephone, the piece seemingly depicting the moment the two called it quits. NOBLE/DRAPER/Bauergriffin.com WATCH: Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston Already Have a Breakup Song Thanks to Stephen Colbert The artist, Fussy Human, hinted that the piece would be making the rounds just a few days earlier. WATCH: Tom Hiddleston Reflects on High Profile Summer After Dating Taylor Swift ET confirmed that Hiddleston and Swift -- or Hiddleswift, as they were affectionately known by the public -- broke up in September, after three months together. Story continues The two were first romantically linked in June, when they were photographed kissing on a beach outside of her Rhode Island home. Following their steamy beach makeout, the pair put their love on international display, traveling together to Italy, England, Nashville and Australia, and even meeting each other's parents. See more on the split in the video below. Related Articles How to tour the Amalfi coast like Beyonce Ten years ago, Jay Z rapped on Beyonces Upgrade U, a single off her sophomore album, BDay: And we just yachting, off the island hopping, off the Amalfi Coast, mafioso. Its a boast the iconic couple made real, with yachtswhich offer relative privacy for the hyper-famous familyfeaturing prominently in many of their vacations. A Mediterranean cruise, often off the Amalfi Coast, has become their annual tradition: Nearly every September (around Beyonces birthday) the Carter-Knowles hop on board a $74-million dollar yacht to explore the region.Though very few people can afford the out-of-this-world luxury of the Galactica Star, the stops and sights Bey and family see are a lot more accessible. The Carter-Knowles love Italy. In September of last year, they flew to Naples and embarked from there to Capri, an island refuge for the rich and famous since the Roman Republic, and just a short hop across the bay. Like Bey, Jay, and Blue Ivy, snag some gelato at Gelateria Buonocore, along Capris glamorous main drag, Via Vittorio Emanuele II. Sample the local cuisine along the Amalfi Coast, where the Carter-Knowles family stopped in the fishing village of Nerano to din at Conca del Sogno, a restaurant famous for their raw seafood dishes. Its also tucked inside a lovely, grotto-filled bay. You can take a break off of Palmarola, an idyllic island en route to Sardinia, to lounge on the beach or ride a jet ski. (Amalfi Marine provides both boat and jet ski rentals.) Theres no sign the Carter-Knowles tried Sardinias famous maggot-infested cheese, casu marzu, so Beyonce-inspired travelers can safely eschew that local specialty. Beyond the coast of Italy, they ventured to the Ile Sainte-Marguerite off shore from Cannes and visited he fortress that held the Man in the Iron Mask (a historical figure still shrouded in mystery). Like Blue Ivy, you can pose for some choice shots along the forts battlements. The Carter-Knowles then headed to Monaco, where you too can explore Monte-Carlos historic casinos and the innovative temporary shopping district, the Pavilions Monte-Carlo, featuring brands like Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Chanel, and Yves Saint Laurent.Beyonce and Jay Zs preferred mode of travel in the Mediterranean is the ultra-luxurious, and nearly 220-foot long, Galactica Star. Reportedly owned by Nigerian energy magnate Kola Aluka, the yacht features a helipad, an enormous outdoor Jacuzzi, and spacious sleeping, dining, living, and swimming areas. Its the largest yacht ever made by Dutch company Heesen Yachts.Although there have been reports the boat costs $900,000 a month to rent, because the Galactica Star is a privately owned vessel, the arrangement between Aluka and the Carter-Knowles remains mum. You dont have to be Beyonceor even a close friend of a Nigerian energy magnateto enjoy the benefits of the open sea. Yacht and boat chartering is common in the Mediterranean, with a broad range of prices and services ranging from $3,000 a week for a charming sailboat to yachts upwards of $900,000 a week.And just because youre in Italy doesnt mean you cant still carry hot sauce in your bag. Swag. This article by originally appeared on Travelandleisure.com Related Links How to travel like Beyonce How to pack like a fashion editor How Cuba is influencing resort fashion The post How to tour the Amalfi coast like Beyonce appeared first on HelloGiggles. (Photo: Getty Images) From Town & Country In recent years, the popularity of prosecco has exploded, so much so that a global shortage of the budget-friendly bubbly could be imminent. In order to keep up with the high demand, Italian farmers in the Veneto, the so-called Prosecco Valley, are reportedly turning to pesticides and other chemicals to keep up production. According to the Daily Mail, the spraying of vines is "taking a dire toll" on the health of people in the area. "Locals complain of respiratory problems, thyroid disorders and even tumors," cites the publication. "Three children, one resident claims, have developed leukemia, two women have died of ovarian cancer and one has contracted Parkinson's disease. Scientific studies have linked both cell mutation and Parkinson's to prolonged pesticide exposure." Sandra Padovan, who has lived in the region for 20 years is concerned for her children's well being. "They spray pesticides on the plants once a week but each grower does it on a different day, so every day the air is filled with chemicals," she told the Daily Mail. "I can't breathe properly.I can't cook, I can't be a good mother." "I am worried for the health of my children. I don't know what I will do if they get sick." Another local, Rosy Zampieri, won't leave her house without wearing a surgical mask due to the chemicals in the air. "I grew up in this house and before the vines were planted it was a dream," she said. "Now I am desperate to sell it." Still, the wineries assert that their methods are safe. "There is a list of approved pesticides," said producer Roberta Agnoli. "The vine-growers often live on their own land, so they take particular care what they put on the plants."And doctors are split over whether chemicals are causing health concerns in the region. But if there's any doubt, why not pop a bottle of Champagne this New Year's instead? You Might Also Like Once unsure of her place in the fight to protect Black lives, this 25-year-old transgender activist now helms a social movement that represents those left behind Purpose We got started in 2014 after the death of Michael Brown. I took a group of Black trans women to Ferguson, Missouri, and the connectedness of all these issues became clear. We were so busy rallying around the killing of Black men that the violence that Black women and girls face often went unseen and unheard. Since last year, more than 25 trans people have been killed, and thats before the Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando. Resume Biko ditched her banking job to become cofounder of Black Trans Lives Matter: It took the murder of my oldest brother, James, to wake me up and to help me realize that, in the words of Assata Shakur, We have nothing to lose but our chains. Heritage My mothers family is from Talladega, Alabama, and my father is from Senegal by way of South Africa. My great-uncle, Steve Biko, was an antiapartheid activist who was murdered by the police there, so my family escaped to Senegal. I grew up being taught not only about the brutality that Black people face, but also about our resilience and our strength. My mother and grandmother were really active in racial justice movements. They instilled in me a want to make it better for future generations. I thought I couldnt step up and take my place as a leader of this movement because I was trans. But its our duty to fight for our freedom. The family of Deonna Mason [a trans woman struck and killed by a police car] sticks out to me. Her mother, Mica Belin, reached out to me on Facebook and is starting an organization that will be a homeless shelter and community center for LGBT youth in Charlotte. Luke Zahm, owner of Driftless Cafe in Viroqua, hopes to develop a deeper sense of community with a Candle Light Solstice Dinner, Wednesday, Dec. 21. A portion of the proceeds from this pay-as-you-can dinner will benefit local families in need. There will be a charge for beer and wine. We want to try and hit the break-even point with the employees, Zahm said. Some have volunteered to work free in the spirit of giving; its amazing. They will get a flat wage that night. People dont have to feel pressured to tip. Zahm said the dinner is being done through a feeling of altruism. Its beautiful and feels right. Hopefully its an outreach to break down the final barrier keeping people out of the restaurant, he said. Its a day of celebrating community. Zahm said the 2016 presidential election was polarizing and wants to remind people that the thread that ties everyone together is neighbor looking after neighbor. Zahm said he and his wife, Ruthie, see the cafe as a bridge in the community. We take pride in doing what we do and doing it well, he said. Weve always incorporated community in the cafe. The Zahms grew up in Vernon County he in La Farge and she in Viroqua. Zahm said they both know that food seems inaccessible to some people. He said he wants everyone in the community to come together without worrying about whether or not they can afford to help their neighbor or their meal. Shortly after the first posters were hung and the dinner was posted on Facebook early last week, members of the community came forward with offers to help from washing dishes to providing cake. Theres a real spirit of community that is looking to re-engage, and no matter what happens in Washington, D.C., or Madison, we need to be reliant and accountable to each other, Zahm said. Thats the hope. Zahm said he and the staff expect the cafe to be busy, so there will be community seating, which means people may end up dining with folks they dont know. Lights and heaters will be set up in the alley between the cafe and Hotel Fortney, and hot chocolate will be served. We will have a warm, festive waiting space for people, Zahm said. Dinner service begins at 5 p.m., and diners can order off the regular menu. Reservations will be taken only for parties of six or more; call 608-637-7778. No tickets are necessary. Driftless Cafe is located at 118 W. Court St., Viroqua. By Steve Holland FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump laid out a U.S. military policy on Tuesday that would avoid interventions in foreign conflicts and instead focus heavily on defeating the Islamic State militancy. In the latest stop on a "thank you" tour of states critical to his Nov. 8 election win, Trump introduced his choice for defense secretary, General James Mattis, to a large crowd in this city near the Fort Bragg military base, which has deployed soldiers to 90 countries around the world. "We will stop racing to topple foreign regimes that we know nothing about, that we shouldn't be involved with," Trump said. "Instead, our focus must be on defeating terrorism and destroying ISIS, and we will." Trump's rhetoric was similar to what he said during the election campaign when he railed against the war in Iraq. In Fayetteville, he vowed a strong rebuilding of the U.S. military, which he suggested has been stretched too thin. Instead of investing in wars, he said, he would spend money to build up America's aging roads, bridges and airports. Even so, Trump said he wants to boost spending on the military. To help pay for his buildup, Trump pledged to seek congressional approval for lifting caps on defense spending that were part of "sequestration" legislation that imposed cut spending across the board. "We don't want to have a depleted military because were all over the place fighting in areas that we shouldn't be fighting in. It's not going to be depleted any longer," he said. Trump said any nation that shares these goals will be considered a U.S. partner. "We don't forget. We want to strengthen old friendships and seek out new friendships," he said. He said the policy of "intervention and chaos" must come to an end. While U.S. armed forces are deployed in far-flung places around the globe, they are only involved currently in active combat in the Middle East, specifically Iraq and Syria for the most part. "We will build up our military not as an act of aggression, but as an act of prevention," he said. "In short, we seek peace through strength." Trump described Mattis as the right person for the job and urged Congress to approve a waiver to let him take on the civilian position. Under U.S. law a military leader must be retired for seven years before becoming eligible to become defense secretary. Speaking to the crowed, Mattis said, "I look forward to being the civilian leader as long as the Congress gives me the waiver and the Senate votes to consent." "We're going to get you that waiver," Trump said, returning to the microphone. "If you dont get that waiver there are going to be a lot of angry people." (Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Leslie Adler) Donald Trump President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday night in North Carolina that the US should view trade "almost as a war." Trump promised the Fayetteville crowd during the second leg of his "Thank You Tour" that his administration would renegotiate trade deals and "defeat the enemy on jobs." "And we have to look at it almost as a war, because that's what's happened to us," the president-elect said. "That's what's happened to our workers." Trump's use of the word "war" might worry political leaders who have repeatedly expressed concern that the president-elect's tough talk on trade could ignite a trade war with another country. On Monday, for instance, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy declined to support Trump's proposal to impose a 35% tariff on companies that leave the US, saying he didn't "want to get into some type of trade war." The president-elect has previously dismissed the idea of a trade war. These dummies say, Oh, thats a trade war. Trade war? Were losing $500 billion in trade with China. Who the hell cares if theres a trade war? Trump rhetorically asked an audience in May. Throughout the campaign, Trump promised to be tough on trade, going as far as to say during a rally earlier this year that the landmark Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement between 12 Pacific Rim nations would lead to "a continuing rape of our country." Since taking office, Trump and Indiana Gov. and Vice President-elect Mike Pence cut a deal with Carrier that provided the company with $7 million in tax incentives over 10 years to keep roughly 1,000 jobs, a portion that were set to be exported to Mexico, at an Indianapolis plant. For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. In his speech on Tuesday night, the president-elect also reiterated his promise to punish companies that "fire their workers" and "leave our country." Story continues "And if a company wants to fire their workers, leave our country, and then ship their products back into the country, there will be consequences," Trump told the crowd. "I'm sorry, there will be consequences. Big consequences." Trump took aim at China as being a main culprit for the loss of many manufacturing jobs in the US, and said the country is "living through the greatest jobs theft in the history of the world." "There's never been a jobs theft like what's happened to this country," he continued before mentioning the deal with Carrier. "And we stopped some of it, a little bit, because we started, we just started." Trump also pointed to voters who supported his tough-on-trade rhetoric, which was likely a major reason he was able to pull out victories in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin "Boy did they come out to vote," he said. "Remember when they said they don't exist? They existed! They existed! Believe me ... Millions and millions of people poured out to the voting booths. And they voted big league." The next stop on Trump's "Thank You Tour" is set for Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa. NOW WATCH: Trump goes on a tweetstorm less than 48 hours after promising to be more 'restrained' on Twitter More From Business Insider Washington (AFP) - US President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly jabbed China on everything from trade to Taiwan. So who better to send to Beijing as America's new envoy than someone whose decades-long relationship with China's president may help smooth ruffled feathers? Iowa Governor Terry Branstad -- who Trump has tapped to be his ambassador to Beijing, a top aide said Wednesday -- has known current Chinese President Xi Jinping since 1985. That year, Xi visited the American heartland as a young Hebei provincial cadre leading an agricultural research delegation. Branstad was governor at the time, and the two men have remained in touch as Xi rose to become China's leader-in-waiting and its eventual president. Over six terms at the helm in Iowa, Branstad -- who, like Trump, is 70 years old -- has become the longest serving governor in US history, a towering figure in Republican politics known for his fiscal and social conservatism. But he has also unapologetically helped steward billions of dollars in Iowa agriculture sales to China, whose voracious appetite for farm imports is only growing. Branstad's Iowa inked a sister-state relationship with China's Hebei province in 1983, just before Xi's visit. In 2011, Branstad visited Beijing and met with Xi at the Great Hall of the People, where he invited him to return to the Mississippi River town of Muscatine, where Xi had led a delegation in April 1985 to learn about hog farming and corn applications. Xi made the trip back in 2012, as his country's vice president. He was again hosted by Branstad, and the two sides signed billions of dollars in farm deals. "He was very pleased with the very friendly, warm reception he received in Iowa and he really feels a kinship and friendship with the people of Iowa," Branstad told AFP at the time, noting that Xi had revealed he had saved the itinerary from his 1985 trip. "Obviously Iowans made a very good impression on him." Story continues - 'Old friend' to China - If confirmed by the Senate, Branstad -- who visited Beijing just last month on a trade mission to push Iowa's beef and pork exports -- will be Beijing's primary point of contact with the US government as a fledgling Trump administration finds its legs. In comments before the nomination was made official, China called Branstad an "old friend." The pick of Branstad, who was an early supporter of Trump's presidential bid, is likely to send a reconciliatory message to Beijing, particularly after Trump sparked disquiet in Washington's largest trading partner by taking a protocol-busting phone call with the leader of Taiwan. The maverick real estate tycoon has lashed out at China, accusing Beijing of currency manipulation, unfairly taxing US exports and militarizing the South China Sea. If Trump has telegraphed a more contentious relationship to come between Washington and its superpower rival, Branstad's "cornfield diplomacy" could pay dividends in the world's most important trade relationship. It is difficult to imagine the United States not taking some sort of trade action against China in 2017, "on currency or subsidies or cyber-theft of intellectual property," said Derek Scissors, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and an expert on US-China relations. Even if such action is limited, "Branstad would then need to smooth ruffled feathers, where his relationship with Xi should help," Scissors told AFP. Branstad has been in Iowa politics most of his career. He was elected to the Iowa House in 1972 before being elected lieutenant governor in 1978. He was governor from 1983 to 1999, and was then served as Des Moines University president for six years until his return to the governor's mansion in 2011. Trump had hinted that Branstad would be his envoy in Beijing. In a speech in Sioux City, Iowa, two days before the November 8 election, he said Branstad "would be our prime candidate to take care of China." "I think there's nobody that knows more about trade than him," Trump said. By Steve Holland and Warren Strobel NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump plans to nominate a third retired general for a top job in his new administration with the choice of a battle-hardened Marine commander to lead the agency set up after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks to protect the U.S. homeland. Trump is expected to name former Marine General John Kelly, 66, as head of the Department of Homeland Security, a source familiar with the decision told Reuters on Wednesday. Kelly told Fox News on Wednesday that he has "been asked and would consider it an honour." If confirmed by the Senate, Kelly will be in charge of the agency tasked with securing borders against illegal immigration, protecting the president, responding to natural disasters, coordinating intelligence and counterterrorism. Like Trump, Kelly is believed to hold strong views on stopping illegal immigration. The four-star general told a congressional committee last year that the lack of security on the U.S.-Mexican border represents a national security threat. As former head of the military's Southern Command, Kelly was responsible for U.S. military activities and relationships in Latin America and the Caribbean. He was a proponent of keeping open the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Kelly, whose son was killed fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan, retired in January after a 45-year military career. CBS first reported that Trump would nominate Kelly to the position, which would put him in charge of more than 240,000 employees. Those include Secret Service and Border Patrol agents as well as the agency that clears refugees for resettlement in the United States. Under President Barack Obama, the department's Border Patrol and immigration enforcement agents were criticized by civil rights groups for acting as a paramilitary force that neglected the humanitarian mission of helping immigrants escaping violence. With a retired general as chief, the department risks furthering that image and facing backlash from Democrats and immigrant rights groups. Trump energized voters in the election campaign by promising to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border in order to keep out Mexican immigrants he described as rapists and murderers. In testimony last year before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Kelly said people-smuggling activities on the southern border were a dire threat. "Terrorist organizations could seek to leverage those same smuggling routes to move operatives with intent to cause grave harm to our citizens or even bring weapons of mass destruction into the United States," Kelly said. Such sentiments may have endeared him to Trump, who warned repeatedly during his presidential campaign of dangers from illegal immigration, and pledged to build a wall along the border and make Mexico pay for it. The Republican president-elect, who has no military experience, also plans to nominate retired General James Mattis to lead the Pentagon and picked retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn to be his national security adviser. MILITARY EXPERIENCE Trump may be forced to look to generals to fill key positions because of his lacking relationship with Republican establishment figures, said former White House and State Department official P.J. Crowley. He never served in government, so until the campaign, he didn't have an established bench," said Crowley. He's forming a pick-up team on the fly. On an individual basis, they have a lot of international operational experience but far less domestic political experience. How well they will gel together remains to be seen, said Crowley, author of Red Line, a book on U.S. foreign policy. Trump's transition team is also said to be considering former General David Petraeus for Secretary of State. Kelly served in Iraq several times, and in 2003 was the first Marine in more than 50 years to be promoted to the rank of brigadier general while in a combat zone. In 2010, his son, Marine 1st Lieutenant Robert M. Kelly, was killed in Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan. Human rights groups had feared someone would be appointed to Homeland Security with a stronger anti-immigration position, such as Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who is a proponent of reinvigorating a system to track Muslims entering the United States on visas. Frank Sharry, executive director of America's Voice Education Fund, an immigrant rights advocacy group, said he was hopeful Kelly's experience in Central America would make him sympathetic to migrants fleeing violence in the region. But Sharry said he was concerned over the number of generals Trump has appointed. "At times Trump's cabinet looks like a military junta. There's been a securitization of migration that is out of whack with reality," said Sharry. "But I'll take a general with knowledge of the Americas over a radical like Kobach." Kelly questioned the Pentagon's decision to allow women to serve in combat, and differed publicly with President Barack Obama over the Democrat's attempt to close the Guantanamo Bay prison. "There are no innocent men down there," Kelly said of Guantanamo in a January interview with the Military Times newspaper. The Republican-controlled Senate must confirm Kelly for the Homeland Security post. (Reporting by Steve Holland and Warren Strobel; Writing by Julia Edwards Ainsley; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Alistair Bell) Washington (AFP) - President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency, transition officials told US media Wednesday, drawing loud criticism from Democrats who warn the fossil fuel ally is a climate change denier. The Republican Pruitt has spent much of his time as Oklahoma's top law enforcement official battling the very agency he is now being nominated to lead, with his official biography proudly highlighting his role as "a leading advocate against the EPA's activist agenda." Republicans have long argued that President Barack Obama's administration, through the EPA, has imposed burdensome environmental regulations such as anti-pollution measures on US corporations, many in the name of fighting climate change. Trump campaigned this year on vows to terminate or curtail such regulations. With the maverick businessman now set to assume the office in January, such Republicans, and notably the energy industry, can expect to have an ally running the EPA. The EPA chief also has a strong impact on US actions to combat climate change: the agency both determines what international commitments the country is able to make, and implements the measures. Trump's transition team has yet to officially announce the nomination. Pruitt, 48, has sued the EPA on behalf of Oklahoma utilities, seeking to "roll back our landmark environmental laws" in the words of outgoing Senator Barbara Boxer, the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. He has sought to limit federal regulations and restore more regulatory oversight to US states. In a pending lawsuit with several states Pruitt has attempted to halt Obama's Clean Power Plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. In an opinion piece in the National Journal, he described the debate over global warming as "far from settled." Pruitt's "reluctance to accept the facts or science on climate change couldn't make him any more out of touch with the American people -- and with reality," Chuck Schumer, who will lead US Senate Democrats beginning in January, said, adding Pruitt will face "many tough questions" in his Senate confirmation hearings. Story continues In a more forceful statement, Senator Bernie Sanders called the nomination "sad and dangerous" and said he would oppose it. "Mr. Pruitt's record is not only that of being a climate change denier, but also someone who has worked closely with the fossil fuel industry to make this country more dependent, not less, on fossil fuels." The Sierra Club, a leading environmental organization, equated the nomination to "putting an arsonist in charge of fighting fires." But Republican Senator James Lankford, a fellow Oklahoman, praised Trump's EPA pick and said he was looking forward to working with Pruitt "to restore a balanced approach to regulations." The Vernon County Censor Dec. 6, 1916 100 years ago Great December weather. Last month of the year. Nineteen days to Christmas. Bekkedal's Viroqua warehouse will open for work next Monday, when ladies will be used for sizers. They may make application at any time now. The Management. Avalanche mill dam has been repaired, so that feed and buckwheat grinding is done in the best and quickest possible way. Give me a call. Olaus Johnson, Prop. At Coon Valley, Mrs. Berent Bryhn, a pioneer of that section since 1858, died recently. She was a native of Norway, born 1836. A baby girl came to the home of Andrew Hoffland, Tuesday morning, she is the seventh child in the family. Gene Calhoon has received appointment as rural mail carrier on one of the LaFarge routes. Many friends regret the continued illness of Veteran O.P. Hill, who is unable to leave his home. Foggy conditions brought tobacco farm the poles Monday. Warehouse work is soon contemplated by dealers. Donald Kellicutt of this city, has enlisted in the Navy. Men's $8.50 and $9.00 mackinaws at $7.50 at M.J. Felix'. Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Cade were run into from the rear by an automobile and their surry[sic] badly wrecked and Mrs. Cade somewhat injured. Sterling, Retreat, November 27 - Scarlet fever patients are all improving. The school house has been fumigated but school will not open until after Thanksgiving. A little tobacco was taken down, the first case weather the past week. Married at Genoa Catholic church, November 22, by Rev. Father Kremer, Mr. Tony Corti and Miss Elizabeth Marlin, both of Genoa. The Vernon County Censor Dec. 4, 1941 75 years ago A grand period of case weather over the week end resulted in over three-quarters of the crop (tobacco) taken from the poles. Both farmers and merchants are very happy, as it means holiday trade will be heavy during the two weeks before Christmas. Obituaries: Charles Henry 75, Karen Olson Jackson 70, Lorraine Aarstad 19. Wed: Alice Erickson to John Harness Jr; Mrs. Effie Tate to Alfred Lusian, Mrs. Tate being librarian here for many years; Esther Pederson to Theodore Nelson; Lucille Eitland to Telmer Christianson. Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Olson celebrated 21 years of marriage. The bridge crew completed the two bridges in Victory. The Regina Rebekah Lodge elected officers. A Christmas party to be held at the next regular meeting, Dec. 15, will also be the forty-ninth anniversary of the institution of the Regina Rebekah lodge. Thelma, Margaret and Garnett Ellefson and Lyle Morelli drove to La Crosse to meet Joseph and Clayton Thompson, who came from Fort Cronkhite, Cal., on furlough. Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Parker are moving to Readstown where he purchased a welding shop. Charles "Dick" Mullen, left for the west coast after six months military training at Great Lakes Naval Training Station. He is now on the U.S.S. Fulton, a new ship just out of dry dock. There are 500 boys on the ship, which has every modern convenience even to air conditioning. The Vernon County Broadcaster-Censor Dec. 8, 1966 50 years ago Twenty-four Boy Scouts from Troop 76, Westby, spent the weekend at Camp Decorah. Conservation Warden, Homer Moe, spoke to the group on Saturday and showed a number of conservation exhibits. Hiking and other outdoor activities, as well as knot tying, occupied the remainder of the time. PFC Garry Brudos is expected to return to the States when he is able. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Orvey Brudos of Rt.1, Viroqua report he is coming along quite well. Brudos received leg wounds in Viet Nam November 7 and is recovering at a hospital in Yokohama, Japan. Deaths: Clarence C. Smith, 66; Lulu (Rumsey) Anderson, 82; Ella Marie (Anderson) Bolstad, 58; Faye (Connor) Nemec, 83. Mrs. Zella Pellett, Viola Librarian, reminds everyone that any Fennimore traveling library books still held out should be returned immediately. Ken's T.V. Service is featuring Motorola portable radios this month: a personal portable radio which works on batteries or ordinary AC house current for $23.95; a deluxe 8-transistor personal portable radio for $27.95; an 8-transistor pocket portable radio for $12.95; a deluxe pocket portable with an AM log scale for $17.95; and a beautiful, fine-quality 10-transistor portable with a 2 inch speaker for $19.95. Whole fryers are 27/lb. at Super Valu. IGA is selling fresh pints of lingonberries for 99. Arved Mickelson received his commission as Westby postmaster this week after having served as acting postmaster since the resignation of Otis Holman in November 1965. Two more changes have been made in the post office. Harry Jacobson, city carrier for 18 years, has been appointed carrier on Rte. 3, to succeed Arnold Fortun who retired in November 1965. Lyle Swenson is the substitute carrier on Rte. 3. Because of the consolidation of the two Coon Valley mail routes, a section of these routes has been added to Westby Rt. 2, served by Howard Crume, Jr. The Vernon County Broadcaster Dec. 5, 1991 25 years ago Fifty years ago on December 7, 1941, the Japanese boomed Pearl Harbor plunging the United States into World War II. Vernon County residents, Ray Cole of Westby and Dick Baltz are among the Wisconsin few living Pearl Harbor survivors. After surviving three winter storms in November folks in Vernon County may have trouble believing calendars which say winter won't arrive until December 22. Florence and Ed Eiserman, Viroqua, took refurbished toys to the Viroqua Fire Station as the start of the Vernon County AARP contribution. Members of the Viroqua Middle School's seventh grade Quiz Bowl for this school year are Brian Ertl, Jess Reed, Tonja Salzman, Rebecca Ekern, Darci Hanson, Eric Olson and Adam Walker. Ethel and Laurence Kearney celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary at the Vernon Manor November 29. The Vernon County Broadcaster Dec. 7, 2006 10 years ago The flu beat Santa Claus to town this year. The first two influenza cases in Wisconsin were confirmed last Thursday by the state Division of Health, and the cases were from La Crosse and Vernon County. The Viroqua High School one-act play again received an All-State Award at the Wisconsin High School Theatre Festival on Nov. 16-18. This is the 30th time in 31 years Viroqua High School has received All-State for its one-act play. This year the students from Viroqua High School presented The Velveteen Rabbit by Todd Hatlem, a former VHS student. Over the next couple months, survey crews from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation will be performing fieldwork along the proposed US 14/61 four-lane section between the communities of Westby and Viroqua. New York (AFP) - President-elect Donald Trump came under fire Thursday for picking a global warming skeptic as his new environment chief, ahead of a visit to the American Midwest that helped him win the White House. The 70-year-old property tycoon, who has never previously held elective office, has spent the majority of his time since his November 8 defeat of Hillary Clinton sequestered in his New York headquarters building his cabinet. His team says more than 50 percent of those positions have now been filled, with 43 days to go before the Republican will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, the oldest man ever inaugurated into the office. He reportedly will nominate fast food executive Andy Puzder to be his labor secretary. The transition team says his pace of appointments outstrips that of any modern US administration, but opponents hounded Trump for nominating an ally of the fossil fuel industry to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Trump's choice of Oklahoma's attorney general Scott Pruitt has outraged many Democrats and environmental experts who fear that he will reverse outgoing Democratic President Barack Obama's efforts to combat climate change. In announcing the nomination of Pruitt -- who will need Senate approval -- Trump complained that "for too long," the EPA had spent "taxpayer dollars on an out-of-control anti-energy agenda that has destroyed millions of jobs." Pruitt "will reverse this trend and restore the EPA's essential mission of keeping our air and our water clean and safe," the president-elect said. The EPA chief can wield strong influence on US actions to combat climate change: the agency both determines what international commitments the country is able to make, and implements them. - 'Outer extreme edge' - Opponents scoffed at Trump's suggestion that Pruitt will be a safe steward of the environment, pointing out he has spent much of his time battling the very agency he is now tapped to lead. Story continues "Scott Pruitt has spent the past several years fighting tooth and nail to help polluters erase or circumvent the critical environmental protections our nation has put in place," said Steny Hoyer, the number two Democrat in the House of Representatives. "There is nothing good about this," Michael Burger, executive director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School, told AFP. "Pruitt is a known conspirator with the fossil fuel industry and I mean that in a literal sense," he said, pointing to the Oklahoman's 2014 efforts with oil companies to battle EPA regulations. Ken Kimmell, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists, described Pruitt as someone "on the outer extreme edge, and putting him in charge of EPA could really have devastating consequences." While campaigning, Trump said Obama's environmental regulations were hamstringing US businesses and vowed to roll back regulations and slash corporate taxes in an effort to drive job creation and business growth. But he does seem to be courting opinion from the other side of the political aisle, meeting this week with former Democratic vice president-turned-climate campaigner Al Gore and also reportedly with actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who is an active environmentalist. While his cabinet nominations offer clues as to Trump's projected policies, observers worldwide remain on tenterhooks over how exactly he will manage the climate, national security, trade, immigration and foreign policy. - Stops in Ohio and Iowa - All eyes remain fixed on his pending announcement of his candidate for secretary of state, with Exxon chief executive Rex Tillerson and former Ford boss Alan Mulally reportedly late additions being considered. But Trump will take a break from cabinet interviews on Thursday when he heads to Ohio to meet the survivors and first responders of last week's car-and-knife campus attack before headlining a victory rally in swing state Iowa. Trump, who during the campaign called for Muslims to be banned from entering the United States, tweeted after the November 28 attack that the assailant, who migrated from Somalia, should not have been in the country. Abdul Razak Ali Artan was shot and killed by police after driving into a crowd and then slashing several people with a knife. Officials said 11 people were treated for injuries. Investigations into the motive are ongoing. Artan reportedly referred to Al-Qaeda teachings on Facebook. A jihadist-linked news agency called him a "soldier" of the so-called Islamic State group fighting in Iraq and Syria. It will be Trump's second visit to Ohio since winning the election, having kicked off his victory tour in Cincinnati last week. The Rust Belt state, won by Trump, voted for a Republican to take the White House for the first time since 2004. From there, Trump will travel to Des Moines to headline a "thank you" rally with Vice President-elect Mike Pence, following similar previous events in Cincinnati and North Carolina. Also in attendance will be Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, a long-time Trump supporter and long-time personal friend of Chinese President Xi Jinping who has been nominated to serve as ambassador to Beijing. Donald Trump said Wednesday he sold his stocks in June because he thought he would win the presidency and wanted to avoid conflicts when making policy. In an interview on NBC's "TODAY," the president-elect elaborated on a statement Tuesday by a spokesman confirming he had sold all of his stock in June. The transition team, however, did not provide any documents to prove the sale. Stock holdings were one small part of Trump's personal fortune that could have been affected by his presidential decisions. For example Trump's proposals to loosen financial regulations and promote American energy production could have boosted some of the companies in which he invested. "I don't think it's appropriate for me to be owning stocks when I'm making deals for this country that maybe will affect one company positively and one company negatively, so I just thought it was a conflict," Trump told "TODAY." For example, Trump's administration could decide on the fate of the controversial Dakota Access pipeline, which is operated by Energy Transfer Partners (NYSE: ETE). He held shares of the company earlier this year. Trump's brokerage accounts also had shares of Apple , JPMorgan Chase , Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) and Verizon (NYSE: VZ), among dozens of other companies, as of May, according to a financial disclosure document. Some of those stocks have rallied since Trump's election, partly on hopes about his policy agenda. Trump claims he "let everybody know" that he sold his stocks in June, though CNBC could not find a record of his campaign announcing that. However, he told Fox Business in August that he "got out" of the stock market, but did not specify when. A stock sale only reduces some conflicts for Trump's presidency, as his company still has real estate holdings around the globe. Trump plans to hand his businesses over to his three eldest children, but that may not eliminate conflicts, as they serve on his transition team. Daughter Ivanka sat in on a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shortly after the election. More From CNBC President-elect Donald Trump did something unusual Tuesday night at the second rally of his Thank You Tour in Fayetteville, N.C. he stopped the crowd from booing the press. The moment made a stark contrast from his regular rants against the media, when he often encouraged audiences to join in. A high-level source on Trumps transition team told Yahoo News that the shift in tone of the speech reflected the president-elects desire to focus on the military and veterans. The script to what were doing is not yet written. Remember, this has been a great, great movement, the likes of which theyve never seen before, Trump said, pointing to the reporters who were covering the rally. Taking what by now has become a familiar cue, the crowd interrupted him to rain boos down on the press pen. No, no, no, Trump said putting a stop to the jeers. Ill tell you and theyre saying it theyve never seen anything like this before. Its one of the great political phenomena of all time, and were going to show them. Were going to do a great job. Trump predicted his administration would make the country safe and prosperous. Its going to be something special. Hopefully, theyre going to write the truth, Trump said of the media. He added, We do not know what the page tomorrow will read. But for the first time in a long time, what we do know is that the pages will be authored by each and every one in this room and in our country. Attacks on the media were a staple of his rallies throughout the presidential campaign. The first rally of his post-election Thank You Tour on Dec. 1 also featured eight minutes of Trump railing against the press. A high-level source on Trumps transition team attributed the change in tone to Trumps desire that his comments on the military and veterans not be uninterrupted by other concerns. Focus was on military and vets. A singular and solid message that should be and was delivered uninterrupted by other issues, the source said in a text message. Story continues Earlier in the speech, Trump noted that Wednesday will be the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. He vowed to defeat the threats that currently face the country, which he described as the forces of terrorism. Trump also pointed out that Fayetteville is near the U.S. Army base of Fort Bragg, and praised the military families of North Carolina. He vowed that his administration would be focused on taking care of our veterans and the rebuilding of our military. That new initiative, Trump explained, would be in the service of seeking peace through strength rather than the nations current posture, which he criticized as a destructive cycle of intervention and chaos abroad. We want to be the smart people. We dont want to be what weve been over the last long period of time. We build up our military not as an act of aggression, but as an act of prevention. We pursue and build up arms not in order to seek conflict, but in order to avoid conflict, Trump said. Trump also formally introduced his choice for secretary of defense, retired Marine Gen. James Mattis, at the event. He called Mattis an extraordinary leader for our times and the general made some brief remarks. Along with curtailing his criticism of the media, Trump also only briefly diverged into discussing his performance in the election. We dont talk about numbers, Trump said at one point. We bring people together. But, boy, were those numbers good. Overall, the speech, which clocked in at just over 30 minutes, was about 20 minutes shorter than the one he delivered at his first post-election rally. Trump, who has been criticized for waging a divisive campaign, concluded on an inclusive note. We will heal our divisions and unify our country. When Americans are unified there is nothing we cannot do. Nothing. No task is too great, no dream too large, no goal beyond our reach, Trump said. My message tonight is for all Americans from all parties, all beliefs, all walks of life. Its a message for everybody, no matter your age, your income, your background. As he often does, Trump finished with his campaign slogan. Were going to make America like it says on all of those caps those millions and millions of caps that have been sold all over this country and all of those signs we are going to make America great again, greater than ever before, he said. Donald Trump In a departure from his usual pointed rhetoric about the press, President-elect Donald Trump stopped a crowd at his rally in North Carolina from booing the media. Trump was addressing supporters on the second stop of his "Thank You" tour Tuesday night. During the rally, Trump raised concerns about news coverage of his campaign, drawing some boos from the crowd. "No, no," he said. "We're going to create a prosperous country, we're going to have jobs again. Great jobs, not bad jobs, real jobs and it's going to be something special and hopefully theyre going to write the truth," Trump said, referring to journalists in attendance. A source on Trump's transition team cited by Yahoo News said Trump quieted the audience's jeering at the media to focus on the military. On the eve of the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Trump spent most of his speech discussing his plans to strengthen the US military and help veterans. During his campaign, Trump had a contentious relationship with members of the press, often accusing them of conspiring against his campaign and favoring his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. Earlier at the rally, Trump recounted some of the states he won in the election, but stopped short of talking numbers: We dont talk about numbers. We bring people together, but boy those numbers were good, Trump said. Trump won the Electoral College but lost the popular vote to Clinton, whose tally this week surpassed Trump by more than two and a half million ballots. Watch Trump's remarks below: NOW WATCH: Here's how the White House master bedroom has changed from president to president More From Business Insider Photo credit: Robyn Beckundefined From Esquire It should come as no surprise to anyone, and especially not to the people who were sent to live on the land in the first place, but the money power seems to have plans for Native American lands that do not involve sovereignty or anything like it, and that go far beyond pipeline products. From Reuters: Now, a group of advisers to President-elect Donald Trump on Native American issues wants to free those resources from what they call a suffocating federal bureaucracy that holds title to 56 million acres of tribal lands, two chairmen of the coalition told Reuters in exclusive interviews. The group proposes to put those lands into private ownership - a politically explosive idea that could upend more than century of policy designed to preserve Indian tribes on U.S.-owned reservations, which are governed by tribal leaders as sovereign nations. The tribes have rights to use the land, but they do not own it. They can drill it and reap the profits, but only under regulations that are far more burdensome than those applied to private property. "We should take tribal land away from public treatment," said Markwayne Mullin, a Republican U.S. Representative from Oklahoma and a Cherokee tribe member who is co-chairing Trump's Native American Affairs Coalition. "As long as we can do it without unintended consequences, I think we will have broad support around Indian country." Number of times in recent memory that the extraction industries have avoided "unintended consequences": Zero. It possibly has escaped the notice of the elves working in Trump Tower, but there's a certain spirit of rebellion awakened among the Native peoples of the continent. And this plan just reeks of the days when treaties were abrogated when gold was discovered on Indian land, and the ongoing horror of uranium mining on the Sioux lands in North Dakota. [contentlinks align="center" textonly="false" numbered="false" headline="Related%20Story" customtitles="The%20Dakota%20Pipeline%20Protest%20Was%20Temporary%20Triumph" customimages="" content="article.51253"] Story continues Don't worry, though. The Trump team has a Native American Affairs Coalition to watch out for the interests of their people. Trump's transition team commissioned the 27-member Native American Affairs Coalition to draw up a list of proposals to guide his Indian policy on issues ranging from energy to health care and education. The backgrounds of the coalition's leadership are one sign of its pro-drilling bent. At least three of four chair-level members have links to the oil industry. Mullin received about 8 percent of his campaign funding over the years from energy companies, while co-chair Sharon Clahchischilliage - a Republican New Mexico State Representative and Navajo tribe member - received about 15 percent from energy firms, according to campaign finance disclosures reviewed by Reuters. And that's not even to mention the fact that the incoming administration is committed whole hog-and I do mean hog-to carbon-based fuels in the face of scientific consensus and rising oceans. Dig, apparently, they must. Click here to respond to this post on the official Esquire Politics Facebook page. You Might Also Like President-elect Donald Trump's comments slamming Boeing's (BA) new Air Force One 747 airplane's $4 billion cost as being too high is being challenged by some analysts who also maintain the aircraft is absolutely necessary and worth it. Still, pressure from Trump could lead to changes in the program such as farming out integration work on the communications gear and other advanced systems on board the new Air Force One jumbo jets to a company other than Boeing. That would presumably mean Boeing would deliver the plane without all the special defensive and other equipment required for the 747 to operate as a flying command post during emergencies and wartime. "This is being targeted because it's high profile, not because it's high dollar," said Chris Higgins, a Morningstar defense analyst in Chicago. On Tuesday morning, the President-elect tweeted: "Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!" Higgins called the roughly $4 billion cost of the two presidential replacement jumbo jets "kind of peanuts" compared with larger big-ticket programs in the Air Force portfolio, including the F-35 joint strike fighter program from Lockheed Martin (LMT), as well as Boeing's $80 billion aerial tanker program and Northrop Grumman's (NOC) B-21 long-range strike bomber reported to cost tens of billions of dollars. "It's not a matter of if it will be replaced, but when," said Higgins. "They can continue to operate the current ones and extend their life. But it becomes more and more costly to do so given how old they are." Higgins noted that Trump as a candidate also made unfavorable comments about the F-35 , which is a program that includes purchases from all major branches of the U.S. military as well as key allies. "[Trump] seems in some of the comments that he's making to favor more spending on troops and manpower and readiness than on high-end military hardware." Story continues The Air Force has a little less than $3 billion budgeted for research and development (R&D) of the two new 747 Presidential jumbo jets through 2021 under the current budget request, or a figure above earlier budget estimates of $1.65 billion. Also, there's believed to be nearly $800 million planned for procurement of the presidential planes so that would put the latest cost at roughly $4 billion. "There might be cost overruns one day but there haven't been so far," said Richard Aboulafia, a senior aviation analyst at the Teal Group in Virginia. Boeing hasn't even started building the new Air Force One wide-body jet models known as 747-8, which would replace two 747-200s that date back to the early 1990s. Both of the current 747s used to fly the president are approaching the end of their 30-year life span. Boeing issued a statement Tuesday that seemed to imply it may be flexible on terms of the Air Force One program. "We are currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serve the unique requirements of the President of the United States," Boeing said in a statement. "We look forward to working with the U.S. Air Force on subsequent phases of the program allowing us to deliver the best planes for the president at the best value for the American taxpayer." A source told CNBC late on Tuesday that Boeing called the Trump transition team after the tweets, to say that the price of Air Force One could be cut if the specifications were lowered. Trump's transition team didn't respond to requests for further comment earlier in the day. The Air Force also declined comment when contacted. Aboulafia suggested that Trump's comments may reflect a "misunderstanding of what a president needs and what a president does. It [Air Force One] has the ability to direct and manage war in wartime and survive a war. It is an incredibly complex and expensive aircraft." Trump personally owns a Boeing 757 luxury jet that is outfitted with opulent amenities but analysts said that aircraft would require extensive and expensive upgrades to compare with the current model of Air Force One planes featuring technology that can serve as a military command post and offer midair refueling capabilities. Boeing's 747-8 aircraft the largest model in the iconic 747 series costs around $379 million each. With two 747s, that would get a total price tag of about $758 million just to procure two of the commercial jetliner versions of the planes. The actual cost in the current budget request is for $2.7 billion in R&D costs for the two replacement Air Force One 747 aircraft. "I'm skeptical about how much development do they really need to do for this (Air Force One replacement program)," said Dan Grazier, a former Marine Corps captain and defense industry expert at the Project On Government Oversight, a Washington watchdog group. "It's not like they're designing a brand new plane from the ground up. They already have the design, they already build 747s, and they have them in service." "There will be some upgrades and things like that but I would be skeptical too if I was looking at this program from President-elect Trump's view," Grazier added. "That does seem excessive that they need to spend that much money to further develop a plane already flying." Meantime, others say the newer Air Force Ones will be more efficient from a fuel perspective and maintenance standpoint. Moreover, it will have newer equipment and the latest defensive technology that will provide added safety for future presidents. The current Air Force One plane was used by President Bush during 9/11 as a command post when the U.S. was under attack by terrorists. Boeing, an aerospace giant known for its jumbo jets and tech prowess in building previous Air Force Ones, would seem to be the obvious choice to supply new presidential planes but the U.S. government could decide buy the two 747 jumbo jets from the Chicago-based manufacturer and then move the integration and installation work to another company. The integration work would involve the missile defense systems capabilities on board the aircraft, special communications and electronic equipment, cutting-edge avionics and advanced technology that allows the plane to serve essentially as a flying Oval Office. Yet splitting the integration work outside Boeing might be difficult since the aerospace giant knows the aircraft well, having manufactured it and building previous Air Force Ones. Also, taking the integration work to another company might not lower the cost. Back in 2009, the presidential Marine One helicopter replacement program generated headlines when the cost of brand new VH-71 Kestrel helicopters from Lockheed Martin ballooned from $6 billion to $13 billion. It ultimately led to the cancellation of the program by President Obama. The new Marine One, based on Lockheed's Sikorsky S-92, will instead be based on existing helicopter technology. The controversy surrounding the new Air Force One planes comes amid softening demand for Boeing's iconic 747 aircraft and uncertainty surrounding the future of the presidential replacement program could threaten jobs at the manufacturer's aerospace facilities in Washington state. In particular, analysts suggested the jobs of engineers working on defense-type aircraft could be at risk. At present, one of the largest confirmed orders for 747-8 model planes is 14 planes from United Parcel Service (UPS) for $5.3 billion. That single deal for cargo jets has been held out as one that will keep thousands of jobs for the 747 program's commercial program. Prior to that, the aging 747 plane had seen reduced orders due to more demand for newer models. There are a total of 558 of the Boeing 747 airplanes flying today, with 292 of them for cargo purposes and the remainder largely for passenger service. Most of the new commercial aircraft orders Boeing has been seeing recently are for the 737 narrow-body model and new 787 Dreamliner, a wide-body plane. "From our perspective, given a largely sold out 747 position to 2019 and its limited commercial margin along with any spending spanning into the next decade, the impact to Boeing's outlook is likely limited, particularly in the next 1-2 years," Morgan Stanley equity analyst Rajeev Lalwani said in a research note Tuesday. Indeed, last year Boeing delivered just over 760 commercial airplanes and this year has a target to deliver 745 to 750 aircraft so the potential loss of two replacement Air Force Ones may not be significant from a financial standpoint, according to analysts. More importantly, they suggest the presidential aircraft is a symbol of prestige for the U.S. manufacturer around the globe. More From CNBC Donald Trump has selected retired Marine Gen. John Kelly to lead the Department of Homeland Security the Washington Post reported Wednesday. The pick disappointed some immigration hawks, who hoped the president-elect would tap Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach to lead the agency. One of those Kobach supporters is Rosemary Jenks, director of government relations at NumbersUSA, an organization that seeks to reduce both legal and illegal immigration. Jenks said on Tuesday that she preferred Kobach to lead the governments third-largest agency, which is responsible for fighting terrorism and enforcing the nations immigration laws. Donald Trump didnt just campaign on building the wall he also campaigned on protecting American workers by reducing immigration, Jenks said. We have no idea what Gen. Kellys views on immigration are or what his experience is. Thats a problem. Jenks said Trump was the first president in her lifetime who campaigned and won on reducing immigration and she wants to make sure his homeland security chief is also on board. After the Washington Post reported the Kelly selection Wednesday, Jenks released a statement praising Kelly for being committed to protecting Americans, but said he had yet to show his commitment to enforcing immigration laws. Gen. Kellys background provides assurance that he would be fully committed and experienced to protect the physical security of the American people, she said. We will be looking for immediate signs that he will show the same commitment to enforcing immigration laws to protect the economic security of American workers and their families. The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), a group that wants to further limit legal and illegal immigration to the United States, also released a statement praising Kelly, but urged Trump to tap Kobach for another role in the administration. The Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled FAIR a hate group because its founder John Tanton has expressed concerns about the country accepting nonwhite immigrants. Story continues Trump reportedly considered Kobach, as well as former Bush counterterrorism official Frances Townsend, Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke and House Homeland Security Committee Chair Rep. Mike McCaul for the job before settling on Kelly. The retired Marine general was in charge of the U.S. Southern Command, including the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, before his retirement earlier this year. Kelly has spoken of the need for strong security on the U.S.-Mexico border, but also has shown some empathy when speaking about why migrants choose to flee their home countries in the first place. In a 2015 interview, he described how the drug trade had corrupted government officials in Central America, leading to the violence that prompted tens of thousands of children to flee the area on their own and cross into the United States illegally. Frankly, theyre better off in our country, Kelly said. Im not saying they should stay, but theyre better off here. Kelly has spoken about illegal immigration as a national security threat, warning in congressional testimony last year that terrorist organizations could infiltrate smuggling routes to the U.S. This isnt a sufficiently aggressive stand, however, for the immigration hawks who have entered the mainstream with Trumps election. Conservative pundit Ann Coulter endorsed Kobach for the role, and retweeted a link to a story Wednesday that suggested Kobach could be tapped as Kellys deputy in the department. While working in the Justice Department under President George W. Bush, Kobach designed a registry for men visiting the country from majority Muslim countries that resulted in thousands of deportations. He also created the controversial SB 1070 immigration law adopted by Arizona in 2010, which was partially overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. Kobach was photographed walking to his interview with Trump holding a paper outlining his plans for the office, which included the Muslim registry and banning the entry of Syrian refugees. Its unclear what Kelly would think of reinstating a registry to track visitors from high-risk countries. In an interview with NPR last year, he spoke of how Islam had been corrupted by al-Qaida and the Islamic State. When I said its corrupted, the vast majority of Muslims are wonderful people, whether they live here in the United States or overseas, he said. He added that the ideology of terror groups was conducted by people who are truly not representative of Islam, and stuck in the seventh century or eighth century. Kelly said the question of how the West could win that ideological battle was above his pay grade. As a military guy, its simple for me, he said. My part of this equation is to kill as many of them as we can. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation recently changed its messaging format for AMBER and Silver Alerts in an effort to provide drivers with pertinent information to help law enforcement and families locate endangered children and missing adults with cognitive impairment. Drivers now traveling past an electronic message board during an alert will receive a description of the vehicle and its license plate number instead of having to call 511 or tune to a local radio station for more information. However, drivers can still utilize these services to receive more information. Donald Trump has picked a prominent critic of the Environmental Protection Agency with close ties to energy companies Wednesday to run that very same agency he has criticized, transition officials told the New York Times. Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt met with the president-elect Wednesday for the second time since the election though he was not considered a frontrunner for the position. Pruitt, 48, is well-known for his criticism of the EPA, which he claims imposes unnecessary and costly regulations on energy companies. As attorney general of Oklahoma, he has sued the EPA before over water regulations and climate change regulations to cut carbon dioxide emissions for power plants. As an administrator, Pruitt would have the ability to steer the agencys regulatory efforts and priorities. While he would likely be unable to immediately revoke finalized EPA climate change rules pushed by the Obama administration like caps on automobile emissions, he could still direct the agency to begin the lengthy process of repealing the rules. As for the Clean Power Planone of the issues Pruitt sued the EPA over and a major part of Obamas climate effortsthe unknown results of an ongoing court challenge to the rule make it difficult to determine its future and how vulnerable it may be to a new EPA head. Pruitt has proven to be a close ally to energy firms in the past. As attorney general, he sent an official letter to EPA officials in October 2011 stating that emissions and air pollution from new natural gas well drilling in his state was being overestimated by the agency, which was reviewing the issue. The New York Times later reported that the letter had been written almost entirely by lawyers for one of Oklahomas biggest oil and gas companies, Devon Energy. Pruitt's letter, sent on state stationary, was only marginally different from the one Devon Energy provided. Pruitt has also pushed back against Democratic attorneys general in the country who have sought to investigate Exxon Mobil over concerns that the company had misled investors and the public about the dangers of climate change. Story continues "You couldn't pick a better fossil fuel industry puppet. Pruitt formed a secret alliance with oil and coal companies to gut our environmental regulations and has defended ExxonMobil's climate cover-up," May Boeve, the executive director of 350.org, an environmental advocacy group, said in a statement. "This is a man who cares more about the profits of coal company CEOs than the health of our children or the future of our planet." Pruitt has been Oklahoma's attorney general since 2011. He previously served for eight years in the Oklahoma State Senate where his official state biography says he was a leading voice for fiscal responsibility, religious freedom and pro-life issues. Related Articles Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f311211%2fpruitt It almost sounds like farce, except it's true: President-elect Donald Trump has tapped a climate-change denier to run the federal agency in charge of reducing the nation's planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. Trump on Wednesday nominated Scott Pruitt, the Republican attorney general in oil-rich Oklahoma, to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Trump transition officials told reporters. Pruitt has a long record of suing the agency he has been nominated to lead, including opposing the agency's Clean Power Plan, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. SEE ALSO: So, that happened: Al Gore meets with Donald and Ivanka Trump on climate Pruitt, who keeps close ties to the fossil fuel industry, has been one of the most vocal critics of the Obama administration's environmental agenda. He has described himself as a "leading advocate" against the current EPA's "activist agenda," which includes landmark rules to curb state's carbon emissions and accelerate the country's transition to cleaner energy sources. President-elect Donald Trump speaks to members of the media in the lobby at Trump Tower in New York, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. Image: Andrew harnik/AP Despite the far-reaching consensus among the world's climate scientists that humans are causing climate change, Pruitt claims that the "debate is far from settled," according to a May op-ed he co-authored in the conservative magazine National Journal. "Scientists continue to disagree about the degree and extent of global warming and its connections to the actions of mankind," Pruitt wrote, along with Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange. "That debate should be encouraged in classrooms, public forums, and the halls of Congress." Pruitt and Strange were responding to a group of Democratic attorneys general who are investigating whether U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil Corp. had deliberately misled the public and investors about the risks that climate change poses to its business. Story continues "We won't be joining this coalition, and we hope that those attorneys general who have joined will disavow it," Pruitt and Strange wrote. Pruitt is part of a different coalition of Republican attorneys general who have forged an alliance with some of the biggest oil and gas producers to push back against the Obama administration's environmental rules, a 2014 New York Times investigation found. As part of that alliance, Pruitt joined an effort by 28 other attorneys general to dismantle the EPA's Clean Power Plan. The rule, which took effect last year, requires states to take measures to cut carbon emissions from power plants to 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. The Clean Power Plan is central to America's climate commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement, an international deal to limit global warming that entered force last month. The U.S. has promised to cut its total greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels in 2025. Trump has vowed to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement, which foreign leaders, scientists and environmentalists have urged him not to do. Trump's nominee to lead EPA, Scott Pruitt, is a climate denier who's worked closely with the fossil fuel industry. That's sad and dangerous. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) December 7, 2016 I expect the American people will be shocked that President-elect Trump has chosen someone with such disdain for their health to lead @EPA. pic.twitter.com/LaMWgx8zhY Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) December 7, 2016 Trump's intentions to appoint someone who is at the very least skeptical of the EPA's power were made clear when he appointed well-known climate denier Myron Ebell, a researcher at a Washington think tank, to lead the transition effort at the agency. Ebell has claimed that the Clean Power Plan is illegal. Environmental groups condemned the nomination, and some Democratic senators began to announce their opposition to the appointment on Wednesday. However, it's not clear that many Republican senators, many of whom share his views on global warming and the EPA's actions under Obama, will oppose Pruitt. "Pruitt has fought back against unconstitutional and overzealous environmental regulations like Waters of the U.S. and the Clean Power Plan; he has proven that being a good steward of the environment does not mean burdening tax payers and businesses with red tape," said Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Inhofe, who is the Senate's most prominent climate denier, in a statement. Pretty much the only way you could do worse is to put a coal slurry spill in charge. Robert McNees (@mcnees) December 7, 2016 "Donald Trumps decision to nominate Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt represents a serious attack on American values. Its now up to the Senate to stand on the right side of history and fight for our families by defeating this nomination," said Tom Steyer, a billionaire Democratic activist who leads the group NextGen Climate. May Boeve, the executive director of 350.org, issued a statement that was equally critical of Pruitt. "You couldn't pick a better fossil fuel industry puppet," she said. "This is a man who cares more about the profits of coal company CEOs than the health of our children or the future of our planet." The Pruitt pick comes just two days after Trump offered a glimmer of hope to environmentalists by meeting with former vice president and renowned climate activist Al Gore. "Pruitt's appointment reveals Trump's climate flip-flopping and meetings with Gore as nothing more than a smokescreen," Boeve said in her statement. Shares of The Boeing Company BA lost a mere 0.1% in the pre-market trading session on Dec 6, after President-elect Donald Trump slammed the aerospace giant on Twitter for developing an expensive version of Air Force One. However, at the end of the day, the stock bounced back and remained steady at $152.24. Trumps Tweet In a Twitter post, Americas commander-in-chief urged the federal government to cancel an order to Boeing, involving the remodeling of 2 Air Force One aircraft as the costs associated with the project are deemed out of control. In particular, Trump claims a figure of over $4 billion to be the exact cost of this Air Force One replacement program. Consequent to the post, Trump stressed on his message later at the Trump Tower lobby by saying that Boeing is imposing ridiculously high price for the production of new 747 planes on the U.S. government although he is not against the companys profit-maximizing strategy. White Houses Response The White House has raised questions over the facts stated in Trumps tweet. In particular, the White House press secretary believes that the quoted expense figure does not fairly reflect the financial terms of the deal inked between Boeing and the Department of Defense (DoD) earlier this year. Boeings Reaction In retaliation to Trumps tweet, Boeing came forward with a statement that the companys current deal with DoD, involving evaluation of the capabilities of the two new jets, is valued at $170 million. Going forward, the company plans to continue to work on the subsequent phases of the replacement program with the U.S. Air Force, the cost for which has been kept under wraps. This clearly indicates that the replacement project is at a nascent stage and the final deal is yet to be signed. The Visible Facts With the current Air Force One fleet, served by Boeings heavy model 747-200 aircraft, slated to reach the end of the planned 30-year life in 2017, the White House has been urging the DoD for a replacement. In Jan 2016, Boeing secured a contract worth $25.8 million to start research work on replacing the current Air Force models with the more fuel-efficient 747-8 model the only four-engine commercial jet Boeing makes, providing an extra margin of flight safety over the more standard twin-engine planes. Story continues The engineering and manufacturing phase is expected to start in 2017. Although the Air Force did not offer any specific expectation for the cost and time of these replacements, the latest estimate has been $2.7 billion for the initial stage of the project involving research, development, testing and evaluation. According to Associated Press, the new jets will begin service from 2024. Therefore it is not clear as to what led Trump to make such a statement. When questioned, Trump couldnt substantiate the figures with proper facts. However, a Mar 2016 report from the Government Accountability Office, a watchdog agency, estimated the total cost of the two 747's at $3.2 billion. This might possibly be the reason for Trumps tweet. Our View We believe this tweet has not been very damaging for Boeing as its share price remained a promising indicator. Also, although this might be viewed as a cost-cutting initiative by the next commander-in-chief, the implementation of the same will call for approval from other parts of the administration as well. The Air Force One has been protecting the U.S. president since 1910 with its specialized military enhancements. With increasing security threats and the fact that the current Air Force One planes will soon become outdated, the U.S. administration will most probably never scrap the deal for upgrading the lot, for the presidents sake. Therefore, the deal is likely to remain with Boeing, the only aircraft major that serves the President directly, amidst a peer group that includes Lockheed Martin Corp. LMT, Northrop Grumman Corporation NOC and a few others. However, over the past one year, the company gained 71.36%, below the Zacks categorized Aerospace-Defense industrys 82.85%. This could have been triggered by the budget volatility, uncertainties related to high-cost programs, risks associated with key project executions and order cancellations. Zacks Rank & Key Pick Boeing carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A better-ranked stock in the same space is Engility Holdings, Inc. EGL, with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Last quarter, Engilitys earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 36.84%. The companys EPS growth for next year is pegged at 31.70%. Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand.Click to see them now>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report NORTHROP GRUMMN (NOC): Free Stock Analysis Report BOEING CO (BA): Free Stock Analysis Report LOCKHEED MARTIN (LMT): Free Stock Analysis Report ENGILITY HLDGS (EGL): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Washington (AFP) - Whether giving an impromptu media briefing, tweeting before dawn or revealing a cabinet nominee at a rally, US President-elect Donald Trump's methods of communicating his news have been totally unorthodox for an incoming head of state, making press releases seem positively old-fashioned. - Sheet of paper - "This is Masa of SoftBank from Japan." The president-elect stepped out of the gold elevator in his Manhattan skyscraper Trump Tower on Tuesday, and made an unexpected announcement to the reporters who have been camped in the lobby since his election. Masayoshi Son, the flamboyant head of Japanese telecoms giant and a self-made billionaire, had "just agreed to invest $50 billion in the United States and 50,000 jobs," the president-elect said, putting his arm around his grinning visitor. The Japanese magnate then held up a piece of paper that looked like a printout of a PowerPoint presentation slide. It had logos for SoftBank and Taiwanese technology group Foxconn, as well as the figures announced by Trump. But no other details were available. Economic announcements of this magnitude are rare and generally take place through a news release or a carefully planned news conference, requiring the efforts of many public relations experts who carefully consider every word and gesture. - Early morning tweets - Trump's transition team published an official statement last Friday to confirm that the president-elect had spoken on the phone with the president of Taiwan -- breaking from decades of diplomatic tradition -- sending watchers of the delicate US-China relationship into a tizzy. The president-elect followed it up with two tweets, declaring that Tsai Ing-wen had "CALLED ME" and how he found it "interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call." As controversy swirled, Trump's top advisor Kellyanne Conway and his incoming vice-president Mike Pence appeared on Sunday morning news programs to quiet the brewing storm. That night, Trump went on a Twitter tirade against China, blasting Beijing for its currency policies, taxing US imports and building military installations in the South China Sea. Story continues Before dawn that same day, the political novice also announced on Twitter that he planned to heavily tax companies that move their operations abroad. The outburst didn't fit within 140 characters, so he made the statement in a string of six tweets to form one long sentence. - Televised nomination reveal - Steven Mnuchin (tapped to become Treasury secretary) and Wilbur Ross (commerce pick) announced on CNBC television that they had been appointed to their positions by Trump. The official announcement was published several hours later. And while members of his future cabinet were talking on the "Squawk Box" program, Trump announced in a tweet that he would hold a news conference on December 15 to explain how he will separate himself from his real estate empire to avoid conflicts of interest while in the White House. - Surprise rally reveal - As for the nomination of his future Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, the president-elect announced the pick during a rally in Cincinnati, Ohio, the first stop of his "thank you tour" in the industrial states that gave him the presidency. "We are going to appoint 'Mad Dog' Mattis as our secretary of defense," Trump told cheering supporters. "But we're not announcing it until Monday so don't tell anybody," he quipped. To date, no official announcement has been made. WASHINGTON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - A top sales executive of a canned tuna company, Walter Scott Cameron, has agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to fix the price of tuna, the Justice Department said on Wednesday. The department did not name the company that Cameron works for but a separate, private lawsuit filed in the matter identifies him as working for Bumble Bee.. Cameron and other, unnamed conspirators agreed to fix the price of tuna sold to consumers in the United States from 2011 to 2013, the department said. Cameron agreed to pay a fine and to cooperate with the probe. Bumble Bee said in a statement that it was cooperating with the Justice Department, and had put Cameron on paid leave. "The Company is hopeful that it can reach a resolution with DOJ (Justice Department) on this matter, as it relates to the company, in early 2017," said Jill Irvin, Bumble Bee's general counsel. Cameron declined to comment. The canned tuna market in the United States has long been dominated by three brands, Thai Union's Chicken of the Sea, Bumble Bee and Starkist. About a year ago, the U.S. Justice Department told Thai Union Group Pcl, the world's largest canned tuna producer and owner of Chicken of the Sea, that it would file a lawsuit to stop its acquisition of U.S. rival Bumble Bee. (Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Frances Kerry) TUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisia's powerful UGTT union has cancelled a planned public sector general strike after reaching a deal with the government on salary increases covering the next two years, officials said on Wednesday. The agreement reduces the prospect of widespread social unrest over austerity measures proposed in the 2017 draft budget, though the government still faces protests and industrial action from several sectors. The UGTT had called a strike for Thursday over a proposed freeze on public sector wage increases. Under a compromise deal signed on Wednesday, the government will spread wage rises over the next two years, government and union officials told Reuters. The UGTT also said it had also cancelled a private sector strike after entering salary negotiations with the UTICA industry and business employers' association. Tunisia has been praised as a rare Arab example of moderate politics and democratic transition since the overthrow of autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali in a 2011 uprising. But its economy has struggled and it faces pressure from international lenders to reduce public spending and cut the deficit. The IMF says public sector pay in the North African state accounts for about 13.5 percent of gross domestic product, one of the highest rates in the world. Many Tunisians are concerned about the rising cost of living, unemployment and the continued marginalisation of rural areas - factors that helped fuel the country's uprising and, more recently, Islamist militancy among some disaffected young men. (Reporting by Tarek Amara; Editing by Aidan Lewis and Mark Heinrich) GENEVA (Reuters) - Turkmenistan must renounce torture, a U.N. body said on Wednesday, accusing the country of systematic abuse, including rape and beating in jail, and political disappearances. "The Committee (against Torture) is seriously concerned at consistent allegations of widespread torture and ill-treatment, including severe beatings, of persons deprived of their liberty, especially at the moment of apprehension and during pretrial detention, mainly in order to extract confessions," it said. The body called on President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov to make "a public statement affirming unambiguously that torture will not be tolerated", adding that nobody had been prosecuted for torture, despite widely publicized cases. Turkmenistan's Foreign Ministry and its diplomats in Geneva could not be reached for comment. Earlier on Wednesday, the ministry said the government was working closely with international human rights bodies and was improving its legal framework, including the prison system. Turkmenistan reportedly holds 90 people in long-term detention, amounting to enforced disappearance, the panel of 10 independent rights experts said. They were particularly concerned about the whereabouts of people convicted in relation to an assassination attempt on a former president in 2002. A former foreign minister, Boris Shikhmuradov, and a former ambassador, Batyr Berdiev, disappeared in 2002, committee member Felice Gaer told a news conference and there had been no information about what happened to them. Turkmenistan has failed to investigate the abduction of Atymurad Annamuradov, who was beaten to death in retaliation for the work of his brother, Chary Annamuradov, a journalist. Three other brothers also died in suspicious circumstances, the committee said. Many prisoners had reportedly died because of conditions at Ovadan-Depe jail, and inmates with infectious diseases were held with healthy prisoners, only getting hospitalized "when they are close to death or through bribing the relevant officials", the committee said. Political prisoners were detained in psychiatric hospitals, and there were reports of abuse including sexual violence and rape by prison staff, resulting in several suicides, it said. Turkmenistan does not allow independent organizations such as the Red Cross to monitor detention facilities, nor does it allow U.N. rights experts to investigate in the country. The Foreign Ministry said diplomats from Europe, the United States, the OSCE and the United Nations visited a juvenile correctional facility on Tuesday. (Reporting by Tom Miles, Stephanie Nebehay and Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Robin Pomeroy) Denise Albert, the co-founder of The MOMS, is speaking out after what she calls an horrific pat down from Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at the Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday all over medication related to her breast cancer treatment. Albert, who is a frequent guest on PIX11 Morning News, told the outlet that she was traveling through security when she was pulled aside by agents for a manual search. The cause for further search was a medical cream she had packed in her carry on luggage, Albert told PIX11. Albert wrote on The MOMS website that the medical cream is not usually an issue and shes been granted approval to carry it on other flights. She also noted that she made the agents aware of the medication and her medical port before the patdown. I dont know what was different this time but TSA agents aggressively attempted to do a body cavity search in public, said Albert in the post. I was TSA precheck and once through the scanner they asked me to take off my shoes. I explained I didnt have socks on and that my cream is for an infection from my current treatment, including on my feet. According to Albert, the TSA agents told her they needed to perform a full body pat down, using as much pressure as necessary. She was forced to remove her wig, and remained barefoot for at least 20 minutes during the ordeal. I told them my feet were freezing, Albert wrote online. Also a side effect from chemo. They refused to help me. The woman reached behind me and forceable and aggressively put her hands down my jeans in the back. She explained, When I kept asking why they needed to do all of this, they kept saying because I wanted to bring medical cream on the plane. The entire incident was caught on camera, and only ended when a supervisor arrived and moved the emotional Albert to a private room for a regular soft pat down, she said, noting that all of her bags were still searched. Story continues The 2 TSA agents in my video went too far, wrote Albert. I hope no one ever experiences this. Albert was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in late 2015, and began chemo and radiation in February after having a lumpectomy. Albert told PIX11 of the experience, It was overwhelming and horrific. I could not believe what was happening. According to the TSA website, those with TSA Precheck do not need to remove their shoes. Further, if a passenger has a medical condition, they also do not need to remove their shoes. Necessary medication and creams are allowed, but the passenger must inform the TSA officer before the screening begins and the product must pass through an X-ray scanner. In a statement to PIX11, the TSA said, The Transportation Security Administration takes reports of alleged impropriety very seriously. TSA is currently looking into the specific details as to what occurred during the screening process to ensure our security protocols were followed, the statement continued. We regret any distress the security screening process may have caused the passenger. We will work with the passenger directly to address her concerns. A Twitter campaign was underway Tuesday as calls grew to fire the New York City police officer whose chokehold killed an unarmed black man selling untaxed cigarettes in 2014. Daniel Pantaleo employed the chokehold after he said Eric Garner was resisting arrest for selling "loosies," or single cigarettes, in public. The entire deadly episode was captured on video by a bystander but a grand jury failed to indict Pantaleo. The hashtag "#FirePantaleo" was trending on Twitter Tuesday afternoon as users crafted pleas to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to fire Pantaleo, who is still a member of the NYPD on modified assignment. The tweets implored de Blasio to act swiftly, noting that it has been about a year and a half since Garner's death, which has gone unpunished. Some of the tweets reasoned that keeping Pantaleo on the force tainted the image of the NYPD. Other suggested Pantaleo was rewarded with a pay raise and being allowed to keep his pension. Pantaleo was earning $120,000 in annual compensation from the NYPD, the New York Daily News reported in September. A sampling of the tweets follow below: While it was not clear how, or if, de Blasio would react to the calls on Twitter, Pantaleo could still be tried by the NYPD, local news outlet am New York reported Monday. De Blasio could also fire him, but Pantaleo would effectively be removed from the police force if convicted in a departmental trial. However, the only way a departmental trial could happen and move forward is with the blessing of NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill and de Blasio. Story continues Garner, a 43 year old father of six who had asthma, died July 17 after officers approached him for selling loose, untaxed cigarettes on a public street in the Staten Island borough of New York City. The video that recorded the interaction showed Pantaleo putting him in a chokehold while police officers joined in trying to restrain him after Garner questioned why he was being handcuffed. Selling loose, untaxed cigarettes is a misdemeanor that can result in a citation being issued on the spot. The official cause of death was homicide by way of compression of the neck and chest, according to the city medical examiner. Garner's last words "I cant breathe! I cant breathe!" would go on to become a rallying cry of sorts for the Black Lives Matter social justice movement against police brutality. The video of Garner's interaction with police follows below. Warning: The below video contains graphic language and content. Related Articles (Reuters) - Two juveniles have been arrested and charged with arson in connection with deadly Tennessee wildfires that broke out last in and around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, state officials said on Wednesday. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesman Josh DeVine declined to release details about the juveniles because of their ages and the ongoing investigation. Fourteen people died in the fires, which have damaged and destroyed more than 1,750 structures, local and federal authorities said in a statement. It was the highest death toll from wildfires in the United States since 2013, when 19 firefighters died near Prescott, Arizona. "Our promise is that we will do our very best to help bring closure to those who have lost so much," Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director Mark Gwyn said in a statement. The largest of the blazes, the so-called Chimney Tops 2, broke out on Nov. 23 in a remote rugged area dubbed Chimney Tops in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, authorities said. Fed by drought-parched brush and trees and stoked by fierce winds, the flames quickly spread, turning into an inferno that roared out of the park. Thousands of people were forced to evacuate their homes and businesses. A large amount of the damage was in Gatlinburg, known as the "gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains," in eastern Tennessee, about 40 miles (64 km) southeast of Knoxville. (Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles) By Charlotte Greenfield WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Two senior New Zealand ministers threw their support behind Finance Minister Bill English on Wednesday, underpinning his front-runner position in the race to replace John Key, who announced his shock resignation this week. Social Services Minister Paula Bennett and Transport Minister Simon Bridges said they were both running to become deputy leader and would back English's leadership bid. English, who is also deputy leader of the ruling center-right National Party, announced his candidacy on Tuesday after Key's resignation statement on Monday. Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Police Minister Judith Collins have also put their names forward. Other contenders, such as senior cabinet minister Stephen Joyce, may yet still emerge before the party holds a caucus meeting on Monday to vote for a new leader. "Bill does look in a very strong position to take this," said Jon Johansson, political scientist at Victoria University in Wellington. Several cabinet members, including Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse and Primary Industry Minister Nathan Guy, have declared their support for English. A recent UMR survey of voters pegged English as favorite to replace Key on 21 percent, followed by Joyce on 16 percent, Bennett on 11 percent and Collins on 6 percent. Coleman was not ranked in the survey, which was conducted in early October, but said he had youth and energy on his side. National elections are not expected until late 2017. Key has been New Zealand's leader since 2008 and the National Party is part way through a third, three-year term that has been marked by political stability and economic reform. Some questioned whether the clamor over the leadership contest pointed to more turbulent times for the National Party. New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters, with whom the National Party may need to strike a deal to form a parliamentary majority after the 2017 election, traded jabs with Key on Wednesday in parliament. "All we're hearing from ... the spills coming out of caucus is terrible instability, feuding, backstabbing, fighting," Peters said. Key laughed off the attack, pointing toward opposition parties and saying: "We actually have a capable caucus in which we actually know each other and like each other, quite a bit different from over there." (Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Nick Macfie) ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish warplanes pounded 12 Islamic State targets in the al-Bab region of northern Syria on Wednesday, killing 23 militants, the military said. The air strikes were launched as Syrian rebels, backed by Turkish troops and firepower, besiege Islamic State controlled al-Bab as part of the three-month-old Euphrates Shield operation to push the jihadists and a Kurdish militia away from Turkey's border. Separately, one Turkish soldier was killed and six were wounded, one of them seriously, in a vehicle-borne bomb attack in the area on Wednesday morning, the military said in its statement. Media reports had earlier said two soldiers were killed in the attack. Military and hospital officials said the wounded soldiers were transported to hospitals in the southeastern Turkish city of Gaziantep. Wednesday's air strikes targeted buildings used by Islamic State fighters as well as three tanks and a bomb-laded vehicle, the army said. Nine similar targets were destroyed in air raids the previous evening, it said in an earlier statement. The advance by largely Turkmen and Arab rebels backed by Turkey towards al-Bab, the last urban stronghold of Islamic State in the northern Aleppo countryside, potentially pits them against both Kurdish fighters and Syrian government forces. Last month an air strike, which Turkey's military initially assessed to have been carried out by the Syrian air force, killed three Turkish soldiers in the region. Moscow has said neither Russian nor Syrian armed forces carried out the attack. (Reporting by Tulay Karadeniz; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Humeyra Pamuk and David Dolan) By Dan Whitcomb (Reuters) - A Michigan state appeals court on Tuesday ordered a halt to the recount of that state's presidential election vote sought by Green Party candidate Jill Stein, while a federal appeals court ordered the process to proceed. The conflicting rulings had both sides claiming victory but left unclear on Tuesday evening where Stein's bid to recount the vote in Michigan stood. The Green Party candidate, who received only about 1 percent of the presidential vote on Nov. 8, sued in federal court in Pennsylvania on Monday to try to force a statewide recount of U.S. presidential votes there. Stein also pushed for a recount that is under way in Wisconsin, which with Michigan and Pennsylvania, was key to Republican President-elect Donald Trump's victory. "Today, Trump and his GOP allies in Michigan tried everything in the book to stop the recount, and they failed. This recount is continuing in spite of their efforts to suppress the vote," said Matthew Brinckerhoff, a lawyer for the Stein campaign. Brinckerhoff was referring to a ruling by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that the recount should continue in Michigan. The 6th Circuit's decision came within hours of an order by the state Michigan Court of Appeals that the recount be halted, on the grounds that Stein was "not an aggrieved candidate" with standing to demand one. "Im grateful, and I know Michigan taxpayers agree, that the Michigan Court of Appeals has adhered to the rule of law, and clarity in our Michigan statute in agreeing that Jill Stein is not an aggrieved candidate and the recall must stop," the state's Republican attorney general, Bill Schuette, said in a written statement. Stein's moves are unlikely to change the outcome of the election but she has maintained they are necessary to ensure the integrity of voting systems. Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin defied their recent history of supporting Democratic presidential candidates and handed Trump narrow wins that ultimately gave him victory over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Clinton's campaign has said it would take part in the recounts. (Reporting by Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Cooney) By Caroline Humer NEW YORK (Reuters) - The largest lobbying group for health insurers has asked U.S. lawmakers weighing the fate of Obamacare to push back the due date for 2018 individual insurance submissions to regulators in hopes of obtaining greater clarity on the program's future later on. Republican leaders including President-elect Donald Trump and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have said they are keen to repeal President Barack Obama's signature health insurance program, the Affordable Care Act, which provides coverage to millions of Americans. The process of repealing and replacing Obamacare could take two to three years, however, according to some senators. How much of the law will change and when is still unclear. Trump has said some aspects of the program are good, such as allowing young adults to stay insured with their parents until age 26. The trade association Americas Health Insurance Plans, or AHIP, has been speaking with senators for the past few weeks, spokeswoman Kristine Grow said on Tuesday. She provided a list of issues under discussion, which touch on the individual exchanges, Medicare and Medicaid. Insurers backed the idea of high-risk pools, saying they can mitigate the risk of adverse selection and deliver effective coverage. Both Trump and his choice to head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Tom Price, advocate for use of the pools to insure the very sick. Two of AHIP's largest members are Anthem Inc and Cigna Corp, both of which plan to sell Obamacare plans in 2017. Insurers also asked for funding through Jan. 1, 2019, for cost-sharing programs and making the 2016 reinsurance payments to insurers who qualify for them as planned. And they asked for elimination of two health insurance taxes, which they said would help slow premium growth. They suggested extending the deadline to file health exchange plans by a few months until the summer of 2017, when there will be less uncertainty and more insurers are likely to submit bids. Insurers are asking senators for limited changes to the Medicaid program during the transition period, and to ensure a transition period for states that have expanded Medicaid, the program for the poor jointly funded by the federal government and states. Republicans are considering changing its funding to block grants, which could cut the total amount. On Medicare, the insurers are seeking changes as soon as February, when the government will propose target rates for 2018 Medicare Advantage plans. (Editing by Matthew Lewis) By Jack Kim and Ju-min Park SEOUL (Reuters) - Besides South Korean President Park Geun-hye, the biggest casualty of the country's mushrooming political corruption scandal may be the presidential aspirations of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Although he has not declared his candidacy, Ban was until a month ago the front-runner in opinion polls to win the election scheduled for Dec. 20, 2017, a race he was widely expected to contest from Park's conservative Saenuri Party. But the scandal that has become known as "Park Geun-hye-Gate" and threatens Park's presidency has sowed division in the party. An impeachment vote is set for later this week, and Ban's standing in polls has declined, while the Saenuri has become a much less viable platform for a run. "It doesn't make any sense at all now for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to join the Saenuri Party. Unless he is stupid, he would never join Saenuri, would he?," said Choung Byoung-gug, a Saenuri lawmaker who co-heads an anti-Park faction that favors formation of a new conservative party. It is not unusual for a major South Korean political party to break into factions, with the mainstream forming a new party. "If a new sound conservative party is set up, then it may be a different situation, but at this point it is too early to say," said Choung. Ban, 72, was South Korean foreign minister from 2004-2006 under the liberal President Roh Moo-hyun, but was a non-partisan career diplomat. He now faces the prospect of having no party to join to make use of the political machinery crucial to running a campaign. That institutional support is especially important given that Ban has been based in New York for a decade and has never run for office in South Korea. Time is also not on Ban's side if Park is forced to exit sooner than later. Last week, Park sought to head off calls for her immediate resignation or impeachment by asking parliament to come up with a plan and timetable for her to step down. A top Saenuri official said on Tuesday she was willing to accept her party's proposal to step down in April. The opposition however has called for an impeachment vote for Dec. 9. If parliament votes for impeachment, which is not a certainty given the two-thirds majority needed would require the support of roughly 30 members of Park's Saenuri party, the Constitutional Court would still need to uphold the motion, a process that could take months. Park said if she was impeached she would wait for the court to review the decision, signaling the political crisis could drag on for months. SHORT RACE If Park leaves early, either by resigning or by being forced out by impeachment, a new election for a full five-year presidential term must be held in 60 days. An early election would be disadvantageous for Ban, since he cannot begin a campaign before his U.N. term ends on Dec. 31. If he had planned to run, his earlier political calculations would have been based on nearly a full year to campaign. Ban has been evasive about his plans after his U.N. tenure ends, but he told Reuters in October that he was conscious of "expectations from many people in Korea that I should make myself available for a better future of Korea." Asked to comment on Ban's intentions given the political crisis at home, U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq said: "The Secretary-General has already said repeatedly that he will concentrate on his work as Secretary-General until the end of the year." The main opposition Democratic Party already has a crowded field of potential candidates, headed by Moon Jae-in, who lost to Park in 2012 and now lead the latest Realmeter poll with 21 percent support, ahead of the second-placed Ban, who has 17 percent. Lee Jae-myung, the mayor of Seongnam just south of Seoul and a member of the Democratic Party, is a dark horse rising in the polls, with 15 percent, putting him in third place. Computer entrepreneur and reformist member of parliament Ahn Cheol-soo is likely to be the opposition People's Party's candidate. Ahn had also run in 2012 before dropping out early to form a coalition with Moon against Park. With the pride Koreans take in him as "president of the world" and absence of a strong rival, Ban had consistently ranked at the top of polls until slipping early last month as the scandal surrounding Park deepened. Ban has never been formally affiliated with Park or her Saenuri Party but was seen to have the backing of conservative constituencies that had been the bedrock of Park's support. Kookmin University professor Hong Sung-gul said Ban may benefit from his outsider status given the country's political turmoil, which has drawn hundreds of thousands to weekly Saturday night rallies calling for Park's removal. "We're likely to see a strong manifestation of the messiah complex at this election," he said, referring to candidates presenting themselves as the answer to South Korea's political woes. "Ban will have to show that he is that person." (Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Editing by Tony Munroe and Raju Gopalakrishnan) BEIRUT (Reuters) - The United States has "no position" on the Russian-backed Syrian government assault on rebel-held areas of Aleppo, and is so far only willing to help coordinate an evacuation of fighters as demanded by Russia, an official with an Aleppo rebel group said. The official said there was currently "no American position, apart from the Russian agenda: the Russians want the fighters out and they (the Americans) are ready to coordinate over that", said the Turkey-based official, citing indirect contacts with U.S. officials overnight. Russia on Monday said it would start talks with the United States on a rebel withdrawal from eastern Aleppo, a step a U.S. official said Washington would likely embrace to save lives. (Reporting by Tom Perry; Editing by Catherine Evans) By Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Republican-led panel in the U.S. House of Representatives agreed on Tuesday to add $7 million to a short-term federal spending bill to reimburse New York authorities for President-elect Donald Trump's security costs, far short of the $35 million requested by the city's congressional delegation. New York's U.S. lawmakers were quick to express their unhappiness. "I am extremely disappointed that the Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government does not fully reimburse the people of New York for the unprecedented security costs incurred to keep the President-elect and his family safe between the election and his inauguration," U.S. Democratic Representative Carolyn Maloney said in a statement. The bill, which funds U.S. agencies through April 28, must pass before a Friday deadline to keep government agencies running. At a Capitol Hill news conference earlier on Tuesday, John Miller, the New York Police Department's deputy commissioner for intelligence and counter terrorism, said he was in contact with congressional Democrats and Republicans about the costs of security operations to protect Trump both before and after the Republican takes office on Jan. 20. "This is not about party politics. It's not about politics at all," Miller said. He said Trump's security "footprint" would be even "more complex" once he becomes president. Representative Nita Lowey, a Democrat, said the Republican leadership of the House Appropriations committee had expressed sympathy for the city's pre-inauguration reimbursement request but had asked for more specifics. Several House Democrats on Tuesday also signed a letter to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urging that the state and city "refuse to pay" for Trump's extra New York security costs once he is sworn in as president. "Should the President-Elect choose to maintain two permanent residences for his family, it is reasonable to request he reimburse the city and the state for all additional security expenses from his own significant personal financial resources," the letter said. Trump has said his wife, Melania, and son Barron will move from New York to the White House "right after he finishes school." (Reporting by Mark Hosenball in Washington; Additional reporting by Eric Walsh in Washington; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Peter Cooney) Last week's higher education headlines were packed with stories about a federal report on the projected cost of forgiveness under income-driven repayment plans. Currently, certain income-driven repayment plans require payment on federal student loans for 20 to 25 years -- 10 years if the borrower works in public service -- and then the federal government forgives any remaining balance, although th e forgiven amount is taxed as income. The report was critical of the Department of Education's approach to estimating the amount projected to be forgiven for all federal student loans borrowed between 1995 and 2017, in particular because the department's latest projections doubled the anticipated amount from the original estimates for at least some of the loans in question. Oddly, the report claims that the original projections for loans made prior to 2009 were not available. [Look at this side-by-side comparison of three income-based repayment plans.] The report stated that 40 percent of all outstanding direct loan dollars are currently being paid under an income-driven plan, which works out to almost a quarter of all borrowers -- more than twice the number enrolled in the plans just three years ago. This significant increase can be attributed to the substantial amount of outreach the Department of Education and even the White House have initiated. The Student Loan Ranger supports these initiatives because they have helped ensure that borrowers are aware of their options for relief if they find their loan debt overwhelming. However, the GAO report states that the subsidy cost to federal taxpayers for the d irect l oan program now lies at a n average cost of $21 for every $100 disbursed under the program. With such a high cost, especially for a program that is often touted as a profit maker for the federal government, the fear has become that the new Congress or administration will cut t hese income-driven repayment plans . Story continues This has thrown some consumers with existing education debt -- especially those with higher student debt compared with their incomes -- into a bit of a panic. Cutting these programs would leave many borrowers with unaffordable student loan payments and no options for relief. [Read stories about how real borrowers repay their student loans.] However, you do not need to worry -- that's almost certainly not going to happen. First and probably most importantly, in our entire careers in the student loan industry, the Student Loan Ranger has never seen Congress retroactively remove a benefit from an existing borrower. Any changes made that affect borrower benefits are always effective for loans borrowed on or after the date the legislation is signed. Could Congress or the administration handle legislation differently? Maybe -- but considering the political backlash of doing so, we're confident they won't. Instead, we could expect a cap on forgiveness amounts or a consolidation of the various income-driven plans to a single plan. Again, these changes would almost certainly only affect students who took out loans after the date the new legislation was signed. The second reason not to panic is that the report , by the Government Accountability Office, heavily criticized the Department of Education for what it called flawed estimates. For example, according to the report, the Department of Education's estimates did not assume that any borrowers utilizing an income-driven plan would enjoy an increase in salary or leave the plans at some point. [Find four ways to stay on top on an income-driven repayment plan.] Clearly both are faulty. The GAO made its own estimates and included cost-of-living increases for borrower wages. This small adjustment alone results in a reduction in subsidy costs of almost 25 percent. So, the real point of this report wasn't that these plans cost double original estimates , but that we truly don't know what they actually will cost. Many students today are borrowing for college with the assumption they'll be able to make payments based on income in the future and maybe even obtain some loan forgiveness. While the concept of income-driven repayment plans in general has bipartisan support and the new administration has proposed streamlining these plans into one, this new data, at first glance, may give policymakers pause. We hope the government makes an effort to truly understand the impact these plans have on taxpayers and borrowers and to ensure that any legislative changes do not increase student debt struggles. However, as always, consumers should borrow with the assumption that they'll have to repay every cent of their student debt, because most will. Finally, if you believe that Public Service Loan Forgiveness and income-based repayment programs are important societal benefits, let your government representatives know. Betsy Mayotte, director of consumer outreach and compliance for American Student Assistance, regularly advises consumers on planning and paying for college. Mayotte, who received a B.S. in business communications from Bentley College, responds to public inquiries via the advice resource "Just Ask" and is frequently quoted in traditional and social media on the topics of student loans and financial aid. Dear reader, we're asking for your help to keep local reporting available for all today during our fall fundraiser. Your financial support keeps stories like this one free to read, instead of hidden behind paywalls. We believe when reliable local reporting is widely available, the entire community benefits. Thank you for investing in your neighborhood. Start your day with LAist Sign up for How To LA, delivered weekday mornings. Subscribe On Tuesday, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors moved forward on a plan to protect the data and identities of the county's immigrant communities who may be adversely affected by potential changes to federal immigration policy, and to begin establishing a countywide office of immigrant affairs. Supervisor Hilda Solis introduced the motion in reaction to President-elect Donald Trump's batshit crazy racist and xenophobic rhetoric proposed immigration policies. "Many of the election promises made by President-Elect Donald Trump during his campaign would, if enacted, have devastating consequences for Los Angeles Countynot just for immigrant communities, but for our entire economy, safety net, and sense of community," Solis wrote in the motion. Los Angeles County is home to more than 3 million immigrant residents, according to the motion. Nearly half of those residents are citizens; the remainder includes legal permanent residents, refugees granted asylum, immigrants granted temporary relief under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and undocumented immigrants. "President-elect has spent months vowing to deport millions. It is critical that the #County act now." @RepKarenBass #LACountyUnited Hilda Solis (@HildaSolis) December 6, 2016 "People are terrified," Supervisor Solis, who previously served as United States Secretary of Labor from 2009 to 2013, told LAist. Solis's office has been responding to distraught calls from immigrant constituents terrified by what the future may hold for them in Donald Trump's America. The motion passed 4-0 (Supervisor Kathryn Barger abstained). According to Supervisor Solis's office, letters of support were received from 31 elected officials, eight members of the California Congressional Delegation and 54 community organizations. The Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration was packed with supporters of the motion and more than 170 people signed up to offer public comment, with testimony stretching on for almost three hours. "We must stand up to the Pres-Elect.. and say to him: not in my house, not in my county, not in my community" @SheilaKuehl #UniversalRepNow pic.twitter.com/Q0w377Ho35 ACLU SoCal (@ACLU_SoCal) December 6, 2016 Along with co-author Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, Solis has been pushing for a game plan of sorts to make sure our county's residents are protected come January 20, regardless of their legal status. The motion passed today will do a number of things to try and get that plan in place. The motion directs a variety of county agencies to do their own analysis and report back in 45 days on the potential impacts that new immigration policies could have on the people they serve, and to come up with recommendations for addressing those impacts. It also calls for the county to immediately convert their existing DACA Task Force into a County Immigrant Protection Task Force, which would be responsible for developing and recommending strategies for protecting immigrants, and to report back in 45 days on the feasibility of creating a more permanent countywide office or department of immigrant affairs. The county will also be tasked with analyzing what the potential funding impacts to the county would look like if Trump follows through on his threats to cut funding to so-called "sanctuary cities" (or, in this case, counties). "President-elect Trump has said that he wants to cut our budgets if we somehow 'harbor,' or we act as a sanctuary county or city," Solis told LAist over the phone on Friday. "Well, that raises a lot of questionsbecause how are you going to then have children that receive free lunch now identify themselves if they are here legally or not? We don't allow that in our public schools," Solis said. "And if you deny health care, what if someone gets into a car accident?" she asked. "They're not going to be treated because they're out of legal status? That's ridiculous. That's so inhumane." Solis, who in 2015 launched a countywide effort to support the DACA implementation, also voiced great concern about any potential reversal of the DACA program. "These [DACA] individuals are playing by the rules," Solis told LAist. "They are either enrolled in college, or they're in the military or they're working. They're contributing, and you can't be in this program if you have, say, an egregious criminal background. These are the stellar individuals in our society, and we should be helping them," she said. If Trump follows through on his threats to repeal DACA, not only could almost a half a million county residents previously eligible for protection potentially face removal, but the data they supplied on their applications could be used by federal authorities to target them or their families. "Right before Thanksgiving, six or seven of our local high schools from my district walked out [of classes in protest]," Solis said. "They were peaceful. These kids were concerned about having their parents deported and their families ripped apart. And who's giving them any indication that that's not going to happen?" she asked. "We have to protect ourselves. That's what this motion is about," Solis said. Related: The L.A. County Board Of Supervisors Now Has A Female Supermajority * Court says patent violator need not fork over all profits * Lower court will determine how much Samsung owes Apple * Samsung welcomes patent "victory" (Updates with comments from Samsung Electronics) By Andrew Chung Dec 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday sided with Samsung in its big-money smartphone patent fight with Apple, throwing out an appeals court ruling that the South Korean company had to pay a $399 million penalty to its American rival for copying key iPhone designs. The 8-0 ruling, written by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, held that a patent violator does not always have to fork over its entire profits from the sales of products using stolen designs, if the designs covered only certain components and not the whole thing. The justices sent the case back to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington to determine how much Samsung must pay. But they did not provide a road map to juries and lower courts on how to navigate similar disputes in the future. Apple spokesman Josh Rosenstock said in a statement that the U.S. company remained "optimistic that the lower courts will again send a powerful signal that stealing isn't right." Samsung told Reuters in a statement the ruling was a "victory for Samsung and for all those who promote creativity, innovation and fair competition in the marketplace." Following a 2012 jury verdict favoring Apple, Samsung initially was hit with nearly $930 million in penalties, later cut by $382 million, for infringing Apple's iPhone patents and mimicking its distinctive appearance in making the Galaxy and other competing devices. Samsung in December 2015 paid its Cupertino, California-based rival $548 million. But Samsung took the matter to the Supreme Court, saying it should not have had to make $399 million of that payout for copying the patented designs of the iPhone's rounded-corner front face, bezel and colorful grid of icons that represent programs and applications. Story continues With the products that used iPhone designs, Samsung went on to become the world's top smartphone maker. Tuesday's ruling followed a ferocious legal battle between the world's top two smartphone manufacturers that began in 2011 when Apple sued Samsung for patent and trademark infringement. It was one of the most closely watched patent cases to come before the top U.S. court in recent years. The legal dispute centered on whether the term "article of manufacture," on which design patent damages are calculated in U.S. patent law, should be interpreted as a finished product in its entirety, or merely a component in a complex product. In court papers, Samsung, Apple and the U.S. government all agreed that the term could mean a component. But Apple urged the Supreme Court to affirm the appeals court's ruling because Samsung presented no evidence that the article of manufacture in this case was anything less than its entire smartphone as sold. Samsung, meanwhile, said that it did not have to present such evidence. Sotomayor, writing for the unanimous court, said that the law is clear. The term "article of manufacture is broad enough to encompass both a product sold to a consumer as well as a component of that product," she wrote. PERIOD OF UNCERTAINTY The justices nevertheless refused to devise a test for juries and lower courts to use to discern what a relevant article of manufacture is in a particular case, a task that could be fraught with difficulty when considering high-tech products. "No doubt whether with Apple-Samsung, or some other design patent case, we are going to have a period of uncertainty where courts will be trying to formulate a test and what the boundaries are," Richard McKenna, an expert in design rights at the law firm Foley & Lardner in Milwaukee, said in an interview. In court papers, Apple said its iPhone's success was tied to innovative designs, which other manufacturers quickly adopted in their own products. Samsung, in particular, made a deliberate decision to copy the iPhone's look and many user interface features, Apple said. Samsung argued that it should not have had to turn over all its profits, saying that design elements contributed only marginally to a complex product with thousands of patented features. Design patent fights very rarely reach the Supreme Court. It had not heard such a case in more than 120 years. The case is Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd v. Apple Inc, in the Supreme Court of the United States, No. 15-777. (Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; additional reporting by Lawrence Hurley in Washington and Se Young Lee in Seoul; Editing by Will Dunham and Stephen Coates) MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday he felt like a saint as the incoming U.S. president wanted to repair damaged bilateral relations between the two oldest security allies in this region. Duterte spoke on the phone with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump last Friday to congratulate him and renew close ties and friendship strained by Washington's criticism on the rising death toll by Manila's war on drugs policy. "Oh, President Duterte, we should fix our bad relations," Duterte, who spoke at a United Nations-sponsored meeting on anti-corruption efforts, quoted the billionaire businessman-turned politician as saying during their phone conversation. "You know, you just said something good here and you're doing great. I know what's your worry about these Americans criticizing you. You are doing good, go ahead," he said Trump told him during their talk, which lasted over seven minutes. He said Trump also invited him to exchange some views over a cup of coffee when he is either in New York or in Washington because he could give advice to the U.S. president-elect on how to deal with the narcotics issue "I felt like a saint," Duterte said, because Trump's comments were a change from those by the current U.S. administration, which he said wanted him investigated by the International Criminal Court. The unconventional Duterte has resented the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama for criticizing his human rights record as police forces in the Philippines killed more than 2,000 people in anti-narcotics operations. On Monday, the new U.S. ambassador to Manila, Sung Kim, met with the president at Malacanang Palace where they had a brief exchanged and Duterte gave him some advice.: "You want to be an Obama? Then, suffer the consequences. You choose Trump, he is my friend," he said he told the envoy. Two months ago in China, Duterte said he would order his defence and military leaders to cut down joint exercises with U.S. forces and review an existing deal allowing their deployment in local bases. (Reporting by Manuel Mogato; Editing by Tom Heneghan) By Pavel Polityuk and Matthias Williams KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine feels let down by the European Union for not keeping to a promise to give its citizens visa-free travel in the bloc, senior Ukrainian officials said. The comments, made by two senior officials in interviews with Reuters, were unusually outspoken and cut through the public displays of bonhomie shown at a Ukraine-EU summit in Brussels in November. [nL8N1DP26J] They are also a reflection of Ukraine's nervousness about being abandoned by Western backers in its stand-off with Russia over its 2014 annexation of Crimea and Moscow's support for separatist rebels in the Donbass region. These worries have been heightened by events seen as playing into the Kremlin's hands, including the election of Donald Trump and the prospect of Francois Fillon, who favours thawing ties with the Kremlin, taking the French presidency next year. Ukraine was promised visa liberalisation if it met a number of conditions, including steps to tackle corruption. But visa liberalisation has not materialised yet as the EU wants to put an emergency suspension mechanism in place first. The mechanism would make it easier to suspend any visa-waivers if the bloc sees a sharp rise in overstays, asylum requests or readmission refusals from a non-EU state that has had travel rules relaxed. "While of course the Ukrainian president and his delegation tried to keep optimism publicly, I understand very well if they return to Kiev somewhat disappointed," Anders Fogh Rasmussen, an adviser to Ukraine's president, said. "I would even use a stronger word. I think it's a kind of betrayal from the EU side, taking into account that Ukraine has carefully fulfilled all necessary criteria for visa liberalisation," the former NATO chief said. "COMPLETE IMPOTENCE" European Council President Donald Tusk, who spoke Ukrainian and exchanged jokes with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko at a joint news conference at the Nov. 24 summit, said he hoped the visa-free regime would be in place by the end of the year. But Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Olena Zerkal said the Europeans had shown little desire to implement visa-free access. "Only constant pressure and the constant raising of this issue may force them to move forward," she said in an interview at her office. "Maybe this is not diplomatic, this is probably not diplomatic: we see complete impotence in the European Union, and in the European institutions." Giving an example of the prevailing attitudes, she recounted an incident when, weeks before the summit, the Ukrainians were told by the French and Germans not to expect a positive decision. "When I asked if they believe that it is unfair, that we in many areas are discriminated against compared to others, the German ambassador in Brussels told me 'life is not fair and you should cope with this'," she said. EU officials publicly say Ukraine and fellow aspirant Georgia have qualified for visa liberalisation, but behind the scenes Germany, France, Belgium and Italy appear to be stalling. [IDnL8N1DX35W] "The EU understands that, in the eyes of Ukraine, the visa-free regime is a question of the EU's reputation," said a European diplomat, who declined to be identified. "The EU will try to do our best to provide the visa-free regime to Ukraine based on the understanding of these risks," he said. "Not everything in Brussels revolves around Ukraine." TALKS ON WEDNESDAY Representatives of EU states will discuss the issue again in Brussels on Wednesday. Hugues Mingarelli, the EU ambassador to Ukraine, said Ukraine would be granted a visa-free regime as soon as the emergency suspension mechanism was agreed. "We all hope that this will happen in the next few weeks. I cannot say anything more precise," he told a local news agency in an interview published on Tuesday. The EU and the United States propped up Ukraine with money and diplomatic support after the country plunged into turmoil in 2014 and a new, Western-backed leadership took charge. But since then, Ukraine's international supporters have become increasingly irked by what they see as Kiev's patchy progress in tackling corruption and modernising the economy. Some EU member states want sanctions on Russia lifted. Ukraine, in turn, has its own grievances. Kiev has bristled at signs of a European rapprochement with Russia. It also resents being told to do more to uphold its side of the Minsk peace process, brokered between Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine, to end the separatist violence in eastern Ukraine, saying the onus is on Russia as the "aggressor" nation. The Maidan street protests in 2013/2014 were sparked by Ukraine's Kremlin-backed leader reneging on a plan to sign a political and trade agreement with the EU. But the fate of that deal, which was later signed, is now uncertain after Dutch voters rejected it in a referendum in April. "I think that there are many things that can be considered as a betrayal," Zerkal said, when asked if the visa issue constituted a betrayal. "The decision on Opal was also a betrayal of Ukraine," she said, referring to the European Commission allowing Russia's Gazprom to use the Opal pipeline in Germany, opening the way to bypass Ukraine as a gas transit route. [nL8N1CY687] (Additional reporting by Margaryta Chornokondratenko in KIEV and Gabriela Baczynska in BRUSSELS, editing by Peter Millership) United Nations (United States) (AFP) - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern on Wednesday over the arrest of a prominent Egyptian human rights lawyer, warning authorities in Cairo against progressively shutting down freedom of expression. Egyptian police arrested Azza Soliman, who founded the Center for Egyptian Women's Legal Assistance, at her home and briefly detained her for questioning on allegations of taking foreign funds to "harm national interests," according to her lawyer. "This is the latest manifestation of the progressive closing of space for the public exchange of views in Egypt," said UN spokesman Farhan Haq. "The secretary-general underscores the important role that civil society and NGOs play in assisting governments to meet both developmental and civil objectives," he added. The United Nations had raised concern about Cairo's decision in September to freeze the assets of several prominent rights activists and NGOs, which stoked fears of a crackdown on civil society. Under Egyptian law, members of rights groups operating without registration or accepting foreign funding without government permission could face lengthy jail sentences. UN human rights experts have urged China immediately to investigate the fate of a prominent Chinese rights lawyer missing for over two weeks, the latest example of a growing crackdown on legal activism. Jiang Tianyong took on numerous high-profile rights cases, including those of Falun Gong practitioners, Tibetan protesters, victims of the 2008 contaminated milk powder scandal and those of fellow lawyers Gao Zhisheng and Chen Guangcheng before being disbarred for his activism in 2009, according to campaign group Amnesty International. He disappeared on November 21 en route to Beijing from Changsha, the capital of the central province of Hunan, where he had gone to inquire about the situation of a detained human rights lawyer. "We fear that Mr Jiangs disappearance may be directly linked to his advocacy and he may be at risk of torture," a group of three UN experts said in a statement Tuesday, adding that they could not "rule out the possibility" that state agents were to blame for his disappearance. UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights Philip Alston met Jiang on a visit to China in August and said he feared the disappearance was in part a retaliation against the lawyer's assistance to UN experts. "The international standards are clear: states must refrain from and protect all persons from acts of reprisal" for such cooperation, Alston said. President Xi Jinping has overseen a tightening of controls on civil society since assuming power in 2012, closing avenues for legal activism that had opened up in recent years. While the government initially targeted political activists and human rights campaigners, it has increasingly turned its attention to the lawyers who represent them. In the most striking example, authorities detained more than 200 people last year during the so-called "709 crackdown" -- named after the July 9th date of the roundup -- including lawyers who took on civil rights cases considered sensitive by the ruling Communist Party. Story continues Jiang had met the wife of Xie Yang, a lawyer detained in the crackdown, and visited the Changsha detention centre where Xie was held. He was due to board an overnight train back to Beijing following the meetings. Authorities in Beijing, Changsha and Jiang's home town of Zhengzhou have reportedly refused to investigate his disappearance, according to the UN statement. "Everyone in China needs to comply with the law, and whoever violates the law will be punished in accordance with our laws," said foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang at a regular press briefing Wednesday in response to the UN statement. Jiang was last detained in 2014 after attempting to investigate a "black jail" that allegedly held Falun Gong practitioners. He suffered a beating while detained that fractured eight of his ribs, according to Amnesty. The Hague (AFP) - Prosecutors urged UN judges on Wednesday to jail Ratko Mladic for life, accusing the former Serb commander of a ruthless campaign of ethnic cleansing to create a Greater Serbia in the 1990s Balkans wars. "It would be... an insult to the victims, living and dead, and an affront to justice to impose any sentence other than the most severe available one: a life sentence," prosecutor Alan Tieger told the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. "The time has come for General Mladic to be held accountable for those crimes against each of his victims and the communities he destroyed." Once dubbed "the Butcher of Bosnia", Mladic, 74, has denied 11 charges including two of genocide, as well as war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the bloody 1992-95 Bosnian conflict. More than 100,000 people died and 2.2 million others were left homeless in what prosecutors say was a relentless campaign aimed at chasing all non-Serbs from Bosnian territory with the aim of creating a Greater Serbia. After living openly in Serbia despite an international arrest warrant against him, Mladic was finally captured in 2011 after 16 years on the run. His trial opened in May 2012. During three days of closing arguments, prosecutors brushed aside defence claims that Mladic, as the commander of Serbian forces, only had a limited role in the Bosnian conflict maintaining he was the man "who was in charge, who called the shots." "His concern was not that Muslims might create a state, his concern was to have them vanish completely," Tieger told judges on Monday. The defence team will now open three days of closing arguments on Friday and into next week. A verdict and judgement is not expected until some time in 2017. - Too much pain and loss - Mladic is notably accused of being behind the punishing 44-month siege of the Bosnian capital Sarajevo, which claimed an estimated 10,000 lives in a relentless campaign of shelling and sniping. Story continues UN prosecutors on Tuesday described harrowing scenes of rape and murder as they also sought an unprecedented conviction for genocide in Bosnian towns. So far in the history of the ICTY, set up in 1995 in The Hague at the height of the wars, the tribunal has only recognised as "genocide" the 1995 Srebrenica massacre of 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys. Mladic, whose trial is the last before the ICTY, also stands accused of genocide for his role in the killings in Srebrenica, Europe's worst bloodshed since World War II. "Srebrenica has been a catastrophe for the Muslim community of eastern Bosnia, a tragedy of such proportions that my words here today cannot begin to convey to you the suffering experienced by the people of Srebrenica," another prosecutor, Peter McCloskey, told the tribunal on Wednesday. "But the greatest tragedy is no longer found in the dead, for their suffering is over. We must also remember the families left behind," he said. "There is too much pain, there is too much loss for any of us to truly comprehend the nature and scope of the shared misery of the women and survivors of the Srebrenica community." Six people, including former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, have been found guilty of genocide at Srebrenica -- Europe's worst bloodshed since World War II. But to the dismay of victims, judges have so far ruled that there was insufficient evidence in any of the trials to prove that genocide was committed in seven other municipalities. Karadzic, sentenced to 40 years in March, and Mladic remain the highest-profile actors from the wars to see their trials completed after former Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic died in his UN detention cell in 2006. The UN Security Council will discuss human rights violations in North Korea on Friday despite opposition from China, Pyongyang's ally, diplomats said. Beijing is expected to call for a procedural vote to block the meeting on North Korea -- accused by a UN inquiry of committing atrocities unparalleled in the modern world -- for the third consecutive year. Nine council members -- Britain, France, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain, Ukraine, the United States and Uruguay -- requested the meeting, saying in a letter this week that they required information on the situation in North Korea "and its implications for international peace and security." Beijing maintains that the regime's rights abuses do not pose a risk to global security, and that the issue should be taken up by the UN Human Rights Council. China failed to stop the meeting last year, although Russia, Angola and Venezuela also voted in favor of dropping North Korea's rights abuses from the council agenda. The council has held annual meetings on human rights in North Korea since 2014, with Pyongyang refusing to send a representative to the talks. A UN commission of inquiry in 2014 found compelling evidence of torture, execution and starvation in North Korea, where between 80,000 and 120,000 are being held in prison camps. This year's meeting is likely to focus on forced labor and North Korea's diversion of resources to build up its missile and nuclear programs, a Security Council diplomat said. UN member-states adopted a resolution at a General Assembly committee last month condemning rights abuses and expressing concern that funds needed to ease the dire humanitarian crisis were being spent on Pyongyang's military programs. Although the General Assembly has encouraged the Security Council to refer North Korea to the International Criminal Court for war-crimes investigation, China -- which has a veto on the council -- is likely to block any such move. The meeting follows last week's adoption of tougher sanctions against North Korea, including new measures to curb Pyongyang's coal exports to China. North Korea has been hit by six sets of UN sanctions since it first tested a nuclear device in 2006. The marriage of Botswana (then known as Bechuanaland, a British protectorate) royal family member-turned-independence leader Seretse Khama and his wife Ruth Williams Khama is little known in the U.S.. But their relationship, amid increasingly hateful official racism in neighboring South Africa and the burgeoning African Independence movements that would ultimately see European colonial governments ousted from the continent, proved to be one of the most historically significant of the 20th century. The Amma Asante-directed drama A United Kingdom, starring David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike, aims to shine a light on their remarkable story. A new trailer has been released which you can watch above now. Khama and Williams met while he was studying in London and married in 1948. An intense international uproar followed their marriage however, and thanks to pressure from South Africa and cowardice in the UK Parliament, the couple were exiled from Bechuanaland for 5 years. Eventually allowed to return in 1956, Khama emerged as a crucial leader of the countrys independence movement, becoming the countrys Prime Minister in 1965 and, upon independence in 1966, Botswanas first President, serving until his death from cancer in 1980. Written by Guy Hibbert, A United Kingdom also stars Terry Pheto, Jack Davenport, Tom Felton, Abena Ayivor, and Vusi Kunene. It will screen in select theaters starting February 17. [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKPDNKdpys8&w=605&h=340] Related stories David Oyelowo On Diversity: "If You're Not Part Of The Solution, You're Part Of The Problem" Fox Searchlight Bringing 'A United Kingdom' To North America 'Queen Of Katwe' Review: Disney Family Movie Makes All The Right Moves Marijuana-friendly Uruguay will soon have a museum dedicated to pot. "It is a way to connect people who love nature, art and science," said the director of the museum, Eduardo Blasina. The museum, opening Friday in Montevideo, will help people learn more about one of the world's oldest crops, Blasina said. What is more, marijuana is now one of humanity's most important plants because of its medicinal benefits, he added. Amsterdam, which also has a hash and marijuana museum, is contributing items for display, Blasina said. Uruguay is a global pioneer when it comes to pot: under a 2013 law, the government supervises production of it as part of a plan to undermine drug traffickers. The government will also oversee sales of the drug through pharmacies. This was already supposed to have happened under the law but the policy has seen its implementation delayed. It is now scheduled for next year. Under that same legislation, the government allows users of marijuana to grow it if they register as members of state-regulated smoking clubs. Pot-smokers are also supposed to register if they want to purchase it from a pharmacy. The law lets users buy up to 40 grams (1.4 ounces) a month. Authorized buyers will be identified by their fingerprints. The United States launched new strikes against Islamic State in Iraq, Syria and Libya on Tuesday, September 6. Strikes were launched from the aircraft carrier the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower after the Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea on Sunday after transiting from the Arabian Gulf via the Suez Canal. Aircraft from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit also launched strikes against IS targets in Sirte from the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp. This video shows aircraft being launched from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. Credit: YouTube/US Navy via Storyful (Spoiler alert: Please do not read on if you have not watched Tuesdays midseason finale episode of This Is Us, titled Last Christmas) Christmas is a time for reunions, revelations and potentially life-threatening car accidents, suicide attempts and heart attacks. Welcome to the midseason finale of This Is Us. In the latest twisty-turny episode of Dan Fogelmans family drama on NBC, the Pearson family past and present are getting ready to celebrate Christmas. In the 1980s, Kates appendix bursts, sending the whole family to the ER, where Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca (Mandy Moore) come face-to-face with Dr. Katowsky (Gerald McRaney), who delivered their babies nine years later. Unfortunately, Dr. K. is in dire straits hes got severe internal bleeding after a bad car accident, and his family is probably too far away to make it to the hospital in time to say goodbye before the surgery required kills him. Also Read: 'This Is Us' Recap: Randall Takes a Trip Down Memory Lane The Pearsons naturally stay with the doctor, acting as his family, and its a Christmas miracle when he wakes up after his surgery, alive and well. Back in present day, the grown up Kevin (Justin Hartley), Kate (Chrissy Metz) and Randall (Sterling K. Brown) are looking forward to a more traditional Christmas. First, Kevin has to pretend to be playwright Sloanes (Milana Vayntrub) boyfriend at her familys Hanukah dinner, ultimately leading not to romance, but to the two of them deciding to put their play on themselves after producers pulled out amidst their leading lady Olivia (Janet Montgomery) disappearing. Also Read: 'This Is Us' Recap: 'Career Days' Has Everyone Questioning Their Lives Randall and Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) are attending his companys holiday party, but it takes a dark turn when Randall confronts a co-worker (Jimmi Simpson) whos about to commit suicide. Randall does his best to talk him down, but its Beths sudden appearance that scares the suicidal co-worker away back into the building, not plummeting down to his death. Story continues The incident shakes Randall up enough that he thaws noticeably towards his mother, after rejecting her in last weeks episode following the revelation that she had known who his birth father William (Ron Cephas Jones) was the entire time and kept them apart. Speaking of William, he comes to Christmas at Randalls house with a revelation of his own, in the form of an old friend named Jessie (Denis OHare), prompting one of Randalls daughters to bluntly explain, Grandpas gay. Or at least bi. Also Read: 'This Is Us' Recap: Jack's Fate Revealed as Family Secrets Spill Finally, Kate is overjoyed by the sudden appearance of Toby (Chris Sullivan), who flew all the way from L.A. in a middle seat in order to declare his love for her. The two reunite and manage to christen a room or two, before the other shoe drops. In the final moments of the episode, as everyones getting along and basking in the warmth of the holiday, Toby collapses, sweaty and pale, in the middle of the living room followed by a brief hospital scene showing doctors and nurses desperately trying to revive him. Will he survive? This Is Us returns Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. Related stories from TheWrap: 'This Is Us' Recap: Randall Takes a Trip Down Memory Lane 'This Is Us' Star Janet Montgomery Promises More Twists and Turns to Come (Exclusive Video) 'This Is Us' Recap: 'Career Days' Has Everyone Questioning Their Lives A version of this article originally appeared on EW.com. This story contains plot details from the winter finale of NBCs This Is Us, which aired Tuesday night. Does Kate need to make room for another urn in her living room to watch Steelers games with? The winter finale of This Is Us titled, gulp, Last Christmas ended with a panicked series of hospital-machine beeps as Toby (Chris Sullivan) was seen on a gurney in surgery, fighting for his life. (The good news: Looks like Dr. K is going to pull through his scare.) Yes, after deciding to not accept the results of being dumped by his girlfriend, Kate (Chrissy Metz), He of the Grand Gestures flew across the country in a middle seat, showed up unannounced at Randalls house in a Santa hat (Deeply romantic or slightly stalker-y? You decide), delivered a gooey speech that won her back (CliffsNotes version: Kate > pizza + cookies + brownie thing on plane), had make-up sex with her upstairs, and then, as all living family members gathered to celebrate the holiday, collapsed onto the living room coffee table. Is he alive? Is he dead? What to make of this literal heart-stopping development? What would be the right hashtag to start trending at this critical time? We phoned the man of the end of the hour, Chris Sullivan, to talk Toby. Based on that last scene, Chris Sullivan, I should start by asking you: How are you feeling?Oh, man. #PrayForToby. What was your reaction when they pitched you that scene? And if you had it to boil it down to three letters, is it WTF? Yeah, I think you could boil it down to those three letters. It is a bold and tricky storytelling move that only the writers room of This Is Uscould handle. Any actor becomes concerned when the writing staff starts having them collapse over coffee tables, but I have faith in our creative team that they will tell the best version of the story that there is to tell. Do you remember your conversation with Dan Fogelman when he pitched to you? Actually, when I first found out about was maybe five or six episodes ago, from a different director. Heres what happened: I was improvising in another scene, and I made some joke about having a heart attack. And the director was like, Uh, we cant do that joke. And I was like, Okay wait a minute, why cant we do that joke? And he was like, Uh, no, uh, never mind. And Im like, No, you tell me why I cant do that joke! And so the cat was out of the bag. Story continues The fall looked pretty real. Im sure there is a stunt coffee table, but what did it feel like to take that dive? No, that was a real coffee table. How dare you minimize my stunt work? It was a real coffee table, but the entire action was done under close advisement, and we choreographed it out pretty well so there was no unnecessary injury accrued. I was definitely sore the next day. But we planned it out well enough to where we only ended up having to do it a couple of times, so it wasnt so bad. Did they offer you a stunt man and you said, No, Ill take this? No, it never really came up. I think they just assumed I was going to do it. And I wanted to. I always want to not push things, thats not the right term but I want to be involved in as much of things like that as possible because my involvement gives everybody else more freedom creatively. The camera gets to do more things. The other actors get to do more things if its me and not somebody else. Its just a more full experience for everybody involved, including myself. They give you all the clues that somethings wrong with him, but you keep passing it off as hes sore from the middle seat, hes breathing really hard after the sex. The clues are there, but you dont put it together. The writing team did a really deft and delicate job at putting all the signs out there, and foreshadowing without being too heavy-handed. And then they, of course, get into the editing room, and the work that everybody does on the show from front to back is pretty outstanding. I know you cant say too much about what happens next, but what happens next? Is he dead? Is he alive? Well, Id say hes definitely one or the other. You know what I mean? I do. How about a cryptic clue that will have people poring over what you meant by that statement? I think I just said it. Im going to leave it at that. I start saying any more than that, Im going to get in trouble. I know theyre listening to these calls. Theyre listening to these calls right now. I know theyre listening. Granted, on This Is Us, you can be dead and still part of the show, so we ask: Have you still been filming scenes, so people can be assured that youll be around in some form? Uhhh I can neither confirm nor deny that. In other news, Toby and Kate are back together again! Congrats! Or not. He might be dead. We dont know. What did you think about that move? What changed from when he hung up the phone on her last week? The holidays are a time of reflection, and I think it becomes really clear in peoples minds around this time of year what they want to get out of life, who they want to spend their life with, and what kind of person they want to be. And so I think things just became clear. Assuming that Toby lives, is this all a very noble, holiday-spirited romantic gesture where he has this realization about his life, or is he ultimately trying to change his lifestyle still to please his girlfriend I know he says hes doing it for himself, too when their lifestyles are just different. Is that a danger trying to make something work when these two were already at their impasse? Yeah, I dont know. When it comes to relationship compromise, its a fine balance between doing something for your own happiness, and finding happiness in being of service to another person, in whatever way that ends up being. So I guess only time will tell if the choices are healthy choices and loving choices or ill-advised. How would you describe the emotionality of this episode? We can never underestimate the emotionality of This Is Us. Just when you think you dont have another tear to cry, we will find a way. We will find all of your tears. We will dig down deep, and we will yank them out, whether you like it or not. What was your favorite moment? I really enjoyed Tobys entrance. That was also the first time Ive ever been in a scene with all of those other actors. So to walk into the room and to see them all standing there, it was like Id walked into an episode of This Is Us. It was great. With the Thanksgiving and Christmas episodes you got left on the sidelines for Thanksgiving the actors say theyre enjoying these big scenes in which everyone gets to work together. Is that something you guys lobby for? I mean, theres not really any lobbying going on per se, but Dan definitely keeps us all in the mix. He knows that we all get along very well, and we all have a really good time when were in the same room together, so I think they do their best to try to get us all together, because we naturally want to be in that space. Recently, Kate made the decision to have gastric bypass surgery. Depending on his fate, what would/will Toby think of that a solution for Kate and her weight issues? Would he actually agree with some of what Olivia said to Kate at the cabin, albeit things she said quite harshly? I am not sure where Toby is going to land on that. It kind of all depends on Kates real motivations behind it all, where its a rash decision or something she has well thought out. But I think Toby will be pretty good about deferring to her own personal judgment and what she decides to do with her body. There was another surprising moment in this episode, one involving William (Ron Cephas Jones). When Randall (Sterling K. Brown) is watching William play piano and Jessie (Denis OHare) has his hand on Williams back, Tess (Eris Baker) explains to him, Dad, Grandpas gay or least bi. What do you think of that reveal? Did it catch you by surprise? It didnt catch me by surprise, per se. As weve learned on a logistical level, anything is possible in the This Is Us world. I think its one of those beautiful things that once Dan Fogelman reveals it to you, you realize that its been that way the whole time. Lastly, do you have your line worked out about what youll say to fans on the street when they ask you, Is Toby dead??? Because youre going to be asked it a lot. I havent, but thank you for reminding me that I should probably come up with an answer. To read what Sterling K. Brown had to say about that Toby cliffhanger, click here. To read the hints that Fogelman dropped about the winter finale, click here. DailyFX.com - Talking Points: - Bank of Canada meets today at 14:00 GMT. While less dovish in recent weeks, the BOC will probably be outright neutral today given recent growth data and the jump in energy prices. - The European Central Bank has laid out significant expectations for tomorrow's policy meeting, and as a result, there is a high burden of proof in order to see the Euro weaken beyond what's already priced-in. - See the DailyFX Economic Calendar for Wednesday, December 7. There are two central bank meetings that will take place over the next 24-hours (give or take a few minutes), but they couldn't be occurring under more different circumstances. The Bank of Canada's rate decision and its resulting impact on the Canadian Dollar will very likely play second fiddle to the European Central Bank's policy meeting and press conference and the volatility arising in the Euro. The BOC is meeting today under idealistic conditions, all things considered. Canada had a rough start to the year on the growth side, particularly as energy prices slumped worldwide. The BOC's decision to drop rates down to 0.50%, where they are expected to remain today, was in large part due to these factors. Yet after having only a slightly dovish tone at their last policy meeting, and in the interim having seen Q3'16 Canadian GDP beat expectations and energy prices rally sharply in the wake of the OPEC deal, the BOC will very likely be quite content with sitting on its hands and letting nature take its course. In turn, it's difficult to see how such a contented group of policymakers could stir much action in the Canadian Dollar today. The ECB, on the other hand, is a different animal. Having riled up market expectations significantly over the past few weeks, there is a high burden of proof to meet in order for the ECB to keep the Euro pinned down. Many of the changes to the ECB's program tomorrow had been signalled ahead of time, such as an extension to the QE program, but perhaps also technical changes to the deposit floor threshold or capital key constraints. Add in concerns about Italian banks after the referendum this week, and it seems that the ECB simply has too tall of a task in front of itself to convince markets everything is 'under control' without bringing out another 'bazooka.' A Euro rally tomorrow may very well be in the cards, even if the ECB extends the QE program to September 2017; it's already priced-in. Markets are continuously discounting the future, after all. Story continues See the above video for a technical review of the DXY Index, EUR/USD, GBP/USD, AUD/USD, USD/JPY, USD/CAD, and GBP/JPY. Read more: December Forex Seasonality Sees US Dollar Weakness into End of Year --- Written by Christopher Vecchio, Senior Currency Strategist To contact Christopher Vecchio, e-mail cvecchio@dailyfx.com Follow him on Twitter at @CVecchioFX To be added to Christopher's e-mail distribution list, please fill out this form 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. I can understand going after late-night hosts, it makes a lot of sense to me to attack you guys, Veep Joe Biden joked to Late Show host Stephen Colbert, in re Donald Trumps ongoing Twitter war against Alec Baldwins Trump-stand-in work on Saturday Night Live. Making his first late-night talk show appearance since the election, Biden was responding to Colberts concerns that our next POTUS seems to be responding on the spur of moment, with tweets, to personal slights, like attacking Alec Baldwin on SNL, or taking a moment to cancel an order from Boeing based on we dont know what. Dont we want steadiest possible hand? And, if the president is saying the first thing that occurs to his thumbs, its little unnerving, Colbert said, appearing to speak for his studio audience based on their reax. Biden, who has spent four decades in Washington, responded diplomatically that it makes no sense to start this off without the rest of us saying were going to give this guy an actual even shot, going to give him a clear shot to do the job where were actually going to be there to work with him. The two-term Veep said he is counting on President-Elect Trump to tamp down this bitterness that is being promoted against everything from the LGBT community, to African Americans, to Muslims. And, continuing this cockeyed-optimist talk, Biden predicted the media would turn its focus from what Trump had said about a particular show, and instead focus on whether Trumps trade deals and wall-building make sense. There will be a real debatewhich never occurred in the election. I think, frankly, unless he changes some of his views The reports of the demise of the Democratic party are premature. I see it coming back, big time in 2018, Biden forecast loyally. [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoQzqQ9RUxs&w=620&h=340] Related stories Story continues Stephen Colbert Torches Donald Trump's National Security Adviser Pick, Pizzagate, Wikileaks 'South Park' Season Of Serialization Ends With Donald Trump Surrogate Still In White House Conan O'Brien Skirts Late-Night Political Minefield With Berlin Road Trip Clay Luthy is a disabled veteran once desperate to find work. He wanted to stay busy, and he wanted to contribute. But his service dog, Charlotte, is his necessary and constant companion. Wherever he goes, she goes. And what company is going to hire a man and his dog? Read: Service Puppy Meets Pluto at Disneyland and Can't Believe It For Luthy and Charlotte, it was a Texas Lowe's store. At the chains home improvement store in Abilene, Luthy works part-time, looking spiffy in his Lowes vest with Charlotte in tow. She looks professional in her own store coat, which her master sewed for her. "Instead of medicine, I have Charlotte," the veteran who served in Qatar and Uzbekistan told CBS affiliate KTAB-TV. After multiple knee surgeries, the military ruled he couldnt re-enlist, Luthy said. So when he applied at Lowes, he took Charlotte with him and no one there had a problem with that. The manager he spoke to said, Absolutely... Weve got service dogs at work throughout Lowe's, Luthy recounted. Read: Boy with Dwarfism Celebrates His Condition After Getting Dog with Same Condition Luthy and Charlotte have been walking the stores aisles for two months now, much to the delight of customers who stop to give Charlotte pats and rubs. Luthy is happy not only for the company, but also for Charlottes diligence at her own job, which is to look out for him and to stay attuned to any possibility of a medical or a psychological problem. "She alerts me before I have a clue of anything thats going on, he said. And thats whats so good so I dont have [any] issues." Watch: Army Vet Drops to His Knees in Shock When Surprised With Service Dog Related Articles: Model Leomie Anderson is launching an anti-Trump collection as part of her LAPP brand [Photo: Getty] Leomie Anderson is no ordinary model. That may sound like the oldest line in the book but in the case of the 23-year-old model, it couldnt be more true. Scouted while walking home from school, Leomie is loved by Jeremy Scott having walked for Moschino multiple times finally landing a dream job in the form of the Victorias Secret show last year. Unlike a lot of models, Leomie refuses to be a simple clotheshorse. She is already known for speaking her mind and raising awareness of important issues including the unfair treatment of black models and the sexualisation of young women. In October, she created LAPP: an empowering brand encompassing a clothing line and blog that allows girls of all ages to express their views. Her first collection focused on the issue of consent, featuring a series of witty t-shirts reading you tried and lol nah aka lines to use when youre stuck in an uncomfortable situation. Worn by the likes of Jourdan Dunn (who Leomie describes as one of [her] role models), it sent a clear and strong message. Today sees the launch of LAPPs latest range with a decidedly anti-Trump message. This p***y grabs back shouts sugar sweet hoodies, referencing the newly elected presidents controversial line. Fresh from her second Victorias Secret appearance, we caught up with the British beauty to talk misogyny, lingerie critics and the importance of speaking out. The model is a staunch feminist [Photo: Instagram/lappthebrand] LAPP stands for Leomie Anderson the Project the Purpose. I wanted to create a safe space on the internet which is free from the negativity I see hurled at women online all the time. LAPP is created and curated for women, by women, and gives us a platform to voice our stories and perspectives. I want to keep growing this community and definitely want to speak at more schools next year. Right now, I feel like Trump is the most internationally recognisable face of misogyny. Hes even been described as the man at the helm of the war against women. I saw a video of women protesting with the phrase that is adorned on my collection and really felt inspired by it. Its not just an anti-Trump collection. It is against everything he stands for in regards to women and our rights. Story continues Its important to use my public position to spread awareness. I believe that if you have a following and are passionate about something, you should speak on it, but only if it is something that is truly important to you. I dont think its fair to say that someone is obligated to speak on issues if they arent passionate about it. Leomies first LAPP collection focused on sexual consent [Photo: LAPP] The beauty industry is finally doing right by black models. Right now Im just so happy to see so many black models winning! From my friend Herieth getting a Maybelline contract and rocking her natural hair to Zuri who is the face of Victorias Secret Pink, Im just smiling a lot. Fashion still has a long way to go when it comes to the representation of different ethnic backgrounds but theres definitely some Black Girl Magic around. Walking in the Victorias Secet Fashion Show for a second time is a dream come true. Words cant describe just how insane the experience has been for me especially getting two looks and wings! I kept my food choice healthy and tried new classes in order to prepare for the show so Im glad it was all worth it. Leomie and Bella Hadid backstage at the Victorias Secret 2016 show [Photo: Instagram/leomieanderson] I feel that Victorias Secret represents so many women. Its not just 18-year-old girls walking the show. Theres grown women some with kids who I feel are great role models and icons in the industry. In an industry that can be plagued with ageism, I think VS is really refreshing! I recently wrote about finding the confidence to walk for VS. I think people need to stop comparing yourself to others. Remember that you are a unique being. Learn to love yourself and not seek validation from other people. You are good enough. I have big plans for the future. I would love to become a TV presenter and host my own documentary where I get to meet new people and learn new things. A dream of mine is to hold a TED Talk too so watch this space! Model calls out fashion industry for ignoring black womens natural hair Being in the public eye does make you more body conscious: Victorias Secret model Megan Williams talks catwalks and confidence After easing restrictions on U.S. visitors earlier this year for the first time in decades, Cuba is newly at the top of many travelers must-see lists. Several U.S-based. airlines now provide service to the island JetBlue introduced the first direct flight (Ft. Lauderdale to Santa Clara) in September, and now offers direct routes from New Yorks JFK Airport to Havana, with other major airlines following suit. President Obama visited in March, and many celebrities including Jay Z, Beyonce and Madonna have made the trip. Rihanna even shot a Vanity Fair cover story in Havana in 2015. RELATED: Grab Your Passport: You Can Now Travel to Cuba for $99 PEOPLE en Espanols Armando Correa, who was born in Cuba, returned to the country following the death of former leader Fidel Castro in November, and poignantly recounts his experience in an online feature for the magazine. WATCH THIS: Fidel Castro Dies At 90 RELATED: The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2017: Surprising Picks and Bucket List Trips He writes: In the years since I left the island in 1991, I went back only a handful of times, mostly for work. This year alone, I went three times. First, to participate in a historic meeting of U.S. publishers and editors in Havana, later to shoot the September cover story for People en Espanol and now after Fidels death. In all my previous trips, I endured the same hassle Cubans traveling from the U.S. have had to endure for decades: high agency and charter flight prices, long lines at Miami International Airport and various control points before reaching the airline counters. This trip was different, so much so that it seemed I was flying domestic: my carry-on was not weighed, the flight was on time and the round-trip fare for this route was under $200. Read the full story, Cuba without Fidel, on peopleenespanol.com LONDON (Reuters) - Any lawmaker who votes against the government in parliament on Wednesday will be voting to thwart the will of the British people who want to leave the European Union, government minister David Lidington said on Wednesday. Prime Minister Theresa May agreed on Tuesday to a demand for parliament to see her plan for Brexit before she triggers the formal divorce procedure but also added that the debate should also be on whether MPs "respect the wishes" expressed in June's EU referendum and on her timetable. "The vote tonight will be the first opportunity for members of this house to decide whether or not they support the government's timetable on triggering Article 50 by the end of March 2017," Lidington, the minister who manages government business in parliament, told MPs. "Any right honourable member who votes against that motion will, in my view, be seeking to thwart the outcome of the referendum in the most profoundly undemocratic manner. (Reporting by Elizabeth Piper, Editing by Kylie MacLellan) Photo: AMC/Netflix/HBO/FX Its time for the Yahooies, Yahoo TVs second annual reader-voted awards honoring the best and sometimes worst of 2016. Each day through Dec. 16, we will announce the nominees for one category, with an accompanying poll. The winners will be crowned Monday Dec. 19. The nominees for 2016s Best Scene-Stealer are: Photo: Guy DAlema/FX Brian Tyree Henry as Paper Boi (Atlanta) As the cousin and close pal of Donald Glovers Earn, Henry so fully inhabits the role of the rapping, usually high Paper Boi, he thoroughly deconstructs the usual pop culture stereotypes of what a hip-hop artist might be like. Hard when he has to be, Alfred Paper Bois real name is also a sensitive soul and a rigorous thinker. This was made most clear in the Oct. 11 episode B.A.N., Glovers showcase for Paper Boi as a guest on a Charlie Rose-style talk show, but Henrys shrewd skills compelled you to watch him in even his smallest scenes or when this Boi seemed to be nodding off. We learned that Paper Boi and Henry are always on high alert. Ken Tucker Photo: HBO Bella Ramsey as Lyanna Mormont (Game of Thrones) Despite only appearing in three scenes during the course of Game of Thrones seventh season, the 10-year-old leader of tiny House Mormont made a big impression. Wise beyond her years with a backbone of pure Dragonglass, Lyanna capably stood up to Sansa Stark, Ramsay Bolton, and the adult heads of more populous houses. And, hey, Jon Snow now has a top secret weapon in his looming battle against the White Walkers: Lyannas death stare. Ethan Alter Photo: Netflix Liza Weil as Paris Geller (Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life) If anyone deserves any sort of awards recognition for A Year in the Life, it is Liza Weil for Pariss epic meltdown about Doyle, Tristan, her children, her career, her general insecurities, and Francie in the Chilton bathroom. She, even more than the titular girls, hasnt lost a step in dishing out that signature GG rapid-fire dialogue, and her physical comedy is on point. Best overall moment of Spring: Paris keeping others out of the Chilton bathroom by shutting the door with her stiletto-ed foot. Kimberly Potts Photo: Jeff Neumann/CBS/Getty Images Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Jason and Negan (The Good Wife and The Walking Dead) TV fans have long known that JDMs smirks smolder, his stubble is sexy, and his wit and sass are simultaneously alluring and aggravating. Also that he wears the hell out of a leather jacket both on air and IRL. But in 2016, he took that charm to a whole new level, using his power for both good and evil, as two wildly different characters on two totally different shows. As Jason, Alicias new freelance investigator, he wasnt big on planning, signing things, or following the rules he was disbarred for punching a judge but he was flirty, loyal, made us laugh, and eventually sweet-talked his way into his employers bed and heart. As Negan, the bat-swinging sadistic Saviors leader, he takes innocuous things like whistling, nursery rhymes, and corny phrases such as easy peasy lemon squeezy and supercharges them with fear, intimidation, and viciousness. He rules with an iron fist, demands discipline and devotion, and has no problem doling out twisted punishments that never end, including scarring faces forever with hot irons, taking your wife as his own, or killing someone you love while you watch (Glenn, #neverforget!). Carrie Bell Photo: HBO The Cat (The Night Of) You dont have to be a cat person to fall head over tail for the feline star of HBOs acclaimed crime drama. Grumpy lawyer John Stone sure as heck isnt. Reluctantly rescuing murder victim Andrea Cornishs pet from certain death at the city pound, this cat loather miraculously becomes a cat lover or at least a cat tolerator after a few months in the kittys presence. Someone get him a subscription to Catster pronto. EA Photo: HBO Sam Richardson as Richard (Veep) Weve said it before, and well say it again: In a show brimming with insults and cynicism, Richard remains a beacon of unflappable kindness and aloofness, the light that helps us tolerate the darkness of everyone elses soul (especially Jonahs). Sure, it looked like he could be of genuine help in Season 5 with his background in recount procedures in the West, but the beautiful thing about Richard is when we learn that he, more than anyone, has interests outside of politics. Hes a film aficionado (Amy, what are your top 5 favorite De Niro movies? And you cant say Meet the Parents, cause thats automatically No. 1), opera is apparently his passion, and who knew he could chop wood? Mandi Bierly Vote now! Related: Vote for 2016s Most Painful TV Death Vote for 2016s Best New TV Couple Photo credit: (KELLY ABELN) From LennyLetter The second time I interviewed Sylvia Mathews Burwell, secretary of Health and Human Services, I realized she had a good sense of humor. The first time had been all business - open-enrollment season had just kicked off and Burwell wanted to tout the achievements of the Affordable Care Act. I wanted to delve into those, but wanted to probe her, too, on why it seems that its costs are on the rise, that the choices it offers are fewer, that it hasn't quite lived up to all of our low-premium-laced expectations. It was a good conversation - informative, critical, honest. But it wasn't until two weeks later that I heard her crack a joke. Between our conversations, America had elected a businessman who'd never held public office and ran on discrimination and hate and a definitive promise to repeal and replace the law that Burwell has advocated for since 2014. The heartbreak was so deep, the shock so fresh and terrible - what else could we do? We laughed. Aptly, hospital humor. And then Burwell led us back on track. Because millions of people will have to live with the choices the new administration makes about Obama's health-care law. Because people, even people who voted for Donald Trump, are scared they soon won't be able to pay for their medication. Because Representative Tom Price, whom the president-elect has tapped to fill Burwell's seat in the Cabinet, has spent more than six years trying to gut the Affordable Care Act. And now he'll have more power than ever to do it. But Burwell, who was president of the Walmart Foundation, worked at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, served in the Clinton administration, and was a Rhodes scholar after she graduated from Harvard, hasn't given up yet. She takes her cues from her constituents. Within three days of the election, more than 300,000 people had signed up for 2017 health-care coverage. Within the first 12 days of open enrollment, over a million people selected insurance plans. The demand, Burwell insists, is there. How Trump decides to meet it, whether he will rejigger the law so that women have to pay more than men for the same health care, so that people with preexisting conditions can be turned away by insurance companies, is anyone's guess. Story continues When I reread our initial interview in our new upside-down universe, I expected to find at least some sense of false assurance, a few mistaken assumptions about a warmly lit, woman-led future that I'd need to cut out. But there were none. No wonder: Burwell has watched Congress try to repeal the Affordable Care Act more than 60 times since the bill was passed in 2012. For over two years, she's needed to make a case for it - to insurers, to hospitals, to Americans, to recalcitrant Republicans. She never presumes. Burwell is an avowed optimist, but a clear-eyed realist all the same: She never believed the battle was over. Now more than ever, she's ready to fight like hell. Part 1: Before the Election Mattie Kahn: Given that we're in open-enrollment season, give me the hard sell: What progress can you point to that proves that not only is the Affordable Care Act working, but it's working better than we expected? Sylvia Mathews Burwell: First, let's start with the fact that there are 20 million fewer uninsured [people] in our nation, and that [of] those that are in the marketplace, we know that their customer satisfaction is the same as those that have insurance provided by their jobs. Beyond that, because people talk about the Affordable Care Act as a whole around open enrollment, we have to look at the changes it's made that are now in the fabric of health care in the United States. The fact that no one is going to go back to a place where preexisting conditions can keep you out of insurance. No one is going to go back to a place where women could be charged more than men for insurance. We're not going to go back to a place where we don't support preventative care and make people pay for vaccinations or precancer screenings or "well woman" exams with additional out-of-pocket costs. When we answer the question of "What's working?," I think it's important that we answer the question for the Affordable Care Act in its entirety. Of course, there are certainly places where we know there can be improvement. MK: What are those places? SMB: The complaint that people raise the most right now is the premiums. Certainly, while 85 percent of the 10.5 million in the marketplace have tax subsidies, there's 15 percent that don't. Some of those people live in states where there are premium increases, and some of those people live in states where there are not dramatic premium increases. But that's a challenge, and we want to work on it. MK: What steps are you taking to address that? SMB: Some of what the president has proposed to work on it include, one, increasing subsidies so there's a broader reach of the subsidies that are out there. Two is the idea of having a public option where there's not a lot of competition. That could put downward pressure on price and provide people with an alternative. Three is that we need to do more about high-cost drugs. That would help the marketplace, help Medicare, help Medicaid, and help the consumer, who is paying a portion of the costs of these drugs. MK: Because of the ACA, women can't be charged more than men for insurance on the basis of their gender. But do you think sexism still works against women in terms of how they receive care? SMB: One of the more important achievements that's probably not focused on and that has occurred in 2016 is the implementation of a portion of the Affordable Care Act called 1557. When I got here, it had been worked on for five years. It's the language to implement the law that Congress gave us to protect against discrimination in health care. Discrimination does exist. It exists for women. It exists for transgender people. It exists in a number of places, and so I think that's a critical step forward. What we need to do more of, certainly at HHS because it's large and because we fund so much research, is make sure that research is done on women. Many conditions are researched on men, and they may be different for women. That's a place where I think continued progress is important. MK: To do what you do, you have to be both a total pragmatist and probably somewhat of an idealist to believe that progress is really possible. How do you strike the balance? SMB: It's true. I'm just an optimist at heart. I'm optimistic about our country. I'm optimistic that progress can be made. It helps that I get to meet some of the twenty million people who have been helped. I have met a woman who, before the Affordable Care Act, had breast cancer and delayed her chemotherapy because she had hit her annual limit. I met a woman who told me, "I'll tell you how you treat MS: You get sick enough that an emergency room will take you." That's how she treated the disease before she got coverage on the Affordable Care Act. This was a working woman with four children. That's how you maintain high energy and enthusiasm even when there are headwinds and sometimes even when those headwinds feel unfair. Part II: After the Election MK: Oh God. OK. Trump has repeatedly promised to "repeal and replace" the Affordable Care Act. And yet we know that millions of people who voted for him depend on it. Given that, what's the best- and worst-case scenario for the ACA? SMB: There are a number of unknowns and uncertainties, so what the team and I are doing is focusing on what we do know. What we do know is that we're still in this period of open enrollment, that the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, and that a million people made plan selections in the first two weeks of November. That's what we're focused on. We have seen insurers all say that these plans will be good for 2017. We have seen even some Republicans say that there will not be an abrupt shift. We're focused on the very specific task ahead, which is getting people the coverage they need. So I think we don't have a sense of worst and best. As people move from the rhetoric to the reality, from the slogan to how these changes will actually affect people's lives, the conversation will become more real. MK: Do you have a message for the people in the Trump administration who will be making these decisions? SMB: Folks should think hard about what it is they're trying to do and want to do. I'm going to assume the best - that both sides and most everyone in this country can agree that we want is more affordability, quality, and access. Those are the standards that Americans should use to judge what happens in Washington, DC. When I say access, that's the number of people who are insured. When I say affordability, that means, what does it cost for Americans to have health care, to have insurance? What is the taxpayer paying? And when we talk about quality, it's extremely important that the American people know how these decisions will affect their coverage. Does it mean they'll no longer have limits on out-of-pocket expenses? Does it mean they'll have annual limits [on what insurers are willing to pay for care]? Does it mean women will need to pay for contraception? And overall, how are those changes going to impact the deficit? MK: And to the people who are terrified that they're going to lose their health care - do you have a message for them? SMB: First, I would say go get it. It's open enrollment - go get that coverage. Now's the time. Go get covered for 2017. Talk to friends who don't have health insurance, and make sure they know they can go to HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 and see for themselves if there's coverage that would be affordable for them. A huge percentage of folks can find plans for $75 or less. Second, to young women in particular, I want to say your stories matter. Use social media. Share your stories. If you're on your parents' plan or you care about the cost of your contraception or you have a preexisting condition, share that. As I said, this conversation needs to move from rhetoric to reality. The Affordable Care Act affects millions of people's lives. So voice that. [Editor's note: A week after we talked, Burwell launched #CoverageMatters, an online platform that lets consumers share stories of how the ACA has changed their lives.] MK: Handing over the keys to all of your work to this administration, given what the president-elect has said about health care - is it hard? SMB: We stay the course. We stand ready for their team to come to help them have the smoothest possible transition. That is what our country is about. We will support that and do that. And at the same time, we'll complete the work we've set out to do for the American people. That's our job. This interview has been condensed and edited. Mattie Kahn is writer at elle.com. Mexico City (AFP) - US retail giant Walmart said Wednesday it plans a fresh $1.3 billion investment in Mexico, where it was hailed amid US President-elect Donald Trump's tough line on foreign trade and keeping jobs in America. The American company plans to build new distribution centers and expand existing ones "which will create more than 10,000 new jobs," said Walmart's Mexico director Guilherme Loureiro. He announced the plan alongside Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, who hailed it as a sign of investment "confidence" in his country coming at a moment of "great uncertainty and big risk-aversion." The corporate news notably comes as Trump, who is to take power next month, has publicly threatened to sanction US companies that shift activities and investment abroad. The real estate tycoon has also riled America's southern neighbor by describing its migrants as "rapists" and promising to make the US-Mexico border more difficult to cross, including by pledging to build a wall along it. Loureiro stressed that "Mexico is a country rich in opportunities." The Walmart investment is on top of money the company has previously allocated to expand in Mexico, where it says it has already directly created 200,000 jobs, making it the biggest private employer in the country. Walmart has more than 2,300 stores in Mexico and plans to open 1,000 more over the next decade. battleships pearl harbor Sunday, December 7, 1941, began like any other Sunday at Pearl Harbor, the US's most important Pacific base. Sailors and airmen slowly roused themselves from sleep as the might of the US fleet sat at anchor across the waterfront. No one had an inkling of the devastating Japanese attack that would commence at 7:48 a.m. and would leave 2,402 US servicemen dead. "The Japanese bombs did tremendous damage to the immediate strength of Americas Pacific airpower, as well as her Pacific sea power, which was based upon Pearl Harbor," a British Movietone narrator says over footage taken just hours after the onslaught, which you can see below. In addition to the thousands killed, the attack destroyed aircraft and airfields and sank four battleships, among them the USS Arizona, where a bomb struck an ammunition magazine at the front of the ship, sending it up in a mighty conflagration that burned for days. At the same time as Pearl Harbor was struck, Japan attacked the Philippines and Wake and Guam, two US islands in the Pacific. "Yet even on the day of disaster, American sea power began the process of recovery," the Movietone narrator continues. Undamaged ship leaves Pearl Harbor "An undamaged cruiser, putting to sea, steams past the burning Arizona a symbol of Americas resolve to take complete revenge." The following day, the US declared war on Japan, and three days later Germany and Italy declared war on the US. In April 1942, the US mounted the Doolittle raid, striking Tokyo with 16 B-25 bombers in a daring operation that boosted Allied morale. Two months later, the war in the Pacific took a decisive turn when the US defeated a Japanese invasion of Midway, a US base in the middle of the Pacific. US carrier-based planes sent four Japanese carriers to the bottom of the sea, while the US lost just one carrier in exchange. NOW WATCH: Watch the US Navy launch one of the deadliest warships in the world More From Business Insider The distributor of air conditioning, heating and refrigeration equipment, Watsco, Inc. WSO has raised its stake by 10% in Carrier Enterprise Northeast LLC, a joint venture (JV) with Carrier Corporation for about $43 million. The company now has 70% ownership in Carrier, a leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions. Watsco's shares have gained 4% since the announcement. Carrier is part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. UTX, a leading global provider to aerospace and building systems industries. The JV has sales of approximately $500 million in two countries, which includes 43 locations in the northeastern United States and 12 locations in Mexico. It offers a variety of products manufactured by Carrier along with approximately 25,000 other stock keeping units. The Watsco-Carrier alliance dates back to 2009, when the former entered into a 60:40 JV with Carrier Corporation. The JV was known as Carrier Enterprise I. Carrier contributed 95 of its company-owned locations in 13 Sun Belt states and Puerto Rico, and its export division in Miami and Florida, while Watsco contributed 15 locations that distributed Carrier products. In Jul 2012, Watsco exercised its option to acquire an additional 10%. Further, hiked its interest by 10% in Carrier Enterprise I in Jul 2014. The companys current stake in Carrier Enterprise I is at 80%. Neither Watsco nor Carrier have any option to further increase ownership stake in Carrier Enterprise I. In 2011, Watsco entered into a second JV with Carrier and completed two additional transactions. Carrier contributed 28 of its company-owned locations in eight Northeast U.S. States, and Watsco contributed 14 locations in the Northeast U.S. In Jul 2011, Watsco purchased Carriers distribution operations in Mexico, which included seven locations. Collectively, the Northeast locations and the Mexico operations are referred to as Carrier Enterprise II. Before the current transaction, Watsco had a 60% controlling interest in Carrier Enterprise II, while Carrier has a 40% non-controlling interest. In 2012, Watsco had formed a third JV (Carrier Enterprise III) with UTC Canada Corporation, an affiliate of Carrier. Carrier contributed 35 of its company-owned locations in Canada to Carrier Enterprise III. The company has 60% controlling interest in Carrier Enterprise III, while UTC Canada has a 40% non-controlling interest. These JVs not only added new products to Watsco's portfolio, but also marked the companys entry into the international markets with the addition of Latin American and Caribbean sales operations. WATSCO INC Price Story continues WATSCO INC Price | WATSCO INC Quote The company has immense growth potential in the replacement market, given an aging stock of air conditioners and heating systems in the U.S. The company will benefit from the expansion of its product offering as well as logistical and productivity improvements. In the long run, Watsco aims to reduce infrastructure costs, which will provide it with the opportunity to increase operating margins. Additionally, Watsco is actively transforming its business into the digital age by investing in innovative platforms for mobile apps, eCommerce, business intelligence and supply chain optimization. The companys strategic goals will help to further reinforce its leadership position, accelerate sales and profit growth, increase the speed and convenience of customer service. It will also extend its reach to new geographies and sales channels. Management has long-term plans to grow revenues to above $10 billion and achieve margins of more than 10%. This will be driven by growth initiatives like addition of more salesmen, new product offerings, geographic expansion, and logistical, productivity improvements as well as continued consolidation of the North American HVAC industry. Zacks Rank Watsco currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the same industry include AAON, Inc. AAON and Comfort Systems USA, Inc. FIX. AAON, Inc. has delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 6.67% in the last four quarters and carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Comfort Systems, which also carries a Zacks Rank #2, has an average positive earnings surprise of 15.83% in the last four quarters. Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them now>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report WATSCO INC (WSO): Free Stock Analysis Report AAON INC (AAON): Free Stock Analysis Report COMFORT SYSTEMS (FIX): Free Stock Analysis Report UTD TECHS CORP (UTX): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Essen (Germany) (AFP) - Angela Merkel's conservatives gave her an 11-minute standing ovation after handing her another term as party chief but also issued a warning in re-electing her with the worst score since she became German chancellor. With the mixed verdict Tuesday from her party rank and file on her bid for a fourth term, Merkel embarks on her toughest election campaign weakened by her liberal refugee policy that has polarised Europe's biggest economy. While 89.5 percent is hardly a score to be scoffed at, it fell just short of the 90 percent of Christian Democratic Union delegates seen as a crucial threshold. "It shows that she has lost confidence but has not fully regained it," said Spiegel Online. Rheinische Post daily agreed, saying that "it is clear that this chancellor is no longer strong enough to simply use 'you know me' to win the 2017 elections," referring to a previous Merkel slogan. "That attitude, which helped her in the 2013 (general election) campaign, almost led to her doom in the refugee crisis. For too long, she has trusted her party and voters to simply follow her," it said. - 'Losing to the right' - Merkel's decision last September to let in people fleeing war has become her Achilles' heel, as public resentment mounted after more than a million asylum seekers have arrived in Europe's biggest economy since the start of 2015. The displeasure has been manifested in setbacks for her party in five consecutive state elections this year, as the upstart populist AfD recorded a surge of support on the back of their campaign railing against migrants. Delegates at the CDU's annual congress are particularly anxious to halt a further haemorrhage of supporters to the AfD, as three more state elections loom next year in the run-up to the nationwide polls. "We're winning few voters from the left, but we're losing a lot to the right," said delegate Eugen Abele, accusing Merkel of positioning the party too far left and giving room for the AfD to stake a claim to the party's right. Story continues - 'No mission' - Recognising the public resentment over her refugee policy, Merkel has ditched last year's mantra of "we can do this". Rather, she laid out a tough stance on immigration and even called for a partial ban on the Muslim full-face veil, as she pleaded with her delegates for help in her fight for a fourth term. Wolfgang Reinhart, CDU lawmaker in the Baden-Wuerttemberg state parliament, told AFP he welcomed the chancellor's "new tone" stating that refugee and migration policies will become more restrictive. But he also recognised that "we still don't have a way to deal with the new nationalism and populism" challenge put by the AfD. For the Green party's parliamentary chief Anton Hofreiter, Merkel was pandering to the conservative right with her new stance. "The CDU is leaving the liberal middle-ground and shifting right," he told Die Welt daily. The regional daily Lausitzer Rundschau was harsher in its criticism of the battle strategy outlined by Merkel on Tuesday, saying it "lacked the rational power to convince" and showed "no mission". "The chancellor and her CDU are lucky that the right in Germany hasn't found someone as determined and unscrupulous as Donald Trump," it said. Essen (Germany) (AFP) - Germany's ruling conservatives may have re-elected Angela Merkel as their leader once again, but they have also sent her into next year's election campaign with a stern warning ringing in her ears. The German leader was chosen as head of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) on Tuesday with her lowest score since becoming chancellor, and a day later delegates defied her with a hardline push against dual nationality rules. With that mixed verdict from the party rank and file as she bids for a fourth term at the head of Europe's biggest economy, Merkel is facing her toughest election campaign yet, weakened by her liberal refugee policy that has polarised public opinion. While 89.5 percent is hardly a score to be scoffed at, it missed the 90 percent of CDU delegates seen as a crucial threshold. "It shows that she has lost confidence but has not fully regained it," said Spiegel Online. Rheinische Post daily agreed, saying that "it is clear that this chancellor is no longer strong enough to simply use 'you know me' to win the 2017 elections," referring to a previous Merkel slogan. "That attitude, which helped her in the 2013 (general election) campaign, almost led to her doom in the refugee crisis. For too long, she has trusted her party and voters to simply follow her," it said. - 'Losing to the right' - Merkel's decision last September to let in people fleeing war has become her Achilles heel, as public resentment mounted after more than a million asylum seekers have arrived in Europe's biggest economy since the start of 2015. The displeasure has been manifested in setbacks for her party in five consecutive state elections this year, as the upstart populist AfD recorded a surge of support on the back of their campaign railing against migrants. "We're winning few voters from the left, but we're losing a lot to the right," said delegate Eugen Abele, accusing Merkel of positioning the party too far left and giving room for the AfD to stake a claim to the party's right. Story continues Merkel herself has laid out a tough stance on immigration and even called for a partial ban on the Islamic full-face veil, as she pleaded with her delegates for help in her fight for a new term. But for some, it did not go far enough. On Wednesday, the junior wing of the CDU mounted a small rebellion and forced through a demand for dual nationality be scrapped for German-born children of foreigners. The hardline measure set the party on a collision course with its junior coalition partner the Social Democrats (SPD) ahead of elections next year, and underlined the challenge faced by Merkel to rein in the more conservative wing of her party. Allowing dual nationality was a key demand of the SPD during negotiations with Merkel's conservatives after the last elections in 2013 that resulted in a hard-fought deal on teaming up in a left-right government. "I personally think it would be wrong to turn back on this," a displeased Merkel said in response to the motion. Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere warned during a heated debate on the issue against tearing up the compromise. "We don't want to reverse that," he said, adding that it was also a blow for children of foreign origin at a time when the country is struggling with integration issues. - 'Step backwards' - The move mainly affects Turkish migrants, many of whom had come to Germany in the 1960s and 1970s to work but have stayed on and started families here. Before 2014, their children had to give up either their parents' citizenship or their German one by the age of 23. The decision quickly drew a rebuke from the SPD, with Justice Minister Heiko Maas saying that reversing the rule "would be a step backwards for integration". SPD chief Sigmar Gabriel also derided the move, saying it showed the discord within the CDU. "Either they have picked the wrong chairwoman or Madame Merkel has the wrong party," he said. The Green party's parliamentary chief Anton Hofreiter accused the party of pandering to the conservative right with the new stance. "The CDU is leaving the liberal middle ground and shifting right," he told Die Welt daily. BERLIN, Dec 7 (Reuters) - The leaders of six major Western nations called on Wednesday for an immediate ceasefire in the Syrian city of Aleppo and condemned Russia and Iran for supporting the Syrian government. "The most urgent goal remains an immediate ceasefire so that the United Nations can bring humanitarian aid to people in East Aleppo," said the leaders of Germany, France, Italy, the United States, Canada and Britain in a statement released in Berlin. They said the Syrian government must agree to a four-point plan put forward by the U.N. "We urge the Syrian regime to do this immediately to end the terrible situation in Aleppo; we demand Russia and Iran to exercise their influence to make this happen." Adding that there must be no impunity for individuals who commit war crimes, they urged the U.N. to collect evidence to bring individuals to justice. "We are ready to consider additional restrictive measures against individuals or institutions that act for the Syrian regime or in its name." (Reporting by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Caroline Copley) By Lisa Maria Garza COLLEGE STATION, Texas (Reuters) - Texas A&M University students and activists protested against a speech on Tuesday by white nationalist Richard Spencer, who was filmed at a conference last month saying "Hail Trump", drawing Nazi-like salutes from some spectators. About 1,000 demonstrators waved flags, marched, sang songs and shouted through loudspeakers outside the Memorial Student Center on the campus, where Spencer was speaking, as state police in riot gear stood by, blocking them from entering. Caitlin Miles, a 26-year-old graduate student, stood on top of a box and yelled over the sound of tambourines and trumpets, telling her fellow demonstrators not to engage with any Spencer supporters. "He has made a lot of remarks and promoted chants that hail back to Nazi slogans. This is a campus that sacrificed nearly half of its student body to fight Nazis," Miles told Reuters. Spencer, president of the National Policy Institute, has said the opposition around his speech is a testament to the reach of the so-called alt-right movement, a loose grouping characterized by a rejection of mainstream politics that includes neo-Nazis, white supremacists and anti-Semites. "They might think that theyre drowning us out, but theyre doing the exact opposite," Spencer said in an interview. After last month's filmed event in Washington D.C., President-elect Donald Trump disavowed the group and sought to distance himself from its views. The university in College Station, Texas, said its leaders explored whether it could legally prohibit Spencer's event, but ultimately recognized its obligation to uphold free speech, university spokeswoman Amy Smith said. Spencer was invited to the campus by university alumnus Preston Wiginton, a prominent white supremacist, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate speech. "With the Trump election, white people in America have shown concern over political events of immigration and white people being displaced and marginalized," Wiginton said in an interview. "To me, part of Spencer being here is part of that concern." (Reporting by Lisa Maria Garza in College Station Editing by Colleen Jenkins) White nationalist leader Richard Spencer told an audience at Texas A&M University on Tuesday, December 6, that America belongs to white men. Spencer made the remark in a speech about what he called the story of white Europeans. In answer to a question from an audience member about whether he thought whites were superior, he said there was noobjective standard whereby he would say one race was better than another, but that, the white race is mine. It is the most important thing for me. Spencer was met with hisses, boos, and cheers upon entering the student center, according to local media. He called hecklers clowns, as heard in this footage. Spencer was brought to campus by a man who attended A&M and who rented the room for the occasion. He was not invited by the university, CNN said. While Spencer was slated to speak at the Memorial Student Center, students held a unity rally at the nearby Kyle Field. The university said two people, who were not students, were arrested at the peaceful event. Spencer is the president of the National Policy Institute, a think tank dedicated to the heritage, identity, and future of people of European descent in the United States, and around the world. He was filmed leading delegates at a National Policy Institute conference chanting Hail Trump in Washington on November 19. Credit: Twitter/josefgoldilock via Storyful Protesters gathered at Texas A&M University to oppose white nationalist Richard Spencers speech at the institute Tuesday night. Spencer has made headlines mostly after Donald Trumps presidential election win for his so-called alt-right ideas, which are a mix of populism and white nationalism. Spencer, who belongs to the white supremacist think tank National Policy Institute (NPI), was invited not by the university but by a former student on the grounds that the school is publicly funded. The university then held a counter-event named Aggies United, with an aim to stand together unwavering in our conviction that we are strongest when united. Addressing the crowd, Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp said that the university is not a place to promote racism and hate. If youre a purveyor of hate and divisiveness and you want to spew that kind of racism, this is the last campus on earth that you want to come to, Sharp said. There is no place, and there is no university where love and respect for each other and loyalty and commitment to each other is stronger than Texas A&M University. Spencer, however, said that the universitys reaction to his appearance at the school shows the power of the alt-right and the power of our ideas. About 400 people attended Spencers event with some of them mocking him, according to reports. At least one incident of physical confrontation was reported when the microphone was snatched from a woman who kept asking if Spencer was a racist. Law enforcement officers were deployed at the university as some people protested outside the Memorial Student Center where Spencer gave the speech. In all, two arrests were made, according to the campus police. Those arrested were not university students. Last month, NPI held a conference at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C., where Spencer praised Trumps victory in the elections and made a Nazi salute. He also reportedly attacked the media, calling them Lugenpresse a Nazi-era phrase which translates to lying press in German. Story continues Following are some quotes from Spencers latest speech at Texas A&M: At the end of the day, America belongs to white men. Youre part of a bigger extended family, and that race has a story to tell. Its a people and a blood and a place on the map. Whether it was nice or not, and Im not going to deny there was a lot of brutality that went along with it, we won, Spencer reportedly said about civilizations built by Europeans, which according to him are eventually put in danger when their fundamental racial identity is lost. Race is real. Race matters. Race is the foundation of identity. Trump was the first step toward white identity politics in the United States. He is not going to be the last. The alt-right is a new beginning. Related Articles Photo credit: Carsten Koall / Stringerundefined From Popular Mechanics Tuesday morning, President-Elect Donald Trump sent out a tweet expressing dismay at the cost of the ongoing process to build a new pair of planes to serve as Air Force One. (Perhaps not coincidentally, this was shortly after Boeing's CEO expressed concerns about Trump's trade policy.) Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order! - Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2016 Trump spokesman Jason Miller expanded on the statement during a call with reporters. Per the Washington Post: "I think this really speaks to the president-elect's focus on keeping costs down across the board with regard to government spending. I think people are really frustrated with some of the big price tags that are coming out for programs, even in addition to this one. So we're going to look for areas where we can keep costs down and look for ways where we can save money." That $4 billion number is fuzzy at best. As Boeing has pointed out in a statement, the company is only under contract for $170 million currently, and the Air Force has earmarked $1.65 billion for the project. The Government Accountability Office, meanwhile, has estimated a total cost of $3.21 billion. And then set those numbers aside for a second, because here's the other thing: The President's plane does need to be replaced. So halting the current project because it's too expensive really only makes sense if a cheaper, more practical solution exists. Let's run through the various options. Option 1: Continue flying the current planes indefinitely "Air Force One" is merely a callsign for the plane the president is currently on, but two airplanes take on this name most frequently. Both are Boeing VC-25s-a specially outfitted version of the Boeing 747-200B. Both are very old. Story continues The 747-200B was launched in 1971, but the pair currently serving the POTUS was first flown in 1987, four years before Boeing stopped production on the model altogether. Over the years, the two planes have been upgraded repeatedly to keep up with the times and to incorporate the latest communication and defense technology. The problem with the aging jets is simpler than that: it's the keeping-them-up-in-the-air technology. "Spare parts are becoming difficult to obtain" "Spare parts are becoming difficult to obtain," Joe Hagin, former deputy chief of staff to George W. Bush, told Popular Mechanics back in 2009. "[The] few 747-200s still flying today are in freighter service or operating in small overseas airlines." Parts that are no longer in active production need to be salvaged or custom made, meaning repairs take a long time, are extremely expensive, or both. That problem hasn't gotten any better in the seven years since, and there is no reason to believe the problem won't get worse. Replacement craft were initially planned for 2017, and there was fear that even that was not soon enough. "There is a concern in some quarters within the Air Force that they really need the replacement much sooner," Hagin said back in '09. Now, the replacement Boeing 747-8s are expected to enter service by 2023 at the earliest. That's already an additional six years of high-expense operation. It's unlikely this fact is lost on Trump, who said the following at rally in North Carolina this past July: "Now Air Force One is a very old Boeing 747. It sucks up a lot of gas. A lot of fuel. Boy, the fuel bill. You turn on those engines, I can tell you, it's a lot of money." The old planes will have to be replaced sooner or later, and "later" offers no practical benefits. Option 2: Attempt to find a better, cheaper replacement If Air Force One needs to be replaced-and quickly-is there a better option than the current Boeing project? Not really. When the Air Force chose Boeing to build the replacement planes for Air Force One back in January of 2015, there was no competition. That's because Boeing's 747-8 is effectively the only option that fits the bill. As the Air Force put it, it's the only U.S.-made plane "that when fully missionized meets the necessary critically important capabilities." The 747-8 is the only plane that "meets the necessary critically important capabilities." The only other plane that can live up to the Air Force's high requirements-which include a minimum of four engines and capability for in-air refueling, among a litany of other features-is the French-made Airbus A380. Complications of using a foreign-made plane aside, Airbus expressed disinterest in making a bid. Worse yet, Boeing is scaling down its production of the 747 even with the Air Force One deal in place, and preparing to end production of new 747 jets altogether in the face of declining demand. So, new 747-8s may be a limited-time offer. And there's not much reason to believe something better will come along. The air travel economy is trending towards nonstop flights and smaller jets. Boeing's future probably looks more like the two-engine 737 MAX than the giant 747-8, and size is crucial for Air Force One, given the number of people it routinely has to carry. Option 3: Ground expensive older planes in favor of Trump's private jet Photo credit: Justin Sullivan / Staffundefined Yes, President-Elect Trump already has a private jet, a Boeing 757. It served him well enough during the 2016 campaign, but as a U.S. official told CNN, it's "nearly functionally impossible" for him to continue using it as the president. "No one tells the President he can't do something," the official said. "Instead, you lay out all the reasons it's functionally impossible." Missing features on Trump Force One include missile defense systems, nuclear blast shielding, special communication systems for classified information, and the sheer size needed to carry the necessary staff. That's not to mention other unusual effects that result from the use of a private plane. During the 2016 campaign, the Secret Service detail charged with protecting Mr. Trump paid their way on his private plane using taxpayer money. Were he to continue on his private 757, such an arrangement would divert taxpayer money directly into the president's pocket every time he took a trip. More importantly, this solution would leave the most glaring problems unfixed. Even if the aging VC-25s that serve as Air Force One today were grounded, they would still cost money to maintain in the event that their services were needed. After President Trump's tenure is over, be that in 2020 or 2024, the next president would wind up in the same situation we have now: old, expensive planes with no replacement in sight. this solution would leave the most glaring problems unfixed. Lastly, any attempt by President Trump to completely undo the Boeing deal could be thorny, considering a $170 million contract is already in place. However, the bulk of the cost of a new Air Force One is intended to be spread through the federal budget for years to come. Getting new planes to fly the president around is not an easy, cheap, or quick process. In fact, it's lengthy enough that President Trump may not benefit from it directly. It is, however, a problem that needs to be solved before complications can continue to compound. To simply ignore it because its price tag seems high would betray an egregious lack of foresight that could negatively affect U.S. presidents and taxpaying citizens for years to come. 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(5) Nov 28 (4) Nov 27 (5) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (4) Nov 24 (4) Nov 23 (3) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (5) Nov 20 (3) Nov 19 (5) Nov 18 (3) Nov 17 (4) Nov 16 (5) Nov 15 (3) Nov 14 (4) Nov 13 (5) Nov 12 (7) Nov 11 (4) Nov 10 (6) Nov 09 (4) Nov 08 (4) Nov 07 (4) Nov 06 (3) Nov 05 (4) Nov 04 (4) Nov 03 (3) Nov 02 (4) Nov 01 (4) Oct 31 (3) Oct 30 (4) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (4) Oct 27 (4) Oct 26 (4) Oct 25 (4) Oct 24 (5) Oct 23 (4) Oct 22 (4) Oct 21 (3) Oct 20 (3) Oct 19 (4) Oct 18 (3) Oct 17 (3) Oct 16 (4) Oct 15 (4) Oct 14 (4) Oct 13 (4) Oct 12 (5) Oct 11 (3) Oct 10 (5) Oct 09 (5) Oct 08 (5) Oct 07 (6) Oct 06 (3) Oct 05 (3) Oct 04 (5) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (4) Oct 01 (3) Sep 30 (4) Sep 29 (4) Sep 28 (5) Sep 27 (5) Sep 26 (5) Sep 25 (3) Sep 24 (5) Sep 23 (5) Sep 22 (3) Sep 21 (4) Sep 20 (4) Sep 19 (3) Sep 18 (3) Sep 17 (4) Sep 16 (4) Sep 15 (3) Sep 14 (4) Sep 13 (4) Sep 12 (5) Sep 11 (4) Sep 10 (3) Sep 09 (4) Sep 08 (5) Sep 07 (4) Sep 06 (4) Sep 05 (5) Sep 04 (4) Sep 03 (3) Sep 02 (4) Sep 01 (3) Aug 31 (5) Aug 30 (4) Aug 29 (6) Aug 28 (6) Aug 27 (6) Aug 26 (5) Aug 25 (4) Aug 24 (4) Aug 23 (7) Aug 22 (4) Aug 21 (6) Aug 20 (3) Aug 19 (7) Aug 18 (4) Aug 17 (3) Aug 16 (4) Aug 15 (3) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (6) Aug 12 (6) Aug 11 (4) Aug 10 (4) Aug 09 (3) Aug 08 (5) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (3) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (4) Aug 03 (6) Aug 02 (3) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (3) Jul 30 (3) Jul 29 (5) Jul 28 (5) Jul 27 (4) Jul 26 (6) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (3) Jul 23 (6) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (5) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (3) Jul 18 (3) Jul 17 (4) Jul 16 (6) Jul 15 (4) Jul 14 (4) Jul 13 (4) Jul 12 (4) Jul 11 (3) Jul 10 (5) Jul 09 (4) Jul 08 (3) Jul 07 (4) Jul 06 (3) Jul 05 (3) Jul 04 (3) Jul 03 (3) Jul 02 (4) Jul 01 (4) Jun 30 (4) Jun 29 (3) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (3) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (5) Jun 23 (6) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (3) Jun 19 (4) Jun 18 (3) Jun 17 (4) Jun 16 (4) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (4) Jun 13 (3) Jun 12 (5) Jun 11 (5) Jun 10 (6) Jun 09 (5) Jun 08 (4) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (4) Jun 05 (3) Jun 04 (5) Jun 03 (3) Jun 02 (3) Jun 01 (4) May 31 (4) May 30 (3) May 29 (3) May 28 (5) May 27 (3) May 26 (4) May 25 (3) May 24 (6) May 23 (4) May 22 (5) May 21 (5) May 20 (4) May 19 (5) May 18 (6) May 17 (6) May 16 (4) May 15 (4) May 14 (5) May 13 (4) May 12 (3) May 11 (4) May 10 (5) May 09 (2) May 08 (4) May 07 (4) May 06 (4) May 05 (4) May 04 (4) May 03 (3) May 02 (3) May 01 (4) Apr 30 (4) Apr 29 (6) Apr 28 (6) Apr 27 (5) Apr 26 (5) Apr 25 (4) Apr 24 (6) Apr 23 (6) Apr 22 (5) Apr 21 (6) Apr 20 (4) Apr 19 (4) Apr 18 (4) Apr 17 (7) Apr 16 (5) Apr 15 (4) Apr 14 (8) Apr 13 (5) Apr 12 (3) Apr 11 (3) Apr 10 (4) Apr 09 (6) Apr 08 (6) Apr 07 (5) Apr 06 (4) Apr 05 (3) Apr 04 (4) Apr 03 (6) Apr 02 (6) Apr 01 (3) Mar 31 (7) Mar 30 (6) Mar 29 (8) Mar 28 (5) Mar 27 (6) Mar 26 (8) Mar 25 (5) Mar 24 (5) Mar 23 (8) Mar 22 (5) Mar 21 (6) Mar 20 (5) Mar 19 (5) Mar 18 (4) Mar 17 (4) Mar 16 (5) Mar 15 (6) Mar 14 (5) Mar 13 (6) Mar 12 (4) Mar 11 (4) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (7) Mar 08 (4) Mar 07 (4) Mar 06 (4) Mar 05 (3) Mar 04 (4) Mar 03 (6) Mar 02 (3) Mar 01 (5) Feb 28 (7) Feb 27 (6) Feb 26 (8) Feb 25 (5) Feb 24 (8) Feb 23 (7) Feb 22 (8) Feb 21 (7) Feb 20 (7) Feb 19 (7) Feb 18 (5) Feb 17 (4) Feb 16 (6) Feb 15 (6) Feb 14 (5) Feb 13 (5) Feb 12 (7) Feb 11 (6) Feb 10 (7) Feb 09 (4) Feb 08 (6) Feb 07 (5) Feb 06 (5) Feb 05 (4) Feb 04 (4) Feb 03 (4) Feb 02 (5) Feb 01 (3) Jan 31 (5) Jan 30 (3) Jan 29 (6) Jan 28 (4) Jan 27 (3) Jan 26 (5) Jan 25 (4) Jan 24 (4) Jan 23 (5) Jan 22 (7) Jan 21 (6) Jan 20 (6) Jan 19 (3) Jan 18 (6) Jan 17 (5) Jan 16 (7) Jan 15 (4) Jan 14 (7) Jan 13 (5) Jan 12 (7) Jan 11 (5) Jan 10 (4) Jan 09 (4) Jan 08 (7) Jan 07 (3) Jan 06 (5) Jan 05 (5) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (4) Jan 02 (3) Jan 01 (6) Dec 31 (5) Dec 30 (3) Dec 29 (4) Dec 28 (7) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (6) Dec 24 (5) Dec 23 (5) Dec 22 (5) Dec 21 (3) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (4) Dec 17 (6) Dec 16 (5) Dec 15 (4) Dec 14 (5) Dec 13 (4) Dec 12 (5) Dec 11 (7) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (3) Dec 08 (5) Dec 07 (6) Dec 06 (4) Dec 05 (4) Dec 04 (7) Dec 03 (6) Dec 02 (4) Dec 01 (4) Nov 30 (6) Nov 29 (4) Nov 28 (4) Nov 27 (7) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (5) Nov 24 (4) Nov 23 (4) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (7) Nov 20 (5) Nov 19 (4) Nov 18 (5) Nov 17 (6) Nov 16 (7) Nov 15 (5) Nov 14 (5) Nov 13 (5) Nov 12 (4) Nov 11 (7) Nov 10 (6) Nov 09 (7) Nov 08 (4) Nov 07 (9) Nov 06 (7) Nov 05 (7) Nov 04 (7) Nov 03 (5) Nov 02 (6) Nov 01 (6) Oct 31 (7) Oct 30 (6) Oct 29 (7) Oct 28 (4) Oct 27 (7) Oct 26 (4) Oct 25 (3) Oct 24 (6) Oct 23 (10) Oct 22 (6) Oct 21 (5) Oct 20 (5) Oct 19 (5) Oct 18 (4) Oct 17 (6) Oct 16 (5) Oct 15 (6) Oct 14 (7) Oct 13 (3) Oct 12 (5) Oct 11 (5) Oct 10 (6) Oct 09 (8) Oct 08 (6) Oct 07 (5) Oct 06 (4) Oct 05 (4) Oct 04 (3) Oct 03 (4) Oct 02 (5) Oct 01 (5) Sep 30 (6) Sep 29 (5) Sep 28 (5) Sep 27 (6) Sep 26 (7) Sep 25 (6) Sep 24 (6) Sep 23 (6) Sep 22 (7) Sep 21 (5) Sep 20 (8) Sep 19 (6) Sep 18 (3) Sep 17 (5) Sep 16 (5) Sep 15 (5) Sep 14 (7) Sep 13 (5) Sep 12 (7) Sep 11 (5) Sep 10 (7) Sep 09 (7) Sep 08 (7) Sep 07 (6) Sep 06 (5) Sep 05 (3) Sep 04 (6) Sep 03 (7) Sep 02 (6) Sep 01 (6) Aug 31 (5) Aug 30 (5) Aug 29 (4) Aug 28 (5) Aug 27 (5) Aug 26 (3) Aug 25 (8) Aug 24 (5) Aug 23 (6) Aug 22 (7) Aug 21 (7) Aug 20 (6) Aug 19 (7) Aug 18 (5) Aug 17 (4) Aug 16 (6) Aug 15 (6) Aug 14 (6) Aug 13 (7) Aug 12 (6) Aug 11 (5) Aug 10 (6) Aug 09 (6) Aug 08 (5) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (4) Aug 05 (5) Aug 04 (6) Aug 03 (6) Aug 02 (5) Aug 01 (5) Jul 31 (7) Jul 30 (7) Jul 29 (4) Jul 28 (7) Jul 27 (6) Jul 26 (4) Jul 25 (3) Jul 24 (5) Jul 23 (4) Jul 22 (4) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (5) Jul 18 (5) Jul 17 (5) Jul 16 (4) Jul 15 (3) Jul 14 (4) Jul 13 (5) Jul 12 (6) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (4) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (4) Jul 07 (7) Jul 06 (5) Jul 05 (6) Jul 04 (3) Jul 03 (5) Jul 02 (4) Jul 01 (4) Jun 30 (3) Jun 29 (5) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (3) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (3) Jun 23 (4) Jun 22 (3) Jun 21 (3) Jun 20 (5) Jun 19 (3) Jun 18 (4) Jun 17 (5) Jun 16 (4) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (7) Jun 13 (5) Jun 12 (5) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (6) Jun 09 (4) Jun 08 (6) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (5) Jun 05 (4) Jun 04 (5) Jun 03 (5) Jun 02 (5) Jun 01 (5) May 31 (4) May 30 (5) May 29 (5) May 28 (5) May 27 (8) May 26 (7) May 25 (7) May 24 (5) May 23 (2) May 22 (5) May 21 (4) May 20 (5) May 19 (5) May 18 (5) May 17 (5) May 16 (7) May 15 (7) May 14 (7) May 13 (5) May 12 (6) May 11 (8) May 10 (4) May 09 (6) May 08 (10) May 07 (8) May 06 (5) May 05 (6) May 04 (7) May 03 (7) May 02 (8) May 01 (6) Apr 30 (6) Apr 29 (6) Apr 28 (9) Apr 27 (6) Apr 26 (5) Apr 25 (8) Apr 24 (7) Apr 23 (8) Apr 22 (6) Apr 21 (5) Apr 20 (10) Apr 19 (7) Apr 18 (7) Apr 17 (8) Apr 16 (5) Apr 15 (6) Apr 14 (9) Apr 13 (11) Apr 12 (8) Apr 11 (5) Apr 10 (10) Apr 09 (7) Apr 08 (5) Apr 07 (9) Apr 06 (10) Apr 05 (5) Apr 04 (5) Apr 03 (7) Apr 02 (6) Apr 01 (5) Mar 31 (3) Mar 30 (3) Mar 29 (1) Mar 28 (5) Mar 27 (7) Mar 26 (8) Mar 25 (4) Mar 24 (8) Mar 23 (5) Mar 22 (4) Mar 21 (5) Mar 20 (7) Mar 19 (5) Mar 18 (8) Mar 17 (8) Mar 16 (3) Mar 15 (6) Mar 14 (9) Mar 13 (6) Mar 12 (6) Mar 11 (7) Mar 10 (6) Mar 09 (8) Mar 08 (5) Mar 07 (5) Mar 06 (6) Mar 05 (9) Mar 04 (7) Mar 03 (6) Mar 02 (5) Mar 01 (7) Feb 28 (8) Feb 27 (7) Feb 26 (4) Feb 25 (9) Feb 24 (6) Feb 23 (6) Feb 22 (7) Feb 21 (3) Feb 20 (6) Feb 19 (5) Feb 18 (5) Feb 17 (4) Feb 16 (4) Feb 15 (5) Feb 14 (8) Feb 13 (6) Feb 12 (4) Feb 11 (5) Feb 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) Aug 13 (6) Aug 12 (5) Aug 11 (7) Aug 10 (4) Aug 09 (9) Aug 08 (9) Aug 07 (5) Aug 06 (5) Aug 05 (6) Aug 04 (6) Aug 03 (7) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (6) Jul 30 (7) Jul 29 (8) Jul 28 (8) Jul 27 (6) Jul 26 (9) Jul 25 (9) Jul 24 (7) Jul 23 (3) Jul 22 (7) Jul 21 (9) Jul 20 (6) Jul 19 (9) Jul 18 (7) Jul 17 (2) Jul 16 (5) Jul 15 (7) Jul 14 (7) Jul 13 (8) Jul 12 (4) Jul 11 (4) Jul 10 (7) Jul 09 (6) Jul 08 (6) Jul 07 (4) Jul 06 (4) Jul 05 (6) Jul 04 (8) Jul 03 (3) Jul 02 (7) Jul 01 (6) Jun 30 (4) Jun 29 (6) Jun 28 (5) Jun 27 (6) Jun 26 (6) Jun 25 (7) Jun 24 (4) Jun 23 (5) Jun 22 (7) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (6) Jun 19 (4) Jun 18 (6) Jun 17 (5) Jun 16 (6) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (5) Jun 13 (7) Jun 12 (8) Jun 11 (5) Jun 10 (4) Jun 09 (7) Jun 08 (6) Jun 07 (5) Jun 06 (7) Jun 05 (5) Jun 04 (6) Jun 03 (5) Jun 02 (8) Jun 01 (6) May 31 (7) May 30 (4) May 29 (5) May 28 (1) May 27 (5) May 26 (8) May 25 (5) May 24 (8) May 23 (8) May 22 (7) May 21 (5) May 20 (6) May 19 (9) May 18 (5) May 17 (9) May 16 (7) May 15 (5) May 14 (11) May 13 (6) May 12 (13) May 11 (5) May 10 (7) May 09 (6) May 08 (8) May 07 (9) May 06 (6) May 05 (5) May 04 (2) May 03 (6) May 02 (7) May 01 (4) Apr 30 (5) Apr 29 (7) Apr 28 (6) Apr 27 (6) Apr 26 (10) Apr 25 (7) Apr 24 (5) Apr 23 (4) Apr 22 (7) Apr 21 (3) Apr 20 (6) Apr 19 (6) Apr 18 (3) Apr 17 (10) Apr 16 (6) Apr 15 (6) Apr 14 (5) Apr 13 (4) Apr 12 (5) Apr 11 (10) Apr 10 (6) Apr 09 (6) Apr 08 (10) Apr 07 (6) Apr 06 (6) Apr 05 (5) Apr 04 (4) Apr 03 (5) Apr 02 (5) Apr 01 (6) Mar 31 (5) Mar 30 (9) Mar 29 (8) Mar 28 (8) Mar 27 (7) Mar 26 (9) Mar 25 (11) Mar 24 (10) Mar 23 (6) Mar 22 (8) Mar 21 (3) Mar 20 (6) Mar 19 (2) Mar 18 (9) Mar 17 (7) Mar 16 (6) Mar 15 (10) Mar 14 (6) Mar 13 (6) Mar 12 (10) Mar 11 (7) Mar 10 (8) Mar 09 (6) Mar 08 (5) Mar 07 (6) Mar 06 (7) Mar 05 (6) Mar 04 (10) Mar 03 (2) Mar 02 (8) Mar 01 (9) Feb 29 (11) Feb 28 (8) Feb 27 (6) Feb 26 (8) Feb 25 (8) Feb 24 (9) Feb 23 (12) Feb 22 (10) Feb 21 (11) Feb 20 (6) Feb 19 (5) Feb 18 (9) Feb 17 (9) Feb 16 (10) Feb 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) Nov 16 (6) Nov 15 (5) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 (6) Nov 12 (5) Nov 11 (4) Nov 10 (4) Nov 09 (2) Nov 08 (5) Nov 07 (4) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (5) Nov 04 (6) Nov 03 (6) Nov 02 (5) Nov 01 (5) Oct 31 (6) Oct 30 (6) Oct 29 (5) Oct 28 (5) Oct 27 (3) Oct 26 (5) Oct 25 (8) Oct 24 (7) Oct 23 (4) Oct 22 (7) Oct 21 (5) Oct 20 (5) Oct 19 (5) Oct 18 (6) Oct 17 (3) Oct 16 (2) Oct 15 (2) Oct 14 (2) Oct 13 (6) Oct 12 (9) Oct 11 (3) Oct 10 (6) Oct 09 (4) Oct 08 (5) Oct 07 (6) Oct 06 (6) Oct 05 (7) Oct 04 (5) Oct 03 (4) Oct 02 (5) Oct 01 (8) Sep 30 (3) Sep 29 (6) Sep 28 (6) Sep 27 (9) Sep 26 (4) Sep 25 (4) Sep 24 (5) Sep 23 (3) Sep 22 (6) Sep 21 (4) Sep 20 (4) Sep 19 (5) Sep 18 (7) Sep 17 (6) Sep 16 (7) Sep 15 (4) Sep 14 (8) Sep 13 (3) Sep 12 (7) Sep 11 (8) Sep 10 (5) Sep 09 (5) Sep 08 (8) Sep 07 (5) Sep 06 (6) Sep 05 (4) Sep 04 (7) Sep 03 (5) Sep 02 (4) Sep 01 (4) Aug 31 (5) Aug 30 (6) Aug 29 (5) Aug 28 (5) Aug 27 (4) Aug 26 (3) Aug 25 (7) Aug 24 (6) Aug 23 (6) Aug 22 (6) Aug 21 (5) Aug 20 (5) Aug 19 (5) Aug 18 (5) Aug 17 (5) Aug 16 (3) Aug 15 (7) Aug 14 (8) Aug 13 (8) Aug 12 (4) Aug 11 (6) Aug 10 (5) Aug 09 (4) Aug 08 (9) Aug 07 (6) Aug 06 (7) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (4) Aug 03 (6) Aug 02 (6) Aug 01 (6) Jul 31 (4) Jul 30 (5) Jul 29 (4) Jul 28 (6) Jul 27 (4) Jul 26 (3) Jul 25 (5) Jul 24 (4) Jul 23 (4) Jul 22 (5) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (2) Jul 19 (4) Jul 18 (7) Jul 17 (8) Jul 16 (5) Jul 15 (5) Jul 14 (4) Jul 13 (5) Jul 12 (4) Jul 11 (7) Jul 10 (5) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (2) Jul 07 (4) Jul 06 (4) Jul 05 (6) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (10) Jul 02 (4) Jul 01 (2) Jun 30 (3) Jun 29 (3) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (3) Jun 26 (6) Jun 25 (3) Jun 24 (3) Jun 23 (3) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (3) Jun 18 (3) Jun 17 (3) Jun 16 (4) Jun 15 (3) Jun 14 (4) Jun 13 (3) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (2) Jun 10 (2) Jun 09 (2) Jun 08 (3) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (1) Jun 04 (3) Jun 03 (2) Jun 02 (2) Jun 01 (2) May 31 (2) May 30 (3) May 29 (3) May 28 (5) May 27 (1) May 26 (1) May 25 (2) May 24 (2) May 23 (1) May 22 (2) May 21 (2) May 20 (3) May 19 (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 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(4) Mar 09 (5) Mar 08 (5) Mar 07 (5) Mar 06 (3) Mar 05 (4) Mar 04 (3) Mar 03 (3) Mar 02 (5) Mar 01 (4) Feb 28 (2) Feb 27 (3) Feb 26 (3) Feb 25 (3) Feb 24 (4) Feb 23 (4) Feb 22 (3) Feb 21 (4) Feb 20 (4) Feb 19 (3) Feb 18 (3) Feb 17 (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 (7) Nov 17 (5) Nov 16 (4) Nov 15 (6) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 (3) Nov 12 (4) Nov 11 (3) Nov 10 (3) Nov 09 (4) Nov 08 (3) Nov 07 (2) Nov 06 (2) Nov 05 (2) Nov 04 (4) Nov 03 (4) Nov 02 (4) Nov 01 (2) Oct 31 (3) Oct 30 (4) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (2) Oct 27 (3) Oct 26 (3) Oct 25 (2) Oct 24 (2) Oct 23 (2) Oct 22 (3) Oct 21 (2) Oct 20 (3) Oct 19 (3) Oct 18 (2) Oct 17 (2) Oct 16 (2) Oct 15 (2) Oct 14 (4) Oct 13 (2) Oct 12 (3) Oct 11 (2) Oct 10 (2) Oct 09 (4) Oct 08 (4) Oct 07 (4) Oct 06 (3) Oct 05 (4) Oct 04 (5) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (6) Oct 01 (6) Sep 30 (5) Sep 29 (3) Sep 28 (3) Sep 27 (7) Sep 26 (4) Sep 25 (3) Sep 24 (5) Sep 23 (8) Sep 22 (3) Sep 21 (3) Sep 20 (6) Sep 19 (3) Sep 18 (3) Sep 17 (5) Sep 16 (7) Sep 15 (3) Sep 14 (4) Sep 13 (3) Sep 12 (5) Sep 11 (5) Sep 10 (5) Sep 09 (7) Sep 08 (5) Sep 07 (2) Sep 06 (7) Sep 05 (4) Sep 04 (4) Sep 03 (2) Sep 02 (2) Sep 01 (2) Aug 31 (3) Aug 30 (3) Aug 29 (3) Aug 28 (3) Aug 27 (3) Aug 26 (4) Aug 25 (3) Aug 24 (3) Aug 23 (3) Aug 22 (4) Aug 21 (4) Aug 20 (4) Aug 19 (4) Aug 18 (3) Aug 17 (2) Aug 16 (2) Aug 15 (5) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (5) Aug 12 (10) Aug 11 (5) Aug 10 (4) Aug 09 (5) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (6) Aug 05 (5) Aug 04 (5) Aug 03 (3) Aug 02 (5) Aug 01 (7) Jul 31 (5) Jul 30 (4) Jul 29 (4) Jul 28 (3) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (5) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (5) Jul 23 (5) Jul 22 (7) Jul 21 (5) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (5) Jul 18 (6) Jul 17 (5) Jul 16 (5) Jul 15 (6) Jul 14 (4) Jul 13 (3) Jul 12 (2) Jul 11 (2) Jul 10 (2) Jul 09 (2) Jul 08 (2) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (2) Jul 05 (2) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (3) Jul 02 (2) Jul 01 (8) Jun 30 (6) Jun 29 (4) Jun 28 (6) Jun 27 (6) Jun 26 (6) Jun 25 (6) Jun 24 (6) Jun 23 (4) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (5) Jun 18 (8) Jun 17 (6) Jun 16 (5) Jun 15 (5) Jun 14 (5) Jun 13 (4) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (6) Jun 10 (4) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (5) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (3) Jun 04 (3) Jun 03 (3) Jun 02 (3) Jun 01 (4) May 31 (2) May 30 (2) May 29 (2) May 28 (2) May 27 (4) May 26 (4) May 25 (3) May 24 (2) May 23 (2) May 22 (3) May 21 (5) May 20 (4) May 19 (2) May 18 (3) May 17 (3) May 16 (3) May 15 (4) May 14 (5) May 13 (3) May 12 (4) May 11 (3) May 10 (4) May 09 (4) May 08 (4) May 07 (3) May 06 (2) May 05 (3) May 04 (4) May 03 (2) May 02 (3) May 01 (3) Apr 30 (3) Apr 29 (4) Apr 28 (2) Apr 27 (3) Apr 26 (4) Apr 25 (2) Apr 24 (3) Apr 23 (2) Apr 22 (2) Apr 21 (4) Apr 20 (4) Apr 19 (5) Apr 18 (7) Apr 17 (6) Apr 16 (10) Apr 15 (5) Apr 14 (3) Apr 13 (4) Apr 12 (5) Apr 11 (4) Apr 10 (4) Apr 09 (7) Apr 08 (4) Apr 07 (7) Apr 06 (4) Apr 05 (7) Apr 04 (5) Apr 03 (4) Apr 02 (5) Apr 01 (5) Mar 31 (5) Mar 30 (5) Mar 29 (7) Mar 28 (6) Mar 27 (5) Mar 26 (5) Mar 25 (6) Mar 24 (5) Mar 23 (5) Mar 22 (5) Mar 21 (4) Mar 20 (3) Mar 19 (6) Mar 18 (6) Mar 17 (2) Mar 16 (4) Mar 15 (5) Mar 14 (4) Mar 13 (5) Mar 12 (5) Mar 11 (4) Mar 10 (4) Mar 09 (2) Mar 08 (5) Mar 07 (4) Mar 06 (3) Mar 05 (4) Mar 04 (6) Mar 03 (4) Mar 02 (4) Mar 01 (5) Feb 28 (6) Feb 27 (4) Feb 26 (4) Feb 25 (6) Feb 24 (2) Feb 23 (3) Feb 22 (4) Feb 21 (6) Feb 20 (2) Feb 19 (6) Feb 18 (4) Feb 17 (2) Feb 16 (3) Feb 15 (6) Feb 14 (6) Feb 13 (6) Feb 12 (9) Feb 11 (5) Feb 10 (3) Feb 09 (4) Feb 08 (4) Feb 07 (7) Feb 06 (3) Feb 05 (4) Feb 04 (5) Feb 03 (4) Feb 02 (3) Feb 01 (3) Jan 31 (4) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (3) Jan 28 (2) Jan 27 (2) Jan 26 (3) Jan 25 (4) Jan 24 (4) Jan 23 (2) Jan 22 (2) Jan 21 (5) Jan 20 (4) Jan 19 (5) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (4) Jan 16 (3) Jan 15 (4) Jan 14 (3) Jan 13 (3) Jan 12 (3) Jan 11 (2) Jan 10 (8) Jan 09 (6) Jan 08 (2) Jan 07 (2) Jan 06 (3) Jan 05 (2) Jan 04 (2) Jan 03 (2) Jan 02 (2) Jan 01 (2) Dec 31 (2) Dec 30 (3) Dec 29 (3) Dec 28 (3) Dec 27 (2) Dec 26 (2) Dec 25 (2) Dec 24 (2) Dec 23 (2) Dec 22 (2) Dec 21 (2) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (2) Dec 18 (3) Dec 17 (2) Dec 16 (2) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (2) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (3) Dec 11 (3) 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Apr 26 (2) Apr 23 (1) Apr 22 (1) Apr 19 (1) Apr 18 (1) Apr 12 (1) Apr 11 (1) Apr 09 (1) Apr 07 (1) Apr 05 (1) Apr 01 (1) Mar 30 (1) Mar 27 (1) Mar 25 (1) Mar 22 (2) Mar 19 (1) Mar 18 (1) Mar 16 (1) Mar 15 (2) Mar 13 (1) Mar 12 (1) Mar 11 (1) Mar 10 (1) DailyFX.com - We look through 43 million real trades to measure trader performance Majority of trades are successful and yet traders are losing Here is what we believe to be the number one mistake FX traders make Why do major currency moves bring increased trader losses? To find out, the DailyFX research team has looked through over 40 million real trades placed via a major FX broker's trading platforms. In this article, we look at the biggest mistake that forex traders make, and a way to trade appropriately. Why Does the Average Forex Trader Lose Money? The average forex trader loses money, which is in itself a very discouraging fact. But why? Put simply, human psychology makes trading difficult. We looked at over 43 million real trades placed on a major FX broker's trading servers from Q2, 2014 Q1, 2015 and came to some very interesting conclusions. The first is encouraging: traders make money most of the time as over 50% of trades are closed out at a gain. Percent of All Trades Closed Out at a Gain and Loss per Currency Pair Why Do Many Forex Traders Lose Money? Here is the Number 1 Mistake Data source: Derived from data from a major FX broker* across 15 most traded currency pairs from 3/1/2014 to 3/31/2015. The above chart shows results of over 43 million trades conducted by these traders worldwide from Q2, 2014 through Q1, 2015 across the 15 most popular currency pairs. The blue bar shows the percentage of trades that ended with a profit for the trader. Red shows the percentage of trades that ended in loss. For example, the Euro saw an impressive 61% of all trades closed out at a gain. And indeed every single one of these instruments saw the majority of traders turned a profit more than 50 percent of the time. If traders were right more than half of the time, why did most lose money? Average Profit/Loss per Winning and Losing Trades per Currency Pair Why Do Many Forex Traders Lose Money? Here is the Number 1 Mistake Data source: Derived from data from a major FX broker* across 15 most traded currency pairs from 3/1/2014 to 3/31/2015. The above chart says it all. In blue, it shows the average number of pips traders earned on profitable trades. In red, it shows the average number of pips lost in losing trades. We can now clearly see why traders lose money despite being right more than half the time. They lose more money on their losing trades than they make on their winning trades. Story continues Lets use EUR/USD as an example. We see that EUR/USD trades were closed out at a profit 61% of the time, but the average losing trade was worth 83 pips while the average winner was only 48 pips. Traders were correct more than half the time, but they lost over 70% more on their losing trades as they won on winning trades. The track record for the volatile GBP/USD pair was even worse. Traders captured profits on 59% of all GBP/USD trades. Yet they overall lost money as they turned an average 43 pip profit on each winner and lost 83 pips on losing trades. What gives? Identifying that there is a problem is important in itself, but well need to understand the reasons behind it in order to look for a solution. Cut Losses, Let Profits Run Why is this So Difficult to Do? In our study we saw that traders were very good at identifying profitable trading opportunities--closing trades out at a profit over 50 percent of the time. They utlimately lost, however, as the average loss far outweighed the gain. Open nearly any book on trading and the advice is the same: cut your losses early and let your profits run. When your trade goes against you, close it out. Take the small loss and then try again later, if appropriate. It is better to take a small loss early than a big loss later. If a trade is in your favor, let it run. It is often tempting to close out at a small gain in order to protect profits, but oftentimes we see that patience can result in greater gains. But if the solution is so simple, why is the issue so common? The simple answer: human nature. In fact this is not at all limited to trading. To further illustrate the point we draw on significant findings in psychology. A Simple Wager Understanding Human Behavior Towards Winning and Losing What if I offered you a simple wager on a coin flip? You have two choices. Choice A means you have a 50% chance of winning 1000 dollars and 50% chance of winning nothing. Choice B is a flat 450 point gain. Which would you choose? Expected Return Gains Choice A 50% chance to Win 1000 50% chance to Win 0 Expect to win $500 over time Choice B Win 450 Win $450 Over time it makes sense to take Choice Athe expected gain of $500 is greater than the fixed $450. Yet many studies have shown that most people will consistently choose Choice B. Lets flip the wager and run it again. Expected Return Losses Choice A 50% chance to Lose 1000 50% chance to Lose 0 Expect to lose $500 over time Choice B Lose 450 Lose $450 In this case we can expect to lose less money via Choice B, but in fact studies have shown that the majority of people will pick choice A every single time. Here we see the issue. Most people avoid risk when it comes to taking profits but then actively seek it if it means avoiding a loss. Why? Losses Hurt Psychologically far more than Gains Give Pleasure Prospect Theory Nobel prize-winning clinical psychologist Daniel Kahneman based on his research on decision making. His work wasnt on trading per se but clear implications for trade management and is quite relevant to FX trading. His study on Prospect Theory attempted to model and predict choices people would make between scenarios involving known risks and rewards. The findings showed something remarkably simple yet profound: most people took more pain from losses than pleasure from gains. It feels good enough to make $450 versus $500, but accepting a $500 loss hurts too much and many are willing to gamble that the trade turns around. This doesnt make any sense from a trading perspective500 dollars lost are equivalent to 500 dollars gained; one is not worth more than the other. Why should we then act so differently? Prospect Theory: Losses Typically Hurt Far More than Gains Give Pleasure Why Do Many Forex Traders Lose Money? Here is the Number 1 Mistake Taking a purely rational approach to markets means treating a 50 point gain as morally equivalent to a 50 point loss. Unfortunately our data on real trader behavior suggests that the majority cant do this. We need to think more systematically to improve our chances at success. Avoid the Common Pitfall Avoiding the loss-making problem described above is very simple in theory: gain more in each winning trade than you give back in each losing trade. But how might we do it concretely? When trading, always follow one simple rule: always seek a bigger reward than the loss you are risking. This is a valuable piece of advice that can be found in almost every trading book. Typically, this is called a reward/risk ratio. If you risk losing the same number of pips as you hope to gain, then your reward/risk ratio is 1-to-1 (also written 1:1). If you target a profit of 80 pips with a risk of 40 pips, then you have a 2:1 reward/risk ratio. If you follow this simple rule, you can be right on the direction of only half of your trades and still make money because you will earn more profits on your winning trades than losses on your losing trades. What ratio should you use? It depends on the type of trade you are making. We recommend to always use a minimum 1:1 ratio. That way, if you are right only half the time, you will at least break even. Certain strategies and trading techniques tend to produce high winning percentages as we saw with real trader data. If this is the case, it is possible to use a lower reward/risk ratiosuch as between 1:1 and 2:1. For lower probability trading, a higher reward/risk ratio is recommended, such as 2:1, 3:1, or even 4:1. Remember, the higher the reward/risk ratio you choose, the less often you need to correctly predict market direction in order to make money trading. We will discuss different trading techniques in further detail in subsequent installments of this series. Stick to Your Plan: Use Stops and Limits Once you have a trading plan that uses a proper reward/risk ratio, the next challenge is to stick to the plan. Remember, it is natural for humans to want to hold on to losses and take profits early, but it makes for bad trading. We must overcome this natural tendency and remove our emotions from trading. The best way to do this is to set up your trade with Stop-Loss and Limit orders from the beginning. This will allow you to use the proper reward/risk ratio (1:1 or higher) from the outset, and to stick to it. Once you set them, dont touch them (One exception: you can move your stop in your favor to lock in profits as the market moves in your favor). Managing your risk in this way is a part of what many traders call money management. Many of the most successful forex traders are right about the markets direction less than half the time. Since they practice good money management, they cut their losses quickly and let their profits run, so they are still profitable in their overall trading. Does Using 1:1 Reward to Risk Really Work? Our data certainly suggest it does. We use our data on our top 15 currency pairs to determine which trader accounts closed their Average Gain at least as large as their Average Lossor a minimum Reward:Risk of 1:1. Were traders ultimately profitable if they stuck to this rule? Past performance is not indicative of future results, but the results certainly support it. Our data shows that 53 percent of all accounts which operated on at least a 1:1 Reward to Risk ratio turned a net-profit in our 12-month sample period. Those under 1:1? A mere 17 percent. Traders who adhered to this rule were 3 times more likely to turn a profit over the course of these 12 monthsa substantial difference. Why Do Many Forex Traders Lose Money? Here is the Number 1 Mistake Data source: Derived from data from a major FX broker* across 15 most traded currency pairs from 3/1/2014 to 3/31/2015. Game Plan: What Strategy Can I Use? Trade forex with stops and limits set to a risk/reward ratio of 1:1 or higher Whenever you place a trade, make sure that you use a stop-loss order. Always make sure that your profit target is at least as far away from your entry price as your stop-loss is. You can certainly set your price target higher, and probably should aim for at least 1:1 regardless of strategy, potentially 2:1 or more in certain circumstances. Then you can choose the market direction correctly only half the time and still make money in your account. The actual distance you place your stops and limits will depend on the conditions in the market at the time, such as volatility, currency pair, and where you see support and resistance. You can apply the same reward/risk ratio to any trade. If you have a stop level 40 pips away from entry, you should have a profit target 40 pips or more away. If you have a stop level 500 pips away, your profit target should be at least 500 pips away. We will use this as a basis for further study on real trader behavior as we look to uncover the traits of successful traders. *Data is drawn from FXCM Inc. accounts excluding Eligible Contract Participants, Clearing Accounts, Hong Kong, and Japan subsidiaries from 3/1/2014 to 3/31/2015. View the next articles in the Traits of Successful Series: Trading Leverage - A Real Look at How Traders May Use it Effectively Do the Hours I Trade Matter? Yes - Quite a Bit The Traits of Successful Traders This article is a part of our Traits of Successful Traders series. Over the past several months, The DailyFX Research team has been closely studying the trading trends of traders via a major FX broker. We have gone through an enormous number of statistics and anonymized trading records in order to answer one question: What separates successful traders from unsuccessful traders?. We have been using this unique resource to distill some of the best practices that successful traders follow, such as the best time of day, appropriate use of leverage, the best currency pairs, and more. Stay tuned for the next article in the Traits of Successful Traders Series. Analysis prepared and written by David Rodriguez, Quantitative Strategist for DailyFX.com Sign up to Davids e-mail distribution list to receive future e-mail updates on the Traits of Successful Traders series and other reports Contact and follow David via Twitter: http://twitter.com/DRodriguezFX 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. Donald Trump Donald Trump has said that Barack Obama founded ISIS. He said that Texas Senator Ted Cruz's father was involved in the plot to assassinate JFK. He claimed he saw thousands of Muslims in New Jersey celebrate on 9/11. He said that he won the popular vote. There isn't a shred of evidence to support any of this. We also know that some of those claims might've come from fake news stories that spread conspiracy theories across the Internet. None of this would matter if lying weren't a game of two. For a lie to work, the liar must also be believed. For example, it wouldn't matter that there's a conspiracy theory that says Hillary and Bill Clinton run a child sex ring out of a D.C. pizza shop if people didn't believe it. But some people do. One of those people was a North Carolina man with a semi-automatic rifle willing to drive to Washington and "self-investigate" the situation himself. He managed to fire one or two shots before being arrested. It sounds like madness because it is, so why do some people keep participating? Why do people believe lies? Research tells us it's actually quite simple: It's because humans are desperate to be in control. Born believers Science writer and historian Michael Sherman believes that human being are conditioned to believe, rather than disbelieve, things. He explained it all in a 2010 Ted Talk called "The pattern behind self deception." During the talk he asked attendees to do a thought experiment, and pretend they were an early human named Lucy, walking the plains of Africa millions of years ago. Just go with it: ...you hear a rustle in the grass. Is it a dangerous predator, or is it just the wind? Your next decision could be the most important one of your life. Well, if you think that the rustle in the grass is a dangerous predator and it turns out it's just the wind, you've made an error in cognition, made a Type 1 error, false positive. But no harm. You just move away. You're more cautious. You're more vigilant. Story continues On the other hand, if you believe that the rustle in the grass is just the wind, and it turns out it's a dangerous predator, you're lunch. You've just won a Darwin award. You've been taken out of the gene pool. A "Type 1" error makes you more cautious, but it really costs you nothing to believe that there maybe danger behind the rustling. What Sherman later calls the "Type 2 error" not believing in the danger, but actually having it exist is deadly. And so we believe. But more than that, in that belief we create patterns. That helps us structure our lives. It gives meaning to what could easily be random. It is from there that Serman believes we develop things like superstition and conspiracy theories. They make sense of what is random. Trump CNN chyron I see dead patterns If this were all humans had to rely on for cognition our limited brains making sense of that which we can't understand we would be in big trouble. Thankfully, however, we have verifiable facts. They ensure that what is random not only makes sense, but is also true. And that's where we get into some even more fascinating research about why people believe overt lies easy to disprove lies like the kinds Donald Trump tells. According to Jennifer Whitson, an assistant professor at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin and Adam Galinsky, a professor at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, people tend to believe lies when they feel vulnerable. "The less control people have over their lives, the more likely they are to try and regain control through mental gymnastics," said Galinsky. "Feelings of control are so important to people that a lack of control is inherently threatening. While some misperceptions can be bad or lead one astray, they're extremely common and most likely satisfy a deep and enduring psychological need." To test this, Galinsky and Whitson gathered a group of subjects and put them in situations where they had varying levels control. Then they showed their subjects "snowy" pictures. Some of the pictures were just dots, others actually showed an image. Ninety-five percent of the time the subjects, no matter what situation they were in, saw images that were actually there. What's interesting though, is that 43% of the time people who were in situations where they had less control saw images that were not there. Their minds were naturally assigning structure, pattern and meaning where there was none. In normal life people find false patterns in data all the time (think about the stock market). When they do, it's usually because they feel a given situation is out of their control. The man who went to "self-investigate" the pizza parlor was, in a sense, acting very rationally. He was acting on his innate human desire to take control. Comet Ping Pong Trump or fiction Of course, the more false the pattern, the more vulnerable you have to be to believe it. And of course, the more gymnastics your brain has to do to accept it. Enter Donald Trump, a man known for spreading falsehoods. He captured the imaginations of many people who felt vulnerable about the past, present and future. Business Insider's Harrison Jacobs aptly pointed out that he won in parts of the country ravaged by the opiate epidemic the 'Oxy electorate.' Talk about vulnerable. These are also places of higher unemployment, where manufacturing jobs have been on the decline for decades. These are places where a rational structure is needed to explain why things got so bad and why they don't seem to be getting better. But again this is not "rationality" here as we think about it in an economic sense as a cost-benefit analysis. If it were, individuals would seek the truth no matter what their state of distress, because it is only when a problem is truly understood that it can be solved. Indeed, Whitson herself has said that "strategy is better based on reality, not tempting illusions." Here's a relevant example. Trump has dumped on China over and over since he entered the national stage. He's said that we're losing jobs to Chinese manufacturing and that the Trans Pacific Partnership was "was designed for China to come in, as they always do, through the back door and totally take advantage of everyone." In the world of facts, however, we know that thousands and thousands of manufacturing jobs have been lost to automation, not off-shoring to China. We also know that China is not involved with the TPP in any way. In fact, the country has been upset about TPP since talks for the agreement started. The human desire to feel in control supersedes all of those facts, and in turn, pushes us to believe what may be irrational, but is simple, understandable, and gives us a sense of control. Think about it: Say you believe all the lies Trump has told about trade, China and the global economy. It's a comforting notion, ultimately, because it means he also has the solutions. Voting for him, then, is a way to take control of that untruth. Unfortunately, since it's a lie, the problem will remain. Lies never solve anything. NOW WATCH: Watch the trailer for the new Martin Scorsese film that took over 20 years to make More From Business Insider One of the sacrifices Donald Trump will have to make upon taking the oath of office is that the famous creature-of-comfort will have to give up his own gold-plated airplane for a bigger, far costlier one: Air Force One. But Trump wants the public to know that hes not particularly happy about it. In fact, he wants to scrap plans to upgrade the presidential fleet entirely, as a money-saving move. Cancel order! decreed the president-elect on Tuesday morning. Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2016 Trump elaborated on his criticism in a brief exchange with reporters at Trump Tower: Its ridiculous, he said. I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number. We want Boeing to make a lot of money, but not that much money. As with many assertions by the president-elect, Trumps facts are a little muddled. For one, he obviously has no authority to cancel a government contract until he takes office on January 20. And its not clear where he is getting the $4 billion figure from. The Pentagons current budget for the next fleet of Air Force Ones is $2.7 billion, according to the military, and the replacement program is still in its early design stage. The Air Force has only selected a model for the projecta Boeing 747-8. It hasnt actually ordered any planes yet. We are currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of this complex military aircraft that serves the unique requirements of the president of the United States, Boeing said in a statement responding to Trumps tweet. We look forward to working with the U.S. Air Force on subsequent phases of the program allowing us to deliver the best planes for the president at the best value for the American taxpayer. Story continues Recommended: Despair and Hope in Trumps America In a separate statement, the Air Force said it was still conducting risk reduction activities with Boeing to inform the engineering and manufacturing development contract negotiations that will define the capabilities and cost. The department said that while the current budget was $2.7 billion, we expect this number to change as the program matures with the completion of the risk reduction activities. The one thing Trump did get right is that the next generation Air Force One will be built for future presidents. The planes wont be ready until the 2020s, so Trump would have to win reelection to fly in them. What, then, was Trumps seemingly out-of-the-blue tweet really about? As Trump spokesman Jason Miller acknowledged in a press conference call later Tuesday morning, this was the president-elect sending a political signal more than anything else. The real-estate tycoon may have notoriously expensive tastesgold trim everywhere, luxury resorts, his own 757 (a Boeing, of course)but he will be a careful steward of the publics tax dollars, and he is already looking for places to save. I think this really speaks to the president-elects focus on keeping costs down across the board with regard to government spending, Miller said. People are really frustrated with some of the big price tags that are coming out for programs even in addition to this one, so were going to be looking for ways to keep costs down. As for whether the $4 billion figure was accurate, Miller said only that its a pretty big number. Miller also said that Trump would wait until after Inauguration Day to release the details of his proposal. Recommended: Trump Could Violate the Constitution His First Day in Office It would not be unprecedented for a new president to scrap a major defense contract over cost concerns soon after taking office. Trump need only look to President Obama for guidance. In May 2009, the Obama administration cancelled a contract that the Bush administration had signed with Lockheed Martin to build a new fleet for Marine One, the presidential helicopter. The price had ballooned to $13 billion. Then as now, the new presidentalong with Defense Secretary Robert Gateswanted to send a message that he was serious about tackling wasteful spending at a time when the Obama administration was implementing an $800 billion economic stimulus package. Trump also wants Congress to pass an infrastructure bill that, he has said, could cost as much as $1 trillion. Coincidentally or not, his tweet on Tuesday morning came hours after The Washington Post published a lengthy investigation reporting that the Pentagon had buried an internal study exposing upwards of $125 billion in administrative waste. It also followed an article in the Chicago Tribune in which Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg criticized Trumps position on trade. There are currently two planes that serve as Air Force One, which are customized Boeing 747-200Bs with the military designation VC-25A. Air Force One is the call sign used whenever the president is onboard. Both aircraft are more than 25 years old, which happens to be the same age as the Boeing 757 that Trump owns, according to Business Insider. And there are plenty of reasons why the costs for customizing the presidents planes run so high. They need to have, in the vernacular of the military, global, enduring, survivable command and control capabilityan airborne White House, in other words. Recommended: Are Democrats Wasting Their Time Taking On the Electoral College? Trump has made it a priority to rebuild what he calls on his campaign website our depleted military. But he has taken aim at Pentagon procurements before, complaining repeatedly about the Defense Departments $400 billion F-35 program to build a new generation of fighter jets. Hes also been a critic of Boeing on Twitter, though he bragged in 2013 that he bought stock in the company after it suffered a drop. (Miller told reporters that Trump had sold all of his stocks, including Boeing, this past June.) Both before and after the election, Trump has shown little hesitancy to publicly brow-beat individual companies, which seems to be a strong indication of how hell use the bully pulpit of the presidency. But whether his concerns over the cost of Air Force One were tweeted out of personal pique or political tactics, the effect is largely the same as when Trump triumphantly announced a deal that his transition team and the state of Indiana had struck with Carrier. Where the Carrier agreement was a discreet, easy-to-digest example of how Trump plans to look after the American worker in the White House, criticizing or even canceling an expensive upgrade of the iconic presidential fleet suggests his concern for the well-being of the American taxpayer. And it carries the added hint of modesty for a president-elect whose image is decidedly immodest, even if Trump himself would not have directly benefitted from the sleek new planes. The details matter little. So what if the Carrier saved only 730 union jobs, not the 1,100 that Trump first claimed? And so what if Trump seemed to conjure his $4 billion cost-estimate for Boeings Air Force One out of thin air? Trump will be a president whos on your side, he wants desperately for you to know, and these bite-size announcements are but a taste of whats to come. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. Holiday season has kick started across the world following fall festival Thanksgiving. Christmas is round the corner, so is Hanukkah and several other festivals around the world. Several of the festivals are in one way or the other aligned with the winter solstice. Following is the list of winter holidays around the world. Christmas: Celebrated on Dec. 25 every year, Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Families around the world celebrate the festival by decorating the Christmas tree and going to church on Christmas Eve and kids wait in anticipation for gifts from Santa Claus. Hanukkah: This Jewish festival commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, Israel, during the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. It is observed for eight nights and days and starts on the 25th day of Kislev as per the Hebrew calendar. Hanukkah may fall any time between late November and late December. Kwanzaa: It is celebrated on December 26 to commemorate African heritage. On Kwanzaa, people gather with friends and family to exchange gifts and light a series of black, red, and green candles. These candles are symbols of the seven basic values of African American family life unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: The day is observed on Dec. 12 by Catholics especially by Americans of Mexican heritage. It honors the belief that Jesus mother Mary Mexicos patron saint appeared to a man in Mexico City twice in 1531. In U.S., it is a religious observance and not a public holiday. St. Lucia Day: Also known as festival of lights, St. Lucia Day is celebrated in Sweden, Norway, and the Swedish-speaking areas in Finland. It is observed on Dec. 13 to honor St. Lucia, who was killed by the Romans due to her religious beliefs. On this day, a procession led by the St. Lucia designee is carried out. The procession is followed by young girls dressed in white and adorning their heads with lighted wreaths and boys dressed in white pajama-like costume singing traditional songs. Story continues Three Kings Day: Also known as Epiphany, this festival marks the day when the three kings arrived to visit the infant Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on Jan. 6 and is marked with festivities in Hispanic countries and cultures. Related Articles Television and radio personality Denise Albert, who has breast cancer and wears a medical port in her chest, has claimed she was "aggressively" searched by TSA agents at Los Angeles International Airport. The co-host of The Moms radio show was traveling with colleague Melissa Gerstein, who shot video of the pat-down. Read: Mom Claims Son with Pacemaker Was Hassled by TSA: 'Could You Please Just Do Your Job?' In it, Albert is seen sitting down with her shoes as a female agent pats her legs and groin area. When the agent puts her hand on Alberts chest, the passenger says, "I have breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy. I have a port in me. You cant touch me there." She told Inside Edition the experience was "horrible" and the agents "had smirks on their faces. I think it was a game for them. There was no reason for this." Read: Passenger Films Agony Over Unbelievably Long TSA 'Line from Hell' Albert says her medical port is easily infected and shouldn't be handled by anyone but her doctors. Albert has filed a formal complaint with the TSA, she said. The agency is investigating and issued a statement saying it deeply regrets the distress additional security screening caused Ms. Albert." Albert said she was searched after she told screeners she had a medical condition and carried special cream for burns and sores she got during chemotherapy treatments. Watch: Paralyzed Olympian Amy Van Dyken-Rouen Gets Apology from TSA After Agent Groped Her Related Articles: A 28-year-old Michigan woman took her own life Monday shortly after shooting and killing her father. Sheriff Scott Stephenson of the Midland County Sheriffs Department in northern Michigan said Stephanie Nies fatally shot her father, Rayton Dale Nies, according to local reports Tuesday. Stephenson said the sheriffs department received two calls regarding the incident, which occurred in Rayton Nies home between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Monday. The first call was from 67-year-old Rayton Nies, who told Midland County 911 that his daughter had a loaded gun and was threatening him with it. And the second call allegedly came from Rayton Nies son, who was also in house, saying his father had been shot, according to the Associated Press Tuesday. The sheriffs department reached the crime scene, which is an approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes car ride north of Detroit, at roughly 8:30 p.m. to find Rayton Nies dead. Officials issued a statewide broadcast urging local police officers to find Stephanie Nies, warning that she was armed with a 12-gauge shotgun and dangerous. Police were able to locate Stephanie Nies at roughly 1:40 a.m. Tuesday 5 miles from the place of the shooting by tracking her phone. She was discovered dead in her vehicle from a single gunshot wound with the supposed weapon used to kill father in close proximity. Stephenson said the motivations behind the shooting remain unclear, but that the department discovered Facebook posts saying Stephanie Nies was angry with her father for euthanizing her dog without telling her on the same day of the killing. Stephanie Nies recently studied at Saginaw Valley State University with the hopes of becoming a nurse, but she wasnt enrolled in classes this current semester. Detroit, Michigan, had the second highest murder rate in the country for cities of more than 100,000 residents in 2014 at roughly 44 murders per 100,000 behind St. Louis, Missouri, the Detroit News reported on Oct. 2, 2015. Detroit experienced 298 murders in 2014, which was 18 less than in 2013. Story continues Gordon Traskos, who was Rayton Dale Nies neighbor, told local reporters the victim seemed like a very nice person. "Terrible. I just can't understand it," said Traskos. Related Articles Diamond has come to The Doctors to get answers and hopefully help with her beard, something she has to shave every day. The 23-year-old began developing facial hair while in high school and was constantly teased by other kids about it. The looks and comments she receives have caused her to become extremely self-conscious about her appearance. In order to get ready each day, she spends 3 hours prepping, shaving and applying makeup in order to feel comfortable leaving the house. Her condition has even stopped her from seeing her family as often as she would like along with sending her into a deep depression. I feel like my excessive hair is stopping me from being the person I truly am, she explains, saying that she has not seen a doctor about her condition as she is too embarrassed by it. Watch: World Record for Bearded Woman! The Doctors help her take the first step towards solving her issue, having her meet with OB/GYN, Dr. Nita Landry, who performed a physical exam, an ultrasound on her ovaries, and did blood work on her. A brave Diamond joins ER physician Dr. Travis Stork and Dr. Nita to find out the results of her tests and exam. Dr. Nita reveals to Diamond that she has PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). In addition to extra body and facial hair, PCOS symptoms can include small cysts on the ovaries, period problems, lack of ovulation, acne, weight gain and trouble losing weight, depression, thinning hair, skin tags, and hormone imbalances. Dr. Nita notes that sometimes people with PCOS are prone to high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. Watch: One Womans PCOS Is Ruining Her Marriage But can The Doctors help Diamond with her facial hair problem? Watch the video below to find out the surprise we have for Diamond from Vaderma Advanced Laser Skincare hair and also therapy sessions from Doctors on Demand to help treat her depression. Doctor on Demand was created by The Doctors' executive producer. Donetsk (Ukraine) (AFP) - Yulia Mikhailova considers herself lucky after surviving a shell strike on a trolley last year that killed 15 people in war-scarred east Ukraine's pro-Russian rebel-held territory. But the 25-year-old lost a leg and an arm and can now only get about with a wheelchair or the help of friends due to a lack of modern prosthetics that allow a person independent use of their artificial limbs in the rebel bastion of Donetsk. "After the attack, I saw parts of my body lying around and I lost a lot of blood," Mikhailova told AFP. "I was lucky -- at least the intensive care unit had medicine delivered through foreign humanitarian aid." The United Nations estimates that nearly 10,000 people have been killed and more than 22,000 wounded after 31 months of fighting between pro-Western government forces and Moscow-inspired rebel militias in the European Union's backyard. The wounded are often left helpless: the self-proclaimed People's Republic of Donetsk does not manufacture artificial limbs and has to import them instead from Germany via Russia. - No day without pain - After a year Mikhailova finally got an artificial leg, but the lack of pain killers and proper medical guidance mean she rarely uses it and has to rely on a wheelchair or her family's help. "In order to walk on your own, you need a better prosthetic to replace the standard one that is first issued. But the rebels simply do not have them," she said. A generous sponsor later provided Mikhailova with a replacement arm as well a wheelchair. The arm prosthetic serves a largely cosmetic purpose because it lacks the electronic sensors needed for movement. "During the operation, the nerve in my arm got pinched, and now I do not go a day without pain," she said. "And when I start wearing an artificial leg, that hurts as well. It is simply too much, when two of your limbs hurt at the same time." The rebels in east Ukraine say they officially issued just 58 artificial limbs in 2015. Story continues The doctors are in despair at the suffering they see in one of Europe's bloodiest conflicts since the 1990s wars in the Balkans. "Because of the fighting, we had to close our hospital for 18 months," doctor Irina Shupletsova told AFP. The 50-year-old director of a district medical centre said the waiting list of those seeking help has grown to a staggering 100,000 people. The figure includes people who suffer from illnesses not linked to the war. - Soviet-era care - Both the sick and the injured fighters are furious at the lack of medical attention. Alexander Pashkov joined one of the militia forces after leaving his native Russian city of Voronezh. Russia denies formally backing the insurgents and claims only that "volunteers" and off-duty soldiers have entered rebel ranks of their own free will. Pashkov is 27 and no longer has any "idea what I am doing here... after losing a leg and getting captured". Pashkov was swapped in a prisoner exchange and now lives in Donetsk. He also constantly complains about the basic leg prosthetic he received from the insurgency leaders. "This one is alright for walking. But I need an electronic prosthetic so that I can climb stairs. And that one costs two million rubles ($31,000 / 29,000 euros.) "The Soviet-style healthcare system that we have here has outlived itself." - Prosthetics made from bicycles - Desperate times call for innovative measures and that is just what some of the disabled have been forced to resort to. Donetsk has developed specialists who can make artificial limbs from bicycles parts that they attach to a victim's body in their home. Engineer Igor Rudenko uses a wheel shock-absorber that he molds with aluminum parts in his workshop to form a foot. It is a lot cheaper than a simple German prosthetic but appears to be only a makeshift solution. His first patients have had trouble walking and other medics have frowned on his innovation. "Right now, I am looking for an improvement," Rudenko said. "I am constantly in touch with other people via the social networks who know how to deal with such injuries. And we meet and support each other," said the engineer. New York (AFP) - If I get deported, can my 18-year-old son take care of my youngest child? What should I do if an immigration agent knocks on my door? Do I have the right to a Spanish-speaking lawyer? These were some of the questions raised by undocumented migrants who met recently at a community center to prepare for the worst after Donald Trump's surprise November 8 presidential election victory. The Republican, who launched his White House quest denouncing Mexican immigrants as "rapists" and drug traffickers and vowing to build a wall on the southern US border, has threatened to deport millions of undocumented migrants, starting with those with criminal records. "We still have two months to get organized," said Mexican-born Gonzalo Mercado, the director of the La Colmena community center who organized the event in Staten Island, New York's most conservative borough. "We don't want to instill fear, but we must prepare for the worst because we don't know what's going to happen," he told the group. About 40 undocumented immigrants turned out for the late night meeting, anxious about what the future holds. They are not alone. The Mexican consulate in New York has been flooded with requests for appointments from nationals seeking to legalize their migratory status. The waiting list for an appointment at New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's office is now four to five months long, despite the Democrat's promise to fight for the rights of the city's undocumented residents. - Emergency plan - Cesar Vargas, a young lawyer who is himself undocumented, has drawn up an eight page emergency action plan for undocumented immigrants, which was handed out to the crowd at La Colmena. The plan includes practical advice. Only open your door to immigration agents if they have an arrest warrant, it advises. Remain silent if detained, find out who is asking for your detention, don't sign anything without first consulting a lawyer, and request bail. Story continues Migrants were urged to write down passport and contact information for their relatives, as well as any medical insurance, bank, vehicle and home insurance information. Keep it in a secret place, they were told. Vargas also advised parents to prepare a notarized document appointing a legal guardian for their children if they themselves are deported, to prevent minors from falling into the hands of the state. Claudia, a 39-year-old Mexican immigrant who works as a housekeeper, came to the meeting with her husband and one of their two US-born children. Would her 18-year-old son be allowed to take care of her 10-year-old? she asked. Vargas's brother Carlos, an advisor on immigration matters for the Borough of Staten Island, told Claudia he thought so, but wasn't sure. Claudia, who would not give her last name, said her biggest worry was that her husband, a day laborer, would not be able to provide for the family. "For example, there are companies that now won't hire people without papers," she said. Trump's election was traumatic for Jovita Mendoza, a 40-year-old single mother who has lived in the United States for 17 years, working two jobs and paying US taxes on both. "I began to cry when I spoke to my sons. I told them that if they kick me out they'll have to study hard, that they shouldn't worry about me." Her eldest son consoled her, telling his mother that if Trump is true to his word "we'll stay together." - More than pretty words - Vargas said he and other activists are compiling a list of lawyers who are willing to represent detained undocumented migrants for free in an emergency. About a half million undocumented immigrants, most of them Mexican, live in New York, America's most diverse city. It is one of several US cities that have promised undocumented migrants "sanctuary," directing city workers not to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. But Vargas urged those in the audience to take the promises of official support with a grain of salt, noting that De Blasio is running for re-election next year. "Right now the mayor and the governor have pretty words to say, because 2017 is an election year," he said. "We want actions to be put behind their words." Vargas, who came to the United States as a child and managed to get a law degree that allows him to practice despite being undocumented, promised an offensive strategy "starting January 20," when Trump takes office as president. Vargas also urged the migrants to denounce any racist incidents they may encounter in public, in stores and at schools. Such cases appear to have increased since Trump's election. Several people in the group complained about an elderly American known to chase down teens and adults in his car while yelling "Go back to your country!" and "Immigrants don't belong here!" Abraham Zapruder recorded a tragic moment in history when he captured President John F. Kennedys assassination in full color on Nov. 22, 1963. Fifty-three years later, granddaughter Alexandra Zapruder adds a fresh narrative to an old tragedy with the release of Twenty-Six Seconds: A Personal History of the Zapruder Film. The book, out last month, delves into the story of her grandfather, who was traumatized after making a home movie that serves as the only complete record of Kennedys death. Twenty-Six Seconds also fleshes out the complex situation in which the Zapruder family found itself after the assassination. Were living in a time where we need to have complicated answers to complicated questions. is my own inquiry into our family legacy and the life of the film, Alexandra Zapruder tells PEOPLE. The way that we handled the film shaped the way that the film reached the public and that shaped the way that people thought about the assassination. The history of the film is a complicated one. Zapruder writes that immediately after the assassination, duplicates of the footage went to the federal government. The original film was soon sold to LIFE magazine for $150,000, and was eventually used as evidence in the Warren Commissions investigation of JFKs death. Many years later, the Zapruder family once again owned the film, only to face criticism, conspiracy theories and lawsuits. In 1999, the government purchased the film from the Zapruders for $16 million. Despite the hefty sum, for Abraham Zapruder the film represented loss. According to the book, the Zapruders had great love for the Kennedy family. Zapruders son Henry (the authors father) had just been assigned a position in the Justice Department under the Kennedy Administration. So when Abraham Zapruder unintentionally filmed Kennedys death as the commander in chief rode with first lady Jacqueline in the presidential limo in Dallas, Zapruders granddaughter writes that he could remember nothing afterwards except for his own anguished screams. Story continues loved Kennedy. He was a middle-aged man at that point, an immigrant, born in Russia, and he certainly voted for Kennedy and was truly devoted to Kennedy and the family, says Dick Stolley, the LIFE editor (and future founding editor of PEOPLE magazine) who purchased the film from Zapruder. For Kennedy to be killed, and even worse, for literally to witness the murder through the rangefinder on his camera, was something, quite frankly, he never recovered from. Stolley described sitting in the room when Zapruder first showed the film to him and two Secret Service agents. (One of Zapruders first instincts was to get the film to government authorities.) We all knew what had happened, but we had no idea what it looked like, says Stolley. The three of us were standing and when frame 313 when his brain sprays up into the air all of us went ugh! It was amazing, as if wed all been punched in the stomach simultaneously. Ive never seen anything like that on film or in real life. Not only was Zapruder reeling from what hed filmed, the book describes a man plagued by reporters who wanted the film for their news organizations. As a result, the offer Stolley made on behalf of LIFE magazine was a safe harbor in a sea of sharks, Alexandra Zapruder writes. very worried that would be exploited or used in a way that he would find tasteless and awful if it fell into the wrong hands, says Stolley. You could see it this was a man in absolute torment. Since federal agents failed to confiscate the original film after they made duplicates, Alexandra Zapruder writes her grandfather felt it was his responsibility to protect the public, especially because people werent used to such violent images. He knew that the media was going to want to have it and that the public was going to want to see it. There was an inherent conflict between that and his sense that he should respect President Kennedy and protect Mrs. Kennedy from this horrible thing being sensationalized, she says. I think the sale to LIFE magazine really represented his best compromise. After the sale to LIFE, her grandfather was praised for donating $25,000 to the family of the police officer who was killed by JFKs assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald. But, according to Stolley, LIFE was later criticized for limiting the publics access to the film (private ownership and the damage of original frames also inspired conspiracy theories). According to Twenty-Six Seconds, the Zapruder family was also hit with criticism when they later reclaimed rights to the film even more so after the $16 million sale to the government. I understand why people are critical about the money, but everyone in our family would have much preferred that the president hadnt been killed, and if he had been, that it hadnt been our grandfather who took the film, says Zapruder. While she didnt write the book to create sympathy for her family, she highlighted the sense of responsibility her father later faced when regulating use of the film. Like his father, Henry Zapruder feared the violent images would be tossed about carelessly for public consumption. In my view, thank God it fell to him because he was such a responsible person, she says, and he was smart enough to understand what the issues were. Beyond the legacy of the film thats been inherited by her family, Zapruder also touches on the most elemental truths found in those 26 seconds the human story that makes the film so hard to watch. is the visual representation of what we all know about the fragility of human life, that we dont want to know life can come to an end in an instant, she says. The fact that it happened to the most beautiful couple in the world, the most powerful couple in the world, the Kennedys, adds to the pathos. But if you separate from that you just see a man and a woman riding in the car on a sunny day. And then, suddenly, hes dead. That is something that is true about the world that we live in, she adds. Everything is fragile and everything can be taken away. STUTTGART, Dec 7 (Reuters) - German auto supplier ZF has launched the sale of its Body Control Systems division, Chief Executive Stefan Sommer said, seeking to shed assets it no longer deems essential after its takeover of rival TRW. "We are at a very early stage," Sommer told journalists at the Stuttgart Economic Press Club in remarks embargoed for Wednesday. "We have just started exploratory talks." The Body Control Systems unit makes electronic parts for the vehicle command and control such as switches, heating and air conditioning controls and displays, integrated electronic centre panels and modular steering column controls. Sommer declined to say what price ZF was hoping to fetch, but when asked whether $1 billion was a reasonable figure he replied: "That would not be a complete shot in the dark." The unit has annual earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of about $120 million. ZF has asked Deutsche Bank to find a buyer for the business, people familiar with the deal said. Deutsche Bank declined to comment. ZF acquired U.S.-based TRW in 2015 for $12.4 billion, financing the takeover mainly with debt, and has since divested smaller units such as its Engineered Fasteners and Components. (Reporting by Ilona Wissenbach and Arno Schuetze; Editing by Ruth Pitchford) By Waseem Sattar and Mubasher Bukhari KARACHI/LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) - Taxi-hailing service Careem introduced women drivers in Pakistan on Wednesday, a rare initiative in a deeply conservative Muslim country where women account for only 22 percent of the workforce. Careem has a larger market share than rival Uber in most of the 32 cities in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan region in which it operates. Now it has a new idea for Pakistan: taxis driven by women, who will pick up both male and female customers. The start-up operates in the Pakistani cities of Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi. "We want to give women the same opportunities and the same chance that men have of leveraging our platform to generate healthy income," said Careem's Pakistan General Manager Ahmed Usman. Usman said seven women drivers had qualified to join the fleet but applications were open and the company hoped more would apply. Zahra Ali, 30, heard about Careem from a friend and thought it would be an "honorable" way to support her two children, who she is raising alone since the death of her husband two years ago. She had just enough money to buy a car and got her driving license this year. When Ali applied to be a Careem driver a few months ago, she was told there was no provision for women drivers. Then Careem called back with good news. "The only skill I know is driving," Ali told Reuters at her home in the city of Lahore. "Now I can raise my children honorably, I can give my children a good education." "WOMEN ARE NOT WEAK" Launched in Dubai in 2012, Careem has a global force of 90,000-plus drivers and more than four million users registered through its mobile app. In the sweltering southern city of Karachi, among Careem's largest markets, demand for secure taxis is particularly strong among women, Usman said. "If an organization is offering security for women ... naturally that is very important," said driver Aasia Abdul Aziz, 46, when asked why she chose to work for Careen. "Especially in a city like Karachi where no work can be done in the absence of proper security." Aziz said she had worked long hours at a beauty salon for most of her life and now that her two daughters were settled in jobs, she wanted work that allowed her flexibility. When asked about the challenges of being a woman driver in Pakistan, Aziz said: "When people start accepting something, when our public realize that women can do a certain job and are doing it in a commendable manner, then I think it will not be so difficult." Domestic abuse, other violence and economic discrimination make Pakistan the world's third-most-dangerous country for women, a 2011 Thomson Reuters Foundation expert poll showed. About 500 women are killed in Pakistan every year at the hands of relatives over perceived damage to family "honor" that can involve eloping, fraternizing with men or any other infraction against conservative values. "One must face problems bravely," Ali said in Lahore. "Women are not weak; it is our society which portrays them as weak. One cannot move forward with fear." (Additional reporting and writing by Mehreen Zahra-Malik; Editing by Robert Birsel) A young woman says confession to a priest at a temporary confessionals set up in Madrid (AFP Photo/PEDRO ARMESTRE) (AFP/File) Madrid (AFP) - Catholics seeking to confess their sins to a priest in Spain can now turn to a new app to find the nearest available cleric. Confesor GO detects a user's location and shows the location of priests around them who are ready to listen to their sins as well as the shortest route to get to him. It also provides basic information about the priest, including his name, date of birth and the year he was ordained as well as a list of the Ten Commandments. "The priest may be in a confessional in a church or some place down the street or at a park in your city," reads the description of the app on Apple's iTunes store. The app will be launched on Thursday on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a national holiday in Spain which celebrates the belief that the Virgin Mary was conceived without sin. A beta version has been downloaded several thousand times since it was made available to the public in late September. The bishop of the northern city of San Sebastian, Jose Ignacio Munilla, is one of around 100 clerics across Spain who have so far signed up to use the app to signal when they are available to hear confession, which usually involves admitting sins to a priest in a confessional booth. Father Ricardo Latorre, who came up with the app, said he hopes the service will become available in other Spanish-speaking nations in Latin America next year. "It has generated a great deal of interest and there are many priests from these countries that ask to join. What happens is things take time and it is impossible to do it faster," he told Catholic news website Verdad en Libertad earlier this year. While Catholicism remains deeply embedded in Spanish culture, regular church attendance in Spain, like elsewhere in Europe, has steadily fallen. The majority of Spaniards, 59.3 percent, say they "almost never" attend mass, according to a survey published Monday by the Sociological Research Centre (CIS). Just 15 percent said they went every week. A jumping robot whose design was inspired by small primates known as bush babies can spring off walls to gain height faster than any previous robot and could one day help rapidly scan urban disaster zones, researchers say. Despite being just 10 inches (26 centimeters) tall and weighing only 0.2 pounds (100 grams), the one-legged robot, named Salto, can leap up more than 3.2 feet (1 meter) high from a standing position. Salto is not the highest-jumping robot out there some bots can jump to heights of more than 10 feet (3 meters), but those bots have to wind up for several minutes before they leap, whereas Salto can jump again almost immediately, the researchers said. This allows the one-legged bot to push off a wall much like human parkour enthusiasts to gain height more quickly, they added. [The 6 Strangest Robots Ever Created] Salto is also able to climb at a rate of 5.7 feet per second (1.75 meters per second) compared to the 3.7 feet per second (1.12 m/s) achieved by the next-best robot, the researchers said. Salto's climbing rate is slightly better than a bullfrogs, and it has 78 percent of the capabilities of the tree-dwelling bush baby that its modeled on, according to the scientists. Real-life inspiration The idea for the robot came to the researchers after they spoke to first responders at an urban search-and-rescue training site in Menlo Park, California, said study leader Duncan Haldane, a robotics Ph.D. student at the University of California, Berkeley. "Our goal was to have a search-and-rescue robot small enough to not disturb the rubble further, and move quickly across the many kinds of rubble produced by collapsed buildings," Haldane told reporters in a news conference on Monday (Dec. 5). "To do that, it has to be able to jump and jump more adeptly than prior robots." Haldane and his colleagues looked to nature for inspiration, "because it's fair to say animals can outclass any robot when it compares to jumping," he said. Story continues Before they could find the animal that would be the perfect model for their robot, the team had to develop a better measure for jumping ability. The researchers came up with a metric called "vertical jumping agility," which combines how high an animal or robot can jump with how often. The Senegal bush baby (Galago senegalensis) scored highest in the scientists' tests, leaping from branch to branch at 7.2 feet per second (2.2 m/s). The animal gets its jumping prowess from its ability to get into a superlow crouch before takeoff a feature that it shares with other jumping animals, the researchers said. This allows the bush baby's leg muscles to store energy in elastic tendons before releasing it later in the jump to generate 15 times more power than the muscles could alone, they added. Building a robot Translating this principle into a robotic system required some tinkering, though, Haldane said. [7 Cool Animal-Inspired Technologies] "When you are doing bio-inspired engineering, you have to drastically simplify what you are seeing in nature and figure out the fundamental principles of what's going on," he said. In place of a tendon, Salto the robot features a latex spring that's connected to its motor, which can be twisted to store energy. The configuration of the eight bars that make up the robot's leg means that the leverage it provides changes as the robot moves through the jumping motion, the researchers said. At the beginning of the jump, while the robot is in a superlow crouch, there is little leverage, so power from the motor goes into twisting the spring rather than pushing off from the ground. As Salto's leg extends, the leverage increases, causing it to push off the ground and release the energy stored in the spring, according to the researchers. "A crowbar provides you with a lever arm to generate a large prying force by exerting a small force at the end of the lever. It's a force multiplier," said study author Mark Plecnik, a postdoctoral scholar at UC Berkeley. "This is like using a crowbar that grows and shrinks as you are pushing on it." Sensors on the robot allow it to keep track of its body angle, leg position and motor position, enabling the robot to adjust its angle in flight using a weighted tail so that it hits the wall at the right angle to allow it to spring off again. Future uses Auke Jan Ijspeert, who leads the Biorobotics Laboratory at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne in Switzerland, praised the group's innovation. "Being able to fight against gravity is always a big problem for terrestrial animals and robots," Ijspeert told Live Science. "Such a system could be useful for applications in field robotics, for example, for search and rescue, pollution monitoring, inspection or agriculture." The research team that designed Salto hopes that their vertical-agility metric will also help other scientists who are studying jumping animals, said Ron Fearing, a professor of electrical engineering and computer sciences at UC Berkeley, who oversaw the research. Thomas Roberts, a professor at Brown University who specializes in biomechanics, thinks that it will, but he also thinks that the technology itself could be important for biologists. "This is a great example of how bio-inspired engineering design can help us build novel devices, but also inform our understanding of biology," he told Live Science. "In biology, we can only study animals that exist, and we generally assume that systems in nature work pretty well," Roberts said. "Roboticists can test this assumption by building mechanisms that are similar to biological systems, but depart in important ways." The new study was published today (Dec. 6) in the debut edition of the journal Science Robotics. Original article on Live Science. Editor's Recommendations ESSEN, Germany (Reuters) - A senior German conservative has warned Facebook it could face fines if it fails to act faster to tackle online hate speech, and he said the government could propose legislative measures in the new year. Speaking at a party conference of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) in Essen, western Germany, Volker Kauder suggested politicians were running out of patience with efforts by social media providers to crack down on hate speech. "I expect from big companies like Facebook that they adhere to laws. If they are not respected than we must think about new possibilities, fines for example," he said. Facebook declined immediate comment on his remarks. Germany is seen as a forerunner when it comes to forcing Facebook to step up efforts to police online hate speech, which has risen here following an influx of almost one million migrants, mainly from the Middle East, last year. Politicians are also worried about how hate speech and fake news could sway public opinion ahead of elections next year in which Merkel will be running for a fourth term and facing an increasingly popular far right. Kauder rejected an argument by Facebook - which has around 1.6 billion monthly users - that it is hard to quickly remove content due to the volume of data it has to deal with. "They say there is too much. But a big auto manufacturer that produces millions of cars can't say: 'I produce so many cars that I can't guarantee they are all secure.' No, that is not on. I expect and demand from Facebook that laws are upheld." Last year, Justice Minister Heiko Maas set up a task force made up of representatives from Facebook, Google's YouTube and Twitter as well as nonprofit groups to discuss ways to combat the rise in online hate speech. The platform providers signed up to a voluntary code of conduct to take action to remove hate posts within 24 hours. Results of a survey published in September by a group that monitors hate speech found Facebook removed about 46 percent of illegal content reported by users within 24 hours, significantly more than YouTube and Twitter which deleted just 10 percent and about 1 percent respectively. Maas has repeatedly warned that he will propose legislation if the social media networks do not remove at least 70 percent of hate speech by March next year. Kauder said Maas, a member of the Social Democrats, Merkel's junior coalition partner, was being too easy on social media. "We have a roundtable and now we must wait ... but after the Christmas break is the end of the roundtables. We've sat at roundtables long enough. Now we want to see actions." (Reporting by Paul Carrel; Writing by Caroline Copley; editing by Mark Heinrich) By Ben Hirschler LONDON (Reuters) - These days the average researcher at Philips is more likely to be a software developer than an product engineer, reflecting a transformation at the former Dutch conglomerate that its chief executive says will gather pace. "It's a huge shift," Frans van Houten told Reuters, noting that around 60 percent of the healthcare technology company's R&D staff are now focused on software. "It could rise further. It will not go to 100 percent, because we will still make products, but you could easily see that the value-add comes more out of software than hardware." Philips has repositioned itself as a health business after spinning off lighting, which has freed up capacity for acquisitions such as last year's $1.2 billion purchase of blood vessel imaging firm Volcano. "M&A will play a more active role," van Houten said during a visit to London, highlighting informatics, diagnostics, patient monitoring and homecare as areas for potential deals. Philips is betting on a new era of connected healthcare as smart connected devices in hospitals and at home feed data to doctors, insurers and drugmakers. It is not alone in targeting this convergence of health and technology, with traditional medtech groups like Medtronic striving to integrate disease care and newcomers, such as Google parent Alphabet , also investing heavily. But van Houten believes Philips' existing standing with consumers can give it an edge. "Having a consumer brand helps us a lot. We will see more ambulatory care and there will be a lot of new ways to deliver healthcare ... and that means consumerism is going to play a bigger role." The humble toothbrush may be a start. Philips already sells connected ones designed to encourage correct brushing in children and adults. In future, its toothbrushes could include a sensor to measure disease biomarkers in saliva. At the other end of the spectrum, the group is developing integrated solutions for cancer, such as a single workstation combining genomics, pathology and radiology that can give medics a complete picture of tumors. Philips' full reinvention still has a little way to run. A sale of lighting components business Lumileds to Chinese buyers was blocked earlier this year by the United States on security grounds, although van Houten said he still hoped to clinch a deal before the end of the year. It also retains 71 percent of Philips Lighting , which van Houten said could take a few years to unwind. (Additional reporting by Toby Sterling in Amsterdam; Editing by Alexander Smith) Starbucks boss Howard Schultz plans to open 12,000 more stores over the next five years, he announced today. But at the same time he said brick-and-mortar is a dying breed. Were going to see a very major downturn in the fact that the country is over-retailed in lots of categories. Were going to see significant, major brands as weve seen already not open many stores as they have in the past and its the beginning of lots of companies announcing store closures, Schultz said. Though his remarks at Starbucks investor conference, streaming live on Yahoo Finance, may seem paradoxical given the expansion plans, he is most bullish on mobile payments and has been for the last several years. Starbucks first launched mobile payment six years ago, in January 2011. By downloading an app and adding your Starbucks card information, it provides an efficient and convenient way to pay for your coffee. Companies like Walmart (WMT), Dunkin Donuts (DD), CVS (CVS) and Taco Bell (YUM) have all followed suit by launching their own mobile programs. Though the majority of retailers arent investing heavily in mobile, Forrester Research found that apps accounted for 42% of 2014 mobile sales for the retailers ranked in the 2015 Internet Retailer Mobile 500, a survey of leading mobile retailers worldwide. Companies like Neiman Marcus, Kohls (KSS), and Victorias Secret parent company L Brands (LB) derive more than 60% of their mobile revenue from apps. Today, one in four Starbucks payments is mobile, and the fraction of mobile-based purchases will only rise from here. Schultz said hes proud of Starbucks being ahead of the curve when it comes to seamlessly integrating technology into the retail experience. [Companies] can no longer rely on interception traffic; theyre going to have to become a destination, he said. Schultz said executives wont be able to justify the paltry returns compared to the costly investment in infrastructure and physical retail space. Story continues Starbucks identified it very early and began to invest significantly ahead of that curve in all things mobile, and theres no doubt that created a leadership position in the flywheel of Starbucks, which was driven by the mobile ecosystem, he said. With behemoths like Amazon (AMZN) trying to reinvent the grocery store, it may already be too late for companies neglecting mobile to play catch up. Melody Hahm is a writer at Yahoo Finance, covering entrepreneurship, technology and real estate. Read more from Melody here & follow her on Twitter @melodyhahm. Now that the Galaxy Note line looks like it's been put out to pasture, there's room for someone else to swoop in and carry the pen phone mantel. And who better to do that than the company that makes the Surface? According to a new design patent filing reported on by Patently Apple, Microsoft is likely working on a Surface Phone, and one of the images shows a slot for a stylus on top. Credit: Patently Apple Credit: Patently Apple Microsoft has made a big deal about inking features in Windows 10, and Windows Central says they're the best thing about the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. These features include a Sticky Pad, Sketchpad and Screen Sketch. They all live within Windows Ink Workspace. MORE: iPhone 8 Rumors: What to Expect from the 10th Anniversary iPhone With Sticky Pad, for example, you can quickly jot down a reminder with the Surface pen (or another 2-in-1 with a pen). Sketchpad is great for jotting or sketching out ideas on the fly; and Screen Sketch makes it easy to annotate and share screenshots. The patent doesn't reveal how the pen will work, but it's safe to assume that any Universal Windows 10 app that supports pen input will work with a Surface Phone. Patently Apple also notes that the phone doesn't seem to have a headphone jack. Instead, it appears that Microsoft will opt for a "single port that will double as a headphone jack." Our guess is that this will be USB-C. The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus ditched the headphone jack in favor of the Lightning connector, and rumor has it that the Galaxy S8 will also make due with just a USB-C port. MORE: Best Wireless Headphones In a November interview, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella hinted that Microsoft was at work on the "ultimate mobile device," according to the Australian Financial Review. At the time, he said "We will continue to be in the phone market not as defined by today's market leaders, but by what it is that we can uniquely do in what is the most ultimate mobile device." Story continues Given the emphasis on Continuum, or the ability to use your phone as a PC when connected to a desktop or laptop dock as with devices like the HP Elite X3, it's certainly possible that Microsoft will release a Surface phone that's caters to mobile professionals. The Note 7 was for power users, and there's some features we already miss, such as the ability to take notes with the screen off and translating text. We're less broken up about losing the ability to create GIFs with a pen, as fun as that was initially. Clearly, Microsoft has a chance to fill a void in the market, but it remains to be seen whether consumers or even just mobile pros are willing to jump to Windows 10 Mobile. See also : 25 Cheap Tech Products That Make Life Easier TipRanks With the Federal Reserve holding its November FOMC meeting now, theres plenty of speculation on the central banks next move. The conventional wisdom says the Fed will hike rates again, by another 75 basis points the fourth such hike in a row this year. But after that, no one knows. Inflation remains above 8%, so the Feds tighter monetary policies have clearly not reined in high prices yet. According to Fundstrat, however, the Fed has moved far enough in that direction, and well start to President-elect Donald Trump has said time and again that he wants to convince Apple to make iPhones in America. At least some of them. Talking to Apple CEO Tim Cook about the matter after his big win, Trump reiterated his desire to see Apple manufacture products in America. While its too early to actually see an iPhone made in America, theres one more sign that such a move might actually be possible. Trump on Tuesday met Masayoshi Son, the head of Japans SoftBank Group, who later announced a commitment to invest $50 billion in America and create more than 50,000 jobs. But thats not the only Asia-based tycoon looking to expand to the US. Foxconn, the company that manufactures the iPhone in China for Apple, is apparently in preliminary discussions to expand its US operations. DONT MISS: Amazons 12 best daily deals: Black Friday returns for one 4K TV, deep Apple Watch discounts, more Trump took credit for Softbanks deal, saying that its a direct result of his election win. According to Reuters, the $50 billion deal announcement prompted speculation that Softbank is eying a Sprint-T-Mobile merger again. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Masa from SoftBank of Japan, and hes just agreed to invest $50 billion in the United States and 50,000 jobs, Trump said. A photo taken after the meeting showed that Foxconn also might be willing to invest $7 billion and create an additional 50,000 jobs in America. But Foxconn has not confirmed the figures. While the scope of the potential investment has not been determined, we will announce the details of any plans following the completion of direct discussions between our leadership and the relevant US officials, a Foxconn statement said. Son and Foxconn founder Terry Gou are considered close, Reuters says, and have joint business ventures. Foxconn already has manufacturing facilities in the US in Virginia and Indiana, and logistics services in California and Texas. Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com By Andrew Chung (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday sided with Samsung in its big-money smartphone patent fight with Apple, throwing out an appeals court ruling that the South Korean company had to pay a $399 million penalty to its American rival for copying key iPhone designs. The 8-0 ruling, written by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, held that a patent violator does not always have to fork over its entire profits from the sales of products using stolen designs, if the designs covered only certain components and not the whole thing. The justices sent the case back to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington to determine how much Samsung must pay. But they did not provide a road map to juries and lower courts on how to navigate similar disputes in the future. Apple spokesman Josh Rosenstock said in a statement that the U.S. company remained "optimistic that the lower courts will again send a powerful signal that stealing isn't right." Samsung told Reuters in a statement the ruling was a "victory for Samsung and for all those who promote creativity, innovation and fair competition in the marketplace." Following a 2012 jury verdict favoring Apple, Samsung initially was hit with nearly $930 million in penalties, later cut by $382 million, for infringing Apple's iPhone patents and mimicking its distinctive appearance in making the Galaxy and other competing devices. Samsung in December 2015 paid its Cupertino, California-based rival $548 million. But Samsung took the matter to the Supreme Court, saying it should not have had to make $399 million of that payout for copying the patented designs of the iPhone's rounded-corner front face, bezel and colorful grid of icons that represent programs and applications. With the products that used iPhone designs, Samsung went on to become the world's top smartphone maker. Tuesday's ruling followed a ferocious legal battle between the world's top two smartphone manufacturers that began in 2011 when Apple sued Samsung for patent and trademark infringement. It was one of the most closely watched patent cases to come before the top U.S. court in recent years. The legal dispute centered on whether the term "article of manufacture," on which design patent damages are calculated in U.S. patent law, should be interpreted as a finished product in its entirety, or merely a component in a complex product. In court papers, Samsung, Apple and the U.S. government all agreed that the term could mean a component. But Apple urged the Supreme Court to affirm the appeals court's ruling because Samsung presented no evidence that the article of manufacture in this case was anything less than its entire smartphone as sold. Samsung, meanwhile, said that it did not have to present such evidence. Sotomayor, writing for the unanimous court, said that the law is clear. The term "article of manufacture is broad enough to encompass both a product sold to a consumer as well as a component of that product," she wrote. PERIOD OF UNCERTAINTY The justices nevertheless refused to devise a test for juries and lower courts to use to discern what a relevant article of manufacture is in a particular case, a task that could be fraught with difficulty when considering high-tech products. "No doubt whether with Apple-Samsung, or some other design patent case, we are going to have a period of uncertainty where courts will be trying to formulate a test and what the boundaries are," Richard McKenna, an expert in design rights at the law firm Foley & Lardner in Milwaukee, said in an interview. In court papers, Apple said its iPhone's success was tied to innovative designs, which other manufacturers quickly adopted in their own products. Samsung, in particular, made a deliberate decision to copy the iPhone's look and many user interface features, Apple said. Samsung argued that it should not have had to turn over all its profits, saying that design elements contributed only marginally to a complex product with thousands of patented features. Design patent fights very rarely reach the Supreme Court. It had not heard such a case in more than 120 years. The case is Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd v. Apple Inc, in the Supreme Court of the United States, No. 15-777. (Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; additional reporting by Lawrence Hurley in Washington and Se Young Lee in Seoul; Editing by Will Dunham and Stephen Coates) Photo: TBS Some of the best stuff Conan OBrien has been doing lately are his Conan Without Borders specials, in which he visits countries such as Cuba and Armenia. On Wednesday night, Conan goes to Berlin to take in German culture. You could predict what OBrien does: dancing in lederhosen or bondage shorts, as he calls the tight outer wear to engage in some traditional Bavarian dance. He eats a lot of sausage (as an occasional visitor to Germany, I can confirm his assertion that one can easily be offered many different kinds of sausage all three meals a day), before going to a Berlin butcher to see how the sausage is made. In some of his escapades, Conan is accompanied by German comedian Flula Borg, an occasional guest on Conans talk show, whos always up for a stunt. During this hour, he accompanies Conan to a nude beach just outside of Berlin and goes nude himself. Conan stays clothed. In fact, we see more of Conan when he visits a local dominatrix, Lady Velvet Steel, and strips down for a sado-masochistic session involving whips, a harness, nipple clips, and a ball-gag so explicit its, ah, tubular shape is pixilated out so as not to offend American sensibilities. As in each of OBriens globe-trotting visits, theres one mostly-serious segment, this one a visit to the Berlin-Templehof Airport, a space that is now being used to house over 1,500 refugees from places like Syria, Iran, and Afghanistan. There he interviews young men who are studying German and hoping to assimilate into a country that holds more promise for them than the lands theyve fled. Please dont send this segment to Donald Trump. Related: Conan OBrien Previews His Trip to Berlin Its a funny hour, warmed by Conans ability to keep the humiliating humor directed at himself as a doofus-tourist type asking foolishly obvious questions, game to take part in any custom that might seem odd or peculiar to American audiences. Since theres a lot of German culture in America, this special doesnt seem as exotic as his previous outings, but that doesnt mean its not highly amusing and reasonably informative. I never want to hear another note of the squalling music made by the German rock band Sado Opera, though. Conan in Berlin airs Wednesday night at 10 p.m. on TBS. "Climate change could render Sudan 'uninhabitable' Experts say that without quick intervention, parts of the African country -- already one of the most vulnerable in the world -- could become uninhabitable as a result of climate change. "North Africa is already hot and is strongly increasing in temperature. At some point in this century, part of the region will become uninhabitable," Jos Lelieveld, a climate scientist from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, told CNN. "That will string from Morocco all the way through to Saudi Arabia," he said." "What if not just 2.5% of world population, but 10% or 20% of world population fell into environmental refugee status? We're now looking at 700 million to 1.5 billion people, not just fleeing, but starving, fighting and dying as well. In other words, utter world chaos of every type imaginable." I would like to bring your attention to an unusually forthright piece of reporting from CNN, regarding something I have been talking about- the real possibility that, in a few decades, unchecked climate change is going to render large parts of the Middle East and North Africa uninhabitable. This piece focuses on the Sudan, and includes some nice maps showing the likely extent of the problem in Africa; as I have reported before, a large part of the Southern Middle East is also at threat.Here's an excerpt from the article:It is definitely worth clicking on the link, if only to see the map of projected impact in Africa. The population in this region and the adjacent area in the Middle East is somewhere between 200 and 400 million people. You need only reflect on the massive destabilization in Europe, and the awakening of xenophobic hatred there and in the United States, that has resulted from the displacement of five million people in Syria, to imagine the catastrophic effect such a thing would represent- I do not think I am exaggerating a bit to suggest that it could precipitate the end of civilization in Europe, India, China and God knows where else, as these countries were subject to by far the largest mass migration in Human history.And more on this issue, from a post today by Gaius Publius at Hullabaloo.And lots more along these lines. This is real, people, and the selection of a new leader in the United States makes it absolutely sure that we will do nothing for the next four years to deal with it. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for a ban on full-face veils worn by some Muslim women. Merkel announced her position Tuesday at a conference of her Christian Democrat Union (CDU) in the central German city of Essen. Her comments were part of a speech she gave before her reelection as party leader. In communication between people, which is of course essential to our living together, we have to show our faces, Merkel said. She said veils that fully cover the face should be banned wherever legally possible. Merkels CDU party has previously discussed banning them in schools, courts and other public buildings. A small minority of Muslim women in Germany wear full-face veils. In the past, Merkel has said she believes Muslims who completely cover their faces have little chance of fully mixing into German society. Legal experts said it is unclear whether a veil ban would violate Germanys constitution. Three European nations - France, Belgium and the Netherlands already have bans on the face-covering veils. Merkel recently announced she would seek a fourth term as chancellor in elections expected to be held in fall 2017. Her popularity has dropped since Germany decided to accept about one million refugees. German public opinion studies show Merkels CDU party is currently leading among voters. But even if the CDU wins, the Chancellor would likely have to form a coalition government with competing parties. The 2017 election will be more difficult than any election before, at least since German reunification, Merkel said. Merkel also faces strong opposition from the anti-immigration Alternative for Deutschland (AFD) party. The AFD has been critical of Muslim migrants entering Germany. The group recently said Islam is not compatible with Germanys constitution. Im Anne Ball. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English with reporting from the Associated Press and Reuters. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. What do you think about governments banning face covers? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story veil n. thin piece of material that covers the face essential adj. extremely important or necessary compatible adj. able to exist or be used together As populist movements grow in Europe, it remains unclear how they will affect the European Union. Italy is the latest country to vote against its leadership. On Sunday, Italian voters rejected constitutional reforms proposed by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. About 60 percent of voters rejected the reforms in a nationwide referendum. Renzi actively campaigned for the measures. He made it clear that if they were not approved, voters would be rejecting his government. Renzi accepted responsibility for the loss and offered his resignation on Monday. The proposals were meant to simplify Italys government, centralize power and reduce corruption. One measure would have turned the elected Senate into a much smaller, appointed body. Renzis government has supported pro-European Union policies. His defeat energized other Italian parties, including the anti-establishment Five Star Movement and anti-immigration Northern League. However, some observers say the referendum vote cannot be seen as a direct result of populist movements, such as the election of Donald Trump in the United States. Ben Wellings is an expert on the E.U. at Monash University in Australia. He told VOA that while the Italian result was not helpful to Europe, the E.U. will clearly survive. Were not suggesting that Italy is in any way going to leave the European Union or even the Euro zone. So its an unwanted element of instability, but I think the European Union will see this one through. Peter Eltsov is a political expert at the National Defense University in Washington. He says he thinks the rise of populist movements in Europe could give Russia a chance to expand its influence there. You have a sense that Russia supports those either right-wing politicians or left-wing politicians. But mostly politicians who are skeptical of the European Union, who would like to leave the E.U., who would support the lifting of sanctions from Russia. Eltsov notes that Russian banks have provided financial support to political movements in Europe. He said the leader of Frances National Front, Marine Le Pen, received a large campaign loan from a Russian-backed bank. France will hold a presidential election next year, and Eltsov said many experts think Le Pen could win. If she wins in France, it's my prediction its going to be the end of the European Union. He added that in addition to financing some European politicians, Russia is using propaganda to increase its influence in the continent. Countries that may be vulnerable to such propaganda could be Greece, Italy, Spain and Bulgaria, he said. Eltsov said Russia may also use its financial and political influence to try to weaken the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. He said this could involve trying to get some members to leave the alliance or stop efforts to join it. Im Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. The story was based on VOA News reports from Zlatica Hoke, Jamie Dettmer, the Associated Press and Reuters. George Grow 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 referendum n. a direct vote in which people cast ballots to decide on a specific issue or policy element n. a particular part of something skeptical adj. doubting that something is true vulnerable adj. easily attacked physically or emotionally right-wing adj. the conservative side of a party or group left-wing - adj. the liberal side of a part or group Abdullahi Mohamed, a former refugee from Somalia, has returned to his country in search of work. Mohamed, now in his 20s, spent many years living in the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya. Now he is one of about 18,000 former refugees who live in the Somali city of Kismayo. He is fixing automobiles and learning how to be an auto mechanic. His training will continue into February. Mohamed hopes to have a better future than other former refugees because he is learning how to do a job. Thousands of refugees are returning to Somalia after living in camps in Kenya. When they were away, some went to school but many depended on assistance from aid organizations. They did not get a good education or learn a how to do a job. At least here, I have got something to learn and do, Mohamed said. There is a concern that the returnees will have trouble starting new lives without the skills they need for a good job. That is why organizations like the American Refugee Council are supporting job training programs. The council also wants to be sure the young men who did go to school in the camps do not join militant groups like al-Shabab. Abdi Ibrahim Abdi Barre is the deputy mayor of Kismayo. He is concerned young men with a high school education might be asked to work with chemicals and make bombs. Young people are vulnerable, he said. If they are not provided with the skills, education and materials they need to pursue their goals, then people will take advantage of them." At one point, the Dadaab camp was home to more than 300,000 people. Most of them were from Somalia. The Kenyan government said it would close the camps, so many native Somalis went home. The United Nations refugee agency said at least 34,000 refugees have returned to Somalia. But they do not have much to return to. Many have criticized a lack of jobs and other services. In Kismayo, the American Refugee Council is helping 20-year-old Shafii Ali. He is learning to make window frames. He builds the frames and adds the window glass. At first, he did not think he could do the work. After three months of training, the young man said he wants to open his own business and help teach other former refugees how to make windows. Abdullahi Mohamed said that he and the other returnees need to depend on themselves instead of other people. He said they need to forget about how their lives worked in the refugee camp. Abdi Barre said the future of the returning refugees should be a national concern and not limited to aid agencies. Everyone should be involved, he said. Im Dan Friedell. Mohammed Yusuf wrote this story for VOANews.com. Dan Friedell adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. What do you think Somalia should do about all the refugees coming home? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story mechanic n. a person who repairs machines (such as car engines) and keeps them running properly vulnerable adj. easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally council n. a group or organization frame n. the structure that gives shape or strength to something Some people in China welcomed the election of businessman Donald Trump as president of the United States. They believed he would negotiate deals helpful to both countries. But President-elect Trumps decision to speak directly with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen led the Chinese government to protest to the U.S. ambassador in Beijing. Some Chinese officials said the telephone call between Trump and Tsai violated Americas 1979 pledge of support for a one-China policy. Since then, the U.S. has not had official contact with Taiwans government. Tsai told a small group of U.S. reporters Tuesday that she did not sense a major change in U.S. policies toward Taiwan. "One phone call does not mean a policy shift," Tsai said. Trump has used social media to defend his decision to speak with Taiwans president. On Twitter, the president-elect criticized some of China's policies. He wrote that China devalued its money to make it harder for American businesses to sell goods in the country. He said the Chinese government continues to heavily tax U.S. exports to China. And he said the Chinese military is expanding its presence in the South China Sea, all without asking the United States, in his words, if it was OK. Mark Toner is a spokesman for the U.S. State Department. He said the Chinese government called the U.S. ambassador to China on Saturday to protest Trumps contact with Taiwans president. Toner also defended Americas one China policy, which has been in effect for 37 years. Its allowed us to develop relations frankly, closer relations with Beijing and also to deepen our unofficial ties with Taipei, Toner said. The policy also provides economic and security benefits to the United States, he said. Wang Dong is a political science professor at Peking University. He said Trumps tweets may be all about improving his negotiating position with the Chinese government. Trump has said he sometimes uses strong words to help him negotiate better deals later. But Wang said Trump may also be following the opinions of some Republican Party activists who want the U.S. government to take a harder position with China. The Washington Post and Wall Street Journal both reported that the telephone call between Trump and Tsai was planned weeks ago by Trump aides. And I think that gives us reason to be worried about U.S.-China relations going forward, Wang said. There (has) been too much wishful thinking and overly optimistic expectations about Donald Trump and China and I think now, people have to come back to reality. John Bolton served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under President George W. Bush. Bolton said the United States needs to deal with what he called Chinas aggressive and belligerent claims in the South China Sea. He is reportedly under consideration for a diplomatic position with the Trump administration. On Tuesday, a Republican Party official arrived in Taiwan for a week-long visit. The official, Stephan Yates, is the partys chairman in the state of Idaho. Yates said he is not carrying any messages from Trump to Tsai. But he said that China should respect the political reform and democratization of Taiwan, as President-elect Trump has. Jeffrey Bader was the lead adviser on China for President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2011. He now works at the John L. Thornton China Center, part of the Brookings Institution research group. Bader said Trumps phone call with the Taiwan leader raises concerns about his foreign policy skills. There are serious risks posed by his failure to take briefings by government professionals, Bader said. He added that Trump appears to have little respect for the possible damage to longtime U.S. security interests. Im Ashley Thompson. And I'm Caty Weaver. William Ide and Nike Ching reported on this story for VOANews.com. Bruce Alpert adapted their reports for 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 pledge n. promise shift - n. to move to a different position frankly - adv. speaking candidly optimistic - adj. expecting good things to happen belligerent - adj. angry and aggressive pose - v. to create a possible problem briefing - n. people with expertise providing information to someone Heather Chacon is a new sales associate at Farm Bureau Financial Services in Lexington. Chacon, of Kearney, has prior customer service experience working for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. After spending the past 12 years as a homemaker, Chacon said she previously considered a career with Farm Bureau Financial Services but that the timing was not right. When the opportunity was available this year to work with Rick Trampe at Farm Bureau Financial Services, Chacon said she considered it a "blessing" at the right time. "I've always done work in customer service. This is a great career choice, to help people protect what is important," she said. Chacon offers auto insurance, home insurance, life insurance, annuities, health insurance, farm/ranch insurance, crop insurance and business insurance. She said she enjoys sitting down with people, explaining what is in their best interest and educating them about insurance questions. Helping others is nothing new for Chacon, who was raised in a family that helped and advocated for others, she said. "My grandfather and parents raised us to be advocates for the community. My grandfather helped migrant workers in Kearney. My mother was an advocate for the Latin community, she was director of Central Nebraska Hispanic Awareness Center dancers," Chacon said. She volunteered with Gladys Godinez to get out the vote and register people to vote earlier this year and supported immigrant rights awareness efforts. Chacon said she is happy to provide free no obligation insurance quotes and is willing to work around the client's schedule. "It's a rewarding career to be in," she said. Office hours for Heather Chacon at Farm Bureau Financial Services, 411 East Pacific, are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. She is available by appointment as well. For more information contact her at 308-440-4722. LEXINGTON, Neb. - Issues ranging from overtime rules, health care premiums, to public land use and fairground renovations were addressed during the Dawson County Commissioners bimonthly meeting Thursday. Dawson County Assessor John Moore spoke about owned property not being used for a public purpose during the board of equalization meeting prior to the commissioners meeting. He said unless he was instructed otherwise by commissioners, he would begin the process of identifying and writing letters to tax exempt properties that are using property for a non-public purpose. Moore estimated that 12,065 properties are exempt although only a couple of hundred would be affected on this issue. The tax exempt properties, known as political subdivisions, include schools, cities, counties and churches, he said. This issue came to the forefront when Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, a political subdivision, bought the Jeffrey Ranch last year, located south of Lexington. CNPPD then leased out land for it to be farmed,Moore said. Anytime land is being leased or rented out, its generating income and no longer contributing to a public use, he said. Moore listed two other examples of tax exempt properties that may no longer be serving a public purpose. Those examples are: if a lot owned by a city has a for sale sign or if the airport authority leases out land for alfalfa. Because an airport authority is required to have land around its airstrip free, this issue was more complex, he said. At the beginning of next year,Moore said he will mail out forms to tax exempt political subdivisions, where he has noticed an issue, asking for an explanation of why they shouldn't be taxed. The forms would be sent in January and the deed of intent to tax deadline is in March. A property owner could still appeal the decision and request a public hearing before the commissioners board of equalization, where the person could lay out his or her case for why the property should not be taxed,Moore said. "You can't rent it out, make money off it and call it tax exempt. These situations are not going to be fun to deal with. The statutes are out there. We are going to get a lot of traffic at the beginning of the year"Moore said. In other board of equalization news, commissioners approved two vehicle tax exemptions for South Central Developmental Services. Executive Director of Dawson Area Development Jennifer McKeone talked to commissioners about an agreement to renovate property at the Dawson County Fairgrounds. The agreement would provide state and local grant funding to pay for $350,000 in work to build new restrooms, a storm sewer, more handicap parking and more greater Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility at the grandstands. A memorandum to authorize Chairman of the Commissioners Butch Hagan to sign a contract agreement for the project and to allow the county to be responsible for meeting grant requirements was passed by the board. A program agreement between Dawson County and the State of Nebraska Department of Roads to provide railroad signage at five locations passed. As part of agreement, the state would provide the signs and the county agreed to install the signs. Commissioners also discussed an injunction from a federal court in Texas that would temporarily halt the implementation of new overtime rules across the country. Because implementation of the new overtime rules was stalled, commissioners discussed whether or not pay raises that were approved in the budget to meet the federal overtime rule change would be kept. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), starting Dec. 1, the new salary threshold for a worker to be exempt from overtime pay is an income of $913 per week or $47,476 per year or higher. The former salary threshold was $455 per week and $23,660 per year. After an extensive debate, commissioners voted to keep the raises for certain managerial level employees as originally planned and budgeted. Dawson County Clerk Karla Zlatkovsky spoke about employee portions of health care premiums if health screening base score is not met. She said 33 people did not meet the health screening base score of 75. Zlatovsky noted that the county was trying to incentivize the effort to improve health, not to improve health itself. Commissioners voted to table the issue for further study. Head Start, a program of Community Action Partnership of Mid Nebraska (Mid), provides comprehensive services to children and families. Lexington Head Start is now taking applications for the 2016-2017 year. The objective of the Head Start program is to enhance the cognitive, social and emotional development of income eligible children through the provision of comprehensive health, educational, nutritional, social and other services, involve parents in their childrens learning and to help parents make progress toward their educational, literacy and employment goals. Head Start enhances childrens physical, social, emotional and intellectual development while helping parents with the goal of achieving self sufficiency through the family partnership and goal setting process. Head Start creates an environment that builds upon and responds to the unique strengths and needs of each child and family, including: high quality early education at monthly family connection activities; home visits; on-going parenting enhancement services; comprehensive health services; nutrition; and ongoing support to parents through case management and peer support groups. If you have a preschool child, age three or four, please contact: Community Action Partnership of Mid Nebraska, Lexington Head Start, at the following address or phone number: 931 West 7th St., Lexington, NE 68850-0333. For more information see www.communityactionmidne.com for all Mid Head Start and Early Head Start center contact information. LEXINGTON, Neb. - The annual Christmas Concert performed by the Lexington Community Choir will be held this Friday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. at the Lexington Middle School Auditorium. The free concert is open to the community. A free shuttle service will be provided by the Lexington Lions Club from the First United Methodist Church parking lot, located at 9th and Grant Street. A free will offering will be accepted to benefit area benevolent agencies. Sheri Giesbrecht, director of the Lexington Community Choir, said the help of Jo Keim and Barb Batie, members of the Plum Creek Community Players, will allow this year's presentation to include several vignettes, featuring performers of all ages. "We want our 10th year performance to be special so they have stepped up and taken on the difficult task of finding local talent to fill those roles," she said. The title of the concert's musical is "Then Came the Light...the Love and the Life" and will conclude with a powerful arrangement of "Little Drummer Boy" with Psalm 150, Giesbrecht said. The musical selections will include familiar carols cleverly configured with some very interesting and challenging harmonies. Not exactly knowing what this crazy Nebraska weather will bring, it would be a great idea to either come early to get a close parking space, or use the convenient Shuttle Service provided by the Lexington Lions Club, she said. The shuttle service will be available an hour before the start of each concert. At Lexington Middle School, there are entrances and parking spaces on Washington Street, Grant Street and a parking lot south of the school, Giesbrecht said. If anyone takes advantage of the Lions Club's shuttle service, he or she should please plan to stay for refreshments after the concerts and socialize with each other until they can accommodate all riders, Giesbrecht said. She said the choir has had fantastic support from the community. "Some of our corporate sponsors have been with us for 10 years and continue to believe in our ideals and assist in our success. And some have just come on board for the first time this year. Many help us out monetarily, but there are others who offer their services or provide products to keep our expenses down," she said. Business sponsors for the Lexington Community Choir include: Lexington Pinnacle Bank, KRVN AM/FM/KAMI radio, Plum Creek Motors, Inc., Nebraskaland Tire Group, Kirk's Nebraskaland Restaurant, Mac's Creek Winery & Vineyard, Hunt Cleaners, Martin Electric Co., Lexington Family Dentistry, The H.O. Smith Company, Great Western Bank, Hammond Livestock, Reynolds-Love Funeral Home, Mr. Automotive, Larry Reynolds Farm, Bev Hansen, Longaberger rep., MTL, Inc., Reynolds, Inc., Justa Truck Trucking, U-Save Pharmacy, Long's Honey Farms, Inc., Sign Pro, Elwood Pinnacle Bank, Elwood Security First Bank, Weismann Painting, Plum Creek Market Place, Anderson Graphics. LEXINGTON,Neb. - The Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles will host an Open House in observance of the 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor on Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon. The event is open to the public. The museum is located at 606 Heartland Road. "We are putting together a special display for Pearl Harbor. We will have a small piece of a Japanese fighter plane that was shot down, weapons from that era," said Terry Lauby, president of the Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles. Coffee and cookies will be served. For those unable to attend the open house, thePearl Harbor display will stay up for viewing the rest of the week and possibly for the rest of the month, Lauby said. According to the museum, it has "about 100 vehicles including helicopters, tanks, halftracks, ambulances, and a jeep from every branch of the service plus displays of weapons, uniforms, engines, equipment, and more. The everyday necessities of a soldier's life, such as MREs, blend with unique vehicles like those used by the German army in World War II. Other information from the museum's web site (http://heartlandmuseum.com/index.php), reads, "This hands-on museum invites you to see, touch, and even sit in vehicles that have been restored and, for the most part, are operational. Vehicles date from World War II but displays include items from World War I as well." WINSIDE, Neb. As Russell Prince describes it, joining the volunteer fire department was just something you do when you live in a small town. They just needed extra help, Prince said. That was 50 years ago, when volunteers wore raincoats to fires, not the fire-protective bunker gear now used. The departments first ambulance, added in 1974, was a federal surplus 1964 Ford station wagon. It was pretty cramped, Prince recalled. A funeral home in Wayne donated a red (emergency) light and a cot. Thats what we put in our ambulance. As the years passed he kept on volunteering, in part because the Winside Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department had been short on volunteers. Its an issue that rural volunteer departments have been wrestling with for years. Small town populations are aging, on average, and thats reflected in those who serve some of the most important public safety chores: fighting fires and answering rescue calls, from highway accidents to heart attacks and slips and falls. Small-town departments in Nebraska and Iowa have deployed several strategies to help fill the ranks, from stepping up recruiting efforts to using high-school-age cadets as helpers, to reimbursing training costs and even paying a small stipend to answer calls. As an incentive to volunteer, the Nebraska Legislature passed a law this year granting a $250-a-year income tax credit for those who volunteer for fire and ambulance services. In Iowa, a similar law went into effect in 2013. Nationally, about 31 percent of firefighters in towns under 2,500 in population are age 50 or older a figure that is probably higher in Nebraskas smallest towns, officials said. Prince, 79, was a volunteer firefighter until he retired in October. He was one of five volunteer firefighters in the state honored this year for 50 years of service. He quit taking rescue calls three decades ago due to the time-consuming training required and, because of his age, cut back his role on fire calls in recent years mostly to driving pumper trucks and helping with equipment. His retirement in Winside, population 427, not only is a testament to his dedication and perseverance but also raises a question: Whos going to be left to answer the fire whistle? The fact is we have an aging workforce and we dont have that rush into the fire service, said Micheal Dwyer, secretary-treasurer of the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association. Its a concern for anyone in the volunteer industry. Recruitment and retention is a huge issue, and thats nationwide, said Bill Halleran, president of the Iowa Firefighters Association and fire chief in Sigourney, Iowa, population 2,500. The numbers of volunteer firefighters in both Nebraska and Iowa have slowly dwindled over recent decades, and with rural populations projected to continue to fall, its prompting concern. In Nebraska, an estimated 12,000 volunteers answer fire and rescue calls over 72 percent of the state, from suburbs like Gretna and Waverly to rural areas like Winside, 18 miles northeast of Norfolk. The problem is an even bigger issue in remote areas like Ainsworth, a ranching town of 1,700 people on the edge of the Sand Hills that bills itself as the middle of nowhere. The Brown County Ambulance Association, located in Ainsworth, covers parts of three counties, answering calls 60 miles to the south and 40-plus miles to the north in an area larger than Delaware. A few years ago the association was down to only four trained emergency medical technicians, or EMTs, raising questions about whether it could continue to take rescue calls, said Ann Fiala, 47, president of the volunteer rescue squad. Some smaller, nearby communities had already shut down their ambulance service because of a lack of funds and personnel. Fiala said there were worries that Ainsworth would be next. We were way, way down, said Fiala, the manager of an assisted living center. Becoming an EMT who administer preliminary medical treatment in an ambulance requires 180 hours of training and continuing education. It can be stressful when handling serious accidents involving people you may know. Officials say its getting harder to persuade young people, with their growing time conflicts of children, school and family, to join. Population decline also makes it harder to find volunteers. And the average age in most rural counties is rising. About half of Nebraskas 93 counties had median ages of 45 and above in 2010, compared with only two counties in 2000. Hiring professional firefighters and EMTs to provide 24/7 service would be cost prohibitive, Fiala and others said. The fear of an ambulance not showing up to a cardiac arrest or a woman going into labor or a child choking, it just puts the fear of God into you, Fiala said. In Ainsworth, the ambulance service has stepped up its recruiting efforts. It began scheduling volunteers in shifts to handle long-distance transfers from the Ainsworth hospital to those in far-off Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island or Norfolk, trips that can take 10 to 12 hours. It began paying a small stipend, $20 per hour, for answering 911 calls. And it made arrangements so that EMTs from nearby fire departments in Keya Paha, Rock and BlaineCounties could also operate out of Ainsworths ambulances. Now, 12 to 15 EMTs are available for calls, Fiala said. The average age of those EMTs is over 50, but now the department has motorized gurneys and power lifts to help ease the physical strain. Our backs arent what they used to be, Fiala said. Some neighboring departments in Iowa, Halleran said, now have automatic aid agreements, meaning that volunteers from a nearby community will automatically respond to a call in the town next door to fill the ranks. Some communities with the financial ability have hired emergency responders to supplement volunteers. CassCounty, for instance, now pays two paramedics to answer rescue calls in that suburban county during daytime hours. Smaller towns in Nebraska like Otoe, Johnstown and Dunbar have merged their rescue services. The Nebraska Volunteer Firefighters Association got a four-year grant in 2012 to train local departments on recruiting and retaining volunteers, and to provide some reimbursement for training expenses. Modern equipment and vehicles help attract recruits, said Don Skokan, chief of the Winside fire department. Seven years ago, his department started a cadet program to allow teens as young as 16 to serve. Cadets dont go into burning buildings, drive vehicles or get too close to serious rescue calls, he said, but they are introduced to being a volunteer in hopes theyll become full-fledged members. The first two cadets at Winside, Skokans son, Kyle, and Ethan Thies, the son of another Winside volunteer, are members of the fire department now. In Winside, the shortage of personnel has eased in recent years. The department now has 34 volunteers, and Prince said he stayed on the last few months so he could reach the 50-year milestone. Younger volunteers were beating him to the fire hall anyway, joked Prince, who still holds an almost full-time job, rising at 4:30 a.m. to drive semi loads of grain for the local elevator. In the dedicated family of volunteer firefighters, Prince left a legacy: One son, Ron, worked several years for the State Fire Marshalls Office, and another son, Ryan, is a member of the Winside department. A grandson, Collin, is a volunteer firefighter in nearby Carroll, Nebraska. I just turned my pager in the other day, Russell Prince said recently. I told them if they needed help to holler. There are some encouraging signs in Nebraska: Though the number of trained first responders and EMTs has fallen significantly in recent years, the number of more highly trained paramedics has risen. And there was a record number of enrollees in the introduction to firefighting courses run by the state association of volunteers. But filling the ranks of firefighters and EMTs in rural areas, where the population is aging and declining, will be a problem for years to come. A 2013 report on the matter by the University of Nebraska at Omahas Center for Public Affairs Research concluded with the warning, policymakers need to act. Halleran, the Iowa official, said maybe new incentives can be found, but theres no easy solution. I honestly dont have an answer for it. Thats the hard part, he said. Flagstaffs Pete Kelsey isnt old enough to have served on the USS Arizona, one of the ships infamously sunk by the Japanese during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. Nevertheless, Kelsey is probably more familiar with the physical contours of the ship than almost anyone on earth. For three years, Kelsey led the team that generated a detailed 3D digital image of the wreck as it looks today. In addition to a lot of technical work, Kelseys involvement also included many scuba dives to the wreck and working closely with the five remaining survivors from the ship. Kelsey's work was part of a PBS special Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. on KAET-TV Channel 8 titled "Into the Arizona." Kelsey manages special projects for a large software company called Autodesk. In 2012, Autodesk was approached by the National Park Service (the USS Arizona Memorial is part of the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument) and asked to take a close look at the Arizona. The wreck hadnt been mapped in detail since 1984 and the Park Service wanted to know how it was faring. The ship sank within nine minutes of being pierced by a Japanese bomb. More than 900 of the sailors who lost their lives that day remain entombed in the wreck. As such, it is considered sacred ground and any interaction with the wreck demands a high level of respect and deference. Sitting on the sea floor for 75 years has changed the USS Arizona. The sea is a dynamic environment and the years have subtly changed the physical remains of the ship. In order to maintain the memorial and preserve the history it represents, the Park Service needed to know the condition of the wreck. The place has to be maintained, Kelsey said. A structural collapse is unthinkable. Kelsey, a veteran, an Arizona resident and a self-described technical geek, was immediately attracted to the project, especially the academic challenges the undertaking presented. That interest, however, was soon overshadowed with a deep sense of purpose and reverence for the memorial. For the 1984 survey, Park Service divers went down with grease pencils and measuring tape, Kelsey said. In 2012, Kelsey and his team began a much more technical look at the ship I led a team that basically repeated that 1984 process but with state of the art technology, he said. The technology they employed included sonar (mapping with sound), lidar (the use of a pulsated laser to measure distances) and photogrammetry (using photography to measure objects and distances). We combined the three into a three dimensional color digital model of the ship. The data collected by Kelsey and his team will now serve as a baseline with which to compare all future surveys. In fact, it has already served that purpose as the team conducted a secondary survey in August. Kelsey is in the process of comparing the August findings to the teams original data, looking for things like changes in the size of cracks. Right now, Kelsey is in Honolulu to attend the ceremonies marking the 75th anniversary of the attack. It is the culmination of three years of a job that evolved into much more than the original task had suggested. This is just the most meaningful work Ive ever done, he said in a phone interview from Honolulu. Over the course of the project he has come to know all five of the remaining survivors and formed a friendship with survivor Don Stratton. Stratton recounts his dramatic survival on Dec. 7, 1941, in his book, All the Gallant Men. Stratton is 94 years old and in relatively good health. But Kelsey knows that this years anniversary event will be one of the last to include the men who were there on that bright Sunday, 75 years ago. As a gesture of respect and gratitude, Kelsey and his team will present each of the five survivors with a 3-foot-long 3D printed model of the ship. The 3D models are a tangible reminder of the tragedy and of the passage of time at the bottom of the ocean. Kelsey describes the models as hyper-real, including details like a Coke bottle on the deck and an abandoned cooking pot resting near the galley. It was the cooking pot that cemented his friendship with Stratton. Kelsey had been showing Stratton images from the project without much reaction. Then he handed him a 3D print of the cooking pot. Ill never forget that moment as long as I live, Kelsey said. He got emotional, he started telling stories about that day and where he was. Kelsey himself is full of emotion at the retelling of the story. After Wednesday's ceremonies, Kelseys USS Arizona project will be over. But he will never forget the contours of that doomed ship and will continue to bear witness to the stories of its survivors. He said his association with the USS Arizona was a thrill, an honor. Its hard for me to even call it work. It gives me goosebumps talking about it really. It's been 75 years since the attack on Pearl Harbor, but for Tampa Bay area resident George Kondas, it feels like it was yesterday. Pearl Harbor survivor reflects on 75th anniversary of attack George Kondas was 20 on Dec. 7, 1941 Kondas is 1 of few remaining survivors, 2-time cancer survivor "Its something I will never forget, Kondas said. Its just implanted back here. I can see it exactly today as it was." Dozens gathered at Veterans Memorial Park and Museum in Hillsborough County on Wednesday for a Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony. Kondas is one of the remaining Pearl Harbor survivors and a two-time cancer survivor. Kondas was just 20 years old when the alarms sounded at Pearl Harbor on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, when Japan attacked the U.S. in a surprise strike on the Navy base in Hawaii. More than 2,400 personnel were killed and almost 1,200 wounded.The attack brought the U.S. into World War II. That alarm means get to your battle stations as quick and fast as possible, the 95-year-old Kondas said. He saw planes flying overhead and thought they were dropping sacks of flour for a training mission. He quickly realized it wasn't a drill. Kondas remembers more than 350 planes coming in from every direction, ships burning, the sinking of the USS Arizona, the USS Oklahoma turning over and the sheer chaos of the day. "Here comes planes coming out of every direction at different heights from here, here, here, back here, Kondas said. When it was all over, Kondas said it was chaos. "It was sickening, he said. You could see bodies floating in the water and oil burning all around them and all over the place. Kondas built mines for the Navy during World War II and was on the island of Okinawa in Japan when the war ended. Hes been married for more than 70 years, has four children and became a firefighter. But, his time at war wasnt over as Kondas found himself fighting a different enemy: cancer. Doctors removed one of his lungs because they werent sure how far the cancer had spread. After winning the battle against lung cancer, doctors at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa diagnosed him with prostate cancer. Again he fought with bravery and beat the disease. Not only is he one of the last remaining Pearl Harbor survivors, but he is a two-time cancer survivor. He is a hero, an inspiration and a reminder to never give up hope as America remembers the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Today, Kondas helped pay tribute to the thousands who lost their lives. He said hes lucky to have survived. Instead of a thank you, he just wants others to promise to never forget. As speculation swirls around her potential appointment to a post in the Trump administration, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has a message for the pundits handicapping her prospects: don't believe everything you hear. Florida attorney general met with President-elect Trump Friday Bondy remained tight-lipped on what they talked about Bondi speculated for administration job Returning to the state capitol for a Florida Cabinet meeting Tuesday, Bondi told reporters her meeting with President-elect Donald Trump last Friday was productive and confidential. "I went to New York at the request of the President of the United States-elect," Bondi said. "I was up there meeting with him, and frankly, I don't think anyone should come out of those meetings and talk about anything that was said in those meetings." As an unflinching supporter of Trump's at-times improbable march to the presidency, Bondi is widely viewed as a top contender for a high-level administration job. Her work as attorney general to eradicate Florida's 'pill mill' epidemic could make her uniquely qualified to head the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The drug czar post, however, would require Bondi to win Senate confirmation, a process that could include a potentially grueling confirmation hearing. The Republican attorney general has been accused of turning a blind eye to complaints from some Floridians that the now-defunct Trump University had fleeced them out of thousands of dollars. After her political committee accepted an improper $25,000 contribution from Trump's charitable foundation, Bondi's office declined to join a lawsuit, since dismissed, that accused Trump University of fraud. "This whole thing illustrates the corrupt nature of our campaign finance system and calls into question decisions made by public officials," Ben Wilcox of Integrity Florida said of Bondi's relationship with Trump. The Trump University scandal has led some political observers to write off Bondi's chances of landing a plum job in Washington. Still, she suggested Tuesday that few people outside the president-elect's tight inner circle have the information needed to make such predictions. "For what it's worth, I think when people go and to interviews on TV and talk about things, I think they probably don't know what's going on in there," Bondi said. Bondi also serves on the Trump transition team's executive committee, a role that involves advising the president-elect on potential hires across a range of federal agencies. Her meeting with him included making some of those recommendations. "All of the above, and that's as much as I'm going to say," she said. ALGIERS - Algeria's premier said Saturday regional trade in Africa was much lower than in other continents as the oil exporter seeks to diversify its revenue stream because of low crude prices. Image by 123RF Regional trade makes up only 10 to 12% of international commerce for African countries "compared with 40% in North America and 60% in Western Europe", Abdelmalek Sellal said. "More than 80% of African exports leave" the continent, he said at the opening of the African Investment and Business Forum in Algiers. Inter-African trade has barely increased over the past decade despite overall growth during that period, Sellal said at the event attended by some 2,000 entrepreneurs. One main obstacle is that "Africa does not consume what it produces and consumes what it does not product, Sellal said. Following the drop in world crude oil prices, Algeria is seeking to diversify its economy and has encouraged firms to do business with the rest of the continent. Exports to sub-Saharan Africa totalled just 0.25% of Algeria's exports over the first nine months of the year, according to official figures. In comparison, Morocco has become the second largest African investor in the continent after South Africa, with more than 60% of its foreign investments worldwide going to Africa, mainly sub-Saharan Africa, according to Morocco's OCP Policy Centre. Source: AFP. BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the) - An exacting endeavour of the Central African Economic Community (ECCAS) member states - supported by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) - has yielded fruit, with the adoption by countries of the sub-region, of model laws on telecommunications, cyber security and the regulatory framework to govern cross-border interconnection. Image by 123RF Such is the outcome of a session of the meeting of Ministers of Posts and Telecommunications of the Economic Community of Central African (ECCAS) member States, which has just taken place in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo. The adoption is the outcome of a long process (initiated in 2011) and of a request by Ministers in charge of Telecommunications and ICTs of ECCAS member states in 2010, requesting the statutory Council of ECCAS Ministers to submit for approval to the ECCAS Conference of Heads of state and government four policy documents, including one on harmonisation of national policies and regulations and plans of action for development of ICTs in the Central Africa sub-region. It should also greatly contribute to bolster citizens confidence in using ICTs and electronic communication services The ECCAS Secretary General was tasked to initiate forthwith and in cooperation with ECA and ITU, the drafting of model laws and regulations pertaining to: (a) electronic transactions; (b) protection of personal data; and, (c) cyber security. In a bid to provide technical assistance to the Secretariat General of ECCAS and CEMAC, the sub-regional Office of ECA for Central Africa, in collaboration with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), co-organised a workshop on harmonisation of the cyber-security legal framework for Central Africa in 2011 in Libreville, Gabon. This workshop culminated in draft model laws on the protection of personal data, electronic transactions and cybercrime control to be adopted by the statutory organs of both communities. Subsequently, three sub-regional meetings on these preliminary draft laws were organised by the ECA in collaboration with ECCAS (2012, 2013 and 2014) to sufficiently mature the document for adoption by ECCAS Telecommunications/ICTs Ministers. Accordingly, it is in December 2016 that the Ministers of Posts and telecommunications of ECCAS member states adopted these laws and drafted a declaration dubbed The Brazzaville Declaration. This harmonised legal framework is an essential frame of reference propitious for the development of ICTs through a sound, transparent and robust regulation, but especially a tremendous catalyst for attracting investors and capital that would, inter alia, help the sub-region to successfully achieve digital transformation. It should also greatly contribute to bolster citizens confidence in using ICTs and electronic communication services on the one hand and, on the other hand, foster the development of a digital economy or other online transactions while ensuring protection for personal data. One of the recommendations of the declaration urges the ECA to support the ECCAS Secretariat General in: firstly, developing a roaming frame of reference in the Central Africa sub-region; and, secondly, in establishing mechanisms for the monitoring and evaluation of the level of adaptation of legislative and regulatory frameworks. Mumbai: Veteran actor Dilip Kumar was admitted to Lilavati Hospital here on Wednesday morning after he complained of swelling in one of his legs. "He has been hospitalised today (Wednesday) morning. He complained of swelling in his right leg," Saira Banu's manager Murshid told IANS. The 94-year-old actor is under observation. He took to Twitter to post a series of tweets to confirm that he is doing fine and expressed gratitude towards his well-wishers on the micro blogging site. Feeling much better now. Was admitted to Lilavati hospital for routine checkup. Your prayers are with me. pic.twitter.com/ii3nCMJG3f Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) December 7, 2016 A wonderful team of doctors here along with my personal physicians Dr. S Ghokale, Dr. Nitin Ghokale and Dr. R. Sharma. pic.twitter.com/cYeX4wWHSZ Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) December 7, 2016 Health is wealth said somebody. Mein aap sabhi ka mashkoor hoon ki aapne hamesha apni dua'on mein mujhe yaad rakha. pic.twitter.com/dWzxDpQiUa Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) December 7, 2016 However, this is not the first time that he has been admitted to the hospital this year. According to a report by The Indian Express, Kumar was admitted to the same hospital this past April for the treatment of severe fever and nausea. He was discharged from the medical facility after five days. Kumar's encounter with health issues dates back to years ago. BBC reports that he was rushed to the same hospital three years ago when he suffered a heart attack. Much to the relief of the entire nation, the doctors claimed that Kumar's condition was stable and he was subsequently discharged from the hospital a few days later. In another sudden visit to the hospital, Kumar was kept under observation for days after he complained of chest infection in 2014, as per a report by the Times of India. The same reports states that his physician had explained that Kumar suffers from bronchopneumonia so his condition gets serious if he suffers from common cold for even a few days. While the entire nation, including the Hindi film industry, pray for the thespian's speedy recovery, the actor has also been in news in the past couple of years for completing his autobiography titled The Substance and the Shadow. He was also awarded the second highest civilian honour of the country, Padma Vibhushan, in 2015. However, the veteran actor has not been keeping well for years now and was last seen in Umesh Mehra's film Qila in 1998, in which he played a double role. "Ammi jaan kehti thi, koi dhanda chhota nahin hota. Aur dhande se badakoi dharm nai hota." The trailer of Raees begins with this dialogue, and a shot of two boats engaged in the act of bringing illegal liquor into Gujarat. This is the handiwork of Raees Aslam (Shah Rukh Khan). In the very next scene, we see his "dhanda" is in trouble it's invited the scrutiny of a cop, played by Nawazuddin Sidduqi. Despite Raees' protestations that the entrepreneurial spirit is something that's part of the very air in Gujarat, and it cannot be stopped the cop played by Nawaz doesn't see it that way. For him, it's a crime plain and simple, prohibited by the law in Gujarat. The cop crushes bottles and bottles of spirit Raees, however, is unfazed. We hear him explain his business philosophy: "Jo dhande ke liye sahi wo sahi; jo dhande ke liye galat, wo galat. Isse zyada kabhi socha nahin." While Raees Aslam is trying to protect his business empire or crime syndicate, as those in authority prefer to see it he also has other things on his mind: Such as the gorgeous Mahira Khan, who has SRK's Raees Aslam captivated by her sass. That's the basic setting. You know that things are about to get a lot more complicated, and they do. Even as SRK's character battles a nemesis in Nawaz the cop, even getting him transferred, his troubles are piling up. There are rival criminals (or businessmen), those looking to encroach on his turf. And Raees' rivals have come prepared to take him down with sufficient ammunition (quite literally). From here, the Raees trailer gives us a glimpse of the masala entertainer this one is bound to be: there's plenty of action, drama and a song-and-dance number by Sunny Leone to liven up the proceedings. The trailer makes for an exciting watch, so much so that by the time SRK aka Raees mouths his already iconic dialogue "Baniye ka dimaag aur miyanbhai ki daring..." you're primed for his next few words. And they hold out the promise fans have been excitedly waiting for: "Aa raha hoon." Watch the Raees trailer here: It's hard not to find a pattern now, between December and debacles for Chennai. The city has been put through rigorous tests in 2004, when the tsunami struck, in 2015, when rains flooded the city or back in 1987, when MGR's death turned the city violent. And now in 2016, when Chief Minister Jayalalithaa passed away on Monday, 5 December. And after every test, the city has spectacularly bounced back; everyone talks about the famed "Mumbai spirit", but Chennai in its own quiet way shows Mumbai how it's done sometimes. The coincidence however does not end with Jayalalithaa's passing her close friend and sharp critic Cho Ramaswamy breathed his last on Wednesday, 7 December, also at Apollo Hospital. If Deepak Chopra were observing the events, he'd call it signs from the universe that can perhaps guide us. Of course, it is tempting to think that these events are hinting at hidden truths that foreshadow something significant, but look at it statistically and objectively: random improbable events happen all the time. Attaching a meaning to them is something we humans tend to do, but only at times like these, it comforts us by being poetic. Who is Cho Ramaswamy? Journalist, skilled orator, political commentator and analyst, veteran theatre artiste, actor, satirist, playwright, editor, lawyer... the list is endless but it can only give us a glimpse of the man's greatness. By now, you would've seen the Prime Minister's tribute to Cho (Cho is his moniker he got after playing a character with the same name in the play Thenmozhiyal), which no doubt speaks about their closeness. The video shared by Modi doesn't even begin to do justice to Cho's fiery speeches or his passion for political satire. The above clip is from his play Mohammad bin Thuglak, a seminal socio-political satire that he first staged in 1968, taking a dig at then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her totalitarian regime. It has been staged almost 2,000 times since then. Its success gave rise to his Tamil weekly, christened Thuglak the magazine became a regular fixture in most middle-class households. I still remember my late grandfather eagerly awaiting that week's issue, to consume a healthy dose of intelligent political satire this is no attempt to mollify his passing away, but Thuglak was one of the first publications that initiated me into the workings of Indian politics. Thuglak was nothing like the other Tamil magazines you read; there were no recipes listed, perhaps one movie review and no pointless gossip. During the Emergency, Thuglak was one of the few publications that wasn't threatened by it, and although Cho stopped its publications after two issues, the first issue to come out after was bold: the magazine had a black cover, something he would employ again after the demolition of the Babri Masjid. Cho didn't stop there though, he reviewed a movie called Sarvadhikari (Dictator), made in the '50s, during the Emergency to condemn the going ons. He always loved a good challenge. Thuglak's annual functions were none of your regular meetings with boring speeches that usually sap the energy of the room. No, they reflected the Thuglak's founder's fondness and skill for acerbic wit and humour. Moreover, these events were all about self-criticism, even as Narendra Modi observed, "This is a unique programme he has always been organising, this Readers Conference, when he invites his Readers he is ready to listen to their criticism, any reader can ask him why you have written so, what are your views on the issue. It requires courage to face self- criticism and only a true democrat can do this and I always feel Mr Cho is a true Democrat" Though a fearless journalist, his true passion did lie in theatre. Theatre then gave rise to films, where a 29-year-old Cho made his debut in Paar Magale Paar as a comedian. Although Jayalalithaa and Cho starred together in 19 films (where Cho usually played a comedian and Jaya, the heroine), his pairing with Manorama brought out his best. (Of course, this pairing is only second to the legendary combination of Nagesh and Manorama who roared through the '60s.) Here is where the 1968 movie Bommalattam is a classic: Apart from the famous 'Vaa Vaathyaare Voottaande' song rendered to perfection by Manorama in typical Madras Tamil bashai, it also stands testimony to the lovable chemistry between the two. Cho didn't need a 'Vaa Vaathyaare Voottaande'; he was fluent in Madras bashai, using it to full effect in movies. Neither did he contain himself to that cockney there was naturally an overflow of political satire in the movies he acted in. Be it the 1971 Muhammad bin Thughlaq, the film version of his play which provides an allegory to political happenings in the present day (here, in the 1970s but some say it still holds good today). Or this scene from the Rajinikanth-Prabhu comedy Guru Sishyan (1988) where he deliberates over his friend's predicament on why their inspector friend lied to them about a crook. Watch from 1.34 and note his hand gestures in particular he goes on to make party symbols of AIADMK, DMK and Congress: The provocative sharp critic that he was, almost every scene contained a reference to politics: In Adhisaya Piravi starring Rajinikanth, Cho mentions, "Idhu aatchiaalargal sabathirkkulaagum kaalam, sahithu kolla dhaan vendum (this is the age where people in power get abused; they have to endure it)" or in Puthiya Theerpu where as a rickshaw driver he is asked for a ride till Fort St. George, which houses the Legislative Assembly, to which a sarcastic Cho's character replies, "Kottaya? Angellam naan pogardhilla saar, thagaraaru varum nammakkanga (Fort? I don't go that side, I will get into fights)." His plays too were no different: In Sambhavaami Yuge Yuge, a play where Lord Krishna visits Earth to put a stop to corruption but is instead bribed by politicians. The play was a bold commentary on politics at that time (1964) with the TN police calling for its ban and a removal of some lines. Forever ready for a good fight, Cho refused and filed a petition only to see the play run to full houses two months later. A tsar of satire, Cho will be forever remembered in his trademark olive green safari suit paired with large gold-rimmed glasses and ash smeared over his forehead. But most of all, he will truly be remembered as the lodestar of lampoon. Actor Ranveer Singh seems to have found a match for his unadulterated energy in Baba Ramdev. While the combination might sound like chalk and cheese, their recent dance-off at an event shows exactly why we need the two to share the platform more often. At Agenda Aaj Tak 2016, Singh invited Baba Ramdev, who was seated in the audience, for an impromptu dance-off on the stage. While Ramdev was initially reluctant, Singh goaded him to come on board. In a typical Stone Cold Steve Austin manner, he asked the fans to give him a 'hell yeah' if they wanted Ramdev to shake a leg with the star. Ramdev eventually gave in only to leave Singh embarrassed by the end of the face-off. As the two danced on 'Malhari' from Bajirao Mastani and the title track of Befikre, Ramdev flaunted some of his best moves, taking Singh off-guard completely. What is dance? Nothing but a number of aasanas (postures) strung together in a sequence. This is what Ramdev brought to the stage. While Singh danced along initially, he lost track when Ramdev turned upside down, performed a headstand and started walking towards the actor. As Singh stood dumbfounded, with folded hands, Ramdev showed off some unbelievable spider moves which culminated in him lifting Singh on his shoulders in a 'Samoan Suplex' position, move around effortlessly carrying the body weight of the ripped actor and then launching him into the chair on the stage before quickly returning to his seat in the audience. The audience was as awestruck as Singh and they gave Ramdev a standing ovation accompanied by endless rounds of applause. If you see the video, you will agree with us that this was Ramdev at his craziest best and Singh has never been so speechless before! Weeks after the government startled all with the demonetisation move, black money continues to be the biggest talking point in the country. However, much of the discussion on the subject is less than informed and it confuses more than it enlightens the lay person. In an exclusive interview with Firstpost's, Debobrat Ghose, Prof Arun Kumar, noted economist and author -- The Black Economy in India, , who is an authority on the subject of black money said that the government's move would not be a sledgehammer blow to generation of black money. Instead, he believes that it would leave the economy in trouble and people harassed. Here are the five major takeaways from the interview: Hoarded money is not necessarily black money The demonetisation move may demobilize only a small part of the stock of black wealth held in the form of cash, but it wont stop the flow. The need is to stop black income generation which results in generation of black wealth. Income needs to be distinguished from wealth, and so black money should be distinguished from black income. Black money is only a tiny part of the black wealth that has been accumulated. Black income generation will continue due to the existence of a large large number of mechanisms by which it is generated, such as businesses resorting to under and over invoicing; manufacture of spurious drugs; charging of capitation fee for admission in school and colleges; adulteration of food, etc. Black money is largely circulating in businesses. Its black wealth that is parked. First, we need to understand the difference between black money, black income and black wealth. Its not the same. Black money is possibly less than 1 percent of the black wealth. The demonetisation move wont put an end to generation of black wealth. The actual people behind black wealth are not being targeted. The misnomer is that black economy means cash. That is where the understanding of the government is lacking. They are thinking that if they demobilize the cash, the black economy will collapse. It wont. Demonetisation is no silver bullet against fake currency Demonetisation wont end fake currency problem either. According to the RBI, fake currency amounts to only Rs 400 crore of the total currency in circulation of Rs 17.5 lakh crorewhich is a minuscule amount. Fresh printing and import of counterfeit currency will not stop with demonetisation. Counterfeit currency is used to finance terrorist activities and those involved in it ensure that it is constantly generated. The printing of fake currency has to be stopped. If the old notes could be counterfeited, so can the new ones too, despite having advanced features. So, extinguishing fake currency one time is not going to help. Move will leave the economy hobbling The Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denomination currency notes constituted 86 percent of the currency and it has been sucked out of the system. Its like taking out 86 percent of blood from a persons body. Imagine, what will be the effect! He will die. Same is with the economy. New currency is only slowly trickling in, which is inadequate to restore the flow of incomes. Theres a decline in footfalls in malls; small traders are unable to sell goods; circulation of income is slowing down; the farmers, households, small producers, transport sector all are hurt due to fall in demand. The poor, the daily wage earners in the unorganized sector are the worst sufferers. If the situation continues for a longer period, itll have a cascading effect on the economy. The cash shortage will not be sorted out early because of inadequate printing capacity. So, demand will be affected for much longer than 50 days. This can result in irreversible changes setting in like increase in NPA, unemployment and decline in investment, so that India may head into a recession and not just a decline of GDP by 2 percent. The circulation of money is like blood flow in the body. If there is a shortage of that, then there is a problem. In the coming months, newer problems will crop us as a result of demonetisation. Scale of operation is the problem; may not be the intent Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rightly said that black money menace is the source of poverty, flight of capital and corruption. But, it needs to be clarified why such a drastic step like demonetisation is not the solution, but will jeopardise the economy instead. Its a wrong move. In 1978 when Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 notes were banned, it didnt make any noise. The common man wasnt affected because these high-value currency notes were not used by them. It was with the super rich and it constituted a very small portion of the currency. What was being circulated then were Rs 10 and Rs 100 denomination notes. So, it didnt touch the day-to-day lives of people. In contrast, at present the common man, including lower middle classes had been using Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes. The Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denomination notes constituted 86 percent of the currencyworth Rs 14.5 lakh crore. The government, in a single stroke has scrapped such a large volume of currency, which was in circulation, without having an alternative arrangement in place. It has created chaos and panic. Due to lack of advance preparation, almost every day there is a change in policy related to exchange of old notes. The banks and the ATMs are still not equipped to dispense the volume of cash needed by the people. Even today, almost after 30 days, there are long queues at bank branches and outside the ATMs. The salaried class and pensioners are facing a tough time to withdraw their salaries and pensions. Lingering cash pain With liquidity sucked out of the system, even if temporarily, money supply has become a problem. Replacing 86 percent of the currency may take many months. You have to replace quickly the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes worth Rs 14.5 lakh crore printed over the years. If you are printing Rs 100 notes, you need to print 10 times more notes than for a Rs 1,000 note and that will take a lot more time. Had the government prepared properly and managed to create enough supply of cash, this pain would have been less. But given the hoarding of currency and printing of small denomination currency notes and shortage of ink and paper, it can take even a year for the supply of currency to become normal. ISLAMABAD None of the dozens of people on board a Pakistan International Airlines (PIAa.KA) aircraft that crashed into a mountain in northern Pakistan on Wednesday survived the accident, the airline's chairman said."There are no survivors, no one has survived," Muhammad Azam Saigol told a press conference late on Wednesday, about five hours after flight PK661 from Chitral to the capital, Islamabad, crashed near the town of Havelian, in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.The airline had earlier announced 48 people were on board the aircraft. Saigol said the ATR-42 aircraft had undergone regular maintenance and had in October passed an "A-check" certification, conducted after every 500 hours of flight operations."I think that there was no technical error or human error ... obviously there will be a proper investigation," he said. (Reporting by Asad Hashim, editing by Larry Kign) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Geert De Clercq | PARIS PARIS The French capital Paris announced on Wednesday licence-plate based driving restrictions for a third day in a row and plans bans on old cars as the City of Light experienced the worst air pollution in a decade. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Paris banned cars from circulation based on whether their licence plates ended with odd or even numbers. It will now ban half of all traffic again on Thursday. Other French cities such as Lyon are also planning bans as clouds of pollution hang over many European cities due to a lack of the winds that normally blow in off the Atlantic Ocean. It is only the fourth time in 20 years that Paris has imposed such a ban and the first time it applies for consecutive days. Municipalities around Paris also imposed the ban. With its famous Eiffel Tower shrouded in a greyish haze and some Asian tourists donning face masks, the city also made all public transport, residential parking and the Velib' bicycle and Autolib' electric car schemes free. "Cars are poisoning the air. We need to take preventive measures," said Paris city hall transport official Herve Levife. Besides instant measures like licence-plate based driving bans, the city also plans to step up its fight against chronic pollution by gradually banning the oldest and most polluting vehicles from the city centre, he said. "We want these bans to automatically take effect when the pollution exceeds a certain level, not have to negotiate them with the government each time," Levife added. From mid-January, Paris will become the first French city to launch the new "Crit'Air" vignette system that will require all cars to have a colour-coded sticker indicating their age and pollution level. The stickers will allow police to control which vehicles can circulate in the city centre. Grenoble in eastern France also plans to use the vignettes and other French cities are looking into banning clunkers from their roads.Cars 20 years and older have already been banned from Paris roads from July 1, 2016 and some 120,000 stickers have been distributed. But participation in the scheme so far has been voluntary and enforcement scarce. From July 1, 2017, the city will impose bans on diesel-powered cars and vans first put into circulation in 2001 and trucks first registered in 2006. Between 2018 and 2020, the city will gradually tighten circulation permits. Paris has no plans to introduce London-style tolls for cars entering the city.Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo is on a drive to reduce car traffic. She has increased the cost of parking meters, banned free parking on Saturdays and the August holiday period, and is turning a highway on both banks of the Seine into a riverside park. (Reporting by Geert De Clercq; Editing by Tom Heneghan) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Former BJP minister in Karnataka Gali Janardhan Reddy has been accused of laundering black money of over Rs 100 crore in a suicide note left by Ramesh Gowda, the driver to special land acquisition officer Bheema Nayak in Bengaluru. The cause of suicide was consumption of poison. Gowda died in Maddur. Correction: Driver of a Karnataka Administrative Service officer commits suicide,in letter says knew of G Janardhana Reddy converting Rs100 cr black money into white ANI (@ANI_news) December 7, 2016 Gowda in his suicide note claimed that he was receiving regular death threats because he had information on how Reddy had converted Rs 100 crore of black money into white. Janardhan Reddy had recently come under criticism for the extravagant spending on his daughter's wedding. The lavish wedding is estimated to have cost Rs 100 crore. Over 50,000 guests had attended the wedding with some big names in Karnataka politics but many from BJP didn't attend the event, according to The Indian Express. Reddy is a former BJP minister and had faced arrest in the 2012 illegal mining case. He was released on bail last year. He had been actively preparing for his daughter's wedding soon after released on bail. This is a personal fight between the driver and Bheema Nayak, not linked to this: BJP leader B Sreeramulu pic.twitter.com/Z7OKEhZv1t News18 (@CNNnews18) December 7, 2016 The high-cost wedding came under criticism as it was held a little over a week after the demonetisation decision by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many leaders were told to keep away from the wedding. According to a report by CNN-News18, Reddy, who is known as the mining-baron, spent Rs 500 crore on the wedding. The Income Tax department had visited Reddy's residence in Bellary after the wedding. Former Karnataka Chief Minister has said that he doesn't know anything and that inquiry will reveal the truth. I don't know about it, the details of this. Once inquiry is made truth will come out on it's own: B. S. Yeddyurappa on Reddy pic.twitter.com/IKMcp2HkUu ANI (@ANI_news) December 7, 2016 In his suicide letter, which was accessed by CNN-News18, Ramesh has alleged that Bhima Naik was holding the following properties. Here is the translated version of the letter. About Bhima Naik, KAS, disproportionate assets and corruption 1. He has illegal property worth over Rs.100 Crore 2. Has bought a bungalow at Sadashivanagar in Belgaum when he was Tahasildar 3. Has bought a house at Hospet in Bellary district after taking loan from Bank Of India. Size 20 Gunta plot 4. Has bought 30 acres of agricultural land at Hagaribommanahalli in Bellary district 5. 10 Acre land at Mariyammanahalli in Bellary district 6. Bought Rs.5 Crore worth land from a man called Anil Jain 7. Has own house at Attur, Yelahanka 8. Has an IOC petrol pump in the name of his brother Krishna Naik 9. Has two high end cars in brothers name 10. One car in another brother Arjuns name 11. Has paid Rs.25 lakh bribe to Revenue Ministers PS Nagaraju to close a departmental inquiry against him 12. He has bought jewellery worth over Rs.1 crore at Krishnaiah Chetty & Sons. Has bought a diamond ring worth Rs.50 lakhs (Customer ID 142565) 13. Has bought clothes worth Rs.50 lakhs from a Commercial Street shop 14. Has bought clothes worth Rs.50 lakhs from Sudarshan Silk House 15. Has done lot of corruption at various places 16. Using my account number he has transferred a lot of money to relatives 17. On 28/10/2016 he had met B Sriramulu and Janardhana Reddy at Parijatha Guest House. Kotresh Naik of Hadagali was also with them. Had agreed to pay Rs.25 crore to Sriramulu and Reddy for BJP Assembly ticket from Hagaribommanahalli in 2018 assembly election. 18. On 15/11/2016 Bhima Naik met Reddy at Taj Hotel. Told me that he had given Rs.25 crore white money to Reddy. 19. He has visited Sriramulus house several times in his car - KA-05 MT 4449 and KA 03 MU 8964 20. He has converted about Rs.100 Crore old notes into Rs.50,100 and 2000 currencies for 20% commission. Since I knew about laundering I was threatened and assaulted. Even the goondas were sent to attack me. My sisters son Manoj Gowda should lit my funeral pyre. I am grateful to all my friends. I hold Bhima Naik and his driver Mohammed responsible for my death. This death note is written by me in my own hand. Ramesh K C Bengaluru Letter accessed by CNN News 18 New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear on 9 December a plea challenging the appointment of Gujarat cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana as the interim director of CBI. "Okay. It will come up on Friday," a bench comprising Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justices D Y Chandrachud and L Nageswara Rao said after advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for NGO Common Cause, mentioned the plea. The petition, filed by the NGO, alleged that the Centre took a series of steps in a "completely mala fide, arbitrary and illegal manner to ensure that Asthana was given the charge of CBI director". SC to hear on Friday December 9 a plea challenging appointment of Rakesh Asthana as interim Director of #CBI. ANI (@ANI_news) December 7, 2016 It has claimed that the government did not convene a meeting of the selection committee comprising the prime minister, the leader of the largest opposition party and the Chief Justice of India, even though it was fully aware that Anil Sinha was going to demit the office of CBI director on 2 December. Asthana, an IPS officer of 1984-batch, was elevated as the additional director in the agency on 2 December when CBI Special Director R K Dutta, who was reportedly among the front-runners for the top post, was shifted to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as a special secretary. The PIL claimed that the government had "prematurely curtailed" the tenure and transferred Dutta to MHA on 30 November just two days before Sinha was slated to demit office. Former chief minister Farooq Abdullah's public endorsement of the Hurriyat Conference is one more indication of the fact that there is no real dividing line between the so-called 'mainstream and so-called 'secessionist' politics. I was sitting with a couple of ranking Hurriyat Conference leaders the evening after Abdullahs statement. One of them remarked with a cynical smile that Abdullah was preparing the ground to contest a Lok Sabha by-election in spring. By-polls are due for the Srinagar and Anantnag seats - the latter vacated by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Both the major mainstream parties have at various times played with peoples emotions. Not only do they destabilise each others governments by funding 'pelters, they promote secessionist sentiment through the education system, bureaucrats, police, media, and various institutions when they are in government. If indeed Abdullah has an eye on the by-elections, it would not be the first time this sort of thing has occurred. During the 1977 elections, 29 months after the Indira-Sheikh accord, both Mirza Afzal Beg for the National Conference and Mirwaiz Farooq for the Janata Party obliquely or directly promoted secession and Islamist sentiment in their respective campaigns. After the Centre pulled the rug under his feet in 1984, showing contempt for his House majority, Abdullah and his party learnt a hard lesson: he would keep on the right side of whoever was in power at the Centre. Since the Centre has given him and his party short shrift of late, he seems to have opted for populism in the run-up to the by-elections. A veteran of Kashmirs backroom politics observed that, if the Congress and the National Conference pooled forces, the Congress could win the Anantnag seat, and Abdullah the Srinagar seat. In fact, Abdullah could win even without pooling forces. Despite this weeks googly, Abdullah should be complemented for having avoided such populism since his fathers death in 1982 brought him to the forefront. The PDP, on the other hand, has walked a delicate tightrope ever since it was formed in 1999 - beginning from its choice of a green flag and the same election symbol which the secessionist Muslim United Front had adopted in 1987. The Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami has covertly backed the currently ruling PDP in the 2002, 2008, and 2014 elections. As politics in other places have shown, such alliances can prove costly. A case in point: activists of the Jamaat have been at the forefront of organising this years uprising. To a large extent, the constituent units collectively known as 'Hurriyat' are only the front for a vast and variegated range of forces and interests. This year, the buttons of remote control have been operated from Pakistan. The poor end up dead The tragedy is that the children of the poor get killed in the sordid blood games of those with interests in that vast array of forces, which benefit from unrest and instability. The children of those within those interest groups never come to harm. Their studies - often abroad or at least in different parts of the country - have generally not been affected this summer. A few hours after Dr Abdullahs statement on Monday, I sat with some of this years leading 'stone-pelters' in Pulwama. They were intent on 'azadi (which one of them described as the removal of armed forces), but agreed that it is always the poor that end up dead in Kashmirs repeated unrests. They had little idea of the ideology, programme or borders of an independent Kashmir - much like the various so-called 'Hurriyat' `leaders. When I asked about Ladakh, saying the people there want a closer relationship with India, they decided after a four second discussion to grant Ladakh what the people there want. Their emotions are ever-so-often pushed to fever pitch by the speeches and positions taken by a range of `leaders who want power but have no vision - or commitment to any position, or political agenda. The boys agreed that stone-pelting has become something of an obsessive game for their generation. They even said that they had attended practice sessions at Srinagars Idgah, under the gaze of security men, where organisers had taught them that over-arm lobs did not leave the elbow aching the way straight throws did. They said that, when they were children in the previous decade (they were all born between 1994 and 1998), they used to play with army men, and share their food. It was during the agitations of 2008 that they learnt a different narrative, and began to hate the army, and India. Since 2008, a carefully orchestrated 'narrative about 'occupation, 'colonization and repression, peppered with talk of 'mass graves,' 'mass rapes and so on, has shaped a new generations sentiments, a new movement, and a new militancy. Universities, literary festivals and the media have been vehicles for this. Those two Hurriyat men with whom I sat the next evening in Srinagar spoke of their despair at the extent to which this generation, mainly teenagers, are influenced by radical ideas about Islamism. Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Omar had expressed similar views more than a year ago. The powers that be still apparently thought the situation was `under control at that time - as perhaps they have convinced themselves once more. The fact is that, in the cesspool of Kashmirs politics, so-called `secessionist leaders sometimes show more maturity and responsibility than so-called `mainstream ones. All too often, much depends on who has been fed how much, and the stakes they see for gaining power or money. New Delhi: Licence of an NGO run by noted lawyer Indira Jaising has been cancelled permanently by the government for alleged violation of FCRA, an action termed by the organisation as "preposterous" and an attack on "right to free speech" guaranteed under the Constitution. In its order, the Home Ministry claimed that there were discrepancies in foreign contributions cited by Lawyers' Collective in its returns filed with the government. Jaising, who was the Additional Solicitor General of India under the previous UPA government, had violated Foreign Contribution Regulation Act norms by receiving foreign funds between 2006-07 and 2013-14 when she was a government servant, the order said. Reacting to the government's move, the NGO issued a statement expressing wonder how an order could be issued on Sunday when all the government offices are closed. "Lawyers Collective has received an order dated 27 November, 2016 cancelling its registration to receive foreign contribution...at its registered office at Mumbai. "The cancellation order is on the grounds that LC allegedly has violated the terms and conditions of its registration certificate, violated the provisions of the FCRA, and most importantly, acted against 'public interest'", the statement said even as it noted that "strangely enough, the order is passed on a Sunday, when government offices are closed. In June, the licence of Lawyers' Collective was suspended by the Narendra Modi government for six months for alleged violation of FCRA by using the funds for rallies, dharna with political "hue and colour", a charge denied by the association which termed it as an act of "vindictiveness". The organisation has also been put on the list of 25 NGOs found allegedly taking part in activities detrimental to the country's interest, official sources said. The Home Ministry earlier had said, "It is really surprising how a senior law officer, such as an ASG can simultaneously and for such a long period be on the rolls of a private entity, being paid (out of foreign contribution) for undisclosed purposes in gross violation of rules applicable to law officers of Union of India". Jaising, who served as ASG between 2009 and 2014, has represented social activist Teesta Setalvad in an FCRA violation case against Setalvad's NGO 'Sabrang Trust' and 'Citizens for Justice and Peace'. Jaising and senior Supreme Court lawyer Anand Grover are the office bearers of the Lawyers' Collective. Grover was part of a lawyers' team to petition the Supreme Court on behalf of 1993 Mumbai blast convict Yakub Memon hours before he was to be hanged. The Lawyers Collective (LC) statement said the order repeats what is alleged in the show cause cum suspension order dated May 31 and "disregards LC's replies in fact and in law. At the same time, certain new allegations have surfaced such as 'diversion' of foreign contribution and utilisation for 'personal gain', which are not borne out by the facts or the records, are absolutely false and defamatory. "It is preposterous for the MHA to suggest that LC has no record of work, when the government itself has acknowledged LC's contributions towards advancing women's rights, securing access to affordable medicines, protecting the rights of HIV positive people as well as transgender persons and continues to call upon LC for its legal inputs," the statement said. The statement said the NGO reiterates that the current proceedings under FCRA, including the latest cancellation order, are only a continuation of the harassment and persecution of the organisation, especially of its two trustees and senior advocates Indira Jaising and Anand Grover perpetrated by the government, over last one year. "Both Jaising and Grover have been and are continuing to take up sensitive cases, in their professional capacity, against the powerful functionaries of the present ruling establishment," the statement said. The action is perceived to be a "clear attack on the right to legal representation of persons who need legal services the most and a gross abuse of powers by the government of the day. "It is also a clear attack on the right to free speech and association guaranteed by the Constitution of India. The entire proceedings against LC under FCRA are nothing but an attempt to discredit the long-standing credibility of the organisation and that of its trustees, and a part of the larger clampdown on civil society spaces in India," it said. The NGO termed it as "preposterous to allege that LC has acted against public interest whereas LC has always strived to advance public interest through its pioneering work. "LC is exploring all legal options to challenge the cancellation order, including its defamatory contents, and will take necessary action in an appropriate time," the statement said. Jaising, who served as ASG between 2009 and 2014, has represented social activist Teesta Setalvad in an FCRA violation case against Setalvad's NGO 'Sabrang Trust' and 'Citizens for Justice and Peace'. Jaising and senior Supreme Court lawyer Anand Grover are the office bearers of the Lawyers' Collective. Grover was part of a lawyers' team to petition the Supreme Court on behalf of 1993 Mumbai blast convict Yakub Memon hours before he was to be hanged. The Lawyers Collective (LC) statement said the order repeats what is alleged in the show cause cum suspension order dated May 31 and "disregards LC's replies in fact and in law. At the same time, certain new allegations have surfaced such as 'diversion' of foreign contribution and utilisation for 'personal gain', which are not borne out by the facts or the records, are absolutely false and defamatory. "It is preposterous for the MHA to suggest that LC has no record of work, when the government itself has acknowledged LC's contributions towards advancing women's rights, securing access to affordable medicines, protecting the rights of HIV positive people as well as transgender persons and continues to call upon LC for its legal inputs," the statement said. The statement said the NGO reiterates that the current proceedings under FCRA, including the latest cancellation order, are only a continuation of the harassment and persecution of the organisation, especially of its two trustees and senior advocates Indira Jaising and Anand Grover perpetrated by the government, over last one year. "Both Jaising and Grover have been and are continuing to take up sensitive cases, in their professional capacity, against the powerful functionaries of the present ruling establishment," the statement said. The action is perceived to be a "clear attack on the right to legal representation of persons who need legal services the most and a gross abuse of powers by the government of the day. "It is also a clear attack on the right to free speech and association guaranteed by the Constitution of India. The entire proceedings against LC under FCRA are nothing but an attempt to discredit the long-standing credibility of the organisation and that of its trustees, and a part of the larger clampdown on civil society spaces in India," it said. The NGO termed it as "preposterous to allege that LC has acted against public interest whereas LC has always strived to advance public interest through its pioneering work. "LC is exploring all legal options to challenge the cancellation order, including its defamatory contents, and will take necessary action in an appropriate time," the statement said. Cairo: India will establish a centre of excellence in information technology at Egypt's oldest and most prestigious Al-Azhar University as part of an effort to enhance cooperation in education between the two countries. The centre will be set up in the engineering department of the university early next year, India's ambassador to Cairo Sanjay Bhattacharyya has said. Bhattacharyya called on Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Ahmed el-Tayeb on Monday to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between India and the varsity on different issues. "A group of The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), one of India's leading computer IT organisations, had come to Egypt earlier this year and they met with people at Al-Azhar University from the department of IT and department of engineering to discuss the establishment of the center," Bhattacharyya said. "We expect that the center should start very soon early next year. It will be located in the engineering department in Al-Azhar University," Bhattacharyya told PTI. He said about 150 Indian students were studying in the varsity. "The idea is that we would like to work with the youth over here in terms of advanced technologies, IT and give jobs because we're very happy that Al-Azhar university, besides the teaching of theology also teaches other disciplines and has many faculties so we wish to be supportive," Bhattacharyya said. "The Grand Sheikh was very supportive of the idea of the center, and he wishes to look at this personally and then see its expansion in other Al-Azhar institutions across the country," he said. Noting that the India government will pay all the cost of the project, the ambassador said another major issue he discussed with el-Tayeb was Al-Azhar's role in spreading moderate Islam. "We have all seen the growing incidence of radicalism and terrorism across the world. Both, this region and the Indian region are not immune to it. "We both have also suffered as has happened in many other parts of the world and we share the belief that Al-Azhar university have a very central role in bringing about more moderate, tolerant aspect of Islam which is appreciated in this region and in other parts of the world including in India," Bhattacharyya said. Lawyers Collective has received an order dated 27 November, 2016 cancelling its registration to receive foreign contribution under Section 14, Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, on 29 November, 2016 at its registered office at Mumbai. The cancellation order is not only mala fide but also incorrect on facts and bad in law. The allegations are basically reiterate what was said in the suspension order dated 31 May, 2016, with no application of mind. It was issued on a Sunday by the undersecretary to the government of India. It is not known who took the decision to cancel the registration. Other organisation in similar circumstances, particularity Greenpeace, have had their registration renewed, whereas our registration has been cancelled and our renewal declined on the basis of unknown agency and filed reports indicating clearly that we have been singled out for political reasons by the Ministry of Home Affairs. LC reiterates that the current proceedings under FCRA, including the latest cancellation order, are only a continuation of the harassment and persecution of the organisation, especially of its two trustees, Indira Jaising and Anand Grover, senior advocates, perpetrated by the government, over last one year. Both Jaising and Grover have been and are continuing to take up sensitive cases, in their professional capacity, against the powerful leaders of the present ruling establishment. This is an attack on the right to legal representation of persons who need legal services the most and a gross abuse of powers by the government of the day. It is also a clear attack on the right of free speech and association guaranteed by the Constitution of India. The entire proceedings against LC under FCRA are nothing but an attempt to discredit the long-standing credibility of the organisation and that of its trustees, and a part of the larger clampdown on civil society spaces in India. LC is exploring all legal options to challenge the cancellation order and will take necessary action in an appropriate time. LC is proud of its work done in the past on advancing womens rights, access to medicines and rights of people living with HIV and other marginalised groups, with or without foreign contribution and will continue to do so. Mumbai: Police in Satara district of western Maharashtra have arrested 36 persons for attacking a Dalit locality following the murder of a girl belonging to the upper-caste Maratha community. The accused, angry over the killing of the girl last month, targeted the houses and vehicles of Dalits on the outskirts of Korale Khurd village on Tuesday night, police said. In July, the rape and murder of a Maratha girl at Kopardi in Ahmednagar district had sparked off state-wide protests and mobilisation of Marathas. Tuesday's incident at Korale Khurd followed the murder of 21-year-old Aruna Mohite, allegedly by her estranged lover Siddharth Dhanane (24), a Dalit, police said. They were in a relationship for the last few years but her parents forcibly married her off to another person, according to the police. Dhanane asked her meet him at Thoseghar on 30 November. During an argument, he allegedly hit her with a stick, killing her on the spot. He then buried the body to destroy evidence, police said. After a missing persons case was lodged, police found that she was in contact with Dhanane on phone, and questioned him. He allegedly confessed and took the police to the buried body. Late last night, several members of Maratha community attacked homes of Dalits on the outskirts of the village and torched their vehicles, police said. Stones were pelted at the houses, window panes of 18 houses were broken and 13 vehicles including three cars were damaged, police said. "We have arrested 36 persons. We also held meetings of leaders from both communities," said Sandeep Patil, Superintendent of Police, Satara, speaking to PTI. Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti called on Governor NN Vohra on Tuesday evening and discussed the overall situation in the valley. "During the hour-long meeting at the Raj Bhavan today evening, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti discussed with Governor NN Vohra the overall situation in the Valley," an official spokesman said. He said the chief minister also discussed the steps underway for re-energising the development projects and enabling the restoration of the severely disturbed schedules of the educational system, at all levels. The Governor urged sustained sharp focus on the implementation of the various works and development projects and the administrative apparatus working over time to catch up on all fronts. "The governor also discussed with the Chief Minister the likely timeframe for the conduct of elections to the urban and rural self-governing bodies," the spokesperson said. In this context, Vohra stressed the importance of empowerment of the rural population through the effective establishment of the panchayati raj institutions. Mehbooba informed the governor that she is considering a time frame for the panchayat elections, to be preferably held early next year, other things being equal. The central government's decision to demonetise high value Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes was taken after detailed deliberation and not in haste, said the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday, adding that it will maintain a steady supply of new currency to ease the cash crunch. The central bank also said Rs 11.85 lakh crore or 80 percent of junked notes have come back into the system in the last one month. "The decision was not and has not been taken in haste, but after detailed deliberations," said RBI governor Urjit Patel, following the fifth bi-monthly monetary policy review. "The consequences that have emanated from that were taken on board. That is why the planning, the process and implementation were what it was, keeping in mind the high secrecy that had to be maintained. The central bank and the government were conscious of certain immediate difficulties for the public at large and all efforts were made to mitigate them," he added. Patel told the media that problems of common citizens were at "the top of our radar" and all dispensation was put into place "so that the period for disruption is minimal while we recalibrate our note supply to the denomination that were not withdrawn in terms of legal tender character". BJP leader arrested in Kolkata Manish Sharma, a BJP leader and party candidate from Ranigunj in Bengal's Burdwan district, was nabbed from Baguihati on Wednesday, while trying to exchange old currency notes in bulk, said a senior officer of the Kolkata police's special task force. Six other persons involved in the mining business were also arrested along with Sharma for trying to exchange old currency notes. Bank guard fires in air to disperse crowd in Punjab With an impatient crowd trying to force their way into a branch of a private bank in Punjab's Budhlada town, a security guard fired in the air to disperse them, police said. The security guard standing outside an HDFC Bank branch in Budhlada, nearly 190 km from Chandigarh, fired three shots in the air from his weapon after being unsettled by the rush at the bank trying to get notes exchanged. The crowd, which almost damaged the glass doors of the bank branch, ran helter-skelter after shots were fired in the air. No case was registered by the police. CBI arrests bank official, two businessmen The CBI arrested a senior manager of Central Bank of India and two owners of a firm in Bengaluru for allegedly violating RBI guidelines on scraping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, under sections of IPC dealing with criminal conspiracy and cheating as well as abuse of official position under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The agency had registered an FIR against S Lakshimnarayana, senior manager and branch head of Central Bank of India's Basavanagudi branch, and directors of Omkar Parimal Mandir, S Gopal and Ashwin G Sunkur. During the searches at the residence of bank officials and private persons, the agency claimed to have recovered incriminating documents, including bank vouchers, counterfoils, DDs, property documents, hard disks and Rs 5,91,500 in cash in old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. The three were called for questioning at the CBI office in Bengaluru on Wednesday morning and were placed under arrest after they allegedly failed to answer questions. UK MP calls on India to end stress for NRIs Britain's longest serving Indian-origin MP Virendra Sharma has called the Indian government to end the uncertainty surrounding demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes for NRIs and PIOs. The 69-year-old Labour party MP said he received several calls and letters on the issue from citizens in his constituency, the heavily Indian-origin area of Ealing, Southall, in south-west London. The move has rattled many British-Indians, who make up 2.5 percent of the population of England and Wales according to a 2011 UK government census and the Indian-born MP wants New Delhi to authorise Indian banks with operations in the UK to open accounts for deposits of Indian currency. Former CM suggests introduction of Rs 200 notes Former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has suggested that currency notes of Rs 200 denomination should be introduced, going on to say that there was no need to bring into circulation Rs 1,000 notes again. Chavan aired this view during his speech in the state Assembly, where the Opposition parties criticised the Modi government for troubling the poor people, including farmers, vendors and villagers. On restrictions imposed upon district cooperative banks, the Opposition demanded that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis use his good offices to convince the central government and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to solve the issue, as transactions banks have come to a grinding halt. "The rural economy is on the verge of collapse," Chavan said, questioning the wisdom behind the demonetisation decision. Ridiculing the idea of a cashless economy, Chavan said no where in the world has such kind of economy been fully implemented. With inputs from agencies New Delhi: A day after the arrest of seven persons, including a BJP candidate in the last West Bengal Assembly polls, with stacks of new banknotes, Union minister Babul Supriyo today said that two of the seven arrested are "mafia dons" who have links with the state's ruling Trinamool Congress while terming his party functionary as a "small fry". He rued the fact that he, along with other BJP leaders, wasted so much time campaigning for a person who has been caught doing things he "should not have", and said that he was not "disowning" the BJP member and asserted law will take its own course. "I rue the fact that I waste so much of time. So many BJP leaders wasted so much of time campaigning for a person who seems to have been derailed from life and has been caught in doing things he should not do. And, therefore, law will take its own course," he said. Seven persons were arrested in the eastern part of Kolkata for their alleged involvement in smuggling coal. According to reports, stacks of new currency notes were also recovered from them. Mastermind Raju Jha (46), Lokesh Singh (35), Manish Sharma (44), Krishna Murari Kayel (44), Sayan Majumdar (29), Partha Chatterjee (41) and Subham Bhowmik (28) were arrested by the Special Task Force of Kolkata Police. "...Manish Sharma and his photos with Babul Supriyo, it's all over in the public domain. Seven people who are arrested, there are two people in that who are the real don. This guy (Sharma) is a small fish. Krishnakanth, he is mafia don who was part of Mamata Banerjee's official delegation to Singapore in 2014. "There are documents about that. The biggest mafia don who was arrested among the seven is Raju Jha...everyone is aware about how many crores was given (to the ruling party) by Raju as an understanding for illegal coal business in Asansol. I am waiting to see whether police, apart from Manish Sharma, are going to come up with details pertaining to these two gentlemen which points to the ruling party," he said. Asserting that he was "not disowning" the arrested BJP leader, Supriyo said, "I am saying, if any person, who had dinner with me last night and if he is caught with some illegal activity today morning, I am going to say yes, you are a friend of mine but you have done something for which the law will take its own course." Supriyo said that no one can point out that either him or any of his party leaders had given ticket to this particular person for exchange of money. "I am not disowning him. I am rather saying that I aggressively campaigned for him like I did for all other candidates in West Bengal. I did about 70-80 rallies. "Obviously there are going to be hundreds of videos in which not only me but several other leaders are going to be seen because he was the candidate. We all campaigned for him," he said. New Delhi: Raising strong concerns over the appointment of Gujarat cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana as interim director of CBI, Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that the process of selection of the new director of the investigation agency has been vitiated. In his letter, Kharge has asked Prime Minister Modi to immediately convene a meeting of the Selection Committee to select the new CBI Director. The CBI Director is selected by a Selection Committee comprising Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India and Leader of Opposition or leader of the largest party in opposition in Lok Sabha. Kharge alleged that the transfer of Special Director RK Dutta, the senior-most officer after the Director, as Special Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs, appears to have been "deliberately done" to facilitate giving charge of the post of CBI Director to an officiating junior officer. "It thus gives rise to apprehensions that the process of selecting the Director, CBI, has been vitiated and is being manipulated to pre-empt the decision to be arrived at in the meeting of the Selection Committee," he said. Kharge also pointed out that the credibility of the premier investigating agency demands that a meritorious and experienced officer of requisite seniority is selected for appointment as Director, CBI, without any delay. Drawing the attention of the Prime Minister for appointment of a regular director of CBI after superannuation of Anil Kumar Sinha on 30 November, 2016, Kharge said it was essential to complete the process of selection and appointment of Director CBI in time, for a smooth transition. "Unfortunately, this was not done and this delay has raised serious concerns," he said, adding, "The government failed to convene a meeting that was to be chaired by yourself to finalise the selection of the Director." The Congress leader added, "I request you to convene the meeting to deliberate upon this matter, urgently." At the AICC briefing, party spokesperson Sushmita Dev said, "We are deeply disappointed at the appointment of the CBI Director." "It is yet another blow to an important institution, because the NIA chief is also continuing on an ad hoc basis and the Lokpal is yet to be appointed. So these are all a big blow to important institutions which ensure accountability," she said. On the controversy over appointment of CBI Director on 'Adhoc' basis, Dev said when the Bill was introduced and Act was amended to include the Leader of largest Opposition Party, this Government had done a lot of chest thumping that it is a Party that believes in the principles as enshrined in the Constitution of Parliamentary system "Once again this Government has proved that it is a Government of rhetoric, that it is a Government of lip-service to Institutions, that forms the basis of our Parliamentary system," she said. Dev said Congress leader Kharge has put that in writing by writing a letter to the Prime Minister. "When there is a system in place, a statutory, when there is a statutory procedure in place, what will be the justification of this Government to surpass that? So, the question is, there is a huge gap in Modi Government's talk and Modi Government's walk, which we have repeatedly said," the Congress leader said. Reacting to Kharge's letter to PM, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "Because he was from Gujarat cadre his credentials were not looked into?." "How can we give a colour of an officer by clubbing him with some state, cadre or something like that," Rijiju said. Dev said the general understanding of something which uses the word "Adhoc" means that we have not been able to do something because of reasons beyond our control so that an Institution does not suffer. "So, 'Adhoc' per se may not be illegal, but it speaks volumes about the Government that talks about transparency and accountability and fighting corruption but on the other hand puts one of the key Institutions or one of the key mechanisms by which the Government prosecutes should work on an 'Adhoc' basis," she said. The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear on 9 December a plea challenging the appointment of Gujarat cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana as the interim director of CBI. Asthana, an IPS officer of 1984-batch, was elevated as the Additional Director in the agency on December 2 when CBI Special Director RK Dutta, who was reportedly among the frontrunners for the top post, was shifted to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as a Special Secretary. New Delhi: Government on Wednesday asked the Opposition in Rajya Sabha to "honestly" say whether they wanted a debate on demonetisation and asked them not to impose "unreasonable and impossible" conditions, as the proceedings were disrupted amid unabated noisy protests on the issue. As the House reassembled at 2 pm after two adjournments, Leader of the House Arun Jaitley said the government has already made it clear it was ready for a debate and the Prime Minister will make an intervention. He said he would himself sit through and reply to questions raised by them. "If the opposition wants a debate, it should honestly tell whether they want it or not. Let them not impose unreasonable and impossible conditions for the debate," he said, accusing the opposition of raising "unrealistic demands" which has never been the practice in the House. "Now you have started raising conditions which has never been raised in history of this House. It has never happened. There is no practice in the House, not a single practice that a member says that when he speaks the Prime Minister should be in the House. "You have a right to presume that you have importance yourself. But there is no such precedence in the House since 1952 that the Prime Minister must be here to listen to every member. Otherwise, the Prime Minister has many responsibilities," Jaitley said. He was responding to the persistent demands by the Opposition seeking the presence of Modi in the House as a condition to resume the unfinished debate on demonetisation, with CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury saying there has been such precedents when erstwhile Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sat through the debates on 2G and coal scams in the House. Jaitley said the Government and the Council of Ministers functioned under the principle of collective responsibility and there was no principle that a particular person has to answer the questions raised. This did not satisfy the Opposition members who raised an uproar. With Deputy Chairman P J Kurien calling for the Disabilities Bill be taken up while agreeing with the demand raised by Social Justice Minister Thawarchand Gehlot, opposition members including those from Congress and TMC started raising slogans and trooped into the Well. The slogans were countered by BJP members too. While Opposition was seeking Prime Minister's presence, the members of treasury benches called for the functioning of the House and the debate to resume. Amid the pandemonium, Kurien adjourned the House for the day. Earlier, the House was adjourned twice, once till noon and then till 1400 hours, with both Zero Hour and Question Hour falling prey to the Opposition ruckus. Earlier some opposition members including Yechury (CPI-M), Naresh Agrawal (SP) and Anand Sharma (Cong) asserted that there were precedents in the House when during debates on 2G Spectrum and coal scams, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sat through the entire debate. This demand was rejected by Jaitley saying there is no such practice that the Prime Minister should hear out each and every member when they spoke. Raising a point of order, Pramod Tiwari (Cong) said the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister and the Council of Ministers should be disqualified under Rule 102-C as they have failed to honour the currency notes which were legal tenders. Raising the issue, Tiwari said the government had turned into a "pauper" as it has failed to honour the legal tender. "If they cannot give our money to us, they should resign from the House...This government has turned a pauper. This government is not worth being in power. They should all resign. The Council of Ministers, Prime Minister and Finance Minister should be disqualified under Rule 102-C," he said. Kurien had a hearty laughter and said "that is no point of order. What he raised is a point of disorder." Many opposition members raised the point demanding the presence of the Prime Minister in the House. Among those raising the issue included Congress leader Anand Sharma, Tiruchi Siva (DMK), K Keshava Rao (TRS) and Yechury, but their demand did not find favour with the Chair. "I am hearing it for last one week that the PM should be here. Under what Rule? You can only request the Prime Minister. To make it a condition is not proper," he said. But slogan-shouting from the aisles by BJP members and their Opposition counterparts, many of whom were protesting in the Well, led Kurien to adjourn the House for the day. Earlier, the issue of demonetisation of old 500 and 1000 rupee notes continued to rock the Rajya Sabha today virtually washing out its proceedings. Both the Zero Hour and the Question Hour were disrupted as members of the Treasury and Opposition benches resorted to sloganeering over the issue leading Deputy Chairman P J Kurien to adjourn the proceedings till noon. Similar scenes were witnessed at noon forcing Chairman Hamid Ansari to adjourn the House again till 1400 hours. While Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad wanted to know who was responsible for the death of at least 84 persons in hardships caused due to "unplanned" demonetisation, other opposition leaders like Mayawati (BSP) and Naresh Agarwal (SP) wanted Modi to apologise for putting the common man to hardship. Jaitley blamed the Opposition for using the tactics of disruption on a daily basis rather than resuming the discussion started on the first day of the winter session on November 16 which is yet to conclude. That the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa (her name is sometimes spelled Jayalalitha) was larger than life and endeared herself to millions of Tamils in Tamil Nadu is a given. But, the charismatic leader shared a love-hate relationship with her birth place, Karnataka. It was almost as though she wanted to prove to Tamil Nadu that she was more Tamil than the Tamilians. Born in Mandya, Karnataka, the epicentre of the Cauvery dispute between the two states, one would have expected Jayalalithaa to take a softer stand on the water sharing formula, especially as those affected mostly were farmers from her hometown of Mandya. But, she was the Iron Lady when it came to negotiations with Karnataka on water sharing. Although, the Cauvery basin spreads across the four states of Karrnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, the decades old dispute has largely been between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with violent protests erupting in the two states, every other drought year. The issue might date back to 1892 when an agreement was filed between Madras Presidency and Mysore for arbitration. Several attempts were made to arbitrate between the two states by the Supreme Court and the Centre too. But, with high doses of jingoistic adrenaline pumping the politics of the two states, the Cauvery dispute between the two states was a call for the leaders of the two states down the years to either fuel these emotions or sit across the table in relative calm level headedness and reach a compromise solution. In the recent violent protests and various bandhs called in Karnataka and Tamilnadu just months ago, protestors in both the states, targeted both the chief ministers of the two affected states, Siddaramaiah of Karnataka and J Jayalalithaa of Tamilnadu by burning their effigies and vandalizing their hoardings. While in the past, theatres, schools and Tamil speaking areas were targeted in Bengaluru by pro-Karnataka protestors, this year, even restaurants and bus carriers with roots in Tamilnadu were targets of violent vandalism. Could the Cauvery dispute have found an easier solution, if Jayalalithaa had been partial to her birthplace and listened to the plight of the Mandya farmers as much as she did to those of the farmers from Tamilnadu? Jayalalithaa had enough and more Karnataka links for anyone to think so. She was an Iyengar Tamil Brahmin born on 24 February 1948, at Melukote, in Pandavapura taluka, Mandya district. Her very name Jayalalithaa, came from the two homes where she lived as a child in Mysore. One was "Jaya Vilas" and the other "Lalitha Vilas". Both sides of her parentage had links with two ubiquitous Karnataka legacies the royal Wodeyars and Hindustan Aeronautics limited or HAL. Her paternal grandfather, Narasimhan Rengachary, was a court physician to Maharaja Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV and her maternal grandfather, Rangasamy Iyengar, worked with HAL in Mysore. After her father Jayaraman died, when she was two years old, her widowed mother Vedavalli returned to her father's home in Bangalore in 1950. Jayalalithaa was even a Cottonian, studying for a while at the Bishop Cottons Girls school on St. Marks School. The school has even put up a photo of Jayalalithaa in their school lobby. When her mother relocated to Madras to act in films, Jayalalithaa lived with her mother's sister Padmavalli and with maternal grandparents from 1950 to 1958 in Mysore. With her fluency and skill with languages, she spoke fluent Kannada and even spoke Kannada with former Karnataka chief Ministers Jagadish Shettar 2012 and SM Krishna 2002, when they were in Delhi to discuss the Cauvery dispute. She also is known to have conversed in Kannada with co-stars from the state. So, what soured her memories of Karnataka and similarly turned Karnataka against their own daughter? The Times of India report says that it was a statement seen as anti-Kannada that shortened Jayalalithaa's career in Sandalwood. In 1972, when she was shooting at Premier Studio in Mysuru for the Tamil film, Ganga Gowri, she made a rare political misstep, saying. "I know Kannada as I was born in Melkote in Karnataka, but I am Tamil." Her dance show scheduled as part of the Dasara celebration in Mysore was cancelled and a film she was to act with Kannada superstar Rajkumar was also called off. However, what is interesting to note is that Jayalalithaa continued her spiritual links with Karnataka by even going to the Chamundeswari temple in Mysore for her 63rd birthday in 2011. For a Dravidian leader, being Brahmin, religious and also Convent educated were already too many negative combinations as it were, so perhaps keeping the strong Thevar community on her side, through her best friend Sasikala Natarajan and the present chief minister O Pannerselvam was a political imperative and eschewing her Karnataka Iyengar Brahmin roots might have been a political necessity too. Perhaps, what also soured Jayalalithaas memories of Karnataka and made her bitter towards the state was her experience in a Karnataka jail. When the 18-year-old disproportionate assets case against Jayalalithaa and her aides was transferred to Bangalore, the Special Court in Bangalore in September, 2014, convicted Jayalalithaa to four years in jail and fined her 100 crore. This forced her to step down as chief minister. However, the very next year, in May 2015, the Karnataka High Court overturned the trial court's verdict and acquitted Jayalalithaa and others of all charges, which paved the way for Jayalalithaa to return to power as chief minister of Tamil Nadu last year. The manifesto that brought her back to power had one salient feature that the new government would solve the age old Cauvery dispute with Karnataka. As chief minister, Jayalalithaa quickly put this into practice, by taking legal action against Karnataka for not adhering to the Cauvery Water Tribunals order of releasing water to Tamilnadu. The mistrust and suspicion that grew between the two states was that of politics, however, the people of the two states have always shared a good rapport with several Kannadigas and Tamils living and working in both states. Now, we will have to see, how the political theatre between the two states will pan out, with the new Tamil Nadu chief minister, O Paneerselvam at its helm. Will the blow-hot blow-cold relationship between the two states improve? New Delhi: Lok Sabha will have a four-day holiday starting this weekend, with the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) on Wednesday deciding to have a holiday on 12 December, besides Tuesday which has already been declared a holiday on account of Eid-e-Milad-un Nabi. Leaders of all major parties, who attended the BAC meeting held in Speaker Sumitra Mahajan's chamber, raised the issue of declaring a holiday on Monday as in some southern states the Prophet's birthday was being observed on Monday. After the leaders of Congress, BJP, NCP, TMC and others raised the demand, it was unanimously decided to have a holiday on 12 December as well. The BAC also decided to allocate four hours for the discussion and voting on Second Supplementary Demands for Grants (General) for 2016-17 and Demands for Excess Grants (General) for 2013-14, which are likely to be taken up on Thursday. The Committee also decided to allocate three hours for consideration and passage of the Right of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014, once it is passed by the Rajya Sabha. Earlier in the Lok Sabha also, Opposition members had sought a holiday on 12 December. Sudip Bandopadhyay (TMC) had raised the issue after the House met at noon as he pointed out that 13 December has been officially declared a holiday for Milad-un Nabi, the Prophet's birthday. Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge also supported this. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the matter can be discussed at the BAC meeting. He also used the occasion to urge the opposition members, who were protesting in the Well demanding a debate on demonetisation under a rule entailing voting, to start a debate on Wednesday, pointing out that the Session will end on 16 December. New Delhi: The issue of demonetisation of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 rupee notes continued to rock the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday virtually washing out its proceedings, even as the government dared the Opposition to resume discussion on the issue rather than disrupting the House. Both the Zero Hour and the Question Hour were disrupted as members of the Treasury and Opposition benches resorted to sloganeering over the issue leading Deputy Chairman P J Kurien to adjourn the proceedings till noon. Similar scenes were witnessed at noon forcing Chairman Hamid Ansari to adjourn the House again till 1400 hours. While Congress wanted to know who was responsible for the death of at least 84 persons in hardships caused due to the "unplanned" demonetisation, other opposition parties including SP and BSP wanted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise for putting the common man to hardship. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley blamed the Opposition for using the tactics of disruption on a daily basis rather than resuming the discussion started on the first day of the winter session on November 16 and which is yet to conclude. The government, he said, had not wasted even a minute to agree to a debate on the issue. It also agreed to the rule under which the debate is to be conducted as well as to the demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in it, Jaitley said. But instead of participating and concluding the debate, the Opposition has been using the Zero Hour to raise the issue for "getting footage on TV rather than listening to substantive facts on the issue. ... If the Opposition has the guts, the debate should resume," the Leader of the House said. Immediately thereafter, BJP members started raising slogans like "himmat hai to charcha karo (If you have guts, discuss the matter)." Jaitley also raised a point of order saying how can the Chair allow an issue on which substantial portion of debate has happened, to be raised during Zero Hour again. Kurien agreed with the Leader of the House and asked the Opposition benches if they were ready for a discussion. As Treasury benches continued to shout slogans seeking resumption of discussion, the Opposition members raised slogans daring Modi to come to the House and listen to the debate. As the din continued, Kurien adjourned the proceedings till noon. Earlier, Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said 84 persons have died in hardships caused due to the demonetisation issue in last one month. Azad said the list includes 40 persons in 15 states dying standing in queues in front of banks and ATMs in the last one month and five bank employees in four states losing their lives due to stress. People have committed suicide as they could not arrange for currency for their daughters' wedding, he said. "Who is responsible for the death of 84 persons," he asked and added that "the (demonetisation) scheme was brought without planning and preparation" that has led to severe cash shortage as alternate currency was not available. As people scrambled to lay hand on valid currency, large scale job losses have been reported as a fallout of demonetisation, the senior Congress leader said. Azad said Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia yesterday stated that all the currency that was demonetised was supposed to come back to the formal banking system, implying there was no blackmoney or unaccounted wealth in the economy. "If all money was to come back, why was this high-handed decision taken," he asked. Also, RBI has for the last 10 days stopped giving out deposits and exchange of old and debunked currency, he said wanting to know the reason why the central bank has stopped the practice. RBI, he said, should provide an update on the issue every day. Azad also cited a reply to a question in Rajya Sabha earlier this week where it was stated that banks have enough currency. If that is so, why are their queues in front of banks and ATMs, he asked. "Please don't play with the sentiments of the people by making emotional statements," he said referring the emotional speeches made by Modi on the demonetisation issue. Naresh Agarwal (SP) said Prime Minister should apologise for the hardships caused to the people, come to House to listen and reply to the debate on demonetisation. Mayawati (BSP) said Modi had said that the hardships would be resolved in 50 days but it has been one month and there is no end to the sufferings. Entire opposition is willing to listen to the Prime Minister provided that he comes to the House, she said, adding that Modi should apologise for the hardships caused. Kurien then asked how can opposition discuss the issue without resuming the debate. He also directed the BJP members not to raise slogans. But with neither side relenting, he adjourned the proceedings till noon. When the House reassembled at noon, Chairman Hamid Ansari took up the Question Hour but Opposition members were on their feet, with many of them speaking at the same time leading to uproar. As he called the first Question to be taken up and asked Vivek Tankha (Cong) to ask his supplementaries, members of Congress, TMC, Left, BSP and SP were on their feet raising issues together. Congress members said that for 18 days, the Prime Minister has not come or heard them as they wanted to discuss the issue of demonetisation. TMC members also demanded the Prime Minister's apology over his remarks against the Opposition for raising the demonetisation issue. At one point, Satyavrat Chaturvedi (Cong), Satish Misra (BSP), Tapan Sen (CPI-M), Naresh Agrawal (SP) and TMC members were speaking together. Soon TMC and Congress members stood in the aisle and started raising slogans and then trooped into the Well. Some members of treasury benches also raised slogans in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chairman Hamid Ansari then adjourned the House till 1400 hours. 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. Britain: British Prime Minister Theresa May indicated on Tuesday that she would accept demands by lawmakers to publish her plan for Brexit before starting formal exit talks, as long as they accept her timetable for leaving the EU. May was facing a rebellion by up to 40 MPs from her Conservative party over an opposition motion which demanded she reveal her hand before triggering Article 50, the formal mechanism for leaving the EU. In an amendment published Tuesday, May accepted the demand on the proviso that MPs "respect the wishes" of the June vote to leave the bloc and accept her timetable to trigger Article 50 by the end of March. The move is designed to outmanoeuvre the opposition Labour party, which brought the original motion to pressure the government. Up to 40 Conservative lawmakers had reportedly been planning to back the Labour motion in what could have been a symbolic blow against May's refusal to provide a "running commentary" on her Brexit strategy. The government is currently fighting a legal challenge at the Supreme Court to stop parliament having the final say on a decision to trigger Article 50. Brexit supporters fear that MPs, who were overwhelmingly in favour of staying in the EU in the June referendum, might seek to delay the process or soften the terms of the break. Labour's motion "calls on the prime minister to commit to publishing the government's plan for leaving the EU before Article 50 is invoked". It also "confirms that there should be no disclosure of material that could be reasonably judged to damage the UK in any negotiations". The government's amendment, published on Twitter by Conservative lawmaker Steve Baker, adds that "this House will respect the wishes of the United Kingdom as expressed in the referendum on 23 June". It adds: "And further calls on the government to invoke Article 50 by 31 March 2017." The motion and amendment will be subject to a debate and non-binding vote in the House of Commons on Wednesday, although May will not be present as she is in Bahrain. The government has repeatedly refused to outline its negotiating strategy for Brexit, but a spokeswoman denied the amendment was a U-turn. "We have always said we would come forth with more detail as we near the moment of triggering Article 50," she told AFP. The 1970s had barely begun. I was living in a small town in upstate New York, a five-hour drive from Manhattan but not quite the boondocks being home to such stellar corporations as Eastman Kodak and Xerox. Yet, it was not long before the neighbours kids started poking fun at me every time I walked past their homes: Wheres your feather then? Wheres your bow and arrow? theyd yell from the safety of their front lawns. To them there was only kind of Indian, the ones cowboys chased and slaughtered on the silver screen. John Wayne with his leather boots and broad-brimmed hat was still the symbol of American values, a national hero. Clint Eastwoods cowboys may have been bad or even ugly but Indians were still just Injuns defeated, unwanted, irrelevant. They still are. In the high-decibel presidential campaign, much was made of immigrants, Mexicans, blacks, Muslims, women and, of course, angry white men, but there was not even a walk-on part for Red Indians, as we used to call them to distinguish them from us, the Indians Christopher Columbus had originally set out to meet. Even though there was an election issue ripe for the picking. Namely, the movement against an oil pipeline, the Dakota Access Pipeline in Americas heartland that had brought together hundreds of different American Indian tribes, said to be the largest gathering of Native American tribes in more than a century, and multitudes of non-tribals from all parts of America, environmental crusaders, Hollywood stars, other celebrities, thousands of ex-servicemen even, hardly the activist type but pipelines in America come under the purview of the army which had given the green signal to this pipeline in the first place and had the power to stop it too. It was in the best tradition of the Westerns except that the cowboys are all ersatz, the Indians the real deal. Led by the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, the indigenous peoples of America, a small handful to begin with, camped on the banks of the river Missouri, north Americas longest, on the edge of their reservation, at the point where the pipeline was going to be drilled under the river bed. Word of their heroic resistance spread, their numbers swelled rapidly. For months they braved the harsh, inclement weather, first hot sultry summer, then icy, freezing winter, and the wrath of the state that included police dogs, rubber bullets, water cannons, sonic weapons, pepper spray and tear gas. Yet, they stood their ground, peacefully, non-violently, to prevent, at times by laying down in front of bulldozers and other earth-moving equipment, the construction of the abhorrent pipeline. Their fear: The pipeline would threaten their water supply when, inevitably, thered be a leak, desecrate ancestral lands and cause undue hardship to the Standing Rock Sioux tribe which has the most to lose as the pipeline would be going within half a mile of their reservation and little to gain as any commercial activity resulting from the project would pass them by. Because, of course, the defence for the pipeline is, as always, that magic phrase: economic development. Ironically, the issue that gained no purchase before the elections has suddenly become a political hot potato after the results, when most of the 1,172 mile steel pipeline is complete, except for a 20-mile section near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation. And not just because the armys deadline for the demonstrators, or water protectors as they call themselves, to vacate their sprawling spiritual camp on the river bank was Monday, 5 December. The army had even allotted a plot nearby where the activists would be corralled and carry on protesting while work on the pipeline went on unhindered. Even as the thousands shivering in an icy blizzard that had already blanketed their tents and tepees in several feet of snow readied for a last-ditch confrontation the next morning, the army announced, last Sunday, that it was going back on its earlier decision and withholding permission to start work on the pipeline there. More, it would explore alternate routes through an Environmental Impact Statement with full public input and analysis, something that couldnt happen overnight but precisely what the tribal leaders had been asking for all along. Fireworks lit up the sky over the river bank, the protestors hugged each other and rejoiced, the leaders thanked all supporters for standing up for Standing Rock and then hunkered down in their encampments to face a cold, bitter winter in the open. A battle may have been won but the war was still far from over. Evidently, this is one of Barak Obamas parting gifts to his successor. Obama hadnt appeared that receptive to the protestors all these months. While Hillary Clinton had released a vague all voices should be heard type of statement after a group of Standing Rock youth staged a protest at the Brooklyn campaign headquarters of the Democratic presidential nominee in late October. That was before they realised Donald Trump could be left holding the baby. And even though it might appear a no-brainer for someone who has professedly no time for environmental concerns, has earlier expressed support for such projects, had in fact at one time owned a sizeable stake in Energy Transfer Partners, the company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline itself, and counts Kelcy Warren, the chief executive of Energy Transfer Partners, among the major contributors to his campaign, nullifying the Environmental Impact Statement already instituted wont be that easy. True, his friends and supporters are already looking to him to undo the harm done by Obama. Within hours of the army rescinding its order, the American Petroleum Institute, a trade association for Americas oil and natural gas industry, called on Trump to reject the Obama administrations shameful actions to deny this vital energy project, restore the rule of law in the regulatory process, and make this projects approval a top priority as he takes office in January. Republican politicians have followed suit while Energy Transfer Partners has declared its intention to stay put. The choice is stark a group of unquestionably forgotten people versus his rich and powerful friends, the little men in opposition to the Wall Street goliath a choice Donald Trump cannot welcome in the early days of his Presidency, not after all those fire-eating words on the campaign trail to serve the poor. Now to rush to the aid of his business buddies so brazenly, that wont come without its quota embarrassment even for a President who is turning his cabinet into a billionaires club. But then, you dont have to be that rich and famous to play fast and loose with tribes and their lands. Just look at whats happening closer by, in Jharkhand specifically, home to some of the countrys most iconic tribal leaders and with a rich history of movements waged from the days of the Raj, all very democratically, legally, constitutionally and, again, in the name of development. Sadly, the Adivasis there have not been able to capture the imagination of their fellow countrymen the way their far-off Sioux brothers have. Nor is politics coming to their rescue, quite the reverse in fact. But that is a tale for another day, on another occasion. Banda Aceh: At least 18 people died and dozens were feared trapped in rubble after a strong earthquake struck off Aceh province on Indonesia's Sumatra island on Wednesday, officials said. "Eighteen have died so far, based on data from the hospital. Some of the fatalities are children," Said Mulyadi, deputy district chief of Pidie Jaya, the region hit hardest by the quake, told AFP. The shallow 6.5-magnitude quake hit just north of the small town of Reuleuet, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. There was no tsunami alert. The quake struck at dawn, as some in the predominantly Muslim region prepared for morning prayers, local officials said. Mulyadi said seven children were among the dead, with a local hospital overwhelmed by the number of people arriving with injuries. "The hospital here couldn't take the patients, so we sent some to the neighbouring district," he said. Mosques, homes and shops were flattened in the quake, with images from the worst-hit areas showing significant damage. Local resident Hasbi Jaya, 37, said his family was asleep when the powerful quake struck. "We immediately ran outside the house but it crumbled. Everything from the roof to the floor collapsed, and was destroyed," he said. "I looked around and all my neighbours' houses were also completely destroyed." The local disaster management agency said rescue efforts were under way to save those trapped beneath collapsed buildings. "Some people are still trapped inside shophouses, and we are trying to evacuate them using heavy machines and by hand," local agency head Puteh Manaf said. Seismologists said the earthquake was felt across much of Aceh province, which was devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. At least five aftershocks followed the quake, said Eridawati, local head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency. The USGS upgraded the magnitude to 6.5 from an initial reading of 6.4 and issued a yellow alert for expected fatalities and damage. "Some casualties and damage are possible and the impact should be relatively localised," it said. In the coastal town of Sigli, people panicked and fled their houses to seek shelter away from the sea. "We are now evacuating to Tijue because we are afraid of a tsunami," said Nilawati, one of those heading several kilometres inland. Meureudu, Indonesia: A strong undersea earthquake rocked Indonesia's Aceh province early on Wednesday, killing nearly 100 people and sparking a frantic rescue effort in the rubble of dozens of collapsed and damaged buildings. Major General Tatang Sulaiman, chief of the army in Aceh province, said at least 97 died while four people were pulled from the rubble alive. Another four or five are still believed to be buried, but didn't say if they are dead or alive. "Hopefully we would be able to finish the evacuation from the rubble before sunset," said Sulaiman. The rescue effort involving villagers, soldiers and police is concentrated on Meureudu, a severely affected town in Pidie Jaya district. Excavators were trying to remove debris from shop houses and other buildings where people were believed buried. More than 40 buildings including several mosques were flattened in the district located 18 kilometres south-west of the epicentre, according to Aiyub Abbas, the district chief. Roads also cracked and power poles toppled over. Abbas said there is an urgent need for excavation equipment to move heavy debris and emergency supplies. TV footage showed rescue personnel taking bodies in black bags away from the rubble. The U.S. Geological Survey said the shallow 6.5-magnitude earthquake that struck at 5:03 a.m. (2203 GMT Tuesday) was centred about 10 kilometres north of Reuleut, a town in northern Aceh, at a depth of 17 kilometres (11 miles). It did not generate a tsunami. For Acehnese, the quake was another terrifying reminder of their region's vulnerability to natural disasters. More than 100,000 died in Aceh after the 26 December 2004 earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami. "It was very bad, the tremors felt even stronger than 2004 earthquake," said Musman Aziz, a Meureudu resident. "I was so scared the tsunami was coming." In the capital Jakarta, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said he has ordered all government agencies to take part in the rescue efforts. Seaside resident Fitri Abidin in Pidie Jaya said she fled with her husband and wailing children to a nearby hill after the quake jolted the family awake early in the morning. They stayed there for several hours until authorities reassured them there was no tsunami risk. "It terrified me. I was having difficulty breathing or walking," said Abidin. She said her husband grabbed hold of her and carried her out of the house. The family's house didn't collapse but the homes of some neighbours did and Abidin is afraid three friends were buried in building collapses. In Pidie Jaya's neighbouring district of Bireuen, a teacher at an Islamic building school died after being hit by falling debris, said health worker Achmad Taufiq. About 20 people were being treated at a health centre and one person was moved to a hospital because of broken bones and a head injury, said Taufiq. Residents of the nearby town of Lhokseumawe ran out of their houses in panic during the quake and many people fled to higher ground. The world's largest archipelago, Indonesia is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. The 2004 quake and tsunami killed a total of 2,30,000 people in a dozen countries, most of them in Aceh. Wikileaks founder Julian Assange released his testimony from last month's London questioning in a Swedish rape investigation, saying he was innocent and that it was clear the sex was consensual. Assange, 45, has been holed up at Ecuador's London embassy since 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden for the investigation of allegations, which he denies, that he committed rape in 2010. "You have been found to have subjected me to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. You have denied me effective legal representation in this process," Assange said in the testimony. He was questioned for two days at the Ecuadorian embassy in London in November. Ecuador has said it will deliver a written version of the testimony this month to Swedish prosecutors, who will then take a decision on if and how to continue with investigation. A UN panel said in February that his stay at the Ecuadorean embassy amounted to arbitrary detention, and that he should be let go and be awarded compensation. Assange, who is Australian, says he fears further extradition from Sweden to the United States, where a criminal investigation into the activities of Wikileaks is ongoing. A spokeswoman at the Swedish Prosecution Authority declined to comment. By Hani Amara | SIRTE, Libya SIRTE, Libya Libyan forces backed by U.S. air strikes finished clearing the last Islamic State holdout in Sirte on Tuesday after a near seven-month battle for the militant group's former North African stronghold.The forces gained full control over a final patch of ground in Sirte's Ghiza Bahriya district after hours of clashes. Several dozen women and children who had been holed up with the militants were able to leave the ruined buildings where they had made their last stand.As celebrations erupted among the Libyan forces, which are dominated by brigades from the city of Misrata, a spokesman said the military campaign would continue until the wider area was secured. Fighters fired in the air chanting "Free Libya" and "The blood of the martyrs was not for nothing."The loss of Sirte is a major blow for Islamic State, leaving the group without any territory in Libya, though it retains an active presence in parts of the vast country.The jihadist group took over Sirte in early 2015, turning it into their most important base outside the Middle East and attracting large numbers of foreign fighters into the city. It imposed its ultra-hardline rule on residents, and extended its control along about 250 km (155 miles) of Libya's Mediterranean coastline.Spokesman Rida Issa said although forces had "secured all the buildings and the streets" in Ghiza Bahriya, this did not mean the end of the Misrata-led operation. "We still need to secure the area around Sirte," he said. French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said: "This is very good news. The defeat of Daesh (Islamic State) is a very strong act, but it can only be seen as a step ... the militias that have freed Sirte deserve to be congratulated."Libyan and Western officials say some Islamic State fighters escaped from Sirte before the battle or in its early stages. They fear an insurgent campaign from outside the city and there have been attacks in outlying areas.BOMBERS, SNIPERS, MINES The Misrata-led forces counterattacked in May after jihadists moved along the coast toward their city. The brigades, nominally aligned with a U.N.-backed government in Tripoli, advanced rapidly toward the centre of Sirte before suicide bombers, snipers and mines largely halted their progress.More than 700 of their fighters have been killed and more than 3,200 wounded in the gruelling campaign. On Tuesday, a further three men were killed and about 50 wounded, said Mohamed Lajnef, an official at Sirte's field hospital. He also said 21 women and 31 children had been released in Ghiza Bahriya. Dozens of other women and children - some of them migrants from sub-Saharan Africa held captive by Islamic State - had escaped or had been released from militant-held ground in recent days. Mohamed al-Ghasri, another spokesman for the military operation, said there had been two attempted suicide bombings on Tuesday, including one by a woman, and that more than 30 militants' bodies had been counted in the rubble.Since Aug. 1, the United States has carried out at least 495 air strikes against Islamic State in Sirte.Libya remains in turmoil over five years after the revolution that toppled Muammar Gaddafi. The U.N.-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) that arrived in Tripoli in March and supported the campaign in Sirte has made little progress in ending the chaos.Sirte lies in a strategic position about halfway along Libya's coastline, near some of the country's major oil fields and terminals. Close to Gaddafi's birthplace, it is also the city where he was shot and killed after ruling Libya for 42 years.Almost all of Sirte's estimated population of 80,000 fled the city since Islamic State took over. Ghasri appeared on television asking local families not to return until mines had been cleared. (Additional reporting by Mohamed Lagha in Misrata, writing by Aidan Lewis; editing by Janet Lawrence, G Crosse) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Islamabad: Pakistan plans to rename a university centre for physicist Abdus Salam, its first Nobel laureate, after more than 30 years of all but disowning his achievements, as a member of a minority sect barred from identifying itself as Muslim. Salam, the first Muslim to win the prize for science, was a member of the Ahmadi sect, which is considered heretical by law in Pakistan, denounced by Muslim leaders and targeted by violent extremists. The office of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said it had given approval for the National Centre for Physics at the Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, the capital, to be renamed after Salam. "The prime minister has directed the ministry of federal education to put up a formal summary for renaming the center, for approval of the president," it said in a statement on Monday. Salam shared the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physics with Sheldon Glashow and Steven Weinberg for helping to pave the way to the discovery of the "God particle," one of science's greatest achievements in the last 100 years. However, under pressure from right-wing clerics and students, Salam was banned from lecturing at public universities during his lifetime, and even after winning the Nobel. The Ahmadi minority holds that a prophet followed the Prophet Mohammed, who founded Islam. But that view runs counter to the Muslim religion's central belief that Mohammad was the last of God's messengers. Killing Ahmadis earns the assailant a place in heaven, say some clerics, who distribute leaflets carrying the home addresses of sect members. In 1974, a Pakistani law declared Ahmadis as non-Muslims and in 1984, a new law made it possible to jail Ahmadis for "posing as a Muslim" or "offending a Muslim's feelings". Salam is buried in the Pakistani town of Rabwah, a major centre for Ahmadis, where his gravestone was defaced by local authorities who removed the word "Muslim" from an inscription that called him "the first Muslim Nobel laureate". "All his life, Professor Salam wanted to set up an institution for physics in Pakistan but no one let him," Saleemuddin, the Ahmadi community's Pakistan spokesman, told Reuters. "They didn't honour him in his life but we are happy they have finally done so now, better late than never," added Saleemuddin, who uses only one name. "Only when we begin to honour our true heroes will Pakistan be on the right track." By Curtis Skinner | OAKLAND, Calif. OAKLAND, Calif. Authorities said they have concluded their search on Wednesday of an Oakland, California, warehouse gutted by a fast-moving fire that killed 36 people during a dance party.The blaze erupted on Friday in a sprawling two-story building known as the Ghost Ship, which was leased to an artists' collective. It was the deadliest blaze in the United States since 100 people perished in a 2003 nightclub fire in Rhode Island."The recovery effort is complete and no additional victims were found," City of Oakland spokeswoman Karen Boyd said in an email.Officials have proclaimed a local state of emergency, potentially allowing for state and federal funds to help cover the costs of the response to the inferno. The declaration is set to go before the City Council for ratification on Thursday.Investigators are seeking to determine the origin of the blaze. "(A) refrigerator is something that they're looking at as a potential source of ignition," U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent Jill Snyder told reporters.The coroner's office has concluded autopsies on most of the victims, and the cause of death in all those cases was determined to be smoke inhalation, Alameda County Sheriff's Office spokesman J.D. Nelson said by phone. That is typical on a major fire, he said. Survivors said the flames spread quickly and billowing thick, black smoke blinded and choked those struggling to flee. Officials have said arson was not immediately suspected. However, charges ranging from involuntary manslaughter to murder could be brought, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley told reporters on Monday.The dance party was held on the warehouse's second floor, which has partially collapsed. The 10,000-square-foot (900-square-metre) building lacked sprinklers and smoke detectors, and wooden pallets partially formed a makeshift stairway between the first and second floors, officials have said. It had just two exterior doors. City officials released complaint and inspection logs for the warehouse, which showed three complaints against the location were recorded by the city's building and planning department from 2005 to 2014.The logs also showed that an inspector visited the site on Nov. 17 to investigate a complaint about an "illegal interior building structure" but was unable to gain entry. The records indicate an investigator did not return to the scene before Friday's deadly blaze. (Additional reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles; editing by James Dalgleish and Richard Chang) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Islamabad: In a shocking example of nepotism, a provincial government in Pakistan has appointed about four dozen members of the same family in health department. The issue came to light after a health employee filed a petition in the Supreme Court against Sindh government and its health department for appointing about 48 cousins in Ghotki district. "More than four dozen members of Chadhar family have been appointed by the Sindh government authorities starting from 2008," said Farman Ali Pitafi. Though most of them were given low grade jobs ranging from security guards to vaccinators but Pitafi alleged that they were being given quick promotions. He said many of them were appointed in a single hospital of the area. The Supreme Court accepted the petition and announced to start regular hearing from tomorrow. Sindh Health Minister Sikandar Ali Mandhro expressed ignorance over the issue and promised to probe the issue. Sindh has been under the rule of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of former slain leader Benazir Bhutto since 2008. The party is now controlled by her widower Asif Ali Zardari who in the past spent several years in jails on the charges of alleged corruption. The party is often accused of misrule in the province but has been able to maintain hold through alliance with powerful landlords and other influential people of the province. By John Davison and Stephanie Nebehay | BEIRUT/GENEVA BEIRUT/GENEVA Syria's army and allies pushed into rebel-held parts of Aleppo's Old City on Tuesday, a monitoring group said, looking closer than ever to achieving their most important victory of the five-year-old civil war by driving rebels out of their last urban stronghold.A rebel official said they would never abandon Aleppo, after reports that U.S. and Russian diplomats were preparing to discuss the surrender and evacuation of insurgents from territory they have held for years.Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said talks with the United States on a rebel withdrawal would begin in Geneva as soon as Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. But sources familiar with the plans later told Reuters no talks would take place this week in the Swiss city.The rebels, who controlled large parts of eastern Aleppo for nearly five years, have lost around two thirds of their territory in the city over the past two weeks.Government forces entered rebel-held parts of the Old City late on Tuesday, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported. A rebel official denied they had entered but said the army and its allies were trying to enter and battles continued.A military source said troops were "advancing in that direction".The government now appears closer to victory in the city than at any point since 2012, the year after rebels took up arms to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad in a war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people, made more than half of Syrians homeless and created the world's worst refugee crisis.The Syrian Foreign Ministry said it would now accept no truce in Aleppo, should any outside parties try to negotiate one. Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution on Monday calling for a week-long ceasefire. Moscow said rebels used such pauses in the past to reinforce.Tens of thousands of civilians are still trapped in rebel-held districts of Aleppo, reduced to a few kilometres (miles) across. The United Nations, whose staff are restricted to government-controlled areas of the city, on Tuesday described "a very disastrous situation in eastern Aleppo"."There has been heavy shelling on us, there are massacres (of civilians), there's no electricity and little internet access," said Abu Youssef, a resident of one of the areas still held by the fighters.Damascus and Moscow have been calling on rebels to withdraw from the city, disarm and accept safe passage out, a procedure that has been carried out in other areas where rebels abandoned besieged territory in recent months. Moscow wants negotiations with Washington to facilitate such an evacuation.But despite Lavrov's announcement of a meeting in Geneva, a U.S. official said firm plans for talks had never been set, though Washington was still working to reopen negotiations. Were not going to negotiate this publicly, the official said on condition of anonymity.Rebels have told U.S. officials they will not withdraw, and said there had been no more formal contact with Washington on the topic since last week."The Americans asked if we wanted to leave or to stay ... we said this is our city, and we will defend it," Zakaria Malahifji, a Turkey-based official for the Fastaqim rebel group, told Reuters on Tuesday.The Cold War-era superpowers have backed opposing sides in the war, but Russia has intervened far more openly and decisively, joining Iran as well as Iraqi and Lebanese Shi'ite groups to back Assad.Some of the groups fighting in eastern Aleppo have received support in a U.S.-backed military aid programme to rebels deemed moderate by the West. However, this has been minimal compared to massive Russian air support to aid Assad's government, which has turned the tide of the war in his favour over the past year.The army said it had taken over areas to the east of the Old City including al-Shaar, Marja and Karm al-Qaterji, bringing them closer to cutting off another pocket of rebel control. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said al-Shaar and some other areas had been taken, but did not immediately confirm the takeover of all the areas announced by the army. A Turkey-based rebel official denied al-Shaar had been taken but said fighting continued in the neighbourhood.Outside of Aleppo, the government and its allies are also putting severe pressure on remaining rebel redoubts. The Observatory said a heavy Syrian and Russian aerial bombardment in the last three days in the mostly rebel-held Idlib province to the southwest had killed more than 100 people. WINTER IS COMING The rebels' loss of the eastern half of Aleppo, Syria's largest city before the war, would be the biggest victory of the conflict so far for Assad, securing his grip on all Syria's main cities.It would also be a success for President Vladimir Putin who intervened to save Moscow's ally in September 2015 with air strikes, and for Shi'ite Iran, whose elite Islamic Republic Guard Corps has suffered casualties fighting for Assad. U.N. official Jens Laerke said: "Winter is approaching, it's already getting very, very cold so that has come up as a priority need ... Food is running out, the little food that is available is being sold at extremely inflated prices."While rebels have said they will not leave, one opposition official, who declined to be identified, conceded they may have no alternative for the sake of civilians who have been under siege for five months and faced relentless government assaults.Insurgents, meanwhile, have fought back ferociously inside Aleppo. Some of the fighting took place on Monday within a kilometre (half a mile) of the ancient citadel, a large fortress built on a mound, and around the historic Old City.With narrow alleyways, big mansions and covered markets, the ancient city of Aleppo became a UNESCO heritage site in 1986. Many historic buildings have been destroyed in the fighting.Apart from their support for rebels fighting against Assad, Western countries are also taking part in a U.S.-led air campaign against Islamic State, the Sunni Muslim militant group which broke away from other anti-Assad groups to proclaim a caliphate in territory in Syria and neighbouring Iraq.Moscow says helping Assad is the best way to defeat Islamic State. Western countries say the group gains strength from the fury unleashed by Assad's military crackdown on his enemies.France, a staunch backer of the anti-Assad opposition, will convene foreign ministers of like-minded countries in Paris on Saturday to try to come up with some form of strategy in the wake of the Aleppo onslaught, although few diplomats expect anything concrete to be achieved.Western countries say that even if government forces take Aleppo, they will still not be able to end the conflict, as long as millions of Syrians see the government as a brutal enemy."Aleppo falls, but the war goes on," said one U.S. official. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva, John Irish in Paris, Angus McDowall, John Davison and Lisa Barrington in Beirut and Jonathan Landay, Yeganeh Torbati and Arshad Mohammed in Washington; Writing by Peter Millership; Editing by Peter Graff and James Dalgleish) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Steve Holland and Warren Strobel | NEW YORK/WASHINGTON NEW YORK/WASHINGTON President-elect Donald Trump plans to nominate a third retired general for a top job in his new administration with the choice of a battle-hardened Marine commander to lead the agency set up after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks to protect the U.S. homeland. Trump is expected to name former Marine General John Kelly, 66, as head of the Department of Homeland Security, a source familiar with the decision told Reuters on Wednesday.Kelly told Fox News on Wednesday that he has "been asked and would consider it an honour."If confirmed by the Senate, Kelly will be in charge of the agency tasked with securing borders against illegal immigration, protecting the president, responding to natural disasters, coordinating intelligence and counterterrorism. Like Trump, Kelly is believed to hold strong views on stopping illegal immigration. The four-star general told a congressional committee last year that the lack of security on the U.S.-Mexican border represents a national security threat. As former head of the military's Southern Command, Kelly was responsible for U.S. military activities and relationships in Latin America and the Caribbean. He was a proponent of keeping open the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.Kelly, whose son was killed fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan, retired in January after a 45-year military career. CBS first reported that Trump would nominate Kelly to the position, which would put him in charge of more than 240,000 employees. Those include Secret Service and Border Patrol agents as well as the agency that clears refugees for resettlement in the United States.Under President Barack Obama, the department's Border Patrol and immigration enforcement agents were criticized by civil rights groups for acting as a paramilitary force that neglected the humanitarian mission of helping immigrants escaping violence.With a retired general as chief, the department risks furthering that image and facing backlash from Democrats and immigrant rights groups. Trump energized voters in the election campaign by promising to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border in order to keep out Mexican immigrants he described as rapists and murderers. In testimony last year before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Kelly said people-smuggling activities on the southern border were a dire threat. "Terrorist organizations could seek to leverage those same smuggling routes to move operatives with intent to cause grave harm to our citizens or even bring weapons of mass destruction into the United States," Kelly said. Such sentiments may have endeared him to Trump, who warned repeatedly during his presidential campaign of dangers from illegal immigration, and pledged to build a wall along the border and make Mexico pay for it.The Republican president-elect, who has no military experience, also plans to nominate retired General James Mattis to lead the Pentagon and picked retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn to be his national security adviser.MILITARY EXPERIENCE Trump may be forced to look to generals to fill key positions because of his lacking relationship with Republican establishment figures, said former White House and State Department official P.J. Crowley. He never served in government, so until the campaign, he didn't have an established bench," said Crowley.He's forming a pick-up team on the fly. On an individual basis, they have a lot of international operational experience but far less domestic political experience. How well they will gel together remains to be seen, said Crowley, author of Red Line, a book on U.S. foreign policy.Trump's transition team is also said to be considering former General David Petraeus for Secretary of State. Kelly served in Iraq several times, and in 2003 was the first Marine in more than 50 years to be promoted to the rank of brigadier general while in a combat zone. In 2010, his son, Marine 1st Lieutenant Robert M. Kelly, was killed in Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan.Human rights groups had feared someone would be appointed to Homeland Security with a stronger anti-immigration position, such as Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who is a proponent of reinvigorating a system to track Muslims entering the United States on visas.Frank Sharry, executive director of America's Voice Education Fund, an immigrant rights advocacy group, said he was hopeful Kelly's experience in Central America would make him sympathetic to migrants fleeing violence in the region. But Sharry said he was concerned over the number of generals Trump has appointed."At times Trump's cabinet looks like a military junta. There's been a securitization of migration that is out of whack with reality," said Sharry. "But I'll take a general with knowledge of the Americas over a radical like Kobach."Kelly questioned the Pentagon's decision to allow women to serve in combat, and differed publicly with President Barack Obama over the Democrat's attempt to close the Guantanamo Bay prison."There are no innocent men down there," Kelly said of Guantanamo in a January interview with the Military Times newspaper.The Republican-controlled Senate must confirm Kelly for the Homeland Security post. (Reporting by Steve Holland and Warren Strobel; Writing by Julia Edwards Ainsley; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Alistair Bell) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Brussels: The US commitment to Nato will remain "unwavering" despite the change of administration following the election of Donald Trump as president, outgoing US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday. "The change of the administration will not change the unwavering commitment of the US to... our Nato obligations," Kerry said after talks with his Nato counterparts in Brussels. "The US commitment to Nato and Article Five transcends politics," added Kerry, referring to the military alliance's collective defence policy in which an attack on one member is an attack on all. Trump stoked concerns that Washington's near 70-year European defence guarantee might no longer hold when he said on the campaign trail he would think twice about helping Nato allies who did not pay their defence dues. His commitments particularly alarmed eastern European Nato countries that are on edge about a more assertive Moscow following Russia's annexation of Crimea and involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. But Kerry insisted that both the Trump administration and the US Congress would continue to back Nato. "I'm absolutely confident that the next administration and Congress will stand together," Kerry said in his swansong to Europe. "I am confident Article Five is not going to be held hostage to the lack of one country or other (to meet its defence spending commitments) ... Article Five is much larger, it is about principle." The top US diplomat also gave his backing to Trump's pick for defense secretary, retired general James "Mad Dog" Mattis. "I am confident in some of the people I have seen so far, General Mattis ... I am certain they will remain committed to the core components of the transatlantic alliance," Kerry said. But he insisted he had no idea of his likely successor as secretary of state. "The list of people replacing me is growing," Kerry said, with names bandied about for weeks including former Trump critic Mitt Romney, one-time CIA director David Petraeus, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker or even former UN ambassador John Bolton. Kerry meanwhile insisted that the historic nuclear deal with Iran, which Trump promised during his campaign to tear up, was worth keeping. "The Iran nuclear agreement has made the world safer," he said. Overall Kerry said that the world should wait to see what Trump actually does and "must not get all churned up over things that have not happened or appointments that have not been named." "Common sense will prevail," he added. DETROIT Michigans presidential recount suddenly became uncertain Tuesday as a state appeals court said the Green Party candidates poor showing disqualified her from seeking a second look at the votes. Meanwhile, the fate of a statewide recount push in Pennsylvania must wait at least until Friday, when a federal judge has scheduled a hearing. President-elect Donald Trump narrowly defeated Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in both states and Wisconsin, which started its recount last week. The recounts requested by Green Party candidate Jill Stein were not expected to change enough votes to overturn the result of the election. Stein, who received about 1 percent of the vote in all three states, says her intent is to verify the accuracy of the vote. She has suggested, with no evidence, that votes cast were susceptible to computer hacking. Wisconsin Trump had widened his victory margin over Clinton in Wisconsin by 146 votes, with 23 of the states 72 counties having finished their recounts as of Tuesday. In those counties, Trump gained 105 votes and Clinton dropped 41 votes. Trump defeated Clinton in Wisconsin by about 22,000 votes. A federal judge has scheduled a hearing for Friday in a lawsuit filed last week by a Trump voter and two super PACs seeking to stop the recount. Michigan A recount that started Monday might end after the state appeals court said Stein has no standing to have the votes recounted. The court said she finished fourth in the election and doesnt qualify as an aggrieved candidate under Michigan law. The court ordered the state election board to reject her recount petition. The board meets again Wednesday. Attorney General Bill Schuette said the decision means the recount must stop. But Steins attorney, Mark Brewer, insisted the recount isnt over. The ruling came a day after U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith ordered an immediate statewide recount of roughly 4.8 million ballots. Eight counties have started, including the largest, Wayne County. But Goldsmiths decision dealt with the timing of the recount, not whether Stein had standing. Trump won Michigan by about 10,700 votes over Clinton. Also Tuesday, a Republican-controlled committee in the Legislature approved a measure that would require candidates who lose by more than 5 percentage points to pay 100 percent of the estimated recount cost. The bill would apply to Stein, though Democrats questioned the legality of changing the rules in the middle of the game. Pennsylvania U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond in Philadelphia on Tuesday scheduled a hearing Friday on the request for a recount. The Republican Party and Trump warned that the case threatens Pennsylvanias ability to certify its election before the Dec. 13 federal deadline. Steins team hasnt produced evidence of hacking, but calls Pennsylvanias election system a national disgrace. Also Tuesday, Pennsylvania election officials updated the states vote count to show that Trumps lead over Clinton had shrunk to about 44,000 out of more than 6 million votes cast. That is still shy of Pennsylvanias 0.5 percent trigger for an automatic statewide recount. A state spokeswoman said 15 provisional ballots remain uncounted. Nevada A partial recount is underway in Nevada at the request of De La Fuente, who finished last with a fraction of 1 percent of the vote. He paid about $14,000 for the recount to provide what he called a counterbalance to the recounts sought by Stein. Most of the 92 precincts being re-counted are in the Las Vegas area, with eight of the precincts in four other counties. If the sample shows a discrepancy of at least 1 percent for De La Fuente or Clinton, a full recount will be launched in all 17 Nevada counties. GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here. The death knell sounding for a U.S.-led Pacific trade pact creates a vacuum that a separate Asia deal being championed by China should quickly fill, according to the Asian Development Bank. Negotiators at the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership meeting this week in Indonesia would normally hold talks without much public scrutiny. But the latest round comes after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump pledged he wont revive the alternative known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, once vaunted as the centerpiece of U.S. economic engagement in Asia. That has shifted focus to the RCEP, which would cover 30 percent of the global economy and includes China and India among its 16 country members. Trumps protectionism potentially creates a window for China, which has been vocal on the global stage in recent weeks in advocating for free trade, to push along the timetable for the RCEP and build its influence in the region. Arjun Goswami, a technical adviser with the ADBs Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department, said the timeline for the conclusion of the pact was up to the countries involved. But with the prospects of ratifying TPP now receding, there is a vacuum which RCEP should try to fill by concluding negotiations expeditiously, Goswami said in an e-mailed response to questions. Expectations are for the deal to be concluded in 2017. Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita told delegates at the RCEP meeting that recent developments with the TPP and the U.S.-European Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership had cast a shadow over world trade. Countries and businesses around the world are wondering what will be the U.S. trade posture in the next few years, he said, urging nations to wrap up the RCEP talks next year. Brexit and forthcoming elections in some European countries also created uncertainty, he said. Such developments will have detrimental impacts on global trade. While the RCEP is much more a straight up and down trade deal compared to the TPP, which would extend to subjects including intellectual property and state-owned enterprises, it does have its own sticking points. Some countries may favor greater trade and investment liberalization than others based on different levels of development, and there may be differing views on the extent of coverage of RCEP trade and investment liberalization in terms of goods and services, with the latter posing greater challenges, Goswami said. There is a slowdown in global and regional trade growth that is partly cyclical and partly structural. In addition, there is a risk of rising protectionism fueled by economic insecurity and inequality which makes it more critical to have inclusive trade and investment flows with their effective utilization by small and medium enterprises. The RCEP aims to level tariffs and rules on the regions supply chains, liberalize investment and introduce dispute-resolution mechanisms. Unlike the TPP, it would not require members to take steps to protect labor rights or improve environmental standards. Karlis Salna, Eko Listiyorini, Bloomberg The Myanmar soldiers came in the morning, the young mother says. They set fire to the concrete-and-thatch homes, forcing the villagers to cluster together. When some of her neighbors tried to escape into the fields, they were shot. After that, she says, most people stopped running away. They drove us out of our houses, men and women in separate lines, ordering us to keep our hands folded on the back of our heads, says 20-year-old Mohsena Begum, her voice choking as she described what happened to the little village of Caira Fara, which had long been home to hundreds of members of Myanmars minority Rohingya community. She said that when about 50 people had been gathered together, the soldiers, along with a group of local men, pulled four village leaders from the crowd and slit their throats. Muslims in an overwhelmingly Buddhist nation, the Rohingya have long faced persecution in Myanmar, where most are denied citizenship. The latest outbreak of violence was triggered by October attacks on guard posts near the Bangladesh border that killed nine police officers. The government, which has implied the attacks were carried out by Rohingya sympathizers, has acknowledged using helicopter gunships in support of ground troops in the sweep. While survivors and human rights groups have tracked waves of anti-Rohingya violence in recent weeks, the Myanmar government insists that stories like Begums are exaggerations. Myanmars leader, the Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, has accused the international community of stoking unrest. It doesnt help if everybody is just concentrating on the negative side of the situation, in spite of the fact that there were attacks on police outposts, she said in a recent interview on Singapores Channel News Asia. Suu Kyi, whose party took power in March after decades of military-backed rule, has been accused of not acting strongly enough to curb the violence against the more than 1 million Rohingya believed to be in the country. It helps if people recognize the difficulty and are more focused on resolving these difficulties rather than exaggerating them, so that everything seems worse than it really is, she said in the interview. But Begum says she has no need to exaggerate what happened in Caira Fara. She said that after the four leaders were killed, violence churned through the village in chaotic scenes of horror. Begums husband, a poor, illiterate farm laborer, was beaten and then murdered by having his throat slit, along with an unknown number of other villagers, she said. Their bodies were eventually driven away in a truck. She said attackers knocked her young son knocked from her grasp, then raped her. Finally, when the soldiers werent paying attention, she grabbed her son and ran into the nearby hills. After hiding for two days, her brother gave her enough money about USD38 to pay smugglers to get her and her son into Bangladesh. When Bangladeshi border guards stopped them, she began to weep. I told them I have no one to protect me there, she says, and told them: Look at my baby! He will die if I go back there.' After that, they let her pass. Some 15,000 Rohingya have arrived in Bangladesh over past month, often brought in by smugglers, according to police and intelligence officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because the government refuses to release numbers publicly. They have joined up to 500,000 undocumented Rohingya who have been living in Bangladesh after arriving from Myanmar in waves since the 1970s. Some 33,000 registered Rohingya refugees live the Coxs Bazar district. Bangladesh does not welcome Rohingya its maritime patrols sometimes turn back refugee boats full of them but it is seen as a haven compared to Myanmar. The U.N. says up 30,000 Rohingya Muslims have abandoned their homes amid the recent violence. Satellite images analyzed by the rights group Human Rights Watch show 1,250 structures destroyed in November in Rohingya villages. Osman Gani, a thin, fast-talking Arabic teacher, fled after his village, Gouzo Bil, was attacked Nov. 11. They came and killed mercilessly. They burned our homes, said Gani. No one was there to save us. He hid with his family for about a week near the village. But when searches intensified, and with soldiers targeting men, he was forced to leave Myanmar without his family. As he fled north, he used his mobile phone to film destruction in other Rohingya villages he passed through. In some, the blackened remains of what appear to be children can be seen amid the wreckage of homes. Ganis voice can be heard in some of the videos but The Associated Press could not confirm their authenticity. They [the army] oppressed us and fired at us from aircraft, Gani says. People were killed in front of my house. They chased the girls and gunned them down. And they burned many people. They burned them in front of my house. I have shot videos! he says, holding out his mobile phone to a reporter. Dont you see the charred bodies? MDT/AP Most friendless people in the world Although Rohingya a Muslim ethnic minority of about 1 million among Myanmars predominantly Buddhist 52 million people have lived in Myanmar for generations, most people in the country view them as foreign intruders from neighboring Bangladesh. Bangladesh, which hosts many Rohingya refugees, also refuses to recognize them as citizens. Most Rohingya live in western Myanmars Rakhine state, where the military has stepped up operations since November. The Rohingya are probably the most friendless people in the world. They just have no one advocating for them at all, Kitty McKinsey, a spokeswoman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, said in 2009. Thailands new king named an 11-member council of advisers yesterday, bringing in three new officials, including a former army chief and two representatives of the ruling junta. The so-called Privy Council of Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun is smaller than the 16-member council of his father, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died on October 13. The new appointments lend a more military presence to the Privy Council, said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political science professor at Chulalongkorn University, but there has been more continuity from the new line-up than anticipated. The seven advisers who were retained are an ex-bureaucrat, an ex-minister, a former prime minister, three ex-jurists and the former chief of the air force. Vajiralongkorn faces a challenged country in which democracy has struggled to take root amid frequent coups and where political factions engage in bitter battles. Philippines Probe finds police murdered mayor The Philippine governments investigation agency said yesterday it has filed murder complaints against two dozen police officers and personnel after a probe showed they shot to death a jailed town mayor linked to illegal drugs and that there was no gunbattle as claimed by the law enforcers. The National Bureau of Investigation said the Nov. 5 shooting to death of Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. and another inmate, Raul Yap, in their cells was a rubout. It said the policemen most likely put pistols and illegal drugs in their cells to justify a police raid. The findings cast a black mark on President Rodrigo Dutertes deadly anti-drug crackdown. There are suspicions that some of the more than 4,000 slain drug suspects may have been killed deliberately by law enforcers. Cambodia Drug sentences upheld for foreigners A Cambodian appeals court yesterday upheld the prison terms of a French woman, an Australian woman and a Nigerian man for trying to smuggle heroin to Australia. Judge Pol Sam Ouen said the sentences given by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court in May 2014 to then-19-year-old Frenchwoman Charlene Savarino, 41-year-old Ann Yoshe Taylor of Australia and 23-year-old Precious Chneme Nwoko of Nigeria were correct and accorded with the law. The lower court had sentenced Savarino to 25 years in prison, Taylor to 23 years and Nwoko to 27 years. Nwoko, Savarinos boyfriend, was believed to have masterminded the smuggling and asked Savarino to make the arrangements. Cambodia is not a major producer of illegal drugs but has increasingly become a smuggling transit route. The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lionel Leong, briefed representatives from the European Union on Macaos latest economic developments, including the Governments first-ever Five-Year Development Plan, according to a statement issued by the Government Information Bureau. The briefing took place in Brussels, Belgium this week during the 21st EU-Macao Joint Committee meeting, which was co-chaired by the Managing Director of the European External Action Service for Asia and the Pacific, Gunnar Wiegand and Secretary Leong. During the meeting, both sides updated each other on the latest developments of their economies and exchanged views on several issues. Topics discussed included: taxation; legal cooperation; and the Governments current procurement system. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in priority fields of mutual interest, such as legal training, interpretation and translation training, research and innovation, combating human trafficking, as well as environment protection. During the meeting, the EU and Macau representatives agreed to continue the training program in conference interpretation and translation in Chinese and Portuguese in order to meet the demand of the EU and of Macau for qualified interpreters for both languages. The two sides also agreed to strengthen exchanges by establishing a regular dialogue in order to support development of the increasing role of the EU businesses operating in Macau. Leong then briefed the EU officials about the first ever Five-Year Development Plan for Macao a blueprint for the citys socio-economic development spanning the period 2016 to 2020 inclusive. The Plan highlights the Governments administrative efforts to: achieve Macaus moderate economic diversification; position the city as a world center of tourism and leisure and as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries; and contribute to the development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. The previous EU-Macao Joint Committee meeting was held in Macau on December 5, 2015. The annual bilateral meeting is in accordance with Article 16 of the EC-Macao Trade and Co-operation Agreement, signed on 15 December 1992. Following the official visit to Brussels, Leong is now headed to Lisbon, where he is scheduled to meet with officials from the Portuguese Government. Leong will also attend events related to a memorandum of understanding on promotion of entrepreneurship and economic and business cooperation, signed in Macau during the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum Macao for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wont apologize for Japans attack when he visits the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor later this month, a government spokesman said yesterday. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said that the purpose of the upcoming visit is to pay respects for the war dead and not to offer an apology. Abe announced late Monday that he would have a summit meeting with President Barack Obama in Hawaii and visit Pearl Harbor. He will be the first Japanese leader to go to the site of the Japanese attack that propelled the United States into World War II. The unexpected announcement came two days before the 75th anniversary of the attack and six months after Obama became the first sitting American president to visit Hiroshima for victims of the U.S. atomic bombing of that city at the end of the same war. We must never repeat the tragedy of the war, Abe said. I would like to send this commitment. At the same time, I would like to send a message of reconciliation between Japan and the U.S. The White House confirmed that Obama and Abe would visit the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 27. It said the two leaders visit will showcase the power of reconciliation that has turned former adversaries into the closest of allies, united by common interests and shared values. Tsuneo Watanabe, a senior research fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, said that together with Obamas visit to Hiroshima, the Pearl Harbor visit will complete the reconciliation process and help smooth bilateral relations under any administration. Historical disputes tend to be brought up when relations become thorny [] but once you put them behind and move on, it makes a difference if there is any negative sentiment in the future, he said. MDT/AP Oil retreated from the highest close in 16 months as OPEC pumped a record amount of crude in November, partly led by members exempt from cutting output as part of last weeks deal to curb supply. Futures slid as much as 1.7 percent in New York after advancing 15 percent over the previous four sessions. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries increased production to 34.16 million barrels a day last month, according to a Bloomberg News survey, with Angola, Libya and Nigeria leading the gains. The last two arent required to reduce supply in last weeks agreement, meaning other members would have to make deeper cuts if the group is to reach its output goal. Oil is trading around USD51 a barrel after OPEC agreed to trim the groups output by 1.2 million barrels a day from January to stem a supply glut and buoy prices. Russia which isnt part of the bloc has also pledged a reduction of as much as 300,000 barrels. Attention is now shifting to which other non-OPEC producers will reduce output when they meet in Vienna on Saturday. OPEC is hoping they will cut a further 300,000 barrels a day. The market is taking a breather; it has moved up strongly on sentiment after the OPEC cut announcement, Bjarne Schieldrop, chief commodities analyst at SEB Markets in Oslo, said by phone. The increase in production from Nigeria and Libya will be a headache and Schieldrop expects OPEC will cut back to 33 million barrels a day rather than its stated target of 32.5 million. West Texas Intermediate for January delivery lost as much as 87 cents to $50.92 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, and was at $51.15 at 7:55 a.m. local time. The contract rose 0.2 percent to $51.79 on Monday, the highest close since July 2015. Total volume traded was about 35 percent above the 100-day average. Brent for February settlement lost as much as 62 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $54.32 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The contract on Monday gained 48 cents to $54.94, also the highest close since July 2015. The global benchmark crude traded at a $2.27 premium to February WTI. See also: Saudi Arabia switches OPEC tack with eye on worlds largest IPO Other invitees to the meeting on Saturday include Oman, Bahrain, Colombia, Egypt, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Brunei. Altogether, the 14 nations pumped about 18.8 million barrels a day of oil last year, equivalent to 20 percent of global supply, according to data from BP Plc. Bloomberg Polands Supreme Court yesterday confirmed that the country would refuse to detain and extradite filmmaker Roman Polanski to the U.S. The ruling upholds the decision of a lower court that was challenged by the justice minister, and closes the matter in Poland. Game over, said Jan Olszewski, one of Polanskis lawyers. The case is definitively closed. We won in a fair struggle. We feel satisfaction. Polanski, 83, is wanted in the U.S. in a case involving sex with a minor that has haunted him for almost 40 years. He is subject to an Interpol warrant in 188 countries. He has avoided extradition by traveling only between three countries. He lives in France, where he was born, and also has a home in Switzerland, which in 2011 rejected a U.S. request to extradite him. He has often visited Poland, where he survived the Holocaust, grew up and studied at a film academy. Polands three-judge panel rejected a request by Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro to overturn the extradition refusal, and upheld the decision made by a lower court in Krakow in 2015. Ziobro said yesterday that he accepted and respected the courts ruling but also insisted that proceedings concerning the sexual abuse of minors should be enforced consistently regardless of who committed the crime or when. Polanski pleaded guilty in 1977 to one count of unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl during a photo shoot in Los Angeles. In exchange, the judge agreed to drop other charges and sentenced him to prison for a psychiatric evaluation. Polanski was released after 42 days by an evaluator who deemed him mentally sound and unlikely to offend again. The judge then said he was going to send Polanski back to prison for the remainder of the 90 days and that afterward he would ask Polanski to agree to a voluntary deportation. Polanski fled from the United States before he was sentenced. The U.S., which has been seeking to bring Polanski back before a court, asked Poland last year to extradite him. Olszewski said Polanski has paid dearly for what he has done, with all the films that he was not able to make in Hollywood and the 40 years of stigma. Polanski was preparing to make a film in Poland, but transferred it to France after Ziobros move. His lawyers said this was also the reason why Polanski did not travel to Poland to attend the funeral of another leading film director, Andrzej Wajda, in October. Polanski will not comment on the decision, his lawyer in France, Herve Termime, told The Associated Press. The justice minister revived the case in May, months after the conservative government took office. Ziobro argued that Polanski should be punished and that his celebrity status was the only thing shielding the Oscar-winning director from being extradited. The lower court had argued that Polanski had served over 350 days of prison terms and house arrest in the U.S and Switzerland, which was more than the original U.S. verdict. It also said he would probably not get a fair trial in the U.S. if he were extradited. Polanski won an Academy Award for best director for his 2002 film The Pianist, which he filmed in Warsaw, but he did not travel to the U.S. for the ceremony. He was nominated for his 1970s movies Chinatown and Tess. Monika Scislowska, Warsaw During the second day of the Legislative Assembly (AL) plenary meeting, lawmakers major concern was Macaus real estate market, namely housing quality, public housing and land laws. The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raimundo do Rosario, together with directors from bureaus under his administration, took questions from lawmakers such as Lei Cheng I, Leong Veng Chai and Gabriel Tong. Lei Cheng I took a critical stance, stating that the government emphasizes Macaus housing policies, [but] it cannot even talk about full housing policies. Lei pointed out that the number of the public housing units that the government currently provides are a means of paying for its old debts. The lawmaker also pointed out that Macaus construction laws need to be modified to extend constructors responsibility for maintaining the structures they build. Rosario said that the government will prioritize public housing projects at Avenida Wai Long and Avenida de Venceslau de Morais. The Director of the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT), Li Can Feng, responded by claiming that the DSSOPT will redouble its efforts in its work concerning housing quality. Li added that the public works authorities have already modified Macaus construction chapters, and that the departments are seeking opinions from individuals in related industries. Leong Veng Chai, who questioned Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Alexis Tam about whether the government will build properties specifically for civil servants, addressed Rosario with the same question. Rosario said that there have been no apparent problems regarding the construction of apartments for civil servants. However, Leong questioned again if the government will reserve lands specifically for these buildings. Rosario stated that there are no reserved lands. Gabriel Tong considered the Pearl Horizon problem to be a serious political incident in need of discussion. If a project can be approved for selling [] but then halfway, the land and the buildings must be returned [to the government], dont you think there are conflicts in the system? he asked. Rosarios response to Tong was that the citys land law is written down and as such, I have no other ways. Zheng An Ting, who questioned all secretaries regarding Tongs same concern about Pearl Horizon, suggested that the government needs to organize a team of lawmakers who participated in the formation of Macaus past land laws, as well as government representatives. In his words, this team needs to explain to the public the details of how Macaus land laws were passed in the past, and to publicize records of the session when the land laws were passed. Zheng even said, Lawmaker Chan Meng Kam did not ask me to say that. Ho Ion Sang expects the government to build houses on lands that the government owns and recommended that these be put on public tender next year, with prices that are affordable for the general public. Julie Zhu Transportation to worsen in 2017 Raimundo do Rosario said that road projects in 2017 might worsen the citys transportation issues. The secretary added that the Transport Bureau (DSAT) and several public service organizations will co-organize a press conference to announce further details on the topic. Rosario also revealed that most of next years road projects will be under CEM control. Construction waste landfill casts safety concerns Lei Cheng I criticized the Macau governments failure over environment protection policies, pointing out that even though a construction waste management system has been under discussion for many years, the system has not yet been implemented. She noted that many of Macaus development projects involve environmental protection controversies. Lei suggested the establishment of clear definition and division of areas which should be under protection. The Director of the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT), Li Can Feng, replied that Macau currently has laws and regulations regarding the environmental protection of mountains. He exemplified his point with Ilha Verde, a fully protected zone. Mountains in Coloane that are taller than 80 meters are also protected. The director said that Macau listed 190,000 square meters of protected zones in Coloane back in the 1980s. Environmental Protection Bureau Director Tam Vai Man has pledged that the department will move faster in regards to construction waste management policies, and expressed hopes that legal drafts on the issue can enter legislative procedures as soon as possible. At the AL plenary meeting on Monday, Raimundo do Rosario also admitted that construction waste landfills in Taipa have grown 2.5 meters since he took his position. I have been saying that there will be problems sooner or later, warned Rosario. The secretary believes that once the landfill collapses, the Macau International Airport will be affected. Director Tam Wai Man also said his department is collaborating with the public works authority to draft instructions for environmentally friendly construction, and expects to add eco-friendly elements to future government building construction. Rueibin Chen, a Taiwanese pianist, who performed at the 2010 World Expo in China, started his career as a child prodigy and concert pianist at age ten when he made his debut with the Taipei Symphony Orchestra. Following that, he was named the Principal Soloist of Moldova Iasi and Tirgu Mures Philharmonic Orchestra in Romania. In 2014, he was invited to perform with Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, which is the biggest outdoor venue in the U.S. A Chinese Austrian born in Taiwan, Chen won a total of eighteen medals, including five gold medals, which were won before he was 20, in various international piano competitions in Tel Aviv (Rubinstein), Warsaw (Chopin), Salt Lake City (Bachauer), Athens (Callas), Vienna, Manresa, and Italy (Rome, Rachmaninoff, Bellini, and Stresa) to name just a few. Heres what he told the Times: Macau Daily Times (MDT) What is your schedule looking like for this coming year? Rueibin Chen (RC) Currently, I am having events in Hong Kong. When I go to Hong Kong, it is not a must for me to go to Macau. In January, I will go to the United States to perform. I like Macau too much. I think Macau has a more mixed culture when compared to Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China. People in Macau, since ancient times, speak good Mandarin. MDT Which regions or countries leave you the most memorable experiences? RC I have performed in many eastern European countries, including Romania and Ukraine. Looking at them, their economy is not that good, but peoples participation in culture is high. I was once performing in Israel, and I won a prize. What I am very impressed about is not that I won a prize, but the person who delivered the prize to me. It was Yitzhak Rabin. Back in that time, he had just won the Nobel Peace Prize. Several months after I received the prize from his hands, he was assassinated. MDT Besides your performances, what have you been interested in working for in terms of music? RC I not only play Western music, but I am very focused on the communication between Western and Eastern music. Two years ago, I organized a symphony, which mixed traditional Chinese instruments and piano. First, many of our generation, of the next generation and of the one after are getting Western musical education. Many [aspects] of Chinese culture are good and very beautiful, but Chinese [people and the artists] maybe they have forgotten and they dont know. When I was promoting our culture in the West, in the US, actually, people there like [our Eastern culture] very much. I will continue to promote the combination between the West and the East. These are my own cultures. I wish that, within my ability, I can promote them at a global scale. MDT As a Taiwanese pianist, how are you handling the relationships between people from Taiwan and China? RC I want to talk about this topic. If I am not wrong, I might be the musician, who was born in Taiwan, who showed up the most times in both sides for big celebrations. I played in the World Expo in Shanghai, Macaus handover anniversary ceremony, Beijing International Film Festival, and I also played in the office of the President in Taiwan. I think music is not just only about no borders, but it is without boundaries. If I can, I am willing to continue promoting musical communication between both sides. MDT Will you focus more on Chinese communities and on this part of the world in your future? RC If time allows me, I am very willing to spend more time here. In Macau, I have performed several times. My second language is German. As to the cultures from Europe, I am very willing to bring them back here [Asia]. MDT Nowadays, how do you see Chinese students studying music, in particular their way of learning it? RC The parents should communicate more with children in terms of music, but not make it [instrument learning] a priority for students. Its not that the students must reach a certain level or must win certain prizes. I have seen many examples of children who gave up learning it. They cant handle the pressure. [Not only in mainland China], but in Chinese communities and Chinese culture. Talking from my own experience, [] I chose playing music as my career. I dont think I am a pianist, I am a music lover. That makes me have no concerns so that I can keep on doing my job and like my performance. The west European musicians are the same as me, their parents did not supervise them. In the end, it is the [musicians] own choice. Therefore, when they are performing, you can see that they have many different ideas, maybe everyone plays differently. Probably Chinese musicians, are seriously depending on the teachers and the parents. In the end, you can see that their skills are very good, but they are like coming from a mold. On the good side, you have people supervising you. But as an artist, the society might hope to see something different. South Korean President Park Geun-hye is willing to calmly accept the outcome if the opposition-controlled parliament votes for her impeachment this week, but prefers to resign on her own terms, lawmakers from her party said yesterday. Chung Jin Suk, floor leader of the conservative ruling party, said after an hour-long meeting with Park that she was willing to accept a now-withdrawn proposal by the party for her to voluntarily step down in April to set up a presidential election in June. If lawmakers vote to impeach her, Park said she would make every available effort to prepare for a court process that would determine whether she would be formally removed, according to Chung. The partys chairman, Lee Jung Hyun, who also attended the meeting, said it seemed that Park was hoping lawmakers would accept her resignation rather than push ahead with an attempt to impeach her. Park has been accused by state prosecutors of helping a close confidante extort money and favors from large companies and manipulate state affairs. On Saturday, opposition lawmakers registered an impeachment bill for Park to set up a floor vote that could take place as early as Friday. If the bill goes through, Park would be suspended as president but not yet removed. Her duties would be temporarily transferred to the prime minister while the countrys Constitutional Court reviews whether her impeachment could be constitutionally justified. Following a conditional offer by Park to leave office last week, a group of anti-Park lawmakers in the ruling party called for her to announce by today that she will step down voluntarily in April. However, they changed their stance after millions of people rallied across the country over the weekend calling for Parks removal. The ruling party lawmakers said on Monday that about 35-40 of them will vote on Friday to impeach Park regardless of whether she promises to quit. Park said she was ready to calmly move ahead for the state and the people and to see what happens with the Constitutional Court if lawmakers vote to impeach her, Chung said. The impeachment bill needs the support of at least 200 lawmakers from the 300-seat parliament to pass. If it passes, the Constitutional Court would be required to rule within 180 days. If six of the courts nine justices support the impeachment, Park will be officially removed from office. The country then has to hold a presidential election within 60 days. Kim Tong-hyung, Seoul, AP The first 120 troops of a 700-member Chinese U.N. peacekeeping force have departed for South Sudan, deepening Chinas commitment to the troubled East African nation, where two of its peacekeepers were killed in fighting over the summer. The new troops are part of the third Chinese battalion to be sent to South Sudan to protect civilians, U.N. staff and humanitarian workers, and to conduct patrols and provide security escorts. South Sudan has seen continuous fighting since its civil war broke out in December 2013. The more than 12,000 U.N. peacekeepers already in the country have been criticized for failing to protect civilians. China was an early investor in the new states energy sector, but fighting and corruption have largely prevented it from reaping any benefits. In July, two Chinese peacekeepers died and five others were wounded after their vehicle was struck with a rocket-propelled grenade as fighting swept the capital, Juba. China has maximized publicity of its contribution to U.N. peacekeeping as part of its push to raise its international profile. China is now the biggest contributor of peacekeepers among the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, with 2,639 currently deployed on six missions, mostly assigned to medical, engineering and transport duties. Yet in actual terms, that still leaves China ranked 12th overall among nations that have contributed peacekeepers, led by Ethiopia, India and Pakistan. In total, China contributes about 3 percent of total U.N. peacekeeping forces. In South Sudan, Chinese forces make up less than 10 percent of the total. Chinese peacekeepers also make up only a tiny fraction of the Peoples Liberation Armys 2.3 million personnel. In a high-profile announcement at the U.N. General Assembly last year, President Xi Jinping said that China would also set up a permanent peacekeeping standby force of 8,000 troops to be deployed whenever necessary. No details were given on the makeup and mission of that force, and there has been no word on whether it has been established yet. AP Egypt and China signed a currency-swap deal for about USD2.6 billion, allowing the North African nation to shore up foreign reserves after floating its currency last month. The countries central banks signed the 3-year swap agreement for 18 billion yuan against the equivalent in Egyptian pounds. The transaction can be extended, the Chinese regulator said. The swap complements a series of measures taken which aim to unleash the vast potential of the Egyptian economy and instill confidence by bolstering economic activity, Egypts central bank said in a statement. Propping up Egypts reserves is a major aim of the government, which floated the pound last month to end a crippling foreign currency crisis. Having fallen to about half their value in the years after the 2011 ouster of longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak, reserves reached their highest level in more than five years in November. The Egyptian pound strengthened 0.7 percent this week, trading at 17.55 per dollar at 11:00 a.m. in Cairo according to data from National Bank of Egypt. It had lost about 50 percent of its value following the Nov. 3 flotation. The swap is part of the bilateral support Egypt secured to conclude a $12 billion International Monetary Fund loan deal last month. Ahmed Feteha, Bloomberg CHINA-SOUTH SUDAN The first 120 troops of a 700-member Chinese U.N. peacekeeping force depart for South Sudan, deepening Chinas commitment to the troubled East African nation, where two of its peacekeepers were killed in fighting over the summer. PHILIPPINES A survey conducted by UNICEF and the Philippine government has found a high prevalence of violence against Filipino children, with eight out of ten suffering some form of physical or psychological abuse. The two organizations said yesterday that their first nationwide survey of children and youth aged 13-24 also found one in five respondents had been sexually violated. Indonesia strengthens its moratorium on converting peat swamps to plantations in a move a conservation research group says will help prevent annual fires and substantially cut the countrys carbon emissions if properly implemented. THAILAND Thailands new king names an 11-member council of advisers, bringing in three new officials, including a former army chief and two representatives of the ruling junta. SOUTH KOREA President Park Geun-hye is willing to calmly accept the outcome if the opposition-controlled parliament votes for her impeachment this week, but prefers to resign on her own terms, lawmakers from her party say. IRAN-SAUDI ARABIA A court in Saudi Arabia yesterday sentenced 15 people to death and several others to prison terms in a case involving an alleged Iranian spy cell, a sign of the continuing tension between the two Mideast powers. IRAQ The Iraqi army yesterday pushed into another neighborhood held by the Islamic State group on the southeastern edge of Mosul, according to a military statement and Iraqi commanders on the ground. ALBANIA A European security organization says it has helped Albanias army dispose of 140 metric tons of hazardous military chemicals, which are ready to be taken by ship to France for destruction. GERMANY Chancellor Angela Merkel has won a new two-year term as leader of Germanys main conservative party. Merkel ran unopposed yesterday for the leadership of the Christian Democratic Union the springboard for her run for a fourth term as chancellor in next years German election. She won 89.5 percent of delegates votes, short of the 96.7 percent she won two years ago. WASHINGTON Boise fifth-grader Isabella Gerard flipped the switch on the Capitol tree Tuesday, lighting an 80-foot Engelmann spruce from Idahos Payette National Forest. Isabella, whos 10 years old and attends St. Marys Catholic School in Boise, arrived in Washington on Friday, making her first trip to the city with her parents Josh and Annalyn, sister, grandparents, aunt, uncle and three cousins. Her itinerary included visits to the White House and Smithsonian museums and a tour of the monuments. Isabella's poem Pristine Idaho Mountains was chosen as part of a statewide contest sponsored by Choose Outdoors, Alaska Airlines and other sponsors. Idaho State Police Trooper Brandalyn Crapo, who suffered injuries in an accident while leading the convoy moving the tree in Idaho, also attended. Pristine Idaho Mountains by Isabella Gerard: Idaho is blessed with beautiful mountains and immense forests. In the winter the mountains and forests are covered with snow, making the landscape look like never ending clouds with skyscrapers covered in snow. Big tall trees. Beautiful to look at. Amazing to see. Pristine mountains. As I sit in the forest I find peace. As the wind blows through the tall ponderosa pines I feel a sense of solitude and peacefulness. To someone that has never been in an Idaho forest, it is hard to understand the size and beauty. If only you could be here looking at these beautiful Idaho scenes. TWIN FALLS The future of some ranchland along the canyon rim near Buhl could be determined later this month. Barrett McClure of Jerome used to graze cattle on the property, but for the past couple of years has hosted summer music festivals in an outdoor amphitheater first Ponderosa Paradise Music Festival in 2015 and then Konnexion Music Festival in 2016. In hopes of attracting people to the area, hes asked the county to approve a rezone for a recreational overlay district that will allow him to host concerts regularly. But neighbors say more concerts would be destructive to their way of life. The Twin Falls County Commission heard more testimony at its meeting last week, and it is expected to make a decision at 10 a.m. Dec. 16. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommends denying the request. The issue has gotten attorneys involved on both sides. We just took public input (Friday) and had the attorneys present their case, Commissioner Terry Kramer told the Times-News. After 42 people signed up to speak, and the commission received a flood of written comments and information, Kramer said making a decision without time to review testimony wouldnt do the issue justice. Typically, the commission would make a decision on something like this within five working days, he said. Because this is a controversial issue, we set a date, he said. Ted Larsen, representing Barrett McClure, argues the proposed rezone is consistent with the countys comprehensive plan promoting tourism and recreation while preserving the canyon rims beauty. He does not think homeowners complaints are enough to prove adverse impact by the rezone. We also advised them that we thought the law allowed them to conditionally rezone, Larsen said. By doing so, the Twin Falls County Commission could grant a recreational overlay rezone but require a special use permit to be obtained first. Larsen said concerns about noise could be mitigated during that permit process. Thats where I think those comments are appropriate, he said. Attorney Jeff Rolig was approached by several neighbors to present a unified statement for their objection, he said. Neighbors said loud electric music with high levels of bass could be felt on River Road directly below the outdoor amphitheater during this summers Konnexion Music Festival. These shows will last for two to three days at a time with music playing all night, Rolig told the Times-News. The neighbors are not looking forward to that kind of gathering right next to their residential development. Besides the noise, some homeowners said they werent contacted in writing about the music festivals as they should have been. We dont have a great track record (with) these people or their concert promoters doing what theyre supposed to anyway, Rolig said. A recreational overlay district is already in place in the residential subdivision. However, Rolig said, he does not believe property owners would not push for uses that arent consistent with the neighborhood. Its obvious that this particular use doesnt fit, he said. Kramer said that no more testimony or comment will be taken prior to the commission making its decision. Both Larsen and Rolig were hesitant to say whether they would appeal the decision to the district court were it not to go in their clients favor. We would certainly look really closely at that, Rolig said. Larsen said that if the rezone were denied, he would have to examine the commissions reasons. BURLEY A man who fractured the skull of a 3-month-old baby in his care is out from behind bars after completing a prison training program. Clayton Craig Garro, 38, was released Tuesday with a sentence of seven years of probation after a Cassia County court reviewed his exemplary behavior during the Idaho Department of Corrections Retained Jurisdictions program. He entered an Alford plea in an agreement with the state, which means he did not admit to all the elements of the charge but acknowledges there was enough evidence to convict him. Garro was charged in March 2015 after the babys broken skull caused brain bleeding. During the Tuesday hearing, Fifth District Judge Michael Crabtree asked Garro what part of the program was beneficial to him. Anger management and communication skills for me, Garro said. He said he also learned how to live and enjoy life without the use of drugs and alcohol. The mother of the child told police Garro was sleeping on her couch in exchange for watching her baby. Garro told police he was carrying the child when he saw someone sitting on the couch, and when he went to confront the person he tripped over a vacuum cleaner cord and fell on the baby. He later changed his story, saying the babys face was misshapen when he changed her clothes. He later changed his story again, saying he saw the mother shaking the baby. Garros attorney, Paul Ross, said the report from the Department of Correction said Garro was awarded many special benefits for good behavior during the treatment program, including getting to watch movies. He spent more than 100 hours volunteering. It shows his willingness in moving forward, Ross said. The attorney said he cautioned Garro about the difficulties he may encounter back in society. Hes made great progress, Ross said, and his future looks bright. BURLEY A man once deemed too mentally incompetent to stand trial could now spend the rest of his life in prison for his wifes murder. Thirty-one days shy of being in jail for five years, Jose Antonio Lara, 34, was sentenced Tuesday to up to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 18 years. Joann Lara was a mother of two, a daughter, a sister and a wife, Cassia County District Judge Michael Crabtree said during the hearing. Lara was charged with second-degree murder in January 2012 after police said he strangled his wife with a belt in the couples home. Her husband committed that act, Crabtree said. This is indeed a grave, serious and, in my mind, intentional crime that takes prolonged effort and is hard to accomplish. Lara has spent the past four years in jail while attorneys asked for delays in the case and his mental competency was questioned. His attorneys have described him as childlike, difficult to communicate with and possessing the mental capacity of a third- or fourth-grader. Tuesday, an attorney put Laras IQ at 65. Crabtree reviewed Laras original confession after his arrest, and the judge said he was lucid and was clearly understanding what he was saying and clearly describing what happened. Lara was found incompetent to assist in his own defense at trial in 2012 and was taken into state custody until his competency was restored. A Cassia County court reversed the decision in 2013 after a hearing where officials testified he was providing incorrect responses to tests and exaggerating his disabilities. Officials said there were discrepancies in Laras IQ test and he was not putting in effort at classes aimed at restoring his competency. Laras attorney, Clayne Zollinger, said it was hard for him to reconcile what he sees in Lara today with him just putting on a show. His client, he said, has no history of violence, criminal behavior or drug abuse. I think this case has taken such a long and winding road, the attorney said, but I think we know as much as we will know. Under a plea agreement, the state amended a first-degree murder charge to second degree in exchange for a guilty plea. It is clear that Lara has diminished cognitive abilities, which complicated the case, Cassia County Prosecutor Doug Abenroth said. He knew what he was doing, and the pressure (he applied) lasted a matter of minutes, Abenroth said of the strangling. There was some indication that Lara and his wife were involved in an argument when he strangled her and that emotions were running high, Abenroth said. But, he said, that does not warrant murder. That being said, we have a loss of human life here, Abenroth said. Crabtree said evaluations on Lara showed he has a low risk to reoffend and evaluators offered no treatment recommendations in regards to mental health although Lara suffers from moderate intellectual impairment. A sentence less than 18 years to life would diminish the severity of the crime, the judge said. Its important for the community to understand and be aware of the penalty for second-degree murder, he said. Crabtree awarded each of Laras two children a civil penalty in the amount of $5,000. BURLEY With his eyes downcast, Dustin Penrod took his wallet out of his pocket and removed his personal belongings before he was taken into custody. A Cassia County judge sentenced him Tuesday to 10 years in prison. He could be paroled in three years. Under an agreement with the state, Penrod, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child for his possession of an image of an unknown 6- or 7-year-old girl. The state dropped two other counts of sexual exploitation of a child in return. Hell serve his time in the Idaho Department of Correction Retained Jurisdiction program, which aims to help rehabilitate offenders through training. Penrod was charged in March after local officials received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that he had downloaded child pornography on his computer. Officials found images of sexually explicit images of nude children and recovered chat conversations showing Penrod, of Declo, had a preference for pornographic material depicting 4-year-old children. Penrods attorney, Robert Nielsen, said there were no victims in the case. Not so, said Cassia County Deputy Prosecutor McCord Larsen I heartily disagree, the prosecutor said. Those children were all victims. According to prosecutors, Penrod admitted that there were 50 videos of children under the age of 10 and that he had probably watched them all. He doesnt think he has a problem with child pornography and that he has it under control, Larsen said. Larsen said Penrod needs help and punishment. Nielsen, the defense attorney, later said his statement regarding victims was not so artful, but he meant that Penrod did not have direct contact with any of the children portrayed in the images. Nielsen said Penrod has good support in the community, cooperated fully with investigators, has taken steps to obtain treatment and has a good chance at rehabilitation. Im sorry that I hurt everyone that I care about, Penrod said. Im ashamed. I dont know what else to say. Nielsen asked the court to suspend the sentence and place Penrod on probation. Cassia County District Judge Michael Crabtree said child pornography is horrific and the only way the industry survives is through demand and access to it by others. I understand that you didnt have direct physical contact with the child and didnt take the photos, Crabtree said. But, he said, Penrod did make the decision to participate. People in the community, state and country that engage in this type of conduct must be made aware of the consequences, the judge said. HAILEY Nearly three years after Steven Romanchuks wife reported him missing, the man who says he killed Romanchuk in self-defense and then kept the slaying a secret for four months was sentenced Tuesday to seven to 10 years in prison. But Keith Eric Blankenship, 52, was not sentenced for killing Romanchuk prosecutors in September dropped a second-degree murder charge against him for a lack of evidence. Instead, he was sentenced for failing to report Romanchuks death, a crime that carried a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. District Judge Jonathan Brody imposed that maximum with eligibility for parole after seven years, and credit for time served in county jail. Blankenship, who has already been in county jails 938 days, or more than 2 years, will be eligible for parole in May 2021. This case is not about what happened leading to the death of Steve Romanchuk, Blaine County Deputy Prosecutor Matt Fredback said during Tuesdays sentencing. That, we will never know. Instead, Fredback explained, Blankenship pleaded guilty to a crime that prevented anyone but him from ever knowing what happened to the 47-year-old Romanchuk the day he went missing Jan. 15, 2014. The defendant had 120 days to eliminate, conceal and destroy evidence, Fredback argued Tuesday. We dont know what happened to Mr. Romanchuks phone, the gun, his truck, and most of all, his body The public is deserving of justice, not because the defendant killed Mr. Romanchuk, but because he prevented us from knowing the circumstances of how Mr. Romanchuk was killed. Fredback said by the time Romanchuks body was found buried in a shallow grave in Blankenships yard he turned himself in May 14, 2014, four months after Romanchuk was reported missing it was badly decomposed and had been scavenged by animals. The decomposed body made it impossible to prove the angle at which five bullets entered his body or to test his hands for gunshot residue to determine if Romanchuk did indeed fire the first shot, as Blankenships attorney claimed. The defendant cleaned up the mess, read books, watched movies and drank beer while the community worried about Steve Romanchuk, Fredback said. Blaine County Chief Public Defender Keith Roark told a different story, pointing out that while Fredback seemed to imply Blankenship hid the evidence of a murder, Blankenship in fact hurt his own self-defense claim by failing to report Romanchuks death. During an April trial, Roark argued Blankenship killed Romanchuk in self-defense when, several days after he was reported missing, Romanchuk showed up in a rage, wielding a handgun, and accused Blankenship of sleeping with his wife. Roark told the jury in April that Romanchuk barged in and fired one shot, sparking a struggle for the gun that ended with Blankenship grabbing it, killing Romanchuk in self-defense and then destroying evidence while in shock and under suspicion authorities wouldnt believe his story. Indeed, society was deprived of knowledge and possible justice, Roark said Tuesday. But Mr. Blankenship also deprived himself a jury would have found it was self-defense. But the jury never got a chance to hear all the evidence. Instead, Brody declared a mistrial during questioning of the first of 37 potential witnesses when Romanchuks widow, Lauraine Phillips, accused Blankenship of committing a different crime, introducing evidence that would have biased the jury. Tuesdays sentencing ultimately had nothing to do with the killing itself and instead centered on Blankenship hiding the body and waiting about 120 days to report the death. Fredback argued for the seven-to-10-year sentence because the crime prevented the state from investigating the death and finding out what happened. Roark argued 2 years spent in the Blaine County Jail was plenty of punishment already. Mr. Fredback speaks as if my client has been out on bail, sailing in the Bahamas, Roark said. When in fact hes been in the county jail since the day he turned himself in. Blankenship, handcuffed and dressed in a light gray sweatshirt over an orange jumpsuit, stood and apologized to Romanchuks family when given his chance to speak. I never meant to hurt Mr. Romanchuk or anyone else, Blankenship said. I defended myself. And then after, in shock and panic, I made a horrible mistake Ive regretted ever since. Blankenship also apologized to his parents and son, who he said were in attendance, and asked the judge for a chance to put his life back together. Its a life that was marred by violence at a very early age, Fredback revealed Tuesday. He said that the presentence investigation showed that in 1997, when Blankenship was about 12, he witnessed his sister and another man killed and his stepfather walked out into the desert and killed himself. Roark acknowledged the incident and said it was no wonder Blankenship would have lingering mental issues, and Brody also acknowledged the horrific incident. But the judge said it should have served as a warning to Blankenship about the value of human life. Brody, after taking more than 30 minutes in chambers to make a sentencing decision, spoke at length about self-defense and the right each human has to defend oneself. But when someone is killed in self-defense, he said, there are certain steps that must be taken that Blankenship did not take. The judge said the severe consequences of the case and the need to protect society factored into the lengthy sentence, as well as the harm caused to Romanchuks widow. She not only had to deal with the trauma of losing someone, Brody said, but also the trauma of not knowing. TWIN FALLS What started as a school project could lead to real change for the animals of Twin Falls and the people who might abuse them. Every year, students at elementary and middle schools who are on teams that enter the FIRST Lego League competition research a real-world problem and try to develop a solution for it. This year, the theme was helping our animal allies. So the students on Vera C. OLeary Middle Schools Tesla Volts robotics team decided to focus on local animal cruelty laws. We felt it could be a really helpful impact for Twin Falls if we could change the law, student Eric Price said. So they started to research the situation in Twin Falls. Using public records, they found out there were 3,231 calls to animal control in Twin Falls in 2015, and 2,900 through the end of October in 2016. They talked to an animal control officer, to a veterinarian, and to City Councilman Chris Talkington. They found out 13 cases of animal cruelty have been reported this year, more than twice the number as last year. The team was surprised to find that, under current city code, cruelty to animals is an infraction punishable by a $100 fine, no matter how severe it is or how many times youve been convicted in the past. Sometimes, its that bad that it should be more, but its not going to be, Caden Brusik said. The students found out that most animal cruelty reports involve animals that are starving or are left in vehicles during the summer. So, they created stickers reminding people not to leave their pets in hot cars and held a pet food drive, donating it to the food pantry at the Magic Valley Humane Society. We almost filled up the back of a truck, Cole Kelley said. They also got more than 150 of their fellow students and other community members to sign a petition calling for a stricter law. Last week, the students came to the City Council to urge them to adopt a stricter animal cruelty law like the one in Ketchum. There, a first offense is punishable by a fine of $100 to $5,000 and/or up to six months in jail. A second offense within 10 years, under the Ketchum code the students are proposing Twin Falls adopt, is punishable by a fine of $200 to $7,000 and/or up to nine months in jail, and a third offense within 15 years by a fine of $500 to $9,000 and/or up to a year in jail. From Jan. 1, 2013 until Wednesday, nine people have been arrested or cited for cruelty to animals, some under the citys ordinance and some under the states animal cruelty law, Twin Falls police Lt. Terry Thueson said. City staff is researching animal cruelty law now and will come back, likely after Christmas, with some more information about how to move forward, Mayor Shawn Barigar said. One concern City Attorney Fritz Wonderlich brought up at last weeks meeting is that these stricter penalties would increase it from an infraction to a misdemeanor the current $100 fine is the most a city in Idaho can impose for an infraction which would mean, unlike with an infraction, offenders would have the right to a jury trial and to a public defender, increasing the cost of prosecution. City Councilman Greg Lanting suggested leaving a first offense an infraction, as it is now, but increasing subsequent offenses to misdemeanors with stricter penalties. Barigar said he was surprised at some of what the kids told them. He didnt know that the penalties in the citys ordinance stay the same even for multiple offenses, and he was also a bit surprised about the number of cases the city has seen. I imagine well have a little deeper conversation when that information comes back from Fritz, he said. The students said they were pleasantly surprised with their reception by the Council, and by the fact that the Council appears to be considering what they suggested and took seriously the ideas being put forth by a group of middle school students. They actually thought about it, Brusik said. Their project is one of three things the team will be judged on at the regional FIRST Lego League competition, which is being held at the school on Saturday. The others are the performance of their robot and how well the team works together and demonstrates FLLs core values. Alan E. Patterson, 84, a Gooding resident, passed away on Monday, December 5, 2016 at his home in Gooding. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced by Demaray Funeral Service Gooding Chapel. Jimmie Lawrence Carter, 88-year-old Elba resident, passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at Hiland Estates assisted living in Burley. Services are pending and will be announced by Morrison Funeral Home 188 South Hwy 24 in Rupert. Bernard Chapman, 85, of Twin Falls, died December 06, 2016 St Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center, Twin Falls, Idaho. Arrangements are under the care of Parkes Magic Valley Funeral Home. Darlene Jacobson, 82, a resident of Gooding, passed away on Monday, December 5, 2016 at St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center in Twin Falls. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced under the direction of Demaray Funeral ServiceGooding Chapel. BOISE Museum board president and director Phillip Thompson said he found the racial slur written on the roof of the Idaho Black History Museums storage shed early Wednesday, as he was grabbing his computer from the museum on his way to a meeting. I kind of chuckled and took a picture to send to the masses, said Thompson, who shared photos on the museums Facebook page. Apropos of the current racial climate, he wrote on the post, which had been shared almost 100 times as of late Wednesday morning. Thompson said he left the slur carved into the inch of snow on the sheds roof. Me cleaning it up, wiping it up, serves no purpose, he said. You cant run from it, hide from it and be fearful. He said when his mother, state Rep. Cherie Buckner-Webb, was a child growing up in Boise, the family had a cross burned on their yard. His grandmother left the cross there. Thompson said he thinks the act is a microcosm of what were going through as a country, but not necessarily a representation of Boise, which he calls the greatest place on the planet. Its not indicative of Boise. Its indicative of some (expletive) walking by who decided to share his opinion, Thompson said. Thompson said he was surprised but not shocked by the occurrence. He said following President Barack Obamas election in 2008, he found claims of a post-racial America misleading. I thought it was asinine, he explained. That doesnt erase 400 years of racial oppression. The 2016 election, Thompson said, saw a populist push that he thinks is a direct result of people not being comfortable with previous elections. According to Thompson, the last instance of vandalism at the museum was a swastika carved into the door about 15 years ago. The museum, located in Julia Davis Park, regularly hosts community events in addition to chronicling Idahos black history. Thompson said its next event is a know your rights discussion with the ACLU on Monday at 7 p.m. TWIN FALLS The Twin Falls Sheriffs Office has released a description of a suspect in last weeks shooting south of Twin Falls. Cheyann Mardell-Evans was shot at 9:30 p.m. Nov. 27 outside her home at 2710 E. 3700 N., about a half-mile west of Grandview Drive South, Lori Stewart, spokeswoman for the Sheriffs Office, said in a statement. The suspect is male, about six feet tall with a medium build. He is described as having a distinct, protruding forehead and dark eyebrows. He was wearing dark clothing and a ski mask that covered the lower part of his face, Stewart said. Mardell-Evans was taken by ambulance to St. Lukes Magic Valley Hospital with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries. She was later released. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for this crime. Please contact Crime Stoppers at 208-732-5387. TWIN FALLS The idea is to stage monologues to create dialogues. The Vagina Monologues will come to Twin Falls for the second year. Auditions are from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 132 Main Ave. S. in downtown Twin Falls. The Vagina Monologues will be directed by Liyah Babayan and Sergio Larios. The show helps raise funds for a future womens resource center at the College of Southern Idaho. The play is written by Eve Enseler and is based on her interviews with women. Performances of the show typically occur every Feb. 14 and are known as V-Day, a movement to end violence against women and girls. We are not really looking for a number, Babayan said of the monologues. Its really quality over quantity. We want a sample pool that represents the different layers of our community. We dont want just a certain number, we want a well-balanced representation. We want to make sure we give voice to all the different members of our community. Last year, the performances raised about $6,000 for the future resource center. This year, Babayan wants to also schedule a week of awareness events such as speakers and documentaries tackling issues such as domestic violence toward men and women. All the proceeds from the The Vagina Monologues completely go to this cause, Babayan said. The cast and directors dont get paid. Everything is volunteer-based. Businesses are also invited to get involved or donate. We really want to call out the community to get involved, she said. There is room for a lot of resources to partner up and collaborate. Last years play featured monologues in Mandarin, Spanish and American Sign Language. We are hoping to incorporate the bilingual component maybe even more so this year, she said. If we have more Spanish-speaking people, we might do a whole show in Spanish. It just depends on the demand for it. Though last years shows sold out, Babayan said the real success was in the cast. The cast was ordinary women from the community, she said. From parts of the community that we ordinarily do not hear from. Of all the communities that we have in the Magic Valley, we dont always see them highlighted. Babayan said even now shell have people whove seen the show, and some who didnt, write or call her to share their stories. Its a success, she said, because it creates conversation and begins dialogues. A recent United States flag retirement ceremony at White Pine Intermediate School in Burley involving area military veterans, school officials and representatives of the Boy Scouts of America provided students with additional information concerning the correct care of the U.S. flag. The United States Flag Code, Title 4, Section 8k states: The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. The students were respectful and attentive as the veterans and Boy Scouts properly retired six U.S. flags that were showing signs of wear after having been proudly displayed. The solemnity of the occasion was visibly expressed through the faces of the students as their apt attention showed proper respect as each flag was appropriately retired. Participating in a flag retirement ceremony reaffirms ones appreciation for this great nation and the flag that flies as its symbol. It is fitting that military veterans are involved in the retirement ceremony as a poignant reminder that the freedoms each citizen enjoys are protected by the men and women serving in this nations military. Friday, Nov. 11, was Veterans Day, a day dedicated to honoring all that have served in the military. These men and women desire our admiration and respect not only for their service to this country but also for the countless contributions made in our local communities and state. I want to commend those who have served this country in the various branches of the military. I also honor those that made the extreme sacrifice to protect the rights and freedoms that make this nation the greatest on the planet. I also want to applaud the service of the men and women in law enforcement in addition to the first-responders that often put themselves in harms way to provide service or give aid to someone in need. This country, this state, and certainly our local communities enjoy a greater degree of safety and quality of life because of these dedicated servants. Your efforts on behalf of citizens is appreciated and does not go unnoticed. Special To The Washington Post Like President-elect Donald Trump, we vigorously opposed the Iran nuclear agreement, so we sympathize with his promise to "dismantle" it. But we hope that he and his administration will first try to aggressively enforce and then renegotiate the deal beyond the confines of the nuclear issue to make it better for us and the world. Before such renegotiations begin, the Trump administration could strengthen its hand by closely consulting with our allies in Iran's neighborhood Israel and the Arab states. They were missing from the group that developed and consented to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the agreement is formally known. That was wrong, for two main reasons: because the Arab states and Israel are our allies and the Iranians are not, and because the countries in the region have the greatest equities at stake and should have a significant voice in the outcome. To date, the Iranian regime has made clear it has no intent to honor the spirit or letter of the JCPOA. Iran's pattern of reckless behavior has accelerated over the past year. Its anti-American, anti-Israel and anti-Arab rhetoric has grown stronger, and its actions have matched its rhetoric. Last month, 11 Arab states publicly accused Iran before the United Nations of meddling in their internal affairs. In June, the State Department again designated Iran the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. The American people see clearly what is happening. According to a recent survey by United Against Nuclear Iran, a large majority of American registered voters view Iran as the greatest state threat facing the United States ahead of North Korea, Russia and China. Only the Islamic State and al-Qaida are deemed bigger threats. With U.S. leadership, the new coalition could address the policy omissions in the JCPOA by, for example, securing an agreement with Iran to verifiably curb its regional aggression, state sponsorship of terrorism and domestic repression of human rights. In exchange, Iran could be given broad-based sanctions relief and even normalization of relations. However, if Iran refuses, the United States and our allies will have great leverage to hold Tehran accountable under the existing accord. Iran has already twice exceeded its allotted limit for heavy water; it has test-fired multiple ballistic missiles, in defiance of U.N. Resolution 2231, which endorses the nuclear deal; and, according to German intelligence estimates, Iran has continued its "illegal proliferation-sensitive procurement activities" at a "quantitatively high level." The United States and its partners have closely adhered to the letter of the JCPOA; they should demand that Iran do the same. The Trump administration can also designate the entire Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization. To date, only its extraterritorial Quds Force has been labeled as such by the Treasury Department. If done correctly, such a move could freeze foreign investment in Iran because of the IRGC's pervasiveness in the Iranian economy through front companies. Trump can also support legislation in Congress punishing sectors of the Iranian economy that support Iran's ballistic missile program, and he can propose measures to curb Iranian access to U.S. dollars. To persuade Iran to abide by both the letter and spirit of the JCPOA, as Dennis Ross and retired Army Gen. David Petraeus have argued, strengthening deterrence will be key. Setting forth a "blunter statement on the consequences" of continued Iranian intransigence even in an authorization for the use of military force in the most dire crisis might change Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's calculations. If Iran does not change course, the president-elect should make clear he is prepared to impose a new round of comprehensive secondary sanctions against Iran - and then to walk away, with cause, from the JCPOA. Then it will be time, as the president-elect has said, to tear up this agreement. Such a step-by-step strategy will make clear that the United States is willing to work with Iran but that there will be consequences for the Iranians if no diplomatic solution is reached. At its best, such an approach can be transformational. At the least, it will rewrite the current nuclear deal, relegating to history a period in which the great powers legitimized Iran's rogue nuclear program without asking the regime to change its radical, terrorist, repressive and expansionist ways. Members of the Ladies in White Human Rights organization are arrested by Cuban police on December 10, 2015 in Havana. (ADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP/Getty Images) Fidel Castro's death alone, as welcome as it was, will not free Cuba from political repression. If for no other reason that his kid brother Raul has more than proven he is capable of being a dictator his brother, and other tyrants in history, can admire. The Castro secret police in November made at least 359 politically motivated arrests, adding to what already was a record year for repression in Cuba, according to the Cuban Commission on Human Rights. It was the lowest monthly tally since April 2015, but the Castro dictatorship remains on pace to surpass 10,000 arrests in a year for the first time since the commission began keeping count in 2010. As of Nov. 30, there have been at least 9,484 political arrests in Cuba. The previous highest count for a year was 8,899 in 2014. Fidel Castro died proud of his brother. Adama Barrow, president-elect of the Gambia on Tuesday told Doha-based TV channel Al Jazeera that it seemed impossible that the country could have a change of government through the ballot box. Gambias Electoral Commission chief last week declared Adama Barrow, the opposition coalition candidate winner of the countrys December 1 presidential election, ending a two-decade rule by Yahya Jammeh who took power in 1994. Nobody thought we could change this government by the ballot box. But the mentality of the people, (and) social media, played a role in voter education, president-elect Adama Barrow told Al Jazeera channel. He added further that, we will educate the people to carry the reforms and guarantee job security. We will help people to continue working hard and make sure Gambia benefits from the civil service. He also hinted of the need to insulate the judiciary and also the need to reduce the powers of the president. We want a free and independent judiciary whereby nobody can influence the judiciary. We will put laws in place to protect those people running the judiciary. They will have that job security, they will have that independence. We will reduce the powers of the president, he added. Born in 1965 in a small village near the eastern market town of Basse, Mr Barrow moved to London in the 2000s where he reportedly used to work as a security guard at an Argos catalogue store, while studying for real estate qualifications. He returned to The Gambia in 2006 to set up his own property company, which he still runs today. Speaking at the 37th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, British Prime Minister Theresa May assured the Gulf States that the United Kingdom is fully committed to the strategic partnership between them. She stated that she is clear-eyed about the threat posed by Iran to the Gulf and the Middle East before adding that London will work with the GCC member states to counter that threat. Prime Minister May described said they must continue to confront State actors whose influence fuels instability in the region. Her comments are believed to be directed at Tehran, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthi Movement in Yemen as their actions have been strongly criticized by Gulf States are actors interested in destabilizing them. UK is among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and was also involved in the so-called P5+1 nuclear negotiation with Iran which led to the nuclear agreement in July 2015. May claimed that the deal neutralized Irans ambitions to acquire nuclear weapons which was vitally important for regional security. She added that reviving the controversial Iranian project will take more than a decade but was quick to highlight that they must work together to push back against Irans aggressive regional actions, whether in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Syria or in the Gulf itself. King al-Khalifa of Bahrain, host of the summit, applauded the British Prime Ministers position and looks forward to strengthening the strategic partnership. May claims that the partnership also provides many opportunities for both parties. Ahead of her maiden visit to the Gulf to attend the Summit, Prime Minister May was urged to discuss human rights abuses in the Gulf by activists but she underlined that there will be some people against fostering trade and security ties with Gulf States but we dont uphold our values and human rights by turning our back on this issue (human rights record). She thinks that engaging the Gulf States for reforms as part of a long term vision will reckon Britain as a force for good in the world. Operations at the Khafji and Wafra oilfields that lie in the neutral zone between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are expected to begin before the end of the year as sources claim that an agreement has been reached by officials from the two countries. The sites are jointly operated by the two countries but production was halted at the Khafji oilfield in 2014 for environmental reasons before Wafra followed in 2015 due to operation difficulties. Saudi Arabias Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih was in Kuwait in early November for talks with his Kuwaiti counterpart over the issue, sources familiar with the matter said. Most of their difference are said to have been solved during the visit. A Chevron Corporation spokeswoman in London, Sally Jones, said they are encouraged by the positive developments but production will remain shut in until the situation is resolved. The company operates the onshore Wafra field. A source hinted that the Saudis are telling Kuwait (that) they can restart the Neutral Zone which would further increase their global oil production despite a recent agreement to make cuts on production. The zone has total production capacity of more than 500,000bpd. Saudi and Kuwait are expected to make cuts on their national production when the Neutral Zone begins production. Riyadh had agreed to reduce its production by 86,000bpd and Kuwait by 131,000bpd from October levels in accordance with the implementation plans of the agreement signed between oil producers during a conference held in September in Algeria. Officials have neither confirmed nor deny the reports. One of the anonymous sources claimed that it will take some time before work begins in the zone. The offshore Khafji deposit is run by a joint venture between Kuwait Gulf Oil Company and AGOC, a subsidiary of state oil firm Saudi Aramco. UN Special Envoy for Libya Martin Kobler expressed his disappointment in the stalled implementation of the Libya Political Agreement (LPA) reached in Morocco in December 2015 during a briefing with the UN Security Council. After succeeding Bernadino Leon in November 2015, Kobler stressed that the agreement will not be revised but his position seems to have changed during his latest presentation at the Security Council. He stated that the LPA foresees a mechanism for change, should the political circumstances demand because its articles are not set in stone. The agreement has long been rejected by some members of the House of Representatives (HoR) based in Tobruk as well as that of the General National Congress (GNC) in Tripoli. Kobler called for the HoR to amend the Constitutional Declaration to include the article of the Libyan Political Agreement in order to facilitate the legitimization of the UN-backed Government of National Accord established by the LPA. He warned that the UN arms embargo on Libya is being violated, but failed to name those responsible, as he said that weapons do not fall from the sky. They come by land or sea. The special envoy lamented that the North African country continues to be awash in weapons which could end up in the hands of terror groups in the region. In a bid to boost security in the country, Kobler said he supported the creation of the presidential guard to protect state and international institutions instead of armed groups that are carrying out such duties. Libya will face an economic meltdown unless something changes according to Kobler because financial reserves continue to shrink and have reached $45 billion this year from $108 billion in 2013. He is hoping that the increase in oil output will bring some relief as the budget deficit is 70% of the Gross Domestic Product. Access to money is also challenge for the UN-backed Presidency Council and the GNA as relations with the Central Bank are strained. The war in Libya has been going on for five years and has shown no signs of ending soon. Transition from centrally planned economy to free market is not easy as the Algerian authorities must have realized this week when they saw their African Business forum crumbling before their eyes. They must have felt upset and terribly humiliated to see their big dreams shattered. The forum was another major setback for the Algerian business diplomacy which was hoping to catch up with neighboring rival Morocco bracing to rejoin the African Union. The Algerian African investment forum, which was expected to sell the image of a business-oriented country to African economic operators, has failed to achieve its minimum goals due to frictions between the Algerian Employers union and members of the Algerian government over protocol procedures. During opening ceremony of the forum, Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal was the first speaker. He was followed by chairman of the Algerian employers Union Ali Haddad who took the floor ahead of Algerian foreign Ramtane Lamamra. But Algerian ministers felt offended and took it personally as if the man committed a serious crime. So, all members of the government pulled out, leaving all guests wondering over what happened. This minor incident showed to the visitors the deep internal frictions and rivalries raging for power in Algeria, sparking regional and international concerns over the stability of the North African country. The ailing president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 79, is still in wheelchair since having a stroke in 2013. He returned home recently after a weeks stay at a private clinic in France and his prognosis isnt good, according to western press reports. The country is in a real predicament and resentment is growing against Algerian authorities which have managed so far burgeoning popular discontent with a stick-and-carrot policy. Facing the most serious economic challenges in decades due to falling oil production and low international prices, Algeria is less and less able to substitute spending for inclusive politics and good governance. The strategy that helped Algerian authorities secure peace in the 2000s when it was still recovering from a conflict between the state and Islamist insurgents 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. In the West, European capitals are worried over uncertain presidential succession. They fear the return of the Islamists who have been kept at bay by his iron hand. Many analysts say tensions that have been buried since the civil war will re-emerge. And then Europe could be overwhelmed by another great wave of refugees from this country. According to press reports, European governments are discreetly preparing themselves for another Algerian civil war and its consequences as the impact will stretch far beyond Algeria. In 2013, Zoe Harting became the first baby in the world to receive an experimental drug that her doctors hoped would save the lives of thousands of infants like her. Zoe has spinal muscular atrophy type 1, a degenerative neuromuscular disease that kills most patients by their second birthday. Before she began receiving the drug, 7-month-old Zoe was quite weak. She couldnt sit up or roll over. She couldnt move her legs at all, or lift her arms when she was lying down. She struggled to swallow. Her parents, John and Eliza Harting, knew that without an effective treatment, she would soon struggle to breathe. But no treatment had ever succeeded against SMA-1. So when the Hartings got a call from Stanford pediatric neurologist John Day, MD, PhD, asking if they would consider enrolling Zoe in a phase-2 clinical trial of an experimental drug called nusinersen, they agreed. Ive seen so many kids die with this disease, said Day, who directs the Neuromuscular Disorders Clinic at Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital Stanford and is a professor of neurology and of pediatrics at the Stanford University School of Medicine. SMA-1 is the most common genetic cause of death in infants. Its triggered by a gene mutation that is carried by 1 in 40 people. The disease, which occurs when a child inherits the mutated gene from both parents, is diagnosed in about 250 babies per year nationwide. In the past, pediatric neurologists could help make patients comfortable as their health declined, but that was all. We would have to tell the parents, Im sorry, we dont have anything that will stop the progression of the disease, Day said. The drug nusinersen is changing that. Improvement in meeting motor milestones On Dec. 6, the results of the phase-2 trial that Zoe Harting helped to launch were published in The Lancet. Day is a co-author of the study, which was led by pediatric neurologist Richard Finkel, MD, of Nemours Childrens Hospital in Orlando, Florida. Nusinersen is safe and well-tolerated, the study reports. Although the multisite trial included only 20 children and was intended primarily as a safety test, the investigators report significant improvements in patients ability to achieve motor milestones, as well as better motor function and increased function of nerves that are attacked by the disease. The drug is quickly progressing through the regulatory approval process. In addition to the phase-2 trial in which Zoe participated, nusinersen has been evaluated in a phase-3 trial of SMA-1 patients, which was stopped early in August because it was obvious that infants receiving the drug were achieving significantly more motor milestones than those in the control group. The phase-3 trial is now an open-label study, meaning that all participants can receive nusinersen. The drug is expected to receive approval from the FDA within the next two months, and in the interim is available under an expanded access program at a few sites around the country, including Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital Stanford. This drug completely turns things around for SMA, Day said. Its a definite game-changer. An even larger discovery is that drugs with the same mechanism of action may help treat other genetic diseases, he added. Nusinersen is an antisense oligonucleotide, which works by sticking to a specific piece of genetic material. Trials of antisense oligonucleotide drugs are now underway for other neurological diseases, including myotonic dystrophy, Huntingtons disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Touchscreen tablets given to Members of Parliament (MPs) of Burkina Faso by a Chinese company will be returned after it generated controversy relating to corruption, the speaker of the parliament of the West African nation disclosed on Tuesday. The National Assembly had on Monday defended the receipt of the tablets arguing that the gift from the Chinese government was considered as institutional support that no legislative or regulatory provision prohibits. However, a parliamentarian of the majority side, Maxime Kone on Tuesday said: We are the result of a popular insurrection. Public opinion has stood up against these tablets, so the president, with all the deputies, decided to follow, to listen, and from there, to return the tablets to the government. All 127 members of the National Assembly were each given a tablet from Huawei Technologies in November. The total cost of the gadgets was estimated to be around 100,000 euros ($107,300). An anti-corruption movement REN-LAC led the protest by accusing the legislators of breaking the countrys laws. They strongly rebuked the parliament for accepting the gift. The group believes the gift was connected with a recent contract relating to the construction of a fiber optic link between the capital, Ouagadougou and the Burkinabe border with Ghana. Over 15 million registered voters in Ghana are expected to vote for seven presidential candidates and 1,158 parliamentary candidates at 28,992 polling stations nationwide on Wednesday. The incumbent president, John Dramani Mahama is seeking re-election after winning the last elections in 2012. Among the six other contenders are three-time presidential candidate and lawyer Nana Akufo-Addo, former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, former minister and businessman Papa Kwesi Nduom, medical doctor Dr Edward Mahama, politician and lawyer Ivor Greenstreet and independent candidate and businessman Jacob Osei Yeboah. The chairperson of the electoral commission, Charlotte Osei, earlier announced that 64,000 security personnel have been stationed around the country to ensure a peaceful process. She also stated that the police have issued a ban on the use of motorbikes on Wednesday and Thursday and promise to crack down on those who will attempt to interrupt the election process. On Tuesday night, John Dramani Mahama has addressed the country urging the electorates to go out and vote. Demonstrate to the world that Ghana ranks among the best in the world when it comes to democracy. Securing a peaceful election will rest heavily on how we conduct ourselves, President Mahama advised. Over 400 foreign observers and over 12,000 local observers will actively monitor the election process. Ousainou Darboe, leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) has been released on bail along with 18 other detainees few days after President Jammeh conceded defeated in December 1 elections. Darboe and the other men were arrested in April for taking part in a demonstration over the alleged death of activist in custody, reports say. Darboe is main opposition leader and was expected to contest the Thursday elections with Yahya Jammeh before being thrown in prison. Banjul court of the appeal declared the 19 men free but on bail. Reports say it is less likely that they return to prison as elect-President Adama Barrow vowed to free all political prisoners. Supporters of the UDP marshalled around and in the court to welcome the decision. Its a new Gambia, Darboe said as he came out of the court. I congratulate President Jammeh for accepting defeat. That is acting with maturity. I have respect for him. I would never address him as a crazy man and I never would address him as an evil man. The court decision was also welcomed by human rights organisations. Sabrina Mahtani, Amnestys West Africa Researcher hailed the mens release while also reminding the situation of other prisoners who according her have been arrested for opposing the one who ruled the country for 22 years. The release of the [18 other peaceful protestors] on bail is a big moment for them and their families, she said. We hope that this positive step indicates that they will be fully acquitted in due course. We need to remember that there are still many more people still in prison for voicing their opinions or being perceived as opponents to the regime and there are people who have disappeared who we still dont know anything about. Darboes release is the second victory for opposition just days Jammeh accepted vote results announcing him defeated. He acknowledged his defeated in a televised address and congratulated Barrow for his win. UDP is the largest party in the coalition which chose Barrow. Darboe is expected to occupy a top position in Barrows team when he takes office in January. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. speaks to the media after the Republican policy luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. From left are, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., McConnell, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas. (AP Photo/Sait Serkan Gurbuz) With an atypical burst of bipartisanship, the Senate shipped legislation to President Barack Obama on Wednesday lowering hurdles for government drug approvals as the 114th Congress bumped toward the end of a two-year run highlighted by upheaval and stalemate. A week after the House easily approved the biomedical bill, senators passed it by a similarly overwhelming 94-5 margin. That was testament to a package that plans spending $6.3 billion over the next decade on popular efforts like cancer research and battling drug addiction. "This is a reminder of what we can do when we look out for one another," Obama said in a written statement that promised his signature. Referring to families that have endured losses to cancer, Alzheimer's and drug abuse, he added, "Their heartbreak is real, and so we have a responsibility to respond with real solutions. This bill will make a big difference." "This is an opportunity we cannot miss, and we're not going to miss it," said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate health committee. Before adjournment, which leaders targeted for later this week, lawmakers were also tackling bills financing government agencies into late April, mapping Pentagon programs and planning water projects. In a chamber where senators can flash barely concealed animosity, they showed their more gracious side with speeches lauding departing colleagues including Sens. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., and Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H. The Senate floor was also the stage for accolades to departing Vice President Joe Biden, who served 36 years as a Democratic senator from Delaware. "You've been a real friend, you've been a trusted partner and it's been an honor to serve with you," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said to Biden, who presided over the tribute. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., flanked by Senate Minority Whip Richard Durbin of Ill., left, and Senate Minority Leader-elect Charles Schumer of N.Y., answers questions from the media after the Democratic policy luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Sait Serkan Gurbuz) That comradery was also reflected in the biomedical bill, which included a planned $1.8 billion for cancer research. Biden, whose 46-year-old son Beau succumbed to the disease last year, has championed such work. That bill, which also takes steps to sharpen federal mental health programs, drew praise from scores of pharmaceutical, device and other medical industry associations and from numerous patients' groups. It was opposed by consumer organizations and liberals who said the measure's shortcuts for Food and Drug Administration approvals would endanger consumers and represented a sellout to drug makers. They also complained that it will take later legislation for Congress to provide the funds the bill envisions. "Congress should not have had to jeopardize patient safety to increase medical research funding," said Michael Carome, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group. The drug bill was a cooperative capstone to a Congress that has seen its share of tumult. A conservative rebellion booted Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, from office last year. Democrats staged an overnight sit-in on the House floor protesting the GOP-led Congress' inaction on gun control. Senate Republicans refused to let Obama fill a Supreme Court vacancy after Justice Antonin Scalia died last February. The two parties gridlocked over easing trade barriers with Pacific Ocean nations and revamping criminal justice statutes, and in a prelude to next year's battles, Obama vetoed a repeal of his health care law. It took months for lawmakers to approve money to combat the Zika virus. In this Nov. 14, 2016 file photo, members of the New York Police Department's counterterrorism unit guard Trump Tower in New York. New York City's mayor and other Democratic officials say Congress is coming up far too short in proposing to reimburse the city $7 million for protecting Trump Tower. Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016, that New York City taxpayers "should not be on the hook for 80 percent of the national bill" to protect Republican President-elect Donald Trump and his family. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) Congress did extend dozens of minor tax breaks for individuals and businesses, reshaped how Medicare reimburses doctors and rewrote federal education and transportation programs. Before adjourning, lawmakers still needed to approve government-wide spending legislation. It contained money to keep agencies functioning into next spring, when the new President Donald Trump and GOP-run Congress would make final budget decisions. It included $4.1 billion in disaster aid for Louisiana and other states, $170 million to help Flint, Michigan, rebuild its lead-poisoned water system and other funds for U.S. anti-terrorism operations overseas. It also contained a provision to help former Gen. James Mattis become Trump's Defense secretary by making it easier for Congress next year to waive the required seven-year wait before military retirees can head the Pentagon. No one was expecting the bill to failwhich would produce a Friday night government shutdownbut there were lingering disputes to resolve. These included complaints from coal country lawmakers that the measure insufficiently extended health care benefits for 16,000 retired mine workers, whose coverage is slated to end Dec. 31. Democrats were unhappy the bill provided just $7 million of the $35 million the Obama administration requested to beef up security in midtown Manhattan, home to President-elect Donald Trump. By 92-7, the Senate gave preliminary approval to a defense policy bill that would block Obama from his goal of shuttering the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. A $558-million water-projects bill was in jeopardy, due to a fight over spending for California that pitted agricultural against environmental interests. 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Credit: Petr Kratochvil/public domain Developing a broader skill of empathy is a more realistic goal for medical students and doctors than urging them to be more compassionate. Writing in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, Dr David Jeffrey, an honorary lecturer in palliative medicine at the Centre for Population Health Sciences in Edinburgh, says that doctors are at risk not only of personal distress but eventually burnout if their feelings of sympathy and compassion for patients override the more nuanced stance of empathy. Dr Jeffrey writes that empathy is generally regarded an essential component of the doctor-patient relationship but doctors have always struggled to achieve a balance between empathy and clinical distance. "The central question seems to be how to empathise without becoming overwhelmed and burning out?" Current concern about a deficit of empathy in clinical practice is mirrored in medical undergraduate education, where there is some evidence of a decline in empathy as students move through their training. Dr Jeffrey suggests a broad model of empathy, which could replace the vaguer concepts of sympathy and compassion. This, he says, would enable improvements in patient care, psycho-social research and medical education. "Empathy starts with curiosity and imagination", writes Dr Jeffrey. "Doctors need to imagine being the patient undergoing the patient's experience, rather than imagining themselves undergoing the patient's experience. This more sophisticated approach requires mental flexibility, an ability to regulate one's emotions and to suppress one's own perspective in the patient's interests." More information: Empathy, sympathy and compassion in healthcare: Is there a problem? Is there a difference? Does it matter? Journal information: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine Empathy, sympathy and compassion in healthcare: Is there a problem? Is there a difference? Does it matter? DOI: 10.1177/0141076816680120 Provided by SAGE A leading Victorian family violence expert has responded to the Victorian Commission on Children and Young People report, Neither Seen nor Heard, which exposes multiple 'systemic issues' with the current child protection system. The report, tabled in Parliament today, investigated the deaths of 127 children between 2013 and 2016, more than half of whom were victims of family violence. Professor Cathy Humphreys, Professor of Social Work at the University of Melbourne, says the report highlights a gap in training for child protection workers and inadequate risk assessment. It also shows an inadequate response to violent men who are not seen, not referred, and not identified as a risk to children and their families. "The systemic factors raised echo those of the Victorian Family Violence Royal Commission. These factors all require significant workforce development, capacity building and training for Child Protection workers," Professor Humphreys added. "In particular, there is a significant skills deficit around the workforce engaging more effectively with family violence perpetrators. "This report is thankfully not a witch-hunt of individual workers, but rather points to systemic issues which need to be addressed by organisations, specifically those involved with child protection. "This is a critical issue and one that arrives at a time when family violence is a key policy priority for the Andrews' Government." The report recommends boosting support for mothers who are victims of violence, understanding and identifying child sexual abuse and improving the response to Aboriginal children and their families. "My experience is that policy workers and senior managers in child protection have been working overtime to explore new guidelines, new approaches and capacity building with the Department and has seconded workers from the specialist family violence sector to address these issues. "However, the resources to appropriately train the workforce in frameworks to address the needs of children living with family violence is the critical area where there is a need for serious investment. This has been identified by the Royal Commission into Family Violence and echoed in this report. "The government has promised full implementation of the recommendations. We will be watching this space with keen interest to ensure that lessons have been learned from the tragic deaths of children." New moms are increasingly using expressed breast milk (either pumped or expressed by hand) instead of directly breastfeeding their babies, according to a UBC study. The study also found that moms who use expressed breast milk typically transition their babies to infant formula feeding sooner than their breastfeeding peers, a trend that may impact the health of our next generation. "Breast feeding is the unequalled method for feeding infants," says Marie Tarrant, director of nursing at UBC's Okanagan campus. "It has been previously determined that breastfeeding is important for the nutrition, immunology, growth and development of infants and toddlers. Anything that contributes to shortening the recommended six months of exclusive breastfeeding is a concern." Tarrant and her research team, including co-author Dorothy Bai of the University of Hong Kong, studied the infant feeding practices of more than 2,000 moms living in Hong Kong. They found that during a five-year stretch, mothers moved away from directly breastfeeding their infants to using expressed breast milk, which is usually delivered via a bottle. "New mothers may believe there is no difference between expressed breast-milk feeding and direct feeding at the breast," says Tarrant. "Although expressed breast-milk feeding provides greater benefits than infant formula, bottle-feeding may increase the risk of respiratory issues, asthma, rapid weight gain and oral diseases." The study demonstrated that those moms who expressed breast milk were more likely to quit breastfeeding earlier than moms who directly breastfed. Tarrant believes that a lack of breastfeeding support may be partly to blame for this feeding behaviour. She suggests that providing greater access to professional lactation (breastfeeding) support to new mothers, particularly in the first 24 hours after birth, could ensure that new infants receive the optimal nutrition. According to Stats Canada, there were more than 350,000 Canadian babies born in 2015/2016. In 2012, 89 per cent of women initially breastfed their babies, and only 26 per cent were doing so six months later. Difficulty with breastfeeding is the most common reasons for not continuing with the practice. The study is recently published in Public Health Nutrition. Patients wait an average of four months before seeking a cancer diagnosis, researchers report at the ESMO ASIA 2016 Congress in Singapore. Some patients waited less than a week before seeing a doctor while others waited three years. "Delaying diagnosis had a significant impact on the treatment eventually received by patients in our study," said lead author Dr Raviteja Miriyala, senior resident, Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. "Patients with longer delays before diagnosis were more likely to receive palliative, rather than curative, treatment because they had advanced disease - and are likely to have poorer outcomes." Early diagnosis and treatment improve the outcome of most cancers. This study analysed causes of delays and the impact on treatment. A prospective audit was conducted of all 162 cancer patients referred by primary care physicians to the Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology in Chandigarh during one month. The following dates were recorded for each patient: first cancer related symptom noticed by patient, first consultation with primary care physician, first oncology consultation, date therapy began (and intent of therapy - curative or palliative). Three delay intervals were calculated: patient approaching primary care physician (patient delay), primary care physician diagnosing/referring to oncologist (physician delay), and oncologist starting treatment (oncologist delay). Multivariate analysis revealed the demographic and socioeconomic factors contributing to the delay, and the impact of this delay on treatment. There was an average total delay of about six months between the first symptom and the initiation of treatment. Patients and primary care physicians contributed statistically significant delays - an average of four months and three weeks, respectively. Oncologists delayed for an average of ten days but this did not significantly contribute to the overall delay. Dr Miriyala said: "Patients were found to be the source of most delays in diagnosis - some waited less than a week before seeing a doctor but others waited three years. Less educated patients were significantly less likely to get an early consultation with their doctor than those with higher education. Campaigns are needed to increase patient awareness about symptoms and screening." Some primary care physicians delayed up to five years before referring patients to an oncologist, instead treating patients for "presumed non-malignant conditions". Dr Miriyala said: "About 25% of patients waited more than one month for their physician to refer them. Doctors in rural areas had significantly longer delays, suggesting that referral systems need improvement. Mandatory continuing medical education (CME) could increase doctors' awareness about early diagnosis and referral, as could more oncology teaching hours and rotations in the undergraduate curriculum." About 6% of patients experienced delays of more than one month before their oncologist started treatment. Oncologist delay was significantly correlated to the disease site, with longer delays for head and neck cancer and shorter delays for brain tumours. Dr Miriyala said: "This can be attributed to the diagnosis and staging requirements for different malignancies. Most head and neck cancers require endoscopic assessments and biopsies before initiation of treatment, resulting in longer delays, while diagnosis is made after therapeutic surgery for most brain tumours, resulting in shorter delays. Cancers (like brain tumours) that present as medical or surgical emergencies are more likely to be addressed earlier. Improving the quality and quantity of infrastructure at tertiary centres would help reduce the oncologists' delay." Patients with longer delays were significantly more likely to receive palliative treatment than those with shorter delays. Dr Miriyala said: "Outcomes were not evaluated in our study but it is common knowledge that treatment with palliative intent leads to inferior outcomes compared to that with curative intent. Our research suggests that reducing delays might improve outcomes for cancer patients." Commenting on the findings, Dr Sing-Huang Tan, senior consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), said: "Patients may delay seeking medical care because of failure to recognise symptoms, family or work commitments, or anxiety and fear. Patients in certain parts of Asia in particular may have ingrained cultural beliefs or preferences to self-medicate with traditional treatments, poor access to healthcare, or socioeconomic limitations which could hypothetically lead to long delays before seeing a doctor." "Primary healthcare providers are sometimes faced with diagnostic dilemmas when a patient presents with ambiguous symptoms," continued Dr Tan. "A large majority of cancers present symptomatically, but symptoms may be subtle especially in the early stages in certain cancer types such as gastric, pancreatic or ovarian cancers, as opposed to say a more obvious palpable mass such as in breast cancer." Dr Tan concluded: "This study highlights the perils of diagnostic delays and how they can lead to changes in treatment intent and presumably ultimately affect cancer outcomes. It is important to educate the general public to recognise suspicious symptoms which demand medical help, and to go for screening tests such as those that identify breast, colon and cervical cancers before symptoms develop." More information: Abstract 567P_PR 'Diagnostic delay in oncology: Is there a need for increasing cancer awareness among primary care physicians of developing countries?' will be presented by Dr Raviteja Miriyala during the Poster Display session: on Sunday, 18 December, 13:30 14:15 SGT. Credit: University of Warwick Many people are prone to 'remembering' events that never happened, according to new research by the University of Warwick. In a study on false memories, Dr Kimberley Wade in the Department of Psychology demonstrates that if we are told about a completely fictitious event from our lives, and repeatedly imagine that event occurring, almost half of us would accept that it did. Over 400 participants in 'memory implantation' studies had fictitious autobiographical events suggested to them - and it was found that around 50% of the participants believed, to some degree, that they had experienced those events. Participants in these studies came to remember a range of false events, such as taking a childhood hot air balloon ride, playing a prank on a teacher, or creating havoc at a family wedding. 30% of participants appeared to 'remember' the eventthey accepted the suggested event, elaborated on how the event occurred, and even described images of what the event was like. Another 23% showed signs that they accepted the suggested event to some degree and believed it really happened. Dr Wade and colleagues conclude that it can be very difficult to determine when a person is recollecting actual past events, as opposed to false memories even in a controlled research environment; and more so in real life situations. These findings have significance in many areas raising questions around the authenticity of memories used in forensic investigations, court rooms, and therapy treatments. Moreover, the collective memories of a large group of people or society could be incorrect - due to misinformation in the news, for example having a striking effect on people's perceptions and behaviour. Dr Wade comments on the importance of this study: "We know that many factors affect the creation of false beliefs and memoriessuch as asking a person to repeatedly imagine a fake event or to view photos to "jog" their memory. But we don't fully understand how all these factors interact. Large-scale studies like our mega-analysis move us a little bit closer. "The finding that a large portion of people are prone to developing false beliefs is important. We know from other research that distorted beliefs can influence people's behaviours, intentions and attitudes." Scientists have been using variations of this procedure for 20 years to study how people can come to remember wholly false experiences. More information: Alan Scoboria et al. A mega-analysis of memory reports from eight peer-reviewed false memory implantation studies, Memory (2016). Alan Scoboria et al. A mega-analysis of memory reports from eight peer-reviewed false memory implantation studies,(2016). DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2016.1260747 Georgia pledges largest-ever wine export to China A Georgian wine company, Badagoni, will sell five million bottles of Georgian wine in China in what will be the largest export of Georgian wine to China in the history of both countries.A respective memorandum was signed by representatives of Badagoni and China's Wenzhou Bydoway Import & Export Co. in Georgias top winemaking region Kakheti.The country's Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Agriculture Minister Levan Davitashvili and other high officials attended the signing ceremony.Wine never was just a regular industry for Georgia. It was the essence of Georgia and an expression of its culture, national identity and heritage, said Kvirikashvili while talking about Georgias rich winemaking traditions.The Prime Minister noted increasing contracts between Georgian and Chinese companies became possible thanks to stronger, more intensive bilateral Georgia-China relations.The latest step in enhancing relations was through a new Free Trade Deal.The two countries completed Free Trade talks two months ago and once the agreement is officially signed, Georgia and China will be able to further increase trade and economic ties. The deal is due to be signed in the very near future.We have received consent from China's Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng that the part of the agreement related to wine will come into force immediately once the agreement is signed, Kvirikashvili said.We think this will hugely increase the competitiveness of Georgian wine in the Chinese market.In Kakheti the Georgian top official praised Badagoni for its efforts to promote Georgian wine around the world and for exporting it's goods to 32 countries around the world.Kvirikashvili stressed total exports of Georgian wine had increased by 28 percent last year and he expected this number would increase in the years to come. Fewer young offenders this year By Messenger Staff Georgias Minister of Justice, Thea Tsulukiani, says that this year, more juveniles were offered opportunities through the diversion-mediation program rather than prison terms.This year, the percentage of juveniles with a 'not guilty' verdict was four percent, which was the same as last year, but when compared to previous years this figure was only 0.3 percent," Tsulukiani said.The Minister said the decrease in cases of imprisonment for juvenile offenders meant that Georgias new Juvenile Justice Code adopted in 2015 had performed well.This 'diversion' refers to giving a first-time offender of a minor crime the chance to perform community service instead of a prison sentence as punishment for their crime, while mediation is a dynamic, structured, interactive process wherein a neutral third party assists disputing parties in resolving conflict through the use of specialised communication and negotiation techniques.Before November 2014m only juveniles accused of minor crimes in Georgia had the opportunity to the diversion-mediation program, but after November 2014 the program expanded and was offered to juveniles who also faced charges for heavy crimes.Several days ago, Georgias Minister of Corrections Kakha Kakhishvili announced that a new prison would be built for young convicts between 14-21, where they would be offered a range of programs to reintegrate with society easily when released.Under the new regulations drafted within the Juvenile Justice Code, all criminal cases in Georgia involving minors will be handled by police officers, investigators, prosecutors and judges who specialise in juvenile offending.The main changes related to the youth offender's criminal record and prison terms.According to the new law, youth offenders will now have a reduced pre-trial detention period from 60 to 40 days. A youth offender's conviction status will be removed as soon as their sentence period has finished. The period of being classed as an accused will be extended up to six months.A more active approach to young offenders is vital, as if they leave prisons with some qualifictions and experience, they will have better opportunities to be employed, and the chances that they will reoffend will decrease.The public should also change their attitudes to such people, as giving no chances to former convicts and refusing to employ them may push them to return to crime. The News in Brief President wishes success to new government The President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili, wishes every success to the new membership of the government, the Presidents Press-Speaker, Eka Mishveladze, has said. As Mishveladze has declared, the President hopes the team will manage to fulfill their promises, respond to both the domestic and external challenges of the country, and provide fulfillment of all the announced reforms in order to make each citizens life better. The President appointed Giorgi Kvirikashvili as the Prime Minister of Georgia. The country now has a new government approved by Parliament, she stated. (IPN) Adjarian Supreme Council Holds Inaugural Session The newly elected 21-member Supreme Council of Adjara Autonomous Republic held its inaugural session on November 28 and elected Davit Gabaidze as the new chairman of the regions legislative body. Before becoming a member of the Supreme Council of Adjara, Gabaidze, 36, was the head of Legal and Human Resource Management Department in Adjaras government. GDDG, which has won the majority in the Supreme Council and has 14 lawmakers, set up three factions in Adjaras legislative body. The National Movement, which has five members, formed one faction at the inaugural session. Alliance of Patriots and Nino Burjanadzes Democratic Movement have one lawmaker each. Six commissions functioning in the Supreme Council will also be chaired by GDDG lawmakers. President Margvelashvili will nominate a new head of Adjaras government to the regions legislative body for approval within 10 days after its inaugural session. It is unknown whether Zurab Pataridze will retain this post, which he has held since July. (Civil.ge) 17 years since creation of Georgias Special Operations Forces The Armed Forces (GAF) of Georgia marked the 17th anniversary of the establishment of the Special Operations Forces yesterday. The Special Operation Forces is the elite GAF component established to conduct special operations, covert operations, special reconnaissance, counter intelligence, counter terrorism, counter insurgency, amphibious and asymmetric warfare in and outside Georgia. The 17th anniversary was celebrated with a special event hosted by the GAF at the Vashlijvari military base in Tbilisi. The event opened with the national anthem, followed by a moment of silence to honour the soldiers fallen while protecting Georgia or serving in international peace missions. This was followed by the speech of Georgias defence Minister Levan Izoria. "This place not only physically trains soldiers, but also fosters the Georgian warrior spirit, the Minister said. He thanked the soldiers for their service and thanked the countrys international partners for the help they provided to advance the standard of the Special Operations Forces. Izoria specifically stressed the role of the United States (US), Estonia and Poland. US Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly attended the ceremony. He praised Georgian soldiers for their bravery and the Georgian Armed Forces for the highs standards they enjoy. Within the celebrations, Georgian and American servicemen held a joint demonstrative tactical training. (Agenda.ge) Georgia to introduce military recruitment system in compliance with NATO standards Georgian Defense Minister Levan Izoria has hosted the Chairman of the Estonian Parliaments Committee of National Defense, Hannes Hans. According to the Defense Ministry, the two sides focused on the importance of compulsory military service. Levan Izoria said that the Georgian side will introduce a recruitment system in compliance with the standards of NATO member states. Levan Izoria thanked the guest for support in the implementation of the NATO substantial package. The meeting also focused on bilateral cooperation, as well as the sharing of knowledge and experience. (IPN) Azerbaijan finance minister talks reasons of GDP decline Azerbaijan's GDP amounted to 49.2 billion manats in January-October 2016, which is 3.7 percent less than in the same period last year, the countrys finance minister, Samir Sharifo,v said.He made the remarks on Nov. 30 during a discussion on the draft state budget and the concept of social and economic development for 2017 and the next three years.The discussions on the draft state budget began Nov. 30 at a joint session of Azerbaijans parliamentary committees on defense, security and fight against corruption, economic policy, industry and entrepreneurship, agricultural policy, public unions and religious structures, as well as natural resources, energy and ecology.Azerbaijans non-oil GDP in the reporting period decreased by 6.1 percent, Sharifov said. A 27.4-percent decrease in the construction sector, a high level dollarization in the country, decrease in the trade turnover, as well as the difficulties faced by Azerbaijans banking sector and deterioration of the quality of loan portfolio are the main reasons of the reduction of Azerbaijans GDP. The News in Brief President Re-Nominates Head of Adjaras Local Government President Giorgi Margvelashvili re-nominated Zurab Pataridze as the head of the local government of the Adjara Autonomous Republic. Pataridze has served in this post since July. Pataridze and his government should win the confidence vote of the newly elected Supreme Council of Adjara, which held its inaugural session on November 28. It is a huge challenge and responsibility for us, but I am sure that our team will do our utmost to justify this confidence, Pataridze said on November 29. Before Pataridzes nomination, President Margvelashvili held consultations with GDDG and UNM lawmakers from the Supreme Council of Adjara. He re-nominated Pataridze through the agreement with the Georgian government. (Civil.ge) 13 women killed in domestic violence so far in 2016 New grim figures from Georgias ombudsman show that 13 women have been killed in family violence during the first ten months of 2016. In some cases, the police were alerted in advance, but did not intervene. Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili spoke Friday about the challenges and problems when it comes to violence against women. There have been more cases of violence this year. More efforts are needed to prevent the violence and provide an effective response in each case. The results of our research show that in most of the cases, law enforcement bodies did not evaluate the risk that the crime may be repeated and prepare an individual action plan to provide security for each victim. Nanuashvili called on the government and parliament to rapidly ratify the Council of Europes Convention about violence against women and family violence. He also called on the Justice Ministry and parliament to define femicide as a separate crime in the Criminal Code. Femicide is when a woman is murdered because of her gender. There is still no report about womens rights in 2016, but in June, the ombudsman published a report about womens rights and gender equality, which described the situation in 2015. It showed a staggering number of 2,726 cases of family violence involving 5,106 people. The emergency service 112 received 15,910 calls about family violence in 2015, compared to 9,260 calls the year before. According to the report, 93% of abusers were men. According to the Prosecutor Generals Office, there were 28 cases of murder and murder attempts of women in 2015. 16 of these were committed within a family context where the perpetrator was either a partner, ex-partner or a person rejected suitor. In 2014, there were 34 murders of women where the motivation was gender. There were identified 80 cases of sexual violence in 2014, and 87 in 2015, including 20 cases of rape. The ombudsman also highlighted the problem of early marriage. In 2015, there were registered 116 cases of minors being married. The same year, 408 people between the age of 13 and 17 dropped out of school because they got married. (DF watch) It will probably take 6 to 8 months to resolve the issue of online casinos Minister of Finance We will probably need some time to select the best model for online casinos but some steps in this direction will be taken shortly, Finance Minister Dimitri Kumsishvili said on PalitraNews. According to the Minister, active consultations are underway in relation to the issue. "Online casinos are a social problem and we think it is especially important to protect young people. I had a lot of consultation with international consulting companies. We probably need some time to select the best model for online casinos, although steps in this direction will be necessarily taken. There are two important areas: to protect the rights of citizens and the online companies to pay taxes. In this regard, both fiscal and moral aspects are very important. Perhaps it will take from 6 to 8 months to offer the best model to the business, but we will definitely move in this direction, said Kumsishvili. (IPN) Charlie Reed, an outspoken leader of Florida's higher education system who left for a similar post in California in 1998 and returned to Tallahassee, has died. He was 75 and was one of the nation's most widely respected educational leaders. When Reed retired in California four years ago, the Los Angeles Times offered an assessment of what it called a mixed legacy of an educator who acknowledged he could be blunt, bullheaded and a workaholic. After enduring massive higher education spending cuts during the Great Recession of 2008-09, Reed said: "What I've seen is a lack of political will and a lack of political leadership in California." Reed had similar sentiments about the Florida Legislature under both Democratic and Republican leadership. He delivered a memorable speech five years ago to the Council of 100 in which he criticized Florida's system as "splintered," and he excoriated political leaders for creating Florida Poiytechnic University in Lakeland. In 2007, Reed addressed the LeRoy Collins Institute in Tallahassee and offered a critique of what he said was a grossly underfunded university system. "Florida has a motto: We're cheap and we're proud of it," Reed said. A Pennsylvania native, Reed served as chief of staff to Democratic Gov. Bob Graham in 1984-85 before he took command of the Florida university system. The Orange County Register has more on Reed's record as chancellor in California, which was marked by a major expansion of the system, tuition increases and a series of budget problems that preceded the recall of former Gov. Gray Davis. @PatriciaMazzei Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel made a surprising visit Wednesday to Trump Tower, where the Democrat and former White House chief of staff under President Barack Obama hand-delivered to President-elect Donald Trump a letter signed by a total of 18 big-city mayors around the country. The subject: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the program Obama created by executive action protecting immigrants brought into the country illegally as children, often called Dreamers. "DACA makes our communities and country safer -- both in terms of national security and public safety," says the letter, signed by Emanuel and mayors such as Bill de Blasio of New York, Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles, Marty Walsh of Boston and Sylvester Turner of Houston. In a private meeting, Mayor Emanuel hand-delivered a letter from US mayors to the President-Elect urging him to continue the DACA program. pic.twitter.com/MQgxENfSai ChicagosMayor (@ChicagosMayor) December 7, 2016 Notably absent: any mayor from South Florida, one of the most immigrant-rich regions in the country. Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado said that's because he wasn't asked to sign. @PatriciaMazzei always been a big supporter of DACA. No one reached out from @ChicagosMayor office. However can add my name to the list. Tomas Regalado (@Tomas_Regalado) December 7, 2016 Regalado, a Republican, did not back Trump. Emanuel told reporters at Trump Tower that young people protected by DACA shouldn't be targeted after having notified the federal government in good faith of their identity and whereabouts -- one of the top concerns among DACA recipients. "They're trying to achieve the American Dream. It's no fault of their own their parents came here," Emanuel said. "We should embrace them, rather than do a bait-and-switch." Emanuel said he also defended sanctuary cities to Trump, who has pledged to do away with federal funding for municipalities that fail to cooperate with federal immigration detentions. Miami-Dade acts as a de facto sanctuary county, though Mayor Carlos Gimenez has tried to argue that the county is not formally a sanctuary because it's only trying to save money, not make a political statement. A full story on the letter and Regalado and Gimenez has been posted here. @amysherman1 Stephen Bittel said he hasn't asked any Democrats running for leadership positions in Miami-Dade to agree to step aside if they win to make way for him to run for a county position, a prerequisite to run for Florida Democratic Party chair. "I don't even know who is going to win," he said Tuesday afternoon, a couple hours before the vote for several leadership positions within the Miami-Dade Democratic Party. "It would be an exercise in frustration at this point." However he said if the county leadership can create a path for him "I am willing to serve." Bittel said he spoke to Sen. Bill Nelson several weeks ago about his interest in the state chair position. He said they discussed if there was a path for Bittel to run that they would have a conversation about it at that time. "Until I become eligible there is not a lot to talk about," he said. Nelson, the only statewide Democrat, hasn't said publicly who he will support for state chair but it's likely he will weigh in at some point after Miami-Dade activists vote for their leaders tonight. Bittel, a Coconut Grove developer, is a major contributor to federal, state and local races and political groups. After the Nov. 8th election, Florida Democratic Party chair Allison Tant announced she wouldn't run again in January setting off a long list of interested candidates. Michael-in-Norfolk disclaims any and all responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, completeness, legality, reliability, operability, or availability of information or material displayed on this site and does not claim credit for any images or articles featured on this site, unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to it's respectful owners. Information on this site may contain errors or inaccuracies, and Michael-in-Norfolk does not make warranty as to the correctness or reliability of the site's content. If you own rights to any of the images or articles, and do not wish them to appear on this site, please contact Michael-in-Norfolk via e-mail and they will be promptly removed. Michael-in-Norfolk contains links to other Internet sites. These links are provided solely as a convenience and are not endorsements of any products or services in such sites, and no information or content in such site has been endorsed or approved by this blog. HELENA Incoming state Auditor Matt Rosendale on Tuesday announced several of his initial appointments, including one that leaves a vacancy in a north-central Montana state Senate seat. Rosendale takes office at the start of next year. He replaces Monica Lindeen, who was term-limited from running for that job again and unsuccessfully ran for Secretary of State. Rosendale beat Jesse Laslovich, who worked as the top lawyer in the auditor's office, with 53 percent of the vote. State Sen. Kristen Hansen, R-Havre, will be chief legal counsel. Hansen will resign her seat in the state Senate District 14, which represents parts of Cascade, Hill, Liberty and Chouteau counties and includes the town of Havre. She beat Democrat Greg Jergeson to win a four-year term in 2014. In addition to serving in the state House and Senate, Hansen has worked in private practice as an attorney, for the CIA, as a federal judge and for the Montana Supreme Court. She was also a Judge Advocate in the Montana Army National Guard, deployed to Iraq in 2007 and served as the chief deputy prosecutor for the Hill County Attorneys office. She is a graduate of the John Marshall Law School in Chicago. Rosendale said of Hansen's "legal experience will play a major role in our efforts to protect the public against violations of insurance and securities statutes. Nancy Butler, who most recently was general counsel for the Montana State Fund, will be deputy state auditor. She worked at the state fund for 32 years before retiring in January. She has lived in Helena for 33 years and has a bachelors degree from Fort Hays State University in Kansas and law degree from the University of Tulsa. In a press release, Rosedale said Butler has an impressive resume and is respected in the insurance industry. Other initial appointments include: Marissa Stockton, of Helena, who ran for a Helena-area Senate district in 2014; Kendall Cotton, of Florence, who has worked with the Montana Family Foundation, to the position of policy administrator; Kyle Schmauch, of Kalispell, who was northwest field representative for U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, to the position of media specialist; Dan Stusek, of Billings, a regional director for Daines, to the position of Land Board adviser and director of government affairs. POLSON The unusual case of a husband and wife who blame each other for the murder of their teenage nephew in Arlee in February moved a step closer to a final resolution Wednesday. Stephen Seese changed his plea to guilty, to a reduced charge of accountability to negligent homicide, for his part in the death of 18-year-old Richard Warner. In the plea agreement, Lake County Attorney Steve Eschenbacher will be allowed to argue for as much as a 40-year prison term for Seese, whose sentencing is now scheduled for Jan. 18. Seeses attorney, Lisa Kauffman, will be allowed to argue for less. It will, Eschenbacher has said, be an unsatisfactory resolution, but is the only way he can be sure both Stephen and Kassandra Seese are held accountable for the homicide. Warner was brutally beaten to death in mid-February. His body was then hidden in a shower stall in the camper-trailer where the Seeses continued to live with their two young children for several weeks. The body was badly decomposed by the time it was discovered on June 2, after the Seeses had moved out and other people arrived to move the trailer. The length of time between the murder and the time the body was found made it difficult for medical examiners to even determine a cause of death, Eschenbacher has said. Both Seeses say the final blow that killed their nephew, who had been staying with them, was delivered with a hammer. But Stephen claims his wife inflicted the fatal blow. Kassandra says Stephen did. With both pointing fingers at each other, and a lack of physical evidence to prove which one is lying, it could be possible for juries to deliver not-guilty verdicts for both based on reasonable doubt if the cases went to trial, Eschenbacher said. *** In a halting voice, Stephen Seese on Wednesday read from a statement he had written out and accepted responsibility for my part on the day I lost my nephew and best friend. He said he arrived at the camper-trailer to find his wife and Warner arguing. It wasnt the first time the two had fought, he said, and he became angry because he said Warner had promised that the fighting would stop. Our fight was pretty short, Seese said. I beat him up pretty good. I stopped when I seen him bleeding from his nose and his eyes. Seese said he retreated from the camper, called his mother, spoke to her for about 20 to 30 minutes and told her Warner needed to leave, and she needed to come get him. When I came back in the trailer, Richard was in a different spot. It looked like he fell asleep, Seese said. I went to wake him up, and started CPR for what felt like an hour. His wife tried to push him away while he performed CPR, he said. She told him Warner had been crying while he was outside the trailer and on the phone, and that she had hit their nephew with a hammer. Midway through his statement, Seese indicated he couldnt continue, and his attorney finished reading it for him. *** Kassandra told him to bury Warners body, but I couldnt do it. I was too emotional, Kauffman read from Seeses statement. Kassie didnt know I didnt bury him. He decided to put the body in the bathroom instead, and said he wanted to tell everyone what had happened and then kill himself. Instead, the Seeses told Warners father and stepmother, Joe and Tabitha Warner of Osburn, Idaho, that Richard Warner had gotten upset over something, packed his things and left. They didnt know where hed gone. Kassandra reportedly later told investigators she had used Febreze to combat the odor of rotting flesh in the trailer. Tabitha Warner and Kassandra Seese are sisters. Kassandra and her two young children even moved in with her sister and brother-in-law in Idaho, several weeks after the Warners son was murdered in Arlee. Kassandra Seese also got a plea agreement, and two weeks ago was sentenced to 20 years, with 15 suspended, for accountability to negligent homicide. Joe and Tabitha Warner were unhappy with the sentence, calling it too lenient. Tabitha said she was especially upset given that, after Richard had been killed, her sister had lived under the Warners roof, relied on them for money and transportation, and let them believe Joes son was missing and not contacting his family. Its disgusting that the only two people who know what happened cant testify against each other, Eschenbacher said at Kassandra Seeses sentencing. And they hid his body for so long it actually benefited them. Stephen Seese was originally charged with deliberate homicide. While only the Seeses know which of them delivered the fatal blow, Eschenbacher said medical examiners were able to determine that Richard Warner also suffered broken bones, broken ribs, (a) broken jaw outrageous blows directed repeatedly at this kid during the fight with Stephen Seese. Survey results detailing students' substance use and mental health show Missoula's kids are abusing drugs and alcohol less, though depression and suicide still loom. This comes from the 2016 Prevention Needs Assessment Survey, conducted by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services' Addictive and Mental Disorders Division this spring in grades 8, 10 and 12. In Missoula County, 1,730 students participated. "Our young people are doing the best they can to make good choices, however I think it's important that the public understands some of the struggles our young people are having," said Brandee Tyree, Missoula Underage Substance Abuse Prevention coordinator for Missoula Forum for Children and Youth. "I never like to paint a picture that's, 'Holy cow, young people are horrible, they're all out drinking and smoking.'" By the time last year's Missoula County high school seniors made it to graduation, about 72 percent had imbibed alcohol at least once. "I think we still need to work on in Montana ... that underage drinking is not a rite of passage," she said. "You don't have to do it to move into adulthood. I think adult Montanans drink a lot, so kids are no different. They mimic our behavior." Missoula County kids' alcohol use is down from previous years. "I believe prevention works," Tyree said. "I think we're talking more about mental health. Alcohol often can be seen as a stress reliever. Our parents' generation, alcohol is just alcohol. I am seeing that college kids (today) drink and drive way less than previous generations, and I think that alcohol is not quite as cool. "I think it's losing its cool factor little by little." Of the eighth-graders who said they had alcohol in the past year, the majority said they got it from home either with or without their parents' permission. By 10th and 12th grade, though, where kids are getting alcohol shifts. Most got it from friends. Another large segment said they got alcohol from a party or keg. More seniors said they had engaged in risky behavior related to alcohol in the two weeks prior to the survey: about one-fourth had five or more alcoholic drinks in a row during that time. In the past month at the time of the survey, a quarter of seniors rode in a car driven by someone who'd been drinking; 10 percent drove a car when they had been drinking. *** There's still work to do, Tyree said. While alcohol use is going down, marijuana use is on the rise. Tyree wonders if children are replacing one drug with another. Nearly half of seniors had used marijuana in their lives; 30 percent said they had used it in the past month, up from 25 percent in 2014. "There's a misperception that marijuana is not harmful," she said. "We don't know, but we wonder is there a connection in marijuana going up ... and choosing not to use alcohol." By 12th grade, 30 percent had smoked a cigarette, 20 percent had used chewing tobacco, 19 percent had abused prescription drugs and 13 percent had used hallucinogens. "This is a community issue that can so positively and easily be worked on," Tyree said. "It (the survey results) can help schools look at areas to focus on and it helps many community organizations that do direct services to families and youth. They use this data to get their grants. The survey is hugely important in terms of working on prevention so we can see where we're headed and also we can see emerging trends to try to start looking at something before they get super high." For more information or to get involved with the Missoula Underage Substance Abuse Prevention work group, contact Tyree at brandee@missoulaforum.org. *** The survey also tackled mental health, finding that about 40 percent of each grade surveyed said they "felt depressed or sad most days in the past year." Anywhere from 8 percent to 11 percent of the surveyed students said they attempted suicide in the past year. Montana has the highest per capita suicide rate in the nation. The number of people who commit suicide here is double the national average. The Montana Suicide Mortality Review Team studied 555 suicides that occurred between January 2014 and March 2016. Based on the 27 youth suicides they studied (ages 11 to 17), 63 percent completed suicide using firearms compared to the 39 percent of youth suicides by firearms nationally. It's impossible for Heidi Kendall to talk about suicide without mentioning the means: in Montana, firearms and prescription medications for the majority of completed suicides. "People have access to ways to complete suicide," said Kendall, Missoula County suicide prevention coordinator. "Anecdotally, when I teach these classes (called Question Persuade Refer QPR or training to recognize signs of suicide), people ask questions and talk about social media," she said. "People worry about cyber-bullying and how exposed kids are all the time. And it's with them all the time." She teaches people about safe storage of firearms, and learning to recognize the signs that someone may be suicidal and if they have access to firearms, finding a way to keep them from using a gun improperly. "It's good to ask someone if they're feeling suicidal," she said. "It can be a relief to that person and in most cases it's a welcome intervention. If you're feeling suicidal, you're feeling very alone. "People just don't know what to do. If you're feeling sick, you go to the ER. Well, if you're feeling suicidal, you should also go to the hospital, or call the suicide hotline." The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The state emphasizes training on the signs someone may be suicidal, as well as public awareness. That's where efforts such as Project Tomorrow Montana come into play. The initiative, announced Monday, is a joint effort of the United Way of Missoula County, Western Montana Suicide Prevention Initiative and Wells Fargo to promote public awareness and prevention of suicide. "Anyone should take QPR, because suicide can happen to anyone," Kendall said. "Nothing is entirely predictable in this area." Two men who pleaded guilty to shooting Lolo-area pets with blowgun darts received three-year deferred sentences and substantial amounts of community service Tuesday in Missoula County District Court. "I cannot wrap my head around why anybody would want to deliberately aim at a small creature like this. It's beyond me," Judge Karen Townsend told Tucker Parsons Miller and Hayden Duane Barker. The sentencing hearing for 21-year-old Miller and 19-year-old Barker who each pleaded guilty to felony aggravated animal cruelty in August started on Monday, carried over into a second day due to a misunderstanding by the prosecutors office. Miller, Barker and Matthew David Breeden were charged in January after at least seven pets around the Lolo area, including multiple cats and a Siberian husky, were shot none fatally with blowgun darts between September and October 2015. Breeden is scheduled to plead guilty on Jan. 10. As part of the deferred sentence, Miller must complete 1,000 hours of community service, with Barker given 125 hours of community service and a $2,500 fine. The deferred sentences each man received means their records will be cleared if they comply with the terms of probation supervision and stay out of trouble for three years. The two men, and potentially Breeden as well, will also be responsible for $254 in restitution to the owners of the pets shot. Why was the question posed most often by Townsend. Why had they done it? Why did they think it was OK? Why had they purchased the weapon to begin with? Both men gave varying answers about being stupid and not having been thinking at the time, with Miller adding that the original plan was to use the blowgun while tree-stand hunting to shoot squirrels and birds, a response that didnt sit well with the judge. Several times, the judge indicated she didnt feel that the men fully grasped the gravity of what they had done. I think this is more than being stupid, Townsend said. A detective with the Missoula County Sheriffs Office identified the men after getting a tip from a person who saw them buying a blowgun and a large number of darts. In an interview with the investigator, Miller said they shot the cats because they were kind of bored. While the men initially claimed the blowgun had been stolen from their truck, they later admitted to having taken it up into the mountains and burying it after seeing news stories about their crime, and denied having shot a dog. A felony evidence tampering charge against Miller was dismissed Tuesday. Over the course of the two-day sentencing, several people testified on Barkers behalf, saying that he loved animals and that since he was charged, death threats and other vulgar statements had been leveled against him, his friends and his family. His attorney Paul Ryan who said he had a moral dilemma while trying to decide whether to take the case said the seriousness of the crime was evident by the prosecutor's office charging it as a felony rather than a misdemeanor. Chief Deputy County Attorney Jason Marks recommended the deferred sentences in the case, saying it fit state laws that allow for a deferral for people without prior felony criminal history. Marks did float the idea of having the men spend 30 days in jail as part of their sentence instead of doing the community service. Theres really no explanation for what the defendants in this case did, he said. John Smith, Millers attorney, pushed back against the suggestion of jail time, pointing out to the judge that even repeat DUI offenders who put people at risk on the highway often didnt face significant incarceration. Sometimes young people do things that are inexplicable, he said. I understand theres an emotional component when pets are hurt. Smith added that hes hoping to arrange meetings between Miller and the owners of the pets. As he had done on Monday, Smith again made a request that two conditions of Millers probation be changed, one to allow him to bow hunt, and another to allow him to have the occasional alcoholic drink with coworkers or friends. Even if she wouldnt allow him to drink, Smith asked Townsend to let him go into bars to be able to spend time with his friends. The judge denied all the requests. The original recommendation was for Barker to do 500 hours of community service, half the amount of Miller because he only went out shooting one night instead of two. Townsend eventually decided that because he hadnt gone back to Lolo for a second hunting trip and because he works multiple jobs she was willing to compromise, choosing to set 125 hours and imposing the fine as well. Editor's note: Pamela V. Cutler is an emergency physician; this is a story from a shift she worked on Dec. 7, 2002. It was printed in an emergency department newsletter shortly after the events it describes, and is being published for a wider audience for the first time today, on the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. *** Twas the first Saturday of December. I was scheduled to work a 12-hour shift in the Emergency Department. Cold and flu season had arrived in earnest, and I awoke with visions of too many patients and too few resources dancing in my head. I arose from my bed, put on my scrubs and grumbled to my fellow emergency physician husband about how much I dreaded the day ahead. He responded with his usual supportive and excessively upbeat mantra: No whining. Tell yourself it is going to be the best day of your career. Yeah, right. And I dashed out the door. I arrived to find a busier than usual department. I took the report from the physician who had been working all night and sent him home for a long winters nap. Fortunately, my first patient had a quick and straightforward problem. As I sat down to dictate a note for his chart, I realized that the date was Dec, 7, 2002, the 61st anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. My next patient was a 76-year-old female with a cough. After taking her history and performing a physical exam, I asked her if she remembered where she had been 61 years ago that day. Indeed, she did remember. She had been 15 years old and vividly detailed the scene on a Sunday afternoon at her childhood home in Boston. Everyone was stunned. At first, her parents and grandparents sat dazed in silence and horror, then later became wrapped in fear and anger. She remembered how these emotions spread through her neighborhood and the country. She compared it to Sept. 11, 2001, which was still a very raw memory that day in the Emergency Department. In bed No. 2, the ambulance had just brought in an 80-year-old woman with abdominal pain. She looked pale and tired, having been ill for much of the night. Her three daughters were in the room trying their best to make her comfortable. She was one of those humble and stoic patients who looked sick, yet made no demands on anyone. She was simply grateful that I was now there to see her. After hearing about her illness and performing a physical exam, I ordered needed tests and medication. To distract her from her pain, I asked where she had been 61 years earlier on Pearl Harbor Day. I had calculated that she would have been 19 years old in 1941. She responded immediately, and the memories seemed to flow. Oh, she said, I was in the small town where I grew up. When I heard about the attack, I was with my husband. Well, at the time, he was just my boyfriend. But we knew We knew there would be a war. He proposed that very day, and we decided to get married as soon as possible. My husband thought he was more likely to be killed if he joined the Army. So he enlisted in the Navy, though he had never even seen the ocean. He was shipped off to the Pacific, and was captured by the Japanese as a prisoner of war. He walked the entire Bataan March and only weighed 65 pounds at the end. I thank God every day that he survived to come home to me. We raised our family and had a wonderful life. You should know, he died this past summer, upstairs in this very hospital, on the fourth of July And I miss him so much. As I walked out of her room, the nurse grabbed me to immediately see a worrisome patient. She led me to another octogenarian, an 82-year-old male, looking extremely pale and uncomfortable. He had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and discharged from the hospital two days before. I quickly examined him and was fairly sure he would need to be admitted to the hospital. While impatiently waiting for the nurse to come back with some morphine, I hesitated, but decided to pose my question. Sir, can you tell me where you were 61 years ago today? His look was one of absolute annoyance. The irrelevance of such small talk had completely eroded my professional credibility in his eyes. He curtly responded, I havent the foggiest idea. Things felt a bit awkward for a few seconds until his worried wife, sitting quietly in the corner, let out a gasp. We both turned to her, and she meekly informed him, You do know, dear. You know where you were. Today is December the seventh. He looked at her, paused and looked back at me. His facial expression changed. He sat up taller on the gurney, and he answered, I was on the deck of the USS New Orleans. I saw the first bomb drop and the last bomb drop, and I lost three of my best friends in between. He shared that the USS New Orleans was not one of the ships that had been destroyed in the 1941 attack. They had been docked at Pearl for repairs, and the ships engines were not up and running to provide power for most of their weapons. He talked about the shock and confusion as he and his shipmates tried to shoot down the Japanese bombers with limited resources. He told me that he had been frightened during the bombing, but also admitted that he was even more afraid of the pain he was going to experience from his cancer. The nurse came in with the morphine. I ordered four milligrams, expecting him to need another four right away. Yet four milligrams of the powerful drug was all it took. His pain was controlled. I stopped by his room several times while awaiting the results of his tests. He told a few more stories of things he had witnessed at Pearl Harbor. I thanked him for his service to our country. He spoke about his family and his career after the war. He expressed gratitude for having had a very successful and blessed life. His disease was advanced, and the prognosis was not good. Yet my evaluation found that everything looked much as it had upon discharge from the hospital two days prior. He had come into my Emergency Department that day as a newly diagnosed cancer patient, terrified and in severe pain. He walked out a war hero with a few pain pills and a plan to see his oncologist on Monday. It was undoubtedly the best day of my career. The Missoulians recent series chronicling Montanas historical role in forest liquidation should be a wakeup call to all who love public forests, endangered species and nature. The overarching message, however, seems to be deliberately misleading us in the wrong direction, away from the obvious reasons we have environmental laws, away from best available science, and away from a vast body of accumulated knowledge best understood by biologists and ecologists. Avert your gaze, away from the key role local, grassroots forest activists have played in slowing the rate of forest-ecosystem destruction/liquidation. When the age-old cover story to dupe the public isnt working, propagandists admit to a limited version of the truth, while withholding the most damaging facts from public scrutiny a gimmick called limited hangout. Dont be fooled, the bad old days of the past are not behind us. Think of todays U.S. Forest Service as a fictional, undead agency being reanimated by U.S. Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester through a magical dismantling of our most sacred laws, with a sprinkling of science fictional methods. This gaggle of zombies wants to clearcut our national forests. Bulldozers continue pioneering roads into roadless areas, destroying the last pockets of secure habitat for lynx, grizzly bears, bull trout. Old-growth-associated species hang precariously onto life by a thread. There are no kinder, gentler bulldozers. Bulldozers are coming for your roadless areas, for your streamside buffers and for your last old growth stands. Its all thats left thats worth anything to the sawdust merchants and the bankers who care about nothing but more money with interest. The past is littered with carnage caused by irreversible mistakes and ignorance. Why it isnt this working for our forests, for endangered species or for rural communities? Why cant forests just be left alone to be forests? Wouldnt that be a good discussion to have before we clearcut the last of it? What evidence can be presented to support the notion that public forests benefit from management by state and federal agencies? Do we really need these expensive agencies at all? To all the good points made by the Missoulian, there remains the sad truth that none of these enlightened egos have discovered: The hidden harmony, sacredness and perfection in a forest that has not been interfered with by man. Forests are still seen as chaos surrounding us. However misinformed, our perceived thoughts about forests havent evolved beyond what is good for me." After satisfying me, the remainder becomes an abstraction, filed away in a compartment labeled "bad." What is not reduced to property, or possession, is indiscriminately overlooked and discarded. "Better management" cannot overcome the highly fragmented perception of the incomprehensible order in nature. Governors and managers of all jurisdictions remain far from the understanding needed a universal intelligence to "let it be." If professional foresters discover better management tools, wont the same mistakes be repeated until theres nothing left to log? This nonalignment will persist until there we all arrive at a greater understanding of the interconnectedness of all things. After three long decades of social engineering instigated and funded by the federal government and private foundations, people are fed up with the status quo. People are awakening to a greater understanding of their environment. The public is also beginning to realize that this oft-repeated story line is totally fabricated and false. None of this media hoopla is about creating a vignette of the original forest, a beautiful, fire-safe environment or honest collaboration. The war against nature is perpetual. What oligarchs want more money and more power never changes. Our organized, grassroots resistance against theft of our public lands and slavery for Montana workers is rooted in love of wilderness, freedom and non-violent dissent. There is no better kind of obstruction against the long-con. We stand in opposition to authoritarian systems that threaten to destroy the public forests most Montanans hold dear. The governor and a state legislator are offering proposals to tax medical marijuana. The Missoulian asked our readers on Facebook, "Should the state of Montana tax medical marijuana - or not?" Here's a selection of responses: *** Lynne Greenlee: Let's remove the entire debate altogether by voting to fully legalize and then tax the recreational purchases. Colorado MMJ patients only pay the local sales taxes. *** Kenneth Fleming Reese: Absolutely not. If it is recognized as medicine by the state and legally prescribed, there should be no taxes imposed upon the patient. *** Juli Cole: Legaliize recreational use like Washington Oregon and Colorado then tax it. SO very simple not sure why it has taken Montana so long to get here. *** Matt Pelham: The state of Montana should tax medical AND recreational marijuana. I can't wait for these prude lobbyist-owned dinosaurs that run our state and country to start dying off. ... Also, tax the hell out of opiates. *** Kathy Smith: No! Even if it is legalized for recreational use, medical marijuana should not be taxed! *** Wildcat Whitney: No! Double tax Big Pharma for their poison that is killing people! *** Kristina Tecca: Nope, not medicine. If we are talking recreational, then yes. *** Eric Wilsey: Legalize recreational first. Stop the faux war on drugs. Stop jailing non violent offenders. Forgive previous marijuana offenses. *** Net Kotecki: just legalize it entirely and then tax the recreational - this is absurd *** Tim Kcc: tax legal, leave the medicine alone. *** Margaret Tillinghast: If it's just medical, no; when it becomes recreational, yes! *** Jacob A. Howard: Weed is the devil, mmmmkay? *** Lynne Marie Duncan: No, not medical, only if it becomes recreational *** Nellie McClain: No on medical taxing! *** Linda Carlson: Make it recreational then tax that... *** Crystal Combs: Arkansas is having this exact same debate on the 40/29 fb page... Isn't taxation on prescription drugs illegal?? Making marijuana a "medicine" gives it all the protections of other drugs....no tax on oxycontin, no tax on marijuana..... *** Joseph Leonard: Tax it. If thats what they want they can pay for it *** Rennie Frank: No *** Cole Armstrong: Nope CEDAR RAPIDS Gov. Terry Branstad has agreed to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China under President-elect Donald Trump. Trump spokesman Jason confirmed Wednesday morning that Branstad was offered the post and has accepted. A more formal announcement is expected when the governor joins Trump at a victory tour rally in Des Moines Thursday. As the nations longest-serving governor, Branstad has considerable public policy experience, Jason Miller said on the presidential transition teams daily conference call. However, Branstad is also someone who has a lot of experience and a great grasp of trade issues and agriculture issues, has a tremendous understanding of China and Chinese people, Miller added. Trump was impressed by Branstads command of those issues as well as his long relationship with Chinese President Xi jinping, who he met in 1985 when Xi visited Iowa as a low-level agricultural official. Its very clear that Gov. Terry Branstad is someone who will represent our country well on the world stage and we couldn't be prouder of this selection, Miller said. The selection also was based on the impression Branstad made on Trump in their various meetings, not only on the campaign trail, but also in their meetings after the election, Miller said. The governors office had been tamping done reports Tuesday after Branstad met with Trump while in New York on a previously scheduled economic development trip. Since Trumps Nov. 8 election victory, political observers have speculated Trump would offer the role of Chinese ambassador to Branstad, who has a long professional relationship with Xi. At Trumps last campaign stop in Iowa before the election, in Sioux City, Trump praised Branstad as someone who could serve as Chinese ambassador. Terry came to my office and he was talking to me about trade, and I think theres nobody who knows more about trade than him, Trump told the crowd in Sioux City the Sunday before the election. (Branstad) would be a prime candidate to take care of China. He has done so well for the people of Iowa. Nobody knows it better. HELENA The East Helena couple found dead in their home Monday were involved in a murder-suicide, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton said. James Hart, 56, shot his wife Kelly Hart, 49, before turning the gun on himself, Dutton said. Both were shot in the head, and a .357 revolver was recovered at the scene. Authorities found their lifeless bodies Monday morning inside their Morton Avenue home. A caregiver alerted officials to a suspicious situation after arriving for work and finding the front door locked. Kelly Hart had "serious health issues," Dutton said. The last time either of the Harts were heard from was Sunday morning. Kelly Hart tried to call someone around 10 a.m. and the subsequent return calls went unanswered, Dutton said. Authorities said there was no history of police calls to the home. HELENA The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest dropped a controversial change to big game security standards in response to a lawsuit filed by several conservation groups. In a Dec. 2 letter, Forest Supervisor Bill Avey says that he withdrew an amendment to the Divide Travel Plan. The amendment eliminated current standards for big game hiding cover in exchange for security areas, drawing the ire and eventual lawsuit by organizations concerned about impacts to wildlife. I believe it is in the best interest of the public for me to withdraw the Record of Decision for the Amendment for the Divide Travel Plan Area and avoid the expense of taxpayer dollars, extended staff work, and lack of general public engagement that would result from litigation, Avey wrote. The reimplemented standards tie hiding cover to road density, meaning cover must increase as road density increases with the goal of keeping big game on public lands. Meeting the standards enough cover to hide an elk at 200 yards has been problematic as beetle kill and logging decreased cover, and roads outside of the Forest Services control remain open. Security areas essentially designated areas free from roads as refuge from hunting pressure, but did not incorporate hiding cover. On Aug. 25 user groups including Montana Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Montana Wildlife Federation and Helena Hunters and Anglers Association filed a federal lawsuit, contending that cover is essential and should be kept as a management standard. The lawsuit alleged that the Forest Service violated the National Environmental Policy Act by failing to adequately consider the effects and alternatives to the amended big game standard. The review process only looked at whether to adopt the amended standard, and the groups contend the agency is required to consider a range of alternatives, court documents say. The lawsuit further claims that the agency violated the National Forest Management Act by using minimal analysis appropriate for a minor forest amendment when altering big game security is a major policy decision. Science backs up this process, and we do feel like with a more thorough analysis the science is clear, said Dave Stalling, western field representative for the Montana Wildlife Federation. Stalling applauded the Forest Service for reconsidering its position, but added that he believed the lawsuit would have been successful. Im really pleased they listened to our concerns because cover standards are backed up by an abundance of good sound science and are the best thing for elk, he said. I think this shows these are public lands and it does make a difference when we get involved. Echoing support of the amendments withdrawal was Gayle Joslin with Helena Hunters and Anglers. I know that were pleased that they withdrew the amendment because its not what we need for wildlife, she said. Standards are measurable and definable at the landscape level and this recognizes vegetative cover as an important thing. Redistribution of elk herds from hunting pressure is a main concern, noting animals congregating in smaller secure places and closer to development, she said. That raises issues with tolerance for wildlife as it increasingly impacts private lands, she added. While the Divide Travel Plan designated motorized travel routes for a large area west of Helena, changes to big game standards may still come at the project level, Joslin said based on her conversations with the Forest Service. Both Joslin and Stalling say their groups plan to continue to engage with the Forest Service over wildlife issues in the future. Aveys letter notes the ongoing revision of the forest plan as a venue for discussing the appropriate analysis of big game security and any change in management direction. When asked about the merits of the lawsuit, Forest Service public affairs officer Kathy Bushnell said the withdrawal sought to engage a larger segment of the public. The decision to withdraw was much larger than whatever the potential court outcomes could be, it was based on being inclusive by inviting more people to this discussion of public land management through our ongoing revision process, she said. Withdrawing the amendment does not affect the remainder of the Divide Travel Plan. Copyright 2022 HT Digital Streams Ltd All Right Reserved Just before 8 a.m. on Dec. 7, 1941, a weary Ray Garland joined a small group of sailors and Marines on the quarterdeck of the USS Tennessee. Hed been on watch since 4 a.m. but got off early to help raise the colors. I heard a noise, he recalled. A corporal said, Turn around, so I did. I saw a Japanese dive bomber flying alongside us. He was so close, I could see his goggles. The flag wasnt raised that day. Butte native Ray Garland, 94, is the last living military veteran on the membership roster of the Lilac City Chapter of Pearl Harbor Survivors in Spokane. At one time the chapter had 125 active members from all over the Inland Empire. Its kind of a lonely feeling, Garland said when he attended member Charles Boyers funeral in April. Garland lied about his age so he could join the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1938. I was 16. You were supposed to be 17, he said. He fought forest fires and planted trees for a couple years, and then eyed the military. I got to looking at a Life magazine, Garland said. Id never seen a Marine before, but I liked their dress blue uniforms, so I signed up. They were gonna get me anyway, so I thought I might as well join. He was soon shipped to Pearl Harbor and assigned to the Tennessee the youngest man in the Marine detachment aboard the battleship. He turned 19 on Nov. 27, 10 days before Japans surprise raid on the fleet. I was a powder monkey, he said, describing his duties in helping man the ships 5-inch batteries and 50-caliber machine guns. Garland, never garrulous, is matter of fact about his experience during the attack and its aftermath. With short, clipped sentences, he narrates the hell he found himself in on Dec. 7, 1941. As the dive bomber flew past him, Garland looked out and saw a swarm of planes bombing Ford Island. He was scrambling to his duty station when he saw the USS Arizona, moored just 75 feet away, take several hits. A huge explosion followed as a bomb penetrated ammunition magazines. The noise was horrific. My ears still ring, Garland said. Burning oil and debris from the Arizona quickly ignited fires on the Tennessee. From his vantage point he saw the USS Oklahoma listing badly. He shrugged. I watched it turn over, he said. Time seemed to stand still as he doggedly cleared the deck of corpses and body parts. As flames sparked and ignited across the ship, Garland was pressed into firefighting duty. By that time the second wave of the attack had begun. He and a sailor opened the hatch to get to the officers quarters and saw flames along the bulkhead. He pointed a hose at the fire and saw a bright flash. That was the last thing he saw for quite awhile. Later he learned the insulation had been burned off the main power lines. As he sprayed water an electrical charge shot up through the hose, scorching his face and eyes. You can light a city with the charge that goes through those lines, Garland said. The current traveled through the water and got me. The last thing I remembered was turning the hose on. He awoke in sick bay. I couldnt see too well, at least not enough to shoot at anything, but I didnt want to leave the ship. After three days in sick bay, he resumed his duties. There were a lot of people in worse shape than me, he said. Over the next two years, Garland stayed aboard the Tennessee and participated in the Aleutian, Marshall and Gilbert Islands campaigns. Discharged in late 1945, he returned to Butte to work in the copper mines like his father and grandfather before him. But after being aboard ship for several years, life below ground didnt suit him. He married, moved to Spokane in 1948 and fathered two boys. I signed up for the Marine Reserves because Id bought a house for $7,000 and the pay would cover my $45 per month house payment, Garland said. In 1950 he was recalled to active duty when the Korean War broke out. He spent 10 months in Korea with the 1st Marine Division. While he was one of the youngest at Pearl Harbor, when he landed at Inchon, he was one of the oldest. They called me, Dad, he said. He was 27 and about to enter a new kind of hell. It was tough, Garland said. Pearl Harbor was bad, but coming into the Chosin Reservoir ... . He shook his head. Korea was a forgotten war. We didnt know if we would make it. I had frostbite on both hands and my feet. To this day his hands ache from the nerve damage he suffered there. Under constant barrage of artillery fire, his unit slogged on. During one firefight, a bullet ricocheted and struck Garland in the leg. I jumped in a hole, but there was a dead soldier in it, he recalled. I was out of that hole so fast! That bullet stayed lodged in his leg for 40 years. He often says, The Japanese singed me on December 7 and the Chinese shot me on December 5. Garland was just thankful to return to Spokane, his family and the carpet business hed started before he left. He fathered a daughter, and when his first marriage failed, he moved to Coeur dAlene and wed Beverly Plumb in 1976, becoming a father to her two sons. A shadow box in his home tells the story that slowly, over time, he has filled in with words. Like many World War II veterans, it took him decades to talk about his experiences. Among other military decorations, the box contains two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. He shrugged. I never told my kids, or talked about it. Garland has attended two Pearl Harbor reunions and considered going again this year, but hes recovering from a shoulder injury, and an eight-day visit to Hawaii seemed like too much. When asked to reflect on his time of service, he sighed and looked down at his hands. I got scorched a little. I got nicked a little. But so many people were hurt far worse than me. Then he lifted his head and straightened his back, his military posture still erect, still tall. I think I was a good Marine, he said. The biggest die-off of migrating snow geese in the history of the toxic Berkeley Pit is gaining worldwide attention with the story trending at the top of Facebook as of Wednesday morning. The social media site showed 3,000 people were talking about this issue, according to Facebook Wednesday. Both the United Kingdoms BBC News and Londons The Guardian newspaper posted stories Wednesday. National Public Radio also relayed the story. The Washington Post in Washington, D.C., smaller media outlets and bird organizations around the country are also reporting the story. The Los Angeles Times is planning its own story, according to a photographer who contacted The Standard Wednesday morning seeking a photo of the pit. Montana Resources manager of environmental affairs Mark Thompson said the Butte mining company has been inundated with phone calls from media outlets as far away as Norway starting Tuesday evening. The calls were nonstop Wednesday from radio, magazines and newspaper journalists. We cant come close to answering everything we got today, Thompson said Wednesday. MR officials reported this week that thousands of snow geese perished in the pit after landing there Nov. 28 during a snowstorm. The deaths occurred despite hazing efforts by mine workers. The pit is a former open pit copper mine that is filled with water contaminated with sulfuric acid and heavy metals. Comments have escalated on Facebook and on The Montana Standards website. One reader wrote on Facebook, Is there any way to fix this so it doesnt happen again? Another Facebook commenter said, Oh boy, here we go again. Everyone in the world who Googles Butte will essentialize us as the place where beautiful wild creatures die from mine waste pollution. Local officials, however, have a different take. Pam Haxby-Cote, head of the Butte Local Development Corp., said that couldnt be further from the truth. Haxby-Cote said she is not worried the story of the geese die-off will negatively impact Butte. She said she has the ability to live anywhere, but that she lives in Butte because this is a great place to be. We have beautiful mountains, the cleanest drinking water in the state; fly fishing; miles of local trails. Our thing is, were affordable. We have amazing talent here in Butte, she said in an interview with The Standard. Maria Pochervina, director of Butte convention and visitors' bureau, said she would be surprised to see this tragic event negatively affect tourism this summer. People are fascinated by the pit, Pochervina said. When we tell the story of the value of minerals extracted, how its made our lives better, people are fascinated by that. But Dave Palmer, who takes office in January as the newly elected county chief executive and a longtime commissioner, said the die-off is not good news on the economic development front. It does make national news and that is unfortunate because that is what people look at bad things, Palmer said. We could be doing a thousand good things in Montana and Butte itself and you never hear about them rise to the national level. But the geese that goes national and people say, Oh man, you dont want to go around there, or There is really a problem in Butte-Silver Bow, why would we ever want to relocate a business there? That is something you definitely have to be on top of and you have to try to counter that. As many as 28 comments have been made on The Standards website in response to The Standard reporting several thousands of birds died. The commentary ranges from this is so heart-breaking, to stating that wind turbines kill more migratory birds than the thousands reported dead by MR. Comments on The Standards website also display anger toward MR and Atlantic Richfield Company the parties responsible for the pit as well as calls to put the die-off into perspective. MR and ARCO need to remedy the situation, said one commenter. Another said, Buttes relationship to mining needs to be love-hate, not just hate. Palmer said hed like to see more attention and research paid to addressing the pit. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was not exaggerating when he called the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor a date which will live in infamy. Dec. 7 has become synonymous with his stirring words used to describe the early-morning raid in 1941 that killed more than 2,300 Americans. In the days and weeks that followed, as the dead were identified, family and friends across the country would mourn their loved ones. New would reach Butte just before Christmas 1941 that Lowell Jackson, 26, of Butte was killed at Pearl Harbor. The attack on Pearl Harbor was just the beginning. Just hours after the air raid at Honolulu, the Japanese were initiating another surprise attack more than 5,000 miles away from Hawaii at Clark Air Base in the Philippines. On Dec. 8, 1941, three Butte men serving in the Philippines LeRoy Carpenter, James Gill Jr. and Norman Fetherolf lost their lives in that attack. Seventy-five years have passed, and the information found on these soldiers in old newspaper clippings and online military and cemetery records tells something of their stories. Pvt. Fetherolf, son of Grover and Aranda Fetherolf, was 24 when he died. Born in Dillon on Aug. 6, 1917, he grew up at 1517 Whitman St., and attended Butte schools. Prior to enlisting in the Army on March 29, 1941, he worked at a Butte drinking establishment, the Atlantic Bar on Park Street. Long before the United States entered the war, Army Pvt. Carpenter, 23, enlisted. Two months before the attack, he was shipped overseas to Clark Air Base in Manila. The young man was the son of Mrs. Frank McEaney, who lived at 456 E. Broadway St. A mechanic and driver at Clark AB, he was killed when hit with a bomb fragment during the raid. A native of Spokane, Pvt. Gill, 21, was born June 7, 1920. At a young age, he and his family moved to Butte where he attended Emerson Grade School. While at Butte High School, the young athlete excelled in track, particularly in the high hurdles. Gill set a new high hurdles record his senior year. He graduated in 1939 and enlisted a year before the Pearl Harbor attack. Fetherolf and Gill were both attached to the 28th Material Squadron. Neither mens bodies was recovered after the attack. Their names are engraved on a monument at the Manila American Cemetery. Following wars end, Carpenters remains were shipped home and he was re-interred at St. Patricks Cemetery. Fetherolf, Carpenter and Gill may have been the Mining Citys first casualties, but they were not the last. By the time the Japanese surrendered, nearly 420,000 American lives were lost. In Butte, approximately 250 men and three women died, all in service to our country. Correction: The spelling of teacher Paul Dailey's name has been corrected. Fifth-grade teacher Paul Dailey burst into a wide grin after the Butte Education Foundation surprised him outside his classroom door Tuesday morning. Sporting a festive holiday tie, Dailey at first thought he was in trouble with Principal Jennifer Luoma, who stood in the Margaret Leary Elementary hallway along with Butte school board trustee Suzanne Dauenhauer and two other foundation members. I wasnt sure what was going on, Dailey said with a laugh, after Dauenhauer startled him with an $870.80 check, an award for the after-school Lego Engineering Club. That will buy a lot of Legos. This is the fun part, said Dauenhauer before scurrying across town to hand out similar awards at West and Kennedy. She and her entourage handed out $5,200 total in award money on Tuesday. Dailey has already put together a plan for the money. I want to do a club thats less robotics-based and more structural and about engineering, Dailey said. The club introduces students to hands-on basic engineering concepts and procedures while bolstering science, technology, engineering and math skills. He plans to enlist help from engineering students, including his brother, at Montana Tech and members of the Montana Tech Drilling Engineers Association. Altogether, Dailey and several other Margaret Leary teachers scored three grants from the foundation. Title I teacher Kim Pape and her team of 10 math teachers secured a $1,355 grant to improve fact fluency and math skills school-wide to provide a stronger math foundation for students. It will help us master our facts, said Pape, who initiated the project with her team of first-, second- and third-grade teachers. The grant will buy each grade level 1 through 3 in the regular classroom and 1 through 6 in Title I a set of wrap-ups, a manipulative, hands-on tool made of board and string that allows students to see immediate results. Title I is a federal funded program, an intervention program that catches students who need extra help before they fall too far behind in a subject. The wrap-ups are used to supplement pencil-and-paper lessons and computer drills in the regular district math curriculum for grades 3-6. Well be able to work on forming up our skills of addition, subtraction and eventually multiplication and division, because those are the foundation for all math skills, added Paper. Every child learns in a little different way, so wrap-ups are just another way of teaching. Margaret Leary teachers Debbie Richards, Jennifer Kriskovich and Kara Remsen received an $893 check to help their kindergartners stay focused and squirm-free using comfy carpets, for students to sit on, learn and explore while studying numbers. The carpets encourage good behavior and respect for personal space, too. Theyll use them for story time and reading lessons, said Luoma. Theyre always using their carpets. Creativity and one-time projects are high on the list of criteria foundation leaders look for in selecting award winners twice a year. We dont fund anything thats ongoing, said Dauenhauer. Were looking for innovative projects not funded through the schools or government. Three years ago, the foundation awarded Luoma an award to form a robotics start-up at the school when she was a classroom teacher. Ive written grants and Ive gotten grants myself, said Luoma. Theyre so generous to us. Hikers, dogs warned: Wolf-trapping season begins Dec. 15 Footloose Montana reminds Montanans that the wolf-trapping season begins December 15, 2016, and ends February 28, 2017. Large, dangerous steel leg-hold traps are hidden across Montanas landscape, often encircling bait that lures any animal or carnivorous bird. Dog owners should be on alert and will be safest recreating with their dogs on trap-free areas such as Bass Creek, Pattee Canyon and Blue Mountain around Missoula. The Rattlesnake National Recreation Area is trap-free but does not allow dogs during the winter months. Ground set traps are prohibited in the Lake Como Ski Area from December 1 through March 31. For details about trapping in other areas, please refer to Fish, Wildlife and Parks, http://fwp.mt.gov/eBook/hunting/regulations/2016/wolf/index.html or pick up a copy at your local FWP office. There is no limit to the number of wolf traps set in Montana. Traps do not have warning signs. A 150-foot setback is required for wolf traps along open roads and hiking trails on public lands. Trapping licenses are available to anyone 12 years or older for $20 for five animals per hunter/trapper. There is a 48-hour mandatory trap check. It is unlawful to disturb any trap or trapped wildlife belonging to a trapper without permission of the owner of the trap. Wolves do not defend their kills and rarely pose a threat to human safety. If you see a trap, if your pet or livestock is missing or caught in a trap, please notify Footloose Montana, info@footloosemontana.com, 406-282-1482, P.O. Box 8884, Missoula, MT 59807, so we can post the location on our map at www.footloosemontana.org for others to check before planning outings. Your name will be kept confidential. Connie Poten, Missoula HELENA A state Senate seat in north-central Montana will have to be filled after it was announced Tuesday that Sen. Kristin Hansen, R-Havre, is stepping down to take a job in the state auditor's office under incoming Auditor Matt Rosendale. Hansen sent her letter of resignation to the Secretary of State's office on Tuesday. She said her main motivation for resigning the seat and moving to the auditor's office, where she will be chief legal counsel, is the role she can play in heath insurance. "I feel like the skyrocketing cost of health insurance is one of the biggest issues facing Montanans today," she said. She said that whether president-elect Republican Donald J. Trump repeals the Affordable Care Act, has he promised during the campaign, or makes changes, the auditor's office will play a key role in what happens for Montana. "The auditor's office will be responsible for implementing those policies and if Congress gets bogged down, the auditor's office has the ability and responsibility to see what can be done." State law calls for the central committee of the departing senator's party to pick a group of candidates, which are voted on by county commissioners from the counties in the Senate district, in this case SD 14. Those counties are Hill, Liberty, Cascade and Chouteau and the committee is the Hill County Republican Central Committee. The Gazette State Bureau has reached out to the committee chairman, Andrew Brekke, for comment. Within seven days of being notified of the vacancy, the Secretary of State must notify the county commissioners in all of the counties of the district and the state party that is responsible for notifying the county central committee of the county where the vacating legislator is a resident, in this case Havre. The county central committee has 45 days to propose a list of prospective appointees and send it to the county commissioners. The commissioners have 15 days to vote and notify the Secretary of State of the appointee. When it's time to vote on candidates, the chair of the board in the county where Hansen lives will call a meeting of the commissioners of the four counties. Each commissioner's vote is weighted by the percent of Hansen's 2014 votes that came from his or her county and the amount of commissioners in the county. For example, about 47 percent of Hansen's vote came from Hill County, which has three commissioners. That means each Hill County commissioner's vote will be worth about 15 points. Each county has three commissioners. Hansen got 1,908 votes in Hill County, 1,326 in Chouteau, 581 in Liberty and 265 in Cascade. The person who gets the most points above 50 will fill the seat. If none of the candidates receives a number higher than 50, the selection board shall cast its votes again for the two people who got the most points. The process is sped up to a five-day notification process, a five-day submission period and a five-day appointment period if the Legislature was in session. MUSCATINE, Iowa The Muscatine County School District honored five of its workers with Decembers employee recognition awards. The honorees included Colorado Elementary teacher Ashley Mohror, Heather Trego, Mulberry Elementary reading interventionist, Dave Hartman, custodian at West Middle School, Grant Elementary media clerk Joy Schrock and McKinley Elementary teacher Dixie Luna. The winners were nominated by their colleagues, other staff members or parents and excerpts from the nomination letters were posted on the districts website. Brenda Stewart nominated Mohror. She has always been a driving force behind Colorados intervention process, Stewart wrote, according to the districts website. She has taught special education and has a great balcony view of how Colorado operates. Malana Kennedy nominated Trego. Mrs. Trego has helped my son since kindergarten with his reading, Kennedy wrote. He is now in 2nd grade at Mulberry and he has come a LONG way with his reading. She is an amazing reading teacher and is so very sweet & always smiling! My son loves her! Jessica Blanchard nominated Hartman. He deserves some recognition for a job that often gets overlooked because the students/staff dont see him, Blanchard wrote, according to the districts website. We just come to school the next day and magically our garbage is gone and everything is perfectly clean. The best part about Dave is his happy attitude. It is impossible to talk to Dave and not feel better! Leslie Bennett nominated Schrock. She makes the library a welcoming atmosphere for students. She is a friendly face, a calming voice, and a wonderful role model for growing readers. She goes above and beyond by really showing a true interest in students, Bennett wrote, according to the districts website. Trista Sotelo nominated Luna. She goes above and beyond to make her students know she care; she sends post cards when she is on summer vacation, she attends their sporting events when invited, and always acknowledges her students and parents in public with a word of encouragement about their children, Sotelo wrote, according to the Districts website. Staff members will be recognized at this months Board of Education meeting on Monday, December 12 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held in City Halls council chamber. WAPELLO, Iowa - A final solution to a continuing impasse over higher salaries approved for several Louisa County Public Health Service (LCPHS) staff members may be revealed Wednesday, members of the Louisa County Board of Supervisors learned Tuesday. Supervisor Chris Ball informed the board Tuesday that he had developed a strategy for dealing with the increases, but did not provide any details on the plan, which Ball said he will present during a special Louisa County Board of Health (BOH) meeting on Wednesday. The LCPHS salary discussion came up during the supervisors meeting after supervisor Randy Griffin reported he had met last week with BOH representative Craig Helmick, Louisa County human resources consultant Paul Greufe, and Iowa Department of Public Health Regional Consultant Berdette Ogden over the wage increases. Griffin said that meeting had produced a compromise that he did not support, but had agreed to present to the other supervisors. According to earlier discussions, the increases, which ranged from two per cent to 26 per cent, were approved by the BOH in June and covered six of the departments nine employees. As an empowered board, the increases did not require supervisor approval provided they did not push the boards budget over the level of spending approved at the beginning of the year by the supervisors. BOH officials said the increases used grant funds that had originally been approved for additional help, but existing staff had assumed the duties intended for the additional help. They also pointed out some of the staff had assumed new positions that carried increased duties and responsibilities. However, the supervisors criticized the BOH decision explaining it undermined their efforts to hold down county costs and taxes, upset other county workers, and meant higher county costs when the grant funding expired. They hinted at not amending the BOH budget to include the grant funding, which then prompted BOH officials to suggest health services in the county might suffer. On Tuesday Griffin told Ball and supervisor chair Paula Buckman his idea had been to wipe the slate clean. I wanted to start over, he said, but the others in the group had suggested an option that called for cutting back administrator Patti Sallee and assistant administrator Heidi Pallisters salary increases and leaving the rest of the staff wages at the higher levels. Although Sallee has resigned her position effective Dec. 23, nurse Roxanne Smith has assumed the position of interim administrator and will receive the higher salary until a new administrator is named. Buckman indicated she was concerned about the higher salary provided to office manager Brandy Blow partly because Blow had only been employed by the county for a few years. When Griffin asked the board to provide a yes or no answer to whether the board would approve the compromise, Buckman and Ball hesitated. Its not an up or down decision, Buckman said and Ball appeared to agree. If they can justify (the increases) its too hard to agree with you, he told Griffin, adding he had developed his own idea for handling the stalemate. What are you going to say? Griffin asked. Well see what tomorrow will bring, Ball replied. In other action, the supervisors: Learned assistant county attorney Julian West is ready to assume the zoning administration duties from retiring administrator Greg Johnson in January; Agreed to move forward with a $164,260 office information software changeover in several county offices. DES MOINES, Iowa Jeff Kaufmann says he originally planned to chair the Republican Party of Iowa just long enough to repair its fiscal woes. But after accomplishing that and overseeing two wildly successful elections, Kaufmann wants to stick around for more. Kaufmann says he is seeking re-election to another two-year term as chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa. The partys state central committee will choose its next leader at a Jan. 28 meeting. Kaufmann said nobody else has yet declared intention to seek the chair. Kaufmann has held the post since 2014. I think that Im at peace with another term, Kaufmann said this week. Time has gone fast, but also things have progressed so quickly. But theres still work to be done. Kaufmann was first elected state chairman after the 2012 elections. Because the state party under previous chairman A.J. Spiker did not place as much emphasis on fundraising, Kaufmann inherited a challenging financial situation. In addition to bolstering the partys fundraising, Kaufmann has guided Iowa Republicans through the 2014 and 2016 elections that turned Iowa from purple to red: Iowa Republicans flipped seats in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House, flipped control of the Iowa Senate, and delivered the state for GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump in convincing fashion. Instead of walking off the job with that impressive resume, Kaufmann said he wants to keep working for even more Republican success in Iowa, and use the connections he and other Iowa Republicans built with the President-elect Trump. It would almost be a shame if I did not take these connections that humbly have been bestowed upon me and turn it into something good for the party, and frankly something good for the state, Kaufmann said. When asked if he was offered a position in the Trump administration, Kaufmann said only that he probably shouldnt discuss the contents of private discussions. Kaufmann said one of his top priorities will remain preserving Iowas first-in-the-nation status in the presidential nominating process. He said that while he has learned to never say never, he feels good about Iowas position under President Trump. Donald Trump literally looked me in the eye and told me Iowa will be first in the nation, Kaufmann said. Top elected Republicans across the state this past week sent a letter to Kaufmann urging him to remain in the chair for another term, saying the Iowa GOP has never been stronger. There is no doubt that in the past two years Iowa Republicans have experienced tremendous electoral victories at the local, state and federal levels, the letter said. In each case, the Republican Party of Iowa was instrumental in providing our candidates with the tools and resources necessary to accomplish these feats. The letter was signed by Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, Iowas three Republican U.S. House members, majority leaders in the Iowa Legislature, and national party committee members. State party co-chairman Cody Hoefert also has declared his intention to seek another term. CEDAR RAPIDS Gov. Terry Branstad met with the President-elect Donald Trump in New York Tuesday, but had no announcement about a post in the new administration. The meeting followed speculation that Branstad, who has had a longtime working friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping and was a strong supporter of Trump during the presidential campaign, is the president-elects top choice to be ambassador to China. If nominated, Branstad would then face Senate confirmation. Following the meeting, Branstad, who was accompanied by his wife, Chris, and staffers, briefly spoke to reporters, saying he is excited about the quality of people Trump is attracting to his administration, according to Radio Iowa. However, he deflected questions about the China post. Although he and Trump had an opportunity to talk about a number of things, Branstad said he cant comment on that at this point in time. His office releases the following statement: I appreciate the invitation that President-elect Trump extended to my wife and me today. I truly appreciated the opportunity to meet. We had a very cordial conversation about the role Iowa played in his overall success by winning 93 or 99 counties and flipping 34 counties that previously went for President Obama. Its clear that his jobs message resonated with Iowans and the rest of the country. Its refreshing to see his bold leadership that will put people to work, give power back to the states and Make America Great Again. We also talked about the transition and his new administration. He is putting together a great cabinet that will serve the American people well. While there has been speculation regarding an appointment to serve in this Administration, I have no announcement to make at this time. Branstad met with the president-elect at Trump Tower while in New York for a previously scheduled economic development trip. He plans to return to Iowa in time for Trumps Thursday afternoon victory tour rally in Des Moines. The meeting with Trump was Branstads second with the new administration. He met recently with Vice President-elect Mike Pence in Washington, D.C., during a trip that also included visits with Iowas congressional delegation and top national Republicans. He talked to Pence about a desire for fewer federal government regulations on business, and Branstad said he expected to deliver a similar message to Trump. Branstad and Xi became acquainted in 1985 when Xi was a Hebei provincial official and director of the Shijiazhuang prefecture feed association. On a visit to Iowa as part of a sister state/province program, Xi stayed with a Muscatine family and met Branstad at his formal Statehouse office as part of a visiting delegation. Xi returned to Iowa as Chinese vice president in 2012 to renew his friendships with Branstad and other Iowans. MUSCATINE, Iowa Are you great at trivia and enjoy the thrill of competition? A Parish Pub Trivia Night will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, in Gannon Hall at Saints Marry and Mathias Catholic Parish in support of Catholic Youth. There will be 10 rounds of 10 questions each where you will work to outsmart the competition. There will be several door prizes for each round and the winning table will walk away with double their entry fee. The Muscatine Salvation Army will receive an additional 10,000 dollars from the Heartland Divisional Headquarters for fulfilling that goal. Throughout the holiday season, The Salvation Army of Muscatine collects donations to fund its programs for the year. So far, the organization raised almost a quarter of the funds it needs for the year. MUSCATINE, Iowa Laura Vargas has a monumental task ahead of her. Over the next couple of weeks, she will pack approximately 200 holiday baskets for some of Muscatines most vulnerable low-income seniors. Vargas, an outreach coordinator at Senior Resources, oversees the Christmas Basket program. The organization, she said, creates a list of low-income clients who might need assistance during the holidays. Each senior on the list will receive some everyday necessities, like socks, a warm coat or laundry detergent. And seniors can customize their basket by picking items they need from a list. We try to purchase as many things as we can from that list, Vargas said. And these everyday items are especially important for low-income seniors. A lot of them are income-restricted and they cant afford some of the things that the Christmas basket provides, Vargas said. Not only does it provide day-to-day items that you need, but it also provides, for example, gift cards. We try to purchase gift cards for them so they can go out and purchase groceries or other things that they may need. People and corporations donate items and money to sustain the program. Vargas brings the items to a third-floor conference room at the Senior Resources building on Mulberry Avenue, where items fill several plastic tubs and tables. And then she gets to work, reading wish lists and filling pink cloth bags with paper towels, gift cards, blankets, socks or other items. I try to pack a couple baskets together at a time every day so that Im not overwhelmed, she said. Then comes the fun part: Vargas and volunteers will deliver the baskets to seniors on the week of Christmas. The program provides seniors with the added benefit of human contact at a time where many seniors are forgotten. A lot of the time around Christmas we think about the children, but a lot of people, they dont think about the seniors they are out there, living by themselves and they are lonely, Vargas said. When they receive a Christmas basket from a volunteer that just cheers them up and at least they can visit with that volunteer, she said. The program is sustained entirely by donations. This year, Vargas said the basket program is short on socks, laundry detergents, and grocery store gift cards of any amount. Were always grateful to have donations, she said, adding that the organization also accepts monetary donations. Those who are interested in donating items or money can contact Senior Resources at 263-7292. 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 [] Parliaments ad hoc committee looking into the fitness of the SABC board will begin interviewing witnesses on Wednesday. The ad hoc committees work stalled last week after the last remaining board member, Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe, took the committee to court citing alleged bias from opposition MPs. Judge Siraj Desai dismissed Maguvhes application in the Western Cape High Court on Friday, saying he would give reasons at a later state. The first batch of witnesses to be interviewed includes Auditor General Kimi Makwetu, a representative from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa and representatives from the office of the Public Protector, committee chairperson Vincent Smith told News24 on Friday. Other witnesses to be called thereafter include Minister of Communications Faith Muthambi, the SABC 8, acting SABC political editor Sophie Mokoena and former board members and employees. The committee will sit from 09:00 each day for 11 days. The hearings will break on December 15 and restart for one week on January 10. The committee will consider a draft report on January 24 and present a final report on February 15. News24 The latest MyBroadband speed test results show that MTN provides the fastest average mobile download speeds in South Africa. MyBroadbands speed test servers use Ooklas platform and are hosted in Teracos vendor-neutral data centres in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Through NAPAfrica, all network operators at its peering points are provided with a free 1Gbps connection to the MyBroadband speed test platform. MyBroadband filters speed tests based on network information from Internet service providers to ensure accurate results which reflect real-world conditions. The table below shows the fastest average download speeds from mobile and wireless providers over the past month, based on over 8,500 speed tests. There are just a few weeks left to check everyone off your holiday list, and the Napa Valley is full of opportunities to shop local and support your neighbors. So skip the traffic and the crowds, and find the perfect gifts at these, and the many other, small businesses around town. Muguette Renee Sometimes the best gifts are experiences. Register yourself and your mom, sister or best friend for a perfume blending class complete with wine and cheese at this new downtown Napa boutique every Thursday for $60 per person. The James Bond 007 cologne would also make a great gift for your significant other one that you can enjoy too. 1409 Second St., Napa Inti A shopping excursion at Inti is always welcome thanks to the enchanting smell of incense that hits you as you walk in the door. Shop beautifully colored and patterned scarves and sweaters from India, or pick up some distinctive stocking stuffers in the form of candles, jewelry, soap or incense. Theres something for everyone here. 1139 First St., Napa The Corner Napa For the oenophile with a fully-stocked cellar, head to The Corner and peruse their new wine shop for a rare bottle of vino you cant typically find in Napa Valley. The shop features selections from owners Trevor and Stephanie Sheehans worldly and growing, 4,500-bottle personal collection. Theyve placed a focus on old world Burgundys, and while they wont come cheap, youll save on the airfare to France. 660 Main St., Napa Wood & Rowan If you know someone who deserves some pampering, but youre on a budget, this new all-natural nail salon on the riverfront is the perfect intersection. Just a few doors down from The Corner, Wood & Rowan has the chic and relaxing ambiance of a spa, but with reasonable prices. Purchase a gift certificate for a Bio Seaweed Gel manicure ($55), or a few bottles of 5-free polish, which will make great stocking stuffers. 750 Main St., Napa Poor House Quirky, trendy and modern furniture and decor from Poor House will make any house a home. Brightly-colored bistro sets are perfect for Napa summer nights, patterned rugs come in all shapes and sizes, and the stuffed animal head mounts make great conversation pieces. Youll find plenty of gift options in a wide range of prices. 835 Lincoln Ave., Napa Oxbow Public Market If youre short on time, Napas marketplace is a one-stop shop for holiday gifting. Grab a spirited gift set from Napa Valley Distillery, so the cocktail lover in your life can mix up their favorite concoction such as a Bloody Mary or Manhattan at home, whenever the mood strikes. Stop in at Napa Bookmine and grab a copy of Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg for the feminist in your life, or J.K. Rowlings latest, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, for your favorite Hogwarts fanatic. If youre looking for something more distinctive, browse the handcrafted, ceramic wares from the Wood Fiber Clay pop-up shop thats at the Oxbow through December. Then once youve mostly exhausted your wallet, stop by the new Fieldwork Brewing Co. for a cold one. Youve earned it. 610 & 644 First St., Napa Kollar Chocolates You can never go wrong with giving something sweet and indulgent, and Kollar Chocolates has the goods just ask Oprah! Their Fizz Collection ($38.50), which features six flavors of chocolate combined with pop sugar candy and fruit, was featured in a gift guide in the most recent Oprah Magazine. Or, pick up a box of their truffles, like Vanilla Rum and Red Wine. 6525 Washington St., Yountville Libby Simone Napa Valleys first Fashion Truck enables Upvalley women to shop for affordable, boutique clothing (all under $100), without having to make the trek to Napa or Santa Rosa. The Libby Simone mobile boutique, which also carries plus sizes, can be found at various Upvalley locationscheck the websites calendar or make a private appointment to shop at owner Carrie Gehrkes home in Deer Park. She even has holiday wish list cards to fill out, which shoppers can then give their significant others in case they need a little help picking out the perfect gift. libbysimone.com American Canyon Arts Foundation holiday boutique While this is a temporary shop the American Canyon Arts Foundation will host a holiday boutique between now and Sunday, Dec. 18. Located in the Safeway Shopping Center, 101 W. American Canyon Rd. Suite 514, the boutique is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Shoppers can find unique gifts for the holidays, such as jewelry, wearable art and more. All net proceeds go towards student scholarships. The Bale Grist Mill will be hosting its annual Pioneer Christmas celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Inside and outside, those attending have many opportunities to experience Christmas as a 19th century holiday. There will be handmade rosemary wreaths to weave, tree decorations to poke with cloves, popcorn and cranberries to string, gingerbread cookies to decorate, and even lessons in calligraphy to enhance that special letter to Santa Claus. All the crafts led by volunteers dressed in period appropriate clothing. There are a multitude of demonstrations throughout the day including lace making, wool spinning, and waxed egg decorating. Traditional music from local musicians with fiddle, guitar, and banjo will be played as the parks miller demonstrates the workings of the old 1846 mill, grinding flours and talking about the old machines history. Meanwhile, for the outdoors types, there will be opportunities to twirl the handle of a corn-shucker, turn the wheel of an apple cider press, and wield some of the traditional woodworking hand tools that built the Bale Grist Mill, fueled its wood stoves, and kept it warm through its 170 winters. The Bale Grist Mill is operated by the Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District along with Napa Valley State Parks Association. Admission at the Bale Grist Mill is $5 for adults, $2 for kids 6-12, and free for children younger than 6. The Bale Grist Mill is located at 3369 St. Helena Hwy. between St. Helena and Calistoga, More information can be found at napavalleystateparks.org or by calling the mill at (707) 963-2236. Sixteen years ago, a temporary location was found for the Napa County Office of Education preschool in Calistoga. Now the preschool has to move from that location, on the city-owned railroad right-of-way, to make way for the Napa Valley Vine Trail. During Tuesdays meeting, the Calistoga City Council discussed the issue with Barbara Nemko, Napa Countys Superintendent of Schools, and Philip Sales, executive director of the Vine Trail. Although Mayor Chris Canning said the council will not renew the preschools lease when it expires in December 2017, he said the council remains in favor of having the preschool in Calistoga. At the end of 17, if we dont have an alternative, the school will be there (at its current location), he said. Nobody is throwing the school out. If anything else, we would like to find a site to help even more children. The city has worked closely with Calistoga Joint Unified School District officials to find a site for the preschool, and although they identified two sites near the Calistoga Elementary School, neither turned out not to be feasible. Vice Mayor Michael Dunsford asked, If the Calistoga Elementary School doesnt work, what is the next best option? An interim use could be the Fairgrounds, it could be a short-term solution to get us to a long-term solution. Canning said the Fairgrounds would be an option, but added there would be some issues with it. We have to re-energize our friends at the school district and with fresh eyes, we might find a solution, he said. The Napa Valley Vine Trail is a proposed 47-mile biking and hiking trail from Vallejo to the Oat Hill Mine Trail in Calistoga. A half-mile portion, called the Fair Way Path Extension, is along the former railroad right-of-way between the Little League fields and Lincoln Avenue. Sales said the Napa Valley Vine Trail received a $6.1 million grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission last December to construct the 9.4-mile section of Vine Trail from Bothe-Napa Valley State Park to Oat Hill, which includes the Fair Way Path Extension. After 15 months, weve been unable to find a suitable site for the preschool, he said, adding they have explored other options. We hope we can find some solution. City Manager Dylan Feik said all the agencies involved, the NCOE, the Vine Trail, the City of Calistoga and the school district, believe the facility is needed in Calistoga. Sixteen years as a temporary solution, we need to redouble our efforts to find an adequate site. Nemko said she remembers 16 years ago, when it was very difficult to find a location for the preschool in Calistoga. The only spot available was where we are now located. She added today feels very much like 2001, because everyone has been seeking a new location for the preschool and one hasnt been found. The preschool serves more than 40 children every year and she said it makes an enormous difference to those children entering kindergarten. We must make every effort to find a new location, Nemko said. Well go anywhere you want us to be, except away. The council directed Feik to continue to work with the school district and Vine Trail, and Feik asked Nemko to put together a spec sheet outlining the preschools property needs. Other action In other action, the City Council unanimously reappointed Michael Dunsford as vice mayor; accepted a $100,000 state Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) grant for the current fiscal year; approved a Program Income Reuse Agreement between the city and the California Department of Housing and Community Development for the 2016 Community Development Block Grant; and discussed two items, purchasing a solar array at the Dunaweal Wastewater Treatment Plant and various zoning code amendments and fee revisions related to accessory units. Canning also announced the councils next community forum at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, which will be related to all the elements of cannabis. The previously scheduled cannabis meeting, set for Dec. 20, will be rescheduled. The Napa County Office of Education has been chosen as one of 56 recipients of the states leading educational honor, the Golden Bell Award. The Golden Bell Award, now in its 37th year, is sponsored by the California School Boards Association. The award recognizes public school programs that are innovative and sustainable and focus on meeting the needs of all public school students. NCOE received the award at a recognition ceremony held on Saturday at the Association's Annual Education Conference and Trade Show in San Francisco at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. The Association is honoring the four-year Animal Science pathway at Vintage High School. The program aims to prepare students for the real world through hands-on learning, exploration, and application. College and career readiness for all students is a focus of the Animal Science pathway, demonstrated by the fact that courses in each level of the four-year program meets UC/CSU a-g admission requirements. Students are engaged in creating entrepreneurial and business projects that connect them to the professional agriculture community and allow them to build experience in areas of agriculture that interest them. Funded and coordinated through the Napa County Office of Educations College and Career Readiness Department in partnership with the Napa Valley Unified School District, over 130 students are currently enrolled in the program. The Napa Valley lost one of its own during the Dec. 7 attack on Pearl Harbor. Algeo V. Malfante, 24, who had graduated from Napa High School in 1938, was serving aboard the battleship USS Oklahoma as as a shipfitter 2nd class when it was hit by torpedoes. On Dec. 17, his Napa parents received a telegram from the Navy that said their son was missing in action and presumed dead, the Oakland Tribune reported at the time. Only 32 men were rescued from the USS Oklahoma, but 14 Marines and 415 sailors were killed. Most of them, including Malfante, were buried as unknowns in a Hawaii cemetery, according to the Navy Times. In 2015, the Department of Defense announced that those in the mass grave would be disinterred and a new effort would be made to identify them using DNA samples from relatives. A Malfante relative, Paul G. Mattiuzzi of Sacramento, reported Tuesday that family DNA was being provided to the Navy. If the remains of Algeo Malfante are identified, it is expected that he would be buried in St. Helena with his parents, he said. On March 7, 1942, the Oakland Tribune reported that Malfantes father, Victor, 49-year-old vineyard worker, had gone before the U.S. Attorney in San Francisco to ask for permission to pass through a zone in the Napa Valley prohibited to aliens of enemy countries so he could better get to and from work. The father had been born in Italy. To persuade the judge of his loyalty to the U.S., Victor Malfante told the judge that he had lost a son at Pearl Harbor. He also denounced Mussolini, saying, Hes a bum just a stooge for Hitler. The outcome of the hearing was not reported. BurgerFi, the hamburger restaurant that opened 2 years ago on the downtown Napa waterfront, has turned off its grill for the last time. The North Palm Beach, Florida-based company on Monday announced the shutdown of its Napa eatery, its first branch on the West Coast. Employees at two neighboring businesses said the BurgerFi at 967 First St. was open Sunday but never opened on Monday, when workers arrived to scrape the company logo off its doors and windows. The burger chains departure marks another retreat of a lower-priced eatery from a downtown district increasingly dominated by fine dining and wine tasting, a development BurgerFi hinted at in its announcement. BurgerFi management has determined that its Napa restaurants surrounding demographic base, as well as the very stringent economics associated with this site, does not support a cost-effective BurgerFi restaurant environment at this time, the company said in a statement. For this reason, BurgerFi management has made the difficult decision to close this restaurant. Remaining food stocks will be donated to The Table meal service at First Presbyterian Church, as well as the Napa Food Bank, according to BurgerFi spokeswoman Maru Acosta. By Monday afternoon, the Napa branch had been struck from BurgerFis website, and a Facebook page promoting the restaurant had been taken down. A piece of paper taped inside the glass front door announced BURGERFI NAPA IS CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATRONAGE, even as public-address speakers continued to play music outside the darkened building. Steve Hasty, the landlord for the First Street building, said Tuesday morning that several candidates already have emailed him inquiring about moving into the property facing Napa Creek. Whatever form a future restaurant takes on the waterfront site, Hasty expected it to have a closer connection to the local community than BurgerFi, which had not done business in California before opening in Napa in May 2014. I notice that in Napa the (successful) ownership is local and present on site, he said. Ill be looking for a tenant with Bay Area roots that understands the locals. You really have to gear up for the locals; they sustain you year round and into the slow months. Tourism is great but sustainability is what keeps customers coming year in and year out. Hasty, a Napa developer, first announced plans in November 2012 to create a restaurant offering burgers and craft beers on the site of the vacant Riverside Service Station. BurgerFi, a chain that promotes its use of natural, grass-fed beef and other sustainable ingredients, agreed to open a franchise inside the two-story, metal-clad building that grew from the garage, with a second floor overlooking the Napa River. In its short life, however, the Napa BurgerFi got a mixed reception from city leaders. The modern-style building, which abuts a historic structure hosting the Bounty Hunter wine bar, never came before the Planning Commission, and Commissioner Gordon Huether later doubted whether the structure would have ever cut muster up here if it had. Rick Tooker, Napas community development director, also said the BurgerFi building, which was not subject to the same level of review as historic structures, was not what officials had hoped to see in its increasingly busy city core. This is my fault, he said seven months after the restaurants opening. I personally should have pulled back and said, What are we doing here? With BurgerFis closure, Huether hoped to see new entrepreneurs revive the waterfront site although he added that any project likely would require a new look and business model, especially with the lack of any on-site parking beyond two curbside spaces near the First Street bridge. I liked the architecture; I just didnt think it belonged there, he said Tuesday. It was a gas station before and I think thats what they were playing off, but it was totally out of context for downtown Napa. The more Napa gets developed, the more expensive it is for smaller businesses and lower-priced eateries. How are they going to pay the rent unless they are national chains with enough staying power to ride it out? Shozaburo Nakamura, the ex-husband who killed restaurateur Eiko Nakamura in May 2014, testified in Napa County Superior Court most of the day on Tuesday and again on Wednesday morning. Although Nakamura, 74, has admitted to killing his former wife and business partner, defense attorney Molly Hendry is arguing that he did it in the heat of the moment, while Assistant District Attorney Paul Gero is arguing that the killing was premeditated and warrants a first-degree murder verdict. It was just after 9:30 a.m. Tuesday when the defendant took the stand, wearing glasses, a dress shirt and tie. For the next two hours, Hendry questioned Nakamura about his childhood, his finances and his relationship with Eiko Nakamura before and after their 1994 divorce. Nakamura, who was born in Japan, was brought to tears as he described one incident of violence by his father. One night after the war, he said through a Japanese interpreter, stray dogs came and ate some of the familys chickens. Food was scarce, he said, and his father became upset. Nakamuras father took his anger out their security guards dog, John, whom the 4-year-old Nakamura loved dearly. My father had the servants bring John to him put the rope around his neck and said he was going to kill him, said Nakamura, who remembers the dogs cries. I couldnt forget this the rest of my life. Nakamura went on to describe other violent offenses committed by his father before the mans death when Nakamura was 20. Thats when the family divided his assets an inheritance that Nakamura would live on for most of his life, according to Hendrys questioning. He came to San Francisco in 1971 in order to date his future wife, whom he had met during her visit to Japan the previous year, he testified. They were married two months later and lived in San Francisco for the next 16 years. During that time, Nakamura said he bought Eiko a beauty salon with money from his inheritance. When asked about other forms of income, Nakamura said, Im an artist; however, my paintings didnt really sell. He also said that he had worked as a butler for a total of seven years. The couple moved to Napa in 1987 and bought Fujiya restaurant with his inheritance money, he said. Nakamura described Eiko, age 78 at the time of her death, as having an abusive personality and said that she would often pour alcohol on him, hit him or even lock him out of their house. Eiko hated his family and would insult him about his social status, calling him stuck up and proud, he said. His drinking and smoking were one of the things the couple fought about, he said, in addition to her gambling problem. Shes crazy about gambling, Nakamura said. When Hendry asked if Nakamura ever reported this violence to police, he said No. I did not because Im a Japanese man. I came from a family who would be in charge of samurai so no matter what happened we would consider it a shame to be treated by a woman like that, Nakamura explained. After their divorce, Nakamura said that he lived for 11 months in Lake Tahoe before settling in a condo he purchased in Hawaii. Even though the couple had divorced, Nakamura said that his former wife would call him about once a month, often asking him to help her with money issues. Nakamura said he sent her an estimated $500,000 over the course of 13 years. Why did you send this to her? Hendry asked, noting that Nakamura was no longer obligated to Eiko and was aware of her gambling problem. Its because all of my friends had passed away, he said. So I only had her left. In 2008, at Eikos request, Nakamura moved back to Napa and in with his former wife at her house on the 2900 block of Pinewood Drive, he said. It only took a few months for the two to begin fighting again, he said. If I say white, she would say black. If I said You look nice in that dress, she would never wear it again. She was that kind of person. Nakamura lost the rest of his inheritance in 2011 and had only his $500 monthly Social Security check to rely on. Early in the morning of May 31, 2014, when he learned of Eikos plan to sell the house and leave him homeless, Nakamura said he felt a terrible anger. They had been cleaning all night, he said, and it was 1 or 2 a.m. when he discovered that Realtors were scheduled to come the following day. Eiko told him she was selling the house because she was $500,000 in debt and that she was going to live in a motor-home, he testified. When he told Eiko that his Social Security check would only buy him a week in a cheap motel and that he would become homeless, he said she responded by laughing at him and told him it would last two or three days at most. I asked her, Then what do I do, he told the court. She started to laugh and skip around me. Eiko then grabbed a knife from the kitchen drawer, told him to get out of the house and was threatening to kill him, Nakamura said. As she started swinging the knife, Nakamura said he didnt move. He said that Eiko started throwing knives at him and pointed one at his throat. Eventually he told her that if the knife touched her, he would kill her, he said. In response, Nakamura said Eiko laughed at him and said You have no guts, jerk. When the knife finally touched him, he blew up, he said. I dont really remember well, but I grabbed a rock and hit her twice. The next thing he said he remembered was leaning up against the wall in the hallway and seeing Eikos body in front of him, the floor covered in blood. I touched her, he said. She was dead. He admitted to cleaning the area with the same cleaning products the two had been using to clean the home earlier. I did not want to see her face so I put a plastic bag over it, Nakamura said. Then he wrapped her body in the bed cover from his room and dragged her across the smooth hardwood floor into the bathroom, he said. I figured after doing a thing like this I could do nothing but commit suicide, he said. The propane tank with the barbecue set was empty, though, so he needed to buy more, he said. Nakamura went to the bank, went to a Chevron station and then to Browns Valley Market. Before that day, he said, he had never tried to use an ATM before and had to get someone to help him since the bank was closed. He bought alcohol, cigarettes, and boiled shrimp. I was going to commit suicide right away but I wanted to die with a lot of alcohol in front of me, he said. He drank half a bottle of whiskey, threw up and fell asleep, he said. He didnt wake until he heard a knock on the door the next morning. I was heavily drunk, he said. Nakamura told the court that he never thought of killing Eiko. In the afternoon, Gero painted a different picture of the night Eiko died. You killed Eiko, correct? he started. Yes, replied Nakamura. Nakamura admitted to hitting Eiko on the head with a rock, but once again said that he didnt remember what happened next that he didnt remember stabbing her in the back four times or in the neck 21 times. Is it possible that when you lost your memory that someone snuck into the house and stabbed Eiko in the neck 21 times? Gero asked. Im saying that I dont know, Nakamura said, his once soft voice getting louder. Is it possible that this was an accident? That the knife fell into her neck? Gero continued. As Gero went through the transcripts of Nakamuras interview with detectives, Nakamura said that he couldnt remember admitting to stabbing Eiko in the heart or saying that the rock was inefficient for killing her. I was totally drunk, he said. Is this a memory youre trying to forget, Gero asked. I do not recall (it) in the first place, Nakamura responded. When asked if the video of the interview recalled his memory of the events, he said, I saw it but you shouldnt make a big deal about what a drunkard was saying. When presented with the rock and knives he allegedly used as the murder weapon, Nakamura said he didnt recognize either. Are those good-quality knives, Gero asked. I wont be able to tell unless I have it in my hand, Nakamura replied. Well, thats not gonna happen. At about 3:30 p.m., the court took a break. Nakamuras took the stand again on Wednesday morning. Gero stayed focused on Nakamuras alleged memory loss, asking him if it was frustrating to be able to remember the death of John the dog so vividly but unable to remember killing Eiko. Exactly, the defendant replied. In his questioning, Gero suggested that it was, in fact, Shozaburo Nakamura who relied on his ex-wife for a place to live since he was on a limited income and hadnt worked in years. She wasnt obligated to live with her ex-husband forever, correct? Thats what she said, Nakamura replied. Gero again asked Nakamura about his interview with detectives during which he said the words premeditated murder. Nakamura said that he had never thought of killing Eiko in all their years of knowing one another. When Hendry was able to question her client again, she had Nakamura clarify his memory loss. He said that he knows he killed Eiko, he just doesnt remember doing it. Hendry and Gero are scheduled to give their closing arguments to the jury on Thursday. Nakamura is being held without bail at the Napa County jail. If convicted, he will face 25 years to life in prison. Napa County supervisors handed a big victory to the controversial Walt Ranch hillside vineyard project by deciding that it meets all of the countys rules and can move forward. After 11 hours of hearings spread over three days, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday delivered its tentative verdicts. By unanimous votes, the board indicated it will turn down four appeals seeking to nullify a county approved erosion control plan needed for the project. County staff will prepare the necessary paperwork so the Board can take its final votes on Dec. 20. In this case, I believe the applicant has more than followed the rules, that we have held them to a higher standard than other erosion control plans, Supervisor Keith Caldwell said. Other supervisors said the project complies with the agriculturally based vision for Napa County as outlined in the county General Plan. Supervisor Mark Luce said the county did an A+ job of addressing the many concerns. Im very confident the environment will actually be in better shape after this project, Luce said, drawing puzzled utterances from some Walt Ranch opponents in the packed chamber. Meanwhile, opponents in the 179-home rural Circle Oaks subdivision adjacent to Walt Ranch remain concerned that Walt Ranch groundwater use for vineyards might sap the communitys wells. They dont trust the project environmental impact reports assertion that this potential problem can, with steps, be rendered less than significant. We dont want to have a situation where we turn on the faucet and nothing comes out, Sue Wagner, a spokeswoman for the Circle Oaks appellant groups, said after the meeting. Hall Brambletree Associates proposes to develop 209 acres of vineyard blocks and a total 316-acre disturbed area on the 2,300-acre Walt Ranch. The ranch is along Highway 121 in the mountains between Napa and Lake Berryessa. The applicants say they merely want to create vineyards on land with agricultural watershed zoning. Opponents say the project will cut down more than 14,000 trees and could damage the watershed, wildlife habitat and water supplies. Appealing the previous county staff decision in favor of Walt Ranch were the Napa Sierra Club, the Center for Biological Diversity, Living Rivers Council and, in a joint appeal, the Circle Oaks County Water District and Circle Oaks Homes Association. After all sides on Nov. 18, Nov. 22 and Tuesday had brought forth their experts, given their testimonies and disputed whether or not the project environmental impact report is adequate, the Board of Supervisors finally had the last word. Supervisor Diane Dillon said the countys 2009 General Plan counters sprawl by promoting agriculture. Ninety-three percent of the unincorporated county has an agricultural land use designation, less than 50,000 acres of vineyards exist and the General Plan foresaw another 10,000 acres of vineyards being planted. The entire county is 505,000 acres. This property is 2,300 acres and less than 10 percent would be converted to vineyards if the project is carried out to its entirety, Dillon said. She referred to post-truth, the Oxford Dictionaries word-of-the-year defined as facts being less related to shaping peoples opinions than appeals to emotions and personal beliefs. She saw that at play in the hearings and said some people dont want any more vineyards planted in Napa County. I think we need to make a hard decision, folks, about what the alternative is, Dillon said, adding that if the alternative is open space, that will cost money to buy. While endorsing Walt Ranch, Dillon also said she understood that Circle Oaks residents have concerns about their homes, families and futures. Napa County is to work on a groundwater monitoring plan with trigger points for the Circle Oak wells. Should water supplies fall below the trigger points, Walt Ranch would take such action as shift its water production to other wells on its large property or provide Circle Oaks with water. Wagner said the trigger points will be determined outside of public hearings. She called the Walt Ranch decision premature and said theres no reason the county couldnt first spend a little more time working on the trigger points. She also questioned how Circle Oaks would prove that any future well water losses are caused by Walt Ranch, so that Walt Ranch would respond. Napa Sierra Club criticized the project for the loss of 14,000 trees that sequester greenhouse gases. It disagreed with the premise that preserving other trees on Walt Ranch can be used as compensation for loss of these 14,000 trees. Supervisor Brad Wagenknecht expressed a similar view, even though he realized under regulatory standards that greenhouse gas credits the project receives for preserving 524 acres of woodlands offset the tree losses. In my head, Id still like to see something more that actually addresses the falling of 14,000 trees, Wagenknecht said. Wagenknecht didnt convince other supervisors to require Walt Ranch to go beyond on this topic. Still, he agreed with his colleagues that Walt Ranch complies with county rules and gave the project his vote. My mother was a beautiful Italian woman of great dignity, faith and courage. She was born during the Polio Epidemic of 191516, and paralyzed on one side of her body. She considered herself fortunate that it wasnt worse. When she saw other Polio children in the Crippled Childrens Home where she spent several months living their lives in Iron Lungs because they could not breathe my mother was grateful that she only lost the use of one arm. From her earliest days, my mother faced hateful discrimination because of her disability. Her father, an ignorant, arrogant, bull-headed Italian macho man, told her shed never get a job or get married because of her limp arm. As a polio child born in the Italian neighborhood of Greenwich Village, N.Y., public health restrictions kept her out of public swimming pools. When she was sent upstate New York to a New York Times Fresh Air Fund camp for disabled children, she noticed signs in front of private camps throughout the Catskills that read: NO POLIO CHILDREN ALLOWED. My mother taught herself to swim in the waters off Coney Island, using her one good arm, and raised and diapered four children in the days when diapers were made of cloth, and all washing was done by hand. She never complained, nor cursed her disability, even when my father went off to World War II to fight Fascism and she was left alone, to care for three children, with her youngest still in diapers. My mother never lived in a mansion, never was driven to school in a rose-colored Rolls Royce, and never received millions from her father, as Donald Trump did, nor did she ever delight in calling people names or insulting them. She was a devout Catholic until the moment of her death in 2007, and believed in the kind of all loving God that Pope Francis has preached about over the last few years. Money never mattered much to my mother; human dignity, kindness, caring and love were the sources of her wealth. Her life-long disability made her even more sensitive to all kinds of human frailties. I thought of my mother a great deal over the past month when the shrivel-souled beast who mocked disabled reporter Serge Kovaleski was elected President. My mother, loving and forgiving as she was, would have been outraged. You miserable son-of-a-bitch, I imagined her yelling at the television each time she watched the video replay of Donald Trump mocking Kovaleski. You should be forced to spend time in a Crippled Childrens Home to see people struggling to live each day with a disability. My mothers political hero was FDR because he showed the world how a person with a disability Polio, specifically could accomplish great things for others. When FDR helped launch the March of Dimes to raise vast sums of money for Polio research, my mother sent off her annual contribution of dimes with a religious fervor for decades. With FDR fighting for a cure, surely one would be found, she told us. She was proven right in 1954, when Dr. Jonas Salk discovered the Polio vaccine. My mother isnt alive today to call Donald Trump a miserable son-of-a-bitch, for making fun of the disabled, dehumanizing women and for his blatant bigotry. So, I will. This son of a courageous Polio survivor thinks youre a miserable son-of-a-bitch, Trump, and a shrivel-souled creature of the lowest order. First, you picked on Mexican immigrants and called them criminals and rapists some of the same slurs that were thrown at the Chinese 135 years ago, Italians 100 years ago, and Cuban immigrants, 35 years ago. Next you attacked political refugees, escaping certain death and oppression, and advocated the anti-American and unconstitutional action of registering people on the basis of their faithan action taken by Fascist regimes against the Jews during World War II. Then you cheer on your White Nationalist supporters to beat up a black man for having the courage to stand up to your pernicious political views, and you hire the Mercer Familys Merchant of Hate as your chief adviser. And, finally, you mocked a man a national treasure of a journalist simply because he told the truth about one of your unending stream of lies. My father fought Facists like you in World War II, Trump. My wifes uncle, a Jew, died fighting them in Italy. My mother fought bigots and brutes every day of her life. Its in the spirit of these battlers against bullies like you, that Ill continue their fight, Donald, you miserable son-of-a- bitch. You couldnt polish the chrome on my mothers wheelchair. You want respect? You give respect, as my mother used to say. Villano is a Napa-based blogger. He wrote this for his blog, Radical Correspondence. Upon reading Jim Wilsons Our oaks, our children letter of Dec. 1, one gets the impression that the felling of 14,000 ancient oaks will bring about a global ecological Armageddon. Lets look at his case. First, the oaks are not ancient. I think he means old growth, in which case most of the trees will have diameters of 4 to 6 feet. Is that the case? The slopes on the east side of the valley are subject to catastrophic fires perhaps every 50 to 100 years, in which the woodland is destroyed (think of the Clear Lake fires). An old growth forest does not form in 100 years. Second, this is one of earths rare biodiversity hotspots. No, it is not. Not close. Most are in tropical and equatorial climates. Think rainforests. (Wilson correctly identifies the Amazon and Indonesia as two hotspots.) Third, the climate is in a full-scale meltdown. No it is not. This happens, rarely, on this planet, the last one being the PETM (Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum about 56 million years ago). The general public probably is not familiar with this extinction event, but are with the larger one when a comet/asteroid/bolide struck the Earth, which was the final punch that led to the extinction of most dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Most? Yes, the smaller ones survive and live here in Napa. We call them birds. About the second greatest extinction 66 million years ago: scientists have speculated that the heat of the impact caused massive burning of the Earths mostly forested vegetation, resulting in an unbelievable amount of Wilsons black carbon. So, did the lands fry and the oceans boil due to the nearly 3,000 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide (CO2) over a 10-year time horizon? Actually, the planet cooled dramatically for perhaps a decade or so. Fourth, carbon dioxide is not a pollutant. If we could ban all of it, the planets atmosphere would drop to sub-freezing, and virtually life on land and in the sea would cease to exist. By the way, all marine life requires carbon, just as does life on land. What about ocean acidification? Shut down the coal-burning power plants, which produce harmful sulfuric acid. Incidentally, the worlds greatest extinction, about 251 million years ago, was due to the supermassive Siberian traps eruptions that acidified the Earths atmosphere, lands, and oceans. Carbonic acid, the good acid from CO2, is incorporated into life. Fifth, 1.5 degrees Celsius is not an irreversible climate tipping point. Irreversible implies a runaway climate. That has not occurred in the last 635 million years (the Ghaub glaciation). Fortunately, now there are negative feedbacks that will increase in time to prevent truly devastating warming. If Jim Wilson and all the other environmentalists (thank goodness I am not one; I am a retired environmental scientist) want to save the planet, there is a very effective way to do it. Distribute free condoms to all men and birth control pills to all women on this planet. Ah, but theres the rub. The majority of the women are second-class citizens, suppressed by men. When adult males allow them the same opportunities they enjoy, such as education, jobs, and the freedom to make their own choices (think reproductive choice here), then most women will choose to have fewer children (Im not advocating Chinas forced one-child policy), and ultimately, perhaps at the end of the century when the population will have reached or exceeded 10 billionand sea level may have risen 5 to 20 feetit will begin to diminish. Allow two centuries for the population to reduce to a sustainable level. So, men of the world, when are you personally going to do something really beneficial for the environment to ensure your children and grandchildren will have a sustainable planet? Jeffrey P. Schaffer Napa In a 2-1 vote, the St. Helena Planning Commission on Tuesday approved an eight-unit housing project on McCorkle Avenue that drew heavy opposition from neighbors. Applicant Joe McGrath said the project would replace a dilapidated home at 632 McCorkle Ave. with much-needed housing, comply with city policies promoting infill housing, and clean up a property that had become a contaminated mess under the previous owner, whom neighbors described as a hoarder. This will be a cleaner site because were doing something on it, he said. If we do nothing on it, that contamination is still there. Commissioner Tracy Sweeney agreed, and said that while the two-story project isnt ideal, its the only design compatible with the half-acre propertys high-density zoning, which would require a variance for any fewer than eight units. This is exactly the kind of project you need on this lot, she said. Commissioner Mary Koberstein compared the project unfavorably with Our Town St. Helenas eight-unit Brenkle Court just down the street. She criticized the design for lacking private outdoor spaces such as backyards, balconies and play areas, and for using carports that would cut down on natural light and air getting into the first-floor units. She compared the second-floor units to the bad room at the hotel where youre looking down onto the roof of something else. Commissioner Grace Kistner said she shared Kobersteins concerns, but cast the deciding vote in favor of the project. Only because I believe that we need the housing, she said. I dont particularly care for the design. Commissioners Bobbi Monnette and Sarah Parker recused themselves from voting because they live nearby. City Attorney Tom Brown said that under heavy pressure from the state, St. Helena adopted new policies that allow multi-family housing by right in zoning districts such as this one. As a result, the commission could only evaluate the projects design, not the various environmental concerns that neighbors raised, such as soil contamination, traffic, parking and safety. Libby Shafer said she was worried about the safety of kids who play and ride their bikes in the middle of the dead-end street. She said shes in favor of Brenkle Court, but with this new one, its just too many cars, too many people, too many children. Its just an accident waiting to happen, she said. She and other neighbors said it took six months to clear the property of cars, boats and piles of junk that had accumulated under the previous owner. McGrath commissioned a soil study that confirmed the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons and lead at shallow levels. The contaminated soil will be taken away and replaced with clean dirt, he said. However, Paul Skinner, a neighbor who holds a doctorate in soil science, claimed the contamination was much more extensive. He criticized the soil studys methodology and said there needs to be more investigation of lead and other harmful toxins deeper underground. Vickie Bradshaw cited a letter from her husband, attorney David Bradshaw, disagreeing with city staffs determination that the project was exempt from most of the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. The concerns about safety, traffic and contamination merit a full environmental impact report, she said. David Bradshaw has filed a separate housing discrimination claim threatening to sue the city for allowing too much affordable housing on the east side of town and not enough on the west side. While we all agree there is a need for multi-family housing in St. Helena, we also have to agree that we dont want to put residents in need of such housing at risk of multiple health and safety problems in order to accomplish that goal, said Vickie Bradshaw. After the hearing, Bradshaw said she plans to appeal to the city council. NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg will meet the President of the Republic of Estonia, Ms. Kersti Kaljulaid, on Thursday 8 December 2016. Media Advisory 13:45 Secretary General joint press point with the President of the Republic of Estonia Main entrance The press point will be webstreamed live on the NATO website and available on demand from Eurovision in Geneva. Still and video imagery will be available on the NATO website after the event. Follow us on Twitter (@NATOPress and @jensstoltenberg) NATO foreign ministers concluded two days of meetings in Brussels on Wednesday (7 December 2016), during which they made progress on a number of key issues, including cooperation with the European Union. Allies approved a series of more than 40 measures to advance how the two organisations work together including on countering hybrid threats, cyber defence, and making their common neighbourhood more stable and secure. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called the agreement a milestone in our relations, adding that neither organisation has the full range of tools to address new challenges alone, but working together we are a formidable force for good. Ministers also took stock of the Alliances efforts to project stability by helping to build strong institutions in partner countries, training local forces, and tackling terrorism. Ministers reviewed progress on NATO efforts to support the Counter-ISIL Coalition, the training of Iraqi officers, and maritime operations in the Mediterranean. Ministers also discussed the situation in the Western Balkans and the Alliances commitment to its partners in the region. At a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine mission, attended by Ukraines Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, the Secretary General underscored NATOs enduring support for Ukraine. The Secretary General warned that serious security problems are hindering progress toward a political settlement to the conflict. Mr Stoltenberg also stressed NATOs commitment to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the countrys reform efforts. Finally, at a meeting attended by Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, ministers discussed NATOs mission to train, assist and advise Afghan security forces, and reaffirmed their support to the country while the Afghan government said it would push ahead with reforms. Anna & Elsa Anna & Elsa , devoted baby sisters, love to play and sleep together, and cuddle with people.The girls are Toy mixes, expected to remain small in size, now 4 months of age and spayed, and debuting for adoption at Nevada SPCA The babies were just weeks old when abandoned by their previous owner who said they were "unwanted". But these girls are priceless, adorable treasures, full of enormous love. We placed them in a wonderful foster home for nurturing care and socialization.Puppies are generally not required to be adopted in pairs, butseem to us to have an unusually strong bond that needs to be honored, for life. Please adopt them for lifelong love and companionship. Faraaz Hossain, an Emory junior who died this summer during a terror attack in Dhaka, Bangladesh, has been awarded the 2016 Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice. Hossain was recognized for his bravery in choosing to stay with his friends, Oxford College sophomore Abinta Kabir and University of California sophomore Tarishi Jain, after armed militants stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka on July 1. The award was accepted by Hossain's family during a Nov. 20 ceremony in Mumbai, India. Survivors of the siege said that the gunmen separated local Muslims from foreigners and non-Muslims, and released some Bengalis. When the attackers told Hossain, who was from Dhaka, that he could go, survivors reported that he refused to leave his friends. All were among the more than 20 people killed in the attack. Kabir, 19, was a rising sophomore at Emorys Oxford College from Miami, Florida. Hossain, 20, a junior, was a fall 2015 graduate of Oxford College who had begun studies at Goizueta Business School in January. Both were graduates of the American International School of Dhaka. The students were in Dhaka this summer to visit family and friends when the attack occurred. Instituted in 2005 by the Harmony Foundation of India, the award is bestowed in memory of Mother Teresa and is the only honor of its kind recognized by the Missionaries of Charity, which she founded in Calcutta, India. Past honorees have included His Holiness XIV Dalai Lama and Malala Yousafzai The Harmony Foundation was established with the goal of fostering harmony between communities and castes and to work toward the benefit of all communities. The Mother Teresa award is intended to honor those who promote peace, harmony and social justice. The award was presented to Hossains mother, Simeen Hossain, and his older brother, Zaraif Hossain 14OX 16C, by former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and Sister Priscilla, a disciple of Mother Teresa. It was truly an honor the way such eminent leaders spoke about Faraaz with intense passion, sending a strong message of standing for humanity, especially by embracing the values Faraaz displayed that night, says Zaraif Hossain. Faraaz Hossain and Abinta Kabir were also honored this summer in Atlanta during an interfaith vigil in Cannon Chapel on Emorys main campus and in August during a memorial service held at Oxford College. The Mother Teresa award is a fitting tribute to Faraaz Hossain, says Oxford College Chaplain Lyn Pace. From what I know about Faraaz, how he befriended students and helped put together large-scale social programs to help build community, I have no doubt that this award is a reflection of his last heroic effort staying with his friends, refusing to abandon them in the wake of such evil, he says. Throughout this semester, Pace reports that Oxford College students have kept memories of Kabir and Hossain alive. This has been devastating for our students," he says. "They are definitely not forgotten." Courage Award established in Hossain's honor PepsiCo Global has also announced plans to provide a $200,000 endowment to create the Faraaz Hossain Courage Award, a $10,000 cash prize presented annually over the next two decades to a citizen of Bangladesh who is under the age of 30, exemplifies personal courage, has taken outstanding initiative to help others and exhibits the highest standards of moral and ethical values. The new award will be launched Dec. 7 when Indra Nooyi, Global PepsiCo CEO and chair, will eulogize Hossain and present the inaugural Faraaz Hossain Courage Award, according to Zaraif Hossain. The purpose of the award is to recognize acts of exceptional courage by individuals who set examples of empathy for fellow human beings, according to a PepsiCo press release, which notes the strength of character demonstrated by Hossain in the final moments of his life. He sacrificed his life for his friends, exemplifying true friendship, standing steadfast against injustice and connecting a humanity of different race, religion and nationality with love and harmony, the release states. The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] BENGALURU: Software giant Microsoft is preparing its Windows 10 PC to be a more family-focused device, states the latest reports and rumors about the upcoming features. According to the reports, the new family account will act as a hybrid hub that will show any user the shared family-wide data after authenticating. The authentication can be performed by using Windows Hello biometrics with facial recognition. Once authentication is successful, the shared data will be extended to show calendars and other information. After the user sign off, the private data will be hidden away, leaving only the shared data visible to others. The ability to create family-enabled apps with the split level of privacy and authentication will be available to developers as well. The reports says that a new family welcome screen, showing appointments, sticky notes, to-do lists, and similar shared information will be included making even a locked machine more useful. Cortana- Microsoft's digital personal assistant will play a vital role as family-enabled app. Cortana will have a family mode, currently referred to as "FamTana" internally. The family mode will be able to serve non-personal requests such as weather lookups and news headlines as well as shared calendars, shared music, and so on. As with other family-enabled apps, authenticated users will also be able to use their private data with Cortana. With the Home Hub features, Windows 10 will also become a smart device hub allowing registering smart devices like lights and locks with the PC and controlling them centrally. Read Also: NASA's Saturn Probe Makes First Ring-Grazing Plunge HP Inc Revamps Printing Security Solutions Against Cyber Attacks SIU recognized for assisting veterans, active-duty personnel by Pete Rosenbery Southern Illinois University Carbondale continues to earn national recognition for providing outstanding educational opportunities to student military veterans, active duty personnel and their families. The university was recently recognized again by Victory Media, whose publications include G.I. Jobs magazine, Military Times magazine, and Military Advanced Education & Transition magazine. The university has a strong history of being cited annually by each of the three national review programs. In November, Victory Media named SIU Carbondale a Military Friendly School for 2017 for an eighth straight year, and Military Times magazine ranked SIU Carbondale in its Best for Vets: Colleges 2017 for four-year universities. The university has made that list in each of the six years it has been published. Military Advanced Education & Transition magazine, which will be released later this month, awarded SIU Carbondale a Top School designation in its 2017 Guide to Colleges & Universities. The university has earned honors for 10 consecutive years, each of the years the magazine has published the guide. The magazine examined six categories important to service members, veterans, their spouses and dependents -- on-campus support services, financial aid, flexibility, general support, online support services and military culture. The guide is a result of a questionnaire of military-supportive policies at hundreds of institutions, including private, public, for-profit, and not-for-profit universities, community colleges and online universities. Im proud to be working at a university with a long history of support for military, veteran and military family members, Paul S. Copeland, the universitys veterans services coordinator, said. I enjoy watching and assisting students in meeting their goals; being able to work with the veteran population is just icing on the cake. This fall, the university is serving 467 student military veterans on the Carbondale campus. In addition, the university serves 432 active-duty personnel at off-campus military base locations in 14 states, and 92 online distance-learning students. Copeland noted that the university has extended campus and distance education programs that offer opportunities for service and family members to complete a degree while serving. For those who choose on-campus programs, there is a full-service veterans center, whose mission is to support students in accessing veterans educational benefits, as well as provide supportive services to assist with academic, engagement or other transition needs. UF awarded $10 million in grants to personalize virtual learning The University of Florida is assembling researchers from multiple fields to seek solutions in two areas of 21st century education personalizing online math instruction and adapting educational technology for students with visual impairments. The studies are funded by two grants, worth more than $10 million combined, from the Institute of Education Sciences, the research arm of the U.S. Department of Education. Nearly $9 million of the grant money supports a new project called Precision Education: Virtual Learning Lab, which brings together top experts in informatics, math education and professional development for teachers. Their charge is to advance a new approach for exploring massive sets of archived student data to update and personalize virtual instruction for future math students. With the increased use of computers in education, the large-scale mining of existing education data represents a big new opportunity for computers to help teachers adapt their practice for todays digltal world and help their students to improve their virtual learning, said UF education technology professor Carole R. Beal, the principal investigator of both studies (pictured above). The new Virtual Learning Lab team comprises faculty researchers at UF and the University of Notre Dame, and experts from Study Edge, a Gainesville-based online tutoring company. Over the next five years, the researchers will conduct studies in the emerging discipline of precision education, which uses large-scale education data from prior students such as standardized test scores, administrative records from schools and universities, and teaching methods used to personalize the learning experience for future individual students. No more one-size-fits-all lesson plans geared to some statistically average student profile. The researchers will focus on online or virtual learners in math using the new technology of big data learning analysis. The precision education approach has researchers using powerful supercomputers to rapidly scrutinize the massive education data, plus figures from students use of interactive or group learning tools. Our grand challenge is to improve the achievement of struggling online students, said Beal, who was recruited to UFs College of Education from the University of Arizona in 2014 to head the new UF Online Learning Institute. We will design new teacher development programs on the use of learning analytics and personalizing instruction, and how to track student progress when every student is doing something unique. Researchers at the Virtual Learning Lab will develop and test their prototype personalized model of precision education on a popular online tutoring tool called Algebra Nation, which the UF Lastinger Center for Learning launched in 2013 in tandem with Study Edge. Algebra Nation has since been used by more than 3,000 teachers and 200,000 math students from all 67 Florida school districtsmostly ninth graders gearing up for the mandatory end-of-course exam in Algebra 1. Near the end of the study, researchers will compare test results of students using the updated and personalized version of Algebra Nation with the scores of students using the regular version. Beal said the Virtual Learning Lab also will serve as a national hub for researchersforming a network for sharing findings and collaborating on new efforts to advance the fledgling field of precision education and personalized virtual learning. The projects co-principal investigator is Walter Leite, UF professor of research and evaluation methodology (REM) with expertise in big-data mining and learning analysis. Other College of Education faculty researchers involved are: Corinne Huggins-Manley (REM), and Don Pemberton and Philip Poekert from the colleges Lastinger Center for Learning. Two other participating UF faculty scholars are: George Michailidis, director of the UF Informatics Institute; and Juan Gilbert, chairman of computer and information sciences and engineering, and a pioneer in the field of human-centered computing. Other key team members are psychology and computer science professor Sidney DMello of the University of Notre Dame and online tutoring specialist Ethan Fieldman of Study Edge. Adapting education technology for math students with visual impairment The theme of personalized online learning carries over to Beals second federal grant, a three-year, $1.4 million project to help solve the unique challenges that visually impaired students must overcome in learning online. Think about it: How can students who cant see the images on their computer screen solve algebra or geometry problems filled with line, bar and circle graphs, figures, geometric shapes and maps? In my investigations, I have found that students who appear disengaged in the traditional classroom are often among the most active learners in the online learning setting, Beal said. For this study, Beal has assembled a research team with colleagues from Arizona and Florida to explore how technology can make online learning more accessible to students with special needs. Nicholas Gage from UFs special education program is co-principal investigator. The researchers will develop and test an iPad-based instructional system to train students with visual impairments to locate and decipher targeted information in math graphics problems. The system includes audio, print and braille cues in accompanying books to point users to targeted graphics and word problems. They plan to recruit up to 150 middle and high school students with visual impairments for the project from regular schools and specialized residential programs in Florida, Arizona and other states. New Delhi [India], Dec 6 (ANI-NewsVoir): With the aim to raise awareness and knowledge of US cranberries, the US Cranberry Marketing Committee (CMC) organized a seminar in Bangalore on the versatility, availability and utilization of America's Original Superfruit among industrial ingredient users in India. Rich in Vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants, these tiny berries have been favorites among the healthy food lovers for some time now. Talking about the US cranberry industry and expansion plans in India, Alyson Segawa, Manager, International Marketing Accounts at Bryant Christie said, "The Indian market offers enormous potential for US cranberries and is being considered one of the most important export markets for the United States. This seminar is our initiative to raise positive awareness of US cranberries among trade." Sharing the Indian perspective, Keith Sunderlal, India representative, US Cranberry Marketing Committee (CMC) stated, "The increase in demand of US cranberries among the Indian consumers is testimony to the super fruit's growing popularity. Through our multi pronged awareness drive, we aim to take its unique flavor and health benefits across the nation." The seminar saw participation from over 90 established decision makers from the food and nutrition industry, key opinion makers from the ingredients industry, and culinary experts. The highlight of the event was an insightful session on US cranberry Industry and Applications by Karen Cahill, Communications and Marketing Specialist, Cranberry Marketing Committee. The seminar agenda included discussions, presentations and a cooking demonstration of Indian and fusion recipes with US cranberry as the main ingredient. During the live US cranberry recipe demonstration at the event, celebrated Chef Sabyasachi Gorai said, "US cranberries are an absolute delight to cook with. Their tangy-sweet taste and unique texture gives them the ability to be the star ingredient of any preparation, ranging from drinks, appetizers, main course to desserts. As an innovator who is always trying out new ingredients and techniques, US cranberries play a huge role in my experiments as a budding chef. US cranberries are a versatile fruit that add delicious flavor to a variety of foods, making them the ideal ingredient choice for the Indian consumer." The US Cranberry Marketing Committee also conducted seminars in Mumbai and New Delhi, earlier this year in order to increase the awareness of cranberries across the country. (ANI-NewsVoir) "How many more lives will be lost for Modi babu?" Banerjee said on a social media website while retweeting a post by Trinamool Congress spokesperson Derek O'Brien. Earlier, Trinamool's parliament member Derek O'Brien tweeted a list of 88 people who he said had died while standing either in queues at banks or ATM kiosks or committed suicide due to lack of cash after demonetisation. There was a state-wise breakup of the deaths, names of the victims and the cause of their death. "Sad. No end to corruption and yet at least 88 people have now died #NoteChaos #Demonetisation Listed by State/Name/Cause of Death," Derek tweeted. --IANS --mgr/ssp/tsb/vt ( 151 Words) 2016-12-07-16:26:14 (IANS) Christmas is the time of love, laughter and happiness shared among families, companions, friends and acquaintances all around the world. To keep this tradition alive, every December the real Santa Claus from Finland leaves from his home in Lapland, Northern Finland and visits many countries all around the world. This year Santa decided to visit India! With his distinct "Ho, Ho, Ho" baritone voice and the signature red bag full of goodies, Santa made his way to meet and greet the crowd in Select City Walk, New Delhi. Santa said, "I am so excited to visit India and meet Indian people of all ages. As an ambassador of good will and peace, I wish to spread the magic of love and happiness where ever I go. I hope to meet many people during my trip and hear their stories. I am also looking forward to visiting important sights in India and, of course, tasting Indian food." The man that we all grew up loving, who always came dressed in the reminiscing red suit, with his sparkling white beard and child-like charm, visited Select City Walk mall and enchanted the mall goers with his charisma. It was a memorable moment for people visiting the mall after they witnessed and realised that the imaginary man who flew around the world in his reindeer sleigh, distributing gifts for children, leaving cookie bread crumbs as a sign of his visit; was right there in front of them distributing gifts to doting children. Santa's visit to the mall astonished many Indians as he celebrated the Christmas magic with everyone, making this year's Christmas merrier than ever! The Real Santa Claus' India visit became a reality with the help of the Embassy of Finland in New Delhi. The Embassy of Finland enhances cooperation, trade and economic ties between Finland and India. They also follow India's vibrant domestic policy, its development as well as foreign and security policies. The relations between India and Finland have always been good and free of political problems. Apart from topping many international indexes, the world's largest travel guide book publisher, Lonely Planet, ranks Finland as The Third Best Travel Destination for 2017. Finland welcomes Indian travelers to Finland to explore not only Northern lights but also to its pristine nature, appealing and urban city culture, not to forget, great food! The direct flight connection between Helsinki and Delhi, operated by Finnair since 2006, forms the fastest gateway from India to Europe. (ANI) The 49-year-old comedian has been tapped to host the '2017 Academy Awards', which will be produced by Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd, Variety reports. This will be his first time Kimmel is hosting the Oscars even though he has previously hosted other big events like the '2016 Emmy Awards', the 'ESPY Awards' in 2007, plus the 'American Music Awards' in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008. "Yes, I am hosting the Oscars. This is not a prank," the 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' host tweeted an hour after the news broke. "And if it is, my revenge on @TheAcademy will be terrible & sweet. Thx to @alsformalwear," he added. In a later tweet, the television personality informed about his new show with 'Collateral Beauty' star Will Smith, celebrated chef Adam Perry Lang and Snoop Dogg. And "apparently" about the Oscars. The tweet read, "NEW show tonight with Will Smith #CollateralBeauty, Chef @AdamPerryLang, #HowzItMizzade with @SnoopDogg & apparently I'm hosting the #Oscars." In a statement released later in the day, Kimmel further shared his excitement for the big hosting gig, joking, "Mike and Jennifer have an excellent plan and their enthusiasm is infectious. I am honored to have been chosen to host the 89th and final Oscars." Nominations will be announced on January 24 for the '89th Academy Awards', will air on ABC on February 26. (ANI) The actress looked stunning in a black jumpsuit from designer Brandon Maxwell. It featured ruched one shoulder detail and wide legs. She teamed the 3554 pounds worth design with burgundy heels and a black clutch bag, reports hellomagazine.com. With her blonde hair worn down and straight, she completed the look with leaf earrings and silver bracelets. She also had a tailored black coat on hand to drape over her shoulders as she left the event at New York's Landmark Sunshine Cinema. --IANS nn/nv/ ( 115 Words) 2016-12-07-08:00:12 (IANS) Cho, 82, passed away due to cardiac arrest at Apollo Hospital on Wednesday early morning. Actor Ajith Kumar, who had flown in from Bulgaria where he was shooting for his next yet-untitled film, paid his respects to J. Jayalalithaa at her memorial and then went and mourned the death of veteran actor Cho. Speaking to reporters at Cho's residence, Rajinikanth said he had come to "offer my condolences and pay tribute". "As a writer, Cho never compromised for anyone," he added. Actor Suriya, brother Karthi and their father Sivakumar had also paid their last respects to Cho, who had starred in over 75 Tamil films. He's best known for working in films such as "Nirai Kudam", "Galatta Kalyanam", "Bommalattam" and "En Annan" among others. Having adorned many hats apart from acting, Cho was also the founder and editor of Thuglak magazine, and a lawyer too. He was also a director and dialogue writer. He had also directed five films which include the very popular Tamil political satire, "Mohammed Bin Thuglaka", apart from "Mr. Sampath" and "Sambo Siva Samboo". --IANS hp/dc ( 225 Words) 2016-12-07-10:34:12 (IANS) The 93-year-old actor, who will be celebrating his 94th birthday on December 11, was rushed to hospital by wife Saira Banu. However, sometime back he took to Twitter to inform fans about the stability in his health condition. "Feeling much better now. Was admitted to Lilavati hospital for routine checkup. Your prayers are with me," he tweeted, along with a picture of him and Saira Banu. This is the second time that the actor was admitted at the same hospital. On April 15, the tragedy king of Bollywood was hospitalised after he suffered from high fever. However, he made a quick recovery in two days. Saira Banu then took to Twitter to inform the fans that the actor was doing well post treatment. Born as Mohammad Yusuf Khan, Dilip Kumar, in a career spanning over six decades, gave some classics to the Indian cinema, like 'Madhumati,' 'Devdas,' 'Mughal-e-Azam,' 'Ganga Jamuna,' 'Ram Aur Shyam,' 'Karma' and more. (ANI) So how did his 'Befikre' co-star Vaani Kapoor match up to that? She feels it is 'infectious!' "It's very difficult to match his energy. I don't know what battery he operates on. It's very unique and I love watching his energy from a distance. It's very infectious. He just makes the entire room alive," she told media in the national capital. The 31-year-old actor, who was also there at the event interrupted her and said it was actually her energy which the former had to match up to. "On the first day when we shot for the first scene I was like 'man this girl has immense amount of energy. I have to keep up with her'!" the 'Bajirao Mastani' actor shared. Extensively shot in Paris, 'Befikre' is all set to release on December 10. (ANI) In the snap, the 28-year-old looks extremely hot in a short black dress and a no-smile look. The 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' has graced the cover of magazine's this month issue where she looked 'fearless' in her red off-shoulder gown. On the professional front, the 'Sultan' star is now gearing up for her home production 'Phillauri' and Imtiaz Ali's next with Shah Rukh Khan. (ANI) Jolie has been granted physical custody of her kids after the estranged couple reached a temporary custody agreement on December 2, reports usmagazine.com. "She's currently looking into buying a new house in L.A. so the kids can remain close to their father," a source said. The couple's children -- Maddox, 15, Pax, 13, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 8 -- have been staying with Jolie in a rented California home since the divorce. Earlier, it was reported that Jolie wanted to move to London with her kids and "score a top position in the United Nations." --IANS ks/nv/vt ( 137 Words) 2016-12-07-16:22:13 (IANS) The "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" helmer, who is all set to judge singing show "Dil Hai Hindustani", said: "I don't think there is anything left on television that I didn't do. From judging the dancing, hosting a show to now judging a singing show, I've covered it all. "I am more of a television personality now and films seem to be an incidental part of my personality." The 44-year-old was speaking at the press conference of Star Plus's new show on Tuesday. The "Kapoor & Sons" producer who has served as a judge on the reality shows "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa" and "India's Got Talent" added: "Wherever I go, people ask me more about talent shows or the talk show and it's very embarrassing. Sometimes, I have to tell them I am a filmmaker and a producer too." Karan however feels that the impact of the small screen is huge. "I think the impact of television is huge. It is important to know for us that three percent people of our country watch films whereas 25 percent people watch television. It's nine times more impactful," he said. --IANS iv/nv/bg ( 221 Words) 2016-12-07-17:26:12 (IANS) Patel, who was deeply saddened by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's passing, said, "I extend my sincere condolences to her family, and to the people of Tamil Nadu." Meanwhile, tributes are being paid to Jayalalithaa at Rajaji Hall in Chennai where her mortal remains have been kept. Preparations are currently underway at MGR Memorial at Marina beach, Chennai, for her last rites ceremony. President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are travelling to Chennai to pay their last respects to the departed soul. The Government of India has as a mark of respect to Jayalalithaa announced that the national flag will fly half-mast in the capitals of all states and UTs. The government has also decided to accord state funeral to the departed leader which will take place at 4.30 p.m. in Chennai. The 68-year old AIADMK supremo breathed her last at 11:30 p.m. at the Apollo Hospitals in Chennai. Jayalalithaa, who had suffered a massive cardiac arrest on Sunday evening, was admitted to the hospital on September 22 following complaints of fever and dehydration. (ANI) As the nation mourns the loss of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa who breathed her last on Monday night, a swarm of people flocked to Rajaji Hall in Chennai where her body has been kept to say their last goodbyes, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will also head to pay their tributes. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will also fly down to Chennai to pay his respects to the beloved leader. A host of leaders including President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed grief over the demise of Jayalalithaa. "Deeply saddened at the passing away of Selvi Jayalalithaa. Her demise has left a huge void in Indian politics. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief. I will always cherish the innumerable occasions when I had the opportunity to interact with Jayalalithaa ji. May her soul rest in peace," the Prime Minister said in a series of tweets. Describing Jayalalithaa as a towering figure in the national and political life, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said the Congress Party, her family and she personally share the grief and pain of the people of the state and her devoted supporters in the AIADMK, who have lost their beloved 'Amma'. "She was a towering figure in our national and political life, who won admiration across the political spectrum for the intrepid spirit with which she faced the ups and downs of her life in politics, for her commitment to the people of her state, and her dedication to the honour of India. I am deeply grieved to learn of the passing away of Selvi J Jayalalithaa," said Gandhi in a statement. Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu asserted that Jaya will go down in the history as a real revolutionary leader as she lived and breathed for the people of her state, adding that she will forever live in the hearts of her people. Remembering Jayalalithaa as an able administrator who had conviction and courage, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu told ANI here that Amma became a household name in Tamil Nadu because of her pro-poor, pro-people initiatives. "I personally consider that she has brought a revolution in politics coming from an ordinary background, fighting against all odds by political rivals and her own party. She always thought about the interest of Tamil Nadu," Naidu said. Meanwhile, cries echoed the streets in Tamil Nadu, where the people, especially Amma's followers and supporters have been mourning since last night, unable to bear her loss. Roads and lanes sported a deserted look as several shops and market places were shut down in mourning. Jayalalithaa will be cremated with full state honours at MGR Memorial in Marina Beach today at 4:30 pm, which will be attended by the nation's political top brass. (ANI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa who passed away last night at 11:30 pm at Apollo Hospital here, will be accorded a state funeral and no other ceremonial functions will be organised. Also, flags will be flown at half mast. Meanwhile, a seven-day state mourning has been declared from today morning to mourn the death of the beloved six-time Chief Minister and a three-day holiday has also been announced for educational institutions in the state. The neighbouring union territory of Puducherry has also announced a holiday for all government offices and educational institutions today as a mark of respect to Jayalalithaa. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will fly down here to pay their respects at Rajaji Hall, where her body has been kept. Announcing her demise at 12.13 a.m., Apollo Hospitals in a statement said, "The Chief Minister suffered a massive cardiac arrest on the evening of the December 4, even while our intensivist was in her room. She was immediately administered resuscitation (CPR), and provided ECMO support within the hour, which is the most advanced treatment currently available internationally. Every possible clinical attempt was made to sustain her revival. However, despite our best efforts the Chief Minister's underlying conditions rendered her unable to recover and she passed away at 11.30 p.m. today." Amma's loyalist O Panneerselvam has been sworn in as Chief Minister at a sombre ceremony at the Raj Bhawan along with all the ministers in the erstwhile Jayalalithaa Cabinet. Jayalalithaa will be cremated will full state honours at Marina beach today at 4:30 pm. (ANI) Meanwhile, a special event was held at the Parliament complex to commemorate his death, which was attended by the Vice President Hamid Ansari, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran leader LK Adavani, former prime minister Manmohan Singh among other political top brass. Later in the day, lakhs of people are expected to converge at Chaitya Bhoomi today, where Ambedkar's ashes have been interred. The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai - MCGM has made adequate arrangements for pilgrims who come to visit Chaityabhoomi on Mahaparinirvan Diwas. MCGM has set up 10 control rooms to guide visitors and almost 11 ambulances have been stationed at various locations around Shivaji Park and Chaityabhoomi. More than 400 stalls, about 200 mobile toilets, water tankers, utility vehicles and fire engines have also been set up to aid the visitors. Around 750 workers have been put on duty round the clock at the venue and Dadar Chowpatty beach, which has the book stalls. With lakhs of people expected to visit Chaityabhoomi, the venue will also be kept under constant CCTV surveillance. Mumbai Police too has made elaborate arrangements to maintain law and order and also to ensure smooth flow of traffic. (ANI) The apex court on November 21 refused to give him relief in connection with two rape cases registered against him. Asaram had earlier knocked the doors of the apex court seeking bail on health grounds. The Gujarat Government had earlier told the top court division bench that the rape case registered against Asaram would very likely proceed in an expeditious manner, adding that the trial would be completed within six months so the bail should not be granted to him in the case. The apex court had last month sought the response of the Centre and five states on a plea seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged murder of children through black magic and attacks on ten witnesses in Asaram Bapu rape cases. (ANI) Due to the outbreak of many diseases following the use of chemical fertilizers for growing crops, Rajkot has initiated a new process of pranic healing in the field of agriculture. With the implementation of this healing, there is an improvement in the quality and amount of wheat, peanut and vegetables production. Sonalben Shah, Principal of the Kadvi Bai Veerani School, told ANI about how it all started and what actually this process is. "We have been visiting Pranayog Ashram in All India Pranic Healing Foundation Trust Headquarter, Odisha since last two years to learn pranic healing and Organic Yoga. The cultivation there is not done by using any chemical or organic fertilizer, but by the way of pranic healing. Our school, since then, has been teaching children to concentrate and improve their academic performance by means of pranic healing, meditation and chanting," she said. "We are trying to analyse how spiritual energy affects children," she added. Shifting focus towards farming, the Principal told that they had performed the same process in a farm which actually led to astonishing result. "Our children visit a farm every Sunday and meditate here for half an hour and do mantra chanting for an hour. The owner of the farm told that the pests of the field have been eradicated. It is a matter of delight for us," she said. Shyam Sundar, a farmer told that the process has yielded better results and that the crops produced are of better quality. "Gujarat is the first place where this process of healing has been used. It has been used on gram, wheat and corn and no pests have been found so far in these crops. The best part about this is that we have been able to avoid the use of fertilizers, which has helped in retaining the nutritional value of the crops," he said. This being the first attempt in the farming industry, the use of it would be further encouraged. The vegetable produced by means of this process would be of the best quality, which will ensure better health and quality of life. (ANI) Manipur Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh inaugurated the state's first food processing park at Nilakuthi. The total cost of the park is around 45 crores and it has a total of 49 plots of 600 square meters each which are to be allotted to entrepreneurs. The park has facilities like cold storage, warehouse, drainage sewerage and one affluent treatment plant. The park aims to provide space and basic infrastructures, like power, water etc. to several unemployed youths who wanted to start up their entrepreneurship in food processing at the Food Processing Park and establish their business. Speaking on the occasion, Singh stressed the role of private participation in giving employment to unemployed youth. He said that the economy of the state would improve if there is the habit of working without wasting time. "The government is seriously putting its efforts to provide employment to the unemployed youths of the state. To this end, the state government has already taken a policy decision to introduce the Manipur Start Up Policy which will benefit both skilled and unskilled unemployed youth in the state, he continued. Only some states of India like Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat and West Bengal have introduced such a policy and the government is examining which model would be most appropriate for Manipur," he said. Singh also said that the Nilakuthi Food Proceesing Park will facilitate entrepreneurs to establish their business. The objective of the park is to give employment opportunities and improve the economy. "When there is employment opportunity and employment is given to our unemployed youth, then peace will prevail, and if peace prevails, then development will follow, he added. Speaking as the president of the function, the state's Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam said that the food park has been set up with the aim of creating a sustainable agro-based industry in the region. Saying that there has been a notable industrial growth in the last 15 years Govindas said there has been a growth of 40 percent in the handloom sector, 25.8 percent in the food processing sector and 20 percent in the MSME sector. The government had also inaugurated two industrial estates, one each in Thoubal and Bishnupur Districts and a central poultry farm in Imphal West recently. All this, shows the commitment of the government in providing jobs to the unemployed in the state. Giving the welcome and keynote address, Principal Secretary (Commerce and Industries) L. Lakher said that the total cost of the park is around 45 crores and has facilities like cold storage, warehouse, drainage sewerage and one affluent treatment plant. (ANI) Justice Vikram Nath earlier on November 24 passed the order after arguments were presented by petitioner Ajay Rai as well as from the respondent's side. The court also granted time to both parties till December 1 for filing any further written submissions. Rai, who is a sitting Congress MLA from Pindra assembly segment of Uttar Pradesh, was the party's candidate from Varanasi in the 2014 general elections. He has challenged the election of Prime Minister Modi on a number of grounds, including alleged discrepancies in his nomination papers, expenditure on election campaign and use of religious sentiments for garnering votes. The contentions made by Rai have been strongly repudiated by Modi's team of counsels led by Satya Pal Jain, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Additional Solicitor General of India. Jain had argued that the petition was "not maintainable" and prayed for dismissing the same "in limine". The team of lawyers arguing on behalf of Rai was led by senior high court advocate Umesh Narain Sharma, who is a former head of the legal cell of the Congress party's state unit. (ANI) As the nation mourns the demise of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, who passed away at 11:30 p.m. at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai on Monday evening, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu asserted that she will go down in the history as a real revolutionary leader as she lived and breathed for the people of her state, adding that she will forever live in the hearts of her people. Remembering Jayalalithaa as an able administrator who had conviction and courage, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu told ANI here that Amma became a household name in Tamil Nadu because of her pro-poor, pro-people initiatives. "I personally consider that she has brought a revolution in politics coming from an ordinary background, fighting against all odds by political rivals and her own party. She always thought about the interest of Tamil Nadu," Naidu said. Recalling his last meeting with her, the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister said that that Jayalalithaa was always affectionate towards him. "Today she is no more but she is lives in the heart of the people of her state. No matter who is the Chief Minister now, she will always be the leader. I appeal of the Tamil Nadu to maintain calm and peace and see that tributes are paid in the dignified manner," Naidu added. Announcing her demise at 12.13 a.m., Apollo Hospitals in a statement said, "The Chief Minister suffered a massive cardiac arrest on the evening of the December 4, even while our intensivist was in her room. She was immediately administered resuscitation (CPR), and provided ECMO support within the hour, which is the most advanced treatment currently available internationally. Every possible clinical attempt was made to sustain her revival. However, despite our best efforts the Chief Minister's underlying conditions rendered her unable to recover and she passed away at 11.30 p.m. today." Her body will be kept at Rajaji Hall for people to pay last respects. Meanwhile, a seven-day state mourning has been declared from today morning to mourn the death of five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. A three-day holiday has also been announced for educational institutions in the state. The neighbouring union territory of Puducherry has also announced a holiday for all government offices and educational institutions today as a mark of respect to Jayalalithaa. President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled her demise. (ANI) As in life, so in death, Jayalalithaa Jayaraman, Tamil Nadu's six-time chief minister, was an enigma at a personal as well as at a political level. Popularly referred to as Amma, Puratchi Thalaivi, Thanga Gopuram, Thanga Chillai and Thanga Tharagai (Golden Maiden) by members and supporters of her All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party, she was the chief minister of Tamil Nadu from 1991 to 1996, again in 2001, then from 2002 to 2006,from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2016. Before her entry into politics in the 1980s, she was an actress who appeared in 140 films, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. As a leading actress in films from 1961 to 1980, she was considered both prolific and versatile, performing in different genres and essaying a wide variety of characters. She was also known for her dancing skills and at one time was referred to as the "Queen of Tamil Cinema". As an actress, she frequently worked with another actor-turned-politician, M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). This led to wide speculation that Jayalalitha was introduced to politics by MGR. However, she has denied these claims and stated that she had entered politics by choice. She was a member of the Rajya Sabha, elected from Tamil Nadu, from 1984 to 1989. Soon after the death of MGR, Jayalalitha proclaimed herself his political heir. She was Tamil Nadu's second woman female chief minister after Janaki Ramachandran. She also was the first incumbent chief minister in India to be disqualified from holding office due to conviction in a disproportionate assets case on September 27, 2014, but was acquitted on May 11, 2015 by the Karnataka High Court, and resumed as chief minister on May 23, 2015. She was subsequently re-elected to the Tamil Nadu State Assembly by the electorate of the Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar constituency of North Chennai in a by-election held on June 7, 2015. Jayalalitha was born on February 24, 1948 at Melukote, in Pandavapura taluka, Mandya district, then in Mysore State (now Karnataka) to Jayaram and Vedavalli in a Tamil Iyengar family. Jayalalitha was given her grandmother's name Koamalavalli at the time of birth. As per Brahmin custom, two names are given - one ancestral grandmother name and other being personal name. The personal name Jayalalitha was adopted at the age of one for the purpose of using the same in school and colleges. It was derived from the names of two houses where she resided in Mysore. One was "Jaya Vilas" and the other "Lalitha Vilas". Her paternal grandfather, Narasimhan Rengachary, was in the service of the Mysore kingdom as a surgeon, and served as the court physician to Maharaja Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV of Mysore. Her maternal grandfather, Rangasamy Iyengar, moved to Mysore from Srirangam to work with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. He had one son and three daughters - Ambujavalli, Vedavalli and Padmavalli. Vedavalli was given in marriage to Narasimhan Rengachary's son, Jayaram. The couple Jayaram-Vedvalli had two children: a son Jayakumar and a daughter, Jayalalitha. Her mother, her relatives and later co-stars and friends referred her as Ammu. Jayalalitha's father, Jayaram, was a lawyer, but never worked and squandered most of the family money. He died when Jayalalitha was two years old. The widowed Vedavalli returned to her father's home in Bangalore in 1950. Vedavalli learnt shorthand and typewriting to take up a clerical position to help support the family in 1950. Vedavalli's younger sister Ambujavalli had moved to Madras and was working as an air hostess since 1948 and was also acting in dramas and films using the screen name Vidyaavathy since 1951. After a while, on insistence of Ambujavalli, Jayalalithaa's mother Vedavalli also relocated to Madras and stayed with her sister from 1952. Vedavalli worked in a commercial firm in Madras and began dabbling in acting under screen name Sandhya. Jayalalitha remained under care of her mother's sister Padmavalli and with maternal grandparents from 1950 to 1958 in Mysore. While still in Bangalore, Jayalalithaa attended Bishop Cotton Girls' School.In later interviews, Jayalalithaa spoke emotionally about how she missed her mother growing up in a different city, but visited her during the summer vacations. After her aunt Padmavalli's marriage in 1958, Jayalalitha moved to Chennai and began to live with her mother. She completed her childhood education at Sacred Heart Matriculation School (popularly known as Church Park Presentation Convent or Presentation Church Park Convent) in Chennai. She excelled at school and was offered a government scholarship to pursue further education. She won Gold State Award for coming first in 10th standard in not just her school but also in Tamil Nadu. She appears not to have accepted the admission offered to her at Stella Maris College, Chennai. She was fluent in several languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Malayalam and English. In Chennai, Jayalalitha trained in classical music, western classical piano, and various forms of classical dance, including Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam, Manipuri and Kathak.[21] She learnt Bharatnatyam and dance forms under K.J. Sarasa. She became an accomplished dancer and gave her debut dance performance at the Rasika Ranjani Sabha in Mylapore in May 1960. The chief guest at the Arangetram was famed actor Shivaji Ganesan, who expressed wish that Jayalalitha become a film star in the future. In the mid-1960s, Shankar Giri, the son of the former Indian President V. V. Giri, saw her essay a small role in the English play Tea Houses of August Moon and was impressed. Shankar Giri approached her mother Sandhya and told he wanted to cast her daughter in an English film called The Epistle. Sandhya reluctantly agreed with the condition that shooting should be held only during weekends or school holidays. Sandhya had acted in the 1964 Tamil film Karnan, produced and directed by Kannada film-maker B. R. Panthulu. Jayalalithaa accompanied her mother to a party related to the film and was spotted by Panthulu, who then decided to cast her opposite Kalyankumar in the Kannada movie Chinnada Gombe. He promised to finish all shooting within two months in order not to interfere with her education. Jayalalithaa started acting and she was paid Rs. 3,000. Panthulu kept his promise and completed shooting in six weeks. Jayalalithaa had forgotten all about films after acting in her Kannada debut film, but it became a blockbuster in 1964 and she became a well-known face. She made her debut as the lead actress in Kannada films while still in school, age 15, in Chinnada Gombe (1964). She also appeared in a dance sequence of a song named "Malligeya Hoovinantha" in the movie Amarashilpi Jakannachari (1964). She made her debut in Tamil theatre in April 1964, when she played a sales girl in the drama named Undersecretary. Parthasarthy and Sandhya were the lead characters, while Jayalalitha and Cho Ramaswamy were paired together and A. R. Srinivasan was also involved. The play was based on the lives of middle aged couple and Jayalalitha played the character of a sales girl in the drama. Her performance led Parthasarthy to make her lead heroine in a drama named Malathy. Meanwhile, the films she had shot during her vacation in April-May 1964 - Chinnada Gombe and Manushulu Mamathalu - became blockbusters. By end of 1965 she had become popular among film producers and directors. She was approached by C. V. Sridhar for her Tamil film debut as well. Between 1964 and 1966 she did around 35 shows of drama named Malathy and later discontinued as she became very busy in films. It was during the year 1964, financial debts had increased of Sandhaya and she suggested her daughter to make use of the increasing film offers coming her way. Jayalalithaa's debut in Tamil cinema was the leading role in Vennira Aadai (1965), directed by C. V. Sridhar. She made her debut in Telugu films as lead actress in Manushulu Mamathalu opposite Akkineni Nageshwara Rao. Her last Telugu release was also opposite Akkineni Nageswara Rao in the film Nayakudu Vinayakudu, which was released in 1980. She was the first heroine to appear in skirts in Tamil films. She acted in one Hindi film called Izzat, with Dharmendra as her male co-star in 1968. She starred in 28 box-office hit films with M.G. Ramachandran between 1965 and 1973.The first with MGR was B.R. Panthalu's Aayirathil Oruvan in 1965 and their last film together was Pattikaattu Ponnaiya in 1973. She became a regular heroine for production house Devar films from 1966. Jayalalithaa claimed that M G Ramachandran, who had been chief minister for the state since 1977, was instrumental in introducing her to politics. She joined the AIADMK in 1982. Her maiden public speech, "Pennin Perumai" ("The Greatness of a Woman"), was delivered at the AIADMK's political conference in the same year. In 1983, she became the party's propaganda secretary and was selected as its candidate in the by-election for the Tiruchendur Assembly constituency. Ramachandran wanted her to be a member of the Rajya Sabha because of her fluency in English. Jayalalithaa was nominated and elected to that body in 1984 and retained her seat until 1989. Her success as propaganda secretary caused resentment among high-ranking members of the party. By engineering a rift between her and Ramachandran, these members influenced Ramachandran to stop her writing about her personal life in a Tamil magazine. Despite these machinations, she remained admired by the rank and file of the party. In 1984, when Ramachandran was incapacitated due to a stroke, Jayalalithaa was said to have attempted to take over the position of chief minister or the party on the pretext that his health would prevent him from the proper execution of his duties. She successfully led the campaign in the 1984 general elections, in which the ADMK allied with the Congress. Following MGR's death in 1987, the AIADMK split into two factions: one supported his widow, Janaki Ramachandran, and the other by Jayalalithaa. Janaki was selected as chief minister on January 7, 1988 with the support of 96 members; due in part to irregularities by the Speaker P.H. Pandian, who dismissed six members to ease her victory, she won a motion of confidence in the house. However, the Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi used Article 356 of the Constitution of India to dismiss the Janaki-led government and impose president's rule on the state. Jayalithaa contested the subsequent 1989 elections on the basis of being MGR's political heir. She was elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 1989 as a representative of the Bodinayakkanur (State Assembly Constituency). This election saw the Jayalalithaa-led faction of the AIADMK win 27 seats and Jayalalithaa became the first woman to be elected Leader of the Opposition. In February 1989, the two factions of ADMK merged and they unanimously accepted Jayalalithaa as their leader and the "Two leaves" symbol of the party was restored. On March 25, 1989, one of the worst incidents took place inside the Tamil Nadu Assembly, when the ruling DMK party members brutally attacked and visibly molested Jayalalitha in front of the assembly speaker at the behest of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. Jayalalitha left the assembly with her sari torn and this scene created huge sympathy wave for her. She used the incident as a parallel with the shameful disrobing of Draupadi in the epic Mahabharata. The incident got a lot of media coverage and sympathy from the public. During the 1989 general elections, the ADMK allied with the Congress party and had a significant victory. The ADMK, under her leadership, won the by-elections in Marungapuri, Madurai East and Peranamallur assembly constituencies. In 1991, following the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi days before the elections, her alliance with the Indian National Congress enabled her to ride the wave of sympathy that gave the coalition victory. The AIDMK alliance with the Congress won 225 out of the 234 seats contested and won all 39 constituencies in the centre. Re-elected to the assembly, she became the first female, and the youngest, chief minister, of Tamil Nadu, to serve a full term (June 24, 1991 to May 12, 1996). In 1992, her government introduced the "Cradle Baby Scheme". At that time the ratio of male to female in some parts of Tamil Nadu was skewed by the practice of female infanticide and the abortion of female foetuses. The government established centres in some areas, these being equipped to receive and place into adoption unwanted female babies. The scheme was extended in 2011. Her party had 26 elected members to the assembly. Her government was the first to introduce police stations operated solely by women. She introduced a 30 percent quota for women in all police jobs and established as many as 57 all-women police stations. There were other all-women establishments like libraries, stores, banks and co-operative elections. The Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK lost power in the 1996 elections, when it won 4 of the 168 seats that they contested. Jayalalithaa was herself defeated by the DMK candidate in Bargur Constituency. The outcome has been attributed to an anti-incumbency sentiment and several allegations of corruption and malfeasance against her and her ministers. The wedding of her foster son Sudhakaran, who married a granddaughter of the Tamil film actor Shivaji Ganesan, was held on September 7, 1995 at Chennai and was viewed on large screens by over 150,000 people. The event holds two Guinness World Records: one is for the most guests at a wedding and the other is for being the largest wedding banquet. Subsequently, in November 2011, Jayalalithaa told a special court than the entire Rs. 6 crore expenses associated with the wedding were paid for by the family of the bride. There were several corruption cases filed against her by the ruling DMK government headed by Karunanidhi. Jayalalitha was arrested on December 7, 1996 and was remanded to 30-day judicial custody in connection with the Colour TV scam, which charged her with receiving kickbacks to the tune of Rs.10.13 crore. The investigation alleged that TV dealers routed the money in the form of cheques to a relative of her close aide Sasikala, who had quoted Jayalalitha's residence as hers. She earlier filed an anticipatory bail in the trail court, which was rejected on December 7, 1996. She was acquitted in the case on May 30, 2000 by the trial court and the high court upheld the order of the lower court. Jayalalithaa was barred from standing as a candidate in the 2001 elections because she had been found guilty of criminal offences, including allegedly obtaining property belonging to a state-operated agency called TANSI. Although she appealed to the Supreme Court, having been sentenced to five years' imprisonment, the matter had not been resolved at the time of the elections. Despite this, the AIADMK won a majority and she was installed as chief minister as a non-elected member of the state assembly on May 14, 2001. She was also convicted in Pleasant Stay Hotel case on February 3, 2000 by a trial court to one year imprisonment. Jayalalithaa was acquitted in both the TANSI and Pleasant Stay Hotel cases on December 4, 2001. In March 2003, Jayalalithaa assumed the position of chief minister once more, having been acquitted of some more charges by the Madras High Court. She thereafter contested a mid-term poll in the Andipatti constituency, after the sitting MLA for the seat, gave up his membership, which she won by a handsome margin. India's first company of female police commandos was set up in Tamil Nadu in 2003. They underwent the same training as their male counterparts, covering the handling of weapons, detection and disposal of bombs, driving, horse riding, and adventure sports. In April 2011, the AIADMK was part of a 13-party alliance that won the 14th state assembly elections. Jayalalithaa was sworn in as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu for the third time on 16 May 2011, having been elected unanimously as the leader of the AIADMK party subsequent to those elections. On December 19, 2011, Jayalalithaa expelled her long-time close aide Sasikala Natarajan and 13 others from the AIADMK. Most of the party members welcomed her decision, and on 2 February 2012, Tehelka magazine claimed that Natarajan and some of her relatives were conspiring to kill her by poisoning her food over a period of time. The matter was resolved by March 31, when Sasikala Natarajan was reinstated as a party member after issuing a written apology. On September 27, 2014, Jayalalithaa was sentenced to four years in jail and fined Rs 100 crore by the Special Court in Bangalore. She was convicted in an 18-year-old disproportionate assets case that was launched by Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy (now member of Bharatiya Janata Party) on 20 August 1996 on the basis of Income Tax Department report on her. Jayalalithaa's close aide Sasikala Natarajan, her niece Ilavarasi, her nephew and the chief minister's disowned foster son Sudhakaran were also convicted. They were sentenced to four years in jail and fined Rs 10 crores each. Special Judge John Michael D'Cunha convicted her of owning assets to the tune of Rs 66.65 crores (which included 2,000 acres of land, 30 kilograms of gold and 12,000 saris) disproportionate to her known sources of income during 1991-96 when she was chief minister for the first time. The verdict was delivered by a makeshift court in the Parappana Agrahara prison complex in the presence of Jayalalithaa and the other accused. She was automatically disqualified from the post of chief minister and the legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu. O. Panneerselvam, a minister in her party, succeeded her as chief minister on September 29, 2014. On October 17, 2014, the Supreme Court granted her two months' bail and suspended her sentence. On May 11, 2015, a special Bench of the Karnataka High Court set aside her conviction on appeal, acquitting her and also her alleged associates. The acquittal allowed her once again to hold office for the fifth time. She was subsequently re-elected by the electorate of the Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar (State Assembly Constituency) of North Chennai in the by-election held on 27 June 2015. In a landslide victory, she polled more than 88 per cent votes of the 74.4 per cent turnout, winning by a margin of over 1.6 lakh votes. Jayalalithaa was again elected as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in the May 2016 elections. She retained the R. K. Nagar constituency with a margin of 39,545 votes over her DMK rival. She was the second chief minister after M. G. Ramachandran, to serve consecutive terms. Jayalalithaa passed away on the night of December 5, 2016 after spending 75 days in Apollo Hospitals, Chennai in critical condition. AIADMK MLAs were summoned to the hospital to sign a declaration naming O. Panneerselvam as her successor. The hospital officially announced the death of the chief minister at 11.30 p.m. (ANI) Describing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, who died of cardiac arrest at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai late last evening, as a towering figure in the national and political life, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday said the Congress Party, her family and she personally share the grief and pain of the people of the state and her devoted supporters in the AIADMK, who have lost their beloved 'Amma'. "She was a towering figure in our national and political life, who won admiration across the political spectrum for the intrepid spirit with which she faced the ups and downs of her life in politics, for her commitment to the people of her state, and her dedication to the honour of India. I am deeply grieved to learn of the passing away of Selvi J Jayalalithaa," said Gandhi in a statement issued here. She further said, "Selvi Jayalalithaa lived her entire life with the same indomitable courage with which she battled her last illness. As the leader of the AIADMK and as five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, she had a unique and deep empathy with the needs and hopes of the people, and put in place policies that immeasurably improved their lives." "Whether it was her welfare schemes for the rural and urban poor, her swift relief measures in the aftermath of the Tsunami or her vision for Tamil Nadu's industrial development, her leadership qualities and administrative abilities were truly outstanding," she added. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's official Twitter handle 'OfficeOfRG' tweeted, "We lost a great leader today.Women,farmers,fishermen &the marginalised dreamt through her eyes. We will miss Jayalalithaa ji, Amma to millions." Stating that the entire nation is shocked and deeply saddened by the demise of Jayalalithaa, the Congress Party described her as a leader that ordinary people could reach out to and a leader who worked tirelessly for the people of the state till the very end. "The entire nation is shocked and deeply saddened by her demise. She will always be remembered not only as Amma, but a leader that ordinary people could reach out to; a leader who changed and healed by the touch and affection she displayed and a leader who worked tirelessly for the people of Tamil Nadu till the very end," Congress media in charge Randeep Singh Surjewala told ANI. Announcing her demise at 12.13 a.m., Apollo Hospitals in a statement said, "The Chief Minister suffered a massive cardiac arrest on the evening of the December 4, even while our intensivist was in her room. She was immediately administered resuscitation (CPR), and provided ECMO support within the hour, which is the most advanced treatment currently available internationally. Every possible clinical attempt was made to sustain her revival. However, despite our best efforts the Chief Ministerm'st underlying conditions rendered her unable to recover and she passed away at 11.30 p.m. today." Her body will be kept at Rajaji Hall for people to pay last respects. Meanwhile, a seven-day state mourning has been declared from today morning to mourn the death of five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. A three-day holiday has also been announced for educational institutions in the state. President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Mohmmed Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have condoled the demise of Jayalalithaa. (ANI) Stating that the entire nation is shocked and deeply saddened by the demise of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, died of cardiac arrest at 11.30 p.m. at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai on Monday evening, the Congress Party on Tuesday described her as a leader that ordinary people could reach out to and a leader who worked tirelessly for the people of the state till the very end. "The entire nation is shocked and deeply saddened by her demise. She will always be remembered not only as Amma, but a leader that ordinary people could reach out to; a leader who changed and healed by the touch and affection she displayed and a leader who worked tirelessly for the people of Tamil Nadu till the very end," Congress media in charge Randeep Singh Surjewala told ANI. "She was a person of indomitable spirit, fearless courage and an innate determination to do what she had decided to do. She faced many political and personal challenges, but rose up to occasion with each one of them," he said. "Despite political differences, Ms. J. Jayalalithaa enjoyed special regard and affection for the Gandhi family, for the Congress party and more so for Soniaji and Rahulji. Rahulji had recently gone to Chennai to inquire about her well-being," Surjewala added. Announcing her demise at 12.13 a.m., Apollo Hospitals in a statement said, "The Chief Minister suffered a massive cardiac arrest on the evening of the December 4, even while our intensivist was in her room. She was immediately administered resuscitation (CPR), and provided ECMO support within the hour, which is the most advanced treatment currently available internationally. Every possible clinical attempt was made to sustain her revival. However, despite our best efforts the Chief Ministerm'st underlying conditions rendered her unable to recover and she passed away at 11.30 p.m. today." Her body will be kept at Rajaji Hall for people to pay last respects. Meanwhile, a seven-day state mourning has been declared from today morning to mourn the death of five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. A three-day holiday has also been announced for educational institutions in the state. President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Mohmmed Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have condoled the demise of Jayalalithaa. (ANI) The Cabinet Ministers were administered oath of office by Tamil Nadu Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao at Raj Bhawan. Paneerselvam broke down during the ceremony. Panneerselvam is considered to be one of the most reliable men of Jayalalithaa and had served as the chief minister when she stepped down for the trial in the disproportionate assets case. Panneerselvam resigned as the chief minister on May 22, 2015 paving way for Jayalalithaa to again sworn in as chief minister after the Karnataka High Court acquitted her in the case on May 11 2015. Jayalalithaa's body will be kept at Rajaji Hall for people to pay last respects. The Tamil Nadu government has declared a three-day holiday for schools and colleges. (ANI) The people of India and Bangladesh should move and work together, President Pranab Mukherjee has told a Bangladesh youth delegation that is in India as part of an exchange programme. President Mukherjee said he was sure that the spirit of love, affection and understanding will create a unifying bridge between the two countries. Emphasizing that India and Bangladesh share common history, culture and struggle against British imperialism, he said this type of exchange would help citizens of both countries to know each other better in terms of thoughts, beliefs and faith. (ANI) The University Grants Commission (UGC) will launch a month-long awareness campaign on the benefits of going in for cashless transactions at all universities under its jurisdiction. In a letter to the universities, the UGC has said that the campaign will begin from December 12 and added that the aim is to educate and train students on various modes of digital payments. The key aspect of this campaign it said is to ensure that every campus becomes completely cashless for receipts, payments and transactions. (ANI) Responding to Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati's salvo at Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he has not yet become a fakir (beggar), but has definitely turned 90 percent of the country's population into fakirs (beggars)", the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday said the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister only collects currency notes in the name of Dalits and Ambedkar, whereas the BJP has established five places associated with Ambedkar as 'Pancha Tirth'. "Behanji (Mayawati) has done politics in the name of Dalits and Ambedkar, but she has nothing to do with Ambedkar. She backed the Congress, which humiliated Ambedkar, and plundered the nation for 10 years, whereas the BJP established the five places associated with Ambedkar as 'Pancha Tirth'. Behanji doesn't have moral right to take Ambedkar's name as she has done nothing. She only collects notes in the name of Dalits," BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma told ANI. Defending the Prime Minister's demonetisation policy, Sharma said, "The aim behind the demonetisation drive is to root out corruption and to eradicate the menace of black money from society. Prime Minister Modi's government is making all-out effort for the upliftment of the poor. It was said even before taking oath that this government is of the poor, and if anybody really has right over the government, then it is with the person who is standing last in the queue, and our government is working for their upliftment." Taking a pot-shot on Mayawati for criticising the Prime Minister, he said, "Mayawati's trouble is why the Prime Minister Modi is solving the poor's problems. Because she doesn't want betterment of the poor; she doesn't want 24-hour power supply, water for farmer, international-level roads in villages and all other basic amenities that the people of our villages rightfully deserve." "Modiji's pledge of India's development is guided by development of villages, whereas for Mayawati or Congress leaders or leaders of any other parties, their aim is development of their family as they have hardly worried about the nation. PM cares for the country and is worried about the development of our villages that is why he is a shore to their eyes," he said. Reminding Mayawati of Dalit atrocities during her regime in Uttar Pradesh, Sharma said, "More than 30,000 cases of Dalit atrocities came to light and 1,100 Dalits were murdered in the state right under the nose of Behanji. But time is now changing in Uttar Pradesh, and Behanji can read very clearly her defeat written on the wall. The BJP will form a government with full majority in Uttar Pradesh." Addressing a rally in Lucknow yesterday, Mayawati said Dr. Ambedkar drafted the Indian Constitution on the basis of religious equality, but it is not acceptable to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP, because they want to impose Hindutva. Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent 'mai toh fakir hoon' statement, the BSP supremo said the demonetisation move of the Centre has rendered 90 percent of Indian population fakir and not Prime Minister Modi. Addressing a BJP's Parivartan rally in Moradabad on December 3, Prime Minister Modi had called himself a "fakir". (ANI) The bill will give effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, be taken into consideration. It will also enhance the reservation of Divyang from 4 percent to 5 percent in education and 3 to 4 percent in government jobs. The Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016 will come up for consideration and passage in Rajya Sabha. The Bill, seeking to amend Income-tax Act, 1961 and the Finance Act, 2016 has been passed by the Lok Sabha. HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill, 2014 and the Employee's Compensation Amendment Bill, 2016 is also scheduled to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha. In the Lok Sabha , Admiralty Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims Bill, 2016, Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016 and Maternity Benefit Amendment Bill, 2016 is scheduled to be tabled. (ANI) He was 82 years old. He was also an advisor to former Tamilnadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. He is survived by his wife, a son and daughter. His body has been taken to his residence at MRC Nagar where his friends and family and public will pay their last respects to him. Taking to Twitter, Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping Pon condole Cho's demise. "I deeply saddened on the demise of Multifaceted personality shri.#choRamaswamy. My condolences to his family & Thuklag staff,thousands. Of its readers. May his soul rest in peace," he said in a series of tweets, Cho had several laurels in his wreath like an actor, comedian, character actor, editor, film director and lawyer. He was popularly known for his unbiased views on political matter and bold nature. His magazine carried critical thoughts and raging views with and admirable fearlessness. He has acted in 89 movies and featured in 15 play, besides directing five movies and writing the screenplay for another five films. (ANI) The sudden evacuation mission was initiated at the request of the A&N disaster management, which speculates that a "cyclonic storm" might struck Havelock, an island about 36 km from capital Port Blair. "There is a deep depression (in the sea) about 310 kms from Port Blair. That is why the Navy was contacted as we don't want to take any chances," an official from Directorate of Disaster Management, A&N administration, told IANS. The official said that because of heavy rains and winds, the difficulty tourists are facing is to reach the jetty to board the ships. "We can't say as of now that the depression will turn into a cyclone," the official said. They expect the evacuation to be completed by the evening, he said. Navy spokesperson Captain D.K. Sharma said the ships were in the area and that there was a bad sea state. He said the ships departed from Port Blair around 0315 hours onwards. The official said the Indian Navy has sent four ships -- INS Bitra, Bangaram, Kumbhir and LCU 38 -- for the evacuation. Sharma said all the ships will go alongside and ferry tourists to Port Blair. Their highest consideration is safety of the tourists. --IANS kd/py/ ( 244 Words) 2016-12-07-10:36:11 (IANS) Sikh Dharma International from United States has initiated Raj Khalsa Yatra of 120 people from all over the US and Canada to gurudwara Sri Patna Sahib. The Raj Khalsa Yatra will celebrate 350th birth anniversary of 10th guru of Sikh community, Guru Gobind Singh Ji in Patna. On January 5, 2017, Sikhs of Sikh Dharma International will join people from the community in India with joy and devotion to honour this great occasion at Sri Patna Sahib. They will start their journey from the Golden Temple on January 2, 2017, Amritsar post celebrating New Year in the golden city. Encouraging the yatra, Sri Singh Sahib, Yogi Bhajan had said, "Yatra is a holy journey. We must go into the center, the heart center. It is a journey on earth to one's "Isht"- one's higher self, one's altar. It is a self-purification. So, we go from here to designated holy places & we have no other work but to get up in the morning to meditate, to go to these beautiful surroundings. Sometimes our mind hassles us, but we do conquer it. This is the purpose of Yatra." Travelling to Patna Sahib - the birth place of Guru Gobind Singh ji, Sikh Dharma International will take part in all the festivities for the 350th year celebration of his birth. With great joy and devotion, the participants of Raj Khalsa Yatra will also spend time visiting the holy places where Guruji lived and spent time during his early childhood. The Raj Khalsa Yatra will be guided by the leadership team of Sikh Dharma International. It has carried forward the mission of Sikh Dharma since the passing of the Siri Singh Sahib ji. They are: Bibi Inderjit Kaur, Bhai Sahiba (Chief Religious Authority) of Sikh Dharma and the wife of the late Yogi Bhajan; Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur Khalsa, Siri Sikdar Sahiba (Chief Administrative Authority of Sikh Dharma); Singh Sahib Gurujodha Singh Khalsa, President of the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation; Dr. Harjot Kaur Singh, Chairperson of the International Khalsa Council; Singh Sahib Kirtan Singh Khalsa, President of Sikh Dharma International. (ANI) Two AIADMK activists died of cardiac arrest after watching the funeral procession of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in Chennai yesterday. According to sources, Ramachandran (70), of Kirumambakkam near here and a strong admirer of Jayalalithaa was pained after her hospitalisation and his health condition affected. Meanwhile, he was shocked to hear the demise of Jayalalithaa and died of cardiac arrest while watching her funeral procession. Similarly, Kandasamy (62) of Naavarkulam here also died of cardiac arrest while watching the funeral procession of Ms Jayalalithaa.UNI PAB CS 1034 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1054513.Xml The Indian Navy today launched an early morning rescue operation to evacuate over 800 tourists who have been stuck in Havelock Island of Andaman and Nicobar after the rains lashed the city. After the civil administration requested for assistance to evacuate about 800 tourists stranded at Havelock due to heavy rains, the Navy dispatched its ships in the vicinity to carry out the rescue operation. "Navy ships Bitra, Bangaram, Kumbhir and LCU 38 have been deployed for the easy evacuation. All ships to go alongside and ferry tourists to Port Blair. Ships departed Port Blair at 0315hrs," official spokesman of the Navy told UNI. Navy spokesman said, "Safety of the tourists is of utmost importannce" and all possible assistance shall be provided for their safe passage.UNI MK CJ SNU 1043 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0400-1054514.Xml To honour Roemer and the 340th year of his discovery of the determination of the speed of light, Google made a fascinating Doodle today. The animated Doodle shows how the study and the discovery came into being. He determined the speed of light in 1676 by observing the planet Jupiter eclipsing its moon 140 times. His measurements were taken from Copenhagen while his peer Giovanni Domenico Cassini took measurements of the same eclipses in Paris. Roemer compared the results to determine the speed of light. Before Rormer, famous astronomer, physicist and mathematician Galileo Galilei also tried to measure the speed of light. While Galileo failed to determine the speed of light, Ole Rormer succeeded. (ANI) ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC),considered as the 'Olympics of Programming Competitions, globally. Itis the world's oldest, largest, and most prestigious programmingcontest, with more than 2,700 Universities participating from almostevery country. India's top brains in competitive programming from IITs, IISc,NITs and other engineering colleges will arrive at four campuses ofAmrita University (Bengaluru, Amritapuri, Coimbatore and Mysore) onDecember 22, according to a statement here today. Amrita University has tied up with Unacademy, India's largestfree online learning platform, to promote competitive programming inthe country. Teams which ace the semi-finals would participate in the WorldFinals of ACM-ICPC in May 2017 in the US. Anand Shenoi, Regional Contest Director, ACM ICPC, AmritaUniversity, said: ''Amrita University is the world's largest sitefor semi-finals of ACM-ICPC. Its campus in Amritapuri (Kerala) isthe main location for the contest, while Coimbatore, Bengaluru andMysore campuses are satellite sites. This year, we are hosting over1,600 participants from 250 colleges across India and Bangladesh.'' Roman Saini, Co-Founder, Unacademy, said, ''Our association withAmrita University falls in line with our objective of providingIndian students an opportunity to gain knowledge and exhibit theirtalent beyond the confines of their classrooms.'' CodeChef, a non-profit platform to learn competitive programming,is the Gold Sponsor of ACM-ICPC at Amrita University, while IBM isthe World Sponsor of the contest.UNI MSP CS 1344 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0285-1054767.Xml About ten alleged stone-pelters were arrested to foil "Muran Chalo" called by separatists today in south Kashmir district of Pulwama, where additional security and police personnel have been deployed to prevent any procession and maintain law and order. Both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), spearheading the agitation since July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two other militants were killed in an encounter in Anantnag, have already extended strike till tomorrow. However, the separatists had asked people to organise " freedom marches" from Kupwara to Qaziabad, Baramulla to Parenpillan, Bandipora to Ajas in north Kashmir, Budgam to Waterhail, Ganderbal to Tulmulla, Srinagar to Nowgam in central Kashmir, Pulwama to Muran, Shopian to Wachi, Kulgam to Damhal Hanjipora and Anantnag to Chattergul in north Kashmir today. However, to foil Pulwama to Muran march, security forces conducted raids during the night at Rohama and Muran and arrested about ten youths allegedly involved in stone-pelting. Arrest of stone-pelters came hours after Special Director General of Police (DGP) Coordination, Law & order, Dr S P Vaid impressed upon the officers that people behind the mischievous acts of arsoning, hooliganism, posters and stone pelting incidents should be identified and booked as quick as possible.UNI BAS SB SNU 1359 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0153-1054696.Xml Tributes and condolences poured as people from various walks of life, including politicians and film personalities and those from the media, paid their last respects to the mortal remains of eminent political commentator and satirist Cho Ramaswamy who passed away here this morning. A host of leaders and personalities including Cho's long time friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, BJPNational President Amit Shah former Union Minister M K Azhagiri, Leader of opposition M K Stalin, DMK MP Kanimozhi, Superstar Rajinikanth, late Chief Minister J Jayalaalithaa's close-aide V N Sasikala, State 'Ministers, offered their condolences. DMK President M Karunanidhi also condoled his death and saiddespite political differences, Cho has a special love and affection forhim. He said he was shocked to hear about his death and offered hiscondolences to the bereaved family members. Several Union Ministers and Chief Ministers of various states also took to the social media like twitter to offer their condolences. Mr Pon Radhakrishnan, Mr Vidyasagar Rao, Mr Pannerselvam,Ms Sasikala, her husband M Natarajan, Mr Stalin, Azhagiri, MDMK leader Vaiko, DMDK leader Vijayakanth, Congress leader Karti P Chidambaram, BJP State President Tamizhisai Soundararajan, L Ganesan, TNCC Chief Su Thirunavukkarasar, his predecessor EVKS Elangovan, VCK Leader Thirumavalavan, leaders of CPI and CPI(M), Hindu Munnani leader Ramagopalan, former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran, Mr N Ram of the Hindu,VIT Chancellor G Viswanathan, Latha Rajinikanth, former CongressMP Vyjayanthimala Bali paid their last respects. Apart from Rajinikanth and his wife Latha, several personalitiesfrom the tamil film industry also paid their homage at the residenceof Cho.UNI GV CS 1530 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1055014.Xml Reserve Bank of India today announced to withdraw incremental Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) of 100 per cent, effective from the fortnight beginning December 10, 2016. The incremental cash reserve ratio was announced on November 26. The liquidity released by the discontinuation of the incremental CRR would be absorbed by a mix of MSS issuances and liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) operations. It was intended to absorb a part of the large increase in liquidity in the system following the withdrawal of the legal tender status of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination bank notes. It was also indicated that the incremental CRR was purely a temporary measure and that it would be reviewed on December 9 or even earlier.UNI JS NV AE SB 1542 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-1054969.Xml The deceased, identified as Ramesh Gowda, was reportedly the driver of KAS officer . He committed suicide last night in Maddur ( Mandya district ) of Karnataka. A suicide note has also been recovered from the spot, where he was found that claimed J. Reddy had converted Rs 100 crore black money into white. He also alleged that Reddy paid a 20 percent commission to the KAS officer, for his daughter's marriage. Police is investigating the matter. (ANI) Popular Tamil film actor Ajith, who wasshocked to hear about the death of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday, cancelled his shoot and rushed to Chennai from Bulgaria early this morning. Immediately after landing in the city airport, he drove straight to Jayalalithaa's memorial on the Marina at 0430 hrs in themorning and paid floral tributes at the place where she wasburied. He was accompanied by his wife Shalini. Sources close to Ajith said, since no flights were availablefrom Bulgaria on Monday, the actor had to drive all the wayto Romania to catch a flight. He reached Chennai this morning and went straight to the burial site and payed his last respects. Shocked on hearing the death of actor and journalist Cho Ramaswamy, he also went to Apollo Hospitals and paid his last respects to him.UNI GV CS 1650 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1055211.Xml The National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered the case at its police station in Delhi following instructions from the Union Home Ministry. The case has been filed for offences under sections 120B, 121, 307 of the Ranbir Penal Code or RPC and sections 7, 27 of the Arms Act, 1958. The case was earlier filed at the Nagrota Police Station against unidentified terrorists, who had entered the army camp near the Baleeni Bridge. "The case at the Nagrota Police Station was registered on the basis of information received at the police station that on November 29, some heavily armed unknown terrorists, on the directions of their foreign handlers, had entered into the Army Camp at Nagrota, near the Baleeni Bridge and started indiscriminate firing on the army personnel with the intention to kill them," the NIA said in a statement. A team of NIA officers will visit the crime scene and start the investigation. It will also place the FIR before the NIA Special Court in Jammu. --IANS rak/vn/nir/dg ( 213 Words) 2016-12-07-17:14:12 (IANS) Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra in Odisha Assembly today demanded the state Health and Family Welfare Minister to make a statement over the media reports on the reduction of 100 MBBS seats in the SCB Medical College from the next academic year. Raising the issue during zero hour, Mr Mishra quoting media reports said the number of MBBS seats are going to be reduced from 250 to 150. He said the Executive Council of the Medical Council of India has recommended to the central government to reduce the number of MBBS seats by 100 citing 16 deficiencies. He said the most important thing the council had pointed out that the Superintendent of the hospital is not qualified to hold the post.The other deficiencies included lack of required number and size of examination halls, library, reading room and lack of adequate doctors in the casualty. Mr Mishra said it as a matter of great concern as the recommendation for reducing the number of seats was taken at a time when there were not adequate number of doctors in CHC, PHC and district headquarter hospitals in the state. Stating that at any moment the number of seats could be reduced, he asked the Health and the Family welfare Minister to give a clarification on the issue. BJP Legislature Party leader K V Singh Deo said the posts of as many as 179 professors and Assistant Professors were lying vacant in SCB Medical College and hospital. He questioned when the government was not able to fill up the vacancies in the existing Medical colleges colleges how could it open five new medical colleges. Mr Singh Deo said the government should clarify what step it is going to take to ensure that 100 MBBS seats of the SCB Medical College and Hospitals are not reduced.UNI BD DP BM -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0214-1055346.Xml Ramaswamy, 82, died early this morning in Chennai following a prolonged illness. In his condolence message, Mr Advani said, "I deeply mourn the sad demise of Cho Ramaswamy, a great patriot journalist, commentator and political satirist". "As a founder of Thughlak magazine, he took up various issues of public importance," the senior BJP leader said. Calling Ramaswamy as a multi-faceted personality, Mr Advani said that he was an opinion maker in Tamil Nadu politics. "I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family of Cho Ramaswamy. May the departed soul rest in peace," Mr Advani added.UNI NY-RBE AE SB 1756 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0427-1055329.Xml The incident occurred when thousands of teachers and other state government employees were agitating in the state capital demanding revival of the old pension system for the government employees. The agitation under the banner of All Teachers Employees Welfare Association (ATEWA) held a massive protest here when police resorted to lathicharge near Shakti Bhawan on Ashok Marg. In the police action, a teacher from Kushinagar district Ramashish Singh (38) was critically injured and was rushed to the Civil hospital, where the doctors declared him brought dead. ATEWA spokesperson Rajesh Yadav told UNI here that the police resorted to unprovoked lathicharge on the protestors who were peacefully agitating for the demand. He confirmed that Singh, a teacher of Gandhi Smarak School in Hata, Kushinagar succumbed to the injuries. Mr Yadav said two other teachers Pradeep Kumar Saini from Bijnore and Om Singh from Mainpuri were also critically injured in the police atrocity and were admitted to the hospital. Meanwhile, district administration has ordered a probe into the incident while the protesting teachers and state employees are demanding compensation for the family of the deceased.UNI MB AE SB 1755 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-1055302.Xml Following the suicide of an official car driver,who in his death note had alleged harassment by a KAS officer andhis personal car driver, the Maddur Police have filed an FIR against them. Thirty-year-old K C Ramesh, who was working as the officialdriver for KAS Officer L Bheema Naik, committed suicide yesterday ata lodge in Maddur by consuming poison mixed with alcohol. Police said in his suicide note, Ramesh had accused Bheema Naik,a Special Land Acquisition Officer, Bengaluru, of threatening himnot to reveal his benami properties and illegal deals. The FIR was lodged under IPC Section 306 (abetment of suicide)based on a complaint filed by Ramesh's brother Mahendra. The KAS Officer's personal car driver is Mohammad. Ramesh has alleged in his 11 page death note that the Officerowned benami properties worth more Rs 100 crore at Belagavi,Hospet, Hagaribommanahalli and Mariyammanahalli in Ballari district.All the benami properties were in the name of the Officer's relatives. Ramesh has held Bheema Naik and Mohammed responsible for hisdeath and has also alleged that Bheema Naik used his (Ramesh)Savings Bank account to transfer lakhs of rupees to his (Naik)relatives. He mentioned that Bheema Naik had met former KarnatakaMinisters Gali Janardhan Reddy and B Sriramulu and had expressed hisdesire to contest the 2018 Assembly election fromHagaribommanahalli constituency. Ramesh has accused Bheema Naik of helping Janardhan Reddy toconvert black money of Rs 100 crore by charging 20 per centcommission which was used in his (Reddy) daughter's marriage. He haswritten in his suicide note that the black money was banned inRs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations and they were exchanged for thenew Rs 2,000 and other denominations. Ramesh further alleged that the KAS Officer had told him that he(Bheem Naik) had converted only Rs 25 crore black money of Reddyinto white. He has also mentioned that both Bheema Naik and Mohammed hadharassed and threatened him not to inform the matter to the IncomeTax Department.MORE UNI BSP MSP CS 1734 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0287-1055319.Xml The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Telangana today organised the 'Agri Business Partners' meet, focusing on 'Robust Agri Business Value Chain'. The meet was organised to address some of the critical issues of concern to the stakeholders of Agri-business in Telangana, to update the agri-business fraternity with the latest changes in Agricultural policies of the country and the state of Telangana, to deliberate on agri technologies towards sustainable precision farming among other issues. The Meet extensively discussed on Recent changes in Government policies on Agriculture, various schemes like eNAM, Soil Health Card, irrigation reforms, besides others, addressing demonetisation through digital transformation, GST implementation for agriculture stakeholders besides others. Telangana Agriculture Department Commissioner Dr M Jagan Mohan in his address talked about various initiatives of Government of India and Telangana for the Agri farmers and dealers. He talked about the irrigation reforms, e-seva platforms for agri players, demonetisation aspects besides others. The commissioner interacted with the Agri farmers and dealers extensively and addressed some of their quarries. Dr V Praveen Rao, Vice Chancellor, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agriculture University, in his address, talked about the importance of increasing the crop productivity which is critical to address the country's food requirements. "Technologies play an important role to address the productivity requirements", he said. Mr Sameer Goel, Managing Director, Coromandel International Ltd in his address, elaborated on the importance of some of the Government initiatives targeting the key issues of output price, soil health and insurance coverage. "I am confident that these changes will act as enablers to the Government's ambitious vison of doubling farmer income over next six years", he said. Talking about productivity, Mr. Goel opined that the distortion in increased urea usage affected balanced nutrition and farm level productivity which is due to the distortion in urea versus DAP prices.UNI VV JW RJ 1836 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1055498.Xml The MoU aims to develop a long-term and sustainable cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual interest in the areas of IT, in line with each country's laws and regulations, an official statement said. Implementation of the MoU will result in significant mutual benefits in the IT sector, through institutional and capacity-building in the field of IT and Human Resource Development. The agreement will remain in force for a period of five years and will be renewable by mutual written consent between India and Vietnam. It will be implemented by establishing a Joint Working Group on IT with representatives from both the countries, the statement added.UNI RBE RJ 2018 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0427-1055775.Xml In the run up to State Assembly elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Royla Fernandes today said the party has completed its first round of door to door meeting and recently held a rally in Benaulim constituency of South Goa. Speaking to UNI, Ms Fernandes said, ''It was volunteers' rally. We had finished first round of door to door meeting, making inroads in the villages of the constituency. ''For the volunteers and AAP team, it was important to make people aware that AAP is here to give a right and honest government. The volunteers wanted to have a rally. ''We had started awareness campaign of AAP, even before the rally of AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in May 22 in the city here. It was in the capacity of a volunteer and now, I am campaigning as a candidate,'' she said. Ms Fernandes said, ''Lots of changes have happened in Delhi and we want much better to happen in Goa.'' AAP was the first party to declare its candidate. Later, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) announced former Public Works Department (PWD) Churchill Alemao as its candidate from Benaulim. The constituency is currently represented by Caetano Silva of Goa Vikas Party (GVP). Though the Congress has not announced its candidate for the polls, its workers are campaigning in the constituency. AAP has announced to contest on all 40 constituencies in the Assembly polls.UNI AKM SS SHS RJ 2100 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-1055694.Xml The Akhikesh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh went on a back foot after a teacher died during an alleged police lathi charge on the agitating state employees and teachers, demanding revival of old pension for the state employees, here today.On the initiative of the Chief Minister, the government ordered a magisterial probe into the lathi charge, and announced Rs five lakh compensation and a government job to one family member of the deceased teacher and setting up of a high level committee to consider the demand for revival of old pension system. State Chief Secretary Rahul Bhatnagar announced the decision of the government tonight, after a meeting with the delegation of All Teachers Employees Welfare Association (ATEWA), who were agitated over the death of the teacher in police lathi charge. Mr Bhatnagar said the magistrate probe will find out the guilty behind the death of the teacher. He said a high-level committee under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary, Finance has been set up to consider the demand for revival of the old pension system for government employees and teachers. Earlier, a teacher was killed in a police lathi charge, though officials claimed that the teacher died due to heart attack. The incident occurred, when thousands of teachers and other state government employees were agitating in the state capital, demanding revival of old pension system for the government employees.The agitators, under the banner of All Teachers Employees Welfare Association (ATEWA), held a protest here, when police resorted to lathi charge near Shakti Bhawan on Ashok Marg.In the police action, a teacher from Kushinagar district Ramashish Singh (38) was critically injured and was rushed to the Civil hospital, where the doctors declared him brought dead.ATEWA Spokesperson Rajesh Yadav told UNI here that police resorted to unprovoked lathi charge on the protestors, who were agitating peacefully. He confirmed that Mr Singh, a teacher of Gandhi Smarak School in Hata, Kushinagar succumbed to the injuries.Mr Yadav said two other teachers Pradeep Kumar Saini from Bijnore and Om Singh from Mainpuri were also critically injured in the police atrocity and admitted to the hospital. UNI MB RJ 2254 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0329-1055926.Xml Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today announced in the Maharashtra Assembly that the State government will shortly introduce 'Maha Wallet' to encourage cashless transactions with a view to mitigate the impact of demonetisation on the masses. Replying to a debate over the issue of demonetisation in the House, the Chief Minister said that in this regard, instructions had been issued to the concerned department to prepare a report and submit it to the government. He said the State government wants to have a cashless transaction following this, the government would also introduce a system modelled to help small vendors, farmers and all those who deal in cash transactions. For encouraging cashless transactions the state government will consider various facets like the needs of people who are well versed in net banking, he said. Mr Fadnavis emphasized that the transactions in cash had fostered corruption in the country and said that it is high time to change this culture. He informed that 87 per cent transactions are in cash and only 13 pc by cheque. The Chief Minister cited an example of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, ace economist and architect of Indian Constitution, who had said that to control corruption, currency should be changed every ten years. Defending the move of demonetisation by the central government, he said it was wrong to blame Prime Minister Narendra Modi for being unprepared and not doing home work while taking such a big step. ''This step was in the pipeline for past two years since the 'Jan Dhan' accounts were opened,'' he said. ''There are 23 crore such accounts in the country and Rs 72,000 crore have been deposited in them so far. We have to ensure that this money remains in their accounts only,'' he also said. Mr Fadnavis announced that Maharashtra will launch the 'Maha Wallet' for all cashless payments. He also announced the launch of Cashless Maharashtra Volunteers Scheme and said that for which 1,000 college youths will be trained. The Chief Minister also said that he will tomorrow meet and urge Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to give relaxation to district central cooperative banks as they were badly affected post demonetisation. He also said that next action will be against 'benami' transactions, mostly in real estate sector.UNI PK SS SHS RJ 2212 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-1055686.Xml The Bombay High Court today adjourned the final hearing on a bunch of petitions, challenging the Maharashtra government's decision to grant 16 per cent reservation to Maratha community, till February next year. A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice M S Sonak said it will begin the final hearing in February 2017, while on January 30, it would fix the date of the final hearing, when the petitions would be heard and decided. The state government had earlier filed a 2,500-page affidavit in support of its decision to grant reservation to the community in government jobs and educational institutions across the state. The government, in its affidavit, said that 80 per cent Marathas were socially and economically backward. The government sought vacation of the stay granted by the High court on implementation of the decision, so that it can go ahead with it.UNI AAA SHS RJ 2304 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-1055944.Xml The accusation was made in a news briefing by South Korea's Defense Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun, reports the CNN. "We've identified that malicious codes had spread to some computers in the intranet system," he said. "The Ministry of National Defense assembled a joint investigation team, and after the investigation, we've confirmed that some military data, including confidential information, was leaked. North Korea is assumed to be behind this," he added. However, the South Korean military still has not determined what exactly has been leaked, but said it was possible the hack could lead the command to rewrite military operation plans. If the accusations are true, it wouldn't be DPRK's first breach of South Korea's cybersecurity this year. In March, top South Korean government officials' smartphones were hacked by DPRK, according to the country's spy agency, stealing text messages and voice communications by "sending enticing text messages." (ANI) United States Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said on Tuesday that the U.S. military this month will return to the Japanese Government more than 9,800 acres of land it has held since World War II. The 9,852 acres of land on the island of Okinawa, part of a territory officially referred to as the Northern Training Area, is in a large U.S. military base complex on the Pacific island more than 1,550 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, reports the CNN. The U.S. had turned most of Okinawa over to Japan in 1972 after controlling it from the end of World War II in 1945. This is the largest return of US-occupied land since then. According to a senior U.S. defense official, the Japanese Government agreed to build six helicopter landing zones as well as some access roads to allow U.S. troops to train in the area. The U.S. and Japan have been negotiating the handover since the 1990s. Carter made the announcement while appearing alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Kantei, his office in Tokyo. The formal handover is due to take place on December 21 and 22 at an event to be attended by U.S. Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and the commander of U.S. Forces Japan, Lt. Gen. Jerry Martinez. Carter arrived in Japan on Monday on a trip to shore up US-Japan military relations amid fears that President-elect Donald Trump might pivot away from the decades-long security alliance. Yesterday, Prime Minister Abe also announced a symbolic visit this month to Pearl Harbor, the site of the Japanese attack 75 years ago that pulled the United States into World War II. With this visit, he will become the first sitting Japanese leader to visit the site. (ANI) A spokesperson for the Hong Kong Fire Services Department said the incident took place at around 11:30 a.m., when a lab worker was dealing with chemical material, which was claimed as overdue hydrogen peroxide, reports Xinhua. The spokesperson added that about 120 people were evacuated. The spokesperson said that among the eight injured people, one man got hurt in the face and one woman felt unwell in her eyes. The two were rushed to the hospitals and in stable conditions, while the rest, who complained of feeling unwell, recovered afterwards. The cause of the incident is under investigation. (ANI) They chanted "Yeh jo dehshat gardi hai, isle piche vardi hai" (The people in uniform are behind these terrorist activities). The protesters accused Islamabad of providing shelter to terrorists in PoK who are misleading the youth towards `Jihad'. The event was organised by the National Action Front, a coalition of several nationalist parties from PoK, including the United Kashmir People's National Party. The protesters raised their voices against the use of religion as a tool to mislead the youth of Kashmir. The protesters demanded the withdrawal of National Action Plan as it's been used against nationalist and political leaders in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan by the Pakistan Army. Many youth are being arrested and they are suffering atrocities at the hands of the security agencies. Pakistan has been using the PoK for its proxy war against India and has given shelter to banned terrorist organisations. On September 29, India conducted surgical strikes on seven terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control in PoK and killed at least 38 terrorists. (ANI) It was John Lydgate, a 15th century poet monk, who said, "You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time." China currently finds itself in this position, with few friends being gained but many more lost. Indeed, some might consider that China has been facing something of a crisis in terms of its external relations in 2016. A low point was the comprehensive slamming of Chinese actions and claims in the South China Sea, and the debunking of its myth of "indisputable sovereignty", when the Permanent Court of Arbitration released its findings in July. China tried to shake off this highly critical report by going on the offensive, attacking the court's impartiality and jurisdiction, and simultaneously engaging in military posturing in the South China Sea. However, it also resulted in a standoff with ASEAN, Japan and the USA over their backing of the court's decisions. The latest diplomatic spat concerned Singapore, with the Chinese authorities lining up Hong Kong to detain nine armored personnel carriers belonging to the Singapore Army aboard a cargo ship heading back home from Taiwan. This was clearly in response to Singapore's harder line on the illegality of China's territorial claims in the South China Sea, Singapore's ongoing utilization of military training areas in Taiwan, and its permission for the US military to use Singaporean naval and air bases. At the same time, the incident allowed China to express its displeasure against Taiwan, and to perhaps drive a wedge between it and Singapore. Relations with Taipei have soured after Tsai Ing-wen was elected in May. Her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has traditionally maintained the stance that Taiwan is already an independent state, and Tsai has ignored the 1992 Consensus as a basis for her dealings with China. This infuriated Beijing, for the latter views the Consensus as the basis for 'one China'. President elect Donald Trump's fielding of a congratulatory call from Tsai on 3 December further added fuel to the fire. It was the first time a sitting or elected US leader had talked to a Taiwanese president since 1979, and it abruptly broke established patterns of protocol. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi gave a surprisingly mild-mannered response when he labeled it a "shenanigan by the Taiwan side". He added, "The 'one China' policy is the cornerstone of a healthy China-US relationship. I hope this political foundation won't be disrupted or damaged." Nevertheless, China lodged a diplomatic protest with Washington. A statement from Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, "We have noticed relevant reports and lodged solemn representation with the relevant side in the United States.I must point out that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inseparable part of the Chinese territory." It is difficult to know at this stage whether Trump is signaling a new approach to relations with Taiwan and China, or whether it was a mistake due to his inexperience in diplomatic affairs. Whatever the case, China's ongoing campaign to undermine Taiwan and thwart it in the international arena will continue unabated. Relations with Japan remain tense too. For example, in August numerous China Coast Guard vessels accompanying around 150 fishing boats swarmed into disputed waters under Japanese control near the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. Historically antagonistic Sino-Japanese relations are one of the most volatile in Asia, and Japan is now busy beefing up its armed forces to prevent Chinese intrusions into its airspace and maritime territory. China has also turned on South Korea. Relations with Park Geun-hye were benevolent for a considerable period of time before Seoul acceded to a US offer to host a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile battery in South Korea. The reason for the future stationing is to ostensibly thwart the threat from North Korean missile and nuclear weapon aspirations. Since the THAAD deployment was announced in July, an outraged Beijing has continually warned and cajoled South Korea because it believes THAAD's integral AN/TPY-2 radar would give the US long-range coverage into China, thus reducing the effectiveness of its ballistic missile arsenal. China appears not to recognize the serious threat that South Korea faces from Kim Jong-un. Indeed, it has exerted minimal influence or pressure on North Korea to curb its missile program. Rather, all it has done is vociferously criticize Seoul for considering this deployment, and complained that the USA has driven a wedge between Sino-ROK relations. China is instead concerned to make sure North Korea remains stable so that its own border with the country is not threatened. China has verbally sparred with countries like Australia, New Zealand and the USA. Vietnam remains on edge about China's behavior in the South China Sea too. The list could go on, but it is sufficient to say that China is ruffling many feathers and straining relationships with its complaints against others for any perceived criticisms. Relations with India remain stable, although China's military could press harder along the border to test Indian resolve at any point in the future. Amongst ASEAN, only Cambodia and Laos have actively supported China. Cynics might say this could be put down to these low-income countries enjoying tremendous financial aid from China. China has made progress, however. Malaysia has done something of an about face, with under-pressure Prime Minister Najib Razak enjoying a sense of acceptance from Beijing's welcoming arms. Thailand has also been growing strategically closer to China as well, with the latter swiftly filling the political vacuum left by the USA's displeasure at Thailand's coup in 2014. Beijing has succeeded to some degree in wooing the Philippines, but this is only because of the eccentric proclivities of the newly elected Rodrigo Duterte who has bones to pick with the USA. Nevertheless, Manila showed it will not capitulate over the South China Sea issue, refusing China's offer to start bilateral talks on the precondition that it ignore the court's ruling. Philippine Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay recounted, "They said if you will insist on the ruling, discussing it along those lines, then we might be headed for a confrontation.But I really honestly feel that this is something they have to make on a public basis, but I also sensed there was room for us to talk very quietly using backdoor channeling." Pakistan remains a vital friend, perhaps the most solid of all. They make odd bedfellows, one an atheist communist regime and the other an Islamic republic. China continues to invest heavily in Pakistan, particularly via the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor that will give China strategic access to the Indian Ocean. Recently a Pakistani naval officer suggested China would deploy submarines to guard Gwadar port and nearby sea lanes. Significantly, China is also making strategic moves in Central Asia, often under the guise of its all-encompassing One Belt, One Road initiative. It has been pushing for closer security cooperation with Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, according to a recent report from The Jamestown Foundation entitled 'Beijing encroaching on Moscow's military dominance in Tajikistan'. In late October, for example, 10,000 troops from the People's Liberation Army and National Army of Tajikistan conducted a five-day counterterrorism exercise in Tajikistan. The report's author noted, "According to Tajikistani and Russian security experts, Beijing's growing military activity in Central Asia is highly unusual. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, China has promoted its economic interests in this region, but it had always maintained a largely invisible military presence." Is China positioning itself as a regional counterweight to Russia, which leads the six-state Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)? Indeed, Tajikistan is home to Russia's largest overseas military base, with an agreement guaranteeing it will remain there till 2042. Dushanbe is experiencing a deteriorating security situation along its southern border with Afghanistan, as well as facing threats from banned radical Islamist movements. Indeed, a quadripartite meeting (China, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan) of armed forces leaders in August resulted in a pledge to form a coalition to bolster counterterrorism and enhance regional security. This includes setting up a bilateral counterterrorism center in Dushanbe, plus Beijing's promise of USD70 million in military assistance to Kabul. Russia sees Central Asia as its traditional stamping ground, and any inroads by China will be viewed with suspicion. However, to date Moscow has not publicly protested China's increased security engagement with Tajikistan. Russia and China claim to enjoy "special relations" but much mutual mistrust remains. The Jamestown Foundation author noted, "Many countries like Tajikistan, which suffer from enormous socio-economic problems, strongly favor establishing closer ties to China. Unlike Russia, which is itself struggling with an economic crisis, China is more generous when it comes to investing in foreign countries' domestic economies and building up their local infrastructure. And in terms of military assistance, China has already spent $15 million to construct apartments for military officers in Dushanbe." Chinese investment in Tajikistan remains minor compared to that from Russia, but it is a growing area of strategic cooperation. The report concluded, "Either way, the quadrilateral China-Tajikistan-Pakistan-Afghanistan military coalition will likely be a stepping-stone for Beijing's future military expansion in the region. As such, it can serve as a long-term lever for China to diminish Russia's overall influence in Central Asia. Certainly, China is concerned about extremism among its Muslim population concentrated in the western province of Xinjiang, including violence spilling over from Pakistan and Afghanistan. With its greater economic investments in Central Asia, China also has an understandable desire to protect these. Incidentally, at a press conference on 30 November, China's Ministry of National Defense denied its vehicles or personnel had entered Afghanistan as reported in some media accounts. These were "inconsistent with the fact" apparently. It is notable that Chinese weapon manufacturers are making striking inroads into Turkmenistan, another Central Asian republic. At a recent Independence Day parade in the capital Ashkhabad, the armed forces showed off FD-2000 long-range surface-to-air missiles (SAM), which was China's first export of the HQ-9 system. Turkmenistan also fields the medium-range KS-1S (HQ-12) and short-range FM-90 (HQ-7) SAMs. The country also owns associated Chinese-manufactured YLC-2 and YLC-18 radars. One surprise, recorded by UK-based defence publisher Shephard Media, was the appearance of a WJ-600A/D unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) carrying two CM-502KG air-to-surface missiles in Turkmenistan's parade. This is the first known export of the jet-powered WJ-600. The country also owns the smaller CH-3A, another type of armed UAV. Why has China been willing to tread on so many toes throughout the past year? Andrei Chang, writing in the December issue of Kanwa Asian Defence Monthly, said, "Problems within the Chinese Communist party are becoming very intense, especially power struggles among different factions, complicated by an economic slowdown and other social issues.As such, Xi Jinping needs more outside enemies." Chang quoted the precedent of Mao Zedong in 1969, where he demanded "all peoples of the world rise up and defeat the American imperialists", as well as attacking Damansky Island on the Soviet border. Mao deliberately confronted two superpowers simultaneously while he conducted a purge of his party. China has clearly gained the confidence to stand up for its own interests and to bear antagonism on multiple fronts at the same time. This is likely to be more than just a desire to divert the populace's attention, however, for China will not relent on any core strategic interest even if it means upsetting neighbors. Indeed, sometimes it even appears that China does not care if it cannot please any of the people any of the time. (ANI) The Myanmar Times quoted a statement released by the Commander-in-Chief's Office, as saying that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing informed Zulkifeli that no human rights violations had taken place against Muslim Rohingya. The statement also said that Myanmar authorities could not lie about this due to the focus on the state by the local and international media. Myanmar President discussed the ongoing military operations in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships with the Malaysian commander. Blaming the diplomatic tensions on "false news", a statement from the President's Office said that the issues in Rakhine State is being resolved by Myanmar government in accordance with existing laws and human rights standards. The tension aroused between the two ASEAN nations following harsh criticism of the Myanmar government by Prime Minister Najib Razak at a rally in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. Bangkok-based expert on ASEAN affairs, Kavi Chongkittavorn, said, "The Myanmar government will be held responsible for what is happening, not Malaysia. It is an internal problem that has regional implications." Advisor to former President U Thein Sein, U Ko Ko Hlaing, accused the Malaysian leader of exploiting the issue to divert public attention away from corruption allegations levelled against him. "Malaysia interfered in our affairs despite what it says in the ASEAN charter. This is not good for the future of ASEAN," he said. Stating his intention was not to interfere in Myanmar's internal affairs, Najib said on Twitter that the cruelty against Rohingya had gone too far. Over 56,000 Rohingya and Myanmar refugees in Malaysia are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (ANI) Hailing the senate's approval of the agreement, Legarda, who sponsored the Committee Report on the AIIB Treaty, said that the agreement would help the country achieve growth targets through accelerated infrastructure spending as a member of the AIIB. "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," Xinhua news agency quoted Legarda as saying. AIIB is an international financial institution which was proposed as an initiative by the government of China. It aims at promoting economic development in Asia. The bank has 57 member states including China, India, Russia, France, Germany and Britain. The Articles of Agreement of AIIB was signed by Philippines in China on December 31, 2015. (ANI) Special Assistant to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for Foreign Affairs, Tariq Fatemi has said that Islamabad is looking forward to work closely with Trump administration to further enhance its bilateral relations with the United States. "Once President-elect Donald Trump assumes his office, Pakistan is looking forward to meaningful engagement with USA in further improving bilateral relations and playing its role in the context of regional and international issues," Geo News quoted Fatemi as saying at the Pakistani embassy. He informed the media that he was visiting the country to have discussions with the current U.S. administration and to meet the officials who are likely to join Trump administration. Fatemi said that an instrumental role can be played by Pakistan role in promoting peace not only in Afghanistan but in the entire region. Asserting that Pakistan has lost more five thousand army men in a ruthless war against terrorism, Fatemi said that Islamabad is committed to put an end to terrorism and more than 200,000 troops have been deployed by them in its Northern Areas and along Pak-Afghan border to burst terrorists networks and demolishing their hideouts. He also emphasized on a need to resolve the long-standing issue of Kashmir between India and Pakistan through a dialogue between the two sides. (ANI) China called on US officials not to let Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen pass through the United States en route to Guatemala next month, days after President-elect Donald Trump irked Beijing by speaking to Tsai in a break with decades of precedent.The US State Department appeared to reject the call yesterday, saying that such transits were based on "long-standing US practice, consistent with the unofficial nature of (US) relations with Taiwan."China is deeply suspicious of Tsai, whom it thinks wants to push for the formal independence of Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing regards as a renegade province.Her call with Trump on Friday was the first between a US president-elect or president and a Taiwanese leader since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 1979.Tsai is due to visit Guatemala, one of Taiwan's small band of diplomatic allies, on Jan 11-12, its foreign minister, Carlos Raul Morales, told Reuters.Taiwan's Liberty Times, considered close to Tsai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, reported on Monday that she was planning to go through New York early next month on her way to Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador.Taiwan has not formally confirmed Tsai's trip but visits to its allies in the region are normally combined with transit stops in the United States and meetings with Taiwan-friendly officials.The trip would take place before Trump is inaugurated on Jan 20 to replace Democrat Barack Obama and Tsai's delegation would seek to meet Trump's team, including his White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, the Liberty Times said.An adviser to Trump's transition team said he considered it "very unlikely" there would be a meeting between Tsai and Trump if she were to go through New York.China's Foreign Ministry said the one-China principle, which states Taiwan is part of China, was commonly recognised by the international community and that Tsai's real aim was "self-evident."China hopes the United States "does not allow her transit, and does not send any wrong signals to 'Taiwan independence' forces," the ministry said in a statement sent to Reuters.US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said on Monday he had no information whether Tsai would meet US officials if she stopped in transit but said Taiwanese presidents did stop over periodically.He said the transits were "based on long-standing US practice, consistent with the unofficial nature of our relations with Taiwan." A spokeswoman repeated the position yesterday when asked to comment on the Chinese call.In a meeting with American reporters yesterday, Tsai played down the significance of her conversation with Trump, saying it was to congratulate the president-elect."I do not foresee major policy shifts in the near future because we all see the value of stability in the region," she told the reporters.US Vice President-elect Mike Pence told the Fox News Channel yesterday that Trump did not regret taking the call."(The) president-elect was fully aware of the one-China policy," Pence said. "He's also very aware that the United States has sold billions of dollars in arms to Taiwan."We have a unique relationship with that country that's been defined over the decades since we've reopened relations with the People's Republic of China but I think he think he felt it would be rude not to take the call."Taiwan has been self governing since 1949 when Nationalist forces fled to the island after defeat by Mao Zedong's communists in China's civil war.Taiwan's Presidential Office said media reports about a January trip were "excessive speculation."El Salvador's government said it was working with Taiwan on plans for a visit by Tsai in the second week of January but gave no specific dates.The Nicaraguan government had no immediate comment. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is to be sworn in for a third consecutive term on Jan. 10, however, so Tsai's trip to Guatemala would dovetail with that ceremony.The White House said on Monday it had sought to reassure China after Trump's phone call with Tsai, which the Obama administration warned could undermine progress in relations with Beijing.REUTERS SDR 0538 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0431-1054438.Xml President-elect Donald Trump laid out a US military policy that would avoid interventions in foreign conflicts and instead focus heavily on defeating the Islamic State militancy.In the latest stop on a "thank you" tour of states critical to his Nov. 8 election win, Trump introduced his choice for defense secretary, General James Mattis, to a large crowd in this city near the Fort Bragg military base, which has deployed soldiers to 90 countries around the world."We will stop racing to topple foreign regimes that we know nothing about, that we shouldn't be involved with," Trump said. "Instead, our focus must be on defeating terrorism and destroying ISIS, and we will."Trump's rhetoric was similar to what he said during the election campaign when he railed against the war in Iraq.In Fayetteville, he vowed a strong rebuilding of the U.S. military, which he suggested has been stretched too thin. Instead of investing in wars, he said, he would spend money to build up America's aging roads, bridges and airports.Even so, Trump said he wants to boost spending on the military. To help pay for his buildup, Trump pledged to seek congressional approval for lifting caps on defense spending that were part of "sequestration" legislation that imposed cut spending across the board."We don't want to have a depleted military because we're all over the place fighting in areas that we shouldn't be fighting in. It's not going to be depleted any longer," he said.Trump said any nation that shares these goals will be considered a US partner."We don't forget. We want to strengthen old friendships and seek out new friendships," he said. He said the policy of "intervention and chaos" must come to an end.While US armed forces are deployed in far-flung places around the globe, they are only involved currently in active combat in the Middle East, specifically Iraq and Syria for the most part."We will build up our military not as an act of aggression, but as an act of prevention," he said. "In short, we seek peace through strength."Trump described Mattis as the right person for the job and urged Congress to approve a waiver to let him take on the civilian position. Under US law a military leader must be retired for seven years before becoming eligible to become defense secretary.Speaking to the crowed, Mattis said, "I look forward to being the civilian leader as long as the Congress gives me the waiver and the Senate votes to consent.""We're going to get you that waiver," Trump said, returning to the microphone. "If you don't get that waiver there are going to be a lot of angry people."REUTERS SDR 0804 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0431-1054451.Xml Bangladesh's Supreme Court upheld death sentences on Wednesday for three members of an outlawed Islamist militant group in connection with a grenade attack on the British ambassador in 2004.The Islamists, including the head of the Harkat-ul Jihad Islami group, were sentenced to death in 2008 for the attack in which three people were killed and about 50, including then British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury, were wounded.A panel of four judges headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha upheld the death sentences for the three, including the group's leader, Mufti Abdul Hannan, Deputy Attorney General Bashir Ahmed told reporters.The court also upheld life imprisonment for two others for the May 21, 2004, attack, he said.Defence lawyer Mohammad Ali told reporters he would file petitions seeking a review of the court's judgement.The attack came after Friday prayers at a Muslim shrine in the northeastern district of Sylhet. The Bangladesh-born British envoy was wounded in the leg.The militant group was blamed for several other attacks, including a bomb blast later in 2004 on a rally by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was then the leader of the opposition.Twenty-three people were killed and more than 150 wounded in that attack. Hasina suffered partial hearing loss.The ruling came amid rising concern over the growth of Islamist militancy in the Muslim-majority South Asian country of 160 million people, which has seen a string of deadly attacks recently, the most serious on July 1, when gunmen stormed a cafe killing 22 people, most of them foreigners.Reuters cj NS1250 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0400-1054711.Xml Turkish warplanes carried out air strikes against 12 Islamic State targets in the al-Bab region of northern Syria today and killed 23 militants according to initial assessments, Turkey's military said.The statement also said one Turkish soldier was killed and six were wounded, one of them seriously, in a vehicle-borne bomb attack in the area today morning. Media reports earlier said two soldiers were killed in the attack. REUTERS AKC VN1516 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0432-1054966.Xml A Syrian military source said Israeli rockets hit around the Mezzeh military airport near the Syrian capital Damascus at around 3 a.m. today.The source said the ground-to-ground rockets caused a fire but no injuries.The Israeli military did not comment on the report. REUTERS AKC BL1634 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0432-1055118.Xml Any lawmaker who votes against the government in parliament today will be voting to thwart the will of the British people who want to leave the European Union, government minister David Lidington said today.Prime Minister Theresa May agreed yesterday to a demand for parliament to see her plan for Brexit before she triggers the formal divorce procedure but also added that the debate should also be on whether lawmakers "respect the wishes" expressed in June's EU referendum and on her timetable."The vote tonight will be the first opportunity for members of this house to decide whether or not they support the government's timetable on triggering Article 50 by the end of March 2017," Lidington, the minister who manages government business in parliament, told lawmakers."Any right honourable member who votes against that motion will, in my view, be seeking to thwart the outcome of the referendum in the most profoundly undemocratic manner." REUTERS AKC PM1822 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0432-1055483.Xml Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu today called for the immediate extradition of eight Turkish soldiers who fled to Greece and sought asylum following a coup attempt in July.A Greek court earlier this week had ruled that three of the eight could be extradited while the Appeals Court had ruled that three other Turkish soldiers should not be returned home.Speaking to state-run broadcaster TRT in Brussels, Cavusoglu said all the soldiers were coup plotters. "Our wish is the immediate extradition of these people to Turkey," he said.REUTERS SHS BL2120 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1055894.Xml US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are likely to discuss safe passage for rebels out of the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo at a meeting in Hamburg, Germany today, a US official said.However, as of a couple of days ago, moderate opposition groups with whom US officials had been in contact were "less than inclined" to make any such deals, the official said, on condition of anonymity.Kerry is due to meet with Lavrov today evening in Hamburg.The Syrian army and allied forces have made rapid gains against insurgents in the past two weeks and look closer than ever to restoring full control over Aleppo, Syria's most populous city before the war, and achieving their most important victory of the conflict now in its sixth year.But rebel groups in Aleppo have told the United States they will not leave their shrinking enclave, a senior rebel official told Reuters earlier.REUTERS SHS PM2331 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0329-1055992.Xml BEIJING, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- With 30 key meetings laying out reform measures of unprecedented strength, China has made progress in reform with major strides and steady steps. At the latest meeting of the Central Leading Group for Deepening Overall Reform held Monday, further efforts were called for to improve the effectiveness of reforms and widen the scope of their benefits. The country should introduce more reforms that can help invigorate the economy, promote social justice, give people a greater sense of gain and mobilize the participation of the masses, according to a statement released after the meeting. To date, the group has convened 30 meetings and hundreds of measures have been designed and released to address issues such as urbanization, poverty alleviation, innovation and the market's role in resource allocation. A key meeting of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in November 2013 vowed to achieve "decisive results" in major reform areas by 2020. Halfway into the efforts, China's reform steps remain clear and steadfast. The leading group convened its first meeting on Jan. 22, 2014, approving the group's working rules and the working rules and members of six sub-groups, which oversee reforms in the economy and environment, democracy and law, the cultural system, the social system, CPC Party building, and the discipline inspection system. Sweeping reform measures have since been rolled out at similar meetings. Rather than losing momentum, the pace of reforms has accelerated: while eight leading group meetings were held with 37 reform documents approved in 2014, a total of 96 documents have been approved at the group's 11 meetings this year, bringing the reform cause to its "peak time." Over the course of its 30 meetings, a total of 198 documents on reforms have been approved. At the group's 27th meeting on Aug. 30, Chinese leaders and other policymakers called for greater courage and morale in pressing ahead with the country's reforms, pledging to address vested interests and difficult reform tasks. While establishing the goals for the reforms, the leading group has also drawn a roadmap for them. At the second meeting of the group in 2014, Chinese leaders stressed that the "rule of law" must be followed and highlighted through the whole reform process and that any major reforms must be legally grounded. In the same year, at the seventh meeting, policymakers noted that China owes every breakthrough in its reform and opening-up drive to the experiments and wisdom of the people and, therefore, experiments and exploration at the local level should be encouraged and central policymakers and localities must interact. Policymakers have also repeatedly stressed efforts to ensure the public's happiness and sense of gain in the reforms. In May this year, the importance of supply-side structural reform was underlined at the group's 24th meeting. With major reform policies outlined, relevant measures are being carried out steadily. Since 2012, Chinese businesses have saved 640 billion yuan (93.1 billion U.S. dollars) under a reform plan to replace business tax with value-added tax (VAT), benefiting 5.92 million taxpayers. Over the past three years, the State Council departments have canceled or delegated to lower authorities administrative examination and approval power over 618 items, which account for 36 percent of items subject to approval. The country's poverty alleviation program lifted more than 52 million people in rural areas out of poverty between 2012 and 2014. At Monday's meeting, the group asked authorities to map out reform work for next year to ensure overhauls proceed steadily with fresh momentum as the 19th CPC National Congress approaches. Related: President Xi calls for efforts to make reforms more effective BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Monday called for further efforts to improve the effectiveness of reforms and widen the scope of their benefits. Wang Jiarui (L), vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets with Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi (R) in Tunis, Tunisia, Dec. 6, 2016. (Xinhua/Liu Kai) TUNIS, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Wang Jiarui, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met with Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi on Tuesday during a visit to Tunisia accompanied by a Communist Party of China (CPC) delegation. China supports the Tunisian people to independently choose their development path, wishes to deepen bilateral communication and cooperation across all fields and explore pragmatic cooperation potential, Wang said. The CPPCC vice chairman added that the CPC is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges with the main parties of Tunisia, share party management and state governance experience and push forward China-Tunisia ties to open new perspectives of China-Tunisian cooperation. Essebsi said that Tunisia highly values the development of its relations with China. hopes to enhance bilateral communication and cooperation across all fields and welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in the country and take part in its development to the benefit of both sides. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (4th L) and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini (2nd L) attend a NATO foreign ministers meeting at its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Dec. 6, 2016. Ministers are set to endorse over 40 proposals to deepen NATO's cooperation with the EU. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan) BRUSSELS, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- NATO foreign ministers on Tuesday agreed on over 40 proposals to deepen NATO-European Union (EU) cooperation, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told a press conference following the meeting. All 42 proposals made by two blocs focus on seven key areas, including countering hybrid threats, maritime security and cyber defense, which have been identified in a joint declaration by NATO and the EU at the Warsaw Summit in July. "On maritime, we enhanced cooperation between Operations Sea Guardian and Sophia in the Mediterranean. On cyber, we will strengthen our mutual participation in exercises, and foster research," Stoltenberg noted. According to the proposals, NATO and the EU will also advance capacity-building cooperation with partner countries, including Georgia, Ukraine and Tunisia. Moreover, the two organizations will reinforce the "coherence" in the development of their defense capabilities. "I think today we really mark a milestone in our efforts to build our cooperation and to strengthen the partnership between NATO and the EU," Stoltenberg said, adding, "Neither organization has the full range of tools to address new challenges alone." Ministers were joined by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini as well as representatives of Finland and Sweden. File photo taken on July 21, 2016 shows Donald Trump taking the stage on the last day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, the United States. Former real estate tycoon Donald Trump has been elected the 45th president of the United States after a neck-and-neck race with his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) by Matthew Rusling WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- President-elect Donald Trump is likely to shake up U.S. foreign policy on a number of fronts, and may take action on areas such as Russia, Cuba and the Korean Peninsula, according to experts. Trump shocked the world last month when he pulled off a surprise victory against rival Hillary Clinton and clinched the White House, proving wrong the vast majority of polls and experts who predicted that Clinton would be the next president. Now, the Trump team is scrambling to fill a number of cabinet positions, including that of the nation's top diplomat, the U.S. Secretary of State. Trump is expected to create a cabinet encompassing mostly hardliners, and experts said that will color U.S. foreign policy for the next four years. Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua that Trump may seek to triangulate Russia against China. Trump was very critical of Chinese trade and military policy, and may try to use closer ties with Russia to pressure China on foreign policy, West said. Trump said he wants what he refers to as better trade deals, and also wants more U.S. companies to keep their operations within the United States, West said. West added that Trump may also scale back the recent historic re-opening of ties with neighboring Cuba, only two years after U.S. President Barack Obama opened relations with its former enemy, which lies just off the coast of the U.S. State of Florida. While it remains unknown what steps Trump may take, experts said he is likely to reverse at least some of Obama's overtures to the island nation, although he may not entirely roll back relations to their former Cold War status. Trump may also encourage China to pressure the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on its nuclear testing, West said, referring to the issue that has been a major East Asian issue in recent years. Dan Mahaffee, an analyst with the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, said the major world powers will face an interesting challenge in terms of areas where cooperation is needed, while also avoiding miscalculation in terms of potential conflict areas such as Eastern Europe or the maritime disputes in East Asia. He noted that the worst historical example is that of World War I, where even as trade between nations boomed, nationalism and miscalculation allowed a small flashpoint to ignite a brutal, global conflict. For the United States and Russia, much of the difficulty will surround how the U.S. relationship with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies is managed, and whether there can continue to be a close coordination between the United States and European allies. That is especially the case given that the Trump Administration will likely demand greater NATO defense spending and investment, Mahaffee said. The U.S.-China relationship will continue to be colored by the complex balance of issues where U.S.-China dialogue and cooperation is vital, such as global economic stability, global warming and counterterrorism. It will also be colored by areas where there will be difficulties, Mahaffee said. As for the India-Pakistan confrontation, the issue is more fragile than many outside observers assume, and U.S.-China cooperation may be key to urging restraint from both sides, Mahaffee said. As for Latin America, a possible violent collapse or internal instability in Venezuela may raise the possibility of significant disruptions to energy markets and the mass movement of displaced persons into neighboring countries, as well as into Mexico and the United States, he said. MANAMA, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa called on Tuesday for greater integration of the six oil-rich Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. "Our meeting convenes in the backdrop of unprecedented political and economic circumstances which affect all countries in the world," he said at the opening session of the two-day GCC summit that started in Manama on Tuesday. He said the GCC should play an active role in "seeking political solutions to the regional crises" and "staving off foreign interference." "The GCC countries should upgrade and activate defense and security pacts so as to confront threats and the scourge of terrorism and protect Gulf nations and peoples and preserve achievements," he said. The GCC Common Market, the power and water grid, the planned customs union, modern telecommunications and transport networks will be high on the summit agenda, according to the king. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al Sabah said the Gulf countries supported the progress made to fight the Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria. BUJUMBURA, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The facilitator in the inter-Burundian talks Benjamin Mkapa is expected in Burundi on Wednesday to seek ways of settling the east African country's 2015 crisis, a statement from the country's foreign ministry said Tuesday evening. "Former Tanzanian President, also facilitator in the inter-Burundian dialogue, Benjamin Mkapa, is expected in Burundi on Wednesday. During his three-day visit, the facilitator will have an opportunity to meet the secretary general of the Burundian ruling party (CNDD-FDD), registered political parties, the civil society, religious groups, women and youth groups," said the Burundian foreign ministry statement. According to the statement, Mkapa was invited by Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza. The inter-Burundian dialogue at the external level that was launched in December 2015 has made no progress at all. In January 2016, the Burundian government boycotted talks in Arusha, Tanzania, arguing that it could not sit "on the same table" with what it called "non-peaceful" stakeholders. Burundi plunged in a crisis since April 2015 when Burundian President Nkurunziza decided to run his controversial third term in violation of the national constitution and the 2000 Arusha Agreement. His candidature, which was opposed by the opposition and civil society groups, resulted in a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup on May 13, 2015. More than 500 people in Burundi have been killed and some 300,000 people fled to neighboring countries mostly Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda since the outbreak of the crisis. German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives to attend a press conference in Berlin, capital of Germany, on July 23, 2016. (Xinhua/Guo Yang) BERLIN, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday was reelected chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at the annual convention of the party with a support rate of 89.5 percent, paving the way for her to seek a new term of chancellorship. "I accept the election outcome and am pleased with the result. Thank you for the trust," Merkel said after the vote. However, the 89.5 percent support rate she got at the convention in German city of Essen was the second lowest for her to be elected chairman of the center-right party, only slightly higher than the 88.4 percent in 2004. In her speech to the nearly 1,000 delegates at the annual convention of the party, Merkel had committed her party to a tough federal election campaign in the coming year. "You have to help me. No one can turn things around in Germany, in Europe, in the world alone, especially not a chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany," said Merkel. A situation like the late summer 2015, the high point of the refugee crisis, "can, may and should not repeat itself," Merkel added. She emphasized that people who need protection should be granted protection. However, the CDU leader also demanded more integration "without exception" on the basis of "the laws of our country." Therefore, Merkel called for a prohibition of full veil, saying that "for us it means 'show your face.' Therefore, the full veil is not appropriate, it should be forbidden." Meanwhile, Merkel also noted that there is currently "a great pressure on fundamental freedoms in Europe." She will, however, work hard to ensure that these fundamental freedoms remain preserved. Only then could Britain have access to the internal market, Merkel said with a view to Brexit. Merkel had declared in November that she was ready to run for the fourth term in office in 2017 election. The announcement ended months of speculation at a time when Europe is plunged into uncertainty among rising populism. If she wins for the fourth time in 2017, she has the chance to beat the record holder, her mentor Helmut Kohl, who served 16 years in office. UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Nickolay Mladenov, on Tuesday encouraged Israeli legislators to reconsider the controversial bill on settlements, saying that the so-called "legalization bill" in Israel has the objective of protecting illegal settlements and outposts built on private Palestinian property in the West Bank, a UN spokesman told reporters here. The UN envoy said that "if adopted, the bill will have far reaching legal consequences for Israel, across the occupied West Bank and will greatly diminish the prospect of Arab-Israeli peace," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here. "Mr. Mladenov encouraged Israeli legislators to reconsider this move," the spokesman said. "He reiterated that all settlement activities are illegal under international law and run counter to the Middle East Quartet position that settlements are one of the main obstacles to peace." The Middle East Quartet is a diplomatic group comprising the United Nations, the European Union, Russia and the United States in search of the realization of the two-state solution, which, widely backed by the international community, means a secure Israel to live in peace with an independent Palestine State. The Israeli parliament on Monday night gave preliminary approval to a bill to allow the State to expropriate private Palestinian lands in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The controversial legislation passed its first hurdle with a 60-49 vote but still needs to be voted in three more readings in the 120-member parliament. A previous version of the bill passed a preliminary reading last month. It triggered international criticism while its main supporter, Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennet, hailing it as a first step towards an annexation of the West Bank. Under the new bill, the ownership of private Palestinian lands would remain Palestinian, but the State of Israel could expropriate the right to use the land. The United Nations repeatedly made it clear that the Israeli settlement activities in the occupied West Bank is illegal under international law. TEHRAN, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday refuted the spying charges by Saudi Arabia as politically-motivated and unfounded allegations, semi-official ISNA news agency reported. "The Islamic republic has never had non-diplomatic activities in Saudi Arabia, and baseless and unfounded charges are politically-motivated and lies," Bahram Qasemi said in a reaction to a recent verdict by a Saudi court against some people on charges of spying for Iran. "Saudi Arabia should not seek to accuse Iran of unsubstantiated charges for some political gains and raising tension in the region," he said, adding that fabricating such allegations is not in the interests of the region. A Saudi court on Tuesday sentenced 15 people to death on charges of spying for Iran, Al Arabiya news reported. The convicts are part of a network of 32 people. Two were acquitted and 15 others were handed down jail terms ranging from six months to 25 years, the report said. Saudi Arabia has been accusing Iran of standing behind regional disturbances by interfering in the internal affairs of countries, such as Bahrain and Yemen, allegations that have been dismissed by Iran. Saudi Arabia cut its ties with Iran earlier this year and asked its envoy to leave the country. UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations is extremely concerned by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the besieged neighbourhood of Al-Wa'er in the Syrian city of Homs as a result of sporadic fighting since mid-November, a UN spokesman told reporters here Tuesday. "Dozens of people have reportedly been killed and a health center was damaged," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here, adding that some 50,000 people remain besieged in Al-Wa'er. "Recently, administrative and security procedures on the delivery of aid have also increased, leading to a reported deterioration of conditions on the ground," Dujarric said. "Al-Wa'er was last reached with humanitarian assistance through inter-agency convoys on 26 October." "The UN stands ready to provide immediate assistance through inter-agency convoys to people in need, in line with the December plan," he said. The United Nations is also very concerned about the safety and security of civilians in the four besieged towns of Madaya and Zabadani in rural Damascus and Foah and Kafraya in Idleb, he said. "Credible reports indicated the death of four people and injury of twenty in Madaya following attacks on the town," he said. "There have also been reports of people killed and injured in Foah and Kafraya, as well reports that the only hospital in Foah became inoperable as a result of hundreds of rockets shelled at both locations." "Our latest figures are that an estimated 31,500 people from east Aleppo remain displaced within the entire city of Aleppo over the past six days," the spokesman said. "The UN and partners continue to respond to the needs of the newly displaced in all areas they can access and are increasing protection services in the shelter facilities currently being used." "We are also increasing emergency preparedness in the event of further displacement, with food and current supplies available in west Aleppo, with more supplies that could be brought in quickly from Damascus, Homs, and Tartous," he added. WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The White House defended the deal of new Air Force One aircrafts with Boeing company, after President-elect Donald Trump called for cancelling the order claiming the new aircraft too expensive in a Twitter post earlier on Tuesday. "I think the American people would expect that future presidents would benefit from unique and upgraded capabilities while flying aboard Air Force One," White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters on board the presidential plane flying to Tampa, Florida. However, it's up to the Trump administration to determine whether the project will be completed, said Earnest. "The updated Air Force One is not set to come online until 2023," he said. "This is a longer-range plan, but ultimately the planning work that we have done on behalf of future presidents is something the next administration will have to decide to carry forward." he said. "Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!" Trump tweeted. "We want Boeing to make a lot of money, but not that much money," he then told reporters in a briefing. However, the 4-billion-dollar price tag Trump claimed for the cost of the new aircraft couldn't be immediately confirmed. Earnest said some of the data Trump referenced to "don't appear to reflect the nature of the financial agreement between Boeing and the Department of Defense." The upgrades to the new plane, which include security enhancements, are being made per the recommendation of national security experts, he added. Also on Tuesday, Boeing said in a statement that the company is "currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serve the unique requirements of the President of the United States." The two 747-200 aircrafts currently used as Air Force One has been in flight since the Reagon era in 1980s. Though the two planes have been heavily modified, they are due to reach the end of their planned 30-year life in 2017. In January, Boeing secured a contract from the Pentagon to start development work on the 747-8 jumbo jets that would replace the aging planes, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Boeing was the U.S. government's second biggest federal contractor last year behind Lockheed Martin Corp., according to federal procurement data. BRASILIA, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's Senate President Renan Calheiros on Tuesday declined to comply with an order from the Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) suspending him as leader of the upper house. Calheiros, who has been charged with embezzlement and is a member of the ruling Brazilian Democratic Movement Party, received the support of fellow legislators. "Calheiros refused to sign the notification after the Senate Board released a ruling" granting Calheiros a reprieve to put together his defense, Agencia Brasil (EBC) reported. On Monday, supreme court Judge Marco Aurelio Mello suspended the senator after the court last week upheld embezzlement charges brought against him in 2013. The full court was expected to validate the decision to strip Calheiros of the presidency some time this week. Also on Tuesday, the Senate appealed to the court to reverse Mello's decision. The senator is accused of inflating his monthly expense account with fake receipts to pay child support for a daughter he had from an extramarital relationship. Calheiros also "faces 11 counts of corruption at the supreme court," all stemming from Operation Car Wash, an ongoing investigation into graft at state-run oil company Petrobras, according to the EBC. In November, most of the court voted in favor of barring people who have been indicted of a crime from holding public posts that place them in the presidential line of succession. The Senate's current first vice president, Jorge Vianna of the opposition Workers Party, stands to become president of the upper house if Calheiros is ousted. by Mahmoud Fouly CAIRO, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The recent large currency swap deal between Egypt and China shows Chinese support for the Egyptian economy that has been suffering recession over the past few years, said Egyptian economists. On Tuesday, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and the People's Bank of China (PBC) signed a deal that is worth 18 billion yuan (about 2.62 billion U.S. dollars) to bolster economic growth in the North African country. It allows the two institutions to exchange payments in one currency for equivalent amounts in the other to facilitate bilateral trade and provide liquidity support to financial markets. ECONOMIC PUSH Egypt has been suffering tough economic recession over the past five years of political turmoil and related security issues, which led to a growing budget deficit, ailing tourism, declining foreign currency reserves and shrinking local and foreign investments. The recession led Egypt to devaluate its Egyptian pound in an attempt to limit the hike and shortage of the U.S. dollar required for imports. The devaluation was encouraged by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that delivered later in November 2.75 billion dollars to Egypt as the first batch of a 12-billion-dollar loan to finance the country's three-year economic reform program. "The currency swap deal asserts China's support to Egypt. It is a very good deal that provides a good alternative for the U.S. dollar in mutual trade. So, it is a propitious chance to refresh the Egyptian economy," said Rashad Abdo, economics professor at Cairo University and also head of the Egyptian Forum for Economic and Strategic Studies. The expert explained that it saves Egypt about 2.6 billion dollars that the government was going to withdraw from its CBE foreign currency reserves to pay off its necessary needs. "So, it would have meant a 2.6-billion-dollar decrease of Egypt's foreign currency reserves without reaching this deal," Abdo told Xinhua, noting that the amount of yuan included in the deal will only be used within a specific government program to purchase certain goods necessary to boost the economy. Egypt and China enjoy historical and growing bilateral relations since the Arab country was among the first to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the giant Asian country in 1956. They both have been celebrating 2016 as the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. "China considers Egypt an ally and they both have very distinguished bilateral relations. The currency swap deal is expected to further develop a special relation between Egypt and China," said Gamal Bayoumi, head of the Arab Investors Union and chief of Egypt-Europe Cabinet Unit. The economist added that instead of having the U.S. dollar as an intermediate currency between Egypt and China, the deal makes the local currencies of both countries sufficient for their mutual trade. "The deal shows China's support for the Egyptian economic capabilities, as this credit line between them will encourage their direct mutual trade without having to wait for a middle currency," Bayoumi told Xinhua. EXPORTS LEAP NEEDED The bilateral trade volume between Egypt and China has increased from 6.8 billion dollars in 2011 to 12.9 billion in 2015. On Nov. 22, Egyptian and Chinese officials signed a cooperation protocol granting Egyptian grapes access to the Chinese market. Since most of the trade volume is represented in Chinese exports to Egypt, experts believe that Egypt needs a huge leap in its exports that can be achieved through developing the Egyptian industry sector and studying the needs of the Chinese markets. "Today, our annual exports are about 25 billion dollars while imports are about 77 billion. To create an actual balance of trade, our exports need to reach from 140 to 150 billion dollars. This is because about 75 percent of the components and materials of our exports are also imported," said Ali Wally, member of Egypt-China Chamber of Commerce and senior director of a Cairo-based management consulting firm. "We need a real leap in exports," Wally continued, stressing that Egypt needs a qualitative change in exportation development methods to double exports by six times. He noted that it's "a realizable dream" as annual exports of smaller countries in area and population like Turkey reach 144 billion dollars, Vietnam 162 billion, Malaysia 200 billion, Thailand 214 billion and South Korea over 500 billion. "The deal is a good step that will alleviate pressure on the Egyptian pound, yet we need the export machine to work in full power to ease Egypt's dollar shortage and we need to have profitable investment opportunities to attract Chinese investors," the economist told Xinhua. Most Egyptian economists highlight the need to turn investment opportunities into a reality to lure investors, such as facilitation of prepared lands with infrastructure for investors and faster licenses for their projects. "Obstacles in investment environment in Egypt are complicated and they need full concentration and utmost effort to resolve them through a clear plan, identified goals and a specific timetable," Wally pointed out. YUAN EXPANSION The Chinese yuan has recently been included in IMF's Special Drawing Rights (SDR) basket and China is believed to be working on expansion of its local currency worldwide. "China wants its currency to be among the strongest in the world and to compete with the U.S. dollar. This is why the yuan devaluation worries the West and the United States, as it increases Chinese exports to world markets," said Wally. "So, Egypt has a good chance in its partnership with China, but it needs to double its exports, which can be achieved by providing big, profitable investment opportunities for Chinese investors," the economist told Xinhua. Photo taken early morning of Dec. 7, 2016 shows the exterior of the Ghost Ship warehouse which was devastated by a fire 4 days ago. The search and recovery operations completed at the warehouse fire site in Oakland early morning of Wednesday. (Xinhua/Xu Yong) SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Oakland warehouse where a deadly fire broke out over the weekend has been 85 percent searched and the death toll remained at 36 as of Tuesday morning, officials said. Of the victims, 26 have been positively identified and their families notified, Alameda County Sheriff's Deputy Tya Modeste told a press briefing. Another nine bodies have been "tentatively identified," leaving one without any clue so far. Overnight, via City of Oakland government's website, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office Coroner's Bureau released the names of 10 additional victims, all in their 20s or 30s and all were residents of northern California, including six from local communities. By Tuesday morning, the names of 17 victims have been released. The name of an additional victim of a 17-year-old minor was not released. Noting that 85 percent of the site was cleared, Oakland Fire Battalion Chief Robert Lipp said there was one corner of the two-story building unstable and therefore inaccessible for fire crews. The search and recovery operation seemed to wind down as officials said they did not expect the fatalities to have a big increase. "We can't locate any other deceased victims," Alameda County Sheriff Gregory Ahern said on Monday, when 75 percent of the site was cleared, "we are not anticipating any more huge numbers." The building, known as "The Oakland Ghost Ship," was permitted only as a warehouse. However, the structure in an industrial neighborhood of East Oakland was converted into art studios, a party venue and probably a residence. The worst fire in the history of Oakland, a city in northern California, on the U.S. west coast, started at about 11:30 p.m. on Friday and continued into the Saturday morning, trapping people at an underground music event. Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley said investigators would try to find evidence of criminal liability and then decide who would be liable, and charges to be brought against those liable could be homicide or involuntary manslaughter. UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Current internal displacement in the context of the Mosul offensive now exceeds 82,000 people in Iraq, and the majority of this week's movement has come from Mosul city, with most families still moving eastward toward the camps in the Hasansham area, a UN spokesman told reporters here Tuesday. "Clean drinking water, trauma care for civilian casualties and food shortages remain the priority humanitarian needs in newly-retaken areas, including eastern Mosul city," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here. "Safe drinking water is being provided to these communities through water trucking, and repair of water treatment plants is planned to ensure a sustainable supply of potable water in the longer term," he said. "Health care centres near eastern Mosul are being supported with additional trauma care supplies and expertise," he said. Since Oct. 17, 239,000 people have received emergency response packages containing food, water and hygiene items, while 224,000 people have received food rations to last one month. Given the onset of winter, some 164,000 people have received basic household items and winterization kits, including blankets and thermal mats, he said. On Oct. 17, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is also the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi forces, announced the start of a major offensive to retake Mosul, the country's second largest city, in a bid to liberate the northern Iraqi city, the last major Islamic State (IS) stronghold in Iraq. Mosul, some 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, when Iraqi government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions. CHICAGO, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) grains futures close mixed on Tuesday with soybean futures rallying, as another round of export deals with Asian markets and concerns about dry weather in Argentina pushing prices higher. The most active corn contract for March delivery rose 1.25 cents, or 0.35 percent, to 3.605 dollars per bushel. March wheat delivery fell 1.5 cents, or 0.37 percent, to 4.0675 dollars per bushel. January soybeans rose 4.25 cents, or 0.41 percent, to 10.4775 dollars per bushel. Short covering lent support to corn and wheat futures but gains in the grains were limited by ample supplies. Soybeans received additional support from a rally in the palm oil market and technical buying after the market briefly dipped during the overnight trading session. Malaysian palm oil futures hit their highest level over 4 years on Tuesday, reversing losses earlier in the day, after data indicated that output fell at the start of the month. The U.S. Agriculture Department(USDA) on Tuesday morning said that private exporters reported the sale of 198,000 tonnes of soybeans to China for delivery during the 2016/17 marketing year and 378,000 tonnes of soybeans to unknown destinations, split between 2016/17 and 2017/18. USDA also said that exporters sold 276,000 tonnes of corn to South Korea for 2016/17 shipment. The deal helped buoy the corn market after a choppy overnight session. The wheat market has been searching for a foothold and traders said cold weather risks for U.S. wheat plus the prospect of lower plantings for the next U.S. harvest could help prices. But expectations for bumper crops in other parts of the world continued to hamper the market. HELSINKI, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Seven people were detained in a series of demonstrations staged in Helsinki on Tuesday, as Finland's 99th independence day ceremony was held in the presidential palace, local media reported. Three of the largest demonstrations were a neo-Nazi march, an anti-Nazi demonstration, and a far-right torchlight procession respectively. The anti-Nazi demonstration named "Helsinki without Nazis" was organized by the Varisverkosto, an anti-fascist group, the anarchist A-group, and Helsinki's youth wing of the Left Alliance. There were nearly 3,000 people participating in the protest, according to Finnish national broadcaster Yle. Later the neo-Nazi procession with nearly 200 people began to march through the city center. The procession met opposition in Kaisaniemi Park, resulting in a conflict between the two groups. Two men were caught by police for violence. Yle said that police directed both groups to Kaisaniemi Park, and hundreds of police officers formed a barrier between the two groups to avoid possible physical confrontation. In the evening, a brawl broke out during another march where five people were arrested for harassment. The Helsinki Police department said on Monday that they received at least ten notifications of different protests that would be staged on independence day. UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The UN envoy for Libya on Tuesday reported stalled implementation of a political agreement in Libya, saying that the deal has stalled and "much more should have happened." The statement came as the special representative of the UN secretary-general for Libya, Martin Kobler, was briefing the UN Security Council just days before the first anniversary of the signing of the Libyan Political Agreement. "Until today, even the most vociferous critics of the agreement acknowledge that it is the only workable framework," Kobler said. "That said, the Libyan Political Agreement did not fulfil the expectations. The implementation has stalled." "People in Libya are rightly frustrated at the slow pace of progress," Kobler said. The UN-mediated agreement was achieved between two rival Libyan parliaments, the internationally-recognized Council of Deputies in Tobruk and the self-proclaimed Tripoli-based General National Congress (GNC), in order to stop the fighting and form a national unity government. According to the agreement, the participants in the Libyan dialogue will form a unity government to put an end to the violence and political chaos in Libya. Kobler stressed the need to tackle outstanding political questions, noting a path forward should consist of inclusive, peaceful dialogue, and never military escalation. "The only alternative to the Libyan Political Agreement is chaos," he said. He further noted that while the fight against terrorism produced results, the gains are not irreversible. The economic recovery of Sirte and Benghazi must therefore be a matter of priority. The UN envoy said that the issue of human rights and the rule of law, including the situation of migrants, must be more effectively and comprehensively addressed. "Libya is a human marketplace," he told the 15-nation UN body. "It is a shame." Kobler explained factors such as the limited authority of the Government of National Accord (GNA), the rejection, twice, of the proposed lists of GNA by the Libyan House of Representatives, lack of cooperation between State institutions, "pretender" governments competing for power, and crime and volatile security situation continued to add to the worries in the country. The North African country remains divided politically between two governments and parliaments, despite a UN-brokered peace agreement signed by the country's political rivals in December 2015. The Tripoli-based, UN-backed government of national accord claims legitimacy, while the eastern government has the strongest troops in the country and is fighting on various frontiers to have full control over the oil-rich country. To conclude an agreement is difficult, to implement it is even more difficult, he said, quoting former South African President Nelson Mandela as saying. Sounding the alarm, he said the country "continues to be awash" in weapons, and arrivals of new weapons continue unabated, in violation of existing weapons embargo. "Weapons do not fall from the sky. They come by land or sea," he said, adding that they sometimes end up in the hands of terrorists throughout the region. As such, he called for strong enforcement of the embargo until Libya has a reliable and coherent security set up. Meanwhile, Kobler voiced his concern on violent clashes in Tripoli, the Libyan capital, the first since 2014, which was triggered by the killing of a religious scholar, saying that such clashes were symptoms of the lack of security and underlying tensions between communities. Despite an increase in oil production, the north African country remains in a budget deficit of about 70 percent of its gross domestic product and said that the strained relations between the Presidency Council and the Central Bank further complicated the financial situation, he said. "Libya's financial reserves have shrunk from 108 billion (U.S.) dollars in 2013 to 45 billion (U.S.) dollars," he said. "The country will face an economic meltdown unless something changes." He also expressed his concern over the lack of rule of law in the country, rising corruption and high yields on the black market that result in billions of dollars disappearing into illegitimate accounts. The oil sector, Libya's main source of income, has been suffering drastically since the upheavals that toppled Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, due to armed attacks and political division. A Russian soldier inspects the damage at a field hospital that was reportedly destroyed by rebel shelling on December 5, 2016 in the Furqan neighbourhood of the government-held side of west Aleppo. (AFP/Xinhua) DAMASCUS, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The rebels on Tuesday withdrew from the old part of Aleppo city in northern Syria, amid a state of confusion in the eastern part of the city, pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV reported. The rebels withdrew from the ancient part of the city toward the southeastern neighborhoods, which are still under the rebels' control in the city, said the report. Citing military sources, the report said the collapse in the ranks of the rebels in the old city of Aleppo comes after the Syrian army stormed on Tuesday the al-Sha'ar neighborhood, the main stronghold for the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front in the rebel-held part east of Aleppo. Capturing al-Sha'ar put the Syrian army close to the rebel-held part of the ancient citadel of Aleppo and the old city as a whole, as the citadel is divided between the rebels and the government. It added that the rebels evacuated the northern part of Aleppo citadel amid a rapid military advance in the rebel-held part in eastern Aleppo. Rida al-Basha, a Aleppo-based journalist, said the rebels withdrawal from the historic part of Aleppo city was expected. He noted that civilians started leaving the old city after the withdrawal of the rebels, adding that six buses left old Aleppo overnight. An eye witness in Aleppo told Xinhua over the phone that celebratory gunshots reverberated across the government-controlled parts west of Aleppo on Tuesday evening as a result of the rebel withdrawal from the old city. Following a two-week long major offensive, the Syrian army has become in control of over two thirds of the rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo, as part of major offensive launched recently to liberate the eastern part of the city from any rebel presence. Over 30,000 civilians have fled eastern Aleppo over the past two weeks toward government-controlled areas in the western part of the city. The Syrian army says it will press on with the operation until all rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo are recaptured. The rebels captured eastern Aleppo in 2012, and the government forces recently imposed a siege on that area before unleashing a broad offensive for its recapture. Humanitarian organizations sounded the alarm about the situation of 250,000 people living in eastern Aleppo, with the government promising to fix the situation of those relocated in government-controlled areas. Firefighters work inside the burned warehouse following the fatal firein the Fruitvale district of Oakland, California, U.S. December 4, 2016. (Xinhua/REUTERS) SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Oakland warehouse where a deadly fire broke out over the weekend has been 85 percent searched and the death toll remained at 36 as of Tuesday morning, officials said. Of the victims, 26 have been positively identified and their families notified, Alameda County Sheriff's Deputy Tya Modeste told a press briefing. Another nine bodies have been "tentatively identified," leaving one without any clue so far. Overnight, via City of Oakland government's website, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office Coroner's Bureau released the names of 10 additional victims, all in their 20s or 30s and all were residents of northern California, including six from local communities. By Tuesday morning, the names of 17 victims have been released. The name of an additional victim of a 17-year-old minor was not released. Noting that 85 percent of the site was cleared, Oakland Fire Battalion Chief Robert Lipp said there was one corner of the two-story building unstable and therefore inaccessible for fire crews. Also on Tuesday, the University of California, Berkeley, formally confirmed and identified that three member of the school community were among those killed in the fire. They included a junior student, a graduate and a volunteer at a community radio station licensed to UC Berkeley. The search and recovery operation seemed to wind down as officials said they did not expect the fatalities to have a big increase. "We can't locate any other deceased victims," Alameda County Sheriff Gregory Ahern said on Monday, when 75 percent of the site was cleared, "we are not anticipating any more huge numbers." The building, known as "The Oakland Ghost Ship," was permitted only as a warehouse. However, the structure in an industrial neighborhood of East Oakland was converted into art studios, a party venue and probably a residence. The worst fire in the history of Oakland, a city in northern California, on the U.S. west coast, started at about 11:30 p.m. on Friday and continued into the Saturday morning, trapping people at an underground music event. Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley said investigators would try to find evidence of criminal liability and then decide who would be liable, and charges to be brought against those liable could be homicide or involuntary manslaughter. U.S. President Barack Obama issued a statement on Monday saying his administration was in close contact with state and local partners "to make sure that authorities have everything they need as they continue response operations and investigate the cause of the fire." BRUSSELS, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The opening ceremony of the exhibition "Art & Peace" held by the Chinese Artists Association (CAA) was held on Tuesday evening at China Cultural Center in Brussels. The exhibition, lasting from Dec. 7 to 19, covers a wide range of themes and artistic currents. While some works reflect contemporary social problems, some refer to historical events, some are rather inspired by literature and some simply depict natural scenes. About 40 pieces of work previously exhibited at the Beijing International Art Biennale, an international art platform aiming to promote Chinese artists and fine arts exchanges, were specifically chosen for this exhibition. Hundreds of representatives from political, business and cultural sectors and journalists attended the ceremony. Chinese Ambassador to Belgium Qu Xing said in his speech that he was pleased to see that cultural institutions play an important role in the bilateral cultural exchanges and expressed his best wishes for the friendly exchanges between China and Belgium in the future. Minister-President of the Brussels capital-region, Rudi Vervoort, highly praised the theme of the exhibition. He said that it is the cultural exchanges with peace as the theme that enable pluralistic societies to regain glory of the past. CANBERRA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has overnight performed a sudden backflip on its plan to introduce an emissions trading scheme, less than 48 hours after Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg announced a feasibility study into a "carbon tax" program. Earlier this week, Frydenberg said the government was investigating the feasibility of an emissions "intensity scheme", but stressed the government would not implement a tax similar to the all-encompassing carbon tax on Australian businesses introduced by Labor in 2011 and scrapped by former PM Tony Abbott in 2014. He said an intensity scheme would tax energy companies by their rate of carbon emissions, however following backbench revolt, both Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Frydenberg have since backflipped on the plan; Late on Tuesday, Turnbull said he has "never supported a carbon tax", while Frydenberg has since said the government had never even contemplated it. "The government will not introduce an emissions intensity scheme, which is a form of trading scheme that operates within the electricity generation sector," he told News Corp on Wednesday. When initially announcing the feasibility study on Monday, Frydenberg said "a number of bodies that have recommended an emissions intensity scheme (and) we'll look at that", something which drew ire from conservative colleagues, including Cory Bernardi who labelled it "one of the dumbest things" he has heard. Following the backflip, opposition frontbencher Richard Marles said Turnbull had failed to assert his authority over his backbenchers, calling the government "divided" and without strong leadership. "The government is completely divided; the responsible minister is saying one thing but he's being overruled by the former Prime Minister (Tony Abbott), by (conservative Senator) Cory Bernardi, by others in the cabinet... Malcolm Turnbull used to believe in pricing carbon," Marles told Sky News on Wednesday. CANBERRA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Education Minister has hinted at recruiting specialist science and maths teachers from overseas in a bid to improve student performance in the classroom, following studies which showed the overall performance of Australian children was in "absolute decline". The results of the latest Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) recently revealed that the performance of Australia's year 9 student in maths, science and reading was lagging behind those of other OECD nations. Australia's Education Minister, Senator Simon Birmingham said that Australia lacks specialist science and maths teachers in particular, and flagged the possibility of looking overseas to fill the void and reverse the "serious decline" in education standards. "The things we are doing are not working. More money in and of itself is not the answer," Birmingham told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Wednesday. "Ultimately if we do need to get more specialist maths and science teachers into the classroom that's a discussion I'm very open to having. "I hope that state and territory ministers who of course directly administer our school systems will actually engage in constructive conversations with me about how we can work cooperatively to address this very serious decline in Australia's real performance across these key benchmark areas. "The single-biggest factor in the school environment is the teacher." However the Labor opposition has cautioned the government about its possible 'knee-jerk reaction'; Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek said studies had yet to take into account the effect of recent education funding under the government-backed Gonski report's model. "It's very problematic when the government says 'well, you put extra money in and it doesn't make any difference'," Plibersek told the ABC. "We know the extra funding is making a difference in schools, I see it in every school I visit and it's important that people know that." HAVANA, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Cuba on Tuesday welcomed a decision by the European Union (EU) to end its so-called "common position" on the island country, which paves the way for the signing of a political and economic cooperation agreement between Havana and the EU. Deputy Foreign Minister Abelardo Moreno issued a statement, which said that Cuba "welcomes with satisfaction the decisions adopted by the European Union's Economic and Financial Affairs Council." The European Commission has adopted proposals on the signing of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) with Cuba, and repealing the EU's 1996 Common Position on Cuba. It is expected that the signing of the PDCA will be held on Dec. 12 in Brussels. In recent years, the "common position" has lost credibility among European countries, many of which have individual trade agreements with Cuba, but the policy has not been officially revoked by the EU community. "For Cuba it was imperative that such a remnant of the past be completely abolished, because it ran counter to the foundations of equality, reciprocity and respect on which it has developed its relationship with the European Union since 2008," Moreno said. The signing of the agreement marks another achievement for Havana's foreign policy, following the restoration of diplomatic ties with the United States and the renegotiation of its debt with creditors of the Paris-based club of 34 wealthy nations in December last year. The accord aims to broaden political and economic cooperation between Brussels and Havana to areas like sustainable development, democracy and human rights, as well as energy, mining, telecommunications and tourism. The EU has similar agreements with all other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Since 2008, when Cuban President Raul Castro officially took power and launched Cuba's opening up, Havana has signed cooperation agreements with 19 of the 27 countries of the European community. CANBERRA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Australia has recorded its biggest economic fall since the global financial crisis and its first quarter of negative economic growth in recent five years, the nation's Treasurer, Scott Morrison confirmed on Wednesday. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released its figures detailing the economic decline on Wednesday. They showed the Australian economy slowed by 0.5 percent in the September quarter and the annual growth rate had fallen to 1.8 percent, well below already-pessimistic expert predictions. In a statement accompanying the figures, the ABS said the largest contributor to the slowing economy was the lower output in the nation's construction industry. "The reduced building activity is reflected in the output of the construction industry which fell 3.6 per cent for the quarter and was the largest contributor to the fall in GDP growth on an industry basis," the ABS statement said. In response to the figures, Morrison said he expected growth to jump back into the positive next quarter, following the recent passing of key building watchdog laws which he said would spur growth in the building and construction sectors. But he added that there was a need for the entire parliament to back the government's economic policies to achieve further future growth. "Driving investment is the challenge. Getting capital out of its cage and invested in innovation that drives the economy, is the key," Morrison said on Wednesday. "Back in 2008 (the economy) was stagnant and there was not a lot happening, but the issue this time is business investment." The Treasurer said attracting investment and money from both local enterprises and from overseas was the key to regenerating growth in key areas such as building, construction and business. "This is why we are adamant about our enterprise tax plan and our infrastructure plan. We must attract the capital both internally and externally," he said. Morrison said the government would continue to work towards its long-term goal of getting out of deficit and achieving budget balance by 2021, but shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen said the result was "deeply concerning," criticizing the government's election slogan of "jobs and growth". MOSCOW, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The skillful Chinese leadership will help China deal with all risks and reach its planned targets, despite multiple economic challenges facing the country, Russian experts said. The year of 2016 is the first year of China's 13th five-year plan with a goal of comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society by 2020. The Chinese government targets this year's economic growth at 6.5 percent to 7 percent with an annual average growth rate of at least 6.5 percent through 2020. The slowdown in the Chinese economy will occur, as the policy related to the new normal implies that the Chinese economy will not grow as fast as before, Andrei Ostrovsky, deputy director of the Institute of the Far East under the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Xinhua in a recent interview. The deceleration of the Chinese economy as a whole is due to the fact that China is restructuring its economy in a global way, said Alexey Maslov, head of the Oriental Studies Department at the Russian Higher School of Economics Research University. To achieve the goals, it has to change the nature of the economy, which is "painful and difficult," Maslov added. After 15 years of rapid growth, he said, major Asian countries all slowed down and had to restructure their economies to keep them afloat, while China has been growing for an even longer time. In fact, Ostrovsky said, the pace of China's economic growth -- 6.7-6.8 percent a year -- is quite high, significantly higher than that of many other countries in the world. But there are also more complex problems related to the current situation in China, which cannot be solved in a simple way, he said. One of the biggest problems in China today is the environment, Ostrovsky said, adding that the damage to the environment has reached a critical state after the issue has been ignored for dozens of years due to the necessity of mainitaining rapid economic growth. Other challenges include the shortage of labor as China's population has been rapidly aging, he added. "The country's decision to allow families to have a second child will only bear fruit 20 years from now when the newborns reach the working age," Ostrovsky said. For Maslov, he believed that there is a necessity for China to invest abroad in order to support its internal market. The Belt and Road Initiative designed for infrastructure construction in countries of Asia, Europe and even parts of Africa is aimed at reaching this goal, he added. SANTIAGO, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chilean Agriculture Minister Carlos Furche on Tuesday highlighted China as the leading market for Chile's cherry exports, as the South American country's cherry importers are working on expanding the exports of the fruit. Nearly half of Chile's total cherry exports of more than 100,000 tons a year go to China, and the potential for growth remains high. The fruit currently generates some 500 million U.S. dollars in export revenue, Furche said during a tour of a cherry plant Agricola Garces, accompanied by China's ambassador to Chile, Li Baorong. Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Chile in November "is a good indicator of the current peak in relations between the two countries," said Furche, adding "China's leader has invited (Chile's) President Michelle Bachelet to make a state visit to China next year." "Both heads of state pledged to further expand our free trade agreement, not just in trade, but also in investment, which is good news for Chilean agriculture, because the future of our food exports lies in China," said Furche. The official underscored the importance of labor and investment involved in developing a country's exports. "No consumer imagines the technological development and added value that goes into a simple cherry that, after being picked, travels three weeks by ship and arrives in perfect shape at its destination market in Asia, mainly China," said Furche. That effort requires "investment, betting on the future and technological development, and it is an example of how dynamic Chile's agricultural sector is," he said. Chile's agricultural sector is thriving and generating jobs, said Furche, noting Agricola Garces employs more than 700 people. In fact, the sector employs 10 percent of the country's labor force, though that figure is as high as 25 percent in the southern region of O'Higgins, where the cherry plant is located. "That's why it is good news for the country that we have an agricultural sector that is expanding," said Furche. Chile's cherry harvest coincides with China's Lunar New Year, said Furche, "which is a happy coincidence for producers and sellers. In the first 10 months of this year alone, our food exports to China grew 16 percent." China has become Chile's second largest export market and over the next decade it would become the largest, Furche predicted, adding the country's agricultural sector "is linked to what we can do in the Asian region." China represents significant potential for growth, he said. "Fruits, like cherry, cranberry and grapes, as well as Chilean wine, are in great demand in China," which is poised to become Chile's leading export market for wine this year or next, he said. Li explained that during the Lunar New Year "it is ideal to have a box of Chilean cherries. They are renowned, making them the best gift for friends or family, and a symbol of cooperation between China and Chile." Li also highlighted President Xi Jinping's visit to Chile and its success in leading to two new accords, one of them for Chilean nectarines, and both sides are working on it. Li agreed that the Sino-Chilean ties are "at a peak" and expanding in various fields. During the 2014-2015 cherry season, Chile exported more than 103,000 tons of the fruit, and that figure stands to rise as Chilean officials work with Chinese importers to expand the fruit's market share. WELLINGTON, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government will be asking migrant investors to shell out more money before giving them residency under new rules announced Wednesday. The changes included doubling the funds Investor 2 category migrants must invest to 3 million NZ dollars (2.14 million U.S. dollars), while removing the need for them to hold 1 million NZ dollars (713,800 U.S. dollars) in settlement funds. "There's no doubt the migrant investor categories are performing well with 2.9 billion NZ dollars (2.07 billion U.S. dollars) invested since they were launched in July 2009 and a further 2.1 billion NZ dollars (1.49 billion U.S. dollars) in funds committed," Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse said in a statement. "However, around two thirds of investment is currently placed in bonds and the government believes there is an opportunity to rebalance this towards growth-oriented investments," he said. "That is why we are making changes to increase the amount and performance of investment while better recognizing the non-financial contribution of migrant investors." The changes would also reward higher levels of business experience and English language skills and investment in growth-oriented investment. The government was also raising the cap on migrants under this category from 300 to 400. "Many investors tend to move into growth focused investments as they become more familiar with the New Zealand environment. These changes will encourage them to do so earlier in the process while incentivizing investments that deliver greater economic benefits for New Zealand," Woodhouse said. The changes would come into effect in May 2017. SYDNEY, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- From the economy to people, Australia-China ties are growing in importance, but efforts must continue to build on that progress, said Dr. Andrew Leigh, Australia's Shadow Assistant Treasurer. Elaborating on a major speech that he gave in late November at the launch of a yearbook on China, Dr Leigh told Xinhua in an email interview that it is "in Australia's interests to continue to deepen our engagement with China, not just economically but also through meaningful linkages between governments, business, and civil society." Climate change is one example where both countries can collaborate closely, said Leigh, who is one of Australia's Opposition members led by the Labor Party shadowing the country's ministerial positions. Such collaboration "strengthens the bilateral relationship with China, and global cooperation more broadly". "Australia has a long history of cooperation on climate change policy with the Chinese Government. This has included providing technical advice to China on the design of emission trading schemes under the last Labor government, and has extended to a MOU on climate change under the current government," said Leigh, who is also a former economics professor of the Australian National University. "To deliver on sustainable profitability we need real action on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Australia and China are well placed to work together on these issues if governments have the will." In his recent speech, which covered what modern Australia would look like had China not embarked on its reform and opening-up in the late 1970s, Leigh pointed to Australia's increasing dependence on Chinese economic contributions, including merchandize exports, education, tourism and immigration. Without a developing China, Australia's economy would be almost 5 percent smaller, or 8,000 Australian dollars (5,960 U.S. dollars) less a year for every Australian household, he said. Australian universities would be nearly 6 billion Australian dollars poorer and its tourism industry would similarly earn that amount less each year with 1.2 million fewer visitors. There would not have been a mining boom or much of a "dining" boom. As such, the Australia-China relationship is increasingly important and there must be political trust to build on that, Leigh explained to Xinhua. "In recent years, Australian and Chinese leaders have worked closely on a great range of complex issues -- this would not be possible without political trust." The engagement also includes Australia sharing its experience and expertise with China, such as "exporting Australia's fresh, clean and safe agricultural produce into a growing Chinese middle class". "When last in Government the Australian Labor Party began a process of deeper engagement and cooperation with China in agriculture" and the party "believes Australia has a wonderful opportunity to export more high quality, clean, green and safe food to China and our focus is on premium product, productivity and sustainable profitability", Leigh added. MELBOURNE, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Victoria is a step closer to becoming the first Australian state to legalize assisted dying. The Victorian Government, led by Premier Daniel Andrews, has confirmed that the state's parliament will hold a free conscience vote on whether euthanasia should be legal in Victoria in 2017. The announcement of the vote came as part of the government's response to a cross-party parliamentary committee which recommended the legalization of assisted dying for people suffering from incurable diseases. More than half Andrews' cabinet have declared support for assisted dying in 2016, a surge in support that was prompted by Minister for Health Jill Hennessy declaring she backed it. Andrews, who had previously opposed the idea, said the death of his father in 2016 had changed his mind. "We need to accept, all of us, that we can do much better by those who are at the end of their life in very vulnerable circumstances," Andrews told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Wednesday. "I think more and more Victorians are coming to the conclusion that we are not giving a dignified end, we are not giving the support, the love and care that every Victorian should be entitled to in their final moments," he said. Under the free conscience vote MPs will be allowed to vote however they see fit on the matter regardless of their party's stance. Lorraine Baker from the Victorian arm of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) said the issue had divided the medical community. "Our profession is much more concerned about palliative care resourcing ... and some of what's arisen around these debate is based on the fact that we're not delivering as a community adequate palliative care services as a population," Baker told the ABC. "What we are aware of in the profession, and I'm sure the nursing profession and the palliative care and end-of-life care spaces are aware, is that many communities and people are under-resourced to manage this part of illness when they are suffering at the end of a terminal illness." South Australia is the only other state to have tried to legalize the practice but legislation has failed to pass the state's parliament 15 consecutive times. SYDNEY, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- From Britain's vote to exit from the European Union to Donald Trump's election to the U.S. presidency, major events of the past year are poised to impact the global economy in 2017. Many of these will play a significant part in defining Australia's economic relations with China, the region and beyond, Professor Fariborz Moshirian, Director of the Institute of Global Finance at the University of New South Wales Business School in Sydney, told Xinhua in an email interview. Brexit, or Britain's exit from the European Union, could actually open up new opportunities for Australia and enhance trade between the two countries, Moshirian said. "If Brexit goes through the United Kingdom Parliament, the UK will be looking for new trading partners. The Australian Minister for Trade has reached a preliminary agreement with the UK Secretary of State for International Trade to establish a Working Group that will consider the possibility of creating a free-trade agreement between Australia and the UK," he said. The considerable effects of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement will also continue to roll out, with closer trade and investment links between the two countries helping to create employment, growth and other opportunities, Moshirian said. "On Dec 20, 2015, Australia implemented the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement. The key drivers behind this decision were lower tariffs and increased government support. The ChAFTA removed tariffs on most exports, relaxed investment barriers and abolished labour market testing in relation to Chinese temporary visa applicants. "According to the China-Australia Business Engagement Index, the ChAFTA influenced the decisions of approximately 75 percent of Chinese firms to increase business focus on Australia." Australia could similarly experience a greater role in trade with Donald Trump's election as the President of the United States. "Australia has close trade link ties with both China and the US. Donald Trump's election as the President of the US and the prospect of greater tension between the two countries give Australia a greater role in strengthening trade and other ties between these regional powers through forums such as G20 and APEC," Moshirian said. "For Australia, the Centre of Policy Studies' modelling suggests that a full-blown China-US trade war might cause Australia's economy to shrink by 4 percent over the next 10 years. However, as China is unlikely fully to retaliate, new opportunities are likely to offset Australia's trade losses. Overall, the study suggests that Australia "should not try to do anything" about Trump's threatened trade war." US withdrawal from the TPP might also result in Japan ceasing to support it and that is "likely to deny Australia of the trade gains promised" under the trade pact, Moshirian said. "Japan was already one of the more reluctant members of the TPP. The Japanese Prime Minister has also recently stated that a Trans-Pacific Partnership without the US is "meaningless". If the US withdraws from TPP, Japan's backing for an agreement with the remaining TPP members also seems doubtful. "If both the US and Japan withdraw from the TPP, then Australia has more potential to play a greater role in seeking bilateral free trade agreements with countries that would otherwise have been members of the TPP to promote free trade and to mitigate Japan and the US's withdrawal from the TPP." In fact, Australia and China could "intensify free trade within Asia, if the US promotes protectionism in 2017". "Australia and China could play a significant role in the process of economic and financial integration in the Asia-Pacific region via ASEAN Plus Six," Moshirian said. Ongoing trade between Australia and China in 2017 will also ensure "stronger economic growth in Australia and secured resources exports to China from Australia". MELBOURNE, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- An oil and gas exploration company is suing the Victorian government for two billion US dollars over a fracking ban. Lakes Oil, which is 20 per cent owned by Australia's richest woman Gina Rinehart, said it was seeking to recover losses from a Victorian ban on fracking, a process of injecting liquid at high pressure into rocks to force open existing fissures and extract oil or gas. The ban said the process could contaminate ground water supplies,winning farmers' support. "The writ filed today asserts that the actions of the Victorian Minister for Resources is depriving the company of its opportunity to use its exploration permits for the purpose for which they were intended," the company said in a statement on Wednesday. It said it was seeking 1.9 billion U.S. dollars in lost earnings and 68 million U.S. dollars which they had already spent. Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria, introduced legislation in October that permanently banned fracking in Victoria, making it the first state in Australia to outlaw the practice. "The unjust and unlawful actions of the Victorian Government and its proposed bill to ban onshore exploration have caused significant losses to the company and its 11,000 long-standing shareholders," Lakes Oil said. A spokesperson for Wade Noonan, Victoria's Minister for Resources, said as the matter was before the courts they could not make a comment but did add that the government was "proud to have taken this stance for the farmers and environment." DAMASCUS, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Syrian government forces on Tuesday entered the old city of Aleppo, controlling some three quarters of the eastern territory of the besieged Syrian city that had been under the rebel control for nearly five years. The rebels withdrew towards the southeastern neighborhoods, pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV reported. The Syrian government troops retook seven districts from the rebels. The military advance was made after they stormed the strategic al-Sha'ar neighborhood, the main stronghold for the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front in the rebel-held part east of Aleppo. An eye witness in Aleppo told Xinhua over the phone that celebratory gunshots reverberated across the government-controlled parts in the west of Aleppo on Tuesday evening. The military gain came after a two-week-long major offensive the Syrian army launched after imposing a siege. They said they will press on with the operation until the recapture of all the rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo. Over 30,000 civilians fled eastern Aleppo to the government-controlled west, and the Syrian government has pledged help to relocate people there. Humanitarian organizations have raised alarm about the situation of 250,000 people living in eastern Aleppo. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said talks with the United States on a rebel withdrawal would begin in Geneva as early as Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. The Syrian government said it now rejects any cease-fire for Aleppo, which it fears would be used by the rebels as a chance to "regroup." Russia and China on Monday vetoed a United Nations Security Council draft resolution on a seven-day humanitarian truce in the northern Syrian city. Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN, said China remained committed to an early political solution to the Syrian crisis, which works on "the four tracks of resumption of cease-fire, political peace talks, cooperation in counter-terrorism and humanitarian relief." Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri on Monday expressed support for China's stand while meeting with visiting Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on Syrian issue Xie Xiaoyan in Beirut. He said he appreciated China's stand, and hoped that China will play a larger role on the Syrian issue. KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's exports decline widened in October, posting 69.2 billion ringgit (15.6 billion U.S. dollars), an 8.6 percent drop compared to a year ago, according to a monthly report from Malaysia's Ministry of International Trade and Industry. Though October exports volume was the highest recorded thus far in 2016, it fell for the second time in a row after a 3 percent decline in September. The ministry said it was "due to high-base effect of October 2015." The decline of exports was driven by a 34.8 percent plunge in exports of mining goods, comprised mainly of liquefied natural gas and petroleum. Exports of manufactured goods, which include machinery, equipment and parts and rubber products, fell by 6.7 percent. Breaking down the results region by region, exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations declined by 2.6 percent from a year earlier, to the United States shrank by 3.5 percent while to the European Union contracted by a sharp 12 percent. However, Malaysia's exports to China increased by 3.4 percent, "due to higher exports of electrical and electronic products," said the report. During the month, Malaysia's imports also decreased by 6.6 percent compared with the same period of last year, while total trade was lower by 7.7 percent. BANGKOK, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar is encouraging Thai investors to venture in agriculture and tourism in Shan state. Pakaimas Vierra, vice chairwoman of Thailand's Chiang Rai Provincial Chamber of Commerce, said on Wednesday the Myanmar authorities had recommended Thais to invest in agricultural and livestock sector as well as tourist industry inside Shan state. Pakaimart led officials of the Thai Department of Foreign Trade and businesspersons in a recent trip to Shan state to view the investment climate and meet with the Myanmar authorities in the predominantly ethnic state. Shan state, earlier noted for chronic war between Myanmar government forces and ethnic rebel groups, has planned to build a major road to link Kengtung province, which borders China and Laos, with the state capital Taunggyi, about 480 kilometers northwest of Chiang Saen district of Chiang Rai province in northern Thailand. In addition, Shan state's eastern township of Tachileik is currently a major trading point across Mekong River from Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai. COLOMBO, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka rose by 16 percent in November compared with the same month in 2015 with India and China remaining the leading markets, statistics from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority showed on Wednesday. China recorded a 10.5 percent growth on a year-to-year basis as over 18,000 tourists visited Sri Lanka in November, while India recorded a 2.5 percent growth from the same month last year, with over 30,000 visitors arriving. In total over 1.8 million tourists have arrived in the island country this year and the government has said it hopes to achieve a target of at least 2 million tourists by year end. In November alone, 167,217 tourists arrived in Sri Lanka, a 16 percent rise from the 144,147 the same month last year. China, which has become the second largest source of tourists to Sri Lanka, has helped improve the island nation's tourism industry once heavily scarred by a 30-year civil war between the government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels which ended in May 2009. Last year, Sri Lanka attracted 200,000 Chinese tourists. The Sri Lankan government has set a target of attracting 4 million tourists by 2020. CHANGSHA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- A former vice mayor of a city in central China has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for accepting bribes totalling 4.7 million yuan (680,000 U.S. dollars), according to a local court. Yiyang Intermediate People's Court convicted Li Zicheng, former vice mayor of Huaihua City, Hunan Province, of accepting bribes between 2008 and 2014 when he was Communist Party of China (CPC) chief of Yuanling and Xupu counties and vice mayor of Huaihua. Li sought benefits for others in return for bribes, which he accepted personally or through his daughter Li Wenchu. The court ruled that Li's personal assets, worth 1 million yuan, should be confiscated. His daughter was given a three-year suspended sentence and was fined 200,000 yuan. WELLINGTON, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Economic issues will be the focus of a Brunei government mission to Wellington this week, New Zealand's Foreign Minister Murray McCully said Wednesday. Brunei's Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Pehin Lim Jock Seng and Energy and Industry Minister Pehin Yasmin Umar would be visiting later in the week, McCully said in a statement. "During the visit, we will discuss Brunei's plans to diversify its economy and how New Zealand can best support these efforts. Our talks will also focus on regional economic and political issues," said McCully. "Brunei is an important partner for New Zealand in South East Asia, and we enjoy friendly cooperation in defence, trade and education." Both countries are members of the P4, the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership, which also involves Chile and Singapore. The free trade pact was the precursor to the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, which appears to have been scuppered by United States President-elect Donald Trump. Brunei and New Zealand are also both involved in the 16-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. New Zealand's trade relationship with Brunei is dominated by imports of crude oil, which can see trade values fluctuate dramatically from year to year. In 2012, total two-way trade reached 1.2 billion NZ dollars (854.64 million U.S. dollars), but in 2014 the figure was 463 million NZ dollars (329.75 million U.S. dollars), according to figures from New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In 2014, New Zealand's direct exports to Brunei amounted to 6 million NZ dollars (4.27 million U.S. dollars). DAMASCUS, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army has taken control of the old quarter of the northern city of Aleppo, just hours after the rebels withdrew from that part of the city, a monitor group said Wednesday. Government forces and allied fighters are combing the neighborhoods in the old city of Aleppo in the central part of the rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo, between the Hanano area and the ancient citadel of Aleppo, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Last night, the rebels in old Aleppo started withdrawing toward the the southeastern part of the city, which are still under the rebel control. The rebels retreat came after the Syrian army captured the neighborhoods of Aghier and Bab al-Hadid in old Aleppo on Tuesday, which led to tightening the noose on the rebels in other neighborhoods in the old city, the UK-based watchdog group said. The pressure the rebels felt after the army advance in Bab al-Hadid and Aghier pushed them to retreat from the old city as they feared the government forces would further besiege them in a small area. Following a two-week long major offensive, the Syrian army has become in control of 80 percent of the rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo, as part of major offensive launched recently to liberate the eastern part of the city from any rebel presence. Over 30,000 civilians have fled eastern Aleppo over the past two weeks toward government-controlled areas in the western part of the city. The Syrian army says it will press on with the operation until all rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo are recaptured. The rebels captured eastern Aleppo in 2012, and the government forces recently imposed a siege on that area before unleashing a broad offensive for its recapture. Humanitarian organizations sounded the alarm about the situation of 250,000 people living in eastern Aleppo, with the government promising to fix the situation of those relocated in government-controlled areas. KABUL, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan special counter-narcotic police have detained 13 persons for alleged drug trafficking in five of the country's 34 provinces within a week, authorities said on Wednesday. "Counter-Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) have cracked 10 major drug-trafficking cases and captured 13 drug dealers involved in the cases in Kabul, Herat, Nimroz, Kandahar and Laghman provinces within the last one week," the Counter-Narcotics Criminal Justice Task Force of Afghanistan (CJTF) said in a statement. The anti-drug police force also found drugs including 15 kg of heroin, over 530 kg of opium and 370 liter of chemical substance from the detainees, the statement said, adding the CNPA also seized 11 vehicles, 16 mobile phones and 26 rounds of different types of bullets from the arrested. After initial investigation, the CNPA has handed over the cases to the Central Narcotics Tribunal (CNT), a special Afghan court for jurisdiction of major drug cases, the statement said. The vast majority of the world's opium poppy, the raw element for making heroin, is cultivated in militancy-hit Afghanistan, particularly in the western and southern parts of the country, where government security forces have little presence. Some 4,800 tons of opium has been produced this year in Afghanistan, home to some 1.9 million to 2.4 million adult drug addicts, according to the latest figures released by the Afghan Ministry of Counter-Narcotics. WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Ordinary people could get the chance to spend their holidays on the Moon within 10 years due to the attempt of a company that wants to specialize in lunar travel. The founder of Moon Express, Naveen Jain, said this week that the firm was the first non-governmental entity to be given the green light to land on the Moon by the U.S. government. The company is also planning to conduct a survey on the surface of the Moon in 2017 to find the best spots for mining minerals and other gases. The plan of the 17-day-trip in orbit for ordinary people will start from being launched by the Russian rocket, and will drop by the International Space Station before flying to the Moon. The cost of the Moon travel scheduled by 2026 is going to be 10,000 U.S. dollars, according to Jain. HANOI, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese government had preferential policies in taxes, credit, land and training to encourage investment in agriculture and the rural sector, according to Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) head Nguyen Xuan Cuong. At present, the MARD has promoted the restructuring of agriculture to improve the value of farming products and achieve sustainable development in agriculture. One of the restructuring solutions is to attract more investors, especially for building up chains from production to processing and consumption. Some local large enterprises, such as TH Group, Dabaco, Vingroup and Hoa Phat, have invested in the sector to promote development, Cuong revealed Saturday at a dialogue on investment. As a result, the number of enterprises investing in agriculture increased from 2,397 in 2007 to 3,640 in 2015 and to 4,080 in the first nine months of 2016, the minister said, adding that many investors had gained by investing in hi-tech for agriculture. However, the development of investment in agriculture was unstable while great potential for more investment in the sector was not being tapped, Cuong said. Those enterprises that invest in agriculture had encountered difficulties such as weather and limitations in land, credit and tax policies. At its latest Taking Stock report, the World Bank (WB) also discussed how Vietnamese agricultural sector can bring about more economic value and better livelihoods for farmers and consumers, using less natural and human resources but without degrading the environment. Vietnam's agricultural sector has made enormous progress but there are growing concerns about the quality and sustainability of Vietnam's agricultural growth, said the bank on Monday. Higher productivity has come from more and more inputs and increasing environmental costs, the bank added. Although Vietnamese agriculture has made progress, it needs much more stimulus for enterprises to invest in the sector. Only 1 percent of total Vietnamese enterprises have invested in agriculture, 55 percent of which are small-scale, said Cuong. Most of these investors had not undertaken professional investment activities and not applied hi-tech technologies in their projects, Cuong said. They had also not cooperated with scientists and farmers in the production chain, which resulted in high production costs, low competitive ability and inefficiency in investment, Cuong said. According to Vietnamese MARD, the government has focused on improving the investment environment and encouraging enterprises to invest in agriculture, promising a breakthrough soon in preferential policies to instill confidence among investors, especially in hi-tech and clean farming. In addition, the WB urged Vietnamese government to lead less but facilitate more to transform Vietnam's agriculture and agro-food system. For example, the government can undertake less direct investment in agriculture while focusing more on facilitating a more active agricultural land market, supporting rural infrastructure, reducing the transaction costs of farmers and agro-enterprises, and revitalizing the country's agricultural innovation system, the WB proposed. HAVANA, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Cuban President Raul Castro has participated in the burial of the ashes of his elder sister and brother Angela and Ramon Castro, in Biran, their hometown, in the eastern province of Holguin, the official NTV news reported on Tuesday. Their remains were placed in the family pantheon, where their parents and grandparents also rest. Angela was the daughter of the Spanish landowner Angel Castro and his first wife Maria Luis Argota, and she died in February 2012. Ramon, Fidel and Raul were the descendants of Angel with his second wife Lina Ruz. Ramon, Hero of Labor of the Republic of Cuba, died in February 2016. According to the TV report, the family decided to bury them in Biran, also birth place of the recently deceased revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, because this was the place where they were born and developed part of their history. The farewell speech was given by Cuban historian Eusebio Leal. At present the house where Fidel and Raul Castro were born is a museum due to its historical value. WELLINGTON, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Two senior cabinet ministers put themselves forward Wednesday to be New Zealand's next deputy prime minister, as the government scrambles to fill the holes left by Prime Minister John Key's shock resignation. Associate Finance Minister and Climate Change Issues Minister Paula Bennet and Transport Minister Simon Bridges will compete for the deputy leadership, which will be decided by the ruling center-right National Party Parliamentary caucus on Dec. 12. Bennet and Bridges ranked fifth and ninth respectively in the current cabinet both endorsed current Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bill English for the prime minister's post to be decided the same day. Bennett told Radio New Zealand she had worked with English for many years, had great respect for him and would vote for him as leader. Bridges said in the report that he was confident English would win the leadership contest and would become prime minister. English, who was endorsed by Key in his resignation announcement Monday, will contest the leadership with Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Judith Collins, who holds the Police and Corrections portfolios. Other members of the National Party caucus could yet put their names forward for the two leadership positions. Key shocked the nation and his cabinet colleagues with his surprise announcement that he was relinquishing the leadership after eight years in power. COLOMBO, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka on Wednesday vowed to tackle the spread of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in the island nation and will host an international conference this month to address the issue. Officials involved in addressing CKD in Sri Lanka said that Sri Lanka's Gardiner Foundation which had tied up with the Brussels based International Society of Nephrology (ISN), will inaugurate the 'ISN-Gardiner Foundation in Colombo, which will be attended by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe along with the participation of world recognized Nephrologists. Sri Lanka estimates that as many as 400,000 people in the North Central Province may be affected by CKD, with five or six out of 100 people affected. "CKD has been spreading in various parts of Sri Lanka at an unprecedented rate over the past two decades. This was a relatively new phenomenon that Sri Lanka and the government has had to face," a statement by the Gardiner Foundation said. The Foundation said that inadequate medical facilities, especially in the detected areas, and the sociological factors that have affected the communities involved have become a major concern for the Sri Lankan government and the island's medical fraternity. According to medical experts, 300 to 600 CKD related deaths occur in Sri Lankan hospitals annually. Some put the number of deaths due to CKD at 5,000 per annum, as many deaths due to CKD are not recorded as they occur at home in remote rural areas. The Gardiner Foundation is headed by Sanjiv Gardiner who was last year appointed by President Sirisena as an "Ambassador for the prevention of Kidney Disease". Gardiner is a Sri Lankan businessman and Chairman of the Galle Face group which owns and manages a domestic chain of hotels in the island country. PHNOM PENH, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Wednesday launched a China-funded project on maternal and child health care, which was designed to provide better health services to mothers and children. Cambodian Health Minister Mam Bunheng and Li Bin, Minister in charge of the China's National Health and Family Planning Commission, jointly unveiled the project at the National Pediatric Hospital in Phnom Penh. Bunheng said under the three-year project, China's Hunan Children's Hospital would provide both technical support and budget to the National Pediatric Hospital. "The project is another new achievement in health cooperation between our two countries and clearly reflects China's high attention to improving the well-being of mothers and children in Cambodia," he said. "The project will contribute to implementing the Cambodian government's strategy in reducing the mortality rate of mothers and children," he added. "I'm confident that women and children in Cambodia will get benefits from this project," Li said. At the launching ceremony, Li also handed over several types of medical equipment and supplies to the National Pediatric Hospital. BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- China's top economic planner announced Wednesday that it has fined the Chinese unit of U.S. medical device maker Medtronic 118.5 million yuan (about 17 million U.S. dollars) for monopoly pricing. It was the first price fixing case involving a medical device maker investigated by Chinese anti-monopoly regulators. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said that since 2014, the company, which supplies cardiovascular, restorative, and diabetes-related medical devices, has improperly suppressed competition through monopoly agreements with distributors, and set minimum prices. Currently, there is no full and open competition in the nation's high-value and implantable medical device market. Medtronic's minimum price agreements for medical devices hurt patients, the NDRC said. The fine represents 4 percent of 2015 sales volumes of devices involved in the case. The company has already taken initiatives to make corrective measures, the NDRC said. "Chinese consumers welcome advanced medical devices from foreign companies, but we are against market monopoly that destroys fair competition. We will track the company's corrective measures," said Zhang Handong, a NDRC official in charge of the anti-monopoly department. Authorities will continue to strengthen anti-monopoly supervision over medical device companies to ensure fair competition and protect consumers, he said. HANOI, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Two vessels of South Korea Navy on Wednesday docked at Cam Ranh International Port in Vietnam's south central coastal Khanh Hoa province to begin a visit aimed at boosting military cooperation. The ships, ROKS Cheon Ji and ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sunshi, have 39 officers and 485 crewmembers on board. The visit aims to bolster cooperation between the two militaries and thereby helping enhance the two countries' strategic partnership, said a report of Vietnam's state-run news agency VNA. This is the second time South Korean military vessels have visited Vietnam after May 2015, when its coast guard force visited Vietnam's central Da Nang city. ANKARA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Turkish fighter jets have resumed airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) positions in Syria's al-Bab, destroying nine positions, Hurriyet News reported Wednesday. Turkish warplanes carried out air strikes in al-Bab on Tuesday night, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement, adding that 4 IS shelters, three headquarters and a tank were destroyed in the air strikes. While the Turkish-backed Syrian opposition has staged a siege west of al-Bab, Turkey's aerial campaign has only continued on and off in northern Syria due to the Syrian Air Force's threat to Turkish warplanes. Ankara has assured Russia that its military offensive does not target Aleppo, but merely al-Bab, in northern Aleppo province. Meanwhile, an Iranian-made unmanned drone was used in an attack on a Turkish military camp in northern Syria on Nov. 24, killing four soldiers, a senior Turkish official has told the Hurriyet News. Turkey identified the drone as Iranian-made, but it was still not identified whether Hezbollah, the Quds Force or another Shiite militia group in Syria had used it, said the official on condition of anonymity, Hurriyet News reported Wednesday. KUNMING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Police in southwest China's Yunnan Province, arrested a drug trafficker Monday, local authorities said Wednesday. Frontier police in the city of Lincang arrested a man driving a vehicle on a highway around 10 a.m. Monday after receiving a report that the man was transporting a batch of drugs from Myanmar to China. Police seized 35.597 kg of methamphetamine from the vehicle. Further investigation is underway. BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Beijing's civil affairs bureau said Wednesday it has set up a database for the deceased, to offer convenience for those who remarry after their spouses pass away. Citizens will no longer need to submit spousal death certificates to civil affairs authorities when they register to remarry, with the database being used instead. "It is easy to hurt the feelings of citizens when we ask them to submit death certificates," said Ge Dongsheng, an official in charge of marriage registration with Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau. The database includes data from public security and health departments. If citizens use fake certificates or statements during marriage registration, the system will record this, said Ge, adding that information sharing will also provide convenience for citizens making house purchases or applying for loans. ACCRA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Ghana's general elections began from 7 a.m. (0700 GMT) on Wednesday, with more than 15 million registered voters casting their ballots at 29,000 polling stations across the country. Incumbent President John Dramani Mahama, who represents the ruling National Democratic Congress, is running for his second and final four-year term. Mahama's archrival is Nana Akufo-Addo, leader of the largest opposition New Patriotic Party. Mahama remains popular among Ghanians, but he is also blamed for an obvious economic slowdown, loss of employment and price hikes during his first term as president. Polls will close at 5 p.m. (1700 GMT) and the results will be announced on Friday. Besides the president, voters will also elect 275 legislators for the next four years. An Israeli boy holds his bicycle near homes in the Jewish settler outpost of Amona in the West Bank December 5. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) JERUSALEM, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- As Israel's parliament initially approved a controversial bill on Monday retroactively legalizing Israeli settlements on privately owned Palestinian land in the West Bank, it once again becomes clear that the complex issue is far from being resolved. The latest bill, dubbed the Regulation Law, was developed after Israel's supreme court ruled to evacuate Amona, after the court ruled it was an illegally built settlement. Its 50 families are set to be evacuated by the end of Dec. 2016 after politically and legally debating the matter for over two years. Amona is considered the largest of approximately 100 similar Jewish outposts in the West Bank. The bill regulates their status, legalizing what Israel's supreme court has already ruled as illegal. It is not only meant to reverse the ruling on Amona but to prevent future cases. Israel captured the West Bank in 1967 during the Mideast War. Almost immediately after, it began settling land with Jews. The international community never recognized the settlements and Israel's policy of populating the West Bank with Israeli Jews is subject to constant international criticism. In 2013 it was estimated that around 350,000 Israelis lived in over 200 settlements and outposts in the West Bank, according to B'Tselem, a non-governmental organization. Nevertheless, Israel has never openly annexed the West Bank and has not applied its legislation there. The Israeli coalition government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a right wing one. One of Netanyahu's main coalition partners is the Jewish home party led by Naftali Bennet and that's the party which initiated the regulation bill. Bennet's party said it aspires to annex the West Bank and fully apply Israeli law there. Speaking after the initial vote, Bennet celebrated the vote by saying it opened the way to the annexation of the West Bank and ended any prospects for a Palestinian state. However the bill is highly contentious on various levels. Israeli critics and Palestinians described the legislation as a land grab which would further distance prospects for a two-state solution to end the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is estimated that the new law, if approved, would effectively annex 55 illegal outposts and approximately 4,000 housing units in settlements and illegal outposts. According to Professor Abraham Diskin, a political scientist from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the internal political controversy is substantial. "Settlements are recognized by every Israeli government including left-wing governments," he adds, emphasizing the fact that in the past, Israeli left wing governments were also instrumental in settlement activity. During the debate, opposition leader, Isaac Herzog, fiercely denounced the law by equating its adoption to a "national suicide." International scrutiny and criticism regarding Israel's settlement policy has intensified in the recent years of Netanyahu's term as premier. With a minor exception of a settlement freeze he agreed to at the end of 2009, settlements have grown substantially under his rule. Netanyahu is not oblivious of his weak international standing, but faces the need to satisfy his right-wing constituents while pacifying the international community. "Most of the support for the Prime Minister comes from the right, so he must somehow appease his right-wing voters, so his expressions are sometimes ambiguous and sometimes more hawkish than other people," Diskin explains. Chances of the bill actually becoming a law are slim. Should it pass the two additional parliament votes needed, it will most likely be brought to the Supreme court and be thrown out by it as unconstitutional. Israel's attorney general, Avichai Mandelblit, said it would be difficult for him to defend the law in the supreme court. Hours following the vote, U.S. State Deputy Department spokesman Mark Toner slammed the bill. "Enacting this law would be profoundly damaging to the prospects for a two-state solution," he said. Diskin believes that in the end the bill will not pass. Yet, as long as Israelis and Palestinians do not solve their problems, the West Bank will continue to challenge politicians on both sides. "It will create domestic and political problems in Israel, as well as clashes between the judiciary and the government, etc. and we have to live with such ambiguity," said Diskin. Sorry, this news has been deleted. WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter and YouTube are coming together to help curb the spread of terrorist content online, said Facebook in a press release on Monday. "There is no place for content that promotes terrorism on our hosted consumer services," Facebook said. "When alerted, we take swift action against this kind of content in accordance with our respective policies." The program would create a shared industry database of unique digital "fingerprints," or "hashes," to help automatically identify terrorist videos or images the companies could then remove, the tech company said. "We hope this collaboration will lead to greater efficiency as we continue to enforce our policies to help curb the pressing global issue of terrorist content online," it said. Techniques have been developed to remove illegal online content. Organizations have been using a similar database of hashed images to keep child pornography off their services and to identify copyright-protected files, reported TechCrunch, an online publisher of technology industry news. Essentially, a piece of content is given a unique identifier, TechCrunch said, adding that if any copies of that file are analyzed, they will also produce this same hash value. However, the task to identify whether an image or video promotes terrorism can be more "subjective," depending on national laws and the rules of a particular company's service, the Associated Press said in a report. Social media has been used by terrorist groups like the Islamic State as a platform to publish their propaganda, organizing terrorist attacks, as well as recruit and radicalize supporters. Thus, social media have been criticized by many as not doing enough to combat internet terrorism. Under the new alignment, the four companies promised to share "hashes of the most extreme and egregious terrorist images and videos we have removed from our services -- content most likely to violate all of our respective companies' content policies." Participating companies can also add hashes of terrorist images or videos that are identified on one of their platforms to the database, Facebook said. The companies can then use those digital fingerprints to identify such content on their services, review against their own policies and definitions, and remove matching content as appropriate, it added. The four companies also stressed that no personally identifiable information will be shared, and matching content will not be automatically removed. The four companies said they will be looking at involving additional companies in the future. "We also seek to engage with the wider community of interested stakeholders in a transparent, thoughtful and responsible way as we further our shared objective to prevent the spread of terrorist content online while respecting human rights," Facebook said. BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- China and Japan will hold the sixth round of high-level consultations on maritime affairs this week in Haikou, capital of China's southern Hainan Province. Officials from both countries' foreign ministries, defense ministries and other government organs, including marine law enforcement and management departments, will attend the talks, lasting from Wednesday to Friday, according to foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang. China stands ready to exchange opinions on maritime-related issues with the Japanese side and strengthen understanding and mutual trust, Lu said at a daily press briefing. The China-Japan high-level consultations on maritime affairs were set up in January 2012, with the first round of talks held in May of the same year in Hangzhou, capital of eastern China's Zhejiang Province. The fifth round of consultations was held this September in Japan's Hiroshima, with the two sides agreeing to speed up negotiations on air and maritime contact. Enditem ANKARA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- A Turkish soldier was killed and six others were injured in an attack in northern Syria, stated Turkish General Staff on Wednesday. According to the Turkish army, the attack was via a car bomb in Al-Bab region in northern Syria on Wednesday during the "Euphrates Shield Operation." The Turkish army stated that Turkish warplanes conducted a regional air operation, destroying 12 targets and killing 23 Islamic State militants. Photo shows ongoing national health workers strike in Kenya. (Xinhua) NAIROBI, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of desperate patients, hit hard by an ongoing medical workers' strike in Kenya, have turned to ill-equipped private health facilities and self-medication. The industrial action now in its third day has shut down East African nation's public health sector, causing agony and despair among patients as government struggles to find a solution to the crisis. At least eight patients have died across the country following the strike that has paralyzed services at the public hospitals. The doctors and nurses have gone on strike to push for better working conditions and a higher pay, accusing the government of neglect. Doctors, through the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists' Union (KMPPDU), accuse the government of stalling the implementation of a 2013 collective bargaining agreement. "If no money is offered to us, we will be on strike until our demands are met. We will not stop until doctors are accorded the dignity they deserve. Kenyans are entitled to quality and adequately paid doctors," said KMPPDU Secretary-General Fredrick Ouma Oluga on Tuesday. Nurses, similarly through their union, are pushing for higher perks, citing neglect by the government in dealing with their grievances. The government, on the other hand, has accused the health workers of insincerity, adding that they cannot meet their demands since they are not supported by the salary commission. However, Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Cleopa Mailu, who is holding talks on Tuesday with the union representatives in Nairobi, said that there is still room for negotiations as the government is committed to having industrial harmony. "We shall continue to extend the goodwill of negotiations until this process is concluded and we hope to meet the doctors today to strike a balance. Strikes should be the last resort because the tools are there for us to be able to negotiate," Mailu said. The KMPDU wants a 300 percent salary increment for its members while the Kenya National Union of Nurses wants a 25 to 45 percent increase. Mailu however observed that any conclusion should take into consideration the input of the Salary and Remuneration Commission (SRC), a government body tasked with fixing salary for public servants, as well as the job evaluation exercise. The standoff has pushed thousands of low-income patients to the edge, and with no cash to visit high cost private facilities; distressed families have flocked to ill-equipped clinics found in residential areas. Inquiries showed the health facilities, some manned by quacks, are struggling to cope with increased number of patients. "We came here early morning but we have not been attended to because the queue is long," said John Ochieng, who had taken a patient suffering from painful joints at a small health facility in Kayole on the east of Nairobi. According to Ochieng, he had taken the patient, who had traveled from western Kenya to Mama Lucy Hospital, a government health facility in the area, on Monday but was unlucky to find medics were on strike. "The pain has worsened and she cannot travel back," said Ochieng, noting that he had offered the patient a handful of painkillers in vain. Pregnant mother Susan Museu missed her monthly ante-natal clinic Monday due to the strike, and since her supplements were over, she bought some over the counter from a chemist, not wanting to miss taking the drugs. At least eight patients are reported to have died in different parts of the country on the first day of the strike Monday. And with the stalemate expected to last several weeks as the parties maintain hard-line stances, gloom has engulfed several families with patients. COLOMBO, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka would open up the higher education sector for private investment, a top official said here on Wednesday. Sri Lankan Higher Education and Highways Minister, Lakshman Kiriella told Xinhua that five foreign universities including Manipal University of India had agreed to put up their branch campuses in the country. The minister, however, said there was a case regarding the acceptability of the only private medical college operating in Sri Lanka. He said the future private investments in higher education would depend upon the Supreme Court ruling expected soon. He said a large number of students went abroad on an annual basis for higher education as the country's university system could not offer them adequate opportunities. "Nearly 100,000 students qualify for university education every year. However, only one fourths of them can be accommodated because opportunities are limited at the state universities," he said. Also, he said new legislation would be enacted to improve the quality of higher education in Sri Lanka. ATHENS, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin repeatedly rejected requests of Cyprus for a loan during the financial crisis, former Cypriot President Demetris Christofias has said. In an interview with Greek SKAI TV late Tuesday, Christofias also said he had warned Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras of Moscow's negative stance. "I had requested numerous times from President Putin a loan of 5 billion to 7 billion euros to face the crisis," said Christofias, who served as Cypriot president from 2008 to 2013. "He turned down the requests and in my opinion he made a mistake," he added. When the radical left SYRIZA party won the January 2015 general elections in Greece and started examining financing options beyond the bailout mechanism involving the EU and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christofias warned newly elected Tsipras of Russia's response to Cyprus' request. "When he visited Cyprus I had a meeting with him for almost 40 minutes and I told him all this. I faced these difficulties and in my opinion you (Tsipras) should be careful (not to look beyond the EU-IMF mechanism)," Christofias said, recalling his meeting with Tsipras. Tsipras swept to power in January 2015 on a policy platform to pull down the EU-IMF bailout and put an end to austerity. However, as the debt-laden country was teetering on the brink of default with no alternative paths available, the government had to sign a third bailout program in July 2015. BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- A memorial rite extending only condolences is said to be the focus of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's upcoming visit to Pearl Harbor of the United States. Would it suffice to comfort, as Abe plans, the more than 2,000 lives of the U.S. military lost in the Japanese surprise attack 75 years ago? No apology would be offered during Abe's visit, it has been announced, for launching war without declaration. And would this help voice determination not to repeat the tragedy of war? Such a vow is just another point Japanese media said Abe will highlight at the ceremony to be held during his trip on Dec. 26-27. These would substantiate largely the first trip to Pearl Harbor by a Japanese Prime Minister since Dec. 7, 1941, when Japan launched a sudden attack on the U.S. naval base in Hawaii. The Pearl Harbor attack propelled the United States into World War II and ushered in ferocious sea battles in the Pacific that would finally force Japan to surrender in 1945. This is exactly the site, which is both historic and symbolic, that Abe has chosen to demonstrate postwar reconciliation with the United States, but with "no apology." The trip came after U.S. President Barack Obama paid a visit to Hiroshima earlier this year, where the world's first atomic bomb was dropped by the United States in August 1945. The visit was the first by an incumbent U.S. president. Since delivering a speech at the U.S. Congress speaking of Pearl Harbor in 2015, Japanese media report said, Abe has been weighing up how to manifest the significance of a visit to the historic site, as well as how to publicize the importance of Japan-U.S. alliance there. The fact itself indicates a diplomatic show and a political calculation on the Japanese part, which makes the Japanese position of no apology more suggestive. The no-apology line betrays Abe's revisionist view of the war history. Pearl Harbor means a lot to Americans. It's hard to know what the Americans would think when the site becomes a stage for a Japanese politician to spread history revisionism. Neither will one know whether the Americans have ever imagined they would fall victim to Japan again 75 years after, for the latter's intended reinforcement of a military alliance with the United States. Related: Commentary: Japanese PM's upcoming Pearl Harbor visit will not erase Japan's war sins By Xinhua Writer Zhu Dongyang BEIJING, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Instead of making a genuine reconciliatory gesture to Washington, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's surprise announcement to visit the U.S. Pearl Harbor seems to harbor a deceptive design too calculative to wipe off Japan's original sins on history. Abe, who will be accompanied by U.S. President Barack Obama on his visit, will become the first serving Japanese prime minister to visit the site of the Japanese attack on Dec. 7, 1941. Japan's brutality then and later dragged the United States into World War II, claiming the lives of thousands of U.S. soldiers and civilians. Full story News Analysis: Abe's planned trip to Pearl Harbor a hollow gesture aimed simply at scoring political points by Jon Day TOKYO, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's planned visit to Pearl Harbor later this month purportedly to remember the thousands killed by Japan's surprise attack on a naval base there is aimed at scoring bonus points from the public here, while showing the incoming U.S. administration that it still holds its ally in the highest regard, observers here said Tuesday. BRUSSELS, Dec.7 (Xinhua) -- Results of the European Union's assistance to Ukraine so far are "fragile", a new report from European Court of Auditors revealed on Wednesday. The auditors assessed whether European Commission and European External Action Service assistance was effective in supporting the reforms in Ukraine. After examining the areas of public finance management and the fight against corruption, as well as the gas sector, between 2007 and 2015, the auditors concluded that EU assistance to Ukraine had limited impact and, despite the impetus for reform since then, the results achieved so far remained fragile. According the report, over most of the period audited, the unstable political, legislative and administrative context limited the effectiveness of EU assistance. "There was a strong political commitment to public administration reform.,"said Szabolcs Fazakas, member of the European Court of Auditors responsible for the report. "But management changes jeopardized the reforms and low salaries created openings for corruption. Further steps are needed to meet objectives," Fazakas said. From 2007 to 2015, EU financial assistance to Ukraine comprised 1.6 billion euros (1.7 billion U.S. dollars) in grants and 3.4 billion euros in macro-financial loans. MOSCOW, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Tuesday's talks between Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his Turkish counterpart Binaly Yildirim in Moscow are believed to have been key in reviving bilateral relations, particularly economic ties. "The main goal is to reset our trade and economic cooperation. We must resume steady growth," Medvedev told reporters Tuesday after the meeting. Relations between the two countries soured last year after Turkey downed a Russian warplane near the Turkish-Syrian border, which Russian President Vladimir Putin called a "stab in the back," and ordered a range of sanctions against Ankara, devastating the Turkish economy. The eight-month-long period of icy relations began to thaw in June after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan apologized for the downing incident, and Moscow began gradually lifting its restrictions on Ankara. Putin met with the Turkish president in Russia's second largest city of St. Petersburg in August, after which the two have kept frequent phone conversations on bilateral ties and regional hot issues. Putin held talks with Erdogan during a visit to Ankara in October on the sidelines of the World Energy Congress. Medvedev said that he discussed with Yildirim a broad range of topics including trade, investment, oil, gas and nuclear energy issues, as well as high technology, agriculture and tourism. Among major bilateral projects they discussed was the Turkish Stream pipeline to deliver 15.75 billion cubic meters of Russian gas per year to Turkey and the same amount to European Markets through the Black Sea. The project was initiated in 2014, but was suspended until Putin and Erdogan signed an agreement to revive it during the Russian president's October visit. The Turkish parliament has ratified relevant agreement and Erdogan signed the law on ratifying the agreement with Russia on the Turkish Stream. The Russian parliament is expected to ratify it in the near future, according to Medvedev. The two heads of government also reviewed issues pertaining to the construction of Turkey's first nuclear power plant Akkuyu based on a Russian design, another project suspended due to the cooling relations. He said that the Turkish side has taken all necessary political decisions to speed up the project and facilitate attracting investments valued at around 20 billion U.S. dollars and to be put on stream by 2023, when Turkey celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding. Yildirim said at the joint press conference that the two sides were aimed at reaching an "ambitious goal" of increasing bilateral trade to 100 billion dollars per year from the current 36 billion. "The goal of 100 billion is feasible. To achieve this, it is necessary to lift restrictions, ease visa rules and increase the tempo of trade," Yildirim said. Ankara also wished to restore tourism to previous levels, as Turkey used to be one of the preferred destinations by Russians before ties worsened. On the Syrian crisis, both sides agreed that the top priority would be to normalize the situation in the Middle East country, while emphasizing a settlement must be primarily resolved through an intra-Syrian dialogue. Yildirim said Turkey wants to put an end to the humanitarian crisis in the northern city of Aleppo, provide the people affected with access to humanitarian aid, and create proper conditions for Syrian refugees to come back. Euphrates shield, the ongoing operation by Turkish troops in Syria, aims to achieve these goals, he added. BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- China and Iran ties could witness a new era of prosperity under the Belt and Road Initiative, which dovetails well with Iranian development strategies and brings about win-win results for both sides. Addressing an audience at Peking University in Beijing during his official visit to China, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Tuesday that China's Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, is inclusive, win-win and fosters cooperation. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Calling China a trustworthy friend of Iran, Zarif said Iran hopes to deeply participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and strengthen cooperation with China in various areas to enrich the bilateral partnership. He said cooperation prospects are broad and include areas such as politics, trade, energy, security and anti-terrorism, as well as technology, culture and education. China has long taken Iran as an important partner in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, namely the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient trade routes. Since Xi's visit to Iran in January, the first in 14 years by a Chinese head of state, the two ancient civilizations have elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership to boost cooperation on all fronts and carry forward their millennia-old friendship. Wu Bingbing, honorary research fellow at the Institute of International and Strategic Studies at Peking University, said Iran has long recognized the inclusiveness of China's Belt and Road Initiative, and pushed hard to dovetail its development strategies with China's with valuable domestic support over the past two years. There is more scope for cooperation in energy and trade, he said. Taking energy as an example, the professor said that China could further cooperate with the Middle East country, rich in oil and gas, in the upstream, midstream and downstream exploitation. Besides traditional energy, cooperation could be expanded to new energy sources, including solar energy, wind power and nuclear energy, he said. The Iranian foreign minister mentioned that the building of road and railway networks is important for Iran, whose economy has been burdened by years of sanctions resulting in infrastructure that has lagged behind. Wu said China could help in building seaports, airports and telecommunications. Wu added that China's mature technology coupled with Iran's large reservoir of young talent could mean further areas of cooperation. Regarding extended processing, China and Iran could work together on pistachio and saffron production, which are special local products in Iran in need of deep processing. The two countries are expected to strengthen ties in the post-sanctions era, with investment and financial cooperation facilitating the bilateral relationship. CHANGSHA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- There may be many ways to improve surgical skills, but a surgeon in China has found unique methods that are easy to practice at home. Zhou Jianbo, an ear, nose and throat specialist with Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, found help with two unlikely objects: grapes and cotton swabs. Zhou uses ten-centimeter cotton swabs as "chopsticks" when he orders take-out. A picture of Zhou holding two cotton swabs in each hand to pick up rice and ham cubes from his lunch box went viral on China's Internet. "Did the delivery guy forget to bring him chopsticks?" one online comment teased. The surgeon said he has been eating with cotton swabs for two years to train flexibility in his fingers to help when he picks up surgical knives. Clumsy at first, he said eating a meal with cotton swabs took nearly twice the time. But now, using both hands, he can eat just as fast as with chopsticks. China's major hospitals are a fiercely competitive market for medical professionals. They need to sustain the pressure of a heavy workload and continuously improve their skills to stand out as masters of the field. At the age of 41, Zhou became associate professor, the second highest professional title for doctors in China. He specializes in cancer surgery and benign tumors of the sinuses, head and neck. Beginner surgeons often use bananas and pork legs to practice, but Zhou uses grapes to help train his delicate finger movements. He cuts open the skin of a grape and uses surgical needles and string to stitch up the cut without causing further damages to the grape or its fragile skin. "This method trains coordination between the hands, eyes, and the brain," Zhou said. "Keeping the grapes intact requires you to precisely control the force of your fingers." Zhou performs five to six surgeries on busy days, but finds spare time to practice on the grapes every week. Besides these unusual practices, Zhou also does regular finger exercises when he is on the bus or watching television. Like Zhou, many doctors in the hospital explore various methods to improve their skills, said Liang Hui, Zhou's colleague. "All these efforts are aimed at improving medical skills for better and safer treatment," Liang said. File photo taken on Nov. 18, 2012 shows rescuers gather around a Pakistan International Airline (PIA) plane after it made an emergency landing at an airport in Karachi, southern Pakistan. (Xinhua/Masroor) ISLAMABAD, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- A domestic flight of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) crashed in Pakistan's northern mountainous area on Wednesday afternoon, reported local Urdu TV channel Express quoting local officials. The crash took place while the plane, reportedly with 47 people aboard, was flying from the country's northern city of Chitral to the capital city of Islamabad, according to the reports. SOFIA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- BSP-Left Bulgaria, the second largest parliamentary group in the country's National Assembly, officially declined on Wednesday to form a government. Korneliya Ninova, leader of BSP-Left Bulgaria, immediately returned the mandate handed to her by Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev. Similar to what GERB party leader Boyko Borissov did on Friday, Ninova declared she would not propose a structure and composition of the Council of Ministers within the current parliament. "The resources of this National Assembly are depleted, it is unable to form a lasting majority, and can not guarantee stability," Ninova said at a press conference after the mandate-giving ceremony. Later on Wednesday, the press office of Plevneliev said the mandate would now be passed to the parliamentary group Reformist Bloc on Dec. 12, and that he would appoint a prime minister-designate nominated by the Reformist Bloc. According to the Bulgarian Constitution, if the third attempt to form a new cabinet also fails, the president shall appoint a caretaker government, and early parliamentary elections would be held in late March or early April 2017. The GERB-led coalition government resigned in mid-November after the opposition-backed candidate Rumen Radev won the presidential election. Chinese astronaut Chen Dong (R) answers questions during a press conference in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 7, 2016. The two astronauts Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong who manned China's Shenzhou-11 mission met the press Wednesday following almost three weeks in quarantine. (Xinhua/Ju Zhenhua) BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The two astronauts who manned China's Shenzhou-11 mission met the press Wednesday following almost three weeks in quarantine. Jing Haipeng, 50, commander of the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft, and Chen Dong, 38, appeared in good spirits and shared their experiences with the press. "Today, we fulfilled our commitment to (making the Shenzhou-11 mission a complete success)," Jing said. Launched on Oct. 17, Shenzhou-11 docked two days later with China's first space lab, Tiangong-2, where the two astronauts lived for 30 days, the longest time a taikonaut has spent in space. After safely returning to Earth on Nov. 18, the two astronauts were quarantined to help them readapt to life on Earth. It was the third space mission for Jing, who also participated in the Shenzhou-7 and Shenzhou-9 missions. "Compared with previous missions, I really enjoyed and experienced weightlessness during this mission as a result of improved technology and working environment," Jing told reporters. The two astronauts were able to watch TV programs and enjoy delicious food during their stay in space. "Listening to music and watching TV made us feel good when we ate," Jing said. It was Chen's first space mission. He said that at the very beginning, he needed restraining devices for every step, but he gradually adapted to the zero gravity environment. "I began to enjoy the zero gravity environment and learned new moves such as somersaulting and whirling in space," Chen said. "I would give Chen a mark of 100 out of 100," Jing told the press while commenting on Chen's performance. According to Huang Weifen, deputy chief designer of the astronaut system with the Astronaut Center of China, the astronauts' health checks met expectations, although they will continue to be observed for another month to ensure they are completely acclimatized. The Shenzhou-11 mission is part of China's ambitious plan to build a permanent manned space station. BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Cao Ran, a post-graduate student in Beijing, is one of the best students in his class, but his good scores are not getting him a job offer. Cao graduates next summer, and in the past few months he has been busy looking for jobs. "I have been sending out resumes at job fairs since July when the semester started, but four months have passed and I have not received a single interview," he said. "There are just not enough posts this year. Fewer companies are hiring compared to last year." Cao majored in chemical engineering in China University of Petroleum. "I thought I was good, but there are many Chinese graduates from abroad who are also looking for jobs in Beijing. Competition is unimaginable," he said. Across the country, as the job-hunting season starts pressure has been mounting for new graduates, with the economy tepid, companies have slashed posts. Li Hu, a student of public management at Renmin University of China, has found a job at a training firm. "The salary is fine, in this economy, but there is no Hukou [household registration], which means I cannot buy apartment here and in the future my children cannot go to school here. So I am still looking for better opportunities because I want to settle here," he said. Unlike Li, many graduates choose to leave Beijing and look for jobs elsewhere. Starting from this year, Beijing has been capping its population as it pushes forward the integration plan of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei. The capital has been moving out labor-intensive and polluting industries such as real estate construction, steel, coal and mechanics. "Years ago, at least 60 percent of our graduates had their first jobs in Beijing, but the percentage is less than half now," said Lyu Yuan, a teacher at the employment center at Peking University. "The outflow of graduates has been more voluntary in recent years as students evade the high-cost, high-pressure lifestyle in Beijing. Meanwhile, we are also advising and assisting students to seek jobs in other cities," she said. In 2016, there were 7.65 million new college graduates in China. Only about 80 percent of them found jobs immediately on graduation. Figures from the Ministry of Education show there will be more than 7.95 million graduates in 2017. According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, around 15 million young people will join the urban labor force each year between 2016 and 2020. College graduates represent the majority of the new job hunters. Chinese face an confounding mismatch of labor oversupply and structural shortages. Skilled workers are in short supply, while general labor forces are at a surplus. Yao Xianguo, director of the public policy institute at Zhejiang University, said more jobs will be created as China steps up industrial upgrading and change its development. STARTUPS FOR STARTERS In May last year, the State Council issued guidelines on an innovation and entrepreneurship education system at universities, aiming to improve the quality of talent and encourage more college students to start their own businesses by 2020. Following the guidelines, several provincial governments have made policies to support entrepreneurship and allow students to take a gap year to explore business ideas. Leng Wentao graduated in July from the Communication University of China this year. He tried wedding planning, and also ran an app which makes custom-designed clothes, electronics and accessories. None of his projects succeeded, and he is now trying his hand at marketing. "There has been great support for entrepreneurship for graduates, but we must admit that only one in every 10,000 survive and thrive," Leng said. "Most graduates do not know how to draft a business plan, or talk to the investors. Entrepreneurship is not easy and universities should prepare them for such challenges." Zhang Tianyi, 26, a law graduate of Peking University, is one of the successful entrepreneurs. His rice noodle chain, founded in 2014, has expanded to a dozen restaurants. Annual revenue will reach 80 million yuan this year, and it employs over 100 people, he said. "Dining is a huge business, and I'm glad I chose the right field to explore," Zhang said. The rice noodles are made with a spicy flavor popular in his home province, Hunan. Zhang wants to build his food chain into a multi-million dollar firm. "Chinese dining chains have a way to go to become as successful as McDonald's. We need young people with creative and open minds to see business and grab it," he said. "College life is too cozy. They should go out and take risks and earn experience," he said. PHNOM PENH, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese company has expressed its readiness to help Cambodia establish e-government and e-commerce in order to enlarge the country's business potential and to promote trade facilitation, Cambodia's Commerce Ministry said in a press release on Wednesday. Dong Huang, general manager of Anhui Easy Business Digital Technology of China, revealed the plan during a meeting with Cambodia's Commerce Minister Pan Sorasak on Tuesday. Dong told the minister that the company has provided services to various countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Africa, such as organizing e-government system, comprehensive information service platform, import and export management system, information technology solution and consultation. "On his part, Excellency Minister endorsed Dong's initiatives and believes that Cambodia will benefit more from the completion of e-government system," the press release said. RAMALLAH, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian presidency said Wednesday that it has not received an official invitation to a trilateral meeting between French President Francois Hollande, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Palestinian president spokesman Nabil Abu Rudainah said in statements carried by the official Palestinian news agency WAFA that the Palestinian leadership "welcomes any French endeavor to save the stalled political process." He added "we have neither received any official invitation to the international peace conference expected to be held in Paris according to the French initiative, nor to any other meeting." Abu Rudainah said that the Palestinian side "will deal with positivity toward any invitation, as it was positive about Russian President Vladimir Putin's invitation to hold a trilateral meeting in Moscow, which was accepted by President Abbas and rejected by Netanyahu." The Palestinian president's advisor for diplomatic affairs Majdi Al-Khalidi told Xinhua that the Palestinian side has not received an official invitation from France regarding a trilateral meeting. Al-Khalidi explained that what the Palestinians were officially informed of is that France is preparing to hold the international conference in two books but has not yet issued any official invitations. "France is currently discussing with the Israeli side how to send to it an official invitation, including holding the suggested trilateral meeting during the conference or after its conclusion," said Al-Khalidi. A high ranking Israeli official said that Netanyahu received an invitation for a trilateral meeting with Abbas and Hollande in Paris after two weeks, according to the public Israeli radio. The radio reported that Netanyahu has not responded to the invitation yet. Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee Secretary General Saeb Erekat said Tuesday that France has informed the Palestinian leadership that it will hold the international peace conference on Dec. 21. Paris hosted an international ministerial meeting on June 3, which was attended by the foreign ministers of 25 countries, including four Arab states. It debated the revival of the stalled peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. The last round of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, sponsored by the U.S, collapsed in April 2014, after nine months of futile efforts. TEHRAN, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Iran's government approved a proposal on Wednesday to change the name of the country's currency unit from rial to toman, official IRNA news agency reported. One toman equals 10 rials and one dollar is worth about 3,900 tomans in Iran's unofficial market currently. The move will need final approval by the legislative bodies of the country. Before 1932, the Iranian currency unit was toman. It was then changed to rial at a rate of 10 rials to one toman. Although the toman was no longer an official unit of Iranian currency over the past decades, Iranians commonly expressed amounts of money and prices of goods in tomans. TOKYO, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The people of Okinawa will take little comfort from the latest outcome of talks pertaining to the United States' burgeoning military presence in Japan's southernmost prefecture, particularly considering current geopolitical situation and the mainland's propensity to kowtow to Big Brother, observers here said Wednesday. Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada and U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter held talks in Tokyo on Wednesday amid uncertain times as Washington is on the cusp of seeing an untested and unpredictable leader at its helm, who has already insinuated a security shift regarding U.S. forces stationed in Okinawa. Political watchers here have noted that while U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's remarks about Japan not paying enough for U.S. security support may have initially given the locals in Okinawa some hope that their base hosting burdens may finally be reduced, the current state of ambiguity regarding bilateral ties between Japan and the U.S. is merely fueling the fire of uncertainty and anti-U.S. sentiment in Okinawa. "Both sides reaffirmed a prior deal that would see the U.S. return half of the land of a large U.S. training facility in Okinawa that would mean around 4,000 hectares would be returned to Okinawa, but the deal is loaded in the U.S.'s favor due to the helipad stipulation," Asian affairs commentator Kaoru Imori told Xinhua. "This will do virtually nothing to relieve Okinawans of their base hosting burdens, as of late, one of the main sources of discontent along with future hosting-linked uncertainties, is the Osprey's training drills and the fact that locals in the vicinity of the aircrafts' flight paths are living in constant fear," Imori said. Imori was referring to a 1996 pact made between Tokyo and Washington to reduce the U.S. military's footprint on the sub-tropical island, as Okinawa hosts the majority of the U.S. forces in Japan, yet accounts for a tiny fraction of its total land mass. According to the deal, both the Japanese and the U.S. governments agreed that 4,000 hectares of the 7,800-hectare Northern Training Area in the villages of Kunigami and Higashi would be returned to Okinawa, provided that six helipads are relocated to the remaining area. And while the work began in 2007, only two helipads have been completed so far with concerns rife in the region that an increased number of helipads will lead to increased drills by the controversial and accident-prone Ospreys. Okinawa officials and residents opposed to their disproportionate base hosting duties compared to mainland Japan, are quick to point out that the Ospreys are far from reliable and are contributing to fears and unease on the tiny sub-tropical island. The planes' safety was called into question most recently by local officials and citizens here in May last year when an MV-22B Osprey crashed in Hawaii, leaving two dead and 20 more injured and in August a year earlier, concerns about the plane were further stoked here when four crew members narrowly escaped injury when a Marine Corps' Osprey made a "hard landing" near the Creech Air Force Base in Nevada, in the United States. Prior to that, in April 2012, an Osprey crashed in Morocco and killed two Marines and another crash in Florida in June 2012 injured all five crew members. Thirty Marines lost their lives in three crashes, including 19 in a single accident in Arizona, in 2000, during the Osprey's developmental phase, launching the plane's checkered safety record, and in 2010 an Air Force CV-22, each of which costs around 100 million U.S. dollars, touched down short of its landing zone in Afghanistan, hit a ditch, and flipped over, killing four Marines. The planes are also known for creating an unbearable amount of noise due to their massive turboprop engines. A court in Japan handed down a ruling in October ordering the state to pay 558 million yen (4.88 million U.S. dollars) in damages to residents over excessive noise from aircraft stationed at the Iwakuni base, which is jointly used by the U.S. military and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces in Yamaguchi Prefecture, in the Chugoku region on Japan's main island of Honshu. The Yamaguchi District Court ordered the unprecedented penalty for excessive noise at the base to the residents in the locale in western Japan, with lawyers seeking compensation to the tune of 1.8 billion yen for the residents' prior exposure to excessive noise and a further 23,000 yen in compensation payable monthly per person for future noise that would have to be endured. The judge presiding over the case fully acknowledged in handing down his verdict that the residents in the vicinity of the airbase had "suffered psychologically and sustained health damage," and accepted that even the residents' ability to "hold a basic conversation or sleep normally" had been severely disrupted by the level of noise from the aircrafts. The plaintiffs at the time also petitioned the central government to suspend some of the flights from the base and called for U.S. fighter jets flying to Iwakuni from the Atsugi base near Tokyo, that are involved in aircraft carrier maneuvers, to be canceled, as well as a blanket ban on all flights from the notorious, accident-prone MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircrafts. For the locals in Okinawa, however, such damaging nuisances have been tolerated for years with the aggravation showing no signs of letting up. As local media reported Wednesday, a U.S. Marine Corps' MV-22 Osprey aircraft in Okinawa repeatedly flew over residential areas on Tuesday, transporting an unidentified object suspended below its airframe by cables. But it is not just military hardware that makes the lives of ordinary citizens living in Okinawa so unbearable, Imori said. "As something of an authority on the matter and as a Japanese citizen, I can barely remember a time when the island (of Okinawa) wasn't being rocked by instances of crime." "Despite the efforts of both governments to tighten the rules governing how U.S. military personnel committing crimes are dealt with, the crimes committed up until now have been as heinous as can be, with no real guarantee of a reduction as long as there are so many bases located on the inland," said Imori. In May this year, one such crime made global headlines and involved a U.S. base-linked worker who had previously served as a Marine being arrested for the rape and murder of a young girl in Okinawa. The odious slaughtering of the base worker's victim was preceded by numerous drink driving incidents, another account of rape by a serviceperson in a hotel in Naha, Okinawa's capital city, and an unprovoked, vicious assault by a high-ranking military official on a young Japanese female student onboard a commercial flight to Japan. The islanders this year have been particularly vociferous about their objection to hosting U.S. forces and 65,000 protestors united in calling for the U.S. military on the island to withdraw completely in June this year. This was the largest rally the island has seen since Okinawans took to the streets in the days after three U.S. servicemen viciously raped an elementary schoolgirl in 1995 -- an abominable crime that still haunts the consciousness of Okinawans of all generations. Observers close to the matter maintain that it is apparent that anti-U.S. sentiment is steadily on the rise in Japan's southernmost prefecture and Okinawans are adamant that the central government and the U.S. returning all the land used by the bases and relocating the troops off the island is the only way for them to ever hope to lead normal lives and not feel like they are under wartime "occupation." TOKYO, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. military F/A-18 fighter jet crashed into the Pacific Ocean off western Japan on Wednesday, and the condition of the pilot is unclear yet, local media reported, quoting Japanese Defense Ministry officials. The plane was flying together with another fighter jet in a training area for the U.S. military when it crashed into the sea about 130 km south of the city of Kochi. The pilot bailed out from the plane, and the Japan Coast Guard has sent a patrol vessel to rescue the pilot. The Japanese Defense Ministry is looking into the incident through the U.S. military, said local reports. RIYADH, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al Fateh on Wednesday pledged that the kingdom will continue supplying the world with oil, Saudi Press Agency reported. Al Fateh made the remarks during his meeting with his U.S. counterpart Ernest Moniz in Riyadh. The two officials discussed the strong ties between the two countries. The Saudi minister predicted the relations with the U.S. to further improve as the Saudi economic vision 2030 is based on promoting investments and economic diversity. "In addition to the oil market, the focus should also be on the energy usage efficiency, improving energy policy and the climate issues," he said. The meeting came as Saudi Arabia has changed course and decided the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) should go back to managing oil supply. BISHKEK, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyzstan's capital city Bishkek was included in the top 10 most popular travel destinations in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) for Russian tourists in 2016, the hotel search service RoomGuru reported Wednesday. Bishkek ranked ninth in the CIS, a regional organization formed during the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The ranking was made based on year-round hotel booking data in 2016. According to RoomGuru, in 2016 Russian tourists spent an average of 53 U.S. dollars to stay one and a half nights on average at hotels in Bishkek. RoomGuru, granted the World Travel Awards in 2015, has been recognized as one of the world's best search engines for hotels in the past four years. Kyrgyzstan attaches great importance to the development of its tourism industry. In April, the Kyrgyz government approved a state program to develop tourism until 2020. The important role of tourism in addressing social problems, creating jobs and improving the well-being of the population, particularly in rural areas, is also specified in the National Sustainable Development Strategy for the Kyrgyz Republic for the period of 2013-2017, which was approved by the government in January. BRATISLAVA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Slovak Cabinet on Wednesday approved an agreement that presupposes closer cooperation between Slovakia and the Czech Republic in the protection of their airspace. Both nations protect their skies via the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System (IAMD). "This agreement only extends the scope of the cooperation. It means that if Slovakia or the Czech Republic temporarily lose their capacity to protect their own air spaces, the other side will provide that protection," explained Slovak defense ministry spokesperson Danka Capakova. The creation of the agreement was approved by the two cabinets at their last joint session in Valtice, Czech Republic in 2015. Slovakia is currently using Mig-29 aircraft. It's also negotiating the lease or purchase of Swedish JAS-39 Gripen aircraft, which are being used by the Czech Republic. BAGHDAD, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi legislators on Wednesday endorsed a bill for the country's 2017 federal budget with about 85 billion U.S. dollars and a deficit of about 18 billion dollars, reported Iraqi official television. "The parliament approved the proposed 2017 budget by majority of the lawmakers who voted in all the budget items," the state-run Iraqiya channel said. The budget approval came following several heated sessions of debate among the various political blocs over multiple controversial items, including payment of the Kurdish security forces, known as the Peshmerga. The proposed budget was based on an average oil price of 42 dollars per barrel and export of 3.75 million barrels of crude oil per day (bpd), including exporting 250,000 bpd from the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan and 300,000 bpd from federal oilfields in the province of Kirkuk. Parliament also approved a 17 percent payment from the national budget's total expenditures to Kurdistan's regional government. According to Iraqi law, the annual budget must be approved by the Iraqi presidency following parliamentary approval. As crude oil prices have sharply dropped in markets worldwide in the past few years, the government and parliament were obliged to design the 2017 draft budget in light of the de facto situation and proposed public expenditure reduction. The budget also focused on diversifying national income sources which depends mainly on oil revenue, as well as allocating money to support the needs of displaced people and to reconstruct their areas, recently freed from extremist Islamic State (IS) militants. The budget approval comes as Iraqi security forces backed by an anti-IS international coalition are carrying out a major offensive to drive out IS militants from their last major stronghold in and around Mosul. Iraqi economy relies on oil for over 90 percent of its revenues. In 2010, Iraq announced that its proven oil reserves had increased to 143.1 billion barrels from the previously estimated 115 billion barrels. MANILA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Congress, acting as the Commission on Appointments (CA), approved Wednesday the nomination of Jose Santiago "Chito" L. Santa Romana to be the country's new ambassador to China. Without any opposition from the members of the CA composed of some senators and congressmen, Sta. Romana was confirmed during the plenary session. According to Senator Vicente Sotto III, the incoming envoy to Beijing is very much qualified to the post. "He is the perfect nomination ... Chito is a China specialist. Assigning him to China is like throwing a fish in the water," he said. Sta. Romana lived in China for a long time. The Philippine government will formally communicate to China Sta. Romana's appointment to the post after getting the CA's nod. A picture taken on December 6, 2016 shows Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shaking hands with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow. (AFP Photo) MOSCOW, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Tuesday's talks between Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his Turkish counterpart Binaly Yildirim in Moscow are believed to have been key in reviving bilateral relations, particularly economic ties. "The main goal is to reset our trade and economic cooperation. We must resume steady growth," Medvedev told reporters Tuesday after the meeting. Relations between the two countries soured last year after Turkey downed a Russian warplane near the Turkish-Syrian border, which Russian President Vladimir Putin called a "stab in the back," and ordered a range of sanctions against Ankara, devastating the Turkish economy. The eight-month-long period of icy relations began to thaw in June after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan apologized for the downing incident, and Moscow began gradually lifting its restrictions on Ankara. Putin met with the Turkish president in Russia's second largest city of St. Petersburg in August, after which the two have kept frequent phone conversations on bilateral ties and regional hot issues. Putin held talks with Erdogan during a visit to Ankara in October on the sidelines of the World Energy Congress. Medvedev said that he discussed with Yildirim a broad range of topics including trade, investment, oil, gas and nuclear energy issues, as well as high technology, agriculture and tourism. Among major bilateral projects they discussed was the Turkish Stream pipeline to deliver 15.75 billion cubic meters of Russian gas per year to Turkey and the same amount to European Markets through the Black Sea. The project was initiated in 2014, but was suspended until Putin and Erdogan signed an agreement to revive it during the Russian president's October visit. The Turkish parliament has ratified relevant agreement and Erdogan signed the law on ratifying the agreement with Russia on the Turkish Stream. The Russian parliament is expected to ratify it in the near future, according to Medvedev. The two heads of government also reviewed issues pertaining to the construction of Turkey's first nuclear power plant Akkuyu based on a Russian design, another project suspended due to the cooling relations. He said that the Turkish side has taken all necessary political decisions to speed up the project and facilitate attracting investments valued at around 20 billion U.S. dollars and to be put on stream by 2023, when Turkey celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding. Yildirim said at the joint press conference that the two sides were aimed at reaching an "ambitious goal" of increasing bilateral trade to 100 billion dollars per year from the current 36 billion. "The goal of 100 billion is feasible. To achieve this, it is necessary to lift restrictions, ease visa rules and increase the tempo of trade," Yildirim said. Ankara also wished to restore tourism to previous levels, as Turkey used to be one of the preferred destinations by Russians before ties worsened. On the Syrian crisis, both sides agreed that the top priority would be to normalize the situation in the Middle East country, while emphasizing a settlement must be primarily resolved through an intra-Syrian dialogue. Yildirim said Turkey wants to put an end to the humanitarian crisis in the northern city of Aleppo, provide the people affected with access to humanitarian aid, and create proper conditions for Syrian refugees to come back. Euphrates shield, the ongoing operation by Turkish troops in Syria, aims to achieve these goals, he added. BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday responded to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's planned Pearl Harbor visit by calling on Japan to take a correct attitude towards Japanese militarism and its crimes against humanity. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said it is very important to maintain justice and the post-war international order, and very important for Japan to take a correct attitude towards history in order to win the trust of people of China and other Asian countries that have been victimized. Abe announced Monday that he will visit Pearl Harbor later this month to mourn the victims of the Japanese surprise attack 75 years ago. However, Abe's top spokesperson, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, made it clear that during Abe's visit that "no apology would be offered" for the attack on Pearl Harbor. Lu said the war launched by Japanese militarists brought catastrophe to people of regional countries, especially Asian countries. "The international community pays close attention to whether Japan has a sincere and correct attitude towards that period of history," he told a routine press briefing. Regarding opinions in Japan that Abe should visit the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre, Lu said that if Japanese side wishes to reflect on its history and offer a sincere apology, there are many places in China for them to do so. Aside from Nanjing, there is a museum dedicated to the history of the September 18 Incident in 1931, which marks the beginning of the 14-year Japanese invasion of China, and the site of the former Army Unit 731, the Japanese army's biological and chemical warfare unit, Lu said. "There are also many places in other neighboring countries, reminding Japan and the international community that Japan's war crimes against humanity cannot be forgotten, and history cannot be distorted," he said. The Chinese people will never forget the victims of the Nanjing Massacre and enormous sacrifice during the war against Japanese aggression, just as the American people will not forget the Pearl Harbor attack, the spokesperson added. Zhu Sendi, honorary director of experts committee under China Machinery Industry Federation, speaks at a forum of the World Intelligent Manufacturing Summit in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 7, 2016. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) NANJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday released its five-year plan for intelligent manufacturing in a bid to increase competitiveness in the "factory of the world". China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology published the blueprint for 2016-2020 at the World Intelligent Manufacturing Summit that opened in Nanjing on Wednesday. The plan is a long-term strategic task to develop intelligent manufacturing to generate new growth to improve the country's manufacturing sector. The blueprint calls for the speeding up of development in intelligent equipment and key common technologies, setting up of intelligent manufacturing standards, expanding intelligent manufacturing trials, and promoting intelligent transformation in key sectors and small and medium-sized companies. Zhu Sendi, a counselor with the China Machinery Industry Federation, said China's manufacturers are at different productivity levels, and many low-cost factories need to make efforts to catch up parts of the world with greater productivity. You Zheng, vice president of Tsinghua University, said the country's huge domestic demand offers bright prospects for China's intelligent manufacturing. The industrial upgrading of the manufacturing sector around the world also forces Chinese firms to upgrade, said Huang Xing, chairman of Sinomach Intelligence Technology. The summit attracted policy makers and delegates from industry associations, research institutes and the Fortune 500 companies from many countries, including China, the United States, Germany and Switzerland. In May 2015, China rolled out "Made in China 2025" initiative designed to transform itself from a low-cost manufacturing giant to a high-tech manufacturing power. The national plan focuses on 10 priority sectors, including advanced rail, aviation and aerospace, agricultural machinery and technology, and new generation information technology. The plan encourages domestic manufacturers to make technological breakthroughs in the emerging industries to shift towards more value-added production. JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- International auditing firm Ernst & Young (EY) said Wednesday that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will slow down in the the next 18 months in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as investors adjust their investment strategies. In its third installment of the Africa Attractiveness program for 2016 in Johannesburg, EY said investors are likely to concentrate on those with better growth prospects. EY also noted that three largest economies from the SSA which are Angola, Nigeria and South Africa revised their growth forecasts downwards which showed that they are facing challenges. Countries in the East, Francophone and North African regions are expected to have a growth rates of 4 percent and above. Michael Lalor, Africa Business Centre Leader at EY, said investor sentiment towards Africa as an attractive investment destination is likely to remain somewhat softer over the next few years. He said, "This has far less to do with Africa's fundamentals than it does with a world characterized by heightened geo-political uncertainty and greater risk aversion. Companies already doing business in Africa will continue to invest, but will probably exercise a greater degree of caution and be more discerning." "Some will invest at a slower pace, looking to consolidate operations and drive profitability; while others are likely to double down on their investments, using this period of economic slowdown to further strengthen their positioning in key markets," he added. EY said Asia-Pacific investors become more prominent, led by China and Japan. The region has become the second largest, when measured by FDI projects, capital and job creation. The audit firm stated that Chinese-sourced FDI into Africa rose by 209 percent in the first quarter of 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015. Capital investments and jobs created in the first quarter on 2016 were more than those created in any year since 2005. China is the third biggest investor in the continent. Western Europe remains the largest regional investor in Africa, contributing 35.1 percent of FDI projects and 17.8 percent of capital investment in the first quarter on 2016. EY also said UK's Brexit and Donald Trump's election as the U.S. President has also created uncertainty in investor sentiment. Since the United States and the UK have major investments in Africa, the two occurrences could affect the FDI to Africa. Lalor said investors will adopt a cautious approach. He said there has been policy changes in the continent that promise to attract new investments. Photo taken on Dec. 7, 2016, shows a helicopter flying over the site of a plane crash in northwest Pakistan's Havelian. A passenger plane of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) with 47 people onboard crashed in the country's northwest Havelian area on Wednesday, officials said. (Xinhua/Stringer) ISLAMABAD, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Three foreigners were among the 47 people on board a domestic plane of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which crashed in the country's north mountainous area on Wednesday afternoon, local Urdu media reported. The ill-fated plane was carrying 31 men, nine women, two kids and five crewmembers when it crashed in Havelian town of the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, the ARY News said. All the three foreigners were men, but their nationalities were not confirmed yet. Sardar Orangzeb, a lawmaker of KPK assembly said that rescue teams have recovered 23 bodies from the crash site. Rescue teams from Pakistani army and provincial government are taking part in the rescue operation. Two army helicopters and ambulances from the provincial government are also being used in the operation. Doctor Asad, director general on rescue works in Havelian, said the domestic plane crashed on hills. Ambulances are having difficulty reaching the hilly area, and rescue personnels have to walk to the crash site to recover the bodies. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the tragic accident and directed National Disaster Management Authority to mobilize its resources and take part in the rescue operation with the provincial government. The Civil Aviation Authority has formed an emergency desk at Islamabad airport to provide assistance to the relatives of the passengers of the ill-fated plane. A state of emergency has been imposed in all the hospitals near the crash site. The ATR-42 aircraft operating as PK-661 was heading towards the country's capital Islamabad from north Chitral district when it crashed. Danial Gilani, the airline spokesperson, said that the plane took off at 3:38 p.m. local time (1038 GMT) and lost contact with control tower at 4:20 p.m. (1120 GMT). Local media reported that the pilot made a Mayday at the control room and informed about emergency, but shortly after that the plane lost its connection with radar. Irfan Ilahi, Secretary CAA said that according to initial reports, one of the two engines of the plane met some technical fault, and it caught fire after crashing into the hills. SINGAPORE, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Singapore is shocked by the tragic loss of lives and serious damage caused by earthquake in Aceh province of western Indonesia, and expressed the deepest condolences, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday. The ministry said the government of Singapore expressed the deepest condolences to the government of Indonesia and the families of the victims in this time of grief. Singapore Civil Defence Force announced that two officers will be deployed to Indonesia as part of a five-men ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ERAT), under the auspices of the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management. The ERAT's primary function is to provide rapid assessment and determine the critical resources, such as tents, medical kits, and sanitation facilities, which are required for the areas affected by the earthquake. The two Singaporean officers will depart for Indonesia on Thursday and are expected to be there for a week. A 6.4-magnitude quake hit Indonesia's Aceh early Wednesday, killing at least 97 people and causing massive damages. THE HAGUE, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Prosecutors of an international court in The Hague said Wednesday that they would consider imposing a life imprisonment for Ratko Mladic, former commander of the Bosnian Serb Army . Prosecutor Alan Tieger, of International Criminal Court for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), told a three-judge panel that Mladic should be given "the most severe available under law -- A life sentence". Mladic was accused of two counts of genocide, five crimes against humanity and four violations of the laws or customs of war committed during the Bosnian War in Bosnia and Herzegovina from May 1992 to late 1995. Mladic was arrested in Serbia on May 26, 2011. His trail started on May 16, 2012 and suffered from delays, partly due to his bad health. The trial entered its final phase on Monday, with the now 74-year-old Mladic looking physically fragile. The defense team will begin their closing arguments on Friday and will continue on Monday and Tuesday. The parties will each have one-and-a-half hours on Thursday for their final comments. A trial judgment in the Madlic case is expected in November 2017. In March this year, former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic was sentenced to 40 years in prison by the ICTY judges. DAMASCUS, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 people were killed and 64 wounded Wednesday as a result of rebel rocket fire that targeted government-controlled areas in the northern city of Aleppo, state news agency SANA reported. BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- A leader of a non-communist political party on Wednesday called for its members to continue to improve their capabilities and carry out social services more efficiently. Yan Junqi, chairwoman of the China Association for Promoting Democracy (CAPD) Central Committee, made the remarks at the fifth plenary session of the 13th CAPD Central Committee, which opened Wednesday. Hailing the party's work on poverty alleviation and promoting the reunification of the motherland, Yan said the party should make greater contribution to helping realize the country's "two centenary goals." The two centenary goals refer to: the building of an all-round moderately prosperous society by the Communist Party of China's (CPC's) centenary in 2021, and creating a prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious country by the centenary of the People's Republic of China in 2049. The CAPD is one of the country's eight non-communist parties and will hold its 12th national congress next year. Founded in 1945, the CAPD membership mainly consists of intellectuals working in the fields of culture, education, publishing and science. Under China's multi-party cooperation system, non-communist parties participate in state affairs under the leadership of the CPC. The CPC and non-communist parties work together and supervise one another. Iraqi men mourn over the coffin of a fighter from the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) paramilitaries, who was killed in battles against Islamic State (IS) group jihadists in the town of Tal Afar, during his funeral in the southern city of Basra on October 27, 2016. (AFP/Xinhua) BAGHDAD, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi legislators on Wednesday endorsed a bill for the country's 2017 federal budget with about 85 billion U.S. dollars and a deficit of about 18 billion dollars, reported Iraqi official television. "The parliament approved the proposed 2017 budget by majority of the lawmakers who voted in all the budget items," the state-run Iraqiya channel said. The budget approval came following several heated sessions of debate among the various political blocs over multiple controversial items, including payment of the Kurdish security forces, known as the Peshmerga. The proposed budget was based on an average oil price of 42 dollars per barrel and export of 3.75 million barrels of crude oil per day (bpd), including exporting 250,000 bpd from the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan and 300,000 bpd from federal oilfields in the province of Kirkuk. Parliament also approved a 17 percent payment from the national budget's total expenditures to Kurdistan's regional government. According to Iraqi law, the annual budget must be approved by the Iraqi presidency following parliamentary approval. As crude oil prices have sharply dropped in markets worldwide in the past few years, the government and parliament were obliged to design the 2017 draft budget in light of the de facto situation and proposed public expenditure reduction. The budget also focused on diversifying national income sources which depends mainly on oil revenue, as well as allocating money to support the needs of displaced people and to reconstruct their areas, recently freed from extremist Islamic State (IS) militants. The budget approval comes as Iraqi security forces backed by an anti-IS international coalition are carrying out a major offensive to drive out IS militants from their last major stronghold in and around Mosul. Iraqi economy relies on oil for over 90 percent of its revenues. In 2010, Iraq announced that its proven oil reserves had increased to 143.1 billion barrels from the previously estimated 115 billion barrels. GUANGZHOU, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese education authorities have given the nod to a joint campus in south China's Guangdong Province. The Guangdong Technion Israel Institute of Technology (Technion Guangdong), located in Shantou City, will draw investment of 4 billion yuan (582 million U.S. dollars) from the provincial and city governments, according to the Guangdong provincial department of education. The institute, jointly established by Shantou University and Israel Institute of Technology, or Technion, will enroll 2,960 students between 2017 and 2026 to major in chemical engineering and technology, biological technology, and material science and engineering, according to the Ministry of Education. The establishment of Technion Guangdong is the result of a cooperative agreement signed on Sept. 29, 2013 between Technion and Shantou University, according to Technion's official website. "The Guangdong Technion Israel Institute of Technology will help to further the advancement of education, research and innovation in engineering," the website cited Peretz Lavie, president of Technion, as saying. China currently has nine joint campuses, with four located in Guangdong. HARARE, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) said Wednesday it will release the second batch of 2 dollar bond notes amounting to 7 million dollars this week in line with its strategy to release the notes on a measured basis. The RBZ released the first batch of 2 dollar bond notes worth 10 million dollars on November 28. It said the 17 million bond notes will be against the value of 70 million dollars payable to exporters under an export incentive scheme. The central bank added that 5 dollar bond notes will be released onto the market in due course. The bank thanked the public for embracing the notes. "The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe would like to express its great appreciation to the Zimbabwean public, consumers and business, for embracing bond notes," the RBZ said in a statement. "The Bank remains indebted to all the business organizations in Zimbabwe, large and small, that made the introduction of the bond notes a success," according to the statement. It also allayed public fears that the notes were of inferior quality and therefore prone to counterfeiting. "The bond notes are of high quality with many security features to make them secure. The rubbing off of ink and the variation of the security thread on the notes are quite normal," it said. The RBZ introduced the bond notes, backed by a 200 million dollar facility from African Export-Import Bank, as a measure to address cash shortages that have gripped the economy since March this year. However, introduction of the notes has not yet brought relief to Zimbabweans as long queues of depositors are still the order of the day at most banks. Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd R) and his wife Peng Liyuan (1st R) pose for photos with President of the Republic of Gabon Ali Bongo Ondimba (2nd L) and his wife before Xi holds talks with Ali Bongo in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 7, 2016. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting President of the Republic of Gabon Ali Bongo Ondimba agreed on Wednesday to lift China-Gabon relations to a comprehensive cooperative partnership in a bid to better realize common development. Invited by Xi, Ali Bongo Ondimba is paying a state visit to China from Tuesday to Friday. It is Ali Bongo's first state visit to a foreign country since he was re-elected as Gabon's president in August. Following a red-carpet welcoming ceremony for Ali Bongo at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing, Xi stressed that the visit shows Ali Bongo's determination to further the China-Gabon friendship. Hailing bilateral collaboration in various fields, the Chinese president called on both countries to consolidate mutual trust, enhance high-level contact and expand exchanges between governments, parties, legislatures as well as at the local level. China supports Gabon in accelerating the country's industrialization process and is ready to push forward relevant cooperative projects, Xi said, adding Chinese investment in Gabon's infrastructure construction is encouraged by the government. China also wants to enhance cooperation with Gabon in agriculture, tourism, finance and telecommunications, according to the president. On security ties, Xi said that China is willing to help Gabon in strengthening the country's law enforcement capacity and maintaining stability. On people-to-people exchanges, he called on both sides to boost cooperation in culture, education, health, human resources, youth, women, media, think tanks and other areas. Furthermore, Xi urged the two countries to enhance communication and coordination in climate change, Africa's peace and security and other major international issues of shared concern in order to safeguard the common interests of developing countries. China will work with African countries to fully implement the outcomes of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation last December, Xi said, noting China will continue to pair its own development with assisting the independent and sustainable growth of Africa to achieve common development. For his part, Ali Bongo said that Gabon appreciates China's long-term support for the country and is willing to enhance cooperation and exchanges with China on investment, agriculture, mining, science and technology, tourism, finance, infrastructure, education and health. Gabon also stands ready to actively participate in the major China-Africa cooperation plans proposed by President Xi at the Johannesburg Summit, according to Ali Bongo. Gabon adheres to the one-China principle, he said, adding that the country is committed to collaboration with China in international affairs. Following the talks, the two heads of state witnessed signing of agreements on the economy, technology, culture, infrastructure and other fields. BRUSSELS, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday called on all parties to fully implement the Minsk Agreements, reaffirming a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis. Stoltenberg stressed the Alliance's support for Ukraine at a press conference following a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission. During the meeting, NATO foreign ministers discussed the situation in eastern Ukraine with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin and reaffirmed their strong political and practical support for Kiev. "The security situation remains serious," said Stoltenberg. "Diplomacy offers the only viable solution to the crisis in Ukraine. I call on all parties to redouble their efforts to implement the Minsk Agreements in full," he said. Stoltenberg also urged the international community to maintain pressure on Russia. WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has accepted U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's offer of ambassador to China, multi TV networks reported on Wednesday, quoting sources within Trump's transition team. TIRANA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Construction of a rail line linking Albania's capital Tirana with Rinas airport and the coastal city Durres will start next year, an Albanian official said Wednesday. The cost of the railway project amounted to 11 million euros (11.84 million U.S. dollars), Albanian minister of transport and infrastructure Sokol Dervishaj told the parliamentary committee of economy where he presented the 2017 budget of his ministry. The Albanian transport ministry, in cooperation with the German government and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, has started procedures for this project, which is the biggest one in the region, Dervishaj said. "Our transport policy is focused on accelerating efforts to implement the reform of the railway sector," he said. BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities are considering revising the country's guidance catalogue for foreign investment, cutting the number of restrictive measures to 62 from the previous 93. The country's top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission, on Wednesday published a revision draft on its website to seek public opinion on the changes. The easing rules on foreign investment came amid government efforts to push use of the "negative list" approach, which identifies sectors and businesses that are off-limits or restricted for investment. The "negative list" approach is a common practice adopted in many countries to manage foreign investment. China first piloted the rules in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone in 2013. Earlier official data showed foreign direct investment (FDI) to the Chinese mainland rose 4.2 percent year on year to reach 666.3 billion yuan (around 96.8 billion U.S. dollars) in the first ten months of the year. ABUJA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) said it has sued the country's Department of State Security to a Federal High Court over what it considered "unlawful detention" of a local journalist. The secret police was accused of wrongful arrest and detention of Friday Ogungbemi, a local journalist based in Lokoja, capital of central Nigeria's state of Kogi, since Nov. 30. The journalist was taken into custody by the secret police for allegedly publishing an offensive report in an edition of the local Policy and Lawmakers magazine. The journalists' union is seeking the enforcement of the local journalist's fundamental human rights and cash compensation for his incarceration, according to a statement reaching Xinhua on Wednesday. The union's counsel, who filed a motion on notice Tuesday, said the journalist's rights to personal liberty, freedom of movement and fair hearing had been violated by the secret police, and thereby urged the court to enforce the rights being infringed upon. The secret police is yet to respond to the claims. MADRID, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- At least four African immigrants have drowned and 38 rescued when the dinghy they were using to attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea between Morocco and Spain sank on Wednesday morning, local police sources have confirmed. The dinghy is reported to have sunk in rough seas close to the coast of Alhucemas and although 19 people have been rescued, the remainder are feared lost. The tragedy happened less than 24 hours after Spanish rescue vessels saved 64 immigrants, including 11 women and two children, from two boats which had been adrift in the Mediterranean Sea in the waters between Morocco and Spain. Dec. 3 also saw Spanish Rescue Services save the lives of 92 immigrants in the same waters. Spanish media speculate that this shows an increase in the number of people attempting the dangerous crossing at a time when the number of people attempting to make it from Morocco to Spain usually falls due to worsening weather conditions. Spanish interior minister Juan Ignacio Zoido is visiting his Moroccan counterpart Mohamed Hassad in Rabat on Wednesday with measures to improve the struggle against illegal immigration and people-smuggling gangs expected to be on the agenda. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says 5,445 migrants arrived by sea in Spain between January and September, with 62 people confirmed as having died while attempting the crossing. WINDHOEK, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's Prime Minister, Dr Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said that Namibia's successes in child survival and in the fight against malnutrition, are a result of the ongoing partnerships the country enjoys with UN Agencies and civil society players. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said this in a statement on Wednesday during a courtesy meeting with Global Child Rights Advocate, Graca Machel and UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Leila Pakkala, who are in the country on a 3-day visit. "This visit by the two is therefore a welcome reinforcement of the government's on-going efforts to reduce the harmful impact of under-nutrition on the health and social development of Namibia's children and to find common solutions to the challenge," she added. Malnutrition causes irreversible damage to the physical and mental development of the child and a child affected by malnutrition, especially in the first 1,000 days of life, will not reach their full physical and intellectual potential in future, she said. According to her, commendable strides have been made in Namibia to reduce deaths and illness associated with malnutrition. "Under-5 deaths have been brought down from 4,200 per year in 1990 to less than 3,000 in 2013, while maternal mortality ratio has declined from 449 per 100,000 live births to 385 per 100,000 live births over the same period," she added. Meanwhile, Machel said, many children, particularly those in rural and drought prone areas, those affected by HIV continue to bear the brunt of malnutrition, a condition which can be prevented and managed. The visit by Machel and Pakkala is a follow-up to a previous visit in 2012 by Machel, whereby the Namibian government reiterated willingness and commitment to heighten cooperation and partnership to fight malnutrition. AMMAN, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Wednesday reiterated its support for Iraq's efforts to uproot terrorism, the state-run Petra news agency reported. Jordan's Senate President Feisal Fayez made the remarks at a meeting with Ammar al Hakeem, chairman of the National Iraqi Alliance, where he said Jordan was also keen on preserving the unity and the stability of Iraq. Stressing strategic ties between the two countries, Fayez said Iraq's stability is in the interests of Jordan. He added that Jordan rejects any attempts to interfere in Iraq's internal affairs. He also voiced support for a political solution on Syrian issue. The Jordanian official called on the international community to boost up efforts in uprooting terrorism, which he said threatens the entire world. Al Hakeem voiced appreciation for Jordan's support, expressing keenness for further cooperation. He also said that the security challenges require the cooperation of all players in the region. Jordan is a member of the U.S.-led coalition to fight the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. People march with a slogan "No" during a rally ahead of a referendum over the constitutional reform in Rome's People's Square, Italy, Nov. 27, 2016. (Xinhua/Jin Yu) by Alessandra Cardone ROME, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The result of Italy's constitutional referendum held on Sunday is not meant to express anti-European feelings, or a popular will to leave the EU: as such, seeing it in the perspective of a possible "Italexit" -- as some media have called it -- would be improper, an Italian analyst said. It is not truly similar to the Brexit referendum that marked Britons' decision to leave the European Union (EU), even less could it be likened to the victory of President-elect Donald Trump in the United States, Federico Niglia, professor of International History with the LUISS University in Rome, told Xinhua. "The meaning of the Italian referendum is hardly comparable to that of the Brexit, or to the election of Donald Trump in the U.S.," he said. The referendum on amending the Italian constitution marked a sound defeat for Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and his cabinet, which had backed the reform. Therefore, the prime minister on Monday handed in his resignation, which will become valid in a matter of a few days -- as soon as the 2017 draft budget is approved by parliament -- according to a specific request of Italian president Sergio Mattarella. Meanwhile, many media and political analysts at global level started wondering whether this result should be read as a further signal of populism rise, and of discontent towards the EU overall. According to the LUISS analyst, such interpretation was not fitting: Renzi's defeat would be due more to a personalization of politics, and of the referendum, promoted by the outgoing prime minister himself. "Promoting a large program of reforms was the main source of legitimation for Renzi's cabinet", which was born in 2014 with the pledge of implementing a major economic and political overhaul of the country, Niglia explained. "The effects of the constitutional referendum have to be seen in such perspective." The young Italian prime minister had long advocated the constitutional reform as "the mother of all battles", and indeed, if approved, it would have deeply reshaped the country's profile, the expert believes. The major constitutional amendment would have demoted the senate, in terms of powers and size, leaving to the lower house only the full control over national legislation, and the power to bring down a cabinet with no-confidence votes. Yet, the so-called "perfect bicameralism" -- that means having two houses with equal law-making status and powers -- is a deeply ingrained element of Italy's politics, having been in effect since the constitution's inception in 1948. A 59 percent majority of voters rejected the reform on Sunday, and many of them did so because they felt uneasy at the idea of a stronger cabinet depending on the control of one branch of the parliament only. Yet, the political crisis that will open as soon as Renzi steps down might plunge the eurozone's third largest economy into a new period of instability. Would this deal another blow to the euro? The analyst believed it would rather not, because "the correlation between political crises and economic crises has changed." "The market reaction to the Brexit, and to Trump's election, confirmed the absence of a direct correlation. The first market reactions to Renzi's resignation seem to go in the same direction," Niglia said. Overall, what markets will probably look at with more attention will be Italy's mid-term capacity to maintain stability in its public finance, according to Niglia. At the same time, despite a strong feeling against Renzi's cabinet have indeed played a crucial role in the referendum's defeat, the vote should not be compared to the Brexit. "The event cannot even be compared to the Brexit: Italy is a founding member of the EU, and a pivotal force, along with France and Germany, in the process of European integration," Niglia stressed. Finally, many foreign observers wondered if the fall of Renzi's center-left government might pave the way to a possible withdrawal of the country from the euro. Such doubts rose from the fact that the "No" camp in the referendum included populist, anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and anti-immigration Northern League party. Both forces were now capitalizing on the "No" victory, and hope to see their support increase in the next political election, which might come as soon as in spring 2017. Although none of them have ever put Italy's membership in the EU into question, both have said they would like to call a referendum on the euro. Yet again, the analyst considered a potential withdrawal of Italy from the euro "very unlikely." "It is true that a number of forces are campaigning against the EU," Niglia said. "Yet, it remains unclear whether these forces will ever become governmental forces." Photo taken on Dec. 7, 2016, shows a helicopter flying over the site of a plane crash in northwest Pakistan's Havelian. A passenger plane of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) with 47 people onboard crashed in the country's northwest Havelian area on Wednesday, officials said. (Xinhua/Stringer) ISLAMABAD, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- No survivor was found yet after a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane crashed in mountainous area near Havelian in northern part of Pakistan Wednesday, according to local reports. Rescue teams from Pakistani army have recovered 36 bodies from the wreckage of the ill-fated plane, the military said, adding that some 500 soldiers and doctors are taking part in the rescue operation. The Chinese embassy in Islamabad has confirmed that a Chinese national was killed in the accident. Three foreigners were among the 48 people onboard. A total of 10 bodies have been shifted to Ayub medical complex at Abbotabad. Medical teams there will identify the bodies and then the bodies will be handed over to relatives. Doctor Manan, deputy medical superintendent at the hospital, said all the bodies were burnt beyond recognition and the identification process will be completed by DNA tests. The country's Interior Ministry has provided helicopters to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) with mobile teams from National Database Registration Authority on board heading to the Abbottabad hospital for biometric verification of the bodies. The NDMA has also formed an emergency center at the hospital to speed up the identification process, on the directives of the country's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The PIA airplane crashed when it was on its way to the country's capital Islamabad from north Chitral district. Sher Ali, spokesperson of PIA, said the ATR-42 aircraft operating as PK-661 took off from the country's north Chitral airport at 3:40 p.m. local time (1040 GMT) and lost contact with the radar at 4:20 p.m. (1120 GMT). He said the plane crashed into Havelian area, some 436 km southeast of Chitral in the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, at about 4:42 p.m. (1142 GMT). Ali said the plane was carrying 42 passengers, five crewmembers and an engineer to Islamabad when it crashed. Eyewitnesses said the plane crashed into the hills and caught fire, adding that they put out the fire with mud and tree branches before the arrival of the rescue teams. Cause of the crash has not been determined yet, but sharing initial investigations, Irfan Ilahi, the secretary Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), said one of the two engines of the plane met some technical fault, which caused the accident. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad receives an interview with Xinhua in Des Moines, Iowa, the United States, on Aug. 10, 2015. (Xinhua/Guan Jianwu) WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has been tapped by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to be the next ambassador to China, a Trump spokesperson said Wednesday. "The governor has a lot of experience and grasp of trade issues, agriculture issues and the understanding of China," Jason Miller said during a routine conference call, adding that official announcement will come out later Wednesday. "It's very clear that Governor Branstad is someone who'll represent our country well on the world stage," he said. Branstad, an early supporter of Trump, met with the president-elect in New York Tuesday. He has accepted the offer, according to media reports. "He's someone who has very much impressed President-elect Trump not just during the meetings but also on the campaign trail," Miller said, "We couldn't be prouder of the selection." Branstad, 70, has long nurtured a close relationship with China, having visited China multiple times. He served as the governor of Iowa between 1983 to 1999, and again since 2011. Iowa is now enjoying a tailwind from China's booming market. China is Iowa's fifth largest export market, and the state imported about 1.2 billion U.S. dollars in goods from China in 2011. A Boeing 777 cargo plane carrying 100 tonnes of Chilean cherries and blueberries landed in northeast China's Shenyang on Dec. 26, 2015. (Xinhua/Miao Xiaojuan) SANTIAGO, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chilean Agriculture Minister Carlos Furche on Tuesday highlighted China as the leading market for Chile's cherry exports, as the South American country's cherry importers are working on expanding the exports of the fruit. Nearly half of Chile's total cherry exports of more than 100,000 tons a year go to China, and the potential for growth remains high. The fruit currently generates some 500 million U.S. dollars in export revenue, Furche said during a tour of a cherry plant Agricola Garces, accompanied by China's ambassador to Chile, Li Baorong. Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Chile in November "is a good indicator of the current peak in relations between the two countries," said Furche, adding "China's leader has invited (Chile's) President Michelle Bachelet to make a state visit to China next year." "Both heads of state pledged to further expand our free trade agreement, not just in trade, but also in investment, which is good news for Chilean agriculture, because the future of our food exports lies in China," said Furche. The official underscored the importance of labor and investment involved in developing a country's exports. "No consumer imagines the technological development and added value that goes into a simple cherry that, after being picked, travels three weeks by ship and arrives in perfect shape at its destination market in Asia, mainly China," said Furche. That effort requires "investment, betting on the future and technological development, and it is an example of how dynamic Chile's agricultural sector is," he said. Image taken on June 12, 2015 shows a man holding a cup of wine at the Vina Morande, in the valley of Casablanca, from 70km northwest of Santiago, capital of Chile. (Xinhua/Luis Echeverria) Chile's agricultural sector is thriving and generating jobs, said Furche, noting Agricola Garces employs more than 700 people. In fact, the sector employs 10 percent of the country's labor force, though that figure is as high as 25 percent in the southern region of O'Higgins, where the cherry plant is located. "That's why it is good news for the country that we have an agricultural sector that is expanding," said Furche. Chile's cherry harvest coincides with China's Lunar New Year, said Furche, "which is a happy coincidence for producers and sellers. In the first 10 months of this year alone, our food exports to China grew 16 percent." China has become Chile's second largest export market and over the next decade it would become the largest, Furche predicted, adding the country's agricultural sector "is linked to what we can do in the Asian region." China represents significant potential for growth, he said. "Fruits, like cherry, cranberry and grapes, as well as Chilean wine, are in great demand in China," which is poised to become Chile's leading export market for wine this year or next, he said. Li explained that during the Lunar New Year "it is ideal to have a box of Chilean cherries. They are renowned, making them the best gift for friends or family, and a symbol of cooperation between China and Chile." Li also highlighted President Xi Jinping's visit to Chile and its success in leading to two new accords, one of them for Chilean nectarines, and both sides are working on it. Li agreed that the Sino-Chilean ties are "at a peak" and expanding in various fields. During the 2014-2015 cherry season, Chile exported more than 103,000 tons of the fruit, and that figure stands to rise as Chilean officials work with Chinese importers to expand the fruit's market share. BANGKOK, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Prayut-chan-o-cha said on Wednesday that BBC must be prosecuted when the British broadcaster violates the law in Thailand, local media reported. The remarks came after 10 police officers visited the BBC's office in Bangkok. They reportedly opened an investigation into the BBC's local language service for alleged defamation of Thailand's new king. Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon confirmed he ordered authorities to investigate into the matter. "Anyone who have broken the law and caused damage must be punished," he said. He was referring to a profile published online by the BBC's Thai-language service about the newly crowned king. The piece, released on Dec. 2 after Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was proclaimed King Rama X, brought the new king's personal life to light, adding that he did not enjoy the same level of respect as his revered late father. The article was widely shared on social media and some Thais said its content was insulting to the new king. Thailand has a strict lese-majeste law against any insult of the monarchy, which carries a penalty of three to 15 years in prison. A BBC spokesman said the BBC is confident that its article adheres to the BBC's editorial principles to bring impartial, independent and accurate news. The Thai police arrested a student on Saturday for sharing BBC's article, releasing him on bail the next day. It was the first arrest under the lese-majeste law since prince Vajiralongkorn became the king. China's special envoy to Syria , Xie Xiaoyan (C) meets with Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem (R) in Syrian capital of Damascus, on Dec. 7, 2016. Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem on Wednesday stressed the need to develop relations between Syria and China on different levels, according to state news agency SANA. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani) DAMASCUS, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem on Wednesday stressed the need to develop relations between Syria and China on different levels, according to state news agency SANA. The minister made the remarks during his meeting with visiting Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on Syrian issue, Xie Xiaoyan, who arrived in Syria earlier in the day for talks with top Syrian officials. Al-Moallem said that China's aid contributes in alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people amid the economic sanctions imposed on the country by the Western powers. He said such sanctions have had negative impact on the Syrian economy and the country's infrastructure. The minister introduced developments on the battlefields, particularly the current military campaign in the northern city of Aleppo, stressing his government's resolve to continue battling against the terrorist groups. He underscored the work of establishing a political solution to the Syrian crisis through dialogue and under a Syrian leadership far from foreign intervention, stressing the need for the international community to exert efforts to fight terrorism. He also expressed gratitude for the double veto by China and Russia at the UN Security Council against a resolution proposed by the Western countries to establish a truce in Aleppo. A day earlier, Syria's Foreign Ministry said the veto has hindered an attempt by the foreign powers to give a chance for the terrorists in eastern Aleppo to regroup and empower themselves. It came as the Syrian army has become in control of two thirds of the rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo, as part of major offensive launched recently to liberate the eastern part of the city from any rebel presence. ISLAMABAD, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- No one survived after a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane with 48 people aboard crashed into the country's north mountainous area in Havelian on Wednesday, officials said. PIA Chairman Azam Sehgal told a news conference that there were no survivors in the plane crash. A full investigation will be conducted, he said as the black box of the ill-fated aircraft was found by rescuers from the Pakistani army. Acccording to the airline's website, three foreigners, including two Austrians and one Chinese national, were also among the deceased passengers. The Chinese embassy has confirmed that a Chinese man was killed in the tragedy. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani army, said 40 bodies out of all the 48 victims had been recovered from the wreckage of the crashed plane. The ISPR said that 500 soldiers and doctors were taking part in the rescue operation. A total of 32 bodies have been shifted to Ayub medical complex Abbotabad by the rescue teams. Doctor Manan, deputy medical superintendent at the hospital, said all the bodies were burnt beyond recognition so the identification process will be completed by the DNA test. Medical team was sent to the hospital to identify the bodies which will be handed over to relatives after tests. A PIA spokesperson said the ATR-42 plane crashed when it was on its way to the capital Islamabad from the north Chitral district, adding that the PK-661 flight took off at 3:40 p.m. local time (1040 GMT) and lost access with the radar at 4:20 p.m. (1120 GMT). Eyewitnesses said the plane crashed into the hills and caught fire, adding that they put out the fire with mud and tree branches before the arrival of the rescue teams. Cause of the crash has not been determined yet, but sharing initial investigations, Irfan Elahi, secretary of the Civil Aviation Authority, said one of the two engines of the plane met a technical fault. PIA Chairman Sehgal also said it seemed the French-made aircraft crashed due to failure of one engine. Photo taken on Dec. 7, 2016, shows a helicopter flying over the site of a plane crash in northwest Pakistan's Havelian. A passenger plane of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) with 47 people onboard crashed in the country's northwest Havelian area on Wednesday, officials said. (Xinhua/Stringer) by Misbah Saba Malik, Raheela Nazir ISLAMABAD, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Rescue teams have retrieved all 48 bodies from the wreckage of a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane, which crashed in the country's north mountainous area on Wednesday, officials said. Azam Saigol, chairman of the PIA airline, said the plane was carrying 48 people, including 42 passengers, five crewmembers and one ground engineer. According to the PIA's website, two Austrians and one Chinese national were also on board the ill-fated plane. The Chinese embassy has confirmed that a Chinese man was killed in the tragedy. PIA Chairman Saigol said each passenger had an insurance of 5 million rupees (about 47,000 U.S. dollars) while the airline will bear the expenses of coffin, funeral and give a subsidy of half a million rupees (about 4,700 U.S. dollars). He said the ATR-42 aircraft operating as flight PK-661 took off from the country's north Chitral airport for the capital of Islamabad at 3:40 p.m. local time (1040 GMT). "At 4:14 p.m. we received a call from the pilot at Islamabad airport control tower informing us that he lost control over one of the two engines of the plane. We told him to land at the runway once his vision is clear, but at 4:16 p.m. (1116 GMT) we lost the contact with him," the chairman said. The plane was some 35 miles away from Islamabad airport when the pilot contacted the control room. Saigol said at about 4:30 p.m. they received the information that local people in the northern Havelian town saw the plane crashing into the hills. He ruled out the reports of any human error and said that things will be clearer when investigation teams will give their report after completing the probe. The Franch-made aircraft was manufactured in 2007 and inducted in the PIA fleet in the same year. Saigol said the plane's black box had been found and will be sent to its manufacturing company in France for decoding. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), media wing of the Pakistani army said that two helicopters, 500 soldiers and doctors took part in the rescue operation. All the bodies were being shifted to Ayub medical complex Abbottabad. Doctor Manan, deputy medical superintendent at the hospital, said all of them were burnt beyond recognition as the plane caught fire after the crash. He said the bodies will be identified by biometric verification carried out by National Database Registration Authority. A mobile team from the agency already reached the hospital via helicopters provided by the Interior Ministry. After the identification process, the bodies will be airlifted to hospitals in Islamabad and will be handed over to the relatives. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the incident and directed the National Disaster Management Authority to mobilize all the resources to facilitate the relatives of the crash victims. The authority has formed an emergency desk at the Abbottabad hospital to provide information about the victims. RAMADI, Iraq, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 militants affiliated with the extremist Islamic State (IS) group and nine civilians were killed on Wednesday in airstrikes in an IS-held town near Iraq's western border with Syria, security and medical sources said. An airstrike, believed to be conducted by the U.S.-led coalition aircraft, bombed two IS positions in the town of al-Qaim in Iraq's western province of Anbar, destroying the positions and leaving 12 militants killed and five others wounded, a source from Anbar's provincial Operations Command told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. Another airstrike occurred at night and struck a residential building in the central town, killing nine people and wounding 20 others, a medical source from the provincial health department said. The attacks come as the Iraqi security forces backed by anti-IS international coalition are carrying out a major offensive to drive out the IS militants from its last major stronghold in and around Mosul. KHARTOUM, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Sudan government on Wednesday said it has special means to verify the truth about South Sudan's expulsion of Sudanese armed groups from its territories. Kamal-Eddin Ismail, Sudan's state minister for foreign affairs, said in a statement that once the expulsion confirmed, they will "move to another phase of cooperation between the two countries to reach peace in all aspects." He reiterated the importance for South Sudan government to fulfill its commitments, saying that it is helpful to resolve issues between the two countries and to end the cases of exchanged accusations. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir availed South Sudan until end of 2016 to implement the cooperation agreement between the two countries. South Sudan government also availed the Sudanese armed groups 30 days to leave its territories, or it would adopt necessary measures. The joint cooperation agreement, signed in September 2012, stipulates the two sides not to accommodate or support the armed groups in the two countries. Khartoum accuses Juba of harboring and supporting armed groups that are fighting the Sudanese government in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile regions. LONDON, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May won a battle over her Brexit strategy in parliament's House of Commons on Wednesday night. MPs voted by 461 votes to 89 -- a margin of 372 in a non-binding motion to support a proposal that will see politicians backing May's plan to invoke Article 50 to start the Brexit process by the end of March. In return, May's government is to give the parliament details of her Brexit plan before Article 50 is triggered as MPs backed Labour's motion, saying the government should publish a plan and it was "parliament's responsibility to properly scrutinize the government" over Brexit, by 448 votes to 75 - a margin of 373. The votes followed a compromise between Labour and the Conservatives, who had argued over the questions to be put. The main opposition Labour party claimed that it as a climbdown by May as it commits her government to their demand to spell out to MPs details of the government Brexit plans for scrutiny by the House of Commons. Supporters of May said it had averted a potential rebellion by a number of her own party who are pro-Europe. Commentators said the prime minister may have won the battle, but the Brexit war continues, with some politicians still threatening to create obstacles. Tim Farron, leader of the minority Liberal Democrats, has said his party will block May triggering Article 50 unless she guarantees a second referendum on the terms of the Brexit deal. At one point during the seven-hour debate in the chamber of the Commons, speakers referred to the hearing taking place 200 meters away in the Supreme Court. There, the 11 highest judges in Britain will have to decide whether the government can trigger the process without a thumbs up from the two houses of parliament. In the hearing in the nearby courthouse, reference was made to the debate going on across the road. It was an indicator of the complicated legal and constitutional complexities that the June 23 referendum has generated. The Supreme Court, on the third day of what is the most important case in the court's history, continued to hear lengthy submissions from lawyers saying parliament should be involved in the so-called Article 50 process that will start an exit program lasting up to two years. Lawyers for the government have already insisted that under centuries old rules, May and her government can trigger Article 50 without the consent of parliament. The High Court has already ruled against the government, prompting the appeal to the Supreme Court. The court hearing is expected to end Thursday with the 11 judges scheduled to announce their ruling early in January. ANKARA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed Germany on Wednesday after German airport police in Cologne temporarily held Turkish Parliament Deputy Speaker Aysenur Bahcekapili due to her passport problem. "You take and host terrorists but you make the deputy parliamentary speaker of this country wait for hours at the airport. Shouldn't we do the same to them? And then they call Erdogan a dictator!" he said in an address to local officials. Erdogan also threatened Berlin with "retaliation" if the officers involved are not probed. "Turkey will retaliate in kind if the necessary actions are not taken against the officers involved," he said, adding that "many terrorists freely roam around Europe" despite the fact that Turkey has demanded their deportation. "Whether or not they deport, we will continue to put our own tactics in place," Erdogan said. The incident he was referring to took place on Monday at Cologne Airport as Bahcekapili and others were returning to Turkey. After her bag and diplomatic passport were stolen, Bahcekapili obtained a temporary passport from the Turkish consulate, but the police did not allow her to travel with that document and held her in custody at the airport police station. Turkish Foreign Ministry on Wednesday summoned German Ambassador to Turkey Martin Erdmann over this incident. Meanwhile, the Turkish parliament has also condemned the German police in a statement issued with the participation of all parties. "This behavior against the deputy speaker of Turkish Grand National Assembly is unacceptable," read the statement. UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations is "deeply concerned about the safety, protection and well-being of civilians" in Syria's Aleppo, particularly those still trapped in the besieged enclave of eastern Aleppo, including humanitarian workers, a UN spokesman told reporters here Wednesday. "Fighting has dramatically spread and intensified in the last 24 hours, leading to deaths and injuries of dozens of people in eastern and western Aleppo," Farhan Haq, the deputy UN spokesman, said at a daily news briefing here. The United Nations has received reports of more civilians displaced, including an estimated 800 people from east Aleppo who arrived at the cotton factory site in Jibreen on Tuesday and more than 1,200 people who arrived in Hanano, a neighborhood that has been retaken by the Syrian government, Haq said. "The overall number of displaced people remains extremely difficult to gauge at this time, as the UN does not have verifiable information about new displacements and people continue to arrive and leave existing shelters and lodge with family members," he said. "The UN is following the situation closely and providing assistance to all those fleeing eastern Aleppo city," he added. Some 31,500 civilians have been displaced within Aleppo since fighting between warring factions escalated on Nov. 24, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported last Friday. Over half, or 18,000, of those who have been forced to flee their homes have done so to Jibreen, a government-held district of western Aleppo, OCHA said. Though unable to reach civilians who have not left eastern parts of the war-torn city, the UN said Thursday that it is able to provide much needed food and medical aid to those who have done so. According to OCHA, Damascus has regained control of several neighbourhoods and civilian infrastructure in east Aleppo, including the Suleiman Al-Halabi water station. JERUSALEM, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Israel's parliament on Wednesday gave approval to a controversial bill to legalize dozens of Jewish outposts in the West Bank. The 58-51 vote was the first reading out of three rounds of votes necessary before the final approval of the bill. The so-called Regulation Law aims at legalizing dozens of outposts which far-right Israelis constructed in the West Bank over the past 20 years. The outposts are currently illegal under both Israeli and international law. Under the bill, Israel could expropriate private Palestinian land and allow settlers to remain in homes that were built there. The Palestinian owners would receive financial compensation. The bill's main supporter, the pro-settler Jewish Home party, said it is the first step towards official annexation of West Bank lands. The legislation passed its first test in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on Monday, with 60 lawmakers voting in favor in a preliminary reading, and 49 objecting. Israel captured the West Bank in 1967 during the Mideast War. Almost immediately after, it began settling land with Jews. The international community never recognized the settlements and Israel's policy of populating the West Bank with Israeli Jews is subject to constant international criticism. It was estimated that around 350,000 Israelis lived in over 200 settlements and outposts in the West Bank in 2013, according to Israeli human rights organization. Nevertheless, Israel has never openly annexed the West Bank and has not applied its legislation there. GAZA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Two Islamic Hamas movement militants were killed on Wednesday when an underground tunnel collapsed while they were performing a military mission in it in eastern Gaza City, the group and medics said. UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Pierre Krahenbuhl, the commissioner-general of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), has provided a briefing to the ad hoc committee of the UN General Assembly by videoconference from the Gaza Strip, to inform them that his agency still lacks 37 million U.S. dollars for this year's budget, a UN spokesman said here Wednesday. "He expressed hope that this gap will be overcome in the next few days," Farhan Haq, the deputy UN spokesman, said at a daily news briefing here. Krahenbuhl said that next year's UNRWA Programme Budget will have to rise, by about 5 percent, to 715 million U.S. dollars, simply to preserve the UN agency's operations at their current level. He estimated that the gap projected between income and expenditures in 2017 will be 115 million dollars. "The world cannot afford to abandon Palestine refugees," the commissioner-general said. "The stakes are too high." Pending a just solution to their plight in accordance with UN resolutions and international law, he said. "We must act decisively to uphold their rights, dignity and the quality of UNRWA services." Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, UNRWA was established by the UN General Assembly on Dec. 8, 1949 to carry out direct relief and works programs for Palestine refugees. The agency began operations on May 1, 1950. In the absence of a solution to the Palestine refugee problem, the General Assembly has repeatedly renewed UNRWA's mandate, most recently extending it until June 30, 2017. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states. It also receives some funding from the Regular Budget of the United Nations, which is used mostly for international staffing costs. The agency's services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance, including in times of armed conflict. UNRWA services are available to all those living in its areas of operations who meet this definition, who are registered with the agency and who need assistance. When the agency began operations in 1950, it was responding to the needs of about 750,000 Palestine refugees. Today, some 5 million Palestine refugees are eligible for UNRWA services. RABAT, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Moroccan Interior Minister Mohamed Hassad and his Spanish counterpart Juan Ignacio Zoido stressed here on Wednesday the need to further foster their cooperation and efforts regionally and multilaterally to combat the terrorist threat. During a working meeting between high-ranking security officials from both countries, the ministers hailed the "exemplary" cooperation between the security services of the two countries, notably in the fields of counter-terrorism and fight against organized crime. "The relations and the flow of information between the security forces of Morocco and Spain are bearing fruit. We can hardly find a close, loyal and trustworthy collaboration like that of our two countries," Zoido told the press after the meeting. He underlined that regular meetings and the sharing of experiences and information between the security services of the two countries have consolidated and strengthened this "excellent cooperation" in addressing common security challenges. Recalling that this is his first visit to a foreign country since taking office last November, Zoido expressed his country's strong determination to preserve and further consolidate the close ties with Morocco. For his part, Hassad said the relations between Morocco and Spain are of a very high level, thanks to the direct contacts between the leaders of the the two countries. This meeting was an opportunity to discuss all the subjects of common interest for the two countries, he noted, praising the cooperation between the Moroccan and Spanish security services. WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Wednesday marked the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii that claimed more than 2,400 American lives. As many as 2,403 Americans were killed and about 20 U.S. vessels were sunk or damaged and over 300 U.S. aircrafts were damaged or destroyed when over 350 Japanese warplanes launched attacks stealthily. For the remaining survivors, the nightmarish scenes of Japanese ferocity linger on even after over seven decades. "I can't forget it. I never will," said 104-year-old survivor Ray Chaves in an interview with NBC News. "In the hours after the attack, President Roosevelt promised that 'the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.' Thanks to the heroism of a generation, we did," said U.S. President Barack Obama in a statement. The attack came as a shock to the Americans and directly led to U.S. entry into World War II. On Aug. 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. Another U.S. nuclear strike was launched on the Japanese city of Nagasaki three days later. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945. As the Americans were mourning the colossal loss inflicted by the Japanese, the news came that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, unpopular among the Asian countries for his unapologetic approach to Japan's wartime history, would visit the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor at the end of December. However, observers said that Abe was not expected to apologize for the attack on Pearl Harbor. Abe's unexpected decision to visit Pearl Harbor came about six months after Obama visited Japan's Hiroshima early this year. Apart from reciprocating Obama's visit to Hiroshima, Abe's upcoming trip to Pearl Harbor was believed to be the latest step by the Japanese government to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration next January. During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly ripped U.S. defense of Japan as one-sided and expensive deal. Japan's Kyodo News quoted a senior Japanese official as saying that since the election of Trump, Japan had been forced to think how best to show Trump that Japan was a trustworthy partner. GAZA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Two Hamas movement militants were killed on Wednesday when an underground tunnel collapsed while they were performing a military mission in it in eastern Gaza, the group and medics said. Ashraf al-Qedra, Gaza health ministry spokesman, told reporters in Gaza that Ismail Shamali and Rami A'rear, residents of al-Shuja'eya neighborhood, were sent to Shifa Hospital in Gaza city on Wednesday night after they were killed. The group said the two were members of al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas movement's armed wing, and they died while they carrying out a military mission into one of the tunnels in eastern Gaza city. Since the beginning of this year, 26 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants were killed and dozens injured while they were carrying out military activities into tunnels the two movements dug underneath the Gaza Strip. In the summer of 2014, Israel waged a large-scale air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip that lasted for 50 days, and killed around 2,200 Palestinians and more than 70 Israelis. Israel waged the war on the Gaza Strip to damage dozens of tunnels dug near the borders between Hamas-ruled coastal enclave and Israel. TUNIS, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Foreign investments in Tunisia declined by about 10 percent in the first 10 months of 2016 compared to the same period last year, the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) announced on Wednesday. Foreign investments amounted to 700 million U.S. dollars during the first 10 months of this year, according to FIPA. It attributed this fall to the decline in the service sector investments by almost 48 percent. Observers believe the foreign investments prospect in Tunisia are promising in light of the success of the recent international investment conference held in Tunis on November. 29 and 30. LUSAKA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Ecobank, a pan-African bank, has denied media reports that its operations in Zambia will soon cease as it was facing liquidity problems, the bank said in a statement Thursday. The Nigerian-headquarter bank said it has since embarked on a strategic plan to focus on growing its business in Zambia through innovation and technology. "Ecobank is here to stay and we are progressing with the strategic plans set for the entire Central, East and Southern Africa region. We are consolidating our businesses to ensure that we give our customers optimal service. In Zambia, we are focused at enabling our customers to transact their business efficiently, conveniently and fast," Kola Adeleke, the bank's managing director in Zambia said in a statement. Some local media have reported that Ecobank was on the verge of closing its operations in Zambia because it was allegedly insolvency. This follows the takeover of another commercial bank, the Intermarket Banking Corporation, by the country's central bank last week. But the bank has denied reports of being insolvency, saying its capital adequacy ratio was 37 percent way above minimum requirement of 10 percent and liquidity ratio of 34 percent against minimum regulatory requirement of six percent. These results attest to the trajectory the bank is taking while delivering cutting edge service to its customers, he added. The country' s central bank has already stated that no other bank will be closed while the government has assured of a stable financial sector. UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has begun emergency distributions of seeds and tools in Haiti to help disaster-affected families produce food and restore livelihoods, the deputy UN spokesman, Farhan Haq. told reporters here Wednesday. Hurricane Matthew struck during Haiti's second main harvest time, causing losses to agriculture of 580 million U.S. dollars and striking a major blow to the small Caribbean country's food security, Haq said at a daily news briefing here, citing information from the FAO. "Family farming -- a primary food source for most Haitians -- took an especially heavy blow in the hurricane that wiped out 90 percent of the country's harvest," Haq said. Some 1.4 million people are in need of food assistance and out of this number, some 600,000 base their livelihood exclusively on agriculture, he noted. In the heaviest-hit areas, including Grand'Anse, parts of Nippes, and Sud departments, more than 75 percent of the population is struggling with the effects of the hurricane, as livelihoods based on agriculture, livestock and fisheries were almost completely destroyed. To address both immediate and long-term food needs, FAO is collaborating with the World Food Programme (WFP), which provide food aid to the same families that receive FAO emergency seeds as planting materials. This ensures farming families can use the seeds distributed for growing vegetables to recover their livelihoods and feed their communities in the months to come. Last week alone, in the presence of Haiti's agriculture minister Pierre Guito Laurore, FAO has begun distributing emergency supplies to some 22 500 people in Marfranc, one of the hardest-hit parts of Grand'Anse department. These communities received 15 tonnes of seeds that will produce an estimated 75 tonnes of green beans and 90 tonnes of lima beans for hurricane-affected families. These short-cycle crops are ideal in emergencies as they provide food quickly. In an effort to reboot sweet potato production, farming communities will further benefit from the distribution of over 2.2 million sweet potato cuttings for planting in the winter growing season. In all, FAO emergency intervention for the winter staple crop season and short-cycle horticultural crops will have, by mid-December, reached 25 050 households -- 125, 250 people, in the most affected departments of Haiti, including 5 400 households in Grand'Anse, 15,150 in Sud, 2,000 in Nord-Ouest, 1,500 in the Artibonite, and another 1,000 across Sud-Est and Ouest. FAO is also providing immediate assistance to 1,500 fisher families and 2,500 herder families. In October, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that 1.4 million Haitians were in need of humanitarian aid, including cholera vaccines, just a few days after the passage of Hurricane Matthew, which reportedly killed more than 1,000 people in the small island country. Haiti is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters and has suffered greatly in recent years. It is frequently battered by hurricane, with Hurricane Jeanne killing at least 3,000 people in 2004. People attend the 75th anniversary commemoration of Pearl Harbor attack, at the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C., the United States, Dec. 7, 2016. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Wednesday marked the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii that claimed more than 2,400 American lives. As many as 2,403 Americans were killed and about 20 U.S. vessels were sunk or damaged and over 300 U.S. aircrafts were damaged or destroyed when over 350 Japanese warplanes launched attacks stealthily. A Pearl Harbor survivor veteran is seen during the 75th anniversary commemoration of Pearl Harbor attack, at the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C., the United States, Dec. 7, 2016. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) For the remaining survivors, the nightmarish scenes of Japanese ferocity linger on even after over seven decades. "I can't forget it. I never will," said 104-year-old survivor Ray Chaves in an interview with NBC News. "In the hours after the attack, President Roosevelt promised that 'the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.' Thanks to the heroism of a generation, we did," said U.S. President Barack Obama in a statement. The attack came as a shock to the Americans and directly led to U.S. entry into World War II. On Aug. 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. Another U.S. nuclear strike was launched on the Japanese city of Nagasaki three days later. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945. U.S. Vice President-elect Mike Pence(2nd R), U.S. Republican Senator John McCain(3 R) and Pearl Harbor survivor veteran Bill Flatters attend the 75th anniversary commemoration of Pearl Harbor attack, at the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C., the United States, Dec. 7, 2016. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) As the Americans were mourning the colossal loss inflicted by the Japanese, the news came that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, unpopular among the Asian countries for his unapologetic approach to Japan's wartime history, would visit the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor at the end of December. However, observers said that Abe was not expected to apologize for the attack on Pearl Harbor. Abe's unexpected decision to visit Pearl Harbor came about six months after Obama visited Japan's Hiroshima early this year. People attend the 75th anniversary commemoration of Pearl Harbor attack, at the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C., the United States, Dec. 7, 2016. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Apart from reciprocating Obama's visit to Hiroshima, Abe's upcoming trip to Pearl Harbor was believed to be the latest step by the Japanese government to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration next January. During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly ripped U.S. defense of Japan as one-sided and expensive deal. Japan's Kyodo News quoted a senior Japanese official as saying that since the election of Trump, Japan had been forced to think how best to show Trump that Japan was a trustworthy partner. UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is "closely monitoring the impact of the earthquake in Indonesia," which national authorities say has killed more than 90 people, the deputy UN spokesman, Farhan Haq, said here Wednesday. "No official request for assistance has been made yet, but the United Nations stands ready to support Indonesia as required," Haq said at a daily news briefing here. At least 97 people have been killed and more than 600 others suffered from wounds after a powerful and shallow underland quake hit western Indonesia's Aceh Province earlier Wednesday, reports said. The 6.4 magnitude quake had left 613 people injured and more than 200 houses, shop buildings, school buildings, mosques and buildings damaged, Heni Nurmaini, press officer for emergency affairs at the provincial disaster agency, told Xinhua by phone. The quake jolted at 05:03 a.m. Jakarta time Wednesday (22:03 GMT Tuesday) with epicenter at 18 km northeast Pidie Jaya district and depth at 10 km under land, an official of the meteorology and geophysics agency told Xinhua in Jakarta. People ride a tricycle as they flee deeper into the remaining rebel-held areas of Aleppo, Syria December 7, 2016. (Xinhua/REUTERS) UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations is "deeply concerned about the safety, protection and well-being of civilians" in Syria's Aleppo, particularly those still trapped in the besieged enclave of eastern Aleppo, including humanitarian workers, a UN spokesman told reporters here Wednesday. "Fighting has dramatically spread and intensified in the last 24 hours, leading to deaths and injuries of dozens of people in eastern and western Aleppo," Farhan Haq, the deputy UN spokesman, said at a daily news briefing here. The United Nations has received reports of more civilians displaced, including an estimated 800 people from east Aleppo who arrived at the cotton factory site in Jibreen on Tuesday and more than 1,200 people who arrived in Hanano, a neighborhood that has been retaken by the Syrian government, Haq said. "The overall number of displaced people remains extremely difficult to gauge at this time, as the UN does not have verifiable information about new displacements and people continue to arrive and leave existing shelters and lodge with family members," he said. "The UN is following the situation closely and providing assistance to all those fleeing eastern Aleppo city," he added. Some 31,500 civilians have been displaced within Aleppo since fighting between warring factions escalated on Nov. 24, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported last Friday. Over half, or 18,000, of those who have been forced to flee their homes have done so to Jibreen, a government-held district of western Aleppo, OCHA said. Though unable to reach civilians who have not left eastern parts of the war-torn city, the UN said Thursday that it is able to provide much needed food and medical aid to those who have done so. According to OCHA, Damascus has regained control of several neighbourhoods and civilian infrastructure in east Aleppo, including the Suleiman Al-Halabi water station. UNTIED NATIONS, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Wednesday appealed for regional approach to tackle security threats in Central Africa that posed by the extremist group Boko Haram as well as its humanitarian impacts on the region. Juan Manuel Gonzalez de Linares, deputy permanent representative of Spain to the UN, told reporters here that the 15-nation council remains concerned by the security challenges in the region. Speaking under Spain's presidency of the Security Council for this month, Gonzalez de Linares said that council members stressed the important role of preventive diplomacy and mediation efforts for peace and stability in Central Africa. The Security Council made the appeal after Francois Lounceny Fall, UN envoy for Central Africa, told the council that Boko Haram remains a serious threat to regional stability and "its capacity to cause mayhem should not be underestimated." Fall said though a multinational joint task force has reclaimed much of the territory controlled by Boko Haram, the group continues to carry out asymmetric attacks, mainly targeting civilians. Therefore, he called for timely support for the Multinational Joint Task Force of the Lake Chad Basin countries in terms of finances, logistics and equipment to strengthen the force's operational capacity and maintain progress made. "The complete eradication of the group will remain a long-term venture through sustained determination and vigilance, coupled with a holistic approach aimed at tackling the root causes of violent extremism, including marginalization and extreme poverty," he added. Boko Haram is an Islamic extremist group based in northeast Nigeria, also active in Chad, Niger and northern Cameroon. Since the current insurgency started in 2009, it has killed 20,000 and displaced 2.3 million from their homes. DUBLIN, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Fitch credit rating agency on Wednesday revised the outlook for the Irish banking sector to stable from positive. The rating agency said it made the revision as Britain's withdrawal from the European Union (EU) had increased uncertainty for Irish banks' operating environment. But it said Ireland's economic recovery should remain strong in the short term, underpinning the stable sector outlook. "The rating outlook on Irish banks is positive, reflecting our expectation that improving bank credit fundamentals should outweigh these challenges," the agency added. Fitch said Brexit is negative for Ireland's long-term economic and political prospects, putting pressure on GDP growth and creating uncertainty around relations with Northern Ireland. It said the extent of any weakening of the bank operating environment, triggered by a slowdown of GDP growth in Britain, sterling depreciation, or potential trade barriers, will become clear only as EU-Britain negotiations develop. A deterioration in the operating environment could slow any improvements in the asset quality and capitalisation of Irish banks, the agency warned. Fitch also said the asset quality of Irish banks is sensitive to the performance of the real-estate sector. Ireland's house prices have increased in recent years, although the introduction of loan-to-value and loan-to-income limits by the country's central bank in 2015 did slow the market. "We expect residential property prices to grow 3 percent-4 percent for 2017, supported by continued housing shortages and an improving economy," it said. Fitch said capitalisation, although improving, remains vulnerable. "We expect capital ratios to strengthen in 2017, despite pressure from volatility in pension fund deficits and foreign-exchange markets," it said. "Although uncertainty as regards the operating environment has increased, we believe credit fundamentals will improve in 2017, as the sector continues to work through its backlog of impaired loans," the agency concluded. NEW YORK, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Starbucks said on Wednesday that its fast-growing China market could one day eclipse that in the U.S.. The company unveiled its five-year strategic plan at its biennial investor conference on Wednesday in New York City. According to the plan, the company eyes to grow revenue by 10 percent, and earnings per share by 15-20 percent as it plans to open approximately 12,000 new stores globally by 2021. In China alone, the store count will be doubled in the next five years. Starbucks' China market expansion was emphasized by the company's leadership at the investor conference. China is Starbucks' fastest growing market and the largest international market. The company now operates approximately 2,500 stores in 118 cities in China, employing more than 30,000 partners (employees) and serving over five million customers every week, said Belinda Wong, chief executive officer of Starbucks China. To expand its Chinese market, the company reached a strategic partnership with Tencent, a leading provider of internet value-added services in China. Starting from Thursday, Starbucks will introduce the use of WeChat Pay for purchases in its retail stores across China in an effort to elevate the in-store experience for customers. In accordance with the company's digital flywheel and mobile system, Starbucks co-created a new social gifting feature on Wechat. Starting from early 2017, the over 800 million global monthly active WeChat users will be able to send Starbucks-branded gifts and products to another person through WeChat. Recipients can redeem their gifts at a local Starbucks store. The online-to-offline social gifting platform will deepen Starbucks' engagement with its customers and introduce the brand to new customers, said Wong. "Despite our early success, we are only in the beginning chapters of our growth story," Wong added. The brand's higher-end Roasteries and Reserve stores will be another driving force for Starbucks' growth. They sell premium coffee and offer customers experience with the craft of roasting and brewing coffee. The company plans to open its first international Roastery in Shanghai next year. SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Search and recovery operations have ended in the early morning of Wednesday for victims of the worst fire in Oakland, a city in northern California, on the U.S. west coast. While fire crews and heavy machinery were gone, few workers remained at the site after midnight to remove debris from the two-story warehouse, where a total of 36 people, mostly in their 20s and 30s, were killed in the fire that started from Friday night through Saturday morning. Also remained were shrines put up by mourners with flowers, candles, notes and others along sidewalks leading to the structure, named "Ghost Ship" by Derick Ion Almena, the man who turned the warehouse into the site of an arts collective, a residence for his family and reportedly some other tenants, and an underground party venue. At the time of the fire, an electronic music party was going on, supposedly from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach-Reed said there was no sign of fire alarms and no evidence of a sprinkler system. Winding down the search was expected, as officials in the past two days repeatedly said it was unlikely to find more bodies, and the operations cleared 90 percent of areas within the building as of Tuesday afternoon, and precipitation was likely starting Wednesday across San Francisco Bay Area, including Oakland on the East Bay. At 1:00 a.m., a young couple came up at one of the shrines. The woman wrote a few lines on a book there, about her prayers for the dead; and the man said he knew somebody among the victims through a friend. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi speaks during a press conference in Rome Dec. 5, 2016. Matteo Renzi on early Monday announced resignation, as exit polls showed the Sunday referendum opposed constitutional reforms. (Xinhua/Jin Yu) by Alessandra Cardone ROME, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi formally resigned Wednesday evening but President Sergio Mattarella asked his cabinet stay in office for day-to-day administration before handing over to a transition government. He formally handed in his resignation to Mattarella after the country's 2017 budget was approved in Senate. Renzi's resignation came three days after he suffered a sounding defeat in a referendum on a cabinet-backed constitutional reform held on Sunday. Renzi had already submitted his resignation on Monday, but was asked by the president to remain in office until the budget bill passed, which happened Wednesday afternoon. The resignation now opened the way for the president to launch a round of talks with all party leaders in order to name a new prime minister, and form a transition government. Renzi's cabinet would remain in office for handling the state's administrative affairs, while the president "will start consultations at 6 p.m.(1700 GMT) on Thursday," Secretary General to the Presidency of the Republic Ugo Zampetti stated. The first round of talks is expected to end by Saturday. Earlier in the afternoon, Renzi had gathered the leadership of his center-left Democratic Party(PD), which is the largest in parliament, to outline its political strategy for the government crisis. "Our party does not fear democracy, nor vote. As such, if the other political forces want early elections, they just have to say it clearly," Renzi said, referring to the other parties calling for early elections. He added the PD would also be open to a national unity government including all major parties, with the aim of overseeing a new electoral law, and the international appointments awaiting Italy in 2017. "Yet, all the other forces will have to take the same responsibility in this case. The PD had already paid the price of solitude," Renzi stressed. Renzi, now 41, became Italy's youngest prime minister in February 2014, pledging to implement a wide political and economic reform agenda. The constitutional reform would have streamlined Italy's law-making process by demoting the senate, and leaving to the lower house only the power to bring down cabinets and control national legislation. According to the oppositions, which joined forces in the No camp, the reform would concentrate too much power in the executive branch. The reform was rejected by over 59 percent of voters on Sunday, and Renzi, as previously vowed, announced he would take the full responsibility of the defeat and step down. Among opposition forces, anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and anti-immigration Northern League were now those pressing hardest for early elections. Yet, in order to take this path, the current electoral law would need to be changed, or at least amended. In fact, it was approved in 2015 already foreseeing a demoted senate, as proposed in the rejected constitutional reform law, and does not provide complete rules for the upper house. Furthermore, Italy's Highest Court will rule on the law's legitimacy next month. For these reasons, president Mattarella was said to be much against new elections "before an homogeneous electoral law for both houses" was approved. A voter casts her ballot in Accra, Ghana, on Dec. 7, 2016. Ghana's general elections began from 7 a.m. (0700 GMT) on Wednesday, with more than 15 million registered voters casting their ballots at 29,000 polling stations across the country. (Xinhua/Shi Song) Three wounded in Diego shooting Rondell Ali who was seated in the passengers seat, was shot three times while bullets grazed Akini Parris, the driver, and Ralph Ali the latter seated in the back seat of the car. Police and emergency services were alerted and the three wounded men were taken to the Portof- Spain General Hospital where Ralph and Akini were treated and discharged. Ali who was shot in the torso remains warded under police guard at hospital. No arrest has been made and investigations are continuing. Students held for beating teacher Upon arriving outside the school, the KFC delivery man was ambushed by seven students who proceeded to rob him of boxes of KFC. Teacher Roberts, who saw the incident then proceded to confront the students and attempted to take the chicken back, when he was beaten by several male students before other teachers intervened. Officers of the Belmont Police Station were called in and two of the students involved in the incident were arrested and up to press time were being questioned up to late yesterday afternoon. Sources within the school revealed that the two students, aged 16 and 17, have had numerous disciplinary problems in the past. Investigations are ongoing. Judge orders man to be freed Jhardat had gone to Ameeralis home at Bramble Alex Trace, Cumuto to drop off money for his daughter but was refused entry by his father-in-law, who chased him away with a cutlass and while cursing, threatened to chop Jhardat. The latter armed himself with a piece of wood and he and Ameerali exchanged blows. Jhardat received a chop wound to the shoulder while Ameerali suffered fatal head injuries. At his trial, Jhardats estranged common-law wife Joan testified as a hostile witness and at his appeal, Jhardats attorney Sophia Chote SC, argued that the trial judge failed to give the jury adequate directions on the issue of self-defence. This, Chote submitted, led to a miscarriage of justice by depriving her client of a complete acquittal. Chotes submissions found favour with the Justices of Appeal Alice Yorke-Soo Hon, Rajendra Narine and Mark Mohammed, who held that while the judges legal directions on self-defence were technically correct, the jury was not adequately directed on the issue of retreat and did not marshal the evidence in the case and link it to the directions on self-defence. In disposing of the appeal, the judges quashed Jhardats conviction and set side the prison sentence and ordered no retrial as they found that the omissions in the directions on self-defence deprived the prisoner of the benefit of an outright acquittal. Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Joan Honore-Paul and Assistant DPP Angelica Teelucksingh-Ramoutar represented the State at the appeal. $1,500 fine for stealing relatives phones Sean Bishop, 36, a father of five, appeared before senior magistrate Nanette Forde-John in the San Fernando Magistrates court, charged with stealing a Samsung S6 iPhone and an Apple iPhone, both valued $6,000. Bishop pleaded guilty to the charge and the magistrate was told by court prosecutor PC Cleyon Seedan that at about midday on November 29, a woman secured her home on The Line at Southern Main Road, St Margarets Village near Claxton Bay. Magistrate Forde-John asked Bishop why he stole the phone and he answered, I have good reason. The accused related that there were approximately 20 children who live in the community where he lives, and certain nefarious things were going on which he disliked. In those phones I took, it have certain nefarious numbers which the police want to know. I just wanted to pass them to the police, because I also have five children and certain things that have been going on have to stop, the accused said. Magistrate Forde-John fined Bishop $1,500 and granted him 40 days to pay, failing which he must serve four months in prison. SRPs suspended after misbehaviour charges Constables Robert Modeste, Nicholas Henry and Anderson Richards appeared before Magistrate Marcia Ayres-Caesar on Monday to face charges of corruptly soliciting money from a man whom they wrongly accused of human trafficking. Modeste was charged with attempting to corruptly obtain $45,000 in cash; Henry was charged with misbehaviour in public office for corruptly soliciting $2,000 and Richards was jointly charged with misbehaviour in public office, for corruptly soliciting $45,000 along with the two other officers. Bail was set at $90,000, $80,000 and $60,000 for Modeste, Henry and Richards, respectively. Both Richards and Modeste are required to present themselves to the Morvant Police station twice weekly, while Henry must present himself to the Four Roads Police station. Magistrate Ayres-Caesar also ordered the accused to refrain from making any contact with the complainant. The trio was arrested on November 30. Charges were laid by Ag Cpl David Simon. Unions hit criticism of Industrial Court At a news briefing outside the court, Roge who is head of the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM), called on others in society, including Cabinet Ministers, to also defend the Industrial Court on what he saw as an attack on its independence. He said while the JTUM may not agree with some of the courts rulings, JTUM had never criticised the court, unlike the businessman. Alleging an unrelenting and frontal attack on the court by the businessman, Roget said, To have the temerity to suggest that the Industrial Court is ruling in favour of the unions and that it is bad for business and productivity, and that the judges were trained in Siberia under Stalin, is an open attack on the court. He said if the High Court and Appeal Court cannot be so attacked, why is the Industrial Court attacked? Roget said without the Industrial Court the country would collapse into anarchy and chaos. He alleged a deafening silence from the Cabinet which, he said, should declare its support for the courts independence, specially calling on a statement by Attorney- General Faris Al-Rawi, who is Cabinets legal advisor, and Labour Minister, Jennifer Baptiste-Primus. This is especially so given the Governments efforts to push tripartisism. We are not happy with all the courts judgements but we dont launch vicious attack on the independence and sanctity of the Industrial Court. We are calling for contempt proceedings against those making these inciteful remarks against the court, Roget said. The National Trade Union Centre (NATUC), in a statement from its general secretary, Michael Annisette, also condemned the businessmans words, as misleading and calculated. Claiming clear evidence exists to show equality in the court, Annisette said that to blame low productivity on the court is misleading and mischievous. Saying the employee sees the workforce as an expense, Annisette said workers generate wealth for the nation to grow and sustain itself. We in the NATUC are concerned about job creation, sustainable jobs and living wages but, at the same time, it cannot and must not be that we have productivity and a level of redistribution where the wealth is reassigned to just a few, said Annisette. Annisette alleged that many employers still see the relationship between the employer and the worker as that of master and servant. In that context therefore, one cannot blame the Industrial Court if the employer fails to adhere to the set standards of proper industrial relations practices. Victor Hart calls for EITI legislation Hart issued this call at a EITI seminar held at Tower D of the Port-of- Spain International Waterfront Centre on Monday. Noting the EITI is currently in its sixth year of implementation, Hart said the accrued benefits to Government, companies and civil society, attest that it has been a success. However Hart said for the EITI to have sustained success going forward, it needs to be embedded in the countrys legal framework. He explained, An EITI Act will facilitate the efficient implementation of the EITI, by making companies participation mandatory, instead of voluntary as now obtains, and by removing the confidentiality restriction of the Income Tax Act. On this particular issue, Hart said former energy minister Nicole Olivierre made a request to Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi to add the Committees name to the Auditor- General to be given exemption from the confidentiality restrictions. Hart also said the Auditor General is also currently denied access to revenue receipt records at the Energy Ministry. He hoped that parliamentarians will find the contents of the EITI report helpful when they participate in the Budget debate on matters relating to the oil, gas and quarry sectors. Hart added the EITI is the best assurance that TT is collecting the full revenues for which it is entitled from the energy sector. He said the annual EITI audit of company payments and government receipts is a major disincentive to corruption in the sector. Regional forum on Forensics and Ballistics She made the statements during her welcome address to delegates from the Caribbean, the United States and Canada who participated in a forum on Forensics and Ballistics, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port-of- Spain on Monday. It is important to understand that our efforts in order to be effective cannot be confined to individual country initiatives. There must be greater collaboration and communication between our countries, as far as exchanging information, intelligence gathering and improving training initiatives in the field of forensic science and ballistics, Jennings-Smith, lamented that the failure of investigators to properly secure and maintain evidence and the lack of standardized protocols in ballisitcs, have contributed to the recent backlog of criminal cases in local courts, further stifling the effectiveness of courts to convict firearm related offences. A reality in Trinidad and Tobago is the significant backlog of criminal cases before our courts. As a result of this, cases are ranked on priority and are not dealt with as quickly as they should. This should bolster our need to improve the evidence gathering process and rethink our quality management protocols to further streamline work processing. Callixtus Joseph, Regional Crime and Security Coordinator for the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), echoed, the Ministers call for further review and assessment of current evidence gathering techniques and urged regional leaders to remain proactive in their fight against crime and criminality, adding that a culture of violence in the region has taken hold of daily life. We must address the issue of rising incidence of firearm related homicides. Illicit firearms are now a part of growing culture of violence in the Caribbean region and it is something that affects everyone, as such cases chokes our development and tarnishes the image of the entire region. According to reports from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), violent crimes decreased by 6.7 percent in 2015, however approximately 81 percent of murders involved the use of a firearm as the weapon of choice. The two-day forum, sponsored by the governments of the United States and Canada, and the United Nations Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), is aimed at improving capacity- building in the field of forensic science and ballistics testing. The organisation which is geared towards tackling issues of violent crimes and international terrorism in the Caribbean, has in the past facilitated training programmes for various law enforcement agencies in the Caribbean in these fields as part of attempts to reduce the incidence of gun-related crimes and gain better insight into patterns of illegal arms trafficking within the region. SEPOS: Ethnic group stonewalled Our experience is when it comes to the distribution of lands, or any form of resources towards self-development, one specific ethnic composition are being subjected to being stonewalled...And that is to refuse to cooperate, and what has happened to us during the course of the years, is that every administration has failed socially disadvantaged communities, especially in the East Port of Spain. East Port-of-Spain and every socially disadvantage community has no heroes And SE POS at this point in time, has posed ourselves to be heroes for the socially disadvantaged, the socially disenfranchised and those who have been stonewalled by every administration. To this end, the organisation has taken the decision to commence a community grow box agricultural initiative, to engender employment opportunities and help the country in its drive for food security President of SE POS, Michael Morgan, also said that they have called on Line Minister, Paula Gopee-Scoon to look again at a pending lease agreement for the Duncan Street Complex. We plan to utilise private investors to refurbish the building thereby enhancing our community social services delivery apparatus. Our community is experiencing a dangerous level of degradation, for example, clogged drains and the Sea Lots Water Front oil spill to name a few. Young: Simple process in Grande Speaking with reporters following the swearing in of new councillors of the Port-of-Spain City Corporation at City Hall, Port-of-Spain, Young said the next step with respect to the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation would be the announcement of the dates for the swearing in of councillors and aldermen. Following the release of the EBCs final local government election results, the political parties in all 14 corporations have a four-day period to approve the allocation of aldermen to the respective corporations. Once this happens, the corporations proceed to swear-in councillors and aldermen and elect their respective chairmen or mayors. All political parties which contested the November 28 Local Government election submitted their lists of aldermen to the EBC on November 7 (Nomination Day). As far as Sangre Grande is concerned, Young said, We see it as quite a simple process as far as we are concerned and as we have stated before. Asked if the UNC had any legal grounds to challenge the PNM for control of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation, Young replied, Certainly not from the PNMs perspective. We are going to be proceeding in accordance with the law as we always do. At a post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair on December 1, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley supported a position advanced by PNM chairman Franklin Khan on November 29 that the party will retain control of Sangre Grande. Once the results were clear enough to us and we sought proper legal advice, the Prime Minister said. We got it and as soon as we got it, we made that advice available to the public. Politicized, inaccurate coverage of OSU attack is a perfect example why not to trust the mainstream media We have waged war on the mainstream media for good reason. They have proven themselves not only to be completely untrustworthy over the years, but also quite dangerous in their reporting on numerous issues. This has never been more apparent than recently, when the mainstream media prematurely reported the Ohio State University terrorist attack as being an act of gun violence. Of course, we all quickly learned that the only gun used in the event was the one fired by the heroic police officer that shot and killed the attacking radical Muslim, but that didnt stop the left from pushing their agendas. Jay Syrmopoulos of Blacklisted News reports, This phenomenon highlights exactly how the fog of war, and rush to be the first to report on a story, can result in a story being reported fallaciously. Of course, the narrative sold by the mainstream is that alternative media is unreliable, and thus, corporate media must be relied upon as the standard bearers of truthful and legitimate information. Conveniently, the mainstream media also managed to completely avoid mentioning the fact that the Abdul Razak Ali Artan, the attacker, was inspired by ISIS and radical Islam in order to carry out his act of terror. Yes, somehow these people managed to take a knife and car assault at the hands of an Islamic terrorist into an assault on the Second Amendment. While this may sound completely irrational and it certainly is there is actually a pretty good reason why the Regressive Left did this. Though we often want to pass these people off as being completely idiotic, they really seem to know what they are doing when it comes to getting the mainstream media to ignore the truth. They constantly manage to distract them from the real story by mentioning something completely unrelated. So while the real story of the OSU situation should have been the fact that an Islamic refugee from Somalia attempted to murder a bunch of innocent people in the name of his twisted religious views, it instead became about whether or not America should enforce gun control. The fact that the mainstream media are so easily manipulated by the Regressive Left shows all of us that they cannot be taken seriously any longer. During the wake of the fake news controversy, it is all too apparent that the alternative media is the legitimate media now. The mainstream has become a joke and its time to treat them as such. Sources: BlacklistedNews.com ABC6OnYourSide.com TheBlaze.com Submit a correction >> PM pained by Cho's death Delhi,National,Media,Politics, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said he was pained by the death of actor and journalist Cho Ramaswamy, whom he described as a "towering intellectual". Ramaswamy breathed his last in Chennai on Wednesday. "Cho Ramaswamy was a multi-dimensional personality, towering intellectual, great nationalist and fearless voice who was respected and admired," Modi tweeted. Modi said he was pained by the news of his passing away. "Above all, Ramaswamy was a dear friend. I have been to his annual readers' meeting which were an unprecedented editor-reader interface," he said. Modi said Ramaswamy was insightful, frank and brilliant. The Prime Minister also expressed his condolences to the family and "countless readers of Thuglak" magazine, which Cho founded and edited. Modi also shared a video on his Twitter page where Ramaswamy called him a "Merchant of Death". "The feisty Cho Ramaswamy introduces me as the 'Merchant of Death'. Do watch this memorable interaction," Modi said. --IANS kd/py/mr Punjab Police crackdown on radical leaders Punjab,National,Politics,Religion,Defence/Security,Terrorism, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Chandigarh, Dec 7 (IANS) Punjab Police have detained senior leaders and activists of radical Sikh organisations ahead of 'Sarbat Khalsa', officials said on Wednesday. Among those detained were Gurdeep Singh, Parminder Singh and 30 others from Bathinda district. Raids were being conducted to round up other radical leaders as well. Radical Sikh organisations and leaders have called for a 'Sarbat Khalsa' (grand assembly of Sikhs) in the Sikh religious town of Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district on December 8. The congregation has been called just before assembly elections early next year. Radical Sikhs on November 10 last year announced the appointment of convicted Khalistan terrorist Jagtar Singh Hawara as the Jathedar (chief) of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikh religion. The congregation of radicals held in Chaba near Amritsar had also announced the "removal" of all Sikh high priests. Hawara was convicted in the assassination conspiracy of then Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, who was killed by a human bomb in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995. Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali Dal later rejected all the resolutions passed at the unofficial 'Sarbat Khalsa'. The Akali Dal termed the congregation as "a gathering of anti-Panthic forces". --IANS js/py/mr Took me four films to appreciate acting: Prithviraj Kerala,Cinema/Showbiz,Southern Cinema, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Kochi, Dec 7 (IANS) Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, who made his acting debut at the age of 19 with 2002 film "Nandanam", says it took him four to five films to enjoy the process of acting and take his career seriously. As a youngster, he wasn't sure if acting was his true calling. "I did my first film thinking I'd go back to do what I was doing. I remember sending an email and requesting for an extension of my holiday when I was supposed to start my second film. Frankly, I did not enjoy the process of acting in the first few films," Prithviraj told IANS here, adding the breakthrough happened after starring in five films. "It took me four to five films to appreciate what I was doing and develop the desire to learn acting," he said. A decade and a half later with nearly 100 films to his credit, mostly in Malayalam, Prithviraj is an established star, and he's now keen on being part of "films that aren't forgotten". In retrospection, he said: "I was always dealing with cinema that was more evolved than I am as an actor at any given point of time. I don't think a lot of youngsters or even my contemporaries had such opportunities." "I did 'Stop Violence' when I was 19, and when I look back I'm sure I couldn't comprehend the character. I was just a youngster brought up in a well-to-do household and didn't know anything about goondaism. I was 21 when I played a 55-year-old writer in 'Akale'," he said, admitting playing such characters at the very beginning of his career contributed to the process of refinement. How does one keep motivated in an industry this long? "I'm not going to lie and say that every film and every shot is new to me because most of the times you do a shot and you realise it's another version of some other shot, especially when you've been acting for this long," he explained. In order to grow and keep oneself motivated, Prithviraj believes an actor should find himself in uncomfortable spots. "It's when, figuratively and literally, you fall into a rut and you get comfortable doing what you've always done, there's no source of motivation," he added. Asked if stardom has not come in the way of his growth, he said: "You need to know what's your stardom based on and only then will you realise if it's a burden or not. As long as your stardom is not based on something you have to live up to, then it doesn't become a burden. There was a phase when people led me to believe my stardom is based on action cinema and that affected my career. Thankfully, that phase didn't last long." Is that why he's constantly reinventing? "It's completely based on the kind of cinema that comes to me. Out of the blue, I get something nobody has been offered before," he said. "In between 'Ivide' and 'Pavada', films that were poles apart, there was a 'Double Barrel', 'Ennu Ninte Moideen', 'Amar Akbar Anthony' and 'Anarkali'. When written on paper and told to someone that the same actor is going to play all these characters, it would seem impossible. It's not my effort to reinvent but different filmmakers saw these characters in me and that way I consider myself blessed," he added. Prithviraj is also a successful producer, and under the banner of August Cinema he has produced films such as "Urumi", "Indian Rupee" and "Anuraga Karikkin Vellam" among others. As a producer, his motive is not to make money. "I make money from acting and Malayalam industry pays me handsomely. I don't want my production house to be money-making machinery but I don't want to lose money either. I can very vociferously tell you that whatever money August Cinema has made so far has been invested back in cinema," he said. (Haricharan Pudipeddi can be contacted at haricharan.p@ians.in) --IANS hp/nn/vm Tweeting emoji at Google will surprise you United States,Technology, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New York, Dec 7 (IANS) If you tweet an emoji at Google, it will interpret it and show you relevant results. The feature that starts from Wednesday takes a few seconds to come up with relevant Google searches for an emoji. For example, if users have to find a restaurant in the area, they simply have to tweet the restaurant emoji at Google. In a few seconds, a link to Google search will appear with a map listing the restaurants. According to Google, there are 21 million tweets sent every hour and 600,000 of them contain at least one emoji. "A staggering 74 per cent of people in the US alone regularly use emojis, sending an average of 96 per day," said Google. The company also said that there were over 200 different emojis that will trigger results across places to eat, things to see and do, and "a few easter eggs thrown in too". --IANS qd/sm/mr Indian killed in UAE vehicle pile-up United Arab Emirates,Crime/Disaster/Accident,Diaspora, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Dubai, Dec 7 (IANS) A 60-year-old Indian man was killed in a pile-up traffic accident in Ras Al Khaimah city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a newspaper reported on Wednesday. Four others received moderate to minor injuries in the 26-vehicle pile-up on the Sheikh Mohammed bin Salem road, the Khaleej Times reported. The accident happened due to a dense fog and low visibility in the early peak hours, police sources said. The unidentified Indian, who was the only passenger who sustained serious injuries, was rushed to a hospital in a critical condition. "The victim sustained serious injuries and fractures, mainly in his head, and bled excessively due to the impact of the accident. He ... could not survive," the daily said. --IANS soni/mr Maharashtra Dr Death case: DNA samples of three victims match kins' Maharashtra,National,Crime/Disaster/Accident,Health/Medicine, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Satara (Maharashtra), Dec 7 (IANS) The DNA samples from the mortal remains of three of the six victims of the infamous medico Santosh Gulabrao Pol -- who earned the moniker of 'Dr. Death' -- and his nurse Jyoti Mandra, have matched with their relatives, an official said here on Wednesday. Wai town Senior Police Inspector Vinayak Vetal said the three victims' DNA sample reports are positive, two have not been sent, while there is nobody to match the samples of an orphan, Salma Sheikh. "The victims include Mangala Jedhe, Nathamal Bhandari and Jagabai Pol whose reports have tested positive at the Forensic Sciences Laboratory in Pune," said Vetal, who has been directing the investigations into the sensational case that broke out in August. Pol and Mandre have been charged with luring and killing at least six persons, including five women, with lethal injections, robbing them of their valuables and later burying their bodies at the medico's huge poultry farmhouse, about 13 km from picturesque Wai. --IANS qn/py/vt Indian Army to increase indigenous rocket regiments Delhi,National,Business/Economy,Defence/Security, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) The Indian Army, which currently operates two regiments of the indigenously-developed truck-mounted Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) systems, hopes to induct another eight by 2022 and is looking at increasing the number to 22 within a decade to add firepower to its artillery, an official said. The Pinaka system is designed and developed by two private entities, the Tatas and Larsen and Toubro (L&T), in association with Armament Research and Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is one of the rare successes of the private sector in manufacturing military hardware. "The first two Pinaka regiments were inducted during 2006-2010. L&T, which supplied the systems for one regiment, has been supporting them on an as-needed basis. The user (Indian Army) has plans for induction of 22 regiments overall and this is likely to be in a timeframe of a decade plus," Jayant D. Patil, Senior Vice President & Head - Defence & Aerospace, L&T, told IANS. For now, the Cabinet Committe on Security (CCS) in September cleared the raising of the third and fourth Pinaka regiments at a cost of over Rs 3,000 crore ($441 million). And the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) last month cleared a RFP (Request for Proposal) for six additional regiments at a cost of Rs 14,633 crore. Each regiment consists of three batteries of six Pinaka launchers, each capable of launching 12 rockets with a range of 40 km in a space of 44 seconds, in addition to support vehicles, a radar and a command post. The rockets in the 12 additional regiments will have an extended range of 70 km and are currently in the development process. Speaking on the distribution of the new regiments between Tata Power Strategic Electronic Division (SED) and L&T, Patil said: "Currently, contract signing for two regiments (negotiations for which concluded in January 2011) is under way and is likely to be inked soon. The RFP may detail the distribution of systems for the next six regiments." (On Monday, Tata Power SED received an order worth over Rs 200 crore for 20 launchers and eight command posts.) "Going by earlier precedence, the RFP is likely within the next few weeks. Thereafter, contracting is likely to be completed in about six months," Patil said. As for the extended-range version of the rocket system that L&T is developing, he said: "The requirements for Pinaka systems by the user is going to continue for over 15 years. As designers, and with the modularity in our design, we have catered for addressing obsolescence challenges." "The Pinaka systems released earlier were in joint development mode with DRDO. As such, no ToT (transfer of technology) has been taken by L&T so far. Systems designed by us have built-in factors of safety; the physical interface aspects have been addressed, and we do not envisage any major challenges in releasing the rockets with extended range," he added. Speaking on the extended version, Rahul Chaudhry, CEO - Tata Power SED, said the company has been working on the design, development and upgrades of the Pinaka since 1989 in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and DRDO. "Tata Power SED takes pride to be identified as an OEM for one of the few fully-indigenous Indian defence systems," he added. "Tata Power SED continues to invest in the programme and is committed to meet the requirements of the Indian Army. As part of our preparations, we have the necessary design, development and manufacturing capabilities in Mumbai and our existing production facility in Bangalore (Bengaluru). "In addition, we are currently making a significant investment in Vemagal (near Bengaluru) for a state-of-the-art defence manufacturing unit which will be operational soon and will be able to roll out Pinakas to meet any requirements of the army," Chaudhry added. Tata Power SED delivered one Pinaka regiment to the army between 2006 and 2010. (Rohit Srivastava can be contacted at rohit.s@ians.in) --IANS rs/vm/sac/ky Breathing rhythm can enhance memory recall, fear response United States,Lifestyle/Fashion,Health/Medicine, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New York, Dec 7 (IANS) It is not without any reason that we tend to breathe faster when we find ourselves in a dangerous situation. Scientists have now discovered that the rhythm of breathing creates electrical activity in the human brain that enhances emotional judgments and memory recall. These effects on behaviour depend critically on whether you inhale or exhale and whether you breathe through the nose or mouth. In the study, individuals were able to identify a fearful face more quickly if they encountered the face when breathing in compared to when breathing out. Individuals also were more likely to remember an object if they encountered it on the inhaled breath than the exhaled one. The effect disappeared if breathing was through the mouth, said the study published in the Journal of Neuroscience. "One of the major findings in this study is that there is a dramatic difference in brain activity in the amygdala and hippocampus during inhalation compared with exhalation," said lead author Christina Zelano, Assistant Professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. The scientists first discovered these differences in brain activity while studying a small number patients with epilepsy who were scheduled for brain surgery. A week prior to surgery, a surgeon implanted electrodes into the patients' brains in order to identify the origin of their seizures. This allowed scientists to acquire electro-physiological data directly from their brains. The recorded electrical signals showed brain activity fluctuated with breathing. The activity occurs in brain areas where emotions, memory and smells are processed. "When you breathe in, we discovered, you are stimulating neurons in the olfactory cortex, amygdala and hippocampus, all across the limbic system," Zelano said. The findings imply that rapid breathing may confer an advantage when someone is in a dangerous situation. "If you are in a panic state, your breathing rhythm becomes faster," Zelano said. "As a result you'll spend proportionally more time inhaling than when in a calm state. Thus, our body's innate response to fear with faster breathing could have a positive impact on brain function and result in faster response times to dangerous stimuli in the environment," Zelano noted. --IANS gb/vt Bahrain King highlights GCC role for solving Middle East crises Bahrain,Defence/Security,Diplomacy,Business/Economy, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Manama, Dec 7 (IANS) Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa has highlighted the role of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in seeking political solutions to the crises in the Middle East without foreign interference. Declaring open the 37th GCC at Al-Sakhir Palace here on Tuesday, he stressed on the deep rooted fraternal relations binding the GCC member states and peoples, the Bahraina News Agency reported. Al-Khalifa paid tribute to Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, lauding the dedicated efforts he exerted during his rotation presidency of the previous session. The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Al-Khalifa hailed the Saudi leader's farsighted vision which contributed to a large extent to elaborating the work orientations of the next period, commending the GCC leaders' strenuous efforts to strengthen the pillars of the historic six-member milestone that symbolises shared interests and a promising future. "Our meeting convenes in the backdrop of unprecedented political and economic circumstances which affect all countries in the world", he said, urging the highest level of cooperation so that the GCC can pursue its successful progress and influential role on the international arena. He hailed the landmark strides of the council, saying that it was no longer just a tool to consolidate achievements, but that it has also gained leverage and morphed into a regional power that takes the initiative to maintain security and peace in the region and the world. He highlighted the GCC's pivotal and active role in seeking political solutions and initiatives to the crises facing countries in the region and staving off foreign interference in their internal affairs. He saluted the establishment of the economic development commission which, he said, served as a viable mechanism to bolster member states and turn them into a global economic actor on the basis of productivity, competitiveness and steady growth towards enhancing the level of sustainable development. The King hailed projects, initiatives and economic agreements sealed between member countries, citing particularly the GCC Common Market, the power and water grid as well as the planned customs union, modern telecommunications and transportation network towards comprehensive integration which features on the summit priorities. --IANS ab/bg Jung is Hitler, says Kejriwal Delhi,National,Immigration/Law/Rights,Politics, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday dubbed Lt Governor Najeeb Jung a "Hitler" for appointing an IAS officer as Member Secretary of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW). Kejriwal tweeted that Jung had sold his soul to Modi in a bid to become the country's Vice President. This would never happen, the Aam Aadmi Party leader insisted. "Modi will never appoint a Muslim Vice President no matter what Jung does," Kejriwal said. Jung on Tuesday appointed IAS officer Dilraj Kaur as the Member Secretary of DCW, which is headed by Swati Maliwal. "LG is acting like Hitler, following in footsteps of his masters Modi (and BJP President) Amit Shah," Kejriwal tweeted. The appointment was done eight days after Kejriwal sought the removal of incumbent Alka Dewan, terming her appointment unconstitutional and against the wishes of the Delhi government. --IANS kd/mr 'Learning outcome' rules to become part of Right to Education Act Delhi,National,Politics,Education, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday said rules defining "learning outcome" to assess the performance of students at the end of an academic session will become a part of the Right to Education Act by March next year. Speaking at the 'Agenda Aaj Tak' event here, Javadekar announced reintroducing compulsory Class X board examination for the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) affiliated schools from 2017-18 onwards. "We have defined learning outcome in the last few days and it will be finalised in the next one month. By March next year, learning outcome will become part of rules of the Right to Education Act." "The learning outcome will set the benchmark for the performance of the students after the completion of each year and will come to force from the next academic session (2017-18)," said Javadekar. "The learning outcome would help assess the students' capacity and performance and improve the standards of education. They will assess what should be a student's reading and writing ability and mathematical ability," said the minister. The decision to codify learning outcome and incorpoarte it in the RTE Act was taken during the 64th meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) here on October 25. The CABE, the country's highest advisory body on education, had recommended allowing the states to take a call on on the no-detention policy under the RTE Act and conduct exams at Class four and Class eight levels. "While we have agreed to let the states decide on whether they want to conduct exams, but we have set two conditions -- the exams can only be held in Class four and Class eight and in case a student fails then a supplementary exam should be held to ensure that the student does not lose a year," said Javadekar. He also said it was wrong to not allow CBSE students to appear for the Class 10 board exams. "We have also decided to reintroduce Class 10 board exams by the CBSE. Today, 2.30 crore studnets appear for Class 10 board exams across the country but 20 lakh CBSE students don't appear for the exams. This is wrong, so we have decided to get back into examination mode," added Javadekar. --IANS and/py/vt Javadekar offers greater autonomy for top ranked institutes Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy,Education, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) Reiterating the Centre's commitment towards improving quality of education in the country, Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday assured greater autonomy for top performing educational institutions. Speaking at the 'Agenda Aaj Tak' event here, the minister said education was not a 'political agenda' but a 'national agenda' and assured that the Centre post-demonetisation has more money to spend on education. "I want to announce from here that we are in favour of granting greater autonomy to the educational institutions, particularly deemed and private universities. But then to enjoy that autonomy, they will have to be top ranked," said Javadekar. "The higher the ranking, the greater the autonomy. Top ranking institutes can enjoy as much as 90 per cent autonomy and only 10 per cent regulations. The average universities will have 50:50 and the bad universities will have 90 per cent regulation and ten per cent freedom," he said. Javadekar attributed lack of infrastructure for research and innovation as well as lack of decent scholarships behind Indian students going offshore for higher studies, and asserted the government was working towards improving the quality of higher education in the country. "The government has been focussing on how to arrest the outflow of students to foreign institutes. The need is to develop research and innovation infrastructure in our educational institutes and we are doing that in a big way. We are also stressing on enhancing scholarships," Javadekar said. "The need is also to change the global perception about our higher educational institutes. We are building 20 world class universities and endeavouring to ensure that our higher educational institutes feature among the top ranked institutes in the world," he said. Javadekar claimed that India spends nearly four per cent of its GDP on education, of which nearly 1.4 per cent is on higher education. He said the share would go up to six per cent of the GDP in the near future. "The country is fast changing and with demonetisation eliminating black money and bringing in more money into the system, the government will have more funds to spend on education." "Education is not a political agenda but a national agenda. We do not politicise education. Our aim is to improve the education system in a mission mode," Javadekar said. --IANS and/py/vt Don't run Lok Sabha amid bedlam, upset Advani says Delhi,National,Politics, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) Upset over the unending disruption of the Lok Sabha, veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani on Wednesday demanded to know why it was being allowed to run amid so much bedlam. As the house was adjourned shortly before 1 p.m., the normally quiet Advani stood up and asked Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar who exactly was running the house. As other BJP members watched in silence, Advani was overheard saying that neither Speaker Sumitra Mahajan nor the Parliamentary Affairs Minister appeared to be in charge. Advani's remarks came as the Speaker allowed the Question Hour as well as Zero Hour to continue on Wednesday although opposition members kept raising slogans related to demonetisation. "Neither the Speaker nor the Parliamentary Affairs Minister is running the house," said Advani, one of the most respected parliamentarians. "I am going to tell the Speaker that she is not running the house... Both the opposition and the government are unable to run the house," he said even as Ananth Kumar was seen desperately trying to pacify him. He asked till what time the Lok Sabha had been adjourned. When he was told till 2 p.m., the veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader quipped: "Why not sine die?" Advani made it clear to a stunned Ananth Kumar that either the Lok Sabha should act against those who were disrupting the proceedings or make peace with them. He said the house should not run amid din and slogan-shouting. This, the BJP leader said, did not send a positive message about Indian Parliament. The Lok Sabha has been witnessing noisy disruptions since the second day of the winter session that started on November 16. On the first day, it was adjourned after obituary reference to Renuka Sinha, an MP from Cooch Behar. On Tuesday, it was again adjourned after paying tributes to the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. Apart from these two days, the house has witnessed protests every day, with the opposition pressing for a debate on demonetisation under rules that entail voting. The government is ready for a debate but does not want voting. --IANS ao/bns/mr/vd Lenovo K6 Power a huge hit on Flipkart Karnataka,National,Technology,Business/Economy, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Bengaluru, Dec 7 (IANS) Lenovo's K6 Power smartphone has been a hit on Flipkart with over 1,000 units reported to have been sold every minute after the sale went live. The company said 45 minutes after the launch, the smartphone went out of stock. Over 1.3 million customers visited the product page of K6 Power and close to half a million consumers showed interest in the product before the sale. "With the launch of K-series in India, Lenovo continues to be one of the most preferred brands among our customers," said Ajay Yadav, Vice President (Mobiles) Flipkart. Flipkart said it was working overtime to ensure stocks were back and planning a bigger comeback in the next sale scheduled for December 13 from noon onwards. "Lenovo K6 Power has obviously struck the right chord with the consumers," said Sudhin Mathur, Executive Director, Lenovo Mobile Business Group, India. --IANS qd/py/bg Angelina Jolie wants children to remain close to Brad Pitt United States,Cinema/Showbiz,Hollywood, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Los Angeles, Dec 7 (IANS) Actress Angelina Jolie is looking for a house here as she wants her six children to remain close to their father Brad Pitt. Jolie has been granted physical custody of her kids after the estranged couple reached a temporary custody agreement on December 2, reports usmagazine.com. "She's currently looking into buying a new house in L.A. so the kids can remain close to their father," a source said. The couple's children -- Maddox, 15, Pax, 13, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 8 -- have been staying with Jolie in a rented California home since the divorce. Earlier, it was reported that Jolie wanted to move to London with her kids and "score a top position in the United Nations." --IANS ks/nv/vt Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day over demonetisation Delhi,National,Politics, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday was adjourned for the day without conducting any meaningful business amid chaos and logjam over demonetisation. The house had already witnessed two quick adjournments before the lunch break and finally got adjourned for the day soon after it re-assembled post lunch. The house was first adjourned amid chaos minutes after it met at 11 a.m. After it re-assembled, Leader of Opposition Gulam Nabi Azad said over 80 people have died ever since demonetisation was introduced on November 8. "I want to ask, who is responsible for these deaths," Azad said, adding that accountability should be fixed for those deaths. The demonetisation scheme was brought without any preparation, he said. Naresh Agarwal of the Samajwadi Party also criticised the government for "paralysing the country". Expressing similar views, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked for 50 days to fix the problems arising from the demonetisation decision, but nothing seems to be changing. Reacting to Mayawati's remarks, members from the treasury benches created ruckus in the house. Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien asked the members to maintain silence. Replying to the charges, Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the opposition is running away from the debate on the issue. "The issue is important and that's why the debate (on it) should be completed," he said. The ruling alliance members then started shouting slogans against the opposition, saying "If you have guts, let the debate take place". As the house re-assembled at noon, Chairman Hamid Ansari requested members to start proceedings of the Question Hour, but the members from the ruling grouping again shouted slogans against the opposition. Allegations and counter-allegations were levelled from both sides, resulting in ruckus. Ansari then adjourned the house until 2 p.m. As the house met post-lunch, Pramod Tiwari of the Congress, raising a point of order, said that the government has failed to provide any relief to general public after demonetisation and that the Council of Ministers should be "disqualified". Reacting to it, the Deputy Chairman laughingly said he does not have the power to do so and if Tiwari still wants him to disqualify the ministers, then Tiwari should arrange for him the power required. "This is not point of order. This is a point of disorder," Kurien said, asking him to sit down. ADMK's Trichy Siva demanded presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he should come to the house to listen to the debate on demonetisation. Kurien then said that there is no such rule and appealed to the members to resume the debate. K. Keshava Rao of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi also raised the same point and said it is not about demonetisation, it is about its fallout. "Various ministries are involved (as far as the debate on demonetisation is concerned), so the Prime Minister should be here. To whom would we address?" he said. Anand Sharma of the Congress said that it is wrong to give impression that the opposition does not want debate on the issue. "But Prime Minister must answer our questions," he said. Jaitley refuted the point, saying the government works on collective basis and if a minister speaks on something, it is the government making statement on the issue. On this, members from both sides shouted at one another and the house was adjourned for the day amid the din. There has been no meaningful business transaction in the Rajya Sabha ever since the winter session of Parliament began on November 16. --IANS sk/nir/vt Two arrested for breaking ATM in Manipur Manipur,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Imphal, Dec 7 (IANS) Two persons, including a policeman, have been arrested in Manipur on charges of destroying an ATM here after failing to get cash, police said on Wednesday. Hemchandra Oinam, who is from Manipur Rifles, and Bobby Nameirakpam entered an ATM booth belonging to the State Bank of India located at the PWD complex on Tuesday evening to draw money. When they realized the ATM was dry, they smashed its screen and the machine itself. An official said CRPF personnel at the PWD office overpowered the two men and handed them over to police. A police officer said: "An FIR has been lodged against them. It is a serious crime since a security personnel was involved in the destruction of public property." Meanwhile, three Village Defence Force personnel who beat up a journalist here have tendered an unqualified apology to him. Oinam Lukhoi, an MLA, brought the accused to the Press Club where they apologized to journalist Rakesh Sharma for beating him up on Monday while he was photographing people jumping the queue at a bank. Most ATMs in Manipur are shut down due to lack of cash following the demonetisation of high value currency. --IANS il/mr White House defends new Air Force One deal after Trump's attack on expense United States,Politics,Business/Economy, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Washington, Dec 7 (IANS) The White House defended the deal of new Air Force One aircrafts with Boeing company, after President-elect Donald Trump called for cancelling the order claiming the new aircraft too expensive in a Twitter post earlier on Tuesday. "I think the American people would expect that future presidents would benefit from unique and upgraded capabilities while flying aboard Air Force One," White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters on board the presidential plane flying to Tampa, Florida. However, it's up to the Trump administration to determine whether the project will be completed, said Earnest. "The updated Air Force One is not set to come online until 2023," he said. "This is a longer-range plan, but ultimately the planning work that we have done on behalf of future presidents is something the next administration will have to decide to carry forward." he said. "Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!" Trump tweeted. "We want Boeing to make a lot of money, but not that much money," he then told reporters in a briefing. However, the $4-billion price tag Trump claimed for the cost of the new aircraft could not be immediately confirmed. Earnest said some of the data Trump referenced to "don't appear to reflect the nature of the financial agreement between Boeing and the Department of Defence." The upgrades to the new plane, which include security enhancements, are being made per the recommendation of national security experts, he added. Also on Tuesday, Boeing said in a statement that the company is "currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serve the unique requirements of the President of the United States." The two 747-200 aircrafts currently used as Air Force One has been in flight since the Reagon era in 1980s. Though the two planes have been heavily modified, they are due to reach the end of their planned 30-year life in 2017. In January, Boeing secured a contract from the Pentagon to start development work on the 747-8 jumbo jets that would replace the aging planes, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Boeing was the US government's second biggest federal contractor last year behind Lockheed Martin Corp., according to federal procurement data. --IANS ahm/ SC to hear plea against Asthana's appointment as interim CBI chief Delhi,National,Immigration/Law/Rights,Politics, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) The Supreme Court will on Friday hear a PIL by NGO Common Cause challenging appointment of Rakesh Asthana as the Central Bureau of Investigation's interim Director, on grounds it was arbitrary and overlooked established procedure. A bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur, Justice D.Y.Chandrachud and Justice L. Nageswara Rao agreed to hear the PIL after Common Cause lawyer Pranav Sachdeva sought an early hearing. The petitioner alleged that the government took some steps, including the shifting of former Special Director R.K. Dutta to the Home Ministry, to facilitate bringing Asthana as the interim director. Seeking the quashing of Asthana's appointment, Common Cause has sought direction to the Central government to initiate the process for appointment of a regular director of the premier investigating agency as per the law. The society has contended that the government has acted in a "mala fide, arbitrary and illegal manner" to ensure appointment of Asthana as interim director of the CBI. It further says that just two days before Director Anil Sinha was to step down on December 2, 2016, Dutta was transferred to Union Home Ministry by creating a post of Special Secretary by upgrading by two layers the post of the joint secretary. This, it said, was done to frustrate the chances of Dutta stepping into the shoes of Sinha as he was number two in the hierarchy of the investigating agency. The petitionhas pointed out that it was for the first time in one decade that an interim director was thrust on the investigating agency. It said that the process for the appointment of Sinha's successor should have commenced well in advance. Common Cause, in its PIL, cited the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 and Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, under which the CBI Director is selected by a committee comprising the Prime Minister, leader of the single largest opposition party and Chief Justice of India (or any judge nominated by him). This shows that the "Government wanted to appoint its own choice as Interim CBI Director, even if it meant bypassing the statutory law, the norms of propriety, and the directions (of the apex court) ... in Vineet Narain's case". It has also recalled the recent direction of the top court directing the government to appoint a full-time Director of the Enforcement Directorate in a time frame. --IANS pk/vd Pfizer fined $106 mn for 'unfair' prices of epilepsy drug United Kingdom,Health/Medicine,Business/Economy, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS London, Dec 7 (IANS) Britain's competition regulator on Wednesday imposed a record 84.2 million pound ($106 million) fine on the pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer, and a 5.2 million pound ($6.55 million) fine on the distributor Flynn Pharma after finding that each broke competition law by charging excessive and unfair prices for an anti-epilepsy drug. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) also ordered the companies to reduce their prices. The fines -- the highest the CMA has imposed -- follow prices increase by up to 2,600 per cent overnight after the drug was deliberately de-branded in September 2012, the CMA said in a statement. Pfizer rejected the findings and said it would appeal against the decision, BBC reported. In order to ensure that there should be no risk to the ongoing supply of phenytoin sodium capsules to those patients who rely on it, the competition regulator has given Pfizer and Flynn between 30 working days and four months to reduce their respective prices. As a result of the price increases, Britain's National Health Service (NHS) expenditure on phenytoin sodium capsules increased from about 2 million pound ($2.52 million) a year in 2012 to about 50 million pound ($63 million) in 2013, the CMA noted. The prices of the drug in Britain have also been many times higher than Pfizer's prices for the same drug in any other European country, the regulator said. Phenytoin sodium capsules are used in the treatment of epilepsy to prevent and control seizures, and are an important drug for an estimated 48,000 patients in Britain. Epilepsy patients who are already taking phenytoin sodium capsules should not usually be switched to other products, including another manufacturer's version of the product, due to the risk of loss of seizure control which can have serious health consequences. As a result, the NHS had no alternative to paying the increased prices for the drug. Prior to September 2012, Pfizer manufactured and sold phenytoin sodium capsules to UK wholesalers and pharmacies under the brand name Epanutin and the prices of the drug were regulated. In September 2012, Pfizer sold the distribution rights for Epanutin to Flynn Pharma, which de-branded the drug, meaning that it was no longer subject to price regulation. "The companies deliberately exploited the opportunity offered by de-branding to hike up the price for a drug which is relied upon by many thousands of patients. These extraordinary price rises have cost the NHS and the taxpayer tens of millions of pounds," said Philip Marsden, Chairman of the Case Decision Group for the CMA's investigation. Since September 2012, Pfizer has continued to manufacture phenytoin sodium capsules and has supplied them to Flynn Pharma at prices that were significantly higher than those at which it previously sold Epanutin in Britain. Flynn Pharma then szold on the products to wholesalers and pharmacies in Britain charging them prices which have been between 2,300 per cent and 2,600 per cent higher than those they had previously paid for the drug. The final decision and fines relate to both the prices that Pfizer has charged to Flynn Pharma and the prices that Flynn Pharma has charged to its customers, since September 2012, the CMA said. Although Pfizer has claimed that Epanutin was loss-making before it was de-branded, the CMA calculated that, according to Pfizer's figures, all such losses would have been recovered within two months of the price rises. Both companies will continue to be able to charge prices which are profitable, but their prices must not be excessive and unfair, the CMA said. --IANS gb/vt Modi slams opposition, tells BJP MPs to tout cashless economy Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday slammed the opposition for obstructing Parliament's functioning over demonestisation and asked BJP MPs to encourage people to embrace a digital and cashless economy. Attending a Bharatiya Janata Party Parliamentary Party meeting here, the Prime Minister also thanked the people for their support for the November 8 demonetisation of high-value Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said Modi wanted a public awareness campaign, similar to one on the use of electronic voting machines in eletions, to be put into effect to encourage people to go cashless economy. "The opposition is not allowing Parliament to function. I went to the Rajya Sabha but they shouted slogans. Despite this, I sat there. We are ready to discuss but they are reluctant. You go to your areas, talk to the people and expose the opposition," a BJP leader present at the meeting quoted Modi as saying. According to informed sources, Modi said: "Janshakti hamare sath hai aur janshakti hamesha rajshakti se upar hoti hai (People's power is with us and it is above political power)." The sources quoted Modi as saying that the people are helping one another after demonetisation in a similar way they help one another during natural calamities. Ananth Kumar said the government has made it clear on several occasions that the Prime Minister will speak on demonetisation in both the houses but the opposition is creating a ruckus due to their political agenda. Ananth Kumar said the Congress and the Trinamool Congress members are stalling the proceedings even though the government is willing to hold discussion. The minister said the BJP Parliamentary Party passed a resolution to hail public support for the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, which has led to cash crunch across the country. The resolution was proposed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and seconded by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Another resolution was passed to ensure a smooth functioning of both houses of Parliament. The meeting condoled the demise of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Monday and noted journalist Cho Ramaswamy on Wednesday. --IANS bns/tsb/vt Bihar to hold 'longest human chain' to back its dry law Bihar,National,Politics,Human Interest/Society, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Patna, Dec 7 (IANS) Bihar will take help of a satellite to click the image of the "world's longest human chain" in January 2017 in support of prohibition in the state, said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday. The state government has decided to form the world's longest human chain in the state on January 31 to demonstrate public support for prohibition. It will probably be first of its kind event in the country. "We will use a satellite to take an image or a picture of the world's longest human chain in support of prohibition in January. The satellite image or picture will be used to show people's support for and propagate prohibition in the country and outside," Kumar said. The Chief Minister was addressing a public meeting in Araria district during his ongoing "Nischay Yatra". Explaining the need for a satellite imagery, Kumar said clicking picture of such a long human chain would not be possible using drone cameras, because it would extend from one part of the state to another part. "Millions of people will take part in the longest human chain. They will hold their hands together for 45 minutes from eastern part of Bihar to western part and southern part to northern part," he said. Last month, Nitish Kumar had announced the plan for the human chain to assert that the prohibition in the state enjoys people's support. He said the prohibition model of Bihar is being discussed across the country. Kumar has reiterated that prohibition has brought about social change and positive atmosphere in Bihar. "Crime graph has come down since prohibition has been implemented, and demand for milk, sweets and other items have increased, as people have been saving money," he said. Excise Minister Abdul Jalil Mastan said the proposed human chain would connect people of one part of the state with those in the other parts. "The government agencies, party leaders and workers of the grand alliance of the JD-U, RJD and the Congress will work to encourage people to join the human chain," Mastan said. "It will be a memorable human chain for a cause," he added. Nitish Kumar imposed a total liquor ban in the state since April 5. --IANS ik/nir/vt Government hopes to break Parliament logjam, opposition ready for protest Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) The government is hopeful that a debate on demonetisation in Parliament would start soon as back-channel talks with the opposition are on, informed sources said on Wednesday. According to a senior Minister, back-room talks are on with the opposition. "We are hopeful the debate will start by the end of this week," the Minister said. On the other hand, the opposition members were preparing to continue their protest and mark the completion of one month of the November 8 demonetisation on Thursday. The sources said Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, at a Business Advisory Committee meeting, urged the opposition members to cooperate with the government in running the house. Opposition leaders held a meeting at the room of Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad. They will stage another protest on Thursday in Parliament House complex and wear black bands to mark one month of demonetisation, an opposition leader said. The Lok Sabha has been witnessing noisy disruptions since the second day of the winter session that commenced on November 16. On the first day, the house was adjourned after obituary reference to Renuka Sinha, an MP from Cooch Behar. On Tuesday, it was adjourned after paying tributes to late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. Apart from these two days, the house has witnessed protests every single day, with the opposition pressing for a debate on demonetisation under a rule that entails voting. The government is ready for a debate but does not want voting. --IANS ao/tsb/dg Don't run Lok Sabha amid bedlam, upset Advani says Delhi,National,Politics, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) Veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani on Wednesday described the unending disruption of the Lok Sabha as "disgraceful" and demanded to know who was running the house. As the house was adjourned shortly before 1 p.m., the normally quiet Advani called Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar and asked who exactly was in charge in the house. As other BJP members watched in silence, Advani was overheard saying that neither Speaker Sumitra Mahajan nor the Parliamentary Affairs Minister appeared to be on top of the situation. Advani's remarks came as the Speaker allowed half of the Question Hour and the Zero Hour to continue on Wednesday although opposition members kept raising anti government slogans. The opposition has been demanding a debate on demonetisation with voting. "Neither the Speaker nor the Parliamentary Affairs Minister is running the house," said Advani, a former Deputy Prime Minister and one of the most respected parliamentarians in the country. "I am going to tell the Speaker that she is not running the house... Both the opposition and the government are unable to run the house," he said even as Ananth Kumar was seen desperately trying to pacify him. Ananth Kumar was then seen gesturing towards the media gallery, after which Advani said: "I will say it publicly." He asked till what time the Lok Sabha had been adjourned. When he was told till 2 p.m., the veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader quipped: "Why not sine die?" He said the house should not run amid din and slogan-shouting. Ananth Kumar later said the veteran leader was upset over the opposition's conduct. "He was upset over opposition's conduct, so he said that," said Kumar. Both Kumar and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs S.S. Ahluwalia escorted Advani to his car. Ananth Kumar also met the Speaker in her chamber later. The Lok Sabha has been witnessing noisy disruptions since the second day of the winter session that started on November 16. On the first day, it was adjourned after obituary reference to Renuka Sinha, an MP from Cooch Behar. On Tuesday, it was again adjourned after paying tributes to the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. Apart from these two days, the house has witnessed protests every day, with the opposition pressing for a debate on demonetisation under rules that entail voting. The government is ready for a debate but does not want voting. --IANS ao/mr Christian-Hindu dialogue 'moral imperative' for peace: Vatican Holy See (vatican City State),Religion,Diaspora,Diplomacy, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Vatican City, Dec 7 (IANS/AKI) Christians and Hindus must be "lights of peace" in order to challenge violence and hatred in the world, the Vatican's top interfaith dialogue official has said. "Our aim is that, more and more, we become a light of peace in this world," said Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran. Inter-religious dialogue is a "moral imperative", Tauran said in a speech on Tuesday to a conference at the Pontifical Gregorian University, heralding a new chapter in Christian-Hindu relations, Vatican Radio reported. Religions are not the cause of violence and hatred, "but rather are part of the solutions to problems created by religious fanatics with vested interests," Tauran said. The conference brought together organisations including the Religions for Peace charity, Catholic movement Focolare and the Italian Hindu Union. --IANS/AKI vd Iran to change national currency unit to 'toman' Turkey,Business/Economy, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Tehran, Dec 7 (IANS) The Iran government on Wednesday approved a proposal to change the name of the country's currency unit from rial to toman, media reported. One toman equals 10 rials and one dollar is worth about 3,900 tomans in Iran's unofficial market currently, Xinhua news agency reported. The move will need final approval by the legislative bodies of the country. Before 1932, the Iranian currency unit was toman. It was then changed to rial at a rate of 10 rials to one toman. Although the toman was no longer an official unit of Iranian currency over the past decades, Iranians commonly expressed amounts of money and prices of goods in tomans. --IANS sm/dg SC slams Punjab, Puducherry for liquor vends on highways Delhi,National,Immigration/Law/Rights,Business/Economy, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Wednesday slammed the governments of Punjab and Puducherry for speaking in a language that was friendly to liquor lobby and revenue-oriented than as states concerned over people's wellbeing. The court's stinging comments came as it reserved orders on a batch of petitions for the removal of liquor vends on national and state highways since drink-driving was leading to fatal accidents on such roads. The court also said there would be no distinction between hill states and others as far as ban on liquor vends on highways is concerned. "You are speaking the language of the liquor lobby. Vendors continue vending liquor on the highways. You should be more keen than the court to remove this menace," a bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice L. Nageswara Rao said. The court asked the two government to have a positive attitude on the matter. "You are defeating the objective by carving out exceptions," Chief Justice Thakur observed as Punjab's counsel said the amended liquor policy had exceptions to permit liquor shops in markets coming under flyovers on National Highways. The Punjab government came in for flak after the court was told that in pursuance of the policy that liquor shops should not be visible, the liquor vends' rear portions now faced the highway and their front sides were not exposed to highway travellers. "The (liquor) stock is not visible but there are enough indications that vend is close by," the bench remarked. Similarly, the court came down heavily on the Puducherry administration after its counsel defended the existence of 40 liquor vends in its Mahe district on the ground of revenue collection. Mahe is the smallest district in the country with a population of about 42,000. "You must understand that you are appearing for the State and not liquor vendors. You are concerned for budget and revenue collection from liquor sale. Your expenses are met by the Centre," Chief Justice Thakur observed as Puducherry's counsel said that not all the expenses of the union territory are met by the Centre. Taking exception to Puducherry's stand, the bench asked: "Who is instructing you...? who is the officer who has the cheek to go against the stand of the government of India favouring curbs on liquor vends on the highways? Are you taking instructions from vendors or the State?" Noting that counsel for Puducherry was making oral submissions, the bench asked him to put the union territory's stand in writing. "The Union of India says remove and you say don't remove," the court said, asking counsel to put his position in writing. The apex court said the "government of India is aware of ground realities and has taken a considered view". When the Supreme Court was told that removing liquor vends from highway in Jammu and Kashmir was not possible as they would then come up in inaccessible places, the court remarked that let them serve liquor at homes. --IANS pk/tsb/vt Demonetisation exercise failed to extract black money from system: Congress Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) The Congress on Wednesaday said the government's decision to ban high-denomination notes has badly jeopardised the economy and the exercise was a complete failure. Describing the whole exercise to demonetise notes as giving birth to a stillborn child, Congress said the government has miserably failed to extract black money from the system. "A month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unilateral declaration of note ban, the economy of the country is badly jeopardised. "This whole demonetisation exercise is a complete failure and yielded nothing. It has battered the economy, caused grave inconvenience to crores of people, caused the death of at least 84 people, and resulted in loss of lakhs of jobs," Congress MP Sushmita Dev told media persons in the Parliament House precincts. She said the government has "miserably failed" to extract the black money from the system through the demonetisation exercise. "The Revenue Secretary (Hasmukh Adhia) said that the entire cash withdrawn from the system will be deposited back into the system. "This effectively means the entire demonetisation exercise is a complete failure," Dev added. "When people have an option of converting their unaccounted black money into white and paying 49.9 per cent of tax as per the newly amended Income Tax law without any fear of prosecution, why would those people deposit their unaccounted wealth in banks, and get taxed 132 per cent?" she said. She also asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explain the recovery of Rs 33 lakh in new Rs 2,000 notes from BJP leader Manish Sharma. "Will Modiji explain how Rs 13,600 crore was discovered by Gujarat-based realtor Mahesh Shah and why was he given VIP treatment and is not yet arrested by government," she asked. --IANS sid/vd/dg Elections are fought and will be fought with black money: Farooq Abdullah Delhi,National,Politics, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday claimed that elections in India are fought using black money and will be continue to be so in the future. "Elections are fought using black money and will continue to be so. Today for contesting parliamentary polls, one needs at least Rs 10 crore. The helicopters, large number of vehicles used during campaign, looking after party activists, from where does this money come from," said Abdullah at the aAgenda Aaj Tak' event while giving his views on if political parties should also declare details of donations below Rs 20,000, received by them. Under the Representation of People Act, 1951 political parties are required to submit contribution details received in excess of Rs 20,000. "When people enter parliament, they have dirty clothes but within a year they sport expensive suits... does anyone ask from where did he got the money, from Ambassador car, they move onto to expensive cars, does anyone ask from where the money come from? "If something needs to be changed then it has to be the mentality. You (government) changed currency notes. But this will not work," said the National Conference patron. Speaking on the occasion, Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal said his party was not opposed to the idea of declaring details of donations. Defending the government's move to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, he said it will result in black money hoarded by individuals coming back into economy. He said that demonetisation will lead to increasing income tax base and eventually reduction of income tax rates. He also said that the move will also help in controlling price rise. Flaying demonetisation, Congress leader R.P.N. Singh said it has only opened up new avenues for the people to indulge in corruption. Attacking the Narendra Modi government over the demonetisation issue, CPI-M Politburo member Mohammed Salim said it was not sure about the motive behind then move. "Initially the government said demonetisation was to fight black money, corruption and terrorism. The government since then has been changing the narrative and now it is talking about having a cashless economy," he said. On the issue of donations to political parties, Salim questioned why parties should be allowed to accept donations from corporates. --IANS and/vd SC seeks parliamentary panel report on Lokpal Delhi,National,Immigration/Law/Rights,Politics, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Central government to place before it the report of the parliamentary committee that had examined the Lokpal and Lokayuktas (Amendment) Bill, 2014 as government told the court that there were many issues that needed to ironed out before the law could be operationalised. The bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice L. Nageswara Rao sought the report as Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the court treating the leader of the single largest opposition party as leader of the opposition for the purposes of the Lokpal law was just one issue and there were other issues that needed to be addressed. On the question of the leader of opposition, the court said: "If that is the area, we can make it clear that this (leader of opposition) would mean this (leader of the single largest opposition party)." As Rohatgi said: "We will expedite the process by which government takes the final call", the court asked which were the other areas where the government was making changes for the working of the Lokpal institution. As he told the bench that there a large number of areas, counsel Prashant Bhushan said that all the amendments are of "technical nature". Appearing for the society Common Cause, Bhushan said that the nature of amendment was not such that without them, the working of the Lokpal would be impeded. He told the bench that the question of treating the leader of the largest opposition party as the leader of opposition has been settled under the anti-defection law, under which the Speaker would recognise the every group of lawmakers as a parliamentary party. Bhushan said that it was only the first Speaker of Lok Sabha who had issued a directive saying that a group of lawmakers would be treated as a parliamentary party only if they constituted 10 per cent of the total strength of the house, and there was no law making it mandatory. Senior counsel Shanti Bhushan told the court to direct the government to hold the meeting the meeting comprising the Prime Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker, Leader of Opposition, and Chief Justice of India for selection an eminent jurist to be on the selection panel of Lokpal. He said that government was doing everything to frustrate the law. Counsel Gopal Shankarnarayan told the court that it was a practice with the government to raise technical issues or proposed amendments to impede the law. The top court had on November 23 hauled up the government for not amending the Lokpal Act to recognise the leader of the single largest opposition party in Parliament as the leader of the opposition for constituting the Selection Committee for Lokpal. "For last two and a half years there is no leader of opposition. This position is likely to continue for next two and a half years. There would be no leader of opposition. Will you allow the law to become redundant just because there is no leader of opposition?" it had said. The Lokpal and Lokayuktas and Other Related Law (Amendment) Bill, 2014, that was introduced in Lok Sabha on December 18, 2014, was referred to the Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice on December 22, 2014 and it submitted its report on December 7, 2015. The Bill amends the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, and the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, by which the Central Bureau of Investigation was established. --IANS pk/vd Human right activists lament lack of democratic space in India West Bengal,National,Politics,Immigration/Law/Rights, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Kolkata, Dec 7 (IANS) Human rights activists on Wednesday expressed concern over the gradual decline of democratic space and violation of rights of the minority and marginalised people in India. In a meeting organised by Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) here, the activists described how the human rights defenders, whether an individual or an organisation, are repeatedly coming under attack while trying to protect people's basic rights. "We are going through such a dark period that any protest against the government is termed as anti-national activity and anyone who questions a government action is tagged as a terrorist," said Henri Tiphagne, the Executive Director of People's Watch, a Madurai-based NGO. Participation in the discussion headlined "Shrinking democracy and attacks on human rights defenders," Tiphagne accused statutory bodies and othr government organisations of playing "extremely passive roles" against incidents of human rights violations like extra judicial killings and custodial deaths. "Organisations like National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), that is supposed to protect the citizenship rights of the minority and marginalised in the society, stay alarmingly silent in cases of political and police atrocities against them," Tiphagne said. Human rights activist and independent scientist Meher Engineer cited the example of Khurram Pervez, a Kashmiri activist, who was first stopped from attending a United Nations Human Rights Council session in Geneva to talk about the violence in Kashmir and later put under "preventive detention" by the Jammu and Kashmir government. "The government's actions against people like him are evident signs of human rights violation that we need to fight collectively," he said. --IANS mgr/ssp/vd India criticised for 'humilating' Pakistan's in Amritsar Pakistan,Media,Indo-Pak/Pakistan, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Islamabad, Dec 7 (IANS) A Pakistani journalist has hit out at Indian authorities for insulting Pakistani officials who attended the Heart of Asia forum in Amritsar. In an opinion piece the Dawn on Wednesday, Zahid Hussain said that Sartaj Aziz, who led the Pakistani delegation, was not even seated at the centre table at the dinner hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was also reportedly stopped from visiting the Golden Temple in Amritsar "in violation of basic diplomatic norms", Hussain said. According to Hussain, the December 3-4 event turned into another of instance of Pakistan-bashing by India. He said that in demeaning Pakistan, Modi found an ally in Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. "Ghani's comments provided the Modi government with more clout to put pressure on Pakistan. There was only a feeble voice and that too from the Russian delegate against targeting a single country," he said. --IANS soni/vd Rajinikanth, Suriya pay last respects to Cho Ramaswamy Tamil Nadu,Cinema/Showbiz,Southern Cinema, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Chennai, Dec 7 (IANS) Superstar Rajinikanth and actors Ajith and Suriya were among the first celebrities from Tamil filmdom to pay homage to well-known actor, playwright and political analyst Cho Ramaswamy, who breathed his last here on Wednesday. Cho, 82, passed away due to cardiac arrest at Apollo Hospital on Wednesday early morning. Actor Ajith Kumar, who had flown in from Bulgaria where he was shooting for his next yet-untitled film, paid his respects to J. Jayalalithaa at her memorial and then went and mourned the death of veteran actor Cho. Speaking to reporters at Cho's residence, Rajinikanth said he had come to "offer my condolences and pay tribute". "As a writer, Cho never compromised for anyone," he added. Actor Suriya, brother Karthi and their father Sivakumar had also paid their last respects to Cho, who had starred in over 75 Tamil films. He's best known for working in films such as "Nirai Kudam", "Galatta Kalyanam", "Bommalattam" and "En Annan" among others. Having adorned many hats apart from acting, Cho was also the founder and editor of Thuglak magazine, and a lawyer too. He was also a director and dialogue writer. He had also directed five films which include the very popular Tamil political satire, "Mohammed Bin Thuglaka", apart from "Mr. Sampath" and "Sambo Siva Samboo". --IANS hp/dc Navy sends ships to rescue 800 tourists from an Andaman Island Delhi,National,Defence/Security,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) Four ships of the Indian Navy were sailed on Wednesday morning to evacuate about 800 tourists from Havelock Island in Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands, an official said. The sudden evacuation mission was initiated at the request of the A&N disaster management, which speculates that a "cyclonic storm" might struck Havelock, an island about 36 km from capital Port Blair. "There is a deep depression (in the sea) about 310 kms from Port Blair. That is why the Navy was contacted as we don't want to take any chances," an official from Directorate of Disaster Management, A&N administration, told IANS. The official said that because of heavy rains and winds, the difficulty tourists are facing is to reach the jetty to board the ships. "We can't say as of now that the depression will turn into a cyclone," the official said. They expect the evacuation to be completed by the evening, he said. Navy spokesperson Captain D.K. Sharma said the ships were in the area and that there was a bad sea state. He said the ships departed from Port Blair around 0315 hours onwards. The official said the Indian Navy has sent four ships -- INS Bitra, Bangaram, Kumbhir and LCU 38 -- for the evacuation. Sharma said all the ships will go alongside and ferry tourists to Port Blair. Their highest consideration is safety of the tourists. --IANS kd/py/ Sikh NRIs to join Guru Gobind Singh's 350th birth anniversary celebrations in Patna Punjab,National,Religion,Human Interest/Society, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Chandigarh, Dec 7 (IANS) Scores of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are expected to join the 350th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh to be held in Patna and the main Sikh shrines in Punjab. "Sikh Dharma International from the US has initiated the Raj Khalsa Yatra of 120 persons from all over the US and Canada to gurudwara Sri Patna Sahib. The Yatra will celebrate 350th birth anniversary of 10th guru of Sikh community, Guru Gobind Singh Ji in Patna," a spokesperson for the organisation said here on Wednesday. Members of the Sikh Dharma International will start their journey from Golden Temple complex on January 2, and will reach the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh in Patna on January 5 to participate in the celebrations. A large number of Sikh NRIs are arriving in India from the US, Canada, Britain, European countries, Southeast Asian countries and Australia for the celebrations. The Punjab and Bihar governments are organising the event on a big scale in Patna and Anandpur Sahib and Amritsar (both in Punjab). --IANS js/sm/vm Proper houses not a dream any more for Gujarat's slum dwellers (Societal Feature) Gujarat,National,Business/Economy, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Ahmedabad, Dec 7 (IANS) As they turn their backs on the miserable lives they once lived and head to the two-room apartments they received in lieu of their shacks, they have much to cheer about. They are beneficiaries of the Gujarat government's "Housing for All" programme that has, since 2014, built 2,544 houses, furnished with a toilet and a kitchen, in nine slum localities here. The programme, under the Mukhya Mantri GRUH (Gujarat Rural Urban Housing) Yojana in 2013 -- launched when Narendra Modi was Chief Minister -- aims to rid urban Gujarat of slums and provide in-situ housing to their dwellers. The scheme was conceived as a public-private venture, with NGOs roped in to sensitise the dwellers. One such project is the Shantadeep Cooperative Housing Society in Ambavadi, where now 55 newly-built apartments stand. "I have been coming here before the slums were demolished and new flats were built. I tried to make people aware about the generational shift which they would achieve in a matter of years and about their children who would get the right environment to grow up in," Neelam Patel, a member of the Mahila Housing Trust of SEWA (Self-Employed Women's Association), told IANS. The Ambavadi slums were razed in 2013 and the building was erected by the following year. Each apartment cost the government Rs 800,000 ($11,700) and was given to the dwellers free of cost. The private builders, during the construction of the houses, were also required to provide temporary rent-free lodging to the slum dwellers. "It's like my dream has come true. We used to sleep in the open, had to go for water to the main road where fights were common over the sole tap; nothing of that sort now. I have also called my wife and sons here. I couldn't ask for more," Dalpat Singh, an auto-rickshaw driver and resident of the Ambavadi society, told IANS. There is a plan to provide, over the next two years, such flats to all 700,000 families which reside in slums across Gujarat. "The term 'nagar', as people meant it in the old days, is an abbreviated form of 'nal, gutter, raasta, (tapwater, sewage, roads), and these are what we are giving to our people," Punamchand Parmar, Additional Secretary, Urban Development and Urban Housing Department, told a group of visiting journalists. "I don't know about other states, but the people of Gujarat are pro-urbanisation. We have the people's support and the required political will to execute our task," he added. He also mentioned the now-famous tourist attraction in the city, Kankaria Lake, which till just a few years back was a stinking water-body surrounded by slums. The scheme also includes housing for those whose slums were razed at the time of beautifying the Sabarmati riverfront -- the river being raised from the dead with water from the Narmada -- that made the headlines when Chinese President Xi Jinping came visiting in 2014, the first head of state to visit India after Modi became Prime Minister. (Vishal Narayan's visit was at the invitation of the Gujarat government. He can be contacted at vishal.n@ians.in) --IANS vn/vm/tb/sac Rajya Sabha adjourned till noon Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till noon as logjam over the issue of demonetisation continued on Wednesday. The house was adjourned amid chaos minutes after it met for the day. As the house reassembled, Opposition leader Gulam Nabi Azad said over 80 people have died ever since the scheme of demonetisation was introduced on November 8. "I want to ask, who is responsible for these deaths," Azad said, adding that accountability should be fixed for the 84 deaths. Azad said the scheme was brought in without any preparation. Naresh Agarwal of Samajwadi Party also criticised the government for "paralysing the country". Expressing similar views, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had for asked 50 days to fix the problems arising due to demonetisation, but nothing seems to be changing. Reacting to Mayawati's remarks, the members from the Treasury bench created ruckus in the house. Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien asked the members to maintain silence. Answering to the charges, leader of the house and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the Opposition was running away from the debate on the issue. "The issue is of importance and that's why the debate should be completed (on it)," he said. The government MPs then started shouting slogans against the Opposition saying "if they have guts let the debate take place". --IANS sk/py/ Jaitley dares opposition to begin debate over demonetisation Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday dared the Opposition to begin the debate over the demonetisation, the issue which has rocked Parliament since the winter session began on November 16. "The Opposition disrupts proceedings for one reason or the other. I challenge them to begin the debate if they have courage," Jaitley said in the Rajya Sabha. The Finance Minister also accused the Opposition of raising the issue for publicity. "They raise the issue everyday for two minutes during Zero Hour for television coverage. They don't bother whether discussion continues or not," he said. Jaitley was speaking during Zero Hour after the opposition parties created a ruckus over the demonetisation issue. --IANS bns/py/vm India discussing natural gas swap with Russia, involving China Delhi,National,Business/Economy,Diplomacy, Thu, 08 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 8 (IANS) India is in talks with Russia to swap natural gas with China and Myanmar as an alternative to building a proposed pipeline to carry gas from Russian Siberia, a senior official said on Wednesday. "Myanmar sells gas to China through an existing pipeline. If Russia can provide equivalent gas to China, then we can reverse the flow of gas from Myanmar to China and bring that gas to India," state-run ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) Managing Director Narendra K. Verma told reporters on the sidelines of the Petrotech conference here. The two countries had in October signed an initial pact for building a 4,500 km to 6,000 km long pipeline from Siberia to India. Verma said talks are on with Russian state-run gas major Gazprom for an alternative swap by which Russia will supply gas to China and in return China will give its share of gas from Myanmar to India. "For that we'll need a pipeline from Myanmar to India," Verma said. Such a swap was the best way of getting Russia to help India with its gas needs, but it would need the cooperation of China and Myanmar, he added. India, which is 81 per cent import dependent on oil, is looking to increase its gas consumption towards moving towards a gas-based economy. --IANS bc/vd ISRO Launches PSLV carrying 1,235 kg Resourcesat-2A remote sensing satellite New Delhi, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 NI Wire ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) successfully launched its PSLV 36 carrying remote sensing satellite Resourcesat-2A with a payload of 1,235 kg on Wednesday. This mission will install country's earth observation satellite Resourcsat-2A in the Earth's orbit. The PSLV-XL variant rocket standing 44.4 metre tall and weighing 321 ton tore into the morning skies around 10.25 a.m. with a deep throated growl breaking free of the Earth's gravitational pull. The rocket was ferrying India's earth observation satellite Resourcesat-2A weighing 1,235 kg. The 36-hour countdown for the rocket launch began at 10.25 p.m. on December 5, The rocket lit off at 10.25 a.m. from the first launch pad at Sriharikota rocket port in Andhra Pradesh. According to ISRO, the PSLV rocket 'XL' variant will place the Resourcesat-2A into an 817 km polar sun synchronous orbit. ISRO said it offers the PSLV rocket to international customers to launch their satellites. During 1994-2016, the PSLV rocket has launched a total of 121 satellites of which 79 are from abroad and 42 are Indian satellites. --with agencies input With so much going on in the world, it feels nearly impossible to keep up with the top stories and breaking headlines. But is it really worth the trouble? Some argue that it causes unnecessary stress, while others simply dont see it as a priority. However, such an attitude prevents people f We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Algiers woke up to scandalous and outrageous statements by an official who is supposed to defend human rights as they are universally recognized. The head of Algerias human rights commission Farouk Ksentini has just bluntly accused sub-Saharans of spreading HIV in Algeria, a statement that bears the hallmarks of racism in its abhorrent forms. Algeria, which was once the destination of anti-colonial revolutionaries, is now a country where African immigrants are detained in inhuman conditions. Two days before holding the forum on African investments, some 2000 African migrants were sent to camps in inhuman conditions. Instead of defending their human rights as they are universally recognized, Ksentini, who is also an Advisor to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, opted for tapping into xenophobia uttering racist statements that are prejudicial to the unfortunate African immigrants. We Algerians are exposed to the risk of HIV contamination and other sexually transmitted diseases because of these migrants, he shamefully said. When given the chance to apologize in an interview with an Algerian media outlet, the henchman of the Algerian regime insists that the presence of African migrants and refugees in Algeria will cause Algerians several problems. These migrants bring diseases to Algeria, he goes on to say. Ahead of the upcoming visit by King Mohammed VI to Lusaka, President of Zambia, Edgar Lungu, expressed strong will to boost ties with Morocco, several Zambian media outlets reported. I do look forward to receiving His Majesty at the end of the week. I am confident we shall have fruitful discussions aimed at augmenting bilateral cooperation between our two countries, Lungu said as he received letters of credentials from the new Moroccan Ambassador to Zambia Saadia El Alaoui at the State House. Lungu added that Zambia and Morocco have cordial relations based on strong bonds of friendship, respect and bilateral cooperation. The appointment of a Moroccan Ambassador to Lusaka will add momentum to bilateral ties, he said. Lungu also lauded the efforts spearheaded by King Mohammed VI to combat climate change and commended the success of the UN Climate Summit held in Marrakech in November. Zambia is part of a royal African tour that aims at boosting ties with a range of African countries. So far the Moroccan King has visited Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Madagascar and Nigeria. Each visit culminates with the signing of partnerships and agreements aiming at creating joint ventures in fields ranging from agriculture, banking, tourism, industry, infrastructure to culture and religious affairs. The visits showcase Moroccos clout and influence in Africa as an advocate of a south-south cooperation underpinned by win-win partnerships. The royal tour is taking place at a time the Kingdom has requested to regain its natural place in Africas institutional family after a decades-long absence on the backdrop of a lack of neutrality by the organization in admitting a separatist entity. Moroccos economic influence in Africa will be conducive to gaining political allies in the African Union, and consequently repairing a historical injustice and gathering support for Moroccos territorial integrity. A Moroccan aged 30 has been nabbed for alleged terrorist plans in Italy after police found he has established contact with the Islamic State group (IS). He expressed willingness to perpetrate terrorist attacks, but no evidence of eminent action has been discovered, said Antonio De Jesu, a Police commissioner in Milan. The 30 years old man according to Italian media Il Corriere della sera was arrested after police intercepted a chat conversation between him and a man in Syria. The suspect, according to the Italian media indicated that he was poised to stage attacks in Italy. He was arrested in his apartment on the outskirt of the Italian city on Friday. Police report also revealed that he had sent many times important sums of money to support IS. He works at a shopping center in Arese commune, 15km from Milan. The man according to reports arrived in Italy at the age of 12 but became radicalized in 2012 after a stay in Germany where he worked as assistant cook. Police described him as a psychologically fragile person and easy to manipulate. For De Jesu even though there are no tangible evidences against him, it is obvious that the man was in contact with a group of 25 people who left Germany between 2012 and 2014 to join IS ranks abroad. Egyptian authorities announced Tuesday they dismantled a ring of human organ traffickers including renowned doctors, hospitals. The operation which targeted several heath centers also helped to seize millions of dollars as well as computers. At least 25 people including organ buyers, middle men and the doctors were arrested by the countrys Administrative Control Authority and coordination with the health ministry. Those arrested were Egyptians and Arabs of other nationalities. The men, the Authority noted take advantage of some of the citizens difficult economic conditions so that they buy their human organs and sell [them] for large sums of money. Some of the arrested Egyptian doctors are lecturers at Egypts two largest universities, namely Cairo and Ain Shams universities The investigation targeted 10 private hospitals licensed and unlicensed where transplants and organ-harvesting took place, Reuters reports. The centers have been shut down pending investigation, agency further notes. Human organ purchase is prohibited in Egypt but economic hardship has allowed the phenomenon to blossom. The country according to the UN official was named in 2010 among world top 5 illegal markets of human organs. It is also reported that African migrants unable to afford the Mediterranean crossing sell their organs. A people smuggler told Italian prosecutors that those who could not pay their debt were sold to the organ traffickers, reports say. The allegations have been difficult to verify. Libyan forces aligned with UN-backed unity government Tuesday said they took last few buildings controlled by the Islamic State group (IS) in the city of Sirte, just one day after announcing they conquered the coastal city. Misrata forces fighting under the wing of the Government of National Accord (GNA) are still busy clearing parts of the Muammar Gaddafis hometown. Though the forces announced they have taken control of the city they still believe that some IS militants are still making stands. GNA forces Tuesday they cleared Giza Bahriya district where some IS militants are still hiding. [We have] secured all the buildings and the streets Libyan forces spokesperson Rida Issa told Reuters. We still need to secure the area around Sirte, he said. Women and children held captives by IS were also rescued in the operation. Most women, the forces say are migrants from southern Sahara. IS took control of the city last year in June after driving out local militia tasked to protect the city following the fall of the former Libyan ruler. The terrorist group turned the city into its third strong hold outside Iraq and Syria. GNA forces in May launched the takeover campaign to regain the city. The advance into the city was halted as the militant group resulted to suicide bombers, landmines, snipers to slow down the GNA forces progress. The battle regained momentum on August 1 after the US joined the campaign. The US-Africa Command headquartered in Stuttgart has launched close to 500 airstrikes on IS positions. Even though Sirte has been liberated, GNA forces believe that the campaign is not over. Some IS militants according to forces fled the city in the early moments of the crusade. Villages and valleys around the city need to be cleared, GNA forces noted. Bob Dole at the RNC. Photo: John Moore/Getty Images Former Kansas senator and onetime GOP presidential nominee Bob Dole didnt just arrange the phone call between Donald Trump and Taiwans President last week; he spent months making sure it would happen. Taiwan paid Alston & Bird, the law firm where Dole works, $140,000 from May to October of this year so that the 93-year-old would lobby Trump on its behalf, Politico says. And so he did that for months, in a handful of different ways. Dole, the only past Republican presidential nominee to endorse Trump before the election, briefed the campaigns policy director, set up meetings between campaign staff and Taiwanese emissaries, arranged for Taiwans delegation to attend the Republican National Convention, and helped tilt the party platform further in the islands favor, the disclosure released to POLITICO shows. He even arranged for members of Taiwans ruling party to take a White House tour, according to the filing. Doles relationship with Taiwan and subsequent brokering of the phone call defies the Trump transitions ban on lobbyists. It also makes the initial description of the call a simple congratulatory call even more farcical. On Monday, the Washington Post reported that the phone call was the product of months of quiet preparations and an intentionally provocative move that establishes the incoming president as a break with the past. In some ways thats true. Trumps call did break 37 years of protocol. But it also appears to have been the product of the lobbying efforts of a former senator. And in that way, its not a break from the past at all. Its happening. Photo: Douliery Olivier/Sipa USA USA A month after Election Day, many Americans are still having trouble wrapping their heads around the idea that Donald Trump will actually be president, and some have simply refused to accept it. Liberals and other avid Never Trumpers have put their hopes in the recounts occurring in several states, the Electoral College, and obscure sections of the Constitution that could almost instantly remove Trump from office. Passing such theories around social media is a tempting alternative to burying yourself in a West Wing binge, but the reality is that Trump will almost certainly be inaugurated on January 20, 2017. Heres a look at some of the efforts to keep Trump out of the White House, and why its unlikely the 2016 election has more surprises in store. Recounts The Process: Efforts to recounts ballots cast on November 8 are currently underway in five states. Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein is seeking recounts in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, three states where Trump narrowly beat Clinton. In Pennsylvania, where Trump had a 44,000 vote lead over Clinton, Green Party lawyers have filed a federal lawsuit requesting a forensic examination of voting machines used across the state, as well as a recount of all paper ballots. A hearing is set for Friday. A recount has been underway in Wisconsin since Thursday, despite a federal lawsuit filed by a Trump voter and two super-PACs seeking to stop the process. Trump won by about 22,000 votes in the state, and so far theres been little change in the results. On Monday a U.S. district judge ordered Michigan to begin its recount immediately. The courts have issued conflicting rulings as the states Republican attorney general, the Trump campaign, and super-PACs have attempting to stop the process. Trump won Michigan by roughly 10,700 votes. In response to Steins effort, independent presidential candidate Roque De La Fuente requested a recount in Nevada, which Clinton won by 27,202 votes. A partial recount is currently underway. Three Florida voters filed a lawsuit on Monday requesting a hand recount all paper ballots cast in the state. They claim Clinton actually won the state, and Trumps 112,000 vote lead in the official tally was the result of hacking, malfunctioning voting machines, and other issues. Why It Wont Work: Stein was able to raise more than $7 million dollars for the recount effort in a matter of days because many Clinton supporters saw it as their last chance to overturn the election results. But its extremely unlikely that any of the states will flip, and no one pushing for the initial batch of recounts ever said that making Clinton president was the goal. On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, New Yorks Gabriel Sherman reported that a group of computer scientists and election lawyers were urging Clinton to pursue recounts in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. While the experts found no proof of hacking, they noted that Americas voting machines have serious cybersecurity flaws, and amid surprising election results and reports of Russian meddling, there was cause for concern. The next day one of the experts, J. Alex Halderman, the director of the University of Michigan Center for Computer Security and Society, explained in a post on Medium that computer scientists have found voting machines can be hacked, and if theyre completely electronic that may be impossible to prove. Machines that involve a paper record whether a paper ballot is fed into the machine, or the machine produces a paper receipt of a vote cast electronically are far more secure, but many states dont bother to check the electronic results against the paper record to make sure the machines are functioning properly. Thus, the call for recounts. Halderman wrote: 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. 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. Unfortunately, nobody is ever going to examine that evidence unless candidates in those states act now, in the next several days, to petition for recounts. There are various theories about Steins true motives, but her website said the recount push was not intended to help Hillary Clinton, adding, These recounts are part of an election integrity movement to attempt to shine a light on just how untrustworthy the U.S. election system is. Some say more regular post-election vote auditing will increase confidence in election results, and Steins effort will help disprove claims of widespread voter fraud. Others say the drawn out recount effort is actually raising false concerns about election rigging. But none of the experts involved are arguing that Clinton actually won the battleground states. As Joshua A. Douglas, University of Kentucky law professor and a Clinton supporter, explained, recounts have only changed election results on a few rare occasions. All of these recounts had one significant fact in common: the margin of victory was in the hundreds, not thousands, he said. And the shifts in vote totals after the recounts were very small. In a post explaining that Clinton campaign lawyers would quietly participate in Steins effort to ensure fairness, attorney Marc Elias acknowledged that Trumps lead of more than 100,000 votes in the three battleground states is insurmountable. We do so fully aware that the number of votes separating Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in the closest of these states Michigan well exceeds the largest margin ever overcome in a recount, he said. Realistically, the best case scenario for Clinton supporters who donated to Steins effort is that the recount encourages states to adopt better voting technology and auditing procedures. Theoretically, Trump could have gained 100,000 votes in battleground states thanks to an incredibly elaborate hack, but there is as much evidence to back that up as there is behind this 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 Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2016 The Electoral College The Process: Technically the American people didnt elect Trump on November 8, they voted for a slate of electors who will cast their ballots for president in their respective state capitals on December 19. Alexander Hamilton said the Electoral College exists to ensure that the office of President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications, such as a candidate who exploited talents for low intrigue, and the little arts of popularity. In the wake of the election, many have argued that Trump is exactly the kind of person they had in mind. Over the year there have been a handful of faithless electors who refused to vote for the candidate selected by the voters in their state, and just before this years election two electors who supported Bernie Sanders in the primaries said they may not vote for Clinton. Previously, there was never any risk of rogue electors changing the election results, but a group of eight Democratic electors from Colorado and Washington are hoping to change that. The group, who have dubbed themselves the Hamilton Electors, are trying to convince 37 Republican electors to vote against Trump. He has 306 electors to Clintons 232, so that would put him under the 270 vote majority required to secure the presidency, sending the election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Rather than trying to convince Republican electors to support Clinton, the Hamilton Electors are pushing a moderate Republican as a compromise candidate. So far, one Republican elector is on board. On Monday Christopher Suprun of Texas announced in a New York Times op-ed that he will not vote for Trump. He wrote: The election of the next president is not yet a done deal. Electors of conscience can still do the right thing for the good of the country. Presidential electors have the legal right and a constitutional duty to vote their conscience. I believe electors should unify behind a Republican alternative, an honorable and qualified man or woman such as Gov. John Kasich of Ohio. I pray my fellow electors will do their job and join with me in discovering who that person should be. Why It Wont Work: It does seem that this is just the scenario the Founding Fathers had in mind when they created the Electoral College, but the reality is that the electors would have to jump through a number of hoops to deny Trump 270 electoral votes, and Congress would almost certainly make Trump president anyway. Assuming the Hamilton Electors could find 36 additional Republicans who consider Trump a threat to the country, theyd then have to get past laws that require those electors to vote for the candidate who won the popular vote in their state. According to Vox those laws exist in about 30 states, and the penalties tend to be mild in some cases its a fine of $500 to $1,000. However, there are few states where a faithless elector is considered to have resigned, and can be replaced by a faithful elector. Two Hamilton Electors from Colorado are heading to court on Tuesday to challenge a law binding their vote, which they argue goes against the Founding Fathers intentions for the Electoral College. Such requirements have never been tested, and they hope their win will undermine similar laws across the country. Assuming the Hamilton Electors can legally change their vote, they need a willing alternative to Trump, and thats proving difficult. They had settled on Ohio Governor John Kasich, but on Tuesday he asked members of the Electoral College not to vote for him. Gov. John Kasich statement on the recent news about the upcoming Electoral College meeting: pic.twitter.com/dm9yOfBqwF John Kasich (@JohnKasich) December 6, 2016 Colorado elector Michael Baca suggested hed vote for him anyway, noting George Washington was a reluctant leader but he was the right person at the right time. So lets say the Hamilton Electors manage to convince a few dozen Republicans to vote for their reluctant hero. Then the House of Representatives gets to choose the new president from the three candidates who recieved the most electoral votes, in this case Clinton, Trump, and Kasich. Baca told The Atlantic last month that voting for a Republican who actually knows what theyre doing would be in the best interest of lawmakers because theyd be most likely to enact a Republican Congresss agenda. However, congressional Republicans seem to think Trump will help them enact their agenda, and hes the candidate more than 62 million Americans voted for. Representatives could vote for the far more stable Republican alternative, but the decision would likely plunge the country into chaos. As Peter Beinart wrote in The Atlantic: Were the electors to meet on December 19 and decide that Donald Trump is unfit to be president, all hell would break loose. Trumps supporters, and even some who opposed him, would say the election had been stolen. Their worst fears about Americas rigged system of government would be confirmed. The president who the electors choseeven if it were Hillary Clinton, who beat Trump by over a million voteswould lack legitimacy in the eyes of much of the public. Its unclear whether such a president could effectively govern. Violence might break out. Moreover, once the precedent was set, future electors would become more likely to act independently again. The process of choosing them would grow fraught. Americas entire system of presidential elections would grow unstable. So it would make more sense to avoid sending the vote to the House. As Michael F. Cannon, a resident scholar at the Cato Institute, argues in the Washington Post, anti-Trump electors may have a better shot if they make a dramatic gesture of true bipartisanship. If all 232 Democratic electors promise to vote for a moderate Republican he suggests Romney it wouldnt be so hard to pick up 38 Republican electors, giving the 2012 GOP nominee all the votes he needs to become president. But even then, Congress may be able to stop the Electoral College. They have one last opportunity to reject any electoral vote that is not regularly given, and its not entirely clear what that means. As Time explains: On January 6, 2017, the newly elected Congress will meet to ensure that the electoral vote was regularly given. In the past, this meeting has almost always been ceremonial. Each state announces its electoral votes, everyone claps, and thats it. But technically, if one House member and one senator objects, then the new members must retreat to their own chambers and vote on what to do about the objection. If the House and Senate agree, their decision is final. That happened once, in 1968, when both chambers agreed to respect a faithless elector from North Carolinas decision to switch his vote to George Wallace, even though he was pledged to Richard Nixon. (His vote didnt have an effect on the outcome of the election.) If the House or the Senate cannot agree on what to do about an objection, then the dispute goes to the executive of the state, meaning the states Secretary of State, according to federal election law. He or she would make the final call. That could save America from the theoretical danger of a Trump presidency, but it would be replaced by the danger of forcing state and federal officials into an insane legal battle over who should assume the presidency. The 25th Amendment The Process: Following the assassination of John F. Kennedy, members of Congress realized that they needed to spell out the procedure for presidential succession more clearly. In 1967 they adopted the 25th Amendment, which states in Section 4: Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President. The president can fight this by sending a letter to the House and Senate saying hes capable of carrying out his duties, but the vice president and a majority of the cabinet can insist that hes still not fit. Then Congress would meet to decide the matter. If two-thirds of the House and Senate say they president is unable to do his job, the vice president remains acting president. The 25th Amendment was last used by George W. Bush to make Dick Cheney acting president while he underwent a colonoscopy, but it doesnt say the president has to be medically unable to perform his duties. Why It Wont Work: Months before the election it was suggested that people should start preparing for a potential Trump presidency by reading up on the 25 Amendment. Several outlets published similar pieces after November 8, and Keith Olbermann posted a video saying it could allow for instant impeachment of Trump. Last week Nate Silver suggested in a Five Thirty Eight thats its worth considering how loyal each new cabinet member is to the president-elect. To continue down my line of unconventional thinking: The 25th Amendment requires the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet to declare a president unfit for office. How likely is that to actually come up? Probably not too likely (that section of the 25th Amendment has never been invoked before). But I do think a useful heuristic is to think in terms of whether Cabinet members might be more loyal to Trump or more loyal to Pence in a crisis. But while Pence and the incoming cabinet do have the ability to remove Trump from office at any point, politically, its extremely unlikely. For the most part Republican officials have chosen to turn a blind eye to the long list of Trump scandals. Pence doesnt seem like the Frank Underwood type, but even if he were, invoking the 25th Amendment shortly after inauguration would be seen as an outrageous coup attempt. As with the efforts to change the Electoral College vote, members of Congress know the backlash over booting a legally elected president out of office would be harsh, and potentially harmful to U.S. democracy. Of course, that could change if President Trump does something that even Republicans see as completely reprehensible, but at this point its hard to imagine what that might be. (Or why theyd use the 25th Amendment rather than impeachment, a procedure that would be less shocking to voters.) And as Olbermann put it, the 25th Amendment provides the means to remove Trump from office, but only if Pence and Trumps cabinet someday develop the ethics, the patriotism, and the stones to use it. Thats not a very hopeful thought for Trump opponents, but thats their best shot at getting him out of office. Eye to eye? Photo: The Washington Post/The Washington Post/Getty Images On Tuesday, President Obama gave what is likely to be his last major national-security speech, defending his choices at home and abroad, and laying out what he feels the future must hold if the world is to become an ever more secure, more peaceful place. Not one to relinquish the spotlight, Donald Trump laid out his vision for the American military and its role on the world stage during a Tuesday-night stop on his thank you tour. Obama treated his speech at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa home to U.S. Central Command and Special Operations Command as a chance to make the final case for his security strategy just six weeks before he gives up the White House. He touted his success in weakening the Islamic State, saying that through utilizing a network of partners the United States has been able to break the back of the terror group. But the president spent the bulk of his speech addressing Americas values. In words that often seemed like a direct rebuke to Trumps inflammatory campaign rhetoric, Obama stressed that the only way terrorists can win is if we let them scare us into changing the nature of who we are and our democracy. These terrorists can never directly destroy our way of life. But we can do it for them if we lose track of who we are and the values that this nation was founded upon. Obama also warned against becoming too dependent on military action as a means to solve complicated global issues: So rather than offer false promises that we can eliminate terrorism by dropping more bombs, or deploying more and more troops or fencing ourselves offer the rest of the world we have to take a long view of the terrorist threat We have to pursue a smart strategy that can be sustained. His words stood in sharp contrast to Trumps. Speaking in front of an audience of his supporters in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Trump laid out his vision of the American militarys role in global affairs, which amounted to both a large-scale military buildup and a new dedication to isolationism. We will build up our military not as an act of aggression, but as an act of prevention, he said. In short, we seek peace through strength. At the same time, Trump said that the days of intervention and chaos were at an end. We will stop racing to topple foreign regimes that we know nothing about, that we shouldnt be involved with. Instead, he said, our focus must be on defeating terrorism and destroying ISIS, and we will. Trump assured the cheering crowd that he would expand the military and boost its funding by calling on Congress to roll back existent budget caps on defense spending. We dont want to have a depleted military, he said, because were all over the place fighting in areas that we shouldnt be fighting in. Earlier in Tampa, Obama had twice seemed to call out Trump directly on promises he made in the run-up to the election. He called on his successor to close the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay something Obama himself could never quite accomplish and spoke out forcefully against the use of torture, which Trump had said he would encourage, along with killing terrorists families. And Obama reiterated that the United States was not at war with Islam. If we act like this is a war between the United States and Islam, were not just going to lose more Americans to terrorist attacks, but well also lose sight of the very principles we claim to defend, he said. Obamas remarks on Islam took on an air of urgency, even desperation, in light of Trumps recent choice of retired Army lieutenant general Mike Flynn for his national-security adviser. Flynn has been outspoken about his disdain for Islam, calling it a vicious cancer. Obamas national security adviser Susan Rice will meet with Flynn at the White House on Wednesday. Trump also took the opportunity on Tuesday to officially introduce another member of his security team: General James Mattis, his pick for Defense secretary. Mattis was gracious in addressing the crowd, saying, I look forward to being the civilian leader as long as the Congress gives me the waiver and the Senate votes to consent. Mattis retired in 2013, and the law bars retired military officers from serving as Defense secretary for seven years to maintain civilian control of the Pentagon. Trump seemed incapable of letting a threat pass him by. Were going to get you that waiver, Trump said, taking the microphone. If you dont get that waiver there are going to be a lot of angry people. Donald Trump and Paul Ryan, partners in kleptocracy Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty Images Faced with the extraordinary circumstance of a president who refuses either to release his tax returns or to divest his business holdings, Republicans have devised a series of creative explanations for why Donald Trump is entitled to behave like a kleptocrat. Paul Ryan, on the other hand, has no use for creative defenses of kleptocracy. He is satisfied with uncreative ones. To wit, Ryan is happy to allow unlimited conflicts of interest and potential for Trumpian self-enrichment as long as Trump signs Ryans bills: This is not what Im concerned about in Congress, Ryan said Wednesday during an interview on CNBC. I have every bit of confidence hes going to get himself right with moving from being the business guy that he is to the president hes going to become. Ryan praised Trump for basically saying lets just go unify this party, unify this country, get things done. That is what Im focused on, he said, and not the legal details of how he divorces himself from his business, which I know he will. The bottom line, according to Ryan, is that Trump should handle his massive, undisclosed conflicts of interest however he wants to. Ryan does say he has confidence in Trump to avoid self-enrichment, which is a comical statement. Governments dont run on trusting leaders to do the right thing when nobody is looking. Theyre supposed to have mechanisms of accountability. And what president-elect has provided less grounds for confidence in his lack of pecuniary motive than Donald Trump? This is a man who has engaged in business with organized crime domestically, and with corrupt regimes abroad, who routinely refuses to pay money he owes, who has engaged in flagrant self-dealing, and who habitually lies about absolutely everything. If Ryan has confidence Trump would not use his power for personal gain, what possible leader would give him pause? The answer, of course, is a leader who isnt ready to sign some big tax cuts for the rich. And thats what Ryans answer says. Asked about Trumps blatant conflicts of interest, Ryan just says over and over he is focusing instead on fixing the countrys big problems. High taxes on the rich and excessively generous social spending on the poor are big problems. Kleptocratic government is not. Liberals have been saying that the Republican Party is going to be held together by a devils bargain, in which Trump gives Ryan his core economic agenda, and Ryan gives Trump a free hand to corrupt American government as he sees fit. Whats amazing is that Ryan is now basically saying the same thing. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images Retired Marine General John Kelly is Donald Trumps choice for secretary of Homeland Security, according to multiple reports. The 66-year-old, who led the U.S. Southern Command until earlier this year, will be the fifth person to lead DHS and the first who is not a lawyer. Hes the third general slated to join Trumps team, which already includes retired General James Mattis, incoming secretary of Defense, and National Security Adviser Lieutenant General Michael Flynn. In recent years, Kelly has served as an aide to Defense secretaries Leon Panetta and Robert Gates and led troops in Iraq. In 2010, his son Lieutenant Robert Michael Kelly was killed in Afghanistan, making the older Kelly the highest-ranking military officer to lose a child in Americas post-9/11 wars. That played a role in his selection by Mr. Trump, who wanted people on his national security team who understood personally the hazards of sending Americans into combat, the Times reports. At DHS, Kelly will be in charge of issues ranging from border security and immigration to preventing terrorist attacks. Immigration reformers are already cheering his selection. Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, said in a statement that Kelly will bring a renewed commitment to controlling our borders and ensuring the safety of the American homeland. Kelly is often described as a border-security hawkand he has spoken about the existential threat at the southern border. At a 2015 Senate hearing, he said that the relative ease with which human smugglers cross the border could unwittingly, or even wittingly, facilitate the movement of terrorist operatives or weapons of mass destruction toward our borders. This testimony reportedly caught the attention of Steve Bannon, who made sure Trump interviewed the general. During his time at U.S. Southern Command, Kelly earned a reputation as a straight-shooter who butted heads with the Obama administration more than once. He was, for instance, publicly opposed to closing Guantanamo Bay. I wouldnt want to be a detainee, he told NPR. But if you got to be a detainee somewhere, Gitmo is the place to be. Pictures of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting are seen on artificial roses at a roadside memorial December 20, 2012, in Newtown, Connecticut. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images A Tampa, Florida woman is facing federal charges for allegedly threatening the parent of a child who died in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. The woman, 57-year-old Lucy Richards, is apparently a Sandy Hook truther that is, one of the hoaxers who believe the massacre was staged. Richards has been indicted on four counts of transmitting threats in interstate commerce. According to the criminal complaint, Richards sent menacing messages to the parent in January, at one point writing you gonna die, death is coming to you real soon and LOOK BEHIND YOU IT IS DEATH. Next week marks the four-year anniversary of the carnage at Sandy Hook when 20 year-old Adam Lanza barged into a classroom, murdering 20 students and six teachers before taking his own life. Sandy Hook hoaxers deny this. Lenny Pozner, a Sandy Hook parent who lost his 6-year-old son, Noah, in the shooting, described his fight against the hoaxers harassment and disinformation to New York Magazine: But by the spring of 2014, as he watched the hoaxer movement bloom, Pozner decided to try fighting back. He released Noahs death certificate, to convince those who believed he had not been killed, and his report card Noah is a bright, inquisitive boy for those who believed he had never lived at all. One Friday night, a year and a half after the shooting, he joined a Facebook group called Sandy Hook Hoax, one of the more prominent hoaxer meeting grounds. (Its logo features a ghostly child holding an index finger to her mouth.) Pozner told the group he was there to answer questions, and he expressed empathy for their mind-set. I used to argue with people about 9/11 being an inside job, he wrote. Some members of the group asked earnest questions about inconsistencies in the official account. Others simply lobbed bombs. Fuck you Lenny fuck off and fuck your fake family, you piec [sic] of shit, one woman wrote. Pozner chatted for more than four hours, but his patience wore thin as the questions grew more absurd: why dont u want to look into the newtown police feeds of the nun n the guy in ski mask cuz my son is dead and it doesnt matter The name of the parent whom Richards threatened has not been released, though the individual lives in South Florida, says the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida. Richards faces a maximum of 20 years in prison five years for each count. She is due in court December 19. Weaker apart. Photo: Laura McDermott/Bloomberg via Getty Images Liberals have spent much of the past month picking through the corpse of Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign and loudly arguing about how to write up the autopsy. Most of these (amateur, political) morticians believe that the deceased had its image poisoned by the FBI, the media, and, perhaps, covert Russian agents. But theres been a lot of disagreement about whether that poisoning (in combination with a bout of pneumonia), would have been fatal, were it not for the victims self-inflicted wounds. To get more specific and less metaphorical: A lot of progressives have argued that Clinton put too little emphasis on her economic agenda and spent too little time campaigning in the Upper Midwest and that together, these two mistakes led a bunch of white, working-class Obama voters to lift Donald Trump into the White House. Others have disputed this narrative, arguing that it understates how much of Clintons rhetoric and platform focused on working-class issues, while overstating the degree to which Trumps support derived from economic anxiety, as opposed to white racial resentment. This week, The Atlantics Derek Thompson offered one of the most comprehensive versions of this rebuttal, in a column titled The Dangerous Myth That Hillary Clinton Ignored the Working Class. In it, he argues that liberals complaints about Clintons messaging on the economy owe more to wishful thinking than empirical evidence. [H]ere is the troubling reality for civically minded liberals looking to justify their preferred strategies: Hillary Clinton talked about the working class, middle class jobs, and the dignity of work constantly. And she still lost. She detailed plans to help coal miners and steel workers. She had decades of ideas to help parents, particularly working moms, and their children. She had plans to help young men who were getting out of prison and old men who were getting into new careers. She talked about the dignity of manufacturing jobs, the promise of clean-energy jobs, and the Obama administrations record of creating private-sector jobs for a record-breaking number of consecutive months. She said the word job more in the Democratic National Convention speech than Trump did in the RNC acceptance speech; she mentioned the word jobs more during the first presidential debate than Trump did. She offered the most comprehensively progressive economic platform of any presidential candidate in historyone specifically tailored to an economy powered by an educated workforce. Whats more, the evidence that Clinton lost because of the nations economic disenchantment is extremely mixed. Some economists found that Trump won in counties affected by trade with China. But among the 52 percent of voters who said economics was the most important issue in the election, Clinton beat Trump by double digits. Thompson proceeds to suggest that liberals have looked past these realities, because they point to a conclusion deeply threatening to the progressive project: Clinton didnt lose because the white working class failed to hear her message, but precisely because they did hear it. Which is to say: As the nation becomes more diverse, the white working class is becoming more chauvinistic in its attitude toward social welfare they support the mommy state, but only so long as its mothering them. Thus, the Democrats will make few inroads by amplifying the populism of their economic policies and messaging: So long as the party is associated with diversity and anti-racism, such appeals will fall on deaf (and/or racist) ears. Thompsons piece makes some worthy points. The idea that white support for redistributive fiscal policies will decline as America becomes more racially and ethnically pluralistic is worth taking seriously. After all, the strongest welfare states in the world were established in some of the globes most racially homogenous countries. And some historians have argued that nativist restrictions on immigration passed in the 1920s may have been a precondition for the rise of the American welfare state over the decades that followed. Still, Thompsons central argument is unsatisfying for a reason highlighted in his pieces final lines: For liberals, pluralist social democracy is the project of the future, and any alternative falls somewhere between xenophobic and amoral. But what if the vast majority of white voters who voted for Trump arent interested in any version of that future, no matter who the messenger is? The answer to this question, at least on the presidential level, is: That would be fine. Few progressives would argue that Clinton could have won the vast majority of Trump voters with a sharper economic message. But she didnt need to win the vast majority of them to take the White House the presidential race was decided by 80,000 votes scattered across Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Considering that Clinton barely campaigned or advertised in those first two states, it seems bizarre to ascribe her loss to the fact that voters there heard her economic message too well. More critically, though, even if we stipulated that every single Trump voter is an unreachable racist, Clinton would not be absolved of failing to reach the Rust Belts working class. Many pundits (including myself) put a lot of post-election emphasis on the Obama-Trump voter the white, midwestern proletarian who backed the first African-American president, and then voted for the demagogue who tried to delegitimize him. But while there were Obama-Trump voters and while margins in the Midwest were tight enough to make them significant they still played a supporting role in the drama of November 8. Clinton did not lose Obamas strongholds in the Midwest solely because white working-class Democrats flipped to Trump, but also because many Democrats stayed at home or voted third party. In Slate, Konstantin Kilibarda and Daria Roithmayr make this case in stark detail, by comparing the 2012 and 2016 vote totals in the Rust Belt 5 Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin: Compared with Republicans performance in 2012, the GOP in the Rust Belt 5 picked up 335,000 additional voters who earned less than $50,000 (+10.6 percent). But the Republicans gain in this area was nothing compared with the Democrats loss of 1.17 million (-21.7 percent) voters in the same income category. Likewise, Republicans picked up a measly 26,000 new voters in the $50$100K bracket (+0.7 percent), but Democrats lost 379,000 voters in the same bracket (-11.7 percent). Notably, Clintons struggles with the Midwests working class transcended racial lines: She received 400,000 fewer votes from black, indigenous, and other people of color in the Rust Belt 5 than Obama did in 2012. (While newly passed voter suppression measures in Ohio and Wisconsin likely contributed to this drop-off, they arent sufficient for explaining it: The drop-off was also observed in states like Pennsylvania, where no such measures were enacted between 2012 and 2016). Slates data does not account for county-level shifts in voting patterns and thus, likely understate the significance of the white, working class, Obama-Trump voter. The swings in those counties were biblical: pic.twitter.com/7puViba2w8 Esoteric Jeff (@EsotericCD) December 7, 2016 Nonetheless, Clinton didnt need to win over a single white Trump voter to take Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. She just needed to turn out working class Democrats. Its possible that Clintons failure to do so was unrelated to her campaign messaging. But considering the size of the drop-off, the burden of proof should lie with the defense. Its undeniably true that Clinton put together a progressive economic platform that, if enacted, would have made a positive difference in the lives of working-class voters. And she did tout that platform in some of her most widely viewed public appearances. But its also true that Clinton did not center her campaign on a single, simple economic narrative. Only 9 percent of the Democratic nominees appeals in paid advertisements referenced jobs or the economy compared with 34 percent of Trumps. And rather than tie Trump to his partys unpopular fiscal agenda, Clinton often tried to distance her opponent from Paul Ryan and the rest of the Republican Party, in hopes of engineering a bipartisan rebuke of the demagogue. In prosecuting her case against Trump, Clinton put far more weight on his incompetence and hatefulness, than she did on the inferiority of his economic agenda relative to her own. Even when Clinton addressed economic issues, she tended to do so in a piecemeal, technocratic way. She offered voters much more substance on economic policy than her opponent did, but far less clarity and concision. As Mike Konczal writes for Vox: What were Clintons three things to benefit workers? There was policy everywhere, but none of it was clear to voters. An infrastructure deal though would that even happen and didnt Obama already try that? Anyway, Trump promised to do it twice as big. After that, it wasnt clear what was a priority. Stuff that actually would affect workers lives was presented in a technocratic and vague way. Clinton spoke of short-termism instead of bosses who would rather give money to shareholders than invest in their companies and workers. Shadow banking instead of Wells Fargo was ripping you off and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau stopped it. Clinton still won the economic argument among voters who turned out Election Day, per exit polls. But its hard not to suspect that the relative lack of clarity and urgency in her economic message was one reason so many working-class Democrats decided to drive straight home after clocking out on November 8. All of which is to say: Theres little evidence to suggest that Clinton lost the presidency because white working-class voters had a clear understanding of her excellent (but, from their perspective, disconcertingly anti-racist) economic platform; so little, one might even call that suggestion a dangerous myth. The next U.S. ambassador to China has a good personal history with Xi Jiping. But will it matter with Trump in the White House? Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images In the wake of his apparently deliberate provocation of the Chinese government over Taiwan, President-elect Donald Trumps next step with respect to the worlds largest country seems impressively conciliatory: appointing Iowa governor Terry Branstad as U.S. ambassador to Beijing. Branstad has a famously friendly relationship with Chinas paramount leader Xi Jiping that dates back 30 years to a trip to Iowa made by Xi, who was then a provincial agricultural official. Then as now, Branstad was governor of Iowa, and by virtue of his office, someone with a powerful interest in selling grain and pork to that vast, largely untapped market across the Pacific. Hes certainly made sure to keep up the contacts, as Jennifer Jacobs reports: Branstad in 2012 feted Xi, then Chinas vice president, with an elaborate dinner at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines, and days after Trumps election embarked on a previously planned, week-long trade mission to China and Japan, his fourth trip to China in the last seven years. And sure enough, Chinas government has reacted warmly to the news an old friend would be serving as U.S. ambassador. So is this a rare transition coup for the Trump team, perfectly timed to pour oil on the troubled waters of U.S.-China relations? Maybe so. But it is too early to know if Branstad will be able serve as an effective ambassador in a relationship Trump made highly contentious not just in taking a call from Taipei but throughout his presidential campaign. Precisely because Trump has made such a big deal out of Chinas economic rivalry with the U.S., it is very likely relations with Beijing will be handled out of the top echelons of the State Department if not the White House itself. More than likely, the avuncular Branstad will just be the messenger and hand-holder in Beijing, and if things go way south in the relationship, as they well could, the ambassadors friendship with Xi will become, with all due respect to Iowas fine pork products, like lipstick on a pig. Branstad has certainly earned the trust of the president-elect. Though not a Trump backer during the Iowa caucus run-up (he did break his neutrality to attack Ted Cruzs less-than-robust support for ethanol subsidies), he became very enthusiastic for the mogul after he won the GOP nomination. It probably did not hurt that his son, an ethanol lobbyist, ran Trumps general-election campaign in Iowa. And while it may have been due more to demographics than any state party effort, Iowa turned bright red on November 8, with Trump winning a state Obama carried twice by nearly ten points. What you have to wonder about now are Branstads own motivations in taking this perilous job. Sure, after spending 21 of his 70 years on Earth as governor of Iowa, he may regard the exotic posting as the capstone of his career and a big change of pace. And, yes, by vacating the governors office he will be able to elevate his protege, Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds, and perhaps enable her to avoid a tough primary in 2018. But giving the potentially central nature of the U.S.-China bilateral relationship to the future of the world, it is not clear Branstad knows exactly what he is getting into. He does not strike you as a deep geopolitical thinker. He could wind up resembling the late Robert Strauss, who was sent by George H.W. Bush to Moscow to cut oil deals literally weeks before all hell broke loose and the USSR fell apart. Maybe he (and we) will get lucky and Branstad will spend his time in Beijing happily hustling agricultural exports and tourism opportunities. But he could simply become the bland, friendly face of an administration at war with his hosts. The competition to be named Time Magazines Person of the Year ended on November 8. Maybe sooner. So there was little surprise Wednesday when the magazine gave the title to Donald Trump. The president-elect beat out a short list of nominees that included Beyonce and whistleblowers who first drew attention to the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. And Hillary Clinton, who loses to Trump again. On the Today show, Trump said the title is a tremendous honor, even if its not necessarily supposed to be taken that way. As Time notes, the title goes to the person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or ill, and embodied what was important about the year, for better or for worse. This is the third time in four months Trump has appeared alone on the cover of Time. He probably wasnt as fond of the other two. Photo: Facebook Facebook dominated the headlines this year more than any of its tech-giant rivals. Unfortunately, none of it was for stories Facebook might have liked. Since the election, a great media panic over fake news distributed across the service has erupted; six months earlier, the company drew ire from conservatives when Gizmodo reported that the editors controlling its trending widget were avoiding conservative topics. Any company as large as Facebook will have to face criticism at some point, but its rare to face quite as much (and as urgent) criticism as Facebook has, and it speaks to Facebooks transformative power. But in many ways Facebook would be happy to leave that particular power behind. The central problem Facebook faces is the News Feed of images and information that greets users when they log in to the site or open the app. The News Feed is Facebooks largest, most famous, and most profitable product; for most users, its synonymous with Facebook itself. But its also the companys most-criticized and most-reviled product the one that has transfigured not just journalism but politics as well. But the feed as an organizing principle is dying, along with the overwhelmingly public Web 2.0 that Time celebrated ten years ago. In April, Bloomberg reported that the company was working to combat a decline in people sharing original, personal content, the fuel that helps power the money machine at the heart of its social network. Put another way: Facebook has increasingly become a site for outside links and third-party memes and jokes, and not personal content like status updates and photos of friends. This change has an obvious effect on user satisfaction but maybe more importantly, it has an effect on Facebooks ability to gather the data it needs to target ads the overwhelming source of its revenue more effectively. Context collapse and the mental load that comes with managing a plurality of online and offline identities was making posting a less attractive prospect. Meanwhile, the News Feed is increasingly onerous to manage in the face of public, blunt, and constant criticism. (At the same time, Facebook has admitted to miscalculating some of the statistics it provided to brands and advertisers.) The recent controversy over the proliferation of fake news and misinformation might make you wonder how the company will right a heavily listing ship. Even asking that question, however, implies that Facebook cares beyond appearances about fixing the News Feed filter bubble and improving that part of its product. But while the News Feed is still hugely profitable (and will continue to be for many years), its not the future of Facebook. One indication that Facebook is looking beyond the News Feed is on your News Feed itself: Facebook Live, the livestreaming feature into which Mark Zuckerberg has pumped millions of dollars, paying celebrities and brands to use it, and now buying billboards that literally explain how. That billboards explaining how to use a tech product even exist encapsulates how well the Live rollout has gone, but the existence of the feature demonstrates Facebooks anxieties: How can it encourage people to post more original content, and fewer external links? Would it be possible to turn the News Feed into a stream of videos a la Snapchat and not an index of political argument and conspiracy theory? Facebook has spent much of the last year chasing Snapchat, which has managed to build a bustling, millennial-friendly service around core concepts of privacy, ephemerality, and the lack of uncomfortably accurate ad-targeting. Live video on the News Feed, ephemeral 24-hour Stories in the Instagram app (an idea co-founder Kevin Systrom explicitly admits was taken from Snapchat), and facial lenses from recent acquisition MSQRD show us what Facebook would like to be fun, light, and easy to use. And not centered around the News Feed. Elsewhere, Facebook bolstered its messaging service, rolling out an API for chatbots, automated services that you interface with in the same way you might text someone. Chatbots are attractive to Facebook because they offer not just the opportunity to collect data but the opportunity for the company to insert itself as a middleman in all kinds of transactions, as WeChat has done to great success in China. But not yet: Chatbots have yet to take hold in any significant way, mainly because they require a substantially different approach to development than graphical interfaces do. Maybe the most important indicator of where Facebook is headed after the News Feed is those solar-powered drones that can fly for months at a time and beam internet access to people via lasers. At this years F8 conference, Mark Zuckerberg literally lifted up a drone engine onstage in a show of strength that wouldnt be out of place at an arms convention. Written out, the drone concept sounds ridiculous (once upon a time, so did driverless cars), but the core of it points to Facebooks greater ambition: owning the pipes. Facebook doesnt want to be a portal to the rest of the web, it wants to be the web. Over the last few years, Mark Zuckerberg has made an exhaustive effort in nations outside of Europe and the United States to roll out Free Basics. The free in Free Basics the crown jewel of Internet.org, Facebooks broader initiative derives from a concept called zero-rating. Services that are zero-rated dont count against data caps, effectively making them free to access (and violating the concept of net neutrality, the notion that all data traveling across a network should be treated equally). Facebook has spent years convincing mobile carriers to offer even those without data plans free access to Facebook. In the short term, this gives users resources they might not otherwise have. In practice, it effectively gives Facebook a monopoly on which internet content users in the developing world see. In India this spring, public outcry over what Internet.org was actually trying to do led to a complete rejection of the service. That setback hasnt stopped Facebook from trying to expand though. Internet.org is still running through mobile carriers in dozens of countries. Facebook also owns WhatsApp, a messaging service that is incredibly popular abroad but hardly used in America, which, in 2014, it paid a then-flabbergasting $19 billion for. Internally, Facebook is reportedly developing tools that might allow it to once again breach the Great Firewall of China. The fact of the matter is that the quality and overall strategy of News Feed (and live video, and chatbots, and Instagram stories, and WhatsApp) matter less and less to Facebook if they end up running the pipes as well. Almost everyone hates their ISP, but when its the only one in town, it can get by on subpar service. Facebook doesnt want to be the best option for using the internet; it wants to be the only option. And to get there, it will spread across territories outside the U.S., mostly out of sight of domestic watchdogs. Dont take your eyes off of Zuck and Co. for a second. Booms passenger jet will seat 4050 and hit speeds of Mach 2.2. Photo: Courtesy of Boom Blake Scholl, CEO of the Denver-based aerospace start-up Boom, is putting it out into the universe, The Secretstyle: By 2023, well have ushered in a brand-new, high-speed Jet Age in which supersonic planes will transport travelers from New York to London in three hours and 15 minutes flat. Or, roughly the time it currently takes to slog from New York to D.C. on Amtrak. People are going to start to commute across the Atlantic, says Scholl, a pilot and former Amazon engineer. The first flight of the day from New York lands in London in time for you to get an afternoon set of meetings done, go out to dinner, and be home to tuck your kids into bed. It gives you a whole day off of a typical itinerary. Thats one less night in a hotel. In the companys hangar in Denver, Scholl recently announced that Boom is partnering with Richard Branson and Virgin Galactic on a slick, 40-to-50-passenger plane that, like the now-defunct Concorde, can fly at the speed of sound almost three times faster than todays planes and slice travel times approximately in half. San Francisco to Tokyo, once a grueling, 11-hour transpacific flight, could become a five-and-a-half-hour day trip on Boom. As the company suggests on its website, that means you could leave mid-morning, grab a sushi lunch and be home by midnight. L.A. to Sydney would come down to six hours, 45 minutes from the currently brutal 15, and so on down the line. Its going to be so awesome, Scholl says. Were getting better computers, getting better phones, and yet were still flying, basically, these 1960s airplane designs, he says. Weve made planes safer. Weve made them more efficient. But we havent made it any easier to get around the planet. Of course, not everyone is on board with his mission. There were doubters when Scholl and Branson unveiled their plan last month: High-speed flight didnt work for the Concorde, the fuel-guzzler that once upon a time shuttled the one percent from New York to London for around $20,000 a flight. It crashed in 2000 and faded into obsolescence three years later. How would Boom be any different, especially in aviation, an industry in which innovation is both expensive and highly regulated by the government? A jet-engine prototype at Boom headquarters in Colorado. Photo: Courtesy of Boom We have the technology to do a massive speed-up, Scholl says. Digital aerodynamic design makes it easier to update supersonic aircraft, and new carbon-fiber composite materials that can withstand the high temperatures of supersonic flight have only in recent years gained FAA approval. Others point out that at $5,000 per round-trip ticket, jetting via Boom is a far cry from JetBlue. But Boom flights, which Scholl argues cost about the same as todays business-class tickets, afford passengers the most precious commodity of all. As the companys gooey tagline puts it, Time saved is life gained. The even bigger thing is not just saving a couple hours, Scholl said. But saving entire days of travel, making it possible to go places you otherwise just wouldnt go. Scholls father, for example, lives in Hong Kong, an 18-hour flight from Denver. My children are never going to be close with their grandfather because they only see each other, like, once a year, he says. When youre breaking the sound barrier in-flight, however, distant relatives could become less distant, and far-flung bucket-list vacations much more doable, particularly if prices come down. Before the Jet Age of the 1950s and 60s, if you were in San Francisco and you wanted to vacation in Hawaii, itd take you 16 hours to get there, he said. Thats like the Australia of today. Boom is hardly a lone wolf aviation giants like Boeing and Lockheed Martin are developing new supersonic jets, and at least two other aerospace start-ups, Aerion in Reno and Spike in Boston, are at work on high-speed business jets. Aerion will cater to wealthy entrepreneurs, corporate flight departments, charters, and government VIPs. The common factor is a desire to get somewhere fastest and first, Jeff Miller, Aerions vice-president of marketing and communication, said in an email. And the willingness to pay a premium for speed. But Boom is intent on being first in the new era of supersonic flight. As far as other folks doing this, more power to them, Scholl says. I dont think theres anything wrong with people flying around in private jets, but we want to build something we can see our friends and family using. Boom has set a launch date for 2023, with the first test flights scheduled to begin late next year using a scaled-down prototype of the plane that Scholl says will allow for extensive safety testing. Thats going to be a Kitty Hawk moment, he says, convinced hell be able to prove the viability supersonic commercial travel. Its not decades-away sci-fi. Its real, and its coming quickly. (L-R): The Pajar mocassin, the Ugg Yvett, the Jacques Levine slide. When in doubt, a pair of slippers pretty much always makes a great gift. But which ones to get?!? We asked writer Sadie Stein, who has three pairs (about which she is extremely passionate), to weigh in. While three pairs of slippers seems like a lot (it is a lot), I work from home. People assume you spend your day lounging around in pajamas. I guess this is theoretically possible, but for many of us, its actually very important to impose a little structure on the day by getting dressed. And this is when you find yourself owning three pairs of slippers. Or, I do, anyway. When you dont wear a single pair every day, it takes slightly longer to become completely revolting. This is not nothing. I have a soft spot for the kind of stretchy old-lady slippers my grandmother used to wear, and have been known to pick these up in drugstores while on vacation. The nylon sort dont wear well, however, and provide minimal warmth. When you want a touch of sleek old-ladyish elegance and high durability, there is one brand you want, and that brand is Jacques Levine. Depending on the level of dowdiness you desire, you can find their scuffs in pastels, in black, or most Norma Desmondfabulous of all! in gold. I have worn the black suede with gold trim for years it looks elegant with everything and makes me feel like I am making an effort. Like many people, I have a very cozy pair of Pajar Canada moccasins, which are sturdy enough to take you to the mailbox or bodega, and lend all outfits a touch of rustic cabin charm. These are the workhorses of the slipper wardrobe: classic, hard-working, durable. After a few months, they start to look like sad, dejected animals in the best possible way. Recently a new slipper came into my life, and I know it doesnt sound chic but I swear to you, it is. It is made by Ugg. I know what youre thinking, but trust me, the Ugg Yvett slipper is a marvel of slipper technology: It is somehow both dainty and sturdy, grounded and playful, comfortable beyond belief but at home with the slinkiest silk nightgown. It has a slight wedge, never a bad thing. Although the style is vaguely retro, the wild sheepswool pompom saves it from precious girliness. And while Im not suggesting its a substitute for an Agent Provocateur mule, I would argue its not without a certain unexpected sex appeal. (And, again, much easier on the neighbors.) To recap: For looking like Norma Desmond: Jacques Levine slides, $110 For some rustic cabin charm: Pajar Canada moccasins, from $27 For a slipper thats both dainty and sturdy: The Ugg Yvett, $85 Plus! For a man: Andre Leon Talleys favorite slipper: The Ugg Scuff Slip-On, from $41 The Strategist is a new site designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best notebook, black T-shirts, fashion-editor-approved jeans, toothbrush, and apartment decor. Note that all prices are subject to change. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission. Photo: Artur Debat/Getty Images Celebrity hacks have become more prevalent, from the Sony email leak to the nude photos of the Fappening. And Alonzo Knowles, a 24-year-old Bahamian man, was just sentenced to five years in prison for hacking the email accounts of celebrities and athletes, reports the New York Times. Knowles, who was arrested in December in an undercover sting and pled guilty to the crime in May, gained access to unreleased scripts including All Eyez on Me, the forthcoming Tupac Shakur biopic and nude photos, among other information. Naturi Naughton, who stars in Power and was one of Knowless victims, said, I have never felt more violated and out of control in my entire life. Emails he sent from jail since May indicated that he wanted to write a book with all of the information he had obtained, and, going a step further, that he would hack Twitter accounts for book promotion. Everyone loves gossip, he added. I cant wait to get out i already know how the cover is gonna look. Richard Spencer Photo: Courtesy of CNN White nationalist leader Richard Spencer continued to espouse his dangerous rhetoric during an unauthorized speech at Texas A&M last night, which was met with widespread protests. To a crowd of approximately 400, Spencer whose cry of Hail Trump infamously prompted a Hitler salute at an alt-right gathering last month praised Trump as the first step toward white identity politics in the United States. While a few in the audience clapped, most of the attendees appeared to be there in dissent, jeering Spencer as he spoke. According to a student reporter, there were at least two potential altercations during the speech and some students had to be escorted out. Whether its nice to say that or not, we won, and we got to define what America means, Spencer declared. That means we got to define what this continent means. America at the end of the day belongs to white men. "We won. America belongs to white men." - Richard Spencer pic.twitter.com/3LTiBSILiv Josef Winkler (@josefgoldilock) December 7, 2016 Like the alt-right movement at large, Spencers rhetoric is an ugly blend of racism and misogyny working in tandem. At a press conference in advance of his speech, he derided feminism as having seduced many women into thinking that Oh, men are wrong, I need to be myself, I need to have a career, I need to do this. They wake up, he added, theyre 45, theyre living with cats and theyre extremely unhappy. (Add cats to the list of groups Spencer apparently hates.) Also at the presser, Spencer mocked the school president and the students demonstrating against him. The fact that the president of Texas A&M University has created the worlds largest safe space, I think we might need to call Guinness, he said. It shows the power of the ideas. Hes actually making us much more powerful. He is demonstrating the truth that our ideas are important. Hundreds of students protested against Spencers speech, which was not authorized by the school but was organized by a former student who rented out a space on campus. According to reports, two non-student demonstrators were arrested, and videos and images show riot police clashing with protestors. University officials roundly condemned Spencers visit as being in direct conflict with our core values, while the school organized a university-wide event called Aggies United to counter Spencers hateful views. Anti-abortion activists hold a rally opposing federal funding for Planned Parenthood in front of the U.S. Capitol on July 28, 2015, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Olivier Douliery/Getty Images One of the nations strictest anti-abortion bills might soon become law in Ohio after the states Republican-controlled House approved the so-called heartbeat bill mere hours after it passed in the Senate on Tuesday. The bill ranks among the nations most stringent restrictions on abortion by prohibiting them altogether after the first detection of a fetal heartbeat. Fetal heartbeats typically occur six weeks into a pregnancy, often far earlier than most women confirm theyre pregnant. Ohio governor John Kasich has not indicated whether he will sign the measure, according to the Associated Press. Though Kasich is pro-life, hes also shared his reservations about outlawing abortions so early in a pregnancy, given that such a measure would likely be found unconstitutional. Similar laws in Arkansas and North Dakota have failed when challenged in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The U.S. Supreme Court also effectively affirmed the lower courts decision by declining to hear an appeal. In fact, even the states largest anti-abortion organization, Ohio Right to Life, does not support the current legislation because it will likely be struck down by the courts, according to cleveland.com. The heartbeat bill also twice failed to pass through both Houses of the state legislature (the House approved it for the third time on Tuesday). The current version of the bill managed to move forward this week after lawmakers tagged it on a bill amending child-welfare laws, according to Mother Jones. The 1973 Roe v. Wade decision by the Supreme Court established a nationwide right to an abortion, but allowed states to restrict abortions once a fetus has a reasonable chance of surviving outside the womb. The court didnt offer a legal definition of viability, instead only stating that it could range between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. Given all of the likely legal challenges the bill will face if signed into law, its worth noting the reasoning behind the renewed interest. Donald Trumps election has apparently motivated pro-life activists in the state to pursue the legislation, in the hopes of a future Supreme Court that will further restrict abortion. I think we have a brand-new day here in America and were going to see a brand-new Supreme Court with pro-life justices, Janet Porter, of Faith2Action, told NBCs local Ohio affiliate. By the time this law gets to the Supreme Court, Im confident it will be upheld. you lose again banks Reply Thread Link here for the gif Reply Thread Link me too <3 Reply Parent Thread Link It's amazing how she kept going with this even after every single person there said she's lying. Reply Thread Link Right? I really wonder where she saw this going? Maybe she hoped she could drag it out jjuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuussssstttt that he'd get sick of it and pay her go-away-money But even still, you'd think that plan would fall apart when other at the party went to actual news sources to call her a liar Reply Parent Thread Link But it's so much worse to be spit I'd rather have a punch to my face!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lol Reply Parent Thread Expand Link The same tactic made Trump the next president so who can fault her for sticking with her delusional lies. Reply Parent Thread Link And that she threatened to glass someone. And that she was violent. That lawyer was probably like "lol nope, not worth it." Reply Parent Thread Link Banks basically argued that it was irrelevant since he spit on her which is worse than pulling broken glass on someone and threatening to slit their throat. i Reply Thread Link lol don't get me wrong there are no winners here but her dismissal is amazing nbd, just threatened to slit ur throat with broken glass Reply Parent Thread Link Now im remembering all the people who said theyd rather get punched in the head than spat on, in earlier posts Edited at 2016-12-07 10:09 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link omg that post Reply Parent Thread Link lmao i died at the ppl in that post saying anything to defend azealia. Reply Parent Thread Link Did you read the thread when this came out initially? ONTD was going hard for that logic. Reply Parent Thread Link Banks basically argued that it was irrelevant since he spit on her which is worse than pulling broken glass on someone and threatening to slit their throat. Oh she'd be pleased to know there are people here who agree with this. Reply Thread Link link to the post! Reply Parent Thread Link Lmao Reply Parent Thread Link lmao DRAG ONTD Reply Parent Thread Link I forgot all about this, lol Reply Thread Link "And now a DA is saying he's justified in spitting on me" Girl, what? You pulled a weapon on people... That gif has never been more accurate. Reply Thread Link It's absolutely insane that's that's what she got out of this....the case was thrown out and she decides that that exclusively means the judge thinks she deserves to get spit on??? Like, lmao, WHAT??? Reply Parent Thread Link Lmao I find this post funny because I was literally just thinking about Russell Crowe (in relation to me and my current issue~), but I think this would be an odd post to go somewhat off topic in and explain. Reply Thread Link you've already gone this far Reply Parent Thread Link Lmao I debated but the tone would be all wrong. Reply Parent Thread Link "in relation to me and my current issue" Soy chismosa, spill Reply Parent Thread Expand Link you're one of those people who post those vague, annoying statuses on Facebook, aren't you? Reply Parent Thread Link Her lawyer "went ghost"? After being paid? Is that a thing? Or did s/he just tell Azealia that she didn't have a case and she refused to accept it? That kinda seems more likely. Reply Thread Link I don't even believe that happened(nothing she says is true) but if something like that DID happen, I'm assuming the lawyer dropped her case cause it wasn't going anywhere and they just took the money for the time already worked but of course AB would twist that to make it sound way worse and more in her favor Reply Parent Thread Link Lawyers don't ghost. Unless she means the label's lawyer which in that case I'm not surprised that they wouldn't return her phone calls. Reply Parent Thread Link maybe he died? Reply Parent Thread Link Maybe trump can help her Reply Thread Link Lmao Reply Parent Thread Link ugh, next thing u know she's the fucking education secretary or something. Reply Parent Thread Link yes , a good old lesbian affair to take down a cabinet member . We need scandals to defeat the evil Reply Parent Thread Link could not pick more unlikable people on either side tbh (i say this as a fan of azealia's music.) what a moment that must have been, two insanely inflated egos colliding. Reply Thread Link Banks basically argued that it was irrelevant since he spit on her which is worse than pulling broken glass on someone and threatening to slit their throat. weren't people on ONTD trying to argue this too no wait, it's worse to spit on someone than punch them, isn't it? Reply Thread Link With Trump at the helm, sentiment gives way to practicality in the energy industry. For the vast untapped potential of the nuclear energy industry and the uranium that feeds it, this could contribute to a market-disrupting revival that no longer bows to fear and the politics of economy. While there have been some oversupply issues keeping uranium prices down, the bigger problem has been negative sentiment rather than real fundamentals, but the Trump presidency will see through that. Trumps take on nuclear energy is quite simple. As he noted after the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan: If a plane goes down, people keep flying. If you get into an auto crash, people keep driving. Now more than ever, demand for uranium appears to be assured. But more than that, its about to truly explode as a number of situations combine to form the new era of nuclear power. If you are going to acquire uranium assets, now is the right time, IsoEnergy Ltd. CEO and President Craig Parry told Oilprice.com. If its not the bottom yet, you can certainly see it. And on that front we see the market at the early stage of what will become a roaring bull market. Parry might be onto something, and IsoEnergy is indeed in high acquisition mode, targeting the discovery and development of high-grade uranium deposits in and around the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewanhome to some of the worlds biggest high-grade deposits. Getting Ready for Uranium to Become an Irresistibly Hot Commodity While Trump might inject a major boost of energy into the U.S. nuclear industry and the uranium market through deregulation, there are other factors coalescing around the world to make this a stellar new beginning for uranium and nuclear energy. Were already seeing the biggest uranium producers stocks reacting, including Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ), AREVA (EPA:AREVA), BHP Billiton (NYSE:BHP). Canadian Camecos stock was up 25 percent in November, and while the spot prices are low and set to rise, Parry points out that spot prices are all but irrelevant in this market, as almost all uranium is sold at long-term contract prices, which are presently coming in upwards of US$40 per pound, significantly higher than the current spot prices. The outlook for uranium looks even more bullish when you consider that these contracts are now coming to a close, and uranium is poised to become a very hot commodity once again. Major American and European nuclear reactors are coming off supply in 2017 and 2018, and will be looking for long-term contracts once again. The biggest uranium producer in the world, Canadian Cameco, said earlier this month that some 500 million pounds of uranium will be needed for nuclear reactors in the next ten years, and it hasnt been contracted out yet. Buyers of this uranium will have to hit the market sooner rather than later. Analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald recently predicted that there would be a violent increase in uranium prices at some point, theorizing that as much as 80 percent of the uranium market might be uncovered in terms of supply by 2025, and that demand would by then outstrip supply. Related: The Diamond Powered Battery Of The Future The low-price environment has choked off exploration activity for uranium and we are at the point where there are not enough uranium projects in the pipeline that can adequately meet the coming demand, the London Telegraph quoted Cantor as saying. All of this coincides with a phenomenal number of new nuclear reactors being built, which will also enter the market at the same time. (Click to enlarge) The end result? Were looking at the biggest deficit ever in the uranium market by 2018. So we have over 20 Chinese nuclear reactors already under construction, plans from India to significantly increase its nuclear demand, and plans to restart over 20 Japanese reactors. These three things are major demand drivers that will wake the sleeping giant that is uranium. And as demand soars, North America is sure to play a key role in the future of uranium supply. In North Americaand even from a global standpointthere is no better place to explore for uranium than Saskatchewans Athabasca Basin, which is to uranium what Saudi Arabia is to oil. (Click to enlarge) Two of the largest producing uranium mines in the worldMcArthur River and Cigar Lake--are in the Athabasca Basin. In and around this area, where Canadas Cameco is the key player, junior IsoEnergy is focusing on new exploration and development at Thorburn Lake, Radio, North Thorburn and Madison. Related: Natural Gas Prices At Highest Level In Two Years Now that Trump is president-elect, the speculation is that Trump will make good on promises to reform the licensing and permitting processes for nuclear power plants. What this means is that we could be sitting right on the edge of a revolution in next generation nuclear technology. This means a major push for next-generation nuclear projects such as PRISM, the brainchild of General Electric and Hitachi. So not only does demand for uranium across the next two decades seem assured, it is poised to paint an attractively tight supply picture in the coming decades. As the New Year is ushered in, falsely negative sentiment on uranium is likely to be ushered out the door and the real fundamentals will become more visible. The bottom line is this: While uranium prices have been on a very long and gradual decline for some 13 years, analysts agree that theyve reached their bottom and the climb back up is poised to be a lot faster than the decline. Trump is all about harnessing untapped potential, and as atomic energy advocates are quick to point out: Nothing has more untapped potential on multiple fronts than nuclear energy, and right now is the time to buy into quality assets while uranium is at a multi-year low but at the early stage of a bull market. By Simon Harlow of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The outcome of the Vienna meeting came as a pleasant surprise to oil markets. A deal had been hammered out and, despite the resistance, OPEC and Non-OPEC producers had agreed to cut a total of 1.8mbpd. Saudi Arabia suffering from a major dent in its economy has agreed to the largest cut. OPEC producers will, overall, cut a total of 1.2mbpd and Non-OPEC producers will shed 0.6 mbpd of their production, of which Russia is ready to contribute 0.3 mbpd. And there are still more meetings to come, the first in December and the second in May, both of which will aim to ensure members follow through on the deal. While this sounds very positive for oil markets, the agreement remains far from a sure thing. Global oil markets have been inevitably transformed by the market share war that has raged for the last two years, as Saudi Arabia attempted to keep North Americas high cost producers out of business. But this strategy went awry. U.S. producers including the oil majors and many independents have learned to adapt. The plunge in global crude oil prices has devastated the North America energy sector, resulting in severe stress on E&P and oilfield service companies, particularly in the U.S. states of Texas and Oklahoma. The economic impact companies steep job cuts, steeper budget cuts, and reduced drilling activity has strained local states fiscal budgets, despite the overall national economy remaining stable. According to Rex Stoner, a U.S.-based energy consultant, an unexpected consequence of this strain is that U.S. oil & gas companies are innovating production techniques at break-neck speed to keep production profitable despite depressed global commodity prices. The break-even point for U.S. producers was $70 per barrel two to three years ago, today producers will return a profit at half that figure where production is kept constant. Related: Venezuelas Maduro Praises The OPEC Deal, But How Good Is It Really? U.S. volumes have remained constrained by OPEC production however, with a wave of profit taking and optimism on the day the deal was announced. The prices even touched 16 month highs of $55 per barrel. But so far, no concrete steps to cap or reduce production have been taken. The deal has only been agreed on paper and, given the checkered history of Saudi Arabia and other OPEC members in their commitment to past agreements, there are many skeptics. One of the major reasons, I opine, is the vicious cycle triggered by the price rise. As soon as global crude prices rose, Baker and Hughes reported a rise in the U.S. land rig count once. The total number of rigs now stands at 597. If the deal holds, and if prices are expected to rise, U.S. shale producers will have an incentive to pump more oil from the ground. With demand low from China and India, as the IEA also reported in its Oil Market Report, this oil has nowhere to go except to add to the oil glut. Analysts at Oxford also say the same. If this happens then the prices will be drawn down again and the benefits of a production deal will be unclear. The Eagle Ford play in Texas has posted an increase from 1280 barrels per day to 1307 barrels per day. And, as the rig-count has dwindled over the past two years, the new-well oil production per rig has increased. This is also the case of Colorados Niobrara play, which has added 35 barrels per day over a month. The November oil drilling productivity report has shown positive gains for the West Texas Permian region while the Bakken play has posted gains as well. According to the report released in the middle of November, the total number of Drilled but Uncompleted (DUC) wells is 5,155. These wells are half drilled and it is only a matter of time until they start producing oil once again. Furthermore, the Trump administration is expected to adopt friendly policies toward the U.S. oil & gas industry. This will further help the U.S. Shale producers as Trump plans to slash restrictions and allow pipelines to be built that were opposed by the Obama administration. Another concern for the oil deal is the recent news that OPECs production has risen to another high, setting a new record at 33.82 million barrels per day. Also, Russia has recorded a daily production of 11.21mbpd the highest in 30 years. This amounts to almost half of global production. Most of this new production comes from producers that have been exempted from the deal, one of which is Libya, which aims to increase its production to 900,000 bpd by next year. Saudi Arabia has also offered Arab light crude to Asian markets at a discounted price in an attempt to maintain the market share. The production at Kashagan oil field has also started and is expected to increase production at the start of 2017. Related: Dakota Pipeline Activists Shouldnt Celebrate Just Yet The UKs Daily Mail reported before the deal was struck that the U.S. oil majors Occidental Petroleum Corp, Chevron Corp, Pioneer Natural Resources Co and ConocoPhillips are planning to add further rigs. Oasis petroleum Inc., has said that it plans to buy 55,000 acres of land for about $785 million. U.S. unconventional shale oil production is expected to rebound 11 percent in 2018, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Many of the U.S. shale producers are also very confident of the future as they are backed by technological advancements. According to Joseph Triepke, founder of Infill Thinking, the U.S. can add 150 rigs in the Permian basin alone. (Click to enlarge) While the deal was good enough to stir the markets, invigorate investors and appease the concerns of producers, it is still unclear if it has the potential to hold the markets in this state in the longer term. Demand is the only market force that can truly save the oil glut. By Osama Rizvi for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com OPEC succeeded in pulling off what many thought was impossible, overcoming mutual disdain and mistrust to reach a deal on reducing its oil output. Oil prices skyrocketed on the news, up more than 12 percent since the agreement was announced last week. But what if there is much less to the deal than meets the eye? What if OPEC does not actually follow through on the promised production cuts? Several days of strong price gains ran into a wall of skepticism on Tuesday, after fresh data showed that OPECs November production was much higher than anticipated. The cartels output jumped from 33.6-33.8 million barrels per day (mb/d) in October to a record high 34.19 mb/d in November. The gains came from Angola, Gabon, Indonesia, Libya, Nigeria, Iran and Iraq. If OPEC is to succeed in bringing production down to its stated target of 32.5 mb/d by January, it will now need to cut 1.7 mb/d, not just the 1.2 mb/d that it announced last week. But a few of those countries (Libya, Nigeria, Indonesia) are exempted from the limits agreed upon in the latest deal. That means that the rest of OPEC will need to shoulder steeper cuts if the cartel is to hit the 32.5 mb/d threshold. However, the group did not discuss this contingency who should cut even deeper so there is little reason to think that any individual member will voluntarily cut more than they agreed to just so that the collective output comes in lower. On top of all of that, two key OPEC countries exempted from the deal Libya and Nigeria have a large volume of oil production capacity offline. Libya has already added 200,000 barrels per day in production gains this year, taking output above 500,000 bpd. They are hoping to ultimately bring output up to 900,000 bpd next year. In a sign that they could be on their way to that target, ISIS was ousted from Sirte, its last major foothold in Libya. The war-torn country still suffers from a political vacuum and splintered allegiances, but the risk to supply is likely on the upside. Nigeria too has roughly 0.5 mb/d of capacity offline because of pipeline attacks. It wont be easy but Nigeria could bring output back online in 2017. The two OPEC countries could overwhelm the effect of the deal. That suggests that OPEC wont actually bring output down to the stated level of 32.5 mb/d, which essentially means that OPEC oversold its deal to the oil markets. Recognizing that the Vienna deal is not as rock solid as previously thought, investors sold off oil on Tuesday, with WTI and Brent each down more than 2 percent. Related: How Russia Outsmarted OPEC The OPEC deal may hit another stumbling block this weekend as negotiators are set to meet with non-OPEC countries to discuss their cuts. Non-OPEC producers agreed to cut an additional 600,000 barrels per day, and OPEC made their 1.2 mb/d in promised cuts contingent on non-OPEC participation. So far, four countries are set to attend (although 14 were invited), including Russia, Oman, Bahrain and Azerbaijan. Russia alone had agreed to slash 300,000 barrels per day from its production total. But there are reasons to doubt that non-OPEC will be able to deliver. Russias oil production, for example, hit a post-Soviet record high in November at 11.21 mb/d, up roughly 500,000 barrels per day from August levels, just before Russia agreed in principle to cap production at the Algiers meeting. In that context, its cuts of 300,000 barrels per day seem much less impressive. Moreover, Russian officials said the cuts would be implemented gradually in 2016, not immediately in January as OPEC had hoped. This sets up the possibility that this weekends OPEC/non-OPEC meeting could disappoint. OPECs Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo is hyping the summit, saying the cooperation will be the first time OPEC [and] non-OPEC will agree to a joint, binding supply-management agreement, according to the WSJ. With expectations high, any faltering in the negotiations could undermine the bullish case for oil. "Will Russia cut 300,000?" former Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi said in reaction to the agreement last week. "I dont know. In the past, they didnt." Related: OPEC Winners: Iran Brags It Can Now Sell As Much Oil As It Wants Others voiced similar skepticism after the deal was put in place. It remains unclear to us which other non-OPEC producers might be willing to commit to or even claim production cuts, JBC Energy, a Vienna-based oil consultancy, wrote in a research note. Although OPEC officials spoke of a 300,000 barrel-a-day contribution from Russia towards an overall 600,000 barrel-a-day non-OPEC cut, we remain quite skeptical that this will actually happen. That brings up another possibility that several or most of the participants, both OPEC and non-OPEC, cheat. The cartel has a poor track record of living up to production quotas. Dennis Gartman, author of The Gartman Letter, told CNBC that OPEC will undoubtedly cheat on their agreement. Its only a matter of time until they do cheatTheyll begin cheating by February or March. Always have, always shall. Its not going to change. Gartman also expressed skepticism about the broader rally in oil prices, citing a questionable commitment from Russia and the resurgence of U.S. shale. Every fracker worth his money is going to make money at $56. Theyre going to be hedging that aggressively. Its going to be hard to push WTI much passed $52 [per barrel]. Former Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi admitted last week following the historic deal that sometimes OPEC cuts are not all that they are cracked up to be. "The only tool they have is to constrain production," al-Naimi said at an event in Washington, D.C. "The unfortunate part is we tend to cheat." By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Commodities trader Trafigura said on Wednesday that its profit for the year ending 30 September 2016 dropped by 12 percent to US$975 million on the back of low commodity prices, but oil trade volumes increased. Trafiguras revenues came in at US$98.098 billion, compared to US$97.237 billion in the same period of 2015. EBITDA, however, dropped by 13 percent to US$1.628 billion, amid intense competition and challenging commodities market. In addition, Trafigura wrote down the balance-sheet value of certain assets as the depressed price environment affected its industrial assets. Trafigura booked impairments of US$365 million in the fiscal year to September. In the Oil and Petroleum Products Trading Division, volumes of trade grew to a daily average of 4.3 million barrels, up by 42 percent from the 3 million barrels handled in the 2015 fiscal year. Tanker rates dropping to historic lows led to increased global arbitrage business, Trafigura said in its annual report today. Russian crude remained an important component of the book, thanks to our developing commercial relationship with Rosneft, the group said. Trafigura also increased its business with Chinese state-owned oil corporations and a saw a surge in purchases by private-sector Chinese refineries newly licensed to import crude. One of the groups priorities for the immediate future is to extend its business in arbitrage flows from the US and Latin America into Asia. Related: How OPEC Have Papered The Oil Market Cracks Commenting on the 2016 fiscal year volumes trading performance, chief executive Jeremy Weir said in the statement: Conditions remained broadly favorable for trading in the oil market, featuring sustained price volatility and over-supply. Looking ahead, Trafigura expects challenging conditions in commodities markets to persist in 2017. The group will continue to focus on physical trading, logistics, and risk management, CFO Christophe Salmon said. In October, Trafigura sold five medium-range oil tankers to a Chinese bank, which marked the groups exit from owning product tankers at least for now. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The last time that the Army had a plan to pacify the Great Sioux Nation, our men, women and children were slaughtered at Wounded Knee; the time before that, Custer died and Sitting Bull was chased to Canada by five armies so the General Sherman could steal our gold. Crazy Horse said, "One does not sell the Earth the people walk on," and he fought alongside Red Cloud to protect our homeland. At the close of Red Cloud's War, in the 1868 Sioux Nation Treaty, the United States promised: "From this day forward all war between the parties to this agreement shall forever cease. The government of the United States desires peace, and its honor is hereby pledged to keep it. ~~Excerpt from "Letter from The Great Sioux Nation to President Obama-November 30, 2016" Chairman Harold Frazier, Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation The participation of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe is an important and overlooked piece of the history of Standing Rock protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. While major media satellite trucks were lining up at the Highway 1806 entrance to Oceti Sakowin in Morton County in anticipation of the arrival of thousands of veterans on December 4, something was happening just a two-hours drive to the south. Veterans began pouring into Eagle Butte, South Dakota as they made their way to the contested piece of treaty land that had become a powerful symbol and last stand of resistance against the Dakota Access Pipeline. No one knew that history was about to be made in a few days, and that the permit to drill under the Missouri River at Lake Oahe would be denied within 48 hours. Uncertainty had settled over the frozen Dakota landscapes. A blizzard had just passed and another was on the way, but they kept coming. They came in caravans, by bus, by train and by air. Geoffrey Badgley, an organizer for the veterans was worried. "I was concerned as we moved in that we might have serious issues moving this many people but the (Cheyenne River) Tribe has been incredible, and I know that we will be safe because of them. They have provided food and housing for over 2,000 people and will provide cultural education briefings for the thousands of veterans before they head to the camp," he said in a press statement. Vets in Orientation at Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation A tribal member described the arrival of the first veterans in an email. "Everyone automatically stood straight up, heads high, shoulders back, and a moment of total silence went through the office. All we could think was Oh my gosh they are really here. The Protectors are here. We rushed to them to shake their hands and say thank you. Wopila tanka iciciyapi." Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Presidential Election 2016:Goodbye Truth (Image by Bernard Starr) Details DMCA The English language is always in flux; new expressions and words are added throughout history. The Oxford English Dictionary recently unveiled 500 new words illustrating how the language has changed over the last century. And innovation introduces terms for things that previously didn't exist like fax, e-mail, and sexting. Sometimes a single event is so extraordinary that only a new term can describe it. That's what happened in 1986 when a postal worker killed 14 co-workers in a gruesome rampage that shocked the nation. The term "going postal" soon became a common expression for "losing it." Now it's applied to many different explosive behaviors such as road rage, domestic violence, an employee going on a social media rant against other workers and customers, and a celebrity meltdown on a film set. The 2016 presidential election demands a new term for lying. It's no surprise that politicians lie. In fact, the word politician has pretty much become a synonym for liar. But in this presidential campaign and its aftermath, Donald Trump has told an unprecedented amount of lies.Worse than the volume of Trump's lies, writes Paul Waldman in the The American Prospect, was that despite being corrected "in many cases he went on telling a lie long after it had been debunked." The term lying doesn't capture what we have witnessed in his performances during the presidential campaign and continue to witness, even before he takes office. One dramatic example is Trump's boast that he won the presidency by a landslide, when Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by more than 2.5. million votes---a number greater than the populations of 91 countries of the 233 listed by the United Nations. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). reporting from Nairab Palestinian camp, Aleppo. Syrian government forces and their Russian and Shia allies from Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Pakistan and elsewhere have now captured 75% of East Aleppo and will soon unite all of Aleppo, which eastern part rebels have held since 2012. Having captured two days ago Tariq al-Bab. This morning, 12/7/2016, government troops and their militia allies are massively bombing rebel-held parts of the Old City. This follows the capture of an entire district of al-Shaar, as well as Sheikh Lufti, Marja, Aghiur and Bab al-Hadid, all key rebel strongholds. In West Aleppo tonight, 12/7/2016 convoys of pro-government cars with horns honking and music blaring are driving around the streets celebrating recent regime advances. Only the precise timing is unclear for the unification of Aleppo. UN Special negotiator Stefanos thinks it will happen by Christmas and so does Syrian Air Force intelligence officers at the Jibnine Reception Center near Nairab Palestinian camp ten miles north of Aleppo. The Jibnine Center is where all arriving East Aleppo refugees are processed. Hezbollah sources are betting on outing rebels from the east by mid-January, the Syrian army high command within 30 to 45 days, and Gen. Qassem Soleimani leader of the IRGC al-Quds force who is presently in Iraq commanding Shia forces near Mosul, told al-Mayadeen and al Manar on 11/30/2016 that it will take two months more. photo taken on 12/7/2016 by the author from his car window during a tour of 12 'liberated' villages including some of those named above. Massive destruction in all with few buildings able to be repaired (Image by Franklin Lamb) Details DMCA Should "liberation" happen by Christmas, plans currently being discussed include President Assad coming to Aleppo to present his countrymen with a major military victory as a Christmas present and Abu Ali Putin may arrange another concert for Christmas as he did after Palmyra was recaptured. Some rumors include that the Russian President himself may appear symbolizing that symbolize Russia has now assumed America's former position in the region. Of course none of us knows the exact timing of the regime victory here in Aleppo. Indeed some here speculate that the "terrorists" may be luring government forces deeper into an East Aleppo quagmire as part of a trap and quicksand strategy supplemented by massive tunnel bombs. Most observers here credit Russia's game changing support for the Syrian army. But one also senses among some Syrian army forces a grudging respect of sorts for their fellow Syrians' tough battle hardened combat abilities. Sunni fighters in some parts of this millennia old "capitol city" of cultural heritage, despite massive bombardments and a surrender or die siege, are eagerly awaiting combat with Russian grounds forces that have been deployed last week been deployed to the side their Shia allies. This despite claims from Russia there are no Russian ground troops fighting in Aleppo. Russian TV crews based in the Meridian hotel claim to have seen the Russian troops. Truth being in first casualty of war as the cliche' has it. Meanwhile, rebel forces and gathering just streets away toward the east as a number of Sunni militia join the recently formed, "Army of Aleppo." This new force is reportedly being formed into a Sunni Foreign Legion to confront this past year's construction of a Shia Foreign Legion, noted below. Obviously no one knows for sure but here in Aleppo journalists, officials and regular citizens while expressing uncertainly about the timing are generally inclined to believe Aleppo will be geographically united under government control soon. This observer surmises that the rebels will indeed be pushed out of Aleppo within 60 days but contrary to some political agenda internet pundits who trumpet that the revolution in Syria is over; the war of attrition is taking shape. Some here speculate that the "terrorists" may be luring government forces deeper into East Aleppo as part of a "trap and quicksand" strategy. Some Syrian army forces I have spoken with express a grudging respect of sorts for their adversaries' tough battle hardened combat abilities. Sunni fighters in some parts of this millennia old "capitol city" despite massive bombardments and surrender or die siege, are reportedly eagerly awaiting combat with Russian grounds forces that have been deployed last week alongside their Shia allies. Rebels forces have been gathering just streets away toward the east as many Sunni militia are joining the recently formed, "Army of Aleppo." This new force, noted below, is reportedly being formed into a Sunni Foreign Legion to confront the above described forming Shia Foreign Legion. The Syrian crisis is not going to be over soon and rebels, including those who retreat from East Aleppo to Idlib or elsewhere are reportedly already launching insurgent strikes on soft and hard targets that may well continue for a generation or more. This, as what since the early 1970's has become known as the Syrian Arab Republic (SAR) may continue to disintegrate. Judged equally significant is the geopolitical development in Syria largely overlooked in the media and among .analysts. This is the fact that two significant metastasizing military forces have been forming in Aleppo recently and they will likely determine the future of the Middle East. 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 Empire Burlesque (UPDATED) Michael Flynn Jr. is -- or WAS, until an hour or so ago -- a member of Donald Trump's presidential transition team. He also serves as chief of staff for his father, Michael Flynn Sr., who has been picked by Trump to be his National Security Advisor. Michael Flynn Jr. is also running a child sex ring in Trump Tower with Nazis and Klan members coordinated through secret codes published in stories on the Breitbart website. Or so I hear. If that's not true -- if Michael Flynn Jr. really isn't a child abusing Nazi pimp, then it is up to HIM to prove he isn't. Otherwise, this claim -- for which there is no evidence, by the way -- will "remain a story." This is according to Flynn's own logic, and that of Trump, his child-abusing pimp of a former boss. (If Trump ISN'T a child-abusing pimp, he must PROVE it, even though there is no evidence that he is). For Flynn -- a top adviser to the top adviser to the incoming President of the United States -- says he will continue to push the story that Hillary Clinton is running a child sex ring out of a DC pizza parlor until the story is "proven false." However, a quick look at the cesspool that is Flynn's Twitter feed (and the even more ghastly shithole of his account on GAB, where nazi perverts gather in a circle jerk of bile pumping) shows that any evidence offered to disprove the entirely specious "Pizzagate" story is immediately rejected by Flynn and his ilk as "false flags" or "leftist propaganda" or "MSM deceit," etc., etc. There is, in fact, no way on earth for anyone to "prove" the falsity of the story to Flynn's satisfaction. Until, of course, Daddy and Trump, the child-abusing pimp (if it's not true, PROVE it!) decided Junior was bringing too much media heat and ash-canned him from the transition. But little Flynn's twitter-storm is in keeping with the Trump Truth doctrine, which holds that you can make any outrageous claim you like without the slightest bit of evidence to back it up -- and it's up to other people to prove that your specious bullshit is not true. This is how Trump injected the poison story of "millions of illegal voters" into the public discourse, forcing people to spend many hours and much energy refuting this bullshit -- even as "respectable Republicans" like Mike Pence and Paul Ryan (yes, I know, we are already 40 fathoms deep in a sea of toxic sludge when cranks and grifters like Pence and Ryan pass for "respectable" anythings) embrace this outright lie or see no reason to refute it. Why should they? They've got power now and intend to hold it by hook or crook, and to wield it to push their own aggrandizement, their racist prejudices, their psycho-sexual prejudices and their extremist, anti-human ideologies. But to paraphrase another prime purveyor of baseless bullshit, Donald Rumsfeld, you go to war against oligarchs and fascists with the weapons you have, not the ones you wish you had. So I say let's pick up the weapon of the Trump Truth doctrine and use it against the scum who have risen to the top of the swamp water. Let Trump and Flynn and little tiny-pants Flynn Jr fight a barrage of bullshit stories about them and their kind -- even as we keep telling the truth about who they are and what they are doing. (Just as we've been doing with all the crimes of the Obama years.) Because make no mistake: these fascists, these racists, these witless goobers and giddy slobberers with a child sex fixation will not be satisfied until the objects of their hate fantasies -- i.e., anyone who is not a slobbering witless racist -- are being attacked in the streets by "patriots" and police. They want lynch mobs, they want repression, they want violence -- and they are determined to get it. And they are about to have the resources of the most powerful state in the history of the world in their tiny-fingered hands. So in addition to all the various solid works of resistance -- best exemplified by the water protectors at Standing Rock (but also by anyone who kicks a fascist in the nuts and makes him howl) -- let's keep a steady barrage of bullshit blowing back into the faces of these filth-peddlers. P.S. Here's a brief exercise in bullshit-blowback I carried out recently with little teeny tiny Flynn Junior: Michael G Flynn Until #Pizzagate proven to be false, it'll remain a story. The left seems to forget #PodestaEmails and the many "coincidences" tied to it. Chris Floyd "@empireburlesque @mflynnJR Until "Trump rapes 13-year-old" is proven false, it remains a story. Ask your dad to look into it, junior. Chris Floyd "@empireburlesque @mflynnJR All those pushing #Pizzagate are child abusers trying to divert focus from their own crimes. Until proven false, it's a story! Chris Floyd "@empireburlesque @mflynnJR Just checked out your GAB bile. Man, you are one sick racist child abuser. (Until you prove you're not, it remains a story.) Chris Floyd "@empireburlesque @mflynnJR Hey Flynn? Is GAB where all the child abusers like you (until you prove you aren't, it's a story) go to ply their sickness? 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 The Nation Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison proposes to change how the Democratic National Committee operates, and his campaign for the chairmanship has unsettled a number of political and media insiders. That's understandable. Democrats who disagree with Ellison have every right to dissect and dissent from the Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chair's proposals to focus on grassroots organizing and recruitment of younger and more diverse candidates. They can even raise questions about whether a sitting member of Congress is the right choice to lead the party that has a lot of rebuilding to do. But the suggestion that Ellison, a Muslim who has been in the forefront of efforts to promote international dialogue and understanding, is a divisive figure who would have trouble working with Jewish Democrats is as absurd as it is unsettling. Ellison, who was an ally of the late Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone, has as a state legislator, congressional candidate, and member of the US House worked across lines of religion, ethnicity, and race with an agility so great that in 2007 then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and top State Department officials invited him to assist public diplomacy efforts in the Middle East. Yet The Washington Post is now suggesting that Ellison would be a "controversial" pick for DNC chair because of past statements and writings -- some from a quarter-century ago -- that critics suggest display insensitivity toward Israel or even anti-Semitism. After Ellison was criticized by the Anti-Defamation League, Politico wrote, "The ADL statement underscores the shadow of past controversial statements that have loomed over Ellison as he runs for DNC chair." And NBC's Chuck Todd asked, "Keith Ellison -- is his candidacy toast?" Those who know Ellison reject the charges as political smears that are at dramatic odds with reality. J Street, the "pro-Israel, pro-peace" group that has earned wide regard for its advocacy on behalf of diplomacy in the Middle East, joined the defense of Ellison. Click Here to Read Whole Article Book One, Part One: Discourses 1 through 32 Part 1 of a Series of 6 articles for OpEdNews Over the last forty years public education has stopped teaching about the responsibilities required of citizens living in a republic. Voting has become a right that one can choose to exercise instead of a civic necessity and duty. The study of government has gone from the public school curriculum. One result of this is the low percentage of eligible voters under the age of fifty who vote. The very divisive 2016 presidential election highlighted this problem with a decrease in the number of people voting. Machiavelli's Discourses is an analysis of governance that gives insight into current national and world events. It is at once profound and disconcerting, and states principles that every citizen of a republic should understand in order to maintain their republic. Niccolo Machiavelli lived in Florence Italy from 1469 to 1527. He was an ambassador and councilor on foreign affairs for the Republic of Florence until the Spanish invasion of 1512 with the take-over of Florence by the Medici. He was relieved of his post, imprisoned, tortured, and exiled from the city. He wrote the Discourses, The Prince, and other works during his exile. His analysis of governance has explanations for current events and warnings that we need to heed today. In the Discourses on the First Ten Books of Titus Livius, Niccolo Machiavelli considers the history of governance in first-century BCE Rome with a focus on a republic as the best way to secure the long term stability of states. The author or of the Roman history, Titus Livy, lived from 39 BCE to 19 CE -- through the fall of the Roman Republic under Julius Caesar and the reign of Augustus. His history extends from the mythic beginnings of Rome through the fall of the republic. In The Discourses Machiavelle presents theories about good and bad governance and shows examples of his theories from the Italian Renaissance as well as from Greece and Rome. Here I summarize his theories in groups of related discourses as then reflect on events in our times. I believe that Machiavelli should be regarded as an annalist of governance rater than as an advocate, except for a republic. Machiavelli makes a distinction between free and not free cities that has nothing to do with the freedom experienced by the population. From Machiavelli's perspective, Tibet and Puerto Rico are not free nations while North and South Korea would be considered "free." Tibet and Puerto Rico are not "free," because they are subjugated by China and the United States. North and South Korea are free because they can make decisions independent of pressures from China and the United States. The Discourses only consider "free" states. There is a fifteen-hundred-year gap between Machiavelli's Florence in 1500 CE and the Roman Republic of the First-Century BCE. Furthermore, there is a five-hundred-year gap between Machiavelli's time and the present. Over the two-thousand years some things have changed a great deal while others have remained relatively constant. The basic economic engines for both the Roman Republic and Renaissance Italian city states were based on their surrounding agriculture. That is no longer true today. Our economic engine is industrialization, including industrial agriculture. In both Rome and Italy there was a strong central religion that had a major influence on their civic governments. In the Western countries and the United States, the relationship of religion to government is being questioned and most of the main-stream religious influence is fading with the exception of some fundamentalist congregations. While technology was integral to both Rome and Renaissance Italy, it lacked the dominance we see today. In the United States, technology has become a religion in that it is commonly believed to be able to solve all of humanities problems. The great force that has remained constant throughout time is human nature and its pervasive relationship to governance. This was recognized in the writing of the Constitution and Bill of Rights with their checks and balances on power. The various discourses contain observations about aspects of governance, political powers, state safety, corruption, and the expansion of powers. They analyze types of governments and how they change over time from both internal and external pressures. The observations provide significant insights into our world today. Following my summary of each group of dialogues I show how they apply using specific examples from our recent history. Structures For Governance " Others ... say that there are six types of government, of which three are very bad, and three are good in themselves but easily become corrupt, so that they too must be classed as pernicious." Discourse 2 Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). With the recent election of Donald Trump and especially considering his lukewarm relationship with Paul Ryan, the media has largely ignored what could be the greatest threat, not only to Medicare, but to all government agencies. The last person to seriously suggest that Medicare be privatized was the befuddled George W. Bush who, thankfully, was talked out of the idea by the majority of his wiser Republican colleagues. I have always considered Paul Ryan a sincere conservative as was his beloved mentor, Jack Kemp. While many Republicans, in recent years, have followed the Dick Cheney concept of privatizing as many government functions as possible and virtually raping the public for as much profit as possible, I have never considered either President Bush or Mr. Ryan one of these miscreants. The discussion of Medicare as an isolated government "entitlement" is truly a fool's errand, but it seems to be the method of choice for both major political parties. Instead, Medicare must be considered in the context of medical insurance, the economy, and the massive failures of both the insurance industry and the Congress to meet the needs of both seniors and the average citizen. Without an understanding of these issues, voters are bombarded by equally ignorant politicians trying to sell them ideological snake oil in different flavors. First of all, the so called "healthcare system" that we currently have is no "system" at all. It is an ill-designed mistake, born of the same lack of planning and vision that inept congressional leaders of both parties have so often been guilty. In the 1940s the business community, desperate to fill a war-depleted work force, sought perks to entice returning veterans. One of the perks was a new concept called "health insurance." Medical costs, however, were not really significant at the time. To encourage insurance companies to provide policies, however, companies were willing to pay top dollar. The Roosevelt administration sought to give the insurance industry virtual immunity from antitrust laws by permitting them to fix prices. Republicans protested. In exchange for price fixing, a deal was made to have the states regulate medical-insurance licensing and rates, except for instances of crime and interstate commerce. In most states, the insurance business was monitored by a state insurance commissioner, who was either elected or appointed. In either case, unless overseen by a state's legislature, commissioners were usually under the direct control of the insurance industry, either through political donations or the promise of lucrative jobs after the expiration of their terms. Much like the Affordable Care Act, though well intentioned, through lack of planning and vision, the hastily assembled "system" that we have today fails to meet the needs of our citizenry. Few people seem to understand just how disastrous the situation is for various portions of the insurance industry. In fact, under our present "system," the industry is clearly and completely unqualified to write either medical or homeowners' insurance policies. Homeowners' insurance is already on life support, completely dependent on declarations of disaster by state and federal governments. Even the largest companies cannot afford to purchase adequate reinsurance to cover even a significant fraction of their unfunded liability! Currently they survive entirely on the huge contributions of corporate welfare donated by state and federal governments. The Affordable Care Act amounts to a bumbling attempt to save the medical insurance industry, which is on the exact same path to self destruction as homeowners' insurance. Consider that before the Affordable Care Act, medical-insurance rates were already pricing themselves out of the market. Individuals not eligible for group rates could hardly afford insurance even if they were healthy. Add a few preexisting illnesses and rates soared; a few more and medical insurance became unavailable. Now, with the elimination of preexisting-illness clauses, rates had to go even higher. As a result, young, healthy people were reluctant to purchase insurance, older people with medical problems could not afford insurance even if they were fairly well-to-do. The only real source of payment for decent medical-insurance policies had to come from businesses covering all or part of enormously expensive rates. How long do you really expect this absurd "system" to survive before the insurance companies implode? It should be abundantly clear that the companies are not able to own the insurance policies that they sell and that the situation can only worsen! Mr. Ryan would take some sixty million seniors, the majority with many preexisting medical conditions, and add them to the rolls of the private insurance companies. He would then have the companies placed on a massive program of corporate welfare, the government pouring in premium subsidies as well as billions of dollars in unpaid reinsurance that the insurance companies could in no way afford. This would continue forever . According to conservative estimates, the unfunded liability for Medicare is well over one hundred trillion (not billion) dollars and rising. Thus he would add the medical-insurance industry to the homeowners' insurance industry already covered by the Cheney "free-money" system. Ah, but wait! It gets worse. Mr. Ryan's innocent plan has the private insurance companies increasing dreaded "entitlements" by hundreds of billions of dollars, but he has them "double dipping" as well. Don't forget, as most conservatives have, that it is the American businessman unfairly stuck with the bill for the vast percentage of overpriced medical costs! Under the current "system," it still costs almost two thousand dollars more to produce a car in the U.S. than in Canada just because of the cost of health insurance to the manufacturer. So our pseudo system of medical insurance not only rewards undeserving insurance corporations, but at the same time punishes innocent businesses and corporations as well as the entire U.S. economy. Not that I think the Green Party is particularly likely to take my advice, but I would like to respectfully suggest that the Greens stop running presidential candidates. It's not that I don't like their candidates, or even that I don't agree with them: Jill Stein's positions were certainly much closer to mine than those of Hillary Clinton, the candidate I actually voted for. And when you factor in foreign policy, so seldom discussed in this race, she probably came closer to my viewpoint than Bernie Sanders did -- and I was one of his convention delegates! No, the problem as I see it is that by fielding a presidential candidate the Greens just aren't likely to win themselves much of anything -- except maybe the aggravation of having to defend themselves against charges of helping a Republican move into the White House. Gayle McLaughlin, Green Mayor of Richmond, CA, on Democracy Now ... (Image by greenpartywatch.org) Details DMCA Truth be told, this is not a particularly successful stretch for the Greens. The party did twice elect Gayle McLaughlin mayor of Richmond, a northern California city of about 110,000, and were it not for term limits she might well be mayor there still. But McLaughlin, reelected to the city council following her mayoral stint, actually switched her registration to No Party Preference earlier this year in order to be eligible to vote for Sanders in the California primary. She has yet to switch back, although perhaps she will in time. But across the bay in San Francisco, where the party has in the past elected several members to the School Board and Board of Supervisors, one of whom came within five points of being elected mayor, we find none of those individuals currently in the Green Party and little reason to expect them to rejoin any time soon. Still, the party does claim 139 officeholders nationwide (69 of them in California). Many of them hold positions with which most people may be unfamiliar -- library boards, constables, and such -- and there appears to be only one Green mayor in the entire country, a single county supervisor, and no state legislators at all. So the party's footprint is modest, yet it is real -- the Green label clearly does retain some meaning as a signifier of a point of view distinct from that expected of the average Democrat (and obviously from that of the typical Republican). Equally clear, however, is that almost all Green successes come in non-partisan elections where there is less chance that voting for the Green candidate you want the most will get you the Republican office-holder you want the least. And nowhere are the potential consequences of a perverse outcome greater than in a presidential race. Coming into this election, hard core Greens argued that this would be their moment, due to the unprecedented unpopularity of the major party candidates. But while many potential Green voters probably agreed with the characterization of the race as a corporate Democrat running against a corporate Republican, most obviously felt that this characterization did not say everything, and that a Trump presidency was so obviously more undesirable as to force them to vote for Clinton. The result was that, despite running against the two candidates with the lowest favorable ratings since polling on this question started, Jill Stein got only 1.05 percent of the vote -- and still some have accused her of having tipped the election to Trump. Sure, there will be some who play this as a triumph of sorts -- since Stein got only 0.36 in 2012, she has nearly tripled her vote this year -- but that would seem to be clutching at straws. Of course, we do know that the idea of the perfect third party of the future dies hard -- at one San Francisco post-election event only one of five speakers thought the Sanders campaign even worth mentioning, while another called for the creation of a new party -- one that presumably would transcend all the limitations of the actually existing Green Party. Yet the fact remains that no "third party" presidential candidate of the left has won so much as 3 percent of the vote in over a hundred years. And with the influence of Bernie Sanders seemingly still growing as a result of his decision to seek the presidency as a Democrat, there seems little reason to expect a party realignment in the foreseeable future. Looking back, we may well conclude that Jill Stein's most important role in this presidential election was not her own candidacy but her efforts to force recounts in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, states that gave Trump his Electoral College win by a cumulative margin of little more than 100,000 votes. Could the Greens survive and even thrive as a strictly local party? Perhaps -- Canada does provide a nearby example of voters frequently supporting one party in local elections and another in national. But what does seem clear is that the Greens will not thrive as a presidential party. If Jill Stein wants to run, let her enter the Democratic primaries -- I might vote for her. Separation of Church and State -- Christian Political Party (Image by christianpoliticalparty.com) Details DMCA Unless some dedicated souls who really believe in the Constitution can be found to help draw the challenge together, to raise the funds needed to mount a credible challenge, to do the grunt work, investigations, locate the witnesses, take affidavits, locate the documentary evidences, provide secretarial and paraprofessional work, provide office space on and off line, provide the local and DC counsel to support the cases that need to be brought, and provide the constant news and information to the public to keep the movement and its support alive, this is all just whistling in the wind. In funds alone we are looking at a few million dollars, which is far less than the blue box in every synagogue and Jewish NGOs raise every year to continue the illegal settlement process in the West Bank, Jerusalem and the Golan heights. It should be far less than our potential opposition has proved it can raise in one Hollywood Gala night. But the challenge is worth it. It will bring back to our citizens and to the world that we do live by principals set forth in our Constitution, the citizens of this country can insist that this country return to the role of an honest broker in the world and not be used by just any group to expand some imperialistic ideal, control some other part of the world, or expand our arms sales. It will prove we value all people, including all indigenous peoples around the world, not just our financially influential "friends" who, as the USS Liberty incident proved a half a century ago, really have no love for us any further than we can be used for their benefit. As I finish this series I hear our President-elect now joins a chorus chanting for creations of a Muslim list in our country 'for our protection.' This is another clear violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause. I am reminded of what the German Lutheran Priest said about not standing up when other's rights were violated by the Nazis: 'first they came for Jews, and then for the Catholics, and finally for the Lutherans and when they came for him, there was no one left to protest.' There have been around 400 to 600 readers of these articles. But unless this message can go viral, and this nation be encouraged to stand up for our basic rights of freedom of religion that has long been the beacon of light that we shine to the world, we can soon see the last glimmer of our torch of liberty extinguished. It is now up to you four to six hundred readers to spread the message, to carry the word, for yourselves, your families, your children, and posterity. Can you support this cause, share this series with your friends and up and be heard by writing your Congressman or woman and Senators, be an organizer, create web presence, or help in other ways. Now that you know what is th truth, it is up to you to provide the answers. New president-elect, Donald Trump, has a "10 Point Plan to Put America First" that will allegedly ensure jobs for American citizens and prioritize the security of American people. Trump's vision includes ending or reducing skilled labor visas and the immediate deportation of all undocumented persons living in the United States today. Trump's plan is a far cry from the greatness he claims it contains. The removal of the H-1B plan is a step away from American economic progression. Similarly, a mass deportation is inhumane and a peril to the American economy. During a Republican Debate on Fox News in March Trump stated that he will terminate the use of H-1B as a cheap labor program. The H1-B program brings individuals that have met high qualification standards to fill a specific role that will benefit the American economy or the country's wellbeing as a whole. A variety of fees and approvals are required for the hiring of an individual through the H1-B program. The reason companies are willing to do this rather than hire an available American born citizen is that the United States faces a lack of skilled labor. A National Federation of Independent Businesses survey concluded that 44 percent of companies could find few or no qualified job applicants to fill available positions. This shortage of skilled workers is hurting the American economy. The H1-B bill can fill some of that gap. These workers are lending themselves to the growth of American companies and technological sector until we can produce a more skilled labor force. With a cap of 65,000 visas granted annually, the program is not taking away a substantial portion of American jobs regardless. Additionally, the H1-B visas last 3 years, after which the individual can only stay in the country if he or she has gained citizenship through employment or other means. This gives highly skilled and in demand workers temporary entry into America and the prospect of becoming tax paying citizens. Trumps plan to deport all undocumented persons currently living within U.S. boarders would decimate the U.S. economy and social wellbeing. NPR reported that in his initial campaign Trump stated, "for those here illegally today who are seeking legal status, they will have one route and only one route: to return home and apply for re-entry." The physical task of removing more than 11 million persons from this country would take an immense amount of planning and resources that Trump has not spoken to. The American Action Forum estimates it would take around 20 years to bring that many people across boarders with an average cost of 10,070 dollars a person. The AAF reported that approximately 6.8 million workers in the private sector are undocumented immigrants. A removal of those workers would reduce private industry output by an estimated 381.5 billion to 623.2 billion dollars. They report also concludes that mass deportation would cause a 1 trillion dollar decrease in GDP. Economist Mark Zandi supports these claims and believes that Trump's efforts would cause a devastating recession by decreasing the supply of labor. Additionally, the removal would stain the fabric of society. These undocumented persons are friends, family, coworkers, and loved ones of ordinary American citizens. The forced removal of these individuals will result in a wave of protests and riots that will take a large toll on American morale and spirit. What will happen when the government needs to start using force? The last thing America needs in this fragile political period is a violent display of the people versus the government, almost comparable to the Trail of Tears. While Trump romanticizes his aggressive tactics as the key to protecting American interests, his plan will do the opposite. In recent debates and since his victory, Trump has been fluctuating his position in the area of immigration reform. He softened his claim on mass deportation in Ohio stating that he is no longer ruling out granting citizenship to those already in the United States and reconfirmed this on "60 Minutes" after his election. Similarly, before calling for a removal of the H1-B program he not only used it in his own professional line of work, but also publicly supported an increase in skilled labor visas. His inability to commit to his ideas increases my concern for his capacity to reform the immigration policy in place. Trump is steering America away from the social and economic progression that American's have worked so hard for. Works Cited Ben Gitis and Jacqueline Varas, "The Labor and Output Declines From Removing All Undocumented Immigrants," American Action Forum, May 5, 2016, accessed October 16, 2016. https://www.americanactionforum.org/research/labor-output-declines-removing-undocumented-immigrants/ "Fact Check: Donald Trump's Speech On Immigration," NPR, August 31, 2016, Accessed October 13, 2016. "Donald Trump wants to deport every single illegal immigrant- could he?" BBC News, November 11, 2015, accessed October 16, 2016. Helen Raleigh, "The Truth of the H1B Visa," Town Hall, September 5, 2015, Accessed October 16, 2016. Jared Bernstein, "Benchmarking the candidates' debates: Just how much do presidents really influence the economy?" Washington Post, September 26, 2016, Accessed October 13, 2016. Maulana Masood Azhar (Image by historycommons.org) Details DMCA The United Nations, mandated to work for the welfare of the global community without fear or favour, must respond to the Indian criticism that it was delaying taking action against Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and its leader, Masood Azhar. India has been pleading for several years now to sanction Azhar and his terrorist outfit based in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, and involved in several terrorist attacks in Kashmir and elsewhere in India. India's assertion, clear and strong, at a recent UN session, that the Security Council was stuck in its own "time warp and politics", is an expression of anguish and bewilderment at the abject failure of the international body to rein in terrorist groups and the states sponsoring such outfits. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Syed Akbaruddin, put India's position succinctly: "While our collective conscience is ravaged every day by terrorists in some region or another, the Security Council gives itself 9 months to consider whether to sanction leaders of organisations it has itself designated as terrorist entities." The silence of the UN over this critical question raises questions about fairness and legitimacy on the part of the world body's leadership. Is the UN so afraid of displeasing Pakistan? Or is it China that it wants to circle around? Even if it were to be so, the damage such a stand has caused to the prestige of the UN is immeasurable and it must be corrected. The onus is now on the new UN Secretary General. Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) is not an unknown terrorist group. It has been in existence since January 2000. Its publicly stated goals, time and again repeated by its leaders, is to carry out terrorist attacks against India. There is enough evidence as to its involvement in suicide attacks in Kashmir. In fact, not long ago, the group boasted about these attacks openly on its website and other publications which the UN can access without much difficulty. Besides India, several countries including the US have banned the JeM. At some point of time, even Pakistan had imposed restrictions on JeM and Masood Azhar. Masood Azhar is not new to terrorism. He has been a classmate of Taliban founder and chief, late Mullah Omar, and worked closely with many leaders of al Qaeda in the past. Azhar was with the Harkat-ul Ansar (HuA) and Harkat-ul Mujahideen (HuM), two terrorist groups that many countries had sanctioned several years ago. Azhar has, since his release from the Indian jail, forced by the hijacking of an Indian airliner in 1999 masterminded by Pakistan Army, consolidated his terrorist empire. He has deliberately kept a low profile to avoid international scrutiny. The fact that Azhar and his group could survive even after being involved in the assassination attempts on the former President, Pervez Musharraf, shows his proximity and patronage of some very powerful friends in Pakistan. Even Musharraf, who boasted himself to be the strongman of the country, could not jail or try Azhar and dismantle his terrorist empire in Bahawalpur (Pakistan Punjab). Azhar for long has been a steady ally of GHQ in Rawalpindi, and served the Army's interests both at home and abroad. Even today, Azhar and his group are loyal and useful to the army. And this is the reason why China, which otherwise claims to work towards eliminating terrorism, has chosen to protect Azhar publicly. China's gamble is to keep Pakistan humoured so that it can expand its strategic footprint in the region. If the Chinese leadership were to learn from history, it would become clear to them that they were being drawn into the graveyard of empires. Beijing would also do well to contemplate on how Pakistan has been hoodwinking not only its people but also its allies and partners. Whatever might be China's compulsions, the UN must not shirk from its principle duty of protecting the interests and welfare of the larger community of people. Terrorists like Azhar are threats to the ordinary people and should evoke no sympathy. The UN must, therefore, lose no time in spending months and even years in discussing, and not deciding, the fate of a terrorist and his terrorist group. Azhar and JeM must be sanctioned forthwith and the state sponsoring these terrorist entities must equally be snubbed and censured. The ends of justice call for such a stringent action. The UN must not fail the people of the world who have stood together firmly against terrorism. The UN must become relevant to the larger public cause and not become victim of power politics, as in this case. Reprinted from www.trueactivist.com by Unknown New WikiLeaks emails reveal that Saudi and US funding of Mujahideen fighters helped develop the radical Islamic organization. Flag of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Image by (From Wikimedia) TRAJAN 117 , Author: TRAJAN 117 ) Details Source DMCA Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). 6 4 3 Rate It | View Ratings Alexis Henning Social Media Pages: UCF Alumni, BA in Political Science/International Relations with a focus in Middle Eastern studies. Traveler, blogger, humanitarian. @ahenningx7 (more...) The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors. OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help. If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership. One of my favorite movies is The Sheepman starring Glenn Ford. It is the story of Jason Sweet (Glenn Ford) who won a herd of sheep in a poker game and was bound and determined to graze the sheep on the open ranges of what was then cattle country. (It is a loose take on the famed Johnson County War.) The story begins when Sweet rides into town and asks one of the locals who is the toughest man in town. He is pointed to a bar where he confronts Jumbo McCall (Mickey Shaughnessy) and goads him into a fight. Sweets reasoning is that if he beats the toughest guy in town and he does he will have a lot less trouble from others when he brings the sheep into town. I think of this movie every time I hear President-elect Donald Trump talk about draining the swamp in Washington, D.C. and more so now that he has waffled on pursuing an investigation into former rival Hillary Clinton (D). The recent presidential campaign was a bitter contest. Ms. Clinton, her husband, former President Bill Clinton, and their inner circle have made the politics of personal destruction an art form. But they werent prepared for Mr. Trump who, unlike their previous Republican opponents, refused to back down and was no slouch at throwing a few low blows himself. At various times Ms. Clinton and/or her compliant mainstream media accused Mr. Trump of being a misogynist, a racist, a homophobe, and a xenophobe all in the liberal lexicon when lacking specifics. Ms. Clinton and her fellow travelers accused Mr. Trump of lacking compassion, being irrational, and in a tribute to past Democrats (President Lyndon Johnson) unfit to access the nations nuclear codes. Mr. Trump referred to Ms. Clinton as Crooked Hillary while accusing her of aiding and abetting Mr. Clintons sexual abuse of women, exposing the nations top secret documents to hackers, lying repeatedly regarding her actions, withholding and destroying public records (her emails) and using the Clinton Foundation and her position as Secretary of State in a massive pay to play scheme. He demanded that she be held accountable and said she should be in jail. Please note that Ms. Clintons accusations are all subjective and thus true or false based on the relative emotional sensitivity of the audience, while Mr. Trumps accusations are all objective and based upon real, if incomplete, facts. (For those of you forced to endure a teachers union controlled education in the Portland Public Schools, subjective means influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions while objective means not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts.) Mr. Trumps fiery rhetoric and threat to put Ms. Clinton in jail made for entertaining campaign rallies when it was uncertain as to whether he would win the presidency. However, in the cold light of reality after winning the election, things look different. I can well imagine the struggle Mr. Trump is having with regard to the Clintons who he has known socially for thirty years. First, there is the concern that a post-election pursuit of the Clintons will appear vindictive. That is probably more of a concern given the tenor of the two campaigns. (You can bet that the Clintons would have loosed the power of the federal government (IRS, SEC, EPA, NLRB, and other agencies) to investigate and punish Mr. Trump and his multitude of businesses for the temerity of running against the entitled Ms. Clinton). Second, at a time when Mr. Trump is trying to reunite the country, pursuit of the Clintons can instead re-kindle the divisions. And third, Mr. Trump may believe that Ms. Clinton has already suffered enough given her loss of the presidency a goal that she has been pursuing for more than fifteen years and for which she has suffered two public and humiliating losses. However, those are all personal concerns to Mr. Trump, not national concerns. As such they are simply irrelevant if we are to return to the status of a nation of laws rather than the whim and caprice of a powerful president a status that grew to an abusive level under President Barack Obama and was enforced by a politically corrupt Attorney General, Eric Holder (and subsequently Loretta Lynch). Under Mr. Obama political corruption soared (IRS scandal, Obamacare scandals, Benghazi scandal, Iran nuclear scandal, voter intimidation scandals, Ms. Clintons email scandals, refusals to prosecute contempt of Congress scandals and on and on) and in every instance information was delayed, suppressed or destroyed, prosecutions were ignored, and actions were deferred for political allies. In each and every instance, political allies and politically powerful people were protected. Mr. Obama kept his thumb firmly pressed on the scales of justice during his eight years in office. That is precisely the swamp that Mr. Trump vowed to drain a swamp in which the rules do not apply to the politically connected. And if you are to drain the swamp the lessons of Jason Sweet in The Sheepman will serve Mr. Trump well take out the biggest reptiles first which sends a signal to the rest of the vermin. And the biggest reptiles of the past three decades are the Clintons. However, pursuit of the Clintons should not be a personal decision of Mr. Trumps making it is a decision for others in the justice system to make based upon facts following a thorough, and this time, unbiased investigation. A decision to prosecute by Mr. Trump is just as bad as a decision to spike the investigation. While the President is the Commander in Chief, he is not the Prosecutor in Chief that position is reserved for the Attorney General in order to minimize political abuses in the justice system. In this instance there needs to actually be even more distance between the President and the decision to prosecute an independent special counsel. Therefore, Mr. Trump should do the following: 1. Announce that he is withdrawing from any decision to investigate and/or prosecute the Clintons, including reviewing the results of the investigation, or receiving updates on the progress. He needs to remain studiously ignorant as to what proceeds. (That includes remaining silent with regard to any further activities in such an investigation and or prosecution.) 2. Announce that the decision to investigate and/or prosecute the Clintons will, as the law requires, rest with the Department of Justice. 3. Instruct the Attorney General to appoint special prosecutors who will remain independent of the Attorney General after appointment and who will direct the investigation by the FBI and other agencies and make the decision as to whether to indict and prosecute the Clintons. 4. Request that FBI Director James Comey recuse himself and any other senior FBI personnel previously involved in the investigations of the Clintons from any participation in the investigation. 5. Instruct the State Department and other federal agencies to cooperate fully with the special prosecutors including delivering all previously requested information that has been withheld or redacted by Clinton loyalists in those agencies. 6. And finally, let the chips fall where they may. However, there should be a full public disclosure of the results of the special prosecutors efforts at the time of any decision not to prosecute and after trials and appeals should the special prosecutors decide to prosecute. Mr. Trump may think that the Clintons have been punished enough but that, quite frankly, is no more the business of the President than is the investigation and/or prosecution. The decision as to punishment belongs to the judiciary not the President as it does in every other criminal proceeding. If Mr. Trump intends to drain the swamp and re-establish the principle that the law applies equally to all, he needs to begin with a conversation with the man in the mirror. He needs to insure that his thumb unlike Mr. Obamas thumb is not on the scales of justice. An aside to all of this is the likelihood that with the Clintons no longer possessing political power, evidence previously withheld or redacted to the point of uselessness and testimony previously withheld will now be available. At some point in time the Democrats will come to acknowledge that the overwhelming responsibility for Ms. Clintons loss belonged solely to Ms. Clinton that she was corrupt, that she corrupted all those around her, and that she never once told the public the truth. Now that Ms. Clinton, and Mr. Obama, and Ms. Lynch cannot protect witnesses, people with intimate knowledge of what occurred will be willing to testify to avoid prosecution themselves. Nobody is going to go to jail to protect Mr. or Ms. Clinton, or for that matter Chelsea Clinton. It is time to restore the Rule of Law. Former Attorney General, Mr Martin Amidu has accused President John Mahama of illegally smuggling an undisclosed amount of dollars into the country to fund his presidential ambition. According to him, the money was brought into the country in the Ford Expedition car gifted to the president by a Burkinabe contractor, Jibril Kanazoe in the run-off to the 2012 elections. In a new epistle dated December 5, 2016, Mr Amidu alleged that following the death of former President John Evans Atta Mills, President Mahama prior to the elections was financially unprepared. The only way funds could be unconstitutionally imported into Ghana from Burkina Faso was to be ingenious: through the Ford Expedition as the wrapper wrapping the many dollars needed for the Mahama campaign. No searches. No questions, he alleged. Mr Amidu further questioned President Mahamas intent for importing the Ford Expedition into the country if he said he had no need for it. As he himself has said, John Mahama truly did not need a Ford Expedition. Why then was the Ford Expedition sent to the President through the Ghana Ambassador to Burkina Faso? he quipped. Mr Amidu further reiterated his call for Ghanaians to reject President Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Wednesday, December 7, adding that he [President Mahama] had only paid lip service to the fight against corruption. He said, Show us just one conviction resulting from this incumbent President's so called anti-corruption campaignNothing concrete has happened except white washing Government corruption. Click here to read the full statement by Mr Martin Amidu Source: Graphic.com.gh 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 On this day 75 years ago the Japanese attacked american military targets in Hawaii, the Philippines, Guam, Midway, and Wake Island, with the most ferocious attacks on the first two mentioned areas. The reasons for this which has been overlooked is that the peoples of Hawaii and the Philippines wanted freedom from american occupation.After the Kingdom of Hawaii was conquered by america in 1893 and Queen Liliuokalani deposed in 1895, she made requests to Kaiser Wilhelm II, Queen Victoria, Tsar Nikolai II, and Emperor Mutsuhito for fraternal assistance in liberating Hawaii and restoring her. Only Mutsuhito considered her request, and it was his grandson Hirohito who spent years preparing his military to wipe out american military forces in Hawaii. When one notices that the american industrial assets, including military industrial assets, were not hit during the attack on Pearl Harbor it was not because the third wave was cancelled, but because Japan wanted the Hawaiians to use Pearl Harbor for themselves http://www.freehawaii.org/ As I write this Liliuokalani's grandnephew Akahi Nui remains the target of american government harassment as he continues to seek independence for HawaiiAs with Hawaii the Philippine islands were also conquered by the americans in 1898, yet the americans overlooked the fact that Mindanao island was part of the Sultanate of Sulu, which also controlled Sabah and Northern Borneo and Mindanao for centuries. When the Japanese attacked the americans in the Philippines they concentrated heavily on american targets in Luzon and the north, while allowing those loyal to the Sultan of Sulu to reestablish themselves. When macarthur reconquered the Philippines, the House of Sulu claimed that the Sultan who was assisted by the Japanese received their assistance without permission of the family. However the independent Philippine Republic recognized the claims by the House of Sulu, yet refuse to grant them full independence, while Malaysia pays tribute to the Sultan of Sulu for occupying SabahHad america not acted as an imperial power in the Pacific and Asia in the 1890's those americans killed by the Japanese in 1941 would not have died for nothing. Today america is cracking while Asia is regaining what was taken from it and cleaning up the rot america left it with in the 1890's. LHD high-energy particles circulate inside a plasma that is shaped like a twisted doughnut, and they cause plasma oscillations. In particular, when the period of the circulation and that of the plasma oscillation match, the amplitude of the oscillation grows. Credit: Dr. Yasushi Todo The National Institute for Fusion Science has developed new code that can simulate the movement of plasma and, simultaneously, the movement of particles circulating at high speeds. In the Japanese fusion reactor called the Large Helical Device (LHD), researchers have investigated plasma oscillations induced by high-energy particles. New research results, along with the data obtained from LHD experiments, have clarified the details of oscillations that cannot be measured by experiments and the interaction of high-energy particles and their oscillations. High-energy alpha particles (helium ions), generated by fusion reactions using deuterium and tritium, heat the plasma and maintain the high temperature conditions necessary for fusion reaction. The prediction of their behavior and their control are the keys for maintaining the fusion reaction. On the other hand, plasma is also a fluid that conducts electricity. And because flow of electric current produces a magnetic field, this is called magnetofluid, or magnetohydrodynamic fluid. Plasmas that are magnetofluid oscillate. When the oscillation period and the period of high-energy alpha particles circulating inside a plasma match, there is a possibility that the oscillation amplitude will increase due to resonance. As a result, because high-energy alpha particles escape the plasma, there is concern that the performance of the fusion reactor will degrade. In order to realize the generation of fusion electricity, it is imperative to make highly reliable predictions regarding the distribution of high-energy particles that incorporate the plasma's interaction with oscillations. The research group led by Professor Yasushi Todo and Assistant Professor Hao Wang of the National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS) has developed a program that can simulate the plasma behavior and the movements of high-energy particles (The program is called "hybrid simulation" because it connects fluid and particles). It is now possible to simulate the interaction between plasma oscillation and high-energy particles, which was not possible by previous methods that calculated the plasma and the high-energy particles separately. Using this hybrid simulation program on supercomputersNIFS's plasma simulator and Helios, of the International Fusion Energy Research Centrethe researchers conducted a large-scale simulation of LHD plasma. In the LHD experiments, they conducted research on high-energy particles and plasma oscillations using high-energy particles generated by neutral beam injection (see Fig. 1). In the simulation results shown in Figure 2, together with the experimental data for plasma oscillations that are caused by the high-energy particles, they clarified the details of oscillations that cannot be measured by experiment, as well as the interaction of high-energy particles that cause the amplification of oscillation. This hybrid simulation program is appropriate not only for the LHD but also for fusion plasma experiments in Japan and abroad. By comparing the experimental results regarding the distribution of high-energy particles and oscillations, the reliability of the program has been confirmed. By successfully reproducing the LHD experiment, the researchers have produced the first program that can simulate high-energy particles and plasma oscillations. The behavior of oscillations caused by high-energy particles circulating inside an LHD plasma as obtained from a simulation. In the cross-section of the doughnut, increment and decrement due to the oscillations are shown in red and in blue, respectively, for the plasma velocity (left) and the pressure (right). Credit: Dr. Yasushi Todo This research result was announced at the 26th International Atomic Energy Agency conference held October 17-22 in Kyoto, Japan. Using the Hybrid Simulation Program developed by the National Institute for Fusion Science, the prediction accuracy of high-energy alpha particle distribution in fusion reactor core plasma has significantly improved. This will contribute to the development of highly reliable operation scenario and design of fusion reactors, and could speed the achievement of a fusion reactor. In addition, the work contributes to the understanding of the interactions of high-energy particles and oscillations. While the oscillations of plasma cause the loss of high-energy particles that heat plasma, the oscillations, by providing plasma with energy received from high-energy particles, conversely heat plasma. Provided by National Institutes of Natural Sciences A group of University of Kansas researchers has co-authored a study demonstrating that the ways children learn and speak the language in a Cherokee immersion school are an ongoing process of renewal rather than a return to an idealized notion of "speakerhood.". Credit: Roy Boney Jr. Cherokee has been one of a number of endangered Native American languages to see a renaissance in recent history. A group of University of Kansas researchers has co-authored a study demonstrating that the ways children learn and speak the language in a Cherokee immersion school are an ongoing process of renewal rather than a return to an idealized notion of "speakerhood." Researchers gathered data on students' Cherokee in oral, listening, reading and writing skills at Tsalagi Dideloquasdi, a Cherokee language immersion school in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, that is a core part of Cherokee Nation's revitalization efforts. They found the school to be a "quintessential translanguaging space," in which students' competencies are formed by the students, teachers, parents and members of the community, as well as the historical fluidity of Cherokee-English bilingualism. In other words, as their language skills develop, the students communicate in an innovative hybrid form of Cherokee rather than adhering to rigid language rules. "We've looked meticulously at how they're piecing together this complex morphology of the Cherokee language, which is very different from English," said Lizette Peter, associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching. "We view these students as language boundary crossers. They don't see English and Cherokee as two distinct, separate languages. They're creating linguistic possibilities never before seen in the acquisition of Cherokee." Peter co-authored the study with Tracy Hirata-Edds, lecturer in KU's Applied English Center, and Philip Duncan, doctoral candidate in KU's Department of Linguistics, as well as Durbin Feeling, Wyman Kirk and Ryan Mackey of Cherokee Nation. The study is forthcoming in the Journal of American Indian Education, and they have presented it at the American Association for Applied Linguistics and American Educational Research Association conferences. Translanguaging, or the practice of a multilingual speaker making meaning by drawing upon their knowledge of two or more languages, has been documented in young people learning languages before but only recently among youth learning an endangered language. One example of translanguaging among the Cherokee immersion students is the adding of an "s" sound to the end of Cherokee words to indicate possession, the way they would if they were speaking English, even though Cherokee possession is marked quite differently. For example, the children often take the pronoun aya, meaning "I," and create aya's to get the meaning "mine." Documenting such occurrences can help provide a snapshot of language development among students and give teachers an idea of what they can expect from Cherokee learners at various points in their development. The KU researchers have also provided professional development for the school's teachers on strategies to address these instances of language mixing, such as teaching linguistic concepts in both languages as a means to develop their metalinguistic knowledge as bilinguals. The students primarily speak and read only Cherokee in school but are surrounded by English once they leave at the end of the day. The use of Cherokee language by children has skipped almost two generations after efforts to maintain it were largely abandoned. Many of the students do not even have grandparents who speak the language, but efforts in the last few decades to revitalize the language have spawned a renewed interest in learning the language by Cherokee Nation citizens of all ages. The result has been the proliferation of Cherokee in myriad spaces, including the internet, and a growing community of individuals who use the language in different ways and for different purposes. The immersion students' language use both shapes and is shaped by the broader Tahlequah community. Cherokee emoticon. Credit: Ryan Mackey "The children are not mirroring what they hear or read, but, in a sense, they are imaging the language use of their environment, which consists of both Cherokee and English," Duncan said. "Their translanguaging is highly complex, adaptive and inventive." "They're doing with what they have, and that's the amazing thing," Hirata-Edds added. "They don't have adults telling them all the time that 'this is the way to do it.' They have a lot of creativity, and they do it very fluidly." The hybridization of Cherokee has led to concern from some in the community and school that the future of the language is in jeopardy. The researchers and others argue that languages evolve and that young people will be the new standard bearers of the language, even if it is not the same as it was in prior generations. "All languages change over time, so we can expect that Cherokee has and will continue to do so as well," Peter said. The field of language revitalization is relatively new. Over the last 20 years, focus has gradually shifted from how to establish revitalization programs to how effectively endangered languages are learned in a formal classroom setting. This study and previous research conducted by Peter and Hirata-Edds are among the first to look at how child learners' knowledge of an endangered language develops. A deeper understanding of how the language is learned will contribute to more effective ways of teaching, which ultimately will improve the chances of the language's survival for future generations, according to the study. Scientists have discovered that a gene found in the common fruit fly can be successfully expressed in a plant and used to detoxify land contaminated with TNT. The breakthrough could pave the way for millions of hectares of land contaminated by munitions to be cleaned up. The study, published in New Phytologist, shows how a gene found in the common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, can be expressed in Arabidopsis, a member of the cabbage family, to improve TNT removal from contaminated soil. When scientists engineered the plants to express the glutathione transferase (DmGSTE6) gene found in fruit flies, they found that plants expressing the gene were more resistant to TNT and were better able to remove it from contaminated soil than wild-type plants without the gene. The fruit fly has an enzyme which attaches itself to the TNT molecule and is able to modify it and make it less toxic, not only to the plant itself, but the environment. Professor Neil Bruce from the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP) in the University of York's Department of Biology said: "What is important about this transformation is that it converts TNT into a product that could be more amenable to being broken down in the environment. "At the moment there are sites going back to the Second World War which are still contaminated with TNT. "The next stage would be to demonstrate that the TNT molecules are more biodegradable, but also to put these genes into plant species that could be used in the environment to clean up these sites." Dr Liz Rylott, who co-lead the research at CNAP added: "Areas of land contaminated with explosives are a threat to human health and the environment. "We know that TNT does not readily break down in the environment, but by using specially developed plants we could be able to tackle this problem." The team from York has previously worked on a new transgenic grass species that can neutralize and eradicate RDX, an organic compound, which along with TNT, forms the base for many common military explosives. Dr Bruce added: "The next stage would be to put the fly gene into the grasses, like we have done with the other RDX degrading genes. "RDX and TNT are often combined in munitions so we need to have systems to cope with both pollutants. This is a global issue that is not going to go away." The research involved collaboration from Stockholm University and was funded by the US Department of Defense and a PhD studentship for co-author Kyriakos Tzafestas was kindly funded by the Burgess family. More information: Kyriakos Tzafestas et al. Expression of a Drosophila glutathione transferase in Arabidopsis confers the ability to detoxify the environmental pollutant, and explosive, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, New Phytologist (2016). DOI: 10.1111/nph.14326 Journal information: New Phytologist Credit: CC0 Public Domain (Phys.org)A small team of researchers with Imperial College London, the Natural History Museum in London, Project Stardust in Norway and Universite Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium, has found samples of cosmic dust in the gutters of buildings in three major cities. In their paper published in the journal Geology, the team describes how they found the samples, what they look like and what they may reveal about the origins of the solar system. Up till now, researchers looking for space dust have usually had to travel to the Antarcticit was thought the tiny particles, believed to be left over remnants of the formation of the solar system, would be too difficult to find in places where there is a proliferation of other dust types, particularly in areas where people live. John Larson, an amateur space scientist with Project Stardust, came to researchers at Imperial College suggesting that maybe space dust could be found on rooftops. Despite a high degree of skepticism regarding the prospects, the team traveled to Oslo, Berlin and Paris and obtained 300 kilograms of dirt samples from rain gutters on rooftops. Back in the lab, they used magnets to pull possible cosmic dust grains from within the muck. They report that they found and identified approximately 500 samples. The team also report that the dust grains they found were larger than those typically found in Antarcticathey measured approximately 0.3 millimeters as opposed to the customary average of 0.01 millimeters. They also noted the grains had fewer feather-like crystals than those found in Antarctica. They suggest the differences are likely due to agethose from Antarctica are typically much older, which would mean the planets would have been aligned slightly differently when they fell to Earth. That differences indicate dust particles falling through the atmosphere would have been traveling much faster in more recent times due to a difference in trajectoryup to 12 kilometers per secondthe fastest ever recorded for space dust. Those differences, the researchers note, may illuminate the movement of the planets relative to one another over time, helping to understand the history of the solar system. More information: M.J. Genge et al. An urban collection of modern-day large micrometeorites: Evidence for variations in the extraterrestrial dust flux through the Quaternary, Geology (2016). DOI: 10.1130/G38352.1 Abstract We report the discovery of significant numbers (500) of large micrometeorites (>100 m) from rooftops in urban areas. The identification of particles as micrometeorites is achieved on the basis of their compositions, mineralogies, and textures. All particles are silicate-dominated (S type) cosmic spherules with subspherical shapes that form by melting during atmospheric entry and consist of quench crystals of magnesian olivine, relict crystals of forsterite, and iron-bearing olivine within glass. Four particles also contain Ni-rich metal-sulfide beads. Bulk compositions are chondritic apart from depletions in the volatile, moderately volatile, and siderophile elements, as observed in micrometeorites from other sources. The reported particles are likely to have fallen on Earth in the past 6 yr and thus represent the youngest large micrometeorites collected to date. The relative abundance ratio of barred olivine to cryptocrystalline spherule types in the urban particles of 1.45 is shown to be higher than a Quaternary average of ~0.9, suggesting variations in the extraterrestrial dust flux over the past 800 k.y. Changes in the entry velocities of dust caused by quasi-periodic gravitational perturbation during transport to Earth are suggested to be responsible. Variations in cosmic spherule abundance within the geologic column are thus unavoidable and can be a consequence of dust transport as well as major dust production events. Journal information: Geology 2016 Phys.org Weed scientists are finding Palmer amaranth across the Midwest. Counties in black indicate Palmer amaranth was first found in an agricultural field, whereas red indicates it was first detected on conservation program land. Yellow signifies the source of introduction was not identified. Credit: Graphic by Julie McMahon, University of Illinois Weed scientists in at least two Midwestern states have been reporting for years that a conservation program meant to provide habitat for pollinating insects is sowing bad seeds - including seeds of the potentially devastating agricultural weed Palmer amaranth - along with the good. Now, researchers at the University of Illinois have traced the weed seeds to at least one source: pollinator habitat seed sold by a company in the Midwest. A tag on the seed mix claims it is 100 percent weed-free. The provider of the seed, whom the researchers declined to name, is one of dozens of companies that sells seed mixes used in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Pollinator Habitat Initiative and Conservation Reserve Program. "We're not going to name the company because we don't think this is the only one distributing weed seeds in their pollinator seed," said U. of I. crop sciences professor Aaron Hager, who led the research at Illinois. The USDA and the Farm Services Agency, which helps administer the program, do not license the seed companies or inspect the seed mixes farmers use in the pollinator program, said Yvonne Odom, the executive director of the Champaign County, Illinois FSA. They do review the seed tags, which are supposed to accurately represent the varieties and abundance of seeds in the mix and the presence or absence of weeds, she said. The Illinois team germinated the seeds and grew the plants in a greenhouse to identify them. They found seeds of several species of the genus Amaranthus, including smooth pigweed, waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, a wildly prolific seed producer that grows up to 7 feet tall. Some Palmer amaranth populations are resistant to several groups of herbicides, Hager said. Once established, herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth is almost impossible to stop. Some cotton farmers in the South have discovered that it can ruin once-productive farmland in only a few years. "There are a lot of scary stories about Palmer amaranth coming from the mid-South," Hager said. "It's hard to describe this species as anything less than potentially devastating. It's put people out of business before." Previous studies have found that Palmer amaranth can take over farm fields, like this soybean field, in as few as three years. Credit: Photo by Aaron Hager Herbicide resistance has become such a problem for farmers that reports of illegal herbicide use during the growing season to control resistant weeds are on the rise across the Midwest and South. At least one recent murder, in northeast Arkansas, was directly related to a farmer's illegal use of the herbicide dicamba to control resistant weeds. So far, researchers have found Palmer amaranth growing in dozens of counties. At least 35 of 48 counties in Iowa with Palmer amaranth infestations, two in Illinois, two in Ohio and one in Indiana saw the problem first on conservation program lands. The University of Minnesota also recently identified its first occurrence of Palmer amaranth in Minnesota, on land enrolled in the pollinator habitat program. "These are just the ones that have been detected," Hager said. Growers and extension educators need proactive guidance on how to prevent the newly introduced Palmer amaranth from moving onto agricultural land, Hager said. "I don't know whether those enrolled in the pollinator habitat program are allowed the flexibility needed to control these populations," he said. "We don't have any issues at all with the concept behind the pollinator habitat program; it's a good program," Hager said. "But as a result of this program, we've now introduced Palmer amaranth to potentially thousands of acres of land, and we need to know what we are going to be allowed to do to try to stem the spread of it. And we need to do that quickly." Odom said participants in USDA conservation programs who suspect that they have weeds such as Palmer amaranth growing in their pollinator plots should call their local FSA administrator to report the problem and ask for guidance. She said restricted mowing and applications of herbicides will likely be recommended for such infestations. This false-colour map, produced by the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA), depicts the topography of the Martian surface. Hellas Basin, the large, dark blue region below the centre, has a diameter of 2300 km, and is one of the largest identified impact craters both on Mars and within the Solar System. It is thought to have formed some 4 billion years ago. Credit: MOLA Science Team A recent study from ESA's Mars Express and NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) provides new evidence for a warm young Mars that hosted water across a geologically long timescale, rather than in short episodic bursts something that has important consequences for habitability and the possibility of past life on the planet. Although water is known to have once flowed on Mars, the nature and timeline of how and when it did so is a major open question within planetary science. The findings follow an analysis of a region of relatively smooth terrain, called inter-crater plains, just north of the Hellas Basin. With a diameter of 2300 km, the Hellas Basin is one of the largest identified impact craters both on Mars and within the Solar System, and is thought to have formed some 4 billion years ago. "These plains on the northern rim of Hellas are usually interpreted as being volcanic, as we see with similar surfaces on the Moon," said Francesco Salese of IRSPS, Universita "Gabriele D'Annunzio", Italy, and lead author on the new paper. "However, our work indicates otherwise. Instead, we found thick, widespread swathes of sedimentary rock." Sedimentary and volcanic (igneous) rocks form in different ways volcanic, as the name suggests, needs active volcanism driven by a planet's internal activity, while sedimentary rock usually requires water. Igneous rock is created as volcanic deposits of molten rock cool and solidify, while sedimentary builds up as new deposits of sediment form layers that compact and harden over geologically long timescales. "To create the kind of sedimentary plains we found at Hellas, we believe that a generally aqueous environment was present in the region some 3.8 billion years ago," said Salese. "Importantly, it must have lasted for a long period of time on the order of hundreds of millions of years." A volatile adolescence? There are a couple of key models for early Mars both involve the presence of liquid water, but in vastly different ways. This detailed geological map of the intercrater plains north of the Hellas basin was produced by Francesco Salese and colleagues using images from the Mars Express High-Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC), the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE), and Context (CTX) camera. The data from Mars Express and MRO allowed the scientists to explore the regions appearance, topography, morphology, mineralogy, and age. More specifically, Mars Express imaging data allowed them to study the plains geology on a regional scale, providing context for the local-scale observations from MRO. Analysis of the map provides new evidence for a warm young Mars that hosted water across a geologically long timescale, rather than in short episodic bursts something that has important consequences for habitability and the possibility of past life on the planet. Credit: Salese et al., 2016. J. Geophys. Res. Planets, 121, doi:10.1002/2016JE005039, Reused with permission of the American Geophysical Union Some studies suggest that Mars' earliest days (the Noachian period, over 3.7 billion years ago) had a steadily warm climate, which enabled vast pools and streams of water to exist across the planet's surface. This watery world then lost both its magnetic field and atmosphere and cooled down, transforming into the dry, arid world we see today. Alternatively, rather than hosting a warm climate and water-laden surface for eons, Mars may instead have only experienced short, periodic bursts of warmth and wetness that lasted for less than 10 000 years each, facilitated by a sputtering cycle of volcanism that intermittently surged and subsided across the years. Both scenarios could form some of the water-dependent chemistries and rock morphologies we see across Mars' surface, and have significant consequences for Mars in both a geological sense how the planet formed and evolved, whether its past has anything in common with Earth's, and the composition and structure of its surface and in terms of potential habitability. "Understanding if Mars had a warmer and wetter climate for a long period of time is a key question in our search for past life on the Red Planet," said co-author Nicolas Mangold of CNRS-INSU, Nantes University, France. "If we can understand how the martian climate evolved, we'll have a better understanding of whether life could have ever flourished, and where to look for it if it did. We can also learn much about rocky planets in general, which is especially exciting in this era of exoplanet science, and about our own planet the same processes we think to have been important on a young Mars, such as sedimentary processes, volcanism, and impacts, have also been crucial on Earth." From formation to erosion Salese and colleagues used imaging and spectro-imaging data from Mars Express and MRO to create a detailed geological map of the area around northern Hellas, taking advantage of so-called "erosional windows" geological formations that act as natural "drill holes" down into the plains, revealing deeper material (examples include impact craters, grabens, and outcrops). These data showed the plains to be composed of an over 500-metre-thick band of flat, layered, light-coloured rock. The rock showed several characteristics typical of sedimentary deposition: box-work, which is a type of box-like mineral structure formed by erosion; cross-bedding, identified as layers of rock intersecting at different tilts and inclines; and planar stratification, which manifests as distinct, near-horizontal layers of rock that line up atop one another. These were in addition to large amounts of clays known as smectites. This image, taken by the context camera on NASAs Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, shows an erosional window in part of a region north of Hellas Basin on Mars. Erosional windows allow scientists to reconstruct the stratigraphy of regions beneath the surface and to estimate erosion rates for the area being studied. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS Clays are exciting chemicals, as they indicate that a wet and thus potentially habitable environment once existed at that location. Clays can also trap organic material and potentially preserve signs of life. "These characteristics suggest that the rock didn't form from lava flow deposits but rather from sedimentary processes, which implies that the region once experienced warm and wet conditions for a relatively long time," said Salese. "When the layered rock was deposited during the Noachian period, around 3.8 billion years ago its surroundings must have been soaked in water, with intense liquid circulation. We think it likely formed in a lake (lacustrine) or stream (alluvial) environment, or a combination of both." The rock then underwent an intense period of volcanic erosion during the Hesperian period (3.7 to 3.3 billion years ago) and was covered by volcanic flows, creating the morphology we see today. The scientists estimate a minimum erosion rate for this time period of one metre per million years one hundred times higher than the erosion rates estimated on Mars in the past 3 billion years. "This is further evidence of a prolonged period of active geological processes on the surface of early Mars," added Mangold. "We can also extrapolate our finding to the rest of Mars and be confident we understand the evolution of the planet as a whole we believe that the global climate conditions of Noachian Mars were sufficient to support significant liquid water." Cosmic collaboration This study used data from Mars Express and MRO, which allowed the scientists to explore the region's appearance, topography, morphology, mineralogy, and age. More specifically, Mars Express imaging data allowed Salese and colleagues to study the plains' geology on a regional scale, providing context for the local-scale observations from MRO. The presence of rock morphologies or minerals that imply a wet history point towards possible habitability at that location in the past something that is important in selecting landing sites and areas of interest for future robotic and potential human missions to Mars. "This work again demonstrates the importance of successful cooperation between different missions, and collaboration between ESA and NASA," said Dmitri Titov, ESA Project Scientist for Mars Express. "No mission would be able to unveil the history of Mars alone. By using multiple spacecraft and different observation techniques, it's possible to characterise all kinds of different geological processes on Mars in all their complexity, and gain a more complete view of Mars' early days." This finding is part of a series of efforts to understand Mars' history and the planet as a whole, performed using Mars Express and other spacecraft from studying Mars' early climate by probing the evolution of large lakes that once existed across the planet's surface, to observing Mars' present-day weather (including mystery clouds and aurorae), and characterising the pockets of magnetism locked up within its crust. More information: Francesco Salese et al. A sedimentary origin for intercrater plains north of the Hellas basin: Implications for climate conditions and erosion rates on early Mars, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets (2016). DOI: 10.1002/2016JE005039 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. Michael Goot night and weekend editor Follow Michael Goot 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. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Forty-three percent of parents believe New Yorks high school graduates are ready for college, according to a poll released Wednesday by an education advocacy group. A total of 27 percent of parents believe that students are not prepared for college, career, vocational school or a job, according to the survey, which was commissioned by The Education Trust-New York and conducted by Kiley & Company. About a thousand parents were surveyed from Nov. 17-23 in the poll. A total of 38 percent of African-American parents, 42 percent of Latino parents and 44 percent of white parents believe that students are being adequately prepared, according to a news release. When broken out by just update residents, only 38 percent believe that students are prepared for college. The survey also asked whether people believe that schools should be graded in some fashion. Fifty-seven percent of parents believe that it is important to measure school performance and 40 percent say theres been too much focus on measuring school performance. Seventy percent of upstate parents agreed that schools should be graded in some fashion. A total of 77 percent of parents believe that badly underperforming schools should be given a chance to improve before drastic steps are implemented such as replacing the administration and the teachers. The Education Trust is advocacy group that focused on eliminating the achievement gaps for low-income and students of color from reaching their potential. The survey was commissioned as New York state is in the process of developing regulations for implementing the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. The state Department of Environmental Conservation sent out a news release about recent cases investigated by state conservation officers across the state, and a northern Warren County poaching case was among them. Below is the DEC synopsis of the case. On Nov. 22, ECO Robert Higgins was on foot patrol when he heard two gunshots close to a baited tree stand he was investigating in a remote area of the Adirondacks. Hunting with the aid of bait is illegal in New York. ECO Higgins rushed to the stand, but the culprit was already gone. Pumpkins and apples were scattered about and five deer congregated in the vicinity. Drag marks from a fresh deer carcass led to the back of the culprits house, where he was preparing to gut a freshly killed eight-point buck next to a larger nine-point buck. The suspect said that he did not have a tag for the eight pointer and claimed a friend had shot the nine-pointer the previous day. The story then changed, and the suspect said that he, in fact, had shot the nine pointer. With the assistance of ECO George LaPoint, the friend was interviewed. He confessed to loaning his deer tags to the original suspect. The suspect was charged with taking deer over bait, taking over the limit of deer, possessing the tags of another hunter, and illegally killing deer. The case is pending in the Town of Johnsburg Court. I wish the DEC would release the names of (alleged) criminals like this guy. They used to, and I don't know what resulted in the policy change. Below is the remainder of the DEC news release (the headlines are the DEC's). Late Night Shots Jefferson County On the night of Nov. 18, ECO Shea Mathis responded to two poaching complaints of shots fired in the town of Lorraine. ECO Mathis quickly identified two suspects and issued trespassing tickets for knowingly entering posted property to hunt raccoon. ECO Mathis spent hours tracking down suspects on the second complaint, finally finding a poacher who admitted to illegally killing an 11-point buck around 11 p.m. The mans firearm and the deer were seized as evidence and he was arrested for taking deer with the aid of artificial light, discharging a firearm from a public highway, illegally taking a white-tailed deer, and failure to tag the deer. Green-Grey Patrol - Sullivan County New York State Troopers partnered up with ECOs for the opening weekend of the Southern Zone deer season on Nov. 19 and 20. Four Green-Grey teams responded to 45 complaints ranging from deer illegally shot from the roadway to illegally baited hunting stands. More than 70 tickets were issued for violations and misdemeanor offenses of the Environmental Conservation Law, resulting in the seizure of 12 illegally taken deer and three illegally taken bear. Thirty hunters were issued tickets for hunting with the aid of bait. The Green-Grey Patrol is an excellent opportunity for the two agencies to work alongside each other and to train together to understand each others capabilities. This can be of value when responding to incidents when all agencies respond. The Friends-and-Family Plan - Ulster County On Nov. 22, ECOs Joshua Sulkey and Geoffrey Younglove were on a separate investigation when they observed blood in the back of a van and on the side of the road nearby. They followed the van owner to his residence and observed three tagged buck heads and one tagged, unprocessed buck. Deer taken in New York must be tagged by the hunter that shoots it. ECO Ricky Wood responded to assist with the developing investigation. The ECOs determined that one hunter had killed two of the tagged bucks and another had killed three bucks and one antlerless deer, tagging two of the bucks with his wifes tag. Two illegal deer were seized. The suspects were charged with numerous ECL violations, including using another persons hunting tags, lending hunting tags to another person, failure to tag deer as required by law, taking over the limit of deer, and failure to report deer harvests. All charges are pending in the Town of Fallsburg Court in Sullivan County and the Town of Wawarsing Court in Ulster County. Decoy Survives - Seneca County On Nov. 23, ECOs Scott Angotti and Mark Colesante conducted a deer decoy detail in the town of Tyre. Deer decoys are used to address complaints of poachers shooting from vehicles. Shortly after setting up the decoy in a safe area, a man stopped, exited his vehicle and, while leaning over his vehicle, fired twice at the decoy. An ECO on foot attempted to apprehend the subject but he jumped in his vehicle and attempted to flee. The second ECO blocked the roadway and the subject veered into a snowbank before surrendering. He was handcuffed and arraigned in the Town of Tyre Court for possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, shooting from a public highway, trespassing, failure to comply with a lawful order, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, forged inspection sticker, uninspected vehicle, and unlicensed operation. The decoy remained unscathed, as both shots missed. If you witness an environmental crime or believe a violation of environmental law occurred please call the DEC Division of Law Enforcement hotline at 1-844-DEC-ECOS (1-844-332-3267). There are so many people that are passionate about American history. Last month, I got a complaint from a reader because we had nothing in the newspaper to commemorate the Kennedy assassinations 53rd anniversary. Another person wondered if we were doing a story to commemorate the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. The list is infinite and whether we do a story or not on a historical anniversary often come down to whether we have a local angle or not. Wednesday was the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Readers regularly call us if we dont have a story on Pearl Harbor, which can be frustrating if we have no local angle. After all, most of the people alive when it happened are gone. It is not a sign of disrespect. We just may not have a story. Reporter Bill Toscano turned out a couple of excellent local stories for the Pearl Harbor anniversary this year. The one on the local connections to Pearl Harbor is one I dont remember us doing before and will be valuable for the future. We also included a special Pearl Harbor commemorative edition produced by Lee Enterprises newspapers from all across the country. It is a great product and I urge all our readers to take a look. I think we have the Pearl Harbor anniversary covered for this year. But there is always another one down the road. WARRENSBURG Virginia C. DeMars, 80, formerly of River Street, passed away peacefully Monday, Dec. 5, 2016 at Indian River Nursing Home. Born Dec. 19, 1935 in Fort Edward, she was the daughter of the late Maurice A. Sr., and Margaret (Conrad) DeMars. She was a lifelong resident of the area. Virginia was employed at the Evergreen Nursing Home in Warrensburg for almost 20 years until she retired to take care of her ailing mother. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brother Maurice DeMars, Jr. Virginia is survived by a sister, Joan Wilson and her husband, Paul of Scotia, as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at noon Thursday, Dec. 8, at St. Cecilia's Roman Catholic Church, 3802 Main St., Warrensburg with Fr. Paul Cox, officiating. Family and friends are invited to call on Virginia's family one hour prior to the Mass. Rite of Committal will follow in St. Cecilia's Cemetery, Warrensburg. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations in Virginia's memory to St. Cecilia's RC Church, 3802 Main St., Warrensburg, NY 12885. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guestbook, condolences, and directions. FORT EDWARD A Vermont man who had sex with a 15-year-old girl in Hebron pleaded guilty Friday to a felony charge of rape. Corey Collard, 21, of Route 153, West Pawlet, pleaded guilty to third-degree rape, a felony, for a sexual encounter with the girl earlier this year. He was charged because she was too young to legally consent to sexual relations, as the age of consent in New York is 17. Collard was also charged with sending sexually explicit videos of himself to the teen, but charges related to those allegations will be dropped as part of a plea deal. He likely faces 6 months in Washington County Jail and 10 years on probation when sentenced Jan. 13 by Washington County Judge Kelly McKeighan. Collard was arrested in August by the Washington County Sheriff's Office. SCHUYLERVILLE A feed store is moving from Saratoga Springs to Route 4, where it is hoping to attract more farmers. It brings us a little closer to a lot of our farm customers, said Sara Baldes, business manager for Thorobred Feed Sales. We sell dog food, cat food, goat feed pretty much you name the animal, we have it. We even have kangaroo feed. The company, which was established in 1958, has to move from its East Avenue, Saratoga Springs, location because the owner of the building is redeveloping for another use. Baldes started searching for another place with a large storefront and warehouse space for lease. It wasnt easy. This was the closest location we could find to our current location, she said. Theres not a lot out here. But shes hoping it will improve business in the long run. I think it will help build our farm-customer base, she said. The companys main business is providing horse feed to the Saratoga Race Course. Those orders keep the company busy from April to November because trainers come long before the track season begins. Shes planning to move in January, during the slow time for her business. But even so, she doesnt plan to close down for the move. Were actually going to do it in a weekend, she said. The store will open Jan. 9 at 164 Route 4. For the winter, the store has a skeleton crew of six employees, but that will grow to as many as 18 employees in the summer. Some customers come to the store, but the core of the business is delivery, Baldes said. The company delivers for free. Although the biggest orders are horse feed for the track, they also sell bedding, hay, and wood pellets for stoves. Pellet sales are growing, providing the companys first departure from animal products. The company buys much of its feed locally. But it also ships in specialty products. The premium Western Timothy hay comes from Washington state, and other well-known regional hay products come from other Western states. Those are some of the most popular hay feeds at the store, Baldes said. For the winter, the store will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The times change seasonally. More than 50 residents from the Glens Falls region were stationed at Pearl Harbor or in the Philippines on Dec. 7, 1941, according to Post-Star archives. One of them was Cpl. William H. Featherson of South Glens Falls, who was stationed with the U.S. Army Signal Corps at Fort Shafter in Hawaii. When the attack began, he was on duty and was not in the barracks when a friendly fire Navy shell destroyed the barracks and all his possessions. After the attack, he spent the rest of the week on coastal defense but was able to send a telegram home to tell his family he was safe. Featherson died in 1956 and is survived by his daughters, Karen French of South Glens Falls and Darlene Smith of Schenectady. He didnt talk about it a lot, but he did tell my father he lost everything he owned, including the Christmas presents the family had sent, when the barracks were destroyed, said Gary Glidden of South Glens Falls, Feathersons nephew, in an interview Sunday. Ford Island Fred Carota, a former Post-Star reporter, was a Navy reservist and was called back to service a year before the attack on Pearl Harbor. According to a 1958 Post-Star article, Carota was stationed at Ford Island, a landing strip in the center of the harbor. He and some colleagues were heading for a photo lab when the attack started. The initial wave was over and had hit us before we knew what happened, Carota was quoted as saying. A bomb fell only a few feet from us, landing in the courtyard of a sick bay, but it turned out to be a dud and didnt explode. The same article states there were two Hudson Falls men killed at Pearl Harbor, H. Randolph Holmes and Thomas J. Reeves. The USS Blue Perhaps the best-known local survivor, partly because he lived so long and partly because of the book, The Things Our Fathers Saw by Matt Rozell of Hudson Falls, is Gerald A. Barney Ross, 94, who died in August 2015 at Indian River Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Granville. Ross, a lifelong resident of Whitehall, was not only at Pearl Harbor, but he was also aboard a ship in Tokyo Bay when the surrender ending the war was signed. He served as an electricians mate on the USS Blue during the Japanese attack. He found himself on a gun crew during the attack. When the Japanese attacked, I was on the deck waiting for a boat to take me to a church service, Ross said in one of his many interviews. We saw a plane dive toward the USS Utah, then within minutes, it was the worst devastation you could ever imagine the USS Arizona was blown up and the USS Oklahoma was turned over on its belly. Rozell, who has written two books about World War II and is working on several more, is a history teacher. He has interviewed many veterans in his classroom and Ross was the first, in 1988. Other survivors There were a number of other Pearl Harbor veterans who returned to the area, and as Rozell points out, almost every soldier, sailor or Marine who fought in the Pacific War passed through Pearl Harbor. Its important to remember that so many of these veterans passed through Pearl Harbor, and they saw all the wrecks, Rozell said. Local Pearl Harbor survivors who have died in the last 13 years include: Robert Hicks of Granville, who later became president of Evergreen Slate Co., was a captain in the U.S. Army and was credited with shooting down a plane at Pearl Harbor. He died in 2003 at the age of 87. Ralph J. Barton of Indian Lake, who served with the Armys 25th Infantry Division throughout the Pacific, including at Pearl Harbor. He died in 2009 at age 89. Jim Higgins of Hudson Falls, who died at age 91 in 2007. He was on Oahu when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and later served on Guadalcanal, earning promotion to battalion sergeant major. In an interview a year before his death, he described his first view of Pearl Harbor after the attack this way: When we first saw the harbor after the attack, it looked like hell warmed over. Vincent L. Aiken Sr., who died at age 93 in 2005, was a Schroon Lake Central School graduate, but lived in of Silver Lake, Washington, most of his life. He was born in The Glen, near Johnsburg. Aiken served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, stationed in the South Pacific. He was a bombardier, tail-gunner, pilot and a Pearl Harbor survivor. Numbers dwindling Over the past seven weeks, at least five other survivors of the attack have died, including Joe Langdell of California, who at 100 was the oldest survivor of the USS Arizona. Not only is the number of Pearl Harbor survivors shrinking, so is the number of World War II veterans in general. According to statistics released by the Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly 500 World War II veterans die each day. This means there are about 800,000 veterans remaining of the 16 million who served the U.S. in World War II. More than 2,400 sailors, Marines and soldiers were killed at Pearl Harbor and other military installations on the island of Oahu. Glens Falls Mayor Jack Diamond might be staying active in politics. Diamond said Monday he is considering running for Glens Falls 1st supervisor next year if current 1st Ward Supervisor Dan Girard does not seek re-election. I just might be spending a little more time up at the county than Id like to, Diamond said in an interview at City Hall. Girard said last week he likely will not run for re-election. Diamond said he is waiting for Girard to make a final decision, and will not run if Girard decides to run. We still have a full year ahead of us or actually six months before (nominating) petitions are due, he said. Diamond and Girard, both Democrats, have been longtime political allies and social friends. Diamond will reach term limits as mayor next year and cannot run for re-election. Campaign spending Chris Boyark, the Republican candidate in the 113th state Assembly District, spent $31,737 on his campaign, less than a tenth of the $352,454 that incumbent Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, spent, according to campaign finance reports filed with the state Board of Elections. But it paints a different picture when you combine Boyarks spending with spending of an independent political action action committee that targeted Woerner. New Yorkers for Independent Action, the political action committee, spent $363,668 opposing Woerner, bringing total campaign spending opposing Woerner to $395,405. Broken down by vote, Woerners campaign spent $11.24 per vote to win, while opposing entities spent a combined $16.39 per vote. Holiday fashion Queensbury Supervisor John Strough said he is going shopping for a new holiday tie to wear at the Queensbury Town Board meeting Dec. 19, when Town Board members will hold their third annual unofficial holiday fashion contest, inspired by this reporters holiday tie collection.The one that made the music last year didnt win, so Ill have to strike again, Strough said at the latest Town Board meeting on Monday. Third Ward Councilman Doug Irish won in 2014 and also made a strong showing in 2015. Irish has said he plans to wear a holiday biker outfit this year.The contest is also open to those who speak during the public comment period. Citizen activist George Winters won in 2015. National podcast Local political activist Matt Funiciello will speak on a national Green Party Animal Rights Committee video podcast to be live-streamed at 9 p.m. Thursday on the committees Facebook page. They want to have a conversation about how my being a vegan may have impacted the (congressional) race and a discussion of farming issues in our congressional district, Funiciello said in a telephone interview on Sunday. Im not sure how broad-reaching that conversation will be, but it should be interesting. Funiciello, a bread company owner from Hudson Falls, was the Green Party candidate in the 21st Congressional District in 2014 and 2016. Funiciello has said he expects to run again in 2018. New series This is the first in an occasional series about the politics of Glens Falls Insurance Co. founder Russell Mack Little, who served in the state Senate in the 19th century and was a delegate to the Republican National Convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln. Russell M. Little, the Republican candidate for state Senate in the 16th District, met the criteria of being honest, capable and faithful to the Constitution, The Glens Falls Messenger editorialized on Oct. 25, 1861. He has been a Republican, it is true, but giving offense to no one, and never compromising his character as a gentleman, a Christian, and an honest man. He never sought office, that we are aware of, the editorial stated. Little, although he did not seek the nomination, was unanimously nominated at conventions in Warren, Essex and Clinton counties, the three counties in the 16th District. In behalf of the people of this county, we tender to the conventions that united in the presentation of his name the expression of our hearty approval and thanks; and we feel authorized to pledge for him in this county a commanding and unprecedented vote, the editorial stated. The results will be announced at the various polling stations and will be sent to a collation centre for collation. The 275 collation centre results will be collated in order to arrive at the results for the presidential elections which will be announced by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) Charlotte Osei. Earlier, the EC dismissed reports of the suspension of voting in a polling station at Jaman North. Media reports earlier indicated that the presidential and parliamentary elections in the Jaman North constituency have been suspended due to an objection raised by the parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Ghanaians formed long queues at the various voting centres across the country as at 3am. In some areas people used cement blocks, stones and gallons to secure their spots in the queues. Others use plastic chairs and wooden benches. He said he has no regrets about anything in his first term of office, because he has done his best. Speaking to journalists at Bole in the Northern Region after casting his vote, Mahama said he was proud of all his achievements. "Im as proud of the big things as the small things: providing a small community with water and the change it makes in their lives is just as important to me as the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, and, so, Im proud of everything Ive achieved." "I appeal passionately to all of you to go out and vote in an orderly and peaceful manner. There might be queues, there might be hold-ups and there might be some local difficulties, but I appeal to you to be tolerant and vigilant. Please be prepared to make the critical sacrifice of time. If we want change, we have to vote for change. I urge the Electoral Commission, security personnel and all the officials to do their work professionally. Let us make sure that the process is transparent and credible. Ghana is, then, the winner," he said. Speaking exclusively to Pulse.com.gh, the actor described the feeling of voting for his candidate as exciting. According to him, he voted for the right candidate who is the President and hopefully things will go on well. I voted in the Volta region. I also voted for the right candidate who is John Dramani Mahama and it was exciting. he explained He however refuted the claim by people on social media that he was trying to prove a point to the NDC Campaign team with the image I mean its just my choice and Im not proving anything at all he added. John Dumelo has been a leading celebrity figure campaigning for the president in the 2016 elections and had a fall out with a number of his celebrity friends including Yvonne Nelson. They pair have settled their squabbles since. The actor yesterday disclosed that he was threatened with death amongst other things just because he supported the ruling party. Gushing over her and praising the baby girl's 'perfection and heavenly smell', she wrote, "Dream is so perfect and her baby smell is from Heaven." Blac Chyna and Rob Kardashian welcomed their bundle of joy on Thursday, November 10, at Los Angeles Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California. Meanwhile, Blac Chyna is getting that post baby body back! The reality star is currently on the mend and has lost a total of 21 pounds 10 days after she gave birth. The reality star was spotted on Sunday, November 27, 2016, flaunting a trimmer figure, as she prepped to take son King Cairo Stevenson to a photo shoot. The celebrity blogger has switched things up a bit by getting a new car. Her brother, Peks Ikeji, broke the exciting news on Instagram on December 6, 2016. According to him, the media entrepreneur just nabbed a 2016 Range Rover Autobiography which costs about $200,000, a whooping 90million naira. Linda who recently launched her social network shared a video on YouTube on November 28, 2016, talking about depression and how to overcome. According to her she once went through all that at a point in her life. "Whatever it is that is weighing you down, making you hate life, making you hate yourself. I want you to know more than anything else that you will overcome this," she said in a video shared to YouTube. And she definitely overcame! Recently Ikeji launched a social networking website called "Linda Ikeji Social." On the website, users will be able to interact with other users, follow other users, send messages, get a direct feed of Linda Ikeji's blog, and post multimedia content as well. 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 buyer, Otunba Williams Kuye, was promised two acres of land for the amount which was paid in June 2013. For his role in the alleged scam, the accused has been slammed with a three-count of fraud, stealing and breach of peace, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Inspector Ibrahim Haruna, the prosecutor in the case said the accused knew that the representation he made to Kuye was false. ALSO READ: 2 fraudsters bag 110 years in jail His crime contravened Sections 166 (d), 285 and 312 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, according to the prosecutor. Every American president has been named TIME Person of the Year. President Obama landed the cover twice in 2008 and 2012 when he won his first and second term elections. George Bush was also named TIME Person of the Year twice, 2000 and 2004. According to the BBC, Donald Trump said "It's a great honour, it means a lot" about his TIME Person of The Year cover. This year's TIME Person of The Year runner-up was the Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. ALSO READ: Donald Trump names Carson as housing secretary "Hillary Clinton made history for three decades as an advocate, a First Lady, a Senator, and a Secretary of State, but she will now be remembered as much for what she didnt do as what she did" wrote TIME about her. "A female candidate in an election that didnt hinge on gender, after all, she became a symbol in a fight that was about much more than symbolism. Shes the woman who was almost President, she is what might have been and what will yet be." The New York City mayor, Bill de Blasio has asked the United States government to pay $35m for Donald Trumps security costs. The city had earlier complained on the high cost of providing security for Trump, who has an apartment at Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue. Daily Mail reports that Nwoko who is also known as Precious Max, a handsome and bodybuilding buff, used his physique and good looks to lure the women into a relationship with him only to use them as his mules in the drug trade. It was gathered that Nwoko used an online dating scam to trick the women into smuggling heroin for an international drug cartel that he belongs to and had been involved in the illicit trade for years before he met his Waterloo. Revealing details of the how he was caught, Daily Mail narrated that the Nigerian drug baron who is part of an active elaborate international drug smuggling syndicate lured the women into unwittingly moving drugs for him. Through his online dating tricks using platforms such as Facebook, Tagged, Badoo and Twoo, he lured more than 20 women across the globe. He is said to have enticed interested women looking for a partner by sharing photos of his muscular physique in swimming pools and bars, with the promise of love and business. Before he was finally nabbed, Nwoko told the women he dealt with art and crafts and was largely successful in tricking the women into smuggling drugs out of Cambodia. His nemesis came when he met an Australian woman online in 2015 and invited her to Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital to meet Nwoko who pretended to be a South African businessman in the import and export trades. After some days, he proposed to the woman on the day she was to return to Melbourne and gave her samples from his business for an Australian associate. Upon arriving in Melbourne, customs found two kilograms of heroin sewn into a compartment and after realizing what had happened, she collapsed in shock and though she was not prosecuted and the case was dropped, the authorities reached an agreement with her to set up a trap for Nwoko. Another Australian woman, Yoshe Ann Taylor, also fell victim to the Nigeria drug kingpin and was sentenced to 23 years by a Cambodian court after 2.2kg of heroin was found in her bag by the authorities. The drugs were traced to Nwoko as well. Taylor was arrested at Phnom Penh airport in September 2013 and has since spent three years behind bars. The Sydney Morning Herald also reported how Nwoko was able to trick Taylor into becoming his drug mule: The 44-year-old Taylor was the unwitting victim of Precious Max who, this time, supposedly posed as an arts and crafts dealer. The relationship between the pair was well developed as Precious Max created an online relationship with Taylor for one year. Nwoko then offered to pay for Taylor's airline ticket to travel to Cambodia once a certain level of trust was established. It was during Taylor's third trip to the country when Nwoko asked her to take some artworks back to Australia in her backpack. However, Taylor did not get far after she was caught at the airport by Cambodia police who were tipped with information provided by Australian Federal Police. Chibuike, who was found with twelve children, was accused of not registering the orphanage with the government. The discovery was made when one of the children was ill and had to be taken to the hospital. Members of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development reportedly raided the orphanage and rescued the children. ALSO READ: Pastor arrested with 12 abducted kids The pastor who claimed to have registered the institution at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), said he received a message from God to start the orphanage. I am from Anambra State. I am called by God to render this service to humanity by helping the less privileged, such as widows, motherless children and homeless people. I provide adequate care for these children till their parents can take over their care. For those that were abandoned, I train them even up to university level. The children were acquired through different means. Some of them were brought to me by the police, some were brought by their biological mothers; in some instances, they claimed they had the children out of wedlock and they cannot attend to the needs of the children or shoulder their responsibilities. Based on this, the person will put down his or her name and we will accept the child in order to assist the child. Our affection is on children because we know that if we reject any child, chances are that the children are exposed to the wrong sides of life and might die in the process." Oba Ogunwusi succeeded Oba Okunade Sijuwadewho died on July 28, 2015. Since he became the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi has brought a modern and electric touch to the ancient throne, charming the public and kick starting populist projects. The 43-year-old supreme monarch of the Yoruba race announced that he would be hosting a musical competition Ojaja II Musical Talent Hunt & Concert. The competition is expected to kick off in August 2016, but the auditioning of the contestants will begin in July. In a bid to boost tourism in Osun state Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi announced in January his plans to build a N7.6 billion Grand Resort. The resort was part of the Ooni's plan to declare Ife a tourism zone on the 27th of February, 2016. The tourism zone project would empower over 40, 000 widows in the state. Clearly, the new Ooni of Ife has shown that he is a progressive monarch ready to embrace the modern world. Besides announcing initiatives to move the spiritual home of Yoruba people, Ile-Ife forward, the Ooni of Ife has familiarized himself with popular culture. The Ooni of Ife has hosted pop culture stalwarts like Fuji legend King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal 1, actresses Moji Olaiya, Bukky Wright and Lola Alao. In February 2016 the rapper Olamide was spotted with the Ile-Ife monarch. Within 365 days of his reign, the Ooni has already left a huge legacy surpassing those before him. On Tuesday, November 22, 2016, he unveiled the statue of Moremi in Ile-Ife. Officially known as the Moremi Statue of Liberty, the statue is the tallest in Nigeria and third tallest in Africa, coming on the heels of The African Renaissance Monument, Dakar, Senegal which is the tallest at 161 feet, followed the Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt which is 66 feet tall. The statue immortalises Moremi, one of the most popular heroines in Yoruba culture and history. It was alleged that the accused in the murder case stabbed her husband to death when she learnt that he had impregnated another woman. The prosecution counsel in the case presented three witnesses at the court, and the landlord, Chief Akinpelu Adelodun, was one of them. Adelodun, who testified at the Oyo State High Court said that he tried to intervene in an argument that ensued between the couple, but Yewande had insisted that she will inflict injuries on her husband. This continued till the next day, February 2, 2016, when the victim was murdered. ALSO READ: Man murdered by lawyer wife for burial February 26 She has been held at the Agodi Prison, Ibadan since the day of the crime. Adewale Amos, a police prosecutor on the case had earlier revealed that the suspect stabbed her husband by the neck. PM Express reports that the victim, Fola Daba, was stabbed by Owoyemi with a pair of scissors which caused deep injury in his hand. He was said to have bled profusely and was rushed to a hospital for treatment after the attack. The incident happened at Abaranje in Ikotun area, where the suspect and the victim both reside. Owoyemi was arrested by policemen attached to the Ikotun division who arrested her. Witnesses said the suspect was angry because Daba touched her playfully. A police source said the injury was deep and serious and Owoyemi had committed a criminal offense by her action and should face trial. She was then charged before a magistrates court sitting in Ejigbo with assault under the Criminal Code. Mrs Buhari made the call in Abuja at the inauguration of a programme titled: Nigerian women against corruption. The event was organised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in collaboration with the wife of the President. The sub-theme of the event was, A woman, who builds her home, can tame the corruption monster. According to her, corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of the Nigerian Society. This is a clarion call for us women to wage a determined and sustainable war against corruption, which hinders development in our dear country, she said. Mrs Buhari also said that corruption had crippled development efforts in Nigeria thus leading to the decay of infrastructure, among others. She said the impact of corruption was obvious in the economic, healthcare and education sectors as well as in the rate of unemployment in the country. The wife of the President stated that women are the vital instruments in the fight against corruption, which she promised to champion. She, therefore, urged the 36 state governors in the federation to launch the programme in their various states. She spoke of the need for EFCC to form a network of women groups to ensure an effective and sustainable war against corruption in the country. Mrs Buhari applauded EFCC for engaging women in the fight against corruption. Let me remind ourselves that the homes are our first institution and we cannot be good citizens in the larger society without embracing integrity, virtues and accountability, she said. She stated that it is heart-warming to have a man of integrity and a crusader against corruption in the person of President Muhammadu Buhari as her husband. She extolled the virtues of President Buhari and his vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, saying they are men of integrity. ALSO READ: Earlier, the wife of Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, described the day as a memorable one in the history of Nigerian women in view of their formal recognition as soldiers in the fight against corruption. The ARD President in the state, Dr Ibrahim Kuburi, stated this during a visit to the Fatima Ali Sherrif Motherless Babies Home in Maiduguri. Kuburi said the gesture was part of the associations free scientific week outreach to vulnerable victims of the Boko Haram insurgency. As you can see, we have specialists which in include physicians, surgeons, ophthalmologists, pathologist, paediatricians and radiologist. We have conducted our clinical examinations and treatment was offered while some referrals were made on some of the babies. We discovered that some of the children are suffering from diseases like pertusis growth with a very contagious respiratory tract infection and mumps viral disease. We are also saddened to discover that the children were not immunised which poses a great danger to their health. We also noticed disability among two of the children, Kuburi said. He said the children were being referred for proper evaluation and treatment as well as enrolment in the immunisation programme. The ARD president said the group also brought assorted food items for the orphans to cushion their hardship The Chairman of BEF, Alhaji Usman Gaji-Galtimari, made the appeal in a statement in Maiduguri. From what we read and heard in the print and electronic media the Islamic Movement of Nigeria has been branded as an insurgency group and therefore outlawed. We see what is happening in Kaduna State as similar to what happened in Borno State back in 2009, leading to a sorry state of affairs in the state, he said. He explained that the forum had no interest whatsoever in the existence or otherwise of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. However, the chairman of the forum said that members were deeply concerned that a dark history appeared to be repeating itself. Your Excellency may concur with us that there is the need to draw lessons from our recent and indeed ongoing crisis in the North-East and pockets of other crises across the country. It is therefore necessary to take all the available routes to avert any further incidents. We wish to appeal to you to arrest the Kaduna situation and amicably settle all contending issues so that peace will reign in Central Nigeria. Our harrowing experiences in the North-East should be enough to guide us as a nation to cultivate peace and peaceful co- habitation. Your government has done tremendously well to curb the activities of the Boko Haram. We are all hopeful to return to peace and the nightmare of igniting another religious crisis should be avoided, Gaji-Galtimari said. ALSO READ: Group condemns Dr Junaidus allegation against Buhari Buhari filed the defamation suit against the company, which owns African Independent Television(AIT), in 2015 after accusing the station of airing hate broadcasts against him during the campaigning period for the presidential elections. The suit was struck out on Wednesday, December 7, 2016, by Justice John Tsoho. Buhari served as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015. AIT was also barred from airing a damaging documentary on APC vice presidential candidate and now Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo. The station was further compelled to apologize to APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu after it aired a controversial documentary about him. The Chairman of the group, Malam Muhammad Labbo, made the remark in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday. Labbo said the allegations were totally false and misleading because they didnt reflect the realities of the political career of Buhari in 2003, 2007 2011 and 2015. According to him, if Buhari was a religious bigot, he wouldnt have repeatedly chosen Christians as his running mates and resisted the idea of a Muslim/Muslim ticket. He reminded Junaid that Buhari chose Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as his Vice President and appointed another Pastor, David Lawal, as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He said these facts contradicted Junaidus claims which portrayed President Buhari as a religious bigot. The chairman advised Dr Junaidu to respect facts and stop spreading falsehood to discredit and undermine the President. He said as a respected medical doctor and public figure, he should be a role model for honour and truthfulness. Meanwhile, the BMSG has praised the APC National Leader, Chief Bola Tinubu, for his commitment to the Change Agenda of the party. The Chairman of the Group, Muhammad Labbo said Tinubus reassurances that he wont quit the party was a good news for the party. A statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by the Presidents Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, described the demise of the youth corps members as shocking, sad and unfortunate. President Buhari expressed regret that they died in the course of answering the national call to serve. He urged the families, friends and associates of the deceased to be consoled by the knowledge that their loved ones paid the supreme price while on national service and not for ignoble reasons. President Buhari also extended condolences to the Director-General and Management of the NYSC over the transition of the youth corps members. While enjoining the Management to do all within its powers to protect the lives of those under its charge, the President called on parents and guardians of current and potential NYSC participants not to panic over the recent tragic deaths. On the particular death of Miss Ifedolapo Oladepo in Kano State, President Buhari ordered an independent investigation to unravel the true circumstances leading to death. He prayed God to grant the souls of the departed youths eternal rest. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Chinyerum Nwenenda Elechi, Ifedolapo Oladepo and Monday Asuquo Ukeme lost their lives while at the NYSC camps in Bayelsa, Kano and Zamfara states respectively. NAN further reports that 26-year-old Ifedolapo Oladepo, a first class Transport Management graduate of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, was said to have died following complications arising from an ailment a few days into the NYSC orientation programme in Kano. ALSO READ:NYSC probes death of corps members in orientation camps Buhari also said that the Nigerian elite cannot expect things to be done in the same old way that caused the countrys problems. He made the comments on Tuesday, December 6, 2016, while meeting with a delegation of Nigerians resident in Senegal and Cote D Ivoire. This administration is pleased we won the election, we are pleased Nigerians are cooperating with us. But the problems are so enormous that we need the cooperation of Nigerians, particularly the elite, he said. They (elite) should reflect on the condition of the country, and stop making expensive demands because things cannot be done the old way. Nigerians are known for their competitiveness and I am very passionate about Nigeria. I will continue to preach good neighbourliness and work hard to improve the numerous human and material resources in the country. ALSO READ: Buhari congratulates Gambian President-elect Fayose said this while presenting the 2017 budget, which he tagged: Budget of Higher Height, to the state House of Assembly. The Governor also revealed that the state could not achieve more than 89% of its budget projections because of the economic hardship in the country. He said Our Social Security Scheme will receive additional boost with provision for widows and women empowerment." Fayose said The performance of the budget is a reflection of the state of the Nigerian economy. It must be noted that Ekiti State is not immuned to the shocks and depression of the national socio-economic scene. It is no longer news that the economy of the nation is in trauma and this had impacted negatively on the finances of the state. The budget items presented reveals that recurrent expenditure is N55.02 billion which is 59 percent of the budget, while Capital Expenditure is N38.42 billion or 41 percent of the estimates, Daily Post reports. According to Premium Times, Fayose said The ongoing works on the Ado Ekiti Flyover bridge, Oja Oba Modern Market, Ikere Road Dualization, Construction of Governors Office and High Court Complex among others shall continue. We shall also dualize more roads in some Local Government Headquarters. We hope to complete some ongoing rural electrification projects and start new ones in Ile Ona, Iwaji, Igeede, Ilokun and Aba Igbira Waste Plant among others. We intend to boost our capacity in Agriculture by supporting our farmers in Cocoa and Rice production. The Speaker of the Ekiti state Assembly, in his response, commended the Governor for judiciously managing the states resources. Obaseki said this on Tuesday, December 6, 2016, while playing host to the General Overseer of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, at the Government House in Edo. He also revealed that the successful completion of the governorship election in the state, was because of the prayers of the people. Governor Obaseki said that it was the first time elections will be held peacefully in Edo. According to Daily Post he said In our state, we have a brand new Oba, in the person of Oba Ewaure II, and a brand new leadership. We believe that with this programme, Showers of Blessing, Gods hand is in Edo, and as a state we would want to tap from the anointing. Though we have recession in the country now, we believe it will end. We want you to pray for the state and the country so that the recession will end. Obaseki also said We appreciate your prayers during the last governorship election in the state. It is the first time in the history of the state that election was conducted peacefully without any recorded incidence of violence. We will continue to rely on your prayers and counsel. ALSO READ:Obaseki asks youths to be patient with his administration Uzokwe granted bail to the six while conducting a` jail delivery on Tuesday, added that the exercise was not aimed at releasing criminals but to reduce the cases of unlawful detention. She urged the prison authority to prepare a comprehensive list of those accused of heinous crimes who have not been taken to the high court before the end of January 2017. According to her, this will facilitate speedy trials and dispensation of justice to reduce the number of those awaiting trial. She also urged the prison authority to send the list to relevant agencies to enable such agencies to file suits against the suspects to avert unlawful detention and address the issue of expired warrants. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the six accused persons, made up of two females and four males, allegedly committed crimes such as theft, murder, conspiracy and armed robbery. The training, according to a statement by the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Mr Emmauel Okeh, was aimed at equipping the participants with knowledge of the training of PGC security operatives. Speaking at the event held in Abuja, the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Mr Abdullahi Muhammadu, said the corps was poised to professionalise the countrys PGC sector . Represented by the Head, PGC Unit of the NSCDC, Mr Nathaniel Ubong, Muhammadu stated that training and retraining was important to enable the personnel to effectively discharge their duties. According to the CG, the participants are expected to transfer the knowledge gained from the programme to PGC security operatives in the country. He said the partnership between the NSCDC and AMS Group would continue, adding that the corps had concluded arrangements to send its personnel to Finland to update them professionally. In a statement on Tuesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Mr Wole Oladimeji, said that the retreat would hold in Abuja and close on Saturday, Dec. 10. Oladimeji explained that the retreat was to interface with various stakeholders with the aim of collating their views on the amendment. According to him, the fourth Constitution Alteration Bill will be presented to the public during the retreat to get their inputs. The Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee on the review of the 1999 constitution Deputy Speaker, Mr Yussuff Lasun, assured Nigerians that the report of the exercise would be signed by the President. This, he said, was unlike previous exercises because it would be in piecemeal, instead previous ones which were in a single Bill. Alhaji Rabiu Bako, the States Commissioner of Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives, disclosed this on Wednesday shortly after defending the ministrys 2017 proposed budget at the state assembly. Bako said the ministry proposed to expend over N1.7 billion to complete ongoing projects including the state hydro power project. He said that the power project, when completed, would play vital role in addressing power shortage in industrial areas of the state. Bako said: We have discussed with the management of 100 companies out of the 600 we have in the state on this issue of power. We have concluded to provide them with constant power supply during their production hours; after which we can divert the power to other places including our major streets. The commissioner expressed confidence that the hydro power would boost the states economy, when completed. To boost economic activities in the state, the ministry is also planning to renovate the famous Abubakar Rimi market, Sabon Gari and Kantin Kwari markets to modern ones. Mrs Jonathan became the subject of an EFCC probe after she admitted ownership of the fund which were lodged in various company accounts. The EFCC made the allegations in a counter-affidavit presented before a Federal High Court in Lagos. Mrs Jonathan has filed a suit against the EFCC and is urging the court to order the agency to unfreeze the bank accounts in question. The former first ladys connection to the accounts was established after the EFCC charged ex-Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa to court for opening the said accounts. EFCC received an intelligence report showing vividly that the fourth to seventh defendants retained proceeds of crime, EFCC lawyer, Oyedepo Rotimi said. Our investigations showed that Festus Iyoha admitted receiving the fund from the first defendant (Dudafa). Iyoha is a domestic staff at the State House. He admitted that funds credited into the accounts were given to him from the State House, he added. The companies involved are: Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd and Avalon Global Property Development Ltd. ALSO READ:100 women besiege court over Patience Jonathan THE GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER Corruption war in danger as Senate tweaks law for immunity Nigerias battle to exit the league of corrupt nations will suffer a setback as the Senate plans to amend the 1999 Constitution to protect lawmakers from all criminal and civil cases. Its risky to talk about Nigeria now, says Jonathan Former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday at Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, said it is unsafe to talk about events and situation of things in Nigeria. Senate queries North East rehabilitation agency over suspected N2.5b fraud The Senate has uncovered a N2.5 billion suspected fraud in the activities of the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE), which is mandated to reconstruct and rehabilitate communities destroyed by Boko Haram insurgency. VANGUARD NEWSPAPER Rivers Rerun: PDP, APC at each others throats Ahead of Saturdays parliamentary rerun elections in Rivers State, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, were, yesterday, locked in a war of words over alleged plans to unleash violence. RCCGs Holy Ghost Congress: Adeboye assures on security, medicare AS the 19th Holy Ghost Congress of the Redeemed Christian Church of Nigeria kicked off Monday evening at the old Congress Arena, the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye has cautioned Christians against entanglement with sin, urging all to desist from every appearance of evil. Allegations of Rape in IDPs Camps: Policemen, prison officer, 2 others arrested Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, said, yesterday, that following the investigation ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari into alleged human rights abuses against internally displaced persons, IDPs, in the North-East, two Army officers and an Air Force officer have been indicted. THE NATION NEWSPAPER 12 kids rescued from pastors home Twelve children were rescued by the Lagos State Government from the custody of a Pastor, Onoyngu Chibuike, the founder of Voice of Salvation Charitable Organisation, who had been operating an illegal orphanage in Ojo since 2010. PDP BoT chair: no talks with Tinubu There has been no alliance or party formation talk between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman Walid Jibrin, said yesterday. Corps member died of kidney infection, says NYSC DG Oladepo Ifedolapo Rachel, the corps member, who died last week in Kano State, suffered from kidney related disease, it was learnt yesterday. THE PUNCH NEWSPAPER AGF sends anti-graft court bill to NAssembly Indication emerged on Tuesday that the Federal Government had sent to the National Assembly, a bill seeking the establishment of a special anti-corruption court to try serious crimes, including corruption cases. Recruitment: Police release list of successful candidates The Police Service Commission said it had concluded the recruitment of 10,000 personnel into the Nigeria Police Force. Passengers shut Ariks operations over luggage delay Arik Airs international passengers on Tuesday shut down the carriers check-in counter at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos for failing to deliver their luggage days after they arrived from London. A similar incident occurred on Monday. BUSINESSDAY NEWSPAPER Nigerians should brace up for data price hike again The Federal Government says Nigerians should brace up for a hike in data prices, reversing the recent decision by the Nigerian Communications Communication (NCC) to suspend the implementation of the new price floor for data. FG fails to pay premium, leaving civil servants without insurance cover Existing insurance coverage for employees managed by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, had elapsed three months back, since August 2016 and renewal is yet to be effected, according to BusinessDay findings. Manufacturers form own power company as energy cost hits N59bn According to Daily Post, the APC also described the Governors mode of dressing as a collective insult and embarrassment to the people of Ekiti. The party also said a Governor of his calibre is not supposed to behave the way he did, especially in a democracy. The Ekiti APC spokesman, Taiwo Olatunbosun said We have always insisted that Fayose is a law unto himself and a threat to democracy in Nigeria, showing contempt for the law and would do anything to undermine the integrity of the supremacy of the constitution. As a man who has constituted himself as the law, Fayose has demonstrated several times that he has no respect for the nations constitutional democracy and the rule of law. He sacked the House of Assembly for six months and ran 19 APC members out of the town with thugs and used seven PDP members to impeach APC Speaker in the House of Assembly of 26 members after he led thugs to invade the court to beat a judge and tore court records in the Chief Judges office. Fayose keeps his own army in the Government House that he regularly unleashes on his opponents, including using same armed thugs to prevent EFCC from doing its job when the governor stormed Access Bank with thugs to shield Mrs Fani-Kayode from EFCC scrutiny on her husbands frozen account. Wearing army camouflage to the parliament to present the budget has confirmed our earlier claim that Fayose has army uniforms stocked at home with which he unleashed terror on the opposition during the Presidential and National Assembly election." He also said The President of the federation is allowed to wear army uniform to perform certain official functions while the officers and men of the force can also wear it, and soi by wearing army uniform to perform an official duty in the parliament, Fayose is challenging the authority of the President who is the only Head of Government allowed by law to wear army uniform. Fayose may be running a mercenary ring and planning something sinister as we had earlier raised alarm. It is time for the security agencies to take Fayoses security breach seriously. Adding that Since Ekiti State House of Assembly members are Fayoses captives who cannot question his illegal conduct, we wish to ask the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff if they granted Fayose permission to sew, keep and wear army uniform. We also call on the National Assembly to take parliamentary notice at Ekiti House of Assembly as a parliament that has collapsed and is irretrievably comatose and so needs intervention to save democracy and Nigerian law from those who have no respect for constitutional democracy and governance. ALSO READ: The APC had earlier criticised Fayose for wearing army camouflage when he went to present the 2017 budget at the House of Assembly. A statement posted by Olayinka on Facebook, said If your concern is what a man wears to the office and not how well he performs his duties in the office, I doubt if your head is correct! No wonder you supported a Buhari, who left office in 1985 and did not gain any academic, travel, business or even reading experience as president and Nigeria is now in depression. Your case file is waiting for you at YABA LEFT and ARO in Abeokuta. ALSO READ:APC slams Governor for wearing army camouflage during his budget presentation The Governors media aide also said When next President Buhari is going to present budget at the National Assembly, he should wear Military Camo like Governor Fayose so that Nigeria can have a budget that will not be PADDED, STOLEN, RE-STOLEN and useless. According to a report by ThisDay Newspaper, the PDP faction of proposed mega party aren't comfortable with the positions of the ex-Vice President and ex-Governor of Lagos. It was further reported that some members of the PDP felt that Atiku and Tinubu should have known what they were up against from the outset even though it is generally believed that news of their alleged involvement in the proposed party was out too early. The report further quoted a PDP chieftain as saying, We would have expected Atiku and Tinubu to have been more strategic in their reactions to the news. They just proved that they could develop cold feet at the slightest whiff and are not really prepared to take on the challenges that lie ahead. "Their denials could be a setback for the mega party, as there is no way the formation can progress with this kind of attitude. We know it is going to be tough, but we must be ready to live with the consequences, the chieftain was quoted. Speaking further, the chieftain reportedly said the issue of the presidential candidacy is too early as the consolidation of the proposed party is yet to take place. It is true that the APC wing of the proposed party might have been pondering their options on the choice of candidate for the presidency, but the PDP too has its own take on all of this and there are many options from which the ideal candidate can be chosen. But first, we need to tidy up the amalgamation and other things will follow, the chieftain was further quoted he said. ALSO READ: Obasanjo to back mega party if Atiku isn't candidate She was probably minding her business in some cluttered office in the United States when some mischievous fella splashed her campaign poster across the Internet. In the campaign poster (above), the former coordinating Minister of the Nigerian economy was assigned the role of running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Everyone who's been around long enough, knows that Atiku's number one ambition in life is to become Nigeria's President. He'll give an arm and leg to see his dream of governing Africa's most populous country become reality. So, no one was surprised to see Atiku in a poster which had the words: "A prosperous Nigeria is possible...Vote Atiku..." But "Vote Iweala?" just a few inches away on the same poster? We certainly never saw that one coming. Let's get this out of the way as quickly as possible: Okonjo-Iweala is just as ambitious as Atiku. Those who worked closely with Okonjo-Iweala during her first stint as Finance Minister in the Obasanjo years, say she loves the smell of power as much as the next man. Alongside former CBN Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, Iweala never hid her love for power--political power. She certainly loved to call the shots back then. Just ask Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai. During her second coming in the same capacity under former President Goodluck Jonathan, Okonjo-Iweala was handed the free role of Prime Minister. She had all of Nigeria's economy in her breast pocket. So, yes, if she's handed the role of Vice President today, she'll take it. But don't get it twisted. She's denied that the campaign poster had her blessings. In a statement made available through her Media Consultant, Paul Nwabuikwu, Okonjo-Iweala described the campaign poster as mischievous. Let's not even lie, that sh*** was mischievous as hell. She continued: "Our attention has been drawn to speculative media stories linking former Minister of Finance, Dr Okonjo-Iweala with the next presidential election scheduled to hold in 2019.In an effort to invest their efforts with phony credibility, those behind the project have even gone to the extent of designing a fake campaign poster embossed with her image.This is to clarify that Dr Okonjo-Iweala who is busy with important international duties has absolutely nothing to do with these speculations and activities.She has neither discussed nor endorsed them with anybody.We urge the Nigerian media and public to ignore this mischievous exercise and its sponsors. Yeah right, we'll ignore that "mischievous exercise and its sponsors" seeing as we have plenty work on our desks. But isn't it striking that Atiku is yet to issue a statement distancing himself from the 'fake campaign poster?' Why so? Your guess is certainly as good as ours. Should Atiku decide to run for President again someday (which we are willing to bet he will), you think he'll reject Iweala as his running mate? Hell No! So, that campaign poster may have been 'fake and mischievous', but its message wasn't so far from the truth--the possibility of an Atiku/Iweala Presidency shouldn't be dismissed with a wave of the hand. The former minister gave her reactions via a statement released by her media aide, Paul Nwabuikwu. Our attention has been drawn to speculative media stories linking former Minister of Finance, Dr Okonjo-Iweala with the next presidential election scheduled to hold in 2019. In an effort to invest their efforts with phony credibility, those behind the project have even gone to the extent of designing a fake campaign poster embossed with her image. This is to clarify that Dr Okonjo-Iweala who is busy with important international duties has absolutely nothing to do with these speculations and activities. She has neither discussed nor endorsed them with anybody. We urge the Nigerian media and public to ignore this mischievous exercise and its sponsors. The APC also accused Wike of lying after he said that his Chief Security Officer (CSO) had been withdrawn by the police. The ruling party made the comments via a statement released on Tuesday, December 6 by its National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni. The statement reads in part: Nobody is after Wike. The governor and the PDPs diversionary and false alarm is hinged on the reality that they will lose the legislative rerun once security is tightened in Rivers State. Again, the PDP and the Rivers State governor are haunted by their horrible past misdeeds. Nigerians recall how Wike, then a PDP minister, used federal institutions to harass, intimidate and threaten perceived political enemies, particularly Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who was governor of Rivers State. Under Wikes watch, political thugs and criminal gangs have continued to kill and maim APC members and innocent citizens in Rivers State. The President, Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration has successively demonstrated the will to ensure that elections are free, transparent and credible. Saturdays legislative rerun in Rivers State will not be different. The administration does not subscribe to such evil machinations where government institutions are used to achieve political ends. The APC hereby calls on security agencies to investigate the report of an arms build-up and be on the alert over the security situation in Rivers State under Wikes watch and, by extension, the PDP in the lead-up to the Rivers legislative re-run election. Wikes criminal gangs and PDP thugs must not be allowed to steal votes of the Rivers electorate on Saturday. ALSO READ: Wike declares three days fasting ahead of Rivers rerun election Now, his predecessor, Pope Benedict, is revealing that he was in the uncertainty category, AOL reports. In the English version of his autobiography, "Last Testament: In His Own Words," released on November 16, 2016, the German-born pontiff revealed his initial concerns with the choice for his successor. He writes, "No one expected him. When I first heard his name, I was unsure." However, Pope Benedict was quick to add that these doubts were wiped away by the current Catholic leader's passion for God. "But when I saw how he spoke with God and with people, I truly was content. And happy," he said. Pope Benedict went on discuss Pope Francis, who he says, "embodies holiness, and is a man of God." Others topics explored in the book include his alleged Nazi upbringing, the "Vatileaks" case (his butler leaked letters of alleged corruption and scandal in the Vatican) and cleaning up clerical sexual abuse, referred to as "dirt in the church." The ex-pope also discusses his resignation, which created a huge buzz because he become the first Pope in over 700 years to resign from the Vatican. Decreasing physical and mental powers were stated as the explanation in the official resignation statement. His resignation was announced by the Vatican on February 11, 2013. ALSO READ: Pope Francis reveals plans to quit soon ABC News(OAKLAND, Calif.) -- The rigorous search for bodies in the rubble of a fatal warehouse fire in Oakland, California, concluded Wednesday, with the death toll remaining at 36, police said. Authorities will begin reopening the street on which the charred structure is located around 3:30 p.m. local time, according to the Oakland Police Department. Officials found 36 victims inside the large warehouse and most were in their 20s and 30s. So far, 35 of them have been identified and 30 families have been notified. A 17-year-old's name will not be released, according to the Alameda County Sheriffs Office Coroners Bureau. Although crews have finished their search for victims, investigators are still working to find the cause of the horrific blaze that broke out on Dec. 2. An official briefed on the investigation told ABC News that a refrigerator is being eyed as the "possible" point of origin. Investigators are also working to determine if there was criminal liability for the fire and, if so, who was responsible, according to Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley. As many as 100 people were at the warehouse for a concert party when what authorities described as an "electrical fire" broke out just before midnight on Nov. 2. The venue, known as the "Ghost Ship," ultimately became a grave for dozens of the young party-goers. The Oakland Fire Department first responded to reports of a structure fire at the warehouse on 31st Avenue in the East Bay area at around 11:32 p.m. Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed said the warehouse appeared to function as a residential building that hosted a makeshift artists' studio, as well as parties like the one that took place that night. Most of the bodies were found on the second floor, which was accessible by a makeshift stairwell assembled with various materials, according to Reed. Darin Ranelletti, the interim director of the city's planning and building department, told reporters that the party at the Ghost Ship required a permit, which he said was not obtained. The property is under investigation to determine whether it was used to house people illegally, Ranelletti said. The power went out inside the building when the fire started and the flames blocked the building's only exit, making it difficult for people inside to escape, an official briefed on the ongoing investigation told ABC News. Alameda County Sheriff's Office spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly said some of those trapped upstairs had just enough time to send final text messages to loved ones. Some of these messages read "I'm going to die" and "I love you," Kelly said. Survivors of the inferno who spoke to ABC News recalled waking up to "smoke and an entire wall of fire" that was so powerful it opened a window, letting in oxygen that apparently intensified the flames. The Ghost Ship is purportedly run by a married couple, Derick Ion Almena and Micah Allison, but the building is owned by Chor Nar Siu Ng, a woman who appeared to have little involvement with its use for artists' studios and as a performance space for musicians. "They're my children. They're my friends. They're my family. They're my loves. They're my future. What else do I have to say?" Almena told ABC affiliate KGO on Sunday. Almena also appeared to address the fire in a Facebook post early Saturday morning by saying that what he worked for was destroyed, but he failed to elaborate on what work he put into the warehouse prior to the tragedy. "Confirmed. Everything I worked so hard for is gone. Blessed that my children and Micah were at a hotel safe and sound ... it's as if I have awoken from a dream filled with opulence and hope ... to be standing now in poverty of self worth," Almena wrote. On Tuesday night, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf declared a local state of emergency to facilitate state and federal aid. City officials also released records on the building's reported complaints. The most recent city record on the property is dated just days before the deadly fire. The Nov. 14 notice shows an "investigation pending" for "illegal interior building structure," an apparent reference to the illegal living spaces constructed inside the warehouse. A day prior to that, the building's owner was notified of a code violation. The records say "a ton of garbage [is] piling up on the property," including "hazardous" trash. Oakland police said that they have responded to numerous calls about the warehouse in the past, but it is unclear how many. It is also unknown whether authorities will hold Almena, Allison or Ng accountable for the deaths in the fire. The last permitted use of the building was as a warehouse, according to a press release from the City of Oakland. The city said it received complaints of blight and unpermitted interior construction at the building this year on Nov. 13. Days later, a city building inspector visited the property on Nov. 17 and verified the blight complaint, but could not gain access to the building to confirm the other complaint regarding unpermitted construction. The investigation is ongoing, the city said. Copyright 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Francis made the remarks to Belgian Catholic weekly Tertio, released by the Vatican. He said Frances Robert Schuman, Italys Alcide De Gasperi and Germanys Konrad Adenauer sincerely worked for European unity as a way to have never again war. But after them today there are no leaders, Europe needs leaders, forward-looking leaders, the pontiff said. Francis comments came as Europe is dealing with rising support for anti-establishment parties, weak economic growth and internal divisions on how to deal with a record influx of migrants and refugees. Born in Argentina to Italian immigrants, Francis is the first non-European pope in 13 centuries. He has often called on Europe to reject capitalist excess, look after migrants and alleviate youth unemployment. MEST, short for Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology, is a technology incubator and training program that empowers African entrepreneurs to build successful companies, with headquarters in Accra, Ghana. It was founded in 2008 and has grown into One of FastCompanys Most Innovative Companies in Africa. Meltwater founder, Jorn Lyseggen opened the event, sharing the experience of watching the growth of African tech since his first trip to the continent in 2007. He added that the event was to allow stakeholders interact and explore opportunities for collaboration. He made way, as Mitchell Elegbe, founder and CEO of Interswitch delivered the keynote address on lessons he has learned with a brief history of the company. Among other things, he advised participants on business models, that they are unique to circumstances and will not work across the board. The event moved on to panels, collections of the brightest and finest minds in Africas tech space. The first of them, moderated by SuperGeeks' CEO, Samuel Uduma, had Googles Aniedi Udo-Obong; CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Paraminder Vir; Managing Partner at I-Dev, Jason Spindler; Co-founder of Brave Venture Labs, Ibanga Umanah, as well as Ubers General Manager for West Africa, Ebi Atawodi and Obi Ejimofo of Asoko Insight. Comparing tech landscapes across regions, the panellists discussed collaboration, pan-african companies and talent, as Ubers Ebi Atawodi remarked that it was important for everyone to see African countries as unique markets and companies should be interested in collaborating on a global level, not restricting themselves to the continent. The next roll call had Kamar Abass of NTEL; Founder of MainOne, Funke Opeke; Suburban West Africas Suleiman Arzika, Chairperson of the Global Alliance for Affordable Internet, Omobola Johnson; and CEO of Kirusa, Inderpal Singh Mumick on a panel moderated by Ericssons Oluseye Soyode-Johnson. All major stakeholders in telecommunications, they discussed building the infrastructure to support Africas ambitions, speaking on the prospects in providing broadband across Africa. Next were leaders in Fintech; Andela alum and co-founder of Flutterwave, Iyin Aboyeji; Interpays Kojo Dougan; Pagas Tayo Oviosu; CIO of Interswitch, Babafemi Ogungbamila; CEO of Simbapay, Nyasinga Onyancha and MFS Africas Dare Okoudjou sat on a panel helmed by Matt Flannery of Kiva and Branch. In response to questions on banking regulation and problems with access to financial data, Iyin Aboyeji noted that it was important to understand the limitations that banks suffer, and to provide the technology that they need to work optimally and in compliance. The final panel discussed developments in agritech with panellists including Kachi Ekezie, Nasir Yammamma, Matija Zulj of Agrivi, CAVAs Alexander Osikhena and Angel Adelaja, CEO of Fresh Direct. Day one of the two-day event was rounded off with exhibitions by technology firms operating within the ecosystem. The police got search warrants to check the house used for a staged scene where 20 men stood as statutes while pretending to be in a gang war. According to the New York Daily News, White was "arrested for being a felon in possession of a weapon, and both he and Terry Brown, a 23-year-old, were arrested on marijuana charges." Mike Salomonsky, a Madison County Captain revealed that the police found two pistols, an assault-style rifle and a shotgun at the house. This served as an avenue to recompense for the unjust military actions taken against the natives in the earliest days of America's history. According to the Huffington Post, "Leonard Crow Dog formally forgave Wes Clark Jr., the son of retired U.S. Army general and former supreme commander at NATO, Wesley Clark Sr." This was in celebration of Standing Rock protesters success in halting construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline, report says. Clarke's apology statement reads, "Many of us, me particularly, are from the units that have hurt you over the many years. We came. We fought you. We took your land. We signed treaties that we broke. "We stole minerals from your sacred hills. We blasted the faces of our presidents onto your sacred mountain. "When we took still more land and then we took your children and then we tried to make your language and we tried to eliminate your language that God gave you, and the Creator gave you. "We didnt respect you, we polluted your Earth, weve hurt you in so many ways but weve come to say that we are sorry. We are at your service and we beg for your forgiveness." ALSO READ: Wizard who called himself Merlin jailed for assaulting Muslim neighbour Counter-Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) have cracked 10 major drug-trafficking cases. CNPA also captured 13 drug dealers involved in the cases in Kabul, Herat, Nimroz, Kandahar and Laghman provinces within the last one week, the Counter-Narcotics Criminal Justice Task Force of Afghanistan (CJTF) said in a statement. It noted the anti-drug police force also found drugs including 15 kg of heroin, over 530 kg of opium and 370 litre of chemical substance from the detainees. It added that the CNPA also seized 11 vehicles, 16 mobile phones and 26 rounds of different types of bullets from the suspects. "After initial investigation, the CNPA has handed over the cases to the , a special Afghan court for jurisdiction of major drug cases, the statement said. The vast majority of the worlds opium poppy, the raw element for making heroin, is cultivated in militancy-hit Afghanistan, particularly in the western and southern parts of the country, where government security forces have little presence. Former paramilitaries placed the plaque in central Jasenovac to honour 11 fellow fighters killed in the area at the start of Croatia's 1990s independence war. "It is hard to believe that an incendiary slogan like 'Za dom spremni' ('For the Homeland ready') can be publicly displayed in a country which is a member of the European Union," the centre's top Nazi hunter Efraim Zuroff said in a statement. "Such slogans are ... part of an attempt to distort the history of WWII and the Holocaust, turning perpetrators into heroes." The existence of the plaque -- put in place by HOS veterans in November -- has only just emerged via local media. Conservative Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said it was "certainly delicate that such a memorial was put in Jasenovac". But, he added that it was an emblem of an officially registered association. The issue "shows that we did not set up an adequate legal framework ... regarding totalitarian regimes," Plenkovic said, pledging to seek for a "legal solution." The Ustasha regime persecuted and killed hundreds of thousands of ethnic Serbs, Jews, Roma and anti-fascist Croatians. The Jasenovac camp, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) southeast of the capital Zagreb, was known as "Croatia's Auschwitz" The total number of people killed at the camp remains disputed, varying from tens of thousands to 700,000, according to Serbian figures. Flags were flying at half mast in the small lakeside town of Imatra, which was in shock after the killing of the three women in Saturday's late-night shooting. "On current information, police consider it likely that the cause of this deed was linked to social exclusion and mental health (problems)," the police department in southeastern Finland said in a statement. Police said on Sunday that the 23-year-old suspect acted alone and there were no indications that the triple murder was linked to "political issues or extremism". The suspect, who had previous convictions for violence, shot the women at close range as they were leaving a restaurant in Imatra, hitting them in the head or torso. The gunmen was quickly arrested without any resistance and interrogated on Sunday but refused to give a reason for his murderous spree, police said. "This is a shared grief even if everyone did not personally know the victims. This affects us all," Imatra council official Arja Kujala was quoted as saying by FNB, the Swedish-language news agency in Finland. Finland enjoys relatively low crime rates compared to other European nations but, with many Finns keen hunters, it has one of the biggest gun ownership rates in the world. The Nordic nation has seen several deadly shootings over the past decade, all by young men. This office has been dominated by a three-year economic downturn that has led to heavy job losses and price hikes. President John Dramani Mahama is running for a second four-year term in the West African nation rich in gold, cocoa, diamonds, aluminum, bauxite and recently discovered oil. Mahama is competing with six other candidates for the presidency. His fiercest rival is Nana Akufo-Addo, the leader of the largest opposition group, the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Both Mahama and Akufo-Addo cast their ballots in their home towns in the countrys north. This election is going to consolidate our democracy further I know the good people of Ghana will vote for me, Mahama said. Akufo-Addo appealed to electoral officials to make sure that the process is transparent and credible, when casting his vote in the town of Kyebi. Ghana is then the winner, Akufo-Addo added. Security was beefed up across the country, with a heavy police and military presence around polling stations and major roads. However the atmosphere remained calm and peaceful, buffered by a pledge all seven candidates made last week to follow electoral rules and oppose violence. Mahama remains popular in the nation of 26 million people, the first sub-Saharan country to gain independence in colonial Africa, in 1957. The 58-year-old incumbent made major progress in improving Ghanas infrastructure by building schools, health facilities and roads. But many voters hold Mahama and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) responsible for a debilitating three-year energy crisis that led to a 10 per cent drop in economic growth and sharp rise in electricity between 2011 and 2015. Akufo-Addo promises to use Ghanas new found oil to create jobs and push industrialisation in all economic sectors, including agriculture. It is the third election in which the 72-year-old is vying for the presidency. Observers from Britain, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), were monitoring the election together with 8,000 domestic observers. "I give my full backing to the creation of the presidential guard which will provide protection to state institutions and embassies," envoy Martin Kobler told the UN Security Council. Kobler said the proposal to create the guard would be discussed at a "high-level meeting" set for December 13 by the UN mission in Libya. Once launched, the guard could ask for exemptions to the arms embargo imposed on the oil-rich North African country so it could develop its defenses. The embargo, which the GNA has sought to have eased, should be maintained and enforced "until Libya has a reliable and coherent security apparatus," the UN envoy said. Among other measures Kobler recommended for 2017 is the progressive return of the UN mission to the capital Tripoli and steps to improve the economy, badly hit by the country's multiple armed conflicts. Kobler's remarks to the Security Council came as forces loyal to the GNA said they were hunting down the last jihadists in the city of Sirte, a day after taking control of the Islamic State group's former bastion. The UN envoy said that after the recapture of Sirte, "the economic recovery of Sirte and Benghazi must be a matter of priority." Benghazi is Libya's second city and birthplace of the 2011 revolution that toppled longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi. It has been embroiled in clashes between the armed forces of Marshal Khalifa Haftar and jihadists holding onto pockets of the city. Despite the victory over IS in Sirte, Kobler warned that the jihadists "continue to be a threat." "The fight against terrorism produced results. However, the gains are not irreversible," he said. The recapture of Sirte could strengthen the UN-backed unity government of prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj, aimed at replacing the two rival administrations fighting for power in Libya. The GNA, established in March, has not been able to solidify its authority despite the support of some militias. Many findings of the investigation contradict those of the charity, also known by its French initials MSF, which called the August 15 attack "unjustified and unprovoked". In March 2015, the Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes in Yemen against Iran-supported Shiite Huthi rebels and their allies after the rebels overran much of Yemen. The coalition has faced repeated allegations of killing civilians in its campaign to support Yemen's internationally recognised government led by President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. The Joint Incident Assessment Team (JIAT), which the coalition says operates independently, numbered seven deaths in the strike on Abs hospital, although MSF said 19 people were killed. Coalition forces which had attacked a Huthi leadership gathering that day noticed a vehicle leaving the area, JIAT spokesman Mansur al-Mansur told a press conference in Riyadh. A pilot followed the vehicle and then bombed it next to a building that was not identifiable as a hospital, he said. "There was no indication that it was a hospital prior to the bombing," Mansur said, adding that the vehicle was a "legitimate military target". Because of the "unintentional mistake" of damage to the hospital, the coalition must apologise and provide assistance to the families of those affected, Mansur said. The coalition must also investigate those responsible to find the extent of their violation of rules of engagement and "take proper action", he said. MSF said the hospital was identifiable by logos, and its GPS coordinates had been provided. It said the vehicle targeted was civilian, carrying patients believed to be victims of other strikes. -- A team of 'experts' -- The attack prompted MSF to pull out from six hospitals in northern Yemen, including Abs. Mansur issued the JIAT's findings on four other cases in which the coalition was blamed for bombing civilian facilities. But Mansur said the closest targets hit by the coalition were 10 kilometres (six miles) away from the school. There was also no evidence coalition forces struck the Al-Aqel food factory in the rebel-held capital Sanaa on August 9, he said. The factory director said 16 workers were killed. Mansur said investigators also concluded the coalition did not attack a livestock market where 40 people allegedly died on July 6. The coalition followed correct procedures when it bombed a school in Hodeida on August 25, he added at the briefing attended by Western military attaches. Classes were suspended and the school was being used to store rebel weapons, meaning "it lost the legal protection afforded civil objects." In October, the JIAT ruled that a coalition warplane acting on incorrect information had "wrongly targeted" a funeral in Sanaa, killing more than 140 people in one of the deadliest strikes of the war. Asked about the members of the JIAT, drawn from coalition member states, Mansur said it is made up of military and legal experts. "Of course the team is independent," he said. "Some of them are retired and some of them are on active duty." In an interview with AFP, the 91-year-old former prime minister excoriated Najib over the sensational graft allegations swirling around the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund. The man who strove to subdue Malaysia's opposition parties during his time in office from 1981-2003 said he could now work with them to topple Najib, including the party of his jailed former deputy Anwar Ibrahim. "He (Najib) is destroying this country... he is bringing in racism... very, very serious crime has been committed," Mahathir said Tuesday at his office at Putrajaya south of the capital Kuala Lumpur. In a July lawsuit the US Justice Department detailed how an unnamed "Malaysian Official No. 1" -- later identified as Najib -- and his family members and close associates diverted billions from 1MDB, which Najib founded. Under mounting pressure over the allegations, the prime minister last year abruptly shut down Malaysian investigations, fired the attorney general and purged ruling party critics including his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin. Najib, 63, and 1MDB have denied any wrongdoing. 'Overthrowing Najib' Mahathir was once Najib's mentor but has since come out of political retirement to attack him over the debt-laden 1MDB. He has formed a political party in hopes of toppling the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). "For me overthrowing Najib is far more important than any personal feeling I have about anything else," Mahathir said, in reference to patching up ties with Anwar and working with the opposition. Anwar was heir apparent to Mahathir until he was sacked in 1998 over their political differences. Anwar was subsequently charged and jailed for sodomy, but the pair appear to see eye-to-eye over the 1MDB scandal. At the rally Mahathir said Malaysia was "controlled by thieves" and called for a sustained push to topple the prime minister. Critics accuse Mahathir of hypocrisy, saying he also tolerated corruption and repressed dissent in his day. Mahathir, who helped propel decades of economic growth for Malaysia, warned that if Najib were not ousted Malaysians were in for tough times amid rising prices of goods and a slowing economy on the back of mounting national debt. "If he is not replaced, things will get worse," he said. Race card Looking healthy and cheerful, Mahathir predicted Najib would play the race card to win support in the Malay-majority multiracial nation before the next election due by 2018. "He is going to be very Malay and very Islamic. He is moving away from that liberal attitude towards a more rigid and racist approach to the administration of this country," Mahathir said. "He wants the election to be between Malays against Chinese or Chinese against Malays." The ruling UMNO-dominated Barisan Nasional coalition which Najib heads has been in power since independence in 1957 and in recent months has adopted increasingly repressive actions against dissent, including jail terms. Najib and UMNO no longer have popular support in Malaysia, Mahathir said, predicting the opposition could win the elections. "Wherever I go, people actually curse Najib," he said. "All over the country, you ask anyone, you ask a hawker, you ask a taxi driver, you ask anybody, they all don't want Najib." Yet just last week the prime minister told an UMNO gathering that he would "fight until the death" and showed no sign of succumbing to calls to quit. Najib also labelled Mahathir as a traitor and warned of "nightmares" if UMNO lost and the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party came to power. "Unless he cheats in the election, he (Najib) is not going to win," Mahathir said. "Most of our (new party) members are actually from UMNO. Among Malays the hatred for UMNO is unbelievable." Chong Ja Ian, a political analyst from the National University of Singapore, said the opposition could do well but it faces hurdles. "They don?t have the resources that UMNO can bring to bear," he said. Najib's position so far appears unassailable, with support from most of the 191 powerful UMNO division chiefs. Mahathir said he considered it a national duty to topple Najib, even though the campaign is taking a toll on him. "I know very soon I have to go the way other people go. I will die. But if I am alive and still capable, just to be selfish and think of my own comfort I think is wrong. I want to do something for this country. Philippine authorities said they have also shut down two properties in the country that are owned by Lam, a Chinese citizen and head of Hong Kong-listed Jimei International. Lam is not in the Philippines currently, national police Chief Ronald Dela Rosa told newsmen. In November, Philippine immigration authorities detained about 1,200 Chinese men working in call centre-like facilities for running suspected online gambling operations out of a former U.S. air base, Clark Field. Dela Rosa said that an associate of Lam tried to secure their release. He said Duterte then ordered Lams arrest. Dela Rosa said Lam had indicated to the authorities that he was willing to return to the Philippines and assist in any investigations. According to local authorities and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp, Lams casino operations in the cities of Laoag, which is in northern Luzon, and Clark, just north of Manila, have been shut down. Jimei said in a statement on Tuesday that Lams gaming operations in the Philippines were personally owned and not part of the groups business. As at the date of this announcement, so far as the company is aware, Lam has not been held by the Philippine authorities, it said. However, Jimei did not respond to requests for comment. Lam, who used to bring high rollers to Macaus top casinos including Sands China and Wynn Macau, has faded from prominence over the past few years as Beijings crackdown on corruption has crippled so-called junket operations. Finding Peace of Mind: Discover These Five Places in Europe to Unwind Officials with Exelon Quad-Cities Station and the Quad-Cities Chamber of Commerce are working to pack the house when Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner visits the region today to sign the Future Energy Jobs Bill. Rauner will hold the first of two bill-signing ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. at Riverdale High School gymnasium in Port Byron. After signing SB2814 before a Quad-City crowd, he will leave for a second ceremony at 2 p.m. at Clinton (Illinois) High School. The legislation, which passed last week in the General Assembly, saved Exelon's two nuclear plants in Cordova and Clinton from planned closures. The Quad-Cities chamber, which actively worked with Exelon to advocate for a new energy policy, was inviting its entire membership to attend the event, Henry Marquard, the chamber's government affairs director, said Tuesday. He said emailed invitations also had been extended to the chamber's board, Regional Opportunities Council and Business Advocacy Council, which is the chamber's policy committee. "It's important to show the Quad-City community is appreciative of our elected officials' efforts and that we stand united behind supporting our economy," he said. The event is expected to last until 10:30 a.m. Bill Stoermer, spokesman for Exelon's Quad-Cities Station, said plant leaders also have been working to ensure a packed crowd in the 1,200-seat gymnasium. "We'd be happy to get 1,000 to 1,200 people," he said. "This is a historic milestone for Quad-Cities station, so we want to celebrate." He said hundreds of the plant's 800 employees will be on hand to witness the signing as well as dozens of community leaders, schoolchildren and the public. "We want to make sure to show the governor the Quad-Cities is very appreciative of the actions he and the Legislature took during this veto session, so we're inviting all the Quad-Cities out to accomplish that," he said. If necessary, Stoermer said parking will be provided at all three Riverdale schools: the high school, middle school and elementary school, which are in close proximity of each other. The massive package overhauls the state's energy policy and creates $235 million in annual ratepayer subsidies to the two plants. It assures the two plants will run at least another decade. The new legislation will expand energy efficiency programs, commit more funding to low-income programs and ensure stable and predictable funding for the development of renewable energies, including wind and solar power. With the energy and emotion of a rowdy pep rally, the Quad-Cities celebrated Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner's signing of the Future Energy Jobs Bill during a ceremony Wednesday morning in Port Byron. A crowd of more than 1,200 employees, families, elected officials, community, business and labor leaders, as well as students packed the Riverdale High School gym for the ceremonial signing. With the school's cheerleaders and band exciting the crowd, the governor's arrival and signing of Senate Bill 2814 was celebrated in style. "We are fighting everyday for a better future for the people of Illinois," Rauner said. "There is nothing more important than protecting and growing good-paying jobs, not minimum wage jobs, good-paying jobs. That's what this whole bill does protect and grow good-paying jobs for the people of Illinois." The bipartisan legislation, passed last week by the General Assembly, ensures Exelon will continue to run its nuclear plants in Cordova and Clinton, Illinois, for another 10 years. The plants had faced possible closure without new energy legislation: Clinton in 2017 and Quad-Cities in 2018. Rauner added that passage of the bill "shows what we can do together on a bipartisan basis." In addition, he said that cooperation sets an example that "takes us forward to get a good budget." Using 12 different pens that he then gave away to certain members of the audience the governor signed the bill in front of the packed gymnasium. After the hour-long ceremony, complete with speeches from several lawmakers and Exelon and community leaders, he and his staff immediately left for a similar celebration in Clinton, Illinois. State Sen. Neil Anderson, R-Rock Island, who was recognized for his work in the bill's passage, said the bill had become very personal to him. After two years of working on it and multiple trips with other lawmakers to tour Exelon's Quad-Cities Station, he said to the employees, "A lot of you have become like family." Pulling out his Exelon "800 Strong" challenge coin from his pocket, Anderson said he had carried the coin with him since receiving it. "It has been a long and difficult process to pass this legislation, but I'm happy to be able to say we have been successful thanks to negotiations between stakeholders, the General Assembly and the governor's office," he said. He was among a few speakers who publicly recognized Exelon spokesman Bill Stoermer for his hard work over the past three years in working to get the message out to the community. Stoermer, with tears in his eyes, was brought up to stage where he was hugged by Rauner and other lawmakers. "We've worked very hard to get this done," Stoermer said after the ceremony. "This is a great accomplishment for everyone." Reflecting on the huge celebration, he said, "What a great recognition for the Quad-City area, for Quad-Cities Station and all the men and women who operate and maintain the plant safely everyday." Among the many organizations recognized for their efforts in pushing the legislation through was the Quad-Cities Chamber of Commerce. "This is the Christmas present we all have been waiting for," chamber CEO Tara Barney told the crowd. "Just as important, it looks forward to how Illinois, and therefore the whole Quad-Cities, can be a national leader in environmentally responsible energy and in building the kind of Midwest economy we're aspiring to become," she added. In addition to the 800 jobs saved at the Cordova plant, she said the win also protects all the jobs that are part of its supply chain. "It also ensures the viability of our most sacred institutions, our schools and certainly Rock Island County," Barney said. Had the plants closed, several area school districts near both plants would have been dramatically affected by the loss of property tax revenue. In fact, Exelon is Rock Island County's largest property taxpayer. Calling the legislation "a landmark bill," Exelon CEO and President Chris Crane said the new legislation "will protect the state's primary source of clean energy while saving thousands of good jobs at our plants and providing millions of dollars in low-income assistance ..." Crane spoke to a crowd that included hundreds of Exelon Quad-Cities Station employees, who filled seven buses every available bus the Riverdale Community School District had, Stoermer said. "So many people came to the table the last two years ...," Crane said. The bill received broad support from more than 200 business, labor, environment, faith-based and other groups, including the Clean Jobs Coalition. Speaking to the crowd, Dave Kolata, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board, described the legislation as "a big win for consumers." He said a utility board analysis shows residential consumers will see at least $4 billion in lower electric bills over the legislation's lifetime. The law imposes a cap limiting bill increases to no more than 25 to 35 cents a month. Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno urged the Quad-City crowd to remain involved in their state's future. "Now you know how powerful you can be," she said. "You got a bill critical to this community (passed). We have a big job in Springfield we're working on right now, that is to get our budget done with fundamental reforms for this state." Rauner also reminded the energetic crowd that it was the workers, their families and the communities who helped bring the bill to fruition. "Thank you to those who negotiated in good faith to make this bill a reality, and most importantly, thank you to the people of the Quad-Cities and Clinton for your persistence, your patience and hard work," he said. But the governor admitted it was ''a tough bill'' with the disagreements and the opposition. "But I refuse to gamble on thousands of good-paying jobs," he said. "I refuse to gamble on the future of Quad-Cities and central Illinois. That's why I fought for this." Editors note: These are the headlines and text of the story that ran on the front page of this newspaper the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. WASHINGTON (UP) Casualties on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu in yesterdays Japanese air attack will amount to about 3,000, including 1,500 fatalities, the White House announced today. The White House confirmed the loss in Pearl Harbor of one old battleship and a destroyer, which was blown up. Several other American ships were damaged and a large number of army and navy airplanes on Hawaiian Holds were put out of commission, the White House disclosed. It reported at the same time that American operations against Japan were being carried out on a large scale, resulting already in the destruction of a number of Japanese planes and submarines. The White House statement said: American operations against the Japanese attacking force in the neighborhood of the Hawaiian Islands are still continuing. A number of Japanese planes and submarines have been destroyed. The damage caused to our force in Oahu in yesterdays attack appear more serious than at first believed. In Pearl Harbor itself one old battleship has capsized and several other ships have been seriously damaged. One destroyer was blown up. Several other small ships were seriously hurt. Army and navy fields were bombed with the resulting destruction of several hangars. A large number of places were put out of commission. A number of bombers arrived safely from San Francisco during the engagement whit was underway. Reinforcements of planes are being rushed and repair work is underway on the ships, planes and ground facilities. Guam, Wake and Midway Islands and Hongkong have been attacked. Details of these attacks are lacking. The United States and Great Britain today fought off surprise attacks by Japanese air, naval and land forces that overwhelmed Thailands defenses and menaced almost every strategic war sector in the Pacific. Losses in men and machines were reported heavy on both sides in the first phase of fighting that spread the war to every quarter of the globe and brought hints that the Axis might soon be lined up solidly beside the Japanese. Two or three American battleships and an aircraft tender were reported knocked out. The Japanese imperial forces, said to have suffered severe losses of airplanes and several warships, were in action on these fronts. A major naval battle was reported west of Hawaii, with the American fleet attempting to destroy enemy warships and airplanes that blasted Pearl Harbor naval base and Honolulu. A fierce land battle was in progress on the northeast coast of the Malaya states where British defense forces attacked Japanese troops landed on the beaches despite severe air bombing and machine gun fire. About 30,000 Japanese troops in 60 vessels, escorted by warships, were believed to have landed on the Malaya coast. Japanese invasion forces bombed and shelled Bankok, crashed into Thailand by land and sea, and were reported in the British broadcast to have forced that government to capitulate. The occupation of Thailand would open the way for Japanese drives on Burma and the Burma Road, supply route to China, and would set up a base for a drive southward against Singapore. The great naval base at Singapore was attacked from the air, with 60 persons reported killed and 133 injured. A Japanese landing in North (British) Borneo was reported repulsed with heavy casualties, according to London dispatches, but the same source heard that the American island of Guam had been attacked from all sides and that aerial bombardment had started several big fires. The American island of Wake, a base for trans-Pacific air routes, was reported by the British source to have been captured, while a Japanese naval squadron of one cruiser, four destroyers and other ships were sighted off the Cocos Island in the Indian Ocean. Australia and the Dutch East Indies joined in the war on Japan, but there were increasing hints from Berlin that the conflict would become and outright Axis battle against the Allied powers. A Nazi spokesman said that an important statement might be forthcoming later and the Berlin press hinted that Germany would aid Japan. There was still no word of the position of the Soviet Union. On the China coast, the Japanese attacked Hongkong by air and by land and occupied the International Settlement at Shanghai after sinking the British gunboat Peterel and seizing the American gunboat Wake. American marines at Peiping and Tientsin were disarmed and interned. The first blow fell in the Hawaiian islands, Japanese four-motored bombers, dive bombers and torpedo planes flashed across the mountains of Oahu island and swooped down on American warships in the Pearl harbor naval air base, the Gibraltar of the Pacific. At 14, Sarah McVey has already clinched a career high. The young ballet dancer swears by it. "I've been dreaming about doing this my entire life," Sarah, an eighth-grader at Pleasant Valley Junior High School, said. She has at least been dreaming about it being Clara in Ballet Quad-Cities' production of "The Nutcracker" since she was in first grade. "I remember seeing (The Nutcracker) for the first time and it was just so cool," she said. "I thought, 'I want to be that when I'm older.'" You can tell that Sarahs big smile as seen when she talks about the extremely nerve-filled audition process and as seen in a photo as she waits to go on stage for a recent dress rehearsal will bring something fresh to The Nutcracker, which hits the Adler Theatre stage on Saturday. Ive had many Claras over the years and I can tell you that a Clara needs to sparkle on stage its her party, Joedy Cook, founder of Ballet Quad-Cities, said. And thats what our beautiful Sarah does." The Nutcracker is a not-to-be-messed-with tradition for Ballet Quad-Cities, according to Cook. About 40 dancers are set to perform with the live backing of Orchestra Iowa. The company, which continues to celebrate its current 20th anniversary season, has presented the timeless tale since opening in 1996. Everyone loves 'The Nutcracker' and everyone recognizes it, Cook said. Its our bread and butter. We won't stop doing it because it introduces a new audience to the ballet every year." The love has spread elsewhere in Iowa enough for Iowa Public Radio to call Iowa this years "Nutcracker Capital of the World. That's because, along with a slew of versions happening this month around the state, the Joffrey Ballet previewed its first new Nutcracker, in five performances last week at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City. Plus, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony is slated to unveil a new performance portraying Duke Ellington's jazz version of The Nutcracker on Saturday in Cedar Falls. Cook attributes the storys success to a love of Christmas and all the magic of stepping into a winter wonderland. The story complete with the Sugar Plum fairies, the battle of the Mouse King and the journey of Clara may stay the same; however, Cook says each years rendition changes, in subtle ways. There are new costumes, new ways of presenting things every single year, she said. When you always have new dancers, they bring something different to it. That goes for Sarah McVey, too. The two performances on Saturday will mark the culmination of nearly three months of practice for her and the other dancers, who are mostly twice her age. I learn so much so from the other dancers ... mostly how hard they work and how easy they make it look, she said. She has also learned to be more confident. This year marks her fourth appearance in "The Nutcracker," following years of smaller background roles. Back in September, she was nervous to look at the casting board. Her mom told her to text the results either way good or bad. It was good news. "Last year, I just had one small part, so I didn't know what to expect, she said. When I got it, I had this feeling of beyond disbelief. I realized I actually could do it and I started believing in myself. It taught me that you have to keep trying and everything will work out." And, as Cook says, that kind of confidence tends to sparkle on stage. Sarah illuminates the role of Clara, Cook said. She is simply radiant and innocent. Her dream has come true and thats a magical thing to see. Barb Ickes Editor Follow Barb Ickes 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. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today The timing was good for a cruel mistake. On Christmas Eve 1941, the little Giovenazzo house in Silvis erupted in joy. Mike was alive! In the days following the attacks by Japanese forces on the U.S. Navy fleet at Pearl Harbor, George and Concetta Giovenazzo took receipt of a terrible telegram. The Navy wrote to inform my great-grandparents that their son, Michael, was missing. He had been aboard the USS Arizona when the Sunday morning strikes of Dec. 7 sunk the giant battleship. Mike was just 20 years old and is believed to have spent the evening prior to the bombing writing letters to his big Italian family. On Jan. 3, he was to come home. Two of the 12 Giovenazzo children were based at "The Pearl." The oldest, Joe, had been assigned to the USS Vestal, which was moored alongside the Arizona on Dec. 7. But Joe had been lucky. He was in his apartment with his wife and baby that morning. I don't know whether he ever felt lucky. When the bombing started, sirens wailed and radios directed all naval personnel to return to their duty stations. Joe got a ride from a neighbor and headed for the harbor. The brothers had spent the evening before the attacks at Joe's apartment. Mike declined an invitation to spend the night. He was to be on duty aboard the Arizona at 0800 hours, and he wanted to get those letters written. 'Horrible comedy of errors' Historians say eight bombs struck the Arizona. Initial news of Mike's likely death had delivered a profound blow to the Giovenazzo house, too. But the news on Christmas Eve had been a gift from God. "I knew there was sadness in the air," said Dorothy Giovenazzo Mann, my great aunt and the youngest and only surviving member of the Giovenazzo children. "Suddenly, everyone was so happy. "Everyone was hugging and saying, 'He's alive! He's alive!' "It was just a horrible comedy of errors." Our family's best guess is that the Navy saw that Uncle Joe had signed in at the safety station after the attacks. When they saw the name Giovenazzo, they must have assumed there could be only one. A third telegram delivered the final truth: Mike had gone down with the ship. A Gold Star was placed in a window at the Giovenazzo house, signaling to neighbors and passersby that George and Concetta had given a son. "I felt sad, but I didn't have the pain the others had, because I was too young," Aunt Dorothy said last week. "Later, I felt it everywhere. The heartache I saw with my mother was ongoing for years." She had been just 5 years old when her brother died. She grew up with the grief. "He became a poster boy for war bonds," she said. "I remember my mother giving a picture of Mike that was in a full-page ad in the newspaper. That picture was in a window of a store downtown, too, advertising for war bonds. "My dad was really troubled. He said, 'What's the use of raising a boy to 20 to adulthood only to lose him to war?' "He just carried the hurt." Meanwhile, another of the Giovenazzo boys, 17-year-old Sam, carried the rage. Just days after learning Mike was missing, Sam dropped out of high school to enlist. "Sam was going to conquer the (Japanese) for what they'd done," Aunt Dorothy said. "When he got over there, and they found out his parents already were a boy short and that Joe also was serving, they assigned Sam to the commissary." But he would get his chance to avenge his brother's death. Back to 'The Pearl' On the 45th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1986, seven of the Giovenazzo siblings, including my grandma, Teresa, flew to Hawaii to lay eyes on the underwater ship in which their brother is entombed. "It was all so reverent and quiet," Aunt Dorothy said of the visit to the Arizona's memorial. Running a finger over her own name on a badge, made by the keepers of the memorial, she laughed at the memory of seeing herself on a Honolulu TV station one night, during a segment about the anniversary. "One of my sisters called the hotel room and said, 'Did you see yourself on TV?'" she said. "I remember being aware that tourists were not permitted that day, but some of the media was there. I didn't remember anyone putting a camera on me, but I was so caught up in just being there." Five years later, Uncle Joe went back to The Pearl for the 50th anniversary, and Aunt Dorothy planned a get-together at her house in Silvis. Most of the remaining siblings, seven of them, collected around a table in the basement, and Aunt Dorothy brought out a cassette recorder. She asked that each of the Giovenazzos speak into the recorder, telling what they remembered about Dec. 7, 1941, and what they remembered about their brother, Mike. The week before the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Aunt Dorothy and I sat on her couch and listened. "I knew I loved him, and I knew I was sad," her voice began on the 25-year-old tape. "But I didn't know what kind of man he was." The old tapes Aunt Rose Orendorff started. Within seconds of hearing her voice, I was in tears. She died in 2003, and her voice and the familiar inflections of those long-gone around her made me simultaneously happy and achingly sad. She had been at Mass at St. Anne's, Aunt Rose said. At home, the news came over the radio, and family gathered around. She told of Mike's "compassionate and loving" nature and told how he would buy ice cream for his beloved dog, Scotty, which he wasn't permitted to bring in the house at "Ma and Pa's." Aunt Angie Schold came next. And the tears ran like water from a spigot. "Mike was loved by everybody," she gushed. "I especially loved him, because he was my buddy. I just loved him so much." She told how she had been married just three weeks and was living with Aunt Mary when Pearl Harbor happened. "Mary and I just couldn't believe our ears," she said. "... of all the ships in the Navy, why the Arizona? "My heart was broken for a long, long time, and I'll never get over it." Seeking revenge Next, it was Uncle Sam's turn with the recorder. He said he'd been thinking about joining the Navy after high school, but Pearl Harbor cinched it for him. "I quit school then and there," he said. He could talk to his big brother, Mike, about anything. When he sees old news clips or movies about The Pearl, he doesn't fall back into grief. "Instead of getting teary-eyed, I still want to fight," he said. After just seven days of boot camp, Uncle Sam arrived in the Pacific Theater before the beginning of 1942. Though the Navy put him in a commissary for longer than he cared to recall, he ultimately maneuvered a change-of-orders trade with another sailor and found himself where he wanted to be all along in the fight. From his battleship machine gun, he fired at the Imperial Japanese Navy during battles at Luzon, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He told his siblings how a kamikaze pilot, swooping in to crash into the U.S. ship just ahead of his, waved to him from the cockpit. More than a dozen American sailors died in the attack, but so did the Japanese pilot. Uncle Sam said the death of the pilot gave him satisfaction. But he also said, "I've often wondered who his parents were." Aunt Janette Kelley must have known Aunt Dorothy would be pumping them all for information, because she had a little speech prepared. "I was 10 years old," she began. "I remember it as a very sad and somber and confusing time for my family." She paused, clearly emotional, and said one word, "Gulp." I was grateful for a little laughter between tears. "I couldn't concentrate on school for a long, long time," Aunt Janette continued. "(Mike) was so terribly handsome. He was a superhero to me. "I always had images of him, coming back with amnesia. I hated the idea of him being buried at sea. "I hope and pray this is the end of wars." When it was Grandma's turn to speak, I braced myself. She died almost 20 years ago, and the missing is sometimes harder now than it was in the beginning. That's the thing about mourning: It ebbs and flows like a pounding, then merciful, tide. The Giovenazzos knew all about it. "Joyce (Grandma's daughter) was about 2, and Bob (my dad) was 5," Grandma began. "I was frying chicken." When she heard the news on the radio of an attack at Pearl Harbor, she stopped what she was doing and ran to the neighbor's to use the phone. She called her parents to ask whether they'd heard. Then, she said, life changed. There was sugar and gas rationing, and she had to go to work. Then, she was done talking. I could hear in her voice that she wanted someone else to take the recorder before she even said it. CEDAR FALLS, Iowa The University of Northern Iowas 11th president will be Mark Nook. Nook was unanimously selected by the Iowa Board of Regents Tuesday afternoon. He currently is serving as the chancellor of Montana State University Billings. He has been serving in that role since 2014. He starts Feb. 1. The Iowa Board of Regents approved Nook for a three-year contract, and he will receive a salary of $358,110. Nook stressed in his public forum on campus last week that he saw the UNI community as special, one that worked to shape the future leaders of Iowa. I believe the future is bright of regional comprehensive universities, public comprehensive universities but especially here, because I have seen a commitment from the students, from the faculty and the staff to making this a place focused on student success, Nook said. Jim Wohlpart, one of the finalists and the universitys provost and executive vice president of academic affairs, has held the interim president position at since July, when former President Bill Ruud left to take a position as president of Marietta College in Ohio. Ruud announced his departure in May. The presidential search committee has been meeting since August to name a successor to Ruud. It initially looked at 46 applicants, which was narrowed in October to seven semi-finalists. Six of those semi-finalists were interviewed at an off-site location in November, and four were selected as finalists. Three finalists ultimately visited campus last week to interview for the job. Aside from Nook, the finalists were Wohlpart and former Temple University President Neil Theobald. The search committee offered little insight during a Monday meeting. The committee met in closed session to discuss the finalists campus visits and the results of surveys from faculty, staff, students, administration and community members. It then spent an hour in closed session with the Iowa Board of Regents to continue that discussion. The board met each of the candidates in person Tuesday for a 90-minute interview. It deliberated for about 90 minutes before announcing its selection. The university's United Faculty expressed its strong support for the selection of Nook. United Faculty President Joe Gorton said the search process and Nooks selection reflect well on the search committee. I think the board and the committee deserve to be congratulated on a job well done, Gorton said in a statement. "Their methods align closely with presidential search guidelines established by the American Association of University Professors." He added the boards decision is consistent with the findings from our survey of UNI professors and instructors. While Gorton noted the executive experience Nook has as a likely factor in him getting the position, he said its also important that he is eager to have a genuine collaboration with faculty. For now, the Davenport Community School District continues on a path to clean energy for 30 buildings in an area that includes the city as well as Blue Grass, Buffalo and Walcott. Calling it an opportunity to do something that's both good for the environment and good for the district's budget, Davenport Superintendent Art Tate gave his support to the plan, termed "aggressive" by one expert. In addition, Tate said, it would set Davenport apart in Iowa as an "outstanding" example of good stewardship. School Board members were much more reserved during a Monday meeting. They did, in the end, voice support for a letter of intent for the program that's been considered for the past year. The board is considering the plan that would add large solar arrays to playground areas and school roofs. Costs to the district are mainly borne by the company proposing the contract: EPo Energy of Columbus Junction, Iowa. The pact is expected to continue for 20 years. On one hand, board members are looking at estimated savings of more than $300,000 per year, owning the solar system after 20 years and realizing $1.9 million in estimated energy savings in the 21st year. The district spends nearly $1.4 million on energy costs annually with MidAmerican Energy Co. Three representatives of the company attended the meeting on Monday. "We'll be your partner, no matter what you do," Chuck Rea told board members. Rea is director of regulatory strategic analysis for the energy company. Rea described the solar contract as "aggressive" and said wind is more common as an alternative energy source, especially in rural areas of Iowa. He is not aware of any school district that has built solar to the extent proposed in Davenport. That said, all sorts of alternative energy sources are getting a close look by public groups, as well as other customers, such as farmers. Many use solar arrays to power confined animal feeding operations, for example. Board member Julie DeSalvo continued to raise the most questions on the program. DeSalvo, who works for MidAmerican, has reservations on the document and worries about implications for the district. She and board member Jamie Snyder voiced concerns on the large solar arrays that could be built on school roofs and in areas outside some of the district's buildings. DeSalvo also had several technical questions for Mike Maloney, the district's director of operations who brought the proposal at the board's request. The size of the EPo Energy company worried board member Richard Clewell, who noted Davenport would be, by far, the biggest customer in the solar program. The next step, the board decided, is to bring in views from the district's attorney, Richard Davidson, and Jon Muller with the Iowa School Finance Information Services. Muller has a strong background in school energy issues. The topic will be on the agenda at the board's meeting on Monday. Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad's nomination to be the new ambassador to China will scramble Iowa's 2018 political picture. First, Democrats now know they won't have to face the man they have never been able to beat. Meanwhile, Republicans who may have been considering a run for the office in the event the governor didn't seek a seventh term now will have to deal with the fact that Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will ascend to the job more than a year before any 2018 contest could take place. Reynolds, who has been at Branstad's side in Des Moines and in their travels across the state since he re-emerged to win a fifth term in 2010, has long been seen as his heir apparent. In a statement Wednesday, Reynolds praised Branstad and said "the experience Ive gained over the last six years has prepared me well for this next chapter of service to all Iowans." Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann made clear Wednesday that, when Reynolds succeeds Branstad, she will have full GOP support. "As far as the Republican Party goes, the minute Kim Reynolds takes the oath of office, we will be behind her 100 percent," he said. Branstad has long praised Reynolds, frequently calling her his equal in terms of energy and commitment. Still, a clear path to the nomination for her hasn't been a certainty. Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey has been mentioned as a possible 2018 candidate. Also, Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett has been traveling the state in what has been widely taken as a testing phase for a 2018 gubernatorial candidacy. In a statement Wednesday afternoon reacting to Branstad's appointment, Northey made it clear that he won't run. He said he had begun to explore a bid, but he urged Republicans to "unite behind Lt. Governor Reynolds, help ensure her election in 2018 and join me in working to keep Iowa red for the next generation. Corbett declined to address his own ambitions but said Wednesdays developments dont necessarily close the door to somebody challenging Reynolds in a primary. I dont know that it does, he said. Corbett said that this should be considered an open seat. He added that this will speed up the decision-making process for those considering running. The mayor said there had been the thought that a decision on running could be made toward the end of 2017. Now, he said, decisions will have to be made early in the year. U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, also had people guessing. He said early Wednesday he was considering his options, according to The Hill, a Washington, D.C.-based publication that asked him whether he might run. "The thought is in my mind. Immediately, it locks in there," King said Wednesday morning, according to the Hill. "But I don't want to send any message that I'm making plans actively." Kaufmann downplayed the idea that King would run for the nomination, calling it natural for somebody in his position to think about the prospect. Meanwhile, a former state party chair, Matt Strawn, said a challenger would not only face difficulty with the party but the incoming Trump administration. "I have every anticipation that Iowa Republicans are going to rally around governor Kim Reynolds," he said. "And I hope they do." As for Democrats, Branstad's new job may be an opportunity. Norm Sterzenbach, a former executive director of the state Democratic Party, said the governor's exit from Iowa will surely spur conversations among people who were thinking of a 2018 bid. A succession of Democrats have sought to oust Branstad but have failed. If he were to have sought a seventh term, that may well have narrowed the field of Democrats running for the job. With Branstad leaving, however, and that it's happening early in the campaign cycle, that could speed up some of the discussions, Sterzenbach said. He added the news also could provide a psychological lift to Democrats who took it on the chin a month ago, losing not only the presidential contest in Iowa but control of the state Senate. "Were on the mat. Were down, he said. "Democrats need to believe that they can win, and Terry Branstad moving on provides that opportunity for Democrats to get excited about 2018. That more than anything is what Democrats need right now." Kaufmann, however, was bullish on a Reynolds candidacy in 2018. "I think we get a breath of fresh air that has the confidence and the time worn stability of Terry Branstad," he said. (Cedar Rapids Gazette reporter Brian Morelli contributed to this story.) DES MOINES Soon, Iowa will have its first female governor. With Gov. Terry Branstad set to resign and become the next U.S. ambassador to China, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will, at some point in 2017, be promoted to governor. When that happens, Iowa will be crossed off the list of 23 states that have never had a female governor. The 57-year-old Reynolds has been Branstads lieutenant governor since he returned to office in 2011. I have been honored to be a full partner with Gov. Branstad in this administration and know that the experience Ive gained over the last six years has prepared me well for this next chapter of service to all Iowans, Reynolds said Wednesday in a prepared statement. Reynolds is vacationing this week with her family and is expected to be back in Des Moines on Thursday in time for that night's event with President-elect Donald Trump. Republicans who know the governor and his administration say Branstad has been preparing Reynolds as his successor, including her in important policy and personnel decisions and deploying her to head large initiatives, including the states effort to generate more interest in science, technology, engineering and math careers and the states long-term energy plan. I would venture a guess that theres not a lieutenant governor in America thats more prepared to take the reins of running a governors office than she is, said Robert Haus, who has worked in the administration as Reynolds chief adviser. Gov. Branstad, from what I witnessed, was fantastic to her. And they worked very closely. ... It was very much a mentor relationship, and I think that served both of them well. Its good for public policy, but it also got her ready for this moment in time. Prior to serving as Branstads lieutenant governor, Reynolds served two years in the Iowa Senate representing seven southeast Iowa counties. She was elected to the Senate in 2008 but served only two years before resigning to be Branstads running mate in the 2010 gubernatorial election. In the Senate, Reynolds served on multiple committees; she was the minority partys ranking member on the Local Government Committee and served on the economic development budget committee. She also served on the board for the states fire and police retirement system. Haus said that experience serving in the Iowa Legislature will help Reynolds when she takes over as governor. She understands the legislative process. She understands having worked with (legislators) for many years now in the governors office. She understands the committees, the players, and all the interests that will be brought to bear, Haus said. She comes in with just a wealth of experience and the ability to get things done. Prior to serving at the Iowa Capitol, Reynolds was Clarke County treasurer for eight years. Joni Ernst, Iowas freshman U.S. senator, said Reynolds work in local government, as a state legislator and then as lieutenant governor has provided experience that will help her succeed as governor. She did just a tremendous job listening to her constituents in the county, and then in her state senate district, and now as lieutenant governor as well, Ernst said of Reynolds. She listens very well to Iowans and their concerns, and thats why shell succeed as governor. Reynolds encouraged Ernst to run for local office (Ernst served as Montgomery County Auditor), recruited Ernst to succeed her in the Iowa Senate and encouraged her to run for the U.S. Senate in 2014. Reynolds and her husband, Kevin, live in Osceola, which is roughly 50 miles south of Des Moines. She grew up about halfway between the two, in St. Charles, population 634. The Reynoldses have three daughters and eight grandchildren. What you have is somebody who has come from a small town, very humble, great work ethic and has never forgotten her roots, Haus said. She is a classic example of an Iowa leader. Because Branstad cannot be formally nominated to serve as U.S. ambassador to China until Trump is inaugurated and all appointments must then be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, it is likely Branstad will continue to serve as governor at least through January and February 2017. Once confirmed, Branstad will resign and duties of the office will fall on Reynolds, who would then select her lieutenant governor. The exact format for that transition is being worked out between the offices of the governor, the attorney general and the secretary of state, according to a secretary of state spokesman. Reynolds and her lieutenant governor then will serve out what remains of the current term, which expires at the end of 2018. They would then need to run for re-election, if they choose. Reynolds will be taking over as governor at a time when Republicans have gained full control of the Iowa Capitol majorities in the Iowa House and Iowa Senate and a GOP governor for the first time in 20 years. Not everyone expressed optimism about a pending Gov. Reynolds on Wednesday. The advocacy group Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement issued a statement claiming Reynolds is beholden to campaign donations made by agriculture businesses, and the Democratic Governors Association issued a statement in which they laid some early groundwork for 2018. Democrats already had Iowa as a pickup target, association executive director Elisabeth Pearson said. "Gov. Branstads departure increases the chances for Democrats to win back the Iowa governors office in 2018." CEDAR RAPIDS It will be another month before the 2017 legislative session convenes, but the disagreements already have started. Senate Majority Leader-elect Bill Dix, R-Shell Rock, has announced the elimination of the Economic Growth Committee, saying that every Senate committee is charged with moving forward legislation that will foster economic growth in this state. The Senate GOP will continue the Economic Development Committee, so the Economic Growth Committee is redundant and unnecessary, he said. Senate Minority Leader-elect Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, criticized the decision and pointed out the Republican Iowa House leadership is continuing its Economic Growth Committee. Senate Republicans should reconsider their decision to gut legislative oversight of Iowas job creation efforts, Hogg said. The Senate Economic Growth Committee has helped Iowans create jobs with innovative programs in infrastructure, community development, and emerging technologies. The committees job is to improve these efforts and provide a safeguard against crony capitalism. Senate Republicans, Dix said, are focused unwaveringly on economic growth and the committee assignments reflect their intent to implement positive, limited government, pro-growth policies. Dix also announced committee appointments. Notable in the assignments was the inclusion of Sen. David Johnson of Ocheyedan who left the GOP out of opposition to Donald Trump. Dix assigned him to Appropriations, Education, Commerce, Human Resources and Educations Appropriations. Dix appointed the following committee chairs: Appropriation, Sen. Charles Schneider, West Des Moines; Agriculture, Sen. Dan Zumbach, Ryan; Commerce, Sen. Bill Anderson. Pierson; Education, Sen. Amy Sinclair, Allerton; Ethics, Sen. Jerry Behn, Boone; Human Resources, Sen. Mark Segebart, Vail; Judiciary, Sen. Brad Zaun, Urbandale; Labor, Sen. Jason Schultz, Schleswig; Local Government, Sen. Julian Garrett, Indianola; Natural Resources, Sen. Ken Rozenboom, Oskaloosa; Rules, Dix; State Government, Sen. Roby Smith, Davenport; Transportation, Sen. Tim Kapucian, Keystone; Veterans Affairs, Sen. Mark Costello, Imogene; and Ways and Means, Sen. Randy Feenstra, Hull. Appropriations subcommittee chairs: Administration and Regulation, Sen. Dennis Guth, Klemme; Agriculture & Natural Resources, Sen. Tom Shipley, Nodaway; Economic Development, Sen. Mark Lofgren, Muscatine; Education, Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, Fort Dodge; Justice Systems, Sen. Mark Chelgren, Wapello; Health and Human Services, Costello; and Transportation, Infrastructures and Capitals, Sen. Rick Bertrand, Sioux City. Also: Administrative Rules Review, Chelgren; Legislative Council, Dix; International Relations, Schneider. You may not recognize his name, but the work the Rev. Thomas Kalshoven did to promote social justice in the Quad-Cities helped form the community that exists today. Known primarily as the executive director of today's Churches United of the Quad-City Area, Kalshoven died Monday at Ridgecrest Health Care, Davenport. He was 85. Kalshoven was hired by Churches United in 1973 when the group still was in its formative years and served for 18 years before retiring in 1991, citing failing eyesight. He was the organization's second director. Anne Wachal, the group's current director, said Kalshoven "kind of put Churches United on the map. "When everybody thinks about Churches United, they think of Tom Kalshoven," she said. He was, she said, "literally, a true man of God. "What you saw was what you got." Kalshoven led the organization's work in establishing food pantries and the annual CROP Walk that raises money to fight hunger. Through him, Churches United became one of the original sponsors of the annual Yom Hashoa Remembrance of the Holocaust. Rabbi Henry Karp, of Temple Emanuel, Davenport, said that "in his day, (Kalshoven) was one of the giants of the Quad-Cities community." As the leader of Churches United, Kalshoven "was a beacon of light for human dignity and inclusivity. He was a social liberal and proud of it," Karp said. The Quad-Cities "would have been a far less kinder, caring, just place had it not been for all of his gifts of compassion to our community ... He was committed to what we Jews call 'tikkun olam,' or 'the repair of a broken world.'" During a lengthy strike against Deere & Co. in 1986-87, for example, Churches United sent a statement urging reconciliation, signed by about 50 religious leaders. The organization also conducted weekly prayer vigils outside the negotiation site. Around the same time, Kalshoven lobbied against the legalization of riverboat gambling, saying it would be a poor substitute for quality economic development. In 1991, as the United States was readying to lead the invasion of Kuwait, also known as the first Gulf War, Kalshoven wrote a letter to the editor urging peace. In 1995, he was one of numerous Quad-City religious leaders who signed a letter "reaffirming the morality of freedom of reproductive choice" and calling for residents to be tolerant and respectful as a Planned Parenthood clinic opened in Bettendorf. Kalshoven was a board member of Hearts & Hammers, now Rebuilding Quad-Cities, and helped found CommUniversity, an annual educational program, and Housing 2000, an initiative for affordable housing. He also founded a jail ministry. "He was a champion of the outcast and the downtrodden," said the Rev. Troy Winder, pastor of Bettendorf Presbyterian Church. Kalshoven was born in New York City and, before coming to the Quad-Cities, he was pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church, Menands, New York, and had been a director of the Ohio Council of Churches. He was an activist from a young age, participating in the 1963 March on Washington where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have A Dream" speech on the Capitol Mall. He cited King as his personal hero. MUSCATINE, Iowa A new gallery in downtown Muscatine hopes to feature young and up-and-coming local artists, in an effort to promote their work within their home community. Sunrise River Gallery, owned by Jim Elias and Chris Anderson, held its soft opening in November. The gallery currently displays the work of six local artists. Leticia Pozzi, one of the artists featured at the gallery, said she is honored to be part of the new business in her community. "I enjoy that it's in Muscatine," Pozzi said. Pozzi's works include paintings and graphic design creations, and she said she uses lines and patterns to show complexity and movement, with designs representing nature from mountains to water. "I love abstract, and I create a relationship between abstract and our life and nature," she said. "Life can be complex, yet we have to learn how to surpass our complexity and that's the nature of being a human, so that's why the lines represent the complexity of our lives." Pozzi also has two owls displayed, which she created while working toward her Bachelor of the Arts degree in fine arts at the University of Iowa. "I like being intense, I like being challenged, and having that knowledge and having that determination, it's hard," she said. "It took me 15 hours to just draw the owl." The prints and bookmarks of her graphic designs show images representing Iowa, including an abstract of Mark Twain and the Figge Art Museum. Originally from Brazil, Pozzi said she is sometimes asked why she would live in Iowa, so she wanted her art to show why she enjoys the state. "I just wanted to emphasize and promote Iowa a little bit more," she said. Michelle Servadio also has her artwork on display at the gallery. One photograph, "Sunrise Beckey," depicts a Muscatine sunrise near the Mississippi River with the Norbert F. Beckey Bridge in the background. "I love the reflection of light on the concrete," Servadio said. "I like to catch reflections, they fascinate me." The eclectic art spread throughout the gallery is not separated by artist, which Servadio said is somewhat unique and allows a different perspective of the art, much of which depicts scenes or themes from Muscatine. "We want to celebrate Muscatine, we want to celebrate our young people and our young artists here," she said. Elias is also an artist, and had begun to paint again when he decided local artists could use more local space to display their work. "The goal...is to be able to showcase local artists, and give us all a place to hang our work and put it up for sale," he said. Elias hopes to continue adding artists in the space. "I want to be able to have a real wide variety of types of art, showcase different local artists," he said. The point of the gallery is to help local artists promote and sell their work, and all are welcome to contact Elias to discuss renting space to display their art. On a back display area, he hopes to have a special area for new, young artists, and he has been in contact with teachers who could recommend students to have their work displayed. Elias also has business experience, and teaches business and entrepreneurship at Muscatine Community College. As an artist and business owner, he hopes to provide a place for he and other artists to display, promote, and sell their work. "We want to support up-and-coming artists, we want to showcase students, young people that are trying to get it going," he said. The gallery will be open starting next week from 12-6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, and 12-4 p.m. Sunday, as well as by appointment. For more information or to have artwork considered for the gallery, call 563-607-5385, email Elias at jim@sunriserivergallery.com, or visit the Sunrise River Gallery at 215 E. Second St. in downtown Muscatine. For years, survivors of the Japanese attack on the Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, have been honored at an observance at the Milan American Legion 569. Over time, the number of survivors and other World War II veterans, friends and family members dwindled. On Sunday, when the 75th anniversary of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor was observed at the Legion, only 18 guests without the presence of a Pearl Harbor survivor or a World War II veteran were on hand to dine on a military mess hall favorite of chipped beef on toast. Post Adjutant Norm Dunlap, of rural Milan, said that Quad-City survivor Sgt. Major Al Taylor had planned to attend until his health and a Sunday snowstorm kept him home. I noticed last year our attendance was down. We had 50 last year, Dunlap said. The young kids dont understand what happened. They dont realize the impact it had, said Vietnam veteran Doug Dungan, of Illinois City. We cant get the young people like we used to, said Dungan, whose father was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for many years. Dungan could not join the VFW for some time (the Vietnam struggle was considered to be a conflict, not a war, at one time), but the Legion took me in, he said. Dunlap gave a presentation about what happened during the Pearl Harbor attack, some of which came directly from the memories of survivors, including Taylor and the only other Quad-City Pearl Harbor survivor Eldon Baxter. It was 75 years ago that the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in a surprise act of aggression that led us into World War II, Dunlap said. On the day of the attacks, Taylor worked alone at Schofield Barracks Hospital at Pearl Harbor. When the attacks started, he called in doctors and dispatched ambulances. The Japanese circled their planes in figure 8 formations and they pounded (the harbor) every 7 seconds, Dunlap said. Taylor, who was just a young kid, transported 19 men that day, and all survived. He also helped pick up the injured from the water, Dunlap said. Baxter was on the USS West Virginia battleship when the attack began. The Japanese pilots were flying so low, they actually waved to the sailors, Dunlap said. Baxter was reported to be missing, and was presumed dead. His family held a funeral for him, then discovered after Christmas that he was alive. Baxter is the only original member of the Quad-City Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, said Jack Smith, of Moline, adjutant of Moline American Legion Post 246. Smith was an honorary member of the group. His uncles, Joe and Mike Giovenazzo of Silvis, (Joe later changed his last name to Givens) were in the military. I can remember Joe breaking down crying, Smith said. He had talked Mike into signing up on the Arizona, where Mike Giovenazzo now is entombed after the Pearl Harbor attack. Time takes its toll, Smith said. We talk about PTSD now, but it was there with the other (veterans), too. He always enjoyed talking to the Pearl Harbor survivors. It was an honor to help them go to meetings. Ive got all the records they gave me a treasure trove of old memorabilia. For Ariel Scott, her third time competing in the Isabel Bloom Sculpture Competition was the charm. The 18-year-old senior at United Township High School took first prize in the third annual Isabel Bloom Sculpture Competition with her work entitled Guardian, which shows a blind boy with his service dog. The annual sculpture competition benefits the annual Village in Bloom Arts Festival. This years theme was Four-Legged Friends. The sculptures were on display Tuesday at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport during a dinner for the contestants. I have a little dog at home, Ariel, of East Moline, said. But I wanted to make this piece stand out more, so I came up with the blind boy with his seeing-eye dog. The animals we consider pets are so much more than pets. Ariel said she wanted to impart the feelings between a boy and his dog. Our pets love us, no matter what, she said. Bill Scott, Ariels father, said that when he saw the finished product, I knew she nailed it. I dont know where she got the idea for the seeing-eye dog, but she worked so hard, and I knew shed get it this time. Ariel will get to help turn her clay work into an Isabel Bloom work, helping to create the mold as well as painting and glazing the final product. She will also sign a number of them. In August, she will begin attending the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. Donna Young, co-owner and sculptor at Isabel Bloom, said that there was a lot of discussion regarding second and third place, in addition to Ariels first-place entry. Brileigh McCumsey, a freshman at Assumption High School in Davenport, came in third with her work, Ohana. Lauren Brewer, a senior at Pleasant Valley High School, earned second place with her work, A-mew-sment. The talent was everywhere in the show. Patriece Garbyshak, 17, of Rock Island, who is homeschooled, crated a piece she called Devotion to Glory. It has a German Shepherd with its left paw resting on a military helmet. Normally, Patriece spends her time sketching in pencil. This was my first attempt at sculpture, she said. I like looking at something and being able to create it, she said. I started drawing horses at a young age and when I got good at that I moved on to people and other things. Patriece said she likes to take her work a step further and make sure that her subject is not only showing emotion, but her final product is one that evokes emotion. As an artist you hope to stir emotion and that people get something out of your work. As serious as the artists took their work, they also made it fun. Payton Henry, 16, a junior at Quad-City Christian in Moline, made a sculpture called Playful Chihuahua. Her subject was her 1-year-old Chihuahua named Buttercup. Another popular sculpture was Christmas with Oreo, by Sami Rossow, a senior at Bettendorf High School, which shows a dog with a Santa hat on its head. Young said she hopes those who competed this year and will be in high school next year enter into the competition again. There is so much talent, she said. UPDATED: CEDAR RAPIDS Gov. Terry Branstad has agreed to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China under President-elect Donald Trump. Trump spokesman Jason Miller confirmed Wednesday morning that Branstad was offered the post and has accepted. A more formal announcement is expected when the governor joins Trump at a victory tour rally in Des Moines Thursday. As the nations longest-serving governor, Branstad has considerable public policy experience, Miller said on the presidential transition teams daily conference call. However, Branstad is also someone who has a lot of experience and a great grasp of trade issues and agriculture issues, has a tremendous understanding of China and Chinese people, Miller added. Trump was impressed by Branstads command of those issues as well as his long relationship with Chinese President Xi jinping, who he met in 1985 when Xi visited Iowa as a low-level agricultural official. Its very clear that Gov. Terry Branstad is someone who will represent our country well on the world stage and we couldn't be prouder of this selection, Miller said. The selection also was based on the impression Branstad made on Trump in their various meetings, not only on the campaign trail, but also in their meetings after the election, Miller said. The governors office had been tamping done reports Tuesday after Branstad met with Trump while in New York on a previously scheduled economic development trip. Since Trumps Nov. 8 election victory, political observers have speculated Trump would offer the role of Chinese ambassador to Branstad, who has a long professional relationship with Xi. At Trumps last campaign stop in Iowa before the election, in Sioux City, Trump praised Branstad as someone who could serve as Chinese ambassador. Terry came to my office and he was talking to me about trade, and I think theres nobody who knows more about trade than him, Trump told the crowd in Sioux City the Sunday before the election. (Branstad) would be a prime candidate to take care of China. He has done so well for the people of Iowa. Nobody knows it better. UPDATED: DES MOINES Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has accepted an offer to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China under President-elect Donald Trump, according to multiple national news reports. The governors office says those reports are premature and not confirmed. Branstad is in New York on an economic development trip. He met with Trump on Tuesday at Trump Tower. Reports from Bloomberg Politics, the Washington Post, and NBC News, among others, say Trump offered Branstad the position of U.S. Ambassador to China and that Branstad has accepted. The governors office on Wednesday morning called the reports premature. At this point, any report saying that the governor has accepted a new role in the administration is premature and not confirmed, Branstad spokesman Ben Hammes said. Since Trumps Nov. 8 election victory, political observers have speculated Trump would offer the role of Chinese ambassador to Branstad, who has a long professional relationship with China President Xi Jinping. At Trumps last campaign stop in Iowa before the election, in Sioux City, Trump praised Branstad as someone who could serve as Chinese ambassador. Terry came to my office and he was talking to me about trade, and I think theres nobody who knows more about trade than him, Trump told the crowd in Sioux City the Sunday before the election. (Branstad) would be a prime candidate to take care of China. He has done so well for the people of Iowa. Nobody knows it better. Branstad has deflected questions about possibly serving in the Trump administration, saying that he is focused on Iowa. But he has not ruled out accepting a position in the administration, saying he also loves his country. EARLIER REPORT: Multiple news sources are reporting that President-elect Donald Trump has selected Terry Branstad, the longest-serving governor of Iowa, to serve as ambassador to China. The Washington Post says a transition official confirmed confirmed the report this morning. Branstad has extensive ties to China and a personal friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. More to follow. This has probably not, in fact, been the worst year in the history of American journalism. But you'll forgive me if it feels that way just the same. It was, after all, a year in which the country firmly entered the post-factual era, led by an incoming president who has no time for intelligence reports, yet is a devotee of a conspiracy website that claims symbols on a pizza menu are used by pedophiles to send messages. This same guy spent much of the year castigating journalists as "dummies," "slime," "disgusting," "lame," "sad," and "the lowest form of life," all of it eaten up by mobs that snarled and snapped at the traveling press corps, who stood penned up at his rallies like that goat lowered into the Tyrannosaur paddock in "Jurassic Park." So yes, a grueling year. And it seems to me, in this season of thanksgiving, that the best way to end that year is to thank my reporter colleagues for all they do to inform a nation that, increasingly, chooses not to be informed. Lest you think I sprain my arm to pat my own back, I hasten to say that the above does not refer to me. Though I do occasional reporting, I am not a reporter, but a columnist. A political cartoonist I once met described people like us as "professional reactors." That is, a thing happens, real reporters gather the facts of that thing, and then we opine upon those facts. Everybody opines, of course. But sometimes, we forget that the information upon which we do so does not simply produce itself. The facts upon which both the barstool philosopher and the columnist rely, the facts Sean Hannity mangles and Donald Trump simply ignores, come to us through the efforts of men and women who dig for them, who work phones, finesse sources, burrow into transcripts, ask powerful people impolite questions. And sometimes, die. Worldwide, the Committee to Protect Journalists reports that more than 1,200 journalists have been killed since 1992. According to Reporters without Borders, 81 were killed last year alone. The United States has been largely spared those outrages. Yet they provide a chilling context for the anti-media frenzy so gleefully generated by the incoming president. Not that news media were universally beloved before he came to town. In a nation of stark political polarization, claims of bias -- a word too often defined as, "that which is mean (though not unfactual) toward my preferred candidate or ideology" -- have made media-bashing the fastest growing sport in America. Some of it is certainly deserved. Sometimes, news media are too timid, too obsessed with ephemera. And, yes, biased. But then, there is this: On Sept. 11, an army of police and firefighters famously rushed toward the danger. Less well-remembered is the army of reporters who did the same. My former colleague, Elinor J. Brecher, was one of them. Ellie might be five feet tall if she jumped. She might weigh 110 pounds if she tied cinder blocks to her feet. Yet, there she was, this small woman, down there in the wreckage of the World Trade Center with the rescue workers and survivors, gathering the news. From time to time, I re-read the powerful and evocative essay she wrote about it as a reminder of what my colleagues do. That is, they go where the story is, even if that's dangerous, even if it defies self-preservation. And they produce the facts that help those of us who still want to, to comprehend our world. As journalism's hard year draws to a close, I think that deserves my gratitude. Frankly, it deserves yours, too. Gov. Terry Branstad said last week he's open to transitioning state employees away from the pricey Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS), the state's largest retirement program. And one only must gaze east across the Mississippi River to see why it just might be time for state employees to assume the same risk as everyone else. Conservative organizations are licking their collective chops now that Republicans own Iowa's House, Senate and executive mansion. Public employees are, unsurprisingly, among the targets of the GOP's new dominant trifecta. Health care, retirement and other benefits continue to sap cash from other much-needed programs. And it's the 90 percent of Iowans, not working in government, who foot the bill and suffer the under-funded schools, failing mental health network and eroding infrastructure. They are the ones assuming the risk of their own 401(k) while funding the no-risk pensions enjoyed by public workers. The number of defined benefit pension plans in the U.S private sector plummeted from 207,000 in 1975 to just 43,000 in 2014, says U.S. Department of Labor. The few that remain are widely failing or begging Congress for a bailout. Meanwhile, public employees enjoy protection from market forces thanks to the taxpayer. It's simply unfair. All the while, that $36 billion in unfunded pension liability is a ticking time bomb that's already exploded in nearby states that refused to defuse the situation, even if only for future or new hires. At the very least, it's time for a deep dive into the future of a pension system that, by and large, only exists among public sector employees. Just 3,900 employees have received $70 million in retirement benefits in Scott County alone, says data released last week by IPERS officials. Statewide, the program would need $400 million to be fully funded, even as investment returns were nearly 7 percent last year. The solution might be a 401(k)-like system. It might be additional tiers for future employees that substantially reduce state contributions. Whatever it is, something's got to give. Rock Island city officials tag 60 percent of that municipality's budget on pension benefits for police and firefighters. In a local context, it's a staggering amount robbing resources directly from where it's needed most. As a whole, Illinois spends about 20 percent of its general operating funds just to keeping its failing pension afloat. Illinois' pension is quite literally eating the state. Iowa is nowhere near that kind of death spiral. It's less populated, more rural and, as a result, its government is a fraction of the size of Illinois' workforce. But pensions suck millions from local government coffers each and every year. Branstad made clear he's not advocating for the change. He's simply open to the discussion, he said. And that discussion is all but a sure bet when Iowa Legislature gavels in come January. It's time for a hearing to discuss the fact that 10 percent of the population enjoy benefits not available to everyone else. It's time to toss away the out-of-date claim that public employees earn less than their peers in the private sector. It's time to recognized that the very existence of high-cost public contracts skews employment and income data and burdens taxpayers throughout the state. Unions can scream from the rooftops about the wrong-headedness of taking away benefits instead of reintroducing them to the private sector. A lovely, but wholly unrealistic, bit of dogma. The battle's been fought in Wisconsin. It's brewing in GOP-run states throughout the country. Even Democratic governors in staunchly Democratic states, intent on cutting skyrocketing pension and health care costs, are waging war against entrenched unions and their legislative lapdogs. Public employee unions don't have to like it, but public pension systems are going the way of the dodo. Branstad and Republican lawmakers are looking to bring that debate to Des Moines. Iowa officials can hash it out now. Or they can wait and suffer the same fate as neighboring states that rejected reality. My observations and sightings in nature. LAKE NORDEN | South Dakota's attorney general says state agents will investigate a shooting involving an officer in Lake Norden. The shooting happened early Wednesday when a woman was shot and injured by a Lake Norden police officer. The 22-year-old woman is being treated at a hospital. Attorney General Marty Jackley says the Division of Criminal Investigation will look into the incident at the request of Lake Norden police. Authorities haven't provided details of the shooting at a residence about 5:30 a.m. Federal authorities have charged at least three people in connection with two recent fatal shootings on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation that are believed to be related. Orlando Guadalupe Jose Ephron Villanueva de Macias, 36, of Colorado, has been charged with second-degree murder in the Sept. 29 death of Chunta Suta Wi Colhoff. Colhoff, a 34-year-old resident of the Pine Ridge reservation, also known as Annie, was shot that night in Pine Ridge village under circumstances that investigators have declined to reveal. Villanueva de Macias has also been charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, according to federal court documents. The defendant, who also goes by the name Chris, was arrested in Colorado on Nov. 21. He will be transferred to South Dakota for prosecution. His arrest came a month after U.S. Attorney Randy Seiler said in a news release that federal authorities were investigating probable links between the deaths of Colhoff and another Pine Ridge resident. Vincent Brewer III, 29, was shot to death the afternoon of Oct. 16 in the parking lot of the SuAnne Big Crow Youth Development Center, a youth organization on the reservation. Last month, a woman was arrested in Denver for allegedly concealing Brewers shooting from authorities and helping his "assailants" flee the crime scene, court records show. Tiffanee Garnier, 30, also identified as "Love" and Tiffanee Alford, has been charged in South Dakota District Court with misprision of a felony, or failing to report knowledge of a felony to authorities. Tyler S. Brewer, 26, of Pine Ridge, also faces a misprision charge in relation to Colhoffs murder. She was arrested in Denver in October and pleaded not guilty to the offense at a federal court hearing in Rapid City later that month. Villanueva de Macias alleged shooting of Colhoff occurred while he was on supervised release on a federal drug charge, according to his order of detention issued in Colorado. The document says he has five felony convictions, including attempted second-degree assault and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. It also cited nine misdemeanor convictions and two misdemeanor juvenile cases of second-degree aggravated car theft and possession of a handgun by a juvenile. Villanueva de Macias probation, parole and deferred sentence were revoked after he committed offenses during these periods, the document says. Seiler has said the investigation into the shootings of Colhoff and Brewer were a top priority for federal law enforcement in South Dakota. Legislators in Nebraska have already publicly discussed plans for cutting income tax rates during the next legislative session. Some say such efforts should be coupled with property tax reform. Pairing the two efforts would break the states budget at a time when we are projected to face a more than $1 billion shortfall in the next budget cycle. Nebraskans only have to look to our neighbors to the south to see the folly of such imbalanced plans. The experience of Kansas should provide Nebraskas leaders and citizens plenty of reasons to avoid going down the same reckless path, and to pursue a more balanced approach to tax reform. Much like their counterparts in Kansas, those in Nebraska pushing for income tax cuts promise that doing so brings economic and job growth, but the actual results of Kansas actions make those promises ring hollow. The Kansas Legislature cut income taxes on most businesses and for wealthier individuals in 2012, with the promise that it would put the states economy in overdrive. However, the results more closely resemble an old truck stuck in neutral slowly rolling backwards into the pond. Since the cuts took effect, the Sunflower State has suffered stagnant job and economic growth, budget shortfalls, credit downgrades, depletion of the states rainy day fund, school funding crises, and increases in both property and sales taxes. Kansas also lags behind neighboring states, and the U.S. as a whole, in job growth. According to recent job numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kansas had negative job growth from September 2015 to September 2016 (-0.29 total private job growth). Nebraska and other states in the region have maintained steady (albeit slow) job growth over the past few years. The tax cuts have not benefited all Kansans either. The former Kansas state budget director, Duane Goossen, finds that the combination of increased state fees, such as vehicle licensing, as well as property and sales taxes (increased to fill budget gaps created by the income tax cuts) have actually resulted in a net tax increase for people making less that $42,000 annually. The primary beneficiaries of the tax breaks are those making greater than $500,000 - who averaged a $25,000 tax break. We all want a strong economy with thriving rural communities. Cutting taxes for the wealthiest while raising taxes on the rest of Nebraskans doesnt get us there. Cuts in income taxes in Nebraska would likely also lead to both higher property taxes for landowners and more budget problems for Nebraskas public schools. When the Kansas state government cut its aid to schools and local and county governments due to shrinking income tax revenues, those entities became more reliant on property taxes and other fees to continue to perform their necessary services. A majority of Kansas counties have seen property tax levy increases since the 2012 income tax cuts, with 17 of the 20 highest increases occurring in rural counties. Tax cuts made over the past decade cost Nebraska about $750 million annually. These past cuts have eroded our ability to help communities thrive, and new income tax cuts will only compound this problem. What rural Nebraskans really need is property tax reform with a balanced approach that does not jeopardize the well-being of the local schools at the heart of our communities. Schools in Nebraska are already the 3rd most dependent on local property taxes for funding in the country, as the state ranks 49th among the states in providing state funding per pupil. Rather than creating more budget problems with more income tax cuts, Nebraska leaders should focus on properly funding our states schools, public safety, roads, and other essential services that build our states economy and quality of life. The Nebraska Legislature attempted property tax reform during the 2016 legislative session, but ended up with an expansion of an existing property tax credit paid for out of the state general fund to local and county governments. In other words, their last try at property tax relief only added to the current budget shortfall. Property tax relief should be targeted to those who need it most, like homeowners and family farmers, based on income. Tax reform in Nebraska should be balanced. Calls for coupling property tax cuts and income tax cuts are irresponsible and would be akin to cutting off two legs of a three-legged stool, especially when the state is already on the floor. STURGIS | Sturgis Police Chief Geody VanDewater says his department has concerns about a proposal before the Sturgis City Council to allow open container on Main Street during the rally. He says currently a minimum of 75 percent of their calls during the Sturgis motorcycle rally have to do with alcohol whether its open container, DUI, domestic abuse calls, fighs or urinating in public. He says he has noticed that for the younger attendees, Sturgis has become a sort of spring break like event. "A lot of people come to Sturgis for the party," VanDewater said. "They are here to get drunk on a daily basis." And allowing open containers in the streets may encourage even more drinking, VanDewater said. "It puts me between the rock and a hard place. You want to see tax revune coming in to support the city, but as police chief I have a problem supporting open container and encouraging more drinking," he said. The Sturgis City Council will consider in two weeks whether to allow adults to carry event cups containing alcoholic beverages on and immediately around Main Street during the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally. Upon hearing about the proposal on the agenda for the Monday, Dec. 5 meeting, many citizens called their council members, which prompted the council to table the matter and take it up at its Dec. 19 meeting. Bryan Carter, co-owner and general manager of the Knuckle Saloon in Sturgis, said the city needs to take some bold steps to promote rally attendance, which dropped dramatically from about 739,000 in the 75th anniversary year in 2015 to about 448,000 this year. "As business owners, we are looking for ways to make the rally bigger and better," Carter said. "We knew rally numbers would be down this year, but it was way worse than what any of us thought it could be. We need to look at how we are going to market the rally." Downtown business owners weren't always in favor of having alcoholic beverages on Main Street. "Now, with declining rally numbers, I think it would create more of a customer-friendly-type atmosphere similar to what Deadwood has," Carter said. Although Deadwood does allow open containers for several big events throughout the year, including the annual Oktoberfest and Kool Deadwood Nites, the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce hasn't moved forward with a similar request for open containers during the Sturgis motorcycle rally. "We've discussed the issue informally, but it hasn't grown legs," said Lee Harstad, director of the Deadwood chamber. "The concerns are that it is very crowded (during the rally) and it would be difficult to enforce." Jerry Cole, Sturgis motorcycle rally director, said the city has worked for several years on developing ideas to keep people in the downtown area longer. "The city is taking this up because there were several property owners who thought it (open containers) was a good idea," Cole said. The open container area would be bordered by Sherman Street on the south and Lazelle Street on the north. It would span from Middle Street on the east to Fourth Street on the west. The area on the east would include the Sturgis Vets Club. Interestingly, state law does not allow crossing a state highway (Lazelle Street/S.D. 34), with an open container. City Manager Daniel Ainslie said those who bought an event cup could take it with them across the road, but it would have to be empty. The move to allow open containers is part of the city's plan to make sure the rally continues to be a success not only for Sturgis but also for the Black Hills and state of South Dakota, Ainslie said. He said Sturgis business owners and those in surrounding communities approached the city after this year's rally, concerned about how the city planned to market the event for years to come. "We need to enhance our efforts to ensure that the crowds return," Ainslie said. Ainslie said he and other city officials spoke with organizers of big events in Daytona, Fla., Laconia, N.H., and even in Las Vegas about how open container laws work there. "Most rallies have open containers to enhance hospitality to visitors," he said. The city of Sturgis does allow open container in specialty cups for its annual Mustang Rally on Labor Day weekend and Camaro Rally in June. In Deadwood, the Chamber of Commerce is the "keeper of the cups," said Harstad. It distributes cups to businesses that want to participate and hangs up all signs associated with open containers. The Deadwood City Commission approves the open container resolution before community events, which outlines open container areas and hours when it will be allowed. Having open containers during the rally is one part of a five-pronged approach to improving the rally, which would also include hiring a new advertising agency, developing marketing partnerships with the South Dakota Department of Tourism and area businesses and improving vendor relations. Pennington County commissioners took a big step forward Tuesday on plans for a new county health facility by awarding a $9.1 million building contract to Scull Construction Services of Rapid City. Mike Kuhl, construction project manager for the county, said the county benefited from "an excellent bidding environment." Six bids were received that ranged from Scull's low bid of $9.135 million to $10.3 million from Pro-Mark Services. Kuhl said all the bids came in lower than the architect's final cost estimate for the project of $10.4 million. However, the estimated overall project budget rises to $11.1 million when design, administration, technology and contingency costs are added in. But in total, the new facility will cost taxpayers as much as $15 million due to other costs that include the purchase of the building and residential property to be demolished to make way for the parking lot for the health facility. "So the total project cost is closer to $13 (million) to $14 million," said Commissioner George Ferebee. "Approaching $15 million." Kuhl said that was correct. The project involves extensive renovations of the former National American University Administration Building in the 200 block of Kansas City Street south of the county courthouse in Rapid City, where more than 69,000 square feet of building space will be remodeled. A new second floor will be constructed in the gymnasium along with two small building additions of more than 1,500 square feet. Several services are planned to be consolidated and housed in the new facility including Health and Human Services; Alcohol and Drug programs for the city and county; detox and crisis care; and a space for physical training for law enforcement. The contract was awarded to Scull with a 3-2 vote, with Commissioners Ferebee and Ron Buskerud voting against it. In other action Tuesday, Jerome Harvey was introduced as the new Pennington County fire administrator, taking over for Denny Gorton, who is retiring at the end of this year. Harvey was born and raised in the Lead area and said he is happy to return to the Black Hills from Macon, Ga. Gorton said they received 11 applicants for the position with all of the fire departments in the county participating in the process. The pool was narrowed to five candidates who came in for interviews in front of a panel before Harvey was ultimately chosen. Retiring Rapid City Fire Chief Mike Maltaverne showed his support for the new hire Tuesday as well. "I worked with him for a couple of decades in other capacities; I know he's a consummate professional that will serve us well," Maltaverne said. Maltaverne said the position is integral for coordinating all the fire departments in the area during incidents. "We have to have that common operating picture," he said. Harvey will be paid $5,612 per month, or about $67,350 a year. The commissioners also voted to make changes to the vacation home rental ordinance and approved a budget supplement for $300,000 to install LED lighting in the James Kjerstad Event Center at the Central States Fairgrounds. Legislation sponsored by U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., that would require the U.S. Forest Service to collaborate with local officials before igniting a prescribed burn during dangerous fire conditions is headed to the presidents desk. The House of Representatives passed the Prescribed Burn Approval Act of 2016 on Monday, following prior approval by the Senate. A prescribed burn is a fire that is intentionally lit and allowed to burn across a specific area. The burns are often intended to clear out dense vegetation to prevent future wildfires from raging out of control. But sometimes, prescribed burns have escaped and become wildfires in their own right. A notable example occurred in 2013 in northwestern South Dakota when a U.S. Forest Service prescribed burn that was intended to cover 100 acres of federal land escaped and became a 16,000-acre wildfire, known as the Pautre Fire, which burned for several days across federal and private land. Prescribed burns are a proven management tool that I support, Thune said Monday in a news release. That said, before a prescribed burn is initiated, effective collaboration between Forest Service personnel and local officials is essential. The Pautre Fire spawned litigation from affected landowners seeking payment for damages that is still pending in federal court. The lawsuit includes a claim that Forest Service officials failed to heed weather reports that indicated a high risk of an escaped burn. Thunes bill says the Forest Service must coordinate with applicable state and local fire officials before authorizing a prescribed burn when the National Fire Danger Rating System indicates an extreme fire danger level. The bill additionally requires the federal secretary of agriculture, whose department includes the Forest Service, to submit annual reports to Congress. The reports must describe the number and locations of prescribed burns conducted during the preceding fiscal year and must also specify which burns were authorized pursuant to coordination with local and state officials during a time of extreme fire danger. Thunes bill applies only to Forest Service land, even though other federal agencies, including the National Park Service, conduct prescribed burns. Last year, for example, a planned 1,000-acre burn at Wind Cave National Park blew into a 6,500-acre wildfire known as the Cold Brook Fire, which was contained to the park by firefighters. A representative of Thune's office said the legislation's focus was winnowed to the Forest Service after a broader version of the legislation stalled, and Thune decided with co-sponsor Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., to focus on Forest Service land as a first step. SPEARFISH | Two Belle Fourche men were arrested Tuesday and face felony charges in connection with two October armed robberies of local convenience stores, the Spearfish Police Department reported Wednesday. A warrant for the arrest of a third man tied to one of the robberies was expected to be issued this week, police said. Kirk James Jolley and Jacob Tanner Daniel, both 20, are being held at the Lawrence County Jail, charged with two counts of first-degree armed robbery in the theft of an undisclosed sums of money from the Oct. 8 incident at the Fresh Start Corner convenience store at Evans Lane and U.S. highway 14, and the Oct. 23 robbery of the Phillips 66 gas station at Interstate 90s Exit 8, Spearfish Police Sgt. Darin Pedneau said Wednesday afternoon. We had an anonymous tip that helped us identify them, Pedneau said. People called in, which was pretty nice. A third suspect in the Phillips 66 robbery, also from Belle Fourche, is expected to be arrested this week, the sergeant said. Pedneau credited anonymous tips, a $1,000 reward offered by owners of the Phillips 66, as well as the assistance of a half-dozen Spearfish businesses, with information Spearfish police and Lawrence County Sheriffs investigators used to track down the suspects. Surveillance video supplied by Spearfish businesses played a very important role in identifying the alleged armed robbers, he said. A handgun that police believe was used in commission of the robberies has not been recovered, Pedneau said. Anyone with information regarding these robberies is asked to contact Pedneau at 642-1300. Spearfish police and the Lawrence County Sheriffs Office were assisted in the investigation by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigations and the Belle Fourche Police Department, according to a release. WASHINGTON | Fake news leads eventually to real tragedy. It almost got there Sunday when an idiot brought a loaded assault rifle into a Washington pizzeria, firing at least one shot, in an attempt to "self-investigate" a preposterous made-up conspiracy theory. No one was hurt this time. But the same kind of thing will happen again, thanks to the poison being dispensed by "alt-right" and white-supremacist propagandists. They concocted "news" stories out of whole cloth during the campaign in an attempt to destroy Hillary Clinton and those closest to her. Is anyone surprised that some people take these paranoid fantasies as gospel truth? I'm not. President-elect Donald Trump makes matters worse by trumpeting "facts" that are non-factual. To the extent that he shapes the "post-truth" media landscape, he shares responsibility for the consequences. The made-up story that inspired Sunday's incident grew out of the hack of Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta's emails. There were a number of exchanges between Podesta and the owner of Comet Ping Pong, a pizza parlor. Suspicious? Not in the least. Comet is located in the affluent neighborhood that is home to much of the political establishment. And anyone involved in politics knows that campaigns basically run on pizza. Also, quite a few of Podesta's hacked emails had to do with food. Apparently, he likes to eat well. How sinister. In any event, cynics writing on sites such as Facebook, Reddit, Infowars and Inquisitr spun these innocent facts into a dark, hydra-headed conspiracy involving the alleged trafficking and sexual exploitation of young children. Hidden rooms and secret tunnels were supposedly involved, and no, I am not making this up. Other people made it up, and some gullible readers swallowed it. Among the believers, apparently, was Edgar Maddison Welch, 28, of Salisbury, North Carolina, who allegedly walked into Comet Ping Pong waving around a loaded AR-15-style assault rifle. Fortunately, employees and customers were able to flee. Welch allegedly fired at least one shot before surrendering to police, who said he had a second firearm with him in the restaurant and a third in his car. He is charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Police said Welch told them he came to the nation's capital to look into the ridiculous child trafficking story. He reportedly barged into the pizzeria's kitchen to search for the entrance to the nonexistent secret tunnels. Yes, this is all as crazy as it sounds. But the lives of those who happened to drop by Comet Ping Pong or any of the neighboring businesses on a chilly Sunday afternoon were put in real danger by the purveyors of fake news. Morally, those propagandists should be in the dock along with Welch. Legally, of course, those who make up such stories are protected by the First Amendment. The only way we can shield ourselves from toxic conspiracy theories is to denounce them and disown those individuals and media outlets who spread them. In other words, we can use shame as a disinfectant. In wake of a tragic crash recently in Tennessee, school boards around the nation need to consider whether it's time to mandate seat belts for students riding on buses. We hope the majority of school boards at least discuss what happened in Chattanooga, where a kindergartner, a first-grader and three fourth-graders died in the crash. There were 37 students on the bus. Five died and 12 were hospitalized. Six states require seat belts on school buses and South Dakota isn't among them. The states Florida, California, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York and Texas have varying regulations within the law. But the common theme is that students must wear seat belts while riding on the public school bus. It's safe to say many of the students who died or suffered injuries in the Tennessee crash would not have sustained such a harsh fate had they been wearing seat belts. And that's why we're calling for South Dakota school districts to consider changing their policy. Nationwide, there were 1,222 fatal motor vehicle crashes classified as school-transportation-related between 2003 and 2012, according to a report by the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration. There was none in South Dakota. And since 2003, there have been 1,353 people killed in school-transportation-related crashes across the country, which averages 135 fatalities per year. It is refreshing knowing our state has been safe in recent years, but hundreds of busloads of students go to and from school every day. And a crash could happen at any time. We realize the mandate would be hard to institute due to lack of funding and would be difficult to enforce on each student. Many rural districts in our state struggle with funding and mandating the use of seat belts would add another expense for many schools whose buses aren't properly equipped. Though, some states with seat-belt mandates have stipulations that it applies only to new buses, meaning each time a district buys a bus, seat belts should already be installed. And while we understand there's no way to enforce each student to buckle up even if there's a mandate in place, the district would be doing its part to promote the safety of its bus-riding students. Certainly, we hope never to hear about tragedy like the one in Tennessee. But we must learn from these incidents. That's why a discussion on seat-belt mandates is the first step to ensure the safety of our students. MOSCOW, December 7 (RAPSI) The Moscow District Military Court has dismissed a motion to question Ramzan Kadyrov, the President of the Chechen Republic, as a witness in the criminal case over the murder of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov, Vadim Prokhorov, a lawyer representing the Nemtsov estate, told RAPSI. The lawyer noted that some of the petitions lodged by him and Olga Mikhailova, another Nemtsovs family lawyer, were granted in part as the court agreed to summon three Chechens, deputy commander of the North Battalion of Russian Interior Troops Ruslan Germeyev, his brother Arthur, and Alibek Delimkhanov, the head of the North Battalion, as witnesses. Nevertheless, the Military Court refused to summon Ramzan Kadyrov, MP Adam Delimkhanov, Senator Suleyman Germeyev, and some others as witnesses in the case. Prokhorov said that the fact the court had agreed to question at least three witnesses was a sign of significant progress as compared with the situation existing at the stage of investigation. At the end of June, Russias Investigative Committee reported that investigation into the case of 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, had been completed. 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 ($237,500). Boris Nemtsov, 55, a prominent opposition politician, who held a number of high-ranking posts in the Russian Government in the 1990s and in the 2000s joined the opposition, was shot down in the center of Moscow as he walked across a bridge near the Kremlin on the night of 28 February. According to investigators, the conspirators in the murder had thoroughly prepared to commit this crime: they studied Nemtsovs schedule, spied upon him, prepared suitable weapons, vehicles and communication equipment. On the day of the murder, 28 February, after following Nemtsov from his home, at about 11.31 p.m. Dadayev, having received a signal from Anzor Gubashev and Shavanov that the situation was suitable for the murder, shot Nemtsov at least six times. 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. Irish court unfreezes Khodorkovsky assets worth nearly 100 million - report MOSCOW, December 7 (RAPSI) Dublin District Court revoked on Wednesday a freeze on up to 100 million euros belonging to former Russian tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, The Irish Times reports on Wednesday. The funds managed by a trust services firm were frozen in 2011 by the Irish courts on suspicion of money laundering put forward by the countrys law enforcers. Judge of the Irish District Court Timothy Lucey said he saw no reasonable grounds to maintain the freezing order. According to The Irish Times, some other assets of unspecified value managed by the same trust may be released in the light of the decision passed by Judge Lucey. A representative of Irish law enforcement agency told the court that a probe into the origins of the money in question was ongoing in cooperation with the Russian investigators. Remy Farrell, a lawyer for Khodorkovsky, said in turn that the money came from Yukos dividend and share buyback payments. He noted that there was no real prospect of prosecution of his client in Ireland. Meanwhile, yet in December 2015 Vladimir Markin, until this September the official spokesman of Russias Investigative Committee, stated that Khodorkovsky had been arrested in absentia by the Moscow Basmanny District Court. Later the Moscow City Court upheld this ruling. Khodorkovsky, the ex-head of oil giant Yukos granted political asylum in UK, was arrested in absentia and put on the wanted list in connection with the murder of a Russian town mayor Vladimir Petukhov in 1998. The case was reinitiated in 2015 because of the newly discovered evidence. The Ravalli County commissioners agreed Monday to write a support letter for the Sapphire Community Health grant application to Health Resources & Services for a community health center with a sliding scale of fees. The commissioners wrote a letter of support two years ago for the initial grant application and renewal comes up every three years. The Sapphire Community Health Center opened in October last year and has seen over 1,500 new patients. The center serves patients based on a sliding fee scale and does not refuse services based on ability to pay. Janet Woodburn, Sapphire Community Health CEO, explained to the commission what makes a community health center different from any other primary health care. Community health centers were established in 1965. They are nationwide and enjoy unilateral political support, she said. The mission is not-for-profit, customer driven and to provide high quality affordable care. The difference between us and most primary health care organizations in Ravalli County is that we will provide the same services to anyone who walks in the door, regardless of their ability to pay. Woodburn said the funding for Sapphire Community Health Center come from a $700,000 grant from the federal government. She said there are 17 community health centers in Montana. People pay at a sliding fee scale based on the number of people in their homes and any income, she said. People pay differing amounts based on where they are on the poverty scale. People who dont have an income are still charged $20. They can spread that out over four months but everybody pays something. Woodburn said Sapphire provides holistic health care including primary, behavior, mental and dental to people of all ages, birth to old. We provide all of those services either under our roof or we have a referral agreement with another organization that will take our patients using the sliding fee scale, she said. We are unique to Ravalli County and the grant we wrote is specifically for Ravalli County. We will take anyone. We will take people with insurance but you dont have to have insurance. We take Medicaid, Medicare and Healthy Kids. Woodburn said Sapphire Community Health Center has met all of the goals set for them by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). They have set our standards not only by the number of people we have to see but when the person comes we have to show the patient is improving, she said. It is very rigorous, even more rigorous than private health care. We are evaluated with every patient every time they come in and we have met all of our goals. Commissioner Ray Hawk asked if there was a medical doctor on staff. Yes, we have Dr. Bender as our chief medical officer, Woodburn said. He is part time but he reviews all our medical records. We have a psychiatric nurse practitioner and a family nurse practitioner and they are all prescribers but all their work is reviewed in a peer review and by the doctor. Woodburn said Sapphire refers emergencies to the hospital. We work well with the hospital, she said. HRSA does the audits of Sapphire Community Health Center. Everything we do is electronic and there is constant communication, Woodburn said. Our medical records are all by number not by name so they are all HIPPA compliant (privacy set by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). We have very rigorous reporting and auditing. It is more rigorous that most hospitals have to go through. Commissioners J. R. Iman, Doug Schallenberger and Ray Hawk, the three commissioners in attendance, agreed to write a letter of support for Sapphire Community Health Center with updated information on poverty in Ravalli County. On a Tongan website one person left a comment accusing me of being a descendant of the men who raided the island of 'Ata and enslaved half its people. I'm not worried about this type of comment, but I am concerned by the palangi rednecks who are either accusing me of inventing many of the details in The Stolen Island or else claiming that the book is unnecessary. These deeply conservative and rather paranoid people are convinced that there is some sort of conspiracy afoot to tarnish colonial New Zealand and the 'white race' in general, and believe that my little book is part of this grand conspiracy. So far the conservative palangi critics of The Stolen Island have used two types of argument. The first sort of argument implicitly accepts that the slave raid on 'Ata occurred, but questions whether the raid is worth remembering today. Here's a comment that makes the argument for the insignificance of the raid: This book is claptrap. A small incident blown out of all proportion when the real history of the Pacific is read. Journalistic excess. I'd like to invite the people making this sort of argument to come and drink kava with some of the Tongan community in Auckland. Last Sunday I visited the kava hall attached to the Onehunga Methodist church, and listened to the Tongans gathered there talk about 'Ata. I was humbled when speakers thanked me for writing The Stolen Island, and for pushing the story of 'Ata into the consciousness of palangi New Zealanders. Nobody in the kava hall thought the enslavement of half of 'Ata's citizens a 'small incident' that had been 'blown out of proportion'. Many had ancestors who were either trapped aboard Thomas McGrath's slave ship or else forced to watch from the shore as the slavers did their work. The raid on 'Ata was a colossal disaster for nineteenth century Tonga. In 1863 the kingdom had about twenty thousand inhabitants, so the 144 men, women, and children taken from 'Ata represented a loss of about 0.7% of its population. To take an equivalent toll a disaster in twenty-first century New Zealand would have to cost thirty thousand lives. King Tupou I was forced to evacuate the survivors of the raid from 'Ata. The abandonment of the island was a grave setback for him, because he and his government had been trying hard to maintain Tonga's independence from European powers and the United States. Tupou I was aware that the colonisation of many Pacific islands and archipelagoes had been justified by the claim that the indigenous authorities in those places had been incapable of protecting their people from palangi slavers and planters. He was anxious to prove that his control extended over all the islands of Tonga. He had put government representatives on almost every island, to register the ships of palangi who stopped there and to impose customs duties on them. But the raid on 'Ata forced him to withdraw his people from the southern frontier of his kingdom. The Stolen Island also discusses the wider Pacific slave trade, which moved tens of thousands of islanders from their homelands to the plantations of Queensland, Fiji, New Caledonia, and elsewhere in the second half of the nineteenth century. This slave trade is anything but a trivial detail. Without it the Pacific would look very different. The second type of argument contests the details of the slave raid on 'Ata. One commenter, for instance, asks how I know that 144 people were stolen from 'Ata Island: 144 is a very convenient number, [Scott] has names? It's not clear what this commenter means by 'convenient'. Perhaps he thinks the number 144 is convenient because it is high. But the number has not been arrived at by accident. The claim that 144 'Atans were stolen by Thomas McGrath in June 1863 was made by the great Pacific historian Henry Maude in his book Slavers in Paradise: the Peruvian slave trade in Polynesia, 1862-1864. Maude published his book in 1981, after spending years struggling through archives on several continents. His research assistant Grant McCall, who was then a graduate student at Australian National University, visited Peru and explored that country's archives, reading newspapers from the 1860s and the records of Lima's oldest hospital. Maude and McCall were very interested in the letters that diplomats based in Peru had written during the time that the slave trade flourished in the country. Diplomats are trained to observe and report on the events in the countries where they are stationed, and British diplomats in Peru had seen and written about the slave trade. One of the documents that Maude and McCall found in the records of the British Foreign Office was a note written by EW Robertson, who was the acting British consul in Callao, to W Stafford Jerningham, who was the incoming head of staff at the British embassy in Lima, on the 21st of July 1863. Callao was Peru's main port, and the locus of the slave trade. Polynesians had nicknamed it 'the jaws of hell'. In his note to Jerningham Robertson explained that a boat called the General Prim had arrived at Callao and unloaded 174 people from a place the Prim's captain called the 'Frinately Islands'. 71 of them were female. The General Prim had arrived on the 19th of July. 'Frinately Islands' is an obvious mispronunciation of 'Friendly Islands', a popular nickname for Tonga, and Maude concludes that Thomas McGrath, who took slaves from the islands of 'Ata and Niuafo'ou in June 1863, must have sold his cargo to the General Prim, whose captain had sailed out from Peru looking for captives. After examining the itinerary of the General Prim in June 1863, Maude estimates that the two slave ships met somewhere near the northern Cooks island of Pukapuka. In 1872 John Moresby captained the British naval vessel the HMS Basilisk on an anti-slaving mission. Moresby cruised through the western Pacific, searching for slavers and collecting stories about slave raids. When Moresby landed at Niuafo'ou a German trader and long-time resident on the island named Axman told him that a boat had called and asked for men who wanted to work for wages in Fiji. This offer had apparently received an enthusiastic response. The 1860s were a time of hardship and disorder on Niuafo'ou. Tupou I had recently reclaimed the island, which had been independent of Tongan control for decades, and many locals found his tax demands difficult to meet. Thirty Niuan men had joined the boat after hearing the offer of jobs; they were never heard from again. Moresby describes his visit to Niuafo'ou in the journal he kept on the Basilisk, and in a book about his journey he published in 1876. Both the logbook entries and the book are available at the University of Auckland library (the logbook is available on microfiche, as part of the enormous Pacific Manuscripts Bureau collection). Moresby and later Maude attributed the slave raid on Niuafo'ou to Thomas McGrath. Maude pointed out that McGrath would have been travelling close to Niuafo'ou when the raid occurred, and noted that, unlike South American slavers, he knew Tonga and Fiji well, and would have been able to construct a story about work opportunities in Fiji. If we exclude the 30 men taken from Niuafo'ou from the 174 captives who arrived at Callao on the General Prim on the 19th of July 1863, then we can guess that the ship held 144 'Atans - 73 of them male, 71 of them female. Melbourne Leader on the 28th of November 1863 and then EW Robertson's report from Callao sits fairly well with the eyewitness report on the raid of 'Ata that was given by John Bryan, the ship's cook. In an article published in theon the 28th of November 1863 and then republished in many Australasian papers , Bryan was reported as saying that the 'Atans came aboard McGrath's ship to trade, and that they were tricked into going below deck to eat a meal before being locked up. Bryan said that 'about 130' islanders were taken captive. I hope all this makes it clear why I say in The Stolen Island that at least 144 'Atans were stolen from their island in June 1863. Footnote: I have been focusing on the traces that the slave raids of 1863 left in palangi archives, but there are other ways of remembering history. The survivors of the slave raid and their descendants have told and continue to tell many stories about the tragedy. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century some of these stories were written down by palangi, and published in Australasian newspapers. Usually the stories published in papers do not give estimates of the number of 'Atans taken by the slave raid, but there are one or two exceptions to this rule. In his article 'Atata and Ata' , which was published in two parts by the New Zealand Herald in 1903, Walter Parker claims that 'about a hundred men' boarded McGrath's ship and were taken away to slavery. Parker was for many years a sheep farmer on 'Eua, the island where the survivors of the slave raid of 1863 were resettled by Tupou I, and his very detailed article was probably based on stories he heard from 'Atans. Some of the story's details are nevertheless wrong, and Parker's freely expressed prejudices about Tongans make him a problematic recorder of the Tongan past. 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Magnusson, 34, a married mother of four children, put up the lights to celebrate the Christmas season but chose colors including red, green, blue, purple and yellow, instead of the white lights she traditionally hangs, to send a message to someone in her neighborhood Magnusson describes as anti-gay. Magnusson said the woman, whose identity she has kept private, told Magnusson and her husband in a conversation this summer that she moved her family to Washington from a nearby state in order to escape the gays and the transgender. I saw red but knowing that she [lived in my neighborhood] and, having been Mormon, I knew that yelling or being angry would only make her more firm in her position, said Magnusson, who said the woman introduced herself as Mormon. Magnusson said she and her husband, Lance, left the Mormon Church because of its stance on LGBTQ issues. The Mormon Church states on its website that "identifying as gay, lesbian, or bisexual or experiencing same-sex attraction is not a sin and does not prohibit one from participating in the Church, holding callings, or attending the temple." The church's policy also states that "Sexual relations are reserved for a man and woman who are married and promise complete loyalty to each other." I said to her, Your kids going to be exposed to it anywhere and Im just glad that kids these days know not to be horrible to each other based on who they are or how they were born, Magnusson recalled. Magnusson told ABC News the woman has not spoken to her or her family members since that conversation. When it came time to decorate for Christmas, Magnusson, who described herself as gutted by the 2016 election and the negative tone that surrounded it, decided to take action by decorating with lights colored like the rainbow, a symbol of the LGBTQ movement. Magnusson posted a photo of her home on Facebook and Reddit earlier this month, earning thousands of views and comments. Its been kind of baffling because really at the end of the day I just put lights on my hedges, Magnusson said. I work in better ways to encourage acceptance than just lights at my house, like supporting marriage quality and [LGBTQ] organizations. Magnusson said others in the neighborhood have been supportive of the light display. She has not heard any feedback from the woman whose conversation sparked the display. Christmas is just weeks away but Magnusson plans to keep the lights on afterward. Ill leave them up as long as the homeowners' association will let me, she said. Copyright 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Update from Standing Rock, December 6: Immediately After Government Backs Off, Urgent New Threats December 6, 2016 | Revolution Newspaper | revcom.us Procession through the Oceti Sakowin camp after it was announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers won't grant easement for the Dakota Access oil pipeline, December 4, 2016. (AP photo) Monday, December 5 was the day both the federal government and North Dakota authorities had threatened to evict thousands of protesters from the Oceti Sakowin camp, just outside the Standing Rock Sioux reservation. Native people and supporters have been camped there since September, resisting attempts by Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) to complete the $4 billion Dakota Access Oil Pipeline (DAPL). DAPL endangers the water supply of the Standing Rock Sioux, violates their treaty rights, and if completed will be a major contributor to global climate change. By Monday, in response to the threats, the camp had grownto 10,000 or so people. There are people who have been at Standing Rock for weeks, or months. There are representatives of hundreds of Native tribes. There are people from all walks of life and perspectives. Over the weekend, hundreds of U.S. military veterans mobilized by Veterans Stand with Standing Rock had joined the camp and declared they will form an unarmed human shield to protect the people from the violence of the authorities. In a ceremony with tribal representatives, Wesley Clark Jr., one of the leaders of the veterans mobilization, said: Many of us, me particularly, are from the units that have hurt you over the many years. We came. We fought you. We took your land. We signed treaties that we broke. We stole minerals from your sacred hills. We blasted the faces of our presidents onto your sacred mountain. Then we took still more land and then we took your children and then we tried to make your language and we tried to eliminate your language that God gave you, and the Creator gave you. We didnt respect you, we polluted your Earth, weve hurt you in so many ways but we have come to say that we are sorry. We are at your service, and we beg for your forgiveness. Government Backs Off for NowUrgent New Threats Loom The day before the threatened eviction, in a dramatic turn of events, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced they would not approve an easement that would allow the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline to cross under Lake Oahe in North Dakota. Lake Oahe is a Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Missouri River, and that decision effectively blocked, for now, the completion of the pipeline on its current route. During the day, people at Standing Rock celebrated, but they and their supporters immediately raised concerns about what the ruling actually meant. The announcement includes language that might provide a pathway for approving the pipeline (see Resistance at Standing Rock Forces Gov't to Back Down for Now... The Struggle Continues). On Monday, Energy Transfer Partners arrogantly denounced the Army Corps of Engineers' decision. Their statement declared they are fully committed to ensuring that this vital project is brought to completion and fully expect to complete construction of the pipeline without any additional rerouting in and around Lake Oahe. Nothing this Administration has done today changes that in any way. News reports indicate ETP is expecting the incoming Trump regimewhich is headed by and led by rabid climate change deniers including Steve Bannon and Trump himselfwill find a way to reverse the Army Corps of Engineers' ruling. On Monday, Jason Miller, Trump's communications director, said, We support construction [of the pipelines and] well review the full situation when were in the White House and make the appropriate determination at that time. People in the camp are discussing and debating how to respond. A 65-year-old woman in the camp from Connecticut told her hometown newspaper, Come January we have a [expletive] coming into the presidency who is very likely to turn this around. And, "I can't absolutely verify but I am willing to bet that many of the people living at camp do not have the intention of packing up and going home." Revolution correspondents at Standing Rock report similar sentiments. A young woman from Oakland, who just arrived on December 4, told them, I am planning on staying for at least two weeks. This announcement is just a ploy. They aren't going to stop. A woman from Germany, who has been travelling back and forth from her home to Standing Rock for over a month, said, This isn't over. We aren't going anywhere. And a youth who was brutalized by police on November 20, said, This (announcement) doesn't change anything. We're staying. And our correspondents report there is significant sentiment among many of the frontline fighters that they do not plan on leaving until they see the pipeline dug up out of the ground. As we wrote on Sunday, The eyes of the whole world will continue to be watching in the next days, and months, to see what the people of this country are going to do. The U.S. government has broken every treaty it has ever made, and the only promise they ever kept was that they promised to take the land of the Native peoples and they took it. At the same time, the fact that the Army Corps of Engineers decided to back off for now, and everything that led up to that, DOES show the potential strength of the masses of people. And it reveals as well the vulnerability of the system to both determined struggle and to the costs this was incurring to their national AND international legitimacy. The risks, and stakes, remain high. For full coverage and the current issue of REVOLUTION click here BEIJING, Dec 7: Seven coal miners are dead and another four still missing after a gas explosion in a central province in the latest deadly accident to strike China's mining industry, authorities said Wednesday. Rescuers were still trying to reach miners trapped underground after the Monday night blast in Hubei province, according to a statement from the local propaganda department. Rescue workers are pumping air into the mine shaft to aid the rescue effort. Five miners were able to escape immediately after the blast. It was the third major mining accident in one week, causing a total of 60 deaths. China is the world's top producer and consumer of coal. Deadly workplace events occur frequently despite a stated public commitment to improving worker safety. The recent series of accidents appears to be a setback for such efforts, prompting new reminders from the government industrial safety watchdog for mining operations to prioritize safety over profits. China is trying to balance the vast energy demands of the world's most populous country and an industry that is the lifeblood of several regions with its commitment to reduce carbon emission as part of the Paris climate agreement. Air pollution that often smothers Beijing and other major cities has provided an additional impetus, amid rising concerns over the effect on health and quality of life. Facing rising energy prices ahead of winter, government economic planners responded in October by lifting a cap on the number of coal production days for "efficient" producers. But unlicensed mining operations abound and are often responsible for mining accidents. Guwahati, December 6 : Assam Police DG Mukesh Sahai on Monday said that police will take appropriate action against those people who involved in the Job-for-Cash scam under Assam Public Service Commission (APSC). "The overall investigation is going on proper direction and police will not excuse any person who involved in the Job Scam," Sahai said. The Assam DGP said that, the answer scripts had sent to Hyderabad for forensic examination, which were earlier found from the house of Rakesh Paul's wife and his brother owned printing press. Assam Police had earlier arrested APSC's sacked chairman Rakesh Paul and his two associate members Samedur Rahman and Basanta Doley. Meanwhile, APSC's arrested member Samedur Rahman was sent 14-day judicial custody by a local court in Assam's Kamrup(Metro) district on Tuesday. Samedur Rahman was produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court in Kamrup(Metro) on Tuesday and the sent Rahman to 14-day judicial custody and asked to appear him before the same court on December 20. Earlier the Special Judge's court on November 22 had sent the APSC member on 14-day judicial custody. Police had earlier arrested APSC's Chairman Rakesh Paul on November 4 and APSC's Assistant Examination Controller Pabitra Koibatra from his residence at Lisubagan area near Hengerabari in the city on November 12. Earlier Dibrugarh police arrested Mabud Ali Choudhury the PSO of Samedur Rahman in connection with the job scam. Police also arrested an engineer from Upper Assam's Dibrugarh district after police caught him red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh from a dentist to appint in the Assam Medical College Hospital (AMCH) on October 27. The arrested engineer was identified as Naba Kumar Patir and he is an assistant engineer of Town and Country Planning department of Assam government posted at Dibrugarh town. (Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath) Guwahati, December 6 : Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal mourned the death of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa describing her as a 'people's leader' whom the country had lost. In his condolence message today Sonowal said that a very popular and dynamic leader, J. Jayalalithaa was a long serving Chief Minister who served the people very passionately. "The country lost a leader of immense potential. J. Jayalalithaaas death is premature and untimely and is bound to create a void which will be very hard to fill. I pray to God for her soul to rest in peace," Sonowal said. "J. Jayalalithaa was a seasoned and veteran leader and is known for her ardent love for the service of all and sundry. She won love and affection from all because of her compassionate approach towards the poor and needy," the Assam CM said. Meanwhile, Sonowal asked Industry and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary to go to Chennai and pay homage to the mortal remains of J. Jayalalithaa on behalf of the State Government. (Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath) Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Dang, Nepal: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has reiterated that the constitution amendment bill registered in Parliament will not be withdrawn under any circumstances. Prime Minister Dahal has made the revelation while inaugurating a bridge constructed over the Rapti River at Sishaniya in Deukhuri on Wednesday. Constitution amendment bill registered in Parliament will not be withdrawn until I remain in the post of the Prime Minister, Dahal said. The firm stand of the Prime Minister Dahal has come in the mean time when not only the opposition parties but also the people in general have protested the constitution amendment bill. The leaders of the government allies- Nepali Congress and his own party CPN Maoist Center, particularly from the province 5 have also opposed the bill that proposes to split the Teria from hill. However, he mentioned that the registered constitution amendment bill can be revised through the agreement among the political parties through the parliamentary proceedings. During the function, Prime Minister Dahal also criticized the CPN UML indicating its chairman KP Oli for unnecessarily campaigning against the constitution amendment bill. The amendment of the constitution is necessary not only to take into confidence the agitating Madhes based parties but also to implement the constitution; Daha said urging one and all to support the proposed bill. Kathmandu, Nepal: Following the obstruction from the main opposition CPN UML and other fringe opposition parties, the House meeting of Wednesday has also been postponed for Friday. The CPN UML and other fringe parties have been obstructing the parliamentary proceedings to protest the constitution amendment bill registered in the parliament. As soon as the announcement was made for the beginning of the meeting, Rastriya Janamorcha Chairman Chitra Bahadur KC spoke on behalf of the opposition parties to announce their obstruction in the parliament. We opposition parties would not let the Parliament proceed with its business unless the Constitution amendment bill was withdrawn, KC said. When KC announced to obstruct the parliamentary proceedings, the lawmakers belonging to the opposition parties stood up from their seats to obstruct the process. Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, NAWALPARASI, Dec 7: Vice President, Nanda Bahadur Pun, will arrive in Nawalparasi at 5 pm today to attend the inaugural ceremony of Western Regional Nawalparasi Industrial Trade Fair starting from Thursday at Sunbal locality of the district. The VP will stay at the Lotus Resort at Sunbal and is scheduled to meet with chiefs of the government offices and senior industrialists in the district. On Thursday morning, VP Pun will visit the Ramgrama Stupa, where Lord Buddha's remains are kept. He will inaugurate the trade fair in the afternoon. The trade fair is being held by Nawalparasi Chamber of Commerce under the banner 'Peaceful Prosperous Industry and Trade a Strong Basis for Nation Building'. The fair will showcase 300 stalls and is expecting more than 300,000 visitors. The Chamber has set a goal of overseeing a transaction of around Rs 100 million during the fair, Chamber's Chairman and Fair Main Organizing Committee Coordinator, Bhim Bahadur Thapa (Bharat) said. RSS You have permission to edit this collection. Edit Close Dan S. Boyd is a trustee at the FDR Presidential Library and a lawyer in Dallas. He wrote this column for The Dallas Morning News. Readers may email him at dan@boydstap.com. Photos: The cutting-edge dancers who are taking one sleepy city by storm Ministry of Science summarizes intergovernmental consultations between Poland and the UK Funding grants, cooperation between universities, student exchange - these are some of the topics discussed during the intergovernmental consultations between Poland and the United Kingdom, which took place in late November. Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Prof. ukasz Szumowski summarized the consultations in an interview with PAP. Szumowski, who participated in the intergovernmental consultations, noted in an interview with PAP that the discussions covered bilateral relations, and the subject of Brexit came up in work talks. Deputy minister admitted that the Polish scientists could be concerned by uncertainty related to the financing of international EU research projects involving British scientists after Brexit. "We have obtained assurances of the British government that after leaving the European Union all scientific projects will be financed - including those implemented under Horizon 2020" - said Prof. Szumowski. He noted that this includes both the ongoing projects and those yet to begin. "Those who want to start a project with partners from the UK, have nothing to worry about - we have assurances from the British government that these projects will be funded" - said the deputy minister. He noted that the British government would finance the participation of their scientists in EU grants until the completion of these initiatives. Szumowski pointed out that the United Kingdom was one of the main beneficiaries of Horizon 2020. "The system of remuneration in the framework programme and the balance of Polish representation in the evaluation panels are not entirely what we would like them to be" - said the deputy minister and added that this was also discussed during the consultations. "We raised the problem of Polish students studying in the UK. Access to student loans may be difficult there for them after the UK leaves the European Union" - he said. He noted that the United Kingdom has not yet decided how to resolve this issue. "We expressed our interest in the situation of Polish students, who are now in the UK. What we do know is that exchange between universities will surely continue" - he said. "In addition, the UK is in favour of establishing a Polish chair at the University of Cambridge" - said the deputy minister. Since 2014 there are Polish studies at Cambridge (http://naukawpolsce.pap.pl/aktualnosci/news,408574,studia-o-polsce-na-cambridge-od-mieszka-do-maslowskiej.html). They were launched with the help of four sponsors: the Foundation for Polish Science, the Grabowski Foundation, University of Cambridge and the Zdanowicz Foundation. These institutions provided the amount of 340 thousand pounds, which ensures the functioning of the centre until 2018. Additional funds are needed for the studies to be continued. Deputy Minister of Science admitted that the British government is also in favour of the idea to create a branch of the University of Cambridge in Poland. "It would be a joint venture of the United Kingdom and Poland" - said Szumowski. He noted, however, that the details would still have to be worked out. The United Kingdom - as Prof. Szumowski commented - expressed interest in presenting the achievements of the scientific cooperation between Poland and the UK at a joint conference. PAP - Science and Scholarship in Poland lt/ agt/ mrt/ tr. RL With stunning cinematography shot in seemingly death defying locations high in the Black Sea mountains, Cold of Kalandar looks as visually powerful as it seems emotionally dense. The film, which Turkey is pushing as its nominee for the category of "Best Foreign Film" at the 2016 Oscars, follows a poor animal breeder, Mehmet, who dreams of one day finding minerals to better support his his family. Directed by Mustafa Kara and co-written by Bilal Sert, the film seems to captures the complex, often punishing relationship between man, his own nature and the harsh elements of our world. A must watch, I say. You will be intrigued. With the Academy Awards only a few short months away, this is a busy season for Los Angeles Academy members looking to whittle down thousands of choices in every category to just the few we see on the telecast. This year, that job is even more challenging in the Best Foreign Language Film category, as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has received a record 85 official submissions from countries around the world, many for the first time. One country with an incredibily rich cinematic history, but a terribly disappointing one at the Oscars, is India. Only three Indian films have ever made the Oscar short list - Mother India (1957), Salaam Bombay! (1988), and Lagaan (2001) - and none have won. However, this year director Vetri Maaran's Interrogation hopes to change that trend against some pretty intimidating odds, fighting a strong cultural bias against Indian films which frequently brands entries from the country as brash, musical melodrama. Interrogation is none of those things. It is the true story of four Tamil migrant workers who are arrested and framed for a burglary they didn't commit. They endure painful and humiliating torture at the hands of the police, and eventually forced servitude just when they think they are free. It is a vicious endictment of Indian police brutality that has grown more universal as 2016 has placed police in other countries, especially the U.S., under a microscope for increasingly visible and questionable decision-making and violence. I talked with Vetri Maaran on the eve of Interrogation's final U.S. screening at the American Cinematheque's Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood about the way his film has come to surprise and connect with American viewers over the last few months. [Note: This is a part of the second interview of Maaran after our previous talk wasn't recorded properly, so several items we address are repeats of that prior chat. I've tried to note these instances where possible.] Why did you choose to make INTERROGATION? How did you come to this film? I was looking for a film that would liberate me, in terms of letting me be free to do what I wanted to do by reducing the budget and the locale and everything else. I wanted to try to make a film that was effectively easy to make - and as I was making this film I realized this wasn't the case when my friend gave me this book (Lock Up by M Chandrakumar) to read. It was a book that he wanted to make into a film. He gave me this book and asked me to read it, he said read the book and if you connect with it, you make the film. I read the book and realized that it was quite interesting for two reasons, one is the kind of voice that the film had, the issue that it was addressing, and the other was the way it was happening. He had written it in such a way that this film would be more about experience than the structure of a regular script. In between certain actions you get information, small, minute pieces of information that culminated into a larger dramatic moment. It was like a flower blooming, one petal after another. That was quite interesting for me. [...] Then I called the writer and spoke to him and he said when we were trapped in that cell, our cries for justice were never heard beyond those four walls and now if you make the film, we will be consoled. He said he was very angry at the system for not letting them be heard, and if I made the film now, Chandrakumar would be consoled knowing that their voices would be heard worldwide. Beyond the interest and excitement for me, these words that he said really meant so much to me and I realized that it had to be done. I felt it was my responsibility to make it. You can definitely feel that passion in the film. It connected with a lot of people who may not have had the kind of vicious experience that these characters have, but have had some sort of interaction with corruption. How do you feel that this film connects with them? I feel that this film connects, in one way or another, with the larger audience. Half of us in India have experienced these things on a first hand basis. Those people are the ones who are able to connect with this film. Those who don't have those experiences, hear or read about it and it is something that they have ignored for a long time. When a film is presented like this, in this way, with the intensity it has, they feel a kind of guilt of not having done anything to change it. That guilt turned into a responsibility when seeing this film to make sure that it is received well in the mainstream. I think that's what works, everybody said good things about the film because they new that this is a film that is dealing with facts. There is no fabrication, it's just true. With the submission of Chaitanya Tamhane's COURT last year, and now INTERROGATION this year, it seems as though the country is starting to talk about these issues of corruption that have been ignored for a long time. Do you think the country is ready to do something about it? Yes, Court is a very fine film. It deals with delayed justice in the legal system and Interrogation deals with the police system, both are different faces of the same creature. It's very encouraging to see these kinds of films being allowed to represent our country. This really makes me feel that we live in a democratic system where a filmmaker's voice is respected and he is allowed to express himself. He might have a different social and political standing than the government, but the government allows him to express himself. I think that is something good that is happening. As youve been showing this film, specifically to non-Indian audiences, what have you noticed about the reactions to the visceral violence in those screenings? See, the first thing when we watched the film especially here in screenings, the first twenty minutes is the toughest because it is so much of pain and it is shocking. It is really shocking for an American viewer, or a European viewer for that matter. They just want to get away from seeing this violence. But, just as I mentioned about what goes on in a persons mind when he sees real suffering, when he watches real suffering, do they go help or run away from it. Whatever they do, they are concerned about knowing what happened to that person. If you dont help and you just run away from that spot, back of your mind youll be wondering what happened to that person. Is he okay? Is he alive? Has he survived that mishap? This keeps running in the mind, that way it happens. Even though it is disturbing, even though its bad, even though it is unbearable for the viewer, back of their mind they want to know that these boys are safe. That, I feel, makes them watch through the film. They understand what is said. It is not just the physical violence that is portrayed, there is more to it. When the violence is discussed, I want to share one thing about the kind of violence that is there, there is no - I am not a person to indulge in portraying violence, or glorifying violence, or taking pleasure in showing violence on screen. That is not my thing. My duty as a filmmaker and a person who is concerned about human rights violations is to document the violence, the police procedural violence that goes in, not just in India, but the whole world. Wherever it is, the degrees might vary, in India it is this way, in the Middle East it might be different, in Europe it might be different, in U.S. it might be different. The degrees might vary, but the police brutality, the police procedural violence is prevalent worldwide. So, as a person who is concerned about human rights violations, I thought that I need to document this and present it to the viewer, irrespective of the country or race. I just wanted to present this to the viewer. I feel that when you watch the film you will realize that it touches you, it moves you, because this is a big grief we all want, as the filmmakers, wanted to share with the world about this particular thing. And I think everybody is ready to receive it, because the screenings we are having, the first thing that comes is, We are moved. Is it really happening there? We really want to do something. It is bothering them and they are concerned about it. In that way we are able to strike the right chord. Thats what I feel. Why do you think that INTERROGATION should continue making its way into the public consciousness? Why is this so relevant now that you think people need to come see the film? To start with, we have dealt with truth, not just fact, truth. It is not confined to one particular ethnic group, its relevant to the world. Especially today, in this context it is relevant more worldwide. As I mentioned earlier, this is an earnest effort from our side to share a grief, a grief not from my country, but from the world. We somehow happened to be in a place to make this film. This is something that we want to share with the world, that makes the film worthy of a watch. Its a earnest attempt, there is no... we are not trying to embellish this, we are not trying to glorify anything, we just documented certain facts. Of course, we have dealt with it in a dramatic way, but its the truth, and I always feel that art has to discuss truth in its own way and own space. So, in that way we are here, sharing a grief and a truth, so that makes the film more relevant and it appeals to the empathy of the viewer. I completely agree, and the film is now available to watch, right? Yes, its on Netflix worldwide. I hope that more people are able to take the time to experience the film. Experience is a good word for this film. Thank you very much for talking with us, and best of luck! Vetri Maaran's Interrogation is screening for free at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood tomorrow, December 8 at 7:30. Follow the link below to reserve your last chance to see the film in a U.S. cinema in 2016. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan seems to have grown restless in 2016. He's already released two films this year; the meta action thriller Fan, in which he plays a ficitonalized version of himself being stalked by a crazed fan who is also played by him, and Dear Zindagi, in which he plays a therapist to the twenty-something ennui Alia Bhatt. He's showing no signs of slowing with his next feature, Raees, already one of my most anticipated films of 2017. While Fan was a bit of a serious turn for SRK in terms of his attempt to differntiate the two characters in a realistic way (he nearly succeeded), in Raees he looks to be going full Bollywood. This trailer shows Khan as Raees Alam, an '80s bootlegger in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Just when it looks like he has business all sewn up, we are introduced his nemesis, the formidable Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the only cop with the guts to take him on. While I am a bit of an SRK fanboy, I can't tell you how excited I am to see my favorite working actor, and possibly the greatest in the world today, Nawazuddin Siddiqui squaring off with Khan. Siddiqui is the rare breed of actor who can work just as easily in this kind of big masala film as he can in the low key independent films where he first made his mark. This marks his first collaboration with SRK after a number of co-starring roles in films with the other two Khans of Bollywood, Salman and Aamir. If nothing else, Siddiqui's presence guarantees at least a modicum of grace and dignity among the din. The look of the film, directed by Rahul Dholakia, is decidedly dingy, likely in homage to the great "angry young man" films (think Zanjeer, Sholay, Deewar) of the legendary Amitabh Bachchan. However, the trailer gives hints of a number of lively musical and romantic moments in which Raees's gruff exterior fades as his paramour, played by Mahira Khan, closes in on him. The whole vibe given off by the trailer screams "throwback", in everything from the color, to the clothes, to the attitude, and I'm okay with that. This won't be the first time Shah Rukh Khan has attempted to capture the energy of Bollywood past. In his huge hit Om Shanti Om, he and director Farah Khan channeled '70s Bollywood, and more recently in 2013's Chennai Express where he pulled his own early '90s persona out of the mothballs for a crazy action adventure. In Raees, everything from the setting, to the color palette, all the way down to the title treatment on the poster screams early '80s Bollywood action, and that idea makes me giddy. Raees hits cinema screens worldwide on January 25, 2017. If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE). At 11th hour, more advocacy for Prez Obama to make big 11th-hour clemency push | Main | Recalling the work of AG-designee Senator Jeff Sessions on crack/powder sentencing reform December 7, 2016 "How Tough on Crime Became Tough on Kids: Prosecuting Teenage Drug Charges in Adult Courts" The title of this post is the title of this notable new report from The Sentencing Project. Here is its Introduction: Transfer laws in 46 states and the District of Columbia permit youth to be tried as adults on drug charges. Successful campaigns to raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction have rolled back some excesses of the tough on crime era. After the implementation of Louisianas SB 324 in 2017 and South Carolinas SB 916 in 2019, just seven states will routinely charge 17-year old offenders as adults, including the two states that also charge 16-year olds as adults. Despite other state laws that differentiate between adults and youth, placing limits on teens rights to serve on juries, vote, or marry without parental consent, the criminal justice system in these jurisdictions erases the distinction when they are arrested. Though the vast majority of arrested juveniles are processed in the juvenile justice system, transfer laws are the side door to adult criminal courts, jails, and prisons. These laws either require juveniles charged with certain offenses to have their cases tried in adult courts or provide discretion to juvenile court judges or even prosecutors to pick and choose those juveniles who will be tried in adult courts. It is widely understood that serious offenses, such as homicide, often are tried in adult criminal courts. In fact, for as long as there have been juvenile courts, mechanisms have existed to allow the transfer of some youth into the adult system 2 During the early 1990s, under a set of faulty assumptions about a coming generation of super-predators, 40 states passed legislation to send even more juveniles into the adult courts for a growing array of offenses and with fewer procedural protections. The super-predators, wrote John J. DiIulio in 1995, will do what comes naturally: murder, rape, rob, assault, burglarize, deal deadly drugs, and get high. This tough-on-crime era left in its wake state laws that still permit or even require drug charges to be contested in adult courts. Scant data exist to track its frequency, but fully 46 states and the District of Columbia permit juveniles to be tried as adults on drug charges. Only Connecticut, Kansas, Massachusetts, and New Mexico do not. States have taken steps to close this pathway, including a successful voter initiative in California, Proposition 57. Nationwide, there were approximately 461 judicial waivers (those taking place after a hearing in juvenile court) in 2013 on drug charges. The totals stemming from other categories of transfer are not available. From 1989 to 1992, drug offense cases were more likely to be judicially waived to adult courts than any other offense category. Given the recent wave of concern over opiate deaths, it is reasonable to fear a return to this era, even as public opinion now opposes harsh punishments for drug offenses. The ability of states to send teenagers into the adult system on nonviolent offenses, a relic of the war on drugs, threatens the futures of those teenagers who are arrested on drug charges, regardless of whether or not they are convicted (much less incarcerated) on those charges. Transfer laws have been shown to increase recidivism, particularly violent recidivism, among those convicted in adult courts. Research shows waiver laws are disproportionately used on youth of color. Moreover, an adult arrest record can carry collateral consequences that a juvenile record might not. Since very few criminal charges ever enter the trial phase, the mere threat of adult prison time contributes to some teenagers guilty pleas. This policy report reviews the methods by which juveniles can be tried as adults for drug offenses and the consequences of the unchecked power of some local prosecutors. December 7, 2016 at 02:56 PM | Permalink Comments Once again, the specter of disparity is used to address a policy choice. The issue should be what makes sense, irrespective of the race of the juvenile. Simple possession by a kid with zero criminal history (or very minor criminal history) should rarely, if ever, go to adult court. But remember the plea--a juvenile could be busted for dealing and plead down to possession, and that double lenience may not be indicated. Also, it's pretty unfair to look at the pure fact of a conviction and deduce backward what the actual conduct was. Collateral consequences, given advances in the Information Age, are likely far worse today than years ago--attention needs to be given to that too. Why can't the arguments focus on right, rather than whom it affects. Posted by: federalist | Dec 7, 2016 3:48:17 PM While not knowing every state's laws on transfer, I would not be shocked if the statistics from my state showed that juvenile's tried as adults have a higher rate of recidivism than those who stayed in the juvenile system. The reason that I would not be shocked is because of my state's standards for transfer. While certain offenses mandate a hearing on transfer, the juvenile officer has discretion to request transfer on any felony. However, the standard for transfer requires considering the seriousness of the offense, the history of the offender in the juvenile justice system, the available programs within the juvenile justice system for "treating" the offender, and whether those programs are likely to benefit the offender. In other words, the juvenile who gets transferred to the adult system should have already demonstrated a tendency to be a recidivist and unlikely to respond to efforts at rehabilitation. If transfer "cherry picks" the worst, then it should not be a surprise that these folks have a worse record as adults. Posted by: tmm | Dec 8, 2016 10:50:25 AM Post a comment Georgia completes ninth and last execution of 2016 | Main | At 11th hour, more advocacy for Prez Obama to make big 11th-hour clemency push December 7, 2016 Oklahoma's top criminal court gives significant effect to Miller's limits on juve LWOP sentences As reported in this local article, headlined "Resentencings ordered in two high-profile Oklahoma murder cases," the top criminal court in Oklahoma issues two big ruling about juve LWOP sentencing late last week. Here are the basics: Oklahoma's youngest murderers can no longer be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole unless they are found to be "irreparably corrupt and permanently incorrigible." A divided Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals established the new restrictions in rulings made Friday in two high-profile murder cases. The first ruling involved a murderer who was 16 at the time. The second involved a murderer who was 17 at the time. Both must be resentenced, the appeals court ruled. In both cases, the appeals court concluded the punishment of life without parole "is constitutionally infirm" because jurors were not presented evidence involving "important youth-related considerations."... The appeals court came up with a new instruction to be given to juries in future murder cases involving a defendant who was under age 18 at the time of the crime. Jurors will be told "no person who committed a crime as a juvenile may be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole unless you find beyond a reasonable doubt the defendant is irreparably corrupt and permanently incorrigible." A murderer sentenced to a life term, with a chance at parole, is eligible for consideration under current law after spending 38 years and three months in prison. I received an email about these rulings from The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth, and here is part of that email (with links to the decisions): On Friday, Oklahomas highest criminal court applied Miller v. Alabama and Montgomery v. Louisiana to discretionary juvenile life without parole, affording an opportunity for resentencing to more than 45 people in Oklahoma sentenced to die in prison for crimes committed as children. In two decisions, the court affirmed United States Supreme Court limitations on sentencing children to life in prison. These decisions should dramatically limit, if not prevent, the imposition of life sentences for children in Oklahoma going forward.... Oklahoma has joined a growing number of states that apply Miller and Montgomery to sentences of juvenile life without parole where the judge had discretion whether or not to impose life without parole, including Connecticut, Georgia, and South Carolina. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals also required a finding of irreparable corruption and permanent incorrigibility beyond a reasonable doubt before life without parole can be imposed on children, consistent with the U.S. Supreme Courts holding in Montgomery that life without parole is unconstitutional when imposed on the vast majority of children. December 7, 2016 at 12:51 AM | Permalink Comments Post a comment Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Donald Trump isn't the first to complain about the price of a presidential air fleet. Back in 2009, President Obama expressed concerns about cost overruns for a new set of presidential helicopters. At the time, the Pentagon's contract with Lockheed Martin Corp. to develop a new fleet of helicopters, which are dubbed Marine One when the president is aboard and also shuttle other government officials, had reached an estimated $11.2 billion --- nearly twice the original $6.1 billion estimate. The topic has come to the forefront again after President-elect Donald Trump tweeted Tuesday that the government should cancel its order with Boeing for a new Air Force One, citing cost estimates of the project. At a Fiscal Responsibility Summit with the president in 2009, Sen. John McCain brought up the skyrocketing cost of the presidential helicopters. "Your helicopter is now going to cost as much as Air Force One. I don't think that there's any more graphic demonstration of how good ideas have -- have cost taxpayers an enormous amount of money," McCain said. President Obama replied: "By the way, I've already talked to [Defense Secretary Robert] Gates about a thorough review of the helicopter situation. The helicopter I have now seems perfectly adequate to me." "It is an -- an example of the procurement process gone amok, and -- and we're going to have to fix it," he added. When the president made his remarks, the Pentagon had already initiated an automatic review of the program because the expected costs exceeded more than 50 percent of the original target price. Three months later, the Pentagon ordered Lockheed Martin Corp. to halt its work on the fleet. The government had already spent more than $3 billion on the aircraft when the work on the contract was stopped, according to reports at the time, In 2014, the Navy awarded Sikorsky Aircraft, now owned by Lockheed Martin, a $1.24 billion contract to build a new fleet of VH-92A, which will replace the current helicopter fleet used by President Obama and other government officials. Lockheed says it will produce 21 operational and two test aircraft with full production expected to conclude in 2023. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest argued Tuesday that the Obama administration did not cancel the Marine One program entirely. "That Marine One project was one that was further in development, and it was clear that the expected cost was much greater than originally expected and that was based on how far the project had advanced at that point. Our country was also in rather historically difficult circumstance," Earnest told reporters Tuesday on Air Force One. "It wasn't a situation where President Obama entirely cancelled a program. He said the way it has operated so far is too expensive so he asked the professionals at the Department of Defense to go back, re-initiate the program, and see if they could get the cost projections under control," Earnest added. "I expect that that effective management of that program will result in a new presidential helicopter that President-elect Donald Trump will be glad he has," he said. Copyright 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. It was right out of a Lifetime movie plot; A group of nuns, facing eviction from their Tenderloin soup kitchen and home, are saved when a charismatic multimillionaire self-help guru purchases them a new building from which they can continue to feed the homeless. But this isn't a made-for-TV movie, and unfortunately not everything has ended happily ever after for the nuns of the Fraternite Notre Dame Mary of Nazareth. As Mission Local reports, the group is facing stiff opposition from Mission District neighbors who fear the nuns' planned soup kitchen will attract the homeless to the area and lower the value of residents' housing. The property in question, 1930 Mission Street, was purchased in March by "CEO whisperer" Tony Robbins for $750,000 in cash. He gave the property to the nuns, who intended to run their soup kitchen out of the ground floor. What neither he, nor the nuns, nor the press celebrating the deal likely realized was that some of those who lived in the immediate area saw the nuns and the struggling hungry people their soup kitchen would attract as more of a nuisance than a savior. Specifically, those who live above the proposed soup kitchen voiced their concerns at a Monday night meeting of neighbors seeking to form a community group with the goal of ridding the neighborhood of homeless encampments. We have invested our lifes saving in an apartment in this building, said one resident. I have a hard time imagining that if we want to sell, we wouldnt be losing a large amount of money. Sister Marie Benedicte, for her part, spoke to how she and her fellow nuns can improve the community by helping those struggling. We dont just feed the homeless we feed low-income people, a family who is out of money at the end of the month, Mission Local reports her as telling those gathered at the meeting. If you provide them with food, maybe they can pay their rent, and they dont arrive on the streets. But still, concerns about property values are a powerful thing. Even though the soup kitchen is having a positive effect on the community," the same neighbor said, "its just not an attractive business for the building." And yet! Don't think they're anti-homeless they are just upset that the city isn't doing enough. "We dont want an attack on homelessness, neighboring business owner Gianina Serrano explained. Ive seen it my whole life. I just want the city to help address this issue directly and do more of what needs to be done to really remedy the situation. The Planning Commission is scheduled to decide on the proposed soup kitchen next month. Related: Insecurity In The City Of Food: How San Francisco Feeds Its Homeless A thief who stalked her victim on Muni's light rail system was arrested Monday night, shortly after she swiped a fellow passenger's laptop. The victim, a 25-year-old woman, says the noticed a 30-year-old woman "behind her the whole time" as the two rode a Muni Metro train down King Street at 10:20 p.m. Monday. When the younger woman got off the train at Fifth and King Streets, the elder woman followed. Approaching the victim, the suspect said that she had a gun, as she held her hand in her purse and pointed the firearm at the victim. The suspect then grabbed the victim's bag, "threw it on the ground and stole the laptop," according to the San Francisco Police Department. The laptop thief fled on foot, police say, but was caught and arrested by police near the scene. According to the SFPD, the laptop was recovered, and will be returned to its rightful owner. As the names of the missing officially become the names of the dead, SFist is continuing to offer brief remembrances and obituaries as they're being collected from various news sources and friends. Here was the first group of eight. If you have any of your own to offer, please do so at [email protected]. Em Bohlka, 33, Oakland Em Bohlka was a 33-year-old musician who was part of the band Rope in Hand. Her father, Jack Bohlka, posted the above image to Instagram with a devastating note discussing her recent decision to transition, saying she wanted "to become a beautiful, happy woman. She took the name Em. I just wish with all my heart that she had more time to live her life as she truly wanted." He added, "My heart goes out to the entire trans community who feel as if they must gather in unsafe buildings to experience their community and celebrate their identity. Our communities must become more open and accepting of all people, all identities, so that everyone can enjoy a great party or concert in a space that is not a death trap." Her father also told the New York Times in an interview that the two shared a love for Kurt Vonnegut, and "Throughout her life she was always a friend to people on the fringes, the marginalized. She always reached out to people with love and acceptance. Bohlka was among three trans musicians who were remembered at a vigil in the Castro Monday evening, along with Cash Askew and Feral Pines. Micah Danemayer, 28, Oakland Art school graduate and experimental musician Micah Danemayer had relocated to the Bay Area in recent years and was part of the electronic music duo Red Cellar with his friend Devyn Saturnus. Danemayer and his girlfriend Alana Kane attended the party together, and Kane remains among the missing or tentatively identified. A family friend told the Mercury-News, They moved in together, and the next day they perished together. Its so tragic. This friend, Karen Tate, also said, "His passion was the performances. He made his life work so he could do that." Per KRON 4, Danemayer's friend Tomas Hemstad remembered him saying, "Performing for him, he had exactly that kind of subcultural energy that make me still dependent on our DIY scenes. A thirst for new sounds and talent and an enthusiasm that could flatten out any obstacle put in front of him." Jeanne Oss of Oakland remember Danemayer during Monday's candlelight vigil in Oakland Monday night, saying that he was one of multiple people who perished in the blaze who were integral to the local music scene. "Thats something thats very sad about all these people who passed away," she said. "I just dont know how things are gong to move forward after this because of the loss of these people." Chelsea Faith Dolan. Photo: Jeremy Danger Chelsea Faith Dolan, 33, San Francisco Recently declared one of the "unsung woman of electronic music" and a "house experimentalist of San Francisco," Chelsea Faith, a.k.a. Cherushii was an electronic musician with a career on the rise. Her mother, Colleen Dolan of San Rafael, told the Chronicle that Faith showed a knack for music even as a toddler, and she'd gone to perform in Japan at the age of 15 where she picked up the name Cherushii, after the way the Japanese naturally pronounced her first name. "Nothing Chelsea Faith did was ordinary. She was an adventurer, she was stellar in every way, and she will always be the star of our hearts." Known to perform frequently on the dance music circuit in Chicago and Berlin, Faith was the host of her own radio show on KALX in Berkeley, and she'd just completed work on her second album, which has yet to be released. Below, a track that Cherushii recorded last year with Golden Donna, with whom she was sharing the bill at Saturday's party, and who was also on the 100% Silk label with her. Feral Pines with her rescue puppy. Photo: Facebook Feral Pines, 29, Berkeley The music scene that surrounded this particular party Friday night has been described by a number of people as genderqueer and deeply friendly to the LGBT community, as dance music scenes are pretty much the world over. Feral Pines, who also went by the name Fyrah Pines, was one of several friends, including one who survived and fellow musician Cash Askew, who had gone to the party to enjoy the music and hear Cash perform. Friend and former college roommate Scout Wolfcave told NBC News, "She started a new band every few days. And she was a collector... I remember once she told me that she wanted to collect all of the synths used on the early Skinny Puppy tours." She was also an animal lover who often had rescue dogs in tow, and her father Bruce Fritz tells the Chronicle, "A very soft, sensitive, caring person. A very gentle soul." Former partner Eliza Wix and friends Lex Young and Wolfcave gave a statement saying, "She was soft when needed, hard when necessary. Her art is renowned among community, and her tape art is forever installed on our walls. She loved animals, and was frequently photographed holding puppies with a cute smile on her face. It is our deepest regret she didnt live long enough to see the animals re-inherit the earth." And, they added, she is survived by her dogs Grimma and Oni, "and an endless network of people who loved her." Her brother, Ben Fritz of Los Angeles, told the Chronicle, "When I saw her at Thanksgiving, she was the happiest I had seen her in a while." Photo: Facebook Michela Gregory, 20, South San Francisco Though her boyfriend's remains had not yet been positively identified as of this writing, it's known that 20-year-old SF State student Michela Angelina Gregory attended the Ghost Ship event with boyfriend Alex Vega, as KRON 4 reports. Gregory and Vega both worked part time at Duggans Serra Mortuary, a funeral home in Daly City, and Gregory was in school studying special education. She is also listed as working at Urban Outfitters. As the Chronicle reports, Gregory grew up in San Bruno, and her friend Lilli Reyes tells the paper, "She was a kindhearted girl with so much life. Everyone she met, she has made such an impact on them." Benjamin Runnels. Photo via Strawberry Tongue Benjamin Runnels, 32, Oakland Also going by the name Charlie Prowler and performing under the name Introflirt with bandmate Vafa Donoros, Oakland musician Ben Runnels was a vocalist and synthpop musician who could also be heard singing jazz standards in a local bar, as the Chronicle tells us. Playing in a genre they dubbed "croon wave," Introflirt blended electronica with the traditions of 1940's and 50's pop and jazz standards, with Runnels providing the dramatic, vibrato-filled vocals. Says friend Dawn Marie in a remembrance of her recent close friendship with Runnels, "Ben Benjamin (Runnels) came into my life exactly as how you would expect a meteor or a bolt of lightning to appear. Fast, intense and with effects that will reverberate for a very long time afterwards." His mother, Lorrie Runnels, wrote to Facebook, "He was the brightest shining star and we carry him in our hearts." Below, Introflirt performing their track "Precious Thread" at LCM in Oakland several months back. Related: Profiles Of Eight People Who Died In The Oakland Warehouse Fire In San Francisco, tenants in illegal units can call the Department of Building Inspection to report safety violations, allowing inspectors to enter their units while providing these tenants the peace of mind that they won't automatically be evicted from their living quarters and that citations will be given to their landlords. That's also true in New York City, whose Loft Law protects tenants living illegally in commercial buildings, giving them rights and protections that keep them safe and even stabilize their rent as the website NYCLoftTenants.org explains. But as tenants' rights attorney Joe Tobener points out to San Francisco magazine, no such protection is provided by law in Oakland, "incentivizing [tenants] to live in dangerous situations, not call inspectors, and bar inspectors from the premises," according to that publication, which brings the difference to bear on the tragic Ghost Ship fire in Oakland. Oakland and Alameda County agencies had knowledge of the illegal live-work warehouse that caught fire last Friday killing 36 people and had looked into complaints surrounding the space, "but none of the contacts resulted in a shutdown order," the Chronicle reported. At the time of the most recent inspection, on November 17, inspectors were unable to gain entry, though City Councilman Noel Gallo tells the Chronicle Theres no real explanation why we could not get a response," and couldn't answer as to why no follow up inspection occurred. Police, too, had knowledge of the space they learned of a New Year's Eve party held there last year, for example. Shelley Mack, a former resident of the warehouse, even told the Chronicle that during her stay from October 2014 to February 2015, Police were there every week for stolen goods, for fights, for crazy stuff... I called them three times and told them everything. And other people did, too. Still, it's possible police never entered the space itself. Meanwhile, a city agency that had the power to shut down the Ghost Ship warehouse, The Oakland Fire Marshal's Office, has been understaffed for years, as the Oakland firefighter's union tells Oakland Magazine. The fire marshals position itself was open for three of the past four years, said Zac Unger, an official with the Oakland firefighters union, told the magazine. It's not clear why Ghost ship wasn't inspected by that office, and the magazine speculates that "if the Ghost Ship had been inspected, it likely would have been ordered closed until its fire hazards were fixed," because that's within the powers of the fire marshal. Per the magazine, Part of Oaklands problem is that the city council civilianized the fire marshals office a number of years ago in a cost-cutting move. That means that no sworn firefighters currently work in the office. The office is supposed to have one sworn officeracting as the assistant fire marshalbut it hasnt filled that position for years despite having the budget to do so, said Unger, who was speaking on behalf of the union and not the fire department or the city. As Unger put it, Its valuable to have someone who has fought fires in Oakland in inspection... if we had seen a staircase made out of pallets, we would have said, Somebody is going to get killed. Another breakdown involves the Fire Departments inspection bureau: An Alameda County civil grand jury argued two years ago that the city wasn't trying to inspect 4,000 of the 12,000 commercial properties that were supposed to undergo examination every year. As the Chronicle reports, "according to records that the Oakland Fire Department submitted to the civil grand jury for the watchdog panels 2014 report, fire inspectors were being sent to only 8,000 buildings a year and couldnt gain access to 2,000 of them." Related: Cause Of Oakland Fire May Have Been Refrigerator; Death Toll Stands At 36; Some Victims Texted Loved Ones In Final Moments A little more than a week after a Twitter spokesperson failed to rule out the possibility that President-Elect Donald Trump could one day be banned from the platform for abuse violations, the company's CEO has said that he has "complicated" emotions around the reality TV star's use of the app. As previously reported, in November reporters from multiple news orgs reached out to Twitter and Facebook to ask if those social networks' abuse policies would apply to the leader of the free world not a completely insane question, given said leader's penchant for targeted personal attacks of citizens as well as his habit of spreading tweets from accounts promoting white supremacy. Facebook said that they wouldn't dream of banning the admitted sexual assailant from their platform, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg basically acknowledging that all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others. For example, Trump's post advocating a ban on Muslims likely falls under the network's ban of hate speech, but "at the point where the person who's elected president of the United States is expressing that opinion and has 60 million people who are followers," Zuckerberg says, "then the question is, OK, I think that that is mainstream political discourse." A Twitter spokesperson took a harder line, saying that The Twitter Rules prohibit violent threats, harassment, hateful conduct, and multiple account abuse, and we will take action on accounts violating those policies." When pressed if that applied even to Trump, the spokesperson said The Twitter Rules apply to all accounts, including verified accounts. At Recodes Code Commerce conference in San Francisco Tuesday night, Twitter top bird Jack Dorsey didn't address banishing Trump from the nest, but did suggest that his feelings on the demagogue were mixed. When asked by Recode editor Kara Swisher if he felt responsible for the election of the four-time bankruptee, Dorsey refused to accept the blame, saying "America is responsible for Donald Trump being president," The Verge reports. "What does this mean to have a direct line to how he's thinking in real time? I'm not sure," USA Today quotes Dorsey as saying. "Hes known how to use it for quite some time," Dorsey said of Trump and Twitter. "I think its an important time for the company and service. And having the president-elect on our service, using it as a direct line of communication, allows everyone to see whats on his mind in the moment. I think thats interesting. I think its fascinating. I havent seen that before," the Guardian reports. When, as a therapist speaking to a patient might, Swisher asked Dorsey how Trump's tweeting made him feel, Dorsey was evasive. His emotions (assuming he has them!) are, he says, complicated. I feel very proud of the role of the service and what it stands for and everything that weve done, and that continues to accelerate every single day. Especially as its had such a spotlight on it through his usage and through the election. Buuuuut? Come on Jack, surely there's a "but," here? "We have a role and responsibility to make sure that people are seeing what they need to see and they can have easy conversations and really get to the truth," Business Insider quotes Dorsey as saying. "And thats complicated." Previously: Twitter Says It Would Consider Banning Donald Trump's Account A woman was shot to death in the Mission District Wednesday morning, in San Francsico's 51st homicide for 2016. According to the San Francisco Police Department, the slaying was reported at 2:47 this morning, on the 800 block of South Van Ness Avenue, which is between 19th and 20th Streets. Police say that an unknown male suspect in a black vehicle shot the 21-year-old female victim with a handgun, then fled. The victim was transported to San Francisco General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. As of publication time, the San Francisco Medical Examiner's office had not publicly identified her. The suspect remains at large as of Wednesday morning, according to the SFPD, and no arrests have been made in what appears to be San Francsico's 51st homicide for 2016, following the fatal shooting of 27-year-old San Francisco resident Jermaine Jackson in the Mission District last week. In comparison, there were 52 total homicides in SF at the end of 2015, 45 homicides in 2014, 48 in 2013, 68 in 2012, and 50 in 2011. Chris Ahmuty joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wisconsin in the 1980s and became its executive director in 1992, when the organization was focused on many issues were still addressing todayreproductive justice, LGBT rights, policing and criminal justice issues and freedom of speech. Ahmuty will be stepping down from his position as executive director at the end of this year. He spoke to the Shepherd last week about the ACLUs battles, his thoughts on a Trump presidency and the spike in support for the ACLU. Heres an excerpt of our discussion. Shepherd: Locally, the ACLU has been very involved in police conduct. Why? Ahmuty: For the longest time police abuse and misconduct has been on our docket. If you go back to before I was here, there was a lot of work on red squads, which were engaged in surveillance of people who were engaging in political protest, especially in the civil rights movement and the anti-war movement in Madison and Milwaukee. Weve had a lot of concern about policing over the years. It really stepped up with Jeffrey Dahmer. Youll remember that the Milwaukee police officers returned a young Lao boy to Jeffrey Dahmer and it raised all kinds of issues about the police interacting with minority communities, with the gay community. We were concerned about a number of things, but a common thread throughout that is whats become known as racial profiling and a disproportionate amount of minority contact and the impact that various policing strategies or the aggregate conduct of police officers and the culture of the police department has had on life in the city of Milwaukee. And how, as in so many other ways, we have one standard for white people and another standard for people of color. Shepherd: Were having the same conversation today. Ahmuty: Right. Nothing seems to have changed. Shepherd: Has anything changed? Ahmuty: I think some things have changed. Theres a greater awareness of diversity in the city as weve become a majority-minority city. And the Common Council has changed. But I think to some extent the old culture of the police department from the time of former Chief Harold Breiertheres a residue, if you will. And that impacts policing in Milwaukee so that its difficult to move forward. When Chief Flynn came in in 2008, he came in espousing a philosophy based on broken windows and a strategy based on large numbers of pretextual stops [of drivers who have broken tail lights or other minor offences as a reason to search cars] and also increased use of data to in part determine structure and deployment decisions. Friends of the Shepherd Help support Milwaukee's locally owned free weekly newspaper. LEARN MORE Shepherd: What are your biggest concerns about a Trump administration? Theres a long list of worrisome statements to go through. Ahmuty: There is a long list and some of it is on the basis of what he said during the campaign and what he said post-election, including his appointments. Theres an ACLU document called the Trump Memos, and that was based on what he said during the campaign. For instance hes talking about surveillance of American Muslims, even like a registry or database of Muslims, that is if they are able to be in the country after a potential ban on travelers from certain Muslim countries. But to use religion as criteria to engage in surveillance of individualsthat should be seen as something thats un-American, not just unconstitutional. Here youre going to violate the due process clause. Of course it also violates the 1st Amendment, the establishment clause, because you cant do things to support religion, but you also cant go after a religion. The other thing people should be concerned about is whats happening at the federal level with surveillance, bulk collection, of our data from our emails and our Internet activity and telephone calls. After 9/11, even after Obama came in, things were not good. Things were pretty bad. Maybe a lot of people didnt realize how bad things were until Edward Snowden revealed some of what was going on at the NSA. Things were not good. But now youve given a system thats fraught with actual violations of rights and whats a Trump Department of Justice and national security apparatus going to do with that? Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, FISA, is up for reauthorization next year. The ACLU has been in court but also in Congress trying to get restrictions. Well, first, trying to find out more about Section 702 because its secret to a large extent. Actually, this may be an area where there might be some members of Congress who are concerned about privacy, and the ACLU is hopeful about that. But even though Obama allowed a lot of this to go forward, you sort of had a sense that if there were something really awful, he would push back on that. You dont get that sense with Trump. Shepherd: Trump just said that those who burn the American flag should lose their citizenship. Can he make that happen? Ahmuty: You cant rip down somebody elses flag and burn it, but if its done in a peaceful way its political expression, which the Supreme Court has upheld multiple times. The justices may not like it but they understand that political expression, even when its controversial, even when its offensive to many people, is central to our political culture. You cant have the government deciding what people can say and do as long as its done peacefully and within certain time, place, manner restrictions. But he doesnt even seem to understand that. And lose your citizenship? You cant treat citizenship so lightly that you can punish somebody by taking it away. Thats been undisputed for a century. But if you can believe what he tweets, it appears that he doesnt really have an appreciation for these basic constitutional principles and who knows how many others. Shepherd: Paul Ryan said hes explaining the Constitution to Trump. Ahmuty: Does Paul Ryan understand the Constitution? [laughs] Shepherd: Trump has fanned the flames of white nationalists and others with abhorrent beliefs. How do we balance their freedom of speech with protecting the rights and security of those they hate? Ahmuty: Were trying to do a number of things. One is to support people who feel threatened. There are resources [on our website], whether you are Muslim or LGBT or an immigrant or a person of color, a woman, there is support for them. Among those people who are concerned are Dreamers who entered into the DAPA program and trusted the Obama administration to come forward and start a process and who knows what is going to happen to them now. There needs to be a lot of support for people in jeopardy, but if its not violent conduct or harassment, people that say hateful things that are racially bigoted or have to do with religion or sexual orientation or whatever, they have a right to speak, too. Counter speech is the ACLUs preferred method for dealing with that. We can balance those things. We can make sure that people are aware of the danger that speech can lead to violence, but that doesnt mean that we want the government to censor it. When the KKK says they are coming to town, for example, there are usually counter demonstrations. The ACLU participates in the counter demonstration, but also by providing legal observers. We had them before 2011, but with all of the protests in Madison and subsequent protests, particularly around police incidents in Milwaukee, weve really grown our legal observer program. Hundreds of people have volunteered to the ACLU of Wisconsin since the election, not nationally, but here. Since the 2016 election weve had over a thousand new members and hundreds of people who want to volunteer. Some of them may be involved in our longstanding legal observer program. What is the real value of the Mitchell Park Domes? What are the Domes worth to Milwaukee? Those are two of the questions Milwaukee County residents will be grappling with as we determine whether or how the county should preserve the Domes. But can we assign a price tag to a unique local landmark that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually to view its $3.2 million horticultural collection, even when the structure itself is not in top shape? How many young Milwaukee children became interested in plants because of their school visits to the Domes? What is the value of that? And can Milwaukee afford to lose the Domes, even when keeping them will cost substantial sums of money? Our collection is priceless, said Paula Zamiatowski, the Domes interpretive educator, at a meeting last week of the task force formed to decide the Domes fate. The collection is what were really worried about. Updated Cost Estimates In February, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele temporarily shut down all three Domes because of falling debris, temporary netting was installed to protect visitors and plants, and their long-term future was in doubt. Just a day after the final Dome re-opened to the public just last week, Abele released a revised engineering report estimating that totally replacing the three Mitchell Park Domes would cost roughly $64 million. Less extensive repairs to the existing Domes could cost anywhere from $14 million (simply to replace broken glass panes) to $54 million, with varying levels of ongoing maintenance needs. Building an entirely new horticultural conservatory could cost $50-$70 million, which isnt totally out of the question, since Abele has floated the idea of building a new dome at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Last weeks revised figures, generated by engineering consultants Graef, are lower than Abeles and Graefs assertion earlier this year that saving the Domes would cost roughly $75 million, a figure drawn from 2008 estimates for repairing the Show Dome. The lowered estimate is partially due to the advances made in accessing difficult-to-reach portions of the Domes. In 2013, a new hydraulic lift was developed that provides better access to the interior of the Domes, while a pair of crane-supported customized baskets were built to bring workers and materials to the exterior of the Domes, according to the new report. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which placed the Domes on its 2016 list of 11 most endangered historic places, is funding a peer review of Graefs revised engineering report. Friends of the Shepherd Help support Milwaukee's locally owned free weekly newspaper. LEARN MORE Running the Numbers Leading the conversation about the Domes future is the Milwaukee County task force on the Mitchell Park Conservatory Domes, chaired by Milwaukee attorney William Lynch. The group, which has met twice, is looking at repairing and upgrading the Domes, but other options as well. The task force met last Wednesday, two days before Abele released Graefs latest report (dated Nov. 10) and began reviewing the Domes operations and maintenance costs, as well as the countys overall fiscal picture. According to data provided by Domes Director Sandy Folaron, attendance fluctuates based on a few predictable factors. Attendance increases when all of the Domes are open to the public, when special events draw new visitors and when the Domes can promote its events. Trips to the Domes decrease when at least one of the Domes is closed or when those planning a special eventsuch as a weddingarent certain if the Domes will be open in the future. The Domes were fully open in 2015, when they attracted 229,549 visitors, by Folarons account. Thats up from previous years, when the Domes were partially shuttered for repairs. In contrast, Folaron said attendance peaked in 1965, when 675,000 individuals attended the new Domes. That said, admission was free back then, compared to the current adult fee of $7, with discounted fees for the seniors, students and the disabled. Folarons analysis also shows that 35% of the Domes visitors are Milwaukee County residents, while 39% are Wisconsin residents who live outside of the county. That prompted task force member Michele Bria, executive director of Journey House, to wonder if there could be regional support for the Domes, since its a regional asset that draws from outside of the county. Gurda: This is Not a Business Given the realities of the countys financial picture, much of last Wednesdays meeting was devoted to the economic health and well-being of the county and the Domes. According to Folaron, Domes attendance fees produced $867,532 in revenue in 2015; combined with other income the Domes generated more than $1 million in revenue that year. Milwaukee County taxpayers, of course, also support the Domes, from a low of $486,310 in 2015 up to roughly $800,000. The Friends of the Domes have also donated $900,000 to the Domes over the years. But the county also supports other cultural entities, such as the Milwaukee Public Museum ($3.5 million in operating support in 2017), the Milwaukee Art Museum ($1.3 million), the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts ($900,000), the War Memorial ($486,000), and others, according to a presentation by County Budget Director Steve Kreklow. Kreklow failed to mention two additional county investments. About $5.4 million in tax support typically goes to the Milwaukee County Zoo each year, and, of course, the county is paying $4 million a year over 20 years to subsidize the privately owned Bucks arena, thanks to a deal cut by Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, the Bucks owners and state legislators. Kreklow warned that the county has great infrastructure needs, including $246 million in deferred maintenance in the parks and potentially constructing a new courthouse, estimated to cost $185 million. Although task force members are fully aware of the fiscal realities of the county and the Domes themselves, members pushed back on Kreklows use of terms like profit and loss to describe the financial picture of this cultural asset. Its not a business, said historian John Gurda. These are investments we make for all of us. Kreklow said Gurda made a fair point. Dawn McCarthy, president of the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance, called for a more robust study of the Domes economic impact on the county, which hasnt yet been captured by any recent studies. Whats missing is the value it brings to the community, McCarthy told the Shepherd. What is the value of the visitors going into the community and going for lunch and spending more money? Parks also have an impact on property values, they stabilize or improve property values. Im not an expert on what an economic impact report would include, but I feel were really missing that information. Paddys Pub (2339 N. Murray Ave.) is a gem of a bar tucked away a bit from the rowdiness of the East Sides six-way intersection of bars and restaurants. Its an eccentric, labyrinthine pub that manages to have an incredibly homey feel. Its the kind of place that feels like a fires going somewhere, just out of sight. Upon entering the bar, I was greeted by Patty Egan, who remembered my name and my drink order (a Guinness with a shot of vodka in it, my go-to at Irish pubs), even though I hadnt been there in a couple of months. Her husband, Woody, was standing at the side of the bar chatting up a few regulars. It all felt very intimateWoody and Patty seemed to know everyone in there, and everyone in there seemed to know everyone else. And though I came in as an outsider, I wound up meeting several of the regulars and getting to know them a bit. Its a great environmental mix of close and open. Paddys is a bar that unfoldsthe rooms just keep coming. Its a bit ramshackle in a glorious way, with each room featuring antique decorations, strange accouterments, odd adornments. But theres a real, humble sincerity in what could be initially perceived as kitschnothing at Paddys is ironic, which I admire. Paddys feels like its an Irish pub because the owners wanted it to be an Irish pub, not because that would be the most commercially viable option. Its very organic feeling. As Woody told me, We put in the bar what we like. We want people to look around and be entertained. In addition to their lower level, where most folks congregate, theres an upstairs section as well, which gets opened as necessitated by patrons. The upstairs is one long room with a small stage for musicians and a repurposed grocery store counter from the mid 1800s that serves as the bar. Green carpeting gives the upstairs a lush vibe, but that hominess remains: On a small shelf sit framed pictures of wedding parties and baby showers that folks have held in that area, which is available for reservation. Paddys is a great place to have a drink with friends, or to go on a getting-to-know-you date; its not exactly quiet, as there are groups of people laughing and Irish music playing in the background, but its not overly loud, and the mixture of music and excited chatter is warm and convivial. Though its a bit tucked away off Murray, its a bar certainly worth seeking out. As Woody says, Once youve been here, you know where it is. THEATRE: The Santaland Diaries Theatre Gigante at Boswell Book Company, Friday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. If youve heard David Sedaris read his autobiographical monologues on NPR or in live performance, you know how very darkly funny he can be. Actor Michael Stebbins loves Sedaris works so much he sought and received permission years ago to perform them himself. A Kenosha native, Stebbins graduated from UW-Milwaukees Professional Actor Training Program, moved to NYC and developed an admirable resume of professional off-Broadway and regional theatre work. He returned to Milwaukee in 2013 and stayed because he feels at home here. Hes become a Theatre Gigante regular and initiated Gigantes Studio Series last year with a reading of The Santaland Diaries, Sedaris account of his time spent as Crumpet the Elf in the holiday installation at Macys. In what could become an annual Theatre Gigante holiday program, hell read it again. I enjoy sharing some Sedaris around the holidays, he says, because I know there are people out there who appreciate and relate to his unique sense of humor and are longing for something other than The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol. The performance is free. (John Schneider) Mary Poppins @ Racine Theatre Guild, Dec. 9-18 From the seeds of Pamela Travers Mary Poppins childrens books grew the mighty oaks of an acclaimed and beloved 1964 film and a 2006 Broadway musical theater sensation. The latter would run for more than 2,600 performances; since opening a decade ago, it has been staged all over the world. The musical version contains all the glorious, original songs from the film as well as additional music by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Racine Theatre Guild presents this musical about the new nanny acquired by the Banks family to tend to their two children. They get far more than they could have ever expected in the bargain. (John Jahn) Stay on top of the news of the day Subscribe to our free, daily e-newsletter to get Milwaukee's latest local news, restaurants, music, arts and entertainment and events delivered right to your inbox every weekday, plus a bonus Week in Review email on Saturdays. SIGN UP The Comedy of Errors First Stage Young Company @ Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, Dec. 9-18 The Comedy of Errors is one of The Bards earlier plays, its relative brevity and farcical comedy making it a delight to produce and most apropos to young audiencesand performersalike. William Shakespeares plot centers on two pairs of identical twins, separated at birth, who finally come together in the same place and time. All sorts of mayhem and head-scratching situations ensue throughout the playjust what youd imagine given the appearance of so many look-alikes in the same community! Even so, fear not, youll be treated to a happily-ever-after denouement. (John Jahn) The Last Holiday Punch! @ Off the Wall Theatre, Dec. 14-31 Christmas without Holiday Punch!? As unimaginable as that eventuality may be to conceive, alas, future holiday seasons in Milwaukee will face just that. It all began at the Skylight Musical Theatre almost four decades ago with Holiday Punchs legendarily irreverent shtick. It continued, year after year, in Vogel Hall, Alverno College, Centennial Hall. Over the years, weve made fun of holiday traditions, local politics, hit movies, television shows, national events, people, places and things, Off the Walls Dale Gutzman says. Thankfully, 2016 offers loads of grist for Gutzmans comedic mill. Performers include Gutzman plus regulars James Strange, Lawrence J. Lukasavage, David Flores and others. The New Years Eve show includes food and drink for attendees. As Gutzman summed things up: If you were ever a fan of Holiday Punch, join us for this last fun fling. If you have never seen the show, this is your last chance. (John Jahn) The Second Citys Dysfunctional Holiday Revue Second City Touring Company @ Wilson Theatre at Vogel Hall, Dec. 14-18 A group of talented improv artists brings a new holiday-themed show to the Marcus Center. Second Citys cast includes Terrence Carey, Jenelle Cheyne, Chelsea Norment, Saurabh Pande, Casey Whitaker and Tim Ryder. Joining this team is Milwaukeean Ryan Treviranus as the productions stage manager. Itll be Treviranus Second City debut, but hes previously worked in Milwaukee Ballet, Skylight Music Theatre and First Stage productions. This Dysfunctional Holiday Revue promises a night of spirited fun, featuring a seasonal mix of hilarious scenes, songs and Second Citys signature improvisation with a touch of holiday mischief. (John Jahn) Still Renaissance Theaterworks Dec. 11-12 @ Urban Harvest Brewery & Taproom Jen Silvermans Still is the most amazing play Ive read in years. An adult male actor represents the female protagonists stillborn son, experiencing his mother and life itself for the all-too-brief time of the play. Shes 41 and wanted a baby. Her shattered midwife is undergoing a career crisis and an18-year-old friend, a dominatrix, wants an abortion. This extremely articulate, brave feminist play puts you squarely into each womans situation and demonstrates the power of theatre to shake you up. Renaissance Theaterworks is presenting Still as the opening event of a new program called Groundworks. Performances are at 7 p.m. on Sunday and Monday, Dec. 11-12, at the Urban Harvest Brewery & Taproom at 1024 S. Fifth St. Groundworks is meant to broaden the range of plays Renaissance presents and to provide work to emerging Milwaukee theatre artists. Still is directed by Alex Coddington, a recent Marquette University theatre graduate known for sensitive risk-taking. The excellent Milwaukee actors are Molly Corkins, Joe Picchetti, Marti Gobel and Erika Wade. Performances are at 7 p.m. both nights. Tickets are $10 at the door or online at stillgroundworks.brownpapertickets.com. Renaissance is also conducting a fundraising campaign to support the future of Groundworks. Visit r-t-w.com. (John Schneider) Friends of the Shepherd Help support Milwaukee's locally owned free weekly newspaper. LEARN MORE MUSIC: Gift, Joy and Celebration Milwaukee Musaik @ Schwan Concert Hall, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. Milwaukee Musaikviolinists Jeanyi Kim and Alexander Mandl, violist Nicole Sutterfield, cellist Stefan Kartman, bassist Brendan Fitzgerald and pianist Jeannie Yubegin their season with three 19th-century chamber music masterpieces. First is the Piano Quintet in E-Flat Major, Op. 87 by Hungarian pianist and composer Johann Nepomuk Hummel (1778-1837). Theres also the famous Trout Quintet by Hummels friend and contemporary, Franz Schubert (1797-1828) and, finally, the languorous and lovely Siegfried Idyll (in a chamber arrangement by Alfred Pringsheim) by Richard Wagner (1813-1883); the latter work presented by Wagner to his wife, Cosima, upon the birth of their son. (John Jahn) The political news in Iowa is in rapid spin Wednesday morning, amid national reports that Gov. Terry Branstad has accepted an offer to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China under President-elect Donald Trump. Branstad's spokesman on Wednesday said those reports are premature. Also, a reporter for The Hill has spoken with Iowa 4th District Congressman Steve King, who said he had spoken with Branstad by phone, and King is thinking of running for governor. Scott Wong of The Hill on Wednesday asked King, a Republican, if he would pursue the governor spot. "The thought is in my mind. Immediately, it locks in there," King said. He also added, "But I don't want to send any message that I'm making plans actively." If Branstad, a Republican, leaves office for the ambassadorship, he would depart as the longest-serving governor, with 22 years. He was elected in November 2014 and his term runs through 2018. Lt.Gov. Kim Reynolds would be elevated to governor for the rest of Branstad's term, and there would be no special election to fill the post in the interim. Reynolds would be governor for two years before the election takes place. King at various points since he was first elected to the U.S. House in 2002 has indicated interest in running for governor. When King ran for re-election in 2016, he had a Republican challenger in state Sen. Rick Bertrand, of Sioux City. King got the endorsements of many in the top Iowa Republican hierarchy, including Reynolds, in that primary contest. Update at 10:05 a.m. : The Des Moines Register has reported a Branstad spokesman has confirmed that Branstad has accepted the Trump offer to become U.S. Ambassador to China. SIOUX CITY | The makers of Sue Bee Honey products face a pair of lawsuits calling the company's labeling misleading because traces of a common pesticide have been found in the honey. The Organic Consumers Association, a Minnesota-based, non-profit agency, and fellow non-profit Beyond Pesticides, located in Washington, D.C., filed a lawsuit in Superior Court of the District of Columbia in November, saying that glyphosate residue has been found in products made by Sioux Honey, a honey cooperative based at 301 Lewis Blvd. In September, Jason Scholder, who lives in Nassau County in New York, filed a class-action lawsuit against Sioux Honey in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of New York. His lawsuit makes similar claims. The lawsuits cite Sue Bee Clover Honey, Aunt Sue's Farmers Market Clover Honey and Aunt Sue's Raw Honey, all of which are either labeled "Pure" or "Natural." The groups said in their suit that testing done by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has found traces of glyphosate in the honey. The active ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup herbicide, glyphosate has been linked to endocrine disruption. Researchers continue to study possible links to cancer. "A consumer seeing the words 'Pure,' '100% Pure' or 'Natural' on a honey product would reasonably expect that product to contain nothing other than honey," Organic Consumers Association international director Ronnie Cummins said in a November news release announcing the lawsuit's filing. "Regardless of how these products came to be contaminated, Sioux Honey has an obligation to either prevent the contamination, disclose the contamination or at the very least remove these deceptive labels." Bill Huser, Sioux Honey vice president of research and development, said he could not comment on the lawsuits. He released the following statement: "We acknowledge that a lawsuit has just recently been filed against Sioux Honey regarding allegations that our products may contain glyphosate, a chemical found in a herbicide used by farmers throughout the United States. We are currently investigating the facts surrounding these allegations and plan to respond further once our investigation has been completed. We do note, though, that the (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) has concluded that glyphosate is not likely to be a carcinogen." In a Sept. 15 story published by The Huffington Post, Huser said glyphosate is commonly used on farm fields frequented by bees, and the pesticide travels back with the bees to the hives where the honey is produced. Both lawsuits claim that Sioux Honey's labeling has put consumers who believe they are buying a product free of chemicals and unnatural ingredients at risk. Scholder is seeking restitution and punitive damages. A exact damage amount was not listed, but the suit said that "the matter of controversy exceeds $5 million." HONOLULU, Hawaii | Ten years ago I reported a story from Pearl Harbor. (In truth, I was vacationing with my wife and her siblings. However, when this story presented itself, I reached for my camera and notebook.) I had the honor of meeting Robert Bishop at Pearl Harbor on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the day that lives in infamy, as described by President Franklin Roosevelt, not long after the Japanese surprise attack that killed 2,335 soldiers, sailors and Marines, and another 68 civilians. The Sunday morning bombing run plunged the U.S. into World War II. Sixty-five years later, I stood above the USS Arizona, glancing at the never-ending stream of bubbles that come from the makeshift tomb of 1,177 men who died when that battleship was bombed and sunk in nine minutes. The bubbles, according to many World War II veterans, are labeled "black tears" for the men who lie below. Robert Bishop of West Austintown, Ohio, stood with me that sunny day at Pearl Harbor in 2006. Bishop was 86 at the time and, remarkably, posing for photos with dozens of Japanese tourists. Bishop told me it might be his last trip back for the program that recognizes Pearl Harbor survivors, a collection of men that, understandably, dips with each passing year. (One estimate I read recently noted there are likely 2,000 veterans left from the original group of 60,000 U.S. military personnel who survived the attack.) Bishop, 96, retired just five years ago. He traveled to Honolulu this week with family members to mark the 75th anniversary. Here is Mr. Bishop's story, as I detailed one decade ago for the Journal. The Tennessee managed to pull out of the harbor on his 21st birthday. Once the stern was re-sealed, the ship went to sea and began patrolling between Hawaii and the United States. MIAMI Dinner at McDonalds was a treat for Sef Gonzalez. It meant it was Thursday night the night his mother got out of work early from her job as a doctors office assistant, and his family could dine out together. Not that they could splurge. His grandparents, parents and he and his sister were still packed together in their Westchester home just as they had been when he was a baby in upper Manhattan, where his grandparents settled after fleeing Cuba in the 1950s. Thursdays, though, when Mom was home early and his father wasnt delivering Wise potato chips on his Hialeah route, was family time. It was important that we got to spend that time together, Gonzalez said. The bonding of a family around a dinner table, I dont know if it really happens anymore. It wasnt always McDonalds. Sometimes it was Lums or Latin American Cuban restaurant or Burger King. Only one thing was certain: Sef was having a burger. The rest of the family would eat things other than burgers, he said. Any place I saw a burger on the menu and its still that way today I have to have the burger. Thats a long way of answering the question of why Gonzalez, a St. Brendan grad who went on start a popular Miami food blog, eponymously titled The Burger Beast, decided to open a burger museum in Miami the first of its kind in the United States. The Burger Museum by Burger Beast opened at the Magic City Casino, where Gonzalez hosts regular food truck rallies that bring street-food lovers from all parts of South Florida to this forgotten spot in central Miami. McDonalds will be serving burgers on site, including their new versions of the Big Mac. The 1,200-square-foot museum houses more than 2,000 items Gonzalez has collected over the past seven years. More than 500 other items still in storage will be used to rotate the collection. Youll find more than burgers represented here. That much is clear from the moment you step inside to find an oil painting of Alice Cooper sitting on a throne of White Castle hamburgers. The Burger Museum tells the story of the way Miami restaurants, from fast-food chains to beloved family-owned spots, have evolved in parallel with the city. And its not tchotchkes and bric-a-brac. Youll find images and uniforms from Royal Castle, which was founded in South Florida and headquartered in Hialeah. Blueprints of the first Burger King here. Pristine waitress uniforms from Krystal Hamburger, dating back to the 1940s. Styrofoam containers from the original Burger King Whopper and the double-headed container for the forgotten McDonalds McDLT. (Remember? Hot on one side, cool on the other.) Remember, too, the castle-like El Cid restaurant on Le Jeune Road, an iconic building that has long ago been razed? Gonzalez has historical photos and memorabilia of the place. Further down, theres a classic stained glass lamp and part of a Wendys salad bar next to a photo of Dave Thomas eating a salad under the very items, donated by the Ohio-based company. It was great to see so many of the old photos and memorabilia, said McDonalds franchisee Peter Menendez Jr., 37, who grew up in the business with this father and got a sneak peek of the museum. Its a really unique walk down food memory lane. And it all started with a sign from a Burger Chef restaurant a friend gave him years ago. His collection grew, and not by design. Gonzalez has an appetite for history. His blog went from becoming strictly reviews of local burgers and restaurants to a place Gonzalez could tell stories about Miamis favorite or forgotten historical markers. Gonzalez wants the Burger Museum to be something that the Miami in the glitzy brochure is not: authentic. When someone comes to South Florida to visit, he doesnt point them to the trendy areas. He sends them to Finka (started by the granddaughter of the Islas Canarias founders) in West Kendall, Latin House on Sunset Drive and La Fresa Francesa (a French restaurant founded by a Monsignor Pace High graduate) in Hialeah. I dont delve into Wynwood, and I dont delve into the Beach. I dont delve into areas that are overexposed, he said. I feel this area is underexposed. The museum is the kind of place where you could spend 10 minutes or four hours and walk out having learned something you never knew about Miami. Were happy to hitch our wagon to him, said Izzy Havenick, whose family owns the casino. Were happy to be the bacon to his cheeseburger. Gonzalez opened the doors for a few hours last week for friends and family and watched them recall their childhoods. I want something that evokes emotions in people, and thats what the museum does, Gonzalez said. I want them to love this as much as I do. Part historian, part entertainer, Gonzalez has both in his blood. His paternal grandfather (Serafin, for whom he and his father are named) was a lucha libre wrestler married to a flamenco dancer. horror movie buff who once owned a macabre-looking movie rental store in Westchester called Oh, The Horror, Gonzalez makes his own house look like Halloween for Christmas. (Think creepy baby doll heads hanging from a black Christmas tree.) Years ago, he thought he might start a horror movie museum. He even bought a book about how to open one. It sat mostly unread in his bathroom magazine rack for more than a decade until he stumbled upon it earlier this year. Instead, Gonzalez invested nearly $100,000 of his own money into the Burger Museum, taking no outside investors other than an online campaign that raised $10,000. To show for it, hes got his burger museum. It sits by the entrance of a casino in a working class neighborhood, where it is bizarre and incongruous and perfectly Miami. I get asked a lot why would I open a burger museum. And my question to you is why wouldnt I? he said. I have an obsession with burgers. I have an obsession with history. This is the best of both worlds. SIOUX CITY | Before Anna Edwards and Tom Abbe could go out to tell whomever was shouting outside Abbe's house to be quiet, the front door opened and a bloodied Vernon Mace stepped inside. "It looked like he had a gash on his head. It looked like it was pulsating," Edwards said. Asked by Assistant Woodbury County Attorney Drew Bockenstedt if Mace said anything, Edwards replied, "The only thing I heard him say was 'Eli stabbed me ..." Eli was Elias Wanatee, 47, of Sioux City, who is on trial for first-degree murder for the Feb. 17 fatal stabbing of Mace, 50, of Sioux City, near West First and Turner streets. At around 1:30 a.m.-2 a.m. that morning, Abbe testified, Mace and two of his friends had stopped by to visit with Abbe at his house in the 1900 block of West First Street. They left after about 15 minutes, and when Abbe went out on his deck to smoke a cigarette, he said he saw Mace walking backward along the sidewalk adjacent to his house. Wanatee was farther down the sidewalk. Abbe said Mace yelled to him to get a gun. "I thought maybe they were fooling around. I went back inside," said Abbe, who earlier had testified that he believed Mace and Wanatee got along with each other. While Mace had been in Abbe's bedroom, Edwards testified, Wanatee had showed up at the sliding glass door at the back of the house. He asked if he could do his laundry and take a shower there. Edwards, who was temporarily staying with Abbe, told him to go see Abbe. She said Wanatee walked toward the bedroom, heard Mace's voice inside, then turned around and came back to the kitchen, where she was reading. "He said, 'I'm not going back there. I don't want any trouble,'" Edwards said. Wanatee left through the back door, Edwards said, and Mace soon left through the front door. The yelling outside began soon after that. Abbe said that when he heard the shouting, he did not recognize the voices. Soon, Mace was back at the door, covered in blood. "I looked at him and he said call the ambulance, something like that," said Abbe, who admitted under defense questioning that he, Mace and Mace's two friends had been smoking methamphetamine in his bedroom. Edwards told defense attorney Jason Dunn that Mace had come to the house alone, not with two other people. While Edwards and Abbe left the room to call 911, Mace went back outside. He approached a car driven by Kim Stahle, who had been living with Abbe until a few days earlier and had come over to the house to pick up some clothes. "(Mace) came to the car and said please take me to the hospital," Stahle said. When Mace opened the door to get inside the car, Stahle said she could see he was bleeding. She said she asked him who had hurt him. "Did he respond?" Bockenstedt asked. "Yes," Stahle said. "What did he say?" Bockenstedt asked. "Eli," Stahle answered. Stahle said she drove Mace to Mercy Medical Center's emergency room, went inside and alerted medical personnel that Mace needed help. Jurors were shown photos of Mace's wounds, and Dr. Suman Tandra, who attended to Mace in the emergency room, testified that Mace died while undergoing a CT scan to determine the extent of his internal injuries. During his opening argument to jurors, Bockenstedt said evidence would show that Mace was stabbed nine times. The fatal wound, he said, was to Mace's right chest and that his diaphragm and spleen had been punctured, leading to massive internal bleeding. Another stab wound punctured Mace's liver. "This case is about how the defendant violently ended the life of Vernon Mace," Bockenstedt said. Dunn deferred his opening argument until after the state concludes its evidence. If found guilty as charged, Wanatee would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. The trial will resume at 9 a.m. Thursday. SPENCER, Iowa | A man and woman from Spencer are being held at the Clay County Jail after they were charged with possessing an undisclosed amount of meth near a school Tuesday. The Spencer Police Department conducted a search warrant at 6 a.m. Tuesday at a home in the 300 block of East 10th Street, a press release said. The home is near Jefferson Head Start. As a result of the search, Michael Schroeder, 49, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school, a class B felony. Also, Kimberly Wirkus, 47, was charged with possession of meth, a serious misdemeanor. The Spencer Police Department was assisted by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the release said. LE MARS, Iowa | Ron Stopak glances at a newspaper clipping and a bio, lone tangible connections he has to a relative killed 75 years ago today when Japanese fighters bombed Pearl Harbor. Francis Mostek, a native of North Loup, Nebraska, was aboard the USS Arizona on Dec. 7, 1941, when a 1,760-pound bomb struck the ship docked at Pearl Harbor, sinking the vessel, killing 1,177 sailors and Marines, the majority of 2,403 killed and 1,100 wounded on a day that forever lives in infamy. "Growing up when you learned about Pearl Harbor, the image you see is of the Arizona blowing up," says Stopak, who has a degree in history. It wasn't until 16 years ago that Stopak learned his mother, the late Clara Stopak, had a first cousin who was killed aboard the ship. Clara Stopak, who was a World War II veteran as well, also lost two brothers in action during the war: Edwin Smolen, a pilot, was killed in Scotland; Lambert Smolen was killed at Bougainville Island, in the Philippines. Clara (Smolen) Stopak, a nurse, and Stephen Stopak, a fighter pilot, wed on July 26, 1942, while both were serving their country. "My dad picked her up that day for what she thought was a date," Ron Stopak says. "But he told her, 'We're not going bowling. We're getting married.'" Stephen Stopak had just gotten his orders. He made good on a pledge to wed Clara whenever he received those orders. Both Clara and Stephen were raised around Columbus, Nebraska. The parents of three children, both are buried in Le Mars. Stephen was 61 when he died on Memorial Day, 1978. Clara died in 2004 at age 89. "My mom visited the grave of Edwin in England, but she never made it to Lambert's grave," said Ron Stopak. "The only time she mentioned Lambert was when something about the Japanese came on the TV. She said, 'They killed my brother.'" Clara Stopak never referenced Mostek, either. U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class Francis C. Mostek, according to a newspaper clipping, was last home on furlough in December 1940. "He was a gun instructor on the USS Arizona which was sunk when a Jap dive bomber dropped a bomb down the funnel of the ship," the newspaper clipping details. He had been with the Marines since March 1940. The 22-year-old was survived by his mother, Sophia Mostek, of Dover, Idaho, and eight siblings. "His name is on the memorial," Ron Stopak says. "He was born around Columbus. Their family moved to Idaho in the 1930s." The Stopaks learned more about Mostek in the year 2000 when one of Clara's younger brothers compiled a family history. "We came to learn of this through the family history, as Mom never spoke of it," Ron Stopak says. The Stopaks also knew little about their father's service. He, like Clara, offered little insight into his tour of duty, perhaps as a way of coping with the danger he faced as a young pilot. Ron Stopak says they are aware their father suffered burns to his face and hands after a crash-landing in the South Pacific. "And my brother, Stewart Stopak, who is now a retired U.S. Marine Corps pilot, once was looking at a map of the South Pacific," Ron Stopak remembers. "Our dad pointed out that he flew from one island to another at 500 feet." Stephen Stopak didn't choose that altitude. Rather, it was determined for him, in large part, because of the determined force he fought, the Japanese. HULL, Iowa | A 42-year-old Hull man is facing a half-dozen charges after authorities say he stabbed his roommate with a knife-sharpening steel rod. Jose Efren Estrada-Martinez was arrested shortly after 5:20 p.m. Monday on charges of assault with intent to do injury, obstructing prosecution, providing false information, possession of false identification, forgery and identity theft. According to the Sioux County Sheriff's Office, Estrada-Martinez stabbed his roommate Sunday morning with a knife-sharpening steel rod, causing minor injuries to the victim. A news release said upon investigation, authorities found Estrada-Martinez had provided a false name and Minnesota identification card and had been working at B&M Concrete in Hull under another identity. Deputies found Estrada-Martinez was previously arrested in Sioux County three other times and had provided another false name for those arrests, according to the release. Estrada-Martinez is being held in the Sioux County Jail on $7,500 bond. SIOUX CITY | Opening arguments in the Elias Wanatee murder trial are scheduled to begin Wednesday morning after lawyers spent all of Tuesday choosing a jury. The 12-member jury, plus two alternates, was seated late Tuesday afternoon. Wanatee, 47, has pleaded not guilty in Woodbury County District Court to first-degree murder for the Feb. 17 stabbing of Vernon Mace near West First and Turner streets. Witness testimony is expected to last through at least Monday. If found guilty as charged, Wanatee would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. According to court documents, the two men were at Mace's daughter's house at West First and Helmer streets, and Wanatee left because he had been having problems with Mace. A female caller to 911 later reported she heard two men arguing outside, and when Mace returned inside the house, he said he had been stabbed. Mace was taken to Mercy Medical Center, where he died. He had stab wounds to his arm, his ear, his chest and the top of his head. Wanatee was arrested later that day. STORM LAKE, Iowa | Storm Lake officials took action Tuesday to stem the impact from a leak of untreated wastewater into the lake named Storm Lake. Officials reported to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources that a small amount of wastewater leaked into the lake overnight. The state department in a release said the discharge occurred via a leaking valve after the city closed a pumping station on the west side of the lake late Monday. The city officials discovered the discharge Tuesday morning. City workers quickly pumped out wastewater in the pumping station, worked on the valves and stopped the wastewater flow. City officials planned to fill the area with concrete Tuesday to prevent future leaks. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources cautions people to keep children and pets away from the inlet from Little Lake into Storm Lake for 24 hours into Wednesday. SIOUX CITY | Woodbury County officials in 2017 will again encourage Iowa legislators to allow a program that would let people convicted of drunk driving avoid jail if they pass sobriety tests as part of their recovery programs. Woodbury County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeremy Taylor in a Tuesday board meeting said Iowa legislators should pass the so-called 24-7 sobriety program, which could lessen inmate numbers in county jail. "24-7 would be a boost to Woodbury County because it is a jail diversionary program that calls for personal responsibility and is emulated after what works in South Dakota," Taylor said. The county supervisors have given support for the initiative in recent years. Taylor said he anticipates the lobbying effort will include himself, the current county supervisors, new supervisors who will join the board in 2017 and Sheriff Dave Drew. Drew has advocated for the 24-7 program since 2013, during his first year in the position. Drew won re-election in November and is about to begin his second four-year term, yet over that time he has been dismayed that Iowa lawmakers haven't passed legislation to make the program a tool in the state. The program is in wide use in South Dakota. It allows people convicted of alcohol-related offenses to continue living with their families and go to work instead of being locked up, if they take -- and pass -- Breathalyzer tests twice a day. Drew saw the program in use in Sioux Falls and came away impressed. Participants pay for the tests, which are administered by sheriffs office staff for a length of time determined by a judge. About two-thirds of Woodbury County Jail inmates have problems with alcohol and drugs. The jail, at 407 Seventh St., has faced issues with overcrowding and staffing. Drew said the 24-7 program could save tens of thousands of dollars in operating expenses if fewer people were incarcerated. State Rep. Dave Dawson, D-Sioux City, in 2014 introduced legislation specifying that sobriety testing would meet the standard of probation. Dawson tried again in January 2015, but the bill stalled after House Republicans questioned whether there would be some cost to the state to get started. Drew was part of the Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau set by Gov. Terry Branstad to address impaired driving. Drew said he was pleased that the coalition in October recommended passage of 24-7. Taylor shared a coalition report with the supervisors on Tuesday. "Losing representatives (Ron) Jorgensen and Dawson in the Statehouse concerned me, but I feel more optimistic this year, as it will be year three of trying to get this passed and it has been discussed and vetted," Drew said. Taylor said the 24-7 program has a higher chance of passing in 2017, since Branstad plans to make the fight against impaired driving a priority of the legislative session ahead. Taylor said key staff members in Branstad's office are supportive. Governor Terry Branstads assault on public employees has begun. In a Des Moines Register article on Nov. 22, Branstad talked about putting all public employees on the same statewide health plan, and how beneficial it would be. He said that the IPERS retirement plan for public employees was a good plan and used it as a comparison to explain his new health care plan. The first problem with this is that he was very outspoken against the Affordable Care Act and his new plan is the same thing. It would take the choice away from employers and employees and would force them to do it his way. The second problem is that several days later, again in the Register, Branstad said he is open to replacement of IPERS with a 401(k)-type plan for public employees. Avery Dennison Corporation manufactures and markets pressure-sensitive materials and products in the United States, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and internationally. The company's Label and Graphic Materials segment offers pressure-sensitive label and packaging materials under the Fasson, JAC, and Avery Dennison brands; graphics products under the Avery Dennison and Mactac brands; and reflective products under the Avery Dennison brand. This segment provides its products to the home and personal care, beer and beverage, durables, pharmaceutical, wine and spirits, and food market segments; architectural, commercial sign, digital printing, and other related market segments; construction, automotive, and fleet transportation market segments; traffic and safety applications; and sign shops, commercial printers, and designers. The company's Retail Branding and Information Solutions segment offers brand embellishments, graphic tickets, tags and labels, and sustainable packaging solutions, as well as creative services; radio-frequency identification, visibility and loss prevention, brand protection and security, shelf-edge, and price ticketing and marking solutions; and care, content, and country of origin compliance solutions. It serves retailers, brand owners, apparel manufacturers, distributors, and industrial customers. The company's Industrial and Healthcare Materials segment provides tapes and other pressure-sensitive adhesive-based materials and converted products, mechanical fasteners, and performance polymers under the Fasson and Avery Dennison brands; and tapes under the Yongle brand for wire harnessing and cable wrapping. It serves automotive, electronics, building and construction, electrical, general industrial, personal care, and medical markets. The company was formerly known as Avery International Corporation and changed its name to Avery Dennison Corporation in 1990. Avery Dennison Corporation was founded in 1935 and is headquartered in Mentor, Ohio. Canada, Environment December 7, 2016 Sometimes in this vast and complicated world, its easy to feel a bit lost and hopeless. It can be hard to see progress or positives in the face of so much struggle. But I find if I focus things inward and think about the community with which I work to put renewable energy on the map, my mood changes. Drastically. Four weeks ago Iron & Earth concluded a whirlwind engagement tour in Edmonton, Alberta. It started with a Visioning Workshop where we invited both our committed members and prospective allies to engage with our core leadership team and each other to learn about everything we do, identify key priorities and contribute ideas for the next phase of our work. At the end of the session, participants committed to engage with their co-workers and communities to recruit new members in working toward chapter development. The visioning day was followed by a few drinks and a celebration of everything weve accomplished together. We also had a special opportunity that evening to get to know the Leduc-Beaumont Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Shaye Anderson and discuss specific opportunities in the region. After all that, we hosted our first ever AGM where we elected a new board of directors and determined our bylaws. The following day we embarked on an intensive media training. Our board and other worker members got comfortable being in front of the camera and practiced discussing our work and let me tell you, did it ever pay off The week ended with a press conference at the Gridworks Energy solar training center where we stood side by side with a range of allies and presented our completed Workers Climate Plan (WCP) report to a room full of news crews and reporters. It was the culmination of four months hard work surveying worker members and non-workers, and conducting consultations with industry and allies. By all indications, the event was a smashing success. Since calling on government to retrain, retool and rebuild Canadas energy sector, weve received a positive response from a number of workers, unions, and political leaders. As we were hoping, the WCP report has immediately become a helpful conversation tool. Within the first week of launching the report, we engaged with a number of tradespeople, MPs, MLAs, wind energy contractors and developers, unions, and oil and gas businesses about how to refine and implement our proposed policies Theres an industrial revolution emerging that much is for sure. Where oil and gas workers are positioned within it has yet to be determined. Theres absolutely no reason to leave workers and families struggling in the wake of this transition. If you havent already, please support our call on the governments of Alberta and Canada to foster job opportunities for skilled workers that are aligned with our climate commitments. All you have to do is sign your name here: www.ironandearth.org/call_for_government_action. Thanks for sticking with us on this journey. Iron & Earth is led by oilsands workers committed to incorporating more renewable energy projects into our work scope. This article was first published on their website ironandearth.org. Workers Climate Plan Media Summary What is the Workers Climate Plan? The plan is a blueprint for getting Canadas energy sector back to work, developed by workers with experience in the energy industry Energy workers are currently dealing with some of the greatest challenges of their careers they deserve lasting solutions that create good-paying, sustainable jobs Who developed the plan? The process was started by Iron & Earth, an organization led by skilled tradespeople who have worked in Canadas oil industry From June to October, Iron & Earth reached out to energy sector workers online, over the phone and in-person to consult with them and gather their input Iron & Earth also consulted with energy sector stakeholders to devise policy recommendations based on what workers are asking for What are you recommending? The Workers Climate Plan process identified four key areas for government action: Build up Canadas renewable energy workforce by rapidly upskilling energy sector workers through short-term training programs and expanding apprenticeships Build up the manufacturing capacity of renewable energy products through the retooling and advancement of existing manufacturing facilities Help existing energy-sector unions, contractors, manufacturers and developers transition to renewable energy through incubator programs and multi-stakeholder collaboration Upgrade existing non-renewable energy infrastructure by integrating renewable technologies and industrial-scale energy efficiency into that infrastructure Why now? There is a brief window of opportunity: large-scale renewable energy projects in Alberta and Saskatchewan will start ramping up in 2018. Canada needs to proactively prepare the workforce and industry to harness our countrys energy sector specializations The federal government is currently developing a pan-Canadian climate and clean energy growth strategy. It must ensure continued job opportunities for energy sector workers Up to $50 billion will be invested in renewable energy over the next 14 years in Alberta and Saskatchewan, according to Siemens Canada, because of new energy policies Many of these dollars will flow out of Canada, and to countries with more established renewable energy industries, unless Canada expands our own renewable energy sector What is needed for workers to make this transition? Most workers who responded to the Workers Climate Plan survey say their skills could be applied to renewable energy projects either with some retraining (64%) or immediately without any retraining (16%) The federal government must invest in specific training opportunities for the rapid upskilling of energy sector workers, and support job growth in the renewable sector, to make that possible The compatibility of existing skills with renewables is extensive: electricians are needed to install solar panels, welders are needed to build wind turbines, boilermakers and pipefitters are needed to build biomass and biofuel systems, drilling engineers are needed to locate and maintain geothermal wells, and so on Where can I learn more? The full plan includes quotes and photos from workers, full results from the consultation, as well as more details about the policy recommendations The Workers Climate Plan is available online at www.ironandearth.org | download PDF. The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless. The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well. By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism. Will U.S./Western Patriots Allow Islamists To Close In For The Kill? The Wests Clock Is Ticking DownDownCommentary By Adina Kutnicki AS is said, G-d helps those who help themselves. Mind you, this reference does not include the pagan moon-god Allah , the nihilistic deity attached to Islam. Sheesh. The Biblical and historical evidence shows that the Moabites worshiped Baal. The pre-Islamic and Muslim sources show (a) that the Meccans took over the idol Hubal from the Moabites and (b) that Allah and Hubal are actually identical. Thus, whether the Meccans are Ishmaelites or not, the evidence is still strong and sufficient to conclude that Muhammads Allah is actually Hubal, i.e. the Baal of the Moabites and thus not the God of the Bible. Muhammad incorporated the characteristics and names of various other gods into his new monotheistic message about Allah,but he apparently started the construction of Allah with Hubal, the chief god of the Meccans. DESPITE the horrific truths cited above, lets not forget about some good news, alas, even though it is few and far between. To wit, this brings us to Europes most stalwart patriotic leader, Geert Wilders, head of the Netherlands Party for Freedom, the PVV. And as an interesting tidbit, a side-note, this investigative journalist has more than one dog in this direction, that is, interview-wise. MOST recently, a reporter from World Net Daily (WND) asked some pointed questions re the trial against Geert Wilders , which officialdoms speech-minders claim incited to hate-speech against Muslims! Mind you, this is all for daring to point out the continuous and more than obvious dangers from followers of Islam, both in the Netherlands and the west as a whole. The non-apologetic and bulls-eye interview can be found here Geert Wilders anti-Islamization Party for Freedom (PVV) is now the biggest party in Dutch polls. With elections coming up in March 2017, the populist politician seems to be on track to become the Netherlands next prime ministerand the Netherlands, the next country to exit the EU. were held today (link in Dutch): theyd get 33 seats in the 150-seat lower chamber. According to the latest poll of Maurice de Hond, the Netherlands most famous pollster, the PVV would become the biggest party in parliament if elections(link in Dutch): theyd get 33 seats in the 150-seat lower chamber. View image on Twitter Follow Voice of Europe @V_of_Europe Geert Wilders Freedom Party (PVV) is leading the polls in the Netherlands. The party wants to stop Islamisation and restore law and order. 1,263 1,263 likes Wilders is especially well-known for his criticism of Islam and Europes open-borders policy, which he routinely and accurately describes as suicidal. His main goal is to end the Islamization of Europe generally and of the Netherlands specifically. Additionally, Wilders and his party are the most Eurosceptic of all the parties currently in parliament. He is the Netherlands very own Nigel Farage, which he once again proved earlier this year when he and his allies won the Dutch referendum on the EUs upcoming treaty with Ukraine. Wilders campaigned hard against the deal, arguing that it would eventually lead to the poor (and not entirely democratic) Eastern European country joining the European Union. Although proponents of the treaty said that would not be the case, the Dutch voter wasnt convinced. Wilders and the no campaign won. Donald Trumps victory has taught Dutch voters that theres nothing shameful about wanting to get rid of the establishment. And because Wilders clearly has a coherent vision for the future of the country, the risks of electing him are rather small. Unlike with Trump, you do know what youll get if you vote for Wilders. MOVING right along to the wests bad news, which is more often than not. Sigh. (Yes, a Somali jihadi from Minnesotastan!) ONCE again, in reaction to Ohio States jihadi attack, due to a never-ending line of Allahs Muslim Terrorists, guess how some reacted? Hang onto your seatsyour last meal.have you ever heard of chalk therapy? Say Whaaat?? WELL, par for their demented and PC addled course, leftists feel veddy sorry and veddy afraid for the tens of thousands of Somalis in their midst , in so far that Islams barbarians are now doubly traumatized.oh my.from Trumps triumph and the reactions of non-Muslims due to the latest (Somali) jihadi terrorist attack! Readers, you cant make this sh-t up. BUT never mind, Germanys leaders beat Americas fantasists by a mile. Now, how many are unaware of the takeover of German/other cities by Islams jihadis? If not, wake the hell up. Pronto. After all, the same Islamic treatment is coming to a city near you! SO, in order to integrate Islams rape-jihadists into Germanys cosmopolitan milieu, what have its (miss)educators been instructed to teach? INDEED, the art of seduction! BOTTOM LINE THOSE who still believe that western leaders will save them (and their loved ones) from Islams onslaught, well, psychiatric evaluations are in order. And while Trumps heart is in the right place, it remains to be seen if even he can roll-back their (near) complete infiltration and penetration into America. YES, G-d helps those who help themselves. Patriots in America, listen up!! BUT as to saving Europe from their death grip, the jury is in: BUH-BYE.SEE YA.in a few hundred-odd years! The contentious bankruptcy court battle between Multimedia Platforms and the lenders suing them for default have a tentative interim resolution in place. Legal representatives for Bobby Blair's company are suggesting that funds sufficient to start up Next Magazine in Florida and New York in January are forthcoming. But Blair's Bankruptcy counsel, Michael Sesse of Fort Lauderdale, says "we have no intention of starting up the Florida Agenda again, but we are updating our website URL's as well." They are also hoping the financing plan in place will enable them to start up Frontiers in Los Angeles as well, but nothing is etched in stone yet. If eventually approved by the court, MMPW's reorganization plan would allow them to pay off their pre-bankruptcy petition debt over time, giving them an opportunity to reorganize. A hearing on the contested issues of fact in the case, originally set for Friday of this week, has now been postponed until February. MMPW is alleging their operations were wrongfully shut down prematurely by a Massachusetts court. The lenders claim they were victims of a multimillion dollar fraud whose architect was Bobby Blair, the CEO of MMPW. Check out the latest in bisexual and transgender news! Bi Comic Examines Identity in New Web Series (SFGN) Bill Posley, a comedian and musician based out of Los Angeles, is now three episodes into his new web series By the Bi, the Advocate reports. In his introduction to the series Posley says, My name is Bill and Ive created a web series about being bisexual. Now, I dont speak for all bisexuals. This is just my personal experience. I made this because I dont actually see this point of view out in the world all that much. So far in the three-minute episodes, Posley has taken a comedic look at coming out to his parents, bisexual isolation in the LGBT community, and prepping to become part of the out and active LGBT community. In episode 1 "Coming Out," Posleys parents lament over him committing to being either gay or straight. Oh my god, youre going to tell me your lovers name is Aaron, and Im going to wonder whether thats a man or a woman, worries his mother. Episode 2, Insecure features Posley joining an LGBT support group, but not feeling as much in common with the group. In episode 3 Intervention, Posleys LGT friends decide to prep him ready to fit in with his new community. You can find new episodes of By the Bi on YouTube. Maine Girl Featured in New HBO Documentary 'The Trans List' (AP) A transgender student whose battle over the right to use a girls' bathroom led to a landmark court ruling in Maine is being featured in a new HBO documentary. "The Trans List" premieres Monday evening and explores what it means to be a transgender American. Nicole Maines is one of several individuals featured in the documentary. Maines says her entire family got behind her after she was bullied over a bathroom while in secondary school. The state supreme court ultimately ruled that her rights were violated. Maines now encourages young people to advocate for themselves. In her words, "slay your own dragon - you can do it." She is currently a student at the University of Maine. On Tuesday the Central Intelligence Agencys LGBT employee resource group released a documentary highlighting the agencys efforts in building a more inclusive working environment. Angle of Ascent focuses on the cultural shift within CIA from the Lavender Scare of the 1950s to the formation of ANGLE the agencys network for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender officers and allies. In the documentary, several CIA employees recall a time when applicants were given polygraph tests and specifically asked about homosexual relations. One of the experiences in my life that made me supportive of the LGBT community was the polygraph answer early on when I was still a college student planning to come here, said Justin Jackson, a former National Security Council director. Feeling that a particular group was oppressed, was treated differently because of who they are. That polygraph has stuck with me all these years. Not because it was difficult to pass or because I didnt like the polygraph but because I thought the question was inappropriate. For 20 years, ANGLE has worked to educate fellow CIA employees and members of other American intelligence agencies as to the importance of a workforce free from discrimination. The group has traveled to various Pride festivals around the nation in a visible capacity, including the 2015 Miami Beach Gay Pride. In October, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates presented ANGLE with its first-ever Excellence in Government Leadership Award. Accepting the award at its Langley, Virginia headquarters, CIA Director John O. Brennan expressed a deep appreciation. It is difficult to overstate how heartening this progress has been to me, Brennan said. Indeed, one of the highlights of my tenure has been seeing the LGBT community blossom under the leadership of ANGLE and its cadre of devoted allies a group of which I proudly belong. When I see people defying stereotypes, living life on their own terms, and staying true to who they are, I see more than kindred spirits I see people who deserve my utmost respect and admiration. And that is what I see in the men and women of the LGBT community. Its why they are such an inspiration to me. ANGLEs birth came with the signing of executive order 12968 by former U.S. President Bill Clinton, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in granting security clearances and access to classified information. In the era before Clintons executive order, closeted LGBT intelligence candidates were considered vulnerable to exploitation by foreign agents. It was kind of a Catch-22, says ANGLE founder Tracy Ballard in the documentary. If you were out you couldnt be hired, but if you remained closeted you could be blackmailed so it was kind of this vicious little cycle of how we were going to treat individuals. The Army isnt buying Chelsea Mannings transition. A psychologist for the Department of Defense refused to change Mannings gender marker in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, court documents show. The decision was revealed Monday as lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union press U.S. President Barack Obama to commute Mannings prison sentence. Formerly known as Bradley Edward Manning, an intelligence analyst assigned to an Army unit in Iraq, Manning is in the seventh year of a 35-year sentence. Ms. Manning is the longest serving whistleblower in the history of the United States, reads a letter signed by the ACLU and more than a dozen other LGBT groups. Granting her clemency petition will give Ms. Manning a first chance to live a real, meaningful life as the person she was born to be. Manning, 28, was convicted by court-martial in July of 2013 of violations of the Espionage Act. The conviction stemmed from Manning dumping nearly three-quarters of a million diplomatic documents to WikiLeaks. Some of the documents were classified and contained sensitive military information. While imprisoned at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Manning has, reportedly, attempted suicide twice and staged a hunger strike. Under the handle @xychelsea Manning tweets through a voice phone to intermediaries. Manning, a transgender woman who is being forced to serve out her sentence in an all-male prison, has been subjected to long stretches of solitary confinement including for attempting suicide and denied necessary medical treatment related to her gender dysphoria. The Army even opposed her request to use her legal name and to be referred to by female pronouns. While the armed forces have finally opened the door to transgender men and women who wish to serve, the government has continually fought Ms. Mannings efforts to be treated with basic dignity, reads the letter from the ACLU. Groups signing the letter are as follows: BiNet USA, COLAGE, Family Equality Council, FORGE, Inc., GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, Immigration Equality, Khush DC, Lambda Legal, League of United Latin American Citizens, Los Angeles LGBT Center, National Black Justice Coalition, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National LGBTQ Task Force, National Organization for Women, Pride at Work and Transgender Law Center. The White House confirmed on Tuesday it has received the letter but declined to comment. Manning asked for a change to the Armys record based on having achieved stability in her female gender. The chief of the Mental Health Division at Fort Leavenworth denied the request. Army spokesman Wayne Hall, citing medical privacy records, declined comment. 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. Most of us take the coffee supply chain for granted. This is not a call-out, its just a fact, and I include myself among the accused. If you live in a city and like going to coffee bars, chances are you spend more time thinking about whats happening inside that cafe than you do on how the coffee got there. For many that relationship between the raw, living coffee shrub and the cup you exactingly brew feels distended, divorced from reality, devoid of connectivity; its this thing from the other side of the world, and it just kind of shows up. Some of that cant be helped: coffee is the most international thing you do on any given day, and very few coffee drinkersheck, very few coffee professionalsever have a chance to visit where coffee actually comes from. But come from a place it does, managed by real people, touched by real hands, through different steps and processes around the world. And when an opportunity comes to forge some of that connectivity, its precious. Raw Material is a new specialty coffee supply company, forging relationships between leading roasters and the daily realities at coffee origin. Right now in Calarca, Colombia, they are planning work on a new project that could help transform the lives of coffee farmers in the region, by improving the coffee they produce and facilitating better access to stable, growing income. This project has big dreams, and because the guy at the center of it is a millennial westernerNew Zealander Matt Grayleehes using that most archetypical of millennial mechanisms to make those dreams a reality: hes funding the mill on Kickstarter. The project seeks $100,000 NZD, or roughly $70k US, for the building of a professional coffee mill due west some 300 kilometers from Bogota. Raw Material have raised in excess of $30,000 as of press time. It comes with a set of donation prizes like weve never seen before, from roasted coffee produced by remarkable roasters around to the world, to the opportunity to give processing input, reserve future buys, and put your own name on 1000 tree lots of rare, coveted coffee varieties. Weve covered a number of Kickstarter projects here at Sprudge, and so believe me when I say that stories like this dont come along every day. I had to know more, and so I sat down digitally with Raw Material founder & director Matt Graylee from London, to learn about the projects origins, the unexpected challenges and difficulties, and where it goes next. Your coffee comes from real people, from a real place. From the lifer coffee pro to the most casual of Sprudge readers, this stuff matters. This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. For readers who are unfamiliar with your project, give us an overview on Raw Material what do you? Whom is it for? Raw Material is a green coffee production and trading company focussed on main two areas: removing barriers that are inhibiting farmers access to the specialty market, and supply to independent roasters. Most of the coffee we work with scores 85 to 89 points, with some limited edition coffees scoring over 90 points suitable for competition, and some coffees closer to 80 points made available to NGOs and social enterprises at cost. Currently the countries we are currently most deeply involved with are Colombia, Rwanda, and Myanmar via the CQI and Winrock. The market has evolved to create an opportunity for producers; a rapidly growing number of coffee drinkers now desire specialty coffee from independent cafes, those cafes want coffee from skilled roasters who take pride in using quality ingredients, and these new independent roasters want the best quality green coffee possible for reasonable prices. Now we see a much larger number of diverse smaller businesses, with more holistic value sets, compared with the monolithic coffee market of the past. Youve recently launched a Kickstarter to fund a wet mill in Colombia. Why fund via Kickstarter? Through crowd funding this project can be opened up to people for whom getting involved in coffee production is otherwise quite out of reach. This is a community wet mill we are building, and so having the international community of roasters, barista competitors, and coffee enthusiasts deeply engaged is a very big positive for everyone. As for Kickstarter over any other platform; that was a decision made through weighting what seems to be the use of Kickstarter as an almost household name, making talking about what were doing much simpler compared with explaining first the intricacies of the various options before talking about the project. Some of your prizes are pretty interesting, including naming rights for 1000 tree lots of coffee. Does this mean we could have like, Finca El Sprudge? Exactly! Id suggest you consider La Sprudge also, as much like the Academie Francaise does for French; you are in a position where you can define the gender of yourself through the pronoun. My strongest recommendation however is to go with Sprudgy McSprudgeface, as an expression of solidarity with those who were vetoed after the successful Boaty McBoatface campaign for naming the Natural Environment Research Councils new ship. Do it Jordan, do it in the spirit of democracy and humour, and also to subvert the tradition of assigning words a gender. Your Kickstarter mentions the following: Across the last five years of coffee farming in Colombia weve seen multiple nationwide riots during seasons where this is the case. This kind of news isnt typically reported in the US media or the coffee press. Have you or your business partner experienced this first-hand? What is it like to be working in this milieu? I recall you published an article during the 2013 riots, by the fantastic writer Michael Sheridan. This was one of the clearest and coherent accounts out there. I most easily recall late August, when at least three civilians and one policeman died in demonstrations. Many were injured, and hundreds were arrested. Comparatively, the effect on us was negligible. Practically it meant large delays in shipping, but we were only waiting on maybe a couple of containers. There was a network of truck drivers and demonstrators using text messages to keep everyone informed of where the gatherings were becoming violent, so in that sense it was possible to avoid the most risky zones. However, there were some workers from Helena, our farm commodity-to-specialty transformation project of the time, who went to join the demonstrations and roadblocks to apply pressure to the government to install the subsidy (the PIC) while the market price was below cost of production. In other regions entire farming families marched to demand loudly and clearly that a minimum price needs to be set for parchment coffee. For usmyself and my fellow Raw Material owner and farm manager Miguel Fajardothis stoked our fire. Seeing how far producers would go to ensure their message was heard underlined our purpose one hundred times over. Which potential solutions to pursue (in order to maximise impact, and given our limitations) remained the only question. Youre working with some interesting roasters for Kickstarter prizes. Why work with these particular roasters? Flight and Caravan have the obvious NZ connection, but how did you pick the other ones? Those other roasters are Grace & Taylor (Australia), Wrecking Ball (USA), Coffee Roasters (Korea), Common Grounds (Indonesia), Azahar (Colombia), and Good Karma (Germany). Each one is its own story, but basically I either know them all and love them, and you can print that, or in the case of Wrecking Ball, we havent known each other long but I think its going that direction. Its an alignment of culture. These are all brands run by people who dont take themselves seriously at all, but take the goals of their comapnies incredibly seriously. Its uncommon and all of these characters here have that. As someone from New Zealand, what have been some of the challenges of living and working in Colombia? Whats been the biggest surprise? Top two are easy, I think about it often. First would be the spectrum of trust and wariness, what sort of expectation is reasonable or required, and how the disparity between our cultures formed. The second most salient difference is the consistency of my poops. Quickly back to first difference. Due to NZ being made up of towns with very small populations, our culture has developed to include a prevalent nature of implicit trust. If youre a jerk back home, doors will shut all around you very quickly and heck there are only seven or so doors. So though not conscious, being an insulated island, we are generally a trusting people. The anonymity of large populations means different cultural norms cultivate, not the least of which is caution when dealing with acquaintances, for reasonable reasons. Some populous countries have balancing mechanisms, for example suing being normalised and being prepared to defend your rights in the USA. That difference alone is quite a shift from NZ, but now imagine the cultural distance in this respect between NZ and a populated country without the countering institutions. Naturally this has been shaping my personality consistently to a more internationalised level of expectation. Youve got another interesting line in your Kickstarter info and I wanted to ask you to expand for us: The elusive promise of development through trade by de-commoditising specialty coffee, and ensuring coffee is a sustainable and logical choice for farmers to invest in. Why is this elusive? Do you think this is the promise made by terms like Direct Trade, for example? How do you measure development? The promise of development through trade I refer to is the understanding that wealth is generated through producing and selling things, and that if those producing and selling things are generating profit through doing so, then as a whole they should see economic growth, financial success, and a movement towards a society that has more than it needs. There has been a growing consensus in both developing and developed countries, from policy makers and donor communities alike, that those in poverty should be able to trade their way out the situation rather than relying on a endless aid cycle. The proposal for achieving this is pretty sound: remove trade barriers, reduce subsidisation of farmers in developed countries, provide access to technical assistanceyet for decades now coffee producing countries have remained poor though being part of the global trade. This is what I mean by elusive. Colombia was a bit of a success story during the 1920s, but time has shown us that they, like fifty-odd other coffee producing countries are stuck in something of a commodity problem. Lets do another piece one day after the Kickstarter has concluded about the commodity problem, and differentiation of coffee material quality for capturing value for producers as opposed to differentiation post-roaster. Again from you Kickstarter text: We help transition producers to specialty coffee and sell to roasters all around the world as a full-time gig. What do you think is the biggest challenge you face in that transition? Funding is one of the largest challenges. Currently we are a small group of people working on this without any outside investment. You mention crop diversitywhat coffee varieties are you planting? We are currently planting Tabi, Pink Bourbon, Wush Wush, Gesha, Caturra, Moka, Castilloand we are considering others. There is a mix of varieties all the way through to very resistant types as a risk-hedging method. For many of our readers this will be their first touch point with Raw Material. Is this the primary project of Raw Material right now, or are you juggling other stuff? Are there more projects like this one to come? We have a range of projects on the go, but this is the focus in Quindio at the moment. With other groups we are part of similar projects in other parts of Colombia and in Rwanda, some market research and opportunity discovery projects elsewhere, and personally Im very committed to Winrocks work in Myanmar as a volunteer. We will be bringing a container of the 3rd Myanmar production competition winners to Australasia and another to Europe early 2017. Thank you. Jordan Michelman is a co-founder and editor at Sprudge Media Network. Read more Jordan Michelman on Sprudge. All photos courtesy of Raw Material. Amaro. Digestif. Liqueur. Whatever you call it, you can call this style of drink cool as all get-out right now as more and more drinkers around the world discover the glories of herbal spirits. Sometimes bitter, sometimes sweet, Amaro refers specifically to liqueurs made in Italy, but there are variations made in different countries across Europe, especially Switzerland, Germany, and France. Some of these spirits, like Campari and Jagermeister, have long had a home on bar shelves around the world. Others are enjoying a new flush of interest, like Fernet Branca and Underberg, are darlings of the new global bartender set, where they function as a sort of handshake for those in-the-know. Allow us to drop some good news on you: Amaro, and its digestif cousins around the world, make marvelous bedfellows with cold brew, itself a beverage movement very much to trend in the coffee drinking world. Love it or hate itwere in the former campcold brew is one of the hottest things going in coffee today, and it pairs beautifully with this plucky little family of liqueurs. There may be no beverage pairing more 2016 than cold brew and Amaro. To get some specific pairing tips, we teamed up with amaro expert Amanda Whitt, a New York City-based barista and cocktailer seen previously on Sprudge for her delicious sparkling cascara soda recipe at Everyman Espresso. Whitt is a veteran of Double Buzz, the innovative coffee cocktail brunch service at East Village amaro & bitters temple Amor y Amargo, and shes holding it down now at Dromedary, a tiki bar in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn. We join her there along with NYC-based photographer and videoist Lanny Huang, who shot this photo set for Sprudge. First things first, a simple three-step set of suggestions on how to pair cold brew with various amari. 1.Take out two glasses. 2. Pour a little amaro in one, and a little coffee in the other, or you can just drink the coffee straight out of the bottle. You do you. 3. Taste the amaro, and add ice if you so desire, but most taste better room temperature or with a light chill. But also, Im not your mom, and this is your house so live your best life. Amanda Whitt Slingshot Coffee & Southern Amaro Liqueur Our first pairing features two delightful beverages hailing form the Carolinas: Slingshot Coffee from Raleigh and Southern Amaro from Charlestons High Wire Distilling.The combination of this full-bodied and naturally sweet bottled coffee and an amaro bursting with sarsparilla are a match made in heavenor in this case the Carolinas. Pairing difficulty status: APPROACHABLE. Buzz phrase: Sarsparilla Sunrise Alternate tipple: Jelinik Fernet from the Czech Republic, for a little more of a gingerbread-cookie vibe, in case you cant find the small-batch stuff from High Wire. Blue Bottle NOLA & Averna Blue Bottle Coffees huggable, chuggable retro childhood milk box of NOLA cold brew comes pre-sweetened and infused with chicoryand you can find it now in good grocery stores across the United States. That sweetness reminded our expert of an almond-y madeline cookie dipped in coffee, and so she paired it up with Averna, a much-loved liqueur from Sicily. The end result evokes rich, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies. Yes please. Pairing difficulty status: ADULT DESSERT Buzz phrase: No Cookie Tonight in My Coffee Alternate tipple: Averna is widely available and distributed by Campari, so just go with it. Olympia Coffee Roastings Amaro Gayo & Zucca Some of our favorite cold brew on the market gets made in little tiny batches by the folks at Olympia Coffee Roasting Company in Olympia, Washington. Were featuring two of their brews in this pairing guide, and first up its the Amaro Gayo Ethiopia, paired with Zucca, an Italian digestif based on rhubarb, cardamom, and citrus zest. Ive always loved this coffee paired with this amaro, says Whitt. The combination of dried fruit and earthy notes of Zucca and the crisp fresh berry flavors of the coffee combine gloriously. Pairing difficulty status: INTERMEDIATE Buzz phrase: Afternoon Delight. Alternate tipple: Amaro Sfumato, a rare amaro from Trentino that uses roasted Chinese rhubarb. Olympia Coffee Roastings Big Truck & Montenegro The second of Oly Coffees cold brews in this set, this cold brew expression of their flagship Big Truck blend is getting paired with Amaro Montenegro, a liqueur from Bologna with big notes of vanilla and orange. Whitt calls this drinks flavor an orange flower blast, and it pairs nicely with the underlying orange notes of Big Truck. Together the pairing emphasizes the citrus while adding a creamy softness that will allow for the full character of the coffee to play out. Pairing Difficulty Status: A GREAT INTRO Buzz Phrase: Hey Mr Tangerine Man Alternate tipple: Amaro Del Capo, from a century-old family-run distillery in Calabria. Stumptown Cold Brew Stubby & Amaro Sibilla Were also featuring two Stumptown Cold Brew offerings in this dazzling pairings set, starting off the brands classic original recipe CB, bottled in a delightful stubby like the Olympia Beer stubs of yore. Whitt paired that up with Amaro Sibilla, a spirit hailing from the Marche region of eastern Italy. The bracing punch of this amaro matches with the overall strength and assertiveness of this cold brew, says Whitt, who notes that the gentian flower, coca and dark spices coalesce into flavors that are much more seasonally appropriate than each independently. What better time to be bitter? Pairing Difficulty Status: DARK AND WILD Buzz Phrase: Bitter Not-That-Sweet Symphony Alternate tipple: Amaro Nardini, another amaro with gentian as a major flavor component. Stumptown Winter Cheer and Jagermeister Take it away, Amanda Whitt: Look, I understand if you are afraid to walk into your cool friends Christmas party with the cool secret Elvis Costello Christmas album playing where everyone is discussing their CSA plans for next year with a bottle of Jager, but you really should. Trust Me. I dare you. Winter Cheer might very well be the Stumptowns version of a PSL, minus much of the hallmark sweetness. Match that with the anise and dark bitter notes of Jager and you are truly golden. Pairing Difficulty Status: PARTY ON Buzz Phrase: We Said Party On Alternate tipple: Killepitsch, another liqueur from Germany. Ostensibly less bro-y than Jager, and also extremely blood red in color. For the Christmas goth on your list. Jordan Michelman is a co-founder and editor at Sprudge Media Network. Read more Jordan Michelman on Sprudge. Amanda Whitt (@imakeyourcoffee) contributed to this reporting. Photos by Lanny Huang for Sprudge Media Network. Quito (Ecuador), December 07, 2016 (SPS) - the Ecuadorian Municipality of Cayambe Tuesday has signed a twinning agreement with the Daira of Edchera, Aaiun, reported a source of Saharawi Embassy in Ecuador. SADR Ambassador of Ecuador, Mr. Alisalem Sidi Zeinon has signed the agreement on behalf of the President of the Municipal Council of Edchera with the mayor of Cayambe, Mr. Guillermo Churuchumbi Lechon from the Ecuadorian side. Speaking at the signing ceremony, which took place in the presence of the Ecuadorian media, the mayor of Cayambe voiced his municipality's commitment to defending the right of the Saharawi people for freedom and self-determination. For his part, the Saharawi Ambassador stressed, "That despite the spacing between the two peoples, there is a strong commitment and solidarity between them. SPS 125/090/TRA One horse lost its life, but 29 others were luckily able to escape when a serious fire reduced a large barn to smoldering ash this past weekend. The Des Moines Register was the first to report that a barn at the Maffitt Lake Equestrian Center in Madison County, Iowa burned to the ground this past Friday (December 2). The barn at the horse show facility was already collapsing when fire crews received word of the situation at roughly 5:40 p.m. West Des Moines Fire Marshal Mike Whitsell said that flames could be seen 10 miles away. Whitsell said that getting water to the barn was an issue, as hydrants were not located nearby. Although, he did state that people were evacuating the horses, while others were seen sprinting as far as one and a half miles from the blaze. Roughly 100 volunteers had searched the surrounding areas for horses that were lucky enough to get away from the fire. A follow-up article which appeared on the website of The Daily Progress confirmed that one horse lost its life in the blaze, another was being treated at a local veterinary college, and one was still missing at the time. "Within a matter of 10 minutes (of the fire), so many people from the horse community showed up with buckets, with halters, with lead ropes, anything," Libby Hott told kcci.com. "They said, 'What can we do? What can we do?' So we were catching horses that were loose." Libby Hott co-owns the facility with Tim Hott and Melinda Antisdel. The barn was a total loss. Fire officials were unsure of what caused the blaze. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of the horse that lost its life, and wish the other horse that is a recuperating a quick and complete recovery. (With files from The Des Moines Register, The Daily Progress and kcci.com) The stage is set for the second annual 'Buckeyes vs. Hoosiers Drivers Challenge' on Saturday night (Dec. 10) at Hollywood Dayton Raceway. The top drivers from Hoosier Park in Indiana will invade to take on the top drivers at Hollywood Dayton in a six-race contest to determine bragging rights for the next year. In the inaugural event a year ago, the Buckeyes used a near sweep of the top spots in the final race to secure the win. The two tracks are just over an hour apart and the competitors from each squad are closely acquainted with each other, so the races are keenly contested. The Indiana team is intent on evening the count in Year Two of this event. Heading to the gate at Hollywood Dayton Raceway Heading to the gate at Hollywood Dayton Raceway Each team will have the odd-numbered post positions in half of the six races. Each driver was assigned approximately equal overall post positions; and the horses were randomly drawn into those pre-assigned drivers. Scoring will be based on the following schedule: 30 points for a win, 24 for a second, 18 for third, and 14-11-8-5-3-1 for fourth through ninth place finishes. Morning line oddsmaker Myles Linderman gives a slight nod to the Buckeyes squad to repeat. Ohio drivers have been assigned slight morning line favouritism in four of the events, with Indiana reinsmen favoured in the other two. The contest races consist of a non-winners of four condition/claimer, and one each of a straight $8,000, $10,000, $12,500, $15,000 and $15,000-$20,000 claimer. The visiting Hoosiers will be captained by leading driver Trace Tetrick, who will be joined by Sam Widger, Ricky Macomber, Tyler Smith and Andy Shetler. Dash leader Josh Sutton will captain a Buckeyes squad that includes Kayne Kauffman, Jeremy Smith, Dan Noble and Peter Wrenn. Hollywood Dayton Raceway has put up a $2,500 prize pool for the contest, $2,000 to the winning team and $500 to the losers. However, both squads have already voted to donate all of their winnings to Dayton Firefighters Local 16 for the second consecutive year. This year they are asking their fellow owners, trainers, caretakers and patrons to join them in bringing in a new toy for distribution to needy children at Christmas by the fire department, whose goal is to make sure every child in their district has a happy holiday. Their monetary donation this season will go to Crystal Wilson, a paramedic who chaired the Local 16 toy drive last year, but who suffered a catastrophic fall from a ladder a couple months ago which paralyzed her from the waist down. Crystal often manned the required ambulance stationed trackside during every racing program at Dayton Raceway through its first two seasons, providing immediate medical attention whenever called on, and the horsemen want to repay her in kind with the large contribution to her rehabilitation costs. In the first contest race, the condition-claimer, driver Tyler Smith will be guiding lukewarm favourite Dark Horse, who has been assigned 5-2 starting odds. Betorluckythangood (3-1, Kauffman), Eddie Eddie Eddie (7-2, Tetrick) and J Bs Hero (9-2, Sutton) should also get public support. Pipecreek Yankee (5-2, Sutton) will open as the favourite over Putnams Attack (3-1, Kauffman), Lexington Avenue (7-2, Jeremy Smith) and Showdown At Sun Up (9-2, Tetrick) in the second leg, an $8,000 claimer. Strange Hanover (5-2, Tyler Smith) gets the early nod over Jetstreamdonttouch (3-1, Macomber), No Hable (7-2, Shetler) and Poison Oak (9-2, Widger) in what looks like the Hoosiers' best chance to pile up a ton of points in a single race, this $10,000 claimer. When the $12,500 claimers come on the track, Lieutenant Steve (2-1, Wrenn) will attempt to live up to his morning line favouritism over Onesportonly (3-1, Kauffman), Electric Lad (7-2, Sutton) and Restless Native (9-2, Tetrick). Smiling Terror (5-2, Dan Noble) will try to top the $15,000 claimers, but will get a stern test from Chipchompinchampin (3-1, Shetler), Frass Bluegrass (7-2, Widger) and Every Play Counts (9-2, Kauffman). In the contest clincher, a $15,000 to $20,000 claiming handicap, Prince Bayard (5-2, Sutton) gets the opening nod over Sunday Poker (3-1, Jeremy Smith), Flashy Trick (7-2, Noble) and Mach My Point (9-2, Wrenn). The six race Buckeyes vs. Hoosiers Drivers Challenge will be contested as races 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 on the 14-race program. First race post time is 6:15 p.m. (with files from Dayton) Dean Jeffery Wichtel of the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph has highlighted some of the innovative equine programs that are currently being offered at the institution. Via Equine Guelph, Dean Wichtel issued a release this week that also stated that the role of the university may be set to expand once again. The contents of Dean Wichtels release appear below. From the Dean: Innovative equine programs at the University of Guelph focus on health and well-being of horses and equine industry I have spent quite a bit of time this year getting to know the horse industry in Ontario. One thing I have noticed is the enduring passion of our horsepeople, including my veterinary colleagues, regardless of the ups and downs of the industry. The equine industry in Ontario has encountered real challenges over the last few years, but it remains an important contributor to the culture and economy our province. The racing industry has been hit the hardest, but we are now seeing consultation and reorganization of racing, leading to an atmosphere of cautious optimism at tracks and training stables. The University of Guelph has always played an important role in supporting the industry through education, research, and clinical care, primarily through the efforts of our talented people in the Ontario Veterinary College, Ontario Agricultural College and Equine Guelph. Changes are afoot in the industry, and the role of our university may be set to expand once again. Equine Guelph has a special place in the horse industry. Its mission is to support the health and well-being of horses and the equine industry. Since its inception in 2003, Equine Guelph has kept an unwavering focus on this mandate with remarkable success. This past week, I attended a meeting of the Equine Guelph Advisory Council and was once again impressed with the industry support around the table. The output of this centre is especially impressive given that it is almost entirely self-supporting. Equine Guelph's education programs are the most widely known examples of their success in connecting with the horse industry. The student numbers in these programs, such as the continuing education program in Equine Studies, and certificates in Equine Science, Business Management and Welfare, illustrate their success. Since the first diploma in Equine Studies was awarded in 2009, 170 diplomas have been awarded. To date, 365 Equine Science certificates have been awarded since this program began in 2002. The Equine Science certificate program is the first of its kind from an accredited university with evidence-based information and welfare of the animals as the underpinning of all its offerings. Education offerings such as the Equine Welfare Certificate, a partnership between Equine Guelph, the Campbell Centre of the Study of Animal Welfare (CCSAW) and Open Learning and Educational Support (OpenEd), emphasize the co-operative partnerships Equine Guelph has developed. The remarkable reach of Equine Guelph cannot be overstated. Horsepeople in the US and Britain often know about Equine Guelph. The award-winning EquiMania! Program for children, which just celebrated its 10th year at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, is a regular fixture at the Minnesota State Fair. Last year, as I was preparing to take my position here, my farm clients in PEI were envious that I was about to meet Gayle! Equine Guelph also prides itself on developing educational programing that is relevant, practical and topical. In 2016, Equine Guelph responded quickly to the unfortunate rash of horse barn fires, launching a Fire Prevention program providing valuable information to prevent fires. The innovative programs of Equine Guelph were recognized in 2015 when Gayle Ecker was awarded the Equine Industry Vision Award, sponsored by the American Horse Publications Group and Zoetis. This is the only time a Canadian has been so honoured, and recognizes Gayle's leadership and the growing recognition of Equine Guelph's high-quality programming. Beyond its mandate for education, Equine Guelph has been a trusted steward of the industry's research funding. In 2015-2016, more than $130,000 was directed towards research to support new and ongoing projects including research into new approaches to stem cell therapy, emerging disease concerns, failure of pregnancy, and new approaches to modeling and tracking biosecurity issues and risks. Much of this research draws on the talents of researchers at the Ontario Veterinary College who bring expertise in infectious disease, biosecurity, reproductive technologies and therapies. Emeritus professors such as Dr. Laurent Viel and Peter Physick-Sheard are internationally known for their contributions to horse health. Not only do these projects focus on industry-identified priorities, they provide important training opportunities for student veterinarians and develop local expertise in these important areas. Communication and promotion of University of Guelph research results occurs via print and social media. A new online portal is about to be launched which will provide a platform for connecting with the horse world at the owner and the advisor levels. Aside from Equine Guelph, there is a lot going on at the UofG. The equine undergraduate program at OAC is expanding, with several new equine faculty now at the Guelph campus and enrolments increasing. Interest in equine careers remains strong in our DVM program, and there are outstanding practices looking to hire our graduates. On December 15th, equine faculty in the Health Sciences Centre are hosting a Research Update for practitioners, signaling a renewed commitment to building relationships through the equine veterinary community. At the same time, in concert with OVC strategic planning, and the on-going racing industry renewal process, the members of OVC, OAC and Equine Guelph have convened a planning group to look at leveraging their success. Dr. Scott Weese is leading the group, and they are making plans to better position UofG within the industry, and further expand our role in research and education in support of a sustainable and innovative horse industry. Look for further announcements on new models for funding equine research and education in the New Year. (Equine Guelph) Enterprise in Space & Kepler Space Institute Sponsor Competition to Tackle Orbital Debris Contact: Michael Molitch-Hou, 323-868-1865, mike@enterpriseinspace.org; enterpriseinspace.org WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2016 /Standard Newswire/ -- Enterprise In Space (EIS), a non-profit program of the National Space Society (NSS), and the Kepler Space Institute have partnered with Global Aerospace Corporation (GAC) to launch the "Orbital Debris Mitigation" competition. In order to drive innovation forward in technology to remove the space debris orbiting Earth, EIS and its partners are offering university student teams a chance to propose experiments for space debris mitigation. To enter the contest, university student teams may submit a white paper in either one of two competition categories. Category one is to design an experiment that fits on a CubeSat to detect, track or collect orbital debris. The second is to design an experiment to help evaluate the performance of GAC's Gossamer Orbit Lowering Device (GOLD) that will de-orbit a CubeSat. To learn more about the competition, see the video presentation: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA5T7A70CVs. "Currently, there are over 500,000 pieces of space debris orbiting the Earth and traveling up to 17,500 miles per hour, potentially causing serious damage to any satellite or spacecraft," said Kerry Nock, President of GAC. "At GAC, we have invented a device for removing this debris called GOLD which uses a lightweight, continuously inflated envelope to increase the drag area and accelerate the natural orbital decay process of antiquated satellites and large orbital debris by orders of magnitude." Up to three members of the grand prize winning team will receive complimentary registration to present their white papers at the National Space Society's International Space Development Conference (ISDC), May 25-29, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. Grand prize winners will have their experiment results paper published in Ad Astra magazine and an industry trade journal for orbital space debris mitigation and remediation. One member of the grand prize team will also receive an R. S. Kirby Memorial Scholarship, valued at $5,000, from the Kepler Space Institute to be applied towards a full certificate program. The R. S. Kirby Memorial Scholarship aims to encourage space advocates the world over. To learn more about the Orbital Debris Mitigation Competition or to enter, visit the contest page at enterpriseinspace.org/space-debris and become a part of NewSpace future. About Enterprise In Space The National Space Society's Enterprise In Space (EIS) is the world's first NewSpace education program. EIS provides access to STEAM education to all through the open online EIS Academy and an artificial intelligence tutor under development named Ali. The program's first Academy-wide project is the design, launch, and retrieval of a 3D-printed spacecraft carrying 100+ active and passive experiments from K-postgrad student teams from all around the world. About Kepler Space Institute Kepler Space Institute (KSI) is dedicated to providing educational programs, research solutions, and publications to the public, industry, and governmental organizations in support of continuing Space Exploration, Commercialization, and Colonization. Through cutting edge research, exploration and development of space resources, KSI helps facilitate the expansion of human civilization from Earth into Space, with the primary goal of benefitting humans everywhere on Earth and beyond. About Global Aerospace Corporation Global Aerospace Corporation (GAC) was founded in 1997 by former NASA/JPL engineers and scientists as a commercial research and development firm. GAC maintains its corporate office in Irwindale, California, where it develops prototypes and works its projects in a 4,300 sq. ft. R&D office/industrial space. These facilities are used to conduct task engineering work, assembly, integration, and testing of hardware as it is prepared for flight, as well as project meetings and report writing. Our facilities meet Federal, California, and Los Angeles County environmental laws and regulations. Our corporate activities include technical analysis and research, aerospace mission and system concept development, aerospace technology research and development, deep ocean systems research and development, and system design, prototyping, and demonstration. Our corporate team is highly qualified with over 400 years of cumulative aerospace experience. About the National Space Society (NSS): NSS is an independent nonprofit educational membership organization dedicated to the creation of a spacefaring civilization. NSS is widely acknowledged as the preeminent citizen's voice on space, with over 50 chapters in the United States and around the world. The Society publishes Ad Astra magazine, an award-winning periodical chronicling the most important developments in space. NSS thanks their ISDC 2016 Galaxy Sponsor, the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust. Contact: Liberty Counsel, 800-671-1776, Media@LC.org, Press Kit ST. BERNARD, Ohio, Dec. 7, 2016 /Standard Newswire/ -- Liberty Counsel countered an atheist group and has offered to provide pro bono assistance to the city of St. Bernard against a demand from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), which wrongfully claims that a Nativity display be removed from the lawn of the City Hall. The FFRF's misleading and inaccurate letter states, "The display stands alone on the lawn and depicts the biblical story of the birth of Jesus." However, St. Bernard's holiday decor is constitutional since the Nativity scene is surrounded by secular holiday symbols, including lit Christmas trees, Santa Claus, and a sleigh with reindeer. In addition, the FFRF fails to mention two binding Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals decisions upholding the constitutionality of other Nativity scenes as part of municipal Christmas decorations. In particular, the 2013 case, where the FFRF was defeated (Freedom from Religion Found., Inc. v. City of Warren, Michigan) after demanding that its sign stating "religion is but myth and superstition" be included next to the Nativity scene. Since St. Bernard's display, which the city has displayed every year for decades, is constitutional "government speech," it does not need to open up the display to other organizations like FFRF, as set forth in City of Warren. "The so-called Freedom From Religion atheist group has lost this battle of a Nativity scene and they will lose again," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. "Publically-sponsored Nativity scenes on public property are constitutional, especially when the display includes other secular symbols of the holiday, as this one does. The St. Bernard Nativity scene is constitutional. We stand by the city and offer our free legal counsel and defense," said Staver. Liberty Counsel has launched its fourteenth annual Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign, pledging to be a "Friend" to those who recognize Christmas and a "Foe" to those who censor it. The campaign educates, and if necessary litigates, to make sure that Christmas and Christian themes are not censored. Liberty Counsel provides a memorandum to offer guidance regarding publicly and privately sponsored religious holiday displays, religious holidays in public schools, and the rights of public school students in the context of religious holidays. An updated Naughty & Nice List is also available, that catalogues retailers that recognize and those that censor Christmas. Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics. The essential component of totalitarian propaganda is artifice (het toepassen van kunstgrepen. svh) . The ruling elites, like celebritie... Cowlitz County sheriffs deputies Monday afternoon arrested a suspect in connection with multiple burglaries in Ryderwood. Kacie Lynn Conmy, 29, of Longview was arrested Monday afternoon and faces burglary and vehicle prowling charges. She is suspected of stealing about $1,200 worth of property from a former friend. On the 700 block of State Route 506 and Allender Road in Ryderwood, the victim of a residential burglary and vehicle prowl called 911 shortly before 11 a.m. Monday. Cowlitz County Chief Criminal Deputy Charlie Rosenzweig said the suspect was identified from video surveillance obtained that morning. The victim identified the suspect, a former friend. Rosenzweig said deputies confronted Conmy and found stolen property from multiple break-ins, including one that occurred about a week ago. Rosenzweig said Conmy admitted to the crimes and suspects her motivation stems from her drug problem. Conmy was booked into the Cowlitz County Jail at about 4:30 p.m. Monday. She faces charges of second-degree burglary, residential burglary, second-degree vehicle prowling, second-degree possession of stolen property and felony drug possession. Public-works employees, clerks and library workers at Kelso will all get pay raises for the next few years after negotiations between the unions and the city. Kelso council members on Tuesday unanimously approved two separate collective bargaining agreements that provide 28 unionized city employees with a raise of 2 percent next year. Some will also get a raise of 3 percent this year. Were very pleased to have reached an agreement with all our unions, City Manager Steve Taylor said. Its good to see all this work completed by the end of the year. Councilors approved the 2016-2018 agreement with Local 1557 Public Works, which is part of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Negotiations began in summer 2015 and took a year and a half to finalize, Taylor said. The union represents 18 employees in the citys Public Works Department. The agreement includes a 3 percent raise for this year and a 2 percent raise each for the next two years. It also includes an increase in overtime pay and designates one employee to answer after-hours emergency calls, which Taylor said will significantly improve customer service. The employee will receive a $350 stipend to be the emergency-first contact for the department. The second agreement City Council approved was a 2017-2019 contract with Teamsters Local No. 58, which comprise 10 employees that work in the Kelso library and as clerks. The agreement provides a 2 percent salary increase for both 2017 and 2018, and a 2.5 percent raise for 2019. The Teamsters agreement also allows two other ways to deal with grievance arbitrations between the union and city. The trial period for employees will be reduced from nine months to six months, improves vacation time for employees on the trail period and allows two floating holidays to all employees every year. Councilman Jim Hill praised the Kelso library employees for their work with such limited resources, and said their pay raise was well-earned. Thats an extraordinary group youve got over there, Hill said, addressing Library Manager Cindy Donaldson. If I could make it 7 (percent), I would. Thats why Mr. Hill is not on the negotiating team, Mayor David Futcher joked. Millworkers will vote on a new contract offer from KapStone next week, more than two years after their original contract expired. Officials from Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers Local 153 are hosting several informational sessions this week about the offer for their nearly 800 members. Members will vote on the contract Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week, said Kurt Gallow, Local 153 president. Gallow declined to comment on the specifics of the contract until results of the vote are out next week. The bargaining board notified members of the new offer in a Dec. 1 email: After considerable efforts by both parties, the Company and the Union met today at the table. The results of this meeting led to a proposal for ratification, which the bargaining board unanimously supports, the email said. Millworkers have rejected several previous company contract offers. Employees who asked not to be named said the mood in the union was mixed early this week, with some members hoping for a resolution and ratification of the contract, and others hoping to stick it out for a better offer. KapStone imposed a contract on millworkers without ratification more than a year ago, shortly before the union went on a 12-day strike. The union filed charges arguing the implementation of the offer was illegal and that an impasse had not been reached. The National Labor Relations Board sided with the company and dismissed the unions charges. The dismissal meant that legally KapStone wouldnt have to return to the bargaining table unless the union made a concession to break the impasse, according to an NLRB official. Yet both sides have some interest in ratifying a contract to remove an air of uncertainty and to re-institute a formal grievance procedure. Health care has been a key sticking point in the talks, with the union fighting to maintain workers former Kaiser Permanente coverage. The implemented offer retains Kaiser Permanente health care, but not at the same level of coverage. Millworkers arent happy with the higher deductibles, which force them to pay significantly more than in the past. Its not clear how any future changes to the Affordable Care Act would affect the insurance coverage. Until recently, AWPPW and KapStone had not formally met for bargaining sessions for most of the year. The union appeared to be focusing its efforts on unfair labor practice cases, particularly one involving four workers who were fired after the strike. An NLRB judge last month sided with the company that the workers were legally fired for misconduct during the walkout. Editors Note: On Dec. 7, 1941, 423 Japanese fighter planes attacked the U.S. naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, pushing the U.S. into World War II. The Daily News marks the days 75th anniversary with excerpts from profiles and first-person narratives of those who were in Pearl Harbor on the date which will live in infamy. Harvey Craig Harvey Craig, a Toutle-area resident who died on July 10, 2011, at age 92, had served on the USS Utah when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. When he was 90, Craig said he would not have remembered the 68th anniversary of the attack had his son not called him about it. I dont keep track of it, but my second son always does, Craig said. It happened, but its way behind us, so I dont see why everyone makes such a fuss. Hed just finished watch duty at 8 a.m., and his ship, the USS Utah, was attacked a few minutes later. Craig had just taken off his uniform when he heard the first explosion. He ran up three levels to get to the ships deck and freedom. He was trying to get off the ship as it listed and capsized, sinking to the bottom of the harbor, where it remains today. Craig hit the water with the boat and remembers seeing rocks and mud before grabbing what turned out to be a wooden plank and being pulled back up to the surface with it. Once above water he looked out on a sea of black ship oil while Japanese bombers continued to fly overhead. He was helping an officer out of the water when a plane started firing on them. The officers right arm was hit as Craig held on to the mans left arm. That was the closest he got to being injured. After loading the officer onto a medical rescue boat, Craig went to work helping others on shore. It was chaos as bombs and machine gun fire continued to pelt the ground. Craig, though, said his military training kicked in. All the training you get has you always looking for a solution, so you dont have time to freeze up or get scared, he said. You dont think, you act. And theres always something you can do to help someone or the situation. He spent the whole first day in my skivvies which consisted of boxer shorts, a T-shirt and socks loading wounded men onto boats and helping collect the dead. He also loaded equipment and wasnt able to rest, shower or eat until 10 that night. The next day he started burial duty. Dorothy Dozier Dorothy Dozier was 11 years old and living with her family near Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. Here is an excerpt that came from a story she wrote for a writing class seven years ago about her experience: My father was an Army man posted at Fort Kamehameha, a small artillery post that guarded the entrance to Pearl Harbor. It was an idyllic life. One Sunday morning we were awakened by loud booms and airplanes flying overhead. We heard Mother asking Dad if they were firing big guns. His reply was a short, No! Its the Japanese! He called out instructions about hunkering down by an inside wall, filling the bathtub with water and numerous other orders. Dad raced down the street to unlock the ammunition storages. We knew how to obey orders. There was my older sister, younger brother plus Mom and me. My brother crawled into the small space we had made to protect ourselves from shrapnel by laying mattresses over and beside tables and chairs. He was reading comic books. The planes were flying over us to bomb Hickman Field. A dud hit the mess hall across the way. When the waves of planes ceased, an Army truck came by and picked up the dependents, taking us all to an ammunition bunker, well-camouflaged and only a short way from our quarters. Henry West Henry West, who died nine years ago, was aboard the USS Utah when it was docked in Pearl Harbor at the time of the Japanese attack. Here is an excerpt of his account of that morning. The whole account can be found at www.ussutah.org/west.HTML. I was a seaman second class, 2nd division and Coxswain of a 50-foot motor launch aboard the U.S.S. Utah. Sunday morning I got up at six oclock and made my two liberty runs and was off duty at 7:30 a.m. I had just sat down to eat my breakfast when we heard an explosion in what sounded like the forward part of the ship and we thought it was a stack of timber that had fallen over topside. Then there was another explosion right below us and we still did not know what was wrong. Then someone said the Japanese were attacking and we thought he was crazy, but they sounded the bombing stations alarm, which was two decks below. We had just gotten down there and they sounded abandon ship. When we started topside, the ship already had a 20-degree port list and there on the ladder up was a Chief Petty Officer frozen with fear. You could not break his hands loose from the handrail. Another chief behind him gave him one hell of a kick in the rear and he went up like a shot. When I reached topside I could see that hell had broken loose. I went around number five (gun) turret and started for the side of the ship and I was lucky that I had looked forward because a (Japanese) plane was machine-gunning the deck. I jumped back under number five turret, which saved my life. Then I ran to the handrail, grabbed it and jumped down to the blister [on the starboard side of the ship] and into the water. These excerpts appeared last year on the 74th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. The profiles were written by former Daily News reporters Don Jenkins and Barbara LaBoe. Harry McNutt Harry McNutt, a resident of Castle Rock who died on Jan. 7, 2010, at age 86, spent the first 45 minutes after the attack swimming in oil, trying to keep ahead of the flames. McNutts first look at war was a ripple in the harbor. He and a shipmate on the minelayer Ogala were drinking coffee and having a smoke on deck when they saw the wake of a torpedo heading toward them. The torpedo went under the Ogala and hit the USS Helena, a cruiser moored next to the Ogala. The blast blew a hole in the Ogala, knocked McNutt into the water and fractured his ribs. I dont know what happened to the coffee cup, what happened to the cigarette, I dont know what happened to nothing, he said. It was three-quarters of an hour before anyone pulled him out of the harbor. I thought I was pretty damn lucky. Soon, McNutt, a gunners mate, sailed away on the USS Chester, a cruiser on which he saw action for 2 1/2 years. He served on other ships and was discharged in 1946. McNutt put his expertise to work following the war as a civilian employee on a missile range in New Mexico. Too bad the younger generation doesnt understand what went on, McNutt said. I think they should appreciate their freedoms. Jim Coleman Jim Coleman, a Longview resident who died on April 27, 2014, at age 93, joined the Army the day after Germany invaded Poland in 1939 and plunged Europe into war. Coleman went to the recruiting station in Oklahoma City and volunteered for duty in the Pacific. After spending two peaceful years in the Pacific, Coleman was set to sail home into civilian life on Dec. 8. But the war started, and Coleman had to stay and fight. He was in downtown Honolulu when the attack started and caught a ride back to Fort Shafter to get ready for who knows what. Troops were on edge for several months, he said. We just werent ready to fight. Coleman came out of the war a sergeant in the Rangers and with shrapnel in his knee and a bayonet wound in his side. It was no big deal. Fortunately, I turned and the bayonet just glanced off the ribs, he said. I have always thought that every day Ive had since Dec. 7, 1941, is velvet. Coleman waited until the 50th anniversary to return to Pearl Harbor. I never had any desire to go back to Honolulu. I had some bad memories, and I didnt know how I would approach that, Coleman said. He found out that there was still a lot of pain and sorrow, but it was OK. He returned for the 55th anniversary and planned to be at services in Pearl Harbor in 2009. He expected vets to rehash Dec. 7, 1941, but mostly talk about how beautiful the island was before martial law and blackouts when you walked down an alley past a luau and could count on an invitation. It was just wonderful, he said. Those people partied a lot. The Woodland School District has placed its next Maintenance & Operations Levy on the February ballot. The levy replaces an expiring levy previously approved by Woodland voters. Property owners within Woodland school district boundaries paid about $2.57 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2014, $2.76 in 2015 and $2.62 in 2016. The proposed levy for the next three years would remain similar: $2.70 in 2018, $2.70 in 2019 and $2.69 in 2020. The owner of a $150,000 house would pay a little over $400 each year if voters approve the levy approved. Since this is a continuation of a pre-existing levy, voters would not see much change in their annual taxes. The levy provides about a quarter of the funds needed to operate public schools in Woodland, according to a press release from the district. State funds only cover about 75 percent of the total education costs of the district. The proposed levies are expected to raise an estimated $4.5 million in 2018, $4.75 million in 2019 and $5 million in 2020. Community members interested in learning more about the Replacement Operations and Maintenance Levy can visit woodlandschools.org/levy for additional information. This drug used in chemotherapy can increase production of immature eggs in ovaries Are you suffering from low egg formation or infertility. Heres a sigh of relief as a new study has found that a cancer drug used in chemotherapy can significantly increase the eggs count in women. According to researchers, women treated with combination of drugs during chemotherapy have chances of producing more young eggs in their ovaries afterwards/ We all know that women are born with a finite supply of eggs. They start producing eggs nearly at 11 and production stops at the age of 50 also known as menopause. In some women, menopause occurs at an early age while some women suffer from infertility. Scientists from the University of Edinburgh in the UK conducted the study over 14 women who had undergone chemotherapy. They analysed samples of ovary tissues of these women and compared to the ovary tissue samples of 12 healthy women. All the women in the study were aged between 16 to 19 years. After analysing the samples, researchers found that the therapy reversed the development clock for eggs as ovaries started producing immature eggs like pre-pubescent girls. Researchers are still investigation whether the new immature eggs have potential to fertilize and produce babies. This was an astonishing result that we didnt expect. Its not what we set out even to look at, said lead scientist Professor Evelyn Telfer, from the University of Edinburgh. The tissue looked more like that of pre-pubescent than adult ovaries. It wasnt just the fact that there were more immature eggs, it was the way they were organised and clustered. There were features that we only see in the young ovary. Scientists still exactly dont know if chemotherapy destroyed old egg cells and started producing young immature eggs in the ovaries, but they are considering it a significant find which can save millions of people on Earth. After the initial results, researchers are now testing the formation of eggs in the laboratory and how they mature and fertilise either naturally or artificially. Study authors will test the effect of every combination of four drugs used in chemotherapy adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine. At the birth, a girl child contains one to two million follicles in the ovary to hold eggs. During puberty, the girl is left with just 4,00,000 follicles. She loses nearly 1000 follicles with every menstrual cycle and by 50 she is left with none. The study can have a very large impact over infertility and menopause. The study appeared in the journal Human Reproduction. A new study revealed that the men who workout 3-5 days a week have higher chances to increase their sperm counts. It also reveals that significant changes could be observed in the measures of sperm quality within just a few months. It was first published in the journal Reproduction. Despite men following popular intensive exercise programmes like high-intensity interval training (HIIT), those who are exercising moderately and continuously have more improved sperm quality, the study noted. In addition, researchers also said that one-third of couples around the world struggle to conceive due to poor semen quality and the only treatment suggested to them is In vitro fertilisation (IVF). However, it may lead to an increase in birth defects, risk of miscarriage and the development of childhood cancer. Hence, it is advised that each and every man to at least exercise moderately to improve the probability of conceiving. The suggestions also include giving up smoking, reducing the intake of alcohol, healthy eating and regular exercise. The scientist from Urmia University in Iran conducted the study on 261 healthy men aged between 25 and 40 years old. The team first excluded the men who did more than 25 minutes of exercise more than three days per week or followed a regular exercise programme. Then each participant among the remaining ones was assigned to one of the four groups high-intensity continuous training (HICT), HIIT, moderate intensity continuous training (MICT), or a control group that did no exercise. All of the four groups were assigned some type of exercises as following: Moderate intensity continuous training MICT: Running on a treadmill for half an hour for 3-4 days per week. High-intensity continuous training (HICT): Running on a treadmill for one hour for 3-4 days per week. High-intensity interval training (HIIT): Short one-minute bursts of sprinting on a treadmill, followed by a one minute recovery period, repeating between ten to fifteen times. These routines were followed during a 24-week period. No exercise group: As the name describes, this group didnt workout. When compared the samples from the above groups, it is found that men in all exercise groups had improved sperm quality across all measures, while the control group didnt show the same. The biggest improvements were shown by the MICT exercise group after completing the 24-week programme. Researchers stated that the group will also maintain these benefits for longer. While, compared to the control group, those following MICT had: 8.3 percent more semen volume, 12.4 percent higher sperm motility, 17.1 percent improved sperm cell shape/morphology, 14.1 percent more concentrated sperm, and 21.8 percent more sperm cells on average. Our results show that doing exercise can be a simple, cheap and effective strategy for improving sperm quality in sedentary men, said Behzad Hajizadeh Maleki, lead author of the study. In addition, if you are suffering from sexual problems like low drive, erectile dysfunction or sperm low count, then a recent study suggest that undergoing testosterone therapy can significantly help treating the problems. It stated that the male sex hormone is responsible for sex drive and proper functioning of sexual organs. As we age, the levels of testosterone also decline which causes sexual problems and change in sexual desire. hidden By Rajashekara V. Maiya Who would have thought a few years ago that incumbent banks and their non-bank challengers would actually get together? Yet there has been a spate of bank-fintech collaborations in recent times. The competitive narrative seems to be changing on both sides as banks, while acknowledging the fintech threat, see a bigger opportunity in partnership, and fintech startups no longer aspire to be giant slayers. This was echoed in the findings of the EFMA-Infosys Finacle Innovation in Retail Banking 2016 survey, where 77 percent of bank respondents rated the threat of non-traditional competition as high or very high; but in the same breath an almost identical proportion (73 percent) said partnering with startups was the best way to access disruptive technologies, the very thing needed to provide superior products, services and experiences to customers. For most banks, a fintech collaboration offers a practical way to sidestep their own legacy technologies to quickly enter the disruptive ecosystem ruled by new-age players. Banks are going about this in two ways by setting up accelerators or incubators in support of startups and/or partnering directly with them. Today, most progressive banks around the world have a fintech partnership going, or it is in their immediate plans. In India, Axis Bank was the first to establish a dedicated innovation lab. Named Thought Factory, the lab will have an accelerator to enable the Bank to collaborate with the startup ecosystem. Bank of Baroda, on the other hand, chose to take the alternative route by stringing together a series of partnerships with fintech companies, such as CreditMantri, Power2SME, IndiaLends and Fisdom. So did Yes Bank, which inked a whopping 36 fintech partnerships and RBL Bank, which tied up with several new players in remittances, including Oxigen, ItzCash and NuvoPay. As is evident from these examples, payments take the top spot in bank-fintech collaboration. Now, the Governments renewed resolve to usher in a cashless economy is expected to give further impetus to partnerships in the area of digital payments. One may infer from the presentations made at HDFC Banks Digital Innovation Summit that banks are also looking at areas such as artificial intelligence, branch automation, marketing, security, location-based solutions, analytics and quality assurance, for striking up partnerships. Regardless of the area, the motives for partnership remain the same. From the banks perspective, allying with startups allows them to tap the latters innovation talent, technological expertise and unique, disruptive business models. Its clearly a great way to accelerate innovation, which is often stifled by their legacy environment, conservative, risk-averse culture, and shortage of talent. Their fintech partners are equal beneficiaries, gaining immediate access to the banks massive customer base, deep financial resources, and expertise in managing risk and compliance. The benefits of collaboration are undeniable, but they are not guaranteed. It is very important for a bank to figure out the right reasons for collaboration, for instance, identifying gaps in its capability that are best bridged by partnering with a startup. Both the bank and fintech partner must make the necessary changes in culture, attitude and behavior for keeping the partnership running smoothly. This might be easier said than done given that a typical bank and startup have very different cultures, philosophies and practices. They also have distinctly different technology environments, with the startup having none of the legacy baggage that is found in most banks. Banks will find it quite tough to renew their landscape to co-exist with their partners shiny new environment. But if they get it right, the mutual gain will far outweigh any pain along the way. The author is Associate Vice President & Head Finacle Product Strategy at Infosys hidden Cashing in on the ongoing demonetisation drive across India, Amazon India is witnessing triple-digit growth in its sales as it has switched to various electronic payments platforms, said the company's Vice President and Country Manager Amit Agarwal. "When demonetisation was announced, we had switched off cash-on-delivery (COD) for 48 hours because it was very important for us to allow our logistics team to move from one compliant world to the new compliant world. Since then, we have allowed our customers to benefit from loading up their Amazon balance so that they can shop in a fruitful manner," Agarwal told BTVi in an interview. "Customers can, right up to their doorsteps, choose to switch their cash payment option with the ability to pay with credit or debit card in one of the point of sales (PoS) devices that our logistics (team) carry with them. What we have seen is that the number of customers choosing to switch has gone up 10 times," he added. On November 8, the government decided to demonetise high denomination Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes across the country. "So there is distinctly a dramatic shift towards electronic payment methods which is good in my opinion for e-commerce, for customer experience and for India as a whole going forward. And as we look at our business today, we have mostly returned to normal with very healthy triple-digit growth rates year-on-year and we're very excited," Agarwal said. He said that when the e-commerce company had switched off COD, sales got impacted as they were not letting the customers shop in lieu of cash. "But since then, as we have enabled these other services, we are mostly normal and we are seeing triple-digit growth rates." The company has more than 95 million products now on its website with more than 1.8 million products eligible for next-day guaranteed delivery. IANS tech2 News Staff The European Commission has approved the Microsoft acquisition of LinkedIn, subject to conditions. The approval follows an investigation by the European Commission into how Microsoft could use its strong market position to expand the userbase on LinkedIn. The commission was concerned about the effect on competing professional social networking supports if Microsoft were to pre-install LinkedIn on Windows PCs and combine the LinkedIn user database with that of Microsoft. Customer Relationship Software services was another area of concern. The European Commission evaluated if Microsoft could shut out competition by bundling Microsoft Customer Relationship Management Software with Sales Intelligence Solutions from LinkedIn, and denying competing Customer Relationship Management solution vendors from access to the full LinkedIn database. The investigation found out that the LinkedIn Sales Intelligence product is not a must have solution, and that access to the LinkedIn database is not necessary for competing in the Customer Relationship Software services market. Additionally, the European Commission has found that Microsoft is a relatively minor player in the market, with the market dominated by SAP, Oracle, and the clear leader, Salesforce. The commission has approved the acquisition with a few conditions. The conditions are that Microsoft should not install LinkedIn by default on its operating system, and allow users to uninstall the service if it does choose to bundle it with the OS by default. Competing professional social network service providers should be allowed to maintain current levels of integration with Microsoft products. The European Commission wants Microsoft to provide access to "Microsoft Graph" to competing Professional Social Networking service providers. Developers can use data available through this gateway to drive user adoption. hidden GoDaddy Inc, a U.S.-based website domain name provider, said on Tuesday it would buy peer Host Europe Group (HEG) for 1.69 billion euros ($1.82 billion), including debt, as it seeks to expand beyond the initial set-up of websites. GoDaddy has branched into the more profitable business of hosting websites for small businesses and consumers and the HEG deal will help it accelerate this shift as well as broaden its customer base in Europe. The deal gives the company a five-year jump in Europe, GoDaddy Chief Executive Blake Irving said in an interview. HEG is one of Europe's largest independent web hosting firms and operates brands such as 123Reg, Domain Factory, Heart Internet and Host Europe. GoDaddy, well-known in the United States for its at times provocative TV marketing campaigns, trumped bids from German Internet service provider United Internet AG and Deutsche Telekom AG for the company. Reuters had reported last month that GoDaddy was in exclusive talks to buy the company. HEG is currently owned by European private equity firm Cinven Ltd, which acquired the business in August 2013 for 438 million pounds ($560 million). Irving said the company had considered buying HEG in 2013, but dropped the plan over integration concerns. GoDaddy also said it would explore options for HEG's PlusServer managed hosting business, including a possible sale. HEG's chief executive, Patrick Pulvermuller, will lead European operations of the combined company. The HEG platform will likely be used by Godaddy for follow-on deals in Europe, a person familiar with the deal said. GoDaddy said HEG was on track to generate about $328 million in bookings and about $139 million in adjusted EBITDA in 2016. Cinven was advised by Deutsche Bank on the deal, while Godaddy was advised by Greenhill. Banks including Barclays, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank and RBC are lining up the financing of the deal. Reuters tech2 News Staff Google is commemorating the 340th anniversary of the Determination of the Speed of Light. The discovery was reported on 7 December 1676 by the first scientific journal in Europe, the Journal des scavans. The Journal is still operating, in a modern form known as Journal des Savants. Danish Astronomer Ole Rmer was observing the eclipses of Jupiter's moon Io. Rmer found a discrepancy in the predicted and actual appearances of the eclipses. In an announcement to the Royal Academy of Sciences in Paris, Rmer predicted that the Io would come out of the shadow of Jupiter ten minutes after it was anticipated, on 16 November 1676. Instead of the speed of light, Rmer was more interested in explaining the discrepancies of the emergence or immersion of IO during its eclipses. Rmer calculated that it would take roughly ten to eleven minutes for light to travel a distance equal to half the diametre of a terrestrial orbit. This estimation works out to 220,000 kilometres per second, a value that is twenty six percent below the actual value. Rmer rightly predicted that light had a finite speed, which was itself not yet established in the scientific community. While Google is commemorating Ole Rmer determining of the speed of light, it was only an indirect inference of his findings. There is some debate over who exactly should be credited for the discovery, with some scientists preferring to credit Christiaan Huygens who calculated the approximate speed of light in Earth based units. Kunal Khullar As Samsung is still trying to revive its losses due the Note 7 fiasco, rumours for the upcoming Galaxy S8 are already doing the rounds. We last heard that Samsung is planning to give it all and make the flagship a beast of a phone which could include a 4K display. The latest rumour however is a bit of concern. According to SamMobile, Samsung will follow Apple and say goodbye to the 3.5mm audio jack. This means that it will be relying on a USB Type-C port for charging, data transfer and audio output. It is true that the Korean smartphone maker does take certain design cues from the iPhone, but removing the headphone jack could be huge disappointment. At the time of the Note 7's announcement, Samsung VP Justin Denison mocked the iPhone by saying "Want to know what else it comes with? An audio jack, I'm just saying." When Apple removed the headphone jack from the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus it called it "courage." That courage might not go very well for Samsung as it is already under a soup for killing the Note 7, its most high-end smartphone, due to its unstable battery. This is still a rumour though and should be taken with a pinch of salt. In my opinion Samsung should play safe and retain the legacy port if it doesn't want more consumers to criticise the brand. hidden South Korea said it will file criminal complaints against five former and current executives at Volkswagen AG's South Korean unit and fine the company a record 37.3 billion won ($31.87 million) for false advertising on vehicle emissions. The fine, a record for false advertising in the Asian country, indicates South Korean authorities are in no mood to soften their tough line on the German carmaker's emissions-test cheating, having already suspended most of its sales in the country since August. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said on Wednesday it would ask prosecutors to investigate Volkswagen's headquarters, its South Korean unit and five former and current executives including Andre Konsbruck, currently vice president of sales for the Americas at Volkswagen unit Audi, and Audi's Head of Sales Overseas Terence Bryce Johnsson. It alledged Volkswagen made "false, exaggerated or deceptive" claims in the advertisements, with punishments ranging from jail terms of up to two years or fines of up to 150 million won, an FTC official told reporters. Volkswagen advertised its cars as environmentally friendly vehicles that met pollution standards although they were equipped with devices designed to deceive government tests, the regulator said. Audi Volkswagen Korea (AVK) said it had not been formally notified of the regulator's decision. "AVK is committed to rebuilding trust with the authorities and with customers and other stakeholders in Korea," it said in a statement. South Korea has already fined Volkswagen 17.8 billion won for emissions-cheating, and arrested one local Volkswagen executive on accusations including fabrication of documents and violation air quality laws. The sales suspension imposed in August slammed the brakes on the German automaker's breakneck growth in South Korea, a market dominated by homegrown rivals like Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors. While South Korea is a relatively small market for Volkswagen, it is significant for its luxury marques Audi and Bentley and one of the fastest-growing markets for all brands. Volkswagen admitted in September 2015 to using software to falsify pollution tests on some diesel cars, spurring legal action in the United States, Germany, South Korea and elsewhere. In the United States, Volkswagen has already agreed to spend up to $16.5 billion to date to resolve diesel emissions cheating allegations, and still may face billions more in fines. Reuters hidden South Korean President Park Geun-hye, engulfed in an influence peddling scandal, said if she was impeached she would wait for a court to uphold the decision, a party official said on Tuesday, a sign a political crisis could drag on for months. Park's embattled presidency faces a critical juncture, with parliament expected to hold an impeachment vote on Friday. Even if the motion is passed, it must be upheld by the Constitutional Court, a process that could take at least months. Separately, South Korea's most prominent corporate chiefs told a parliamentary panel they had not sought favours when they made contributions to two foundations at the heart of the scandal, even as one of them acknowledged it was hard to say "no" to the government. "It's a South Korean reality that if there is a government request, it is difficult for companies to decline," said Huh Chang-soo, who heads the energy-to-retail GS Group and is also chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries, the main lobby group for the conglomerates known as chaebol. Park, 64, is under intense pressure to resign immediately, with big crowds taking to the streets every Saturday calling for her ouster. Her approval rating is at a record low of 4 percent. She would be the first democratically elected South Korean president not to serve a full five-year term. She is accused of colluding with a friend and a former aide to pressure big business owners to pay into two foundations set up to back policy initiatives. She has denied wrongdoing but apologised for carelessness in her ties with the friend, Choi Soon-sil. Park met leaders of her Saenuri party and top official Chung Jin-suk later said the president was willing to accept her party's proposal that she step down in April - which has been rejected by the opposition - but gave no indication that she was willing to quit immediately. "Unless she says she is resigning immediately, whatever she says won't satisfy the public and won't make the opposition drop their impeachment motion," said Kim Man-heum, head of the Korea Academy of Politics and Leadership. Opposition parties need at least 28 members from Park's Saenuri Party for the impeachment bill to pass with a two-thirds majority. At least 29 of them are believed to be planning to vote for the bill, members of a breakaway faction said. Last week, Park offered to step down and asked parliament to decide how and when she should resign, a move opposition parties rejected as a ploy to buy time and avoid impeachment. Rhee Jong-hoon, a political commentator at iGM Consulting, said Park would fight in the Constitutional Court to overturn an impeachment hearing. "And if the motion is overturned? She will remain in office until her term is finished. Nothing matters after the Constitutional Court rules against the impeachment bill." The heads of conglomerates controlling revenue equivalent to more than half the country's economy were questioned over whether they were pressured by Park or Choi to give money to non-profit foundations, which backed initiatives put forth by Park, in exchange for special treatment. 'Heavy Heart' Samsung Group leader Jay Y. Lee, who sat at the centre of the witness table, said Park had asked him during one-on-one meetings for support for boosting cultural and sports-related developments but did not specifically request money. "There are often requests from various parts of society including for culture and sports. We have never contributed seeking quid pro quo. This case was the same," Lee said. The 48-year-old Lee, the third-generation leader of the country's biggest conglomerate who received the lion's share of the panel's often-hectoring questioning, said he was embarrassed by the situation and was appearing with a "heavy heart". Samsung donated 20.4 billion won ($17.46 million) to the two foundations, the most of any group, and prosecutors raided its offices last month. The corporate titans ran a gauntlet of media and protesters as they entered the National Assembly for the first such parliamentary hearing featuring such a large group of chaebol bosses. The family-controlled chaebol have long dominated Asia's fourth-largest economy, working closely with the government in a system that helped the country rebuild from the ravages of the 1950-53 Korean War. But the system, critics say, is due for reform, including improved corporate governance and transparency. None of the chaebol has been accused of any wrongdoing in the case, but a protester outside the assembly held a sign saying: "Arrest the chaebol chiefs". Reuters tech2 News Staff YouTube announced in a blog post that it was honoured to be a part of one of the engines of growth of the music industry, following IFPI, a global music industry body reporting profits after years of decline in the IFPI Global Music Report for 2016. YouTube based the celebrations on paying out $1 billion to the music industry over the course of a year. YouTube called for support from the music industry in driving revenues from advertisements, with a vision of how ad supported music can look a lot like television. The IFPI Global Music Report for 2016 notes that in 2015, digital distribution revenue overtook that of physical distribution for the first time. The report notes that major businesses that thrive because of distribution of online music are depriving artists of the fair return to their work (read YouTube). The difference is noted in a graph that compares the revenue earned by subscription based services, against revenue earned by advertising based services, and there is a big gap. 68 million subscribers generate more than three times the revenue for the industry than the 900 million users who consume music on advertising supported platforms. YouTube claims that the $1 billion dollar payout is a demonstration of a successful model. The IFPI did not agree with the interpretation by Google on how ad supported services are a strong driver for growth in the music industry. The IFPI pointed out that the payout by Google pales in comparison to the amount paid to the music industry by streaming services such as Apple Music, Deezer or Spotify. The IFPI noted that Spotify alone paid out $2 billion to record labels. The IFPI released a statement in response to the YouTube blog post that said "YouTube, the world's largest on-demand music service, is not paying artists and producers anything like a fair rate for music. This highlights more than ever the need for legislative action to address the "value gap" that is denying music rights holders a fair return for their work." YouTube has long had an antagonistic relationship with the music industry. The European Commission is trying to address this "value gap" perceived by the music industry with copyright reforms. The reforms would require sites such as YouTube, DailyMotion and Pinterest to pay out a larger share of their revenues to record labels. Earlier this year, YouTube hired former Warner Music Group executive Lyor Cohen in an effort to strengthen its ties to the music industry. Dedicated to the Restoration of Progressive Democracy Africa News Madonsela was appointed by president Jacob Zuma in 2009 for non renewable seven year tenure. But the president has been at the receiving end of her heroic investigations even till her last day in office. It took a court ruling to block her from releasing her report into allegations that the wealthy Gupta family influenced the appointment of ministers last year in what has been dubbed State of Capture. Another court ordered the report to be released about two weeks ago by her successor. She investigated and demanded the countrys embattled president pays back part of the 16 million US dollars of state funds used to upgrade his private residence. In the award's sixth year, Madonsela is the first woman to be recognized. Fellow nominees for the Person of the Year award included Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli Mauritian President Ameenah Gurib fellow South African and founder of Capitec Bank Michiel le Roux and the people of Rwanda. Africa News reports In the award's sixth year, Madonsela is the first woman to be recognized. Fellow nominees for the Person of the Year award included Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli Mauritian President Ameenah Gurib fellow South African and founder of Capitec Bank Michiel le Roux and the people of Rwanda. You Might Also Like Thuli Madonsela was named Forbes Africa's person of the year for 2016. The publication awards the honor to the individual who, for better or worse, has had the most influence on business on the year gone by.Madonsela is the former public protector of South Africa. According to the magazine, as the country's anti-corruption chief, the human rights lawyer "faced death threats in her quest to bring inconsistencies to the fore." British PM unveils steps to deepen defense cooperation with Gulf Britain\'s Prime Minister Theresa May joins other leaders for a family photo at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Manama, Bahrain on Wednesday. Reuters, London : British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday she would deepen defense cooperation with Gulf countries and work with them to push back "against Iran's aggressive regional actions". Addressing the Gulf Cooperation Council, May said Britain wanted to "make a more permanent and more enduring commitment to the long-term security of the Gulf" and invest more than 3 billion pounds in defense spending in the region over the next decade. "Gulf security is our security," she told the council, which brings together the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. Britain will help Gulf states "push back" against aggressive regional actions by Iran, Prime Minister Theresa May told the Gulf Cooperation Council in Bahrain on Wednesday in a televised address. "We must... continue to confront state actors whose influence fuels instability in the region," May told Gulf leaders at the summit. "So I want to assure you that I am clear-eyed about the threat that Iran poses to the Gulf and to the wider Middle East." She added: "We must... work together to push back against Iran's aggressive regional actions." May said she wanted a "strategic partnership" to help boost security in Gulf countries, including defence investment and military training in Bahrain and Jordan. The prime minister also spoke about discussions to improve trade ties with Gulf countries as Britain prepares to leave the European Union. "I want these talks to pave the way for an ambitious trade arrangement" after Brexit, she said. King Salman of Gulf heavyweight Saudi Arabia opened the summit on Tuesday with a call for a "doubling of efforts" to face regional challenges. In October last year, Britain began building a naval base at Mina Salman, outside Manama, its first new permanent base in the Middle East in four decades. The GCC bloc of Western-allied countries includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. French President Francois Hollande was the first leader from outside the region to attend a GCC summit, in May 2015. US President Barack Obama met with the bloc in Saudi Arabia in April of this year.May's two-day visit comes as her government faces mounting domestic criticism that it has not done enough to avoid post-Brexit disruption to British trade, which is currently carried out under EU agreements. Trump lays out `non-interventionist` US military policy US alliance will endure even with President-elect: Japan Reuters, North Carolina : President-elect Donald Trump laid out a US military policy on Tuesday that would avoid interventions in foreign conflicts and instead focus heavily on defeating the Islamic State militancy. In the latest stop on a "thank you" tour of states critical to his November 8 election win, Trump introduced his choice for defence secretary, General James Mattis, to a large crowd in this city near the Fort Bragg military base, which has deployed soldiers to 90 countries around the world. "We will stop racing to topple foreign regimes that we know nothing about, that we shouldn't be involved with," Trump said. "Instead, our focus must be on defeating terrorism and destroying ISIS, and we will." Trump's rhetoric was similar to what he said during the election campaign when he railed against the war in Iraq. In Fayetteville, he vowed a strong rebuilding of the US military, which he suggested has been stretched too thin. Instead of investing in wars, he said, he would spend money to build up America's ageing roads, bridges and airports. Even so, Trump said he wants to boost spending on the military. To help pay for his buildup, Trump pledged to seek congressional approval for lifting caps on defence spending that were part of "sequestration" legislation that imposed cut spending across the board. "We don't want to have a depleted military because we're all over the place fighting in areas that we shouldn't be fighting in. It's not going to be depleted any longer," he said. Trump said any nation that shares these goals will be considered a US partner. "We don't forget. We want to strengthen old friendships and seek out new friendships," he said. He said the policy of "intervention and chaos" must come to an end. Meanwhile, Japan's defense chief said Wednesday she believes her country's alliance with the United States will endure in the Trump administration because it benefits both countries. Defense Minister Tomomi Inada was asked about President-elect Donald Trump's suggestion that Japan build its own nuclear deterrent force. She said Japan expects to remain under the US nuclear umbrella. Inada said discussion about the future of the alliance should focus on shared security capabilities rather than financial burdens. She also said Japan will stick to its vision of a world free of nuclear weapons. "This will remain unchanged," she said, implicitly rejecting the notion of Japan developing its own nuclear force. She noted that Japan is the only country in the world to have experienced the horrors of nuclear war. Inada spoke at a joint news conference Wednesday with US Defense Secretary Ash Carter. The Pentagon chief noted that the meeting was taking place on the anniversary of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, which led to the US entry into World War II. French-BD trade show begins on Friday Economic Reporter : France is keen to boost the economic and trade relations with Bangladesh considering the latter's huge economic prospect. "Both the countries have been maintaining a warm diplomatic relation over the years with bilateral trade and investment is growing tremendously," Sophie Aubert, The ambassador of France in Dhaka told at a press briefing on Wednesday. The briefing was held at her official residence in city's Gulshan on the eve of France trade show to be held on Friday. "Paris considers Dhaka its best friend. So, it wants to accelerate the bilateral trade relations with Bangladesh taking the initiative to bring new investment in various sectors" Sophie added. The France envoy said that Bangladesh has to do more on technology transfer and maintain a congenial investment climate to attract more overseas investment into the country. She expects that a number of deal will sign with French's' businessmen during the exhibition. France-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCIFB) is organizing the two-day's (December 9-10) trade show for first time in the country. The show will be held at citys' la Meridian Hotel. On December 9, the exhibition will remain open to public from 10am to 8pm and it will remain open for visitors from 10pm to 5pm on December 10. According to organizers, 16 French companies will showcase their products and services in the exhibition. They will also present their technical and technological capabilities at the show. The show will create the opportunities for Bangladeshi businessmen and investors to get along with French investors and entrepreneurs. Organizers said, the show will help expand French products and services as well as investment in Bangladesh. "France is the best friend of Dhaka" said Sophie Aubert. "We want to further increase bilateral trade and commerce with the country, as part the trade show" she added. The ambassador also told that France-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce hosted the anniversary marking the first time. A number of deal will sign with French's' businessmen during the exhibition time, She added. CCIFB President M Maqsud, Director Dr Rifat Rashid, Chairman of Policy Advocacy Syed Mahmudul Huq and Economic and Commercial Counselor of the France Embassy Francois Petit were also present, among others. DC Chittagong Md Shamsul Arefin addressing the function of reminiscence of Liberation War at Muktijudher Bijoy Mela in Chittagong yesterday. Future of world economy not doubt free Joel Mokyr : With the global economy yet to recover from the 2008 economic crisis, concern about the future - especially of the advanced economies - is intensifying. My Northwestern University colleague Robert J. Gordon captures the sentiment of many economists, arguing in his recent book The Rise and Fall of American Growth that the enormous productivity-enhancing innovations of the last century and a half cannot be equaled. If true, advanced economies should expect slow growth and stagnation in the coming years. But will the future really be so bleak? Probably not. In fact, pessimism has reigned over economists' outlooks for centuries. In 1830, the British Whig historian Thomas Macaulay observed that, "[i]n every age, everybody knows that up to his own time, progressive improvement has been taking place; nobody seems to reckon on any improvement in the next generation." Why, he asked, do people expect "nothing but deterioration"? Soon, Macaulay's perspective was vindicated by the dawn of the railway age. Transformative advances in steel, chemicals, electricity, and engineering soon followed. When it comes to our technological future, I would expect a similar outcome. Indeed, I would go so far as to say, "We ain't seen nothin' yet." Technological advances will create a tailwind of hurricane-like proportions to the world's most advanced economies. My optimism is based not on some generalized faith in the future, but on the way science (or "propositional knowledge") and technology ("prescriptive knowledge") support each other. Just as scientific breakthroughs can facilitate technological innovation, technological advances enable scientific discovery, which drives more technological change. In other words, there is a positive feedback loop between scientific and technological progress. The history of technology is full of examples of this feedback loop. The seventeenth-century scientific revolution was made possible partly by new, technologically advanced tools, such as telescopes, barometers, and vacuum pumps. One cannot discuss the emergence of germ theory in the 1870s without mentioning prior improvements in the microscope. The techniques of x-ray crystallography used by Rosalind Franklin were critical to the discovery of the structure of DNA, as well as to discoveries that led to over 20 Nobel prizes. The instruments available to science today include modern versions of old tools that would have been unimaginable even a quarter-century ago. Telescopes have been shot into space and connected to high-powered adaptive-optics computers, to reveal a universe quite different from the one humans once imagined. In 2014, the builders of the Betzig-Hell microscope were awarded a Nobel Prize for overcoming an obstacle that had previously been considered insurmountable, bringing optical microscopy into the nanodimension. If that is not enough to quash technological pessimism, consider the revolutionary instruments and tools that have emerged in recent years - devices that would never even have been dreamed of a few decades earlier. Start with the computer. Economists have made valiant efforts to assess computers' impact on the production of goods and services, and to measure their contribution to productivity. But none of these measures can adequately account for the untold benefits and opportunities computers have created for scientific research. There is no lab in the world that does not rely on them. The term in silico has taken its place next to in vivo and in vitro in experimental work. And entire new fields such as "computational physics" and "computational biology" have sprung up ex nihilo. In line with Moore's Law, advances in scientific computation will continue to accelerate for many years to come, not least owing to the advent of quantum computing. Another new tool is the laser. When the first lasers appeared, they were almost an invention in search of an application. Nowadays, they are almost as ubiquitous as computers, used for seemingly mundane daily uses ranging from document scanning to ophthalmology. The range of research areas that now rely on lasers is no less broad, running the gamut of biology, chemistry, genetics, and astronomy. LIBS (laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy) is essential to the protein analysis on which so much research in molecular biochemistry depends. Recently, lasers enabled the confirmation of the existence of gravitational waves - one of the holy grails of physics.Yet another technological innovation that is transforming science is the gene-editing tool CRISPR Cas9. Already, sequencing genomes is a fast and relatively cheap process, its cost having dropped from $10 million per genome in 2007 to under $1,000 today. CRISPR Cas9 takes this technology to a new, truly revolutionary level, as it enables scientists to edit and manipulate the human genome. While that idea may give some people pause, the technology's potential beneficial applications - such as enabling essential crops to withstand climate change and water salination - cannot be overestimated. Furthermore, digitization has lowered access costs for researchers substantially. All research relies on access to existing knowledge; we all stand on the shoulders of the giants (and even average-size figures) who came before us. We recombine their discoveries, ideas, and innovations in novel - sometimes revolutionary - ways. But, until recently, learning what one needed to know to come up with scientific and technological innovations took a lot more work, with countless hours spent scouring libraries and encyclopedia volumes. Nowadays, researchers can find nanoscopic needles in information haystacks the size of Montana. They can access mega-databases, where they can find patterns and empirical regularities. The eighteenth-century taxonomist Carl Linnaeus would be envious. Our scientific knowledge is surging forward, leading to innumerable new applications. There can be no doubt that technology will forge ahead as well, in scores of expected and unexpected areas. It will bring economic growth, albeit perhaps not the kind that will register fully if we continue to rely on our outdated standards for national income accounting. (Joel Mokyr is Professor of Economics and History at Northwestern University). Courtesy: Project Syndicate Resisting reckless driving under influence of drugs A RECKLESSLY driven car ploughed into three women sleeping on a footpath in front of the Supreme Court and killed two of them and injured the other early on the morning of December 7. The vehicle which was at speed also hit the fence of the SC, damaging a portion of the fence around 12:15am. Police said they arrested private university student Shaon Bepari, 25, from the car. The driver and the owner, who was also in the car at that time, fled the scene. The deceased are Shahera Begum, 45, and Hasina, 35, police said. The injured, Tahera Begum, 50, was undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). The incident happened at a time when there is a growing concern over rash driving by some people, who are either high on drugs, or drunk, or in an illegal street race. For example, a recent car crash near the city's Banani Flyover left a man seriously injured. The vehicle, which had flipped over, was racing another car. A day after this year's Eid-ul-Azha, a rashly driven car crushed an elderly couple dead in the capital's Shewrapara. Several bottles of liquor were found inside the car. In another incident last year, a teenage driver badly injured four pedestrians in Gulshan when he was racing another car. He was reportedly drunk. Inspector (investigation) Jafar Ali Biswas of Shahbagh Police Station said police were investigating whether the driver was at the wheel when the incident happened and whether anyone of them was drunk. He said the car was heading towards Matsya Bhaban. Police went to the spot and sent the injured to the DMCH. Doctors declared Hasina dead on arrival while Shahera died there later, said Shahbagh police. Our roads and highways are already unsafe enough without this new phenomenon of adding reckless drivers to the list. Not only reckless but non compos mentis, of unsound mind, due to their habit of taking intoxicating drugs while driving. While the traffic administration has tried to minimize the scale of accidents by installing road dividers and speed bumps in major highway roads, the smaller roads also have had their share of accidents. Over 97 killed in Aceh province Rescuers are still searching for survivors among the rubble in Aceh. (Inset) Medical personnel and family members transport a woman who was injured in the quake. Internet photo The Telegraph : A strong undersea earthquake rocked Indonesia's Aceh province early on Wednesday, killing over 97 people and sparking a frantic rescue effort in the rubble of dozens of collapsed and damaged buildings. Maj Gen Tatang Sulaiman, chief of the army in Aceh province, said at least 97 died while four people were pulled from the rubble alive. Most of the deaths were in in Pidie Jaya, the district closest to the epicentre. Another four or five people are still believed to be buried, but it is not known if they are dead or alive. "Hopefully we would be able to finish the evacuation from the rubble before sunset," said Sulaiman. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency said 273 people were injured, about a quarter of them seriously. Some 245 buildings were seriously damaged or destroyed, mostly in Pidie Jaya, including 14 mosques and the remainder largely dwellings and shop houses. Roads also cracked and power poles toppled over. The rescue effort involving villagers, soldiers and police is concentrated on Meureudu, a severely affected town in Pidie Jaya district. Excavators were trying to remove debris from shop houses and other buildings where people were believed buried. TV footage showed rescue personnel taking bodies in black bags away from the rubble. The US Geological Survey said the shallow 6.5-magnitude earthquake that struck at 5:03am (22.03 GMT on Tuesday) was centered about 6 miles (10km) north of Reuleut, a town in northern Aceh, at a depth of 11 miles (17km). It did not generate a tsunami. For Acehnese, the quake was another terrifying reminder of their region's vulnerability to natural disasters. More than 100,000 died in Aceh after the December 26, 2004, earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami. "It was very bad, the tremors felt even stronger than 2004 earthquake," said Musman Aziz, a Meureudu resident. "I was so scared the tsunami was coming." In the capital Jakarta, President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo said he has ordered all government agencies to take part in the rescue efforts. Seaside resident Fitri Abidin in Pidie Jaya said she fled with her husband and wailing children to a nearby hill after the quake jolted the family awake early in the morning. They stayed there for several hours until authorities reassured them there was no tsunami risk. "It terrified me. I was having difficulty breathing or walking," said Abidin. She said her husband grabbed hold of her and carried her out of the house. The family's house didn't collapse but the homes of some neighbours did and Abidin is afraid three friends were buried in building collapses. In Pidie Jaya's neighboring district of Bireuen, a teacher at an Islamic building school died after being hit by falling debris. About 20 people were being treated at a health center and one person was moved to a hospital because of broken bones and a head injury, health worker Achmad Taufiq said.Residents of the nearby town of Lhokseumawe ran out of their houses in panic during the quake and many people fled to higher ground. Aceh lies on the northern tip of Sumatra island, which is particularly prone to earthquakes. In June, a 6.5-magnitude quake struck off the west of Sumatra, damaging scores of buildings and injuring eight people. The world's largest archipelago, Indonesia is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. The 2004 quake and tsunami killed a total of 230,000 people in a dozen countries, most of them in Aceh. US deports 40 more illegal BD migrants Staff Reporter : A total of 40 illegal Bangladeshi migrants were scheduled to return home on Wednesday night, according to airport sources. Airport sources said a special chartered flight carrying the Bangladeshi nationals is likely to land at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at about 10 pm yesterday along with 13 US security personnel. Meanwhile, the home ministry asked the airport authority as well as the members of law enforcement agencies to provide all out security to the US security personnel during their short stay over at the airport. On December 1, US government in a letter informed the Bangladesh foreign and home ministries that they would deport the 40 illegal migrants on December 7. After verifying and checking the papers and documents, the US government identified the Bangladeshi migrants as illegal. Later the Home Ministry in a letter asked the Additional Inspector General (Special Branch) to provide security to 40 illegal migrants and US security personnel and cooperate with them. After handing over the illegal migrants to Bangladesh authority, the US security personnel were also scheduled to leave Dhaka for Beijing on the same night. Earlier, on April 1, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the US would send back some Bangladeshi migrants from there in phases as the US court declared them illegal following legal procedures. On April 6 a total of 27 illegal Bangladeshi migrants were deported by the USA. Kofi Annan refuses to use `genocide` to describe Rohingya crisis malaysiakini : Former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan has refrained from using the word "genocide" to describe the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar. Speaking to the BBC in an interview after visiting the Rakhine State, where the ethnic cleansing is alleged to be taking place, Annan said there is tension but not genocide. "I think there are tensions, there has been fighting, but I wouldn't put it the way some have done," he said. Annan was invited by Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi to oversee a commission looking into the situation in Rakhine State. "The fear has heightened, but we need to find a way of breaking that down and beginning to encourage the communities to connect," Annan told BBC.He also advises observers to be "very, very careful" when using the term 'genocide'. Tens of thousands of Rohingyas have been displaced, with refugees alleging cases of rape, torture and mass murders. The Myanmar government has strongly denied these allegations. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak attended a rally last Sunday, calling on the Myanmar government to end the genocide against the Rohingyas, and this has raised controversy. The event also caused diplomatic strains between Malaysia and Myanmar, with Myanmar citing the event as a violation of Asean's non-interference policy. Accepting all Rohingyas not possible: PM Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said Bangladesh is providing shelter to the Rohingyas who are coming here losing everything, but ruled out the possibility to accept all. "We're giving shelter to those who're coming here losing everything, but it's also correct we cannot open our door allowing them to come here in large number like influx because we're a sovereign country," she said. The Prime Minister said this while responding to a supplementary question from Jatiya Party MP Fakhrul Imam during PM's question-answer session. Sheikh Hasina said the Myanmar citizens who are getting chance to enter Bangladesh are being provided with food and medical support. "We're helping them at our level best," she said. Hasina said the government is looking at the humanitarian aspect on one hand and maintaining the peaceful situation on the other so that no incident takes place in the neighbouring country. She again blamed the handful of October 9 perpetrators that led to the sufferings of thousands of men, women and children along the border. "If we want to blame, we have to blame those who first unleashed the situation and killed border guards and attacked Myanmar army personnel," she said pointing finger at those who killed the nine border guards in Myanmar's strife-torn Rakhine state on October 9. The Prime Minister said thousands of men, women and children are suffering as their [perpetrators] attacks led to the current situation. She said Bangladesh's intelligence has already been informed and Bangladesh will not give them shelter. "Instead, they'll be caught, if found, and be handed over to Myanmar authorities." Hasina categorically said she would not allow anyone to use Bangladesh's land to create problem in any neighbouring country. She also mentioned that Bangladesh Foreign Ministry and its minister have taken steps in this regard. Hasinsa said the Foreign Ministry has asked the Myanmar envoy in Dhaka to inform their authorities not to create such a situation that forces refugees to enter Bangladesh. On November 24, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali briefed diplomats here on the issue urging the international community to play its due role in this regard. He requested the diplomatic community to sensitise their governments so that a coordinated approach can be taken to address the issue. On November 23, Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Myo Myint Than was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to meet Ambassador Kamrul Ahsan, Secretary (Bilateral & Consular). During the meeting, Ahsan expressed government's deep concern at the deteriorating situation in the Rakhine State due to actions by Myanmar military causing dire consequences to people and its implications on Bangladesh. Despite BGB's sincere efforts to prevent the influx, thousands of distressed Myanmar's citizens, including women, children and elderly people, continue to cross the border into Bangladesh. Bangladesh urged Myanmar to assist it to ensure the integrity of its border to prevent the influx of people from Rakhine into its territory, and take urgent appropriate measures so that Muslim minorities there are not forced to seek shelter across the border. Fresh panic grips people in city Latest missing of youths: Law enforcers on high alert Md Joynal Abedin Khan : The latest missing incident of six youths from the city has created a fresh panic among the people as well as the members of different law enforcement agencies. As, most of the youths belonging to militant outfit had left their residences and gone into hiding in order to frame strategy to launch terror attack, it is very natural for the common people and the law enforces to take issue seriously. The youths, who launched heinous terror attack on Holey Artisan Bakery at Gulshan cafe in city on July 1, had left their respective residence earlier. A total of 22 people, including 17 foreign nationals and two senior officers of police were killed in the attack "Feelings of anxiety and fear are very common and are normal responses to this experience. So we are on high alert," an official of intelligence agency told The New Nation. Abul Kalam Azad, a teacher of the Dhaka University, said the missing youths may launch attack anytime anywhere. Banani Rani Roy, a city dweller, told The New Nation on Wednesday, "I am fear of the further militant attacks as six militants went missing in the last week." MA Rashid, a security analyst, said, "The attacks mostly carried out creating panic among the people, but the government agencies are struggling to stem the wave of violence." "The government should take a comprehensive strategy to fight against the growing threat of militancy," he said. According to the intelligence agencies, the age, social status, educational qualifications, and the pattern of recent missing of the six youths are similar to those who disappeared ahead of the Gulshan attack. After the attack at Holey Artisan, law enforcers found that a number of youths went missing between December 2015 and June 2016, who were also found involved in terrorism, they said. On July 10, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) published a list of 261 missing. Many of them were killed in Kallyanpur, Ashulia, Gazipur and Narayanganj police raids. Following the Gulsahn attack, some of the missing youths surrendered to the law enforcers and a few number of also returned to their residences. But many have still remained missing. However, the members of the law enforcing agencies are in dark whether the youths were involved in any sort of militant activities. Safayet Hossain, 24, Zayen Hossain Khan Pavel, 23, and Sobuj alias Sujon, 25, and Mehedi Hasan, 27, residents of city's Banani, went missing. They were last seen at a restaurant in Banani, they said. Meanwhile, Sayeed Anwar Khan, residence of Banani went on missing Monday afternoon while Imran Farhat, a resident of Cantonment area on November 29. The families of Zayen and Mehedi filed general diaries (GDs) on December 4, where they mentioned that Safayet and Sujon also went missing. Anwar's family filed a GD in this regard on Tuesday. Imran Farhad's mother Sabina Yasmin lodged a GD with Cantonment Police Station on December 2. Pavel's father Ismail Khan said, "I have been in touch with law enforcement agencies ... I hope they will find him soon." One of Imran's aunts said, "They came to know that Imran had last sent a SMS to girl from his cell phone, saying he was leaving. The girl, however, said she has no idea about his whereabouts, added the woman, wishing not to be named." Shafayat's friends said he used to make Facebook posts on strict religious adherence. Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Unit Deputy Commissioner Md Mohibul Islam Khan said they are gathering information about the missing young men -- what they do, who their acquaintances are and their criminal records. Masudur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said two missing diaries were recorded in this regard. The sudden disappearance has caused serious concern to their families, given that the Holey Artisan Bakery attackers and many other militant suspects disappeared in a similar fashion, the police official said, adding, they are investigating into the matter "quite seriously". India to use Ctg, Mongla ports Final deal ready for signing during Hasina's Delhi visit this month: India interested to take part in Payra Port construction Sagar Biswas : Bangladesh and India have agreed to sign four important deals; one of which would permit Delhi to use Chittagong and Mongla seaports to transport goods to different Indian states. The final agreements are likely to be inked during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India on December 18, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan told The New Nation Wednesday night. Earlier in the day, the drafts of the agreements were finalised in the Shipping Secretary level meetings of two neighbouring countries held at the Secretariat. Inaugurated by Cabinet Secretary Md Shafiul Alam, a technical committee was also formed in the meeting. In the meeting, detail matters on four agreements were discussed where Shipping Secretary Ashok Madhab Roy led the Bangladesh team and Indian Shipping Secretary Rajiv Kumar led a nine-member team of his country. The meeting especially discussed about use of Chittagong Port and Mongla Port, construction of multipurpose container terminal in Payra Port, Light Houses and Light Ships, passenger and cruise service matters in coastal and protocol routes, officials said. Besides, the issue of Payra Port was also discussed in the meeting apparently to reach an agreement. The construction of Payra Port has been divided in nine components, where India has agreed to provide finance to one component. In that case, India could invest through PPP [public-private partnership] or direct investment. In preliminary stage it was decided that a private company will construct the terminal, the officials added. "We've already given permission to India to use Chittagong and Mongla seaports. But it is yet to take decision on the fee for using the ports. It will be fixed during the settlement of standard operating procedure [SOP]," Ashok Madhab Roy said. On Tuesday, the Joint Technical Committee on riverine protocol route held meeting over the Port issues. Officials said the earnings would be increased with the increasing use of Ports while Bangladeshi vehicles, such as trucks, covered vans and container carriers to be used in carrying Indian goods. About the Port using fee, the Secretary said: "It is not possible to fix the fee at the initial stage. Usually, there are three stages-first is MoU, next is agreement and then standard operating procedure [SPO]. The amount of fee will be in details in the SPO." "After thorough discussion, we've initially prepared the draft agreement about the rules and regulations on using the ports. In the draft, there is a section where a committee will be formed comprising top level officials of two countries to prepare the SPO," he said. Officials said the Economic Relations Division [ERD] and Foreign Ministry will finalise which agreements to be signed during PM's India visit. What about other facilities, including the levy, to be given to India, the Secretary said: "Generally, India will not get any special facility. We'll sign deal for using our route. Like other international ports, all charges will be given by India." Officials said the Shipping Ministry has sent a Primary Development Project Proforma [PDPP] to ERD about construction of Payra Port where estimated cost has been fixed at US$18 billion. Responding to it, 125 countries have expressed interest to build different components where India is one of them. Indian Shipping Secretary Rajiv Kumar said: "A few private organizations, including Indian Port Global, have expressed interest to construct Payra Port." Answering another query, he said: We'll fix the matter about the Chittagong and Mongla Ports through discussion. Hope, the matter will be settled by this month." Apart from this, a MoU was also signed between the two sides to increase tourism through waterways. "Bangladesh and Indian tourists will be allowed in coastal and protocol routes between the countries. But they will not be allowed to depart from ship," he said. Earlier on Tuesday [December 6], the 18th Home Secretary-level meeting between Bangladesh and India concluded in New Delhi where Home Secretary Dr. Md. Mozammel Haque Khan led Bangladesh side and his Indian counterpart Rajiv Mehrishi led his country's team. The talks were held mainly on law and order along Indo-Bangladesh border, prevention of cross-border smuggling, especially of drugs and handing of the wanted criminals hiding in both sides of the border. Dhaka called for Delhi's cooperation in speedy signing of the strip map of Muhurir char. It also requested the Indian authorities to allow Bangladeshi travellers to use any Indian air and land port for entry and exit from India, according to officials. Ethnic Rohingya Muslim refugees shout slogans during a gathering in Kuala Lumpur protesting the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. ACC arrests 4 graft suspects UNB, Dhaka : The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday arrested four graft suspects, including an executive engineer of Dhaka Wasa and a bank official, from the capital in separate graft cases. ACC deputy assistant director Nazim Uddin of its head office arrested Dhaka Wasa executive engineer Md Farid Uddin Ahmed from the city's Mirpur area for allegedly acquiring illegal wealth, ACC public relations officer Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya told UNB. On Wednesday, the ACC filed a case against him with Ramna Police Station for allegedly accumulating illegal wealth worth Tk 1.78 crore. An ACC team, led by its director Syed Iqbal Hossain, arrested chairman of Tahmina Denim Limited Yasir Uddin Khan and its managing director Kamal Jamal Mollah from the capital in Basic Bank loan scam cases. On September 22, 2015, three cases were filed against them for allegedly swindling out over Tk 75 crore from the bank. If you are looking for the new Immoral Minority posts, you should know that they can be found here at our new home Please stop by to get caught up on politics, join the conversations, or simply check out the new digs. Wikimedia Even though the regular campaign season for the Louisiana Legislature wont come around again until 2019, theres already one open seat that will be decided by a special election next year and more could soon follow. In another surprising trend, candidates across the state are already starting to announce their legislative bids for 2019 showing how even down-ballot campaigns are starting earlier than ever. Part of this early posturing could be due to terms limits, which will force out somewhere between 60 percent and 70 percent of the entire House and Senate in roughly three years. The latest development comes from Sen. Danny Martiny, R-Metairie, a longtime Capitol player who started his legislative career in the House in 1994. Martiny said he is considering a potential run for a different elected job closer to home in the near future. But it largely depends on what happens on this coming Election Day. While he has been urged to consider running for judge in the coming years, Martiny is keeping tabs on the Jefferson Parish Council seat held by Ben Zahn, who is expected to win his bid for Kenner mayor on Dec. 10. If Zahn is successful, the resulting vacancy on the parish council could be a good fit for Martiny, who is term-limited. Im considering that, Martiny told LaPolitics. In turn, if Martiny is successful, that would trigger a special election in Senate District 10. Rep. Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge, has already said he is interested in running. Martinys potential exit from the upper chamber would create some openings for leadership gigs as well. He is the commerce chairman and the chairman of the Senate GOP delegation. Also dependent on the Dec. 10 runoffs are whether Sen. Bodi White, R-Central, wins his bid for Baton Rouge mayor and if Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Shreveport, is victorious in the 4th Congressional District race. If both win, then two special elections will be needed next year. Theres already a special election scheduled for March 25 in House District 92, where former Rep. Tom Willmott won his primary campaign for the Kenner City Council. As for some very early posturing, Iberia Parish Councilman Ricky Gonsoulin is already telling supporters that he will run in House District 48 next cycle, in 2019. Thats the seat being vacated by House Speaker Taylor Barras, R-New Iberia, due to term limits. East Carroll Parish Police Jury President Lee Denny, who lives in House District 19, has also already started campaigning and intends to be on the ballot. This is the district currently occupied by Rep. Bubba Chaney, R-Rayville, who is likewise term limited. The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association issued the following update on the health of its longtime president, Don Briggs of Lafayette, according to LaPolitics: As you will recall, Louisiana Oil and Gas President Don Briggs sustained a serious head injury after slipping in a stairway at a home in North Carolina in October. At that time he was moved to an Asheville, North Carolina medical facility, where his condition started to improve. Since then, he was able to move back to his hometown of Lafayette, where he was treated at a local medical facility. His improvement continued and he was then transported to the TIRR Herman Memorial Hospital in Houston for further inpatient treatment. We are happy to report that he is now being moved out of that hospital into an inpatient, rehabilitation facility in Houston. According to his physicians, his health is progressing daily and prognosis is good for recovery. The Briggs family is grateful for the outpouring of well wishes and prayers and continues to appreciate your consideration of their privacy at this time. 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. Lofts Near Me For Rent Lofts for rent near me. See large family rentals in ciracas,. Lofts dog & cat friendly fitness center pool dishwasher refrigerator kitchen in unit washer & dryer. Apartment guide offers an easy way to navigate listings for. Search loft apartments for rent in los angeles, ca with the largest and most trusted rental site. Rent Go Karts Near Me Compare prices with rent by owner Track 21 4815 hwy 6 n, houston, tx 77084, united states 2. 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In other matters, Council members discussed updates related to the Illinois Avenue streetscape project. The renovations, part of the Downtown Master Plan adopted by the city last April, will extend from West Mill Street to West Cherry Street. The project will include new sidewalks, new curb cuts and curb extensions, new trees to be planted along the length of The Strip, and new streetlights with integrated planters. Kaskaskia Engineering is overseeing the project. The firm submitted a preliminary set of plans to the city in November. Council members discussed ideas for several possible new elements, such as a bike share system that could be integrated into the design of the streetscape, along with places to add public art. The council also discussed a possible amendment to the city code that would allow the city to regulate and tax short-term, Airbnb-style rentals. It was about 6:45 a.m. on the day before Thanksgiving, and the world didnt seem to want to let John Kenny go back to sleep. Kenny, a senior in political science at SIU, had traveled home to the Chicago suburb of Aurora for the holiday break. He was awakened that morning by a text message from his neighbor in Carbondale, but he ignored it and tried to drift off again. His parents were installing new wood floors, and construction had begun for the morning, filling the house with thunderous hammering. After a while, dread overtook him: Why would his neighbor in Carbondale be texting him so early in the morning? Finally, he checked the message. It was a picture of a house on fire. His house. Denial, shock, disbelief Twenty-year-old Alexander Kierstead, another SIU student, was the only person in 700 W. Freeman St. when the two-story rental burned down on Nov. 23. His three roommates Kenny included had already left town for Thanksgiving break. Alex was the only one who had stayed behind, to help somebody out and give them a ride home (for break), which was totally like him, said Ryan Rambo, 21, who grew up two houses down from Kierstead in Aurora. I dont know, I just woke up into a world without my best friend. For Kenny, the news sank in slowly. It was just denial, shock, disbelief. You just dont really understand that youll never get to talk to him again. You have memories of him that are so vivid and that live on, but theres never gonna be new ones. Im still understanding that, Kenny said. Kenny and his roommates are waiting on an origin report from police to pinpoint the cause of the fire, but it is believed that Kierstead was asleep at the time, although the house had working smoke detectors, according to Kenny. Rachel Albillar, 19, grew up with Kierstead and Rambo in Aurora. She believes the smoke detectors failed and that the carbon monoxide got to Kierstead before the fire. We just think that that was it thats what I like to think, anyways, because that would mean he passed peacefully. Its ironic, since he was not afraid of death at all. He didnt care he just knew how inevitable it was and how it was going to happen no matter what, so he never let that stop him, she said. 'He could ease any moment down' Kiersteads friends describe him as carefree and relaxed, a friend to everyone he met. He was a multitalented artist he loved to paint, make music and write. His mom used to watch me when I was a baby, and then a few years later, he was born, and we just have been friends pretty much since then, glued to the hip, walking around the neighborhood, feeding off each others imagination all the time, Rambo said. We did a lot of stuff together, like videos and art and music. We were into recording. Fortunately we have a lot of stuff recorded, and Im really grateful that we do. He was very crafty, he was an artist for sure. He has incredible paintings and drawings. Very humble about it, though. He never told anyone about it. He never told anyone he could draw or paint, and then youd see his art, and its just mind-blowing, really, Albillar said. An avid hiker, Kierstead fled suburban Aurora for the natural world as often as he could. Its very populated, its turning into a mini-city, basically. Theres construction on every corner, Albillar said. But there are forest preserves here and there are different prairies, so that makes it a lot easier, being able to escape to those parts. He was always up for hiking in any weather, even if it was, like, downpouring. Hed go, Oh, good day for a hike, Sunaina Karanth, 20, Kiersteads friend since middle school. All our hikes are probably what I cherish the most, Albillar said. Wed talk about life, he would let me complain to him about anything. He would always have the most rational answers and advice. He was just very calm about everything. So thats something Ill cherish, how he could just ease any moment down. When he moved down to Carbondale, Kierstead took advantage of Southern Illinois bountiful hiking trails. He loved the Little Grand Canyon Trail, Inspiration Point, Ferne Clyffe State Park and Post Oak Trail in Giant City State Park. Sometimes he would just take his shoes off and hike with no shoes, barefoot, Kenny said. And I was like, Alex, what the heck are you doing? But looking back on it, its just kind of how he was as a person. He wasnt afraid, and he was very in touch with something really human its the kind of happiness that isnt momentary pleasure, or passing, its the kind of happiness that lasts a lifetime. And that kind of happiness is exemplified, I think, with something like taking your shoes off while you go hiking. A double major in political science and journalism, Kierstead was a student worker at WSIU and produced several original stories. I think he kind of found his place down there. He really liked it, Karanth said. Its heartbreaking to think of what he could have done (with his life), because he really could have done anything he wanted, Rambo said. On Friday, Kiersteads friends gathered at the ruin of 700 W. Freeman for a candlelight vigil in his honor. I was just so pleased. There were so many people that came out, and there was so much overwhelming love that I was just so happy that it was a good event, Kenny said. A memorial service for Kierstead will be held at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Healy Chapel in Aurora. BENTON On Sunday morning, Vanesa Gerchkovich plans to lead a handful of children in making wooden menorahs, a candleholder used by Jewish people to light candles during the upcoming Hanukkah celebrations. Will the menorahs actually work? Gerchkovich pauses for a second, finally responding, "possibly." Whether the menorahs actually work or not is the not the goal of the project, as Gerchkovich leads the handful of 2- to 8-year-olds in the children's activity program. The program is part of the Sunday School classes she re-instituted after relocating to this area with her husband and children a few years ago. The goal is more to introduce and teach local Jewish children about their Judaic roots and community and help them understand that they are connected to something larger, even if their numbers are few here, she said. This coming Sunday's class will be held at Benton's synagogue, the United Hebrew Temple, to make it more convenient for the two or three children from that area whose families travel to Carbondale for services. She and others think the classes are important for helping children understand their Judaic roots and community. "Im just trying to bring those things into this area, too, she said. She said she worked with synagogues in larger areas in Argentina, where she lived before she moved here. Those children's programs had many more youth, she said. "Its important to start doing it since (they) are kids, to try to feel that (they) belong when there are not many (Jewish) children in the area," she said. "(It) makes it easier for you to feel that you belong and that you have a community, a congregation. The state of Illinois is a state with one of the country's largest Jewish populations, according to the Jewish Virtual Library online (www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org). According to that group, the state had 401,000 Jewish residents in 2015 following behind states like New York with 1.6 million; California with 1.04 million; Florida, 846,700; and New Jersey, with 484,600. Illinois had slightly more Jewish residents than did states like Massachusetts, which has 345,400 as of 2015, according to the group. Congregation Beth Jacob has about 30 member families, and the Benton synagogue has a smaller and older congregation, Sue Liemer, president of the Carbondale temple, has said. Hanukkah on its way The menorah and latke, a Jewish potato pancake, are what the children will try making on Sunday, she said, as they prepare for the upcoming Hanukkah holiday. Hanukkah begins at sundown Saturday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve for Christians the day before Christmas and two days before Kwanzaa, a nonreligious, cultural holiday celebrated by some African-Americans. Hanukkah is an eight-day festival of light that "celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration, of spirituality over materiality," according to Chabad.org. It is not a Jewish Christmas or celebration of the holiday, but commemorates the time when the Jewish people reclaimed a sacred temple and witnessed a miracle as a small bit of oil expected to be enough to last one night lasted for eight nights, long enough to light lamps to illuminate the temple so they could clean it, Gerchkovich said. She said the holiday is not one that is observed in the Torah, the holy book for Jewish people. Locally, Congregation Beth Jacob plans to celebrate the event which it spells "Chanukah" with a party at the Carbondale synagogue beginning at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24. Also that day, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., those interested in buying Hanukkah items menorahs; candles; dreidles, a four-sided spinning toy popular at Hanukkah; chocolate gelt, or money; gift wrap; Hanukkah toys; jewelry; and other Judaica can buy items from the Sisterhood Chanukah Shop inside the synagogue. MURPHYSBORO Seven weeks after someone deliberately set a fire at a building in Murphysboro, investigators are still looking for the suspect or suspects, or anyone with information. Murphysboro Police Chief Chad Roberts said the public's help is still needed in locating the suspect or suspects in the Oct. 19 fire. A $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect or suspects is still available. The Murphysboro Police Department believes the fire was intentionally set after a burglary of the Department of Human Services office at 342 North St. In addition to the DHS offices, the building housed offices for State Rep. Terri Bryant and State Sen. David Luechtefeld, as well as some privately owned businesses. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Murphysboro Police Department at 618-684-2121 or Murphysboro Crimestoppers at 618-687-2677 or the State of Illinois Arson Hotline at 800-252-2947. The Murphysboro Police Department is investigating the crime with assistance from the Illinois State Fire Marshal, the Jackson County Sheriffs Office and the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigations Unit. WEST FRANKFORT Mike Irwin cut his retirement short in November when he accepted the position as West Frankforts new chief of police, replacing department veteran Shawn Talluto in the post. Irwin has been courted by other agencies in the past, but said he saw a real interest in growth from the West Frankfort shop, which helped him make his decision. I think that there is a sincere desire, internally and externally, for things to get better, Irwin said. He was officially hired during a Nov. 30 special meeting of the West Frankfort City Council. Irwin, who has been in law enforcement for more than 25 years, started his career at age 27 with the Illinois State Police District 19. During his career, he achieved the rank of commander and worked with SWAT teams and in narcotics. It is this diverse background that attracted the City of West Frankfort to Irwin as a candidate. West Frankfort Mayor Tom Jordan said he wanted Irwin because he felt the department had gone as far as it could with Tallutos range of experience. He said they needed someone with a broader perspective of law enforcement. Irwin said he sees that the department had been doing the best it could, but was so bogged down with the daily grind of policing that they have not been able to get out and find new opportunities to help grow the department. You are trying to do the best you can, but when you dont have the time or you dont have the ability to go outside day-to-day operations, its difficult for you to make progress, no matter how hard you try, he said, adding that by creating the position of deputy chief, which has been filled by Talluto, he hopes to free up mental space to think bigger picture. Irwin said he believes education needs to play a big role in law enforcement. He said guiding people to making the right decision before they make the wrong one is key. He said arresting someone is not always the best answer. Will that solve the problem? Temporarily, Irwin said. We would rather not get to the enforcement and the court system if we can educate people young and old, he added, saying that it is better to lead them to the right answers themselves, instead of burdening the taxpayer with the cost of processing them. While Irwin said he is excited to move the department forward, he is thankful to have Talluto staying on, providing him with a wealth of institutional knowledge. While he said this was good, he said he does not want to do things just because that is how they have been done. I dont really want to hear, Weve always done it this way, he said. Irwins approach will be one of thinking ahead. We are not going to maintain a reactive thought process, we are going to be proactive, Irwin said. The transition has been a smooth one. Talluto said he has enjoyed working with his new chief and is excited by the departments future. I look forward to where we are going to go as a department, Talluto said. In this new leg of his career, Irwin said he keeps in mind the basic principle of policing: protect and serve. He said there are plenty of ways to put this into practice in West Frankfort. I just think the opportunity is here to make a difference and thats kind of an important thing, he said. CHICAGO As Illinois remains without a budget, legislative leaders and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner are succeeding more at frustrating each other than at striking a deal to end an 18-month budget impasse that is damaging the state's fiscal health every day. The relationship between ruling Democrats, Republican leaders, and the governor has only grown more toxic after several meetings where both sides are more likely to lash out at each other than to report meaningful progress in passing a full budget that's been overdue since July 1, 2015. The finger-pointing gives little hope legislative leaders can get a budget done by year's end when a six-month partial spending plan expires, leaving some social service providers struggling to stay open, and colleges and universities facing an uncertain future. Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, who has ruled the state party for over three decades, has become the Republicans' favorite target for attacks, even as they try to get him to capitulate to Rauner's conditions for a budget. Last week, after Madigan cited a scheduling conflict for missing a negotiating session, the Illinois Republican Party launched a "Boss Madigan" website criticizing his tenure as the country's longest-serving state House speaker and highlighting lawmakers loyal to him to pressure them to break ranks with their leader. Republicans have also urged House Democrats not to support Madigan for another term as speaker next month. After emerging from a 90-minute leaders' meeting Tuesday, Madigan said he didn't know if the rhetoric was impacting closed-door discussions. He described the tone as "respectful," though minutes later accused former venture capitalist Rauner of holding the budget hostage "to help his wealthy friends and large corporations." He didn't elaborate. "It's not affecting me," he said of the website critical of his leadership. "I'm speaker of the House. I'm a candidate for re-election. It is unusual that one party would come across and get themselves involved in a leadership election." Republicans said their campaign was just part of being in politics. "There's always going to be political chatter going on," said Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno. "It should not impact these discussions." Democratic Senate President John Cullerton went a step further, accusing Republicans of getting a jump start on the 2018 gubernatorial election. Rauner plans to seek a second term. "I don't think it's helpful to start the election cycle for 2018 when we're still worrying about fiscal year 2017," Cullerton told reporters Tuesday. "The election occurred a few weeks ago, could we just legislate for a while?" Rauner, who has used his vast wealth to fund the state party, proved last month to Democrats his fortune can go a long way toward defeating their incumbents: Democrats lost four House lawmakers and their supermajority on Election Day. Even so, Rauner has called on both sides to "tone down the rhetoric." "Heated rhetoric doesn't help. Getting emotional doesn't help. Pointing fingers doesn't help," he said Friday. Not backing down, Madigan sent Rauner list of demands for future budget negotiations, including having "memorandums of understanding" for past and future budget agreements a sign of the growing distrust between the Democratic leader and the governor. Madigan called for memorandums of understanding during the administration of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich because he didn't trust him to keep his word on spending agreements. Madigan also asked Rauner for a list of topics to talk about the budget "to facilitate a real conversation," referring to recent meetings with the governor as "superficial discussions." The crux of the disagreement over a budget has remained the same. Rauner is insisting that Democrats pass parts of his agenda, including passing pro-business legislation, freezing property taxes, and considering term limits among other things. But Democratic leaders have said Rauner should drop his demands and focus only on a state budget without pre-conditions. Meanwhile, Illinois is more than five months behind in paying debtors and every month the state is increasing its more than $5 billion deficit because spending for government employees and crucial services like Medicaid is on autopilot. SPRINGFIELD A judge in Southern Illinois issued a temporary restraining order to keep Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration from imposing contract terms onto state workers. The order this week from Judge Robert LeChien comes after the Illinois Labor Relations Board last month issued an opinion saying contract talks between the state and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union were at an impasse. That ruling let the state impose final contract terms, which included $1,000 merit bonus payments, overtime after 40 hours, bereavement leave, and drug testing of employees suspected of working impaired. The major public-employee union recently asked the St. Clair County court to bar the Republican governor from taking action to implement the contract. In the lawsuit, AFSCME contends the Rauner administration couldn't impose terms until the board ruling was submitted in writing. The written order was filed Monday, but LeChien still issued the temporary order Tuesday. "Although temporary, this order sends a message to Governor Rauner that he is not above the law," AFSCME executive director Roberta Lynch said in a statement. Lynch added that the governor should return to the bargaining table and work to find a common ground with the union. Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly said that "with this order, AFSCME's hand-picked judge blatantly ignores" the Labor Board's decision. AFSCME filed a "petition for review" of the board's decision with a Cook County appeals court. The union said a hearing could take place Jan. 13 or sooner. AFSCME spokesman Anders Lindall said the union will also seek to prohibit the administration from imposing contract terms during the appeal process. SPRINGFIELD Gov. Bruce Rauners administration is continuing to move forward with a revised proposal to cap overtime for workers who provide in-home care for people with disabilities despite a bill sitting on the governors desk that would block the policy. The administration has been trying for a year to restrict overtime in most situations for workers in the Illinois Department of Human Services home services program, which is designed to keep clients in their own homes and out of costlier nursing homes. The proposal was announced in November 2015 in response to a federal Department of Labor ruling, but its implementation has been delayed several times. While an official who oversees the program previously described the proposed overtime restrictions as pretty close to perfect, the department announced last week that it was making several changes in response to criticisms from clients, caregivers and advocates at public hearings in October. Critics said the proposal was inflexible and could have left clients scrambling to find additional caregivers. The previous proposal wouldve required caregivers who worked more than 40 hours in a week to submit written justification to the department for approval. Anyone who worked unapproved overtime three times wouldve been barred from being paid through the program. The department is now proposing a 45-hour cap, and it has added several more exceptions to the policy, including a provision that would allow caregivers to work more hours if theres no one else in a 45-mile radius whos qualified to provide the needed care. We believe our proposal provides an overtime policy that balances the needs of current recipients of home health care while also creating jobs and saving taxpayer dollars, spokeswoman Meredith Krantz wrote in an emailed statement. The department says jobs will be created because more caregivers will be needed to fill the additional hours. We carefully reviewed and took into consideration all comments received during the public comment period and incorporated many of the ideas we received into our amended proposal, Krantz added. But the Service Employees International Union Healthcare Illinois, which represents about 25,000 caregivers in the program, doesnt see it that way. SEIU Healthcare spokesman James Muhammad said the administration only announced the revised proposal after lawmakers introduced legislation that would prohibit the department from implementing its overtime restrictions. Muhammad called the latest proposal a knee-jerk reaction of the governor. The union also argues that the administration has violated labor law by not negotiating on overtime policies at the bargaining table. A hearing on that issue has been set for late January before the Illinois Labor Relations Board. Meanwhile, the General Assembly passed a bill during its fall veto session that says the state may not limit the number of weekly hours worked by providers of home care services. The Senate approved the bill with a veto-proof majority, but the House fell three votes short of the 71 that would be needed to override a likely Rauner veto. The governors office didnt respond to requests for comment on the bill. During debate on the bill last week in the House, state Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville, called it another political attempt to go after this administration and this department. Davidsmeyer noted that employers of all kinds have overtime policies. But Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, the bills House sponsor, said Republicans were too quick to applaud the department for its 11th-hour heroics in altering the proposal. Lang said the rules governing in-home care for people with disabilities are too important to be left to the bipartisan House and Senate committee charged with reviewing administrative rules. That process has become highly politicized since Rauner took office, he said. We cannot leave this to the whims of a state agency, the whims of a governor or even the whims of a bad budget-making process, Lang said. We have to protect these vulnerable citizens of our state. If Rauner vetoes the bill as expected, the Legislatures Joint Committee on Administrative Rules will likely take up the departments proposal at its January meeting. NEW YORK Donald Trump embraced new Cabinet officers Wednesday whose backgrounds suggest he's primed to put tough actions behind his campaign rhetoric on immigration and the environment, even as he seemed to soften his yearlong stance on immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children. It's clearer by the day, underscored by Trump's at-times contradictory words, that his actual policies as president won't be settled until after he takes his seat in the Oval Office. Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly has been selected to head the Department of Homeland Security, and Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, a climate-change denier whose policies have helped fossil fuel companies, is to be announced as head of the Environmental Protection Agency. Separately, Trump named the former chief executive of World Wrestling Entertainment, Linda McMahon, to head the Small Business Administration. Trump's long presidential campaign was in large part defined by searing rhetoric and his steadfast promises to build an impenetrable wall on the border with Mexico and crack down on immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. But he struck a softer tone in an interview published Wednesday after he was named Time Magazine's "Person of the Year." "We're going to work something out that's going to make people happy and proud," Trump said. "They got brought here at a very young age; they've worked here, they've gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And they're in never-never land because they don't know what's going to happen." He offered no details about a policy that would make that clear. During the campaign, Trump's tough comments including a vow to overturn President Barack Obama's executive orders on immigration have led to fears among immigrant advocates that he will end Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Hundreds of thousands of young immigrants have gained work permits and temporary protection from deportation under the 2012 program, which aides to Trump have said would be revisited. Others continue to press the immigrants' case. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel presented Trump a letter Wednesday from 14 big city mayors urging him to keep the program intact. "They were working hard toward the American dream," Emmanuel told reporters in lobby of Trump's skyscraper. "It's no fault of their own their parents came here. They are something we should hold up and embrace." Though some immigrant advocates hope Trump's words were an olive branch, others were skeptical. "We've seen this movie before," Frank Sharry of the immigrant-rights group America's Voice said in a statement. "Unfortunately we expect no pivot and no softening." Meanwhile, Trump moved toward making another addition to the collection of generals in his Cabinet, settling on Kelly to head Homeland Security, according to people close to transition. Gen. Kelly, who joined the Marine Corps in 1970, retired this year after a final command that included oversight of the Guantanamo Bay detention center. He has a reputation as a border hawk after a time in the Southern Command, which is based in South Florida and regularly works with Homeland Security on missions to identify and dismantle immigrant smuggling networks. Trump also picked Pruitt, a longtime critic of the EPA, to head that same agency, according to person close to Pruitt who was not authorized to speak publicly about the choice before it was announced. The move comes just after Trump met with former Vice President Al Gore, who is an environmental activist, and said he had "an open mind" about honoring the Paris climate accords. That game hope to some environmentalists, but on Wednesday Trump's apparent decision was denounced by Democrats. "Mr. Pruitt's record is not only that of being a climate change denier, but also someone who has worked closely with the fossil fuel industry to make this country more dependent, not less, on fossil fuels," said Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. But Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, a Republican, said Pruitt "has proven that being a good steward of the environment does not mean burdening taxpayers and businesses with red tape." Also Wednesday, Trump said he planned to name his secretary of state next week and insisted that former rival Mitt Romney still had a chance. Trump, who has met twice with the 2012 GOP nominee, denied he was stringing Romney along to make him pay for saying the former reality show star was unfit to be president. "No, it's not about revenge. It's about what's good for the country, and I'm able to put this stuff behind us and I hit him very hard also," Trump said in a telephone interview on NBC. Those close to the selection process have said that Trump has begun moving away from both Romney and another former front-runner, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker and former CIA Director David Petraeus had also been previously identified by transition aides as part of the final four though Trump has now expanded the pool. The president-elect also announced his selection of Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as the new U.S. ambassador to China. Trump and Branstad are expected to appear together in Iowa on Thursday. Before that, Trump will meet with some of the victims of last week's car-and-knife attack at Ohio State University. He has denounced immigration policies that allowed the apparent attacker into the country. Community college funding is very complex. First, it has three major sources of funding the state, local taxes, and student tuition and fees. Then, there is equalization funding which is an attempt by the state to equalize funding between rich districts and poorer districts. John A. Logan College is a poorer district, as are all southern Illinois colleges. Logans total budget for FY17 is $29 million, which is down from a high in FY10 of $41 million. Normally, the college receives about $11 million in state funding each year. This money is received in fairly equal payments on a regular schedule, usually monthly, throughout the year. The college knew early in the year how much would be received and when we would get it. Everything changed two years ago when the state stopped adopting a budget and started funding higher education in a stopgap fashion. This approach to funding makes it impossible to plan effectively, since it is not known how much money will be received or when it will arrive. The college received FY16 money in June 2016 and received FY17 money in September 2016. In FY16, the college received $4 million a reduction of about $7 million. In order to adjust to the loss of funding, the college laid off 55 employees 35 faculty and 20 nonfaculty. Even with these layoffs, the College ended FY16 with about a $4 million deficit, which was temporarily covered through internal borrowing (borrowing from ourselves) and various transfers of funds. The college has received $4.3 million in FY17 (July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017). Again, this amount reflects another $7 million reduction from a normal allocation. So, for the last two fiscal years, the college has been shorted about $14 million in state funding. There will be additional reductions in operating expenditures during this fiscal year to make up for this funding shortfall, but it is too early to know what action will be taken to close the funding gap. For the first time in the history of the college, student revenues (tuition, fees, etc.) comprise 50 percent of the college budget. Twenty-five percent comes from local taxes and state funding, respectively. The total operating budget has been reduced about $10 million from FY15 levels. The reduction is about 25 percent overall. From a programmatic standpoint, I am happy to report that no programs or services provided by the college have been eliminated. Dental hygiene and computer-aided drafting are being taught out, but all other programs are intact. In fact, we are developing new program initiatives for future implementation. All academic programs are still available, all student services are still offered, and all facilities remain open including the attendance centers in Du Quoin and West Frankfort. That's a remarkable feat given the loss in revenue that has been experienced by the college. The future for state funding for higher education in general and community colleges particularly is in doubt. There is no indication at this point that any additional funding will be forthcoming during this fiscal year, which makes planning, even for the next few months, nearly impossible. It forces us to plan for the worst and hope for the best, which is a very unsound method in planning for the future of the college. Let us hope the state comes to its senses and adopts an annual budget soon. To the Editor: On Nov. 28, a Somali Muslim in Columbus, Ohio, first tried to run over civilians with his car. Later, he got out of his car and with a sharp butcher's knife tried to injure seven people and attack them. He bought that knife from a local Wal-Mart store. Similarly, on Jan. 4, a Pakistani couple, Syed Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, shot 14 people in San Bernandino, California. Later on both of these Islamic Fundamentalists were shot by the police. These few Islamic terrorists who are religious fundamentalists bring a bad name to Muslims living in the USA. We are hardworking Muslims. It is strange how these people are entering the United States without proper vetting with the Homeland Security Department and Immigration Department. It is the negligence of the Homeland Security Department and the Immigration Department. As we read in the newspapers, many of these young Somali people came to Columbus, Ohio, and have come to settle in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We, the vast majority of Muslims, live in the USA with complete religious freedom. There is not discrimination against the majority of us. Saeed Ahmad Khan, M.D. Benton Anyone who has taken an introductory level philosophy class knows the analogy the study of philosophy is like looking for a black cat in a dark room. Thats just about where the State of Illinois stands on its funding issue. The state is aware of the problem, but is certainly having problems putting its hands on a solution. Whenever the pension situation is discussed, the tendency seems to be to assign blame. Granted, there is plenty to go around, but at this point, looking backward is counterproductive. We need ideas. We need solutions. And we need them now. School funding is a problem across the educational spectrum in Illinois. Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, is carrying the water for reform of K-12 funding. No one has jumped in to take a leadership role at the secondary level. Theres probably a good reason for that the water is murky. And, most potential solutions seem to carry an equally viable counter-argument as standard equipment. More tax revenue? Waste in the current system is inevitably cited. Certainly individual institutions can control costs, but this hole is too deep for such a simple solution. Shifting pension costs to individual institutions? It helps the states bottom line, but it doesnt make the debt disappear. Universities are in position to increase revenue through their foundations, or even raising tuition. However, rising tuition would only exacerbate the flight of local students to the University of Southern Indiana, Murray State and Southeast Missouri State University. Restructuring the pension program for new hires? It doesnt address the current debt, and could be a detriment in recruiting quality teachers and administrators. So, how does Illinois catch that proverbial black cat. The jury is still out, but clearly it is time for the state to move forward. This newspaper has been editorializing about the unfunded pension liability for years. Yet, precious little has been accomplished in Springfield. It would be easy to blame the situation on the toxic political environment currently gripping Springfield, but that is neither fair nor accurate. Funding the state pension system has been an issue facing Illinois since the halcyon days of Jim Edgar. Predictably, hiding the black cat of pension funding in a dark room has made the situation worse. How serious is it? The Southerns Molly Parker reported in a story earlier this week that pension appropriations for Illinois universities have surpassed operations appropriations. Think about that for a moment its a staggering situation. Its also not sustainable. What are the consequences if the pension situation isnt addressed? Are we looking at a wildly diminished Southern Illinois University? SIU is the regions largest employer. The fiscal health of SIU has a direct impact on residents of Carbondale, Pinckneyville, Harrisburg and Jonesboro. Are we looking at divvying up educational opportunities between the various state universities? Could Southern Illinois become a center for aviation and agriculture while many of the liberal arts programs are eliminated? Although that could be fiscally attractive, it certainly would diminish the college experience for students. Its clear we need real leadership on this issue. We need it now. Our future is at stake. Orangeburg resident Jo Ann Merwin was only 6 years old when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. She will never forget the pandemonium, the destruction, the horror and the fear she experienced that fateful Sunday morning. The day dawned calmly and quietly -- almost too quietly -- just like the night before, when all of the restaurants and other night spots were inexplicably closed on a Saturday night, she recalls. "Early that morning, my mother sent me out to get a newspaper," she said. "Then there was all this goings-on and somebody told me to get off the streets, but I said, 'No, I've got to get a newspaper for my Mama.'" Meanwhile, Japanese warplanes were swooping low over the U.S. territory, unleashing bombs and gunfire on soldiers and civilians alike. Merwin never did buy the paper. She ran home, where "my daddy gathered us up and we headed toward his machine guns." Fred Harker, a career Marine Corps officer, was a machine gun instructor stationed on the battleship Utah. Because he maintained his residence in Honolulu, he was allowed to stay at home while the ship was at Pearl Harbor. "Had he been on the Utah, he would have gone down with it, probably," Merwin said. "We went past Hickam Field. .. The planes were on fire. ... The whole place was on fire." On the way to the machine gun nest, "we had to go over a hill that overlooked Pearl Bay. We could see ships burning and men in the water. The oil on the water, burning ... the men swimming in the burning water ... that is a lasting impression." "One thing I saw that I'll remember for the rest of my life is a Marine -- a young kid -- who threw up his hand and waved at a (Japanese) plane. The plane tipped his wing -- and blew him apart." "Daddy's machine gun school brought one or two Japanese planes down," Merwin said. "They didn't have it on the map." "They knew where everything else was," she said, adding that she shares her late father's suspicions about who knew what and when before the attack. "My daddy always felt something wasn't right. They had just caught a Japanese sub right outside Pearl Harbor. ... A Marine saw planes coming and reported it. ... (The attack) should not have been a complete surprise," Merwin said. The Japanese attacked in two waves, then retreated, although Merwin remembers that just about everyone at Pearl Harbor "thought the Japanese were going to follow up" with more attacks with even more disastrous consequences. "Had the Japanese sent another wave in, the American fleet would have been destroyed beyond repair," Merwin believes. She spent the next two nights in a bomb shelter with her mother, Florence Hacker, who celebrated her 33rd birthday on the day that would go down in history as Pearl Harbor Day. Merwin was so close to the warfare that she suffered permanent partial hearing loss. "The doctors said there were signs my eardrums had burst," she said. "The bad thing about war is the innocent people that really don't have anything to do with it and don't want to be in it," who are injured or lose their property or even their lives, she said. "There were a lot of innocent people who died at Pearl Harbor," she said. "Those planes, when they strafed, they didn't stop and ask, 'Who are you?' They just gunned everything down. "The innocent pay the price for man's greed." Merwin was born in Virginia. Her family moved to Pearl Harbor when Merwin was 5 and left about six months after the Japanese attack. "Mom and I were one of the last families (of servicemen) to leave," she said. "We came back on a troop ship loaded with wounded servicemen. A Japanese sub tried to torpedo us, but they missed." The family settled in Banning, Calif., where Merwin went back to school and excelled with a fierce determination. She gained local renown by entertaining the troops -- "USO style" -- with gymnastics and dance routines, including the authentic hula dance. The Hackers moved to Parris Island later. Merwin married young, reared her children and then -- as a grandmother -- joined the U.S. Army, where she wielded typewriters, file folders and rifles with equal ease. "That's what I'd always wanted to do," she said of her decision to join the Army in the early 1970s when many young men were avoiding military service at any cost. "I'd been raised to be very patriotic, to be thankful to live in America, to look up to our leaders, to respect the flag and to respect the military," she said. "And I wanted to be like my daddy." Merwin's varied life experiences include raising champion show dogs, running a pet motel, coordinating a Christian singles support group and serving as director of Orangeburg County Animal and Litter Control until her retirement. 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 Gulgiz Muradova The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $1 billion in private and public sector assistance to expand Azerbaijans Shah Deniz II, one of the worlds largest gas fields. The assistance comprises a $500 million private sector loan to the Southern Gas Corridor Closed Joint Stock Company (SGC) and a $500 million sovereign-counterguaranteed partial credit guarantee. The guarantee will back $526 million in commercial loans made by a consortium of international banks to SGC, which is 51% owned by the Azerbaijan government and 49% by the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic. The Bank reported that the proposed Shah Deniz Gas Field Expansion Project will support the government's ongoing investment in the full field development of the Shah Deniz Stage II gas field expansion. ADB, through its private sector window, has already demonstrated strong support to the Shah Deniz gas field expansion through its direct assistance to this project in 2015, said Michael Barrow, Director General of ADBs Private Sector Operations Department. The proposed assistance to Southern Gas Corridor is a continued testament to ADBs belief in the development impact of this important project, and the importance of crowding in commercial capital to support Azerbaijans funding needs for the project. The expansion of the Shah Deniz gas field is key for Azerbaijans economy, providing the country a long-term revenue stream and diversifying its gas exports to Europe, said Sean OSullivan, ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Department. The project aims to improve Azerbaijan's fiscal position by increasing revenues through the export of natural gas from the expanded Shah Deniz natural gas production and processing facility, and creation of additional domestic employment. Shah Deniz is located offshore in the Caspian Sea, about 70 kilometers from Azerbaijans capital, Baku. The fields annual gas production capacity is expected to increase from about 10 billion cubic meters (bcm) to 26 bcm. Shah Deniz Stage 2 will allow to increase the European energy security by bringing Caspian gas resources to markets in Europe for the very first time through the Southern Gas Corridor. At the initial stage, the gas to be produced as part of the Shah Deniz Stage 2 is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor project. Other sources can also connect to 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 Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) and Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). The total cost of the Shah Deniz II expansion project, being developed by a consortium of companies, is expected to top $26 billion. BP will build and operate the project facilities. Production from the project is expected to begin in 2018, and will help provide employment for over 19,000 workers through the construction phase, and create 1,800 permanent jobs. ADBs participation is expected to play a leading catalytic role in the country, facilitating increased large-scale, long-term commercial financing from international banks to participate in this and upcoming projects. ADB will help further improve corporate governance and transparency in the oil and gas sector in the country, while encouraging the government in its efforts to reinstate its compliant status with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. In 2015, ADB approved a $475 million loan facility for Lukoil Overseas Shah Deniz to partly fund its share of the Shah Deniz gas field expansion. By Azernews By Amina Nazarli Adrian Steirn, an award-winning fine art, wildlife, portrait photographer and filmmaker, has visited Azerbaijan in search of Caucasian leopard. This near-mythical creature is on the brink of extinction in a land of remarkable biodiversity and stark contrasts between ancient heritage and rapid modernization. Steirn, accompanied by a group of experts, including Russian scientist, African pathfinder and a local "leopard man", organizes a search on mountains - the habitat of leopards in Azerbaijan. During the film to be aired by Nat Geo Wild on December 8 at 20:00, the viewers will get acquainted with "leopard man" Babakhan. Steirn says he has never seen a man who is so found of his profession. The Azerbaijani pathfinder did not rest during the filming, the filmmaker say. Could Steirns team take a shoot of a leopard to prove its existence in Azerbaijan? You can find the answer to this question after watching the film. The Caucasian leopard is one of the biggest of the eight recognized sub species of leopard. They live mainly in remote, mountainous habitats which can range from dry and arid areas to forested regions and even extend up into snowy mountain ranges. Until the early 2000s, very little information was available about leopards living in the territory of Azerbaijan. But thanks to the studies of past years, Azerbaijani zoologists discovered their traces in Hirkan forest, Nakhchivan and Mingachevir water reservoir. With the aim of protecting and increasing the number of wild nature, IDEA Public Association identified the Caucasus Big Five project which also envisages protection of Caucasian leopard. Considering symbol of the Caucasus and the regions main living beauty, leopards, are also protected, under the Protection of Leopards project, which hold various events aimed at public education, including summer camps, scientific seminars and workshops for students. The Caucasian leopard is found across several different countries, including Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Georgia. Azerbaijan and Russia plan to create a reserve for the restoration of leopard population in the Caucasus in the near future. The reserve is proposed to become a part of Zagatala State Nature Reserve (Azerbaijan) and Federal Reserve Tlyaratinsky (Republic of Dagestan). Lately, the Azerbaijani Ecology Ministry announced about birth of five leopard cubs in the country. By Azernews By Amina Nazarli Azerbaijan and Russia sealed a Mutual Assistance Protocol in Baku on December 6. The document between the interior ministries of the two countries on mutual assistance for 2017-2019 was inked as part of the visit of Russias Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev to the country. Azerbaijan's Interior Minister Ramil Usubov and Kolokoltsev expressed their confidence that the protocol will contribute to expanding relations between Azerbaijani and Russian law enforcement agencies. Usubov noted with satisfaction the positive results of mutually beneficial cooperation in recent years, including in crime detection, arrest and extradition of the criminals, conduct of joint activities in the border regions. In turn, Kolokoltsov said that the Russian side is interested in expanding cooperation between the bodies of internal affairs of the two countries. Then the guests were provided with information on the status of the fight against crime in Azerbaijan. Expressing gratitude for the training assistance, Usubov expressed confidence that this visit will be an important event in the development of bilateral relations, as well as give additional impetus to the deepening of cooperation in all spheres of operational activity. The Russian minister stressed that the declaration signed in Baku at the trilateral summit of the heads of state of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia, will open new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. Historical trilateral meeting between the heads of Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran took place in Baku on August 8 with a major point messaging peace, friendship, security and cooperation. During his Baku visit, Kolokoltsev was earlier received by President Ilham Aliyev, who hailed the successful development of Azerbaijan-Russia bilateral relations in a variety of fields, including between law enforcement agencies and the ministries of internal affairs. Hailing the importance of the first Baku Summit of the heads of state of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia, President Aliyev said the event aimed to strengthen regional security measures as well. By Azernews By Rashid Shirinov The possibility of holding a meeting on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in Hamburg was discussed, but there is still no final agreement, said Russian Foreign Ministrys spokeswoman Mariya Zakharova at a briefing on December 7. "No final agreement on the meeting has been reached yet," said Zakharova. Paris has previously proposed to hold a meeting in the format of 3+2 [three co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group and Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers] on the sidelines of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg. Meeting of the OSCE countries Foreign Ministerial Council will take place in Hamburg on December 8- 9. Azerbaijan`s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov will attend the event. However, Armenia hasnt confirmed its consent yet for the 3+2 format meeting, while Baku has voiced its readiness to any contacts with Armenia, in any format. Minister Mammadyarov previously said that Baku backs the proposal on the meeting. Zakharova further added that there is no ultimate confidence about the possibility of a bilateral meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Azerbaijani counterpart. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia still controls fifth part of Azerbaijan's territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts. Salini Impregilo Group, a leading global player in the construction of major complex infrastructures, said its US subsidiary Lane Construction Corporation has won a $75-million contract for the Al Maktoum International Airport expansion project in Dubai, UAE. Lane Construction Corporation will be working alongside the National Contracting Transportation Corporation of Sharjah, UAE, on this project. As per the deal, Lane will be responsible for 60 per cent of the $125 million project which entails new terminal facilities, concourses, runways, roads and tunnels. In preparation for the expansion, Lane will work on temporary fences and gates, utilities and site offices, as well as site security, said a statement from Salini Impregilo Group. The work will start next month and is due to be finished in 31 months. Once completed, the expanded airport is expected to accommodate more than 220 million passengers a year, making it the worlds biggest in terms of size and passenger capacity by 2050. Besides the UAE, the Salini Impregilo unit has also won contracts in Pennsylvania and Florida (US) taking the combined value of its contracts to $370 million. In Pennsylvania, Lane will be rebuilding and widening parts of Interstate 70. Construction is to start in the spring of 2017 and is scheduled to end in 2020. In Orange County, Florida, Lane is the apparent low bidder for a project to widen a seven-mile segment of the Florida Turnpike after submitting an offer of $177 million, said the company in a statement. Work is expected to begin in early 2017 and be completed in 2020. Salini Impregilo said these contracts highlight the group's international reach and leadership in the infrastructure sector.-TradeArabia News Service Dubai Wholesale City, a global integrated wholesale trading hub and member of Tecom Group, has signed an agreement with the China Commodity City (CCC) Group, a leading exporter of goods, in Chinas Zhejiang Province. The pact with the CCC Group, a leading exporter of goods, in Chinas Zhejiang Province, is aimed at building a long-term mutual relationship and leverage possible future collaborations between the two countries, said a statement from Dubai Wholesale City. It will also facilitate mutual trade and investment activities and the exchange of expertise, with a focus on developing wholesale trade destinations and wholesale e-commerce, it added. As per the deal, Dubai Wholesale City will collaborate with the Municipality of Yiwu City and the government of Zhejiang Province, the largest shareholders in the Commodities City Group, in terms of investment and business development in the trade, manufacturing and logistical services sectors, said its CEO Abdulla Belhoul after signing the deal with Wenge Zhao, CCC general manager. "China and the UAE enjoy long-standing bilateral trade and economic relations. Today, China is the UAEs second-largest trading partner and the largest importer to the country," said Belhoul, who is on a visit to China. In addition, the UAE serves as the main gateway to the GCC region for Chinese products. This partnership will reinforce the UAEs position as a trading and re-export hub for Chinese exports to the Middle East, Africa, and the Mediterranean region, he added. Belhoul also met Yuan Jiajun, vice governor of Zhejiang, and discussed future economic and trade relations as well as ways to strengthen mutual cooperation, particularly in relation to establishing wholesale trade platforms, and promoting joint investments and trade.- TradeArabia News Service UAE-based Mai Dubai, a bottled drinking water company, has awarded a $21 million contract to Swisslog for automation of its storage and distribution logistics at its logistics unit in Dubai. Swisslog is a leading Switzerland-based automation expert in robot-based and data-driven intralogistic solutions. Mai Dubais commercial operations began in March 2014, and it has been growing exponentially ever since. The company today is a trusted household brand and a serious player in the bottled water industry. Swisslog was roped in as a partner for this project due to their mutual commitment to future growth, said a statement from Mai Dubai. Outgoing products from the plant will be shipped in a wide range of bottle sizes to stores, businesses and private homes, it said. The automation project will see Swisslog Middle East deliver a new automated raw and packing material warehouse, extend its production capability as well as build a high bay warehouse to store finished goods. With a height of 25 m and a storage capacity of 17,560 pallet locations, the finished goods warehouse will provide sufficient storage space for the companys high volumes, while the raw material/packing material warehouse has a height of 14 m and 5,592 pallet locations, said a statement. The Swisslog Vectura pallet stacker cranes, connected with a conveyor system, will provide highly efficient storage and retrieval. A monorail system with 44 Swisslog trolleys and a transportation length of 1,000 m will link all areas together, including the existing production lines, it said. Jay Andres, CEO of Mai Dubai, said: We are delighted to be working with Swisslog to reach our 2020 goals. Aside from significantly improving the efficiency of our operation, the project will enable us to remain competitive in the market long-term, and will open up opportunities to grow our business further in the future, he said. In our mission statement we talk about maintaining an innovative, safe, efficient and happy work place, and were confident Swisslog is the right partner to support us with this mission, he added. Frederic Zielinski, general manager of Swisslog Middle East, said: We are extremely proud to have Mai Dubai as a customer. What makes this partnership special is the synergies between the vision and values of our companies. We have many more projects in the pipeline and we are continually receiving requests from local businesses. As our presence in the Middle East expands, our company is fully committed to supporting the growth of regional businesses, he concluded. TradeArabia News Service More than 300 exhibitors will be showcasing thousands of dramatic and beautiful jewellery pieces, home decor items and glamorous watches at the Dubai International Jewellery Week. The event, which opened today (December 7) will run at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) for the next three days. Among the international boutiques and retailers present at this years show will be prominent names such as Yoko London, Australian South Sea Pearls Fzco, Very Important Jewels Paris, MOISEIKIN International Limited from Hong Kong, Ferrari Firenze SRL from Italy, Yessayan Jewelry from Lebanon, or Hazooriral Legacy from India. Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, Events Management, DWTC, said: More than 70 per cent of our exhibitors comprise high-profile international jewellers who return to the show every year. This is a clear testimony underlining the exhibitions status as the leading platform for brands to mark and maintain their presence at the Middle East market. LohMirmand added: Since 1995 we have been the host of leading international brands, designers, manufacturers and retailers from across the world to provide buyers with the best quality shopping experience and we are ready to host another successful show this year. The appreciation of pearls and fine jewellery among the Middle Eastern audiences is the key factor making Yoko London, a British brand popular with A-list celebrities like Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Eva Longoria, return to the show with new collections year after year. Yoko Londons Isabella Daniels said: Dubai International Jewellery Week is a crucial opportunity for us to reconnect with existing customers in the region, as well as meeting and networking with new potential clients. She added: The show is an essential platform for us to introduce our new deigns to an audience of discerning jewellery lovers in the Middle East and the one-of-a-kind sets we will unveil tomorrow are the most opulent and luxurious of all the Yoko London pieces. Among international brands returning to the show this year, Bellagioia Argento Italiano will be presenting its brand new collection of high quality silver jewellery featuring ruby replica stones and fancy yellow diamond simulants. Gianni Piazza, owner of Bellagioia Argento Italiano said: Dubai International Jewellery Week gives us a unique opportunity to gauge the upcoming trends and plan our future collections that will correspond with the needs of the local and regional markets. Participating in the show allows us understand the taste of the glitzy and sophisticated collectors and potential buyers from the Middle East and respond to their demands. To help visitors make confident purchase decisions ahead of the festive season, the show features numerous daily workshops led by three Middle Easts top fashion influencers. Taim Al Falasi, Mariam Yasin, and Rana Saab will offer the participants unique insights into the intricate world of jewellery and fashion pairing. Organised for the 8th consecutive year, the Emerging Jewellery Design Awards will be presented at a splendid gala ceremony tomorrow. The winning pieces, designed by three international emerging artists and manufactured by Maha Al Sibai, will be available for purchase directly at the show. TradeArabia News Service Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the Emirate's dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage, is now accepting submissions for the seventh edition of Sikka Art Fair, Dubai Art Seasons flagship initiative. The 2017 edition will be held March 11-21 in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood in Dubai, UAE. The invitation for submissions extends to talented Emirati, UAE-based and GCC artists and collectives, working across the visual and performing arts, music and film sectors. Registration for all submissions can be made on the Dubai Culture website. Sikka Art Fair, a lively and colourful activation of arts, engages the community across public spaces, outdoor art projects, interactive initiatives, workshops, exhibitions, panel discussions, performances and many more. Moza Suwaidan, director of Projects & Events at Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: Year after year, the Sikka Art Fair proves its position as the definitive platform for Emirati, UAE-based and GCC artists, and as an inspirational art movement in the UAE. The Authority welcomes talented artists from many different sectors to participate in this extensive programme of activities, where they will benefit from a platform that reaches a wide international audience. Suwaidan added: Through its broad-range of other initiatives, Dubai Culture engages Dubais wider community to think creatively while supporting talented artists to showcase their skills across a number of different creative disciplines. As we continue to enrich future editions of the Sikka Art Fair with new projects, the Emirate reputation as a city of happy, creative and empowered people that is commitment to nurturing established and emerging talent is further embedded. Sikka Art Fairs last edition in 2016 hosted an exciting line-up of poetry recitals, workshops, improvisational performances, music, dance and plays, with participation from local, regional and international artists in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Dubai. TradeArabia News Service Leading scientists and industry experts are in Dubai to attend the biggest international conference dedicated to quinoa, considered one of the world's most popular health foods. The three-day Quinoa for Future Food and Nutrition Security in Marginal Environments,' which concludes tomorrow (December 8), will focus on developing a set of recommendations for quinoa cultivation in marginal environments which are affected by water scarcity and salinity. It is being organised by the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE, Zayed University, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (Badea), and with the technical contribution of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The participants will share their latest developments in quinoa research, production and trade around the world, at the event, said the organisers. The conference seeks to find ways to implement research and development programmes and initiatives to introduce and scale up quinoa in marginal environments, they added. According to experts, the global population is forecast to increase to 9.7 billion in 2050 and there are concerns about the capacity of agriculture to produce enough food for the growing population. By some estimates, food production will need to go up by about 60 per cent either through an increase in crop yields per unit area or an expansion in the arable land by 2050 to meet the demand. Furthermore, several regions already suffering from malnutrition, water scarcity and soil degradation are forecast to have a large population growth, which raises concerns about whether traditional agricultural methods and crop species will have the capacity to sustain global food production targets. People living in marginal environments are particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate change on agriculture. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify solutions to sustaining and possibly increasing agricultural productivity in areas where growing traditional crops has become difficult and sometimes uneconomical. Quinoa is widely considered a promising crop that can contribute to addressing these challenges. Addressing participants at the opening ceremony, Dr Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE, said: "Climate change poses one of the greatest threats to humanity. Countries that already suffer from droughts, water shortages, and salinity are at an even greater risk. We urgently need to find solutions and adapt and where possible mitigate effects of climate change on different fronts, including agriculture. Ensuring future food security in marginal environments requires a shift in agricultural practices and innovative approaches to crop production systems, he said. Quinoa can play a major role as a staple crop in marginal environments due to its adaptability to harsh environments including poor saline soils with annual rainfall as little as 200 mm, he added. Professor Reyadh Al Mehaideb, vice president of Zayed University, said: "We are pleased to host this international conference. It is a timely event as the world faces the implications of grand environmental challenges, and many countries experience food and nutrition insecurity as well as impacts from climate change. We believe that the conference will be an excellent platform for scientists and experts to look at these challenges and come up with a shared vision on how crops like quinoa that grows in marginal land can help address them, he added. TradeArabia News Service US-based Cognizant, a leading global provider of information technology, consulting and business process services, has expanded its operations in the Middle East region with the opening of a new office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The move will help its clients to leverage the technical and business capabilities available in the region for building digital businesses, operations and systems, said a statement from the company. Cognizant currently employs more than 200 professionals in Saudi Arabia, delivering a broad range of services- across digital business, operations, and systems and technology - to more than 25 leading organisations in industry sectors such as financial services, insurance, energy, utilities, telecommunications, and retail. We congratulate Cognizant on the inauguration of its new office in Riyadh, said Meletis Meletiou, chief financial officer at Kudu Company, a leading restaurant chain in the kingdom. In working with us on a key ERP programme, Cognizant has proven itself to be a reliable and highly professional strategic partner who combines deep business and technology capabilities and experience, stated Meletiou. We thank Cognizant for its hard work and collaborative approach to helping us further strengthen our market leadership through greater efficiency, reduced operational costs and superior performance, he added. Narayan Iyer, vice president, Middle East and India, Cognizant, said: We started operations in Saudi Arabia in 2011 and have steadily grown our presence and investment in the country. Our expansion in the kingdom underscores our confidence in the country's talent pool and its ability to help our clients drive not just operational efficiencies, but also digital transformation for the needs of tomorrow, he said. We will continue to work closely with the academia in Saudi Arabia and build talent across our full range of services by helping science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) graduates become software professionals of global standards and work on helping clients navigate the shift to the digital era, he added. TradeArabia News Service In a major initiative to strengthen the West African economy, the governments of Morocco and Nigeria have announced plans to jointly develop a new regional gas pipeline that will not only stretch out all the way towards Europe, but will also connect many African countries. The Trans-African Pipeline project was announced by King Mohammed VI of Morocco and President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria during his visit to Nigeria. By accelerating the electrification of the region, the Trans-African Pipeline will improve access to energy across West Africa, said a statement from Ithmar Capital, the Moroccan sovereign wealth fund, which is collaborating on the project with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). The two funds announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement (SPA) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which will see their countries cooperate on bilateral investment for the first time in recent history. Under the deal, Ithmar Capital and NSIA will jointly pursue investment in strategic sectors including food security, renewable energy and infrastructure. The duo will also share knowledge and expertise relating to the extractives sector, collaborate on research and best practices, and provide policy guidance in order to strengthen both countries' capacity to manage natural resources, it stated. Ithmar Capital said in West Africa, the Trans-African Pipeline is designed to support the creation of industrial hubs that attract foreign investment. The project will therefore facilitate the expansion of sectors ranging from industry to food processing to fertilisers and improve the competitiveness of exports, particularly amongst African countries. Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Geoffrey Onyema said: "This South-South open platform will accelerate the structural transformation of the national economies of the region, thereby putting the entire region on a higher growth path. The two Heads of State agreed to set up a Bilateral Coordination Body to monitor this important project and commended such a strategic cooperation in Africa." According to him, the project will help address one of the region's most significant barriers to development, the lack of affordable energy. In addition, it will strengthen energy exports to Europe, linking Nigerian gas to the European energy market through Morocco.-TradeArabia News Service Attacks and defences adapt and evolve in a continuing dance. As a new technique is developed, its effectiveness increases rapidly until it is ready for deployment. Once deployed, broad exposure to real-world scenarios, feedback to the development team, and inclusion in other defences further improves its effectiveness. The enhancement continues until it reaches a level of effectiveness that prompts adversaries to respond. At this stage, attackers experiment and discover ways to evade this type of defence and develop countermeasures to reduce its value. The security industrys challenge is to improve the lifecycle of threat defence effectiveness, something that requires foundational research, new classes of products, heavy development time and effort, and a sustained focus, often by multiple industry participants working together. Reduce asymmetry of information Adversaries have more information about our defences than we have about their attacks, and this asymmetry significantly influences the threat defence effectiveness curve. Preventing attackers from testing against us is very difficult and possibly unsolvable. However, sharing information about attacks more broadly is one of the critical initial steps that we can take to address this asymmetry. When we share and combine information about attacks, we better understand what the attackers are doing to find weaknesses in our algorithms. That allows us to more quickly adapt and improve defences. Make attacks more expensive or less profitable Money is the primary motivation of most cyberattacks. If we can change the economics of the attack process, reduce the success rate of attacks, and make capture more likely, then we can make targets less interesting. Analyzing law enforcement data, we find that investigation and prosecution of cybercrime is inversely related to the severity of the crime. With physical crimes, prosecution is oriented toward the most serious crimes. With cybercrime, high-level attacks are more difficult to investigate and prosecute because they often cross multiple jurisdictions, and often more skills and resources are required to help them evade detection and prosecution. One potential response to this is to deceive attackers and increase their time spent on a given attack, making them easier to trace, identify, capture, and prosecute. Improve visibility Security operations within companies and security vendors are shifting their focus from IT assets to data assets and from pseudo-absolute defensive coverage to informed risk management. We have tools that can identify and classify data, monitor its usage, apply appropriate policies, or block movement if necessary. With these tools, organizations can more effectively quantify their risk profile, identify critical gaps, and appropriately focus resources. Good organizations compare basic statistics to the previous month, much like accounting. Better organizations work to build regional, national, and industry benchmarks for comparison, like investors. However, many common security metrics are not very actionable. There is much more to be done to be able to act, in near real time, on threatening activities seen in the protected environment. Identify exploitation of legitimacy Telling the difference between when a legitimate tool is used for a legitimate purpose versus a suspicious activity is very difficult. The only approach we have now is behavioural analytics, which is in its cybersecurity infancy. It is a good start, but we also need to move toward a model that conducts legitimacy tests for every transaction, not just for files and credentials. We need to analyze actions and data movement and try to determine intent, whether from an external actor or an unauthorized insider. This step requires knowing a lot more about the context of the activity. One controversial possibility is the development of user reputation and predictive analytics. The concept is to assess the probability of a given account being breached, stolen, or used for unauthorized insider activity. By collecting user behaviour in context, from the tendency to reuse passwords on different systems to the job description and typical working hours, we can compare each action to a set of expected legitimate activities and flag those that are outside a given level of risk. This is a sensitive area. We will have significant privacy, ethics, and legal issues to address before this technique enters the mainstream. Protect decentralized data Data is moving around outside of the corporate perimeter, making it much more vulnerable to unintentional leaks and targeted attacks. It is moving to clouds and personal devices, as well as to partners, suppliers, and customers. Less than 20 per cent of an organizations data ever moves in this extended ecosystem, yet 70 per cent of data loss is connected to this movement. Today some try to protect this type of data movement by encrypting it and sending decryption keys in a separate email, passing on the responsibility for protection to the next person in the chain. This results in a very small sphere of trust. We need to figure out how to extend the sphere of trust while maintaining better control. Data classification and loss prevention systems represent early efforts to manage and extend the sphere of trust for decentralized data. Security that moves with the data, enabling persistent policy enforcement, is the next step. We need to be able to protect data during its next use, similar to digital rights management mechanisms. Detect and protect without agents So much of our history and strength in security is based on having an agent running on the device we are protecting. However with the onset of technologies like IoT, the future of cybersecurity, and the solution to most of these big, hard-to-solve problems must take place in an agentless security world. The evolution to agentless security is already underway, with early solutions attacking the problem from multiple directions. Chip designers are enhancing hardware-level security, memory protection, and trusted execution environments. Behavioural analytics products watch from the outside, ready to quarantine and investigate devices that are doing something suspicious or anomalous. Processing and analysis still has to happen somewhere, but we will increasingly leverage flexible computing resources instead of dedicated agents. Distributed enforcement points are already emerging that will spread enforcement throughout a network of devices, with multiple points communicating and collaborating in real time about their detection and protection actions. In summary, increasing our threat defence effectiveness throughout the security industry will be key to staying ahead of the adversaries. It is critical that multiple industry participants work together to solve big-picture problems that cannot be addressed by simple patches or software updates. We need to share information more broadly among industry leaders to not only give us greater volume and detail in telemetry, but also aid in deception techniques. By increasing our use of predictive analytics, improving security visibility with both organizational assets and decentralized data, and reducing our use of dedicated agents, we can better protect, detect and correct cyber-attacks and increase our effectiveness in the threat defence lifecycle. Raj Samani is chief technology officer, EMEA, Intel Security. Zubin Karkaria, CEO VFS Global, and CEO Kuoni Group, was appointed Chevalier de lOrdre National du Merite (Knight of the National Order of Merit) by the President of the French Republic, Francois Hollande. The prestigious French award was conferred on Karkaria by Alexandre Ziegler, Ambassador of France to India, on behalf of President Hollande, at a ceremony, in Mumbai, India, on December 2. The distinction recognises Karkarias exemplary contributions in developing France as a tourist destination through leisure travel and the management of visa services across the world. Having pioneered the concept of visa process outsourcing in 2001 with the launch of VFS Global, Karkaria has contributed to the increased inbound tourism into France. VFS Global today serves the Government of France through 52 visa application centres in 19 countries around the globe. The French Government distinction Ordre National du Merite (National Order of Merit) was instituted in 1963 by General Charles de Gaulle. It is awarded for distinguished services rendered in public, civil, military posts, or a private profession. Speaking about Karkarias achievements, Ziegler said: France is proud to be the top global tourist destination, as well as a fast-growing destination for the Indian traveller. Over 500,000 Indian visitors chose France last year and we want to welcome many more. It is an honour to confer the Ordre national du Merite on Karkaria who played a stellar role in this success in conceiving the visa facilitation system and promoting France as a travel destination, thus contributing to developing people-to-people contacts between France and India. Commenting on the recognition, Karkaria said: I am deeply honoured and humbled to be judged worthy of receiving this recognition from the Honourable President of France. I have always believed in the enormous potential France has as a destination, and over the years, it has been my privilege to work with Atout France, Frances Tourism Development agency, and many other stakeholders from the travel fraternity in promoting and facilitating travel to this beautiful country. I am grateful to the Government of France and Atout France for the trust they have placed in the Kuoni Group and in VFS Global, and of course, to all our employees for their engagement and passion to deliver first-class services every day. This recognition is truly inspirational for me and our team to aim higher in our commitment to excellence in developing travel and tourism to France. Karkaria, who has been a part of the travel industry for more than 25 years, established visa processing multinational VFS Global in 2001. In 2015, he became the first Asian to head the Switzerland headquartered Kuoni Group, VFS Globals parent company. - TradeArabia News Service A Pakistan Airlines (PIA) plane, flying from the northern town of Chitral to capital Islamabad, crashed in the mountainous north of the country on Wednesday. It was carrying 47 people on board, said a report. Flight PK-116 lost contact with the control tower soon after take-off, said a report in The Times of India, citing senior police officials. They confirmed that the plane had crashed near Havelian, a hilly area near Abbottabad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Civil and military rescue teams have been dispatched to the area to find the whereabouts of the aircraft, the report added. 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., 328 E. A; 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. Clerks office trio visits Reveille Natrona County Clerk Renea Vitto, Chief Deputy to Natrona County Clerk Tracy Good and Elections Deputy Clerk Chris Lindsey will be speaking at the Reveille Rotary meeting beginning at 7 a.m. at the Central Wyoming Senior Services Center, 1831 E. Fourth St. They will talk about the functions of the Natrona County Clerks Office along with many of the challenges they face in their daily work. Reveille Rotary Club members welcome guests, and anyone wishing to learn more about the Natrona County Clerks Office and the Reveille Rotary Club. Wednesday Writers Practice writing, share your work and receive constructive feedback from fellow writers at 10 a.m., on the main floor of the Natrona County Library. Call 577-READ ext. 2 or email reference@natronacountylibrary.org for more information. Red Hats lunch The Queen Bee Red Hats luncheon for December is at 11:30 a.m. at the Grille at Three Crowns, 1601 King Blvd. Please call Deanna Archibald 234-8670 or Pauletta Bott at 237-5472 to confirm your reservations. After School at the Library The Natrona County Library will host an edible Christmas trees workshop for elementary-age students at 4 p.m. We make Christmas trees with sugar cones, frosting, and a variety of decorations. Call 577-READ ext. 5 for more information. Taco bar at Elks Wednesday night special at the Casper Elks Lodge is taco bar with all the fixings. All you can eat for $7. Build your own tacos, nachos, taco salad or any combination you desire with green chili and refried beans. Children 5 to 12 are $3, serving from 6 to 7 p.m. or until gone. Also enjoy a dessert for $1. Member, significant other and guest accompanied by a member. For more information, call 234-4839. Gold prospectors hold party The Casper Chapter of the Gold Prospectors Association of America will host its holiday party from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Building, 2211 King Blvd. Members and guests are invited. Bring a side dish to share. We will have a gift exchange. If you wish to participate, bring a gift to exchange ($10 maximum limit). We would like to have an accurate head count so we can have enough food. Please call either Tina Raines at 234-6714 or Eric Weaner at 513-259-7902 and let us know you are planning to attend. Enter through the east door. The club is holding a raffle for a Thompson Drywasher. Raffle tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the meeting or by calling Eric Weaner at 513-259-7902. Drawing to be held, pending reserve. For more information about GPAA or the Casper Chapter, or about prospecting in general, call Eric Weaner at 513-259-7902. 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. Cookies & Milk with Santa Santa is stopping by the Casper Events Center prior to the Moscow Ballets Great Russian Nutcracker performance. Bring the kids early to a pre-show Cookies & Milk with Santa event. For $10 per child, enjoy a meet and greet with Santa, picture opportunities (bring your own camera), hot chocolate, cookies and milk. This is limited to those with event tickets only. Children must have a Santa pass to meet Santa. Compassionate Friends lights candles The Central Wyoming Chapter of the Compassionate Friends, a nonprofit, self-help support organization for parents who are grieving the death of a child of any age, from any cause will have its annual December candle lighting ceremony meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. We will meet at the Natrona County Public Library in the Crawford Room in the librarys basement. You may bring a picture of your loved one. Also, if you would like, please bring a treat to share after the ceremony. For more information please call Gail: 235-0702 or Sheila: 237-0735. Pastel artist opens at CC gallery Impressionistic pastel artist Karen Hennecks works will be on display at the Mildred Zahradnicek Gallery through Feb. 27, 2017. In addition to the show, the artist will give an artists talk on Feb. 24 at 12:30 p.m. as part of Casper Colleges 2017 Humanities Festival and RedStone Concert and Recital Series. A signature member of the Pastel Society of America, Henneck is also a member of the Pastel Society of Colorado, the Pastel Society of New Mexico, and Casper Artists Guild. Currently, galleries in Wyoming and Colorado represent her. Henneck is also co-owner of Pirate Moon Press, which publishes books for children. Recently the company published two new childrens books, This Skin Im In and Ben and Pirate Moon, both of which she illustrated. The Zahradnicek Gallery is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and is free to the public. The gallery is in the Music Building on the Casper College campus. A federal lawsuit alleges that school officials in Cheyenne should have done more to prevent a sexual relationship between a Laramie County teacher and her 12-year-old student that lasted nearly two years. The suit, filed by a guardian of the alleged victim, claims that during his final year at Freedom Elementary, the victim was groomed by his 52-year-old teacher, Anna Andersen. After that year, in the late spring or early summer of 2012, Andersen began an intimate and sexual relationship with the victim, who was then 12. That relationship continued until March 2014, the suit claims. The lawsuit names Laramie County School District No. 1, the districts then-assistant superintendent John Lyttle, Freedom Elementary Principal Chad Delbridge and several unnamed district officials as defendants. The original suit was filed in April 2016, with an amended complained filed in August. Last week, Judge Scott W. Skavdahl ruled on various motions in the case. Andersen pleaded no contest to two counts of sexual abuse of a minor in spring 2015. She was sentenced to eight to 12 years at the Wyoming Womens Center. Her attorney, Sean Barrett, declined to comment beyond confirming that she was incarcerated. According to the suit, Andersen and the victim were in nearly constant contact during that two-year period. That was possible through an alleged mentoring program that was permitted by Lyttle and Delbridge, the suit claims. Andersen told Freedom Elementary officials that without her mentoring, the victim would hurt himself; thus the tutoring relationship was able to continue. The suit claims that through this program, the two had contact several times per week for a period of 22 months. Although the victim was then going to McCormick Junior High School, he would meet Andersen at Freedom routinely for the alleged tutoring program, which the victims guardians believed was cleared by the school, the suit claims. Through this arrangement, Andersen had sexual encounters on hundreds of occasions with the victim, the suit says. Andersen would also give the victim rides home, as well as be alone with him in a classroom with the door closed, both of which are against district guidelines, the suit claims. Delbridge, Freedoms principal, became aware of a relationship between the two in the fall of 2012, the suit claims, a few months after it allegedly started. Several faculty and staff members of Freedom had expressed concern about the victim returning to see Andersen, including on weekends. The suit alleges that even Delbridge thought the way the victim looked at Andersen was creepy. Shortly after, Delbridge met with Andersen. He told her the concerns and that she wasnt to give the victim rides home anymore. However, he did not tell the victims parents, the suit claims. The defendants denied the allegations in court documents, records show. A message left for attorney John Coppede, who represents the defendants, was not returned Tuesday. Lyttle said he couldnt comment on advice of counsel. The attorney representing the victim, Melinda McCorkle, also declined to comment. McCorkle would not explain why Andersen is not listed as a defendant on the civil suit; court documents show she was listed originally but was removed in August. The suit goes on to claim that Delbridge again in November 2012 told Andersen not to give the victim rides home and to not have him at Freedom Elementary. The suit claims that at one point, Delbridge nearly caught the two in Andersens car, but Andersen drove off, leaving the victim by the side of the road. Eventually, Delbridge banned the victim from Freedom, the suit says, and threatened to seek a restraining order against him. During the 22-month period, the victim was hospitalized several times for unspecified reasons, the suit says, and in March 2013, Andersen visited him in the hospital. Medical staff called the police after they saw the two engaging in a sexual act, the suit claims. After that, a Laramie County School District No. 1 board member interviewed the victim about his and Andersens relationship, but there was no follow up, the suit alleges. Despite the victim being banned from Freedom, the relationship continued until March 2014, when Andersen was arrested on multiple charges of sexual assault of a minor. In February 2014, Delbridge had again spoken with Andersen. The suit claims that the school district, principal Delbridge and then-assistant superintendent Lyttle had notice and knowledge of the relationship and the facts indicating danger to (the victim) culminating in sexual assault. Wyomings departing U.S. representative has been named to Donald Trumps transition team, as Washington insiders continue to talk up Cynthia Lummis as a potential Secretary of the Interior candidate. Lummis is a vice chairwoman of the Donald Trump-Mike Pence Presidential Transition Team, she said Monday during a telephone interview with the Star-Tribune. She and other vice chairs are helping the incoming vice president, who is in charge of the transition, find 418 positions that are immediately below the cabinet level and require U.S. Senate confirmation such as undersecretaries, deputy secretaries and agency heads for departments such as the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, she said. The group is also looking for what they call Sherpas, or people who will volunteer to prepare nominees for their Senate confirmation hearings, Lummis said. Those would be people who have knowledge or who have themselves at one time appeared before the U.S. Senate for Senate confirmation. Its also an opportunity to explain this process. Lummis, a Republican from Cheyenne who is leaving the U.S. House after serving for eight years, didnt say much about her chances of becoming Interior secretary, except that she met with Trump two days before Thanksgiving. I dont have comment on specifics, but I will say I have met with the president-elect, she said. And we met for just over an hour, and it was very intense and really fun. And that is what has caused me to be very, very positive about the working relationship among Trump, Pence, Priebus and Bannon. Reince Priebus is the Republican National Committee chairman and will be the next presidents chief of staff. Steve Bannon will be the White House chief strategist and is a controversial media figure, having been accused of racism, sexism, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. In addition to Lummis, Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead and Jackson investor Bob Grady have been floated for cabinet positions. As part of the transition team, Lummis and the other chairmen meet each Monday, she said. Pence has encouraged the team to call and text him with names of people who would be good for 400 open positions. Lummis said the positions arent typically awarded to career civil servants but to people outside of government with experience that dovetails with the missions of the agencies. I have submitted names on behalf of a large number of people who are interested in various assignments, she said. Its heavily, heavily weighted toward Wyoming first and the Rocky Mountains. Lummis declined to say who she had named. But she said a number of Wyomingites would be strong in the Department of Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice, the Council on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Forest Service. The public will soon know whether Trump selects anyone from Wyoming. The rate at which he has been naming cabinet positions and other political appointees has been fast. The president-elect actually is moving faster in terms of naming cabinet-level appointees than any president-elect in the last 40 years, she said. So hes moving quickly. I can vouch for the fact that hes being very thorough. Hes seeing a lot of people. Hes having them come to his office in Trump Tower in New York. She described Trump as decisive. She said his team works well together, even if the process appears scattered to outsiders. Clearly his private sector, large organization leadership skills are very well-honed, Lummis said. Even though you see on the news there seems to be a lot of discussion around the (positions such as) the secretary of state position. For a while it looked like it was going to be (Rudolph) Giuliani. Then Mr. (Mitt) Romney is in the news, then (David) Petraeus. It looks more disjointed than it is. Lummis served in Congress for four years with Pence, who represented Indiana in the House before becoming the states governor. She described him as organized and calm. Trump and Bannon, she said, are demonstrative. Pence and Priebus are more low-key. Ive been in a room with the four of them, and Ill tell you, it just works, she said. The dynamics when those four men are in the room is very, its just right. Its the right human dynamic. It is the yin and the yang, and you have these wonderful demonstrative people and then the more tempered personalities. And together it just seems to work tremendously well. Having spent time with the four of them, I feel very comfortable with the way decision-making will occur at the very highest levels of government. Fake news, which is believed to have influenced the presidential election, isnt going away. But people can learn to discern fake from legitimate reporting by relying on more than one source for current events and questioning outrageous claims by searching legacy media for similar stories, said history and political science professors Tuesday night at the University of Wyoming Casper. Social media and fabricated news stories dominated much of the discussion among four professors on a panel to discuss the Nov. 8 election. Websites on the right and left, some created outside the United States, disseminated fake stories for and against President-elect Donald Trump and Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. Each time someone clicks on a fake story, advertising generates revenue for the website producers. That creates an incentive for the website to keep creating more fake stories, said Sam Weaver, a Casper College political science instructor. He recommended people verify fantastical claims made on the sites with mainstream media. We as citizens have to do more work, and that kind of stinks, he said. But again going back to this role of citizenship and modern American politics. Its our duty. UW-Casper political science professor Brent Pickett said computer networks in Russia promoted fake news that was flattering to Trump in a way that made it trend on social media. That, combined with hacked emails, made it unsettling how much the Russians were involved in the election, he said. But not all news on social media is fake, said Tanis Lovercheck-Saunders, a Casper College history instructor. She used a Wyoming election as an example. Rep. Gerald Gay, a Casper Republican, lost his bid for another term in the state House after news spread that he thought women are responsible for the gender-pay gap by taking maternity leave, among other remarks. That has a lot to do with social medias response to what happened, she said. The professors discussed Trumps influence on the Republican Party, whether he will be a one-term president and other topics. Toward the end of the 90-minute discussion, a man who identified himself as Latino asked whether they thought Trumps pronouncements on the campaign trail about immigrants and Muslims would result in policy that could result in the country treating minorities different. Pickett noted that after the election, Trump chose media provocateur Steve Bannon, a man accused of being racist, sexist, anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic, as a chief strategist and U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, who opposes much of federal civil rights law, as attorney general. Both men don't want minorities to be strong in the United States, Pickett said a comment to which a member of the audience objected. Casper College political science instructor Nathan Blank said he hoped Trump would tone down his message on immigrants. Blank felt heartened that the president-elects Thanksgiving address was one of healing and inclusiveness. It doesnt change the fact that people are afraid of the rhetoric he used, especially Latinos who are here to work, he said. I feel for you. And I hope its not a concern that becomes a reality. A California man involved in a traffic chase Tuesday afternoon was not involved in a bank robbery that occurred the same day in Evanston, the Wyoming Highway Patrol said Wednesday. Troopers in Sweetwater County located and stopped a vehicle matching the suspects vehicle near milepost 85 on eastbound Interstate 80, about 5 miles west of Green River, according to a news release. As the trooper exited the patrol car, the white Buick LaCrosse left the area at a high rate of speed. The Buick then led troopers on a pursuit in which speeds reached 130 mph. Deputies with the Sweetwater County Sheriffs Office used spikes on the vehicles tires at milepost 99 on I-80. A mile later, the Buick left the interstate, crossed a ditch, crashed through a fence, crossed a service road and ultimately became disabled in a sagebrush field. The driver and sole occupant of the Buick, Fane Tatofi, 30, of Riverside, California, eventually surrendered after leading troopers on a short chase on foot, the release said. Tatofi was taken to the Sweetwater County Detention Center in Rock Springs and was charged with possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, fleeing and eluding, reckless endangering, possession of methamphetamine, property destruction and various driving offenses, according to the release. A fish--out-of-water story,-- the first full-length narrative film from-- proves better at enticing us in than it does fulfilling its promise once we become involved in the tale. And yet that may be part (maybe the whole point) of the tale: How very strange it is to try to enter and then correctly appraise the world of people you barely know, who may, in fact, not want you in their world, after all. That is the situation of our protagonist, a young Afghan fellow named Osman (played very well by, shown below).Osman worked, expertly it seems, as a translator for a U.S. journalist whose beat is in the middle east, and because of this has been given asylum in the United States. He is now located in the backwoods of Northern California, visiting/living with the mother of that journalist (the fine, shownbelow) and expecting to find a job at the local newspaper.That job works out, sort of, but not in the manner Osman was expecting, and little by little he meets the townsfolk and becomes involved in some very bizarre doings: arson, beatings, a disappearance and a possible murder. Exactly what happens, along with how and why, we piece together haltingly, just as Osman himself must do, and the biggest strength of Mr. Olds' movie (the filmmaker is shown at bottom) is that we see and know only what Osman himself learns about this whole mess.Along the way, Osman sees his first sight of the ocean and a beach, gets involved with a pretty young woman (, in the penultimate photo, below) and her rather bizarre acting instructor, and meets, gets beaten up and then befriended by a guy named Lindsay (, below and further below, doing another good job in full-out weirdo mode).More and more bizarre and unsettling do things appear until we and Osman are ready to think the very worst of America's small towns (and why not, as these people apparently elected the asshole of all time to become the next American President?).Things do sort themselves out. Sort of. Which leaves us even more unsettled -- with only some understanding of what has just transpired. One of the townsfolk lets us and Osman know that, in this a particular area of the country, everything is eventually forgiven. Well, OK.Meanwhile, Osman has been in touch via phone with his journalist mentor along the way, and the final scene -- a quiet beauty of a few moments -- should make viewers appreciate Afghanistan in a manner we would never have expected.While I cannot wholeheartedly recommend, except to an audience who especially appreciates the intentionally unclear/ambivalent, there is certainly enough here to mull over, chew and maybe even digest. In the cast are stalwarts like, too, so that's a plus, while Mr. Rains, who won a Tribeca Festival Best Actor Award delivers in fine form.Fromand, the movie, running 102 minutes, opens this Friday, December 9, in Los Angeles at the. Elsewhere? No idea. But as it will simultaneously play VOD in most major markets, if you want to view it, I am sure you'll be able to find it. If you have a question, suggestion or comment that you would like to share with us, please email us at If you go Where to find it: The USS Arizona Mall Memorial is on the University of Arizona Mall in front of the Student Union Memorial Center at 1303 E. University Blvd. Where to Park: Close parking is at the Second Street Parking Garage at 1390 E. Second St. Rates start at $2 per hour. It's about a 5 minute walk south to the memorial. Learn more: The Life and Legacy of the USS Arizona continues through Dec. 23 at the UA Libraries' Special Collections, 1510 E. University Blvd. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 1:30-2:30 p.m. on the day of the dedication, Dec. 4. Find it online at tucne.ws/g5d The Bell: One of the two original bells salvaged from the USS Arizona wreckage has resided at the UA since just before the first student union was built in the 1950s, said David Carter, one of the forces behind the latest memorial. When the new Student Union Memorial Center was built in the early 2000s, a number of its design elements were meant to mimic the USS Arizona. That bell now hangs in a tower at the Student Union Memorial Center and is traditionally rung by the student body president on the Sunday before Pearl Harbor Day, on the Student Unions birthday, Nov. 18, and after athletic victories over out-of-state schools. PHOENIX Claiming Tucson is violating Arizona law, Attorney General Mark Brnovich asked today that the Arizona Supreme Court cut off the city's state aid. Tucson received $172 million in state aid last year. The lawsuit follows by just hours the unanimous decision by the Tucson City Council to reject Brnovich's demand that it repeal the city's ordinance requiring the destruction of seized firearms. Today's action is the first test of a controversial new law, signed earlier this year by the governor, giving Brnovich the power to pressure cities to change policies he believes contradict the wishes of Arizona lawmakers. The fight is over a 2005 ordinance which says that the police department, after it seizes a handgun or a semi-automatic weapon, "shall dispose of such firearm by destroying the firearm.'' The key exception is when the weapon is needed as evidence. There also are exceptions when the police department wants to keep a gun for its own purposes, to transfer it to another law enforcement agency, or lend or transfer it to a museum. Brnovich, however, said that runs afoul of several state laws. The first, enacted in 2000, explicitly prohibits local governments from enacting any ordinances dealing with the acquisition, licensing, registration or use of firearms. More specific is a 2013 law which bars law enforcement agencies from destroying firearms. And a companion measure says the only proper way to dispose of a seized weapon is to sell it. And Brnovich rejected arguments by Tucson city council members and other local officials that cities have a right to make their own decisions. More than a year after its closing, Blue Bell Creameries will be reopening its Tucson distribution center and returning the frozen treat to store shelves beginning March 6, the company announced Wednesday. In April 2015, the company issued a nationwide recall of all products, after two batches of ice cream tested positive for Listeria. A month later, Blue Bell shuttered its Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama distribution centers after tests revealed that the contamination went back two years. Blue Bell products returned to stores in Texas and Alabama by September 2015, and the Oklahoma distribution facility was also reopened. It has always been our goal to return to Arizona, and we believe that we are in a great position to expand our sales territory next year, Ricky Dickson, vice president of sales and marketing for Blue Bell, wrote in a news release. The company has already started hiring for all three Arizona centers, the other two located in Phoenix and Apache Junction, and will continue to add more employees as needed, Dickson said. Youve noticed the shortage of guns in Tucson since 2005, havent you? You know, nobody can buy a shotgun or a rifle or a pistol around here. Nobody. Right? Of course not. It has not been any harder to buy a gun in Tucson since the City Council passed the ordinance requiring that firearms seized by police be destroyed in most cases. Thats why the ordinance is absurd. Destroying 4,820 seized or forfeited firearms since January 2013 has done nothing to curb access to firearms or to stem gun violence. So its no wonder that someone got upset that we were essentially throwing away money by destroying the usable guns rather than selling them to a licensed dealer and getting some money out of them. Its just too bad that somebody was a state legislator from Oro Valley making the complaint to the attorney general instead of a Tucson resident making the case to the City Council. The ordinance is pointless and seems to directly contradict a 2013 state law, aimed at Tucson, which prohibits cities from destroying seized guns. But it is our right to have pointless ordinances and hash out the arguments ourselves, without putting $115 million per year in jeopardy. Thats why its a good thing the City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to fight a state law that threatens the citys financial viability if a single legislator thinks it may be violating state law. The councils underlying ordinance is wrong, but the state law is even wronger. You may remember when the Legislature passed SB 1487 this year it was one of 14 so-called pre-emption bills introduced last session that attempted to undermine local control. Messing with cities had been a hobby for the Legislature in the past but became an animating force among Republicans last session. SB 1487 was the climax of the effort. It allows any individual legislator to report to the attorney general any city action that seems to violate state law or the Constitution. This is one of the absurdities of the law: Here we have Rep. Mark Finchem, who believes Hezbollah has camps in northern Mexico and is allying with drug cartels to attack the United States, singlehandedly commanding that Tucson spend money to defend itself. Thats more power than one hostile legislator ought to have. Under the new law, the attorney general must investigate the apparent violation within 30 days and tell the city whether he believes it is violating, may be violating or is not violating state law or the Constitution. If he finds the city is violating state law, the city must change within 30 days or have its state-shared revenue withheld $115 million per year in Tucsons case. This is another problem with the law. It makes the state attorney general judge and jury over what constitutes a violation of state law. Even if the attorney general finds that the city might be violating state law, the city must post a bond equal to six months worth of state-shared revenue in Tucsons case, about $57 million while the state Supreme Court decides whos right. The state can pre-empt us on matters that are truly of a statewide concern. The state cant pre-empt us on matters of local concern, city attorney Mike Rankin told me before Tuesdays council vote. Thats especially true of charter cities like Tucson, Rankin said. The Arizona constitutional framers specifically decided they did not want charter cities to be subordinate to the state, he noted. They were giving us true home-rule powers. They embedded that in the Constitution. Now, of course the Attorney Generals Office is aware that Tucson is a charter city. But in its filings the office argues the city does not have the right to supersede state laws related to firearms, over which the Legislature has asserted authority. And Attorney General Mark Brnovich calls it a Second Amendment issue. It is not. The arguments actually veer into the realm of the absurd. One point: The city interferes with the right to keep and bear arms by destroying seized guns. Another point: The State believes that increasing the supply of firearms is in the interest of public safety. Both of these arguments rest on the same fallacy that the citys gun-destruction ordinance does: That Tucsons ordinance makes a whit of difference when it comes to the supply of guns. Heres a quick data point: Last month the FBI conducted 39,722 background checks for gun purchases in Arizona. Thats nearly 40,000 possible purchases statewide in one month. In the real-world context, Tucsons 105-or-so destroyed guns per month make no significant difference in the right to bear arms or the supply of guns. Its still a dumb ordinance. Better to make some money off those guns than to destroy the ones that have value. But its our dumb ordinance to fight over and none of the states business. Professors at the University of Arizona may soon be asking students about their preferred gender pronouns and crafting a syllabus that includes warnings for possibly traumatizing content. The University of Arizonas faculty senate on Monday explored establishing guidelines for professors to be more sensitive to marginalized students, including LGBTQ students and those who have experienced trauma. The recommendations come as a result of discussions facilitated by the diversity task force, which UA President Ann Weaver Hart created last year as a response to student activism. Groups of marginalized students and their supporters reported racism and homophobia on campus, and they subsequently released a demand letter asking for a range of changes, including diversifying the UAs faculty and staff and providing cultural competency training. Its about creating a more welcome climate in the classroom, said Jesus Trevino, the UAs senior diversity officer and vice provost for inclusive excellence, who was hired in May to address diversity on campus. The task force has eight subcommittees, including the classroom experience subcommittee that produced the two recommendations on gender pronouns and content warnings. Each subcommittee is intended to tackle issues raised in the students demand letter. The general consensus from the faculty senate was to pursue fine-tuning the language for the pronoun and content warning recommendations for campuswide guidelines. The faculty group will re-evaluate in the future whether or not those guidelines should be elevated to mandated policy. Some faculty senators voiced concerns mostly about the guidelines impact on academic freedom. Roy Spece, a law professor, said at the meeting that while hes sympathetic to students concerns, there doesnt need to be restrictions on professors speech when the issue is a moral one. It could start the university down a slippery slope, he said. We need to respect peoples rights to say things we dont like. Trevino, the senior diversity officer, said in an interview that the message is not do not present the information in the classroom. Instead, faculty should simply let students know, through syllabus or other means, what would be discussed throughout the semester. But where does the university draw the line? Common sense, he said. The boundaries are something the university and its members would have to continue to discuss, but the best gauge right now is to consider what is an obvious trigger for trauma, such as sexual violence. Some discomfort is part of the learning process, he said. But we dont want to push them over the learning edge. In the end, the guidelines to ask students about their preferred gender pronouns and giving advanced notice on possibly triggering content are not unlike a whole bunch of things that already exist in your contracts, faculty senate Chair Lynn Nadel told his fellow senators at the meeting. If you look at the university handbook, you will find a variety of things youre required to do, he said. Thats not news. This is appropriate behavior. Its simply adding things to an already long list of things faculty members are expected to do as part of their employment. Shevonda Joyner, a UA junior and an intern for the diversity task force, said she would like to see the guidelines implemented as quickly as possible. When the professors show an actual understanding of students, they feel comfortable and safe in the classroom, which is the state of mind they need to be in to learn. When Jennifer Spoelma decided to write a book last September, she took the plunge and told the world. She figured that was the best way to make sure it got done. "I had no idea how to write a book and didn't know what I was getting myself into..." says Spoelma, 24. "At the start I told people, and I said, 'Now I have to live up to it.'" It worked. For a year, Spoelma waded the waters of book writing researching, marketing, asking for feedback and staring at a blank screen. She squeezed her writing into the weekend hours and the moments before and after her full-time job as a product education strategist at Simpleview, Inc. But she got it done. In her first book "Tell It Well: How to Discover, Own and Share Your Story Well," Spoelma wants to empower people to share personal stories of faith and life. Her book becomes available on Amazon Thursday, Dec. 15 with a launch party following on Saturday, Dec. 17 in the Creative Tribe Workshop studio, 236 S. Scott Ave. A fitting place, since it took a tribe. Around the same time Spoelma started writing the book, she also started the Tuesdays Together meetup for creative entrepreneurs a local chapter of the international organization the Rising Tide Society. Not that she actually considered herself much of an entrepreneur at that time. She was a blogger with an idea for a book. That was all. Or so she thought. Finding a genuine life Spoelma moved to Tucson from Grand Rapids, Michigan the summer of 2014, newly married to husband Trevor Spoelma, a doctoral student at the University of Arizona's Eller College of Management. A photo posted by Jennifer Spoelma (@jenniferspoelma) on Nov 29, 2016 at 2:18pm PST In Grand Rapids, she worked as a program director for a church youth group and organized a weekend retreat to empower students to share their stories and their faith. She was also working on her blog, the Jenuine Life, a place to celebrate the beauty she saw in other women and give them a forum through which to tell their stories. "That was kind of a similar thread," she says. "I didn't realize how everything was tying together at the time." It was a year of job hunting and transition, a year without many people to meet. The summer of 2015, her blog work compelled her to attend the Yellow Conference in Los Angeles a place "for the creative, entrepreneurial-minded lady who wants to change the world," so the tagline reads. Game changer. "I went there and was very inspired and just very moved and realized that these are my people..." Spoelma says of the three-day conference. "I get these people and feel excited for for them. I can be intense sometimes pursuing things. I kind of go hard after things which sometimes makes me feel like I'm too much." But not here. Not with these women. She came back to Tucson thinking, "There have to be people like this in Tucson, too. How do you find them? How do you do this?" When the tide rises Spoelma found the answer to her desire for creative community in the Rising Tide Society, launched in May 2015 to provide community for entrepreneurs. Too bad there was no Tucson chapter. The organization encouraged Spoelma to apply to lead it in Tucson. "I felt they better not choose me because I have a blog but I don't run a business. I don't have anything to show for it," she says. "They accepted me in September 2015, and I was like, 'OK. I guess I have to find people to join my group.'" On the second Tuesday of September, she hosted the first Tuesdays Together in Tucson. Twelve people showed up. Now the Facebook group boasts more than 200. "The whole point is to just get started," says Emily Powell, a consistent Tuesdays Together attendee. She is in the beginning stages of launching her own toy business. "Due to the support from fellow Tuesdays Together members, both creatively and just having key insights into the growth process, I could embrace the idea of just starting instead of waiting for something to be perfect." Tuesdays Together helped her to refine her ideas and held her accountable: She wanted something new to share at each meeting. "One of the things I have been proud to see happen, not because of me specifically, but as a facet of the group, is a lot of people have gotten to know each other and realize each other's services," Spoelma says. "As needs are growing and services expand, they are able to use each other and build their portfolios, and as everyone is growing, it's lifting up everybody else, too." The Creative Tribe Workshop, a similar organization, started around the same time as Tuesdays Together and gives people a chance to exercise that creative streak. Now, the two organizations collaborate. For 24-year-old Theresa Delaney, founder of the Creative Tribe Workshop and small business owner, Tuesdays Together offers a monthly chance to talk business a way to stave off isolation. "It makes people feel like they're more welcome to try new things and get out there and start their own business, because they will have a network of support to turn to..." Delaney says. "It creates a feeling of support for people and I really think this is the motto of the Rising Tide group by helping each other, we're helping ourselves in the long run. The rising tide lifts all boats and creating that spirit helps everyone individually as well." And while Spoelma's heart beats to infuse others with the confidence to tell their stories aloud and in life, she needed a boost of her own. "I think at first I felt pretty insecure leading the group thinking, 'I don't make a living doing this. It's technically at hobby level...'" Spoelma says. "I saw that there are no qualifiers for meaningful work. You don't need to make a living, you don't need to make a certain amount of money. You don't need to make money at all for what you're doing to be important. It's also saying there are a lot of exciting and worthy things that come from building an audience and having people like your work, but that doesn't validate your work either. Seeing that other people were doing what they loved and maybe were more content than I was to be doing it on the side was an important lesson." Tell it well This fall, 148 backers pledged $14,305 to Spoelma's book through Kickstarter, surpassing her goal of $14,000. She self-published through the copyrighting company Words Move People she runs with her sisters Erica Male and Kellie Voss. The organization also helps Christian churches with branding and communication. Spoelma never saw herself writing a book, but after she moved to Tucson, she found her passion for encouraging storytellers was going unused. "That was when it clicked," she says. "Oh, I don't have a platform or a youth ministry or anything like that to touch people with at this stage of life, but a book is something someone can pick up and own the journey for themselves." During interviews for her blog, women she admired would often thank her for challenging them to reflect on aspects of their life. "I didn't know I knew that," they would tell her. "I didn't know I had that story." The book challenges Christians in particular to think about their life story and the movement of God in it, Spoelma says. Most people think they don't have a story, don't know how to share it or felt insecure doing so. But everybody has a story, Spoelma says. And everybody has a chance to make, build, dream and do. She did. "It's really easy to rule yourself out and think, 'I have this struggle or I don't have time because of this and this and this,' so surrounding myself with other people who were realizing their dreams and working toward them and pursuing them despite whatever struggles they had or hindrances they had was really inspiring," she says. "You keep putting one foot in front of the other, because you realize nobody has it made for them." BEIJING - Goldman Sachs expects China to register lower annual growth in 2017 as property and auto sales are likely to slow down. The bank forecasts a slight slowing in China's GDP growth to 6.5 percent in 2017, from a forecast of 6.7 percent in 2016. Although Goldman Sachs only expects a modest slowing in real estate investment in 2017, it sees both price and transaction growth slowing significantly, meaning a much lower contribution to China's GDP growth from the housing sector in 2017. In a report to clients, the bank noted auto sales growth may slow sharply to 3 percent in 2017, from an estimated 15 percent this year, as the government is likely to cut tax rebates for auto purchases in half. Despite the challenges to growth, the bank said China's 2017 growth will be near the 6.5 percent "bottom line" with a combination of a better external environment and supportive policies. To lift growth, Goldman Sachs expects China's central bank to cut the reserve requirement ratio at least twice next year to ensure supportive liquidity conditions in the banking system. Since the UK referendum and Brexit nothing has been quite the same, although our lives in themselves have probably not changed much ...on the outside, on the inside things are shifting big time. This is a trend that is circulating around Europe with people rejecting mainstream politicians and their often self-serving policies. The majority of voters are sick to their back teeth with being ignored whilst their lives are becoming more difficult whether it is real or perceived and there are half a dozen elections coming up in Europe next year! This is giving the extreme right wing parties the opportunity to be heard with their racist ideas about what society should look like, and of course the usual nationalist 'chants' and it is clearly appealing to many people. As always with racist policies you need someone to blame for everything that is wrong in society and for the present time it is Immigrants and EU nationals which happen to be displaced Muslims due to the fighting in the middle East. This trend travelled across the Atlantic and we now have Donald Trump to look forward to for at least the next four years, and all for the same reasons that people voted for Brexit. The fear of losing their democratic rights and the lack of control over immigration, the economy and just plain not being listened to are turning voters against the mainstream politicians in large numbers. Brexit may look terrible but It could all be for the best There will for sure be difficult times ahead and more for some than others but I believe that in the long run, it will be in the best interests of everyone. There is much good happening in the world that gets almost no attention in the mainstream news which is generally obsessed with negative news only which in turn has an impact on people's attitudes, as in Brexit for example. There is no denying of course that terrible things are happening but there are people everywhere doing their bit to improve their own lives in a positive way and are also helping others improve theirs. People worldwide are signing online petitions that are making changes in all sort of areas, sometimes small changes but sometimes big ones. Many of these people also show their feelings about what is happening globally in ways, such as marches,meetings, writing letters and tweeting to their MP's .amongst many other ways. The point is that we all have the power to try and change things that we don't like and create a better existence for all on this planet. However, most folks do nothing to promote a change in any area at all. They may talk about it and possibly complain about and criticise those that are supposed to be serving us....yes serving us ! but that is where it all ends. They believe they have no power, but everyone has power and together we have enormous power,and enormous power can make huge changes..unrecognisable changes, but it needs commitment and action and not lethargy and procrastination. No one has to make giant steps unless they choose to, but everyone can do something to instigate a shifting of consciousness in society. Right now it's rather like everything has been tossed up into the air and has fallen to earth in complete disarray, now that is the perfect opportunity for us to put it back together again in a different way, a way that is best for us all and the planet. There will be differences of opinions to how it should be but I the majority of people would agree with the basic model of what society should look like. If voters were more demanding and got more involved in what was happening politicians would have to treat everyone with so much more respect than they do now and Brexit was the start. We would then start attracting a different sort of person into Politics, someone that cares more about the people of their country rather than themselves first ,their party second and the population only when they wheel us out to vote for something or other. Michael Gove and Josh Whittingdale have prompted the CBI to tell them what laws and rules they would like to see abolished or reformed when Britain leaves the EU. This is despite Theresa May saying Britain will carry EU laws over when Britain leaves the EU. Lose workers rights, the Brexit plan Gove was talking in response to report that the Conservative government has commissioned. In it Marc Bolland, the ex-chief executive of Marks & Spencers, in the report he ran a list of EU protections he would like to see gone, a list many in employment might not be so happy to see go. these include the working time directive, acquired rights directive, the agency workers directive and the new pregnant worker proposals. If these laws suddenly disappear, we may start to see many Brexiters wondering exactly why they have voted to handicap their own lives in such a way. Gove and Whittingdale questioned CBI director general, Carolyn Fairbairn, at a session of the Commons committee on exiting the EU. they asked her if she could come back to the committee with what would be the official CBI on the proposal written in the government report. They also questioned her on had the CBI looked at rules that could be relaxed to allow British business to be more competitive. This is an attempt to make it look like the EU worker's protections are harmful to business and indeed a burden on many companies, rather than protections that are there to benefit society. John Longworth, the former chair of the British Chamber of Commerce, suggests that we should, for instance, remove the limits on overtime, particularly he feels for lorry drivers. As what the UK needs after it leaves the EU is tired lorry drivers hurtling down roads with a lack of concentration, all in the hope someone can make a little more profit. The CBI fights back Fairburn, pleasingly, stood her ground and told the committee her members were more worried by losing access to one of their main trading partners, than with worrying around silly anecdotal tales that the MPs were telling her. The good news is that the government can not just repeal EU laws, which seems to be something Theresa May understands, as they are woven into British laws. This process has taken decades and as such will take decades to find, pinpoint, and change. It will not be able to happen overnight. The next one is the product labeling guidelines, that we always hear about. Well, those rules come from the WTO, the body that Brexiters tell us we will join when we leave the EU. So the good news is our packaging will just stay the same. This brings up the WTO.The fall back plan if we feel we can not negotiate with the EU. The problem is if we join the WTO before we have an amicable parting from the EU, the EU as an existing part of the WTO can launch a trade dispute. Then we can look at years of fighting and no trade agreements. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has put a cross-promotional move on tap. The first officially licensed I LOVE NEW YORK beer will be distributed in China in a partnership with New York's largest farm brewery Syracuse-based Empire Brewing Company. The ale is called "Two Dragons" and its bottle will be branded with the iconic and globally recognized "I-(heart) NY" tourism logo. It's intended to perk up agri-tourism in New York state. Cuomo called New York's craft beverage industry "thriving" and "world-renowned", a creator of new jobs and a statewide driver of economic growth. "This unique partnership will introduce one of our finest New York products to a global audience," Cuomo said in a press release. "The iconic I LOVE NEW YORK logo will promote the high quality of New York's food and beverage products and attract more visitors to craft beverage breweries, growing the industry and increasing tourism revenue across the state." Two Dragons is brewed with New York state hops and infused with Chinese black tea. Empire Brewing owner David Katleski was inspired to combine the art of American craft brewing techniques with the legacy and art of Chinese tea making during a trade mission to China. "Our corporate philosophy is Grow Local, Craft Global," Katleski said. "And our mission is in the bottle. It seemed only right that we would take this opportunity of partnering with I LOVE NEW YORK to further promote the state through our beer in China." Two Dragons was initially designed just for the Chinese market, but Katleski said their Chinese partner, Panda Brew, told him it was too narrow a focus. "They convinced us we should enter the market with some American craft beer," he told Syracuse.com. "The lead horse is Two Dragons, but if we're in the market, we can sell more varieties." They began shipping kegs of their Slo Mo India Pale Ale and White Aphro, a wit beer made with ginger and lavender, back in August. They also hired a Chinese native, Jing Zhang-Insel, as an in-house export specialist. "IPA is definitely getting popular in China," she said. "It is what American craft beer is known for. It's known for its hops and complexity, and that is what the Chinese market is looking for." Empire's ability to produce enough beer actually came with a little help from the state. Empire State Development, New York state's chief economic development agency, had been a major supporter of the company throughout the planning and construction of its new Farmstead Brewery in Cazenovia. The agency provided financing and approved the company's participation in the START-UP NY tax-free program, part of the Upstate Revitalization Initiative. At 42,000 square feet, Empire Brewing Company's new Farmstead Brewery, or the "Brewstead," is the largest farm brewery in New York state and will create nearly 80 new local jobs. The facility also enables the company to expand production from 4,500 barrels per year to 17,000 barrels in year one, and 20,000 barrels by year three. I LOVE NEW YORK Two Dragons beer will arrive in China in February 2017. New York seems to be telling China: Stay thirsty, my friend, and come for a visit. Contact the writer at chrisdavis@chinadailyusa.com HAVANA -- Cuba and the United States on Wednesday will hold the final round of talks on political and economic ties before president-elect Donald Trump assumes office next month. Delegations from both countries will gather in Havana for the fifth meeting of a bilateral commission to normalize ties, according to a statement released by Cuba's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday. The delegations "will discuss the results achieved since the creation of the bilateral commission in August of 2015 as a mechanism for normalizing ties between the two nations," the ministry said. Josefina Vidal, head of US affairs at the Cuban ministry, and Mari Carmen Aponte, acting US assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere Affairs, will preside over the talks, where both sides will also define "new steps" for the following weeks to continue strengthening ties. "The bilateral agenda includes a high-level visit, new cooperation agreements in areas of common interest, as well as technical meetings and talks on various issues," added the ministry. The meeting comes on the heels of Fidel Castro's death and Trump's recent remarks to the effect that he will reverse the historic rapprochement between the United States and Cuba, which is considered to be the main legacy of outgoing US President Barack Obama. In a recent Twitter post, Trump said: "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." While the US-led trade embargo against Cuba remains in place, the Cold War-ties have thawed in the past two years with increasing exchanges between the two governments and peoples, and relaxing certain restrictions. In 2015, the two countries restored diplomatic ties and reopened their respective embassies. By An Baijie in Beijing and Cai Hong in Tokyo | China Daily | Updated: 2016-12-07 06:54 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's announcement to visit Pearl Harbor is a "hypocritical gesture" to cater to the United States rather than a sincere reflection on the country's World War II-era war crimes, analysts said. Yoshihide Suga, chief Cabinet secretary of Japan, said on Tuesday that Abe will not apologize for the surprise attack that killed more than 2,000 US citizens and triggered the entry of the US into World War II. "This visit is for the sake of consoling the souls of those who died in the war, not for the sake of an apology," Suga told a news conference. Abe said on Monday that he will visit Pearl Harbor in late December with US President Barack Obama, 75 years after Japan's attack on Hawaii in 1941. He will be the first Japanese leader to visit the site since the end of World War II. Abe's refusal to apologize has triggered online protests among Chinese netizens. A micro-blogger named Chang Ray said Abe should visit Nanjing, where more than 300,000 people were killed by Japanese troops from December 1937 to January 1938. The netizen got more than 300 "likes" on his micro blog account for his comment on the issue. A series of activities will be held in Nanjing to commemorate the anniversary of the massacre, which falls on Dec 13. Abe's lack of an apology during his Pearl Harbor trip could disappoint some US war veterans, Reuters reported. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said during a news conference on Monday that it was natural for World War II veterans to be "embittered" about Abe's visit to Pearl Harbor, but they should get over it for the sake of the United States. Zhang Jingquan, a professor of Japanese studies at Jilin University, said that Abe aims to strengthen the Japan-US relationship by visiting Pearl Harbor to emphasize Japan's "common value" with the United States. "There is no 'common value' at all between Japan and the US on many issues, such as the comfort women (sex slaves during World War II) issue," he said. Abe's refusal to apologize showed that his visit is just "a hypocritical gesture" to cater to the US, Zhang said. Zhou Yongsheng, a professor of international relations at China Foreign Affairs University, said Abe's visit to Pearl Harbor is merely a pragmatic act to show Japan's loyalty to the United States. Contact the writers at anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn Professor Barry Eichengreen of Berkeley claims that the diversification of international reserve currencies will force the dollar to share the current role with the Euro and the Yuan. Eichengreen acknowledges that 85 percent of international transactions are converting dollar prices half of the worlds public debt is in dollars, and more than 60 percent of the reserves central banks hold are in dollars. This shows the hegemony the dollar has had so far, but the author notes that the fiscal and monetary irresponsibility U.S. has had is partly due to the benign neglect of the FED: public debt represents 75% of GDP and is dangerously close to the ceiling authorized by law. In particular, many U.S. leaders still do not believe in a future crisis. However, the Chinese are willing to come to the aid of the United States. Meanwhile, the euro is in crisis, but the governments involved have taken serious fiscal adjustments to continue the monetary union, while the United States maintains and persists that tax cuts are the way to go. In the last year, Yuan-denominated deposits in Hong Kong banks have quadrupled. 70,000 Chinese companies are doing cross-border transfers in RMB, dozens of foreign companies have called in RMB bonds in China, and in January, the Central Bank of China began Yuan deposits in New York. Chinese authorities have promised that by 2020, Shanghai will be an international financial center and will be first class at the last meeting of the G-20. It is proposed to add the Yuan to be used by the IMF to calculate the value of the SDR. No one can propose that replacing the dollar is going to happen in that moment, but after the declaration of non-convertibility by President Nixon in 1971, a long process has been brewing that will lead to a multi-polarity exchange. In fact, it is one that is beginning to attract financial stress across the globe. If you recall, the pound was linked to the gold standard in 1870, but began to see its bases cracked when it was used to finance World War I. England formally declared its non-convertibility in 1931 in the midst of the Great Depression. There is comfort in knowing your equipment will be repaired or replaced if it malfunctions, but many businesses never get the maximum benefits from their warranties. Product warranties are just a normal part of doing business. When you buy something, especially tech equipment, youre most likely going to get a basic warranty and be offered an extended warranty. Not getting a warranty can be disastrous, but its no different from having a warranty you never use. There is comfort in knowing your equipment will be repaired or replaced if it malfunctions, but many businesses never get the maximum benefits from their warranties. Are you one of these businesses? If you paid for a product, you deserve to have your warranty honored to the letter. Here are some tips to get the most out of every warranty you have: 1. Create a warranty tracking system Maintenance and repair costs can be enormous. Your warranties can reduce these costs, but you need to track your warranties and repairs to get the benefits. The reason is, even small claims for minimal dollar amounts are not as trivial as they might seem. Start a tracking system for your warranties so that you know the terms, maximums, minimums, valid date ranges, and the cost and time to renew. Each time a problem arises, file a claim and document the details in your tracking system. The most important part of a warranty tracking system is educating your team. People wont necessarily remember every detail of a warranty, so make sure your team is trained to refer to your documentation to verify when and how to request a service call. This is important for ensuring you get properly reimbursed. Tracking your warranties can also tell you if you need to purchase extended coverage. For example, if you keep having the same issue or you find yourself struggling with needs outside your original warranty, having every incident documented will paint a clear picture of your need for extended coverage. 2. Be selective with extended warranties You may have read somewhere that extended warranties arent worth the money . For most consumer products like small appliances, smartphones, speakers, and laptops, thats true. These extended warranties arent expensive, but neither are the repairs. If youre using these types of consumer devices in your business like employee-issued laptops or coffee makers in the office be selective with the extended warranties you buy. Some electronics cost less than $20 to repair, but the plans can cost more than $130. Before buying an extended warranty, do some research to find out the cost of repairing common issues. Do the math. If the risk is an expensive one, you might need the extended coverage. If not, dont bother. However, if your electronics contain proprietary components, like Apple products, you may want to get extended coverage from the manufacturer to avoid more expensive repairs if someone elses attempt at repair doesnt go well. 3. File claims Did something small break or malfunction? File a claim. Dont take the hit for small things, even when you or an employee knows how to fix something. Each time you repair something yourself, youre losing money. Lost money from self-repairs might not seem like a big deal. Whats $20 or even $100 here and there? However, multiply that money by the number of items you have that will need repairs over time, and youre looking at thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars wasted. If youve been given a warranty with your purchase, or youre paying extra for a warranty, get a technician out for all repairs that fall under the warranty. Youll not only save money, but youll also save time. 4. Dont worry about self-repairs voiding warranties Have you heard that repairing something yourself voids your warranty? This clause might even be explicitly stated inside your warranty. Even so, this type of clause is illegal on a federal level in the United States. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, the following type of warning is illegal: Using non-branded parts or allowing third-parties to repair this product will void your manufacturers warranty. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) considers these restrictions to be deceptive. While its good to call in repairs under your warranty, dont worry about voiding your warranty if you need to repair something that isnt covered. You can legally repair your devices on your own or through a third party without voiding your warranty even when your warranty states such repairs will make it void. Always do your research Before purchasing an extended warranty, do your research first. Find out if the cost is comparable to repairs, and if not, skip the extension and save your money. Episode 22 of the Judaism Unbound podcast featured Rabbis Rachel Barenblat and David Evan Markus, co-chairs of ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. In this live talkback at 8:30pm EST on Monday December 12, join the co-chairs and the hosts of Judaism Unbound for a conversation about "Do It Yourself" Judaism. What does it mean to take Judaism into our own hands and to seek in Judaism answers to the questions of this hour? How are people reshaping and renewing Judaism today? How can we make Judaism our own, and what tools and practices are at our disposal? Come talk with us about all of this and more. The talkback will take place via Google Hangouts, and will be streamed to YouTube. The YouTube video will stay online even after the talkback is over, so those who aren't able to join us at that hour can watch it later. Shortly before 8:30pm EST on Monday, the Renewal Unbound page on the ALEPH website will be updated with a link to the Google Hangout where people can join us, and we'll embed the YouTube video on that page after the event is over. If you're able to be online on Monday night, join us on Google Hangouts and talk with us about DIY Judaism and the Jewish future you want to co-create! (For those who are Facebook users, here's a Facebook Event for the Talkback -- let us know if you can join us, and start thinking about the questions you want to ask...) 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. WELLINGTON - China's biggest meat processor completed a deal Tuesday to buy a half stake of New Zealand's biggest meat cooperative. The deal sees Shanghai Maling take a 50-percent interest in Silver Fern Farms (SFF) at a price of NZ$267 million($190.58 million). The completion of the deal would be welcome news to shareholders and suppliers, SFF chair Rob Hewett said in a statement. "This partnership is a genuine game-changer for Silver Fern Farms. It delivers a strong and sustainable capital structure, the resources to accelerate our plate to pasture strategy in selected global markets and the capital to invest in optimizing our production facilities and capability," said Hewett. "Importantly, it brings a collaborative and connected partner in the fastest growing red meat market in the world, China." SFF and Shanghai Maling also announced an appointment of five directors each including two New Zealand resident directors by Shanghai Maling to the board of Silver Fern Farms. Minister for Land Information Louise Upston and Associate Minister for Finance Paula Bennett gave final approval of the deal in September, following a recommendation from the government's Overseas Investment Office (OIO). The OIO assessed Shanghai Maling's purchase application as it was an overseas investment in "sensitive land and significant business assets." The OIO said SFF, the largest livestock processing and marketing entity in New Zealand, owned around 1,769 hectares of sensitive land. However, an OIO report said it was operationally constrained by a high level of debt. Shanghai Maling would help SFF gain a greater presence in China through assistance with product development, market research, government approvals and access to e-commerce sites and 2,000 retail stores over a period of three years. Silver Fern Farms, a farmer-controlled cooperative with more than 6,200 ordinary shareholders and more than 16,000 farmer partners, operates 18 processing facilities throughout the country, employing more than 7,000 staff. Shanghai Maling, a subsidiary of the Bright Food Group, is a leading Chinese food manufacturer, processor and distributor with direct control of 800 supermarkets and retail stores. The deal has been beset by controversy with a small group of SFF shareholders staging a revolt and demanding a new vote after claiming the board and executives misled them on its debt levels. In October 2015, SFF shareholders voted 82.22 percent in favor of the deal and a second vote in August saw it passed by 80.4 percent. The Financial Markets Authority, the market watchdog, in May cleared the board of issuing misleading or deceptive documents. Hanoi, December 6 (VNA) Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other National Assembly (NA) deputies of Hanoi met with voters in Dong Anh and Long Bien districts on December 6 to report the outcomes of the 14th NAs second session. At the meeting, voters lauded the results of the NA session, particularly the democratic and frank question and answer sitting, which mentioned a wide range of matters of public concern. They also praised the work to build a constructive Government and the Prime Ministers determination to end the practice of giving presents to superior officials on the lunar New Year holiday. The voters expressed their worries about climate change impacts, lax land management, corruption and vested interests, stressing that anti-corruption measures have yet to be effective. They cited as examples cases in which many high-ranking officials caused losses amounting to trillions of dong to the State budget but the punishment is too lenient. They urged stronger implementation of Resolution No 4 on Party building and pressing ahead with the improvement of personnels capacity. Welcoming feedback from the voters, the Party General Secretary said all comments will be recorded and reported to the parliament and relevant agencies. He clarified the issues of public concerns related to the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, corruption fight and law-making work. General Secretary Trong stressed that the Party is committed to combating corruption and wastefulness using a range of measures, from policies and laws, to public supervision and opinion and media coverage. Concerning the case involving Trinh Xuan Thanh, former Vice Chairman of the Hau Giang provincial Peoples Committee, and former Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang, he said the disciplinary measures on them so far are only those imposed by the Party. Investigations into the case are underway in other aspects, he said. He pointed to the fact that legal regulations are need to punish similar violators. The Party leader stressed his support of voters position and highlighted the Partys sheer determination to enforce Resolution No 4. VNA/VNP The Ministry of Finance has changed the way it calculates registration fees for new vehicles, a move expected to reduce expenses for car buyers. Photo vnexpress.net HA NOI The Ministry of Finance has changed the way it calculates registration fees for new vehicles, a move expected to reduce expenses for car buyers. The new calculation is expected to enter into effect on January 1, 2017. According to a draft circular, the new calculation will be based on the cars list price, and will thus drop five per cent every two years, until ten years from the production date. For example, if a new car version rolled out in early 2017 costs VND1 billion, the price of a new car of the same type but of an older version, made in 2011, will be VND850 million. Nguyen Van Nghia, a resident of HCM Citys Thu uc District, told local media that he recently bought an imported Toyota Camry produced in 2013, but its registration fee was calculated according to the new price of the same kind made in 2016. The cars list price was VN2 billion and he had to pay a registration fee of 10 per cent of the car value, or VN200 million. "Under the new calculation, he said, "if I buy the car early next year, I will have to pay only VN180 million for the registration fee. I can save VN20 million. A buyer can save VN40-50 million which depends on the car value, said Nghia. The marketing director of Ford Vietnam, Truong Kim Phong, said the new calculation would benefit customers, especially if they buy imported cars that are more expensive. The general manager of Lien A International Joint Stock Company, Nguyen Tan Trung, said a drop in registration fees would not only benefit customers but also auto companies. The auto businesses would have the opportunity to reduce the selling price and boost sales. Insiders predict that 2017 will be a busy year for the automobile industry due to the reduced registration fee and lower tax of vehicles imported from ASEAN member states. VNS HA NOI Legal regulations on settling mortgaged assets must be streamlined to help credit institutions solve non-performing loans (NPLs), participants at a conference held in Ha Noi said yesterday. At the conference on credit institutions rights to settle mortgaged assets, participants said NPLs with mortgaged assets account for up to 90 per cent of the countrys total NPLs. However, creditors are facing obstacles in settling mortgaged assets due to an incomplete and unsuitable legal framework. The institutions said many legal regulations have no detailed instructions on dealing with mortgaged assets. Therefore, it takes a long time to deal with the assets. In addition, the slow judgment process also negatively impacts credit institutions business performance, wasting time and money to recoup toxic debts. Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Viet Nam Nguyen Kim Anh admitted that the efficient collateral settlement requires a legal system with uniformity, transparency and consistentcy. It must also be respectful of the legitimate rights of creditors. The law must create a legal framework for the parties involved, especially for the creditors to be able to enforce their legitimate rights under the agreement. It is also necessary to establish mechanisms that allow the parties to choose a way to handle the debts with regard to mortgaged assets quickly, conveniently and effectively. At the same time, the legal system must be strictly adhered to by the involved parties, Anh said. At the conference, participants said while handling mortgaged assets, the first priority must be to protect the interests of creditors rather than debtors and this must be specified in the provisions related to secured transactions and settling of collateral. Expert Nguyen inh Anh said economically, the credit institutions right in settling mortgaged assets includes their right to use the assets to offset losses caused by bad debts. But when creditors handle the assets, they receive no co-operation from debtors and sometimes the relationship becomes confrontational or even fiercely conflicting. The right to handle collateral cannot be executed quickly, efficiently and effectively unless the awareness of the rights, benefits and obligations of all involved parties in the credit relationship is established properly based on feasible and suitable legal basis, in accordance with actual conditions in Viet Nam, as well as proximity to international practices and standards, Anh said. Lawyer Nguyen Thi Phuong, deputy head of the Viet Nam Banks Associations Legal Club, said the right to settle mortgaged assets of credit institutions is a civil right. Therefore, the institutions have the right to settle the collateral according to their will with the preconditions not being contrary to the fundamental principles of the civil law and not causing damage to other persons. Participants at the conference also proposed that the Ministry of Justice work closely with the State Bank of Viet Nam, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Finance and the Supreme Peoples Court to submit plans to the Government for issuance of a decree on solving mortgaged assets early. According to the participants, the 2015 Civil Code, which will take effect on January 1, 2017, has no specific provisions for the seizure of mortgaged assets. The Ministry of Justice, therefore, should co-ordinate with agencies and relevant agencies to study and supplement detailed instructions on the rights of the secured party for the settlement of collateral in case the guarantor becomes uncooperative or opposes it. Deputy Governor Anh said that the central bank and relevant ministries and agencies would scrutinise all the recommendations proposed at the event to streamline the legal framework involved in settling mortgaged assets to assist credit institutions in solving bad debts legally. - VNS HA NOI The Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Tuesday directed the Ministry of Public Security to trace the person who spread the rumour that Viet Nam would replace the current banknotes with new ones. Reaffirming that the spread of the rumour had the wrong intention to cause a negative impact on Viet Nams economy and investment environment, Phuc said this kind of false information strongly affected the nations macro stability. Previously, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Viet Nam ao Minh Tu rejected the news, saying rumours of an upcoming demonetisation process by the Vietnamese central bank are false and groundless. Tu called on people to be alert against false information as it could affect national monetary security, at a time when the country is enjoying stable economic conditions. Given our stable and developing economic conditions, this type of information is harmful. I reassert that this information is fabricated, Tu said. The Government made the decision to trace the person after the local media recently reported that locals were rushing to buy gold and foreign currencies due to fears that Viet Nam would initiate a process to change banknotes. VNS a Nang The citys Department of Tourism officially launched a mobile phone software application, Danang FantastiCity, to help plan tours and find tourist information in Vietnamese and English. Deputy director of the department Nguyen Xuan Binh said at a press conference yesterday that the app and its website www.tourism.danang.vn, would help tourists explore services and destinations, find accommodations in connection with social networking platforms Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube where wireless or 3G service are not available. The department plans to update the Chinese, Korean and Japanese versions of the citys tourism website in 2017. Tourists can connect to Facebook Live Chat on the fanpage of FantastiCity to get advice or support from the departments tourism desk. According to the citys tourism promotion centre, the Danang FantastiCity fanpage has attracted over 10,000 followers since 2014. The centre also plans to promote tourism information on favourite social network in China (Weibo, Ozone, Wechat), Japan (Mixi, Line, Twitter) and South Korea (Naver Instagram, Kakaotalk, Cyword) the three top tourism markets of the central coastal city. In October, a Nang and the Japanese software company Digital Ship also launched a Japanese-English website called "Happy a Nang" aimed at boosting Japanese tourism to central Viet Nam. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc yesterday stressed the importance of preventing State asset losses while State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are equitised and called into question the individual accountability of SOE leaders in deliberately delaying the process. His comments came as he chaired the National Conference on Reorganisation and Restructuring of State-owned Enterprises for the 2016-2020 period held in Ha Noi. Deputy Chairman of the Government Office and Deputy Head of the Steering Board for SOE Renovation and Development, Le Manh Ha, delivered a summary of SOE restructuring efforts during the 2011-2015 period. He said that in general, the targets had basically been achieved, though mismanagement resulted in debts and ineffective performance. After 15 years, the number of SOEs has dramatically decreased from some 6,000 in 60 sectors in 2001 to just 718 in 19 sectors by the end of this October. The cutback has been centred on the small or inefffective firms operating in sectors that dont require State control, according to the report. For the coming five years, the Government has narrowed down areas where the State needs to have a 100 per cent stake, limiting it to fields of strategic importance like infrastructure, national defence, hi-tech adoption, large-scale investments, creation of socio-economic impetus in areas that lack investment from other sources. SOEs still account for the largest contribution 28.8 per cent to the State budget, compared to 11.8 per cent from private enterprises and 17.9 per cent from FDI enterprises. In the last five-year period, 499 SOEs have been equitised, reaching 96.3 per cent of the five-year plan. However, 25 State-owned enterprises (SOEs) have incurred debts as large as three times their equity. The most serious offenders in this regard are the Broadcast Information Development Corporation (EMICO) with debt/equity ratio reaching 33, Military Petroleum Corporation (MIPECO) with 17:13, and Corporation 36 with 15.41. Post-equitisation, market capitalisation of SOEs has reached a mere eight per cent, the remaining 92 per cent is still owned by the state holders. Thus, I ask all ministries and local authorities as well as corporations to look into this phenomenon and devise appropriate remediation measures soon, Phuc said. He also demanded the acceleration of restructuring in the coming period, with emphasis on the SOE reform process becoming faster, stronger and more transparent, in line with market mechanisms, and avoiding loss of state assets. Attention must be given to issues that arise from equitisation of large SOEs, for example, post-equitisation performance, selecting foreign strategic investors, the qualifications and responsibilities of consultant organisations that are tasked with SOEs equity valuation, Phuc said. The Auditor General told me about this case where theres a difference of VN10 trillion (US$440 million) between consultants evaluation and the State auditing agencys evaluation, he noted. Tran Quang Nghi, Chairman of Textile and Garment Corporation, blamed the slow equitisation on outdated mindsets among some SOE directors wanting to use State capital without having to worry about competition in the market. A representative from State Capital Investment Corporation proposed a facilitative environment that allows SOEs to compete fairly with enterprises from other economic sectors, and requested that SOEs be allowed to operate in areas not prohibited by law instead of areas allowed by the law. The heads of many ministries including Finance and Trade and Investment, leaders of federal municipalities, and heads of SOEs attended the conference via video-conferencing. VNS HA NOI Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong told voters in the capitals ong Anh and Long Bien Districts yesterday that the fight against corruption and wastefulness was a hard and long-term task. However, the Party and State would stay the course, he said. We will resolutely fight against corruption and wastefulness with many measures, including laws, policies, public supervision, media coverage and discipline within the Party, he said. On the cases involving Trinh Xuan Thanh, former Vice Chairman of the Hau Giang provincial Peoples Committee, and former Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang, he said the disciplinary measures taken were only those imposed by the Party. Investigations into other aspects of the cases were underway, he added. He said proper regulations were need to punish similar violators. Responding to voters concerns about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Trong said Viet Nam was only one of the members and its future depended on common agreement among all participating countries. He told voters questioning amendments and adjustments being made to laws soon after they were issued that the number of full-time National Assembly deputies accounted for just over 30 per cent. The remaining 70 per cent were part-time deputies who lacked experience, knowledge and capacity in formulating effective laws. As a result, some laws needed adjustments or amendments shortly after being issued. If this was not done, they would prove dangerous after taking effect, he said. Trong said efforts to complete the legal system were aimed at building a law-governed State, and promoting socio-economic development and international integration. "However, apart from issuing laws, it is also essential that they are enforced effectively," he said. At the meeting, voters also raised concerns about other issues including the impacts of climate change, food safety and hygiene, job generation, poverty reduction and shortcomings in land management. They urged effective implementation of Resolution No 4 on Party Building, improved education and training quality and increased focus on preserving and promoting cultural and historical relics. They also suggested special mechanisms for industrial zones to ensure good living conditions for workers. They wanted greater support for domestic businesses in production and trade and protection of the legitimate rights and interests of consumers. The voters praised results of the latest NA session, particularly the democratic and frank question and answer sessions that covered a wide range of issues of public concern. They also praised the effort to build a constructive Government and the Prime Ministers determination to end the practice of giving presents to senior officials for the Lunar New Year holiday. - VNS HA NOI Viet Nam Womens Union, in coordination with Viet Nam Tobacco Control Fund (Ministry of Health), officially launched a communication campaign on the harmful effects of secondhand smoke at a ceremony yesterday in Ha Noi. The campaign, titled "Protect yourself and your loved ones, with the support of Vital Strategies, is the second stage of the Women make smoke-free homes programme, which was implemented on May 29, 2016. The three-month campaign includes the airing of three TV spots based on the true story of Nguyen Thi Huong, a non-smoking victim of lung cancer, via online newspapers and popular social networks in Viet Nam. With the message "Smoking damages your home," these short clips are aimed at making millions of Vietnamese smokers who use social media understand the adverse effects of secondhand smoke on the health, economy and happiness of each family. "These three TV spots are based on a true story, and through this media campaign we want to alert all smokers and those living in this unhealthy environment to the fact that anyone of us can face a similar situation of loss and suffering, Tran Thi Huong, vice chairwoman of Viet Nam Womens Union, said at the campaign launch ceremony. If someone has doubts about the harmful effects of second-hand smoke, please watch this story. Stop smoking today to protect yourself and your loved ones," Huong added. Tobacco would claim Nguyen Thi Huongs life, but her story will serve as a reminder of the harm this deadly product can cause and will encourage many tobacco users to make an attempt to quit, Jose Luis Castro, president and chief executive officer, Vital Strategies, said. Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer in Viet Nam. The story of Huong is not an odd one out" as the proportion of Vietnamese non-smoking women accounted for 20 per cent of lung cancer cases and this figure was increasing gradually. According to a survey in 2015, with 45.3 per cent of male smokers, Viet Nam was one of the countries with the highest cigarette consumption in the world. The proportion of exposure to secondhand smoke at homes reached 62 per cent, at workplaces 42 per cent and in restaurants 80 per cent. VNS The Government has limited to 89 the number of additional aircraft that four domestic carriers can purchase by the year 2020. Photo viettimes.vn HA NOI The Government has limited to 89 the number of additional aircraft that four domestic carriers can purchase by the year 2020. Major airports in the country do not have the infrastructure to deal with a greater number, according to the Government. The latest aircraft purchase quota is contained in the draft Viet Nam Strategy on Development of Air Transportation Products and Civil Reserve Air Fleet 2016-2020, submitted to the Ministry of Transport by the Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam. Under the draft proposal, by 2020, Viet Nam will have 230 civil airplanes, an increase of 89 over the current fleet of 141. The four domestic carriers had actually planned to buy a total of 199 airplanes by 2020, led by Vietnam Airlines (including VASCO), 114, VietJet Air, 55, Jetstar Pacific Airlines, 30. Explaining the quota, Lai Xuan Thanh, head of the civil aviation authority told the Viet Nam Government Portal (VGP) that current infrastructure failed to meet the demand of aviation growth. There was a shortage of airplane parking space at several airports, he said. Thanh said the carriers should adjust their purchase plans based on the draft because of limited parking slots in Ha Noi and HCM City airports. It would take some time to expand the parking areas, he said, adding It wont happen in a day. Minister of Transport Truong Quang Nghia agreed with Thanh that the quota was based on limited infrastructure. Nghia said although the infrastructure of Tan Son Nhat International Airport was overburdened, the civil aviation authority had given carriers licences to operate more flights. It is estimated that the airport has received 32 million passengers since early this year, while the annual target was just 25 million. The civil aviation agency had been asked to tighten the issue of licences for additional flights, he said. Thanh said that to meet travel demand during the Lunar New Year 2017 season, the carriers planned to run an additional 1,285 flights, nearly 30 per cent higher than normal, including 1,168 flights carrying passengers to the Tan Son Nhat International Airport. The additional flights would operate between 11pm and 7am, however, jams might get worse at the airport, he said. Asked if the draft quota would curb the carriers growth, Thanh said the draft applied only until 2020, a short time from now, so it would not affect the carriers much. The aviation sector has been growing by 20 per cent per year for several years now, according to the Transport Ministry. In related news, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh during a Monday visit to the Noi Bai International Airport, ordered the transport ministry to adjust aviation development plans according to infrastructure capacity, to ensure sustainable growth. VNS Favourable conditions will be created for businesses from the Flanders region in Belgium to make long-term investments in HCM City, a municipal leader said yesterday. VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Vu HCM CITY Favourable conditions will be created for businesses from the Flanders region in Belgium to make long-term investments in HCM City, a municipal leader said yesterday. Receiving a business delegation from Flanders, Le Van Khoa, Vice Chairman of the HCM City Peoples Committee, said the visit would strengthen economic co-operation between the city and Belgian localities. Led by Belgian ambassador Jehanne Roccas, the delegation included officials overseeing the economy sector and representatives of 27 large companies in the Flemish region. Khoa said the city welcomed long-term investments in tourism, flood control, waste treatment, public transportation and clean energy, he said. Ambassador Jehanne Roccas said Belgian companies had confidence in the investment climate of HCM City and were ready to share experiences in urban development, water resources management and waste treatment. She also said both sides had great potential for co-operation in developing inland waterway transport networks, port infrastructure, and building projects resilient to climate change. Also yesterday, the Flanders delegation worked with representatives of several departments and sectors of the city, exploring prospects for co-operation in urban development and infrastructure construction. -- VNS HCM CITY The condition of four people who were rescued from a house fire in HCM Citys Phu Nhuan District on Tuesday continues to be critical. One of the victims is unlikely to survive, doctors at Cho Ray Hospital said on Wednesday. Dr Ngo uc Hiep, head of the hospitals Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, said the four victims had suffered gas burns. Hiep said the four victims were in critical condition as the burns blocked the respiratory tract and lobes of the lung, leading to respiratory failure, which meant a high risk of fatality. HCM Citys Police of Fire Prevention and Fighting Department, in cooperation with Phu Nhuan Districts police were on Wednesday inspecting the five-storey house on 126D Tran Ke Xuong Street. At 11am on Tuesday, an explosion was heard from the house, following which the fire spread quickly. Locals used fire extinguishers to stamp out the blaze and managed to rescue the four men trapped inside. The explosion occurred on the fourth floor. Initial investigation showed that the victims used gasoline while smoking. VNS THUA THIEN-HUE Police in the central Thua Thien-Hue Province are hunting for an armed bank robber who fled Hue City with an undisclosed amount of money after looting a bank on Tuesday. Colonel Le Quoc Hung, director of the provincial Police Department, said the robbery took place around 5pm. A man entered a branch of Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BIDV) on Mai Thuc Loan Street, pulled out a gun and threatened the cashier, only known as Tam, ordering her to hand over the money. He then made his escape on a motorbike. Initial investigations reveal that the accused has fled with several hundreds of millions of ong. Hung said it was a fake gun and that no one was injured in the incident. The BIDV said it would co-operate with the police to help track down the suspect. VNS HA NOI Twenty seven small-scale projects focusing on developing human resources at the grass-root level have been run in localities in the north, central and south regions. The projects, conducted by Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) in Viet Nam, are targeted at improving the living conditions and livelihood of residents. Funds will depend on the specific scale and the length of each project, ranging from JPY10 million (US$87,500) to JYP100 million ($875,000). The maximum length of a project is five years. Masuda Chikahiro, deputy chief of JICA Viet Nam, told local media at a press conference this morning that residents would directly benefit from projects implemented at a grass-root level. Developing human resources was believed to be a sustainable way to develop a locality, he said. Under the projects, Japanese non-governmental organisations and Japanese localities would cooperate with JICA to provide technical support to localities in Viet Nam, he said. Models from Japan would be adjusted to fit with the current conditions in Viet Nam before being applied, he said. According to data from JICA Viet Nam, Japans Kasama City has helped mountainous Son La Province cultivate clean farm produce, Sapporo City has provided technical support to develop human resources for the information technology sector in Ha Noi, Seki City has provided training to raise the capability of nurses in giving care to the elderly in a Nang City and Fukushima Province has assisted in developing human resources for the healthcare sector in HCM City. Masuda also said connections between Japanese and Vietnamese people would be enhanced via the projects. VNS HA NOI Vietnamese school students have won top prizes at the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) and the Australia Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad (AIMO). It is the first time Viet Nam participated in the competitions. A ceremony was held yesterday at the Austrian Embassy in Ha Noi to honour the prize-winners. The AMC is one of the worlds largest school-based mathematics competitions with more than 14 million entries from over 30 countries since its inaugural year in 1978. Vietnamese students achieved outstanding results at this years AMC competition with eight prize-winners, including one junior medallist and one perfect scorer. AMC Year-7 medallist Nguyen Manh Quan from Ha Noi-Amsterdam High School was ranked fourth for the Year-7 worldwide and ranked seventh in the worlds Junior category after getting 130/135 scores. The AMC was held in Viet Nam in July and attracted 1,234 students from 16 cities and provinces. Separately, the first local sitting of the AIMO at Cau Giay Lower Secondary School in September had 467 entries. There were four prize winners (out of 41 prize-winners worldwide). Fifteen students received High Distinction. For the Vietnamese participants, solving unfamiliar maths problems in English posed difficult but exciting challenges. The competitions provide a different perspective on mathematics education to the way maths is generally taught in Viet Nam, with a greater emphasis on critical thinking rather than pure mathematics skills. This alternative approach aligns with the governments education reform priorities to radically renovate the teaching and learning methods. Australian Ambassador to Viet Nam Craig Chittick said this was a great outcome for Viet Nams first year in both competitions. Viet Nam is well-known for the value it places on education and striving for academic achievement. Vietnamese students are highly regarded in Australia for their hard work and commitment, he said. I am personally excited with the Vietnamese Governments textbook and assessment reforms, the emphasis on applying more enquiry-based learning, and for teaching maths and science in English. In todays global economy, students need to do more than just regurgitate knowledge. They need to be open to new ways of thinking and to develop good communication and analytical skills, he added. Next years AMC will be held on July 27 and the AIMO on September 12. VNS HA NOI None of Viet Nams provinces are spending as much as they should on preventive medicine, Deputy Prime Minister Vu uc am said on Monday at a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the countrys preventive healthcare system. The National Assembly approved a resolution in 2008 to spend 30 per cent of the national medical budget on preventive healthcare, but currently none of the provinces have spent more than 25 per cent, he said. In some highland areas you can travel all day without seeing a medical centre, while it takes only 10-15 minutes to find one in the plains, he added. Some medical staff have not been assigned jobs to improve their skills. Health Minister Nguyen Kim Tien, also speaking at the event, said the General Department of Preventive Medicine, founded 60 years ago, had defeated diseases such as smallpox, polio, neonatal tatenus, cholera, plague and malaria. It was recognised by the World Health Organisation as the first country to control the SARS epidemic after 45 days, in 2003, she said. "Preventive healthcare services have become a specialised branch with modern technologies and capable personnel, as well as extensive study and application of advanced preventive healthcare solutions," she added. The Expanded Programme on Immunisation covered every commune in the country, immunising all children under five against infectious diseases. The national vaccine management system was able to produce 10 of 12 vaccines for the programme at international standards. Apart from acknowledging the achievements of the system, am said that in order for preventive healthcare to be truly effective, the medical sector should revise its human resources training system and financial mechanism. He stressed the importance of combining disease treatment and disease prevention in medical practice, while acknowledging the challenges of socio-economic development, globalisation, an aging population, environmental pollution and climate change. At the ceremony, the General Department of Preventive Medicine was awarded with the second class Labour Medal. Twenty collectives and 99 individuals received the ang Van Ngu Award from the health ministry for their excellent contribution to the preventive healthcare system. VNS LONDON British finance minister Philip Hammond on Wednesday flies to South Africa, followed by trips next week to Japan and South Korea, as Britain seeks "stronger global ties" before Brexit. "As we leave the EU, Britains future prosperity depends on maintaining the strongest possible economic links with our European neighbours, while building on the already strong economic partnerships we have with the world beyond Europe," Chancellor of the Exchequer Hammond said in a Treasury statement. "In the course of these visits Ill be discussing how the UK can deepen its economic and investment ties with these countries and make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead." The Treasury added that Hammond, who on Tuesday was in Brussels to discuss Britains impending departure from the European Union, "will embark on a series of international trips to showcase the UKs commitment to forming even stronger global ties". Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May has stated that she will formally trigger the two-year EU divorce process by the end of March 2017. However, Brussels and London face the daunting prospect of gruelling negotiations on future trade deals with the European Union and countries outside of the bloc. On his trip to South Africa, Hammond will visit the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and partake in a roundtable discussion with business leaders from major local companies. South Africa is Britains biggest export market in Africa, with its bilateral trade hitting almost 8.0 billion (US$10.2 billion) in 2015. Hammond will go on to meet the Japans finance minister Taro Aso and Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda, as well as with Softbank chief executive Masayoshi Son. The mobile giants recent $32-billion takeover of iphone chipmaker ARM Holdings is the biggest Asian investment in the UK. In South Korea, Hammond will hold bilateral meetings with government ministers and the Bank of Koreas governor Lee Ju-yeol. AFP Look out your window, and you may see people of all ages and sizes roaming the street: a 6-foot-5-inch man walking beside a 4-foot-6-inch boy, for example, or a sprouting teenager who is much taller than a full-grown adult. Virginia Tech geoscientists Christopher Griffin and Sterling Nesbitt discovered that this sort of variation in growth patterns in people despite their ages also occurred among early dinosaurs, and may have provided an advantage in surviving the harsh environment at the end of the Triassic Period approximately 201 million to 210 million years ago. The discovery was published Dec. 5 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. We found that the earliest dinosaurs had a far higher level of variation in growth patterns between individuals than crocodiles and birds, their closest living relatives, said Griffin, of Redding, California, the lead author and a first-year doctoral student in the department of geosciences in the College of Science. Not only were there many different pathways to grow from hatchling to adult, but there was an incredible amount of variation in body size, with some small individuals far more mature than some larger individuals, and some large individuals more immature than we would guess based on size alone. The study focused on the skeletal changes that occurred during growth in the small carnivorous dinosaur Coelophysis (SEE-lo-FY-sis), one of the earliest dinosaurs. Hundreds of these animals, ranging from young, immature individuals to older, mature individuals, were buried together by a flooded river about 208 million years ago in present-day New Mexico. Griffin examined 174 fossils from this site that are housed within natural history museum collections across North America. As these animals grew, muscle attachment scars formed on the limb bones, and the bones of the ankle, hips, and shoulder fused together, similar to how the skull bones of a human baby fuse together during growth, Griffin said. Fossils of even a single partial skeleton of an early dinosaur are exceptionally rare, so to have an entire group of a single species that lived and died together provided an unparalleled opportunity to study early dinosaur growth like never before." Using a technique known as ontogenetic sequence analysis, Griffin was able to reconstruct the growth sequences of Coelophysis and compare them with two bird and one crocodylian species, ultimately demonstrating that the earliest dinosaurs developed differently than their living relatives. Studies like this are a perfect demonstration of how fossils can help us understand the evolution of peculiar features and behaviors of modern animals, said Steve Brusatte, a paleontologist at the University of Edinburgh who was not involved in the research. How dinosaurs grew may have been both the key to their early success and the reason that one particular unique subgroup, the birds, survives today. This variation in early dinosaurs had been noticed for decades, but had usually been interpreted as a difference between males and females, with one sex identified by large muscle scars and fused bones. However, statistical tests on the large Coelophysis sample showed no evidence that there were two groups in the sample, as would be expected given variation based on sex, said Griffin. Instead, individuals were arranged on a spectrum ranging from completely lacking scars and fused bones to having all of them, which is what would be expected if these differences were based on growth. Large variation in early dinosaurs may have allowed them to survive harsh environmental challenges like dry climate and high levels of carbon dioxide, said Nesbitt, an assistant professor of geosciences in the College of Science and affiliate with the universitys Global Change Center. Understanding why dinosaurs were so successful has been a great mystery, and high variation may be one of the characteristics of dinosaurs that led to their success. However, its difficult to determine whether this trait evolved in response to the environment or was simply a stroke of luck that allowed these dinosaurs to survive and thrive and become the most dominate vertebrates on Earth for 150 million years. Griffin, who graduated with his masters in geosciences from Virginia Tech in 2016, will continue his Ph.D. work with Nesbitt. Additional Information: Brandon H. Monk has been named executive director of Virginia FFA. The high school agricultural educator, who hails from Frederick County, Virginia, enters his new role as executive director with experience in Virginia FFA program development and working with the National FFA organization as a conference facilitator. FFA is primed for growth in Virginia, Monk said. Now, more than ever, our industry leaders, government officials, and secondary education administrators are looking for hands-on opportunities to engage students in practical skills that translate into career success. FFA and agricultural education programs have been providing that platform for years. I am looking forward to doing our part as an association to share the story of youth in agriculture as we grow leaders. The National FFA Organization is committed to the individual student and provides a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Virginia FFA, a part of Virginia Cooperative Extension, boasts nearly 10,000 members in the commonwealth. Agriculture is Virginias No. 1 industry and Monk believes that FFA can play a vital role in making sure that youth are ready to become leaders in the agricultural workforce in the coming years. All students should be given the opportunity to spend some time in an agriculture classroom learning about the industry that provides food, fuel, and fiber for a growing Virginia, said Monk. FFA will continue to expand opportunities for youth to be involved in agriculture and in their own personal development as we grow Virginia FFAs platform and footprint. He has also served on the board of directors for the Virginia Association of Agricultural Educators and the Virginia Association for Career and Technical Education. Monk is an alumnus of Virginia Tech, where he received his bachelors in agribusiness management in 2013. He hopes to complete a master's in agricultural, leadership, and community education next year. Laura Hungerford, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, has been named professor and head of the Department of Population Health Sciences in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. A veterinarian and epidemiologist, Hungerford previously served as a professor and vice chair for academic programs in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. In her new post, she will oversee the Department of Population Health Sciences, which houses the Master of Public Health (MPH) Program, the Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine, the Center for Public Health Practice and Research, international student exchange programs, veterinary student teaching, and research related to human and animal health. She will also work with clinical researchers and medical students at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine in Roanoke. Dr. Hungerford is eminently well-qualified to lead the Department of Population Health Sciences, said Cyril Clarke, dean of the veterinary college. She has developed an impressive record of scholarship and research collaborations addressing multifactorial infectious diseases. As an accomplished veterinarian, public health specialist, and epidemiologist, she brings to the college an advanced understanding of the complexity of diseases that are transmitted from wildlife to humans and domestic animals. Her appointment involves a joint commitment by our college and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, which will facilitate her engagement with exciting developments involving health sciences and technology programs in Blacksburg and Roanoke. Hungerford completed both a bachelors degree in veterinary science and a doctor of veterinary medicine from Michigan State University. She then completed a food animal internship, training in diagnostic microbiology, and a Ph.D. in veterinary epidemiology at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois. She also received an M.P.H. in epidemiology and biostatistics from the University of Illinois School of Public Health. After starting her career at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and at the University of Nebraska Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center, Hungerford joined the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. There, she held numerous positions, including professor of epidemiology, director of the veterinary public health and epidemiology concentrations in the M.P.H. program, and director of the graduate program in epidemiology and human genetics. She held a joint appointment, starting in 2002, as a senior advisor for science and policy in the New Animal Drug Evaluation Office at the FDAs Center for Veterinary Medicine. Virginia Tech and the Maryland/Virginia area provide exceptional opportunities to engage with regional, national, and international partners for One Health and transdisciplinary work, Hungerford said. Im thrilled to have this leadership role in expanding the innovative teaching, research, and service accomplishments of the Department of Population Health Sciences. Hungerford has been active in teaching a wide range of epidemiology and public health courses to graduate and veterinary students, as well as providing continuing education for veterinarians and other health professionals. She is a member of numerous professional associations and was recently elected as a Distinguished Scholar and Fellow in the National Academies of Practice. Hungerford is also past president of the Association for Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine and the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases. She is licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Maryland, Michigan, Illinois, and Nebraska and is certified by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Hungerfords current research involves collaborative studies of animal-related risk factors for infectious and zoonotic diseases and predictors for drug effectiveness and safety problems. She is also interested in application of techniques for geographic information systems, spatial statistical analysis, and dynamic modeling to multidisciplinary health problems. 3 missing teens found dead OSCEOLA (AP) Three missing teens were found dead in rural Clarke County, authorities in southern Iowa said. Osceola police said the bodies of 16-year-old Elaina Critz, 16-year-old Lauren Barker and 19-year-old Jesse Robinson all of Osceola were found Tuesday at the wreckage of a car that had run off a rural road and into a creek. The teens were found in a culvert by a road maintenance worker who happened to stop in the area. Police said Critz, Barker and Robinson were reported missing from Osceola sometime after 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Osceola is about 50 miles south of Des Moines. Trooper injured in I-380 crash BRANDON (AP) Authorities say a state trooper was injured when a womans car slid into the troopers sport utility cruiser. The Iowa State Patrol said the accident occurred around 9:20 a.m. Sunday along Interstate 380 near Brandon. The patrol said the trooper had stopped to help another driver and was in his parked cruiser when it was struck by the car. The cars driver, 22-year-old Brittany Anderson of Charles City, had lost control while trying to pass a semitrailer in the winter weather. Trooper Brad Bartz was taken to St. Lukes Hospital in Cedar Rapids for treatment of his minor injuries. Anderson wasnt hurt. Wall collapse leads to gas leak DES MOINES (AP) Some downtown Des Moines buildings were evacuated and emergency crews called after a partial wall collapse of an office building led to a gas leak. The collapse happened around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, when the upper part of the brick wall fell onto the sidewalk below. No injuries were reported, but several streets were blocked off by police as utility crews worked to stop the natural gas leak. The cause of the wall collapsed is not yet know. School official faces sex charge WEBSTER CITY (AP) Webster City police say a local school board member has been arrested and charged in a sex abuse case. Paul Steven Stenger, 64, of Webster City in central Iowa, has been charged with lascivious acts with a child and second-degree sexual abuse. If convicted, Stenger could face up to 35 years in prison. The arrest stems from allegations made against Stenger by a person under 18 who says the abuse occurred over the past two years. Stenger was elected to the Webster City Community Schools board last year, according the school systems website. His term runs through 2019. A Hamilton County Jail official said Stenger was released from the jail Tuesday. Cops may have planted evidence DES MOINES (AP) Des Moines police say two officers suspected of planting evidence in a 2015 narcotics case have quit the force. Sgt. Paul Parizek said Tuesday investigators will review all of the former officers work since the two joined the department in August 2013. Parizek says the two are suspected of planting the evidence on a suspect before turning over the case to investigators. He says a suspect in that case was arrested and the case adjudicated. He could not say what happened to the suspect. The two are Joshua Judge and Tyson Teut. Parizek says the two former officers so far havent been charged with a crime. Mason City man charged in killing MASON CITY (AP) A man suspected of shooting to death a 19-year-old woman in Mason City has been charged with first-degree murder. Court records say 60-year-old Larry Whaley of Mason City was charged Monday. He remained in Cerro Gordo County Jail on Tuesday. Authorities say Whaley used a handgun to shoot Teeter once in the head a little before 4 a.m. Friday at his Mason City home. She died Sunday at a hospital in Rochester, Minn. Authorities havent released information about any motive or said what investigators think led to the shooting. Loras to raze gutted building DUBUQUE (AP) Loras College officials say a beloved building must be demolished because it would be too expensive to make repairs that maintain the structures historic value while making it more accessible to people with disabilities. A March 16 fire severely damaged the 126-year-old building, which was part of the Loras College Visitation Complex in Dubuque. Officials intended to rebuild, but Loras President Jim Collins announced Monday fiscally it would have been irresponsible to move forward. Collins wouldnt say how much it would cost to fix the building, and officials are still determining how much it will cost to demolish the structure. Officials think the fire was caused by a lightning strike. WATERLOO Two Waterloo residents escaped injury after someone opened fire on a vehicle they were in Tuesday night. According to police, Ryan Edward Ellis, 25, had just pulled in to his driveway at 534 Boston Ave. at about 11:14 p.m. Tuesday when someone began shooting, striking his vehicle. He was not hit. His passenger, 24-year-old Trichanda Gardner, was also uninjured. JANESVILLE A $5.4 million bond issue for a gym and classroom addition at Janesville Consolidated School went down in defeat again Tuesday. Unofficial results show 522 school district residents voted for the measure, or 50.14 percent, to 519 who voted against it. The bond issue required a super majority of 60 percent voting in favor for passage. District officials have cited enrollment growth during recent years as the main reason for the bond issue, which would have raised property taxes. The project included a new high school gym and locker rooms, two new elementary classrooms, a preschool classroom and a multipurpose room. Were obviously incredibly disappointed, said Superintendent B.J. Meaney. The population of Janesvilles growing and the schools out of space. Theres no question that well have students in a portable classroom next year. He added there may even be two portable classrooms as the district anticipates an enrollment increase leading to two sections at each elementary grade level except one. More people turned out for Tuesdays referendum than in April, when the same question was put before voters. But it failed by a larger margin this time. About 835 people cast ballots in that election, with 58 percent voting in favor. There were approximately 35 more people who voted in favor this time versus about 170 more who opposed it. Meaney did see a silver lining in the higher turnout. Somewhere around 55 to 60 percent of our (registered) voters showed up, he said. Thats encouraging. Theyre passionate about education. Brian Schmidt also celebrated the increase in voters. He is a member of Citizens Opposed to Property Tax Increase, which opposed the bond issue. We had a significant increase in voters who came to the polls, he said. We definitely delivered the message the city is not satisfied with this proposal. The measure would have boosted property taxes by $2.70 per $1,000 of assessed value over 20 years. That would have raised the districts tax rate from $11.91 to $14.61 per $1,000. Annual property taxes would have grown by $74.77 on a home assessed at $50,000, $373.87 on a $250,000 home, and $185.93 on agricultural land assessed at $150,000. A larger number of those who were against the proposal voted in person Tuesday than those who were for it, 436 to 293. Supporters of the bond issue outnumbered those opposed in absentee voting, 229 to 83. Despite the defeat, Meaney said the community will still need to grapple with this issue and well be voting on another project, because our need is still there. The district must wait at least six months before holding another bond issue referendum and then hold it only on a date specified by the state. As a result, he is looking at June 27 for another vote. The issue hasnt changed, were out of classrooms, were out of common spaces, were out of space, said Meaney. I dont know what that project is as I sit here tonight, but there will be a project. He added the districts building committee and the community will come back together to plan for the next steps. I think what really needs to happen is community members need to be asked to come together and provide their opinion, said Schmidt, who contended district officials didnt get that information initially. The community is the whole district. Its very clear when they reference community, theyre referencing their own tight-knit community. He added, This was the second time theyve asked the same question. How many more times asking the same question and being told no before realizing something has to change? Tripoli PPEL Also in Bremer County, the Tripoli Community Schools physical plant and equipment levy renewal was approved. Voters approved a 10-year renewal of the PPEL with 126 voting in favor and 61 against, according to preliminary results from the Bremer County Auditors office. The property tax levy, for up to $1.34 per $1,000 of taxable valuation, will go into effect July 1, 2018, after the current PPEL expires June 30, 2018. Also on the ballot, Heather Bremer-Miller was elected to the Tripoli Community School Board. Bremer-Miller ran unopposed and secured 161 votes against 8 write-ins for 95 percent of the vote. CEDAR FALLS The University of Northern Iowas 11th president will be Mark Nook. Nook was unanimously selected by the Iowa Board of Regents on Tuesday. He has been chancellor at Montana State University-Billings since 2014. Regents approved a three-year, $357,110 contract for Nook, 58. He will receive additional benefits that include housing and transportation. Nooks appointment begins Feb. 1, but he will begin forming a transition team immediately. I think the one thing I bring is both breadth and depth of understanding of higher ed, said Nook, who has served as a senior vice president in the University of Wisconsin system, as interim chancellor at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and in a variety of roles at Southwest Minnesota State University. UNIs enrollment is nearly 12,000. Montana State-Billings has an enrollment of about 4,400, Stevens Point 10,000. In the Wisconsin system, Nook oversaw 181,000 students as one of two vice presidents. Nook grew up in Holstein, about 170 miles west of Cedar Falls. He said he wanted to get back to the Midwest roots he and his wife, Cheryl, share and be closer to their grandchildren in Wisconsin. Jim Wohlpart, one of the finalists and UNIs provost and executive vice president of academic affairs, has been interim president since July. Former UNI President Bill Ruud left to become president of the small, liberal arts Marietta College in Ohio. He announced his departure in May. Regents President Bruce Rastetter said he hopes Wohlpart stays on as interim president until Feb. 1 and returns to his provost duties. Nook said he would like to talk to Wohlpart about his future plans, but said his leadership style is not to come in and build his own team. Nook said he knew the job was right for him as he spoke with two UNI students on the search committee during his off-site interview in Minneapolis in November. When he asked Regent Rachael Johnson and Student Body President Hunter Flesch what drew them to UNI, they said it was the community atmosphere. Faculty members offered similar answers. I was done at that point. Im in. If you extend me the offer, Ill sign the contract tonight, he recalled thinking. Nooks appreciation of student and faculty input helped the search committee and ultimately the regents select him. The other two finalists were Wohlpart and former Temple University President Neil Theobald. When asked what put Nook over the top, Johnson who was both on the search committee and is a regent said simply, So many things. I think one thing that really captivated me, especially as a student, was that he was so student-centered, student-success focused and, really, I thought brought the ability to help move UNI forward. Nook also was the selection of the UNI faculty. United Faculty President Joe Gorton said Nooks selection reflects well on the search committee and the search process. I think the board and the committee deserve to be congratulated on a job well done. Their methods align closely with presidential search guidelines established by the American Association of University Professors, Gorton said in a statement. He added the decision is consistent with the findings from our survey of UNI professors and instructors. While Nooks executive experience was a key factor in the hiring, Gorton said its also important he is eager to have a genuine collaboration with faculty. Rastetter said Nooks experience did help convince the board to select him. They have roots here, went to Iowa State, understands Iowa, understands this university, understands how we can improve things and wants to continue to make efforts that have happened in last few years but wed like to continue to see accelerated, Rastetter said. He said the board wanted a strong leader to continue UNIs current direction, increase enrollment, recruit from outside the state and focus on premier programs like educating future educators. Nook has stressed UNI needs to be seen as the college that educates Iowans for Iowa. Iowa Regent President Pro Tem Katie Mulholland, who helped lead the search committee, said she was pleased with the results of the groups work since it convened in August. What we were looking for was a match for what UNI is and aspires to be, and thats how we moved forward with our decision, Mulholland said. The 46 initial applicants were narrowed to seven in October. Six of those semi-finalists interviewed in November, and four were selected as finalists. Three finalists ultimately came to campus last week to interview for the job. CEDAR RAPIDS Gov. Terry Branstad has agreed to serve as U.S. ambassador to China under President-elect Donald Trump. Trump spokesman Jason Miller confirmed Wednesday Branstad was offered the post and has accepted. A more formal announcement is expected when the governor joins Trump at a victory tour rally in Des Moines tonight. Branstads office issued a statement confirming the news Wednesday. After long discussions with my family, I am honored and humbled to be nominated to serve as the U.S. ambassador to China, Branstad said. Branstad has a lot of experience and a great grasp of trade issues and agriculture issues, has a tremendous understanding of China and Chinese people, Miller said. Trump was impressed by Branstads command of those issues as well as his long relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who he met in 1985 when Xi visited Iowa as a low-level agricultural official. Its very clear that Gov. Terry Branstad is someone who will represent our country well on the world stage, and we couldnt be prouder of this selection, Miller said. The selection also was based on the impression Branstad made on Trump in their meetings on the campaign trail and after the election, Miller said. Since Trumps Nov. 8 election victory, political observers speculated Trump would offer the ambassadorship to Branstad. At Trumps last campaign stop in Iowa before the election, in Sioux City, Trump praised Branstad as someone who could serve as Chinese ambassador. Terry came to my office and he was talking to me about trade, and I think theres nobody who knows more about trade than him, Trump told the crowd in Sioux City the Sunday before the election. (Branstad) would be a prime candidate to take care of China. He has done so well for the people of Iowa. Nobody knows it better. Branstads full statement, issued Wednesday, is below: I love Iowa and I love my country. For 22 years, I have been honored and privileged to serve the people of Iowa as their governor. My family and I will always be grateful to Iowans for trusting me to lead and putting their faith in me to serve. America is at a crossroads, and the American people are looking for bold change to renew our position as the leader in the world. To once again hold America up as that shining city upon a hill as President Reagan so proudly proclaimed. By electing President-elect Trump on November 8, this message was sent loud and clear by the voters. During our 30-year friendship, President Xi Jinping and I have developed a respect and admiration for each other, our people and our cultures. The United States-Chinese bilateral relationship is at a critical point. Ensuring the countries with the two largest economies and two largest militaries in the world maintain a collaborative and cooperative relationship is needed more now than ever. The president-elect understands my unique relationship to China and has asked me to serve in a way I had not previously considered. After long discussions with my family, I am honored and humbled to be nominated to serve as the U.S. ambassador to China. I also accept President-elect Trumps charge to prioritize collaborative policies that will Make America Great Again. This is an extraordinary opportunity. I believe that the respect and admiration built over a decades-old friendship between President Xi and I give me an opportunity to help the president-elect and serve Iowa, the United States and the world for the better. This new mission to continue serving my state, and my country, in a new role is essential to building a bright future for our children and grandchildren. With my wife Chris by my side, I look forward to the work ahead but we will never have Iowa far from our hearts. Evansdale taking exemptions EVANSDALE The city of Evansdale is now accepting applications from Evansdale residents for the exemption from garbage collection fees. Approved applications are good for a year, unless your income or number of people in the household has changed. Application deadline is Jan. 12. To request an application form or for income guidelines, call 232-6683 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The application can be returned by mail or delivered in person to the Evansdale City Hall, 123 N. Evans Road, Evansdale, IA 50707. The name of the person on the application for the exemption must be the same as the person who signed the contract with the Evansdale Water Works for water, sewer and garbage services. Documentary on debt available WATERLOO Veridian Credit Union has announced a partnership with creators of the film Broke, Busted & Disgusted, a documentary made in Iowa about the true cost of college. The film explores the cause behind increasing student debt loads with interviews of college graduates, current students and local and national leaders in higher education. While its available for rent and purchase at www.brokebusteddisgusted.com, Veridians partnership makes the documentary available for free streaming and download at www.veridiancu.org/bbd. The film was created by a group of Iowa filmmakers in 2015 with a mission to help students graduate with less debt and help them understand the potential repercussions of student debt. Interviews include perspectives from former University of Northern Iowa President William Ruud, DMACC West Campus Provost Anthony Paustian and Grand View University President Kent Henning. WATERLOO - David Greene was squirrel hunting at Camp Ingawanis near Janesville on Dec. 7, 1941. We werent very successful, he said. We started go back before it got dark. Then the world was turned upside down. The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, plunging the U.S. into World War II. Three and a half years later he was dodging Japanese bullets on the beach at Iwo Jima as a U.S. Marine radio operator. Greene, 91, a Grout Museum District board member, spoke at a 75th anniversary remembrance on the attack on Pearl Harbor at the Grouts Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum on Wednesday. It was followed by a last hurrah reception for World War II veterans an initiative of Navy veteran Don Hansen of Cedar Falls. The museum atrium was packed. At least a third of attendees were World War II veterans. Greene, a retired construction company executive, asked attendees of his generation to recall where they were Dec. 7, 1941, and the whirlwind of events that followed. For Greene it was graduation from West High School, a draft notice, a decision to join the Marines I was 130 pounds dripping wet upon entering service, he joked and entering boot camp, radio operator training and combat. Finally, the war ends, you get back to the USA to live the life you fought for, he said. You get married, have children, have (military) reunions. Greene returned to Iwo Jima in 2012 and met some of his former Japanese adversaries. To have a memorial service with the Japanese and the Americans, thats probably the only place in the world where once a year the adversaries get together to memorialize those who died and were injured, he said. In the 1960s and 70s, Greene and his wife, Marian, were involved in exchange programs with Japanese college students and still keep in touch with many of them. They also visited Japan twice. They opened their homes and hearts to us. The war was over. Thats my best way to put it, Greene said. Now he gives talks to school groups. The kids ask what it means to be in a world war. It just means that the whole world is in an uproar, he said. Fortunately, we won and brought about, actually, a better world for both Europe and the Japanese. Today, he said, the whole world is going crazy again, with no end in sight. It makes no sense, he said. We need to keep trying and trying to get other people in the world involved in trying to stop it. ... If you learn more about your neighbors, you wont be fighting with them later. Get to know them as people. Not governments. Verne Seidel, 98, of Raymond, one of the oldest World War II veterans in Black Hawk County, attended Wednesdays event. He joined the Army in May 1941. I was at Camp Claiborne, (La.) when Pearl Harbor happened, Seidel said. The next day, he and comrades were shipped to Fort Dix, N.J., and then boarded a ship overseas. Seidels unit participated in the invasion of North Africa, and he was taken prisoner by the Germans at the Battle of Kasserine Pass in February 1943. He spent the rest of the war in a prisoner of war camp. His late wife, Irene, was a defense worker at the John Deere Waterloo Tractor works. I think its great for the younger kids to understand what went on and how we were able to do what we did, Seidel said of Wednesdays event and similar commemorations. I think its more for the younger people than this older generation, for them to know some of those things that went on. Greene emphasized to fellow World War II veterans the importance of writing down or getting their memories recorded for future generations. The Grout district is still inviting veterans and home-front citizens of World War II and all eras to come have their stories video recorded. Arrangements may be made to talk to veterans in their homes. Contact the Grout at 234-6357. CEDAR FALLS Two finalists for the position of Cedar Falls fire chief will be interviewed by city officials and meet with staff next week. The finalists are acting Cedar Falls fire chief John Bostwick and Manuel Hoskins, former fire chief of Monroe, Mich. They were selected following interviews last week with city department heads and Craig Berte, assistant public safety director. Each finalist will interview with Mayor Jim Brown, City Administrator Ron Gaines and two city council members. They will then will meet with police captains and fire battalion chiefs and hold at a session where all city public safety employees will meet them. Following that, Jeff Olson, director of public safety services, and Brown will recommend an appointment to the City Council. Hoskins will be interviewed Tuesday and Bostwick Wednesday, Olson said. He hopes to have a new chief in place this month. Hoskins, a native of Monroe and a U.S. Air Force veteran, served with the Monroe fire department from 1989 to 2014, serving as chief for about 2 1/2 years from 2011-14. A 2011 Associated Press story noted he was Monroes first African-American department head. He now works with the Monroe public school district as a post-secondary planner. According to the Monroe News, this fall Hoskins led a citizens committee that helped pass a tax levy referendum to build a new central fire station after the measure was defeated twice previously. Monroe is a community of about 20,000 people 25 miles south of Detroit, 14 miles north of Toledo, Ohio, and is the national headquarters for the La-Z-Boy furniture company. Bostwick has been with the Cedar Falls Fire Department since 1980. He was promoted to fire captain in 1993 and battalion chief in 1999. Since August 2015, Bostwick has handled support services, including inspections, alternative staffing, training and other administrative duties. In June, John Schilling resigned as fire chief after seven years to become fire chief in Carpentersville, Ill., near Chicago. Olson named Bostwick acting chief. Olson said the city received 25 applications. Of those, 14 met the minimum qualifications for the position based on a combination of education and years of experience. 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29 (1) Oct 01 (1) Jul 29 (1) May 11 (1) Jul 11 (1) Five years after Jan Taborsky 10, MBA11 and Lacy Gillham 10 founded their own business, Happy Campers Gluten Free, theyre living up to their ventures name. With sales of their gluten-free breads rising steadily and the company expanding into states beyond Oregon, Taborsky and Gillham have discovered that going gluten-free can be as good for your business as for your health. Recipe for success 1. Mix A gluten-intolerance diagnosis and MBA classes turned out to be the perfect mix for Taborsky and Gillham. Unable to find healthy and tasty gluten-free food to fuel their outdoor adventures, they started making their own bread an enterprise that eventually became one of Taborskys class projects at the Atkinson Graduate School of Management. 2. Let rise The couple developed recipes, baked a few times a week and started selling bread at local farmers markets. After outgrowing a tiny, borrowed commercial kitchen, the company moved to a dedicated bakery, and this summer, it moved again to a 10-times-larger, certified gluten-free bakery in Portland, Oregon. The company now has 12 employees, who produce about 1,100 loaves and buns a day. Although they still spend time in the bakery, Taborsky and Gillham focus more on sales, marketing, and research and development. 3. Punch up This past year has been the biggest year in our companys history, in nearly all measurable ways, says Taborsky. In fall 2015, Happy Campers Gluten Free expanded into the greater Seattle area, its first major inroad beyond Oregon. Northern California soon followed, and southern California is up next. The companys products can be found in over 200 stores and restaurants in nine states. Plus, the online store ships about 1,500 loaves per month across the country. 4. Bake As well as being gluten-free, the companys products are suitable for people who want or need to avoid wheat, soy, dairy, eggs, sugar, rice and corn. Theyre also organic and free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Happy Campers Gluten Free makes four kinds of breads (Stompin Good Seedy Buckwheat Molasses, Cravin Raisin Cinnamon Spice, Classy Slice and Hemp Hemp Hooray) and Wild Buns. Ingredients include quinoa, sorghum, millet, buckwheat, amaranth, tapioca, pea protein, raisin juice, yeast, pumpkin, flax and sunflower seeds, and olive oil. 5. Enjoy When Taborsky and Gillham started their business, the gluten-free market was in its infancy. We saw it as the perfect opportunity to marry our new baking passions with the nascent GF market, says Gillham. We wanted to do GF right, to show how good it could and should be. Today, an estimated one in five Americans avoid gluten, and the retail market for gluten-free foods is expected to exceed $2 billion by 2019. While delighted to be part of this growing industry, Willamettes happy campers also retain a healthy attitude: Sure, were bakers; were business people, Taborsky says. But were simply passionate about wellness. The way we promote, support and encourage it is by baking a staple in most peoples lives bread. This article originally appeared in the fall 2016 issue of Willamette magazine. Lacy Gillham graduated from Willamette with a BA in studio art. Jan Taborsky studied in Willamette's 3-2 Management program, graduating with a BA in economics and an MBA. OMAHA, NE, December 07, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Carmelita Rogers, Corrections Lieutenant with the Douglas County Department of Corrections, has been recognized as a Distinguished Professional in her field through Women of Distinction Magazine. Carmelita Rogers was recently featured in the October 2015 edition of Women of Distinction Magazine. Serving local government as a Corrections Lieutenant with the Douglas County Department of Corrections, Carmelita Rogers has been very active in her current role for more than 18 years now. Overseeing operations of the jail during her 7-3pm shift, five days per week, she works alongside two fellow lieutenants to ensure the proper maintenance of the facility, resolve emergencies, ensure that staff is always following proper protocols so that the facility remains safe at all times, as well as oversee employees and their schedules. Rogers's career in corrections began in 1998. As an African American woman working in such a field, it hasn't always been easy, but she credits her sheer determination and love for the field of criminal justice. "Every day will present a host of challenges," Rogers said. "You never know what the day ahead will look like. Perhaps that is what I love about this job so much; no two days are ever the same." Earning her Bachelor's Degree in Business Management in 2010 while working full-time, Rogers then completed her MBA just a year later in 2011, followed by a Certificate in Human Resource Management in 2014, all through the University of Phoenix. Currently serving as a volunteer mentor for the University, Rogers is also active as a member of American Jail Association, where she has the pleasure of spending time with fellow officers, gaining valuable resources, and staying up to date on the laws and regulations of the state of Nebraska. About Women of Distinction Magazine: Women of Distinction Magazine strives to continually bring the very best out in each article published and highlight Women of Distinction. Women of Distinction Magazine's mission is to have a platform where women can grow, inspire, empower, educate and encourage professionals from any industry by sharing stories of courage and success. Contact: Women of Distinction Magazine, Melville, NY 631-465-9024 [email protected] # # # VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, December 07, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Regina Davis, Retired Early Childhood and Elementary Teacher, Co-Author of a Children's Book Series, has been recognized as a Distinguished Professional in her field through Women of Distinction Magazine. Regina Davis was recently featured in a 2016 edition of Women of Distinction Magazine. Spending 38 years in the classroom teaching early childhood and elementary school-aged children, Regina Davis retired in 2010. But soon after, she was eager to continue contributing to the betterment of children through writing. Teaming up with a friend and former colleague, Carolyn Spencer, the two of them decided to tackle an ever-growing concern both inside the and outside of the schools by writing a series of children's books together. "We wanted to teach children everywhere through our books how to deal with the harmful effects of bullying," Davis said, noting that Spencer also illustrated the entire series. "My hope is to spread our message that bullying is very hurtful and very harmful." The Smarty Pantaloons book series came to fruition with the first book being published in 2011. 'Senor Smarty Pantaloons and the Mystery of the Missing Teachers', the first book of three, is the story of a robotic computer who comes to the rescue when strange situations occur at Foxaloon Elementary. 'Lord Computesalot's Quintessential Quest to Banish Bullies' is an activity book with reproducible pages that uses poetry, puzzles, games, and cheers to teach children about bullying. The third book in the series, 'Lord Computesalot, Ruler of Aurora Bullyalis and His Secret Quest to End Bullying', is a fantasy that shows children how terrible bullying is and presents it in a different way when the adults bully each other. In October 2013, this book received an Honorable Mention Award in the J.M. Northern Book Festival and in November 2016 it received a 4-star Pacific Review rating and seal. Admitting that she still very much misses the everyday interaction with her students, Davis feels blessed to have been able to partake in this adventure alongside her co-author to help educate and alleviate the senseless acts associated with bullying. Today, she and Spencer spend time promoting their books by reading to children in local libraries and public and private schools. They also put on plays, dressing up as two principals, and act out their stories. They've since been guests on Close-Up Talk Radio with Jim Masters, where they had the opportunity to talk about the complexities of bullying and their book series, and were both featured in an article in the 'The Virginian Pilot' newspaper in a December 2013 issue for their contributions. Both authors will be signing their books at the Tucson Festival of Books on Saturday, March 11, 2017 and Sunday, March 12, 2017. Further noting that all children should understand that they are worthy, Davis and Spencer explain that parent-child communication is key. "As parents and educators, we need to understand the developing nature of bullying," Davis said. "It's important to realize the essential and key characteristics of bullying and know how to select the interventions necessary. Of all the types of bullying, verbal, physical, social, and cyber, cyber-bullying has quickly become the most dangerous. It has not only led to the loss of self-esteem, but loss of life due to online taunting, which has resulted in suicide. I've witnessed my share of bullying, both with children and adults, and I know firsthand just how harmful it is. We must make every effort to stop it." Active as a member of International Reading Association, Virginia Beach Education Association, National Education Association, and Red Hats, Davis is also serving on the Education Committee of the Cape Charles Historical Society. Notably, Davis holds a BS in Elementary Education from St. John's University since 1967 and an MA in English from Hofstra University since 1968. For more information, visit http://senorsmartypantaloons.com/ About Women of Distinction Magazine: Women of Distinction Magazine strives to continually bring the very best out in each article published and highlight Women of Distinction. Women of Distinction Magazine's mission is to have a platform where women can grow, inspire, empower, educate and encourage professionals from any industry by sharing stories of courage and success. Contact: Women of Distinction Magazine, Melville, NY 631-465-9024 [email protected] # # # Dec 7, 2016 | By Tess Non-wobulated and wobulated DMD patterns Researchers in Korea have demonstrated how a novel wobulation technique can enhance the resolution of nanostructures made through flow lithography. The technique uses Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printing technology, and could have many applications, including drug delivery, bioassays, cell carriers, tissue engineering, and authentication. Flow lithography is a method used to continuously generate polymer microstructures. Up until now, however, scientists have remained somewhat limited in terms of the resolution level of the flow lithography nanostructures theyve been able to create. Now, with the new wobulation technique developed and demonstrated by the team from Kyung Hee University in Seoul, they have been able to take that resolution up a notch. As mentioned, the wobulation technique uses a DLP projector, which projects lithographic patterns onto a plane. Rather than just rely on the projected images automatic resolution, the researchers realized that by adding a second, overlapping projector frame at a slightly different position, the final frame would be of a much higher resolution. According to the research team, this revelation could mean quality advances even for existing DLP 3D printers. To explain in a little more detail, DLP 3D printers are equipped with a tiny electro-mechanical device called a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD). The DMD, which consists of a number of tiny, controllable mirrors, is essentially responsible for the patterns of UV light that are projected onto the printing plane. As the research explains, the resolution of these projections is strictly tied to the pixel size of the DMD, and achieving resolutions as high or higher than other lithographic methods while maintaining a standard field of view has proved a constant challenge. The wobulation technique, however, offers a potential solution to this problem of resolution and field of view. As Wook Park, a physicist at the Kyung Hee University, explains: Wobulation works much like when two transparent, plaid backgrounds are stacked one above the other, the result would be a denser-looking plaid, but the square shape of the plaid is still obvious. If we instead shift one layer a bit with respect to the other, the ragged edge of the plaid pattern is much less obvious. In much the same way, we tried to better define the lithographic edge by exposing a UV pattern twice, staggering the second exposure with respect to the first, and by cutting the exposure time of each layer in half. Applying this wobulation technique we achieved an effect just as if a higher-resolution pattern was exposed for the whole exposure time. Overall, the wobulation technique has provided a way to increase the resolution of DLP projections without sacrificing the field of viewpreviously magnifiers were used to achieve higher resolutions, which inevitably reduced the field of view. The research, which was recently published in Applied Physics Letters, will help scientists improve DLP in bioassays, drug delivery, cell carriers, tissue engineering, and authentication. Using the technique, the team is hoping to ultimately create more complex 3D hydrogel microstructures, and eventually create a 3D printer that couples microfluidics and additive manufacturing techniques to make continuous microcarrier and biomaterial printing possible. One of the biggest challenges in developing 3D printers is improving the resolution, Park added. By applying wobulation to address that challenge, we expect to be able to improve the performance of already commercialized DLP 3D printers. Posted in 3D Printing Technology Maybe you also like: Dec 7, 2016 | By Julia Moon Express, the brainchild of billionaire Naveen Jain, has announced its first unmanned mission to the Moon will commence in 2017. Next years rocket mission will cost a whopping $5 million USD, but due to the Silicon Valley-based companys use of additive manufacturing, Jain predicts the same mission will cost a jaw-dropping $10,000 in a decade. In other words, by 2026 we may be able to buy a return trip to the moon for only ten grand. And thanks to Moon Express partnership with the New Zealand-based Rocket Lab, we can expect that lunar rocket to be made up almost exclusively of 3D printed parts. We are now free to set sail as explorers to Earths eighth continent, the Moon, seeking new knowledge and resources to expand Earths economic sphere for the benefit of all humanity, Moon Express tells us in a press release. To refresh your memory, back in 2015 we saw the New Zealand company Rocket Lab unveil a rocket with an engine made almost entirely of 3D printed components. Named after the Kiwi physicist Ernest Rutherford, the Rutherfords engine chamber, injector, turbopumps and main propellant halves were all produced using a unique additive manufacturing method known as electron beam melting (similar to selective laser sintering, or SLS). Coupled with the fact that the Rutherford is also the worlds first battery-powered rocket engine, Rocket Labs pioneering use of 3D printed materials means that the entire system costs an estimated 95% less than previously seen, opening the possibility of lunar voyages for anyone who can afford it. Last year, the Silicon Valley-based Moon Express jumped on that opportunity, signing a deal with Rocket Lab for three lunar missions with their robotic, mostly 3D printed spacecraft. It was only this past August, however, that the partnership got the official go-ahead from the US Government. Following a series of meetings with the FAA, the White House, the State Department, and NASA, Moon Express has now been authorized to travel beyond Earths orbit and land on the Moon in 2017. The breakthrough maiden voyage will send the robotic spacecraft onto the Moons surface, beginning a new era of ongoing commercial lunar exploration and discovery, unlocking the immense potential of the Moons valuable resources, Moon Express says. Moon Express co-founder Naveen Jain hopes these missions will teach humanity to stand outside our planetary system and to learn how to live somewhere else. In other words, the interests of the Silicon Valley-based company run much deeper than just the lunar surface. The recent discovery of water on the moon is an economic game changer for humanitys future. Water is the oil of the solar system, and the moon has become a gas station in the sky, says CEO Bob Richards. The sky is not the limit for Moon Express it is the launchpad, Jain states. Space travel is our only path forward to ensure our survival and create a limitless future for our children. In the immediate future, we envision bringing precious resources, metals, and Moon rocks back to Earth. The companys drastic visions still have a long way to go until fruition. But with the first mission chartered already for next year, Moon Express is optimistic for the future. If successful, thats one small step for man, one giant leap for additive manufacturing. Posted in 3D Printing Application Maybe you also like: Muhammad Idrees Ahmad at the LA Review of Books: A SPECTER is haunting the Levant the specter of Hobbes. As the democratic upheavals that swept the Arab world in 2011 have given way to bloodshed and instability, Western mavens are reverting to old verities. The Arab world is not ready for democracy they say. To restore order, to contain passions, and, above all, to protect the West from the twin dangers of terror and migration, the Arab world will need its Leviathans. For most of the post-colonial era, friendly autocrats had protected the West from these threats; they are being called into service again. If dungeons and dictators are the price of security, they reason, at least the costs are borne by others. The United Statess dalliance with democracy promotion was brief and had already ended in Iraq by 2010. The Arab Spring was a blip. In Iraq, despite Nouri al-Malikis determined effort to shape the outcome of the 2010 parliamentary elections, his sectarian bloc had secured fewer seats than a cross-sectarian alliance led by Iyad Allawi. In a surprise move, the US government backed Maliki to serve as prime minster for a second term. Iraq is not ready for democracy, General Ray Odierno was told by Chris Hill, an Obama Administration official, [it] needs a Shia strongman. more here. Your guide to the tastiest foodie happenings going down this week. Bon appetit! La Cocina Holiday Market @ Women's Center La Cocina is hosting a pop-up holiday bazaar this Sunday in the Mission. There'll be over 20 food vendors, DIY artisans, and 30 local businesses to make sure you finish all your holiday shopping on time this year. There'll also be a tamale cooking class as well as a holiday cocktail party in the evening. Sounds like a perfect Sunday to us. // Sunday, Dec. 11, 11am-8pm, 3543 18th St. (Mission), RSVP here. Clairesquares Classic Irish Christmas Cake Speaking of La Cocina, one of their super successful alums, Claire Keane of Clairequares, is offering a classic Irish Christmas cake this year for the holidays. This cake used to only be reserved for the rich when it was first introduced in the 16th century, but Clairesquares is bringing it to the masses. Made with a medley of aged fruits soaked in brandy, spices, molasses, brown sugar, and butter, the cake tastes just like Christmas should. // Order it here. Motze Starts Lunch Motze, the new project from Bar Tartine alums Nick Balla and Cortney Burns, is starting lunch this week. Guests will be able to order from a Japanese-inspired menu with dishes ranging from cold ginger noodles with sunflower tahini and 7 spice or romanesco and cauliflower salad with sesame and sea laver. But we're most excited for the rice porridge with spicy chicken, sausage, egg, peanut and fried garlic schmaltz. // Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-2pm, 983 Valencia (Mission), motze.xyz Ment'Or Foundation Dinner The Ment'or Foundation is hosting a fundraiser for Team USA prior to its trip to Lyon to represent the United States at the next Bocuse D'Or culinary competition. An all-star cast of San Francisco's best chefs including Joshua Skenes (Saison), Michael Mina, Mourad Lahlou (Mourad), and Corey Lee (Benu) will be cooking together for one night at In Situ. That's more Michelin stars in one meal than we can count, and this is an excellent (and delicious!) way to support Team USA as they head into the competition. Tickets will absolutely sell out. // Tuesday, Dec. 13, 7pm-9pm, 151 3rd St. (SoMa), Get tickets here. Bicycle Banh Mi's New Menu @ Little Window San Francisco cult pop-up Bicycle Banh Mi quietly opened their takeout spot Little Window in North Beach earlier this fall, and now they're rolling out a new winter menu. BBM is obviously known for their banh mi, but the new menu will include soul-satisfying warm bowls of pho. They're staring off with a chicken and a veggie version, but the menu will change weekly based on what's fresh and available. // Monday-Friday, 7:30am-2pm, 1 Icehouse Alley (North Beach), bicyclebanhmi.com Jane the Bakery Opens JANE, the popular cafe concept form chef Amanda Michel with current locations on Fillmore and Larkin, is opening a new retail bakery on Geary and Steiner. Head Baker Jorgen Carlsen (Craftsman & Wolves) is heading up the new outpost, where you'll be able to binge on mini cookies, cinnamon rolls, chocolate brioche, chocolate sourdough, baguettes, challah, and more. // Open daily, 7am-6pm, 1881 Geary St. (Western Addition), itsjane.squarespace.com Key industry participants profiled in the report include Epoch Energy Technology Corporation, Airgas Incorporation, Hydrogenics Corporation, Air Liquide SA, Linde AG, Air Products & Chemicals Incorporation, McPhy Energy SA, Idroenergy, Hy9 Corporation, Pr Hydrogen Generator Market Size By Product (Onsite, Portable), By Process (Steam Reformer, Electrolysis), By Capacity (<100 Nm3/h, 100-2,000 Nm3/h, >2,000 Nm3/h), By Application (Chemical Processing, Petroleum Recovery, Fuel Cells, Refinery), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, France, Sweden, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Brazil), Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016 2024. Global Hydrogen Generator Market size was more than $800 million for 2015 with industry predicted to expand at more than 5.1% during forecast timeframe. Strict emission rules for clean fuel acceptance like hydrogen as compared to fossil fuels is projected to propel industry demand. Growing hydrogen gas applications across chemical sector, oil & gas sector and refinery are predicted to fuel industry expansion. Use of hydrogen gas in refineries is more than 12.1 billion standard cubic feet per day and this is predicted to stimulate industry expansion during forecast timeline. Enormous availability of low priced natural gas feedstock along with highly pure hydrogen is predicted to be major factor fuelling industry growth. Further, growing use of hydrogen across food & beverages to eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses can contribute towards global hydrogen generator industry growth. Download sample copy of this report @ https://www.fractovia.org/request-sample/156 Rising fuel cell demand for commercial, automotive and residential sectors due to environment friendly features is predicted to promote industry expansion. Global electric automobile sales crossed 2.1 million units for 2015 and is anticipated to touch 7.1 million units by end of 2024. This will result in enhanced demand for hydrogen fuel stations fuelling hydrogen generator industry trends during forecast timeframe. However, transportation risk and price related with hydrogen along with lack of storage facility can inhibit industry expansion. But rising need to reduce dependence of fossil fuels for power is predicted to promote industry development. Global hydrogen generator market is segmented into various products like portable generator and onsite generator. Portable generator segment is predicted to experience maximum gains during forecast period due to shifting focus towards renewable power. Ecological sustainability, high power to weight ratio and noise free features are few of the characteristics that can favorably impact product demand. Onsite generator segment is predicted to register a CAGR of more than 5.1%. Rising demand for hydrogen gas in refineries, oil, gas and other industries due to its low emission property is predicted to enhance the demand of the product. Global hydrogen generator market is segmented into different processes like electrolysis process and steam reformer electrolysis. Electrolysis process segment is predicted to register CAGR of more than 5.1%. In this procedure, hydrogen is produced by separating water molecule. Rising demand for renewable and clean energy sources like water is predicted to enhance process demand. Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.fractovia.org/request-purchase/156 Steam reformer electrolysis segment contributed more than $631 million for 2015. The method produces hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels like natural gas that comprises methanol and methane. Increasing hydrogen demand in chemical production and processing is predicted to fuel process demand. Global hydrogen generator industry is segmented into various applications like refinery, chemical processing, fuel cell and petroleum recovery. Refinery application segment is predicted to touch $121 million mark by end of 2024. Enhanced use of hydrogen in crude oil processing is predicted to propel hydrogen generator market trend for this application. Chemical processing segment contributed more than $481 million for 2015. Rising hydrogen demand across various chemical processes is predicted to fuel industry expansion during forecast timeline. Fuel cell application segment is predicted to experience more than 6.1% CAGR. Rising demand in transport sector as well as residential sector due to low emissions and minimal functional costs can drive industry growth. Global industry is segmented into key geographical regions like North America, Latin America, MEA, Europe and APAC. North America, led by Canada and U.S. hydrogen generator market share, contributed more than $301 million for 2015. Rising consciousness towards clean fuel for transport coupled with heavy demand in power plants and refueling stations is predicted to enhance industry development. Further, discovery of shale gas in the region is predicted to supplement industry expansion for refinery application. Read full market research report Hydrogen Generator Market Size By Product (Onsite, Portable), By Process (Steam Reformer, Electrolysis), By Capacity (2,000 Nm3/h), By Application (Chemical Processing, Petroleum Recovery, Fuel Cells, Refinery), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, France, Sweden, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Brazil), Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016 2024, please click on the link below: https://www.fractovia.org/news/industry-research-report/hydrogen-generator-market APAC, led by South Korea and Japan hydrogen generator market share, is predicted to register CAGR of more than 6.1%. Rising application of hydrogen generator in refineries due to improved demand for petroleum items along with strict rules in region is predicted to promote industry expansion. Key industry participants profiled in the report include Epoch Energy Technology Corporation, Airgas Incorporation, Hydrogenics Corporation, Air Liquide SA, Linde AG, Air Products & Chemicals Incorporation, McPhy Energy SA, Idroenergy, Hy9 Corporation, Praxair Incorporation and ParkarBalston. Browse Related Report Specialty Fuel Additives Market Size By Product (Deposit Control Additives, Cetane Improvers, Antioxidants, Corrosion Inhibitors, Lubricity Improvers, Cold flow Improvers), By Application (Gasoline, Diesel, ATF), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016 2023 https://www.fractovia.org/news/industry-research-report/specialty-fuel-additives-market About Fractovia Fractovia.org is one of Indias leading in-house and free news portal. It is fully automated, and operates on a constant premise, interfacing with news sites and offering redesigned breaking features to readers across the globe. Our mission is to offer individuals opportunities for connections with news writers and distributors which they can pursue. We operate by mapping articles pertaining to breaking news, constantly and progressively, against a pre-determined word-based theme, offering important connections to readers and clients, as well as distributers. Fractovia 29L Atlantic Avenue, Suite L 105, Ocean View, Delaware 19970 United States Phone: 1-302-846-7766 Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688 Email: sales@fractovia.org Media Contact Company Name: Fractovia.org Contact Person: Arun Hegde Email: sales@fractovia.org Phone: 1-888-689-0688 Address:29L Atlantic Avenue, Suite L 105 City: Ocean View State: Delaware Country: United States Website: https://www.fractovia.org/news/industry-research-report/hydrogen-generator-market Drilling Confirms Wiluna Open Pit Mining Potential Perth, Dec 7, 2016 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Blackham Resources Ltd ( ASX:BLK ) ("Blackham") is pleased to announce additional assay results from the East and West Lodes at Wiluna which were drilled as part of a 25,000m RC and diamond drilling program undertaken to investigate open pit potential at Wiluna and support the mill expansion study. These results follow on from those reported to the ASX on 9th November 2016 and confirm continuity of mineralisation. Drilling has continued to intersect significant mineralisation along strike, between and beneath the East, West and North pits at shallow depths, highlighting the potential for open pit mining. Highlights: - High grade mineralisation intersected at shallow depths - Continuity of mineralisation over 300m outside current pit - Discovery of new mineralisation between East and West Lodes; remains open - Amenable to open pit mining Significant results include: - WURC0127: 24m @ 7.73 g/t from 95m & 186 gm 21m @ 1.19g/t from 129m (EOH) 25 gm - WURC0119: 10m @ 3.51g/t from 65m & 35 gm 13m @ 2.87g/t 37 gm - WURC0117: 8m @ 2.21g/t from 172m 18 gm - WURC0125: 14m @ 1.60g/t from 123m 22 gm Blackham's 100% owned Matilda and Wiluna Gold Operations are located in Australia's largest gold belt. The Wiluna Gold Plant is located in the centre of the combined Operation and can currently process 1.7Mtpa or ~100,000ozpa (Stage 1). The project contains JORC 2012 Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources of 48Mt @ 3.3g/t for 5.1Moz Au (refer to ASX release 27th June 2016) within a 860km2 exploration tenement package which has historically produced in excess of 4.3 million ounces. A mill expansion study (Stage 2), which is exploring the potential to grow production beyond 200,000ozpa, is in progress. Since the mid 1990's, previous operators at the Wiluna Mine have focused on the underground resources and have not explored the potential of open pit cutbacks. As outlined in a release to the ASX dated 9th November 2016, preliminary mining pit optimisations of mineralisation modelled using underground cut-off grades from only the historical drilling indicate the potential to profitably extract higher grade mineralisation beneath and along strike from existing pits. Pit optimisations based on an A$1,800 gold price indicate that with additional drilling there is the potential to have a single 1.9km long open pit from Bulletin to Happy Jack and deeper pits beneath the existing East and West pits (see Figure 1 in the link below). Assays have now been received for the remaining holes drilled as part of the open pit and mill expansion study which targeted the East and West Lodes. The East and West Lodes are located within 1.5km of the refurbished Wiluna Gold Plant (see Figure 1 in the link below). Results for the remainder of the drilling program are expected within the next two weeks. The East and West Lodes at Wiluna have historically produced over 1.5Moz predominately from underground mining. Mineralisation has been intersected below and along strike from the East and West pits (see Figure 2 in the link below) and results to date from the East Lode indicate good continuity of mineralisation between the East and North Pits with an overall strike length in excess of 1.4km. Historical drilling targeting the West Lode intersected mineralisation between the East and West Lodes including 12m @ 2.9g/t from 124m (including 5m @ 5.4g/t), 25m @ 2.7g/t from 126m (including 10m @ 3.5g/t) and 18m @ 3.3g/t from 106m (including 10m @ 5.1g/t). Many of the historical holes which intersected this central zone were drilled on two sections and limited drilling to the north and south was often only assayed on broad composite intervals. A re-logging and resampling program is currently underway on all available historical holes which are likely to have intersected this structure. Several holes drilled as part of the current campaign targeted this central lode and have returned significant intercepts including: - WURC0119: 13m @ 2.87g/t from 90m (including 3m @ 9.38g/t) 37 gm - WURC0127: 21m @ 1.19g/t from 129m (End of hole) 25 gm - WURC0117: 8m @ 2.21 g/t from 172m 18 gm - WURC0091: 13m @ 2.23g/t from 64m (previously reported) 29 gm - WURC0085: 5m @ 2.41g/t from 141m (previously reported) 12 gm Due to the limited drill testing of this zone (see Figure 3 in the link below), the orientation of mineralisation is unconfirmed at this stage. However, indications are that this zone may represent a linking structure between the East and West Lodes. Mineralisation in this central zone remains open to the north, south and down dip (see Figure 3 -Figure 5 in the link below). Any mineralisation identified between the East and West lodes is likely to have significant economic impact as it will lower the strip ratio and potentially allow the East and West lodes to be mined within a single pit. Further significant mineralisation was intersected on the East Lode between the North and East pits enhancing the potential for the pits to be combined. Better intercepts from the East Lode include: - WURC0127: 24m @ 7.73 g/t from 95m (including 14m @ 12.5g/t) 186 gm - WURC0119: 10m @ 3.51 g/t from 65m (including 2m @ 13.2g/t) 35 gm - WURC0115: 9m @ 1.29 g/t from 282m 12 gm - WURC0121: 12m @ 1.63 g/t from 32m 20 gm - WURC0125: 14m @ 1.60 g/t from 123m 22 gm - WURC0130: 3m @ 7.14 g/t from 140m 21 gm - WURC0113: 11m @ 1.81 g/t from 169m 20 gm All intercepts from the holes targeting the East and West lodes are given in Table 1(in the link below). The Resources at the Matilda and Wiluna Gold Operation currently stand at 48Mt @3.3g/t for 5.1Moz Au (48% indicated) (ASX release 27th June 2016). The Project resources are currently being re-estimated to incorporate this additional drilling. An update of the East West resource model is nearing completion. Resource estimates are also in the process of being completed at the remaining deposits. There is the potential for a significant reduction in operating costs if sufficient additional open pit resources to justify a mill expansion can be identified. Gold Resources The Matilda Gold Project has an updated Mineral Resource of 48Mt @ 3.3g/t for 5.1Moz (48% indicated) all within a 20 kilometres radius of Blackham's 100% owned Wiluna gold plant capable of processing up to 1.7Mtpa for over 100,000ozpa gold production (refer to BLK ASX release dated 27th June 2016). Measured and Indicated Resources now total 22Mt @ 3.4g/t for 2.4Moz. To view tables and figures, please visit: http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/63CJUW71 About Wiluna Mining Corporation Ltd Wiluna Mining Corporation (ASX:WMC) (OTCMKTS:WMXCF) is a Perth based, ASX listed gold mining company that controls over 1,600 square kilometres of the Yilgarn Craton in the Northern Goldfields of WA. The Yilgarn Craton has a historic and current gold endowment of over 380 million ounces, making it one of most prolific gold regions in the world. The Company owns 100% of the Wiluna Gold Operation which has a defined resource of 8.04M oz at 1.67 g/t au. In May 2019, a new highly skilled management team took control of the Company with a clear plan to leverage the Wiluna Gold Operation's multi-million-ounce potential. Relocates Office to Governor Macquarie Tower Sydney, Dec 7, 2016 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Petsec Energy Ltd ( ASX:PSA ) ( PSJEY:OTCMKTS ) (the "Company") is pleased to advise that from the 14th December 2016, the Sydney office will be located at a new address: Level 27, Governor Macquarie Tower - One Farrer Place, Sydney NSW 2000 The relocation of the office is the result of the planned redevelopment of the current office location at Goldfields House, 1 Alfred Street, Sydney. Please note that the Company's telephone, facsimile and P.O. Box numbers will remain unchanged. We look forward to welcoming you to our new Sydney office. About Petsec Energy Ltd Petsec Energy Ltd (ASX:PSA) (OTCMKTS:PSJEY) is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. It has operations in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico and state waters of the Louisiana Gulf Coast region of the USA, and exploration activities in the Gulf Coast onshore and bay areas of Texas and Louisiana, USA and Yemen. The Senate passed legislation Wednesday eliminating a tax penalty on employers who reimburse employees for the cost of health insurance premiums, following passage of the measure last week in the House. The IRS began enforcing the penalty on employers last year, even though it isnt part of the Affordable Care Act. Employers who violate the rule can be fined up to $100 per day for each employee, or up to $36,500 a year, which is 18 times more than the penalty imposed on larger employers that dont offer insurance to workers. Under Section 18001 of the 21st Century Cures Act, business owners would be permitted to compensate employees for the cost of individual insurance premiums or medical visits. President Obama has issued a statement in support of the legislation. The National Federation of Independent Business praised passage of the bill. Both the Senate and the House have now passed critical legislation to protect small business owners from outrageous IRS fines, said NFIB president and CEO Juanita Duggan in a statement. Our research showed that a significant percentage of NFIB members reimbursed employees for the cost of health insurance, a practice the IRS tried to stamp out despite the lack of clear direction from Congress. Now Congress has acted to make it clear that businesses should not be punished just for trying to help their employees pay for health care costs. The legislation includes a number of other sweeping health care provisions, including more funding for research into diseases, improvements in the mental health treatment system, and an overhaul of the regulatory system for medical devices and pharmaceuticals. It also includes funding to fight opioid drug abuse, collect genetic information from a million volunteers for medical research purposes and provide money to back Vice President Joe Bidens moonshot effort to find a cure for cancer. One of the last times I'll preside over an actual Senate vote count, Biden tweeted Monday. A lot of lives will be saved by this bill, God willing. The bill also provides more authority for the National Institutes of Health to fund innovative medical research, allowing it to set up "Eureka prize" competitions to find effective treatments. (Bloomberg) The House blocked an effort Tuesday by conservatives to force an impeachment vote against Internal Revenue Service commissioner John Koskinen, effectively taking the question off the congressional agenda for this year. With Congress aiming to leave Washington by Friday, outgoing House Freedom Caucus Jim Jordan of Ohio called up a privileged resolution, which would have required a floor vote within two days. Instead, House members voted 342-72 to refer the measure to the Judiciary Committee, which will prevent a floor vote before the 114th Congress adjourns. Republican leaders argued that saddling the Senate with an impeachmenta prospect that has gathered little enthusiasm among senatorsat the beginning of January might have delayed other priorities, including the confirmation of President-elect Donald Trumps cabinet appointees. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy referred to that possibility in brief comments to reporters Tuesday afternoon. That would be a problem for repealing Obamacare, McCarthy said. Impeaching the IRS commissioner would be an unprecedented move for Congress, which has never removed an official below the level of Cabinet secretary. But Freedom Caucus members have long sought the impeachment of Koskinen, whom they accuse of impeding an investigation into whether the tax agency improperly targeted conservative nonprofits. They can try to take the issue up again when the next Congress convenes in January. When he took office in December 2013, Koskinen was immediately mired in the agencys response to a scandal that predated his tenure: IRS officials admitted giving extra scrutiny to conservative groups that sought tax-exempt status beginning in 2010. In an ensuing investigation, congressional subpoenas to the agency sought all communications sent or received by Lois Lerner, the agencys former director of exempt organizations. Despite the pending subpoenas, IRS employees in West Virginia magnetically erased 422 backup tapes, which eliminated as many as 24,000 of her emails, in March 2014. Subsequent investigations by the Justice Department and the Treasury Departments inspector general found that the destruction was accidental. Regardless, Koskinen testified to Congress in June 2014 that since the start of this investigation, every email has been preserved. Nothing has been destroyed. He has said since then that his testimony reflected his understanding at the time. The U.S. Treasury Department, which oversees the IRS, has called the impeachment drive baseless and a distraction, adding that Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew continues to have full confidence in Koskinen. An impeachment resolution requires a simple majority of the House. It would then go to the Senate, which would try the case. Conviction requires a two-thirds vote, and Senate leaders have indicated that they dont favor an effort to impeach Koskinen. With assistance from Ben Brody FCB Ulka has brought on board Keegan Pinto as Creative Head - FCB Ulka (West) and National Creative Director - Branded Content. In this role, Pinto will be responsible for enhancing the creative quotient and strengthening the creative capabilities for the agency and will be based out of Mumbai. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Pinto is one of the most recognised and awarded names in the business. He has been a part of Colenso BBDO New Zealand, Publicis Ambience, Ogilvy & Mather India and Lowe Lintas. In his most recent outing, he was Creative Head of MTV India. His work has won him accolades at both national and international circuits such as D&AD, The One Show, Adfest, Cannes Lions, Abbys, Effies, DMA Asia Echo Awards, Promax India, Asia and World. Pinto championed several memorable and impactful pieces of work for celebrated brands such as Lifebuoy, Tata Tea, Tetley, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, Calvin Klein, He Deodorants, Askme, Kamasutra, Sunsilk, Gulf Oil, Nescafe, Vdot, Big Bazaar, Economic Times, TVS, Zoom TV, DNA, Airtel, Ashok Leyland, Onida, Bajaj bikes, BBC World, Claris Pharmaceuticals, Croma, DB Realty, DNA newspaper, IICE Vodka, Himalayan Water, Dove, Ponds, Lakme, Hindustan Pencils, Kodak, Kingfisher Airlines and more. Commenting on Pintos appointment, Rohit Ohri, Group Chairman and CEO of FCB India, said, Weve taken our time to find the right creative leader for FCB Ulka (West). Keegan fits the bill perfectly. The diversity of his experience and the depth of his talent will be key in driving the creative transformation agenda at FCB Ulka. Further, his experience with branded content will help us quickly scale up our content division. Im truly delighted to have Keegan as part of our leadership team at FCB Ulka. I am delighted to have Keegan Pinto on board. Content creation today is an integral part of all brand communication. Keegan has a unique blend of advertising and channel experience which is extremely relevant in todays world. I am looking forward to working with Keegan in creating some truly memorable work for our clients, added Nitin Karkare, Chief Executive Officer, FCB Ulka. Swati Bhattacharya, Chief Creative Officer, FCB Ulka, remarked, Keegans thorough understanding of the communication business is phenomenal. The work he has created for his clients across brands is a testimony of the same! His creative acumen, ability to create magic for brands coupled with his leadership skills will surely take FCB Ulka to greater heights and we are thrilled to have him on board. It is an honour to have been selected to drive change at FCB and be in the leadership team of one of the worlds first agencies and one of the countrys most solid. The big change story that FCB wishes to write is the most enticing challenge that tipped things over for me and I look forward to that. I personally love a change story, be it a brand or an agency and I can safely say that my journey has largely been driven by such opportunities. The timing is right with a new wave of change starting with a completely new management team almost. But what I hold of utmost importance is the fortune of getting to work with a bunch of good folks, commented Pinto. Pinto has led some popular award winning campaigns such as Bande Achchhe Hain for ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, Stay Raw for MTV India, Power of 49 for Tata Tea, Heat mein Dheet Hain for Onida ACs, Inside waala Snaan for Tetley Green Tea, For Indian Values for Videocon d2h, the recent Beef Ban campaign for MTV and has been instrumental in the recently launched only-music channel from MTV, MTV Beats. On the side, Pinto is a music composer/ lyricist and awaits a few movie releases in 2017. &pictures, Naye India Ka Blockbuster Movie Channel, takes you on a journey, sure to send chills down your spine. Watch the third installment of the Final Destination series, Final Destination 3 on Friday, 9th December at 8 PM. Wendy (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a spirited teenager joins her boyfriend Jason (Jesse Moss) and other school friends to celebrate graduation night at an amusement park. Just before a roller coaster ride, she has a vision about a misfortunate accident about to occur. While she evades the accident, two of her friends die when the ride goes off the rail. There on begin a series of horrific events where Wendy finds her friends dying one by one. With death waiting around the corner, Wendy and her remaining friends must try and solve the mystery, before they end up dead. ~Watch how death follows Wendy and her friends in Final Destination 3 on Friday, 9th December at 8 PM only on &pictures~ NEW YORK, Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an extremely rare haematological disorder. It occurs when there is an uncontrollable proliferation of hyper-activated macrophages and T-lymphocytes. The hyper-activated macrophages engulf haematopoietic cells resulting in a deregulated immune system, which in turn attacks various tissues in the body. The weakened body becomes susceptible to infection. This report provides the current incident population for Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis across 14 Major Markets (USA, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands, Brazil and Japan) split by gender and 5-year age cohort. Along with the current incidence, the report also contains a disease overview of the risk factors, disease diagnosis and prognosis along with specific variations by geography and ethnicity. Providing a value-added level of insight from the analysis team at Black Swan, several of the main symptoms and co-morbidities of HLH have been quantified and presented alongside the overall incidence figures. These sub-populations within the main disease are also included at a country level across the 10-year forecast snapshot. Main symptoms and co-morbidities for HLH include: - Autoimmune conditions - Leukaemia - Lymphomas - HSCT - Infection (especially with EBV) - Diabetes - Obesity - COPD - Heart Failure This report is built using data and information sourced from the proprietary Epiomic patient segmentation database. To generate accurate patient population estimates, the Epiomic database utilises a combination of several world class sources that deliver the most up to date information from patient registries, clinical trials and epidemiology studies. All of the sources used to generate the data and analysis have been identified in the report. Reason to buy - Able to quantify patient populations in global Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis market to target the development of future products, pricing strategies and launch plans. - Gain further insight into the incidence of the subdivided types of Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and identify patient segments with high potential. - Delivery of more accurate information for clinical trials in study sizing and realistic patient recruitment for various countries. - Provide a level of understanding on the impact from specific co-morbid conditions on Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis's incident population. - Identify sub-populations within Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis which require treatment. - Gain an understanding of the specific markets that have the largest number of Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis disease patients. Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04407894-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: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/epiomic-epidemiology-series-haemophagocytic-lymphohistiocytosis-hlh-forecast-in-14-major-markets-2016-2026-300374133.html SOURCE Reportlinker LOS ANGELES, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Icelandic Glacial announced today a new partnership with the first-of-its kind intelligent tea infuser, Teforia. The premium water brand will be the preferred water partner for the device, which intuitively considers the time, temperature, and amount of water needed to perfectly brew tea. Seeking to create a fully immersive experience for tea drinkers, Teforia employed a third party to test a number of bottled water brands in order to find the best available for brewing outstanding tea. Though not often thought of, the quality of water used can greatly impact the flavor of tea. Ultimately, Icelandic Glacial was recommended due to the exceptional purity. The natural spring water is bottled at its source, Iceland's legendary Olfus Spring, after a gradual filtration over uninhabited and untouched lava field. "We're thrilled to offer our users access to the best tea possible," says Joe Lopez, Chief Revenue Officer of Teforia. "From our expertly designed system of brewing to the highest quality water available, you'll be able to create a cup of tea that is like no other." Purchasers of Teforia are recommended to use Icelandic Glacial with this system through package messaging and point of sale signage. Chairman & Co-Founder of Icelandic Glacial, Jon Olafsson, added, "We are proud to partner with another brand that represents excellence in their respective field. Icelandic Glacial is known for its exceptional purity, having the perfect blend of minerals to give the consumer the best in bottled water." "We are excited to partner with Teforia for this opportunity," said Reza Mirza, CEO of Icelandic Glacial. "We are looking to expand the strategic alliance globally as Teforia becomes available in different countries and look forward to providing consumers with the perfect cup of tea." Teforia's intelligent tea infusers are now available on Teforia.com, Amazon.com and Williams-Sonoma.com. Icelandic Glacial is available in both still and sparkling at major grocery stores across 29 countries. About Icelandic Glacial Icelandic Glacial is the super-premium natural spring water, bottled at the source from Iceland's legendary Olfus Spring, which was formed more than 5,000 years ago and is shielded from pollution by an impenetrable barrier of lava rock. The spring produces water so pure that nothing is added or taken away. As a result, Icelandic Glacial possesses exceptional balance featuring a naturally low mineral content and a naturally alkaline pH of 8.4. Icelandic Glacial is further distinguished as the world's first certified carbon neutral natural spring bottled water for product and operation. Icelandic Glacial uses 100% natural green energy to fuel its production delivering a premium bottled water to discerning consumers around the world while maintaining a "net zero" carbon footprint. About Teforia Teforia blends the ancient tradition of tea with first-of-its-kind technology into a sensory experience for the modern world. The company's flagship product, Teforia, is the first machine-learning tea infusion device that infuses the best cup of tea you've ever had automatically, with the tap of a finger. Part companion and part guide, Teforia helps you discover, enjoy and journey into the world of authentic and exceptional tea, all tailored to your own preferences. Led by founder & CEO Allen Han, Teforia was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Mountain View, CA. For more information, please visit: teforia.com. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446395 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/icelandic-glacial-and-teforia-partner-for-the-perfect-cup-of-tea-300374262.html SOURCE Icelandic Glacial GAITHERSBURG, Md., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sodexo, world leader of Quality of Life services, and the University of Maine are bridging the gap between local business owners and food distributors through an information expo on serving locally sourced seafood and produce on college campuses. On November 1 and 3, Sodexo and the University of Maine hosted Scaling Up, a networking and professional development event aimed at helping local farmers, businesses, and fishermen secure a larger market reach for their products. Scaling Up was part of The Maine Course by Sodexo, a statewide initiative created in 2015 to prioritize serving local and sustainably harvested seafood at all of the company's client sites in Maine. Since the Maine Course by Sodexo began instituting local purchasing processes in July, local food purchasing within the University of Maine System has increased every month. "We wanted local business owners to leave the expo informed about how to take the next step in selling to an institution like Sodexo or the University of Maine at Orono," said Maeve McInnis, director of The Maine Course by Sodexo. During the events, which were held at two of Maine's public university campuses, participants and presenters discussed how local fisheries, producers, and vendors could start on the path to providing local food to University of Maine System students and staff. Food distributors discussed how to engage with Sodexo, a global company that is committed to making a positive economic impact on the communities in which it operates. "I know that buying 'local' is trendy at present," said Lou Miller, a local business owner. "But the goodwill and presentation by the panel members showed me sincerity and staying power in their efforts. We had a terrific day." Presenters at Scaling Up included Ron Dryer, director for the Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources branch of the State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry and Jed Beach from Maine Farmland Trust, as well as Sodexo's North American distribution partners and supply managers. "Our aim is to have the largest possible positive impact on Maine's economy," explained McInnis. Selling to a large institution is often a challenge for small business owners. To facilitate the process for local business owners, the Scaling Up event included presentations and networking opportunities with distributors, University of Maine administrators and the Sodexo team. "Sodexo and the University of Maine System are both committed to the economic, social, and environmental development of the communities around us," said McInnis. "These events initiated connections between institution and local business owners. We hope that these connections lead to business growth for both parties." More information on Scaling Up and Sodexo's commitments to responsible food sourcing can be found at www.mainecoursebysodexo.com. Sodexo delivers more than 100 services across North America that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life. The Fortune Global 500 company is a leader in delivering sustainable, integrated facilities management and foodservice operations. Learn more about Sodexo at its corporate blog, Sodexo Insights. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160330/349448LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/local-businesses-grow-with-sodexo-and-university-of-maine-system-300374669.html SOURCE Sodexo DAYTON, Ohio, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Drivers searching for a new pickup truck can now find all of the detailed information they need to know about the new 2017 Nissan Titan XD in Dayton, Ohio in order to make the most informed buying decision by visiting the website of Matt Castrucci Nissan. The Ohio Nissan dealer recently posted a detailed and thorough review of the 2017 Titan XD to its Nissan model research page so truck shoppers can learn more about the powerful and highly capable new pickup. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161207/446445 With all of the valuable information that is being provided by the Dayton, Ohio Nissan dealer, drivers can now easily find a new Titan XD that fits their specific needs for power, capability, technology and refinement. The review of the 2017 Nissan Titan XD starts by offering readers detailed information about the Nissan trucks engine options, horsepower and torque ratings, towing and hauling capacities, technology features and comfort options. Knowing as much as possible about a new truck is the key to buying the right one. The 2017 Nissan Titan XD review also offers pickup truck shoppers the information they need to choose the correct trim level that has all of the interior features, luxury options and safety equipment they require. The extensive list of of standard and available features in the Titan XD includes driver favorites like leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, navigation, Bluetooth, a rearview monitor and much more. To read the full review of the 2017 Nissan Titan XD, interested truck shoppers are encouraged to visit the Dayton, Ohio Nissan dealership's website at www.mattcastruccinissan.com. Drivers who would like to learn even more about the new Titan XD can also contact a member of the dealer's sales team by calling 855-299-1946. Media Contact: Todd Williams, Matt Castrucci Nissan, 855-299-1946, toddwilliams@mikecastrucci.com News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com SOURCE Matt Castrucci Nissan Following the voluntary administration process of Wynyard Group Limited of Auckland, New Zealand, Resolver finalizes the acquisition of Wynyards Risk Management suite of products. Resolver has greatly expanded its customer base and global reach with the acquisition of the Wynyard Risk Management (WRM), Kairos Risk Management and Methodware Enterprise Risk Assessor (ERA) applications. Over 150 customers using the WRM products will be provided continual support and long-term product roadmap through Resolver. Resolver has re-engaged a significant portion of the original WRM team including Bob Adderley, Scott James, Clint Walker and Adam Belfield to provide uninterrupted support of these platforms. It is our privilege to provide a long-term home for the Wynyard WRM customers and employees, states Will Anderson, CEO of Resolver Inc. Continued Product Support and Enhancement Resolver will continue to offer customers on the WRM, Kairos, and ERA applications with continual product support including existing product enhancement with the WRM product. Resolver is committed to building industry leading applications with best-in-class capabilities for risk assessment, risk management, audit, and compliance, incident management, security operations center management, and investigations. We are committed to the continued development of WRM to support the needs of existing customers. At the same time, we have been releasing our next generation technology to provide long-term direction for all Resolver customers, states Anderson. Strategic Direction By acquiring the WRM platform and its predecessors, Resolver will increase its global footprint around the world. The acquisition also adds more than 150 customers to the Resolver family representing many marquee brands, and extends Resolvers physical presence in the United Kingdom, as well in the Oceania region through a New Zealand office. The acquisition will also mean an extension of Resolvers application hosting presence with servers in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. With the new employees added, Resolver increases its already impressive domain knowledge of the Risk Management space. Acquisition Financing Resolver has funded the acquisition through its existing cash and credit facilities. About Resolver Resolver protects what matters. Our Integrated Risk Management platform supports the response and recovery process when an unplanned event does occur; including Incident Reporting, Incident Response and Investigations. We also help plan and prepare your organization to limit the likeliness or impact of events from occurring; this includes Risk Assessment, Enterprise Risk Management, Internal Control, Internal Audit and Compliance. Resolvers team is comprised of security, risk and compliance experts supporting over 1,000 customers across 100 countries with offices in North America, United Kingdom, New Zealand, and the Middle East. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207006304/en/ Resolver, Inc. Marc DiGiorgio CMO marc.digiorgio@resolver.com MIAMI, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) today announced that the Cuban government has granted approval for the company to begin cruises to Cuba. The company said it plans to announce its first Florida-Cuba itineraries in the near future. "Our guests have expressed real interest in having the opportunity to experience Cuba, and we look forward to bringing them there," said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "Our discussions with our travel partners indicate that Cuba is a destination that appeals to a new generation of travelers." Two RCL lines, Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises, will provide guests with travel directly to Cuba for the purpose of providing people-to-people exchanges between guests and Cuban citizens and other travel permitted by current U.S. regulations. The cruise itineraries will comply with U.S. Department of Treasury rules that permit travel companies to transport approved travelers to Cuba to engage in people-to-people activities as defined by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) is a global cruise vacation company that owns and operates three global brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. We also own a 50 percent joint venture interest in the German brand TUI Cruises and a 49 percent interest in the Spanish brand Pullmantur and have a minority interest in smaller regional brands. Together, these brands operate a combined total of 48 ships with an additional 11 on firm order. They operate diverse itineraries around the world that call on approximately 490 destinations on all seven continents. Additional information can be found on www.rclcorporate.com. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/royal-caribbean-cruises-ltd-approved-to-begin-cuba-service-300374693.html SOURCE Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Content Marketing Institute Releases New Research on State of Content Marketing in the United Kingdom UK marketers who report high levels of commitment to content marketing do things differently than their peers, and that provides some useful insight for all content marketers. Thats just one of the findings in the new content marketing research released today, Content Marketing in the UK 2017: Benchmarks, Budgets, and Trends by Content Marketing Institute (CMI). The report is sponsored by Tomorrow People. To see our analysis and download the full report visit: http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2016/12/content-marketing-uk-research What did we find? 61% of UK marketers say their organizations are extremely or very committed to content marketing. Those UK marketers are more likely than the overall sample to: Understand what an effective or successful content marketing program looks like within their organization (63% vs. 46%) Document their content marketing strategy (54% vs. 40%) Allocate a higher percentage of their budget to content marketing (42% vs. 36%) Value creativity and craft in content creation and production (93% vs. 72%) UK marketers whose organizations are strongly committed to content marketing tend to have different priorities than their peers; for example, they are more likely to have a documented content marketing strategy, allocate more budget to content marketing, place high value on creativity and craft while producing content, etc., explains Joe Pulizzi, founder Content Marketing Institute and author of four content marketing books including Content Inc. We all have the same number of hours in a day. What you choose to focus on during those hours can set you up for content marketing success. This is true for all marketers. More Key Highlights from the overall sample: 60% of UK marketers are much more or somewhat more successful with content marketing than they were one year ago 53% plan to increase their content marketing spending over the next 12 months 82% will focus on lead generation as a content marketing goal over the next 12 months 65% can demonstrate, with metrics, how content marketing has increased their number of leads For research charts, a video, quotes and more, check out this Dropbox. To view all CMI research and to subscribe to our emails visit: contentmarketinginstitutecom/research About Content Marketing Institute: Content Marketing Institute is the leading global content marketing education and training organization, teaching enterprise brands how to attract and retain customers through compelling, multichannel storytelling. CMIs Content Marketing World event, the largest content marketing-focused event, is held every September in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, and the Intelligent Content Conference event is held every spring. CMI publishes the bi-monthly magazine Chief Content Officer, and provides strategic consulting and content marketing research for some of the best-known brands in the world. Watch this video to learn more about CMI, a UBM company. To view all research and to subscribe to our emails visit www.contentmarketinginstitute.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161206006543/en/ Press: Content Marketing Institute Amanda Subler, 216-941-5842 amanda@contentinstitute.com Air Force officials announced five installations as candidate bases for the next two Air National Guard F-35A locations.The candidate bases include: Dannelly Field Air Guard Station, Montgomery, Alabama; Gowen Field AGS, Boise, Idaho; Jacksonville AGS Florida, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Detroit, and Truax AGS, Madison, Wisconsin.The Air Force is committed to a deliberate and open process to address F-35 basing, said Jennifer A. Miller, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations. As we progress through the basing process, we will share information so interested communities are aware of what to expect.The Air Force will now conduct on-the-ground site surveys at each candidate location. Site survey teams will assess each location against operational requirements, potential impacts to existing missions, infrastructure and manpower, and then develop cost estimates to bed down the F-35A.The preferred and reasonable alternatives are expected to be selected in the spring of 2017 and the Air Force will complete the Environmental Impact Analysis Process before making a final basing decision.The F-35As are expected to begin arriving at the second and third Air National Guard locations in the early to mid-2020s. Previously, three active duty operational locations and one Air National Guard location were identified for F-35A basing-Hill AFB, Utah; Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England; and Eielson AFB, Alaska; and Burlington AGS, Vermont. SECAF bestows highest AF public service award Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James presented the Air Force Distinguished Public Service Award to the Air Force Caucus co-chairs on Capitol Hill Dec. 6. The medal is awarded to individuals who made a profound contribution to the Air Force on the national level, and facilitated substantial progress to the Air Force mission. To receive this award, ones accomplishments must be significant enough that other forms of recognition are deemed inadequate. I am grateful for the outstanding support from our Air Force Caucus co-chairs, James said. The bipartisanship backing we received in support of the Air Force, its Airmen, and their families allow them to remain the best and ensure an enduring heritage and unlimited horizons for the United States Air Force. Recipients: Arkansas Sen. John Boozman supported the addition of a cyber training mission school at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. The first class graduation is scheduled for February 2017. Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown introduced legislation in the Veterans First Act to ensure Airmen past, present and future receive proper care and benefits. North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven introduced legislation that set up six remotely piloted vehicle test sites, including one at Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota. Texas Rep. Sam Johnson was the driving force behind opening Planos Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic. U.S. territory of Guam Rep. Madeleine Bordallos advocacy enabled the award of a $21 billion contract for development of the B-21 Raider. Montana Sen. Jon Tester was also a strong voice for UH-1N helicopter replacement, C-130 Hercules modernization, the Modular Airborne Firefighting System, and Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer. Massachusetts Rep. Niki Tsongas, a member of the Air Force Academy Board of Visitors, helped ensure cadets were given the resources and instruction to be future Air Force leaders. Her legislation expanded technological innovation initiatives, ensuring the Air Force maintains air superiority and global reach into the future. Ohio Rep. Michael Turner worked with fellow members of Congress to invest in Air Force mission sets and capabilities that provide Americas asymmetric advantage. He was a key enabler of the Air Force acquisition community and focused legislative support for the National Air and Space Intelligence Center to ensure its continued strategic impact on the global mission. Editors Note: Sen. Tester will be recognized at a future date. by Sarah Thompson Anthony Macdonald Joyce Moullakis US-listed office products giant Staples Inc has enlisted Morgan Stanley to examine strategic options, including a sale of its local unit Staples. Street Talk can reveal a teaser document sent to prospective acquirers spruiks Staples Australia's revamped management team and says pro forma EBITDA is about $35 million. Staples, the rebadged Corporate Express, is the No.1 player in the B2B segment in Australia and No 2 player in New Zealand, and mostly services government and contract customers in Australia and across the Tasman. Interestingly, the US parent's last annual report said its aim was to "restructure and streamline" international operations, which make up 17 per cent of total sales. Staples Australia posted a net loss of $29 million in the 12 months to January 31, 2016, compared to a net loss of $114 million the year prior and $252 million loss in 2014, according to accounts lodged with the corporate regulator. Advertisement Corporate Express Australia was rebranded after Staples bought the balance of the company it did not own for $1.1 billion in 2010. The bid had been anticipated by the market, as Corporate Express's Dutch parent was taken over by Staples in 2008, at which point it obtained the 58.2 per cent stake in the Australian subsidiary.In early 2015, Staples Inc entered into an agreement to buy Office Depot, which has subsidiaries in Australia. However, the $US6.5 billion bid was dropped in May after US regulators blocked the deal. Elsewhere, those hoping that Santos may light up its investor briefing on Thursday with news of a groundbreaking transaction look set to be disappointed. The presentations in Sydney will be the first opportunity for the market to hear the detail of new chief executive Kevin Gallagher's strategy to put the oil and gas producer back on track. They are expected to deliver plenty of material on cost reductions, the revamped leadership team and strategic progress, and will have to address market doubts around reserves and costs at the GLNG venture in Queensland. But whether that will be enough to put to bed agitating Chinese shareholder ENN Group's "grave fears" for the future of Santos seems doubtful. With its 11.7 per cent stake acquired from Chinese private equity player Hony Capital, ENN has been stirring for a board seat. ENN chairman Wang Yusuo wants to see an improved capital structure at the company that would allow it to tap growth options. But Santos is understood to believe it is gradually turning around the business and sees no pressing need for anything out of the ordinary, especially in a strengthening oil price environment. Any potential asset sales are expected to be limited to infrastructure-type deals, with the gas pipeline in the GLNG project still seen as the leading contender, although Santos still has plenty of smaller assets that some say add little to its portfolio. Analysts are also expecting some positive news on the targeted breakeven oil price for Santos's operations in 2017 that would mark a step-down from the $US43.50 a barrel figure given for this year. [dropcap]J[/dropcap]. Jayalalithaa, who passed away leaving Tamil Nadu in tears and pain, what does her death indicate for the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)? The party was founded by MGR and revived hugely by Jayalalithaa after a vertical split following his death. If the people at the head of Jayalalithaas funeral bier are any indication, Sasikala and her large extended Mannargudi family are in control at the moment. What political ambitions she, her estranged husband, and the many nephews and nieces nurture is not known. Will the familys hold continue? After MGRs death in 1987, Jayalalithaa proclaimed herself as his political heir and, having fought off the faction headed by Janaki Ramachandran, MGRs widow, emerged as the sole leader of the AIADMK. Following the 1989 election, she became Leader of the Opposition to the DMK government headed by M Karunanidhi, her bete noire. This was a powerful message to the rank and file of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, invoking memories of a sad Friday 29 years ago. In December 1987, when party founder MG Ramachandran died , Jayalalithaa assumed a similar position to the one Sasikala took on at the Rajaji Hall. Two years later, Jayalalithaa would become the AIADMK supremo. However, Sasikala did not face the kind of bitterness Jayalalithaa defied from AIADMK members in 1987. There was a touch of reverence in the way party leaders attended to Sasikala, who is known in the organisation as chinna amma or younger mother. Sasikala performed the final rituals in the Vaishnavite tradition to which Jayalalithaa belonged. But she wasnt alone in this task. Jayalalithaas nephew Deepak Jayakumar made a surprise appearance and followed Sasikala closely during the rites. The way AIADMK leaders conducted themselves during Jayalalithaas funeral provided ample indications about where the new power center was shifting. After Jayalalithaas demise, the party has to elect a new general secretary. Almost every political leader, including Narendra Modi who paid homage to Jayalalithaas body at Rajaji Hall reached out to Sasikala to console her. While she stood prominently next to Jayalalithaas remains, O Panneerselvam, who was sworn in as chief minister, chose to mostly remain with other ministers and party members. Congress leaders, in particular, were keen to introduce both Sasikala and her husband Natarajan to party vice president Rahul Gandhi. Natarajans presence at the funeral surprised many as it was assumed for long that he was not in Jayalalithaas good books. In 1991, Jayalalithaa became Tamil Nadus youngest chief minister for the first time. She earned a reputation for a punishing work ethic and for centralising state power among a coterie of bureaucrats; her council of ministers, whom she often shuffled around, were largely ceremonial in nature. Despite an official salary of only a rupee a month, Jayalalithaa indulged in public displays of wealth, culminating in a lavish wedding for her foster son in then Madras (Chennai) in 1995. In the 1996 election, the AIADMK was nearly wiped out at the hustings; Jayalalithaa lost her seat also. The new Karunanidhi government quickly filed several corruption cases against her, and she had to spend time in jail. Her fortunes revived in the 1998 general election, as the AIADMK became a key component of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees government; her withdrawal of support toppled it and triggered another general election just a year later. The AIADMK returned to power in 2001, although Jayalalithaa was personally disbarred from contesting due to the corruption cases filed against her. Within few months of her taking oath as chief minister, in September 2001, she was disqualified from holding office, and forced to cede the chair to her staunch loyalist O. Panneerselvam. Upon her acquittal six months later, Jayalalithaa returned as chief minister to complete her term. Her government was noted for its ruthlessness; midnight arrests of political opponents abound. The unpopularity of these movesthe AIADMK scored a duck in the 2004 general electionforced her to reverse them, though she was able to contain the DMKs victory margin in the 2006 assembly election. In the 2011 assembly election, the Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK and its allies routed the ruling, scandal-tainted DMKs alliance. Sworn in as chief minister for the fourth time, her government embarked on an ambitious programme of social welfare and development. However, three months into her tenure, a trial court convicted her in a disproportionate assets case in September 2014, rendering her disqualified to hold office. After eight months, which included a twenty-day stint in jail, Jayalalithaa was acquitted of all charges by the Karnataka High Court and once again sworn-in as chief minister in May 2015. In the 2016 assembly election, she became the first Tamil Nadu chief minister since MGR in 1984 to be voted back into office. A great leader of Tamil Nadu has passed away and people of this state will remember her for the good work performed by her mainly for the welfare of poorer sections. She introduced mini buses in Chennai, which covers remote areas of the city as well. Amma chemist shops, Amma canteen are very popular among people. It is very unfortunate that her untimely death has snatched away a good leader. She was trying to do better work for the people of this state. She was an astute politician and shared a mutually comforting relationship with her voters. Indian politics should evolve into one in which the voters are educated not to be guided by freebies, but consider about the long term interests of the nation. Now coming back to holding power, during Jayalalithaas three tenures as Chief Minister, Sasikala is alleged to have wielded absolute power behind the scenes. She was arrested along with Jayalalithaa on 7th December 1996 and was remanded to judicial custody for 30 days in connection with the Colour TV scam. However, they were acquitted by the Supreme Court as the charges were found to be baseless. On 19th December 2011, Jayalalithaa expelled her and 13 others including Sasikalas husband Natarajan and their relatives, including T. T. V. Dhinakaran and Jayalalithaas disowned foster son V N Sudhakaran and relieved them from the AIADMK. Sasikala was admitted back into the party on 31st March 2012, when she vowed to sever her ties with all her relatives and to serve with no public ambitions. Sasikala along with Jayalalithaa and two others were sentenced to four years imprisonment by a special court in Bangalore on 27th September 2014. Along with imprisonment, they were also asked to pay fine of Rs. 100 crores for Jayalalithaa and Rs. 10 crores for Sasikala and others. They were acquitted by High Court as they were not found to be guilty. The case is now pending before the Supreme Court. Sashikala is known for her power sharing capacity with Jayalalithaa and many speculate that she may take the reins of AIADMK. (Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com) SANTIAGO - Chilean Agriculture Minister Carlos Furche on Tuesday highlighted China as the leading market for Chile's cherry exports, as the South American country's cherry importers are working on expanding the exports of the fruit. Nearly half of Chile's total cherry exports of more than 100,000 tons a year go to China, and the potential for growth remains high. The fruit currently generates some $500 million in export revenue, Furche said during a tour of a cherry plant Agricola Garces, accompanied by China's ambassador to Chile, Li Baorong. Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Chile in November "is a good indicator of the current peak in relations between the two countries," said Furche, adding "China's leader has invited (Chile's) President Michelle Bachelet to make a state visit to China next year." "Both heads of state pledged to further expand our free trade agreement, not just in trade, but also in investment, which is good news for Chilean agriculture, because the future of our food exports lies in China," said Furche. The official underscored the importance of labor and investment involved in developing a country's exports. "No consumer imagines the technological development and added value that goes into a simple cherry that, after being picked, travels three weeks by ship and arrives in perfect shape at its destination market in Asia, mainly China," said Furche. That effort requires "investment, betting on the future and technological development, and it is an example of how dynamic Chile's agricultural sector is," he said. Chile's agricultural sector is thriving and generating jobs, said Furche, noting Agricola Garces employs more than 700 people. In fact, the sector employs 10 percent of the country's labor force, though that figure is as high as 25 percent in the southern region of O'Higgins, where the cherry plant is located. "That's why it is good news for the country that we have an agricultural sector that is expanding," said Furche. Chile's cherry harvest coincides with China's Lunar New Year, said Furche, "which is a happy coincidence for producers and sellers. In the first 10 months of this year alone, our food exports to China grew 16 percent." China has become Chile's second largest export market and over the next decade it would become the largest, Furche predicted, adding the country's agricultural sector "is linked to what we can do in the Asian region." China represents significant potential for growth, he said. "Fruits, like cherry, cranberry and grapes, as well as Chilean wine, are in great demand in China," which is poised to become Chile's leading export market for wine this year or next, he said. Li explained that during the Lunar New Year "it is ideal to have a box of Chilean cherries. They are renowned, making them the best gift for friends or family, and a symbol of cooperation between China and Chile." Li also highlighted President Xi Jinping's visit to Chile and its success in leading to two new accords, one of them for Chilean nectarines, and both sides are working on it. Li agreed that the Sino-Chilean ties are "at a peak" and expanding in various fields. During the 2014-2015 cherry season, Chile exported more than 103,000 tons of the fruit, and that figure stands to rise as Chilean officials work with Chinese importers to expand the fruit's market share. A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Chitral to Islamabad reportedly crashed near the city of Abbottabad in the countrys north. There were 47 people on board the ATR plane. PIA spokesperson Daniyal Gilani earlier told the media that flight PK-661 had disappeared from air control radar while flying from Chitral in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province to Islamabad. The flight PK-661 departed from Chitral around 3:30pm and was expected to land at Islamabads Benazir Bhutto International Airport at around 4:40pm. According to militarys media wing ISPR, army troops and helicopters have been dispatched to the crash site for rescue efforts. We regret to inform that PIAs ATR-42 aircraft operating as PK-661, carrying around 40 persons lost its contact with control tower on its way from Chitral to Islamabad a short while ago. All resources are being mobilised to locate the aircraft. Media will be kept informed as situation develops, PIA spokesperson Danial Gilani said in a statement. Further, the DPO Abbottabad confirmed the aircraft crashed near Havelian between Majab and Piplian. Eyewitnesses said they had seen a plane crash in a hilly area near Havelian, near the Ordinance factory. Clouds of smoke could be seen rising from the area of the reported crash. Ground rescue teams had been sent to the area, sources said. Earlier in October, a pilot of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) was killed as his Mirage jet crashed near Karachis Musharraf Colony. According to Squadron leader Baqir Ali, PAF Mirage jetbearing tale number 921 took off from Masroor Base, before it crashed near Musharraf Colony. The pilot died on the spot, police officials stated. PIA is a Karachi based airline which is the national flag carrier of Pakistan. Its main hub is Karachi while Lahore and Islamabad serve as its secondary hubs. This is a developing story, more details awaiting. WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2016 - Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who describes himself as a longtime friend of Chinese President Xi Jinping, is President-elect Donald Trump's selection to be ambassador to China, a critical market for U.S. agricultural exports that Trump has threatened with trade actions. Branstad has a great grasp of trade issues, agriculture issues and a deep knowledge of China, said Trump spokesman Jason Miller. Trump announced Branstads selection at a fundraising breakfast Wednesday in New York where a number of agriculture leaders were in attendance. Branstad, who met with Trump in New York on Tuesday, very much impressed the president-elect, not just during their meetings on the campaign trail but also in their meetings after the election. Its very clear that Gov. Branstad is someone who will represent our country well on the world stage, Miller said. Branstad is aware of the importance of China to U.S. agriculture, given the huge market China provides for soybeans and other U.S. farm products. Chinas share of U.S. soybeans and other agricultural exports increased from 2 percent in 2000 to about 16 percent by 2014, according to Iowa State University economists. Over the same period, U.S. farm exports tripled from $51 billion to $150 billion. Some 61 percent of U.S. soybean exports went to China in 2014 as well as 25 percent of U.S. cotton. Soybeans from one of every three rows grown in Iowa are shipped to China. Branstads enduring relationship with the leaders and people of China, forged over many years of conversation and joint participation in activities here at home and abroad, will advance strong China-U.S. relations at a critical time for both countries, said Karey Claghorn, chief operating officer of the Iowa Soybean Association. Neil Dierks, CEO of the National Pork Producers Council, said he had no doubt that Gov. Branstad will be a great ambassador to China, and with his background, it will be good for our industry, good for agriculture and good for rural America and the country at large." Like what you see on the Agri-Pulse website? See even more ag, rural policy and energy news when you sign up for a four-week free trial Agri-Pulse subscription. Xi visited Iowa in 1985 as part of an agricultural delegation and returned for a visit in 2012 as vice president, nine months before he came the nation's top leader. A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry called Branstad an "old friend" of China and said that country would welcome him to play a greater role in advancing the development of China-U.S. relations," Reuters reported. #30 WASHINGTON, Dec.7, 2016 USDA is offering farmers and ranchers new opportunities to participate in the Conservation Reserve Program, including new techniques to protect water quality and adding 1.1 million acres to a number of key CRP practices. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the new initiatives today in an address to the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation at the groups annual meeting in Des Moines. Later he accepted an honor on behalf of USDA from the World Food Prize. "The Conservation Reserve Program is an extremely popular voluntary program that offers producers and landowners a wide variety of opportunities to prevent erosion, protect wildlife habitat and reduce nutrient runoff," Vilsack said in a release. "With the program close to the legal enrollment limit of 24 million acres, USDA has been working to use all of the tools at our disposal to maximize benefits by combining multiple soil, water and wildlife objectives in the areas where it is needed most." Vilsack unveiled a new conservation initiative known as Clean Lakes, Estuaries and Rivers (CLEAR), which will add new tools to CRP that can help to improve water quality. USDA said Clear will help landowners with the cost of building bioreactors and saturated buffers that filter nitrates and other nutrients from tile-drained cropland. CLEAR could help to reduce nitrate runoff by as much as 40 percent over traditional conservation methods, the department said, citing early estimates. The initiative may cover up to 90 percent of the cost to install these new practices through incentives and cost-share. USDA said the new methods are especially important in areas where traditional buffers have not been enough to prevent nutrients from reaching bodies of water. USDA also will add 1.1 million acres to a number of key CRP practices that are critically important to wildlife and conservation. Some 700,000 acres are earmarked for State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) efforts, which restore high-priority wildlife habitat tailored to a specific state's needs. In addition, 300,000 acres will be added to target wetlands restoration and 100,000 acres for pollinator habitat. The department says the strong demand for CRP combined with the limited acreage available for enrollment and lower land rental rates is allowing USDA to modify certain program components without affecting the integrity of the program. Signing incentives are being reduced by $25 per acre on certain practices for fiscal year 2018 enrollments (incentives are currently between $100 and $150 per acre) and a cap on the maximum soil rental rate is being instituted for Continuous CRP at $300 per acre. The savings from these changes are being reinvested back in CRP, including the additional acres for SAFE, pollinator habitat and wetlands restoration. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition welcomed USDAs plan to cap the rental rate for Continuous CRP practices, saying its a great example of the agency thinking creatively about how to improve conservation opportunities while also responding to growing congressional concern over land access issues. This change will free state Farm Service Agency offices to allocate more acres to priority initiatives where needed, NSAC said in a blog post. It also said the addition of saturated buffers as a conservation practice is a major step toward helping producers limit nitrate loss, which, unlike other types of nutrient runoff, has been difficult to control using traditional buffer strips. Click here to learn more about USDAs conservation programs. While in Des Moines, Vilsack also accepted the Norman E. Borlaug Medallion from the World Food Prize. WFP President Kenneth Quinn said the medallion honors USDA for its extraordinary development and promotion of American farming for over 150 years. In the 10,000-year history of human agriculture, there is arguably no other organization that has done more to expand the knowledge of, and enhance the science in, food production than the USDA, Quinn said. Learn about the benefits of subscribing to Agri-Pulse. Sign up for your four-week free trial Agri-Pulse subscription. Quinn also said Vilsack is deserving of special recognition for his efforts, as Iowas governor and as U.S. agriculture secretary, to promote the World Food Prize and especially to help inspire the next generation of young agricultural leaders. Vilsack also signed a memorandum of understanding between USDA and the World Food Prize to continue the USDA Wallace-Carver Fellowship Program for the next five years. The fellowships allow exceptional students who have participated in World Food Prize educational programs to take part in in research with USDA scientists at department facilities across the country. #30 For more news, go to: www.Agri-Pulse.com When I saw the first mass graves I was stunned, says photographer Diego Ibarra Sanchez at the New York Times. Ibarra Sanchez, who works with the Spanish collective MeMo, has made several trips to the Iraqi city of Sinjar, which was left in ruins when ISIS rained terror on Senior Advisor for Defense Waste Disposal Nancy Buschman of the U.S. Department of Energy outlines details of new plans to select a nuclear waste repository site for the SRS Citizens Advisory Board. For challenging missions such as maritime emergencies Offering high versatility and availability Donauworth, The German federal police (Bundespolizei) has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for the purchase of three H215 multi-role rotorcraft via the purchasing administration of the German Federal Ministry of Interior . The aircraft will be tasked with a number of challenging roles, among them maritime emergencies and police missions. The helicopters are scheduled for delivery in early 2019. The Bundespolizei currently operates 19 helicopters of the Super Puma family. The aircraft are flown 365 days a year in missions as diverse as the transport of personnel over large distances and under difficult weather conditions, e.g. VIP transport, complex search and rescue missions and disaster relief operations. For each mission the helicopters need to be converted extremely quickly as high availability is key for conducting successful operations. We are very proud of our long track record of successful cooperation with the Bundespolizei, said Wolfgang Schoder, CEO of Airbus Helicopters Germany. The H215 is exactly the right solution to meet the demanding mission requirements of national police forces. The heavy-weight, twin-engine H215 helicopter is a member of the Super Puma family, designed to operate in a variety of missions such as aerial work with internal and external loads, law enforcement, medical evacuation, SAR, and humanitarian missions. It combines advanced avionics with a reliable platform, offering outstanding performance for long-distance flights, high speed, excellent payload capacity and very good lifting performance. The aircraft is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art equipment. This includes a glass cockpit and the new 4-axis autopilot, which provides flight envelope protection, unrivalled precision, and stability in even the harshest operating conditions. Airbus Helicopters is the global market leader for police helicopters: it has delivered close to 50 percent of these helicopters in the last ten years. Around 300 customers based in 60 countries have been operating Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft for law-enforcement missions for decades. About Airbus Helicopters Airbus Helicopters, a division of Airbus Group, provides the most efficient civil and military helicopter solutions worldwide. Its in-service fleet includes nearly 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in 154 countries. Airbus Helicopters employs more than 22,000 people worldwide and in 2015 generated revenues of 6.8 billion euros. (www.airbushelicopters.com) Medias: Media contacts: December 7, 2016 Turkeys outsize ambitions in Syria lie in shreds as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad press on to assert control over the rebel strongholds that remain in Aleppo. Ankara's long-running support for the rebels in the war-ravaged city has seemingly been reduced to appeals from Turkish rebel sympathizers on Twitter, with #HaleplcinAyaktayiz, We Are Mobilized for Aleppo, trending on the social media site. The drama in Aleppo, a city seen as key to a rebel victory against Assad, unfolded as Turkeys prime minister, Binali Yildirim, held talks Dec. 6 in Russia with his counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, to restore trade and other links that crumbled when Turkey downed a Russian jet over the Syrian border in November 2015. A critical piece of the Turkey-Russia reset is what to do about Ankara's rebel proxies. The latest developments in Aleppo suggest that some kind of understanding has been reached, with Turkey reportedly mediating on behalf of the rebels and their families for their withdrawal to Idlib. Ankara is in a hurry because of its paranoia over the Syrian Kurdish statelet it sees emerging along its border. It is desperate to stop the Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) from physically linking all the cantons under its control. This, in turn, means preventing the YPG from taking the town of al-Bab from the Islamic State and also striking a deal with Russia, and by extension with the Assad regime, presumably at the Syrian Kurds expense. Murat Yetkin, a prominent columnist, summed up Ankaras position as follows: Turkey is trying to find a way to achieve its targets, which have narrowed from overthrowing Bashar al-Assad to stopping the PYD [Democratic Union Party, the YPG's political arm], to having full control over its 910-kilometer [565-mile] border with Syria. He concluded, With more uncertainties in the future with the advent of the Donald Trump administration in the US, it wont matter for Ankara whether it achieves that goal with the US or Russia. Until recently, most pundits had reckoned that Turkey would not make any dramatic changes to its Syria policy until a new administration takes office in Washington. This, however, was premised on the Democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, who echoed Turkeys calls for a no-fly zone in Syria, winning the election. President-elect Trump, on the other hand, has voiced deep skepticism about the rebels, prompting Turkey to consider cutting its losses. Still, Turkey can rightfully claim that it has done more than any other state for Syrian refugees. An estimated 2.75 million Syrians are currently living in Turkey, mostly around the Syrian border and in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, the countrys largest cities. Yildirim recently announced that more than $20 billion had been spent so far on their care. His deputy, Veysi Kaynak, told the state-run Anadolu Agency Dec. 7 that 78,824 Syrian children were being educated at refugee centers, while another 133,400 were enrolled in state-run schools across the country. Indeed, the number of Syrian children receiving an education is gradually increasing, the International Crisis Group (ICG) observed in a comprehensive report on Syrian refugees in Turkey. There was a 50% increase in enrollment between June 2015 and March 2016. Yet, some 400,000 of the approximately 900,000 refugees of school age still do not attend an educational facility. While the integration of refugees remains only skin-deep, there is growing recognition that most of the Syrians are in Turkey to stay. The ICG noted, Acknowledgement of the need to integrate Syrians into the workforce began in January 2016, when Syrians under temporary protection were granted the right to receive work permits. But with 3.5 million Turkish citizens unemployed, resentment is high about Syrians competing for jobs. In addition, host communities widely see Syrians as a security risk, not least because of their perceived links to jihadist groups. All of this means that Turkey is unwilling to take additional Syrian refugees, especially in the wake of the July 15 coup attempt and the economic and political chaos that has ensued. Thus, while many Turks continue to pay lip service to Syrias beleaguered revolutionaries, they may well not object to Ankaras efforts to keep at bay the fresh wave of refugees that would likely be prompted by their defeat. December 6, 2016 GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Gaza could be getting a status upgrade to become an embassy headquarters for Egypt, though Egyptian officials declined to comment on media reports to that effect. According to the reports, Egypt has threatened Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas with moving the Egyptian Embassy to Gaza from the city of Ramallah in the West Bank. The news comes from the Fateh Voice website, among other media outlets with ties to Mohammed Dahlan, who was dismissed in 2011 as leader of the Fatah nationalist political party after a split with Abbas. Egypt and the other members of the Arab Quartet (Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) have been pressuring Abbas to reconcile with Dahlan, who might then succeed the 81-year-old Abbas. Not only did Abbas not comply, he opened Fatahs seventh congress Nov. 29 while completely excluding Dahlan and his supporters. Abbas was re-elected to lead Fatah for a five-year term. Media reports about the embassy were preceded on Nov. 21 by Egypt's temporary opening of its consulate west of Gaza City for the first time since its closure in 2007 after Hamas takeover of Gaza for cleanup and renovation. The move added to speculation about the potential official reopening of the consulate, which would ease the movement of Palestinians through the Rafah crossing and facilitate relations with the Egyptian community in Gaza. On Nov. 26, Al-Khaleej Online quoted an anonymous official in the Egyptian Foreign Ministry as saying that Egypt is leaning toward officially reopening and operating the consulate in Gaza. Al-Monitor contacted the Egyptian Embassy in Ramallah and the Foreign Ministry in Cairo to ask about the reports that the embassy might be relocated, but both refused to make any statements in this regard. However, Abdul Hamid al-Masry, a close associate of Dahlan, told Al-Monitor it is "very likely" that the consulate in Gaza will be officially reopened soon "without Egyptian official relations with the PLO or the work of the Egyptian Embassy in Ramallah being affected. He added, According to the Fatah reformist current [led by Dahlan], a security and political Egyptian delegation will visit Gaza to monitor the situation in the Gaza Strip and discuss with the factions the steps needed for the advancement of the Palestinian cause and achievement of internal reconciliation. Masry said that if Egypt does reopen the consulate and implement its pledges to loosen restrictions on the Rafah crossing and establish a free-trade zone between Gaza and Egypt, it will bode well for the beginning of a new relationship. This development would be welcome after years of polarization, especially with Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip. But Ahmad Majdalani, a member of the PLO Executive Committee and a close associate of Abbas, called Hamas "a de facto illegitimate government" and told Al-Monitor, "Any cooperation with this government would be unacceptable. He added, Our embassy in Cairo is taking care of the required measures for citizens to travel to and from the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing. Majdalani said the rumors that Egypt is renovating its consulate in Gaza because of Abbas' refusal to reconcile with Dahlan are illusions promoted by some media outlets to suggest Egypt is supporting Dahlan against the Palestinian Authority, which is recognized at the Arab and international levels. If Egypt reopened its Gaza consulate, it would have to deal with Hamas and not Dahlan, who does not have strong influence in Gaza, Majdalani pointed out. But relations between Egypt and Gaza have seen a breakthrough over the past few weeks, after Egypt invited Palestinian political, economic and media delegations from Gaza to visit to discuss the internal Palestinian situation. Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya said in a Nov. 3 statement to the press, Egypt has adopted a new vision toward the Gaza Strip to alleviate the siege imposed on the people." As for appearances, Hussam al-Dajani, a political analyst and diplomat in the Palestinian Foreign Ministry in Gaza, told Al-Monitor that in terms of diplomatic customs, any country can open an embassy in any state and have representative offices in other areas of that state. That situation applies to Gaza and the West Bank, which are geographically separated by Israel. Because of the separation, he said, some countries with embassies in the West Bank have affiliated consulates in Gaza, including Qatar, Germany and Sweden. Even if Egypt's intentions are the result of the deepening disputes between Abbas and Dahlan, as reported, Dajani pointed out that whatever the reasons behind reopening the consulate, such a step would benefit the people of Gaza and the Egyptian diaspora there. Dajani said that during December, Egypt is likely to deliver on the promises it made to Gaza and establish a free-trade zone on the border, which will help develop the Rafah crossing and increase the number of days it is open. On the other hand, Tayseer Muhaisen, a professor of international relations at the Islamic University of Gaza, told Al-Monitor Egypt is unlikely to reopen its Gaza consulate at this time. He pointed out that in international relations, opening a consulate in an area experiencing internal disputes represents a bias toward one party over another. He expects Palestinians to formally reject the idea. Muhaisen stressed that Egypt still perceives the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip as a security threat, despite Egypt's recent steps toward Gaza to renew relations with the Palestinians. That perception is a result of the failure to implement the "Arab Road Map" aimed at ending internal Fatah differences due to Abbas refusal to reconcile with Dahlan and the differences between Fatah and Hamas. The tension between Egypt and Abbas reached its peak when Egypt abstained from sending an official delegation for the first time ever to Fatahs congress. Mohamed Orabi, a former Egyptian foreign minister, attended the congress, but only in his personal capacity. Gazans are now watching and waiting for a visit from the Egyptian delegation to the consulate. December 6, 2016 TEHRAN, Iran The US House of Representatives voted to extend the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) on Nov. 15, and the Senate followed suit on Dec. 1, approving the measure in a vote of 99-0 and sending it to President Barack Obama for his signature. We believe the Iran Sanctions Act extension is not necessary, but we also believe it won't interfere with the Iran deal, said Eric Schultz, deputy White House press secretary. I would expect the president to sign this piece of legislation. US sanctions against Iran had originally been set out in 1996 in the Iran Libya Sanctions Act (ILSA) to impose sanctions on persons making certain investments directly and significantly contributing to the enhancement of the ability of Iran or Libya to develop its petroleum resources. After sanctions on Libya ended, the ILSA was renamed the Iran Sanctions Act, which passed in 2006. The day after the November House vote, Iran adopted a strident tone in warning about its consequences. On Nov. 16, Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), said, If you extend the sanctions, this will mean kicking out the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action], and we will confront it through implementing powerful technical packages. Moreover, in a Nov. 23 meeting with members of the volunteer Basij forces, the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said, If these sanctions are extended, it will surely constitute a violation of the JCPOA, and [the United States] should know that the Islamic Republic will definitely react to it. Responding to the Senate vote, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Dec. 3 that the extension of the ISA would have no practical effect. Furthermore, President Hassan Rouhani appeared before the Iranian parliament on Dec. 4 and said, We have not violated the JCPOA, and we will never violate the JCPOA. However, we will not tolerate the JCPOAs violation, sending a message to the incoming US administration. He added that the ISA extension constituted a blatant contravention of the JCPOA and will be followed by Irans decisive response. On the same day, 264 of the 290 lawmakers in the Reformist and moderate-dominated parliament issued a statement strongly demanding that the Rouhani administration take due retaliatory measures against the move to extend ISA at the soonest possible time. In keeping with this sentiment, Mojtaba Zolnour, chairman of the parliamentary nuclear subcommittee, announced Dec. 4 that a bill had been introduced to ask the government to develop peaceful nuclear technology within the framework of the [Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty]. Two days later, Rouhani further elaborated on his view of the ISA extension in a speech at Tehran University, stating, If Obama signs ISA but uses waiver rights to cease its implementation, it still infringes [upon] the nuclear agreement and we will react to it." Implementation of JCPOA after the ISA renewal On Dec. 2, Hamid Aboutalebi, Rouhanis deputy chief of staff for political affairs, tweeted that if the nuclear deal is a multilateral commitment, its violation by one of its signatories cannot be countered by a reciprocal unilateral violation. Two days later, Aboutalebi wrote on the government's official website, Based on the US Congress approval [of the ISA], the JCPOA has been violated in terms of its content, [but] its practical violation will be prevented due to the executive guidelines of the incumbent president. We should only take reciprocal action through the mechanisms defined within the JCPOA, and we must not commit a practical violation of the JCPOA. In this regard, a White House official had said Dec. 2, I expect the President will sign the legislation when it reaches his desk, and the Secretary of State will retain the authority to continue to waive all of the relevant nuclear-related sanctions authorized by the legislation. Also on Dec. 2, Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, had said that Tehran would act wisely and with prudence on the issue of the ISA extension. As such, it appears that Iran had no intention of abrogating the nuclear deal and would only seek to respond to perceived violations on the part of the United States through the JCPOAs so-called Joint Commission. Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said on Dec. 5 that in keeping with this wise and prudent strategy, the members of the Council for Monitoring the JCPOA would meet in the coming days to make a decision on whether to file a complaint with the Joint Commission or take retaliatory measures. Of note, regardless of whether the bill by the parliament to resume certain nuclear activities were to become law, parliament would not have a major role to play in the matter. Indeed, the body in Iran empowered to make decisions in case of a violation of the nuclear deal is the Council for Monitoring the JCPOA. The council has eight members, all appointed by the supreme leader: Rouhani, Zarif, Larijani, Shamkhani, Salehi, Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan, plus the supreme leaders representative to the SNSC, Saeed Jalili, and the supreme leaders foreign policy adviser, Ali Akbar Velayati. Congress and Iran's hard-liners Since Rouhani's election in 2013, Iranian hard-liners have consistently sought to discredit the moderate president and his administrations achievements, including the nuclear deal. In this vein, the ISA extension has provided additional ammunition to critics of the deal in Tehran, leading to renewed attacks on Rouhani and the nuclear negotiating team. Hossein Shariatmadari, managing editor of the hard-line daily Kayhan, said on Dec. 5, We have no alternative except returning from the wrong path we pursued. Hitting at Rouhani, he added, [They] were saying that the JCPOA should be taught in schools. Yes, it should be taught, as a disaster. Noting White House officials remarks about Obama not vetoing the ISA measure, Abdullah Ganji, chief editor of the hard-line daily Javan, wrote on Dec. 2, It is wise and in the interest of the country that Dr. Rouhani does not run in the next [presidential] election, because his chosen path has led to a dead end. It is clear that such actions by the United States will put Iranian moderates under pressure ahead of the May 2017 presidential vote. Without a doubt, hard-liners are now using the weapon just handed to them by their American counterparts to damage the Rouhani administrations reputation. The picture, however, is more complex than moderates simply being thrown under the bus amid rising US hostility. Indeed, the debacle involving one prominent hard-liner accusing Zarif of being an American spy only to retract the allegation and publicly apologize, apparently following pressure from on high shows that adverse US policies could also induce high-level unity in Tehran. Yet, at the end of the day, US officials have repeatedly said that the nuclear deal could be an excellent stepping-stone for more cooperation with Iran on regional issues, but actions are not reflecting the rhetoric. If decision-makers in Washington want to see the gates of engagement with Iran close, they can continue to pass legislation like the ISA extension. December 6, 2016 In December 1953, less than four months after the Anglo-American-instigated coup to topple Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, students at Tehran University went on strike and organized a series of demonstrations. On Dec. 7, 1953, students held a rally to oppose the re-establishment of relations with Britain, as well as the visit of US Vice President Richard Nixon to his close and recently reinstated ally, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The day ended in bloodshed as the Iranian army entered Tehran University campus and shot dead three students. Ever since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iranian officials have commemorated the bloodshed on the 16th of Azar in the Iranian calendar which fell on Dec. 6 this year as Student Day, or Rooz-e-Daneshjoo. This event should not be confused with the other Student Day, Rooz-e-Daneshamooz, which falls on the 13th of Aban, or the anniversary of the November 1979 takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran. (Of note, there are two different words in Persian for school students and university students daneshamooz and daneshjoo, respectively which distinguish the two official days on the political calendar.) On Student Day, the Iranian president traditionally delivers a speech at Tehran University, an institution that is known as the most politicized center of higher education in the country and a place that has played a key role in the Iranian student movement over the past six decades. This year, Iranian politicians used the occasion of Student Day to deliver speeches on topics like the nuclear deal, corruption among officials and the future of the student movement in Iran. President Hassan Rouhani addressed students at Tehran University and spoke about the nuclear deal, which is a key achievement of his administration and an issue that has recently returned to the spotlight after the US Congress' approval of a 10-year extension of the Iran Sanctions Act. The July 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), agreed upon by Iran and six world powers, entails the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions in exchange for curbs on the Iranian nuclear program. In his speech, Rouhani notably stressed that all negotiations on the deal took place under the direct supervision of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He also echoed Khameneis previous remarks about Washington being unreliable and untrustworthy. In this vein, Rouhani said, Americans and Zionists wanted to convince public opinion that Iran is a threat to world peace, adding that the goal of his negotiators was to show the world that they are lying, to show that if there is a threat to the world, it is America and Zionism. Referring to US President-elect Donald Trumps campaign pledge to rip up the nuclear deal, Rouhani further stated, [Trump] wants to do many things, but none of his actions will affect us," rhetorically asking, Do you think that he can rip up the JCPOA? Do you think we and our nation will let him do that?" Meanwhile, the Reformist Shargh daily published an article on its front page by Hadi Khaniki, a prominent professor of media studies, explaining the importance of Student Day in Irans contemporary history. According to Khaniki, Student Day is the symbol of Iranian students identity. Today, universities [as a social entity] have lost their appropriate position in social and political activities. This has occurred due to difficult conditions that universities have gone through in previous years, Khaniki wrote. He argued that political incidents in 1953 redefined the student movement in Iran and intertwined it with hope for freedom, justice, democracy and reform. On Dec. 6, Etemad daily covered the speeches of political figures from different factions under the prominent front-page headline University Fever. The Reformist newspaper reported, This year, the excitement of Student Day started earlier due to politicians attempts to travel across the country a week before the day and to deliver speeches to university students. One notable speech was given by Reformist member of parliament Mahmoud Sadeghi, who addressed students at the Amirkabir University of Technology. Sadeghi was recently in the spotlight after having to appear before a court over his call for the judiciary chief to publicize his personal bank accounts, alluding to possible corruption among high-ranking officials. Etemad daily quoted Sadeghi as telling students, I will keep on fighting corruption till my last drop of blood. December 6, 2016 BAGHDAD The Iraqi government is keeping an eye on local and foreign media outlets that are covering security events in the country, especially the war against the Islamic State (IS), namely in the battle to liberate the city of Mosul. On Dec. 3, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) rectified its previous report on the violence against civilians in Iraq, following the criticism of the report by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, which requested it to be amended. UNAMI admitted that the number of casualties mentioned in the report was incorrect and was not collected from reliable sources. This was not the first time that media outlets or humanitarian organizations corrected their reports following requests by Iraqi authorities. Since the launch of the Mosul operation, the Iraqi government is keeping an eye on media outlets and humanitarian organizations covering the battle of Mosul to prevent them from publishing false reports. On Nov. 21, the Joint Operations Command (JOC) that is affiliated with the Iraqi government expelled a reporter for the Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat that published a report on illegitimate pregnancies in southern Iraq. The newspaper then issued an apology for the report. Although the Saudi newspapers report did not address any security details concerning the battle to liberate Mosul or any other military campaign, the JOC issued an order to expel the newspapers reporter from all military fields, where he was working to cover the news. In a press statement Nov. 21, the JOC said, In light of the lies, fabrications and slurs on the values and customs of the Iraqi people published in Asharq al-Awsat, it has been decided to expel the reporter of this perverse newspaper. He is also banned from being present on all the military fronts. In the same vein, a reporter for the United Arab Emirates-based Sky News Arabic reported that the government security forces had detained civilians who fled Mosul and prevented them from drinking water. This caused confusion within the Iraqi security circles. Subsequently, the government War Media Unit was swift to make a statement, demanding Sky News to issue an apology for its correspondents reporting. So far, there has been no response from the newspaper. However, one day after the War Media Unit statement, reporter Hewa Aziz, who is now based in Iraqi Kurdistan, made a media appearance to correct the information he had shared after the government media unit required evidence in support of his claims, according to a Sky News source who spoke to Al-Monitor. For his part, Saeed al-Jiashi, an official in the War Media Unit, told Al-Monitor, The unit does not impose conditions on the media outlets covering the battles. Nevertheless, it refuses any breach of the press standards in covering the news. It does not seek praise from media outlets for any failed achievements or rebuke for events that did not exist. He added, The unit is working within the press freedom standards and does not restrict the work of institutions that seek to cover the battles, but will not allow the diffusion and circulation of false information. When this happened, we excluded nine local reporters working for local Iraqi channels from battlefronts. The unit has an electronic network that includes a group of journalists working for local Iraqi or foreign media outlets. All information issued by the coordinator of said network who is the media officer at the Iraqi Ministry of Interior is considered accurate and can be published or quoted. On Oct. 28, the Iraqi security authorities expelled Al-Arabiya al-Hadath TV's correspondent Ahmad al-Hamdani, who was covering the battle to liberate Mosul. According to the JOC, he was reporting harmful information. The unit said in a press statement that the JOC ordered the expulsion of the Al-Arabiya al-Hadath reporter from the battlefield, where he was covering the events, after disseminating false information about ar-Rutbah and Mosul. The reporter of the Dubai-based and Saudi-funded newspaper no longer reports from the battlefield but made a media appearance on the border of Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, near the border with Ninevah province. There is a common thinking among the Iraqi security circles that the policy of Al-Arabiya al-Hadath is not commensurate with Iraqs policy with regard to its war on terror or the political process that occurred in Iraq after 2003. This was one of the reasons behind the ongoing tension between the TV channel and the Iraqi authorities. Moreover, an embedded Israeli journalist was present on the battlefield to cover the Mosul operation against IS, which raised much controversy in Iraq. After she entered through the Kurdistan Region with a visa that was not granted by the federal government in Iraq, the security authorities expelled her from the front line. Today, the Iraqi government is greatly focusing on the importance of media coverage in the ongoing battle, as it believes that it is of paramount importance to unify the rhetoric of the local Iraqi media outlets, despite their different political inclinations. This step comes after the failure of the state media over the past few years to address the rumors. Talks are making the rounds in Iraq about some Iraqi cities that have fallen under IS control at the media level before the military one. For fear of losing the media battle, Iraqi authorities have established the so-called National Media Alliance, which includes a number of Iraqi media organizations, headed by the semi-official Al-Iraqiya national TV channel. The Iraqi government has also formed a special committee under the supervision of the War Media Unit and a number of independent journalists, which has been entrusted with granting permission to embedded journalists and media outlets to cover the events in Iraq, as it deems appropriate. December 6, 2016 Party congresses are known for two important things: formulating policies and strategies, and electing a new leadership. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas dispensed with the leadership issue by getting elected by acclamation and without opposition on the first day of Fatahs seventh congress, which opened Nov. 29, and then went on to lay out his political views for the way forward. Abbas Nov. 30 three-hour speech laid out the priorities of Fatah and Palestinians and will no doubt become the guiding principles for the movement, as it tries to accelerate the reconciliation efforts with Hamas, hold a Palestinian National Council meeting, appoint a national unity government, and hold presidential and parliamentary elections. The liberation of Palestine was the top topic in Abbas speech. Abbas mentioned Palestine 150 times. He also laid out a series of Palestinian accomplishments in economics, banking, education, health, information technology, commerce, sports, science, housing and various other fields. In outlining the political accomplishments, Abbas stressed that the term Palestinian Authority has been scrapped and replaced by the State of Palestine after the UN vote. In 2012, the UN General Assembly voted to recognize Palestine as an observer state with 138 nations voting in favor of Palestine, Abbas proudly stated. He added that this recognition made it possible for the State of Palestine to join some 522 international agencies: We have joined 44 organizations, including UNESCO and the International Criminal Court. Israel was mentioned 31 times in the presidents speech, mostly in terms connected to its occupation (25 times) and settlement (six times) policies. Abbas referred to the 1993 letters of mutual recognition exchanged between the PLO and Israel, but Abbas cautioned the latter not to take them for granted. Palestinian recognition of Israel is not free of charge, he argued in his speech. We keep repeating that our recognition of Israel is not free and must be reciprocated with a similar recognition. We also call on countries that have recognized the two-state solution to recognize both states and not one. In speaking to some 1,400 delegates, Abbas named all of the past leaders of the movement, including Yasser Arafat (nine mentions throughout the speech). He repeated the name of the movement 21 times as he called on all to respect the movements independence. We hope that all will accept our unique and special situation and respect the national Palestinian independent decision-making process, which we have extracted through huge sacrifices as Fatah has always remained a single unified body committed to its goal and attached to its Arab affiliation and depth, he said. Al-Quds (Jerusalem) received 15 mentions. I am full of hope that our next congress will be held in Al-Quds al-Sharif [Jerusalem], the eternal capital of the State of Palestine, Abbas told the delegates and guests. Palestinian prisoners were featured prominently in Abbas speech with nine mentions, especially in reference to veteran Fatah prisoners. Israel refused to release our prisoners who were jailed before the Oslo Accord as had been agreed. Abbas mentioned specifically Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, who would later get the highest votes for Fatahs Central Committee. He also reminded the congress and all Palestinians of Foad Shobaki, another senior Fatah leader currently in prison. Abbas also mentioned other Palestinian leaders and reminded everyone of Ahmad Saadat, the imprisoned secretary-general of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, as well as the longest-serving Palestinian prisoner in Israeli jails, Karim Younis. The term struggle was mentioned 15 times and popular resistance received four mentions. "In every meeting, we repeat calls for peaceful popular struggle. This is our right to practice, and we dont need one-upmanship on this score. We want popular peaceful resistance, and we extend our hands for peace, the Palestinian president said. In referring to Israel, Abbas also talked about participating in Shimon Peres funeral in September. We participated in the funeral of Shimon Peres with the goal of sending a message to all that we are seeking peace and that we are willing to go anywhere to the ends of the world to accomplish the goals of our people in freedom and independence, he said. Abbas, the Palestinian leader who signed the Oslo Accord in 1993 on behalf of the PLO along with Peres didnt shy away from defending the agreement, which he mentioned nine times. Many say, publicly or in secret, that signing of the Oslo Accord was an act of treason without knowing what it was. Oslo was a memorandum of understanding; all we did was prepare the way for the return of leaders and our cadres to the homeland. We dont say that this was the right of return, but 600,000 have returned as a result of it. Unlike at the sixth congress held in Bethlehem in 2009, Hamas was not demonized at the 2016 congress. Hamas was mentioned four times in rather neutral or positive terms. At this critical junction of our national struggle, I again make a sincere call to the Hamas movement to end the split by means of a national democratic process, Abbas said. Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal sent a message of congratulations to the congress on its opening day. Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, allowed Fatah delegates to attend the congress, unlike in 2009 when the movement refused to allow them to leave Gaza. In the long-awaited speech, Abbas showcased his accomplishments and defended his policies, but made no reference to one of the most important reasons for holding the congress. Mahmoud Dahlan, the renegade Fatah leader supported by a number of Arab countries, was not mentioned once. This reflects Abbas success in weathering the internal and external storms, thus ending Dahlans place within Fatah. The success of holding the congress and the direction it has taken bodes well for the possibility of the successful implementation of the agreements that were reached with Hamas. December 6, 2016 DIYARBAKIR, Turkey Every day for the past 11 years, hundreds of people flock to a modest, one-story building in Diyarbakirs Kayapinar district that bears the sign Foodbank. The poorest of the poor in this mainly Kurdish city wait in long lines and return home with food packages their only means of survival. Since late November, however, visitors have been returning empty-handed, like the two women who, on a recent morning, were shocked to find the gate of the premises locked. Their confusion grew as they noticed that the door of the building was sealed as well. As they left with tear-filled eyes, another woman arrived, only to hear the same explanation from an aid worker standing at the gate: The Sarmasik Association, which operated the foodbank, was shut down under the Turkish governments latest legislative decree, issued Nov. 22 as part of the state of emergency since the July 15 coup attempt. The decree ordered the closure of 550 associations, 19 private medical centers and nine media outlets for links with terrorist organizations or entities and groups, which the National Security Council has determined to be involved in activities against the national security of the state. Forty-six of the banned associations were based in Diyarbakir, the largest city in Turkeys Kurdish-majority southeast. The banned associations included diverse groups such as neighborhood associations formed as political platforms on the local level, a solidarity association for Muslim clerics, the Kurdish Language Research Association and the Kurdish Writers Associations. They were all deemed to be linked with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is blacklisted as a terrorist group by Ankara. Various organizations and individuals from Diyarbakir had joined hands in 2005 to create the Sarmasik Association as a charity to support families with no regular income, providing them with food as well as assistance for health care and education. Though the association faced a number of investigations, it was never penalized and it grew into a respected charity. Even lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development Party paid visits to Sarmasik, and government officials in the city lauded its work. But as the political climate in Turkey changed, so did the official view of the association. First, it ended up on a list of hundreds of associations whose activities were banned for three months in early November; soon the permanent closure decision followed. Esra Simsek, a divorced mother of two in her early 40s, used to be one of Sarmasiks beneficiaries. Unable to work due to a chronic disease, she received food aid as well as education assistance for her two daughters from the charity. The closure of the association has left her desperate and distressed. They used to give us food and scholarships for the children. They were a blessing for us. Thousands of people are victimized now, she told Al-Monitor in her two-room shanty house. There are many single women who are so miserable, with no money to buy even food. Thanks to [Sarmasik], those people were able to have food at least. The closure has been a great misfortune, she added. Asked what she would do now, Simsek said she would try to sell homemade dumplings and stuffed meatballs. After Sarmasiks closure, 32,000 destitute people like Simsek, who received monthly food packages from the association, are now left on their own, according to the charitys board chairman, Serif Camci. Our association supported families living at the hunger threshold, without a penny of regular income, he told Al-Monitor. Those 5,400 households, he said, were the neediest, so much so that even if you thought of teaching them to fish instead of giving them a fish, there was no one to teach. Without food assistance of at least one meal per day, they risk going to bed hungry, Camci said. They would sometimes receive aid from others, but what made Sarmasik different was that it provided assistance on a regular basis. The closure order, he stressed, is a severe move that seals not only a building but the stomachs of 32,000 people. This is unacceptable. No human reason can accept this. Food items worth some 500,000 Turkish lira ($145,000) remain locked in the charitys depots. The authorities have banned their removal as well. Charity workers worry that the food will go bad instead of being distributed as one last assistance to people in need. Asked about Sarmasiks alleged links with the PKK, Camci described the closure as devoid of any sensible justification. The association, he stressed, had undergone a number of investigations, but all resulted in decisions of nonprosecution. All founders had faced probes, but all were cleared. Inspectors came over many times, and their audit reports are out there to see. There was no activity outside the stated purpose, he added. Like many others in the Kurdish community, Sarmasiks board members were certainly people with political convictions that the government may have disliked. Yet the association itself had never drawn attention with any political activity. It was only known as a door of hope for thousands of impoverished people in Diyarbakir. This door is now sealed. Whether the managers had committed any crime or not remains unknown, for the closure order was not based on any investigation. Whoever commits a crime should be liable to punishment. Instead, the whole association was banned. Who was really punished the association or the poor? December 6, 2016 President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues to learn the hard way that the international arena is not a place that will serve his political desires and ambitions. Yet he continues to come out with ill-considered outbursts that pose difficulties for Ankara at a time when it needs international support to overcome the difficulties it increasingly faces at home and abroad. This was brought home again when he claimed recently that the Turkish military was in Syria to put an end to Bashar al-Assads regime. Addressing the Istanbul meeting of the Association of Parliamentarians for Al-Quds (Jerusalem) on Nov. 29, Erdogan said the United Nations had done nothing while a million people were killed in Syria. We preached patience but could not endure in the end and had to enter Syria together with the Free Syrian Army, he said, adding that they did this to restore justice to Syria, "not because they coveted Syrian territory." We entered there to end the rule of the tyrant Assad, who terrorizes with state terror, Erdogan said. Yet he disavowed his words only two days later. The aim of operation Euphrates Shield [the code name of the operation in Syria] is not to target any country or person, but only terrorist organizations, Erdogan told a gathering of elected village and district heads in Ankara. So, why did he change his mind? What happened between his first and second statements was the mild yet clear reprimand from a surprised Moscow. We hope that in the near future there will be explanations on this from our Turkish partners, President Vladimir Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow the day after Erdogan spoke. Referring to Erdogans words as a serious statement, Peskov said these were in discord with previous ones in general and with our understanding of the situation." He went on to underline that Russia was the only country whose military was in Syria legitimately having responded to a call by Damascus. Peskov appeared to be reminding Ankara that Turkish forces are in Syria because Moscow and Damascus have allowed this on the basis of what Turkey originally declared its mission to be: namely, to combat the Islamic State. Erdogans remark about targeting the Assad regime posed an added embarrassment for Ankara because it came only days before the foreign ministers of both countries were due to hold talks in Turkey during a meeting of the Turkey-Russia Strategic Planning Group. Erdogans remark also came as Prime Minister Binali Yildirim was preparing to travel to Moscow on Dec. 5 for talks aimed at boosting ties, after the reconciliation between the two countries this summer following the Turkish downing of a Russian fighter jet in November 2015. Ankara is keen to develop ties with Moscow as a counterbalance to its deteriorating ties with the West, leaving Erdogans remarks seriously at odds with this aim, given Russias well-known determination to back the Assad regime. Iran, which is another country Turkey is trying to improve ties with despite its continued support for Assad, also reacted to Erdogan. Echoing Russias position, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ibrahim Rahimpour was quoted by the Russian media saying that Turkey should adhere to the previously agreed position on Syria. Rahimpours statement also suggests that the Turkish presence in Syria will be tolerated as long as it remains within predefined and agreed-upon limits. Erdogans often passionate and impulsive remarks to predominantly Muslim and Sunni audiences appear to have gotten the better of him again in this case, as he does not think through the consequences of his words and the difficulties they will pose for Turkey. Erdogan has also been blasting Europe, which has angered him with statements on his authoritarian leanings, indicating that this could spell the end of Turkeys bid for EU membership. He has also accused key European countries, most notably Germany, of supporting terrorists by harboring backers of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Gulen group, which Ankara says masterminded the failed July 15 coup attempt. Erdogan called on Moscows support again recently, to help Turkey join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and end its dependence on the European Union. During his address to village and district heads in Ankara, Erdogan appeared nevertheless to tone down his anti-European rhetoric. He said Turkey was part of Europe for over 650 years and was ready to join the EU if Europe dropped its double standards. He also held a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Dec. 1, during which bilateral and regional topics including the PKK, the Gulen group and Syria were reportedly discussed in a friendly atmosphere. Erdogan used the opportunity to congratulate Merkel over Germanys assuming the presidency of the G-20. Erdogan's relatively softer approach toward Europe comes amid signs that Turkey may be heading for a serious economic crisis. The dramatic fall in the value of the Turkish lira against hard currencies has left citizens seriously concerned. Erdal Saglam, a commentator on economic affairs for daily Hurriyet, lists Erdogans angry anti-Western remarks among the reasons for Turkeys worsening economic situation. Erdogan also put Ankara in a difficult situation internationally in September, when he argued that the Lausanne Treaty, the founding document of the Turkish Republic, was not a victory because it conceded Greek islands located a stones throw away from the Turkish mainland. The topic is still reverberating in Greece, even though, analysts argue, that as a staunch Islamist Erdogan was only trying to denigrate the secular establishment that founded modern Turkey. Retired ambassador Suha Umar believes that all of this only reflects the fact that Erdogan is impulsive and has no strategic foreign policy vision. Erdogan says what comes to his mind at any given instant, whereas foreign policy is an area that requires a long-term vision and delicate planning to realize this through tactical statements and acts at strategic moments, Umar told Al-Monitor. His biggest mistake is using foreign policy to promote his domestic agenda, Umar said, arguing that this also undermines Turkeys interests. As an example, Umar cited Erdogan showing his support for reinstating the death penalty by angrily defying calls from Europe not to do so in order to please his supporters. If you support the death penalty, then neither Greece nor any other European country will extradite fugitives sought by Turkey for plotting the July 15 coup, because their legal commitments under EU and Council of Europe regulations will prevent this, Umar said. This overall problem is even more crucial now that Erdogan appears set to become an executive president, following the governments proposed revision to the constitution that will allow this. Umar points out that when that happens, Erdogan will also become the only one calling the shots as far as foreign policy is concerned. Umar predicts a further deterioration in Turkeys ties with the West and the Middle East because he does not believe Erdogan is capable of changing much at this stage. FOR WEB.jpg Shelley McCarty is the community development coordinator for Children's of Alabama. Photo by Kelsey Freeman. By Shelly McCarty Photo by Kelsey Freeman This story appears in Birmingham magazine's December 2016 issue. Subscribe today! As a Community Development Coordinator for Children's of Alabama, one of my favorite events of the year is The Children's Ball. It's our largest fundraising event and it raises more than $350,000 for the state's only freestanding pediatric hospital. To kick off the event, Christmas trees are decorated by a wide variety of groups--decorators, churches, patient families--and then displayed in the hospital lobbies. The sponsors for the event are then able to pick out their favorite tree, which will be delivered to them after it is displayed at the hospital for the patients and families' enjoyment. My favorite part of this event is seeing the smiles on the children's faces when they first see the trees. They come down from their rooms or on the way to their appointments to see creatively-decorated trees. Last year, the kids absolutely loved the Minion tree, a tree based on the "Despicable Me" movie series. This year, the Pokemon tree has been popular. Our Child Life team also hosts activities around Christmas, so the trees are a backdrop for a lot of cool activities the children get to do. Our Child Life department consists of registered child life specialists who help children come to terms with their experience and try to make them unafraid of having surgeries and procedures. It's really amazing to see the way our staff works to make an impression on a child's life. Here at Children's, we do not turn away patients, regardless of their economic status or ability to pay. Events like the Ball help bring exposure to the hospital, which we hope raises awareness for the hospital's mission and future needs. Any funds we raise are important to the hospital and the future of Children's of Alabama. Over the years, I've seen all the positive changes Birmingham has made, and I've also seen the positive effect those changes have had on Children's of Alabama. I grew up in the area and like to think that I was in love with Birmingham before it was cool. I am so glad we are all helping make the city better than it has ever been. Birmingham's progress helps garner excitement for the events and outreach we do at Children's of Alabama. The Children's of Alabama Ball was November 11 at The Club, where all of our sponsors and attendees came together for a live auction, silent auction, and fabulous dinner. The trees will be on display in the lobby of Children's until the end of November. We hope you stop by to see these beautiful trees and we wish you Happy Holidays from all of us at Children's of Alabama! Empire Building.JPG This view down 20th St. N in downtown Birmingham, Ala., Friday, December 2, 2016, can be seen from what will be Moonshine, the rooftop bar of the Empire Hotel. The redevelopment of downtown Birmingham's historic Empire Building is well underway. The Empire Hotel is set to open in the spring of 2017. (Tamika Moore/tmoore@al.com) (Tamika Moore) Here are the top stories in business on AL. com for Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. Follow all of Alabama's business news here anytime. As a developer turns the 1909 Empire Building in downtown Birmingham from a ghost that once housed banks and offices to a modern Marriott concept, Ascent Hospitality promises a blend of old and new. The unemployment rate for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars has shot up to its highest rate since mid-2015, according to figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The planned mixed-use development at the site of a downtrodden Huntsville mall is expected to net the city more than $200 million in tax revenue, according to a study. Charlotte-based steelmaker Nucor (NYSE: NUE) has agreed to buy Birmingham's Southland Tube for $130 million, the companies announced Tuesday. UAB President Ray Watts was scheduled to hand over the reins of his Birmingham Business Alliance chairmanship Tuesday, but will hold the position for another year. Z2.jpg 'Z: The Beginning of Everything' (Amazon Prime) (Picasa) Alabama native Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald will soon be in the spotlight thanks to a new series, called "Z: The Beginning of Everything," on Amazon Prime. The trailer for the series, which stars Christina Ricci as Zelda Fitzgerald, premiered today ahead of the show's release on Jan. 27, 2017. The cast also includes David Hoflin, Jamie Anne Allman, David Strathairn, Corey Cott, Jordan Dean, Natalie Knepp, Christina Bennett Lind and Holly Curran. Amazon release the following description of the show: "Z: The Beginning of Everything is a ground-breaking concept: a fictionalized bio series of the life of Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald, the brilliant, beautiful and talented Southern Belle who becomes the original flapper and icon of the wild, flamboyant, Jazz Age in the 20s. The series begins the moment Zelda meets the unpublished writer F. Scott Fitzgerald in Montgomery, Alabama in 1918 and moves through their passionate, turbulent love affair and their marriage -- made in heaven, lived out in hell -- as the celebrity couple of their time. Z: The Beginning of Everything will show us the alcoholism, adultery and struggle with dashed dreams and mental illness that leads to Zelda's tragic, untimely end. It dives into the fascinating life of a woman ahead of her time, an artist determined to establish her own identity in the tempestuous wake of a world-famous husband. A modern take on one of the most notorious love stories of all time, Z: The Beginning of Everything will be played out in salons and speak-easies from Montgomery, Alabama to the Cote D'Azur. " You can watch the trailer below: Grayson Smith.zip Grayson Smith of Ranburne, Ala., who will be 4 years old in February, is intellectually advanced for his age, according to his mother, Jenny Smith. "He's like a little genius trapped in a little body," she said. (Photos courtesy Jenny Smith) When Jenny Smith received a private message from one of the thousands of followers of a Facebook page she created for her son, Grayson, she couldn't believe what she saw. The well-meaning person asked if Jenny was aware that a photo of Grayson had been turned into a meme. "I said, 'What's a meme?'," said Jenny, who lives in the small town of Ranburne, Ala., one mile west of the Georgia state line. The photo, from the Grayson's Story Facebook page, was taken in October of 2015. Grayson sits in his car seat, proudly holding the pumpkin he'd picked out on a field trip to a pumpkin patch with his preschool class. Someone had taken the photo and emblazoned it with the words: "That face you make when your parents are actually cousins." Reading those words in association with her son's face was devastating to Jenny. Grayson has a long list of medical conditions. He has had 27 surgeries - 24 on his head and brain - since he was born to Jenny and Kendyl Smith on Feb. 13, 2013. He was their third child - their others are 13, 10 and almost 1 - and one of Jenny's best pregnancies, she said. After an easy labor and delivery, when Grayson was handed to her she immediately realized something wasn't right. "His thumb was just hanging there," she said. She thought it was broken. His other thumb was the same way. Then she noticed he wasn't breathing right. "I picked him up and said, 'Something is wrong with him!' That's when we saw a huge bulge in the back of his head, and noticed he only had three toes on each foot." He was diagnosed with numerous unpronounceable anomalies, including occipital encephalocele, craniosynostosis, micronathia, thumb hypoplasia, cleft palate, hypospadias, congenital anomalies of the lower limbs, atrial septal defect of the heart, and central and obstructive apnea. The Smiths were told, incorrectly, that Grayson was deaf and blind, as well. A couple of weeks later, they were sent home from the hospital to wait for him to die. He was on hospice care, prescribed morphine. Though he stopped breathing many times, Grayson survived. When he was five weeks old, his parents took him off the feeding tube and gave him a bottle, against his doctor's orders. He never stopped breathing again due to apnea, Jenny said. Ever since then, Grayson has inspired his family and even his doctors with his fighting spirit and spunky personality. "He cracks me up all day long," his mother said. "He is like no child I've ever met. He has a sarcastic sense of humor, and his laugh is contagious. He's full of life, full of energy and so kind-hearted to everybody. He's like a little genius trapped in a little body." Despite being born with one-third of his skull missing, and having a malformed brain, he's intellectually advanced for his age, she said. He complains to his mother that the little girls in his class won't leave him alone, always kissing him and pushing his wheelchair, which he finds "so annoying." He can count to 40, and he high-fives his doctors at Children's of Alabama hospital in Birmingham. "The doctors have no explanation for this kid," Jenny said. Though he's considered terminally ill, Grayson's doctors have stopped trying to give his parents a timeline for how much time he has left. Instead, they are treating each of his conditions individually. He has also been diagnosed with chari malformation, epilepsy and osteopenia (brittle bones). He has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy due to hydrocephalus at birth - excess fluid that put excessive pressure on his brain. In most ways, Grayson is a typical a 31/2-year-old, his mom said. "He just looks different, and he cannot walk or crawl. He doesn't let his disability stop him. He just needs a little help." Grayson loves Mickey Mouse, chocolate milk, his iPad and Nerf guns. He Facetimes his grandfather and his friends. He's a "daddy's boy" who watches the clock and "knows when the little hand is on the six and the big hand is on the five that his dad is going to be walking through the door." 'I had to fight back' Seeing the hateful meme was painful and shocking. "I know he looks different, and he is different," Jenny said. "That's what makes him so unique." Though her first instinct was to hide Grayson from social media to protect him, she decided she could not remove his Facebook page. After all, she had created the Grayson's Story page to help other families who might be feeling alone as they learned to deal with children who had special needs. "It evolved to where his story became inspirational for others," she said. "How could I take his page down, knowing that's what we've raised him not to do? I had to fight back." She traced the meme's origin back to May, and had it removed from some pages, but it's nearly impossible to determine where it originated. Other followers of Grayson's Story reported the meme as well. Meanwhile, after a news station in Birmingham aired a story about the family on the day before Thanksgiving, she started receiving requests for interviews. Grayson's story has since been shared all over the world. About a year ago, Jenny started a Youcaring page for help with some of her family's out-of-pocket expenses. They have spent nearly $200,000 on his medical care in the nearly four years since Grayson was born, she said. "We pay for everything our insurance doesn't," she said. Just before Grayson was born, the Smiths bought their dream house. Eventually, they had to do a short sale to avoid going into foreclosure on the home. They now rent a mobile home that is not wheelchair-accessible. There's not enough room for Grayson to use his gait-trainer. "When you have a terminally ill child, you learn patience," Jenny said. He is supposed to receive a power chair soon to help him be more mobile at school, but he won't be able to use it at home. Even though the family owes much more, Jenny set the Youcaring goal at $32,000, "to make it reachable." Since Grayson's story has been shared around the world, nearly 300 strangers have generously donated more than $15,000. He now has nearly 20,000 followers on his Facebook page. Though the meme, which was widely shared for months before the Smiths became aware of it, was painful to discover, it has been something of a blessing in disguise. Jenny has continued to update Grayson's page to thank his followers for their support, and to share details of his life with others who find him so inspiring. To the person who created the meme - using one of her favorite photos of her child and turning it into something horrible - she would like them to know that their cruelty has backfired. The hundreds of supportive messages and comments she has received have been a blessing, she said. Every morning that Grayson wakes up and smiles at her is a gift. "If I had to do it all over again, I would do it," she said. "He amazes me every day with his fight and his character. He enjoys life. That's all there is to it." Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver said six people were arrested Monday on several charges in connection with burglaries over the last two weeks. Shaver said Matthew Ray Long, 34, and Patricia Kay Long, 33, both of Leesburg, were charged with third degree burglary, first degree theft of lost property, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia in connection with a burglary in the Leesburg area. In addition, three Gaylesville residents and one Cedar Bluff man was arrested in connection with burglaries in that area. Anthony Matthew Gilreath, 26, was charged with three counts of burglary, second degree property theft, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest and attempting to elude. Steven Paul Warren, 19, was charged with breaking and entering into a motor vehicle, second degree property theft and fourth degree receiving stolen property. Justin Caleb Sheppard, 22, was charged with fourth degree receiving stolen property. Robert Lester Dodd, 46, of Cedar Bluff, was charged with third degree receiving stolen property. All of the suspects were transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center where they await bond. Chief Investigator Josh Summerford said investigators were also able to recover several stolen items. TavaresJacksonCharged.jpg Tavares Jackson, 26, is charged with murder in the shooting death of 22-year-old Shuterica Lipscomb. (Homewood Police/Contributed by family) The boyfriend of a young mother shot to death in her Homewood apartment earlier this week has been formally charged in her slaying. Homewood police today announced the murder charge against 26-year-old Tavares Jackson. He is accused in Monday's fatal shooting of 22-year-old Shuterica Shuntavious Lipscomb. Lipscomb died Monday at the VA Hospital in Birmingham after authorities and family say she was shot at home and then dropped off at the medical facility. The shooting happened sometime around midday Monday, but authorities aren't sure of the exact time. Family said Jackson dropped his wounded girlfriend and one of her friends off at the door of the VA Medical Center, and then fled in Lipscomb's car. The plan was to stabilize her and then transport her to UAB Hospital, but her condition worsened and she was pronounced dead there at 1:58 p.m. She was shot in the side under her rib cage. Lipscomb lived at Overlook at Homewood apartments on Valley Ridge Drive, where the shooting happened. Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute. Homewood police spokesman Sgt. John Carr said Wednesday that Jackson is being transferred from the Homewood City Jail to the Jefferson County Jail without bond. Lipscomb's family said the Evergreen native worked at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, which was a dream come true for her. "It was just something she always wanted to do,'' said her aunt, Sandra Thomas. "She really enjoyed it." Lipscomb had a 2-year-old daughter and a 7-month-old daughter; she shared the younger child with Jackson. The girls, Thomas said, were staying with relatives in Evergreen and weren't at the apartment when the shooting happened. It wasn't immediately clear what prompted Monday's gunfire, but family said there were hints that not all was well in the relationship. "She wanted him to leave, but she didn't know how to tell him,'' Thomas said. "From what I understand, he was jealous and controlling." Still, her aunt said, they didn't expect it to come to this. "No one saw this coming,'' Thomas said. "She kept things to herself." Thomas described Lipscomb as bubbly and outgoing. "She was beautiful inside and out. She just enjoyed life,'' she said. "She was a beautiful soul." The family is taking Lipscomb's death hard. "Her mom just wants justice for her daughter and wants people to wise up and look at the signs of when things aren't going well,'' Thomas said. "Don't take the abuse. If they hit you, or even act like they're going to hit you, it's time to go. We don't want this to happen to anyone else." The leader of the Democratic minority in the Alabama Senate says he and Sen. Jeff Sessions have worked well together and he expects Sessions to enforce the law fairly if he becomes U.S. attorney general. While many have spoken out against President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Sessions, Sen. Quinton Ross, D-Montgomery, said he looks forward to working with the Republican senator from Mobile if he is confirmed as AG. Ross, a Mobile native, said he was a high school student in Pontiac, Mich., when Sessions failed to win confirmation for a federal judgeship in 1986. A Senate committee voted against Sessions after he was accused of making racist comments and being racially insensitive. Sessions denied the accusations. Ross said he has had a good working relationship with Sessions for 20 years. "I have worked with Sen. Sessions on education policy and securing federal funding for our schools," Ross said in a press release. "Additionally, I have spent time with him at the Magic City Classic and at Heritage Barbershop in Montgomery. I know him personally and all of my encounters with him have been for the greater good of Alabama." Ross said he has been in close personal contact with Sessions since Trump nominated Sessions. "We've spoken about everything from Civil Rights to race relations and we agree that as Christian men our hearts and minds are focused on doing right by all people," Sen. Ross said. "We both acknowledge that there are no perfect men, but we continue to work daily to do the right thing for all people." Former Alabama Congressman Artur Davis is the new executive director of Legal Services Alabama, the organization announced. Davis replaced longtime Executive Director Jimmy Fry, who retired. Legal Services Alabama is a federally funded program that provides legal assistance to low-income Alabamians. In a press release, Legal Services said Davis was chosen after a year-long selection process. Davis represented Alabama's Seventh District in the U.S. House from 2003 to 2010. He ran for governor in 2010 but failed to win the Democratic nomination. In 2015, he lost in a bid to unseat Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange. Legal Services Alabama handled more than 13,000 cases last year, according to the press release. Davis has outlined a five-year plan intended to expand the organization's ability to represent poor citizens in civil court, the press release said. Update: Previous story: A woman shot to death in her Homewood apartment was the mother of two young daughters and only recently landed her dream job. "Everything had just started to work out for her like she wanted it to,'' said Sandra Thomas. "It's so sad." Shuterica Shuntavious Lipscomb, 22, died Monday at the VA Hospital in Birmingham after authorities and family say she was shot at home and then dropped off at the medical facility. Her on-again, off-again boyfriend is in custody, but police have not yet announced formal charges against him. Shuterica Lipscomb The shooting happened sometime around midday Monday, but authorities aren't sure of the exact time. Family said the boyfriend dropped his wounded girlfriend and one of her friends off at the door of the VA Medical Center, and then fled in Lipscomb's car. The plan was to stabilize her and then transport her to UAB Hospital, but her condition worsened and she was pronounced dead there at 1:58 p.m. She was shot in the side under her rib cage. Lipscomb lived at Overlook at Homewood apartments on Valley Ridge Drive, where the shooting happened. Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute. Homewood police spokesman Sgt. John Carr said Tuesday the investigation is still ongoing. She grew up in Evergreen, which is between Montgomery and Mobile, with her parents and two sisters but eventually moved to Homewood. About seven months ago, Lipscomb got a job in security at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. "It was just something she always wanted to do,'' Thomas said. "She really enjoyed it." Lipscomb had a 2-year-old daughter and a 7-month-old daughter; she shared the younger child with her boyfriend. The girls, Thomas said, were staying with relatives in Evergreen and weren't at the apartment when the shooting happened. It wasn't immediately clear what prompted Monday's gunfire, but family said there were hints that not all was well in the relationship. "She wanted him to leave, but she didn't know how to tell him,'' Thomas said. "From what I understand, he was jealous and controlling." Still, her aunt said, they didn't expect it to come to this. "No one saw this coming,'' Thomas said. "She kept things to herself." Thomas described Lipscomb as bubbly and outgoing. "She was beautiful inside and out. She just enjoyed life,'' she said. "She was a beautiful soul." Thomas' own mother was killed by her father in an act of domestic violence in the 1970s. "I never in a million years dreamed this would happen again, but it did yesterday,'' she said. "It's pretty rough." The family is taking Lipscomb's death hard. "Her mom just wants justice for her daughter and wants people to wise up and look at the signs of when things aren't going well,'' Thomas said. "Don't take the abuse. If they hit you, or even act like they're going to hit you, it's time to go. We don't want this to happen to anyone else." marshall project chart.jpg (Yolanda Martinez, The Marshall Project) Ronald Bert Smith walked into a Huntsville convenience store with a Colt .45 semi-automatic pistol on Nov. 8, 1994, and shot clerk Casey Wilson to death during a robbery captured on video. A jury in August 1995 unanimously convicted Smith of capital murder. Then the jurors, in a 7-5 vote, recommended that the judge sentence Smith to life without parole instead of death. So why, 21 years later, is Smith, now 45, set to be strapped down to a gurney and executed by lethal injection on Thursday? The answer lies in Alabama's death-penalty law, the only one of its kind in the country. Thirty-one states have the death penalty, and 30 of them require unanimity from a jury in crucial phases of sentencing. Not in Alabama, where a jury can impose a death sentence with a vote of at least 10 to 2. The jury may also recommend life imprisonment, as it did in Smith's case, but the judge can overrule jurors' findings no matter what they decide. Until recently, two other states kept Alabama company -- Delaware and Florida. But each has now revised its code in light of state and federal court rulings, leaving Alabama isolated. And while the State Supreme Court has upheld the death penalty statute law as constitutional as recently as September, the defense bar as well as experts on capital punishment are seeing increasing pressure on Alabama to make jury unanimity the law and do away with judicial override. Of the 57 executions in Alabama since the death penalty was reinstated in 1983, 31 involved non-unanimous jury votes, ranging from 11 to 1 for death to 11 to 1 for life, according to an Al.com, Marshall Project review of each case. Death-penalty sentencing schemes vary widely around the United States, but all -- except Alabama's -- lean toward the jury's having the final say in sentencing, said Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center. In Montana and Nebraska, for example, juries don't make sentencing recommendations, he said. Instead, they are required to issue a unanimous fact-finding verdict that at least one aggravating circumstance exists in order for the death penalty to be applied in the case. The judge determines the actual sentence. In Indiana, which changed its statute in 2002, if there is a unanimous verdict for a sentence, then the judge cannot disregard. If the jury can't make a unanimous recommendation, then it is treated as if there was no recommendation and it's up to the judge. Most other states have jury sentencing in capital cases, and those verdicts must be unanimous for the death penalty, Dunham said. There are also states where a judge can override a jury-imposed death sentence in favor of life without the possibility of parole, which is "a safeguard against runaway juries," he said. Alabama judges can also override a unanimous jury recommendation for death, but that has rarely happened. Instead, Alabama judges were the only ones to exercise their override authority to impose death over the past 16 years. Until this year, Delaware and Florida permitted juries to issue non-unanimous verdicts for the death penalty and also allowed judges to override jurors' recommendations. But in January, a United States Supreme Court decision in a murder case, Hurst v. Florida, compelled both states to change their procedures. In Hurst, the High Court found that Florida's law failed to give juries enough influence in deciding whether to sentence a defendant to death. The jury had voted 7 to 5 for the death penalty. The judge then reviewed the facts of the case separately and concurred. But the High Court rejected that approach. Writing for an 8 to 1 majority, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, said "The Sixth Amendment requires a jury, not a judge, to find each fact to impose a sentence of death. A jury's mere recommendation is not enough." The Sixth Amendment, she said, "protects a defendant's right to an impartial jury." The Hurst decision grew out of the High Court's prior ruling in Ring v. Arizona (2002), holding that juries -- not judges -- must find the facts necessary for a case to be death-penalty eligible. As a result, in August, the Delaware Supreme Court struck the state's death penalty law, saying that a jury -- not a judge -- must decide the sentence and that it must be unanimous on the part of jurors. Then, in October, Florida's top court ruled that juries must be unanimous in their recommendations for death. So far, however, legal authorities in Alabama have rejected Hurst as a blueprint for change. Although defense lawyers around the state have filed a flood of petitions seeking to stave off possible death sentences in the wake of the Hurst decision, prosecutors and Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange have repeatedly argued that Alabama's law was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1995 and is not the same as the portion of the Florida law struck down in Hurst. Florida's law had required the judge -- not the jury -- to find the existence of an aggravating circumstance in order for the defendant to be subject to the death penalty. "In the Florida case, the holding is that a jury must find the aggravating factor in order to make someone eligible for the death penalty," the Alabama attorney general has stated. "Alabama's system already requires the jury to do just that." In capital murder cases with the death penalty in Alabama, the jury must find an aggravating factor -- murder during the commission of a robbery, kidnapping or rape, for example. Therefore, at the time of conviction, the jury has already agreed upon at least one aggravating factor that would make the defendant eligible for a death sentence, according to the Alabama Supreme Court. Dunham asserts that Alabama prosecutors are relying on a very narrow difference between Alabama's death-sentencing scheme and the one that was in place in Florida in the Hurst case. "If a judge considers aggravating facts that the jury does not find and weighs them that would be a violation of Hurst," he said. "The judge in Alabama is free to disregard a jury's recommendation of life ... I don't think that you need better proof than that that it is independent fact-finding by the judge," Dunham said. Defense lawyers also have repeatedly argued that the Hurst ruling means juries must have the final say in what sentence -- life or death -- a capital murder defendant gets. And in that regard, they say, Alabama law falls short. "I think we are finding that one individual [a judge] should not be the final voice on whether someone should live or die. That should be a decision for 12 people," said Emory Anthony, a Birmingham lawyer who has filed motions for several defendants seeking to have their capitalmurder charges dismissed in light of the Hurst decision. If dismissed, prosecutors could seek murder charges that wouldn't allow for the death penalty. Death penalty experts say that non-unanimous jury recommendations are troubling for several reasons. In an article in the August issue of the Yale Law Review, lawyers for the Southern Center for Human Rights, assessing Alabama's procedures, wrote: "Jurors with lingering doubts about a defendant's guilt are less likely to vote for a death sentence." Cases in which a jury recommends life and the judge imposes death suggest the cases had weaker evidence and the greater potential for wrongful convictions, said the lawyers, Patrick Mulvaney and Catherine Chamblee. "We know of at least three cases in Alabama where an innocent (exonerated) person was convicted of capital murder and the judge overrode the jury's recommendation for life," Mulvaney told Al.com. "We think that override is really a problem." Mulvaney also said that politics can play a role, especially in a tough-on-crime state like Alabama, where judges are elected. Although the future of Alabama's sentencing law is unclear, there are hints that the U.S. Supreme Court is keeping watch. This spring, the High Court sent back the cases of three death row inmates and asked the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals to review them in light of the Hurst decision. The high court didn't say in its brief orders what it was about each of those cases that the appellate court should consider because in each case the judges followed jurors' recommendations for death. One recommendation was unanimous and the other two split decisions, with one or two jurors voting against death. The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals hasn't yet acted on that request. But in a ruling in June it ordered a state circuit judge to vacate her March 3 ruling that declared the state's capital punishment sentencing scheme unconstitutional in light of Hurst. "Alabama is out on the limb and the U.S. Supreme Court has already suggested it might be pulling out the saw," Dunham recently told AL.com. For Ronald Bert Smith, any attempts to repeal or refine Alabama's sentencing law will come too late. The jury's split decision for life in prison and the judge's sentence of death remain unchanged. One of his defense lawyers at the trial, Jackie Graham, said recently, "I'm sure I was surprised since the jury had voted for life and due to the fact he was a young guy. He had a young child." Smith's two accomplices got lesser sentences. Graham, who tried three capital murder cases, says she isn't against the death penalty. But she believes the jury should have the say in both the verdict and sentence. "I honestly think the jury should make the decision," Graham said. "If they are going to make a recommendation, then why shouldn't that recommendation be binding?" This story was published in partnership with The Marshall Project, a nonprofit news organization covering the U.S. criminal justice system. Sign up for their newsletter, or follow The Marshall Project on Facebook or Twitter Additional research by Deonna Anderson, Josiah Bates, Jonathan Gomez and Rachel Siegel. A group of 101 lawyers and law professors from around Alabama this week asked Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley to remove 34 inmates from death row who had judges override jury recommendations for life without parole. "Currently, there are individuals on Alabama's death row who originally received recommendations for life in prison without parole from the juries that sat on their cases, but whose recommendations for life in prison without parole were overridden by their trial judges," according to the letter. "We believe the Alabama statute, and practice of judicial override of life recommendations, is unconstitutional. These individuals should be removed from death row." There are currently 180 men and five women who are on Alabama's death row. According to the federal public defenders office in Montgomery, the number of death row inmates sentenced to die by a judge overriding a verdict is now 34. Alabama is now alone in allowing judicial override in death penalty cases after court rulings this year in Florida and Delaware, which were the only other states that had allowed override. Florida's law was found unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in January in the case Hurst v. Florida. Then in August the Delaware Supreme Court struck down that state's death penalty sentencing law. The letter states that as governor, Bentley can "use his voice to encourage the state legislature to right this wrong, by drafting a new statute." "Judicial override of life recommendations is unconstitutional and simply wrong. You have the power to right this wrong by urging the legislature to act now to stop this process, and by granting commutations and returning the life without parole sentence originally deemed appropriate by the jurors. We respectfully request that you use that power," the petition states. Yasamie August, communications director for Bentley, said they would have no comment on the petition. The petition states that the lawyers who signed the petition are not writing as lawyers representing the death row inmates. "Rather, we are asking, as citizens of Alabama, that you use your voice and authority as Governor to ensure that men and women on Alabama's death row are there solely because a jury decided that they should be, and not based on the decision of a single, elected judge," according to the petition. Among the attorneys listed on the letter is John Palombi, an attorney with the Federal Public Defenders' Office for the Middle District of Alabama who represents death row inmate Ronald Bert Smith who is set for execution on Thursday for the 1994 shooting death of a convenience store clerk in Huntsville. The petition to Bentley, however, does not specify Smith or any other death row by name. Smith has already submitted a clemency request to Bentley. The U.S. Supreme Court invalidated Florida's jury-override statute, holding in Hurst v. Florida that "the Sixth Amendment requires a jury, not a judge, to find each fact necessary to impose a sentence of death. A jury's mere recommendation is not enough," the petition states. "Alabama's capital sentencing procedure is supposed to ensure the fundamental fairness of the trial, yet life-and-death decisions are made by judges facing intense electoral pressure," the petition states. "As a result, Alabama's capital sentencing scheme -- particularly with respect to life-to-death overrides -- produces unreliable results. Significantly, life-to-death overrides in Alabama are more frequent in election years," the petition states. "There is no evidence that criminal activity is more heinous in Alabama than in other states, or that Alabama juries are particularly lenient in weighing aggravating and mitigating circumstances," the petition states. "The only answer that is supported by empirical evidence is one that, in my view, casts a cloud of illegitimacy over the criminal justice system: Alabama judges, who are elected in partisan proceedings, appear to have succumbed to electoral pressures," the petition states. "By permitting a single trial judge's view to displace that of a jury representing a cross-section of the community, Alabama's sentencing scheme has led to curious and potentially arbitrary outcomes," the petition states. "In addition, as of late 2013, Alabama judges were responsible for 26 of the 27 instances since 2000 in which a judge in any state has overridden a jury's advisory sentencing verdict of life without parole." The petition states that it is apparent that Alabama is a "clear outlier" among states administering the death penalty -- even during the time that two other states allowed judicial override, the petition states. To vote for a life sentence, jurors must either find that the aggravating factors argued by the state were not proven beyond a reasonable doubt or that the mitigating factors in evidence outweighed the aggravators. "Juries are carefully instructed about the burden of proof and their duties in this regard. When asked to sit on a capital jury, we ask a great deal of our citizenry. That service is undermined when the decision they carefully made is overridden by a single elected official," the petition states. The petition also references Bentley's statements in the past in responding to death row clemency requests. The governor has stated in those responses that he wanted to honor the decisions of the juries recommending death. Commuting death sentences to life in prison without parole is not without precedent, the petition states. Several governors have commuted the sentences of their states' entire death row populations, since the death penalty was upheld by the Supreme Court in 1976: Governor Martin O'Malley, Maryland, 2015; Governor Jon Corzine, New Jersey, 2007; Governor George Ryan, Illinois, 2003; Governor Tony Anaya, New Mexico, 1986, the petition states. Updated with new information: That the number of lawyers signing onto the petition stands a 101 and 34 inmates would be affected. staton prison gate horizontal.JPG Staton Correctional Facility in Elmore County is shown in September 2013. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com) The medical director of MHM Alabama, the company that provides mental health care in Alabama prisons, spent the day on the witness stand in a federal trial over the quality of the care. Dr. Robert Hunter, a psychiatrist, was the third witness called by plaintiffs in a non-jury trial in U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson's courtroom in Montgomery. Inmates and their advocates who sued allege that a failure to adequately treat mentally ill inmates violates the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. Brooke Menschel, an attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center, which represents the inmates, questioned Hunter about MHM's policies and the roles of the psychiatrists, psychologists, nurse practitioners and other MHM employees who work in the prisons. The lawsuit alleges, among other claims, that there are too few mental health professionals in key positions and that inmates are not properly diagnosed and treated. On Monday, an inmate and a former inmate testified about what they described as cold disregard for their mental problems. Lawyers representing state officials sought to attack their credibility. The Department of Corrections disputes the allegations in the lawsuit. "The Department of Corrections disagrees with the claim of deliberate indifference to serious mental health needs among our inmate population," DOC Commissioner Jeff Dunn said in a news release today. MHM has provided mental health care in Alabama prisons since 2001. The current contract took effect in October 2013. It requires DOC, through MHM, to provide "comprehensive mental health services and related support services." MHM's Hunter said the caseloads for caregivers who work in the prisons have grown over the last five years. "It does not prevent us from doing our job, but it does have some impact," Hunter said. Hunter said more prisoners are coming into the system with serious mental illness. Maria Morris, an attorney for the SPLC, said the staffing is not keeping pace with the need. "The size of the caseload, that is the people in need of mental health services, is growing and the acuity of the mental illness of the population in the ADOC is also increasing at the same time that the staff has decreased," Morris said. "And that combination is taxing the ability of the mental health staff to provide the services needed for prisoners who are mentally ill." As of September, about 3,400 inmates in Alabama prisons were being treated for mental illness. That's out of a total inmate population of about 23,000. Mentally ill inmates are spread across the state's prisons. Three prisons have "residential treatment units" for those with more serious mental illness -- Bullock and Donaldson for men and Tutwiler for women. Tutwiler and Bullock also have "stabilization units" for those with more severe symptoms. Besides the SPLC, the inmates are represented by the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program. Attorneys from Maynard Cooper & Gale and Balch & Bingham are defending state officials in the case. Hunter is expected to return to the witness stand on Wednesday morning. The case is expected to last about eight weeks. It is part of a larger lawsuit filed in 2014 that includes claims about medical care and accommodations for inmates with disabilities. The medical claims are expected to go to trial next year. The state has agreed to improve accommodations for disabled inmates to resolve some of the claims. colonial pipeline explosion.jpg The Occupational Health and Safety Administration confirmed Tuesday that a second worker who was involved in the Oct. 31 Colonial Pipeline explosion has died. OSHA said the worker died on Nov. 22 from injuries received during the explosion off County Road 13 in Shelby County. The worker's employer, Heflin-based L.E. Bell Construction, did contact OSHA to inform the administration of the death. OSHA did not identify the worker. An official with L.E. Bell was not available for comment Tuesday afternoon. Eight of the nine-member crew that was working on the pipeline were employees of L.E Bell, Colonial officials said. Anthony Lee Willingham, 48, was the first worker who died at the scene. Gov. Robert Bentley said in a Nov. 1 press release the explosion resulted from a worker who accidentally hit the line while doing excavation work. Few can know or imagine what it's like being locked in a basement for days, weeks or months, denied the basic needs such as food, water, a bathroom. Denied, even, sunshine or love. Eddie Carter knows. He is the biological brother of a 14-year-old boy rescued from a Helena basement three weeks ago. Carter's brother weighed only 55 pounds when hospitalized. Carter says he suffered the same neglect, abuse and despair, at the hands of the adoptive parents, both of whom remain jailed on $1 million bond. "You're down there and nobody knows you're down there except the people in the house,'' said Carter in extensive interviews with AL.com. "It's up to those people to make sure everything's going to be all right and it's not all right and you're kinda lost. You sit in the corner and weigh out what means the most. It was horrible. Horrific. "It gets to that point where you're like an animal,'' Carter said. "You feel like an animal." Now 18 and far removed from Alabama and his brother, it's all coming back to Carter with news of his baby brother's ordeal. "There is a little hate building up inside for the people who did this,'' Carter said. "But Thanksgiving just passed and there is a lot I have to be grateful for. He's one of them. He's alive and it could be worse, so I keep that in mind." Eddie Carter, 18, is the biological brother of a 14-year-old Helena boy found weighing only 55 pounds after police say he was isolated in the basement of his adoptive parents' home. Carter said he too was kept in the basement when he lived with the family. The plight of Carter's brother's came to light the weekend of Nov. 12 when the young Helena teen was taken to Children's of Alabama. Helena police Chief Pete Folmar said the boy was kept in "forced isolation" and was described by doctors as severely and chronically malnourished, dehydrated, suffering from acute respiratory distress, shock, hypothermia, hypothyroid and close to death. His adoptive parents, Richard and Cynthia Kelly, ages 56 and 47, two days later were charged with aggravated child abuse, a Class B felony with a possible sentence anywhere from two to 20 years in prison if convicted. They've remained behind bars in the Shelby County jail since their arrest, and are set to appear in court on Dec. 14 and 15 for preliminary hearings. Their attorneys have not responded to a request for interviews for this story. The police chief, determined to get justice in a courtroom and not in the media, is reluctant to discuss the case. At an emotional press conference on Nov. 15, Folmar said the probe began when they were notified by Children's through the Shelby County Department of Human Resources. Detectives responded first to the hospital, and then to the family's home on Spruce Drive in the Royal Pines subdivision off of County Road 17. According to the arrest warrants for the parents, the couple is accused of denying food, nourishment and medical care to the boy, who was "subjected to forced isolation for extended period of time." Authorities have said that "isolation" was disciplinary in nature. There were no signs, however, the boy was handcuffed, chained or bodily restrained in any way. Also living at the home was the couple's 19-year-old daughter, who was adopted as an infant, and a 21-year-old man believed to be the daughter's boyfriend. Neither Richard nor Cynthia Kelly, who have lived in Helena for about 20 years, show any previous criminal record in Alabama. Richard Kelly worked in the computer technology field - most recently for a software company off of U.S. 280 - but had been unemployed for several weeks at the time of his arrest. Cynthia Kelly was a stay-at-home mother who home-schooled her adopted children. Neighbors said they were stunned by news of the boy's condition and arrest of the adoptive parents. Though the family kept to themselves and didn't socialize with others in the neighborhood, they said they saw no signs of anything amiss at the home. They said they weren't even aware there was a teen girl there, and said they only saw the 14-year-old son occasionally cutting grass with Richard Kelly watching over him. "He was so small, I thought he was about 8 or 10,'' said next-door neighbor Troy Clayton. "It took all he had to push the lawnmower." Cynthia Kelly's Instagram account, which has recently been deleted, depicted a life far different from what authorities believe was happening in the home to the young boy. She had one account just for her dog, Kennedy Ann, and showed pictures of an elaborate first birthday party for the pup, complete with a banner and a table full of colorful gifts for the canine. Cynthia Kelley set up an Instagram account for her dog while police say her 14-year-old son was isolated in the basement without nourishment and medical care. That infuriates Carter. "Seeing the things they did, their online persona, but then there's someone down there rotting in the basement,'' Carter said. "I can't wrap my head around it." Honeymoon is over It was a lot to take in. And always has been, really. Carter and his younger brother were the fourth and fifth kids born to their biological mother in the Huntsville area before their mother lost her parental rights. He didn't say why she lost her rights, and he doesn't really remember how old they were when they were put into foster care. Foster care and adoption records in Alabama are private. What Carter does recall is bouncing around from foster home to foster home - pretty much all over northern and central Alabama. The bright spot, he said, is that he and his brother were never separated. "I took care of him a lot, changing his diapers and stuff, making sure he was eating. When he was sleeping, I'd check his chest to make sure he was breathing,'' Carter said. "My little brother was like my golden egg. I just had to keep him safe. It was my main goal not to be separated ever." The brothers were the youngest of five of their biological mother and moved from foster home to foster home. "Usually we'd go to foster homes where there were other kids there,'' he said. "I looked out for my brother, especially if the state was making decisions that pertained to both of us. You learn how to be protective. You realize what matters most, what's most valuable and my brother was most valuable. Yeah, we were really close. I didn't let nobody bother him." The foster homes weren't bad, and sometimes they were good, but they weren't home. And though young, Carter and his brother weren't so young that they didn't feel the stigma. "You figure out what normal is. You go to school every day with normal people. Their moms, their dads, their grandmoms, their aunties, they're dropping them off at school. They're picking them up,'' he said. "You're going back home with someone you don't know." Carter was about 11 years old, and his brother about 7, when Cynthia and Richard Kelly came into their lives through a Christian adoption agency. "This is it,'' he recalls thinking at the time. "It's a big shot to get adopted. It's really exciting, especially for a kid who grows up unfortunate. It's a really great feeling. It was our big break." He doesn't remember feeling one way or another about the couple, or their adopted daughter who was one year older than Carter but had long been part of the family. "They were all right. You don't really judge a book by its cover so I was just going with the flow,'' he said. "I just wanted to be the best I could and put everything behind me that was in the past and move on, but you're still hesitant to get attached." "You try to fit in, especially with people who want to take you in,'' he said. "You try to walk the fine line of what's expected of you." He said it was normal, at first. "We ate as a family. I like Chinese and there was a Chinese place down the street so I was like, 'We're good!''' he said. "Our first day there I had sesame chicken and Doritos and they were like, 'If you want, you can eat this every day.' My brother was happy. We had toys and stuff." Asked if it felt like home, Carter said, "For a little bit, yeah. But then, like people say, the true colors came out. The honeymoon cycle is over and, after that, everything went to crap." Carter said he was a rough and tumble kind of a kid, and began to get in trouble. "I know growing up in the South you get a butt-whooping and I respect that. Spare the rod, spoil the child,'' he said. "But there's a fine line between disciplinary actions and going way too far. It was over excessive. I saw them as torture methods." About halfway through his 18 months of living with his adoptive family, Carter began to get banished to the basement, he said. He thinks the first time was because he broke one of his sister's dolls. He said there was a bed down there, but no bathroom. The light switches had been altered so he couldn't turn them on and off. There was a door to the outside, but it was locked. There was, of course, the door leading into the house as well, but there was a motion sensor on it to alert the family if he opened it. He wasn't down there all of the time at first. "I had chances to come out or whatever, but they would always provoke or instigate a situation just to make up something for me to go back down there and that kept happening and happening and happening,'' he said. "So that was the period I just stayed down there." His least favorite food was vegetables. And that, he said, is what he had to eat in the basement. "You grow up with the fear of what you don't like and vegetables was like my kryptonite,'' he said. "I still, to this day, don't eat peas, carrots and corn." Sometimes, he said, he was given even less. "They would say, 'Jesus survived off bread and water, so you can too,''' he said. "It was like a torture method. They were upstairs eating pizza and Chinese, and I'd be eating bread and water." He said he was down there sometimes for months at a time. The worst was when the sun set. "When it got dark, it got dark,'' he said. "You can hear everyone laughing or doing whatever upstairs, and you're just stuck. I hated it. And that was when I started questioning everything." "What's going through these people's heads?" he said. "Like take away my toys, but me being young and in a basement, that's not going to teach me anything. There was no explanation except, 'You need to learn.''' "There were some days I'd be locked down there and I had to use the bathroom in the corner,'' he said. "The room stank like piss. It was really horrible." He developed a nervous habit of chewing his lips, often until they were bloody, open wounds. Richard and Cynthia Kelly, he said, would pour salt into those wounds, also as a form of punishment. Carter rebelled. "I would bang on the walls just to keep people awake in the house,'' he said. "I got aggressive, like, 'I'm not about to stay down here. Hell no. I wasn't having it, and think I said I was going to do something to somebody.'' Moving on but looking back Ultimately, Carter was sent away from the home. He went to one behavioral health center in the Birmingham area, and then another. At the second, he said, he had a wonderful therapist who helped him immensely. He then went to a boys' residential school for learning and behavioral problems in western Alabama, and then to another behavioral health care facility in Montgomery. After his treatment, he was put back into foster care and attended Huffman High School as a freshman. It was during that time that he learned he was being adopted again, this time by a family in Tucson, Arizona. He was excited about the prospect, but missing his little brother. "That was my main concern. I thought about him every single day,'' he said. "At that point, I was blaming myself for getting sent away." Still, he said, there was never any sign of mistreatment of his little brother while he was living at the Kelly home, so Carter tried to worry less. "I was just moving on and I prayed. I prayed it didn't happen to him,'' he said. "When I left, he was all right." Carter was adopted in 2013 by Arizona rapper Nick Carter, known as Murs, and his wife, Kate who just months before had also adopted an infant boy. At one point, about two years ago, Carter, who took the last name of his Arizona adoptive parents, said he and his newly adoptive father took a road trip to see Carter's biological family - now living in Mississippi - and then stopped by Helena in hopes of seeing his little brother. They pulled up in front of the home, Murs went to the front door. Carter remained in the car because he didn't want to cause any trouble. His father spoke briefly with Richard Kelly, who told him Carter couldn't see his brother. Instead, Carter got only a glimpse from afar. "I saw his face but I didn't get to say hello,'' he said. "He looked really skinny but I didn't think nothing of it at the time." Carter vowed to move on and better himself for a time when his brother would be old enough to reach out to him on his own. "I just left and I kept praying and kept my head up high,'' he said. "I knew that when he got older, he'd have a say in what he wants to do. I just regret that I didn't get out of the car because maybe I would have seen something. But I didn't want to start anything. I didn't want to make anything worse for him." Not long after, however, things began to unravel at his new home in Arizona. Murs didn't respond to multiple requests for comment on this story, but gave an interview in 2015 to a music industry publication where he said Carter had filed false claims of neglect and abuse against him and his wife and described Carter as violent. In that interview with contactmusic.com, Murs called for changes to the adoption system and said, "The (focus) shouldn't be on the parents to prove their worth; it should be on the teens...We got painted this picture that he was a great kid and all these things, but the social worker that told us these things thought that because she'd only been working with him two months, and every six months he's had a different case worker." Again, Carter was put back into the system, Child Protective Services, in Arizona. Carter readily admits he was "troubled" when he was adopted by Murs and his wife and acted out there as well. "I was just very upset about a few things and took my anger out on the wrong people,'' he said. "I did burn a couple of bridges here but we're slowly getting it back. They just want me to go out and do something with my life." He moved back with some of his biological family for a time but he said he quickly realized that is not where he needed to be. He returned to Arizona where he went to a state-run group home but the Carters are still his legal parents and he says their relationship is on the mend. He's gone through therapy, lives in his own apartment, works hard as a stage hand for musical acts, is also an aspiring musician and a senior at a magnet high school in Tucson. "I ran away from the system but recently re-enrolled,'' he said. "My parents (the Carters) are amazing and they are still a good support. When you live by yourself, you see what they tried to teach you. It's basically sink or swim, conquer or fall." "They just want me to better myself,'' he said. "They took me out of a situation that could have been 10 times worse. If I would have stayed down here, Lord knows what would have happened. I have respect for what they've tried to teach me. It's nothing but love and respect." Kara Gouveia is Carter's former case manager and remains a supportive force in his life now that he is living on his own. "It's not often that I can stay in touch but I want to be there for him,'' she said. "He's overcome a lot. He's doing really well." "He's super charming, very personable and very loyal,'' she said. "He's one of the most motivated people I know, and most of what he's been able to do, he's done on his own." Seeking answers Weeks ago, Carter had just gotten home from school and tutoring and was watching MTV when he got a text message from his dad saying they need to talk. They met the following day at a restaurant, and his father showed him the AL.com article about what happened to his little brother. Murs had recognized Richard Kelly from their brief visit in the front yard about two years ago. "I was like in disbelief,'' Carter said. "It shocked me. Everything after that doesn't mean anything. What possessed these people to do that? It's still mind-blowing to me." "The things that happened to me when I was there, you just say a prayer and keep your head up high and hope that same thing doesn't happen to someone you really love and care about that you know is still there,'' he said. "To see it did happen is very disheartening. Your brother is all you have. I blame myself." All Carter could think about was getting to his brother. "I'm going to come here and defend my brother because I didn't know at the time what the situation was, if he was going to make it or not,'' he said. "I had an event this weekend I canceled to be here. This was the utmost of importance to me to make sure that justice is sought. Quickly and thoroughly." Murs bought him a plane ticket, and Carter spent the week of Thanksgiving meeting with Helena police and the Shelby County District Attorney's Office. Of their conversations about his brother, Carter said, ''They said it was bad. They're saying it's like the worst they've ever seen." He stayed at the Ronald McDonald House, near Children's of Alabama where his brother remains hospitalized. The young teen has been taken off a ventilator and was even playing catch with a police officer in his hospital room. He didn't, however, want to see his big brother or anyone else from his family. "His physical therapy is difficult on him and he's still weak and stuff,'' Carter said. "He declined to see any family, I guess because of the mental state he's in. I don't really blame him. Because I know when I left, I was in the part where I was trying to rejuvenate from the whole situation and I can only imagine what he's going through." Carter said his brother never caused trouble, and he doesn't understand why anyone would hold him captive in a basement. He said he would ask his former parents that if given the chance. "My brother didn't do anything to deserve that. You asked for us. He trusted you,'' he said of the Kellys. "This is a kid who depended on you. When I got in trouble all of the time, you would ask me why. I want answers." He said he's also angry that others in the house didn't report the abuse and neglect of his little brother. Chief Folmar has previously said Carter's adopted sister and the other young man living in the home are not facing criminal charges. "I won't get in to what they did or did not know, or what they may or may have told us,'' Folmar said last month. "This particular statute in the state of Alabama requires that one of the elements of the crime is that the person who is believed to have committed the crime be a responsible person as defined by Alabama law. Which means they are the person responsible for the care of the child." "The business of the police department and the criminal justice system as a whole is legal obligation,'' he said. "What people's moral obligations are are between them and their conscience, and them and their faith and them and their family. As to whether or not there was a moral obligation there, I'll let people make their own determinations on that." It didn't take long for Carter to make his own determination on that. "I feel like they should be held accountable as well. I lived in Helena so I know where the police department is. It is right next to the library, three miles up the street,'' he said. "You go up the street and say something. I just don't think a stone should go unturned. If you don't say nothing, you apparently don't have a heart." Carter said he's trying to be strong, though old memories and emotional wounds have resurfaced. "You don't want to backpedal," he said. "When this all happened, it was time for me to pause and see if it was gone. I'll just pray about it. I can be angry but it's not going to change what happened." "We'll be all right, and I don't have to worry about anybody ever hurting my brother again,'' he said. "I just want to make sure everything I'm doing in Arizona and that I have lined up is beneficial not only for me but for him too. If I could talk to him, I'd let him know my place is always open to him. I'm his family." An Athens man accused of setting his father-in-law's home on fire on Monday has turned himself in to authorities. Jonathan Paul Estill Jonathan Paul Estill, 37, was charged with second-degree arson, the Limestone County Sheriff's Office said. Around midnight on Monday, deputies responded to a house fire on Pine Drive. No one was in the home during the time of the blaze. A neighbor informed investigators that Estill and his wife were arguing and had separated before the fire. The couple lives in the residence, which belongs to Estill's father-in-law. Later that day, Huntsville police notified the sheriff's office about a pursuit of a vehicle with a license plate matching the description given by deputies. The driver, however, eluded police during the vehicle chase. Estill turned himself in Tuesday morning. He was booked into Limestone County Jail on a $5,000 bond. John Kelly In this photo taken Jan. 8, 2016, Gen. John Kelly speaks to reporters during a briefing at the Pentagon. President-elect Donald Trump is tapping another four-star military officer for his administration. He has picked Kelly to lead the Homeland Security Department, according to people close to the transition. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) (Manuel Balce Ceneta) WASHINGTON -- President-elect Donald Trump has chosen retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, whose last command included oversight of the Guantanamo Bay detention center, to run the Department of Homeland Security, people close to the transition team said Wednesday. Kelly, who joined the Marine Corps in 1970, retired earlier this year, wrapping up a final, three-year post as head of U.S. Southern Command, which spanned some of the more fractious debate over the Obama administration's ultimately failed pledge to close Guantanamo. He served three tours in Iraq, and holds the somber distinction of being the most senior military officer to lose a child in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan. His son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Kelly was killed in November, 2010, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. That makes Kelly a member of a so-called Gold Star family, those who lost a relative in combat. Trump verbally attacked the Khan family, Pakistani immigrants who lost a son in U.S. Army combat in Iraq, after they criticized him at the Democratic National Convention last summer. Highly respected, often outspoken, and known as a fierce, loyal commander, Kelly will take over the nation's newest federal agency, with responsibilities from airport security and terrorism to immigration and the Coast Guard. The department was formed after the Sept. 11 terror attacks to get the U.S. government better-positioned to prevent and respond to future attacks. If confirmed by the Senate, Kelly would be the fifth person to lead the department, which includes agencies that protect the president, respond to disasters, enforce immigration laws, protect the nation's coastlines and secure air travel. His selection bolsters concerns about an increase in military influence in U.S. policy in a Trump White House -- and as Trump moves forward on his signature issue to build a wall along the southern border and go after people living in the country illegally. Transition officials confirmed Trump's pick of Kelly on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly before any official announcement. In Kelly, Trump would have another four-star military officer for his administration. James Mattis, a retired four-star Marine general, is Trump's pick for defense secretary. Immigration enforcement is a familiar issue for Kelly. Southern Command, based in South Florida, regularly works with DHS to identify and dismantle immigrant smuggling networks. It has partnered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in an operation targeting human smuggling into the U.S. and helped with the rescue of children arriving alone at U.S. borders. If immigration enforcement is prioritized the way Trump promised during his campaign, the department will be challenged with beefing up the screening of immigrants allowed to come into the U.S., and finding additional resources to track down and deport people living in America illegally. It will also need to find a place to house these immigrants while they're waiting for deportation. Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi noted that Kelly could be responsible for carrying out some of Trump's most divisive campaign promises: the southern border wall and mass deportations among them. "We hope that General Kelly is willing to stand up for facts, families and the Constitution. America will not be made great by dragging parents away from their children, by squandering billions of dollars on a wall that does little to secure the border, or by rejecting freedom of religion and echoing the darkest chapters of persecution." Scraping for federal funds and equipment to battle such problems will not be a new challenge for Kelly. As the head of Southern Command, he was often blunt about his need for more resources to fight the drug trade that sweeps into the U.S. from South America. During a 2014 hearing, he told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he didn't have the ships or surveillance assets to get more than 20 percent of the drugs leaving Colombia for the U.S. He said he often had "very good clarity" on the drug traffickers, but much of the time "I simply sit and watch it go by." The most contentious issue Kelly faced, though, was the Obama push to close the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detention center, and proposals to bring detainees to a facility in the U.S. if they could not be returned to other nations. Members of Congress stridently opposed any move to close Guantanamo, arguing that it is the ideal location for terror suspects gathered up in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. The Pentagon faced criticism for not moving more quickly to release detainees to other countries. Those decisions largely rested with the defense secretary, but Kelly absorbed some of that anger even though his job was simply to carry out the transportation of the detainee after the decision was made. He also raised concerns about the costs of moving the detention center to the U.S. and the expanse of security that would be needed. In his final Pentagon news conference, he spoke openly about the loss of his son -- a topic he didn't often raise in a public setting. "To lose a child is -- I can't imagine anything worse than that. I used to think, when I'd go to all of my trips up to Bethesda, Walter Reed, I'll go to the funerals with the secretaries of defense, that I could somehow imagine what it would be like," said Kelly. But, he added, "when you lose one in combat, there's a -- in my opinion -- there's a pride that goes with it, that he didn't have to be there doing what he was doing. He wanted to be there. He volunteered." Kelly said he gets "occasional letters from gold star families who are asking, 'Was it worth it?' And I always go back with this: It doesn't matter. That's not our question to ask as parents. That young person thought it was worth it, and that's the only opinion that counts." Two juveniles have been charged in connection with the deadly Gatlinburg wildfire that killed 14 people and damaged or destroyed more than 1,000 structures. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said the two have been charged with aggravated arson but that all possible charges "are on the table." "Our promise is that we will do our very best to help bring closure to those who have lost so much," TBI Director Mark Gwyn said during a Wednesday afternoon press conference. The suspects are residents of the state of Tennessee but not of Sevier County. Law enforcement did not release the names, ages or genders of the suspects. Fourth District Attorney General James Dunn said additional charges, including the possibility of a transfer to adult criminal court, are being considered. The fire, which started Nov. 23 on Chimney Tops Trail in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park before spreading into the surrounding town, forced the evacuation of more than 14,000 visitors and residents from Gatlinburg, Sevier County and Pigeon Forge. Most of Pigeon Forge and Sevier County escaped major damage, but Gatlinburg saw a wave of what local officials described as unprecedented destruction. Business and home owners were allowed back into Gatlinburg today but the city won't reopen to the public until Friday. The fires destroyed or damaged several attractions and developments in the popular east Tennessee tourist destination, including the Castle at Gatlinburg, Buckberry Lodge, Cupid's Chapel of Love, Mountain Lodge Restaurant and Tree Tops Resort. An Alabama woman has been accused of stealing from a trust set up for her and her ailing son in Nebraska. Omaha television station WOWT reports that 42-year-old Pamela Rawlinson is charged with felony theft by deception. Court records say Rawlinson lives in Wetumpka. Investigators say Rawlinson forged signatures on court documents and stole $10,000 from the trust. Her attorney, Thomas Petersen, said Wednesday the trust was for her and her son, Joshua, as joint beneficiaries. He says the $10,000 was a loan from the trust and that the loan was repaid. Petersen said Rawlinson is maintaining her innocence. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 3 in Sarpy (SAR'-pee) County Court in Papillion (puh-PIHL'-yuhn). Ethics Commission meeting 120716.jpg The Alabama Ethics Commission meeting on December 7, 2016. (T. Crain) In 2010, Alabama cracked down on gifts for public officials, which later led to a $25 cap on the gift a parent or child could give a school teacher. Today Alabama mostly backed away from that cap. "It is a big shift," said Tom Albritton, executive director for the Alabama Ethics Commission, referring to the new opinion adopted today. Albritton said ethics laws were always intended to prevent public corruption, not restrict simple gift-giving. The new opinion still suggested parents keep gifts to teachers small. But the opinion noted: "Ethics laws have as their purpose the prevention of official corruption," and recognize gifts given freely to teachers by students and parents "are not being given for the purpose of corruptly influencing official action absent additional facts indicating such a motive or gain." Albritton said in October he proposed the new opinion to clear up what he thought was confusion over gifts for public employees, including teachers. In 2010, lawmakers tightened restrictions on gifts to public officials and public employees, prohibiting all gifts except those of "de minimis" value. But the law did not define "de minimis." As public employees, teachers are subject to the ethics law. In 2011, the Ethics Commission issued an opinion saying the stricter law prohibited even typical gifts to teachers such as hams, turkeys and gift cards. That opinion included examples of gifts that would be permissible, including homemade cookies, fruit baskets, coffee mugs, and books of a nominal value. In 2012, the Legislature revised the law to define "de minimis" gifts as those worth $25 or less. The new opinion says gifts worth more than $25 are no longer necessarily prohibited. It depends on the relationship between the gift-giver and the recipient. The $25 limit still applies when the source of the gift is a lobbyist or a principal. A principal is a person or business that employs a lobbyist. But if the giver, a parent for example, does not fall into one of those categories, the $25 limit does not apply. The new opinion warns that regardless of the nature of the relationship, the gift-giver should not expect anything in return for giving the gift. And a teacher is still prohibited from accepting any gift, regardless of the value, in exchange for some official action, such as changing a grade. In addition, a teacher, like other public employees and officials, cannot initiate the idea of gift giving. "What we don't want," Albritton said, "is a teacher trading grades for gifts or setting up a culture in the classroom that those who help out the teacher get better grades or better treatment." He noted that has always been the case and has not changed with this opinion. The opinion encourages local school boards to develop policies on holiday gift-giving that take into account characteristics and traditions of their communities. Though the commission approved the opinion in October, they gave the public an opportunity to comment before making it effective at today's meeting. No comments were received, Albritton said, which he took as public acceptance of the opinion. Albritton said in October the Ethics Commission cannot carve out exceptions to the law for certain types of public employees, like teachers. And the new opinion, he pointed out, does not apply only gifts to teachers. "It's the clearest example and where it's most often raised," Albritton said. AL.com reporter Mike Cason contributed to this report. 003.jpg The Alabama State Department of Education building in Montgomery, AL (T Crain, al.com) Alabama education officials published 1,074 pages of information about schools for the 2014-2015 school year in response to a federal request to make accountability information more accessible to parents. Previous years' report cards stretched about 25 pages. This revised state report card was compiled after federal education officials placed conditions on federal funds in July, saying the state information was too difficult for parents and the public to find. Paige Kowalski is executive vice president of the Data Quality Campaign, a nonprofit devoted to ensuring quality data is made available and used effectively to improve student outcomes. "I can't imagine the audience that would find this useful," said Kowalski. "It may have all of the required information included but meeting the floor of a compliance exercise for the federal government is a basic expectation of a state agency and not something intended to serve key stakeholders in actual communities." The new report card now includes information broken down by school. Graduation rates, attendance rates, educator certification levels, and assessment participation rates are included, as are targets set for graduation and attendance. The bulk of the report is a function of the requirement to report multiple pieces of information about Alabama's 1,400 schools. "It's a temporary fix," federal programs coordinator Edmund Moore said, to get Alabama in compliance until February, when a new online report card will be completed. "The data was already there, but it was in various places across the [state department of education] web site," Moore said, adding the new report card pulls it all together in one place. A link to Alabama's federal report cards was placed on the home page of the state department's web site. This federal report card should not be confused with the sepatate A-F report cards required by state lawmakers and due to be published in December (without letter grades this time around). Nor should this be confused with the school ratings required under the Every Student Succeeds Act. State education officials said they hope to combine both the state's A-F report card and the federal school ratings required under ESSA to minimize confusion, but this federal report card is something entirely different. Alabama isn't the only state where this information is hard to find. The Data Quality Campaign issued a report last week, Show Me the Data, revealing how difficult it is to find federally-required state report card information across the country. DQC concluded that states are not communicating effectively with the public and that finding the information is confusing and frustrating. "We can't afford to remain in the dark about school performance," said DQC president and CEO Aimee Rogstad Guidera in a statement. "State policymakers have a moral imperative to provide useful information that actually meets communities' needs. ESSA provides an opportunity to use the information as a flashlight to provide a richer, more accurate picture of how well schools are serving students." While states have been required to report information under previous federal education law, ESSA requires even more information to be shared. That additional information includes listing schools identified as in need of support or improvement, results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, academic performance of English language learners, per-pupil expenditure of all sources of funds, teacher qualifications, and postsecondary enrollment. The tribal chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux, David Archambault, told protesters to go home, but some campers still insist that they will stay on until the pipeline company calls off the project. Oceti Sakowin camp, North Dakota Winter can be stark and dangerous on the Great Plains of North America. Blizzards come unexpectedly. When they do, everything changes. Winds literally howl. Snow doesnt just drift gently down. It lashes horizontally over a flat landscape, whiting out roads and blinding those who venture outside. Temperatures plummet to Arctic lows in a matter of minutes. Thats what people at this camp have discovered twice in the past seven days. Thousands of them have come to camp out at the confluence of the Cannonball and Missouri Rivers to support the Standing Rock Sioux nation and its efforts to stop the Dakota Access crude oil pipeline from cross the water upstream of their reservation. They won somewhat of a victory on Sunday December 4 when the US Army Corps of engineers denied the pipeline company, Energy Transfer Partners, permission to dig the pipe under the Missouri River. New routes would be researched, said the Corps press release. But even as campers they call themselves water protectors celebrated into the evening, the skies filled with snow-laden clouds and what had been a gentle breeze began to blow harder and harder. Roads from the hollow where the camp sits became clogged with cars as people tried to drive to shelter. That pelting snow driven by prairie gusts can polish ice on the highway to skating rink slipperiness. As many drivers discovered to their cost. Dozens of vehicles skidded into the roadside deeps One of them was Ember Arthen, from Leverett, Massachusetts, on the US Northeast coast. We found her Toyota SUV fishtailed into a drift in 60km winds and white out conditions, between the camp and the nearest city, Bismarck, North Dakota. READ MORE: Sioux leader urges Dakota pipeline protesters to leave She was okay, and had thought herself experienced enough in winter driving after coping with the many snowfalls in her home state. But that polishing effect on a plains highway caught her by surprise. I was going around a stuck vehicle and I just started to slide and there I was, stuck myself, she says. I was hoping to stay two more weeks at least in camp, but not in these conditions. Ember said the nighttime temperatures were fiercely cold and the snow was heavy enough to collapse even her winter grade tent. There had even been a small fire when a tent canvas roof touched a woodstove. No one was hurt. The mood is good, she says, but wary. Its getting colder this week. For the tribal chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux, David Archambault, the weather means one thing: people should disband the camp and go home. He thanked the thousands whod supported his people since the protests began, but worried that it was getting dangerous out there. If youre hearing this message, Archambault said, you understand thats now its time to go home. If [your support] is needed in the future, youre welcome to come back. But I dont think that you have put anybody in an unsafe situation. Go home for the holidays and be with your loved ones. Interestingly, thats not quite what camp organisers are saying. IN PICTURES: Protesters celebrate as army halts Dakota pipeline work While warning those at Oceti Sakowin and outlying camps that winter is severe and dangerous, theyre asking people who are adequately prepared to stay on and keep an eye on the pipeline construction project. Each night, and even on cloudy days, the blazing spotlights that mark the pipeline route on hills near the Missouri River seem to mock the protesters. Camp spokesman John Bigelow, who is a member of the standing rock Sioux Nation, said that as long the lights blazed and law enforcement vehicles lined the hills, people should stay. As water protectors, we have a responsibility to be stewards of the water. Were not going any where, he said. Only when the [pipeline company] says theyve stopped the drilling and called off the project, only then will we wrap the camp. Yet there is a problem. Sleeping in flimsy, summer-grade tents, without stoves, or even worse, sleeping in cars, is simply not an option any more. Temperatures in early to mid-December are scheduled to hit record lows. Signs on camp lavatories list the symptoms of hypothermia, and camp medics make rounds of the tents often to make sure people are staying warm. REPORTERS NOTEBOOK: Standing Rock Thousands rejoice as army denies pipeline permit Theres plenty of donated food and people to cook it. Fires are always burning somewhere. And those who have set up more elaborate shelters Plains Native teepees with chimneys belching smoke, yurts from Mongolia or even wooden buildings insulated with straw or foam have been welcoming of temporary guests seeking warmth. Many of those who are maintaining a presence are Native Americans, the Sioux, Cheyenne, Cherokee, Ojibwe and many other nations. Centuries of interaction with US governments and broken treaties have only strengthened their determination to struggle for their rights. Much depends on the incoming Donald Trump administration and whether it tries quickly to restore the pipeline project to its original route. Or if the Energy Transfer Partners company blatantly disregards the denial of permission and simply keeps drilling a tunnel through the bedrock. If either of those happen, expect the confrontation to resume at Oceti Sakowin camp. Police, fearing this, are still blocking a highway and holding high ground north of the camp. Whatever happens, this dispute is far from over. UN agency emphasises need for growth that is sustainable and job-rich, not just statistically impressive. Bali, Indonesia On the face of it, Bali, the popular tourist destination renowned for its beaches, arts and culture and natural beauty, is far removed from the harsh world of unemployment, unfair work practices and forced labour. But in fact, as one of the most economically vibrant provinces of Indonesia, Bali is an integral part of a diverse and complex region stretching from the Arab states to the Pacific islands that is exposed to the ebb and flow of international trade, development, migration, demographic shifts and technological innovation. Fittingly therefore, more than 400 delegates representing governments, workers and employers organisations and top officials of the International Labour Organization (ILO) have gathered at Balis Nusa Dua Convention Centre to discuss issues affecting employment and the world of work in the Asia, Pacific and Arab states regions, which together account for 60 percent of the global workforce. In his opening speech at the ILOs 16th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting on Tuesday, Indonesias Vice President Muhammad Jusuf Kalla called for greater emphasis on social justice in development, setting the tone for four days of speeches and discussions that have highlighted the enduring importance of strong labour-market institutions, collective bargaining and dialogue, no matter what the defining ideology of the era. Inclusive growth For his part, Guy Ryder, ILOs director-general in his opening speech, his separate report to the Bali meeting and remarks at a high-level dialogue has argued that the need for strong policies that can deliver decent work and social justice has never been clearer even though there is considerable uncertainty in the world, with people questioning the capacity of policy-makers to deliver credible answers to the key problem in their lives. That is unmistakably an allusion to the rise of political populism in many countries, with mainstream party candidates facing electoral defeats and voters feeling excluded from the benefits of globalisation and labour migration. Against this background, Ryder cautions that the quality of everyday life cannot be fully captured just by macroeconomic aggregates and generalities. To this end, experts from across the spectrum have been brainstorming at the Bali meeting to help the ILO respond effectively to the changes that are transforming the world of work so that it can achieve its ambitious vision of decent work for all. On the brighter side, remarkable progress has been made in raising incomes during the past decade. Workers are moving from agriculture into higher-value manufacturing and services Bali itself is a notable example of the transformation and many more people are engaged in wage employment than in the past. The growth of modern industries and a more educated labour force have been accompanied by rapid, largely desirable, urbanisation. There has also been progress in social protection, marked by greater public investment and wider coverage. Daunting challenges As the head of the UNs specialised agency dealing with work-related issues, however, Ryder knows full well how daunting the challenges are. One in 10 of the Asia, Pacific and Arab States regions workers still lives in extreme poverty, and more than a billion workers are in vulnerable employment, often without access to social and legal protection. And as almost any job seeker these days can attest, even the formal sector is looking precarious. Permanent employment is steadily becoming informalised, through contract, temporary or part-time work. Meanwhile, other groups including youth, migrant workers, child and forced labourers, displaced people and women are in particular danger of being excluded from progress as the global economy shows continued signs of weakness and volatility. Although Asia and the Pacific has generally been more resilient, especially China and India, high economic growth rates of the past decade are unlikely to continue, particularly since China is entering a new normal of lower growth that will reduce overall growth in developing Asia, Ryder says. In his report, he describes the slowdown as worrying given the importance of economic growth, along with labour and social policies, in creating higher quality jobs. Furthermore, growth in oil-exporting countries, particularly the Arab states, is threatened by the drop in hydrocarbon prices experienced since mid-2014, with corresponding job losses affecting everyone from skilled engineers to semi-skilled construction workers. Political instability and conflict are another factor hindering socio-economic development in countries of the region, especially the Arab states. Task of implementation To its credit, the international community adopted a little over over a year ago a set of 17 objectives known as the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, that make up the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, the objective being to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030. The ILO was successful in ensuring that decent work was woven into the language of all 17 Sustainable Development Goals and their indicators, with No 8 specifically focusing on the agencys mission of decent work for all. We have succeeded in having the right agenda adopted, and now we must turn to the task of its implementation, says Ryder in his report and in an oped. We need economic growth that is sustainable and job-rich, rather than just statistically impressive. The task is far from finished but clearly progress is being made: The conclusions of the Bali meeting will help shape the national labour and employment policies of the ILOs member states, as well as its work in the Asia, Pacific and Arab States region. After five years covering the horrible human cost of Syrias war, Al Jazeeras Osama Bin Javaid is struck by the resilience of the people. There was nothing new in it the Syrian government was again sending intimidating text messages, there were loudspeaker announcements and leaflets were being dropped in the days building up to it. But there was something more sinister in this latest chapter of psychological warfare. The boast of an all-out assault felt more confident, more chilling for many in besieged Aleppo. Living under siege, they were already surviving on crumbs and facing a reduced number of attacks in the three weeks building up to the offensive. Some of the leaflets read: This is your last hope Save yourselves. If you do not leave these areas urgently, you will be annihilated. They ended by saying: You know that everyone has given up on you. They left you alone to face your doom and nobody will give you any help. And then it began. A relentless campaign of air raids, followed by helicopters dropping crude barrel bombs just above the range of the rebels most powerful guns. And when they stopped, a barrage of artillery shells followed. Social media was flooded with crying fathers, scared children, helpless mothers the sanitised version of the horrible reality of dozens of bodies being collected in pieces. READ MORE: Syrias army tightens grip on key Aleppo district The strategy was simple: Use the blunt end of brute force at the most vulnerable choke points. Its effective, especially when the objective is territorial gain regardless of civilian casualties. From the start, the videos shared by activists and the White Helmets made it clear that it was a bloodbath where nothing and no one was safe. The global silence was felt by the people after videos of children being pulled from the rubble, the lifeless infants being carried to shallow graves by only the closest members of the family (because funerals attract air strikes as well), were shared. For the first few days there was no reaction from the world. And then the second phase kicked in. The bombardment wasnt limited to the frontlines. The next target were those trying to maintain a semblance of life under siege medics and rescuers. One after another the hospitals were taken out, ambulance and white helmets centres were hit. A calculated assault to kill their hope. United Nations humanitarian chief Stephen OBrien put it best: The tactics are as obvious as they are unconscionable. Make life intolerable; make death likely. Push people from starvation to despair to surrender. Push people to leave on green buses. Yet the most powerful, the most rich and the most influential could not stop the killing of civilians that we have watched in slow motion, unfolding in front of us. OPINION: How Facebook hurt the Syrian Revolution The people of Aleppo see us as the audience of a medieval amphitheatre, watching the blood and gore as spectators some in disgust while some cheer on. And many of them starkly warn that this silence will come back to haunt us. A Syrian turned to me and asked, Is it judgment day yet? Surely the apocalypse cant be worse. How do you respond to a father who lost his home and shop other than to offer a hollow reassurance? Its been five years since I started covering the conflict. Talking to activists, rebels, self-declared intellectuals and civilians has become second nature. But it was the first time that their everlasting flame of hope felt as if it were flickering. And then Hanano fell, a neighbourhood which had stood against the government since 2012. Some former residents of Aleppo, now far from the city, couldnt hide their pain. They shared videos from four years ago of the chanting children, the marching youth, who were all punished for opposing their ruler. Even those fleeing the onslaught were not spared. Two days of attacks on a road linking besieged neighbourhoods killed more than 96 people bodies strewn across the streets with belongings on their backs. Aleppo was seen as the heart of the revolution an alternative capital to Damascus the place that constantly fought with the regime, ISIL and al-Nusra Front simultaneously the last remaining beacon of a peaceful revolt which turned into a bloody battle. OPINION: Syrias Civil War Yet another iconic image? Its easy to talk about the millions displaced, the thousands made into refugees, the half a million dead. But its hard to look into a little girls eyes who has lost a leg and a brother and tell her it will be okay. To meet a brave, smiling five-year-old who lost her vision to a snipers bullet. To stare into the eyes of a man who lost his family and both his legs. To meet doctors and engineers and students and barbers and lawyers who live in perpetual limbo of the shadow of a war which has no end in sight. But then you meet the bright young men and women still pursuing their careers, still swooning over the beauty of their neighbourhoods, still romanticising the idea of people power, still hopeful for a future of opportunities to rebuild and start over again. Aleppo may have all but fallen but the past five years of interacting with resilient Syrians has made one reality very clear their unwavering refusal to give up. Rival protesters trade barbs as countrys judges listen to governments case on triggering move to leave EU. London, England On an overcast and gloomy December afternoon outside Britains Supreme Court, a handful of hardened activists on opposing sides of the countrys deepest political divide gathered to protest. In the building behind them, senior judges listened to lawyers argue whether parliament or government ministers had the legal right to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and begin the process to leave the EU. Easily outnumbered by police officers and journalists, about 20 protesters, divided about equally between each camp, tried their best to muster interest from passersby for their respective causes. The anti-Brexit group, distinguished by their pithy Brexit is racist banners and loudspeaker slogans, drew most attention, frequently stopping to explain what they were doing to curious tourists visiting nearby Westminster Abbey. Brexit supporters took on a less pronounced approach; no banners or protest chants but instead engaging anyone willing to listen. The two groups rarely interacted, except in one tense standoff; an exchange of expletives and accusations of racism. Bemused onlookers whipped out their smartphones, as police officers took up position ready to intervene, but the angry flare-up quickly subsided. Im here for the theatre of it all, said one man, who then stuck around the area to listen to the opinions the protesters had to offer. While some relished the attention as was the case with an impromptu burning of the EU flag for others the steps of the court were the frontline of the battle to stop the subversion of a popular vote. I think its valid what theyre doing in the legal process, Brexit voter Glen Marquis said of the proceedings going on behind him. The media have made out constantly that the people are thick and stupid that they dont understand the EU. by Glen Marquis, Brexit supporter But in a democracy I do not believe at all that anyone can argue that a vote that was cast at the ballot box can be overridden by an ancient document that was never designed to deal with the issue. The constitution, which is what theyre discussing, was never designed to discuss entering or exiting the EU, so its a complete waste of time. The Londoners gripe with the EU was centred on two issues: the strain on infrastructure, which he argued was brought about by rapid population growth through immigration, and the idea that politicians were first accountable to the EU before their electorate. Journalists, he said, had stripped away nuance from the debate and made out that people had voted for Brexit out of base impulses and ignorance. The media have made out constantly that the people are thick and stupid, that they dont understand the EU and dont necessarily know what the votes are about. Everybody understands fully well what theyre doing. OPINION: Theresa Mays Brexit gambit As he was speaking, Marquis squirmed at the chants equating Brexit to racism coming from a few metres away. Eventually he pulled his phone from his pocket to show a picture of himself with his Angolan wife and mixed-race daughter. I have no problem with anyone from any ethnic origin, he said, arguing characterisations of the entire Brexit movement as racist were based on a minority and not representative. If you judge a majority of people because of a minority then thats racism, right? But theyre doing that here. Most Brexit supporters at the protest were conscious of the charge of racism and ardently rejected the label. Nonetheless, accusations of racism were plentiful. The anti-Brexit activists were particularly interested in one man, who was involved in the brief flare-up and they accused of belonging to far-right groups. Ive got no problem with whatever the lefties want to sing here but when they say Brexit is racist, that affects me. by Terry Jenkins, Brexit supporter Al Jazeera spoke to the man, who identified himself as Terry Jenkins, a lifelong resident of the East End of London, and with an accent to vouch for it. Theyre accusing me of being a racist and Im not a racist, Jenkins said, adding he was at the court to respect the democratic processes of the country. Ive got no problem with whatever the lefties want to sing here but when they say Brexit is racist, that affects me. The conversation revealed no explicit racist language but instead concern about strained economic resources mixed with unproven claims that recent immigrants were receiving preferential treatment. Still, Jenkins insisted he had no problem with any particular religion or ethnic group. Weve had immigrants come into this country for many years and we never had a problem with it but now were overrun with it and unless we can control it, it will swamp us. I cant get social housing, your kids couldnt get social housing, and everybody born in this country is at the back of the list for social housing. Short cut to blame immigration Such concerns about social resources appeared in conversations with activists on both sides of the divide. Since the financial crisis of 2008 and the onset of austerity policies brought in by the Conservative government, vulnerable Britons have found it more difficult to access the services they need to get by. Millions of people in the country are on social housing waiting lists, priced out of the private housing markets by ever-rising prices and increasing rents, and the National Health Service is struggling with increasing demand for healthcare and shrinking budgets. Where the opposing activists differ is on the cause. Antonia Bright, an anti-Brexit activist, said it was government policies that had created economic strains and not immigration. People have very insecure working lives right now, Bright said Wages have stagnated, healthcare is in crisis, and rather than actually deal with government policies that have led to that, theres a shortcut to just blame immigration for it instead. Glancing over at the pro-Brexit grouping, she said the government had created conditions for the far-right to thrive. They are fascists, they feel a victory from Brexit because they see how they can use it to build more of their programme. Thats not to say everybody who voted for Brexit intends that, but the reality is this is where were at. Border town in Uganda where many refugees have found sanctuary and a possibility of a new life. Nyumanzi, Uganda Streams of noisy motorcycles and cars charge down a busy, dusty market road lined with stalls and shops where South Sudanese refugees and Ugandan locals sell their wares. Nyumanzi is a northern rural hamlet close to the border with South Sudan. This area has received global attention because this transit centre in Uganda is frequently congested with thousands of new arrivals and is also home to more than 20,000 long-term refugees displaced by the conflict in South Sudan. With little sign that hostile relations between President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar will end soon, some refugees are trying to build new lives as small-scale entrepreneurs and foster stronger community relations with their Ugandan hosts. The market, established in 2014, is divided between locals and those living in Nyumanzi Refugee Settlement, with hundreds of people selling traditional and modern commodities. Emanuel Odede, is a settlement project officer for the Lutheran World Foundation (LWF), which provides support grants to the refugees in partnership with UNHCR and other organisations. He told Al Jazeera that, despite periodic tensions and cultural differences, people have slowly begun to mix Initially the idea was to have locals and refugees on opposite sides of each street, but now they are slowly mixing. This interaction is a positive sign of engagement which shows that mixing can create good relations and build a peaceful coexistence that goes beyond language or cultural barriers, Odede says. INTERACTIVE FEATURE: South Sudan five years since independence Neighbourly traders At the top of the main street lies a small aluminium shelter housing a tea-room run by two young South Sudanese women. Mostly refugees gather here, morning, noon and dusk to discuss the countrys politics over a cup of hot sweet milk, coffee or spicy cinnamon tea. Between sips of his afternoon tea, 65-year-old Paul Thon, a community leader in Nyumanzi Refugee Settlement, recalls his days in Ethiopia and Kenya as a soldier and a refugee during South Sudans war of independence. He laughs at how the South Sudanese have become the regions most well travelled people due to the constant displacement of war. We South Sudanese know all our brothers around us, we have been running for a long time. I have gone to Ethiopia, Kenya, even Congo as a refugee, but this time Im in Uganda and if theres another fight we shall see where next to go, he said. But Akuol Ayiik, 20, is intent on staying put in her two-roomed tea-room. Ayiik fled Bor when he was barely 18 years old. Bor, the capital of Jonglei State, changed hands several times between rebel and government soldiers when the civil war began in mid-December 2013. With her mother, her older brother, his two wives and children, the family fled to Uganda in January 2014. As South Sudans conflict flared up in early July and sent more than 250,000 fleeing to safety across the border, Ayiik and a friend set up the tea-room. Through a loan of 300,000 Ugandan shillings, roughly $85, Ayiik put in her share to start a business where they take turns to run the tea-room. After paying her half of the rent, on average Ayiik makes a net profit of $85 a month, as compared with Ugandas average per capita income of $56 a month. But Ayiik feels there has been a slowdown due to the continuing conflict and the high numbers of people leaving the country. People in Nyumanzi depend on money from South Sudan because their families are still working there. When I first started things were going well, because people would send money, but now the market is going down, she says. The war has stopped many people from going to work and they are not getting their salaries. People cant send money here so often so they the rate at which people are taking tea here has really reduced, she told Al Jazeera. Despite the slowdown, Ayiik says shes still able to meet her financial needs and look after her baby. READ MORE: Soaked in oil the cost of war in South Sudan Not far from the open-air market Florence Namatende, 34, makes ends meet for her children by selling traditional Ugandan and South Sudanese dried foods. Originally from southern Uganda, Namatende, migrated northwards in 2015, and set up her mobile money business in Nyumanzi. She borrowed 3 million shillings ($870) from a local bank and repaid it within 18 months, becoming self-reliant and independent. I am here for the same reason as the refugees, I want money. I only know a few words of their language [Dinka and Madi] and its hard to speak it, but we all understand that were here because of money. People in northwestern Uganda and some South Sudanese speak Madi, this is one of the reasons why integration in this region has been easier, but those from the southern part of the country cannot speak Madi. Im happy that I can get almost anything I want without requesting someone elses help, I can help my parents and look after my family with the little I get from here, Namatende said. The Nyumanzi market offers more than just employment to both refugees and their host community as they can now contribute to the local economy through taxes and bring more development to the area. The presence of refugees has also brought more development for the local community. A small hospital and school have been recently built. More mobility, more self-reliance? Research looking at the economic lives of refugees shows how they are slowly developing sustainable livelihoods for themselves, and offers an in-depth view of policy and aid challenges faced by displaced people in becoming more independent. Lucy Hovil, a senior researcher with International Refugee Rights Initiative (IRRI) which conducted a study in 2015 on South Sudanese refugee livelihoods in northwestern Uganda, says the Nyumanzi market is more in line with a UNHCR policy that encourages greater mobility as it allows reugees to mingle rather than be enclosed within a settlement. Nyumanzi is a very encouraging development because its pushing towards an approach more favourable to refugee policies and it enables people to become self-reliant which is what the Ugandan government wants, Hovil said. For it to be a success there should be more engagement with local government structures on how to build on refugees being able to sustain themselves, but credit must go to the Ugandan government for what its done so far in ensuring people are more independent, she told Al Jazeera. However, LWFs Odede pointed out that while free movement of refugees is a positive aspect of Ugandas Refugee Act (2006), it also posed some risk to the success of donor-funded projects. Odede told Al Jazeera that sometimes refugees move around Uganda and even between other countries such as Kenya and South Sudan, making it difficult to monitor the progress of the business start-ups. While Hovil acknowledged this was a significant problem, she also said that the IRRIs wider study had shown ease of mobility was essential for refugees. The challenge is that humanitarian assistance is fairly static, but mobility is key to refugees as a coping strategy and a way to set up their livelihoods. Refugees are more likely to be able to access markets more easily and people can move to wherever they need to be so as to sustain themselves because they are not isolated, Hovil said. Theres a real challenge however, in balancing this need with the fairly static nature of humanitarian assistance and the securitised narrative of host governments that doesnt want people to have greater movement for both good and bad reasons, she said. Research suggests that movement allows refugees to make a contribution to both Ugandan and broader transnational economic systems and refugees such as Ayiik depend on other cross-border refugees to bring supplies for her tea-room business. Powdered milk is very expensive in Uganda, so sometimes I swap my shillings for [South Sudanese] pounds and I ask those who are brave enough to go there to bring milk back for me, Ayiik explained. Few dare to go back to South Sudan, but for Nyumanzis displaced, mobility, even with risk, appears important in making moving from aid to self-sustenance. As thousands more stream across the borders daily, leaving the worlds youngest country, life in Uganda remains difficult for more than a million externally displaced South Sudanese, but a small number of refugees are finding ways of making their dislocated lives work. This report was made possible through a reporting fellowship to Uganda from the International Womens Foundation. Follow Tendai on Twitter and Instagram @i_amten It is vital to see protest votes under economic pressure but not to the extent that ignores other motivating forces. You would think a resurgent far right in the United States and across Europe would be enough to worry about. But in the weeks since Donald Trump with his race-baiting, misogynistic campaign was elected as US president, it has become apparent that we should worry about progressives, too. This, at least, is the impression created by a wave of analysis pronouncing that, much like Britains referendum vote to leave the European Union, Trumps victory comes down to the progressive left hammering on too much about diversity. It may have started off, as so many things do, with good intentions as an appraisal of Hillary Clintons election strategy. Taking the vote for Trump as a rejection of self-serving political elites, and as a cry of economic despair from swaths of left-behind Americans, some have suggested that, rather than premise a win on female, black and Latino votes, Clinton ought to have tacked left economically so that she was also speaking to those in desperate need of material change. But things quickly turned to liberals being preoccupied with diversity. Mark Lilla, in a New York Times piece entitled The End of Liberalism, claimed that diversity, while fine in principle, was disastrous as a foundation for democratic politics in our ideological age. He wrote that it was wrong to read any racial tones in the economic despair of Trump voters; that liberals talking about a whitelash were indulging in moral superiority, rather than actually listening to people. The idea took hold in post-Brexit Britain, too. Stephen Kinnock, of the UKs Labour Party, said that his party should stop obsessing about diversity so that it could get the support of white working-class voters. Guardian commentators lamented how diversity can distract us from economic inequality and that right-wing populism was the fault of identity liberalism, which had written off that historically vulnerable, discriminated against and most disadvantaged of identities, white men. The core of the problem Lets start by setting aside in case were called self-indulgent again the fear with which such sentiments are greeted by those fighting hard for equal rights regardless of race, religion, gender or sexuality, or the shock at how swiftly such values are dropped by progressives assumed to be on side in this battle. To state the obvious, the problem isnt neglecting economic policy by prioritising diversity, the problem is neglecting economic policy, full stop. A decades-long consensus across left and right to pursue ravaging neoliberal economic policies has hobbled entire communities and created deplorable wealth inequality in Britain just as in the United States. Centrists ignored these consequences because of a commitment to economic policy, not because they were distracted by attention-grabbing minorities. Setting up minorities to compete for attention with the working class is in itself divisive and destructive. People are not only one thing, or one reaction; while no one group can be listened to over another. by And how much of a diversion were these bothersome diversity causes, anyway? American women are still paid 20 percent less than men just as in the UK and face all kinds of discrimination; minorities are far more likely to be poor, unemployed and socially excluded. Is the suggestion that, in addition to being a distracting bauble, the struggle for equality can in any way be defined as over? This economic theory of everything falls apart when you consider that shock! economically disadvantaged minorities did not vote for either Brexit, or Trump. In both elections, race was more of a deciding factor than income level. Exposing the operational assumption So, yes, it is vital to register the protest vote of people buckling under economic pressure especially when those pressures are being preyed upon by the far right but not to the extent that it makes you deaf to other motivating forces. It all serves to expose the operational assumption underlying such views: that class consciousness trumps everything; that economic inequality is a fundamental injustice with political force, in a way that other inequalities are not. Its to assert that the system is most damagingly rigged by class as though all inequality would disappear if we fixed economic inequality. Its to imply that ethno-nationalist sentiment gets a free pass when packaged in economic suffering: fundamentally a patronising view, suggesting as it does that social progress may have moved too fast for some people to cope. And it is also to refuse to engage with where racism comes from: to see it as baked into a country such as Britain, which has, for centuries, relied upon racism and subjugation for material gain and which cannot suddenly and effortlessly stop such prejudices operating on every level just because its colonial era is in the past. OPINION: Why Chomsky and Zizek are wrong on the US elections Setting up minorities to compete for attention with the working class is in itself divisive and destructive. People are not only one thing, or one reaction; while no one group can be listened to over another. But what is particularly toxic about this hierarchy of grievances is that it plays into one of the defining frames of the far right: that society is a zero-sum game, that for one group to win, another group has to lose. Reiterating this dynamic within progressive debate, instead of rejecting the framework and asserting a better one, concedes essential political terrain, making it far easier for the populist right to take root in soil that you have essentially just tilled for them. Nobody should pick a side in what is so obviously a false competition. Nobody should be falling into a trap set by people who seek to divide us. Stepping over the trap, rather than stepping over your principles of social equality as well as fairer economics, is the only way to make sure that we all dont fall together. Rachel Shabi is a journalist and author of Not the Enemy: Israels Jews from Arab Lands. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake in Indonesias Sumatra island has killed at least 97 people and trapped dozens in rubble. Scores have died and dozens were feared trapped in rubble after a strong earthquake struck off the coast of Aceh province on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, officials and local media said. The provinces army chief, Major General Tatang Sulaiman, told the DPA news agency that 97 people have died in the shallow 6.5-magnitude undersea quake that struck early on Wednesday. The national disaster mitigation agency on the other hand, said that 78 people have suffered serious injuries from the quake. Aiyub Abbas, the district chief of Pidie Jayat, said that hundreds of people in the district had been injured and dozens of buildings had collapsed. There was an urgent need for excavation equipment to move heavy debris and emergency supplies, Abbas said. Said Mulyadi, deputy district chief of Pidie Jaya, told the AFP news agency that seven children were among the dead, with a local hospital overwhelmed by the number of people arriving with injuries. The hospital here couldnt take the patients, so we sent some to the neighbouring district, he said. The quake struck at dawn, as some in the predominantly Muslim region prepared for morning prayers. READ MORE: Major 7.8 magnitude earthquake strikes off Indonesia It happened at five oclock this morning, people were shaken by a heavy earthquake, Al Jazeeras Step Vaessen, reporting from Jakarta, said. People rushed out of their houses, because they have the experience from 2004 when a huge tsunami hit Aceh and many died. Vaessen said many people rushed to surrounding hills to seek cover. Death toll likely to rise No tsunami alert was issued and there was no risk of a tsunami, according to Indonesian authorities. But mosques, homes and shops were flattened in the quake, with images from the worst-hit areas showing significant damage. The local disaster management agency said that rescue efforts were under way to save those trapped beneath collapsed buildings. IN PICTURES: Indonesian volcano eruption kills seven Some people are still trapped inside shophouses, and we are trying to evacuate them using heavy machines and by hand, local agency head Puteh Manaf said. At the moment a search and rescue operation is under way, teams are still heading to the area also trying to find more survivors, said Al Jazeeras Vaessen. But the death toll is likely to rise there are people believed to be trapped in buildings. Seismologists said the earthquake was felt across much of Aceh province, which was devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. At least five aftershocks followed the quake, said Erida Wati, local head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency. Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide. Aceh lies on the northern tip of Sumatra island, which is particularly prone to quakes. In June, a 6.5-magnitude quake struck off the west of Sumatra, damaging scores of buildings and injuring eight people. A huge undersea earthquake in the Indian Ocean in 2004 triggered a tsunami that engulfed parts of Aceh. The tsunami killed more than 170,000 people in Indonesia and tens of thousands more in other countries around the Indian Ocean. Syrian president rejects opposition ceasefire offer as his army tightens the noose on rebel-held part of the key city. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said a victory for his army in the second city of Aleppo would be a huge step towards ending the countrys devastating five-year civil war. Defeating rebels in Aleppo, however, would not put an end to Syrias conflict, Assad said in an interview with Syrian daily Al-Watan to be published on Thursday, an early copy of which was seen by AFP news agency. Its true that Aleppo will be a win for us, but lets be realistic it wont mean the end of the war in Syria, Assad said. But it will be a huge step towards this end. Since it began in March 2011, the war in Syria has killed hundreds of thousands of people, made more than half of Syrians homeless, and created the worlds worst refugee crisis. Government forces scored an important victory on Wednesday when the rebels retreated from the Old City, the historic heart of Aleppo. They extended their advances later in the day, seizing the Bab al-Nayrab, Al-Maadi and Salhin neighbourhoods, according to state media. More neighbourhoods were expected to fall soon, but rebels were fighting ferociously. The Syrian Civil Defence, a first responder group also known as the White Helmets, said air strikes and shelling on Wednesday killed 61 people in whats left of the rebel-held east of the city. Syria state television reported late on Wednesday that rebel shelling killed 14 civilians and wounded 70 others, some critically, targeting government-held districts in west Aleppo. READ MORE: Syrias war What went wrong in east Aleppo? In a blistering, three-week offensive, Syrian forces have seized about 80 percent of east Aleppo, a stronghold for rebel groups since 2012. Increasingly cornered in a pocket of territory in the citys southeast, opposition factions on Wednesday called for an immediate five-day humanitarian ceasefire. When asked about the possibility of a truce in Aleppo, Assad said: Its practically non-existent, of course. Assad told Al-Watan: The Americans, in particular, are insisting on demanding a truce, because their terrorist agents are now in a difficult situation. He said a rebel loss in Aleppo will mean the transformation of the course of the war across Syria. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met US Secretary of State John Kerry in Hamburg late on Wednesday. They met for around 45 minutes in the German city of Hamburg where they discussed not only the humanitarian crisis unfolding in east Aleppo, or at least whats left of east Aleppo, theyre also discussing a deal which would see rebels being able to exit the area, Al Jazeeras Imtiaz Tyab said, reporting from Gaziantep along the Turkey-Syria border. An American official confirmed that the two diplomats discussed the potential safe passage for rebels out of east Aleppo. An official with an Aleppo-based rebel group, who declined to be named, told Reuters news agency: The Russians want the fighters out and they [the Americans] are ready to coordinate over that. READ MORE: Government forces push into Aleppos Old City While rebels say they could fend off the offensive for some time to come, the fighting is complicated by tens of thousands of fearful civilians trapped in the rebel-held east, many related to the fighters, the official said. The civilian burden is very heavy, in a small area. As winter sets in, siege conditions are increasingly desperate, exacerbated by increasing numbers of displaced residents and food and water shortages. A UN official said about 31,500 people from east Aleppo have been displaced around the entire city over the past week, with hundreds more seen on the move on Wednesday. With hospitals, clinics, water and food cut off, UN chief Ban Ki-moon called the situation was heart-breaking. Sonia Khush, Save the Children Syria director, said tens of thousands of children in Aleppo have become sitting targets. It defies belief that after nearly six years of suffering through this war, the international community is still willing to stand by as civilians are bombed with seeming impunity, she added. Addressing the GCCs annual summit PM Theresa May said she is clear-eyed on the threats posed by ISIL and Iran. British Prime Minister Theresa May has said that she wants to deepen defence cooperation with Gulf countries and work towards signing an ambitious trade agreement with them. Addressing the Gulf Cooperation Councils (GCC) annual summit in the Bahraini capital Manama on Wednesday, May said that Britain wanted to make a more permanent and more enduring commitment to the long-term security of the Gulf and invest more than three billion pounds ($3.7bn) in defence spending in the region over the next decade. Gulf security is our security, she told the council, which brings together the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. In challenging times you turn to your oldest and most dependable friends May said that she wanted a strategic partnership to help boost security in Gulf countries, including defence investment and military training in Bahrain and Jordan. During here televised speech, May also touched upon issues such as the ongoing conflicts in Yemen and Syria as well as the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group. May talked about how they will confront the threat of ISIL together, and how they will confront Iranian involvement or interference in Yemen, Al Jazeeras Jamal Elshayyal, who had been following the GCC summit from Doha, said. But overall it is possible to say that she was mainly looking for the economic good news that the UK desperately needs at the moment. Improving trade ties The prime minister also spoke about discussions to improve trade ties with Gulf countries as Britain prepares to leave the European Union. I want these talks to pave the way for an ambitious trade arrangement after Brexit, she said. Theresa May was in search of an alternative to the economic stability that the EU provided for the UK before the Brexit vote, Al Jazeeras Elshayyal said. May now sees an opportunity in the GCC, not only because of the vast natural resources that are here, but also because of the idea that the GCC countries between themselves have a lot of trade agreements already in place. So, to her, setting up a trade agreement here is like setting up something with a much bigger entity rather than just looking for bilateral trade ties between the UK and another country. READ MORE: Bahrain authorities block Al Jazeera from GCC summit King Salman of Gulf heavyweight Saudi Arabia opened the two-day summit on Tuesday with a call for a doubling of efforts to face regional challenges. Al Jazeera Media Network (AJMN) was blocked from covering the GCC summit on the ground, as Elshayyal was refused entry at Bahrain International Airport on Tuesday even though AJMN had followed all necessary procedures and submitted all requested documents to the relevant authorities on time. Bahrains information ministry did not immediately return repeated calls and emails seeking comment. It was not the first time Bahraini authorities have prevented Al Jazeera from reporting on events in the country. Manama previously blocked Al Jazeeras reporters from covering the 30th GCC summit, without providing convincing reasons, AJMN said in a statement released on Tuesday. The network had prepared for special, comprehensive coverage of this important event, it added. No official reason has been received from Bahraini officials on why AJMN was refused entry. Germany has urged Israel in unusually strong language to scrap legislation that would legalise Israeli settlement homes built on private Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank, saying it would break international law. A German foreign ministry spokesman said on Wednesday the government was extremely concerned about the development. Such a bill violates international law, he said, adding Israel would undermine its commitment to finding a two-state solution a Palestinian state in territory Israel captured in a 1967 war if the bill were passed. Asked whether Germany and the European Union should punish Israel with economic or diplomatic sanctions, the spokesman said: We dont think that sanctions would be the right path in this case to make headway in the Middle East peace process. Germany tends to be more reserved than other European nations in its criticism of Israel because of the legacy of the Nazi Holocaust. But it has objected in the past few years to Israeli settlement expansion on land Palestinians want for a state. Israeli officials are also concerned the bill could provide grounds for prosecution by the International Criminal Court in The Hague. READ MORE: Knesset advances bill to legalise outposts Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself cited possible court action when he initially opposed the legislation promoted by the far-right Jewish Home party and its leader Naftali Bennett. Palestinians condemned the bill as a land grab in territory they seek for a state. Israels parliament gave initial approval on Monday to a revised bill on the settlement homes. It must pass three more votes at unspecified future dates before becoming law. Government troops push into rebel-held areas of Old City, as US and Russia prepare to discuss potential rebel surrender. Syrias army and allied militias pushed into rebel-held parts of Aleppos Old City on Tuesday, looking closer than ever to achieving the most important victory of a ruinous five-year-old war. A rebel official said that they would never abandon Aleppo, their last urban stronghold in the country, after reports that diplomats from the United States and Russia were preparing to discuss facilitating the surrender and evacuation of rebels from territory they have held for years. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said talks with the US on a rebel withdrawal would begin in Geneva as soon as Wednesday morning. But sources familiar with the plans told the Reuters news agency that no talks would take place this week in the Swiss city. Aleppo, once Syrias commercial powerhouse, has been largely divided since 2012 between a rebel-held east and a government-controlled west, and has suffered some of the wars worst violence. The government has in recent weeks, with Russian air support, launched a huge offensive to take the entire city. Government forces won control of seven districts on Tuesday, including the strategic Shaar neighbourhood, and were in control of more than three quarters of former rebel-held territory in the divided northern city, state media said. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights called Shaar the most important neighbourhood in the heart of east Aleppo, and said rebels were being reduced to fighting a war of attrition. The government and its allies entered rebel-held parts of the Old City late on Tuesday, the Observatory, which relies on a network of contacts in the country to monitor the war, said. Rebels denied that but said the army and its allies were trying to break through and that fighting was ongoing. The Syrian army said it had also taken over other areas to the east of the Old City, including Marja and Karm al-Qaterji, bringing it closer to cutting off another pocket of rebel control. The rapid government gains have left rebels scrambling to defend the shrinking enclave they still control in the citys southeastern districts. READ MORE: I live in Aleppo, under siege Despite mounting criticism of the offensive, which started on November 15 and relies heavily on bombing raids carried out by Russian aircraft, world powers have struggled to find a way to halt the fighting. The offensive has killed more than 341 people in east Aleppo, including 44 children, according to the Observatory. Rebel fire into the government-held west of the city has killed 81 people, including 31 children, in the same period, it said. We have been trying to find a way to get to the negotiating table but Assad has never shown any willingness, US Secretary of State John Kerry said at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. Russia says Assad is ready to come to the table and I am in favour of putting that to the test, he said. Kerry, who has had repeated meetings on Syria with Lavrov, his Russian counterpart, said that they would meet again on Wednesday or Thursday in Hamburg, Germany. Even if Aleppo falls, the war will continue, Kerry said, stressing that there had to be a negotiated settlement. Theyll fight until the last drop of blood Russia had announced talks with the US in Geneva for Tuesday or Wednesday on organising a rebel withdrawal from Aleppo before a ceasefire. But on Tuesday, Lavrov accused Washington, which has backed rebel groups against Assad, of backtracking. It looks like an attempt to buy time for the rebels to have a breather, take a pause and replenish their reserves, Lavrov said. Moscow had the impression that a serious discussion with our American partners isnt working out. Kerry denied any change of plans when asked about Moscows allegations. Washington itself accused Moscow of stalling after Russia and China blocked a UN Security Council resolution on Monday calling for a seven-day ceasefire. Russia said the resolution should have been postponed until after the Geneva talks, saying an agreement on organising a withdrawal was close. OPINION: How Facebook hurt the Syrian Revolution Syria said it would not agree to any ceasefire without a guarantee of a rebel withdrawal. Syria will not leave its citizens in east Aleppo to be held hostage by terrorists, and will exert every effort to liberate them, said a foreign ministry statement carried by state media. The rebels have so far rejected any talk of leaving the city, with Yasser al-Youssef, of the leading Nureddin al-Zinki faction, calling the proposal unacceptable. General Asaad Nassif, a brigade commander with the Free Syrian Army, told Al Jazeera that the fighters were steadfast and fiercely resisting. Theyll fight until the last drop of blood, he said. Theyve made their choice to die as martyrs or to be victorious. Syrias conflict started in 2011 with protests calling for Assads resignation before exploding into all-out war. The ensuing violence has killed more than 400,000 people, made half of all Syrians homeless, and sparked the worlds largest refugee crisis, sending tens of thousands of people streaming towards Europe in rickety boats. Outside Aleppo, the government and its allies were also putting severe pressure on remaining rebel holdouts. The Observatory said a heavy Syrian and Russian aerial bombardment in the past three days in the mostly rebel-held Idlib province to the southwest had killed more than 100 people. Reported murders over family shame surged from 28 in 2014 to 251 last year, according to figures given in parliament. India has registered an almost 800 percent rise in the number of killings in the name of honour reported last year, according to figures presented in parliament. Indian police registered 251 cases of honour killings in 2015, compared with 28 cases reported in 2014 when the government began counting them separately from murder, according to a statement this week by Junior Home Minister Hansraj G Ahir to Indias parliament. The surge could partly reflect more willingness by people to report such crimes, which many still consider just punishment for women and men who defy communal customs by marrying outside of their religion, clan, or caste. Often the perpetrators are relatives seeking to punish young couples for bringing shame to the family. Womens rights activists say the government must pass legislation to recognise the crime as unique in order to target perpetrators for prosecution. These figures show that the government has to take this as a priority, said Sudha Sundararaman, head of the All India Democratic Womens Association. Though police are now asked to count these killings separately, the lack of a separate law defining such crimes means some police officers still record them in the larger murder category and do not investigate the cases further, she said. Killings in the name of honour are still common enough among Hindus and Muslims to regularly make newspaper headlines in a country where most marriages are arranged by families. Only because of sustained campaign by womens groups, a separate category was created for compiling cases of honour killing to get a real picture of the heinous crime. But there are still many cases that go unreported, Kirti Singh, a Supreme Court lawyer, was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times. Most cases are reported in northern states such as Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, where caste councils wield enormous power in village life. OPINION: How can we stop killings in the name of honour? The highest number of such killings recorded last year was in Uttar Pradesh, where police counted 131 killings compared with just two cases in 2014, Ahir said, citing data from the National Crime Records Bureau. Such a jump is astronomical and needs to be looked into, Deputy Inspector General D K Chaudhary said. Womens activists say the number still vastly underestimates actual figures. One 2011 study suggested about 900 people were murdered in the name of honour ever year in India. Under-reporting There is severe under-reporting of such crimes. Families are often ashamed to report such crimes, said Annie Raja of the National Federation of Indian Women. Raja said the situation had worsened in the past few years, noting an increasing trend in village councils run by unelected elders promoting conservative, anti-women values in the name of preserving Indian culture and tradition. Indian society is unwilling to accept the choices made by young women when it comes to their marriage, said Ranjana Kumari of the Centre for Social Research, a New Delhi-based think-tank. People also have to learn to respect women. Iraqi air force kills at least 52 civilians waiting for salaries in western city of al-Qaim with dozens of others hurt. At least 52 people including many women and children have been killed when air strikes by Iraqi forces mistakenly targeted civilians gathering in the ISIL-held western city of al-Qaim, military officials told Al Jazeera. Dozens of other people reportedly waiting for their salaries outside an exchange facility and a livestock market were also wounded in Wednesdays air raid by Sukhoi fighter jets. Mohammed al-Karbouli, an Iraqi member of parliament in Anbar province, said in an official statement on his Facebook page that it was not the first time civilians had been bombed by the Iraqi air force. We demand the government establish an investigation commission to find out who is behind these repeated accidents of killing civilians, lately in al-Qaim city, Karbouli said. To repeat the mistakes of bombing civilians is to distort the reputation of our troops. He also said the incidents raised questions on the validity of the intelligence the army is using in targeting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group. This gives an opportunity to the terrorist organisation of promoting information through their media that harms our forces, Karbouli said. Anbar Provincial Council Chairman Sabah Khrout told Al Jazeera the death toll could be more than 100 civilians. Amaq, the media arm of ISIL, reported on the raid, saying at least 120 civilians were killed by Iraqi warplanes. INTERACTIVE: Battle for Mosul Who controls what Also on Wednesday, Iraqi forces claimed they made gains in their fight against ISIL in Mosul. Lieutenant-General Abdul-Amir Yarellah, the commander of the campaign, said in a statement that troops had fully liberated the al-Elam neighbourhood and raised the Iraqi flag over its buildings. He said ISIL suffered losses, but did not elaborate. The Iraqi armys 9th Armoured Division said it had retaken al-Salam hospital in a push on Tuesday, the farthest the army has penetrated into east Mosul since the start of a broad offensive launched on October 17. We advanced in al-Salam district but the situation is difficult. There is heavy fighting, Brigadier-General Shaker Kadhem told AFP news agency. We took control of al-Salam hospital, which was a command centre for Daesh, he said, using an Arabic acronym for ISIL. READ MORE: Iraq army launches assault on vital Mosul bridge A senior counterterrorism officer said the fighting in al-Salam was fierce and the army had asked for backup. The 9th Divisions situation is difficult and they have called for support. We are sending a regiment there, the officer told AFP on condition of anonymity. They are surrounded now in al-Salam hospital We are on the way so we can open a passage for them. The ISIL-affiliated Amaq news agency said fighters had carried out five suicide car bomb attacks in the area during the past 24 hours and Iraqi forces had sustained significant losses. Overnight attack ISIL carried out an overnight attack against Iraqi security forces in the southeastern part of Mosul. The assault inflicted heavy losses, Iraqi Army Sergeant-Major Hakim Saranbii told the Associated Press news agency, without giving specific casualty figures. The Iraqi government has not publicised the casualty figures for government troops and paramilitary forces fighting in Mosul and elsewhere in northern Iraq. Nearly 2,000 members of Iraqi forces were killed in November across the country, along with more than 920 civilians in the battle to take Iraqs second-largest city from ISIL, the United Nations said last week. Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi who has said he expects the Mosul campaign to wrap up by the end of the year, acknowledged late on Tuesday that the battle was slow-going. We are aware of the size of challenges, especially when it comes to the presence of civilians, Abadi said. President Uhuru Kenyatta urges medical workers to return to job, saying nearly 20 patients have died in three days. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged striking medical workers to return to the job, saying nearly 20 people have died three days into the strike because of lack of treatment. All doctors and nurses from public hospitals across Kenya have gone on strike, leading to a crisis in the health sector. Healthcare workers and the public accuse the government of being slow to increase salaries while being quick to pay inflated contracts from suspect companies doing business with the health ministry, which is being investigated for corruption. Let us be human and be mindful of the lives of the patients. I am confident that we will find a solution to the problem, Kenyatta said. But even as the president spoke, the chairman of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union, Samuel Oroko, stormed out of a meeting with health ministry officials saying the talks had collapsed after union officials learned that the government was seeking court orders to arrest them. We shall not negotiate until the government withdraws any court issues in good faith, Oroko said. READ MORE: Meet the Kenyans too poor to afford cancer treatment The deaths of two women at the Port Victoria Hospital in western Budalangi on Monday and three patients in Mombasa on Tuesday, were attributed to the strike. The strike is to blame because the patient who is my sister was in a good condition and was improving, said Steven Mwaura, whose sister died of meningitis. Local media reported instances of patients who had suffered burns or were in labour being left stranded in front of hospitals. The majority of people in the country cannot afford private healthcare, and the strike has put emergency cases at higher risk of death. On first day of the strike, 87 patients escaped from the countrys sole psychiatric hospital. Doctors and nurses have complained for a decade about low pay, and thousands have taken jobs abroad. Kenyans often criticise politicians for seeking treatment abroad, saying they show no faith in the healthcare system at home. Environmentalists claim the countrys ongoing drought exposes the negative impacts of the mining industry. Bolivias water shortages have been exacerbated by a boom in mining projects, according to environmental and land rights campaigners. The country is currently in the grip of a drought, which is said to be the worst in 25 years. In November, the country declared a state of emergency as the water situation worsened. Although the drought has reduced the amount of water available, environmentalists are claiming the problems have been greatly enhanced by the mining companies. According to Reuters, nearly 100,000 cubic metres of water are used in Bolivias mining industry every day. This is the same amount of water which is used in the entirety of the capital, La Paz, in two days. READ MORE: Water rationing introduced as Bolivia drought worsens The drought has affected at least 170,000 families across the country, and coincides with a rise in the price of minerals. According to Hector Cordova, a mine engineer and analyst for Bolivias Jubilee Foundation, the mining companies would continue to put an increase in profits before drought-related consequences. The countrys mineral production will increase in volume to take advantage of the good prices, but undoubtedly greater production translates to more water use When production has increased, more water has been used. Theres no alternative, he said. Some of the smaller companies have been forced to stop production due to the lack of water. Some of the bigger companies, however, could afford to make large investments in order to extract water from beneath the ground, according to Cordova. These companies have been able to increase production despite the drought. The unregulated extraction of water from the ground is a cause for concern. Consistently, year after year, more water has been extracted from groundwater than has been replenished. Studies have shown that the reserves of groundwater in Bolivia are now below 50 percent. According to Milton Perez, an engineer at Oruro Technical University, Bolivias decline in groundwater is part of a global trend. Globally, we have 37 very important bodies of groundwater that are taxed for direct human consumption. Of these 37, 22 bodies of water, most of them on the African continent and a few in the north of America, have dried up completely. Alarmingly, the current drought in Bolivia comes on the back of one of the most powerful El Nino events on record. El Nino, the slight warming of the surface of the Pacific Ocean, usually causes an increase in rain across Bolivia. The recent El Nino event triggered major flooding and landslides in the region during February and March. By the end of November, La Paz had received 438.8mm of rain, only nine percent less than the average. The majority of the rain in La Paz falls in December, January and February, but there are concerns that these rains will be below average. Currently, there are weak La Nina conditions in the Pacific, characterized by a cooling of the surface waters, which is likely to extend the drought into 2017. Additional reporting by Steff Gaulter Yunus family and micro-credit bank investigated for tax irregularities in a case some see as politically motivated. Dhaka, Bangladesh Authorities have launched a new investigation into the financial affairs of the Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, his family, and the micro-credit agency Grameen Bank which he founded. Last week, the Central Investigation Cell of the National Bureau of Revenue sent notices to banks in Bangladesh requiring them to provide information within seven days about any accounts, loans, or other financial instruments held in the past seven years either by Yunus, his wife, the Yunus family trust, or Grameen Bank. The notices, seen by Al Jazeera, were sent out a week after a tax commissioner had written to Yunus informing him that the NBR had also decided to audit the Nobel laureates personal tax return for the current financial year, and asking for documentation to verify his income and expenditure. Sabbir Osmani, media spokesperson for the Yunus Centre, said Yunus was not in a position to comment on the NBR notices sent to the banks. In relation to the information sought about Yunuss own tax return, Osmani said at the time Yunus had lodged it he provided all the information now requested by tax authorities. Professor Yunus has always provided all information related to his taxes in a timely manner, Osmani said. It was not the first time the NBR has shown an interest in Yunus financial affairs. In 2015, NBR filed a court case against Yunus for allegedly failing to pay $1.5m in tax an allegation the Nobel Peace Prize winner called baseless. The case was subsequently stayed by the High Court. The latest inquiry is seen by some observers as a possible new step in the ruling Awami League partys ongoing feud with Yunus, which was initially triggered by his attempt in 2007 to establish a rival political party. READ MORE: Bangladesh overburdened by political prisoners The NBR has jurisdiction to make these kind of inquiries and if they are done to see if there is any tax evasion or irregularity, that is a good practice, said Dr Iftekharuzzaman, head of the Bangladesh chapter of Transparency International. But if it is politically motivated, to victimise a person, then it is a cause of concern. In the case of Yunus, his taxes have reportedly already been scrutinised in earlier years, including investigations into his accounts and those of Grameen Bank. And if this new inquiry is related to anything other than tax, then it is a matter of apprehension. The campaign against the lauded economist started six years ago in November 2010, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina claimed Yunus was sucking blood from the poor in the name of poverty alleviation. In the following years, government authorities removed Yunus as managing director of Grameen Bank, filed a criminal case against him for food adulteration, and initiated investigations into the bank and its sister companies. The prime minister has also accused him of lobbying the World Bank to stop its $3bn financing of the Padma bridge, and this year said the conspirators seeking to block the grant will be prosecuted. READ MORE: Bangladesh accused of kneecapping opposition members The prime ministers media adviser, Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, denied that the new NBR inquiries involved any kind of harassment. These letters are just a question of a financial institution getting financial information which can happen to any citizen, including ministers and businessman, Chowdhury said. I do not think that this should be treated as new form of harassment. Yunus is a respected person and the government has not filed any case against him, and there is no question of harassment by the government. The NBR letters were sent a couple of weeks after US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, a strong supporter of Yunus when she was secretary of state, lost the US election. In a letter to president-elect Donald Trump, the Bangladeshi prime minister said he had shown extraordinary leadership [in] serving the American people and also the global humanity. The United Nations warns of the largest crisis in Africa as the offensive against Boko Haram moves at a snails pace. The United Nations has warned that northern Nigeria faces the largest crisis in Africa as the governments war with Boko Haram has become increasingly bogged down In northern Borno state, the epicentre of a conflict that has spread to three neighbouring countries Chad, Cameroon and Niger Nigerias army has unleashed a barrage of air and land assaults. The counterinsurgency has clawed back some territory, but Boko Haram has responded by stepping up guerrilla tactics, ambushing troops and attacking civilians. In late November, Major General Leo Irbor hailed his mens success in freeing more than 5,200 people in a month. But the high number of people freed highlighted Boko Harams capacity to capture and hold vast, heavily populated areas. Villagers under siege are typically forced to abandon their crops, devastating local food supplies. Those who escape Boko Haram are generally transported by the army to camps where basic supplies are also desperately scarce. The UN estimates that 14 million people will need outside help in 2017, particularly in Borno State, after seven years of conflict that has killed at least 20,000 people and left 2.6 million homeless. Scorched-earth The scale of humanitarian suffering has become more apparent as troops recapture and discover the scorched-earth conditions of villages that have fallen to the hands of Boko Haram. But some local people complain that there are not enough security forces deployed to battle the group. READ MORE: Nigerias hunger crisis could kill 200 children per day The same day as Irbor made his comments, five people were killed in raids on villages near Chibok, the district that gained notoriety for the Boko Haram kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls in 2014. The Boko Haram raiders looted and burned houses, set fire to crops that were ready for harvesting, and killed the locals even though the army had been alerted to the assault. Weve heard there are 700 soldiers to secure the zone bordering the Sambisa forest that is the Boko Haram stronghold, said Ayuba Alamson, a resident of Chibok. The forest covers an area of about 1,300 square kilometres (500 square miles). We need another battalion, said Alamson. Though Boko Haram has been weakened and casualty numbers followings its attacks are often low, the frequency of their strikes enable it to keep up the pressure on security forces and force them to deploy, said Omar Mahmood, a researcher at the Institute for Security Studies, stretching them further. Famine-like Troop numbers are also being pulled away to fight on another front in the south where fighters have been sabotaging oil pipelines and other installations vital to the countrys export earnings in a fierce dispute over local autonomy and the distribution of petrodollars. The number of killings in the northeast, which increases after the end of the rainy season each year, is a particular cause for concern especially on the border with Niger. Territory in Niger has become the stronghold of Abu Musab al-Barnawi, who was declared a local leader by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) armed group after Boko Haram declared allegiance to them. Yan St-Pierre, director of the Modern Security Consulting Group, said that pressure on ISIL fighters in northern Libya has pushed its activities further south, to countries bordering Nigeria. As a result, their effectiveness for supplying [fighters] with weapons and logistic material has greatly improved over several weeks, he told the AFP news agency. READ MORE: HRW says Boko Haram refugees in Nigeria raped by officials While ISIL and Boko Haram fighters battle the Nigerian army, hunger is spreading among both villagers and the swelling ranks of displaced people in the ravaged northeast. The UN has warned that 75,000 children in the region are at risk of death within a few months. What the World Food Programme has called famine-like conditions have prompted experts to warn against seeking victory over the armed groups at all costs. The Nigerian army, which has adopted a purely military strategy for seven years, needs to change its approach if it wants to win this war, said St-Pierre. Choi Soon-sil, who is facing allegations of fraud, refused to attend the hearing citing a panic disorder as the reason. A South Korean parliamentary committee sent a squad of security officers to order the jailed woman at the centre of a scandal that threatens to bring down the president to attend a hearing investigating her alleged manipulation of government affairs. Wednesdays drama is the latest step in what appears to be the final days in power for President Park Geun-hye, who faces an impeachment vote on Friday. Park, whose approval rating dropped last week to a record low of 4 percent, is accused of having allowed close friend Choi Soon-sil to meddle in state affairs and of giving Choi access to official state documents. Choi, now jailed at a detention centre near Seoul, had earlier cited a panic disorder as the reason that she couldnt testify on Wednesday, according one of the politicians at the hearing. READ MORE: Business elite grilled over Park scandal There was a moment sort of made for TV, almost gameshow-like drama earlier on, when the chairman of the committee had stand before him a row of national assembly staff members, Al Jazeeras Harry Fawcett, reporting from Seoul, said. He handed over envelopes with the names of the 10 people that hadnt turn up to the hearing, with the idea being they would then go off, collect these people and bring them back. However, it is still highly unlikely the committee will force Choi to attend a hearing and testify, Fawcett said. It looks like Choi Soon-sils lawyers are going to prevail in this, he said. The national assembly does not have any kind of power of arrest. So the worst that can happen is that somebody is fined. In past cases, witnesses who refused to attend hearings have been fined. Prosecutors have arrested and indicted Choi, two ex-presidential aides and a music video director known as a Choi associate, for extortion, leaking confidential documents and other charges in November. One of the two ex-aides allegedly pressured big companies to donate millions of dollars to foundations controlled by Choi, while the other is accused of passing confidential government documents to Choi. Both men refused to testify on Wednesday. Fourteen people caught up in the scandal were at Wednesdays hearing, including two of Chois former associates and ex-presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-choon. Hard for you to go to heaven With many key witnesses absent, legislators grilled Kim about a 2014 ferry disaster that has long dogged Parks government over what is widely believed to have been a botched rescue effort. OPINION: South Koreas political morass The sinking killed more than 300 people, mostly high school pupils on a field trip. Opposition politician Kim Kyung-jin screamed as he grilled Kim about an allegation that he told junior presidential secretaries that efforts to recover bodies from the wreckage should be stopped because it would be a burden to the government. The legislator cited what he said was a memo left by a late Park secretary. Kim Ki-choon denied making such an instruction, causing Kim Kyung-jin to erupt. It will be hard for you go to heaven after you die. You need a lot of self-reflection, the legislator said. If impeached, Parks presidential powers will be suspended and the countrys Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to rule on whether to formally unseat her. On Tuesday, Park told ruling party leaders that she is willing to accept the outcome if she is impeached and would make every available effort to prepare for a court process. The comments suggest Park is now bracing herself for a Constitutional Court procedure that could determine her fate. The new Arab Human Development report seeks to dispel misconceptions about young Arabs in the region. Beirut Arab youths are suffering from pervasive social exclusion, the highest unemployment levels in the world, and low female labour force participation, the Arab Human Development Report for 2016 has found. The annual report, entitled Youth and the Prospects of Human Development in a Changing Reality, was launched at the American University of Beirut in late November by the United Nations Development Programme. The report brings to light a number of matters worth considering. On one hand, the Arab region as a whole has achieved remarkable progress in educational enrolment and the fight against illiteracy, especially among women. Overall extreme poverty and hunger have declined, and there has been an increase in life expectancy. Yet on the other hand, the region has witnessed a dramatic increase in armed conflict, militarisation and violence. Fifteen years ago, when the first Arab Human Development Report, or AHDR, was published, five out of 22 Arab states were witnessing conflict or political violence. Today, this number has gone up to 11. Half of the Arab region is living in conflict, and the situation does not seem to be improving. READ MORE: The Arab world needs a new social contract Young people in the region are the main victims of this grim [economic] situation. They constitute the largest segment in society and suffer from pervasive social exclusion. In the past couple of decades, the region has seen low economic growth with very little job creation, which has translated into a general decline in the standards of living for the majority of Arab citizens. Low oil prices have put government budgets, cross-border investments and workers remittances under stress, and Arab societies have witnessed a degradation of their social, physical and environmental capital. With more than 75 percent of the Arab population living in major cities in the region, one just needs to visit these urban areas to witness the extent of air pollution, degraded living conditions, shrinking public spaces and the general malaise of a majority of the population. Young people in the region are the main victims of this grim situation. They constitute the largest segment in society 105 million are aged 15-29, 30 percent of the Arab regions population and suffer from pervasive social exclusion. Unemployment among youths is the highest in the world at more than 30 percent; young womens labour force participation is at an all-time low; and with an increasing education most university graduates migrate when they can to find better opportunities abroad. READ MORE: The terrible illusions of the Arab Spring The less fortunate ones live idle lives, waiting for things to change. This waithood has caused a delay in family formation and autonomy, a higher exposure to health risk factors, such as smoking and drug use, and ultimately pushed some youths to engage in extremist activities and armed conflict. Yet the AHDR 2016 seeks to dispel several misconceptions about young Arabs that have been prevalent in previous analysis and reporting on the region.The first misconception is that the vast majority of young Arabs are prone to radicalisation and extremism. A massive amount of recent opinion polling data analysed for the Report revealed that an overwhelming majority of youths rejects terrorism and radicalisation, albeit remaining largely conservative in their social and religious attitudes. The second misconception is that young migrants originating from Arab countries constitute a major threat to developed economies. The AHDR 2016 found that most Arab countries are marked by outward migration; yet, the vast stock of immigrants in Gulf Cooperation Council countries means that Arab countries as a whole receive more migrants Arab and non-Arab than they send out. An estimated 27 million immigrants live within the borders of the Gulf countries of the region; these countries took in about 80 percent of all immigrants Arab and non-Arab in the region in 20102014. With the rise in conflicts in the region, forced migration has pushed many Arabs to migrate mostly to other neighbouring Arab countries, with a much smaller share going to countries outside the region such as Europe. The third misconception is that following the failure of the 2011 uprisings many young Arabs have become apathetic and less interested in civic engagement and political change. While it is true that the data reveals life dissatisfaction among youth in the region is the highest in the world, they are more civically engaged and socially mobilised, especially young women, than similar youth in other countries around the world. With an extremely high electronic connectivity more than 70 percent of young people in the region have access to social media Arab youths are more exposed to globalisation and connected than any other previous generation. This raises their expectations and aspirations, yet at the same time increases their frustration when nothing is improving in their daily life. The AHDR 2016 is a wake-up call for policymakers and citizens in the region to address the systemic issues that are plaguing their societies. Achieving peace and security is a core priority, with the necessity of increasing youth involvement in peace building and conflict resolution. Tackling rising economic inequality and inequality of opportunity, especially in access to good education and healthcare, is another crucial cross-regional priority. Arab countries are witnessing a widening divide between the haves and the have-nots, and young Arabs living in slums and peripheral areas have less chances of obtaining quality education and access to affordable health services. The Report calls for increased government investments in the expansion of public education and providing free universal health coverage. It also calls for opening up the political space for Arab youth, and treating them as real partners in planning the future of the Arab countries, not just as a burden or a threat. *The writer is a Lebanese Economist and Social Activist. He is an Associate Professor of Economics at the American University of Beirut. He recently served as the Lead Author of UNDPs Arab Human Development Report 2016. Tough-talking president says hes willing to go to jail for policemen accused of rubbing out a drug-linked mayor. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte staunchly defended more than two dozen policemen accused by the governments main investigation agency of killing a jailed mayor linked to illegal drugs. Duterte said on Wednesday he still believes the accounts of the policemen, who said Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr and another inmate, Raul Yap, died in their cells when they shot it out with police during a November 5 raid in a jail in central Leyte province. The president said he was willing to go to jail for his policemen. After weeks of investigation, the National Bureau of Investigation said on Tuesday it determined the two inmates died in a police rub-out and not a shoot-out. The NBI, the equivalent of the United States FBI, said the policemen probably placed pistols and illegal drugs in the cells of the two dead inmates to justify the police raid. What the police stated is the truth for me, Duterte said in a speech. He added he would not allow the policemen to go to jail. The NBI findings cast a black mark on Dutertes deadly anti-drug crackdown, which has alarmed western governments and human rights groups. There have been suspicions that some of the more than 4,000 slain drug suspects may have been killed deliberately by law enforcers and did not die in gun battles as claimed by police. NBI spokesman Ferdinand Lavin said on Tuesday that the bureau filed murder complaints against the policemen at the Department of Justice last Friday. Prosecutors will rule whether there is enough evidence to indict the policemen. All the policemen involved in the raid at the jail conspired to kill Espinosa and Yap and cover up the murders, Lavin said. Investigators: Philippine police killed jailed mayor Espinosas death has sparked scepticism even among politicians backing Dutertes crackdown because of the apparent brazenness of the killings. He had surrendered to the national police chief in a nationally televised event after he and more than 160 other officials were named publicly by Duterte in August as part of a shame campaign. Espinosa was later released, but was re-arrested and jailed in October after being indicted on drug and firearm charges. His son, an alleged drug lord, was arrested in the United Arab Emirates in October and has been repatriated to the Philippines, where he has acknowledged past involvement in illegal drugs. After furore over BBC piece, official said any news deemed harmful to new King will be considered criminal. Thailands government will not back down from prosecuting news outlets that publish illegal content, the defence minister said on Wednesday, after the BBCs bureau in Bangkok came under scrutiny for an article about the countrys new king. The British broadcasters Thai-language service, a relative newcomer, caused a stir when it published an article on King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkuns personal life as crown prince. It included details of three marriages that ended in divorce and other material that cannot be published in the Thai news media. Thailand has strict lese majeste laws against insulting the monarchy, which carry a penalty of three to 15 years in prison. Using the French term, a lese majeste crime is one committed against a sovereign ruler. Whatever is illegal will be processed accordingly, no exceptions, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan told journalists. After the article was published on December 2, the day after Vajiralongkorn ascended the throne, the BBCs office in Thailand received a number of visits from the Thai army and police. The BBC closed the office this week but continues to broadcast and publish articles on its website, although the link to the article about Vajiralongkorn is now blocked in Thailand. Officials were just doing their jobs when they searched this news agency, Prawit said. Internet crackdown The article sparked outrage among Thai royalists. Social media groups, such as the Facebook group V for Thailand, vigorously criticised the BBC, and posted its Bangkok phone number on their Facebook page, encouraging followers to call and harass people working there. READ MORE: Wife of UK journalist arrested over Thai royal insult Thai police arrested a student on Saturday for sharing the BBC article, releasing him on bail the next day. It was the first arrest under lese the majeste law since Vajiralongkorn became king. It appeared to be the first lese majeste case involving material produced by a respected mainstream media outlet, although previous cases have involved content from several foreign tabloids. Mainstream media have had stories about the Thai monarchy censored, by blocking their websites and the voluntary stopping of distribution of editions of magazines and newspapers in Thailand, including the Economist and the International New York Times. Critics of the lese majeste law, known as Article 112, say it is used to silence political dissidents. The military regime that took power in a 2014 coup has especially cracked down on commentary on the internet. President-elect given title for defying expectations and rewriting rules of politics, magazines managing editor says. Time magazine has named President-elect Donald Trump its Person of the Year for his shocking upset election victory that rewrote the rules of politics. When have we ever seen a single individual who has so defied expectations, broken the rules, violated norms, beaten not one but two political parties on the way to winning an election that he entered with 100-to-1 odds against him? the magazines managing editor, Nancy Gibbs, said on Wednesday on NBCs Today Show. Trump wants to cancel Boeings Air Force One contract In a phone interview on the programme, Trump welcomed the move as a very, very great honour. It means a lot, he added. Gibbs said Trumps Democrat rival in the election, Hillary Clinton, was the No 2 finalist and noted the choice of Trump this year was straightforward. The Hackers, ranked after Clinton. Gibbs said that referred to a new cyber security threat we saw this year of state-sponsored hackers looking to delegitimize an American election. She said this was something new this year and something very disturbing. Among the other finalists who he beat were German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Time cover reads, Donald Trump: President of the Divided States of America, and the cover image features a photograph of the president-elect sitting in his private residence at Trump Tower. Trump went from fiery underdog in the race for the Republican presidential nomination to defeating Clinton in the November 8 election. He won 306 electoral votes, easily enough to make him president. Clinton won the popular vote. Gibbs said Clinton came closer than any woman ever has to winning the White House, and in the process revealed, I think, both the opportunities and the obstacles that women face in the public square. The magazine said its Person of the Year, an annual tradition that dates back 90 years, had the greatest influence, for better or worse, on the events of the year. So which is it this year: better or worse? Gibbs wrote. What makes Trump attractive to so many Americans? Al Jazeeras Kimberly Halkett, reporting from Washington DC, said for better or for worse, those who see him as a positive influence see the election as a long overdue rebuke of a very arrogant governing class. Having said that, there is also a very strong feeling acknowledged by the magazine that Trump has violated the norms of civility and discourse I dont think the country will be the same after this. Costs are out of control, says US president-elect who wants to cancel ridiculous order on new planes. US President-elect Donald Trump urged the government to cancel an order with Boeing Co for a revamped Air Force One, saying costs were out of control. Air Force One is one of the most prominent symbols of the US presidency. It has been used by US presidents since 1943, according to the companys website. It was not immediately clear what prompted his complaint about Boeing and the presidential plane on Tuesday, but Trumps transition team said he aimed to send a clear message that he intends to save taxpayers money after he takes office on January 20. Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4bn. Cancel order! Trump said on Twitter. The budgeted costs for the Air Force One replacement programme are $2.87bn for the fiscal years 2015 through 2021, according to budget documents. Trump, who has vowed to use his skills as a businessman to make good deals that benefit American taxpayers, then made a surprise appearance in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York, where he amplified his comments. The plane is totally out of control. I think its ridiculous. I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number. We want Boeing to make a lot of money, but not that much money, he said. A spokesman for Boeing said the company had no immediate comment. Boeing shares slumped almost one percent after Trumps tweet. READ MORE: Who is who in Donald Trumps administration During his unconventional election campaign, Trump complained about the cost of President Barack Obamas use of the presidential aircraft to campaign for his rival Hillary Clinton. Trump used his own Boeing 757 to campaign around the country, pledging to shake up Washington. The US air force, which operates the presidential planes, first announced in January 2015 that Boeings 747-8 would be used to replace the two current planes that transport the US president. The Air Force awarded Boeing an initial contract worth $25.8m in January this year. This was to conduct studies on the costs of building the plane with the requirements desired by the White House, including making it possible for the plane to communicate even during a nuclear war, while also looking at lowering costs. Seven locations raided after Al Jazeera documentary on alleged slavery at car washes prompted police action. British police have arrested three people in pre-dawn raids as part of an operation against a suspected organised slavery ring in the southern county of Kent. Wednesdays raids were carried out simultaneously at seven different properties in Canterbury and Maidstone after an investigation prompted by an Al Jazeera documentary Britains Modern Slave Trade . The operation targeted car washes and residential addresses and resulted in the arrests of two men, aged 32 and 36, and a 21-year-old woman. The documentary, broadcast earlier this year, contained undercover footage spread over several months of conditions at a car wash. INTERACTIVE: Britains Modern Slave Trade In a statement published after the raid, Kent Police said they were working on identifying potential victims and what crimes may have been committed. Police were speaking to around 15 potential victims to identify if offences of trafficking, modern slavery or money laundering have been committed, the statement read. Superintendent Eddie Fox from Kent Police said the operation was the culmination of months of investigative work. We have worked closely with our partners at the NCA [National Crime Agency] and Immigration Enforcement as part of this operation and would ask anyone who may have information that may prove useful to this investigation, to come forward, Fox said. Fox confirmed to local news website Kent Online that the Al Jazeera documentary had prompted the polices investigation. We hadnt known about this before the documentary that started the investigation, he told the website. More than 80 officers were involved in the raids, Kent Online reported. Al Jazeeras Director of Investigative Journalism Clayton Swisher said about 20 people were freed from captivity in the UK following the documentary was broadcast. Beyond the headlines this film created, possibly 20 slaves have now been freed from their captivity in Britain and are in safe custody, he said. As journalists, we feel incredibly gratified, and we wish to thank British law-enforcement officials for treating these allegations with the utmost seriousness. It seems that we only scratched the surface on the scale of what was taking place. Al Jazeera Media Network was denied entry into Bahrain where members of the Gulf Cooperative Council are meeting. The six countries that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council are vital regional and international players. They are Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. When their leaders hold an annual summit, it makes news around the world. But this year, Al Jazeera was banned from covering the summit in the Bahrain capital of Manama, despite submitting the required paperwork in time. In a statement, Al Jazeera condemned the measure, saying its a deviation from the normal media protocols of host countries. The network has affirmed that it will continue to cover news and events in Bahrain regardless of the ban. But why was Al Jazeera singled out? And should there be a common rule for journalists covering international events? Presenter: Jane Dutton Guests: Jamal Elshayyal Al Jazeera correspondent. Barbara Trionfi Executive Director of the International Press Institute. Hugh Miles Journalist and author of the book Al Jazeera: How Arab TV News Challenged the World. Background to the holy wars and the First Crusades conquest of Jerusalem, a holy city for Jews, Christians and Muslims. The Crusades: An Arab Perspective is a four-part documentary series telling the dramatic story of the Crusades seen through Arab eyes, from the seizing of Jerusalem under Pope Urban II in 1099, to its recapture by Salah ad-Din (also known as Saladin), Richard the Lionhearts efforts to regain the city, and the end of the holy wars in 1291. In part one, we explore the history of the First Crusade and the conquest of Jerusalem. The Crusades are the epitome of holy war. Yet the roots of this 200-year conflict lay not just in religion, but also in the economic condition of medieval Europe. Around the time of the Crusades, Europe experienced several droughts which made people lose faith in everything, says Antoine Domit, history professor at the Lebanese University. A struggle between church and state was taking place in Europe: Who would rule over the people of Europe, the pope or the king? After centuries of European domination, largely through the armies of imperial Rome, the Mediterranean basin had fallen firmly under Muslim control. So the Muslims surrounded Europe, from Spain in the west to the eastern Mediterranean in the east. For Europeans, the east is A Thousand and One Nights. It represents wealth, beautiful clothing, young concubines, thriving public life, songs and culture, says Elias al-Kattar, history professor at the Lebanese University. While the Muslim east lived in prosperity, Europe had slipped into relative poverty and conflict. Medieval western society was a feudal society, which meant that you had the aristocracy in charge of a large amount of people that had no land possessions, says Jan Vandeburie, of the School of History, University of Kent. Ishaaq Abaid, history professor at Ain Shams University, explains that only one percent of people who had the titles of count, duke or baron, owned all the agricultural lands. Ninety-nine percent of the European population were called serfs and worked on these lands. Most Europeans in the 11th century lived in poverty and were struggling to survive, while war and conflict among knights were part of everyday life. Pope Gregory VII and the idea of a holy war On the other side of the Mediterranean lay relative prosperity and the cultural riches of the Muslims world, but the glittering facade hid deep political and religious divisions. From the mid-ninth century, the Abbasid Caliphate had gradually come under the control of different dynasties. The caliphs, meant to be the universal leaders of Islam, were no more than puppets in the hands of ministers, army commanders and even servants. The crusaders didn't outnumber the population or have greater force and fighting skills. Yet, they emerged victorious because of the Muslims' demographic and political divisions. by Qassem Abdu Qassem, head of the history department, Zaqaziq University The Muslim Seljuk Turks began expanding their empire in every direction. The most significant and serious expansion was in Asia Minor against the Christian Byzantine Empire. And after the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, the Seljuks moved closer to Constantinople, the great capital of the Byzantine Empire. They took Romanus Diogenes IV as a prisoner and his successor, Emperor Alexios Komnenos, called for help from Western Europe. Pope Gregory VII saw this as the perfect opportunity to realise his dream of controlling the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and of gathering all the armed forces under papal leadership in a campaign he called, the Lords Project, says Qassem Abdu Qassem, head of the history department, Zaqaziq University. Zubeida Atta, a history professor at Helwan University, says: Pope Gregory has the idea of a holy war. It was he who came up with the idea of sending a campaign to the east to recapture the tomb of Jesus Christ from the hands of the Muslims, whom he believed had taken it by force. When Pope Gregory died in 1085 before turning his project into reality, his ambitious successor, Pope Urban II picked up the baton. He was a fanatic and believed deeply in exporting Catholicism and in the militarisation of Christianity, says Muhammad Moenes Awad, history professor, Sharjah University. The First Crusade: Its Gods will The First Crusade was called in November 1095 by Pope Urban II at the French town of Clermont, where he held a Catholic Church council. But what started as a religious gathering, took a dramatic turn when Pope Urban made a speech that would be the starting point of two centuries of bloodshed. He addressed the spiritual anxieties of the common man and promised penance for those who would go and fight in the holy war. Fighting is your duty, you have to continue fighting to defend our property, our lands. Our property that is yours. We have to combat these non-believers and reclaim our holy land. Its Gods will. Pope Urban II drew up a schedule for the first campaign which should set out in the summer of 1096. But some ignored the holy command and found a leader who would immediately guide them to the east: an old monk called Peter the Hermit. These first enthusiastic, but undisciplined, Christians to head towards Jerusalem were crushed by the Muslim Seljuks in Asia Minor. But now, in the summer of 1096, much stronger, larger and more organised forces were gathering and advancing eastwards. These armies forming the First Crusade were commanded by figures of European nobility. The armies set off from Western Europe and headed towards the Holy Land. Some went to defend their reputation, while others sought to acquire new land and build an empire, says Abdu Qassem. By the end of 1096, the European armies started arriving in the Byzantine capital, Constantinople. According to Professor Said al-Bishawy of the Open University of Jerusalem, the crusaders swore allegiance to the Byzantine emperor, Alexios Komnenos, and promised to return the lands taken by the Seljuk Turks. This bargain was necessary for them to be granted permission to head east. After crossing the Bosporus, the crusaders marched towards the Seljuks capital in Asia Minor, the city of Nicaea. True to the oath they had sworn to the emperor, the city of Nicaea was returned to the Byzantines. But as the crusaders continued their successful march in Asia Minor, their holy task of taking Jerusalem was momentarily set aside some of their numbers made a detour to the city of Edessa. One of the commanders, Baldwin of Boulogne, headed to Edessa which became the first crusader state to be founded in the east. The taking of Edessa shows that the crusaders werent guided by any religious dictates. Crusaders came under the pretence of freeing the Holy Sepulchre from infidels and non-believers. But Edessa wasnt on the way to Jerusalem, had no tomb of any of Jesus disciples and is not a place of pilgrimage, says Muhammad al-Makhzoumy, history professor at the Lebanese University. The main army, however, marched on to the walls of Antioch, a city nicknamed the cradle of Christianity as the term Christian first originated there. In June 1098, Antioch fell and was ruled by Bohemond the Norman, Prince of Taranto. When the crusaders first arrived, theyd sworn their allegiance to the Byzantine emperor. But when they took Antioch, they didnt return it to the emperor as promised. They kept it for themselves. After Antioch, the armies finally headed south, towards Jerusalem. Conquering Jerusalem: An infamous massacre In July 1099, and after three years of a long march, bloody battles, plagues and famines, the crusaders finally entered Jerusalem. They released the pent-up tensions of three years on the march and having finally achieved their spiritual goal. So really its a situation where the crusaders wished to purify the city and take it back for themselves, says Jonathan Phillips, history professor at Royal Holloway, University of London. According to Antoine Domit, they started with an infamous massacre. They killed people in the streets, in their houses and in alleyways. Venderburie explains that it was very difficult for the crusaders to distinguish between local Christian, Muslim, and Jewish population because they all looked the same to them, they all looked like Arabs. The success of the First Crusade in conquering Jerusalem is important not only because it realised a European dream, but also because it punished the Muslims and Arabs for their divisions and infighting, says Abdu Qassem. With the capture of Jerusalem, the First Crusade had achieved its objective. But this initial success would not last, it was to be merely a dramatic opening scene in a far longer struggle. And as the Muslim revival began, so the ground was laid for another two centuries of the Crusades. After police pulled him over Monday, a Gainesville man was found with a loaded handgun and a potpourri of drugs in a Dora the Explorer lunch bag, Gainesville Police said. At about 2:22 p.m., police pulled over Johnny Lavail Lee Jr., 33, in the 2200 block of SW Archer Road under the suspicion that his windows were illegally tinted, according to a police report. While approaching Lees car, police smelled marijuana coming from inside, which warranted further searching, according to the report. During the search, police found 5.7 grams of weed in Lees center console. In the back seat, a loaded .40 caliber handgun was hidden inside the Dora lunchbox. Elsewhere in the lunchbox, police found crack cocaine, four MDMA pills and two oxycodone pills, according to the report. There was also a bag with an unknown gray powder that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will test, according to the report. In Lees front pockets, police found $1,144 in cash, ranging from $1 bills to $100 bills, according to the report. Police arrested Lee on charges of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, two counts of possession of a controlled substance and driving with a suspended license. Authorities took him to the Alachua County Jail where he remains, as of press time, in lieu of an $80,000 bond. After suffering from throbbing earaches, Alyssa Eatherly turned to UFs Student Health Care Center in March in hopes of getting help. Instead, she was sent home and told the throbbing pain, fever and hearing loss symptoms of an oncoming ear infection shes known since she was young were nothing. She ended up in the emergency room the next day. They misdiagnosed me, Eatherly, 19, said. And the worst part is, they wouldnt listen to me. Eatherly was one of 300 students the center may see in a single day, said Guy Nicolette, the director of the center. Health care costs have increased over the years while the number of available doctors remains the same, forcing them to stretch their staff thin. The center, which costs about $19 million to operate each year, is funded mostly by a fee included in UF tuition. The rest comes from insurance and patient bills, he said. The centers administration handles student complaints to the best of its ability, he said. I think we state our mission and vision pretty clearly, he said. To become the preferred provider for every student. But for Eatherly, the center failed her. The medicine at UF has this amazing reputation that they definitely didnt live up to, she said. Eatherly, a UF English and Spanish senior, has fought ear infections since she was 1 year old. When she visited the health care center, she knew the throbbing pain was a sign it was coming back. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now Eatherly said Dr. Cynthia Eddleton spent fewer than five minutes examining her after she waited for more than two hours. The doctor told her to take DayQuil and insisted she would feel better soon, despite Eatherlys protests, she recalled. After the pain became unbearable, she ended up at an emergency room, where a doctor confirmed she had an ear infection. When the mistake in Eatherlys case was realized, Nicolette said the doctor who treated her was approached. All interview requests to Eddleton were directed toward Nicolette. Medical care is challenging, especially when answers are hard to find, he said. It can be frustrating for people, including the doctor, when youre not cured the first time, he said. After Eatherly wrote an article about her experience, others began reaching out to her with similar experiences. Anna Morgan, 22, said she visited the center when she felt sick. The doctor told her to drink fluids and get rest, she recalled. After leaving with no treatment plan, an infection spread from her throat to her eyes. Because of the misdiagnosis, she fell behind in classes. I know theyre the doctor, but I know my body, she said. This is something that could have been prevented. Morgan, now a UF English graduate student, said she still goes to the center because of her insurance plan. Nicolette said he hopes students receive the care they need but believes the doctor has the ultimate say. (Eddletons) notes reflect what she examined, he said. Neither you or I can second guess what she saw. After Eatherlys article, she was offered the opportunity to speak with the Student Health Advisory Board, she said. She said she hopes students learn from her story. Dont let them mistreat you, she said. You know your body. Dont let them make you feel insignificant. Five Gainesville Police officers and eight Hispanic-Latino residents turned their chairs to face each other as they discussed relations between the two communities Tuesday night. GPD organized the town hall meeting to discuss individual experiences of both Hispanic-Latino residents and officers when interacting with each other and how to make the relationship between the two stronger in the future, said GPD Capt. Jorge Campos. He said GPD has wanted to hold the meeting for a while and wants Hispanic-Latino residents to feel comfortable coming to officers for help. One community we havent reached out to a lot are the Hispanics, he said. A lot of crime is committed against Hispanics. Campos said he wants members of the community to know they can approach officers, though he understands some may not come from countries where they would feel comfortable contacting authorities. Were all human beings, and we look through a lens of what we know, he said. We fill what we dont know with experiences. Moises Moreno-Rivera, a UF graduate student studying police brutality, said he understands concerns from both sides. He said he has seen brutality from officers in Mexico when he was there one summer, and he has a brother who works as a police officer in California. To help build trust with residents, GPD has started using the Chicago Police Departments procedural justice training program, said Officer Lynn Valdes. In this program, officers are taught to explain everything they do from moving their hands to their belt to shifting their posture after stopping a person. Going forward, GPD plans to hold meetings with the Hispanic-Latino community every three to four months. Campos said GPD wants to start meeting with other communities as well. Well start out slow and then build from there, Campos said. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now While in his third term serving in Student Governments Student Senate, Access Party Minority Leader Ford Dwyer resigned from his seat Tuesday night. Dwyer, who served as a Law senator, said he didnt have any regrets. I did a lot of things while I was senator, and some of them were controversial, he told senators. I dont really regret any of it. Dwyer said he had to resign because of academic scheduling conflicts. In 2009, he first tried to interview as a candidate for a party, but he was unsuccessful. After losing in three SG elections, he won the next three he ran in. He will graduate in Spring. Im really sad that I have to resign, actually, Dwyer said. Ive really enjoyed a lot about being in Student Government for all these years, but I have to put my career over Student Government at this point. As an undergraduate student, Dwyer represented Murphree Area and District D. While in Senate, he said he was proud of his attempts to rename the Reitz Union and how he helped form Access Party. That was my happiest moment in Student Government, was seeing Joselin (Padron-Rasines) win the Student Body presidency, he said. The students needed a change. After he announced his resignation, senators stood and applauded. Impact Party Majority Leader Wayne Selogy told senators he first met Dwyer in high school. He thanked Dwyer for working with him. I cant wait to have a beer with you when youre a lawyer, Selogy said. During Senate, senators unanimously approved $1,0015.13 for the First Generation Organization, which supports first-generation UF students, and $868.90 for the Japanese Student Association. They also approved an annual resolution honoring UF students who recently died. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now Its just always been one of the things Student Government wants to sponsor in the sense that every Gator is important to the university, said Judiciary Chairman Trevor Schaettle, who authored the bill. Minority Leader Ford Dwyer delivers a final speech to Student Senate in the Reitz Union on Tuesday evening. Dwyer is resigning his seat as senator to focus on his law-school studies next semester. Hi, everyone, its Zach Lee here, taking off the editorial mask to speak to you all directly one last time here in The Independent Florida Alligator. That being said, the following views are my own, not those of the Alligator. In the almost four months Ive been serving as your opinions editor, Ive had the privilege and burden of trying to bring you a fair and balanced opinions section during perhaps the most controversial election season in the history of our nation. No matter what side of the debate youre on, this election brought out the worst in us. Here in Gainesville, I watched this election motivate people to vandalize a series of buildings, including my old fraternity house, which had a brick thrown through a window and We Love (Swastika) spray-painted on the exterior. While my brothers and I have had our differences politically, it disappointed me beyond belief that this is somehow a new and acceptable way we express our discontent. More recently, Arianna Huffingtons speaking engagement was canceled because of threats. Unsurprisingly, these threats were politically charged. It seems the institution of journalism is becoming more and more hated by the very people it so desperately tries to serve. In two weeks, I will be closing this chapter of my life and graduating, temporarily moving to Atlanta to intern at a comedy network, because thats what philosophy graduates do, apparently. As I prepare to move on, I look back at how I got here. Unlike most editors here, Ive only been with the paper since Summer 2016. For three years before that, I would occasionally submit guest columns, which the former opinions editors would more than occasionally reject. Its fair to say, for the most part, I am an Alligator outsider. While everybody at the Alligator has been incredibly welcoming in my time here, the majority of my time as a UF student has not been spent with the paper. Im a philosophy major, not a journalism student. For three of my three-and-a-half years here, I submitted nothing more than guest columns. Let the record reflect I do not consider myself a journalist. So as the unofficial quasi-investigative journalist secretly infiltrating the mysterious Alligator, let me tell you my first and final report: These students lose sleep and skip meals to bring you the truth. Those accusations of the paper being anti-Greek and hyper-left get laughed at by our many Greek employees (hi!), conservative editorial board members and columnists (surprise, there are many of them). This paper is one of the things that makes being a Gator so great, and it sets a sterling example for how college newspapers ought to be. Im compelled to share with you all at UF that you are so unbelievably lucky to have this paper. I know full well theres a newfound distrust of journalism, and as a philosophy student who values transparency and honesty, Im right there with you. But I can assure you that an overwhelming majority of newspapers are sincerely dedicated to bringing you the information you really ought to know. Sometimes it is hard to understand, given the pay is next to nothing. They must be doing it because theyre dedicated to informing you Gators, hoping to create a better campus and a better community. With that off my chest, I thank you, fellow Gators, for joining me in this personal writing experiment. Its been an honor having you all as my readership. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Stay critical, stay vigilant, stay brilliant and stay proud of your paper. English News IMAFT will be game changer for the World. Bound to culminate into Sunni-Caliphate Alwihda Info | Par Hem Raj Jain - 7 Decembre 2016 Bengaluru, India Dear Editor Sub:- (i)- Seems Allah has listened to tens of millions of profusely bleeding and weeping Muslim across the World (ii)- Muslims should be thankful to Prez Obama (for paving way for Sunni-Caliphate) by martial dereliction in NAME region (iii)- In view of Christians, Chinese and Hindus under one military authority it was only matter of time Muslim will also do so (iv)- Former Army Chief Gen. Raheel Sharif of nuclear Pakistan will be crucial for modern version of Sunni-Caliphate (v)- Pakistan has motivation to join IMAFT due to Kashmir factor too (vi)- IMAFT need not commit the foolishness of insisting on removal of Prez Assad before elections in Syria (viii)- Once IMAFT solve Syria, Iraq, Yemen etc problems, no power on earth can stop Sunni-Caliphate (vii)- Remaining Muslim countries will also join such Sunni-Caliphate (viii)- Federalism and one currency will be crucial for the survival of this Sunni-Caliphate (ix)- Sunni-Caliphate may survive even without democracy in view of developing India turning out to be unfit for democracy (x)- Sunni-Caliphate through IMAFT will cause existential problems for Hindu India if Indians do not wake up. ----As per media report http://www.defencenews.in/article/Pakistan-Ex-Army-Chief-to-Command-39-Nation-Anti-terror-Force-Report-149445 Pakistan's former army chief, General Raheel Sharif has agreed to command 39-nation Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism (IMAFT), on certain terms and conditions, including being allowed to arbitrate between belligerents. Though rest of the World (including Shia Iran) has welcomed IMAFT by thinking that it will eliminate global terrorism emanating from blood thirsty Jihadis like ISIS etc but it has much wider and profound implication for the World because it is bound to ultimately usher into Sunni-Caliphate, as mentioned below:- (1)- World-over tens of millions of Muslims (including in NAME, AF-PAK region and Kashmir valley) have been bleeding and weeping profusely. But now it seems Allah has listened to these Muslims and has sent relief which is bound to provide succor to Muslims in the due course of time through IMAFT. But for this Muslims should be thankful to so-called leader of free World the US President Obama (for paving way for Sunni-Caliphate) by martial dereliction of UN in NAME region where USA committed foolishness of insisting on removal of Prez Assad before elections in Syria (and this demand was also given-up by USA especially after Russia intervened militarily in Syria after 'United Nations General Assembly' session 2015). (2)- There are four major human blocks in the World namely Christians, Muslims, Chinese and Hindus. The Christian West (through NATO) , Chinese and Hindus have one military power whereas military power of Muslims is divide in many countries with the result nobody listens to the problems of Muslims such as on-going gory problem in NAME region, chronic problem of Palestine, Kashmir etc. Hence it was only matter of time that Muslim will also try for one military power of all Muslim countries (of Sunnis which comprises ~ 85 % of Muslim World) (3)- Former Army Chief Gen. Raheel Sharif of nuclear and militarily strong Pakistan will be crucial for the success of IMAFT and for modern version of Sunni-Caliphate. Pakistan has motivation to join IMAFT due to Kashmir factor too (against its arch rival / enemy India) because it will take hardly any time for Pakistan to convince IMAFT to consider present situation in Kashmir as a terrorist act of Indian State on Muslim Kashmiris. Especially in view of the fact that Indian State for over a decade has deployed hundreds of thousands of security forces in Kashmir under protection of AFSPA, SPA etc which, as media report, has caused gross human rights violation of Kashmiri Muslims by Indian security forces (4)- Moreover presently after 5 months of Kashmir shutdown after killing of Hizbul Commander Burhan Wani on July, 8 ~ 100 Kashmiris mostly youth have lost lives ~ 300 eyes of Kashmiri youth injured and ~ 12,000 Kashmiri youth injured by pellet guns. Hence in desperation the disenchanted and disillusioned Kashmiri youth are highly like to invite ISIS in Kashmir as is being said by prominent Kashmiri leaders too. This will give excuse to IMAFT to intervene in Kashmir because elimination of ISIS and elimination of any chance of ISIS getting entry into new regions like Kashmir (and even AF-PAK region through Kashmir) is the main objective of IMAFT (5)- In order to succeed the IMAFT need not commit the foolishness of insisting on removal of Syrian President Assad before elections in Syria. Once IMAFT solve Syria, Iraq, Yemen etc problems, no power on earth can stop Sunni-Caliphate from becoming a reality and then remaining Muslim countries will also join such Sunni-Caliphate. Genuine federalism [where only martial matters are with center and all civilian matters (including natural resources) are with member States] and one currency for entire Sunni-Caliphate (with proper asset back-up) will be crucial for the survival and success of this Sunni-Caliphate (6)- Here it is important to understand that this Sunni-Caliphate may survive even without democracy in view of developing India turning out to be unfit for democracy where during ongoing illegal and draconian demonetization innocent 99 % of ~1.3 Billion Indians were harassed and tortured (even ~ 100 people killed) but Indians have not been able to bring constitutional and other authorities (namely President, Prime Minister and his cabinet Supreme Court Judges, RBI officials) to justice despite Article 21, 300 A, 78, 56 (1) (b), 124 (4) of The Constitution and section 26 (2) of RBI Act and section 304 A, 34 and 120 (B) of IPC. (7)- It does not require a genius of political science to understand that this Sunni-Caliphate through IMAFT will cause (due to unresolved chronic and gory Kashmir dispute) existential problems for Hindu majority India (as mentioned above), if Indians do not wake up and do not launch United India Party (as explained at http://www.alwihdainfo.com/J-K-resolve-to-NOW-control-politics-of-India-and-Pakistan-instead-of-present-vice-versa_a44096.html ) and instead continue in their communal politics. Regards Hem Raj Jain (Author of Betrayal of Americanism) Bengaluru. India. Dans la meme rubrique : < > China's sports industry on fast track of development China makes new progress in research on "artificial sun" Trunk market springs up in Chinese cities Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) Finicity, a provider of real-time financial data aggregation and insights, has closed a $42 million round of funding. The Salt Lake City startup's aggregation platform delivers transaction and account data, account history, account verification and account statement data. It also allows individual account owners to control and grant permission to access to their financial data for other financial institutions or fintech developers to use. Finicity said in a press release Wednesday that it plans to use the capital to expand the size of its engineering and support teams to accelerate the development of solutions built on its platform. The company said it will also use funds to expand Finicity Data Services and to reinforce operations at Mvelopes, an online budgeting app, and Aurora, a payment processor and program manager. "The emergence of the open financial web, and our ability to access and analyze account data, is enabling new thinking in financial services," Steve Smith, Finicity's co-founder and CEO, said in the release. "This will improve existing processes and lead to better financial decisions for individuals and the institutions that serve them." The company also plans to offer solutions for credit decisions that would focus on digitizing the legacy pen-and-paper process of asset and income verification by streamlining the loan origination process, improving accuracy and reducing risk. Finicity was recently certified as a credit reporting agency. The consumer credit reporting giant Experian led the funding round, along with a venture debt facility provided by Bridge Bank Technology Banking, which provides business banking products and services to small- and middle-market U.S. businesses. Existing investors also participated. For months, Prosper Marketplace and Lending Club have been teaming up with small banks that refer customers to their online lending platforms. Now comes a new wrinkle in the strategy: a small Internet-focused bank plans to offer Prosper Marketplace's personal loans directly to its own customers through the bank's website. The deal provides a template that fast-growing Prosper is likely to follow with other banks. Under the partnership, Radius Bank customers who are interested in taking out a personal loan will be guided to a website that is co-branded with Prosper, said Chris Tremont, executive vice president of virtual banking at Boston-based Radius. From that point forward, the consumer applicants will be handled like any other Prosper borrower. The San Francisco-based marketplace lender will make a decision on the application and handle the disbursement of funds, anywhere from $2,000-$35,000. [Coming this November: Marketplace Lending + Investing. Hear how participants in this fast-growth niche are using data and technology to propel lending into the 21st century.] Radius, a $744-million-asset institution that does not offer its own personal loans, will receive referral fees from Prosper, according to Tremont. In that sense, the Radius deal is similar to existing partnerships that Prosper and rival Lending Club already have with consortia of small banks. Those partnerships offer a way for the marketplace lenders to bring aboard customers that is probably cheaper than most other options. For the small banks that participate, the partnerships offer a way to earn some money from customers who are looking for products the banks do not offer themselves. What is different about Prosper's latest partnership is the degree of online integration with the referring bank. Prosper's chief business officer, Itzik Cohen, said that the San Francisco-based company expects to announce similar deals with other banks. Radius, which has only one branch and gathers consumer deposits online in all 50 states, specializes in commercial lending. The Prosper deal is the latest in a series of partnerships with tech-oriented companies that focus on consumers. Radius offers a digital-only checking account in partnership with the online investing site Aspiration. The bank also teams up with the payments firm LevelUp on a mobile payments app. And it offers debit-card rewards in partnership with Boston-based SimpleTuition. Referring to the new partnership with Prosper, Tremont said: "This is a move to provide our clients with more consumer products." Santander Consumer USA Holdings in Dallas has named a former president of Ally Financial and a former Treasury Department official to its board. The $39 billion-asset subprime auto lender said in a regulatory filing that William Muir was appointed as an independent director to the board. Muir will serve on the audit and risk committees. His term will expire at the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders. Muir joined the auto lender GMAC which was renamed Ally Financial in 2010 in the 1990s, became its president in 2004 and held the job until retiring in 2014, the year the Detroit company went public. During his Ally career he oversaw the dealer financial services business and was responsible for its global auto finance, insurance, vehicles remarketing and servicing operations. He was also a director of the companys Ally Bank unit. Meanwhile, the company also appointed Edith Holiday to its board. Her term lasts until next years annual meeting, too. She will serve on the companys compensation and regulatory and compliance oversight committees. Holiday served in various roles at the Treasury Department during the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations. She was the first woman to serve as general counsel of the Treasury, from 1989 to 1990. Muir and Holiday joined the board Nov. 29, the same day that director Gerald Plush resigned. A Santander spokeswoman was not immediately available to comment on whether Santander Consumer had added a board seat or had a vacant seat. Santander has been beset by credit problems tied to its personal loan business that was discontinued in 2015. The company has restated earnings three times over the past year due in part to problems with the way it calculated provisions for credit losses. The Left, it seems, has lost its grip on reality, and is dead-set on creating its own actuality. And the election of Donald Trump seems to have been the catalyst for the breakdown of the liberal mind. Weeks after Trumps unexpected victory, Hillary boosters are still trying to wrap their heads around the fact that the would-be first woman president was beaten by a gauche pussy-grabber. Instead of going through the five stages of grief, theyve taken to creating an alternative universe where their ideology is still unquestioned orthodoxy. So what do losers do when confronted with their own impotence? They write fan fiction of course! To help alleviate the mental pangs caused by an incoming Trump Administration, a writer at Newsweek decided to publish pre-written copy prepared in case Hillary had won. [W]ere living in a dystopian future, fairy tale curator Zach Schonfeld explains, and some publications weren't so well prepared. Gee, you think? Schonfeld collected various dispatches from left-leaning writers at different publications. Its no surprise these journalists wrote in advance about Hillarys triumph. I figured Hillary was bound to win as well, and wrote something for another publication before Election Day presuming a Clinton win. But what exactly is the point of publishing these now? What interest is served? Reporters are supposed to describe the real world, not fantasy. This is reality avoidance at its most pathetic. Using fake news to live vicariously in a non-existent future isnt the only way liberals are coping with Middle Americas big screw you at the ballot box. Now that Hillary has decisively won the popular vote, calls for abolishing the Electoral College have reemerged. Get ready for a major push to kill the Electoral College, ran one ThinkProgress headline. Former vice president Al Gore endorsed the idea. Californias Senator Barbara Boxer introduced a bill to make it so. It isnt fair, these pouty runner-ups argue, that a woman should be denied the presidency because of a system set up by white men over 200 years ago. Not only should the Electoral College be tossed out like old leftovers thatve been sitting in the fridge for centuries, but the Colleges electors should refuse to vote for Trump later this month. This is all very rich coming from the same people who demanded Trump accept the election results, no matter the outcome. But then logical consistency -- that is, truth based in reality -- has never been forte of the Left. Theyd much rather cry foul, take their ball and go home. Heres the thing about all the Electoral College business: Both Trump and Clinton campaigned to win a majority of its votes. The presidency was never supposed to be a popularity contest. If that were the case, Hillary could have campaigned solely in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington D.C. and come out a winner. But she didnt, and she lost. The refusal to come to terms with the way the world works is at the core of progressive philosophy. When the truth doesnt turn out to be the liberals preferred truth, a series of mental gymnastics takes place to alter reality. Nearly all of these efforts prove futile One more example: leftists have claimed for years that gender and sex are distinct. Whereas sex is set, gender is not predetermined but fluid. Thats not true, but for arguendo purposes, it does seem plausible. Well, now biology is out the door. Nicholas Matte, a gender studies professor at the University of Toronto, claims there is no such thing as biological sex. Got that? Whatever piece God fitted you with is not part of your inherent being. Genitals and chromosomes are now debatable. If we cant agree having both x and y chromosomes meaning youre a biological male, how are we supposed to reach agreement on any kind of truth? If politics is the process of bringing together shared moral visions for the common good, and working out differences along the way, that very vision is imperiled by a total lack of regard for facts. The recent election has seen enormous damage done to the idea of objective reality. Between blatant media bias and the rise of fictive news stories, weve entered a dangerous postmodernism where everything is subjective. You have your truth (InfoWars) and I have mine (The New York Times), and who's to say which is right? asks Damon Linker. Truthfully, its hard to tell any more. That Alex Jones accurately called Trumps win and the newspaper of record failed to shows how far removed the media mediators of facts have gotten from whats real and what exists only in their heads. Go, go, go, said the bird: human kind/Cannot bear very much reality, wrote T.S. Eliot. The Left cannot accept President-elect Trump. They cannot accept that sex and gender are not a choose-your-own mystery. They cannot accept that many people in the country have different opinions than theirs. Liberals have migrated beyond observable reality into fantasyland. If that kind of thinking leaves them routed at the ballot box, I say let it continue. Reality has a way of eventually biting back, bringing ideology back in line with common sense. Seventy-five years ago, on December 7, 1941, the American Navy suffered the worst defeat in its history when a force led by six Japanese fleet carriers launched a surprise attack at the battleships at Pearl Harbor. Two of the eight battleships, Arizona and Oklahoma, were destroyed, and the other six were knocked out of action for many months. The Army Air Corps fields were attacked with great loss, and other smaller naval vessels were attacked as well. The American carriers were at sea. Had those carriers been at Pearl Harbor, the whole course of the Pacific War would have been very different. During the first year of that conflict, only the carriers were able to slow down the Japanese advance. Battleships proved too vulnerable to air attack to fight major fleet actions alone. American submarines, which eventually would prove an incredibly potent force in the Pacific, were plagued by multiple problems with torpedoes which made them almost useless for many months. The Japanese still might have inflicted crippling damage even with the carriers gone. The fuel depots for the American Fleet were at Pearl Harbor and so were major repair and maintenance facilities. Without these, the American Fleet could have had to operate out of San Diego, thousands of miles east. The Japanese could also have utterly destroyed all the battleships, instead of just Arizona and Oklahoma, and these other battleships in two years were refitted and fighting the Japanese Navy. There were a number of other, smaller naval vessels at Pearl Harbor, which would be desperately needed in the first six months of 1942 and which follow-up attacks by the Japanese would have damaged or sunk. Admiral Nagumo might have also done what Newt Gingrich played out in one of his brilliant counterfactual novels and ordered the two Japanese battleships with their 14-inch guns to pound every target those guns could reach while coyly holding the six Japanese fleet carriers back to pound on returning American carriers. As America enters an increasingly dangerous world with our European allies threatened from within and our Pacific allies doubting our resolve, our incoming President Trump ought to grasp the dangers we face. (The superb team of capable military commanders he is surrounding himself with will surely help him with this task.) First, be prepared for a hot war at any time. This is not "war-mongering," because our nation does not wage aggressive wars against innocent nations. This is more "peace-mongering," because the greatest blessing America can give its people and the world is to be so strong that even acquisitive and unscrupulous leaders fear us too much to start a war. This means also always spending money now on the best equipment and best trained and led forces instead of spending the blood of our sons in combat. Our failure, as a cost-saving measure, to debug our torpedoes may have delayed victory by years and certainly cost many lives and much destruction. President Trump must make sure that we do not have to cannibalize weapons systems to provide parts and that our training does not lack funding. Second, we must have close integration and trust among every branch of the service and between the White House and the services. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor had been reported by our lead cryptologist, William Friedman, who then took a long deserved cruise vacation. When he heard that Pearl Harbor had been attacked, he assumed that we had planned a hot reception for the Japanese. He walked around the ship in a daze, repeating, "But they knew, they knew, they knew..." President Trump will have to undo much of the damage the Obama administration inflicted on our military intelligence services to make sure that intelligence is used quickly and for military, not political purposes. Third, we must make sure that our aim in war is victory in every way, not just militarily. After Pearl Harbor, there was not the slightest doubt that total victory over Japan was the only end we would accept. More than that, the American people were united behind that goal. That was not only the proper strategy for victory, but it was also the proper strategy for peace. Japanese suicide bombers following the mandates of their religion died in order to give Japan the victory they believed the Heavens had determined for their sacred land. The Japanese have not really abandoned all the old religions, but never again will they allow that faith to be used for war. Japan today is peaceful, prosperous, democratic, and free. That is the final, vital lesson of the war begun 75 years ago. Now that the elections are over, there is much talk of trade and jobs. Predictably, the highest priorities are being given to negotiating new trade arrangements and tax policies that will bring back jobs to America. It is true that businesses in America are overtaxed and overregulated. Anything that can be done to alleviate these burdens will be most welcome and stimulate the business climate. Such measures will indeed create jobs and open up opportunities, but they alone will not make America great. America faces a grave moral crisis that needs to be addressed. As Charles Murray and so many other scholars have stressed, America is coming apart. A vast underclass has developed that is the result of broken families, shattered communities, a nonexistent work ethic, substance abuse, and godless education. The mantra of bringing jobs back is not going to reverse the downward path of a nation without finding ways to rebuild a strong moral foundation. A False Assumption America has changed drastically over the years. Millions of skilled workers in the Rust Belt lost their jobs as manufacturing moved offshore, new technologies and other factors. However, much of the narrative now circulating assumes that bringing the factories back will just allow these same workers to return to manufacturing jobs, support their families, and everyone will live happily ever after. Such an assumption fails to consider that Americans have changed over the decades. Many no longer have stable families. Likewise, technology has changed much of manufacturing. Todays factory jobs take more sophisticated skills and work habits. If such considerations are not addressed, little improvement can be expected. Dire Need for Manufacturing Workers in America In fact, many believe there is a huge pool of skilled workers just waiting to get back to the assembly lines. The actual truth is that American manufacturers are frantically looking for skilled labor. They simply are not out there. According to Labor Department statistics, the number of open manufacturing jobs has continually risen since 2009. The total now stands at the highest level in 15 years, According to an analysis by the Manufacturing Institute, nearly two million U.S. manufacturing jobs will remain vacant over the next decade if current trends continue. The crisis is aggravated by growing numbers of retiring baby boomers while the younger generations are not stepping up to the plate. A Talent Gap The reason for the lack of workers is a great talent gap between what is needed and what is available. One major problem facing manufacturers is that far too many young people go off to college without an idea of what they are going to do with their lives. They run after the glamor of going to the university and leave college with a degree they cannot use and debt they cannot repay. The result is a dearth of young people to take manufacturing jobs despite attractive wages and waiting positions. Thus, the problem is not a lack of jobs but a lack of skilled workers. In fact, one result labor study found that the average U.S. manufacturer is losing as much as 11 percent of its annual earnings due to a talent shortage. Another survey concluded that almost half of executives would consider reshoring manufacturing operations back to U.S. yet are also concerned about the need for skilled workers. Without getting young Americans back into manufacturing, bringing jobs back will only make this problem worse. Training Unemployed Workers Many people point to the huge pool of unemployed and underemployed workers and claim that if given training and opportunities, they will take the new jobs to support their families and pursue the American Dream. Once again, the perception does not correspond fully to the reality. It assumes too much. There are indeed many Americans who are out of the workforce to the point that they are not even looking for employment. Is it just a matter of coaxing them back? This is not the conclusion of Nicholas Eberstadt in his masterful study, Americas Invisible Crisis: Men Without Work. The book documents a disturbing fact that an invisible army of ten million idle American men of prime working age, some ten percent of the male workforce, now spend absolutely no time at a job. Most dont want to change their nonemployed status. A Grave Crisis Eberstadt correctly asserts that this great pool of idle Americans represents not only a social crisis but above all a grave moral crisis. While a small sector of these nonworking men are in training or pursuing education, the majority represent a radical change of mentality away from the work ethic that made America great. A culture once marked by industriousness and hard work is being replaced with a system that encourages sloth, idleness, and vices. In other words, many of these men do not want to play the role of breadwinners. They do not want opportunities or training. They want to remain the way they are. Many are unmarried, uneducated and have a criminal background. Surprisingly, most of these nonworkers live reasonably comfortable lives thanks to the support of wives, girlfriends, aging parents, or government welfare programs. Eberstadt shows how many of these men spend their time engaging in such activities as gambling, substance abuse, socializing, or an average five-hours-a-day movie-watching habit. They do not get involved in most civic or community activities. Filling their days with gadgets and idle pastimes, America is seeing what Eberstadt labels the infantilization of these men. When the jobs come back, dont expect to see these men in line for jobs or job training, no matter how enticing the offers may be. Shifting Focus And that is why the focus must be expanded from just the jobs and infrastructure projects that are now all the rage. Unless the new administration concentrates on invigorating the moral fiber of the country, strengthening marriage and the family and limiting the power of the state, America will not recover from its present woes. Indeed, when the jobs come back, there is the risk that no one will show up. John Horvat II is a scholar, researcher, educator, international speaker, and author of the book Return to Order, as well as the author of hundreds of published articles. He lives in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania where he is the vice president of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property. Christopher Suprun, an elector from Texas, writes in an op-ed published in the New York Times on December 6, saying he will not cast his vote for Donald J. Trump. Mr. Suprun urges his Electoral College colleagues to "unity behind a Republican alternative." Mr. Suprun it is not clear how he got to be an elector cites Federalist No. 68 for guidance. He does not, however, refer to the following passage from No. 68: It was also peculiarly desirable to afford as little opportunity as possible to tumult and disorder. This evil was not least to be dreaded in the election of a magistrate, who was to have so important an agency in the administration of the government as the President of the United States. But the precautions which have been so happily concerted in the system under consideration, promise an effectual security against this mischief. The choice of SEVERAL, to form an intermediate body of electors, will be much less apt to convulse the community with any extraordinary or violent movements, than the choice of ONE who was himself to be the final object of the public wishes. And as the electors, chosen in each State, are to assemble and vote in the State in which they are chosen, this detached and divided situation will expose them much less to heats and ferments, which might be communicated from them to the people, than if they were all to be convened at one time, in one place. Federalist No 68, attributed to Alexander Hamilton, makes it clear that the Founding Fathers sought, as much as possible, to avoid "tumult and disorder" in the election of the president. In furtherance of this aim, the Constitutional Convention agreed that the electors will meet in their own states, not assemble in one body, to reduce as much as possible the "heats and ferments, which might be communicated from them to the people" (emphasis added). Apparently, Elector Suprun, enabled by the New York Times, has discarded the major aim of the Electoral College to provide for the orderly transition of executive authority heedless of the possibility that he would transform our Electoral College tradition into an incendiary invitation that could "convulse" our nation in political "tumult and disorder." Hillary Clinton, in the third presidential debate, October 19, provided the appropriate term for this invitation to trash Electoral College tradition: "horrifying." The master showman who lives atop Trump Tower pulled off another media coup yesterday, descending to the lobby with billionaire Masayoshi Son, who announced plans to invest $50 billion in the U.S. economy and generate 50,000 jobs. Best of all, Mr. Son stated that the planned Trump administration deregulation is the reason for the massive commitment: "We are going to invest $50 billion in the U.S. and commit to create 50,000 new jobs," Son told reporters. "We (will) invest into the new startup companies in the United States." The Japanese businessman was at Trump Tower to celebrate Trump's election victory, he said "I just came to celebrate his new job," Son remarked. "Because he said he would do a lot of deregulation, I said, 'This is great, the US will become great again'." The hysterical predictions of economic disaster under Trump by Nobel Prize-winning economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman are looking more and more foolish by the day. In fact, Trump is building a wave of enthusiasm for investing in America. The contrast in height between Son and Trump was obvious, but aside from physical stature, the two men bear some resemblance to each other. Jonathan Soble wrote a rather flattering profile of Son in the New York Times on Monday, the day before Sons surprise announcement. Somehow, I suspect that the Times was taken by surprise and would not have published such a piece if it had known Son was about to endorse the prospects of the American economy under Trump. I gather from the inability of most people on television to pronounce his name that Son, one of the most famous business people in Japan, is not widely known on this side of the Pacific. I have been following his career for decades. He is a maverick nonconformist who delights in shaking up the establishment and who has always prized innovation and speed, traits not often associated with the Japanese business establsihment. There are good reasons to describe Son (pronounced sohn, with the long o, pronounced like oh darn it) as an outsider. His family is of Korean origin, which makes them an oppressed minority within Japan. So nasty has been the tradition of scorn and discrimination heaped upon people of Korean ethnicity in Japan that the family adopted a Japanese surname, Yasumoto, in order to try to pass as Japanese. Sons family managed to prosper in Japan by operating Pachinko parlors, which are a form of minor gambling on a pinball game, played for prizes often exchanged for cash by skilled players. It is commonly believed in Japan that ethnic Koreans dominate this industry and that connections to unsavory sorts of figures are common in the business. I have no idea if Mr. Sons family had any such connections, but coming out of the industry with a Korean background puts one at a severe disadvantage in functioning within the Japanese power structure at any level. As a result of this prejudice, Sons family sent him to the United States to receive his education, starting with high school in South San Francisco, two years at Holy Names University, then transferring to the University of California, Berkeley, from which he graduated. Minus the emigration and ethnic discrimination, this story parallels that of Trump, who didnt fit in, was sent to military school, and then worked his way up to a final two years at a prestigious university, via performing well at a less selective school for freshman and sophomore years. Like Trump, Son likes shaking things up. Soble of the New York Times: Mr. Son revels in confrontation, a trait that sets him apart in harmony-obsessed Japan. Twice, he has threatened to set fire to himself or the offices of Japanese telecommunications regulators the first time in a dispute over access to fiber-optic cable, the second in a fight over internet censorship. He apologized in the second instance, in 2010, calling the threat an inappropriate joke. In 2013, he apologized again at a news conference after he became involved in a shouting match with government officials over plans to allocate cellular spectrum to KDDI, a SoftBank rival. I thought I had grown up, he said. Also like Trump, Son is an intuitive decision-maker. He has had his share of difficulties, but he has also made brilliant visionary investments. Now he has enlisted the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia to provide half of the $50-billion package he plans to invest. Almost certainly, some of the investments planned by Son were in the pipeline already. One doesnt come up with that magnitude of investments in a few days. Ana Swanson of the Washington Post reports: Although Trump claimed credit for the investment, Roger Entner, an analyst at Recon Analytics, argued that much of the $50 billion may have already been destined for U.S. technology companies. "I think its making hay out of something that was there already," said Entner. "In all likelihood, this comes out of the $100 billion fund. Considering the extremely large part that the U.S. has in the high-tech economy, [Son] would have probably invested something in the neighborhood anyway." Maybe so. But businesses make decisions at the margin, where tax rates and regulatory expense and delay really do influence outcomes. It would be ridiculous to argue that Trumps planned moves on taxes and regulation will not influence foreign investors. For everyone but liberal academics and journalists, it is common sense. But Swanson also provides some intriguing clues as to where some of the money will go: Son told reporters at Trump Tower that the funds would be invested into American start-ups. As he spoke, Son brandished a piece of paper with the same figures that Trump had announced. The paper appeared to specify that the investment would be made in the next four years. The paper also contained the logo of Foxconn, a major supplier for Apples iPhones. It was not immediately clear what role Foxconn would play in the deal, but analysts speculated the company could be responsible for the additional $7 billion in investment and 50,000 new jobs listed on the paper. Foxconn could not be reached for comment. "Seven billion [U.S. dollars] could mean that theyre going to build a factory or multiple factories in the U.S. to assemble phones. We dont know that, but that would be the speculation," says Entner. Time will tell on where the money goes, and how many other foreign investors follow Sons lead. Given the troubles afflicting the world economy, the United States has every chance of attracting investment capital that will help spur our economy to re-industrialize. An ongoing investigation by the highly respected U.S. attorney for Southern New York, Preet Bharara, apparently is targeting the top levels at City Hall, and there are reasons to expect that if a case is brought, it will be under the leadership Jeff Sessions, President-Elect Trumps designee for attorney general. Michael Goodman of the New York Post reports on some serious clouds on the leftist mayors horizon, as the mayor desperately tries to hide emails that have been subpoenaed: Mayor de Blasio, calling questions about his shady dealings with political consultants and lobbyists a distraction, says from now on. he will release all his e-mail exchanges with them even as he fights to keep his past exchanges secret. New ground rules now, he said breezily on NY1, which, along with The Post, is suing him to get those past exchanges. Youd have to have been born yesterday to not see through his ruse. There must be something so damaging in those existing e-mails that de Blasio is willing to make a fool of himself to hide it. The public would be foolish to let him succeed. By public, I include Manhattan US attorney Preet Bharara. He can end this charade and answer the explosive question of whether the mayor sold government favors to the lobbyists clients and other donors in exchange for campaign contributions and other things of value. The time for Bhararas answer is short because his investigation has been long. It is nearly 2 years old, and its focus on fund-raising reportedly involves some events that happened before the mayor took office on Jan. 1, 2014. Indeed, a case must be brought before de Blasios election is too close. It looks as though a lot of evidence is on hand, so if there is a case, we could see something official next year. The sense that Bhararas final shoe is about to drop is especially keen because he filed related corruption charges against businessmen, police officers, a hedge-fund manager and the head of the correction officers union. And with subpoenas served months ago on City Hall, de Blasio deputies, some consultants and donors, it is clear that Bharara is aiming at a substantial target. That could be why the prosecutor recently agreed after an unusual meeting with President-elect Trump to stay on past the end of the Obama administration. Thats what has to worry de Blasio. Once integrity is restored to the leadership of the Department of Justice, corrupt politicians of all political stripes should be held accountable. But with the DoJ in the hands of highly political A.G.s Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch for eight long years, I suspect that some Democrats may have gotten sloppy. One of the great villains of American politics must be getting desperate. He has become used to getting billionaires of the Sorosphere to fund his tax-deductible operations like Media Matters, which spew out hatred for conservatives and Republicans, but which somehow Lois Lerner never deemed questionable as nonpartisan charities serving the public interest. Brocks mission for Media Matters has been to discredit Fox News in recent years. That didnt work out so well, what with Fox dominating ratings and now possibly supplying some of its familiar talking heads to the Trump administration. And, despite relentless attacks on Trump by the rest of the media, he won. Brocks funders have gotten less than nothing for their money. And Brock has an expensive lifestyle to maintain. So what does he do? Why, of course, he claims that he is going to emulate a key perceived element of Trumps success: Breitbart.com. Alex Griswold reports in Mediaite: Clinton ally and liberal Super PAC operator David Brock told reporters Tuesday that he plans to create a new outlet designed to serve as a counterpoint to alt-right website Breitbart. Brock purchased liberal website BlueNationReview in 2015, rebranding it in 2016 as ShareBlue. ShareBlue, he said Tuesday, would be the Breitbart of the left so long as the financial contributions kept pouring. Hes going to do for web journalism what Air America did for talk radio. And what will he do differently from the program at HuffPo, Salon, Kos, and many other lefty (alt left, even) websites that already occupy that niche? Is Brocks record of integrity supposed to be a selling point? Why is this going to be a success? Will it simply amp up the level of viciousness already on display by the left? Note that there is no thought to becoming self-supporting. The left always presumes to fund its operations from above, because its grassroots are not trusted or believed capable of organically growing the movement. And because the people donating the money are after power, and by controlling the purse strings, they dont risk dissent from below, once people down in the trenches notice that things dont seem to be working out so well (as always happens to its putative beneficiaries when the left gets it way). Brock is also surrendering in his futile jihad against Fox News: Brock also confirmed earlier reports that he plan to shift the focus of Media Matters for America away from Fox News and more towards attacking the alt-right and fake news. A lot of garbage came spewing out of Facebook, and these companies need to adopt new standards and clean their own house, he told reporters. Well be involved in a campaign to push them to do that. I guess Brock thinks his billionaires are reading about Facebook and fake news, so he thinks the new, new thing will open their bank accounts to him. So the left that has been lecturing us about the evils of money in politics is using money as the main implement for its next step in countering the Trump wave that has swept the federal and state levels. Even as Trump proved that money was not the decisive factor in political victory by running a lean campaign. Stand by for over-the-top hatred from the Brockosphere that will backfire on the left. President Obama is saying this week how his policies are beating the terrorists. This certainly isn't the first time he has said this. In 2012, before the election, Obama repeatedly said the terrorist groups were decimated and on the run. (Of course, most of the media went along.) The obvious reason why the narcissist Obama is out there repeating the same garbage he said four years ago is because Trump is taking too much attention away from him. One of Obama's greatest achievements, according to him and the media, is the Iran deal, where he has given them hundreds of billions to continue to fund terrorism around the world and continue to pledge death to America and death to Israel. The world would have been much safer if Obama had let Iran collapse instead of lifting it up. Terrorism attacks are actually up substantially worldwide since Obama took office. I am sure that the NYT and Washington Post and the rest of the mainstream media will cover this factually instead of just repeating the Obama talking points. After all, they are so against fake news. As we get ready for a Trump presidency, Democrats are coming to terms with a couple of realities: First, those pollsters got it wrong, didn't they? Second, will President Trump act unilaterally as President Obama did? We remember many pundits saying the Democrats will someday regret that they let President Obama do so much on his own, from going around Congress on Obamacare and immigration to dropping bombs here and there. What can I say? "Some day" starts next January 20. I can't wait for the Democrats to suddenly discover constitutional powers and states' rights. President Trump will inherit a presidency with expanded powers, as we see from Josh Lederman: After eight years as a wartime president, Barack Obama is handing his successor an expansive interpretation of the commander in chief's authority to wage war around the globe. And that reading has continued to grow even as Obama prepares to pass control to Donald Trump. In his final weeks in office, Obama has broadened the legal scope of the war on extremism, the White House confirmed Monday, as it acknowledged for the first that the administration now asserts it is legally justified to take on the extremist group al-Shabab in Somalia. The determination is based on an expanded application of a 9/11-era use of force authorization, a statute Obama has repeatedly leaned on to justify military operations. That rationale has raised concerns about how Trump might use Obama's precedent to justify other overseas entanglements without consulting Congress. The White House staunchly defends Obama's use of military power, arguing in a detailed report Monday that all operations have been firmly grounded in domestic and international law. White House counsel Neil Eggleston called the report the first of its kind a demonstration of how Obama has ensured "that all U.S. national security operations are conducted within a legal and policy framework that is lawful, effective and consistent with our national interests and values." Yet the report, which Obama said should be updated annually, also reveals how his administration has relied overwhelmingly on the 2001 authorization, which even Obama acknowledges is outdated. Though the law's targets were al-Qaida and the Taliban, a clause in the bill includes "associated forces" of al-Qaida, in Afghanistan or beyond. That clause is now being used as a catch-all for military action in Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Somalia and Libya, the report shows, plus the basing of U.S. troops in other countries. Let's party like it's 2001? At the same time, President Bush did go to Congress in both Afghanistan and Iraq. To be fair, I supported those actions, except for Libya, where we operated on the basis of a U.N. resolution. No U.S. soldier should ever serve anywhere unless he is put there by the decision of a president. It would be wise for President Trump to visit with Speaker Paul Ryan and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and draft a new war resolution that addresses the challenges we face today. It would be good to have a debate on the floor again on these actions 15 years after 9-11. Who would have believed this when they were chanting "yes we can" at the Democrat convention in 2008? Wonder how many in the cheering crowd thought "the constitutional professor" would leave office without closing Gitmo and assume he could start wars anywhere simply by calling it "terrorism"! P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter. The large-scale money-laundering operation operated by the Democratic Party and its union boss allies will dwindle even farther in the next four years. The practice of forcing workers to join a union and give up a portion of their wages, which is then recycled into Democratic Party donations, is likely to become illegal in a number of states. Reid Wilson writes about this forthcoming change in The Hill, using prejudicial language common in the media when discussing unions. Labor unions have been on the defense in states like Wisconsin, Ohio and North Carolina in recent years, after Republicans swept to power in the 2010 midterm elections. Republicans in those states have advanced measures limiting public employee unions collective bargaining rights and unions power to compel workers to contribute dues. Can we please stop pretending that collective bargaining is a right? It is privilege, a legally sanctioned form of monopsony of the workforce that would otherwise be illegal as a conspiracy to monopolize the supply of labor. And the rights of workers to refuse to join the union are trampled when union membership is required in order to be hired. Instead of attacking rights of unions, the GOP is planning to restore rights of workers. Four states are ripe for installing right to work laws: Democrats have held firm in states such as New Hampshire, Missouri, Kentucky and Iowa, where the party maintained enough of a toehold to block anti-union measures. But Novembers elections gave Republicans big wins in those states, paving the way for an aggressive new campaign to undermine Democrats once-powerful labor allies. Labor had a disastrous election in the Rust Belt, said Jake Bookwalter, who lobbies state governments at Stateside Associates. Republican leaders in New Hampshire, Missouri and Kentucky are planning in the coming months to take up and pass so-called right-to-work measures, allowing workers to opt out of joining a union and out of paying union dues. If these efforts succeed, and it is hard to see effective obstacles, thirty states 60% will have enacted right to work laws. Its a good start. Structural change means permanently weakening unions, a fundamental pillar of the Democrats coalition. With his job creation, Donald Trump will do more for workers than unoins have for decades. Hat tip: Ed Lasky The Fitbit Charge 2 represents the best balance between an enthusiasts fitness tracker and something that the average user can wear from day-to-day. The fitness tracker has come a long, long way since it was first introduced, and there are more options out there than ever available now. Some of which offer a lot of advanced features for users, some of which go for a more balanced approach. The way that we use these devices is changing, too, and given that their prices are always coming down, its hard to choose exactly which is the best for you. There are, however, clear winners and losers in this category and its been a strong year for some, all the while showing us some surprise options, too. This is our award for the Best Fitness Tracker of 2016 Winner Fitbit Charge 2 When we reviewed the Fitbit Charge 2, we gave it our Editors Choice stamp of approval, and for good reason. The original Fitbit Charge was excellent halfway house between something a standard screen-free tracker and something more hardcore for true fitness enthusiasts. The Fitbit Charge 2, however, takes that philosophy much further and delivers an excellent experience for all those looking for a great compromise between something bulky and more capable as well as something thats casual and easy to use. The Charge 2 comes in one model, which brings a heart rate monitor with it, as well as a larger OLED display that, while it might only display white characters, is very readable. It can tell the time with a flick of the wrist and with a few taps can let you know your progress for the day and generally keep you up-to-date. With fun animations that remind you to get off your butt to get some steps, as well as a great display for time elapsed and heart rate during a session at the gym, the Fitbit Charge 2 has it where it counts. Advertisement The Charge 2, unlike many other larger and more feature-packed options out there, features customizable straps and changing them is really easy, too. This allows users to choose from a number of different colors, or pick up a leather band from Fitbit or metal bands from third-parties. This sort of customization is important, and was one of the reasons people made do with the Fitbit Flex, but theres no longer a need to as the Charge 2 gives them the same flexibility many Fitbit fans will have missed from the Flex. Great for use in the gym thanks to simple exercise modes for spinning, weightlifting, the treadmill and so on, the Fitbit Charge 2 is a great tracker for those looking for a very focused, yet approachable fitness tracker. It quickly works with your phone to get GPS to track your runs or hikes, and its comfortable to wear no matter the size of wrist. What really completes this winning package, however, is the excellent Fitbit app and ecosystem. The app itself is easy to use and straightforward, but with the addition of badges earned for certain milestones, as well as the ability to compete with friends and family all over the world, theres little that the Fitbit Charge 2 cant do. Battery life here is great as well, and doesnt need charging once every other day or so, instead offering users battery life that lasts as long as a week on a single charge. Its simple to use, sophisticated when you want to be, and gets the job done no matter where and when that might be. Sure, there might not be built-in GPS and the display isnt color or a touchscreen, but the overall package is so much more than these few compromises, and their omission just goes to help battery life. The Fitbit Charge 2 represents the best balance between an enthusiasts fitness tracker and something that the everyman can wear from day-to-day. Runner-Up Samsung Gear Fit 2 When Samsung released the $150 Gear Fit 2, the first thing many will have thought is that theres little this Fitness Tracker doesnt do, and that sentiment is just as true then as it is now. The Gear Fit 2 features a spacious and gorgeous Super AMOLED display thats 1.5-inches in size and clearly the main focus of the show. With so much information displayed on this display, its hard not to fall in love with the Gear Fit 2. That is, of course, if youre the type of person thats looking for a more complete and sophisticated fitness tracker, with 4GB of storage, 512MB of RAM and the Tizen OS used on their Gear S3 smartwatch, the Gear Fit 2 almost becomes one. For the amount that the Gear Fit 2 costs, however, Samsung have provided an excellent compromise between a smartwatch and a fitness tracker. It might not be the most subtle or attractive thing on the wrist, but its modern in appearance, and doesnt look like out of place when tied with sporty attire or depending on the color worn to work or as a casual accessory. Its clear what the Gear Fit 2 is made for though, and thats tracking every and any activity you can think of, with built-in GPS and an excellent heart rate monitor, the Gear Fit 2 tracks everything there and then on your wrist. One of the larger issues with the whole package here, however, is that the S Health application just feels a little messy, and doesnt have all the charm and simplicity that Fitbits app seems to offer people. A fine, and powerful, fitness track that does it all, the Gear Fit 2 is something that will appeal to hardcore fitness fanatics, but might perhaps put off the average user. Advertisement Honorable Mention Amazfit Arc Not many will have heard of Amazfit, and thats probably because the name isnt one thats been all that well-advertised or promoted throughout the US. Its the sort of name that you should be hearing a lot about in the next year or two, though. The second-largest wearable manufacturer behind Fitbit has released classics such as the Equator, but the Arc is the model that will have more mainstream appeal. With a small OLED display, a heart rate monitor and a simple app thats easily-understood and straightforward, theres a lot to like about the Amazfit Arc. With a 21-day battery life on top of it all, theres just so much packed into such a device that its hard to find fault with it. Battery life like this will make even the least technical folk in your life go wow and at three-weeks or more, this battery life is the thing of the future. Easy to charge, easy to wear for both men and women, this super-light fitness tracker does a little bit of everything, and for all $80 or less. A price point that few others out there can come even close to matching. While smartwatches have been steadily improving over the years, most of them are still rather bulky in comparison to regular watches. Because of that, a startup called Grayton decided to take a different approach to designing a smartwatch when it came up with Grayton Origin. Namely, Grayton opted for manufacturing a traditional, mechanical watch and ennobling it with modern functions fueled by hardware thats built into the band, and not the actual watch. In other words, this startup is offering a mechanical, self-winding watch with a smart band. The leather strap of the device is the thing that adds numerous smart functions to Grayton Origin and manufacturers of this watch claim that this is the perfect combination of modern technology and traditional sophistication. Among other things, the smart band of the Grayton Origin supports notifications, activity tracking, music control, and calendar reminders. The company behind this unique piece of hardware claims that the Grayton Origin started as an idea to create a smartwatch that can hardly become obsolete, at least in terms of serving as an actual watch. Therefore, the Grayton Origin features a transparent cover, an open-heart dial, and a mechanism which automatically keeps the watch wound as long as its worn on a daily basis. In other words, as far as timekeeping is concerned, this device doesnt require a battery. This unique smartwatch recently landed on Indiegogo and has already raised close to $60,000 while its initial funding goal amounted to only $25,000. Grayton announced that its planning to start shipping the device to early bird backers by March, while everyone else will have to remain patient for a little while longer as the Grayton Origin is also slated for a commercial release come mid-2017. The watch can currently be purchased with five cases: Traditional Steel, Continental Black, Classic Brown, Vintage Marine, and Blossom Beige. In addition to that, customers can choose from two smart leather straps Classic Brown and Classic Black. Given how Grayton already reached its first Indiegogo stretch goal, everyone who purchases the companys first watch will also receive a complimentary NATO-styled nylon strap. However, as Graytons Indiegogo campaign really took off, you cant get the Origin by pledging less than $229. On the bright side, this Early Bird Extra pledge will also land you an extra Classic leather strap. If you think that sounds like a good deal, visit the Grayton Origin Indiegogo page by following the source link below. Since AT&T and Time Warner announced their merger a few weeks ago, theres been plenty of debate over whether regulators should allow the merger to go through. Donald Trump, at the time was campaigning for President, had vowed to block the deal. Now that he has won the election, he will likely make sure that the deal doesnt go through. But that isnt stopping others that are in favor of the deal from speaking out. Including Mark Cuban, who is at a Senate antitrust hearing today. Cuban believes that AT&T needs to purchase Time Warner so that the combined company will be able to compete with the likes of Google, Snapchat, Facebook and others. Cuban said that there need to be more companies with the ability to compete with Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Facebook. Delivering content to consumers in this app-driven world is not easy, it is very expensive and difficult. He goes onto argue that without the merger, neither AT&T nor Time Warner will be able to compete with these companies. He also notes that as a combined company, itll still be difficult, but doable. While on one side, were looking at competition going away, with Time Warner joining AT&T, but on the other, it will help bring out even more competition. Google has YouTube available for loads of content. Amazon has been making their own original content lately, not to mention their huge library of content already available. And Facebook has been doing loads of work with live video, not to mention the video that users upload to the social network every day. But Cuban believes that users will still want that traditional TV setup, and thats something that AT&T and Time Warner can deliver together. In fact, it is something that AT&T has already done with DIRECTV NOW. Adding in Time Warner would just make the service even stronger. Advertisement AT&T is looking to buy Time Warner for around $86 billion. The deal was announced back in October, and hasnt been closed out just yet. It is still awaiting regulatory approval, which is what the hearing at the Senate was about today. It may get approval before the Obama administration leaves office on January 20th, but theres a big chance that it could be one of the first things that the Trump administration has to deal with when they take office next month. Trump did say he would reject the merger, but now hes looking to treat it fairly and see how this could both help and hurt the industry. When Android Wear was first announced back in 2014, during SXSW no less, for many it was a oh, finally moment while for others it was a head-scratching moment. Back in 2014, the smartwatch was still something that few people believed in, and it was something that was considered very, very niche. Since then, however, smartwatches in general have failed to capture the general publics imagination, unless of course were talking about the Apple Watch. Android Wear appears to be on a hiatus of sorts, and while were waiting yet again for more big promises from Google on the software front, the partners that Google announced on stage during that initial launch appear to have lost their patience along with users. In 2016, we have not seen a new watch from Huawei, LG or Motorola, and in the case of the latter there appears to be no new Moto 360 in the pipeline, with no plans to even get moving on a new model of the watch that got Android Wear off of the ground all the way back in 2014. Not too long ago, The Verge managed to get some time with Shakil Barkat, Head of Global Product Development at Motorola, when he told the Verge that, Wearables do not have broad enough appeal for us to continue to build on it year after year. These comments might not surprise many out there, given that people often dont upgrade their fitness tracker or smartwatch very often, after all they become a piece of clothing after some time, but when Barkat goes on to say that Motorola doesnt see enough pull in the market to put [a new smartwatch] out at this time its pretty clear that Google has something to worry about. The Moto 360 was the product for Android Wear when it first launched back in the Fall of 2014, and even with an unsightly flat tire display design and pretty poor battery life, the smartwatch put this new platform on the map. Compared to the LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live incidentally Samsungs first and only attempt at making an Android Wear watch before going it alone with Tizen the Moto 360 was a real-looker. Sure, the LG G Watch R, released the same year, had a lot going for it as well, and had a much better display and better battery life, but the Moto 360 already had the crown that everyone else had to go chasing after. Advertisement The original Moto 360 has become one of those unsung heroes of a product category, and there will be a lot of people reading this that are probably wearing one right now, or perhaps a second-generation model of the Moto 360. The original was arguably the best-looking smartwatch we have ever seen running Android Wear, it was understated, had a little hipster flare to it, and came in a number of different colors and band styles to make sure as many people as possible were happy with the final product. I had a Moto 360, and while I was late to the party, purchasing one in 2015, I ended up with a smartwatch that had gone through a number of different software updates and had battery life that was perfectly manageable, if not a little annoying to keep an eye on. This is perhaps testament to how good a product the Moto 360 really was. After all, there are few devices that launch, and get constant improvements as the Moto 360 did. When it was time to launch a second-generation Moto 360, Motorola did things a little differently to their first effort. The watch band lugs protruded from the case, giving a different design, but Motorola stuck to the core principle of making the smartwatch feel more like a timepiece than a gadget, and that included a pair of different sizes; a 46mm designed for men and a 42mm designed for women. On top of that, Motorola added in the option to choose a different bezel, in different colors and with or without a micro knurl pattern. Different bands came along for the ride, and the second-generation of the Moto 360 gave all kinds of different users and different styles a number of options to design and choose their own watch. Other watch brands have tried something similar, with Nixon being the most recent, offering a customization option for the new Mission smartwatch via their website. Advertisement The Moto 360 was close to becoming a new classic for Motorola, with it helping to put them back on the map, perhaps more so than the original Moto X had done. I live in the Uk, so I obviously see things differently than my US friends and colleagues, but here in the UK the Moto 360 was a hot item. National carrier and retailer O2 picked up the watch for sale in their stores, and made a point of pushing it in advertising. It was the only smartwatch I have seen advertised on TV here in the UK, until, of course the Apple Watch came along. Ive worn countless smartwatches since 2013, and while my friends know me as the smartwatch guy, the only other smartwatch I would see on the wrist of passers-by was the Moto 360, and Im talking the original Moto 360 here, the second-generation has been less popular here. The UK is a different market when it comes to technology, and its arguably one more resistant to change. When people here gave up wearing a watch because their phone told the time, it was the Fitbit that people were more inclined to spend their money on. The Moto 360 was good-looking, offered people features they wanted, and wasnt too expensive in the long run. Now, though, theres no Moto 360 in the pipeline, and the firm that helped build Android Wear into what it is today, has decided that theres little point in preparing a device for a market thats no longer lucrative for them. If this isnt a wake-up call for Google, then Im not sure what will be. I, of course, cannot see what other companies such as LG and Huawei have in their pipelines, but publicly, Google has given companies and users alike little reason to have much confidence in Android Wear. The platform got off to a slow start, and then once it found its footing, it was thought that it would steadily improve and add features users wanted. It did just that, but by the Spring of 2016, it seemed a cold, hard pause had been put into effect. Fast forward to the Summer, where Android Wear 2.0 was shown off with all manner of improvements, a fresh coat of paint, more independent watch features and everything else in between. Now, however, this new update has been delayed. Further delaying any hope of a shot in the arm for the platform. Delaying Android Wear 2.0 was perhaps inevitable for Google. After all, with their being no new watches from LG, Motorola or Huawei on the horizon, who could they rely on to launch the new software version? Sure, watch brands such as Fossil, Michael Kors, Nixon and TAG Heuer are all onboard, but these are brands that have their own products to push, with little need to give Google a hand. Its hard to see just what, if anything, had caused the delay with Android Wear 2.0. The Internet giant has all the resources they could want, and while new devices have been few and far between, the Huawei Watch perhaps the most-popular Android Wear watch of the year has been begging for such an update since the update to allow voice calls for the watch. Advertisement Android Wear 2.0 cannot come soon enough. I write a monthly round-up of new apps and watch faces for the platform, and its clear that developers are either still holding their breath, or theyve just become fed up. Its extremely rare I find a quality Android Wear app for this list, and this is not to take a away from the developers creating them, its just become clear that there are few big ticket developers interested in the platform right now. The delay of Android Wear 2.0 is something Ive already called a mistake in the past, and while its easy for someone like me to point the finger, Google is very lucky to have customers like myself and others still sticking around. Ive been wearing an Android Wear watch every single day since the platform launched, this is because I like gadgets sure, but Google will have no doubt turned off far many more users for their lack of progression in the platform. After all, Android Wear had a steady year in 2015, constant updates and new watches gave the platform a bright future, but 2016 has seemingly reversed all of that. People dont buy a new watch every six months, or even every year, or even every two years, but there has to be some sort of constant buzz around a platform like Android Wear. As of right now, theres very little buzz in the community. The majority of users can only hope that Android Wear 2.0 was delayed not because of a lack of resources, but purely because the team is making it the best they can. If so, it might be a resurgence for the platform, but for now, the industry and users alike have yet more waiting ahead of them. The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is, along with the Galaxy S7, Samsungs flagship smartphone for 2016. The Galaxy Note 7 is no longer available, which means these are the only Samsung-branded flagships this year. Now, the company had recently introduced the Blue Coral variant of the Galaxy S7 Edge, and the Pearl Black model also leaked several times thus far. Well, it seems like the company plans to release this smartphone in South Korea really soon, read on. The Pearl Black variant of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge will be announced on December 9th, if a recent report is to be believed. This smartphone will be launched in the companys homeland as a response to Apples Jet Black iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Now, this smartphone will look identical to all the other Galaxy S7 Edge variants out there (though it will sport a different coat of paint, and its specs will be identical to other Galaxy S7 Edge variants as well, except for the fact it will ship with 128GB of internal storage. Now, we still dont know if this smartphone will become available outside of South Korea, but chances are we will see it hit other markets before the end of the year as well, just like the Blue Coral model. Samsung is trying to offer consumers more options when it comes to their Galaxy S7 Edge handset, probably because the Galaxy Note 7 is no longer around, so the company is trying to keep as many consumers as they can. The Pearl Black Galaxy S7 Edge will, just like other Galaxy S7 Edge smartphones out there, be made out of metal and glass, while its display will be curved on the sides. The phone will also sport a physical home button below the display which will double as a fingerprint scanner. This smartphone will be fueled by the Exynos 8890 64-bit octa-core processor, and it will pack in 4GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable native storage. The phone will ship with a 5.5-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) Super AMOLED display which is protected by a layer of Gorilla Glass 4. The 12-megapixel snapper will be placed on the back of this phone, and a 3,500mAh battery will be included here as well. Android 6.0 Marshmallow will ship out of the box with Samsungs TouchWiz UI on top of it. Donald Trumps surprising win during the US Presidential Election last month sparked much debate, especially in the tech industry which fears that the new administration may be bad news for its operations. According to a report from USA Today, the President-elect has now invited Silicon Valleys top executives to join him at a roundtable scheduled to take place Wednesday, December 14th. While most of Trumps invitees are still unknown, USA Today claims that Safra Catz and Chuck Robbins, CEOs of Oracle and Cisco, respectively, will be attending the President-elects roundtable next week. Furthermore, Meg Whitman, the Chief Executive Officer at Hewlett-Packard already told Business Insider she has no intention of attending said meeting. On the other hand, tech giants like Google, Facebook, Apple, Twitter, and Microsoft have remained reserved and are still declining to comment on the report. While Whitman is both a supporter and a donor of the Grand Old Party (GOP) that chose Trump as their Presidential nominee, she has criticized the President-elect throughout his year-long campaign and has openly supported Hillary Clinton in the past, so her decision isnt all that surprising. In overall, the upcoming roundtable is bound to be a heated one as most of the Silicon Valley has vehemently opposed Trumps anti-immigration policies in the past. The US tech industry has been relying on importing foreign talent for decades, so its not surprising that its not thrilled with the President-elects ideas of how they should run their businesses. In addition to that, Trump directly clashed with the industry during his campaign, as he repeatedly called out Apple for outsourcing American jobs and criticized Amazon over antitrust issues pertaining to its involvement with The Washington Post. Advertisement However, that isnt to say Trump has no friends in the tech industry. In fact, Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal whos currently sitting on Facebooks board of directors has allegedly assisted the President-elect with sending invites for the upcoming roundtable. In addition to Thiel, this meeting was reportedly organized by Trumps next chief-of-staff Reince Priebus, as well as the President-elects son-in-law Jared Kushner. While the exact topic of this roundtable is still unknown, its bound to have something to do with Trumps previous clashes with the tech industry. All in all, we should know more by next Wednesday. Highlight This is as good as it gets under $500. Period. It wasnt but a few months ago that OnePlus launched the OnePlus 3, the highly anticipated annual followup to its flagship phones. Last year we saw OnePlus release a second device that was geared towards a crowd who was looking for a less expensive phone, and this year theyre doing the opposite with the OnePlus 3T. While the OnePlus 3 broke new ground compared to other OnePlus flagships, introducing not only a top-notch OLED display and an all-metal build, the OnePlus 3T builds upon the skeleton of the OnePlus 3 and improves the internals in every way. Featuring a bigger battery, faster SoC, more internal storage and a new sapphire camera lens, the OnePlus 3T looks to be the ultimate high-end phone with a mid-range price. This review is effectively an update to that review, covering whats new and different between the devices rather than going through everything twice. Specs While the OnePlus 3 launched at $399, the OnePlus 3T gets a slight price bump up to $439 in the US, 439 in Europe and 399 in the UK for the 64GB model. If youre looking for more internal storage you can bump it up to 128GB internal storage for $479 in the US, 479 in Europe and 439 in the UK. OnePlus is shipping the all-metal OnePlus 3T in Gunmetal instead of the silver color the OnePlus 3 came in, and will also be offering the phone in a Soft Gold color in the near future when stock becomes available. Many specs are similar to the OnePlus 3, including the all-metal unibody build and dimensions, which measures in at 152.7mm tall, 74.7mm wide, 7.4mm thin and weighs 158 grams. This means all the current available cases will work with the OnePlus 3T without modification, a great piece of news for future owners. Advertisement Also similar to the OnePlus 3 is the display, which features the same 5.5-inch 1080p Optic AMOLED panel, as well as the optional software button or hardware capacitive button configuration below the screen. Identical too are the cameras, the front-facing a 16-megapixel camera sensor, while a 16-megapixel 1/2.8-inch camera sensor with 1.12-micron sized pixels, f/2.0 sapphire glass lens, phase detection autofocus and a single LED flash sits on the back. Youll also find 6GB of LPDDR4 RAM inside the phone just on the Oneplus 3, but unlike that phone youll find a larger 3,400mAh battery inside. Also upgraded is the SoC (system-on-a-chip), which is now a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 with Adreno 530 GPU. The Differences Advertisement The OnePlus 3T isnt a significant enough upgrade for current OnePlus 3 owners to even consider upgrading, especially when you look at the specs. Qualcomms Snapdragon 821 is a better SoC, but its not a generational leap above the Snapdragon 820 found in the OnePlus 3, and given that OnePlus has no plans to utilize Googles Daydream VR platform, the jump to the 821 is a marginal difference at best. Youre still getting the same screen, same amount of RAM, same internal storage size and speed, identical build and the same camera on the back. In all honesty the only real difference most people would ever pick up on are two things: front-facing camera, and battery life. Its no secret that battery life has been a struggle for smartphones since their inception. Asking a mobile device with limited battery capacity to do so many things, and yet still last an entire day borders on crazy, but people do it every single day. As a result manufacturers have learned to stuff larger and larger batteries inside of ever-shrinking frames, all while being asked to charge them faster than ever before. OnePlus has absolutely answered the call to both of these features, and while the Dash Charge feature isnt any different than what youll already find on the existing OnePlus 3, the battery life absolutely is. Sporting a modest 13% increase in battery size over the OnePlus 3, battery life in general has seen a much more significant increase than 13% would suggest. The OnePlus 3 had average battery life on a good day, but the OnePlus 3T has stellar battery life to say the least. Advertisement Most average use days ended with around 40% or more battery left in my usage, and even heavy days with 5 hours of screen on time and 17 hours off the charger still showed more than 20% left at the end of that day. Dash Charging helps too, with 30 minutes of charging adding 50% to the battery, easily finishing off the day no matter what you do on it. One part that could have helped this is a fix to the RAM issues the OnePlus 3 had, and while it still shares the same massive 6GB RAM that phone had, it manages its usage far better than the OnePlus 3 did at launch. I was able to go all the way to the back of the Android Overview carousel and immediately pull up apps I hadnt opened in hours or even days in some cases, and its this sort of excellent RAM management that helps keep CPUs from needlessly loading, and therefore batteries from needlessly draining. Whats odd this time around is the complete lack of focus on VR. While OnePlus has updated the chipset to the Snapdragon 821, a chipset quickly becoming known for its excellent VR capabilities, OnePlus is completely ignoring the VR scene this time around. This is particularly odd because the original OnePlus 3 launch event, as well as the OnePlus 2 launch event, were done entirely in VR. Not focusing on VR also means that OnePlus isnt working on support for Googles fledgeling open VR platform, Daydream, which is a huge miss considering its not only got the horsepower to run the platform, but could also have been a key part of marketing given the price of the OnePlus 3T with a Daydream headset is still well over $100 less than buying the smallest Google Pixel available. Advertisement OnePlus has upgraded the resolution on the front-facing camera to a rather unusual 16-megapixels, but has failed to add any real meaningful features to it such as front-facing flash or HDR. This means that, while the resolution of your selfies will be off the charts, that harsh backlighting is still going to blow out the scene, and those darker night-time selfies dont get any help either. Aside from the new, more scratch-resistant sapphire lens, the rear-facing 16-megapixel camera is identical to the OnePlus 3. Check out the gallery below to see what the OnePlus 3Ts camera is like. For owners of the OnePlus 3, the differences listed above will likely not be enough to upgrade from whats already an excellent phone, despite some great strides toward better battery life and a more scratch-resistant camera lens. In fact OnePlus 3 owners get a sneak peak of the companys latest OxygenOS update, featuring a build on top of Android 7.0 Nougat, while OnePlus 3T owners will have to wait for the final version of the update to get it. If nothing else this is a testament to OnePlus trying to manage its releases by not making its current customers mad and offering the latest OS for the latest hardware first, but of course is disappointing for someone buying a brand new phone and expecting the latest and greatest in every way. Advertisement The Good Significantly improved battery life over the OnePlus 3 Dash Charge is as fast as ever Advertisement Amazing build quality Hardware priority mode slider is genius Vibrant and beautiful AMOLED screen Advertisement Top-tier performance Light Android skin with some nice added features Unbelievably fast fingerprint scanner Phenomenal camera NFC Great 16-bit sound output The Bad No high-res audio or Bluetooth aptX No Daydream VR support Launching with Android Marshmallow instead of Nougat Conclusion Looking to pick up a top-end flagship phone without spending in upwards of $600 or more? Want the latest in mobile chipsets and the performance that goes with it, but dont want to break the bank? OnePlus offers this with a bigger battery on top of that, and of course everything we loved about the OnePlus 3. This improves upon essentially everything, and removes all the real negatives behind the OnePlus 3 when it launched earlier this year. OnePlus is still working on its own in many areas, including forgoing higher quality Bluetooth audio through the aptX codec, and those looking for 24-bit high-res audio will certainly have to look elsewhere. Everyone else, especially those that arent interested in Googles Daydream VR platform, should definitely consider picking this one up as their new phone, because quite simply this value and quality combination is too hard to pass up. The 3.5mm port, for long a constant feature in audio and video devices of all descriptions, seems to be headed for a quiet burial in the foreseeable future. Following Apples decision to forgo the decades-old technology on its latest iPhones in favor of its proprietary Lightning connector, South Korean consumer electronics giant Samsung Electronics is now also reportedly planning to drop the once-ubiquitous audio port from its much-rumored upcoming flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S8. Instead of sporting the 3.5mm port, Samsungs upcoming flagship is said to come with a USB Type-C port that is slowly gaining in prominence over the past couple of years, although its adoption still hasnt been as fast as was once expected. One thing to note here is that this is still only a rumor, but seeing as top smartphone vendors such as Apple have already started making the switch from the traditional audio port to newer options, it wouldnt be entirely surprising if Samsung also follows suit with its upcoming flagship. Apple, however, is not the only smartphone vendor to have done away with what many within the industry are already calling a legacy connector. Other companies, like LeEco, have also gotten rid of the traditional audio port from its flagship smartphone this year, so if this latest rumor does turn out to be true and Samsung does indeed drop the 3.5mm port from its upcoming flagship in favor of USB Type-C, it may very well hasten the demise of the once-ubiquitous technology. The Galaxy S8, meanwhile, is expected to be really important for Samsung from a business stand point. The companys stock has been battered in recent times in the wake of the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco. As if exploding smartphones wasnt bad enough, reports about some of Samsungs washing machines coming apart during high-speed spin cycles have also dealt a further blow to the reputation and the credibility that the company had built up painstakingly over the past couple of decades. Samsung will surely be hoping that the Galaxy S8 and its rumored derivatives do not suffer from the fallout of the Galaxy Note 7 controversy, and that it will be able to retain its crown as the worlds largest Android manufacturer going forward. The great Apple v Samsung case continues. You may remember that way back in 2011, Apple decided to sue Samsung for patent infringement. The two had a pretty huge court case throughout 2012, in which the court decided that Samsung was guilty and owed Apple about $930 million in damages. In 2015, the US Court of Appeals lowered that amount to $548 million. Which Samsung agreed, in December, to pay and settle the case. However, Samsung did continue its appeal of $399 million of that $548 million that it owed to Apple. Many other tech giants took to Samsungs side, including Google, Facebook, Dell and HP, writing that this could diminish innovation and encourage patent trolls. In March of this year, the US Supreme Court had agreed to take on the case of Apple v Samsung, and today they ruled in favor of Samsung. Which means that the case was sent back to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, which will determine the damages that Samsung owes Apple. Apple believes that Samsung infringed on about 11 patents, relating to the iPhone. These include things like using rounded corners on their smartphones. Samsung is largely appealing the amount that they owe to Apple (which theyve already paid), because they believe that they should only have pay part of the profits from their smartphones that infringed on those patents, instead of the entire profit. Seeing as not the entire smartphone infringed on these patents that Apple holds. Samsung has been arguing that the design elements which are where all of the infringed patents were are a small part of the smartphone, that uses thousands and thousands of patents. Advertisement Whats also interesting to note, and why this case is so historic, is the fact that the Supreme Court very rarely hears design patent cases. In fact, it has been over 120 years since their last case similar to Apple v Samsung. Since this whole case began in 2011, the patent war has seemingly died down, with many other companies setting up agreements with each others to license their patents for others to use. Like HTC and Apple signing their agreement a couple of years ago. Hague prosecutor demands life sentence for Mladic 'Insult to victims' otherwise, says Tieger (ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, DECEMBER 7 - The lead prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Alan Tieger, called Wednesday for the Bosnian Serb general Ratko Mladic to be sentenced to life in jail. The leader of the Bosnian Serb forces is charged with genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in the 1992-1995 conflict in Bosnia. Tieger said at the end of his closing remarks that: ''It would be an insult to victims living and dead and an affront to justice to impose any sentence less than the severest available under the law - a life sentence''. The case is the last major one of the UN-established tribunal. (ANSAmed). Egypt 'to send 200 officers to Syria' to help Assad Some already there, others to arrive by year's end (ANSAMed) - BEIRUT, DECEMBER 7 - About 200 Egyptian military officers and experts will be deployed to Syria as part of growing military cooperation between the two governments, Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar reported on Wednesday. The newspaper is close to Iran and Hezbollah, both of which are fighting in Syria alongside the regime under President Bashar Al-Assad. The newspaper reported that an Egyptian military vessel is expected to land in the Tartus port in the coming days with a contingent of Egyptian military officers and experts. A group of helicopter pilots arrived at the Hama airport in previous weeks and, according to the newspaper, other high-ranking Egyptian officers arrived in Damascus in November and were escorted by government forces ''to several fronts'' of the Syrian conflict. In a televised interview on November 22, to the question of whether Egypt would send ''peace-keeping troops'' to Syria, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi had said that ''it's better that the (Syrian) national army takes its own responsibility'' and that its priority was to ''support the national army'' in Syria. (ANSAmed). BEIRUT - The Syrian government has confirmed the Israeli attack on the military airport in the Mezze district of Damascus in the early hours of Wednesday morning. An official statement cited by the official news agency Sana said surface-to-surface missiles had been fired from "occupied territory" - in all likelihood the Golan Heights, which are controlled by Israel and located around 60 km from the Syrian capital. Sana also confirmed that the attack caused airport structures to catch fire but without causing victims. NEW YORK - The White House on Wednesday condemned the Syrian regime and Russia for their actions in Aleppo. They are accused of preventing humanitarian aid from being delivered to civilians in opposition-held areas, of continuing to target civilian objectives and hospitals and of using barrel bombs and chemical weapons, all of which illegal under international humanitarian law. Moscow has also been accused of blocking any type of UN resolution aiming to end the ongoing atrocities. 'No talks between US and Russian experts on Syria', Kremlin says. 'They are all terrorist in Aleppo'. MOSCOW - There are no negotiations expected between Russian and US experts on the crisis in Syria, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitri Peskov said Wednesday. Peskov said experts from the two countries have been "in contact" but that talks "on relatively recent proposals" had not been scheduled. The statement came the day after Russian Foreign Minister Serghiei Lavrov said Russian and US experts would not be discussing the Syrian crisis in Geneva on Wednesday because the US had "changed its mind" about how to resolve the situation in Aleppo. Peskov added that the rebels present in Syria's second city "are all terrorists" belonging to "the terrorist organisation Jabhat al Nusra". Rebels pushed out of 70% of eastern Aleppo, says Russia. 50 areas taken. '66 militants laid down arms and left city' Syrian regime and allied forces controlled 70% of formerly opposition-held areas of Aleppo as of Wednesday afternoon, the Russian defense ministry said. The ministry added that Syrian forces had taken over 50 areas of eastern Aleppo since the latest offensive began and that 66 fighters had laid down their weapons and left the city over the past 24 hours. Egypt 'to send 200 officers to Syria' to help Assad. Some already there, others to arrive by year's end BEIRUT - About 200 Egyptian military officers and experts will be deployed to Syria as part of growing military cooperation between the two governments, Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar reported on Wednesday. The newspaper is close to Iran and Hezbollah, both of which are fighting in Syria alongside the regime under President Bashar Al-Assad. The newspaper reported that an Egyptian military vessel is expected to land in the Tartus port in the coming days with a contingent of Egyptian military officers and experts. A group of helicopter pilots arrived at the Hama airport in previous weeks and, according to the newspaper, other high-ranking Egyptian officers arrived in Damascus in November and were escorted by government forces ''to several fronts'' of the Syrian conflict. In a televised interview on November 22, to the question of whether Egypt would send ''peace-keeping troops'' to Syria, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi had said that ''it's better that the (Syrian) national army takes its own responsibility'' and that its priority was to ''support the national army'' in Syria. Queen Nefertari mummy found at Turin museum Ramesses the Great's wife legs among remains kept there (By Denis Greenan). (ANSAmed) - ROME, DECEMBER 6 - The mummy of Ancient Egyptian Queen Nefertari has been identified in Turin's Egyptian Museum, ANSA sources said Tuesday. A group of international archaeologists led by York University in the UK believes that the legs of the favourite wife of Pharaoh Ramesses II are preserved in the famed museum in the northwestern Italian city. The study has been published in the Plos One journal. Nefertari, also known as Nefertari Meritmut, was an Egyptian queen and the first of the Great Royal Wives (or principal wives) of Ramesses the Great. Nefertari means 'beautiful companion' and Meritmut means 'Beloved of [the goddess] Mut'. She is one of the best known Egyptian queens, next to Cleopatra, Nefertiti and Hatshepsut. The legs of the legendary queen are preserved in a glass case, the sources said. In order to identify her remains, chemical, anthropological, genetic and carbon-dating tests were carried out. According to the study, the mummified legs belong to an adult woman of about 40 years of age. Furthermore, the materials used to mummify the legs are in line with the methods used for mummification in the 13th century BC, the study said. Ramesses II's favourite wife was given a splendid tomb in the Valley of the Queens. Even though it was sacked in ancient times, the tomb, discovered in 1904 by Italian archaeologist Ernesto Schiaparelli, still contained various remains that were sent to Turin's Egyptian Museum, including parts of a pair of mummified legs (tibias and femurs). But the study that discovered whether those legs could actually all that remained of one of Ancient Egypt's most celebrated queens was only undertaken in relatively recent times. Neferati, who died at about age 40 in Ca 1255 BC, was highly educated and able to both read and write hieroglyphs, a very rare skill at the time. She used these skills in her diplomatic work, corresponding with other prominent royalties of the time. Her lavishly decorated tomb, QV66, is one of the largest and most spectacular in the Valley of the Queens. Ramesses also constructed a temple for her at Abu Simbel next to his colossal monument there.(ANSAmed). Tunisia launches campaign against fuel contraband Contraband accounts for 30% of total fuel sales (ANSAmed) - TUNIS, DECEMBER 7 - Distributors of petroleum products and petrol station owners have launched a campaign against contraband fuel in Tunisia. The campaign under the slogan 'Contraband is against you' uses street posters in the country's main cities and TV messages showing the risks for Tunisia if the black market in fuel continues to grow. Contraband fuel has a strong negative impact on the national economy, now accounting for 30% of total sales in the sector compared to 10% in 1996 according to Tunisian industrialists' association executive member Lofti Hamrouni. The phenomenon concerns all parts of the country, not just southern and central regions, he added. Roughly 20,000 people are employed in the contraband fuel sector in Tunisia according to a study prepared by statistics company Sigma Conseil. The market is controlled by approximately 150 barons and accounts for an annual loss to the taxman of around 400 million dinars, the study found. (ANSAmed). 3,000 Syrian rebels put down weapons Tass Militiamen have been allowed to leave Khan al-Sheikh by bus (ANSAmed) - MOSCOW, DECEMBER 7 - Roughly 3,000 rebels have put down their weapons in Khan al-Sheikh, near Damascus, and been allowed to leave the city for the Idlib province with their families by bus, the Russian official press agency Tass reported Wednesday. "After long and difficult negotiations a ceasefire agreement was reached with the rebels," Russian colonel Alexiei Leshchenko is quoted as saying. The rebels reportedly laid down 500 firearms, sniper rifles and dozens of mortars. (ANSAmed). NEW YORK - ISIS' days in Libya are numbered, UN special envoy Martin Kobler told the Security Council on Tuesday. "Progress has been made against terrorism in Libya in both the west and the east. The days of ISIS control of the territory are over," Kobler said. Meanwhile, Libyan rebels have celebrated their victory over the Islamic extremists in Sirte by publishing a series of photographs on their Facebook page. The rebels are pictured on Al Zaafaran, the island formerly used by the jihadists for executions, brandishing the Libyan tricolor and making the Victory sign. The Mediterranean city has been transformed as a result of ISIS control for over a year and the horrors of war for the last seven months. Israeli air force strikes near Damascus Arab media Attacks allegedly targeted Mezzeh military airport (ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, DECEMBER 7 - The Israeli aviation carried out a strike against targets close to Damascus airport on Wednesday morning, Arab media report. Haaretz cited pro-Iranian TV broadcaster tv Al-Mayadeen as saying fighter planes struck the military airport of Mezzeh near the presidential palace of Bashar al-Assad. There has been no official confirmation from Israel, while Syrian government media have neither confirmed or denied the claims and there are no reports of victims. The broadcaster cites the press office of pro-Iranian Shia rebels present in Syria as saying Israeli jets opened fire against Mezzeh on the outskirts of Damascus "from inside Lebanese air space". Local residents were reportedly woken at 4 am local time by the sound of explosions coming from the airport. Syria's human rights observatory has confirmed the explosions but not atributed them to air strikes, while the Facebook page of 'Damascus Today', close to the Assad regime, instead reported "internal malfunctioning". Last week Syria claimed the Israeli aviation attacked a weapons cache and a supply convoy destined for Hezbollah to the east of Damascus. Israel never admitted the attacks. The alleged attack came just a few days after four ISIS militants were killed by Israeli soldiers following an attack on a patrol in the Golan Heights, in what was considered the first direct clash between Israel and the Islamic extremists. (ANSAmed). Libya: jubilation and relief in Sirte, liberated from ISIS Results reversible without clear security apparatus, UN envoy (ANSAmed) - CAIRO, DECEMBER 7 - After over a year under the Islamic State (ISIS) and seven months of war, the Libyan city of Sirte has been liberated. Militias involved in the offensive were seen celebrating on the streets on Tuesday, while UN envoy Martin Kobler warned in New York that the achievement was not irreversible. Kobler added that progress had been made in Benghazi by the Libyan national army under Khalifa Haftar, but said that the country needed to have a clear security apparatus to avoid sliding backwards. The conflict in Sirte resulted in 3,000 killed or injured among the militias. A high number of ISIS fighters were also killed but no death toll has been released thus far. Almost 500 US airstrikes were conducted against ISIS fighters since August 1 to help the fighters - most of whom from Misrata and loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA) - led by prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj, supported by the UN and the international community. Sirte was taken by ISIS in 2015 and was the most important base for the group outside of Iraq and Syria. Many beheadings and crucifixions occurred in the city during their time in control and rigid codes were set for behavior and women's clothing. (ANSAmed). Syria confirms Israeli attack on Damascus military airport Surface-to-surface missiles fired from 'occupied territory' (ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, DECEMBER 7 - The Syrian government has confirmed the Israeli attack on the military airport in the Mezze district of Damascus in the early hours of Wednesday morning. An official statement cited by the official news agency Sana said surface-to-surface missiles had been fired from "occupied territory" - in all likelihood the Golan Heights, which are controlled by Israel and located around 60 km from the Syrian capital. Sana also confirmed that the attack caused airport structures to catch fire but without causing victims. (ANSAmed). White House condemns Damascus and Moscow on Aleppo 'Blocking aid and targeting civilians and hospitals' (ANSAmed) - NEW YORK, DECEMBER 7 - The White House on Wednesday condemned the Syrian regime and Russia for their actions in Aleppo. They are accused of preventing humanitarian aid from being delivered to civilians in opposition-held areas, of continuing to target civilian objectives and hospitals and of using barrel bombs and chemical weapons, all of which illegal under international humanitarian law. Moscow has also been accused of blocking any type of UN resolution aiming to end the ongoing atrocities. (ANSAmed). 'No talks between US and Russian experts on Syria' Kreml (ANSAmed) - MOSCOW, DECEMBER 7 - There are no negotiations expected between Russian and US experts on the crisis in Syria, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitri Peskov said Wednesday. Peskov said experts from the two countries have been "in contact" but that talks "on relatively recent proposals" had not been scheduled. The statement came the day after Russian Foreign Minister Serghiei Lavrov said Russian and US experts would not be discussing the Syrian crisis in Geneva on Wednesday because the US had "changed its mind" about how to resolve the situation in Aleppo. Peskov added that the rebels present in Syria's second city "are all terrorists" belonging to "the terrorist organisation Jabhat al Nusra". (ANSAmed). Air Madagascar to fly to China through joint codeshared flights with Air Austral Air Madagascar and Reunion based Air Austral are early next year set to begin a joint codeshared flight from both Antananarivo and St. Denis to Guangzhou in China which will operate twice a week, leaving the islands every Wednesday and Sunday and returning the following day, that is Thursday and Monday. Originating in the capital of Madagascar and operated by Air Madagascar with an Airbus A340-300 will the service stop over on Reunion Island, a French Indian Ocean territory before proceeding to Guangzhou and then return the same way. The two airlines will reportedly share the seat capacity on the 275 seater Airbus. Guangzhou, formerly known as Canton, is the third largest city in China after capital Beijing and Shanghai and is expected to yield enough passengers to make the operation viable for the two partner airlines. Reunion, though part of France, operates with a special Visa regime for Chinese tourists the same also applies to tourists from India and South Africa which amounts to a Visa waiver as long as the journey is booked through designated travel agents and in form of a package holiday. As a result have Chinese visitor arrivals to Reunion soared over the past two years. www.airmadagascar.com www.air-austral.com If youre considering a subscription to the Disney Plus streaming service, you may be wondering how much it costs. The service is available on both Passengers from the UK can fly to Krabi via Doha from four Qatar Airways gateways: London Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham, while customers in Ireland will be able to enjoy a new daily service from Dublin to Doha from 12 June 2017. Qatar Airways senior vice president of Asia Pacific, Marwan Koleilat, said: I am delighted to be able to inaugurate the first service to Krabi, providing travellers from key markets with direct access to Krabi and the regions tourism hot spots undeniably some of the most popular and sought after travel destinations in the world. Thailand remains an important market for Qatar Airways as we continue to explore key secondary destinations to better serve the global traveller. Guests can now enjoy Qatar Airways award-winning service on board one of the youngest fleets in the industry when we fly together to Krabi, Thailand. Additionally, the new service to Krabi opens up a host of convenient global destinations for the people of Krabi and its region and Id like to thank the Thai people for their continued support over the last 20 years. Operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the new service will allow passengers from Ireland to travel not only to Qatar but also onwards to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations around the world. Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: Qatar Airways has seen unprecedented growth in recent times and continues to launch new destinations on our global route map, enhancing connectivity for our passengers from around the world. The launch of flights to Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is an exciting addition to our network and I am confident that business and leisure passengers will benefit from our Boeing 787 Dreamliner service and smooth onward connections through our home and hub, Hamad International Airport. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. American-Armenian author Chris Bohjalian published an interesting article in The New York Times about his visit in Nagorno Karabakh in 2016 entitled My Proud Pilgrimage to My Homeland, reports Armenpress. Bohjalian starts the article from the village of Talish that recalls him 100 years ago the Western Front of the First World War. On the first day of September, the sky cerulean, Capt. Gegham Grigoryan, 32, stood with me and pointed toward the northeast toward Azerbaijan and the minefield and buffer zone less than a mile away. If you want peace, you should prepare for war, he said, shrugging, Bohjalian writes stating that in early April of this year Azerbaijan attacked across the eastern border, breaking the ceasefire that had largely held since 1994. Here in Talish, the 400-person village was so badly shelled that today it has been abandoned and the residents resettled in other parts of the country. Captain Grigoryan, a father of two girls, has a degree in international relations, but believes that Nagorno Karabakh needs him in the military, Bohjalian says. He said very few Americans can find Nagorno Karabakh on the map, as well as Armenia and Azerbaijan. I went there this summer for the same reason that I return every year to Armenia. This earth is in my blood, and my visits are a pilgrimage. I am an Armenian-American, but only at midlife did I understand the draw of this ancient land for me, the author writes. He says the line of contact between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan is strategically significant, and is one of those hot spots that can destabilize the Caucasus. Bohjalian writes that during the April clashes hundreds of soldiers died, the conflict involved tanks, artillery and drones. In the fighting in Talish, Azerbaijani soldiers executed and mutilated an elderly Armenian civilian couple and beheaded a captured Armenian soldier, leading a United States representative, Brad Sherman, Democrat of California and a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, to call for an investigation into Azerbaijani war crimes. Although the Armenians are Christian and the Azerbaijanis are Muslim, the issue has little to do with religion. Azerbaijan insists it owns Nagorno Karabakh, citing its right to territorial integrity. Nagorno Karabakh argues that it is entitled to exist independently because of the right of all peoples to self-determination. Certainly there are analysts who argue that the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh are an occupying force. I dont agree. But I dont side with Nagorno Karabakh simply because of my DNA. I believe that history is on the Armenians side, Bohjalian saying as quoted by The New York Times. He writes how in 1988 Nagorno Karabakhs Armenian majority voted to become part of the Armenian Soviet Republic. The author says Nagorno Karabakh is not largely recognized by the international community, though seven US states have adopted resolutions by calling the US Government to support the NKRs independence. The republic is a fledgling democracy of 140,000 people, facing off against an oil-rich dictatorship with a population of 9.5 million. Its only ally is Armenia, he says. The NKR Ombudsman Ruben Melikyan told Bohjalian that Azerbaijan has consistently shown that it is incapable of governing Nagorno Karabakh. Its not merely an issue of a peoples right to self-determination. Its a peoples right to self-determination who are in peril of extermination, Melikyan told Bohjalian. Bohjalian says Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has threatened to shoot down passenger planes that fly into the new Stepanakert airport, which is yet not open. Aliyev is the person who awarded the Azerbaijani officer who murdered an Armenian officer in his sleep during a peaceful, NATO-sponsored training seminar in Budapest. After spending time with people in Nagorno Karabakh, its clear to me that the only way the nation will ever again be a part of Azerbaijan is if Azerbaijan conquers it. And despite Azerbaijans being vastly larger, I cant imagine that ever will happen. Armenians had lived on this land for centuries before it was incorporated into Azerbaijan, Bohjalian writes adding that the people of Nagorno Karabakh are fiercely protecting their home. The fact is, the only dog Azerbaijan has in this fight is pride. It has the oil; Nagorno Karabakh has scrub brush and pomegranates. But for the Armenians it is a fight for survival. It is the retention of a part of our homeland. Yes, we were ethnically cleansed from Van and Anatolia and Cilicia virtually all of Turkey but Istanbul during the Armenian Genocide. Three out of every four of us there were systematically annihilated during World War I. And so Nagorno Karabakh is our line in the sand. It is why this small country, as tiny as it is, always has enough soldiers for the trenches, Bohjalian concludes his article. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. For the first time in the history of Yerevans Sebastia maternity ward, a woman gave birth to triplets. Head doctor of the hospital Davit Ignoyan told ARMENPRESS the woman became pregnant via natural conception however gave birth by a c-section. Both the new mom and her three newborn boys are in good health, he said. According to the doctor, this is the second pregnancy of the woman, but the first delivery. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Not only do the Armenian people learn lessons from the 1988 Spitak earthquake, but also the entire world, Major-General Nikolai Grigoryan, deputy director of the rescue service of the ministry of emergency situations briefed reporters on what changes were made 28 years after the earthquake. The country transformed after the Spitak earthquake. International organizations and structures began elaborating systems to make population protection more effective. Let me say that analysis of the lessons of Spitak earthquake showed that strong earthquakes are possible and probable in our country, as well as other disasters, for which it is necessary to be prepared for, Grigoryan said. According to him, the in-war country in 1991 made the first steps and created the population protection system. Initially the seismic protection service was created, followed by the emergency situations department. And now the ministry of emergency situations exists, which has gathered various powerful units: rescue service, seismic protection service, technical security service, hydro-meteorological service and others, Grigoryan said. The Major-General added no rescue structures existed during USSR years, however he stressed we have that structure today. More than 3000 rescuers-firefighters improved their skills in our structure, equipped with hardware and receiving training. Rescuers of the ministrys rescue service passed various exams, gained experience, and today we are a member of the INSARAG, the international search and rescue advisory group. This structure includes best rescuers of the world from developed countries. The professionalism of our rescuers of that group the members of which are skilled in English, equipment and technical capacity, enables to operate in any country, equally. Our neighboring countries would dream of being members of that organization. Different international organizations have always been next to us, he said. The Major-General said the creation of national crisis management centers in all provinces is one of the achievements of the ministry of emergency situations. We can conclude from all of this that today, by creating the national centers of crisis management, the 911 service, the ministry of emergency situations was able to provide a structure of trust for our population, where anyone can call 911 at anytime and receive assistance in all issues, ranging from ordinary household incidents up to the most difficult matters, he said. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Speaker of Armenias Parliament Hermine Naghdalyan on December 7 held a meeting with newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to Armenia George Saganelidze, press service of the Parliament told Armenpress. Deputy Speaker Naghdalyan congratulated the Ambassador and expressed confidence that he will do the utmost to further deepen and strengthen Armenia-Georgia ties. Mrs. Naghdalyan stated that the cooperation between the two friendly states both in inter-state and inter-governmental platforms is at the highest level and in this context she attached importance to the visits of the high-ranking officials of the two states. Naghdalyan highlighted that in recent years the Armenian-Georgian parliamentary ties and mutual visits have intensified and expressed hope Georgia-Armenia friendship group will be created in Georgias newly formed Parliament. Naghdalyan stated: Armenia can be a bridge for Georgia towards the EAEU, and Georgia as a European region for Armenia. A number of issues related to the development prospects of trade-economic ties, boosting cooperation in various sectors, the possibility of establishing joint enterprises, implementing joint projects between the business circles, as well as regional issues were discussed. The sides attached importance to the cooperated work between the delegations in the inter-parliamentary platforms. The Georgian Ambassador expressed readiness to have his significant contribution to further deepening and strengthening the bilateral ties. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Declaring the Nairit Plant bankrupt by court doesnt hinder the investment tender of the government, minister Davit Harutyunyan, chief of staff the government told Rule of Law faction leader Heghine Bisharyan during a Q&A between the Parliament and Cabinet. I would like to first of all clarify what bankruptcy means. Bankruptcy is one method of rehabilitating a company. Not a single investor would be found, who would be willing to invest in a company facing the possibility of being charged with 100 million dollars, Harutyunyan said. He added bankruptcy is the mechanism which enables investors, if such are present, to be proposed with rehabilitation programs. This is the best solution, Harutyunyan said. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. There is no monopoly in Armenia, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan told reporters on December 7 in Gyumri. The PM ensured that everyone can import whatever he wants. There is no monopoly in Armenia, you can go and bring any product, he said. In response to a question whether a positive progress has been achieved in Armenia during this period, PM Karapetyan said it is a constant work in process. It is necessary to constantly work in order to achieve positive progress. For instance, yesterday, someone managed to import a product which he didnt import before, according to you, whether this is a progress or not? We work every day in order to ensure competitive, open, equal conditions. We need to carry out regular works. There has always been an instruction over anti-corruption, anti-monopoly policy in order the businessman not to face problems. In this regard there is a certain progress which is, of course, not enough, and we are going to move forward, the PM said. Armenuhi Mkhoyan The biannual Exercise Cerberus is taking place in Germany this year. It is the largest British Army Field exercise of the year and the largest to take place in central Europe for more than a decade. I found that the way in which they spoke was really familiar to me, as an African-American woman who has struggled with marginalization throughout my entire life. For the first time, they were saying, We feel unseen, unheard, frustrated. At the end of the meeting, I said, You guys sound like socialists.' A Q&A with Slates June Thomas. They both befriended their respective boss child during the making of their new film. What do Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt have in common? They both befriended their respective boss child during the making of their new film. So much so that reportedly the little darlings were literally eating out of the stars hand. While Ranveer Singh shot and smooched through Befikre in Paris, his producer-director Aditya Chopra had his wife Rani Mukherjee and their newly born baby Adira come over to Paris. It took no time for Ranveer to bond with Adira. According to sources, Rani and Adityas adorable little daughter was forever smiling in Ranveers lap while he was more than happy to let the little one do su-su-potty in his arms. A close friend says, Ranveer has a way with little kids. They love him because he doesnt coochiecoo them for effect. He genuinely loves little children and cant wait to have a brood of his own. Even now, when Befikre is over, Ranveer makes it a point to keep tabs on Adiras progress. Similarly, Alia Bhatt hit it off with her producer-leading actor Shah Rukh Khans little son AbRam during the making of Dear Zindagi. The two connected almost as friends. According to an eyewitness, Alia would listen patiently to AbRams stories. She became his ally during the shooting, so much so that hed actually shift his otherwise unwavering attention from his father to his fathers young co-star. Alia says, AbRam is such a cutiepie. Only a fool would not want to be friends with him. He is my buddy. It is being said that Parineeti Chopra is another Bollywood actor AbRam has taken a fancy to. The use of words like New Delhi: The apology tendered by controversial Uttar Pradesh Minister Azam Khan for his alleged remarks on the sensational Bulandshahr gang rape case does not appear to be "unconditional", the Supreme Court observed on Wednesday. A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy made the observation after Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi objected to certain words like "if" and "then" used by Khan in his affidavit tendering unconditional apology as per the November 17 directions of the apex court. The use of words like "if" and "then" in the affidavit, which was to be an unconditional apology, has defeated the purpose, Rohatgi said. "In the affidavit, he (Khan) is saying that unfortunately statements made (by him) were misreported. If it is a question of misreporting then why there is an apology? This is not an unconditional apology. He is using the words 'if' and 'then'. He can't ride two horses at a time," Rohatgi told the bench. However, the bench asked Khan's counsel to provide a copy of the affidavit to senior advocate Fali S Nariman, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae. "Show it to Mr Nariman. It does not appear to be an unconditional apology," it said. Nariman also said it was not an unconditional apology. However, Khan's counsel sought a passover in the matter. After the hearing resumed, senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, who was representing Khan, said the affidavit should be "ignored" and the Samajwadi Party leader would file a fresh one. Rohatgi continued to insist that this cannot be treated as an unconditional apology. However, the bench agreed to Sibal's contention and directed Khan to file a fresh affidavit. "The affidavit filed today by R-2 (Khan) is ignored and he shall file a fresh affidavit in terms of the direction given earlier by this court," the bench said and posted the matter for hearing on December 15. At the fag end of the hearing, Sibal said, "It's difficult for me to say whether he (Khan) will say the word apology. He intends to say remorse instead of apology". To this, the bench said it would examine whether remorse is sufficient for tendering an unconditional apology on the next date of hearing. The brutal incident had happened on the night of July 29 when a group of highway robbers stopped the car of a Noida- based family and sexually assaulted a woman and her daughter after dragging them out of the vehicle at gun-point. The apex court had on August 29 taken note of the alleged controversial remarks of Khan that the gang rape case was a "political conspiracy". On November 17, the apex court had directed Khan to tender "unconditional apology" for his alleged remarks in the matter while seeking assistance of the Attorney General in dealing with the issue of statements made by persons holding public office in such cases. Sibal had earlier said that though Khan had not said anything attributed to him against the victims in the case, but if the father of the victim felt "insulted or offended" in any manner then Khan was willing to apologise. The court has said it would deliberate upon the questions framed by it earlier regarding the freedom of speech and expression and probable impact of statements of those holding high offices on free and fair probe in heinous cases including rape and molestation. Initially, the FIR was lodged by the Uttar Pradesh Police under various provisions on July 30. The CBI had re-registered the case on August 18 in pursuance to the Allahabad High Court's interim order. The man, whose wife and daughter were gangraped in July on a highway in Bulandshahr, had on August 13 moved the apex court seeking transfer of the case to Delhi, besides lodging of an FIR against Khan as well as several policemen. The Allahabad High Court had ordered a CBI probe into the incident, besides deciding to monitor the investigation. The decision to retaliate hard along the LoC has been taken at the 'highest level' and some action will be taken over the next few days. New Delhi: Taking serious note of the recent terror attack on the Nagrota Army camp, the Centre has directed security agencies to prepare a detailed blueprint of hitting back at Pakistani security forces specifically along the Line of Control where at most locations India enjoys a strategic advantage. While the Nagrota terror attack was executed by suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed militants there is evidence to suggest that they had support from Pakistani security forces, particularly ISI, as well as Over Ground Workers (OGWs) on the Indian side. Intelligence agencies have already informed the Centre that the Nagrota Army camp was identified as the potential target by ISI officer and they facilitated the attack with help of OGWs. Following the Nagorta incident Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir along with Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Sources said the decision to retaliate hard along the LoC has been taken at the highest level in the government and some action could be expected over the next few days. Incidentally, following a similar attack on the Uri Army camp in September Indian security forces had conducted surgical strikes hitting some terror camps across the LoC. Though top security sources ruled out the possibility of crossing the LoC they confirmed strong retaliation by security forces in the days ahead. Sources also confirmed that additional reinforcements had already been rushed to the LoC. Meanwhile, an internal probe into the Nagrota incident has pointed to some lapses, particularly in security the outer parameter of the campus. The terrorists managed to enter the Army camp by scaling the rear boundary wall and they then cut the barbed wire. On entering the campus they managed to move to a strategic location where normally a Light Machine Gun (LMG) is positioned firing indiscriminately from there. Following the surgical strike there has been increased terror activity from Pakistan with some terrorists even infiltrating in the Samba sector by digging a tunnel with help of Pakistani Rangers. This year Pakistan has already violated the ceasefire 437 times killing 37 people while 179 have been injured. Due to increased heavy firing by Pakistan, which is also done to provide cover to infiltrating militants, 27,449 people living in borders areas in J&K. A team of officers of the NIA will reach Jammu shortly to visit the crime scene and commence the investigation. The National Investigation Agency has been given the charge of probing the terror attack at an army camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Nagrota. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency has been given the charge of probing the terror attack at an army camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Nagrota in which seven security personnel were killed. "The Nagrota terror attack case has been handed over to the NIA for investigation," Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi told reporters. Following the Home Ministry order, the NIA police station at New Delhi has re-registered the case (FIR 221/2016) registered at Nagrota Police Station under Jammu police district as NIA case no RC-16/2016/NIA/DLI for offences under different sections of the Ranbir Penal Code and sections of the Arms Act, 1958. A team of officers of the NIA will reach Jammu shortly to visit the crime scene and commence the investigation. The NIA will also place the FIR before the NIA Special Court at Jammu, the agency said. "The case at the Nagrota police station was registered on the basis of information that on November 29 some heavily armed unknown terrorists, on the directions of their foreign handlers, had entered into the army Camp at Nagrota, near the Baleeni bridge and started indiscriminate firing upon the army personnel with the intention to kill them," the NIA said in a statement. The actions of the terrorists constitute scheduled offences under various sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967. Seven army personnel, including two Major-rank officers, were killed and eight other security men injured in the terror attack carried out by three heavily-armed terrorists, who were also eliminated in the fierce encounters on November 29. NIA, which was formed in 2008, functions as the country's central counter-terrorism law enforcement agency. The BJP also passed a party resolution claiming that the people of the country had welcomed the move to demonetise old notes.. New Delhi: The issue of demonetisation of old 500 and 1000 rupee notes continued to rock the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday virtually washing out its proceedings, even as the government dared the Opposition to resume discussion on the issue rather than disrupting the House. Both the Zero Hour and the Question Hour were disrupted as members of the Treasury and Opposition benches resorted to sloganeering over the issue leading Deputy Chairman P J Kurien to adjourn the proceedings till noon. Similar scenes were witnessed at noon forcing Chairman Hamid Ansari to adjourn the House again till 1400 hours. While Congress wanted to know who was responsible for the death of at least 84 persons in hardships caused due to the "unplanned" demonetisation, other opposition parties including SP and BSP wanted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise for putting the common man to hardship. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley blamed the Opposition for using the tactics of disruption on a daily basis rather than resuming the discussion started on the first day of the winter session on November 16 and which is yet to conclude. The government, he said, had not wasted even a minute to agree to a debate on the issue. It also agreed to the rule under which the debate is to be conducted as well as to thedemand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in it, Jaitley said. But instead of participating and concluding the debate, the Opposition has been using the Zero Hour to raise the issue for "getting footage on TV rather than listening to substantive facts on the issue. ... If the Opposition has the guts, the debate should resume," the Leader of the House said. Immediately thereafter, BJP members started raising slogans like "himmat hai to charcha karo (If you have guts, discuss the matter)." Jaitley also raised a point of order saying how can the Chair allow an issue on which substantial portion of debate has happened, to be raised during Zero Hour again. Kurien agreed with the Leader of the House and asked the Opposition benches if they were ready for a discussion. As Treasury benches continued to shout slogans seeking resumption of discussion, the Opposition members raised slogans daring Modi to come to the House and listen to the debate. As the din continued, Kurien adjourned the proceedings till noon, and then again till 2 pm. Earlier, Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said 84 persons have died in hardships caused due to the demonetisation issue in last one month. Attack on right to free speech: Organisation. New Delhi: The licence of an NGO run by noted lawyer Indira Jaising has been cancelled permanently by the government for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, an action termed by the organisation as preposterous and an attack on free speech. The home ministry in its order said that Ms Jaising, who was the Additional Solicitor General of India under the previous UPA government, had violated FCRA norms by receiving foreign funds between 2006-07 and 2013-14 when she was a government servant. The NGO, Lawyers Collective, in a statement, expressed surprise as to how an order could be issued on Sunday when all the government offices are closed. Lawyers Collective has received an order dated November 27, 2016 cancelling its registration to receive foreign contribution at its registered office at Mumbai. The cancellation order is on the grounds that LC allegedly has violated the terms and conditions of its registration certificate, violated the provisions of the FCRA, and most importantly, acted against public interest, the statement added. Earlier in June, the home ministry had suspended the NGOs licence for six months for alleged violation of FCRA norms, for using funds for rallies with political hue and Colour.. The organisation was also put on the list of 25 NGOs found allegedly taking part in activities detrimental to the national interest. Ms Jaising has also represented social activist Teesta Setalvad in a case of FCRA violation against Ms Setalvads NGO. The statement by the NGO added that the current proceedings under FCRA, including the latest cancellation order, are only a continuation of the harassment and persecution of the organisation, especially of its two trustees and senior advocates Indira Jaising and Anand Grover perpetrated by the government, over last one year. Both Ms Jaising and Grover have been and are continuing to take up sensitive cases, in their professional capacity, against the powerful functionaries of the present ruling establishment, the statement said. The PM, at the meeting, asserted that the people have supported demonetisation and hit out at the Opposition parties. New Delhi: Even as the Opposition flayed the government for hardships, including more than 80 deaths, caused due to unplanned demonetisation and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologise, the PM on Wednesday asserted that his government has brought Jan Shakti (peoples power) into prominence with the demonetisation decision. Speaking at the BJPs Parliamentary party meeting, the PM attacked the Opposition for not agreeing to a debate in Parliament despite his presence in both Houses. Finance minister Arun Jaitley, who is also leader of the Upper House, accused the Opposition of using the Zero Hour to get footage on TV as opposed to listening to substantive facts on the demonetisation issue. He also dared the Opposition to resume the debate if they had guts. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray also reached New Delhi, where he held a meeting of his party MPs on the demonetisation issue and is likely to meet the PM on Thursday. The Sena has been giving conflicting statements on the issue. Outside Parliament, the Opposition accused the Prime Minister of reducing India to a banana republic by imposing demonetisation and termed as immature Mr Jaitleys remark on TV footage. Mr Yechury took a jibe at the PM and said, It is only the Prime Minister who is seen on TV. The PM, at the meeting, asserted that the people have supported demonetisation and hit out at the Opposition parties, saying Parliament in the past had debated decisions of previous governments that had caused social tensions and conflict. However, this was not acceptable as the Opposition was stalling discussion on major reform. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs minister Ananth Kumar said Mr Modi asked MPs to spread awareness about a less-cash and digital economy in the same way they enroll people in voters lists during elections and highlight the use of EVMs irrespective of which party one votes for. Mr Modis message was for members of all political parties, Mr Kumar said. In a democracy, jan shakti (peoples power) should be above rajya shakti (state power). My government has brought this into prominence, Mr Modi said, in a reference to people supporting demonetisation despite facing hardships. He also recalled how a large number of people gave up on their LPG subsidy on his call at a time when the debate was about whether 9 or 12 subsidised cylinders should be given annually to a household. The BJP passed a resolution condemning opposition parties, mainly Congress and TMC, as it accused them of shifting goal posts over the issue and hailed the people of their country for their support. In the Lok Sabha, proceedings were virtually washed out for the fifteenth straight day, with the Opposition carrying out noisy protests over the demonetisation issue, leading to two adjournments of the House before the Chair called it a day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the House when it met in the morning as questions for the PMO were listed to be taken up during Question Hour. However, Mr Kumar rejected the Opposition demand for starting the discussion on demonetisation on a rule which entails voting, saying, Voting has already taken place and it has gone in favour of the Prime Minister. He then referred to the voting on Time magazines Person of the Year poll. When the Rajya Sabha re-assembled at 2 pm after witnesssing two adjournments earlier, leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad wanted to know who was responsible for the death of at least 84 persons in hardships caused due to unplanned demonetisation, other opposition leaders like BSPs Mayawati and SPs Naresh Agarwal (SP) wanted Mr Modi to apologise for putting the common man through such hardship. Mr Azad pointed out that the revenue secretary Hasmukh Adhia had said that all the currency that was demonetised would come back to the formal banking system, implying there was no blackmoney or unaccounted wealth in the economy. If all money was to come back, why was this high-handed decision taken, the leader of Opposition asked. Also, RBI has for the last 10 days stopped giving out deposits and exchanging old currency, he said wanting to know the reason why the Central bank has stopped the practice. The RBI, he said, should provide an update on the issue every day. Mr Azad also cited a reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha earlier this week where it was said that banks had enough currency. If that is so, why are there queues in front of banks and ATMs? he asked, adding, Please dont play with the sentiments of the people by making emotional statements, he said referring the emotional speeches made by Mr Modi on the demonetisation issue. Asserting that the government has already made it clear it was ready for a debate and the Prime Minister will make an intervention, Mr Jaitley said, If the Opposition wants a debate, it should honestly tell us whether they want it or not. Let them not impose unreasonable and impossible conditions for the debate. He accused the opposition of raising unrealistic demands, which has never been the practice in the House. He also raised a point of order asking how the Chair can allow an issue on which substantial portion of debate has happened, to be raised during Zero Hour again. Deputy chairman P.K. Kurien agreed with the Leader of the House and asked the Opposition benches if they were ready for a discussion. Now you have started raising conditions which have never been raised in the history of this House. It has never happened. There is no practice in the House, not a single practice that a member says that when he speaks the Prime Minister should be in the House....You have a right to presume that you have importance yourself. But there is no such precedence in the House since 1952 that the Prime Minister must be here to listen to every member. The Prime Minister has many responsibilities, Mr Jaitley said. Opposition members including CPI(M)s Sitaram Yechury, Mr Agrawal and Congress Anand Sharma asserted that there were precedents in the House when during debates on 2G Spectrum and coal scams, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sat through the entire debate. Amid uproar, Mr Kurien then called for the Disabilities Bill to be taken up while agreeing with the demand raised by Social Justice Minister Thawarchand Gehlot. However, Opposition members including those from Congress and TMC started raising slogans and trooped into the Well, forcing the House to be adjourned for the day. Despite oppositions attack, both the government and the BJP had been claiming that the decision had got support of the people. New Delhi: After Prime Minister Narendra Modis appeal to party leaders, including Union ministers, to highlight the positive impact of the demonetisation decision and less cash/cash less economy, both the BJP and the government are also using a pre-recorded voice of Mr Modi for creating awareness on the issue. People have been receiving pre-recorded voice of the Prime Minister on their mobile phones, where Mr Modi can be heard reiterating the objectives of the demonetisation decision and how it is a step taken to check black money and fake currency. As the government faces oppositions flak over cash crunch, the BJP cadre has been actively involved, mostly in the rural areas, not only highlighting less cash/cash less economy but also assisting people in downloading apps for e-wallet and e-banking. BJP cadre is also roping in youths in highlighting the PMs message. Despite oppositions attack, both the government and the BJP had been claiming that the decision had got support of the people. BJP workers and supporters are also helping people queued outside ATMs and banks, even providing them water and food. Cho was known more as a popular comedian, actor and playwright than as lawyer. Chennai: Dialogue is our forte. It must reach the audience. Even if it is antiquated, Id like to retain it. Ive never thought of ways to ruin success, Cho Ramaswamy, with a bright streak of vibhuti applied across his forehead, had once remarked. Perhaps, he surpassed this. Cho made everyone laugh through his witty remarks and his political satires were well received and savoured by a multitude including numerous politicians. He was known more as a popular comedian, actor and playwright than as lawyer. Cho Ramaswamy aka Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy, who boldly asked BJP patriarch L.K. Advani to step down and allow Narendra Modi to lead the nation, is no more. He was 82. Cho, born in a Brahmin family of lawyers in 1934, began assisting his father and practised in the Madras high court. In 1964, he became the legal advisor at the T.T. Krishnamachari Group of Companies in Chennai. Later, he ventured into films and finally made his mark as a journalist. He made a mark for himself much before he took to journalism. His work in the popular theatre was laced with political and social criticism. The attempts of the Congress government under M. Bhaktavatsalam in the late 1960s to censor the script of his play Sambavami Yuge Yuge drew popular attention and his political satire Mohamed Bin Thuglak was a runaway success. The versatile personality made his debut in 1963 with Paar Magale Paar as comedian. From 1963 to 2005 he acted in 190 Tamil films. He had worked with former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa in 19 films. He had served as a Rajya Sabha MP from Nov. 1999 to Nov. 2005. Apart from scripting about 23 plays, Cho a name from the character he enlivened on the stage in the play Thenmozhiyal had acted in 200 films, directed four and scripted another 14. According to U.S. researchers, developing broader skill of empathy is more realistic goal for doctors than urging to be more compassionate. Washington: Is your doctor understanding and considers your concerns? A new study says that doctors need to develop a broader skill of empathy to imagine the patient's experience while undergoing treatment, rather than being compassionate and sympathetic. According to U.S. researchers, developing a broader skill of empathy is a more realistic goal for doctors than urging them to be more compassionate. The study was published in journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. "Doctors are at risk not only of personal distress but eventually burnout if their feelings of sympathy and compassion for patients override the more nuanced stance of empathy," said Dr David Jeffrey from the Centre for Population Health Sciences in Edinburgh. "Doctors need to imagine being the patient undergoing the patient's experience, rather than imagining themselves undergoing the patient's experience. This is more sophisticated approach and requires mental flexibility, an ability to regulate one's emotions and to suppress one's own perspective in the patient's interests," Jeffrey added. Current concern about a deficit of empathy in clinical practice is mirrored in medical undergraduate education, where there is some evidence of a decline in empathy as students move through their training. "Empathy is generally regarded an essential component of the doctor-patient relationship but doctors have always struggled to achieve a balance between empathy and clinical distance," Dr Jeffrey explained. Dr Jeffrey suggested a broad model of empathy, which could replace the vaguer concepts of sympathy and compassion, would enable improvements in patient care, psycho-social research and medical education. "Empathy starts with curiosity and imagination", writes Dr Jeffrey. Women with diabetes need to time their pregnancies for a number of reasons. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) and contraceptive implants that are placed under the skin were linked with the lowest risk of blood clots in these higher-risk women. (Credit: YouTube) The two most effective hormonal birth control methods for women in general are also excellent options for women with diabetes, according to a new study. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) and contraceptive implants that are placed under the skin, both of which are highly effective, were linked with the lowest risk of blood clots in these higher-risk women. Hormonal contraceptives boost women's risk for clots, which can lead to heart attack and strokes. That's a particular problem for women with diabetes, who are at increased risk for blood clots to begin with. While many contraceptives use a combination of two hormones, estrogen and progestin, the World Health Organization advises that women at increased risk of a blockage caused by a blood clot - known as a thromboembolism - use contraceptives containing only progestin. Women with advanced diabetes and those with diabetes and other risk factors for heart disease are in that high-risk group, according to the authors of the new report. Dr. Eleanor Bimla Schwarz of the University of California, Davis in Sacramento and her colleagues analyzed data on 146,080 U.S. women with diabetes, ages 14 to 44. As reported in Diabetes Care, the majority were not using hormonal contraceptive pills or devices during the study. Only 28 percent were using hormonal contraception, and most of those were taking estrogen-containing pills. Only 4 percent were using progestin-only contraception. During the study, the researchers identified 3,012 so-called thrombotic events. Blood clots were most common among women using estrogen-containing contraceptive patches, with 16 events each year for every 1,000 women. Progestin injections were tied to 12.5 blood clots per 1,000 women each year, the researchers found. Rates of blood clots were lowest for women using progestin-only IUDs and under-the-skin (subdermal) contraceptives. There were an average of only 3 events each year for every 1,000 women using the IUDs and less than 1 event per year among women using the subdermal implant. "In some ways, thats a convenient finding, because . . . IUDs and implants are the most effective form of contraceptive," Schwarz told Reuters Health. She noted, however, that the best form of birth control is the one women want to use. Schwarz also emphasized that the absolute risk of thromboembolism with contraception is low, even for women with diabetes. Dr. Natalie Whaley, an obstetrician/gynecologist and family planning provider at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York, said the findings confirm earlier research about women's risk for thromboembolism with diabetes. "For women with chronic medical conditions where you can have poor obstetric outcomes including risk for fetal anomalies, it's even more important that women are getting highly effective contraception," said Whaley, who wasn't involved with the new study. She told Reuters Health that women with diabetes need to time their pregnancies for a number of reasons, including the fact that having good control of their blood sugar will reduce the risk of miscarriage and fetal anomalies. The new study had some limitations. The researchers did not have data on the women's family history of blood clots, and their information on whether women smoked or were obese may have been incomplete. Also, most women were enrolled in commercial health plans, and the results may not be applicable to uninsured women or those in publicly funded insurance programs. This is the fourth case of an abandoned, mutilated body found in Delhi in the last 10 days. The woman has a tattoo the letters BKS on one of her arms, but her face is beyond recognition. (Photo: Representational Image) New Delhi: A 28-year-old man was arrested in southeast Delhis Sunlight Colony area on Monday for allegedly violating the corpse of a woman. According to a report in Hindustan Times, Anil Kumar, a vagabond, was spotted by a passerby in a sexual position with the dead body of a woman. The womans face was battered and disfigured. The man called the police, said the report. Kumars mental condition is said to be unstable and a magistrate directed that he be taken for a thorough medical check-up. He has denied killing the woman. He is mentally unfit and possibly suffers from necrophilia. It appears that the woman died at least 12 hours ago, but Kumar claimed that she was speaking to him the previous night. He claims he met her only an hour before he was arrested. Also, he claimed the woman was in love with him and used to come and meet him daily, a police officer was quoted as saying. Police registered a case of murder against unknown persons but charged Kumar with necrophilia. The woman has a tattoo the letters BKS on one of her arms, but her face is beyond recognition, said the report. This is the fourth case of an abandoned, mutilated body found in the city in 10 days. The other three had been found hacked and mutilated in South Delhi. Special task force seizes illegal firearms, ammunition, Rs 33 lakh cash from their possession. Kolkata: Seven people, including a BJP leader, have been arrested by the special task force (STF) of the Kolkata police for their alleged involvement in smuggling coal, police said, adding that cash amounting to Rs 33 lakh was seized from their possession. The arrest of Manish Sharma alias Manish Joshi (44), the BJPs Raniganj unit president in Burdwan, is another setback to the partys state unit, which was recently left embarrassed following the arrest of its leader Dilip Ghosh in the child trafficking racket. In the latest arrest, of the total cash seized, Rs 10 lakh was recovered from the BJP leaders possession, said joint commissioner of police (STF) Vishal Garg. Police identified the mastermind as Rajesh Jha (46) while others as Lokesh Singh (35), Krishna Murari Kayel alias Billu (44), Sayan Majumdar alias Babu (29), Partha Chatterjee alias Goutam (41) and Subham Bhowmik (28). All were arrested late Monday night, a senior officer said. Acting on a tip-off, the STF intercepted a vehicle last (Monday) night when they were travelling along Bidhan Shishu Uddan Sarani. After a search, several illegal firearms, ammunition and `33 lakh in cash were seized from them, the officer said. Suspected to be the main brain behind the coal mafia of Durgapur-Asansol belt, Rajesh Jha of Durgapur (Burdwan) was arrested and an improvised semi-automatic pistol fitted with magazine having two live cartridges, and a mobile phone, were seized from him, the officer said. Mr Garg added that a raid was also conducted at Lokeshs flat in Panchabati Complex off VIP Road in Baguiati from where Partha was arrested with a semi-automatic pistol fitted with a magazine loaded with two round live cartridges, an arms licence issued on his name, a .32-bore revolver, 31 rounds of 32 bore live cartridges, Rs 8 lakh in cash and a cellphone. The seven arrested have been booked under section 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy) of the IPC and relevant sections of the Arms Act. They have been remanded in police custody till December 9. Originally from Biman Nagar in Pune, Manish alias Chintu fought this years Assembly elections as a BJP candidate from Raniganj. Union minister of state for heavy industries and BJP Asansol MP Babul Supriyo campaigned for him but he lost. Asked if Manish got the ticket in exchange of money, Mr Supriyo said, I do not know that but I feel embarrassed now. Manish was also seen with many other Central and state BJP leaders. The state BJP quickly distanced itself from Manish. State BJP president Dilip Ghosh said, Our party will spare none. If anyone committed an offence, it is his task to prove his innocence. The party will not take his side. A drama unfolded when some syndicate businessmen of Rajarhat-New Town area called up the Bidhannagar police commissionerates senior officers and asked if the accused took their name. If was found that the proceeds of the crime, was transferred to China-based banks accounts from USA. Employees of nine call centres had allegedly extorted American citizens in the name of their tax authorities. Mumbai: The Thane police that probed the call-centre scam, in which employees of nine Mira-Road based call centres allegedly extorted US citizens in the name of their tax and immigration authorities, found that in a few cases the proceeds of the crime, was transferred to China-based banks accounts from USA and then re-wired to Ahmedabad in India via hawala. The police mentioned the alleged China connection in the scams money-trail in their recent case chargesheet filed in the case. The call centre scam was busted on October 4 when the Thane police raided call centres in the Mira Road-Bhayander area and arrested 50 accused persons. It has been mentioned in the chargesheet that the some of the money the scammers earned by convincing victims to buy Vanilla Gift Cards or iTunes cards, and by sharing their PIN numbers, was deposited into accounts maintained in China by kingpins. This money then used to get transferred via hawala to India. The Thane police has sent letters to these banks seeking information about certain account holders. In the call centre on a daily basis, employees would send voicemails telling people they owed a large sum to the tax department, and leaving a number to call back. When the called back, in conversations stretching up to 30 minutes, they threatened the victims with police action if they hung up. The Thane police filed its chargesheet in the call centre scam on Friday. Police officers said as three different cases were registered in this matter, three chargesheets were filed. The first chargesheet is of 4,118 pages, in which 50 people have been shown as arrested while 17 are named as wanted. Another chargesheet is of 275 pages, in which 10 are shown as arrested and three are still wanted. The last chargesheet contains 1,393 pages, in which 23 are shown as arrested and eight as wanted. As part of the scam, employees of nine call centres had allegedly extorted American citizens in the name of their tax and immigration authorities. According to the chargesheet, they have recovered items worth Rs 4,18,67,615 (Rs 4.18 crore) in the first case of Kashimira police station, in which case fraud of Rs 14,19,67,659 (Rs 14.19 crore) was recorded. The police recorded the statements of as many as 133 people in the case. No injury or casualty has been reported in the mishap which occurred at the chawl in Behram Nagar in Bandra. The loss of property and cause of the fire were being ascertained. (Photo: ANI Twitter) Mumbai: A major fire broke out early on Wednesday morning at a chawl situated in suburban Bandra where a few tenements were gutted in the blaze, officials said. No injury or casualty has been reported in the mishap which occurred at the chawl in Behram Nagar in Bandra (East). "We received a call at around 4 am today (regarding the blaze) and 10 fire engines along with water tankers were pressed into action immediately to douse the flames," a fire brigade official said. Nearly 3-5 tenements were gutted in the blaze, he said, adding that the fire was contained to a small area by the fire brigade personnel and the flames were doused by 8 am. The loss of property and cause of the fire were being ascertained, he said. The court indicated that it would frame guidelines for inspection of the mid-day meal scheme. Mumbai: The Bombay high court, while hearing a PIL related to the multi-crore chikki scam on Wednesday, said that periodical inspection must be done in schools implementing the governments mid-day meal scheme. The court indicated that it would frame guidelines for inspection of the mid-day meal scheme. The scam involved alleged supply of inferior-quality chikki in state-run schools. A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice M.S. Sonak was hearing the PIL filed by activist Sandeep Ahire, seeking inquiry by a retired high court judge into the alleged chikki scam, for which women and child development minister Pankaja Munde had come under fire from various quarters. If mid-day meal schemes are implemented properly, it is good. However if commercial purposes are given priority while implementing the schemes, they no longer serve the purpose for which they were introduced, stated the bench. According to the petition, clay and mud particles were found in chikki supplied to civic school students. Earlier, the government denied allegations and said no clay particles were found in the chikki sample. However, the court stopped payments to contractors until further order. The suggestion to frame guidelines was given by senior counsel Ravi Kadam, who appeared on behalf of the contractors. Advocate Kadam demanded that contractors of the mid-day meal be refunded the deposits paid by them as laboratory reports of six food samples sent to them did not show any contamination or sub-standard stuff. The Thane police claimed that the TMC was informed about the illegalities and some residents also lodged complaints about the same. Mumbai: Amid allegations that the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) turned a blind eye to illegal activities related to Satyam Lodge where 274 hidden rooms were recently found by civic authorities the civic body has set up an inquiry committee headed by assistant commissioner Sunil Chavhan. The TMC will verify if the police had informed it about these activities in the past, whether or not locals and civic officers had complained about the same, and, if yes, why no action was taken. The TMC recently began demolishing the lodge where they discovered unauthorised rooms that were allegedly being utilised for prostitution. The Asian Age reported on Tuesday that the local police was about to cancel the lodges licence a year ago after three cases under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act India (PITA) were filed against it in 2014-15 but it did not, as a government order said the move can be undertaken only by the TMC. The Thane police claimed that the TMC was informed about the illegalities and some residents also lodged complaints about the same, to which the TMCs deputy commissioner Sandip Malvi said the body had started an inquiry in this matter to find out who is responsible and why the facts were hidden for so long. Mr Malvi said, First, we have to get the letter sent by the Thane police. We will soon take action against the culprits behind the illegal constructions. Residents of Upvan said they had complained to the police and TMC officials over the years via letters and phone calls but no action was taken. A resident of Mislavadi residential society, Nirmal Shah, said, We have been staying here for several years, and weve been seeing the hotel expand in the last few years. But there arent 270 rooms. The hotel is so close to our house that whenever the police used to raid it and customers would flee from the rear, we could clearly see who they were. Its not just the police but also TMC officials and politicians, who are involved in this matter. Else, they would have taken action much earlier. A senior police inspector of the Vartak Nagar police station was shunted out to the control room on Monday for his casual approach towards the illegal activities going on in the area including at Satyam Lodge. Instagram user had mocked the cleaner, who works in Riyadh, by sharing the picture, writing, this man deserves to only look at rubbish. Nuzroul Abdulkareem poses with a gold set gifted by one of the many sympathisers after he was mocked online over a photo of him staring at a jewellery shop display in Riyadh. Dubai: In a heartwarming incident, a poor Bangladeshi man working as a cleaner in Saudi Arabia was gifted a host of freebies from a gold set to smartphones by people who came out in his support after he was mocked online over a photo of him staring at a jewellery shop display. An Instagram user had mocked the cleaner, who works in Riyadh, by sharing the picture, writing, this man deserves to only look at rubbish. The comment prompted an outpouring of support for the cleaner on social media, and Abdullah al Qahtani, the owner of the Twitter account Ensaniyat (humanitarianism), started a campaign to find the man in the photo. Qahtani told Al-Arabiya that he managed to find the cleaner to give him his gifts. The cleaner was identified as Nuzroul Abdulkareem, and his monthly salary was said to be $187. More money is being sent to Nuzroul, Qahtani said, without specifying how much. In addition to a gold set, bags of rice and honey, Abdulkareem has so far received two-way tickets to his home country, and two phones one iPhone 7 and one Samsung Galaxy. Saudis on social media tweeted, vowing to send more gifts to the cleaner, including one user who said a gift of $533 would be given. I am very thankful, Abdulkareem said. The picture of him staring at a gold shop display went viral and many Saudi users insisted on buying him a gold set. Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that the trust deed submitted by Sharif family was forged. Islamabad: Pakistans Supreme Court on Tuesday raised three important questions over the wealth of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs family. During the hearing of Panama leaks scandal, the court asked how did the Prime Ministers children create their companies, is Maryam Nawaz dependant on someone and did the Prime Minister tell the truth in his statements. Salman Butt, the counsel of the Prime Minister, submitted before the bench that Maryam Nawaz was not dependent on his client PM Sharif. He referred to the income tax returns as well as the nomination papers filed by his client in 2013, saying all details about properties were declared in them and nothing was withheld. Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that the trust deed submitted by Sharif family was forged. He alleged that Mr Sharifs family committed money laundering and embezzled motorway project funds. He claimed that Mr Sharifs family still had $300 million in Swiss banks. Meanwhile, the premiers children submitted a petition through their counsel Akram Sheikh in the Supreme Court, requesting for day-to-day hearing of the case. The issue is very critical and institutions are getting affected, said the petition. Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf counsel Naeem Bokhari also completed his arguments before the five-member bench. Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali said the court was keeping an open mind on the idea of forming a commission on the matter. The motion would then require the approval of the Constitutional Court, whose deliberations could take up to six months. Protesters hold cutouts of South Korean President Park Geun-hye as they march toward the presidential house during a rally calling for Park to step down in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo: AP) Seoul: South Koreas scandal-hit President Park Geun-Hye said on Tuesday that she would accept the result of a looming and possibly lengthy impeachment process, but defied pressure to resign immediately. An opposition-sponsored impeachment motion is almost certain to be adopted by the national assembly on Friday, with some 30 rebel MPs from Ms Parks Saenuri party saying they will vote in favour. The motion would then require the approval of the Constitutional Court, whose deliberations could take up to six months. Even if the impeachment bill is passed, I am resolved to continue calmly for the country and the people, while watching the Constitutional Court procedures, Ms Park was quoted by Saenuri parliamentary floor leader Chung Jin-Suk. During a meeting with the President, Mr Chung said he had told her that public sentiment had forced the Saenuri party to withdraw an earlier proposal for Ms Park to step down voluntarily in April. She nodded and said she accepted my stance, Mr Chung said. During the latest rally against the South Korean President on Saturday, there was anger directed against the Saenuris resignation proposal, with protesters saying it was aimed at buying Ms Park time and avoiding impeachment. As a result the party withdrew its whip aimed at defeating Fridays motion and said its MPs would be allowed to vote freely. Hwang Young-Cheul, one member of an anti-Park faction within the party, said the idea that the President could step down in April had already been rejected by the people. All preparations have been made that are necessary to ensure the impeachment motion be passed, he said. At the Heart of Asia conference also he had said that the country is in an undeclared war apparently from Pakistan. Kabul: Days after Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani snubbed Pakistan's USD 500 million aid at the Heart of Asia conference in India, he said on Wednesday that Kabul wants dignified relations with its neighbours, not charity. "Afghanistan will live with dignity and will not ask for charity from anyone," the Khaama Press quoted President Ghani, as saying while speaking at a campaign held for the Afghan youths. He added that Afghanistan is not facing an internal conflict but is on the frontline of an international war. At the Heart of Asia conference also he had said that the country is in an undeclared war apparently from Pakistan. He said during the conference that "Despite our intense engagement with Pakistan on bilateral and multilateral basis, the undeclared war, the name that I gave to the phenomenon in the winter 2014, not only has not abated but also intensified during 2016, with special intensity right after the Brussels Conference." Citing a Taliban commander's remarks about Pakistan, President Ghani said "As Kakazada, one of the key figures in the Taliban movement recently said, if they did not have sanctuary in Pakistan, they would not last a month." Seven women drivers had qualified to join the fleet but applications were open and hoped that more would apply, the company said. Careem has a larger market share than rival Uber in most of the 32 cities in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan region in which it operates. (Photo: Representational Image/AP) Karachi: Taxi-hailing service Careem introduced women drivers in Pakistan on Wednesday, a rare initiative in a deeply conservative Muslim country where women account for only 22 percent of the workforce. Careem has a larger market share than rival Uber in most of the 32 cities in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan region in which it operates. Now it has a new idea for Pakistan: taxis driven by women, who will pick up both male and female customers. The start-up operates in the Pakistani cities of Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi. "We want to give women the same opportunities and the same chance that men have of leveraging our platform to generate healthy income," said Careem's Pakistan General Manager Ahmed Usman. Usman said seven women drivers had qualified to join the fleet but applications were open and the company hoped more would apply. Zahra Ali, 30, heard about Careem from a friend and thought it would be an "honorable" way to support her two children, who she is raising alone since the death of her husband two years ago. She had just enough money to buy a car and got her driving license this year. When Ali applied to be a Careem driver a few months ago, she was told there was no provision for women drivers. Then Careem called back with good news. "The only skill I know is driving," Ali told Reuters at her home in the city of Lahore. "Now I can raise my children honorably, I can give my children a good education." Women are not weak Launched in Dubai in 2012, Careem has a global force of 90,000-plus drivers and more than four million users registered through its mobile app. In the sweltering southern city of Karachi, among Careem's largest markets, demand for secure taxis is particularly strong among women, Usman said. "If an organisation is offering security for women naturally that is very important. Especially in a city like Karachi where no work can be done in the absence of proper security," said driver Aasia Abdul Aziz, 46, when asked why she chose to work for Careen. India has acknowledged Jadhav as a retired Navy officer, but denied the allegation that he was in any way connected to the govt. Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Wednesday admitted that the government was presented with only "insufficient evidence" on alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav who is under detention. Addressing a full Senate chamber, Aziz said the dossier on Jadhav contained mere statements. "It did not have any conclusive evidence," he was quoted as saying by the Geo TV. "What the dossier contained was not enough. Now it is up to the concerned authorities how long they take to give us more matter on the agent," Aziz said. Jadhav, who was reportedly arrested in Baluchistan after he entered from Iran, has been accused by Pakistan of planning "subversive activities" in the country. Pakistan Army had also released a "confessional video" of Jadhav, who said he was the serving Indian Navy officer. India has acknowledged Jadhav as a retired Indian Navy officer, but denied the allegation that he was in any way connected to the government. by Mathias Hariyadi Jakarta (AsiaNews) - At least 52 people died this morning in Aceh in a 6.4 magnitude earthquake. Aceh was hit by the earthquake and tsunami of 2004. The quake occurred at 5:03 local time, in the Pidie region, while many inhabitants in the Muslim majority province were preparing for morning prayers. Hundreds of houses and buildings collapsed, trapping an unknown number of people. The toll is set to rise. At the moment there are also 73 serious and 200 minor injuries. The province of Aceh is located in the northern part of the island of Sumatra. M. Riyadi, head of the earthquake division in the Indonesian Meteorology department, said: "The epicenter of the earthquake was 10 kilometers deep on land, not at sea, so there is no danger of a tsunami, but that means more damage to buildings. " Thousands of families have been evacuated from their homes. The main shock was followed by 11 other minor tremors. President Joko Widodo has given orders that all available agents deploy in rescue operations to rescue those trapped under the rubble, find any dead and missing. The earthquake this morning is the second worst natural disaster to hit Aceh since the 9.1 magnitude earthquake on 26 December 2004 and the subsequent tsunami that killed 170 thousand people. Security forces detain militants blamed for recent deadly attacks, seizing silenced pistols and letters from IS leaders in Syria and Iraq. Government troops find four tonnes of explosives in Shihr and arrest five suspects planning terrorist attacks. Aden (AsiaNews/Agencies) Yemeni authorities have arrested eight suspected Islamic State (IS) Jihadis in connection with a spate of attacks against security personnel in Aden this year, police said. During their operation, security forces in the southern city also seized silenced pistols and letters from IS leaders in Iraq and Syria. The suspects were arrested in connection a spate of deadly gun attacks in the city, seat of Yemens internationally recognised government, which is fighting Houthi Shia rebels who control the capital Sanaa. Insecurity in Aden prompted the cabinet to move to neighbouring Saudi Arabia last year only returning in September. IS and its jihadi rival Al-Qaeda have taken advantage of the conflict between the government and Shia rebels to bolster their presence across much of the countrys south and south-east. IS militants seem to have especially taken advantage of the situation. In a separate operation in the southeastern province of Hadramawt, government troops seized four tonnes of explosives and arrested five suspects in the port of Shihr planning terrorist attacks, the army said. IS has been blamed for the attack on 4 March this year on the compound of the Missionaries of Charity in Aden in which 12 lay people and four nuns were killed. Although no one claimed responsibility, and Al Qaeda distanced itself from the incident, a missionary of Indian origin, Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, was also abducted. In recent months, there have been rumours and speculation about his death, but nothing official. Since the initial flurry of activities associated with the abduction, international media coverage has dropped off, and the Indian government, which sought to open channels with the kidnappers, has been silent. Since January 2015, the Gulf nation has been involved in a bloody civil war between the Sunni-led government of former President Hadi, supported by Saudi Arabia, and Shia Houthi rebels, close to Iran. Starting in March 2015 a Saudi-led Arab coalition has bombed Houthi rebel targets. This has come under sharp criticism from the United Nations for the number of casualties, many of them children. So far, the death toll has topped 7,000 people, with more than 37,000 wounded and three million people displaced. The Gunadala shrine it is one of the most important Marian sites in all of India. It was founded by PIME missionaries who brought a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in 1928. A non-Catholic family thanked the Virgin for healing their childs heart condition. Offering facial and head hair is a gesture of humility in praying to God. Vijayawada (AsiaNews) Believers from every religious background can give thanks for miracles they received at the Shrine of Our Lady in Gunadala Matha, Andhra Pradesh. The Virgin is especially honoured by Non-Catholics who come throughout the year to pay homage to her," Fr William Jayaraju Eleti, rector of the shrine, told AsiaNews. Located in the diocese of Vijayawada, the Gunadala Matha shrine was founded by the missionaries of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME). In 1928, they brought the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes and placed it on a hill "to protect the city and keep it closer to Jesus." Afterwards, the Fathers created a steep path that leads to the top of the mountain, on which stands a cross. The place draws thousands of pilgrims all the time. "We do not know the precise number, Fr William noted, but we know that every Saturday and Sunday, the shrine is full of people. They kneel in front of the statue of Our Lady in the grotto, and pray with devotion all day, making promises of faith and pay homage for themselves and their families. The pilgrimage ends on the mountain, at the cross." The shrine is one of the most important in all of India. Here "the faithful thank the Virgin Mary for the healing, the graces and support they received. "One day, the rector said, a non-Catholic family came to me and told me they wanted to thank the Mother. One of their children was suffering from a serious heart condition, and the doctor had told them that he would not survive. Instead the child is alive, and is healed after the whole family began to pray to Mary." The statue of Our Lady of Lourdes is venerated by "Catholics, Protestants, Hindus and Muslims, in their own way. For example, Hindus place offerings of coconut and flowers at the feet of the Virgin, in a token of gratitude." Another form of veneration is the offering of facial and head hair from pilgrims, a widespread practice in the temples of Andhra Pradesh. "Some of them shave the whole head, whilst others offer only a few locks. Those who cut all the hair do so to bare themselves completely in praying to God. This is a symbol of great humble." Mgr Martin Jumoad wants the government to " double their efforts to win the sympathy of our young (people) [on] the side of goodness. Poverty and lack of education are the main causes of the problem. Rebel groups fighting government forces take hundreds of children. Manila (AsiaNews/CBCP) A Catholic bishop has called for a stop to child soldier recruitment, urging the government to improve living conditions and education for children in Mindanao. Our government must double their efforts to win the sympathy of our young (people) [on] the side of goodness, said Mgr Martin Jumoad, the newly-installed archbishop of Ozamis, northern Mindanao. The latter is an island in southern Philippines that includes Muslim majority regions with ongoing Muslim and communist rebel group activity. According to the prelate, recruiting child soldiers is not new in Mindanao; groups like the Maute group (also known as the name Islamic State in Lanao) have done so in the past. Poverty and the lack of parental guidance often push children to join the rebels as a way to earn money. Ustadz and catechists must do our share in reaching out to the periphery so that the values of the Almighty be heard and lived by them, Mgr Jumoad said. He reiterated that recruiting child soldiers is unacceptable because it violates human rights. It is unbelievable that children are used as soldiers, he lamented. Mindanao will never become peaceful if children are exposed to violence. Children must be in school so that Mindanao will have a bright future, he added. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is the largest armed group in Mindanao, has fought for decades for the independence of the mineral-rich region. The conflict has cost the lives of thousands of people and prevented the development of local mineral resources, estimated to be worth around 312 billion dollars. On 24 January 2014, the MILF and the Filipino government signed a peace deal in Kuala Lumpur. During the years of fighting, and even now, hundreds of children have been forced to leave their homes to join the rebels. Not everyone receives military training; some are used (and sometimes paid) to perform different tasks. In an interview with a Belgian weekly, Francis criticises laicism that closes the doors to transcendence, which instead is part of the human essence. "[N]o religion as such can foment war. Because in this case it would be proclaiming a god of destruction, a god of hatred." Synodality does not mean descend[ing] from high to low; it means instead listen[ing] to the Churches, harmonis[ing] them, discern[ing]." Vatican City (AsiaNews) Pope Francis gave an interview to the Belgian Catholic weekly Tertio. In it, he noted that In general, a secular State is a good thing; [. . .] better than a confessional State but the laicism that closes the doors to transcendence is an old-fashioned mindset that forgets that transcendence is part of the human essence. The Holy Father also spoke about the fruits of the Jubilee and the "synodality" of the Church. Francis spoke about secularism in his answer to a question about todays separation between religion and public life. I do not want to offend anyone, he said, but this is an old-fashioned mindset. This is the legacy that the Enlightenment has left to us is it not? in which every religious phenomenon is a subculture. It is the difference between laicism and secularism. Vatican Council II tells us about the autonomy of things, of processes and institutions. There is a healthy secularism, for instance, the secularism of the State. In general, a secular State is a good thing; it is better than a confessional State, because confessional States finish badly. But secularism is one thing, and laicism is another. Laicism closes the doors to transcendence, to the dual transcendence: both transcendence towards others and, above all, transcendence towards God; or towards what is beyond us. And openness to transcendence is part of the human essence. It is part of man. I am not speaking about religion; I am speaking about openness to transcendence. Therefore, a culture or a political system that does not respect openness to the transcendence of the human person prunes or cuts down the human person. Or rather, it does not respect the human person. Answering a question about war and religious fundamentalism, Francis said that no religion as such can foment war. Because in this case it would be proclaiming a god of destruction, a god of hatred. One cannot wage war in the name of God [. . .]. War cannot be waged in any religion. And for this reason terrorism and war are not related to religion. Religion is distorted to justify them [. . .]. [A]ll religions have fundamentalist groups. All of them, we do too. [. . .] [T]hey cause division in communities, which is a form of war. As for the Jubilee of Mercy, Francis said that he believes that the idea " came from on high", [. . .] inspired by the Lord. And evidently it went very well. It created a lot of movement and people felt called to reconcile themselves with God. Speaking about synodality, the pontiff said that The Church is born from the community, it is born from the foundation, it is born from Baptism, and it is organised around a bishop, who brings it together and gives it strength. [. . .] Therefore, either there is a pyramidal Church, in which what Peter says is done, or there is a synodal Church, in which Peter is Peter but he accompanies the Church. [. . .] The richest experience of all this was that of the last two Synods dedicated to the family. There, all the bishops of the world were heard [. . .], all the Churches of the world, the dioceses, worked. [. . .] It is interesting to see the rich variety of nuances, typical of the Church. It is unity in diversity. This is synodality. Do not descend from high to low, but listen to the Churches, harmonise them, discern. And so there is a post-Synodal exhortation, which is Amoris Laetitia, which is the result of two Synods, in which all the Church worked, and which the Pope made his own. [. . .] A synodal Church means that there is this movement from high to low [. . .]. But there is a Latin phrase, that says that the Churches are always cum Petro et sub Petro. Peter is the guarantor of the unity of the Church. He is the guarantor. This is the meaning. And it is necessary to progress in synodality, which is one of the things that the Orthodox have conserved. And also the Oriental Catholic Churches. It is a richness of theirs. by Mathias Hariyadi The faithful of the Evangelical Reformed Church were gathered in a hall in Bandung, when dozens of people stormed interrupting the choir and dispersing the crowd: "You cannot celebrate in a place that is not a church." Jakarta (AsiaNews) - A large number of Protestant Christians gathered for a celebration ahead of Christmas, were stopped and dispersed by a group of Islamic radicals, who protested against the meeting and threatened them. The incident happened yesterday at Sabuga Hall in Bandung, capital of West Java province. The faithful belong to the Evangelical Reformed Church and are followers of Stephen Tong Eng Tjong, an ethnic Chinese pastor, teacher and musician. The evangelical community belongs to the Messiah church in Jakarta, one of the largest places of worship in South-East Asia. The Christians had gathered in the afternoon to listen to the pastor's words and his "religious Strengthening" program (Kkr). In late afternoon, dozens of Muslims started to gather outside the hall. The radicals then entered the building, interrupting the choir that was singing on stage and dispersing the crowd with violence. The thugs criticized the Christians for conducting religious activities in a place (the Sabuga Hall) not equipped for this use. They also dispute Stephen Tjong Eng Tongs preaching, accusing him of working "miracles" and manipulating the crowds to convert them. Responding to accusations organizer Didi, Kkr, said the event could not be conducted in a church because the number of participants was too high. According to a report of November 2015, the province of West Java is the worst in the country for religious intolerance. Indonesia is the most populous Muslim nation in the world, and the Constitution guarantees personal freedoms (including that of worship). In recent months, however, they have been several outbreaks of intolerance. On September 23, dozens of Islamic fundamentalists protested in front of a Protestant church in Makassar (South Sulawesi), contesting the building permits. On 12 September, a teacher and Catholic catechist was shot dead by unknown assailants in the Puncak Jaya district, Papua province. On 7 September a group of Islamic radicals interrupted the celebration of the Mass in a parish in Surakarta (Central Java). by Wang Zhicheng Guangzhou (AsiaNews) - Thousands of workers of multinational companies have been on strike since November, dissatisfied with the managements decision to sell the facilities to local entrepreneurs. The most tense situations are those of Coca Cola, Danone and Sony. However Apple, McDonald's and KFC are moving in the same direction. The Coca Cola strike is still ongoing. The reason is that the US company has decided to sell the bottling plants to a local partner. There is the same problem for Danone, which wants to sell its Robust water in Guangzhou to a company in Shenzhen, the Win Holdings. Sony has also decided to sell its assembly plant in Guangdong to local entrepreneurs. The China Labout Bulletin explains that the workers are concerned that the sale of which they are often unaware - has some impact on their lives. The new owners often embark on restructuring, cutting jobs and lowering wages. And if the new owners are Chinese, working conditions become worse than in foreign companies. Songbo Liu, a professor on labor issues at Renmin University, says that employees fear that the new Chinese employers will be less generous and more demanding than the multinational corporations. The strike at Sony ended a few weeks ago. But on November 14 the police clashed with thousands of workers, and there were many wounded. Eleven workers were arrested. Sony has paid 1000 yuan to the workers to end the strike, but also fired dozens of workers, believed to be the leaders of the demonstrations. It all happened amid the silence of the official national union which, on the contrary, approved the outcome as "a victory". At Danone administrators refused to negotiate with the workers. After two weeks of strike action, police in riot gear entered the factory, injuring several workers. The company has laid off two of them. Over the past five years, other large foreign groups have left China. Among them: the giant US electronics, Best Buy; British supermarket Tesco and Marks & Spencer. The reasons lie in the rising costs of Chinese labor and the economic slowdown in China. Sometimes, the choice depends on the strong price competition from Chinese firms. After the efforts of Huawei, for example, Apple is only gradually beginning to see sales of its products. From last year to now, Apple's profits from sales in China fell by at least 5%. In the last quarter it reported a 33% loss in sales. By Mata Press Service The bidding process for contracts to build the C$40 billion LNG Canada liquefied natural gas project in British Columbia has been cancelled, further jeopardizing the provincial governments hopes of reaping billions from a gas bonanza. Lead contractor CFSW LNG Constructors has, in a surprise move, cancelled the bidding process covering fabrication of production modules for the liquefied natural gas project, operated by a Shell-led consortium, reported Upstream, the industrys global news publication. Sources involved in the tender exercise told Upstream they were only recently informed by CFSW of the cancellation, having submitted bids back in March 2016 and having held numerous clarification meetings over the past six months. Low commodity prices have been causing cash flow problems for oil and gas companies, which is understood to have spurred the decision by project partners to shelve the contracts for engineering, procurement and construction of modules for the two-train LNG plant, Upstream reported. The bids for module fabrication have now been cancelled with no award to be made, a source from one of the contenders told Upstream. All bidders competing for the contracts are understood to be Asian yard groups. Sources suggested the presumed frontrunner for the EPC awards was Japanese engineering giant Chiyoda, which had lined up Chinese yard Bomesc Offshore Engineering as a subcontractor for the job. Chiyoda is also one of the four joint venture partners that make up lead contractor group CFSW, along with Foster Wheeler, Saipem and WorleyParsons. CFSW was in 2014 awarded the key contract from LNG Canada for front-end engineering and design. The cancellation casts a cloud over when, if ever, Shell and its project partners will be able to make a final investment decision on LNG Canada. The project consortium revealed in July that the investment decision would delayed until late this year, as it sought to reduce costs in response to lower commodity prices. The LNG Canada project includes the design, construction and operation of a two-train gas liquefaction plant and facilities for the storage and export of LNG in Kitimat, British Columbia. Each train featured an LNG processing capacity of 6 million tonnes per annum, with options to expand the project by another two trains in a second phase. The project was ultimately intended to reach an export capacity of 26 million tpa. Under the original timeline, design and construction of the first phase was projected to take about five years to complete. LNG Canada has already been granted a 25-year export licence from federal and provincial governments of Canada and British Columbia for the proposed project. In March 2015, CFSW approached yards in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea and China, requesting expressions of interest to bid for the module design and construction work. In June 2015, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) and the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) conditionally approved the projects environmental impact assessment. The LNG Canada consortium includes operator Shell Canada Energy with 50%, PetroChina with 20%, Korea Gas with 15% and Mitsubishi of Japan with 15%. This news comes as another major LNG project in BC is being reassessed. According to Rich Coleman, British Columbias minister of natural gas development. Malaysias Petroliam Nasional Bhd. (Petronas) will be ready to decide whether to proceed with a proposed C$36 billion liquefied natural gas plant on Canadas Pacific Coast by April. The state-owned Malaysian energy company, which won conditional Canadian government approval in September after more than three years of regulatory review, is in the process of reassessing the projects costs, including those of steel, pipes and other inputs, he said. They need to go out and re-price the project, Coleman said in an interview with FP in Vancouver. They hope to have that done in three to six months. Once theyve done that, theyll go back to the partners and decide whether to make a final investment decision. This project, to be built along with partners from China, Japan, India, and Brunei is located on Lelu Island near Prince Rupert on B.C.'s northern coast. Construction was originally scheduled to start in 2015, but the approval has been mired over concerns about the impact on fish, wildlife and the traditional ways of life of First Nation tribes in the region. Earlier this year, Petronas laid off some 1,000 employees as dropping crude oil prices resulted in falling revenues for the Malaysian national oil and gas company. A third but smaller WoodFibre LNG export project north of Vancouver took a positive investment decision on the $1.6-billion export terminal recently. The 2.1-million-ton processing facility has the support of the local Squamish First Nation, but two nearby nations have voiced concerns about a gas pipeline that will supply the plant. If those differences are overcome, WoodFibre LNG will be the first LNG export project on Canadas west coast. with agencies. The LNG dream in BC The Government of B.C. released its LNG Strategy in February 2012. This document laid out the vision for an LNG industry in B.C. Since then 20 LNG export projects have been proposed. 18 export licenses have been approved by the National Energy Board. The NEB is an independent federal regulatory tribunal. When the NEB approves an export license, it gives permission for an LNG export facility to export LNG for a specified amount of time. 9 environmental assessments have been completed, with five more underway. This means that a projects environmental impact has been assessed by both B.C.s Environmental Assessment Office and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. An estimated $20 billion dollars has been spent in B.C. by industry. This money has been invested by project proponents as they work to develop their projects. By Catherine A. Sas, QC, Special to The Post Many travellers to Canada find themselves turned away at the border for having a criminal record. In the post 9/11 world of continuously enhanced border security, CBSA officers are able to access an individual's criminal history with a swipe of a passport. How can you be permitted to Canada if you have a criminal conviction in your past? The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) provides both permanent and temporary solutions. Canada's immigration laws stipulate that an individual will be criminally inadmissible to Canada for the following: a) having a criminal conviction from within Canada; b) having a criminal conviction from outside of Canada that equates to a criminal offence in Canada; or c) having committed an offence from outside of Canada that if it had been Committed in Canada would constitute a criminal offence. The most common criminal conviction that bars people from entry is a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) conviction. In many jurisdictions, a DUI may be treated as a driving offence rather than a criminal offence. However, in Canada we provide criminal sanction for impaired driving. The third provision captures situations where the activity of the offence itself could be prosecuted criminally in Canada notwithstanding that the matter was dealt with in a non-criminal fashion in the foreign jurisdiction. In order to permanently overcome being criminally inadmissible, you must make an application for Criminal Rehabilitation. A person is only eligible to apply for Criminal Rehabilitation after five years have elapsed from the completion of their sentence. This requires proof that a person has completed all the provisions of their sentence. In the case of a DUI, this often includes a driving suspension, payment of fines, community service, driving school or an alcohol or drug treatment program. You will also need to provide a detailed explanation of the incident, how your life has changed such that you are not likely to commit such an offence in the future as well as several character references. A criminal rehabilitation is a permanent acknowledgement by the government of Canada that your past criminal record is no longer a bar to your entry to Canada and it can take many months, if not years to be reviewed and approved. IRPA also provides for a temporary means to overcome criminal inadmissibility - a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP). This application is virtually identical to the Criminal Rehabilitation however, where you are not yet eligible to apply for the rehabilitation as you have not met the five year threshold, or your application for rehabilitation is still in process, this provides for temporary entry to Canada. Not all convictions are treated equally nor are all purposes for coming to Canada likely to result in you being allowed to enter. The more serious the conviction the more likely that you will be prohibited from temporary entry. The purpose of your entry to Canada is also relevant- are you coming to Canada for a ski vacation or for work purposes? It is up to you to satisfy a CBSA officer that the reason that you are coming to Canada is valid enough to warrant the issuance of a TRP in the circumstances. Border officials are tasked with the role of prohibiting the entry of convicted criminals to Canada. The tools for screening for a person's criminal history are becoming more sophisticated day by day. If you know that you have a criminal record in your past, it is best to take a proactive stance and deal with the matter up front. A CBSA officer is more likely to demonstrate generosity of spirit where an individual has demonstrated candour and responsibility from the outset. Catherine Sas, Q.C. has over 25 years of legal experience. She provides a full range of immigration services and is a leading immigration practitioner (Lexpert, Whos Who Legal, Best Lawyers in Canada). Go to www.canadian-visa-lawyer.com or email casas@shaw.ca. Photo caption: Brampton mayor Linda Jeffrey (4th from left) at the completion of the Brampton Zum project. Credit: Canada News Centre By Surjit Singh Flora, Special to The Post Kathleen Wynne, the current premier of Ontario, and Linda Jeffrey, the past Wynne Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Bramptons current Mayor, are a study in contrasts. As Ontarios 25th Premier, Wynne is both at the height of her power and the low depths of popularity. But even with her popularity at below 20 per cent, she remains a powerful politician in control of her cabinet and caucus and with the ability to set and implement her political agenda. This is despite Wynnes now self-admitted mismanagement of our provinces electricity system, which she now concedes has caused such hardship in the province that some are forced to choose between feeding themselves or heating their homes. It is a sad reality that Premier Wynne and her Liberals are looking more and more likely to hold on to power in the 2018 election as both the NDP and Conservatives appear to be parties struggling to seize any of the publics attention, let alone imagination. On one hand, Andrea Horwath and her NDP seem to have little ground to stand on, given that the Liberals have all but assumed much of the lefts territory, leaving the NDP with few policy options and little to say. And, then, there is Patrick Brown, who with so many opportunities to pillory a Liberal government mired in scandal, continues to squander his opportunities to effectively hold this government to account while failing to be consistent in publicly expressing his own partys policies and platform. The recent by-elections in Ottawa and Niagara were an indictment of an ineffective opposition that bodes well for Wynne going into her pre-election year Contrast Wynne with Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey. Like Wynne, Jeffrey served as an Ontario Liberal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, as well as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Her predecessor, Susan Fennell, had presided over a virtual renaissance in Brampton. During her tenure as Mayor, Brampton saw major investments in public infrastructure, and a massive $300 million expansion of public transit funded jointly by all three levels of government despite the fact that, at the time, there was no formal program in place from the Federal and Provincial governments to fund it. All of that travelling to Ottawa paved the way for the single largest provincial/federal investment in Bramptons history, but was ultimately part of what I have always believed to be an organized campaign to run her out of office. Her frequent travel was at the heart of unfounded accusations, innuendo and vicious allegations that lasted all of two years. After having been cleared of all but two ridiculously minor issues just days prior to the 2014 municipal election, Fennell lost to Jeffrey, who promised to clean up City Hall Two years later, under Jeffreys leadership, Brampton's reputation has sunk to new lows. Jeffrey presides over a fractious Council that cannot agree on anything. An LRT line that had unprecedented public support was defeated despite over $300 million in approved provincial funding. A search for a new chief administrative officer attracted only one candidate, who, since being hired has been on a rampage at City Hall that has seen virtually the entire senior management fired, drawing comparisons to a mini reign of terror with blood-soaked corridors and a civil service in disarray. And even when she wins, Jeffrey loses. After recently scoring a coveted nod from her former Liberal government colleagues to locate a university in Brampton, it was revealed that even that effort is plagued with a lack of organization and little in the way of a plan, leaving Council slack-jawed, asking, What do we do now? Wynne and Jeffrey are Liberals, but complete opposites: Wynne is powerful and blessed with a weak opposition; Jeffrey, powerless and cursed with a fractious and ineffective Council. But both have one thing in common: they both need to be replaced and 2018 cant come soon enough. Brampton-based Surjit Singh Flora is a veteran journalist and freelance writer This piece was originally appeared in New Canadian Media ( newcanadianmedia.ca ). See http://newcanadianmedia.ca/item/39448-wynne-and-jeffery-the-powerful-and-the-powerless-wynne-and-jeffery-the-powerful-and-the-powerless China insights report: Chocolate opportunities China chocolate sales have more than doubled over the past decade, and are lined up to be the countrys fastest-growing confectionary sector through at least 2016. Between 2006 and 2010, chocolate sales jumped by 50%. But China is unlike other developing countries is the largest, and hungriest evolving nation. As one Shanghai-based supermarket buyer has observed, Only 10 years ago, undisputed conventional wisdom was that Chinese did not drink coffee, eat chocolate or cheese. Today, these and most other truisms are rapidly becoming obsolete. The observation neatly captures the sheer pace of change in Chinese consumer preferences, and the markets growing acceptance of Western flavors. Chinas chocolate market is still largely untapped. The Asia-Pacific region houses more than half of the worlds population, but currently accounts for barely more than 10% of global chocolate consumption. The average person in China still only consumes about 0.2 kilograms (7 ounces) of chocolate per person in 2014, compared with 2.2 kg (4.85 pounds) in the United States or less than 5% of what the average Western European consumers enjoy (data from Euromonitor International). One thing is likely: that huge gap wont last for long. Chocolate sales in China should grow to $4.3 billion by 2020, up nearly 60 percent from $2.7 billion in 2014 and driven by demand from the growing urban population. Cadburys and Oreos subtle changes in reducing the sweetness of products, to cater to Chinese taste and palates subsequently meant an increase in overall sales. The notion that Western chocolate is often perceived as being too sweet for Chinese tastes was reinforced by feedback received from Chinese consumers. However, this does not mean that Western chocolate manufacturers must alter the formulation of their product to succeed in Chinas premium chocolate market. Indeed, sweet chocolate truffles are now readily available in Chinas international supermarkets, including offerings from brands already well-established in the market, with strong levels of market distribution (e.g. Cote DOr). The large number of different truffle products suggests that Chinese consumers, particularly the younger generation, are now willing to accept sweeter chocolates than previously. This may be indicative of Chinese consumers willingness to try new products, and it suggests that launching new or innovative products (particularly those with a premium association, such as truffles) can be a highly effective means of entering a crowded product category in China, regardless of traditional notions of Chinese taste preferences. Manufacturers should ensure their country of origin is made clear on their packaging to avoid confusion. Dark chocolate remains the most popular chocolate sold in the Chinese market, both because it is less sweet and is perceived to be healthier than other types of chocolate. Feedback from white-collar Chinese consumers in the 25-35-year-old bracket pointed to a strong preference for foreign chocolate brands, particularly dark chocolate. Dark chocolate in China often contains a higher proportion of cocoa, as favored by many Chinese. In-market research conducted shows that when Chinese consumers buy chocolate, taste is the single most important driver. Around 70% of China chocolate market is dominated by European companies. Leading players are all global brands as Chinese tend to trust international brands in their quality and safety assurance and avoid domestic chocolate brands due to mistrust towards national brands. Western brands in China Major brands Hersheys, Dove, Ferrero Rocher, Mars, M&Ms, Kinder Lindt, Cadbury, Cote DOr, Belgian, Villars, Valor, Hachez, Rausch, Choc Stars, Ritter Sport Niche brands Divine, Chocolate and Love, Especially for You, Vanini, Willies Cacao, Jubileu Opportunities, current information on product selection in China: Product Retailer Manufacturer Origin Serving Size Price (Rmb) Freeze dry mango chocolate 7-Eleven Bonz Singapore 90g 29.90 Milk chocolate block latte BHG Vanini Italy 100g 42.90 Seashells chocolate Jenny Wang Tresore Dore China 336g 68.80 French truffles with seasalt and butterscotch BLT Monty Bojangles UK 200g 88.00 Cocoa mint bar City Shop Nakd UK 35g 19.80 Other aspects of packaging and flavours Attractive packaging can play an important role in encouraging the overall development of a strong brand in China in a highly competitive product category. One leading distributor of premium chocolates and other imported foods claimed his company selected products ranges based primarily on the attractiveness of the products packaging (health benefits, natural ingredients and taste were important, but secondary, concerns). Distributor has been able to connect with their target demographic by advertising in leading fashion magazines such as Vogue, online and using in-house designers to create promotional images that reinforced the premium positioning of their products. Snack sized premium chocolates are now available at many Chinese convenience stores, as well as some international supermarkets. Multinationals with extensive experience in the Chinese market such as Mars, Ferrero, Dove have enjoyed success in China with their premium fruit covered chocolates, which are well suited to Chinese palates. Popular flavours include cranberry, blueberry and pomegranate. Some niche flavours in the premium chocolates category include butterscotch truffle, chocolate with toffee, sea salt, and coconut to name a few. Existing promotional marketing Large multinational chocolate manufacturers promote aggressively in all supermarket retail formats in China particularly in hypermarkets, where they have large displays presenting a range of packaging formats and flavours. Most premium supermarkets in China feature some form of in-store promotional display for chocolate brands both multinational and premium niche manufacturers. Promotions staff were observed in two hypermarkets who offered customers product samples and provided information on product features. There were also a number of 2-for-1 offers and gift packs featuring different brands (e.g. Toblerone packaged with Cote DOr chocolates). Trends and more opportunities China is now a market with great innovation for flavour, packaging and expenditure model. Western Europe enjoys very strong regional brand recognition for premium chocolate in China particularly in the block category and competing in this category without a clear point of differentiation would be difficult. As one buyer at a premium international supermarket claimed, Australian chocolate is in the top tier for price in China, but only the 2nd or 3rd tier for taste. Regardless of whether this is true or not, it is a common perception in China, and one that Australian chocolate manufacturers may need to overcome. Greater opportunities may lie in premium chocolate bars, and innovative chocolate products that use combinations of premium or healthy ingredients. This may include combinations of chocolate and fruit, macadamia nuts, coconut, rice based chocolate snacks and biscuits, truffles and sugar-free (stevia) options. Manufacturers may also consider innovative packaging and targeting Chinas gift giving culture. European confectionary makers specialising in hand crafted chocolates, have also paved the way for a new form of consumption and innovation for high quality premium fresh chocolates. For example; young Chinese consumers tend to purchase specially delicately packed chocolates which have become a trend to show their love to their girlfriends. Related articles This report is a part of Food Innovation Australia Limiteds China Insights series which explores different food products in mainland China. Woolworths selling Reindeer Carrots this Christmas Steven Moffatt is one of Woolworths' Reindeer Carrot farmers Woolworths is now selling Reindeer Carrots for families to leave out for Rudolph and his friends this Christmas. The supermarket giant said it is selling the carrots after their research found 51 per cent of Australian households with children leave a carrot out on Christmas Eve for Santas reindeers. Woolworths says this equates to an extra 140, 000 extra kilograms of medium sized carrots which need to be purchased before December 24th each year. In order to meet the extra demand Woolworths has been working with its farmers, including fourth generation Queensland carrot farmer, Steven Moffatt, who said he was excited to be one of Woolworths Reindeer carrot farmers this year. Grown and picked by the team on my farm, Reindeer Carrots are packed with energy, fibre and potassium to help Rudolf and friends carry the sleigh with all those heavy presents, Moffatt said. The carrots are also rich in Vitamin A which is great for eyesight, meaning the reindeer can spot every house on Santas list, even on the darkest night. Reindeer Carrots are available now from Woolworths for AUD $1.90 for a one-kilogram bag. Related articles Revenue at international firm Linklaters gained 3.3 per cent in 2015/16 and was particularly strong in Asia Pacific.The firms accounts show that the region contributed 12 per cent of global turnover and grew 7 per cent from the previous financial year. The rate surpassed that of the UK region which grew 5.3 per cent.Linklaters Asia Pacific offices include Singapore, Mainland China, Hong Kong and Japan; and its alliance with Allens in Australia.Kevin Arquit is joining Weil, Gotshal & Manges in January as a partner and co-chair of the firms global antitrust and competition practice. He currently heads the competition practice at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and will be based in Weils New York office.The publics trust in lawyers is very much mid-range according to a new poll which ranks nurses at the top and politicians at the bottom.The survey of more than 1,000 adults in the UK reveals that just 52 per cent said lawyers tell the truth while 44 per cent said they dont and 4 per cent werent sure.Judges (81 per cent) and the police (71 per cent) fare better for telling the truth and lawyers also rank below nurses, doctors, teachers, scientists, priests, hairdressers, TV newsreaders and the man/woman in the street.Among those rated less likely to tell the truth than lawyers are bankers, real estate agents, economists, journalists and politicians.An American actress is being sued by her own frozen embryos as her ex-fiance tries to gain access to them and their as-yet unused trust fund.The New York Post reports that Modern family actress Sofia Vergara and her former partner Nick Loeb separated having created the embryos through IVF in 2013.Loeb wants control of the frozen embryos and the trust fund that was set up for them so that he can have children in the future. The lawsuit claims that Isabella and Emma are being denied their inheritance by not being born.While laws on frozen embryos vary around the world, the case has raised the question in the US as to who can claim ownership. A public sector workers union has criticised the almost 5% pay raise approved for Federal court judges, saying the hike displays the governments hypocrisy and unfairness.The Independent Remuneration Tribunal recently approved a 4.8% increase for judges in the federal courts system, saying that it recognises the complexity of the work done by the judicial officials, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.However, Melissa Donnelly of the Community and Public Sector Union which represents public sector workers in Australia says the raise is manifestly unfair to ordinary workers.It is those hardworking public sector workers who can least afford it who are being most hurt by this policy, while politicians, judges and other highly paid officials get generous no-strings-attached pay rises, she tells the publication.Judges are obviously a critical part of Australia's justice system, but they'd be nowhere without our members keeping the courts running day to day, Donnelly adds.She noted that a Federal Circuit Court judge already earns more than $355,000 and substantial other benefits per year. Someone working in the same courts registry could be earning less than $60,000 a year, she points out.Court workers are facing the loss of critical rights and conditions under the Turnbull Government's bargaining policy, particularly family friendly rights that allow them to balance the needs of the court with the needs of their families, Donnelly says.The Government is also trying to cut their access to sick leave, she adds.According to the Independent Remuneration Tribunal, the pay raise comes after a long period since its last comprehensive appraisal of pay packages for judges.The Tribunal acknowledges that the complexity and work intensity of judges has increased since the Tribunal's last comprehensive review of the judicial and related offices jurisdiction in 2001- 2002, the Tribunal explains.At the same time remuneration for judges has not kept pace with economic indicators and remuneration/wage movements in the private and public sectors. The Tribunal has also been concerned about the growing disparity in relativities with some State judicial remuneration, particularly in New South Wales and Western Australia.A 4.8 per cent increase recognises the increased complexities faced by judges and goes some way to restoring relativities, in an environment of continued economic and wages restraint.Under the new pay scheme, newly appointed Chief Justice Susan Kiefel will be getting a $26,000 raise for a salary of $572,000. A justice at the court will have a base salary of $520. Federal Court and Family Court judges will benefit from a $20,000 increase bumping their base pay to nearly $441,000. A Federal Circuit Court judge's base pay increases to $372,000, the publication notes. Central Bank of Liberia issues new regulations on money transfer The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) has issued a new regulation governing inward personal remittances received via money transfer institutions from abroad. Under the regulation, payments of money transferred or money sent from abroad to a recipient in Liberia will now be made both in Liberian and United States dollars respectively. Accordingly, recipients of money transfers sent from abroad will be paid 25 percent in Liberian Dollars and 75 percent in United States Dollars. The Liberian dollars payment will be made at the CBL published selling exchange rate prevailing on the date of the payment of the transfer to the recipient. The exchange rate shall be conspicuously displayed on the premises of the financial institutions or paying agents of the financial institutions. The regulationwill apply to all licensed financial institutions engaged in money transfer services, including Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria and similar services operating in the country. The regulation, however, will not apply to inbound money transfers credited directly into recipients accounts at commercial banks for example SWIFT transfers. www.cbl.org.lr 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. Most law firms in the UK are expecting more work and larger headcounts as the country gears up for its exit out of the European Union.According to a survey conducted by Clayton Legal, 62% of respondents say they expect workloads to increase in at least on practice at their firms in the next 12 months.The result comes as Theresa May and her government has set March next year as the tentative date when they will trigger Article 50, commencing the start of the formal process to withdraw from the EU.Meanwhile, 87% of law firms anticipate headcount to either stat the same or increase, influenced mainly by the anticipated flood of work in the short term because of the Brexit.Fewer but still a significant portion of the respondents (45%) believe that workload will increase in two or more practices at their firms. Meanwhile, 35% indicated they expect workloads to increase in three or more practices while 25% said they expect workload to increase in four or more practices.The study conducted by the legal recruitment firm noted that professionals working in areas directly impacted by EU-level legislation were most upbeat about their prospects in the next year.For example, legal professionals working within EU law and financial services expected headcount to rise (90%) or stay the same (83%).Despite some commentators expressing concerns over the potential impact Brexit could have on demand for legal services in the UK, it is clear, in the short term at least, that law firms expect workload to increase. And while its perhaps unsurprising that firms expect to increase their headcount due to a rise in workload, its certainly a positive sign of strength within the profession, says Lynn Sedgwick, Clayton Legal managing director.Though it remains difficult to ascertain the long term implications of such an unprecedented political shift, the outlook for the rest of year and beyond certainly seems positive for legal profession and firms alike, she adds. By Prudence Gibson, Art writer and Tutor, UNSW Australia Shutterstock The first time I met the Australian evolutionary ecologist Monica Gagliano, she was wearing colourful paisley trousers and was giving an animated talk at a 2014 environmental humanities conference in Canberra. Despite her passionate presentation, trouble was brewing. Something was not right in the room. A woman beside me in the audience kept shifting her weight. A man to my left had crossed his arms and released several voluble sighs. Why? Because Gagliano was using phrases such as plant cognitive ecology, learning and communication. And because she was, and is, opening up areas of knowledge that some might feel threaten the sovereignty of humans over nature. That day in Canberra three years ago, Gaglianos time frames were questioned. The frequency of her experiments were interrogated. Her apparatus was cross-examined. Yet, despite resistance, I believe her work is ground-breaking and opens up debate about plant subjectivity and ethics. Sensitive plants In a famous 2013 New Yorker article by Michael Pollan, The Intelligent Plant, Gagliano was introduced to readers as someone whose experiments are extending the concept of cognition to the plant world. The problem she is addressing is that if plants have brain-like functions and make sentient-like decisions, our existing perception of nature and ourselves must change. These implications need further analysis. But, first: the experiments. What Gagliano did with her Mimosa pudica plants also called sensitive plants was to custom-build an apparatus whereby the plants could be suddenly dropped a foot or so on a regular basis. Initially, on dropping, the plant retracted and curled its leaves, but after repeats, it stopped reacting. Not only did it appear to learn a behaviour (without a brain, mind you) but it also remembered. Gagliano repeated the experiment at intervals and found that even after a break of a month or more, the Mimosa would still not retract its leaves after being dropped. How does this work? According to Gagliano: Plants may lack brains and neural tissues but they do possess a sophisticated calcium-based signaling network in their cells similar to animals memory processes. Flickr/foam, CC BY-SA Gagliano has published her findings and edited various scholarly books on plant research, ethical implications and changed perceptions. She has collaborated with environmental lawyer Alessandro Pelizzon and others on the language problems of writing about plant life. There is no vocabulary that can be used to talk about brain-like plant structures beyond mere vascular and survival processes, nor about decision-making, sentience, intelligence, learning and memory in the plant world. There is much more work to be done by artists and humanists to develop these vocabularies together. Scholars such as Michael Marder, Dalia Nassar, Natasha Myers and myself are working in this field where there may be a realm of sophisticated activity in plant life that humans have not yet even fully comprehended. A forthcoming book titled The Language of Plants is edited by Gagliano and colleagues, and deals with this complex and provocative problem, following on from her book The Green Thread. Pavlovs plants Gagliano and her colleagues have just published a paper in Nature Scientific Reports that could rock our sense of human self. This is a major coup for the plant scientist, who has suffered rejection from journals, for moving plant physiology into the domain of philosophy, for extending animal studies concepts of sentience to plants and more. Does this caution by journal editors reflect a fearfulness about our human place in the world? The new paper explains her recent experiments where she sought to show plants can learn via classical conditioning, similar to the classic Pavlovs dogs experiment. Instead of food as the reward (the unconditioned simulus) and a bell as a neutral cue (the conditioned stimulus), she used light as the reward and air flow as the cue. Gagliano and her colleagues used the air flow caused by a fan to predict the location and time of light. They found that the plants conditioned by the fan would grow towards the source of the air flow even when the light was not present, but only if they were trained to do so. This is like Pavlov ringing the bell and the dogs salivating, even if there was no food around. Gaglianos peas, Pisum sativum, also behaved according to a simulated circadian rhythm (temperature and light/dark control) and a sense of time of day, which is known to modulate behavioural processes such as learning in animals. This experiment appears to show associative learning in plants. Gagliano has shown that plants dont just respond to light and food in order to survive. They also choose and predict. These findings will get people asking some tough questions. Do plants, like animals, have consciousness? If plants learn, choose and associate, what does this mean for our ethical relationship with them? Can humans learn from the adaptive capacities of plants? To respond to light, fans and temperature in this way suggests that plants have far more sophisticated abilities than previously thought. The philosophical and ethical implications of this information are confounding. It provokes further questions about the plant world that we have historically seen as inert and lacking in agency. With no brain, how can plants have cognition? Yet they exhibit functions we typically only associate with a brain. Where does all this lead us? Well, into troubled waters, so grab your boat and paddle. We are in for a rough philosophical ride. Prudence Gibson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond the academic appointment above. Originally published in The Conversation. The taskforce set up to uncover and deal with the exploitation of foreign workers in Australia has carried out one of its biggest operations, involving over 80 officers and 61 unlawful workers.The officers from the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) worked with the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) under Taskforce Cadena to uncover the suspected widespread exploitation of foreign workers. The ABF with assistance from the AFP executed multiple warrants in an area south east of Melbourne on farms, including one that supplies asparagus to one of the country's largest supermarket chains.During the raids $400,000 in cash was seized and around 20 workers fled into surrounding paddocks and fields, but were chased by officers and apprehended. The raid was the result of a six month long investigation by Taskforce Cadena.Officials believe that many of the workers fled as they had originally arrived in Australia on visas but overstayed. They are expected to be deported and are thought to be from Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.Officials also arrested those thought to be behind the widespread exploitation of workers and Wayne Buchhorn, ABF assistant commissioner for investigations, said all organisations will continue to target people involved in organising visa fraud, illegal work and the exploitation of foreign nationals.Taskforce Cadena is a joint agency set up in June 2015 to target and disrupt those organising visa fraud, illegal work and the exploitation of foreign workers.Peter Dutton, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, congratulated the ABF and its partners on this successful operation and their commitment to identifying coordinated illegal foreign work operations and shutting them down.'The Government will not tolerate attempts to exploit our visa system or vulnerable individuals and this is precisely why Taskforce Cadena was established. The message here is simple: if you are exploiting workers, if you are in Australia without a valid visa, or if you work in breach of your visa conditions, you will be caught,' he added. Ok here goes..... My Husband and I have separated for a second time in four and a half years due to his heavy drinking and DV situations (this will be the second DVO that has been put in place) I was always hoping for reconciliation but my children and I (not his biologically) only received broken promises time and time again. As his sponsor (I'm Australian) I am unsure of my obligations and am fearful of repercussions from him and immigration, he wants me to keep the Temp PR in place to see if it gets approved (as the temp was approved 1 year ago and PR should be granted soon) I've been reading about the link between Centrelink and immigration and their file sharing and obviously they will connect the dots, also will immigration know about the DVO's that have been put in place? The visa is still stating "received" and they will be needing a new Fed police clearance from both of us as the other one's will now be over 12 months old, I obviously am not wanting to send that in at this time due to thinking I will get done for fraud..... As asked previously what are MY repercussions in this situation from immigration - I have children I need to take into consideration and I'm not one to disregard our laws but I'm fearful from all angles. It has taken a lot to write this but I was unsure where to turn. Thank you for your time. Kindest Regards, Ozsponsor. Hi everyone, My wife is currently applying for the 461 visa (I am the NZ citizen). We have lived away from Australia for all except the last couple of months. Do I, as the NZ citizen, need to get police checks and fill out a form 80 as part of her application for the 461? Not finding the wording on the border.gov website very clear but the sentence "for everyone included in the visa application" made me wonder if that includes me. Have seen conflicting advice - anyone been through this and know the answer please? Hi,Hopefully this works for some of you too:In this sale, departure airports are BHX, EDI, LHR and MAN.Sale ends 8 Dec.For travel up to November 2017Is an R fare.Full details are here - qatarairways.com/uk/en/offers/experience-business-class.pageI have booked my Mum and Dad onto EDI-DOH-MEL, out Sep, back Oct, for 2394 GBP pp. using the Qatar web site.Aircraft details are:EDI-DOH - 787-8 DreamlinerDOH-MEL - 777-300ERI really need to get them to BNE so they can see their grandchildren during the September school holidays but I'll just make a separate Virgin/Qantas MEL-BNE return booking for them.I spoke to two UK travel agents and neither could see these Qatar flights at this low price and whilst they could add Virgin MEL-BNE for them, was told my parents's suitcases would not go through to Brisbane - they will need to collect their suitcases in MEL and then do check-in for BNE.So wasn't seeing the point of using a UK travel agent for a more expensive outcome and without the convenience of the suitcases going to BNE.Hence I've went with a DIY approach - Qatar web booking and a Virgin/Qantas MEL-BNE booking at a later date.My thanks to the community for making me aware of Qatar - have only ready good things about their J service. Fingers crossed, my parents agree next year.Also credit goes to headforpoints.com/2016/12/06/hilton-americas-flash-sale/ - that's where I first saw a mention of this Qatar sale.Regards,Bluenose The German automaker has already confirmed it will bring us the Panamera Shooting Brake (the name is not official, though) at next year's Geneva Motor Show, with the styling-savvy estate set to land in the US as a 2018 model.But when it comes to the rumored and previously spied Panamera Coupe, things are more complicated. The rumor mill talks about Zuffenhausen still weighing the option of expanding the Panamera family with a two-door model and the piece of footage at the bottom of the page could show us just that.Since the new Panamera shares its MSB platform with the future Bentley Continental GT, such a spotting could trick one into believing this is actually a test car for the second incarnation of the Conti. However, the Crewe specialists now have their dedicated body for the 2018 Continental GT, as we've shown you on multiple occasions.We can't mention such a topic without talking about 928 spiritual successor part. However, while the front-engined grand tourer was originally envisioned as a replacement for the 911, a modern-day 928 would come with totally different intentions, as the Neunelfer is more succesful than ever - here are the latest spyshots of the next-gen 911.The Coupe would pack distinct front and rear fascias while being able to dip in the generous engine line-up we mentioned in the intro (the Panamera range now even features rear-wheel-drive models).And by the time the two-door would be released (if approved, this should land in late 2017 or early 2018), we expect Zuffenhausen to expand the four-door Panny range even further and we're talking about the yet-unreleased GTS and Turbo S versions. As you might know already, motorcycle theft in the UK, especially London, is on the rise despite the complex surveillance system employed there. Thieves are not afraid of using power tools to cut down chains and locks in plain daylight and push away expensive bikes.And the same happened here, where two thugs arrived on an unlicensed scooter near a Ducati Panigale, and one of them started cutting the chain and an alarm disc lock with a power grinder.But it looks like the citizens of London have had enough of this stuff and decided to step up and chase away the two. But that didnt go all so well, as one of the thieves kept on grinding while the other one started threatening the people around to back off and even tried to use force.Meanwhile, the other thug managed to free up the bike and started pushing it away. The second guy tried to flee on the scooter, but one of the civilians started pushing him to make him lose his balance.More people joined the assault on the thieves, who were forced by circumstances to abandon the Italian sportbike in between two parked cars, where it fell onto its side.Its sad to see things like these happen this way and the Police not being able to do much to stop them. Looks like its up to the people to protect whats theirs. However, if you see such a thing happening and want to intervene, be mindful that these thugs might have knives.Some bastards also do carry small amounts of acid with them and wont be shy of sprinkling it on you if mess with them. Just like this guy did here EV If you read automotive news daily, it's easy to forget about a cure for cancer and imagine that the one thing everyone wants the most at this point is a major breakthrough in battery technology.That, together with a worldwide network of fast chargers, would indeed solve our transportations problems, assuming, of course, we also find a way to produce electricity in a responsible and sustainable way. However, even though progress in both these fields is actually pretty fast, it still doesn't feel fast enough. But plenty of companies are working on it.After changing its name from Atieva to Lucid Motors, thestartup backed by the same Chinese billionaire that should be pumping money into Faraday Future as well announced it was striking a partnership with Samsung SDI. The South Korean giant is to supply Lucid Motors with the battery cells needed to power the very sporty luxury sedan. In case you missed it, the Atvus (name unconfirmed yet) is going to be just as fast as a Tesla Model S P100D to the 60 mph mark, if not faster , and it also promises a maximum range of 400 miles (640 km). The car's presentation is scheduled for next week, but production won't strat sooner than 2018.The team appears very excited about the project, and it does look like everything is going to plan with the site for the $700 million plant settled for Arizona and the partnership with Samsung SDI going very well.Commenting on the latter, Albert Liu, PhD, Director of Battery Technology of Lucid Motors, had this to say: I have been very pleased with the results of the collaboration with Samsung SDI in developing a cell chemistry that meets our stringent standards," he said, quoted by Electrek . "Samsung SDI combined their in-house chemistry expertise with massive real-world datasets and state-of-the-art battery models provided by Lucid to develop a cell that is both energy dense and resistant to damage associated with fast-charging.Like the other two major partnerships - Tesla and Panasonic on the one side and Faraday Future and LG Chem on the other - Lucid Motors and Samsung SDI have jointly developed a cylindrical cell described as "next-generation" that will enable the electric vehicle to reach its full potential.Peter Rawlinson, Chief Technician Officer of Lucid, was even more emphatic in his description of the collaboration, calling the advancement "a breakthrough": The breakthrough battery life demonstrated by the new cell from Samsung SDI will be of tangible benefit to our customers, particularly companies with ride-sharing services operating around the clock. I look forward to continued collaboration with Samsung SDI.If there's something the EV segment isn't lacking, it's claims, but out of the bunch, Lucid Motors has shown a lot of promise while Samsung really doesn't need any introduction. They might be using big words, but there has to be some truth to them. With a lot of these companies - Tesla included with its Model 3 - converging toward a conclusion, 2017 is going to be an exciting year. Las Vegas, a leader in smart city technology, is the first city to connect the traffic signal network to vehicles. Photo courtesy of Audi. Audi is introducing vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) technology in the U.S. this month, starting with select 2017-model year Audi A4, Q7, and A4 Allroad models in Las Vegas. Thanks to the Audi connect Prime feature known as Traffic Light Information, these vehicles can communicate with the infrastructure in certain cities and metropolitan areas across the U.S. The cars are able to receive real-time signal information from the advanced traffic management system that monitors traffic lights via the on-board 4G LTE data connection. V2I applications and services like Traffic Light Information are essential components as we continue to move toward an autonomous future, said Audi of America President Scott Keogh. We applaud the innovative approach of Las Vegas in working with us on V2I as well as on our various piloted driving demonstrations over the past years. When approaching a connected traffic light, Traffic Light Information displays the time remaining until the signal changes to green. This information is shown in the driver instrument cluster as well as the head-up display (if equipped). The feature helps reduce stress by letting the driver know approximately how much time remains before the light changes. This time-to-green feature will be the first to use the Audi Traffic Light Information service. In the future, it may be possible to integrate information from these advanced traffic management systems into vehicle start/stop features and navigation systems to optimize routing. Also possible, according to Audi, may be predictive services such as presenting the driver with a speed recommendation designed to maximize the number of green lights he or she can make in sequence. All of these services would be designed to either improve efficiency, drive time, or traffic management. Traffic Light Information will first launch this month in Las Vegas and will be available to customers with select Audi A4, Q7, and A4 Allroad models (manufactured after June 1, 2016) equipped with an active Audi connect Prime subscription. Continued expansion to additional cities across the U.S. is ongoing as the automaker works with municipalities to prepare their infrastructure for V2I connectivity. Audi has partnered with Traffic Technology Services (TTS) to facilitate the transfer of traffic light data to Audi vehicles. In the future, smart cities will be able to use this technology to better understand traffic patterns and manage traffic signal behavior to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is proud to be the first in the nation to connect our traffic signal network to vehicles through our collaboration with Audi, said Tina Quigley, RTC general manager. This vehicle-to-infrastructure technology will help reduce congestion and enhance mobility on our already crowded roadways. Nevada issued autonomous vehicle licenses for Audi to drive from California to Las Vegas three years ago, and now Las Vegas is the first city to go live with V2I integration. Photo courtesy of Delphi. Delphi Automotive and Mobileye plan to demonstrate their automated driving system during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), scheduled for Jan. 5-8 in Las Vegas. The two companies this past summer formed a partnership to jointly develop a complete SAE Level 4/5 automated driving solution. Delphi is a leader in automated driving software, sensors, and systems integration. Mobileye is a leader in computer vision systems, mapping, localization, and machine learning focused on the automotive domain. The 6.3-mile demonstration drive, held as part of CES 2017, will showcase Delphi and Mobileyes Centralized Sensing Localization and Planning (CSLP) automated driving system. CSLP will be ready for production by 2019, the companies said. Three factors will separate the leader from the pack in the race to offer driverless vehicles by 2019 best-in-class perception sensors such as cameras, radar and LiDAR, automotive experience and computer processing speed, said Glen De Vos, vice president of services for Delphi. We will demonstrate the capability of the CSLP solution in our intensive drive at CES 2017 in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas drive will tackle everyday driving challenges such as highway merges, congested city streets with pedestrians and cyclists, and a tunnel. The 2019 CLSP system will feature several advanced technologies, including: Reykjavik is one of Budget's locations in Iceland. Photo via Wikimedia/Berit Budget Car Rental has named Budget Iceland as Licensee of the Year at the 2016 Budget Car Rental Licensee Awards for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Budget Iceland, who also won the award in 2012 and 2015, accepted the accolade at a gala event in South Africa. Its no accident that Budget Iceland has been honored more than once, said David B. Wyshner, president and chief financial officer of Avis Budget Group. They continue to generate a marked increase in revenue and volume, along with strong ancillary sales. In addition, they understand their customers needs, and that is reflected in their consistently high customer satisfaction scores. The Budget Car Rental Licensee Awards recognize licensee partners that have demonstrated growth in annual financial performance, measured against their local country economic conditions. The awards also take into account customer service and delivery of strategic initiatives. Budget Cyprus was also honored for its accomplishments with the Outstanding Achievement award for 2016. My team and I are humbled by this honor, said Hjalmar Petursson, chief executive officer, Budget Iceland. We work hard and are committed to promoting the Budget brand in Iceland by providing the best rental experience possible. Source: pixabay.com Enterprise Holdings Inc. has opened two locations in Jamaica with its franchise partner, ATL Automotive, an affiliate of the family-operated Sandals Resorts International (SRI) Group. The companys three brands Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car are now available at the Sangster International Airport as well as at one location on Queens Drive, Montego Bay. Opening our Montego Bay locations is an exciting milestone, but its just the beginning and were expecting to open our Kingston facilities in March 2017, said Adam Stewart, Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Chairman of SRI and the ATL Group. Were deeply committed to the success of the Jamaican tourism industry and are working closely with our affiliate, Island Routes Caribbean Adventures, to present a full destination Jamaica offering that will encourage more and more visitors to explore this beautiful country. The Enterprise, National, and Alamo brands operate in more than 85 countries, including 29 in Latin America. Photo courtesy of The Hertz Corp. Hertz Global Holdings Inc. has reached a long-term agreement with Localiza, a South American rental car company. As part of the agreement, which is subject to approval by the Brazilian antitrust authority (Administrative Council for Economic Defense or CADE), Localiza will purchase the Hertz operation in Brazil for an expected purchase price of $9.9 million. In addition, Localiza customers traveling outside of South America will be referred to Hertz reservation channels. In select markets, including the U.S., Hertz expects to display the Localiza brand at key airport locations that frequently serve visitors from Brazil. Similarly, Hertz customers traveling to Brazil will be referred to Localiza, with "Localiza Hertz" branding in many locations. "This agreement enables us to partner with South America's largest rental car company, extending the reach of the Hertz brand in Brazil and leveraging Localiza's customer base when they travel outside of South America, said John Tague, Hertz Global Holdings president and chief executive officer. Additionally, Hertz customers traveling to Brazil will have access to an expanded service offering through Localiza's network." "This partnership represents a milestone in the history of car rental in Localiza and in Brazil," said Eugenio Mattar, Localiza chief executive officer. "Hertz is a widely recognized brand with a strong international presence. We have many common qualities: business expertise, excellence in service and innovation DNA. Logo courtesy of U-Save website. U-Save Car and Truck Rental will open two new locations in Mississippi, according to the Mississippi Business Journal. The article reported Franchise Services of North America, the owner of U-Save Car and Truck Rental, signed agreements for two neighborhood locations in Hattiesburg and Fulton. Read the complete article at the Mississippi Business Journal. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia/WesportWiki The Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation is donating $50,000 to Pacific Historic Parks on behalf of the 75th Commemoration of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. The 75th Commemoration events will take place Dec. 1-11, on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The annual commemoration is themed Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future. It will honor the sacrifices made by military personnel and civilians, while also fostering reflection, remembrance and understanding. The 11-day program is scheduled to have a variety of ceremonies, including memorials dedicated to the USS Utah and the USS Oklahoma. Other 75th Commemoration events feature the Blackened Canteen reconciliation ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial; a luncheon honoring the units of Americans of Japanese ancestry; a Pearl Harbor documentary film premiere; a Pearl Harbor Survivor Gala Tribute; and a live concert featuring Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. My grandfather and our founder, Jack Taylor, named our company Enterprise as a salute to one of the World War II aircraft carriers on which he served the USS Enterprise, said Foundation Vice President and Executive Director Carolyn Kindle Betz. So our support for this Pearl Harbor anniversary has special meaning for the entire Enterprise family, particularly since Jack died earlier this year. We are always proud to honor those who have served. Civil aviation authorities in Brazil have suspended the operating certificate of LaMia airlines, which operated the charter aircraft that crashed in Colombia last week, killing 71 of the 77 people on board. Authorities have confirmed that the airplane, an Avro RJ85, was out of fuel when it crashed on a mountainside near the Medellin airport. Freddy Bonilla, Colombias secretary of air security, said the flight was in violation of both local and international regulations regarding minimum fuel reserves. Brazilian newspaper O Globo has reported that the crew originally planned to make a fuel stop along the way, but after their departure was delayed, the plan was abandoned, apparently because the fuel provider would have been closed for the night. The captain of the flight, Miguel Quiroga, who died in the crash, was reportedly a part owner of the airline. Questions have been raised about whether authorities who approved the airlines flight plan should have questioned its margin of safety. A preliminary accident report is expected to be released next week. Famed aerobatic pilot and aircraft designer Walter Extra has set a new FAI record for time to climb in an electric airplane. According to Extra and Siemens, the manufacturer of the motor used in the Extra 330LE, the climb was 4:22 to an altitude of 3000 meters (9842 feet). Thats an average climb rate of about 2300 feet per minute. The record is a new C1b class for light landplanes but it doesnt exceed time to climb performance for piston airplanes in other classes. The record applies to powered electric aircraft with a takeoff weight of 500 to 1000 kg. The Extra 330LE first appeared last spring at the Aero show in Friedrichshafen, Germany. As part of its regular show coverage of Aero, AVweb prepared this video report. The 330LE was developed by a consortium of companies including Extra, Siemens, MT Propeller and Pipistrel. The motor is a 350-HP brushless DC design that weights only 110 pounds. You can learn about the details in this AVweb video. The flight took place on Nov. 25 at Dinslaken, Germany. Siemens Frank Anton, head of eAircraft at the company, said,This is the first time that an electric aircraft in the quarter-megawatt performance class has flown. He said the new system means that hybrid-electric aircraft with four or more seats will now be possible. However, battery development still lags and this is seen as an essential requirement for practical aircraft, including hybrids. The Atlanta Technical College, in Atlanta, Georgia, is no longer certified to offer aviation maintenance technician training, the FAA said this week. The FAA issued an emergency order alleging that the college failed to keep proper records for students. Some grade records were incomplete or lacked instructor signatures, the FAA said, and several students who hadnt made up absences were allowed to advance in the program. ATC surrendered its certificate. The college said in a written statement that it is on track to become in full compliance with the FAAs requirements and anticipates the restoration of its Air Agency certificate, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. We look forward to future inspection of our program by the FAA, the statement from ATC said. We will accept students again in the aviation maintenance program once the certificate is reinstated. The FAA said ATC hasnt enrolled any students or conducted any classes in the technician program since May 2014, and the FAA rescinded its curriculum approval in June 2014. However, ATC has continued to administer exit examinations and issued certificates of completion to its former students when it knew it was not authorized to do so, the FAA alleged. Additionally, ATC did not provide the FAA with requested copies of each certificate of completion and a detailed analysis of how students received certificates in the absence of an FAA-approved curriculum, the agency alleges. The OSCE mission will hold a monitoring on the contact line of troops of Azerbaijan`s Aghdam region on December 8 in accordance with the mandate of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. Azerbaijan`s Defense Ministry reported on December 7 that the monitoring will be held on the Azerbaijani side by field assistants of Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Jiri Aberle, Peter Svedberg and Simon Tiller. On the Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenian troops, the monitoring will be conducted by field assistants of Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Ghenadie Petrica and Hristo Hristov. For over two decades, Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in conflict which emerged over Armenia's territorial claims against 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. Two decades of talks mediated by the OSCE MG group have failed to produce a breakthrough, and the renewed hostilities, the worst since the ceasefire deal signed in 1994, were assessed as the result of inactivity of the international community. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 16:00 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov The Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Vanadzor Office based in Yerevan has criticized the miserable situation in the Armenian Amy, bringing attention to poor armament and lack of necessary war ammunition and military equipment. Armenia keeps under occupation 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, which it mostly teared off over 20 years ago through support of the then Soviet regime. Armenia, which is regarded as the poorest country among post Soviet republics, continues to occupy twenty percent of Azerbaijani territories, but fails to provide serviceable military equipment for its soldiers. A report by the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Vanadzor Office revealed insufficient quantity of arms and ammunition at the disposal of the Armenian servicemen during the April clashes on the contact line of the Armenian and Azerbaijani troops. The situation on the frontline aggravated on April 2 after the Armenian military units in the occupied lands began shelling Azerbaijans positions. To protect civilian population, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched counter attacks and as a result, the Azerbaijani troops retook hills around the village of Talish, as well as Seysulan settlement, and also took over Lele Tepe hill located in the direction of Fizuli region. Azerbaijan and Armenia declared a truce brokered by Russia on April 5. But, Armenia continued to breach the ceasefire, firing the worst violence in more than 20 years in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh. Over 320 Armenian servicemen were killed, more than 500 Armenian soldiers were injured, 30 enemy tanks and other armored vehicles, as well as more than 25 artillery pieces were destroyed during the counter attacks of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported, while Armenian side hide the real figures saying that only 80 soldiers died . The reason of the weak performance of Armenian soldiers resulted from strong counter attack of the Azerbaijani side, but also poor situation of the Armenian army is also viewed as a reason. The relatives of the serviceman link the great number of the deaths with the insufficient quantity of armament, arms and ammunition. The Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Vanadzor Office has spoken with relatives of soldiers killed in the April battles. The parents, who did not receive any explanations regarding the deaths of their sons, were often going to the front to learn the truth. And the truth was terrible As it turned out, soldiers were dying, not having even bullets, and the tanks could not go into battle, as they had water instead of fuel. For example, relatives of an Armenian soldier who died in the clashes told that they saw a lot of faulty tanks, many of which had water as the fuel, and when the engine was turned on, it went off. There were quite a number of defective tanks on the way from Gubadli to Jabrayil [the occupied regions of Azerbaijan], many of which were filled with water, instead of fuel, and when the engine was turned on to start to the frontline, it broke down," a relative of one of the dead soldiers said. The fellow servicemen, who met with the deceased soldiers relatives, said they had a lot to say, but they could not speak of it during their military service. The father of another soldier was shocked by the condition of the Armenian occupants military equipment. Why did not the tanks go ahead? Because they had no batteries as they were put on sale in the markets. There were not enough bullets and bullet-proof vests as well, he said. The report revealed that even during the hostilities the cases of deaths triggered by breach of statutory relations and accidents occurred in the Armed Forces constitute 20 percent out of the total number of deaths. The Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Vanadzor Offices report reveals the appalling truth that shows the miserable situation. However, the Armenian government again tried to refuse it. The Armenian Defense Ministry will study the report of Helsinki citizens Assembly concerning the four-day war, and will provide an official response, the press secretary of the Armenian Defense Ministry Artsrun Hovhannisyan told reporters. He could not think of anything better than to call the report unprofessional and based on emotions of relatives of the dead soldiers. Yerevan still opposes every truth, including the one that all the horrors that Armenian families experience can be stopped with stopping the aggressive policy to withdraw Armenian troops from the occupied Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh lands. 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 7 December 2016 17:36 (UTC+04:00) By Gunay Hasanova No matter how hard the Armenian lobby tries to make the world recognize the so-called "Armenian genocide," the governments of world powers understand the absurdity of this term. During an event in New York dedicated to the memory of Nobel Prize winner, Professor Elie Wiesel, the U.S. Ambassador to UN Samantha Power mentioned the ongoing historical injustice, and recalled the "denial of the genocide of Armenians." Soon after that, U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner clarified the matter. I dont want to go into terminology or elaborate how we call these events. We recognized that 1.5 million Armenians were killed, Toner said at a briefing on December 6. State Department spokesman also noted that Power mentioned the word "genocide" only in the context of her speech to commemorate Elie Wiesel who opposed the Holocaust. "Of course, her comments do not reflect any shift in the policy of the Administration," Toner added. The Armenian lobby has long taken efforts to achieve world recognition of so-called "genocide", which remains the main stumbling block in Turkey-Armenia relations. The move considerably deteriorated the relations between Armenia and Turkey, which ended with Ankara closing its borders with Armenia due to Yerevan's claims over Armenia's illegal "genocide" claims and occupation of Azerbaijani lands. Armenia claims that up to 1.5 million people were killed by Ottoman forces during World War I, in what it calls an act of 'genocide'. But modern Turkey has always rejected the term genocide, putting the toll at 500,000 and blaming the deaths on starvation and unrest in the broader context of the war. Armenians, strengthening propaganda of the so-called "genocide" in the world countries, achieved its recognition by parliaments of some countries. Turkey has always been keen to normalize its relations with Armenia. In line with its vision towards Southern Caucasus, Turkey, recognized Armenia's independence on December 16, 1991, and has produced a consistent policy of efforts to develop good-neighborly relations with this country. Due to the difficult economic conditions it encountered after its independence, Turkey has extended humanitarian aid to Armenia. As regards Armenia's claims, Turkey proposed to Armenia the establishment of a Joint History Commission in 2015, which will be composed of historians and experts from both sides and third parties in order to study the events of 1915 in their historical context and share the findings with the international public. The fact that this proposal is yet to receive a positive answer from the Armenian authorities when considered together with their rejection to open all the relevant archives to the historians, gives a clear idea about their confidence in what they claim. However, these good-will gestures are not reciprocated by Armenia. Armenia passed a bill on 4 October 2006, which makes it impossible for any Armenian citizen, or third party in Armenia, to voice dissent about the genocide, rejected the inclusion of a Turkish officer to the NATO/PfP team that would conduct a working visit on border security in Armenia in July 2007. --- Gunay Hasanova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @gunhasanova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Joschka Fischer Now that Donald Trump has been elected President of the United States, the end of what was heretofore termed the West has become all but certain. That term described a transatlantic world that emerged from the twentieth centurys two world wars, redefined the international order during the four-decade Cold War, and dominated the globe until now. The West shouldnt be confused with the Occident. While the Wests culture, norms, and predominant religion are broadly Occidental in origin, it evolved into something different over time. The Occidents basic character was shaped over centuries by the Mediterranean region (though parts of Europe north of the Alps made many important contributions to its development). The West, by contrast, is transatlantic, and it is a child of the twentieth century. When World War I began, it was a European conflict between the Central Powers and the Entente of Britain, France, and Russia. It became a true world war only in 1917, when the US entered the fray. This is the moment when what we now call the West began to take form. The West can be said to have received its birth certificate during World War II. In August 1941, after Nazi Germany had invaded the Soviet Union, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and US President Franklin D. Roosevelt met on a warship off the coast of Newfoundland and signed the Atlantic Charter. That agreement would later develop into NATO, which, for four decades, enabled an alliance of independent democracies with shared values and market economies to withstand the Soviet threat and which has safeguarded Europe to this day. More fundamentally, the West was founded on an American commitment to come to its allies defense. The Western order cannot exist without the US playing this crucial role, which it may now abnegate under Trump. As a result, the future of the West itself is now at stake. No one can be certain what Trumps election will mean for American democracy, or what he will do when he takes office. But we can already make two reasonable assumptions. First, his presidency will be highly disruptive to American domestic and foreign policy. Trump won the presidency by flouting virtually every unwritten rule of American politics. He beat not only Hillary Clinton, but also the Republican Party establishment. There is little reason to think that he will suddenly abandon this winning strategy come January 20. We can also safely assume that Trump will stick firmly to his pledge to Make America great again; this will be the foundation for his presidency, come what may. Former President Ronald Reagan also promised this, but he did so while the US, still engaged in the Cold War, could take an imperial approach. Thus, Reagan pursued rearmament on such a large scale that it ultimately led to the Soviet Unions collapse; and he paved the way for an American economic boom with a massive increase in the national debt. Trump does not have the luxury of an imperial approach. On the contrary, during the campaign, he heaped criticism on Americas senseless wars in the Middle East; and his supporters want nothing more than for the US to abandon its global leadership role and retreat from the world. A US that moves toward isolationist nationalism will remain the worlds most powerful country by a wide margin; but it will no longer guarantee Western countries security or defend an international order based on free trade and globalization. The only remaining questions now concern how quickly US policy will change, and how radical those changes will be. Trump has already pledged to scrap the 12-country Trans-Pacific Partnership a decision that amounts to a gift to China, whether he realizes it or not. He could also bestow upon China another gift: reducing US engagement in the South China Sea. China might soon find itself the new guarantor of global free trade and probably the new global leader in combating climate change, too. With respect to the war in Syria, Trump might simply hand that devastated country over to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran. Practically speaking, this would overturn the balance of power in the Middle East, with grave consequences well beyond the region; morally, it would be a cruel betrayal of the Syrian opposition and a boon to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. And if Trump defers to Putin in the Middle East, one wonders what he will do with respect to Ukraine, Eastern Europe, and the Caucasus. Should we expect a Yalta Conference 2.0 to recognize Putins new de facto sphere of influence? The new course Trump will chart for the US is already discernible; we just dont know how quickly the ship will sail. Much will depend on the opposition (Democrats and Republicans alike) that Trump encounters in the US Congress, and on pushback from the majority of Americans who did not vote for him. But we should not harbor any illusions: Europe is far too weak and divided to stand in for the US strategically; and, without US leadership, the West cannot survive. Thus, the Western world as virtually everyone alive today has known it will almost certainly perish before our eyes. So what comes next? China, we can be certain, is preparing to fill Americas shoes. And in Europe, the crypts of nationalism have been opened; in time, they will once again release their demons upon the continent and the world. 7 December 2016 10:39 (UTC+04:00) By Gunay Camal The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $500 million loan to help Azerbaijan maintain social spending, create jobs, and diversify its economy to mitigate the adverse impact of a crash in oil prices. ADBs countercyclical support is critical for Azerbaijans economy now and will help promote sustainable development and inclusive growth over the longer-term, said Sean OSullivan, Director General of ADBs Central and West Asia Department. Transforming Azerbaijan into a dynamic and diverse economy will need major improvements in public sector efficiency, the ease of doing business and competition." The loan will contribute to the governments $1.4 billion countercyclical stimulus package. The package is boosting social assistance for around 3.7 million people, or more than one third of the population, increasing the wages of public sector employees, increasing benefits for retirees and low-income families, and providing greater health, social, and food benefits to public and private workers and refugees. The government is also promoting economic diversification away from the hydrocarbon industry with additional incentives to private investors in other sectors and spurring job creation through vocational training and infrastructure projects. A 55% drop in oil prices over the last two years hit the Azerbaijan economy hard given that oil and gas revenues account for about 30% of gross domestic product, 60% of budget revenues, and over 90% of export revenues. In addition to the loan, ADB will provide technical assistance of $1.2 million to help design reforms to macro fiscal management, state-owned enterprises, and the finance sector. The capacity of government departments in implementing the reforms will also be strengthened. ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, ADB in December 2016 will mark 50 years of development partnership in Asia. It is owned by 67 members48 from the region. It is owned by 67 members48 from the region. In 2015, ADB assistance totaled $27.2 billion, including cofinancing of $10.7 billion. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 12:50 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli Azerbaijan, seeking to minimize the impact of global economic crisis to the national economy and diminish its dependence on the oil sector, sees the agricultural sector as an advantageous direction in a bid to diversify the national economy. The government has taken certain steps in order to ensure a descent development of the agricultural sphere through establishing new agro-parks and attracting foreign direct investment in this sector. Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev, addressing the plenary session of the Parliament for discussions over the draft state budget for 2017, said that 26 more agroparks planned to be built in the country. He said that the agroparks will be built in 19 regions of Azerbaijan, while a variety of processing and manufacturing enterprises are planned to be built in these agroparks. Currently, the work is underway in Azerbaijan to create Yalama and Shamkir Agroparks, which will allow expanding domestic supply and supporting the non-oil exports. Mustafayev said that the work within the first stage of the construction continues in Shamkir Agropark, and the first stage of construction work has been already completed in the Khachmaz region [Yalama Agropark]. The construction of agroparks and large modern farms is of great importance, the minister added. With a total area of 604 hectares and being located in one of the exceptionally fertile soils of Azerbaijan, Shamkir Agropark is the first agropark conception in the country and the Caucasus region. The Agropark established in 2014 has the latest and most sophisticated technology in the sphere of calibration of fruit and vegetables, packaging and labeling. The Yalama Agropark operates since September 2016. The volume of investments made to the agropark is 20 million manats ($11.5 million), and up to 40 million manats ($23 million) in general will be invested within the framework of the two construction stages. The creation of agroparks is expected to give a stimulus for widening and strengthening of the countrys export geography and presenting its products in foreign markets, getting high productivity and selling products produced by farmers with stable prices. Azerbaijan plans to export its high-quality agricultural products, which enjoy popularity and are in demand, to neighboring countries. The agricultural sector is important not only for increasing Azerbaijan's export potential, but also for restoring and protecting the country's food security. -- Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 12:32 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Azerbaijans government will provide equity injections of $172 million and 204 million euros to Azerenerji JSC, the national energy operator, to assist it in repaying its foreign currency loans over 2016-2025, Fitch Ratings reported on December 7. Fitch Ratings has affirmed Azerenerji's long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'BB+' and short-term IDR at 'B' with negative outlook, according to the rating agencys report. Over 70 percent of Azerenerji's total debt as of late 2015 was denominated in foreign currencies, mainly in euros, US dollars and Japanese yen, the report said. As of late 2015, Azerenerji's debt increased to 2.4 billion manats from 1.5 billion manats, the rating agency said. The Azerbaijani government also agreed to provide a 360 million manats low interest, long-term loan to Azerenerji so that it can pay its tax due, according to the report. Given the USD/AZN exchange rate of 1.55-1.7 over 2016-2018, Azerbaijans GDP growth is forecast at 2.3-1.8 percent over 2016-2019, the report said. Power plants of Azerenergy generated 20.4 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in January-November 2016, as compared to 20.5 billion kilowatt hours in the same period 2015. The company reported that Azerenergys power plants generated about 2.1 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in November 2016. In 2015, Azerenergy generated more than 22.5 billion kilowatt hours of electricity as compared to about 22.7 billion kilowatt hours in 2014. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 16:53 (UTC+04:00) By Trend More and more Spanish companies are interested in Azerbaijani market, Jose Luis Diez Juarez, Spanish charge daffaires in Azerbaijan, told Trend in an interview. "Commercial exchange is still very low, but more and more companies are working with Azerbaijan," Diez said. He noted that first of all there are two Spanish companies that are not physically present in Azerbaijan, but are working with Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR they are Enagas, one of the shareholders of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, a part of the Southern Gas Corridor which will supply Azerbaijani gas to Europe, and engineering company Tecnicas Reunidas, working with SOCAR on the Star refinery which is being built in Turkey. "For now we have five Spanish companies working in Azerbaijan. Most of them are in engineering design of projects, design of construction, services for the shipyard," Spanish diplomat said. Diez reminded that a bilateral business forum took place in Baku last April in parallel with the Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, adding that as much as 20 Spanish companies took part in the forum. Two of them decided to open offices in Baku after the forum. ACS, one of the biggest Spanish companies providing industrial services, has already opened a regional office in Baku, while a consulting and audit company is still discussing this issue. The charge d'affaires noted that some Spanish companies related to construction also showed interest for Azerbaijani market, but since this sector was the most hit by crisis, it is not a perfect time to enter the market now. "But I hope that when the situation starts to improve we will have some Spanish construction companies here," he said. Diez also said that Spain is negotiating with the government of Azerbaijan on a memorandum for cooperation in agriculture. "I hope that if we sign an agreement it will help Spanish companies to have more possibilities in Azerbaijan," he said. Next year it is planned to hold the next bilateral business forum in Spain and this issue is under discussion, according to the charge d'affaires. However the dates have not been confirmed yet, he said. Answering the question on the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Spain, Diez noted that it is still very low. "It changes a lot because sometimes we purchase oil, but not every year. The rest of the trade averages 20 million euros, but if there is a purchase of oil it goes up to about 100 million euros," he said. The last oil supplies from Azerbaijan to Spain happened two years ago and new oil deliveries are not expected in near future, according to Diez. "Currently, Spain mainly imports oil from the Gulf," he said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 17:44 (UTC+04:00) By Trend The Central Bank of Azerbaijan is putting limits on the foreign currency remittances carried out by individuals residents and non-residents of the country without opening a bank account. The changes made in accordance with the Rules of Operations on Foreign Currency Carried Out by Residents and Non-Residents of Azerbaijan, approved by the Central Bank, will come into force from December 8. Individuals will be able to transfer abroad no more than $1,000 in a day and no more than $10,000 in a month without opening a bank account, according to the new rules. Currently, the monthly limit for the remittances is $30,000. The remittances to Azerbaijani residents close relatives abroad and the return of the funds, which previously entered Azerbaijans territory, will be an exception. In the first case, the daily limit for the remittances wont be applied if an individual, who is Azerbaijans resident, has a document confirming blood tie with the person who is to receive the funds, but the monthly limit will remain at $10,000. In the second case, the limits wont be applied at all. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 18:18 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov The heads of the railway agencies of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Georgia signed in Baku a Memorandum of Understanding on the prospects for development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). Azerbaijan Railways reported that the quadripartite meeting brought together head of Azerbaijan Railways JSC Javid Gurbanov, President of Kazakhstan Railways Kanat Alpysbayev, CEO of Turkish Railways Veisi Kurt and Chairman of Georgian Railways Mamuka Bakhtadze. The sides discussed prospects of development of TITR, the development of cargo transportation on this route and optimization of the tariffs. Following the meeting, the sides signed a Memorandum of understanding for the development of TITR. The agreement to create the Trans-Caspian International Transportation Consortium was signed in April 2016 in Baku by the railway authorities of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Kazakhstan. Azerbaijani companies ADY Express and ACSC Logistics, Kazakhstan's KTZ Express and Georgia's Trans Caucasus Terminals LLC are the members of the consortium. The Supervisory Board includes one representative from each member company, while Igbal Huseynov, the deputy head of Azerbaijan Railways JSC is the chairman of the board. Later, Ukrainian "Ukrzaliznytsya," "Ukrferry," companies, as well as Moldovan Translogistic became members of the Coordination Committee. The Trans-Caspian international transport route, which is designed to provide transport connections between the East and West of Eurasia, runs through China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and then to Europe via Turkey and Ukraine. The route was launched with the establishment of its Coordinating Committee in October 2013. The first test container train from China arrived at the Baku International Sea Trade Port on August 3, 2015. In January, 2016, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Ukraine decided to apply the competitive feed-in tariffs for cargo transportation via the TITR. Single competitive rate was introduced in the framework of the route starting from June 1, 2016 with the view to reduce the costs of international cargo transportation. About 300,000-400,000 containers are expected to be transported via the Trans-Caspian international transport route by 2020, bringing huge financial profits to Azerbaijan. Growing interest in the transport infrastructures passing through Azerbaijan's territory is expected to make the country a major transport hub in the region. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 14:07 (UTC+04:00) By Laman Ismayilova Azerbaijan's Carpet Museum, one of the most striking of Baku's new wave of architectural gems, invites everyone to magic journey into the history of carpets. The event entitled "In the world of fairy tales" will be held under the guidance of master Eldar Mikailzade on December 17. Eldar Mikailzades carpets occupy a worthy place among the best examples of national art. Striking with beauty and vibrant colors, Mikailzades carpets have been exhibited at numerous international exhibitions in Istanbul, London, Brussels and several other cities. One of his carpets was awarded a gold medal at the exhibition in Frankfurt. The artist's works are kept in private collections in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, France, Turkey, Russia and the UK. Great artist Sattar Bahlulzade, whom Mikailzade had met in childhood, plays a significant role in the works of Eldar Mikailzade. The founder of contemporary Azerbaijani landscape painting has awakened the spirit of creativity in Mikailzade. His successful career Mikailzade also owes to another great man - Latif Kerimov, under whose leadership he had improved his professional skills. Azerbaijans Carpet Museum established in Baku in 1967, being the first carpet museum in the world is the very place that can familiarize all the interested with the unique examples of the national carpets. A new carpet museum, designed in the form of a rolled carpet, opened in the Baku Seaside Park in 2014 and all carpets were transferred to this museum. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 15:47 (UTC+04:00) By Laman Ismayilova Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova has expressed the organization`s interest in implementing projects with Azerbaijan in a variety of fields as she met with Azerbaijani Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfas Garayev in Paris, Azertac reported. Irina Bokova hailed the importance of the recent high-level gathering of the Baku Process working group. The officials exchanged views on the ways of expanding cooperation in the fields of culture and heritage, Baku Process initiative of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and the 4th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue to be held next year. Minister Qarayev stressed the important role of Azerbaijani first lady, UNESCO and ISESCO goodwill ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva in developing relations between Azerbaijan and UNESCO. Irina Bokova also emphasized outstanding contribution of Azerbaijan and Mehriban Aliyeva to UNESCO's activities, as well as to the protection of cultural heritage in her own country and in many other member countries. The 3rd meeting of culture and tourism ministers of the world will be held as part of the 4th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue to be held in Baku on May 5-6, 2017, Trend reported. The World Forums on Intercultural Dialogue became an international platform to enable and encourage people, countries and organizations around the globe to take concrete actions to support diversity, dialogue and mutual understanding among nations by raising awareness on the importance of intercultural dialogue worldwide. The Forums organized so far have reached remarkable achievements by bringing together head of governments, ministers, heads of various international organizations, senior policy makers, cultural professionals, goodwill ambassadors, experts, journalists, practitioners, prominent intellectuals and activists. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 13:19 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli The World Health Organization has praised the successes of Azerbaijan in the fight against malaria, measles and rubella. The Azerbaijani Health Ministry has received from Copenhagen a thank-you letter, undersigned by Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe Zsuzsanna Jakab. "The WHO Regional Office for Europe declared that the European Region is malaria free from April 20, 2016. Thus, Europe became the world's first region to reach the zero-case milestone of indigenous malaria. I want to thank you for political cooperation, vigilance and expended resources that made it possible for this achievement," the letter said. Malaria, serious and sometimes fatal disease, is transmitted among humans by female mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles. For the last two years the Azerbaijani Republican Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology registered no indigenous cases of malaria in Azerbaijan. Its been four years that Azerbaijan has identified only imported cases of the disease, according to the World Health Organizations statistics. However, in distant past malaria was extremely widespread in Azerbaijan and threatening the country until the 20th century, when the morbidity and mortality from malaria were one of the fastest in the region. By the 1960s, in fact, malaria has been virtually eliminated in Azerbaijan. The European Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination of the WHO also hailed Azerbaijan's achieving elimination of measles in a period from January 2012 to January 2014. Rubella and measles also called childhood infection is highly contagious infections that can be very unpleasant and sometimes lead to serious complications. In a document the Commission described this progress as an important contribution to eliminating measles and rubella in the European region. Another document of the Commission also lauded Azerbaijan`s success in elimination of rubella during the reporting period. Both documents were signed by Chairman of the European Regional Commission Gunter Pfaff. Cases of rubella have no longer revealed in the country since 2008, thanks to the measures taken by the Health Ministry, in particular, a large campaign carried out in 2006 and aimed at combating these diseases, which covered people aged from 7 to 35 years. Azerbaijan was ranked 10th among the 53 European countries for the prevention of the spread of measles and rubella, according to the WHO Regional Office for Europe. This is an important success for the national health system, since compared to 20 countries, where only one of these diseases have been eliminated, Azerbaijan has managed to achieve the elimination of both, thanks to the timely vaccination. -- Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 15:38 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov The possibility of holding a meeting on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in Hamburg was discussed, but there is still no final agreement, said Russian Foreign Ministrys spokeswoman Mariya Zakharova at a briefing on December 7. "No final agreement on the meeting has been reached yet," said Zakharova. Paris has previously proposed to hold a meeting in the format of 3+2 [three co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group and Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers] on the sidelines of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg. Meeting of the OSCE countries Foreign Ministerial Council will take place in Hamburg on December 8- 9. Azerbaijan`s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov will attend the event. However, Armenia hasnt confirmed its consent yet for the 3+2 format meeting, while Baku has voiced its readiness to any contacts with Armenia, in any format. Minister Mammadyarov previously said that Baku backs the proposal on the meeting. Zakharova further added that there is no ultimate confidence about the possibility of a bilateral meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Azerbaijani counterpart. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia still controls fifth part of Azerbaijan's territory and rejects implementing 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 7 December 2016 17:39 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov The OSCE, as the world's largest regional security organization, has the core task of preventing a violent conflict and finding sustainable solutions for existing conflicts in the OSCE area, reads a joint statement by Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Foreign Ministers of Austria Sebastian Kurz and Italy Paolo Gentiloni. The foreign ministers made the joint statement on the occasion of the upcoming OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg. Many crises and conflicts are sending shock waves through our European security architecture today, said the joint statement published by the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on December 7. We thus should further develop our conflict resolution instruments in such a way that we are able to act at all times: in both conflict prevention and mediation, in monitoring and postcrisis rehabilitation. The 23rd OSCE Ministerial Council will take place on December 8-9 in Hamburg, Germany. Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov will take part in the meeting. One of the conflicts in the OSCE area is the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. France has previously proposed to hold a meeting in the format of 3+2 [three co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group and Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers] on the sidelines of the Council. Soon after that, the Azerbaijani side informed that it backs the proposal on the meeting. However, Armenia hasnt confirmed its consent yet. 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 7 December 2016 09:54 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev has congratulated His Highness Maha Vajiralongkorn, King of Thailand. The message reads: Your Highness, I extend my most sincere congratulations to you as you succeeded to the throne as King of Thailand. I hope that friendly relations and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Thailand will continue to develop and expand. I wish you robust health, happiness, success in your future activity for the well-being of the friendly people of Thailand. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 10:17 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree endorsing Strategic road maps for the national economy and main economic sectors. The decree aims to define the countrys development goals and priorities and ensure their implementation. The following strategic road maps were approved by the presidential decree: Strategic Road Map for the prospects of the national economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Strategic Road Map for the development of the oil and gas industry of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Strategic Road Map for the manufacture and processing of agricultural products in the Republic of Azerbaijan; Strategic Road Map for the manufacture of small and medium entrepreneurship-level consumer goods in the Republic of Azerbaijan; Strategic Road Map for the development of heavy industry and machinery in the Republic of Azerbaijan; Strategic Road Map for the development of specialized tourism industry in the Republic of Azerbaijan; Strategic Road Map for the development of logistics and trade in the Republic of Azerbaijan; Strategic Road Map for the development of housing provision at a reasonable price in the Republic of Azerbaijan; Strategic Road Map for the development of vocational education and training in the Republic of Azerbaijan; Strategic Road Map for the development of financial services in the Republic of Azerbaijan; Strategic Road Map for the development of communication and information technologies in the Republic of Azerbaijan; Strategic Road Map for the development of utilities (electricity and thermal energy, water and gas supply) in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan will administer and supervise the implementation of the strategic road maps. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 11:51 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli Azerbaijan and Russia sealed a Mutual Assistance Protocol in Baku on December 6. The document between the interior ministries of the two countries on mutual assistance for 2017-2019 was inked as part of the visit of Russias Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev to the country. Azerbaijan's Interior Minister Ramil Usubov and Kolokoltsev expressed their confidence that the protocol will contribute to expanding relations between Azerbaijani and Russian law enforcement agencies. Usubov noted with satisfaction the positive results of mutually beneficial cooperation in recent years, including in crime detection, arrest and extradition of the criminals, conduct of joint activities in the border regions. In turn, Kolokoltsov said that the Russian side is interested in expanding cooperation between the bodies of internal affairs of the two countries. Then the guests were provided with information on the status of the fight against crime in Azerbaijan. Expressing gratitude for the training assistance, Usubov expressed confidence that this visit will be an important event in the development of bilateral relations, as well as give additional impetus to the deepening of cooperation in all spheres of operational activity. The Russian minister stressed that the declaration signed in Baku at the trilateral summit of the heads of state of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia, will open new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. Historical trilateral meeting between the heads of Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran took place in Baku on August 8 with a major point messaging peace, friendship, security and cooperation. During his Baku visit, Kolokoltsev was earlier received by President Ilham Aliyev, who hailed the successful development of Azerbaijan-Russia bilateral relations in a variety of fields, including between law enforcement agencies and the ministries of internal affairs. Hailing the importance of the first Baku Summit of the heads of state of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia, President Aliyev said the event aimed to strengthen regional security measures as well. -- Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 11:10 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by President of the Centrist Democrat International (CDI), former President of Colombia Andres Pastrana and including vice-president of the Centrist Democrat International Mario David and General Coordinator for Asia Pacific and Latin America Cesar Rossello in Baku on December 7, Azertac reported. President Aliyev expressed hope that the visit of President of the Centrist Democrat International Andres Pastrana to Azerbaijan will be fruitful and interesting, adding this trip will contribute to the bilateral cooperation. Pastrana, in turn, highlighted the activities of the organization. The sides exchanged views over the state and prospects of cooperation between the Centrist Democrat International and Azerbaijan, especially with New Azerbaijan Party. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 12:21 (UTC+04:00) By Laman Ismayilova Six months ahead of the 4th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, an International High Level Task Force preparatory meeting took place at UNESCO Headquarters. The high-level meeting is supported by the Government of Azerbaijan with the participation of Abulfas Garayev, Minister of Culture and Tourism, and is organized in close partnership with UNESCO, Azertac reported. The officials of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan, Permanent Delegation of Azerbaijan to UNESCO, UNESCO, United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Council of Europe, ISESCO and the North-South Center of the Council of Europe attended the event. Prior to the High Level Task Force meeting, head of the Department of International Cooperation at the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Secretary of the International Working Group on Intercultural Dialogue Vasif Eyvazzade and Azerbaijan`s Permanent Representative to UNESCO Anar Karimov informed about the "Baku process", the next Forum's priorities, expectations from partner international organizations in the expert meeting, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and Tourism said. The officials discussed proposals of the organizations, which they represented for the 4th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue to be held on May 5-6 in Baku. Abulfas Garayev who chaired the meeting thanked the participants for participating in the meeting. He also expressed his gratitude to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for support and partnership on the initiative of "Baku process" and the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue. UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser spoke about the "Baku process" and the 4th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue. At the end of the meeting, it was decided that the opening ceremony attended by senior government officials, 3rd meeting of the ministers of culture and tourism in the world, the first high-level meeting of heads of international organizations in financial, economic, political, cultural and social spheres, the plenary and panel sessions on culture and heritage, human security, peace and sustainable development, migration, the fight against extremism, religion and belief, tourism, education, science, youth and media would be held as part of the 4th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue. The 3rd meeting of culture and tourism ministers of the world will be held as part of the 4th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue to be held in Baku on May 5-6, 2017, Trend reported. The World Forums on Intercultural Dialogue became an international platform to enable and encourage people, countries and organizations around the globe to take concrete actions to support diversity, dialogue and mutual understanding among nations by raising awareness on the importance of intercultural dialogue worldwide. The Forums organized so far have reached remarkable achievements by bringing together head of governments, ministers, heads of various international organizations, senior policy makers, cultural professionals, goodwill ambassadors, experts, journalists, practitioners, prominent intellectuals and activists. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 15:28 (UTC+04:00) By Laman Ismayilova A new women resource center was opened in Bilasuvar region on December 7 as part of the of the joint project funded by the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and implemented by the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of Azerbaijan, UNDP and Womens Association for Rational Development. The Bilasuvar Women Resource Centre, which will help women strengthen their presence in community life, is the first result under this project. The center will serve as a public platform to plan and coordinate womens economic and social initiatives, and provide different opportunities for capacity building, entrepreneurial activity, vocational education, and creative self-expression. Welcoming officials and participants in Bilasuvar city, the head of Executive Authority, Mr. Mahir Guliyev stressed the importance of the women resource centre in supporting women in both Bilasuvar and surrounding villages. To this date, the Women Resource Centers have mobilized 416 women members, facilitated training for over 350 women, helped starting or improving more than 50 women-led businesses, and reached over 450 children, women and men in awareness-raising campaign on violence and gender issues. For the past decade, the Government of Azerbaijan has collaborated with all interested stakeholders to bring the concerns and issues of women to the forefront of different areas of economic and social policies. Chairperson of the State Committee Hijran Huseynova expressed her willingness to continue and strengthen this partnership, and open such support centers throughout the country. UNDP Resident Representative, Ghulam M. Isaczai, in turn, voiced hope that such centers in Bilasuvar and other regions would be the grassroots-level champions raising awareness about the negative impacts of gender-based violence beyond the time limits of international campaigns. Todays event celebrates only one of the first results of our joint project, but this collaboration will also help Azerbaijan to contribute to a number of Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the SDG 5 on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls, SDG 8 on ensuring inclusive economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all, and SDG 10 on reducing inequality within and among countries, Isaczai mentioned. "The Centre will help to promote the important role of women as active members of the society and increase many possibilities of good support structures for female participation in various fields," Malena Mard, EU Ambassador highlighted in her speech during the opening ceremony. After the opening ceremony, thirteen local women were awarded with certificates to launch their businesses under the project. Ms. Mansura Shahveranova, who wa s one of the awarded beneficiaries, described how she benefitted from the project during presentation of certificate ceremony. Before the project, I had some ideas, but I couldnt realize them. Thanks to this project, I will be able to launch my own business and at the same time I will also be able to provide job opportunities to three other people, she said. The opening ceremony of Bilasuvar Women Resource Centres took place during the 16 Days of Activism Campaign against Gender-based Violence, which is held in the country between 25 November and 10 December together with many partners including the EU Delegation, UNDP, and State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs. This Campaign advocates for the action to end violence against women and girls everywhere. Launched for the period of 2016-2018, the project on Enabling civil society to play a greater role in advancing gender equality and womens rights aims to increase the role of the civil society in advancing womens rights and to promote economic and social participation of rural women through civil society organizations. The project will build capacities of the non-governmental organizations to advance the gender equality agenda through human-rights based approach; strengthen capacities of women activists to better exercise their right to social participation and enable vulnerable women to better exercise their economic rights. This project is funded by the European Union and UNDP, and is implemented by UNDP and State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 17:31 (UTC+04:00) By Gunay Hasanova Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto on the sideline of the NATO Resolute Support Mission Ministerial Meeting held at the NATO Headquarters. The sides expressed their satisfaction with the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Hungary. The ministers exchanged views on the prospects of relations, cooperation within the international organizations between the two countries and the activity of the Hungarian Embassy in Azerbaijan as NATO Contact Point Embassy from the next year. The Hungarian embassy in Baku will operate as a NATO Liaison Office for two years - from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2018. The Hungarian side will take over these responsibilities from the Romanian Embassy in Baku. NATO and Azerbaijan actively cooperate on democratic, institutional and defense reforms, and have developed practical cooperation in many other areas. Azerbaijans Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) lays out the programme of cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO. Hungary recognized Azerbaijan's independence in 1991, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in April 1992. The two countries enjoy a huge capacity for the development of trade and economic cooperation, as Hungarian companies consider the Azerbaijani market as an alternative to the Russian market, on the background of EU sanctions. Hungary is also a good platform for Azerbaijani investors. So far, the two countries have signed almost 40 documents. Moreover, the governments of both countries have expressed interest in increasing bilateral trade. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Hungary in 2015 totaled $27.96 million, of which over $27.7 million accounted for the import of Hungarian products, according to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee. --- Gunay Hasanova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @gunhasanova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 17:53 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Azerbaijan, as a reliable partner of NATO and friend of brotherly Afghanistan, is committed to continue its significant contribution to the Resolute Support Mission beyond 2016 by providing troops, multimodal transit, training and financial assistance. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov made the remark at the NATO Resolute Support Ministerial in Brussels on December 7. My country has several times made substantial donations to the Afghan National Army (ANA) Trust Fund. We will continue to support this Fund in line with the pledges we made, said Mammadyarov. Furthermore, after conclusion of the Resolute Support Mission, my country envisages the contribution through the enhanced Enduring Partnership. Azerbaijan remains committed to a long-term political partnership and a practical cooperation with Afghanistan through bilateral cooperation and the relevant multilateral and regional formats, noted the minister. In September 2016, Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev approved Azerbaijan-Afghanistan agreement on multimillion worth assistance, mostly to security areas, actively implemented now, said Mammadyarov. In addition, in line with the desired outcomes of the Resolute Support Mission, Azerbaijan is ready to train Afghan cadets in military educational institutions of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the framework of the bilateral cooperation, he added. I also would like to inform that just three days ago my country assumed the co-chairmanship of the Heart of Asia Istanbul process for 2017, noted the minister. In this function, we will seek close coordination and consultations with all stake-holders, most notably with NATO, with a view to facilitating comprehensive and coherent support by the international community to Afghanistan. Furthermore, we support Afghanistan on its path of reforms towards integrating into regional and global economy. As being a critical piece of the New Silk Road, Azerbaijan will connect Afghanistan and Europe to support Afghanistans sustainable future, said Mammadyarov. Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad and a new seaport Alat in Azerbaijan will further link Asia to Europe, subsequently helping to bring lasting peace and development to Afghanistan and beyond. Last but not least, I would like to thank Ambassador [Ismail] Aramaz for his very dedicated and fruitful work as NATOs Senior Civilian Representative, added the foreign minister. I also wish success to Ambassador [Cornelius] Zimmermann of Germany in all his endeavors. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 11:30 (UTC+04:00) By Gulgiz Muradova Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has suggested holding of a summit of OPEC's 14 oil producing nations and oil-rich non-OPEC nations to set out a pricing strategy for the next decade. The proposed meeting should be held in the first quarter of 2017, Sputnik reported citing Maduro. "I plan to propose in writing that we should hold a summit of heads of state and government from the OPEC and non-OPEC member states in the first quarter of 2017 to discuss how to stabilize the oil market and protect fair prices in the next 10 years," Maduro said. Maduro, whose recession-hit South American nation heavily depends on oil incomes, earlier held talks with OPEC and non-OPEC states, including Azerbaijan, to convince them in necessity of joint effort to stabilize the oil market. Meanwhile, oil prices fell on December 7 on persistent doubts in a planned crude production cut led by the Cartel and Russia would be deep enough to end the glut in the market. International Brent crude oil futures LCOc1 were trading at $53.69 per barrel at 0131 GMT, down 24 cents, or 0.45 percent, from their last close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 were down 19 cents, or 0.37 percent, at 50.74 per barrel, Reuters reported. "With both Russia and OPEC producing at record amounts, the market is scratching its head about how both blocs will manage to comply with the Vienna production cut targets. The point is valid, as the more OPEC and Russia produce, the higher the starting point will be to have to cut from," said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at brokerage OANDA in Singapore. The OPEC deal, that pushed the prices by almost 13 percent, was reached on November 30 despite huge political hurdles. OPEC agreed its first oil output cuts since 2008 on November 30 after the major rivals within the cartel - Iran and Saudi Arabia - set aside differences to forge the cartel's first deal with non-OPEC Russia in 15 years. Saudi Arabia accepted "a big hit" on its output and Iraq, OPEC's second-largest producer also agreed to curtail its booming output, while non-OPEC countries are also expected to cut the output. The OPEC deal aims to reduce production by 1.2 million barrels a day, or about 1 percent of global output. Russia has also agreed to trim production - by about 300,000 barrels a day, while non-OPEC producers are expected to agree to add an output cut of 600,000 bpd in Vienna on December 10. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 10:35 (UTC+04:00) By Gulgiz Muradova The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $1 billion in private and public sector assistance to expand Azerbaijans Shah Deniz II, one of the worlds largest gas fields. The assistance comprises a $500 million private sector loan to the Southern Gas Corridor Closed Joint Stock Company (SGC) and a $500 million sovereign-counterguaranteed partial credit guarantee. The guarantee will back $526 million in commercial loans made by a consortium of international banks to SGC, which is 51% owned by the Azerbaijan government and 49% by the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic. The Bank reported that the proposed Shah Deniz Gas Field Expansion Project will support the government's ongoing investment in the full field development of the Shah Deniz Stage II gas field expansion. ADB, through its private sector window, has already demonstrated strong support to the Shah Deniz gas field expansion through its direct assistance to this project in 2015, said Michael Barrow, Director General of ADBs Private Sector Operations Department. The proposed assistance to Southern Gas Corridor is a continued testament to ADBs belief in the development impact of this important project, and the importance of crowding in commercial capital to support Azerbaijans funding needs for the project. The expansion of the Shah Deniz gas field is key for Azerbaijans economy, providing the country a long-term revenue stream and diversifying its gas exports to Europe, said Sean OSullivan, ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Department. The project aims to improve Azerbaijan's fiscal position by increasing revenues through the export of natural gas from the expanded Shah Deniz natural gas production and processing facility, and creation of additional domestic employment. Shah Deniz is located offshore in the Caspian Sea, about 70 kilometers from Azerbaijans capital, Baku. The fields annual gas production capacity is expected to increase from about 10 billion cubic meters (bcm) to 26 bcm. Shah Deniz Stage 2 will allow to increase the European energy security by bringing Caspian gas resources to markets in Europe for the very first time through the Southern Gas Corridor. At the initial stage, the gas to be produced as part of the Shah Deniz Stage 2 is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor project. Other sources can also connect to 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 Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) and Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). The total cost of the Shah Deniz II expansion project, being developed by a consortium of companies, is expected to top $26 billion. BP will build and operate the project facilities. Production from the project is expected to begin in 2018, and will help provide employment for over 19,000 workers through the construction phase, and create 1,800 permanent jobs. ADBs participation is expected to play a leading catalytic role in the country, facilitating increased large-scale, long-term commercial financing from international banks to participate in this and upcoming projects. ADB will help further improve corporate governance and transparency in the oil and gas sector in the country, while encouraging the government in its efforts to reinstate its compliant status with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. In 2015, ADB approved a $475 million loan facility for Lukoil Overseas Shah Deniz to partly fund its share of the Shah Deniz gas field expansion. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 10:54 (UTC+04:00) By Laman Ismayilova Azerbaijan is a pioneer of both land-based and offshore oil production. SOCAR Vice-President for Field Development Yashar Latifov made the remark at the Techno Forum 2016 organized by Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) from November 27 to December 3, Azertac reported. Azerbaijani Embassy in Japan, SOCAR, and SOCAR Upstream were represented at the conference, attended by Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Waseda University, Chioda Corporation, JOGMEC, Inpex, Itochu, Total, Gazprom, representatives of other public and private organizations. Latifov, addressing the event, spoke about perspective methods to increase oil recovery coefficient, especially works done towards increasing oil recovery coefficient in highly saturated oil reservoirs through intensification of exploration of land-based fields. He also noted achievements of Azerbaijan and positive investment climate in the country. Moreover, modern technologies used in Azerbaijani section of Caspian Sea and video materials dedicated to the Contract of the Century were presented at the conference. As part of the conference, SOCAR delegation held bilateral meetings with president of Inpex Toshiaki Kitamura, professor of Waseda University Kurihara, president of Itochu Masahiro Imai and top managers of other companies. Future cooperation, including lectures by professors of Waseda University in Baku Higher Oil School, practical trainings for four SOCAR specialists in Japan were also discussed. SOCAR delegation also visited JAMSTEC in Yokohama and met with executive director of this institution Vataru Azuma and other officials. At the meeting held in Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry of Japan, the sides talked over cooperation, funding of projects, which interested Japanese participants, as well as possibility of holding techno-forum in Azerbaijan for participants of regional market. Being a wholly state-owned company and headquartered in Baku, SOCAR produces oil and natural gas from onshore and offshore fields in the Azerbaijani section of the Caspian Sea. In January-October 2016, SOCAR produced 6.32 million tons of oil at Azerbaijans offshore and onshore fields, as compared to 6.91 million tons in the same period of 2015. SOCAR produced 8.16 million tons of oil at those fields in 2015, as compared to 8.32 million tons in 2014. Along with SOCAR, foreign companies also extract oil in Azerbaijan. In total, 41.59 million tons of oil were produced in Azerbaijan in 2015, as compared to 42.02 million tons in 2014, according to SOCAR. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 10:23 (UTC+04:00) By Trend The Greek court made a decision on extradition of three Turkish servicemen who fled Turkey by helicopter on July 16 after a military coup attempt in the country, the Turkish TRT Haber channel reported on December 6. Earlier, Turkish media reported that the Greek court refused to grant the Turkish authorities claim for the extradition of three Turkish servicemen. The Athens Court of Appeal has recently held the first hearing on the extradition of Turkish officers. The case was discussed at the court session. The judges concluded that the extradition of officers can endanger their lives. The court session on the case of the rest two servicemen is scheduled for December 8. According to TRT Haber, Turkish Minister of National Defense Fikri Isik commented on the courts decision and stressed that Greece is NATO ally for Turkey, so Ankara expects that the Greek government will do everything possible for the extradition of the members of the Gulen movement. Eight Turkish servicemen fled the country by helicopter on July 16 after a military coup attempt and landed in the airport of the Greek Dedeagach city. On July 15 evening, Turkish authorities said a military coup attempt took place in the country. Meanwhile, a group of servicemen announced about transition of power to them. However, the rebelling servicemen started to surrender July 16 and Turkish authorities said the coup attempt failed. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had said the death toll as a result of the military coup attempt stood at 246 people, excluding the coup plotters, and over 2,000 people were wounded. He also declared a three-month state of emergency in Turkey on July 20. The state of emergency was prolonged for 90 more days on October 3. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 16:26 (UTC+04:00) By Gunay Hasanova Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim's visit to Russia has given a green light to a more expanded cooperation between Ankara and Moscow in various spheres, primarily in the energy field. Binali Yildirim met Russian President Vladimir Putin late on December 6 in the Kremlin after holding talks with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev earlier in the day. A wide range of issues, including bilateral relations, particularly in the economic field, as well as regional and international developments were discussed during the meeting. Gas pipelines and nuclear power stations were among the most important milestones of recent talks between President Putin and PM Yildirim. Russian President Vladimir Putin also welcomed the approval of the Turkish Stream natural gas pipeline agreement by his Turkish counterpart. "I want you [Prime Minister Binali Yildirim] to convey my sincere greetings to President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan. We appreciate his approval for the law regarding the Turkish Stream," Putin added. Moreover, Putin noted that this was one of the "major" projects that both countries wanted to put into effect. The Turkish Stream project, announced by Putin during a December 2014 visit to Turkey, will carry gas from Russia through the Black Sea bottom to Turkey's Thrace region. One line, with 15.75 billion cubic meters of capacity, is expected to supply the Turkish market, while a second line intends to carry gas to Europe. In turn, Turkish premier said the one-year-long "unpleasant" period was over. "The areas where we will intensify our relations are certain, energy comes first," Yildirim added. "Our desire is to at least put the first phase of the project of Akkuyu nuclear plant in southern Mersin province of Turkey into effect before 2023. We will make every effort to achieve this, Binali Yildirim said. The agreement for the Akkuyu nuclear plant was signed in 2010. The plant plans to have 4,800 megawatts of capacity in four units and is anticipated to be operational by 2023. Turkey plans to build a second nuclear plant in the central Black Sea province, Sinop, while a third one is expected to be built in Igneada on the western Black Sea coast. Evaluating the meeting between Binali Yildirim and Dmitry Medvedev very productive in terms of economic cooperation, President Putin said that the talks will definitely lead to the increase of trade turnover between the countries that have declined due to the previous breakdown in the relations. In turn, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim expressed confidence that Turkey and Russia will increase the trade volume up to $100 billion. Ankara intends to move the relations with Moscow to a new more positive phase and wants to build a strong axis of friendship by full-scale restoration of ties, according to Binali Yildirim, and cooperation in the trade sphere will be a contributing factor to that. Moreover, Binali Yildirim mentioned that recently the Central Banks of Turkey and Russia have launched work over technical issues of transition to national currencies in the mutual trade. Within a month the Turkish lira depreciated against the U.S. dollar by more than 11 percent. Hence, this step will benefit both Russian and Turkish economies if the two sides put the use of national currencies into practice in trade soon. Although the key aim of the meeting was the course of preparation for upcoming contacts at the top level between President Putin and Erdogan and removal of the halt in the relations, the issues regarding the Syrian conflict and fight against terrorism had also been highlighted during the meeting. In addition, the two sides mentioned that the dialogue on Syrian question between Ankara and Moscow has been restored and will continue at a high level since it is a priority issue for both countries. Russia and Turkey play key roles in the fight against terrorism, said the Turkish prime minister. Turkey and Russia are of great importance not only in terms of the development of relations between the two countries but also in the fight against terrorism and ensuring peace, he noted. Russia and Turkey are looking forward to further mending their relationship, which took a major hit after Turkey downed a Russian bomber jet near the Syrian border last year. The official visit became Yildirims first to Russia since he entered office in May, and one of his first international visits in general. The visit certainly can be assessed as very productive and promising for further achievements. Both sides repeatedly stressed that the visit of Turkish Prime Minister was a major step in full restoration of relations practically in all spheres of cooperation. Given Yildirims visit a significant importance, President Putin also pointed out that the ongoing visit of Turkish Prime Minister to Moscow may create a basis for the forthcoming meeting between the two countries' leaders for the first half of 2017. Taking into account the wide spectrum of questions the two sides agreed on during the visit, the issue of the visa-free regime and full removal of the embargo imposed by Russia on Turkish products, which remain as the main expectation of Turkey, seem like to be resolved as well. --- Gunay Hasanova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @gunhasanova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 13:12 (UTC+04:00) By Gunay Hasanova Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told Ria Novosti that Turkey did not plan to withdraw the country's application for the EU membership. He added that Brussels must understand that it is impossible to ensure its security without Ankara. "We do not and did not have a decision to call back our application for EU membership. The European Union should think hard of the steps they are taking not for our sake, but for the sake their own future. The future and security of the European Union are impossible without Turkey," Yildirim said. Yildirim emphasized that the EU has many points of conjugation in different areas with Russia and Turkey. Hence, they need to think very well about the consequences of their decisions, he added. Turkey formally applied for an EU member in 1987 and accession talks in 2005, even though Ankara's aspirations to become part of the bloc dates back to the 1960s. The European Commission has proposed in May that the European Parliament and EU Council will lift visa restrictions for citizens of Turkey if Ankara fulfills the remaining conditions for abolishing visa entries until the end of June. The EU and Turkey signed a refugee deal on March 18, which aimed to discourage irregular migration through the Aegean Sea by taking stricter measures against human traffickers and improving the conditions of nearly 3 million Syrian refugees in Turkey. However, relations between Turkey and the EU have been strained since the July 15 coup attempt. Ankara says it has not received enough support from its EU allies, while Brussels criticized the Turkish government's crackdown on the military coup plotters, urging Ankara to comply with the EU's rights and freedoms criteria. Ankara criticized the European Union's stance on the PKK terror group and FETO, saying EU states are turning a blind eye to the terror attacks against the Turkish state and its people as well as the activities of the group within the borders of the EU. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned the EU to make a decision by year's end on Turkey's membership or he would call a referendum on the matter, adding that Turkey is not constrained to joining the EU and it has other options as well. Later, the European Parliament adopted a temporary motion on November 24, urging member states to freeze Turkey's accession in the bloc. Following the EPs vote, the Turkish president warned to open the countrys borders and allow refugees into the EU. The EU countries' leaders decided to evaluate relations with Turkey at the EU summit on December 15- 16. --- Gunay Hasanova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @gunhasanova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 16:40 (UTC+04:00) By Gunay Hasanova Uzbekistan has revealed plans to roll back its highly restrictive tourism regime by cancelling visa requirements for 15 countries to create favorable economic and institutional conditions for intensive development of tourism as a strategic sector of the economy. An executive order that followed the victory of interim leader Shavkat Mirziyoyev in a presidential vote, reads that citizens of the 15 countries would not need visas to enter the country after April 2017. The presidential order also clarified that citizens from 12 other countries including the United States and France can enter the country visa-free if they are 55 years old or older. The visa regime will be abolished for the citizens of Australia, Austria, UK, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Finland, Switzerland and Japan from April 1, 2017, who will arrive in Uzbekistan for tourism purposes for a period not exceeding 30 days. The visa regime will be also abolished for the citizens of Belgium, Indonesia, China (a part of tourist groups), Malaysia, the U.S., France, Vietnam, Israel, Poland, Hungary, Portugal and the Czech Republic, who reached the age of 55 years and willing to visit Uzbekistan for tourism purposes for a period not exceeding 30 days, the decree said. While entering Uzbekistan, the foreigners of the above-mentioned countries will have to pay a $50 entry fee from April 1, 2017, which will be transferred to the countrys state budget. Uzbekistan is home to Bukhara, Khiva and Samarkand, three cities considered jewels along the Old Silk Road trade routes that used to connect Europe and Asia. Thousands of tourists visit the cities every year. There are many types of tourism being offered in Uzbekistan: historical and cultural tourism, ethnic tourism, adventure tourism, ecological tourism and health tourism. The number of tourists visiting Uzbekistan in 2015 was 1.969 million, while tourism services brought in $1.21billion in 2015, according to World Bank statistics. The direct contribution of travel and tourism to the GDP is expected to grow by 6.1 percent (0.9 percent of GDP) by 2025. --- Gunay Hasanova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @gunhasanova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 7 December 2016 17:05 (UTC+04:00) By Gunay Hasanova Moscow and Tehran have discussed arrangement s to hold the next meeting of the two countries joint economic commission, as Iran's Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanaei met with Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak in Moscow. The two sides explored avenues for promoting economic relations and exchanged views on ways to derive the maximum benefit from the 13th meeting of the joint economic commission meeting scheduled for December 11-13, Tasnim reported. Sanaei and Novak also agreed that the two countries sign a document to construct and operate four thermal power plants in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas within the framework of the joint economic commission. Within the same framework, Iran and Russia would establish a joint energy commission. Earlier, Irans Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanai said a 300-member Russian delegation, headed by Energy Minister Alexander Novak, will visit Tehran on December 13. During the visit, construction of four thermal power plants in Bandar Abbas worth 1.289 billion euros will be discussed as well. Earlier, a 28-member delegation, including some Russian giants as Lukoil, Gazprom, Zarubezhneft, Tatneft and Stroy Trans Gas, visited Iran Nov. 17 to become familiar with the countrys newly designed contract model, called the Iran Petroleum Contract or IPC. Iran and Russia have ramped up efforts in recent months to boost trade following the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany). The JCPOA, which went into effect on January 16, terminated all nuclear-related sanctions on the Islamic Republic. The Iran-Russia annual trade plunged from $4 billion in 2011 to $1 billion in 2013 due to the sanctions on Iran, but rose to $1.7 billion in 2014. The report says the figure increased by 30 percent in 2015, and during 9 months of 2016, the trade turnover between Iran and Russia increased by 70 percent year-on-year. --- Gunay Hasanova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @gunhasanova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Schlieren, Switzerland, and Munich, Germany, December 07, 2016 / B3C newswire / -- Neurimmune and TVM Capital Life Sciences latest fund, TVM Life Science Ventures VII, today announced their investment in AL-S Pharma AG, a company based in Schlieren/Zurich, Switzerland. AL-S Pharma will develop, to proof-of-concept, AP-101, a human monoclonal antibody targeting misfolded SOD1 for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that was generated and pre-clinically validated by Neurimmunes Reverse Translational Medicine platform. ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord leading to the progressive paralysis of the muscles that control voluntary movement. Eventually, patients lose their ability to breathe and most people with ALS die from respiratory failure within three to five years from the onset of symptoms. To date, no disease-modifying treatment is available for ALS. We are very excited to see another monoclonal antibody developed through our Reverse Translational Medicine platform moving towards clinical development, says Jan Grimm, PhD, CSO of Neurimmune and Member of the Board of AL-S Pharma. ALS is a terrible disease, and we believe that AP-101 has the potential to provide therapeutic benefit to the patients suffering from it. TVM Capital Life Science and AL-S Pharma have the option to engage with Chorus, an autonomous unit of Eli Lilly and Company, to execute an efficient and cost-effective clinical plan. AL-S Pharma will also leverage its extensive product development expertise to potentially bring AP-101 to human proof-of-concept and aims to initiate the first human dose study in ALS patients in 2018 in collaboration with an international network of ALS clinics. The management team of AL-S Pharma is excited to collaborate with Chorus and TVM Capital Life Science, the advisor to the investing fund, to develop this promising drug candidate to clinical proof-of-concept, said Michael Salzmann, PhD, COO of Neurimmune and AL-S Pharmas CEO. TVM Life Science Ventures VII, a venture capital fund domiciled in Munich, Germany and Montreal, Canada is a unique arrangement between TVM Capital Life Science and numerous limited partners, including Lilly. The fund follows a capital-efficient investment approach to finance and access innovation while managing risk and sharing reward. TVM Capital Life Science is proud to have catalyzed the creation of AL-S Pharma AG in Switzerland and to have secured the rights to a compound that represents a new and innovative approach to neurodegeneration and ALS. This transaction is another demonstration of the benefits of our investment model in Europe, and the extent of our network, said Hubert Birner, PhD, Managing Partner with TVM Capital Life Science and Chairman of the Board of AL-S Pharma. We are pleased to collaborate with Michael Salzmann and Dirk Schimkat, who will act as CEO and CFO respectively for AL-S Pharma bringing continuity from Neurimmune. Neurodegeneration is a core therapeutic area where Lilly is committed to identifying, accessing and shaping innovation for patients who are waiting, said Christer Nordstedt, Lilly's vice president of neuroscience research and clinical development. Working as a limited partner with TVM Capital Life Science is an important part of our risk-sharing strategy to complement the molecules were evaluating in our labs with the best discoveries from outside the company. About Neurimmune Neurimmune is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of unique classes of human therapeutic antibodies for the treatment and prevention of important human diseases with a high unmet medical need. Established in 2006 as a spin-off of the University of Zurich, Switzerland, Neurimmune has rapidly grown into a leader in the field of recombinant human monoclonal antibody therapeutics. Neurimmunes pipeline comprises high-potential drug candidates at both clinical and advanced preclinical development stages and Neurimmune has partnered four antibody programs with Biogen. Aducanumab for Alzheimer's disease is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials. The therapeutic antibody for Parkinsons disease (BIIB054) is in Phase 1. Therapeutic antibodies for tauopathies and fronto-temporal dementia are in preclinical stages. Neurimmune is dedicated to forging successful collaborations with world leaders in the biopharmaceutical industry. Neurimmune Holding AG Wagistrasse 13 CH-8952 Schlieren/Zurich Switzerland About TVM Capital Life Science TVM Capital Life Science is providing venture capital to the international pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and medical technology industries with more than 30-years of transatlantic investment track record and in excess of US$1.4bn raised and under management. With its advisory, corporate finance and investment teams located in Montreal, Munich and Hong Kong, the TVM Capital Life Science team provides investors as well as entrepreneurs and innovation-seeking biopharmaceutical companies access to global life science innovation and provides paths for successful tech transfer and commercialization for the benefit of patients and investors alike. The TVM Capital Life Science international team looks back on more than 130 investments and over 90 exits, including more than 45 initial public offerings on all major U.S. and European stock exchanges and has gained unrivalled international investment experience with their track record of dedicated board work, extensive global networks in the world of life science research and product development and a direct knowledge of the local markets. General Partner TVM Life Science Ventures VII (GP) Ltd. 11-15 Seaton Place, St Helier, Jersey JE4 0QH, Channel Islands Investment Advisor TVM Life Science Management AG 2 Place Alexis Nihon, Suite 902 3500 Blvd De Maisonneuve West, Westmount, Montreal, QC H3Z 1X5 Canada About AL-S Pharma AG AL-S Pharma AG is a special purpose company created to develop one compound to proof-of-concept. The project is fully financed by TVM Life Science Ventures VII and Neurimmune. AL-S Pharma plans to begin clinical development in 2018. Once cleared for clinical development by regulatory authorities, the AL-S Pharma compound will be tested in ALS patients. AL-S Pharma is led by an experienced management team and the Board of Directors comprises Guy Rouleau, director of McGill University's Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) and Hospital, Chair Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University , Hubert Birner, Managing Partner, TVM Capital Life Science, Munich, Marc Riviere, General Partner, TVM Capital Life Science, Montreal, Roger M. Nitsch (President of Neurimmune and Professor at University of Zurich, Institute for Regenerative Medicine) and Jan Grimm (CSO and Board Member of Neurimmune) This press release contains forward-looking statements about TVM Life Science Ventures VII and Lillys investment in a pre-clinical stage compound for the treatment of ALS that is being developed by AL-S Pharma AG It reflects Lillys and TVMs current beliefs; however, as with any such undertaking, there are substantial risks and uncertainties in the process of drug development. There is no guarantee Lilly will realize the expected benefits of the transaction, that the product will receive regulatory approval, or if approved, would be commercially successful. For further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, please see Lillys latest Forms 10-Q and 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The companies undertake no duty to update forward-looking statements. Contacts Neurimmune / AL-S Pharma Dr. Michael Salzmann COO, acting CEO of AL-S Pharma This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +41 44 755 4607 TVM Capital Life Science Dr. Hubert Birner Managing Partner This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +49 (89) 998 992-0 Dr. Luc Marengere Managing Partner This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +1 514-931-4111 The American Family Association and the right wing media are after the head of openly gay Connecticut comptroller Kevin Lembo who in a November 30th letter to AFA president Tim Wildmon, questioned the AFAs so-called attempts to protect family values. Those include holding to a biblical stance on marriage and several boycotts of companies like Target that champion civil rights In his letter to Wildmon, Lembo states: The AFAs statements and mission not only appear to discriminate against the LGBTQ communities but it remains unclear what actual charitable services the AFA provides that qualifies it to participate in the CSEC. I am, therefore, initiating an investigation to determine whether AFA is in compliance with the requirements of the CSEC. Lembo is planning to take action to try to remove the American Family Association from the Connecticut State Employees Campaign for Charitable Giving (CSEC), even though the Mississippi-based group qualifies as a charity under Connecticuts rules and its status through the IRS as a 501c The AFA is indeed a officially categorized as a hate group by the Southern Law Poverty Center. Writes Bryan Fischer of the AFA: So the constitution of Connecticut itself has identified Mr. Lembo as a man who is apparently determined to infringe on the exercise and enjoyment of religious profession of state employees by discriminating against them and their freedom to direct their voluntary charitable donations to a religious organization that stands for religious liberty and the natural family. While accusing AFA of discrimination, Mr. Lembo is practicing it, exhibiting it, and displaying it. He is the one guilty of discrimination, and is a part of the reprehensible attempt on the part of secular fundamentalists to purge all traces of Christianity from the public square. Besides citing the utterly discredited SPLC (whose hate map led shooter Floyd Corkins straight to the offices of the Family Research Council), the main offense he cites in his letter is our boycott of Target. Target has made it company policy to allow men who may be sexual predators or video voyeurs to wander unchallenged into female dressing rooms, where they may film or molest our wives, our daughters, and our granddaughters. In Lembos utterly twisted view of the world, the bigots are those who want to protect the sexual integrity of females. Mr. Lembo is an open and proud homosexual, and his case illustrates the risk to religious liberty when individuals who engage in a sexually non-normative lifestyle assume political power. The AFA is calling on Mr. Lembo to retract the accusatory letter he has published and to issue an apology to AFA for his religious prejudice and bigotry. He trumpets the fact that he has received awards for openness and transparency in government. Its time for him to show us that such awards were deserved. Perhaps a remedial course in Connecticut history might prompt him to use the political power of his office to protect religious liberty rather than squash it. Right now Mr. Lembo is in moral limbo, and is using his office to repress liberty rather than protect it. Its time for him to come out of the darkness of bigotry and oppression and into the light of religious liberty. Perhaps hell begin that journey today The AFA is pulling out all the stops to intimidate Kevin Lembo by initiating a phone and email campaign against him and using extreme right wing media news sites including Town Hall, OneNewsVow and also Fox News to push it. Fox News Todd Stames writes: The other day I received word that Connecticuts openly gay comptroller is targeting American Family Association, one of the nations most prominent and respected Christian ministries. And to be perfectly blunt, these types of attacks by far-left bureaucrats are why Donald Trump won the presidency. This issue really brings into focus why a lot of people supported Donald Trump as opposed to Hillary Clinton, Hamilton told OneNewsNow. People feared the federal government more specifically the IRS or the Department of Justice being used as means of cultural and societal intimidation. But actually the REAL issue here that needs to be promoted is the fact that hate groups such as the American Family Association, Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council set themselves up behind a fake religious charities, receive 501c tax exempt status, and then get away reaping charitable windfalls while preaching intolerance and hate not only in the United States but around the globe. Unfortunately the Connecticuts State Employees Campaign for Charitable Giving is not the only charity driven government worker fund that these hate groups scam and get money from. The Federal Governments own Combined Federal Campaign giving program of the federal government of the United States also gives federal worker donated money to both the American Family Association and the Family Research Council because they are listed as official charities in their program. In 2011, CFC pledges totaled $272.7 million with 24% of the federal workforce participating and an average employee pledge of $284.27. So in other words the Federal Government which has a strict inclusion and non-discrimination policy gives money donated by its workers to so called charity groups who then use that money to preach intolerance and hate. If the AFA is going to have the nerve to play persecuted martyrs while they defrauding hard working Americans then we must once and for all exposed these hate groups charity scams and have their 501c status revoked for once and for all. We must join Kevin Lembo in this fight. First we can contact the Internal Revenue Service en masse and report the American Family Association, Family Research Council,and Focus on the Family for Tax Exempt Abuses. Secondly we must contact OPMs Combined Federal Campaign and DEMAND that these groups be removed from their charity rolls and receive no more funding from the pockets of federal workers. Email: cfc@opm.gov CFC Compliance Specialist Mary Capule Mary.Capule@opm.gov And thirdly show Kevin some support. He is being hounded and harassed these groups and right wing loons. Email Kevin at kevin.lembo@ct.gov or leave a message on his Facebook page. Let him know you stand with him. The time to fight back is now! Share this: Tweet More Email Print Marseilles, France-based ocean carrier CMA CGM said that since Oct. 17, U.S. Lines services have been rebranded as ANL on the Oceania trades and APL on the transpacific trades. Ocean carrier CMA CGM of France said it is no longer using the U.S. Lines brand on the Oceania or transpacific trades. Since Oct. 17, U.S. Lines services have been rebranded as ANL on the Oceania trades and APL on the transpacific trades, CMA CGM said. ANL said it is providing the same sales coverage, vessel network, executive involvement, trade, pricing team and service to U.S. Lines customers. In August, CMA CGM said it would consolidate the existing transpacific businesses of its ANL and U.S. Lines brands between North America and Asia under the APL brand. CMA CGM, the third largest container carrier, acquired a majority of Neptune Orient Lines, the Singapore-based parent company of APL, earlier this year. ANLs history goes back to 1956 when the Australian Coastal Shipping Commission, trading as Australian National Line, was established to operate shipping services around the Australian coast. Over time, other routes were added and ANL entered international trades to and from Australia. CMA CGM acquired the company in 1998 from the Australian government. Today, it offers services between Asia, Europe, North America, the Mediterranean, Australia and New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Indian Subcontinent and Middle East/Gulf. The company has seen its volumes grow from 70,000 TEUs in 1998 to over 1.5 million TEUs in 2015. 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. The former Citizen Television news anchor Johnson Mwakazi is jobless following the closure of WTV. The WTV Kenya was declared bankrupt and forced to close its doors.The Management is allegedly squandered the advertisement revenue hence was not able to pay it employees.Mwakazi was working for WTV channel which was meant to provide financial advice. The renowned news anchor who is also a C.E.O of Fountain Media group was rendered jobless following the closure of the media house.The station has been in Kenya for only three years. More than 50 journalists lost their jobs. The deal became sour when he was kicked out of the administration and became the head of jounalists in the television station. Alot of criticism to the Management was given by the Board of the Media house in regards to the heads swindling projects and fooling them. Gabina VOA is designed to be an infotainment youth radio show broadcasting to Ethiopia and Eritrea in the Amharic language. The show brings varied perspectives on issues concerning young people in the Horn of Africa region. Gabina in the Amharic language is a front row taxi ridesymbolic of the shows content as a fun ride that takes audiences from point A to point B. Gabina VOAs main goal is Enlightening young people, introducing them to cutting-edge technological innovations, exposing them to new processes and ideas so they can be productive, informed and self-governing citizens. Disclaimer Everything here is fiction. If you have any thoughts about me, I have but one advice: shine it up real nice, roll it up real tight, turn that sumbitch sideways, and shove it up your ass. Fucking Stats NO! I do not want to know how many thousands of people read my shit. And NO! I don't want to know who! Wednesday marks 75 years since the attack on Pearl Harbor. 75th anniversary of Japenese attack on Pearl Harbor Bay area resident Bill Monfort, 100 this week, was stationed in Hawaii Monfort will be guest of honor at Pearl Harbor Day event today in Largo The early-morning Japanese attack on the U.S. Naval base in Hawaii led the country into World War II. Events are planned in Hawaii and across the nation. Thousands of other servicemen and women and members of the public are expected to attend and watch via a livestream feed. Bay area resident Bill Monfort was stationed in Hawaii and vividly remembers Dec. 7, 1941. He turns 100 later this week. Monfort, who was one of the first on his ship to hear about the attack, says he wants the younger generation to remember what happened. As the radio operator on his ship, Monfort sent the message: "Air raid Pearl Harbor, this is no drill," as the attack began. The surprise attack, which lasted about two hours, left 2,400 Americans dead and 1,000 wounded. Japanese fighter planes damaged or destroyed nearly 20 American ships and more than 300 airplanes. Almost half of the casualties at Pearl Harbor occurred on the naval battleship USS Arizona, which was hit four times by Japanese bombers. The following day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his "date which will live in infamy" speech and declared war on Japan. Monfort, who joined the Navy in 1935, was stationed at Pearl Harbor but had left just days before the attack to deliver fighter planes to a nearby base. He monitored the attack by radio. When he returned to Pearl Harbor four days later he witnessed the wreckage and devastation. "I saw all the buildings all bombed out and there was pieces of airplane scattered all over," he said. "And I went on in to Pearl Harbor and saw the battlefields sitting on the bottom, one of them was capsized, and other ships destroyed, and there was still oil on the water burning and they were still getting people rescued, more or less." After Pearl Harbor, Monfort continued serving in the Navy in the Pacific throughout the war. He will be a guest of honor today at the Pearl Harbor Day event at the Armed Forces History Museum in Largo. 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. 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 ... 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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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And she'll be hosting clinics for finding fossils, minerals, agates and such in Lincoln City. (Agate photo above courtesy Laura Joki, Rock Your World) Local expert Laura Joki will be heading up Lincoln City's brand new Beachcombing Clinics, starting this winter. In January, the Lincoln City Visitor & Convention Bureau in partnership with Joki, invite visitors to learn how to beachcomb for fossils, minerals, rocks and gemstones. Affectionately known as Lincoln City's "Head Dirt Nerd," Joki is excited to bring her passion and experience to the new program. "I've been collecting and studying beach fossils and minerals for years, and can't wait to share my knowledge with visitors," said Joki. "The geology of the Oregon coast is simply fascinating. Each natural treasure you can find on our beach has a story behind it, dating back millions of years." After a winter storm on the Oregon coast, the sand erodes to reveal a treasure trove of discoveries. Fossils in the form of sand dollars, petrified wood and shells are commonly found above the surface. But "rockhounds" and amateur geologists seek more colorful prizes. Minerals in the form of agates, jasper, labradorite and amber are eagerly sought by budding treasure hunters. These are just a few of the coastal collectibles visitors can uncover and learn about at the Beachcombing Clinics. Each clinic begins on the beach at the SW 33rd Street beach access in the Nelscott District of Lincoln City. These free clinics begin with a brief orientation by Joki, where she will describe the geology of the area and the types of fossils and minerals that are commonly found. Then, she will take participants on a guided beach tour. Clinics last for approximately 2 hours and participants are encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback. "Visitors should prepare for an unforgettable beachcombing adventure," says Joki. "The best part about the clinics is that not only do they take home knowledge of our local geology, but they also get to take home what they find." The first Beachcombing Clinic is on Monday, January 2, at 9 am. Public parking lots are available at SW 32nd and 35th Street, and also along SW Anchor Avenue. Attendees should plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Dressing in layers is encouraged. The schedule for the rest of the season: Tuesday, January 31 at 9 a.m. Wednesday, February 8, 2 p.m. Thursday, February 16, 10 a.m. Friday, February 24, 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, 9 a.m. Friday, March 24, 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, 1 p.m. Thursday, April 20, 2 p.m. Joki runs Rock Your World in Lincoln City, and she is the voice behind many intriguing and amusing videos that she posts on Facebook, outlining major beach changes, wild waves and agate hunting conditions practically in real time. Her videos have gone massively viral at times. Those who love rocks and gems will love her store. Featuring locally sourced fossils, gemstones and rocks, Laura, along with her husband Mike, craft hand-made jewelry and gifts out of beach finds that customers have discovered. For more information, visit rockyourworldgems.com. For more information on the Beachcombing Clinics, call 800-452-2151 or visit OregonCoast.org. - Lincoln City Hotels/Lodgings for this event - Where to eat - Map and Virtual Tour More About Lincoln City Lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted By Maria de los Angeles Torres Miami skyline. Photo credit: Marc Averette. I remember the day Fidel rode into Havana. I was four years old. My father rushed home to take me to the celebrations. My parents, like most Cubans, had supported the revolution. Batista had dashed all hopes of a democratic republic, as he staged a military coup once it became clear he would lose the election for presidency. His reliance on violence fueled a national rebellion. Fidel Castro, leader of one of the revolutionary movements, became its titular head, as he promised to complete the historical mandate of Jose Martis dream for an independent and democratic island. But instead of elections, Fidel ruled by decrees presented at mass rallies. Former supporters of the revolution now rebelled against him. Opponents were rounded up, summary trials held, and executions carried out. But what may have been a national divide was played out in the world stage of the Cold War, and Eisenhower ordered the CIA to overthrow the Castro government. A military invasion was planned with Cubans who had supported the revolution but were now opposed to the turn towards authoritarianism. The Castro government found an ally in the Soviet Union that welcomed the opportunity to have a beachhead in the Western hemisphere. As the revolution radicalized, the past gave way to a project lodged in the future that promised a socialist society and the creation of the New Man. Children were the keys to this ambitious social reengineering experiment. The rush to save children from this fueled an unprecedented exodus of unaccompanied minors to the United States, including me, through a program dubbed Operation Pedro Pan. Minors were provided visa waivers, mimeographed sheets with letterhead of Catholic Welfare Bureau signed by Father Bryan Walsh, a priest who was working with the US government. More than 14,000 Cuban minors arrived to the United States between 1960-1962. Once in the United States, we would claim our parents. However, at the heels of the October Missile Crisis, both governments shut their doors. At the time, more than 8,000 children had not been reunited with their parents. With rare moments of detente, policies on both sides of the Florida Straits have continued to result in family separations. Today, Cubans are in a very precarious situation, as the economy continues to deteriorate and repression is at an all-time high. What Fidels death will mean remains to be seen as factions within the elite square off to grab the reins of power. But for now, animosities among those who have stayed and those who left have lessened giving way to a less contentious relationship for most Cubans. In 2013, my father died in Miami without ever returning home. He said he would only go after Fidel had died. The pain of losing his homeland and the future he had dreamed for his family was too great for him. Initially he opposed my returns, but on one of my trips he gave me an old Esso map of Matanzas, his hometown. He had carefully marked the house where he had lived, his school, where his mother worked, his favorite park and el Teatro Sauto, in which he had had his first public singing debut. Fidel had not succeeded in destroying his childhood memories. What follows is an excerpt from my book The Lost Apple: Operation Pedro Pan, Cuban Children in the United States and the Promise of a Better Future. *** My mothers relatives lived in Yaguajay, a little town nestled between the sea and the foot of the Escambray Mountains in the Las Villas province of Cuba. Two or three times a year, my family took the five-hour drive from our home in Havana to visit them. In the summer of 1961, our trip had a secret purpose. We were coming to say good-bye. We were delivering some of our possessions: a fan, jewelry, photographs. We also brought out longhaired cat, Johnny, for safekeeping until our return. I sat next to Johnnys cage in the backseat; I can still recall the smell of his sweaty coat. My parents, like thousands of Cubans, had supported the revolution at first; they hid rebels in our home, a risk that could have cost them their lives. In January 1959, the day the rebeldes marched into Havana, my father rushed home to pick me up so that we could greet them. When we reached the Avenida de los Presidentes, a wide avenue dotted with statues of Cubas past presidents, he hoisted me onto his shoulders so that I could see over the crowd. People were jubilantdancing, chanting, and reaching out to touch the bearded rebels in their olive green uniforms. One stopped in front of us and reached up to hug me; I was mesmerized by the red glass beads of the rosary that hung from his neck and the silver cross almost buried in his hairy chest. We honked our car horn all the way home. My father told me it was a day I must never forget. But during the next two years, everything changed. Fidel Castro, once a popular hero in our family, became a ruler we feared. We stopped collecting trading cards featuring heroes of the revolution. I no longer rode my toy military jeep on the back patio, waving the red and black flag of the 26 of July Movement. I had just turned six. Time was moving fast. Turmoil was increasingly becoming a part of our daily lives. Sires were heard at all hours. Our familiar routines of playing in the park and going to the beach on Sundays were constantly disrupted by threats of bomb raids. Just months earlier, the government had shut down schools, including mine, Nuestra Senora de Lourdes. There was constant confusion in the air. For reasons I only understood later, my parents decided to go into exile. The quickest way for the family to depart was to send me to the United States with a visa waiver; I would then claim my parents and sister, who would join me in a few months. I was to travel with my best friend, Xavier Arruza, also six years old. His older brothers were already in Miami. It was Xaviers father who had obtained the visa waiver for me. I was going to Miami, I was told, to stay with Nenita and Pucho Greer, my parents friends. We started to pack my things. I felt a strange surge of excitement (I had never been on an airplane before) mixed with apprehension (I had never been separated from my parents). Secrecy shrouded my trip: no one was to know that I was leaving the country. My parents had not even told my younger sister, Alicia. On July 30, just before dawn, my parents woke me and dressed me in the aqua blue and white checkered dress my grandmother had made for me, on which they pinned a piece of paper bearing my name and the name and phone number of our friends in Miami. They quietly loaded the car: a suitcase, a gray and red vinyl handbag, and my favorite doll. The sky was turning a pale orange pink as we drove to the airport. Years would pass before I learned how many other children had left the island in the same fashion, to be reunited with their parents at the uncertain date. Some, in fact, never saw their parents again; others experienced long separations. Still others faced terrible hardship in foster homes or institutions. At the time, though, I knew only about my cousins, who arrived in the United States shortly after I did. On Sundays, we visited two of my cousins at a makeshift camp in south Dade County. Church officials in Havana had told their parents that their daughters would receive a beca (scholarship) to go to a god school in the United States. Instead they were sleeping in a large room filled with small cots squeezed so tightly together that they had to slide onto them from the pillow end. Later two cousins were shipped to a foster home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and others to an orphanage in St. Louis, Missouri. By mid-1961, most middle-class Cuban families knew of the semi-clandestine visa waiver program that had spurred this child migration. But no one spoke about it openly; everyone was sworn to secrecy, both on the island and in the United States. It wasnt until March 8, 1962, that the Miami Herald wrote about a secret effort called Operation Exodus that was bringing Cuban youth to the United States to save them from Fidel Castros brainwashing. The Herald reported 8,000 had already arrived in South Florida. In the next seven months, another 6,000 unaccompanied children would enter the United States. In total, between the years 1960 and 1962, more than 14,000 children entered the United States through the program that came to be known as Operation Pedro Pan or, in its Spanish translation, Operacion Pedro Pan. There are many debates about the origin of the name. In Cuba it is referred to by its English name. A few years ago, I visited Noemi Booth, an English teacher who had worked at Ruston Academy in Havana and was still living in Cuba. When I told her that I was conducting research on Operation Pedro Pan, she quickly corrected me and said, Here we refer to it as Operation Peter Pan. In a book published in 1962, Ruby Hart Phillips, New York Times correspondent in Havana throughout the fifties, wrote about an American she knew who had helped hundreds of children leave Cuba, and someone had called is work Operation Peter Pan. But Monsignor Walsh, one of the pivotal figures in the exodus, always called it Pedro Pan and told us that a local reporter had dubbed it as such. An article that appeared in the Miami Herald on March 9, 1962, states, This is the underground railway in the skyOperation Peter Pan. Maybe it should be Operation Pedro Pan. A New York Times article May 27, 1962, would use the name again when it reported that 10,000 children were already in the United States and called it the largest peacetime program for homeless refugee children in this country. Nowhere did I find in government documents reference to Operation Peter Pan or Pedro Pan. The closest we have to an official name was the Miami Heralds article dubbing it Operation Exodus and El Rescate de la Ninez, listed in a CIA directory entitled Counterrevolutionary Organizations. But the name caught on anyway. Walt Disneys version of Peter Pan had been released in the mid-fifties, and the idea of children in flight found a familiar popular imagery. Surely unbeknownst to those who helped popularize the name was the more ambivalent and complicated literary figure created by J. M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan. In the original story, when Wendy first meets Peter Pan and he tells her he has no mother, she feels that she was in the presence of a tragedy. Peter, who has innumerable adventures, can never have a familyit is the one joy from which he must be forever barred. Peter Pan, a boy who refused to grow up, spent his time luring children away from their parents to a frequently dangerous place called Neverland. There, Peter is the leader of the lost boys, babies who fell from their cradles when their nurses neglected them. It is a place where children long for their mothers but slowly begin to forget their past. The tragic side of Peter Pan was a strange foreshadowing of what many children of Operation Pedro Pan would come to experience. Despite the headlines about the unprecedented exodus of Cuban children, larger events overshadowed it, and Operation Pedro Pan soon faded from public attention. By October 1962, the world would be at the brink of nuclear war. The United States detected the Soviet Unions nuclear missiles on the island and demanded that they be removed. In turn, the Soviet Union demanded that the United States make a pledge of nonintervention in Cuba. As a result of the standoff, both Cuba and the United States banned travel to and from the island. The plight of these childrenmany whose parents had not been able to come to the United Stateswould be forgotten in the unfolding world drama. About the Author A frequent media commentator on Cuba-U.S. relations, Maria de los Angeles Torres is professor of Latin American and Latino Studies at University of Chicago Illinois and author of several books, including In the Land of Mirrors: Cuban Exile Politics in the United States and The Lost Apple: Operation Pedro Pan, Cuban Children in the U.S., and the Promise of a Better Future. She lives in Chicago, Illinois. The Coalition for Victims of Violent Crime held its 16th annual Angel Tree ceremony Tuesday night at the Jefferson County Courthouse. Families who have lost loved ones to violence gathered to support one another as they remembered and paid tribute to those lost, hanging Christmas ornaments in their honor on the tree. The Angel Tree tradition began in Austin in 1991 by People Against Violent Crime's Verna Lee as a way of helping those coping with loss through the difficult holiday season. The program thereafter spread to communities throughout the state, with over 50 counties in Texas now holding Tree of Angels events in early December. In 2000, then-governor George W. Bush proclaimed December 4 - 10 Tree of Angels Week in Texas. A Southeast Texas apartment manager faces federal charges related to a scheme to steal hundreds of thousands from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development, a scandal that recently led to an Orange County sheriff's detective's conviction. Rosalba Sanchez, a 50-year-old Port Arthur woman, is charged with theft of public money, according to court documents unsealed Tuesday. Sanchez, who was the assistant manager at Villa Main apartments in Port Arthur, is accused of stealing more than $350,000 from HUD over a seven-year span, according to the documents. She is scheduled for arraignment Monday. "(Sanchez) did steal and purloin money and funds paid by (HUD) for the benefit of qualifying HUD beneficiaries," court documents state. Sanchez is the second apartment manager charged in the housing scheme. Nhung Tuyet Nguyen, 50, pleaded guilty to theft in July for fraudulently applying for and receiving HUD benefits for residents at the Beverly Place Apartments in Groves. Nguyen, who was accused stealing close to $394,000 from 2007 to 2015, is awaiting sentencing. Former Orange County sheriff's Det. Chad Hogan used his private cash-checking business to deliver payouts for the conspiracy. Hogan, 47, pleaded guilty in August to money laundering. HUD benefits help pay rent and utility expenses based on income. Nguyen would apply for HUD benefits without tenants' knowledge and pocket the rent payments, according to the factual basis and stipulation document filed in her case. Residents at Beverly Place were unknowingly receiving HUD benefits, even after they moved out of the apartment complex, according to the document. Information detailing allegations against Sanchez was not available Tuesday. A document supporting Sanchez's charges filed Friday states she stole $353,690.40. Theft of public money carries up to a 10-year federal prison sentence. BScott@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/BrandonKScott Authorities are investigating a robbery involving a woman who tried to reclaim her friend's stolen vehicle Tuesday afternoon, according to a release from the Port Arthur Police Department. When the complainant noticed that the car belonged to her friend, she followed the suspect into Raceway at 3939 Twin City Highway, officials said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Crews continue to repair a massive sinkhole on the Southwest Side Tuesday, more than 40 hours after the crater swallowed two vehicles and left a Bexar County Sheriff's deputy dead. Dora Lina (Solis) Nishihara, a part-time county deputy, was traveling Sunday evening when her car fell into the hole in the 8400 block of Quintana Road, said BCSO spokesman James Keith in a news release. RELATED: Officials: Sheriff's deputy dead after vehicle swallowed by sinkhole in San Antonio Early Tuesday afternoon, water was still rushing through the open hole. SAWS crews and contractors are installing fencing around the hole and barricades on Quintana Road. SAWS Presidents CEO Robert Puente and Chief Operating Officer Steve Clouse will give an update at the scene later this afternoon, officials said. San Antonio Fire Department crews, with the help of a crane, worked to recover Nishihara's body and vehicle Monday afternoon from the 12 feet of swift-moving water, officials said. RELATED: 8 tips to escape your car in a high water emergency Sinkholes, which can occur naturally or result from human activity, happen when a void opens up after the soil or rock below a surface is eroded, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Anne Hayden, SAWS spokeswoman, said "true" sinkholes are found more frequently in Florida, where they have swallowed up horses, barns and left one man dead in 2013. RELATED: Soaking rains will yield to drier weather, with a morning freeze by Friday However, Hayden could not speak to what kind of collapse occurred Sunday evening. "We're not at a point where we're ready to discuss what happened there," she said. "But it was certainly a unique set of circumstances." Staff writer Tyler White contributed to this report. kbradshaw@express-news.net Twitter: @kbrad5 In May 2016, the Department of Veterans Affairs proposed a rule that would allow all advanced practice registered nurses in the VA, including certified registered nurse anesthetists, to provide care to "the full extent of their education, training and certification." The proposal has raised many questions concerning CRNAs' role and whether expanding their scope of practice could help solve various issues within the VA's healthcare system. Here are four key thoughts: 1. Access to healthcare for veterans. The proposal has struck discord between various parties, with the American Society of Anesthesiologists releasing a statement in opposition of the rule, saying the policy change is unnecessary given there is "no shortage of physician anesthesiologists in the VA." Christopher Bettin, American Association of Nurse Anesthetists' senior director of public relations, noted while the VA may not have a shortage of anesthesiologists, there is still a "plethora of backlogged cases." "We are interested in the patients within the VA system and giving them increased access to care while also getting them home sooner," said Cheryl Nimmo, DNP, MSHSA, CRNA, president of AANA. "The patient is the center of our focus and we feel we are the solution to the problem of VA patients enduring dangerously long wait times." "We feel that by using CRNAs to the full scope of their practice, more patients will be seen in a timely manner," Dr. Nimmo added. "Opponents of the proposal say there isn't a shortage because there aren't any vacancies on their employee rosters. But if you grant CRNAs an expanded scope of practice, that frees up anesthesiologists to also provide anesthesia rather than supervising it. This increases the number of available providers." 2. The role of the anesthesiologist. Dr. Nimmo says anesthesiologists will be able to become hands-on providers of anesthesia if CRNAs have an expanded role, rather than fulfilling a supervisory role for CRNAs. "Anesthesiologists are valued members of the patient care team and I have worked with a great number of anesthesiologists," she said. "It is a waste of their skills and education to spend their time supervising someone else when they could use that time on direct patient care." 3. Cost-effective nature of CRNAs. The Lewin Group published a 2016 study which analyzed the cost-effectiveness of anesthesiologists acting alone versus CRNAs acting alone at four stations per day. The study found the anesthesiologist acting alone yielded yearly revenue of $6.5 million and yearly total costs of $4.2 million. When subtracting costs from revenue, this figure hit almost $2.33 million in net revenue. Comparatively, CRNA's also had yearly total revenue of $6.5 million, but their total costs equaled $2.04 million. When subtracting costs from revenue for cases where CRNAs acted alone, this figure totaled $4.49 million in net revenue. Facilities employing CRNAs alone could save almost $2.16 million. The study authors concluded, "The results indicate the CRNA acting independently model is the least costly per procedure and produces the greatest net revenue." 4. Patient outcomes. When considering expanding the scope of practice, patient care is of paramount importance. Health Affairs published a study titled "No Harm Found When Nurse Anesthetists Work Without Supervision By Physicians" in August 2010. Researchers analyzed patient outcomes in states where CRNA supervision by a physician is required to states where there is no such mandate between 2001 and 2005. The findings revealed there were no differences in patient outcomes. The study author Jerry Cromwell, PhD, noted, "We find no evidence that opting out of the oversight requirement harms patients in any way. Based on these findings we recommend that CMS repeal the supervision rule." Dr. Nimmo attributes the similar quality outcomes to the advancements in anesthesia techniques, monitoring and drugs. In North Carolina, community-based ASCs have teamed up to form the North Carolina Ambulatory Surgical Center Association. Here are four key points: 1. Kelli Collins, vice president of operations at Deerfield, Ill.-based Surgical Care Affiliates, will be the association's president. 2. Raleigh, N.C.-based Compass Surgical Partners' President and CEO Sean Rambo will serve as NCASCA's secretary/treasurer. 3. Membership is eligible for any entity licensed as an ASC in North Carolina as well as physician practices that use ASCs. Throughout North Carolina, there are 118 licensed ASCs. 4. Next year, the association will hold its first meeting in Greensboro, N.C., and will launch a new website in January 2017. "The formation of NCASCA will allow the state's ASCs to advocate on behalf of our community with a united voice before state licensure officials, the North Carolina Industrial Commission and the General Assembly," Ms. Collins said. "I look forward to working with ASC administrators throughout the state to promote the value of North Carolina's ASCs as a critical component of the healthcare delivery system." Carlton J. Rule, MD, CEO of O' Connor Hospital in Delhi, N.Y., and Tri-Town Regional Hospital in Sidney, N.Y., is leaving his post, according to The Daily Star. Here are four things to know: 1. Dr. Rule is leaving to take up the role of vice president and executive director of Ellis Medical Group, a 250-member provider group in Schenectady, N.Y. 2. Dr. Rule, a family medicine physician by training was named CEO of the two Cooperstown, N.Y.-based Bassett Healthcare Network hospitals in 2014. 3. He has also previously served as vice president of medical affairs and executive vice president at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta, N.Y. 4. He will leave his role on March 1, 2017. The hospital will begin developing a succession plan over the coming months. Administrators at Miami-based Jackson Health System said the organization laid off fewer than 25 full-time employees in November, according to a Miami Herald report. Here are four things to know. 1. JHS, one of Florida's largest safety-net hospitals for the indigent, cited uncertainty about future government funding for uninsured patients as the reason behind the layoffs, according to the report. 2. Employees affected by the layoffs were primarily in human resources and business development departments, Jennifer Piedra, a JHS spokeswoman, said in a written statement obtained by the Miami Herald. "The work has been absorbed by other employees or otherwise handled within our existing resources," she said. 3. The layoffs come as JHS is reorganizing its non-clinical departments amid patient volume growth. 4. The Miami Herald cites Jackson financial statements, which, according to the report, show that for the fiscal year ending in September, the organization employed 11,820 full-time workers about 683 positions over budget, and 750 more jobs than the prior year. More articles on leadership and management: Op-ed: 2 leadership styles all good bosses must balance How hospitals are transitioning to value-based care: Key thoughts to avoid a 'race to the bottom' 8 must-reads for healthcare leaders this week The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center in Albuquerque will cut more than 500 positions, reports The Santa Fe New Mexican. Here are five things to know. 1. The UNM Health Sciences Center, which oversees University of New Mexico Hospital and numerous other facilities statewide, attributes the job cuts to recent state budget cuts, as well as Medicaid and managed care organization contract cuts, among other things. 2. The UNM Health Sciences Center is not planning layoffs. Most of the jobs cuts affect planned staff expansions that weren't filled, the health system's chancellor, Paul Roth, MD, told state legislators, according to the report. Dr. Roth said the remaining job cuts can be handled through a regular attrition rate of about 8 percent to 10 percent annually. 3. Positions affected by the job cuts include 33 physicians, 174 nurses, 167 hospital staff and 132 academic staff in the medical school, as well as the nursing and pharmacy programs, and other research and education institutions, according to the report. 4. As a result of the job cuts, the UNM Health Sciences Center will have to divert more than 700 patients to other facilities, Dr. Roth told state lawmakers, according to the report. 5. Although the UNM Health Sciences faces a nearly $43 million loss of revenue in the current budget year, the organization is still moving forward with plans to build a new hospital to replace the 308-bed UNM Hospital, according to the report. Construction could begin by next summer. More articles on leadership and management: Op-ed: 2 leadership styles all good bosses must balance How hospitals are transitioning to value-based care: Key thoughts to avoid a 'race to the bottom' 8 must-reads for healthcare leaders this week Pushing for a Medicare overhaul, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) envisions a new privatized program, according to The Washington Post. Here are six key takeaways: 1. Speaker Ryan's plan transforms the public health insurance program. Individuals eligible for Medicare would receive a fixed contribution to put toward purchase of private insurance, according to Politico. The proposal is designed to manage Medicare's long-term costs, as Speaker Ryan believes the current program is not sustainable for future generations. Medicare's trust fund trustees estimate the program's hospital insurance fund will be insolvent by 2028, according to Politico. 2. Speaker Ryan's approach to Medicare is designed to boost payer competition and encourage more cost awareness among beneficiaries as they select plans, according to The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Since beneficiaries will have a choice of various health plans, payers will offer more competitive prices, which should result in lower premiums. 3. With a GOP-controlled Congress moving to disband the ACA, Speaker Ryan noted repealing and replacing the ACA would require Medicare changes, according to The Washington Post. Many Republican senators, however, commented they want to focus on repealing the ACA and not touch Medicare right now or for the first year of President-elect Donald Trump's presidency, according to Politico. 4. Democratic senators have taken a strong stance against privatization of Medicare, with incoming Senate Minority Leader Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), saying, "To Republicans considering going down this path, my advice is simple, turn back," as reported by The Washington Post. 5. President-elect Trump may also present an obstacle for Medicare changes. During an April 2015 speech in New Hampshire, he said he would not cut Medicare, Social Security or Medicaid, according to The Washington Post. During a Fox News Channel interview in November 2015, President-elect Trump reiterated these thoughts by claiming he would "save Medicare," as reported by The Washington Post. However, he may have shifted his stance on the issue. The healthcare agenda posted on his transition website includes a vow to "modernize Medicare, so that it will be ready for the challenges with the coming retirement of the Baby Boom generation and beyond." His appointment of Tom Price, MD, as HHS secretary, may signal Medicare reform; Dr. Price previously said Republicans could push Medicare reform through via a "fast-track budget procedure," that would void a Democratic filibuster, according to Politico. 6. As of Dec. 2, Speaker Ryan and President-elect Trump had not discussed Medicare changes. The Trump transition team has not addressed Medicare directly, according to Politico. Abbott filed a complaint seeking to terminate its planned acquisition of Alere Wednesday. Since entering into the $5.8 billion transaction agreement earlier this year, diagnostics company Alere "suffered a series of damaging business developments," Abbott said in a statement. These include federal investigations, the recall of a product platform and the revocation of government billing privileges from an Alere subsidiary. "Alere is no longer the company Abbott agreed to buy 10 months ago," Abbott Spokesman Scott Stoffel said in the release, according to Chicago Tribune. "These numerous negative developments are unprecedented and are not isolated incidents brought on by chance. We have attempted to secure details and information to assess these issues for months, and Alere has blocked every attempt. This damage to Alere's business can only be the result of a systemic failure of internal controls, which combined with the lack of transparency, led us to filing this complaint." Alere issued the following response Wednesday morning. "Abbott's lawsuit is entirely without merit. As Abbott well knows, none of the issues it has raised provides it with any grounds to avoid closing the merger. Alere has fully complied with its contractual obligations under the merger agreement and is highly confident that the merger will be completed in accordance with the terms set forth in the merger agreement. Alere will take all actions necessary to protect its shareholders and to compel Abbott to complete the transaction in accordance with its terms." The U.S. Department of Justice began its antitrust challenge to Aetna's proposed $37 billion takeover of Humana Dec. 5, arguing the deal would limit competition between the insurers' Medicare Advantage and ACA public exchange plans, Louisville Business First reports. The DOJ's opening arguments in a Washington, D.C., federal court were answered by Aetna lawyer John Majoras, who said the government's argument regarding ACA exchange competition addressed "a pretend world, one that does not exist anymore," according to the report. Mr. Majoras said insurers have been exiting the exchanges as they incur steep financial losses. The government's case also hinges on antitrust arguments over a combined Aetna-Humana Medicare Advantage market share, which the DOJ says would limit seniors' choice in more than 350 counties, according to The Wall Street Journal. Justice Department lawyer Craig Conrath told U.S. District Judge John Bates competition between the payers for Medicare Advantage plans is "critically important," according to the report. Mr. Conrath said the insurers' plan to divest more than $100 million in Medicare Advantage assets to Long Beach, Calif.-based Molina Healthcare is not enough to address antitrust concerns. An internal Aetna document presented by the DOJ in court said Humana is Aetna's "most formidable competitor" in the Medicare market, reports Bloomberg Law. The document, written by the head of Aetna's Medicare division Nancy Cocozza, said Aetna "compete[s] with [Humana] everywhere and they have momentum." Aetna and Humana argue the proposed acquisition will not impede competition in the Medicare Advantage or ACA plan markets, saying the Medicare market extends farther than the government defines it. The insurers' lawyers also argue a combined Aetna-Humana company would streamline business, cut costs and provide better products. Louisville, Ky.-based Humana and Hartford, Conn.-based Aetna saw stocks dip 2.2 percent and 3 percent, respectively, after the trial began Dec. 5. Trial proceedings are expected to last through Dec. 30. Here are two recent device company partnerships. Orthobiologics' company Cerapedics, based in Westminster, Colo., entered into a purchasing agreement with Charlotte, N.C.-based healthcare alliance Premier. The agreement covers Cerapedics' i-FACTOR Peptide Enhanced Bone Graft. Premier members will have access to i-FACTOR special pricing and pre-negotiated terms. Headquartered in Melsungen, Germany, B. Braun Medical joined forces with Israel-based Trendlines Group on an investment in ApiFix, a Trendlines portfolio company. B. Braun took on a lead position in ApiFix's B round financing, with the company's Aesculap division investing $2.8 million in the $5 million round. The financing round is projected to close by the end of 2016. The American Hospital Association and the Federation of American Hospitals released a 41-page new report saying they will fight an ACA repeal as it could have major repercussions for hospitals, The Hill reported. Here are four things to know: 1. The report said the hospital industry could lose $165.8 billion through Medicaid cuts if the GOP repeals the ACA. 2. The report said hospitals would lose an additional $289.5 billion if the government eliminates ACA payments to hospitals with higher Medicare patients under the Disproportionate Share Hospital program. 3. The report authors did not urge the GOP to protect the ACA, but rather refrain from repealing the health law until the government devises a plan with additional funding for hospitals. 4. Federation of American Hospitals President Chip Kahn said he and other industry leaders are open to working alongside Republicans to "make a soft landing" if officials repeal and replace the health law. Here are three spine surgeons and neurosurgeons who recently received awards or promotions. Saeed Bajwa, MD, of Johnson City, N.Y., received the Award of Appreciation from the ICNA Relief USA. Continental Who's Who recognized neurosurgeon and minimally invasive spine surgeon Kamal Woods, MD, among fellow Pinnacle Professionals in healthcare. Elmhurst (Ill.) Hospital named Tibor Boco, MD, co-medical director of neurosurgery. To continue following the latest news and information for Bedfordshire and surrounding areas, simply enter your full postcode below Senior Conservative Brexiteers have urged business to draw up a list of Brussels regulations to be repealed or reformed when the UK quits the EU. Prime Minister Theresa May has spelt out plans for a Great Repeal Bill to translate the entirety of EU legislation into British law before Brexit, so that decisions can be taken later on which should be abolished or amended. Former Cabinet minsters Michael Gove and John Whittingdale suggested that businesses could assist the process by drawing up a list now of rules which they find onerous and unnecessary. Speaking at a hearing of the House of Commons Exiting the EU Committee, Mr Gove highlighted a Government-commissioned report by former Marks and Spencer boss Mark Bolland which in 2013 recommended the removal of a range of red tape measures - including some relating to health and safety and employment law. Questioning CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn, the former justice secretary asked: "Would you be able to write back to the committee with a view that your members have on those directives and what their own current assessment of the applicability or scope for reform of those directives might be?" Mr Whittingdale asked Ms Fairbairn: "To what extent has the CBI examined the opportunities which may exist to reduce the burden of regulation and the costs on business and improve your competitiveness and are you working on an analysis to present to government for potential repeal or reduction?" The ex-culture secretary said the Great Repeal Bill "gives us an opportunity to try to seek out better regulation which is going to reduce the cost on business, make us more competitive but not undermine protections we think are still important". Ms Fairbairn said that working out which regulations could be scrapped was "absolutely the right thing to do". But she warned that seeking to cut back on red tape before the terms of Brexit were finalised would "unsettle a lot of businesses" who were expecting the rulebook to remain unchanged in the immediate aftermath of withdrawal. And TUC secretary general Frances O'Grady warned the committee that a bonfire of regulations would expose British workers to a "race to the bottom" on employment conditions and risk making the UK the "bargain basement capital of Europe". Former British Chambers of Commerce boss John Longworth, who co-chairs the Leave Means Leave group, said the opportunities for deregulation were "legion". The UK could "easily" remove 10% of EU rules without harming workers' rights, he said, citing examples like labelling rules requiring smoked salmon packets to be marked "may contain fish" and protections for newts which are rare on the continent but common in Britain. But Ms Fairbairn cautioned MPs against focusing on "silly" anecdotal stories about over-regulation, which she said were of less concern to her members than the threat of losing access to European markets. Many companies welcomed regulations which provided a "level playing field" on issues like labelling and which prevented "dangerous cowboys" from overseas operating trucks in the UK, she said. And Ms O'Grady told the committee: "I would hope that all of us will want to avoid a race to the bottom and I am not reassured by the process of a Great Repeal Bill, as I don't think there will be time and opportunity to scrutinise issues like employment rights that are so important to so many people." She added: "Whichever way people voted in the referendum, you will be hard pushed to find any working person who voted for worse rights. "They don't want to fall behind French, German and Italian workers and end up as cut-price labour." Mr Longworth said that the plan for Brexit which Mrs May had promised to release should indicate a "direction of travel" which would take Britain out of the European single market and customs union. If Mrs May fails to do this, he said, "we are in danger of wasting a lot of time in negotiations over the next 18 months when we should be directing Whitehall to spend time having conversations on free trade deals and drawing up a shortlist of regulations that can be removed on Brexit day plus one. "That's what we should spend the next 18 months doing." Corporate deal-making tumbled in the wake of the Brexit vote as mergers and acquisition (M&A) activity nearly halved between July and September. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said there were 140 successful 1m or more deals worth 34bn in the third quarter, against 278 worth 33.1bn in the previous three months. Despite a raft of high-profile swoops by foreign firms, M&A by overseas players for British companies fell 42% to 41 in the third quarter from 71 between April and June. But mammoth deals - such as Japanese firm SoftBank's 24bn takeover of Apple chip maker ARM Holdings - saw the value of foreign M&A involving UK firms rise to 28.4bn from 22bn during the second quarter. Northern Ireland has seen a spurt of corporate activity in recent weeks, with Dungannon-based Dunbia selling its Ballymena pork operation for 18m to Cranswick, and Springfarm Architectural Mouldings in Co Antrim buying a timber company in England. Belfast law firms C & H Jefferson and McManus Kearney have also been taken over. But overall, the data signals that firms are putting investment decisions on hold in the aftermath of the vote, with the Bank of England recently warning that corporate spending was being reined in amid uncertainty. Domestic M&A has seen the biggest impact, with the number of deals involving UK firms buying or merging with other UK firms more than halving to 72 worth 3.2bn from 152 worth 7.2bn in the previous three months. This marked a rise on a year earlier, though, when there were 60 deals worth 1.2bn. British firms buying overseas companies also fell - to 27 worth 2.4bn from 34 worth 1.7bn between April and June. But the sharp falls in the pound since the Brexit vote are thought to be helping spur on demand for foreign takeovers of British companies. Wind turbines at a wind farm in Minco, Oklahoma, that provides Google with some of its renewable energy (Tim Boyles Photography/Google via AP) Google says it is nearing a milestone in its quest to reduce pollution caused by its digital services that devour massive amounts of electricity. The internet company believes that beginning next year, it will have amassed enough renewable energy to meet all of its electricity needs throughout the world. That is significant, given Google's ravenous appetite for electricity to power its offices and the huge data centres that process requests on its dominant search engine and store Gmail, YouTube video clips and photos for more than a billion people. Google says its 13 data centres and offices consume about 5.7 terawatt hours of electricity annually - nearly the same amount as San Francisco, where more than 800,000 people live and tens of thousands of others come to work and visit. The accomplishment announced on Tuesday does not mean Google will be able to power its operations solely on wind and solar power. That is not possible because of the complicated way that power grids and regulations are set up around the US and the rest of the world. Google instead believes it is now in a position to offset every megawatt hour of electricity supplied by a power plant running on fossil fuels with renewable energy that the company has purchased through a variety of contracts. About 95% of Google's renewable energy deals come from wind power farms, with the remainder from solar power. Nearly 20 other technology companies have also pledged to secure enough renewable energy to power their worldwide operations, said Gary Cook, senior energy campaigner for the environmental group Greenpeace. Google, based in Mountain View, California, made its commitment four years ago and appears to be the first big company to have fulfilled the promise. Apple is getting close to matching its rival. The iPhone maker says it has secured enough renewable energy to power about 93% of its worldwide operations. Apple is also trying to convert more of the overseas suppliers that manufacture the iPhone and other devices to renewable energy sources, but that goal is expected to take years to reach. Mr Cook said the symbolic message sent by Google's achievement is important to environmental experts who believe electricity generated with coal and natural gas is causing damage that is contributing to extreme swings in the climate. US President-elect Donald Trump dismissed the need for climate control during his campaign for office, and he has pledged to undo a number of regulations to protect the environment. "More than ever, companies must show this sort of leadership on renewable energy," Mr Cook said. "Now is not the time to be silent." Google still hopes to work with power utilities and regulators around the world to make it possible for all of its renewable energy to be directly piped into its offices and data centres around the clock. For now, Google sells its supply of renewable energy to other electricity grids whenever it is not possible for its own operations to use the power. Google declined to disclose how much it has spent on its stockpile of renewable energy or the size of its annual electricity bill. AP Northern Ireland export growth is significantly outpacing the rest of the UK - up by 6% - figures have revealed. Sales to the US are additionally up by almost a third in the space of a year. Overall exports from Northern Ireland were up 6% in the 12 months to September, based on the same period a year earlier. They rose from 6.99bn to 7.41bn, according to the latest figures from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The total annual value of UK exports increased by 0.2% to 280bn during the same timeframe. Overall, exports in Northern Ireland outpaced Scotland, where the rate decreased by 7.3%, while England and Wales only saw modest rises overall. While US exports rose by around 30%, sales to the EU were also up here - rising by 4% during the same period. Economy Minister Simon Hamilton said: "The latest results from the HMRC, which show a 6% increase on a rolling 12-month period, are extremely welcome". "This is particularly encouraging, given that once again we are the leading region of the UK in terms of export growth, and with only marginal growth of 0.2% across the UK as a whole being reported. "I commend our local businesses as they have embraced the Executive's focus on exports by expanding into new markets and developing existing relationships further. "I am convinced that this continued export performance demonstrates that we are on the right path to establishing Northern Ireland as a truly globally competitive economy. "I want to build on this firm foundation of strong export performance, and that is why I recently launched the trade accelerator and a new international trade plan, both of which will help exporters take full advantage of opportunities in external markets." Royal Mail said uncertainty surrounding the EU referendum saw marketing activity reined in across the UK Northern Ireland firm Wilsons Auctions has won a UK-wide deal with Royal Mail to help dispose of its vehicles. The Mallusk-based family firm will be remarketing and selling unwanted motors from the fleet across the UK. It will also store the vehicles ahead of an auction taking place. It's the company's thirteenth contract win so far this year. The value of the latest, two-year deal has not been disclosed, but it is understood to be a multimillion-pound contract. Wilsons Auctions, which recently marked its 80th birthday, processes around 250m worth of goods every year through its auctions. The company has a large number of UK-wide contracts, including a multi-agency arrangement for the sale of assets seized by police forces around the UK, including South Wales Police, Gwent Police, Dyfed Powys Police, the PSNI and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. Peter Johnston, Wilsons Auctions group operations director, said: "Wilsons Auctions is delighted to be working with Royal Mail, assisting with the disposal of its vehicles which will be supported by our branches across the UK. "We have had a very successful year so far, winning a significant number of contracts, and are proud to work with a number of agencies in the asset recovery and disposal of items across the UK and Ireland. "In recent months we have returned in excess of 80m to the public purse and have an enviable reputation for maximising asset realisation while minimising costs, making the asset recovery process as stress-free as possible for our clients." The company collects, values, stores, remarkets and auctions off assets for its clients. It also uses the online auction facility, LiveBid, which opens up its business and products to a world-wide audience. Wilsons has premises in Belfast, Portadown and Dublin, as well as locations in Great Britain including Dalry, Telford, Queensferry, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and Maidstone. It holds a large number of auctions to dispose of the proceeds of crime, ranging from helicopters to jewellery and PCs. Wilsons currently employs 325 people across the UK and Ireland after starting out 80 years ago with just 12 staff. Earlier this year, the company bought auction businesses in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and Maidstone in Kent, where it purchased premises which formerly belonged to surveyors Lambert and Foster. Its site in Dalry, outside Glasgow, was the business's first opening in Great Britain. The firm recently opened an office in Spain for the sale of international property for government clients. Wilsons was formed in 1936 by William J Wilson. It is now directed by his son, Ian. Turnover at the company last year was 11.1m, up from 10.9m in 2014. Pre-tax profits, meanwhile, more than doubled from 292,827 to 768,023. Police work aside, the core of the business remains its regular vehicle auctions. It sells off vehicles on behalf of car giant Lookers plc and its subsidiary, Charles Hurst, in Northern Ireland. 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. Scarlett Moffatt followed up her jungle victory with a chicken kebab and some time in front of the TV Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt was back watching television with her family just hours after she emerged as Queen of the Jungle on I 'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! The 26-year-old, a front-runner for the title from early in the series, was reunited with her mother Betty, father Mark and younger sister Ava after winning the show. In Coming Out, which follows the campmates through their returns to civilisation, she said: "Obviously I was like I can't actually believe I'm even in here because I just watch the telly. "It's just nice to know you're accepted." The TV star, who won fans for her focus on chicken kebabs during a particularly gruelling Bushtucker Trial, stopped off for her favourite food on her way to the hotel after leaving the jungle. As she arrived at the hotel, she was greeted with cheers of her name before heading for bed. She said: "I'm so excited to see a real-life bed. I'd forgotten what one looks like and it beats sleeping in a hammock." She was joined by the rest of her family, who gathered around to watch TV with her. Moffat, who has been a fan of the show since she was a child, was crowned Queen of the Jungle by former winner Vicky Pattison. Comedian Joel Dommett, who passed up a New York cheesecake in favour of a goat's penis and testicles to win stars for the camp in his final bushtucker trial, was finally united with his preferred dessert. Seeing the cake in his room, he said: "I'm going to eat the entire thing. I don't care what will happen to my body." ::Coming Out is on ITV on Wednesday at 8pm. Porridge actor Kevin Bishop has paid tribute to the "flawless" Peter Vaughan who starred in the sitcom's original run. Vaughan died at the age of 93 on Tuesday morning, his agent said. Bishop was part of the show's one-off revival earlier this year and will return as Nigel "Fletch" Fletcher, the grandson of Ronnie Barker's famous character, Norman Stanley Fletcher for a full series. Despite being in only three episodes of Porridge alongside Barker, as well as the 1979 film version, Vaughan made his mark as villain Harry "Grouty" Grout. Bishop, who has previously called it an "honour" to star in the show's revival, said Barker relied on Vaughan's combination of comedy and deadliness to pull of the role of Fletcher. He told the Press Association: "Peter Vaughan had an incredible career. "One of the truly great character actors of our time. "Without Vaughan's flawless comic performance layered with chilling coldness as Harry Grout in Porridge, there would be no fearful high stakes for Fletcher, something you need desperately in a prison comedy. "To have such comic ability and dramatic skill is rare and he will be sadly missed." Vaughan was more recently known for his role as Maester Aemon in TV hit Game Of Thrones. The BBC said production of the new series of Porridge will begin in January 2017. The show's original writers, Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, will script the six episodes. Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi has revealed where he would travel back in time, if he had the powers of the Tardis (BBC/PA Wire) Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi has revealed he would use the time-travelling powers of the Tardis to attend a David Bowie Ziggy Stardust concert. The actor also said he would visit New York in the 1920s, and a cafe on Berwick Street in London where he left a pair of sunglasses three years ago. Capaldi, who will resume his role as the regenerating, time-travelling Doctor in the show's annual Christmas special, listed the top 10 places he would voyage to if his special powers existed in real life. Speaking to the Radio Times, he said of the Bowie choice: "I'd seen him in the late 70s in Glasgow, putting all my cash into tickets for three of his four-night run, but I never saw Ziggy Stardust. I'd love to have seen those shows. "I can't believe he's gone. A genius." He also revealed he would like to witness the giant leap for mankind, saying: "How fun would it be to see the Moon landings from the Moon? To be hiding behind a rock when these little human beings arrived, to see their faces and how thrilled they are to have come all that distance." And although Capaldi said he wanted to visit ancient Rome, he added that he may end up being "thrown to the lions" for being a foreigner and having a different belief system. The former Thick Of It actor also said he would travel to his parents' wedding, the moment his daughter smiled at him for the first time, and to Hamburg in 1962 to witness the Beatles. "They were the soundtrack to our lives, growing up in the 1960s," he said. Capaldi's remaining two choices were Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer's studio in 1657, and Venice "any time". It may come as no surprise to learn that men and women approach Christmas shopping very differently, but now House of Fraser has the figures to prove it. According to a survey from the retailer, most men grab all their gifts in one day, whereas 76% of women pick up bits whenever they can, and are so forward-thinking that 86% of them shop in the January sales - for the following festive season, that is. A mere 28% of men, on the other hand, use the discounts to purchase presents for the Christmas just gone - a tactic that's sure to land them on Santa's naughty list before the Twelve Days of Christmas are even over. We talk to some local personalities about their shopping regime. The countdown to Christmas is on with tills ringing out to the sound of people buying gifts. But what's your personal strategy? Kerry McKittrick talks to well-known local personalities to find out if they stock up in advance or end up in a last-minute dash to the shops . The month before Paul Pritchard (26) is the current Mr Northern Ireland and lives in Ballymena. He also manages an online physio supplies company. He says: I usually have a plan for Christmas shopping before I even start, and have already done a lot of browsing online and some buying for friends and family. I tend to buy lots of small gifts for people over the month of December, so nothing is too big or too expensive. I know who I'm going to buy what for before I start shopping, which is done gradually over a few weeks. Online shopping is a must as the crowds in town are so bad pre-Christmas. I try to avoid the shops if I can and do everything from my laptop. The only time I go into the shops in town is when I know exactly what I'm looking for and where to get it. I used to work in Hollister, which opened around Christmas time, so this time of year always reminds me of hundreds of people queueing outside the shops. While I'm organised, I still don't shop too far ahead of Christmas Day. I don't buy things in January and save them until Christmas because I would end up giving it to the person there and then. My gran does things like that - a couple of months ago she was buying up Schloer sparkling juice for Christmas because it was on offer. I just really don't get that. Rebecca McKinney (29), who lives in Belfast, is a co-presenter of the Cool FM breakfast show. She says: I'm a real December shopper - as I enjoy the buzz of proper Christmas shopping. It would take the fun out of it if I started too early. While I don't leave present buying until Christmas Eve, I will go in then and pick a couple of things up - because you can get some amazing bargains. Most of my shopping will be done about two weeks before Christmas. I love the crowds, the trees and the Christmas music - it's such festive fun for me. I don't even mind queuing - I love the fact that everyone is there for the same reason, which is nice. I have an idea in my head before I start shopping. I probably think too much about what present I'll get for what person. I would rather shop for other people than myself and, in fact, I used to do it for a living when I was a personal stylist at Victoria Square. So I absolutely love this time of year and buying presents for people. While I've always been an advocate of shopping in stores, I have bought a few things online this year for the first time. I haven't gone crazy, but there were a couple of good deals on Black Friday that I couldn't resist. Big T (70), also known as Trevor Campbell, presents on Downtown Radio each weekday from 7pm. He lives in Moneyrea with his partner Vi. He says: I prefer to shop when the Christmas trees are up and the festive music is playing. While I do my Christmas shopping myself, I'm usually advised in one way or another. If it's for the girls at work, then my partner Vi will direct me. When it comes to buying gifts, I insist on going into the shop to feel the quality of whatever I'm buying and to make sure it's the right colour and size. And I usually do this throughout December. Vi is the hardest person to buy for, and it doesn't help that we've been together for years. I ask her what she would like for Christmas, but if she mentions anything then I don't want to buy it for her because it won't be a surprise. I try and keep an eye out for when she admires something in passing because then I can go in and get it the next day. Her daughter is a great help there because she will mention something. But I can't just get one thing, even it's expensive, because it looks miserly. It's important to surround the main present with lots of other gifts. One of my favourite places to shop is Menarys in Newtownards as it features lots of brands, and the girls in there know me. They're pretty good with helping guys like me when it comes to buying presents for your other half, especially with clothes. I love to give gifts, particularly if it's something I think the person will like. The trick to getting the right present for the big day is to pick up wee hints. I don't really mind if people don't get me anything - although, a good aftershave is a nice thing to have. The week before Emma Heatherington (40) is an author and playwright. She lives in Donaghmore with her partner, Jim and her four children, Jordyn (20), Jade (15), Adam (14) and two-year-old Sonny. She says: I love leaving present buying until the middle of December so I can enjoy the full-on Christmas experience with lights and decorations in the shops. I couldn't imagine doing the Christmas shopping in the middle of August - that just wouldn't be the same. Maybe because I'm a mum of four there's always something else going on during the year, so there's no time for Christmas shopping other than at Christmas time. I love combining the business side with pleasure side in the run-up to festivities, so Jim and I will nip down to Belfast or go away somewhere for the weekend so we can shop child-free. I try to make it something special, so it's not just rushing around, grabbing stuff. I would never shop for Christmas presents in November, or any other time of the year. Even if I saw the perfect present for someone, I just wouldn't buy it. So sales events such as Black Friday just pass me by. Because I have lots of brothers and sister, we do secret Santa so everyone only buys just the one present. Then we have a get together at my dad's house on Christmas Eve to exchange our gifts - it's a nice tradition. Christmas Eve Paul Clark (62) is a TV presenter for UTV Live. He lives in Belfast with his wife, Carol, and they have two sons, Paul (28) and David (26). He says: Any Christmas shopping I do myself, but I'm a bad festive shopper. I tend to do it at the eleventh hour, so it's not unheard of for me to start buying presents on Christmas Eve. And when I go into town, I wonder why I can't find anything. Christmas Eve isn't as frantic as you might think as most people have it all done by then. In recent years I have done some planning for the boys' gifts. My son David is a huge fan of Doctor Who in all of his incarnations, so I have gone online to track down DVDs of the series that were on TV before he was born. Carol and I want for nothing, so we don't really get each other Christmas presents. We might do something that's a token gift - perhaps a nice picture frame - but we both give a gift of money to the charity of each other's choice. For Carol it's Saphara, a charity that empowers women and children through education in India, while I donate to either the Northern Ireland Hospice or the Salvation Army. The shopping shirker Dan Gordon (48) is an actor and playwright. He lives in Belfast with his wife, Kathy, and their daughters, Sarah (28), Hannah (25) and Martha (19). He says: I'm shocking at Christmas shopping - I'm the last-minute panic buyer, if at all. I might order stuff on Amazon just before Christmas, but, to be honest, a lot of the time I just leave it to other people. When the children were younger, I did buy some things online. These days all they want is money. Their accounts are all linked to mine and all they do is suck money out of it. When I do shop I try to get gifts that people need or I think they will like. I'm a big reader, so I buy a lot of books as presents for my family. Recently I bought an anatomy book for my daughter because she's studying nursing, and I love mountains, so I bought a book on Everest for a young fella across the road. One thing I'm mad about is stationery, so those who know me will get all the pens and notebooks and folders I could possibly need. This year, for the first time in about 12 years, I'm not doing a Christmas show because I've been writing, so I've had a little more time to buy things in advance. Teenagers who attend non-selective secondary schools can be up to three years behind their grammar school counterparts. Teenagers who attend non-selective secondary schools can be up to three years behind their grammar school counterparts, an international survey of educational achievement has found. Around 45% of children in Northern Ireland attend a grammar. The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) - which is co-ordinated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) - surveyed 15-year-olds across the world in mathematics, reading, literacy and science. And while the performance of pupils here remains stable, there is a serious divide in attainment. Pupils who attend a grammar in Northern Ireland scored, on average, 553 in PISA science, 539 in mathematics and 544 in reading. This is around 100 test points -more than three years of schooling - above non-grammar school pupils in each subject area. It also found a division in terms of income. The average PISA science score of 15-year-olds in schools with a high proportion of free school meals (FSM) pupils is 446. This compares to a mean score of 560 for 15-year-olds in schools with the lowest proportion of FSM pupils. In schools with a high proportion of FSM pupils, 35% of 15-year-olds lack basic skills in science. This compares to less than 2% of 15-year-olds in schools with a low proportion of FSM pupils. Just 1% of pupils in high FSM schools reach the top two PISA levels. This compares to 15% of pupils in low FSM schools. The key findings for Northern Ireland include: Pupils perform above the OECD average in science. Pupils are at the OECD average in mathematics and reading. The proportion of 15-year-olds who aspire to a career in science is greater in Northern Ireland than the average across OECD members. Extensive quality assurance processes are already in place within the Northern Ireland education system. Barry McElduff, who chairs Stormont's education committee, pressed Education Minister Peter Weir to continue to tackle disadvantage in order to improve educational attainment. "The report shows the difference between the results of the most disadvantaged and those who are better off is the equivalent of missing two and two-thirds years of schooling," he said. "It is clear that we still have a way to go to achieve a world-class education system." Mr Weir responded to the report, saying he will examine it carefully to see what lessons could be learned. "The PISA report shows our pupils perform at or just above the OECD average in maths, science and reading. While this is to be commended, our performance has not shown significant improvement," he said. Mr Weir pointed to a recent report that highlighted the excellent performance of local primary school pupils. He said he wanted to tackle the dip in performance between primary and post-primary schools. Arlene Foster batted away allegations that she did not act appropriately when concerns were raised about the controversial Renewable Heat Incentive Arlene Foster has robustly rejected calls to resign over her handling of a botched green energy scheme. The First Minister batted away allegations that she did not act appropriately when concerns were raised about the controversial Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Defending her position from China, where she is promoting Northern Ireland, Mrs Foster said she could not have acted differently. She said: "There really isn't anything more, with hindsight, that I could have done given the advice that was given to me at the time." Mrs Foster was minister for the economy when many of the fatal errors in the RHI scheme were made. She has faced claims she did not do enough to pursue whistleblower allegations that sought to expose the flaws in the system. Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt has gone so far as to call on her to consider her position, while other rivals have demanded she make a statement to the Assembly explaining why the whistleblower claims were not acted on. The DUP leader said the concerns were taken "very seriously" and were referred to senior departmental officials. "It has been acknowledged, indeed by the permanent secretary, that I did all that was appropriate in the circumstances," Mrs Foster added. "If anyone has any knowledge of the amount of instructions that a minister gives on a day by day basis they would understand, it is custom and practice actually, that it is only if there is some issue, if an exception is raised with me by an official that it would come back to my desk. "That didn't happen on this occasion. Of course I regret that it didn't happen on this occasion but that's the reality." Mrs Foster also said she was not surprised by the calls for her resignation but urged Opposition MLAs to "look at themselves". "I am not surprised in that respect but I think that the oppositions need to take a look at themselves when they say that. "Of course the first opportunity for cost reduction came to the Assembly earlier this year and what did they do? They voted against the cost reduction measures," she told UTV. The RHI aimed to cut the cost of green energy to encourage people off fossil fuels but ended up landing ministers with a massive overspend. It encouraged the installation of costly eco-friendly heating systems by paying a tariff per kilowatt of heat burned over a 20-year period. However, unlike in the rest of the UK, in Northern Ireland no cap or payment tier system was placed on the money that could be claimed in proportion to the size of boiler and the hours it was operated. That effectively enabled a business to burn unnecessary heat 24/7 just to make money. Management of the scheme is currently being examined by MLAs on Stormont's public accounts committee. Thousands signed up to the RHI - a deluge that ultimately forced its closure, but not before Stormont had been left exposed to a huge overspend. Overall, more than 1 billion of public money will be paid by 2036 to Northern Ireland-based businesses which signed up to the scheme. Almost half of that will be paid out by the Stormont Executive. Branding the scheme a "squander made in Stormont", Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister posed the question: "It might cost him his job but would the Minister agree, that at least one of his predecessors, particularly Mrs (Arlene) Foster was asleep at the wheel in terms of failing to exercise ministerial supervision and ensuring that there were adequate cost controls in place." However, Mr Hamilton hit back and said previous ministers had been ill-advised by policy officials. "It is very clear to me that the ministers followed all advice given to them and because that advice was wrong; it was based on bad grounds the scheme was badly designed," he said. "Nobody has denied, least of all me that this was shocking and we need to deal with those problems." One of Northern Ireland's top hotel bosses says he is joining the Conservative Party as he believes Prime Minister Theresa May can "get the right deal" for Northern Ireland in Brexit talks. Lord Diljit Rana - who operates Belfast's Holiday Inns, Hotel Ibis and Ramada Plaza - has been a sitting cross-bench peer in the House of Lords since 2004. He was a staunch Remain supporter and warned that Brexit would have a "disastrous impact" on Northern Ireland's tourism industry and could lead to job losses. Writing in today's Belfast Telegraph, he says that by working with the Government "I believe I will be able to advance the common causes we care about". The threat level from terrorism in Northern Ireland remains severe, the Government has warned, as it emerged six people have died in paramilitary attacks this year. Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire also said 103 people have been arrested in connection with terrorism in Northern Ireland in 2016, as he called for vigilance "in the face of this continuing threat" from dissident republicans. In a written statement to Parliament, Mr Brokenshire said the threat level in Northern Ireland remains severe, meaning an attack is highly likely. He said the threat to Great Britain remains substantial, having been raised from moderate in May, which means an attack is a strong possibility. Mr Brokenshire said: "In Northern Ireland, these terrorists have targeted the brave people who serve the community day in, day out, including the police, prison officers and the military. Dissident republicans are relatively small, disparate and factional groupings, but they are also determined and have lethal intent." Six people been have killed as a result of paramilitary activity this year, Mr Brokenshire said, with 17 people injured in shootings and 57 in assaults. There were 103 arrests, 17 people charged and five recent convictions throughout 2016. "There never has been and there never will be any place for terrorism or paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland," said Mr Brokenshire. "We must all play our part in ensuring that Northern Ireland continues to flourish, free of any such pernicious activity." There have also been three further attacks on security personnel since the death of prison officer Adrian Ismay in March, Mr Brokenshire said. However, there have been just four national security attacks in 2016, down from 16 last year and 40 in 2010. Ulster Unionist MP Tom Elliott said: "The statement from the Secretary of State makes abundantly clear that the terrorist threat in Northern Ireland is not just a thing of the past, but unfortunately is alive and well in the present." First Minister Arlene Foster during a tour of Shanghai Tower with Chinese Vice Premier Madam Liu Yandong. First Minister Arlene Foster invited Chinese Vice Premier Madam Liu Yandong to visit her home county of Fermanagh as the two female leaders met in Shanghai. The crucial meeting was part of a four-day visit to China by the DUP leader. Mrs Foster said they discussed the Executive's bureau in Beijing "and how this demonstrates our desire to develop a long-lasting friendship and presence in China". She added: "I invited Madam Liu Yandong to come and visit Northern Ireland again, and this time I will show her the beauty of my home county of Fermanagh." Mrs Foster is in China in a bid to boost the province's relationship with the country in the economic, education, tourism, cultural and agricultural sectors. Nearly every application to Northern Ireland's expensively botched renewable energy scheme - described as "one of the biggest political scandals since devolution - was given the green light. The revelation comes as Economy Minister Simon Hamilton said he would develop a plan to stem losses and deal with anyone who abused the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI, now the Department for the Economy) designed the scheme and appointed Government utility regulator Ofgem to administer it at a cost of 1.5m. The scheme has left Stormont facing a bill of hundreds of millions of pounds. New figures show that around 2,000 applications for biomass boilers for non-domestic use were approved from February 2013. Just 12 applications were refused in a three-year period. It's understood some of those rejections - due to applicants receiving money from another green scheme, the Carbon Trust - were subsequently overridden by the department. It has been revealed the total cost of the RHI scheme is currently estimated to be 269.5m over the next five years, with 144.3m of this coming from the Executive. The number of applications accepted was revealed in an answer to an Assembly question by Mr Hamilton from Ulster Unionist MLA Harold McKee. "With 99.4% of all decided applications being approved, it's clear this scheme was little more than a free-for-all," Mr McKee said. "It's further confirmation that this is likely the most bungled administered scheme that the Executive has ever delivered. "The sheer maladministration of the RHI has left a crippling legacy on Northern Ireland's finances for the next 20 years. "And, given the pressures facing our schools, hospitals and support for small businesses, that is simply unforgivable. "The more that comes to light on the ministerial oversight of this scandal, the more obvious it becomes that ministers were asleep at the wheel. "There can be no other explanation for a scheme costing the public purse so much, yet seemingly being so easy for applicants to get approval for. Last night Mr Hamilton said the Department for the Economy was currently developing a proposal for changes to the RHI scheme which, if accepted, would lead to a significant reduction in future costs to the Executive budget. "This requires further detailed discussion, including legal advice and further engagement with the European Commission, given that the scheme received approval within the State Aid regime," he said. "I plan to bring a proposal to the Assembly, and issue a consultation document, as early as I can in the new year. "Additionally, we are also pursuing stronger enforcement of the existing regulations through Ofgem so that abuses of the scheme are addressed as effectively as possible, and that any possible fraud cases are dealt with rigorously." The RHI aimed to cut the cost of green energy to encourage people away from fossil fuels, but ended up landing ministers with a massive overspend. It encouraged the installation of costly eco-friendly heating systems by paying a tariff per kilowatt of heat burned over a 20-year period. But unlike in the rest of the UK, in Northern Ireland no cap was placed on the money that could be claimed in proportion to boiler size and the hours operated. Effectively, this enabled a business to burn unnecessary heat 24/7 just to make money. Energy from Iceland could help safeguard Northern Ireland's electricity supply, the economy minister said. The North Atlantic country enjoys massive volcanic resources and Simon Hamilton declared Northern Ireland would be a good place to land a giant undersea cable pumping some of the plentiful supply of geothermal power to the UK. British ministers have previously discussed an interconnector, which would be one of the longest in the world at around 750 miles. Geothermal energy is extracted from the heat stored in the Earth's core and is readily available in Iceland because it is close to tectonic plates. The Arctic country gets most of its power from hydro and geothermal sources. There have been concerns in Northern Ireland about power blackouts within the next decade as demand could outstrip supply. Mr Hamilton said technology like battery storage and better energy market links with the rest of the UK and Republic of Ireland may help meet the challenge. He added: "We should be thinking ambitiously about further afield as well to ensure that we have security of supply and put downward pressure on prices as best we can." The Democratic Unionist was quizzed by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee of MPs at Westminster about an energy link with Iceland. He responded: "We should not think just about the North/South interconnector, we should think more about East and West but we should be looking at more opportunities. "I am not saying that they are simple or easy or low cost options but I can recall the last prime minister talking openly about this (Icelandic) option and I am just making the point that I think Northern Ireland would be as good a destination to land an interconnector." He said it would not be a matter primarily for Stormont ministers. "If it was being taken forward at a UK Government level I think Northern Ireland would be as good an option to land that into and connect into the rest of Great Britain and it would be to everybody's benefit." Despite falling electricity prices, he said, the market at present was too small. "It is not as efficient as we would want it to be. When you integrate it with a bigger market you get a much more efficient market." Police in Bahrain have made an arrest in the investigation into the death of a Northern Ireland journalist and public relations expert, it is understood. Police in Bahrain have made an arrest in the investigation into the death of a Northern Ireland journalist and public relations expert, it is understood. A source said a man had been detained after Austin Hunter (64) was knocked down and killed in a road accident in the Middle East country. The Co Tyrone-born father-of-two was on business in the Arab state when the incident happened on Saturday. In a career spanning 45 years, Mr Hunter held a range of influential jobs in media and public relations. A former editor of the Belfast News Letter, Mr Hunter also worked as a broadcast journalist for BBC Northern Ireland during the height of the Troubles. In recent years he worked overseas as a media consultant for Northern Ireland Co-operation Overseas (NI-CO) - an organisation that sends local experts to advise state bodies abroad. He was on assignment with NI-CO in Bahrain when the collision occurred. Austin Hunter was on a consultancy trip to the Middle East when he died. A man has been questioned by police in Bahrain in connection with the death of a leading Northern Ireland media figure. Austin Hunter, 64, was knocked down and killed in a road crash in the Arab state at the weekend. The Co Tyrone born father-of-two was on business in the Middle East. The suspect was arrested in the wake of the incident. In a career spanning 45 years, Mr Hunter held a range of influential jobs in media and public relations. A former editor of the Belfast News Letter, he also worked as a broadcast journalist for BBC Northern Ireland during the height of the Troubles. In recent years he worked overseas as a media consultant for Northern Ireland Co-operation Overseas (NI-CO) - an organisation that sends local experts to advise state bodies abroad. He was on assignment with NI-CO in Bahrain when the crash occurred. The Hunter family said they did not wish to comment on the arrest. A living room has been destroyed in a fire caused by an unattended candle left burning too close to Christmas decorations. On Tuesday December 6 the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended a house fire in west Belfast. There were no injuries as a result of the incident but the NIFRS has issued a warning of how quickly and easily a fire can take hold in the home at Christmas. The female resident had left the property for a very short time and when she returned she discovered a fire in the ground floor of her house. A Christmas decoration had fallen onto a small candle which was left burning on the hearth. Firefighters attended the scene and the fire was quickly extinguished. Geoff Somerville, NIFS Group Commander said: "The house has been badly smoke damaged as a result of the incident. The Fire Emergency Support Service was also in attendance to offer assistance to the householder. We are very grateful to the householder for her co-operation in highlighting the dangers of unattended candles in the home. Christmas is traditionally a busy time for NIFRS as incidences of fire in the home increase due to extra fire hazards such as candles, fairy tree lights, portable heaters, overloaded sockets and people using fires that have not been lit for some time. Im asking people to give priority to fire safety and not to become complacent about it over Christmas. Check that you have working smoke alarms fitted in your house." Christmas Fire Safety Advice Prince Harry with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho outside the Sentebale Mamohato childrens centre in Thaba Bosiu, Lesotho. Prince Harry has said it is "great to be good" and "boring to be bad" in a new documentary, according to broadcaster Tom Bradby. Harry - once dubbed the Party Prince for his rebellious antics - has made a new ITV film with Bradby about his charity work in the Aids-stricken southern African kingdom of Lesotho. ITV News At Ten anchor and former royal reporter Bradby says the programme is a moving account of the Prince's return to the country and that Harry opens up about his own life. Writing in the Christmas issue of Radio Times, the presenter said: "The film is also rather revealing about who he is and where he is in life. "He talks candidly about the past, the present and his own future. But mostly he talks about how fired up he is about his position and what he can do with it. "There is, he says, too much focus on the bad news in life. "It's great to be good, he tells us, and boring to be bad." He added that the Prince said he was "just literally being the ginger, white Prince who has come to try to make these kids laugh" when he first went to Lesotho on his gap year as a 19-year-old. The programme also captures the moment Harry is reunited with Mutsu, a teenager orphaned by Aids. They first met when Mutsu was four and have remained in regular contact. Bradby described the relationship as "as heart-warming as anything you will see this Christmas". Harry, who is dating actress Meghan Markle, first took part in a film about Lesotho 12 years ago, before joining the Army. He went on to set up the charity Sentebale in memory of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales and has visited Lesotho many times. Harry flew straight from his Caribbean tour to Canada to be with Markle, The Sun reported. He had been due to head back to London, but was said to have made the 1,700-mile detour to see the actress in Toronto. The pair last saw each other three weeks ago when the Suits star came to visit the Prince at Kensington Palace before he left for his busy 15-day overseas trip on behalf of the Queen. The reunion will only be a brief one as 32-year-old Harry has to be back for a royal engagement in London today when he will make an appearance for broking firm ICAP's 24th annual Charity Day. Kensington Palace declined to comment. Soldiers take cover behind armoured cars in Londonderry in January 1972 Detectives investigating former soldiers who were involved in the Bloody Sunday shootings have sent a report to prosecutors. A murder probe into the deaths of 14 civil rights demonstrators shot by paratroopers in Londonderry in 1972 was triggered after a public inquiry found their killings were unjustified. Detectives from Northern Ireland finished interviewing a number of retired soldiers in August. They have now compiled a report and sent it to Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS), which will assess whether charges should be brought. Detective Chief Inspector Ian Harrison, from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Legacy Investigation Branch, said: "We can confirm a report has now been submitted to the PPS for consideration. The families have been informed of this development." Thirteen people were killed by members of the Parachute Regiment on the day of the incident in Derry's Bogside. Another victim died in hospital four months later. The murder investigation was launched in 2012. It was initiated after a Government-commissioned inquiry, undertaken by Lord Saville, found none of the victims was posing a threat to soldiers when they were shot. Following the publication of the Saville report in 2010, then prime minister David Cameron apologised for the Army's actions, branding them "unjustified and unjustifiable". When the first ex-soldier was arrested, a petition calling for soldiers involved in Bloody Sunday to be granted immunity from prosecution gained tens of thousands of supporters. The other soldiers involved won a challenge at the High Court in London that prevented detectives taking them to Northern Ireland for questioning. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close The annual Bloody Sunday Commemoration march which this year marks the 44th anniversary of the civil rights march during which 13 people died on the 30th of January 1972. A fourteenth person dies four months later. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press Pacemaker press 30/01/2016 The Annual Bloody Sunday march takes place in Creggan Co Derry. Thirteen people died when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The annual Bloody Sunday Commemoration march which this year marks the 44th anniversary of the civil rights march during which 13 people died on the 30th of January 1972. A fourteenth person dies four months later. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. The seven ex-soldiers were instead interviewed in England and Wales, where they live. Chris Hazzard said purposely included Derry in the plans A train passes under the Peace Bridge in Derry. An integrated hub is planned for the old Waterside station Northern Ireland will be "investing heavily" in a direct rail link between Londonderry and Dublin, Stormont's infrastructure minister has vowed. Chris Hazzard said that he was specifically including the north-west's premier city in a wider planned rail expansion along the eastern seaboard. The proposed cross-border railway investment - part of a "high-level study" into expanding an eastern economic corridor - will also reach as far as Cork on the southern tip of the island, he told a parliamentary committee. "I purposely include Derry in that also," he said of the plans. "I think we need to look at Derry, Belfast, Dublin - and Cork also - when we look at rail expansion. "That is something we will be investing heavily in." Mr Hazzard is meeting with Dublin's transport minister Shane Ross about the proposals later this month. The infrastructure minister said there is a growing demand for rail travel among the public. His department is also looking at plans to enhance the existing Newry to Belfast service, where there are capacity issues, he told Dublin's Oireachtas Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation committee. "In recent weeks I've also taken the decision, and certainly will be working with colleagues in Dublin, to include the ability for passengers in Dublin to be able to board a train for Derry," he added. Expand Close Chris Hazzard said purposely included Derry in the plans / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Chris Hazzard said purposely included Derry in the plans "To date, we have not had the opportunity to see Derry on a board when you are standing at (Dublin's) Connolly Station. "So it is important to make people aware that you can get the train from Dublin to Derry also." In October, Mr Hazzard gave the green light for a 26 million scheme to revamp Derry's historic Waterside railway station as part of a plan to boost transport links in the city. It is expected to be completed by 2020. Co Down man gains entry to Australian bar after buying new shoes. Co Down man gains entry to Australian bar after buying new shoes. What do you do if the bar won't let you in because of your footwear? Well for one Co Down man - he bought the first appropriate pair he could find. Ruairi Brannigan headed to An Sibin Irish Pub in Perth, Australia for a couple of drinks on Sunday. But he was wearing flip flops - which were against the pub's dress code. However, undeterred, Ruairi went to a nearby shop and picked up the only shoes he could find in his size - which happened to be a pair of women's pumps. The post of Ruairi standing at the bar was shared on the pub's Facebook page and wracked up hundreds of likes and comments. One post, which appears to be from Ruairi's mum said: "Oh my sweet mother of god what has Australia done to u Ruairi I think it is time you come home to your mummy. But seriously I like them shoes so make sure you take them home for me." Another said: "Dedicated to the sesh." Traffic wardens are to return to the streets of a Co Tyrone town weeks after one of the first red coats seen in the area for years was threatened. The parking attendant was subjected to verbal abuse in Coalisland after spending only half-an-hour in the town last month. A spokeswoman for the Department for Infrastructure (DFI) confirmed that its traffic attendants will be back. Earlier this year it was revealed that, while 77,000 parking enforcement notices were issued across Northern Ireland in 2015, not one had been handed out in Coalisland. The first visit by wardens took place on August 22, then again on November 10 - although no parking tickets were issued on either occasion. Sinn Fein Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard stated that during the second visit a traffic attendant and his accompanying manager were subjected to "some verbal abuse from members of the public". The employees decided to leave the town before they completed their patrol for safety reasons. A DFI spokeswoman said: "The department will continue to deploy traffic attendants to the town to carry out their duties in order to complete a review of deployment to Coalisland. "The frequency will be at a minimum of one visit per month on an irregular basis." DUP MLA Lord Morrow, who was critical of the incident, said he found it "disturbing" that it was not reported to the police. He added that a number of businesses and residents in Coalisland were angered by the current parking system in the town. "Once a month is not sufficient, but it's a start," he said. "If there is an ongoing safety issue with traffic wardens carrying out their duty then the police should be called in to do it. "We need a town where traffic is free-flowing, accessible parking and where people can stop off and go and do their business and move on. "They say there is great difficulty in regulating the system. "It is beyond me why anybody would see that as an issue, but some do. "Furthermore, when traffic wardens moved in they were bullied out of the town. "Business and shoppers want regulated parking and enforcement in a common sense manner, like every other town." The Coalition said it "deeply regretted" the lack of visible progress The Irish Government has said victims of Northern Ireland's Troubles have been let down. The Coalition said it "deeply regretted" the lack of visible progress on establishing institutions to deal with the legacy of the bloody 30-year conflict. The British Government has differences with nationalists over how to balance the need of families to find new information with the official responsibility to protect national security and prevent further loss of life. Funding to support dozens of inquests into past killings has been withheld amid Stormont divisions. The Irish Government said: "Having been let down so many times, families such as these continue to wait with ebbing hope." More than a year has passed since the signing of the Fresh Start Agreement, reached after 10 weeks of intensive cross-party negotiations. "It is deeply regrettable that in the time since there has been little visible progress with establishing the legacy institutions provided for under the 2014 Stormont House Agreement. "The Irish Government shares the deep disappointment and frustration of victims and survivors of the Troubles, from all communities, who have had to wait for far too long for access to truth and justice." The Government spoke out during a meeting of Council of Europe ministers in Strasbourg. Legacy institutions agreed following political talks between the British and Irish Governments and the local parties included the Historical Investigations Unit (HIU), an independent body tasked with investigating large numbers of outstanding criminal cases connected to the Troubles and stretching back decades. The Government said: "The Irish Government strongly urges the British Government, the Northern Ireland Executive and all interested parties, to approach this issue with the necessary resolve, leadership and compromise in the period immediately ahead, so that the process can move ahead, the necessary legislation introduced and enacted and the HIU and other legacy bodies finally established." Legacy inquests are poorly resourced and Dublin expressed acute concern, saying they "offer a critical avenue through which families may seek to finally establish the record of the deaths of their loved ones, most of whom have had to bear their loss for decades now without answers". In February, Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland Sir Declan Morgan proposed the establishment of a Legacy Inquest Unit that could deal with 56 outstanding legacy inquests over five years, and his suggestion has secured considerable support, with the exception of Northern Ireland's largest party the DUP. The Irish Government urged the British Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to urgently take all necessary measures to enable the legacy inquest system to conclude effective investigations, which would meet the right to life obligations on the British Government. "We remain convinced that the institutional framework agreed of the Stormont House Agreement offers the best way of bringing whatever healing is possible to those bereaved and afflicted by the Troubles." Earlier this year the Government engaged a wide range of victims and survivors groups to widen its understanding of the challenges faced by those directly impacted and said it strengthened official resolve for progress. "While we acknowledge the continuing engagement by the UK authorities to seek a way forward on the legacy bodies and with legacy inquests, this work will require intensive political engagement, commitment and a spirit of compromise, if victims and survivors are not to be let down once again. "The Irish Government will not be found wanting in this regard, and calls on the British Government, and the political leaders and parties in Northern Ireland, to renew and redouble their efforts in the period ahead." The incident is being investigated by the Police Service of Northern Ireland. A woman in her 20s has been threatened at knife point in her north Belfast home. It happened when a gang of masked men forced their way into the flat at Thorndale Avenue at about 8pm on Tuesday. The woman was not injured. Detective Constable Craig Burns from the Police Service of Northern Ireland has appealed for anyone with information to come forward. Do you "like"? Do you "tweet"? Do you tube? Does your business do any or all of these things and, if so, does it really ... 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 Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams made a personal statement to the Dail this evening on the murder of prison officer Brian Stack. In an unprecedented move the TD was granted a 5pm slot to reveal what details he knows about the 1983 murder. Mr Adams has previously said he does not have any new information on the murder, although he admits bringing Mr Stacks sons to meet a person who told them IRA members carried out the hit. Addressing the Dail, Mr Adams said he was making the statement following an email he "sent to the Garda Commissioner being put in the public realm". During the statement, he said; "I have tried to do my best to help the Stack family. I also have lost family members... I can understand what [the Stack family] feel like." Gerry Adams statement in full Let me begin by saying once again that the shooting of Brian Stack was wrong. It was a grievous loss for his family and should never have happened. In the absence of the two governments agreeing to a process to deal with the past I sought to try and assist the family of Brian Stack to gain a degree of acknowledgement and closure. I did so at their request. What has happened over the last year points up the challenges of this course of action and the urgent need for a proper legacy process to be established. For the record I will again set out the sequence of events and my efforts to assist the family of Brian Stack. Austin Stack approached me in 2013 seeking acknowledgment for what happened to his father. I met Austin Stack a number of times over the course of the following months, mostly on my own. Expand Close Brian Stack / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Brian Stack Austin and Oliver Stack made it clear to me personally and said publicly that they were not looking for people to go to gaol. They wanted acknowledgement and closure. There is a note of that initial meeting, I am releasing that today. The computer stamp shows that this note was typed into the computer on May 16th seven days after the first meeting with the family. Austin Stack spoke of his commitment to restorative justice processes. I told the Stack brothers that I could only help on the basis of confidentiality. This was the same basis on which I had been able to assist other families. Both Austin and Oliver agreed to respect the confidential nature of the process we were going to try to put in place. Without that commitment I could never have pursued the meeting they were seeking which took place later that summer. The brothers were given a statement by a former IRA leader. The statement was made available publicly by the family. The statement acknowledged that the IRA was responsible for their fathers death; that it regretted it took so long to clarify this for them; that the shooting of Brian Stack was not authorised by the IRA leadership; and that the person who gave the instruction was disciplined. The statement expressed sorrow for the pain and hurt the Stack family suffered. Following the meeting the family acknowledged that the process, and I quote, has provided us with some answers that three separate Garda investigations failed to deliver. We would like to thank Deputy Adams for the role he has played in facilitating this outcome. Since then the position of Austin Stack has changed. In 2013 Austin Stack gave me the names of four people whom he believed might have information on the case. Austin Stack told me that he had been given these names by journalistic and Garda sources. Austin Stack has denied giving me names. Why on earth would I say that I received the names from him if I didnt? In February of this year Austin Stack also claimed that he gave names to the Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin. If Austin Stack was prepared to give names to Mr. Martin, why would he not have given them to me? I was after all the person he was asking to arrange a meeting. At Austin Stacks request I contacted those I could from the names he gave me. They denied having any information about the killing of Brian Stack. I told Austin Stack this. During the election campaign earlier this year the Fianna Fail leader and others repeated a lot of what was said in 2013. It was part of his election strategy against Sinn Fein. However, in addition allegations were made that I was withholding information from the Garda. It was in this context, and to remove any uncertainty or ambiguity I emailed the Garda Commissioner the names that Austin Stack had given me and which he said had come from Garda and journalistic sources. I have never at any time described those named as suspects. I made it clear to the Garda Commissioner that I have no information on the death of Brian Stack. The email was only sent after I had spoken to three of the four. There is a live Garda investigation. I am prepared to cooperate with this. The position of Micheal Martin, who was a Minister in successive Fianna Fail governments during the peace process, and of the Taoiseach on this issue is hypocritical, inconsistent and in fact disappointing. I have never sought publicity on this issue. Any public comments I have made have been in response to others. Firstly, when Austin Stack publicly asked to meet me, and during the process we established in 2013. Secondly when Fine Gael and Fianna Fail sought to exploit this issue as part of their election campaign of 2016. And today I make this statement in the Dail following an email that I wrote to the Garda Commissioner being put inappropriately in my opinion into the public realm and then raised here in the Dail twice by the Fianna Fail leader. I say inappropriately because there is a live investigation into the murder of Brian Stack and we in this chamber should be mindful not to say anything which might prejudice this or any future court proceedings. The Fianna Fail leader and the Taoiseach seem to be unconcerned about this. For my part I will cooperate with An Garda Siochana. Micheal Martin says, I named four people who I understand to be suspects in the murder of Mr Stack. Teachta Martin has misled the Dail. I never made such a statement. I have never described those named as suspects. He says, that I said, I took a note of the meeting between Austin and Oliver Stack and a former IRA leader. I never said this. I took no note of that meeting. He says I took Austin and Oliver Stack to that meeting in a blacked out van. The Taoiseach even went so far on Tuesday to say I drove the van. Not true. I travelled with the Stack brothers in my car to a prearranged place on the border and then we were all taken in a van to the meeting in the north. The Fianna Fail leader and the Taoiseach should correct the Dail record on these. Since Fr. Alex Reid and Fr. Des Wilson, myself and John Hume began our work to develop a peace process successive Fianna Fail and Fine Gael governments, encouraged and facilitated meetings between myself and Martin McGuinness and the IRA leadership. Is the Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader demanding that we should have named those we met? Do you think this would have helped the peace process? I recall one specific occasion when a meeting in St. Lukes with the then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Tony Blairs Chief of Staff Jonathon Powell was suspended to allow Martin McGuinness and I to meet the IRA. On other occasions initiatives involving the Irish and British government, the IRA, the Ulster Unionist Party and Sinn Fein were constructed to advance the process. Meetings were adjourned to facilitate this. These conversations helped to secure historic cessations. Should those involved be named. None of these would have been possible without talking to the IRA. Micheal Martin knows this. Our efforts led in July 2005 to the IRA announcing an end to the armed campaign and to engaging with the International Independent Commission on Decommissioning to put its arms beyond use. Progress that could only have been secured on the basis of direct contact and confidentially. Is Micheal Martin demanding that Martin McGuinness and I should name those we were meeting in the IRA leadership and who decided to put their arms beyond use? Is he demanding that the Decommissioning Body name those IRA members it met? Are they demanding that Cyril Ramaphosa and Martii Ahtisaari name those in the IRA they engaged with to facilitate the arms beyond use process? Should we now name all of those in the IRA who supported the peace process and took difficult but courageous decisions? I and others also assisted the Smithwick Commission. One of the most difficult legacy issues that we have had to deal with is that of the disappeared. The governments established the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains at my request and with Fr. Reids support. As a result of our efforts 12 of the 16 victims have been recovered and work continues on seeking information on the remain four. I havent given up on this. Martin McGuinness and I continue to meet regularly with the Commission. The Commission also meets with former IRA people. Should they be named. Micheal Martin knows all of this. He was a senior member of the government which established the commission. Progress was only possible on the basis of confidentially and trust. That is why no IRA people where named during any of these initiatives and why they should not be named today. It is an essential part of any conflict resolution process. Sinn Fein has worked consistently to resolve the issues of the past. As part of our commitment to this I have met many families, like that of Brian Stack, who have lost loved ones. If the Taoiseach and Micheal Martin are interested in healing the legacy of the past for all families, including the Stacks, the Finucanes, the families of the Dublin Monaghan bombs and hundreds more, then they could begin by putting in place an International based independent truth recovery process. My generation of republican activists who lived through and survived the war have a responsibility to try and bring the families of victims of the war, irrespective of who was responsible, to a better place. That is what I have tried to do with my engagement in 2013 with the Stack Family. The are fears that the murder marks a deadly escalation in a turf war within dissident Republican ranks (File photo) Gardai fear dissident Republican reprisal attacks after a Real IRA commander was shot dead in Cork. Aidan O'Driscoll (37), nicknamed 'The Beast', died during emergency surgery just over an hour after being shot three times in an ambush style attack in Blackpool. Just three years ago the Ballyvolane native had survived another gun attack. Mr O'Driscoll was shot in the legs during a 2013 Cork attack after what Gardai believed was a punishment operation carried out by fellow dissident Republicans. At one point, he was suspected to have served as chief of staff for the Real IRA in Munster. The fatal shooting took place in a quiet residential area. He was shot outside an apartment complex off the Commons Road in Blackpool in Cork, not far from a local church. The attack took place shortly before 5pm and is understood to have involved a lone gunman and an accomplice who acted as a getaway driver. Locals reported hearing several loud bangs and seeing a man, apparently masked, running from the scene. He is then believed to have fled the area in a waiting car driven by another man. Initial reports are that Mr O'Driscoll realised he was being ambushed and attempted to flee, only to be shot in the back with a handgun. He was then shot a number of times as he lay wounded on the pavement. A vehicle was later found a short distance away, close to the North Monastery, having been set on fire. Mr O'Driscoll was treated at the scene by paramedics before being rushed to Cork University Hospital (CUH). It is understood he suffered at least three gunshot wounds to the back. He died while undergoing emergency surgery at CUH. Mr O'Driscoll was convicted before the Special Criminal Court in 2005 of being a member of the Real IRA. He received a three year prison sentence for being a member of the dissident group on December 13 2003. Four other men were also convicted of Real IRA membership in a combined trial. However, Mr O'Driscoll's conviction was subsequently overturned by the Court of Criminal Appeal in May 2008. The court quashed the convictions on the basis the Special Criminal Court did not have jurisdiction in the matter because the men were not charged "forthwith." Mr O'Driscoll was the only one of the five who had been in custody. During the 2005 trial, a senior garda gave evidence that Mr O'Driscoll was part of a feared active service unit of the Real IRA in Munster. It was also believed Mr O'Driscoll had been closely allied to Alan Ryan who was shot and killed in Dublin in 2012. On Wednesday night, Gardai sealed off the scene in Blackpool to allow for a detailed investigation by forensic experts. Officers also began door-to-door inquiries in the area to determine if anyone witnessed anything suspicious or may have seen the gunman as he fled the scene. Gardai stressed that they are keeping an open mind as to the possible motive for the attack. However, the primary theories are that it was either a revenge attack against Mr O'Driscoll linked to an earlier feud or part of a deadly escalation in a turf war within the dissident Republican ranks. Gardai are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information, particularly those who may have been in the vicinity of Great William OBrien Street and or The Church of the Annunciation, Blackpool on Wednesday between the hours of 3.30pm and 5.30pm to contact them at Mayfield Garda Station on 021 4558510, The Garda Confidential Line 1800 666111 or any Garda Station. Gardai investigated after the greyhound went missing from the premises in Athassel Abbey Kidnappers who took a star greyhound from his kennel demanded a ransom, the trainer has revealed. Clares Rocket was reported to be safe and well following the ordeal and enjoyed a treat of sirloin steak after he was returned to the yard of trainer Graham Holland in Co Tipperary. The greyhound man said it was fantastic to have been reunited with the two-year-old champion at a garda station on Tuesday evening. "We have had a great year this year. We were lucky enough to win the derby and it was the same elation over again, it was like winning the derby," Mr Holland said. Gardai launched an investigation after the two-year-old, who has won over 50,000 euro in prize money and is being tipped as a favourite for the 2017 English Derby with a prize of about 300,000 euro, went missing from the premises in Athassel Abbey between Sunday evening and Monday morning. Mr Holland was in Belfast with his wife Nicky visiting one of his sons when the kidnappers struck. Gardai said four men were arrested in the Tipperary area on Tuesday evening when the dog was recovered. He was said to be in good condition but a little distressed. He revealed a ransom had been demanded but declined to say how much the gang wanted. "People thought they could hold him to ransom," Mr Holland told RTE Radio's Today with Sean O'Rourke programme. "It's a bit like Shergar. If they haven't got their identity book they can't do a lot with him. He's only worth money to the people who own him and what he can win for them or stand at stud. "Obviously it's not the same thing, you do think of Shergar and they never recovered him. You just fear the worst - that whoever stole him would dispose of him and run for the hills. Luckily enough, as I say, the gardai did great work and we are absolutely delighted." Mr Holland said that on his day Clares Rocket is probably the fastest dog in Ireland but in reality his value at stud is below the one million euro reported in the wake of his kidnap. "It's not the same as horses. The stud fees aren't as high. I would imagine, not in reality," he said. The champion dog, winner of the Champion Stakes and the Produce Stakes, was microchipped. He is owned by the Full House Syndicate in the Limerick area. Two of those arrested were held at Tipperary Town Garda Station and two at Clonmel station under the provisions of section four of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. "The dog was found safe and well," a Garda spokesman said. The Government faces a legal challenge over important aspects of its counter-terrorism strategy in the High Court later. Salman Butt, a campaigner on Muslim issues, is seeking to have parts of the Home Office's Prevent strategy, including how extremism is defined, rewritten as it infringes on freedom of speech rights. In September last year, Mr Butt was named by the Government as being a "non-violent extremist" among a group of public speakers who expressed "views contrary to British values". His name appeared in a No 10 press release on tackling extremism in universities and colleges that linked radicalisation in educational institutions to a number of high-profile terror plots. Mr Butt told the website Islam21C: "Many people will be eager to see the hidden and murky processes by which individuals are tarnished with the label of 'extremist', so that these issues are forced into the open and to the scrutiny of the courts." Human rights lawyer Saimo Chahal QC told the BBC Mr Butt's challenge was a test case. "The Prevent duty guidance issued to higher education institutions is flawed because it conflicts with the right to free speech which is enshrined in the Education Act for higher education institutions. "The challenge, if successful, could have major implications for the controversial policy as it applies to universities and higher education." A Home Office spokesman said they would not comment on ongoing legal proceedings. WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange has published his full testimony to Swedish prosecutors online, saying he is entirely innocent regarding sexual assault claims. In a 19-page statement he gave in a landmark interview to Swedish investigators, the WikiLeaks editor-in-chief also said he had been subjected to "cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment". The 45-year-old computer programmer has been holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for four years to avoid arrest. "I want people to know the truth about how abusive this process has been," said the Australian journalist. "Furthermore, in the past, the prosecution has fed partial information to tabloids that politically opposes me. It is better that my statement, which I am happy with, and which makes it obvious to all that I am innocent, sees the light in full." In November, 2010, US authorities announced an ongoing criminal investigation into the website and Mr Assange over espionage. The following month, Swedish prosecutors said they were reopening a case, which they previously closed, surrounding sexual assault allegations from two women in Sweden in August of that year. Mr Assange, who was briefly locked up in Wandsworth prison, said in his statement: "During the height of the Pentagons conflict with me the following month, the allegation was resurrected by the current prosecutor, Marianne Ny. "It was immediately seized on to extinguish my freedom of movement and harm my reputation." Last month, for the first time, Ms Ny's deputy and a police officer interviewed Mr Assange at the embassy, where he is an asylum-seeker. Swedish prosecutors are awaiting transcripts from the Ecuadorian embassy, but he beat them to it by publishing his statement on Wednesday. Mr Assange has never been charged. His testimony includes detailed accounts of what he calls consensual and enjoyable sex with a woman known as SW, which he says occurred four or five times, and he publishes a string of text messages he claims the woman sent. SW reportedly says she was asleep during sex, which constitutes rape in Sweden, but Mr Assange says: "I was certain SW was not asleep. "I was also certain she expressly consented to unprotected sex before such intercourse started. "This is also evidenced by SW's own text messages." The text messages include: On August 14, 2010, SW wrote to a friend: I want him, I want him. On August 17, she wrote to a friend that the pair had long foreplay, but nothing happened. She later wrote that after sex had occurred, that it turned out alright other than the pregnancy and STD risk. On August 20, SW, while at the police station, wrote that she did not want to put any charges on Julian Assange, but that the police were keen on getting their hands on him. On August 21, she wrote that she did not want to accuse Assange for anything. And that it was the police who made by the charges. The 45-year-old also adds: Therefore I could not believe my eyes when five days later I saw a headline in a Swedish tabloid that I was suspected of a crime and arrested in my absence. "I immediately made myself available to Swedish authorities to clarify any questions that might exist, although I had no obligation to do so. He also clarifies that he is not Swedish, does not speak Swedish and has never lived in Sweden, despite widespread confusion among media. Mr Assange accuses Swedish prosecutors of breaking the rules by releasing his name to a tabloid and talks of the "40 press releases and press conferences about me". "As a result, to this day more than half a million webpages falsely conflate my name with the word 'rape'," he added. In February, the United Nations called on the UK and Sweden to end arbitrary detention and compensate him. It also said his treatment was "cruel, inhuman and degrading". A Swedish Prosecution Authority spokesman confirmed to The Independent that Mr Assange was still being investigated on one count of "suspicion of rape: less serious crime". "We know that Julian Assange has published his statement but we can't give any comments about that," said the spokesman. "We await the transcripts of the interviews that were conducted at the Ecuadorian embassy and when we receive them from the Ecuadorian authority we will take action after that, whether that means we will not conduct any more investigations or introduce measures." Labour MP Luciana Berger arrives at the Old Bailey where blogger Joshua Bonehill-Paine is accused of harassing her by posting a series of anti-Semitic rants on the internet MP Luciana Berger called for more victims to stand up to online bullies after a serial troll was found guilty of harassing her in a string of anti-Jewish rants. Joshua Bonehill-Paine, who turned 24 on Wednesday, wrote five hate-filled blogs about the Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree after fellow far-right extremist Garron Helm was sent to prison for four weeks in October 2014. The jury at the Old Bailey deliberated for just over one hour and 15 minutes before finding Bonehill-Paine guilty of racially-aggravated harassment. The defendant, who smirked in the dock as he was sent down, faces up to two years in jail when he is sentenced on Thursday. Afterwards, Ms Berger said the conviction should send a "strong signal" that no-one need "suffer in silence". She said: "Together we can show that they are not, nor will they ever be, tolerated." The court heard how Garron, then 21, from Merseyside, had admitted sending a picture on Twitter depicting Ms Berger, 35, with a holocaust-era Star of David on her forehead and the hashtag "Hitler was right". Over the next four months, Bonehill-Paine posted articles online calling her a "dominatrix" and "an evil money-grabber" with a "deep-rooted hatred of men". In one, he claimed the number of Jewish Labour MPs was a "problem". He illustrated his posts with offensive pictures, including the anti-Jewish cliche of a rat with Ms Berger's face superimposed on it. Bonehill-Paine hailed the "Filthy Jew Bitch Campaign" led by US white supremacist site Daily Stormer as "fantastically successful" after the MP was sent 2,500 tweets. Throughout, Bonehill-Paine, of Yeovil, Somerset, was on bail awaiting sentence for making claims on Twitter that several people were paedophiles. Giving evidence, Ms Berger said she "felt sick" at the blogs and "very much under attack". She told jurors she feared for her safety because "what happens online does not always stay online". James Palfrey, for Bonehill-Paine, described the posts as "satire" and "pathetic puerile rubbish" as he argued that they fell within the right to freedom of speech. But prosecutor Philip Stott said the defendant had refused to face questions in the witness box because he had no "sensible" answer to the charge. The jury was not told that the defendant, a former hospice worker, is currently serving three years and four months in jail over a conviction in December last year for posting anti-Semitic material ahead of a planned neo-Nazi rally. He was found guilty of inciting racial hatred in a flyer featuring a picture of Auschwitz saying the rally in Golders Green - home to many London-based Jews - would be "a gas". Before adjourning, Mr Stott outlined the defendant's long criminal history which dates back to when he was in care aged just 15. It includes punching and throwing keys at carers, stabbing holes in a wall with a knife, fraud, being racially abusive, and assaulting an officer while stealing a police uniform. In 2013, he wrote on his website that the owners of a Leicestershire pub had "out of respect for the Islamic community" banned members of the armed forces. It resulted in threats of arson and criminal damage and led to the pub's closure to protect staff. The court heard he was on bail over the harassment campaign against Ms Berger when he committed the Golders Green offence which landed him in jail last year. The court heard of the devastating impact on some of Bonehill-Paine's victims, who had been falsely accused of being paedophiles. Trial judge Mr Justice Spencer commented to jurors: "The internet is a great blessing but there is a dark side." Outside court, Ms Berger told reporters: "Every day up and down our country, people suffer harassment and racial abuse. "Today's verdict demonstrates that under British law, those who perpetrate these horrific crimes can and will be brought to justice; and it recognises that the British values of equality, tolerance and mutual respect that we hold dear apply as much on the internet as they do offline." She added: "If any good can come from this awful experience, I hope that it will send a strong signal to anyone experiencing harassment - you do not have to suffer in silence. "I'd encourage everyone to report these crimes. Together we can show that they are not, nor will they ever be, tolerated." Bonehill-Paine's conviction came days after neo-Nazi Thomas Mair, 53, was handed a whole life term at the same court for the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox. Earlier this year, internet troll John Nimmo, 28, from South Shields, was convicted of making a death threat against Ms Berger by saying she would ''get it like Jo Cox''. In his first email of July 6, he told Ms Berger: ''Justice for Joshua Bonehill-Paine will be sweet, he has friends everywhere. Watch your back Jewish scum, regards your friend the Nazi.'' He then followed it up two days later with ''You will get it like Jo Cox did, you better watch your back Jewish scum',' just as Ms Berger was leaving her office in the early evening. Nimmo was previously jailed in 2014 for eight weeks for sending abusive messages on Twitter to feminist campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez and Walthamstow Labour MP Stella Creasy. Theresa May has tried to quell tensions in Government over whether the UK negotiates a hard or soft Brexit, by insisting she wants a "red, white and blue Brexit". Speaking during a two day visit to Bahrain, the Prime Minister said that getting a good deal which left Britain operating within a single European market was the key thing, rather than being hung up on labels. "These terms that have been identified: hard Brexit, soft Brexit, black Brexit, white Brexit, grey Brexit. Actually, I think what we should be looking for is a red, white and blue Brexit. That is the right deal for the United Kingdom. "What is going to be the relationship for the UK with the European Union once we have left the European Union? That's what we are about and that's what we will be working on. "When people voted on June 23 they voted for us to take control of our borders, they voted for us take control of our laws, and take control of our money, and how we spend our money. We want to get the best possible deal in trade," she told reporters. In a round of TV interviews aboard the Royal Navy's flagship HMS Ocean, Mrs May told Sky News: "We also want to get the best possible trade deal for trading with, and operating within, a single European market. But I'm ambitious as to what we can achieve in that trade deal. I'm ambitious for that trade deal because I think it's important for Europe as well as being important for the UK." Mrs May has in the past drawn ridicule from political opponents over her "Brexit means Brexit" slogan which critics have branded meaningless. With the Supreme Court deciding on whether Parliament will have the whip-hand on triggering Article 50 which formally launches divorce proceedings from the EU, Mrs May pointedly referred to the will of the British people being expressed in the referendum. The PM told the BBC: "We wait to hear what the Supreme Court judgment is going to be. But I'm clear that what the Government will be delivering, and what Parliament will be delivering, is on the will of the British people. "Parliament gave the vote to people in the referendum on the 23rd of June, overwhelmingly Parliament voted for the British people to make their choice. They have done that. They have said we want to leave the European Union, the Government will deliver on the vote of the British people." Asked if she was prepared to give Parliament more details of the Government's negotiating stance as Labour launches a Commons push on the issue, Mrs May said: "I have always said to Parliament, that Parliament would have many opportunities to have their say on these issues. But that also, when it is possible for me to set out more detail then I will do so. That's why I have already said we will be triggering Article 50 by the end of March. "I'm going to keep some cards close to my chest, I'm sure everybody would realise that in a negotiation you don't give everything away. It's important that we are able to achieve the right deal for the UK." Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: "The Prime Minister has surpassed herself with this statement. It's jingoistic claptrap. "It doesn't matter what colour she tries to paint this, her plans to leave the single market will wreck the economy. "If this Conservative Government cared about Britain and what makes our country great, they would not be running headlong towards a hard Brexit that will blow a 220 billion black hole in the budget. "The Union Jack represents an open, tolerant, multicultural Britain, not the narrow-minded vision of Ukip and Farage." Liberal Democrats also pointed out that red, white and blue were the colours on the flags of seven other EU nations - France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic. And wags on Twitter noted that they were also the colours of Norway, whose close relationship with the EU is taken as the best existing example of "soft Brexit", and of Schleswig-Holstein, whose disputed status provoked a notoriously protracted and complex European diplomatic wrangle in the 19th century. Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer, who is leading Labour's push for Mrs May to give more clarity, said: " There needs to be a degree of certainty. The uncertainty at the moment is affecting businesses, it's affecting politics and so we need the basic direction of travel." Responding to Mrs May's comments on giving Parliament more detail "when it is possible", Sir Keir told BBC Radio 4's World At One: "If she is true to that, that means that she won't resist the motion tomorrow because a decision has to be made about direction of travel before Article 50 is invoked. "They can't invoke Article 50 without having a basic plan." He said he understood there were "a number of Conservative MPs who are considering voting for the motion". YEREVAN, DECEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS. One of the most discussed issues during the session of the political council of the Prosperous Armenia party on December 3 was former president of the party Gagik Tsarukyans return to active politics, PAP faction secretary Vahe Enfiajyan told reporters on December 5 commenting on the recent events when certain citizens gathered outside Tsarukyans home and demanded his return to politics, reports Armenpress. People asked him to return to active politics. After the political councils session, I personally with my colleagues went and took part in the rally. Gagik Tsarukyan also took part. By speaking with the citizens he presented his approaches, and said he is going to issue his own statement soon by personally analyzing the existing situation and the publics demand. Enfiajyan said after that rally certain representatives of the political council, a number of PAP faction MPs held a separate private meeting with Gagik Tsarukyan. At the meeting the political councils decision was presented and the call that they want his involvement in the PAP in a status of a party head. We have also discussed various issues related to the existing economic situation, the current developments. I dont want to hurry. I think Gagik Tsarukyan is the personality who has always been with the public and people, and realizing the public and political demand, his decision must be positive, Enfiajyan said. Starting from today, the representatives of the PAP political council, the PAP faction MPs, city council representatives, heads of regional structures will visit all cities, rural communities of Armenia. They will hold talks not only with the party representatives, but also with the citizens of our country, will listen to their opinions, their plans and proposals. We will collect the impressions collected by everyone, the opinions and will present ahead of the parliamentary elections as PAP plans and agenda issues, he said. A woman whose daughter was left infertile by cancer treatment has given birth to her own grandson. Julie Bradford, 45, acted as a surrogate for her 21-year-old daughter Jessica Jenkins, who survived cervical cancer having been diagnosed with the disease aged 18. Ms Bradford gave birth last Friday to baby Jack, conceived through IVF with eggs taken from her daughter before she began radiotherapy, reported the Daily Mirror. The hairdresser from Rhymney in south Wales, who is already a mother of three, told the newspaper her new grandson was a Christmas miracle. Any mother would do this for their child, she said. If cancer couldn't beat us there was no way I wasn't having a baby for Jessica. Ms Jenkins, whose cancer diagnosis left her unable to have children by herself, was present at her mothers bedside during the birth of her son. She told the Mirror her depth of despair was not getting cancer, which could be overcome, but being told point blank Id never have kids. Ms Jenkins has been in remission from the disease since August 2014. She and her husband Rees Jenkins, 27, decided to go ahead with IVF earlier this year using the 21 eggs harvested shortly before she began treatment. The eggs were frozen at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, reported the BBC. My mam is the most brave and amazing woman in the world. I love her so much for giving me my son, Ms Jenkins told the broadcaster. Ms Bradford and her daughter have been campaigning to lower the age for routine smear tests for women in Wales from 24 to 18 after doctors told Ms Jenkins she was too young to have cancer. Doctors originally believed Ms Jenkins had thrush when she had symptoms such as bleeding and painful sex, but repeat visits revealed a tumour on her cervix. The family have not ruled out having further children and hope to use pioneering womb transplant technology, with Ms Bradford offering to donate her own. Islamic State militants launched an overnight attack against Iraqi security forces in the south-eastern part of Mosul, a day after the troops advanced deeper into the city. The attack "inflicted heavy losses", Iraqi Army Sergeant Major Hakim Saranbii told the Associated Press without giving specific casualty figures or further details. Iraqi Defence Ministry officials in Baghdad were not available for comment. The setback came after Iraq's army rolled into the south-eastern neighbourhood of al-Salam on Tuesday, taking a hospital before meeting stiff resistance from IS militants. Convoys of dozens of armoured Iraqi special forces and army Humvees could be seen moving into the area on Wednesday morning. "What we see here is the enemy reacting to a new axis of advance," said coalition spokesman US Army Colonel John Dorrian, adding that the new push was putting increased pressure on IS. After the advance on Tuesday, Iraqi forces said they pushed the front line back more than 1.2 miles (2km) and retook Mosul's al-Salam hospital, but only a few hundred yards appeared to be secured and clashes continued into the evening. When Iraqi forces initially launched a push into eastern Mosul in early November, troops came under heavy counter-attacks after advancing too far too quickly. Islamic State militants depend on suicide car bombs and sniper fire to derail the security forces, as well as a network of underground tunnels. The Iraqi government has not publicised the casualty figures for government troops and paramilitary forces fighting in Mosul and elsewhere in northern Iraq. Last week, the UN said in a report that nearly 2,000 members of the Iraqi forces were killed last month, but after coming under fire from the media arm of the Iraqi military, it announced it would discontinue publishing casualty figures for Iraq's security forces. Backed by the US-led international coalition, Iraqi government troops and paramilitary forces launched a campaign in October to dislodge IS from Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city and IS's last major urban bastion in the country. AP Politicians and friends surround the body of Jayaram Jayalalithaa kept for public viewing outside an auditorium in Chennai (AP) Hundreds of thousands of people thronged the southern Indian city of Chennai on Tuesday to honour their late beloved leader, Jayaram Jayalalithaa, a former film actress and popular politician. Jayalalithaa, chief minister of Tamil Nadu state, died following a heart attack a day earlier, at the age of 68. A sea of weeping mourners surged toward the steps of a public hall where Jayalalithaa's body, draped in the Indian flag, was kept on a raised platform. Thousands of police officers formed chains to stop the heaving crowd from surging up the steps. Men and women wept, some breaking into loud wails. Several mourners fainted from the heat and dehydration. Police said some had been keeping vigil outside the Apollo Hospital since Sunday and then walked to Rajaji Hall at daybreak. In New Delhi, politicians observed a minute's silence on Tuesday before both houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day in respect for the woman whom many referred to as "Amma", or mother. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Jayalalithaa's death left a "huge void in Indian politics". He flew to Chennai, where he placed a wreath on the body. Roads leading to Chennai were clogged as people from remote villages poured into Tamil Nadu's capital to catch a last glimpse of their leader. The Tamil Nadu government declared seven days of mourning for Jayalalithaa, who was a five-time chief minister of the state. Schools and offices were closed after authorities declared public holidays in the state for three days. Within hours of Jayalalithaa's death, her trusted lieutenant, O Panneerselvam, was sworn in as chief minister. Hundreds of political leaders and film celebrities were expected to attend Jayalalithaa's funeral, scheduled for later on Tuesday. Jayalalithaa had been in hospital since September, suffering from a fever, dehydration and a respiratory infection. At the time, thousands of people fasted and prayed outside the hospital for her recovery. Doctors barred visitors, sparking rumours that they were withholding bad news out of fear it could trigger the same outpouring of grief, riots and suicides that followed the death of Jayalalithaa's political and acting mentor, MG Ramachandran. Jayalalithaa was 13 when she began her film career and quickly became known as a romantic lead in many of the nearly 150 Tamil-language movies she worked on. She entered politics in the early 1980s, under the guidance of Ramachandran, and after his death in 1987 declared herself his political heir and took control of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhgam party. She served as Tamil Nadu's chief minister, the highest elected position in the state of 71 million people, for nearly 14 years beginning in 1991. She regained her office last year after a corruption case against her was overturned by a court. Jayalalithaa endeared herself to the poor and powerless with her policy of giving out handouts - laptop computers and bicycles to students, spice grinders, free rice and subsidised food to the poor, cows and goats to farm women - enabling them to rise out of rural poverty. She pushed government officials and workers to promote health and education by presenting gold coins and awards to those who exceeded their goals. Although she was criticised by many who equated her handouts with bribery, she said it was her scheme to wipe out rural poverty. In return, she was loved by the poor who saw her as their charismatic benefactor. "She was their redeemer. Their saviour," Vasanthi, a well-known Tamil writer and Jayalalithaa's biographer, wrote in the Indian Express newspaper. AP United Nations prosecutors have demanded a life sentence for General Ratko Mladic, telling judges they should convict and imprison the former Bosnian Serb military chief for orchestrating atrocities throughout Bosnia's 1992-95 war. Prosecutor Alan Tieger told judges at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia that it would be "an insult to the victims, living and dead, and an affront to justice to impose any sentence other than the most severe available under law - a life sentence". Mr Tieger was speaking at the end of prosecutors' closing statements at the conclusion of Mladic's trial on charges including genocide, murder and terror. Verdicts are expected late next year. AP A snow plough on the streets of Evanston, Illinois, after the US and Canada was hit by severe weather. (AP) The first full day of winter brought a wild mix of weather across the United States, with ice and high wind in the upper Midwest and north-eastern New England states, flooding in the South and record-shattering temperatures along the mid-Atlantic region. And freezing rain across much of eastern Canada turned roads and pavements into skating rinks and wreaked havoc on Christmas travel plans. Snow and ice knocked out power to 400,000 homes and businesses in Michigan, upstate New York and northern New England, and also left more than 400,000 customers without electricity in eastern Canada. "Thoughts are with those without power due to the ice storm," Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper tweeted. "Please stay safe." At least nine deaths were blamed on the storm in the US, including five people killed in flooding in Kentucky, three traffic deaths in Oklahoma and a woman who died after a tornado with winds of 130mph struck in Arkansas. Four people were killed in Canadian highway crashes blamed on severe weather conditions. In Toronto, warming centres were set up and the city shut down tram services and parts of the underground system. The city's giant Yorkdale Shopping Centre lost power. Mayor Rob Ford called it one of the worst storms in Toronto's history. "My house is freezing cold, I have little kids, we might have to go to a hotel tonight, I'm not quite sure what we're going to do," he said. "It's not good to wake up and have a freezing cold shower." Hydro Toronto said about 250,000 customers were without power as ice-coated tree branches snapped and brought down power lines. The utility's vice-president Blair Peberdy said crews were initially focusing on restoring power to two hospitals and a water treatment plant. Anxious passengers found themselves stranded in airports from Toronto to St John's, Newfoundland. Canada's Via Rail advised commuters to expect delays on its routes between Toronto and Montreal or Ottawa, and police warned people to stay off the roads if possible. One Via Rail train got stuck in Oshawa because of downed power lines. In the US, more than 700 flights had been cancelled and more than 11,000 delayed. In Arkansas a woman was killed after a 130mph tornado struck in St Francis County. A man found in a field was taken to hospital in a serious condition, while the woman's three-year-old granddaughter and 25-year-old daughter were treated in hospital. The icy weather is expected to make roads hazardous today from the upper Midwest to northern New England, just days before Christmas. At the same time, high-temperature records for the date fell for the second straight day in the mid-Atlantic states because of a mass of hot, muggy air from the South. In New York's Central Park, the mercury reached 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celsius), easily eclipsing the previous high of 63F (17C) from 1998. Records were also set in Wilmington, Delaware, (67F, 19.5C), Atlantic City, New Jersey, (68F, 20C), and Philadelphia (67F). Washington tied its 1889 mark at 72 F (22C). Temperatures are expected to return to normal by tonight. The scene was much more seasonal in Vermont, where Lynne White of West Charleston listened to the cracking of falling tree branches and gazed at the coating of ice on her home. "It's actually really pretty," she said. "Not safe, I'm sure, but it's pretty." Heavy snow in Wisconsin forced dozens of churches to cancel Sunday services. Milwaukee got about 9ins and ice and snow in Oklahoma were blamed for three traffic deaths on slick roads. In New York's St. Lawrence County, almost 2 inches (5 centimeters) of ice had accumulated by early Sunday, coating tree limbs and power lines, and a state of emergency was declared to keep the roads clear of motorists. In Canada, crews struggled to restore service where utility companies said power outages affected about 350,000 customers in Ontario, 51,000 in Quebec and 3,000 in New Brunswick. So far, the storm's impact appeared to fall well short of the havoc wreaked by the deadly ice storm that struck eastern Canada in 1998 when more than two dozen people died and about three million people - about 10% of Canada's population - was without power during four days of intermittent freezing rain. Marie-Eve Giguere, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said the 1998 storm involved far more freezing rain and ice accumulation than over the past few days. In Canada, the severe weather conditions, which saw people skating down streets in Kingston, Ontario, were suspected to have played a role in three fatal crashes in Quebec and another in Ontario over the weekend. In Kentucky, five people were killed in flooding caused by the storm system. The bodies of three people were pulled from the Rolling Fork River after their vehicle was swept away, a fourth person drowned in Carroll County after a four-wheel drive vehicle overturned in high water, and a body was discovered in Ballard County near a car abandoned in a flooded ditch. AP We are blessed with pastors like the Rev John Dunlop, who can give a loving Christian message that can ignite an enthusiastic response from the many different shades of Christian belief in Northern Ireland. His initial encouragement of, and welcome for, a papal visit on the BBC's Sunday Sequence programme was a good scene-setter that has had a welcome impact. The confirmation that the Pope was to visit Ireland - and most likely Northern Ireland - was greeted with virtually unanimous approval by the Protestant churches here. This is an indication of just how far the churches have travelled over the past 40 years since the visit to Ireland of Pope St John Paul II. Apart from a rather predictable, but somewhat subdued, disapproval by the tiny Free Presbyterian Church, there was enthusiastic support. The Church of Ireland Dean of Belfast, the Rev John Mann, immediately suggested the novel, but enormously rich, symbolism of an ecumenical service in St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. But it was the enthusiastic and warm welcome that is so encouraging in response to the great news of the Pope's visit to Ireland for the World Meeting of Families in August 2018. Much water has flowed under the bridge since 1979, and in today's Northern Ireland, religious belief of any kind - Catholic or Protestant - is under serious threat by aggressive secularism that is intolerant of religious values being in any part of the public space. For secularists, religious values are to be marginalised and strictly restricted to the private sphere. Solidarity today among Christians is, therefore, not just desirable, but also essential to defend and uphold Christian values. This pastoral visit by the Pope will emphasise the message of support that he will bring for the integrity of the family as an institutional expression of Christian love and hope for humanity and as an essential social unit for giving children and the sick and the elderly a safe space that is based upon love and security. It will also emphasise his personal theme of mercy as a guide to our religious and secular lives. The concept of solidarity to the marginalised in our society is an unending opportunity for Christians everywhere to empty themselves of material selfishness and possessiveness. If this were to be applied throughout Europe, there would be no immigration crisis. The Pope's visit will come in the wake of the 500th anniversary next year of the beginning of the Reformation in Wittenberg in 1517. It was there that the Augustinian Martin Luther protested against the corruption and failings of the Catholic Church and set in train the tragic division of the Christian church, as we well know today in this small part of the world. How we, as present-day Christians, deal with this historic process of the Reformation and its various events will be a test of goodwill towards one and other and our faith and our desire to restore the original unity of the Church. It will be a challenge for the churches to address all the outstanding issues that still trouble believers today. In this respect, it is interesting to note the Pope's recent visit to Sweden to meet with the largest Lutheran church in Europe. It was a successful visit and one of great warmth and friendship and an example that we can learn from and apply here. Arlene Foster said she would meet the Pope as a visiting head of state if he came north. Likewise, Martin McGuinness welcomed the Pope's potential visit here. But it should be remembered that, in 1979, Pope John Paul II, in his famous address at Drogheda, called on the Provisional IRA and others to uphold the sanctity of life and end their violence. He said: "On my knees, I beg you to turn away from the paths of violence and return to the ways of peace." McGuinness and his comrades in the IRA ignored that saintly plea, continued their unchristian campaign and caused further needless deaths and injury to so many people here. If he and his comrades had heeded the Pope then, how many lives would have been saved and how much misery would have been avoided? Furthermore, what greater political progress towards peace and reconciliation could have been made those 37 years ago? Today, he and his colleagues in Sinn Fein are repeating the mistake of the past by once again ignoring the papal message about the sanctity of human life by advocating legislation to introduce abortion. McGuinness and his colleagues are once again ignoring - indeed, defying - the Christian message that life in the womb is to be valued and protected and not deliberately destroyed. If he is truly sincere in wanting to welcome the Pope, he should seriously reflect on the Pope's teaching that abortion is a grievous wrong. The sight of masked dissident republicans patrolling the streets of Ardoyne with rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher will send a shiver down the spines of many in Northern Ireland. It shows beyond doubt that, regardless of the Provisional IRA's ceasefire, there are other republican paramilitaries out there with the will and capacity to kill in pursuit of their goals. It was in Provisional hands that we first saw RPG-7s in Northern Ireland. The Soviet-made weapon was supplied to republicans in the early 1970s and 80s by Libyan dictator Colonel Gaddafi. The footage of dissidents, apparently armed with a similar weapon, is an uncomfortable reminder to their old comrades of the unbroken link to the campaign that most in Sinn Fein would today prefer to forget. The mobile phone footage circulating on social media is not dated, but it is reported to have been filmed recently. The images are too blurry to identify whether this is an old-style RPG from a Provisional IRA arms dump or a more recent one. The video should also carry a heavy health warning as it is impossible to verify whether or not the weapons are genuine. But even if they are authentic, there is no reason to believe that this represents a new and more dangerous threat from anti-Good Friday Agreement republicans. Various dissident groups have possessed rocket launchers for at least 15 years, but have not inflicted casualties on the security forces with them. In February 2002, four men were arrested in a field in Coalisland, Co Tyrone, and an RPG-22 recovered in an operation by undercover British soldiers and police. Those charged were later acquitted. The weapon was allegedly linked to the Real IRA. Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close A gang of heavily-armed dissident republicans - one carrying an RPG rocket-launcher - filmed in north Belfast Shocking: A gang of heavily-armed dissident republicans - one carrying an RPG rocket-launcher - filmed in north Belfast A gang of heavily-armed dissident republicans - one carrying an RPG rocket-launcher - filmed in north Belfast A gang of heavily-armed dissident republicans - one carrying an RPG rocket-launcher - filmed in north Belfast / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A gang of heavily-armed dissident republicans - one carrying an RPG rocket-launcher - filmed in north Belfast In August 2008, the Continuity IRA attempted to fire an RPG at a PSNI foot patrol in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh. The grenade failed to detonate. The warhead contained Semtex. Police believed the rocket launcher had been part of the Provisional IRA's arsenal, but had malfunctioned because it hadn't been stored in good conditions. Despite their fearsome reputation, RPGs would be of limited use to dissident republicans. In the latter stages of their campaign, the Provisional IRA favoured homemade, disposable rocket launchers. They were shorter, lighter, and more adaptable. Military rocket launchers can travel a longer distance and hit harder, but have many drawbacks. They are harder to use and store, and are generally limited to use against stationary targets. Homemade rocket launchers - despite their amateurish appearance - are far more versatile and suitable for use in urban areas against mobile targets. In November 2014, the New IRA released a photograph of one of its members posing with a homemade rocket launcher that was used in an attack against the PSNI. The grenade, fired from the 'drop and go' launcher, pierced the outer skin of a police Land Rover, but failed to completely detonate, saving the lives of those inside. That attack - and the fact that dissidents had honed their engineering skills - will have worried the intelligence services considerably more than this footage. And the fact remains that, despite whatever weapons they may possess, dissident republicans have proved incapable of mounting one 'successful' operation against a military target in recent years. While it remains propaganda photographs and videos that the PSNI is responding to - rather than attacks resulting in fatalities - the security services won't be overly concerned. Game of Thrones Margaery and Olenna in the courtyard HBO Game of Thrones Tywin wearing the Hand of the King brooch HBO Game of Thrones Daario will be a new arrival in season 4 HBO The battle for the wall: Jon Snow (Kit Harington) continues to fight the Wildlings in the Game of Thrones Season 4 Game of Thrones The Hound strides the fields in heavy armour HBO Game of Thrones Oberyn with Ellaria, mother of the four youngest Sand Snakes HBO Game of Thrones King Joffrey and his smirk of contempt are back HBO HBO has defended graphic scenes of sex and violence in fantasy epic Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Arya remains under the watch of the The Hound HBO Arlene Foster wants to use tourism jewels like Ballintoy harbour to tempt Asian and Arab tourists The Dark Hedges lining the Bregagh Road in Co Antrim have attracted visitors from all over the globe The famous Dark Hedges in Co Antrim, which have become a major tourist attraction for thousands of Game of Thrones fans, have just been voted one of the most beautiful places in the world. The prestigious Architectural Digest magazine, which is published in America, has placed the Hedges at number seven in its top 10 of the most beautiful streets on the planet - ahead of the Champs-Elysees in Paris. Last year the Hedges, on the Bregagh Road near Ballymoney, were included in a list of the 12 best road trips in the UK and Ireland by www.continentalroadtrip.com And this iconic avenue of Beech trees was also chosen as one of the world's 'enchanting' spots by Culture Trip, which calls itself the biggest culture website in the world. In the citation, Culture Trip said the Dark Hedges were scenic and atmospheric, but advised the "easily spooked" to give the Bregagh Road a wide berth "because legend has it that it is home to an otherworldly resident, a spectral grey lady said to glide between the trees at dusk". The stunning tunnel of trees along the Bregagh Road was planted in the 18th century by the Stuart family, owners of the Georgian mansion, Gracehill House. It was designed to impress the Stuarts' visitors as they approached their estate. The Dark Hedges, which have long been one of the most photographed attractions in Northern Ireland, were propelled to even greater fame by HBO's cult television series, Game of Thrones. The trees represented the King's Road in the first episode of the second season of Thrones, as Arya Stark, who had escaped from King's Landing disguised as a boy, travelled through the Hedges with other characters to join the Night's Watch. And ever since, the Dark Hedges have proved to be a magnet for followers of the series from right around the world, including Japan, China, America and Scandinavia. Earlier this year it was revealed the trees were at risk from the increased flow of visitors and cars. Transport NI said it was in talks with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council about introducing a new traffic management system on the Bregagh Road. Infrastructure minister Chris Hazzard told the Assembly that among the measures under consideration were better parking provision and a footpath. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Trees fallen at the Dark Hedges after Storm Gertrude swept across Northern Ireland. The trees made famous by the HBO series Game of Thrones, have collapsed onto the Bregagh Road near Armoy. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Trees at the Dark Hedges, the now-famous Game of Thrones film location, have been uprooted by Storm Gertrude. January 2016 (Photo by Kevin Scott ) Kevin Scott Trees at the Dark Hedges, the now-famous Game of Thrones film location, have been uprooted by Storm Gertrude. 2016 (Photo by Kevin Scott ) Kevin Scott Trees at the Dark Hedges, the now-famous Game of Thrones film location, have been uprooted by Storm Gertrude. Kevin Scott Trees at the Dark Hedges, the now-famous Game of Thrones film location, have been uprooted by Storm Gertrude. January 2016 (Photo by Kevin Scott ) Kevin Scott Trees at the Dark Hedges, the now-famous Game of Thrones film location, have been uprooted by Storm Gertrude. January 2016 (Photo by Kevin Scott ) Kevin Scott Trees at the Dark Hedges, the now-famous Game of Thrones film location, have been uprooted by Storm Gertrude. January 2016 (Photo by Kevin Scott ) Kevin Scott Trees at the Dark Hedges, the now-famous Game of Thrones film location, have been uprooted by Storm Gertrude. January 2016 (Photo by Kevin Scott ) Kevin Scott Picture - Kevin Scott Belfast , UK - January 29th, Pictured is trees down at the Dark Hedges on the 29th January 2016 (Photo by Kevin Scott ) Kevin Scott Picture - Kevin Scott Belfast , UK - January 29th, Pictured is trees down at the Dark Hedges on the 29th January 2016 (Photo by Kevin Scott ) Kevin Scott Trees at the Dark Hedges, the now-famous Game of Thrones film location, have been uprooted by Storm Gertrude. January 2016 (Photo by Kevin Scott ) Kevin Scott Trees at the Dark Hedges, the now-famous Game of Thrones film location, have been uprooted by Storm Gertrude. January 2016 (Photo by Kevin Scott ) Kevin Scott Trees at the Dark Hedges, the now-famous Game of Thrones film location, have been uprooted by Storm Gertrude. January 2016 (Photo by Kevin Scott ) Kevin Scott Picture - Kevin Scott Belfast , UK - January 29th, Pictured is trees down at the Dark Hedges on the 29th January 2016 (Photo by Kevin Scott ) Kevin Scott Trees fallen at the Dark Hedges after Storm Gertrude hit Northern Ireland. The trees made famous by Game of Thrones, collapsed onto the Bregagh Road near Armoy. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Trees fallen at the Dark Hedges after Storm Gertrude hit Northern Ireland. The trees made famous by Game of Thrones, collapsed onto the Bregagh Road near Armoy. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Trees fallen at the Dark Hedges after Storm Gertrude hit Northern Ireland. The trees made famous by Game of Thrones, collapsed onto the Bregagh Road near Armoy. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Trees fallen at the Dark Hedges after Storm Gertrude swept across Northern Ireland. The trees made famous by the HBO series Game of Thrones, have collapsed onto the Bregagh Road near Armoy. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press He also said that a total ban on vehicles was also a possibility, as a means of ensuring that the Dark Hedges received special protection. A number of the iconic trees were blown down earlier this year in storms. The wood from two of the trees that fell in January has been used for carvings for 10 intricately-designed doors fitted in pubs and hotels, each one telling the story of an episode in season six of Game of Thrones. The 10 establishments are all close to filming locations from the series. The top 10 in the Architectural Digest poll are: YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The Defense Ministry of Nagorno Karabakh told Armenpress the Azerbaijani forces made over 35 ceasefire violations across the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact. The Ministrys announcement reads: Overnight December 6-7 the Azerbaijani side violated the ceasefire regime over 35 times by firing more than 400 shots from various caliber small arms at the Armenian positions in the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact. The Defense Army forces mainly refrained from taking countermeasures and confidently fulfilled their military tasks. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan on December 6 delivered a speech at the ceremony dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the NKRs Independence proclamation held in the US Congress, press service of the NKR Government told Armenpress. Armenpress presents his full speech: Your Eminence, Honorable Members of Congress, Ambassador Hovhannisyan, Dear compatriots, Ladies and gentlemen, I greet you all on behalf of the people and the government of the Republic of Artsakh as well as in my personal capacity at this already traditional event dedicated to the independence of the Artsakh Republic. The 25th anniversary is celebrated as a jubilee, and is an occasion to look back at the long path that we have crossed during these 25 years and to outline the forthcoming programs and projects. Making use of this opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude to all those individuals and institutions, who assisted in Artsakhs security and development in general, and in the organizing of tonights celebration in particular. It is symbolic for us to organize this event on the occasion of Artsakhs independence in the United States Congress as both our nations and states share the same values. About two and a half centuries ago, the American people fought for their independence and have built the homeland of their dreams, where the rights and freedoms of all peoples are respected, citizens have sufficient security conditions to create and to live. It is a country where great ideas are born and implemented. After 25 years of our own independence, we can state that the Republic of Artsakh has recorded considerable successes in regards to respecting and guaranteeing human rights and freedoms, building liberal market-based economy and a democratic political system. But we have not yet reached the desirable level of development for the political and socio-economic systems. What is more important, our people constantly face challenges and threats against their basic security needs. The reason for this is long not a secret, at least for us. We have a neighboring state, whose government glorifies maniacs who axed a sleeping Armenian officer in Hungary and beheaded our servicemen alive; a government that calls all Armenians of the world as their number one enemy and considers killing any Armenian as a primary objective. It is a country where the government propagated fascism-style enmity towards their neighbor even within schools and kindergartens, where the Armenian historic-cultural heritage is destroyed or falls victim to vandalism. Given the ongoing confrontation with such a neighbor like Azerbaijan, the people of Artsakh continue not only to survive for more than twenty years, but also to create and develop their own country. We have succeeded in considerably improving the quality of life in Artsakh. Let me bring some examples. During the last 20 years, GDP per capita increased 12-folds if it was $250 in 1995 now we have reached $3000 in 2015. Moreover, we have recorded a 10 percent average GDP growth rate, which can be considered a desirable pace for many countries. After the proclamation of independence, we transformed our Soviet planned economy into a free market system, which was not an easy task. But we were able to restore the ravaged economy during these years and guarantee economic freedoms and market competition. Using the international experience and taking into account our domestic peculiarities, Artsakh has been able to record the fastest pace of economic development and install probably the most attractive taxation policy in the region. Just imagine that even during the years of global financial economic crisis we recorded over 10 percent of GDP growth, realizing grand projects in the fields of hydroenergy, agriculture, food and textile industry as well as the mining sector. Thanks to these steps, Artsakh is fully self-sufficient now and even exports electricity to the Republic of Armenia. By the way, we produce electricity only from renewable sources without causing harm to our environment. As you see, the Republic of Artsakh has made its share of contribution towards the protection of ecology of the region, but we are deprived of the possibility of receiving international assistance. Wouldnt you agree that neither human rights nor environmental protection recognize borders and international status of countries? Restoration and further development of Artsakhs economy and ruined infrastructures became possible due to effective management of domestic resources and constant assistance and investments by Armenia and Diaspora. Besides, we continuously attract foreign investments, many of which have proved to be profitable and successful in Artsakh. For example, one of our largest investors is from Lebanon who owns our telecommunication company. Among numerous foreign investors, we have also Italian clothing brands. Another interesting example is the domestic production of black caviar, which was launched with a large foreign direct investment and the investor is expected to export black caviar from Artsakh very soon. I would like to emphasize here that we are not going to use black caviar in diplomacy, unlike some of our neighbors. With that being said, the development of our economy faces obstacles, too, and there are number of both objective and subjective hindering factors, most of which are conditioned by Bakus antagonistic policies. In particular, the Azerbaijani authoritarian leadership continues the blockade of the republics of Artsakh and Armenia, threatens to shoot down even our civilian planes, boasts about launching a large-scale war against our consolidating democracy, seeks to impede the activities of foreign companies and investors in Artsakh, makes obstacles for export and sale of the products made in Artsakh. I would run a parallel between these and a number of other obstacles and limitations with the sanctions and pressures carried out against the American people in the years of the American Revolution. The answer of your ancestors to those sanctions and pressures was the Boston Tea Party, the American Revolutionary War and the construction of a democratic state. We also walk towards that direction, as we defended our homeland and our rights during the war and are now building a democratic and prosperous state, regardless of Azerbaijani pressures and limitations. Dear guests, The latest large-scale outbreak of the Azerbaijani hatred towards Artsakh and all Armenians was in April of this year, when the Azerbaijani army violated the 1994 tripartite treaty of ceasefire with Artsakh and Armenia and attacked the military positions and peaceful settlements of Karabakh. The Azerbaijani side mobilized thousands of special force soldiers, more than 10 helicopters, hundreds of tanks and artillery, rocket launch systems, which included forbidden weapon types. Our army could resist Azerbaijans sudden aggression and defend our population from massacre and deportation. Despite that, the Azerbaijani forces committed war crimes and other crimes against humanity. In particular, in Talish village they brutally tortured, mutilated, and killed three civilians, including a 90-year old woman. Using Islamic State methods, Azerbaijani soldiers beheaded three of our servicemen and tortured and mutilated the bodies of over 20 Armenian soldiers both alive and dead. Moreover, a few days following the attacks the Azerbaijani president decorated and glorified those criminals. Besides, Azerbaijans artillery was intentionally shelling peaceful settlements of Karabakh, which resulted in the death of a child who was walking school. The continuation of that policy was the statement released by the Azerbaijani defense ministry that they were going to bombard Karabakhs capital city Stepanakert. Bakus behavior in April was a terrorism committed and praised on the state level, which, unfortunately, again has not been condemned properly by the international community. Four days after the Azerbaijani aggression, the official Baku requested a ceasefire due to the painful retaliatory actions of our army as well as Azerbaijani failures and greater losses. However, we also had irreparable human and considerable material losses. Particularly, we lost tens of soldiers. Furthermore, more than 10,000 citizens, which is equal to 7 percent of Artsakhs population, had to leave temporarily their settlements near the frontline. As for the Talish village, its inhabitants left because of Azerbaijans ferocities and have not returned yet due to security concerns. Nevertheless, we are making efforts to restore Talish. The war also had its negative direct and indirect effects on the economy. The direct effect is over $20 million loss, while indirect negative impact will be felt for a longer period. Ladies and Gentlemen, In regards to the conflict resolution efforts, we welcome the steps of the co-chairs of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Minsk Group directed towards the stabilization of the situation and conflict settlement. The people of Artsakh highly appreciate the role of the United States within the frameworks of OSCE Minsk Group in the realization of necessary steps directed at the preservation of peace and final peaceful settlement of the conflict. We are glad that the U.S. shares our position in the protection of the rights of Karabakhi people and inadmissibility of military activities. From that perspective, we are also grateful to the seven US states - Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, Louisiana, California, Georgia, and Hawaii for supporting the independence of Artsakh Republic and our peoples right to self-determination. Like the whole civilized world, we also claim that the conflict must be resolved only through peaceful means without use of force or the threat thereof. At the same time, it is inadmissible and impossible to reach a successful conflict resolution without the equal and full participation of the main side of the conflict, that is the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. It must be stated that our inclination to resolve the conflict exclusively through peaceful means does not mean that we are weak or are not ready for a new war. No, friends, the Artsakh army has enough capacity and combat readiness to confront any harassment towards our people which is our sacred duty and responsibility. We simply value human life and, like the entire civilized humanity, we think that it is possible and needed to settle conflicts peacefully. I am sure, you realize that this position of Artsakh Republic is not only in our favor but also in favor of the Azerbaijani people. Moreover, due to our commitment to peace we can confidently assert that Artsakh is a reliable partner for the international community in providing regional peace and stability. It is important to say that despite the mediators' long-standing efforts, the official Baku's destructive and fascist policies have resulted in stalled and ineffective negotiations. Due to the false-parity and lack of strong condemnation against Azerbaijan by the international community as well as feeling empowered by the petrodollars and the false sense of impunity, Azerbaijan has gradually become more militaristic by arming itself and destabilizing the entire South Caucasus. The official Baku has not only openly violated the permissible limits of the conventional arms, but also boasts about it. International organizations have recorded many times that the Azerbaijani authorities export the authoritarian methods used against their own people, trying to implement those same methods against their neighbors and other states. Unfortunately, the whole world turns a blind eye to that dangerous behavior. I think the main aim of the international community, especially after the April aggression, must be the guarantee of peace not by blank statements but by practical measures of restraining and pressuring the aggressor Azerbaijan in the political, economic, and military fronts. In that context, the Azerbaijan Sanctions Bill authored by Congressman Chris Smith sends a strong message that human rights, freedoms, as well as the safety and dignity of individuals remain as the most important values of the civilized humanity. The Azerbaijani leadership must remember it once and forever, and the international community must understand that with further accumulation of heavy armaments in the region, the new war is going to be extremely devastating and destructive for both sides which in short time will make the whole South Caucasus face a serious humanitarian disaster. It is not hard to imagine what kind of negative consequences such a scenario will have for safety and security in the West, the Middle East and Central Asia. As one of the greatest US presidents John F Kennedy said, Mankind must put an end to war - or war will put an end to mankind." In the context of ensuring peace in the Karabakh conflict zone, we highly appreciate congressmen Ed Royce and Eliot Engels proposals which last year were introduced to the U.S. administration with the signatures of over 80 Members of Congress. As you know, they call upon the US authorities to get an agreement from all the sides to remove snipers from the frontline, to install advanced gunfire locator systems and sound-ranging equipment to determine the source of attacks, as well as, to deploy more OSCE observers along the line of contact to better monitor and investigate ceasefire violations. It is not surprising that the Republic of Artsakh , the Republic of Armenia and the OSCE mediators welcomed those proposals, while Azerbaijan refused. And why? Ill let you draw your own conclusions. We are pleased and grateful that there are many legislators in the U.S. Congress who are concerned about the future of our people and who share our values. We are also happy that in the latest elections the overwhelming majority of our friends in the Congress received the vote of the American citizens. I cordially congratulate you on earning that high trust and Im sure that it will contribute to further deepening of our friendship. We are grateful for the financial support that the US Congress and all Americans provide for Artsakh every year. I hope you know that it is the only foreign official support to the Karabakh people. Due to that humanitarian assistance, many lives have been saved, many infrastructures have been restored. I want to bring only two examples so that you can see the importance of the support you provide. Since 2000, with the American financial assistance the HALO Trust organization has cleaned 1848 hectares of mine fields in Karabakh, preventing possible unfortunate accidents. Let me inform you that if in the 1990s Artsakh had the highest per capita explosive remnants of war in the world, then now, due to the American support we have just over 722 hectare mine fields left to clear. So, thank you for the saved lives. Another tangible work was the support to construct a drinking water network in Stepanakert, due to which tens of thousands people have been provided with drinking water. This is something that had not been done even by the powerful Soviet Union. Thank you for providing our people with water. Our people will never forget your assistance. I am sure that more such projects are still to come. In particular, now there is a need to expand the existing Baroness Caroline Cox Rehabilitation Center in Stepanakert, which is a unique center providing humanitarian services to wounded and disabled persons. In the course of 18 years they have treated almost 1000 citizens per year from all age groups. In the meantime, the actual need is more than 10 times higher. For our population living in conflict conditions it is a center of vital importance. Besides, because of the military actions unleashed by the Azerbaijani side this past April, many families have suffered significant losses, and more than 500 inhabitants of the Talish village, as I mentioned, had to be displaced. Hence, now there are new humanitarian needs which also can be addressed with the American support. Dear Members of Congress, I call upon you to keep Karabakhs challenges in the center of your attention and to participate as much as possible in trying to solving them. Be sure that by that you are lending a hand to a people who walk on the democratic path well known to you. Moreover, Artsakh is going to make a new step on that path by making some amendments in the Constitution. In particular, we have a goal to increase the efficiency of the political system, to make the guarantees of human rights protection as well as to strengthen the foundations of our statehood. However, it is a well- known fact that democracy-building is not an easy task, especially when you have to simultaneously struggle for basic security. But the people of Artsakh are very committed to these principles to ensure security without having to sacrifice our freedoms, as one of the founding fathers of the US Benjamin Franklin would say in order to deserve both democracy and security. Therefore, the Karabakh people's struggle is for the sake of universal values similar to the American peoples struggle for freedom in our region, which can also serve as an example for other people. Dear friends, our values are also your values. Our struggle is also your struggle. Our success is also your success. Let us stand together and support the victory of universal human values in another corner of the world. Thousands of participants pray during a rally in Jakarta against that citys governor, Dec. 2, 2016. A group of people who were arrested on treason charges ahead of a rally last week against Jakartas governor had received funds from an unidentified source, Indonesian police said Tuesday. On Friday authorities arrested 11 people and charged eight of them with treason, hours before 200,000 protestors gathered in the capital to demand that Jakarta Gov. Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama be arrested for alleged blasphemy against Islam. Those charged with treason include Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, the sister of former President Megawati Soekarnoputri, and two retired army generals, Kivlan Zein and Adityawarman Thaha. Rachmawati, Kivlan and Adityawarman and five other suspects were later released, but three other suspects remained in custody on Tuesday. National police spokesman Martinus Sitompul said officers had evidence of money transfers, but he did not elaborate. We will track the flow of funds, Martinus told BenarNews. A spokesman for Rachmawati said she planned to challenge the treason allegation in court as well as lodge a complaint about her arrest with a unit within the national police force that oversees its professionalism. In addition to filing a motion for a pretrial hearing, we plan to report it to Propam over her arrest and the investigation process, spokesman Teguh Santosa told BenarNews. Rachmawati, 66, who suffers from hypertension and uses a wheelchair, was not treated well by the arresting officers, according to Teguh. She was arrested at her home at 5 a.m. on Friday without breakfast, and ate only once until she was freed in the evening, he said. Her status is still as a suspect. She is not under detention because police could not find a reason to keep her, Teguh said. Rachmawati was charged under Indonesias criminal code with treason and conspiracy to commit treason. If convicted, she could face up to 15 years in prison. Other suspects who were released within 24 hours included activist Ratna Sarumpaet, politician Eko Suryo Santjojo, labor activist Alvin Indra and rock musician Ahmad Dhani Prasetyo, who was charged for allegedly defaming Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo. The three suspects still in custody are Sri Bintang Pamungkas, a noted former political prisoner who has been charged with treason along with Rizal Kobar and Jamran. Police chief discusses investigation On Monday, national police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian told a committee of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) that police had received intelligence that groups planned to infiltrate Fridays rally for their own political interests. Officers discovered a plot to occupy the parliament building to force lawmakers to meet to impeach Jokowi, according to the police chief. Occupying the parliament forcibly, for whatever reason, for the police, is unconstitutional, Tito said. Tito said the suspects were arrested hours before the rally to prevent them from provoking the masses. In addition, investigators have communicated with the military, police and intelligence detachments regarding the arrests of the retired generals. In a written statement, military spokesman Maj. Gen. Wuryanto explained that police followed procedure. Prior to the arrest, the police always do coordination and communication and exchange of information with the military. In principle, the military supports what is done by police, he said. Police were concerned about outbreaks at the rally because a similar protest in November against Ahok started peacefully, but ended in violence. Ahok, who is a Christian and member of Indonesias ethnic Chinese minority, is running for election in February, but angered Muslims by uttering public comments related to the Quran, for which he has apologized. President Joko expressed regret about the events of Nov. 4. We deplore the events after evening prayers when it was time to disband and rioting broke out. And here we see infiltration by political actors exploiting the situation, he said at the time while not elaborating on who those actors might be. Evidence of treason in doubt On Tuesday, the director of the Legal Aid Institute Jakarta, Alghiffari Aqsa, questioned police actions in arresting the suspects on treason charges. If specified as perpetrators of treason, it means they are very dangerous to the country, so why were they are released? Alghiffari told BenarNews. He said the evidence was not strong enough for treason convictions. You could say that for treason, is there proof of violence or a plan to do violence. If only in words, it is part of freedom of expression, he said. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, left-middle, and other officials prostrate themselves before newly appointed King Maha Vajiralongkorn in Bangkok, Dec. 1, 2016. Thai authorities are investigating BBC News over a report about Thailands new king, officials said Wednesday with the prime minister warning foreign media organizations they could be prosecuted over violations of royal defamation laws. The news network is being probed for a profile of King Maha Vajiralongkorn that was published by its London-based Thai-language service, BBC Thai, after he ascended the throne on Dec. 1, officials said. The BBC News website also carried the story in English on the same day. This case is in the process of investigation but I cannot disclose the details, Pornchai Chalordej, who commands the police station responsible for the case, told Agence France-Presse. The article, which has been blocked online in Thailand since it was published, drew more than 2,500 shares on Facebook. A Thai activist was arrested Saturday under the Lese-Majeste law after he allegedly shared the piece on his Facebook page. Jatupat Pai Boonpattararaksa, who posted bail on Sunday, is the first person to be charged under the law after Maha Vajiralongkorn succeeded King Bhumibol Adulayadej, who died on Oct. 13 at age 88. Since a military government took power in May 2014, scores of Thais have been arrested and charged under the law for posting content online perceived as insults against members of the monarchy. Authorities have to pursue the matter. It is their duty to pursue anything that is against the law, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan told journalists on Wednesday, referring to the BBC report, according to Reuters. Prime Minister and junta chief Prayuth Chan-o-cha also commented on the matter. In regard to security issues and on foreign media, as it [BBC News] has a branch office and has Thai staff, and when they break a law, they can be prosecuted. And thats it, Prayuth told reporters in Bangkok. He warned members of the media to be mindful when reporting, or face the possibility of being prosecuted under the nations laws. So be careful to not infringe on other peoples privacy or causing unrest, he said. The authorities may consolidate a potential criminal case against BBCNews with the one against Jatupat, National Police spokesman Maj. Gen. Piyapan Pingmuang told BenarNews. If anyone is implicated, all of them will be charged. We dont separate the case of him and BBC, the spokesman said. Meanwhile, Jonathan Head, the BBCs Bangkok-based Southeast Asia correspondent, declined comment. Earlier this week, a spokeswoman for BBCNews said it was standing by the Thai services profile of the new king. BBC Thai was established to bring impartial, independent, and accurate news to a country where the media faces restrictions, and we are confident that this article adheres to the BBCs editorial principles. While we do not comment on individual cases, we do everything we can to ensure the safety of all our staff around the world, Charlotte Morgan told BenarNews via email. Mexico was situated mostly in St. Stephens Parish & extended into the Parish of Middle St. Johns (containing 1450 acres more or less). This land had been purchased by Peter Porcher II from Blake Leay White. In 1796, Mexico became the home of Samuel Porcher (1768-1851), son of Peter Por Read moreHistorical account of the Mexico Plantation ein Google-Unternehmen Google-Dienste anzubieten und zu betreiben Ausfalle zu prufen und Manahmen gegen Spam, Betrug und Missbrauch zu ergreifen Daten zu Zielgruppeninteraktionen und Websitestatistiken zu erheben. 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Sofern relevant, verwenden wir Cookies und Daten auerdem, um Inhalte und Werbung altersgerecht zu gestalten. Wir verwenden Cookies und Daten, umWenn Sie Alle akzeptieren auswahlen, verwenden wir Cookies und Daten auch, umWahlen Sie Weitere Optionen aus, um sich zusatzliche Informationen anzusehen, einschlielich Details zum Verwalten Ihrer Datenschutzeinstellungen. Sie konnen auch jederzeit g.co/privacytools besuchen. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. A criminal case has been initiated in the Syunik department of the Investigative Department on money counterfeiting. The suspects are minors, the Investigative Committee told ARMENPRESS. According to initial reports, the minors, aged 17 and 16, produced counterfeit banknotes using a printer and used the money on November 28 in a local store in Lernadzor village. Law enforcement agencies discovered the printer during search operations, including printing papers and computer processors. The suspects are detained. Of the different approaches in dealing with the dangers of technology, the Karliner Rebbe is known to have a more engaging approach. Seeing it as a reality of life the Rebbe puts more of a focus on confronting it than avoiding it.On Motzei Shabbos parshas chayei Sarah, Hagaon R Shimon Spitzer a prominent Magid Shiur in Karlin delivered and explained the Rebbes approach on dealing with the challenges posed by technology.The following is a free-style translation (not word-for-word) from Yiddish to English of the Historic Shiur on Technology by R' Shimon Spitzer regarding the Rebbes derech in this sensitive area.A Different Kind of BattleIn this past weeks parsha, we read how Eliezer repeated a few times, I am the servant of Avraham. He had complete to Avraham. Everything that we will speak tonight is not my own. We will try to explain the Rebbes in technology in general and with smartphones in particular. After I prepared the shiur, I discussed it three times with the Rebbe to make sure that it should be given over properly, and I went over it as well with the Vaad Harabanim (of Karlin). May Hashem help that we shouldnt stumble. And if chas veshalom there is any stumbling block, I ask that it be blamed on me - the messenger, and not chas veshalom on . It is known that our Rebbe has a derech that is a bit different than the winds in the streets today. And theres a lot of confusion among people regarding some of the issues. We will try beh to explain the topic. The first question people ask on our derech is, How can the Rebbe be lenient on these things? Chassidim always went beyond the letter of the law. And especially in this area with such important issues, and when dealing with such huge stumbling blocks that include the three cardinal sins, suddenly here we take leniencies?? Doesnt the Rebbe see the facts on the ground, how much destruction and havoc these things are wreaking, how many people and families have been destroyed by the technology? In addition, we see what a tremendous shallowness the technology brings people to. Once a melave malka used to be a chassidish gathering with stories of Tzadikim, singing, and uplifiting. Today, people are busy with so much shtusim, narishkeitim, and shallowness. And they also ask, Why doesnt the Rebbe at the very least say and not get such devices?And indeed, we hear all the time in the street terrible stories, people who were learners, had a big family, etc. but since he got this device he left everythingSo whats the plan? It seems like its only getting worse. So first of all, when dealing with a complicated sugya, its important not to make it into one big salad. There are many so many aspects and components There are things that are not allowed. There are things that dont pas. And there are things that look like they are bad but if you think more into them, theres really nothing wrong with them. Each component needs to be examined on its own. Lets take the Iranian threat. No one denies the huge sakana. But theres a big disagreement amongst the political and military echelon about the best ways to deal with it. Some say we must wipe it out by air attack. Even though there will be many dead on both sides, we have no choice. Others, who understand the threat just as well, hold that we need to fight from inside, to send computer viruses, kill their top scientists, and enforce punishing sanctions. There is more than one way to wage a battle.A big mistake people make is thinking that there are those who make battle with technology and others who dont and who just say it will be ok, we can manage it. No! There is a battle about HOW we should make battle. Its not a question of being machmir or meikel. Without taking off a drop of the risk, chas veshalom! The Rebbe is leading a battle! And the Rebbe, with his understands that we will win this battle davka in a different way. After 9/11, Bush decided to go after Sadam and topple his regime. But he didnt give much thought to what would be the day after. Many analysts today say that ISIS is an offshoot of the vacuum created by Sadams ouster. His top generals and loyalists banded together and created an even more dangerous regime. The same in Gaza today, when they shoot rockets theres always an argument. Many say we must go in and destroy Hamas. But others, who are no less aware of the danger, and no less willing to engage in battle, ask and what will be the day after? Who will come in their place? Do you want to have the whole Gaza under Israeli control?It is similar with the technology. Is there anyone who doubts that we must fight it, is there anyone who can say we should be lenient? Of course not! But our Rebbe, with his holy eyes, sees that this battle will be won specifically in a different way, and this different way will hold us strong for the long term. The way that we hear the most about, and chas veshalom, we dont mean to be in any gedolei yisrael, just like in chazal there were machlokesim between tanaim and amoraim, when we speak of the other way, they say that the smartphones are a . Many dont even care if there is a filter or not, its a . The Rebbe holds that this is incorrect for 3 reasons:1) Its not Pashut to assur it . Something that is not a necessity or is used only for issurim, then it is pashut that it is assur. But something that can be used for many useful and important things, and that people need, and the need is only growing, it is bichlal not pashut that we can come and assur it. Its not a simple thing to assur something al pi halacha. If a person puts a filter, then even if there remains a chashash that a person can be nichshol, we cant assur it. The Rebbe compares it to a car. If we go back in time to since cars came out, all across the world, , probably millions have been killed, families destroyed. Yet we dont find that the previous gedolim assured cars. I asked the Rebbe if Chazal would have assured the car if it had been in their time, and the Rebbe said that they wouldnt have. He brought a proof from ships. Ships were known as a big sakana in the time of chazal and they didnt forbid it. We cant come and forbid something that is used for the normal functioning of society. A bunch of years back, there was a story where someone was driving wildly and killed a father of a big family. At the Shiva, someone was very angry and called out If the car would have been in the time of Chazal, they would have for sure assured it. A few days later, the Rebbe was giving a shmuz and he was also speaking heatedly about the dangers, and he called out If Chazal would have been around today, they would have surely instigated strong regarding driving... Notice the subtle but important difference between the words of this yungerman and the words of the Rebbe. No one denies that we must speak out and fight the dangers. The question is, do we just come and say No more cars! or do we speak about how we can learn to use cars safely so that these tragedies dont keep happening.Many in the street speak about the chazal of , and they forbid even taking a job in a place with internet, and the like.. Of course, we are not speaking of an open device. We are talking about erliche yidden who use devices that are filtered to the best of their ability. The Gemara in Baba Basra 57, doesnt say that if the way is longer or more difficult that one is still obligated to take the other way. It doesnt say this in any of the Rishonim. A person who needs it and it makes his life easier, its not pashut to say . The Gemara asks, if he doesnt have another way, hes an anus. Asks Rav Moshe Feinstein, Even Haezer Siman 56, what do you mean hes an anus? He shouldnt go! ! One of the 3 most chamur sins! And even if he needs to go for parnasa or other needs, an onus of money doesnt push away other issurim. (The street uses words like about getting these devices). Answers R Moshe, we are not talking about being on an . We are only speaking of a chashash michshol , and a chashash is not enough to prevent someone from normal day to day needs.2) Forbidding it wont bring the solution. Its something people cant be without. Now its these devices. Tomorrow it will be something else. The Rebbe says, its gonna get worse - and a LOT worse. Technology is moving forward at a frightening pace. And if we fight only about specific devices, then when it becomes impossible to be without such a device, then well need to change the fight and say, ok, that we can have, but not the next one The world keeps changing. We need to develop a plan that covers all future scenarios, because the types of devices and the amount that we need them just keeps on growing. At first they tried to forbidinternet, then they tried to forbid computers at home, then they tried to forbid phones with internet, then smartphones... It is always changing. And yes, it is painful. The Rebbe said to me Halevai, these devices were never created! But now its here, and thats the fact and reality. The Rebbe said to me, This device is here for a very short time , it will become a lot worse. And many of these things will become necessities. So banning the devices, each new type that comes out, wont bring the solution. In 10 years from now, if someone will take out a device from today, they will laugh at him. Try to think about what kind of devices we used 10 years ago!Were not speaking about regular people, the Rebbe has holy eyes, eyes of a Tzadik, he sees the whole picture, hes sees a distant view. Assuring wont bring the solution. It wont hold, and people wont be able to hold by it.Besides for that, it brings a terrible . It brings a terrible zilzul in the gedolei yisrael. There always were those who didnt listen to the gedolim, but the situation today has never been like this! Even people from the same community, the same chassidus, simply dont listen to their leaders, they just . Its a very painful situation. If we are speaking about things that people need, and it just becomes more and more of a necessity, and thousands of others have it, it becomes a terrible zilzul. People cant hold by the issurim, and its just getting worse.3) Once a sheigitz, whats the difference? : This third nekudah is not the main thing, but its an important point as well. The Gemara in Pesachim 11 says that one is not allowed to in a , since it can make a in the . The Chachamim argue with Rav Yehudah and say , but he should be careful not to cause a blemish. Rashi explains: . If you assur even when he doesnt make a blemish, he will do it anyway. And once he goes against chazal, he wont be careful and do it in a way that makes a as well, since hell think its all the same. If you assur these things, and its his money, his parnasa, his inyan, hell do it anyway. And once hes doing it anyway, he wont care if it has a filter or not. We see people who need it, who cant hold back from using it, and they decide that since theyre anyway a sheigitz, whats the difference if it has a filter or not? But Chas Veshalom! These devices can be the worst of the worst if they dont have a filter, yet there are hundreds of yidden who use it properly, , for their normal needs. But if you say its assur, so he will feel there is no more how he uses it. So again, of course we must hold fierce battle with it. But the question is how? Its like a country at war. Some people want to fight the enemy head on, at the border. Others go from the other side, to fight with ambushes from within.Those who are watching the main front think that the second group are not fighting at all. But of course they are! Come and Ill show you what kind of war they are fighting! Yes, it could be that the other group will take longer to achieve their goals, a long way that is short, but the reality is that we are definitely fighting the battle. So what is the way? The battle is from within. And this kind of battle will last for us and our children for generations. And it wont matter what kind of devices or technologies there will be in the future. But we must fight this battle . If we dont fight it, we will surely lose! But if we adaptthis second way, and we have siyata dishmaya and go in the ways of tzadikim, well for sure succeed!To understand this second way, we can take once again the analogy of the car that we spoke of before. The car is a dangerous vehicle and it causes many deaths. People do many things to try to prevent accidents and injuries. There are three main ways that the world deals with the dangers of cars. And these three ways are the same three ways that we need to adapt in our battle with technology. 1. Safety Features. When cars first came out there were no hand-brakes or even seat-belts. But as technology advanced and awareness of the dangers increased, new safety features were - and are - always being developed. Today, many cars even come with radar that warn you if you get too close to a car in front of you, or beeping if you come to close to something when backing up. The cars comes today with air-bags, passenger air-bags, side air-bags, warning lights for overheating, and so many protective features that we dont even know about. Do all these safety features help? They do help somewhat, but of course not fully. There are still many accidents and many deaths. But we try our best to install safety features to protect ourselves as much as possible. We are always working on new safety features and we can never sleep.2. Awareness & Education. There is the NSC the National Safety Council, that gives out slogans, advertising and awareness: Dont drink and drive. Texting and Driving Kills. Stop, Look and Cross. Make noise, posters, it helps, it reminds courses, safety, 3. No License. With all the safety features, and with all the awareness campaigns, there are still people who dont--or shouldnt --have a license to drive, they dont belong on the streets. Either they are wild drivers who dont abide by the laws, or they are still underage, or they dont have the maturity or cognitive development required for safe driving. If a person like that is caught driving, he is stripped of his license and removed from the street. Theres not always much we can do about such people, theres a problem enforcing it, but thats the fact. Some people shouldnt drive. The same three preventive approaches apply to technology as well. Because we are dealing with something that is here to stay.Does anyone ask today, Why cant people just use horses and buggies? Why cars, which are so much more dangerous?. No. Everyone understands that this is the way of the world, we cant change the reality. These are the facts on the ground and it will only become worse. We have no choice but to fight from within. 1) Safety Features. The ABCs is protection: filters, reporting software, etc... The more the frum community will demand good filtering solutions, the more solutions will become available and the better they will become. (But if the frum community continues to just say everything is assur, the demand for filters will go down and their level of quality will decrease as well). Of course there are still accidents with cars, even with all the safetyfeatures, and the same for filters. Filters are never foolproof and there are often holes, but can one compare a phone with a filter to without a filter? Theres nothing to talk about, thats the ABCs. And those who know will testify that the Rebbe was the first one to push for filtering solutions for the frum world, and he put a lot of kochos to push for the development of filters and strengthened the hand of those working in this field. He was working on this still at a time when the frum community didnt let any of the filter companies advertise in the frum papers in case someone will chas veshalom get internet as a result. They were fighting that there shouldnt be filters, but the Rebbe insisted there must be solutions.The Rebbe feels that all the kochos (and money) used for fighting technology should be used instead to make better and better filters for the frum community. We can do better, and we must do better, both in making technology cleaner, and in improving the user experience so that people are able to work smoothly even with the protection in place. 2) Awareness & Education. After a person has a filter, there are still problems, loopholes, glitches, and unintentional exposure can happen. And then theres the issue of time wasting, and many other issues that well go into shortly. We must deal with all these problems, each on their own. Because these problems will always be around, whether with the old devices, the current devices and with all future devices.Lets take for example the problem of time wasting. By our Rebbe, the issue of wasting time is one of the worst things. He is always speaking about it, at every tisch, at every opportunity, pushing us to make good use of every moment of our time. There are people who hear the Rebbe always speaking about not wasting time and not dealing with narishkeiten and they ask themselves (as if they are asking the Rebbe), Look, theres no way out of this. Because we allow the technology, the Rebbe has to keep speaking about it and keep chiding the chassidim about it, and with all that, people are still wasting so much time! Wouldnt it be so much better to just forbid the technology and finished?! We say its allowed, and then we need to chide people all the time about wasting time! This is a big mistake. Besides the fact that the other way (of just forbidding) doesnt work, we have to understand that there are situations that call for a constant battle. Many people think that a battle needs to be fought and won and thats it. But many times its not that way. There are some battles that are constant. And that is indeed the plan, to wage a constant battle against it and the battle never ends.When people hear this, they get very upset. What do you mean, it never will end? But yes, there is such a thing. Our Rebbe has a wide-reaching understanding, more than regular people. When we speak about the constant war with the Arabs, we need to understand that there are battles that dont end. What do you mean? What will be?? Thats what will be. We will continue to fight them, and that is the way! We will keep fighting again, and again and again.Why is this different than cars? Someone sees a new class of fresh drivers getting their licenses, and he hears the lecturer explaining to them how careful they must be when driving and how dangerous it is to go against the laws and safety regulations, and he laughs and says, Youre wasting your time. 50 years ago I heard the teachers explaining the same things and look what tragedies have happened, look at the accidents, its one big churban! We keep telling people to be careful and look at whats happening!.Those who go with the other way, they are convinced that if they fight to ban everything they will finish the battle. So why, I ask you, are we here still after 10 years that theyve been fighting this battle, and they are still putting up posters and making hafganos? What happened? I thought we already assured it. Its already over, who would dream of taking internet into their house, let alone their pockets? I dont mean to make leitzunos. But I mean to bring out the point that they also understand the same thing. Its a constant battle. They keep making ads, they keep speaking, keep fighting. Either way, it wont end, it wont go away. So theres no difference in this respect. The only difference is that if you make the fight about specific devices, then tomorrow the devices change and you have to change your battle plan, this is now mutar, but this is assur. But if we battle on the specific points that need battling, and we wage a strong battle on these points, well continue fighting and continue talking about them, the Rebbe will keep speaking about it, and well speak with friends, and in our homes, etc. Thats what we must do, and if we dont, well fall. 3) There are people who should NOT have technology. Just like there are those who dont belong on the street.There are people who are not allowed to have a credit card. These people have made such a churban with a credit card, they will destroy their lives and the lives of their families. In America theres a big argument about gun control. More open or more controlled? Who is allowed to car a gun? But there are people whom everyone agrees dare not have access to guns. But those who can use them wisely, can have them. Its not a mitzvah and not an aveira. The same with the technology. The Rebbe repeated a few times. Its not a mitzvah and not an aveira. If someone doesnt need it, he surely shouldnt have it. There are so many michsholim, why should he put himself into a matzav where he can fall? But if he needs it and uses it properly, Ok. And if not, its terrible, worse than terrible. This is all simple and clear. Tzadikim say that there are things that are not aveiros but can bring to the worst aveiros. The same can be said of the technology.Theres no question that one must be extremely careful when using technology. But as far as the cheftza, it cant be said to be an aveira. Those people who cannot use technology properly, should not have it! Hashem should help that they shouldnt have it. But what can we do? Often these people wont listen tous. In the same way that many drivers who shouldnt be on the street remain on the street. But its not a question on this derech.The first thing we mentioned (Safety Features) and third point (some people shouldnt have it), are simple. But the main battle is in the second way. Fighting the , to understand where the problems lie and fight them, one by one. Each one of us has the achrayus on ourselves, and the of the , for ourselves, for our children and for our future.We need to divide the problems of technology into categories, so we can know what needs to be fought. Know your enemy. Those who have it, need to know what to be aware of and what to be careful with. And if they truly are careful, then they are the same as those who dont have it at all. Theres no difference! Someone who has it and is very careful is a tremendous . And there are hundreds of Yungeleit like that. We maybe dont see them because they rarely take out their phones. Many have told me that they dont want to be in any Whatsapp groups, its stam shtusim, they dont want to waste time. I know many, many yungerleit who have the technology and use it responsibly. But since the temptation is very big, lets not fool ourselves, those who dont need it shouldnt get it.Just because its mutar, you need to get it? It can bring to the worst things! Even with a filter there can be many michsholim. So if you dont need it, why be a and get it? You think youre making your life better but youre making it much worse. So whats the of needing it? There is no answer to this question. Every person should use their own sechel (which, the Rebbe pointed out to me, is quite a frightening proposition) to know if they need it or not, and how much they need access to. Each one of us needs to think very well and weigh the potential benefits against the potential loss. For example, a person thinks he will save 5-10 minutes a day by having Waze, meanwhile he ends up burning 3 hours a day because of the rest of the technology that he introduced now to his life. And the same goes for all the possible michsholim of using the technology. Its not that its a of , but you are putting yourself in a sakana for no reason. Think about what youre doing. Make a cheshbon of the benefits against the possible loss. If you feel you will gain, fine. It doesnt make it a mitzvah, but its also not an aveira. If someone does an aveira, then its an aveira. Otherwise not.any times a person thinks hes a king, he has all the technology, all the groups, but hes the opposite of a king. He becomes a slave to it. People who let go of the technology have often found that they feel like a new person, a free person! So those who dont need it, what are you doing? Why fill your life with narishkeit? I once tried making an early check-in for El Al to save a few minutes waiting in line. I ended up spending hours trying to set it up, wrong number, wrong links, etc... and in the end when I came to the airport I saw I didnt gain any time. They made me stand in line anyway! So if you really gain from it, fine. But if not, get rid of it! Do we need to be so small-minded as to put everything into black and white boxes of mutar or assur? Think for yourself. Make a cheshbon. We cant tell each person what exactly to buy, which apps heneeds, etc. Dont be a . Make a chesbon of the benefits of each new technology against the potential it can cause you. When using technology, we need to be aware and battle against the following 11 risk factors: 1) . Its not worth it. The that a person has when he is guarded is so great, the pleasure of a Shabbos or Yom Tov, the spiritual feelings of being , so holy, so clean.hose who are clean are clean, its a different world. Their davening is different, their speech is different, they are . And in todays world, one who is careful is zoche to such special siyata dishmaya. The Alter Rebbe says that one who comes even with a can become so uplifted, and there are many, many such people, we can find them all around. And Ill tell you a secret, a chelek of these people have such devices. Im only saying it to be mechazek. Of course its not a to start-up with the Yetzer Hara, the Rebbe told me clearly, its not a to start up with the Yetzer Hara! But were speaking of someone who has it. What can we do, he has it. And yes, its possible to stay clean. Many people who have the technology still danced with sweat on Simchas Torah, uplifted people, there are many such people. 2)Time Wasting. Second in the list (although I cant know the exact order of what are the biggest and smallest issues) is the inyan of time wasting. In other places, it could be they dont even speak about this concept. Everything revolves around chumros and such. But there is an issue of time wasting, and it is chamur. . And people give up their whole lives and its . Forget how it looks from the outside. But what have they done to themselves, to their lives? Every day. Each day, another bit wasted, and another bit wasted. We can use technology the other way around as well. There are more opportunities for chessed, and people today can spend hours on the bus listening to shiurim. It was never possible before. I get feedback from all over, people listen to the shiurim by phone or mp3s.I know people who miss the times when they had to travel to kollel in different cities, they used to listen to shiurim and darshanim to warm them up, but now they learn in the city and dont have this opportunity. We can use our time wisely, and people waste it with emptiness with the narishkeiten that we get caught up with. People think they are enjoying it and they arent even enjoying it. Try a different way! There are hundreds who use technology to make better use of their time, wasting time is terrible. If it brings you to time-wasting, you must deal with it! We all need to fight this phenomenon. 3) . Loss of concentration and focus.The technology gives us the ability to be updated about every little thing, every time someone spills a bottle of milk in Haifa, it enables us to be updated with every shtus and narishkeit that is mutar to know about in the world. It looks like a show, we see people sitting even in shul, wait an update, takes out his phone, puts it back, takes it out. Someone said somethingabout someone. Thats the news. A person can lose everything, he loses his entire koach of concentration and is no longer . Why? Do you think youll really be happy knowing every second whats happening? A normal person has a time for everything. Reb Avadyah Yosef used to hear the news in the morning, someone used to come and tell him the news, he was a Gadol, he needed to know. But a person who is always checking, cant take anything of substance into him. And lets not forget how our children see this, if we act this way, especially when we are with them, they will also lose their .(Maybe thats why are there so many children today with ADHD). When children lose their ability to focus, it ends up costing the parents thousands of dollars just for starters, before anything else. In school, they need help from the earliest age, and private teachers. Once we destroy a childs ability to focus, its destroyed. At least some people realize what this is doing to them and they put their phones on still so that when they want to finally be in shtusim , theyll do it then. But what does a person need to be in it 24 hours a day?? 4) The danger of Addiction. It can mamash become a disease. Something actually changes in the brain, the brain gets use to craving these things. He cant live without it, and he needs increasingly higher doses of it, like wine, he needs the feeling that he had before, the drama, and the drama of the drama.And it pulls him to more and more. This can happen with news online, or even with the news-hotlines on the phone, people get addicted to these things. Normally, addiction is defined as behaviors that disrupt a persons normal life, like if he cant behave normally, he cant run a house, so they decide to call him addicted. Why did they decide that this is the definition? Because if it doesnt disrupt his life, who cares? But an erliche yid, if it disturbs his Torah and Teffila, so hes also addicted! Because for a frum yid, this is a normal life, and he cant lead a normal life. If he cant stop thinking in middle of and , and even on Shabbos he feels phantom vibrations 10 times, then hes addicted, at least . And this is a bit of a disease. There are ways to get out of addiction, its not the end of the world. But why do we get ourselves into these situations in the first place?? Again, each of these issues is going to get worse and worse as technology advances, but as with everything, if were aware of the issues and we deal with the dangers, we can be safe. Just like we drink wine at a Kiddush, a person needs to know that if he drinks too much he can become addicted. Everyone knows that if you start smoking you can become addicted. If we start with these devices, we need to know that theres a danger of addiction. It has nothing to do with mutar or assur. Its just a fact. But an erliche Yid who needs to have it, should know that he can succeed 100% not to become addicted to it, and there are hundreds of such people. But to go for no reason and put yourself into these dangers? You can get pulled in! Is it so important to take this risk?5) . The is . This needs a big tikkun. Each person has his own on the issues of . But again, we need to think about each component on its own, and not make a salad out of it. When we focus on each , we can battle with it normally and fight a pinpoint battle. For example, any type of phone is a problem for . If a kosher phone rings in middle of shmoneh esrei, it has a ? Its terrible. But does it have to do with a smartphone specifically? No. So we need to wage a strong battle for the kavod of the shul and of the davening. We hang up signs, we give , we try, we do what we can, and thats what everyone doing. Why? Because you cant forbid cell phones altogether, thats the nature of the world. So we must wage battle as much as we can that there should be more . And if we try hard, well succeed. And if we dont succeed fully, well succeed as much as we can. But if we dont wage battle, shmoneh esrei will truly look like a , so we have to fight! Whether its turning off phones, whether its people who talk in middle of davening, we wage battle. And battle doesnt mean we pick the guy up and burn him at the stake, we tell him off and we try our best. And with technology its the same thing. People get confused between to its one of the . The is a separate issue. And we need to have it in mind, each one of us, because its the Ribono Shel Olams Kavod! 6) Shallowness, emptiness. There is a churban today connected to shallowness. Peoples general level keeps getting lower. The level of peoples speech, jokes, etc. In the past, lets say in every shul there were one or two people on a lower level, and we knew that he could occasionally say something inappropriate but it was mostly ignored. But today, everyone is connected to everyone, so everyone sees and says over everyone's narishe vertlach, and its the whole time. Instead of one such vertle a month it becomes 100 a day! You know what happens to such a person, to his whole mehalech? The way he speaks, the way he approaches normal things? And not just jokes. Stam narishkeiten and shtusim, people send around the whole time. The Rebbe is the whole time koching about this.Think about this issue of shallowness on its own. Do you want to be like that? And if youre like that, do you realize that your children will be worse? 100%! Just shallowness. Forget everything else, were not talking about forbidden things. Just narishkeiten. Such a person becomes a of a narishe mentch. For example with these devices a person can record, take pictures, take videos Today, when any little thing happens, ten hands come out with phones to snap pictures and videos, the whole thing turns into a show. Imagine a siyum, and everyone is standing around with the phones and videoing. What does this go into? Is it assur? No. Is it Bitul Torah? no, he would anyway not be learning.? ? Its none of these, but its shallowness. We lose our level. You want to be a ? People used to act once in awhile, but today people act morning, noon and evening. On this we need to battle. But those who wage war on specific devices, so when it comes to frum-news-hot-lines andsuch, since its not so its mutar, even though people can sit and about politics and narishkeit. Shallowness is an issue on its own. And we should be fighting this battle not just for ourselves, but for each other. We should all feel, Why does our community need to be on such a low level? Why do we deserve that?7) Losing our eidlekeit. Video clips, always looking and watching It might not be assur, but these are things that are not good for our . To see things that take away the eidlekeit of kedusha, whether its people getting killed, or people laughing at other peoples misfortunes or fails, it makes us totally different people. Always watching these things makes us .8) Our Children copy us. Our children see that we and they will do the same, they have a live example of time wasting and being . And later, we will pay for it, big time.9) If a person uses his (seeing, hearing, feelings) for narishkeiten, his get used for that and then he cant use his for kedusha. If he uses it for shtusim, he wont have it for holiness.10) . Many things we do with technology simply dont pas for a chassidishe yungerman or woman. Why? It just simply doesnt pas. 11) Attention to our children. The Rebbe asked me to add this as well. People who are taken over by technology dont give the attention to their children that our children so desperately need from their parents. He comes home after a whole day at work and wants to unwind a little Whats the problem? You can look at my phone, theres nothing inappropriate or assur. Yes, but the price is so expensive. Kids so desperately need attention from their parents. All the mechanchim today are crying about this. This is simple and clear. If we waste our attention on this instead, its terrible. This whole list of problems is each and every day. It would be to keep a list of these 11 issues in our pockets just to remind ourselves what we need to hold battle against. If we dont, well surely fail. Our way is to wage a strong and constant battle against these problems.The Rebbe speaks the whole time about it, and its not because he just heard another bad story that happened, but rather because this is the way to wage battle. We need to wage battle against time wasting, and of course against seeing anything inappropriate. We need to battle for , we need to battle against shallowness. We need to battle gainst using our for narishkeiten. And if we dont fight ALL these things, we wont succeed in the battle. And there are many people who battle these things and are very successful. A means a path. There are many paths, litvish, chassidish, one chassidus, the other chassidus. A path means that if you take the path, youll come to your destination. If you donttake the path, you wont get there. Our path is to allow technology for those who need it, but to fight against all the problems, each problem on its own. If someone wont fight, they wont get to where they need to get to. And it is the same with every path. A chassidus is not just a place to come and the Rebbe puts on you teffilin, we give you a path. And each person has free choice. And we must wage battle, all of us together, its our , each one for the other one as well. If we see something in shul that needs tikkun, we need to deal with it with politeness, and we need to wage battle on the of all these things.To sum up: Theres no question that its a huge danger. And we must battle. The question is what kind of battle? Many just try to ban everything, and this kind of battle is not simple. If we want to succeed long-term, theres another way to wage battle. How? 3 ways. (1) Protection and Filtering. (2) Awareness of the issues to battle all 11 things we spoke, a constant battle that we have to always wage and (3) there are people who are simply not allowed to have it. There isnt much we can do about that, but if they cant use it responsibly, its terrible that they have it. And in these 3 areas is where the battle lies. For all other questions and more detailed issues, we have a Rebbe, we have a Vaad Rabbanim, there are Poskim, there are big people to ask. I just wanted to try to give out some clarity of the and of this . YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The talks over the new framework agreement with Brussels are moving forward on a very constructive and rapid pace, First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investments Garegin Melkonyan told reporters on December 7, reports Armenpress. He said within the framework of these talks, the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments has carried out intensive works over trade and investments since mid-February. The Deputy Minister said although the talks were formally launched since December of the last year, but the European side was able to start the talks only in mid-February. We have passed four stages, the one in Yerevan, the other in Brussels, the remaining two stages we have carried out in a video-conference format from the viewpoint of saving the resources. The agreement has 12-13 chapters related to Armenia, half of which are almost closed, still technical clarifications of 1-2 sentences are left. Just after a few days, we will hold the regular next session in Brussels on December 13-14, where, I am sure, it will be possible to close several chapters as well, and in fact, certain issues will be left, and I suppose, we will discuss them during the next stage at the beginning of the next year, perhaps in February and will move forward. According to my estimations, the talks are moving forward quite efficiently and constructively, the Deputy Minister said and assured that quite huge professional and technical works are carried out on this path. The Deputy Minister said for him the most important and priority issue is the content of the agreement, thats why he avoided mentioning any timeframe. We put an emphasis on the content, and, in particular, it is very important that the sensitive and important issues for Armenias economy and the businessman must be properly formulated and must derive from the interests of our economy. Based on the effectiveness and constructive approaches of the talks, I think relatively little time has left for completing it, than the way we passed, the Deputy Minister said. 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. First up, Joe Biden is thinking about dropping tariffs against China. But theres a spy in prison this morning that helps us understand why he shouldnt. Ill explain. Your second brief, If youre looking for a good paying job, you might consider being a CEO for a health insurance company. One executive made $142M dollars last year. Let's talk about that. And as always, Im keeping an eye out for developing stories. Put this one on your radar. Mexican cartels are grooming American kids online and paying them cash to traffic illegals or run drugs across the border. Ill share details. If you enjoyed this episode of the President's Daily Brief, remember to subscribe and listen daily at podfollow.com/pdb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices For Immediate Release, December 7, 2016 Contact: Jenny Loda, (510) 844-7100 x 336 or jloda@biologicaldiversity.org Kerry Kriger, (415) 878-6525 or contact@savethefrogs.com Petition Seeks Ban on Import of Invasive Bullfrogs Into California Voracious Bullfrogs Harm Native Wildlife SACRAMENTO, Calif. The Center for Biological Diversity and Save the Frogs today petitioned the California Fish and Game Commission to add the North American bullfrog to California's list of restricted animals. The addition would help prevent future introductions of this destructive non-native, invasive amphibian. Bullfrogs prey upon, and compete with, California's native wildlife and play a role in the spread of disease. Bullfrogs have already inflicted significant damage on California's wildlife populations, including many that are threatened with extinction, said Jenny Loda, a biologist and attorney with the Center. Every new shipment of live bullfrogs into California presents the threat of further introductions of this highly invasive frog. We simply can't take the risk. The American bullfrog is included in the Global Invasive Species Databases list of One Hundred of the Worlds Worst Invasive Alien Species. In 1997 the European Union banned the importation of live American bullfrogs due to their invasiveness, yet about 2 million live bullfrogs are currently imported into California every year. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recognizes they pose a significant threat to California's wildlife and are likely to continue to spread within the state through both accidental and intentional releases associated with live importation and trade. Bullfrogs are voracious, opportunistic predators and will eat virtually anything that fits in their mouths, including fish, frogs, birds, bats, snakes and turtles. This makes the bullfrog a strong competitor for food with native wildlife especially California amphibians, with whom they often share habitats. Bullfrogs also act as disease vectors and have been implicated in the spread of new wildlife pathogens like chytrid fungus and ranaviruses. While these frogs can affect a wide variety of animals, their impact is most devastating on those already threatened with extinction, such as the California tiger salamander, California red-legged frog and mountain yellow-legged frog. Bullfrogs have played a role in the spread of the killer chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), one of the major drivers of amphibian declines and extinctions throughout the world. Bd is a primary factor in the rapid decline of mountain yellow-legged frog populations in California, said Kerry Kriger, executive director of Save the Frogs. If live bullfrogs continue to be imported into California they may spread new strains of this disease as well as other emerging pathogens that can devastate amphibians and other wildlife populations. An animal can be added to the restricted animals list by the California Fish and Game Commission when it is proven to be undesirable and a menace to native wildlife. The commission has previously used its authority to restrict live imports of other non-native, invasive animals that pose similar threats as bullfrogs, including carp, water snakes and some species of abalone. 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, December 6, 2016 Contact: Randi Spivak, (310) 779-4894, rspivak@biologicaldiversity.org Analysis: North Dakota Pipelines Average Four Spills Per Year; 3 Million Gallons Spilled in Past 21 Years Dakota Access Pipeline Reroute Should Not Endanger Indigenous Lands, Communities or Climate WASHINGTON Existing pipelines in North Dakota have spilled crude oil and other hazardous liquids at least 85 times since 1996, according to an analysis released today by the Center for Biological Diversity. These 85 spills an average of four a year caused more than $40 million in property damage, according to the data compiled from the U.S. Department of Transportations Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Hazardous liquid pipeline spills in North Dakota (1996 - present). Map by Kara Clauser, Center for Biological Diversity. The analysis follows Sundays decision by the Obama administration not to grant the Dakota Access pipeline an easement for construction under Lake Oahe. After months of peaceful protests led by the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, the Army Corps of Engineers will undertake a review of alternate routes for the pipeline. Pipeline leaks are common and incredibly dangerous, and the Dakota Access pipeline will threaten every community it cuts through, said the Center's Randi Spivak. This pipeline wasnt considered safe for the residents of Bismarck. It is equally unsafe for the water supply of the Standing Rock Sioux. The Army Corps should not be putting anyones water supply at risk. Energy Transfer Partners, the conglomerate behind the controversial Dakota Access project, has a questionable safety record. The company has been responsible for 29 pipeline safety incidents since 2006, in which 9,555 barrels of hazardous liquids were spilled. The standoff over the Dakota Access pipeline has united indigenous people across the globe in an unprecedented show of solidarity; thousands have come to show their support. In response local police have militarized the situation, firing rubber bullets and showering protesters with water in freezing temperatures. A 2013 study reveals a deeply troubling history of pipeline accidents in the United States. This independent analysis of federal records found that since 1986, oil and gas pipeline leaks, spills and other safety incidents have resulted in nearly $7 billion in damages, more than 2,000 injuries and more than 500 deaths. A time-lapse video documents every significant pipeline incident in the continental United States along with their human and financial costs from 1986 through May 2013. On average one significant pipeline incident occurred in the country every 30 hours, according to the data. We expect the Corps to conduct a full oil-spill risk analysis for every river crossing along the entire route of the Dakota Access project," Spivak said. Spills are a fact of life when pipelines fail and that puts water, wildlife and people directly in harms way. 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. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian gave a speech on December 7 in Brussels, at NATO Headquarters, during the Resolute Support Mission Ministerial Meeting attended by nearly 40 foreign ministers of different states. As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, Edward Nalbandian said in his speech, Mr. Secretary General, Distinguished Colleagues, Our servicemen in Afghanistan and our presence here today are the best testimonies to our enduring commitment to peace, security and stability in Afghanistan. We stand united within The Resolute Support Mission in our joint efforts to meet these objectives and help Afghan authorities to provide effective control across the country and ensure its long term safety. A lot has been achieved, however, much still needs to be done. The security related incidents continue to take place drawing our attention to the challenges that Afghanistan faces. Alarming reports about Taliban activities and the presence of ISIS and other terrorist groups in Afghanistan are disturbing. It reminds us that insecurity in one place of the world threatens all of us, if remains unaddressed. It also strengthens our determination to continue concerted efforts in addressing security requirements of those in need. The terrorists should be deprived of the opportunity to find breeding grounds. It is with this understanding that Armenia committed to contribute to joint efforts in maintaining international peace and security. In this regard our participation in past and present international missions ranges from Iraq to Kosovo, Lebanon and Mali. As President of Armenia reiterated at the NATO Warsaw Summit, Armenian contingent will continue its duty with Resolute Support Mission throughout 2017 on its current strength level. We have also expressed our readiness to contribute to Enduring Partnership Mission when it will take over from the Resolute Support Mission. Mr. Chairman, Armenia continues to support the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned inclusive peace process. We are confident that with our collective efforts and firm resolve we will meet our joint objective in helping Afghan people in ensuring safety and stability. Thank you. For Immediate Release, December 6, 2016 Contact: Ileene Anderson, Senior Scientist, (323) 490-0223, ianderson@biologicaldiversity.org J.P. Rose, Staff Attorney, (408) 497-7675, jrose@biologicaldiversity.org Kern County Approves Sprawling 8,000-acre Grapevine Development Dooms Habitat for Imperiled Wildlife, Worsens Air Quality BAKERSFIELD, Calif. The Kern County Board of Supervisors today approved Tejon Ranchcorps disastrous Grapevine project, despite criticism from the Center for Biological Diversity about the harm the project will do to wildlife and nearby communities. The 8,000-acre development will straddle the San Joaquin Valley and Tehachapi Mountains and create a new city of up to 12,000 dwelling units and up to 5.1 million square feet of commercial real estate. The project will destroy habitat for the endangered San Joaquin kit fox, blunt-nosed leopard lizard and threatened San Joaquin antelope squirrel, along with up to 36 other rare and imperiled species. The blunt-nosed leopard lizard and San Joaquin antelope squirrel are teetering on the brink of extinction, said Ileene Anderson, a biologist with the Center. Its tragic that the countys willing to sacrifice these species on the altar of an unsustainable sprawl development. At buildout the Grapevine project is expected to generate approximately 200,000 daily vehicle trips. Because of its remote location, most Grapevine residents will drive dozens of miles to employment centers in Bakersfield, Santa Clarita and Los Angeles. The substantial increase in vehicle trips will exacerbate traffic and air pollution. At a time when the residents of Kern County already suffer from some of the worst air pollution in the nation, the county should not be adding to residents burden by approving this sprawl, said J.P. Rose, a Center attorney. The Center and other environmental groups have raised concerns, in a series of comment letters, that the projects environmental review did not adequately disclose or mitigate the developments substantial environmental impacts, as required by the California Environmental Quality Act. During a hearing before the Board Dec. 6, Rose warned that the Grapevine Project contravenes smart-growth principles and will chip away at Californias natural heritage. 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, December 7, 2016 Contact: Nathan Donley, (971) 717-6406, ndonley@biologicaldiversity.org EPA Restricts Use of Eight Pesticides to Protect Endangered Species PORTLAND, Ore. The Environmental Protection Agency today took much-needed action to protect endangered species by restricting the use of eight pesticide products used to kill burrowing animals. The restrictions are limited only to areas where the protected species live. Gas-cartridge products will now be restricted in the habitat of the gopher tortoise, Hualapai Mexican vole, Mount Graham red squirrel and Utah prairie dog. This is a good first step by the EPA to follow the law and protect imperiled species from the harmful effects of gas cartridges, said Nathan Donley, a senior scientist with the Center for Biological Diversity. But there are still many other pesticides that need similar restrictions. Gas cartridges are widely used by farmers, rangers and the controversial federal program known as Wildlife Services to kill burrowing mammals such as coyotes, red foxes and skunks. Users of gas cartridges light a fuse, place the cartridge in the burrow or den and seal the entrance. Animals within the burrow or den are then asphyxiated by the release of carbon dioxide and other toxic gases. Todays action by the EPA is designed to curtail the enormous threat these devices pose to endangered species that live in the underground areas where the devices are used. Restricting the use of these ultra-hazardous pesticides is a good first step toward ensuring that pesticide use does not harm endangered or threatened species, said Donley. We hope to see this become commonplace as the EPA begins to comply with the Endangered Species Act. The geographical restrictions, which are for eight gas cartridge products containing sodium and potassium nitrate, carbon and carbon dioxide, and sulfur, will become enforceable by June 2017. Background The newly restricted gas cartridges are a primary tool of Wildlife Services, a secretive arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that kills wildlife largely to benefit the livestock industry and other agribusinesses. Last year the program killed more than 3.2 million animals, according to its own data. That data shows that during fiscal year 2015, Wildlife Services killed 68,905 coyotes and an unknown number of pups in 492 destroyed dens. The program also killed 20,777 prairie dogs outright, plus an unknown number killed in more than 59,000 burrows that were destroyed or fumigated with gas cartridges. Wildlife Services indiscriminate killing of millions of animals annually has many damaging impacts on the environment. Peer-reviewed research shows that such reckless slaughter of animals particularly predators results in broad ecological destruction and loss of biodiversity. The program has been responsible for the countless deaths of threatened and endangered species, as well as family pets. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with 1.1 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. Tasked by South Africa's favourite fast-service family restaurant chain, Wimpy, to devise a summer campaign featuring its lip-smacking, tastebud-thrilling, hunger-busting Champ Burger Combo, FCB Joburg looked to an overworked, grey-suited businessman for inspiration. Sound a bit incongruous? Not when Creative Director, Suhana Gordhan, explained the rationale. After being briefed by Wimpy, the creative team - Art Directors Fezi Mpembe and Mpumi Ngwenya, and Copywriter Khanyi Mpumlwana explored insights around summer. Almost immediately, we zeroed in on the fact that not everybody gets to experience the carefree summer feeling that comes with the onset of the holidays. Some people still have to work during this time. So our idea focused on a man who is stuck in work-mode blues but as soon as he walks into a Wimpy and sees the awesome summer vibe, he transforms himself so that he too, can experience the joy of summer. In essence, he learns to Summer Like a Champ, she said. Summer Like a Champ also gave rise to Wimpys great competition: This summer, patrons have been encouraged to put on the yellow sunglasses that arrive with each Champ Burger Combo, snap a selfie and upload it with #SummerLikeAChamp to stand the chance to win an awesome summer holiday. Directed by Gilli Apter and Ian Difford, with post-production by Produce, the ad was shot in one day at the Forest Hill Wimpy in Centurion. As with all the television commercials coming from FCB Joburg since it started working on the Wimpy business at the end of 2012, the simple yet highly appealing storyline is given additional appeal by smart casting, brilliant character direction and a solid performance. In this story, its a stressed out Mpho who receives his delicious Champ Burger and proclaims with glee, Even me, I can summer! Credits: Client: Famous Brands Brand: Wimpy Creative agency: FCB Joburg Key account management: Darren Morris/Mogani Naidoo Executive Creative Director: Jonathan Deeb Creative Director: Suhana Gordhan Copywriter: Khanyi Mpumlwana Art directors: Fezi Mpembe and Mpumi Ngwenya Strategic planner: Kabelo Lehlongwane TV production: FCB Films Director: Gilli Apter and Ian Difford Post-production: Produce The judges for next year's IAB SA Bookmark Awards have been announced, led by jury president John Dixon. The 2017 judges features more diverse industry players than ever before. Josephine Buys, CEO of IAB SA says, "Our mid-year, judges workshop yielded valuable insights from the best in the business for judging the Bookmarks 2017. We have secured the time and talent of some of the brightest minds in digital and have expanded our pool of experts to include gamers, innovators and engineers. Judges will now fall under the categories of Marketers, Builders, Publishers, Gamers and Innovators & Engineers. A special team of judges has also been formed to award the Special Honours for 2017. John Dixon will be Jury President for 2017, bringing with him several years experience leading the judging of the Bookmark Awards, including extensive knowledge as board member of the Association of Communication Agencies (ACA), and participant on the Financial Mail Adfocus and Finweek AdReview jury panels. I am excited to lead the Bookmarks judging for 2017. Each year, the talent gets stronger and stronger, and it is fascinating to witness how the leaders in our industry are driving digital forward. The first round of judging will take place remotely from 20 January to 13 February 2017, where each of the judges will enter their scores confidentially online. Then, on 24 & 25 February, all judges will meet in Johannesburg and Cape Town to debate and submit their final vote. Entries are scored as follows: General Criteria Creativity/Innovation: 30% Technical Accomplishment: 30% Results Achieved: 40% Craft Criteria Quality of Work Produced: 60% Technical Difficulty or Accomplishment: 40% Dixon adds, This years entries show terrific scope and promise. The decision on the winners for each category will undoubtedly be a tough one. This only reinforces why winning a Bookmark Award is such a defining achievement. At this stage, judges will view the material on a screen, discuss the entry and then vote on a handheld device, allocating a percentage to the criteria above. The system ignores the highest and lowest scores and averages out the rest. Each entry gets a percentage, with the final scores being verified and signed off by the Jury President. The full list of judges Marketers Jury Chair: Gareth McPherson Publicis Machine Brian Carter Liquorice Jason Xenopoulos NATIVE VML Kerry Friend FCB Melissa van Zyl M&C Saatchi Abel Anna Vaulina Showmax Chris Gotz OFyt Tseliso Rangaka Ogilvy Justin Gomes FoxP2 Carl Jordan The Newsroom Eric van Rookhuysen MEC Global Kabelo Moshapalo Digital Arts Network James McKay Mirum Felix Kessel Leo Burnett Alistair King KingJames Greg Banach Greg Banach Builders Jury Chair: Claire Cobbledick Gumtree John Beale Eight Thinking Antonio Petra FCB Mzamo Masito Vodacom Adam Brandt Gorilla Paula Hulley Gloo@Ogilvy Luke Jedeikin Superbalist Jessica vd Westhuizen Punk Catherine Murray Creative Spark Anne Dearnaley PHD South Africa Camilla Clerke Hellocomputer Ivo Vegter Ivo Vegter Johan Steyn Nurun Prakash Patel Fogg Miles Murphy Liquorice Jacqui Maroun NATIVE VML Publishers Jury Chair: Izak Minnaar SABC Digital Claire Cobbledick Gumtree Philani Mdingi Maverick Mind Mark du Plessis Spark Media Chris Louw Caxton Digital Tim Bradley ColonyHQ Lisa Mac Leod Times Media Cathryn Reece 24.com Chris Borain Mail & Guardian Renato Balona Daily Sun Tanya Pamplone Media Hack Collective Jannie Momberg Jannie Momberg Lynne OConnor ENCA Gamers Jury Chair: Johann von Backstrom Telkom Digital Gaming League Zaid Kriel IGN Africa Danielle Moolman Mondia Media South Africa Glen Gillis SeaMonster Colin Webster Mind Sports South Africa Geoffrey Tim Lazygamer Innovators & Engineers Jury Chair: Graham Talbot Gloo@Oglivy Nevo Hadas &Innovation Saul Kropman SLV&CO Adrien Dawans NATIVE VML Nathan Gates Freelance Creative technologist Special Honours Jury Chair: Miles Murphy Liquorice Catherine Murray Creative Spark Jason Xenopoulos NATIVE VML Jarred Cinman NATIVE VML Gareth McPherson Publicis Claire Cobbledick Gumtree John Dixon Saatchi &Saatchi Chris Borain M&G Josephine Buys IAB SA Specialists Yaron Assabi Digital Solutions Group Andrew Felbert WhySatisfy Leila Davies World Wide Creative Shane Joseph World Wide Creative Denvor Daniels Vodacom Henk Pieterse Allan Gray Andre van Niekerk Nespresso Adam Whitehouse NATIVE VML Greg Russell Injozi Coenraad Sutton Unknown Ivo Brodnik Qdivision Sean Wilson Smith Solo Content Jason Smit Saatchi Synergize For more information, visit http://iabsa.net/ As production of cocoa has failed to keep pace with world demand, prices have steadily been rising for several years. Fortunately, manufacturers such as Mondelez International are taking steps to help cocoa farmers boost production. Jing via pixabay Last month Mondelez Internationals global sustainability initiative, Cocoa Life, was highly rated for impactful progress in an independent assessment by leading US-based humanitarian agency CARE International. This program, launched in 2012, is aimed at ensuring a sustainable cocoa supply chain by partnering with cocoa farming communities in countries which are key suppliers of this critical commodity for the chocolate industry. The Joy Ambassador programme As part of its commitment to strengthening the cocoa industry, Mondelez International recently sent a multi-skilled group of employees from various countries around the world to one of its Cocoa Life beneficiary communities in Ghana, for them to impart business and financial skills to local cocoa farmers. The Joy Ambassador programme, as it is known, is part of the company's Call For Well-being, which focuses on fueling growth and making a positive impact for future generations. This year, the programs theme was centered on enhancing the capacity of cocoa farmers societies, which are critical stakeholders in the supply chain. Visiting small-scale cocoa farmers in Ghana was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn more about the communities benefiting from Cocoa Life and to collaborate with them in finding solutions to their day-to-day challenges, says Ashley Mbanga. The Johannesburg-based Finance Analyst was one of 15 employees selected to serve as an International Class of 2016 Joy Ambassador. This programme focuses on skills sharing in various disciplines and, in line with his field of expertise, Mbanga took community organisation partners through the process of preparing a budget and monitoring performance against targets. We spent time conducting workshops for the community leaders, farmers, and cocoa life partners; improving their knowledge and implementation of various business skills, including budgetary planning, process, and execution, excel spreadsheet skills, mobilisation, and lobbying, presentation skills, problem-solving as well as leadership skills, says Mbanga. Commitment to a sustainable cocoa supply chain The Cocoa Life programme is part of Mondelez Internationals commitment to a sustainable cocoa supply chain, explains Yaa Peprah Agyeman Amekudzi, country lead, Cocoa Life, Mondelez International. It aims to empower more than 200,000 farmers and more than one million people in six key cocoa-growing regions by 2022. In Africa, the programme runs in Ghana and Cote dIvoire. In Asia, it is established in Indonesia and India; in South America, it is active in Brazil and the Dominican Republic, says Amekudzi. We are proud that CARE International highlighted the programmes benefits across its focus areas of farming, community, livelihoods, youth, and the environment. Empowering women Cutting across these themes is Cocoa Lifes commitment to empowering women. The program gives better access to agricultural training, enhances money-management skills through supporting financial literacy training from Village Savings and Loans Associations, encourages greater participation and leadership in community decision-making, and promotes gender equity, both in cocoa farming and in cocoa-producing communities and households. I spent a day with a female farmer on her cocoa farm and I can testify to how exhausting cocoa production is, says Mbanga. Pods have to be dislodged from the trees using long sticks. You have to then use a club to split them open to reach the beans, which is a pretty risky process. The beans are covered in plantain leaves to ferment for six days with a turning over every two days. Then the beans have to be dried and turned regularly in the full sun for at least a week. It was absolutely backbreaking work in really harsh conditions. All the programmes labour support also came from older women, Mbanga noted. Young Ghanaians are not interested in attempting a precarious living from a commodity that is vulnerable to disease and weather Ghana suffered a punishing drought in 2015. Young people and men tend to move to towns and cities to find better-paying work such as becoming taxi drivers, says Mbanga. At the primary schools, we visited, children said they wanted to be doctors, nurses or police officers not cocoa farmers because they think that is too much hard work. Many existing cocoa farmers are in their late 50s, which could make cocoa farming a dying business. At the moment, the women remaining in villages are each left keeping a 2ha cocoa plantation going. Mondelez International surveys have shown that women are 25 percent less likely than men to have received training in the past year and up to 40 percent less likely than men to have access to crucial farm inputs such as fertiliser, says Amekudzi. Through Cocoa Life, we can help these women sustain their families and their communities by means of this nationally and internationally important crop. Addressing child labour Child labour is another cross-cutting theme of the Cocoa Life program. It was impressive to see community workers addressing the issue broadly, dialoguing with teachers and children at schools as well as parents, says Mbanga. As in South Africa, school facilities often arent conducive to a good education. Despite such infrastructure challenges, we found farmers understood how crucial education is for a better life for their children and that they shouldnt be taken out of school to help on the farms. The farmers often cant afford to pay labour but they have a traditional system of pooling their efforts. At harvest time, for example, all the farmers in an area group together to help each other harvest their crops, then they move on to the next farm so the favour is eventually returned. Sometimes even the households in a village would cook together, with everyone contributing what they could. Weve forgotten in South Africa how to make prosperity a common goal which is ideally how ubuntu should be. It was really eye-opening for me to learn as much from the Joy Ambassador experience as I gave back. "Countries can decide their development path. Countries become good at things because they want to excel at making those particular things," development economist Ha-Joon Chang told an audience at the second annual Adebayo Adedeji Lecture during Africa Development Week in Addis Ababa. Chang, known for his refreshing ideas on development theories, explained that several ways to development and industrialisation exist. Citing South Korea as an example of an industrialisation success, he declared that history is replete with examples of countries forging a different path than the one they were advised to follow by international institutions. "Most developed economies have succeeded in growing their economies because of the infant industry," argued Chang. This strategy of this policy is to develop skills and protect the domestic market until such time they can be mature. "Infant industry protection creates the 'space' for improvement in productive capabilities, but does not automatically lead to productivity increase." Chang explained that countries make the common error of not investing in productivity growth such as machines, research and development and skills. He therefore advocates a focus on manufacturing because of this industry's interconnection with others and its capacity to boost complementary industries. Chang warns against neglecting exports as "economic development requires export success." Carlos Lopes, executive secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, explained that much of ECA's inspiration on work on industrialisation comes from Chang. "He provides an excellent mix of history and economics by bringing to us the experience other countries have gone through in their development experience." Chang did not disappoint. He noted that countries often fail to upgrade or add value to their products. In order not to lose the benefits made from the initial investment in industrialisation, countries must upgrade their industries and create their own value chains to be globally competitive. To develop economies, Chang believes, countries can utilise a strategic combination of an export-based economy and an infant industry. He thinks that the shrinking policy space, which states often bemoan, has not made industrial policy impossible to use. Chang is the author of widely discussed policy books, notably Kicking Away the Ladder and 23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism. Group Five has partnered with a subsidiary of the UK-based Aberdeen Asset Management, as the JSE-listed engineering and construction group seeks to bolster its offshore profit line. The company segments itself into three broad categories: engineering and construction, manufacturing and investments, and concessions that have taken strain over the past few years because of their exposure to weak productive sectors. One such area has been mining, which until fairly recently has lagged because of weak commodity markets. Group Five agreed on Monday, 5 December, to sell a 49.99% stake in Intertoll Europe's underlying equity investments of about R633.2m to Aberdeen Infrastructure Funds (AIF) in a cash deal that is expected to close in June 2017. The proposed transaction is intended to benefit the investments and concessions division, which contributed less than 10% to revenue in the year to June, yet still managed to make a sizable contribution to profit growth. Engineering and construction generates the bulk of the revenue. The JSE-listed group owns Intertoll Europe, which develops and operates tolls and motorway infrastructure. The news sent its share price up nearly 10% to R25.38 on the JSE, valuing the company at R2.8bn. The proposed deal would enable Group Five to source and participate in more global concession assets, with the potential to procure new operations and maintenance roles in the future, without having to invest large amounts of capital solely. "The transaction creates a strategic alliance between Group Five and AIF to support the growth of the company's existing PPP [public-private partnership] business," the company said. The total value of Intertoll Europe's PPP project investment portfolio stood at about R1.14bn as of June and the operating profit was R750m. The small company is targeting new markets for growth to bolster its position further as one of the largest private road operators in Southern Africa and Europe. New projects are under development or evaluation in Turkey, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Norway, the Balkans and in Russia. The Intertoll Europe business, with international infrastructure financing partners, acquired 12.7% of the M6 Phase 1 project in Hungary during the past financial year. Aberdeen Asset Management is one of the globe's largest asset managers and is listed in London with a market capitalisation of about A3.6bn. Source: Business Day As part of the Voluntary Rebuilding Programme (VRP) concluded with government in October this year, three major black-owned contractors have signed a development agreement with WBHO. Construction industry representatives at the signing of the development agreement. The VRP commits the seven listed construction companies to either ensure that, within seven years, the equivalent of 25% of their annual local turnover will be carried out by black-owned contractors, or that over 40% of their local business will be sold to black shareholders. WBHO had opted for the former. With a current building and civil engineering turnover of R11bn, which is expected to increase to R15bn over the next seven years, the equivalent 25% equates to R4bn a year to be executed by Motheo Construction Group, in addition to Fikile Construction and Edwin Construction. Transformative milestone Addressing the official signing ceremony, Dr Thandi Ndlovu, CEO of Motheo Construction Group, said: We see this as a transformative milestone in the construction sector, and an excellent way forward for our companies and consortium members. Dr. Thandi Ndlovu, CEO of Motheo Construction Group. Dr. Ndlovu has also been elected to the South African Forum of Civil Engineering Contractors (SAFCEC) council. She was a founding member of South African Women in Construction in the early 1990s, and won the Businesswoman of the Year Award in the Entrepreneurs Category in 2013, as awarded by the Businesswomens Association of South Africa. Her long association with SAFCEC extended to her role as president of the Black Business Council for the Built Environment (BBCBE) in 2012, when both SAFCEC and the BBCBE began engaging the construction industry about VRP, in conjunction with the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Committee (PICC). Louwtjie Nel, CEO of WBHO Tackling SAs infrastructure needs We have known the management of all three companies for many years, and have a high regard for their skills and expertise, and look forward to being the catalyst for their growth. We look forward to working closely with the teams at Motheo, Fikile and Edwin in tackling South Africas significant infrastructure needs, WBHO CEO Louwtjie Nel commented. Motheo Construction Groups twenty-year model of transforming into a truly-empowered company is not only a first for the South African construction industry, but sets a benchmark globally, according to Dr Ndlovu, who established the company in 1997 to focus initially on housing projects. In this regard, it boasts six black female (and one black male) shareholders, with a collective 54% stake. "Companies concerned about how the revised codes of Good Practice will affect their scorecard rating and their business, need not be concerned, as it is feasible to intelligently increase your company rating at a negligible cost," says Yolandie Botha, head of Innovative BEE Solutions. There are now only three compulsory categories in the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Codes. Two of the three codes make it possible to earn considerable tax rebates and points by redirecting mandatory expenditure. The updated B-BBEE codes came into effect from May 2015. The revised codes have much stricter rules when it comes to the scoring process and harsher implications for business owners. The Department of Labour has become more aggressive in implementing the Employment Equity Act 2014, which has far stricter penalties for employers who dont comply with the act. Many smaller companies without dedicated resources to manage the B-BBEE process have simply thrown up their arms, explains Botha. Yet the situation can be managed in a manner which can cost them virtually nothing while potentially improving their competitiveness when tendering for certain contracts. Compulsory categories The revised codes of Good Practice will most affect companies that have a revenue of more than R10 million. The Codes categories for compliance have been condensed from seven to five categories, three of which are regarded as compulsory and must be adhered to in order to be compliant. Botha identifies the three compulsory categories as Ownership, Skills Development and Enterprise & Supplier Development. The broad-based BEE levels range from one (the highest) down to eight or non-compliance. She outlines two ways in which companies can benefit from the new Codes at short notice. If a company registers for learnerships, they can immediately receive R40,000 a learner as a tax rebate. This is provided that the learners find employment after their learnership, are black Africans and under the age of 35. In addition to this rebate at the start of the learnership, companies can receive another R40,000 at its conclusion. The company also pays a stipend to the learners, which similarly gives a tax rebate, adds Botha. Furthermore, companies are required to pay 6% of their payroll towards external training for black South Africans. This amount can also be claimed back with a Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) from SETA, says Botha. Enterprise development structure Another inexpensive means of improving a companys B-BBEE rating is to better structure its enterprise development. Botha says that most companies are typically doing something and incurring expense in this category without earning the points. For instance, companies may occasionally use a contractor, but if that contractor is not a registered company they earn no scorecard points." Botha says that in particular instances, it is also possible for parties to provide services to the other for which no money passes hands, but which earn points for Code scorecard purposes. The Codes contain a list of such services which qualify for rand value, including interest-free loans and prepayments for other services. Other services commonly bartered in this manner are the provision of protective clothing and equipment, and in-house skills development. Innovative BEE Solutions first step when consulting with a new client is to evaluate the company and determine its current status and degree of participation. If a company has an annual turnover of less than R50 million, it is relatively easy to increase their rating even in the current year. However, when the turnover is above R50 million it is usually necessary to restructure it more substantially for an improvement in the following year, says Botha. Many business people regard B-BBEE and labour regulations as onerous on small and medium sized enterprises and they are often surprised to find how easily it can be used to their advantage, concludes Botha. The Gauteng economy needs to create 400,000 jobs consistently every year to put a serious dent on unemployment. A massive influx of people into the country's economic hub has placed additional pressure on Premier David Makhura's government to create jobs. A little more than 16,200 people monthly have moved into Gauteng in search of economic opportunities in the past three years, raising the provincial population numbers by 585,000 to 13.2million people. Makhura - delivering his year-end political report yesterday in the Gauteng legislature - said second-quarter figures (July-September) saw the provincial economy grow by 2.9%, up from 0.1% in the preceding three months. Gauteng registered the highest number of jobs created (126,000) in the second quarter, compared with 93000 jobs in Eastern Cape and 49000 in Western Cape. Despite the jobs created, unemployment dropped by a paltry 0.4%. "We all know this is not enough. "We need our economy to create at least 400,000 jobs per annum if we are to deal with the scourge of unemployment, and the perennial challenge of rapid urban migration," said Makhura. He said his administration was developing 700 townshipbased suppliers, fitting them into the provincial supply chain and linking them with the province's larger suppliers. Source: The Times YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The discussion and the final decision over the claim of returning the estates of Sis Catholicosate filed at the European Court of Human Rights can last some years, Armenpress reports Payam Akhavan, who is an international lawyer and a professor at McGill University in Montreal told in a press conference in Brussels. The European Court of Human Rights investigates 1000s of claims every year. Given the so much work to be done, we think that discussion and the final decision over our claim can last 4-5 years. But we have been waiting for justice for 100 years so we can wait for another 4-5 years, the lawyer said. Referring to the background of the case, he noted that the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has twice sent special letters to the then prime minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in 2011 and 2013, demanding to return the estates of the Sis Catholicosate but his letters have remained unanswered. Later, when the case was submitted to the Constitutional Court of Turkey, it even decided not to proceed with the case. The lawyer told that Turkey banned the examination of the documents of the ownership of the Sis Catholicosate. We were not allowed to see in what form it is registered. I am convinced they banned it since they have something to hide, he stated. To the question of an Egyptian reporter if the relations between the EU and Turkey, also conditioned by the issues of migrants, can have a negative impact on the investigation of the case, Payam Akhavan expressed conviction that political issues can have no impact on this particular case. The lawyer also reminded that up till now Turkey has implemented ECHRs decisions. This case is of special importance. The arguments brought to the court will result in major questions. It will be within the interest of the Turkish Government to solve that issue before the court will do that, Payam Akhavan said. Journalists from different countries, as well as French-speaking members of the Brussels Parliament attended the press conference. WASHINGTON: The US Supreme Court on Tuesday tossed out a $399 million patent award from Samsung over copying Apple's iPhone design, sending the case back to a lower court. Alexander Kirch via 123RF The justices ruled 8-0 that Samsung should not be required to forfeit the entire profits from its smartphones for infringement on design components, in a case closely watched by the tech industry. The 11-page ruling found that the $399 million penalty one element of a major patent infringement case was inappropriate because it represented "Samsung's entire profit from the sale of its infringing smartphones" for copying the iPhone's "rectangular front face with rounded edges and a grid of colorful icons on a black screen." But the court stopped short of delving into details of the degree to which the patent infringement should affect the penalty. "The parties ask us to go further and resolve whether, for each of the design patents at issue here, the relevant article of manufacture is the smartphone, or a particular smartphone component," Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in the opinion. "Doing so would require us to set out a test for identifying the relevant article of manufacture ... and to parse the record to apply that test in this case." The court sent the case back to the appellate court in Washington to resolve the details of the case. Source: AFP Chinese green energy firm BYD will be opening an electric bus manufacturing plant in Cape Town in 2018, an investment which Mayor Patricia de Lille believes will boost the city's economy and create hundreds of jobs. The announcement was made at the C40 Mayors Summit in Mexico last week. Earlier this year, following a competitive bidding process, the City of Cape Town awarded the contract for its first fleet of electric buses to BYD. According to De Lille, one of the exciting conditions of the contract is that the buses will be partly assembled in Cape Town and BYD will also source some components from local suppliers. This will create a number of jobs and will be the first time that electric buses are assembled in Cape Town. With this, Cape Town becomes the first city in Africa to use electric buses for the MyCiTi public transport system. The factory will also be BYD's first electric bus manufacturing plant in Africa. A green and inclusive economy "As a progressive city committed to enhancing our climate change action projects, this is a major step on our journey to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the green economy." "The acquisition of electric buses will also help us save money as it comes with reduced maintenance and operating costs." De Lille said she asked Wang at the signing of the deal in Mexico how Cape Town could deepen its partnership with BYD. Wang responded: "BYD is really glad to collaborate with a leading city like Cape Town in your climate action efforts. In the near future we are planning to establish a local production plant for our electric buses in Cape Town. This is not only to help protect the environment, but will also provide jobs to people in Cape Town." Various BYD products, including electric buses, sky-rail, and renewable energy products such as solar panels will be manufactured at this plant. "This is precisely the kind of investment we want to attract and has been part of our strategy since 2012 to engage with the international community to promote Cape Town as an ideal place to invest in and to let the world know that Cape Town is open for business so that we can create much-needed jobs for our people." "I welcome this announcement by Mr Wang as it will contribute greatly to our efforts to build an inclusive economy," she said. There is a growing need to increase the frequency of local travel and creating a culture of experiencing new destinations within the borders of South Africa. According to Debbie Damant, country manager: Southern Africa at South African Tourism, SA Tourism wants all South Africans to enjoy the country's cultural diversity, as well as its amazing landscapes and biodiversity, which is what the millions of international tourists come to South Africa for every year. In line with their efforts to drive local travel, South African Tourism has kicked-off its Gogos on Tour campaign in KwaZulu-Natal, an initiative aimed at showcasing the ease of travel for short leisure breaks around South Africa for all locals, including senior citizens. The Gogos on Tour campaign is a national campaign, with the KwaZulu-Natal leg due to take place over a two-day period, from 6 December 2016. South African Tourism continues to make great strides in getting more South Africans to travel locally an effort that is gaining traction, Damant explains. In South Africa, the potential market for universal accessible tourism represents around 30% of the population and a portion of that has an adequate disposable income to travel. This represents an untapped segment of the market. Through this national campaign, approximately 1,000 senior citizens from across South Africa will be exposed to the countrys tourism offerings, further enforcing SA Tourisms vision to create an accessible tourism environment and to contribute to the economic development of the country. Thoko Matjokane, founder of Gogo on Tour organisation, says This campaign allows senior citizens the invaluable opportunity to discover various parts of our country. Many of these pensioners are assisting their children financially or raising their grandchildren on small state pensions so trips like these helps them forget about their struggles for a day. The importance of universal accessibility for all South African remains a key priority for us. It is for this reason that we believe that all citizens should have the right to travel domestically to experience the wonders of our beautiful country, concluded Damant. Cointreau has introduced its philanthropic programme, the Cointreau Creative Crew, to South Africa. This programme encourages creatives in various fields to #DreamDareCreate and bring their creative projects to life. Entries close on 31 December 2016. Karabo Moletsane Laetitia Casta, a former actress and Victoria Secret model, created the CCC. I wanted to give the next generation of women an opportunity to express their creative passions and showcase their work. A grant scheme will take place where one entrepreneur will be awarded a R100,000 bursary to support his or her creative project. Creatives within the art, music, design, film, food or even cocktail industry can apply for the grant. The programme is open to all creatives (male and female) who have a dream they want to materialise: whether it is launching a clothing line, opening their own restaurant or becoming a professional photographer or filmmaker. Judging criteria The judging panel will consist of creatives and women, such as award winning illustrator Karabo Moletsane, Cointreau South Africa brand manager Tamika Sewnarain, graphic designer Lisa Ting Chong and renowned dancer/performer Manthe Ribane. The judging criteria are: Dream Authenticity substance and strength of the project, genuine approach Elegance style and aesthetics Avant-garde originality, novelty and unexpected Dare Motivation Uniqueness Personal fulfilment Create Potential success Feasibility Significant impact The Cointreau Creative Crew Grant Scheme grand finale will take place in April 2017, where the South African grand jury will choose ten finalists, before crowning a winner at the event. For more information, go to www.cointreau.co.za. South Africa's leading affiliate network, Affiliate.co.za, has partnered with children's rights organisation Save the Children South Africa in support of their compelling campaign to address the critical issue of violence against children in South Africa. The ad, which features actress and businesswoman Shashi Naidoo and young children brings home the reality of the immediate and lasting impact abuse has on children. We embarked on this campaign to highlight the plight of children in South Africa. We have become numb and often tolerant of violence in our country. We are bombarded by stories of crime and violence daily and many have become desensitised to the impact abuse has on children. We hope that this ad will be a wake-up call to viewers and create the awareness that abusing children is not normal and should not be tolerated, said Rodney Knotts, Save the Children marketing manager. Jay Samarov, head of Affiliate.co.za explained that the company decided to get on board with the campaign and help increase traffic to the site because it is such an important issue in South Africa. In the ad Naidoo describes the shocking situation in South Africa while children reveal the heart-breaking daily reality of children in our country. Knotts elaborates that the ad, created pro-bono by Rapid Blue, is part of the organisations five-year campaign to see an end to violence against children. We want to involve every sector of society to defend every childs right to a happy and healthy life. For those who feel too helpless to intervene, this campaign is your opportunity to get involved and make a positive impact, he said. Affiliate marketing is still a greatly underestimated marketing channel in South Africa and we are thrilled to have partnered with an amazing organisation such as Save the Children to help them drive awareness of this important issue. We believe well be able to increase the campaigns reach greatly and cost efficiently through our vast affiliate network, said Samarov. To find out more about affiliate marketing and promote your business online, visit www.affiliate.co.za or contact them directly on 010 035 2371 or az.oc.etailiffa@sda. As with any business, operations and customer services are two key aspects to ensuring that a business functions efficiently. With this in mind TLC Marketing is excited to announce two new additions to their growing Africa office: Nazmeen Tayob, who joins the agency as Operations Director, and Calvin Myles, who joins as Customer Services Manager. Nazmeen has extensive industry experience, having worked at leading agencies such as Aqua of the Wunderman Group, Ogilvy Johannesburg, TBWA, McCann Johannesburg and Publicis SA. Tayob commented I am really excited to be part of the TLC Africa team and looking forward to the challenges and aligning the Africa business as part of the TLC Global strategy. With the great calibre of leadership from TLC Africa I have no doubt we have a bright future ahead. Calvin has over a decade of experience in the customer service industry having worked at Altech and Autopage Cellular. His dedication to his role and industry resulted in him winning two awards while at Altech. Myles commented, I am passionate about customer service and excited about introducing and implementing processes at TLC that will improve our customer interactions and engagement." Preneshen Munian, Managing Director commented, I am delighted to welcome this amazing duo to our team. Nazmeen will certainly expand our operations and gear us up for further growth in SA and greater Africa, whilst Calvins customer centric approach will be welcomed during this interesting time where consumer engagement is fundamental to long term loyalty. TLC has over 20 years experience in delivering successful campaigns ranging from loyalty platforms to consumer incentives by using intelligence from 14 international offices as part of the TLC Marketing Worldwide Group. For more information visit our website www.tlcmarketing.com. For press queries please contact Supriya Singh, Marketing Manager, TLC Marketing Africa on 011 676 7700. The membership of South Africa's Wireless Application Service Providers' Association (WASPA) recently passed the 370 mark, 12 years after it was first incorporated. Formed to represent and self-regulate the then fledgling wireless content and applications industry, WASPA continues to ensure proper consumer protection in an ever-changing technological landscape. Karolina Grabowska via Pixabay That WASPA and the mobile networks have managed to bring on board over 370 individual wireless firms committed to interacting fairly and transparently with South Africas 35 million cellular users is a great achievement, said WASPA GM, Ilonka Badenhorst. The associations remit includes a strong consumer protection element. Each member is expected to subscribe to and uphold the provisions of the WASPA Code of Conduct. Daily monitoring of the mass media for instances where members have not advertised their mobile services in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct was and continues to be central to demonstrating that WASPA can effectively regulate its members. The fact that a 12 year-old industry association is still attracting new members at double-digit rates annually means the countrys WASPs see value in the associations performance. Some of the associations achievements include the double opt-in measures put in place by the mobile networks, stronger regulation of the marketplace through regular fine-tuning of the WASPA Code of Conduct and proactive monitoring by its media monitor to remove non-compliant member campaigns from the marketplace before consumers flag potential issues. A non-profit organisation, WASPA was founded on 26 August 2004 in South Africa with the full support of the three South African network operators: Cell C, MTN and Vodacom. Fostering consumer confidence in the WASP industry through responsible self-regulation is a key focus of the Association. For more information, go to www.waspa.org.za. APO, the African Press Organization, has announced that it will offer a press clippings service for 300 influential Africa newspapers, magazines and trade publications, from March 2017. Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard Making the announcement to partners, APO founder and CEO, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, said he had also negotiated new content distribution partnerships for 2017 in line with his commitment to constantly increase the reach of press releases. Fifty additional websites will now republish all your press releases, including top-tier pan-African, French/English media outlets such as New African Magazine and African Business Magazine. Our global reputation has led APO to seal a partnership with EIN news to redistribute all your press releases via EIN Presswire, a press release distribution service that reaches more than 12 million business people each year in North America. Pompigne-Mognard said since the successful launch of MENA Wire, increasing APOs coverage to 67 markets - all 54 countries in Africa and 13 more in the Middle East - APO has expanded its mobile reach with APO content already available on the MTN mobile network in Afghanistan. We will add many more operators and countries by June 2017, he added. Pompigne-Mognard also welcomed new clients to the core press release service: Uber, Hilton, Starwood (Now Marriott Group), WorldRemit, International Road Union, Mozilla Firefox, Greenpeace, Kaspersky, SITA and the Ministry of Trade Industry & Investment of Nigeria. In addition, starting in January 2017, APO will move its headquarters to Lausanne, Switzerland to ensure more operational efficiency. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan received on December 7 World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Cyril Muller. As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office, welcoming the another visit of Cyril Muller to Armenia, the President stressed that it once again documents the firm partnership between Armenia and the World Bank. The President of the Republic highly assessed the role of the Bank in the social-economic development of Armenia, noting that the Bank was just from the beginning viewed in Armenia not only as a funder of investment projects but also as a reliable partner supporting economic reforms and the development of human capacities. Serzh Sargsyan hoped that the partnership between Armenia and the World Bank will preserve the good traditions and practice in the future while the project directions will receive new qualities. The sides mutually highlighted the necessity of consistent reforms in Armenia aimed at fostering exports, raising competitiveness and ensuring stable development. The President of the Republic stated that Armenia will be consistent in its path to the reforms of economic environment. Recalling that today is the anniversary of Spitaks disastrous earthquake, the Vice President of the WB noted that the Bank launched its activities in Armenia after the earthquake aimed at eliminating the consequences of the disaster and successfully developed partnership during the following years covering diverse economic branches of Armenia. Next year we will mark the 25th anniversary of partnership with Armenia, Cyril Muller said, assuring that the WB will spare no efforts to foster Armenias development. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian gave a speech at the Open Government Partnership Summit 2016 noting that a viable civil society has been formed in Armenia that is an indicator of strengthening democracy in Armenia and inseparable part of the public life with its major contribution to efficient governance. As Armenpress was informed from the press service of MFA Armenia, Edward Nalbandian said in his speech, Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen, Armenia thanks the Government of France for its efforts towards advancing the agenda of Open Government Partnership (OGP) and for the extended hospitality. Our appreciation also goes to the civil society Co-Chair - the World Resources Institute. The Summit is an opportunity to galvanize our engagement in OGP initiative promoting fundamental values necessary for the inclusive and sustainable development of our societies. Between 2011 and 2016, in line with the two Action Plans Armenia implemented tangible reforms in major sectors such as the law-making activities, public procurement, access to and freedom of information, healthcare, education, local self-governance, mining industry. Through the implementation of more than 20 commitments targeted actions have been undertaken to meet main OGP challenges on improving public services, ensuring effective management of public resources, promotion of public confidence. The cutting-edge tools, such as crowd sourcing and co-design were widely used in the drafting process of Armenias Open government partnership Third Action Plan (2016-2018). Government officials came together with Civil Society Organizations, experts and private sector partners to discuss and elaborate the suggested action plan commitments. Most of the declared Summit priorities including on transparency and anti-corruption, sustainable development and climate change are included in our new Action Plan. Armenia joined other states in singing Paris Agreement on climate change. The Government of Armenia provided its final national progress report on the Millennium Development Goals. The roadmap for national implementation the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has been drafted. All these processes have been done in an inclusive manner based on multi-stakeholder public discussions. Ladies and Gentlemen, Armenia continues its efforts aimed at consolidating democratic institutions, strengthening the rule of law, national mechanisms for the protection and promotion of human rights and in this regard sustains strong partnership with the international organizations and initiatives. Last December by the nation-wide referendum Armenia adopted amendments to the Constitution aimed at improving the governance system with increased transparency and accountability. It was followed by the adoption of a new Electoral Code to meet the necessary legal changes in line with the requirements of the amended Constitution. It is noteworthy that both the Constitutional reform and the new Electoral Code have received positive feedbacks from our international partner organizations. To further strengthen the public trust in the election process the Government accepted the proposal coming from the opposition and the discussions on the draft Code were held with the involvement of all parliamentary political factions and civil society representatives. In Armenia, we have vibrant civil society, which is an indicator of our growing democracy, and an integral part of Armenias public life with increasing participation in and contribution to the effective governance. The presence of our Civil Society Organizations among Summit participants, including among members of our OGP National Working Group, is the best illustration for that. It is noteworthy that at the last global summit of Open Government Partnership, Armenia received a top award and was recognized as a leader in our region for increased efficiency in the activities of its local self-governance authorities and improved public services based on the principles of open governance. Our Civil Society Organizations awarded the Armenian government for advancing freedom of information and joining the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative. Ladies and Gentlemen, We are cognizant that challenges remain. Our new Action Plan is aimed at exploring new tools to directly connect to the society, to mainstream the Open Government Partnership principles in all domains of governance, and to apply human-centered approaches in policymaking. With this in mind, we are looking forward to work hand in hand with all partners to achieve the objectives of Open government partnership. Thank you. The gallery space at South Broadway Cultural Center will soon display three new exhibits of exciting and engaging artworks. The center's annual La Guadalupana exhibit will feature the altars and art produced by local artists depicting images thematic of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This popular December exhibit is joined by paintings from American artist Carole L. Olson's Images from the Gathering of Nations and the vivid concepts of Farmas Y Colores by Catalina Salinas. The exhibits will be displayed from December 10 through January 5th. A reception for the artists is scheduled on Dec. 10 from 6-8pm. Carole L. Olson studied Fine Arts at the University of New Mexico where she nurtured her passion for painting. She moved to California where and kept her artistic ambitions close to her heart pursuing art studies at UCLA, and the Los Angeles Academy of Art. Olson received extensive animation course work and training at the Los Angeles Animation Union School, and also studied figure and gesture drawing in California and in Italy with noted artist, Glenn Vilppu. Her return to New Mexico sparked interest in the Native American culture that had always intrigued Olson. "I have worked hard toward developing into a true American artist, with a focus on the Native American dancers from the annual Gathering of Nations Pow Wow in Albuquerque," she states in her professional biography. "The movement of the dancers to the steady beat of Indian drums and the whirl of costumes and colors created a vibrant imagery. These images can be static as in a dance line that reflects the colors of the rainbow of costumed women waiting for their turn on the floor. It can be the fusing of colors and shapes created by spinning and twirling dancers." Luz Maria Catalina Salinas Gamarra has been creating art in various forms throughout her life. She took art classes only as a child, so is considered a self-taught artist, learning primarily from experimentation. Catalina's work includes realistic figures, abstract and geometric art. She grew up in La Paz, Bolivia, a colorful city inspired by the surrounding Andes and their local art, full of bright colors and geometrical patterns. Much of her work has been inspired by traditional textiles called "Ahuayos". In 2008, Catalina moved to Albuquerque and continued painting. She is a licensed architect in Bolivia and holds a Master degree in architecture from the University of New Mexico. Since 2009, has been working with a program called "Architecture and Children", which promotes art education through architecture and design concepts. She also works for the Cervantes Institute teaching Spanish and creativity. About her art, Salinas says, "I started to create my own technique: a continuous color gradation with the use of bright colors to create optical illusions. I was then painting optical art with colorful patterns. I transferred this technique into spheres and these are part of my continued experimentation. With the influence of this visual style I started to compose with shells and spirals some abstract landscapes." YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory message on December 7 to the newly elected President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen wishing him health and success and sustainable peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Austria. As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office, Serzh Sargsyan mentioned in his message, I am hopeful that by joint efforts we will be able to strengthen and expand the existing traditionally friendly relations between our peoples and the effective cooperation that has been on the development path during the recent years. Valley Of Gods 2 For every five blue scarabs collected, Anubis will increase the win multiplier by 1. Horus, on the other hand, collects the red scarabs. As soon as scarab collection is activated, it grants you an extra life, which means you have the chance to get an extra re-spin after a non-winning re-spin. Feed Hours plenty of Red Scarabs because for every five Red Scarabs he will reward you with an extra life. The mobile version of Valley of the Gods 2 slot has the same style, features and winning potential as the desktop game, allowing you to play on the go at our top-rated online casinos without no compromise. 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Valley Of Gods 2 is a game developed by Yggdrasil Gaming, it has 6*3-8 reels for a total number of 240 to 20,160 lines. You can play bets (0.25$ to 125.00$). Just watch your balance, because if you don't, the game will leave you empty-handed faster than you think. The gods can be very generous, but they also tend to punish mortals who don't worship them as they should. Verdict Truth be told, Valley of the Gods 2 slot is a bit confusing. The key to winning big is getting consecutive wins that will lead to a completely expanded reel set with 20,160 ways to win. Then you will have re-spins with additional re-spins on a losing re-spin, wild rolls and win multipliers. Head over to the slots page of game publisher Yggdrasil Gaming! Or check out the recommendations directly on the game page. Anubis and Horus are the symbols that pay the most, 500 coins for five of them, while Tutankhamun and Bastet are not so generous, offering 250 coins for the maximum combination. 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Get enough to give you 20,160 ways to win and spawn 3 Scatter Collections features. These give you extra lives on lost re-spins, sticky wild rolls, and increasing win multipliers. October 31, 2022 14:54 Armenias 2023 state budget envisages 35% increase in defense spending According to the 2023 state budget of Armenia, the defense spending will comprise 506 billion drams which is 35% more than that of 2022, Minister of Finance Tigran Khachatryan said during the session of the parliamentary standing committees dedicated to the debate of the 2023 state budget draft. STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 7, ARTSAKHPRESS: Arayik Harutyunyan on December 6 delivered a speech at the ceremony dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the NKRs Independence proclamation held in the US Congress, press service of the NKR Government reported. His full speech is presented below: Your Eminence, Honorable Members of Congress, Ambassador Hovhannisyan, Dear compatriots, Ladies and gentlemen, I greet you all on behalf of the people and the government of the Republic of Artsakh as well as in my personal capacity at this already traditional event dedicated to the independence of the Artsakh Republic. The 25th anniversary is celebrated as a jubilee, and is an occasion to look back at the long path that we have crossed during these 25 years and to outline the forthcoming programs and projects. Making use of this opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude to all those individuals and institutions, who assisted in Artsakhs security and development in general, and in the organizing of tonights celebration in particular. It is symbolic for us to organize this event on the occasion of Artsakhs independence in the United States Congress as both our nations and states share the same values. About two and a half centuries ago, the American people fought for their independence and have built the homeland of their dreams, where the rights and freedoms of all peoples are respected, citizens have sufficient security conditions to create and to live. It is a country where great ideas are born and implemented. After 25 years of our own independence, we can state that the Republic of Artsakh has recorded considerable successes in regards to respecting and guaranteeing human rights and freedoms, building liberal market-based economy and a democratic political system. But we have not yet reached the desirable level of development for the political and socio-economic systems. What is more important, our people constantly face challenges and threats against their basic security needs. The reason for this is long not a secret, at least for us. We have a neighboring state, whose government glorifies maniacs who axed a sleeping Armenian officer in Hungary and beheaded our servicemen alive; a government that calls all Armenians of the world as their number one enemy and considers killing any Armenian as a primary objective. It is a country where the government propagated fascism-style enmity towards their neighbor even within schools and kindergartens, where the Armenian historic-cultural heritage is destroyed or falls victim to vandalism. Given the ongoing confrontation with such a neighbor like Azerbaijan, the people of Artsakh continue not only to survive for more than twenty years, but also to create and develop their own country. We have succeeded in considerably improving the quality of life in Artsakh. Let me bring some examples. During the last 20 years, GDP per capita increased 12-folds if it was $250 in 1995 now we have reached $3000 in 2015. Moreover, we have recorded a 10 percent average GDP growth rate, which can be considered a desirable pace for many countries. After the proclamation of independence, we transformed our Soviet planned economy into a free market system, which was not an easy task. But we were able to restore the ravaged economy during these years and guarantee economic freedoms and market competition. Using the international experience and taking into account our domestic peculiarities, Artsakh has been able to record the fastest pace of economic development and install probably the most attractive taxation policy in the region. Just imagine that even during the years of global financial economic crisis we recorded over 10 percent of GDP growth, realizing grand projects in the fields of hydroenergy, agriculture, food and textile industry as well as the mining sector. Thanks to these steps, Artsakh is fully self-sufficient now and even exports electricity to the Republic of Armenia. By the way, we produce electricity only from renewable sources without causing harm to our environment. As you see, the Republic of Artsakh has made its share of contribution towards the protection of ecology of the region, but we are deprived of the possibility of receiving international assistance. Wouldnt you agree that neither human rights nor environmental protection recognize borders and international status of countries? Restoration and further development of Artsakhs economy and ruined infrastructures became possible due to effective management of domestic resources and constant assistance and investments by Armenia and Diaspora. Besides, we continuously attract foreign investments, many of which have proved to be profitable and successful in Artsakh. For example, one of our largest investors is from Lebanon who owns our telecommunication company. Among numerous foreign investors, we have also Italian clothing brands. Another interesting example is the domestic production of black caviar, which was launched with a large foreign direct investment and the investor is expected to export black caviar from Artsakh very soon. I would like to emphasize here that we are not going to use black caviar in diplomacy, unlike some of our neighbors. With that being said, the development of our economy faces obstacles, too, and there are number of both objective and subjective hindering factors, most of which are conditioned by Bakus antagonistic policies. In particular, the Azerbaijani authoritarian leadership continues the blockade of the republics of Artsakh and Armenia, threatens to shoot down even our civilian planes, boasts about launching a large-scale war against our consolidating democracy, seeks to impede the activities of foreign companies and investors in Artsakh, makes obstacles for export and sale of the products made in Artsakh. I would run a parallel between these and a number of other obstacles and limitations with the sanctions and pressures carried out against the American people in the years of the American Revolution. The answer of your ancestors to those sanctions and pressures was the Boston Tea Party, the American Revolutionary War and the construction of a democratic state. We also walk towards that direction, as we defended our homeland and our rights during the war and are now building a democratic and prosperous state, regardless of Azerbaijani pressures and limitations. Dear guests, The latest large-scale outbreak of the Azerbaijani hatred towards Artsakh and all Armenians was in April of this year, when the Azerbaijani army violated the 1994 tripartite treaty of ceasefire with Artsakh and Armenia and attacked the military positions and peaceful settlements of Karabakh. The Azerbaijani side mobilized thousands of special force soldiers, more than 10 helicopters, hundreds of tanks and artillery, rocket launch systems, which included forbidden weapon types. Our army could resist Azerbaijans sudden aggression and defend our population from massacre and deportation. Despite that, the Azerbaijani forces committed war crimes and other crimes against humanity. In particular, in Talish village they brutally tortured, mutilated, and killed three civilians, including a 90-year old woman. Using Islamic State methods, Azerbaijani soldiers beheaded three of our servicemen and tortured and mutilated the bodies of over 20 Armenian soldiers both alive and dead. Moreover, a few days following the attacks the Azerbaijani president decorated and glorified those criminals. Besides, Azerbaijans artillery was intentionally shelling peaceful settlements of Karabakh, which resulted in the death of a child who was walking school. The continuation of that policy was the statement released by the Azerbaijani defense ministry that they were going to bombard Karabakhs capital city Stepanakert. Bakus behavior in April was a terrorism committed and praised on the state level, which, unfortunately, again has not been condemned properly by the international community. Four days after the Azerbaijani aggression, the official Baku requested a ceasefire due to the painful retaliatory actions of our army as well as Azerbaijani failures and greater losses. However, we also had irreparable human and considerable material losses. Particularly, we lost tens of soldiers. Furthermore, more than 10,000 citizens, which is equal to 7 percent of Artsakhs population, had to leave temporarily their settlements near the frontline. As for the Talish village, its inhabitants left because of Azerbaijans ferocities and have not returned yet due to security concerns. Nevertheless, we are making efforts to restore Talish. The war also had its negative direct and indirect effects on the economy. The direct effect is over $20 million loss, while indirect negative impact will be felt for a longer period. Ladies and Gentlemen, In regards to the conflict resolution efforts, we welcome the steps of the co-chairs of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Minsk Group directed towards the stabilization of the situation and conflict settlement. The people of Artsakh highly appreciate the role of the United States within the frameworks of OSCE Minsk Group in the realization of necessary steps directed at the preservation of peace and final peaceful settlement of the conflict. We are glad that the U.S. shares our position in the protection of the rights of Karabakhi people and inadmissibility of military activities. From that perspective, we are also grateful to the seven US states - Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, Louisiana, California, Georgia, and Hawaii for supporting the independence of Artsakh Republic and our peoples right to self-determination. Like the whole civilized world, we also claim that the conflict must be resolved only through peaceful means without use of force or the threat thereof. At the same time, it is inadmissible and impossible to reach a successful conflict resolution without the equal and full participation of the main side of the conflict, that is the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. It must be stated that our inclination to resolve the conflict exclusively through peaceful means does not mean that we are weak or are not ready for a new war. No, friends, the Artsakh army has enough capacity and combat readiness to confront any harassment towards our people which is our sacred duty and responsibility. We simply value human life and, like the entire civilized humanity, we think that it is possible and needed to settle conflicts peacefully. I am sure, you realize that this position of Artsakh Republic is not only in our favor but also in favor of the Azerbaijani people. Moreover, due to our commitment to peace we can confidently assert that Artsakh is a reliable partner for the international community in providing regional peace and stability. It is important to say that despite the mediators' long-standing efforts, the official Baku's destructive and fascist policies have resulted in stalled and ineffective negotiations. Due to the false-parity and lack of strong condemnation against Azerbaijan by the international community as well as feeling empowered by the petrodollars and the false sense of impunity, Azerbaijan has gradually become more militaristic by arming itself and destabilizing the entire South Caucasus. The official Baku has not only openly violated the permissible limits of the conventional arms, but also boasts about it. International organizations have recorded many times that the Azerbaijani authorities export the authoritarian methods used against their own people, trying to implement those same methods against their neighbors and other states. Unfortunately, the whole world turns a blind eye to that dangerous behavior. I think the main aim of the international community, especially after the April aggression, must be the guarantee of peace not by blank statements but by practical measures of restraining and pressuring the aggressor Azerbaijan in the political, economic, and military fronts. In that context, the Azerbaijan Sanctions Bill authored by Congressman Chris Smith sends a strong message that human rights, freedoms, as well as the safety and dignity of individuals remain as the most important values of the civilized humanity. The Azerbaijani leadership must remember it once and forever, and the international community must understand that with further accumulation of heavy armaments in the region, the new war is going to be extremely devastating and destructive for both sides which in short time will make the whole South Caucasus face a serious humanitarian disaster. It is not hard to imagine what kind of negative consequences such a scenario will have for safety and security in the West, the Middle East and Central Asia. As one of the greatest US presidents John F Kennedy said, Mankind must put an end to war - or war will put an end to mankind." In the context of ensuring peace in the Karabakh conflict zone, we highly appreciate congressmen Ed Royce and Eliot Engels proposals which last year were introduced to the U.S. administration with the signatures of over 80 Members of Congress. As you know, they call upon the US authorities to get an agreement from all the sides to remove snipers from the frontline, to install advanced gunfire locator systems and sound-ranging equipment to determine the source of attacks, as well as, to deploy more OSCE observers along the line of contact to better monitor and investigate ceasefire violations. It is not surprising that the Republic of Artsakh , the Republic of Armenia and the OSCE mediators welcomed those proposals, while Azerbaijan refused. And why? Ill let you draw your own conclusions. We are pleased and grateful that there are many legislators in the U.S. Congress who are concerned about the future of our people and who share our values. We are also happy that in the latest elections the overwhelming majority of our friends in the Congress received the vote of the American citizens. I cordially congratulate you on earning that high trust and Im sure that it will contribute to further deepening of our friendship. We are grateful for the financial support that the US Congress and all Americans provide for Artsakh every year. I hope you know that it is the only foreign official support to the Karabakh people. Due to that humanitarian assistance, many lives have been saved, many infrastructures have been restored. I want to bring only two examples so that you can see the importance of the support you provide. Since 2000, with the American financial assistance the HALO Trust organization has cleaned 1848 hectares of mine fields in Karabakh, preventing possible unfortunate accidents. Let me inform you that if in the 1990s Artsakh had the highest per capita explosive remnants of war in the world, then now, due to the American support we have just over 722 hectare mine fields left to clear. So, thank you for the saved lives. Another tangible work was the support to construct a drinking water network in Stepanakert, due to which tens of thousands people have been provided with drinking water. This is something that had not been done even by the powerful Soviet Union. Thank you for providing our people with water. Our people will never forget your assistance. I am sure that more such projects are still to come. In particular, now there is a need to expand the existing Baroness Caroline Cox Rehabilitation Center in Stepanakert, which is a unique center providing humanitarian services to wounded and disabled persons. In the course of 18 years they have treated almost 1000 citizens per year from all age groups. In the meantime, the actual need is more than 10 times higher. For our population living in conflict conditions it is a center of vital importance. Besides, because of the military actions unleashed by the Azerbaijani side this past April, many families have suffered significant losses, and more than 500 inhabitants of the Talish village, as I mentioned, had to be displaced. Hence, now there are new humanitarian needs which also can be addressed with the American support. Dear Members of Congress, I call upon you to keep Karabakhs challenges in the center of your attention and to participate as much as possible in trying to solving them. Be sure that by that you are lending a hand to a people who walk on the democratic path well known to you. Moreover, Artsakh is going to make a new step on that path by making some amendments in the Constitution. In particular, we have a goal to increase the efficiency of the political system, to make the guarantees of human rights protection as well as to strengthen the foundations of our statehood. However, it is a well- known fact that democracy-building is not an easy task, especially when you have to simultaneously struggle for basic security. But the people of Artsakh are very committed to these principles to ensure security without having to sacrifice our freedoms, as one of the founding fathers of the US Benjamin Franklin would say in order to deserve both democracy and security. Therefore, the Karabakh people's struggle is for the sake of universal values similar to the American peoples struggle for freedom in our region, which can also serve as an example for other people. Dear friends, our values are also your values. Our struggle is also your struggle. Our success is also your success. Let us stand together and support the victory of universal human values in another corner of the world. Thank you! The Council of Europe (CoE) is ready to help in confidence building between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, Ioannis Kasoulides, told APA news agency of Azerbaijan. December 7, 2016, 14:33 Cyprus FM: CoE is ready to help in confidence building between Armenia and Azerbaijan STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 7, ARTSAKHPRESS: Our main principle during Cypruss chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the CoE is to remain neutral, said Kasoulides. As far as I know, the OSCE [i.e. the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe] Minsk Group is working to find a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Whats important is that Armenia and Azerbaijan, for a peaceful solution to this problem, remain committed to their obligations to the Council of Europe. As the Council of Europe, we fully support the Minsk Group mediators efforts to restore negotiations. I think a meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian president by the summer would be a step forward to achieve a peaceful solution the conflict. The Council of Europe can make its own contribution by creating conditions for full confidence between the parties until the conflict is over. The Council of Europe is ready to help both countries about this problem." Many parts of PNG have misconceived perceptions of leadership. We mix Melanesian leadership style with Western leadership. In Melanesia, a leader is one who owns many pigs, marries many wives and contributes greatly to society in terms of wealth-sharing and problem-solving. But when politicians attain public office, their pronouncements, decisions and actions at times may attract criticism and opposition. Politicians must be able to face such scrutiny when they decide to come out of their private life and become public figures. With such backgrounds, they routinely attract great respect. This drive their popularity and ability to attract votes when they make known their political aspirations. Voters put their trust in these people. MANY current Papua New Guinean parliamentarians are highly respected individuals in their own areas, successful in business, education or public service. With the introduction of the Westminster government system, the perception of leadership was different. PNG's democratic system provides that any politician or public office holder who is not performing should be able to be questioned by any member of the public. Recently, many local youths have been led to believe the tribal system or Melanesian perspective should prevail and many lives have been lost in related violence. Injuries have been sustained and homes and families have been destroyed. This mostly happens when the information on the Western perspective is not disseminated. When we want to raise issues in social media forums (the only medium left for us to openly discuss and express ourselves) some people turn to personal attack or seem to oppose every idea put forward. To post a question about government services and start debating and creating discussion is not wrong. But in PNG, it seems to be. Some people think we should respect politicians and not criticise them on social media. Well, I hold the opinion that you can respect them as an individual but as politicians they are answerable to questions by any member of the community. Holding onto the Melanesian ways of respecting even non-performing public office holders or politicians is totally unacceptable. Lets demand what is rightfully ours while still respecting them as private citizens and successful people in their own right. Lets know our rights and insist that politicians should act in our interests and then we can accord them our respect. The more we confuse traditional respect with present day bad behaviour, the more we compromise with corruption. There is a clear distinction between a Melanesian leadership perception and a Western perception. The more we confuse ourselves with Melanesian and Western perceptions, the less government services we see in the communities and the more corruption is right in front of us. Corruption is a real threat to the growth of the nation. It is a double-edged sword that hangs over our head. Together we must fight against corruption for a better PNG tomorrow. In 1997 my grandmother, Madeline Mota, graduated from her adult literacy course at Baga village near Tufi in Oro Province. The merest memory of it always brings tears to my eyes. For she had been through a lot in her life and achieved a lot, but this was the topping on the cake THERE was that certain glow of happiness in her eyes. Where the sunken flesh had been just a covering, it now had a certain smile that lit up her old face. A contribution to My Walk to Equality, the first anthology of PNG womens writing, to be published on International Womens Day in March next year. It was a community program facilitated by the late Dr Cindy Farr, an American linguist involved in the Korafe-Yegha Bible Translation project of the Summer Institute of Linguistics. My grandmother was in her late sixties with over 30 grandchildren from 11 of her own children but she wanted to achieve a lifelong ambition that had been denied to her many years before. This was the chance to read and write and the consequent opportunity to write a letter to her children in her own words. For some reason my grandmother never had a chance to go to school. The prospect was there when schools were built at Tufi in the early 1930s but there was mistrust among parents who would not let their daughters attend. My great-grandfather was one of those people and he would not approve her attendance. Instead, she grew up in the village spending time with her mother and the other women elders learning the traditional knowledge of our people through, music, dance, craft and visual arts as well as the secrets of the forest and natural environment, including their spirituality. When she was in her late teens, my grandfathers relatives arranged for her marriage to my grandfather. My grandfather had married twice before and was older than her but she had no choice, it was the decision of the elders. From that marriage there were 11 children born but one was stillborn. Of the 10 who survived, my father was the eldest. My grandmother spoke a lot of the great changes that were happening in Tufi at that time. My grandfather had the chance to go to school and was employed in various capacities in the development program at the newly established Tufi government station. When my dad was born he had a humble upbringing at Baga village along with his siblings. He enrolled at Tufi Primary School and won a scholarship to attend Popondetta High School. While there, he enlisted in the Papua New Guinea Defence Force student cadet program and started a long career in the military. He was among the first Papua New Guineans in the Air Transport Squadron at Igam barracks in Lae. Following in his footsteps, his younger brother, Anthony, enrolled at Popondetta High School and enlisted in the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary. He began a lifelong career in the police. My father and Anthony left home as two young men who my grandmother willingly released to serve their country. During those years of separation, communication became a personal struggle where letters were the only means of staying in contact. However, because she could not read or write, my grandmother relied on others to write and read her letters. Sometimes there was nobody willing to do this. At other times people misinterpreted what she wanted to say and sometimes people told lies in the letters. She also relied on grandfather but as he grew older his eyesight began to fail. So she took up the challenge to learn to read and write for both of them. When the Korafe-Yegha bible project started in Baga village in the 1960s, my grandfather became very much involved in the literacy programs, attending the writers workshops and often illustrating some of the books that were published. During those times, grandmother would silently wish she could one day participate in the training. Through Dr Cindy Farr's persistence and the encouragement of the Korafe women, my grandmother was able to learn to read and write. It took a lot of convincing for the men in the village to let the women attend the classes. After all, our Korafe society is very patrilineal. The classes were held in the morning and at first the men were a bit apprehensive. Many turned up on the first day and, when the morning tea break bell rang, grandfather jokingly remarked that there were a lot of excited men outside the classroom curious to see how their wives classes were progressing. Classes ended at midday so the women could do their chores. Grandfather recalled it was a very challenging time where the roles of men and women were tested. By the end of the first week, several women pulled out but for those who continued until the completion, the program was a triumphant occasion for them and their husbands and families. Soon after completing the program my grandparents visited us in Port Moresby and it was the highlight of their news. I was so proud of her achievement because I was her eldest granddaughter and doing my first year at the University of Papua New Guinea. She had encouraged my father to allow his daughters to reach their highest potential in education and she was a shining example of the motto "education is a lifelong journey". It was there and then that I began to value adult literacy programs. Many years later I am still developing resource materials and learning aids for adult literacy training in the remoter areas of Papua New Guinea. Some of the remote groups I have visited to conduct literacy training are Moreguina St Judes Anglican Mothers Union at Cape Rodney in Central Province, Zenag village in the Mumeng District of Morobe Province and Amoreng and Gimi villages, both in West New Britain Province. My grandmothers achievement influenced not just me but many others in the family, including my mother. My mother had retired from a very successful and long career in property management to complete her college degree. She jokingly remarked that she wanted her grandchildren to know that she had completed a college degree. I remember very well because it was when I was in labour with my first child. I asked her once what it was like to be in a class with young people as old as her own children and she replied that it is the person and their dreams that matter. Soon after graduating with a Business Administration degree, my mother, along with my dad, were engaged by the Anglican Church to conduct adult literacy training programs in the remote villages of the Jimi Valley and Koinanambe in the highlands. Today they are very much involved in the Summer Institute of Linguistics Korafe-Yegha Bible translation project started by Dr Cindy Farr and her husband Jim Farr so many years ago. Dr Farr passed away in 2008 and my grandmother passed away soon after. However, their legacy for our Korafe-Yegah women and indeed for PNG continues. Now I coordinate a special community inclusive learning education program at Callan Services West New Britain Province. Its a volunteer program imparting life skill knowledge to people living with disabilities, unemployed youth and women who want to learn new skills to earn income for their families. It is a unique program we are trialling to develop a social intervention strategy to address adult literacy issues in the province. There are many challenges in this work but it is still an interesting job. One I dedicate to my grandmother, Madeline Kitako Mota. With 2016 coming to close, The Citizen and auburnpub.com is beginning to look back on some of the most important and most-read stories of the year. It's been a busy year in central New York politics. From the state's presidential primaries in April to a congressional primary in June and a state Senate primary in September, there were plenty of candidates and races to cover. And that was before November's general election, which certainly generated plenty of headlines. Outside of the electoral politics, there were other stories that received attention in the region. The New York State Fair offered new attractions and set records in 2016. Del Lago Resort & Casino, which will open in early 2017, progressed throughout the year. The Citizen followed the casino's construction from the moment the first beam was set into place. Here are the top 10 most-read stories on Eye on NY in 2016: (1) Springside Inn owner plans to build $8.7 million boutique hotel near Emerson Park It's a project 15 years in the making. Sean Lattimore, owner of Springside Inn in Fleming, has been trying to build a larger hotel near Owasco Lake. It may become a reality after the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council designated the $8.7 million hotel one of its 2016 priority projects. READ MORE HERE (2) Inside del Lago: Construction progressing at future site of Seneca County casino Driving from downtown Auburn to the town of Tyre in Seneca County, you'll notice a common theme. Orange cones. Plenty of dirt. Fresh pavement. READ MORE HERE (3) Eye on NY: Rep. Chris Gibson plans to cut taxes, repeal SAFE Act if elected NY governor For U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, watching Gov. Andrew Cuomo deliver the State of the State address looked like a scene out of "The Hunger Games." There was the 10-foot tall lectern that made it seem as if the governor was towering over his audience. And there was a 10-minute video clip full of praise for Cuomo's work on economic issues. Any mention of Cuomo and "The Hunger Games" typically refers to the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, a $1.5 billion economic development competition the governor launched last year. But Gibson, a Republican who is exploring a gubernatorial run in 2018, thinks the Cuomo-Hunger Games comparison extends beyond the economic initiative. READ MORE HERE (4) How delegates will be awarded in New York's Democratic and Republican primaries Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is hoping to win 95 delegates in the New York primary Tuesday night. But it won't be easy. For the Democratic and Republican primaries, New York awards most of its delegates based on how candidates perform in each of the state's 27 congressional districts. READ MORE HERE (5) Cuomo: NY corrections officer severely injured after opening 'suspicious package' at his home A state corrections officer was severely injured Sunday after opening a package that was left near his mailbox. Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol said the package was left outside of the corrections officer's home on Old Floyd Road in the Town of Floyd. When the officer picked up the package at around 8 a.m., it exploded. READ MORE HERE (6) Bernie Sanders praises California, New York for raising minimum wage to $15 an hour Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders lauded two of the nation's largest states for approving significant minimum wage hikes. California Gov. Jerry Brown and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo each signed bills Monday to raise their respective states' minimum wage rates to $15 an hour. READ MORE HERE (7) Q&A: Donald Trump slams Daikin McQuay for leaving Auburn, sending jobs to Mexico Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump did his homework. In a phone interview with The Citizen Thursday, Trump pledged to bring jobs back to central New York and criticized Daikin Applied's decision to close its Auburn plant and move operations to Mexico. Daikin McQuay was once one of Cayuga County's largest employers. More than 300 people worked at the facility before it shut down. READ MORE HERE (8) Cuomo: Welch Allyn to retain 900 jobs, add 100 more at Skaneateles Falls facility Welch Allyn is not only staying in central New York, it's expanding. Gov. Andrew Cuomo visited the medical device manufacturer Wednesday and announced that the company will retain 900 jobs and add 100 new positions at its Skaneateles Falls facility. Hill-Rom, Welch Allyn's parent company, will invest more than $4.2 million to expand manufacturing and research and development operations. READ MORE HERE (9) Syracuse 'barcycle' will offer rides, samples of New York beer, wine and food at NYS Fair It's large, it's bright and it's equipped with New York-made beer, wine and food products. It's the BIG Yellow Fellow. And it's going to be rolling through this year's New York State Fair. READ MORE HERE (10) Winner of NY State Fair Food Truck Competition hails from Seneca County Silo Food Truck of Ovid was the big winner in the New York State Fair's second annual Taste NY Food Truck Competition Sunday. The food truck, which operates in Ithaca, won over judges with its Telekinetic Chicken. The dish featured a fried chicken drumstick served on coconut sticky rice and topped with house-made Asian quick pickles. READ MORE HERE Honorable mention: Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas. A PTI photo. NEW DELHI (PTI): The Indian navy has ruled out deploying indigenously built light combat aircraft Tejas on its aircraft carriers, saying it is "not being able to meet the requirements". Citing "overweight" as one of the reasons for ruling out Tejas for India's aircraft carriers, Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of Naval Staff, said the navy is looking at procuring an alternative aircraft. "As far as the carrier-based aircraft is concerned, we need it in a time line of the induction of the aircraft carrier. We have the MiG 29K, which operates from Vikramaditya and will operate from (indigenous aircraft carrier) IAC Vikrant. "We were also hoping to operate the LCA (Light Combat Aircraft-Tejas) from these two aircraft carriers. "Unfortunately, the LCA is not being able to meet the carrier's required capability. That is why we need an alternative aircraft to operate from these two aircraft carriers," Lanba said. He said that at the moment the navy is in the process of identifying the aircraft that will meet its requirements. "If you look around the world, there are not too many options available and we need this carrier capable aircraft sooner than later. So, I am looking at next five-six years," he said. LCA-Tejas is an indigenously built fighter aircraft and has been inducted into the Indian Air Force. Lanba said the navy is still encouraging India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop the Naval LCA. The naval chief said that it is also looking at UAVs which can operate from ships and autonomous sub-surface vehicles for surveillance. BENGALURU (PTI): The Indian Space Research Organisation will today launch Remote Sensing satellite, RESOURCESAT-2A using its workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). PSLV-C36/ RESOURCESAT-2A will blast off at 10:25 hours from SDSC (Satish Dhawan Space Centre) at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. The satellite was earlier planned for launch on November 28. "Things are going on as planned for tomorrow's launch," a senior ISRO official said on Tuesday. ISRO, which began a 36-hour countdown on Monday, on Tuesday said Mono Methyl Hydrazine (MMH) fuel and Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen (MON-3) oxidiser filling operations of the fourth stage (PS4) of PSLV-C36 are completed. PSLV-C36, the 38th flight of PSLV, will place the 1,235-kg RESOURCESAT-2A into an 817-km polar Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO). In this flight, the 'XL' version of PSLV with six solid strap-on motors is used. RESOURCESAT-2A, a Remote Sensing satellite intended for resource monitoring, is a follow on mission to RESOURCESAT-1 and RESOURCESAT-2, launched in 2003 and 2011 respectively. It is intended to continue the remote sensing data services to global users provided by RESOURCESAT-1 and 2. RESOURCESAT-2A carries three payloads which are similar to those of RESOURCESAT-1 and 2. They include a high resolution Linear Imaging Self Scanner (LISS-4) camera operating in three spectral bands in the Visible and Near Infrared Region (VNIR), medium resolution LISS-3 camera operating in three-spectral bands in VNIR and one in Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) band, and coarse resolution Advanced Wide Field Sensor (AWiFS) camera operating in three spectral bands in VNIR and one band in SWIR, with specified spatial resolutions, ISRO said. RESOURCESAT-2A also carries two Solid State Recorders with a capacity of 200 Giga Bits each to store the images taken by its cameras which can be read out later to ground stations, it added. The spacecraft mass is around 1,200 kg with a power generation capacity of 1,250 W and a mission life of five years. The comfort of cows, the health of cows and their safety are farmers' No. 1 priorities always. With all the cold weather lately, farmers have been working hard to keep the cows warm, but also make sure that there is proper ventilation. Most barns are insulated to make sure that it is warm enough for the cows. All farms have curtains that cover the sides of the barns. It is important that the proper temperature is maintained throughout the barns. Without proper ventilation, the cows will get too hot. This makes the cows uncomfortable and unhappy. This will result in the cows not producing milk. On top of this, the normal care is still continued. Dairy farmers provide dry, clean bedding for their cows, along with 24-hour access to food and water. Farmers house the cows in freestall barns, which allow the cows to move around, eat, drink and rest whenever they want to. These barns protect the cows from the cold and rain, but also let in sunshine and fresh air. As for calves, they have their hutches that protect them from the rain, wind, snow, etc. When the weather turns cold and snowy, farmers put calf blankets on the calves. These blankets stay on the calf and add an extra coat to help keep them warm. Dairy farmers care about their cows all year long, no matter what the weather is. They want all their cows and calves to be happy and healthy. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 07/12/2016 (2157 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The history present and future of African Canadians will be explored when Brandon University hosts the 2017 Black Canadian Studies Association (BCSA) Conference. The goal of the conference, held every two years, is to promote dialogue, critical reflection and broad engagement around developments affecting the black and other communities in Canada. The 2017 conference, entitled Blackness, Indigeneity, Colonialism, and Confederation: 21st Century Perspectives, will take place from May 11-14. Organizers expect 200 to 300 people to attend the event, with Canadas 150th birthday forming the backdrop as the participants discuss what this milestone means to Canadas diverse Black community in light of their achievements, challenges and contributions to the country. The BCSA Conference was last hosted by Dalhousie University in Halifax in 2015. I had the honour of being an invited speaker at the 2015 conference, and I am tremendously pleased that Brandon University will host this prestigious event for 2017, BU president Gervan Fearon said. Canada is a mosaic of peoples and cultures that together make an inclusive and prosperous society. At the 2015 conference, the insight gained from the presenters was remarkable, and the discussion that grew out of their ideas helped to illuminate key elements of our society and our identity as a nation and a community. I believe that everyone who attends the 2017 conference in Brandon will benefit greatly from their participation. A call for papers and presentations was recently announced. A wide variety of topics are expected to be discussed, including the parallels and differences of black and indigenous Canadians with regard to the colonial state, black arts and artists, and the black farmers movement. As a university, we place great value in our ability to generate knowledge through our research, said BUs dean of arts, Demetres Tryphonopoulos. I also believe universities serve a vital purpose as a place where people gather to share their discoveries and their experience. By hosting events such as the Black Canadian Studies Association conference, the perspective that we gain benefits us personally along with our community and those of all participants. The Brandon Sun Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 07/12/2016 (2157 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. To address concerns about Braecrest Drive and 18th Street North, one city councillor proposed a potential solution: no left turns or through traffic at the intersection. Coun. Jan Chaboyer (Green Acres) brought the idea to Brandon City Council on Monday. This would force the traffic from Braecrest that wants to drive south down the hill to proceed to the intersection north of there, Chaboyer said. Itll also not allow them to go through that intersection into the Oak Bluff area. Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun Cars making their way north and south on 18th Street North at Braecrest Drive streak by at dusk on Tuesday evening. City council is exploring ways to address concerns that the intersection is unsafe. City manager Scott Hildebrand shot down that idea, citing concerns about rerouted motorists increasing peak hour traffic on Knowlton Drive, which runs by Kirkcaldy Heights School. Restricting west to southbound left turns and/or westbound through traffic by any means, other than constructing a continuous median across 18th Street, we dont think would be effective, Hildebrand said. As reported last week in The Brandon Sun, the city, Manitoba Infrastructure and Assiniboine Community College are planning to conduct a joint functional design study for the Braecrest Drive corridor, including the intersections at 18th Street and First Street. The study will also revisit a previous 1998 functional design study which amongst other options proposes to relocate left turn and through traffic to the signalized intersection to the north at Cumberland (Avenue) and Outback (Drive), Hildebrand said. He stressed that dealing with the intersection is a priority for the city, and will make sure information continues to flow through city council. We are going to work with the province to try and find a solution in the near future, he said. North Hill residents have been speaking out about the intersection over the years, with the most recent outcry coming after an collision claimed the life of an 84-year-old woman last month. There is no pedestrian crossing there, and has been called a free-for-all for motorists. It is difficult for citizens and visitors to the city to make the correct judgment call on how fast that traffic is going up and down that hill, Chaboyer said. I feel that we have an immediate obligation to fix it, to correct this hazard, it needs to be rectified before we have any other accidents. The speed limit along 18th Street North is 70 km/h, and excessive speed is an issue, especially in the southbound lanes. Motorists often seem confused as to who should go first, or ignore the rules out of frustration. Eighteenth Street is under the jurisdiction of Manitoba Infrastructure, so any changes would have to come from the direction of the province. Mayor Rick Chrest said the citys engineering department is working with Manitoba Infrastructure, and the joint study should shed some light on potential solutions. There would be no question that all of council would be extremely interested in this and consider this a significant priority to find a solution because we certainly know keenly well how problematic the intersection currently is, Chrest said. Weve heard it many, many times from people that live and work in the area how difficult it is, and so consequently it will most certainly receive support and attention of council once the professionals are able to puzzle out recommended solutions. jaustin@brandonsun.com Twitter: @jillianaustin Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 07/12/2016 (2157 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Within the next few weeks, motorists will get their first drive on the new First Street bridge. Manitoba Infrastructure will perform the switch-over from the old bridge to the new structure as soon as Mother Nature allows it was originally expected to happen this week. The weather is not helping right now, but it is going good, said Ruth Eden, director of structures with MI. For a short time, there will be one lane in use on the old bridge and one on the new bridge while they work on moving barriers in the centre lanes. Once all that work is done, then we can start demolishing the old bridge and start constructing the new bridge, Eden said. Motorists have likely noticed the height of the new east-side bridge, which is much taller than the existing structure. Eden said that was done for two reasons: to allow for more clearance underneath for the railway, as well as provide better visibility for motorists. This bridge is designed for 75 years, but were hoping to get a lot longer than that. We wanted to have more clearance underneath, she said. Right now its a pretty steep bridge, its hard to see Pacific hard to tell if someones coming. The new bridge takes care of all that, so its safer. The project is expected to cost in the range of $45 million to $50 million. Construction will continue through the winter, with the second First Street structure to open in November 2017. In the meantime, planning is underway for the Daly Overpass. Manitoba Infrastructure has issued a request for proposals for the first stage of the engineering design. It was issued at the end of November and will close Dec. 20. A team will then review submissions, select the preferred consultants and go through their internal processes to award the contract. Eden said this can take up to three months. Were hoping to have a consultant in place some time in March, she said. There will be another open house for the public in the spring. The Daly Overpass will also be two new structures four lanes in total. This will ease the bottleneck situation on 18th Street. The budget for this project is projected to be $60 million. The construction plan will be similar to First Street start in November, demolish one side and build the first structure over the course of a year. Then traffic will be switched over to the new structure so the second structure can be built. Right now we are hoping to start construction in the late fall of 2018, Eden said. Mayor Rick Chrest said he is pleased the projected timelines are on schedule for these major infrastructure projects. Theyre soon going to be putting it into use, and obviously that moves on to knocking down the old one and beginning to build the second element to the bridge, he said of the First Street bridge. That one is progressing along pretty much as planned, so Im quite happy about that. jaustin@brandonsun.com Twitter: @jillianaustin Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 07/12/2016 (2157 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. As the Crown awaits firearm evidence from police, a judge is thinking about granting bail to a Sioux Valley Dakota Nation man accused of firing shots at his neighbour last month. Judge John Combs said hes willing to consider granting bail if the mans lawyer can find a place for his client to live other than Sioux Valley. Crown attorney Deidre Badcock had argued that members of the public would be aghast if the accused were released. These are some of the most serious offences that we can have before our courts, Badcock said during a bail hearing on Monday in Brandon provincial court. Outlining the allegations which have yet to be proven, Badcock said Virden RCMP were called at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 19 with a report of uttering threats. A Sioux Valley man called to say that a highly intoxicated neighbour had come to his home and asked for money. The men went to a bank machine and the complainant gave the neighbour $40, but the man returned and asked for more. When the complainant refused, the visitor told him he was going to get his gun and shoot him. While Virden RCMP were on the way, dispatch received calls reporting that the man was shooting at the complainants house where his sister and girlfriend were inside. While police were on the way, a constable received texts from the complainant stating that the gunman was shooting at him and he was hiding in a nearby ditch. He texted that six shots had been fired at him. Mounties called a number of Sioux Valley residents to tell them to stay in their homes. Once on scene, cautious RCMP members took position on a hill, about 500 yards away from the complainants home. One officer was able to spot the gunman raise his rifle, point it at police and look through its scope. Badcock said officers then backed off another 500 yards. At one point, the rifle was pointed at a total of three different officers. Among the officers who were dispatched to the scene were members of the Emergency Response Team, who it appears responded from Winnipeg, and a police dog handler. After two hours in their positions, officer saw the man with the rifle enter his residence. At 4:23 p.m., he left his home and three officers moved in and arrested the man. The man didnt have the gun, but a .22-calibre rifle was found in a bedroom of the mans home by the washing machine. Bullets were in the room, too, behind a mirror on the dresser. Badcock said that once in custody, the gunman who didnt have a licence for the rifle told police there was a dispute over money but denied the threats. He said he goes hunting every day and, while he denied having loaded the gun, he suggested that he must have fired toward any people by accident. Defence lawyer Andrew Synyshyn said his client maintains he was out hunting, saw something move where police had taken their positions and took a look with his scope. Otherwise, he would have had no idea why anyone was there. In addition, Synyshyn argued, theres no evidence that shots were fired other than statements made by the complainant who had been in a dispute with his client. Theres no evidence that shots were fired at all; we still dont have that evidence, Synyshyn said. He pointed to text messages in which the complainant states the gunman is shooting, but the officer replies theyre on scene but cant hear shots. Police examined the house that had apparently been shot at, Synyshyn said, but there was no evidence it was hit by bullets. Badcock said the rifle believed to have been used has been sent for testing, and receiving the results will take time. She said shes waiting for information from police, including whether spent bullet casings were found at the scene or bullet holes in the home. She added its not clear whether the complainants home was actually shot. The 911 recordings will also be reviewed to determine whether gunshots can be heard in the background, Badcock said. Synyshyn said his client is entitled to make a bail application without having to wait for that evidence. He suggested the accused can live with a relative in Brandon while on bail, and Combs gave him a chance to look into the possibility that the accused could live away from Sioux Valley. Meanwhile, the accused remains in custody and his case has been put to next Monday. John Robert Hall is charged with three counts of pointing a firearm, uttering threats, unauthorized possession of a firearm and discharging a firearm with intent to harm. ihitchen@brandonsun.com Twitter: @IanHitchen The district's high school and middle school will each receive the Alliance for a Healthier Generation's National Healthy Schools Bronze Award Dec. 9 in Jersey City, New Jersey, at the Tri-State Healthiest Schools Celebration. The schools are among 38 from New Jersey, New York and Connecticut that were named the nation's healthiest schools. Clyde-Savannah will be the only New York district in attendance at the celebration. A total of 328 schools made the nationwide list. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 07/12/2016 (2157 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Twenty-seven years after the senseless massacre of 14 women at a Montreal university, speakers at a vigil in Brandon warned that gender-based violence remains a threat. Allison McCulloch, an associate professor in political science at Brandon University, led an impassioned call for action yesterday in front of approximately 50 people outside the campus pub. We act, because it could have been and could still be us, McCulloch said. Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun Allison McCulloch, an associate professor of political science and chair of the board of directors for the Womens Resource Centre, delivers finals remarks and a call to action during a vigil for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women at Brandon University on Tuesday. The vigil was held in remembrance of the 27th anniversary of the death of 14 women murdered by Marc Lepine at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989. The vigil also shines a light on all violence toward women. The gunman, who killed 13 students and one staff member all women at Ecole Polytechnique Montreal on Dec. 6, 1989, was resentful of feminists for ruining his life. They were murdered simply because they were women, McCulloch lamented, on a day university students were finishing last assignments and preparing for exams, just like this week for many students at BU. Annual vigils on Dec. 6, held in cities and university campuses nationwide, act as a reminder of the lives callously taken away, but also serve as a call for action against gender-based violence. McCulloch said the latter message resonates, particularly during this dangerous moment in the pursuit of gender equality. The United States just elected a president who said he could grab women by the p- and get away with it, and he did, she said. Canadians should not presume they are immune to the sexist and racist rhetoric sprouted south of the border. She cited Canadas signing of an arms deal with Saudi Arabia, a nation with a questionable human rights record, and last weekends lock her up chant at an Alberta rally calling for Premier Rachel Notley to be jailed. It is happening here, she said of sexist attitudes, and now is not the time for complacency, now is the time for action. Brandy Robertson, executive director of The Womens Resource Centre, which organized the local vigil, underscored the importance of feminism in the present climate. Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun Barb Blind speaks about missing and murdered indigenous women during a vigil for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women at Brandon University on Tuesday. Were here today because we still have so much work to do, she said. Broadening the national day of remembrance to include speakers lamenting LGBTTQ violence and murdered and missing indigenous women is an acknowledgment violence based on who you are is widespread, she said afterwards. When we have calls to action like this, its important for us to be recognizing that violence affects a lot of people and we need to be paying attention. Gregory Monias, who identifies as a cisgender queer indigenous man, spoke about violence against the LGBTTQ community. He said it happens locally, too. A few years ago in Brandon, while dancing with friends one evening, a man suddenly approached Monias and choked his neck. The assaulter, whose friends cheered the attack, was a university classmate of Monias. That experience in Brandon is shared by a lot of people, Monias said of discrimination against LGBTTQ persons. He adds the massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando this year is proof homophobic attitudes persist. It became so clear that who I am and what I am is still not accepted. Barb Blind, a respected indigenous elder in Brandon, told the crowd our society calls on women to be careful of violence, but she said men should be shouldering the burden. Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun Photos of women murdered during the Ecole Polytechnique Massacre are shown during a vigil for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women at Brandon University on Tuesday. We should be looking at teaching our young men to respect us and not be taking out their anger toward women. Fourteen chairs in the audience were purposefully left empty aside from a red rose and black T-shirt, in commemoration of the 14 women gunned down in the Montreal massacre. Each shirt bore the name of a victim. ifroese@brandonsun.com Twitter: @ianfroese Academic excellence has a long tradition in Catholic schools because they have not forgotten the hows and whys of attaining knowledge and truth. While Catholic schools today have to be ready to adapt to continuing advancements, they do not abandon the traditional methods that foster academic achievement. Today, there is a noticeable tendency in schools to reduce education to its purely technical and practical aspects. Academic excellence in Catholic schools comes from the combination of acquiring knowledge and growing in wisdom. Courses are taught in a way that not only presents knowledge to be attained, but also values to be acquired and truths to be discovered. Catholic schools believe that knowledge is not to be considered as a means of material prosperity and success, but as a call to serve and to be responsible for others. What do you have that you have not received? And if youve received it, why do you boast as if it were yours alone? 1 Cor 4:7 The average Catholic school test scores in reading are consistently 17-20 points higher than in public schools. In math, Catholic schools are 9-13 points higher. According to a United States Conference of Catholic Bishops report, Catholic schools tend to operate as communities rather than bureaucracies, which links to higher levels of teacher commitment, student engagement and student achievement. The Catholic school climate, mission and purpose positively impact students achievement. The Diocese of Rochester recently announced its accreditation by the Middle States Association Commission, demonstrating that these schools are meeting a defined set of performance standards. In Auburn, we are fortunate to have two Catholic schools through the diocese, St. Joseph School and Tyburn Academy, where academic excellence is at the heart of our mission. At Tyburn Academy we evaluate, track and record the same statistics as any other school. It helps us assess our students, teachers and curriculum. It also helps us point our students in a direction for future success. Our own results from the past 24 years show that Tyburn students have consistently outperformed the area public schools on the SAT, and our ACT scores are above the average across the country. Several Tyburn students have achieved National Merit status and 80 percent of students are awarded academic scholarships to colleges. Here is a list of some of the places where our graduates have gone after graduation: Syracuse University, Penn State, Hobart, Wells College, Cayuga Community College, Onondaga Community College, Keuka, Le Moyne, Christendom, Ave Maria, Aquinas College, St. John Fisher, Nazareth College, Providence College, Colgate, Gordon College, West Point & U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Franciscan University, Grove City, Clarkson, RIT, Loyola, DeSales, Cornell, St. Bonaventure, Ithaca College, Culinary Institute of America, Slippery Rock University, Catholic University of America, Niagara, Mount St. Marys, University of Rochester, King's College, SUNY Binghamton, New Paltz, Brockport, Cortland, Oswego, Dubuque University and military training divisions. Many have pursued their education further to achieve graduate, law and medical degrees. The following facts are equally impressive: Tyburn families represent all socioeconomic backgrounds. We provide accommodations for IEPs and 504 plans. Tyburn parents are actively involved in the school. Our students come from different academic backgrounds and are subsequently at different academic levels Our students take more classes than the state standards require for graduation with Regents diplomas with advanced designation and honors. Our students participate in sports, art, band, choir, drama, AP, student-run clubs and community service. Tyburn does not receive funding from any government or diocesan sources. Our students pray together. What strikes me is the diversity among all the colleges and universities that Tyburn students attend after graduation. How can this school send students off in so many different directions? Arent all Catholic school students (fill in the blank)? At Tyburn Academy, we nurture the possibilities in each student. Catholic schools measure the same statistics as schools across the country and they also know that there are some qualities that cant be measured with tests, assessments or statistics: creativity, critical thinking, resilience, curiosity, humor, self-discipline, leadership, courage, humility, sense of beauty, sense of wonder, empathy, joy, self-awareness, motivation, love of neighbor and love of God. Catholic schools aim at educating the whole person, requiring teachers to educate the mind and the heart. A Catholic school education is an investment in your childs future. Visit Tyburn Academy today to unlock your childs potential for academic success! We can be reached in person at 17 Clymer St. or online at tyburnacademy.com. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 07/12/2016 (2157 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Look toward the future, not the past I am tired of hearing and reading that the government is responsible for the things that have happened in the past. Just how far back do you want to go? Many things that happened were the best that could be offered at that time in history, and it was done for a very good reason. Come on get past all that and look to the future do our best now. The past is gone, the present is here and the future is a head of us. I wonder what will be said in 50 years or so of what is being done today. I am sure what is best now will never meet the standards and demands of that time in history. Common sense not so common Instead of wasting time and money on numerous studies and consultations, why not try using common sense? It seems that common sense isnt that common anymore. Farmers continue to work for us all I enjoy the daily Looking Back column in the Brandon Sun. For example, on Nov. 30 under the 30 Years Ago heading: Farmers in the southeastern corner of Saskatchewan have filled 10 railway cars with grain for the worlds hungry. And Saskatchewan and Manitoba farmers are still doing this today. What would we do without the farmers? Hope their cupboards are full. Keep up the good work, Brandon Sun. Unprofessional attitude in the courtroom I was very disappointed, and in fact I was stunned, by the behaviour by the female Crown attorney in the courtroom on Monday, Nov. 28, before the judge presented. She was loudly and very clearly entertaining her partner with stories and laughter and giggling. I just thought it was very unprofessional and the room was full of families who were worried and scared for their loved ones. Be they criminals or not, they are still someones son or daughter or husband or wife. So I was just really disgusted by how she performed. So appreciative Thank you to the man who found my wallet on the ground at a local grocery store parking lot on Nov. 30 and took it to security. My coat pocket proved to not be a secure spot for my wallet. Merry Christmas to you! Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 07/12/2016 (2157 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In deference to the interests and wishes of the Sioux people, the Barack Obama administration on Sunday called a halt to construction of a Missouri River crossing tunnel for the Dakota Access pipeline and invited the Standing Rock Sioux tribe to discuss how the line could be built and operated safely. The decision removed, for the moment, the danger of violent confrontations among police, construction crews and pipeline protesters. Most of the pipeline, which would transport oil from North Dakotas Bakken formation to a tank farm near Patoka, Ill., is already built. The Missouri River crossing at Lake Oahe has been delayed by a coalition of environmentalists opposed to fossil fuel use and pipeline construction and native people fearful of water contamination and desecration of their sacred sites. A gathering of thousands of Sioux people and their supporters faintly reminiscent of the 1876 gathering at the Little Bighorn River that led to Custers Last Stand raised the spectre of violence, which has now been laid to rest. Or perhaps halted for the time being. In light of the U.S. Armys long and bloody relationship with the Sioux people, the language of the Corps of Engineers Sunday announcement is remarkable. Further discussion should be held, the Corps said, in light of the Great Sioux Nations dispossessions of lands, the importance of Lake Oahe to the Tribe, the government-to-government relationship between the United States and the Sioux and the law on easements through government land. It will fall to the Donald Trump administration to figure out the next steps toward completion of the Dakota Access pipeline. But the U.S. government has already admitted that previous dispossession of land suffered by the Sioux is relevant to this discussion. It has affirmed a government-to-government relationship with the Sioux, though what that means in practice is far from clear. When Mr. Trump inherits the Dakota Access file, he may seek a solution by way of the art of the deal. He won applause in Indianapolis last week by working out a deal for the Carrier air conditioning company to keep operating a plant it was planning to move to Mexico. His deal-making skills may bring some result for the pipeline project, but he will have to work within a context of historical dispossession and militant action. Canada is also aiming to build pipelines across aboriginal lands where some of the aboriginal peoples are happy to accommodate the projects and others are not. Already, approvals for Enbridges Line 3 pipeline and TransCanadas Energy East pipeline have split Manitobas Dakota bands not only from each other, but also band members from those chiefs and councils who have supported the pipeline construction. And First Nation concerns are not without merit. Rail shipment of oil has been worrisome ever since runaway tank cars burned down the centre of Lac-Megantic, Que., three years ago. But pipelines are also worrisome: Husky Oils spill into the North Saskatchewan River this year, which contaminated drinking water for Prince Albert, Sask., and other communities, was just the latest dramatic example of pipeline dangers. Canadian aboriginal leaders and pipeline builders and courts will be watching the Standing Rock standoff and perhaps shaping their plans accordingly. The proponents of the Dakota Access line think the latest delay is unreasonable because they followed the rules all the way along. But their experience suggests that merely following the rules is not enough. They are not only dealing with a rule book written in Washington; They are also dealing with a painful history written on the land of North Dakota and Montana and in the hearts of the people who live there. And its important to remember that the second part of that history was written here in Canada, when the federal government treated these same Sioux tribes leaving the U.S. Manitobas and Saskatchewans Dakota, Lakota and Nakota bands as refugees in a land they historically claimed as their own territory. Without doubt, the standoff at Standing Rock will have reverberations here. Winnipeg Free Press & The Brandon Sun PLEASE NOTE! Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate! All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited! (One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!) A former town of Niles supervisor who posted water danger signs around the city of Auburn and town of Owasco in November is asking Cayuga County for compensation after the signs were taken down. Charlie Greene posted approximately 200 signs around the Owasco Lake watershed in mid-November, warning people of lethal toxins in the water and telling them to stay away from it. Greene posted them without the authority of the Cayuga County Health Department, and after the department had said there were no more detectable levels of blue-green algae toxins in the raw or treated water sampled at filtration plants. The red-and-white printed signs taped on utility poles and light poles were taken down shortly after they were put up, though it is not clear by whom. Greene said in an email Wednesday morning to Cayuga County Legislature Chairman Keith Batman, Health Department Director Kathleen Cuddy, Legislator Michael Didio and Legislator Aileen McNabb-Coleman that he believes the health department "and its agents performed the act of theft" of his signs. He said he contacted Eileen O'Connor, director of the Environmental Health Division, and asked "for compensation of my time and materials." "Because the signs were protected by free speech, were placed within the public right of way, and because the Health Department and its agents had no more right to the utility poles than does the public, I believe that I should receive just compensation and a very public apology," Greene wrote. The Auburn Police Department conducted an investigation of Greene's actions, and Deputy Chief Roger Anthony said an ordinance does specify that signs cannot be posted on public property owned by the city. He said the department investigated the signs especially because of how many there were and because the person who posted them was known. Officers spoke to Greene, Anthony said, and he agreed not to post any more. Batman said as far as he's been able to determine, no one from the county removed Greene's signs. He said he stood by O'Connor's previous statements that the signs could cause confusion and should a true public health emergency arise, people may be less apt to take it seriously. "It's the boy who cried wolf, and that's our concern," Batman said. "I don't think there's anything to apologize for. We're all concerned about this issue. Charlie is going at it one way, which he has a perfect right to do, and we're going about it another way, and that's public safety." Batman said Greene is "well-meaning and intelligent" but said his methods are distracting people from the focus of what needs to be done in the short-term. To the county, that's finding a solution to the water treatment problem of removing toxins, Batman said, and then the longer-term issue of cleaning up the lake. Greene also said in his email that he has contacted the New York State Center for Dispute Settlement and provided notice to O'Connor and county attorney Fred Westphal. Kelly Porter, director of the center's Cayuga County office, said she could not comment specifically about the matter due to client confidentiality, but said the center does help peacefully resolve all kinds of disputes without a court referral. Both parties, however, must be present and agreeable to a mediation, she added. The Huffington Post has appointed New York Times editor Lydia Polgreen to succeed founder Ariana Huffington as its editor-in-chief. Ms Polgreen had been with the New York Times for 15 years, where she most recently served as the associate masthead editor and the editorial director of NYT Global. For the first time ever, children everywhere can have a peek at Santa's house in the North Pole thanks to Zillow who have put photos of the big man's hide out on their website. Ever wonder what Santas house looks like? Take a peek at the very first photos from his home in the North Pole: https://t.co/Tcj1gZhWWo pic.twitter.com/gLFkj0OMCw Mr and Mrs Claus have quite the set-up in their three bedroom, two baths haven nestled on 25 acres at the North Pole. According to Zillow, the home was built in the 1800's, but is kitted out with all the mod-cons thanks to a recent renovation. The living room boasts a floor to ceiling river rock fireplace, which is said to be perfect for roasting chestnuts. While the kitchen has a oven with no less than 12 different cookie settings to ensure to meet everyone's tastes. Nom. The master bedroom carries the cosy theme, with a wood-burning stove and is said to have scenic views of the surrounding countryside. And of course there is a majestic bunk-bed in the spare room for little visitors who might need a nap or having a sleep over at Santa's house. But it is not all delicious cookies and play-time at Santa's house, he has a serious job to do and a lovely office to help him get the work completed on time. The office also carries an impressive selection of toys to be sure to entertain any small folk that may wander into his office. To watch a video tour of Santa's home, click here. To find out more about Santa click here. Editors' note: Auburn native Roger Hare has written multiple times for The Citizen about the Pearl Harbor attack, which his late father survived while serving on the USS West Virginia. Now living in North Carolina, Hare continues to research and write about the bombing that took place on this day 75 years ago, and has submitted this story for our readers: During the Japanese attack, USS West Virginia (BB-48) Carpenters Mate Howard Cromwell was killed. Younger brother Rue said remains of his sibling were not recovered until the following spring. The Cromwell family spent a lifetime wondering about details never known, and through this family an amazing and unusual tale unfolded. Howard Cromwell had an identical twin, Harold, serving ashore in the 810th Military Police Company. This was to have far-reaching and unusual consequences. Howard Cromwell's class ring was returned to his family by the Navy following BB-48 salvage. This chilling reminder was made more tragic as no one removed skin still attached to the inside before mailing to the family. Brother Rue eventually accepted Howard's violent demise but spent years searching for clues concerning details. Did Howard die in a bomb blast or was he among those trapped in air pockets to cruelly suffocate? He is still not sure but related an amazing story, which he wrote about in an unpublished book titled "You'll Like Linton." Harold Cromwell arrived in Hawaii and was destined for Schofield Barracks. Before arriving, a sergeant asked if he could type. Answering yes, he was separated into 810 MP, where he learned the fine art of arresting deserters and drunken troublemakers. Pre-war Honolulu was known as a "dumping ground" for misfit enlisted as well as officers, and nightly patrols were made in an atmosphere akin to James Jones' "From Here To Eternity." Desertion was common. The Cromwell twins had never seen anything like this in their hometown of Linton, Indiana. Harold's rural roots provided the butt of jokes in the 810 MP unit. Howard could fare better on USS West Virginia because Navy officers had a reputation for allowing a sailor to prove oneself, regardless of background. Harold, though, was "fresh-meat" for a grizzled pre-war MP group, and his fresh-faced innocence was mocked. He simply did not fit with his urban, street-wise counterparts. Navy brother Howard often visited during liberty where they were both viewed with contempt. The brothers tried to make friends by telling stories familiar to all twins: Switching places in high school and confusing girlfriends. Dec. 7 saw Howard setting a chess board in the carpenters shop when "away fire and rescue" was announced before the first torpedo hit. What happened next no one knows except he was killed. Ashore, Harold heard news on the radio and muffled explosions in the distance confirmed Pearl Harbor was under attack. Confusion reigned. Supply officers, following peacetime rules, would only sign out .45 pistols with three rounds of ammunition. Harold signed his name seven times and walked out with 21 rounds. He watched as machine guns were set, then ordered moved. Some officers demanded leather belts be worn by soldiers. Other officers relented to combat woven-webbing attire. The latter would then be berated by the first officer encountered. No one appeared in charge. Harold watched ground fire erupt around him as Japanese planes turned their attention on Army barracks. He approached an anti-aircraft battery and informed its commander they were firing blanks as smoke emitted was not as dark as real ammunition. His attempt to help was met with contempt. "What does a country rube know about these weapons?" barked the officer. A truck soon transported him and other MPs from Fort Shafter to a police station in Honolulu. While on King Street, a Japanese plane prepared to strafe them, then suddenly veered away. "Out of ammo," he thought. It soon became apparent the main targets were U.S. battleships in the harbor and a horrible feeling dawned. It is said twins instinctively know when the other is in danger and Harold experienced gut-wrenching worry. Howard was in great trouble and his brother knew it to be true. Suffering sudden depression and effects from combat stress, he watched numb as a bomb landed nearby, fatally wounding a soldier in front of him. Explosions were constant and sounds of panic and chaos added to the surreal din. At 2 p.m., Harold was ordered to take a truck and driver to Waimanalo Beach near Bellows Field. An Asian man was reported rolling around in the surf. Was he drunk or mentally ill? In a crazy day where death was everywhere and invasion rumors rampant, this bizarre report barely rated notice. Cromwell arrived to find Corporal David Akui and Lt. Paul Plybon pointing toward the surf. Here he saw a young, naked Asian man half-crouched in the waves. They all motioned him ashore with .45s in hand. Loaded into the MP truck, Harold watched this nervous, twitching man sitting next to him, while ensuring his holstered pistol faced away from a possible "grab-handing" by the prisoner. He noticed a sweet fragrance on him and tried to converse but he seemed to know no English. The "crazy man" was unloaded at the MP station. Cromwell later learned he was Ensign Kazuo Sakamaki, pilot of the Japanese midget sub that washed ashore near Bellows Field and the only survivor of the Rising Sun sub attack force. "He smelled like flower blossoms" recalled Cromwell. It was the ceremonial perfume in which Sakamaki bathed before his failed suicide mission. He became POW No. 1 for the Pacific war. Harold saw smoke from Pearl Harbor for days and heard about the destruction from others: USS West Virginia was a tangled mess, awash to its deck. He was morose and distant and couldn't help feeling a sense of dread over Howard. He soon received a telegram from his parents confirming that dread: Howard Cromwell was MIA on BB48. With this news his old personality changed and for all intents and purposes, Harold Cromwell became a different person. He didn't notice it at first. Those around him started berating constantly. Officers assigned punishment duty such as digging useless ditches and one suddenly ripped his two corporal stripes from his uniform, declaring him "useless." Suffering from what today is "post-traumatic stress," he was listless and quiet. He didn't know the entire 810 MPs harbored a dark suspicion that twin Howard's Dec. 6 visit was a ruse and they had switched places. The real MP Cromwell was believed dead on the USS West Virginia and a Navy impostor now took his place. Harold's sudden change in personality seemed to confirm their suspicion, along with another key detail: His clothing was marked with stenciling only the Navy used. In reality, Carpenters Mate Cromwell made the stencil for his brother earlier, never dreaming it would be a catalyst for epic hazing and harsh treatment. Such animosity arose within 810 that efforts were made to tamper with his records (he held the record for deserter arrests). Certainly physical evidence such as fingerprints would not expose him as his brother was an identical twin. Cromwell's excellent performance record was erased and he was busted to private. Wherever he turned someone was yelling at him. It was hoped such hazing would encourage Cromwell to leave on his own accord. Fortunately, Criminal Investigation Command caught wind of blatant record-tampering when some deserter court martials were long delayed because records showed no arresting officer. The 810 treatment of Harold was exposed. The 810 officers were told to restore his true record or someone was going to prison. In the end, CID absorbed Harold into their ranks because his experience revealed expertise in procedures and arresting techniques. He also learned from CID he had been suspected a Navy spy by his old unit. By 1944, a "point system" allowed Harold Cromwell to return to Linton, Indiana. He returned a broken man. A series of failed jobs saw him enlist in the Navy that his brother Howard so loved. He rose through the ranks and retired a chief warrant officer, the highest an enlisted man can rise. He married and named his son Howard, but the boy tragically drowned as a teenager. A strange post-script to this tale: In the 1970s, Harold wrote a reunion committee of 810 MPs planning an outing in Honolulu. He wrote them from his Navy billet as he prepared to retire. Harold could not attend but was later told as the reunion unfolded, a former sergeant rose to address the old MPs. "I want to remind everyone that back then we had a Navy impostor in our midst. The real MP, Harold Cromwell, was killed Dec. 7 on the USS West Virginia. His Navy twin brother sat out the war in our company. The twins traded places the night before the attack. After the war the impostor went back in the Navy and was rewarded by being made a chief warrant officer for his ability to stay in our company. I know because he wrote me from the Navy to get my address for this reunion." Winston Churchill once remarked: "A lie gets halfway around the world while truth is still putting on its pants." The story of Howard and Harold Cromwell is proof he was right. Three children's hospitals in Dublin are asking families to stay away, unless it is absolutely necessary to attend. Our Ladys Hospital Crumlin, Temple Street and the National Childrens Hospital say they have seen an increase in Emergency Department attendances and admissions to inpatient beds in the last month. Vertex has responded to calls from the HSE with a view to re-engage on the pricing of cystic fibrosis drug Orkambi. In a statement this evening, Minister for Health Simon Harris said he is pleased to learn that Vertex has responded to the HSE. Speaking from a meeting with EU Health Ministers in Lisbon today on drug price negotiations, the Minister said: I have always said that Vertex need to re-engage in a meaningful way with the HSE that addresses the core issue of price and affordability. In that context the company must return to the table with a significantly better offer. This has not happened to date and I again call on the company to re-engage in a meaningful way. However, I was pleased to learn that Vertex has responded to the HSE today with a view to re-engage in negotiations with them on Orkambi. "In a meeting with some of my EU counterparts, I raised this issue of the unacceptably high price Vertex has put on this drug, making it inaccessible not just for Ireland's CF patients but for other patients around Europe. I intend to continue to intensify my engagement with colleagues in Europe and indeed other countries on this issue. "I want to see CF patients receive access to the best treatments possible. That remains my priority." Earlier, the Taoiseach described the circa 160,000 per patient, per year, being demanded for the cystic fibrosis drug, as "grossly excessive". Read: Read More: Kenny says CF drug maker is 'ripping off the taxpayer' Mr Kenny said that the Health Minister is also negotiating with other countries to see if a cheaper price can be achieved. We will work with the Executive in Northern Ireland, and we will work with the Ministers for Health in those other countries to whom Minister Harris has written, in the hope that the manufacturer sees sense, and that the justification for bringing the drug in here to relieve patients who can benefit from it can be achieved. Gardai investigating the murder of disabled man Anthony Rogers have arrested a 35-year-old man. The man was detained in the East Wall area this morning at around 7.30am by detectives from Kevin Street Garda Station and the South Central Task Force. He is being held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 as amended at the station. 61-year-old Mr Rogers was stabbed to death at Robinsons Court, Cork Street, Dublin 8 at around 2.30pm on November 6, 2016. He was taken by Ambulance to St James Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Mr Rogers, who used a wheelchair, was left bleeding in his home after the attack. The one-time richest man in Russia has vowed to finance democracy campaigns in his homeland after an Irish court lifted freezing orders on $100m in an investment fund. Mikhail Khodorkovsky's war chest was ordered to be handed over five years after being withheld as part of investigations into money-laundering. The exiled former oligarch, once the head of the now defunct Yukos oil and gas company, was jailed in 2003 after falling out with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the money was first seized while he was in jail in 2011. Mr Khodorkovsky (pictured), who was pardoned and released from detention in 2013 and now lives in London, said he welcomed the decision of the District Court in Dublin to release the fund, worth more than $100m. He said the decision in the case showed the money was not the proceeds of crime. In a statement he said he had indicated that he will use some of it "to support the work of the Open Russia movement", a campaign founded in 2014 to focus on justice, human rights and free and fair elections. Mr Khodorkovsky, who claims his incarceration over alleged unpaid taxes was politically motivated, remains one of Mr Putin's foremost critics. He was named a Prisoner of Conscience by Amnesty International. The multi-million investment fund based in Dublin was first frozen following an application by the fraud squad in Ireland. Mr Khodorkovsky secured the release of the money after taking a civil case and making an application under Ireland's Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010. The Yukos energy company was broken up and its assets transferred to a number of state-owned companies following his imprisonment. The head of the charter airline whose plane crashed in the Andes last week has been detained by Bolivian prosecutors for questioning as authorities look into whether the tragedy that killed 71 people stemmed from negligence. Gustavo Vargas, a retired Bolivian air force general, was picked up in Santa Cruz along with a mechanic and secretary who worked for him at LaMia airline. All are being questioned about their roles in letting a British-built short-range jet attempt a more than four-hour flight from Santa Cruz to Medellin, Colombia, for which it barely had enough fuel, in violation of aviation norms. Prosecutors said the questioning was expected to last eight hours and afterwards they would decide whether any of the three would be formally arrested. Earlier, authorities raided the airline's offices as well as those of the agency that oversees air traffic in Bolivia. Authorities are also looking into whether LaMia, which received permission to fly only earlier this year, was favoured by Vargas's son, who headed the office responsible for licensing aircraft in Bolivia's civil aviation agency. After the crash, LaMia had its licence revoked and several aviation officials, including Vargas's son, were suspended. The plane was carrying Brazil's Chapecoense football team to the opening match in the Copa Sudamericana tournament's finals when it crashed outside Medellin on November 28. Prosecutors from Brazil, Bolivia and Colombia are expected to meet in Santa Cruz to combine efforts in determining the causes of the crash. They also are studying how the airline, which despite a questionable history amassed an impressive list of clients from among South America's top football clubs, was allowed to operate. One of the six survivors of the crash said he had been reassured by the airline before take-off that the plane would make a refuelling stop in the Bolivian town of Cobija, as it had on previous flights north. "I don't know if it was a fuel problem - the investigation will determine that," Erwin Tumiri said from his modest home in Cochabamba, where he is recovering from the crash. "But every time we flew we went first to Cobija and returned the same way to refuel. On this occasion they said we'd do the same." Plane crash survivor Erwin Tumiri, who was a crew member on the flight that went down last week, gives an interview at his home in Cochabamba, Bolivia, yesterday. Pic: AP Meanwhile, an employee in Bolivia's aviation agency turned up on Tuesday in Brazil seeking asylum. In a document widely circulating in Bolivian media, the worker, Celia Castedo, appears to have pointed out a number of irregularities in the aircraft's flight plan, including not having enough fuel, to LaMia's dispatcher, who was killed in the crash. The authenticity of the document could not be immediately verified. Brazilian federal police said Ms Castedo applied for refugee status upon crossing the border by land. In Bolivia, a senior government official said Ms Castedo, who was among officials suspended following the crash, was potentially evading justice and should be immediately deported. "What she has done is very serious," minister Carlos Romero told reporters, denying that she faced any persecution in Bolivia. "It's a way of escaping the judicial system." Ms Castedo's son Sebastian said that the truth would "come later by authorities other than those in Bolivia". He said he did not know where his mother was. Italian premier Matteo Renzi has said he will resign now that parliament has completed approval of the 2017 national budget. Mr Renzi had offered his resignation two days earlier to President Sergio Mattarella following his humiliating defeat in a government-backed voter referendum on reforms. India has registered nearly an 800% spike in the number of so-called honour killings reported. It has led state officials and women's rights groups to call for investigations into how such crimes persist. Indian police registered 251 cases of honour killings in 2015, compared with just 28 a year earlier when India began counting them separately from murder, according to a statement by junior home minister Hansraj G Ahir to India's parliament. The surge could partly reflect more willingness by people to report such crimes, which many still consider just punishment for women and men who defy communal customs by marrying outside of their religion, clan or caste. Often, the perpetrators are relatives seeking to punish young couples for bringing "shame" to the family. Women's rights activists said the government must pass legislation to recognise the crime as unique in order to target perpetrators for prosecution. "These figures show that the government has to take this as a priority," said Sudha Sundararaman, head of the All India Democratic Women's Association. Though police are now asked to count honour killings separately, the lack of a separate law defining such crimes means that some officers still record them in the larger murder category and do not investigate the cases further, she said. Honour killings are still common enough among Hindus and Muslims to regularly make newspaper headlines in a country where most marriages are arranged by families. Most cases are reported in northern states such as Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, where caste councils wield enormous power in village life. The highest number of honour killings recorded last year was in Uttar Pradesh, where police counted 131 killings compared with just two cases in 2014, Mr Ahir said, citing data from the National Crime Records Bureau. State police officers were sceptical. Such a jump "is astronomical" and needs to be looked into, Deputy Inspector General DK Chaudhary said. Women's activists said that is missing the point, and that having 279 honour killings recorded over two years still vastly underestimates the actual numbers. One 2011 study suggested about 900 people are murdered in honour killings every year in India. The study by the All India Democratic Women's Association was based on surveys conducted nationwide. "There is severe under-reporting of such honour crimes. Families are often ashamed to report such crimes," said Annie Raja, of the National Federation of Indian Women. Ms Raja said the situation had worsened in the last few years, noting an increasing trend in village councils run by unelected elders promoting conservative, anti-women values in the name of preserving Indian culture and tradition. Some observers also noted that social changes were creating friction in communities, as more women step away from traditional home-making roles to join the workforce. That makes them more likely to want to delay marriage, while also increasing the chance of finding partners outside of their community. "There has been a backlash of conservatism," Ms Raja said. "Young people are facing violence and attacks from their families if they fall in love." Analysts say that even as politicians push for better healthcare and education for girls, they have been unwilling to act against village councils that influence large numbers of voters. "Indian society is unwilling to accept the choices made by young women when it comes to their marriage," said Ranjana Kumari, of the Centre for Social Research, a New Delhi-based think tank. "People also have to learn to respect women." NEW YORK: Taylor Swift on Tuesday announced she was returning to touring, getting back on the road for the first... Americans have always thought of themselves as a practical, commonsensical people, a nation of Thomas Edisons and Henry Fords. (Never mind that industrial genius Ford was also a political crank whose treatise "The International Jew" influenced Nazi race theory.) In reality, we've always been a nation of easy marks. As H.L. Mencken wrote: "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public." Anybody glib and shameless enough can sell Americans damn near anything. Very few faith-healers, astrologers, crackpot diet enthusiasts, peddlers of love potions, self-anointed prophets and messiahs not to mention political mountebanks and conspiracy theorists have ever lacked for a large and credulous audience. To me, the two most astonishing events during my lifetime have been Jonestown and Heaven's Gate. The 1978 suicide/mass murder of 909 American members of Jim Jones' religious and political cult in the jungles of Guyana constituted the most appalling episode of group psychosis in U.S. history. But for sheer nuttiness, the 1997 Heaven's Gate episode struck me as equally bizarre involving, as it did, not merely crackpot religion, but UFOs. Thirty-nine cult members died together in the rapt expectation that a spaceship hidden behind an approaching comet would soon transport them to Planet Nutball and eternal glory. But seriously, is that any crazier than the invasion of a Washington pizza joint by an armed zealot from North Carolina last week? Thankfully, nobody died. But the ingredients for tragedy were all there: a preposterous conspiracy theory peddled by a talk show guru (and endorsed by White House appointee Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn) that supposedly involved Satanism, child sex slaves and infanticide, and even the imagined participation of head witch Hillary Clinton and President Obama. How crazy do you have to be to believe such rubbish? This crazy: "When I think about all the children Hillary Clinton has personally murdered and chopped up and raped, I have zero fear standing up against her," Infowars talk show host Alex Jones said in a YouTube video posted on Nov. 4. "Yeah, you heard me right. Hillary Clinton has personally murdered children. I just can't hold back the truth anymore." Jones, whose website currently champions his new best friend Donald Trump and the president-elect's boon companion Vladimir Putin, later alibied that he'd spoken metaphorically about Syria. But I don't think that's what "personally" means. Jones's Inforwars site also markets bottled potions promising "Super Male Vitality" and "Brain Force Plus," along with survivalist gear and "The Unholy See," a book concerning the Vatican and "forthcoming events of the prophetic future." In short, one-stop shopping for every impotent Froot Loop on your Christmas list. Just last summer, Jones provoked a panic in rural Texas with fevered allegations that the real purpose of U.S. Army maneuvers there was to install secret armies of ISIS fighters in underground tunnels connecting empty Wal-Mart stores. He's also persuaded thousands that the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre in Connecticut was a "false flag" hoax aimed at confiscating their guns. Anybody believing that shouldn't be allowed to walk off-leash in a city park, much less buy an AR-15. So, Alex Jones: absolutely psycho, or psycho like a fox? We report, you decide. However, I'd argue that "fake news" is a wholly inadequate term. Fake news is what Fox News and the New York Times often do. The Comet Ping Pong pizzeria episode is more on the order of an organized psychiatric delusion -- a collective mental illness. Alas, the internet has driven a scary number of our fellow citizens back to medieval levels of superstition and credulousness. But they can't be reasoned out of it, only lampooned. PARIS: Wheat futures plummeted from Chicago to Europe on Wednesday after Russia said it would resume its... PARIS: People with monkeypox can spread the virus up to four days before symptoms appear, with more than half of... Kenya will expand trade ties with the United Arab Emirates, the State House Kenya tweeted early on Saturday. Advocates for the ACT's disability community have backed the creation of three new parliamentary inquiries set up to investigate the National Disability Insurance Scheme roll-out and accessibility of public spaces. The inquiries launched in the past fortnight include a Senate community affairs committee probe into how accessible public spaces are for people with a disability, and separate joint standing committee on the NDIS inquiries into the effects of the roll-out on, and provision of services to, people with hearing or mental health issues. The inquiries launched in the past fortnight include a Senate community affairs committee probe into how accessible public spaces are for people with a disability, and separate joint standing committee on the NDIS inquiries into the effects of the roll-out on, and provision of services to, people with hearing or mental health issues. Credit:Marina Neil Mental Health Community Coalition ACT executive officer Simon Viereck and the ACT Disability, Aged and Carer Advocacy Service's Fiona May welcomed the inquiry and said their organisations would be putting in or contributing to national submissions. Mr Viereck said the coalition would be sending a submission to the inquiry, given concerns there had been a "lack of focus" on mental health issues. The trial of a Canberra lawyer accused of fraud has been put on hold after the accused was admitted to hospital on Tuesday. Stephen Raymond Stubbs, 63, is facing 15 charges in the ACT Supreme Court, relating to allegations he dishonestly demanded $30,000 from Anne Duffy and $4000 from Legal Aid ACT, a funding service for low-income people facing criminal charges. "It has been confirmed that yesterday [Stubbs] was admitted to Goulburn Hospital," Justice John Burns told the jury on Wednesday. He said the court was making enquiries with doctors, but "it is not abundantly clear at what time he will be able to return to the ACT." Justice Burns released the jury until Friday. I am a skyscraper enthusiast. Travels to Chicago (the city that invented the skyscraper) and to skyscraper-festooned Shanghai have both broadened and elevated my mind. Canberra's stubborn insistence on extreme stubbiness in its buildings has been a great disappointment. Now at last the city has begun to sprout some promising towers. The object of my ecstasy was the story Belconnen Boom Town and more especially the dramatic photograph/artwork that accompanied it. It showed a Belcoscape sprouting towering towers. It is not often the front page of a newspaper gives me delight but I whooped a spontaneous "O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!" at the sight of the front page of last Saturday's Canberra Times. These ones are not quite lofty enough to be true scrapers of the sky, but they are a start. In recent times I have been to and written enthusiastically about two major Goliaths underway and heading skywards in Canberra. One of them is the Infinity Towers development at Gungahlin with towers of 22 and 20 storeys respectively. The other is the 88-metres-tall, 27-floor Wayfarer (what an odd name for something that must of necessity stay in one place and never go wayfaring!). The Wayfarer is part of the aforementioned Belcoscape celebrated in last Saturday's paper. In my enthusiasm for tall and handsome buildings I gushed when I wrote news stories about these two handsome brutes. I may subconsciously have been taking my cue from the poet Carl Sandburg (1878-1967). A Chicagoan he wrote with rapture and horror of his burly, sometimes noble sometimes shameful city. His mighty, multi-storey poem The Skyscraper, (why not Google it now, for a treat?) http://carl-sandburg.com/skyscraper.htm is a hymn of praise to skyscrapers. The poem praises and describes an early skyscraper of just 20 floors, so only about the height of the two Canberra junior scrapers just mentioned above. Today one of mightiest of skyscraper-rich Chicago's skyscrapers is the John Hancock Centre (to the top of which this reporter was whisked by a rocketing elevator). It is 344m tall and brandishes 100 floors. In amazing Shanghai the Shanghai Tower has 127 floors and so is almost five times as colossal as Belco's dainty little Wayfarer. But size isn't everything there is to skyscrapers and in his poem Sandburg is marvelling at the skyscraper as a wondrous feat of human imagination, invention and of building. For him it is a living, mystical object. His described skyscraper is an office tower. This enables him as a big-hearted champion of the people to praise not only the toiling labourers that built the towering miracle but also the battling workers "the ten-dollars-a-week stenographers" that work there. BY day the skyscraper looms in the smoke and sun and has a soul. Prairie and valley, streets of the city, pour people into it and they mingle among its twenty floors and are poured out again back to the streets, prairies and valleys .... By night the skyscraper looms in the smoke and the stars and has a soul. Canberra mornings: Thursday, December 8, 2016 Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss He said the public service had failed to recognise the effects of disruptive forces on the sector. Martin Parkinson was reflecting on his first year as secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The head of the Prime Minister's department fears the public service is at risk of a "fatal combination of arrogance and ignorance" and has expressed surprise at the complacency of many staff. "It seems to be that in the APS we think disruption is something happening to other people, and conversely we seem to regard innovation as a buzzword or something that's nice to have," Dr Parkinson said. "I want to be clear: this is a false reality, and a dangerous one at that. And it feeds into my concern that the APS is at risk of the fatal combination of arrogance and ignorance. "I know we have had it ingrained in us for so long that failure is inexcusable that we have either risk managed the life out of decisions or we have simply refused to admit they were, in fact, failures ... but if we are going to truly create a safe space for people to think and innovate, we need to create better frameworks to test ideas." Dr Parkinson also said Australians' unwillingness to acknowledge the economic risks the nation was taking was hampering its quest to reach budgetary surplus. Australia is expected to be back in the black by 2020-21 more than a decade after slipping into deficit and eight years later than the first projected surplus. The fairytale of the Western Bulldogs' on-field success has translated into an off-field windfall for the club, with the Dogs wiping more than $6 million from their debt in a year. Releasing their financial details on Wednesday, the Dogs showed off a revenue increase of 17 per cent, with their total of $48.4 million a new record. The club posted an operating profit of $3,641,018, while taking a $1.9 million impairment charge on their discontinued Edgewater project, giving them a statutory profit of close to $1.8 million. Most dramatic, however, was their near total eradication of debt, which had fallen from $8.3 million to $1.9 million in just 12 months. In one of the biggest upheavals in its history, the National Australia Bank is moving its Sydney headquarters to the new $1.7 billion Wynyard Place, while also taking up a lease at Parramatta to cement its presence in the western suburbs. Banks have been some of the most active commercial tenants across the country with all of the four majors and others, such as Suncorp and HSBC, all moving or planning to move to new digs. It is a reflection in the growth in demand for the financial services sector and also for banks providing staff with state-of-the-art offices. NAB is to occupy 31,000 square metres as the anchor tenant at Wynyard Place Sydney, being developed by Brookfield Property Partners. NAB will be the anchor for the Brookfield Property Partners' mixed use development in George Street after signing a 12-year lease from mid-2020 for nine floors, or 31,000 square metres of the 59,000 sq m tower. It comes as NAB is opening its new-look branch at Charter Hall's 333 George Street, next to Wynyard Place. NAB will also be the prime bank in the CBD of the west, Parramatta, after agreeing terms with Walker Corporation to take up space at the $2 billion Parramatta Square project. The decision comes as the CBA is relocating from Parramatta to its new digs at the Australian Technology Park in Redfern. To the extent that the soon-to-be-departing head of Bunnings, John Gillam, made a mistake, it was to turn down an approach to take the chief executive role at Woolworths. Ironically Gillam, who holds $20 million worth of Wesfarmers shares, is largely credited with comprehensively winning the battle against Woolworths, thwarting its attempt to open a hardware/home improvement business in competition to Bunnings. In the months before Woolworths finally pulled the plug on Masters, Gillam along with a couple of other key retail chiefs at Bunnings' parent Wesfarmers (including Kmart's Guy Russo) turned down the opportunity to put their hats in the ring for the top job at Woolworths. While Gillam, who just turned 50, is ambitious, the trouble is he was clearly not prepared to stay within the Wesfarmers group and chance his luck that when its current boss Richard Goyder eventually retires, he would make the final cut. Gillam has been with Wesfarmers for 20 years. Gladys Berejiklian's claim that the cost of Sydney's CBD tram line grew by half a billion dollars because trams and stops would be larger and better never made any sense. And, finally, no one needs to pretend that it does. Thanks to NSW Auditor-General Margaret Crawford, the Treasurer and former transport minister's claim can be dismissed for what it always was: probably a lie, perhaps wilful ignorance, possibly mere incompetence. Crawford's report into Berejiklian and Transport for NSW's early mismanagement of the light rail line places the Auditor-General within a recent NSW tradition. State governments redistribute taxes towards schools and hospitals, roads and railways. For some reason, they feel the need for cloak-and-dagger secrecy in doing so. The work of auditors-general has become one of the main tools by which government obfuscation has been rubbed against the grain. The accountants reveal the ragged truth. Construction of the light rail line along George Street shows few signs of progress. Credit:Steven Siewert Tony Harris was one of Crawford's predecessors. Harris was a thorn in the side of two NSW administrations John Fahey's Liberal government in the early 1990s, and Bob Carr and Michael Egan's Labor government through that decade. According to Harris, Crawford's report into the light rail project, which honed in on controversial elements of a controversial project, typified the way an auditor should do their job. "The best indicator of the quality of an Auditor-General is what she chooses for special audit," says Harris. "And if she chooses the controversial subjects, the politically sensitive subjects, then you know you've got a good auditor," he says. John Church, a leading climate change researcher sacked by CSIRO, has secured a new platform for his work at the University of NSW. Dr Church, a fellow of the Australian Academy of Science with more than 150 peer-reviewed articles, will take up the post as a professor in the university's Climate Change Research Centre in January. "John Church is easily Australia's most credentialled expert on sea-level rise," Matthew England, the centre's deputy director, told Fairfax Media. "For a while we risked losing his formidable expertise here in Australia." Dr Church was one of the most prominent researchers let go at CSIRO during a bid to slash climate monitoring and modelling jobs. Following an outcry at home and abroad, though, most staff originally earmarked for the axe were spared. Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has described Queensland's 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030 as "bonkers mad". Mr Joyce, speaking at a Queensland Media Club lunch on Wednesday, said Queensland should not be following the example of solar power-reliant South Australia, which was plagued with a black out in September. Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce: "What it clearly shows to people is there's a future for the coal industry and there better be 'cause it's one of our nation's biggest exports and it's one of NSW's biggest exports and it employs an awful lot of people." Credit:Bradley Kanaris "If you want to know what a basket case looks like, look at South Australia," Mr Joyce said. "They had a major storm, you had one last night, they had a major storm and the whole state blacked out. Amid comparisons to Jesus, an interruption from a former dentist turned paint-bombing court-denier and allegations that the constitution has been "hidden in a drawer since 1975", One Nation Senator Rod Culleton battled for his political life on Wednesday. A larceny conviction at the time of his election, later annulled, sits at the centre of the West Australian's eligibility to sit in the Senate. The government, in just under an hour of legal argument, maintained section 44 ii of the constitution was clear that anyone convicted and under sentence, or subject to be sentenced, for any offence which carries a year or more imprisonment, is ineligible to stand as a member of Parliament. After representing himself at his directions hearing, Senator Culleton hired Peter King to make his arguments in front of five High Court justices sitting as the court of disputed returns. He argued the Commonwealth was attempting to expand the definition of "convicted", given Senator Culleton's conviction in absentia was later nullified. Australia's Golden Globes - the annual AACTAs - pulled a star studded crowd including Home & Away turned Hollywood star Isla Fisher and Mel Gibson. However the highlight of the night was some novelty sized sausages. Best dressed Sausage Fest protesters Members of Women in Film and Television NSW arrived in the best look of the night - dressed as giant sausages to "Australia's biggest sausage party". Hat tip to the ladies for using fashion to make a statement about the low instance of female nominations in this year's awards. The best part was the fabric, a shiny satin that made it hard for security to forcibly remove the slippery snags from the red carpet. Good morning. It'll be warm and cloudy today with a possible late shower. Temperatures will top at 29 in the CBD, 35 in Parramatta and so high as 37 in Penrith. Must send him a gift The former NSW Premier, Barry O'Farrell, has found new employ about two-and-a-half years since he left the job in somewhat controversial circumstance. BOF has been doing bits and pieces since leaving office, including a review of Australia's online gambling market. So praps it's not entirely a surprise that he's wound up in a related industry: a $350,000 a year post as the head of Racing Australia. Some people seem a bit throw, though. A Brisbane lawyer has been jailed for stealing about $1.8 million from clients, including the deceased estate of plane crash victims, to help pay off his large tax debt. Solicitor Russell Biddle was extradited from NSW in May 2015 after it was revealed he had been helping himself to funds from two clients' estates. A family member speaks at a 2012 memorial service for six people, including John and Carol Dawson, killed when a vintage plane crashed into a hill in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Credit:Harrison Saragossi Brisbane District Court heard on Wednesday that Biddle used the money partly to pay off his firm's $1.2 million tax debt, however some of it went on personal expenses. Biddle took more than $1.1 million from the deceased estate of John and Carol Dawson, who were among the six people killed in a vintage plane crash on the Sunshine Coast in 2012, and over $500,00 from a second estate. A 69-year-old Australian man who allegedly skipped bail and fled overseas will face court more than eight years after he was accused of impersonating a police officer and kidnapping another man. Guido James Eglitis's brief appearance on Wednesday morning was adjourned due to confusion over two separate arrest warrants. Guido Eglitis is facing the Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday. On Wednesday afternoon, the Brisbane Supreme Court heard there were two outstanding warrants in Queensland for his arrest. He was remanded in custody to appear at a later date. Mr Eglitis was arrested in Thailand last month and extradited to Queensland on Tuesday, via New South Wales. Five people are recovering after two Gold Coast homes were struck by lightning on Wednesday afternoon. A five-year-old boy was hospitalised after he was shocked while holding a tap and paramedics treated four people at a Miami unit block. Lightning struck two Gold Coast homes on Wednesday afternoon. South-east Queensland will have a third straight day of storms on Thursday. The stormy weather is expected to ease by Friday, with more volatile conditions moving north of the Sunshine Coast. A recently acquired subsidiary of Samsung has invested in a startup that makes projection displays that sit in front of car windshields, signalling a new area the company plans to explore. The investment in Navdy Inc. is Harman International Industries's first since agreeing to sell itself to Samsung for $8 billion last month. Harman will work with the startup to sell co-branded devices next year, said Doug Simpson, Navdy's chief executive officer. The transparent screen projects key info from a user's smartphone. Navdy's hardware is placed above the steering wheel and projects information from the driver's smartphone onto a transparent screen, so the driver can see updates at a glance. The heads-up display, which sells for $799, can deliver driving directions, text messages, song titles and alerts about incoming phone calls. Harman is one of the biggest suppliers of infotainment systems to the automotive industry. Navdy could help Harman push other services by, for example, telling drivers when their cars need a mechanic, which could drive purchases of Harman's auto parts. He was on a salary of almost $400,000 a year. But the controversial chief executive of Darebin City Council has resigned from one of the most lucrative jobs in local government. Darebin chief executive Rasiah Dev Credit:Lucy Aulich Rasiah Dev's resignation on Wednesday follows allegations that he was improperly employed and failed to keep staff and councillors on track in the dysfunctional northern suburb municipality. A Darebin statement said Mr Dev resigned after more than six years in the job to allow him to spend more time with his family and "pursue other opportunities". His resignation was immediately effective. Police will be freed up to attend the most urgent incidents following the establishment of a new 24-hour police assistance phone line to deal with non-emergency calls. Currently 30 per cent of calls to police are not urgent, so the establishment of the line is hoped to better assess which incidents need a quick response. Premier Daniel Andrews and Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton Credit:Eddie Jim The line has worked effectively in other states, chief commissioner Graham Ashton said on Wednesday morning. Officials hope that it will work similarly to the nurse-on-call hotline that deals with non-critical health inquiries. But he also made his post about the Air Force One upgrade just minutes after The Chicago Tribune published comments from Boeing's chief executive, Dennis Muilenburg, suggesting that the president-elect's trade policies could hurt the company, which does substantial business in China. Donald Trump waves to supporters as he debarks his plane in Grand Junction, Colorado. Credit:AP But Trump did not focus on Boeing broadly. Instead, he focused on the Air Force One upgrade, telling reporters at Trump Tower, "The plane is totally out of control." "It's going to be over $4 billion for the Air Force One program, and I think it's ridiculous," he said. "I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number. We want Boeing to make a lot of money, but not that much money." Air Force One is due for a major security upgrade. Credit:AP In a statement after Trump's Twitter post, Boeing said it had a $US170 million contract to study the equipment that a redesigned Air Force One might need. That project has just gotten underway, so billions of dollars in cost overruns at this point appear to be impossible. "Some of the statistics that have been, uh, cited, shall we say, don't appear to reflect the nature of the financial agreement between Boeing and the Department of Defense," the White House press secretary, Josh Earnest, said. "I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number. We want Boeing to make a lot of money, but not that much money": Donald Trump. Credit:AP It's going to be over $4 billion for the Air Force One program, and I think it's ridiculous. Donald Trump Air Force officials said they were proposing to spend $US2.7 billion over the next five years to research, develop and test communications technologies and other advanced systems. The Air Force would then buy two 747-8 aircraft, which normally cost airlines $US350 million to $US400 million apiece, and refit them to include all the new systems and handle extra weight. The planes would not be ready to fly until 2024, so Trump's $US4 billion estimate may ultimately be about correct. However, since nothing but the basic study contract has been awarded yet, his administration could cut back or reshape the Air Force proposal in any way it or Congress wanted. "We look forward to working with the US Air Force on subsequent phases of the program, allowing us to deliver the best planes for the president at the best value for the American taxpayer," Boeing said. Aviation analysts were more blunt. "This is getting ridiculous fast, when an important policy and acquisition decision is being made by Twitter," said Richard Aboulafia, an aviation consultant with the Teal Group in Fairfax, Virginia. Trump's willingness to intervene at the individual corporate level is a stark departure from Republican orthodoxy, which has long objected to the government picking winners and losers. Greg Hayes, the chief executive of United Technologies, seemed to imply on CNBC on Monday that he felt pressured. "There was a cost as we thought about keeping the Indiana plant open," he said. "At the same time," he added, "I was born at night, but not last night. I also know that about 10 per cent of our revenue comes from the US government." Some of the jobs saved from Mexico will probably fall to automation. Carrier will invest $US16 million in the Indianapolis plant to automate its operations and "drive the cost down so that we can continue to be competitive," Hayes said. "What that ultimately means is there will be fewer jobs." Trump's Air Force One post came out of the blue: He had not focused in the campaign on the cost of Boeing's plans for a next-generation presidential plane. Last week, Muilenburg, Boeing's chief executive, said that one-fourth of all the commercial airplanes it sold were for use in China, where Boeing is in a tense competition with Europe's Airbus, its main rival. Like other major exporters, it is concerned that if Trump offends Chinese leaders or imposes tariffs against imports, China could retaliate by buying more planes from Airbus, which would reduce jobs at Boeing. Trump certainly understands that, as president, he will no longer be flying his well-appointed Boeing 757. The Secret Service and the Defense Department would object to Trump's keeping his own airplane. Beyond convenience, Air Force One carries an array of top-secret communications gear for conducting everyday business and for managing a global crisis - even wartime operations, if required - while aloft. It is also equipped with a number of never-discussed security features. The communications systems on the planes now in use were designed in the 1980s. The new ones would incorporate the latest advances, as well as anti-hacking defenses. The planes would also need other highly classified systems to protect the president that the Air Force will not discuss. But among the proposals considered several years ago for a new presidential helicopter were technologies to help prevent terrorist attacks and to resist the electromagnetic effects of a nuclear blast. Aboulafia said Air Force One needed to have anti-missile defenses like jamming and electronic countermeasures, much as a fighter plane would, to keep the president safe. Trump could eliminate some of these proposed features to cut costs. But "talk about the ultimate in penny wise and pound foolishness," Aboulafia said. "We're talking about Pentagon weapons accounts that are going to $US200 billion a year, and you're going to nickel and dime the survivability of the president's jet. That is about as dysfunctional as it gets." Trump could make good on his threat and cut the project from his budget request for the fiscal year that begins in October 2017, the first budget year of his presidency. But ultimately, Congress controls the federal purse strings, and lawmakers with parochial interests are already weighing in. London: Julian Assange says text messages sent by a woman who has accused him of sexual assault prove that "she actively and enthusiastically wanted me to have sex with her". They "clearly show that I am innocent", Assange said in a statement released on Wednesday, which he described as his full testimony to prosecutors from a recent interview in London. According to the statement, the woman he is accused of assaulting texted a friend saying Swedish police "made up the charges" against Assange, and that she was "half asleep" on one occasion when Assange had sex with her. In an extradition hearing in the UK, Swedish prosecutors alleged that the woman, known as SW, was asleep in the same bed as Assange and so was not capable of consent to sexual intercourse. Peshawar: There are no survivors after a plane carrying 47 people crashed into a mountain in northern Pakistan, the airline's chairman says, as recovery operations continued late into the night at the remote crash site. The military said 40 bodies had been recovered following the accident on Wednesday afternoon, local time, and rescue efforts involved about 500 soldiers, doctors and paramedics. The bodies were shifted to the Ayub Medical Centre in nearby Abbottabad, about 20km away. "There are no survivors, no one has survived," said Muhammad Azam Saigol, the chairman for Pakistan International Airlines. Los Angeles: Anger is growing in the United States congress over Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's "secret" deal with the Obama administration to resettle refugees held on Nauru and Manus Island in the US. The plan's two most vocal US critics, Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Charles Grassley and House of Representatives Judiciary Committee chairman Bob Goodlatte, were given a closed door briefing by the State Department and Homeland Security in an attempt to appease their fears. The congressmen are now demanding the deal, involving potentially more than 2400 refugees from potential terror hotspot countries including Syria, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Sudan, be made public. "We appreciate your making staff available to provide us with the document in a classified setting and to brief us regarding the circumstances surrounding the agreement," the congressmen wrote in a letter to US Secretary of State John Kerry and head of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson. Los Angeles: A US Marine pilot is missing after ejecting from a fighter jet off the coast of Japan on Wednesday, officials said. The pilot assigned to the US 1st Marine aircraft wing in Okinawa, Japan, was on a routine training mission in an F/A-18 Hornet, said Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis. The pilot ejected about 190 km southeast of Iwakuni, Japan, the US military said in a statement. The strike fighter went down over water, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing spokesman 1st Lieutenant Joseph Butterfield said in an email. Japanese and US search and rescue teams are looking for the pilot and the cause of the mishap is under investigation, Davis said. When Skechers started building a colossal distribution center in Moreno Valley, Calif., six years ago, backers promised a wave of new jobs. Instead, by the time the company moved into the new warehouse, it had closed five facilities in Ontario, Calif., that employed 1,200 people and cut its workforce by more than half. There are now only about 550 people working at one cavernous warehouse. Many of them sit behind computer screens, monitoring the activities of the facilitys true workhorses: robotic machines. In the past five years, online shopping has provided tens of thousands of new warehouse jobs in California. Most of them paid decent wages for menial tasks putting things in boxes and sending them out. But automated machines and software have taken up more and more space in the regions warehouses, and taking over jobs that were once done by humans. Today, fewer jobs are being added, though some of them pay more. Amazon has built 20 new fulfillment centers outfitted with robotics in the past three years, four in California. Since 2014, the company has added 50,000 warehouse workers nationwide and more than 30,000 robots. Robots are muscling their way into almost every occupation, but they pose a direct and immediate threat to people working in storage, industry experts say. For the nations 879,800 warehouse workers, profound change is already here. The modern warehouse tends to be creating fewer jobs. Automation is replacing the lowest-end jobs, said Chris Thornberg of Beacon Economics, a Los Angeles consulting firm. That shift mirrors the path taken by American manufacturing, in which fewer jobs go to more qualified people. Automation makes companies more productive and richer, which is why machines now do most carmaking, Uber is developing self-driving cars and farmers use robots to plant, harvest and pack crops. That math does not bode well for most people, especially those who work with their hands. Warehouse workers in California earn about $42,100 a year on average about $20,000 less than the average pay in the state overall, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data. That includes pay for higher-level managers. Many of them get their paychecks from Amazon, a company that still depends on masses of manual laborers even though it owns the most advanced robots in the industry. In 2012, the company bought Kiva Systems, the maker of a 320-pound robot that moves shelving units to workers when they need to retrieve items for an order. The robot scans a grid on the floor that contains hundreds of bar codes, which tell it where it is in relation to other bots, and where the product it needs to pick up is located. Two years ago, Amazon had 15,000 of the Kiva bots in its U.S. facilities. Today, it has more than 45,000, according to a company spokeswoman. Amazon has also put hulking robot arms in its facilities, which lift up 3,000-pound pallets, loaded with merchandise, 24 feet onto a robotic driving unit, which moves the products to workers to either store or send out. The influx of bots has started to affect hiring. Amazon has begun making room for more highly trained and well-paid technicians to ensure that the machines are charged and connected to the network that controls them, and to fix any mechanical problems. Somewhat paradoxically, though, Amazons obsession with speedier delivery sustains its appetite for people who can do rote work. 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 Telling them to come back after they had sorted out any issues essentially losing the client Sending them to either a lawyer or an accountant who offered credit repair services Introducing them to a lender of last resort funding options A new mobile application, Credit Reboot, is stirring up interest in the broker community due to its ability to improve client credit scores in at least 10 days.Credit compliance expert Laurence Barlow who was also on the team that helped create the app told Australian Broker that brokers in all states were already benefiting from the platform.The obvious advantage is that brokers who use this tool get a better deal for their prospects and close more business, he said.Until the app was launched, brokers had three options to repair a clients credit, Barlow said. This included:With this new option, borrowers have been very happy with the results, Barlow said.We have testimonials where we have taken an individuals score of 600 (below average) to 950 (above average) in 15 days thereby allowing them to secure the best deal.The app works to improve and repair a clients credit score through the brokers mobile phone, tablet or laptop.After procuring a copy of the individuals credit file, the app will ask a series of questions on aspects such as the date of default, amount, prior credit enquiries, etc which are kept within the prospects credit file.The app then runs more than 80 different tests on the file. These rely on the credit reporting code to search for errors, compliance breaches and unauthorised enquiries made by the credit provider when reporting the default.If any errors are identified, the app prepares a digital legal document which notifies the credit provider where they have breached compliance, Barlow said. The provider will also be notified that they need to delete the default or face fines.More than 90% of credit departments breach compliance when making a credit enquiry or defaulting a consumers file. This is because they have not been trained in the changes to the credit code as of March 2014, he said. Hence we have greater than 90% success rate when improving or cleaning someones credit score. PHOENIX -- Claiming Tucson is violating Arizona law by requiring destruction of seized handguns, Attorney General Mark Brnovich asked the Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday to cut off the city's $170 million a year in state aid. In his new legal filing, Brnovich contends the 2005 city ordinance runs afoul of a series of state laws that sharply restrict the right of local governments to make their own gun laws. And he told the justices that a newly enacted state statute specifically gives him the right to intercede and ask the high court to punish offenders. Officially, the lawsuit asks the high court to give Tucson a deadline by which they have to repeal the ordinance. That is unlikely to occur: Just hours earlier, council members voted unanimously to fight Brnovich in court, though they did agree to voluntarily stop the gun destruction until the Supreme Court rules. That sets the stage for Brnovich to have to prove his claim of illegality to a majority of the justices. But there's a legal issue the court will have to decide in the first place. The 2016 law that gives Brnovich the right to take cities to court spells out that any community that wants to fight him must first post a bond equal to half of its annual state aid. Attorneys for the city are expected to ask the justices to declare that requirement illegal or, at the very least, waive it. At issue is a 2005 ordinance that says that the police department, after it seizes a hand gun, "shall dispose of such firearm by destroying the firearm.'' There are exceptions for when a weapon is needed as evidence or when the police department wants to keep a gun for its own purposes, transfer it to another law enforcement agency, or lend or transfer it to a museum. Rifles and shotguns are not subject to the destruction requirement. City records show 4,820 guns have been destroyed since the beginning of 2013. Brnovich claims the ordinance runs afoul of several state laws. The first, enacted in 2000, explicitly prohibits local governments from enacting any ordinances dealing with the acquisition, licensing, registration or use of firearms. More specific is a 2013 law, adopted on a party-line vote by the Republican-controlled legislature, that bars law enforcement agencies from destroying operable seized firearms. And a companion measure says the only proper way to dispose of a seized weapon is to sell it. In seeking to have the ordinance voided, Brnovich urged the justices to reject arguments by city officials that the issue is strictly a local matter and they have a right to make such decisions. "Firearms regulation is a matter of statewide concern because it involves the constitutional right to bear arms,'' he wrote in the lawsuit. The way Brnovich explains it, there's a public interest in keeping cities from destroying weapons because requiring them to sell off what they seize not only increases the supply but also lowers the costs to buyers. He also is arguing that allowing otherwise usable weapons to be destroyed runs afoul of the legislature's belief "that increasing the supply of legal firearms is in the interest of public safety'' because it helps fight crime. Brnovich's lawsuit is built on legislation crafted by Senate President Andy Biggs, who complained during hearings earlier this year there is a "growing disrespect for state law'' by local governments. The law, approved with only Republican support, allows any lawmaker who thinks a local regulation is contrary to state to require the attorney general to investigate. In this case, it was Rep. Mark Finchem, R-Oro Valley, who filed the complaint. Under the law, if the attorney general concludes state law is being violated, the local government is given 30 days to comply. At that point, failure to act would require the treasurer to stop providing state aid and redistribute those dollars to every other community. But the law also says if the attorney general believes the ordinance only may violate the law, he or she must ask the Supreme Court to resolve the matter, with the city required to post that bond equal to half of its annual state aid. Brnovich said he decided to take this approach rather than trigger the immediate loss of dollars. It's not that Brnovich believes that there is merit to the city's argument that destruction of firearms is a matter of purely local concern. But he told the justices that "the city's contentions on that issue were based on a reasonable (albeit incorrect) reading of existing authorities.'' And that, he said, governed his decision to instead send the council a letter last week asking that it rescind the ordinance. When the council balked on Tuesday, Brnovich was ready with his lawsuit. While the court fight technically involves weapons, it will require the justices to determine exactly how much authority charter cities have to write their own laws. Tucson is among 18 cities that have taken advantage of a constitutional provision allowing them to write their own charters. And even Brnovich conceded that such charters "supersede all laws of the state in conflict ... as such laws relate to purely municipal affairs.'' It was that provision that allowed Tucson to successfully challenge a 2012 state law which sought to dictate when cities can have local elections. "But firearms regulation, including regulating the destruction of firearms, implicates statewide interests and therefore is not of purely local concern,'' Brnovich is arguing. And his proof is that the legislature specifically declared firearms regulations to be a matter of "statewide concern'' in the 2000 law. "That declaration is entitled to respect,'' he told the justices. One issue for the justices to decide is whether guns are different than other sorts of property. Brnovich acknowledged there are two court decisions that have ruled that the sale or disposition of property by charter cities "is a matter of solely local concern in which the state legislature may not interfere.'' But he said those cases involve land and not personal property which, by definition, can be taken from one community to another. 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 Money Magazine has named specialist lender La Trobe Financial s 12 Month Term Account as the Best Mortgage Fund in Australia for the eighth year running.No other managed fund has ever achieved such triumph eight years in a row said Effie Zahos, editor of Money.Chris Andrews, chief investment officer at La Trobe, said that this was further proof of the firms business strategy and its commitment to its principles.Our proudest achievement is that we have never lost a cent of capital for any of the investors in our 12 Month Term Account, he said.This is largely due to the strength of our experienced management team and a rigorous adherence to our tested and proven investment philosophy.In its 64 years of operation, the stability of its investment team has meant that La Trobe has never had to freeze, restrict or delay any redemptions, Caterina Nesci, La Trobes head of communications & PR, told Australian Broker.The objective of our 12 Month Term Account is to provide investors with capital-stable and reliable income. Our team is driven by the need for consistency and repeatability of performance.It has used good business sense to thrive in markets where many global giants have fallen, proving that being solid is far more important than being big.To ensure stability, all loans approved for the fund meet rigorous credit assessment process targets, she added. This creates a portfolio of small exposures, highly diversified by geography and sector, with strictly controlled loan-to-valuation ratios. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams Items that represent some of the greatest innovations in human history are proudly displayed in the halls of Americas most venerable museums: The Wright Brothers plane is at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C., Steve Wozniaks Apple 1 is at the Computer History Museum in California, the first telephone directory is held by the Connecticut Historical Society. Yet the first sign to ever welcome drivers to the Borough of Kings is wasting away in a storage room of a Coney Island restaurant. Former Borough President Sebastian Leones Welcome to Brooklyn sign a precursor to the popular highway signs that greet and say goodbye to drivers at the entrances and exits of our borough is languishing out the back of Gargiulos Italian Restaurant in Coney Island. The former Beep passed away last month at 91, but his greatest legacy the iconic sign that once stood on the Belt Parkway at the foot of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and featured in the opening titles of Welcome Back, Kotter is in storage at the storied W. 15th eatery. Leone brought the national treasure there for a farewell party after his reign ended in 1976 and never took it with him, according to the proprietor. They had a retirement dinner here and it has been here since, said Gargiulos co-owner Nino Russo. I asked Sebastian if he wanted it back and he said no. The sign, which fetes the borough as the fourth largest city in America and lists Leone as the borough president, reappeared in 2010 when Russo loaned it to then-Borough President Marty Markowitz so he could put it on display in Borough Hall, but only with the understanding that the Neapolitan eatery get it back when Markowitz left his post. Gargiulos has put the placard on display to the public in the past, and Russo says he still hauls it out whenever the pasta palace hosts Brooklyn-related functions, but hes currently looking for a permanent place to show it off maybe hell put it in the parking lot. The signs significance goes well beyond its starring role alongside Gabe Kaplan Leone commissioned the piece during his six-year stint as the boroughs supreme leader in the dark days of the 1970s, when most people outside Brooklyn didnt consider it the kind of place youd want to brag about. But the Bensonhurst-born Beep felt it was important to sing Kings Countys praises from the rooftops or at least the Belt Parkway. In those days, you always had to be Brooklyn-positive, Leone told this newspaper in 2010. I used to say, One out of every 80 people that live in America live in Brooklyn! If you consider people that were born here, worked here, and have relatives here, then one out of 10 people have some affinity for Brooklyn! There is still some mystery around the exact provenance of the sign in Gargiulos it features a red and blue star-spangled border that is not present on the one in the opening sequence of the classic sitcom. Some believe this is because it was spruced up for Americas bicentennial in 1976, others that there were two signs. And at least one other similar Welcome to Brooklyn sign is out there somewhere one that bore Leones successor Howard Goldens name, and featured in the opening to the final 1979 season of Kotter. But Golden believes that one was created by and subsequently returned to the studio behind the show, according to one borough politico. They took it back when the show ended, said Kings County Democratic establishment legend Steve Cohn, relaying Goldens take. Leones death came just as the federal government began scolding New York state for putting its own flashy I heart N.Y. signs on highways last month, which the Feds claim are a dangerous distraction to drivers. But D.C should just fuhgeddaboudit, says Marokowitz, who erected the newer eye-catching Welcome to Brooklyn signs reading Believe the hype! and Not just a borough, an experience during his time behind the wheel he and Leone already proved theyre harmless displays of civic pride. Im not a traffic engineer, but whether its Brooklyn or other places across America, I think its an opportunity for boosterism, says Marokowitz. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams 62nd Precinct BensonhurstBath Beach Bite me Police arrested a man who bit a Fire Department worker on the corner of Bay 23rd Street and 86th Street on Nov. 30, said police. The victim was in the midst of duty at 7:15 pm when the man bit his left hand, causing bruising and redness, officials said. The worker was taken to Coney Island Hospital for treatment, said police. Miscreant muggers Three miscreants mugged a man on New Utrecht Avenue on Nov. 30, said police. The man told officers he was near 71st Street at 10 pm when three men approached him and one of the baddies brandished a small switchblade. The trio of goons began punching the man in the stomach and swiped $80 off him before they fled on foot, according to a report. Slasher Police arrested two men for slicing up two guys with a gravity knife on Bay 22nd Street on Dec. 3. One of the victims told officers that they were approached by the pair just after midnight between 86th Street and Benson Avenue when one of the suspects pulled out a blade and demanded their cellphones. When the second victim tried to help his friend get away from the would-be robber, the man slashed his right hand, authorities alleged. The man proceeded to push the victim up against the wall and cut his face with the knife, police said. The two men fled down the street but the victims chased after them and were able to positively identify them for police, said officials. Police recovered a blade and gravity knife from the two men, cops reported. Purse snatcher An opportunistic thief snatched a dozing womans purse on a Manhattan-bound D train on Dec. 3, said police. The woman told cops that she was sitting on the train with her eyes closed with her pocketbook in her lap and the strap on her shoulder at 1:25 am when she opened her eyes to find a man trying to grab her purse off her shoulder. The cad pushed the woman to the ground, where she slammed her head and became disoriented, according to a police report. The lout fled the train with the bag at the 20th Avenue station, police said. The woman was taken to Coney Island Hospital for treatment, officials said. Brutal beating Five brutes viciously beat a man after he refused to hand over his money on 15th Avenue on Dec. 5, said police. The man told cops he was walking between 68th Street and Bay Ridge Avenue at 7:20 pm when he was approached by five men and one stated, Give me your money. When the man refused, the ruffians grabbed him and held him while one bruiser punched him in the head, said police. One of the baddies removed the mans wallet during the beating, officials said. The crooks fled on foot on 15th Avenue, said police. Caroline Spivack Robert Bob Blum of Munds Park survived Pearl Harbor. Then hardly talked about it for the rest of the war. It came up maybe 2-3 times, he said. We were too busy. He was a private in the United States Army Air Corps (now the Air Force) at Hickam Field on the morning of Dec.7, 1941. During the attack, Blum and a another soldier set up a machine gun station in a ballfield across from the warehouse that house base armaments in it. Blum went back to the warehouse to retrieve ammunition, and as he was returning, planes dropped bombs on the field, destroying the machine gun position. My eardrums were broken by the bomb concussion, Blum said. He kept on fighting, and later that morning, he was in a transport truck with new recruits on the way to join the battle at the harbor when a Japanese plane strafed the road with bullets. It missed us completely, Blum said. You dont get much luckier than that. In the days after attack, Blum and others dug trenches and foxholes and strung barbed wire in preparation for a possible Japanese invasion, but the invasion never materialized. TO SEE THE WORLD Blum, 97, enlisted in the Army from his home in Spring Valley, Ill., at age 20 in 1939 -- he was told there were foreign vacancies and he wanted to see the world. He arrived in the Hawaiian Islands in December of that year. After basic training, he completed air mechanics and aircraft instrument schools. He was an instructor at Pearl Harbor, waiting to get into flight school. By June 1940, Paris has fallen to the Germans and America began gearing up to join the war in Europe. Blum said no one in Pearl Harbor thought they would be attacked by the Japanese. It was a very rude awakening, said Blum in a telephone interview Tuesday from his winter home in Lake Havasu City. How could (the Japanese) have gotten to that point without anyone knowing? He wanted to be a pilot, but when his injury was discovered, he was assigned to training incoming recruits for the field. He rose to First Sergeant, then Master Sergeant. After getting married, he put in for a position of Warrant Officer (equivalent to a lieutenant now). Apparently, his injury didnt affect officer assignments because he was shipped to Korea for a year during the Korean War. He put in 20 years and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer (equivalent to captain, or major). In the civilian world, he put in another 20 years for Motorola. When he retired, he moved to Munds Park in 1977. Although health problems this year prevented him from attending 75th anniversary ceremonies in Hawaii, he traveled to Pearl Harbor in 2014 and 2015 to take part in memorial services on Dec. 7. It is important, he said, that younger generations remember the sacrifices of war and the importance of pursuing peace. It was very emotional for me, he said, noting not only all the servicemen who died that day but the many military veterans over the decades who struggled with health problems both physical and mental. Theres a veteran committing suicide every day. A PURPLE HEART During his military service, Blum received numerous medals, but he never thought much of receiving the Purple Heart. His children encouraged him. In a small ceremony in 2014 in Flagstaff at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1709, Blum received his Purple Heart. The medal was pinned to Blum by Col. Jay Vargas, USMC (ret.), a Medal of Honor recipient, and five-time Purple Heart recipient. It filled that void, Blum said after the ceremony. To me, the prestige is in the medal today, given to me by a colonel with five of his own. Billy Weldon, state commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, said that Blums medal came to him in a box. A ceremony was scheduled, because pinning the medal would make all the difference, Weldon said. It did. When asked about his experience during the ceremony, Blum said, fulfilled. I still call it my unlucky medal, Blum said. The lucky ones werent wounded. He added a short time later, Once is enough. 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... Theres nothing like finding a dead rat in your car with a warning that youre next to get you worried, unless youre Congresswoman Jenna Flemming (guest star Mary Stuart Masterson, who will hopefully become to NCIS what Steven Weber is to NCIS: New Orleans someone who hangs around), that is. Also in this episode, Pay to Play, MI6 Officer Clayton Reeves officially joins NCIS at the International Desk. And while Bishop may be happy to see him (especially since he brings her crisps she likes), Torres isnt quite as pleased to meet him. (That may explain why he was so quick to throw Reeves under the bus with Bishops brothers in Enemy Combatant.) 7 Characters Well Miss in 2017 >>> Duck Hunting, Dead Rats and a Secret Project We first meet Jenna when shes out duck hunting with a retired Admiral and a man whose money shes hoping to get. (She succeeds.) Shes not apologetic for her attitude; she works hard for her constituents and their businesses. But as shes leaving for a meeting in Georgetown, she finds a dead rat (missing all its internal organs, as Ducky and Palmer later discover) in her car, with a warning that shes next. As the team learns from her personal aide, Max Sanders, shes been receiving escalating threats (social media posts, phone calls, letters, the same angry faces at campaign events), but shes ignored them. In fact, when she finds out that NCIS is investigating, she bursts into Vances office because she doesnt want to look weak or that she cant handle pressure. She thinks the agency is looking into it because of an appropriations bill Vance and the Navy want her to vote for in the next month, but she tries to assure the Director and Gibbs that shes fine and it doesnt need to become a federal case. Too late. They have two possible suspects from an online board who have spoken out against Jenna. The first, the creator of the board, is in jail. But thanks to the other, the creators mouthpiece, using the same avatar on another, McGees able to track her down to her drivers ed class. Amy Barrett actually tries to drive off, not remembering that her instructor has brakes on the passenger side of the vehicle. But all she can possibly be guilty of is her rhetoric that inspired someone else to act. Jenna remains firmly against a security detail, even after Vance shows her that someone has posted a photo of her door online. If she pays too much attention to negative voices, it gives them power, she argues. But that changes when Max is found dead in a motel pool. Why was Max in a motel in Brighton when he lives in Alexandria? One motel guest, on her way to get ice for the champagne shes sharing with her accountant in between audits, recalls hearing shouting between two men and then seeing a car (possibly a red Lincoln or Cadillac) take off out of the lot. Maxs girlfriend, a real estate agent, tells Quinn that he was supposed to meet her for lunch, but he never showed up or returned her text. She says that his boss had him working on a secret project. What Got Max Killed? Jenna reveals that she had Max researching the effects of closing down Brighton Navy Base. Closing a base disrupts both military and civilian lives. However, that was never made public, so how did someone find out? Jenna tells Vance that Max was smarter than her and they won elections together. She doesnt expect the Director to understand the battles they fight on a daily basis or the personal sacrifices. What killed Max? Well, he was hit on the head an hour before he died, but that was hard enough to cause severe disorientation and confusion. It looks like he walked into the pool; they know he was alive when he went in because his lungs are full of water. The last person Max spoke to was Jed Hamilton, Brightons de facto mayor. He just so happens to drive a red Cadillac. When Bishop and Quinn check out his house, hes not there and neither is his car. But they do find dead rats wrapped in Biohazard plastic in the freezer and ones missing from the pack. Abby confirms that the rat from Flemmings car matches the ones from Jeds freezer. The rats all died of natural causes, and all had their internal organs removed. They were part of a lab testing a treatment for Alzheimers on Brighton Navy Base. Theres only one scientist left in the lab since the study ended a month ago, and he admits that he gave the rats to Jed. Jed had taken it as a bad sign that they were denied more funds for the study. And with Max asking questions, the mayor put two and two together. He wanted to send a message. After seeing the space dedicated to what NCIS lost due to the explosion in the Navy Yard in May 2012, Jenna realizes that Vance makes calls like she had to to Maxs parents on a daily basis. She also remembers that he knows about personal sacrifice, having lost his wife, and apologizes. She lets him in on the secret that hes well-liked on the Hill because he says what he means in his addresses to the committee, but she does have one request of him when it comes to her security detail: people she can talk to. Vance puts Torres and Reeves on the job, while the two are still Alpha male arguing. However, when they drive her home, they find Jed drunk and pounding on her front door. Torres flips him over the stairs from behind as hes reaching into his pocket, but it turns out he was just going for an apology note. Yes, he left the rat in her car, and yes, he went to talk to Max at the motel, but he has an alibi for the time of the attack that led to the aides death: he was at a strip club. Who killed Max? Well, it just so happens that the real estate agent working a deal for a housing development in Brighton is Laurie Perkins, Maxs girlfriend. That cant be a coincidence, but their job gets a bit tougher when Jenna confronts her and uses the leverage they usually use in interrogation: her motive. They need evidence connecting her to the murder. Fortunately, Max logged what he ate in a Self Love application, and Lauries the one who was holding his last meal, a protein bar. The timestamp proves she was with him at the time of the attack. It was an accident, she insists before asking for a lawyer. Its after the case has wrapped that Jenna addresses why Vance took a personal interest in her: a non-profit organization that Jackie started six years ago, a domestic violence shelter, needs a chairperson. She cant take the position herself, but she does have friends who can. And they can discuss it over dinner. Is a new romance brewing? Quiz: Which Character Should You Bring Home for the Holidays? >>> Whats Operation Willoughby? From the moment they meet, its obvious that Reeves and Torres are going to butt heads, all because of the latter. Torres comments on how Reeves is taller in person and on his suit. He notices what Reeves is up to around the office. He wants Abby to take his Caf-Pow because its 30 seconds fresher than Reeves. And the two men know that one day, they are going to fight because they have to see whos better. However, while Reeves may be assigned to the International Desk, Quinn notices an Operation Willoughby file on his desk and asks Gibbs if thats why hes there. The operation was delayed six months ago because the Navy came to FLETC looking for recruits, but no one was willing to sign up, she remembers until now, Gibbs reveals. Quinn then asks Reeves if he volunteered for the operation. They were only looking for recruits who were willing to take risks, like a suicide mission. He knows what he signed up for, he assures her. He has his reasons. What do you think about Reeves and Operation Willoughby? Do you want to see a romance develop between Vance and Jenna? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. NCIS season 14 airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on CBS. Want more news? Like our Facebook page. (Image courtesy of CBS) In the ninth episode of No Tomorrow season 1, titled No Truer Words, Evie goes to Timothy for help in making amends after Xavier learns that shes been keeping a secret from him. Meanwhile, Hank realizes he has competition for Deirdres affections, and Kareema tries to help her brother through a difficult time. No Tomorrow: Is Xavier Becoming Boring? >>> Evie Wants to Makes Things Up to Xavier As the episode begins, Evie decides to adopt an honesty policy with everyone in her life. This leads to her revealing a secret she has been keeping from Xavier. When Xavier tells Evie that he thinks Professor Fields is getting ready to publish her peer review of his apocalypse theory, Evie has to break the news to him that the professor never actually read his theory. Xavier is deeply upset that Evie lied to him. By keeping the truth from him, she caused him to lose an entire month in which he couldve been working to share his theory with the world. Xavier eventually realizes that the reason Evie kept the truth from him is because when he thought he had gotten his message out into the world, he stopped talking about it all the time, thus giving them a break from the doom and gloom. Yet, Evie still wants to do something to make amends for lying to Xavier, so she decides to find a way to help Xavier get his apocalypse theory out to the public. She ends up going to Timothy for help in spreading the word about Xaviers theory because Timothy now works for a magazine with plenty of exposure. Timothy meets with Xavier and realizes that his theory will draw plenty of attention to the magazine, so he pitches the story to his editor. Alas, Timothys editor is not interested in Xaviers theory, but she is interested in Xavier. She wants Timothy to do a negative piece on Xavier as a crazy conspiracy theorist. Timothy tells Evie about the new angle of his article, and Evie is upset. She accuses Timothy of wanting to do the attack piece on Xavier because he is jealous of Xaviers relationship with her. Timothy tells Evie that in researching Xavier for the article, he hasnt been able to find any information on him and he wonders if Evie knows anything about her boyfriend at all. They get into an argument, and Timothy leaves. When Evie informs Xavier about Timothys article, Xavier decides to take it as a good thing. Perhaps people will read the piece and be interested in learning more about his theory. Evie then comes up with a way to get more people to hear about Xaviers theory. She e-mails some of Cybermarts most suggestible customers and invites them to an inspirational event. Yet, instead of just telling people that the world is going to end, Xavier decides to approach things a bit differently. Rather than focus on the doom and gloom of his apocalypse theory, Xavier talks to his audience about a what if scenario. He asks them what they would do if they knew they only had six months left to live. He tells them to embrace their what if and make a promise to themselves to actually do it. His passionate speech works on the crowd, and they all write down their what ifs in chalk on the sidewalk. Xavier may not have convinced them that the world is going to end, but he may have helped them improve their lives. At the end of the episode, Timothy informs Evie that his research into Xavier revealed some surprising information. It turns out that Xavier has been lying to Evie about who he is, so much that even his name is a lie. Hank Gets His Heart Broken Hank is very upset over his break-up with Deirdre, so Evie tells Hank the truth about Deirdres interest in him. She explains that their relationship was not just a fling because Deirdre had a whole seduction operation going on in order to get Hank to notice her. After learning this, Hank goes to Deirdre and tells her that he doesnt want their relationship to be over. Unfortunately, Deirdre tells Hank that she needs to focus on her work responsibilities right now and she cannot be distracted by romance. Yet, Hank realizes she lied to him when he sees her with another guy. Hank checks Deirdres schedule and realizes she is going on a date with the guy that night. He goes to his friends for help, and Kareema suggests that he find a way to sabotage Deirdres night out. Kareema offers to help, and the two end up crashing Deirdres date. They discover Deirdre and this man attending a dance class, so they decide to join in. During the class, Hank learns that Deirdres date is actually her ex-husband, whom she has already married and divorced twice over. She apparently agrees to marry him every time they win a dance competition, and there is one coming up. Hank decides he needs to enter the competition and win in order to keep Deirdre from reuniting with her ex-husband. Hank ropes Kareema into entering the competition as his partner. Hank and Kareema perform at the dance competition, but they are no match for Deirdre and her ex-husband. They are such a hit at the competition that Deirdres ex proposes to her right then and there, and Deirdre accepts. Hank is devastated. As the episode comes to an end, Hank confronts Deirdre about lying to him. She admits that she was hurt when he didnt stand by her during the workers strike. That made her realize that if Hank ends up rejecting her down the line, it would be extremely painful for her. She would rather end their relationship now than risk more heartbreak in the future. Quiz: Who is Your TV Boss? >>> Evie Learns the Truth About Fern This episode sees the return of Fern, Evies former friend and Timothys new girlfriend. Fern uses her role in the Cyber Hugs program to bring in some therapy animals for the Cybermart employees in order to improve work conditions in the wake of the recent strike. Evie ends up speaking with the woman in charge of the animals, and she learns that Cyber Hugs is taking a processing fee from all the companies involved with the program. Evie looks into it and realizes that someone has been embezzling money from the program. She eventually discovers that the embezzler is Fern. Fern does not deny the accusation and explains that people didnt start taking her seriously until she had money to impress them with. Evie tells Fern that she is giving her 24 hours to do the right thing and return the money. If she doesnt, Evie will have to report Fern to Deirdre. Fern tries to talk to Timothy about her work situation, but Timothy is obsessed with his article on Xavier. Fern realizes that Timothy is still hung up on Evie, and that helps her make up her mind on how to handle Evies ultimatum. Instead of coming clean and accepting the consequences of her actions, Fern decides to leave the country. Deirdre learns about Ferns scheme, and she tells Evie that the Cyber Hugs program may now be in jeopardy. Kareema Comes Clean Kareemas brother is not in a good place after his break-up with Sofia, and Kareema still has not told him about their relationship. She tells Evie that her brother goes through five stages of grief after every break-up. Kareema thinks that once he gets through those stages, he will be over Sofia and she can tell him the truth without hurting him. Alas, things do not work out as Kareema expected them to. While we do not hear their conversation about Sofia, we see that Kareemas brother is visibly upset upon learning the truth. Will Kareemas brother be able to forgive her for falling in love with his former fiancee? What did you think of this episode of No Tomorrow season 1? Why do you think Xavier has been lying to Evie this whole time? Is their relationship over now or will Xavier find a way to convince Evie to give him another chance? Can Kareema work things out with her brother? If not, how will that impact her relationship with Sofia? Were you surprised to learn about Deirdres ex-husband? Do you think shell go through with the wedding or will her feelings for Hank win out in the end? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. No Tomorrow season 1 airs Tuesday nights at 9/8c on The CW. Want more news? Like our Facebook page. (Image courtesy of The CW) Tescos mince pie van has returned to the streets of Britain to deliver its pies free to 18 areas across the nation. The retailer has created its own Mince Pie Man to deliver 1,000 pies at each location, ranging from Tescos Finest to its free-from line, to peoples front doors in the run-up to Christmas. Portsmouth, Exeter, Gloucester and Aberystwyth are among places on the list of areas lucky enough to receive a mince pie freebie. The Mince Pie Man, named Warren, said he was delighted to be back for a second year to spread Christmas cheer. This year, Ill be knocking on even more peoples doors, handing out free packs of Tesco mince pies and wishing them a Merry Christmas, he said. Any customers not at home will receive a voucher so they can pick up their gift in their local store. The full list of 2016 free mince pie locations is: Former housewife Kelly Bensimon said Bravos Real Housewives series is, not a show that celebrates women. Here are six examples that prove shes wrong, and the reasons we need to stop pretending Real Housewives is all about screaming matches and dramatic exits. I wrote an article last week that made me uncomfortable. Titled Real Housewives Duos We Wish Would Stop Fighting, it focused on some long-running feuds between housewives in Bravos Real Housewives series. While entirely true, the article perpetuates the story that Bravo wants told about the housewives: that theyre catty, vapid, and passive aggressive. And that when theyre not passive aggressive, theyre straight aggressive, which should make viewers feel shocked and horrified. The desired reaction is based on a discomfort with feminine power and, consequently, feminine aggression. We Wish These Real Housewives Duos Would Stop Fighting >>> Physical and verbal battles are commonplace in the series, but criticizing these aspects of the show as if theyre shocking and horrifying is rooted in sexism. In addition to the stigmatization of female aggression on the show, we as viewers do not need to maintain that the feuding is the shows defining characteristic! Bravo wants us to believe the most interesting aspect of the housewives is that they have some gnarly fights. The site links episodes with incendiary passages highlighted from the housewives blogs, taken out of context to cast focus on conflict while often ignoring the positive and plot-related portions of the show. Its not a show that celebrates women, says former RHONYC star Kelly Bensimon. Watching the show can be complicated and isnt without problems, as detailed here and here. But I beg to differ with Kelly- there are simple moments that celebrate women everywhere in the show. The housewives ability to wrap themselves in the comforting and hilarious ties of female friendships even within the patriarchal structure of both their own lives and reality TV is a testament to the enduring power of women working with women. So I contest Kelly Bensimon, because in the moments the housewives enjoy the type of bonding that make being female livable, celebrating women is exactly what the show is doing. Even if it doesnt mean to, even if it doesnt want to, even if the narrative attempts to confine the wives within an agenda to shock and disgust. While noting that they were far and few between, critic Giovanna Derenzo wrote, Particular characters featured in the series attempt to fight the ideological system, offering a glimmer of resistance. Below, Ive detailed scenes from the past two seasons of RHONYC, The Real Housewivess New York installment, that celebrate women simply, and that in doing so fight the ideological system the show was predicated on. Dorindas Daughter Calling Her a Chubby Chaser, Season 7 Episode 4 As soon as I left home, my relationship with my mom changed from arguments about dirty dishes to picking apart the subtleties of Jane and Michaels relationship in Jane the Virgin. Its not so different between Dorinda and Hannah, and Dorinda says, Hannah and I have gone through so many different stagestheres a lot of banter that goes on between her and I. Here, Hannah accuses, Mom, youre a chubby chaser! And the two giggle like theyre punch-drunk as Hannah picks Dorinda out an outfit that she says is lovely but interestingly doesnt wear. While most of the show focuses on friendships between adult women, this exchange puts a lively focus on mother-daughter relationships. When Bethenny Advised Sonya on Self Care, Season 7 Episode 6 After a drunken night in Atlantic City, Bethenny confronts Sonya about her drinking and mental health. This is Bethenny Frankel being as gentle as Bethenny gets. She says, Youve gotta take it down a notch. Youve gotta start nurturing yourself in some wayYou need to take care of yourself. Its coming out. Its not working. It needs to be fixed. You need to talk to someone. I will help you, but Im not your enemy. You can trust me, I just want you to know that for the time being you need to drink less. Make yourself a drink maximum and you need to talk to someone and you need to open about it. Shes patient and slightly rambling, just like my friends, and they both tear up. The humanity and concern in this exchange is touching and can transcend class and age. When Sonja and Luann Are Roommates, Season 8 Episode 1 When Luann is left without a place in the city, Sonya offers her extra room up saying, Shes gonna fill a void in my heart and my home. Every time Luann stays over, its a flat-out slumber party. Their scenes at Sonyas Luann takes a bubble bath while Sonya does her nails, they drink wine in bed, they wear matching pajamas are reminiscent of The Parent Trap or Mean Girls. Theyre taking a break from reality (well, one kind of reality!) to enjoy some pure silliness and prove that age doesnt change much in a friendship. When Jules and Bethenny Get Lunch, Season 8 Episode 5 In Season 8, Jules is trying to find her place in the show as a new housewife. She hasnt hit it off with any of the housewives in particular, so she invites Bethenny to lunch. As strong and opinionated women, its significant to watch them slowly move from calculating each other as a threat to sharing pieces of their lives. Jules shares her history with an eating disorder, and Bethenny relates with some history of her own. In a society that compels women to see each other as competition, these two have overcome the negative expectations. Bethenny calls Jules, vulnerable and courageous for being so open about her past, and Jules smiles, saying, Im so relieved to get to know you. Which Real Housewife of New York Are You? Take the Quiz!>>> When Carole Let the Feels Flow About Her Kitten, Season 8 Episode 7 In an episode otherwise featuring animosity between the housewives, Carole opens up to Bethenny about the impact a foster kitten had on her. Carole shares some of their conversation in a confessional, saying, I wanted to at least get to say goodbye to him. I didnt get to do that, and reflects, [I] cant love anything unless I know its temporaryI owe this little kitten a lot. This little kitten taught me what every relationship could not teach me, and that is you cannot live life as though its temporary. Shes alluding here to her first husband who died of cancer five years after their marriage. The past is coming back for a visit after an emotional experience, and who best to hash it out with then a trusted girlfriend? Jules and Dorinda in The Berkshires, Season 8 Episode 9 Jules and Dorinda become easy friends once theyre introduced, which makes sense given their kind but no-nonsense communication styles. Jules puts extra effort into making Dorindas day special on her birthday, producing a cake with lit candles and putting on a pair of sexy onesie pajamas to make Dorinda laugh. She focuses on the good, Dorinda says. This episode is simple in its kindness. Less than material gestures, Jules and Dorinda spend most of the time chatting on a couch and getting ready for bed, because its the little, everyday things that make their friendship what it is. What do you think about the reputation of The Real Housewives and what it means for feminism? Do you have a favorite moment of solidarity between the housewives of RHONYC? Comment below! Want more? Follow our RHONYC page on Facebook! (Images courtesy of Bravo and BuddyTV) A dire omen for sea level rise Greenland is losing ice rapidly today, and the study suggests that this could proceed more rapidly than previously thought. Here, icebergs discharged from Allison Glacier float near Kullorsuaq, western Greenland. Credit: Margie Turrin/Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory New research reveals surprising information about the Greenland Ice Sheets volatility, UB expert says Weve just learned that the ice sheet has a weak underbelly, that it may not take much more warmth for it to go away completely. BUFFALO, N.Y. In climate science, the conventional wisdom is that the Greenland Ice Sheet the worlds second-largest block of ice formed some 2.5 million years ago and endured continuously until modern times. But a new study is challenging this notion, hinting that Greenland may have been nearly free of ice for much of this period, says Jason Briner, a University at Buffalo geologist who co-authored the research. This finding comes from geologic evidence, from a sample of the bedrock that lies below the ice sheet. An analysis found that this surface was exposed to open sky for at least 280,000 of the last 1.4 million years. The results were a complete surprise, Briner says. They point to an unsuspected volatility in the ice sheet, suggesting that it may not take much more warming for the ice to disappear completely, causing a spike in sea levels worldwide, he says. The study, which will be published on Dec. 8 in the journal Nature, was led by Joerg Schaefer, PhD, at Columbia Universitys Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. Briner was one of several co-authors on the multi-institution project, which also included the University of California, Berkeley; the Berkeley Geochronology Center; Pennsylvania State University; Purdue University; and the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. To arrive at their conclusions, the scientists investigated the bedrock beneath a key part of the ice sheet: the summit, a location that climate models show would be one of the last to lose its ice in the event of a complete meltdown. The bedrock contains aluminum and beryllium isotopes, and the ratio of these isotopes to one another reveals information about how long the bedrock has been exposed to the sky over a given length of time. In the case of the chosen site, an analysis showed that the bedrock had been bared to the sky and, therefore, free of ice for at least 280,000 of the last 1.4 million years. While its possible that all of the exposure occurred during a single ice-free period, its more likely that the ice vanished multiple times for shorter stretches, the scientists say. Research News New research reveals surprising information about stability of Greenland Ice Sheet Greenland is losing ice rapidly today, and a new study published in Nature suggests this could proceed more rapidly than previously thought. Here, icebergs discharged from Allison Glacier float near Kullorsuaq in western Greenland. Photo: Margie Turrin/Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory By CHARLOTTE HSU Weve just learned that the ice sheet has a weak underbelly, that it may not take much more warmth for it to go away completely. Jason Briner, associate professor Department of Geology In climate science, the conventional wisdom is that the Greenland Ice Sheet the worlds second-largest block of ice formed some 2.5 million years ago and endured continuously until modern times. But a new study is challenging this notion, hinting that Greenland may have been nearly free of ice for much of this period, says UB geologist Jason Briner, who co-authored the research. This finding comes from geologic evidence, from a sample of the bedrock that lies below the ice sheet. An analysis found that this surface was exposed to open sky for at least 280,000 of the last 1.4 million years. The results were a complete surprise, Briner says. They point to an unsuspected volatility in the ice sheet, suggesting that it may not take much more warming for the ice to disappear completely, causing a spike in sea levels worldwide, he says. The study, which will be published on Dec. 8 in the journal Nature, was led by Joerg Schaefer of Columbia Universitys Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. Briner was one of several co-authors on the multi-institution project, which also included the University of California, Berkeley; the Berkeley Geochronology Center; Pennsylvania State University; Purdue University; and the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. Bedrock drilled from deep under the Greenland ice sheet contains evidence the island was nearly denuded of ice for an extended time during the past million years. Here, fishermen reconnoiter the ice near the head of Allison Glacier near Kullorsuaq in western Greenland. Photo: Margie Turrin/Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Bedrock drilled from deep under the Greenland ice sheet contains evidence the island was nearly denuded of ice for an extended time during the past million years. Here, fishermen reconnoiter the ice near the head of Allison Glacier near Kullorsuaq in western Greenland. Photo: Margie Turrin/Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory To arrive at their conclusions, the scientists investigated the bedrock beneath a key part of the ice sheet: the summit, a location that climate models show would be one of the last to lose its ice in the event of a complete meltdown. The bedrock contains aluminum and beryllium isotopes, and the ratio of these isotopes to one another reveals information about how long the bedrock has been exposed to the sky over a given length of time. In the case of the chosen site, an analysis showed the bedrock had been bared to the sky and, therefore, free of ice for at least 280,000 of the last 1.4 million years. While its possible that all of the exposure occurred during a single ice-free period, its more likely the ice vanished multiple times for shorter stretches, the scientists say. The Greenland Ice Sheet likely shrank down to almost zero during extended periods of time when we thought it was much more stable, says Briner, associate professor of geology in the College of Arts and Sciences. Weve just learned that the ice sheet has a weak underbelly, that it may not take much more warmth for it to go away completely. Unfortunately, this makes the Greenland Ice Sheet look highly unstable, says Schaefer, a paleoclimatologist. If we lost it in periods of natural forcing, we may lose it again. Scientists drilled nearly two miles down through the summit of the Greenland ice sheet (white dot, left) to reach bedrock. Isotopes found in the rock indicate this site and most of Greenland were nearly ice free (right) during the recent geologic past. Image: Schaefer et al., Nature, 2016 Scientists drilled nearly two miles down through the summit of the Greenland ice sheet (white dot, left) to reach bedrock. Isotopes found in the rock indicate this site and most of Greenland were nearly ice free (right) during the recent geologic past. Image: Schaefer et al., Nature, 2016 Research News Telescoping walls could rise on demand to stop floodwaters University at Buffalo PhD candidate Jorge Cueto (polo shirt), founder of Smart Walls Construction LLC, in the lab developing telescopic flood walls. Photo: Douglas Levere By GROVE POTTER Jorge Cueto was running a successful consulting and construction company in Bogota, Colombia, and teaching civil engineering at 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 says. He won the scholarship and by a fortunate coincidence one of his favorite professors in Bogota had graduated from UB he came to the university. After finishing his masters degree and writing his PhD thesis, Cueto recently won UBs Engineering & Applied Sciences Outstanding Young Alumnus Award. The award recognizes Cuetos 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 UBs 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 recalls. 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 explains. Now his company is occupying space in the UB business incubator on Sweet Home Road 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 and Amjad Aref, both professors in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, have been Cuetos thesis advisers. Both professors knew Cueto was looking to commercialize his idea, but they insisted he not go light on the scientific aspects of his thesis. We insisted on that, Filiatrault says. What I admire about Jorge is that he did not shortchange the scientific aspect of his PhD dissertation. Aref concurs. Jorge is very industrious and, importantly, possesses a very positive attitude toward his work. 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 says is almost unprecedented for a student, Cueto is 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 says. Most of our PhD graduates become faculty members or consulting engineers. Student becomes the boss Disclosure: We were provided with free tickets to view the performance in exchange for our honest review. All opinions are my own. This time of the year has to be my favorite time of the year. Sure it is always a busy time of the year but it is usually filled with fun, events, and so many memories. Last year Teagan and I started a new tradition of attending The Nutcracker at the Colorado Ballet and she loved it. I wasnt sure how she would do at sitting for 2 hours at such a young age but this little lady has proved to be our tiny dancer and watched every moment of the performance. This year we decided that we had to keep the tradition going but this year we invited my mom to come along with us. A lady date at the ballet Teagan was so excited. Once again, we got all dressed up and headed to the Ellie Caulkins Opera House downtown. The Colorado Ballet The Nutcracker: Colorado Ballets 56th annual production of The Nutcracker will feature more than 300 costumes, 31 Company dancers, 25 Studio Company dancers, 76 Academy dancers, scenery by Jose Varona and timeless choreography paired with Tchaikovskys extraordinary arrangement performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. Colorado Ballets captivating presentation of The Nutcracker remains the gold standard because it is largest production of the holiday favorite in Colorado. This larger-than-life holiday tradition continues to be as popular as ever, with nearly all performances sold out in 2015 and 2014. Purchase your tickets early for this dreamy production that features lavish costumes, exuberant dancing, whimsical battles, hypnotizing snow flurries, sumptuous sets, majestic live music and a little bit of magic. Maria Mosina and Alexei Tyukov The Nutcracker By Mike Watson Performance Information for 2016: November 26 December 24, 2016 Ellie Caulkins Opera House Live Music By the Colorado Ballet Orchestra There are a number of days and times to enjoy this performance with your family and friends. Remaining performance dates and times: Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 9, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, December 11, 2016 at 1 p.m. Sunday, December 11, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 16, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, December 18, 2016 at 1 p.m. Sunday, December 18, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 1 p.m. Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, December 22, 2016 at 1 p.m. Thursday, December 22, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Friday, December 23, 2016 at 1 p.m. Friday, December 23, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, December 24, 2016 at 1 p.m. Purchase Tickets here. The Ellie Caulkins Opera House is a perfect venue for the ballet because of the great seating all over the venue. No bad seat in the house! We were blessed with some amazing seats that gave Teagan the perfect view of the show. It was fun to see her remembering parts of the performance from last year. She especially loved the Waltz of the Flowers and quickly decided that the blue flower dress was her favorite. Asuka Sasaki The Nutcracker By Mike Watson Two people were taken to hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation after a fire at the Foxs biscuit factory in Uttoxeter. The blaze broke out in the middle of the afternoon on 5 December, and two ambulances, a paramedic and paramedic officer attended the scene. Two engineers were taken to nearby Burtons Queens Hospital after breathing in smoke. The patients condition is not thought to be life-threatening. A spokesman for 2 Sisters group, which owns Foxs, told British Baker: There was a fire in an oven and the site was evacuated safely. Two engineers suffered smoke inhalation and were sent to hospital as a precautionary measure. The rest of the workforce have returned to the site to continue production. Its too early to be sure of the full extent of the damage caused by the fire thats still being evaluated and assessed. The important thing is it has been evacuated safely. Staff have returned to production, apart from on the affected line. The spokesman was not able to confirm on which line the fire occurred. In October 2 Sisters, which also owns Hollands Pies, pledged to provide young unemployed people with practical skills that will help them find the right job. A Burnham-On-Sea man has imprressed the judges of an international photography competition and been named the overall winner. Greg Wallaker, 21, from Burnham-On-Sea, has been named the overall winner of the annual International Citizen Service (ICS) Photography Competition. He saw off competition from more than 300 photographers from 23 countries around the world. Greg took the winning shot, pictured below, while volunteering in Bangladesh from September to December last year. He spent three months in Bangladesh, working on a project to help local people set up and grow their own businesses, and take better care of their health. He travelled to Bangladesh with international development organisation VSO, through the UK Government funded ICS programme. Greg told Burnham-On-Sea.com: Im delighted to have won! We were the first team of ICS volunteers to work in Dinajpur, so every obstacle seemed to be increased tenfold, but regardless of what was in our way the community were so eager to be part of it. I took the winning photo in a three-room school on the outskirts of a village we were working in. I was helping run a session about health and hygiene, keeping time, handing things out to the children and taking photos, trying to capture the focus and concentration in the kids faces. Whilst the other volunteers set up for their next lesson the students started chatting away to each other. I shot this photo then, but the girl you see in the photo looked straight into the camera at the split second I took it, then turned away again. I thought it was pure luck that shed glanced my way at that moment! Gregs photo was chosen as the overall winner of the competition by a panel of three photography professionals and many of the 4000 online voters who helped choose the shortlist. Nineteen runner-up entries came from volunteers on placements as far apart as Honduras and Nepal, and highlight the work ICS volunteers do on projects ranging from improving access to safe drinking water to stopping the spread of HIV and other STIs. Talking about his experience in Bangladesh, Greg added: Id say Im most grateful for the wealth of knowledge and inspiration that was given to me and everyone else involved. Though we had some tough times in this place which almost seemed like a different world, the whole team really coalesced, including the in-country volunteers. We got to know members of these communities well, and me and my fellow UK volunteer, Ryan, would meet with our neighbour in the evenings to star gaze. He would express his heart felt concerns for his wonderful family and the struggles he and his people faced day to day. My host brother, Zibon, would speak about his country like a foreigner, in a way that he knew exactly what was wrong with it. It was a real slap in the face coming home to hear people complain about the weather. With such a warm welcome from the communities, we were made to feel like members of a huge family. It was so refreshing to see such a high level of social integration that we seemed to have lost at home. Thats what was really inspiring, the raw intuition of young people coming together and thriving off of each other. Since 2012, ICS, has sent more than 900 young people from the east of England to volunteer on projects abroad, alongside volunteers from the country theyre in. Young people dont need cash or qualifications to take part, just the motivation and commitment to make a difference. Felicity Morgan, Director of ICS at VSO, said: Gregs photo invites you into the world of an international volunteer. Volunteering overseas isnt just about travelling and experiencing new cultures, its about making a real difference to the community youre in. By working on properly planned, long-term projects and living with local families, our volunteers are able to immerse themselves in a new way of living, as well as making a difference. Greg plans to print his winning entry and other photos from Bangladesh on to canvas which will be available for purchase, with all funds going towards future voluntary work. Gregs image is on display at Westminster Central Hall, London, from Monday 5th December until Saturday 3rd January. Members of the public can visit the exhibition for free. The exhibition will then go on a national tour around the UK. To find out more about ICS and see all the winners and runners up of the photography competition visit www.volunteerics.org Insolvency and restructuring firm R3 has said UK companies are facing a perfect storm as corporate insolvencies remain at high levels. Corporate insolvencies recently hit their second highest level in a decade, as businesses contend with rising costs, mounting debts and the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and Brexit. During the third quarter of the year, government data showed that the...continue reading 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. On Tuesday, as rumours of layoffs at Chinese tech giant spread, investors once again hit the dislike button. By market close, the stock had dropped nearly eight percent, shedding about $0.45 of per share value in a single day. The company, which is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, ended the day at $5.21 per share. The drop caused LeEcos total valuation to shed $145 million. finally get to cheer in the five-year old contentious issue of compensation for their respective power plants. The decision is likely to set a precedence for the sector which keeps fighting for compensation over change in laws/regulations/input prices. As you are aware, the Tata Group has a proud and rich history of 149 years, a very successful heritage of consistently creating wealth for all our stakeholders, including our shareholders and the community. We have constantly endeavoured to pioneer new businesses over a century and have set benchmarks in work practices, corporate governance and high ethical standards. Seeking the support of minority shareholders to remove his former protege Cyrus Mistry, Tata Sons Interim Chairman, Ratan Tata today said Mistrys presence on the boards of various Tata group companies is a serious disruptive influence and can make Tata companies dysfunctional. Two of the biggest investments in mega steel mills proposed by Posco and ArcelorMittal, which together had committed Rs 1 lakh crore in the state, did not take off. But, the state is gearing up to overcome the baggage of these failed big-ticket projects and script a new investment story propelled by human resource rather than natural resource. Indian giant on Wednesday made a 10-year commitment to a one-billion-pound investment plan as part of its crucial talks with steelworkers unions to save thousands of jobs in the UK. Services Pvt Ltd, the promoter of Polaris Consulting and Services Ltd, to make an Offer for Sale (OFS) of 1.86 per cent of the total paid up equity share capital. The company in a regulatory filing said that it would offer 18,86,000 equity shares representing 1.86 per cent of the total shares, at a floor price of Rs 130 per equity share. The shares would be offered to non-retail investors exclusively on December 8 and for both retail and non-retail investors on December 9, said a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange. JP Morgan India Pvt Ltd is the broker on behalf of the seller. In the end of September, 2016, Virtusa has around 78.61 per cent shares in the company, according to data available with the exchanges. On November 5, 2015, Virtusa announced that it has entrered into an agreement with Polaris' promoters, including Arun Jain, to acquire 53 per cent stake for Rs 1,173 crore, with a further intention to raise this to 75 per cent. Later, it has acquired the additional shares through an open offer. Information technology major has said it will work with select start-ups in India that are associated with Microsoft Accelerator to help them scale their business and take them to customers globally.will also look at start-ups to identify innovative solutions and products they can build in its offerings and help generate value for its customers.The Bengaluru-based IT services firm has a dedicated ventures fund with a corpus of over $100 million to invest in start-ups building solutions and products like big data, open source, industrial internet and security. These investments are also tied up to Wipros IT services business with its clients. So far, Rishad Premji-managed Wipro Ventures has invested in seven startups - Altizon, Avaamo, Vicarious, Vectra Networks, Intsights, Emailage Corp and Talena Inc and Israel-based TLV Ventures, a venture capital firm that looks at disruptive technology investments. Lenders to the defunct Kingfisher Airlines have decided to again put up for auction on December 22 the plush sea-facing at Condolim in north Goa at a marginal discount of 5 per cent to the last reserve price. The lenders have set the reserve price at Rs 81 crore this time compared to Rs 85.29 crore at the first auction of the property on October 19. SBICap Trustee, which is auctioning the property, today said the reserve price for the property has been kept at Rs 81 crore and it would be put on sale on December 22. The villa was once used by Vijay Mallya to host lavish parties. After failed attempts to attract buyers in the first auction for different movable and immovable properties of the liquor baron Mallya, like Kingfisher House and various trademarks of the airlines, the lenders have reduced the reserve price by 10 per cent each. The luxury jet once owned by Mallya failed to get even one-tenth of the reserve price event at the third auction last week. In the first attempt to sell the airline's erstwhile headquarters Kingfisher House in the city in March this year, the lenders had kept the reserve price at Rs 150 crore but reduced it by 10 per cent to Rs 135 crore in the second auction later in August, which also failed. For the third time, lenders had put on block the Kingfisher House on December 19, with a reserve price 15 per cent lower at Rs 115 crore from the second auction in August. In the two failed attempts to sell the long-grounded Kingfisher Airline's brands and trademarks this year, the reserve price was lowered from Rs 366.70 crore to Rs 330.03 crore. However, it also could not attract any bidders. The lenders are once again auctioning the movable properties --10 cars ranging from Toyota Innova, Honda City, Honda Civic and Toyota Camry, among others, worth Rs 15.72 lakh. These cars would be auctioned on an individual basis on January 5, 2017. Mallya owes over Rs 9,000 crore to lenders like SBI, PNB, IDBI Bank, BoB, Allahabad Bank, Federal Bank and Axis Bank, among others. He had left the country on March 3 this year and is currently said to be in Britain. In November, the CBI had initiated an extradition request to bring back Mallya from the United Kingdom through a Special Court in Mumbai. The investigative agencies secured a non-bailable warrant against Mallya, following it with an extradition request from a London special court. Amma is no more! The entire nation is aggrieved. She has, however, left behind an epoch that speaks of bravery, endowment, discretion and austerity. J was an iconic leader, who baked a road from cinema to politics and became the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. She was a leader who skilfully mastered the art of comeback, despite setbacks. died on Monday night after a day of suspense and political drama in Chennai, losing a 75-day battle with a severe illness that ended in a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening. Veteran actor was admitted to Leelavati Hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday morning after he complained of swelling in one of his legs. "He has been hospitalised today (Wednesday) morning. He complained of swelling in his right leg," Saira Banu's manager Murshid told IANS. The 94-year-old actor is under observation. This is the second time that Kumar has been admitted to the hospital this year. On April 15, he had taken ill with pneumonia. was last seen in the film "Qila" in 1998. The actor was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015. is in trouble again, with his name being mentioned in a suicide note left by Ramesh Gowda, driver of a Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) officer. Gowda accused Reddy of converting Rs 100 crore black money into white, with the help of the officer. A bed-ridden Egyptian woman weighing 500kg was granted by Indian Embassy in Cairo following intervention by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. 36-year-old Eman Ahmed, a resident of port city of Alexandria, was issued the medical hours after a Mumbai- based bariatric surgeon requested Swaraj to help the woman travel to India for her treatment. "Thanks for bringing this to my notice. We will definitely help her," Swaraj tweeted in response to the request. Hours later, Dr Muffi Lakdawala, who as per his twitter profile is also a philanthropist, tweeted that Indian Embassy in Cairo granted to Eman, a resident of Alexandria. "Embassy in Cairo called Visa granted.Thank you so much for this prompt response, impressed Appreciate the help @SushmaSwaraj," Lakdawala said. Earlier, seeking Swaraj's intervention, he had said Eman weighs 500 kg and has been refused the visa. "Ma'am , Eman Ahmed (Egypt) 500kgs requested me 2 save her pls help me get her a medical visa as refused thru normal process @SushmaSwaraj," he had tweeted. Eman's weight prevented her from pursuing her studies as she dropped out of school due to weight gain. An increased number of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) coupled with revised recruitment plans by recruiters has led to number of offers come down by 10% at placements, even as number of companies at campuses is slightly up this year. With daily transactions remaining affected by the cash crunch following demonetisation of high-value currency, diplomatic offices in New Delhi are finding it increasingly difficult to do business-as-ususal. India's space agency will outsource the manufacture of two navigation satellites, Navic to a consortium of private firms, its first major attempt to share its expertise in satellite making technology that would potentially allow the country to emerge as a major global hub for producing satellites. So far, firms such as Avasara Technologies, L&T and Godrej have supplied components and systems for the satellites that Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) builds to hurl into space. Prime Minister Narendra Modis pet project (Clean India Mission) is not just funded by taxpayers but also by voluntary donations to a special fund set up for the purpose. Information obtained by Business Standard under the Right To Information (RTI) Act shows that from September 2014 till October this year, the Swachh Bharat Kosh (SBK) received almost Rs 455 crore in donations. The Supreme Court will on Wednesday resume hearing in the plea filed by Asha Ranjan, the wife of slain journalist Rajdeo Ranjan, seeking shifting of Rashtriya Janata Dal strongman from the Siwan jail in Bihar to Tihar Central Jail in New Delhi for a free and fair trial in the case relating to her husband's murder. Asha Ranjan's plea stated that free and fair trial against Shahabuddin was not possible if he remain lodged in the Bihar jail as witnesses would not be able to depose against him with his goons threatening them. Shahabuddin is facing trial in 45 criminal cases. A separate petition is filed by Chandrakeshwar Prasad, whose three sons had been murdered at the behest of the RJD leader. Forty-two-year-old Ranjan, the bureau chief of The Hindustan, was shot dead in July at Phal Mandi near the Siwan railway station, barely half-a-kilometer from the police station. The Bihar Ggovernment 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. Employees of state-run and private sector banks have come under the scanner of finance ministry over alleged irregularities in converting old currency into new notes post the demonetisation drive. Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corp today signed a pact to build India's biggest oil refinery at a cost of $30 billion on the west coast. The three firms signed the pact for the 60-million tonne a year refinery in Maharashtra with as leader of the consortium, officials said. will hold a 50 per cent stake in the project while BPCL and HPCL will have 25 per cent each. The consortium agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Petrotech conference here. Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said oil majors like Saudi Aramco of Saudi Arabia are interested in taking a stake in the project, but nothing has been finalised as yet. "There are other companies also interested. Let's see how talks progress," he said. The 60-million tonne a year refinery and a mega petrochemical complex will be set up in two phases. Phase-1 capacity will be 40 mt together with an aromatic complex, naphtha cracker unit and a polymer complex. This will cost Rs 1.2-1.5 lakh crore and will come up in 5-6 years from the date of land acquisition. The mega complex will require 12,000-15,000 acres and two-three sites on coast of Maharashtra are being explored. The second phase, involving a 20-mt refinery, will cost Rs 50,000-60,000 crore. has been looking at the west coast for a refinery as the company found it tough to cater to requirements in West and South with its refineries mostly in the North. HPCL and BPCL too have been looking at a bigger refinery because of constraints they face at their Mumbai units. The mega west coast refinery will produce petrol, diesel, LPG, ATF and feedstock for petrochemical plants in plastic, chemical and textile industries in Maharashtra. Fifteen-million tonne a year is the biggest refinery any public sector unit has set up at one stage. IOC recently started its 15 mt unit at Paradip in Odisha. Reliance Industries holds the distinction of building the biggest refinery in India till now. It built its first refinery at Jamnagar in Gujarat with a capacity of 27 mt, which was subsequently expanded to 33 mt. It has built another unit adjacent to it for exports, with a capacity of 29 mt. The refinery being planned by the state-owned firms will be bigger than that. The phase-1 itself will be bigger than any one single unit. India has a refining capacity of 232.06 mt, which exceeded the demand of 183.5 mt in 2015-16. According to the International Energy Agency (EA), this demand is expected to reach 458 mt by 2040. In the second of a four-part series, Business Standard checks out the currency press in Dewas to find target-based allowances have increased the monthly salary of employees from Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000, at a time when notes are being printed 24x7 Like most others, workers of Bank Note Press Dewas (BNP Dewas) have been coping with banks and automated teller machines (ATMs) running out of cash, after demonetisation. In this case, its ironical because an ATM located inside the BNP Dewas complex has also failed to give out cash to the people busy printing currency notes through three round-the-clock shifts. An acute cash crunch triggered by the scrapping of high-value currency notes has accentuated the woes of the ailing sector. Raw supplies to the market are tapering with only 40-45 per cent of the stock reaching for trade. Concerns over the supply of the balance stock are mounting as there is paucity of cash to pay off the farmers, sellers and stockists in the secondary and upcountry where raw has accumulated. Karnataka, it appears, has emerged as the biggest hotspot for illegal cash transactions in the country post the demonetisation announcement and probes by the income tax department have revealed that Bangalore reported the highest cases of undisclosed cash in new denominations. The income tax department has carried out swift investigations in more than 400 cases and over Rs 130 crore in cash and jewellery have been unearthed as well as Rs 2,000 crore of undisclosed income admitted by tax evaders. The biggest stash of new currency was unearthed in Bengaluru after a 30 November raid on two state government engineers lead to the seizing of Rs 4.7 crore in new Rs 2,000 currency notes, apart from 7 kg of gold and bullion and Rs 90 lakh in old demonetised currency, the Bengaluru division of the IT department said on 1 December. But apart from just babus, even BJP leaders have been caught red headed with undisclosed new notes. More than 30 such cases have been referred to the ED and are being sent to the CBI. Of these, the Bengaluru Investigation Unit of the Income Tax Department has sent the most (18) references to the ED. The Ludhiana and Bhopal units referred two cases each, while the Hyderabad and Pune units referred a case each Rajasthan BJP leader caught with Rs 1 lakh bribe, all in Rs 1,000 notes On the very next day after Prime ministers demonetisation announcement, Chairperson of Chhabra Municipality in Baran disttrict Jitendra Kumar Sahu and his wife were caught by the Anti-corruption bureau for taking a bribe of Rs 1 lakh in old Rs 1,000 notes, reported the Hindustan Times . Pinky Sahu, belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party, was elected as the chairperson of the Chhabra Municipality on November 2014, in the Other Backward Caste category. Rs 20 lakh seized from BJP youth leader who backed demonetisation Arun, BJP youth wing secretary from Salem, Tamil Nadu had been actively campaigning in favour of prime minister Narendra Modis demonetisation drive and was even ready to stand in queue outside bank. The Indian Express reported that he was arrested by Tamil Nadu Police with several bundles of currency notes worth Rs 20.55 lakh out of which there were 926 pieces of Rs 2,000, 1530 of Rs 100 and 1,000 of Rs 50 notes. BJP leader arrested in Bengal with Rs 33 lakh in new Rs 2,000 notes Manish Sharma, BJP leader in West Bengal, was arrested by police while carrying currency worth Rs 33 lakh in new Rs 2,000 notes earlier this week, reported The Times of India . According to a report by livehindustan.com, the police also found seven fire arms, 89 round bullets from them. The police also found new notes of Rs 2,000 worth Rs 10 lakh from Sharma's car. The police also found notes of Rs 50 and Rs 100 from the BJP leader. Cash worth Rs 91.50 lakh in recalled currency denominations of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 were seized from a vehicle of Maharashtra Minister for Cooperation Subhash Deskhmukh who looks after the cooperative sector, reported Financial Express on 18 November. On November 9,cash amounting to Rs 3 crore was recovered from the car of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in Ghaziabad. If the government had followed tradition, Lieutenant General Praveen Bakshi, currently commanding the eastern army from Fort William in Kolkata, would have been named two months ago to succeed the present army chief, General Dalbir Singh Suhag, who is scheduled to retire on December 31. Bakshi is the senior-most amongst qualified generals; and the government has traditionally named its incoming army, navy and air force three months ahead of time, to facilitate a smooth hand-over. Recently on the Senate floor, I recognized the extraordinary service of Admiral Cecil D. Haney, whose tenure as Commander of U.S. Strategic Command, or STRATCOM, at Offutt Air Force Base has come to a close. With it, Admiral Haney will end his 38-year career as an exemplary officer and outstanding leader in the U.S. Navy. This nation owes him its deepest gratitude. I first met Admiral Haney in 2013 when he was nominated to serve as commander of STRATCOM. Over the past three years, it has been my great pleasure to work with him, and I am grateful for his wise counsel and firm resolve to do what is best for America and for the men and women he leads. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter called STRATCOM the bedrock of Americas national security; Admiral Haney ensured that foundation remained firm. He was a strong advocate for modernization of aging nuclear infrastructure, no small task in a time of tight budgets. He worked closely with Congress. He gave clear-eyed assessments, such as the statement he delivered to the Senate Armed Services Committee last year that there is no margin to absorb risk in plans to modernize our nuclear enterprise. Admiral Haney helped maintain congressional consensus on following through with our modernization commitments. All Americans should be grateful for this. Every day, our country relies on its nuclear forces to deter strategic attack on the United States and our allies. Throughout his 38 years in the Navy, both Admiral Haney and his family made many sacrifices. These sacrifices are common to all who wear the uniform: dangerous missions, long deployments, time away from loved ones. Such burdens are a fact of life for our dedicated service members around the world. This year, I was honored to spend Thanksgiving with some of those service members. At Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, I visited with Nebraskans from North Platte, Beatrice, Bellevue, McCook, and Omaha. These men and women had given up turkey dinners with family, and so much more, to protect our freedom. Once again this year, I am teaming up with the American Red Cross to help Nebraskans show their appreciation to veterans, members of the military, and their families during the holiday season. Cards collected at my Omaha office through the Holiday Mail For Heroes Campaign will be delivered to current and former service members in local Nebraska communities: from those serving at Offutt Air Force Base to veterans at VFW posts across the state. I hope youll join me in expressing gratitude for all these Nebraskans have done to make our country safer and stronger. Over nearly four decades of dedicated service to our nation, Admiral Haney set a strong example for those under his command by faithfully discharging his duties. Countless service members do the same, every day, for the members of their unit and their community. Please join me in thanking these faithful men and women. Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week. Thrissur-based is planning to raise around Rs 300 crore to support its Small Finance Bank operation, for which it has got a licence. Cabinet approves MoU between India and United Kingdom (UK) for Cooperation in the Field of Intellectual Property The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the MoU between India and United Kingdom (UK) for Cooperation in the Field of Intellectual Property (IP). The MoU was signed on 7.11.2016. The MoU seeks to establish a wide-ranging and flexible mechanism for developing and furthering the cooperation in the development of automation, new documentation and information systems in IP. It provides an opportunity for collaboration in training programmes, exchange of experts and technical exchanges and outreach activities. Implementation of the MoU will result in enhancement of the capacity of the Office of Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks to examine patent applications, which in turn will impact innovation positively. Haj Programme The work related to management of Haj pilgrimage including administration of the Haj Committee Act, 1959 and Rules made thereunder has been transferred from the Ministry of External Affairs to the Ministry of Minority Affairs from 1st October, 2016. Accordingly, the Ministry manages the Haj work in coordination with Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Haj Committee of India (HCoI) and Consulate General of India (CGI), Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Ministry also looks after all the matters related to Haj Committee of India, accord necessary approval to the Haj related proposals of CGI, Jeddah, selection of deputationists (Administrative and Medical/ Paramedical Staff) on short term deputation to CGI, Jeddah, registration of Private Tour Operators (PTOs) and allocation of Haj Quota to PTOs, etc.. As per the bilateral Haj Agreement signed between Government of India and Saudi Arabia, the quota allocated for Haj 2016 was 1,36,020, out of which quota of 1,00,020 seats was assigned to the Haj Committee of India and 36,000 seats were assigned to the Private Tour Operators. From Haj-2013, Saudi Government has reduced the overall Haj quota for pilgrims from foreign countries, including from India, by 20% and for domestic pilgrims by 50% to facilitate the infra-structure work being carried out around the Haram Sharif". The annual Haj quota for India has remained unchanged since Haj 2013. The Government has been requesting the Government of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for increasing the annual Haj quota for India. Depending on the quota allocated by Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to India, the share of the States including Tamil Nadu, will be divided as per existing norms. The Private Tour Operators are being registered and allocated Haj quota by the Government as per the Policy for Private Tour Operators (PTOs) for Haj 2013 2017 approved by the Honble Supreme Court. This information was given by Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, the Minister of State (IC) for Minority Affairs, in reply to a question in Lok Sabha today. India International Science Festival (IISF-2016) inaugurated in New Delhi India has achieved a pre-eminent position in the field of Science & Technology, Space, Atomic Energy, Information Technology and newly emerging technologies such as Nano Technology and Bio Technology. In this process, we have created one of the world's largest network of scientific laboratories and research institutions, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences said while informing the Lok Sabha about the India International Science Festival (IISF-2016) the largest festival of science in this country with its focus on Science for the Masses". The Minister added that the Prime Minister has directed that the benefits of advancements in Science & Technology must reach to the masses. Towards this, Ministry of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences has taken the initiative of launching India International Science Festival (IISF). Dr. Harsh Vardhan informed that IISF-2016 is not only a festival but a movement to connect common people with science and its contributions to our day-to-day life. IISF-2016 is being held at CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (NPL) Campus, New Delhi during 7-11 December, 2016. The event will be formally inaugurated by the Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh on 8th December 2016 at 2.00 pm. India International Science Festival (IISF) as a major science event was conceptualized last year which was organized the 1st IISF at IIT, Delhi during 4-8 December, 2015 and was visited by more than 4 lakh people. It was a great success and also won the distinction of Guinness Book of World Record for successful conduct of Largest Practical Science Lesson by 2000 school students. The success of first IISF in 2015 gave the impetus to launch IISF-2016 with expanded scope, mandate and operation. Dr. Harsh Vardhan added that the IISF-2016 aims to encourage and develop scientific temper and attitude, promote exchange of knowledge and ideas among young minds including showcasing of recent developments and contributions of India in science and technology involving all our scientific departments. IISF-2016 will showcase Indias S&T prowess, technological developments, history of Indian Science and science education involving more than 10000 young researchers, school students, academicians and top level Indian scientists. It will witness several scientific activities such as Young Scientists Conclave (about 3000 young scientists), DST-INSPIRE Camp (1000 brightest minds to join with 200 teachers), International Science Film Festival (more than 80 entries from 10 countries), Industry-Academia Meet (with participation of 200+ industry and academic representatives) and Mega Science & Technology Expo (projecting technological developments through 400+ scientific models and exhibits). The Minister expressed his gratitude that nomination of students from various constituencies has led to organisation of an unique event Science Village" which will have a conglomeration of 3000+ school students from all across the country. These students from village level schools will be exposed to many scientific activities like interaction with scientists, watching scientific films apart from laboratory visits and tours around Delhi. IISF-2016 is expecting a large number of visitors (more than 5 lakh) from all walks of life to experience the festival of science and to interact with Indian scientific community. The Minister requested the House to join the movement by visiting IISF-2016, which will be the morale booster for young scientific minds who are going to reshape the future of India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jharkhand Chief Minister calls on Jual Oram various issues on Tribal Welfare Discussed Jharkhand Chief Minister Shri Raghubar Das called on Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram in New Delhi today and discussed various issues pertaining to tribal welfare. During the discussion the pending proposals for grants of fund from the Tribal Sub Plan and grant under Article 275 (1) were raised by the Jharkhand CM. They also discussed implications of recent amendments to the Santhal Pragana Tenancy Act, 1949 and the Chhota Nagpur Tenancy Act, 1908 by the Jharkhand Assembly. Both the leaders agreed that the tribal interest has to be protected at any cost while bringing about any change in the existing laws. Shri Raghubar Das was accompanied by Secretary for Tribal Affairs Department and other senior officials of the State. Union Tribal Affairs, Secretary, Dr. Shyam Agarwal and other senior officials of the Ministry were also present during the meeting. Ministerial Conclave on Transforming India Key Initiatives Held at Petrotech-2016 The Ministerial Conclave on Transforming India Key Initiatives was held in New Delhi today at Petrotech- 2016. Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, Shri Nitin Gadkari chaired the session. Other dignitaries on the dais were Union Minister for Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhu, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister of State (IC) for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Anil Madhav Dave. Addressing the session, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said that with the present and projected growth of energy sector in India, our initiatives to transform energy have the potential to transform the world. He said that environmental protection and industrial progress are complimentary to each other, which is the crux of Transforming India. Shri Pradhan said that the Government took up the challenge of providing Clean Gas i.e. LPG to BPL households through the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). Under this scheme, the Government aims to provide clean gas to 5crore BPL families by 2019. He added that the Government had also set up the largest Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme in the world which ensures that LPG subsidy is directly deposited in the bank account of the consumer, thereby preventing leakage and misuse of subsidy. Shri Pradhan noted that the schemes of DBT and PMUY have the potential to transform the whole world if applied globally. He said that Energy is not just an Economic Commodity that is traded, but it is a vehicle for Social, Economic and Technological Transformation. He gave the motto of Transforming Energy to World Welfare. Talking about the acceptance of Digital Transactions in day to day life by the people, Shri Pradhan said that, in the last four days, digital transactions at various fuel stations across the country have noticed a manifold increase. He also added that over a short span of time, India has developed the expertise and infrastructure for refineries of great complexity which is appreciated by the world. Speaking at the session, Shri Nitin Gadkari noted that in order to reduce the dependency of Indian economy on imported oil, firstly, logistic costs of the transport sector need to be reduced, which currently is much higher than other countries. Further, there is a need to bring about diversification of the Agriculture sector towards the Energy sector. Plants converting cellulosic biomass to ethanol have already started functioning in India, he added. Shri Nitin Gadkari also said that presently, India is a Power surplus country, which is an opportunity for diversification of our energy mix towards Clean Fuels like Bio-energy for transport sector, Electric Vehicles etc. Further, talking about the importance of waterways, he added that India has a seafront of over 7500 kms which can be used for bulk of freight transport by building infrastructure for inland and coastal shipping using clean fuels like LNG. The Ministry of Shipping is already implementing projects in this direction and it would reduce our dependence on imported oil to a great extent as well as reduce our carbon emissions, he added. Speaking on the contribution of his Ministry in achieving energy efficiency and use of clean fuels in Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhu said that Railways is the most environmental friendly mode of transport in India. The Ministry is working towards modernisation of its rolling stock and tracks in order to make the Railways more energy efficient. He added that in the next few years, Railways is taking steps like electrification of all major rail lines and becoming the largest producer of solar power in India soon, after which it would be able to meet its energy needs through clean energy, thereby reducing its dependence on fossil fuels. During his address, Shri Piyush Goyal said that in order to realize the vision of Prime Minister of India to decrease Indias dependence on imported oil, it is imperative that India becomes self-reliant in using renewable energy for different sectors of economy. We have to ensure that energy efficiency takes centre stage and measures like the introduction of clean fuels, electric vehicles etc. are given priority in India. Ministry of Power is working tirelessly in this direction by initiatives like UJALA LED scheme, PAT scheme etc. and it needs all the stakeholders present at Petrotech to collaborate to achieve this vision, he said. Shri Anil Madhav Dave, speaking about the importance of balancing environmental sustainability with economic growth, said that India has charted its own path regarding fighting Climate change and there is a need to incorporate cutting edge technologies from around the world according to our needs. The Indian energy sector needs to innovate and adapt in such a way to ensure environmental sustainability along with an energy secure future for the future generations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) PM salutes the soldiers and veterans of Armed Forces, on Armed Forces Flag Day The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has saluted the soldiers and veterans of Armed Forces, on Armed Forces Flag Day. "On Armed Forces Flag Day we salute the valour and sacrifice of our brave soldiers and veterans and re-affirm our commitment to their welfare", the Prime Minister said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President of India congratulates ISRO on the successful launch of PSLV-C36/RESOURCESAT-2A into Polar Sun Synchronous Orbit The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the passing away of Shri Cho Ramaswamy, well known theatre and film personality, journalist and former Member of Parliament. In a message to his wife, Smt. Soundara Ramaswamy, the President has said, I am sad to learn about the passing away of your husband, Cho Ramaswamy, well known theatre and film personality, journalist and former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha). Shri Ramaswamy was admired for his wit and satire. He was a fearless critic of all that was wrong. A non-conformist who lent voice to the silent majority through his incisive writing, Shri Ramaswamy maintained the highest standards of professionalism throughout his life. In recognition of his contribution, he was honoured with many awards, including the B. D. Goenka Award for excellence in journalism. Shri Ramaswamy will always remain an inspiration to the younger generation. In his demise, the nation has lost a leading intellectual and eminent public figure. Please accept my heartfelt condolences and convey them to all members of your family. I pray to the Almighty to give your family and you the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss". Revival of PSEs Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) function under the administrative control of various Ministries/Departments and all matters relating to revival/ restructuring/closure of CPSEs are dealt by the concerned administrative Ministries/ Departments. Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), as a nodal department, has issued guidelines on 29.10.2015 for Streamlining the mechanism for revival and restructuring of sick/ incipient sick and weak Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)". As per the guidelines, the concerned administrative Ministries/ Departments are responsible to monitor the performance of the CPSEs and categorise them as sick/ incipient sick/ weak CPSEs. The concerned administrative Ministries/ Departments are also responsible for formulating revival/restructuring/ disinvestment/closure plans for CPSEs functioning under them and after obtaining the approval of competent authority, implement the plans. This information was given by Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Shri Babul Supriyo in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha today. Three new Institutes of AYUSH to become operational soon: Shri Shripad Naik Under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission(NAM), the Central Government is providing financial assistance to State/UT Governments for co-location of AYUSH facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs), setting up of 50 bedded integrated AYUSH hospitals and upgradation of AYUSH hospitals/dispensaries. In addition, Central Government is also providing assistance for supply of AYUSH medicines for the treatment of common diseases. The All India Institute of Ayurveda established at New Delhi is to be operational during the current year 2016-17. The Institute has been conceived as an Apex Institute of Ayurveda with 200 bedded referral hospital for imparting education in the field of Ayurveda at M. D. and Ph. D level. The construction work of the following two new Institutes is complete and these Institutes are to be operational during the current year 2016-17: (i) North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda & Homoeopathy (NEIAH), Shillong: A state of the art Institute, consisting of Ayurveda College and Homoeopathy College, alongwith attached hospital, of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy of 100 beds and 50 beds respectively. The objective of the institute is to provide better medical/clinical facilities to the people of North East region and Sikkim. (ii) North Eastern Institute of Folk Medicine (NEIFM), Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh: It is a Centre of Excellence and Apex Research Centre for all aspects of Folk Medicine knowledge. The objective of the Institute is to provide better medical/clinical facilities in the region. The Govt. has also planned to establish an All India Institute of Homoeopathy at Narela, Delhi and All India Institute of Unani Medicine at Ghaziabad. This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Shri ShripadYesso Naik in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today. "OK second graders, I know you're having fun, but it's time for recess," said St. Paul's Lutheran School Principal Amy Duever on Tuesday afternoon. "Aww," the children moaned in unison. It was the first time Duever witnessed children disappointed by the recess announcement. The students lost track of time as they practiced coding, in this case programming video game characters to walk through mazes and complete other tasks. "This is a fun way to learn about computer programming," Duever said. "The kids love it. They're working together and collaborating, problem solving. They can learn all kinds of things from it." The coding activities on Tuesday were new to some students and not to others. As part of the national Hour of Code Week this week, all St. Paul kindergartners through fifth graders learned about computer programming basics. "I think you use your learning skills way more when you code because it gets your mind thinking about what you need to do after what you already did," explained St. Paul fifth grader Hannah Mayer. Using the free website Code.org, children selected an age-appropriate level and got to work placing steps in the correct sequence in order to reach the end goal. The left portion of the screen showed a cartoonish video game scene -- an Angry Birds bird after the "bad pig" or a pixel-y farmer who must reach and shear each sheep ahead of him. To the right of the scene are blocks labeled "move forward," "turn left," "turn right" and other actions. Each resembles one line of coding. The students strung the blocks in the correct order, click "run" and watch the computer character reach -- or not reach -- the end goal. "You have to use the accurate amount of blocks to do what you want to do," Hannah explained. "It's a fun learning video game to stimulate your mind." Hannah said the programming is as fun as playing a video game but it is more engaging and purposeful. "I just want to thank those people who made Code.org so kids can stimulate their minds and learn how to be successful," Mayer said. After the students string together the steps (write the lines of code), they can click "show code" and view the blocks in JavaScript, the world's most widely used coding language. The fifth graders, with their experience in coding, taught the second graders all about it. "It was fun because we got to show what we know and they can have fun doing it, too," Hannah said. Kindergartners were paired with third graders and fourth graders were paired with first graders for the activities during other parts of the day. Duever said students sometimes practice coding during computer classes and some have personal accounts on the website which track their progress. Instead of delving straight into the computer programming, the young students were introduced to the idea in elementary and concrete ways. The group defined "algorithm." It's a set of steps or directions, the fifth graders answered. "It's kind of like a recipe," Duever said to the group. "If you follow the directions, your brownies will come out right." The students used paper to make an algorithm for building and flying a paper airplane. On a desk, they placed in the correct order six steps for making a paper airplane. The pairs of students moved to another desk and used the algorithm to construct and build a paper airplane. The students also watched a video about coding in schools. "We're doing an hour of coding this week to learn about computer science," Duever said. "We know how important computer science will be in your lives. A lot of will probably work with computers when you get bigger." Duever said practice with programming in elementary school puts the students at an advantage in middle school and beyond. "Just like with our outdoor classroom, we're about teaching the whole child," Duever said. "Part of that is digging in the mud and part of it is computer programming." Duever said some of the St. Paul students traveled to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the spring and presented their experiences with and support of coding to students in the education field. German Chancellor has called for a burqa ban in Germany while making her pitch for a fourth term as Chancellor, local media reported on Tuesday. Addressing her conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party in the western city of Essen, Merkel said she would support a nationwide prohibition on Islamic veils covering the face. "The full-face veil is not acceptable in our country," The Independent quoted Merkel as saying. "It should be banned, wherever it is legally possible." German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere, one of Merkel's closest allies, first came out in favour of a partial burqa ban in August, saying that the law would apply in "places where it is necessary for our society's coexistence", including government offices, schools and universities, courtrooms as well as demonstrations. During her party's conference, Merkel also said the refugee crisis "must never be repeated". She has come under fire for her "open doors" approach to refugee crisis. Germany saw about 890,000 asylum-seekers arrive in 2015, many after Merkel decided in September 2015 to let in migrants who were stuck in Hungary. On Tuesday she said that situation "should not and must not be repeated". "That was and is our, and my, declared political aim," she added. While Merkel has continued to insist that Germany will take in people in genuine need of protection, her government has moved to toughen asylum rules and declare several countries "safe" - meaning people from there cannot expect to receive protection in Germany. A former US Army official has said that to win the war against Taliban in Afghanistan, it is essential to destroy their safe havens in Pakistan, alleging that Pakistan's military provides intelligence, training and logistics assistance to them. "What's required is a new strategy with a commitment to force the elimination of sanctuaries in Pakistan,"General (rtd) John M Keane, a former vice chief of the army and chairman of the Institute for the Study of War, told members of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday during a Congressional hearing on worldwide threats. "Taliban sanctuaries exist in Pakistan where the Pakistan military provides intelligence, training, and logistics assistance to enhance Taliban's operational performance while providing a continuous safe haven," he said. Keane said no insurgency has ever been defeated while it maintains sanctuary outside the conflict area. "We are in this current situation largely because the war in Iraq itself became protracted and the much-needed forces could not be applied to . US ground forces, particularly the Army, is too small to fight two counter insurgencies simultaneously," he added. He also stated that the Obama's policy was not to win the war but to end US involvement. "The new administration must call for a political and security assessment and face the harsh realities of possibly squandering 15 years of US combat in war not winnable," he asserted. "What's required is a new strategy with a commitment to force the elimination of sanctuaries in Pakistan and a commitment to provide to the ANSFs the enablers they need to turn the momentum: intelligence, attack helicopters, strike fighter support, medevac, anti-IED capabilities," Keane said. "Without an on-the-ground assessment, I honestly cannot tell you if that is sufficient, how many additional troops are required to support those functions and for how long," he said. Senator Jack Reed, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the decisions by the President to maintain approximately 8,400 US troops in into 2017 and to support the Afghan Security Forces has laid the foundation for a sustainable future for US and security presence in Afghanistan. "The decision also sent an important message to Afghans, the Taliban and in the region, including Pakistan, regarding the commitment of the United States for progress in Afghanistan," he said. "Assuming the continued support of the Afghan government and the support of its people, I hope the next administration will follow a conditions-based approach to US presence in Afghanistan that provides flexibility in the number of military personnel deployed, to support of our longer-term strategy, there," Reed said. India on Wednesday pledged $1.25 million to the UN relief agency for as it voiced concern over the fragile situation and ongoing conflicts in the middle-east region. A total of 20 donors announced contributions, or their intention to contribute, to the 2017 budget of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). India made a confirmed pledge of 1.25 million dollars in annual contribution to the agency. First Secretary in India's permanent mission to the UN Mahesh Kumar said during a meeting of the agency's ad-hoc committee on December 5 that "regrettably" an amicable solution to the Palestinian issue has not been found, because of which the expectations of the refugee population leading a normal life has not been fulfilled yet. "The current fragile situation and the ongoing conflicts in the middle-east region has compounded the problem of refugees," he said. Kumar noted that UNRWA, which has provided critical assistance to Palestinian refugees, is facing unprecedented financial and operational challenges. He reiterated India's support for the just cause of Palestine and solidarity with the Palestinian people. UNRWA has been providing health, education, relief and social services, and emergency humanitarian assistance to some 5.3 million across its five fields of operation - Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip - for 65 years. In September, the agency had reported a funding gap of $74 million, threatening its ability to maintain vital operations through the end of 2016. After an urgent call to close the gap, UN member states made contributions and the funding gap was narrowed down to $37 million. The brash and outspoken founder of SoftBank, Masayoshi Son, has long been known for his outsize ambitions, from taking on the United States biggest telephone companies to creating a $100 billion fund for technology deals. Myanmar has banned workers from going to Muslim-majority Malaysia as relations sour between the neighbours over a bloody military crackdown on the Buddhist country's Rohingya minority. The move came after Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak lashed out at Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi for allowing "genocide" on her watch during a rally Sunday in Kuala Lumpur that drew thousands of people. The crowds were protesting against a military crackdown in Myanmar's western Rakhine state that has pushed more than 20,000 into Bangladesh. Survivors have told AFP horrifying stories of gang rape, torture and murder at the hands of Myanmar security forces, while dozens have died trying to cross the river that separates the two countries. Buddhist-majority Myanmar has long discriminated against the stateless Rohingya and the recent crisis has galvanised protests in Muslim countries around the region, including Malaysia. "We want to tell Aung San Suu Kyi, enough is enough. We must and we will defend Muslims and Islam," Najib said at Sunday's 5,000-strong rally. "The world cannot sit and watch genocide taking place." A Malaysian government minister has also called for a review of Myanmar's membership in the regional Asean bloc. Myanmar officials have denied the allegations of abuse and Suu Kyi has told the community to stop stoking the "fires of resentment". Myanmar's immigration ministry on Tuesday said it had ceased issuing new licences for its nationals to work in wealthier Malaysia -- for years a top destination for migrant labour. "Myanmar has temporarily stopped sending workers to Malaysia from December 6 because of the current situation in Malaysia," it said in a statement, without elaborating. Malaysia already hosts tens of thousands of Myanmar workers, most of whom take on low-paid jobs in factories or in the food and hospitality industries. According to Malaysia, some 56,000 Rohingya have arrived on its shores in recent years, many taking perilous boat journeys to flee poverty and discrimination in Rakhine state. But on Tuesday former United Nations chief Kofi Annan, who heads a commission on troubled Rakhine, told reporters he thought the crisis would not split the region apart. "I think it can be contained. There is a possibility here to contain what is going on," he told a news conference in Yangon at the end of a week-long visit. Blaming India for closing the doors on any bilateral engagement with it, Pakistan told top UN officials that the world body has a "moral responsibility" to play its role in the resolution of the Kashmir issue and help in de-escalating tensions between the two countries. Special assistant to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, during his day-long visit to the city, met UN Secretary General-designate Antonio Guterres, Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson and Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffery Feltman. According to a press release issued by the Pakistan's mission to the United Nations on Tuesday, Fatemi told top UN leaders that Indian forces had stepped up ceasefire violations along the line of control (LoC) and the working boundary in order to divert attention from the alleged human rights atrocities, particularly the targeting of civilians in Kashmir. "India had also closed the doors on any bilateral engagement. In this situation, the UN had a moral responsibility to call for ending human rights violations" in Kashmir, "play its role in the resolution of this long festering dispute and help in immediately de-escalating tensions", he said, according to the release. Fatemi, accompanied by Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi, said, Islamabad expected the UN to play its role in ensuring peace and stability in the South Asian region, especially in the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He said while Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had reached out to India and made efforts to develop a mutually beneficial relationship, the efforts were not being reciprocated by New Delhi. Fatemi also briefed the UN officials about alleged human rights violations by Indian forces on the Kashmiri people, saying efforts to quash a popular and indigenous uprising in Kashmir had led to the killing of over a hundred people and injuries to thousands. The release said that the UN leadership called for the resumption of dialogue and de-escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan adding that Eliasson expressed concern at the regional situation and called for the lowering of tensions. On Afghanistan, Fatemi said Pakistan was ready to play its part for peace and stability in the country. A unanimous Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that Samsung may not have to give up $399 million in profits for copying parts of the distinctive look of Apples iPhone. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran Lal Krishna Advani has expressed his ire over the repeated disruptions in Parliament post the government's demonetisation drive while holding both the ruling dispensation as well as the opposition responsible for the deadlock. Advani, who put forth his concerns before Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, said both the government and opposition benches are party to the repeated disruptions in the Parliament. He demanded that action should be initiated against those lawmakers responsible for the continued deadlock in both the houses. He also demanded that there should be a cut in their salaries for their adamant attitude. The BJP veteran asked the government to find a way out or ensure that Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan asks the protesting lawmakers to leave the Parliament. Kumar later met Minister of State for Parliamentary Affair S.S. Ahluwalia to chalk out the future course of action in Parliament. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu was also present in the meeting. Advani's outburst came as the demonetisation issue today continued to disrupt proceedings in the Parliament. Since the beginning of Winter Session of the Parliament, the opposition has been demanding a debate on demonetisation along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation in the same. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday called on the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati to stop playing politics over the Ram Temple issue and dared her to clarify if she was for or against the construction of the controversial temple. Speaking to ANI here, BJP leader Shrikant Sharma said the BSP and Mayawati should answer through a press conference whether they are in support or against the establishment of the temple. "They should answer, are they against the temple? Do they not want the establishment of temple there? 'Sappa' and Mayawati should say. We challenge them to answer through a press conference whether they are in favour or against the establishment of temple? If they are in support, then why play politics on it? This matter is not of politics but of faith. People are trying to politics in the name of temple." Sharma said. He further said that it is the manifesto of Bharatiya Janata Party that temple of Lord Ram should be made in Ayodhya. "Crores of people have faith in that location. Grandeur needs to be provided. One way is through court and the other is through the general committee. I think we will be successful in finding a way soon. For us the temple has always been a symbol of faith and all of us want the establishment of lord ram's temple." he added. Since 1993, December 6th has been associated more with the demolition of the disputed structure in Ayodhya than with Dr Ambedkar, whose death anniversary is also observed on this day. Earlier this year, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister accused BJP of raking up Ram temple issue with an eye on 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls. She attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said like Delhi and Bihar, voters in the state will not fall for his 'Natak'. "People here will not fall in his trap and in UP elections too BJP will have to face defeat. As UP elections are near, Prime Minister Modi who has ignored the state except his constituency Varanasi has now woken up for its development." She said. Mayawati futher alleged that the Centre was trying to flatter Dalit voters in the name of B.R. Ambedkar, the government has given full freedom to communal forces, leading to chaos in the country and playing with religious sentiments for votes will not work. "The Centre should have passed bill for reservation in promotions. It should have provided reservation to poor, who migrated to other castes and also upper caste poor by amendment in the Constitution. But it did nothing in this regard," she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Association considers this report to be an open document to be added to as additional historical documentation is acquired and/or when additional eyewitness accounts that provide new information are received. Introduction: The Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and other military installations on the Hawaiian island of Oahu on December 7th 1941 has been well documented and described in numerous official and other authoritative publications over the years since its occurrence. However little or no detail can be found in these publications of what specifically occurred during the attack at Schofield Barracks and to the units of the 25th Infantry Division located elsewhere on Oahu. STORIES INSIDE THE 25th INFANTRY DIVISION'S FIRST COMBAT IN WWII Within the Hell of the greater experience of combat there are many actions and events taking place. They are sometimes serious, sometimes humorous, but always an important part of the greater picture. Sergeant Kenneth C. Nine, a platoon sergeant in Company F, 27th Infantry was sitting on the ground in front of the barracks when the Japanese planes came over Schofield. Sergeant Nine had been relieved of duty and was scheduled to return to the Mainland for reassignment on Monday, December 8, 1941. Sergeant Nine had been partying all night until 0500 with five others who were also "going home" on Monday. Nine says, "my Commanding Officer told me to get in the saddle because I wasn't going anywhere". Sergeant Nine was suddenly alert and 'all soldier' again-breaking the supply room doors, getting machine guns, weapons, and ammo, and heading for the roof top. Intense desire to fight back and anger was evidenced by men futilely firing weapons at the Japanese planes-weapons that were not likely to bring the planes down. Corporal Bronsil L. Metz, a gunner in the 90th Field Artillery Battalion saw Captain Dailey firing his .45 caliber pistol at the planes as he was running across the parade ground. Sergeant Boyce Huson of the Division Headquarters and Military Police Company remembers seeing Private First Class Ledgerwood standing in the Quadrangle firing a Springfield rifle at attacking airplanes. 1st Lieutenant George F. Carter of the 90th Field Artillery Battalion relates the story of his Battery Commander "Pop" Warner running out of his house and standing on the lawn in his pajamas, firing his .45 caliber pistol at the Japanese planes. On guard duty near the Ewa gate, Private Charles K. Day of the Division Headquarters and Military Police Company was ordered to return a work detail of prisoners to the Stockade. Traveling under the flight path of the attacking planes Day safely returned the prisoners. He recalled being on alert for 2 weeks-an alert that for him terminated the evening of Dec. 6th. Private Donald Hall of the same company tells of an officer from the Division Intelligence (G-2) section saying the planes were American until a burst of machine gun fire from one of the planes narrowly missed them. 1st Lieutenant John Fahey, Executive Officer, Battery C, 64th Field Artillery Battalion lived off-post in a rented house in Wahiawa with five other officers. The evening of December 6th was spent at the Officers Club's weekly dance, followed by partying at home into the early morning hours. Sleeping soundly in the a.m. of Dec. 7th, the sound of explosions, walls trembling, and windows shivering didn't get Fahey up. The yell "you guys, the Japs are bombing Pearl Harbor" had them all outside in seconds. The sight in the distance was of planes looking like a swarm of angry wasps circling and diving, bombs exploding, and ant-aircraft artillery bursts peppering the sky. Back inside radios were blaring, telephone ringing and all getting the message - "Alert Level Three (All Out) is in effect - Report for duty at once". En route Fahey saw a Japanese pilot leaning out of the cockpit of a plane flying low overhead. In Wahiawa he saw a downed Japanese plane. He witnessed civilians crying and screaming after their bus had been strafed. At Schofield he found the barracks empty, drew a pistol and three clips of ammo then joined the rest of the battalion all loaded up and ready to roll. An ammo handler and truck driver in the 90th Field Artillery's Service Battery, Private Leon Cohen, remembers a Browning Automatic Rifleman wounding himself when he accidentally dropped his weapon which discharged. In his memoirs Lieutenant George F. Carter confirms the wounding of the BAR man during the attack on Schofield. Corporal David I. Breedlove of the 35th Infantry, Corporal Bronsil L. Metz of the 90th Field Artillery, Private First Class Roland W. Nee of the 8th Field Artillery and Corporal John Petrone of the 27th Infantry were among those who told of seeing Japanese planes go down. For some December 7th 1941 started as "business as usual". While the Japanese planes were strafing Schofield and working in an atmosphere of disbelief, Private James M. Proxmire of the Medical Detachment, 35th Infantry was operating the Regimental Dispensary. Private John R. Nugent of 325th Quartermaster Battalion was waiting for the bus to Honolulu. Sergeant Roger R. Boyer, 65th Engineer Battalion and his battalion commander Major Reeves were about to start a scheduled tour of Pearl Harbor! And according to an entry in Lieutenant George F Carter's memoirs, Lieutenant Mort Loomis, an officer in the 90th Field Artillery Battalion who was on leave, slept through the entire attack in his room at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki. We have lost almost all of the generation that fought that war and as a result, we will not be able to listen to their stories as told from an indelible memory as if it was yesterday. We can however read their individual stories as a reminder that wars are not a broad swatch of history but a collection of individual stories told by people who were there and thrust into circumstances that most likely shaped the rest of their lives. I can only hope that our elected officials remain aware of the individual sacrifices made when they consider the use of military force. Once committed to its use we should allow the military to do what is necessary in the most effective means possible to complete its mission. In the final analysis it will save lives and preserve freedom. Briefing the media after the BJP Parliamentary meeting, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar on Wednesday said the ruling dispensation has passed a resolution, welcoming the people's support for demonetisation despite the trouble people were facing. The resolution was moved by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and was seconded by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Kumar further said that Prime Minister Modi told the MPs that the ruckus created by Congress, TMC and other Opposition parties in Houses is undemocratic. "People have given their mandate to demonetisation. The Prime Minister thanked the 125 crore people of the country for supporting him. The way the opposition parties are trying to change the goal post and disrupt Parliament is undemocratic," Kumar said, adding that the Prime Minister is ready to reply in both Houses of Parliament. He said the Prime Minister said that the country is moving towards cashless economy and the message should be spread across. "The PM said that just like the public was educated about Electronic Voting Machines during the elections, they will now have to be educated about how to operate in a cashless system," Kumar said. With the Opposition sticking to its demand for discussion under Rule 184 in the Lok Sabha and an apology from Prime Minister Modi in the Rajya Sabha, the BJP also hardened its stance, condemning the manner in which they were stalling Parliament. In the meanwhile, before the Rajya Sabha was adjourned, BJP MPs raised slogans like "If you have the courage, let's have a discussion" in Parliament on demonetisation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the proposal of for procurement of Control Units and Ballot Units during 2017-18 and 2018-19 The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposal of for purchase of 4,10,000 Ballot Units (BUs) and 3,14,000 Control Units (CUs) during 2017-18 and 4,35,306 Ballot Units and 71,716 control units during 2018-19 at a tentative unit cost of Rs.7,700/- and Rs.9,300 respectively. The total estimated cost will be Rs.1,009.6 crore. The purchases will be made through Bharat Electronic Ltd.(BEL), Bangalore and Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIL), Hyderabad. The Cabinet also authorised the to vary the quantity to be ordered on M/s. BEL and M/s. ECIL based on their production capacity and past performance in supply of machines. This would facilitate phasing out of obsolete electronic voting machines procured during 2000-2005. It will enable the Election Commission to replenish the stock with a view to meeting the requirement of conducting General Elections to Lok Sabha and some of the State Assemblies due in 2019. Authorising the Election Commission to vary to the quantity would ensure better management of the procurement process and timely delivery of the units. Reacting to joint statement issued by separatist outfits in which they have claimed to be promoting tourism in the Kashmir Valley, several political leaders gave a mixed response to it. Congress leader Renuka Chowdhary told ANI, "How dare they make suggestions like this when they are the ones responsible for the unrest? With the tourism season failing as they themselves have admitted. How many citizens have lost their livelihood.they depend on this season." The Hurriyat, she said, should learn to be accountable as they will have to answer the people of Kashmir. "We have promoted Kashmir all over the world as a tourism minister and this is what the Hurriyat has done to this beautiful state of ours, and now, they care about the welfare of the citizens," Chowdhary added. Another Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Since the beginning we are telling, that the tourists are not visiting Jammu and Kashmir because of government's laxity. They are not taking an interest, and also, the central government is not taking proper steps to normalise the situation and Hurriyat is a part of it also. They both are responsible. Now, when people are realising and people are revolting, they are telling this thing." Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja said, "In fact, it is a positive move on the part of the Hurriyat. It can pave the way for bringing the state back to normalcy. The suggestion was made to both central government and state government to hold a dialogue with all stakeholders, without any preconditions." "I don't know how the central government is going to take it. How the state government is going to address their proposal. Now it is coming from the Hurriyat themselves and government can be positive towards that proposal and make it as an opportunity to start a political process to hold dialogue with all stakeholders in the state of Jammu and Kashmir." he added. In their joint statement, which was jointly issued by hardline separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Muhammad Umer Farooq and Yasin Malik, said, "We have been taught hospitality, humanity and safeguarding the rights of guests. Tourists and pilgrims who intend to visit Kashmir are most welcome. The people of Kashmir have been taught to be kind with our guests and serve them and safeguard their rights at every cost." The Kashmir Valley is witnessing continued turmoil since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with the security forces on July 8. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President-elect Donald Trump has been named the 2016 Time magazine person of the year. Hillary Clinton, Trump's arch-rival in the US presidential election, came in second followed by the hackers third, Turkey's President Erdogan, the CRISPR scientists and Beyonce. The announcement was made on Time's website and NBC's Today show on Wednesday morning, reports the Independent. The award is decided by Time's editors and goes to the person or group, who has had a major influence on the news for better or worse. The President-elect, who was placed third last year, said receiving the title was a "great honour". In an article explaining the decision, editor Nancy Gibbs said that Trump has been given the title "for reminding America that demagoguery feeds on despair and that truth is only as powerful as the trust in those who speak it, for empowering a hidden electorate by mainstreaming its furies and live-streaming its fears and for framing tomorrow's political culture by demolishing yesterday's". The "better or worse" clause also explains that unpopular people can win the award as it is about how much influence they have had on the news agenda, be it positive or negative. In 1938, German dictator Adolf Hitler won the title. Last year, ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi was placed second. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi won the Time Person of the year reader's poll with 18 percent of the vote ahead of Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Julian Assange who received seven percent of the vote each. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Launching a scathing attack on the Centre over demonetisation, Congress leader Anand Sharma on Wednesday said that the government should introspect on how this drastic decision is hampering the economy. Sharma's statement came a few hours after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Parliamentary Party passed a resolution praising citizens for their support of the government's move. The resolution was moved by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and seconded by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. "It is our right to oppose and government should introspect itself for affecting the economy of the country for no reason," Sharma said. Demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sharma further said that the former had not given a clarification over his decision in Parliament, which in itself is condemnable. Meanwhile, BJP leader Mahesh Sharma has backed the Centre's decision to impose a ban on Rs 500 and Rs 1000 note and said the majority of the population is with the government's drive. "Despite facing problems, people are supporting the government's decision," he added. Since the beginning of Winter Session of Parliament, Opposition has been demanding a debate on demonetisation along with Prime Minister Modi's participation in it. Both Houses have been adjourned many times, including on Wednesday where the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 pm and Rajya Sabha till 2 pm. Then answer to speed of light was discovered 340 years ago on this day, by Danish astronomer named Olaus Roemer. To honour Roemer and the 340th year of his discovery of the determination of the speed of light, Google made a fascinating Doodle today. The animated Doodle shows how the study and the discovery came into being. He determined the speed of light in 1676 by observing the planet Jupiter eclipsing its moon 140 times. His measurements were taken from Copenhagen while his peer Giovanni Domenico Cassini took measurements of the same eclipses in Paris. Roemer compared the results to determine the speed of light. Before Rormer, famous astronomer, physicist and mathematician Galileo Galilei also tried to measure the speed of light. While Galileo failed to determine the speed of light, Ole Rormer succeeded. The people of India and Bangladesh should move and work together, President Pranab Mukherjee has told a Bangladesh youth delegation that is in India as part of an exchange programme. President Mukherjee said he was sure that the spirit of love, affection and understanding will create a unifying bridge between the two countries. Emphasizing that India and Bangladesh share common history, culture and struggle against British imperialism, he said this type of exchange would help citizens of both countries to know each other better in terms of thoughts, beliefs and faith. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the MoU between India and United Kingdom (UK) for cooperation in the field of Intellectual Property (IP). The MoU, which was signed on November 7, 2016, seeks to establish a wide-ranging and flexible mechanism for developing and furthering the cooperation in the development of automation, new documentation and information systems in IP. It provides an opportunity for collaboration in training programmes, exchange of experts and technical exchanges and outreach activities. Implementation of the MoU will result in enhancement of the capacity of the office of Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks to examine patent applications, which in turn will impact innovation positively. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday asked IndiGo airline to suspend the pilots operating flight 6E 342 till investigation is not complete over the delay in landing of flight with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on board at the Kolkata airport. The inquiry was conducted by the regulator supported by IndiGo safety department. "Pilots operating flight 6E 342 have been kept off flying duties till investigations and discussions with DGCA are complete," said Indigo Airlines spokesperson. "As an airline we always comply with the DGCA guidelines- IndiGo Captain had followed all SOPs as laid by the regulator and at no stage the Captain declared a fuel priority or an emergency. There has been no violation or breach of any regulatory requirement in the above mentioned matter," the spokesperson added. The spokesperson further said they are taking up the matter in detail with the DGCA. In wake of the ongoing controversy over the emergency landing made by the commercial plane on November 30 with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo onboard, IndiGo had earlier clarified that the flight captain at no stage declared a fuel priority or emergency, adding the fuel on arrival was more than minimum. The airline in a statement said IndiGo flight from Patna to Kolkata had normal landing at the Kolkata airport and the flight was kept on hold due to air traffic. Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha had earlier on December 1 said that the DGCA has ordered a probe into the matter, adding further action will be initiated accordingly. Sinha said the DGCA probe will reveal as to why three planes including an IndiGo flight carrying the TMC supremo on board, reported low on fuel, adding necessary action will be taken following the inquiry. The IndiGo flight with Mamata and 173 other passengers on board landed in 13 minutes after its pilots reported that they were low on fuel. On landing at the Kolkata airport, the plane was immediately surrounded by fire engines and ambulances. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Right-handed batsman Manish Pandey has been roped in the Test squad as a replacement for injured Ajinkya Rahane for the crucial fourth Test against England beginning from tomorrow at the Wankhede Stadium. Rahane got his finger injured during the recent practice session and subsequently got ruled out of the remaining two Tests of the five-match series against the Alastair Cook-led side. "The BCCI medical team confirms that India batsman Ajinkya Rahane sustained an avulsion fracture on his right index finger and has been ruled out for the remaining two Test matches of the Paytm series - 2016 against England. A ball stuck Rahane during the practice session today," said a BCCI press release. Meanwhile, pacer Shardul Thakur has been called in as a back-up for Mohammed Shami, whose participation in the Mumbai Test is under clouds due to a bit soreness in his knee. Earlier in the day, Indian skipper Virat Kohli informed that they would take a call in the evening in terms of how Shami is feeling with his knee. Having drawn the first Test in Rajkot, England suffered crushing defeats in Visakhapatnam and Mohali. Therefore, it would be a herculean task for the visitors to stage a comeback against India, which is looking dominant enough to clinch the series with both their batters and bowlers performing exceedingly well. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Africa's first Nobel Prize winner for Literature, Wole Soyinka, has given up his green card after Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential elections. "I did exactly what I said I was going to do, which is how I always operate. It was a personal thing and I did everything I had to do personally," CNN quoted Soyinka, as saying. He had earlier in October said that he would cut up his green card if Trump was elected president of the United States. Soyinka was speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Monday to discuss the intense debate surrounding his green card. However, the Nobel Laureate did not tell whether he had torn up his green card or disposed it. The writer and poet said he had quite early on realised that Trump could win. "That's when I began to scream and to prepare, and say if this man gets in and it's looking as though he might, me, I'm out," Soyinka said. "The American society is a very peculiar one. There are so many nationalities, so many interests, so it's quite possible for a demagogue to twang the negative chords in various constituencies of interest," he added. Soyinka said he was feeling sorry for outgoing President Barack Obama. Asserting that Obama was deriving no pleasure from handing over, the Nobel laureate said that he watched the body language, the tone and everything during the meeting between Obama and Trump and he felt sorry for the former. Asking people to focus on important matters, such as the danger of Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric, Soyinka said, "The important thing, what really matters, is the rhetoric that got him there." "There was rhetoric against the black people, and in particular, specifically named, Nigerians, and I responded to it, and that's my business," he added. Soyinka said that he will travel to U.S. as an ordinary citizen if he finds something very important or necessary to do. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Pakistan Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said that the statement attributed to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Yadav is 'absolutely incorrect'. This comes after reports in the Pakistani media quoted Aziz saying that Islamabad does not have enough or conclusive evidence against Yadav. "In response to a media query regarding the Adviser to the Prime Minister's statement in the full Senate Chamber pertaining to Kulbhushan Yadav, the arrested Indian Intelligence agency RAW's operative, the Spokesperson said that the statement attributed to the Adviser is absolutely incorrect," said the statement. It added that Aziz had instead said that the investigations regarding the network of Yadav are ongoing and the dossier shall be completed upon conclusion. "There is irrefutable proof against Kulbhushan Yadav, who had also made a public confession in March this year," it said adding that, "The Adviser also condemned the continued Indian interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan and urged the international community to take immediate notice." Yadav was arrested by the Pakistan authorities during a raid in Balochistan in March this year. According to the Pakistan Government, Yadav has admitted that he had been directing various activities in Karachi and Balochistan at the behest of RAW since 2013. He also confessed of playing a role in deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi. The Indian government, on the other hand, has issued at least five to six note verbales to the Pakistan foreign ministry to get consular access to Yadav, but Islamabad has till now showed no signs of allowing it. Pakistan has claimed that Yadav is a commander-rank officer with the Indian Navy, while India maintains that he retired from the Navy in 2002 and has had nothing to do with the Indian government when he was arrested from Balochistan. India has denied that Yadav is a spy and maintains that he is a businessman. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lucas Perez marked his first Champions League appearance for Arsenal with a hat-trick as the Arsene Wenger-led side brushed aside Basel 4-1 to seal top spot in Group A at St. Jakob-Park here on Wednesday. The 28-year-old striker fired twice in the first half from close range to put Arsenal in a commanding position before he pulled one more back for his side just two minutes after the half-time. In the 53rd minute of the match, Alex Owobi added a fourth goal by slotting home from close range before Basel found a consolation goal through Seydou Doumbia in the 78th minute,goal.com reported. For the first time since 2011-12, Arsenal have finished top in a Champions League group campaign after clinching four wins from six games. In another clash of Group A, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) finished second after settling with a 2-2 draw against Ludogorets at the Parc des Princes Stadium. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Islamabad-bound Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight with 47 passengers on board crashed near Abbottabad on Wednesday. The DPO of Abbottabad confirmed that the aircraft crashed near Havelian between Majab and Piplian, reports the Express Tribune. Meanwhile, military's media wing ISPR said the army dispatched troops and helicopters to the crash site for rescue efforts. PK-661 departed from Chitral at 3:30 p.m. and disappeared from the air control radar soon after takeoff. "We regret to inform that PIA's ATR-42 aircraft operating as PK-661, carrying around 40 persons lost its contact with control tower on its way from Chitral to Islamabad a short while ago. All resources are being mobilised to locate the aircraft. Media will be kept informed as situation develops," PIA spokesperson Danial Gilani said in a statement. "PIA's emergency response center has been activated and can be accessed at following phone numbers for updates: 0092-21-99044890, 0092-21-99044376 and 0092-21-99044394," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor Rama Subramaniam Gandhi on Wednesday announced that the banks have collected Rs. 11.5 lakh crore so far post the November 8 demonetisation drive. The government last month banned high value currency notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 to curb black money and terrorism funding. "The central bank has supplied about 19 billion notes to banks, an amount which it usually does over a three-year period," said Gandhi. Speaking on the cash crunch in the economy, Gandhi said the central bank was trying to provide adequate liquidity. Adding to this further, Governor Urjit Patel said that the focus has been on printing Rs. 100 and Rs. 500 currency notes in the last two weeks. He also thanked all banking system employees for working tirelessly in handling the outcome of the decision to demonetise Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 legal tender. Meanwhile, the RBI today left the policy rate unchanged at 6.25 percent in its fifth bimonthly policy review. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sikh Dharma International from United States has initiated Raj Khalsa Yatra of 120 people from all over the US and Canada to gurudwara Sri Patna Sahib. The Raj Khalsa Yatra will celebrate 350th birth anniversary of 10th guru of Sikh community, Guru Gobind Singh Ji in Patna. On January 5, 2017, Sikhs of Sikh Dharma International will join people from the community in India with joy and devotion to honour this great occasion at Sri Patna Sahib. They will start their journey from the Golden Temple on January 2, 2017, Amritsar post celebrating New Year in the golden city. Encouraging the yatra, Sri Singh Sahib, Yogi Bhajan had said, "Yatra is a holy journey. We must go into the center, the heart center. It is a journey on earth to one's "Isht"- one's higher self, one's altar. It is a self-purification. So, we go from here to designated holy places & we have no other work but to get up in the morning to meditate, to go to these beautiful surroundings. Sometimes our mind hassles us, but we do conquer it. This is the purpose of Yatra." Travelling to Patna Sahib - the birth place of Guru Gobind Singh ji, Sikh Dharma International will take part in all the festivities for the 350th year celebration of his birth. With great joy and devotion, the participants of Raj Khalsa Yatra will also spend time visiting the holy places where Guruji lived and spent time during his early childhood. The Raj Khalsa Yatra will be guided by the leadership team of Sikh Dharma International. It has carried forward the mission of Sikh Dharma since the passing of the Siri Singh Sahib ji. They are: Bibi Inderjit Kaur, Bhai Sahiba (Chief Religious Authority) of Sikh Dharma and the wife of the late Yogi Bhajan; Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur Khalsa, Siri Sikdar Sahiba (Chief Administrative Authority of Sikh Dharma); Singh Sahib Gurujodha Singh Khalsa, President of the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation; Dr. Harjot Kaur Singh, Chairperson of the International Khalsa Council; Singh Sahib Kirtan Singh Khalsa, President of Sikh Dharma International. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Andaman and Nicobar Islands Governor Jagdish Mukhi on Wednesday confirmed that 1400 tourists are stuck on Havelock Island and added that the administration has asked them to stay indoors till the weather gets normal. "There are 1400 tourists on Havelock. We have asked them to stay indoors till the weather improves," he said. The Indian Navy today had informed about their ships reaching Havelock Island and the evacuation of tourists from there to Port Blair to start as soon as the weather gets normal. "I assure that as soon as the weather gets normal, evacuation will start and everybody will be brought to Port Blair safely and securely. We are waiting for the right moment and the right opportunity to start the evacuation," Navy PRO D.K. Sharma told ANI. Tourists were stranded at Havelock Island after heavy rains lashed the region. The Andaman and Nicobar Disaster Management, which speculated cyclonic storm to hit the area, contacted Indian Navy and requested for an evacuation process be initiated. Havelock Island is the largest chain of Islands and is a famous tourist destination. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump wants to cancel an order of Air Force One from Boeing which is being built to carry "future presidents" as it is costing more than $4 billion. "Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than USD4 billion. Cancel order!," the President-Elect said in a tweet. "Well the plane is totally out of control. It's going to be over $4 billion for the Air Force One program," he said. And I think it's ridiculous. I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number. We want Boeing to make a lot of money, but not that much money," CNN quoted Trump, responding to reporters on the tweet. According to a Boeing source familiar with the program, it is hard to estimate the cost without knowing all the security features, and even the company cannot estimate the cost of the program at this time, as the government has not informed them about the features it wants in the new Air Force One. The source said that they are even not sure about the number of planes government wants. Obama's White House spokesman Josh Earnest said, "The statistics that have been cited [by Trump], shall we say, don't appear to reflect the nature of the financial arrangement between Boeing and the Department of Defense." Boeing said in an official statement that its current contract allows it "to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serve the unique requirements of the President of the United States." A Boeing official said that they were surprised by Trump's comments and the company got in touch with his team soon after his tweet. The Air Force till now has a budget of USD $2.9 billion through 2021 for two new Air Force Ones and will be replacing the aging pair of blue, white and polished aluminum 747-200Bs which is currently serving the President. The new planes aren't expected to be ready to fly until 2022. Defense Department budget documents say that about USD 93 million have already been spent by the Air Force on preparing to build the new jets. The amount has been included in Boeing's current contract. However, the manufacturing is still to begin. "We look forward to working with the U.S. Air Force on subsequent phases of the program allowing us to deliver the best planes for the President at the best value for the American taxpayer," said Boeing's statement. Trump's spokesman Jason Miller said that President-Elect's remarks highlights that he's is looking for ways to cut government costs where he can. "The point that the President-elect was making here was that a $4 billion price tag is a very big number, the taxpayers want to make sure we're seeing absolute accountability and that the government is doing the best to drive costs down," he said. However, Earnest informed reporters on Tuesday that the planes need to be upgraded. Trump has criticised Boeing, which is country's largest exporter over its deal to sell commercial jets to Iran and its decision to open a factory in China. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Arda Turan fired a hat-trick as Barcelona cruised to a crushing 4-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach in their Champions League clash at Camp Nou here on Wednesday. The Luis Enrique-led side remained dominated throughout the match, with star striker Lionel Messi putting his side ahead in the 16th minute of the match. Messi needed a hat-trick in the Group C encounter to surpass his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo's record for most goals in the group stage. However, it was Barcelona midfielder Turan who hogged the limelight as he scored a 17-minute hat-trick to ensure group leaders went through to the last 16 with five wins from six games they have played, goal.com reported. Turan doubled his side's lead in the 50th minute of the match before pulling one more back for Barcelona just three minutes later. He piled further misery on Monchengladbach by scoring his third goal of the match in the 67th minute. In another clash of the group, Manchester City finished second after settling with a 1-1 draw against Celtic at the Etihad Stadium. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the development of Pune Metro Rail Project Phase - 1. The Pune Metro Rail Corridor will be covering a length of 31.254 km comprising with two corridors i.e. Corridor-1 [Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to Swargate] covering length of 16.589 km (11.57 km elevated and 5.019 km underground) and Corriodor-2 (Vanaz to Ramwadi) covering 14.665 km (fully elevated). The total completion cost of the metro rail corridor will be Rs.11,420 crore. The population of approximately 50 lakh of Pune Metropolitan Area will be benefitted through this metro corridor. The project is scheduled to be completed in five years from the date of start of work as per the Detailed Project Report (DPR). The approved alignments are expected to provide the much needed connectivity to the commuters and would traverse through some of the densest and traffic congested routes in the Pune Metropolitan Area. It will considerably reduce the traffic congestion and will bring in fast, comfortable, safe, pollution-free and affordable mass transportation system in the city, which in turn will contribute to further development and prosperity of the area. Development and prosperity of Pune Metropolitan Area will also contribute to the prosperity and development of the nation. The Project will be implemented by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MAHA-METRO), which will be a 50:50 jointly owned company of Government of India and Government of Maharashtra. The project will be covered under the legal framework of the Metro Railways (Construction of Works) Act, 1978; the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002; and the Railways Act, 1989, as amended from time to time. The existing Nagpur Metro Rail Corporation Limited (NMRCL) which is a joint Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of Government of India (GoI) and Government of Maharashtra (GoM), would be reconstituted into Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MAHA-METRO) for implementation of all metro projects including Pune Metro Rail Project Phase-1 in the State of Maharashtra outside Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The project will benefit from experience and learnings from other Metro Rail projects in Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Nagpur etc. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five students successfully complete paramedic program Contact: Attila Nemecz Attila Nemecz Attila.Nemecz@beaufortccc.edu Five students graduated from Beaufort County Community College's paramedic course on December 1, 2016. Alexandria Askew of Kill Devil Hills; Lauren Bystrack of Washington; Derrick Jones of Pinetops; Michael Stox of Washington; Michael Weatherington of Washington were honored at the ceremony.Dr. David Thomson, medical director for Vidant Eastcare, was the guest speaker for the graduation. Billy Respass, director of EMS programs, addressed the class during the first completion ceremony for paramedic program. This cohort was only the second to complete the program. Representatives from regional EMS departments attended the ceremony.said Thomson.The course readies students to provide advanced medical care for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency services. Paramedics function as part of a comprehensive EMS response, under medical oversight. They perform interventions with the basic and advanced equipment typically found on an ambulance.EMS students at BCCC in the future practice at the college's new emergency training facility, which will include a driving pad used to teach students to operate emergency vehicles. The facility will also include classrooms and storage space that will allow the college to secure existing equipment like its training ambulance, which are at this point exposed to the elements. BCCC purchased and retrofitted the ambulance this year with an $18,500 grant from PotashCorp.Successful graduates receive a curriculum certificate and are qualified to seek state certification through the NC Office of Emergency Medical Services.Students interested in more information about the paramedic program should contact Bill Respass at (252)940-6468 or billy.respass@beaufortccc.edu Separatist leader Yasin Malik on Wednesday invited the tourists and pilgrims to visit Kashmir, adding that the people of the valley have been 'safeguarding and providing exemplary hospitality' to them. Malik said the people of Kashmir have always respected, safeguarded and served their guests even during tough times. "In 2014 there was a flood, every Kashmiri suffered because of the flood..This year this is the fifth month as far as the unrest is going on. The pilgrims were here, tourist were here. So, do you have any one single complain from them that they are facing any kind of fear factor in Kashmir? So, we reiterated that though the people of Kashmir are facing the worst kind of suppression through the end of the forces. As far as the tourist and the pilgrims are concerned, they are always welcomed here," he told ANI. "The tourists and pilgrims should not feel any kind of fear here. The people of Kashmir are famous for their hospitality," he said while extending the whole-hearted welcome to the tourists and yatris intending to visit Kashmir. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said tourism is ideal for economic revival of Kashmir, adding it is in the interest of everybody. "Promotion of tourism is absolutely necessary to revive the economy of Jammu and Kashmir. It is very important part of their social life. So, it is in the interest of everybody. We want to promote tourism in Jammu and Kashmir because Kashmir has been very important for the tourism sector," he said. The separatist leaders have in a surprise move invited tourists and pilgrims to visit the Valley to enjoy the traditional hospitality of its people while promising them safety. Leaders of the two factions of Hurriyat Conference issued a joint statement asking people from outside to visit the Valley reminding them of the "exemplary hospitality" extended by the Kashmiris. The Kashmir Valley is witnessing continued turmoil since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with the security forces on July 8. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For consideration of Rs 106.27 crore Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone has signed a share purchase agreement with TKM Global GmbH, Germany; International Shipping & Logistics FZE, Dubai and TM Harbour Services to acquire 100% stake of TM Harbour Services. The cost of acquisition is Rs 106.27 crore. TM Harbour Services owns three harbour tugs which are deployed at Dhamra Port. 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 acquire Western Region Transmission Gujarat Project and the Western Region Transmission Maharashtra Project Adani Transmission has signed Share Purchase Agreement with Reliance Infrastructure to acquire 100% assets of the Western Region Transmission Gujarat Project and the Western Region Transmission Maharashtra Project. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For setting up MMTPA West Coast Refinery and a Petrochemical Project in Maharashtra Hindustan Petroleum Corporation has signed a Consortium Agreement on 07 December 2016 with Indian Oil Corporation and Bharat Petroleum Corporation to carry out pre project activities for setting up of 60 MMTPA West Coast Refinery and a Petrochemical Project in the State of Maharashtra through a Joint Venture Company. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday launched the AP Purse mobile app, which presently has 13 mobile banking and 10 mobile wallets available and can help people pay their bills and carry out their cash transactions. Speaking on the occasion, Naidu said people should opt for mobile banking to come out of the present small currency crisis. The government will encourage people including students to improve digital financial literacy among people. He said the government will provide incentives to the agents named 'Marpu Nestam'. Naidu said engineering students would be encouraged to train people in mobile banking transactions using several wallets, adding this would help the students to earn while learn. The government would recognise the services of engineering colleges and students for their service to society at the time of currency crisis. The Chief Minister said that the state government introduced cashless transactions at fair price shops and completed the 70 per cent of transactions using Aadhar linkage to provide relief to people suffering from shortage of small currency. He said that the state government has been making efforts to solve the currency crisis and the situation likely to improve soon. He said that Rs 2,472 crore is available with banks and the state will receive Rs. 1,100 crore on Wednesday. Naidu said that as a convener of the committee on post demonitisation crisis and digital transactions, he would head a meeting scheduled to be held at Mumbai on December 8 and discuss the problems being faced by people for small currency and alternative measures to be adopted to ease the situation. --IANS ms/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar will take help of a satellite to click the image of the "world's longest human chain" in January 2017 in support of prohibition in the state, said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday. The state government has decided to form the world's longest human chain in the state on January 31 to demonstrate public support for prohibition. It will probably be first of its kind event in the country. "We will use a satellite to take an image or a picture of the world's longest human chain in support of prohibition in January. The satellite image or picture will be used to show people's support for and propagate prohibition in the country and outside," Kumar said. The Chief Minister was addressing a public meeting in Araria district during his ongoing "Nischay Yatra". Explaining the need for a satellite imagery, Kumar said clicking picture of such a long human chain would not be possible using drone cameras, because it would extend from one part of the state to another part. "Millions of people will take part in the longest human chain. They will hold their hands together for 45 minutes from eastern part of Bihar to western part and southern part to northern part," he said. Last month, Nitish Kumar had announced the plan for the human chain to assert that the prohibition in the state enjoys people's support. He said the prohibition model of Bihar is being discussed across the country. Kumar has reiterated that prohibition has brought about social change and positive atmosphere in Bihar. "Crime graph has come down since prohibition has been implemented, and demand for milk, sweets and other items have increased, as people have been saving money," he said. Excise Minister Abdul Jalil Mastan said the proposed human chain would connect people of one part of the state with those in the other parts. "The government agencies, party leaders and workers of the grand alliance of the JD-U, RJD and the Congress will work to encourage people to join the human chain," Mastan said. "It will be a memorable human chain for a cause," he added. Nitish Kumar imposed a total liquor ban in the state since April 5. --IANS ik/nir/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cuba and the US on Wednesday will hold the final round of talks on political and economic ties before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office next month. Delegations from both the countries will gather here for the fifth meeting of a bilateral commission to normalise ties, Xinhua news agency cited Cuban Foreign Ministry as saying on Tuesday. The delegations "will discuss the results achieved since the creation of the bilateral commission in August last year as a mechanism for normalising ties between the two nations", the ministry said. Both the sides will define "new steps" for the following weeks to continue strengthening ties. "The bilateral agenda includes a high-level visit, new cooperation agreements in areas of common interest, as well as technical meetings and talks on various issues," said the ministry. The meeting comes on the heels of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro's death and Trump's recent remarks to the effect that he will reverse the historic rapprochement between the US and Cuba, which is considered to be the main legacy of outgoing 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. While the US-led trade embargo against Cuba remains in place, the Cold War-ties have thawed in the past two years with increasing exchanges between the two governments and peoples, and relaxing certain restrictions. The two countries in 2015 restored diplomatic ties and reopened their respective embassies. --IANS py/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The 2017 Dakar Rally, which starts on January 2 in Asuncion, Paraguay, will be a "physical and mental challenge" for competitors, race director Etienne Lavigne has said. Lavigne and the rally's sporting director, Spaniard Marc Coma, said during a press conference at the Hilton Hotel in Buenos Aires on Tuesday that the 2017 race will take competitors through Paraguay, Bolivia and 13 provinces in Argentina, reports Efe. "Dakar 2017 will feature three capitals for the first time and visit three different countries," Lavigne said, adding that the rally's next edition would blend "marvellous scenery" with "extreme weather" conditions, a combination that "will not fail to surprise competitors and fans." The 12-stage race, being held in South America for the fifth time, will cover nearly 9,000 kilometres (5,592 miles), with 4,000 kilometres (2,485 miles) of special stages. On January 2, a total of 491 competitors riding 316 vehicles in five classes -- cars, motorcycles, trucks, quad bikes and utility task vehicles (UTV), a light off-road vehicle -- will head out from Asuncion the capital of Paraguay. The drivers will race out of Paraguay, across northern Argentina and into Bolivia, where they will arrive in La Paz on January 7. The route will then take them down the Bolivian Andes into Argentina and across Salta, Catamarca, San Juan and San Luis provinces. The drivers will then head toward Buenos Aires, crossing the finish line on January 14 and completing a race considered one of the most challenging in the world. "Let's not forget that above all, this is an adventure and an orienteering race," Coma, a five-time Dakar champion in the motorcycle category, said. --IANS ajb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) DNA samples of three victims of medico Santosh Gulabrao Pol and his accomplice nurse Jyoti Mandre have matched with those of their relatives, officials said here on Wednesday. Well-known criminal lawyer Ujjwal Nikam will be the Special Public Prosecutor in the case, Satara Superintendent of Police Sandip Patil said. The high-profile case had created a sensation last August after Pol -- who earned the moniker of 'Dr Death' -- allegedly confessed to committing the murders. Wai police station Senior Inspector Vinayak Vetal said the DNA sample reports of three of the six victims are positive, two have not been sent while nobody is available to match samples from an orphan Salma Sheikh. "Samples of Mangala Jedh, Nathmal Bhandari and Jagabai Pol have tested positive at the Forensic Sciences Laboratory in Pune," Vetal told IANS. Vetal has been looking into the case for the past five months. Pol, 41, and Mandre, 25, have been accused of luring and killing at least six persons, including five women, with lethal injections, robbing them of their gold and later burying the bodies at the medico's big poultry farmhouse, about 13 km from picturesque Wai. Vetal said police have filed three charge sheets so far against the two accused, presently in custody. The remaining three charge sheets are expected to be submitted later this month. Regular court hearings in the cases are likely to start around February, he said. The duo's victims included Surekha Kisan Chikane, killed on May 20, 2003; Vanita Narhari Gaikwad, killed on August 12, 2006; Jagabai Laxman Pol, killed on August 13, 2010; Nathmal Dhanaji Bhandari, killed on December 7, 2015; orphaned nurse Salma Shaikh, killed on January 17, 2016; and Mangal Jedhe, killed on June 16, 2016. Forensic and chemical analysis of lethal injections used to kill the victims are awaited. Police said Pol stole these from Ghotawadekar Hospital in Wai where he was once employed as Intensive Care Unit incharge. Wai police had raided the hospital run by medico Vidyadhar Ghotawadekar and seized several medical records and documents. Several jewellers and traders from Wai and surrounding areas were questioned after Pol revealed he ran a ponzi scheme with the promise to double gold jewellery. Pol was arrested from Mumbai on August 11 after police launched a probe into the mysterious disappearance of Mangal Jedhe, President of Maharashtra Purva Prathmik Shikshika Sevika Sangh, on June 16. He confessed to the killing of six persons, revealed the role of his alleged accomplice Mandre, how they killed their victims and buried them at his farmhouse and planted saplings on the graves. Said to be an 'electro-homoeopath', Pol practised at some Wai hospitals and at his farmhouse, around 175 km south of Mumbai, near the famous twin hill stations of Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani. --IANS qn/tsb/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday claimed that elections in India are fought using black money and will be continue to be so in the future. "Elections are fought using black money and will continue to be so. Today for contesting parliamentary polls, one needs at least Rs 10 crore. The helicopters, large number of vehicles used during campaign, looking after party activists, from where does this money come from," said Abdullah at the aAgenda Aaj Tak' event while giving his views on if political parties should also declare details of donations below Rs 20,000, received by them. Under the Representation of People Act, 1951 political parties are required to submit contribution details received in excess of Rs 20,000. "When people enter parliament, they have dirty clothes but within a year they sport expensive suits... does anyone ask from where did he got the money, from Ambassador car, they move onto to expensive cars, does anyone ask from where the money come from? "If something needs to be changed then it has to be the mentality. You (government) changed currency notes. But this will not work," said the National Conference patron. Speaking on the occasion, Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal said his party was not opposed to the idea of declaring details of donations. Defending the government's move to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, he said it will result in black money hoarded by individuals coming back into economy. He said that demonetisation will lead to increasing income tax base and eventually reduction of income tax rates. He also said that the move will also help in controlling price rise. Flaying demonetisation, Congress leader R.P.N. Singh said it has only opened up new avenues for the people to indulge in corruption. Attacking the Narendra Modi government over the demonetisation issue, CPI-M Politburo member Mohammed Salim said it was not sure about the motive behind then move. "Initially the government said demonetisation was to fight black money, corruption and terrorism. The government since then has been changing the narrative and now it is talking about having a cashless economy," he said. On the issue of donations to political parties, Salim questioned why parties should be allowed to accept donations from corporates. --IANS and/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tom Campbell How do you feel about Roy Cooper being the Governor-Elect of North Carolina? I have optimism that Roy Cooper will enact positive change for the State, and offer quality leadership. I am unsure of how a Roy Cooper governance will impact North Carolina. I am concerned with the direction which Roy Cooper will lead our State. Who is Roy Cooper? Hillary told me to vote for Ray Cooper. 45 total vote(s) What's your Opinion? What can we expect when Roy Cooper becomes the 75th Governor of North Carolina on January 5th? Cooper is the most experienced and knowledgeable officeholder we've seen in decades, having served in leadership roles in the legislature and as our Attorney General. He has the advantage of understanding both the powers and limitations of the Governor, has a good grasp of the workings of state government, is experienced in the art of deal-making with the legislature and knows many people who can serve his administration.Timing is important. To his good fortune, Roy Cooper inherits a strong and recovering economy. Recent sessions of the legislature have taken actions that helped improve the picture, however the cyclical nature of our economy would most certainly have produced a better climate than that inherited by Pat McCrory. Tax revenues to the state are ahead of projections, the state has built sufficient reserves to help weather future economic downturns and there is evidence that the tax cuts enacted by the legislature, while favoring upper income citizens and corporations, are working. Unemployment rates are down, new jobs have been created in recent months and wages are increasing slightly. But it's not all roses. Rural sections and certain population groups are not enjoying the benefits as much as others and many of the new jobs are being created in lower-paying job sectors.Our governor is one of the weakest executive officeholders in the nation and Cooper will face some challenges, specifically a legislature run by Republicans. With a veto-proof majority in both houses, strong personalities and forceful leadership, legislators pretty much had their way with Cooper's predecessor. To be successful "Coop" must be disciplined, have a well-crafted, limited agenda of attainable goals and will need all his skills to build coalitions. He must also be willing to use the bully pulpit of the office to sway both public and legislative opinion when needed. Cooper watched Jim Hunt work this recipe to perfection; of course Hunt had a Democratic controlled legislature.Roy Cooper gave us an inkling of several priorities during the gubernatorial campaign. Look for a major emphasis to be making life better for middle class North Carolinians. Having come from Nash County you will hear much about strengthening rural parts of our state. Public education will also be a major thrust, especially in further raises for teachers, changing school funding formulas and in better training students to have the skillsets needed by employers. Don't be surprised if Cooper gets out in front of a large transportation package to create jobs and improve roads in the state. He has vowed to repeal HB2, but that pledge is problematic, since the legislature must take this action and doesn't appear inclined to do so.Elected by only a .2 percent margin, Cooper acknowledged the close contest but proclaimed at a rally in Raleigh Tuesday night that he intends to be the Governor for all the state. Whether a Democrat or a Republican we should all wish Roy Cooper well. His success will also be our success. Our hope is that both Governor Cooper and our legislature will put aside partisanship and differences to work for the common good. Governor-elect Cooper says he can't wait to get to work. We wish him well. The government is hopeful that a debate on demonetisation in Parliament would start soon as back-channel talks with the opposition are on, informed sources said on Wednesday. According to a senior Minister, back-room talks are on with the opposition. "We are hopeful the debate will start by the end of this week," the Minister said. On the other hand, the opposition members were preparing to continue their protest and mark the completion of one month of the November 8 demonetisation on Thursday. The sources said Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, at a Business Advisory Committee meeting, urged the opposition members to cooperate with the government in running the house. Opposition leaders held a meeting at the room of Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad. They will stage another protest on Thursday in Parliament House complex and wear black bands to mark one month of demonetisation, an opposition leader said. The Lok Sabha has been witnessing noisy disruptions since the second day of the winter session that commenced on November 16. On the first day, the house was adjourned after obituary reference to Renuka Sinha, an MP from Cooch Behar. On Tuesday, it was adjourned after paying tributes to late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. Apart from these two days, the house has witnessed protests every single day, with the opposition pressing for a debate on demonetisation under a rule that entails voting. The government is ready for a debate but does not want voting. --IANS ao/tsb/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Human rights activists on Wednesday expressed concern over the gradual decline of democratic space and violation of rights of the minority and marginalised people in India. In a meeting organised by Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) here, the activists described how the human rights defenders, whether an individual or an organisation, are repeatedly coming under attack while trying to protect people's basic rights. "We are going through such a dark period that any protest against the government is termed as anti-national activity and anyone who questions a government action is tagged as a terrorist," said Henri Tiphagne, the Executive Director of People's Watch, a Madurai-based NGO. Participation in the discussion headlined "Shrinking democracy and attacks on human rights defenders," Tiphagne accused statutory bodies and othr government organisations of playing "extremely passive roles" against incidents of human rights violations like extra judicial killings and custodial deaths. "Organisations like National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), that is supposed to protect the citizenship rights of the minority and marginalised in the society, stay alarmingly silent in cases of political and police atrocities against them," Tiphagne said. Human rights activist and independent scientist Meher Engineer cited the example of Khurram Pervez, a Kashmiri activist, who was first stopped from attending a United Nations Human Rights Council session in Geneva to talk about the violence in Kashmir and later put under "preventive detention" by the Jammu and Kashmir government. "The government's actions against people like him are evident signs of human rights violation that we need to fight collectively," he said. --IANS mgr/ssp/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actress Vaani Kapoor, who is seen sporting stylish ensembles in the forthcoming film "Befikre", says that in real life she chooses comfort over style. Asked if she is a fashion diva in real life too, Vaani told IANS over phone from Mumbai: "No! I am so bad at it. I keep hearing from my manager and talent heads 'dress up'... I am very casual. I like comfort." The actress, who will be seen romancing actor Ranveer Singh in the film, says she likes the way she dresses up. "I like the way I dress but it's quite casual... So, you can't really term me a fashionista. I choose comfort over style. I do feel that comfortable clothes have a little bit of style," she added. Shot widely in Paris, "Befikre" is a progressive, fresh interpretation of love as viewed in the 21st century. The film is a free-spirited, contemporary love story of Dharam (Ranveer) and Shyra (Vaani) who find love in an impulsive and engaging series of experiences. Directed by Aditya Chopra, "Befikre" is slated to release on Friday. --IANS dc/nn/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 60-year-old Indian man was killed in a pile-up traffic accident in Ras Al Khaimah city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a newspaper reported on Wednesday. Four others received moderate to minor injuries in the 26-vehicle pile-up on the Sheikh Mohammed bin Salem road, the Khaleej Times reported. The accident happened due to a dense fog and low visibility in the early peak hours, police sources said. The unidentified Indian, who was the only passenger who sustained serious injuries, was rushed to a hospital in a critical condition. "The victim sustained serious injuries and fractures, mainly in his head, and bled excessively due to the impact of the accident. He ... could not survive," the daily said. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Internationally-acclaimed French-Bengali artist Chittrovanu Mazumdar will present a site-specific installation at the upcoming third edition of 'Kochi-Muziris Biennale', scheduled to be held from December 12 to March 29 next year. In response to Sudarshan Shetty's (Artistic Director and Curator of Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2016) vision for the 2016 Biennale, which draws from mythical accounts of India as the 'land of seven rivers', Mazumdar's installation will consider the elemental force of water as it appears in the human psyche and the surrounding environment. In his large-scale installation, spanning several rooms, the viewer exists at the centre of this enquiry, finding himself or herself in the middle of a series of choices. The backdrop to these choices is a constant, low hum symbolising the unknown. The artist portrays water as a space of transition, existing in stories and myths as a place of passage: a medium of cleansing and an instrument for ritual. "Set in darkness, the main room contains a black metal tunnel, leading to nowhere in particular. Revelation is in the act of passing -- the centre of the bridge is riddled with incandescent lights and errant wires. This sea of electrical accumulation seems at once mesmerizing and treacherous", the organisers elaborated in a statement. Further, drawing upon the artist's own personal experience of living in Jharkhand, where electricity is precious and the glow of a single bulb in the dark wild landscape is a miracle for the residents -- the walls of light in the second room of the installation is symbolic, according to the statement. The organisers describe these lights as votives, an offering, a wish. "But what deity do they serve? The viewer is asked to consider, in the face of modernity, is this where devotion lies? If rivers are gods and goddesses, where do they now reside?" "Through his interpretation of the curatorial theme, Chittrovanu's work is an impactful representation of the biennale's mission to unite artists, of multiple cultures and artistic practices from across the world, on one platform," the statement said. --IANS ss/nir/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The NIA on Wednesday registered a case in connection with the November 29 terror attack on an army base in Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir, in which seven Indian soldiers, including two officers, were killed. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered the case at its police station in Delhi following instructions from the Union Home Ministry. The case has been filed for offences under Sections 120B, 121, 307 of the Ranbir Penal Code or RPC and Sections 7, 27 of the Arms Act, 1958. The case was earlier filed at the Nagrota police station against unidentified terrorists, who had entered the army camp near the Baleeni Bridge, some 15 km from Jammu city. "The case at the Nagrota police station was registered on the basis of information received at the police station that on November 29, some heavily armed unknown terrorists, on the directions of their foreign handlers, had entered the Army Camp at Nagrota, near the Baleeni Bridge, and started indiscriminate firing on the army personnel with the intention to kill them," the NIA said in a statement. A team of NIA officers will visit the crime scene and start the investigation. It will also place the FIR before the NIA Special Court in Jammu. Seven army personnel, including two officers, were killed in Nagrota after suicide bombers armed with guns and grenades stormed the military base near Jammu. Three attackers were also gunned down on the base campus, while three other militants died in a shootout with security forces near the International Border with Pakistan. It was the highest casualty the Indian Army suffered in a single terror attack after the September 18 killing of 19 soldiers at a military base in the Uri border town in the Kashmir Valley. Parliament too witnessed disruptions as an aggressive opposition raised demands for obituary reference for the army personnel killed in the Nagrota attack. --IANS sid/nir/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As they turn their backs on the miserable lives they once lived and head to the two-room apartments they received in lieu of their shacks, they have much to cheer about. They are beneficiaries of the Gujarat government's "Housing for All" programme that has, since 2014, built 2,544 houses, furnished with a toilet and a kitchen, in nine slum localities here. The programme, under the Mukhya Mantri GRUH (Gujarat Rural Urban Housing) Yojana in 2013 -- launched when Narendra Modi was Chief Minister -- aims to rid urban Gujarat of slums and provide in-situ housing to their dwellers. The scheme was conceived as a public-private venture, with NGOs roped in to sensitise the dwellers. One such project is the Shantadeep Cooperative Housing Society in Ambavadi, where now 55 newly-built apartments stand. "I have been coming here before the slums were demolished and new flats were built. I tried to make people aware about the generational shift which they would achieve in a matter of years and about their children who would get the right environment to grow up in," Neelam Patel, a member of the Mahila Housing Trust of SEWA (Self-Employed Women's Association), told IANS. The Ambavadi slums were razed in 2013 and the building was erected by the following year. Each apartment cost the government Rs 800,000 ($11,700) and was given to the dwellers free of cost. The private builders, during the construction of the houses, were also required to provide temporary rent-free lodging to the slum dwellers. "It's like my dream has come true. We used to sleep in the open, had to go for water to the main road where fights were common over the sole tap; nothing of that sort now. I have also called my wife and sons here. I couldn't ask for more," Dalpat Singh, an auto-rickshaw driver and resident of the Ambavadi society, told IANS. There is a plan to provide, over the next two years, such flats to all 700,000 families which reside in slums across Gujarat. "The term 'nagar', as people meant it in the old days, is an abbreviated form of 'nal, gutter, raasta, (tapwater, sewage, roads), and these are what we are giving to our people," Punamchand Parmar, Additional Secretary, Urban Development and Urban Housing Department, told a group of visiting journalists. "I don't know about other states, but the people of Gujarat are pro-urbanisation. We have the people's support and the required political will to execute our task," he added. He also mentioned the now-famous tourist attraction in the city, Kankaria Lake, which till just a few years back was a stinking water-body surrounded by slums. The scheme also includes housing for those whose slums were razed at the time of beautifying the Sabarmati riverfront -- the river being raised from the dead with water from the Narmada -- that made the headlines when Chinese President Xi Jinping came visiting in 2014, the first head of state to visit India after Modi became Prime Minister. (Vishal Narayan's visit was at the invitation of the Gujarat government. He can be contacted at vishal.n@ians.in) --IANS vn/vm/tb/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The opposition Congress in Punjab on Wednesday accused the state government of splurging public money and misusing official machinery on a December 8 rally to coincide with the 89th birthday of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. The Congress state unit said in a statement that the government was spending crores of rupees on the proposed rally while beneficiaries of its much-touted 'Atta-Dal scheme' were still waiting for their quota of rations for the last eight months. Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal said the 'Paani Bachao-Punjab Bachao' (Save water, save Punjab) rally at Killi Chahlan village in Moga district on Thursday will be a watershed in the fight for the rights of Punjab. The Akali Dal has already resolved that "Punjab doesn't have even a single drop to spare for any other state and it will not share it at any cost", Sukhbir Badal said in Jalalabad town, 285 km from here. Quoting media reports, the Congress said over one crore intended beneficiaries of the scheme will not get their eight-month quota of subsidised pulses as the Badal government had failed to provide funds. "While the common people, already reeling under a mega cash crisis after demonetisation, continue to wait endlessly for basic essentials such as dal (pulses) and atta (flour), the Akali government has opened its coffers for Parkash Singh Badal's birthday celebrations on December 8," the Congress said. "Exorbitant expenditure has been incurred by the government on massive hoardings, advertisements and other publicity material, as well as arrangements at the rally venue, in gross violation of all norms and in brazen misuse of official machinery and public funds by the Badals in their last few days in office. This is plunging the state towards inevitable bankruptcy," the statement said. --IANS js/tsb/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday was adjourned for the day without conducting any meaningful business amid chaos and logjam over demonetisation. The house had already witnessed two quick adjournments before the lunch break and finally got adjourned for the day soon after it re-assembled post lunch. The house was first adjourned amid chaos minutes after it met at 11 a.m. After it re-assembled, Leader of Opposition Gulam Nabi Azad said over 80 people have died ever since demonetisation was introduced on November 8. "I want to ask, who is responsible for these deaths," Azad said, adding that accountability should be fixed for those deaths. The demonetisation scheme was brought without any preparation, he said. Naresh Agarwal of the Samajwadi Party also criticised the government for "paralysing the country". Expressing similar views, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked for 50 days to fix the problems arising from the demonetisation decision, but nothing seems to be changing. Reacting to Mayawati's remarks, members from the treasury benches created ruckus in the house. Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien asked the members to maintain silence. Replying to the charges, Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the opposition is running away from the debate on the issue. "The issue is important and that's why the debate (on it) should be completed," he said. The ruling alliance members then started shouting slogans against the opposition, saying "If you have guts, let the debate take place". As the house re-assembled at noon, Chairman Hamid Ansari requested members to start proceedings of the Question Hour, but the members from the ruling grouping again shouted slogans against the opposition. Allegations and counter-allegations were levelled from both sides, resulting in ruckus. Ansari then adjourned the house until 2 p.m. As the house met post-lunch, Pramod Tiwari of the Congress, raising a point of order, said that the government has failed to provide any relief to general public after demonetisation and that the Council of Ministers should be "disqualified". Reacting to it, the Deputy Chairman laughingly said he does not have the power to do so and if Tiwari still wants him to disqualify the ministers, then Tiwari should arrange for him the power required. "This is not point of order. This is a point of disorder," Kurien said, asking him to sit down. ADMK's Trichy Siva demanded presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he should come to the house to listen to the debate on demonetisation. Kurien then said that there is no such rule and appealed to the members to resume the debate. K. Keshava Rao of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi also raised the same point and said it is not about demonetisation, it is about its fallout. "Various ministries are involved (as far as the debate on demonetisation is concerned), so the Prime Minister should be here. To whom would we address?" he said. Anand Sharma of the Congress said that it is wrong to give impression that the opposition does not want debate on the issue. "But Prime Minister must answer our questions," he said. Jaitley refuted the point, saying the government works on collective basis and if a minister speaks on something, it is the government making statement on the issue. On this, members from both sides shouted at one another and the house was adjourned for the day amid the din. There has been no meaningful business transaction in the Rajya Sabha ever since the winter session of Parliament began on November 16. --IANS sk/nir/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has asked the Sikh high priests to look into the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple) while wearing a cap. "This matter regarding 'maryada' (Sikh religious code) comes under the purview of the Singh Sahiban (Sikh high priests). We have requested them to look into this issue if the 'maryada' was violated, " SGPC President Kirpal Singh Badungar told the media in Amritsar on Wednesday. The SGPC move came following complaints on the issue and the controversy gaining ground on the social media that the Prime Minister had allegedly violated 'maryada' by wearing a cap instead of covering his head with a cloth. Modi, accompanied by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, together visited the holiest of the Sikh shrines on December 3 during the 'Heart of Asia' conference. Both wore caps to cover their heads during their visit. Covering head with a 'rumala' (piece of cloth) or turban is mandatory for all devotees visiting Sikh shrines. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had accompanied Modi and Ghani to the shrine. --IANS js/tsb/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the Midterm Elections less than one week away: What do you consider the top issues that you will be voting on to be corrected by your better representation? Education Crime Big Government getting Bigger Biden /Democrat controlled Spike in Energy Cost Inflation created by Legislation of Majority in Power Gender Reassignment Corrupted Bureaucratic /Service (DOJ, FBI, etc.) Institutions Abortion Discredited Legacy Media Ending the Corruption of Dishonest Politicians Corruptive Influence of Social Media Wide Open Southern Border From actress Shruti Haasan to actor R. Madhavan, the Tamil film industry on Wednesday expressed shock over the death of the legendary journalist and actor Cho Ramaswamy. On her Twitter page, Shruti wrote: "Deeply saddened to hear that we have lost Cho Sir - a great mind and thinker. May his soul rest in peace." Filmmaker Aishwarya Dhanush wrote: "Memories of your witty humour and the most intelligent discussions we've had on many topics will remain etched in my heart forever." Calling Cho a "learned and intelligent man of the sharpest wit and humour", R. Madhavan said he was "awesome on stage and unforgettable in films". Actor Siddharth wrote: "Cho Ramaswamy. Satirist and political commentator for the ages. Brilliant wit. Wisdom laced with mischief. Great man." Actor Vishal tweeted: "It's another loss to the film industry and our society. Big fan of his speeches." Cho, who died at age 82, is best known for working in films such as "Nirai Kudam", "Galatta Kalyanam" and "En Annan". Having adorned many hats apart from acting, he was also the founder and editor of Thuglak magazine -- and a lawyer too. He was also a director and dialogue writer. He directed five films which includes the popular Tamil political satire, "Mohammed Bin Thuglak", apart from "Mr Sampath" and "Sambo Siva Samboo". --IANS hp/nn/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TM International Logistics Ltd (TMILL), a subsidiary of Tata Steel, sold its entire stake in its step-down subsidiary TM Harbour Services Pvt. Ltd (TMHSPL) to Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) for Rs 106 crore, the steel producer said on Wednesday. "Tata Steel announced that its subsidiary TM International has divested entire stake in its wholly-owned step down subsidiary TM Harbour Services Pvt Ltd to Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited for a total consideration of Rs 106 crore in an all cash deal," a regulatory filing to BSE. TMHSPL, with an annual turnover of about Rs 29 crore, is engaged in the business of providing tug services at Dhamra port and owns three tug boats, it said. The TMILL which is a joint venture of company of Tata Steel, NYK Holding (Europe) BV and IQ Martrade offers logistic solutions for dry bulk, containerised and project cargo and wide range of logistic services. --IANS bdc/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Despite Supreme Court directions and the Union Home Ministry's initiative, the repatriation of tribal refugees from Tripura to Mizoram hangs in balance even after two decades. The Mizoram government and refugee leaders put new conditions in a recent four-party meeting in New Delhi to resettle the tribals in the state after the repatriation. About 31,300 Reang tribals, who locally call themselves "Bru", have been living in seven makeshift camps in North Tripura's Kanchanpur and Panisagar sub-divisions adjoining Mizoram since October 1997 after they fled their homes in western Mizoram following ethnic troubles in the state. "We are ready to return to our homes in Mizoram, but the state government is reluctant to meet our basic demands like allotment of lands for cultivation," refugee leader Bruno Msha told IANS. "In the November 24 meeting in New Delhi, we categorically reiterated our demand to allot five hectares of land to each refugee family to cultivate after the repatriation. The Mizoram officials summarily rejected this basic demand. If we do not have land how would we survive?" he asked. The third high-level meeting held on November 24 at the Union Home Ministry in New Delhi discussed in depth the repatriation of the tribal refugees. The ministry's Special Secretary, (Internal Security), Mahesh Kumar Singla, presided over the meeting where senior officials from the Tripura and Mizoram governments and refugee and other tribal leaders were present. A 30-member team of Mizoram government officials last month conducted a survey in the refugee camps to identify the bona fide citizens of Mizoram among the refugees. A Tripura Relief Department official said that in the New Delhi meeting, it was decided to issue birth certificates by the Tripura government to those children born in the relief camps during the past 19 years. "We have received 700 applications from the refugees for birth certificates for the children. We have already started the process and within 15 days would be able to issue the certificates," north Tripura District Magistrate and Collector Sandeep Namdeo Mahatme told IANS on the phone. "Most of the tribal refugees are willing to go to their homes in Mizoram. Some people are creating barriers in the repatriation process to serve their own interests." The District Magistrate said Singla, along with other ministry officials, would visit the refugee camps this week to persuade the residents to return to Mizoram. "We are confident that the refugees would go back to their homes from January as the Mizoram government is taking the initiative to take them back," Mahatme said. Tripura Relief Department officials said that the Supreme Court last year had asked the Union Home Ministry and the Mizoram and Tripura governments to jointly work for the return of the tribal refugees to their homes in Mizoram. The Home Ministry undertook serious efforts after the Supreme Court's directive. Despite several initiatives by the Mizoram government to bring the refugees back, they have been reluctant to do so unless their demands for food and security are met. The refugees' apex body, the Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF), has been insisting that three teams of their organisations be allowed to visit three Mizoram districts -- Mamit, Lunglei and Kolasib -- to study the situation where they would be rehabilitated. "The MBDPF has submitted a 14-point demand to the MHA. The demands include allotment of five hectares of land to each tribal family, undertaking a special development plan for the backward tribals, provide adequate security to the repatriated refugees, one government job to each refugee family and creation of scope for livelihood in Mizoram," MBDPF general secretary Bruno Msha said. The refugee leader said the Home Ministry agreed to give each refugee family housing assistance of Rs 38,500, cash assistance of Rs 41,500, free rations for two years, blankets and utensils, while Mizoram would reimburse their transportation cost. Mizoram Home Minister R. Lalzirliana said in Aizawl that the state government would not concede the demands of the MBDPF as a pre-condition of the refugees' repatriation. "It would also be impossible for the state government to allot five hectares of land to each repatriated tribal family. The repatriated families also would have to wait for allocation of land for construction of houses and for farming in accordance with the guidelines of their respective village councils," the minister said. Meanwhile, the Tripura government has been asking the Union and Mizoram governments to repatriate the refugees at the earliest as serious socio-economic and law-and-order problems have cropped up in the state. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, accompanied by his deputy, Kiren Rijiju, had visited the refugee camps in North Tripura in February last year and urged the Mizoram government and the refugees to end the stalemate. (Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in) --IANS sc/vm/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US State Department is to start building a $203 million consulate general complex next year in Hyderabad, one of its busiest outposts. The contract for building the multi-building complex on a 12-acre site in a new high-tech area of Hyderabad has been awarded to to Caddell Construction based in Montgomery, Alabama,and the project is expected to be completed in 2020, according to a State Department press release issued Tuesday. While the press release did not give the value of the project, GovTribe.com, a website for tracking government contracts, gave the $203 million figure for the contract. The department said the consulate complex will include accommodation for Marine security guards, support buildings and facilities for the consulate staff. The consulate complex is designed by richard+bauer, an architecture company that has won several recognitions including the National Honor award of the American Institute of Architects. The consulate, which covers Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Telengana, was opened in 2009 and now operates from Paigah Palace in Begumpet. It issues the fifth highest number of student visas globally and the most in India, according to Michele Bond, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs. --IANS al/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday said his government will not allow holding of a 'Sarbat Khalsa' in the state on December 8. Citing law and order in Punjab, Badal said: "A handful of self-styled leaders were hell-bent on holding the Sikh congregation to hatch conspiracies to derail development and peace and push the state back to turbulent times." "The state government cannot allow these divisive forces to hold the Sarbat Khalsa, as it could jeopardise law and order in the state. My government is committed to preserving law and order at any cost," Badal said. A few activists, meanwhile, hoodwinked the police and started 'Akhand Path' (uninterrupted recital of Sikh scriptures) at the spot on Wednesday. Sikh organisations also approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday to seek directions for holding of the Sarbat Khalsa. Various Sikh organisations and leaders have called for a 'Sarbat Khalsa' (grand assembly of the Sikhs) near Talwandi Sabo town in Bathinda district on Thursday. Punjab Police has detained senior leaders and activists of various radical Sikh organisations ahead of the event. Raids were conducted to round up other radical leaders as well. The event is slated to be held on a 13-acre agricultural land. Nearly 4,000 personnel of Punjab Police, including commandos and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel, have been stationed near the site to prevent holding of the event. All routes leading to the site were on Wednesday blocked by security forces. "As per earlier court directions, representatives of the organisations approached district authorities (in Bathinda) to seek permission to hold the Sarbat Khalsa. However, the representatives were arrested by the police," the organisations' counsel Ranjan Lakhanpal told the media here. --IANS js/tsb/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At a session on inclusive insurance in New Delhi, panelists were discussing various ways, including using digital tools, to bring more people under insurance cover. While some panelists suggested going digital might be the only alternative, David M Dror, chairman and managing director, Micro Insurance Academy, chose to differ. He said TINA, the acronym for there is no alternative the phrase associated with former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher was not the right term for India. He added that India was the land of TATA, where the acronym stood for there are a thousand alternatives. On Wednesday, the Embassy of Japan in New Delhi celebrated its national day, on the occasion of the birthday of the Japanese Emperor. Japans Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu in his brief speech noted New Delhi and Tokyos shared world view. The event was attended by diplomats, military attaches, politicians and journalists. There was much mirth when Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit (pictured left) and Major General (retired) G D Bakshi (pictured) shook hands and chatted with each other. Bakshi is a frequent guest on news television shows and known for his relentless tirade against Pakistan. While Basit is known for his charm, Bakshi was equally gracious, as the two talked like old friends. Yoga Guru on Tuesday denied have said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee could become the Prime Minister someday. Speaking at the 'Agenda Aaj Tak' event here, said he was misquoted by the media about his opinion on the Trinamool Congress supremo during his recent visit to Bengal. "I praised her austere life to which some people asked me if she could become the Prime Minister... I replied that it was a democracy and anyone can dream of becoming the Prime Minister. "I did not say that Mamata will become the Prime Minister someday. The media misquoted me," he said. About himself, said he will never be directly involved in but continue to work for turning the country into a superpower. With the Opposition persisting with its logjam of Parliament over the issue, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday asserted that Parliament is not a bargaining ground. The BJP asked the Opposition to come with cogent arguments to remove shortcomings instead of insisting on a rollback of . "Parliament is not a bargaining ground. The government has agreed to discuss under the Rule 193, it doesn't entail any voting. However, the Opposition is insisting for voting under the Rule 164. The Treasury Bench has agreed to discuss the issue, let them bring out the facts, let them bring out whatever opinion they have over . We can improve the shortcomings which would be in the best interest of the people. They should set aside their ego," BJP leader S Prakash said. Both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day on Tuesday as a mark of respect to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who passed away in Chennai on December 5. Meanwhile, opposition leaders will be meeting today at 9.30 am in Parliament to discuss their strategy on demonetisation. The Congress Party has issued three line whips to its members in both Houses of Parliament. The attacked PM Modi over the appointment of Rakesh Asthana as interim CBI director saying he wanted to rule by stealth, deception and pressure. "PM Modi is for rule by stealth, deception and pressure. He wants to keep everyone on tenterhooks so the officers do the government's bidding. He wants to keep a sword hanging over their heads," spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said. BELFIELD, N.D. A pipeline leak caused a significant oil spill in a tributary of the Little Missouri River this week, but the volume of oil released was still unknown Tuesday as a winter storm affected response efforts. The incident was discovered by a landowner, raising questions about whether the oil pipeline in western North Dakota had a monitoring system to detect leaks. The pipeline owner, Belle Fourche Pipeline Co., is part of True Companies of Wyoming, which also owns Bridger Pipeline that had a major oil spill in 2015 in Montana that contaminated the Yellowstone River and affected the water supply for the city of Glendive. The spill discovered Monday morning about 16 miles northwest of Belfield contaminated Ash Coulee Creek with the release contained about 2 miles downstream, said Bill Suess, spill investigation program manager for the North Dakota Department of Health. It is a significant spill, Suess said. The company shut down the pipeline and crews have been working to recover oil since Monday, including constructing a dam about 4 miles downstream, according to an incident report. It sounds like theyve got the creek pretty well protected from migration going downstream, Suess said. Winter weather was affecting the companys ability to estimate how much oil had been released, said Wendy Owen, spokeswoman for True Companies. We do have a crew on the ground that is doing their best to assess the entire situation and what the next step will be, she said. The incident was reported by a landowner who saw oil leaking from the 6-inch pipeline into the creek, Suess said. A labor union, which opposed a True Companies pipeline under consideration by the North Dakota Public Service Commission in 2015, issued a statement Tuesday urging regulators to have stronger oversight over the company. The Laborers District Council of Minnesota and North Dakota, which has members working on the Dakota Access Pipeline, said True Companies has a poor track record of spills and environmental incidents. Dakota Access protesters camped in south central North Dakota often cite the companys 30,000-gallon oil spill in the Yellowstone River as an example of why they oppose a pipeline crossing the Missouri River north of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. Our members take pride in their work, and we wont just stand by and allow an irresponsible pipeline operator to harm North Dakotas natural resources or damage reputation of our industry, said spokesman Evan Whiteford, a career pipeliner who lives in Ray. We think its time for state officials to step in and force the True organization to clean up its act. An investigator from the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is scheduled to arrive on scene Wednesday, the agency said. Inspectors from the state health department have been on site investigating and monitoring the cleanup. Suess said True Companies has a good track record of working with the health department. They do have a pretty good record of getting things cleaned up, he said. Winter weather was affecting the cleanup, but Suess said crews stayed on site most of Monday night because roads were closed and they couldnt get back to their hotel. The creek flows into the Little Missouri River, but the river is several miles away from the spill site and there was no indication Tuesday the oil had reached that far, Suess said. Many facts were unknown Tuesday, including the age of the pipeline and whether it is a transmission line or a gathering pipeline, which have different levels of regulatory oversight. The North Dakota Public Service Commission was not involved with the siting of the pipeline, Chairwoman Julie Fedorchak said. A total of 140 people have been arrested while 96 cases were registered in connection with the burning of government properties and schools during the recent unrest period in the Kashmir, the government told Parliament today. "During the civil unrest between July 8, 2016-November 8, 2016, 39 government establishments have been burnt and 39 government establishments have been damaged apart from schools," Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. "96 cases have been registered and 140 people have been arrested till November 28," he said while replying to a question on what action has been taken on those involved in burning government properties and schools. In order to bring normalcy in the Kashmir Valley, he said, after the "civil unrest since July 8, 2016, the Prime Minister and the Home Minister have regularly reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. "The Prime Minister held an all-party meeting in Delhi and the Home Minister has visited Srinagar two times and met the Governor and Chief Minister apart from all the political parties, various organisations and associations as well as the senior officials," he said. Ahir said that the Home Minister also "led an all-party delegation on September 4-5 to Srinagar and Jammu and met the Governor, CM and various cross-section of people of the state including all the political parties, various organisations and associations as well as the senior officials." "Distribution of essential commodities like food grains, sugar, milk, fruits, vegetables, LPG, kerosene, petrol among others was ensured to meet the needs of public at large. "Sufficient stock of essential commodities was maintained in the Valley. Availability of doctors, medicines, ambulances, blood banks was also maintained round the clock. A team of doctors from AIIMS was also sent. The regular medical services were continued unabated," Ahir said. Additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces were also deployed to support the state police, he said in the reply. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As part of 'Operation Viswas', a drive against liquor trade, 15 persons, including a woman, have been arrested and over 281 litre illicit liquor seized from places under several police station areas of Patna district since yesterday. As part of the drive against liquor trade, the police arrested three persons and seized 50 litre country-made liqour from their possession at a place under Maner police station area, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manu Maharaj said. The cops rocovered 90 litre liquor made of Mahua flower under Rupaspur police station area of the district and arrested seven persons in this connection, he said, adding that a woman was arrested with 30 litre country-made liquor under Phulwarisharif police station area. In Paliganj police station area, the police arrested three liquor traders and seized 28 litre country-made liqour from, besides razing down several liquor manufacturing plants, Maharaj said. Another liquor trader was arrested from Bypass police station area and 75 litre toddy drink, called 'tadi' in local parlance was seized from him. Maharaj directed the the Station House Officers (SHOs) of police stations in Patna district to carry out a sustained operation against liquor trade and said that strict action will be taken against them in the event of manufacturing and sell of liquor being reported from their respective jurisdiction. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) About 3.6 crore farmers have taken the crop insurance policy for a sum insured of Rs 1.41 lakh crore so far in 2016-17 crop year, the government said today and expressed confidence that it would meet the target of 30 per cent coverage by end of the rabi (winter) season. Early this year, the government had launched a new crop insurance scheme called Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), reducing premiums substantially for both kharif and rabi crops. The Agriculture Ministry has set a target to increase the coverage under PMFBY to 30 per cent in the first year itself from the existing 23 per cent in the old schemes. Releasing the latest data, the Agriculture Ministry said, "PMFBY launched in the country from Kharif 2016 has made impressive progress in the first season itself. As on date, the scheme has provided coverage to 366.64 lakh farmers (26.50 per cent)." At this rate, it is likely to exceed the target of 30 per cent coverage for both Kharif and Rabi seasons of the ongoing 2016-17 crop year (July-June), an official statement said. "In terms of total area covered, the achievement has been significant amounting to a total area of 388.62 lakh hectare and sum insured of Rs 1,41,339 crore," it added. In the 2016 Kharif season, the performance was better despite the fact that there were some initial issues after the launch. For instance, many states did the bidding process for selection of the insurance companies for concerned clusters for the first time and consequently, the notification of the scheme was delayed in a number of states, the Ministry said. So far this year, farmers coverage increased by 18.5 per cent while area coverage by 15 per cent and sum insured by 104 per cent when compared with the kharif 2015 season. In the Kharif 2016, 326 lakh farmers were insured covering an area of 380 lakh hectare for sum insured of Rs 1,37,535 crore as compared to 309 lakh farmers during kharif 2015 season covering an area of 339 lakh hectare for sum insured of Rs 69,307 crore, according to the data placed before the Lok Sabha earlier this week. Furthermore, there has been a quantum jump of more than six times in the coverage of non-loanee farmers from 14.88 lakh in Kharif 2015 to 102.6 lakh in Kharif 2016, which shows that the scheme has been well received by the non-loanee segment,the ministry said. The PMFBY was recast as a new scheme as the two earlier crop insurance schemes were not meeting the full requirements of the farmers for insurance coverage. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three teenage boys went on trial in Germany today, accused of a jihadist bomb attack on an Indian wedding that left a Sikh priest badly wounded. The three extremists, all 16 at the time, allegedly set off a home-made bomb in April outside a prayer hall where a Sikh wedding was taking place, also leaving two others with lesser injuries. The youths, who were born in Germany, had met on social media after being radicalised by ultra-extreme Salafist Muslims, and got together to commit the attack in the western city of Essen. Prosecutors charge they had sought to kill "non-believers" with a device they had built from a fire extinguisher shell and chemicals ordered from online shopping site Amazon. At the trial, which is being held at a juvenile court in Essen without media access, all three face charges including attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm. Neriman Yaman, mother of one of the accused, the now 17-year-old Yusuf, has described her torment as she watched her young son become radicalised in the book "My Son, the Salafist". The Turkish-born author describes how she sought help from mosques and state authorities as her son from age 14 turned to a fundamentalist version of Islam. She says Yusuf started speaking in verses, watched Arabic-language preachers online, joined a group that handed out Korans on the street, and married a teenage girl wearing a burqa. Yusuf even joined a de-radicalisation programme run by the German domestic security agency BfV, she recounts, but allegedly went on to commit the attack anyway. "As parents we were powerless," she later told journalists. "The other side was stronger than us ... The only comfort in this huge misfortune is that no-one has died. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police in Satara district of western Maharashtra have arrested 36 persons for attacking a Dalit locality following the murder of a girl belonging to the upper-caste Maratha community. The accused, angry over the killing of the girl last month, targeted the houses and vehicles of Dalits on the outskirts of Korale Khurd village last night, police said. In July, the rape and murder of a Maratha girl at Kopardi in Ahmednagar district had sparked off state-wide protests and mobilisation of Marathas. Yesterday's incident at Korale Khurd followed the murder of 21-year-old Aruna Mohite, allegedly by her estranged lover Siddharth Dhanane (24), a Dalit, police said. They were in a relationship for the last few years but her parents forcibly married her off to another person, according to the police. Dhanane asked her meet him at Thoseghar on November 30. During an argument, he allegedly hit her with a stick, killing her on the spot. He then buried the body to destroy evidence, police said. After a missing persons case was lodged, police found that she was in contact with Dhanane on phone, and questioned him. He allegedly confessed and took the police to the buried body. Late last night, several members of Maratha community attacked homes of Dalits on the outskirts of the village and torched their vehicles, police said. Stones were pelted at the houses, window panes of 18 houses were broken and 13 vehicles including three cars were damaged, police said. "We have arrested 36 persons. We also held meetings of leaders from both communities," said Sandeep Patil, Superintendent of Police, Satara, speaking to PTI. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as 516 fishermen, who are Indian or believed to be Indian, are languishing in various jails in Pakistan, the government informed Lok Sabha today. Replying to a written question in the Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said a total of 57 Indian prisoners are lodged in Pakistani jails out of which Pakistan is yet to issue a formal confirmation about presence of three Indian inmates. She said that three Indian civil prisoners and eight Indian fishermen have died in custody of Pakistani authorities between 2013 and 2015. One Indian civil prisoner and two fishermen have died in the current year. Civil prisoner Sarabjit Singh was attacked by fellow inmates in Lahore Central jail on April 26, 2013 and died a week later. Swaraj said that report of his autopsy conducted by Pakistani authorities mentioned "ante-mortem wounds". "Ante-mortem wounds" means injuries sustained before death. In case of civil prisoner Chambail Singh, who died on January 15, 2013, there were reports that the death was due to beating in Central Jail in Lahore. Swaraj said that viscera of both Sarabjit and Chambail were sent for further forensic examination. The Minister said that as of July 1, 270 Pakistani civil prisoners and 37 Pakistani fishermen are in Indian jails. She also said that Pakistan government does not acknowledge the presence of 74 Indian Missing Defence Personnel, including 54 Prisoners of War. "As per information available with the government, 516 fishermen, who are Indian or believed to be Indian are currently in the custody of Pakistani authorities. "Out of these, formal confirmation of the presence of 55 fishermen apprehended in the past few months by Pakistani authorities, is yet to be received from Government of Pakistan," she said. Replying to a separate question, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh told Lok Sabha that envoys of 28 countries were briefed by the government on the surgical strike. Separately, important opinion makers, think tanks and foreign media were also briefed by the foreign secretary about it. He said instructions were issued to Indian missions across the world to brief their host governments on the issue at senior levels. "The government has kept the international community aware of the nature of counter-terror operations of September 29 and sensitised them about the extent and intensity of the persistent threat of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan," he said. (Reopens DEL-105) Replying to another question, Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar said three cases of expulsion involving Indian students were reported to the Indian Embassy in Kazakhstan in the last two years. He said on October 20, two Indian students at the Karaganda State Medical University were involved in a heated argument leading to one of them being injured. "Both the students were rusticated and have left Kazakhstan since then," Akbar said. Around 600 illegal structures were demolished during a massive anti-encroachment drive here today, during which hoodlums threw stones at the jeep of a senior civic body official. Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) and the district administration jointly carried out the demolition drive and cleared all encroachments from a four-km stretch at Reti Bunder in Mumbra township. A release by the civic body said around 350 commercial and 250 residential structures built illegally on the stretch were razed during the operation carried out by 200 workers with the help of JCBs and other equipment. Municipal Commissioner Sanjeev Jaiswal, District Collector Mahendra Kalyankar and DCP (Zone-I) Abhishek Trimuke supervised the anti-encroachment drive which was initiated in the morning and went on till the evening. Around 150 police personnel were deployed during the drive, the release said, adding eligible residents displaced by the demolition will be rehabilitated. During the drive, some hoodlums pelted stones at the jeep of an Assistant Municipal Commissioner and damaged its glasses, said TMC Public Relations Officer Sandeep Malavi. No one was injured in the stone pelting. A police complaint will be lodged in this regard, Malavi said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China has urged Washington to block Taiwan's president from passing through the US, after reports said she may stop in New York for talks with Donald Trump's team, following a protocol-smashing phone call between the pair. The president-elect broke with decades of precedent last week to accept a congratulatory phone call from Tsai, angering Beijing which regards the island as a rogue province awaiting unification. Taiwan's Liberty Times reported that President Tsai Ing-wen may seek to meet members of Trump's team while in New York on her way to Central America, though her office would not confirm the plan to AFP. The trip would take place before Trump's inauguration on January 20, the newspaper said. Taiwan has diplomatic relations with 22 states and the island's leaders make regular visits to its small group of allies in Central America and the Caribbean, often stopping in the US for meetings with sympathetic lawmakers. China's foreign ministry called on Washington to block any stopover in the United States. Tsai's "true intention is self-evident", it told AFP on today. "We hope America abides by the principle of the One China policy and the three US-PRC Joint Communiques and does not allow her transit." Countries that have formal diplomatic ties with Beijing cannot enjoy such links with Taipei and vice versa. Both Beijing and Taipei in principle consider themselves the only legitimate power in charge of both China and Taiwan. Beijing further warned against Washington giving an "erroneous signal to 'Taiwanese independence' forces". Trump's surprise call with Tsai and subsequent Twitter barrage criticising Chinese military expansions and accusing it of manipulating its exchange rate seemed to have caught Beijing off-guard. China's foreign ministry repeatedly deflected or downplayed reporters' questions Monday. But by Tuesday, state media were trotting out attacks on Trump as a "diplomatic rookie". Today they emphasised the need for calm, with experts in the often shrill Global Times urging China to "watch and wait" until Trump takes office and not to "play his games". Reports suggest the call was long-planned by both sides, but whether Trump wants a wholesale change in US policy on Taiwan is still unclear. Communist Party authorities will be closely watching Trump's picks for secretary of state and ambassador to China as a sign of whether he truly intends to take a hard line on the world's second-largest economy. Although the United States is Taiwan's main ally and arms supplier, it has not had official diplomatic relations with Taiwan since 1979, when it switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Top airline operators, both domestic and international, will have a high-level meeting with CISF tomorrow to discuss issues related to public security and convenience at major civil airports in the country. As many as 16 airline operators have been invited for the meeting with senior commanders of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the force mandated for securing 59 airports in the country. The conference will be chaired by CISF DG O P Singh. Officials said Singh initiated the meeting so that the two most important stakeholders in airport operations and security can better streamline their efforts in ensuring a hassle-free and secure travel for lakhs of people using these sensitive facilities daily to travel within and outside the country. They said CISF will brief the participants about the security drill and protocol employed by the force in the wake of recent incidents, which have highlighted the importance of airport security at an all-time high. They said suggestions from across the table will be taken and all efforts would be made to implement the best practises for smooth and streamlined operations. The airlines which have been invited for the meeting include Air Asia, Go Air, Jet Airways, Spice Jet, Vistara, Air Arabia, Air Canada, Gulf Air, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, Air India, Indigo and Singapore Airlines. The 1.47-lakh personnel strong force looks into the security of 59 civil airports at present, but the Centre has planned to gradually entrust the security of the remaining of these facilities to the CISF. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Upholding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's election from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, the Allahabad High Court today dismissed a petition by his Congress opponent challenging it. Passing the order, Justice Vikram Nath also rapped petitioner Ajay Rai, Congress MLA and the party's candidate from Varanasi in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, for approaching the court with an election petition that was "half hearted" and contained allegations which were "vague and bald statements not supported by material facts". The court also allowed the preliminary objection raised by the team of counsel representing Modi, led by Additional Solicitor General of India and Law Commission member Satyapal Jain. The court, which began dictating orders in an open court on Monday, rejected the petitioner's objection to Modi's writing "not known" in his nomination papers against the column relating to his wife Jashodaben's assets and liabilities. The court said it was "mandatory" on part of the petitioner "to say clearly and establish that the respondent had knowledge of assets and liabilities of his wife Jashodaben and he deliberately chose not to do so". "In the absence of any such specific and detailed pleading, no case is made out for interference on this ground," the court ruled. Regarding allegations about election expenditure, the court remarked that the petitioner had made "vague and bald statements" like "more than Rs 50 crore" having been spent on Modi's campaign which involved booking of several rooms in posh hotels for more than a month and hiring of about 400 vans, equipped with LED screens. The court was of the view that even if the amount spent on campaign exceeded the limit fixed by Election Commission "in the absence of material facts, it would be difficult to make the issue triable". Rai, who had finished third and forfeited his deposit in the high-voltage electoral battle of Varanasi, had filed the petition barely a month after results for the general elections were announced on May 16, 2014. Jain, who is also a member of the BJP's national executive and a former Lok Sabha MP from Chandigarh, had prayed that the petition be "dismissed in limine without being put on trial" since it "lacked material facts". According to Jain, Modi's election was "initially challenged on seven grounds - discrepancies in nomination papers, spending more than permissible amount on the election, bribing of voters, using undue influence on the electorate, appealing in the name of Hindu religion, creating hatred among people belonging to different communities and violation of various provisions of the Constitution and election laws". "However, following our rebuttal on each of these points, the petitioner's counsel Umesh Narain Sharma said that he was willing to press only the first two charges, i.E., those relating to nomination papers and expenditure on the election campaign," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Gujarat High Court today issued a notice to the state government on a PIL challenging the eligibility of a recently-appointed information commissioner. A division bench of Chief Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice V M Pancholi issued notice to Information Commissioner D P Thakar and the principal secretaries of General Administration and Legal Departments. Petitioner Praful Desai challenged Thakar's appointment saying his educational qualification and experience did not meet the criteria under the RTI Act. Thakar's qualification -- BCom, LLB -- was not commensurate with the post, as the Act says that information commissioner should be a person of eminence, with "wide experience" in terms of educational qualification, Desai claimed. Thakar joined government service as a clerk and was gradually promoted to deputy secretary before being appointed as an information commissioner, the PIL said. "The government of Gujarat has so far murdered, through its repeated acts of omission and commission, objectives for which RTI Act 2005 was enacted," the PIL alleged. In August 2012, the high court asked the government to fill up two vacancies of information commissioners. In February 2015, it set aside two appointments of information commissioner, observing that the persons did not meet the criteria, the PIL pointed out. Last December, the high court again ordered the government to fill up the two vacancies. Desai's earlier PIL on the same issue was dismissed by the court as he failed to obtain information about Thakar's educational qualification through RTI. He filed a fresh plea after obtaining the information through another source. The PIL also sought to know how the government was proceeding with appointment of the new Chief Information Commissioner (CIC). Present CIC, Balwant Sinh, retired on December 6. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Arunachal Pradesh government today decided to frame a stipend policy for the students and to make Adhaar registration compulsory for all students. The meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein was aimed at streamlining the process of the disbursement of students' stipends, an official communique informed. The meeting also decided to examine all the central schemes and stipends that provide higher rates to tribal students and to propose strategies to be converged. A committee of secretaries was constituted under the chairmanship of Commissioner of Education to formulate the Stipend Policy at the earliest. The deputy chief minister asked the committee to form the new Stipend Policy within the current financial year so that it could be implemented from the next session. Mein said that it has become pertinent to streamline the disbursement of stipend to check draining out of government resources. He informed that the step was being taken in line with the streamlining of wages of the labourers that was done during the time of former Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu to link the payment of wages with Photo Identity. Planning secretary Joram Beda, Secretary made a presentation on department-wise details of stipend holders, requirements of fund and budgetary allocations. He also highlighted about the Centre's stipend/scholarship schemes through a power point presentation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Outgoing US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter will be meeting with top Indian leadership tomorrow, but no big ticket deals are likely to be sealed during his visit. Top Defence Ministry officials said the visit was primarily a "thanksgiving one" during which Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Carter will review the bilateral defence cooperation, which has seen a huge push in the last few years. Carter, who will be arriving tonight, is also expected to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi later tomorrow before he leaves, MoD sources said. Carter will also travel to Japan, Bahrain, Israel, Italy and the UK. This is for the first time that an outgoing American Defence Secretary has included India in his itinerary for the final overseas trip. "No new decisions are likely to be taken, but there might be a forward movement in some old issues," a senior MoD official said. India and the US could finalise provisions for the 'Major Defence Partner' status which Washington had given India during Modi's visit there in June this year. US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated James Mattis, a retired 4-star Marine Corps general, for the post of the US Defence Secretary. 66-year-old Mattis was lauded for his leadership of Marines in the 2004 Battle of Falluja in Iraq - one of the bloodiest of the war. He also attracted controversy in 2005 when he said "it is fun to shoot some people" while addressing service members in San Diego. Mattis's addition to the US Cabinet of national security super hawks signal the return of a more aggressive American defence policy, especially with regard to its interests abroad. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has told authorities investigating him over a rape allegation that his accuser "made it very clear" she wanted to have sex, according to testimony he released today. His statements are the first he has made to investigators since taking refuge in Ecuador's embassy in London over four years ago to avoid extradition to Sweden for questioning in the matter. He has said he fears Sweden would then hand him over to the United States to answer for the leaking of diplomatic cables and other classified documents by his whistleblowing website. "I want people to know the truth about how abusive this process has been," the 45-year-old Australian said in a statement he released with the testimony. Swedish prosecutors dropped a sexual assault probe into Assange last year after the five-year statute of limitations expired. But they are still investigating a 2010 rape allegation, which carries a 10-year statute of limitations. An Ecuadoran prosecutor grilled him last month over the rape claim with questions supplied by Swedish prosecutors. Assange told the prosecutor he met the woman who has accused him of rape at a 2010 talk in Stockholm, where he was based after WikiLeaks released 75,000 secret Pentagon documents about the war in Afghanistan. The woman, known as SW in the documents, "appeared to be sympathetic to my plight and also appeared to be romantically interested in me", adding that she invited him back to her home. She "made it very clear that she wanted to have sexual intercourse with me," he added. "During that night and again in the morning we had consensual sexual intercourse on four or five occasions." In a copy of her testimony seen by AFP, she said she woke up the next morning to find Assange having unprotected sex with her and decided to file a complaint after talking with friends. Elisabeth Fritz, the lawyer for Assange's alleged victim, said last month it was "time for this to go to trial" after six years of legal battles. "We are expecting that the prosecutor will announce charges after this questioning and that these charges lead to a trial in a Swedish court," she said. WikiLeaks's public profile dwindled while its mastermind remained holed up in the embassy. But it recently returned to prominence with the leak of tens of thousands of emails from the US Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton's campaign in the final weeks of the race for the White House. Assange denied influencing the shock election result and rejected claims he had links with Russia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 25 people died and hundreds were injured after a strong earthquake struck off Aceh province on Indonesia's Sumatra island today, local officials said. The shallow 6.5-magnitude quake struck Pidie Jaya district at dawn, as some in the predominantly Muslim region prepared for morning prayers. Mosques and shops were flattened in the small town of Meureudu, where the force of the quake sent people fleeing from their homes. No tsunami alert was issued. The head of the local disaster agency, Puteh Manaf, said the sole hospital in the district had been overwhelmed by the number of injured. "The data we have now is that 25 people have been killed and hundreds are estimated to have suffered injuries," he told AFP. Local district secretary Iskandar Ali also confirmed the figure, citing preliminary data that showed at least 25 had died in the quake. Rescue operations were under way to find those believed trapped beneath the rubble, with heavy machinery being used to shift the debris. A witness said local residents were wandering the streets, unable to return to their damaged homes and fearing aftershocks. Images from the scene showed homes levelled, mosque spires toppled and cars crushed under rubble. Meureudu resident Hasbi Jaya, 37, said his family was asleep when the powerful quake struck. "We immediately ran outside the house but it crumbled. Everything from the roof to the floor collapsed, and was destroyed," he said. "I looked around and all my neighbours' houses were also completely destroyed." The local hospital was struggling to cope, with the injured being treated on the ground outside the front of the building. Patients were also being sent to a neighbouring district with greater facilities, said deputy district chief Said Mulyadi. He said at least seven children were among the dead, and many more had suffered broken bones and other injuries. "There are many shophouses have caved in, and many (people) are alive but trapped," he said. Seismologists said the earthquake was felt across much of Aceh province, which was devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court today said it cannot uphold the permits given under the year 2014-15 process initiated for plying auto rickshaws in the city, as the "entire process was vitiated" and appeared to be "rigged". Justice Manmohan came to the prima facie finding that the earlier process was vitiated after going through a CBI status report which said that of the 251 applications received on first two days, only four were processed and rest had gone missing. "This court cannot uphold the allocation carried out in view of the CBI report. Entire process was vitiated. Documents were missing. Whole thing seems to be rigged," the court said. The court, however, was in favour of protecting the 324 individuals who had purchased autos after getting the letters of intent, to the extent of their financial liability. It asked the Delhi government whether it was willing to take over such persons' financial burden by taking over their autos and listed the matter for further hearing on December 19. The court also sought the response of the petitioner auto drivers on the Delhi government's plea that it be allowed to start a fresh process which would be carried out online in order to ensure transparency. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner auto drivers, said he has no objection to a fresh process as long as the interests, including financial liability, of the petitioners was protected. The court was hearing several pleas moved on behalf of around 40 auto drivers, through advocates Rishi Manchanda and Sushil Kumar, challenging cancellation of the allocation of permits to them to ply auto rickshaws in the city. The government had in 2014 advertised its proposal to issue 10,000 permits to ply autos and applications were received from January 12, 2015 onwards. Thereafter, the government had issued 932 letters of intent which were later scrapped on receiving complaints of irregularities in the allotment process. The government, in its application, has said it had found that letters of intent were not issued in chronological order, as was specified in the advertisement, and that in several instances the letters of intent were given to intermediaries, like financiers and auto dealers, and not to the applicants. CBI in its report has said that "during investigation persons who acted as middlemen were examined which revealed that they submitted certain forms after due date in collusion with officials of auto rickshaw unit". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The apology tendered by controversial Uttar Pradesh Minister Azam Khan for his alleged remarks on the sensational Bulandshahr gang rape case does not appear to be "unconditional", the Supreme Court observed today. A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy made the observation after Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi objected to certain words like "if" and "then" used by Khan in his affidavit tendering unconditional apology as per the November 17 directions of the apex court. The use of words like "if" and "then" in the affidavit, which was to be an unconditional apology, has defeated the purpose, Rohatgi said. "In the affidavit, he (Khan) is saying that unfortunately statements made (by him) were misreported. If it is a question of misreporting then why there is an apology? This is not an unconditional apology. He is using the words 'if' and 'then'. He can't ride two horses at a time," Rohatgi told the bench. However, the bench asked Khan's counsel to provide a copy of the affidavit to senior advocate Fali S Nariman, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae. "Show it to Mr Nariman. It does not appear to be an unconditional apology," it said. Nariman also said it was not an unconditional apology. However, Khan's counsel sought a passover in the matter. After the hearing resumed, senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, who was representing Khan, said the affidavit should be "ignored" and the Samajwadi Party leader would file a fresh one. Rohatgi continued to insist that this cannot be treated as an unconditional apology. However, the bench agreed to Sibal's contention and directed Khan to file a fresh affidavit. "The affidavit filed today by R-2 (Khan) is ignored and he shall file a fresh affidavit in terms of the direction given earlier by this court," the bench said and posted the matter for hearing on December 15. At the fag end of the hearing, Sibal said, "It's difficult for me to say whether he (Khan) will say the word apology. He intends to say remorse instead of apology". To this, the bench said it would examine whether remorse is sufficient for tendering an unconditional apology on the next date of hearing. The brutal incident had happened on the night of July 29 when a group of highway robbers stopped the car of a Noida- based family and sexually assaulted a woman and her daughter after dragging them out of the vehicle at gun-point. The apex court had on August 29 taken note of the alleged controversial remarks of Khan that the gang rape case was a "political conspiracy". On November 17, the apex court had directed Khan to tender "unconditional apology" for his alleged remarks in the matter while seeking assistance of the Attorney General in dealing with the issue of statements made by persons holding public office in such cases. Sibal had earlier said that though Khan had not said anything attributed to him against the victims in the case, but if the father of the victim felt "insulted or offended" in any manner then Khan was willing to apologise. The court has said it would deliberate upon the questions framed by it earlier regarding the freedom of speech and expression and probable impact of statements of those holding high offices on free and fair probe in heinous cases including rape and molestation. Initially, the FIR was lodged by the Uttar Pradesh Police under various provisions on July 30. The CBI had re-registered the case on August 18 in pursuance to the Allahabad High Court's interim order. The man, whose wife and daughter were gangraped in July on a highway in Bulandshahr, had on August 13 moved the apex court seeking transfer of the case to Delhi, besides lodging of an FIR against Khan as well as several policemen. The Allahabad High Court had ordered a CBI probe into the incident, besides deciding to monitor the investigation. Bangladesh's Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the death penalty handed down to the chief of HuJI militant group and two of his associates for a 2004 terror attack on the British envoy in the country that left three policemen dead, clearing the way for their execution. A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha delivered the verdict after dismissing the appeals moved on behalf of the convicts, including Harkatul Jihad al Islami (HuJI) chief in Mufti Abdul Hannan. The appeals are "dismissed," Sinha said in a brief ruling. The trio could now be hanged within months unless they seek a review of the verdict. But chances of overturning a death sentence in a review is extremely rare in . Hannan and his two accomplices had filed an appeal against a High Court judgement in February this year that had validated a lower court verdict handing them down the capital punishment. In 2004, the then Bangladesh-born British High Commissioner Anwar Chowdhury narrowly escaped the grenade attack at an Islamic shrine in northeastern Sylhet. Three policemen were killed and 70 were wounded in the attack. On December 23, 2008, the Sylhet Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal sentenced Hannan, Bipul and Ripon to death and two to life imprisonment for the grenade attack. Hannan and seven other operatives of his outfit were earlier sentenced to death by another court in Dhaka for a deadly 2001 bomb attack that killed 10 people during Bengali New Year celebrations. Twenty one HuJI men, including Hannan and an ex-junior minister of previous BNP government are now being tried for a grenade attack on Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina on August 21, 2004. The then opposition leader Hasina narrowly escaped the attack that left 24 people dead. The United States several years ago designated HuJi as a foreign terrorist organisation and "specially designated global terrorist" HuJI's involvement is also suspected in several bomb blasts in India. HuJI was formed in 1992 by Bangladeshis who had fought in Afghanistan in the war against Soviet forces. It was the first Islamist extremist outfit to have emerged in the Muslim majority nation. Hannan took over its leadership in the late 1990s. In October 2005, it was officially banned by the government of . Money laundering case accused and senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, whose stay at Bombay Hospital here since November 2 prompted criticism that he was receiving "preferential treatment", was discharged today and sent to state-run JJ Hospital. "Bhujbal was brought to JJ Hospital this evening," JJ Hospital Dean T P Lahane told PTI. The NCP leader, an accused in the multi-crore money laundering case registered against him by the Enforcement Directorate, had checked into the Bombay Hospital on November 2 for a medical test (thallium scan). Bombay Hospital is a prominent private hospital in the city. The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court was recently informed that the former deputy chief minister continued to remain in the private hospital over a month after he was admitted there for a medical test. An intervention application filed by activist Anjali Damania had said it was 'sheer negligence of duty' by JJ Hospital and Arthur Road jail that Bhujbal has been in Bombay Hospital since November 2. On October 27, special judge P R Bhavake had allowed Bhujbal to be taken to a private hospital after he was told that a Thallium scan, one of the three tests recommended to him, was not available at the government hospital. On October 28, prison authorities took Bhujbal to JJ Hospital for other two tests. He was then transferred to Bombay Hospital. Lahane said he will be present in court at the next hearing tomorrow. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ahead of the third edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB), an agreement has been inked between the Kochi Biennale Foundation and unions representing head load workers in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry - where most of the 12 Biennale venues are located. The art extravaganza will open on December 12 and run for 108 days till March 29, next year. The agreement, which outlines each party's responsibilities and standardises remuneration, entails an across-the-board 30 per cent reduction in the rates for unloading and installing artworks in relation to the KMB in 2014, organisers said here today. This makes the charges for KMB 2016 comparable to the going rates for handling handicrafts, they said. The move to fix rates came after discussions were held between the Foundation, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), among other organisations, to preempt labour issues as had arisen at previous Biennale editions. With containers of installations and artworks streaming into the venues, a small army of about 100 head load workers have rolled up their sleeves to ensure India's only Biennale gets underway without a hitch. "The Biennale being a prestige event, we consider it our duty to support it. Our usual timings are from 9 am to 6 pm, but as many of the works arrive in the wee hours, we stay back to unload them," said B Hamza, from CITU, adding that the union would extend all necessary local support to KMB 2016. Besides fixing an overtime allowance of 20 per cent from the base rate for any after-hours work, the agreement standardises rates with respect to the type of vehicle bringing the works and materials to the venue - with the highest slabs reserved for container transports and the lowest for three-wheeler cargo vehicles. "Usually, our work ends with unloading the materials at the spot, but for Biennale we also help move and arrange the artworks according to the artists' wish. We do this since we recognise that with the inception of the Biennale, Kochi has been elevated to a new level," said A M Ayub, from INTUC. "The rate slabs in Mattanchery are different from Fort Kochi as the workers fall under Kerala Head load Workers Welfare Board. However, these rates have now been made universal for KMB 2016. The workers are all cooperating for this important event," said a senior official with the Labour Department, which had been involved in formulating the agreement. Noting that the Foundation was deeply appreciative of the workers' efforts and commitment, KMB Director of Programmes Riyas Komu said, "This vital agreement made in the spirit of co-operation goes to show just how important the Kochi-Muziris Biennale has become to the city and its people. It is truly a 'people's Biennale' in every sense. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Great Falls businessman and former Chilis restaurant franchise owner whose company, Shoot the Moon LLC, went bankrupt, recently denied federal criminal charges that include lying to get a loan for a Billings eatery. Kenneth James Hatzenbeller, 64, pleaded not guilty to a four-count indictment on Nov. 29 during an arraignment in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Johnston. Hatzenbeller also is facing fraudulent securities charges filed earlier this year in state District Court in Cascade County by special assistant attorneys with the Montana Attorney General's office. In the federal indictment, Hatzenbeller is charged with two counts of bank fraud, false oath in bankruptcy and money laundering. In one of the bank fraud counts, prosecutors allege Hatzenbeller defrauded Yellowstone Bank by getting a $600,000 loan based on fraudulent representations and invoices purporting that the funds would be used to pay for equipment and furnishing to open a Chilis restaurant in Billings. The fraud occurred from September 2015 to October 2015, the indictment said. Hatzenbeller also is accused of defrauding Zions Bank in 2014 when he got a $500,000 loan by falsely representing that money would be used to furnish and equip restaurants in Idaho and Washington, the indictment said. In addition, Hatzenbeller submitted false invoices from a fictitious entity, called Penner Brokerage, to support the withdrawal of loaned money, the indictment continued. Prosecutors also accused Hatzenbeller of lying under oath in December 2015 in a bankruptcy examination by falsely testifying that a September 2014 deposit of $490,000 from two individual represented a loan to Shoot the Moon. The money laundering count alleges that Hatzenbeller laundered a check of more than $10,000 that was obtained through bank fraud in September 2014. Hatzenbeller faces a maximum 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine if convicted on the bank fraud counts. Johnston continued Hatenzellers release. A trial has been set for Feb. 6 before U.S. District Judge Brian Morris. In state court, Hatzenbeller faces criminal charges alleging various securities violations after an investigation by the Montana State Auditors Commissioner of Securities and Insurance. Hatzenbeller is charged with five felony counts, including failure to register as a securities broker-dealer, failure to register securities and three counts of fraudulent securities practices. Court records allege Hatzenbeller failed to give people who gave him money in exchange for a security financial information about Shoot the Moon. The scheme involved Hatzenbeller getting more than $3.4 million from 13 individuals on more than 25 dates and failing to repay more than $2.39 million, charging documents said. Shoot the Moon LLC filed for bankruptcy on Oct. 21, 2015. Hatzenbeller filed for bankruptcy on Feb. 19 and that case was closed in October. In the Shoot the Moon bankruptcy, the U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Ralph Kirscher approved in September the sale of 11 Chilis franchise restaurants the company had in Idaho, Washington and Montana and other property to Paradigm Restaurants L.C., a Utah company, for about $12.5 million. A day after the arrest of seven persons, including a BJP candidate in the last West Bengal Assembly polls, with stacks of new banknotes, Union minister Babul Supriyo today said that two of the seven arrested are "mafia dons" who have links with the state's ruling Trinamool Congress while terming his party functionary as a "small fry". He rued the fact that he, along with other BJP leaders, wasted so much time campaigning for a person who has been caught doing things he "should not have", and said that he was not "disowning" the BJP member and asserted law will take its own course. "I rue the fact that I waste so much of time. So many BJP leaders wasted so much of time campaigning for a person who seems to have been derailed from life and has been caught in doing things he should not do. And, therefore, law will take its own course," he said. Seven persons were arrested in the eastern part of Kolkata for their alleged involvement in smuggling coal. According to reports, stacks of new currency notes were also recovered from them. Mastermind Raju Jha (46), Lokesh Singh (35), Manish Sharma (44), Krishna Murari Kayel (44), Sayan Majumdar (29), Partha Chatterjee (41) and Subham Bhowmik (28) were arrested by the Special Task Force of Kolkata Police. "...Manish Sharma and his photos with Babul Supriyo, it's all over in the public domain. Seven people who are arrested, there are two people in that who are the real don. This guy (Sharma) is a small fish. Krishnakanth, he is mafia don who was part of Mamata Banerjee's official delegation to Singapore in 2014. "There are documents about that. The biggest mafia don who was arrested among the seven is Raju Jha...Everyone is aware about how many crores was given (to the ruling party) by Raju as an understanding for illegal coal business in Asansol. I am waiting to see whether police, apart from Manish Sharma, are going to come up with details pertaining to these two gentlemen which points to the ruling party," he said. Asserting that he was "not disowning" the arrested BJP leader, Supriyo said, "I am saying, if any person, who had dinner with me last night and if he is caught with some illegal activity today morning, I am going to say yes, you are a friend of mine but you have done something for which the law will take its own course." Supriyo said that no one can point out that either him or any of his party leaders had given ticket to this particular person for exchange of money. "I am not disowning him. I am rather saying that I aggressively campaigned for him like I did for all other candidates in West Bengal. I did about 70-80 rallies. "Obviously there are going to be hundreds of videos in which not only me but several other leaders are going to be seen because he was the candidate. We all campaigned for him," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union minister Ramdas Athawale said that it is the bigger parties like BJP and Shiv Sena who are supporting RPI (A) instead of other way round. "Bigger parties like Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena are supporting RPI (A), rather than saying RPI (A) is supporting BJP," the MoS for Social Justice told a rally organised at 'Chaityabhumi' in suburban Dadar last evening on the occasion of 60th death anniversary of dalit icon B R Ambedkar. Athawale's RPI (A) is a constituent of the BJP-led NDA governments at Centre and Maharashtra. "The Republican party can be more influential in power politics if other factions join it as well. We need people who can contest election on RPI's sign. We should win more seats in corporation elections as well," the dalit leader said. Athawale proposed intercaste marriages to "bring down the caste and community differences, which he said is an "effective solution to the rigid caste structure." "Had Babasaheb Ambedkar not written such inclusive Constitution, a tea vendor would not have become prime minister of the country," he said without taking name of Narendra Modi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Theresa May told Gulf leaders today that Britain would help "push back" against Iranian aggression as they agreed on a strategic partnership to deepen ties. Addressing a summit of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council in Bahrain, May reaffirmed British support for traditional allies in the region, while also seeking to strengthen post-Brexit trade. "I want to assure you that I am clear-eyed about the threat that Iran poses to the Gulf and to the wider Middle East," she told leaders of the GCC, which brings together Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The mainly Sunni Arab Gulf monarchies and Shiite Iran are bitter regional rivals, at odds over a range of issues including the wars in Syria and Yemen. GCC countries are concerned about Iran's growing influence in the region, especially after last year's nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers took a step towards ending its international isolation. The Iran agreement was "vitally important for regional security," May told the summit. "But we must also work together to push back against Iran's aggressive regional actions." In a joint statement after the summit, Britain and the GCC agreed to a "strategic partnership" that would foster "political, defence, security and trade" ties, while "developing collective approaches to regional issues". In their statement, GCC states and Britain said they "oppose and will work together to counter Iran's destabilising activities". As part of strengthening military cooperation, Britain will maintain a presence "throughout the Gulf," the statement said, including through British defence staff to be based in Dubai. The statement said Britain and GCC countries were "committed to continue working towards a sustainable political resolution in Syria", where President Bashar al-Assad "has lost all legitimacy and has no role in Syria's future." It called for Assad's backers including Russia and Iran "to support a meaningful end to the violence, sustained humanitarian access and an inclusive political process" in Syria. During her speech, May said the two sides would study liberalising trade as Britain prepares to leave the European Union after the shock referendum vote to quit the bloc. "I want these talks... To pave the way for an ambitious trade arrangement" after Brexit, she said in Bahrain, which was a British protectorate for 100 years and gained full independence in 1971. May was the first woman and first British leader to address a GCC summit, as Gulf countries deepen ties with major powers beyond longtime ally the United States. In May last year, France's President Francois Hollande became the first Western head of state to attend a GCC summit. US President Barack Obama followed in April this year, seeking to reassure Gulf monarchs about US overtures to Iran. GCC leaders have expressed concern over the international agreement that lifted sanctions on Iran this year in exchange for guarantees it would not pursue a nuclear weapons capability. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a dramatic move aimed at curbing rebellion around Brexit, British Prime Minister Theresa May is offering MPs to vote on her plan to start negotiation on Britain's exit from the European Union. MPs will be asked in the House of Commons today to back the UK government's plan to trigger Article 50 by the end of March 2017, which will begin the formal process of exit negotiations from the 28-member economic bloc. May has also committed to revealing the official plan for Brexit before the actual process begins, without committing to any detailed account. MPs are expected to vote in favour of the government's timetable but Opposition Labour has been demanding more information on the exit strategy. The party's Brexit spokesman, Sir Keir Starmer, said his party would continue to challenge the government if its plan was "not detailed enough". He said: "I think it's got to be pretty detailed, they've got to set out what those objectives are. I don't think it needs to be in a particular form, but if it's not detailed enough they can expect further challenge." The debate comes after a procedural battle between the parties over the wording of the motion to be put to MPs. May had been refusing to provide a "running commentary" on Brexit after the UK voted to leave the EU in a referendum in June. As the Supreme Court in London continues to hear a case to establish the extent of British PM's power in launching into a Brexit without parliamentary approval, Downing Street put forward an amendment agreeing to publish a plan before triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. Starmer described it as "a welcome and hugely significant climbdown", while the government believes receiving this parliamentary backing for the timetable would avoid delays to the Brexit process. The Liberal Democrats and Scottich National Party are expected to vote against the motion in an attempt to block Brexit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a symbolic victory, British Prime Minister Theresa May today won a vote in Parliament backing her timetable for negotiating Britain's exit from the European Union (EU). MPs voted in the House of Commons 461 to 89 in favour of May triggering Article 50 by the end of March 2017, which will begin the formal process of exit negotiations from the 28-member economic bloc. The win followed a compromise between Opposition Labour and the ruling Conservatives, which saw May committing to revealing the official plan for before the actual process begins, without committing to any detailed account. The vote also supported a Labour motion calling for Parliament to "properly scrutinise" the government in its proposals for leaving the EU by 448 votes to 75 - a margin of 373. Labour's spokesman, Sir Keir Starmer, has said his party would continue to challenge the government if its plan was "not detailed enough". He said: "I think it's got to be pretty detailed, they've got to set out what those objectives are. I don't think it needs to be in a particular form, but if it's not detailed enough they can expect further challenge." Secretary David Davis responded: "The simple fact is that the mandate (in June's referendum) was to leave the European Union - full stop. We need to keep that in mind when we are going through that process. "This is a negotiation; it's not a policy statement. And, therefore, where you are aiming for may not be the exact place you end up." The debate today came after a procedural battle between the parties over the wording of the motion to be put to MPs. Mrs May had been refusing to provide a "running commentary" on Brexit after the UK voted to leave the EU in a referendum in June. As the Supreme Court in London continues to hear a case to establish the extent of British PM's power in launching into a Brexit without parliamentary approval, Downing Street put forward an amendment agreeing to publish a plan before triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. Starmer described it as "a welcome and hugely significant climbdown", while the government believes receiving this parliamentary backing for the timetable would avoid delays to the Brexit process. The government's amendment was opposed by 23 Labour MPs and one Conservative - former chancellor Ken Clarke. Five Liberal Democrat MPs, three Welsh Plaid Cymru MPs and 51 SNP MPs also voted against it. India International Exchange, being set up by the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), has worked out a collaboration with Dubai Gold and Commodity Exchange to reach out to global traders, officials said today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate BSE's India International Exchange (INDIAINx) at GIFT-City near Gandhinagar on January 9 on the occasion of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit-2017. INDIAINx has also worked out an agreement with Dubai Gold and Commodity Exchange (DGCX) to reach out to the global traders in a wide range of products including the trading in INR-USD contract. "We are pleased to announce the tie up with DGCX to mutually, on reciprocal basis, exchange our price feed and product licence agreements," BSE's Chief Business Officer V Balasubramaniam said at the FIA Asia Derivative Conference being held here from December 6-8. DGCX trades BSE's SENSEX. "Now we are looking at expanding the corporation to more products including currencies, commodities, derivatives and others," Balasubramaniam said. DGCX chief executive officer Gaurang Desai said, "We will be jointly developing new products and do joint business development." DGCX is now the largest Rupee-Dollar (INR-USD) market, averagely trading USD 2 billion a day. "We also have largest open interest globally, about USD 8 billion, four times of our daily volume of INR-USD," said Desai. "We are now going to look at much bigger ambition in trading from INDIAINx," said Balasubramaniam. INDIAINx will offer derivative exchange in rupee-dollar contracts, products on gold, silver, copper and crude oil such as the West Texas Intermediate and Brent contracts, two of the leading contracts in oil trading. "We are going to look at launching single stock futures on Indian and international companies," said Balasubramaniam. DGCX is already trading 10 Indian and 5 US stock futures contracts, said Desai, supporting the INDIAINx plans. "A lot of arbitrage will happen, market will expand and more and more participation will take place. NRIs, restricted to participate in the Indian derivatives market, will be able to trade on INDIAINx," said Balasubramaniam. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Government tonight approved signing of an MoU between India and Thailand on cooperation in controlling narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval to the MoU between India and Thailand in controlling narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their precursors and chemicals and drug abuse. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) is an effective framework to deal with all issues requiring mutual assistance and cooperation in the above areas, an official release said. It will facilitate effective institutional interaction between India and Thailand. The MoU, once in force, would help in curbing transnational narcotics trafficking, the release said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Union Cabinet today approved the development of phase-I of Pune Metro Rail Project which will cover a length of 31.25 km at the total completion cost of Rs 11,420 crore. It comprises two corridors -- Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC)- Swargate covering length of 16.589 km and Vanaz to Ramwadi with a length of 14.665 km. "The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the development of Pune Metro Rail Project Phase 1," an official release said. The population of approximately 50 lakh of Pune Metropolitan Area will be benefited through this metro corridor, it added. The project is scheduled to be completed in five years from the date of start of work as per the Detailed Project Report (DPR). The Project will be implemented by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MAHA-METRO), which will be a 50:50 jointly owned company of Government of India and Maharashtra government. The existing Nagpur Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (NMRCL), a joint Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of Government of India and Maharashtra government, would be reconstituted into MAHA-METRO for implementation of all metro projects including Pune Metro Rail Project Phase-1 in the state of Maharashtra outside Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The approved alignments are expected to provide the much needed connectivity to the commuters and would traverse through some of the densest and traffic congested routes in the Pune Metropolitan Area, the release said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Left leaders today paid glowing tributes to "Friend of India" Fidel Castro, saying the qualities the Cuban revolutionary represented need to be imbibed to bring about societal change and human liberation. "Why we say Fidel is immortal? We, the people fighting against exploitation, say so because he represents certain revolutionary traits that will continue to inspire people fighting for human liberation. "We need to understand those for our revolutionary protests, to bring about societal change, human liberation. These qualities need to be imbibed by all of us," CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said during a condolence meeting organised by the Left party here. The meeting was attended also by Cuban ambassador to India, Oscar Martinez Cardoves, his Vietnamese counterpart Ton Sinh Thanh, CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy, ex-CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat and CPI national secretary D Raja. Yechury stressed determination, grit and ability of Castro to analyse concretely, changing situation, saw him carry forward revolution against imperialist forces over a span during which the Cuban leader "outlasted 10 US Presidents". Reddy lauded Castro for practicing Marxism-Leninism in Cuba post-revolution and successfully fought "most cruel" economic blockade imposed on the country by the US during his life, inspiring other Latin American countries. "Blockades were imposed on other countries too like Iraq. We have seen how blockade could destroy small countries. But Cuba could resist all this and fought back (under Castro's leadership)," Reddy said. Seconding him, Raja said justice and dignity for all were the ideals of Cuban revolution and said communist parties world over need to carry forward the legacy Castro left behind. On his part, Cardoves dubbed Castro as "Friend of India" and thanked people of the country and Left parties here for paying rich tributes to the leader. "Fidel has a special place in our country...He is an example of dignity, unity.We will continue the legacy he left behind, for our country, for humanism," the ambassador said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CBI today raided Tezpur Head Post Office in Assam's Sonitpur district searching for details on alleged misappropriation of funds in transactions and anomalies against customer accounts, said the central investigation agency's officials. A three-member CBI team from Delhi raided the offices in the Tezpur Head Post Office searching for details on misappropriation of a huge amount of transaction, the officials told reporters here. Stating that investigations began this morning and would continue for next five days, the officials said six officials and employees of the Post Office have been interrogated regarding the anomalies. For the last few years severe anomalies have been reported against many accounts held by customers, particularly when the Core Banking System (CBS) was introduced in 2011 in this office, they said. Some inactive silent accounts for many years were revived and used for depositing via e-banking allegedly by some officials of the Post Office, the CBI officials said. The silent accounts were revived with fake figures thereby leading to a complete disorder of the entire process, they said adding, during 2014-15 an anomaly of Rs 1.4 crore had occurred. In connection with the anomalies an employee of the Post Office was suspended, the officials said. The Post Office covers 47 sub-post offices under Darrang Postal Division and handles sorting of parcels, processing and delivering of mails, deals with financial transactions including various savings schemes and others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Roberts School library received a $5,000 grant from author James Patterson in late November. The Scholastic Reading Club will match the grant with bonus points that teachers can use to acquire books and other materials for their classrooms. Roberts School was selected from thousands of applications as part of a larger $1.75 million donation to school libraries. Last year, Roberts won a $1,000 grant from Patterson. Since the grant programs launch in 2015, Patterson has donated $3.5 million to school libraries nationwide. The school plans to use the money on new shelving, a set of Kindles for checkout and new books, Roberts School's librarian Myrna Lastusky said. (Students) get so excited anytime I can get new books for the library. But the set of Kindles will also be great for our teachers to do small group reading activities, and it will give them the ability to supplement their lessons with online programs, Lastusky said in an emailed release. Last years Patterson Pledge showed communities nationwide how important school libraries are, but also how gravely desperate they are for books to fill their shelves in the midst of steep budget cuts, Judy Newman, President of Scholastic Reading Club, said in the release. Roberts, population of about 360, is one of several Montana communities without a public library. Schools across the state are left to fill the gap, but often have meager funding to do so. Bigfork Elementary and Middle School also received a grant from the group this year. Last year, schools in Glasgow, Polson, Bozeman and Great Falls got grants, plus McKinley Elementary in Billings. China's defence ministry has denied reports as "pure fiction" that its missiles shot down a Myanmar warplane near the Sino-Burmese border. A widely circulated report on Chinese Internet claimed that a Myanmar Air Force fighter jet crashed near the Sino-Burmese border on Sunday. The report said the jet was hit by a Chinese missile when it flew over Chinese territory during its airborne raid of armed ethnic forces. The reports quoted some analysts claiming that the PLA artillery fired warning shots at Myanmar jets that entered China's airspaceand that the fleeing jet accidentally hit the shells, which led to its crash, state run Global Times reported. The defence ministry rebuffed the analysis as fiction, the daily report said. Fighting rages in northern Myanmar as Myanmar Air Force jets have bombed Mongkoe for four straight days. Myanmar's Kachinland reported that a Myanmar fighter crashed on Sunday, saying it was not clear whether the crash was due to a technical failure or an attack, the daily report said. China is currently hosting several hundred refugees in various camps who fled due to heavy fighting between the rebels and the Myanmar military. Since the fighting broke out last month, Chinese Foreign ministry said China will continue to follow the development of the situation and maintain communication with Myanmar. "We strongly hope the parties in the conflict will exercise restraint and immediately halt military operations to avoid escalation of the situation," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang told media here last month. He also called on them to take concrete measures to restore peace in the China-Myanmar border area and prevent harm to China's sovereignty as well as the lives and property of border residents. Last year Chinese military has deployed its force along the border after five people were killed and several others wounded in firing by a Myanmar jet which was reportedly chasingKokoang rebels in the border areas. The main rebel force in Kokang, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MDAA) are ethnic Chinese and once formed part of Communist Party forces in the region. The MDAA is led by ethnic Chinese commander Peng Jiasheng who has reached a peace accord with the Myanmar government which lasted until 2009. He again resurfaced last year prompting Myanmar to seek Chinese assistance to crackdown on his outfit. Reports from Myanmar last year blamed Peng's return was the root cause for resumption of fighting. Peng has denied any Chinese involvement in interviews to the official media here. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UN human rights experts have urged China immediately to investigate the fate of a prominent Chinese rights lawyer missing for over two weeks, the latest example of a growing crackdown on legal activism. Jiang Tianyong took on numerous high-profile rights cases, including those of Falun Gong practitioners, Tibetan protesters, victims of the 2008 contaminated milk powder scandal and those of fellow lawyers Gao Zhisheng and Chen Guangcheng before being disbarred for his activism in 2009, according to campaign group Amnesty International. He disappeared on November 21 en route to Beijing from Changsha, the capital of the central province of Hunan, where he had gone to inquire about the situation of a detained human rights lawyer. "We fear that Mr Jiang's disappearance may be directly linked to his advocacy and he may be at risk of torture," a group of three UN experts said in a statement Tuesday, adding that they could not "rule out the possibility" that state agents were to blame for his disappearance. UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights Philip Alston met Jiang on a visit to China in August and said he feared the disappearance was in part a retaliation against the lawyer's assistance to UN experts. "The international standards are clear: states must refrain from and protect all persons from acts of reprisal" for such cooperation, Alston said. President Xi Jinping has overseen a tightening of controls on civil society since assuming power in 2012, closing avenues for legal activism that had opened up in recent years. While the government initially targeted political activists and human rights campaigners, it has increasingly turned its attention to the lawyers who represent them. In the most striking example, authorities detained more than 200 people last year during the so-called "709 crackdown" - named after the July 9th date of the roundup - including lawyers who took on civil rights cases considered sensitive by the ruling Communist Party. Jiang had met the wife of Xie Yang, a lawyer detained in the crackdown, and visited the Changsha detention centre where Xie was held. He was due to board an overnight train back to Beijing following the meetings. Authorities in Beijing, Changsha and Jiang's home town of Zhengzhou have reportedly refused to investigate his disappearance, according to the UN statement. "Everyone in China needs to comply with the law, and whoever violates the law will be punished in accordance with our laws," said foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang at a regular press briefing Wednesday in response to the UN statement. Jiang was last detained in 2014 after attempting to investigate a "black jail" that allegedly held Falun Gong practitioners. He suffered a beating while detained that fractured eight of his ribs, according to Amnesty. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China today accused Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen of seeking to use a planned transit stop in the US to score diplomatic points, amid Chinese rancor over an unprecedented phone call between Tsai and US President-elect Donald Trump. Asked at a briefing whether China has asked the US to cancel the stop planned for next month, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang reiterated China's claim to sovereignty over Taiwan and accused Tsai of political machinations. "Taiwan's administration and leader always perform some petty moves like a transit diplomacy whose ulterior political intentions are clear for all to see," Lu said. Tsai plans to stop in the US on her way to visit Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador, among the island's handful of diplomatic allies. China, which claims Taiwan as a breakaway province, objects to any nation having formal contact with its government. The island has diplomatic relations with just 22 countries, of which 12 are in Central America and the Caribbean. The phone conversation last Friday between Tsai and Trump broke a more than 4-decade-old precedent barring such direct communication, and set off a firestorm of controversy in Washington over Trump's apparent indifference to diplomatic protocol. Since the US switched relations from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, the sides have had only unofficial diplomatic dealings, although the US remains a key ally of Taiwan and by law must ensure the island can maintain a credible defence. China, which split with Taiwan during a civil war in 1949, continues to threaten to use force to reunify with it if deemed necessary. Beijing cut off contacts with Tsai's government earlier this year over her refusal to endorse the concept that China and Taiwan remain part of a single Chinese nation despite their present state of division. That brought a shuddering halt to the trend in recent years of warming ties between the former archrivals. In Taipei, presidential spokesman Alex Huang said today that Taiwan considered it of equal importance to maintain good relations with both the US and China, but also took a swipe at China's response. "Such overreaction is unnecessary and is also not conducive to the normal development of (Taiwan-China) relations," Huang was quoted as saying by Taiwan's official Central Agency. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Constitution amendment bill will not be endorsed in Parliament as most of its clauses are against Nepal's interest and the government should seek an alternative to the bill, Chairman of the country's fourth largest party Kamal Thapa has said. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has 37 seats in Parliament and its role will be crucial in the 594-strong House for the passage of the bill to address the demands of the agitating Madhesi parties and other ethnic groups. "Going by the current situation in the House, the bill is not going to get endorsed," Thapa said at the Reporters' Club yesterday. "I don't know why the main opposition CPN-UML is obstructing House proceedings to protest against the Constitution amendment bill which anyway will not pass," he said. The Constitution amendment requires a two-thirds majority. Thapa said that most of the contents and clauses of the bill are not in the country's interest and that unity among parties is vital in this situation. He suggested that the government should seek an alternative to the bill. "All political forces should act responsibly to implement the constitution," he said, adding that holding three levels of elections by January 2018 is not possible without the participation of the agitating Madhesi parties. The government registered a Constitution amendment bill in Parliament last Tuesday with an aim to address the demands of the Madhes-based parties, mainly over the provincial boundaries, citizenship, language and representation in the Upper House. However, the parties have not come to an agreement about the amendment bill. The Madhesi Front refused to back the bill, saying it was not acceptable in its current discriminatory form. The Constitution promulgated last year could not be implemented due to the agitation by the Madhesis. The Madhesi parties and ethnic groups have been demanding more rights and representation for the marginalised people. Re-demarcation of the provincial boundaries and citizenship issue are the two major demands put forth by the Madhesis. The Madhesis, mostly of Indian-origin, launched a six-month agitation from September last year to February this year in which more than 50 people were killed. The agitation had also crippled the landlocked country's economy as supplies from India were blocked. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Visakhapatnam unit of Coromandel International has proposed capacity expansion at a cost of Rs 225 crore to raise phosphoric acid output to 1,000 tonnes per day at the existing Sriharipuram facility in the city. "Coromandel is going to adopt best technologies available in the world to meet regulatory norms. The company has already sent the proposal to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board for approval," Coromandel's Associate VP sales and coordination (fertilisers) K Satyanarayana said here last night at a press meet. He said a public hearing on expansion plans will be held in Visakhapatnam on December 8. The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study was conducted by an MoEF-approved agency. "The study states that Coromandel had taken all steps to adhere to emission parameters and discharge standards as recommended by the authorities from time to time. As a result, the baseline environmental parameters are observed to be well within the limits," he added. According to the official, the proposed expansion project has potential to generate direct and indirect jobs of close to 275. Satyanarayana said demonetisation has hit the agriculture sector very hard as the fertiliser offtake has come down "drastically". Its consumption in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is 35 lakh tonnes per year for kharif and rabi seasons. "Usually, by this time of the year, 5-7 lakh fertiliser is bought by farmers during the rabi season, but till now, only one lakh tonne has been purchased by farmers," he said. So far, 5-7 lakh tonnes of urea are supposed to be purchased by farmers, but only 2 lakh tonnes have been picked up, he said. Despite representations, there has been no relief from the government for fertiliser companies and farmers, he regretted. "The Centre is asking fertiliser companies to sell product on credit basis, but the government is not releasing the subsidy to the company," he pointed out, adding that the government needs to release Rs 1,200 crore towards subsidy to Coromandel International. "We are not against demonetisation. It is in fact good, but the government should consider the representations made by companies to protect the fertiliser companies and poor farmers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A court here has rapped Delhi Police for lack of proper supervision in the "heinous offence" of using forged currency notes "which corrupts the economy of the nation" while sentencing a man caught with five fake Rs 1,000 notes to two-and-a-half years in jail. Additional Sessions Judge Ajay Kumar Jain said, "The police did not take sincere steps to get into depth of the matter and have not taken appropriate steps to catch the syndicate which is under operation." The judge said the police had also concealed some facts of the case which suggested that the "investigating officer avoided apprehending the real culprits who were creating the menace of forged currency". "There appears to be no proper supervision by higher police officials in such a heinous offence which corrupts the economy of nation," the court said, adding the police did not make any effort to crack the "real web of this forged currency syndicate". According to the police, on September 8, 2014, Imran was apprehended by public in a market here when he was running away after giving a fake note of Rs 1,000 to the complainant after making a purchase from him. Imran's disclosure statement revealed there was another person Faizul from whom he had procured the notes but the police failed to arrest him saying he could not be found. The court, while taking strong exception to the police not being able to arrest the main person, said, "The police ritualised the completion of investigation over the name of Faizul by stating that they had searched him at various places that too without any specific addresses, but he was not found. "However, no benefit of the said lapse of the police could be given to the present accused Imran against whom there is credible evidence of possession and use of forged currency." A complaint was lodged by cloth shop owner Rajesh that Imran gave him a fake Rs 1,000 note after purchasing a suit from him. When he asked the accused about it, he ran away but was caught by public and handed over to the police. Four more forged notes of Rs 1,000 were recovered from him. While convicting Imran, the court relied on the testimony of the complainant and the police, and rejected the contention of the accused that no independent witness was examined, saying that the "court has to see the quality of evidence, not the quantity" and that "it is a known fact that public witness are always averse to join the police investigation". "The complainant is an independent public witness to whom the counterfeit currency note was given for purchase of suit and he categorically explained the entire incident. His testimony regarding the incident remain unimpeached. "Therefore, in present facts and circumstances when the testimony of complainant is found to be credible, then non-joining of any other public witness is not at all going to affect the veracity of prosecution case," it said. Imran, a resident of Sangam Vihar in south Delhi, was held guilty of offences under sections 489 B (using as genuine, forged or counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes) and C (possession of forged or counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes) of the IPC. The death toll in a gas explosion in in a coal mine in central China's Hubei province rose to seven after two more bodies were recovered today. The gas explosion that occurred on Monday in Xinjia Coal Mine in Badong County left seven workers dead, rescuers said, adding that four miners still remain trapped in the mine. Yesterday, five bodies were retrieved by rescuers. There were 46 miners working underground at the time of the incident, which took place on Monday. Sixteen people were at the coalface during the outburst. Five managed to escape straight after the outburst. The legal representative of the mine is being held by police for investigation, state-run Xinhua agency reported. This is the third major mine accident in recent days. Last week, at least 53 people were killed after two separate explosions rocked coal mines in northern China. Thirty-two people were killed following an explosion at a coalminein Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and 21 workers trapped in a coalminein China after an explosion on Novemeber 30 were confirmed dead. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today termed demonetisation as a "courageous decision" taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to tackle black money, counterfeit currency and terrorism, even as Opposition Congress staged a walkout on the issue. Replying to an adjournment motion moved by Congress leader Bala Bachchan, who is having temporary charge as the Leader of Opposition, Mukesh Nayak and others on the alleged issue of law and order problems faced by farmers and others due to demonetisation, Chouhan said "It was a courageous decision taken by the Prime Minister to tackle the problem of black money, counterfeit currency and terrorism." Earlier as the House assembled for the third day of the ongoing Winter Session, Congress demanded discussion on the various adjournment motions they have submitted on the issue and created ruckus during question hour following which it was adjourned for 10 minutes. Later, when the House again assembled and Congress members continued with their disruption, the Chief Minster said the government is ready for a debate which should be started immediately. Describing Modi as a Man of Era (Yug Purush), he said, "If someone looks at it with an eye on electoral politics, then he could have never taken such a decision which was not an easy one." When Chouhan started dwelling on issues raised by Opposition members on farmers woes and highlighted steps like rise in irrigated area from 7.5 lakh hectares to 40 lakh hectares, loan to farmers at zero per cent interest and now the same with a subsidy of 10 per cent among others, the Congress members started interrupting him. Chouhan claimed that as far as farmers suicide is concerned, their number was higher during Congress regime under Digvijay Singh than the current BJP rule. The Chief Minister also highlighted that after demonetisation, a total of Rs 26,000 crore in banned currencies were deposited in the banks till November 30. He also informed that during the same period the banks have disbursed Rs 13,000 crore to people in new and existing currency notes. At this point, Congress members including Patwari and Sunderlal Tiwari among others again interrupted Chouhan and said their main issue was not demonetisation but problems faced by farmers because of it following which the Speaker Sitasaran Sharma informed that there are a number of notices given by them and demonetisation was also mentioned in it. Dissatisfied with the Chair's ruling Congress members rushed to the well of the House and created ruckus before staging a walkout. Surprised by the Opposition move, Chouhan said, "I strongly condemn their behaviour as they have no courage to face the truth. I haven't seen such a weak Opposition. The Congress members have disrespected Assembly, democracy and people of the state." Resuming his reply after the Congress walkout, Chouhan said "Decisions taken by his (BJP) government for farmer's welfare were significant when compared to Congress rule for last 60-years." The black marketing of urea too has been checked after neem-coated fertiliser was made available in the market, he said. He also informed that the total sown area this year for all crops was 95 lakh hectare as compared to last year's 77.23 lakh hectare. Chouhan said he was aware that people were facing problems because of demonetisation but it has to be noted that they are still with Modi on the issue in the interest of the country. Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said the demonetisation decision was not taken with Uttar Pradesh Assembly election in mind but if it becomes the issue, then it would be "best issue" in the polls. "Many election in Uttar Pradesh had been held in the name of casteism, communalism and this type of narrow issues. This time at least...Demonetisation has hit the black money holders but the pain is being felt by (Opposition). If this becomes the issue, then I think this would be the best issue...Fight against corruption, black money holders," Naqvi said while responding to a question on 'Agenda Aaj Tak'. He, however, said the demonetisation decision was not taken keeping in mind the election in Uttar Pradesh and emphasised that people in the country are supporting this initiative in "one voice". Congress leader Raj Babbar sought to know from BJP which law in the world prohibits people from withdrawing their own money and said the "politics of discourse" is going on in the country. He said if the government has really succeeded in unearthing the black money, then it should waive off the loan of farmers and give money to below poverty level people in the country. Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal questioned the surgical strike by the government, asking what is the use of the operation after which 32 soldiers were killed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Advisories suggesting people to avoid outdoors are in place yet again with the air quality in the national capital turning 'severe' under the collective impact of dense fog and reduced wind speed, a condition that is likely to persist over the next few days. Visibility will drop across the city over the next few days due to dense fog formation, which shoots up the level of pollutants as moisture traps it, an IMD official said. Levels of PM 10, in real-time, at Delhi Pollution Control Committee's (DPCC) Anand Vihar and R K Puram stations violated the prescribed standards (24-hour ambient) by over 10 and seven times respectively around 7 PM. The Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) air quality index (24-hour average) was in the 'severe' category with a reading of 407, which may affect healthy people and seriously impact those with respiratory ailments. CPCB's Siri Fort (south Delhi) monitoring station, opened recently, had an AQI (air quality index) of 447. The maximum limit is 500. The 24-hour-average (rolling) of PM 2.5 and PM 10, ultra-fine particulates, were 209 and 401 micrograms per cubic metre respectively, violating the prescribed standards of 60 and 100 respectively by multiple times. Early in November, the city had experienced the worst spell of smog (smoke and fog) in 17 years when the pollutants had managed to permeate the indoors as well. As per the graded action plan submitted by the Centre to the Supreme Court, which has been accepted, measures such as odd-even scheme and ban on construction can be automatically enforced if 'severe' conditions persist for 48 hours at a stretch. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A rollover crash involving three vehicles, including a school bus, on Grand Avenue sent two Billings teenagers to the hospital Wednesday morning. There were two young children on the bus and neither was injured, said Billings police Sgt. Bret Becker. They were transferred to another bus. The crash happened at about 7:45 a.m. when a pickup that was eastbound on Grand Avenue changed lanes just before the intersection with 17th Street West and clipped an eastbound SUV. The collision caused the driver of the SUV, a 17-year-old Billings girl, to lose control, and it went into the westbound traffic lane. The SUV then struck a westbound school bus waiting at the stoplight before striking and knocking over a pole and rolling into the parking lot of the US Bank at the intersection's northeast corner, Becker said. Both the girl driving the SUV and her 17-year-old passenger were taken by American Medical Response ambulance to a Billings hospital to be treated for injuries that Becker said did not appear to be life-threatening. No other injuries were reported. The SUV could be seen laying on its driver's side in the bank lot with heavy front-end damage. Billings firefighters taped off the area around it while they cleaned up debris and fluids from the vehicle. The crash closed westbound traffic on Grand while emergency crews responded and cleaned up. Becker said that the pickup's driver, a Billings man whose name has not been released, was cited for driving with a suspended license and for making an unsafe lane change. US-based full-service restaurant major DineEquity Inc has signed a franchise agreement with Kwal's Catering to open 20 IHOP restaurants across India as part of its international expansion plans. The company has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement with Kwal's Group subsidiary Kwal's Catering Pvt Ltd to bring IHOP, breakfast chain and leader in family dining to India, DineEquity said. "For our company Asia presents largest growth opportunity for us. For IHOP, opportunity is in Asia pacific region and that includes India. Indian consumers already have exposure to American brands," DineEquity Inc Business Development & Operations Asia Pacific Director James G Cavalaris told PTI. The company plans to open the first restaurant under the brand in March 2017. "We are planning to open 20 restaurants under the IHOP brand by the end of 2020. The investment on opening these will be around Rs 100 crore," Kwal's Group Managing Director Sameer Lamba said. The locations that are being considered for this are Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Kochi, he added. "International is where we are eyeing expansion for the company. IHOP has very strong presence across the globe. The aim is to provide the American experience," DineEquity Inc International Marketing Director Beatrice Carvalho Martins said. DineEquity Inc currently has over 3,700 Applebee's and IHOP restaurants. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After facing flak from the Bombay High Court for its "lethargic" approach towards finalising a site for installation of a doppler radar system, BMC today said its Improvement Committee has sanctioned a place and the proposal would be placed before the general body for final approval tomorrow. A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice M S Sonak had on the last two hearings come down heavily on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for dragging its feet in the matter and not finalising the site despite several orders of the court. The court had then directed the civic chief Ajoy Mehta to appear before it during hearing of the PIL filed by advocate Atal Bihari Dubey on the heavy rains that brought Mumbai to a halt in June this year. On the last hearing, Mehta informed the court that the the Improvement Committee would have to first grant sanction, after which the proposal would be placed before the General Body for final approval. The court had then said the process would have to be completed expeditiously considering the seriousness of the issue. BMC counsel S U Kamdar today informed the court that the Improvement Committee had in its meeting held on December 3 granted its sanction for a doppler radar system to be set up in suburban Goregaon. "The proposal would be placed before the General Body which is scheduled to meet tomorrow," he said. The court then posted the petition for further hearing next week. While there is one doppler radar system in Colaba weather station, a state government-appointed committee had recommended setting up another such system in suburban Mumbai. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had identified three sites for construction of the system, but the civic body had not granted its approval to hand over the land. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An air strike in the jihadist-held western Iraqi town of Al-Qaim, near the Syrian border, has killed and wounded dozens of civilians, the parliament speaker said. Speaker Salim al-Juburi yesterday condemned in a statement the air strike "that targeted a market area for civilians and resulted in the death and injury of dozens of them." He said he "holds the government responsible for such mistakes" and demanded the immediate launch of an investigation into the alleged strike. If confirmed, the blunder would be one of the worst cases of civilians being killed in strikes in Iraq since the start of the air campaign against the Islamic State group in 2014. Officials in Anbar, the western province in which Al-Qaim is located, said dozens were killed in the afternoon strike, although AFP could not reach sources in the town to confirm the casualty toll. A spokesman for the provincial council of Anbar claimed the strike was carried out by an Iraqi aircraft in the afternoon and demanded a government probe. "The strike hit a market at peak hour, there were retirees queueing up pick up their pension, people collecting salaries and social security payments," Eid Ammash said. "Entire families were killed," Ammash said. Maath al-Jughaifi, a tribal leader in Haditha, the nearest city, said "between 70 people and 80 people were killed" in Al-Qaim but claimed the strike was carried out by the US-led coalition that has carried out thousands of strikes against IS. There was no immediate comment from Iraq's Joint Operations Command supervising the fight against IS or from the US-led coalition. Amaq, an IS-affiliated propaganda website, released a video purporting to show the aftermath of the strike and claimed 120 people were killed. AFP could not authenticate the footage, which showed devastation in a market area and a large number of dead and wounded strewn across the street or being treated. Al-Qaim lies a few kilometres from the border with Syria, around 320 kilometres (200 miles) west of the capital Baghdad, and is the last major town in Anbar still under IS control. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Punjab Bank Employees' Federation (PBEF) today sought adequate security from the government sighting public violence against bank staff in the wake of shortage of new currency notes. They urged the government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to release sufficient currency notes to banks so that people do not suffer. In a meeting chaired by PBEF president P R Mehta at Ludhiana, office bearers discussed the impact on customer services and problems being faced by bank staff post-demonetisation. After threadbare discussions, a resolution demanding proper security from the government and sufficient cash from the RBI was adopted by the federation. Bank staff are being targeted for no fault of theirs. They are serving people beyond official working hours and in absence of proper infrastructure, PBEF general secretary S K Gautam said. "Shortage of currency notes is not in control of banks. People out of anger have locked staffers inside their bank's branches and even beaten them," he claimed. The government and RBI must provide adequate security and sufficient cash to ensure smooth customer service, Gautam said, appealing to people to "understand their difficulty" and cooperate with them to ensure hassle-free services. Serpentine queues could be seen at banks and ATMs across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh as people waited to withdraw money. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five persons were today injured after seven vehicles collided due to low visibility caused by dense fog on Jaipur-Agra national highway in Dausa district of Rajasthan. A state roadways bus collided with a gas tanker initially leading to a pile up of vehicles in which five persons were injured, Circle Officer Manpur Poonam Chand said. The injured were admitted to a local hospital where they were given first aid treatment, he added. "A gas tanker was also damaged but there was no leakage," he said. Meanwhile, foggy conditions in northern region disrupted trains movement under North Western railway. Varanasi-Jodhpur express has been cancelled while seven other trains including Ajmer-Jammutavi express, Ganganagar-Rishikesh express, Jodhpur-Hawrah were rescheduled whereas 20 trains are running late, a NWR spokesperson said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz India today said footfalls at its showrooms across the country fell by up to 60 per cent in November due to banning of high denomination notes by the Union government. The wholly-owned subsidiary of the German auto major Mercedes-Benz is also expecting its sales to fall marginally in India during the current year, mainly on account of ban on large diesel vehicles in the National Capital Region till the middle of August. "Due to the demonetisation drive by the government, there is a short-term impact on footfall in our showrooms. It has fallen by 50-60 per cent in November... Some of the potential customers might have lost some cash," Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director and CEO Roland Folger told PTI here. Declining to share sales figure for the month, he added the company hopes that the trend will be "normalised" in the next one or two months with people "just postponing" their purchases as the policy decision had an "emotional impact". "Our policy is not to sell cars on cash. On November 8 night, our dealers informed that people came to showrooms with bags of cash. We told the dealers not to sell cars to them. We fully appreciate what the government is doing," Folger said. He informed that 99 per cent of Mercedes-Benz India's sales are done through finances, but accepted that a small percentage of dispatch takes place through cash route also at dealer level. "Not accepting cash sales may impact negligibly on sales. But it is about our position and image... Usually the large cash transactions are not legal," Folger said. When asked about sales, the CEO said it is likely to fall marginally during the current year. "For 2016, we had set a two-digit growth target. But due the diesel ban in our largest market NCR, sales in the first nine months were severely impacted. So our sales in this year will be flat. In fact, in can be on negative side," he added. Of 13,502 units it sold in 2015, 25-30 per cent were contributed by NCR, of which 80 per cent were diesel vehicles. During January-September this year, the company sold 9,927 units across the country. When asked about next year, Folger said the company aims to achieve a double-digit growth, but refused to put a number. He said the company is now increasing its investment in the country following the withdrawal of the ban on diesel vehicles by the Supreme Court, but declined to share any figure to substantiate his claims. Mercedes-Benz India today rolled out a new showroom in Guwahati, its 88th outlet and the first in North East. Folger said with opening of the latest dealership, sales contribution from Eastern India will grow significantly from the existing around five per cent. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Anguished over restrictions on withdrawals by their embassies, many foreign governments are contemplating reciprocal measures against Indian missions abroad terming the measures as a "serious breach" of Vienna Convention. In strong comments, Frank Hans Dannenberg Castellanos, Dean of Diplomatic Corps who represents the voice of 157 foreign missions here, said the "buck stops" at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's door and he should intervene to resolve the issue soon. "The fact that we cannot access our own funds in our bank accounts is a serious breach of Vienna convention and international diplomatic principles. This is the main constraint of a lot of ambassadors," he said adding the Rs 50,000 a week cap on withdrawal must be lifted. Castellanos, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, said a number of embassies upset by India's restrictions were studying the possibility of "reciprocating" similar steps against Indian diplomats in their countries. At the same time, he hoped the issue will be resolved soon and that such action by foreign governments will not be required. "I am not saying all governments will do that but there might be governments who are already studying the possibility of raciprocating through Indian diplomats in their countries," Castellanos told PTI. He said he was just expressing the concensus view of 157 missions and their disappointment over government's lack of response. He said had written a letter to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and the Chief of Protocol expressing concern over the restrictions on withdrwal of funds in the wake of the demonetisation drive. "I think at the end of the day the buck stops at his (PM) door.. He is the one who has to decide whether diplomats will have the ability to withdraw bigger amounts from their accounts," said the Dean of Diplomatic Corps. Some big countries may "reciprocate" in the same way with Indian diplomats posted abroad if they continue to face the problem, Castellanos said, adding many embassies are in touch with their government's on the issue. Asked specifically whether some countries may really take reciprocal steps, he said, "They say they are discussing with their ministries about the possibility of doing that." The Dean of Diplomatic Corps said all the embassies are facing difficulties ranging from paying casual labourers and hosting delegations to carrying out their day-to-day activities. "I am giving you consensus of the problems of all my colleagues. I am giving consensus of 157 missions. Some countries have sent letters (to Indian Government) directly. The Russian Embassy made its letter public. Some embassies sent letters but have not made them public. "We are foreign missions accredited to India and there is something called reciprocity. We have certain benefits and we provide Indian diplomats in our countries the same benefits," he said. The diplomat said the Ministry of External Affairs is doing their best and it is for the Finance Ministry to take a call after the Prime Minister approves it. "We are hoping that it will be resolved in the next couple of weeks. We understand that the whole country is going through the painful situation which may last for an year or two," he said. Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and a number of other countries have already approached the government on the issue. Russian Ambassador Alexander Kadakin, in a letter to the government, has already lodged a strong protest over the restrictions on cash withdrawal. He said citizens of many countries including Iran, Sudan and Cuba, who come in large numbers to India, are facing severe problems as they do not have international credit cards due to certain restrictions on banking systems in these countries. "As ambassadors, it is our responsibility to ensure that our nationals visiting India do not face any problem," Kadakin said. After the demonetisation move last month, MEA had said it has approached the Department of Economic Affairs on the issue and was waiting for a decision by the Finance Ministry. The dean of the diplomatic corps today asked India to relax the restrictions on withdrawal of money from banks and hoped Prime Minister Narendra Modi will intervene as a large number of foreign missions reeled under funds crunch in the wake of demonetisation. Frank Hans Dannenberg Castellanos, ambassador of the Dominican Republic, said the foreign missions should have access to their funds to meet day-to-day operations and that the Rs 50,000 a week cap on withdrawal was inadequate and must be lifted. In strong comments, he even said some big countries may think of "reciprocating" in the same way with Indian diplomats posted abroad if they continued to face the problem. "Big countries can reciprocate (this) to Indian diplomats which would not be good for them," he said. Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and a number of other countries have already approached the government on the issue. Russian Ambassador Alexander Kadakin, in a letter to the Government, has already lodged strong protest over the restrictions on cash withdrwal, saying it has severely affected the functioning of his embassy. We hope the Finance Ministry and the Prime Minister himself will do something, Castellanos said, adding as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps he was trying his best to impress upon the government to review the decision. He said citizens of many countries including Iran, Sudan and Cuba, who come in large numbers to India are facing severe problems as they do not have international credit cards due to certain restrictions on banking systems in these countries. "As ambassadors, it is our responsibility to ensure that our nationals visiting India do not face any problem," he said. Castellanos said he had received complaints from a number of foreign missions here about the problems they are facing, adding the External Affairs Ministry has been apprised of the difficulties. The Dean of Diplomatic Corp said he has written a letter to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and the Chief of Protocol expressing concern over the restrictions on withdrwal of funds in the wake of the demonetisation drive. After the demonetisation decision last month, MEA had said it has approached the Department of Economic Affairs on the issue and was waiting for a decision by the Finance Ministry. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) French President Francois Hollande denounced today "systematic obstruction" by Russia at the UN Security Council after the failure of a resolution calling for a seven-day ceasefire in the Syrian city of Aleppo. Russia vetoed the French-backed measure yesterday in New York, the sixth time it has blocked a council resolution on Syria since the conflict began in March 2011. China also vetoed it. "Russia's systematic obstruction bolsters the regime of Bashar al-Assad in its destructive drive which is harming the defenceless civilian population," a statement from Hollande's office said. Syria's army took control of all of Aleppo's Old City Wednesday as rebels retreated in the face of an offensive that has seen troops capture three-quarters of opposition territory in the battered city. French ambassador to the UN Francois Delattre accused Russia on Tuesday of having "decided to take Aleppo regardless of the human cost." The draft text, backed by France, the United States and Britain, demanded that "all parties to the Syrian conflict shall cease... Any and all attacks in the city of Aleppo." It also called for the sides to "allow urgent humanitarian needs to be addressed," meaning permitting emergency services to enter and assist tens of thousands of residents in the besieged areas. The discussions in the Security Council set the stage for a week of international discussions on the Syria conflict. Western and Middle East powers that back the moderate Syrian opposition are set to meet in Paris on Saturday, while US and Russian officials are set to meet in Geneva on Tuesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The youngest Americans who remember the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor are over 80 years old. The youngest Americans who survived the attack at Oahu or rushed to enlist in the U.S. military afterward, are past 90. While Americans honor the aging World War II generation, we realize that every new generation must know that vigilance is the lesson of the day that will live in infamy. In the fall of 1941, The Billings Gazette and other U.S. newspapers brimmed with reports of the war in Europe and speculation that the United States might join it. On Dec. 1, 1941, The Gazette reported that Japan had asked to continue peace talks with the United States for another two weeks. Multiple wire service reports printed in The Gazette in early December speculated that Japan was massing troops for an invasion of Thailand. Montanas U.S. Sen. Burton K. Wheeler was quoted on The Gazette front page Dec. 1: I expect to see the United States send what they call a token army to England and north Ireland this coming spring, and if the war lasts, I expect to see a complete expeditionary force sent to Africa, and possibly, to Europe in July 1943. U.S. military aircraft were massed at Pearl Harbor, but hardly battle ready. That fateful Sunday morning no one expected Japanese forces to descend on the island. The U.S. pilots who were able to take off under heavy enemy fire became the first American casualties of World War II. On Dec. 8, the first reports from Pearl Harbor were printed under a Gazette banner headline: Japanese Declare War on U.S.; kill 300 men in Hawaiian bombing; Philipines blast. The full extent of loss wasnt made public until later. In fact, more than 2,400 Americans were killed and more than 1,000 wounded. Twenty ships and 300 planes were damaged or destroyed. Young Americans men and women rushed to volunteer for military service. The Gazette reported that enlistments in all branches of the U.S. military were up from 10 to 100 times above the normal daily total of recent months in the week after Pearl Harbor was bombed. In the past 75 years, Japan and the United State have become allies. Later this month, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Barack Obama have scheduled the first-ever visit to Pearl Harbor by a Japanese leader. Obama is the first sitting president to have visited Hiroshima, site of the first atomic bombing, which hastened the end of World War II in the Pacific. Obama didnt apologize for the bombing, but he pointed out the importance of seeking peace in the world today. In announcing his planned visit on Dec. 26 and 27, Abe said: We must never repeat the tragedy of the war. I would like to send this commitment. At the same time, I would like to send a message of reconciliation between Japan and the U.S. The U.S.-Japanese alliance demonstrates the power of reconciliation. The observance of Pearl Harbor Day reminds Americans why reconciliation is needed and vigilance is imperative. "The lesson learned was one of preparedness, The Gazette editorialized on the first Pearl Harbor anniversary. May this and every anniversary of the opening of the war against us be occasion for profound thought on the subject. Indeed, why not observe every Dec. 7 as Preparedness Day, a day to survey our armed strength in the peaceful era to follow and to make sure that we are well ready to cope with whatever foe may challenge us?" That's still good advice after 75 years. With the execution of a man convicted of killing his father-in-law, Georgia has put to death nine inmates this year more than any other state. William Sallie's time of death was 10:05 p.M., after an injection of compounded barbiturate pentobarbital at the state prison in Jackson, Warden Eric Sellers told witnesses. Sallie, 50, was convicted of murder in the March 1990 shooting death of John Lee Moore in rural south Georgia. When asked if he wanted to make a final statement, Sallie lifted his head to face the witnesses. "I just want to say I'm very, very sorry for my crimes. I really am sorry," he said, adding that he had prayed about it many times. "I'm just very sorry for everything. I do ask for forgiveness." He accepted the offer of a prayer. Records from past executions show that the lethal drug generally starts flowing within a couple of minutes of the warden exiting the execution chamber. About a minute after the warden left, Sallie lifted his head and looked out at the witnesses before putting his head back down, yawning and then closing his eyes and breathing deeply several times. About two minutes after the warden left, Sallie's body twitched five or six times, his shoulders lifting slightly off the gurney, but his eyes remained closed. Within another minute, he became still. In addition to the nine executions in Georgia this year, habitual leader Texas executed seven inmates, and Alabama, Florida and Missouri have carried out one execution apiece, for a total of 19 executions this year. Alabama has one more scheduled Thursday. This year's tally also marks the most executions Georgia has carried out in a calendar year since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. The state executed five inmates last year and five in 1987. Sallie had abused his wife during their marriage and she was living with her parents in rural Bacon County after having filed for divorce, according to a Georgia Supreme Court summary of the case. The two had fought bitterly over custody of their young son. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 19-year-old Dalit girl has alleged that she was raped by a BJP leader's son at a hotel on the pretext of marriage in Surendranagar district, police said. The BJP leader is the president of Patdi taluka unit of the party, Deputy Superintendent of Police M R Sharma said. The girl filed a complaint at Patdi police station late last night alleging that 23-year-old Bittu Patel took her to a hotel and establish physical relations with her on the pretext of marriage. "Both of them knew each other since schooldays and studied in the same college in Patdi town. The victim alleged that she was raped by Patel under the pretext of marrying her," Sharma said. He said an FIR has been registered against the accused and the girl has been sent for medical examination. Patel has also been charged under the Prevention of Atrocities Act. No arrests have been made yet, Sharma said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government is committed to achieving zero tuberculosis (TB) deaths in the country by ensuring affordable and quality healthcare to all, Union Health Minister J P Nadda said today. He said this at a round-table for Members of Parliament, policy makers and eminent tuberculosis experts, hosted by the Global Coalition Against TB at Parliament House Annexe here. "#GoI is committed to achieving zero TB deaths in as short a timeframe as possible by ensuring affordable & quality healthcare to all. "My heartfelt wishes to the entire team of Global Coalition for working on tuberculosis (TB) control in India and globally," Nadda later said in a series of tweets. Tuberculosis epidemic in India is "larger" than what was previously estimated, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently said while asserting that the country is one of six nations which accounted for 60 per cent of new TB cases last year. The Global Tuberculosis Report, 2016, which was released today, however, said the number of TB deaths and incidences rate continue to fall globally as well as in India. According to reports, WHO statistics for last year give an estimated incidence figure of 2.2 million cases of TB for India out of a global incidence of 9.6 million cases. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid a stand off with the judiciary on the contents of the memorandum of procedure -- a document to guide appointment of Supreme Court and high court judges -- the government today said it has "no intention" to interfere in judicial appointments. "You said we interfere everywhere. We have no such intention. B R Ambedkar was asked (during a Constituent Assembly debate). He had said that we do not want to give right of appointment in one single hand, whether it is the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers or even the Chief Justice of India. This is the spirit of the Indian Constitution. "...It says the the President shall appoint judges in consultation with the Chief Justice of India," Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said. He was responding to a question at 'Agenda Aaj Tak' on why elected governments seek to have an upper hand in judicial appointments. Referring to the decision of the Supreme Court to overturn the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act which had sought to scrap the collegium system of judges appointing judges, Prasad said the government has "honestly" accepted the decision but at the same time has certain reservations on it. He said that going by the order, while the Prime Minister can be trusted with the nuclear button, he cannot be trusted with the appointment of a judge. He reminded the judiciary that nearly 5,000 posts of judicial officers were vacant in the lower courts and it was the duty of the high courts to fill up the posts and the Centre had no role to play. For the past nearly one year, the government and the SC collegium are trying to settle their differences over the memorandum of procedure. The revised draft handed over by Prasad to Chief Justice of India T S Thakur is before the consideration of the five-judge SC collegium. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government has initiated a probe into Reliance Industries (RIL) and Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) having knowledge as early as in 2003 of state-owned firm's natural gas flowing into adjoining fields of in KG (Krishna-Godavari) Basin. ONGC had in late 2013 stated that it suspects extension of reservoirs from its blocks in the Bay of Bengal into RIL's KG-D6. This was based on seismic data available to it at least since 2007. RIL, on the other hand, seems to have an inkling as early as in 2003. "Government has decided that Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas will conduct an enquiry into the acts of omission and commission on the issue of prior knowledge about the continuity of the reservoirs," Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Wednesday. In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, he said the government had constituted a Committee under Justice (Retd) AP Shah to look into the dispute of gas migration from ONGC's Blocks KG-DWN-98/2 and Godavari PML to RIL's Block KG- DWN-98/3 (KG-D6) in KG Basin. "The terms of reference of the Committee also included consideration of the acts of omission and commission, if any, on part of the stakeholders including RIL, ONGC, DGH (Directorate General of Hydrocarbons) and the government and give recommendations on them," he said. Committee has submitted its report, and its recommendations have been accepted by the government. "The Committee, in its report, has observed that the 2003 Appraisal Report prima facie reveals that had prior knowledge about connectivity and continuity of reservoirs, and did not bring the contents and findings of the 2003 Appraisal Report to the notice of DGH," he said. Pradhan said the Report also notes that ONGC, on its part, also had some form of prior knowledge about possible continuity in 2007, but did not act promptly or with due diligence, and took up the matter only six years after it first obtained relevant information. "The Committee believes that the allegations of prior knowledge on the part of both and ONGC must be enquired into further, with particular emphasis laid upon the failure of both parties to present the information they had to the DGH," he said. His ministry had on November 3 issued a notice to RIL, Niko and BP plc seeking $1.47 billion for producing in the seven years ended March 31, 2016, about 338.332 million British thermal unit of gas that had seeped or migrated from the state-owned ONGC blocks into adjoining KG-D6. After deducting $71.71 million royalty paid on the gas produced and adding an interest at the rate of Libor plus 2 per cent, totalling $149.86 million, a total demand of $1.55 billion was made on RIL, BP and Niko. A government teacher died and some others were injured when police allegedly used canes to disperse them while they were moving towards the Vidhan Sabha to hold protest demanding restoration of pension scheme. President of UP unit of Pension Bachao Manch of All Teachers and Employees Welfare Association (ATEWA) Vijay Bahadur Bandhu claimed police used lathis to disperse teachers when they were moving towards Vidhan Sabha complex after sitting on dharna at Laxman Mela ground in support of their demand for restoration of pension for government teachers. While one teacher, Ramashish (38), belonging to Hata in Kushinagar was "killed in the unprovoked police action", several others were injured and admitted to hospital, Bandhu claimed. Police, when contacted, said mild force was used to chase them away but did not immediately confirm any death or injury. Agitated over the police action, the angry teachers blocked the road in front of the civil hospital and demanded Rs one crore compensation and job to the dependent of the deceased from the government. Senior SP leader Manzil Saini rushed to the hospital to bring the situation under control. The teachers also insisted that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav should come to the hospital to meet the agitated teachers and suspend policemen responsible for lathi charge. (RE-OPENS NRG 29) Meanwhile UP Chief Secretary Rahul Bhatnagar has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the teacher's death, an official release said. Bhatnagar, who met the delegation of teachers, has directed immediate help of Rs 5 lakh to the family of the deceased and assured that decision of providing job to his dependent will be taken as per rule. The CS said that action will be taken against those responsible for the death of the teacher on the basis of the inquiry report. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today ruled out any possibility of allowing Sikh radicals to hold 'Sarbat Khalsa' (congregation of Sikhs) at Talwandi Saboo tomorrow, apprehending law and order situation in the state. "A handful of self-styled leaders are hell bent upon holding Sarbat Khalsa for hatching conspiracies to derail the process of development and peace in the state and push it back to turbulent times," he alleged. "The state government cannot not allow these divisive forces to hold Sarbat Khalsa as it could jeopardise the law and order situation in the state," Badal told reporters on the sidelines of his Sangat Darshan programme at Tohra village. He said his government was committed to preserve the law and order at any cost besides strengthening the social fabric and maintaining peace, communal harmony and brotherhood. Meanwhile, police continued its crackdown on radicals across the state by taking them in preventive custody to prevent any law and order problem, officials said. On the objective of Moga rally tomorrow, Badal said its theme 'Save Water, Save Punjab' aimed to sensitise the people about the gravity of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal situation besides exposing the alleged black deeds and anti-Punjab stance of Congress leadership on the inter-state issues, especially the river waters from day one. He alleged that Congress had always betrayed Punjab and its people on every matter, be it political, social, economic or religious and said the SYL issue was an outcome of the party's apathetic attitude towards Punjab. "We don't have a single drop of spare water to share with anyone and nor there is any question and neither there is any need for the construction of SYL canal," he said. The Chief Minister cautioned the people to beware of the alleged nefarious designs of Congress leadership which, he claimed was shedding crocodile tears over SYL issue by tendering resignations as a drama just to garner mass support ahead of the Assembly polls in 2017. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a bid to provide equal educational opportunity, the Haryana Government has decided to establish a college for deaf and mute students at Karnal at a cost of Rs 20 crore. "This will be the first such college to be established in north India," Haryana's Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishan Kumar claimed in an official release issued here today. Apart from this, the State Institute of Skill Development and Employment Generation will be also be set up under a central scheme to generate employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, he said. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has accorded in-principle approval to this effect, the Minister said. "The college will be established at Karnal and its construction cost will be equally shared by the Centre and State," Kumar said, adding the Union Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment has given its approval to this effect. Internship for up to three months will be provided to students and a monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,000 will be given to them, he said. The Minister said a screening committee will be constituted under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary of Social Justice and Empowerment Department to review applications from NGOs for operating the college. Schools for deaf and mute children are being operated by the Haryana Welfare Society for Hearing and Speech Handicapped at Panchkula, Hisar, Raipur Rani, Sonipat and Gurugram, he said. There are around 3,925 such children in the state, of which 1,865 are hearing and 2,060 are speech impaired, Kumar added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Haryana Government today signed an agreement with State Bank of India (SBI) for promotion of digital transactions in the State. Under this, customers would be provided with the facility of making their payments towards government dues through Point of Sale (PoS) machines. Under the MoU, SBI would install 3,000 PoS machines in a phased manner. As many as 500 PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) and other PoS devices would be provided three days after receiving the list of locations, and the remaining in batches of 500 every fortnight. The Bank would not charge the Haryana Government for any transaction made on PoS machines, and would also not charge any amount from customers for any PoS machines transactions. The Bank would also impart training government officials to operate PoS machines, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Madras High Court bench today directed the Union government's counsel to get instructions on permitting Tamil Nadu fishermen to attend the consecration ceremony of St Anthony's church at Katchatheevu islet in Sri Lanka. A division bench comprising Justices A Selvam and P Kalaiarasan gave the directions on a PIL by one K Thirumurugan from Ramanathapuram district, seeking a direction to the Centre and the state government to permit fishermen and pilgrims from Tamil Nadu to participate in the consecration ceremony of newly built St Anthony's church in Katchatheevu. The petitioner submitted that Katchatheevu was ceded to the island nation by India through a 1974 agreement. He contended that the 111-year-old church was originally built by people from Ramanathapuram district as part of a vow after St Anthony saved the fishermen from getting stranded. Even as per the agreement, the Indian fishermen had every right to attend the function, he claimed. The consecration ceremony was scheduled to be held today, but was postponed to a later date on account of the demise of J Jayalalithaa. The petitioner blamed the Centre for not taking any step to send the fishermen there, though a representation had been made. He prayed that the court direct the Centre to permit the fishermen to attend the function. Sri Lanka had reportedly told fishermen of that country on December 2 that no one, except the Jaffna bishop, army and navy officials and the person who built the church would be allowed to attend the ceremony. Fishermen from this coastal town, who have for long been pressing to attend the festival, had blamed the Centre for not taking any steps to send them there and said about 150 of them were determined to proceed to the islet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Editor's note: The American public still didn't know the extent of the losses at Pearl Harbor or throughout the Pacific when President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed a war message to Congress on Dec. 8, 1941. Later that day, the evening Billings Gazette printed the text of FDR's message. Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to the secretary of state a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack. It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu. Yesterday the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaysia. Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine islands. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. This morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island. Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation. As commander in chief of the army and navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire. The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition challenging the election of Prime Minister from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency. Single judge bench of Justice Vikram Nath allowed the preliminary objection raised by Modi's counsel and rejected the petition of Ajay Rai, Congress MLA who had lost in the elections in 2014. "No material has been placed on record to make the petition triable," the judge said. The court was of the view that the petition was "half-hearted" and termed as "vague and bald statements, based on media reports" the allegations by Rai about the expenditure on Modi's campaign being far in excess of permissible limits. Rai, who had finished third and forfeited his deposit in the nearly one-sided electoral battle, had alleged in his petition that "more than Rs 50 crore" had been spent on Modi's election campaign. He had also claimed that a number of posh hotels in the ancient temple town had been booked for the purpose "for the period between April 24, 2014, and May 12, 2014 (the date of voting in Varanasi)". Rai had also claimed that "more than 400 vans" had been plied for the purpose of canvassing and popularising slogans like "Har Har Modi Ghar Ghar Modi" and "Abki Baar Modi Sarkar". However, the court concurred with the submission of Modi's counsel and Additional Solicitor General of India Satyapal Jain that the petitioner has failed to place any material on record to establish that these expenses were made directly by the candidate or by his supporters upon his directions. "While making an allegation that more than Rs 50 crore were spent, the petitioner has failed to specify who made these payments and to whom and what was the mode of payment. There is a lack of specific pleadings and the allegations are merely vague and bald statements based on media reports," the court remarked. The Bombay High Court today said it would commence in February 2017 the final hearing on a bunch of petitions challenging Maharashtra government's decision to grant 16 per cent reservation to the Marathas. A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice M S Sonak said that on January 30, it would fix a date in February when the petitions would be heard and decided. The state government had two days back filed a 2,500-page affidavit in support of its decision to grant reservation to the community in government jobs and educational institutions across the state. The government, in its affidavit, said that 80 per cent Marathas were socially and economically backward. The government sought vacation of the stay granted by the High Court on implementation of the decision so that it can go ahead with it. The petitions opposed the then Congress-NCP government's 2014 decision to grant 16 per cent reservation in government jobs and educational institutions to the Maratha community. The state government affidavit includes four reports prepared by Pune-based Gokhale Institute, on various segments of the community including sugarcane cutters and migrant labourers, head loaders, maid servants to back the claim about their socio-economic backwardness. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SpiceJet's senior vice president and head of inflight services Kamal Hingorani has been given the additional responsibility of corporate communication vertical at the airline. The additional charge has been entrusted to Hingorani after the exit of its head of Corporate Communication Ajay Jasra, who has joined rival airline IndiGo in the same capacity. Announcing this, SpiceJet said Hingoranu has been associated with the airline for almost a decade now managing multiple roles such as SVP and head ground and airport services SVP and head global sales and VP marketing and planning. Earlier he has also held leadership positions with international airlines such as SriLankan, Kuwait Airways and Gulf Air, besides multinational travel companies, Kuoni and ITC Travel House, the airline said in a statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taking a dig at Hurriyat's invitation of "tourists" to Kashmir, BJP leader Ram Madhav today said the separatists were more interested in welcoming "terrorists" to the state. "I consider it a spelling mistake by Hurriyat people. They might have mistakenly said tourists in place of terrorists. They always welcome terrorists (to Kashmir)," he told reporters here. The separatist leaders, who have been spearheading the five-month-long unrest in Kashmir, had in a surprise move yesterday invited tourists and pilgrims to visit the Valley to enjoy the traditional hospitality of its people while promising them safety. The BJP National General Secretary said nobody trusted the separatists and if they were so "sincere" about peace, they should stop issuing calendars (of shutdowns). "On one side, you (Hurriyat) preach terrorism and on the other, you issue calendars by shutting down shops, business establishments and educational institutions. Then, you do this drama of issuing statements of inviting tourists to Kashmir," he said. Stating that this was the "biggest hypocrisy" by the Hurriyat, Madhav said, "If they want tourists in the Valley, they should first restore peace in the Valley. But unfortunately, they are the biggest hurdle in restoration of peace and normalcy in Kashmir." He also hit at National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah for supporting the Hurriyat's call in this regard and questioned the leader's "change of mind". "Farooq Abdullah's statement is very unfortunate and surprising. He is the same Farooq, who used to release statements against Hurriyat Conference in Kashmir Valley and today suddenly he wants to move forward on the path of Hurriyat," he said. Abdullah, while addressing his party workers at a function to commemorate the 111th birth anniversary of his father and party founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah at Hazratbal on December 5, had said his party was not against the Hurriyat and supported the Kashmiris' demand for their rights but it would not tread the "wrong path" for achieving these goals. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A global advisory group on malaria today said India has the highest malaria burden in the Asia Pacific region but claimed vigorous action and renewed efforts in all states can make India reach the historic goal of malaria-freedom by 2030. "India's recent success in eliminating polio shows what can be done when political commitment is strong. With vigorous action in the low-burden states and renewed efforts in all states, India can reach the historic goal of malaria-freedom by 2030," said Sir Richard Feachem who directs the Global Health Group - The Malaria Elimination Group - at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). It said under-reporting of confirmed malaria cases in India makes it "challenging" to accurately estimate its true burden and asserted that actual number of cases could be between 9-50 times higher than what has been reported by the government's vector programme. The group is meeting this week in Chennai to discuss strategies to shrink the global malaria map and take stock of India's efforts to eliminate the disease. Senior officials of the government, WHO, Ministries of Health of malaria-endemic countries in Asia and Africa and others will take part in it. The group said that strong political and programmatic leadership, along with increased financial commitment and strengthened regional collaboration, are crucial to eliminating malaria in India by 2030. With the support of many partners, India has experienced a remarkable decline in malaria cases, Feachem said. According to WHO, the country has nearly halved the number of reported malaria cases between 2000 and 2014, from 2 million to 1.1 million. "However, under-reporting of confirmed cases makes it challenging to accurately estimate true burden and populations at risk. Multiple independent reports suggest that actual malaria cases could be between nine and 50 times greater than those reported by India's National Vector Borne Disease Program (NVBDCP), and malaria-related deaths could be 13 times higher," it said. Noting that some states and union territories (UTs) are clearly on the path to elimination while others are not, the group said that 15 low- and 11 moderate-burden states/UTs are targeting elimination by 2022. The group said that in 2014, five out of 36 states/UTs contributed to more than 70 per cent of the total malaria cases in the country - Odisha (36 per cent, Chhattisgarh (12 per cent), Jharkhand (9 per cent), Madhya Pradesh (9 per cent) and Maharashtra (5 per cent) while two states that have demonstrated success in malaria control are Punjab and Tamil Nadu. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India is in early talks with Russia to swap with China and Myanmar as an alternative to building world's most expensive pipeline costing close to $25 billion. The two nations had in October signed an initial pact for building a 4,500 km to 6,000 km long pipeline from Siberia to the world's third biggest energy consuming nation. ONGC Videsh Ltd Managing Director Narendra K Verma said talks are on with Russian gas monopoly Gazprom for an alternative swap. "Myanmar sells gas to China through an existing pipeline. If Russia can provide equivalent gas to China, then we can reverse the flow of gas from Myanmar to China and bring that gas to India," he said on the sidelines of the Petrotech conference here. So in effect Russia will supply gas to China and in return China will give its share of gas from Myanmar to India. A smaller pipeline from Myanmar will need to be built into eastern India for importing that gas, he said. The swap is more economical but would require China and Myanmar coming on board. The Russia-to-India pipeline that was being considered will see its route passing through the Himalayas into Northern India, a route which poses several technical challenges. Alternately, the pipeline can come via Central Asian nations, Iran and Pakistan into Western India. However, the route will be expensive when compared to the long discussed but shorter and cheaper Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline. Tehran may suggest India take its gas through IPI rather than building such an expensive pipeline, sources said. The third and the longest alternative is to lay a pipeline through China and Myanmar into North East India bypassing Bangladesh. According to preliminary cost estimate prepared by state-owned Engineers India Ltd, which in October signed an agreement with Gazprom for studying the Russia-India pipeline, the longest route of 6,000 km may cost close to $25 billion. The cost of transporting gas may be $12 per million British thermal unit, according to EIL. The MoU signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the India-Russia Annual Summit on sidelines of the 8th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, also envisages roping in ONGC Videsh Ltd, gas utility GAIL India Ltd and Petronet LNG Ltd for the study. Sources said produced in East Siberian fields is to be pumped into Russian gas grid which would be connected to India through the cross-country pipeline network. While the cost of transporting gas via the long discussed IPI pipeline is less than $1 per mmBtu, the same for the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline is around $2 per mmBtu. According to industry experts, a realistic transportation cost would be $4 per mmBtu for the Russia-India gas pipeline. This excludes the transit fee to be paid to nations through which the pipeline will pass. Russia is seeking to expand energy ties in Asia amid tensions with the West sparked by Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014. CPI(M) leader and Kulgam MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami today asked India and Pakistan to end border hostilities and initiate a meaningful dialogue process for stability in the south Asian region. "The leadership of both the countries should without losing any time, start a meaningful dialogue with total sincerity. The war hysteria and antagonistic rhetoric has proved counter-productive. Therefore the way out is to break the ice and move forward," Tarigami said at a party convention in Anantnag. Tarigami said the present hostile environment in the sub-continent, which has the potential to undermine peace and add to the miseries of the common people, must change, and for that a new initiative is the need of the hour. "It is in the interest of peace, security and welfare of the common people to immediately stop border hostilities and all other forms of confrontation," he said. Tarigami said India and Pakistan, as two major countries of the region, have to adopt a sensible approach and realise that war or violence in any form, will not only be futile but will also destabilise the region. The brunt will be borne by the poor toiling masses and the under-privileged, he said. "Domestic compulsions should not determine the nature of relationship between the people of India and Pakistan.Negative and short-sighted approach will lead to further escalation of hostilities and seriously harm peace in the region," he added. The Communist leader said ignoring the "political essence of the Kashmir issue" by the Central Government and non-initiation of an unconditional dialogue with all shades of Kashmiri leadership is "unfortunate" and results in complicating the problem. "The Chief Minister (Mehbooba Mufti) who came to power on the slogan of healing touch should immediately review Public Safety Act(PSA), release political prisoners especially the old, sick and the minors. "In addition a comprehensive rehabilitation process should be initiated so that the victims of pellets, bullets and tear gas shells can get adequate and special treatment," he said. Tarigami also called for a slew of relief measures for transporters, small businessmen, fruit growers, daily wage labourers and people associated with tourist industry so that they are compensated at the earliest. The CPI(M) convention resolved to launch a consistent struggle in favour of addressing political aspirations of the people by Central and state governments. It also appealed to the political leadership of India and Pakistan as also to the civil societies of both the countries to shun hostilities and urgently initiate a process of credible dialogue. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of reducing India to a "banana republic" by imposing demonetisation, the opposition today asked him to apologise for the move, a demand the government was quick to dismiss averring that it was in the country's interest. The opposition also termed as "immature" Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's remark that its members were not taking part in discussion on demonetisation in the House, but were using the issue for "getting footage on TV", and said the situation was otherwise and it was Modi who wanted to be seen on television. On the BJP parliamentary party passing a resolution claiming public support for demonetisation, the opposition leaders asked the ruling party "to check ground realities" first and stressed that the people continue to reel under hardships. "The impression that has gone worldwide post demonetisation is that money that was there with housewives, labourers, salaried employees was black money. India's image has been hit. Even the foreign tourists coming here, embassies are not getting money," Congress leader Anand Sharma told reporters outside Parliament. "We have been reduced to a banana republic. This responsibility lies with one person: the Prime Minister. He should apologise for (what) he has inflicted upon people of the country," he said. Sharma said Jaitley's statement was "very unfortunate and immature" and that it should have been avoided. "(Rather it is) the Prime Minister who wants to be seen on TV all the time, so does the Finance Minister. What do they expect? That the opposition has no right to question, criticise wrong decisions?" he asked. Echoing Sharma, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said it is "only the Prime Minister who is seen there on TV." Referring to the BJP parliamentary party resolution, the Rajya Sabha MP suggested the ruling party should do a reality check as he noted that the poor continued to suffer post withdrawal of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes. "People are suffering. When such issue is raised, they are saying our opposition is for TV footage," Yechury said. Yechury flayed the BJP parliamentary party for passing a resolution, condemning opposition parties for not letting the Parliament function, and said it is the Prime Minister who is not letting it function. BSP chief Mayawati reiterated that the Centre announced demonetisation "sans any preparation". "The Prime Minister announced demonetisation nearly a month ago. He had said the problem will be solved within 50 days. But I can't see it happening over the past one month. The poor, agricultural workers...They continue to remain affected," the BSP supremo said. Senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said that the government did not take initiative to ensure smooth functioning of the House. Hitting back, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi sought to know whether the opposition wants Modi to apologise for having "tightened noose around Kubers of black money and corrupts" and working in public interest. He asked the opposition to join debate on the issue as there are still some day left for the session to be over. The winter session of Parliament will conclude on December 16. "Why should the Prime Minister apologise? Because the Kubers of black money, corrupts and dishonest have been hit hard? Or is it because the poor is on the way of being happy?" he asked. The minister alleged those demanding apology are the "ones who allowed corrupts a freehand to loot the country for 70 years." He stressed the decision is in the interest of the people who, he claimed, are supporting the move. Earlier, speaking in Rajya Sabha, Jaitley said the government had not wasted even a minute to agree to a debate on the issue. It also agreed to the rule under which the debate is to be conducted as well as to the demand that the Prime Minister will participate in it, Jaitley said. "But instead of participating and concluding the debate, the opposition has been using the Zero Hour to raise the issue for getting footage on TV rather than listening to substantive facts on the issue... If the Opposition has the guts, the debate should resume," the Leader of the House said. India will establish a center of excellence in information technology at Egypt's oldest and most prestigious Al-Azhar University as part of an effort to enhance cooperation in education between the two countries. The centre will be set up in the engineering department of the university early next year, India's ambassador to Cairo Sanjay Bhattacharyya has said. Bhattacharyya called on Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Ahmed el-Tayeb on Monday to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between India and the varsity on different issues. "A group of The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), one of India's leading computer IT organisations, had come to Egypt earlier this year and they met with people at Al-Azhar University from the department of IT and department of engineering to discuss the establishment of the center," Bhattacharyya said. "We expect that the center should start very soon early next year. It will be located in the engineering department in Al-Azhar University," Bhattacharyya told PTI. He said about 150 Indian students were studying in the varsity. "The idea is that we would like to work with the youth over here in terms of advanced technologies, IT and give jobs because we're very happy that Al-Azhar university, besides the teaching of theology also teaches other disciplines and has many faculties so we wish to be supportive," Bhattacharyya said. "The Grand Sheikh was very supportive of the idea of the center, and he wishes to look at this personally and then see its expansion in other Al-Azhar institutions across the country," he said. Noting that the India government will pay all the cost of the project, the ambassador said another major issue he discussed with el-Tayeb was Al-Azhar's role in spreading moderate Islam. "We have all seen the growing incidence of radicalism and terrorism across the world. Both, this region and the Indian region are not immune to it. "We both have also suffered as has happened in many other parts of the world and we share the belief that Al-Azhar university have a very central role in bringing about more moderate, tolerant aspect of Islam which is appreciated in this region and in other parts of the world including in India," Bhattacharyya said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A former Stillwater County weed district coordinator who was fired for his use of county equipment has pleaded not guilty to unrelated theft charges in Cascade County. William Patterson entered his plea on Dec. 3 in Cascade County District Court, where he appeared by phone from Texas. He faces a felony count of theft. The theft charge stems from an investigation in 2014, when he was fired as the supervisor for the Cascade County weed and mosquito district. Investigators traced missing county property, including vehicle tires and an air tank, to Patterson after he left the job. The next hearing in the case is set for March 21. A trial is tentatively set for April 3. Patterson still faces allegations from Stillwater County, where he took a job as coordinator for the weed control district in February 2015. In June of this year, he was placed on leave as an investigation was launched into his use of county equipment to spray private land belonging to Stillwater County Commissioner Dennis Shupak. Amid the investigation, county officials fired Patterson on Oct. 21. Stillwater County Attorney Nancy Rohde did not return an inquiry about potential charges related to the investigation there. As part of its effort to reach out to the Indian-American community, the Indian diplomatic mission in Chicago held a Consular Camp in Indianapolis. During the camp held at the Hindu Temple in Indianapolis, more than 250 consular services were provided to the community residing in Indiana in a single day with the help of dozens of temple volunteers. Dr Ausaf Sayeed, Consul General, also came to meet the people during the Consular camp and answered their queries relating to different topics. The Board member of the Hindu Temple of Central Indiana felicitated the Consul General for his services to the community. Sayeed said Consulate will continue to strive to organize such Consular camps periodically in different cities of the US Mid-west to provide consular services to the Community at their doorsteps. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russian company Webnames Limited today announced partnership with Indian IT start-up Data XGen to use its technology for providing email ID in Russian script. "Being a pioneering company for IDN Web Addresses names in Russia, we are thrilled to create history in Russia by offering domains and email address service in our own language. It was Russia's dream since last 13 years and today with the help of an Indian innovator Ajay Data," Webnames LLC Director Alexei Sozonov said in a statement. Sozonov will serve as CEO of joint venture between Webnames and Data Xgen - Post.Rus (English translation of firm name). Data XGen recently launched first ever email IDs in Indian language script including Devnagari, Gujarati, Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu etc with .Bharat (in devnagari script) domain . The company offers free email address in Hindi script through its mobile application Datamail. "Post this launch of Russian language email address service, we will be soon entering into other countries too so as to enable billions of non-English people to join the world wide Internet by simply removing the language barrier," Ajay Data, Founder and CEO of Data XGen Technologies said. He said that With this joint venture over 140 million Russians will be empowered to use the 'Made in India' technology for Russian language email addresses on web and smartphones for free. Webnames provide website name registration, website hosting and related IT services in Russia. The company claims to have around 2.5 lakh customers. "Unlike Indian handsets, Russian handsets already have Cyrillic keyboard enabled and do not require any external app support. Due to this feature the adaptability of Russian email addresses will be faster than in India," Data said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 60-year-old Indian man was killed and four others were injured in a massive 26-vehicle pile-up due to dense fog in Ras Al Khaimah city of the UAE, media reports said today. "The unidentified man, was the only passenger who sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the Saqr public hospital in a critical condition. He sustained serious injuries and fractures, mainly in his head. He died of excessive bleeding," medical officials were quoted as saying by the Khaleej Times. "The other four injured passengers are recovering and in stable condition," the official said. "Keeping a safety space, reducing speed limit, and observing lane rule are so critical at all times, particularly during foggy weather while poor take-over is one of the main reasons behind so many accidents," Col Ali Saeed Al Alkeem, director of traffic and patrols department with Ras Al Khaimah police said. The dense fog lowered the horizontal visibility to less than 100 meters, mainly in the early hours of the day, obstructing smooth driving and leading to several traffic accidents. The Dubai Police have recorded 107 traffic accidents during foggy weather conditions on Sunday. Air traffic was also disrupted at Dubai International Airport earlier this week, with many flights cancelled or delayed. This is the second major accident involving Indians in Dubai in a week. On Sunday, two Indians workers were killed in a bus accident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Wednesday admitted that the government was presented with only "insufficient evidence" on alleged Indian spy who is under detention. Addressing a full Senate chamber, Aziz said the dossier on Jadhav contained mere statements. "It did not have any conclusive evidence," he was quoted as saying by the Geo TV. "What the dossier contained was not enough. Now it is up to the concerned authorities how long they take to give us more matter on the agent," Aziz said. Jadhav, who was reportedly arrested in Balochistan after he entered from Iran, has been accused by Pakistan of planning "subversive activities" in the country. Pakistan Army had also released a "confessional video" of Jadhav, who said he was the serving Indian Navy officer. India has acknowledged Jadhav as a retired Indian Navy officer, but denied the allegation that he was in any way connected to the government. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today extended sanctions against Russia over doping until further notice. The IOC first imposed sanctions on Russia in July in the wake of Richard McLaren's report for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that revealed a widespread state-backed scheme in Russia to rig drug tests at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and Paralympics. The revelations led to the exclusion of more than 100 Russian athletes from the Rio Olympics and the entire Russian team from the Paralympics. The IOC executive board "decided to extend the provisional measures ... Against Russia until further notice", two days before the McLaren's full report is released, in London. "Once the above-mentioned process is complete, the IOC Executive Board will take all the appropriate measures and sanctions in the context of the Olympic Games, such as disqualification of athletes from competition at the Olympic Games, and the exclusion of implicated officials, entourage or government officials from the Olympic Games," the board said in a statement. "Outside the Olympic Games, the International Federations have the authority for any consequential sanctions of athletes and entourage from other international competitions, and potentially the suspension of national federations." The full report by Canadian law professor McLaren is again expected to lift the lid once more on doping in Russia. "In order for the competent bodies, including the International Olympic Committee, to draw the relevant conclusions, due process now has to be followed," the IOC board added. "The evidence provided by Professor McLaren in his investigation has to be evaluated, and those implicated have to be given the right to be heard. This includes the athletes, the Russian Ministry of Sport, and other implicated persons and organisations. "Once all the evidence has been considered, the IOC Executive Board will then issue the appropriate measures and sanctions related to the Olympic Games. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The legacy of "Iron Lady" J Jayalalithaa will be remembered forever as she has left a huge void in Indian politics, Indian-American Tamils have said with the diaspora condoling her demise and grieving the loss of their beloved leader. "The legacy of the Iron Lady, as she is fondly remembered by many, who had rocked Indian politics, will be remembered forever. None has shown the courage which Jayalalithaa evinced in her political life," Dr Rajan Natarajan, who served as the Deputy Secretary of State in Maryland and now serving as the Commissioner of Transportation, said. "An authoritarian, a visionary and a leader full of guts and grit, she has left a huge void in Indian Politics. 'Amma' (mother), as she was always fondly referred to by the masses, she is indeed a mother of many comebacks in her political life," Natarajan, the first Indian-born Tamil American who served in the highest administrative position in US history, said yesterday. While he was serving as the chief diplomat of Maryland, Natarajan had several opportunities to interact and work with Jayalalithaa's cabinet and her government officials on many projects like Sister State, education, energy, transportation, and medical technologies. Upon her invitation, he had led a 20-member business delegation from the US and participated at the Global Investor Summit in 2015. It was his first opportunity to meet with Jayalalithaa in person and also one of the shining moments for him to admire her leadership, Natarajan said. "She is like the legendary bird Phoenix. Bounced back from every challenge, when the world thought she gone every time. I wish she could come back to life again like a Phoenix, throwing out the challenging god has imposed on her and to work on her dreams and vision to make them a reality. "Amma Jayalalithaa was a leader who has not only made an unrepeatable history in India and also become a true role model for millions of women to realise their power in public service and make betterment of the society and nation," Natarajan said. He said, no doubt that Jayalalithaa was an exemplary and extraordinary leader for the ordinary people, particularly for the poor and the middle class. She had implemented numerous welfare programs and rural development schemes for ordinary citizens, which no other state's chief minister still has been able to do. "After Secretary Hillary Clinton's meeting with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa back in 2013, Clinton mentioned she is incomparable and strongly determined leader, and she has been an embodiment of woman empowerment," Natarajan said. Observing that Jayalalithaa's demise signals the end of an era of celluloid image politics in Tamil Nadu, a well-known Indian-American professor has said her success will be an inspiration for women who aspire to become a leader in India. "Jayalalithaa's demise signals the end of an era of celluloid image politics in Tamil Nadu where mass media access paved the way for colourful political careers for several decades," said Ram Mahalingam, associate professor of psychology at the University of Michigan. "Her appeal to women emboldened her to expand many popular social welfare programs, a legacy of the Dravidian parties, while resisting the pressures of neoliberalism. Her charisma and connection to people enabled her to achieve this. "She was a firm and independent decision maker who was the supreme leader of her party. Her success will be an inspiration for women who aspire to become a leader in India," Mahalingam said. Sriram Mohan, a doctoral candidate in communication studies, said in the era of 24/7 television and social media, it would be tempting to stick to the script and paint Jayalalithaa as a corrupt, authoritarian leader who encouraged servility from her supporters and demanded silence from her detractors. "While these concerns are neither untrue nor irrelevant, it would be a travesty to speak of her legacy only on these registers. It would be remiss to not touch upon her record of standing up to successive national governments over the rights of the states or her rather consistent commitment to nutrition, education and women's rights. "They show up in the state's impressive vaccination record, its high proportion of women police personnel to specifically address the issue of violence against women, and in her decision to provide free bicycles to girl students from Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe communities in order to sustain enrolment in high school," Mohan said. "In the same vein, any account of her political career must also address the concerns around the disproportionate assets cases and her use of state machinery to suppress dissent. However, it would also be important to think of her rise through what was a patriarchal political sphere," Mohan added. Islamic State militants launched an overnight attack against Iraqi security forces in the southeastern part of Mosul, a day after troops advanced deeper into that part of the city, Iraq's military said today. The attack "inflicted heavy losses," Iraqi Army Sgt Maj Hakim Saranbii told The Associated Press, without giving specific casualty figures or further details. Iraqi Defence Ministry officials in Baghdad did not immediately comment. The setback came after Iraq's army yesterday rolled into the southeastern neighbourhood of al-Salam, taking a hospital before meeting stiff resistance from IS militants. Convoys of dozens of armoured Iraqi special forces and army Humvees could be seen moving into the southeastern neighbourhood Wednesday morning. "What we see here is the enemy reacting to a new axis of advance," said coalition spokesman U.S. Army, Col. John Dorrian, explaining that the new push is putting increased pressure on IS. After the advance yesterday, Iraqi forces said that they pushed the front line back more than 2 kilometres and retook Mosul's al-Salam hospital, but only a few hundred metres appeared to be secured and clashes continued into the evening. When Iraqi forces initially launched a push into eastern Mosul in early November, troops came under heavy counterattacks after advancing too far too quickly. Islamic State militants depend on suicide car bombs and sniper fire to derail the security forces, as well as a network of underground tunnels. The Iraqi government has not publicised the casualty figures for government troops and paramilitary forces fighting in Mosul and elsewhere in northern Iraq. Last week, the UN said in a report that nearly 2,000 members of the Iraqi forces were killed last month, but after coming under fire from the media arm of the Iraqi military, it announced it would discontinue publishing casualty figures for Iraq's security forces. Backed the US-led international coalition, Iraqi government troops and paramilitary forces launched a campaign in October to dislodge IS from Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city and IS's last major urban bastion in the country. Elsewhere, a wave of bomb attacks today hit commercial areas in and around the capital, Baghdad, killing at least 17 civilians and wounding 57, police and health officials said. The deadliest among a total of nine bombings took place in Baghdad's northern Sabi al-Bor area and the southeast suburb of Nahrawan where three civilians were killed in each attack, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to talk to reporters. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks that bore all the hallmarks of the Islamic State group, which has staged similar attacks in the past. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Several Israeli missiles struck near the Mazzeh airbase outside Damascus overnight without causing any casualties, Syrian state media reported today. "At 3:00 am (local time), the Israeli enemy fired several surface-to-surface missiles from inside occupied territory," the state agency SANA said, citing a military source. SANA said the missiles were fired from a position "west of Tal Abu Nada," a mountain in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights known as Mount Avital in Israel. It said they caused a fire but no casualties. The Mazzeh airbase, less than eight kilometres (five miles) southwest of Damascus, hosts the headquarters of the feared air force intelligence service and its notorious prison. It was the second time in eight days that Israel, which is technically still at war with Syria, had targeted positions outside Damascus. It has sought to limit its involvement in the five-year conflict in Syria, but has carried out sporadic sorties against Hezbollah inside Syria. The Lebanese militant group, which fought a devastating war with Israel in 2006, had sent thousands of its men to fight alongside Syrian government troops. Israel seized 1,200 square kilometres (460 square miles) of the Golan from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, whose upcoming film "Raaes" is set to lock horns with Hrithik Roshan starrer "Kaabil", says they had decided to prepone the release date earlier but wanted it to be announced through the trailer. Earlier "Raaes" was scheduled to release on January 26 and now it has been preponed by a day. It will now hit theatres on January 25. Few days ago Rakesh Roshan, producer of "Kaabil", had announced January 25 as the release date of his film. "We had actually decided about the release date long back. First both the films ('Raaes' and 'Kaabil') were going release on January 26, so we had decided with our exhibitors and distributors about coming out on January 25," Shah Rukh told reporters here at the trailer launch of "Raaes". "I guess 'Kaabil' is coming out in the evening shows of January 25 and we would be coming on the regular shows on the same day. There is nothing like we decided later... It is a wise decision to take note that January 26 is a holiday. We thought it would be better to let people know about the release date through our trailer." SRK says in India there is still dearth of theatres. "I may be wrong with numbers. I have heard that in England there is one theatre for ten thousand people and in America there are ten theatres for one thousand people. India has a shortage of theatres. There should be more theatres in small towns and cities. "In China the films do three to five times more than our business and that is because of the number of theatres. We are trying to have new chain and more theatres. In America and London you don't hear of clash as there are more theatres." "Raaes" stars Shah Rukh as bootlegger, Nawazuddin Siddqui as a cop while Mahira Khan plays SRK's love interest. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jharkhand Parliamentary Affairs minister Saryu Roy today met state Governor Droupadi Murmu ahead of the two-day seminar on Environment and Development of Eastern Regions which will delve on progress as well as safety of the environment. Roy apprised the Governor of the eastern states being endowed with natural beauty and human resources and that 65 per cent of the country's natural resources were in this part of the country, a release here said. The region has water, forest resources and productive land and has enormous potential for development, besides it has a long coast and has international borders with neighbouring countries Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh and is international prospect of trade, the release said. As water, land and air could be adversely impacted following development, it was necessary that it had its least effect on human and natural resources and whatever happened could be managed completely, Roy said adding, the current generation could profit from development as well as ensuring safety of environment. Telling the Governor that despite having abundant resources, the eastern part of the region lagged behind other states, Roy said the Reserve Bank of India had in 1983 prepared a report on the potential of agriculture development in the eastern states, but the recommendations could not be implemented properly. He said the Centre was emphasising on trade with South East and Eastern Asia and ports should be activated in this region, and for this, private and public investments should be invited, the release said. The seminar slated for December 17 and 18 would delve on speedy development of the eastern region as well as protection of environment, he said. Several eminent personalities attended the meeting chaired by the Governor, the release added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two administrators with the Montana Native Womens Coalition and the Womens Resource Center, which are Glasgow-based organizations intended to help Native American and community victims of domestic and sexual violence, this week denied charges of stealing money from the nonprofit groups. Toni Louise Plummer-Alvernaz, 53, of Glasgow, and Brady Lynn Funk, 31, of Billings, each pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Great Falls to indictments charging them with theft from a program receiving federal funding and to wire fraud. The women appeared for arraignment Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Johnston. He continued their release without bond pending trial before U.S. District Judge Brian Morris. If convicted, the women face a maximum 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the wire fraud count. Plummer-Alvernaz was the executive director of both organizations. Funk was the administrative assistant for the coalition and the administrative advocate for the resource center. Both programs receive more than $10,000 in annual federal grants. During the period of indictments, from about December 2011 until December 2015, the programs received in excess of $1.6 million. The Montana Native Womens Coalitions mission is to improve urban, rural and Native American community responses to victims of domestic and sexual violence. The Womens Resource Center offers educational seminars to the general public on various issues, including health, parenting, career development and violence prevention. A woman who answered the telephone Wednesday at the Montana Native Womens Coalition said the organization had no comment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Weldon said in an indictment that Plummer-Alvernaz and Funk schemed to take excessive salaries and other benefits. Plummer-Alvernaz inflated work hours, double-billed travel, took other benefits to which she was not entitled and paid money to family members, her indictment said. Funks indictment accuses her of inflating work hours, double-billing travel and taking other benefits to which she was not entitled. To carry out the scheme, Plummer-Alvernaz and Funk used wire communications to transfer money, reports and other documents through the Department of Justice, Grant Payment Request System and Grant Management System and made credit card payments to Minneapolis, Washington, D.C., South Dakota and other places, the indictment said. If convicted, Plummer-Alvernaz would pay under a forfeiture count a $160,000 judgment in addition to forfeiting other property that may have been acquired through the scheme. Funk faces a money judgement of $30,000 under her forfeiture count. Plummer-Alvernaz and the coalition were one of the proponents of Marsys Law, a so-called victims bill of rights law passed by voter in the November general election. She helped write the proponents' statement in the states voter guide. The coalition also sponsored a 2014 Billings conference on ending sexual and domestic violence. Japan's defence chief said today she believes her country's alliance with the US will endure in the Trump administration because it benefits both countries. Defence Minister Tomomi Inada was asked about President- elect Donald Trump's suggestion that Japan build its own nuclear deterrent force. She said Japan expects to remain under the US nuclear umbrella. Inada said discussion about the future of the alliance should focus on shared security capabilities rather than financial burdens. She also said Japan will stick to its vision of a world free of nuclear weapons. "This will remain unchanged," she said, implicitly rejecting the notion of Japan developing its own nuclear force. She noted that Japan is the only country in the world to have experienced the horrors of nuclear war. Inada spoke at a joint conference today with US Defence Secretary Ash Carter. The Pentagon chief noted that the meeting was taking place on the anniversary of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, which led to the US entry into World War II. "It's a testament to the strength of our alliance and the character of the Japanese people that a mere 75 years after Pearl Harbor, my friend and counterpart, Minister Inada, and I can stand next to each other proudly and discuss how our two countries can strengthen the security of this region together," Carter said. He stressed his view that US-Japan relations have never been stronger. "America's interests in this region are enduring," he said in reference to speculation about the direction of Trump's Asia policy. The transition of power in Washington after eight years with a Democrat in the White House formed the backdrop to Carter's talks in Tokyo. Yesterday, Carter and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that the US will return to Japanese government control nearly 10,000 acres of land on Okinawa that US Marines used as a jungle warfare training site. The giveback, to be completed by December 22, has been in the works for 20 years. It is a reminder of the complexities of post-World War II defense relations with Japan, and puts a spotlight on the fact that Japan still relies on the United States for protection. After his two-day visit in Tokyo, Carter was heading to India on the second leg of a two-week around-the-world trip he has billed primarily as a chance to thank US troops deployed abroad during the holiday season. Carter also plans stops in the Middle East and Europe. It is expected to be his final overseas trip as defense secretary. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), one of the oldest trade bodies in the country, today paid rich tributes to late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa saying she had "immense connect with the people of Tamil Nadu". "The greatest contribution of J Jayalalithaa to Tamil Nadu was her immense connect with the people and her model of development was centered around helping poor and marginal sections of the society", ASSOCHAM Secretary General D S Rawat said in a statement. While Jayalalithaa looked after the marginalised sections through her schemes, Tamil Nadu under her administration was among the top destinations of the domestic and foreign investors, he said. Tamil Nadu has been among progressive states and was ranked in the top three on several economic and social indicators. On the investment front, investments in the State in 2015-16 accounted for Rs 11.1 lakh crore. The State has attracted huge investments in electronics, glass and tele-communication in recent years, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Calling upon Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram in New Delhi today, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das informed him that the state would present a separate budget for the ST/SC in the 2017/18 fiscal. Das referred to the 2016/17 budget which had a separate part on agriculture, an official release said here. Separate budgets helped participation and all-round development of these sections, Das said. Detailing about the passage of Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act by the state assembly, Das said the tribals would have the right on their land, besides the profit from it would help in their development. The Chief Minister urged Oram for early release of funds under "Banbandhu Kalyan Kosh" and opening of five new Eklaya Ashram, the release said. The Union minister assured Das of early action, the release added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For Jeff Kinney, who penned the popular coming-of-age series 'Diary of Wimpy Kid', J K Rowling is the "best story-teller of our times". Kinney, who delivered the Penguin Annual Lecture 2016 here last evening, said it was for Rowling's 'Harry Potter', that he had to break a self-imposed promise of not reading anything while writing his first book. "While writing the draft of my first book, I made a pact of not reading any other book. But I allowed myself one exception, and that was J K Rowling's 'Harry Potter'. Undoubtedly, she is the best story-teller of our generation," he said. The 45-year-old writer shared how his experience of being "rejected" as a cartoonist for newspaper, turned him into one of the most successful children's book writers. "I dreamt of becoming a newspaper cartoonist, but was rejected everywhere. It was after three years of that, that I thought of writing children's books. "I realised that I was not a great illustrator, but a good joke writer. So, I started penning down the funny things that happened with me in my childhood for my book. It took me eight long years to come up with my first book," he said. Having penned books that are filled with caricatures and illustrations, the author said that he always turned to comics for "knowledge" and images were "little islands" that he swam to. "All my knowledge came from comic books. The text books have always been too dry for me. So it was the images that helped me, they were the little islands I could swim to. I have them in my books, thinking the same for my readers," he said. The lecture also saw the author drawing different expressions of his most popular characters like the protagonist Greg Heffley and his best friend Rowley Jefferson. "Majority of my characters are pretty much simple and similar when you draw them. It's just a line and a pen stroke here and there, that makes all the difference in their appearance and expression. Now when I am drawing, you can see the similarities on your own," he added. But the author failed miserably when it came to drawing cartoons with his eyes closed. "I was asked by someone that having drawn these cartoons thousands of times, can you draw them with your eyes closed? Well, I think both of us have got our answers now," the author quipped. Explaining why all books in the 'Wimpy Kid' series have "217 pages" and not a page more or less, the author said he liked his books to look "exactly the same when resting on bookshelves". The writer, who said that he takes "one month to write a manuscript" and "six months to complete an illustration", also shared his "writing method". "I am always looking for new ways to write jokes. So first of all I write 350 jokes, and it takes me around five months to do that. Then I go for really long walks, sometimes for four hours or more for fresh ideas," he said. Visiting India for the first time, he also talked about a Delhi boy named Pranav who lost his life to a rare disease. The author has dedicated 'The Diary of a Wimpy Kid - The Long Haul' to him. "I remember having so many wonderful discussions with him. I have dedicated 'The Long Haul' to him. The very first page reads 'To Pranav'," he said. Excited about the soon to come movie adaptation of 'The Long Haul', he said, the book was his favourite among the series. Talking about how many more books he would add to the series, Kinney said he would like Greg to "finish 20 years". "Characters like Charlie Brown completed 50 years. Greg has only been here for nine. So, I really hope I can get it to 20 years," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Karan Johar may be busy with his talk show right now, but the filmmaker says directing movies has not taken a back seat and he will start working on his new project by the end of next year. "I have solemnly resolved that I will be back on sets as a director next year, towards the end of the year as a filmmaker. My heart lies in television but my soul lies in films," Karan told reporters at the launch of new singing reality show "Dil Hai Hindustani" here. He has been a judge on television shows like "Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa" and "India's Got Talent" and will now be judging "Dil Hai Hindustani". "I have covered all on television. If there are other ideas then I will see. I think the more reality shows the better. Whatever offer comes my way I will see. I can't say no to television," he said. The "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" helmer thinks he has become a television personality. "Now films are seeming to be an incidental part of my personality. People ask me about talk show, talent show and it's embarrassing that I have to tell people I direct and produce films as well," Karan said. "The impact of television is more, three per cent of our country watch films and 25-30 per cent watch television, so it's nine times more impactful. So my wish to be on national television has only helped my brand as filmmaker. I am thankful to television for that," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah today stressed on the need for converting Line of Control as a permanent border and initiation of talks with Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue. "How will you resolve Kashmir issue without talking to Pakistan? The two countries have to talk to each other. Also the Centre needs to initiate talks with the constituents of Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir to find an amicable solution to the issue," the National Conference (NC) president said during the 'Agenda Aajtak' event here. He warned that if the Centre continued to ignore Kashmir, it will be up in flames once again. "... Fire is there which can be low on intensity for some time but it can again rise. Till when will we sacrifice the lives of our people and soldiers," he asked. "I know many people will not like it but there is only one solution to the Kashmir issue which is that this part of Kashmir remains part of India and that part of Kashmir remains part of Pakistan," Abdullah said. He had last year claimed that even former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had offered Pakistan to make LoC permanent border during his Lahore visit in in 1999. The former chief minister said that the Centre should take precise steps which can solve the Kashmir issue so that people live there peacefully and prosper. "As of now, there is no progress." "I would like people to remember when (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee went to Lahore, he said that India regards Pakistan as a nation and look forward to living in peace. People fear to visit Kashmir... Why is this fear, this fear should not have been there." He said that Kashmir joined India because of its secular credentials where people from different religions have equal rights. "But we are hearing voices today that India is a Hindu state and everyone is Hindu. Does this mean that a Muslim, Sikh or a Christan cannot be an Indian," he asked, adding the government should allay these fears by "crushing" such communal voices. "If you want to save India, then hold on to that thing which is in the Preamble in our Constitution... If you keep the country united, the nation will progress," he said and warned that if these communal forces keep on creating a divide in the society, the nation will not progress and there will be enemies within the country. "The time has come when we look into the mistakes and try to correct, heal people. Not to kill. Today young children are out on the streets, fighting and your minister announces that because they did the demonetisation, things have stopped. "We will have to see which direction we want to move. We will have to find the ways which will make the nation stronger. Do not relax or rest after witnessing little little things like exams are being conducted, stone-pelting is stopped," Abdullah said. He warned that the simmering discontent among the people needed to be addressed quickly otherwise the spring next year may again see bloodshed. "We will have to find the medicine of the pain," he added. PDP MP from Baramulla Muzaffar Hussain Baig said if the Kashmir issue is not resolved in the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, then it cannot be solved ever. "Though Pakistan has been isolated on the international front, Indian government will have to rethink its Kashmir policy. Modi should unite other SAARC nations and confront Pakistan in resolving the persistent issue," Baig said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AAP National Convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today took his anti- demonetisation pitch to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha constituency of Varanasi, asserting that the measure was the "biggest scam of independent India". "The demonetisation measure's objective of eliminating black money, corruption, fake currency and terrorism was neither fulfilled nor will it ever be," Kejriwal said at a rally here. He said the measure to scrap 500 and 1,000 rupee notes is the "biggest scam of independent India" that has only created "chaos" everywhere. "Note-bandi is a scam worth rupees 8 lakh crore to favour his industrialist friends and his party men," Kejriwal claimed. He said people were dying due to standing in long bank queues and were committing suicide because of problems caused by the measure. These deaths are akin to murder, he said. "At a time when there is chaos everywhere and businesses are suffering due to the demonetisation, Modiji was busy living a life of luxury, changing his clothes more than six times in a day and flying in big planes," he said. Targeting BJP and Congress on the issue of funding, Kejriwal claimed the two parties accept black money in the form of cash, but unlike them, AAP accepts donations through cheque or internet banking. He also attacked the BJP, saying the party belonged to neither Hindus nor Muslims, but comprised of people hungry for power and money. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Raising strong concerns over the appointment of Gujarat cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana as interim director of CBI, Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that the process of selection of the new director of the investigation agency has been vitiated. In his letter, Kharge has asked Prime Minister Modi to immediately convene a meeting of the Selection Committee to select the new CBI Director. The CBI Director is selected by a Selection Committee comprising Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India and Leader of Opposition or leader of the largest party in opposition in Lok Sabha. Kharge alleged that the transfer of Special Director R K Dutta, the senior-most officer after the Director, as Special Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs, appears to have been "deliberately done" to facilitate giving charge of the post of CBI Director to an officiating junior officer. "It thus gives rise to apprehensions that the process of selecting the Director, CBI, has been vitiated and is being manipulated to pre-empt the decision to be arrived at in the meeting of the Selection Committee," he said. Kharge also pointed out that the credibility of the premier investigating agency demands that a meritorious and experienced officer of requisite seniority is selected for appointment as Director, CBI, without any delay. Drawing the attention of the Prime Minister for appointment of a regular director of CBI after superannuation of Anil Kumar Sinha on November 30, 2016, Kharge said it was essential to complete the process of selection and appointment of Director CBI in time, for a smooth transition. "Unfortunately, this was not done and this delay has raised serious concerns," he said, adding, "The government failed to convene a meeting that was to be chaired by yourself to finalise the selection of the Director." The Congress leader added, "I request you to convene the meeting to deliberate upon this matter, urgently." At the AICC briefing, party spokesperson Sushmita Dev said, "We are deeply disappointed at the appointment of the CBI Director." "It is yet another blow to an important institution, because the NIA chief is also continuing on an ad hoc basis and the Lokpal is yet to be appointed. So these are all a big blow to important institutions which ensure accountability," she said. (REOPENS DEL 112) On the controversy over appointment of CBI Director on 'Adhoc' basis, Dev said when the Bill was introduced and Act was amended to include the Leader of largest Opposition Party, this Government had done a lot of chest thumping that it is a Party that believes in the principles as enshrined in the Constitution of Parliamentary system "Once again this Government has proved that it is a Government of rhetoric, that it is a Government of lip-service to Institutions, that forms the basis of our Parliamentary system," she said. Dev said Congress leader Kharge has put that in writing by writing a letter to the Prime Minister. "When there is a system in place, a statutory, when there is a statutory procedure in place, what will be the justification of this Government to surpass that? So, the question is, there is a huge gap in Modi Government's talk and Modi Government's walk, which we have repeatedly said," the Congress leader said. Reacting to Kharge's letter to PM, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "Because he was from Gujarat cadre his credentials were not looked into?." "How can we give a colour of an officer by clubbing him with some state, cadre or something like that," Rijiju said. Dev said the general understanding of something which uses the word "Adhoc" means that we have not been able to do something because of reasons beyond our control so that an Institution does not suffer. "So, 'Adhoc' per se may not be illegal, but it speaks volumes about the Government that talks about transparency and accountability and fighting corruption but on the other hand puts one of the key Institutions or one of the key mechanisms by which the Government prosecutes should work on an 'Adhoc' basis," she said. The Supreme Court today agreed to hear on December 9 a plea challenging the appointment of Gujarat cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana as the interim director of CBI. Asthana, an IPS officer of 1984-batch, was elevated as the Additional Director in the agency on December 2 when CBI Special Director R K Dutta, who was reportedly among the frontrunners for the top post, was shifted to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as a Special Secretary. Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das today inaugurated Koderma-Hazaribagh passenger train up to Barkakana in the presence of Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu through video conferencing from Rail Bhavan in Delhi. Minister of state for Railways Manoj Sinha, Railway Board Chairman and other officials were present during the flagging off the DEMU train, an official release said. The Ranchi-Ernakulam express, which was recently flagged off from Hatia railway station, was today renamed as Dharti Abha-Ernakulam express, according to the release. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two Karbi Peoples Liberation Tiger-Chandra group (KPLTC) militants, including its self-styled chairman, were killed in an encounter with the police in a dense jungle in Assam's Karbi Anglong district today, the police said. The extremists exchanged fire with the security forces at Dolmora forest in Tarapung where three of the ultras died, said district Superintendent of Police Debojit Deori. The insurgents were identified as KPLT-C 'chairman' and known rhino poacher Chandra Rongpi alias Mia (33) and cadre Arun Teron (19), Deori said. An AK 47 rifle with one magazine and nine live ammunition and one SBML gun were recovered from the slain militants. The bodies of the cadres were taken to Dolamara PS today, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A leading legislator of Sri Lanka's ruling party today alleged that he had received death threats due to his involvement in the country's constitutional reform process. Jayampathy Wickremaratna of the ruling UNP said he had received death threats on the phone over his association in the current process of constitutional reform. Wickremaratna who is the constitutional affairs advisor to the government said he reported the threatening phone call to parliament and said he would not be shaken by the threat. He has lodged a police complaint too. The Constitutional Assembly comprising of all parties in parliament is to meet on December 10 to look at the reports of the six subcommittees on different areas of constitutional provisions. The process seeks to replace the existing 1978 Constitution and will also address the problem of the minority Tamils and their demand for devolution of political powers. The draft of the new Constitution is expected to be finalised by January, officials said. Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa has started a campaign against the process despite his backers being part of the reform plan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A high profile Sri Lankan delegation met Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao here today and handed over condolence messages of that nation's President, Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe over the demise of chief minister J Jayalalithaa. The delegation, led by Deputy High Commissioner V Krishnamurthy and comprising Arumugam Thondaman, MP, Acting Chief Minister of Uva Province, Senthil Thondaman and Ceylon Workers Congress Vice-President Ganesamurthy handed over the messages to the Governor, a Raj Bhavan release said. "I am saddened by the of the demise of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa. She was totally dedicated to the welfare of the people and was dearly loved by her people," Sirisena said in his message. "India loses a female politician and a truly pro-poor leader, whom people fondly called Amma," he said. In his message, Wickremesinghe praised Jayalalithaa as a "visionary leader of our times". "Sri Lanka mourns the loss of a stateswoman who upheld the welfare of her people and was much loved by them," he said. "Jayalalithaa leaves behind a legacy that speaks of political acumen and leadership skills. The people and the Government of Sri Lanka join me in offering our deepest sympathies," he said. Governor's Principal Secretary Ramesh Chand Meena and Deputy Secretary K V Muralidharan were present when the delegation handed over the condolence message to Rao. Meanwhile, German Consul General in Chennai, Achim Fabig has also sent his condolence message on the demise of Jayalalithaa to the Governor. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav today rejected the allegations made against one BJP minister of transporting a large currency of demonitised note in his official vehicle, saying that the charges are "baseless" and "false." "There is no truth in these allegations. I request you (media) to think over it when you give importance to such allegations," he told reporters here today. "I had held a full enquiry into this and talked to all the concerned and our party people. They all have said that these are baseless allegations," the party incharge of the State added. Madhav also ruled out any reshuffle in the state cabinet. "I don't know about PDP. As far as BJP is concerned, there is no reshuffle on the cards," he said. Speaking on the logjam in the Parliament, he accused the opposition of being not able to muster the courage to discuss the issue. "They(opposition)are disrupting the House as they don't have the courage to discuss it(demonitisation). Entire country is with the Prime Minister on demonetisation but they want to find an excuse for not allowing the House to function," he said. Hailing demonitisation as an "historic step", Madhav said the ATMs as well as banks in the country are functioning "normal" and if glitches occur they will be rectified. When asked about the purpose of his visit to Jammu, he urged the media to refrain from making assumptions as he usually visits the state in 2-3 months to review party affairs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Celebrity blogger Malini Agarwal will come out with her first book next year in which of many other things she will also describe her journey and how she created the popular gossip site MissMalini. The book will be published by HarperCollins India next August. When she first moved to Mumbai nearly two decades ago, he had two suitcases, one friend, and lived in an apartment with six girls and a pigeon. "And every single night this suicidal bird would fly around the living room, where I slept on the floor, threatening to impale itself on the ceiling fan as I cowered under a bed sheet. My rent was Rs 625 and Facebook hadn't been invented yet," says Malini. "All I had was an alpha numeric pager and a headful of dreams. But I wanted my life to be extraordinary and something told me that Mumbai city, with all its kitschy neon lights and leopard print taxis, was where that was going to happen. The next thing I know, 16 years on, I'm writing this book about things I never thought would appear as mildly horrific yet charming anecdotes," she says. She hopes to make this book "useful with some virtual life hacks I picked up along the way." Debasri Rakshit, Senior Commissioning Editor for Lifestyle at HarperCollins India, says, "Malini's is an amazing story. She has pioneered responsible celebrity blogging in India - MissMalini's pieces are real, fun, fearless and nuanced. We're very happy to have this opportunity to publish her first book. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, whose party, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), is an ally of BJP, today met RJD chief Lalu Prasad to enquire about his health and discussed the political situation in the state. HAM spokesperson Danish Rizwan who accompanied Manjhi to the 10 Circular road residence of Rabri Devi to meet Lalu Prasad, said the visit was primarily to enquire about health of the RJD chief. The discussion also veered to the prevailing political situation in the state, He said but refused to divulge details. Prasad is not in good health for some time. Recently, baba Ramdev visited the RJD chief and gave him yoga tips. Manjhi, who had formed HAM after quitting JD(U) following differences with Nitish Kumar, had met Prasad several times. He had served as minister in the RJD government earlier in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AAP Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann today challenged Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh to contest Assembly elections against him and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal from Jalalabad. "The Amarinder Singh led Punjab Congress and ruling Shiromani Akali Dal are hand in glove," he said at a rally orgnaised by AAP Fatehgarh Sahib assembly segment candidate Lakhbir Singh Rai at Sirhind here. "At a recent function the Deputy Chief Minister and Amarinder shared a common platform and the former touched the latter's feet," Mann claimed, adding they praised each other in a way that no one could judge they were rivals. If Amarinder is seriously fighting against the Akalis, then he should contest from Jalalabad which is presently represented by Sukhbir, he said. The AAP leader said after his announcement to contest elections from Jalalabad, Sukhbir was so scared that he has not declared his seat till today. "If he keeps claiming that development has happened across Punjab in his tenure then why does he need a survey to determine a safe seat to contest election," he asked. On the Nabha jailbreak, Mann alleged, "It was a conspiracy by the SAD. The government freed their favourite prisoners while Sukhbir blamed Pakistan for it and all crimes in the state." Mann said AAP will soon announce its candidates against Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia. Attacking the SAD government on unemployment and drug menace in Punjab, he said though there was huge vacancies in schools, hospitals and other departments, unemployed youths across the state were still staging protests for jobs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) MASSA, a city-based shipping trade body, today said it will partner with the Ministry of Shipping to impart specialised maritime skills. "India doesn't have the marine academic infrastructure for training quality people like the Philippines has with tremendous government support," Clarence Athaide, the Chief Operating Officer of Maritime Association of Ship-Owners, Ship Managers and Agents (MASSA), said. The Ministry of Shipping and MASSA would jointly endeavour to meet such academic challenges, he said. "As the growth of coastal shipping and inland water waterways is also the prime focus of the Indian government, there exists a dire need to create adequate marine training infrastructure of world-class quality in India," Athaide said. Indian Government's 'Maritime Agenda' 2020 clearly indicates a thrust on increasing the global share of Indian seafarers and continuous improvement of maritime infrastructure in India, he said adding, "The shipping industry, which has been down for a few years, is witnessing a turnaround and when this happens, there will be a quantum jump in the need for quality ratings and officers." "India will be unprepared for this as there is a shortage of trained senior officers since there is little upgrade from ratings to officers," Athaide opined. "MASSA's world-class maritime training institutes located in Mumbai and Chennai, operated on no-profit-no-loss basis, are contributing a lot to the skilling of Indian maritime workforce," he said. The members of MASSA include companies, which have a long association with Indian seafarers, who are recruited and placed on board ships in the international merchant fleet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a relief to thousands of parents, the principals and teachers of Delhi government schools will visit MCD run primary schools and handover admission slips of those children for admission in Class VI at their schools between April 1-15 next year. Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Manish Sisodia today directed the officials to send principals and teachers of Delhi government schools to MCD run schools, between March 15- April 1, 2017, and handover admission slips of Class VI to the children studying in class V in current academic session, said a senior Delhi government official. "With this decision, government has done away with the prevalent practice wherein children passing class V from MCD feeder schools had to approach link schools for admission in class VI and their parents had to run from pillar to post for getting the admission procedure completed," said the official. Now, the entire admission process will be made online after taking data from the MCDs and admission slips will be made available to children, he said. The decision was taken during a meeting of Sisodia with officials of Directorate of Education and commissioners of the three MCDs. It was also decided in the meeting that on a particular day, between April 1-15, the children and teachers of MCDs schools will be invited to government schools for a party. Sisodia also asked the education officials of MCDs to organise summer camps in their schools during summer vacations and promote reading abilities of children. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The mid-day meal scheme for school children, if implemented properly, is good, but its commercialisation would not serve its purpose, the Bombay High Court said today. The observation was made by a division bench of the high court headed by Chief Justice Manjula Chellur, which was hearing a PIL alleging supply of sub-standard 'chikki' (a type of sweet snack) to schools run by the Maharashtra government. "If implemented properly, mid-day meal schemes for schoolchildren are good, but they do not serve the purpose for which they are introduced, if they are commercialised," the bench observed. The bench also indicated that it would frame rules for the mid-day meal scheme, which would involve a periodic check of the food supplied to students in schools. The suggestion to frame rules by the high court was given by Ravi Kadam, who appeared on behalf of the contractors. Kadam demanded that the contractors of the mid-day meal scheme be refunded deposits paid by them as the laboratory reports of six 'chikki' samples sent to them did not show any contamination or sub-standard quality. Responding to this, the high court said that it would consider their plea at a later stage and adjourned the matter for hearing in January 2017 after the Christmas vacation. Soon after the alleged 'chikki' scam came to light, the Maharashtra government formed a high-power committee to go into purchases of various commodities, including chikki, made by various departments on rate contract basis in the last 15 years. The PIL, filed by activist Sandeep Ahire and others, sought an inquiry by a retired high court judge into the scam for which Women and Child Development Minister Pankaja Munde had come under fire from various quarters. The petition alleged that clay and mud particles were found in 'chikki' supplied to students in state-run schools. The government had earlier denied the allegation and said that "no clay particles were found in the sample sent to a reputed government lab in Ghaziabad". The high court had, in an interim order, earlier restrained the Maharashtra government from distributing 'chikki' to school students following complaints over its quality. The HC also asked the government to stop making payments to the contractors, who had supplied 'chikki' for free distribution to students of anganwadis. The high-powered committee, set up by the government in November 2015, consists of the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) and the Principal Secretary (Industries). The panel was asked by the state government to examine the purchases made by various departments on rate contract basis from 2001 to 2015. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ahead of EGMs of six Tata group firms called to remove Cyrus Mistry as director, Tata Sons interim Chairman Ratan Tata today told shareholders that the continued presence of the ousted executive in respective boards is a serious "disruptive influence" and can make the companies "dysfunctional". In a letter to the shareholders seeking their support to the special resolution moved by Tata Sons to remove Mistry as director, Tata said Mistry was removed as the Chairman as Tata Sons board lost confidence in him and his ability to lead the conglomerate. He also said the "deliberated action" to remove Mistry by the Tata Sons board was taken after relationship with him steadily deteriorated and "several attempts to remediate went unheeded". Tata said Mistry was appointed as a director of various Tata group companies only as a corollary to his being the Chairman of Tata Sons. "The right step would have been for him to resign as director. Unfortunately, he has not yet done so and his continued presence as a director is a serious disruptive influence on these company boards, which can make the company dysfunctional, particularly given his open hostility towards the primary promoter, Tata Sons," Tata wrote. He further said Mistry was offered an opportunity to step down voluntarily from the Chairman position, which he rejected. Justifying the move to sack Mistry, Tata said: "...The Board of Tata Sons lost confidence in him and in his ability to lead the Tata group in the future." This deliberated action by the Tata Sons board was taken after several attempts to remediate went unheeded. "As a final step he was offered an opportunity to step down voluntarily from the Chairman position, which he rejected and said that it should be taken up at the Board," Tata said, adding this was done and Mistry was replaced. Following special resolution moved by Tata Sons to remove Mistry as director, TCS has called an EGM on December 13, Indian Hotels Co Ltd on December 20, Tata Steel on December 21, Tata Motors on December 22, Tata Chemicals on December 23 and Tata Power on December 26. There were no immediate comments from the Mistry camp. BISMARCK, N.D. A blizzard pushed eastward across North Dakota after dumping up to 7 inches of snow in Bismarck on Tuesday. The National Weather Service said winds Tuesday evening were still gusting up to 45 mph near Jamestown, N.D., with visibility cut to a half-mile. A wind chill advisory was out for western North Dakota until noon Central time Wednesday. Wind-chill readings could drop to 25 degrees below zero through Wednesday morning. Parts of major highways, including Interstates 94 and 29, were closed in North Dakota because of the blowing and drifting snow. The North Dakota Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol extended the 230-mile closure of Interstate 94 further east to Fargo on Tuesday. Both lanes of I-94 were closed from Dickinson to Fargo. Northbound and southbound Interstate 29 was also closed between Fargo and the Canadian border due to zero visibility and blowing and drifting snow. The NDDOT and the Highway Patrol said Highway 2 from Lakota to the Grand Forks Airport closed at 3 p.m. on Tuesday due to strong winds, areas of zero visibility with blowing and drifting snow. That's about a 60-mile stretch. Officials said motorists who drive past a road closure barrier could be fined up to $250. The Minot International Airport canceled all flights because of low visibility. Schools, businesses, government offices and major interstates also were closed Tuesday. Residents were asked not to travel in Minot, Devils Lake, Bismarck, Valley City, Fargo, Grand Forks and surrounding areas. Some government offices, including Bismarck and Burleigh County didn't open Tuesday. Greeting Indian soldiers and veterans on Armed Forces Flag Day, Mizoram Governor Lt Gen (retd) Nirbhay Sharma appealed to the state's youth to join the armed forces for the "ultimate sacrifice". In his message, Sharma said the day is observed "to renew our solidarity with the service personnel; to salute the veterans and the brave, and to honour the valiant heroes who sacrificed their lives for us". People should contribute generously for helping the people, who were dependant on the soldiers, the war widows and those disabled in the war, the governor said. The governor also recalled that three of the five chief ministers of Mizoram -- Ch Chhunga (ex-seaman), Brig T Sailo and Laldenga (ex-havildar) -- were former defence personnel. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A mobile phone handset, allegedly used by four persons recently arrested by NIA for their suspected involvement in five blast cases in court premises of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka since April, has been recovered from an autorickshaw driver here, police said. The handset, vital for probe into the blasts, was traced by Thane police Crime Branch to Kalyan township here with an autorickshaw driver, who had put his SIM card in it and been using it, they said. Swooping down on various locations, NIA with the help of Tamil Nadu and Telangana Police, had last month apprehended four youths suspected to be part of a group sympathising with al-Qaeda and involved in the blasts at court complexes. Those arrested were -- Abbas Ali (27), a resident of Madurai, Suleiman (23), a resident of Chennai, and Samsum Karim Raja and Mohammed Ayub Ali (25) of Madurai. Ali was a public liaison officer for a hearing aid company. They allegedly used the handset and later dumped it. The Thane police probe team secured the IMEI number of the handset and was searching for it since several months. About two weeks ago, the police team received information that the phone has been activated. Thane Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh told reporters here last evening that they were contacted by their Telangana counterparts for the recovery of the handset, which was vital for their investigation. A Crime Branch official, who was part of the search team, said the tower indicated the mobile phone location area around Mumbra, Diva and Kalyan and after a close watch on the movements of the user, he was picked up last week. The autorickshaw driver, residing in Mumbra township near Kalyan, was questioned by multiple teams from Telangana, officers of the ATS and the city Crime Branch sleuths. According to police, they have verified that the auto driver does not have links to any terror group. They said the driver informed them he had found that handset discarded near Kalyan station. After finding it in good condition, he activated it using his old SIM card. 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. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) More than 30 people were missing off the Yemeni island of Socotra today after a cargo vessel carrying islanders home from the mainland sank in the Indian Ocean, authorities said. At least 26 passengers were rescued from the water after a major search operation in the early hours, President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi said in a statement on the official sabanew.Net website. The ship sank northwest of Socotra - around 350 kilometres from Yemen's south coast - which has been hit by rare tropical cyclones in recent months. Hadi called for "doubling efforts to broaden rescue operations to reduce the scope of the catastrophe that has struck the inhabitants of Socotra." Officials declined to say if inclement weather was behind the disaster but Yemeni Fisheries Minister Fahd Kavieen earlier told reporters that the vessel had "an accident." "Sixty people, including women and children, were aboard the vessel, which was also carrying small fishing boats," he said. The government said United Arab Emirates jets were assisting search and rescue operations alongside Yemeni coastguards as well as two ships from Australia and Austria. It did not specify whether those vessels were merchant ships or part of an international flotilla that has been fighting piracy off the nearby Somali coast. Although long ruled from Yemen, Socotra lies closer to the coast of Africa than it does to the Arabian Peninsula. It sits at the exit of a busy shipping lane from the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea into the Indian Ocean. For years it was prey to piracy from the lawless Somali coast and it is in one of the most heavily patrolled maritime areas on Earth. Kavieen did not specify whether warships of the international counter-piracy operation were taking part in the search for survivors. He said that the ship had been out of contact for several days and its sinking was confirmed today. "Vessels have been combing the area since the early hours and there is significant hope that the passengers have survived," he said. Yemen has been ravaged by conflict for the past two years, disrupting transport links to the archipelago. The port of Mukalla, from which the sunken freighter set off, was controlled by Al-Qaeda for a full year until it was retaken by pro-government forces in April. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Writer-director Ryan Murphy will be honoured as Television Showman of the Year at the 54th annual International Cinematographers Guild Publicists Awards. The event will happen on February 24, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "Ryan is up there with a select few who have been able to bring such high consistency to everything they touch," ICG president Steven Poster said in a statement. Murphy began his career as a journalist, eventually turning his penmanship towards a career in film and television. His series credits include "American Horror Story," "Scream Queens," "Glee," "Nip/Tuck" and "The New Normal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Engaging in intensive classes on music, dance and visual arts may help lower the stress levels of children from economically disadvantaged families, a new study has found. Previous research has shown that poverty can harm kid's educational, social-emotional and physical health, in part by damaging the bodily systems that respond to the chronically high levels of stress that children in poverty are more likely to experience. Researchers at West Chester University and the University of Delaware in the US looked at 310 economically disadvantaged three- to five-year-olds attending a preschool programme that serves children from a range of racial and ethnic backgrounds. Children underwent multiple arts classes each day in fully equipped studios by credentialed art teachers. The arts classes are used not only to develop children's artistic skills but also to promote learning in core early childhood domains like language, literacy and math. "Our study is the first we know of that demonstrates that the arts may help alleviate the impact of poverty on children's physiological functioning," said Eleanor Brown, professor of psychology at West Chester University. The study randomly assigned preschoolers by classroom to different types and numbers of arts classes. Researchers measured cortisol levels by analysing 7,000 samples of children's saliva, which were collected at morning and then after arts and homeroom classes on two different days at the start, middle, and end of the school year. They found that cortisol levels were lower after arts classes than after homeroom, suggesting that taking part in arts programming helped reduce the stress levels of children. "The study has important implications. In an ideal world, no child would grow up in poverty," said Brown. "Working toward this ideal requires attention to not only economic inequities but also to the many related inequities that harm children who grow up poor and to the opportunities for disrupting the strong predictive relationship between poverty and negative outcomes," she said. "This study demonstrates that a nonmonetary intervention can reduce cortisol levels. In this case, the intervention is the arts," she added. Researchers saw these positive effects at the middle and end of the year, but not at the start of the school year. "This study sets the stage for further investigation regarding the arts as a vehicle for promoting well-being among children from disadvantaged families," Brown said. The study appears in the journal Child Development. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today condoled the death of journalist Cho Ramaswamy, saying he always maintained the highest standards in his profession and was "brutally frank". In his message, the minister said that he was saddened by the demise of Ramaswamy, who he described as a "great patriot, journalist, commentator and nationalist to the core." "Ramaswamy was brutally frank and never bothered about the consequences. He maintained the highest standards in journalism," Naidu said. He said that Ramaswamy was a good friend of his, and expressed condolences to the bereaved family. In another message, the Editors' Guild of India also expressed grief at the death of Ramaswamy. The Guild, which has senior journalist Raj Chengappa as its President, said that it "mourns the death of veteran editor Srinivasa Iyer Cho Ramaswamy". Ramaswamy (82), a veteran journalist and former Rajya Sabha member, died in Chennai following illness. He founded and edited the political magazine 'Thuglak'. Through his magazine, he guided the people of Tamil Nadu on all national and social issues and was a role model for all budding journalists. He was known as a satirist and acted in many movies. He also featured with top actors like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a breakthrough for treating abnormal narrowing of branching arteries, scientists have developed a new stenting technique called 'Nano Crush' that offers an easy, longterm treatment for the condition. The technique, developed by a team of doctors at Fortis Hospital, Anandapur in Kolkata was presented at the European Bifurcation Club meeting held in the Netherlands recently. The treatment of stenosis or abnormal narrowing at the branching points of arteries is a major challenge for interventional cardiologists. Traditional stents placed at such points often compromise one of the branches. Existing treatments for stenosis involve more metal and are difficult to execute. The Nano Crush technique is an easy and effective method of stenting the branching arteries as it does not affect blood flow in any of the branches and offers a long term solution, according to the researchers led by Dr Shuvanan Ray, Chief of Cardiology at Fortis Kolkata. "The classical stenting technique is time consuming, difficult, technically demanding and at times leads to incomplete revascularisation," said Ray. "This triggered the thought of developing a new and effective technique with lesser adverse events," he said. The technique has shown promising results when tested on a sample size of 70 patients. "We have patients with more than four years follow up and we are confident of the effectiveness of the technique," researchers said. "Going by the impressive outcome, the Nano Crush method may be applied widely among patients with stenosis at branching points of arteries," said Ray, who led the team comprising of Dr Prithwiraj Bhattacharya, Dr Priyam Mukherjee and Dr Siddhartha Bandhopadhya. "This technique ensures minimal metal load with immediate and long term results. It is an improvement over two stent technique of bifurcation which is difficult and cannot be performed in all patients," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NASA is building a a robotic spacecraft equipped with the tools and technologies needed to repair or refuel satellites currently in orbit. The US space agency has awarded a USD 127 million contract to the California-based Space Systems/Loral of Palo Alto for Restore-L Spacecraft Bus and Support Services. Space Systems/Loral will provide spacecraft bus, critical hardware and services for the development, deployment and operations of the Restore-L mission. They also will provide related services to accomplish mission integration, test, launch and operations. The Restore-L Project is managed within NASA's Satellite Servicing Projects Division at the agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. Restore-L is a free-flying mission projected to launch in 2020 to perform in-orbit satellite servicing in low-Earth orbit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says security problems are undermining peace efforts in eastern Ukraine, as a routinely violated cease-fire barely holds in the separatist Donbass region. Opening talks between NATO and Ukraine foreign ministers today, Stoltenberg said the security situation "remains serious" and "hinders progress toward a political settlement." Stoltenberg says the cease-fire in Ukraine is being violated daily. He said heavy weapons have not been withdrawn from the conflict zone as required by the Minsk peace agreement. A meeting last week of foreign ministers from Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany intended to shore up the shaky peace process ended without result. Russia and Ukraine blame each other for the lack of progress in settling a conflict that has killed more than 9,600 people since April 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NATO's top military officer says that around 150 Turkish officers have been recalled or retired from the alliance's high command in response to the failed coup attempt in Turkey in July. US Army General Curtis Scaparrotti said today that the move had placed "an extra load on our remaining people" and that "it obviously has an impact on their military." "I had talented, capable people here and I'm taking a degradation on my staff," he said. Scaparrotti said he was concerned about the welfare of the officers and their families, but had received assurances from Turkey's army chief that they would be treated well. Turkey has accused US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen of masterminding the failed July 15 attempt to topple the government and has launched a large-scale crackdown on his followers and institutions said to be run by his movement. Authorities have arrested close to 38,000 people and purged more than 100,000 others from government jobs, including the military. Scaparrotti said he holds regular talks with General Hulusi Akar from NATO ally Turkey, who was taken hostage during the foiled coup. "I talked to him about my concern about the care for them and their families as well. That's a concern for those officers who, you know, in some cases really don't understand what their future is at this point," Scaparrotti told reporters on the sidelines of NATO talks in Brussels. One big problem, Scaparrotti said, is that many who left were senior officers and that replacing their lost expertise as military trainers or top pilots would take a long time. Those recalled or retired make up about half of Turkey's roughly 300-strong officer contingent at NATO's high command in Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands. Scaparrotti said that about 75 of those who had left had been replaced so far. He said he had no suspicion that any of the Turkish officers might have been involved in a coup plot. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Leaders of Congress, NCP and MNS in Pune Municipal Corporation today passed a resolution demanding that the work on the Pune Metro Rail, the first phase of which was approved by the Union cabinet, should be inaugurated by NCP supremo Sharad Pawar. "It was Pawar who pushed the Pune Metro project during UPA Government and because of his efforts the proposal was expedited. Leaders of NCP, Congress and MNS today passed a resolution that the inauguration of project should be done at his hands," said the Mayor Prashant Jagtap. BJP and Shiv Sena opposed the resolution, but it was passed and sent to the state government for consideration, Jagtap, an NCP leader, said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to lay the foundation stone of Metro project here on December 24. Union cabinet approved Pune Metro Phase 1 this evening. "I, on behalf of Pune city, thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Cabinet Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Venkaiah Naidu and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for giving their support for the ambitious project," said Anil Shirole, MP from Pune. The promise of Metro for the city, made during the Lok Sabha election, was being fulfilled, he added. He also appealed the people to give BJP a clear majority in the coming civic polls to ensure speedy execution of Metro project. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Elite National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) today imparted valuable lessons to students on how to deal with any kind of emergency, either natural or man-made. The awareness-cum-training programme based on school safety was conducted by a team of 9 Battalion NDRF at Army Public School Danapur (Patna). The objective of this training programme was to generate awareness among school teachers/staff and students in the field of school safety and also to train them in order to react and deal with any kind of emergency either natural or manmade, a NDRF statement said. During the training session, an informative lecture on School Disaster Management Plan (SDMP) including role and responsibility of response teams like- School Disaster Management Committee, Emergency Alarm Team, Search & Rescue Team, Evacuation Team, Awareness Campaign Team, Site Security Team, Medical First Aid Team and Vehicle Management Committee was delivered to create awareness among school teachers and students by Vivek Chauhan, Deputy Commandant, 9 NDRF. A demonstration cum hands on training on Pre Hospital Treatment (PHT) including blood control, splinting, CPR and lifting - moving techniques was also imparted to the students by 9 NDRF team. Vijay Sinha, Commandant, 9 Battalion NDRF emphasised that prevention of disaster begins with awareness. School is one of the best venue for creating awareness about natural and manmade disasters and the response mechanism to mitigate its effects. School students and teachers can serve as messengers for building a culture of safety in the school and outreaching to the community, he said. Dharamsheela Pandey, Principal, Army Public School Danapur (Patna) expressed her thanks to the 9 Battalion NDRF team for generating awareness in the field of school safety amongst the teachers/staff and students of the school. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A portrait commemorating the 125th birth anniversary of Dalit rights activist and principal architect of the Indian Constitution Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar by award-winning artist Hazel Morgan has been unveiled in London. The portrait, commissioned by the Indian government, will hang on the walls of Gray's Inn, where Ambedkar was called to the bar in 1918. Gray's Inn is one of UK's four Inns of Court with the exclusive right to call men and women to the Bar of England and Wales. "This is a true homage to a great leader of India. We all know of his many achievements, including as the architect of the Indian Constitution," said Dinesh Patnaik, Indian Acting High Commissioner to the UK, who also delivered the Ambedkar Memorial Lecture titled 'Power of Change'. "Dr Ambedkar was a great proponent of change. His greatest achievement was in the sphere of ideas and social change," he said. In 1990, the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, was posthumously conferred upon Ambedkar, who was popularly known as Babasaheb. He inspired the Dalit Buddhist Movement and campaigned against social discrimination against Dalits, while also supporting the rights of women and labour. The unveiling of the portrait last night coincided with Ambedkar's 60th death anniversary. The chief guest of the event, Minister of State Vijay Sampla, addressed the gathering via videolink from India. "Dr Ambedkar studied law because of all subjects, it is law that helps enforce equality and punishes violations. He was a universal advocate of equality," he said. The Treasurer of Gray's Inn, David Hunt, described the new portrait as a "vast improvement" on a previous one that hangs of the walls of the institution, presented by the Ambedkar Committee in 1974. "It is as if the artist has been able to reach into his soul to create a true likeness of him," he said. The previous portrait depicted Ambedkar with unusually disproportionate hands. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Scientists have developed a new telescope chip that allows astronomers to have a clear view of alien planets that may support life, by cancelling out excess light from the Sun and other host stars. Seeing a planet outside the solar system which is close to its host sun is very difficult with today's standard astronomical instruments due to the brightness of the Sun. The new chip removes light from the host sun, allowing astronomers for the first time to take a clear image of the planet, according to Steve Madden, associate professor from The Australian National University (ANU). "The ultimate aim of our work with astronomers is to be able to find a planet like Earth that could support life," said Madden from the ANU. "To do this we need to understand how and where planets form inside dust clouds, and then use this experience to search for planets with an atmosphere containing ozone, which is a strong indicator of life," he said. Madden said the optical chip worked in a similar way to noise cancelling headphones. "This chip is an interferometer that adds equal but opposite light waves from a host sun which cancels out the light from the Sun, allowing the much weaker planet light to be seen," he said. PhD student Harry-Dean Kenchington Goldsmith, who built the chip, said the technology works like thermal imaging that fire fighters rely on to see through smoke. "The chip uses the heat emitted from the planet to peer through dust clouds and see planets forming," said Kenchington Goldsmith. "Ultimately the same technology will allow us to detect ozone on alien planets that could support life," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The West Bengal Assembly today passed the New Town Kolkata Development Authority (amendment) Bill. Urban development minister Firhad Hakim told reporters that the amendment bill aimed at introducing a unit area tax system to collect property and water taxes from consumers in New Town. The amendment sought to ensure sustainability and maintenance of civic services to the residents of New Town, Kolkata by vesting regulatory powers for imposition of property tax in line with the other urban local bodies, the minister said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Demonetisation issue dominated the debate in the Maharashtra Assembly today with the Opposition Congress-NCP slamming the Centre over the move, saying it has caused severe hardship to people and harmed the rural economy. Refuting the Opposition contention, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said this step was necessary to crack down on black money. However, he admited it has put certain restrictions on co-operative sector. "The previous government had failed to ratify a United Nations treaty on black money which was lying from 2004 to 2011. "It was signed by the then BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, thereby allowing access to bank accounts of all Indians in foreign banks. Not only this, India signed an independent treaty with tax heavens and USA," he said. Fadnavis said he would lead a delegation from the state which would include the Finance Minister and Leaders of Opposition from both the Houses tomorrow to Delhi to meet Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to apprise him of the situation. The opposition members had dared Fadnavis to use his "clout" to prevail upon the Centre for lifting the curbs imposed on transactions by district co-operative banks, saying they had compounded the woes of the people. Leading the opposition onslaught, former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan (Congress) said the decision to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes was taken with an eye on Assembly polls in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Stating that it had pushed the rural economy to the "verge of collapse", he accused the government of promoting foreign linked payment gateways. Picking holes in the Centre's push to usher in a cashless economy, Chavan said nowhere in the world has such kind of economy been fully implemented. Chavan claimed former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan had warned against the demonetisation. NCP leader Ajit Pawar said Opposition would not mind if the Chief Minister skips the proceedings of the House and leave for Delhi to meet the Central leadership over demonetisation "mess". Defending the move, Fadnavis said the decision was necessary to crack down on black money, and blamed the previous government for its "lapses" in initiating measures to curb the menace. On post-demonetisation steps, he said state government will soon launch secured e-service "MahaWallet", the first in the country, which he said will be safe and people-friendly, especially to those without internet literacy. (Reopens BOM 14) The Chief Minister said about 1,000 college students will be trained as volunteers and sent across the state to train people in rural areas to do transactions through mobile. Fadnavis invoked Dalit icon B R Ambedkar, saying he had recommended demonetisation every 10 years. "Ambedkar had said in 1923 that Indian currency should be changed every 10 years," he said. On the surprise move, he said there was nothing wrong in maintaining secrecy about demonetisation as any leak would have cost heavily. "It all started two years back. The steps like digital payments etc. Were taken in this direction two years back," he said. Fadnavis said about Rs 23 crore has been deposited in Jan Dhan bank accounts and the authorities are examining who are the owners of the money. "A decision is also likely that the Jan Dhan account holders can keep the money without valid sources," he said. "There were four main factors behind the demonetisation decision. They are: illegal funding of terror groups, (need for) cashless economy, elimination of fake currency and pumping of fake currency which was the biggest problem," he said. So far, country has received approximately Rs 11 lakh crore which was likely to touch Rs 14 lakh crore. "The banks will invest (this money) in projects and subsequently the rate of interest will fall. Municipal bodies across the state have recovered various dues totalling Rs 1,000 crore (post demonetisation) while the State Electricity Board has received to the tune of Rs 700 crore," he said. State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) today signed agreements to practically outsource production of oil and gas from its ageing fields in Gujarat and Assam to international service providers Schlumberger and Halliburton. Under the plan, ONGC will give out its Kalol field in Gujarat to Halliburton and Geleki field in Assam to Schlumberger. The two service providers would bring in necessary technology for boosting output. "A base production level will be decided. They (Schlumberger and Halliburton) will be paid a certain USD dollar per barrel fee for producing oil beyond this agreed level," ONGC Chairman and Managing Director Dinesh K Sarraf said. All the oil produced will belong to ONGC and the arrangement is being entered into to get the best technology available, he said. The Summary of Understanding (SoU), signed on sidelines of Petrotech conference, is for Production Enhancement Contract in the two fields. "If we were to hire a certain technology and it failed, we would have to spend more money in bringing alternate technology. Now it is their responsibility to bring in whatever technology is needed. They get paid only if production exceeds the agreed base level," he said. Under the terms, Schlumberger and Halliburton will invest capital and share technical expertise in the two stagnant but producing oilfields. If they are able to increase output, they will be paid a pre-determined fee on each additional barrel of crude oil produced. Besides Schlumberger and Halliburton, ONGC is also in talks with Weatherford International and Baker Hughes Inc among others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been warned by a court after his counsel sought repeated adjournments in submitting a reply on a plea challenging the honourary 'knighthood' title given to him by Queen Elizabeth II. The title given to Sharif in 1997 has been challenged in the Lahore High Court. Petitioner Javed Iqbal Jaffery has pleaded the court to order the premier to return the title as it is a "mark of slavery" and against the "national interest". Federal government counsel Nadeem Anjum told the court yesterday that the government needed more time to reply on the petition. Irked by repeated adjournment requests by the government counsel, Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh asked the government counsel to persuade the prime minister to submit his reply before the court passes any strict order. He directed the counsel to come up with Sharif's reply on the questions raised in the petition. The court adjourned the hearing till December 19. Petitioner Jaffery said Sharif's decision to receive the title was a violation of the Pakistan Constitution Articles 2-A and 249 as he should have taken the Parliament and the Cabinet into confidence before agreeing to receive the title. "Sharif has become Prime Minister again and the LHC has been requested to order him return the 'Sir' title to the British Queen as he had lowered dignity of Pakistanis by accepting a title of slavery," Jaffery said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seventy-five years ago, Victor "Vic" Hergett was there at Pearl Harbor. He was in the U.S. Navy and witnessed the destruction inflicted by the Japanese when they bombed Hawaii. And what he saw rattled him, even nearly three-quarters of a century later. He didn't talk much to friends or even family about what he saw. But in 2010, one of his great-grandchildren needed an essay for Veterans Day, so Hergett, a native of Park City, dictated a few memories to his daughter, Cheryl Horning. It was the first time even she'd heard the stories. The following are Hergett's memories of witnessing the Pearl Harbor bombings: "At seventeen, I was tired of this life and wanted to get out and see the world, so I joined the Navy. My dad was not happy with this decision and in order to get his consent, I had to agree to send money home to help pay for hired help that would replace me (on the farm). "The registrar who handled my enlistment said a blessing for me as he felt I was so young. The journey from Billings to Salt Lake City for the swearing in ceremony took two days and I was committed for a six-year hitch Nov. 8, 1939 to Nov. 8, 1945. "After three rigorous months of training I was assigned to the the Battleship USS Maryland which was docked at San Diego, Calif., and we joined the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. "The next two years were peace years and filled with new adventures and meeting people from every state in the union. It was an exciting time and quite an experience for a farm boy from Montana. "Then came word of Japanese aggression in the Pacific which was followed by constant war maneuvers month after month. We were playing war games which meant drills and more drills. However, we still weren't prepared for the disaster that took place on that fateful day, Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941. "It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining. About 7:50 a.m., I was returning to my quarters after eating breakfast when we were attacked. The main target was Battleship Row where all our ships were anchored two by two along the pier. We were sitting ducks. I spent the entire battle at my station below deck in the boiler room. I heard the ruckus and commotion of the guns and bombs but had little idea what was taking place topside. "Around 10 a.m., after the Japanese left the scene, fire and rescue were ordered and I volunteered to fight the fires on the USS West Virginia. It was the first time I witnessed the terrible chaos and destruction all around the harbor. The sight of the wounded, maimed and burned victims still haunts me to this day. We were to pick up survivors on our launch and when one of the sailors started to pull up a survivor, he immediately dropped him back, remarking that he was dead and we were only supposed to pick up live ones. That scene will live with me forever. "When we boarded the West Virginia and opened the hatches, sailors who had died from drowning floated out. "In the weeks that followed there was a tremendous effort to raise and repair our losses. My ship had a huge hole in the bow, but we couldn't move as the Oklahoma had rolled over and pinned us against the dock. It was a huge undertaking to move her over a few feet so we could get our and get repaired at an adjacent dock. "After that came island hopping Tarawa; Gilbert; Marshall. I had very little leave time in that period 32 days in six years and I was not even able to attend my mother's funeral when she died in 1942. I left the Maryland in November 1943 and my new assignment was the Alkes, a cargo supply shop built by Kaiser Shipyards. We made 11 trips across the Pacific following the invading Army and Marines. "We were on our way back to Pearl Harbor to reload and plan for the actual invasion of Japan when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was a wonderful day when I could remove my life preserver, which had been a part of me for so many days. "The day I was discharged, the captain asked me to re-up and reminded me of the six years I had already put in. My remark to him was that after being at sea for five years and four months out of those six years, I was not about to ship over. "Back to civilian life, I arrived home two days before the birth of my first child." Hergett died July 8, 2015. Horning said her father was "patriotic to the core," never missing flying his flag for holidays, but was incredibly reticent about sharing his stories and experiences. "He wrote the information (in 2010), but said he would never write or talk about it again," Horning said. "And he didn't." "One thing that Dad did tell us but is not mentioned is that there was so much chaos and panic that morning that many lives were lost unnecessarily. Men jumped into the water away from port side and the water was so hot from all the burning oil that many of them perished from their burns or drowned," Horning said. Hergett returned to Pearl Harbor for the first and only time in January 1975. "My mother told us that after visiting the USS Arizona Memorial, dad had terrible flashbacks and nightmares again," Horning said. Hergett was a charter member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, active in the VFW and American Legion. He participated in Big Sky Honor Flight in July 2012. Yet he never returned to Hawaii after 1975. A Parliamentary panel today quizzed the top brass of Home Ministry on repeated attacks on security establishments in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab and asked what steps were taken to prevent such brazen acts of terrorists. The meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, headed by Congress leader and former Home Minister P Chidambaram, asked a team of top officials led by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi the reasons for repeated terror attacks on security installations. The MPs, cutting across party lines, cited the example of terror attacks at the brigade headquarters at Uri and Pathankot air base besides the recent attack at an army station in Nagrota, in which seven Army personnel, including two Major-rank officers, were killed, sources said. The lawmakers also wanted to know what preventive actions have been taken by the government to check such attempts. In his reply, the Union Home Secretary said the strike at the army camp in Nagrota was a terror attack carried out by terrorists belonging to Pakistan-based militant groups. Mehrishi said the probe into the Nagrota attack has been handed over to NIA which will unravel the conspiracy hatched in Pakistan, sources said. The Home Ministry has already handed over the probe into the Nagrota case to the NIA. The probe agency has re-registered the case at its police station here and a team of officers of the NIA will reach Jammu shortly to visit the crime scene and commence the investigation. It will also place the FIR before the NIA Special Court in Jammu. NIA, which was formed in 2008 at the initiative of Chidambaram, functions as the country's central counter-terrorism law enforcement agency. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Paris choked today under its worst winter pollution in a decade, with commuters enjoying free public transport and half of the cars ordered off the road in an effort clear the air. The surge in pollution has been driven by cold weather and near windless conditions that have trapped car exhaust, wood smoke and other pollutants, said the French capital's AirParif air monitoring service. Though bad by local standards, current levels of fine airborne particles known as PM10 in Paris are around 60 percent of levels in notoriously polluted Beijing and a fraction of readings in New Delhi, known as one of the world's most polluted capitals. City authorities announced a second day of traffic restrictions, with a ban imposed on private cars with registration plates ending in even numbers from between 5:30 am (local time) and midnight. They imposed the same restriction on cars with odd-numbered plates yesterday. Public transport in the city was also free for a second day running to encourage commuters to leave their vehicles at home, while school children are being prevented from exercising outside. "This is a record period (of pollution) for the last 10 years," Karine Leger of AirParif told AFP by telephone. For more than a week now, Airparif has published readings of PM10 at more than 80 microgrammes per cubic metre of air particles, triggering the pollution alert. It recorded the highest level of pollution last Thursday, reporting 146 microgrammes/m3. Other parts of France were also facing pollution alerts, with the air particle concentrations rising to dangerous levels in the southeast and the north of the country. The central city of Lyon was suffering as pollution gathered in the Rhone Valley, also affecting the Alpine towns of Chambery and Annecy. The environmentalist candidate in next year's presidential election, Yannick Jadot, said that politicians needed to target the most polluting vehicles and restrict the use of diesel engines. "We have politicians who tell us they are looking after our health," Jadot said. "The reality is that when they have to choose between traffic, diesel and our health, unfortunately they don't choose our health." This is only the fourth time Paris has resorted to traffic restrictions to cope with air pollution. The region's officials took similar measures in 1997, 2014 and 2015. But a parliamentary report has questioned the efficacy of the restrictions, arguing that they do not target the most polluting vehicles. Despite the measures yesterday, officials reported heavy traffic jams in and around the city in the morning and evening rush hours. Traffic police were kept busy trying to enforce the anti-pollution measures, fining more than 1,700 motorists for violations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Human resources solutions and technology company PeopleStrong today launched chatbot 'Jinie', which aims to shift HR from a transactional interface with employees to a conversational interface that is engaging and impactful. Jinie will be like an employee's personal worklife assistant who can help in solving any HR related query, the company said in a release issued here. Be it completing employee data, applying for leaves or managing any kind of employee transactions, Jinie will be there for the employees every time. "The chatbot will eventually have a stronghold in enterprises as they move ahead in the digital HR journey. It will prove to be the biggest advantage for the enterprise as it will be available virtually 24/7, giving employees on the field instant access to transactions and HR data, regardless of location or time zone," PeopleStrong Co-founder and CEO Pankaj Bansal said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today offered all assistance to Indonesia which was hit by a powerful earthquake, killing nearly 100 people and causing widespread destruction. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Aceh over the calamity today. India stands ready to render any assistance required," Modi tweeted. An earthquake of 6.5-magnitude struck Pidie Jaya district in Aceh province in Indonesia at dawn. "So far 97 people have been killed and the number keeps growing," Aceh military chief Tatang Sulaiman told AFP. "When we retrieve bodies sometimes there's five, sometimes 10 corpses." More than 1,000 soldiers and about 900 police have been deployed to the worst-hit areas to set up shelters and evacuation points, he added. Hundreds of houses and shops had been levelled by the quake, leaving countless people homeless and in need of basic supplies like food and water, officials said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cracking the 2011 murder of a 45-year-old man, police have arrested the prime accused from Malda in West Bengal. The accused, identified as Jeevan Chowdhary, allegedly murdered his co-labourer Santosh Rajan Ghosh with sharp weapons on May 5, 2011 at Naupada here after the latter failed to return Rs 3,000 which he owed to Chowdhary. Local police recently started investigations into pending cases afresh. Crime branch Assistant Police Inspector Sandeep Bagul said Chowdhary was arrested on December 5 on the basis on a tip off after Malda police were contacted. He was brought to Thane on transit remand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad today demanded a "thorough inquiry" into the suicide of a driver who had accused former BJP minister in Karnataka Janardhana Reddy of illegally converting Rs 100 crore into white money. "There should be a thorough inquiry as to why (the driver) committed suicide. There is big secret behind it. I request the state and central governments for full inquiry into the matter," Azad told reporters outside Parliament. In his suicide note, K C Ramesh, the driver of a Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) officer, had claimed that he got Rs 100 crore converted into white money for the mining baron for the marriage of his daughter. The opulent wedding of Reddy's daughter days after the announcement of demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes had triggered a controversy. On Hurriyat Conference's appeal to tourists to visit Kashmir Valley, Azad said the appeal was not made during the tourism season but at a time when there is no flow of tourists in winters. "Nobody made the appeal when it was a tourism season which is in August-September. That time the atmosphere was bad (due to turmoil in the Valley). There is no flow of tourists in winter season," he said. He hoped that next year such appeal would be made before the beginning of the tourism season so that the Valley could see surge in tourists arrival. Azad also trained guns on BJP, saying the party forgets its own deeds when it comes to power and claimed that when the saffron party was in opposition, it had demanded the presence of then then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Parliament during the discussion on 2G scam. "This is a problem with BJP when it comes to power, it forgets...When a discussion was to be held on 2G, then BJP had put up a condition that Manmohan Singh should be present in Parliament. Singh was present for two days in Parliament and the discussion took place in his presence," he said. On the controversy surrounding the appointment of Rakesh Asthana as the interim director of CBI, Azad said the selection committee should meet immediately and select a "full fledge" director. He said the government has made "a habit" of continuing with interim appointments and that this was done in case of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) director also. The Supreme Court today agreed to hear on December 9 a plea challenging the appointment of Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana as the interim director of CBI. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actress Reese Witherspoon says no one is allowed to talk to her youngest son Tennessee before 8am as he likes being along for an hour after waking up. The 40-year-old actress has three children - Ava, 17, and Deacon, 13, from her previous marriage to Ryan Phillippe, and four-year-old Tennessee with current husband Jim Toth, reported Female First. "You're not allowed to talk to (Tennessee) before 8am. You can't sit close to him either, he gets really mad. He needs like, an hour of alone time. He drags his toys and blankets into the room and sits there by himself," Witherspoon said. Even the "Sing" star does not let anyone call her before 8:15am as she is busy with her kids. "People know not to call me before 8:15, because 8:15 is when everybody needs to either be on the bus or at school and then my whole life starts at 8:15," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A US-based health rights group has accused Indian security forces of "excessive" and "indiscriminate" use of force against protesters with weapons like pellet guns during clashes in Kashmir this year, resulting in injuries and deaths. In their report, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) describes the excessive and indiscriminate use of force against protesters by Indian state police and Central Reserve Police Force with weapons misleadingly represented as "less than lethal". These included tear gas grenades, pepper gas shells, live ammunition, and12-gauge shotguns loaded with metal pellets, which account for the majority of injuries, it said in a report yesterday. "While Indian authorities claimed that the use of these weapons was meant to reduce the potential for injuries or fatalities, PHR researchers found that their use had in fact caused serious injury and death," a media release said. It also accused security forces of using "intimidation tactics" against medical workers attempting to treat the injured. PHR said it found that authorities actively impeded protesters' access to urgent medical care, both by harassingmedical workers attempting to treat protesters and by preventing doctors from reaching the hospitals where they work. PHR called upon the Indian government to demonstrate its respect for the rights of all citizens by: prohibiting weapons for crowd control that are indiscriminate and cause excessive injury and death, namely the 12-gauge shotgun loaded with No9 shot; and provide adequate equipment and training to police forces to minimize injuries and deaths caused by police action. It also called upon India to cease unlawful practices that obstruct access to health care. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mizoram State Finance Commission had allocated Rs 21.20 crore for village councils in the state during 2015-16 but it was lapsed, state Finance Minister Lalsawta informed the Assembly here today. Replying to a question from Lalrinawma of the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF), Lalsawta said that though the first State Finance Commission recommended Rs 21.20 crore for the village councils, the fund lapsed as the government did not approve the recommendation on time. "The fund allocation recommended by the State Finance Commission for the village councils during 2015-16 would not be released as the state government by issuing an Office Memorandum on May four, 2016 declared the allocation of fund to the village councils was to be regarded as lapsed," he said. He added that the village councils notified that they were not allowed to claim the fund as arrears of instalments from the state government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sacrifices of people who lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor galvanise millions, President Barack Obama today said as he led Americans in remembering those killed in the attack 75 years ago that plunged America into World War II. "Today, Michelle and I join the American people in remembering those who gave their lives at Pearl Harbor-many of them not much older than boys-and in honouring their families-spouses, siblings, sons and daughters who still carry the memories of their loved ones in their hearts," Obama said in a statement. "Seventy-five years ago today, a sudden and unprovoked attack turned a tranquil harbor into a sea of flames," he said, adding that over 2,400 American patriots lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor -- military and civilian, men, women and children. "Their sacrifice galvanised millions of GIs and Rosie the Riveters who answered the call to defend liberty at its moment of maximum peril. In the hours after the attack, President Roosevelt promised that 'the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory'. Thanks to the heroism of a generation, we did," Obama said. The US president-elect Donald Trump in a separate statement said their shared sacrifice reminds Americans of the "great costs paid by those who came before us to secure the liberties the country enjoys,andinspires them to rise to meet the new challenges that stand before us today." "America's enemies have changed over the past 75 years. But the fact remains, as President Reagan said when first proclaiming NationalPearlHarbor Remembrance Day, 'there can be no substitute for victory'in the pursuit of peace," Trump said. Japan's devastating attack on December 7, 1941 caught America off guard, sinking or heavily damaging eight US battleships. The two-hour assault killed 2,403 Americans and injured more than 1,100 others. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to make a historic visit to a memorial in Pearl Harbor later this month -- the first such visit by a Japanese leader -- when Obama is scheduled to join him. "With President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe set to visit this sacred ground together later this month, the world will again witness America's leadership and resolve in strengthening global stability, peace, and security," said Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi. In a speech on the floor of the US House of Representatives, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard honored the 75th Anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor. "We remember our brothers and sisters who paid the ultimate price, and those who answered the call to serve in the months and years that followed, including our two former Senators Inouye and Akaka, and the more than 320,000 who gave their lives in that war," she said. California Governor Edmund Brown issued a proclamation declaring December 7 as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. "America has always shown its exceptional character and resolve in its darkest moments. Out of this tragedy the United States marshalled the forces of freedom to turn back the tide of tyranny that threatened the world. We salute the brave soldiers who fought from island to island in the Pacific and on the battlefields of Europe to secure total and absolute victory. These patriots are and will always will be our greatest generation," said Republican National Committee Co-Chair Sharon Day. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bismarck Police is investigating threats against two people involved in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. According to Lt. Mike McMerty, the complainants told police they were approached by two men who threatened them outside the Ramada Inn, 1400 E. Interchange Ave., on Monday afternoon. McMerty declined to elaborate on the type of threats, due to the ongoing investigation. He said officers are working to identify and interview the two suspects, who left before police arrived. Two videos posted online show two men inside a car, who are approached by two other men in masks. The masked men yell expletives and comments including, "Take your protestin' ... back home" and "You threaten us, you threaten our law enforcement, you threaten our people!" The men in the car attempt to leave but are blocked in by a van driven by a masked man. It is not clear from the videos how the confrontation began. Click here or here to view videos of the incident. WARNING: These videos contains graphic language. American flags hung from every pole and business in the small Mississippi town of Wesson as the remains of a 23-year-old sailor headed to his last resting place today, 75 years to the day after he was killed at Pearl Harbor. Fireman 1st Class Jim H Johnston was buried with full military honors in his hometown. He was one of 429 crewmen killed on the USS Oklahoma when it was attacked by Japanese aircraft on December 7, 1941. The attack triggered the entry of the United States into World War II. The Riverwood Family Funeral Service was contacted by the Navy to make the arrangements and owners offered their services free of charge. About 250 local residents gathered around the family plot at the Wesson Cemetery as Johnston was buried next to his parents. Gov Phil Bryant attended the graveside service and thanked Johnston and all of the Mississippians killed in World War II for their service. Frank Springs, Johnston's nephew from Lucedale, Mississippi, was one of the family members attending the service. He spoke briefly thanking others for attending. Bryant gave Springs a commemorative governor's coin and placed one on Johnston's wooden casket In October 1949, a military board ruled that many of the remains from the Oklahoma, including Johnson's, were non-recoverable. Scientists using mitochondrial DNA analysis, circumstantial evidence, laboratory analysis and dental comparisons eventually matched Johnston's records. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Naughty, not nice: Slovak police on today arrested a man dressed as Santa Claus for stealing cash and gold jewellery from a 91-year-old woman. Officers also detained two sidekicks in angel and devil costumes - the jolly man in the red suit's sisters - over the theft, local police spokeswoman Maria Linkesova told AFP. Joined by the man's three-year-old son, the trio pretended to be well-wishers after ringing the elderly woman's doorbell in the western town of Skalica. "The old lady gave them five euros for the good wishes. The man dressed as Santa Claus then asked for a cup of tea for the child," said Linkesova. While she was busy with that, the sister in the angel costume swiped jewellery and 45 euros from the house. But before they could escape, a neighbour happened to drop by and called the police, sensing something was up. Two of the thieves have prior convictions. The devil-outfitted crook has a clean record. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear on December 9 a plea challenging the appointment of Gujarat cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana as the interim director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). "Okay. It will come up on Friday," a bench comprising Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justices DY Chandrachud and L Nageswara Rao said after advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for NGO Common Cause, mentioned the plea. The petition, filed by the NGO, alleged that the Centre took a series of steps in a "completely mala fide, arbitrary and illegal manner to ensure that Asthana was given the charge of director". It has claimed that the government did not convene a meeting of the selection committee, comprising the prime minister, the leader of the largest opposition party and the chief justice of India, even though it was fully aware that Anil Sinha was going to demit the office of director on December 2. Asthana, an IPS officer of 1984-batch, was elevated as the additional director in the agency on December 2 when Special Director RK Dutta, who was reportedly among the frontrunners for the top post, was shifted to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as a Special Secretary. The PIL claimed that the government had "prematurely curtailed" the tenure and transferred Dutta to MHA on November 30 -- just two days before Sinha was slated to demit office. The 2nd India International Science Festival, backed by the government's Department of Science & Technology and RSS-linked Vijnan Bharati, kicked off in the national capital today. The five-day event at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) here was inaugurated by Union Science and Technology minister Harsh Vardhan and his deputy Y S Chowdary. More than 3,000 people and scientists are expected to attend the event, a statement here said. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will formally inaugurate the festival tomorrow. "Any new and innovative idea will be appreciated and supported by our science department and the government. Let's learn science in a more creative way," Harsh Vardhan said. The festival is showcasing outstanding achievements developed by Indian laboratories in the recent past. The scheduled activities during the festival include Young Scientists' Meet, Scientific Workshops, a Science Village, Industry-Academia Interaction, International Science Film Festival, Mega Science Technology & Industry Expo followed by cultural programs and other activities. The exhibition that will continue up to 11th of this month will cover information and ideas about many cutting edge technologies, scientific ideas in exciting fields in addition to display of innovative models by young students. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The World Bank's decision to hastily set up a Court of Arbitration (CoA) to settle disputes relating to two hydroelectric projects following Pakistan's demand may raise serious questions on workability of Indus Water Treaty, government said today. Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said though there has been delay on India's request to appoint a neutral expert to resolve differences on Kishenganga and Ratle projects "unreasonable and hasty" timelines were set on Pakistan's call for appointing the CoA. Expressing unhappiness over the decision to set up the CoA, Singh replying to a question in Lok Sabha, said India had urged the World Bank to go for more consultations on the matter so that a "legally unteanable" situation of two different mechanisms adjucating the same matter could be avoided. "The World Bank also offered on October 18 an extra-Treaty independent mediator for helping India and Pakistan choose from the aforementioned two modalities for dispute resolution," he said. The Minister said the government has strongly protested to the bank on the developments and also conveyed its "grave concerns that these developments may raise serious questions regarding workability of the Indus Water Treaty(IWT)." Under the IWT, signed by India and Pakistan in 1960, the World Bank has a specific role of dispute resolution between the two countries. To a separate question, Singh said the civil nuclear agreement between India and Japan signed last month will come into force after completion of respective necessary internal procedures by the two countries. Replying to another query, he said the process of India's membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is expected to be completed by April 2017 as per Memorandum of Obligations of the bloc. Singh, while giving details about MEA's expenditure on account of contribution to the UN organisations, said Rs 138 crore was paid in 2013-14 while the amount was Rs 157 crore and Rs 244 crore in 2014-15 and 2015-16. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lashing out at the opposition over disruption of Lok Sabha proceedings, senior BJP leader Shanta Kumar today urged the Speaker to take disciplinary measures, including stopping salary and allowances, and even expulsion of members who do not heed her directions. The Lok Sabha member from Himachal Pradesh wrote to Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on a day party veteran L K Advani expressed his anguish in the House over its non-functioning. Accusing some political parties of "crossing all limits", the former Himachal Chief Minister said the Lok Sabha is witnessing sloganeering seen in streets and there is a need to take solid and effective steps to restore discipline in the House. "If a member comes into the Well and shouts slogans despite the Speaker's instructions against it, then his salary and allowances should be stopped immediately from that day. Any member who does not abide by discipline despite the Speaker's warning should be expelled for the rest of the session," he wrote to the Speaker. Due to the continued stalling of Parliament, members have become a subject of people's ridicule, he said, adding that school and college students sitting in visitors' gallery smile at them while witnessing the disruption. "After 70 years of independence, the country's politics should have been more serious, decent, disciplined and mature. Instead, values in public life continue to fall. Consequently, the term politician is not a symbol of respect," he said. An estimated Rs 6 crore is spent daily on running Parliament and the public money cannot be wasted, Kumar said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Syed Mohammed Imran, son-in-law of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, today moved the Delhi High Court seeking contempt action against his estranged wife and some cops alleging that he was arrested "casually" in a criminal case in contravention of the apex court guidelines. Dikshit's daughter Latika has alleged that her estranged husband Imran took away papers of a land, owned by her at Nainital, despite having been told not to do so. An FIR under penal provisions relating to cheating, dishonest misappropriation of property and theft has been lodged against Imran. Referring an apex court verdict, Imran said that the police needed to follow the "checklist/guidelines which have been laid down by it against casual arrests in cases under Section 498A (harassment to woman by her husband and her in-laws) of the IPC as also under cases where punishment is for seven years or less". The plea, which came up for hearing before Justice Manmohan, alleged that Imran was "vexatiously and illegally" arrested and detained by Delhi Police without following proper procedure and this "malafide act" of the cops was at the behest of his wife, who belongs to an "influential political family". Advocates P Banerjee and Neeraj Kumar, appearing for Imran, argued in the court that a false and fabricated FIR was lodged against their client without application of mind and checking the genuineness of his wife's complaint regarding matrimonial dispute and that he was wrongfully confined in custody for 15 days. The counsel said the contents of the FIR "ex-facie" showed that the allegations in the complaint pertained to matrimonial dispute but the FIR was lodged under other penal provisions. The FIR does not disclose commission of any offence under IPC sections 420 (cheating), 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property) and 380 (theft) read with section 66 of the IT Act, which have been invoked by the police, he said. "The allegations in the FIR are in the nature of matrimonial dispute. The respondents ought not to have registered in a routine manner and in fact should have forwarded the complaint for approval of the DCP/Additional DCP, before registering an FIR," the plea said, adding that the "police officers have bypassed the law". To this, the court asked Imran's counsel to show the law which says that if a section is not added at the time of lodging of an FIR, fresh sections cannot be invoked later on. "According to me, the Criminal Procedure Code says that the magistrate can add sections on his own. Even at the stage of appeal, a charge can be added," the judge said and posted the matter for further hearing to December 15. Imran was arrested on November 10 from Bangalore and brought here on transit remand, and was granted bail by a court here on November 24. Latika and Imran had got married in 1996, but were living separately for the last 10 months. In her complaint filed in June, Latika had alleged that Imran's attitude had changed towards her and had become aggressive and rude after her mother lost in the Delhi Assembly polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Sikh organisation today lashed out at the ruling PDP for not taking steps on granting minority status to the the community in Jammu and Kashmir and demanded that the National Commission for Minorities Act be extended to the state. "The PDP had in its election manifesto promised to grant minority status to the Sikh community of Jammu and Kashmir state, but three years have passed and nothing has been done," the All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) said in a statement. The organisation said Sikhs had voted for the PDP but have been ditched after the election. "Further inaction on this demand will create more estrangement between the Sikh community and the Jammu and Kashmir government," it said. The Sikh group demanded that the National Commission for Minorities Act be extended to Jammu and Kashmir. The APSCC also demanded that the Central Government take "serious note" of the situation prevailing in Kashmir. "The state continues to be in the grip of unrest over reports of killings, injuries, imprisonment of civilians, and burning of schools and official buildings. Maintaining silence on such issues will further aggravate the resentment of people and lead to the worsening of an already precarious situation," APSCC chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said. Raina said the state government should also step up efforts to control the situation. "If the government continues to deal with the situation as it has been doing so far, there will be apprehensions of the situation getting out of hand," he added. Raina urged the central and state governments to make efforts to address the grievances of the people and to create a congenial atmosphere for sincere talks among all stakeholders. "Measures such as withdrawal of the Public Safety Act (PSA) that has been slapped on many civilians will help in creating such an atmosphere of trust and conciliation," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The son of Donald Trump's national security advisor -- who has pushed wild conspiracy theories on social media -- has been dismissed from the president-elect's transition team, Vice president-elect Mike Pence has confirmed. "Mike Flynn Jr. Is no longer associated with general Flynn's efforts or with the transition team and we're focused eyes forward," Pence told CNN, saying the younger Flynn had been helping his father with scheduling and other administrative work. The ouster of 33-year-old Michael G. Flynn, son of retired lieutenant general Michael Flynn -- who was tapped last month for the powerful national security advisor role -- came after he made controversial statements about an armed man's weekend attack at a popular pizza restaurant in Washington. Edgar Maddison Welch, 28, said he was investigating online "reports" that Comet Ping Pong was at the center of a pedophile ring linked to defeated Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. No one was hurt after Welch fired off a round from his AR-15. Police quickly arrested him, discovering two more weapons, and said he had told them he drove up from North Carolina to personally investigate "Pizzagate." Still, Michael G. Flynn tweeted that "Until #Pizzagate proven to be false, it'll remain a story." He also retweeted the comments of others promoting the fake stories about the restaurant. The incident raised questions about general Flynn himself. He had not commented publicly on the Comet incident, but in early November he tied Clinton to pedophile rings in a tweet of his own. "U decide - NYPD Blows Whistle on New Hillary Emails: Money Laundering, Sex Crimes w Children, etc...MUST READ!" he wrote ahead of the November 8 election. He also provided a link to a related fake story. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) States have been able to utilise only 21 per cent of the Rs 28,454.62 crore Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Cess, Parliament was informed today. The Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Cess Act, 1996, provides for levy and collection of cess on the cost of construction incurred by employers to augment resources of the Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Boards. The responsibility of collecting cess and its utilization for welfare of construction workers lies with the respective State Governments/UT Administrations and State Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Boards, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha. "Cumulative total of the amount of cess collected by the States/UTs up to September 30, 2016 at the rate of 1 per cent of the cost of construction is Rs 28,454.62 crore," he added. Cess collected on the cost of construction incurred by employers under Cess Act, 1996, is utilised for the welfare of construction workers by State Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Boards constituted by States/Union Territories under the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996. "The amount of cess fund utilised by the States/UTs is Rs 6,097.047 crore," the Minister said. Centre has been issuing directions to States/UTs from time to time for proper utilisation of the cess fund, he said. Union Government had constituted a Monitoring Committee on September 9, 2015 under Chairmanship of Labour Secretary to monitor the implementation of directions issued under Section 60 of the Act, specifically with reference to utilisation of Cess fund for Welfare Schemes, he added. "The Committee has been holding regular meetings with the Principal Secretary/Secretary/Labour Commissioners of all the States/UTs to monitor the progress. The Committee has held four meeting so far," Dattatreya said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gov. Jack Dalrymple called for a reduction in spending and replenishment of state reserve funds in his final executive budget address Wednesday, saying the adjustment from boom times to a slower period of gradual growth requires a more austere approach. Dalrymple outlined a $13.475 billion budget proposal, $4.78 billion of which is general fund revenue, before a joint session of the Legislature in the North Dakota House chambers. The budget proposed was a balancing act of cuts to hundreds of state employee positions, filling reserve funds, and a state takeover of county social services to make a 12 percent state-paid property tax credit permanent. We make the necessary budgetary reductions, yet provide the funding necessary for high-quality services. We also provide for strong financial reserves, and we do all of this with no tax increases, Dalrymple said. Dalrymple acknowledged the landscape has changed dramatically since he delivered his previous address in 2014. The days of massive one-time spending initiatives are behind the state for now, he said. Sharp declines in oil and agricultural commodity prices led to reduced dollars coming into the states coffers. That decline led to two rounds of budget cuts this year to fix a budget shortfall of nearly $1.4 billion. A rare special legislative session was held in August as part of the second round of cuts. The kinds of price drops experienced in our two major industries of energy and agriculture are best described not as a correction, but rather as a collapse, Dalrymple said. Earlier this year, the governor ordered generally funded state agencies to submit budget requests at 90 percent levels of ongoing spending approved for the current biennium. It was the first time since 2002 a North Dakota governor had required cuts in state agency budgets. The new budget calls for a reduction of 583 state employees: 315 in higher education and 268 in other agencies. He said a large number of these have already been addressed through open positions and retirements during the two rounds of cuts. For higher education, an additional 5 percent cut was proposed that could be offset over the biennium by tuition increases at state colleges and universities, to be capped at 2.5 percent per year. Dalrymple also proposed continuing funding Medicaid expansion for the more than 20,000 residents insured under it. Another proposal was to move state tobacco cessation programs under the North Dakota Department of Health. Those programs had been placed under a different agency created by a 2008 ballot measure. We need to make the best possible use of our tobacco fund dollars, Dalrymple said. The governor drew a standing ovation mid-speech when he recognized the work of law enforcement in recent months in response to the Dakota Access Pipeline protesters camping in southern Morton County. He called their efforts awe-inspiring. Many of our people have gone months without a day off, ably managing the onslaught of out-of-state agitators in a situation that could never have been anticipated, he said. Lawmakers delivered about a minute-long ovation when he recognized Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier, North Dakota Highway Patrol Col. Michael Gerhert and Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann of the North Dakota National Guard, who were seated in the House gallery. Another of Dalrymples budget proposals is to replenish reserves. The Budget Stabilization Fund would increase from essentially zero to $454.2 million. He also structured the budget to create about $43.7 million in general fund reserves by June 30, 2019. Two years ago, the governor delivered a record $15.72 billion budget proposal for 2015-17. During the 78-day session in 2015, lawmakers approved a record $14.2 billion budget. The proposal delivered Wednesday is more comparable to the $13.7 billion passed by lawmakers in 2013. Dalrymple also proposed utilization of various funds for the new budget. He called for use of Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund dollars for K-12 education as well as Bank of North Dakota profits and Legacy Fund interest dollars to be placed in the general fund. Companies will have to work on meeting global quality standards and follow international best practices, steps that will help India become a manufacturing hub, Steel Minister Chaudhary Birendra Singh said today. In order to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of making India a global manufacturing hub and ensure success of Make in India, there is a need to concentrate on enhancing quality standards and focus on R&D, he said. "For India to become a manufacturing hub and to produce products for the global community, we need to meet and adhere to the global best practices and quality standards. "I am of the firm opinion that this is the only way for steel industry in India to reach its true potential. As they say a dream is a goal with a deadline. So we must adhere to deadlines and treat them as sacrosanct," Singh told PTI. Singh's comments come against the backdrop of the Ministry looking at creating a comprehensive quality regime for the over USD 100 billion industry. Stressing that it is essential for steel products to gain acceptability and recognition at the global level, Singh said the way forward is to bring more products under the ambit of quality control orders for a holistic coverage. "India needs to find new markets for its products for better capacity utilisation and, quality is a pre-requisite for export-orientation. This is essential as steel products form the backbone of infrastructure, construction, household utilities, engineering goods and other sectors," he explained. Standardisation through quality control would be beneficial for the health of mass consumers who use stainless steel utensils. Similarly strength, durability and longevity of housing and other constructions depend on the quality of steel used, Singh said. Speaking on the extension given by the government on the Stainless Steel Quality Control (QC) Order, the Minister said it is pertinent that companies follow deadlines. Yesterday, Steel Ministry gave a two month extension for the implementation of Stainless Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2016, which was to end on December 6. The Order stipulates prohibition regarding manufacture, import, storage, sale, distribution etc without the Standard Mark of BIS and obligation of certification. Urging firms to expedite their part of the process, Singh said the extension route "cannot be infinite" and all must be committed to provide a safe product to the consumers. "It is our dream to make India a global manufacturing hub, But if each one of us is not committed to doing his best to facilitate implementation of highest quality standards in every sphere, we shall be left behind," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Syria's army has seized key ground in its battle for east Aleppo, capturing more districts and penning rebels into less than a quarter of territory they held in mid-November. The yesterday's advance came as Moscow and Washington traded barbs over stalled efforts to end fighting in the city, where forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have made significant advances since last week. But US Secretary of State John Kerry said he would try to get Syrian peace talks going again with Russia's help. On the humanitarian front, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it was a "disgrace" that the international community had been unable to alleviate the suffering in east Aleppo. Yesterday, government troops retook seven districts including the strategic Shaar neighbourhood and were in control of more than three quarters of former rebel territory in east Aleppo, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The monitor called Shaar "the most important neighbourhood in the heart of east Aleppo", and said rebels were being reduced to fighting a "war of attrition". The rapid regime gains have left opposition fighters scrambling to defend the shrinking enclave they still control in Aleppo's southeastern districts. Despite mounting criticism of the offensive begun on November 15, world powers have struggled to find a way to halt the fighting. "We have been trying to find a way to get to the negotiating table ... But Assad has never shown any willingness," Kerry said at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. "Russia says Assad is ready to come to the table... And I am in favour of putting that to the test," he said. Kerry, who has had repeated meetings on Syria with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, said they would meet again today or tomorrow in Hamburg, Germany. Even if Aleppo falls, "the war will continue," Kerry said, stressing that there had to be a negotiated settlement. Key Assad ally Russia had announced talks with the US in Geneva for yesterday or today on organising a rebel withdrawal from Aleppo ahead of a ceasefire. But yesterday, Lavrov accused Washington, which has backed rebel groups against Assad, of backtracking. "It looks like an attempt to buy time for the rebels to have a breather, take a pause and replenish their reserves," Lavrov said. Moscow had the impression that "a serious discussion with our American partners isn't working out". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tamil Nadu's new Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and Opposition Leader M K Stalin should continue with the same policy of pressurising Sri Lanka to address Tamils' concerns in the country as J Jayalalithaa did, a hardline Tamil politician said here today. "We hope Panneerselvam and Stalin will have the same interest in the Sri Lankan issue," M K Shivajilingam said. Shivajilingam, a hardline nationalist and relative of slain LTTE supremo V Prabahakaran, said Jayalalithaa had, at all times, shown interest in pressurising New Delhi to make Sri Lanka address Tamils' concerns. Jayalalithaa was a strong advocate of preserving Tamil Nadu fishermen in fishing in Palk straits despite the Sri Lankan Navy arresting them for trespassing into Sri Lankan waters, he said, adding that by doing this, she was only trying to cater to the demands from Tamil Nadu fishermen. Yesterday, President Maithripala Sirisena condoled her demise with the diaspora grieving the loss of their beloved leader. Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa also offered his condolences. Rajapaksa, during his presidency, had invited Jayalalithaa to visit Sri Lanka to witness the post-war conditions. Jayalalithaa had a chequered relationship with Sri Lanka. While the Sinhala majority supported her strong anti-LTTE sentiments, they did not favour her for her pro-Tamil nationalist stance. The Tamil minority in Sri Lanka favoured Jayalalithaa for her ability to pressure New Delhi to nudge Sri Lankan political leadership to grant concessions to Tamils. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) British steel workers' unions began crucial talks with Indian giant Tata Steel today to secure the future of the UK's biggest steel plant. Representatives from Community, Unite and GMB union began talks at the Tata-owned Port Talbot steelworks in south Wales. "We are seeking a positive future for the UK business and during discussions with the trade unions we made substantial assurances to achieve this," a Tata Steel statement said. While the details of the deal are yet to be confirmed, unions had insisted on maintaining the site's two blast furnaces in talks with management last week. The Tata Group employs more than 4,000 at Port Talbot alone, and hundreds more at other sites across the UK at Trostre and Shotton, Corby, Hartlepool and at sites in the West Midlands. Workers at the Port Talbot plant are today expected to be given the opportunity to approve a rescue plan. If the plan is agreed, it could see investment in the Welsh site in return for concessions on staff terms and conditions and would mean job security for thousands of workers, according to UK media reports. Central to the plan is the retention of both of Port Talbot's blast furnaces, which turn iron ore and coke into molten iron. One was due to stop production in 2018 but unions have been fighting to keep it open. Earlier this year, Tata Steel announced all of its plants across the UK would be put for sale. But in July the sale came to a halt. Last month the firm signed a"letter of intent" with UK-basedLibertyHouse Group to enter into exclusive negotiations for the potential sale of its Speciality Steels business for an enterprise value of 100 million pounds. Meanwhile, Tata Steel and workers' union leaders have been in talks over the existing final salary British Steel Pension. The next defined contribution into the scheme of 60 million pounds is due next March. The Welsh government said it is committed to providing Tata with a 60-million-pound funding package, as long as it maintains existing primary steelmaking capacity over the long-term. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian giant Tata Steel today pledged to stay in Britain with a 10-year commitment to a one-billion-pound investment plan as part of crucial talks with steelworkers' unions to save thousands of jobs in the UK. The Indian steel giant offered a number of guarantees to its staff at Port Talbot steelworks in south Wales, the UK's largest steel plant, including a minimum five-year guarantee to keep both furnaces operational at the site. Tata will next week start a consultation with its employees on a proposal to close the British Steel Pension Scheme, which has liabilities of over 15 billion pound, and offer employees a "competitive defined contribution scheme" in its place. The future of its UK business will remain contingent on a solution being achieved to the pension scheme. "Tata Steel UK has developed a long-term investment plan to make the business more competitive in the future. The delivery of the transformation plan in the next couple of years, combined with a structural solution for the British Steel Pension Scheme fund, is essential to provide the affordability and financial self-sufficiency for future investments and also service its financial obligation to its stakeholders," said Koushik Chatterjee, Group Executive Director Tata Steel and Executive Director for Tata Steel's European business. The company said the agreement between Tata Steel UK and the unions marks an important step forward in the journey to develop a "sustainable future for our UK steel business". Stressing that these are "unprecedented times for the steel industry globally" and thereforemuch more work remains to be done to make Tata Steel UK more "financially sustainable", he added: "The proposed changes to future pension provision and other employment terms are necessary to de-risk the company and help achieve long-term sustainability. We are also working separately on a necessary structural solution for the British Steel Pension Scheme fund. "The trade unions and the company have worked hard to reach today's agreement and I would like to thank them for their efforts and seek their continued support in the future. "We look to other stakeholders such as the UK Government to play their part in addressing the UK's manufacturing competitiveness position especially with relation to energy prices." Unions said they have been offered a number of guarantees, including a minimum five-year guarantee to keep both furnaces operational at the site, to safeguard jobs. Steelworkers will be balloted on the latest rescue deal struck by union representatives in the New Year. Details of the deal include a guaranteed, minimum five-year commitment to two blast furnaces, a 10-year 1-billion-pound investment plan to support steel making at Port Talbot, and a consultation on replacing the current British Steel Pension Scheme with a "defined contribution scheme" with maximum contributions of 10 per cent from the company and 6 per cent from employees. Tata Steel said both sides had agreed on the principle that subject to the structural de-risking and de-linking of the British Steel Pension Scheme fund from the business, Tata Steel UK will continue the existing blast furnace configuration at Port Talbot until 2021. Further, based on achieving the necessary financial performance and cash flows as per the transformation plan of the UK business, Tata Steel will continue to invest across the UK sites to enhance the competitive position of Tata Steel UK in the European steel industry. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Parliamentary panel has cautioned the government and security agencies about possible use of uninhabited islands in seas being used as safe haven by terrorists. In its report, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs said that terrorist may use new modus operandi and unconventional methods to launch terror strikes in India by using the uninhabited islands. In its submission, the Home Ministry said that threats from terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba to India's coastal security have been shared with agencies concerned from time-to-time. Inputs such as poaching by Myanmmar fishermen and Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmmar by sea and its likely impact on the security of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have also been shared. The Committee mentioned that marine police should be watchful in thwarting any incursions by foreigners in any island. The Home Ministry has informed the panel about the three tier coastal security ring provided by marine police, Coast Guard and the Indian Navy. It has also mentioned a number of measures including deployment of ships and aircraft for patrolling. The Home Ministry conveyed that a chain of radars and a network of Automatic Identification System covering the country's coastline is being operationalised for round the clock surveillance. The Parliamentary Committee said despite 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, 187 minor ports in the country still lack standard security cover. The committee strongly recommended that regular security audit should be carried out at minor ports along with major ports. In its submission, the Home Ministry said the security audit conducted through Intelligence Bureau has revealed that out of 203 non-major and minor ports, 45 were non-operational, while 75 have no security force even for name sake. However, many of these ports though non-operational but were being used as fish landing points or jetties. The Home Ministry said that as per security audit, there were several shortcomings in the existing security arrangements like non-availability of X-ray machine, non- maintenance of incoming and outgoing communication etc. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tributes today poured in for Cho S Ramaswamy even as Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and Chief Minister O Panneerselvam paid homage to the veteran journalist-actor. Governor Rao expressed shock and grief over the death of Ramaswamy and said he was a multifaceted personality. "I am deeply shocked and grieved to hear about the sad demise of Cho Ramaswamy, an actor, editor, lawyer and writer. He was a multifaceted personality, a bold, veteran journalist and a political critic who never hesitated to express his views unequivocally," he said in a Raj Bhavan statement. The field of journalism "has lost a doyen and a great personality," he said even as he conveyed his condolences to Ramaswamy's family. He also paid homage to the mortal remains of Ramaswamy. Panneerselvam, accompanied by his cabinet colleagues C Srinivasan, Edappadi K Palaniswamy, P Thangamani and S P Velumani, paid homage to Ramaswamy. DMK President M Karunanidhi said that despite many political differences, Ramaswamy had great love and affection for him. He was a friend and a political critic who could convey his message with humour, Karunanidhi said in a statement. "I was shocked to know about his death," he said, hailing him as a top journalist. Karunanidhi's son M K Stalin paid homage to Ramaswamy and expressed grief over his passing away. Tamil star Rajinikanth described Ramaswamy as a "close friend" and recalled that they had been friends since 1978. "Whenever I was in Chennai, I used to pay a visit to him at least once a week," he told reporters after paying homage to the actor. His death "is not an ordinary loss", he said. Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, TNCC President Su Thirunavukkarasar, BJP State President Tamilisai Sounderrajan, and MDMK founder Vaiko also condoled Ramaswamy's death. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amidst soaring tension over Donald Trump's protocol-shattering talk to Taiwanese president, China on Wednesday welcomed the US president-elect's decision to appoint Terry Branstad as the next ambassador to Beijing and called him an "old friend" of President Xi Jinping. Iowa Governor Branstad has had a working relationship with Xi since 1985 when the Chinese leader first visited Iowa as an agriculture official under a sister-state exchange programme. In 2011, then vice-president Xi met Branstad in Beijing and the two reunited next year in Iowa during Xi's visit to the US. They met again in April 2013 in Beijing soon after Xi became the president. "Branstad is an old friend of China and we welcome him to play a bigger role in China-US exchanges," said Lu Kang, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "The role of US ambassador to China serves as an important bridge in communication between China and the US, and no matter who is picked, China would like to work together with him to push forward healthy and stable development of China-US relations," Lu told reporters when asked about reports that Trump has offered the ambassadorial position to Branstad. The 70-year-old Iowa governor's possible appointment as the top US envoy to China is being seen as a move by Trump to keep warm the close ties with the highest level of the Chinese leadership at a time when tension between the world's two biggest economies have soared after the US president-elect dumped four decades of diplomatic protocol and spoke with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen over phone. China considers Taiwan an inalienable part of the mainland. US President-elect Donald Trump has formally nominated James Mattis, a retired 4-star Marine Corps general who has long voiced concerns about the threat posed by Iran, as the Defence Secretary to replace Ashton Carter. 66-year-old Mattis, who memorably said "it's fun to shoot some people", would add to a cabinet of national security super-hawks and signal a return to a more aggressive defence of American interests abroad. "I am proud to nominate General James Mattis to Secretary of Defence. He is one of the most effective generals and extraordinary leaders of our time, who has committed his life to his love for our country," Trump said in Fayetteville, North Carolina. "General Mattis is the living embodiment of the Marine Corps motto, 'Semper Fidelis,' always faithful, and the American people are fortunate that a man of his character and integrity will now be the civilian leader atop the Department of Defense. Under his leadership, we will rebuild our military and alliances, destroy terroristsand faceour enemies head on, and make America safe again," Trump said. If confirmed, Mattis would replace Carter who is scheduled to be in India this week on his farewell trip. Mattis commanded at multiple levels during his 44- yearcareer as an infantry Marine. Before retiring in 2013, he was the Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), directing military operations of more than 200,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines across the Middle East. "I am honored by President-elect Trump's nomination and his respect for the brave men and womenofthe Armed Forces of the US," Mattis said. "To the President-elect, our soon to be commander in chief, to our military personnel, to the talented civilians in the Department of Defence, and to the American people, I pledge the best of my abilities to ensuring a strong and secure America," he said. As a lieutenant colonel, Mattis commanded an assault battalion breaching the Iraqi minefields in Operation Desert Storm. As a colonel, he commanded the 7th Marine Regiment and, on Pentagon duty, he served as the Department of Defence Executive Secretary. As a brigadier general, he was the Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defence. The retired four-star general, who was known as "Mad Dog," was lauded for his leadership of Marines in the 2004 Battle of Falluja in Iraq - one of the bloodiest of the war. But he also attracted controversy in 2005 when he said "it's fun to shoot some people" while addressing service members in San Diego. Mattis would require a waiver from Congress to be eligible for the post, since a retired officer is needed to be out of uniform for at least seven years before taking control of the Pentagon responsibilities. With Republicans in control on Capitol Hill and the general praise for the general's career, the waiver would likely be a formality to obtain. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Mattis led theSpecial Operation Forces against the Taliban in Afghanistan. As a major general, he commanded the First Marine Division during the initial attack and subsequent stability operations in Iraq. As a general, he served concurrently as the Commander of US Joint Forces Command and as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation. As a two-star general, General Mattis led the First Marine Division from Kuwait to Baghdad in a matter of weeks in 2003, annihilating Saddam Hussein's defences and reaching Baghdad faster and with fewer losses than anyone could have expected. In November 2007, Mattis was promoted to four-star general. He becameCommander of US Central Command (CENTCOM) in 2010 and directed operations across the Middle East before retiring in 2013. Working closely with General Petraeus, General Mattis produced the Army/Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual, the definitive work on how the US military should deal with Iraqi insurgents. He is co-editor of the book, Warriors and Citizens: American Views of Our Military. US President-elect has nominated James "Mad Dog" Mattis, a retired 4-star Marine Corps General known for his tough talk and battlefield experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, as his Defence Secretary. "In order to succeed in our defence policy, we must have the right person to lead in our Defense Department," Trump said about 66-year-old Mattis. "This is why I am proud to formally announce today my intention to nominate General James "Mad Dog" Mattis as the next Secretary of Defense for the United States of America," Trump said, adding that he was one of the "most effective generals and extraordinary leaders of our time, who has committed his life to his love for our country," Trump said in Fayetteville, North Carolina. "General Mattis is the living embodiment of the Marine Corps motto, 'Semper Fidelis,' always faithful, and the American people are fortunate that a man of his character and integrity will now be the civilian leader atop the Department of Defense. Under his leadership, we will rebuild our military and alliances, destroy terrorists and face our enemies head on, and make America safe again," Trump said. "Thank you, President-elect, for the confidence that you've shown in me ... I look forward to being the civilian leader so long as the Congress gives me the waiver and the Senate votes to content," Mattis said after Trump heaped praise on him. If confirmed, Mattis would replace Ashton Carter who is scheduled to be in India this week on his farewell trip. Mattis commanded at multiple levels during his 44- year career as an infantry Marine. Before retiring in 2013, he was the Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), directing military operations of more than 200,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines across the Middle East. "I am honoured by President-elect Trump's nomination and his respect for the brave men and women of the Armed Forces of the US," Mattis said. "To the President-elect, our soon to be commander in chief, to our military personnel, to the talented civilians in the Department of Defence, and to the American people, I pledge the best of my abilities to ensuring a strong and secure America," he said. As a lieutenant colonel, Mattis commanded an assault battalion breaching the Iraqi minefields in Operation Desert Storm. As a colonel, he commanded the 7th Marine Regiment and, on Pentagon duty, he served as the Department of Defence Executive Secretary. As a brigadier general, he was the Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defence. The retired four-star general, who was known as "Mad Dog," was lauded for his leadership of Marines in the 2004 Battle of Falluja in Iraq - one of the bloodiest of the war. But he also attracted controversy in 2005 when he said "it's fun to shoot some people" while addressing service members in San Diego. Local lawmakers expect to continue publishing their phone numbers and other personal contact information in order to maintain access to constituents despite fears the ongoing Dakota Access Pipeline protests could leave them open to a rash of negative feedback. Several Bismarck-Mandan area lawmakers said theres always a balance to be struck between availability to the public and personal privacy. Each session lawmakers have personal contact information available at www.legis.nd.gov. Lawmakers choose what information is shared with the public, which can include a state email address and home address as well as phone numbers for home, their business or cell phone. What information is shared is at the discretion of the lawmaker. Shortly after this weeks organizational session concludes the information lawmakers chose to have available to the public will be posted online. Sen. Diane Larson, R-Bismarck, said she considered removing her phone number from her contact information for this session but has chosen to consider the needs of constituents despite getting calls or emails from out-of-state protesters. I do get a few phone calls that are not appropriate or from people not from my district or the state, Larson said. For me, I would rather put up with a little of that. Its worth that to stay in touch with my constituents. She said, on matters other than the protests, she gets her fair share of messages from those who disagree with her locally. Even (by) those who disagree, I have been treated respectfully, Larson said. Rep. Todd Porter, R-Mandan, said there hasnt been a lot of concern among local lawmakers getting harassed over the Dakota Access Pipeline protesters. Porter said there are hot-button issues each session that get the public fired up and can lead to an increased volume of messages. Theres always a few people that make comments that they shouldnt, Porter said in terms of threatening messages. Correspondence sent to lawmakers considered threatening is turned over to the North Dakota Highway Patrol for investigation. Porter said so far hes had a small number of emails from out-of-state individuals in opposition to the pipeline. Locally, hes had numerous conversations with constituents that have been positive about law enforcement. The everyday person on the street is tired of whats going on, Porter said. New security measures have been instituted at the Capitol. Multiple entrances for the organizational session were locked and are only accessible to state employees and lawmakers. Metal detectors were stationed at public entrances. These measures might be used again for the regular session when it begins Jan. 3. Rep. Bob Martinson, R-Bismarck, agreed on the balancing act for lawmakers. Theres a fine line you have to be careful of. All of my information has been the same as its been for years," said Martinson, remarking that feedback regarding the pipeline has been minimal and has largely consisted of form letters. I havent heard of problems of harassment of legislators or state employees outside of Highway Patrol." Protesters have been camping in southern Morton County for months in opposition to the four-state, $3.8 billion project, with concerns over possible water contamination of Missouri River water if a leak were to occur after completion. Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck, was more direct. Whether its on the state website or not, people can find our personal information. Im not going to change the way I do business, said Nathe, who stressed theres no reason to back away from being accessible due to protesters. He said the priority is to serve constituents of his district. Its something each legislator has to decide, Nathe said of access. Its case-by-case, district-by-district. Ankara is doing "everything possible" to facilitate negotiations between Moscow and Syrian opposition groups to halt the bloodshed in Aleppo, Turkey's premier said in an interview published Wednesday after meeting President Vladimir Putin. "We are doing everything possible to bring about contacts between opposition representatives and Russia and have achieved very good success on this score," Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told Russia's Interfax agency. "If any consensus reached is turned into a signed document then that would be to everyone's benefit. Now is the time when you need to get results," Yildirim said in comments translated into Russian. Yildirim yesterday met with Putin in the Kremlin as Moscow and Ankara continue moves to put a furious row over Turkey's downing of a Russian warplane last year behind them. A source told AFP in late November that Russian representatives had met with Syrian rebels in Turkey with Ankara's mediation to discuss the possibility of a truce in the divided city of Aleppo, but they failed to reached a deal. Syrian government forces have since reclaimed more of the rebel stronghold in eastern Aleppo in a sweeping advance that has drawn condemnation from the West. Russia is pushing for a total rebel withdrawal from Aleppo before any ceasefire can come into force, while Ankara is angling for an immediate halt to the fighting. Russia and Turkey are on opposite sides of the Syrian conflict with Moscow flying a bombing campaign to back up leader Bashar al-Assad and Ankara supporting groups that oppose him. Yildirim softened Ankara's rhetoric on Assad's future after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sparked Moscow's ire by claiming Turkey intervened in the Syria conflict solely to topple Assad. Turkish forces are pressing on with a three-month operation inside Syria in support of anti-Assad forces to take territory along its border. The operation is "in no way connected to what is happening in Aleppo and in no way connected to changing the regime in Syria," Yildirim said. "Undoubtedly, the fate of the many ethnic groups represented in Syria is much more important than the fate of one person in particular -- Bashar al-Assad," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two persons were nabbed today for allegedly being in possession of unaccounted cash worth Rs 75 lakh in various denominations at Porvorim near here, police said. Ramesh Narvekar and Siddhu (full name not known) were taken into custody after they were found in possession of a bag containing the money, police said. Police found Rs 75 lakh in various valid denominations, including in new Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes, stashed in the bag, a police spokesman said. Police will inform Income Tax department about the seizure for further action. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 55-year-old man has been arrested in the UK over online "threats of serious violence" to people, including the lead campaigner, behind a legal challenge in the Supreme Court over Brexit, the Scotland Yard said today. Gina Miller, an investment fund manager, is the lead claimant in the ongoing legal fight to get Parliament to vote on whether the UK government can start the process of leaving the 28-member European Union. She has received a series of threats on social media channels since she started her campaign. "An investigation was launched by [anti-cyber crime] Falcon detectives after police were made aware of threats made online against a 51-year-old woman from November 3 onward. The 55-year-old man was arrested on Monday, December 5 at an address in Swindon. He was taken into custody at a Wiltshire police station, where he was later released on bail pending consideration by the Crown Prosecution Service," the Scotland Yard said in a statement. As part of the same investigation, Metropolitan Police officers also issued a "cease and desist notice" last week to a 38-year-old man from Fife in Scotland. Opening the case earlier this week, Supreme Court president Lord Neuberger had said people involved in the case had received "threats of serious violence and unpleasant abuse in emails and other electronic communications", warning anyone that such behaviour "undermines the rule of law". The government is appealing to the court, saying it does not need the approval of MPs to trigger Brexit. The case is expected to conclude this week, with a ruling likely in early 2017. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britain's longest serving Indian- origin MP Virendra Sharma has called the Indian government to end the uncertainty surrounding demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes for NRIs and PIOs. The 69-year-old Labour party MP has received several calls and letters on the issue from his constituents in the heavily Indian-origin area of Ealing, Southall, in south-west London. "Still a month after the announcementof the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes millions of NRIs are living with uncertainty. The stress and strain of not knowing whether families will lose money," Sharma said. "Thousandsof families have a small amount of currency at home, to save exchangingmoney at the airport. These are the people that are accidentally being punished. Having a few thousands rupees does not make you a money launderer, and still they are suffering," he added. The India-born MP wants the Indian Government to authorise Indian banks with operations in the UK to open accounts for deposits of Indian Rupees. "This money should then be held and made available for withdrawalonly in India. This would protect the economy, but still offer freedom tomany thousands of Indian citizens and NRIs not based in India," he said. The demonetisation move has rattled many British-Indians, who make up 2.5 per cent of the population of England and Wales according to a 2011 UK government census. Britain's longest-serving Indian-origin lawmaker Keith Vaz has already appealed to the Narendra Modi government to extend the deadline for foreign nationals by at least six months. He has also written to Bank of England Governor Mark Carney requesting him to allow British Indians to exchange their banknotes in the UK. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UN Security Council will discuss human rights violations in North Korea on Friday despite opposition from China, Pyongyang's ally, diplomats said. Beijing is expected to call for a procedural vote to block the meeting on North Korea - accused by a UN inquiry of committing atrocities unparalleled in the modern world - for the third consecutive year. Nine council members - Britain, France, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain, Ukraine, the United States and Uruguay - requested the meeting, saying in a letter this week that they required information on the situation in North Korea "and its implications for international peace and security." Beijing maintains that the regime's rights abuses do not pose a risk to global security, and that the issue should be taken up by the UN Human Rights Council. China failed to stop the meeting last year, although Russia, Angola and Venezuela also voted in favor of dropping North Korea's rights abuses from the council agenda. The council has held annual meetings on human rights in North Korea since 2014, with Pyongyang refusing to send a representative to the talks. A UN commission of inquiry in 2014 found compelling evidence of torture, execution and starvation in North Korea, where between 80,000 and 120,000 are being held in prison camps. This year's meeting is likely to focus on forced labor and North Korea's diversion of resources to build up its missile and nuclear programs, a Security Council diplomat said. UN member-states adopted a resolution at a General Assembly committee last month condemning rights abuses and expressing concern that funds needed to ease the dire humanitarian crisis were being spent on Pyongyang's military programs. Although the General Assembly has encouraged the Security Council to refer North Korea to the International Criminal Court for war-crimes investigation, China - which has a veto on the council - is likely to block any such move. The meeting follows last week's adoption of tougher sanctions against North Korea, including new measures to curb Pyongyang's coal exports to China. North Korea has been hit by six sets of UN sanctions since it first tested a nuclear device in 2006. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Union Cabinet this evening condoled the demise of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and passed a resolution hailing her leadership. Members of the Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also observed a two-minute silence in her memory, official sources said. A resolution was passed hailing the leadership of the AIADMK general secretary and condoling her demise on Monday night. It said in her death, the people of the state have lost a popular leader. "The Cabinet expresses profound sorrow at the sad demise of Selvi J Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on November 5...In her passing away, the country has lost a veteran and distinguished leader, affectionately called Amma," the resolution read. "The Cabinet extends its heartfelt condolences to the people of Tamil Nadu on behalf of the government and the entire nation," it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for immediate release of funds for disbursement to the state's power distribution companies under the 'Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojna'. In his letter, the chief minister pointed out that barring Rs 18.74 crore meant for Varanasi, the remaining fund of the entire scheme for all the 75 districts of the state amounting to Rs 6,946.91 crore have not been released till now, an official release here said. Work has been stalled in the remaining 74 districts due to non-release of funds, the release said, seeking immediate release of the first and second instalments. The release said that a tripartite agreement was reached between distribution companies, state government and Rural Electrification Corporation for implementation of the scheme designed to provide continuous power supply to rural India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States, Britain and France led a call today from six countries for an immediate ceasefire to allow aid into the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo. A statement jointly issued with Canada, Germany and Italy also hit out at the regime in Damascus and its "foreign backers, especially Russia," accusing them of blocking emergency help. "The urgent need now is for an immediate ceasefire to allow the United Nations to get humanitarian assistance to people in eastern Aleppo," the statement said. The countries said 200,000 civilians in Aleppo, including many children, were "cut off from food and medicine supplies". A humanitarian disaster is "taking place before our very eyes," the six countries said. "We condemn the actions of the Syrian regime and its foreign backers, especially Russia, for their obstruction of humanitarian aid," the statement said. They called on Iran and Russia to "use their influence" to ensure Damascus agrees the UN's four-point plan for Aleppo. The plan aims at allowing humanitarian aid into the shattered east of the city where regime forces are seizing control of rebel-held areas, and for sick or injured to be evacuated. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Top American lawmakers today expressed concern over the alleged curbs imposed by India on a Christian charity organisation whose representatives appeared before a Congressional hearing seeking change in New Delhi's policies related to foreign funding of NGOs. "It is my hope that by bringing attention to this issue, as we're doing here today, the 145,000 children will not be tragically denied the services they desperately need, and that American families....Can continue to send the USD38 a month for food and education fees to the poorest of the poor," Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the powerful House Foreign Relations Committee said in his opening remarks. Royce joined by other lawmakers and representations of human rights bodies and Compassion International (CI) -- the Christian charity organisation which is often accused of being engaged in religious conversions in India -- rued that the recent effort to regulate foreign funding and enforce taxation laws has made it impossible for them to carry out work among poor children in India. "In India, it (CI) is the single largest contributor of aid for children living in extreme poverty," Royce said. "We have spent nine months and hundreds of hours dealing with the Indian bureaucracy on this, and it looks like the bureaucracy is trying to run out the clock," Royce said. Compassion International says in 2011, the Indian government made significant changes to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), which is the law that regulates NGOs' receipt of foreign funds into the country. The Indian Government has asserted that its policies initiated in 2011 is not aimed at one particular NGO. Congressman Eliot Engel, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he has been concerned by reports that NGOs are having difficulty registering and operating in India. "Civil society plays a pivotal role in democracy, holding government accountable and standing up for the rights of marginalised groups. So it's troubling that a country with such a long tradition of an empowered and active civil society might be going down this path," he said. "We cannot avoid the hard questions or avoid discussions simply because they are difficult conversations to have. This is how democracies work, warts and all," he added. Testifying before the committee, Stephen Oakley, general counsel and vice president of the General Counsel Office at Compassion International, alleged that the Home Ministry and the Income Tax Department are harassing NGOs like his which are engaged in charity works among poor children. (Reopens FGN 7) "Most recently, MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) has prevented the return of USD 330,000 in aid that Compassion attempted to transfer to its Indian partners. The money cannot be received by the intended partner in India or returned to Compassion. This low-level harassment and intimidation by MHA is widespread and not limited to Compassion," Oakley alleged. "While Indian government has wrongly accused Compassion of engaging in illegal conversions and anti-national activity, it has simultaneously ignored and violated its own laws," he alleged. "MHA knows that they can use the inefficiency and massive delays of the Indian bureaucracy as a weapon - forcing charities like Compassion to either accept their determinations, or spend years seeking redress in a painfully slow and often corrupt legal system. In short, India's Home Ministry is using those aspects of India's bureaucracy, which are most in need of urgent reform, to systematically target NGOs with agendas and views that differ from its own," Oakley said. John Sifton, Asia policy director Human Rights Watch, alleged that a troubling new crackdown on civil society is underway in India, especially in the last few months. A large number of NGOs have faced increasing governmental harassment including intrusive and politically motivated legal scrutiny, and the US government - a close ally - needs to respond, he urged members of the Congress. Sifton said the US government should raise concerns about the FCRA more publicly. "US officials should also urge (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi to end government harassment of NGOs, while encouraging him to ask parliament to amend the FCRA to only regulate corruption and deprive the Home Ministry authority to block funding for NGOs," he said. Irfan Nooruddin professor Georgetown University in his testimony said, "This incident is consistent with a broader trend affecting many NGOs and nonprofits in India which are increasingly complaining of heavy-handed government regulation in what has led many social observers to raise alarms about an attack on civil society by the current government. Such alarmism is not entirely misguided but it is overblown. "In enforcing the regulations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), the Government of India is acting fully within its rights as a sovereign state, and the reality is that a great many of the organisations that have lost their licenses since May 2014 were in violation of FCRA regulations, he said. "But it is also arguably true that many have violated the letter rather than the spirit of the law, and that the enforcement has been too often opaque and without clear explanation of cause. Further, while concerns that the Government of India has targeted faith- based Christian organisations disproportionately cannot be confirmed without more systematic analysis, anecdotal evidence does suggest that such concerns are not without warrant," Nooruddin said. (Reopens FES 12) Meanwhile, a top Hindu American outfit the hearing on a Christian charity organisation is "an undue endorsement" of one religion over other. "We believe that Compassion International's claim that it is a humanitarian organisation only, while its publicly stated mission is evangelisation, is disingenuous," said Suhag Shukla, executive director and legal counsel of the Hindu American Foundation. "We are deeply concerned that diplomatic and congressional efforts on its behalf could be interpreted as a tacit approval of work that contradicts our nation's principles of religious freedom and pluralism," Shukla said after the House Foreign Relations Committee held the hearing. It also compromises "our ability to enforce compliance of US laws by foreign nationals and American credibility regarding commitment to law and order given Compassion International's disregard, at best, and circumventing, at worst, of Indian law," Shukla argued. "Moreover, advocating specifically on behalf of Compassion International may signal the American government's tacit approval of predatory and ethically questionable tactics targeting children for religious conversion," she said. Shukla alleged that Compassion International partner Caruna Bal Vikas, until May 2014, was receiving on average Rs. 100 crore or approximately USD17 million, until it came under the scrutiny of the Indian Tax Department. Investigations revealed that it had been distributing foreign funds from Compassion International to both FCRA and non-FCRA NGOs, the latter in contradiction of FCRA rules, she said. The US Marine Corps says one of its pilots has ejected from an F/A-18 jet in southern Japan, and search and rescue efforts are underway. It said the aircraft was on a regular training mission at the time of the incident, which occurred today evening about 120 miles (190 kilometers) southeast of Iwakuni. The identity of the pilot was not immediately released. Japan's Defense Ministry said Japanese military vessels and aircraft have joined the search and rescue effort. The Marine Corps said in a statement that the aircraft was assigned to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Okinawa, Japan. It said the cause of the incident was under investigation and no further information was immediately available. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lawmakers see several areas of Gov. Jack Dalrymples 2017-19 budget proposal needing hard scrutiny and debate next session, but are waiting to see what happens when Gov.-elect Doug Burgum gets his hands on it. House Majority Leader Al Carlson, R-Fargo, said the budget was a decent first step, but he does expect some degree of change from Burgum. We have not in the House and Senate had much contact with Burgum regarding the budget, Carlson said. Burgum issued a statement following the completion of Dalrymples budget address. He was not in the Capitol for the address. Despite a challenging revenue environment, Gov. Jack Dalrymple and his team have worked incredibly hard to put together this budget," he said. "The budget is being thoroughly reviewed by my team, and we look forward to working with the Legislature to balance the budget and fund our priorities without raising taxes. Carlson favors Dalrymple's proposal to move state tobacco cessation programs under the North Dakota Department of Health. Those programs had been placed under a different agency created by a 2008 ballot measure. Im glad that after seven years well be looking at that, he said. Carlson also was in favor of the proposed elimination of 583 state employee positions: 315 in higher education and 268 from other agencies. A large number of these have already been addressed through not filling open positions and retirements during two rounds of cuts made in the past year. This isnt throwing people on the streets; this is rightsizing government, said Carlson, who indicated he also liked that the governor didnt approve any capital projects for higher education except for one Valley City State University building. They need to become more efficient like the rest of state government." Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, R-Dickinson, agreed. Were going to have the benefit of four months from now to take another look at this, he said of another budget forecast. House Minority Leader Corey Mock, D-Grand Forks, said the governor's proposal to continue funding Medicaid expansion was positive. Weve got 20,000 North Dakotans that have health insurance through Medicaid, said Mock, adding he expects debate over some human services funding proposals as well as the tobacco cessation proposal. Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman, D-New Rockford, said one of her concerns is that no increase was set in per-student funding for K-12 schools in year one of the biennium, and only 1 percent in year two. We certainly are not going to support that, she said. Maggie Anderson, executive director of the North Dakota Department of Human Services, said the governors budget proposals were in line with her department's requests. She said it was good to see Medicaid expansion included. I would expect theres going to be a lot of debate about that, she said. The proposal for a state takeover of county social services will produce robust debate as well, she said. North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott said his first impression of the proposed budget was positive. He said NDUS has been making efforts to reduce duplication of services and rein in capital costs. The 2.5 percent tuition cap seemed reasonable to him in a rough economic climate. Theres huge pressure on families. The last thing we need to do is jack up prices on families, Hagerott said. Militant groups like al-Qaeda have been "decimated" in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but terror threats have spread to the Middle East and North Africa, President Barack Obama said, insiting that the US must act, including unilaterally, to dismantle terrorist networks. "I believe that we must never hesitate to act when necessary, including unilaterally when necessary, against any eminent threats to our people," Obama said yesterday in a speech on his administration's approach to counter terrorism, in Tampa, Florida. "I've also insisted that it is unwise and unsustainable to ask our military to build nations on the other side of the world or resolve their internal conflicts, particularly in places where our forces become a magnet for terrorists and insurgents," he said. "Instead, it's been my conviction that even as we focus relentlessly on dismantling terrorist networks like Al-Qaeda and ISIL, we should ask allies to do their share in the fight. And we should strengthen local partners who can provide lasting security," he asserted. Reflecting on his successful counter-terrorism policies, Obama said plots directed from within Afghanistan and Pakistan had been consistently disrupted. "Its leadership has been decimated. Dozens of terrorist leaders have been killed. Osama bin Laden is dead," he said. "And importantly, we build a counter-terrorism capability that can sustain this pressure against any terrorist network in South Asia that might threaten the United States of America. That was because of the work of our outstanding service members," he added. Obama said instead of being in the lead against Taliban, Americans are now supporting 320,000 Afghan security forces who are defending their communities and supporting our counter-terrorism efforts. "I don't wanna paint too rosy a picture. The situation in Afghanistan is still tough. War has been a part of life in Afghanistan for over 30 years and the United States cannot eliminate the Taliban in that country," he said. "But what we can do, is deny Al-Qaeda a safe haven, and what we can do is support Afghans who want a better future," he said. Of course the terrorist threat was never restricted to south Asia or to Afghanistan or Pakistan, he said. "Even as al Qaeda's been decimated in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the threat from terrorists, metastasised in other parts of the Middle East and North Africa. And most dangerously, we saw the emergence of ISIL, the successor to Al-Qaeda in Iraq, which fights as both a terrorist network and an insurgency," said the US President. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as nine antiquities of India lying in the US would be returned shortly, Rajya Sabha was informed today. In a written reply, Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma said, team of experts from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) examined 91 items including 64 sketches at New York and Toledo Museum Toledo, during their visit to the US from June 2 to 6 this year. "Out of these, 17 objects were found as antiquities of Indian origin. 8 antiquities have been returned during the visit of Prime Minister on June 6, 2016 while 2 idols have been taken over by Idol Wing of Tamil Nadu from Department of Homeland Security (US) prior to visit of the Prime Minister. Remaining 9 objects will be returned to India shortly," Sharma said. He said the artefacts returned back to India include the stolen objects from religious sites. To an another query, the minister said to ensure the security and protection of the ancient sculptures, idols and artefacts, watch and ward staff has been deployed at Centrally Protected Monuments and Archaeological Sites. The security has been further supplemented by engagement of private security guards and the state police, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Stating that government has no plans to bring farm income under the tax ambit, Income Tax department is being tasked with verifying the genuineness of income over Rs 1 crore for assessment years from 2007-08 to 2005-16. "The Income Tax Department is verifying the genuineness of agricultural income in cases where taxpayers have reported agricultural income of more than Rs 1 crore in their income tax returns for assessment years 2007-08 to 2015-16 to check whether the tax-payer has made a genuine declaration or there are any data errors," Minister of State for Finance Santosh Kumar Gangwar said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. The assessing officers are also directed to give feedback about genuineness of claims on agricultural income where the scrutiny has been completed, he said. In cases where assessment proceedings are pending, the assessing officers have been directed to throughly verify the claims of agricultural income made by taxpayers, Gangwar said. He was replying to a question whether the government is gathering data on agricultural income through spot verification. When asked if the government was working on bringing farm income under tax net, he said there are no such proposals to bring agricultural income under the tax net. On the Income Disclosure Scheme 2016, Gangwar said main goal is to bring unaccounted income to tax and not for widening of tax base or adding new taxpayers. However, he said the government has taken steps like Non-Filer Monitoring System that identifies persons or entities who do high value transactions but don't file returns and has widened the mechanism to collect and verify financial information. "Besides, various legislative measures have bee taken to increase the tax base. These include expansion of scope of Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) and Tax Collection at Source (TCS) by bringing more and more taxable transactions within their ambit," Gangwar said. Moreover, it is now mandatory to quote permanent account number (PAN) for all transactions over Rs 2 lakh as well as for specific transactions in property dealings, shares, bonds, insurance, foreign travel and demand account, he said. In reply to a question if agricultural income above a certain threshold will be taxed, he said," No such proposal to bring agricultural income under the tax net is being considered by the government." Asked if Income Tax, Excise and Customs departments were the biggest litigants before the counts and Government will direct them to desist from appealing against verdicts of tribunals and high courts, Gangwar said:" More than 15,800 appeals have been withdrawn by the Income Tax Departments till November 2016." Moreover, more than 400 appeals have been withdrawn from high courts on issues which have been settled in favour of taxpayers, the minister said. "Further, filing of appeal has also been restricted only to cases which have the required merits and which have tax effect exceeding the revised monetary thresholds." Gangwar also informed the house that based upon intelligence input, the Government has taken necessary action in certain cases apparently linked to Bahamas Paper leaks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chairperson of Vietnam's National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan will arrive here tomorrow on a four-day visit which will aim at boosting bilateral ties with India. During her visit, Nguyen will also travel to Bodhgaya, the Buddhist pilgrimage city in Bihar. In Delhi, she will meet Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan among others. Her visit comes amid an upswing in Indo-Vietnam ties. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid opposition by the Congress and Left Front, the West Bengal Assembly today passed a resolution denouncing the decision of demonetisation by the central government. The ruling TMC on Monday brought in a government resolution under Rule 169 to discuss the issue of demonetisation moved by State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee and the discussion continued till today. Yesterday, the House was adjourned for the day following Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha's death. "An unprecedented situation has evolved due to the directionless leadership of Narendra Modi. We condemn it. I don't support black money," state Finance Minister Amit Mitra said while speaking on the motion. "We all are against black money. But this decision of demonetisation has been taken without any proper planning. It has snapped the entire supply chain in the country and is pushing the country towards a recession," Mitra said. Earlier on Monday, while speaking on the motion, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had demanded a probe by a Supreme Court judge into the assets bought by the BJP just months before demonetisation was announced. She had also demanded a roll back of the decision. Even as CPI(M) and Congress had opposed the decision of the demonetisation, the two parties did not support the resolution brought by the TMC as they were opposed to the call of rollback by the party. "We couldn't support the resolution as they had demanded a rollback of the decision. Roll back of this decision would lead to a much bigger crisis," Leader of Opposition Abdul Mannan told reporters. Left Front Legislative party leader Sujan Chakraborty, said those who themselves are involved in corruption should not talk big about black money. "We gave amendments but they were not accepted. We are not in favour of roll back of decision. We have reservations over implementation of the decision. "We wish that people should not suffer because of the decision. Those who themselves are corrupt can't talk big about fighting black money," Chakraborty told reporters. (Reopens CAL9) However, speaking on the resolution, Chatterjee appealed to both Congress and CPI(M) to support it in order to put up a united face. "I would appeal to all of you to support the resolution. I want that a united face of opposition should come up against demonetization," he said. MLA and state BJP President Dilip Ghosh said that those who are opposing demonetisation have a lot of black money stashed. "Those who have stashed huge amount of black money generated through syndicate (real estate cartel) and chit funds are opposing the decision of demonetization," Ghosh said. Veteran actress-comedian Whoopi Goldberg is teaming with television network Bravo to develop an untitled Harlem racial drama. The modern-day drama revolves on a Harlem crime boss, who is reunited with her oldest son, whom she thought was dead, after he returns to New York City to run for mayor. Being able to pass as white, he faked his death as a teenager and left New York in order to get a new start on life. Apart from serving as a executive producer, Goldberg, 61, is also eyeing to play the role of Harlem crime boss, though she is not currently attached to star, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Amitabh Klemm will pen the script and executive produce the project, which hails from Universal Cable Productions. The drama comes as Goldberg's contract for ABC's The View expires at the end of its current 20th season. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 47-year-old woman died after she was allegedly attacked by an elephant today in Dharmagiri, about 80 kms from here, police said. Leena was on her way to a church this morning, when an elephant waylaid her, they said. When she tried to run away, the pachyderm caught hold of her with its trunk and trampled her with its leg, police said. As the public raised an alarm, the elephant ran into the jungle. Though the relatives and public rushed Leena to the Gudalur government hospital, she died on the way, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Yes Bank, India's fifth largest private bank has launched SIMsePAY, a unique innovation that allows any account holder to do money transfers, pay utility bills and other mobile banking services, without the need for smartphones or internet, here. The bank launched the services today with the Arunachal Cooperative Apex Bank Ltd here and subsequently plans to launch it across the country, a release said. The offering is based on a frugal "sim-sleeve" tech, in association with Taisys Technologies, which holds global patent for the same and has implemented the same successfully in other countries including Kenya and China. The pilot launch takes place against the backdrop of the government's digital payments drive and is a part of Yes Bank's ongoing efforts to broadbase the digital payments infrastructure in India and also complements the bank's extensive bouquet of state of the art digital offerings as a leader in technology and innovation in the banking sector. This is the third launch of SIMsePAY services, following the first launch in Dehradun last week and second launch in Khagaria, Bihar. As per industry estimates, of the over 900 million mobile phones in India, only around 220 million phones are smartphones (less than half of these are internet enabled). SIMsePAY would cater to the large section of Indian population who remain unbanked or under banked due to lack of access to smart phones and mobile internet. The bank is planning to garner a base of 500,000 SIMsePAY users by 2017. Yes Bank CEO and MD Rana Kapoor said, "Through the launch of SIMsePAY along with Cooperative Bank tie-ups across the country, we will effectively aid our country's ongoing transition to a 'less-cash' society, and eventually a 'cashless India'." The product would be offered to customers in a phased manner, the bank said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The can legitimately claim to be the best phone on the planet right now. Reviewers scored it higher than the iPhone 7, praising its camera, Google Assistant, and smooth performance. Users seem unanimously impressed by the camera, and are satisfied with its battery life. 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 The Finance Ministry has asked the Customs Department to take urgent steps to dispose of confiscated gold and has granted permission for utilising the services of public sector banks, MMTC and STC, to sell the precious metal that has been seized over the years. The government had informed Parliament that 67.4 kg gold was misplaced from the vaults of the Customs department at the Indira Gandhi International Airport during the current financial year. In addition to the SBI, the sale of confiscated gold can be routed through all public sector banks (approved by RBI to import and sell gold), MMTC and STC, the Central Board of Customs and Excise (CBEC) said in a communication to senior officials. The Board also desired that all Custom Houses should take urgent steps to dispose of seized/ confiscated gold. Earlier, the Customs was allowed to sell the confiscated gold only through the State Bank of India. The guidelines for sale of such gold was revised last in August 2005. The sale price, irrespective of the form of gold, is based on the closing market price of the previous day. The banks cannot levy any commission on the Customs Department. However, all out of pocket expenses incurred by the banks would be deductible. As per the guidelines, the bank concerned will have to take physical delivery of the gold from the Customs warehouse/ office against a suitable acknowledgement. The demonetisation of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes is the singlebiggest financial event in the history of Independent India. The move has beenwelcomed by many but has also received some serious criticism from citizens as wellas major economists. Here we analyse why becoming cash-less is a prematuredecision considering India's current infrastructure: 98 per cent casheconomy The invalidation of 86 per cent of the cash currency was amassive step in the economic history of India. The country's cash to GDP ratio, an indicator of the amountof cash used in the economy, is around 12 to 13 per cent, much higher thanmajor economies including the US, the UK and Euro area but below that of Japan(about 18 per cent). Another emerging economy Indonesia has a much lower ratio ofaround 5 per cent. With cashless transactions accounting to just 2 per cent,India is bound to have highly disruptive transition to being a less-cash orcash-less economy. The sheer lack of infrastructure will act as a strongimpediment towards achieving the goal of going digital. ALSO WATCH Cyber Security The absence of robust cyber security laws in India is amajor threat to the country's dream of a cash-less economy. Instances like themassive security breach of 32 lakh debit cards, just months before demonetisation,is a strong indication that the country is yet to develop an efficientcyber-security system. Paytm, a popular e-wallet in the country rolled out asmartphone-based PoS system to enhance the reachability of the technology but there were serious shortcomings and ithad to roll-back the feature the very next day. The lack of an adept checking-mechanism for the modernbanking technologies is an obvious deterrent towards a safe cash-less economy. Terrible InternetConnectivity Broadband connections are still a rare phenomenon in Indiancities but it's an even rarer facility in small towns or villages. The country has 350 million internet users that are stillworking with a speed of 512 kbps which is much lower than the global averagespeeds ranging above 5 Mbps. India's average internet connection speed is2.8Mbps Average page load time in India is 5.5 seconds compared toChina's 2.6 seconds. In an interview to Outlook, TRAI chairman, Ram Sevak Sharmastated that the telecom regulatory body recommended the promotion of wiredinternet because it does not burden the spectrum. But there is no fixed lineand cable is not allowed in the country. The only viable solution to get better data speeds will bethe use of cable-wires that are used for the television network but TRAI failsto implement it due to an outdated revenue system. Wireless medium suffers from a major crunch in bandwidthwhich cannot solve the problem of poor connectivity. Technology in bankingindustry has shallow reach Though the country has the second highest number ofsmartphone users in the world, the number hardly covers 20 per cent of thetotal population of the country. According to a report by IndiaSpend, only 27 per cent ofIndia's population has access to internet, which is much less than the global average of 57 per cent. India ranksbehind countries like Ghana, Nigeria andIndonesia. Banning 86 per cent of the cash currency has turned into abig challenge for rural area dwellers who heavily rely on cash to maketransactions. Out of the total 833 million people living in rural areas, only108 million (or 13 per cent) use internet. Expensive personalbanking equipment The country is no stranger to economic disparity. Expensivegadgets like PoS machines or even the finger print readers used for AADHARbased payment systems are not cheap enough to replace physical currency. Smartphones are an important prerequisite for most mobilebanking facilities. The government has been actively promoting e-wallets andother mobile-banking facilities but with a smartphone penetration of meagre 17per cent is far from ideal to make such blanket implementations. According to data.gov.in, India's 21.92 per cent of totalpopulation lives under the poverty line. 25 per cent people in rural areas and13.70 per cent in urban India fall under this category. Emphasising on the use of technology to make simpletransactions can be unfair for this underprivileged section of the population. Huge percentage ofuneducated population According to the 2011 census, India has a literacy rate of73 per cent. The country has come a long way from the 12 per cent literacy ratesince its Independence in 1947 but according to UNESCO, it still is home tothe biggest population of illiterate adults in the world. Without the basicknowledge to read and write, tech savvy banking is more of a distant realityfor this population. Despite government's thorough attempt at inclusivebanking, the lack of basic education discourages the use of technology. Sensex is expected to rise next year but it may not scale record highs predicted a few months back, a Reuters Poll showed, mainly because Prime Minister Narendra Modi's shock currency ban is seen knocking economic growth in the next few quarters. ALSO READ: Demonetisation impact: Auto sales enter slow lane in November Indian market fell over 6 per cent a day after the November 8 announcement by Modi outlawing high-value bank notes, coinciding with a shakeout in global financial markets after Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election. "What demonetization did from an equities perspective is it added to an already lengthy list of risks, such as a impending Fed rate hike, Trump's win, corporate earnings slowdown and investor flight to higher-yielding assets," said CA Rudramurthy, managing director at Vachana Investments. ALSO READ: Demonetisation: Soon, Ola cabs will drive to your doorstep with cash While there are concerns Modi's demonetization drive, aimed at curbing corruption and tax evasion, will put the brakes on the economy, a more immediate risk is its impact on foreign investors who have already begun moving out of the country. In November alone, foreign investors sold nearly $3 billion worth of stocks - a trend that could extend in a milder form until a sufficient amount of cash seeps through the economy and rekindles consumer demand, analysts said. Still, the median consensus in the poll of nearly 50 equity strategists and brokers taken over the past week found the Sensex would rise nearly a percent to 26,650 points by the end of December from Tuesday's close of 26392.76. By mid-2017, it is forecast to reach 28,500 and then to 29,600 by the end of next year. That is significantly lower than the 32,000 points analysts predicted for end-2017 in an October poll, which would be a new record. Expectations for the broader NSE index were similarly downgraded, and it will now likely end this year at 8,250 from Tuesday's close of 8143.15. By June 2017, it is expected to rise further to 8,775. "Even if the real pain from Modi's currency ban is short-lived, it will have a big negative impact on corporate earnings, in my view, which doesn't bode well for foreign institutional inflows," Rudramurthy further added. A significant minority of respondents said the after-effects of demonetization were a bigger threat to stocks over the coming year than the prospect of faster rate hikes from the US Federal Reserve or Trump's protectionist policies. A majority of analysts who answered a separate question said the effects of removing the currency in circulation would be short-lived on the equity markets and don't expect the stock market to fall any further over the coming year. The crackdown on the 500 and 1000 rupee bank notes, which removed 86 percent of the currency in circulation virtually overnight, has severely hurt consumption besides leaving many companies' cash-reliant supply chains in tatters. The central bank is likely to cut its benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points to 6.00 percent later on Wednesday, according to the latest Reuters poll, in an attempt to stabilise the economy. A separate Reuters poll last week showed the Indian rupee's recent slide has mostly run its course and it will likely weaken to 69.2 a dollar in a year, from 67.75 now. The Irish Whiskey Association together with Michael Creed T.D. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine today launched the Irish Whiskey Tourism Strategy which sets out how Ireland can become the world leader in whiskey tourism by 2030. The strategy forecasts that the future of Irish whiskey tourism is dependent on a collaboration of local communities and state agencies supporting the growth of Irish whiskey distilleries and visitor centres all around the island. It proposes innovative ideas including the establishment of an all-island whiskey trail that will attract a significant number of tourists to Ireland, similar to the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky, which attracts nearly a million tourists every year. It highlights the paramount importance of working with tourism bodies to develop the necessary infrastructure to facilitate this growth. The strategy recommends the development of a hospitality embassy network connected to the Irish whiskey trail will make it easier for visitors to undertake specialist whiskey tours while extending the benefits of whiskey tourism to local businesses and cultural hubs around each distillery. The Scotch whisky embassy network for example has created 1,370 jobs and contributes over 43 million to the local economy. With these support systems and solid foundation structures in place, it has been suggested that Ireland will be able to offer an even more distinctive all Ireland-whiskey product with global appeal, setting it on the path to become the world leader in whiskey tourism by 2030. Speaking at the launch, Head of the Irish Whiskey Association, Miriam Mooney said, "What weve witnessed over the past few years truly is a renaissance in the industry. This strategy sets the conditions for the next step in growth for the industry." She added, "In 2013, there were just 4 distilleries in Ireland, today there are 16 in production and 13 in planning in 18 counties across Ireland. With national and local government support, Irish whiskey tourism has the potential to grow from 653,277 visitors every year up to 1.9 million visitors by 2025, spending an estimated 1.3 billion every year." Source: www.businessworld.ie The Minister for Employment and Small Business, Pat Breen is visiting the school of an award-winning teenage entrepreneur today to launch new teacher resources that will support over 20,000 secondary school students taking part in the Student Enterprise Programme. Organised and run by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices, the year-round Student Enterprise Programme is the biggest enterprise education initiative of its kind in the Country with students from 620 schools taking part every year across three categories. The new resources which include a teachers manual, student workbook and helpful tips from successful entrepreneurs will be launched by Minister Breen in County Wicklow when he visits the school of Luke Byrne, the 17-year-old inventor behind Headphone Helpers. Byrne is a student at Colaiste Chraobh Abhann in Kilcoole which participates in the programme in County Wicklow every year. He won the Senior Category at the National Student Enterprise Awards earlier this year in Croke Park for his invention of a silicone band to keep earphones tangle-free. Commenting on the initiative, Minister Breen said, "Entrepreneurship is the backbone of our economy and starting to embed this culture at an early age is extremely important. This programme, and the new resources that are being launched today, ensures that entrepreneurship becomes a natural option for our young people as they discover their passions." He added, "We want to nurture Irelands future entrepreneurs and business leaders. It is great to see both teachers and entrepreneurs coming together to ensure that this solid base is built into our schools." Source: www.businessworld.ie About us The referendum in which Britons voted to leave the European Union is not legally binding, the Supreme Court was told on Wednesday during a hearing on who has the power to trigger Brexit. The court is considering an appeal by the government against a ruling last month that ministers cannot invoke Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, the first formal step in the process of leaving the bloc, without parliament's explicit approval. If the Supreme Court upholds that ruling, the risk for the government is that proceedings in parliament could delay Prime Minister Theresa May's plan to trigger Article 50 by the end of March, watering down her Brexit strategy. The case has inflamed passions in Britain, with pro-Brexit critics saying those challenging the government through the courts were seeking to thwart the will of the people. On Wednesday, police announced they had arrested a man on suspicion of making racist threats against Gina Miller, the lead claimant in the case against the government. David Pannick, the lawyer acting for Miller, told the court the June referendum, in which Britons voted for Brexit by 52% to 48, had important political consequences but not legal ones. "Parliament has deliberately chosen a model which does not involve any binding legal effect," he told the 11 Supreme Court justices during an exchange on the 2015 act of parliament that set the rules for the referendum to take place. Pannick argued that the 2015 act did not say what should happen after the referendum, and that since triggering Article 50 would effectively nullify the 1972 act through which Britain joined the EU, only parliament could authorise such a step. Pannick's assertion that the outcome of the referendum was merely advisory goes to the heart of the controversy generated by the case. Many politicians in May's Conservative Party and some pro-Brexit newspapers say the courts would be overstepping their constitutional role if they ignored the express will of the people. Miller and Pannick counter that their case is not aimed at blocking Brexit but rather at ensuring parliament is properly involved in the process. They won convincingly in the High Court in November. Supreme Court President David Neuberger questioned Pannick on Wednesday over whether parliament needed further involvement. "One could say it (the referendum process) is parliament ceding the ground ... to the people, to a referendum. It's done that, and then it's over to the government," Neuberger said. "It could be said to be a bit surprising that ... an act such as the Referendum Act and an event such as the referendum has no effect as a matter of law." A stone's throw away from the Supreme Court, parliament will vote on Wednesday on whether to back May's timetable on Article 50. Pannick said that even parliament did vote in favour of the March deadline, that would make no difference to his case that parliament, not ministers, had the power to authorise triggering the article. "Our submission is that a motion in parliament does not affect, cannot affect, the legal issues in this case," he said. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie The IKEA Group said on Wednesday it had sold key subsidiaries for 5.2 billion euros as part of an overhaul to help the furniture retailer react to new competition and shifts in consumer preferences away from its vast out-of-town stores. The IKEA Group, which operates most IKEA stores, sold subsidiaries that manage the group's supply chain and design, purchase and manufacture all IKEA furniture to Inter IKEA Holding BV, a company based in Delft in the Netherlands, which owns the IKEA brand. The transaction, initiated by Inter IKEA, helped to boost pre-tax profits by 23% to 5.4 billion euros at IKEA Group, which has its headquarters in Leiden in the Netherlands. Since September 1, Inter IKEA has controlled the development of the IKEA range and supply chain. This relegates IKEA Group to being a pure retailer, operating under a franchise agreement with Inter IKEA. Inter IKEA CEO Torbjorn Loof said Inter IKEA felt it was necessary to take full control of developing the IKEA business to respond to increased demands from customers to shop in city centre stores, buy online and to use collection points. "The concept and the existing franchise system was made up in the beginning of the 1980s. It was another era," he told Reuters. "The main aim is to make sure that we can grow and expand and be relevant to our customers," he said. Inter IKEA announced its decision to exercise its rights to take back control of the design and other activities from IKEA Group last year but the price of this transaction was revealed for the first time on Wednesday when the two groups presented their earnings to August 31. The IKEA Group is owned by a Dutch Foundation while Inter IKEA is owned by a Liechtenstein foundation. The split of responsibilities aims to create a tension that spurs growth, Inter IKEA executives say. The overall structure, which is also tax efficient, was created by founder Ingvar Kamprad, a Swede, almost 40 years ago to allow IKEA preserve its independence in perpetuity. Profits of both groups are retained in the companies or foundations to fund the expansion of the IKEA concept. Sales from IKEA stores worldwide hit 36.4 billion euros last year, Inter IKEA said in its annual summary. IKEA Group accounted for 34.2 billion euros of this total. IKEA Group Chief Executive Peter Agnefjall said the transfer of key functions and 26,000 staff, would weigh on his company's future profits, but would be offset by improvements in IKEA Group's contracts with Inter IKEA. "(We) obtained important strategic benefits, that will strengthen our position going forward. So all in all, we're happy with the transaction," he told Reuters in a telephone interview. Analysts said that lack of detail around the deal - which is one of the largest retail transactions in the world this year - meant that it was hard to assess whether the price paid was high or low but that the new split of functions should be good for the overall franchise. "It's going to be a good move for them, because one of the big problems is that they have been quite slow to adapt to customers," Matt Walton, Analyst at Verdict Retail Inter IKEA CEO Loof said as part of the restructuring IKEA Group received rights to open new channels for selling IKEA products, including in new city-centre stores and via urban collection and order points. Also, the time scale of IKEA Group's franchise contracts were amended to allow for the long-term investments needed to overhaul IKEA's operating model. He said certain areas of the product line, such as living room furniture, needed to be improved. Inter IKEA said it had pre-tax profits of 329 million euros in the eight months to the end of August. The company receives a franchise fee of 3% of turnover at all IKEA stores. It had just 1,300 employees two years ago. It said profits would increase in the coming financial year due to the acquisition of the subsidiaries which operate design studios, logistics hubs and 43 factories around the world. The acquisition was funded by borrowing and funds from its parent. The deal boosted IKEA Group's cash pile to 23.2 billion from 16.7 billion at the end of August 2015. Agnefjall said the sale proceeds would be used for investments, boosting the company's cash buffer and to resume paying a dividend, which would be 840 million euros for 2016, compared to 600 million euros for 2014. Agnefjall said he hoped that Inter IKEA would continue to select IKEA Group, technically a company called Ingka Holding B.V., to open IKEA stores in new markets. IKEA Group increased its sales by more than 7% last year, helped by new store openings and increased online sales. Combined, the other 12 franchisees boosted sales at their stores by 22%, Inter IKEA's results show. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie About us Friday Preston Citizen staffers packed up and moved out of their South State Street offices, the newspapers home in the middle of town for decades, into new digs on Industrial Park Road. We were too busy to get too emotional, said Editor Necia Seamons. Some of us went home and cried afterwards. For us sentimental folks, its easy to understand why it was hard to move from our old location. The newspaper has a new home inside the Bear River Publishing complex on Industrial Park Road. Seamons said it is a state-of-the-art press where the Citizen, Logan Herald Journal and other Pioneer News Group-owned publications are printed. The office in town wasnt serving our purposes any more, it wasnt helping us be successful. We needed a new location, said Seamons. We are excited about our new office, it is beautiful. You know how industry is, you streamline or you lose. So we streamlined. We have done a lot of changing over the last year. There are five of us in the office now. This move will help us stay viable and successful for a longtime to come. Seamons and Rod Boam have shared editors responsibilities the last 23 years: Seamons from 1993-2001, Boam from 2001-2015, then Seamons returning last year. The community will be invited to an open house sometime after the first of the year to see the new office. We have a few more kinks to work out, said Seamons. But we are up and operating, still with the services we offer from laminating to color copies which are photo quality, plus printing of envelopes, letterhead and business forms we do for the public. She said an invaluable resource are original copies of the newspaper which are available for family history research. The reputations of North Dakota and its citizens and especially our law enforcement personnel have been seriously and unfairly maligned during the ongoing debacle at Cannon Ball and Standing Rock. The lies told by paid antagonists have spread like a virus through social media to an audience way too eager to take the side of the lawbreakers after the last eight years of liberal leadership. It is a shame how easily these outside influences were able to swoop in and hijack what started out as a legitimate peaceful protest and change the narrative and the tactics to further their own altered agendas. But it's easy to understand how people could be taken in by watching their videos of law enforcement responses that conveniently don't include the provocations that prompted the response. Or by omitting mention of the trespassing, the threats, the Molotov cocktail and propane bombs, the shots fired, the damage and vandalism done to public, private and company property. Or how some might come to believe as truth, falsehoods that are repeated over and over and over again. These people are professionals at distorting facts and playing on emotions to further their own distorted version of the truth. Our law enforcement officers deserve tremendous praise for their restraint in the face of these many months of incitement. I sincerely hope the situation can be resolved without further violence or injury to either side and that the relationship between the citizens of the Bismarck-Mandan area and Standing Rock has not been irreparably damaged by the nonresident troublemakers who will soon move on to their next target. An overflowing crowd fills the Cache County Council chamber, awaiting a vote on whether the council will adopt a resolution to authorize eminent domain proceedings on Davenport Road. The Cache County Council chamber was filled beyond overflowing on Tuesday as the council prepared to vote on whether to approve a resolution (Resolution 2016-30) to authorize eminent domain proceedings on Davenport Road near Avon. Several attendees holding signs that read Vote No on Eminent Domain were asked to put the signs away. The debate concerning Davenport Road has been ongoing for more than six years, involving litigation related to whether or not Davenport Road, located within the privately-owned Four Mile Ranch, is a public road and whether restricting access to it infringes on the ability of surrounding landowners to access private land. As a preface to the decision-making discussion, remarks included a procedural explanation of eminent domain, analysis of the environmental impact of improvements to the road, and a recommendation to grant the owners of Four Mile Ranch a second appraisal to determine fair market value of the five-mile stretch of road. Conversation throughout the meeting likewise involved the countys longer-term intentions for the road, including the possibilities of development and recreational use. While the meeting did not include a public hearing, councilmembers did hear from Lee Edwards of the Cache County Attorneys Office in support of the resolution and Seth Tait, an attorney with Olson & Hoggan, P.C., representing the opposition. Taits presentation focused on three points the owners of Four Mile Ranch hoped to convey according to their perspective: Scott Samples, co-owner of Four Mile Ranch, was also given an opportunity to speak. If this passes, said Samples, it will destroy 50 years of heritage in ranching. While representatives of Four Mile Ranch maintain that Davenport Road has been considered a private road since 1862, Edwards presented an 1877 United States Surveyor Map indicating otherwise. Edwards likewise referred to a 1929 Utah Supreme Court Case decision affirming Davenport Roads public use. Prior to voting on the resolution, several members of the council expressed their reticence to exercising eminent domain, while at the same time indicating that their votes would be driven by a belief that the road was indeed public. I went into this discussion with an open mind ready to look at both sides of the issue, said council chair Greg Merrill. Evidence has shown that this is a public road. Public roads remain public roads unless a legislative body determines otherwise. In this instance they have not. Ultimately casting the only dissenting vote to the resolution, councilmember Jon White said, You know how I feel about this road. You dont need Davenport. Amid applause from the audience, White went on to assert that his grandfather had driven the first wagon down Davenport Road and, as a landowner himself, he did not agree with the condemnation of the road. Once were done, he conceded, thats the way it is. With a final vote of 6-1, the Cache County Council ended the discussion with approval of the resolution to exercise eminent domain on Davenport Road. Tim Rawlings, a Preston resident, has been following the Davenport Road controversy for five years. The law was upheld tonight, truth and justice prevailed, and I think the county did the right thing, he said. Chris Mortensen, who lives in Avon, disagrees. I think there was a lot of evidence presented that shows they should have made a different decision, he said. I dont think either side proved their point 100%, but my opinion is that most of the councilmembers had their minds made up before the presentation tonight. Summarizing its position, the Cache County Council issued a news release late Tuesday. The goal of the Cache County Council has been to hear both sides and take necessary action that would be in the best interest of the citizens of Cache County, the statement said. The resolution to approve the filing of an eminent domain action will minimize litigation costs, provide access while reducing environmental impact, and preserve rights-of-way for citizens to access private and public lands. Public access to this road is for the long term benefit of Cache County. Meet Pawe - the new Polish editor of cafebabel! Published on December 7, 2016 Story by Katarzyna Piasecka Translation by: Katarzyna Piasecka en pl de it fr es Pawe Wiejski - remember the name of this Polish immigrant in France, as he is the man who may one day create the United States of Europe. Check out why the new Polish editor preferred cafebabel to night trips to the 24h off-license with Dorota Masowska, and bet on long cheese and baguettes will sustain him before he starts to long for onions and potatoes. cafebabel: What were you doing the week before you came to Paris? Confined in my room, I was writing end-of-term essays for my university. Needless to say, it was just hours before the final deadline. cafebabel: Before that? I was working as an intern at the European Commission, as a bartender in one of Warsaw's famous cafe-clubs, taking European Studies, studying political science and, regrettably, also law. cafebabel: What do you have in common with cafebabel? We share a blind, uncompromising and hopeless love for the European Union. cafebabel: And with Robert Lewandowski? Not much. Apparently, my brother looks a bit like Robert. cafebabel: If you could choose a nationality other than Polish, what would it be? Definitely French. After merely two days at cafebabel, I almost managed to set up a trade union here. Riots and baguettes what more could you ask for? cafebabel: Where would we find you on a typical Friday night? On my way to the Ultimate Frisbee tournament. Or at a training at the Ultimate Frisbee. cafebabel: Your favourite book? A film that you hate? I'll risk passing for a complete arrogant jerk and say: "Hopscotch" by Julio Cortazar. Zoolander is the worst (and at the same time the best) film that I've ever seen. cafebabel: Would you rather take a walk in the Warsaws azienki Park with the political scientist Jadwiga Staniszkis, or go to a 24-hour off-licence with the rebel writer Dorota Masowska? The off-licence with Dorota, hands down. cafebabel: Whats your favourite planet? I think it's still Earth, although this year I had my doubts about it. The thing is that you can't get hummus anywhere else but Earth. cafebabel: What can you tell us about Poland? I don't lose hope. Together, we can change things. cafebabel: Whats your mission for the next ten months at cafebabel? To create the United States of Europe, but without Trump and with a tasty cuisine. Story by Katarzyna Piasecka Translated from Poznajcie Pawa - nowego redaktora naczelnego wersji polskiej This is a key distressed market to follow since Las Vegas has seen the largest price decline of any of the Case-Shiller composite 20 cities. The Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors reported Southern Nevada Home Prices and Sales Increasing Heading into Holidays, GLVAR Housing Statistics for November 2016 The Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS (GLVAR) reported Wednesday that Southern Nevada home prices bucked seasonal trends and increased heading into the holidays while home sales continued to exceed last years pace. ... According to GLVAR, the total number of existing local homes, condominiums and townhomes sold in November was 3,244. That was up 30.0 percent from one year ago. Compared to the same month one year ago, 31.8 percent more homes, and 31.2 percent more condos and townhomes sold in November. So far in 2016, Beaudry said Southern Nevada is on pace to sell more existing homes this year than during 2015 and during 2014, but fewer than during each of the previous five years. He added that inventory remains tight, with less than a three-month supply of homes available for sale, when a six-month supply is considered to be a balanced market. ... By the end of November, GLVAR reported 7,252 single-family homes listed for sale without any sort of offer. Thats down 30.3 percent from one year ago. For condos and townhomes, the 1,141 properties listed without offers in November represented a 49.0 percent decrease from one year ago. emphasis added 1) Overall sales were up 30% year-over-year.2) Active inventory (single-family and condos) is down sharply from a year ago (A very sharp decline in both single family and condo inventory).This is the second market (Phoenix reported yesterday) with sales up 30% year-over-year. There might be some seasonal factors (more selling days), but this is a significant increase in these markets. This is a key housing market to follow since Phoenix saw a large bubble / bust followed by strong investor buying. Inventory was down 2% year-over-year in October. This followed eight consecutive months with a YoY increase in inventory. The Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service (ARMLS) reports (table below): 1) Overall sales in November were up 30.2% year-over-year. 2) Cash Sales (frequently investors) were down to 23.4% of total sales. 3) Active inventory is now down 1.8% year-over-year. More inventory (a theme in 2014) - and less investor buying - suggested price increases would slow sharply in 2014. And prices increases did slow in 2014, only increasing 2.4% according to Case-Shiller. In 2015, with falling inventory, prices increased a little faster - Prices were up 6.3% in 2015 according to Case-Shiller. This slight decrease in inventory followed eight monthly YoY increases. This might be a change in trend - something to watch. November Residential Sales and Inventory, Greater Phoenix Area, ARMLS Sales YoY Change Sales Cash Sales Percent Cash Active Inventory YoY Change Inventory Nov-08 4,417 --- 1,217 27.6% 56,2271 --- Nov-09 7,494 69.7% 2,572 34.3% 40,372 -28.2% Nov-10 6,789 -9.4% 2,966 43.7% 45,353 12.3% Nov-11 7,147 5.3% 3,245 45.4% 26,798 -40.9% Nov-12 6,810 -4.7% 2,945 43.2% 23,232 -13.3% Nov-13 5,181 -23.9% 1,761 34.0% 26,762 15.2% Nov-14 4,986 -3.8% 1,396 28.0% 27,426 2.5% Nov-15 5,308 6.5% 1,542 29.1% 25,022 -8.8% Nov-16 6,911 30.2% 1,618 23.4% 24,582 -1.8% 1 November 2008 probably includes pending listings Native American water protectors were arrested in our state Capitol, an abuse of their First Amendment right of peaceful assembly. Gov. Jack Dalrymple didnt go to Standing Rock for negotiation. Sends in tactical law enforcement instead, inflaming the situation. He frightens citizens by declaring people delivering supplies to protest camp could get a $1,000 fine. Then claims he wont stop humanitarian efforts; confusion reigns supreme! The original route, north of Bismarck-Mandan, was canceled due to drinking water pollution concerns. The pipeline was capriciously redirected to the Cannon Ball area. Native Americans believe the project will trample their lands, spelling environmental disaster. Its also about a system of oppression that worked for centuries to wipe out their population and acquire their land by force. I dont approve of pipelines crossing under any body of water. However, if it is necessary to complete this pipeline, to line the pockets of tycoons, including President-elect Donald Trump. I have a citizen taxpayers common-sense, workable solution. South of Bismarck-Mandans highway bridges, the next bridge to cross the Missouri River is at Mobridge, S.D., 113 miles south; north, its Washburn, at 40 miles. I propose a concrete four-lane highway bridge be built, on non-reservation property, north of Cannon Ball, connecting to existing highways. The bridge would carry traffic and the pipeline across the Missouri River. Electronic and human surveillance would constantly monitor the elevated pipeline that would rest within a protective reinforced concrete trough with maintenance covers. The trough would be connected to crude oil containment structures on either side of the bridge should a rupture occur and the automatic shutoff valves fail. Hand-operated valves also installed. The bridge would be a financial blessing to citizens on either side of the river; federal financial assistance will be needed. A task our North Dakota congressional delegation would welcome. | BY Lynchy | Steve Jackson, currently Saatchi & Saatchi Sydneys creative leader, is leaving to join Droga5 Sydney as a creative director, adding to a formidable creative bench that already includes David Nobay (near left) as creative chairman, Duncan Marshall (second from far left) as ECD and Cam Blackley (second from near left) as CD. Jackson (far left) will work across all the agencys core business, as a roaming CD and report directly to Marshall. First hired by David Nobby Nobay at Saatchi Sydneys in 2006, Jackson was promoted to creative director last year, and stepped in to lead the Sydney creative department after the departure of former ECD Steve Back to Ogilvy Singapore. Last year alone, Jackson walked away with an impressive five Gold Lions at Cannes and another three Gold at the Spikes for the Toyota Border Security campaign Saatchis most awarded campaign ever which contributed to Saatchi being named AWARD Agency of the Year just over a week ago. He also co-created the D&AD pencil winning UN Voices project, and won a Cannes Gold for Kill a kid, kill a family for the Pedestrian Council of Australia. Says Jackson: One chat with Nobby or Duncan and you soon realise these guys are doing something right. Its easy to get worn out and cynical in this business, but theyre always so energised and its incredibly infectious. Theyve clearly created a model that works for them as well as their clients and when they speak about Cam, Sudeep, Marianne and the rest of the team in such glowing terms, its easy to see why theyre so positive about the future. Im really looking forward to sharing a few ideas and a few beers with them all. Says Nobay: Jacko is one of the guys youd clone if you could he knows instinctively when an idea needs to be pushed, but he also understands the bigger picture from a client perspective. Adds Marshall: Ive known Steve for only a few months, but feel like Ive known him for years. Beyond his well-known talent as a creative leader, he has a natural warmth and generosity of spirit that will add to our culture and be a real benefit to agency and clients alike. Were delighted to welcome him to the Droga fold. Jackson has worked on some of the globes biggest brands in three countries, including Nike, Cadbury, Toyota, Sony and Lion Nathan. Hes credited for three of Campaign Briefs top 30 Australian commercials of the decade: Toyotas Border Security and Nikes Squirrel spot and Tourism Victorias Run Rabbit Run from previous agency Publicis Mojo, where he also kicked off the Toyotas AFL spots and co-wrote Nikes Reincarnate Now and Keep the Ball Alive campaigns. Jackson starts at Droga5 early April. | BY Ricki Green | Two hundred of Melbournes advertising industry got together last Thursday night at Melbournes Duchess for the annual MADC After Party the night where everyone wins. The highlight of the evening was the awarding of the MADC Star, won this year by Clemenger BBDO for Snickers Hungerithm. Last year Mr Smith gave away a trip for two for the guys from DDB for their work on Cussons Radiant return. This time a stellar judging line up chose Clemengers Snickers campaign ahead of some other great work that came out of Melbourne. The judges were chosen from the pool of Melbournites now successful overseas and interstate, namely Sarah Barclay Global ECD JWT NYC, Dan Grech CD AKQA San Francisco, Andy McKeon global customer marketing lead Facebook and Instagram, Chris Northam group ECD R/GA, Cam Blackley ECD BMF Sydney, Cam Hoelter ECD DDB NYC and Warren Brown, founder BMF. Cory Esse from FINCH was on hand to hand over the keys to a brand new suitably branded Mitsubishi Mirage and the Clems team was delighted. Says Evan Roberts, CD, Clemenger BBDO, Melbourne: A big thank you to everyone at the MADC for getting everyone together and to Finch for the generous prize. Were looking forward to jamming everyone on this credit list into the car. | BY Ricki Green | frog, the global design and strategy firm, today announces its first Australian team, based permanently in Sydney. The new Sydney studio is the 12th in frogs network of global offices, and brings together extraordinary talent from Australia and around the world. Says Tim Paciolla (left), CD, frog, Sydney: The innovation evolution that Australia is undertaking has created the perfect environment for us to establish a permanent presence in the market. For Australian clients, we see our capabilities as being unique due to our ability to provide true end-to-end support, from ideation right through to end-product. Were excited about the opportunities ahead. frog started working in Australia in 2011, and since then, has partnered with leading brands including Optus, Commonwealth Bank, Melbourne Airport, ABC, and AGL. Says Harry West, CEO, frog: We are being approached by Australias most forward thinking businesses with more interesting problems than ever before. Australian companies are looking to transform their customer experience, and were here to share that journey with them. frogs unique approach, developed over the past 47 years, combines design with leading-edge technology and growth strategies to create compelling products, services and experiences that move markets. Beyond this, frog has developed new ways to partner with clients, from creating and supporting new ventures, to helping client teams transform how they work, and experimenting with emerging technologies. LARIMORE A North Dakota Highway Patrol trooper and three other drivers escaped injuries when four vehicles were involved in a chain-reaction crash on U.S. Highway 2 about 8:45 a.m. Tuesday. According to a report, the crash happened while the officer was investigating a cattle truck rollover about 35 miles west of Grand Forks, seven miles west of Larimore. They were some minor injuries, and the ambulance was there, but no one was transported away, said Grand Forks County Sheriffs Sgt. Andy Schneider. According to a report, the trooper was in his parked Ford F-250 patrol vehicle when it was struck by an eastbound 2009 Chevy Impala driven by 26-year-old Alex Weston of Cando. Westons vehicle also struck a parked 2006 Dodge Caravan driven by Shane Ebertowski of Grand Forks who was stopped and waiting to proceed past the crash site. Ebertowskis Dodge was then pushed into the fourth vehicle a parked 2010 Cadillac CTS driven by 25-year-old Christopher Hicks of Grand Forks Air Force Base. Schneider didnt know the name of the trooper whose vehicle sustained moderate damage, but was still driveable. The Chevy driven by Weston had expensive damage and had to be towed from the scene, Schneider said. Weather conditions at the scene were poor as the highway was snow-covered and the visibility was only about 100 feet. However, Schneider said that stretch of Highway 2 was still open at the time. The trooper was helping investigate the crash of a 2014 Peterbilt semi that was pulling a livestock trailer with 111 cattle on board. Thirteen of the cattle died or were euthanized after the eastbound truck hits a series of snow drifts when merging between lanes causing truck driver Dusty Weinreis vision to be obscured with the truck drifting into the median of the four-lane highway and tipping over, said a state patrol report. The truck was righted by a tow truck and moved to a nearby farmstead where the cattle were unloaded. Weinreis, 30, from Mandan, wasnt injured, but was cited by the patrol for failing to exercise due caution while operating a commercial motor vehicle in hazardous conditions. That accident took place about 3:45 a.m. Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at 9:29PM It might seem like a long time coming but Google is finally bringing 4K support to its Play Movies & TV app. Google claims there are now over 125 movies available in 4K and can be purchased via its web or mobile store. These movies can then be streamed via a Chromecast Ultra, Sony Bravia Android TV, or Xiaomi Mi Box 3. The Chromecast Ultra is available on the Canadian Google Store for $90 but its said to be available in limited quantities. If you do get your hands on the dongle, Google will be giving you a 4K movie title for free. Source: TechCrunch Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at 8:32PM Looks like Lenovo is taking the modular phone movement quite seriously. At least serious enough that they intend to release at least 12 Moto Mods per year. There are currently seven different Mods available since it was released back in July. Lenovos Moto Mods Director John Touvannas told CNET they intend to boost development of the Mods in 2017. Our goal is to get more Mods out this year than we did last year, no question, he said. There have been two new Moto Mods added recently into the mix: a battery pack from Mophie and a car mount from Incipio. We do hope Lenovo and Motorola do intend to push through with these plans to truly develop the modular phone segment. Source: SlashGear "But we were really surprised to find how quickly their swimming skills dropped off once they were no longer in the water all the time. They still loved the water, but it was clear we needed to make sure they were having some type of ongoing lessons, because we want to be able to take them to the coast or the pool and be confident that they know how to be safe in the water." According to a copy of the new agreement, casual employees at the club are currently paid double time on Sundays but would be have their Sunday pay reduced to 1.75. Members of Women in Film and Television NSW arrived in the best look of the night - dressed as giant sausages to "Australia's biggest sausage party". Hat tip to the ladies for using fashion to make a statement about the low instance of female nominations in this year's awards. The best part was the fabric, a shiny satin that made it hard for security to forcibly remove the slippery snags from the red carpet. What have been the main highlights for Djibouti Data Center in 2016? The internet exchange (IX) is shaping up well and is a key highlight. Many customers are connecting with us, supporting our vision of a dynamic East African ecosystem. This coupled with all the traffic being exchanged is helping to fill a big connectivity hole in that part of East Africa. New cables being deployed and having a positive effect on a number of fronts. As carriers seek to exploit these systems, data centre connectivity becomes more critical. This has brought a significant reduction in the pricing of cross-connects and backhaul circuits within Djibouti making it a much more competitive destination and transit point than many locations in the region. Even though there is always room for improvement, these changes are having a very positive effect on the growth of the internet in the region. What are the main challenges youre presently facing? Our expansion plan is the main challenge. To be able to quickly reach the markets we want to and be able to satisfy the needs and expectations for our customers. The challenges in Africa are always linked with timing; each country has its own way of doing business and have their own particularities. Were in the latter stages of developing our East African strategy and, starting from next year in late 2017, will start roll out Tier III+ data centres across key locations in East Africa. What are the major trends in the African market this year? There is definitely a vast take-up of broadband services in the region mainly due to mobile growth in the region. This is happening faster than anyone was expecting with 4G having been rolled out in countries like Ethiopia. This demand helps to drive and change regulation, forcing market change. With the new cable systems being deployed, there's further potential change afoot. IP services are evolving and imminent upgrades in capacity levels in some markets will grow from sub 1Gb to 4Tb over the next five years. Whats the importance of attending an event like Capacity Asia and what do you hope to take away from the conference? Asia has an increasingly significant role to play in Africa. We have a number of Chinese customers - including big blue chip companies such as PCCW Global, China Telecom Global and CDN player China Net Center and its growing still. Capacity Asia connects us to Asian carriers and further helps us to further develop Djibouti on the data centre map. The 110km network, which is continuously under expansion, will connect over 30 high-value data centres and enterprise buildings. The network is available for businesses to capitalise on reliable, high-speed and infinitely scalable connectivity solutions, said the company. Work is also progressing on TKO Express, a component of Superloops total solution. TKO Express will be the first domestic submarine cable linking Hong Kongs major finance and technology centres, Chai Wan and Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate. Superloop founder and CEO Bevan Slattery said Hong Kong was fundamental to the companys vision to be the leading independent connectivity provider in the Asia Pacific region. Hong Kong is a major international and regional financial centre. For businesses to succeed, it is crucial they have access to secure, reliable, high-speed infrastructure, said Slattery. We are delighted to have the opportunity to partner with businesses, and deliver the scalable capacity, geographic diversity and unmatched performance that will enable them to prosper. Superloops network offers carriers, content providers and enterprises a true dark fibre solution. We provide the fibre without any transmission equipment, giving you complete control of your network services." Slattery added: With the completion of the initial stages of our Hong Kong network, Superloop is the first and only carrier with true fibre ownership across three major markets in Asia, the fastest growing region in the world. TKO Express, in combination with the wider Hong Kong network, will meet the increasing demand for high-speed, consistent, connectivity solutions to take advantage of bandwidth-intensive apps, content and services such as video and the cloud, said the company. The 1,728 high-core count undersea cable has arrived in Hong Kong, while construction of the cable landing infrastructure is underway at the Chai Wan site. TKO Express is set to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2017. LinkAfrica will terminate its fibre-connected residential and business customers at NewTelcos data centre. Eckart Zollner, head of new business development at NewTelco, told South African media: We are excited to be a part of LinkAfricas expanding network as a breakout point for any LinkAfrica fibre client in Midrand. LinkAfricas Andre Hoffmann, manager for special projects at the company, told ITWeb: The data centre offers all the benefits we look for in a data centre good security, excellent cable management and maintenance standards, great uptime and availability, and peace of mind when it comes to power supply an especially key point in a country not well known for its reliable electricity delivery. LinkAfrica has already started its fibre rollout and a number of customers are already connected to the data centre. Frankfurt-based NewTelco has a number of European data centres as well as its business in South Africa. Consumption is arguably the first (or maybe second) economic concept mentioned in the Bible. After creating Adam and Eve and giving them the cultural mandate (Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.), God says to them, I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the groundeverything that has the breath of life in itI give every green plant for food. (Gen. 1:29) Although we are all descended from these first consumers, we often take a dim view of the idea of consumption. Even the term itself has taken on ugly connotations. (Since the Middle Ages, the word consumption has referred to wasting diseases, such as tuberculosis, which consume the body.) But consumption plays a vital role in our livesa role that was largely unappreciated until the 19th century. In The Atlantic, Frank Trentmann has a superb short history of consumption and how the moral assessment changed, due largely to the influence of Christians: In the 1630s, the Dutch polymath Caspar Barlaeus praised trade for teaching people to appreciate new things, and such secular arguments for the introduction of new consumer productswhether through innovation or importationwere reinforced by religious ones. Would God have created a world rich in minerals and exotic plants, if He had not wanted people to discover and exploit them? The divine had furnished man with a multiplicity of desires for a reason, wrote Robert Boyle, the scientist famous for his experiments with gases. Instead of leading people astray from the true Christian path, the pursuit of new objects and desires was now justified as acting out Gods will. In the mid-18th century, Smiths close friend David Hume completed the defense of moderate luxury. Far from being wasteful or ruining a community, it came to be seen as making nations richer, more civilized, and stronger. By the late 18th century, then, there were in circulation many of the moral and analytical ingredients for a more positive theory of consumption. Read more . . . When most literature students are asked about literature inspired by World War I, they typically respond with such names as Robert Graves, Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon and Richard Aldington. As well, T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound are included by extension as both The Waste Land and Hugh Selwyn Mauberley are largely informed by the 1914 to 1918 conflagration. Largely forgotten is David Jones, a writer of many sensibilities that are all synthesized and informed by his Roman Catholicism. In Parenthesis, Jones World War I poem, was begun in 1928 and published in 1937. One of Geoffrey Fabers editors, the aforementioned Eliot, was instrumental in the works initial publication, and even wrote a brief introduction to the book-length manuscript. Not only was the Anglican Eliot an admirer of In Parenthesis, no less another poet who wrote devoutly Christian poetry, W.H. Auden, declared Jones book the best long poem written in English of the twentieth century. Your writer concurs with full knowledge hes in no league to challenge either Eliot or Auden in any event, but he senses the poems larger themes resonate in our current milieu of heated rhetoric and other forms of violence. Further, the poem prescribes religious faith as a tonic for the ails of the world whether past, present or future. The enduring quality of Jones body of work was reinforced earlier this year by the Welsh National Opera, which commissioned composer Iain Bell to transform the poem into an opera. The opera commemorates the centennial of the Battle of the Somme. That battle and, specifically, the fate of the 38th Division comprised of Welsh Royal Fusiliers at the Battle of Mametz Wood are the focus of In Parenthesis. Of the 670 members of the 38th Division in which Jones actually served, an estimated 400 were killed or wounded during the battle. Writing in the modernist style of combined prose and verse, Jones recounted the Welsh and British dead: And here and there and huddled over, death-halsed to these, a Picton-five-feet-four paragon of the Line, from Newcastle Emlyn or Talgarth in Brycheiniog, lying disordered like discarded garments or crumpled chin to shin-bone like a Lambourne find. Among the many accomplishments of the original In Parenthesis is Jones successful attempt to render accurately all the sensations of army life as they are experienced, including warfare. Jones initial training was as a painter, and several of his works are on display in such prestigious institutions as Londons Tate Gallery. It was Jones desire to depict what he remembered as a painter provides his or her audience with several different points of view, but including as well aural, touch and olfactory sensations. As noted by poet and critic W.S. Merwin: David Jones made intimate and inimitable use of sensual details of every kind, from sounds, sights, smells, and the racketing and shriek of shrapnel set against the constant roar of artillery, to snatches of songs overheard or remembered, reflections on pools of mud, the odors of winter fields of beets blown up by explosives, the way individual soldiers carried themselves at moments of stress or while waiting. All of these become part of the nowness that Jones said was indispensible to the visual arts. The resulting powerful and intense evocation, however, occurs in what seems like a vast echo chamber where the reverberations resound from the remote antiquity of military activities, and of the language and mythology of Britain, from Shakespeares Histories, in English, and from the poems, conflicts, and divinities of the more venerable traditions of Wales and the Welsh, and from the legacy, civil, political, and military of the Roman occupation of the island, some remnant of which Arthur himself had fought to preserve. Yes, indeed, its that type of poem: dense and so often difficult it sometimes makes Pounds Cantos seem as easy as Edward Lear by comparison (not really). Allusions and literary references abound, from the sixth-century Welsh poem Y Gododdin, the Welsh Taliesin myths, Arthurian legend, the reverential poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins, and James G. Fraziers The Golden Bough to Lewis Carrolls The Hunting of the Snark. Woven throughout is the reverence for God, humanity and the feminine act of rebirth and creation. War is portrayed as hell, certainly, but the human race isnt disparaged in the slightest it was breathed into life by the Creator, and that act of artistic making transfers to living beings who curse, sweat, joke, sing off-color songs, kill and die in the most barbaric fashions. The critic Jeremy Hooker remarked: Is it, then, a mans world that David Jones evokes? Not at all. The female principle as the fundamental creative faculty in man and nature is everywhere present, for David Jones deliberately presents the creative and creaturely as essential female: the moon, the woods, the beasts, earth are all described in the imagery of woman. Implicit, explicit once or twice but never obtrusive in the poem, is the purified transcendent embodiment of this principle as the Mother of God. Despite its difficult nature, In Parenthesis is worth every second it takes to read and absorb, and the libretto (adapted by David Antrobus and Emma Jenkins) of Bells operatic adaptation quite admirable in providing an adequate gloss of the text while at the same time succeeding for the most part as a stage production (a full 1:45-hour performance can be viewed here). Unlike another adaptation of World War I poetry for the opera Benjamin Brittens War Requiem, in which the composer replaced portions of the Latin Mass for the Dead with nine poems by Wilfred Owen In Parenthesis is reverent throughout. Whereas Owen openly declared he was a war poet, Jones declared: I did not intend this as a War Book it happens to be concerned with war. I should prefer it to be about a good kind of peace but as Mandeville says, Of Paradys ne can I not speken properly I was not there; it is fer beyond and that for thinketh me. And also I was not worthi. We find ourselves privates in foot regiments. We search how we may see formal goodness in a life singularly inimical, hateful, to us. Again, Jeremy Hooker: [I]n the work of David Jones, we have a poetry relevant now to everyone implicated in the Western thing, its religion, its politics, its art in short, the culture by which we have been made in making it. That his poetry addresses itself to crisis, to the breakdown of this culture, makes it as immediate a poetry of psychic distress, despite the enormous difference in method and aim between David Jones art and that of the confessional poet. [C]risis and the breakdown of culture certainly are apparent today, but the roots of both wound beneath the soil as early as July 1916 and more than likely, Jones reminds his readers, well before then. In Parenthesis remains relevant to contemporary readers because its author recognized the perpetual turmoil of the human condition whether outright warfare, economic uncertainty, contentious election cycles or political disaster. As a people weve endured far worse than what were currently experiencing. What will ensure our endurance is no different from what provided comfort to Jones and for millions of others before and after In Parenthesis; namely, our faiths properly understood. 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. Indian Bank has started receiving applications for the post of Probationary Officer (PO) post through the admission to Post Graduate Diploma in Banking and Finance (PGDBF) course offered through Manipal Global Education Services 2017-2018. The application process closes on 22 December 2016. There are currently 324 vacancies for the post. However, it is provisional and may vary according to the actual requirement of the bank. Interested candidates can apply by visiting the official website of the Indian bank. Steps to apply for Indian Bank PO Job: Log on to http://www.indianbank.in/home.php Click on the Career tab on the left hand side of the homepage on the left hand side of the homepage Click on the link ' Link for Online Application ' ' A new page will open. Here, click on New Registration tab Carefully enter details as required A provisional registration number and password will be generated after you submit the details Note it down correctly Candidates can log in with the same credentials next time and edit their details till the last date of edit/modification. However, this facility will be available for three times only. Submit the application after checking the details thoroughly. Candidates will be disabled to make the chance, at once the final submission is made. Follow the mentioned instructions to pay the fees/in online mode by following the instruction You will receive an e-receipt after successfully completing the process Save and take take a printout of the on-line application form and save it for future reference The application process can only be completed via online registration. There will be preliminary and mains followed by an interview that comprises the selection procedure. Candidates who clear the rounds will go through a nine month course (campus programme) at Manipal Global Education Services, Bangalore followed by a three months internship at any of the Indian Bank Branches. After successful completion of the course, candidates will be appointed as probationary officer in any branch of the Indian Bank. The bank's official website will contain details about eligibility criteria, essential qualification, exam pattern. State Bank Of India Recruits Wealth Management Officers December 7, 2016: MIS, one of India's leading boarding school for girls, has become Uttrakhand's first all-girls residential school to be affiliated to International Baccalaureate (IB). MIS has attained International Baccalaureate (IB) World School status for both its Diploma programmes for Class XI & XII. The International Baccalaureate is a globally recognised education model that opens up prospects for international education for students. With this affiliation from International Baccalaureate (IB) for IB diploma, MIS now gives its higher secondary students a pathway to explore new avenues after completing their schooling at MIS. The IB offers four highly respected programmes of international education that develops the intellectual, personal, emotional, and social skills needed to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a two-year educational programme primarily aimed at students aged 16-19. The programme is designed to give students a broad, well-rounded international education and the skills needed for success at university and beyond. Top 10 Boarding Schools In India The IB Diploma Programme ensures that students are well-rounded and prepares them for higher education and the world of work. The program provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education and is recognised by many universities worldwide. Speaking about the development Ms. Priya Peter, Principal, MIS said, "MIS is a unique institution that upholds Indian culture and values, creating a blend of traditional Indian "Sanskars" amid a modern, 21st century outlook. While we knew that it is a long journey to become an authorized IB school, because of our culture, we were confident it would be a shorter walk for MIS- and it was! We are excited about providing global opportunities to our students and helping them to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. " Is boarding school a right choice for your child? About Mussoorie International School: Established in 1984, MIS is a boarding school for girls for Classes I - XII. The school is situated in Mussoorie, a pristine Hill Station in Gharwal hills at a height of 2003 meters in the state of Uttarakhand, India. MIS is affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi, an All-India Board, and University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). MIS is now an authorised IB world school offering International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP). About the International Baccalaureate: Founded in 1968 the International Baccalaureate (IB) is a non-profit foundation, which offers four high quality and challenging educational programmes for a worldwide community of schools. Currently, more than 1,3 million IB students attend over 4,500 schools in 147 countries. For further information about the IB please visit www.ibo.org. We are not alone Lessons from the Heart When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What... One weird dude Lessons from the Heart There are not a lot of places where someones personal style gets mentioned in the New Testament, so this one... It would be fair to say that theres no love lost between the conservatives and Teslas founder and CEO, Elon Musk. In fact, Musk has been constantly attacked by right-wing groups as well as individuals, who accuse him of funding his business with American taxpayers money or worse. One of the haters, Laura Ingraham, heads the Citizens for the Republic group, which has launched a Stop Elon Musk From Failing Again campaign and is actually fairly close to new President-elect Donald Trump, as she is one of the candidates for the White House Press Secretary position. Musk himself is no fan of Trump, either, but when New York Times columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin suggested that the next U.S. President should include Teslas owner among the people that will advise him on how to reinvigorate the economy and create new jobs, he had a surprise reply. Id be happy to talk to Trump, Musk emailed Sorkin on Monday. Moreover, during a shareholders meeting, he tackled the issue of federal incentives, which is one of the accusations thrown at him by his critics: Ironically, if all incentives and subsidies were removed for Tesla, Teslas competitive position would increase, not decrease. We do believe there should be government incentives for electric vehicles, but we believe they should be there for the good of the industry and to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport, not because Tesla needs them. Electric car startup Faraday Future has just dropped a new teaser image of its first production vehicle, set to debut on January 3rd at CES 2017. As we already know, FFs first model will take the shape of an SUV rivalling the Tesla Model X. From this teaser, we can see that it will feature headlights connected by a single strip of LEDs stretching across the front fascia. Additionally, it will include an interesting front grille that features an illuminated FF logo in the center. Just last week, former company employees asserted that despite Faradays promises, the vehicle will not reach the production line next year. Additionally, it was said that if CES goes badly, its all over. In recent weeks, the main investor of FF, Jia Yueting, admitted that he was running out of cash, forcing the startup to halt construction of its $1 billion factory in Nevada. It is reported that when we see the brands first production model, it will be installed with the auto industrys most energy dense batteries. Additionally, the vehicle could utilize in-wheel electric motors. PHOTO GALLERY In what is surely the strangest news of the day, a number of drivers in Washington State have come across a truly frightening scene, an 8-foot tool statue of Jeremy Clarksons head on the back of a truck. The numerous snaps sent social media into a frenzy before the official Twitter account of The Grand Tour seemed to confirm it as part of a promotional stunt, revealing that work is being done on a similar statue of James May and presumably, Richard Hammond as well. Alongside Clarksons head being transported were a number of other boxes with other body parts. One of the boxes reads JEREMY CROTCH while another appears to say JEREMY LEFT FOREARM. Its not yet known why the statues of Clarkson and his co-hosts exist but it is certainly related to The Grand Tour and could be included in a future episode. Some theories say that the statues may be erected at Amazons Seattle headquarters. Whatever the case may be, we apologize if these images make you lose sleep. Only just discovered that someone managed to shrink Clarkson's head. pic.twitter.com/VxOeFPEBqA James May (@MrJamesMay) December 6, 2016 Driving through Washington State. WTF? Is that @JeremyClarkson looking at me? pic.twitter.com/7iDt5Bzp3m Charles John (@INeed_AnAdult) December 2, 2016 Looks like the success of #TheGrandTour has gone to @JeremyClarksons head pic.twitter.com/kLLfsHhIni Killa Can (@JudgmentalNYer) December 2, 2016 @MrJamesMay What's really scary is his crotch has a whole packing case too. pic.twitter.com/1zksG7nO5W Jane Brewer (@jane_brewer) December 6, 2016 PHOTO GALLERY Volkswagen may be enjoying a sales increase in most parts of the globe, but they have yet to settle with South Korean authorities when it comes to the cheating emissions scandal. After having suspended most of their sales in the Asian country this summer, the automotive giant is now facing a record fine of 37.3 billion won ($31.84 million) for false advertising of their cars, Reuters writes. These were promoted as environmentally friendly, despite being equipped with the deceptive devices. Punishments for these claims, which were described as false, exaggerated or deceptive, are up to two years in jail or fines up to 150 million won ($128,000), as a Fair Trade Commission (FTC) official states. The regulator admitted that he would ask prosecutors to investigate the Volkswagen headquarters, along with their South Korean unit and five former and current chiefs, including the Audi Head of Sales Overseas Terence Bryce Johnsson, and Audis VP of Sales for the Americas, Andre Konsbruck. Audi Volkswagen Korea (AVK), on the other hand, announced that they have yet to be informed on the decision, and commented: AVK is committed to rebuilding trust with the authorities, and with customers and other stakeholders in Korea. PHOTO GALLERY Photo: Contributed Friends and family of a well known Penticton resident, known to many as Bear, are mourning his loss after he died of an overdose last week. Joseph Frocklage confirmed on Tuesday, that his son Joseph Foy, 46, died after snorting what he believes to be a mix of heroin and fentanyl on Friday morning. "I've never hated before, my parents raised us never to hate," he said. "But I hate the people who are shoving these drugs down people's throats." Frocklage described his son as a good guy, with some drug issues. Bear recently began living with his parents at their 55 plus residence in the city. He was planning on staying there until after Christmas, with surgeries scheduled at the hospital afterwards. At the time he was told there was to be no drinking and no street people. He lasted for about four days. On Thursday night, he showed up at the home with a woman. Bear ended up using drugs with the woman in the early hours of Friday morning. He was found dead the next morning in his room after the woman had left. People on the streets of Penticton who knew Bear remembered him as a good guy, who was always smiling and spreading happiness and would give anyone the shirt off his back. His death is part of a spike in overdoses in Penticton that have hit the city hard in recent weeks. A GoFundMe page drawing attention to the overdose crisis, and to help out those impacted has been created by Bear's family. Photo: CTV Lawyers will have to sift through volumes of evidence before the Lemon Creek fuel spill trial can begin, now likely not until February. The legal teams preparing for the trial met via phone in a Nelson courtroom today. Ten volumes of evidence had been sent to defence attorneys already, Crown prosecutor John Cliff told the court, and at least five more were being organized and copied. He said he hoped to have the rest delivered this month. Defence lawyers will go over the evidence before their clients submit a plea. Judge Robert Brown set a date for the next hearing for Jan. 10. The trial stems from criminal charges laid after an aviation fuel spill in the Slocan Valley in July 2013. The B.C. government, Alberta-based aviation fuel company Executive Flight Centre and one of its employees are all co-defendants in the case, which began after a tanker truck carrying jet fuel up a logging road in the Slocan Valley tipped over, spilling 33,000 litres of fuel into Lemon Creek. The charges include two counts of polluting under the federal Fisheries Act, and six counts under the Environmental Management Act. The fines range from $5,000 to $1 million or six months in jail. Photo: Contributed British Columbia's criminal justice branch says no charges have been approved against Delta police officers and paramedics who failed to file a report with the Children's Ministry about a child in need of protection. The Criminal Justice Branch says in a release that the RCMP investigated and submitted an opinion recommending charges of failing to file the report in a case involving 17-year-old Paige Gauchier. The branch says a review of the available evidence suggests there is no substantial likelihood that the officers or paramedics would be convicted of the offence involving an incident on Jan. 22, 2011. The branch says Gauchier was intoxicated and had a bleeding nose when she walked into a gas station in Delta at 2 a.m. and said she'd been assaulted by six girls but refused to go to hospital on the recommendation of paramedics. It says police called her uncle, with whom she was living in Vancouver, and that he asked she be sent to his home by taxi, but neither officers nor paramedics contacted the Children's Ministry. Gauchier was 19 when was found dead from a drug overdose in a public washroom in the Downtown Eastside in 2013, and the then-children's representative said in a report two years later that multiple agencies involved with the teen had failed to collaborate and help her. Photo: Getty Images A B.C. doctor wants his patients to fund his retirement. Dr. Myron MacDonald sent a letter to his patients announcing his retirement after practising medicine in West Vancouver for nearly 50 years. "Ironically most of my patients followed my advice and got better, which further reduced my income. Doesn't that take the cake!" he wrote. Read more. Photo: The Canadian Press The City of Vancouver has scheduled a public forum on drug overdoses as the opioid crisis puts increasing pressure on its budget and first responders. Thursday's forum at city hall is expected to hear from a network of drug users, friends and families of overdose victims, and Mayor Gregor Robertson. A release from the city says firefighters trained to administer the overdose-antidote naloxone responded to 735 overdoses in November compared to 261 in January. It says more needles are being discarded in parks and on sidewalks in some areas, resulting in a significant rise in sanitation service for this year's budget. The city says its current proposed budget for 2017 includes investments in areas such as the Downtown Eastside, where more services are needed to help with issues like poverty, mental health, addiction and homelessness. The BC Coroners Service has reported that 622 people died across the province from overdoses between January and November, and the city says 124 of the fatalities occurred in Vancouver. Photo: The Canadian Press Alberta's New Democrat Premier Rachel Notley says she won't endorse a candidate in upcoming the British Columbia election, just after meeting with the province's NDP Leader in Vancouver. B.C.'s Opposition New Democrat Leader John Horgan is opposed to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, a project that Notley supports and one that she says Albertans are eager to see built. Notley, who's in B.C. promoting the pipeline, says she's known Horgan for years and they met Monday because it was important for her to touch base with a fellow NDP leader to talk about their positions on the project. She says there are many more issues that unite them than divide them, but on this issue they have different positions and they discussed ways to have a civil conversation moving forward. But Notley says she won't weigh in on the upcoming provincial election as it is the forum of British Columbians, adding that she is committed to working with whichever government is in place. Notley is set to meet later this week with B.C.'s Liberal Premier Christy Clark, who has said her five conditions needed to support the Trans Mountain expansion have almost been met. Photo: Twitter British Columbia's transportation minister says more needs to be done to prevent chunks of ice falling from Metro Vancouver's bridges and damaging vehicles. A winter storm brought more than five centimetres of snow to the region Monday and there were numerous reports of snow and ice falling from bridges, leaving vehicles with cracked windshields and dented roofs. "We're very thankful that no one was hurt during these incidents, but we're not happy at all that vehicles were damaged by falling snow and ice," said Transportation Minister Todd Stone. He said the Insurance Corporation of B.C. has received 40 claims from people whose vehicles were damaged. Ten of the claims came from drivers who were travelling over the Port Mann Bridge between Surrey and Coquitlam, and 30 from motorists going over the Alex Fraser Bridge, which spans New Westminster and Delta. Stone said the province will pay the insurance deductibles for all of the damaged vehicles, but it's too soon to say what the cost will be because more drivers could still come forward. Similar incidents were reported on the Port Mann Bridge in 2012, shortly after it opened. Devices were later installed on each of the bridge's 288 cables to drop down and clear snow and slush in wintry weather. They were in operation Monday. A de-icing spray was used to try and keep snow and ice off the towers and cross beam of the Alex Fraser Bridge, but staff are now investigating what else should have been done. "I want to say very clearly to the people of British Columbia that we can and we will do better," Stone said. Another snow storm is scheduled to hit the region Thursday. Stone said, among other things, monitoring is being increased on the bridges. Photo: VOCM An elderly Newfoundland couple who have been married for 68 years, but are now separated because of their health needs are hoping to be reunited. Roy and Dorothy Vardy have been separated since June after Dorothy who turns 91 this month spent five weeks in hospital. When she was discharged, she was sent to a home in Clarke's Beach and then to St. John's where she has been since September. Her 88-year-old husband now says after almost seven decades together, he is not doing well and is depressed because he misses his wife. The couple's family says the problem is that they require different levels of health care and can't be placed together in Clarenville. Relatives say the separation is taking a toll on the couple as they approach their first Christmas apart, but they are driving Roy Vardy about 190 kilometres back and forth from Clarenville to St. John's once a week. Photo: RCMP The RCMP in northwestern Newfoundland say the disappearance of Jennifer Hillier-Penney is considered suspicious. The Mounties in St. Anthony say they have conducted a ground and air search of the community and surrounding areas and a search of the St. Anthony harbour will take place today. The RCMP major crime unit, police dog services, a forensic identification section, Mounties from multiple detachments and search and rescue crews are involved in the investigation. The 38-year-old Hillier-Penney was last seen one week ago in the Husky Drive area of St. Anthony and at the time, police said they were concerned for her well-being. Investigators are asking residents of St. Anthony to check their properties and to call RCMP if anything unusual is found. Photo: The Canadian Press A 21-year-old man convicted of two counts of second-degree murder after starting a deadly shootout that sparked pandemonium at a 2012 community barbecue in Toronto has been sentenced as an adult. Folorunso Owusu, who was 17 years old at the time of the shooting, has been sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility for parole for seven years. Two people died in the shootout on Danzig Street, which Toronto police called an "unprecedented" episode of violence. Justice Ian Nordheimer says the man has not accepted responsibility for his actions. Owusu maintained throughout the trial that he didn't fire his gun, starting a wild shootout in a crowd of 200 people that included small children. The judge says Owusu did not act impulsively when he brought a loaded handgun to a party where he knew there may be rival gang members. Two other men pleaded guilty to various charges in the shooting and are serving prison sentences. Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version had an incorrect name for Folorunso Owusu Pakistan: FCCL calls board meeting to approve waste heat project 07 December 2016 Fauji Cement Company Ltd (FCCL) has informed the Pakistan Stock Exchange that a special Board of Directors of the company will be held on 9 December 2016 to discuss and approve the waste heat recovery power plant (WHRPP) for Line 1, and Wartsila's captive power plant at Jhang Bahtar, district Attock, Pakistan. FCCL plans to install 9MW WHRPP at its 3700tpd cement plant and a 16MW Wartsila power plant. Published under Vietnam: export volumes down 8.4% in 10M16 ICR Newsroom By 07 December 2016 According to statistics released by the General Department of Vietnam Customs, exports of clinker and cement in the first 10 months of 2016 were down 8.4 per cent on the same period a year earlier, Vinanet reports. In terms of their US dollar-dominated value, the fall was even more pronounced, being down 18.6 per cent. For the year to the end of October, Vietnamese producers exported 12.3Mt of cement and clinker with a value of US$467m. Bangladesh was the largest importer by volume, taking 3.8Mt of cement and clinker over the period, with a value of US$115m. The Philippines was the highest-spending customer, paying US$149m for 3.2Mt. According to the Vietnamese government, there are presently 78 cement production lines in the country with a combined capacity of 86.16Mta. The Ministry of Construction previously estimated that exports would reach around 16-17Mt for 2016, but given this latest batch of statistics this figure appears optimistic. Domestic consumption for 2016 is forecast to be 59-60Mt. Published under Sign up for our newsletter MP City Hall.jpg Moss Point City Hall has come under fire regarding misappropriation of funds and potential fraud. It has been uncovered that the city's utility department is in a $3.4 million hole because of the lack of collection of delinquent utility bills under the previous and current administration. (Tyler Carter/tcarter@al.com) MOSS POINT, Miss. - Moss Point Mayor Billy Broomfield said he's confident the multimillion-dollar fraud case at the Moss Point Utility Department won't cost the city because of their efforts to reclaim money from unpaid bills. According to Broomfield, the city has hired a collection agency to go after customers who owe the city money from delinquent utility bills. Broomfield declined to elaborate on the details of the situation, but did confirm a Sun Herald report after Tuesday's Board of Aldermen meeting that estimates the city's Utilities Department is in the hole $3.4 million because service failed to be interrupted for customers with delinquent bills. Reportedly, employees pocketed money from customers, in exchange for allowing their services to continue after it should have been disconnected for debt. Broomfield says fraud continued for years, even before he took the reins from former mayor, Aniece Liddell. "Between the last administration and this one, the debt is comprised of about $3.4 million," Broomfield said. "It was $2.4 million under the last administration and about $1 million has occurred under the current administration." The Mississippi Press did make an attempt to reach out to former mayor Liddell for a comment, but have yet to receive a response on the former administration's behalf. The Sun Herald report stated two former employees within the utilities department resigned after city leaders voted to terminate them earlier in the year, but those employees are subject to a criminal investigation for their potential roles in wrongdoing. Moss Point Mayor Billy Broomfield In October, Broomfield alerted the public that potential fraud and misappropriation of funds had been discovered in the Utility Department and proceeded to alert the Mississippi State Auditor's office, along with the District Attorney's Office. Broomfield declined to release the names of the two former employees, but did say they chose to resign as the situation came to light. Could other employees within the Utilities Department have been influenced to use the same scheme to misuse tax payer dollars? Broomfield said the state's investigation will answer those questions. "We don't suspect any others as of right now, we are waiting on the investigation from the State Auditor and when they finish their assessment, we will know what we need to know, but right now I'm not going to speculate at anything. I'm going to wait until I have facts from the investigation." Residents have taken to social media to express their disappointment in the recent unsavory information that has come from City Hall, many calling for a new administration without "family ties" or "friends looking out for friends." Broomfield said he does not go on social media, but does regret how unfortunate this situation has been for the city. Electing more of the SAME in Moss Point Has Caused FRAUD, EMBEZZLEMENT, CORRUPTION, THEFT, CRONYISM, SECRECY, POOR... Posted by Marcus Hughes on Sunday, December 4, 2016 "It's unfortunate that you put people in position of trust and they betray that trust with taxpayers' dollars," Broomfield said. "You don't know a person's heart, the only thing you can do is give them an opportunity and do it gracefully or do what these people have done. In their case, they will be dealt with in a timely manner." MOSS POINT, Miss. -- Police are asking for the public's help in locating a suspect who stole a boat motor from a local residence. According to Interim Police Chief Brandon Ashley, Moss Point Police responded to 2501 Duck Lake Drive on Dec. 1 to investigate a theft that occurred between Nov. 28 - Nov. 30. Police say the unknown suspect(s) stole a grey in color, Honda motor and gas tank from the back of a boat located on the East side of the residence. The motor in question was secured to the boat. Police are asking if the public has any information about this or other crimes, please contact the police department at 228-475-1711 or Crime Stoppers at 800-787-5898. You can log onto the Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers website at mscoastcrimestoppers.com. The Oregon MESA program in Portland State University's Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science helped Salem middle school students do better in math and science classes than their peers, a new report shows. Researchers at Education Northwest found students who participated in the after-school MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) program consistently raised their grades above the district average, after starting out behind. They also outperformed a comparable group of students who were not in the program across almost all demographic groups. Low-income students who are eligible for the federal free lunch program made the biggest strides. Read the full report on the Oregon MESA website. With a grant from the Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon MESA expanded its after-school program in four Salem-Keizer middle schools in 2014-15 and 2015-16, aiming to help more underrepresented and low-income students be successful in school, learn leadership skills and go to college. Tong Zhang, executive director of Oregon MESA, credits the success to hands-on projects that engage students deeply in science and math. Students worked in teams on semester-long invention projects, such as creating products to address problems in developing countries. College students from the Oregon Institute of Technology mentored the teams. The year culminated with a trip to Portland State for MESA Day, an engineering design completion for more than 350 middle and high school students. "Most MESA students report feeling more confident in their STEM and problem-solving skills after their time in MESA, which may influence their performance in class," Zhang said. Alyssa Darnell, a math teacher and MESA adviser at Parrish Middle School, said the program helps students become more invested in their futures. "The club is seen as a prestigious program," she said, "so when other teachers notice a student of mine not performing to their potential, they can ask, 'Wait, aren't you a MESA student?' And the student's pride tends to push them to work harder in those other classes. I can also influence them to improve during the school day by reminding them, 'You are a MESA student, you have big shoes to fill,' and they do rise to the occasion." Oregon MESA's mission is to provide students underrepresented in the fields of mathematics, engineering, science, and technology with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to develop their talents, explore technology-based careers, enter college, and compete successfully in the workforce. PSU's Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science has hosted and supported the program since it was founded in 1989. JIM KENNEY PHILLY ART.JPG Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney Good Wednesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. With potentially millions of dollars in federal assistance on the line, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is digging in on his decision to keep Philadelphia a so-called 'sanctuary city' for undocumented immigrants. On Tuesday, the Democratic mayor of Pennsylvania's biggest city told a crowd in Philadelphia that he's "hopeful but cautious," about the direction the country will take under President-elect Donald Trump, The Inquirer reports this morning. The incoming Republican president has threatened to cut off aid to cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Kenney told the newspaper that he wants "everyone to understand that cities, including Philadelphia, have been the bastion of protection for minorities, LGBT people, for immigrants, and we're not walking this back." Kenney told the newspaper that the city would cooperate with the incoming administration on "anything that is positive." But, he added, "we are not walking back on civil rights, we're not walking back on minority rights, we're not walking back on LGBT rights, we're not walking back on sanctuary city, we're not walking back on anything we've established to make our city progressive," Kenney told a crowd of about 100 after an event at the Community College of Philadelphia, the Inky reported. According to the Inky, Kenney told his audience that the U.S. "had come a long way, through some struggles, to gain rights for women and African Americans." "Whatever comes, we will deal with it, and we will deal with it in a positive way," he said. Kenney's public statements after an event at the Community College of Philadelphia come even as the University of Pennsylvania and Swarthmore College on the Main Line have declared themselves "sanctuary campuses" for undocumented students. The rest of the day's news starts now. Uber wants to put the brakes on autonomous car testing in Pennsylvania, The Tribune-Review reports. Pittsburgh's city council has approved a measure intended to fight gender bias, The Post-Gazette reports. PhillyMag reviews Mayor Jim Kenney's accomplishments during his brief tenure. Reforms were supposed to decrease complaints against Philly police - it didn't really work out, NewsWorks/WHYY-FM reports. Here's your #Harrisburg Instagram of the Day: Keystone Crossroads examines why programs for ex-offenders seem to work better in rural areas. It could be up to a judge to decide which of Allentown's competing and bitterly contested budget plans take effect next month, The Morning Call's Emily Opilo reports. Our Capitol colleague Jan Murphy runs down what Sen. Scott Wagner told PennLive's Editorial Board about looming layoffs at the state Dept. of Labor & Industry. It's still early, but the Cook Political Report says Pa. "leans Dem" in the 2018 gubernatorial campaign, PoliticsPA reports. Stateline.org catches up with the delivery robots showing up on city sidewalks across our fair nation. Politico runs down the budget rebukes that Democrats will face during the dawning of the Trump era. Incoming Veep Mike Pence says the first 100 days of the new administration will be busy, signaling increased defense spending, Roll Call reports. What Goes On. There's a Pearl Harbor remembrance day ceremony today at 10 a.m. in the Capitol rotunda. WolfWatch. If you're looking for Gov. Tom Wolf today, you'll find him at 12 p.m. event celebrating a gift-drive for needy families. That one's in the atrium of the Keystone Building. Heavy Rotation. Belated Happy Birthday wishes go out to ex-R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck, who turned 58 on Tuesday. Here's an absolute R.E.M. classic (and one of our fave tracks, hands-down). Caught live in 1984, it's "Little America." Wednesday's Gratutuitous Hockey Link. Sentimental favorites Winnipeg dropped a toughie to Detroit, losing 4-3 at home in a shootout on Tuesday night. And now you're up to date. Conneaut Cellars Winery Conneaut Cellars Winery was founded by Dr. Alan Wolf in 1982. Wolf was exposed to winemaking when working for the US State Department in Germany in the 1950s, where he placed political refugees as winery workers. He and his wife, Phyllis, opened the winery in 1981. When he died in 1995, his wife and son, Joal, bought the business and took it over. (Facebook) Joal Wolf has been running Conneaut Cellars Winery since 1996, when he took over the business that his father had started. Even for those who live anywhere in central or eastern Pennsylvania and follow the regional wine scene, it's a producer few recognize, and for good reason. The winery is located in the far northwest part of the state, 80 miles north of Pittsburgh, 80 miles east of Cleveland and 35 miles south of Erie. Outside of trips to central Pennsylvania for the Farm Show, it's not a winery that going to show up on the radar outside of the Lake Erie region. Two years ago, at the Pa. Wine Society's Wine Excellence XIII, his winery's Gewurztraminer was selected in the top 10 finalists, and he took a few minutes during that event to talk about that wine and his winery overall. It didn't win the plaque, but certainly could have. A Moscato from Penns Woods took first place. This year, his Cabernet Sauvignon was included among the 13 wines selected for honorable mention for Wine Excellence XV, which will be held at the Hilton Harrisburg on Jan. 22. While Conneaut produces a mix of reds and whites (including a sweet wine with a turn of the century grape called Huidekoper), Wolf said the terroir there offers a better chance of annually making whites that can compete nationally and internationally. These are wines that pair well with a range of foods, he said. Here's his complete wine list. Wolf was one of several owners around the region to respond to an email a couple weeks ago that posed questions about tasting fees. These were sent out as part of research for my Vintages column in the Jan-Feb issue of Central PA magazine. While the trend has been moving toward wineries charging, a number still offer free samples. Conneaut Cellars, for the most part is one of them. Here's how Wolf responded: 1, How long have you been charging for tastings? March 2011 for one specialty wine, then it grew to three specialty wines by August 2013. We added brandy in April 2015 and Vodka in July 2015. Currently, there are five specialty products that we charge a tasting fee. 2, What do you charge and what to customers get? Ice wine and distilled spirits are $2 and ports are $1. They get 0.5 ounce wine sample (0.25 oz spirits) and get their tasting fee at no cost if they buy that product. During certain times of the year at our events, we give free tastings on specialty wines and distilled spirits ... Valentines event is free red port tasting .... St Pats day is free tasting of white port and ice wine ... Mothers Day is free tasting on all products for mothers ... Vets Day is free tasting on all products for vets. 3, How did you arrive at it? Do you look around the region at what others are charging? We wanted to keep our 25 wines free to try due to our tradition with our customers. Since the specialty wines and distilled spirits cost a lot to produce in limited quantities and being a unique product, we decided to charge a fee for these products. We looked at the bigger markets [Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Cleveland], then looked at other regional wineries [Finger Lakes, Western NY wineries, and NE Ohio wineries], and lastly at our local market [low cost of living]. Again, we did't want to charge for all tastings like most new wineries ... feel the free tasting keeps us connected to our old customers and surprise our new customers. 4, Do you reimburse that with the purchase of any wine? Yes, as long as it is the same wine. 5, How much resistance do you get to a fee or are a majority of your customers used to them by now? We don't get much resistance. On occasion, we get a male that says, "How do i know if I like it if I have to pay for it?" We answer there are 25 wines that are free to try: specialty wines are in very limited supply and cost a lot more to produce; state liquor stores do not let you sample a rare bottle of wine nor does a restaurant. If it is bad, you get your money back. Most - 99% - are very satisfied with tasting fee and understand our reasoning. 6, In general, what is your winery's philosophy when it comes to the tasting fees? We want to make sure the customer leaves our winery satisfied, know that they can taste up 6-8 tastings (legal limit of 4 oz, thus 8 x 0.5 oz), and know that they can try wines/product unlike grocery stores, PLCB stores, etc. This is what make us different. 7, How was the year? Seemed like the central and eastern parts of the state fared out well. It was a good year for grapes. Most states [PA, NY, OH, MI] experienced a dry fall due to limited hurricane action. We are waiting for some of the vinifera grapes to grow due to winter kill of 2013-14 and 2014-15 winters. The past winter of 2015-16 was mild. A short-term budget deal to keep the government running addresses the water contamination in cities like Flint, Mich., as well as funding for school vouchers in the District of Columbia, but does not otherwise contain significant changes for education. The continuing resolution introduced in Congress on Tuesday will expire on April 28 next year. It is esentially a stop-gap designed to allow the House and Senate to hash out a long-term budget deal after President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. The short-term budget will therefore leave education funding advocates and others waiting for several more months to see the new direction that Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress will take spending for disadvantaged students, a new block grant created under the Every Student Succeeds Act intended to fund a diverse set of programs, and more. Included in the budget resolution is $170 million for cities suffering water treatment issues like Flint, where last year it was discovered that several hundred children had high levels of lead in their blood , a condition linked to a variety of health problems such as delays in development. However, the Hill newspaper also reported Tuesday that the separate water resources bill that would authorize this funding could be at risk. Also included in the resolution is a requirement that unspent funds for D.C. vouchers provided the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act be made available. The resolution states that at least 95 percent of these unspent funds to provide additional scholarships for students, while administrative expenses for the vouchers can use up no more than 5 percent. Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . The U.S. Department of Education on Wednesday released final regulations and new guidance governing how testing is supposed to work under the Every Student Succeeds Act. It also announced $8 million in grants to states to improve science tests. If youve read through the proposal for assessments that a group of educators and advocates negotiated last spring, these final regulations will probably look very familiar to you. Like No Child Left Behind, ESSA requires states to test students every year, but provides a bit more flexibility for states to try out new kinds of tests or use a nationally recognized college entrance test at the high school level. The regulations flesh out these and other testing provisions of the law. And the Obama administration also said that it is giving $8 million to two state consortiaone led by the Maryland Department of Education and one led by the Nebraska Department of Education. Both groups will be working on improving and developing science tests. The Maryland-led consortiumwhich includes Missouri, New York, New Jersey, and Oklahomawill be working on new tests aligned the Next Generation Science Standards, which have been adopted by more than a dozen states. The consortium led by Nebraska includes Montana and Wyoming and aims to improve the quality of statewide science exams. The release of the grant, the regulations, and the guidance is timed to coincide with a summit at the White House highlighting the Obama administrations efforts to improve assessments and reduce testing. Thats been a focus of the administrations K-12 work at the end of the presidents second term. You can watch a webcast of the summit starting at 9 a.m. President Barack Obamas thinking on testing has gone through twists and turns through his eight years in office. The administration initially enticed states to tie teacher evaluations to test scores through the $4 billion Race to the Top program and later through waivers from the No Child Left Behind Act. But, last year, the president acknowledged that there was too much testing in schools, and put together a testing action plan to address the problem. The White House says these new testing regulations build on that plan, but there isnt much in them to cut back on assessments that isnt in the underlying law. Whats more, its unclear if the incoming Trump administration will keep these regulations on the books, decide to hit the pause button on them, or not go out of their way to enforce them. So what is in these assessments regs? Heres a quick overview: Testing Regulations: These govern sections of ESSA that include the option for school districts to choose a nationally recognized high school test (like the SAT) in lieu of the state test, along with sections dealing with tests for students in special education and English-language learners, and computer-adaptive tests. The regulations also laid out ground rules spelling out when 8th graders who are performing above grade level can take advanced math tests instead of the state exam. You can read a full description of them here . The final regulations make a couple of changes to the proposed regs, which were crafted earlier this year by a cadre of advocates and educators through a process known as negotiated rulemaking. Two key changes to note, according to a White House fact sheet: The final regulations tweak the criteria for deciding when a state can get a waiver for exceeding the 1 percent statewide cap on the percentage of students who can be given alternate tests because they have severe cognitive disabilities. This cap and the waiver were the subject of intense discussion during the negotiated rulemaking The changes also clarify when Native American language tests can be used for accountability purposes. Innovative Assessment Regulations: These govern the Innovative Assessment Pilot , which allows up to seven states to try out new kinds of testsincluding performance-based testsin a handful of districts before going statewide. Proposed regulations for the pilot released over the summer sought to clarify how states can prove these district tests are comparable to the state exam. The final regulations released Wednesday make several changes, including: Making it clear that an innovative test can include material above or below the tested grade level, as long it ultimately measures student performance based on grade-level expectations. Additional information about how a state can show that its innovative test results can be compared to the state exam Making it clear that not only do the innovative tests in a particular district need to be comparable to the state test, they also need to be comparable to the test results from other districts. The guidance, which isnt legally binding, offers states tips for using federal funding to review the number and content of the tests they require, with an eye toward getting rid of low-quality or redundant tests. Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . Before Betsy DeVos was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to be the U.S. Secretary of Education, she played a significant role in shaping Michigans charter school sector as a long-time advocate and philanthropic-backer of school choice in the state. With the support of the DeVos family, Michigan was quick to jump on the charter school bandwagon in 1993just two years after the nations first charter law was enacted in Minnesota . In many ways, Michigan embodies a popular philosophy of the early days of the charter movement often described by advocates as let a thousand flowers bloom. Its the idea that states should encourage the growth of lots of schoolsas well as different kinds of schools and management structuresand let parents, through the choices they make, regulate the market and weed out the bad options. This attitude is echoed in the DeVos philosophy toward school choice. We are proponents of all forms of choice, says Gary Naeyaert, the executive director of the Great Lakes Education Project, an advocacy and political action committee tasked with carrying out the DeVos education reform goals. We dont make a distinction between cyber versus brick and mortar, we dont make a distinction between management companies that are for-profit or nonprofit ... What matters to us is, are the kids learning? Who Runs Charter Schools in Michigan? Michigan allows both for-profit and non-profit groups to run charter schools. A significant majority of Michigans charter schools are run by local for-profit operators , and it has more schools run by for-profit operators than any other state, according to a 2013 report by the National Education Policy Center. Many of the high-profile, multi-state charter school networks such as KIPP or Uncommon Schools, dont operate charters in Michigan. Michigan also has a wide variety of authorizersthe groups that are given the power under state law to decide which charter schools can open, and which are shut down for poor performance or mismanagement. Both school districts and higher education institutions, such as universities and community colleges, are allowed to authorize chartersmost schools in the state are authorized by higher education institutions. There are a total of 45 different authorizers in the state, according to the National Association of Charter School Authorizers. Critics of Michigans charter school law say having lots of different authorizers becomes chaotic and leads to poor quality charter schools. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Education cited Michigans lack of oversight of its authorizers when it denied the state a $45 million grant request through the federal Charter Schools Program. In addition to brick and mortar charter schools, Michigan is one of 23 states that also has full-time online charter schools. The full-time online charter school sector , a niche sector that serves more than 200,000 students nationwide, has been plagued by serious academic and management problems, an issue that Education Week recently spent several months investigating. How Many Charters Are There? There are around 300 charter schools enrolling nearly 150,000 students in Michigan. However, the states charter sector is no longer really expanding. It had a net loss of two charter schools in the 2015-16 school year, and only about 3 percent enrollment growth, according to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools . But the state has the unusual distinction of being home to two of only three cities in the country that have more than half of their public school students enrolled in charter schools : Detroit and Flint. Currently, 53 percent of students in those cities attend charters. Only New Orleans, whose traditional school district was eviscerated and radically overhauled in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, has a higher enrollment share at 92 percent, according to numbers from the National Alliance. Who Attends Michigans Charter Schools? In terms of demographics, Michigans charter schools serve disproportionately more black students compared to all the other non-charters in the state, but about the same proportion of Latino students, according to federal data analyzed by the Education Week Research Center. Black students make up 54 percent of Michigans charter school enrollment, versus 15 percent of non-charter schools. Latino students represent 7 and 6 percent of charter and non-charter enrollment, respectively. How Is Michigans Charter School Sector Performing? A 2013 national study of charter school performance from Stanford Universitys Center for Educational Outcomes found that Michigan charter school students gained an average of 43 days in reading and math compared to their district school counterparts. A 2015 study by CREDO that looked only at charter schools in urban areas found similar results in Detroits charter schools. But, as even charter school supporters in Michigan acknowledge, those results are skewed somewhat by the fact that the states traditional district schools are struggling mightily. The 2015 study found that Detroit is one of the exemplary citiesbut thats in part because the performance in Detroit public schools is so low, says Ben DeGrow, the director of education policy at the Mackinac Center, a free-market think tank that receives funding from the DeVos foundation. A 2014 investigation by the Detroit Free Press found that public school students perform slightly better on standardized test than charters statewide, even when student poverty is taken into account, and that the state had among the weakest charter regulations in the nation. The investigation cited multiple instances of insider dealing, nepotism, and questionable financial management in the states charters. For instance, one Michigan school gave an administrator a severance package worth more than half a million dollarsfunded by taxpayer money. State Rankings National charter advocacy groups that rank states give Michigan mostly fair to high marks. An annual report from the National Alliance ranks the quality of the states charter law 21st out of 42 states and the District of Columbia. But Michigan rated much higher3rd placeamong 18 states that the National Alliance ranks based on how healthy their charter sectors are rankings determined by factors such as the number of charter schools in the state, funding levels, and student academic growth. In a report released just this week, the National Association for Charter School Authorizers also ranked Michigan 21st out of 42 states and the District of Columbia for its policies directing authorizers. The rubric looks at whether a state has standards for authorizers and whether it sanctions poor-performing authorizers, among other things. Related stories: Photo: Betsy DeVos, President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for Education Secretary, sits in the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., before the start of their meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Dec. 1. Susan Walsh/AP The majority of English-language learners in U.S. K-12 schools were born in the United States, according to an analysis from the Washington-based Migration Policy Institute. The institutes analysis of U.S. Census data found that 82 percent of prekindergarten to 5th grade English-learners and 65 percent of 6th and 12th grade English-learners are U.S.-born. The data included children ages 5 to 17 who live with at least one parent. The decision to rely on that set of numbers may have excluded sizable portions of the nations K-12 ELL population, namely older English-learner students with interrupted formal education and some undocumented students, including unaccompanied minors separated from parents and other family. The analysis identifies 2.2 million limited English proficient residents between the ages of 5 and 17. Thats less than half the number of English-learners that the U.S. Department of Education estimates attended public elementary and secondary schools during the 2013-14 school year. The U.S.- and foreign-born children grow up learning English in school while also hearing and speaking one of more than 350 languages used in the United States at home; the analysis found that speakers of Spanish, Chinese, and Tagalog account for roughly 70 percent of the overall population of immigrants and U.S. natives using a language other than English at home. The federal education department data indicates that Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese are the top three home languages for English-language learners in the nations public schools. Overall, the Migration Policy Institute analysis found that more than half of U.S. residents who spoke a foreign language in 2015 were also English-proficient. Related Stories Spanish, Arabic, Chinese Are the Top Home Languages for ELLs in U.S. Schools Districts Diversify Languages Offered in Dual Immersion How Long Does it Take ELLS to Develop English Proficiency? Image Source: Migration Policy Institute Hyde Park Angels is one of Chicago's best-known investment groups, but recent changes to its strategy have it making more deals than ever as it enters its 10th year. It's gone from a group where inexperienced investors went to try out angel investing to one where seasoned investors turn for good deals, said Maura O'Hara , executive director of the Illinois Venture Capital Association. The group, which grew out of the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business in 2007, was always well-regarded, O'Hara said. But in recent years it has invested more in content and events, in organizing its roster of investors many of whom are entrepreneurs or executives into subject matter categories, and in recruiting investors with deeper pockets. Those changes are attracting portfolio companies despite an increasingly competitive early stage funding market in Chicago, O'Hara said. "If you've got a great business and you're looking for a VC, you want the money but you also want the Rolodex that comes with the money," she said, noting that many leading venture capital firms offer advisers and connections. "Now all of a sudden you've got Hyde Park Angels where they've got 100 people with 100 Rolodexes." Hyde Park Angels has invested $8.2 million in 29 deals this year, up from $4.1 million in 20 deals in 2015, said Alida Miranda-Wolff, who runs the group's strategy and communications. She said a new focus on branding and bringing more entrepreneurs into its investor network has improved the group's deal flow. But Hyde Park Angels wasn't always so good at using its investor network which currently includes 49 founders and 83 CEOs to market itself, she said. In March 2015, eight months after Peter Wilkins took over as managing director, Hyde Park Angels partnered with researchers at Northwestern University to assess its reputation. The group learned that outsiders thought it couldn't make quick decisions, or that it was stuffy, or that it valued investors over entrepreneurs. Miranda-Wolff, 23, wanted to change that. She joined the firm in late 2014 after graduating from the University of Chicago, where she studied English and law, with a rough job description of focusing on membership. That's evolved into managing what she calls a platform of online and offline content and tools to connect Hyde Park Angels' members and investors, all designed to support portfolio companies. Alida Miranda-Wolff (Hilary Higgins photo ) She announced her promotion to director of platform, the group's first such position, on Wednesday. The platform approach which encompasses producing blog posts such as "Building the Perfect Pitch," panels on topics including "How to Raise Venture Capital" and online tools to connect portfolio companies and angels has raised Hyde Park Angels' profile, Miranda-Wolff said. That content has strengthened Hyde Park Angels' brand, Miranda-Wolff said. People confuse it with another Chicago-based venture firm, Hyde Park Venture Partners, less frequently now. But operational changes have also improved Hyde Park Angels' reputation. Miranda-Wolff said some entrepreneurs used to think it took six months to get an answer from Hyde Park Angels. That wasn't true; the group simply didn't prioritize passing on deals quickly. She said they have changed that practice and now do a better job publicizing their ability to make investments within as little as 24 hours, if the deal makes sense. "The deals we're in now are better, easier," Miranda-Wolff said. "It's not that this is the first time we're doing great deals. It's that we have a wider and more expansive deal flow." Hyde Park Angels' latest investment was also announced Wednesday: It participated in a $15 million Series B round for Chicago-founded Kenna Security. Some of its other investments were in Chicago-based appointment calendar maker Occasion and shipping logistics software maker FourKites, and Prism Analytical Technologies, of Mount Pleasant, Mich. Karin O'Connor , Wilkins' predecessor at Hyde Park Angels, said the group had good deal flow under her tenure due to its connections to the Polsky Center, which gave it access to the University of Chicago's student and alumni companies. Techstars Chicago, then Excelerate Labs, was also a source, as were young venture capital firms in the area that would look at deals together. "It was kind of a different world," she said. "I come from a deal background. My primary focus was always looking at the investment opportunities and working on diligence and getting to know the entrepreneurs." Advertisement Content was not a priority at the time, she said. Working with newbie investors and entrepreneurs was. Louis Coppey, a venture capitalist who studied the platform trend while a graduate student at MIT, said many venture capital firms already use the platform model to highlight their expertise and stand out from the competition. It is unique for an angel group to take this approach, he said, since they typically have fewer resources than larger venture capital organizations. Advertisement Prominent venture capital firms using this approach to provide more services to portfolio companies include Andreessen Horowitz and First Round Capital, both based in Silicon Valley. Coppey said content that shows off investors' expertise can increase deal flow because entrepreneurs want to work with people who understand their work. But he cautioned that firms should take care to balance how many resources they commit to platforms. If the market for startups decreases, that means firms will have less money. "When you need to cut, you're first going to cut the cost of the platform strategy" rather than the salaries of investment management staff, Coppey said. Managing director Wilkins said the group is committed to the platform approach of creating value outside financial capital for portfolio companies and investors. He said Miranda-Wolff was instrumental in creating the "people first" brand and strategy, which has attracted high-quality deals. He believes that additional value is what now brings companies that could get capital from anywhere to Hyde Park Angels. "We have gone from $4 million to $8 million (in annual investments) because our people-first strategy has allowed us really to find top entrepreneurs that are disrupting markets in a major way that we're willing to invest behind," Wilkins said. aelahi@tribpub.com Twitter @aminamania A pair of Pilsen incubators tech-focused Blue1647 and arts-centered Lacuna 2150 are combining to form Blue Lacuna, a startup facility with offerings ranging from cooking to coding. Blue1647 plans to move its headquarters to the 250,000-square-foot Lacuna space at 2150 S. Canalport Ave. Advertisement The tech incubator, founded in 2013 by Emile Cambry , was running out of room. Lacuna's amenities and plans for a neighboring apartment tower were appealing. "We couldn't pass up the opportunity to operate out of 250,000 square feet, and build a live-play-work company," Cambry said. "It's a win for us because we don't have to worry about the real estate side of the equation, and it's a win for them because they get a chance to have great programming at their spaces." Advertisement The tech incubator still plans to use its current space at 1647 S. Blue Island Ave. to run programs, Cambry said. Lacuna was founded as Lacuna Artist Lofts in 2009 by Joe Cacciatore to offer space for creatives, startups and small businesses. Cacciatore said he'd been looking to expand and wanted to include a tech component. He put out feelers to find a partner and Cambry's name emerged. They sparked instantly, Cacciatore said. "We knew we were missing the technology piece. We always yearned for it," he said. "There was instant synchronicity. It's been a great partnership." Although the agreement isn't complete, Cacciatore said Blue1647 will be an owner in the Blue Lacuna property. The deal is expected to be complete by Feb. 1, Cacciatore said. Cambry said Blue1647 gains access to a rooftop space, a gym and an upcoming restaurant in the existing Blue Lacuna building. "It was important for us to stay in Pilsen, but also provide access to more people and more events," Cambry said. The Blue Lacuna building is managed by the Cacciatore family's real estate business, which handles more than 5 million square feet of property in Chicago and beyond, Cacciatore said. Advertisement Cacciatore said he hopes to replicate the project, along with the housing component, in major and mid-market U.S. cities. About 300 people use Lacuna Artist Lofts to run about 100 businesses, Cacciatore said. He hopes adding Blue1647 would bring in another 1,000 to 2,000 members, though the tech incubator currently only has 700 members. Lacuna also plans to build a residential tower next to the loft building on Canalport, where members of Blue Lacuna could live, Cacciatore said. The property isn't currently zoned for residential use, though, and a spokesman for the city of the Chicago said there are no applications on file for a zoning change to the site. The tech startups and coding programs at Blue1647 will complement Lacuna-hosted businesses, such as the nonprofit Remix Project, a year-long program for young adults from underserved communities focusing on creative arts careers, Cacciatore said. "When we merge all of that together, you have a community looking to teach coding, 3-D printing, circuit-board printing and piano lessons," Cacciatore said. "When we put these components together, we really start to break away from the pack of coworking spaces." Cheryl V. Jackson is a freelance writer. Twitter @cherylvjackson Passengers begin to board a Megabus heading south to Ohio, at their station at Polk and Canal in Chicago, Nov. 10, 2016. Megabus has notified the state of its plans to lay off 108 employees as it downsizes its Chicago operations. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune) A restaurant on Michigan Avenue, Megabus and a truck company are among six companies that warned of about 650 looming layoffs in Illinois, according to notices filed with the state. Megabus, the discount interstate bus carrier, is planning to lay off 108 employees as it downsizes its Chicago operations from a hub into a bus stop on the way to other destinations, according to the notice. The Tribune first reported on the impending layoffs last month. Advertisement Demand is down, Megabus spokesman Sean Hughes said then. About 30 bus drivers will remain based in Chicago. The timing is bad, right before the holidays, Stephen Sombrotto, president of United Workers of America, said Wednesday. The UAW union represents the bus drivers. Sombrotto said he hopes other Megabus hubs can pick up some of the lost jobs. Advertisement "As far as Megabus in this country, ... Chicago was the first hub," he said. "It's basically reshuffling the deck and trying to optimize how their business runs." Also planning layoffs is The Grill on the Alley, a steakhouse in the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel. It's preparing to lay off 44 employees Dec. 31, according to the notice. The Grill is part of a chain owned by Los Angeles-based Grill Concepts, and the Michigan Avenue location opened in 2000. Restaurant representatives were not immediately available to comment. Other companies that reported upcoming layoffs include: Ryder, a trucking company headquartered in Miami, which plans to lay off 142 employees from its Minooka location Feb. 4. Alabama Metal Industries Corp., a raw material processor, plans to lay off 86 workers in Kankakee County starting Jan. 31. PrimeSource Health Care Systems in Buffalo Grove, which reported it's closing and will start to lay off 159 employees Dec. 31. Shippers Warehouse of Illinois, which operates Ferrara Candy's warehouse in Bolingbrook, is scheduled to lay off 111 workers as a result of a lost contract, according to the notice. Ferrara, which makes candies such as Lemonheads and Atomic Fireballs, is transitioning to a new third-party provider for the warehouse, a spokesman said. The Shippers Warehouse layoffs are scheduled to begin on Jan. 30. Advertisement The Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act requires employers with at least 75 employees to notify the state 60 days in advance of plant closures or layoffs. amarotti@chicagotribune.com Twitter @AllyMarotti For years now, Starbucks has been dipping a toe into more luxe offerings: In 2014, it opened a sprawling Roastery in Seattle where customers can drink small-batch coffee in a tasting-room-like environment. Several years earlier, it added its premium line of Reserve coffees, rare blends available for only limited-time runs. Now, these upscale concepts have gone from an intriguing experiment to a cornerstone of the coffee empire's strategy: The company said recently that it will open 20 to 30 Roasteries across the globe, with Shanghai and New York locations coming soon. And its Reserve brand is being parlayed into a cafe concept, with stores that are about double the size of a traditional Starbucks. These outposts have price tags as high as $10 for certain types of coffee beverages, and will also serve alcoholic drinks. Advertisement Last week, the company made clear how serious it was about these new brands when it announced that its chief executive, Howard Schultz, would step down from that role next year to focus on building out the Roastery and Reserve portfolio. And in a Wednesday presentation for investors, executives offered more details on how they envision these concepts buffeting the broader business. The idea is that the Roastery and Reserve stores are much more of an experience than your typical Starbucks store. They're not just a quick stop you make on your way into the office; they're not just a drive-thru spot you roll through when your kid falls asleep in the car seat. In theory, they're a destination, and that's a distinction Schultz believes is critical in a country that he and other industry executives have said is "over-retailed" -- meaning there are too many stores. Advertisement "In a world where people are spending much more time on their phones, on their desktop, on their iPad, people are longing for more human connection," Schultz said. The Roasteries and Reserve stores are a way for Starbucks to try to tap into that, to try to grab a piece of the money that you spend on social experiences such as cooking classes or wine tastings or distillery tours. That's why he said Wednesday the Seattle Roastery has "a lot more theater, a lot more romance" than what we're used to from the Starbucks chain. These new concepts will also take a somewhat different approach to food than typical Starbucks locations. They will bake fresh pastries and breads on site. That will require them to have dedicated staffers who just focus on those dishes, meaning the familiar baristas will work alongside a team of food preparers. And the New York Roastery, for example, will feature a 45-foot bar where customers can have cocktails, beer and wine, a bid to make these restaurants into evening hangout spots, not just gathering places for morning or afternoon pick-me-ups. So does this mean you can expect a slowdown in new openings of traditional Starbucks stores? Not even close. The company plans to open 12,000 more of those by 2021, with about half of those locations coming in its largest markets, the United States and China. But even in your stalwart neighborhood Starbucks store, you might notice hints of this new strategy. Over the next five years, it plans to add "Reserve Bars" to 20 percent of its regular restaurants, injecting those locations with some of the fanciness associated with the Reserve brand. Executives sought to assure investors that its ramp up of the Roastery and Reserve concepts was not a reflection of wavering confidence in the old-school Starbucks brand. "There's no issue in the core business. We're merchants. We have to be creative, we have to be innovative," Schultz said. That mindset might also explain why the company is moving forward with plans to open standalone stores in the U.S. of an Italian bakery called Princi. Starbucks had revealed earlier this year that it had invested in this Milan-based purveyor of artisanal pizzas and breads. (Princi's foccacias, loaf cakes and other goods will also be sold in Roasteries and Reserve stores.) Starbucks discussed its vision for its new brands as part of the unveiling its five-year financial forecasts. The company said it expects that it will deliver 10 percent growth in revenue and a 15 to 20 percent increase in earnings per share. Comparable sales, a measure of sales at restaurants open more than a year, are projected to rise "mid-single digits." Advertisement Starbucks' Reserve stores will be about 3,000 to 5,000 square feet, landing between the size of its traditional core stores and the Roasteries. Such stores will feature the Reserve bar and beans, as well as food from high-end Italian bakery firm Princi, which Starbucks invested in earlier this year. The first Reserve stores will open in Seattle and Chicago in the second half of next year. The company also plans to open standalone Princi stores in Seattle, New York and Chicago in late 2017 and early 2018. The Princi partnership is part of Starbuck's plan to elevate its food game. Food now represents 20 percent of the company's U.S. retail sales, Johnson said. But while its breakfast sandwich sales have grown strongly, it's still looking to gain more customers for its lunch offerings, he said. The Seattle Times contributed. Hours after Donald Trump promised to kill the Air Force One procurement program, Boeing Chief Executive Dennis A. Muilenburg spoke with the president-elect on Tuesday, promising to work with the new administration and to keep the costs of the program down, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. Early on Tuesday, Trump tweeted that the costs of the program "are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!" Later he told reporters that he thought the cost was "ridiculous. I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number. We want Boeing to make a lot of money, but not that much money." The comments sent a shiver through the defense and aerospace industries, which had seen their stock prices soar after Trump's election. Trump had pledged that he would rebuild the nation's military and better equip troops with more ships, jets and weapons. But the tweet and the comments were signals that the companies that might benefit from that spending could just as easily be targets under the new administration. The Washington Post had also just reported that the Pentagon buried an internal study that found $125 billion in bureaucratic waste for fear that Congress would slash its budget. And on Tuesday, Trump spokesman Jason Miller said Trump plans to carefully scrutinize the way the Pentagon spends money. "I think this really speaks to the president-elect's focus on keeping costs down across the board with regard to government spending," he said. "I think people are really frustrated with some of the big price tags that are coming out for programs, even in addition to this one. So we're going to look for areas where we can keep costs down and look for ways where we can save money." During their conversation, Muilenburg assured Trump that the company would work with Trump's Pentagon on any requirement changes to the program in an effort to keep costs down. The call was confirmed by a second person, who was also not authorized to speak publicly about it. Trump himself confirmed the conversation during a Wednesday interview on the Today show. So far, the Air Force has budgeted $2.7 billion for the Air Force One program, which includes two aircraft and is still in the development stages. That money is for research, development and testing - not manufacturing. Over the next few years, the Air Force expects "this number to change as the program matures with the completion of risk reduction activities," it said in a statement. In a statement, Boeing said it is only under contract for $170 million for work "to help determine the capabilities of this complex military aircraft." The real cost could grow to $4 billion, according to an analysis by Todd Harrison, a defense analyst with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The aircraft are projected to be operational by the mid-2020s, officials said. The planes, which go by the call sign "Air Force One" when the president is on board, cost so much because they can do so much, defense analysts said. They are able to safeguard the president in a crisis - even a nuclear attack, allowing him to direct the military from the air, speak with Cabinet members and communicate with the nation. The plane is able to be refueled while in flight, so that it can stay aloft for extended periods. And it has extensive radar and counterattack measures, officials said. Much of its capabilities are classified. It is a "flying command post," Harrison said. "In the event of a nuclear attack, this is where the military will keep the president safe." The "capabilities of this plane were there for everyone to see on 9/11" when Bush was whisked aboard Air Force One and responded to the crisis from there, said Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace analyst with the Teal Group. In their call, Muilenburg and Trump also discussed trade and China, the official said. Boeing sells a large percentage of its jets to foreign countries, including China. If Trump instituted a tariff on China, the country could retaliate by limiting the number of Boeing jets it buys, Aboulafia has said. The Justice Department on Tuesday cleared the parent company of Alaska Airlines to buy Virgin America, but imposed some route-sharing conditions. The $2.6-billion purchase of Burlingame, Calif.-based Virgin America by Alaska Air Group, which will create the nation's fifth largest domestic carrier, is the latest of a series of airline combinations that have put more than 80% of all domestic flights under control of four major carriers, American, United, Delta and Southwest. Advertisement With the acquisition, Alaska Air Group will account for 6% of the nation's domestic flights, moving it ahead of JetBlue Airways Corp., which lost the bidding war for Virgin. Alaska officials have yet to say whether they will operate the two airlines separately or combine them under the Alaska Airlines name. Before clearing the purchase of Virgin America, the Justice Department's Antitrust Division required Alaska to slim down its code-sharing agreement with American Airlines, the world's largest carrier. Code-sharing agreements allow airlines to sell tickets to its customers on flights operated by rival airlines. Advertisement Alaska Airlines and American Airlines have code-sharing agreements to sell tickets on about 250 routes. But Virgin America has competed strongly with American Airlines, particularly on transcontinental flights. To ensure that American Airlines continues to face competition, Alaska Airlines agreed to end its code-sharing agreement with American on those flights that complete with Virgin America, including routes out of Los Angeles International Airport. "Today's settlement ensures that Alaska has the incentive to take the fight to American and use Virgin's assets to grow its network in ways that benefit competition and consumers," Acting Assistant Atty. Gen. Renata Hesse said.. The settlement must still be approved by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. "With this combination now cleared for takeoff, we're thrilled to bring these two companies together and start delivering our low fares and great service to an even larger group of customers," said Brad Tilden, chairman and chief executive of Alaska Air Group. hugo.martin@latimes.com To read more about the travel and tourism industries, follow @hugomartin on Twitter. ALSO Advertisement Boeing to acquire ocean drone maker Liquid Robotics Trump wants the contract to build a new Air Force One canceled, calling the program 'ridiculous' Supreme Court: Samsung doesn't owe Apple $400 million for copying iPhone look When it comes to contracts, it's critical to put everything in writing. Otherwise, things can get blurry nothing is guaranteed. And it's always a good idea for homebuyers to make a good faith money deposit. (John Lund / Getty Images) Q: Please resolve a dispute I have with my real estate agent. He says I need to post a money deposit in order to have a binding real estate contract, and I don't agree. He also said the oral promise of my seller to leave the piano in the house is not binding. Is that correct? A: There is a very ancient legal concept called the statute of frauds. In simplified terms, and as it applies to real estate, this means that in order to have a binding contract to purchase (or sell) real estate, there must be a written document. Oral contracts will usually not be enforced by the courts. Advertisement In most jurisdictions in the United States, when a potential buyer makes a written offer to purchase a house, the seller has three options: 1. The offer can be accepted, in which case there is a contract. Advertisement 2. The offer can be rejected. 3. The offer can be met with a counteroffer. This means that while the seller is interested in pursuing negotiations with the potential purchaser, the seller does not find all the terms of the original offer acceptable. . If a seller makes a counteroffer, the buyer then has the same three options. Most real estate transactions are smooth, and work out successfully. However, once in a while, a major dispute arises between the parties, and litigation starts. The first thing any court will want to determine is whether there is a valid contract. In order to have a binding, legal contract, three basic elements are required: 1. An offer. Typically, the buyer makes an offer. It has been determined by many courts that an advertisement in the local newspaper offering a house for sale at a particular price is not an offer, merely an invitation for the public at large to make a bid (an offer) on the property. 2. Acceptance. The second element needed to make a contract binding is acceptance. Ultimately, there will either be no deal, or someone will accept an offer (or counteroffer) and there will be a contract. Acceptance must be in writing. In recent years, with modern technology, real estate forms can be accepted via fax or by email. However, to be on the safe side, follow any fax or email with a written document containing an original signature. 3. Consideration. This is an elusive concept. Generally, it refers to money. The buyers have put down a good faith money deposit with the broker (or with their attorney), and this constitutes good consideration. Advertisement However, what happens if no money is put down with the offer? Does this mean there is no binding contract even if the seller signs the offer? Not really, since consideration also has been interpreted to be "something of value." In this case, the buyer has stopped looking for another house, in the belief there is a binding real estate contract, and the seller has taken the house off the market, based on that same belief. Thus, there would still be a valid contract, although it is always wise to put down some money when you present an offer to purchase real estate. The lesson to be learned: Put everything in writing. If you, as buyer, want certain items to be conveyed along with the house such as the washing machine, curtains or even the piano make sure these items are specifically listed in the sales contract. And conversely, if you, as seller, want to take certain fixtures with you, put that in writing as well. Don't leave anything to faith or to oral promises. I cannot guarantee you will get the piano. Benny Kass is a practicing attorney in Washington, D.C., and in Maryland. He does not provide specific legal or financial advice to any reader. Readers may email him, but he cannot guarantee a personal response. mailbag@kmklawyers.com Watch our latest Real Estate videos. Is There Liability for Publishing Fake News? Whether you call it fake news or conspiracy theory, allegations of imagined crimes can have very real consequences. Take the case of Edgar Welch, a father of two who drove six hours from his home in North Carolina to a Washington, D.C.-area pizza restaurant to investigate unfounded claims that it was involved in a child sex-slave ring led by former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Welch's investigation involved walking into the popular pizzeria with a loaded AR-15 assault rifle and firing it inside the restaurant. Fortunately, he was arrested before anyone was injured, but his actions, and those of others who bought into the "Pizzagate" myth, have many wondering about the legal liability for publishers of fake news. Not So Little Lies While it's not clear exactly where Welch got his information from, according to the criminal complaint charging him with assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and other gun-related charges, he told officers "that he had read online that the Comet restaurant was harboring child sex slaves and that he wanted to see for himself if they were there." Accusations that Comet Ping Pong was involved in child sex-trafficking -- and that Clinton was at the center of the conspiracy -- began surfacing on fake news sites and social media in October and every debunking of the fabrication only served to embolden its adherents. According to the Washington Post, the restaurant, its staff, and even its business neighbors have since been subjected to attacks on social media, including death threats. Legal Liability In almost all cases, publishers of news, real or fake, can't be held liable for the actions of their readers. Absent some specific call to action or incitement of violence, freedom of speech and freedom of the press would protect most speakers and publishers, even if the statements were untrue. Without knowing Welch's source, or what it said, it's hard to know whether a person or publication could be liable in this case. Obviously, simply reading a "Clinton Involved in Pizza Parlor Child Porn Ring" and taking matters into one's own hands is different from hearing a person or media outlet call on listeners to arm themselves and investigate the accusations. And while Clinton, Comet Ping Pong, and possibly some of its employees could file defamation claims, those suits would be hard to win. Clinton, the restaurant itself, and its owners and chefs may be considered public figures, and would need to prove actual malice in order to win a libel claim. And non-public figure employees may have difficulty proving the false statements involved them. What may be easier to prove, given Welch's actions, would be damages, but all of the other elements of a defamation claim would need to be met as well. Related Resources: Paul Sanders, left, facilities manager at Union Station, and Marc Magliari, an Amtrak representative, in the former Women's Lounge at Union Station. The lounge has been renovated and is now the Burlington Room. (Chris Walker / Chicago Tribune) Even without the global spotlight that accompanied last year's first edition of the Chicago Architecture Biennial, 2016 was rousing year for the art of architecture in Chicago. Among the highlights: Distinguished public spaces, historic preservation victories and exceptional designs that rose above the norm of a mostly-mediocre building boom. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 18 Patrons enjoy the outdoors at City Winery near State Street along the Riverwalk on Sept. 17, 2015. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune) Riverfront revival: The final stage of Chicago's downtown Riverwalk realized urban planners' dream of a continuous pedestrian and bike path that would extend more than a mile from Lake Michigan to the confluence of the Chicago River's branches at Lake Street. Advertisement While the westernmost portion of the last stage looks disappointingly temporary, it likely will be upgraded in the future. The entire project is a sophisticated public space and a major civic achievement, transforming moribund industrial-era docks into a teeming post-industrial amenity. The designers are Chicago's Ross Barney Architects and Sasaki Associates of Watertown, Mass. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 19 Young people enjoy the warm weather during a school outing May 24, 2016, at Navy Pier in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune) Less is more at Navy Pier: As it celebrated its centennial, the pier took essential steps toward dialing down the carnivalesque commercialism that alienated many Chicagoans and gave it a hard-to-shed reputation as a tacky tourist trap. Advertisement A redesign led by Field Operations of New York ditched the pier's outdated "festival marketplace" look for a cleaner, less cluttered aesthetic that added greenery and a lively interactive fountain in the renamed Polk Bros. Park. While the pier's new Ferris wheel is so-so compared with the iconic London Eye, the project as a whole sets the pier on the right course for anticipated improvements. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 21 Commuters fill one of the platforms as they enter the south concourse at Union Station. (Michael Tercha, Chicago Tribune) Back on track: Union Station, the nation's third-busiest rail hub, took two small steps to revive its historic luster and become less of a rat maze for commuters. The first restored majestic flights of stairs within the station; one of them appeared in the 1987 film "The Untouchables." The second revived the station's former Women's Lounge, a richly decorated, high-ceilinged room that is now an events space. Credit for both projects goes to Chicago's Goettsch Partners. Yet much more needs to be done to better the passenger experience. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 5 This is the south view of the new Jeanne Gang-designed City Hyde Park tower at 1501 E. Hyde Park Blvd. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune) Building-boom bright spots: Chicago's high-rise apartment building boom has been long on construction and short on quality design. Two exceptions appeared in Hyde Park: a 14-story apartment high-rise called City Hyde Park and a four-building University of Chicago complex called Campus North Residential Commons. Both, by Studio Gang Architects, were creative essays in sculpted concrete. Another Hyde Park exercise in squeezing maximum architecture from a minimal budget: Valerio Dewalt Train's Vue53, a 13-story apartment complex that resembles a Jenga game in mid-stream. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 14 Local residents James and Rochelle Anderson are trying the new 35th Street pedestrian and bike bridge over Lake Shore Drive and the Metra tracks in Chicago on on Nov. 10, 2016. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune) Better late than never: The blessings of good design arrived, albeit belatedly, in underserved neighborhoods that have long needed them. The prime example, a curving suspension bridge that crosses Lake Shore Drive and Metra commuter railroad tracks at 35th Street, provided greatly improved access to the lakefront from the mid-South Side and the nearby Ellis Park Field House by Booth Hansen architects. The bridge is by the Chicago office of exp. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 11 Visitors to the 22nd floor rooftop terrace of the LondonHouse hotel take in the stunning views of the Chicago River and the skyline on May 24, 2016. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune) Making the past a part of the future: Chicago's hotel boom has been a boon for historic preservation. Examples of this welcome trend include the transformation of the former London Guarantee & Accident Building, a neo-classical landmark at Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue, into LondonHouse; the reopening of William Le Baron Jenney's New York Life Building at LaSalle and Monroe streets as The Gray Hotel; and the revival of the Northwest Tower at Milwaukee, North and Damen avenues as The Robey. The architects for these praiseworthy projects were Goettsch Partners (LondonHouse); Gensler (The Gray Hotel) and Antunovich Associates (The Robey). Interior design firms also contributed to these transformations. Advertisement Seen from the east, Studio Gang's Writers' Theatre building will be a glowing magnet on uptown Glencoe's north side. The second-floor superstructure is made of wood, though the artist's conception may make it appear metallic. (Studio Gang Architects rendering) Suburban standout: Studio Gang's Writers Theatre brought a fresh jolt of modernity to the North Shore suburb of Glencoe, already home to a cluster of houses by Frank Lloyd Wright. Featuring a wood-framed atrium ringed by an outdoor, up-in-the-trees walkway, as well as a spatially dramatic interior, the theater won awards in three categories distinguished building, interior architecture and divine detail in the annual awards program of the Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 15 A draft rendering of the Lucas Museum on McCormick Place's Lakeside Center site near Chicago's lakefront. (Lucas Museum of Narrative Art) Small groups, big impact: Chicago's nonprofit groups often play a vital role in championing the good and opposing the bad. In this year's most prominent example, Friends of the Parks successfully fought off a proposal by "Star Wars" creator George Lucas to build a narrative art museum on lakefront land offered to the movie mogul by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The group used a legal challenge to blunt this land grab, arguing that the deal would effectively convey public space to the privately-owned museum. In June, facing delays in court, Lucas announced he was pulling the plug on Chicago. He now plans to build the museum in Los Angeles or San Francisco. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 12 Architect Bertrand Goldberg (left) with the Marina City model, circa 1960. (Hedrich Blessing Archive) Marina City protected: Best known for its iconic, corncob-shaped towers, the riverfront complex by architect Bertrand Goldberg finally achieved official city landmark status. This long-overdue recognition, spearheaded by Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd, will protect the complex from insensitive alterations that would chip away at the sculpted beauty of its curving concrete. The move marked a rare triumph for preservationists who have failed to stop the demolition of mid-century modernist buildings around the country, including Goldberg's former Prentice Women's Hospital in Chicago. Tree leaves shade the Ragdale Ring on the Ragdale Foundation campus Thursday, June 23, 2016, in Lake Forest. The temporary art piece and venue will hold one performance each in June, July and August. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) Out of the cocoon: The cultivation of young talent is essential to the continued flourishing of architecture. It happened this year when Greg Corso and Molly Hunker, architecture professors at Syracuse University who formerly taught at the University of Illinois at Chicago, won the fourth annual "Ragdale Ring" competition. Their winning design, called "Rounds," was built at the Ragdale Foundation, the home for visiting artists set on the former country estate of early 20th century Chicago architect Howard Van Doren Shaw. "Rounds" combined architecture, landscape architecture, and sculpture to form a charming open air theater that resembled an inchworm that had grown exponentially in size. Sidney Epstein, shown in 2006, was the former chairman of the Chicago engineering firm A. Epstein and Sons International, whose Chicago-area projects include everything from runways at O'Hare International Airport to the expansion of the McCormick Place convention center. Epstein died Feb. 3, 2016, in Miami after a stroke. He was 92. Read more. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune) Fond farewells: We lost Sidney Epstein, who helped grow the Chicago engineering firm started by his Russian immigrant father into a global design player; Gertrude Kerbis, who blazed a trail for women as an architect and developer; and London architect Zaha Hadid, the first woman to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize. Hadid's death, at age 65, cut short the career of an extraordinary talent, a visionary who explored new aesthetic frontiers with her swooping, sculpted, spatially dramatic designs. Advertisement Blair Kamin is a Tribune critic. bkamin@chicagotribune.com Twitter @BlairKamin What to say this time of year: "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays"? (Jon Sham, Baltimore Sun) First of all, readers, please excuse me, a non-Christian, for being so presumptuous as to tell Christians (and others) how to greet people during the holiday season. The debate over whether one should say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy holidays" has been going on for decades. You probably remember last year when critics berated Starbucks for using red cups with the Starbucks logo instead of featuring images reminiscent of the holiday. Still, I know many people who feel the argument, especially at this point in time, is ridiculous and inconsequential. Advertisement But these are not ordinary times. And it is precisely for that reason I don't find the topic irrelevant. Not when a presidential candidate capitalized on bigotry and fear and won an election. Not when spray-painting swastikas on property has become a recurring event. Not when some people across this nation, including Chicago feel emboldened, entitled even, to engage in racist rantings. Yet, I think the "Merry Christmas" folks have a point. After all, if Christians weren't celebrating the birth of Jesus, retailers would not be celebrating big sales figures each December. However, unless you are 100 percent sure you are addressing another Christian, it strikes me as a decidedly more Christian act to use the more inclusive "Happy holidays" greeting this time of year. Advertisement As I just confessed, I'm not a Christian, so I'm hardly an expert on Christian doctrine. But I did consult the New Testament, and among its multitude of messages, I found there was one overwhelming theme: We humans should love one another. I also consider that ubiquitous question: What would Jesus do? I believe he would want people to display loving behavior toward everyone even if they're different. Scratch that. Especially if they're different. I think about what it feels like to be different as I stand in line at a dollar store. I see the person working behind the register is a lovely, olive-skinned young woman with a black hijab covering her hair and neck. I wonder if anyone has been rude to her. I wonder if anyone has threatened her. Or worse. I want to say something to make her day better, but what? Even "Happy holidays" doesn't feel right. I say nothing. But I do give her what I hope she perceives is a kind smile. Kindness is something we can all offer up these days. And feeling different is something I can relate to. Growing up in a Jewish household in Chicago, I was 5 years old the first time anti-Semitism crossed my path. Literally. I was on the way to school when a teenage boy shouted a Jewish slur into my clueless kindergartener ears. I didn't know what the word meant back then, but the boy said it with such venom, I knew he had called me something bad. The word cut through my little-girl sense of self. Of course, I now recognize what anti-Semitism sounds and looks like. Sadly, today it's rearing its ugly head on college campuses, where anti-Semitic incidents are skyrocketing. But getting back to the "Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy holidays" controversy. Although "Happy holidays" is my preferred greeting, I am not offended if someone says "Merry Christmas" to me. On the contrary, it's usually expressed with sweetness and sincerity, and I'm happy to be on the receiving end. Advertisement But if people especially those who don't really know much about me, say "Happy holidays," I'm cognizant these well-wishers are thoughtful beings, truly practicing good will toward men. Isn't that what Christmas is all about? Maybe my words won't convince you, but perhaps, these will: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Mark 12:31. "Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10. "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12 "Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:31 Advertisement Warm wishes for a joyous holiday season. Judy Marcus is a freelance writer. Her blog Opinionated Woman appears on Chicagonow.com. Black bean soup is a great dish. But what if you add chorizo meatballs and sauteed poblanos? Top it off with cilantro and avocado, and you really have something. (Chicago Tribune) The bold flavor of Mexican chorizo, a fresh pork sausage packed with chilies, makes this black bean soup stand out from other variations. The chorizo is rolled into little meatballs to float among the beans. You'll want a wine that stands up to the boldness, like these two Spanish bottlings and one French. MAKE THIS Advertisement Black bean soup with chorizo meatballs Form 1 pound Mexican chorizo into small meatballs (1 teaspoon sausage each). Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan. Add 1 white onion, chopped, and 1 clove garlic, finely chopped. Cook until onion softens, 5 minutes. Stir in 2 poblano peppers, seeded, chopped; season with salt. Cook until softened, 5 minutes. Stir in 4 cups chicken broth; 1 can (14 ounces) black beans, drained, rinsed; and meatballs; heat to a simmer. Serve, garnished with fresh cilantro and avocado. Makes: 4 servings Advertisement Recipe by Joe Gray Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. > DRINK THIS Pairings by sommelier Nate Redner of Oyster Bah, as told to Michael Austin: 2007 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Vina Cubillo, Rioja, Spain:This blend is 70 percent tempranillo, 20 percent garnacha, 5 percent graciano (used for perfumed aromatics and color) and 5 percent mazuelo (aka, carignan). The wine's notes of blood orange, orange zest and dill will match nicely with the chorizo's bold flavor, and its bright acidity will make the dish seem lighter than it is. 2010 Herve Souhaut Sainte Epine, Rhone Valley, France: Chorizo has enough spice, heat and fattiness to stand out in just about any dish, and it's a good idea to complement that spice rather than contrast it. This syrah's vibrant notes of black olive, violet and anise, backed by a peppery core, will complement the dish well. Besides the wine's aroma and flavor components, it also has a softness that will be a good match. 2014 Coto de Gomariz The Flower and the Bee, Ribeiro, Spain: Made of the not-so-familiar treixadura grape variety, this wine likely will be oddly familiar to many people. The white grape often takes on aspects of chenin blanc and riesling, and this version of it features notes of white flowers, honeycomb, Meyer lemon, Bosc pear and slate ripe fruit character with complete dryness. Also, its bright acidity will help cut through the fat in the dish. food@chicagotribune.com Twitter @pour_man Chicken enchiladas with mole poblano from "The Enchilada Queen Cookbook, by Sylvia Casares. Chocolate along with three types of chilies, as well as cumin and several other ingredients, flavors the mole sauce that is spread on top of the enchiladas. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune) Chocolate, your sweet intimate friend, has a bitter history, savory side and superfood status you may not know. Chocolate can flavor savory dishes, from cocoa-rubbed ribs to the mole sauces of Mexico. From a dish as prosaic as a bowl of chili to one as elevated as British chef Heston Blumenthal's caviar spooned on white chocolate disks. The ingredient has a long history that predates its use in desserts. Advertisement "The Olmec people in Mesoamerica made a drink out of cocoa beans," said Debra Music, co-founder of renowned Theo chocolate in Seattle, about the naturally bitter beverage dating back four millennia. "That drink was highly valued, incorporated into religious ceremonies, and only consumed by kings." Music and Joe Whinney opened Theo 10 years ago as the first certified organic, fair trade and bean-to-bar chocolate-maker in North America. They co-authored their first cookbook, "Theo Chocolate: Recipes & Sweet Secrets," in fall 2015. Advertisement The most famous savory use of chocolate is in mole, a wildly complex dish native to Mexico. But it's important to know that there are innumerable versions, and many don't contain chocolate at all. For those that do, like mole poblano and mole negro (black mole), calling it a chocolate sauce doesn't do justice to a recipe that often has more than 20 ingredients. "The predominant flavor is chocolate with an equal balance of chilies," said Sylvia Casares, who owns Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen in Houston and just released "The Enchilada Queen Cookbook." "It's a delicate balance of heat and chocolate. That's critically important," said Casares, who worked as a food scientist. It took her years of testing to get the balance right, she added. Her recipe takes a while to make, but she thinks it's worth it: "It's definitely a special-occasion sauce." Meanwhile, the Theo savory chocolate recipe for cocoa-scented dukkah (the Egyptian but now trending Middle Eastern-inspired condiment of nuts, spices and herbs) is easy enough to make every day which you may, given its obsessive yet elusive flavor. Plus its key ingredient, cocoa nibs, hides a secret identity as a so-called superfood. Never nibbed? "They're crunchy but not dry, because they have quite a bit of fat in them," said Music. "A healthy fat, cocoa butter." "They're roast-y, cocoa-y and nutty without being sweet," said Music, "which is a really interesting taste experience." Tribune reporter Nick Kindelsperger contributed. lchu@chicagotribune.com Advertisement Twitter @louisachu The spice blend dukkah, here flavored with cocoa nibs, can be used to accent many dishes. The best use, though, is quite simple: Dip bread in olive oil, then in the dukkah, and enjoy. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune) Cocoa-scented dukkah Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 5 minutes Makes: About 3/4 cup spice mix From "Theo Chocolate: Recipes & Sweet Secrets" by Debra Music, Joe Whinney and Leora Bloom. Advertisement 3 tablespoons sesame seeds 1 tablespoon coriander seeds 1 tablespoon cumin seeds 1/4 cup hazelnuts, toasted, skinned, finely chopped 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Advertisement 1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) roasted cocoa nibs 1. In a small, dry skillet over medium heat, toast the sesame seeds, stirring constantly, until they begin to turn golden. Put them in a small bowl, and set aside to cool. 2. Put the coriander and cumin seeds in the skillet over medium heat, and toast the spices, moving the pan constantly, until they are fragrant, about 2 minutes. Watch them carefully, so they don't burn. Set aside to cool before grinding. (Don't add them to the sesame seeds yet.) 3. When the spices have cooled, coarsely grind them in a small food processor, a coffee or spice grinder, or with a mortar and pestle. Add them to the sesame seeds, along with the hazelnuts, salt and pepper. Use a small food processor, a mortar and pestle, or a chef's knife to finely chop the cocoa nibs. Add them to the spice mix, and stir until well blended. 4. Store the dukkah in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Nuts eventually go rancid, and spices lose their potency, so use this flavorful blend liberally while it's fresh, and try to finish it within 1 or 2 months. Nutrition information per tablespoon: 50 calories, 5 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 2 g carbohydrates, 0 g sugar, 1 g protein, 165 mg sodium, 1 g fiber Advertisement Dukkah-palooza Here are serving suggestions from the book to get you started: Serve it with crusty bread or grilled pita and olive oil for dipping first in the oil, then in the spices (couldn't be easier). Sprinkle it on thick soups, such as squash-carrot or potato-leek, before serving. Sprinkle it on salads. Spread hummus on a serving platter, drizzle it with olive oil, and sprinkle it with dukkah, or stir some dukkah right into the hummus. Garnish with pomegranate seeds, if desired. Roll out pizza dough, brush it with olive oil, sprinkle it with dukkah and bake. Dust it on roasted root vegetables. Mix it with plain yogurt for a dip or as a sauce for grilled meats. Make a topping for crostini by mashing white beans and adding olive oil and dukkah. Rub portions of fresh salmon or beef fillets with olive oil, roll them in dukkah to thoroughly coat, then sear them on both sides. Mole poblano Prep: 40 minutes Cook: 25 minutes Makes: About 6 cups Advertisement This mole sauce from "The Enchilada Queen Cookbook" (St. Martin's Griffin, $27.99) by Sylvia Casares, uses chocolate among its many other ingredients. Use it in making her chicken enchiladas below. Save the remaining sauce for serving with grilled meat like chicken, fried eggs, or drizzle on your next batch of tacos. Abuelita is a brand of Mexican chocolate. You may sub with semisweet chocolate. 4 pasilla chilies, stems and seeds removed 4 guajillo chilies, stems and seeds removed 2 ancho chilies, stems and seeds removed 15 Maria galletas (tea biscuit cookies, Gamesa brand preferred), crumbled 3 cups chicken stock Advertisement 3 Abuelita chocolate tablets, or 3 ounces semisweet chocolate 5 teaspoons peanut butter 1/2 cup chopped white onion 2 garlic cloves, smashed 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1 tablespoon chicken flavor base or Knorr chicken bouillon Advertisement 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional 1 Combine pasilla, guajillo and ancho chilies and 2 cups water in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Turn off heat and set aside for 15 minutes. Advertisement 2 Add chilies and soaking liquid to blender or food processor. Process until very smooth, about 1 minute. Pour mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl, discarding any solids. Set bowl aside. Rinse blender or food processor. 3 Heat chicken stock in a medium saucepan over medium. Add one chocolate tablet at a time, and stir until dissolved. Remove from the heat. 4 In a food processor or blender, combine peanut butter, onion and garlic, and process until smooth. Add cookies and chocolate liquid. Process until smooth, about 1 minute. Pass chocolate mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, discard any solids. 5 Heat oil in a large pot over high. Add the chili mixture. Immediately lower the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring often, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Whisk in the chocolate mixture, along with chicken base, sugar, salt, cumin and black pepper. Taste for seasoning. Add the cayenne, if you want more spicy heat. Simmer until sauce is thick, another 10 minutes. It should be about the consistency of ketchup. Enchilada Queen secret chili sauce Prep: 25 minutes Advertisement Cook: 25 minutes Makes: About 1 1/2 cups 7 guajillo chilies, stems and seeds removed 2 chilies de arbol, stems and seeds removed 12 corn tortillas 1 cup vegetable oil Advertisement 1 Combine chilies and 1 3/4 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside for 10 minutes. 2 Pour chilies and soaking liquid into a blender. Process until smooth, about 1 minute. Strain mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, discarding the solids. Set sauce aside to cool. 3 Dip each tortilla into the sauce, drain any excess liquid, and then stack the tortillas on a plate. 4 Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat, until a kitchen thermometer registers 375 degrees. 5 One at a time, transfer a tortilla to the oil using a spatula. Cook for only 2 to 3 seconds, or until softened. Flip the tortilla and soften on the other side, another 2 to 3 seconds. Stack the softened tortillas on a clean plate. Chicken enchiladas with mole poblano Advertisement Prep: 30 minutes Cook: 7 to 10 minutes Makes: 12 enchiladas 3 cups stewed or roasted and shredded chicken breast Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. > 12 corn tortillas, soaked in chili sauce and softened (recipe above) 3 cups mole poblano (recipe above) Advertisement 1 1/4 cups shredded Monterey Jack or Chihuahua cheese 1 Heat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a 9-by-11-inch baking dish with cooking spray, or rub with oil. 2 Place 3 tablespoons of stewed or shredded chicken in the middle of a tortilla. Roll up and place seam-side down in the baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Pour cup mole sauce over each enchilada and sprinkle with cheese. 3 Transfer baking dish to oven; bake until cheese melts, 7 to 10 minutes. Serve immediately. Nutrition information per serving: 229 calories, 11 g fat, 4 g saturated fat, 40 mg cholesterol, 18 g carbohydrates, 3 g sugar, 15 g protein, 339 mg sodium, 2 g fiber Billy Crystal wasn't always quick on his feet on set. The actor-comedian recalled his first major film role in the 1986 buddy cop movie "Running Scared," which was set and filmed in Chicago. Advertisement "That was really like my first major movie and my first major abs also," Crystal said on Tuesday's episode of "The Late Late Show with James Corden." "I had just finished 'Saturday Night Live' and I got in great shape to do that." Crystal, who played a Chicago detective partnered with Gregory Hines' character, described his first day on set. The two actors were tasked with bursting into a drug den for a major bust. Advertisement MOST READ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS THIS HOUR "That was the first time I actually shot a gun in my life, in that movie," Crystal said. "You know, when I was a kid, we had make believe. You had your finger, and you went 'Bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam.'" When it came time to shoot the gun in the scene, only words came out, like when Crystal was a kid. "(The director) said, 'You know, you can use the gun,'" Crystal said. "The Late Late Show" airs 11:37 p.m. weeknights on CBS. Crystal is set to perform at the Chicago Theatre April 1 as part of his "Spend the Night with Billy Crystal" tour. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale 10 a.m. Friday. RELATED STORIES: 'Twas the night before the election, and the late-night shows told stories James Corden is officially cooler than LL Cool J Advertisement Buckle up: Madonna is heading to 'Carpool Karaoke' 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) "How Do You Spell America? #2" by Willie Cole is included in the Chicago presentation of the "Art AIDS America" exhibit at the Alphawood Gallery at Halsted Street and Fullerton Avenue in Chicago. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) There are scores of artworks in "Art AIDS America Chicago," the new and groundbreaking exhibition that attempts to survey AIDS-related art and make a case for its lasting influence on the art world. But look closely at the artists' names on the wall cards, and you'll notice a demographic fact that is perhaps not a surprise but soon becomes overwhelming. Advertisement Jimmy DeSana, 1949-1990. Keith Haring, 1958-1990. Advertisement Brian Buczak, 1954-1987. David Cannon Dashiell, 1952-1993. Roger Brown, 1941-1997. Felix Gonzalez-Torres, 1957-1996. Jerome Caja, 1958-1995. And on it goes. Not exclusively, of course, but to a large degree the show is populated by men who died in their 30s and 40s, sometimes in their 50s, some of them already famous, some of them making work that would bring them to the cusp of fame. Co-curator Jonathan Katz explicitly does not want this to be a "necrology." He is making an argument that AIDS-related art has helped bring the personal and the political back into art-making that had grown abstract and intellectual. But necrology a list of deaths is an inescapable part of the story, as is the feeling the exhibit instills of reliving a traumatic time. Boxes of tissues are placed throughout for a reason. Almost inconceivably, this is the first such survey to appear in major museums; it debuted at the Tacoma Art Museum in Washington, and its most recent stop before Chicago was at the Bronx Museum of the Arts in New York City. Advertisement In Chicago, its last stop, it will be up through April 2 at Alphawood Gallery, a new space at 2401 N. Halsted St. developed specifically for the show by the Alphawood Foundation, its primary sponsor here. Admission is free, but organizers ask that visitors secure timed entry passes via www.artaidsamericachicago.org. "It's unique in Chicago to have a major exhibition like this in a temporary space," said James McDonough, the foundation's executive director. "We view it as an act of activism." Its Chicago run adds not only the name of the city to the exhibition's title but many local works, including an introductory video about AIDS and art in the city. "Art AIDS America Chicago" will be augmented by extensive public programming, everything from panel discussions, artist interviews and artist workshops at the gallery to a public talk on Gonzalez-Torres at the Art Institute and a related exhibition coming in January at the DePaul Art Museum. A full schedule is on the website. Jarod Couch, of Chicago, views the Chicago presentation of the "Art AIDS America" exhibit at the Alphawood Gallery at Halsted Street and Fullerton Avenue in Chicago on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) The exhibit around which this activity swirls is potent on its own. "When we discuss AIDS today that is, when we deign to mention it at all it is as a tragic tangent to American history, not as a generative force," writes Katz, a Chicago gay activist in the 1980s and now an art historian at University of Buffalo, in the exhibition catalog. His take: "Because of AIDS, an entire generation of artists began to think of their representational practices first and foremost strategically." Artists employed the "camouflaged, clandestine language of the spy" to sneak work about homosexuality and AIDS past the "immune system" of an art world that wanted to avoid such work, Katz contends. Advertisement "It is about damn time we named AIDS as a function of American cultural change," he said at the exhibit's Chicago opening last week. Gonzalez-Torres, the Cuban-American artist, was influential as a theorist, said Katz: "The key, he said, is to go around them to make forms of opposition they don't realize are oppositional." Metaphors abound in the artwork. Buffalo tumbling off of a cliff. Empty beds. Names written in sand. Flowers cut down in their prime. A pewter drainpipe, plugged into a gallery wall. The leather from a San Francisco gym, stripped from its weight bench and presented almost as a funeral shroud. Robert Mapplethorpe's spectral image of a flower's shadow. There are many more direct works here, too. An enlarged image of HIV-fighting pills. A 1981 painting of Kaposi's sarcoma lesions that Katz believes to be one of the first AIDS artworks. Jenny Holzer's condoms wrapped with text: "Protect me from what I want." A painting depicting sex with a skeleton. "By Punchinello's Bed" and "The Lamentation" by Patrick Webb are included in the Chicago presentation of the "Art AIDS America" exhibit at the Alphawood Gallery at Halsted Street and Fullerton Avenue in Chicago seen on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) The show includes the first reconstruction, Katz said, of "Let the Record Show," a 1987 installation at New York's New Museum by the collective Gran Fury. It features a pink triangle and the slogan "Silence=Death" in neon above overt criticism of the likes of Jerry Falwell and Jesse Helms. There is black humor here, but the predominant emotions are anger and anguish. Much of the work addresses directly the nation's ignorance or active suppression of recognition and treatment of AIDS and its related illnesses. Advertisement "I don't think you can take it in in one day," said Chris Benoodt, a Chicago art consultant who toured the show in its opening days. "I'm so pleased to see nationally recognized artists. Not only that, but strong, powerful works." The artist Karen Finley who grew up in Evanston performed a piece at the opening reception and has two installations in the exhibition. At the opening she led a reporter to a set of vintage Chicago photographs that had particularly moved her. MOST READ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS THIS HOUR They were portraits of gay African-American men, a range of types, looking directly at the camera. "That gazing, I wasn't feeling elsewhere in the exhibit," Finley said. As she enthused about the photos, standing nearby was an older gentleman with a seemingly proprietary air. Advertisement "Are these yours?" Finley asked, indicating the photos. The man, Patric McCoy, nodded and said he considered himself a collector rather than an artist. "You are an artist," said Finley. McCoy, a retired EPA worker, said he had taken these and other photos to teach himself photography and was pleased that curators found them worthy of inclusion in a show that churned up so much history. "It's intense, because it's making me go back and relive those 20 years," McCoy said of the exhibition. "The scene I was in, (AIDS) almost wiped it out. It's heartening to see that it's progressed and we can have this now. But we wasted 20 years." sajohnson@chicagotribune.com Advertisement Twitter @StevenKJohnson RELATED STORIES: Art Institute expands free admission to Chicago teens New book keeps memories of 'American Bandstand' alive 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) Chicago Salvation Army Lt. A.J. Zimmerman was honored on Wednesday's episode of Steve Harvey's talk show for his work mentoring youth. Zimmerman recounted relying on the Salvation Army after-school program while growing up in Detroit. Zimmerman leads youth fellowship activities at The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in West Pullman and previously worked for the Salvation Army in East St. Louis. Advertisement "I had 50 boys in this after-school program. I decided to introduce myself to the families and the parents and so I went door to door, and lo and behold, I discovered that out of the 50 boys that I had in my program, only three of them had a dad at home," Zimmerman said. "I decided in that moment that I was going to be dad, that I was going to fill in the gaps, and I was going to, you know, be that crazy dad holding up the signs and going to their games and trying my best to be an example, to be that male presence." Advertisement Harvey reunited Zimmerman with an East St. Louis mom who thanked Zimmerman for helping her five sons after school and buying them shoes and uniforms. "Steve Harvey," which tapes at the WMAQ-Ch. 5 studios, airs 2 p.m. weekdays on WMAQ-Ch. 5. RELATED STORIES: Steve Harvey ending Chicago talk show in May, launching new show in LA next fall Late Chicago comedian Bernie Mac to be honored on Steve Harvey's show Oprah talks doing exactly what she wants and 'Queen Sugar' on 'Steve Harvey' 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) In 2015, the internet gave birth to "Netflix and Chill" and the revelation that any misfortune no matter how minute calls for a healthy dose of Michael Jordan tears Memes continued to reign supreme in 2016, but with a somewhat newsier twist. After all, its not every year America sees a presidential election, the Olympics and a "Gilmore Girls" remake. Here are 10 of the biggest meme themes of the year. #NeverForget. Politics as usual. The World Wide Web sees some of its brightest and darkest moments during presidential election years (R.I.P., legitimate news), but you cant argue that they don't make for great meme-age. Between Trumps hair and Hillary Clintons inbox, political memes were ripe for the picking. A photo posted by Tank.Sinatra (@tank.sinatra) on Sep 26, 2016 at 6:26pm PDT More specifically, Joe Biden. Americas uncle-in-chief as the interwebs dubbed him was arguably the biggest thing to happen to memes since Drake's Americas uncle-in-chief as the interwebs dubbed him was arguably the biggest thing to happen to memes since Drake's Hotline Bling music video. As the election progressed, Biden memes came in hot, painting him as Obamas fun-loving, practical jokester BFF (complete with friendship bracelets ). A photo posted by Obama Biden (@obama.biden) on Nov 12, 2016 at 6:54pm PST Animals that look like food. Who knew that a piece of fried chicken could look so much like a labradoodle puppy? Or that sloths so closely resemble croissants? Or that the Chihuahua-blueberry muffin likeness is uncanny. Who cares, the world is a better place for it. labradoodle or fried chicken ? pic.twitter.com/wn5bdjdtDf karen zack (@teenybiscuit) March 3, 2016 Lethargy. When the current meme generation is old and gray, they'll look back fondly on 2016 as the year they decided to stay at home, binge watch Netflix, hibernate and generally be as antisocial as possible. The "Gilmore Girls" reboot surely did not help this year's social scene. Advertisement A photo posted by Memes.com (@memes) on Nov 6, 2016 at 7:06am PST Harambe. First the internet was furious about the Cincinnati Zoo's decision to shoot Harambe a 17-year-old male gorilla after a boy fell into his enclosure. Then they spent a few days calling for the boy's mother to be arrested and charged with child endangerment. And on the seventh day, they made memes. You either die a hero, or live along enough to see yourself become the villain pic.twitter.com/lK0dFb6yY3 C.j. (@CScsavnickii) September 26, 2016 Evil Kermit. Originating from the 2014 "Muppets Most Wanted" film, Evil Kermit is 2016's version of having a devil on one shoulder, an angel on the other. The formula follows your standard internal struggle, except with more dogs and shopping. Advertisement A photo posted by Tank.Sinatra (@tank.sinatra) on Nov 26, 2016 at 11:20am PST Michael Phelps. McKayla Maroney's McKayla Maroney's unimpressed smirk is so 2012. While Michael Phelps listened to Future and unleashed the death stare to end all death stares at the Summer Olympics, America watched on in horror and then promptly turned him into a meme. When you're told to insert your card after you already swiped it. pic.twitter.com/lfKDoWBbyN A.J. Voelpel (@AJVoelpelCG) August 9, 2016 Stock art. While perhaps most relevant to anyone who works with stock art on a daily basis, everyone can get a chuckle out of a sarcastic caption pasted below an impossibly clean-cut guy at a desk. Most stock art memes target job interviews, hating your job, quitting your job or being generally jobless. A photo posted by random ape (@random.ape) on Oct 15, 2016 at 1:38pm PDT Dogs acting like people. Animal memes have stood the test of time, and 2016 brought a playful new approach: Animals acting like people. Or dressed like people. Or glaring at their people. A photo posted by DogsBeingBasic (@dogsbeingbasic) on Sep 19, 2016 at 12:14pm PDT 2016. Memes mocking the sheer ridiculousness of 2016 (mostly election-related, if we're being honest) is the internet's way of laughing at itself. Here's to the madness that was this year and the many memes that got us through. R.I.P., 2016. Rockford, Ill., gets in the holiday spirit with light shows in December. (Rockford Area Convention & Visitors) Here are some of the more interesting events, deals, websites and other travel tidbits that have come across our desk recently: The banks of the Rock River in downtown Rockford, Ill., are aglow for the holidays with the Rockford River Lights. Each Friday and Saturday throughout December there will be light shows every 15 minutes 5:30-8:30 p.m. The lights will remain on each night when there are no shows. www.rockfordriverlights.com Advertisement The Goldmoor Inn in Galena, Ill., this winter is again offering the Buy Three, Ski Free package. Through March 12, guests who stay three consecutive nights will receive two free adult one-day ski passes at nearby Chestnut Mountain. Rates at the inn begin at $305 a night including breakfast. 800-255-3925, http://tinyurl.com/jdfxdpx The Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis is continuing a holiday tradition with lunch in the re-imagined L.S. Ayres Tea Room on the museum's second floor. The restaurant was previously in the former downtown L.S. Ayres department store. Classic favorites from the tearoom will be served through Jan. 1. http://tinyurl.com/juzwzg2 Advertisement The historic Edgewater Hotel in Madison, Wis., is offering a Home for the Holidays package through Jan. 2. Rates start at $199 a night and include breakfast for two, self-parking in the hotel garage and a bottle of wine on arrival. 608-535-8200, http://tinyurl.com/jcnsf8u Winter means time for ice festivals and ice carving. Historic Shipshewana, Ind., kicks off things Dec. 27-28 with its annual ice festival. Professional ice carvers will be at work both days creating works of their own design or commissioned by a sponsor. There will also be a chili cook-off on the 28th. http://tinyurl.com/37lzugk Even though winter's just beginning, it's never too early to look toward summer. The 2017 Des Moines Boat & Sport Show will be Jan. 6-8 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Expect lots of boats and fishing gear on display, seminars and demonstrations, ATVs and more. http://tinyurl.com/zlh93bo More than 60 dog teams will compete Jan. 7 in the 18th annual Tahquamenon Country Sled Dog Race at Muskallonge Lake State Park near Newberry, Mich. There will be four-, six-, eight- and 10-dog races. A bonfire is sure to warm you up, and there will be refreshments, food and vendors. www.tcsdr.org Order a copy of the Pure Michigan Winter Travel Guide, or view it online at http://tinyurl.com/ou5zdpl Skiers wanting to sample the powder at Utah resorts might want to check out the Ski City Super Pass. It can be used at Alta, Brighton, Snowbird and Solitude ski areas outside of Salt Lake City. http://tinyurl.com/gmmgz72 Holland America Line has seven-day Alaska cruises round-trip from Seattle as low as $799 per person, double occupancy, for departures in April and May. On the May 6 departure, port calls include Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan, Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia. Taxes, fees and port expenses are extra. 8779324259, http://tinyurl.com/jrvvbnp Find tours and excursions in Mexico's Yucatan area at http://tinyurl.com/z4athxp. Advertisement The Les Hivernales festival in Montreal will celebrate the city's 375th year Jan. 6 to March 11. http://tinyurl.com/zljdtu5 Deals and websites have been checked for availability as of press time. Listings are not endorsements. Send tips at least a month in advance to ChicagoTribTravel@gmail.com. Phil Marty is a freelancer. Multiple Lawsuits Filed in Fatal School Bus Crash As family, friends, and the community mourn in the aftermath of last month's fatal school bus crash in Tennessee, the parents of victims are beginning to file lawsuits against the bus operator. The school bus struck a mailbox and utility pole, flipped onto its side, then hit a tree. The tragic crash left six young children dead, and numerous other children injured. As of this week, three lawsuits have been filed against the school bus operator. The lawsuits allege that the bus was not driven safely, and that the resulting injuries are a result of the unsafe operation. The most recent case was filed by the parents of a young girl that suffered a traumatic brain injury which will require life-long care. Are School's Liable for Injuries in School Bus Accidents A school and school district can potentially be liable for any injury that occurs as a result of a school bus accident or any other accident on the premises or while a child is in the school's care and custody. An exception may exist if the accident was caused by another driver. In that case, the other driver would more than likely be liable. Schools have special duties to ensure the safety of their students even on the bus. So in any situation where the school or their employee or agent was negligent, there may be liability. When Do Children Have to Sue for Injuries? While the statute of limitations can prevent an adult from recovering for an injury if they do not file a lawsuit within the time provided by each state, it operates a little differently for minors. The statute of limitations for minors generally does not begin to run until a minor is no longer minor. When a child becomes 18 and becomes a legal adult, all statutes of limitations from childhood begin to run. So if an eight year old is injured in a car accident, and the state has a two year statute of limitation, that eight year old will have until they are 20 years old to file a lawsuit for those injuries. Parents can step in most situations however. However, in situations where the injury is severe and the parents need assistance with paying current medical bills, the court can appoint a guardian to act as the legal decision maker for a child (Guardian ad Litem). When a minor receives a settlement or verdict, generally a court will ensure that the money is protected for the use and care of the minor. Related Resources: Democratic Congressman from Minnesota Keith Ellison speaks with supporters at the "Our Revolution and Good Jobs Nation" rally in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 7, 2016. (Shawn Thew / EPA) Would-be Democratic National Committee Chairman U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison has been catching hell from conservatives and enemies within his own party for his past ties to South Side firebrand Louis Farrakhan. Now the Nation of Islam itself is piling on, accusing Ellison of being a "hypocrite" and seeking to embarrass him for what it called his "cowardly and baseless repudiation" of the controversial South Side-based religious leader he once supported, and who once infamously called Judaism a "gutter religion." Advertisement The first Muslim elected to Congress, Ellison, who hails from Minnesota, was an early supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign and one of the first senior Democrats to take Donald Trump's candidacy seriously qualifications cited by supporters in the Democratic Party who would like to install him as their leader. But Ellison's status as the front-runner last week came under threat after CNN revived articles Ellison wrote in praise of Farrakhan while Ellison was a grad student 20 years ago and found footage of him appearing to criticize Israel. That prompted Hillary Clinton's biggest donor, Haim Saban, to on Friday call Ellison an "anti-Semite." Advertisement And on Wednesday, an editorial published in the Nation of Islam's house organ, The Final Call quotes at length from articles Ellison wrote in the 1990s in which he praised Farrakhan as "a sincere, tireless and uncompromising advocate of the Black community and other oppressed peoples in America and around the world" and wrote that Farrakhan "is not an anti-Semite." Illustrated with a photo of what the Final Call says is Ellison hawking copies of the Nation's paper while at the University of Minnesota, the editorial by editor Richard B. Muhammad noted that Ellison went by the last name Ellison-Muhammad at the time and had helped organize a Minnesota delegation to Farrakhan's Million Man March. "If Mr. Ellison once believed those things about the Minister and changed his mind, that's his business," Muhammad wrote. "We will leave Allah (God) to judge and handle the hypocrites." Ellison, who repudiated Farrakhan as an anti-Semite when he ran for Congress in 2006, did not comment Wednesday, but last week wrote that he was a supporter of Israel who was coming under attack from "right-wing interests" who were trying to "drive a wedge between long-standing allies in the fight for equal rights." Beyond retweeting the Final Call editorial, Farrakhan has so far stayed above the fray, speaking instead in recent days about his push for shoppers to boycott Christmas and praising the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro as "a deeply committed spiritual man." kjanssen@chicagotribune.com Twitter @kimjnews On the toughest streets of Englewood, it can sometimes feel like there are no angels. Just ask Chicago police Officer Myrian Bugarin, who has responded to deadly shootings, robberies, drug overdoses and other tragedies in the neighborhood for the past 16 years. But Bugarin and her fellow officers at the Englewood District know that goodness exists even in the grisliest of circumstances. And that's what they stumbled upon Nov. 6, when officers were dispatched to a cold, filthy, abandoned apartment in the 6300 block of South Greene Street. Advertisement There, alone on the floor near a crusty, sheetless mattress, police discovered three young sisters. The oldest, a 7-year-old with a beautiful smile and fluttery eyelashes, was doing her best to look after the two babies, ages 2 and 1. There was no electricity, running water or food in the unit, but the babies knew to turn to their big sister when they were scared, police said. "I couldn't even believe the conditions," Bugarin said. "But they weren't withdrawn. Not even the little ones. They were upbeat. They were very responsive." Advertisement Police who arrived quickly stepped into action. They alerted officials at the Illinois Division of Child and Family Services who located the girls' estranged grandmother and placed them with her. They arrested the girls' father when he returned to the abandoned unit. Derrick D. Anderson has been charged with aggravated battery with use of a deadly weapon, aggravated battery of a child under 13 and domestic battery, according to court records. And since then, Chicago police officers have kept watch, nicknaming the children the "Englewood Angels." Officers stop by the grandmother's home to see the children almost daily, bringing diapers, milk, toys and other items to help the family get a fresh start. A GoFundMe page started by one of the police officers during off-duty hours has collected more than $100,000 for the girls. "It's beautiful. I appreciate everything," said Delores Anderson, 53, who was in bed just after 6:20 a.m. that November morning when police called from a nearby hospital asking if she was the children's grandmother. Anderson, whose son has struggled with drug problems and jail time, had raised the eldest girl for the first year and a half of her life. She had met each of the two babies a handful of times, mostly when her son or the babies' mother needed money or food. But when she questioned the parents about bruises she noticed on the eldest child's body, they cut off contact, the grandmother said. When police asked her to come retrieve the children from the hospital, Anderson was already two months behind in her own rent. Pay from temp jobs at a popcorn factory wasn't enough to cover the bills, and she also baby-sat another grandson several days a week. Still, she rushed to the hospital to claim the three girls, whose appearances instantly brought the grandmother to tears. Their clothes were so soiled, Anderson couldn't tell what color they were originally. Their bodies were thin and smelled so unkempt the grandmother would have to bathe them three times each to get them clean. Their hair was so knotted, Anderson said she had no choice but to cut off chunks, throwing inches of baby hair in the garbage. "I grabbed them and they hugged me," Anderson said, her voice strained as she cried remembering the sight. "I didn't care. I needed them to be with me so I would know they were protected." Advertisement DCFS has legal custody of the children, but placed them with Anderson. Within hours after the children arrived at her apartment, police began delivering more support. Bugarin, who has two young daughters, returned with toddler beds, bins of clothing and boxes of toys her daughters had recently outgrown. Other officers returned with gift cards to the grocery store and diapers. Police planned a birthday party for the babies, who coincidentally share a birthday. And they are planning another one this weekend for the eldest child, who has never had a party. Officer Mike Cleary, who has patrolled Englewood for nearly 18 years, began making routine stops at the house to check on the grandmother and children. Sometimes, he knocked on the door to see the girls' faces getting fuller. Other times, he left items at the door such as smoke alarms from a local fire station, without a word. "We're all in love with them," Cleary said. "We'll be there as long as she needs us." Police officers from outside Englewood joined the effort too. Renee Beamon, an officer who works out of police headquarters, saw images of the young girls and offered one of her side talents: styling hair. On the Sunday before the eldest girl began school for the first time in her life Beamon brought her combs and accessories to Anderson's house to style the child's hair however she wanted. The little girl chose cornrows with a purple bow, Beamon said. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > Beamon said she and other police officers were doing what they would do for anyone in need. Advertisement "We interact with the community a lot. We are human beings too," Beamon said. "We care about the city we serve and the communities we serve." Anderson, who doesn't have a computer, had never heard of GoFundMe and has a flip cellphone with no internet, said she has been overwhelmed by the outpouring she's received from police and the greater community. When police officers asked how they could help, she told them "diapers and whole milk for the babies." But the good people in Englewood have offered that and so much more. "They're like my angels my guardian angels," Anderson said. vortiz@chicagotribune.com Two teenagers have sued Marist High School after they were expelled for their roles in a racist text message conversation, claiming they were used as scapegoats. CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli reports. The fathers of two girls expelled from Marist High School after being accused of sending racist text messages have filed a lawsuit against the private Southwest Side school that claims another teenager altered the texts. The lawsuit was filed in Cook County on Monday, one month after Indianapolis resident Joshua Beal, 25, was allegedly shot to death by a Chicago police officer in the Mount Greenwood neighborhood, where Marist is located. The shooting led to protests by both Black Lives Matter and pro-police demonstrators. Advertisement Days later, in a group text message exchange between more than 30 students, a discussion began about the impact of the police shooting and the resulting Black Lives Matter protests would have on classes at Marist. During the exchange, someone allegedly wrote "I f------ hate n------." Screenshots of the exchange were later posted to Twitter. The lawyer handling the lawsuit, which was filed anonymously under the names John Roe and John Doe, claims the images were doctored. Advertisement "According to my clients, another student, who particularly doesn't like one of my clients, somehow edited some of these chats to make it look more incriminating than it was. It appeared to be more of an outwardly racially hate-filled statement when the context was removed," attorney Steven Glink said in an interview Tuesday. "It's a personal vendetta." Marist expelled the two girls, whose names have not been released. Three other students were also either suspended or expelled, according to the lawsuit. School representatives said they could not comment because of the pending litigation. According to the lawsuit, the two girls were part of a group text involving 32 students who took part in a religious retreat called Kairos in late September. A member of the group at some point after Beal was shot texted out a screenshot of a tweet saying "that BLM was going to bring members of the Gangster Disciples street gang to Mount Greenwood to kill all white kids in retaliation for the shooting by the off-duty Chicago police officer." Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > "In response to these provocative comments, plaintiffs and some of their friends made private comments on the Kairos program group text that others believed to be racially insensitive," according to the lawsuit. Administrators suspended the girls whose parents are suing, "without any formal charges of misconduct; without hearing plaintiffs' explanation of their comments and without any formal disciplinary process," Glink said. The lawsuit, which also names Marist Principal Larry Tucker, asks that the teens be allowed to return to school so they may graduate. If that isn't done, the plaintiffs want $65,000 each back tuition paid to the school during their more than three years of enrollment plus $1 million in damages. School administrators at the time the online messages became public said they were "devastated" by the incident and promised disciplinary action against those involved. Tucker, in a letter dated Nov. 10, wrote: "While we do not typically share disciplinary actions, this situation has compelled us to communicate some outcomes. The administration has decided that the students involved in this event will not be in attendance at Marist." Advertisement kdouglas@chicagotribune.com Twitter @312BreakingNews Paul Schreckenberger, 69, was director of the clinical microbiology laboratory and a professor of pathology at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. (Loyola University) Paul Schreckenberger was director of the clinical microbiology laboratory and a professor of pathology at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, where he won several Teacher of the Year awards. "An extraordinary teacher who was loved by students, residents and everyone," said Dr. Eva Wojcik, chair of Loyola's Department of Pathology, who said no other faculty member had won the award more than once. Advertisement Schreckenberger, 69, died of a sudden cardiac event Nov. 29 in the River Forest home where he had lived for more than 25 years, according to his wife, Ann. Schreckenberger was recognized worldwide as an expert in microbiology and lectured at conferences worldwide. His research included work on bacterial antibiotic resistance. Advertisement He was one of the lead authors of a microbiology text "Koneman's Color Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology." Schreckenberger also wrote a number of chapters for other books and contributed to 85 journal publications and 259 published abstracts or posters. Schreckenberger grew up in Buffalo, N.Y., and got his bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science from State University of New York. He went on to the University of Minnesota where he graduated with a master's degree in the same field in 1974. He then moved to Chicago to become an assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, teaching clinical microbiology and helping to train laboratory technicians. He later became associate director of clinical laboratories at the University of Illinois Hospital. After completing work on a doctorate in pathology with a focus on microbiology in 1989, he became director of the clinical microbiology laboratory. After 30 years at Illinois, he moved to Loyola in 2005. There he passed on his enthusiasm to younger scientists while also helping clinical colleagues in treating patients, according to fourth-year resident Dr. Christina Kwong, who said she came to Schreckenberger's lab knowing she wanted to be a lab director but not sure what type. "Watching him interact with his lab (staff) and with clinicians, I just really felt a connection with how he did things," Kwong said. "He would take (younger colleagues) under his wing and train them. He would have little teaching sessions every day." Kwong said Schreckenberger realized new technology would continue to change lab work after he left the field. "The best he could do, he said, was to get the young people involved, to get them really excited about clinical microbiology," Kwong said. Advertisement Kwong noted that labs are often located in the basements of health care facilities, potentially isolating those in the lab from those treating patients. "He really tried to instill in us that we in the lab have to reach across the divide to our clinical colleagues and help them make better decisions for their patients," Kwong said. "We have to get out of the basement." Schreckenberger also is survived by a son, Adam; sisters Ann Marie Roeder, Mary Katheryn Hart and Denise Anello; and brothers Thomas and Charles. A daughter, Laura, and another son, Scott, died in childhood. A funeral was held, but plans are being made for a memorial gathering. Graydon Megan is a freelance reporter. Edgar Maddison Welch, 28 of Salisbury, N.C., surrenders to police Dec. 4, 2016, in Washington. Welch, who said he was investigating a conspiracy theory about Hillary Clinton running a child sex ring out of a pizza place, fired an assault rifle inside the restaurant, injuring no one, police and news reports said. (AP) Say goodbye, maybe shed a tear for the "yes, but" style of political discourse that once was heard in barroom arguments and candidates' forums. The presidential election of 2016 witnessed its death rattle. One debater used to say to another: "Do I acknowledge the facts you've stated? Yes, but I ask you to consider these as well." Advertisement Most of us shared an assumption that facts had a life of their own, independent of our wishes and dreams. We couldn't call them into existence or stamp them out. How antique that sounds after a bitter campaign during which partisans simply made up "facts" to support their political position. Advertisement That mind-over-matter vision almost resulted in a tragedy Sunday. Edgar Maddison Welch fired shots from a military-style rifle in Comet Ping Pong, a popular Washington, D.C., restaurant. Fortunately, no one was hit. Welch, an actor and production assistant on movies, told police he had come there to "self investigate" an internet post claiming that Hillary Clinton and Democratic Party officials used the restaurant as a front for a sex-trafficking operation. Phone orders supposedly for pizzas were really coded orders for underage children, he had read. The theory was widely shared on the eve of the election, despite being highly improbable. Why wouldn't Clinton and her co-conspirators harbor their energies for the campaign? Sadly, logic and common sense have less force in this Brave New World of conspiracy-theory politics. Welch told police he didn't find any children held hostage there. But even after his arrest, true believers continue to insist that "Pizzagate," as the alleged conspiracy has been dubbed, hasn't been disproved. They remain convinced that if an idea is in cyberspace, there must be something to it. Sadly, for many Americans the internet has become the arbiter of political disputes. They no longer look to newspapers for guidance in distinguishing fact from fiction. A reader provided me with an example of that thinking when I wrote a Thanksgiving column. He chided me for not reporting that the Pilgrims were socialists, an idea I traced to the internet. There, several commentators concluded the Pilgrims were socialists because the land of their Massachusetts colony wasn't divided into individual plots but cultivated communally, like the collective farms of the Soviet Union. In fact, the inspiration for not dividing the land was inspired by a capitalist idea not proto-Bolshevik ideology. The London financiers who bankrolled the Mayflower's voyage insisted that the land was theirs and thus not the Pilgrims to divide until their investment in the project had been redeemed. Advertisement When I explained that to the reader in an email, he responded that no free society has had to build a wall to keep its citizens in. Presumably he was implicitly contrasting that with the Soviets' Berlin Wall. What does that have to do with the Pilgrims' land holding practice? He didn't feel it necessary to respond to my explanation. For him, apparently, if the Pilgrims were socialists on the internet, they must have been socialists at Plymouth Rock in 1620. The current fad of seeing truth as whatever we want it to be was anticipated by Pontius Pilate, the Roman official who sentenced Jesus to death. Jesus said: "I was born and have come into the world to testify to the truth." Pilate responded: "What is truth?" That attitude is bipartisan, though more prevalent on the right. Probably because President-elect Donald Trump is a master of rewriting history. For years, he claimed that Barack Obama wasn't born in the U.S. then he dropped his allegation without so much as a "sorry, I blew that." Still, there are liberal conspiracy theories. Clinton dusted off one of her old ones. As first lady in 1998, she attributed Bill Clinton's political problems to a "vast right-wing conspiracy that has been conspiring against my husband since the day he announced for president." In 2016, she said that the conspiracy was alive, better financed and no longer afraid of stepping out of the shadows. Advertisement When Trump sniffled during a presidential debate, Howard Dean, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, tweeted: "Notice Trump sniffling all the time. Coke user?" He wasn't referring to the soft drink. There is no denying the appeal of conspiracy theories. Real life is messy. Rewritten history smoothes out the rough spots, but at the cost of playing fast and loose with the truth. We would all do well liberals and conservatives to recall something that was observed 2000 years ago, and is still relevant in these troubled times: "And ye shall know the truth," Jesus said, "and the truth will set you free." rgrossman@chicagotribune.com Nicholas Schuler, the inspector general for Chicago Public Schools, says the district has stalled his investigation of a possible ethics violation involving its top lawyer. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune) Chicago Public Schools' inspector general told the school board Wednesday that the district has stalled his investigation of a possible ethics violation involving its top lawyer by invoking attorney-client privilege. Inspector General Nicholas Schuler's office had been looking into whether a $250,000 contract awarded to Jenner & Block, the law firm where CPS general counsel Ronald Marmer was formerly a partner, amounted to a breach of the school board's ethics policy. In a March 30 disclosure statement, Marmer acknowledged he receives severance payments from the firm. Advertisement Schuler complained during the public comment portion of Wednesday's board meeting that "the board's assertion of privilege is preventing my office from accessing relevant documents and interviewing attorneys who likely have information pertinent to the investigation." "Unless the (inspector general's office) is granted the access it needs, a critical undermining of the public trust will result," Schuler said. "Without access, the board will be effectively saying that the OIG cannot fully investigate possible violations of the board's own ethics policies by the general counsel. And worse yet, that it can stop the OIG's independent investigation by simply choosing to assert the privilege." Advertisement Jenner & Block began billing the district for tens of thousands of dollars earlier this year as the district explored the possibility of filing a civil rights lawsuit over what district CEO Forrest Claypool has described as a "racially discriminatory state funding system." The district never filed the lawsuit. The inspector general's investigation was expected to look into whether Marmer or others had management authority over the contract awarded to Jenner & Block. CPS policy prohibits employees from having an "economic interest" in district contracts and also bars employees from managing contracts with entities they have an economic interest in. Schuler said the district's use of attorney-client privilege was contrary to both past practice and state laws that give the inspector general access to information and personnel needed to complete its work. He said the district should waive attorney-client privilege so he could complete his investigation. In a statement issued Wednesday evening, Claypool said the situation is "simply a disagreement among lawyers as to the meaning of a Board policy," and defended Marmer. "There is no question that the General Counsel did not benefit financially from pursuing a civil rights lawsuit for Chicago's children, nor did he select the firm that wrote the lawsuit," Claypool said. CPS has earlier released an outside legal opinion that concluded Marmer had no economic interest with his former employer as defined by district policies. Schuler said he met privately with the board for roughly a half-hour after his comments, but that the issue remained unresolved. He declined to comment further. Advertisement Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > Claypool also declined to comment on whether the district would waive attorney-client privilege in the case. "That's a board issue," Claypool said. Marmer is among several of Claypool's former colleagues and past political donors who have been hired for district jobs and consulting contracts. The remarks from Schuler during the public comment portion of the board meeting marked the latest point of tension between his office and district officials. This fall, Schuler said his work had been obstructed and duplicated by a better-funded arm of Claypool's office, according to a report that laid out a political scuffle between the legally mandated watchdog and the mayoral-appointed administration. In that report, Schuler also accused CPS auditors of "significant interference" with his investigation into the alleged theft of tens of thousands of dollars' worth of CTA fare cards by a district employee. jjperez@chicagotribune.com Advertisement Twitter @perezjr Drawing a distinction between "knowingly false" statements and mistakes, a Cook County judge handed out split verdicts Wednesday in the perjury trial of three police officers accused of lying about the circumstances of a drug arrest. One Chicago police officer was found guilty of felony perjury, obstruction of justice and official misconduct. But his supervisor and a Glenview officer who assisted during the 2013 arrest were acquitted. Advertisement The distinction, the judge said, was that Chicago police Officer William Pruente knew his filed police report and subsequent testimony during a 2014 hearing were not correct. Pruente, Judge Matthew Coghlan said, purposely re-ordered the sequence of events, claiming he handcuffed the suspect after finding drugs. The other officers there that day relied on Pruente's report and summary, the judge determined, letting them off the hook. Chicago police Sgt. James Padar, Pruente's supervisor on a narcotics investigation team, and James Horn, a former Glenview patrol officer who assisted with the traffic stop at the center of the case, were found not guilty. Advertisement Prosecutors argued the case was a clear fabrication designed to streamline the account of the arrest, in essence violating Joseph Sperling's constitutional right against unreasonable searches. The defense characterized its clients' actions as the simple errors of harried police officers who jumbled the order of what happened that day. Pruente's false report and statements were discovered when a defense attorney for Sperling played video footage from one of the Glenview police cars at the traffic stop. Footage of the event did not match the officers' testimony at a March 31, 2014, hearing to quash Sperling's arrest. The judge at the hearing ordered Sperling released, and prosecutors launched an investigation. Pruente wrote in his report, and the officers detailed at the hearing, that he asked Sperling for his driver's license and registration, then spoke with him for about a minute before asking him to step out of the car so he could search his vehicle for cannabis. But the video showed Sperling was almost immediately ordered out of the car and handcuffed. Police recovered a bag packed with about a pound of marijuana and also drugs known as mushrooms. One other officer who testified incorrectly at the hearing, Vince Morgan, pleaded guilty in September to a misdemeanor count of obstruction of justice and was sentenced to a year of probation. The Glenview officer whose squad-car video revealed the false testimony, former Sgt. Theresa Urbanowski, was on the stand when the video was played and she was able to correct her testimony. Urbanowski took the stand in the trial Monday, calling her former co-worker, Horn, "one of the most honest" officers she's known. Pruente shook his head, then dropped it toward the ground upon hearing the verdict, which the judge issued after a 25-minute deliberation in chambers. Pruente cried with family members and hugged them inside the courtroom. He left the Leighton Criminal Court Building without speaking to reporters. A Jan. 3 post-trial hearing was set. He faces a sentence that ranges from probation to five years in prison. Padar, who has been suspended from the department, also left the courthouse without taking questions. But Horn said he was relieved by the verdict. He was found not guilty after defense lawyers asked the judge for a directed verdict, arguing there was not enough evidence of guilt. Horn said he was happy to put the case behind him after thinking about it every day for the past three years. Horn, fired from the Glenview force after administrative proceedings, said he hoped the acquittal would help restore his reputation. Advertisement Horn's lawyer, Dan Herbert, said he was "ecstatic" for Horn and felt from the start that the charges against Horn were weak. "It's dangerous to start criminalizing mistakes made by police," Herbert said. "The line between intentional misconduct and mistakes seems to be blurring." Coghlan said Horn was mostly a bystander during the arrest, and it appeared his testimony was based on a review of one of the Chicago officer's reports. His statements in court that day were vague and showed he did not clearly remember the sequence of what happened, the judge said. Likewise, the judge said Padar's testimony may have been "factually inaccurate" but there was not enough evidence to prove he was making "knowingly false" statements, the burden for perjury and the subsequent misconduct charges. Neither Padar nor Pruente testified during the trial, which took the better part of two days. The officers' trial comes weeks after Cook County prosecutors dropped charges against the men in a previous trial because the indictment had been brought under an out-of-date state statute. Prosecutors refiled the charges using the appropriate law. Advertisement Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > The judge's ruling in a criminal case involving police officers as defendants comes after former Chicago police Cmdr. Glenn Evans, who was charged in 2014 with aggravated battery and official misconduct for allegedly shoving his gun down a man's throat, was acquitted a year ago by a Cook County judge despite evidence showing the alleged victim's DNA was on Evans' gun. And a judge cleared Chicago police Detective Dante Servin in April 2015 of involuntary manslaughter, saying prosecutors should have charged him with first-degree murder. An innocent bystander was killed when Servin fired his gun into a crowd in an off-duty encounter near his home in 2012. Sperling, the target of the police officers that day, now faces charges of reckless homicide, aggravated driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a fatal crash for his alleged role in a September crash that killed one woman. Police said Sperling was under the influence of alcohol when he drove his black Lexus at a high rate of speed, struck another car along Golf Road in Morton Grove and ran from the scene. The Aug. 26 crash split the other car in two, instantly killing driver Denise Cavada, 48, of Chicago, who had been on her way home after an evening of playing bingo, authorities said. Cavada's mother, Merrilee Jaimes, blamed authorities for letting Sperling's initial arrest for drugs fall apart. "If they hadn't have let him go," she said in September, "my daughter wouldn't be dead." poconnell@chicagotribune.com Advertisement Twitter @pmocwriter Chicago Police Department officials hold a demonstration on how its officers are using body cameras in Chicago on Feb. 13, 2015. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune) The Cook County probation department for the first time plans to equip some if its officers with body cameras, a move that follows allegations that rogue officers had planted drugs, stolen money and violated the civil rights of probationers during home curfew checks. Chief Judge Timothy Evans, who oversees the court's adult probation department, said body cameras would bring about transparency and be good for officers and citizens. Advertisement The move will make Cook County one of the few jurisdictions in the United States to outfit probation officers with the cameras. Evans, in seeking funding for the cameras, told county lawmakers in October how probation officers must enter homes to make sure that offenders are following the terms of their probation, which includes not possessing illegal drugs or firearms, and abiding by their court-ordered curfew. Advertisement "They do a fantastic job; they (conduct) curfew checks and other things," Evans said of his probation officers at the time. "But occasionally they have been accused of taking something while they're in someone's home. And I just thought that the body cameras would show what they did while they were in someone's home." A Tribune investigation in 2014 revealed how the probation department for years had quietly worked with the FBI and Chicago police to conduct questionable searches. Probationers told the Tribune that they were threatened with jail if they refused to work as informants for the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. Others alleged that money and other property was stolen during searches. A court spokesman said there had been no recent allegations of theft made against probation officers. Kenny Ray, a fast-food restaurant manager whose home a judge determined was illegally searched in 2011, had previously told the Tribune that officers took $1,500 and a GPS device from his bedroom closet. Chicago police and probation officials denied any wrongdoing. Ray, in an interview Wednesday, said he doubted body cameras would end misconduct. "I worry cameras won't change anything," he said. "The cameras can be turned on and off. They always find a way to work around things." Joe Russo, chairman of the American Probation and Parole Association's technology committee, said Cook County would join a handful of probation and parole agencies that are preparing to outfit officers with cameras, with one of the largest being Georgia's probation and parole agency. Advertisement "Human nature is such that when we know we are being watched, we act differently, presumably better," Russo said. Russo said it was a natural progression for body cameras to evolve from being worn by police officers to also being worn probation and parole officers. James Hill, spokesman for the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, said the agency in September began experimenting with body cameras on about a dozen officers. The agency, which supervises about 180,000 people on probation or parole, sees body cameras not only as a training tool for employees but as legal protection in ferreting out allegations of misconduct. "The presence of cameras can eliminate the 'he said, she said' scenario and show what really transpired," Hill said. Kenny Ray, whose home a judge determined was illegally searched in 2011, said he doubts body cameras would end misconduct. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) The Chicago Police Department began using body cameras on a select few officers in February 2015. It expanded their use later that year following the uproar over the release of squad car video showing an officer shooting Laquan McDonald 16 times as the teenager was walking away. Advertisement Now, about 2,100 officers in some of the city's most violent neighborhoods wear body cameras, which clip to the officers' uniforms and are capable of recording audio and video. During the next two years, all Chicago patrol officers will be trained and outfitted with body cameras, said department spokesman Frank Giancamilli. He said the camera program was a "win-win" for residents and officers. "They assist in CPD's efforts to increase transparency, provide better training and improve community relations in all of the neighborhoods we serve," Giancamilli said. Probation officers' interactions with citizens differ from that of police officers' in several key ways. When offenders are sentenced to probation, they avoid prison and can live in the community, where their activates are supervised by probation officers. Probation officers may conduct unannounced home checks to make sure offenders are abiding by the terms of their probation. Unlike police officers, probation officers have the power to conduct warrantless searches of probationers' homes, if they have "reasonable suspicion" that guns or drugs, for instance, are in the home. Advertisement Cook County probation officers monitor about 25,000 people, the overwhelming majority of whom have been convicted of felony crimes. While there have been no recent accusations of theft made against probation officers, Evans' spokesman, Pat Milhizer, said the chief judge was looking ahead. "Chief Judge Evans believes that the use of body cameras will protect the probationer or the probation officer in any accusations that could potentially surface in the future," Milhizer said. The field units within the probation department being considered for body cameras have probation officers who carry guns those who handle home confinement, intensive probation supervision, sex offender programs, intensive drug programs and gang intervention. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > Initially, plans call for 64 probation officers and 18 supervisors to be outfitted with the cameras, Milhizer said. The costs for the cameras and related equipment has not been determined, but the county on Nov. 15, when it passed its budget, set aside $140,000 for probation officer cameras. Milhizer said the initiative was still in its early stages and that no date had been set for when probation officers would start using cameras. Advertisement Evans told county commissioners that body cameras were essential and money well-spent. "Everybody recognizes the need for them on police officers," he said, "and I believe they are just as important for the probation officers to protect the integrity of the office, to protect the officer and to protect the person's home who is the subject of the stop." tlighty@chicagotribune.com Twitter @tlighty Nicholas Bradbury, 29, is charged with first-degree murder in the Nov. 20 killing of Abimbola Michael Sheleru, 28, as Sheleru left a party in the 2400 block of West Devon Avenue, according to prosecutors (Chicago police photo / ) A man already on parole in a separate gun case was ordered held without bail Wednesday in the shooting death last month of a man outside a West Rogers Park banquet hall. Nicholas Bradbury, 29, is charged with first-degree murder in the Nov. 20 killing of Abimbola Michael Sheleru, 28, as Sheleru left a party in the 2400 block of West Devon Avenue, according to prosecutors, who said there's no known relationship between Bradbury and Sheleru and that Bradbury was the driver for another person who carried out the shooting. Advertisement Sheleru and someone he knew who also knows Bradbury left a party at Bombay Hall, 2448 W. Devon Ave., through a back door about 4:35 a.m. Nov. 20 and walked through the parking lot toward their cars, prosecutors said. A dark-colored vehicle pulled into the park lot about the same time, and the person who was with Sheleru recognized Bradbury at the wheel. Bradbury drove up to near where Sheleru was trying to get into his car and stopped. Someone else got out of the front passenger side of the car, ran up to Sheleru and shot him multiple times, prosecutors said. Advertisement The gunman ran back to Bradbury's car and got back in, and Bradbury drove off, prosecutors said. Sheleru, of the 6100 block of North Hermitage Avenue, was taken to Presence St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, where he was pronounced dead at 7:43 a.m. on Nov. 20, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > Police found eight shell casings at the scene, and determined that surveillance video from Bombay Hall showed the shooting, prosecutors said. The person who left the hall with Sheleru and knows Bradbury identified Bradbury as the driver of the car in the shooting, prosecutors said. Bradbury was arrested by the Chicago police Fugitive Apprehension Unit at 3:50 p.m. Tuesday in the 5300 block of North California Avenuethe block where court records show he livesaccording to police. No one else has been charged in Sheleru's killing yet. Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. ordered Bradbury held no bail. "Your background dictates that you be held without bail, sir," Bourgeois said. Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Bryan Grissman said in court that Bradbury is on parole for a possession of a firearm by a gang member conviction in a 2011 case. Illinois Department of Corrections records show he served three years in prison in a seven-year sentence in the case, and had been scheduled to be on parole through next year. Advertisement The Chicago Tribune's Steve Schmadeke contributed. Legal Tips to Speed up Your Divorce Whether you fell in love at first sight or had a long, drawn out romance, when you're ready for a relationship to be over you normally don't want to have to wait around to make it happen. Unfortunately, when it comes to ending a marriage, a divorce can't exactly happen overnight. That said, there are some ways you can make sure the legal process doesn't take longer than absolutely necessary. Here are some ways you could speed up your divorce. Do Your Research The more prepared you are for divorce, the better. Knowing what to expect means you won't be blind-sided by legal filings or issues, which also means you can respond more quickly. Identifying possible legal hurdles (including shared children, business interests, and tax implications) even before the divorce can mean those won't slow you down later. Talk to Your Spouse Easier said than done, we know. But a hotly contested divorce will take much longer than a collaborative one. Keeping open lines of communication with your soon-to-be ex and sorting out legal issues on your own -- as opposed to waiting to have them sorted out by a judge -- can shorten the time between filing and finalization. In some cases, you could choose mediation over deciding your divorce in court, and most judges are happy to sign off on a fair separation agreement that the parties come up with themselves. Get the Benefit of Your State Laws Because states have general control over their own marriage laws, they can control divorces as well. And getting divorced in one state might be easier than in another. States with no-fault divorce laws, fewer filings and fees, and shorter waiting periods can provide a quicker path to ending your marriage. You may also have other options, like a legal separation or summary dissolution, depending on where you live. Consult Your Attorney An experienced divorce lawyer will know the fastest way to finalize your divorce, and will be able to expedite the process as much as legally possible. Talk to one today. Related Resources: House Speaker Michael Madigan prepares to address the media Dec. 6, 2016, after a meeting with Gov. Bruce Rauner at the Thompson Center. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan remained far apart on a new budget Tuesday, unable to even agree on a way forward for negotiations. The two sides gathered at the Thompson Center following weekend talks, with Madigan emerging from the closed-door huddle to say he proposed restarting so-called working groups of rank-and-file lawmakers to discuss items on Rauner's legislative wish list. Advertisement Rauner's Republicans said they were not interested in the working group idea, which was attempted earlier this year, and once again accused Democrats of stalling to create a crisis. The governor kept out of the spotlight, instead issuing a statement that again called on Madigan and Democratic Senate President John Cullerton to approve two of his more controversial legislative proposals: term limits and a permanent property tax freeze for local governments. Rauner has named that as his price for another stopgap spending plan. Advertisement Tuesday's meeting was the continuation of a postelection exercise that began last week when the governor and legislative leaders held meetings at the Capitol as a temporary stopgap spending plan that has kept state services afloat is set to expire at month's end. But the Jan. 1 deadline hasn't caused a sense of urgency among Democrats, the Republicans said. "No one's jumping out of their chair to get this done," House Republican leader Jim Durkin said of the opposition party following the meeting. Indeed, Madigan downplayed the urgency of the deadline, pointing out that the stopgap spending plan provides a full year of funding for primary and secondary education, as well as capital construction meaning that some, but not all, of the spending will expire with the new year. At risk is funding for higher education, human services and some government operations, Madigan said. The speaker, who has been the target of pre- and postelection attacks by the Rauner-led Illinois Republican Party, tried to pin the blame on the governor. "The truth is, the governor held hostage the budget-making to help his wealthy friends and large corporations," said Madigan, reviving a theme that he has employed periodically during his nearly two-year budget standoff with Rauner. The speaker was asked repeatedly to explain the accusation but ignored the questions. Moments later, the Illinois Republican Party blasted out an email that charged, "Mike Madigan says state government is a democracy, but runs it like a dictatorship." The notion that Madigan, who has been speaker for all but two years since 1983, has the levers of state power in his grip and is the cause of Illinois' financial woes is something Rauner has pushed. That the campaign-style rhetoric continues less than a month after Election Day is a sign of the political stickiness of the situation. Advertisement At the center of the budget fight is the reality that Illinois is spending far more than it brings in. Much of that overspending occurred after Democratic lawmakers, at the incoming governor's urging, decided in late 2014 to allow a temporary income tax hike to roll back as scheduled, but failed to adjust spending levels to reflect the loss of revenue. Since then, both sides have acknowledged a tax increase and budget cuts will be necessary to balance the state's books. But Democrats have said they won't use their majorities to approve a politically unpopular increase on their own. And Rauner has said he won't put Republicans on board unless Democrats first grant him some items on his legislative wish list. The list is a shifting collection of ideas, including limits on claims that can be made by injured workers, curbing collective bargaining rights, term limits on elected officials and a property tax freeze on local governments. Madigan and Cullerton, backed by unions and trial lawyers, have long resisted those ideas, saying they would hurt the middle class. Rauner contends the changes are needed to make the state more business-friendly and promote economic growth. In an indication of how fraught the process has become, neither side could agree Tuesday on how things would proceed at their next meeting, currently scheduled for Thursday morning in Chicago. Durkin said Republicans had asked the Democrats to bring with them "parameters on budgeting" that would detail "what is acceptable in their eyes." Cullerton said that request would have to go both ways. Advertisement "We'd want to know what their parameters are too," Cullerton said. "So that'll be a good discussion. It wouldn't be just our parameters, right?" kgeiger@chicagotribune.com Twitter @kimgeiger Last month, Chicago aldermen spent less than 10 mostly placid minutes debating Mayor Rahm Emanuel's $8.2 billion budget before approving it without dissent. On Wednesday, they tussled with gusto for more than a half-hour over an attempt to take away their power to dole out honorary street signs. The flap was prompted by Ald. Anthony Beale, chairman of the City Council Transportation Committee. If Beale had his way, the common brown signs peppering light poles across the city like the ones that honored President-elect Donald Trump near his downtown tower until the city removed them last weekend would become much less common in upcoming years. Advertisement But the 9th Ward alderman's idea dissolved into a debate about aldermanic privilege and the storied history such signs have in city neighborhoods. In an era when aldermen have less control than they used to over basic city services like garbage pickup due to Emanuel's cost-cutting switch to a grid-based system instead of a ward-based system, the street signs remain a plum City Council members can use to reward local supporters and luminaries. Beale isn't the first Transportation Committee chairman to try to regulate honorary street signs, and past efforts met with serious blowback. Beale was angered earlier this year when a colleague petitioned to have former gang member and community organizer Hal Baskin honored along a stretch of 65th Street in Englewood. The alderman said he made the proposal to regulate them because the honorary signs have proliferated to an unreasonable extent. Advertisement "The idea behind the limitation is the amount of signs that's currently throughout the entire city, that are currently up," he said. "And I think over time, we're going to get to the point where we're not going to have any streets left to designate if we continue on the path we're on today." Beale also complained about the cost for "emergency signs" when an alderman wants the city's sign shop to make and install signs at the last minute because a ceremony the alderman forgot about is set to take place in a few days. Under Beale's ordinance, aldermen would be charged $1,000 from their ward-level budgets to cover the cost to the city of making and installing two of the honorary signs, plus the cost of later taking them down. The signs would only be allowed for people who are deceased, and each would only go up for five years unless the local alderman passed another ordinance to renew them. Signs honoring living people would not be renewed, according to the Law Department. That rule struck some committee members as too overbearing. "We've honored people because of their work in the community and the city of Chicago, and after five years we're in essence saying that you have a term limit as to your designation," said Ald. Christopher Taliaferro, 29th. "And we are not going to be able to renew your sign because you're living, so please die real soon." Aldermen have approved about 1,500 of the signs over the past 50 years. They are rarely contentious. Many can be attempts by aldermen to appease the political supporters, community organizations, ethnic groups, businesses and religious orders that make up the typical Chicago ward and clamor for their people's contributions to be recognized. Chicago, for example, has an honorary "Bishop Jonathan Greer Sr. Avenue" in a block of 57th Place near the church Greer founded in the Washington Park neighborhood. There are signs designating part of Lawrence Avenue near the Copernicus Center on the Northwest Side as "Warsaw-Chicago Sister Cities Way." And in the South Loop, there's a "Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk Way" to honor the influential house music DJ. Advertisement The first honorary street naming, in 1964, designated LaSalle Street in the Loop the "Golden Mile" because of the banking and financial institutions found there, according to city records. Dozens of the proposals come through the City Council each year. As with most other proposals, if the local alderman backs it, his colleagues are likely to fall in line. The vast majority pass with little more than a quick mention on the crowded agenda of the council Committee on Transportation and Public Way. Occasionally a street-naming proposal is controversial. Besides the Trump signs, two years ago, the Bangladeshi ambassador to the United States opposed giving former Bangladeshi President Ziaur Rahman a street sign in Rogers Park. And in 2006, then-2nd Ward Ald. Madeline Haithcock's attempt to give a short stretch of West Monroe Street the designation "Chairman Fred Hampton Way" in honor of the Black Panther leader who was killed there in 1969 by Chicago police drew the ire of then-Transportation Committee Chairman Ald. Thomas Allen. The panel backed the designation, but once Allen realized whom Haithcock was trying to recognize, he left the measure to languish there, sparing the full council the uncomfortable prospect of having to take sides on whether to honor the controversial Hampton. On Wednesday, Beale eventually agreed to delay a vote rather than risk seeing his plan defeated. He promised to recall the proposed ordinance for a vote next month. Advertisement jebyrne@chicagotribune.com Twitter @_johnbyrne Iow Gov. Terry Branstad speaks to media following his meeting with President-elect Trump at Trump Tower in New York on Dec. 6, 2016. (Albin Lohr-Jones / Pool / EPA) President-elect Donald Trump has selected Terry Branstad, the long-serving Republican governor of Iowa, to be ambassador to China, a transition official confirmed Wednesday. Branstad has extensive ties to China and a personal friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping that dates back decades. If confirmed, the move could go some way to reassure China's leadership that Trump understands the importance of healthy relations with Beijing. Advertisement The Chinese reacted with concern to Trump's protocol-busting phone call last Friday with Tsai Ing-wen, the leader of Taiwan, an island that China considers a rogue province. Trump repeatedly attacked China on the campaign trail and in a pair of tweets last Sunday over its trade and currency policies, as well as the way it has staked its territorial claims in the South China Sea. He has threatened to slap tariffs on Chinese goods if Beijing didn't "behave." The selection of Branstad was first reported by Bloomberg News and confirmed Wednesday by a transition official, who requested anonymity because the nomination had not yet been formally announced. Advertisement China's foreign ministry did not confirm the report but reacted warmly. "First of all, I would like to say that Mr. Branstad is an old friend of the Chinese people, and we welcome him to play a greater role in promoting Sino-U. S. relations," spokesman Lu Kang sais at a news conference. "The U.S. ambassador to China is an important bridge between the U.S. government and the Chinese government. No matter who is in this position, we are willing to work with him to push forward the sound, steady and steady development of Sino-U. S. relations." Branstad met with Trump in New York on Tuesday and issued a written statement saying he had enjoyed a "very cordial conversation" with the president-elect and that they had spoken about the transition and the next administration. "He is putting together a great Cabinet that will serve the American people well," Branstad said of Trump. "While there has been speculation regarding an appointment to serve in this administration, I have no announcement to make at this time." Branstad was among the most active Republican establishment figures on behalf of Trump, campaigning regularly with him in the state. The governor's son, Eric, managed Trump's general election campaign in Iowa, which was one of the contested battleground states. Although Trump finished only second in the state's Republican caucuses, he carried the state in the general election 51 percent to Hillary Clinton's 42 percent. Branstad's move to Beijing, should he be confirmed, would elevate Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds to the governorship. Reynolds, who has long been considered Branstad's favored successor, would become Iowa's first female governor. Under the Obama administration, experts say the post of ambassador had declined somewhat in importance: China policy was largely run out of the White House with the president tending to immerse himself in many of the details. Advertisement Under Trump, the role could be more significant -- and not only because the next president is likely to leave many of the policy details to his advisers. By taking a phone call from Taiwan's democratically elected leader Tsai, and continuing to tweet critical comments about China after his election win, the president-elect has shown he will not be bound by diplomatic convention and wants to show he is standing up to China. Kerry Brown, professor of Chinese studies at King's College, London, said it would be important having someone in the job who has the president's ear and can call him up directly. "There's definitely going to be problems in the first few months -- so you need someone who's going to get direct access to the president, and get the president's attention," he said. "I get the feeling he's not going to want piles and piles of briefings, he's not going to wade through that. In a sense that makes the personal system, where you can have people speak to him directly, very important." Indeed Branstad, if he is nominated by Trump and confirmed by the Senate, could have his work cut out for him, smoothing over some of the ripples in the relationship -- reassuring the Chinese that the United States does not want confrontation and conflict, but still sees areas for cooperation. Jie Dalei, an assistant professor at the School of International Studies of Peking University, reacted cautiously, saying the appointment could help communication, "but is unlikely have too much impact at the decision-making level." "At this point, his tweets and remarks certainly have attracted the most attention," he said. "Compared to that, the appointment of an ambassador to China, though very thoughtful, is unlike to fix the damage caused by the uncertainty of his tweets and Taiwan call." Advertisement Last month, less than a week after Trump's victory, Branstad paid his seventh visit to China, meeting the country's agriculture minister as well as officials from Iowa's sister-state Hebei. He has described Xi as an "old friend," and, during a 2015 interview with state news agency Xinhua, proudly displayed photographs of two meetings with the Chinese leader. The first dated to 1985, when Xi made his first trip to the United States as a young agriculture officer from Hebei. The other was from 2012, when Branstad hosted an elaborate dinner at the Iowa Capital for the then-vice president of China. Branstad also met Xi on a visit to China in 2011, saying the pair had spoken for 45 minutes as Xi reminisced about the hospitality he had received when he was in Iowa. The six-term governor, the longest-serving in American history, and his state voted for Trump by the largest margin for a Republican since Ronald Reagan in 1980. It also a state with strong economic ties to China, as the largest producer of corn and among the largest soybean producers in the United States. Advertisement China has been a fast-growing market for Iowa's agriculture and processed food, with exports from the state up by a factor of 13 between 2000 and 2010 to $6.3 billion, according to Chinese state media. That fact alone may reassure some people that Trump would not needlessly start a trade war with China, since retaliation from Beijing in the shape of reduced soybean and corn imports would not only hurt Iowa but also other Republican-controlled agricultural states. Branstad, 70, served as governor of Iowa from 1983 to 1999, and again from 2011. Trump will visit the state Thursday on his post-election victory tour. Two days before the Nov. 8 presidential election, during a rally in Sioux City, Trump called the governor to the stage, calling him "our prime candidate to take care of China." Denyer reported from Beijing and Rucker from Washington. The Washington Post's Luna Lin in Beijing contributed. In 1644, the English poet John Milton made an eloquent case against censorship. Freedom of thought and inquiry was not only a God-given prerogative but also the best protection against error: "Let her and Falsehood grapple; who ever knew Truth put to the worse, in a free and open encounter?" Milton was fortunate enough to live before the internet. It has shown that among many people, truth doesn't have a chance in an encounter with manufactured falsehoods aimed at not only smearing enemies but obliterating the idea of objective reality. Advertisement There is now a bustling industry of websites and Twitter accounts whose chief product is fiction masquerading as fact. Their success was both cause and effect of the rise of Donald Trump, who went beyond any previous major presidential candidate in saying things that were utterly baseless and easily refutable. He didn't have to wait to reach the White House to fulfill his promise to create new jobs. His campaign generated a new demand for fact-checkers, who found that trying to expose his lies was like trying to stay dry in a hurricane. The torrent was too big, fierce and persistent to overcome. Advertisement Trump peddled bogus information and profited from that spread by others. Of the 20 most read phony election-related stories circulated on Facebook during the campaign, 17 made him look good or Hillary Clinton look bad. The top two: the pope's endorsement of Trump and Clinton's selling of arms to the Islamic State, neither of which contained a particle of truth. Trump voters are not the only ones with a penchant for believing things purely because they are convenient. Vox reported that most of Bernie Sanders' followers want universal health care and free public college tuition but aren't willing to pay anything close to what they would cost in higher taxes. Most Americans can't name their member of Congress or the three branches of government. It's no accident that so many Americans choose to be uninformed or misinformed. Educating yourself about politicians and their platforms by getting reliable information has little payoff. Your vote, wise or foolish, rarely if ever makes a difference in the policies that affect you. Being wrong about candidates generally costs you nothing, unlike being deluded about more practical matters. If you think you can fly, you will get a painful lesson when you leap off your roof. But if you believe that Barack Obama is a Muslim as more than half of Republican primary voters did you suffer no injury from indulging that fantasy. In fact, you gain something: a powerful sense of connection with others who share your outlook. For most people who have great interest in politics, argued George Mason University economist Bryan Caplan in his 2007 book, "The Myth of the Rational Voter," ideology is a form of religion, and its disciples act more on faith than on evidence. "Human beings want their religion's answers to be true," he wrote, and stick to them in the face of contradictory information. We have little reason to behave differently on Election Day. "Why control your knee-jerk emotional and ideological reactions if you can't change the outcome?" asked Caplan. Conventional politicians shade and embellish the truth, but within established bounds. They have enough respect for voters to ration their deceptions. What made Trump different was his conviction that most people are happy to be fed nonsense as long as it is palatable. He lied without reservation or limit, about topics big and small, and he got away with it. Among his followers, some believed he was telling the truth and some didn't care. Advertisement "Fake news" sources exploit the same cynical strategy, confident that many readers will seek out anything that confirms their prejudices and reject anything that doesn't. The news media have discovered that while there is a demand for accurate information, there is also a market, possibly bigger, for malignant myths. No lie is too big or absurd to find a gullible audience. Not only that, fake news sites have a competitive advantage. Honest press outlets often present information their readers find unwelcome. Dishonest ones offer their customers the promise that their illusions will be preserved no matter what. Our system of government rests on the assumption that in the long run, the truth will prevail over falsehoods. We have yet to consider what to do if our faith in the truth turns out to be false. Steve Chapman, a member of the Tribune Editorial Board, blogs at www.chicagotribune.com/chapman. schapman@tribpub.com Twitter @SteveChapman13 Advertisement www.facebook.com/stevechapman13 The Supreme Court was something of an under-the-radar issue in the 2016 campaign, extremely important to some groups (especially white evangelicals), but not discussed all that much on a national level. But now that Donald Trump has been elected, and with the success of the GOP's only-Republican-presidents-are-allowed-to-fill-vacancies strategy, it will be of tremendous importance to the country's future. No issue will be more volatile than abortion, which raises the inevitable question: Is Roe v. Wade doomed? That question is coming up again in the wake of the Ohio legislature's shocking decision to pass a ban on abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which is usually about six weeks into a pregnancy, before many women even know they're pregnant. Under current jurisprudence, this ban is almost certainly unconstitutional. But maybe by the time it reaches the Supreme Court, it won't be. If you listen to some pro-choice activists, Roe is still safe, for now. As Julie Rikelman of the Center for Reproductive Rights recently told New York magazine, "We definitely need to be concerned, but we do not believe that Roe v. Wade would be overturned at this point in time." The idea is that not only are the justices reluctant to overturn the Court's precedents, but they're also attuned to public opinion and political reality, and understand what upheaval would result if they overturned Roe. Ruth Bader Ginsburg said as much in an interview last year: "This court is highly precedent bound. And it could happen, but I think it's not a likely scenario." I suspect that pro-choice groups may be taking that line in part to persuade the justices of just that argument. Unfortunately, it's much more likely that by the time we get to the end of Donald Trump's term, Roe will be history. Here's where we stand right now. There are five votes to maintain Roe: the liberals Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Stephen Breyer, and the swing voter Anthony Kennedy. There are two iron-clad votes to overturn Roe: Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. Donald Trump has made it clear he'll be appointing a "pro-life" justice, and there's simply no way conservatives would let him get away with naming someone to fill Antonin Scalia's seat who wasn't guaranteed to vote against Roe. That's three votes against Roe. Now let's imagine that at some point in the next four years, Ginsburg (age 83), Breyer (78) or Kennedy (80) leaves the Court. Their replacement would also be all but guaranteed to be a vote to overturn Roe. That's four. Which means it all comes down to John Roberts. No one knows for sure how he'd rule. On one hand, Roberts is extremely well-attuned to the politics of the moment and reluctant to issue rulings that would cause political chaos and undermine the authority and legitimacy of the Court. He is surely well aware that in polls the idea of overturning the decision is usually opposed by at least 60 percent of the public and sometimes more. On the other hand, Roberts was nurtured in the Reagan Justice Department, where he participated in many efforts to restrict abortion rights. While he made all the right noises about Roe being settled precedent during his confirmation hearings in 2005 (as every conservative justice does ), he has never joined the pro-choice side of a decision before the High Court. Earlier this year, he dissented in a case that struck down a set of absurd restrictions Texas had placed on abortion clinics, a classic "TRAP law" (Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers), in which the state places regulatory demands that are all but impossible to satisfy on abortion clinics as a way of driving them out of business. That Texas law was so ridiculous that if you believed it was constitutional as Roberts, Thomas, and Alito did then there's essentially no restriction on abortion rights you'd find unduly burdensome. Which suggests that Roberts will be perfectly ready to discard Roe if he gets the chance. But that case also suggests something else: the conservatives on the Court, joined by their new colleagues (if Trump gets one more appointment) could effectively overturn Roe without actually overturning Roe. They could claim that Roe still stands while gutting the standard set out in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which said that states can't place an "undue burden" on a woman's right to choose. They could say that "heartbeat" bans like Ohio's are fine, as are TRAP laws that make it impossible to open an abortion clinic, as are lengthy waiting periods or requirements that doctors lie to their patients and tell them that if they have an abortion they'll go mad and die from cancer. With five anti-abortion votes, they could create the functional equivalent of a world without Roe, where abortion is all but illegal in states controlled by Republicans but legal in states controlled by Democrats. Here's the last part of the puzzle, which leads to the possibility of an even more frightening scenario. Now that Republicans control Congress and the White House, they aren't going to be waiting around: they're likely to pass national laws on abortion, things like bans after 20 weeks, national waiting periods, and other laws meant to make abortion as difficult and cumbersome as possible for women, particularly poor women, to obtain. When you add in the Republican Congress, you could envision a scenario even worse than Roe being overturned. Here's how it would work: -With another retirement, the Supreme Court reaches five anti-choice votes. -Instead of overturning Roe v. Wade, they gut the undue burden standard in Casey. -Congress then passes a series of incredibly restrictive abortion laws, on things like clinic standards, waiting periods, and a version of Ohio's "heartbeat" bill, or at least one outlawing abortion after some small period of time, perhaps not the 20 weeks that's now discussed but 15 or 10. This is worse because if Roe were simply overturned, each state could make its own rules, which means abortion would still be legal and available in states controlled by Democrats. But under this scenario, every state would live under the rules set by Republicans in Congress, who are almost unanimous in their desire to see abortion rights disappear completely. Would there be a political backlash? Absolutely. That prospect might be enough to restrain Republicans from reaching for their heart's desire. But there are some very dark days ahead for reproductive rights. Washington Post Paul Waldman is a contributor to The Plum Line blog, and a senior writer at The American Prospect. Northern League's leader Matteo Salvini, center, holds together party lawmakers a placard reading in Italian "Vote Now" as they pose for photographers outside the Lower Chamber in Rome, on Dec. 6, 2016. Calls mounted rapidly Monday from populist and other opposition leaders for quick elections in Italy, seeking to capitalize on Premier Matteo Renzi's humiliating defeat in a referendum on government-championed reforms. (Gregorio Borgia / AP) As the anti-establishment bandwagon rolls across Europe, questions with unnerving implications for the U.S. loom. Will populist movements reduce Europe to a hodgepodge of insular nation-states, each with its own economic and political agenda? And if Europe continues to fracture, what will that mean for the global economy? For U.S.-Euro cooperation against terrorism? For the challenges posed by a volatile Middle East or Russian aggression? It's too early to sound the air raid sirens, but it's worth watching closely. Britain shocked itself and the world in June when it chose to uncouple from the European Union. And on Sunday, Italy's prime minister, Matteo Renzi, rolled the dice with a referendum that asked voters to approve constitutional reforms that would streamline Italian politics. Advertisement Renzi lost it all, trounced by Beppe Grillo, a mop-haired comedian-turned-politician who tapped an undercurrent of anti-establishment anger much as Donald Trump did in November and pro-Brexit politician Nigel Farage did in June. Renzi will now resign, as he had pledged he would do if he lost. If a caretaker government isn't appointed soon, early elections would be on tap for 2017. Renzi's party and Grillo's populists would square off again; right now they're polling neck-and-neck. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi during a press conference in Rome, Italy, on Dec. 4, 2016, after the referendum on constitutional reform, with his wife Angese Landini in the background. (Alessandro Di Meo, EPA) Next year could be pivotal for Europe and the EU's future. National elections will take place in the spring in France, where Marine Le Pen's National Front party is a strong contender. In the fall, Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats face stiff competition from the Alternative for Germany party, which has promised to follow Britain's lead and leave the EU if the 28-nation bloc doesn't decentralize and return more power to its member countries. In the Netherlands, the Dutch will go to the polls in March and decide whether to launch into power Geert Wilders, the ultra-nationalist facing trial on hate speech charges. If Wilders' party wins, he would become prime minister. Advertisement If some or all of these nationalist parties win next year, how world-rattling would that be? Very. Euroskeptic to the core, they hawk views ranging from opposition to immigration and globalization to dropping the euro as currency. France's National Front and Wilders' Freedom Party outright oppose the EU. The EU is already steeling itself for Britain's departure. The emergence of populist governments in major economies like France, Italy or Germany could prove too tumultuous for the EU to survive. For the U.S., then, the stakes are high. The EU may be bloated and unwieldy, but it's been a reliable partner on several fronts. EU member nations sent thousands of troops to help U.S. efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. EU countries have played a sizable role in battling Islamic extremists in North Africa. And the EU bloc joined the U.S. in slapping sanctions on Russia after the Kremlin invaded Ukraine. A divided Europe is likely to be more insular, much less cooperative with Washington and much more vulnerable. How much of a fight can Europe put up against terrorists when an every-country-for-itself mentality takes root, when each country adopts its own approach toward immigrants streaming in from the Middle East and North Africa? The U.S. could find itself alone in taking the fight to terrorists in their strongholds in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. An aggressive Kremlin is best countered when the U.S. and Europe work together to craft sanctions and beef up defenses on Russia's western flank. What would fissures in the EU, or even its disintegration, mean for the continuation of those sanctions, and for that matter the effectiveness of NATO the most potent bulwark against Russian aggression? A weak, fractured Europe also could spell disaster for the global economy. Getting rid of the euro could throw banks across Europe into chaos. A new recession on the continent could emerge, even as aftereffects of the 2008 financial crisis linger. Protectionism could become standard policy. The EU is, collectively, the world's second largest economy. When it flags, the rest of the world economy feels it. As Europe braces for an anxious 2017, it would make sense for the incoming Trump administration to preach a message of solidarity to America's EU allies. But will Trump feel a stronger kinship with a cohesive EU or with the nationalist movements buoyed by the same anti-establishment anger that helped launch him into the White House? For the sake of U.S. and European interests, we hope President-elect Trump makes the right choice. Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook. Gov. Bruce Rauner and legislative leaders held another meeting Tuesday if your definition of "meeting" stretches to include "shameful hissy fit." Another day, another showdown, another exchange of petty back-stabbing. If you were hopeful (yes, we were) that legislative leaders and the governor getting together in a room over a series of days would force some cooperation, even a sliver, your hopes were most certainly dashed with the collective sniping that those meetings have produced. Advertisement We should be used to it. It's Rauner's fault, say the Democrats. It's the Democrats' fault, say the Republicans. Meanwhile, the state has no official budget. Pension funds are wildly unstable. Stacks of unpaid state bills rise, disgracefully. There are only two days remaining for this legislature, coming up in January, in which lawmakers can advance policies to help this staggering state. The bucket list for the outgoing General Assembly is long. The politics, bitter. The track record, abysmal. Waiting on any of it will mean hitting the reset button as new members those elected Nov. 8 are sworn in and settled, then starting over with new pieces of legislation. Advertisement Meanwhile, Illinois citizens and local governments twist in the wind. Among the most imperiled: Chicago Public Schools. The district unwisely counted on some $215 million from Springfield to close its budget gap for the current school year. How will CPS officials make ends meet? We wouldn't be surprised to hear warnings of classroom spending cuts. But long story here that money for Chicago may be contingent on Springfield's passage of broad pension reform legislation. So with Tuesday delivering yet more warfare between the leaders of both political parties, we'll try to be Switzerland: Could that long-unfinished business, pension reform, get done in the two-day January window? Suppose the combatants narrowed the battlefield. Suppose they all set aside their partisan cavil and start rounding up the votes for legislation long touted by Senate President John Cullerton, a Democrat who can negotiate with Rauner. Cullerton has advocated pension changes he believes are constitutional and that union leadership, at one time, got behind. Rauner has expressed support. So have GOP leaders. That leaves one holdout you-know-who. House Speaker Michael Madigan contributes little but robotic denunciations of Rauner to the public discussion, and evidently is content to let CPS miss out on the $215 million. Cullerton lobbied hard for his idea, known as the "consideration" model, several years ago. Dozens of incumbent lawmakers already are on record supporting a version of Cullerton's plan, which would give pensioners a perk in exchange for a decrease in benefits. There is time between now and Jan. 9 and 10, the last two days of the outgoing General Assembly, to take steps toward stabilizing a pension system that is alarmingly in arrears. The numbers are daunting. When Democrats took full control of the governor's office and General Assembly in 2003, the pension funds covering teachers outside Chicago, university workers, state workers, lawmakers and judges faced unfunded liabilities of about $43 billion. By 2010, the figure had grown to roughly $86 billion. Today, those same pension funds face $130 billion in unfunded liabilities and that's a conservative estimate. The total grows every day. Taxpayers are on the hook for every penny of it. So suspend disbelief for a moment and ask: What if Cullerton files a pension bill and lawmakers use early January to pass it and, in exchange, ask Rauner to approve the money CPS desperately needs? But you also have to ask: What will it take for Democrats to cooperate with the GOP governor on anything? Coming to an agreement would be "giving" Rauner a gubernatorial accomplishment: pension reform. Are Democrats willing to let debts continue to rise and people who rely on state spending to suffer, all in an effort to weaken Rauner's chances of re-election? That seems to be the plan. Advertisement Call us too optimistic. But we're pulling for a solution, a trade of pension reform for CPS money, a possible precursor to agreements on other issues. There's still time. Two days in January. One pension system desperate for a fix. One school district on the bubble. One first step toward fixing Illinois. Do it. Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook. What to Do If You Find a Dead Body? Finding a dead body can frequently be a traumatic experience. Even when the body is not a loved one, personally encountering death can have wide range of effects on individuals. The most important thing to do is to remain calm. Then, if you are able, confirm death without disturbing the scene or body, and contact the authorities (9-1-1). Feeling for a pulse, or breathing, will generally be okay. If the deceased has clearly been so for some time, there is no need to confirm a pulse or breathing. Additionally, you can call 9-1-1 before doing anything, and allow the operator to walk you through what to do. Death and the Good Samaritan Sometimes, an injured or unconscious person may just appear dead, when in reality they need medical assistance. If that's the case, then calling 9-1-1 immediately might just be what saves a life. If you have received some emergency training, such as CPR, you might consider trying to help until professional medical help can arrive. However, any help you personally offer should be coordinated with your call to 9-1-1. Most states will absolve a Good Samaritan of personal liability if they stop to provide help to someone who is injured, dying, or in distress. Shockingly, in Vermont, a person can actually be found liable if they do not stop to render aid. Good Samaritan laws protect people who try to help from later being held liable for things like a broken rib that was the result of administering CPR. However, recklessness and/or gross negligence will likely remain unprotected. Other than Vermont, no states require a person to offer assistance to those in distress. Suspicious Scenarios Surrounding the Deceased If you come across a dead body in an odd place, or under suspicious, or nonsensical circumstances, do not touch anything and contact 9-1-1. Recently, a man was discovered dead in his car, which had received a small mountain of parking tickets with him dead inside. Generally, a 9-1-1 operator will instruct you on what to do, and will ask questions to determine if there is anything you can do until authorities arrive. If you can see a weapon, or other evidence that a crime was committed, you may want to consider moving to a safe location while waiting, but do not, under any circumstances, move or disturb the body. Usually, after reporting a dead body, you will just have to wait until authorities arrive so you can provide a statement. Police and medical examiners or paramedics will arrive on the scene to confirm death, and determine whether evidence should be collected and/or preserved. While there are ways to anonymously report the body to the police, doing so could actually lead to some suspicion. Related Resources: A few days before Donald Trump launched his Twitter attack threatening to cancel Boeing's Air Force One contract, he let loose on American companies with foreign factories. They will be punished, he typed. "There will be a tax on our soon to be strong border of 35% for these companies." That was Sunday morning at 5:57 a.m. Advertisement Hours earlier, Trump tweeted his thoughts on "Saturday Night Live," which featured Alec Baldwin's devastating parody of the next president. Trump was not amused, and evidently felt the nation should know his umbrage. "Just tried watching Saturday Night Live unwatchable! Totally biased, not funny and the Baldwin impersonation just can't get any worse. Sad." For the record, we think Baldwin's comedic take on Trump is hilarious, but we'd understand if Baldwin retired the act. When it comes to playing an obtuse, self-obsessed media hound, Trump has overrun the material. He's a self-parody machine. The next president is not just comedy gold, he is at times comedy. Advertisement "I think I'm very restrained," Trump said on television Wednesday, without irony, responding to Matt Lauer's "Today" show question about the appropriateness of the next commander-in-chief acting as TV critic-in-chief. There hasn't been a president in our memory like Trump: unrestrained and impetuous a font of ideas and unafraid to express whatever pops into his head. That combination, face it, helped win the presidency because it announced that he will shake up the country. In his unvarnished tweets, supporters see a champion. All others, us included, see trouble. Words, especially those communicated by a president, have consequences. The Boeing tweet came out of the blue. At 7:52 a.m. Tuesday Trump declared: "Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!" That was it, just the one tweet. There was no context, but there was immediate reaction: Traders dumped Boeing shares, causing a temporary 1 percent drop in the Chicago-based company's valuation. Industry experts were perplexed. Boeing is in the early stages of developing a pair of specialized 747s for future presidents, but the exact cost isn't determined. Trump told Lauer, without providing details, that he thinks the planes are too expensive. "That's what I'm here for. I'm going to negotiate prices." In the same interview, Trump addressed the 35 percent tax threat, saying, "I believe in free trade, but I don't believe in stupid trade." He decreed that companies aren't going to be allowed to fire workers, move operations out of the country and then be allowed to import their products without "retribution." In Washington, Republican leaders backed away from Trump's idea because, well, it's ludicrous. Presidents can't target individual companies for punishment, and Congress won't handcuff the free market system to oblige a predawn tweet. There's been the suggestion that someone should take away Trump's smartphone: Let the communications professionals run his Twitter account. We don't expect he'll heed that advice. He's a canny marketer who sees the power of social media to reach the American public without the news media's filter. Twitter, he told Lauer, "is a modern-day form of communication." He's right. One long-ago president was the first to embrace radio (it was Calvin Coolidge), and Trump is on his way to becoming the first true social media president. That does not mean he should be free to tweet, or speak, without repercussions or media scrutiny. He will be held accountable. Since Election Day, he's toned down his most incendiary rhetoric, but he's still rash and reckless. Critiquing Baldwin made Trump look petty and disrespectful of the First Amendment. Tweeting free-style verse on the economy caused a scare in the boardrooms of the Fortune 500. What happens, after Inauguration Day, when Trump picks his first Twitter fight with a foreign leader? Advertisement Presidents command attention, and Trump will use his digital bully pulpit. But in the end he is no different than anyone else on Twitter. He's free to say what he wants, but he has to continually earn the respect of followers. Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook. This blog is looking for wisdom, to have and to share. It is also looking for other rare character traits like good humor, courage, and honor. It is not an easy road, because all of us fall short. But God is love, forgiveness and grace. Those who believe in Him and repent of their sins have the promise of His Holy Spirit to guide us and show us the Way. The Intercept continues its work analyzing SID Today, the NSA's internal employee newsletter, with a fresh release of 262 articles these are in addition to the 166 articles published last spring. The SID Today articles are part of the trove of documents that the whistleblower Edward Snowden gave to journalists for analysis and potential publication. The new release documents the NSA's own internal struggles to keep its employees from blabbing in restaurants near the agency's Fort Meade HQ; a profile of the analyst who figured out that public sources the web and news media could be useful to the spies' mission; and, most interestingly, an article confronting the reality that the US military was launching lethal strikes against targets based on signals intelligence data, after a review process lasting only "minutes." Also in the release is the revelation that Ronald Regan "cavalierly leaked sensitive NSA documents for political purposes. A top NSA official disclosed in a January 2004 SIDtoday column that U.S. forces were "dropping bombs" based entirely on signals intelligence, the type of intelligence collected by the agency. He then implied that the American officers involved risked prosecution for war crimes. Charles Berlin, chief of staff in the Signals Intelligence Directorate, recounted an anecdote about a former commander of his who, in one session in the winter of 1995-96, personally reviewed more than 100 possible airstrike targets in the Balkans. The commander's motivation, Berlin said, was to protect his underlings from being prosecuted for war crimes, and his actions "really brought home the concepts of responsibility and accountability." "For us today this lesson is especially important," he added. "The planning cycle for dropping a bomb has compressed from a day to minutes and the criterion for the aiming point has less and less review." "As many of you know, our forces in Iraq are dropping bombs on the strength of SIGINT alone. We are proud of their confidence in us, but have you ever considered the enormous risk the commanders are assuming in this regard? Are you ready to share that risk?" DROWNING IN INFORMATION: NSA REVELATIONS FROM 262 SPY DOCUMENTS [Micah Lee and Margot Williams/The Intercept] James Cawley is a 50 year old Elvis impersonator from Ticonderoga, NY; his friend William Ware Theiss was costume-designer for the original Star Trek series, and left Cawley the blueprints for the original Star Trek Enterprise sets in his will so Cawley rented out a 13,000 sqft shuttered supermarket and built an exquisite replica of the original there to use in elaborate fan-films, and now he gives one-hour tours. When I was a kid, I used to shop at Toronto's Mr Gameways Ark, a huge, multi-storey games store with a replica bridge in its attic (they had gaming tournaments there!) and I have had literal dreams of recreating it some day. Cawley is living that dream. In 2003, Cawley and his friends launched their own version of the Original Series, releasing full-length episodes online. Cawley starred as Kirk early on; later, professional actors got involved, including George Takei and Walter Koenig. They made 11 episodes before CBS, the rights holder, instituted new guidelines prohibiting that kind of fan-film. But the company granted Cawley permission to open his set to the public. Cawley leased the 13,000-square-foot former grocery and dollar store three years ago, and has been boldly welcoming visitors since August. "I thought, why does it have to be an exclusive boys' club? Why can't we share it with every Star Trek fan?" Cawley says. His hour-long Star Trek Original Series Set Tour feels less like actually being on the Enterprise and more like getting a backstage pass to Desilu Studios, where the original was shot. (Do you love Lucy? You should; Lucille Ballthe "lu" in Desiluwas an early Trek champion.) Visitors can sit in Captain Kirk's chair and punch buttons just like William Shatner did 60 years ago, or perhaps gaze into Spock's scanner and search for signs of life. Everyone has to make that decision at some point. Boldly Go to Upstate New York to Board the USS Enterprise [Charley Locke/Wired] (Images: Maggie Shannon/Wired) When you sign up for a Wells Fargo account, you're required to sign an arbitration "agreement" giving up your right to sue the company, and requiring you to have your case heard by an arbitrator paid for by and dependent on Wells Fargo instead. At least 2,000,000 times, Wells Fargo employees were pressured on pain of termination and lifelong blacklisting from the finance industry into opening fake accounts in their customers' names. These accounts existed solely to accrue fees, which, in many cases, made their customers overdrawn (or simply generated suspicious seeming queries against their credit records), and when that happened, their credit records were dinged, which can cost you a job, a loan even your house if you can't refinance your mortgage. Now those millions of defrauded people are trying to sue Wells, and Wells is arguing that the binding arbitration agreements on accounts that you didn't open are also binding that by having your signature forged on a fraudulent application, you waived your right to sue. What's worse? Courts are buying it. In dismissing one large case seeking class-action status in California, a federal judge ruled last year that it was not "wholly groundless" that customers could be forced to arbitrate over accounts they had never agreed to. That case is now being settled, according to legal filings. In a statement, Wells Fargo said it was working with customers to reimburse any improper fees. If the issues are still not resolved, the bank offers free mediation services. Arbitration, the bank said, is a "last resort." Wells Fargo Killing Sham Account Suits by Using Arbitration [Michael Corkery and Stacy Cowley/New York Times] How does scent accompany your life? How do smells help you recall certain events in your past? Photojournalist Eleonore de Bonneval weaves a complex tableau of memories and impressions in her multisensory exhibit titled The Olfactory Journey and held in Paris between 7 November and 15 December 2016. She uses smells, sounds, and images to recreate personal journeys and memories of twenty residents of Bretonneau, a geriatric hospital in Paris, France. As de Bonneval explains, Residents recall with nostalgia the smell of dishes cooked by their parents or grandparents, of family holidays and even the smell of the cellar, an odor which for some Parisians is strongly associated with the Second World War. Whilst reading and hearing these stories, we discover not only the smell of friendship and the smell of freedom but also the smell of fear. Exhibition by Eleonore de Bonneval 7 November 15 December 2016 Hopital Bretonneau rue principale 23 rue Joseph de Maistre 75018 Paris Free Entry | all days | 9h 17h By Samuel Wrest 2016 saw China pass two new laws that will play a major role in shaping its civil society sector. The Charity Law, already in effect, and the Overseas Non-Government Organization (NGO) Law, set for implementation in January, are closely intertwined, but while the former has been largely praised for incentivizing and making simpler charitable donations and funding, the latter has been widely condemned for restricting which charities can accept these donations and successfully operate in the Middle Kingdom. China is a country that has traditionally struggled with funding its civil society. In 2012, charitable donations totaled US$13.2 billion four percent of those made in the US. 2961 philanthropic foundations were registered during the same year three percent of the US and only 1.5 percent of those foundations actually funded grassroots NGOs. On the Charities Aid Foundations World Giving Index for 2015, China ranked 144th out of 145 countries, with only Yemen ranking below it. The Charity Law is seen as an attempt to address this imbalance. The law contains various tax incentives for both charitable donations and charitable organizations themselves, potentially increasing the amount of funding that they receive. When considered alongside the Overseas NGO Law, however, the Charity Laws potential impact is tempered. The NGO Law prohibits foreign charities from accepting donations in China, and looks set to further scale back their operations, significantly shrinking the pool of charitable organizations that the Charity Law could actually benefit. Defining NGOs and charities in China The Charity Law Foreign and domestic charities are defined differently in China, with the new Charity and Overseas NGO Laws detailing what activities they must each respectively undertake and, more importantly, what they are unable to do. The Charity Law has a specific list of activities that qualify as being charitable, carried out by either providing services or donating property. They include: Aiding the poor and the needy; Assisting the elderly, orphans, the ill, and the disabled; Alleviating damages from natural disasters, accidents, public health incidents, and other emergencies; Promoting the development of education, science, culture, health, sports, and other causes; Preventing and controlling pollution and other public hazards, protecting and improving the ecological environment. The law emphasizes that any organization carrying out charitable activities must abide by principles of being lawful, voluntary, in good faith, and non-profit, and cannot violate social morality, or endanger national security or harm public interest or the lawful rights and interests of others. A definition of the latter terms, however, is not provided. RELATED: Hiring Disabled Workers in China: Incentives and Challenges The Overseas NGO Law Article 2 of the Overseas NGO Law refers to foreign NGOs as not-for-profit, non-governmental social organizations lawfully established outside mainland China, such as foundations, social groups, and think tank institutions. Article 10 further clarifies that foreign organizations must have existed for two years prior to entering China. Article 5 of the NGO Law is perhaps its most arbitrary, broadly stating that foreign NGOs must not endanger Chinas national unity, security, or ethnic unity; and must not harm Chinas national interests, societal public interest and the lawful rights and interests of citizens, legal persons and other organizations. The vagueness of the language used, combined with the law shifting who NGOs are reviewed by from the Ministry of Civil Affairs to the Public Security Bureau widely seen as an attempt to further crack down on activism is likely to have the biggest impact on their operations in China. Tax incentives available to charities Incentives for companies making donations Businesses including foreign businesses that provide charitable donations to domestic charities are eligible for special tax treatment, with corporate income tax (CIT) waived on donations accounting for up to 12 percent of their profits. This can be rolled out over a three-year period. If a company donates US$4 million and their profits are US$10 million, for example, they wouldnt be able to deduct the entire US$4 million for a single years CIT, but would be able to do so incrementally over three years. Additionally, overseas companies making donations are entitled to either a reduction or full exemption of Chinas import duties and import VAT. Incentives for charities and NGOs Both the Charity Law and the Overseas NGO Law state that charitable organizations are eligible for tax incentives, but dont specify what exactly these incentives are. This may be because the laws are new and still due for revision of specific policies, or, perhaps more likely, that theyre intentionally vague to allow for individual assessments rather than a blanket tax reduction. Qualifying for the incentives In order for a charity to qualify for these incentives, they must appoint a trustee, have them sign a charitable trust document (), and file it with their local department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Failure to do so results in both the charity and companies making donations to that charity being ineligible for tax benefits. For donating companies, it is therefore advisable to check that the charity has gone through these procedures prior to making a donation. RELATED: Tax and Compliance Services from Dezan Shira & Associates Methods for funding foreign charities and future outlook With foreign charities and NGOs prohibited from both receiving donations in China and conducting for-profit activities, the means of funding them is essentially limited to overseas payments. These payments can gain interest in Chinese bank accounts, but any other funding method runs the risk of seeing the charity closed. The implementation of the Charity and Overseas NGO Laws will therefore see a clear line drawn between funding available to foreign and domestic charities. Because of its restrictions, the new source of funding that the donation tax incentive creates will be limited to domestic companies, weakening overseas charities competitiveness and ability to operate in the Chinese market. The same can be said for domestic charities that collaborate with or receive funding from their foreign counterparts, with such charities often closely monitored for doing so. The two new laws present a mixed bag for the future of Chinas civil society sector. The Charity Law is almost certain to provide a well needed boost to domestic charities in the country, but, as indicated in its description of charitable activities, only to those engaged in certain areas, such as social service provision a sector where civil society is well placed to fill the gap left by the states gradual withdrawal of funding. Engagement in other areas, such as political rights, labor rights and religion, would likely be seen as harming the national security and public interest specified in the Charity Law. Conversely, foreign charities which are generally more willing to engage in some of the latter areas will have even less space to work in the Middle Kingdom. In short, the implementation of the Charity and Overseas NGO Laws is further evidence that the Chinese government is crafting its own civil society. Foreign charities do not feature heavily in its plans. About Us Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. For further information, please email china@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight. Tax, Accounting, and Audit in China 2016 This edition of Tax, Accounting, and Audit in China, updated for 2016, offers a comprehensive overview of the major taxes that foreign investors are likely to encounter when establishing or operating a business in China, as well as other tax-relevant obligations. This concise, detailed, yet pragmatic guide is ideal for CFOs, compliance officers and heads of accounting who must navigate the complex tax and accounting landscape in China in order to effectively manage and strategically plan their China-based operations. An Introduction to Doing Business in China 2016 Doing Business in China 2016 is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in China. Compiled by the professionals at Dezan Shira & Associates in June 2016, this comprehensive guide is ideal not only for businesses looking to enter the Chinese market, but also for companies who already have a presence here and want to keep up-to-date with the most recent and relevant policy changes. Human Resources and Payroll in China 2016-2017 A firm understanding of Chinas laws and regulations related to human resources and payroll management is absolutely necessary for foreign businesses in China. This edition of HR and Payroll, updated for 2016/17, navigates Chinas laws and regulations related to HR and payroll management essential information for foreign investors looking to establish or already running a foreign-invested entity in China. A talk on "Culture, Life and City Development of Shanghai" was held on Tuesday here to enhance local people's knowledge about the development of the Chinese metropolis. Zhang Endi, vice-president of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Shanghai Committee, welcomed Estonians to learn more about Shanghai, expecting more efforts to promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding. Wu Jianzhong, Counsellor of Shanghai Municipal Government, talked about the history of Shanghai and the city's development plan for 2040, with a special focus on biological and innovative elements. Wang Liping, a famous Chinese playwright, shared her experience of 20 years engagement in TV series, which are closely related to ordinary people's daily life and social issues, and have created great resonance among the audience. Her work "The Wonderful Time of Daughter-in-law" became the first Chinese TV series ever broadcast in Africa. The event was co-organized by the Confucius Institute and Asian Studies at School of Humanities of Tallinn University. The Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music has announced the World Bartok Competition and Festival to mark the 135th birthday of Hungarian composer Bela Bartok. The competition will be held in September 2017 and organizers would like to see it repeated every two or three years. Academy of Music rector Andrea Vigh, who came up with the idea of the competition, explained at a press conference that it will actually be a series of contests based on Bartok's oeuvre. The first competition of the series will be for violin, the second for piano, and the third for chamber music. Each will offer talented young artists the chance to become recognized while networking the music world. State Secretary for Culture Peter Hoppal told a press conference that the government was contributing 160 million forints (548,000 U.S. dollars) to finance the event. Program director Andras Csonka said that violinists under the age of 30 can apply to participate before a March 26 deadline while finals will be held from Sept. 10 to 17. The finals will include a Mozart violin concerto, with the three top contestants ranked on their performances of Bartok, Beethoven, Brahms, or Tchaikovsky concertos along with the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Overall, more than 40,000 euros (43,000 U.S. dollars)will be distributed in prizes. Despite a slowdown in growth, China still has enough resources to address economic imbalances without a disorderly adjustment, ratings agency Fitch said in its latest report. A disruptive adjustment in China would have negative repercussions for the broader Asia Pacific region, as would a sharp depreciation in the Chinese yuan, Fitch said Tuesday. "We believe China still has the administrative and financial resources to address these imbalances without a disorderly adjustment, even though its capacity to do so diminishes with time if not addressed," it added. Vulnerabilities have built up in China with debt levels across the economy continuing to rise, it cautioned. Fitch said it expects economic activity in the Asia Pacific region will generally hold up well, even as many Asian emerging markets have been severely hit by sluggish world trade due to their relative openness. The median for Fitch's real 2017 GDP growth forecasts for the 11 emerging markets in Asia, including China, India and Vietnam, is 5.5 percent, substantially higher than in other regions, noted the report. Despite challenges, China is transitioning to a service and innovation-driven economy from an export-reliant one, with the economic growth rate holding steady at 6.7 percent for the first three quarters this year. You are here: Home China's Ministry of Finance (MOF) said Tuesday it will issue yuan-denominated treasury bonds worth 14 billion yuan (2.04 billion U.S. dollars) in Hong Kong this week. A total of 12 billion yuan in bonds will be sold to institutional investors in Hong Kong, while another 2 billion yuan will be issued to individual residents, according to the ministry. After the issuance, the bonds will be traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The issuance will bring bond sales to Hong Kong to 28 billion yuan this year. The first round of bonds worth 14 billion yuan was issued on June 29. The ministry started selling yuan-denominated treasury bonds in Hong Kong in September 2009 to boost the region's economy and speed up the expansion of offshore yuan business. You are here: Home China's ZTE has agreed to buy 48.04 percent of Turkish systems integration provider Netas for 358 million Turkish lira (US$101.3 million), Netas said on its website yesterday. This transaction remains subject to the Turkish Competition Authority's approval. ZTE, the Chinese telecom equipment giant, will become the largest shareholder of Netas after the transaction is completed. "The transaction will equip Netas with additional technologies to provide more services and solutions to its customers and to expand its geographic reach," Netas said in a statement. "This transaction reinforces the company's solid corporate structure, and will accelerate its focus on R&D, innovation and best of breed next-generation technology know-how," it added. "With our new shareholder, we will continue to flourish and position Netas as a global technology player," said Mujdat Altay, chief executive officer of Netas. David Walsh, current chairman of Netas, welcomed ZTE's investment, citing that with the Chinese company's investment, global reach and product depth, Netas is extremely well positioned for future success. Netas provides technology consultancy and post-sales assistance for telecom operators, public and private enterprises in Turkey and the world. You are here: Home Merchants and Chinese tourists attend the opening ceremony of the 12.12 shopping festival at Santa Claus village in Rovaniemi, Finland, on Dec 6, 2016. [Photo/China Daily] Get ready for a shopping frenzy in Santa Claus' hometown at the Arctic Circle. On Tuesday Alipay, the payment service of China's e-commerce powerhouse Alibaba, announced that it has extended its service to the northernmost part of the world: the Santa Claus Village in Lapland, Finland. The launch is part of its "Double 12" shopping bonanza on December 12, when more than 1 million stores around the world will offer discounts in partnership with Alipay. Chinese e-commerce firms in recent years have tagged December12, or "Double 12," as a shopping event, similar to November 11, or "Singles' Day," China's busiest day for online shopping. On "Singles' Day" this year, consumers spent more than 120 billion yuan (17.4 billion U.S. dollars) online with Alibaba. About 70,000 overseas physical stores from 16 countries and regions will take part in Double 12 this year, a move that will enhance Alipay's influence in European and American markets, according to Douglas Feagin with Ant Financial, which runs Alipay. By the end of November, Alipay's payment service had extended to department stores, airports and restaurants in seven European countries, including Germany, France and Finland. Currently, about 100,000 overseas stores have connected with Alipay's mobile payment service. Experts and engineers spoke highly of innovation in China at an annual forum held in Guangzhou on Tuesday. The International Engineers Forum invited professional engineers from Germany, America, Ukraine and Israel, to discuss the topic of Craftsmanship Spirit and Innovation. "Many Germans hold an opinion that the answer to how high-speed train will develop in the future is in China instead of Germany," said Ulrich Sendler, an expert in Industries 4.0. Antoine Kahn, professor from University of Princeton, regarded organic electronics in China a promising field. He said the number of published scientific papers from Chinese scholars increased very rapidly. The percentage China made up was 26.8% in 2013, 27.4% in 2014 and 35.8% in 2015. Kahn also believes that China will be an important branch in organic electronics. The host city of Guangzhou is ready to push harder for innovation. The city will establish an association of professional engineers and set up a project with the theme of "key techniques of future industries,"according to the director of Guangzhou Science, Technology and Innovation Commission. The two measures aim to gather engineering talents and promote Guangzhou to be a global innovation hub. Ma Zhengyong proposed that talents should always be the priority in the innovation path. "Guangzhou will spare no efforts to provide fertilizing soil to cultivate talents."Ma said. Yossi Vardi, the co-founder of DLD Tel Aviv Innovation Festival, shared an Israeli entrepreneurs'story at the meeting. "The key to Israels innovation is the ambition and spirit of adventure from Israeli youngsters. Guangzhou announced at the forum that within five years, the city would support 3,500 leading talents with a 3.5 billion Yuan (about $508 million) special financial budget. The policy aims to encourage innovation in information technology, biology, health care, energy saving and other hi-tech industries. Xinhuanet.com, the website of Xinhua News Agency, and Taiwan-based Commercial Times jointly organized a cross-Strait forum on the "new economy" on Tuesday. The forum, supported by Xinhua News Agency and Taiwan-based Want Want China Times Group, focused on the mainland's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) and opportunities for cross-Strait cooperation in economy and trade. More than 100 entrepreneurs, representatives of small- and medium-sized companies and experts attended the event, discussing subjects including ways to upgrade industrial cooperation and seize opportunities brought by the "new economy" to strengthen financial cooperation and exchanges. The "new economy" refers to fostering new growth drivers for overall economic transformation. It includes emerging forms of businesses and industries, such as e-commerce and cloud computing. While addressing the opening ceremony of the forum, Xinhua President Cai Mingzhao said the mainland is steadily implementing the five-year plan, aiming for sustainable, healthy and stable development of the economy and society by pursuing innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development and supply-side structural reform. Rare opportunities have been presented for entrepreneurs and enterprises in Taiwan to make investments and carry out the transformation and upgrading of industries, Cai said, urging entrepreneurs and enterprises on both sides of the Strait to enhance cooperation. A charity drive to allow 30 university students from Taiwan to visit and intern in Internet firms in Beijing annually starting next year was launched on Tuesday by Xinhuanet.com and Want Want China Times Group, according to Cai. "Hopefully, the forum will help innovation take root in industries across the Strait, make cooperation a common language spoken by both sides, help Taiwan compatriots share the fruits of the mainland's economic growth, and strengthen cross-Strait cooperation for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," Tsai Eng-Meng, chairman of Want Want China Times Group, told the forum. In his speech, Zhang Zhijun, head of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, called for maintaining the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, thus creating a favorable environment for economic cooperation. "The key is to adhere to the 1992 Consensus that embodies the one-China principle. Businesses on both sides have promoted and benefited from the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and they should also be steadfast in upholding such development," Zhang said. Zhang also urged stronger cross-Strait cooperation in developing new technologies and fostering new industries, as well as greater efforts to promote exchanges and cooperation between small- and medium-sized enterprises and young people on the two sides. You are here: Home Police of the central province of Hunan captured a man suspected of triple homicide 23 years ago. Police of Changsha City, capital of Hunan, said Tuesday that the man was apprehended in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Sunday. It is alleged that the suspect, Liu, had a run-in with several villagers on Jan. 27, 1994 and fatally shot three of them before fleeing. Police were tipped off in November that Liu might be hiding in Liangqing District in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi. The ensuing investigation uncovered that the man had assumed a fake identity. The investigation continues. You are here: Home Police in southwest China's Yunnan Province, which borders Myanmar, have captured six drug-trafficking suspects and seized 33.764 kg of methamphetamine. The six suspects, one from China and five others from Myanmar, were arrested on Saturday when they were transporting the drugs on a road in Ximeng County, the county's public security bureau said Tuesday. They confessed that they had attempted to smuggle the drug to China for trade, the police said. Chinese and foreign experts will discuss the future development of China's ancient towns at an upcoming conference in southwest China. The conference, to be held in the ancient town of Qingyan in Guizhou Province, will draw more than 300 experts to participate in talks about protection, tourism development and brand-building for China's historic towns, the organizer said Tuesday. During the conference, slated for Dec. 12 to 14, a series of activities, including exhibitions and a music festival, will be held. There are 252 famous historic towns on China's list, according to official figures. "Historic towns and villages are an important part of China's historic and cultural heritage, and it is necessary to protect them," Fu Shuang, an official with the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, said at a forum in May. Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party's nominee for president of the United States, during the campaign, was asked by a TV host what he would do if elected about Aleppo. Totally flabbergasted, he innocently asked back: "And what is Aleppo?" Obviously, the politician running for the top political job of the most powerful country on earth, which is also heavily involved in Syria, was unaware of the violence whacked city. "And what is Aleppo" is ringing heavily in my ears as I see gory images of the city, its destroyed buildings and other infrastructure. Once being a bustling city, it is now a mere shadow of former glory. The unfortunate Aleppo is increasingly becoming a graveyard of humanity. The killing of children and attacks on hospital have added a new grim dimension to the senseless violence that has become the fate of the ghost town and its tenants. The battle for control of Aleppo is an issue of prestige for the government as well as the rebels. Reports show that the insurgents were very well entrenched and have been giving a tough time to the troops of Bashar al-Assad. Even Russian air power and relentless bombing have so far not been effective enough to weaken their hold. The latest round of fighting started last month. It has produced some of the most gruesome images of human suffering. For example, a video showed rescuers cutting through rubble of concrete and iron to retrieve an injured girl less than five years of age. Several other photos and clips showed traumatized patients running for shelter after an air attack on a medical facility. The plight of civilians caught in the war is worse than one can possibly imagine. There is a severe shortage of food and other items of daily use. Hospitals have been put out of operation due to bombings and lack of medicine. The situation in eastern part of the city, the central part of which is still under the control of the rebels, is worse than the western half held by the government forces. The efforts for a ceasefire have been futile. The UN special representative Staffan de Mistura visited Damascus in November to convince the regime for peace. But his proposal to let the rebels run their part of the city was turned down. The Syrian government's foreign minister said that such an idea was violation of their "sovereignty." We can just ponder over the meaning and status of the sovereignty of a country which has lost almost everything. Honestly, one needs a lot of courage to claim political jurisdiction over a piece of land which is not much different from a vast pool of blood. More than 300 people have been killed since November 15, when fighting started after a pause of several weeks, according to human rights bodies. And imagine the leadership of a country dreaming of sovereignty, sidestepping the dance of death. Aleppo is at the center of struggle for more than five-and-a-half- years of old civil war. It has been divided between insurgents and government forces since mid-2012. Both sides have been trying to establish control over rival parts. It is more than a year since the Syrian army helped by Shiite militia embarked on a plan to retake the entire city. First, it besieged some parts in the eastern Aleppo before launching an offensive in September. The situation has lately changed in favor of government. Officials claim that forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad would regain the entire eastern part within a week. At stake in the east is the fate of more than 250,000 civilians who are trapped. The UN has been trying to reach them but so far without much luck. The civilians are clearly being used as human shields because they are not allowed to flee. As the fighting intensifies, it is feared more innocent lives will be lost. Aleppo is important. And so is the battle for its control. Because it is the most important city along with Damascus. For any government to be recognized as representative enough, it should control both Damascus and Aleppo - the two jewels. Sajjad Malik is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SajjadMalik.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. Flash A screenshot taken from an ifeng.com video shows Donald Trump responding to his tweet in an interview. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has criticized Boeing's new Air Force One aircraft as too expensive, after earlier urging the government to cancel the company's contract on Twitter. "Well the plane is totally out of control. It's going to be over four billion dollars for Air Force One program. And I think it's ridiculous. I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number. We want Boeing to make a lot of money but not that much money." Boeing did not immediately give any comment. The two aircraft currently used as Air Force One have been in use since the Reagan era in 1980s. Although they have been heavily modified, they are due to reach the end of their planned 30-year life in 2017. In January, Boeing secured a contract from the Pentagon to start development work on the 747-8 craft to replace the aging planes. The new jumbo jets can fly without refueling from Washington to Hong Kong, and 1,600 km further than the current Air Force One. The Air Force had earmarked 1.65 billion dollars between 2015 and 2019 for two replacement jets and awarded the Boeing Company an initial contract worth 25.8 million dollars in January. But it hasn't detailed the expected cost or delivery dates for the replacement planes. U.S. presidents have used Boeing's planes since 1943. According to federal procurement data, the plane maker was the U.S. government's second biggest federal contractor last year behind Lockheed Martin Corp.,. Flash Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's announcement to visit Pearl Harbor is a "hypocritical gesture" to cater to the United States rather than a sincere reflection on the country's World War II-era war crimes, analysts said. Yoshihide Suga, chief Cabinet secretary of Japan, said on Tuesday that Abe will not apologize for the surprise attack that killed more than 2,000 US citizens and triggered the entry of the US into World War II. "This visit is for the sake of consoling the souls of those who died in the war, not for the sake of an apology," Suga told a news conference. Abe said on Monday that he will visit Pearl Harbor in late December with US President Barack Obama, 75 years after Japan's attack on Hawaii in 1941. He will be the first Japanese leader to visit the site since the end of World War II. Abe's refusal to apologize has triggered online protests among Chinese netizens. A micro-blogger named Chang Ray said Abe should visit Nanjing, where more than 300,000 people were killed by Japanese troops from December 1937 to January 1938. The netizen got more than 300 "likes" on his micro blog account for his comment on the issue. A series of activities will be held in Nanjing to commemorate the anniversary of the massacre, which falls on Dec 13. Abe's lack of an apology during his Pearl Harbor trip could disappoint some US war veterans, Reuters reported. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said during a news conference on Monday that it was natural for World War II veterans to be "embittered" about Abe's visit to Pearl Harbor, but they should get over it for the sake of the United States. Zhang Jingquan, a professor of Japanese studies at Jilin University, said that Abe aims to strengthen the Japan-US relationship by visiting Pearl Harbor to emphasize Japan's "common value" with the United States. "There is no 'common value' at all between Japan and the US on many issues, such as the comfort women (sex slaves during World War II) issue," he said. Abe's refusal to apologize showed that his visit is just "a hypocritical gesture" to cater to the US, Zhang said. Zhou Yongsheng, a professor of international relations at China Foreign Affairs University, said Abe's visit to Pearl Harbor is merely a pragmatic act to show Japan's loyalty to the United States. You are here: Home Flash Police in the western German city of Bochum say they have arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of sexually assaulting two Chinese students. Prosecutors said the suspect is an Iraqi asylum-seeker who came to Germany with his wife and children a year ago. Local media reports that the unnamed man is suspected of attacking and attempting to rape a 21-year-old Chinese woman in August, and of raping a 27-year-old Chinese woman in November. Bochum prosecutor Andreas Bachmann said DNA evidence linked the man to both crimes. He was arrested on Monday. The case comes as a German couple in their early 20s stand trial in the eastern city of Dessau over the abduction, rape and killing of a 25-year-old Chinese student in May. Flash China and Japan will hold the sixth round of high-level consultations on maritime affairs this week in Haikou, capital of China's southern Hainan Province. Officials from both countries' foreign ministries, defense ministries and other government organs, including marine law enforcement and management departments, will attend the talks, lasting from Wednesday to Friday, according to foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang. China stands ready to exchange opinions on maritime-related issues with the Japanese side and strengthen understanding and mutual trust, Lu said at a daily press briefing. The China-Japan high-level consultations on maritime affairs were set up in January 2012, with the first round of talks held in May of the same year in Hangzhou, capital of eastern China's Zhejiang Province. The fifth round of consultations was held this September in Japan's Hiroshima, with the two sides agreeing to speed up negotiations on air and maritime contact. News / National by Stephen Jakes Zimbabwe Communist party has urged the transport operators to stop exploiting workers during festive season where it has been proved that the workers are forced to work long hours without rest in the name of making more money.The ZCP official Ngqabutho Nicholas Mabhena said once again the festive season is on and workers will soon be travelling to various destinations to be with their families after a long and hard year.He said already schools are closing for the end of year, and other workers in Zimbabwe and in the diaspora will be travelling in the next few days."We have observed over the years that during the festive season, transport operators want to exploit workers in this sector by forcing them to work long hours without any rest in the name of making money. As Communists, we call on public transport operators to allow their workers to rest ,if there is high demand for transport, public transport operators must employ temporary workers to assist instead of asking one driver to drive from Bulawayo to Johannesburg without resting," he said."We call on passengers to always check on the condition of the driver. If passengers realise that the driver is tired, they should allow him/her to park on the side of the road and rest. We further call on the workers employed as traffic police not to ask for bribes at roadblocks but to check if the vehicles are roadworthy. We can never construct a democratic and socialist Zimbabwe if we continue to lose more workers during the festive season through road accidents. Let us stay safe in our roads and remember that Zanu (PF) has destroyed the road infrastructure over the years."He said the only way to stay safe, is to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol and driving within the speed limit. 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 10120170006 Registration Number: 130349 11010502032503 [2011]0283-097 ICP13028878-6 Merchants and Chinese tourists attend the opening ceremony of the 12.12 shopping festival at Santa Claus village in Rovaniemi, Finland, on Dec 6, 2016. [Photo/China Daily] China's high-spending tourists are reaching some of the most remote parts of Europeevidenced by the fact that the Chinese payment platform Alipay gained acceptance at more than 100 shops, restaurants and hotels in the northern Finnish city of Rovaniemi within a month. Rovaniemi, capital of the northern Finnish province of Lapland and famous for its Santa Claus village, a tourist attraction, is also the location Alipay chose to launch its 12.12 shopping festival, which gives discounts to Chinese shoppers between Dec 9 and 12 across 70,000 merchants in 16 countries globally. The launch ceremony, held in Santa Claus village on Tuesday, was attended by Rovaniemi Mayor Esko Lotvonen, some of Alipay's local merchants partners and some Chinese tourists. Lotvonen said the Alipay's choice to launch the festival there was a sign of the friendship between China and Finland, and he hopes to welcome more Chinese tourists. Alipay is the payment arm of Ant Financial Services Group, itself an affiliate firm of internet giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. With 450 million users in China, Alipay is now fast expanding internationally, offering tourists with easy and secure payment support. Now in its third year, 12.12 is a shopping festival that Alipay has used to encourage more purchases, similar to the 11.11 Singles Day shopping festival. Whereas 11.11 focuses on online shopping, 12.12 offers are only available when making purchases offlinein stores, restaurants and hotels. In Finland, Alipay cooperates with mobile payment provider ePassi, which already works with about 10,000 merchants in Finland. When Chinese shoppers pay with Alipay, Finnish merchants will receive money into their ePassi wallets within seconds. "Traditionally, Chinese travelers to Finland encounter two challenges: tourist information is not extensively available in Chinese and they often need to carry lots of cash on their travels, Alipay's entry into Finland solves both challenges," said Alexander Yin, chief financial officer of TCG, the parent company of ePassi. Alipay offers payment convenience, and its app also provides practical information about its partner merchants in Finland, helping these merchants to more effectively attract Chinese tourists. Alipay is being embraced by Finnish merchants. "We are so glad to add Alipay as a new payment method, after having this request from Chinese shoppers for so long," said Tanja Keisu-Makinen, Helsinki Airport store manager of Finnish watchmaker Lindroos. "We've already had some Alipay transactions in our store, even though we've just launched it for a week," added Tina Jokinen, Helsinki Airport store manager of the local glassworks manufacturer Littala. Alipay was used by 120 million users overseas last year. It also cooperates with Germany's Wirecard and France's Ingenico, in a similar way to its links with ePassi in Finland. "Alipay gives me so much convenience and is very easy to use," said Cao Binjie, 27, a tourist from Guangzhou who used Alipay to buy a deer-skin mat, magnets and postcards from the Santa Claus village souvenir shop. BEIJING - Supported by supply-side structural reform and positive changes in economic dynamics, China's economy is heading toward stabilization, a Chinese economist said Tuesday. Despite headwinds at home and abroad, China's economic growth has remained in a reasonable range this year, paving the way for further stabilization, said Wang Yiming, deputy director of the development research center of the State Council. In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Wang said the Chinese government's supply-side structural reform has lifted market expectations and confidence, eased deflation in the domestic production system and improved industrial profits. China's GDP grew 6.7 percent in the first three quarters of 2016, steady with the first half and within the government's target range of between 6.5 and 7 percent for 2016. Wang noted that the government has been successful in turning domestic consumption and the service industry into key drivers of economic growth, while traditional sectors such as the coal and steel industries, after restructuring and transition, are witnessing new growth momentum. However, he said next year China will still face a complicated external environment with a slow recovery in global economy and weak trade, while domestically there is still pressure for an economic slowdown. To help the economy bottom out, China should stick to the strategy of making progress while maintaining stability and adopt a policy mix that moderately expands domestic demand, presses ahead with supply-side structural reform and stabilizes market expectations, he said. Wang also warned that China should particularly pay attention to risks in the real estate sector and the financial industry. He pointed out that low investment returns in the real economy and easy credit have triggered excessive growth in property prices in China's first-tier cities and some second-tier ones and attracted too many financial resources to the real estate sector. Meanwhile, the over-reliance on credit expansion to support growth has pushed up leverage ratios in the banking system, he added. It also has brought trouble to less profitable enterprises with high debt and higher non-performing loan ratios to commercial banks. He said the government should move to prevent these risks from accumulating and spreading and gradually release them while pushing forward structural reform, said Wang. BEIJING - China's central bank on Tuesday signed a currency swap agreement with its Egyptian counterpart worth 18 billion yuan ($2.62 billion) to strengthen trade and financial cooperation. The deal, signed between the People's Bank of China (PBOC) and the Central Bank of Egypt, will last for three years and can be extended upon agreement of both sides, the PBOC said in an online statement. The currency swap deal allows the two institutions to exchange payments in one currency for equivalent amounts in the other, to facilitate bilateral trade settlements and provide liquidity support to financial markets. The deal aims to maintain financial stability in the two countries and facilitate bilateral trade and investment, the PBOC said. Several Chinese visitors chat outside of the Plough at Cadsden in rural Buckinghamshire, a British pub that became famous after President Xi Jinping was treated to fish and chips and a pint of ale during his state visit in 2015. [Photo/China Daily] The British country pub where then-prime minister David Cameron treated President Xi Jinping to fish and chips and a pint of ale during his state visit last year has been sold to a Chinese investor. The Plough at Cadsden in rural Buckinghamshire shot to fame in China after the presidential visit and has become a tourist attraction for busloads of Chinese tourists arriving to sample the same classic British fare. The value of the purchase by SinoFortone Investment was not disclosed. The company said previous owner Steve Hollings would continue to run the pub. Peter Zhang, SinoFortone Investment's managing director, welcomed the deal. "The English pub concept is growing very fast in China, and it's the best way culturally to link people from different countries and build friendships," he said. Sales of Greene King IPA, the India pale ale consumed by Xi and Cameron, are said to have soared in China over the past year. The Plough deal was brokered through Christie & Co, a leading specialist adviser for buying and selling businesses. "The Chinese market has huge potential and many opportunities. We will see more activity in the coming months and years," said Neil Morgan, managing director of Christie's public houses and restaurants department. Morgan said an increasing number of Chinese investors were approaching the company to express an interest in British hospitality and leisure opportunities, as well as in taking classic British themes to China. Shaun Rein, managing director of the China Market Research Group, said the latest deal showed that Chinese tourists were looking for authentic British places to visit, including the pub that Xi had visited. He said Chinese visitors were shifting away from shopping as their focus and that museums and palaces, along with pubs, were now becoming major tourist destinations. The Plough purchase is not SinoFortone's first investment in the United Kingdom. In October last year, it announced it would invest 2 billion pounds ($2.55 billion) in two eco-parks in Wales. "This pub purchase is consistent with that focus," said Jeffrey Towson, a professor who teaches investment at Peking University. Foresea Life Insurance Co, a unit of private conglomerate Baoneng Group, said on Tuesday it will "consolidate" its universal life insurance business to meet regulatory requirements by the end of this month. The move comes in response to the suspension by the regulator of sales of its controversial products. The Shenzhen-based insurer responded thus after the financial regulators stepped up efforts to rein in risks associated with the surge in stake-buying of listed companies' shares by insurance funds. The buyouts have largely been funded by capital through sales of universal life insurance, a type of flexible insurance policy that offers life protection in addition to investment returns. The insurer said it has a relatively strong ability to manage liquidity risks, according to media reports that cited an unnamed source at the insurer. Foresea Life, controlled by tycoon Yao Zhenhua, gained prominence in its high-profile stake purchase of estate developer China Vanke Co Ltd, which resulted in a power struggle with Vanke's existing management. The insurer has also been building up its stakes in some blue-chips, including Gree Electric Appliances Inc and medicine firm Dong-E-E-Jiao Co Ltd. These purchases by Foresea Life have caught the regulator's attention, sparking fears that they will fan speculation in the market and threaten the management of public companies. The China Insurance Regulatory Commission on Monday suspended Foresea Life's sales of universal life insurance products. The regulator also suspended online sales of insurance products by six major insurers, including Foresea Life and Evergrande Life Insurance Co. The CIRC sent inspection teams to Foresea Life and Evergrande Life, according to a 21st Century Business Herald report. Li Lifeng, an analyst with Sinolink Securities Co Ltd, said that the regulator's tough stance reflects its desire to curb speculation. "The regulator has adopted a tougher stance toward the speculative trading by insurers. We expect that purchases of stakes in listed companies by insurance firms in the public market will slow down," Li said. Sanofi is considering a counterbid for Actelion Ltd, potentially challenging a move by US healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson to acquire Europe's largest biotechnology firm, people familiar with the matter said. The French drugmaker is working with advisers as it weighs its options, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the deliberations are private. Sanofi, which has informally made its interest known to Switzerland's Actelion, hasn't made a final decision on whether to proceed with a bid. J&J aims to reach a deal before Christmas as the two sides negotiate the price and structure of a potential deal, according to two people familiar with the matter. The talks are progressing after the US drugmaker increased its offer, people familiar with the matter said on Friday, ratcheting up pressure on potential counterbidders to move quickly. J&J raised its bid above $250 a share, a person said last week, which would value Actelion at more than $27 billion. In addition to Sanofi, advisers seeking work with prospective buyers have reached out to other drugmakers, including Roche Holding AG of Switzerland and Pfizer Inc, to gauge potential interest in bidding for Actelion. Novartis AG CEO Joe Jimenez ruled out a counterbid for Actelion in an interview with SonntagsBlick newspaper published on Sunday, saying the Swiss drugmaker is focused on acquisitions of less than $5 billion. Representatives for Roche, Pfizer and Paris-based Sanofi declined to comment. Allschwil, Switzerland-based Actelion could not be reached for comment outside of regular business hours. Bloomberg News / National by Staff reporter ZIMBABWE's diamond production declined by 62 percent to 924 388 carats since January this year due to court cases filed by evicted miners resisting Government's decision to consolidate the sector.Production of the precious mineral totalled 3,2 million carats in 2015, but has been negatively impacted this year by ongoing court cases where two miners are objecting to consolidation of the industry.Giving oral evidence before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy yesterday, Mines and Mining Development Minister Chidhakwa said diamond production this year was severely affected by resistance to consolidation, which saw some mining companies challenging the decision in the courts.The Government ordered all diamond miners in the Chiadzwa/Marange to cease operations in February this year to pave way for consolidation of the sector following production and accountability issues, but some of the firms have opposed the directive.Two of the seven firms that operated in Chiadzwa went to court alleging breach of contract by Government. The Court processes have prevented consolidated diamond mining entity, Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company, from moving into areas where the evicted diamond mines where exploiting the gems."So far deliveries to ZCDC in terms of weight, total 924 388 carats and that compares badly with the 3,2 million carats for 2015.The explanation is that the 924 000 carats are coming from the two mining locations not the seven. So we need to finalise the court cases."Since we started consolidation, we have been in and out of courts."We were at the High Court for three months and won the case then one of the evicted diamond mining companies decided to go to the Constitutional Court. By that time we then started the process of trying to evict them," said Minister Chidhakwa."As such, out of the seven companies that were operating, we are only mining in two areas, formerly Marange and DMC, whom we had an agreement with and they said they were not going to challenge us in the courts and agreed to move out. We have just finalised discussions with DTZ OZGEO so that we also take over their territory because they also did not go to court," he said.Minister Chidhakwa also said Government had shifted from the previous consolidation plan after realising that the mining firms that would form the consolidated company did not have licences. He said there is a new structure of the consolidated mining entity and its mandate was to produce to support inflows to the fiscus."ZCDC has not only been about production of diamonds, but the process entailed change of structure, and when I came into office one of the things that became clear was that we needed to make the diamond industry responsive to Zimbabwe's needs."When you look at inflows from diamond companies outside royalties; in terms of declaration of dividends by companies that were making money in Chiadzwa and were 50 percent owned by Government, expectation was that dividends would be declared with 50 percent of the proceeds going to Government.'However, that did not happen, which led us to the idea of consolidating the companies, but when we discovered that their mining licences had expired we then said we will not renew the licences because the spirit of sharing, which was contained in the original agreement had not been met in the initial phase of the operation of the licences," said Minister Chidhakwa."We then changed the structure completely and when you change a structure naturally you don't get good results immediately particularly because they went to Court and up to today. I have already told ZCDC that they need to mine to feeding into the fiscus. We are discussing budgets, equipment and ways of sourcing the equipment so that we help them as the shareholder," he said.Minister Chidhakwa said there was need for finalisation of the cases at the courts and he has been talking to the Attorney General and different Embassies so that a diplomatic solution is found. BEIJING - China's insurance regulator will send two inspection teams to Foresea Life and Evergrande Life amid government efforts to contain possible financial risks brought by massive stake buyouts by heavyweight insurance players. The China Insurance Regulatory Commission said it will carry out spot checks on the two companies over their management, financial sheets, insurance product services as well as capital use. Any violation of the rules will be strictly punished to maintain market order, the regulator warned. The latest move followed the regulator's decision on Monday to suspend Foresea Life Insurance, a unit of Chinese financial conglomerate Baoneng, from selling its questionable high-return insurance service. On Saturday, the head of China's securities regulator condemned "barbaric" leveraged acquisitions by some asset managers using questionable funds, hinting at recent instances of stake buyouts by heavyweight insurers. BEIJING - From electronics producers to railway contractors, Chinese businesses all face the same problems promoting their brands overseas. One of China's most influential commercial symbols, Lenovo, has overtaken HP as the world's leading PC manufacturer, partly through acquisition of foreign peers, but its executives remain on the alert. "For a domestic firm eager to expand, the biggest challenge comes from cultural differences which cannot be solved by buying companies. It is crucial to integrate into the community, speak the same language and share the same values," said Wang Chuandong, Lenovo China's vice president and chief marketing officer. New York consultancy Interbrand ranked Lenovo as the world's 99th most valuable brand at $4 billion. HP, however, is ranked 48th with a value more than double that of Lenovo. The other Chinese company on the top 100 list is Huawei, a rising tech star. Of the top 100, 52 originate in the United States, 10 come from Germany, 8 from France and 6 from Japan. Considering that China is the world's second largest economy, homegrown businesses are lagging far behind. In a nutshell, Chinese companies are faring poorly in promoting their products overseas and "Made in China" is still widely perceived as substandard. "We have a staff of 65,000 worldwide, with nearly 30,000 non-Chinese. American Yolanda Lee Conyers is our chief diversity officer. Our CEO Yang Yuanqing worked and lived in the United States for many years. This improves global cohesion inside the group," Wang said. Lenovo's smartphone Moto Z, with its souped-up, snap-on music accessory, enjoyed stellar sales in Mexico where music is a significant part of the local culture. In the first three quarters, 1 million Moto Z were sold around the world. Chinese companies must take local customs and local benefits into account when trying to win local hearts, Paul Haenle, director of Beijing's Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy, said. Rolling stock manufacturer CRRC set a good example in creating a bond with local people when overhauling an old industry base and building new factories in Springfield, Massachusetts. "There was an old building to be torn down, but we found out that it had a history of more than 100 years and had stood witness to the industrialization of the region and people had an emotional bond with it," said Li Min, a marketing executive of CRRC. The company preserved the structure, renovating it and turning it into an office building, receiving much praise from local people. The move smoothed a somewhat frosty reception which CRRC had encountered in the United States and, in March, the company was awarded a billion-dollar order to supply 850 railcars to Chicago, its largest deal ever in a developed country. "Chinese companies should respect local customs and learn the history of their new homes," said Mao Yixiang of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. BEIJING - China's Ministry of Finance (MOF) said Tuesday it will issue yuan-denominated treasury bonds worth 14 billion yuan ($2.04 billion) in Hong Kong this week. A total of 12 billion yuan in bonds will be sold to institutional investors in Hong Kong, while another 2 billion yuan will be issued to individual residents, according to the ministry. After the issuance, the bonds will be traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The issuance will bring bond sales to Hong Kong to 28 billion yuan this year. The first round of bonds worth 14 billion yuan was issued on June 29. The ministry started selling yuan-denominated treasury bonds in Hong Kong in September 2009 to boost the region's economy and speed up the expansion of offshore yuan business. A logo sign outside of a facility occupied by Medtronic in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Oct 24, 2015.[Photo/IC] China's top pricing regulator on Wednesday announced its decision to penalize US Medtronic for price fixing, the first penalty on a medical device maker handed down by the central authority. Medtronic was fined for 119 million yuan ($17.27 million), 4 percent of the company's annual sales in 2015, due to violating the anti-monopoly law and eliminating market competition of medical device manufacturing industry, according to the National Development and Reform Commission. The investigation discovered that since at least 2014 the company had fixed the resale price through monopoly agreements with it trading counterparts, namely its distributors. Competition among distributors plays a key role in ensuring the formation of a reasonable market price at the time when high-end implantable medical equipment market competition is not sufficient in China, according to the commission. The latest enforcement measure shows that the central authority has started to pay serious attention to vertical monopoly behaviors, including the marketing and distribution models, often times assumed to be not problematic, according to a source close to the commission. Rather than targeting foreign companies, the commission" is conducting investigations to promote consumer welfare and economic efficiency," said Lu Yanchun, vice-director of price supervision bureau with the commission. "The commission would enhance antimonopoly enforcement actions in the future and enhance pricing supervision." The commission launched a nationwide antitrust probe in June this year, investigating companies both foreign and domestic companies in varies fields. MOSCOW - The skillful Chinese leadership will help China deal with all risks and reach its planned targets, despite multiple economic challenges facing the country, Russian experts said. The year of 2016 is the first year of China's 13th five-year plan with a goal of comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society by 2020. The Chinese government targets this year's economic growth at 6.5 percent to 7 percent with an annual average growth rate of at least 6.5 percent through 2020. The slowdown in the Chinese economy will occur, as the policy related to the new normal implies that the Chinese economy will not grow as fast as before, Andrei Ostrovsky, deputy director of the Institute of the Far East under the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Xinhua in a recent interview. The deceleration of the Chinese economy as a whole is due to the fact that China is restructuring its economy in a global way, said Alexey Maslov, head of the Oriental Studies Department at the Russian Higher School of Economics Research University. To achieve the goals, it has to change the nature of the economy, which is "painful and difficult," Maslov added. After 15 years of rapid growth, he said, major Asian countries all slowed down and had to restructure their economies to keep them afloat, while China has been growing for an even longer time. In fact, Ostrovsky said, the pace of China's economic growth -- 6.7-6.8 percent a year -- is quite high, significantly higher than that of many other countries in the world. But there are also more complex problems related to the current situation in China, which cannot be solved in a simple way, he said. One of the biggest problems in China today is the environment, Ostrovsky said, adding that the damage to the environment has reached a critical state after the issue has been ignored for dozens of years due to the necessity of mainitaining rapid economic growth. Other challenges include the shortage of labor as China's population has been rapidly aging, he added. "The country's decision to allow families to have a second child will only bear fruit 20 years from now when the newborns reach the working age," Ostrovsky said. For Maslov, he believed that there is a necessity for China to invest abroad in order to support its internal market. The Belt and Road Initiative designed for infrastructure construction in countries of Asia, Europe and even parts of Africa is aimed at reaching this goal, he added. Leung Chun-ying (center), Hong Kong chief executive, speaks at the China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable discussions in Hong Kong on Dec 7, 2016. [Photo/China Daily] Three years after the official launch of the Belt and Road Initiative, there is much greater understanding of the opportunities that it could generate, Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said on Wednesday. "People understand the whys and the whats ... we are now very much at the 'how' stage. How do we grab the opportunities for all?" said Leung. "People who see opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative are probably in the silent majority." "It is such a vast initiative with such wide ramifications and ample opportunities for Hong Kong," Leung said during the China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable in Hong Kong. The event focused on "Hong Kong Super-Connecting the Belt and Road" and was attended by around 270 executives and opinion leaders. "Hong Kong can play a pivotal role in the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative," Leung said. At a time of slowing growth, Hong Kong can leverage its strength in financing, services, logistics and education to act as a connector of the 60-plus Belt and Road countries and regions and the rest of the world. A key area of focus is financial services, the openness of which has allowed Hong Kong's economy to be named the freest in the world for 22 years in a row, said Leung. In practical terms, Hong Kong has been moving forward in each of what Leung called the "five connectivities" of policy, infrastructure, trade and investment, financial cooperation and integration, and people and culture. "Hong Kong could work as a team to help 'Hong Kong Inc' to bring this connective force to bear," said Leung. Other speakers at the leadership roundtable agreed with the importance of leveraging the Belt and Road Initiative to boost growth. "Hong Kong's own success relies entirely on trade flows and open markets. Hong Kong has become too inward-looking and less open in recent years. Almost protectionist, sometimes," said Stephen Ng, chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. "The implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative has caught the attention of the business community in Hong Kong," said Jonathan Choi, chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. Winners show their awards at a national auto-themed debating competition of college students in Southwest China's Chognqing, Nov 4, 2016. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] A national auto-themed debating competition of college students concluded on Nov 4 at Chongqing University, inspiring the young to think about mobility and road safety. The annual competition drew participants from 31 universities across the country this year to share their thoughts on topics including green mobility, safe driving and car-hailing services, with the team from Southwest University winning the competition. Initiated in 2005, the event has become one of the most widely received ones of its kinds among college students in China. Liu Zhongsheng, vice-president responsible for human resources at Changan Ford, a sponsor of the event, said the young are where the future of companies and the country lies in and also a driving force of the automotive development. The competition was part of Changan Ford's campus-related initiative. The automaker has been promoting the concept of green and safe driving among university students since 2009. Changan Ford also drove onto campus with its fleet of models during the debating competition this year, offering students opportunities to enrich their knowledge about cars. Jiang Xuexiao, a member of the Southwest University's debating team, said the event allowed him to meet excellent debaters from other universities and at the same time learn more about cars. Visitors try online payment through facial-recognition technology at the Ant Financial Services Group booth at an internet expo in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province. [Photo/China Daily] Megvii Inc, a Chinese developer of facial-recognition technology, has raised at least $100 million from investors, including Foxconn Technology Group and CCB International Holdings Ltd, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter. The owner of Face++ is still in talks with other investors for more funding, the people said, asking not to be named because the matter is private. Megvii confirmed it's raising funds while declining to comment on the specific amount. It plans to work with investors to improve facial recognition technology, especially in the financial industry, smart cities and robotics, the company said in an emailed statement. Megvii provides face-scanning systems to Ant Financial, which operates the dominant payments service on Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's online shopping platforms. The e-commerce operator and internet companies from Facebook Inc to Google Inc and Baidu Inc are embracing biometric technologies and artificial intelligence to improve security and smooth e-commerce. Beijing-based Megvii also has attracted funding from Qiming Venture Partners and Sinovation Ventures, the incubator founded by Google's former China head. The company is working with Ant Financial on a system allowing users to set up bank accounts online through facial scans, provided it receives regulatory approval. Investors in the latest round include those that participated in previous funding, the people said. Bloomberg China's aviation and shipping conglomerate HNA Group closed a $6 billion acquisition of the world's top IT products distributor Ingram Micro Inc on Tuesday. In a regulatory filing on Tuesday, New York-listed Ingram Micro said that the deal was completed. After the transaction, Ingram Micro will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange and become the largest member enterprise of HNA in terms of revenue. Shanghai-listed Tianjin Tianhai Investment Co Ltd, an arm of HNA, executed the all-cash deal on behalf of HNA Group. Ingram Micro reported $43 billion revenue and $215 million net profit in 2015, far above Tianjin Tianhai's 720 million yuan ($104.98 million) revenue and 248 million yuan net profit during the same period. However, due to worsening performance in the US and European markets, Ingram Micro's revenue and net profit declined 7.4 percent and 19.3 percent in 2015, respectively. Analysts said traditional IT product distributors are being affected by the changes brought by mobile internet, greater concentration of IT enterprises along the industry chain, and the rise of major e-commerce behemoths. "This is a world-level deal for HNA, not only in terms of its success, but also the significance of the deal," said Li Lei, an industrial analyst from Minzu Securities Co. "With the help of Ingram Micro, HNA would gain access to business opportunities in emerging markets, and have higher growth rates and improved profitability," said Adam Tan, vice-chairman of the board of directors and CEO of HNA in February. Furthermore, Ingram Micro will be of significant help as HNA Group is aiming to transform from a logistics operator to a supply chain operator, added Tan. Alain Monie, Ingram Micro CEO, said: "Ingram Micro will now be part of a larger organization that has complementary logistics capabilities and a strong presence in China that can further support the growth and profitability objectives of our vendor and customer partners." A cellphone vendor at a store in Huaqiang North in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. [Photo/Xinhua] Huaqiang North rides out e-commerce challenge by integrating resources Wang Laobao is a survivor who thrived. Once a vendor selling electronic products in Shenzhen's Huaqiang North, he became chairman of e-commerce platform okhqb.com. He succeeded, though, at a time when many other businessmen in the area were struggling to find a niche. "From internationalization to digitalization, I always made changes quickly according to the market," he said. Known as the country's biggest trading hub for electronic components and devices, Huaqiang North has seen rapid growth over the past decades. According to local media reports, it ranked as the country's top market in scale and sales of electronic products in 2008. The development has largely been based on selling low-price copycat productsregardless of intellectual property rights. However, the emergence of e-commerce in recent years has dealt a heavy blow to traders in the area, where hundreds or thousands of bricks-and-mortar businesses are located. It is now striving to transform and upgrade through innovation. Experts and business leaders say there are large gaps in the international market for businesses in Huaqiang North to explore, but they need to innovate in a way that can give full play to their advantages. Instead of following the US and Europe's steps to develop high-end products, they can integrate existing resources to satisfy the demand of customers from developing countries, said Qu Jian, vice-president of the China Development Institute, a Shenzhen-based think tank. "Integration of resources is a form of innovation. Enterprises in Huaqiang North can make great achievements in Indian or African markets through this way. The key is to develop products that meet true demand from those countries and regions," he told Huaqiang North Transformation and Upgrading International Summit Forum held in Shenzhen in November. In recent years, many enterprises in Huaqiang North have tried to increase their presence in overseas markets. Now, they are also striving to bring international elements to the area as a way of promoting innovation. Shenzhen Huaqiang Holdings Ltd is an example. "We have been developing international markets in a wide range of fields," company president Li Shucheng said. For example, a theme park built by the company has already started operations in Iran. It has also exported its cartoon products to over 100 countries and regions. A startup incubatorthe Huaqiang North International Maker Centerwas set up by the company with the aim of helping startups and innovators from across the world to turn their innovative ideas into reality. "Successful transformation and upgrading of Huaqiang North not only requires businesses to 'go out', but also requires them to 'bring in' international resources," Li said. News / National by Staff Reporter Government is working tirelessly at restoring civil servants particularly teacher's dignity by allocating them cheap residential stands to build houses, ministers said.Ministers said it was not proper for teachers 'to be forced to stay in a cottage yet they are teaching the landlords' children'.In a move seen as buying votes ahead of 2018 elections, the Zanu PF led government is rolling out residential stands to civil servants in most towns.Government has pegged the stands at $4 per square metre with an additional $1 going towards administration fee.More than 121 000 civil servants have registered for the scheme.Local government minister, Saviour Kasukuwere said the aim to ensure that every Zimbabwean has a roof over his or her head."Gone are the days when civil servants would have to be forced to stay in a cottage yet they are teaching the landlords' children. We want to restore the dignity of our workers and this will also bring huge dividends to our economy."Labour minister Prisca Mupfumira said the scheme would restore the workers' dignity."When we started it was like a joke but now a lot of work has been done and today is a great day indeed," she said."We need respect and dignity for the civil servants and one critical thing that gives someone dignity is shelter. This is a noble idea that should be supported by all. Some think it is politicking but the land is there, it's real." The Huaqiang North Electronic Market in Shenzhen used to be bustling but now counters are gathering dust and stores are shuttered with rolling doors. Even the opening of Shenzhen's new Metro Line 7, in October, failed to bring the area back to life, though it offers greater access to Huaqiang North from all parts of the city. Tenants have been forced to close their businesses due to slumping profits. According to research by Shenzhen University, 40 percent of 238 sellers interviewed said they earned zero profits in 2015 and 39 percent had a profit of 100,000 to 200,000 yuan ($14,500-$29,000). An overwhelming majority, 88 percent said their profits declined compared to a year earlier and they could barely make rent payments, which in fact are decreasing this year. Shenzhen Evening News reports the rent at SEG Electronics Market, one of the most popular markets in the district, has decreased four times in the first seven months of this year. Yuan Yiming, deputy director of the China Center for Special Economic Zone Research, Shenzhen University, says one of the main reasons for the decline in Huaqiang North markets is the current upgrading. "During the transformation, pain is inevitable," he said. Shanzhai (imitation and trademark infringement brands and goods) used to be common in Huaqiang North, but since last year the local government has been cracking them down and carrying out constant inspections, leading to the closure of many stores. "Any product with a logo has to be examined," said a vendor surnamed Chen at an electronics store in the district, adding that the latest inspections just two months ago were the strictest yet. Electronics components are a major aspect of the market, but the rapid development of internet and e-commerce has eaten into profits of small distributors. Zeng Long, investment manager of the Huaqiang North International Maker Center, said the rapid development of internet-based phone, television and other electronic brands has substantially squeezed profits of upstream component suppliers. Many small and micro-sized distributors in Huaqiang North market depend on these suppliers, he added. Some sellers and distributors choose to adapt to market trends and upgrade through innovation. Taking Zeng's Maker Center as an example, smartphone and electronics component sellers come here to create their own products and brands. Yuan from Shenzhen University said Huaqiang North district is also the epitome of industrial upgrading in the Pearl River Delta area. He suggested the area integrate with the Pearl River Delta's industrial upgrading to high-tech, high added-value and high-end manufacturing. Beijing-based chip giant Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd said on Tuesday it is planning to launch a 50 billion yuan ($7 billion) fund to promote cross-Straits economic ties, after its investment proposal to invest in firms in Taiwan province ran into trouble. "Taiwan should not be afraid of the capital from the mainland. Instead, the mainland's capital, talented people and huge market can offer a big opportunity for Taiwan-based firms to grow," Zhao Weiguo, chairman of the State-owned firm, said at an economy forum in Beijing on Tuesday. He did not offer details such as when the fund will be set up and how the capital will be used. The speech came after the firm's proposals to buy stakes worth nearly $1 billion in two chip firms in Taiwan province ran into trouble. A source close to Zhao told China Daily that "the firm's acquisition plan in Taiwan is not going well because the Taiwan local government is delaying the approval process." ChipMOS Technologies Inc, a Taiwan-based chip test and packaging firm, said in late November that it would end the partnership with Tsinghua Unigroup, which said last year it would spend $365 million to buy 25 percent of the Taiwan firm's shares. "Some Taiwan officials are seeing mainland capital as a threatening monster. If they don't welcome our investment, we can attract Taiwan firms to the mainland for cooperation," Zhao said at the forum. Tsinghua Unigroup also said last year it was investing around $600 million in Powertech Technology Inc for a 25 percent stake. Currently, the deal is still waiting approval from the Taiwan local government. Tsai Ing-wen, the Taiwan leader inaugurated in May, had earlier claimed the investments by Tsinghua Unigroup were a "huge threat" to Taiwan. Roger Sheng, a senior analyst at research firm Gartner Inc, said Taiwan enterprises are in fact very eager to cooperate with mainland firms because they are short of money and want to tap into the mainland's huge market. "Many Taiwan chip experts have already come to the mainland," he added. Visitors look at smartphones at ZTE Corp booth at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. In the first nine months of this year, ZTE's revenue exceeded 71 billion yuan ($10.35 billion), a year-on-year growth of 4.4 percent. [Photo/Agencies] Telecom giant to buy 48% stake in Netas as it sees broader opportunities in the Middle East ZTE Corp said on Tuesday it would spend up to $101.3 million to purchase a 48.04 percent stake in a leading Turkish telecom company, as the Chinese telecom equipment maker ramps up efforts to expand its business in the Middle Eastern country. The Shenzhen-based firm said in a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that the deal, once completed, would make it the largest shareholder of Netas Telekomunikasyon AS, while the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation will hold 15 percent. The acquisition is awaiting approval from the Competition Board of Turkey. "Netas is one of the largest telecom system integration companies in Turkey. Its abundant local client resources will help us grow a presence there," ZTE said, adding the transaction will be paid for with internal funds. Founded in 1985, ZTE is the second-largest telecom equipment manufacturer in China, after Huawei Technologies Co Ltd. It supplies telecom products and services to more than 160 countries and regions. Netas, founded in 1967, posted a revenue of $371 million for the 2015 fiscal year and its customers span telecom carriers, banks, and governments agencies, ZTE said. Xiang Ligang, CEO of the telecom industry website cctime.com, said Turkey, given its geographic location, can serve as a steppingstone for ZTE to expand in the Middle Eastern region, where demand for telecom infrastructure is rising. "It is difficult for Chinese telecom companies to crack foreign markets on their own, due to concerns over information security." "The investment in Netas will help ZTE better localize its products and reduce the trouble of directly dealing with local clients," Xiang added. Investors responded differently to the move by ZTE, which is listed in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen. ZTE jumped 3.12 percent in Hong Kong to close at HK$12.56 ($1.62) on Tuesday, while its Shenzhen-traded shares declined 0.24 percent to close at 16.29 yuan ($2.38). Fu Liang, a telecoms industry analyst, said ZTE is accelerating its global expansion, as it tries to outcompete its rivals by migrating to post-4G telecom technology and the internet of things market. In the first nine months of this year, ZTE's revenue exceeded 71 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year growth of 4.4 percent. The firm is also seeking growth in the smartphone sector, launching both premium and budget handsets around the world. Thanks to its inexpensive smartphone devices, ZTE has become the fourth-largest smartphone vendor in the United States by shipment, with a 7 percent market share, according to research firm International Data Corp. A view of Alibaba Group's headquarters in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, March 21, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] China Mobile and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd inked a comprehensive strategic partnership on Wednesday, as the world's largest telecom carrier by subscribers, and China's largest e-commerce firm joined hands to boost growth. Under the agreement, the two sides will work closely in basic telecommunication services, information infrastructure, marketing and emerging sectors, China Mobile said in a statement. The move came shortly after Alibaba signed a similar deal with China Unicom, the country's second-largest telecom carrier, last month. China Mobile is stepping up efforts to expand presence in the internet industry, and China Unicom also wants to arrest its continuing profit decline by partnering with internet giants. This is not the first time that China Mobile teamed up with Alibaba. The two sides are already working closely in internet data centers, e-commerce and mobile payment. They will also jointly tap into opportunities brought by cloud computing, the internet of things, smart electronic gadgets and other emerging sectors, China Mobile said. Li Zhiyuan (third left), director at the strategic cooperation division of EHang Inc, and Li Xin (fourth left), deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily website, pose for a group picture with representatives from the two contracting parties during a signing ceremony of their strategic cooperation agreement held on December 7, 2016 in Beijing. [Wang Yuxi/chinadaily.com.cn] China Daily website (chinadaily.com.cn) has joined forces with a drone maker to improve digital news coverage. The website and domestic drone company EHang Inc signed a collaboration agreement on Wednesday, which will see reporters given training on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) photography. The workshops will address the industry's development and the use of UAV in news reports and post-production. "By co-operating with our premier partner in drone news coverage, we will seize the industrial trend driven by new technologies and improve our responsiveness, diversity and additional value during breaking news reports and cross-border communications around the globe," deputy editor Li Xin said. EHang senior director Li Zhiyuan said the partnership would help enrich and diversify news coverage by providing aerial photography equipment with handy, safe and multiple fly patterns to reporters. "Drones can also be used to reach the real scenes of stories," said Li. A technician from EHang Inc tests a drone. [Photo provided to China Daily] Consumer drones are on the verge of becoming a new trend in the country, as the technology becomes more readily available and news outlets are willing to use drone journalism. Media observers have noted that drones will make geographic coverage cheaper and more widespread, particularly when used to cover stories with large spatial applications, such as natural or man-made disasters. Earlier this year, People's Daily Website and Xinhua News Agencies announced plans to jointly work with third-party hardware companies to establish strategies for UAV news reports. A recent report by consulting company iResearch shows the civil drone in China is witnessing a market boom with the industry's worth to reach 75 billion yuan ($10.9 billion) by 2025. Statistics from International Data Corporation show more than 300 domestic manufacturers produce civilian drones in Shenzhen, contributing seventy percent of the world's market share. With about 300 employees led by a senior management team from 21Vianet Group, Microsoft, Lenovo and Foxconn, EHang is one of the frontrunners in the fiercely competitive market. At the latest Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas, the company unveiled what was being touted as the world's first drone capable of carrying a human passenger. The drone can fly itself by having a passenger enter a destination into the drone system's accompanying smartphone app. The company has also partnered with the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS) and the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) to develop test criteria to help EHang prove aircraft worthiness to the United States Federal Aviation Administration. EHang's GhostDrone 2.0 products have been sold in over 70 countries. China Daily website, launched in 1995, is China's first national English-language website. It has become a comprehensive multimedia outlet and is now one of China's most influential English-language web portals. The website provides 24-hour authoritative information on China through multiple sub-channels. President Xi Jinping urged at an important meeting on Monday further efforts to give the people a greater sense of gain through improving the effectiveness of reforms. The country should introduce more reforms that can help invigorate the economy, promote social justice, give people a greater sense of gain and mobilize the participation of the masses, according to a statement released after a meeting of the Central Leading Group for Deepening Overall Reform, chaired by Xi, head of the group. The group pledged to step up supervision of State-owned enterprises and assets through strict and independent auditing, and to strengthen scrutiny over the budget and use of State capital. China will seek a unified national natural resource asset management mechanism to improve the effectiveness of asset protection, according to the statement. The group also urged to set up an effective intellectual property rights management mechanism to support innovation. It asked authorities to map out reform work for next year to ensure overhauls proceed steadily with fresh momentum as the 19th Communist Party of China National Congress approaches. Over the course of the 30 meetings convened by the leading group since December 2013, hundreds of measures have been designed and released to address issues such as urbanization, poverty alleviation, innovation and the market's role in resource allocation. Traditional Chinese medicine is being used in 183 countries and regions, white paper says A white paper released by the State Council Information Office on Tuesday outlines China's efforts to promote international exchanges and cooperation in traditional Chinese medicine. The paper, Traditional Chinese Medicine in China, said TCM has spread to 183 countries and regions. According to the World Health Organization, 103 member states have given approval to the practice of acupuncture and moxibustion, 29 have enacted special statutes regarding traditional medicine, and 18 have included acupuncture and moxibustion treatments in their medical insurance provisions, the white paper said. Moxibustion involves burning herbs and applying the heat to the body to increase vital energy flows. TCM has gradually gained more international acceptance, and some practices have been recognized by authorities in Russia, Cuba, Vietnam, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and other nations, according to the white paper. "We have established 10 TCM centers outside China, and all of them are popular among locals," Wang Guoqiang, head of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said at a news conference on Tuesday. "Governments of 86 countries and regions have signed agreements with the Chinese government on TCM cooperation." Many countries have expressed hopes of working more closely with China since traditional therapies are both effective and easy to apply, and the low cost means they can help control ballooning health expenditures, he said. In China, the number of practitioners and assistant practitioners of TCM reached 452,000 by the end of last year, the report said. Medical care services provided by TCM institutions in the national total increased from 14.3 percent to 15.7 percent in the few years from 2009 to 2015, it said. Last year, outpatient expenses per visit and inpatient expenses per capita at public TCM hospitals were, respectively, 11.5 percent and 24 percent lower than those at general public hospitals, according to the white paper. "Development of traditional medicine is a global trend, and it is natural that TCM is drawing more attention from the world," Wang said. TCM drew worldwide attention in August, when images of purple circles on the back and shoulders of US Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps were widely circulated. The circles were caused by traditional cupping therapy, practiced in China for more than 2,000 years to relieve pain and boost the metabolism. Also, Tu Youyou, a Chinese researcher, shared the 2015 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine after isolating the anti-malaria drug artemisinin from sweet wormwood, long used in traditional medicine. She became the first Chinese national to win the Nobel Prize in science. Some TCM techniques, such as acupuncture, have been adopted by many countries and are popular with locals, according to Yang Zhen, an associate professor at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and a certified acupuncturist in California. But use of traditional Chinese medicines is not as widespread as it could be due to such factors as a lack of scientific research on the medicines and the fact that they often are not covered by medical insurance, he said. wangxiaodong@chinadaily.com.cn The Communist Party of China's decision to implement strict governance and a sweeping anti-corruption campaign can help it provide constructive solutions to global problems while dealing with domestic challenges, a senior Chinese official said on Monday. "China has entered a historically critical moment. We are becoming rich but not rich, and internationally we are becoming strong but not strong," said Yuan Shuhong, deputy director of the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council at a seminar in Brussels. In recent years, "corruption and other challenges such as weakening the Party's leadership and loosening Party governance have become rampant", he said. Yuan said strong determination has led to lasting efforts to fight corruption with an iron fist and uphold the strict governance of the Party. Yuan is leading a CPC delegation to the European Union to discuss October's Sixth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee. The delegation is updating think tank experts and party leaders in the European Parliament. "With such historic and current complexities, China must have a leadership core to overcome the challenges at home and abroad," Yuan said at the seminar, organized by the Brussels-based Foundation for European Progressive Studies. Yuan said the Party must abide by strict political discipline, so as to ensure its leadership of China's national renewal. "And these efforts could help us live up to the expectations of the international community to position China to lead a constructive role worldwide," he said. New Party theory, a leadership reshuffle and plans for coming years are anticipated at the Party's 19th National Congress next year. Ernst Stetter, secretary-general of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies, said it is helpful to learn from the CPC's experience. Wang Xueyong, deputy director-general of the Bureau for Western European Affairs of the International Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, said it is normal for the CPC to exchange developments with other parties worldwide. "And in doing so, we also lend our ears to our friends to ask them to pass along ideas and suggestions to improve the governance of the CPC as well," Wang said. The Xianglong, or Soar Dragon, drone is seen in this file photo. Provided To China Daily Aircraft is said to have cruise speed of 750 km/h and range of 7,000 km The People's Liberation Army will soon have an unusually shaped drone, which is expected to strengthen the Chinese military's aerial reconnaissance capabilities. An unknown number of Xianglong, or Soar Dragon, high-altitude, long-endurance drones have been produced by Guizhou Aviation Industry Group, which is part of the State-owned aircraft maker Aviation Industry Corp of China, according to aviation sources. The aircraft is believed to be undergoing testing and is expected to be delivered to the PLA soon, sources said, adding that it is likely to become China's answer to the United States' Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk, considered to be the most well-known unpiloted surveillance drone in the world. With an innovative "joined tandem wing" design, the drone's configuration is different from all other Chinese manned and unmanned planes - it has a conventional swept wing joined with a forward swept wing, which makes it look like a traditional Chinese kite. In accordance with Chinese regulations, Guizhou Aviation Industry Group has not, and will not, reveal characteristics of the drone. However, AirForces Monthly, a British military aviation magazine, said Xianglong has a cruise speed of 750 kilometers per hour and a flight range of 7,000 km. It is capable of operating for 10 hours and can fly up to an altitude of 18,000 meters, the magazine said. Xianglong was unveiled in 2006 at an air show in China, but later disappeared from public view until 2011 when a prototype was seen at an airport run by the Aviation Industry Corp of China. No other news on the drone's development has been leaked since then, and whether it has conducted its first flight remains unknown. However, since July, speculation about the mass production of Xianglong started to circulate on Chinese defense technology websites after Guizhou Aviation Industry Group published a photo of one of its manufacturing facilities on the internet, with two yellow Xianglong models in a corner of the picture, leading observers to discuss whether the inclusion was intentional. "Xianglong's unique design makes it suitable for long operations at high altitude. Once the drone is commissioned to the military, it will boost the PLA's long-range reconnaissance capabilities," said Wang Ya'nan, editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge magazine. "Moreover, the jet is a good platform for electronic warfare operations such as signal intelligence collection and electronic jamming," he added. The PLA has become a big user of unmanned aircraft thanks to the rapid development of the drone industry in China. The military showed three types of unpiloted, fixed-wing planes at the most recent parade in September last year. It is also said to have deployed several other models. Advances in the nation's drone technology have also benefitted at least 10 foreign countries, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan, with foreign media reporting such countries have bought and deployed Chinese military drones. Express-delivery tricycles with eight-digit registration numbers are seen in Beijing on Friday. Wang Zhuangfei / China Daily Beijing this month introduced a registration system for express-delivery tricycles by standardizing the appearance of such vehicles and issuing safety instruction cards to couriers, officials said. Insurance policies for the tricycles have also become a must for express-delivery companies. The new coating for electric tricycles, primarily on the cargo trunk, features the word "kuaidi (express)", with the vehicle's eight-digit registration number on the top half, and the company's logo and contact information on the bottom half. "About 57,000 tricycles had completed recoating by early this month, including 40 delivery companies," said Niu Jianming, office director at the Secretariat of Beijing Express Association. "Some old tricycles do not meet the set standards, and we are urging the companies to discard them." "We register the information of every tricycle, including its registration number and its owner," said Zhao Xin, an official from Beijing's traffic management bureau. According to Zhao, traffic police officers will use such information to track down companies if an express-delivery tricycle is found breaking the law. Citizens can also report severe breaches of traffic rules through a hotline, quoting the tricycle's registration number. In addition to the unified appearances of the tricycles, compulsory insurance and mandatory training sessions for couriers are also listed in the regulatory measures. "Our tricycles have been covered by full insurance packages, covering common situations," said a branch runner of ZTO Express, a company recently listed on the New York Stock Exchange, who declined to be named. "The tricycle is only a carrier," Niu said. "It's the overall quality and safety awareness that need to be improved." He said express companies will receive punishments, including restrictions on renewing registration of tricycles, if the association gets too many complaints about their couriers, adding that new methods, such as the use of GPS chips, will help regulate the industry in the future. However, Niu said this is only a temporary, self-disciplinary approach during a transition phase, as the national standard is yet to be issued. The legal status of electric tricycles remains ambiguous, as they are yet to be categorized as either motorized or nonmotorized vehicles, meaning there is a lack of consistency in the law when dealing with accidents involving such tricycles. In addition, to deliver numerous packages as quickly as possible, some couriers choose to ignore traffic rules, including driving rapidly in the bicycle lane or running red lights. Liang Shuang contributed to this story. Opinion / Columnist There are various ongoing initiatives for Zimbabweans to find each other and forge a common approach to the national crisis. Transform Zimbabwe is participating in these initiatives. As president of Transform Zimbabwe I have been tasked by the membership of TZ through the national executive to lead our own party's efforts to find suitable partners and political players to work with.Over this weekend we have a key executive meeting to report back to our leaders and make key decisions on the groups or parties we feel we can speak to.Transform Zimbabwe participated in the recent dialogue in South Africa to try to bring Zimbabweans together and talk about the national crisis.Our position is very clear in terms of what we believe in. We are a values based political party and we are firm on our strong Christian foundation. We believe that any initiative to bring Zimbabweans together must include key players like the MDC-T, who of course, as the nation is aware of, were not part of the discussions in South Africa. The TZ executive meeting over the weekend will decide our position as far as the coalition is concerned.Our biggest concern however, is the rhetoric from political parties like Zim People First and its leader Mrs Mujuru. There is a notion to suggest that any efforts to talk among Zimbabweans which does not involve them (as a big party') are bound to fail and are led by the "CIO". We take great exception to that.Joyce Mujuru and her cabal in ZPF cannot lecture to the nation on who is genuine and who is not. Most of us in the opposition and the nation at large have wounds inflicted on us by Mrs Mujuru and Zanu PF. We have colleagues murdered by Zanu PF with her as the Vice president of the country. The nation has been robed, plundered and cheated by her years of mismanagement and mis-governance whilst in Zanu PF. We know she only was fired by people who felt she was having a bigger stake in the plundering of the national resources than what they were getting. She was warned to "stop it" but she continued to outdo them in the looting and they fired her.Honestly to assume that Zimbabweans have forgotten that circus is taking a nation of educated God fearing people to be foolish. This is unacceptable. Zimbabweans know who is CIO and is burnt on deceiving the people. Zimbabweans know who the State Security minister was in 2008 when hundreds of opposition members were killed and maimed. Zimbabweans know who plundered the national resources in Chiadzwa at the expense of a starving nation. We have not forgotten.We take great exception for Mrs Mujuru to tell us who is genuine and who is not. We know who told the nation that I will die Zanu PF'. It's too soon for us to have forgotten all that. It's unacceptable for ZPF to claim they are a bona fide opposition political party in Zimbabwe. We are not blindwe see what is happening. And the nation will not accept that.Jacob NgarivhumePresident, Transform Zimbabwe Joint programs involving 12 top-tier universities to give students competitive edge in job market Chinese students will have better chances of obtaining top-notch dual China-UK degrees - and at a lower cost - thanks to an initiative advancing student mobility and educational exchanges between the countries. The China-UK Association for the Humanities in Higher Education joined forces with 12 top-tier universities to strengthen academic ties and promote people-to-people exchanges. "We should take full advantage of the 'cluster competency' of the alliance to forge a multilateral academic collaboration model," said Minister of Education Chen Baosheng, who witnessed the formation of the alliance in Shanghai. Chen said the collaboration strives to help schools attract talented international students, and improve global visibility and prestige. The top schools include Tsinghua University, Peking University, Oxford University, London School of Economics and the University of Cambridge's Needham Research Institute. In addition to joint research projects and forums, universities will offer teaching and research activities comprising double degree programs, summer schools and research trips for prospective students. The Young Scholar Forum serves as the core cultural and academic exchange avenue for the association, while the Young Talent Program is set up to encourage students to tap into innovative projects and startups. Among the latest effort is the LSE-Fudan Institute for Global Public Policy, a school preparing future leaders, and contributing to global governance and public affairs. The double-degree program to be rolled out next year will feature cross-disciplinary teaching and recruit master students from China and abroad. "With China making strides on the international stage, we see pressing needs for talented people who will be able to properly present our stances in global arenas such as international organizations. That, in part, propels us to establish this joint program," said Jing Yijia, vice-director of foreign affairs at Fudan University and a professor at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs. A collection of scholarships are up for grabs for students to relieve their financial burdens, Jing said. The school is also mulling the possibility of offering students the option to take all courses in China, but still be able to get two degrees, which would further trim tuition fees and living expenses. "We foresee a growing number of leading dual-degree programs between China and UK universities," he added. "I managed to access research opportunities at two institutions and diversify my education," said Che Rui, a recent graduate with a dual master's degree in global media and communications from Fudan and LSE, a predecessor program that dates back to 2007. Che, who now works for a renowned securities broker in Shanghai, said the double degree gives him a competitive edge in the job market. With the aid of dual-degree programs, schools can pool educational resources and use complementary teaching expertise to build study programs that they otherwise wouldn't be able to offer, according to Katherine Morton, professor and chair of Chinese international relations at the University of Sheffield. "Many Chinese students come to study at our university each year, and I expect the number to grow. It's highly important that we have such a dialogue mechanism, and we'll get more exchange programs up and running," she said. China remains the largest source of international students to the UK. According to the British Council in June, more than one in five non-UK students and one in three non-EU students studying in the UK in 2014-15 were from China. A worker makes cups at Jackel China, in Guangdong province, on Tuesday. The company will shut down normal production to make special cups needed by an autistic teen in the UK. Zhou Mo / China Daily A Chinese factory is partly shutting down its normal business to help an autistic British teen by making a toddlers' cup that he is dependent on, but which has long been out of production. Jackel China, in Dongguan, Guangdong province, will halt the normal operation of three of its machines for two to three days. They will be used to make 500 to 1,000 blue-green Tommee Tippee cups. The teen's dad, Marc Carter, said it is the only cup his autistic son Ben will drink from. The cup used by 14-year-old Ben was purchased 12 years ago and is now worn out. His father issued an appeal to find a replacement. Manufacturing of the two-handled cup was halted in 2003. It was originally produced by Jackel China under contract from UK-based Mayborn Group, which was acquired by Shanghai Jahwa (Group) Co in April. Catherine Lee, the company's head of Asia operations and procurement, said she heard of Ben's story on the internet and also from her colleagues in the UK. "It only took us two days to make the decision and we managed to produce 50 samples within 10 days," Lee said. "We are really happy to do the job. It is something full of love and with great value." She said samples have been sent to Ben's father, who will check the color. Once confirmed, the factory will begin production. The special order is to take a week, and the company will pick up the 20,000 yuan ($2,900) cost. "We hope to send those cups to Ben on Christmas Day or on New Year's Day as a gift for him," she said. Zhu Yingming, employed by the factory for 14 years, said he was proud to play a part in the campaign. "I could still remember the cup's appearance when I was told to search for its mold in our warehouse. It only took me 20 minutes to find it among more than 1,000 molds," he said. Many Chinese netizens have praised the company for spreading "positive energy". "Although cost of the cups is not high, the campaign plays an active role in enhancing our country's international image. Meanwhile, there are many autistic children in China. We need also to pay more attention to them," user XiwohouLV posted online. Ben's father Marc tweeted last week: "Can't believe Tommee Tippee have managed to find the mold and are going to make me so many. They have been truly incredible, such a genuinely lovely and caring team." sally@chinadailyhk.com Pregnant women line up for health checks at Jinan Maternity and Child Care Hospital in Jinan, Shandong province, in March. Thirty percent of mothers-to-be visiting the hospital are expecting their second child, according to hospital sources. Zhao Xiaoming / Xinhua Experts are warning that the country's new family planning measures could have unintended, but far-reaching, consequences. Wang Xiaodong reports. In recent years, the treatment of pregnant patients has become an increasingly thorny task for Liu Wenxian, a cardiologist at Anzhen Hospital in Beijing, as a result of the rise in the number of older women wanting to give birth. "Many of these women are from outside Beijing and have risky complications such as cardiac disease," she said. "The problem has worsened since the adoption of the universal two-child policy because these complications are more commonly seen in pregnant women who have given birth before. In many cases - especially when the patient's condition is critical - we have to re-evaluate their decision to have a baby and end the pregnancy promptly to save their life," she said. Gu Hong, a pediatrician at the hospital who specializes in treating cardiac disease in babies, warned that the two-child policy could have unintended, but far-reaching, consequences: "We are facing some very harsh challenges. Many women are trying their best to have a second child, even if conditions such as cardiac disease could put them at high risk." According to Gu, seven pregnant women have died in the hospital in the past five years as a result of cardiac complications, and those risks still exist despite improvements in medical technology. Anzhen Hospital is not alone in facing such a challenge. According to the National Health and Family Planning Commission, in the first half of the year China's maternity mortality rate reached 183 per 1 million people, a rise of more than 30 percent compared with the same period last year. Mortality rate Maternity mortality rates had been declining steadily in China until the end of last year, when the top leadership approved the adoption of the universal two-child policy to tackle the problems posed by the nation's rapidly aging population. As a result, the decades-long family planning policy, which limited most couples to one child, was relaxed. Last year, the mortality rate during pregnancy fell to 201 per 1 million people from 300 per 1 million in 2010, according to the commission, but the figure is now rising. "The rise in the number of pregnant women, particularly those at higher risk such as older women, resulted in a rise in maternity deaths in some parts of the country in the first half of the year," said a statement released by the commission in October. The NHFPC estimates that more than 3 million women at higher risk will fall pregnant in China every year between the start of next year and 2020, a rise of 30 percent from the period before the adoption of the two-child policy. The commission said: "This will cause increased risks in maternity complications and present challenges to treatment and recovery." The number of babies born in the first half of the year was 8.31 million, a rise of 6.9 percent over the same period last year, a significant increase despite the declining number of married women of fertile age, the commission said. In addition, the sudden rise in pregnancies has resulted in maternity services coming under greater strain, and both facilities and hospital staff are under-resourced, according to the commission. Of the 90 million women now eligible to have a second baby, 60 percent are age 35 or older, which means they are considered to be at higher risk during pregnancy, the NHFPC said. Gu said about 150 pregnant patients with cardiac complications were received by Anzhen Hospital last year, compared with approximately 110 in 2011. This year, the number is expected to surpass 180. Acting on traditional beliefs, many women are opting to have another child, according to Gu: "Many of these patients are seeking treatment and care in our hospital, but not all women are suitable for pregnancy. Women with serious conditions are very likely to give birth to an unhealthy child, and their own lives could also be threatened during childbirth." Eight deputy county heads and a researcher take part in the online reality show in Changsha, Central China's Hunan province, on Dec 3, 2016. [Photo/VCG] Eight deputy county heads from seven provinces across the country have become online celebrities attracting millions of fans after they recently took part in a reality show to sell special native products of their counties on the internet. The officials from Guizhou, Gansu, Shaanxi, Jiangxi, Shanxi, Jilin and Fujian provinces gathered in Changsha, Central China's Hunan province, on Dec 3, to take part in the show to promote their native products. The show was live broadcast on the e-shopping platform Taobao.com, video streaming website youku.com and the satellite TV of Hunan province. Officials have been urged to use creative ways in recent years, and the participation in televised programs and online activities to interact with the public has become a common way. Data from Rural Taobao showed that more than 1.15 million netizens viewed the live reality show on Taobao or youku.com, and during the live broadcast, internet uses gave 54.6 million thumbs-up, or likes. Liu Fenmei, the deputy head of Gansu's Lixian county, wore Chinese traditional clothes in the show to promote Huaniu Apple, a famous Chinese apple brand. Liu, the only female among the eight officials, received 5.91 million likes. During the live broadcast, in order to attract buyers, some officials used special methods, such as boiling soup and singing songs. Liu Chunxiao, deputy head of Guizhou's Changshun county, ate a raw green shell egg on the show. Related stories: Talk of the town Public roles trump nervous tension Former vice mayor sentenced to 10 years in prison for graft Xinhua | Updated: 2016-12-07 15:31 CHANGSHA - A former vice mayor of a city in central China has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for accepting bribes totalling 4.7 million yuan (680,000 U.S. dollars), according to a local court. Yiyang Intermediate People's Court convicted Li Zicheng, former vice mayor of Huaihua City, Hunan Province, of accepting bribes between 2008 and 2014 when he was Communist Party of China (CPC) chief of Yuanling and Xupu counties and vice mayor of Huaihua. Li sought benefits for others in return for bribes, which he accepted personally or through his daughter Li Wenchu. The court ruled that Li's personal assets, worth 1 million yuan, should be confiscated. His daughter was given a three-year suspended sentence and was fined 200,000 yuan. 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 A former porcelain factory is now free commercial space for ceramic makers. [Photo by Rosemary Bolger/chinadaily.com.cn] The thought of porcelain often conjures up memories of dainty, old-fashioned vases gathering dust in your grandparents' antique display case. That's what makes the newest precinct in the city known as China's porcelain capital so unexpected. Some of Jingdezhen's disused porcelain factories have been converted into studios, bars, and retail space. The industrial red-brick buildings are separated by wide walkways, making it ideal for strolling between trendy cafes and contemporary ceramics galleries. What was once the Universal factory, built in the 1950s, is now a museum paying tribute to its former workers and a sprawling commercial space for emerging artists to showcase their work. Jingdezhen, in south east China's Jiangxi province, is also bringing international ceramic artists to practice their craft in the city, providing free accommodation and studio space. General manager Xiong Hunghuang said he hoped Chinese artists and visitors would get an international sense, while foreigners would still detect the Chinese elements. "Young people will feel this place is fashionable," Xiong said. China and central African country Gabon should harness their mutual trust and complementary economies to benefit people of both nations, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday. Xi made the remarks while meeting with Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who is paying his twelfth visit to China. Xi said he was impressed by Bongo's previous words of aiming to surpass his father's record of times to visit China. His father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, also served as president and visited China 11 times between 1974 and 2009. Xi said Bongo's decision to choose China as the first country beyond Africa to pay a state visit after his re-election in August showed a firm commitment to develop ties with China. China is currently Gabon's largest trade partner and an important investment source. In December last year, Xi and Bongo met in the lead up to a summit on China-Africa co-operation in Johannesburg, in South Africa. Bongo said that Gabon would welcome more Chinese investment, especially in the manufacturing industry, to create more jobs. Some Chinese companies have already invested in high-end wood processing in Gabon. Manufacturing and processing industries are important sectors for Gabon, Bongo told Xinhua News Agency earlier this month. The Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City has been praised as a flagship project between China and Singapore, helping develop an innovation-driven economy for Guangdong province. As of this November, there were 230 registered companies in the knowledge city, with 29.4 billion yuan ($4.26 billion) in capital, according to the company managing the project. Knowledge City Investment and Development chief executive officer Kok Siong Ng said the registered companies are involved in a wide range of innovative areas, including information and technology, medical instruments, intelligent equipment, creative culture, new energy, energy-saving and environmental protection, healthcare and new materials. "After six years of development, the knowledge city has played an increasingly important role for attracting international innovative resources," Ng said. Ng made the remarks during an industrial forum focusing on innovative resources, which ended in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong, on Dec 7. About 2,000 innovative companies are expected to open operations by 2020 in the knowledge city, which began construction in 2010, according to Ng. Professor Donal Bradley, head of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division of Oxford University, talks with Xu Huimin, Suzhou Municipal Committee and secretary of CPC of Suzhou Industrial Park Working Committee on December 7. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn] Jiansu-based Suzhou Industrial Park and the UK's Oxford University signed a deal establishing a joint research centre, officials said today. The Oxford Suzhou Centre for Advanced Research (OSCAR) will be a multi-disciplined research, innovation and technology centre; it will initially focus on biomedical engineering, biomedicine, advanced function material, energy, environmental technology, financial mathematics, computer science and the health industry. "Based on the basic research which the University of Oxford owns, we will focus on the applicable studies in OSCAR," said Cui Zhanfeng, a professor at Oxford's Department of Engineering Science. The agreement, which took five years to negotiate, was signed by Suzhou Industrial Park's chairman, Yang Zhiping, and Professor Donal Bradley, head of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division of Oxford University. Yang Zhiping, Suzhou Industrial Park's chairman, and Professor Donal Bradley, head of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division of Oxford University sign an agreement, Dec 7, 2016. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn] "SIP has strong infrastructure and strong innovation facilities, such as the Biobay in Suzhou. In addition, Jiangsu province has a strong commitment and engagement to education and it is also the province that is looking to develop economy in a sustainable way and to improve the quality of life," said Bradley. Yang Zhiping commented: "The corporation with high-end institutions and universities will attract more elites and promote the development and transition of SIP's economy." Beijing sees ulterior motive in Tsai's plan to stop in US on way to Central America Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has been asked to be ambassador to China China's Foreign Ministry said Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen's planned transit stop in the United States carries "ulterior political intentions", while an expert warned that playing the Taiwan card could be counterproductive. Asked to comment on Beijing's call for the US to prevent Tsai from passing through the country next month en route to her planned visit to Central America, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said that "transit diplomacy" is among the "petty moves" employed by Taiwan's leader, whose "ulterior political intentions are clear for all to see". Lu reiterated that it has been commonly recognized by the international community that Taiwan is part of China, and that the one-China principle is the key political precondition for countries to develop relations and cooperate with China. Meanwhile, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, an old friend of China, has been asked by president-elect Donald Trump to be ambassador to China, media reported. Earlier on Wednesday, when asked about the possible appointment of Branstad, Lu said, "We welcome him to play a greater role in advancing the development of China-US relations." "We are willing to work with whoever receives the position and work together to enhance the Sino-US relationship in a healthy and steady way." Tsai is scheduled to visit Guatemala on Jan 11 and 12, Reuters reported on Tuesday. Trump, who was named Time magazine's Person of the Year on Wednesday, will be inaugurated on Jan 20. An adviser to Trump's transition team said he considered it "very unlikely" there would be a meeting between Tsai and Trump if she were to go through New York, according to Reuters. Michael Chabon's latest novel. [Photo provided to China Daily] In his latest novel, Moonglow, author and Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Chabon aims for the moon and successfully touches down on the lunar surface after a journey that leaps across the decades, the story spanning South Philadelphia in the 1930s, Europe ravaged by World War II and the postwar America of the space program, before retirement to South Florida. The story is told through memories passed down to Mike, the narrator, by his mother's father. Suffering from bone cancer and high on painkillers, Mike's grandfather reveals "a record of his misadventures, his ambiguous luck, his feats and failures of timing and nerve". The grandmother's psychotic episodes - involving fires and fantasy; disappearances and delusions - push Mike's grandfather to the limit as he struggles to keep the family intact. Crossing continents and time itself, the story arcs from the search for the scientist who led the Nazi program to build the V-2 rockets that terrorized Britain during the war. At the center of the story is the loving but tortured relationship between the narrator's grandparents. They met in postwar Baltimore and their marriage bonds suffer from the wife's traumatic wartime experiences in German-occupied France in the form of hallucinations and acting out. With Moonglow you get what you expect from Chabon: an emotional tale of love and loss; fabulous - at times magical - writing; and a story rooted in real-world events told from a unique perspective. Moonglow floats through time and space and fires its rockets when required; to blast from Earth's gravity, to maintain course, to traverse the universe, to carry the reader to a fascinating new world. The worldwide music festival Corona SunSets draws a large number of fans at its Beijing event. [Photo provided to China Daily] A giant mosaic-like backdrop glitters behind a cast of DJs. Guests sport light summer outfits and body paint as they dance to music. A few short steps away, people enjoy beach volleyball, play on swings and sip beverages. But this is not a party scene from a palm-fringed tropical-island beach. It is a winter music festival on the outskirts of Beijing on Dec 3 and 4. With three giant transparent plastic domes, 500 tons of sand and an array of high-caliber DJs, the global music festival, Corona SunSets, which has already been staged in Australia, Mexico, Italy and the United Kingdom, brought a summer seaside vibe to Beijing's cold winter this year. "Beijing is a long way from the beach. But the idea of Corona, you will find, is to let people enjoy nature and life on a beach at their doorstep," says Huang Wei, BU president North of Anheuser-Busch InBev China. "Therefore, we shipped sand here to create this feeling of a beach for city dwellers." Among the festival-goers was 26-year-old Liu Xiaomo, who attended with his friends. "I felt like I was transported from a freezing winter city to a sunny summer beach. I wa s revisiting the summer." Compared with partying at night clubs in Sanlitun, Beijing's trendy urban enclave, the highlight of this festival was the spacious venue as well as the invigorating music, Liu says. "There were some really good DJs out there. They were good at connecting with the crowd and keeping us moving." The lineup for the festival included Australian DJ and musician Tom Jack, who is known for his laidback dance tracks, the renowned Berlin eclectic collective Jazzanova and Chicago-based DJ Nick Rockwell. "Jack has really cool music - kind of tropical house music, perfect for the party we are having today," Rockwell said before his debut in China. "Jazzanova has an amazing selection. I did not even realize I have been playing his records for years. It's a really good lineup." Rockwell also prepared a great variety of sounds for the fest. "There are a couple of tracks from me, tracks from Duke Dumont and Hot Since 82 - Warnings," he says. But he says that a lot of what he played depended on the specific audience and what he thought they would respond to best. As the sun sets slowly in the west, more revelers meld into the dancing crowd. For those who missed the Beijing chapter, you can still capture the upcoming Corona SunSets over Jan 7 and 8 in Guangzhou. Ace of the Aces, Lingren, produced and aired by Shanxi Satellite TV Station, features top Chinese opera artists from around the country. WANG XIAOXI/CHINA DAILY A traditional art form is finding more fans as Bai Yansheng's popular Ace of the Aces, Lingren on Shanxi Satellite TV Station prepares for its second season. Chen Nan reports. Chinese TV producer, director and host Bai Yansheng has won rave reviews and awards for his TV programs over the years, which have been dedicated to introducing and promoting traditional Chinese operas. But the series he is currently working on is his most precious project. Titled Ace of the Aces, Lingren, the show, produced and aired by Shanxi Satellite TV Station, will start its second season in January 2017. The first season premiered in May 2016. In Chinese, lingren refers to an actor or actress. The show, which features top Chinese opera artists from around the country, is a competition spanning three months. Traditional Chinese opera has over 200 genres, such as the well-known Peking, Kunqu operas and more localized types, such as Chuanju Opera from Sichuan province and Jinju Opera from Shanxi province. "These ancient art forms offer us endless inspiration," says Bai, who is - as usual - producer, director and host. A performer of the Hunan Puppet and Shadow Art Protection & Inheritance Center plays puppet show for the diplomats, December 6, 2016. [Photo by Meghan Horihan/Chinaculture.org] When talking about Hunan province, the most common things mentioned are typically Mao Zedong's birthplace in the village of Shaoshan and the Wulingyuan Scenic Area in Zhangjiajie, the mountains made famous by the movie, Avatar, that used its likeness as inspiration for the computer generated images of "the floating mountains". Many travelers in China are initially reeled in by major attractions, but once they arrive they are able to see the finer details if they get the chance. And I must admit that was the case for me during the 4th Cultural Discovery Tour for Diplomats in China, which was organized by the Chinese Ministry of Culture. I've heard of Zhangjiajie, which has been on my must-see short list for quite some time, but after digging a little deeper, I quickly realized that the scenic mountains shouldn't overshadow this rapidly growing province. Our group consisted of diplomats from 11 countries, and we welcomed the chance to get out of Beijing as the temperatures dropped below zero in the north. Some have been in China for a handful of years while others had only been here a few months, but everyone was ready to see what Hunan has to offer. 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 A scene in Skylight. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] National Theater Live, an initiative launched by the Royal National Theater in London in 2009 to broadcast live performances of its productions to cinemas, has come to China's Central Academy of Drama in Beijing, marking the project's first foray into China's universities. On Dec 2, more than 700 students and teachers at the Beijing academy watched Skylight - the winner of the 2015 Tony Award for best revival of a play - featuring Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan in the West End production by David Hare. More productions of National Theater Live will be screened at the academy, including The Audience, a play by the British playwright and screenwriter Peter Morgan, starring Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren; and the Donmar Warehouse production of Coriolanus, with Tom Hiddleston in the title role. National Theater Live came to China in 2015 and so far 16 plays have been screened in 28 cinemas across China, for more than 120,000 viewers. These are among the exhibits on display at the Art and Peace show in Brussels, Dec 6, 2016. [Photo/Chinaculture.org] An exhibit showcasing contemporary Chinese artworks opened to the public in European Union headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday and will run until Dec 19. The international tour exhibition, Art and Peace, features a variety of contemporary Chinese art forms, including paintings, oils, woodcuts, watercolors and sculptures, interpreting perceptions of "art and peace" in the eyes of Chinese artists. The two-week event is organized by the China Cultural Center in Belgium and the Chinese Artists Association. It marks the first time the Chinese Artists Association has brought the tour show to Europe. Rudi Vervoort, minister-president of the government of the Brussels capital region, attended the opening. "Cultural exchanges under the theme of peace will help this diversified world to regain its glory of the past," Vervoort said. Qu Xing, Chinese ambassador to Belgium, and representatives and artists from China and Belgium also attended the ceremony. "2016 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-Belgium diplomatic ties. I feel delighted to see the important role of Chinese and Belgian cultural and art institutions in enhancing cultural exchanges between the two counties and wish for closer friendship and more fruitful exchanges," the ambassador said. Enameled porcelain plate with butterfly design [Photo by Zhang Xingjian/chinadaily.com.cn] Enameled porcelain is one of the greatest inventions of ancient China. The production method of enameled porcelain is very complicated and expensive. Legend has that Chinese Emperor Kangxi from Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) even monitored the process in person from time to time. The painters were selected after a rigorous process to ensure the highest quality. From production to final step, the whole process was carried out in a confidential way and the methods were not revealed to outsiders. Therefore, enameled porcelain is often called the "Royal Porcelain". Compared to other painted porcelain focusing on the impressionistic style, enameled porcelain, characterized by various colors, elegant and dignified painting style, pays more attention to realistic style with exquisite imagery. The development of the enameled porcelain rose during the Emperor Kangxi's reign (1654-1722), and declined during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799). Because of its dedication to the imperial court, enameled porcelain had such a high cultural and artistic value that the common people could not afford them in ancient times. A Qingdao-Cancun business meeting was held on Dec 3 in Cancun, Mexico. A Qingdao-Cancun business meeting commences on Dec 3 in Cancun, Mexico. [Photo/qdbofcom.gov.cn] A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation was signed by both sides. Enterprises from Qingdao and Cancun also reached a series of cooperation agreements at the meeting. Some 50 distinguished participants from government departments, business communities and tourism authorities from Qingdao and Cancun took part in the meeting. Qingdao and Cancun sign amemorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation at the Qingdao-Cancun business meeting on Dec 3. [Photo/qdbofcom.gov.cn] Ma Weigang, director general of the Commerce Bureau of Qingdao, said that both Qingdao and Cancun are coastal cities. Similar development paths lay a solid foundation for both sides to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation. Ma said that Qingdao will learn from the best practices of Cancun, promoting international travelling and organizing international fairs. Ma added that Qingdao, as one of the first of China's coastal cities open to the outside world, maintains a continuous flow of investment with Latin America. He hoped that Qingdao and Cancun will make joint efforts to elevate bilateral economic trade cooperation to a new level, and expand cooperation in the fields of coastal tourism and trade services. Diaz, director of the financial sector and representative of the mayor of Cancun, said that through a series of reform measures and perfecting foreign capital policy, the city achieves rapid and healthy development. Qingdao businessmen are welcome to invest in Cancun. Huang Jiebing, chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce & Technology Mexico, said that Cancun is an ideal investment destination. The chamber is dedicated to promote the mutual cooperation of tourism, trade, investments and other fields. A promotional film of Qingdao was played at the meeting, which featured the city's economic diversification and promoted the latest investment environment of Qingdao and received a good response of the Cancun side. Well-known Qingdao enterprises were promoted at the meeting, including Hisense, a Chinese multinational white goods and electronics manufacturer, CRRC Qingdao Sifang, China's leading high-speed train manufacturer, and AUCMA, a world famous refrigeration equipment supplier. UC Berkeley Creates World's Highest-Jumping Robot Trending News: Somebody Finally Invented A Parkour Robot Quick Take Watch your back, parkour experts making a living from insane YouTube videos. Robotics researchers at UC Berkeley have created a robot that can spring off walls and perform multiple vertical jumps in a row. That's right: They created a robot that can do parkour. The robot is named Salto (for Saltatorial Locomotion on Terrain Obstacles) and according to researchers Salto has reached the highest robotic vertical jumping agility ever recorded. The secret to Salto's abilities lie in the source material. Engineers based its design off of the galago, the most vertically agile creature found in nature. The galago can jump five times in four seconds, and gain a combined height of nearly 28 feet. The secret to the galago is power modulation, the ability to store energy in its tendons to achieve jump heights it couldn't achieve with muscles alone. Salto steals those principles by using spring-loaded motors in its joints. "By combining biologically inspired design principles with improved engineering technology, matching the agile performance of animals may not be that far off," said Ronald Fearing, a professor of electrical engineering at UC Berkeley. The worst part of watching parkour videos on YouTube is knowing you might see some guy get seriously injured, to the point where it's no longer funny. Salto solves that problem. It could easily be the basis of a parkour-themed episode of Westworld. The Salto research is supported by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in hopes of creating a robot that can leap over rubble during search and rescue missions. So the original intent was never parkour. But you can't blame us for getting excited about the possibilities. Drop This Fact The farthest-jumping animal is the red kangaroo, with a record leap of 43 feet in a single stride. Members of a SWAT team of Beijing police attend a drill with a police dog on Nov 5, 2016.[Photo/Xinhua] Given the inclusion of some new clauses that expand or restrict the powers of the police, the draft of the Police Law, which has been made public to solicit public opinions, has received extensive attention. Since the law's enactment on Feb 28, 1995, the country's legal and social environment has undergone enormous changes, and with the authorities committed to advancing the rule of law and public obedience to the law, it has become necessary to amend the Police Law so it meets the needs of the times. Any improper use of their powers by police officers will undermine people's trust in the police and the law, and cause public misgivings about the use of power. So the expanding or restraining of the powers of the police is of concern to all, thus any revision of the Police Law needs to be open and transparent. Therefore, it marks a significant step forward for the authorities to solicit public opinions on the proposed amendments. Police power constitutes a part of the State's compulsory power, which includes the use of force. However, the use of force by the police, including the use of guns, is very complicated and any misuse will have adverse consequences. The exposure of cases involving police officers using their firearms has caused grave public concerns over their right to use a gun. With this in mind, the draft proposes strictly regulating the use of weapons by police. However, police officers are empowered to use their weapons when necessary, and specific scenarios are laid out in which police officers can use their weapons. This offers them institutional and legal guarantees to exercise their right to use force if necessary. Regulating the use of guns by the police will not only guide police officers to properly exercise their powers, it will also help prevent any abuse of a police officer's right to use a gun. --Beijing News Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gestures during a press conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, November 21, 2016. [Agencies] Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's upcoming visit to Pearl Harbor later this month could be as historic and eye-catching as US President Barack Obama's trip to Hiroshima seven months ago. Abe will be the first Japanese prime minister to visit the site of Japan's notorious attack on the United States in 1941, while Obama was the first US sitting president to visit the city on which the US dropped an atomic bomb in World War II. Yet, just as Obama's journey to Hiroshima did not change the rationale for the US' decision to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima on Aug 6, 1945 and another one on Nagasaki three days later, Abe's visit to Pearl Harbor and to the USS Arizona Memorial will never overturn the fact that Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 was a war crime. As were the invasions Japan launched against China and its other Asian neighbors. White House spokesman Josh Earnest was only half right when he said that the power of reconciliation has turned the former adversaries into the closest of allies. It is indeed necessary for the adversaries in the war to be reconciled with each other. But true reconciliation must be based on the condition that the culprit for the war has demonstrated that it sincerely regrets what it did and has been forgiven by the countries it victimized. We have no idea whether Shinzo Abe will offer a sincere apology for Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor during his visit. In his statement to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Abe did not mention atrocities, such as the Nanjing Massacre, committed by Japanese troops, nor the surprise attack on the US. Abe himself has written messages to praise convicted Japanese war criminals and glossed over the issue of "comfort women", who were women the Imperial Japanese Army forced to be sex slaves during the war. Expedient mutual needs on both sides should not eclipse the fact that Japan owes the US and other countries sincere repentance for what it did during the war, which can only come when it stops trying to whitewash its past, something the US has condoned in exchange for Japanese support in the pursuit of its pivot to Asia strategy. When real remorse and understanding from Japan are conspicuously absent under Abe, it is clear that the power of expediency rather than true reconciliation has turned these former adversaries into the closest of allies. A crashed car is loaded on a tow truck after a collision on S32 Expressway in Shanghai, China, Nov 6, 2016.[Photo/IC] LAST WEEK, the Hengyang highway rescue station in Hunan province, Central China, charged a driver 40,000 yuan ($5,970) for towing his truck from where it broke down on the Xiangtan-Leiyang Expressway to the nearest automobile repair station. Beijing Youth Daily commented on Tuesday. In April, this rescue station hit headlines nationwide because it charged a truck driver 36,000 yuan for a tow, and the persons in charge of the rescue station received administrative punishment from the provincial pricing and business administration authorities. Monopolies are why such exorbitant fees exist. To end the monopolies in the towing industry is the fundamental way to bring down the fees. In China, only roadside rescue companies designated by the government can enter the huge expressway automobile towing market. Drivers who require towing services have no other choice but these companies. The new bill the rescue station in Hengyang wrote indicates it is fearless even in the face of possible administrative punishment. If the provincial authorities deal with the companies' bad habit as before, they will show their inability to curb, or acquiesce with, the quasi-robbery in broad daylight. As most expressways in China are State-run and State-owned, not to mention drivers have to pay a fee to use the road, the affiliated services should be public services. The towing charges should be set at a reasonable level, or the market opened for competition, so as to end the monopoly and exorbitant towing fees. China has vowed to streamline its government system and improve its governance efficiency, and the authority also pledges to let the market play a decisive role in allocating resources. The extravagant profits made from the monopoly of the Hengyang expressway rescue station and the station's audacity in ignoring the previous punishment indicates the government still has a long way to go to break monopolies, especially in lucrative markets. Editor's note: A number of experts spoke at a recent forum organized by the Center for China and Globalization and the Center for Strategic and International Studies to mark the 15th anniversary of China's entry into the World Trade Organization. Following are the views of some of those experts: Wang Huiyao, president of CCG and a consultant to the State Council Global governance in its existent form is facing challenges, so a new form of global governance is emerging. With the Doha Development Round of the WTO coming to a halt, the major economies, which are in dire need of new global trade rules, have accelerated the pace of talks among themselves through multilateral arrangements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the Belt and Road Initiative (the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road), and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. China needs to make better use of these arrangements to be able to write new global trade rules, which in turn will propel its domestic reform forward, help it maintain its established priorities in global trade and expand the influence of its capital. The United Kingdom benefited from the earlier stages of globalization, the United States did so from the later stages, and China is benefiting from the current stage. As such, China will continue to support globalization and will take the process forward. US President-elect Donald Trump speaks at election night rally in Manhattan, New York, US, November 9, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] No American president or president-elect has spoken to a Taiwan leader since 1979. So the surprising telephone call between Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen and US President-elect Donald Trump on Friday provides further proof that the incoming US leader is determined to defy convention both domestically and in his foreign relations. The three joint communiques the United States signed with China in 1972, 1978 and 1982, no matter read separately or as one, all explicitly say the US recognizes Taiwan as part of China and the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China. Even though the world had got used to Trump's wild, and sometimes offensive, remarks during his presidential campaign, it would be unreasonable to tolerate his disregard of the US' commitments to the three monumental documents, which lay the political foundation for China-US ties. With media speculation running rife about whether Trump was playing the "Taiwan card", it is necessary to remind the US president-elect and his transition team about the sensitivity of the Taiwan question. Over the years, compared with skirmishes in such areas as trade, cyber security and currency, the Taiwan question has always remained the most sensitive in bilateral ties. That is why both Democratic and Republican US presidents in recent years have trod a prudent path when handling the US relationship with the island without provoking Beijing's most sensitive diplomatic nerve. As an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal on Monday noted, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush all took office pledging closer relations with Taipei, with Bush even promising "whatever it takes" to defend the island. Once in office, however, they all prioritized ties with Beijing. After the efforts from both sides in promoting bilateral interaction for nearly four decades, the entirety of China-US relations now has significance beyond the bilateral scope. Ma Xuejing/China Daily This week, Chinese and international pollution management professionals are gathering in Beijing for a series of events as part of a Pollution Management and Environmental Health Business Week hosted by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau with the support of the World Bank to share their experiences in air quality management. These events are particularly timely as the toll from air pollution is becoming increasingly apparent across the world, especially for low and middle-income countries. Those of us living in polluted cities see evidence of the burden of air pollution all around us. That many of our fellow city dwellers choose to wear masks serves as a daily reminder that we are breathing polluted air. Over the past five years, the Chinese government has been focusing on addressing PM2.5, particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, which is the most critical pollutant for public health. In 2012, the government issued stricter standards for ambient PM2.5 concentration, which went into effect in January 2016 and are comparable to standards defined by the World Health Organization. The 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) has set the target of reducing PM2.5 concentration by 18 percent. This is the first time PM2.5 targets have been included in a five-year plan. China is establishing the most extensive air monitoring system in the world, which is already covering 338 cities nationwide. While air quality has improved over the past years, levels of air pollution are and will remain high causing economic and social costs. To continue improving the air quality across China's cities, China needs to address three key challenges. First, there is a need for an effective regional air quality management mechanism. Wind can carry air pollution more than 500 kilometer from its source, so pollution caused in one province may be blown into another province. Indeed, 20 to 40 percent of PM2.5, the main form of air pollution in China, comes from outside the affected province or city. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has developed a mechanism for sharing air quality information. This could provide a platform for increasing regional-level planning and commitment setting while implementation remains at the local level. Second, there is a need to strengthen monitoring and analysis of additional sources of pollution. Some sources of pollution, such as coal-fired power plants, heavy industry, road vehicles and construction sites, are well known and well understood. Other sources, such as agriculture and livestock waste, biomass burning, rural stoves and off-road heavy equipment also contribute significantly to pollution, and require better monitoring and further analysis. This is important because there are chemical interactions between emissions from different sources, like road vehicles and agriculture, which worsen pollution. In the end, regional air quality management plans require a multi-sectoral approach that includes all these sources. Such an approach brings additional benefits of making those sectors more efficient and competitive. Third, there are cost-efficiencies to be gained from coordinating air quality management and climate change policy. The synergies between carbon emissions and air pollution are well recognized; however, it is important to realize that there are discords too. As such, we cannot assume that a reduction in carbon emissions automatically improves air quality. A clear example of discordance is Europe's shift from gasoline to diesel vehicles. It is true that diesel vehicles emit 15 to 20 percent less carbon dioxide; however, they also emit about 20 times more nitrogen oxides compared to gasoline vehicles, which is a contributor to air pollution. Chinese authorities realize that reducing air pollution is a long-term process which can be accelerated by benefiting from lessons learned from other countries which have already reduced their air pollution to accepted levels. At the same time, the Pollution Management and Environmental Health Business Week will provide an opportunity for other countries to learn from China's recent experience in implementing and strengthening air quality management policy. The author is the World Bank's lead environmental specialist for China. File photo taken on July 21, 2016 shows Donald Trump taking the stage on the last day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, the United States. Former real estate tycoon Donald Trump has been elected the 45th president of the United States after a neck-and-neck race with his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- President-elect Donald Trump is likely to shake up U.S. foreign policy on a number of fronts, and may take action on areas such as Russia, Cuba and the Korean Peninsula, according to experts. Trump shocked the world last month when he pulled off a surprise victory against rival Hillary Clinton and clinched the White House, proving wrong the vast majority of polls and experts who predicted that Clinton would be the next president. Now, the Trump team is scrambling to fill a number of cabinet positions, including that of the nation's top diplomat, the U.S. Secretary of State. Trump is expected to create a cabinet encompassing mostly hardliners, and experts said that will color U.S. foreign policy for the next four years. Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua that Trump may seek to triangulate Russia against China. Trump was very critical of Chinese trade and military policy, and may try to use closer ties with Russia to pressure China on foreign policy, West said. Trump said he wants what he refers to as better trade deals, and also wants more U.S. companies to keep their operations within the United States, West said. West added that Trump may also scale back the recent historic re-opening of ties with neighboring Cuba, only two years after U.S. President Barack Obama opened relations with its former enemy, which lies just off the coast of the U.S. State of Florida. While it remains unknown what steps Trump may take, experts said he is likely to reverse at least some of Obama's overtures to the island nation, although he may not entirely roll back relations to their former Cold War status. Trump may also encourage China to pressure the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on its nuclear testing, West said, referring to the issue that has been a major East Asian issue in recent years. Dan Mahaffee, an analyst with the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, said the major world powers will face an interesting challenge in terms of areas where cooperation is needed, while also avoiding miscalculation in terms of potential conflict areas such as Eastern Europe or the maritime disputes in East Asia. He noted that the worst historical example is that of World War I, where even as trade between nations boomed, nationalism and miscalculation allowed a small flashpoint to ignite a brutal, global conflict. For the United States and Russia, much of the difficulty will surround how the U.S. relationship with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies is managed, and whether there can continue to be a close coordination between the United States and European allies. That is especially the case given that the Trump Administration will likely demand greater NATO defense spending and investment, Mahaffee said. The U.S.-China relationship will continue to be colored by the complex balance of issues where U.S.-China dialogue and cooperation is vital, such as global economic stability, global warming and counterterrorism. It will also be colored by areas where there will be difficulties, Mahaffee said. As for the India-Pakistan confrontation, the issue is more fragile than many outside observers assume, and U.S.-China cooperation may be key to urging restraint from both sides, Mahaffee said. As for Latin America, a possible violent collapse or internal instability in Venezuela may raise the possibility of significant disruptions to energy markets and the mass movement of displaced persons into neighboring countries, as well as into Mexico and the United States, he said. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivers a speech during an extraordinary parliament session in Tokyo, Japan, on Sept. 26, 2016. (Xinhua file photo/Ma Ping) TOKYO, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's planned visit to the U.S. Pearl Harbor later this month, purportedly to remember the thousands killed by Japan's surprise attack on a naval base there 75 years ago, is not based on any change to the leader's revisionist view of history. Abe's top spokesperson, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, has made it clear that during Abe's visit between Dec. 26 and Dec. 27, "no apology would be offered" for the attack on Pearl Harbor, which was a catalyst for the United States to join World War II. Abe's upcoming visit to Pearl Harbor is by no means an admission of Japan's war responsibility. As a historical revisionist, Abe consistently maintains a warped view of history that justifies Japanese wartime aggression and glorifies militancy. To this end, Abe's visit and tributes by proxy to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, including 14 Class-A convicted criminals of World War II, perfectly reflect his political stance and revisionist view of history. Japan's neighboring countries, since Abe retook office in 2012, have rightfully been concerned about a leader who refuses to learn the lessons from history, face the wrongdoings squarely and persistently fails to adopt a correct view of history, and even attempts to revise its war-renouncing Constitution to enable Japan to wage war again. Abe's decision to visit Pearl Harbor also aims to misguidedly contain China through reaffirming the Japan-U.S. alliance. Right-wing factions in Japan always maintain that Japan should deepen its alliance with the U.S. and use it to contain China, as they believe Japan alone is not able to contend with China. Abe, himself an unabashed right-winger, has tirelessly trumpeted his view that the Japan-U.S. alliance is the foundation for maintaining Japan's and the region's "security." At present, domestically, Japan is facing structural problems including a shrinking domestic market, declining competitiveness of domestic companies, and an aging and shrinking population. To solve the problems, in terms of both realistic and long-term interests, it's a rational choice to enhance cooperation with China, the world's second-largest economy, rather than the opposite. However, the Japanese leader has not abandoned "the zero-sum Cold War mentality." Nowadays, bilateral and multilateral win-win cooperation between countries has become an irreversible global trend. As such, the Japanese right wing's actions and perceptions which choose to swim against the tide will certainly all be in vain. If the Abe administration does not learn the lessons from history, it will eventually harm others with zero benefit to itself. Abe, who wishes to spark a new nostalgia for a twisted historical view, refuses to admit Japan's crimes of aggression before and during WWII. Such a view of history and the world will only lead Japan, again, down a road of no return. China's Global Newspaper Sorry, the page you requested was not found. Please check the URL for proper spelling and capitalization. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Chinadaily.com.cn, try visiting the Chinadaily home page Participants take part in the March of Life event at the Former Nazi Death Camp Majdanek in Lublin Aug 22, 2012. [Photo/Agencies] An old problem is returning to Europe. Hardening attitudes toward the continents Jews have seen a rise in the number of anti-Semitic incidents recorded in countries across the continent including Britain, France, and Germany. Incidents have ranged from abusive social media posts, to serious violence, even murder. Recent statistics are shocking. In 2014, Britains Community Security Trust (CST), which is responsible for monitoring the security of Jews in the country, recorded a total of 1,168 anti-Semitic incidents against the countrys small Jewish population of 291,000. In Germany, 1,596 anti-Semitic incidents were recorded for the same year. However, it is France where Europes oldest prejudice has returned most dramatically. Recorded incidents hit 851 during 2015, double the number recorded in 2014, although it is thought many incidents go unreported. There have also been high-profile terror attacks against Jews, such as the Porte de Vincennes siege at a kosher supermarket in Paris last year. While many in Europes Jewish communities have long voiced concerns about their safety, it seems only recent events have brought the issue to wider public attention. So, what is driving this rise in the number of anti-Semitic incidents? Two things seem certain. First, anti-Semitic incidents generally spike when there is any kind of military action being undertaken by Israel. For example, Jews in the UK appear to have borne the brunt of the publics anger over Israels Operation Cast Lead in Gaza during 2009, with a record number of incidents recorded by the CST that year. While many groups that campaign against Israeli foreign policy claim that they are not campaigning against Jews, just the Israeli state, it is a fact that many public protests have attracted individuals and groups with hardline anti-Semitic attitudes. Second, Europes increasing Muslim population is having a big impact on the safety of Jews. Many of Europes Jewish communities live in the biggest population centers such as London and Paris, and typically Europes large cities also have big Muslim populations. Evidence suggests that many Jews are being singled out for abuse, intimidation and violence by young Muslim men, especially those with radical Islamist beliefs. Taiwan's main opposition Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen speaks during a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan, April 15, 2015. [Photo/IC] Close attention will be paid to Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen's transit via the United States when she travels to Guatemala in early January, for it will shed light on what direction Sino-US relations will take when Donald Trump enters the White House. Despite Beijing's opposition, the US insists it is a "long-standing practice" since it has given the nod to such transits by leaders of the island many times before. However, Tsai's transit is taking place soon after she and Trump held a phone conversation, breaking with decades of precedent. No incumbent or incoming US president has spoken by phone with a Taiwan leader since 1979, when Beijing and Washington established diplomatic relations. The incident, if indeed by design as reported, could indicate a major US policy shift that would threaten relations, since they are built on the long-standing acknowledgment by the US of one China, which is the sine qua non for healthy relations. So far Beijing's response to the conversation has remained restrained. It has taken a wait-and-see attitude, giving Trump the benefit of the doubt since he is a novice in foreign policy and won't take the helm until the Jan 20 inauguration. Beijing has demonstrated calmness and confidence again after Trump, in a twitter tirade, lambasted China for its trade, currency and South China Sea policies on Sunday; and even after his economic adviser Stephen Moore went so far as to say "screw them" in a vulgar verbal attack against China. Such prudence is laudable for the time being, for a good Sino-US relationship serves not only the best interests of people in both countries, but also peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific and beyond. However, with separatist-minded Tsai due to set foot on US soil, further provocative moves by the US president-elect and his team cannot be ruled out given the reckless and impulsive style of leadership that Trump displays. Especially, as hawks in the US have never given up hope of using Taiwan as part of the US' pivot to Asia aimed at containing the mainland's rise. Although Beijing has shown that it is willing to keep the bigger picture in mind, this attitude should not be mistaken for weakness. China has to prepare for the worst, even though it will continue to do all it can to maintain a healthy bilateral relationship. What has happened over the past weeks tends to suggest that Sino-US relations are facing uncertainty as never before, as Trump's words are not necessarily more bark than bite. Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys are popular among people because of their humanlike faces with bright red lips. [Photo provided to China Daily] A reserve in Yunnan offers insights into a rare simian species' lives - and humans. Wang Kaihao and Li Yingqing report from Diqing, Yunnan. Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise - and more likely to see black snub-nosed monkeys in Yunnan province's Weixi county. The county in the Diqing Tibetan autonomous prefecture hosts a national park created to protect the rare primates, which visitors are more likely to spot soon after sunrise. Guests discover sacrificing some shuteye is worth the eye-opening epiphanies they may encounter. Many explain the experience goes beyond viewing the creatures in the wild to consequently changing their worldviews about their own habitats. They hop aboard electric carts and next hike up the mountainside for 40 minutes in the hope of seeing the simians, about 50 of which dwell in the park's snowy mountains. By Chen Weihua in Washington and Paul Welitzkin in New York | China Daily | Updated: 2016-12-07 06:54 White House reassures after Trump's tweets raise concerns US President-elect Donald Trump speaks at election night rally in Manhattan, New York, US, November 9, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] President Barack Obama's administration reaffirmed the United States' one-China policy on Monday, following president-elect Donald Trump's phone call with Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen on Friday and his China-related tweets on Sunday. The US is committed to the one-China policy, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest reiterated on Monday. The policy has been in place for almost 40 years and has been aimed at promoting peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, Earnest said. After criticism of the phone call by China and many foreign policy experts in the US, Trump tweeted on Sunday, touching on highly sensitive issues, including what he called China's "devaluation of currency" and the South China Sea. "I am not sure how that benefits the United States," Earnest said of Trump's latest actions. "I'm not sure how that benefits the United States' relationship with Taiwan. I am not sure how that benefits the Taiwanese people. I am not sure how that benefits the US relationship with China." US State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner credited stable and peaceful cross-Straits relations since 1979 to the fact that the US has followed the one-China policy. "That has not changed previous to or since the phone call by the president-elect," he told the daily briefing on Monday. Toner said that "it's only through consistency and implementing this policy, standing by this policy, (that) you have ... stable cross-Straits relations". The comments from the White House demonstrate that the actions by Trump not only caused outrage and caution from the Chinese government and people, but also go against Washington's fundamental interests, Dong Chunling, a researcher with the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said on Tuesday. Several Chinese visitors chat outside of the Plough at Cadsden in rural Buckinghamshire, a British pub that became famous after President Xi Jinping was treated to fish and chips and a pint of ale during his state visit last year. Wu Zhiyi / China Daily The British country pub where then-prime minister David Cameron treated President Xi Jinping to fish and chips and a pint of ale during his state visit last year has been sold to a Chinese investor. The Plough at Cadsden in rural Buckinghamshire shot to fame in China after the presidential visit and has become a tourist attraction for busloads of Chinese tourists arriving to sample the same classic British fare. The value of the purchase by SinoFortone Investment was not disclosed. The company said previous owner Steve Hollings would continue to run the pub. Peter Zhang, SinoFortone Investment's managing director, welcomed the deal. "The English pub concept is growing very fast in China, and it's the best way culturally to link people from different countries and build friendships," he said. Sales of Greene King IPA, the India pale ale consumed by Xi and Cameron, are said to have soared in China over the past year. The Plough deal was brokered through Christie & Co, a leading specialist adviser for buying and selling businesses. "The Chinese market has huge potential and many opportunities. We will see more activity in the coming months and years," said Neil Morgan, managing director of Christie's public houses and restaurants department. German Chancellor and leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union party CDU Angela Merkel reacts after her speech at the CDU party convention in Essen, Germany, December 6, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] BERLIN -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday was reelected chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at the annual convention of the party with a support rate of 89.5 percent, paving the way for her to seek a new term of chancellorship. "I accept the election outcome and am pleased with the result. Thank you for the trust," Merkel said after the vote. However, the 89.5 percent support rate she got at the convention in German city of Essen was the second lowest for her to be elected chairman of the center-right party, only slightly higher than the 88.4 percent in 2004. In her speech to the nearly 1,000 delegates at the annual convention of the party, Merkel had committed her party to a tough federal election campaign in the coming year. "You have to help me. No one can turn things around in Germany, in Europe, in the world alone, especially not a chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany," said Merkel. A situation like the late summer 2015, the high point of the refugee crisis, "can, may and should not repeat itself," Merkel added. She emphasized that people who need protection should be granted protection. However, the CDU leader also demanded more integration "without exception" on the basis of "the laws of our country." A Russian soldier inspects the damage at a field hospital that was reportedly destroyed by rebel shelling on December 5, 2016 in the Furqan neighbourhood of the government-held side of west Aleppo. [Photo/Agencies] DAMASCUS -- The rebels on Tuesday withdrew from the old part of Aleppo city in northern Syria, amid a state of confusion in the eastern part of the city, pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV reported. The rebels withdrew from the ancient part of the city toward the southeastern neighborhoods, which are still under the rebels' control in the city, said the report. Citing military sources, the report said the collapse in the ranks of the rebels in the old city of Aleppo comes after the Syrian army stormed on Tuesday the al-Sha'ar neighborhood, the main stronghold for the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front in the rebel-held part east of Aleppo. Capturing al-Sha'ar put the Syrian army close to the rebel-held part of the ancient citadel of Aleppo and the old city as a whole, as the citadel is divided between the rebels and the government. It added that the rebels evacuated the northern part of Aleppo citadel amid a rapid military advance in the rebel-held part in eastern Aleppo. Rida al-Basha, a Aleppo-based journalist, said the rebels withdrawal from the historic part of Aleppo city was expected. He noted that civilians started leaving the old city after the withdrawal of the rebels, adding that six buses left old Aleppo overnight. An eye witness in Aleppo told Xinhua over the phone that celebratory gunshots reverberated across the government-controlled parts west of Aleppo on Tuesday evening as a result of the rebel withdrawal from the old city. Following a two-week long major offensive, the Syrian army has become in control of over two thirds of the rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo, as part of major offensive launched recently to liberate the eastern part of the city from any rebel presence. Over 30,000 civilians have fled eastern Aleppo over the past two weeks toward government-controlled areas in the western part of the city. The Syrian army says it will press on with the operation until all rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo are recaptured. The rebels captured eastern Aleppo in 2012, and the government forces recently imposed a siege on that area before unleashing a broad offensive for its recapture. Humanitarian organizations sounded the alarm about the situation of 250,000 people living in eastern Aleppo, with the government promising to fix the situation of those relocated in government-controlled areas. Reports that the Chinese military had shot down a Myanmar warplane with missiles are "purely fictitious", China's Defense Ministry said on Tuesday. Reports claimed that a Myanmar Air Force fighter jet crashed near Mongkoe, a border town located in Myanmar's northeast region. The report said a People's Liberation Army missile hit the jet when it flew over Chinese territory during an air raid on armed ethnic forces. The Chinese Defense Ministry discredited the report as fiction. Intensified fighting between ethnic armed groups and government forces in northern Myanmar broke out last month and has forced several thousand to flee into China's southern province of Yunnan. China has strengthened its patrol forces near the Myanmar border to deal with any possible emergencies and safeguard national sovereignty and the lives and properties of people in border areas, Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said in a monthly press conference in November. Yang also urged all parties in the conflict to take concrete and effective measures to prevent such clashes from happening. Zhangzhihao@chinadaily.com.cn Lebanese women, dressed as brides in white wedding dresses stained with fake blood and bandaging their eyes, knees and hands stand in front of the government building in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Dec 6, 2016. The activists are protesting a Lebanese law that allows a rapist to get away with his crime if he marries the survivor. The law, in place since the late 1940s, is currently reviewed in Lebanese parliament. Campaigners against the law are calling on lawmakers to repeal the law during their meeting Wednesday. [Photo/IC] Meiyu performs tai chi.[Photo provided by Meiyu] "When people ask me about the major I'm pursuing in China, I always tell them they would never be able to guess," said Meiyu, a Turkish student in Central China's Wuhan, Hubei province. She has been learning martial arts for two years under the Chinese government scholarship, said Meiyu to Changjiang Daily reporter Cai Xinxing. Every Chinese character bears a story Meiyu practices tai chi with her instructor. [Photo provided by Meiyu] Many people get lost when they visit a place for the first time. But Meiyu found the way to the university without any trouble two years ago even though it was her first time in China. She was able to do this thanks to her proficiency in Chinese language. She learned Chinese for four years in Ankara University in Turkey, and got her Chinese name Meiyu there, which means gem, echoing her Turkish name. Meiyu chose to learn Chinese in college after graduating from high school. "Too many people learn English or Spanish, but I did not want to be like them," she said. A friend who was learning Chinese told Meiyu that the Chinese characters are very interesting, with a story behind every single character. For example, the character Hao ( which means good, is composed by Nv (, which means female, and Zi , which means child. "A female (a mother) staying with her kids is good," explained the friend. Meiyu found the explanation very interesting and began reading about China on the internet. Although Meiyu's family and teachers found her decision hard to understand, she chose Chinese language major at Ankara University, one of the only two universities with the major in Turkey back then. Meiyu became passionate about Chinese language after enrolling at the university. "I became more interested after my professor told me about Chinese history. Many people did not understand my decision when I was a freshman, but they all said I made a right choice when I graduated from college. Many Chinese are visiting Turkey now and the trade industry also requires Chinese speaking experts. Speaking Chinese means more job opportunities," said Meiyu. She even benefited from Chinese when she was travelling alone in Venice, Italy. "I could not find the way to the train station one night, and the pedestrians did understand English or Spanish. Finally, I found help from Chinese staff members of a pizza outlet," Meiyu said smiling. China and Japan will hold their sixth high-level consultation on maritime affairs from Wednesday to Friday in Haikou of southern China's Hainan province, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Wednesday. The gathering will involve officials in charge of affairs including diplomacy, defense, maritime law enforcement and maritime management, Lu told the ministry's daily news conference in Beijing. In September last year, the two governments held the fifth consultation in Hiroshima of Japan. The consultation mechanism between the two countries undertakes comprehensive liaison and coordination in regard to maritime affairs, Lu noted. "China, in this consultation, is ready to fully exchange views with the Japanese side upon maritime issues of common concerns and strengthen mutual understanding and trust," Lu said. A number of locations in China, as well as in other parts of Asia, are available for Japan to offer condolences to victims of its wartime atrocities, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Wednesday. Lu was responding to a question about Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's plan to visit Pearl Harbor on Dec 27. The Hawaiian US naval base was attacked by Japan in December, 1941 during World War II. When asked about some calls in Japan urging Abe to visit the Nanjing Massacre memorial hall in Nanjing city instead of Pearl Harbor, Lu said: "Just like people in the United States will not forget the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Chinese people will not forget the nation's immense sacrifice as well as the compatriots victimized by the Nanjing Massacre." Lu named a slew of historical sites marking Japan's aggression in China, including the Memorial in Nanjing and the September 18 Incident museum in Shenyang, Liaoning province. The wartime crimes imposed upon the victimized countries "leave no space for being forgotten and the history should never be distorted", Lu said. State Councilor Guo Shengkun's visit to the United States will play an important role in promoting a smooth transition in China-US ties, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a news conference on Wednesday. Guo, also Minister of Public Security, is scheduled to co-host the two countries' third high-level dialogue on cyber crimes and related matters in Washington with the US Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, according to Lu. Guo's trip to the US is from Tuesday to Friday. Guo also will meet officials including Susan Rice, the US president's national security advisor and James Comey, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and discuss issues including bilateral law enforcement cooperation, cyber security, counter-terrorism and the hunt for fugitives. The visit is an important measure taken to implement the agreement the two countries' heads of state reached, and is important for maintaining the momentum of bilateral cooperation in fields such as cyber security and law enforcement, Lu said. BEIJING - China and Japan will hold the sixth round of high-level consultations on maritime affairs this week in Haikou, capital of China's southern Hainan province. Officials from both countries' foreign ministries, defense ministries and other government organs, including marine law enforcement and management departments, will attend the talks, lasting from Wednesday to Friday, according to foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang. China stands ready to exchange opinions on maritime-related issues with the Japanese side and strengthen understanding and mutual trust, Lu said at a daily press briefing. The China-Japan high-level consultations on maritime affairs were set up in January 2012, with the first round of talks held in May of the same year in Hangzhou, capital of eastern China's Zhejiang Province. The fifth round of consultations was held this September in Japan's Hiroshima, with the two sides agreeing to speed up negotiations on air and maritime contact. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has been tapped by US President-elect Donald Trump to be the next ambassador to China, a Trump spokesperson said Wednesday. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump meets Iowa Governor Terry Branstad as he speaks during Iowa Senator Joni Ernst's Roast and Ride at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines August 27, 2016. [Provided to China Daily] "The governor has a lot of experience and grasp of trade issues, agriculture issues and the understanding of China," Jason Miller said during a routine conference call, adding that official announcement will come out later Wednesday. "It's very clear that Governor Branstad is someone who'll represent our country well on the world stage," he said. Branstad, an early supporter of Trump, met with the president-elect in New York Tuesday. He has accepted the offer, according to media reports. "He's someone who has very much impressed President-elect Trump not just during the meetings but also on the campaign trail," Miller said, "We couldn't be prouder of the selection." Branstad, 70, has long nurtured a close relationship with China, having visited China multiple times. He served as the governor of Iowa between 1983 to 1999, and again since 2011. Iowa is now enjoying a tailwind from China's booming market. China is Iowa's fifth largest export market, and the state imported about 1.2 billion US dollars in goods from China in 2011. ISLAMABAD -- Three foreigners were among the 47 people on board a domestic plane of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which crashed in the country's north mountainous area on Wednesday afternoon, local Urdu media reported. The ill-fated plane was carrying 31 men, nine women, two kids and five crewmembers when it crashed in Havelian town of the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, the ARY News said. All the three foreigners were men, but their nationalities were not confirmed yet. Sardar Orangzeb, a lawmaker of KPK assembly said that rescue teams have recovered 23 bodies from the crash site. Rescue teams from Pakistani army and provincial government are taking part in the rescue operation. Two army helicopters and ambulances from the provincial government are also being used in the operation. Doctor Asad, director general on rescue works in Havelian, said the domestic plane crashed on hills. Ambulances are having difficulty reaching the hilly area, and rescue personnels have to walk to the crash site to recover the bodies. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the tragic accident and directed National Disaster Management Authority to mobilize its resources and take part in the rescue operation with the provincial government. The Civil Aviation Authority has formed an emergency desk at Islamabad airport to provide assistance to the relatives of the passengers of the ill-fated plane. A state of emergency has been imposed in all the hospitals near the crash site. The ATR-42 aircraft operating as PK-661 was heading towards the country's capital Islamabad from north Chitral district when it crashed. Danial Gilani, the airline spokesperson, said that the plane took off at 3:38 p.m. local time (1038 GMT) and lost contact with control tower at 4:20 p.m. (1120 GMT). Local media reported that the pilot made a Mayday at the control room and informed about emergency, but shortly after that the plane lost its connection with radar. Irfan Ilahi, Secretary CAA said that according to initial reports, one of the two engines of the plane met some technical fault, and it caught fire after crashing into the hills. ISLAMABAD -- No survivor was found yet after a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane crashed in mountainous area near Havelian in northern part of Pakistan Wednesday, according to local reports. Rescue teams from Pakistani army have recovered 36 bodies from the wreckage of the ill-fated plane, the military said, adding that some 500 soldiers and doctors are taking part in the rescue operation. The Chinese embassy in Islamabad has confirmed that a Chinese national was killed in the accident. Three foreigners were among the 48 people onboard. A total of 10 bodies have been shifted to Ayub medical complex at Abbotabad. Medical teams there will identify the bodies and then the bodies will be handed over to relatives. Doctor Manan, deputy medical superintendent at the hospital, said all the bodies were burnt beyond recognition and the identification process will be completed by DNA tests. The country's Interior Ministry has provided helicopters to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) with mobile teams from National Database Registration Authority on board heading to the Abbottabad hospital for biometric verification of the bodies. The NDMA has also formed an emergency center at the hospital to speed up the identification process, on the directives of the country's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The PIA airplane crashed when it was on its way to the country's capital Islamabad from north Chitral district. Sher Ali, spokesperson of PIA, said the ATR-42 aircraft operating as PK-661 took off from the country's north Chitral airport at 3:40 p.m. local time (1040 GMT) and lost contact with the radar at 4:20 p.m. (1120 GMT). He said the plane crashed into Havelian area, some 436 km southeast of Chitral in the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, at about 4:42 p.m. (1142 GMT). Ali said the plane was carrying 42 passengers, five crewmembers and an engineer to Islamabad when it crashed. Eyewitnesses said the plane crashed into the hills and caught fire, adding that they put out the fire with mud and tree branches before the arrival of the rescue teams. Cause of the crash has not been determined yet, but sharing initial investigations, Irfan Ilahi, the secretary Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), said one of the two engines of the plane met some technical fault, which caused the accident. US President-elect Donald Trumps pick of Iowa Governor Terry Branstad to be the next US ambassador to China has been well received in both countries. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump meets Iowa Governor Terry Branstad as he speaks during Iowa Senator Joni Ernst's Roast and Ride at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines August 27, 2016. [Provided to China Daily] Trump announced on Wednesday his intent to nominate Branstad for the job, according to a statement on Wednesday afternoon from Trumps transition team. Governor Branstads decades of experience in public service and long-time relationship with President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders make him the ideal choice to serve as Americas Ambassador to China, Trump said in the press release. Then Vice-President Xi Jinping (center) received an American delegation led by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad (2nd left) at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on June 3, in 2012. [Feng Yongbin / China Daily] He successfully developed close trade ties with China while serving as chief executive of the Hawkeye State. That experience will serve him well as he represents Americas interests and further develops a mutually beneficial relationship with Chinese leadership. The possible pick has been circulating for weeks but Jason Miller, spokesman for Trumps transition team, confirmed on Wednesday morning. He described Branstad as someone who has a lot of experience and a great grasp of trade issues, agriculture issues, a tremendous understanding of China and Chinese people, and is someone who very much impressed the president-elect not just in their meetings on the campaign trail but also in meetings after election. After long discussions with my family, I am honored and humbled to accept President-elect Trumps nomination to represent our great country as Ambassador to China, Branstad was quoted in the press release. I have known President Xi Jinping for many years and consider him an old friend. I look forward to building on our long friendship to cultivate and strengthen the relationship between our two countries and to benefit our economy, The announcement was made just days after Trumps controversial phone call with Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen on Dec 2, drawing much criticism both in China and the US for breaking decades of bilateral diplomatic protocol between China and the US since they established diplomatic ties in 1979. The Chinese government reacted favorably to the choice. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang, when asked about news reports about the possible nomination, said on Wednesday that Mr Branstad is an old friend of the Chinese people, and we welcome his greater contribution to the development of China-US relations. Cheng Li, director of the John L. Thornton China Center of the Brookings Institution, said such a soon pick of US ambassador to China reflects the high attention Trump pays to China. By picking his own people to the position, Trump wants to lead the China-US relations according to his own thinking, Li said. President Barack Obama nominated Jon Huntsman to be the ambassador to China on May 16, 2009, nearly five months after inauguration, while Clark Randt was nominated by President George W. Bush on April 30, 2001, three months after taking office. Li also points to Branstads close relationship with Xi, established since 1985 when Xi visited Iowa as a county leader in Chinas Hebei province during his first trip to the US and met Branstad. Its a clear sign for Trump to establish good interaction with Xi, so its very positive in this regard. He not only pays attention to China, but also Xi himself, Li said. Douglas Paal, vice president for studies and director of the Asia program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said most people did not notice that at the last campaign rally, in Iowa with Branstad as host on the eve of the election, Trump publicly commented that Branstad would make a great ambassador to China. So this is a political payoff for delivering Iowa big time. But it is also a recognition of Branstads considerable investment of time and interest in China, including with a junior official named Xi Jinping, Paal said. While this is not related to the Tsai phone call, it ought to help balance it out. Trump gets a loyal friend in Beijing. Beijing gets an ambassador with clout in the White House, Branstad, who is on his sixth term as Iowa governor and the longest-serving governor in US history, supported Trump during the presidential race. His son, Eric, ran Trumps general election campaign in Iowa. In an interview with China Daily in Sept 2015 before Xis state visit to the US, Branstad recalled his fond memory with Xi. When Branstad received Xis 5-member group in 1985 in the Iowa State Capitol, he was serving his first-term as governor. It was at Branstads invitation that Xi made a return trip to Iowa in 2012 as Chinas vice-president. We're very honored and very proud to have the president of China call us old friends, Branstad told China Daily in the interview. Branstad has led several trade missions to China over the years. China is a key trade partner for Iowa, a major agriculture producer of soybeans, corn and pork. Branstad, who turned 70 on Nov 17, said in the interview that he understands there are differences that need to be worked out by the two countries. But nevertheless, I have an old friend whom I trust and respect, and I want to build on that long-standing relationship of friendship and trust. He said that there are going to be ups and downs in the China-US relationship. He urged people to take the long view, and recognize the importance of building personal relationships, which can break down a lot of barriers of mistrust and misunderstanding that sometimes occur between our countries." Li, of Brookings, believes the importance of the role of ambassador is declining compared with 30 or 50 years ago due the growing interactions between the two governments and the many mechanisms of communication established between government departments. But he said it also depends on individual president, citing the fact that Randt, the longest serving US ambassador to China and a former schoolmate with Bush at Yale University, could contact the president directly. So we cannot overlook the role of an ambassador, Li said. chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com (Photo : Getty Images) Google will lend a hand to South African startup Onyx Connect to locally manufacture smartphones for as low as $30. Advertisement A South African start-up is poised to become the first company in the continent to manufacture smartphones. Onyx Connect of Johannesburg will take advantage of low production costs and rising demand to build handsets, tablets, and other devices based on google's Android platform. The privately backed company has raised approximately $10 million and will begin its production in the first quarter of the year. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "We are talking to companies to manufacture handsets, laptops and possibly Android TV boxes," Andre Van Der Merwe, the company's sales director, said. The talks involve Google itself and Vodacom Limited. Jorge Mendes, Vodacom's consumer sales and distribution executive, said that the company would welcome the opportunity to provide high-quality gadgets made in South Africa. Google, on the other hand, aims to use local production to increase sales in Africa, one of the regions where it is not the ultimate leader in browser sales. Google, which accounted only 32 percent of Africa's web traffic in September, trails behind Opera, with a 39 percent share. In an email, Google said that it is important to ensure that affordable devices are available so that most Africans can access the benefits that come with it. While most top of the range smartphones can be inaccessible to an average African, Onyx believes that it can produce a device in Johannesburg for as low as $30. And the device would already include a camera and 1 gigabyte of memory. The company plans to set up a distribution center in Ethiopia within the next 18 months. The project is expected to create at least 600 jobs. Advertisement TagsGoogle, Google Chrome, South Africa (Photo : Getty Images) US lawmakers now want stop a possible takeover of Lattice Semiconductor Corporation by a private equity fund. This after it was revealed that the investment company's funding partly originates from Chinese government. Advertisement Several US lawmakers on Monday wrote to the country's Secretary of State Jacob Lew urging to stop the acquisition of a major American chip-maker firm by a private equity fund for being allegedly connected to the Chinese government. The report over concerns on latest Chinese takeover bid come days after outgoing president Obama barred the Chinese firm from acquiring a major German semiconductor company that owned substantial American assets. The acquisition process was stopped on fear of security grounds. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement In a letter addressed to Lew, who also heads a panel that reviews foreign acquisition, 22 US house lawmakers expressed grave concern over the possible $ 1.3 billion takeover of Lattice Semiconductor Corp by a private equity firm Canyon Bridge Capital Partners. The deal drew immediate concerns from US officials after Lattice revealed in its latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that Canyon Bridge's funding partly originates from China's central government. "We are concerned with this transaction as [Canyon Bridge] appears to be directly affiliated with the government of the People's Republic of China and further appears to be a legal construction intended to obfuscate the involvement of numerous PRC state-owned enterprises during the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States review process," lawmakers wrote in a letter as quoted by the Wall Street Journal. The US lawmaker also drew Lew's attention to media reports claiming that Canyon Bridge's has an indirect tie-up with Chinese space program. They said that the deal could have an adverse effect on the USmilitary supply chain and can lead to over-reliance on foreign-sourced technologies for several critical US Defense Department programs. The 22 lawmakers called on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to act as decisively as it did in the Aixtron. It was CFIUS that recommended Obama to stop Aixtron's $717 million acquisition by Chinese firm Fujian. Lattice is a semi-conductor company based in Oregon, Portland. It is known for manufacturing special programmable chips known as "field programmable gate arrays." Not as big as Intel Corp and Xilinx Inc, Lattice is relatively a small semi-conductor firm that reportedly employs nearly 700 employees. Unlike Intel and Xilinx, Lattice does not make chips for military purposes. Advertisement TagsLattice Semiconductor, china, China Oversees Acquisition, China and U.S., Chinese Takeover Blocked (Photo : Getty Images) King Maha Vajiralongkorn appoints new member to Privy Council. Advertisement Thailand's new king reduced the size of his Privy Council from 16 to 11, keeping eight members appointed by his father and promoting three new ones. The 64-year old Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun was proclaimed king on Thursday, taking over a new era of the 234-old Chakri Dynasty, one of the world's richest monarchies as well as a politically troubled nation. He will be named King Rama X but will not formally be crowned until his father's cremation, which is expected in 2017. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement His highly-venerated father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died on Oct. 13 at the age of 88 after an illness. He reigned since June 9, 1946 and is the world's longest-serving head of state and the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history. The palace stated on the Royal Gazette Website that Vajiralongkorn appointed top army brass to his powerful royal advisory council, including three generals associated with the ruling junta. The decision demonstrated the close military-royal alliance that has given meaning to the Thai politics for the last 50 years. Two of the new members are from the military government's present cabinet, Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya and Education Minister General Dapong Ratansuwan. The third new member is General Teerachai Naknavich who became army chief under the junta in 2015 and retired earlier this year. They will join three ex-generals who keep their titles, giving the military forces dominance on the council. The new king also retained the influential and long-standing head of the Privy Council, 96-year-old Prem Tinsulanonda, a former army chief and prime minister. He was a close confidante to the King Bhumibol and is one of Thailand's shrewdest political operators. "This is a very calculated move from King Rama X, which signals compromise while also asserting a new order under his reign," a private Bangkok-based analyst said. Paul Chambers, a Thailand-based expert on Thai monarchy, believes that the diminution of the members suggests that "the sovereign wants a smaller and manageable council" to which he could have more loyalist in the following years. Vajiralongkorn is not as popular as his father among majority of Thais as he spent much of his time outside of the public eye, particularly in southern Germany where he owns a property. However, he remains protected from criticisms by one of the world's harshest lese majeste laws that carries up to 15 years in jail for each offense of defaming the king, queen, heir, or regent, which means media based in the country are routinely self-censored. Advertisement TagsThai Privy Council, Thai New King, Thai Royal Council, Vajiralongkorn, Thailand, Bhumibol, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Maha Vajiralongkorn, Crown Prince Thailand, Thailand King, Bangkok, Chakri Dynasty (Photo : Facebook) The US Supreme Court favored Samsung against Apple's patent infringement case. Advertisement The US Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that Samsung's violation on Apple's smartphone design patents may involve only a component rather than the entire product. Samsung and Apple fought over the exact amount Samsung has to pay Apple for patent infringement, and the unanimous decision from Justice Sonia Sotomayor means that Samsung might not have to pay penalties reaching up to $548 million. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement According to Reuters, the Supreme Court has ruled in Samsung's favor and has wiped out the $399 million judgement completely. So Samsung, at the very least, may going to pay Apple $149 million. Samsung naturally argued that the balance of $399 million in damages is too much and that the design patents upon which the damages award was based were being afforded far too much value. Specifically, Samsung argued that Apple is only entitled to damages from portions of the phone that actually was infringed as opposed to basing the damages on the profit margins of each infringing Samsung device. The justices reasoned that the patent infringement could affect just a component of the phones, such as their appearance, rather than all their capabilities. Sotomayor stressed out that the term "'article of manufacture' is broad enough to embrace both a product sold to a consumer and a component of that product whether sold separately or not." This five-year legal battle between the two giant smartphone manufacturers have began in 2011 when Apple sued Samsung for stealing its technology and the iPhone's trademarked appearance. Now, the Supreme Court in their 8-0 ruling will return to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to determine what portion of its profits Samsung must pay, a process that several justices predicted will be difficult. This difficulty seems to keep rolling the never-ending patent battle between the two giant tech companies, of which the world is watching. Advertisement TagsSamsung, apple, US Supreme Court, patent-infringement, Unanimous decision (Photo : USAF) Air Force One SAM 29000. Advertisement Donald Trump wants to cancel an alleged $4 billion federal government contract with Boeing to build two new Air Force One presidential planes despite no contract having been awarded for these planes, which are scheduled to first fly in 2024 when he's no longer president. Trump's inexplicable behavior in giving prominence to an issue that was a non-issue before he decided to meddle in it. His comments are being seen by some as a publicity stunt, and by others as another example of Trump's penchant for baseless and erroneous comments. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!" the Trump tweeted. "Well, the plane is totally out of control," Trump later told the media. "It's going to be over $4 billion for the Air Force One program. And I think it's ridiculous. I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number. We want Boeing to make a lot of money, but not that much money." Analysts say they don't know how Trump arrived at this erroneous cost. The federal government publicly reported the budgeted costs for the Air Force One replacement program at $2.87 billion for the fiscal years 2015 through 2021. On the other hand, Boeing issued a statement saying it's under contract for $170 million to determine the capabilities of the Air Force One. This preliminary process is expected to determine the final cost of Air Force One. Both the U.S. Air Force and Boeing have refused to say how much the new Air Force Ones will cost but the price tag of a Boeing 747-8 passenger airliner comes to some $370 million. Adding all the electronic, communications, computer and defensive systems to the plane should see costs jump to over $500 million per aircraft. One analyst said the main factor that boosts the price tag of an Air Force One is the costly modifications and equipment that must be installed on these unique aircraft. The Boeing 747-8 has been selected as the aircraft for the new Air Force One. The two existing Boeing 747-200B aircraft that currently serve as Air Force One will reach the end of their 30-year useful service lives in 2017. In Air Force service as Air Force One, the two Boeing 747-200Bs received the military designation, Boeing VC-25. The two Boeing VC-25s that now serve as Air Force One have the tail numbers 28000 and 29000, and the call signs SAM 28000 and SAM 29000. A VC-25 is equipped with both secure and unsecure phone and computer communications systems, enabling the president to perform duties while airborne, in the event of a nuclear attack on the United States. It also has defensive systems such as flares and radar jammers. The presidential air fleet is operated by the Air Force 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews Field, Maryland. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio manages the presidential aircraft replacement program. SAM 28000 and SAM 29000 are being replaced because their airworthiness is becoming suspect and the cost of maintaining them is becoming uneconomical. Kevin Buckley, program executive officer of mobility programs headquartered at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson, noted "it's becoming way too expensive and way too difficult" to keep both aircraft flying. Buckley is responsible for replacing both planes. Although the Air Force selected the faster, larger and more fuel efficient Boeing 747-8 to become the new Air Force One in January 2015, the new jet might see first flight in 2024 after spending years taking-on special modifications. Advertisement Tagsdonald trump, Air Force One, Boeing, U.S. Air Force, Boeing 747-8, Boeing 747-200B, Boeing VC-25 (Photo : YouTube) Samsung is tapping two accessory companies to give the Gear S3 more customizable options. Advertisement The Samsung Gear S3 is easily one of the best smartwatches available in the market today. The smartwatch provides more connectivity options with its built-in LTE and GPS. However, the smartwatch was widely criticized for its thickness. To make up for this shortcoming, Samsung is tapping two accessory companies in order to give the Gear S3 more customizable options. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Samsung is partnering with SLG Design and Strap Studio. The two companies will create swappable bands for the Samsung Gear S3. Strap Studio will create Gear S3 bands that are made of leather. According to The Verge, these bands are intended to attract business-oriented people who want a classy leather look to go along with the S3's classic round display. The company will release 15 bands that are all compatible with both the Frontier and Classic S3 models. Strap Studio bands are made from hand-sewn Italian leader that comes with a stainless steel buckle. Color options are black, creamy beige, brown, navy, light grey, and pink. Straps with stiches will cost $40, while those without stiches cost $30. On the other hand, SLG Design's bands offer a more modern take on the Gear S3 straps and a bit more expensive. The company's bands are also made from Italian leather, although it offers a handful of new carbon fiber pattern that costs $110. SLG Design's canvas strap costs $50, while a more traditional leather version costs $70. Color options are darker compared with the ones from Strap Studio and are available in blue, green, black, and brown, according to Digital Trends. Samsung will sell these straps through the company's own online store in Korea. The company said that the straps will be released by some retail stores in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Mexico. Other regions will have to check out their respective online stores if they want to purchase these new straps. Advertisement TagsSamsung, samsung gear s3, gear s3, gear s3 straps, gear s3 band, Samsung Gear, smartwatch (Photo : Getty Images) Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller speaks about the new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus during a Special Event at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium September 9, 2015 in San Francisco, California. Advertisement A number of Chinese iPhone users claimed that their smartphones reportedly exploded or caught fire, state-run Shanghai Consumer Council revealed and called on Apple's attention to address the issue. The consumer watchdog allegedly received at least eight complaints between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30, 2016 that their iPhones spontaneously combusted when used or charged, the International Business Times reported. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The report, which was posted on Friday on the group's website, revealed that one woman claimed that her iPhone 6s Plus exploded last August, which caused the unit's screen to shatter and left the battery and some parts blackened. Although the woman was replaced with a new unit, Apple refused to reveal the cause of the problem. Another man said he bought is iPhone 6 on November 2014 and witnessed it burn spontaneously on Sept. 30, 2016. He claimed that the phone was on normal standby and it suddenly emit smoke and combusted spontaneously. This is the third time Chinese consumer groups have formally submitted a complaint over the past few weeks. "Apple should be responsible for consumers," the council wrote. "A large number of consumer complaints have not been effectively resolved. We call upon Apple to deal with various types of consumer complaints in a timely manner." On the other hand, Apple said that the fires were due to external physical damage and were not caused by manufacturing fault, the Phone Arena noted. The company further encouraged its consumers to seek help on Apple Stores or through its support system. Meanwhile, Apple also offered free replacements for iPhone 6s batteries that experienced "accidental shutdown." The offer is available only for units manufactured between September and October 2015. Advertisement Tagsexploding iPhone, apple, exploding iPhone battery, iPhone (Photo : Getty Images) Damaged building after a 6.5-magnitude quake struck the town of Pidie Jaya, Aceh, Indonesia on Dec 7, 2016 Advertisement More than 90 people died and dozens injured after a strong earthquake shook Aceh province on Indonesia's Sumatra island on Wednesday, officials said. According to Mulyadi, deputy district chief of Pidie Jaya where the quake hit the hardest, 52 have been confirmed dead, while two people died in neighboring Bireuen district based on data from a hospital as of 2:00 p.m. local time. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The shallow 6.5-magnitude quake hit just 10 kilometers north of the small town of Reuleut at 5:03 a.m. local time, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. Sulaiman, a local disaster official, said numerous stores, houses, and other buildings collapsed. Dozens are feared stuck inside the damaged establishments, and earth movers to clear rubble have been arranged for the effort to search for survivors. "Several shophouses and homes have caved in in Pidie Jaya district and the owners are still trapped there," chief of the local disaster management office Achmad told AFP. "We are now deploying heavy machines to help out and hopefully we can save the ones who are trapped." The quake struck as some in the predominantly Muslim region prepared for morning prayers, local officials cited. A few mosques in Pidie Jaya also crumpled. At least five aftershocks were felt in the hours after the initial quake, the disaster management agency said. Seismologists shared that the earthquake was felt across most of Aceh province, which was devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tidal wave. Residents from nearby towns such as Lhokseumawe and Sigli panicked and fled their houses to seek refuge away from the water. "We are now evacuating to Tijue because we are afraid of a tsunami," Nilawati, one of those heading several kilometers inland, said However, Indonesia's Climate, Meteorology, and Geophysics Agency cited there is no potential tsunami alert. Because of its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," the world's largest archipelago frequently experiences seismic and volcanic activities. In December 2004, the region suffered from a massive destruction when an earthquake of magnitude 9.2 caused a tsunami that killed 230,000 people in over a dozen countries, 160,000 of which in Indonesia alone with most deaths from the Aceh province. It is considered as one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. Advertisement Tagsearthquake, Indonesia, Aceh, Sumatra Island, Tsunami, Earthquake Indonesia (Photo : Getty Images) South Korean citizens protest against President Park Geun-Hye on Dec. 3 in Seoul. Advertisement South Korean President Park Geun-Hye on Tuesday asserted to the Korean community that the verdict on her impeachment appeal will be well received. She, however, added that only the constitutional court is allowed to question the validity of the impeachment. Park Geun Hye, the first South Korean female president, has been faced with great criticism over her involvement in the 'Park Geun-Hye-Gate' scandal, according to a report by the Guardian. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement She is supposed to appear for a vetting on her impeachment on Friday. Her earlier request to step down in April 2017 is no longer a preferred course of action, according to the members of the Saenuri party. "Even if the impeachment bill is passed, I am resolved to continue calmly for the country and the people, while watching the constitutional court," Park said as quoted by the Saenuri parliamentary floor leader, Chung Jin-Suk. Chung reportedly told Park that public outraged forced the Saenuri party to withdraw its initial proposal for Park to voluntarily step down from the office in April as a new president will be elected in June. Her approval rating fell to a shocking 4 percent. Meanwhile, the MailOnline reported that lawmakers on Wednesday gave out order and sent out 20 security personnel to ensure that Choi Soon-Sil, who is detained for her alleged involvement in the scandal, was present during the hearing. Choi has been placed in police custody in Seoul over her involvement together with Park in the control of government affairs and extortion of companies. Choi is among a group of 14 other personnel currently in holding for their involvement and are set to be present in the impeachment trial. Failure to attend the hearing could lead to legal repercussions. Advertisement TagsSouth Korea, President Park Geun-Hye, Saenuri Party, impeachment (Photo : Getty Images) According to a board member of Daimler AG, the German automotive giant is planning to roll out an electric car version of Mercedes-Benz car in China pretty soon. Advertisement Daimler AG has singled some special plans for China as the German automotive giant seeks to increase revenue from the world's largest car market. The carmaker is planning to roll out electric car version of its famous Mercedes-Benz brand and also manufacture car batteries in China, according to company's board member Hubertus Troska. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "The strategic plan by the authorities is to push battery electric vehicles. We continue to invest in both battery electric cars and hybrid," Troska said, adding that hybrid cars are the best option in interim owing to lack of battery charging infrastructure across the country. He also revealed that setting up a battery factory in the mainland is "among the options in the room" but clarified that no final decision has been made yet. Speaking further on electric cars, Troska confirmed that Mercedes aims to roll out 10 all-electric vehicles in its portfolio by 2025 and has promised to manufacture its EQ model by the end of 2020. He, however, refused to specify if Daimler management has set any specific deadline to start the production of EQ electric car in China. Daimler is the latest automotive giant to focus on production of electric car market, as it tries to cash on the boom of zero emission cars in the world's largest car market. Chinese government over the years has announced host of incentives to encourage car companies to manufacture electric cars. These hosts of incentives are part of government's ambitious plan to bring down the level of air pollution across the country. China is widely considered as the largest emitter of green house gases in the world, with international community constantly pressurizing China to address the sensitive issue. A recent report by Greenpeace claimed that air pollution alone was responsible for the deaths of millions of citizens in China in 2015. Advertisement TagsDaimler AG, mercedes benz, china, Electric Car Market China (Photo : Getty Images) According to the Chinese-language report, China has already deployed weapons, including airborne early warning and control systems, the Shenyang Jian-11, the Chengdu Jian-10, and the Kongjing-500, in Tibet and the western region of Xinjiang. Advertisement Chinese military build-up is reaching its borders with India as more missiles and fighter jets are reportedly in place in the area in case of breakout, Kanwa Asian Defense reported on Tuesday. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement According to the Chinese-language report, China has already deployed weapons, including airborne early warning and control systems, the Shenyang Jian-11, the Chengdu Jian-10, and the Kongjing-500, in Tibet and the western region of Xinjiang. All are in place to carry out rotation deployment. The report also revealed that the country has likely deployed some troops behind the launch of midrange ballistic missiles in Korla city in Xinjiang. It has also been sending out the J-10 and strategic bomber H-6K in Xinjiang's Hotan town. The military build-up targets to widen its position of readiness in case the country is confronted with Indian troops, a source with knowledge about the matter said. China's Shenyang J-11 was first manufactured in China in 1998. It is a two-engine fighter jet created to rival fourth-generation fighters like the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle and the Eurofighter Typhoon. The Chengdu J-10, on the one hand, is a lightweight fighter jet, while the KJ-500, on the other, carries an airborne early warning system. Meanwhile, said on Monday that it hoped that India would "refrain from any action that might complicate the boundary question," as its response to the Tibetan spiritual leader, the 17th Karmapa, made his first visit to Arunachal Pradesh last week. The Karmapa's visit was deemed significant as it was backed by the India government. Although China usually throws criticism on the Dalai Lama, it refrains from hitting the Karmapa. In fact, Karmapa's images are even displayed on some Chinese monasteries and are shared by his followers on Chinese social media, the India Today reported. Advertisement Tagschina, India, India borders, India China Border, India China war, Shenyag J-11, Chengdu J-10, H-6K bomber, Kongjing-500 (Photo : US Navy) Shenyang J-11 fighter. Advertisement China is vigorously strengthening its air and missile forces in the troubled province of Xinjiang close to the border with India to enable the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to stage a massive counterattack in the event of a war against India. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The warplanes and missiles are being deployed in western Xinjiang and in Tibet along the border with India. The unexpected ramping-up of Chinese military power is seeing a steady deployment of front line fighter and attack jets of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and ballistic missiles operated by the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF). Chinese media reveal the PLAAF is stationing an increasing number of Shenyang J-11 air superiority fighters; Chengdu J-10 multirole fighters; Xian HK-6 strategic bombers and Shaanxi KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft at different airbases in Xinjiang. The HK-6 bombers and the J-10 fighters have been deployed to airbases in Hotan, an oasis town in southwestern Xinjiang. This province borders the Indian territory of Aksai Chin seized by China from India during the Sino-Indian War of 1962. PLARF has deployed more of its mobile missile units at the city of Korla in Xinjiang. The type of missiles operated by these units weren't identified, however. What is known is that Chinese ballistic missiles such as the DF-31 long-range, road-mobile ICBM and DF-31A (a longer range variant) aimed at India have been deployed to Delingha, north of Tibet. On the other hand, India has also been strengthening its military forces, especially Indian Air Force (IAF) units, along the border. In September, India said it had upgraded four IAF airfields 100 km or less from its border with China at Arunachal Pradesh state -- which China claims to own and will try to seize in the event of a war. India said it will finish the construction of two more airfields within the year as it tries to match an equally massive Chinese build-up of its air and missile power. Despite the Indian military build-up, the military balance along the border is heavily against India. China has deployed 300,000 men of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force along its border with India. The Chinese have also built airfields at Hoping, Pangta and Kong Ka to support six existing airfields in the Tibetan Autonomous Region that can handle fighter jets and heavy transport aircraft. Arrayed against these forces are 120,000 Indian Army soldiers that will soon receive 90,000 reinforcements. Supporting these men are two IAF Su-30MKI squadrons from Tezpur in Assam. Also counted in India's favor is the forthcoming deployment of a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile regiment to the state. Advertisement Tagschina, India, Xinjiang, People's Liberation Army, Shenyang J-11, Chengdu J-10, Indian Air Force (Photo : US Navy) United States Seventh Fleet. Advertisement Money and not resources is the main obstacle that must be overcome to fulfill President-elect Donald Trump's intention to increase the size of the U.S. Navy to 350 warships. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson said the defense industry is ready and capable of building all the new ships if Trump goes ahead with his promise to expand the U.S. Navy from its current size of 272 ships. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Adm. Richardson said the Navy has a current target of building 308 ships and increasing this total will be "remarkably easy" if there's funding to pay for the multi-billion dollar expansion that will extend well into the next decade. The only other problem facing an expansion at this level will be hiring and training workers to build the new warships. "If it's resourced, it's a matter of working closely with the industrial base, and they definitely are ready to do that," said Adm. Richardson. An executive from Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc., the largest U.S. military shipbuilder, said the company can create capacity faster than the Congress can appropriate the money. Military officials, however, warn that the boost to 350 warships will require huge increases in staffing, training, maintenance and infrastructure. Adm. Richardson recommended the Trump administration can get the process of building more ships started by submitting a supplemental budget for fiscal 2017 that ends Sept. 30. He said a supplemental budget request might include munitions, aircraft and other equipment that can be bought on short notice. Orders for submarines, destroyers, amphibious ships and carriers can follow later on. On the other hand, Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work warned against Trump moving too quickly to expand the Navy and the military. He said the armed services need to make sure they have the right tools to deal with the current and future operating environment. "I'll tell you right now, if I had $20 billion a year right now, I wouldn't buy more force structure. I would really focus on cyber vulnerabilities, making sure the C4I (command, control, communications, computers and intelligence) grid is resilient, can withstand repeated assault," said Work. "I'm much more of a capabilities guy right now than I am a size guy. I know we've had this conversation over a long period of time: I'd like to have both -- if we had enough money, man that would be great. There's a lot of things we would want to fix before I'd say let's start growing the size of the force." Advertisement TagsU.S. Navy, expansion, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson, donald trump, Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work (Photo : Facebook) New approved four elements by IUPAC earned their new spot in the seventh row of the periodic table. Advertisement Earlier this week, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) approved four new elements in the periodic table, thus making countless copies of the old periodic table obsolete. IUPAC, which is the organization in charge of naming and categorizing elements, officially included Nihonium (Nh), Moscovium (Mc), Tennessine (Ts), and Oganesson (Og) on the official periodic table on Nov. 8. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement It can be noted that last year, these four new elements were temporarily named Ununtrium, Ununpentium, Ununseptium, and Ununoctium. All of these elements underwent five months of review since these have been proposed and opened for public comments in June. The people who discovered them were given the privilege to be the first to propose for the names and symbols. Traditionally, the elements are named in honor of a scientist or the geographic locations where they have been found. The three elements were named after geographical areas, namely, Nihonium with atomic number 113 from the word "Nihon" or Japan; Moscovium with an atomic number of 115 from Moscow; and Tennessine with atomic number 117 from Tennessee. The fourth new element Orgenesson with atomic number 118, on the other hand, was named in honor of physicist Yuri Oganessian. Meanwhile, suggested names from the general public included octarine for the "color of magic" and Trumpium after the US President-elect Donald Trump. The new elements earned their new spots in the seventh row of the periodic table. In addition, the new periodic table is expected to supersede the old one as these four new elements have undergone a long rigorous process, from initial discovery to the final naming up to having their final spot in the periodic table. Jan Reedijk, President of IUPAC's Inorganic Chemistry Division, said that IUPAC thanked everyone involved in the process for their cooperation. Advertisement TagsNew Four Elements, Approved, periodic table, IUPAC, Atomic Number (Photo : CASC) Cai Hong family of aerial drones. Advertisement Some of the most militarily powerful Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have turned to China to fill their needs for the armed aerial drones now seeing combat in the Middle East. China has sold its CH-4 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which are using the UAVs to attack Houthi rebels in Yemen and ISIS terrorists in Libya. Iraq is using its fleet of CH-4B (Cai Hong-4B) aerial drones to destroy ISIS vehicles, fighters and buildings. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Iraq is the leading combat operator of the CH-4 that's armed with Chinese-made, precision strike AR-1 missiles and FT-5 precision guided bombs. A CH-4B can mount up to six 45 kg AR-1 semi-active laser-guided missiles. Iraq first used its CH-4B in combat in October 2015 and since then has deployed the drone to deadly effect. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkey have launched cross border strikes on at least six occasions in the past 15 months and have used its Chinese-made UAVs in combat during these incursions. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are fighting Houthis in Yemen; Iran is using them against anti-Assad rebels in Syria and Iraq while Turkey has deployed them against ISIS in Iraq. The past year has seen a surge in the use of armed drones by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran and Turkey, said a report by Drone Wars UK, a website dedicated to providing information about the growing use of armed drones. The report added it's "highly likely that other countries will acquire the technology and begin launching drone strikes over the next 18 months, including European countries. The implications for global peace and security of multiple nations using drones to launch cross border strikes is very serious." It argues the international community must accelerate the "embryonic moves" it is making to control proliferation if "there is to be any realistic chance of stemming the tide of drone strikes." CH-4 is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle system designed and built by China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (also known as the 11th Academy) of the China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation (CASC) consortium. It is the largest member of the Cai Hong (Rainbow) class and looks remarkably similar to the U.S. MQ-9 Reaper UAV built by General Atomics. Some American experts believe the striking resemblance is another example of Chinese spying put to use in the real world. The reason for the CH-4s popularity in the Middle East and Africa is its price: a CH-4 costs only $1 million compared to the price tag of $30 million for the MQ-9 Reaper. Another reason is the no questions asked policy of CASC in contrast to the Americans who strictly limit the sale of the Predator to countries with acceptable humans rights records. The CH-4 has a range of about 3,500 km and can loiter over a target for up to 40 hours Advertisement Tagschina, aerial drones, unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Egype, Cai Hong, CH-4, Drone Wars UK (Photo : Getty Images) Medtronics is facing a $17 million fine from Chinese price regulators for reportedly practicing an unfair business scheme. Advertisement China's price regulator on Wednesday announced that it has penalized US medical firm Medtronic based in Shanghai for unfair business practice. A statement issued by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) revealed that Medtronic reduced the price of its medical equipment in a bid to monopolize the business environment. The company supplies machinery for cardiovascular and diabetic illnesses. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Xinhua reported that the company has been given an 118.5 million yuan ($17 million) penalty by the NDRC for the downpricing of their products to gain an upperhand over other suppliers. The fine represented 4 percent of the company's sales volume of devices last year. NDRC claimed that Medtronic has already started initiating necessary corrections after it attempted to monopolize the business by directly dealing with distributors and setting the minimum price. Medtronic has been under scrutiny since it started such practice back in 2014. The distributors are also noted to have contributed highly to the monopoly practice by the company. Li Yanchun, the deputy-director of the NDRC pricing commission bureau, said that the commission was not looking to bar foreign investments but seek to promote consumer welfare and economic efficiency. "The NDRC will enhance anti-monopoly enforcement actions in the future and upgrade pricing supervision," Li said. Meanwhile, several other supply and manufacturing firms such as vehicle and drug manufacturers have been fined in the past for similar reasons. It is, however, the first time for a medical manufacturing company to come under scrutiny by China's anti-monopoly regulator. Advertisement Tagschina, Health, Medtronic, NDRC It is an open secret that late Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa had a very fondness for Thala Ajith Kumar. Soon after the demise of Jaya, many Tamil media houses even predicted that Ajith would be made her successor, if not immediately in due time for sure. Keeping it all aside, Ajith definitely has won the hearts of fans of Amma with his noble act. The actor was in Bulgaria, shooting for his new film when Amma was declared dead. As he was thousands of miles away, he could have simply sent a condolence message. But, Ajith cancelled the films shoot and caught the immediate possible flight to Chennai to pay homage to the iron lady. He landed in Chennai in the wee hours of Wednesday and went directly to the burial place of Amma to pay his last tributes. Later, he also visited the Apollo hospital to pay tributes to Cho Ramaswamy. A court in Nepal yesterday acquitted eight Christians accused of attempting to convert children by means of a comic book, according to advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). The seven men and one woman were arrested in Charikot, Dolakha District in June as part of a crack-down on Christian activities in the fledgling democracy. They were reportedly mistreated in jail before being released on bail for charges that can carry prison terms. Evangelizing is prohibited under Nepals new constitution, passed in September 2015, as it was under the previous constitution. While the new constitution establishes Nepal as a secular and democratic republic, its definition of secular appears to protect Hinduism and allows others only to worship in their own faiths. Article 26 forbids anyone to convert a person of one religion to another religion, or disturb the religion of other people. While evangelizing has long been illegal in Nepal, advocacy groups have recently detected increased enforcement and other anti-Christian efforts as officials seek to placate Hindus incensed that the new constitution did not re-establish a more prominent place for Hinduism. Earlier this year advocacy group Jubilee Campaign, citing an anonymous source, said Nepals Social Welfare Council had stopped approving foreign grants for Christian activities. The council must approve all foreign aid for social welfare programs. The most plausible reason for this anti-Christian policy is that the already fragile Nepali government wishes to create goodwill amongst its Hindu majority, Jubilee Campaign reported. Until 2008, Nepal was the only official Hindu state in the world. The Nepali government is currently constructing Hindu temples, and there are plans to build an enormous Buddhist statue in Damak (in Nepal, Hinduism and Buddhism are closely connected). The eight Christians arrested in June were verbally acquitted on Tuesday (Dec. 6), with a written verdict expected within a month. They were charged with trying to convert children to Christianity after they were found distributing pamphlets about Christ in a Christian school. The small books were used as part of a counseling program for children traumatized by earthquakes on April 25, 2015 and May 12, 2015. The Christians were arrested after Teach Nepal, Kathmandu-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), organized two trauma counseling sessions at two schools in Charikot. The earthquake trauma sessions took place on June 8 and 9 at Modern Nepal School and Mount Valley Academy in Charikot, with children receiving a small gift pack that included the 23-page Christian comic book. Arrested on June 9 were Prakash Pradhan, principal of Mount Valley Academy; Bimal Shahi, principal of Modern Nepal School; Banita Dangol, of Teach Nepal; Balkrishna Rai of Teach Nepal; Philip Tamang of Teach Nepal; Kiran Dahal of Teach Nepal; and Bhimsen Tiwari of Teach Nepal. Arrested on June 14 was Shakti Pakhrin, pastor of Charikot Christian Church. The final hearing in the case had been postponed four times before the verbal verdict yesterday. We welcome this acquittal of the eight Christians in Charikot, CSW Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said in a statement. However, we join our voices with civil society in Nepal in urging the government of Nepal to amend Section 26 of the new constitution and ensure that it along with the draft penal code guarantees full freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression. The right to freedom of religion or belief is of particular importance in Nepal, as the country recently made the transition from a Hindu monarchy to a secular democratic republic. If you would like to help persecuted Christians, visit http://morningstarnews.org/resources/aid-agencies/ for a list of organizations that can orient you on how to get involved. If you or your organization would like to help enable Morning Star News to continue raising awareness of persecuted Christians worldwide with original-content reporting, please consider collaborating at http://morningstarnews.org/donate/? Publication date: December 7, 2016 The response was not surprising. Some called it a purge; others a witch hunt. In October, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) told its 1,300 staff members that they are expected to abide by the organizations theological commitmentsin particular those on human sexuality. If a staff member disagrees with IVCFs views (which are traditionally orthodox), they are expected to resign. We have a different name for IVCFs action: discipleship. Discipline is not something most American churches practice. Its not even something they talk about. In a recent LifeWay Research survey, 62 percent of churchgoing Christiansand 57 percent of evangelicalssaid their church does not have the authority to withhold the Lords Supper or to exclude them from fellowship. An earlier LifeWay survey found that 9 in 10 evangelicals said the church doesnt have the authority to declare theyre not Christians. A 2011 Barna study found that only 5 percent of Christians involved in a church say their church holds them accountable (the figure was about the same for members of Christian small groups). The popular belief among Christians seems to be the one expressed in an open letter to IVCF, posted in full by Religion News Service, objecting to its decision: We understand that conversations related to marriage, sexuality, and gender are critical for Christians, but we also recognize that Christians of mutual goodwill can have those conversations and arrive at various conclusions. Of course they can. But that doesnt mean those Christians should be discipling college students through InterVarsity, or heading up a local church college and youth ... 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. Sex Can Wait But 'The Talk' Can't "The Whole Sex Talk" equips parents to discuss love, sex and relationships with their teens Contact: Chris Zoladz, 800-435-9539 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Dec. 7, 2016 / The Whole Sex Talk is based on more than 20 years of teaching a similar program in public and private schools and churches throughout West Michigan. The six-part multimedia series is science-based and uses short films, brutally honest parent and teen testimonials, expert panel interviews, personal testimonies and more. The program can be used individually, as a couple and family, and in a small-group setting. "Parents are the most influential force in their children's lives, and a strong relationship with your kids one that is open and honest is some of the best protection that you can provide for their long-term well-being," Pregnancy Resource Center CEO Jim Sprague said. "The Whole Sex Talk helps parents overcome their fears and equips them with tools to tackle this tough subject in a loving, life-affirming way." The Centers for Disease Control estimates that nearly 20 million new sexually transmitted infections occur every year in the United States; half of those new cases are found in young people aged 15-24(1). The good news is that parents are still the No. 1 influence in a teen's sexual decisions(2). When the message from parents is combined with a solid sexual-risk-avoidance program in the school, students have more opportunities to succeed in relationships and academic goals(3). [Corresponding references cited below.] "Teens are bombarded daily with sexual topics and messages through social media and their peers, and parents are often ill-equipped or feel unable to answer tough questions. The Whole Sex Talk is an in-home curriculum for parents to help steer their children toward healthy decisions," Pregnancy Resource Center Education Director Natasha Mueller said. The Whole Sex Talk DVD set, study guides, and streaming videos are available at "For our young people, sex can wait but 'the talk' can't. We owe that to our children: to have and keep having the healthy and loving conversation about God's plan for them," Sprague said. ABOUT THE PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER OF GRAND RAPIDS The Pregnancy Resource Center is a nonprofit, life-affirming ministry serving our local Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan, community. We educate people on the options available to them within an unplanned pregnancy. Through empathic service, centered on the belief that all people matter to God and should be treated with dignity, we enable people to choose life for their unborn children and healthy lifestyles for themselves through our Willing to Wait sexual risk avoidance education in public schools and The Whole Truth in Christian / Catholic schools and churches, our medical services (pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and STD testing and treatment), and our family support services. Learn more at References / sources: (1) National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, "Reported STDs in the United States: 2014 National Data for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis." (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November 2015), (2) -Albert, B. (2012). With One Voice 2012: America's Adults and Teens sound Off About Teen Pregnancy. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, December 2012. (3) SRA-Works-Web.pdf, accessed November 9, 2016, Share Tweet Contact: Chris Zoladz, 800-435-9539GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Dec. 7, 2016 / Christian Newswire / -- Talking about sex with one's pre-teen and teenaged kids is often a dreaded milestone; it can be awkward and lead to tough questions. But avoiding "the talk" can have life-altering consequences. That's why the Pregnancy Resource Center of Grand Rapids has created a new, Biblically-based video series and study guide to encourage and empower parents to have healthy, ongoing conversations with their kids about love, sex and relationships.The Whole Sex Talk is based on more than 20 years of teaching a similar program in public and private schools and churches throughout West Michigan. The six-part multimedia series is science-based and uses short films, brutally honest parent and teen testimonials, expert panel interviews, personal testimonies and more. The program can be used individually, as a couple and family, and in a small-group setting."Parents are the most influential force in their children's lives, and a strong relationship with your kids one that is open and honest is some of the best protection that you can provide for their long-term well-being," Pregnancy Resource Center CEO Jim Sprague said. "The Whole Sex Talk helps parents overcome their fears and equips them with tools to tackle this tough subject in a loving, life-affirming way."The Centers for Disease Control estimates that nearly 20 million new sexually transmitted infections occur every year in the United States; half of those new cases are found in young people aged 15-24(1). The good news is that parents are still the No. 1 influence in a teen's sexual decisions(2). When the message from parents is combined with a solid sexual-risk-avoidance program in the school, students have more opportunities to succeed in relationships and academic goals(3). [Corresponding references cited below.]"Teens are bombarded daily with sexual topics and messages through social media and their peers, and parents are often ill-equipped or feel unable to answer tough questions. The Whole Sex Talk is an in-home curriculum for parents to help steer their children toward healthy decisions," Pregnancy Resource Center Education Director Natasha Mueller said.The Whole Sex Talk DVD set, study guides, and streaming videos are available at www.thewholesextalk.com . Watch the trailer here: vimeo.com/190916274 "For our young people, sex can wait but 'the talk' can't. We owe that to our children: to have and keep having the healthy and loving conversation about God's plan for them," Sprague said.ABOUT THE PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER OF GRAND RAPIDSThe Pregnancy Resource Center is a nonprofit, life-affirming ministry serving our local Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan, community. We educate people on the options available to them within an unplanned pregnancy. Through empathic service, centered on the belief that all people matter to God and should be treated with dignity, we enable people to choose life for their unborn children and healthy lifestyles for themselves through our Willing to Wait sexual risk avoidance education in public schools and The Whole Truth in Christian / Catholic schools and churches, our medical services (pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and STD testing and treatment), and our family support services. Learn more at www.prcforlife.org References / sources:(1) National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, "Reported STDs in the United States: 2014 National Data for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis." (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November 2015), bit.ly/2g6XWHo (2) -Albert, B. (2012). With One Voice 2012: America's Adults and Teens sound Off About Teen Pregnancy. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, December 2012. bit.ly/2hepzKH (3) SRA-Works-Web.pdf, accessed November 9, 2016, bit.ly/2gP5Owz 3 Biblical Truths To Stand On When The World Shakes There is an ancient Chinese curse that goes, "May you live in interesting times." Our times are interesting indeed. We have a President-Elect in the US who sees the world in terms of winners and losers, who is driven by revenge and greed and who has no experience in diplomacy, public service or government. He will be handed executive powers over the world's biggest nuclear arsenal. We have the UK trying to negotiate itself out of the European Union without leverage or any kind of plan, facing an unpayable charge of 60 billion euros for the privilege. We have Italy teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, France in real danger of Marine Le Pen becoming President, the Middle East in melt-down, unprecedented numbers of refugees on the move, and I haven't even touched on perhaps the most frightening problem of all climate change. Following the US election, I read a lot of apocalyptic journalism, like this article in the Guardian by George Montbiot, 'The 13 impossible crises that humanity now faces'. I would go on Facebook and follow links to articles and blogs full of despair, anger and fear. I began to spiral into anxiety and depression. I have two little girls, and I wondered if I'd been wrong to bring them into the world. I wanted to do something, anything, to help turn the situation around but I felt powerless in the face of such enormous challenges, and I became paralysed. When people said things like, 'God is sovereign and in control,' it didn't help at all. I'm not a Calvinist. I don't think he's pulling the strings. But I have pulled out of my nosedive, and I've done it by standing on the solid ground of certainty. These are the truths that have been my comfort in our interesting times: "Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation," (Romans 8:38-9). There has never been a period of history without suffering, war and upheaval, but even in the valley of the shadow of death, we need fear no evil, because God's love surrounds us. We may not have power over macro-scale world events, but every day we can make hundreds of choices to do good, love God and serve our neighbour. C S Lewis' Screwtape Letters is an imagined correspondence between a senior devil and a junior in charge of a 'patient' who has come into relationship with God, 'The Enemy.' As war looms, Screwtape advises, "There is nothing like suspense and anxiety for barricading a human's mind against the Enemy. He wants men to be concerned with what they do; our business is to keep them thinking about what will happen to them." There is plenty we can do in our own spheres of influence to bring God's kingdom on earth. When we choose to lay down our anxieties before God, who sees the beginning from the end, whose mind no one can fathom, before whom dictators and despots appear like ants, we will find inexplicable peace: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.' (Philipians 4:6-7) Christian Artists Threatened With Fines and Jail Time for Refusing to Make Gay Wedding Invitations Two Christian artists based in Arizona continue to fight legal woes and may end up being jailed or paying hefty fines for refusing to make invitations for homosexual unions because of their faith. According to a report on Fox News, the artists, Joanna Duka and Breanna Koski, recently filed an appeal in court after they lost a case at trial level and ended up being found guilty of violating a local ordinance protecting gay individuals from discrimination. Their lawyer, Kristen Waggoner, is confident that her clients will prevail once another judge reviews their case. She maintained that the business that Duka and Koski own, the stationery company Brush & Nib Studio in Phoenix, has the right to refuse homosexual customers because of artistic freedom and freedom to exercise religion. "We don't force artists to create artistic expression under threat of jail time," Waggoner argued, speaking on Fox News' "The Kelly File." "Americans don't give up their constitutional rights because they want to earn a living and feed their children, nor do artists," added the lawyer, who is affiliated with the religious liberty group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). She also maintained that free speech is "a bedrock principle of the First Amendment," and should not be compromised; otherwise, "other civil liberties are sure to follow." The Christian artists may have to spend six months in prison for their supposed non-compliance with the city ordinance protecting homosexual persons on top of fines that would be charged to them on a daily basis. Phoenix Vice Mayor Kate Gallego, however, defended the policy, saying this ensures that businesses respect homosexuals. "This ordinance is an important economic development tool and we will defend it," Gallego told Biz Pac Review. She also reminded businesses in the area not to "discriminate" other people and to "stand up for all their residents." Christians Accused Of Proselytising In Nepal Cleared Of Charges Charges against eight Christians accused of proselytising have now been dropped in what was Nepal's first freedom of religion case following its new constitution. The seven men and one woman were arrested in June after giving out pamphlets about Jesus in two Christian schools. World Watch Monitor says that Nepali Christian leaders have welcomed their acquittal. Although a secular state, Nepal's new constitution, introduced in September 2015, protects the rights of the majority religion, Hinduism, which comprises over 80 per cent of Nepal's population. It is therefore punishable by law to convert, or attempt to convert, someone from one religion to another under article 26 paragraph 3 of the constitution, and this is the law the eight Christians were accused of breaking. "Our organisation never tried to convert any children," says Barnabas Shrestha, Chairman of Teach Nepal, for which five of the Christians arrested worked. They were running a trauma seminar to help children overcome post-traumatic stress following the April 2015 earthquake when they distributed the pamphlets, which tell the story of Jesus. Although they denied the charges, the five Teach Nepal counsellors were arrested and held for eight days, alongside two school principals and a pastor. It has taken almost six months for the decision to drop all charges to be made. The decision will come as a relief to Christians in the country, who have experienced increased limitations over the last few months. Nepal's Social Welfare Council has reportedly stopped granting approval for foreign aid for Christian programmes. And one missionary in the country has stated that the Government has threatened to close down, impose large fines and confiscate possessions of Christian orphanages and schools in Kathmandu found to be in possession of even one Christian booklet. The individuals who were charged and have now been cleared are Shakti Pakhrin, the pastor of Charikot Christian Church; Prakash Pradhan, the principal of Mount Valley Academy; Bimal Shahi, the principal of Modern Nepal School; and Teach Nepal staff Banita Dangol, Balkrishna Rai, Philip Tamang, Kiran Dahal and Bhimsen Tiwari. Decision to Deny Pakistani Christians' Visit To Glasgow To Be Reviewed Following accusations of bureaucracy, the Home Office has announced that it will review its decision to refuse visas for two Pakistani Christians wishing to make a short trip to the UK. The visit of the two senior members of the Church of Pakistan was due to be funded by the Church of Scotland as part of a twinning project with the Presbytery of Glasgow. Presbytery Clerk the Very Rev Bill Hewitt told Christian Today, "We are very pleased that the visas are being reviewed and are hoping it will be a successful outcome." The move to review the decision to bar the Christians comes after the Church of Scotland criticised the Home office, arguing that red tape was affecting its efforts to develop links with other Christian communities internationally. Hewitt was one of a group of representatives from the Church's Glasgow Presbytery who visited a congregation in Hyderabad last year. They wanted to reciprocate the "tremendous hospitality" they received by inviting the two Christians to visit Glasgow this year. Despite the fact the Church said that it would pay for the trip, both Christians had their applications refused because of their financial circumstances and were told, unless these circumstances changed, future applications were "likely to be refused... not subject to appeal." "The visa refusal wasn't about Christianity," said Hewitt. "The grounds for refusal was that they didn't have enough money in their bank account. What we're concerned about is, as a country, are we only letting people in who have money? And what does that say about us?" Kristen Oswald, the SNP MP for East Renfrewshire, who raised the case with Theresa May, said that "the initial response of the Home Office was completely unacceptable, suggesting the visitors were not genuine." She, too, is pleased that Immigration Minister Robert Goodwill has agreed to review the refusal. "I welcome the Minister's new approach and tone and hope that we can sort this out and resolve it.'' While the Pakistani Christians were "shocked and depressed" when they received the initial refusal, the Church of Scotland is not letting this set-back hinder their relationship with the Church in Hyderabad. The presbytery chose to partner with Pakistan as there was already a connection, with Glasgow having quite a large Pakistani community, comprising about 3 per cent of the city's population. "It's about being the worldwide Church," says Hewitt. "Learning from them and supporting one another, particularly in prayer." The Immigration Minister has written to Oswald saying that he has asked for both decisions "to be reviewed". This is a positive sign, suggesting that the visit, which has been rescheduled for a third time to February 2017, might finally be able to go ahead. Director Martin Scorsese Says Pope Francis Joked Andrew Garfield Should Be Ordained During Their Vatican Meeting American director Martin Scorsese said he found Pope Francis "disarming" in an interview with USA Today. The man behind a wealth of critically acclaimed films, including Goodfellas, Gangs of New York and Wolf of Wall Street, met the Pope in Rome last week to discuss his latest work. Hitting UK cinemas in January 2017, Silence tells the story of Jesuit priests in 17th century Japan and stars Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver and Liam Neeson. The film is based on a novel of the same name by the late Japanese author Shusaku Endo, who converted to Catholicism, and tells the story of two Jesuits sent to Japan to preach Christianity and find their mentor in the year 1670. Once there, they endure brutal persecution at the time of the Kakure Kirishitan (Hidden Christians) following the defeat of the Shimabara Rebellion. Scorsese said his meeting with the Pope at the Vatican's Apostolic Palace was moving yet light-hearted. The director said he mentioned that Andrew Garfield had undergone the Jesuits' 30 days of spiritual exercises to prepare for the role. Scorsese told USA Today: "[The Pope] said the next thing for Andrew to do is to be ordained. And I looked at the Pope and said, 'Instead he got me.' And there was a big laugh. And it really loosened up." Scorsese himself had a Catholic upbringing and seriously considered becoming a priest, spending a year in a seminary before he chose directing instead. Although it is unclear where he stands with regards to his faith today, his fascination with religion creeps into many of his films. He reportedly once said, "My whole life has been movies and religion. That's it. Nothing else." Pope Francis also told Scorsese that he had read the 1966 novel on which Silence is based. "[Pope Francis] did say, I hope the story of the film, knowing the book, bears much fruit," said Scorsese. Before the meeting, he was given a detailed briefing on the correct protocol and exact instructions of what to say to the Pope by papal staff. However, when the two actually met, Pope Francis made everyone feel welcome. "He was the most disarming everything was fine," said Scorsese. "He was smiling and thanked us for being there." During the meeting Scorsese presented the Pope with a copy of a painting of the Virgin Mary by a 17th century Japanese artist. Apparently the artwork was venerated by Christians at that time, who were forced to practise their faith in secret. The director then went on to attend a screening of his new film in a Vatican chapel. Employers 'Shouldn't Be Afraid Of Causing Offence' When It Comes To Religion Employers need to move beyond political correctness and take a common-sense approach with regards to religion in the workplace, according to a new set of guidelines from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The "Religion or Belief: A Guide to the Law" guidelines were published in response to the findings of a review of religion and belief employment law in the UK. This found that, despite the current legislation being robust, there is still much confusion among businesses and organisations due to a lack of understanding of the law. David Isaac, chair of the EHRC, said: "There are a lot of myths that have arisen because of a misunderstanding of legal requirements. Employers' actions shouldn't be governed by a fear of causing offence." The EHRC guidelines attempt to address common misunderstandings, with FAQs such as: 'Can I arrange an office Christmas party?' and 'Can I insist that an employee removes a religious symbol or type of religious dress if it breaches our health and safety policy?' The guide also makes clear that while freedom of religion is a fundamental right, it does not give employees carte blanche if their beliefs impact negatively on others for example those who wish to express sexist or homophobic views on religious grounds. The guidelines state: "An employee does not have an unlimited right to freedom of expression," and recommend that managers inform employees that their behaviour could amount to harassment and potentially bring disciplinary action." The publishing of these guidelines follows Mr Isaac's comments last week that employers should not fear celebrating Christmas because it might cause offence. He said: "Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right and it shouldn't be suppressed through fear of offending." His statement was backed up by Prime Minister Theresa May, who said: "I'm sure that we would all want to ensure that people at work do feel able to speak about their faith, and also be able to speak quite freely about Christmas." The Prime Minister recently opened up about her own faith in a rare interview with The Times, saying: "I am a practising member of the Church of England and so forth, that lies behind what I do." Faith, Hope, And Politics: The Book You Need To Read In 2017 It is time to reclaim 'hope'. So says Michael Wear, the author of the upcoming book Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About The Future Of Faith In America (Thomas Nelson). Wear spent several years at the heart of the US Government, working in the White House with President Barack Obama. Wear, who has been dubbed Obama's "ambassador to America's believers", served in the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighbourhood Partnerships, and directed faith outreach for Obama's re-election campaign in 2012. In his book he reflects on his experiences in politics, drawing out themes, individuals and defining moments to make his case for 'reclaiming hope'. If you don't feel like you need to read a book about 'hope' in the public sphere, then you probably haven't been watching the news. Wear brings his experiences, anecdotes and front-line analysis to key political events of the last decade, narrating them clearly, amusingly, and thoughtfully. Obama was elected on the platform of 'hope' in 2008, though many in 2016 on both sides of the political spectrum have serious questions about what followed, where we are now, and if 'hope' is real, or just a fairy tale. The book is a triumph: both politically insightful and pastorally prophetic. It is recommended to all, those who love politics and those who do not, because it is about more than just politics. It is about the Church and the world, and how the former can meaningfully contribute to the latter. It is about a wholesome, holistic world vision which transcends divisive partisanship and seeks to make a restorative difference in the real world. As Wear writes, his book is "not a Washington tell-all"; refreshingly he doesn't spend chapters trying to vindicate or demonise any particular positions or individuals. One of the key themes in the book is the problem of partisanship, and the fierce, often intentional disagreement which can pervade in the political sphere. Thankfully, Wear is even-handed and does his best to be kind and fair to diverse, conflicting positions. His unique position as an evangelical Christian Democrat serves him well for this kind of conciliatory discussion of ideas that tend to divide. His tone is honest, but aspirational too. Wear talks openly about the disappointments of his time in the White House, and his critiques of decisions made either by himself, or the President he clearly admires. While he engages with the difficult realities of politics, Wear is still full of hope. He insists on affirming the good, wherever he finds it. The chapters on the faith of President Obama are excellent, and important. Obama has repeatedly had not only his citizenship, but his Christian faith brought into question by those who oppose him. Key evangelical leaders have made outrageous claims about the faith of a man they don't know. Wear did know the President though, and gives a beautiful account of how Obama's faith influenced his time in office. Again, the President is never idolised, rather Wear sheds light on a man of real integrity and profound faith. It was encouraging just to read about it. Political junkies can enjoy this book because it is about life at the heart of politics, though Wear takes care to explain the nuances of Washington machinery in helpful terms. He brings clarity from complexity, and his narration includes both incisive analysis and a personal, human storytelling. This is a book you could give to just about anyone. There is obviously a key Christian emphasis, but by looking at faith alongside politics, it's actually quite a good introduction to Christianity, especially in exploring the depth of the Christian notion of hope. Any book on hope has to contend with the trial of the 2016 US election and the shock rise and victory of Donald Trump to the presidency. Yes, there are challenges ahead, but there always has been, and that's what Wear's book is about. Reclaiming Hope is a highly accessible, well-written, and prescient book. Reclaiming Hope is published in the US on January 17 2017, and in the UK on February 23 2017. 'Father Forgive': How One Christian Woman Learnt To Forgive Her Husband's Murderers It is one of the most extraordinary stories of forgiveness in the midst of unspeakable evil. On Christmas Eve 2012 Alan Greaves, 68, was brutally murdered on his way to play the organ at his local parish church for midnight mass. Two men Jonathan Bowling and Ashley Foster, both 22, were later jailed for the killing in which they battered Alan to death with a pick axe in an unprovoked attack. But Alan's bereaved wife Maureen, spoke courageously about her "real and true forgiveness" of the killers. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "When you are a Christian and you live your life with God, you have an enormous sense of wonder that God forgives you for your sins. "Of course I haven't murdered anybody but I have done wrong in my life. One of the wonderful things about Christianity is you have a God who truly forgives you. "Therefore it's through God's forgiveness and mercy that I have been able to extend true forgiveness to Ashley and Jonathan." Maureen has became an icon of forgiveness. The BBC's Sarah Montague and others expressed incredulity that Maureen could genuinely forgive her husband's killers. She now features as one of "22 stories of God love changing lives today" that make up the Archbishop of York's latest book Agape Love Stories. But she told Christian Today her ability to forgive had not come easily. "I am afraid I was a person who grew up not forgiving people all that easily," she said. "When I became a Christian I really did recognise the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. It was huge part of my life because I wasn't someone who forgave easily." For Alan, forgiveness came more easily, she said. In her extract for Sentamu's book she says it was after they were first married when Alan first noticed her difficulty in forgiving. "He told me: 'Maureen we mustn't give ourselves permission to behave like this. It's not honouring to God.' "And so my wonderful relationship with Jesus Christ when Jesus forgave me my sins and also Alan's love for me has enabled me to walk the journey where forgiveness became easy." When it came to that awful Christmas morning in 2012, standing over Alan's brutalised body on the hospital bed, Maureen's thoughts turned to the church service she would ordinarily have led. "If I had led the service on Christmas Day morning I would have recited the Lord's Prayer: 'Father forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.' "It came to me as I was holding Alan's hands and I knew I could never speak to him or him to me. I said to God: 'Please give me the grace to totally and utterly forgive the people who have murdered Alan "'But also will you please take them from me: look after them and deal with them in your love and mercy and judgement so I can move on to deal with all I have to deal with now.' Since then she has not felt anger at either Jonathan or Ashley. "I think I don't feel anger because I put them in God's hands, she said simply. "And they can't be in any better hands because God will deal with them how He knows they need to be dealt with." In the days and weeks after the attack friends said to her, 'I hope whoever did it hangs in hell' or 'I hope the people who murdered Alan know misery every day of their lives'. But Maureen told Christian Today: "I was able to say to them 'that is not what I wish for'. I have so known God's forgiveness and such a release has come upon me in forgiving those two men." "Alan died on our street so when I walk past the railings where he died I always pray for Jonathan and Ashley and their family. When I meet members of their family it is now very easy for me to welcome them and show love to them." Humanists Call For Scotland's Blasphemy Law To Be Scrapped It's 170 years since it was last invoked, but Scotland's law against blasphemy still exists and it's high time it was scrapped, according to a leading Scottish humanist group. The Humanist Society Scotland are calling on the Scottish Government to repeal the antiquated law, which was last put into practice in 1843, when an Edinburgh bookseller was jailed for 15 months for selling blasphemous literature. Gordon MacRae, the chief executive of Humanist Society Scotland, said that having a blasphemy law "should be a badge of shame for any progressive nation." After consultation with the Church Of England, England and Wales threw out blasphemy laws back in 2008 when the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act abolished the common-law offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel. Scotland is unlikely to convict anyone for blasphemy again, but repealing would set a good example according to Mr MacRae. He said: "We are calling on the Scottish Government to show moral leadership and to take a stand as citizens of the world by repealing that law and calling for all other nations to put equality, human rights and liberty first." A spokesperson from the Scottish Government said: "Matters of criminal prosecution are ultimately not for the Scottish Government but for the Lord Advocate as the head of the prosecution service for Scotland, who is required to consider whether prosecution is in the public interest." The call comes in response to a recently published report on discrimination and persecution against the non-religious by the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU). Entitled the Freedom of Thought Report, it looked into discrimination and persecution against humanists, atheists, and non-religious people around the world, with in-depth analysis of each country. Blasphemy is still illegal in at least 59 countries according to the report, and remains punishable by imprisonment or even execution. There are laws against apostasy (the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief) in 22 countries and at least 13 countries still have the death penalty for blasphemy or apostasy. For example, in Afghanistan an Islamic judge may impose a death sentence for blasphemy for men over 18 and women over 16. Those accused are given three days to recant or face death. Dr Ahmed Shaheed, the United Nations' new special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, said in response to the findings: "From Raif Badawi, who was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison in Saudi Arabia for alleged 'blasphemy'; to Mohamed Cheikh Ould M'kheitir, who is facing the death penalty and incitement to murder in Mauritania for alleged 'apostasy'; to Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, the mayor of Jakarta who is accused of 'blasphemy' amidst an election; to those secular bloggers savagely hacked to death in Bangladesh by vigilante groups; to the scores languishing in prison in Pakistan and Iran and elsewhere for expressing views deemed offensive to religious sentiment; persecution and victimization in the name of religion are both chilling and widespread. "The IHEU report is an important reminder that the right to freedom from religion or belief is as fundamental as the right to freedom of religion, and that the same human right protects freedom of non-religious thought and non-religious belief as well; and that for some humanists, atheists, free-thinkers and the unconcerned the protection of this right can mean the difference between life and death." President of the IHEU, Andrew Copson, said the Freedom of Thought Report comes at a crucial juncture in world affairs. He said: "The rights and equality of the non-religious are under threat and there is an upsurge in the suppression of humanist values more broadly. Serious damage is being done to the brand of democracy, to secularism, and there are new threats to all our liberties." Persecution Of Christians At An All-Time High In India: Has The World Stopped Caring? Samari Kasabi, a 55-year-old Christian, was recently stripped naked, beaten to death and then burnt by her neighbours in her village in the Chhattisgarh region of India. It is feared she was murdered for being a Christian. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has made speeches underlining that his government gives 'equal respect to all religions', has this week won the Reader's Poll for TIME person of the year being seen by 18 per cent of voters as the person who has had the largest global impact over the last 12 months (beating all other nominees by more than 10 per cent). Yet, under his government, Christians in India are facing increased violence, attacks and restrictions. India ranks at number 17 on Christian charity Open Door's World Watch List this year the highest it has ever been. The Rev Dr Richard Howell of the Evangelical Fellowship of India says that, "Political Hinduism has arrived and majoritarian persecution has begun... Every week there are three to four incidents of mobs attacking Christians." Indian church planters supported by UK charity BMS World Mission have reported being imprisoned, forced to flee their homes and attacked because of their faith and their work sharing the gospel. Some have even had family members murdered. New converts have been subject to acid attacks, violence and exclusion from their communities. Anti-conversion laws are now in place in five states in India. These laws target only conversion away from Hinduism, becoming a Hindu is seen rather as a 'home-coming'. According to Open Doors, even in some states where there is currently no anti-conversion law, such as Maharashtra and Jharkhand, there are still structures in place to monitor and restrict Christians. Converts from a Hindu background often get registered as Hindus during the census, it's difficult for them to hold a Christian wedding or to be baptised, and radical Hindus have been known to target convert's funerals. Yet crimes against the church and Christians in the country are almost never punished. The persecution experienced by churches and individual Christians is now also affecting Christian charities working in India. Christian organisation Compassion International states: "What we're experiencing is an unprecedented, highly co-ordinated, deliberate and systematic attack intended to drive us out." The charity, which has been active in India since 1968 and is currently assisting 145,000 children living in extreme poverty in the country, has reportedly recently been placed on a 'watch list' by the Indian government. This restricts its abilities to transfer funds into the country without prior permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs. "The government wrongly believes that we're using humanitarian efforts to convert Indians to Christianity," says Stephen Oakley, General Counsel for Compassion International. "This is religious discrimination, pure and simple." Oakley says that being put on the 'watch list' is just one more thing in a series of out-of-the-blue tax bills, revoked permissions for operations and various forms of harassment and intimidation. Compassion International are "just weeks away from permanently withdrawing," he says. The cost of Christian charitable organisations pulling out of India will inevitably hit the poorest in society. In the case of Compassion International, Oakley says that "no plan or provision has been made to care for [the 145,000] children when we depart." As Indian Christians face a challenging season, the UK church is being encouraged to engage with the issues facing India's Christians. A spokesperson for Open Doors UK & Ireland says: "The Indian government frequently turns a blind eye to attacks on Christians and other minorities. Please pray for the protection of Christians in India. Many are extremely isolated Christians make up less than 5 per cent of the country's population. Pray for comfort and strength for believers, and that Open Doors workers and other Christians will be able to reach them with encouragement and fellowship." As readers of TIME magazine celebrate the influence Prime Minister Modi has had on the world this year, let's be praying for the Christians who are feeling the cost of the rise of Hindu nationalism in their country. The Incredible Story Of How One Bishop Saved The Lives Of Over 200 Assyrian Christians It was on February 23, 2015 that one of the largest groups of hostages to date in ISIS's war in Syria was captured. The hostages weren't just picked at random the 226 victims were all Christians, seized from the Khabur River valley in northern Syria. ISIS fighters attacked the 35 Christian villages in the region simultaneously, forcing inhabitants to destroy their religious icons and attempting to coerce them to recant their faith. Villagers ran for their lives, but over 200 of them were taken hostage. "There was no way you could resist," Abdo Mazra, one of the victims, told the Press Association. The goal? To demand a hefty ransom for their safe release. Over a year later, during which time ISIS killed three of the hostages, the rest of those taken were finally released thanks in large part to one man. Bishop Mar Afram Athneil was the first person to be given concrete details about the capture; he received a ransom note one week after the attack. The message demanded a payment of $50,000 per hostage around $11 million in total or they would all be killed. It wasn't an easy decision complying with terrorists and paying any kind of ransom is a highly controversial issue, with the latter actually illegal in the US and much of the Western world. However, with no details of where the hostages were and anxious to save as many lives as possible, there seemed little alternative but to try to raise the money. Syrian-born filmmaker Sargon Saadi, who attempted to find out what had happened to the hostages, told the Press Association: "We can't fight them, Assyrians don't have an army to go rescue them. They don't have SWAT teams, they don't have SEAL 6. The only option they have is to pay the ransom." After consulting with the Church around the world, Bishop Athneil replied to ISIS three days later, agreeing to send them the money. But how to raise such a sum? He knew he couldn't do it alone, so he appealed to Christians and Syrians around the globe and the response was overwhelming. Canadian Assyrians raised around $100,000 to help. Aneki Nissan, one of the key fundraisers, said: "You look at it from the moral side and I get it. If we give them money we're just feeding into it, and they're going to kill using that money." However, he said that as a small community, they had to stick together. "Every Assyrian I know knows somebody that was either kidnapped or directly affected by the kidnapping," he said. In the German town of Saarlouis, Charli Kanoun, an Assyrian entrepreneur who owns two restaurants, was moved by the hostages' plight. He decided to raise as much money as possible. "Everyone contributed," he said. "The church opened an account in Irbil, Iraq, and announced it on the internet so everyone can donate." Meanwhile, in Australia, Nicholas al-Jeloo, a lecturer at the University of Melbourne, gave a presentation on the history of the Khabur at a local church and asked people to donate to free the hostages two of whom were his cousins. He said: "For the Assyrians, the Khabur was one of their last cultural strongholds in a sea of hostility in the Middle East. If they didn't help these people, it was the end." More than 500 people gave money that night. Social media also played a pivotal role, both in terms of raising money and providing a network for friends and families of hostages to support each other and share news of their loved ones. With money steadily trickling in, ISIS started to release people. Two women in May. One man in June. Then 22 in August. Just when the Assyrian community dared hope that the end might be in sight, a video was released in September 2015 showing three of the captured men being shot. "When that happened, everybody went crazy and money started flying in from all over," said Mr Saadi. "Churches, Assyrians, non-Assyrians, just donating to the churches and funnelling it to the bishop." In Canada, Mr Nissan organised a Christmas concert, managing to raise thousands more dollars. He said: "We just kept giving and giving." The Assyrians say no government stepped in to help the hostages or their families. Bishop Athneil was the only one speaking up and fighting for their release, and it was he who handled the delicate negotiations with ISIS. In November 2015, 37 hostages were freed and people continued to be released every few weeks into 2016. Finally, on February 22, almost a year to the day since they had been taken, the last 43 captives were let go. The full amount that was paid to ISIS in return for the hostages still isn't known but many credit Bishop Athneil with saving hundreds of Christians' lives. "This man should go down as a saint," said Mr Nissan. "The things that he's done, the sacrifices he's made to help these people he's refusing to leave Syria until all his flock is secured." In conjunction with a major exhibition of his works in Mumbai, we visited the British artist who died on 9 March 2017 at his studio, where he discussed childhood ambitions, the very lonely world of the painter, and the subcontinents enduring influence on his practice I spent my first night in India asleep on a bedding roll on the station platform, recalled artist Howard Hodgkin, who died on 9 March aged 84. In 1964, Hodgkin arrived in what was then known as Bombay Central station. The city would become integral to his work, as a source of inspiration and, later, as a place where he would paint and exhibit. I didnt know what I was looking for when I came, except that I was looking for something else, explained Hodgkin. He found India captivating, however, and remained enamoured of the country. I feel at home here, he said, speaking from a studio in Mumbai where he created a series of paintings for an exhibition, Howard Hodgkin: Paintings 1984-2015, A Tribute, held at the citys Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya museum in the spring of 2015. The paintings exhibited in Mumbai were all inspired by India, Hodgkin explained. At the show's opening, Tate director Sir Nicholas Serota described the unique perspective of a British artist who, at first, arrived as an outsider: Strangers have a way of capturing something that perhaps others can't see. Think of Turner going to Switzerland and painting the Alps, or Monet in London, painting the Houses of Parliament. 'These paintings are born of 50 years' experience, but are as fresh as if they had been made by a young art student coming out of college, Serota continued, describing Hodgkin's Mumbai paintings as a remarkable feat. That sense of youthful ambition is one Hodgkin reflected on in this video. When I was a small child, it was very fashionable to ask children, "What do you want to be when you grow up?". His response? I couldn't really think of what I wanted to be. But I'd just done a terrible piece of child art, and I said, I'm going to be a painter. And I was sort of stuck with it. Smiley N. Pool/Staff The Texas Medical Center has joined forces with an Australian national health organization to foster an exchange program for health technology startups. The medical center and the nonprofit Health Informatics Society of Australia have created a "BioBridge," or an international link to foster innovation in digital health, health technology and medical devices. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Jobs resource website Glassdoor has released their yearly rankings of workplaces where staffers are king. "The Best Places to Work in 2017" is generated from more than 2.1 million company reviews submitted by employees, according to Glassdoor. Staff are encouraged to share the positives and negatives of their jobs; advice to management; how great (or bad) their CEO is; and other minutiae. GREAT ADVICE: 29 brilliant questions to ask at the end of every job interview In Texas, four large companies made the list: two from Dallas-Fort Worth and one each from Austin and San Antonio. Each one is a powerhouse in their respective sectors, including air travel and groceries. Six Texas companies also landed on the list of best small to medium companies to work for: Austin's SailPoint Technologies (4) and Berkshire Communities (36); Plano's Masergy (26); Dallas' Sendero (9) and Pariveda Solutions (30); and Houston's Venterra Realty (46). WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK: These are Houston's Top Workplaces for 2016 Venterra Realty also landed on Chron.com's ranking of the top midsized companies to work for in Houston. You can view the full list of the "The Best (Large) Places to Work in 2017" in the gallery above. Some of Louisiana State University's best and brightest students - Flagship Scholars and the donors who funded their scholarships - were recognized at the LSU Alumni Association Scholars Banquet in November. Flagship Scholarships, funded by donors and alumni chapters through the association, were awarded to students. The Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District recently showcased the district and welcomed community members and elected officials into its schools and classrooms for its inaugural School Priority Day. More than 100 community members and several elected officials came out to learn more about the district during the recent event, which was modeled after the "Make Education a Priority" resolution launched by districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 2011. "It was important for the district to have the School Priority Day because there was a lot of misinformation out there about what public schools are doing and accomplishing. It helps people to actually go in schools and see the education that is going on, the technology that is being used, and how the kids are learning," said Bob Covey, CFISD board member. "It dispels a lot of the negatives that seem to be associated with public school education." The event began and concluded at the Berry Center. During School Priority Day the guests took school buses to and from the facility and were directed by student-led tours of CFISD school buildings. Since 2000, the Cy-Fair area has seen 273,000 new residents. The number of new residents reflects more residential growth than 21 states around the nation. More than 38,000 housing occupancies are expected to join the district by the year 2025. CFISD serves approximately 114,000 students and is the third-largest in the state. CFISD has 88 campuses, which includes elementary, middle, and high schools. Additionally, there are five special program facilities. Community members made visits to Woodard Elementary, A. Robison Elementary School, Cypress Fair High School and Cypress Woods High School. "We felt it was important to open the doors of our campuses to our community, including elected officials, local businesses, realtors and empty nesters, so they could witness some of the incredible programs offered and the quality of education our students receive in CFISD," said Mark Henry, CFISD superintendent of schools. The Texas representatives who participated in CFISD's School Priority Day were state Rep. Kevin Roberts, R-Spring, state Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, and state Rep. Mike Schofield, R-Houston. Additionally, a visiting group from Sweden were in attendance for the district's event. The international group were able to directly observe, experience, and learn about American schools. "What I enjoyed most about my time visiting Cypress-Fairbanks ISD was seeing the students in action, and I was amazed at the variety of real world career minded course choices that students have today. I had two wonderful student tour guides who took me around Cy-Ranch to visit the early childhood education class, international economics class, video Editing class, and an AP physics class," Roberts said. "In every classroom I saw our students actively engaged in learning and it was inspiring to see how technology is playing a major role in that process." The Texas Education Agency awarded CFISD the highest possible rating of "met standard" for the fourth consecutive year in its annual accountability ratings in August 2016. All 83 eligible district schools earned the same distinction, which keeps CFISD as the largest Texas district with all schools receiving "met standard" or "met alternative standard" designations. CFISD has seen $106 million in reductions in the budget since 2008. The district's 2016-17 budget is $894.5 million with an operating cost per student of $7,744. The district homestead exemption is 20 percent. The district's 2016-17 tax rate is $1.44 per $100 valuation and $1,944 annual taxes on a $200,000 home. The district's eight new construction projects include Bridgeland High School, Cold Food Storage Warehouse, elementary school No. 55, Matzke replacement campus, Ken Pridgeon Natatorium, Westgreen Ag-Science Center, and the Westgreen Transportation Center. In 2015-16, more than 5,000 volunteers provided a collective 325,000 hours of support for staff and students valued at more than $7 million. There are more than 5,300 active volunteers in the CFISD community. Volunteers include 598 student mentors and 317 bus buddies. The district has 51 adopted schools and 358 business partners have contributed nearly $6,000 in advertising, sponsorships, donations, and incentives. Last year, the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation, a nonprofit raises money to fund a scholarship for high school graduates in the area, awarded $353,000 in scholarships to 106 students. Over the past 46 years, the foundation has awarded millions in scholarships. "We provide an excellent education for students whether they are going college, technical, or in the service. They are getting an excellent top-rate education in our public schools," Covery said. "We are offering that as it should be, which is free to the public (and) sponsored by the tax payers not looking for anything special except to educate these kids to be community leaders and leaders of tomorrow." CFISD has more than 25,900 Facebook likes, 16,600 followers on Twitter, 7,000 followers on Instagram, and 6,000 followers on LinkedIn. The district concluded School Priority Day's events at the Berry Center where guests shared lunch and spoke about their experience during the educational event. The superintendent of schools also shared closing thoughts with the visitors. "I believe it was truly an eye opener for those who have not been on a campus in decades," Henry said. "The visitors were able to experience the high level of engagement that takes place with our teachers and students and to see many of the changes that have taken place since they were in school, such as the use of technology and the instructional strategies used by our world-class staff." Expect laughs and plenty of intrigue at 2017's "A Celebration of Reading." The annual fundraiser for the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation isn't until April, but the organization revealed its featured authors Tuesday at a private party. The lineup so far: Sue Grafton: Grafton's the author of the "Alphabet Series" of mystery novels, which started with "A is for Alibi" in 1982. Since then, she's been churning out a bestseller for every letter of the alphabet "B is for Burglar," "C is for Corpse," and so on. Grafton's series has almost reached the end of the alphabet her novel "X" was published in August. Her books are published in 28 countries and 26 languages. Jim Gaffigan: The stand-up comedian is also the author of two books. "Dad is Fat," Gaffigan's first book, is a collection of essays and ruminations on life with his wife and five kids. "Food: A Love Story," published last year, is billed as "an in-depth, thoroughly uninformed look at everything from health food to things that people actually enjoy eating." A BIG HONOR: Downtown library's plaza will be named for former first lady Bill Browder: Browder, the co-founder and CEO of Hermitage Capital Management, is author of the bestseller "Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man's Fight for Justice." Browder made his fortune investing in Russia; in 2005, he had become the country's largest foreign investor when he suddenly was deported and declared a threat to national security. In 2009, Browder's tax attorney was murdered in prison after alleging that Russian officials had committed fraud against taxpayers. Browder who has become an outspoken critic of Russian leader Vladimir Putin wrote "Red Notice" to tell his story. More authors and entertainers will be announced later. "A Celebration of Reading" is hosted by former First Lady Barbara Bush and by Maria and Neil Bush, co-chairs of the Houston foundation. It's designed to support the work of the Bush family's local and national literacy foundations. Grafton, Gaffigan and Browder will read and discuss their work April 20 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets, available now, start at $100; go to www.bushhoustonliteracy.org. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Discovery Green 1500 McKinney, discoverygreen.com ELF: A man raised as an elf at the North Pole ventures to the U.S. in search of his true identity. 7 p.m. Thursday River Oaks Theatre 2009 W. Gray, landmarktheatres.com TRADING PLACES: A snobbish investor and a wily street con artist find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires. Midnight Friday THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE: A newly engaged couple has a breakdown in an isolated area and must pay a call to the bizarre residence of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Midnight Saturday Market Square 301 Milam, marketsquarepark.com LOVE ACTUALLY: Follows the lives of eight different couples, dealing with their love lives in various, loosely interrelated Christmas tales. 7 p.m. Saturday Museum of Fine Arts, Houston 1001 Bissonnet; mfah.org GIMME DANGER: An in-depth look at the legendary punk band The Stooges. 7 p.m. Friday, 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday TOWER: Animation, testimony and archival footage are combined to relate the events of Aug. 1, 1966, when a gunman opened fire from the University of Texas clock tower. 1 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday Houston Museum of Natural Science 5555 Hermann Park Drive; hmns.org WILD AFRICA 3-D: A contrast of stunning deserts beside wild oceans and coral reefs. Multiple screenings daily NATIONAL PARKS ADVENTURE: World-class adventurers hike and climb their way across America. Multiple screenings daily EXTREME WEATHER: Discover the complex forces influencing our weather. Multiple screenings daily Jean-Loup Chretien is the first French man ever to be launched into space. A former fighter pilot, he also was on the crew of the STS-86 Atlantis in 1997, which docked at the Russian Space Station. He retired from NASA in 2001. But at 78 he's managed to do a few things. Because training to be an astronaut wasn't sufficiently time consuming, Chretien began playing the organ in the 1970s, a pursuit he delved into further after retirement. His biggest musical project thus far has been "Reves d'Etoiles" ("Gone with the Stars"), a multi-media presentation that features Chretien and organist Jean-Philippe Le Trevou performing a piece they composed to accompany photographs and video Chretien took from space. This week, I reached out for a - hic - Budweiser Beer Cheese Burger, at double-threat burger buddies, Carl's Jr. and Hardee's. This isn't the first time that Carl's Jr./Hardee's has raided the liquor cabinet. In recent years, they've uncorked a Jim Beam Burger and a Midnight Moonshine Burger. Who's that working the drive-through window Otis the Town Drunk? Don't get excited or worried, parents. Like the Jim Beam and Moonshine booze burgers, there's no tipsy in the Budweiser Beer Cheese Burger. The alcohol is burned off during cooking and prep. They won't ID you in the drive-through. It's OK for kids, maybe not the right message, but you won't have to give them a Breathalyzer test after lunch. More Information The Budweiser Beer Cheese Burger breakdown: a charbroiled beef patty with a schmear of beer-spiked cheese sauce, topped with Applewood smoked bacon, caramelized onions, tomato, leaf lettuce and Swiss cheese, served on a freshly baked bun. Total calories: 990 (for the half-pound patty). Fat grams: 62. Sodium: 2,360 mg. Carbs: 52 g. Dietary fiber: 5 g. Protein: 56 g. Manufacturer's suggested retail price: $8.09. Not cheap. See More Collapse Budweiser in the "King of Beers," and this Budweiser Beer Cheese Burger is the "Baron of Breaking the $8 Barrier." So the question becomes is it worth it? You're getting a big hunk of charbroiled, grass-fed, all-natural beef. That's a good thing. And good things cost money. There's a lot of cheese sauce glop. The tomato and lettuce are always fresh and crisp at Carl's Jr./Hardee's. The Swiss is real cheese, none of that "cheese product" mumbo jumbo. So yeah, it's worth it, if money isn't your burger barometer. Exactly how much beer goes into the beer sauce, and can you taste it? Just a little and just a little. If your taste buds go looking for beer, you'll sense it. Otherwise, Budweiser's biggest impact is helping Carl's Jr./Hardee's market themselves as a burger joint for adults. This bun's for you. Carl's Jr./Hardee's is the one drive-through where the bun makes a difference. The Budweiser Beer Cheese Burger comes on billowy bread baked in the back daily, not delivered on a truck a couple times a week if that often. Best buns in the business. This burger comes in smaller sizes for smaller people, or people who would like to become smaller. There are single patty, double patty, and 13-pound patty versions for prices starting at $5.59. Carl's Jr./Hardee's also has new Bacon Beer Cheese Fries, a beautiful mess, for $2.99. Changes are coming to next year's Fort Bend ISD calendar that may result in shorter Thanksgiving and winter breaks. It's because of a state law that prohibits districts from starting school before the fourth Monday in August. At Aug. 28, that Monday in 2017 will happen to be the latest to occur in a year since the state law went into effect in 2007, according to a letter sent out by Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Charles Dupre. This year that fourth Monday was six days earlier - Aug. 22. So, area school districts have to figure out how to make up for those lost days. Fort Bend ISD has published a preliminary draft of the 2017-2018 school year calendar online. Parents and community members can give feedback on it - and other options - until Dec. 11. To make up for starting school later, the draft's calendar swaps what was a week-long break at Thanksgiving during the current school year for just three days off. It also would have winter vacation begin later, on Dec. 22 compared to on Dec. 19 this year. The prospect sparked emotions ranging from anger to reluctant acceptance among parents. "I'm beyond livid," Pecan Grove resident and Fort Bend ISD parent Windy Halvert said. "That is a time when a lot of teachers and a lot parents use vacation time to go visit their relatives out of state." Neighboring Alvin ISD is in a bind as well. The district's committee that writes the calendar is still gathering community input and hasn't released a draft yet, district spokesperson Daniel Combs said. But it's been a more arduous process this year because of the late start date. "It's caused some challenges that weren't there last year when we were laying out the calendar," Combs said. Like Fort Bend ISD, Alvin ISD also had a week-long break at Thanksgiving during the 2016-2017 school year. Alternatives on Fort Bend ISD's website to the shortened breaks during fall semester included extending the school year into the week of June 4, or increasing the length of the school day by five minutes to make either Thanksgiving or Winter Break as long as it has been in recent years. Parent and Sienna Plantation resident Tracy Donovan said she thinks the draft calendar presented, though cutting down on vacation days, would likely be the best option. Her opinion is at odds with those of her neighbors, she said, who want that week-long Thanksgiving break. But Donovan, who has two children in high school and a middle schooler, said the calendar that cuts down on breaks is the best bet for making sure there's adequate time to finish out fall semester before the holidays. "I just want to get the first semester in before [Winter] Break," Donovan said. There is a way around the Aug. 28 start date for some districts. A handful of Houston-area school districts - including Fort Bend ISD - have began the process to gain a District of Innovation designation. The designation, which is only available for school districts that meet state academic standards, gives districts most of the flexibility available to Texas' open-enrollment charter schools. That includes starting school earlier. Nearby Spring Branch ISD already has the innovation status. The district's school board will decide in December whether to give Spring Branch ISD the go-ahead to seek an exemption to the Aug. 28 start date, district spokesperson Linda Buchman said. In January, the Spring Branch ISD school board will likely vote on its 2017-2018 calendar. The district is considering recommending options with a start date before Aug. 28. More community members than not gave feedback that they wanted that earlier start date, Buchman added. Fort Bend ISD spokesperson Amanda Bubela said it's not likely Fort Bend ISD will have its designation in time to change the start date of the 2017-2018 school year. It is something the district could pursue for later years, should it get the designation, Bubela said. After Dec. 11, the district's calendar committee will meet to develop a final calendar to recommend. The district plans to submit a calendar to trustees by their Jan. 23 meeting. For information, or to vote on the calendar, visit: fortbendisd.com/domain/63 and click on Draft 2017-18 School Calendar. The parents of two children diagnosed with cancer fought tears as they thanked a roomful of supporters Monday. "During this battle, we have received blessings and one of those is Mothers Against Cancer," said Alicia Martinez, whose son Gerardo was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in February. Gerardo and Henry Friddle both were featured during the 28th annual Mothers Against Cancer luncheon at the Humble Civic Center. Rob and Linda Ferdows, who own Escapade 2001 and Stampede Houston, also were honored with the 2016 Ann Denman award for their work with nonprofits like Mothers Against Cancer, Addi's Faith Foundation and Wounded Warriors. Dr. David Poplack, director of Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers, said the Mothers Against Cancer luncheon has raised $5.3 million in 27 years for the centers. The Martinezes pointed to the significance of Gerardo's name, which stands for "fighter, warrior and brave," as they detailed their fight against cancer. "His second name is Asiel, which means created by God, work of God or gift from God. Indeed, God is working on him and creating him again and giving him back to us as a great gift," they said. They knew something was wrong in December 2015 when he had pain in his right leg, but after going through X-rays and tests, they chalked it up to growing pains. In February 2016, Gerardo continued to have the sharp, continuous pain, especially at night. He came down with the flu and an ear infection, and then they found a lump on his side. An ultrasound revealed he had a large, solid mass in his abdomen March 24. "The doctors performed a biopsy and said the tumor was an undifferentiated sarcoma. Gerardo got his first round of chemotherapy during this hospitalization and stayed there for 20 days," his parents recounted. "After five treatments, a CT scan revealed that Gerardo had developed another tumor by his spine. The doctors said he had stage 4 cancer with 'no cure and no possibility of living.'" His parents requested a second opinion from the oncology surgeon to ensure the disease was not in Gerardo's bone marrow or spine; the results were negative. He then underwent a successful surgery to remove his kidney, the tumor and a nerve from his right leg. He is currently receiving treatment that includes daily radiation for five weeks and weekly chemotherapy for 36 weeks. "What Mothers Against Cancer has done for children fighting cancer and children cancer research, it's amazing," Dr. ZoAnn Dreyer, codirector of the Long Term Survivor Program in the Texas Medical Center, said at the luncheon. "I get the pleasure to introduce and recognize Gerardo, who his doctors say is a beautiful soul with a wonderful family. He has had a tough battle, but he's winning that battle with grace and an absolutely beautiful smile on his face." Henry Friddle's family also shared their story, which began when Henry accidentally poked himself in the eye with stick. The accident resulted in numerous doctor visits and a diagnosis of retinoblastoma. "The tumors are sometimes seen in photos as a 'white glow' instead of a 'red eye,' but, as with Henry, the increased eye pressure caused by the tumor is typically what leads to medical attention," Henry's family wrote in the program handed out to guests at the luncheon. "Once reaching this point, vision is rarely salvageable in the affected eye, but this could also be considered a blessing; it was for us." When Henry's family learned the vision in Henry's eye wouldn't return and the chances were good the cancer was contained within that eye, they made the decision to remove it. Removing the eye, called enucleation, would most likely cure Henry without the need for chemotherapy and relieve the intense pain and sensitivity to light due to the eye pressure. "Eighteen days after Easter, Henry awoke at University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center with a bandage where his eye used to be along with a big smile and a thumbs up," his family wrote. "He never asked, 'why me?' A week later, when the bandage was removed, he didn't blink when looking at his 'hero eye' and lives life to the fullest." While Henry was going through surgery and doctor's appointments, they met another child, Melanie Patterson, with the same cancer in both of her eyes. She has since had her right eye removed and underwent treatment to save the vision in her left eye. As rare as retinoblastoma is, Henry's family believes he and Melanie met in order to fight the battle together, provide emotional support and, through the sale of "Henry is my Hero" T-shirts, donate money to her family. "Though every experience of fighting pediatric cancer is unique, they all have one thing in common - it is the hardest thing you will ever face as a parent or as a family," said Stewart Friddle, Henry's father. "Hopefully, through great organizations like Mothers Against Cancer, we can raise enough money for research to eliminate this disease. Please keep up the fight to give more families green lights. "Henry is my hero." For more information about Mothers Against Cancer, visit www.mothersagainstcancer.net/. Thanking the room for their support while fighting back a few tears, families of two children faced with a cancer diagnosis shared their story and why they continue to fight. Gerardo Martinez and Henry Friddle were honored during the annual Mothers Against Cancer 28th annual luncheon Monday, Dec. 5, at the Humble Civic Center. Rob and Linda Ferdows were also honored during the luncheon, receiving the 2016 Ann Denman Award for their continued effort to give back to the community and support nonprofits such as Mothers Against Cancer, Addi's Faith Foundation, Wounded Warriors as well as various other charities as owners of Escapade 2001 and Stampede Houston. After receiving the Ann Denman Award, Linda said, "When Mothers Against Cancer announced we would be honored with this award, we were completely taken aback and it's totally reaffirming that we are making a difference and we all are making a difference." "What Mothers Against Cancer has done for children fighting cancer and children cancer research; it's amazing," Dr. ZoAnn Dreyer, codirector of the Long Term Survivor Program in the Texas Medical Center, said during the luncheon. "I get the pleasure to introduce and recognize Gerardo who his doctors say is a beautiful soul with a wonderful family. He has had a tough battle, but he's winning that battle with grace and an absolutely beautiful smile on his face." Gerardo was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma and is currently receiving treatment that includes daily radiation for five weeks and weekly chemotherapy for 36 weeks. Gerardo's family knew something was wrong in December 2015 when he would have pain in his right leg, but after going through X-rays and tests, they chalked it up to growing pains. In February 2016, Gerardo continued to have sharp, continuous pain, especially at night. A day later, he had the flu and an ear infection and then they found a lump on his side and on March 24, an ultrasound revealed he had a large, solid mass in his abdomen. "The doctors performed a biopsy and said the tumor was an Undifferentiated Sarcoma, Gerardo got his first round of chemotherapy during this hospitalization and stayed there for 20 days," his parents recounted. "After five treatments, a CT scan revealed that Gerardo had developed another tumor by his spine. The doctors said he had Stage 4 cancer with 'no cure and no possibility of living.'" His parents requested a second opinion from the oncology surgeon to ensure the disease was not in Gerardo's bone marrow or spine; the results were negative. He then underwent a successful surgery where his kidney, the tumor and a nerve from his right leg were removed and he continues his treatments. "Gerardo's name stands for fighter, warrior and brave," his parents said. "His second name is Asiel which means created by God, work of God or gift from God. Indeed, God is working on him and creating him again and giving him back to us as a great gift." Gerardo's mom, Alicia Martinez, thanked the room for their support and added, "During this battle, we have received blessings and one of those is Mothers Against Cancer. Thank you for your prayers and support." Henry Friddle's family also shared their story, which began when Henry accidentally poked himself in the eye with stick. The accident resulted in numerous doctor visits and a diagnosis of retinoblastoma. "The tumors are sometimes seen in photos as a 'white glow' instead of a 'red eye,' but, as with Henry, the increased eye pressure caused by the tumor is typically what leads to medical attention," Henry's family wrote in the program handed out to guests at the luncheon. "Once reaching this point, vision is rarely salvageable in the affected eye, but this could also be considered a blessing; it was for us." When Henry's family learned the vision in Henry's eye wouldn't return and the chances were good the cancer was contained within that eye, they made the decision to remove it. Removing the eye, called enucleation, would most likely cure Henry without the need for chemotherapy and relieve the intense pain and sensitivity to light due to the eye pressure. "Eighteen days after Easter, Henry awoke at University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center with a bandage where his eye used to be along with a big smile and a thumbs up," his family wrote. "He never asked, 'why me?' A week later, when the bandage was removed, he didn't blink when looking at his 'hero eye' and lives life to the fullest." While Henry was going through surgery and doctor's appointments, they met another child with identical cancer as Henry, Melanie Patterson, but the cancer was in both of her eyes. She has since had her right eye removed and underwent treatment to save the vision in her left eye. As rare as retinoblastoma is, Henry's family believes Henry and Melanie met in order to fight the battle together, provide emotional support and through the sale of "Henry is my Hero" T-shirts, donate money to her family. "Though every experience of fighting pediatric cancer is unique, they all have one thing in common - it is the hardest thing you will ever face as a parent or as a family," said Stewart Friddle, Henry's father. "Hopefully, through great organizations like Mothers Against Cancer, we can raise enough money for research to eliminate this disease. Please keep up the fight to give more families green lights. Henry is my hero." For more information about Mothers Against Cancer, visit www.mothersagainstcancer.net/. As a special guest, Henry Friddle's family shared their story about how a simple accident where Henry accidentally poked himself in the eye with stick resulted in numerous doctor visits and a diagnosis of retinoblastoma. "The tumors are sometimes seen in photos as a 'white glow' instead of a 'red eye' but, as with Henry, the increased eye pressure caused by the tumor is typically what leads to medical attention," Henry's family wrote in the program handed out to guests at the luncheon. "Once reaching this point, vision is rarely salvageable in the affected eye, but this could also be considered a blessing; it was for us." When Henry's family learned the vision in Henry's eye wouldn't return and the chances were good the cancer was contained within that eye, his family made the decision to remove his right eye. Removing the eye, called Enucleation, would most likely cure Henry without the need for chemotherapy and would relieve the intense pain and sensitivity to light due to the eye pressure. "Eighteen days after Easter, Henry awoke at University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center with a bandage where his eye used to be along with a big smile and a thumbs up," his family wrote. "He never asked, 'why me?' A week later, when the bandage was removed, he didn't blink when looking at his 'hero eye' and lives life to the fullest." While Henry was going through surgery and doctor's appointments, they met another child with identical cancer as Henry, Melanie Patterson, but the cancer was in both of her eyes. She has since had her right eye removed and underwent treatment to save the vision in her left eye. As rare as retinoblastoma is, Henry's family feels as if they met to fight the battle together, provide emotional support and through the sale of "Henry is my Hero" T-shirts, donate money to her family. "Though every experience of fighting pediatric cancer is unique, they all have one thing in common - it is the hardest thing you will ever face as a parent or as a family," Stewart Friddle, Henry's father, said during the luncheon. "Hopefully through great organizations like Mothers Against Cancer, we can raise enough money for research to eliminate this disease. Please keep up the fight to give more families green lights. Henry is my hero." "This is one of my favorite events," Dr. David Poplack, director of Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers, said during the luncheon. "For the past 27 years, the Mothers Against Cancer luncheon has raised $5.3 million for TCH. This group is the longest standing community partner we have and in many ways, the most important. Mothers Against Cancer was the first to take our request for funding for the various needs we have such as cancer survivorship and put it into action by developing funding for us. We've grown tremendously over the years and with that growth comes the requirement for new and additional resources. You all have always been there and stepped up to the plate for any needs we have and ensure we continue to deliver state-of-the-art care for each and every one of our patients." For more information about Mothers Against Cancer, visit www.mothersagainstcancer.net/. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Mike Gavin stepped into the Bear Creek Community Center and saw the saturated carpet and walls. He looked at Sheetrock splitting and sediments scattered across the floor. Furniture and appliances were damaged beyond repair and a gnawing stench filled the air. It was mid-May, about a month after floods devastated the Houston area on April 18. Gavin, a photographer and assistant with Harris County Precinct 3 which oversees the center snapped photos of the devastation. "The community center was a disaster," Gavin said. "Everything was ruined." More than six months later, Gavin rejoices as his photos now show a rejuvenated center, which re-opened on Monday for the first time since the floods. "The center offers so many things for the community," Gavin said. "It's a place where everyone can go and meet and be together." On April 18, various parts of Houston flooded after overnight downpours caused the area's waterways to swell out of their banks. Eight people died in the region due to the floods and federal disaster declarations were announced for several counties. The Bear Creek area, located in west Houston, was one of the worst hit by the catastrophe, with about 300 homes flooding, according to the Harris County Office of Emergency Management. Area roads shut down as the Addicks Reservoir swelled with water. About 12-17 inches of rain fell over the Katy area that day. In the city of Katy, hundreds of homes were damaged. Families are still recovering from the event and homes and businesses continue to be refurbished. The Bear Creek Community Center took in roughly 20 inches of flood water, according to Precinct 3 Commissioner Steve Radack. The flooding caused $750,000 in damage to the center. The county has mostly used funds given by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to pay for costs related to restoring the center, Radack said. The 8,000-square-foot center, which opened more than 30 years ago and serves thousands of people per year, hosts a range of classes and community meetings and hosts parties, weddings and other get-togethers. "The community center is vital to this community," Radack said. "It creates camaraderie between people. It's a place for support for some people. It gives the ability for people to live a happier and more prosperous life." Radack said no major changes were made to the center. Precinct 3 officials discussed possible flood-prevention methods such as raising the center's foundation while the restoration process occurred, but the county did not have enough money from the federal government to make the ideas a reality, according to Radack. He said returning the center to what it was is an important step for the community to move on from the flood. "We're glad it could be open in time for Christmas," Radack said. Submitted In preparation of the holiday season, Kingwood Rotarians assisted the needy in the community by donating 1,020 pounds of meat to Mission Northeast in New Caney. This is just one of the many ways that Kingwood Rotarians make a difference in the lives of those in need while making a positive impact in Kingwood Rotarians' lives. Kingwood Rotarians are community leaders uniting for the common good of mankind. Most of undocumented students' questions about going to college are similar to those of citizen students. How could one pay for it? What should be included in an application? Would a four-year university or two-year college make more sense? University officials, Houston ISD staff and nonprofit leaders will provide answers to such questions at Houston ISD's second DREAM Summit on Saturday. The event, catered towards immigrant, refugee and undocumented students, will be held from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 W. 18th St. Trevino said the event will be much like a college fair, with different HISD departments, more than a dozen nonprofits and several colleges on site to provide students with information about financial aid, student housing, applications and options. The summit is named after the controversial Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors, or DREAM Act, which allows undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at Texas colleges and universities. Under Texas version of the DREAM Act, undocumented students who have a high school diploma or GED from Texas can qualify for in-state tuition, so long as they show theyve lived in the state for three years and are seeking legal residency. Texas was the first state to adopt such a law in 2001, though conservative lawmakers have tried and failed to repeal it as recently as 2015. Similar laws are on the books in nine other states, including California, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. Federal lawmakers tried and failed to pass a national version of the DREAM Act in 2001 and again in 2010. But in the wake of President-elect Trump's sharp rhetoric on immigration and undocumented immigrants, some students wonder if they'll be able to attend public colleges and pay in-state tuition in the coming years. Trevino said such questions are more difficult to answer than those about financial aid or applications. "There might be concerns, but I don't really know how to stop them because I really don't know what will happen either," Trevino said. "But we want them to have a sense of hope about being able to apply for college. That's really what my goal is, is them not missing an opportunity to go to college or get financial aid." The process for applying to public colleges and universities is virtually the same for immigrant and citizen students in Texas. But there is a different application for financial aid. For students who do not have social security numbers, they do not apply for FAFSA, they apply for TASFA, the financial aid application for state of Texas, Trevino said. Those funds come from state rather than federal government. HISD officials will be on hand to explain the nuances of applying for financial aid as a legal or undocumented immigrant. Fourteen nonprofit agencies and thirteen Texas colleges and universities will also be at the summit. Trevino said the event will help students navigate the often complicated process of applying to college, especially as many undocumented students are among the first in their families to attend a higher education institution. She also encouraged parents to come so they can learn how to help their students start the college process. Trevino said although staff cannot answer questions about what will change as a result of a Trump presidency, they will be able to help students take the next step in their educational journeys. As far as whats going to happen in the future, I dont exactly know, Trevino said. But I can provide message of hope that they can continue to apply for university and financial aid. Just in time for the holidays, an Episcopal High School freshman is hosting an art show with all proceeds going toward a good cause. Lani McHenry, 14, will host her art show from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Pottery Barn Kids Highland Village at 4047 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77027. Edward Hartnett, 66, a Vietnam veteran living in Houston, recently was cured of hepatitis C. Now his mission is to share his story with others who also might be living with or at risk for hepatitis C so they know that help is available. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans are at three times greater risk of being infected with hepatitis C than the general population, with nearly one in 10 Vietnam-era veterans having the virus. Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease that ranges in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness that attacks the liver. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is usually spread when blood from a person infected enters the body of someone who is not infected. Today, most people become infected with the virus by sharing needles. Before 1992, when widespread screening of blood supply began in the United States, Hepatitis C was also commonly spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants. Because of this, the baby boomer generation is also at risk. People can also become infected with HCV during needlestick injuries in health care settings, or being born to a mother who has HCV. Less commonly, a person can also get HCV through having sexual contact with an infected person, or sharing personal items that may have come in contact with blood such as razors. An estimated 2.7 to 3.9 million people in the United States have chronic hepatitis C. Hartnett was drafted into the Army and trained to be in the Army Special Forces as a medical specialist. "I had to do my own dentistry, my own surgery, my own anesthesiology, veterinarian sciences, nursing care, etc. I had to take care of it all. We had to have those capabilities, because here we are, these men, going into Third World countries. There is no one there to tend to people's needs, so that is what I did," Hartnett said. "I got a number of accidental needle pricks when I was working on people. If you are in the field, and there is someone that has been injured because of a war situation, back then there just wasn't the protocol. I'm trying to save your life, so I'm not going to have the time to put on gloves and worry if I have cuts myself that the blood could get into." Hartnett didn't even realize that he had HCV until 2000, and only just got cured last year. Hartnett gave blood in 1985, and soon after he received a letter from the Red Cross saying that there was an abnormality in his blood. "But it never said specifically that I have HCV, so I blew it off," Hartnett said. In early 2000, Hartnett was going to have hand surgery, and he had a blood test done before the operation. His doctors then told him he had HCV. "It was the first time I heard about it for a fact. It was a real shock and it was depressing," Hartnett said. After having the diagnosis, Hartnett kept tabs into what drugs were being developed for HCV, because the treatments that were available at the time would not have worked for him. "I have PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) from my time in the military, and from losing my first wife, Rebecca, to ovarian cancer. There were two drugs out there at the time to treat HCV, but those drugs were not very effective, especially to someone with PTSD. The severity of the side effects, you could relate it to someone going through chemotherapy, and you had maybe a 20 percent chance of being successfully cured. I was not a good candidate," Hartnett said. HCV can be in the body for a long time and the person may not have any signs or symptoms. "Your urine may be darker, and some people may not pick up on that. There can also be liver distention or swelling, and fatigue. A lot of the initial signs are generally minimal. There is a chance for liver cirrhosis, or disease of the liver, which could lead to cancer," Hartnett said. "I was lucky because my viral load remained low. I was fortunate because I took care of myself. Having the medical background helped as well. I stayed on top of new developments." Once a new treatment had been developed, Hartnett was ready to be cured after having the virus for over 40 years. He started his eight-week treatment on April 8, 2015, and completed it on June 2, 2015. The treatment consisted of taking one pill once a day, and Hartnett did not experience any side effects. "Three months later, I went in for my final blood test, and I was cured. There was no virus detected in my bloodstream," Hartnett said. Hartnett was one of the fortunate ones that did not experience any long-term, lasting liver damage, but it was always in the back of his mind of what could have happened, and what has happened to others with the diagnosis, which is why he wants to spread the message. "We were hoping that we could put an end to this with my generation, but we can't. The door is still open, unfortunately, with younger people doing drugs and possibly sharing needles. So now we have to get this information out to people. It's not like it used to be. Your health insurance will cover the treatment. I recommend to go get checked out. I want people to be aware and to be cured," Hartnett said. "Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." President Franklin D. Roosevelt Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation delivered Dec. 8, 1941, Washington, D.C. President Roosevelt delivered those words as part of his address to the nation before asking Congress to declare war. In the attack on Pearl Harbor, 2,403 Americans were killed and another 1,178 were wounded. It plunged America into World War II. Texas has a deep history when it comes to World War II, including the attack on Pearl Harbor. Most Houston-area people are probably unaware of how close to home that attack was. Robert "Bobby" Shaw is not a man whose life was particularly notable. There are no Wikipedia pages dedicated to him. He didn't leave a remarkable legacy. He didn't have time. By all accounts the man who served Musician Second Class in the U.S. Navy was good man. He did not receive a Medal of Honor nor a Navy Cross. He was just a normal young man who joined the Navy in January 1941, just a few months after graduating high school. The Pasadena, Texas, native graduated from the U.S. Navy School of Music and was assigned with his bandmates to the USS Arizona. Yes, Shaw was aboard the USS Arizona when it sank in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. As we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor we should remember again those men and women who lost their lives that day. Shaw was one of at least 78 Texans among the 1,177 crewmen killed on the USS Arizona. All 21 members of the Arizona's band, known as U.S. Navy Band Unit (NBU) 22, were killed in the sneak attack. According to several accounts, most of the band members were up on deck preparing to play music for the daily flag-raising ceremony when the attack began. Naval men first and musicians second, the band members manned their battle positions beneath the ship's gun turret. Bombs rained down on the USS Arizona just before 8 a.m., causing explosions and sinking the ship in about 10 minutes. The USS Arizona still sits at the bottom of Pearl Harbor, a memorial to the men who died in defense of the United States. As years put distance between today and Dec. 7, 1941, the stories are dying. According to the Veteran's Administration, World War II veterans are dying at a rate of about 492 a day. The latest VA figures indicate there are only 855,070 veterans remaining of the 16 million who served our nation in World War II. Remembering these veterans is something we should all do this Wednesday. If you happen across one of these World War II veterans - perhaps at a VFW or American Legion Hall, or even a local coffee shop - pay your respects to these men and women. It seems that these veterans are not of the kind who seek out attention. It wasn't until 2004 that the U.S. dedicated a memorial to those who served in the armed forces during the war. At the time it was opened, veterans seemed appreciative for being remembered. They were not bitter that it had taken so very long. If you have a World War II veteran to speak with, ask him or her what they remember, assuming they are willing to speak about it. Be respectful of their wishes. It is important to hear the stories of those who were there. "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana in "The Life of Reason" Dear Toni: I have been reading your articles on Medicare since receiving the Sugar Land Sun. I have one question regarding if I need to keep my AARP Part D prescription plan since I am paying Medicare for the same part D? I am paying AARP $66 per month while paying Medicare $32.80 per month. Please let me know if I should cancel my AARP Part D plan because I don't need to pay two premiums. By the way, I also attended one of your Medicare and Social Security seminars this fall and it helped answer a lot of my questions. - Thanks, Steve Steve: Do not cancel your AARP Part D plan because you are NOT paying for two Part D plans. The $66 AARP premium is for your Part D plan, but the $32.80 is not for an extra premium, it is an extra Medicare Part D cost because your income is in a higher income range. When your income is over certain amounts and you have enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan from either a stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug plan (Part D) or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), you will pay the additional IRMAA (income related monthly adjusted amount) whether you are deducting your premium from your Social Security check or paying direct to Social Security because you have not started taking your Social Security check. The IRMAA Medicare rule went into effect on Jan. 1, 2011, regarding increases to Medicare Part D to those who had or will enroll into Part D. The increase depends on your annual income. Social Security bases your income on what the IRS reports to them on what you or you and your spouse's combined income (married, filing jointly) whether or not your spouse is of Medicare age. This is called MAGI (modified adjusted gross income) that is reported on your yearly income taxes; that's what triggers the increase. From what you said about your extra 2016 premium of $32.80, it tells me that you are in one of the higher income MAGI brackets for Medicare. Following are income brackets for 2017 Medicare Parts B and D monthly premiums: Individuals Earning 85,000 or below - Part B premium $134; Part D premium $0 You and your spouse filing jointly: Income $170,000 or below - Part B premium $134; Part D premium $0 Individual $85,001-$107,000 - Part B premium $187.50; Part D premium $13.30 You and your spouse filing jointly: Income $170,001-$214,000 - Part B premium $187.50; Part D premium $13.30 Individual $107,001-$160,000 - Part B premium $267.90; Part D premium $34.20 You and your spouse filing jointly: Income $214,001-$320,000 - Part B premium $267.90; Part D premium $34.20 Individual $160,001-$214,000 - Part B premium $348.30; Part D premium $55.20 You and your spouse filing jointly: Income $$320,001-$428,000 - Part B premium $348.30; Part D premium $55.20 Above $214,000 (individual) - Part B premium $428.60; Part D premium $76.20 Above $428,000 (joint) - Part B premium $428.60; Part D premium $76.20 As you can see, Steve, you have not enrolled in two different Medicare Part D plans and are being charged more because you must pay additional increases because you are blessed with a nice yearly income. If you don't enroll in a Part D plan to avoid the additional IRMAA premium, you will receive a Part D penalty when you do finally enroll in a Medicare Part D plan. Visit Tonisays.com to receive your copy of the 2017 Medicare costs and to sign up for the latest Toni Says newsletter. Toni King, author of the new Medicare Survival Guide offers a "Thank You, Houston" $5 discount available for Houston Chronicle/HCN readers at http://tonisays.com/reader-special. Medicare consultations are available at the Toni Says office or email questions to info@tonisays.com. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A pedestrian died early Wednesday morning when a vehicle hit the person along Highway 3 in southeast Houston. The incident happened about 4 a.m. on Old Galveston Road near El Dorado, according to the Houston Police Department. Police said the pedestrian, who has not been identified, died at the scene. No other information was available. More details will be reported when they are released. Since beginning to use body-worn cameras in June 2015, the Katy ISD Police Department believes the investment has improved its operations and public trust during a time when police officer accountability continues to be criticized nationwide. One of Katy's neighboring school districts, Fort Bend ISD, will begin to use body cameras this month, according to a recent email the department sent to parents. The move follows a national trend of police departments beginning to use body cameras, and KISD police were among the first departments locally to use the devices following national outcry by the public for officers to wear cameras. "We realized that the majority of our contact with patrons are on foot," said KISD Police Captain Kevin Tabor. "So body cameras are more feasible for us to provide an additional tool for providing document and video evidence of crimes as they occur and to assist any type of contact." All of KISD's roughly 50 police officers wear body cameras, as well as any new officer that joins the force, Tabor said. In 2015, Houston ISD purchased body cameras for its estimated 210 officers. This year, the city of Houston's police began arming officers with body cameras, and the city of Katy's police also approved funding for body cameras. Other local departments such as Manvel police and the Galveston County Sheriff's Office have also used the devices. Beginning in 2014, highly publicized killings of unarmed black individuals by officers in states such as Missouri fueled public support for body cameras. The support has continued throughout the years as relations between officers and minorities has remained rough and police units across the country have been questioned for racial profiling and unlawful killings. "When all the (public) outcry started and complaints of office brutality started, we felt that not only would this assure the public that our officers are handling situations properly, but also if you do have an officer that might think along the lines of a bad attitude the camera deters that (attitude)," said KISD Police Chief Robert Jinks. "More often than not, the camera is a tool and an asset to the officer. They have been a positive deal." Both Jinks and Tabor reported that complaints about KISD officers from people, as well as violent incidents with students or patrons, appeared to have decreased since the body cameras were implemented. They both said the cameras have made their investigations into incidents easier and have led to less legal issues. A Cambridge University study said that complaints against officers dropped 93 percent during the first year after law enforcement agencies began to use body cameras. Each KISD officer is mandated to pass through a two-hour course that teaches the use and laws surrounding body cameras, as well as other body camera information. Officers are required to turn on their body cameras if they are called to any incident, Jinks said. Each camera has cost about $300, which has been funded through the district's general fund. While body cameras have largely been seen as a positive device for police, they have by no means solved all problems. In fatal officer-involved shootings such as the recent one of Keith Scott in Charlotte, North Carolina, the officer did not turn on his body camera until after the shooting. Jinks said his department has been committed in using the cameras appropriately. He said officers regularly use the cameras and that his department will continue to invest in the system. "All of our officers have been very receptive of it," Jinks said. "The cameras validate what an officer is doing out there." The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is investigating a staff error that cut short the six-month jail sentence for a drunk driver involved in a deadly crash on Nichols Sawmill Road more than four years ago. Brian Goetz, 22, was released from the Montgomery County Jail Nov. 19, which was 10 days too early, the Sheriff's Office determined after The Courier questioned the math on documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. "We will work with the District Attorney's Office and the judge's office in making that part right in reference to the paperwork being messed up in the first place," MCSO Lt. Brady Fitzgerald said. "Our internal affairs department is investigating that right now." Goetz originally faced two charges of intoxication manslaughter and one charge of intoxication assault for the Oct. 26, 2012, wreck the resulted in the deaths of Tori Nichole Tabor, 19, and Kevin Wayne Hansen, 20, as well as injuries to Audrey Trent, who were passengers in the truck driven by Goetz. His blood-alcohol level at the time of the crash was 0.184, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08, according to court records. The jury ultimately convicted him Nov. 9 of three misdemeanor DWI charges, each carrying a six-month sentence. Those sentences must run concurrently, not consecutively, resulting in a 180-day sentence. Goetz physically served 57 days behind bars, the documents show. According to the handwritten response and calculation from the Sheriff's Office, Goetz earned extra days for time served and was credited with a total of 160 days in jail by the time he was released. The MCSO credited Goetz with three days for every one day in jail prior to his conviction. He originally was booked Nov. 7, 2012 -- 12 days after the crash -- and was released that same day, earning three days of credit. Goetz was rearrested Aug. 3, 2014, for violating the terms of his bond after a mandated breathalyzer test before driving indicated he had a blood-alochol level of 0.199, just one of multiple times the breathalyzer picked up traces of alcohol in his system. Goetz remained in jail until Sept. 16, 2014, serving 45 days and being credited with 135 days (three-for-one). Then after his conviction last month, Goetz was jailed for 11 days from Nov. 9-19, and received two days for every one served for a total of 22 days. The credited time served (3 days, 135 days and 22 days) for his three stints totaled 160 days by the time he was released, which was short of the 180-day sentence. Goetz would have had to serve 10 more days at the two-for-one rate to reach the 180-day mark. District Attorney Brett Ligon was disappointed with the error. However, he said case law indicates that because the error was not the fault of the defendant, Goetz continued to earn time served after being released and has satisfied his sentence. "My heart continually goes out to the families," Ligon said. "The thing I am more upset about is we failed to secure a felony conviction and a long prison term. We believed then and we believe now that was the appropriate punishment. I respect the jury's verdict." Ligon added that he is looking forward to policy changes at the Sheriff's Office that may reduce similar errors in the future. "I am positive that Sheriff-elect (Rand) Henderson is going to review all policies and procedures from top down to try and eliminate as much human error as possible," Ligon said. Sam Cammack, who represented Goetz, said he appreciated Ligon's response. "It gives me confidence in their office that they are out to do the right thing," Cammack said. "For them to make a comment that it was the Sheriff's Office mistake, he got his credit for time served while he was out and end of story. "It gives me confidence that the District Attorney's Office isn't out there trying to rip everybody's heads off; they are just trying to let the process do what it is supposed to do." Goetz originally faced the three second-degree felonies. But the 12-person jury in Judge Patty Maginnis' 435th state District Court could not unanimously agree that Goetz's intoxication caused the crash, which is the legal definition of the charge. However, the jury did agree Goetz was driving while intoxicated at the time of the crash. If Goetz had been convicted of the original charges, he could have been sentenced to probation since he had no prior record, or sentenced to up to 50 years in prison. Penalty for intoxication manslaughter is two to 20 years and two to 10 years for intoxication assault. Cammack argued that his client's intoxication had nothing to do with the crash. The wreck happened around 10:30 p.m. on Nichols-Sawmill Road under pitch-black conditions, Cammack told jurors. Cammack claims the drop-off at the curve of Nichols-Sawmill Road caused Goetz to lose control. The front wheels of the 2008 Dodge Ram, driven by Goetz, went over the steep drop-off on the side of the road. When it ran back onto the road at a nearby intersection, the steering coupling broke causing Goetz to lose control. Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley, who worked in Precinct 2 at the time, testified as a witness during the trial in regard to the safety of the road. Goetz is the son of Melissa Goetz, a former office supervisor for the Precinct 2 Commissioner's Office when County Judge Craig Doyal was the commissioner and Riley worked for him as well. She was terminated from her position seven months before the deadly crash. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The man accused of setting fire to Gallery Furniture in 2009 may ring in the New Year in a nursing home instead of jail. Robert Gillham, 74, has been declared incompetent to stand trial and is unlikely to gain competency, but state District Judge Marylou Keel said Wednesday she would be willing to let the man out of jail. Keel said the option is contigent on whether Gillham's lawyers can find a secure nursing home to take him, according to court records. Gillham has been behind bars, either in the Harris County Jail or at Rusk State Hospital, since he was arrested just days after the four-alarm fire that destroyed the warehouse at the flagship store owned by Houston furniture icon, Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale. EXPERTS SAY SUSPECT IS FRAIL: Judge sends accused arsonist to mental hospital McIngvale said Wednesday he would not oppose the move. "I'm sure he's suffered a lot in there," McIngvale said. Wednesday. "That Catholic Church I go to teaches forgiveness, so whatever happens, happens. I'm good with it." At a court hearing Wednesday, the accused arsonist was the picture of impulse, interrupting cross-examinations of his doctors to interject his opinion and finally appealing directly to the judge. "All I want is a trial," Gillham said during a lull in the proceedings. "I have not harmed anyone." The break in courtroom decorum seemed to bolster his case that he was incompetent to stand trial, despite his protests that he get his day in court. He has been declared incompetent at least three times while awaiting trial. Keel scheduled another hearing Dec. 27 to hear options about where Gillham could live. A HOUSTON LEGEND: 10 things you may not know about Jim McIngvale "We just want him in a nursing home," said attorney Brett Podolsky. "Somewhere they can address his geriatric issues." Podolsky said secure nursing homes keep residents inside using ankle monitors or electric bracelets that control access to doors. In testimony Wednesday, doctors said Gillham is mentally ill and suffers from a host of ailments connected to old age. He is also blind in his left eye after a brain tumor was removed while he was in custody. brian.rogers@chron.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Mumps, the disease best known for causing puffy cheeks, is hardly on anyone's radar these days, thanks to vaccines. But an unusual spike in reports of possible cases in the suburban Fort Worth area has health officials and schools scrambling to respond. Two Fort Worth-area school districts are hosting vaccination clinics this week. Since the U.S. mumps vaccination program started in 1967, the number of mumps cases has decreased by more than 99 percent, the CDC states on its website. Although outbreaks can still occur, the prevalence of vaccination helps to limit the impact, the CDC said. KID SNIFFLING? Don't count on getting an antibiotic Last year, in all of Texas, there were 20 confirmed mumps cases. By comparison, there were 28 possible mumps cases on Monday in Johnson County, according to information posted on Facebook by Johnson County Emergency Management. The 28 cases included 23 among children ages 5 to 18. Some people who get mumps have no symptoms or very mild ones, including fever and headache, but it can also lead to complications such as inflammation of the brain or deafness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Not all of the cases reported in Johnson County, however, have been confirmed as incidents of mumps, Chris Van Deusen, a spokesman for state health services in Austin, said Tuesday. "I would caution against saying those are sure cases," he said. The health department is also investigating how the apparent Johnson County outbreak began, he said. ZIKA VIRUS: Texas' first transmitted case reported in Rio Grande valley Typically, he said, cases of vaccine-preventable diseases are connected with travel, and a mumps outbreak has recently occurred in Arkansas. It's unknown at this point, however, if the Johnson County patients had exposure to the Arkansas cases, he said. "I don't know that we are at a point in the investigation that we can make a definitive link, but contact tracing is certainly part of what we do as we look at where this came from," he said. A vaccination clinic, conducted on behalf of the Texas Department of State Health Services, is scheduled for place 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at Keene Elementary School, in the Keene Independent School District. The clinic is free and open to adults and children of all ages. A second vaccine clinic is planned for 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Cleburne High School in the Cleburne school district. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Brazilian artist who has made her name by colorizing poignant, well-known photographs is back with a new batch of colorized photos of some of the most famous people in history. Marina Amaral, 21, is self-taught and has managed to make photo colorization a full-time job. Since this past summer her photos have made the rounds across the internet, with fans praising her for bringing history to life all over again. A love of history is what drew Amaral in. She chooses photos based on the power of the image and the significance of the event. You can see her continuing work on her website. BORN AGAIN: Colorized historical photos bring black and white history to life for modern eyes Now Playing: Trending News Around The Nation Video: Houston Chronicle "I try to choose only pictures that represent an important historical moment, or that are able to spread a significant message for the viewers," she said. "When I colorize a picture, I feel like I'm recreating an event that could have happened yesterday. Black and white photos are wonderful and powerful, but in colors it's easier to create this connection on a more intimate and deep level." This latest batch features a baby-faced Winston Churchill, the aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing and influential writer Virginia Woolf. DAYS PAST: See the last remaining international boundary marker for the Republic of Texas She sometimes has to ask historians about the color of a specific item of clothing in order to do her work, especially those seen in military photos. Amaral told Chron.com that she is currently working on a book for release in 2017 but cant offer any further details. Shannon Heath Bell of Flomaton, Ala. is facing charges for illegal deer hunting that led to the death of Donna Loraine Martin, 35. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources reports that at roughly 6 p.m. Friday, the pair were hunting from a pickup truck in Escambia County. When Bell pulled a rifle out of the vehicle, it discharged, shooting Bell in the stomach. She was taken to a nearby hospital where she died in surgery. Nov. 21 At 12:58 a.m., Sg. D. Hollie was patrolling the 6300 South Rice Avenue (N/B), when he observed a black Chevrolet Cruz traveling northbound. Sgt. Hollie ran a computer query on this Texas license plate and the vehicle showed to have expired motor vehicle registration (8/15). Sgt. Hollie made a traffic stop on this vehicle for this reason. After further investigation, the driver was arrested for driving while license invalid (DWLI) and the driver could not provide proof of financial responsibility at the time of the offense. Nov. 22 At 12:50 p.m., Officer Andrade was dispatched to the Bellaire Police Department Lobby in reference to an identity theft. Officer Andrade met with the victim who stated unknown suspect(s) opened multiple credit card accounts using his identifying information. About 1 p.m., a suspect exited the store with several grocery items in her purse, passing the point of sales at the Randall's at 5130 Bellaire Blvd. Randall's loss prevention team approached the suspect asked the suspect to return to the store without incident and called the Bellaire Police. The suspect was arrested for class C theft. Nov. 23 At 1:05 a.m., Officer Clisham was dispatched to a suspicious person call regarding two black males in dark clothing walking in the area of Pin Oak Lane and Avenue B in the City of Bellaire. Officer Clisham, Officer Barrientos, and Sergeant Hollie made contact with two black males matching the given description along with 1 Hispanic male subject. The two subjects were traveling eastbound in the 4600 block of Oakdale St. after further investigation both subjects were found to be in possession of burglary tools and standing next to a backpack that had been stolen from a vehicle on Mayfair Street. Both subjects were charged with burglary of a motor vehicle. One of the subjects was also charged with fail to id after he gave Officers a false name and date of birth when asked to identify himself. The stolen backpack was returned to the owner. At 5:32 p.m., Officer Younger initiated a traffic stop on the suspect's vehicle for improper display of the license plate in the 4700 block of Bellaire Boulevard. Officer Younger's traffic stop investigation resulted in the suspect being charged with driving while license suspended enhanced and failure to identify fugitive from justice due to a confirmed Austin blue warrant. Officer Younger transported the suspect to the Bellaire Jail to be processed. At 1:46 p.m., Bellaire dispatchers received a call in reference to a burglary of a motor vehicle in the 5300 block of Bellaire Boulevard. Officer Ortega was nearby and responded to this location. Prior to this incident on 11-23-2016 at 1:38 p.m., Bellaire Ofc Rocha observed a suspicious vehicle which had been described in a previous burglary of motor vehicle incident. This vehicle was at the fuel pumps at Chevron station (5020 Bellaire Blvd). It was determined the suspect in the suspicious vehicle was the same from the burglary. Nov. 24 At 12:05 a.m., Officers O. Barrientos and R. Guerra conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a defective headlamp in the 4900 block of Bellaire Boulevard. The driver identified herself by name and date of birth. Officer Guerra conducted a computer query and found the suspect driver's license to be currently under suspension. The suspect was unable to provide any type of proof of financial responsibility for her vehicle. The driver was subsequently arrested for driving while license suspended class B. Nov. 26 At 4:37 p.m., Officer Manriquez was dispatched to the lobby of the City of Bellaire police station in regards to a missing juvenile. Officer Manriquez arrived at approximately at 4:40 p.m. and made contact with missing juvenile's father. An investigation was conducted and it was found the last time the juvenile was observed was at approximately 2:45 p.m. The juvenile was later located. At 1:15 p.m., Officer Andrade observed a tan Chevrolet Tahoe travelling west bound on the 5300 block of Bissonnet Street. Officer Andrade ran a computer query on the license plate of the vehicle and was found to have unconfirmed and expired insurance. About 1:18 p.m., Officer Andrade initiated a traffic stop on the 5500 block of Bissonnet Street and made contact with the driver who identified herself by a Texas Identification Card. After further investigation, the driver was found to be driving while license invalid. The driver was taken into custody and transported to the City of Bellaire Jail for booking and processing. At 8:17 p.m., Officer Liccketto conducted a traffic stop at 4700 Bellaire Blvd for expired motor vehicle registration. Officer Liccketto made contact with the driver who stated the vehicle was his and could not produce current financial responsibility. Through computer query, the Texas Temporary Tag was found to be fictitious. The driver was placed in custody for displaying fictitious plates and taken to the Bellaire Police Department without incident. Nov. 27 At 2:03 p.m., Officers Trujillo and D.Guerra were dispatched to the 4500 block of Elm Street in reference to a suspicious person. Officers Trujillo and D. Guerra arrived on the scene at 2:06 p.m. The witness advised officers a black male riding a pink bike had entered the attached garage located on the west side of the house. The garage door was unsecured. The suspect was observed by the witness, carrying a bike out of the garage. After further investigation, suspect was arrested for burglary of habitation and transported to the City of Bellaire Police Department for booking and processing. At 4:13 p.m., Officer Delgado conducted a traffic stop at 5000 Mayfair for failure to maintain financial responsibility after conducting a computer inquiry on a silver, 2013 Dodge Charger. Officer Delgado made contact with the driver who provided her Texas Identification Card but was unable to provide any proof of financial responsibility. Through computer inquiry, the driver was found to have a suspended driver's license and warrants. The driver was placed in custody for driving while license invalid enhanced. At 6:06 p.m., Officer O'Sullivan was dispatched to the 5000 block of Bellaire Boulevard in reference to a shoplifting in progress. Officer O'Sullivan was assisted by Officer Carson and Officer Liccketto. The investigation concluded with the suspect being arrested for Shoplifting. The final defendant in a brazen University of Houston armored car robbery case was sentenced Tuesday to nine years in federal prison. Allen Bernard Roundtree, 31, was the fourth man sent to prison in the $4 million early-morning heist exactly three years ago. During finals week in 2013, Roundtree dropped off James Van-Gerald Johnson on UH campus to hit up the armored car, prosecutors said. Johnson waited until the car's courier was servicing an ATM machine, then shoved a pistol in the driver's side and ordered her out of the vehicle before hopping in and speeding away. The driver yelled for help and the courier chased the car on foot, trying to shoot out the tires. But the speeding vehicle didn't slow down until Johnson pulled into a UH parking garage and met up with Ronald Dean Richards, 26. They threw the stolen loot into a getaway car. A fourth person - Dezmond Lacraig Edwards - was the crew's "inside man," according to prosecutors. As a former Loomis guard, he was able to feed the thieves information about the route - and the fact that the car's driver was pregnant and would be unarmed. Edwards joined in for a dry run two weeks before the crime, but wasn't involved in the actual robbery. The FBI, UH police, Texas Rangers and Houston police all joined in the hunt for the men. Johnson netted more than 10 years behind bars, while Richards was sentenced to five years and Edwards to just under 11. While Roundtree pleaded guilty in 2014, Edwards took his case to trial in 2015 and lost. HPD Houston police are searching for a teenager who has been missing since last week. Starbriell Childress, 16, was last seen Dec. 2 in the 600 block of Rushcreek near Northborough in north Houston, police said on Tuesday. A problem onboard forced a flight to Houston to make an emergency landing in Jackson, Mississippi, on Tuesday evening, according to reports. KHOU says the problem was a "potential pressurization issue" on the Atlanta-to-Houston flight. KTRK reports oxygen masks for passengers dropped before the jet landed safely. A gang of gun-toting robbers thought they had an armored truck filled with cash in their sights at a far north Houston bank Wednesday, but discovered too late it was full of Houston police officers, who arrested four of them and killed a fifth in a brief shootout. The carefully planned operation - which involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI - was part of a broader effort to combat a rash of armored car heists plaguing the Bayou City area in recent months. "Houston's known to be ... the armored car [robbery] capital of the world," newly minted Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo told reporters at the scene. Eight armored cars have been robbed this year in the Houston area, according to FBI spokeswoman Shauna Dunlap, and three guards have been fatally wounded in robberies in the past two years. Acevedo said there's a "high probability" the crew involved in the latest heist is connected to those deaths. The drama unfolded a little before 11 a.m. at an Amegy Bank on North Sam Houston Parkway, when one of the suspects approached the armored vehicle. "Unfortunately for that suspect that armored car was being driven by members of the Houston Police Department who were hopeful that today we'd be able to take these violent criminals into custody and make Houston safer," Acevedo said. Three suspects were arrested at the scene, and a fourth fled but was later arrested. Another suspect was stationed at an apartment complex with an assault rifle, ready to shoot at armored car personnel. Instead, he opened fire when the SWAT team drew near, the chief said. Police returned fire, hitting the suspect multiple times in the brief shoot-out. He was rushed to Ben Taub Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No officers were wounded. "It is important for our community to know that our officers tried to save the life of the suspect who just tried to kill members of the Houston Police Department," Acevedo said. Arrested at the scene were Marc Anthony Hill, 46; Trayvees Duncan-Bush, 29; and Nelson Alexander Polk, 37. John Edward Scott, 40, fled and was taken into custody later. The man who died was not immediately identified. If convicted, the men could face up to 20 years in federal prison on the robbery charges and at least five years on the firearms charge. The robbery ring had "conspired for weeks' to rob the armored car when it made the scheduled stop, and planned to kill the courier, federal officials said in a statement. Armored car robberies in the Houston area have more than doubled over last year, but have not yet reached the 11 heists that drew national attention in 2013. There were eight in 2014 and four in 2015. "Typically we respond to three to four per year," Dunlap said. "However, in recent years we have responded to armored car robberies in the double digits." In the first heist of the year, attackers made off with an undisclosed amount of money from a Brink's truck just north of Denver Harbor. Then in March, a Loomis guard was murdered while servicing a drive-through ATM on Airline. The shooter sped away in a four-door sedan - but didn't make off with any loot. In May, a Brink's guard was robbed - but not hurt - in southeast Houston. In July, the same thing happened to a Dunbar guard in Gulfton. Just over a month later, a money-truck guard was killed in a brazen early evening ambush at a Wells Fargo drive-through ATM on Northwest Freeway, west of Hollister. Then in October, a guard was shot during one of two armored truck robberies on the same day. Dunlap said that the string of crimes is well above the city average. "Now this is creeping up to above that average and that's why we're aggressively pursuing these cases," she said. "One of these types of robberies is too many." Anyone with information about any of the unsolved cases is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477). Staff writers Dale Lezon and Dane Schiller contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A 20-year-old Texas A&M student was found dead Tuesday evening at a fraternity house in College Station. Matthew Hayes was discovered lying on his bed unresponsive about 5:45 p.m. at the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house at 3989 North Graham Road, according to the Brazos County Sheriff's Office. Brazos County sheriff's deputies said Hayes was attending some kind of formal event Monday night in downtown Bryan before his death. After he returned to the fraternity house, his friends thought he had fallen asleep. They went to check on him after he missed an activity at the fraternity that afternoon. They found Hayes lying in his bed. Brazos County Justice of the Peace Mike McCleary went to the Sigma Phi Epsilon house and formally pronounced him dead. The Travis County Medical Examiner's Office is expected to perform an autopsy to determine how Hayes died. The death comes months after a death at another frat house in College Station. Anton Gridnev was found unconscious and not breathing about 4:40 a.m. Aug. 20 at the Sigma Nu fraternity house at 550 Fraternity Row. Gridnev, of Frisco, was rushed to College Station Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy reported Gridnev died of an accidental overdose of several different types of opiates. After finding illegal substances in the Sigma Nu frat house, police arrested several people. Anyone with information about Hayes' death is asked to contact the Brazos County Sheriff's Office at 979-361-4900, or Crime Stoppers at 979-775-TIPS (8477). This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate In a city known for tiny houses, a giant cross as become both an attraction and a source of potential legal wrangling. The large cross is in Swenson Park, a public space in Spur, Texas, a town of about 1,100 people in the state's panhandle. The Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation has taken issue with the display, which is surrounded by cacti and other vegetation, giving it more of an abandoned feel than that of a tourist attraction. RELIGION CONCERNS: 'Fixer Upper' star takes family to church after criticism of pastor But, to some, religious displays on public property are a problem, regardless of how well they are kept. Thus, the foundation sent a letter to the city known for it's tiny houses seeking to have the cross taken down. Freedom From Religion Foundation "The religious significance of this Latin cross is unambiguous and indisputable," foundation attorney Rebecca Markert wrote in a letter to Spur Mayor Stephen L. Bland. While city officials declined to respond to the letter when asked by NewsWest9, local residents appeared to be less than thrilled with the idea of moving the cross. Spur resident Frances Blackburn told the station that she and others go to the cross for peace, serenity and prayer. HATE CRIME PROBE: Group calls for investigation after bacon smeared on restaurant Blackburn's granddaughter, Polly Daza, told the station the cross gives her comfort. "I can look right up and see the cross and I know, God's watching me. So I know I'm OK," Daza said. How long she'll be able to look at the cross and feel OK is another matter. The foundation is promising more letters and possible action if the display stays up. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Busted or not, there's one thing that can be agreed upon when it comes to drug dealers crossing the Texas-Mexico border: There's no shortage of creative ways to hide drugs from border agents and police. Smugglers this year were particularly creative, hiding narcotics in bottles of horse shampoo and baby clothes. UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCE: Marijuana legalization may be leading to drug smuggling into Mexico The popular smuggling item of choice was food. Everything from carrots to broccoli was used to try to fool U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. The most ridiculous may have been when smugglers used paper that looked like limes to hide narcotics. Officers, unsurprisingly, were able to detect the drugs. In June, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime released its 2016 world drug report, revealing some interesting facts about drug use. According to the report, 250 million people between the ages of 15 and 64 (around 5 percent of the adult population) used at least one drug in 2014, the year for the most recent data available. DRUG LORD VS DRUG LORD: How two of the world's most dangerous criminals compare Marijuana is the most popular drug used globally, used by an estimated 183 million people in 2014. That same year, drugs killed about 207,000 people, according to the report. Men are more likely to use drugs; however, the impact of drug use is greater on women. Click through the gallery above to see some of the wildest drug smuggling stories on the Texas-Mexico border in 2016. AUSTIN -- Texas' most emotionally troubled foster-care children will be moved from treatment centers and hospitals and placed in less-restrictive specialty housing designed to improve their chances of succeeding in life, officials announced Wednesday. Gov. Greg Abbott has approved $8 million in initial funding for the initiative in partnership with the state Department of Family and Protective Services that operates the state's troubled foster-care system. Four areas of Texas will be chosen for the new initiative, and officials said they will likely include major urban centers such as Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. An earlier report showed large numbers of highest-needs children from the Houston and Dallas areas. The state's foster-care system faces federal court supervision after a judge a year ago determined that many foster-care children were being subjected to continuing abuse and neglect because of chronic staffing shortages and operational issues. The state's Child Protective Services program is also also facing criticism for similar issues. Facing an upcoming court hearing that could bring parts of the state's foster-care system under a judge's control, state officials have been scrambling to implement new programs to address the myriad problems facing the system. One goal of the new program is to find permanent foster-care homes for the highest-needs children, rather than having them move from one placement to another and then to another over just a few months. Other states have implemented similar programs through specialized group homes where children live individually with house parents or in individual foster homes where treatment services are close by. "It is crucial that the most vulnerable Texans under the state's care receive the highest quality treatment so that they may be freed from an unacceptable cycle of crisis," Abbott said in a statement. "By better coordinating the care of our highest needs children in the foster care system, we will begin to unwind the abuse and trauma they have endured. I am confident that this new partnership will help advance meaningful and stable reforms to Texas' current foster care system and help provide these children the future that they deserve." Officials said up to 500 of the state's 1,000 foster-care children who have the highest needs for mental and emotional treatment have been determined to be at the highest-risk. Most of those children have been hospitalized several times in the past year, they said. The pilot program will develop new placement options for the children with the highest needs, many of whom are now housed with other foster-care youth in residential treatment that are unable to provide therapy or in mental hospitals. Officials say the goal of the new initiative is to "serve the children in the least restrictive and most appropriate setting to facilitate increased placement stability and ability of the child to thrive." If the pilot program is successful in coming months, officials said it will be expanded to include additional foster-care children. "The model will also ensure coordination among all services, providers, foster care parents, involved kinship and any other significant individual in the child's life in order to reduce fragmentation of services and increase placement stability," said a statement from Abbott's office. Initial funding will come from a federal Victims of Crime Act grant, they said. 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. Trespassing case might test states pipeline survey law A land surveyor for Summit Carbon Solutions faces a criminal trial in December for allegedly trespassing on land in northwest... Cherokee Skate Park awaits FEMA okay As opposed to speedy skate board wheels, the wheels of progress grind slowly regarding the citys proposed new skate park... President-elect Donald Trump garnered both acclamation and censure for his effort last week to stop Carrier Corporation from moving 1,000 manufacturing jobs to Mexico. Trump succeeded in part because the state of Indiana provided expensive tax incentives to the company and the president-elect himself threatened to impose a tariff on Carrier products produced outside the U.S. Thats a strategy which, if repeated every time a business threatened to take jobs overseas, would hardly amount to a win for American taxpayers and consumers. If Trump is really going to deliver on his pledge to preserve a significant number of American industrial jobs, hes going to need more than intimidation and a lets make a deal philosophy. Fortunately, better alternatives exist, including bolstering a trend thats already underway: reshoring, or the bringing home of manufacturing jobs by American firms. Hundreds of businesses have already found compelling reasons to begin producing goods here in the United States again, and the Trump administration can help clear some of the obstacles to reshoring to ignite even more gains. American companies are eyeing our own shores for various reasons, including rising labor costs in places like China, where firms are now producing goods, and declining energy prices due to the domestic fracking boom. Companies are also investing again in production at home because theyre better able to protect trade secrets here than in places with widespread intellectual property theft, and because higher wages in America are at least somewhat offset by the extraordinary productivity of U.S. workers. A recent study by Deloitte on manufacturing competitiveness, for instance, estimates that American workers produce on average about $111,000 per year in Gross Domestic Product, compared with about $20,000 per worker in China. Reshoring involves bringing jobs back to the U.S., but it also includes new investments in manufacturing facilities by companies previously sending jobs overseas. Between 2010 and 2015, the reshoring trend has produced nearly 240,000 jobs. The Reshoring Institute estimates that more than a quarter of industrial jobs that American companies have located overseas could be brought home. A 2013 study by the Boston Consulting Group estimated that reshoringas well as new foreign investments in American industrial facilitiescould generate 2.5 million to 5 million manufacturing jobs by 2020. But government could do more to enable the trend, especially in areas that Trump has already targeted for reform. Following through on some of his campaign promises will be as important for industrial employment as the president-elects particular efforts to save Carrier jobs. The Deloitte study, for instance, included a survey of business executives that found that, though the United States competitiveness in manufacturing jobs has been rising sharply thanks to technological advancements and the strength of our workforce, America ranks low on issues like taxes and regulations. Trump preached tax reform, and cutting corporate taxes in particular could give manufacturing a big boost. Half of all executives surveyed by Deloitte said Americas corporate-tax rate is its biggest competitive disadvantage in generating industrial employment. The Milken Institute has estimated that cutting that tax by one-third, and increasing the tax credit for research and development, could add some 300,000 manufacturing jobs alone. The second-biggest competitive disadvantage, according to executives surveyed, is the cost of health care, which makes Trumps pledge to reform Obamacare crucial to bringing industrial jobs back to the country. In the last 35 years, health-care costs in the U.S. have risen from an average of 4.5 percent of worker compensation to about 10 percent of total pay for those with coverage provided on the job. Today, the United States spends a greater percentage of its GDP on health care than any of the nations challenging it for manufacturing dominance. The burden has gotten so heavy that many businesses have increased the use of part-time workers in order to avoid the enormous cost of paying for health care. But industrial firms prize highly trained, full-time workers, and must pay a steep price for U.S. jobs. The alternative is to leave jobs overseas, where costs are lower. Thats why stemming the sharp rise in health-care costs, and lifting some of the severe restrictions that Obamacare places on how companies can design their health coverage, could be a boon to blue-collar America. Finally, executives considering relocating jobs back to the United States say that excessive regulation, in particular of our labor markets, represents another big disadvantage. In a recent study on American competitiveness, Gallup found that federal regulations, including workplace mandates, have added $250 billion to the cost of doing business in the United States since 1980. On top of that, states have piled local regulations onto businesses. Indeed, while local officials often preach the virtues of creating manufacturing jobs, municipal governments place a number of burdens on industrial firms, including long wait times for permits to build and expand, mandates requiring family leave for workers, high taxes and fees, and restrictive zoning. The Tax Foundation, for instance, estimates that businesses are taxed on their properties at nearly twice the rate as residences. State court decisions have also played a role in keeping some industrial jobs in America uncompetitive, particularly in cases where courts made it difficult for firms to discharge workers even when they dont have an employment contract. These rulings reduce the willingness of firms to expand their labor forces during good times because they increase the risk that when business slumps, firms wont be able to adjust their workforces accordingly. Trump has promised a thoroughgoing review of federal regulations. He should place particular emphasis on examining workplace rules. And while the federal government doesnt have purview over state lawsunless they violate the ConstitutionTrump has already successfully used the bully pulpit to preach reform. He should use it to draw attention to state laws and practices that are keeping jobs overseas and depriving workers of good industrial jobs. During his campaign, Trump pitched tariffs and incentives as ways to pressure firms to keep jobs in America. Rather than trying to intimidate American corporations, however, Trump should emphasize the opportunity presented by reshoring. Despite the obstacles government has placed on manufacturing in the U.S., industrial firms have already brought back hundreds of thousands of jobs. Theres more to gain. Spencer Platt/Getty Images Fundatia de Binefacere Caritas Moldova solicita oferte de pret de la companii /furnizori de cozonaci de Craciun A few days after Donald Trump was elected president, a respected documentary film director met with a roomful of potential backers and distributors in New York City. The director was making a film about questionable contributions to Republican political campaigns, a hot topic given the election. The men and women in the room were riveted by the stirring trailer that captured the drama and enthused over the unusually close access to the subjects. The cinematography was terrific. One-by-one, they pledged money for production and to get word out to festivals. The filmmaker was thrilled, but also was looking for a bigger commitment. Were seeking lawyers, the filmmaker said. Pro bono legal resources. We think we might encounter opposition. Those present asked that specifics about the meeting, and the film, be withheld to keep potential litigants from catching wind of the project. These concerns are not paranoia. Just the threat of a lawsuit, no matter how baseless, can tie a film up in court and deplete its makers savings. And its a silencing tactic that deep-pocketed political and corporate interests are wielding with greater frequency. Some of the hardest-hitting documentaries in recent years have been forced to delay release or cough up hefty fees for attorneys, among them Bananas!, a 2009 documentary about Nicaraguan plantation workers for Dole Food Co. who were sickened by a pesticide banned in the US; Citizenfour, which followed Edward Snowden as he began to leak documents about US surveillance programs; and Crude, which dealt with a multi-billion-dollar lawsuit against Chevron Corp. that claimed the oil giant despoiled the Amazonian jungle in Ecuador. Many in the documentary film world expect further assaults on free speech in the current divisive political climate. With a president-elect who has threatened to loosen libel laws and sue over reporting he doesnt like, indie filmmakers are steeling themselves for open season. We have a deep concern that documentary filmmakers will face increasing legal challenges, says Joaquin Alvarado, the chief strategy officer of the Center for Investigative Journalism If any one of us wanted to flip to the dark side, we could shut down documentary projects. I think that powerful forces will increasingly turn their attention to that. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Chi-Hui Yang of the Ford Foundation worries the Trump Administration might pull funding from public broadcasting, the main benefactor of documentaries. What are the protections that we will have for our films and our subjects? asks Yang, program officer of the foundations Justfilms, which supports social justice storytelling. Then theres the future of public media. What will the new administration do? We dont know. Documentary filmmakers tend gravitate towards topics like whistleblowers and corruption, which make them vulnerable to legal action. They are more exposed than reporters, because they typically lack affiliation with large media organizations and their legal teams. They dont have unions, and they generally work alone, relying on savings and small grants until a film is finished. In the past, filmmakers entered into a partnership with broadcasters at the start of production, but now they are generally out on a financial limb until the film is done, a model that affords no protection. Pro bono counsel is rare, and only a few documentarians, such as Academy Award winners Laura Poitras, Alex Gibney, and Davis Guggenheim, can afford to have attorneys standing by from the start. Even when filmmakers slide through production without litigation, distributors might still demand cuts or even drop the project if they feel the topic is too risky, or they come under pressure. Such was the case for Tia Lessin, a long-time producer for Michael Moore and an Academy Award-nominated director. Her first film, Behind the Labels, exposed the trafficking of garment workers to the Pacific island of Saipan, the only US territory that is exempt from labor and immigration laws. She included a sequence from a commercial by Gap, one of the companies whose clothing was made by those workers and shipped duty free to the US. The legal counsel for Oxygen, the broadcaster, told her to cut it. She couldnt afford not to. I didnt have the resources. It could have been the poster child for fair use. But they were afraid of being sued. Then there was Citizen Koch, about the billionaire Koch brothers and the influence of money in politics in Wisconsin. Lessin and her partner, Carl Deal, were commissioned to make the film by the Independent Television Service, which funds and presents documentaries on public television. But the Public Broadcasting Service pulled the film before it aired and withheld $150,000 in promised funding. According to an investigative story in the The New Yorker, David Koch, a board member of the public television stations WNET and WGBH, had previously pledged a multi-million dollar donation to WNET. The group that commissioned the documentary didnt want to jeopardize its relationship with the PBS flagship station. Six months after the article ran, Lessin and Deal raised $175,000 on Kickstarter. They got the film on Netflix. But they burned a year self-distributing the film. Its pretty taxing on a filmmaker, Lessin concludes. A PBS executive told us in no uncertain terms why they were dropping their support: We live in a world where we have to be aware that people with power have power. Attempts by subjects of tough filmmakingwhether theyre shown on camera or merely named in the filmsto stall projects in court has driven up premiums for liability insurance, says Brenda Coughlin. (She was an independent producer of Citizenfour, the Edward Snowden documentary, which was threatened with a civil lawsuit by a Kansas man who alleged that those making the movie violated federal law by profiting off the disclosure of state secrets. The court dismissed the case.) Errors and Omissions insurance policies can protect an individual from bearing the full cost of defending a legal claim. Usually one makes a film and sends it to an insurer, who will charge more if its seen as risky. The premium can range from $3,000 at the low end to $50,000 for something more problematic. Documentaries can take years to make, during which time they can change conceptually. Insurers want to know just what they are insuring, which is often hard to determine until a film is in editing or close to completion. And yet, some filmmakers are still editing right up to their premieres at festivals. At that point, an insurer might balk against paying up in case of a lawsuit. Documentarians should contact a lawyer from the beginningespecially now, says Thomas Burke, who specializes in media law as a partner with David Wright Tremaine in San Francisco. Post-election, the countrys more and more polarized, and Im expecting that there are likely to be more threats to speech, he says. People are intimidated when they receive a demand letter. Filmmakers need to understand and be ready to assert their legal protections if they face legal threats. The good news is the First Amendment protects advocacy, he says. While there may be more libel threats, protections for speech based on Supreme Court precedent will remain strong. However, the mere threat of legal action can be a powerful deterrent. Lawsuits that seek to punish people for speaking out can often be defended with the help of anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) statutes. Twenty-nine states have such legislation on the books, although they vary greatly in scope and specifics. California has among the strongest protections that can see the quick dismissal of a meritless lawsuit and the recovery of attorneys fees. It has the most appellate court opinions (several hundred) interpreting its provisions. Guam, the District of Columbia, and 11 states have strong statutes modeled on features or interpretations of Californias: Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Vermont. Other states shield statutes are weak, including New York, home to many filmmakers. Anti-SLAPP legislation in California helped the producers and filmmaker of Bananas! beat back a challenge from Dole, which claimed pesticides it used on Nicaraguan banana fields did not cause sterility in its workers. Dole sued, claiming that the film was defamatory and false. In November 2010, a Los Angeles Superior Court granted an anti-SLAPP motion, dismissed Doles lawsuit with prejudice (meaning it could not refile it) and ordered the firm to pay attorneys fees and costs in the amount of $200,000. Despite shield laws in New York, filmmakers still have to prove they are independent or their footage should remain privileged. In 2010 a federal judge in New York ordered Joe Berlinger to turn over all 600 hours of footage he shot for Crude, the documentary that followed a multibillion-dollar class-action lawsuit filed in Ecuador against Chevron. The amount of footage demanded was later reduced, but the move was akin to ordering a reporter to hand over a notebook. Benefiting from this knowledge, Florentine Films, maker of the Ken Burns film Central Park Five, about teenagers who were wrongfully convicted of raping a woman and went to prison, in 2013 fended off a subpoena by New York City for raw footage that could affect lawsuits pending, which its subjects had brought against the city. The filmmakers cited state shield laws designed to protect journalists from compromising sources. Lawsuits not only sap resources and time but also can change content itself. To enable release of their films, directors have succumbed to pressure to cut scenes or include disclaimers, anathema for an art form that, unlike traditional journalism, does not feel obliged to provide more than one point of view. The film world shuddered when the British oil company SOCO International intimidated the makers of Virunga into issuing a disclaimer with their film. The movie features park rangers in the Democratic Republic of Congo who defend mountain gorillas amidst poachers, corruptionand oil exploration. SOCOs lawyers insisted that director Orlando von Einsiedel read a statement at the Tribeca Film Festival that denied anyone working for the company had engaged in the illegal activity depicted. That disclaimer was also incorporated into the film, where it remains today. At least he showed his opus in its entirety. The makers of The Opposition were told by a court that they could not use footage of one subject, Papua New Guinean politician Dame Carol Kidu, who filed for breach of contract. The film tells the story of residents of a poor settlement that battle against eviction to make way for a luxury hotel development in Port Moresby. The injunction came just weeks before the films world premiere at the Hot Docs Festival in Toronto, forcing the filmmakers to heavily redact it at the last minute. The injunction was dismissed a few months later, and the full film was only released last month, after costing the makers time and income. The industrys response to these growing assaults is scattershot, without a central repository of information about lawyers. The election of Trump has accelerated discussions about more accessible legal resources for the community. On the sidelines of major film events in November in New York and Amsterdam, movers and shakers from the industry met to discuss collective action. As of publication, they were still working it out. Our community is powerful but informal, says Tabitha Jackson, director of the documentary film program at the Sundance Institute. We need to create structures. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Judith Matloff teaches conflict reporting at Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism. She's the author of two books on conflict, Fragments of a Forgotten War and No Friends But the Mountains, as well as a manual for journalists covering dangerous stories, How to Drag a Body. Nobody knew anything at first. The attack happened far out in the Pacific, on a small remote island. And the long shadow of time has erased much collective memory about the first few hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, 75 years ago today on December 7, 1941. For the American media, thats a good thing. With very limited access to verifiable information, newspaper and radio reporters acted irresponsibly. Wild speculation flooded the public sphere when radio transmissions from Hawaii were severely constricted and Washington authorities deemed the full scope and extent of the attack a state secret. The opportunity for accurate, verified and responsible journalism evaporated. A look back at the reporting on Pearl Harbor shows how little has changed in the way media coversor doesnt covermajor events, from a tendency for errors in the early days of a crisis to its use of analysts and outside experts to fill the void created by the lack of actual reporting. This void of information catalyzes speculation and conjecture, and its here that journalism starts to crumble. Close examination of any epochal breaking news story Pearl Harbor, the Kennedy assassination, 9/11 reveals the same pattern. But American broadcasting was just two decades old when the Pearl Harbor attack happened, making it the first instance of a shocking national news report to be transmitted directly, in real time, to a mass audience. Americas radio networks faced an anxious public dialing in throughout that Sunday. With little news to report as the hours passed, they turned to pundits, who largely did a terrible job. Across CBS, NBC, and Mutual, the experts offered odd theories for how, and why, the attack happened. Perhaps the nuttiest was the assertionby several commentatorsthat the Japanese were incapable of such a ferocious assault. Numerous radio newscasters asserted that only one nation on earth could have pulled off such a brilliant blitzkrieg: Nazi Germany. Sign up for CJR 's daily email It is possible, my friends, that this is a coup engineered by German influence and with the aid of German vessels in the Pacific, said NBC News commentator Upton Closea specialist on the Far Eastjust 10 minutes after the last wave of bombing ended on Oahu. And again it is possible that this is a coup engineered by a small portion of the Japanese navy that has gone fanatic, he continued. A third idea he proffered was that the attack was staged by the anti-war faction in the Japanese government to discredit the pro-war faction by presumably provoking the United States into destroying the Japanese military. All these things are possible, he concluded. But none of them, of course, were true. A few hours later, CBS aired the commentary of Major George Fielding Elliot, a syndicated columnist and military expert, who assured listeners that the Pearl Harbor attack spelled doom for the Japanese Empire. Japan is cornered, surrounded by forces which she cannot hope to overcome and to which in the end she must succumb, he informed the listening public. As the day wore on, real reporting receded, giving way to more speculation. Right-wing commentator Fulton Lewis Jr. told an audience five hours after the attack that he shared the doubts of many American authorities that the Japanese were truly responsible. He reported that US military officials werent convinced Japanese pilots had the skills to carry out such an impressive raid. The War Department, he said, is concerned to find out who the pilots of these planes arewhether they are Japanese pilots. There is some doubt as to that, some skepticism whether they may be pilots of some other nationality, perhaps Germans, perhaps Italians, he explained. The rumor that Germans bombed Pearl Harbor lingered on the airwaves, with NBC reporting, on December 8, that eyewitnesses claimed to have seen Nazi swastikas painted on some of the bombers. Twenty years later, scholar Ernest D. Rose carefully evaluated the first radio reports about Pearl Harbor. His assessment was brutal. One can not escape the conclusion that in the overall pattern of radio news communication that day something was drastically wrong, he concluded. The bulk of radio news time was consumed by commentators and analysts trying to explain the meaning of situations without access to reliable first-hand information, he explained. All the inaccurate speculation failed to reassure or properly inform the public during a time of national distress. The commentary, Rose said, seemed more intended to prop up the credibility of the pundits than offer reliable information or helpful context. The inaccurate news analysis would have a lasting impact. The rumor that the Germans collaborated onor even mastermindedthe attack on Pearl Harbor carried into early 1942. It was bolstered by conspiratorial talk in the aftermath of Hitlers unprovoked declaration of war on the United States on December 11, 1941. The following year, best-selling books by reporters who knew Nazi Germany well (such as Harry Flannerys Assignment to Berlin, and Pierre Husss The Foe We Face) emphasized the complicity of Fritz Wiedemann, Hitlers friend and the German Consul General in San Francisco, until his expulsion in 1941, in the attack. Wiedemann, a shadowy figure, had been Corporal Hitlers superior in World War I, and they remained lifelong trusted confidants. When he left San Francisco, Wiedemann traveled to Japan and then China in the weeks before Pearl Harbor, stoking suspicion. Even after the war ended, when the Joint Congressional Committee investigating the attack on Pearl Harbor held its hearings, suspicion about Wiedemanns role reemerged. The American media did not distinguish itself in the immediate aftermath of December 7, 1941. But time has let it off the hook. All the commentators mentioned above went on to increased visibility and impressive careers during the war. Americans thenand nowtend to be very forgiving of terrible punditry, inaccurate reporting, and ridiculous commentary. Perhaps we shouldnt be. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Michael J. Socolow , author of Six Minutes in Berlin, teaches journalism at the University of Maine. He is currently a Fulbright Scholar at the News & Media Research Centre at the University of Canberra in Australia. In bid to fight art fraud, Sothebys announced Monday that it had purchased a forensics firm whose founder once helped the auction house belatedly identify a $10 million painting as a fake. Sothebys said that Orion Analytical, based in Williamstown, Massachusetts, will be folded into the company and its founder, the artist, conservator and forensic scientist James Martin, will lead a new scientific research department charged with making sure the works the auction house deals with are authentic. The purchase comes amid a number of recent art forgeries in the art world, including a supposed Old Master painting that was sold by Sothebys to an art collector for $10 million in a private sale in 2011. In March of this year, Sothebys declared Portrait of a Man by Frans Hals a fake after questions arose about its authenticity. An in-depth technical analysis by Orion, reviewed by another conservation scientist, confirmed the suspicion. The forger remains unknown. Sothebys said Monday that the acquisition of Orion Martins appointment would add to collectors confidence in the auction house. Martin, who founded Orion Analytical in 1990, has analyzed the chemical and structural composition of disputed artworks for clients around the world, including private collectors, museums, galleries and the FBI. Rather than being retained on a series of one-off assignments when issues arise, Jamie will be establishing a set of protocols to determine which works should be examined proactively, as well as training our specialist staff to identify potential issues, placing us in a position to provide even greater service to our clients, in the areas of art, objects and wine, Sothebys said. New York art attorney Peter Stern called Sothebys move brilliant and said Martin was one of the most highly respected art analysts in the world. Among his nearly 2,000 investigations, Martin examined the paintings in a sensational art fraud case involving the once highly respected Knoedler & Company, a Manhattan gallery accused of selling forged fakes of modern masters like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko for millions of dollars. The 150-year-old gallery closed in 2011. The bogus paintings, created by a Chinese immigrant in New York City, were sold between 1994 and 2011. The civil trial ended in a settlement in February. The terms were not disclosed. Knoedlers lesson may well be that art attorneys need to educate clients who are buying artworks to require warranties relating to authenticity, Chicago-based art attorney Scott Hodes said. The Orion Analytical acquisition has spotlighted this need. Sothebys will definitely be in a better position than its competition to detect forgeries, he added. Artworks have long been authenticated based on provenance, style, and paint pigments. But in an art market where buyers think nothing of spending several millions of dollars on one piece of art, scientific examination that uses state-of-the-art technical imaging, molecular analysis, magnified visual inspection and other sophisticated methods, adds another layer of assurance that a work is real. It also can protect buyers and sellers from monetary losses and protect the integrity of artists and their works. Martin has taught at The Getty Conservation Institute and The Smithsonians Museum Conservation Institute and will continue to teach and consult with museums and conservators as part of his work at Sothebys. The range of works offered by Sothebys, as well as the breadth of existing expertise and experience, provides for a unique opportunity to leverage my capabilities across the companys global platform, Martin said in a statement. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The gym of a rural Texas elementary school was fully engulfed in flames before anyone could do anything about it. The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reports with only unpaid volunteer firefighters in the small town of about 2,200 people, Hale Center Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mike Watson said at least once or twice a year the department responds to fires that completely overwhelm their resources. Weve lost some structures because we either didnt have enough personnel right at the critical time that we needed them or not the right kind of equipment or maybe we were having trouble getting enough water on the fire early on, said Watson, who also works full time as a captain at the Plainview Fire Department. The more time the fire has to get going, the bigger they get, so the more out of control they could be. The schools gym, which caught fire in the middle of the night about two years ago in Hale Center, was one of those losses. In towns like Hale Center, the lack of a paid, around-the-clock fire department makes responding to emergency situations difficult as dispatchers scramble to reach as many volunteer firefighters and nearby fire departments as possible. Statewide, about 75 percent of fire departments in Texas are managed entirely by volunteers, according to data provided to A-J Media by the Texas A&M Forest Service, which provides training and some resources, such as grants, to volunteer fire departments. Texas 28,450 volunteer firefighters only slightly outnumber the states 26,931 paid firefighters, who are mostly in larger cities. In the South Plains, all of the rural towns with fire departments in Gaines, Garza, Crosby, Lynn and Yoakum counties are operated by volunteers. Funding is the big thing. Could a county government afford to put on an all-paid fire service? Thats the challenge, the financial challenge, said Jason Keiningham, department head at the Texas A&M Forest Service. But the need is still there to have folks to protect life and property, so I think thats historically why the volunteers have been in place because somebody needed to answer the call. A rack of yellow firefighter jumpsuits line the wall at the volunteer fire department in Spur. Theyre hand-me-downs from Lubbock Fire Rescue. Still, Spur Fire Chief Reid Arnold showed a hint of pride as he described their equipment and firetruck, a retired U.S. Army vehicle that was painted red. Two of the departments other tanker and rescue trucks came from forest service grants. While the city and county provide some funding, the fire department has a tight budget. Like Spur, Keiningham said volunteer fire departments in rural communities struggle to stay afloat financially due to smaller city and county tax bases. They rely a lot on fundraisers, like your pancake suppers and your barbecue events, he said. These are the ways they raise money to have the fuel to put in their trucks, to fix those trucks, to have the lights on in the station, the water to fill the trucks, to keep the trucks clean, to purchase the rescue tools they need. Although there are grants available for rural departments to receive funds for training and equipment, Smyer Volunteer Fire Department Chief Chris Bradberry said small, volunteer-only departments dont have the manpower or expertise to write lengthy grant proposals so, for the most part, he quit applying for grants. Its a complicated process and, in my opinion, developed more for the big cities who have paid guys who sit down and do all that, he said. Until they make their funding easier to get this equipment, its just hard. Lack of resources has even caused some fire departments across the state to close. Ill use Cotton Center, for instance, Watson said. They used to have a fire department, but they got to where they didnt have enough people responding and state laws were enacted that basically made it next to impossible for smaller communities to be able to fulfill the obligations that the state put on the fire departments. The volunteer fire department in Hale Center as well as the Abernathy department began helping out with fires in Cotton Center, he said. Its basically divided up between the other existing fire departments, Watson said. When flames erupt in a city, paid firefighters hurry from their fire station to tackle the blaze. But volunteer firefighters face an extra step of heading to the station and gearing up before arriving at the scene of a fire. First, they have to stop whatever else theyre doing, which in working hours could mean anything from harvesting cotton to meeting with clients. On weekends, they might have to sacrifice a family outing or ball game. Keiningham said recruiting and retention also hurt rural fire departments, as fewer people are interested in being volunteer firefighters. It used to be a lot stronger, and (it) used to be youd have a fire truck and there would be not enough space for firefighters who wanted to respond, he said. But now its not so much that case because the demands of our day-to-day life and family life. Its harder for people to volunteer. Even departments with more volunteers on call are faced with the difficulty of getting to a scene as quickly as an around-the-clock paid department. Bradberry said response time isnt an issue in the sense that dispatch is quick and able to contact a handful of his departments volunteers. Instead, he said, distance becomes an issue. Ive been doing this 20-something years and I cannot recall losing a structure because of time response, he said. Its always been because of the distance. When you have to drive 5 miles to the structure and by the time you get the call, everybody gets to the station and you get a truck going, youre talking 15 minutes or so before you can even be on scene. Watson said his 17-member volunteer department in Hale Center receives about 10 calls weekly and covers about 356 square miles surrounding Hale Center, up to the border of Plainview and down toward Abernathy. Dickens Countys three fire departments all volunteer oversee 900 square miles. Thats an area the size of about seven Lubbocks. Rushing from one end of the county to another can take more than an hour. Thats why its not unusual for neighboring fire departments to form mutual agreements. If a fire breaks in the tiny Dickens County community of McAdoo and no McAdoo firefighters are available, those in Spur or Dickens will likely put out the flames. Calls arrive at the Dickens County Sheriffs Office, whose dispatchers relay the message. Arnold and his fellow volunteers then receive a text; they find that smartphone service more convenient than carrying a radio everywhere. In addition to small towns, there are even a few all-volunteer fire departments in midsize cities, said Shawn Snider, the Texas Association of Fire Chiefs spokesman who also serves as fire chief in Edinburg. An example is Pasadena, a Houston suburb of 150,000 whose fire department consists of more than 200 firefighters, all unpaid. In comparison, Brownfield and Lamesa are less than a tenth that size, but have fire departments with a combination of paid staff and volunteers. Many paid fire departments started as volunteer, Snider said. In a typical scenario, a towns population expands, increasing its demand for fire services. Training requirements are fairly similar for paid and volunteer firefighters. A main difference, Snider said, is paid firefighters must be certified under the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, while volunteers have the option of earning their certification under the State Firefighters & Fire Marshals Association. As their cities get bigger, they find a need for daytime staffing, he said. Usually what drives that need is the size of the city and the ability of the volunteers to take care of the needs of that city. Since rural areas lack full-time departments, Snider said in small towns, a local volunteer fire department cant be a first line of defense. Its very important for everybody to have a working smoke detector and an escape plan, he said. The type of fires that are occurring in homes today, if youre waiting for the fire department to get you out, its a death trap. And, regardless of the challenges small departments face versus larger ones, Watson said fire departments of any kind are a vital part of keeping a community safe. We both put our lives on the line the same, Watson said, whether were paid or not. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Supreme Court on Tuesday handed a victory to two whistleblower sisters by upholding a jury verdict that found State Farm defrauded the U.S. government when the insurance company assessed damage caused by Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf of Mexico coast in 2005. The court ruled 8-0 to reject State Farms challenge to a 2015 lower court decision upholding the verdict in a 2006 lawsuit brought by sisters Cori and Kerri Rigsby under the False Claims Act, which lets people sue on behalf of the government over allegations it has been defrauded. The suit accused the Bloomington, Illinois-based company of improperly seeking to foist the costs of covering Katrina-related damage to a Biloxi, Mississippi home onto the government rather than covering the costs itself. State Farm argued that the claims brought by the sisters, former claims adjusters who worked for the company after the hurricane, should be voided because their lawyer violated a court order requiring that details of the case to be kept under seal. The womens former lawyer, Dickie Scruggs, had distributed information about the lawsuit to members of the news media. False Claims Act lawsuits are required to be filed under seal and remain private for 60 days. In 2008, Scruggs was convicted of conspiring to bribe a judge in a different case. He was sentenced to five years in prison. But the Supreme Court concluded that Scruggs disclosures to the media did not merit throwing out the 2013 jury verdict. None of the media organizations disclosed the lawsuits existence to the public. Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the court, said the seal requirement is intended to benefit the government because it prevents those suspected of defrauding it from being alerted about a potential case alleging that fraud took place. As a result, it would make little sense to adopt a rigid interpretation of the seal provision that prejudices the government by depriving it of needed assistance from private parties, Kennedy wrote. The Obama administration had backed the sisters in the case. The jury found that the federal government had been defrauded of $250,000, and State Farm was ordered to pay $758,000 in damages. The sisters were awarded $227,000 for disclosing the fraud under the False Claims Act and almost $3 million in attorneys fees and expenses. The Rigsbys said the damage was caused by wind, which would be covered by the owners insurance policy with State Farm. But State Farm concluded the damage was flood-related, which instead was covered by the federal governments flood insurance program. In 2015, the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the jury verdict. (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Will Dunham) Brecksville Jerry Hruby 2.JPG Brecksville Mayor Jerry Hruby, left, talked to City Council Tuesday night about a proposed rezoning on Ohio 82 near Interstate 77. Sitting at the table were council members Michael Harwood and Laura Redinger. In the background was council Clerk Mary Scullin. (Bob Sandrick, special to cleveland.com) BRECKSVILLE, Ohio - Owners of about 13 acres of residential land - on the south side of Ohio 82, just west of Interstate 77 - hope to sell their properties to a business developer, and are asking for the city's help. The city may ask voters in May to rezone the land, consisting of seven parcels, from residential to office, and to allow laboratories and manufacturing plants there as conditional uses. "To create jobs and income for the city, an office-lab use would be better there, and we think the people can sell their land for those uses," Mayor Jerry Hruby told City Council Tuesday night. Council placed on first reading an ordinance that would ask voters to decide the issue in May. Council also referred the proposed rezoning to the Planning Commission and will schedule a public hearing so that residents can give input. Four of the seven parcels contain houses, according to the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office website. The parcels are immediately west of a new restaurant-retail development, featuring Bob Evans and Chipotle Mexican Grill, in Broadview Heights, and across the street from Giant Eagle. At least some of the parcels are "bowling-alley lots," meaning they are narrow and long. The county's total appraised value for all seven parcels is $557,200. Hruby said developers in the past have proposed several different types of businesses - including stores, restaurants, apartments, condominiums, nursing homes and assisted-living communities - for the property. In December 2014, the NRP Group LLC in Garfield Heights proposed an apartment-retail complex on 24 acres at the site. Three months earlier, Wojno Development in Uniontown presented plans for an extended-stay hotel, restaurants, stores, luxury "senior-oriented" apartments and assisted living. The planning commission rejected each plan. Hruby, a commission member, said the commission didn't like the idea of more retail facing 82 near 77. Residents living in the area feared the additional traffic retail would bring. "We didn't think that apartments are appropriate there and we don't have apartments in our zoning," Hruby told council. "We would be interested in apartments above business, but developers weren't interested." Hruby said the parcel owners, consisting of two families, want to sell their land and have grown frustrated as various development plans fell through. He said they have been unable to sell their land as residential parcels. One family has signed a tentative agreement with a developer, but Hruby said he doesn't know the developer's identity or what the developer is planning. Hruby said city officials recently sat down with the property owners to discuss the situation. They agreed a rezoning that would allow offices as a main use - then labs and manufacturing on a case-by-case basis - would work best for all parties. "All (the property owners) are behind this rezoning," Hruby said. Hruby said the new zoning would allow businesses consistent with the neighboring MetroHealth Brecksville Health & Surgery Center, which opened in August on 82 at 77. If the rezoning does hit the May ballot, it would have to receive 55 percent approval for passage, under Brecksville law, Hruby said. TAIPEI, Taiwan - Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, whose Friday evening phone call to U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump alarmed longtime observers of U.S.-China relations, on Tuesday said that that the phone call was simply congratulatory, a simple gesture of international etiquette between two democracies. "The phone call was a way for us to express our respect for the U.S. election, as well as congratulate President-Elect Trump on his win," Tsai said during a meeting with a select group of American journalists at the Presidential Office Building. The meeting, arranged by Shih Hsin University and the East-West Center in Honolulu, had been scheduled before the Tsai-Trump phone call. Tsai said: "I have to stress that one phone call does not mean a policy shift" away from official protocol that says the U.S. communicates with the People's Republic of China only through Beijing, and not directly to the island of Taiwan. When asked for clarification, Tsai continued: "I do not foresee major policy shifts in the near future, because we all see the value of stability in the region." The comments echo what Tsai, Taiwan's first woman president and a graduate of Cornell University Law School, has said before about Taiwan's relationship to Mainland China, both in her May 20 inaugural address and on Taiwan's 105th birthday on Oct. 10. Tsai promised the 23 million residents of Taiwan that she would establish "a consistent, predictable and sustainable cross-strait relationship, and to maintain both Taiwan's democracy and the status quo of peace across the Taiwan Strait." But others in Taiwan are more optimistic about the phone call. Yung-chiang John Chi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of China (Taiwan) "As an ordinary citizen, I'm very excited by the news," said Yung-chiang (John) Chi, a counselor on home assignment with the Department of International Information Services. He and many others in Taipei feel that Taiwan deserves greater global recognition for its technological innovations, support of emerging democracies, and humanitarian relief after natural disasters. Szu-chien Hsu, a former political scientist who recently became president of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, said that although he doesn't have inside knowledge of the phone call, he saw it as enormously symbolic. "As the leader of Taiwan, if you have that opportunity, that's what anyone would do," he said. "The way she manages cross-strait relations, she is extremely cautious," more than others would like her to be. Szu-chien Hsu, president of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy In a region where Chinese President Xi Jinping likes to make the first move and have the upper hand, Trump's surprise conversation with the Taiwanese president puts Xi in the position of having to respond. On the surface, Trump simply took a congratulatory phone call from another world leader, one of many he received as president-elect of the United States. But he did it before becoming president and without consulting the State Department about whether that was a good idea. "Now he's waiting for Xi Jinping to react," Hsu said. The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2016 "I think Trump puts Xi Jinping in a very awkward position," Hsu said. "If you make too big a deal of it, you're hurting yourself. But there's a risk if he doesn't react properly." And from Taiwan's perspective, as a vibrant democracy that often feels forgotten by the rest of the world, "it's a good strategy," Hsu said. "No one knows what he will do, but now everyone's paying attention." Follow @janetcho Cuyahoga shelter dogs allowed to play in social packs Amanda Kopec, a Cuyahoga County deputy dog warden, walks dogs at the county's Animal Shelter in August 2015. (Lynn Ischay, The Plain Dealer) CLEVELAND, Ohio - At least eight people in Ohio, including a woman in Cuyahoga County who is accused of stabbing a puppy, have been charged under a new state law that makes animal cruelty a felony. The puppy was injured in retaliation during a domestic violence dispute, Sharon Harvey, president and CEO of the Cleveland Animal Protective League, told a Cuyahoga County Council committee on Wednesday. Harvey said she did not know any other details or where the incident occurred. In other cases: In southern Ohio, Michael Chedester, 59, of St. Clairsville, was charged on Nov. 30 with two felony counts of knowingly causing serious physical harm to a companion animal, A Hamilton couple were indicted Nov. 9 on felony animal abuse charges after the death of an emaciated dog in October, marking the first case under the new law in Butler County, Cuyahoga Council's public works, procurement and contracting committee is considering proposed legislation to establish an animal abuse registry and prohibit those convicted of abusing animals from ever having pets. The state law, known as Goddard's Law, after retired WJW Channel 8 weatherman Dick Goddard, was approved by legislators in May and became effective Sept. 13. The law makes knowingly causing physical harm to a companion animal a fifth-degree felony, punishable by six months to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. That includes depriving a pet of food, water or shelter. What is Cuyahoga doing? Council member Sunny Simon, who introduced Cuyahoga County's measure, said the county would be the first in the state to establish a registry. Abusers would be required, like convicted sex offenders and arsonists, to register with the Cuyahoga County sheriff. Simon equated a convicted animal abuser with a convicted child abuser. "There is no difference in a lot of people's mind between an innocent child and an animal," she said. "Animal abusers, and we have statistics, are in line to abuse children, and serial killers have a history of animal abuse." Council member Chuck Germana questioned whether convicted animals abusers should be on a register for life. "I am a little offended that you are making a comparison of a child or abuse of a human in comparison to an animal," he said to Simon. "I understand there is a lot of attention and love for animals but there is a difference. I don't equate them at all." Simon responded: "There is no difference in a lot of people's mind between an innocent child and an animal. It is not a stigma to have to register, it is a prohibition. It is a privilege to have living beings in your home, not a right." Simon said the cost to the county to establish the registry would be negligible because the animal abuser would not monitored or have to report to the sheriff. The legislation does not include any penalties if a shelter or other facility sells or gives an animal to someone on the register. What's the response? Harvey told the committee she is aware of eight or nine felony animal abuse charges in Ohio since the law went into effort. She and Simon said they do not expect a large number of people to be convicted and have to register. Many cases may be reduced to misdemeanors, they said. Mindy Naticchioni, director of the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter, told the committee the register would be very helpful for the shelter and any organization which seeks homes for animals. "We spend a lot of time screening people," she said. "By getting these animals into the right home and them not becoming a victim, it puts Cuyahoga County on the front lines." Harvey said the APL oversees approximately 6,000 adoptions a year and staff may check backgrounds of adopters. But it takes time to search public records. "This will be an excellent tool for shelters, rescues and humane societies to be able to use," she said of the proposed registry. 07DARCY-CHINA1.jpg Donald Trump's phone call with the President of Taiwan broke four decades of diplomatic protocol, and angered China's government. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- President-elect Donald Trump's poking of the China dragon with the Taiwan phone call was planned by his advisors and Taiwan lobbyists, including Bob Dole. China didn't call in the $1.157 trillion U.S. debt it owns, but it did lodge an official complaint with the United States. "The One China principle is the foundation for healthy development of Sino-U.S. relations. We don't wish for anything to obstruct or ruin this foundation," said China Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The blowback from China, Democrats and veteran foreign affairs professionals, was expected by the Trump camp. But the phone call was arranged to send a message to all three groups that the White House will be under new management, and it will not be business as usual. Responding to critics of the call, Trump tweeted: "Did China ask us if it was OK to devalue their currency, heavily tax our products going into their country or to build a massive military complex in the middle of the South China Sea? I don't think so!" In another tweet, Trump wrote: "Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call." On paper, Taiwan's president just called Trump to congratulate him. But in reality, the entire episode was orchestrated to be a preview of the Trump administration's new strategy for engagement with Taiwan. It's been reported that after the election, Trump's staff made a list of foreign leaders to arrange calls with. Stephen Yates, a national security official in the George W. Bush administration, told The Washington Post, "Very early on, Taiwan was on that list." Trump advisor Peter Navarro had written an article in Foreign Policy magazine describing "Donald Trump's Peace Through Strength Vision for the Asia-Pacific." In the article, Navarro called Taiwan a "beacon of democracy in Asia" and criticized the Obama administration's Taiwan policy. The New York Times reports former Senator Bob Dole, now a lobbyist for Washington D.C. law firm, had arranged meetings between Taiwan officials and Trump advisors. Trump himself has long been an advocate for Taiwan and taking a tougher stance with China. In 2011, Trump tweeted: "Why is @BarackObama delaying the sale of F-16 aircraft to Taiwan? Wrong message to send to China. # TimeToGetTough." During the entire primary and general election campaigns,Trump vowed that he would be a tougher negotiator with China. That expectation is one of the many reasons voters elected the unconventional business executive instead of the conventional politician. The TrumpTaiwan phone call was calculated, cunning and correct. Trump is hoisting a 'yuge' sign over the United States reading "Under New Management." His only mistake may have been not also printing it in Mandrin Chinese, so Beijing could get the message. EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio -- East Cleveland Mayor Gary Norton Jr. and City Council President Thomas Wheeler were both narrowly recalled from their positions in a special election Tuesday night. East Cleveland Mayor Gary Norton The final, unofficial results show that Norton lost by a margin of 20 votes -- 548 to 528, according to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website. Wheeler's margin was even narrower -- 18 votes. The official election results will become available Dec. 19 after the votes are certified, according to the Board of Elections. East Cleveland City Council President Thomas Wheeler This is the third time Wheeler has been up for recall in a special election, once in December 2015 and again in June 2016. He narrowly won his June recall election with about 51 percent of the vote, though only about 7 percent of East Cleveland registered voters cast a ballot. The Tuesday election was Norton's first time facing a recall since becoming mayor. The election could cost the city between $25,000 and $30,000. Norton gave a short statement to cleveland.com late Tuesday following the loss. "I love the people of East Cleveland, and it has been an honor to have served them," Norton said. When reached Tuesday night, Wheeler said that he predicts "dramatic chaos" will take place due to deep divisions within the city council. "They wanted me out, and it took them three times," Wheeler said in a phone interview with cleveland.com. "Obviously they don't want the city to move forward; they want to go back to the way things used to be." "I was born and raised in this city, and I'm done," he said. As long as the results hold up in the official election count, Norton and Wheeler have been recalled, the vice president of city council, Brandon King, will become mayor, Wheeler said. The remaining city council members will have to appoint two people to replace Wheeler and King once King becomes mayor. If council cannot agree about who to appoint to the vacant positions, King will choose who fills those seats, Wheeler said. Devin Branch, who led the effort to recall Norton, said Tuesday night the people of East Cleveland have spoken, and while voter turnout was low, the majority of the city opposes the current mayor. "Working class people of the city of East Cleveland are soundly against Mayor Norton," Branch said in a phone interview. East Cleveland was declared in a state of fiscal emergency by the Auditor of State Dave Yost's office in 2012. In 2015, Yost said bankruptcy or merging with Cleveland were the two most viable options for the suburb. The city explored filing for bankruptcy in May, but hit a roadblock when the Tax Commissioner's office said council should ask permission from the state, not the mayor. The letter from the commissioner also detailed the plans that the city must have prior to filing for bankruptcy. Merger negotiations have slowed down after moving forward in August. Cleveland City Council Kevin Kelley denied East Cleveland's initial request to enter negotiations because of the long list of demands council had given to its commissioners. He has said Cleveland will continue exploring the possibility of merging with East Cleveland. cleveland.com reporter Emily Bamforth contributed to this report. gavel.jpg Cleveland personal injury lawyer James Johnson is accused of forging his clients' signatures to deposit and transfer hundreds of thousands of dollars in settlements to his business account, and then lying under oath when he was caught. (File Photo) CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Cleveland personal injury lawyer is accused of forging his clients' signatures to deposit and transfer hundreds of thousands of dollars in settlements to his business account, and then lying under oath when he was caught. James Johnson, 57, is set to appear in court Thursday after a Cuyahoga County grand jury handed up a 64-count indictment charging Johnson with felony theft, money laundering, perjury and other charges. The allegations stem from settlements dating back to 2013, when Johnson ran his own law firm on St. Clair Avenue in downtown Cleveland. Johnson settled several disability claims without telling his clients, then forged their signatures to deposit the money into a trust, according to court records. He then wrote checks from the trust to himself and used the money to pay business expenses and, sometimes, other clients' settlements, records say. Johnson's victims include an elderly woman and a 26-year veteran trooper of the Ohio Highway Patrol who was forced into early retirement after an on-duty car crash in 2013 outside Youngstown, according to court records. He settled a man's 2012 accident claim in January 2013 for $15,000 and put the money in the trust, then wrote himself a $15,000 check that same month, records say. Johnson did not tell his client until after a man who was supposed to get a payment from that settlement money tricked Johnson and said that he heard the case was settled, records say. Johnson told the man that he would check the mail that day and see if the settlement had gone through, records say. Johnson then used money from the Highway Patrol trooper's $50,000 settlement to satisfy the man's claim, records say. He used the same tactic at least 10 other times on settlements ranging from just more than $1,000 to $50,000, according to records. During a sworn October 2015 deposition, Johnson testified to the Supreme Court of Ohio's Board of Professional Conduct that his clients had asked him to hold onto the money for them, records say. That was not true. The board in March 2016 filed disciplinary charges of malpractice and mismanaging accounts of 11 clients from 2013 to 2015, and determined that Johnson owed at least $42,000 in restitution. The board said that Johnson is suspected of taking money from at least 12 more clients, but they could not determine how much money he owed because he failed to provide records, records say. Johnson resigned his law license in August after investigators with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office launched a criminal investigation that would eventual uncover more victims. His LinkedIn page said Wednesday that he is now unemployed. Johnson could not be immediately reached for comment. He was admitted to the bar in 1984. To comment on this story, please visit Wednesday's crime and courts comments section. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Police are investigating former Cleveland radio personality Joseph "J.G." Spooner for collecting thousands of dollars in fraudulent rent payments while he was under indictment for stealing from a friend's GoFundMe account, according to police reports. Spooner took nearly $6,000 from at least six people who responded to a Craigslist ad to rent a home that Spooner did not own or have permission to lease, according to Cleveland police reports. Some of the payments were made after prosecutors pointed out the scheme in court records. Fairview Park detectives have also launched their own investigation after the owner of a credit union told police on Thursday that Spooner had tried to cash fraudulent or forged checks, according to a police report. Spooner, a former host on Cleveland's 92.3 The Fan, pleaded guilty Nov. 7 to taking more than $7,700 from a GoFundMe account he helped manage for his longtime friend who suffered from cystic fibrosis. He was indicted by a grand jury in May and scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday. Judge Brian J. Corrigan postponed the sentencing after prosecutors said police in Cleveland and Fairview Park were preparing to take a new case against Spooner to a grand jury for possible fresh charges. The new allegations center around the West Park apartment where Spooner once lived. He put the apartment on West 148th Street up for rent on Craigslist, and started getting responses in July. Spooner accepted a least $5,950 in down payments and security deposits from several people between July and October of this year: $850 from a Cleveland man on July 24 $900 from a Cleveland woman on July 28 $1,200 from a group of people on Sept. 15 $1,200 from the same group on Oct. 22 A series of payments from a Cleveland woman between Aug. 2 and Aug. 25 that totaled $1,800 Spooner gave back at least $2,700 of the money after the victims confronted him, reports say. One of the men told police that Spooner asked him not to say anything about moving in front of Spooner's daughter as they toured the apartment, the reports say. The reports are all dated after Spooner pleaded guilty Nov. 7. But prosecutors were aware of at least one victim of the same scheme as early as September. Prosecutors asked Corrigan to revoke Spooner's bond on Sept. 28 after they learned that a woman paid Spooner $900 to rent the apartment. The homeowner was "shocked" to learn that Spooner was renting out the apartment, records say. Spooner's attorney, Mark Marein, said he was not aware of the new allegations and said Spooner is trying to get his life back on track. "I can assure if at the end of the day he has stubbed his toe, we intend to do anything in our power to make things right and to put him on the right path again," Marein said. If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Tuesday's crime and courts comments section. Whirlpool Whirlpool workers from Ohio went to Washington to show their support for proposed International Trade Commission action against Samsung and LG. (Photo courtesy of Whirlpool) WASHINGTON, D.C. -- More than 50 workers who build Whirlpool washing machines at a factory in Clyde, Ohio, came to Washington Wednesday to demand that foreign competitors Samsung and LG be punished for unfair trade practices. "I'm told that there are 52 total employees from the Clyde plant here today, and the only reason there aren't a couple hundred more is that 52 is all the bus would fit," U.S. Sen. Portman said at the hearing before the United States International Trade Commission. "Their attendance here today shows the pride they have in what they make and what they do." The workers, wearing dark jackets with the Whirlpool logo and the words "Invested in America," packed a hearing room of the International Trade Commission, an independent, quasi-judicial agency that can assess tough penalties if it finds a company selling products in the United States improperly undermined a domestic competitor. They and their company say their U.S.-made washing machines can compete against any in the world on quality and price -- if the foreign competitors don't cheat. The U.S. Commerce Department already said preliminarily last summer that it believes Samsung and LG bent the rules by selling Chinese-made machines at artificially low prices in the United States. When a foreign competitor does this in large enough volumes, it violates federal and international trade laws because it unfairly snatches market share while undercutting domestic competitors. While Commerce finalizes its assessment of Samsung and LG manufacturing costs, pricing and practices -- and their effect on Whirlpool -- the International Trade Commission held a hearing Wednesday to examine how the practices affect the broader U.S. washing machine market. If both agencies rule against the foreign companies, it could result in a requirement to pay penalties to the United States for five years. Samsung and LG deny they cheated. What the case is about: Samsung and LG, both based in South Korea, have criticized Whirlpool's and the Commerce Department's methods for estimating the true cost of building washers in China. Determining actual costs can be difficult if a product is made in a non-market economy. LG and Samsung also say their superior innovations help them grab market share, and that analyzing the cost of a washing machine in isolation is wrongheaded because most consumers also buy a dryer. The pricing differentials of washers can be made up on the dryer side or in pricing for the pair. But for Whirlpool and its workers, this case is the latest in a series involving competitors that shift production from country to country to keep prices low. The practice also avoids anti-dumping penalties, say Whirlpool, Portman and Ohio U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown. The Commerce Department told Samsung and LG in 2013 to stop dumping washing machines made in South Korea and Mexico, and assessed duties on those companies' continuing imports from those countries as punishment. According to Whirlpool and the senators, Samsung and LG tried to get around paying duties by shifting production to plants in China. That is partly what the current case is about. Whirlpool, based in Michigan, has more than 10,000 employees throughout Ohio, with 3,000 of them in Clyde, near Sandusky. Playing 'whack-a-mole': More recently, Samsung has bolstered its manufacturing capabilities in Vietnam and Thailand, leading to accusations that it is shifting production yet again. "They try to stay a step ahead of the sheriff," Brown said Wednesday during a news conference call. Brown, a Democrat and longtime critic of current trade practices, and Portman, a Republican and former White House trade ambassador, both testified at Wednesday's hearing. The companies, Brown said, keep playing "a game of whack-a-mole" and unless stopped, they will "make it impossible for our American companies to compete. Whirlpool will continue to struggle against an onslaught of unfairly traded imports, and the workers in Clyde will continue to worry whether they'll have a job next year. "That's just not right," Brown said. Whirlpool's chairman and CEO, Jeff Fettig, also testified. "I have heard the arguments the other side is making - that it is somehow 'normal' to offset losses on washers with profits on dryers. That is 100 percent, completely, wrong," Fettig said. "We don't make investment decisions for Clyde based on our dryer business. The washer business alone is an investment center and must deliver returns on every investment we make at Clyde." Exhibits and machines for the other side: Samsung and LG presented starkly different views than Whirlpool did. In an exhibit for the trade commission, Samsung sought to illustrate its history of innovation in washing machine features, suggesting Whirlpool's growth suffered in comparison because, in Samsung's view, it lagged for years in features new consumers wanted. John Toohey, director of strategy for LG Electronics USA, testified with the visual aid of a conventional, top-load washer with an agitator that move the clothes. "This conventional washer is not what LG and Samsung sell, yet it is still a very large part of the market for Whirlpool and GE," he said. Doug Mittrucker, an LG sales director, added that washers and dryers are seldomly sold as separate purchases. "Therefore, because retailers require a single price point for two very different products, LG and all manufacturers have no choice but to choose a midpoint price, which is somewhere lower than the price we would like for the washer," he testified. "But in exchange, we collect a higher price for the dryer." So, he concluded, "it makes no sense to consider washer profitability alone, because they are not priced as a stand-alone product, nor sold that way." The International Trade Commission is expected to issue its determination in January of how the domestic industry was harmed. Meanwhile, the Commerce Department could issue its final decision as soon as Friday. csuhealthsciences.jpg Cleveland State University, which has many more applicants than openings for programs in health sciences, would like additional funding to expand programs. (Thomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer ) CLEVELAND, Ohio - Ohio's public colleges plan to seek state money for a "venture fund" to allow schools to expand programs with great demand and job opportunities. Schools would be able to add more students in high-demand programs, including nursing, occupational therapy and engineering. Graduates would work in Ohio for a specific period of time. Cleveland State University President Ronald Berkman plans to travel to Columbus next week with Cuyahoga Community College President Alex Johnson and Thomas Zenty, CEO of University Hospitals, to meet with legislators and Gov. John Kasich's staff. Berkman, president of the Inter-University Council of Ohio that represents Ohio's 13 public universities, will present a proposal on behalf of all schools and highlight the successful partnerships between CSU, Tri-C and UH. Tri-C has a transfer agreement with CSU that ensures nursing graduates can continue on for a bachelor's degree. Tri-C graduates who take jobs at UH receive help in ultimately earn a bachelor's degree, Johnson said. CSU works with UH to increase nursing clinical placements. Why is a 'venture fund' needed? Berkman said the number of qualified applicants for several CSU programs far exceed openings and job opportunities. For example, CSU receives about 350 applications for 40 occupational therapy spots, and 700 applications for 35 physician assistant spots. "We want to work with Columbus to structure opportunities to quickly expand the programs," Berkman said. "If we can demonstrate a pool of highly qualified students, job growth and need and the ability to get clinical placements the state could provide us with dollars to ramp up quickly." He said CSU, which currently enrolls 400 nursing students could expand to 700 to 800 with targeted workforce development funding. "We propose the state in essence develop a workforce venture fund," he said. "When we meet the criteria we can borrow from it and pay back based on how many individuals we graduate who stay in the area and take these positions." He said an institution would have three to five years to demonstrate the money has been used wisely. The program would combine economic development workforce development and career and job placement, Berkman said. "We need to keep young intellectual capital in Ohio and in Cleveland the way we can do it is to create this chain - a pathway between institutions," Berkman said. "We know a very large number of students who do internships and co-ops stay." Where would the money come from? Berkman said money could be allocated in the next two-year budget. Educators may also approach JobsOhio, a nonprofit corporation that promotes job creation and economic development for Ohio, for help, CSU said. "People tell me there is money available but it is an enigma wrapped in a mystery," Berkman said of trying to work with JobsOhio. "I have met with the director two or three times and he has a high level of enthusiasm." Tri-C's Johnson said his primary goal is to "help the public officials understand what it is we are doing and what needs to be done and how it can be fortified. We will talk about the concept. Our hope is that other colleges in Ohio can collaborate on similar efforts (as CSU, Tri-C and UH)." Johnson said money could help programs throughout the state. "As we continue to increase the number of graduates and get them into the workforce that money will serve as a resource, a revolving loan fund," Johnson said. "It will help us with scholarships and to secure clinical faculty and in some instances clinical spaces." Albuquerque Shooting A small memorial of a stuffed animal and candles left by neighbors sits outside an Albuquerque, N.M, home on Tuesday, a day after police say a man broke in and fatally shot three children and critically wounded their mother. (Russell Contreras, Associated Press) ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico -- Three young children and their mother were shot Monday evening after they returned to their home, with the gunman then taking his own life, reports say. Fatally shot were a 5-year-old boy, a 6-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy, while their 36-year-old mother remained in a hospital Tuesday in critical condition. Police identified the gunman as the woman's former boyfriend, George Daniel Wechsler, 45, the Albuquerque Journal reports. Wechsler broke into the home and waited for the family to return, police said. "The mother was attempting to save one of her children while she was critically injured herself," Albuquerque Police Chief Gordon Eden said in a news conference Tuesday. One child died in the home, while two others died at a hospital, reports say. Wechsler also died at a hospital. Fox News reports the shooting occurred at about 6:30 p.m. Monday. Investigators say the mother is the only surviving witness but has been unable to speak. The victims' names have not been released pending the notification of other family members, the Associated Press reports. At Tuesday's news conference, Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry called the shooting a "senseless and tragic act of violence." "It's hard not to be angry. It's hard not to be frustrated," Berry said. If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Tuesday's crime and courts comments section. GOP 2016 Ohio Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges, shown in a February 2015 file photo, is on a very hot seat -- largely because of friction between Ohio Gov. John Kasich and President-elect Donald Trump. (Andrew Welsh-Huggins, The Associated Press) CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The case against Matt Borges boils down to a few perceptions. Critics believe the Ohio Republican Party chairman undermined President-elect Donald Trump. They believe that between Borges and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who unlike Borges refused to vote for Trump, someone has to go. (And they know it can't be Kasich, who has two years left on his term.) In other words, they believe that keeping Borges around as Kasich's handpicked party boss would hurt the state's political clout in a Trump administration. It's this last part that has allies of Borges and Kasich most concerned as a civil war breaks out among top party activists. They fear Borges is in danger of becoming collateral damage. Jane Timken, an influential Republican from the Canton area who helped raise money for Trump's campaign, has launched a bid to dump Borges at a Jan. 6 meeting of the Ohio GOP's 66-member Central Committee. At the moment, Borges backers say he has more than the 34 votes needed to prevail. But Timken's challenge is enough of a disruption to have them discussing the best ways to shatter the perceptions that have him on a very hot seat. Several Republican sources told cleveland.com this week that those close to Kasich are encouraging him to forge a stronger truce with Trump in an effort to fortify Borges. A step in that direction came Tuesday, when the governor disavowed a last-ditch effort by rogue Electoral College members who have been encouraging Trump electors to switch to Kasich. "Our country had an election and Donald Trump won," Kasich said. "The country is divided and there are certainly raw emotions on both sides stemming from the election. But this approach, as well meaning as it is, will only serve to further divide our nation, when unity is what we need. The election is over. Now is the time for all of us to come together as Americans." But sources indicated that a debate continues among Kasich-aligned Republicans about whether the gesture, along with a post-election congratulatory call from Kasich to Trump, is enough. Some have suggested that the governor make clearer to the president-elect -- and to Central Committee members worried about long-term animosity -- that he will help the new administration however he can. Those against such a move argue it will subject Kasich to the same humiliation Mitt Romney has endured by vying to be Trump's secretary of state. Romney once was among Trump's toughest critics. And Kasich was one of the few challengers who was eager to draw a strong contrast with Trump during this year's GOP primaries. If you're looking for the root of the tensions between Borges and his foes, look no further than Kasich. Borges threw himself into Kasich's presidential bid. He engineered an early Ohio GOP endorsement, publicly chastised the one Republican state officeholder who backed a different candidate, and hit the campaign trail for the governor in New Hampshire. When the primaries ended with Trump as the nominee and Kasich keeping his distance, Borges was in an awkward position. As party chairman in an important battleground, he had an obligation to provide Trump with a credible infrastructure. He also was a Kasich loyalist who had similar concerns about Trump's superheated rhetoric. And there was a third dynamic in play. Borges also wanted to be the next Republican National Committee chairman. So he would attempt a shaky diplomacy. In one-on-one phone calls, Borges discouraged Trump from picking fights with Kasich, who remained popular in Ohio. But he also expressed his doubts publicly, through the media, and shared details of his private conversations with Trump. Borges wanted both to establish himself as someone who had Trump's ear and as someone working to make Trump a better candidate -- qualifications that might shield him from blame for a loss and keep his RNC hopes alive. Part of this strategy backfired before Election Day. Bob Paduchik, who directed Trump's campaign in Ohio, believed Borges only was looking out for himself and blasted the chairman in a mid-October letter to members of the state party's Central Committee. The die was cast. Paduchik has not responded to questions since the election. Timken also is avoiding the media, mindful that Borges' detractors are annoyed by his strong relationships with the media. She has hinted that Trump supports her candidacy -- a claim Trump's team has not verified. Interestingly, those working to keep Borges in power now assert he is the only one who can keep the peace between Kasich and Trump and restore harmony in a divided Ohio GOP. "Chairman Borges is in a unique and strong position to bring President-elect Trump and Governor Kasich together for the betterment of our country and our state," said U.S. Rep. Pat Tiberi, a Kasich ally from the Columbus area who is considering a run for Senate in 2018. Others relay stories of how Borges pressed Kasich behind the scenes to announce he would vote for Trump. (Instead, Kasich announced he had cast a symbolic protest vote by writing in Sen. John McCain of Arizona.) They also say Borges was among those encouraging Kasich to quickly bury the hatchet after Trump's win. And they argue Borges took the hits for Kasich, Sen. Rob Portman and other Republicans who were lukewarm or unsupportive of the nominee. "I don't pretend to tell the governor what to do," Borges said Wednesday. "No one does. But I have advised him along the way on what I believed was best for our party, our state and our country -- and also for him. I just think coming together is the best possible path." Trump President-elect Donald Trump speaks at Carrier Corp Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Indianapolis. (Darron Cummings, Associated Press) Donald Trump's deal with Carrier Corp. is popular, but is it actually helping American workers? Senators react to Trump's tweet about cancelling a pending order for a new Air Force One. Read more in today's Politics Extra. Carrier deal is popular: President-elect Donald Trump's first major action since Election Day - the deal he and Vice President-elect Mike Pence struck last week with Carrier Corp. - is earning support from American voters, according to a new Politico/Morning Consult poll. Sixty percent of voters surveyed said that Carrier's decision to keep about 800 manufacturing jobs in Indiana rather than moving them to Mexico gave them a more favorable view of Trump. Only 9 percent said it made them view Trump less favorably, while 22 percent said it did not have an impact either way. But even though the jobs aren't going to Mexico ... Many of the approximately 800 jobs will likely be lost to automation, reports The New York Times. In an interview with CNBC's Jim Kramer, Greg Hayes, CEO of Carrier's parent company United Technologies, was blunt. "We're going to make up [the] $16 million investment in that factory in Indianapolis to automate, to drive the cost down so that we can continue to be competitive. Now is it as cheap as moving to Mexico with lower cost of labor? No. But we will make that plant competitive just because we'll make the capital investments there," Hayes said. "But what that ultimately means is there will be fewer jobs." He also confirmed that he feared standing up to Trump because it could be costly to his conglomerate, which includes a lot of defense work. "There was a cost as we thought about keeping the Indiana plant open. At the same time - and I'll tell you this because you and I, we know each other - but I was born at night but not last night. I also know that about 10 percent of our revenue comes from the U.S. government." Trump takes credit for Softbank's investment: Trump announced Tuesday on Twitter that telecommunications giant Softbank Group plans to invest $50 billion into the U.S. economy and add 50,000 jobs, reports USA Today. The news came after Trump met with Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son at Trump Tower. Masa (SoftBank) of Japan has agreed to invest $50 billion in the U.S. toward businesses and 50,000 new jobs.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2016 Masa said he would never do this had we (Trump) not won the election! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2016 "We will invest in new companies," Son told reporters. It is unclear whether the Japanese company, which has a majority stake in Sprint, might make its investment in the form of a merger or acquisition. "Cancel order!" Trump, who has flown in a jet bearing his name for years, appeared to cancel a pending order for a new Air Force One, saying Tuesday on Twitter that the upgrade would cost too much, reports The New York Times. "Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!" he tweeted. The post appeared to come out of the blue, since Trump had not focused during the campaign on the cost of the contract with Boeing to build two planes for presidential travel. Senators react: U.S. senators are responding with amusement and bewilderment to Trump's declaration that he wants to cancel a contract to build the new Air Force One, reports Politico. Republican Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama smiled when informed of Trump's tweet and said that if "it will save money or if he can negotiate a better deal, that's good for the taxpayers." Others, including Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri and Democratic Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware, laughed and said they wouldn't comment on the matter. One senator who wasn't laughing was Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, who's constituents have a direct stake in the contract because Boeing is expected to build the planes in her home state. "The workers of my state and the workers of Boeing across this country do an incredible job and build an incredible airplane," she said. "I hope the president-elect takes the time to talk to the Pentagon and the Air Force and Boeing about how defense contracts work before he tweets." Republicans defend Trump's Taiwan call: House Speaker Paul Ryan defended Trump's phone call last week with Taiwan's president, saying the negative reaction was "much ado about nothing," reports Business Insider. "I spoke with the president of Taiwan when she was transiting plans in Miami two months ago," Ryan told reporters Tuesday. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy also dismissed the implications of Trump's call, telling reporters that one congratulatory call would not change U.S. policy. Iran nuclear deal: Iran will not permit Trump to ruin its nuclear deal with the U.S., President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday, according to CNN. "(Trump) wants to do many things, but none of his actions would affect us," Rouhani said in an address at the University of Tehran. "Do you think the United States can rip up the JCPOA (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal)? Do you think we and our nation will let him do that?" Throughout his campaign, Trump criticized the Iran deal, calling it one of the worst ever negotiated and pledging to renegotiate its terms. Trump talks with D.C. Mayor: Trump and Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser met Tuesday in Trump Tower, reports Politico. "I'm not going to talk about his feelings or what he shared," Bowser told reporters after the meeting. "We talked about the things that are important to Washingtonians, and certainly becoming the 51st state is one of them." In addition to discussing D.C. statehood, they also talked about Metro, the cash-strapped transit system. The Democratic mayor added that she is not interested in a role in Trump's administration. Biden's non-commitment: Less than a month after Election Day, some political pundits are speculating about who will seek the presidency in 2020. When asked if he would consider another run for the White House, Vice President Joe Biden remained open to the possibility, according to ABC News. "I am going to run in 2020 for president. What the hell, man, anyway," Biden told reporters Monday on Capitol Hill. When asked if he was joking, Biden said, "I'm not committing not to run. I'm not committing to anything, I learned a long time ago fate has a strange way of intervening." A series of highly-charged protests over an Indonesian Christian politician reflects the extent of the ideological battle gripping Southeast Asia's largest economy There are now fears that the growing religious unrest, mixed with political tensions, could distract Indonesia's leadership from much-needed reforms. Indonesian Muslims demanded the acceleration of legal proceedings against Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama on December 02, 2016. Agoes Rudianto / Anadolu Agency / Getty Images Rally and counter-rally A Christian of Chinese ethnicity in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnamaknown as Ahokwas accused of insulting Islam after he cited a Koranic verse that suggests Muslims should not take Jews or Christian as allies or leaders in a September 27 speech. Ahok, who is running to keep his seat in February's gubernatorial elections, said Indonesians should not be deceived by people who used the verse to influence the election. Despite apologizing, the politician is being investigated by police and now faces potential charges of blasphemy amid national unrest. On Oct. 14, thousands marched in Jakarta, demanding legal action against the governor. Similar protests followed in other cities, including Surabaya and Bandung. On Nov. 4, a 50,000-strong demonstration resulted in clashes with police that injured more than 100 people and left one dead. On Dec. 2, around 200,000 protested, urging for Ahok's ejection from office. Shaken by the religious divide, more than 10,000 people held a counter-rally on Nov. 21, calling for tolerance. A second unity demonstration was held on Dec. 4, with around 30,000 in attendance. A deeper divide Indonesia is known for its moderate brand of Islam. The country's largest Muslim organizationsNahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyahdo not support the anti-Ahok rallies and have urged Muslims to remain calm. But hardline groups such as the Islamic Defenders Front (FDI), organizers of the anti-Ahok protests, are widespread. The FDI, who calls for a formal adoption of sharia law, follows a specific interpretation of Sunni Islam that labels non-Muslims "infidels" and has been implicated in violent attacks against minority religions, according to Human Rights Watch. The FDI's teachings challenge a key philosophy that has governed Indonesia since 1985: Pancasila, a secular principle based on the idea of national unity and a belief in one god, the identity of whom is left open to individual interpretation. The debate about the role of Islam in a secular state, combined with the growing strength of radical entities like the FDI, are the key themes underpinning national anger towards Ahok, Dina Afrianty, research fellow at Australian Catholic University, told CNBC. watch now "We're dealing with implications of a long-term rise in conservatism," Douglas Ramage, managing director at consulting firm Bower Group Asia, agreed. And there is the additional risk that the FDI-led protests could provide a fresh opportunity for global terror network Islamic State to expand its membership in Indonesia by capitalizing on the conservative fervor. Religious politics or just politics? Australia's economy shrank for the first time in over five years last quarter as businesses, consumers and government all cut back on spending, an unexpected blow that will challenge policymakers' optimism for growth. The local dollar sank about half a cent after the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.5 percent in the third quarter, from the second when it rose a revised 0.6 percent. That was the first contraction since early 2011 and only the fourth since the country's last recession in 1991. The value of all goods and services was 1.8 percent higher than the same quarter last year, pulling back sharply from around 3.1 percent in the second quarter. Business investment was the biggest drag with miners still unwinding a decade-long spending boom, while home building retreated after a very strong run. Taiwan President, Tsai Ing-wen speaks during a press conference at the Taipei Guest House on August 20, 2016. Sam Yeh | AFP | Getty Images China called on U.S. officials on Tuesday not to let Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen pass through the United States en route to Guatemala next month, days after President-elect Donald Trump irked Beijing by speaking to Tsai in a break with decades of precedent. The U.S. State Department appeared to reject the call, saying that such transits were based on "long-standing U.S. practice, consistent with the unofficial nature of (U.S.) relations with Taiwan." China is deeply suspicious of Tsai, whom it thinks wants to push for the formal independence of Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing regards as a renegade province. Her call with Trump on Friday was the first between a U.S. president-elect or president and a Taiwanese leader since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 1979. Tsai is due to visit Guatemala, one of Taiwan's small band of diplomatic allies, on Jan. 11-12, its foreign minister, Carlos Raul Morales, told Reuters. watch now Taiwan's Liberty Times, considered close to Tsai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, reported on Monday that she was planning to go through New York early next month on her way to Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador. Taiwan has not formally confirmed Tsai's trip but visits to its allies in the region are normally combined with transit stops in the United States and meetings with Taiwan-friendly officials. The trip would take place before Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20 to replace Democrat Barack Obama and Tsai's delegation would seek to meet Trump's team, including his White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, the Liberty Times said. Meeting "unlikely" An adviser to Trump's transition team said he considered it "very unlikely" there would be a meeting between Tsai and Trump if she were to go through New York. China's Foreign Ministry said the one-China principle, which states Taiwan is part of China, was commonly recognized by the international community and that Tsai's real aim was "self-evident." China hopes the United States "does not allow her transit, and does not send any wrong signals to 'Taiwan independence' forces," the ministry said in a statement sent to Reuters. watch now U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said on Monday he had no information whether Tsai would meet U.S. officials if she stopped in transit but said Taiwanese presidents did stop over periodically. He said the transits were "based on long-standing U.S. practice, consistent with the unofficial nature of our relations with Taiwan." A spokeswoman repeated the position on Tuesday when asked to comment on the Chinese call. In a meeting with American reporters on Tuesday, Tsai played down the significance of her conversation with Trump, saying it was to congratulate the president-elect. "I do not foresee major policy shifts in the near future because we all see the value of stability in the region," she told the reporters. U.S. Vice President-elect Mike Pence told the Fox News Channel on Tuesday that Trump did not regret taking the call. "(The) president-elect was fully aware of the one-China policy," Pence said. "He's also very aware that the United States has sold billions of dollars in arms to Taiwan. "We have a unique relationship with that country that's been defined over the decades since we've reopened relations with the People's Republic of China but I think he think he felt it would be rude not to take the call." watch now While the market continued to roar higher on Tuesday, Jim Cramer couldn't ignore the cracks starting to appear in the Trump rally, especially for defense stocks. "Don't get me wrong, I still think the president-elect has a very pro-business agenda, it's just more pro-some-business than others, and the list of those others seems to keep growing," the "Mad Money" host said. Donald Trump's tweet that claimed the cost of Air Force One that Boeing is building to be more than $4 billion caught Cramer's attention on Tuesday and what it could mean for risk in defense stocks. While the $4 billion figure was unconfirmed, the real issue for Cramer was suasion, or what President Theodore Roosevelt called "bully pulpit." Tweet United Technologies CEO Greg Hayes told Cramer on Monday that there was no quid pro quo in the deal for Carrier with Trump. However, Hayes made it clear that he was cognizant of his company's $6 billion in defense contracts that could be put at risk. Now it is Boeing 's turn. "Just like United Technologies, getting on the next President's bad side could be a serious problem for Boeing," Cramer said. Jim Cramer has interviewed countless members of the energy industry, but he says there is only one guy who correctly called the bottom for crude and predicted the trajectory for oil prices, RBN Energy President Rusty Braziel. Unfortunately, Braziel thinks an administration under President-elect Donald Trump means the oil and gas industry is going to get things done which could be bad news for oil prices. "Even under the Obama administration they got a lot of things done. They got so many things done that they crushed the price of oil and gas ... now we're going to get more things done. Does that make you a little uncomfortable?" Braziel said to the "Mad Money" host on Tuesday. Looking at the forward curve, Braziel predicted that the price of oil will be $56 a barrel by 2021. Banners hang from Sears' flagship store in the Loop in Chicago, Illinois. Getty Images Executives are abandoning ship during the critical holiday season. The latest round of store closures is in the works. And a key apparel account just recorded another quarterly sales decline. Yet despite the slew of negative headlines leading into Sears ' fiscal third-quarter earnings report Thursday, the department store chain has reason and likely, the resources to hang on after the holidays and through early 2017, when retail bankruptcies are typically filed. As CEO Eddie Lampert continues to inject funds into the company, the chain has been able to purchase inventory for its stores, while garnering returns for his hedge fund ESL. The company also has roughly 250 unencumbered Kmart and Sears stores that it could sell off, potentially generating some $2.4 billion in proceeds, according to Fitch Ratings. While such maneuvers are seen by many as temporary ways to plug the hole in Sears' operating losses, they should continue to buy it time. At a national real estate conference in New York City this week, chatter swirled that late 2017 would be the earliest date Sears would file for bankruptcy in order to protect the $2.7 billion in assets it sold to Seritage Growth Properties and through joint venture deals last year. Those people formed this thesis upon a piece of the U.S. bankruptcy law called "fraudulent conveyance," which would give Sears shareholders a two-year window to go after Seritage's assets if the department store chain were to file for bankruptcy. The two-year anniversary of that spinoff falls this summer. In the short time Seritage has been a publicly traded entity, its shares and market capitalization have already surpassed those of Sears. "There isn't anything right now ... that says it's going to be any different than what people are expecting it to be, which is just another bad quarter," Philip Emma, head of North America research at Debtwire Analytics, told CNBC. Caution flags ahead of earnings Indeed, the Thomson Reuters consensus forecast, which culls data from just one analyst, predicts Sears' top line will contract by $803 million during the three months ended in October, to $4.9 billion. Meanwhile, the department store chain is widely expected to report another quarterly decline in same-store sales. That metric has not been positive for the retailer since the first quarter of 2010. Aside from that one reporting period, it hasn't happened in more than a decade. Sears has also reported just two profitable quarters since April 2012. "There isn't anyone that's going to be surprised if the numbers are really, really bad on Thursday," Emma said. watch now A look at Lands' End 's quarterly results is another sign of trouble. That brand, which generated 89 percent of its retail sales from Sears stores in 2015, said last week that net revenue in that segment fell 15.6 percent, to $39.3 million, during its fiscal third quarter. Sears spun off Lands' End in 2014, but continues to carry the brand in more than 200 stores. "[We] have continued to see weak traffic trends within malls and more specifically within our Sears locations," Jim Gooch, Lands' End's co-interim CEO, told investors on the company's earnings call. Meanwhile, the Sears' executive shuffle continues to march on. Former Executive Vice President Jeffrey Balagna exited the company Nov. 30 to "focus on his other business interests and pursue other career opportunities," according to an SEC filing. And Joelle Maher, who served as Sears president and chief member officer for that store format, left the company last week after about a year and a half. When contacted by CNBC, Sears did not provide additional context as to the reason for her departure, but said it appreciated her service. Robert Schriesheim also stepped down earlier this year from his post as Sears CFO. "It certainly doesn't help the challenges they have in the business to have that kind of a constant turnover, but it is not atypical for them," Emma said. Where Sears can go from here Regardless of whether Sears' challenges are typical or not, it will eventually run out of options if it doesn't turn around its fundamental business, analysts contend. In a note explaining its view on the company last month, Fitch Ratings said it expects Sears to burn through between $1.6 billion and $1.8 billion in cash in 2016. To fund its inventory for the holiday season, the ratings agency pegged Sears' working capital needs at $500 million to $650 million. Sears had $467 million in total liquidity as of July 30, Fitch said. The firm concluded that Sears should be able to fund its holiday inventory through borrowings on its credit facility, but said its restructuring risk remains "high" over the next 12 to 24 months. As of the second quarter, Sears had $3.5 billion in long-term debt, according to Moody's. Sears raised nearly $10 billion in liquidity from 2012 to 2015. And despite its shrinking asset pool, it still has plenty of ways to fund what Lampert has repeatedly promised will lead to eventual profitability. At the top of that list is its real estate, which could bring in more than $2 billion if sold, according to Fitch. The company is also working to sell off its Kenmore and Craftsman brands, and said in August that it had received interest from a "variety of potential partners." However, some have speculated that interested parties might try to wait for a potential bankruptcy filing so they could scoop up those brands at a lower cost. If a deal were to go through, Fitch says those proceeds would likely be used to pay down pension plans as opposed to funding Sears' operations. Several people in the real estate industry, who are monitoring Sears' performance from the perspective of potentially needing to fill up large, vacant spaces, are keeping an eye on 2017. They contend that because Sears spun off more than 200 properties to Seritage last July, creditors could go after Seritage's assets in the event of a Sears bankruptcy until that transaction hits its two-year anniversary. At that two-year mark, the statute of limitations would run out on that transaction. However, Chuck Tatelbaum, director of the Tripp Scott law firm and chair of the bankruptcy and creditors' rights department, said that wouldn't necessarily be the case for Sears. Individual states have longer statutes of limitations on that piece of the bankruptcy code. Therefore, if Sears were to file for bankruptcy its home state of Illinois or in Delaware, the statute of limitations would extend another two years. The company will face additional pressure next summer, as all of Sears secured loans and bonds mature in a three-year window beginning in July. Fixing the foundation If you are Pablo Picasso, it's not too hard to sell a piece of artwork for $179 million: His painting "Les Femmes d'Alger" became one of the most expensive ever sold. But if you are not Picasso and are instead one of the country's many artists or business owners struggling to make a living, valuing your products at exorbitant, above-market prices is not the wisest decision. That's the lesson billionaire restaurateur and host of the show Tilman Fertitta tries to impart to artist and sculptor Jed Malitz on this week's episode of "Billion Dollar Buyer." The owner of Jed Malitz V2 Gallery in New Orleans, Malitz has only been able to make money off of one of his five monumental glass sculptures over a period of four years. The low number of sales is putting his business in jeopardy. Malitz estimates he can only stay open three-to-six more months. Though the sculptures human forms made of floating ribbons embedded in glass are impressive to visitors at the gallery, the bottleneck to Malitz's success are his prices. His sculptures cost approximately $225,000 each. "Your prices are simply too high," said Fertitta. With costs at approximately $50,000 per piece, the markup is significant. "You don't get a four-to-five time markup until you become successful," Fertitta said. Meet Evgeniya Kharaim, 27, Russian born but living in London for the last ten years. She has a bachelor degree in Banking and International Finance as well as Masters in Luxury Brand Management. She created a luxury lingerie brand called 'Freolic Lingerie', that's been trading since January 2016. Her aim was to create a luxury lingerie brand that uses premium materials at competitive prices. She decided to implement the skills she learned from her Masters course and an investment from her parents to make her dream come true. Evgeniya has been selling through her website and a concession in Notting Hill but want's to make a step up and reach a larger market. In China Evgeniya wants to secure a manufacturer that can meet the standards people expect from a luxury brand whilst keeping her costs down. At the moment she manufactures in Europe, but is struggling to stay competitive. She is also looking for alternative high quality materials that she could source in China and bring to a European market. In the future, Evgeniya wants her business to become more flexible, to fulfil customer and retail orders more effectively, and reduce her prices without compromising on quality. She wants to have lines that are on trend and current, whilst incorporating classic style elements, going toe to toe with the big names in lingerie. College-bound students: If you haven't already submitted your financial aid application for 2017-18, it's time to get a move on. "For families that are interested in financial aid, earlier is always better," said Peter Farrell, managing director and senior principal for enrollment services at Royall & Company. Under changes this year, students have been able to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid since Oct. 1. In previous years, they had to wait another three months, until Jan. 1. They can also use financial data from their most recent tax return. (That's the one you filed in April, not the one you're already thinking about preparing for next spring.) Plenty of families have taken advantage of that early access. Applications in the first 2 weeks of this year's FAFSA season were up 4 percent from the same time period last season, according to the Department of Education. By Nov. 22 this year more than a month before students could even file the FAFSA last year colleges had already received FAFSA filings equivalent to an average 32 percent of the previous academic year's total, according to a Royall analysis of 171 colleges. Merkel to focus on security, EU in campaign: Expert 4:04 AM ET Wed, 7 Dec 2016 | 01:36 In reply to her critics that she was too soft on immigration and integration, Merkel called for a ban on burqas and received a standing ovation. "Here we say 'show your face'. So full veiling is not appropriate here. It should be prohibited wherever legally possible," she said. Merkel fell out with many CDU party members when she opened the doors to some 1 million refugees last year, insisting that Germany could integrate those who needed to flee from war and terror. Her slogan, "wir schaffen das" (or "we can make it"), provoked widespread criticism from all sides, especially from the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD), who gained a substantial share of the vote in recent regional elections. While Merkel's popularity abroad is unshaken, her domestic standing got seriously hampered by her open-door policy. But she is still perceived as a safe pair of hands despite all criticism. And more than 50 percent of all Germans want her to be the next chancellor. "I think Angela Merkel is convinced that there is nobody else ho could fill her position in regard to the European problem." Professor Jurgen W. Falter, political scientist and far-right expert at the University of Mainz told CNBC. Merkel is the only head of state who survived both the financial and the sovereign debt crisis and even benefited from her handling of the crisis and defending German interest. The oldest Italian bank needs to raise 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) by the end of the month but investors are increasingly more reluctant to inject money into the bank after the defeat of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in Sunday's referendum . "And if you 'bail-in' bond investors in Italy, it would be quite different than bailing in bond investors anywhere else because a lot of the bond investors in Italy are retail investors, who also just happen to be the Italian voters," Maratheftis explained. "If Italy goes entirely by the European rules, it has to go ahead with a 'bail-in' before it provides government funds to recapitalize the banks," Marios Maratheftis, chief economist at Standard Chartered, told CNBC on Wednesday. European authorities could punish the Italian government for putting taxpayers' money into the recapitalization of the troubled lender Monte dei Paschi di Siena (BMPS), but such a decision would prolong the ongoing European crisis, an economist told CNBC on Wednesday. Media reports on Tuesday suggested that the Italian government is preparing to step in. Reuters reported, citing anonymous sources, that it is planning to take a 2 billion euro controlling stake of BMPS using taxpayers' money a move that could be considered illegal state aid under European rules. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Italian Treasury declined to comment on a separate report in La Stampa newspaper on Wednesday which said that Italy was set to ask for 15 million euros in aid from the European Stability Mechanism - a crisis resolution mechanism set up for euro area countries. A "bail-in" is effectively rescuing a bank on the brink by making its creditors and depositors take a loss on their holdings. But opting for a state bailout for BMPS could not only raise problems with European competition authorities but it could also spark further anti-European sentiment among Italian voters. Any punishment from Brussels on Italian authorities would also make Italian voters angry at a time when support for Eurosceptic movements is on the rise. "It would be a complete disaster," Maratheftis said given the importance of Italy to the euro area and the European Union. "It's a country that to some extent is self-sufficient; it's a country that has voted quite loudly in the latest referendum; it's a euro member, unlike Great Britain; it's part of Europe and it's at the core of Europe," he explained. Italy was one of the founding members of the EU and it's the third largest economy in the euro area. There are concerns that the current political instability in Italy, as Prime Minister Matteo Renzi prepares to hand in his resignation, could undermine the plans to recapitalize the banks and prevent economic growth as much-needed reforms stall. "The main risk for 2017 is Italy," Maratheftis added. Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook. Richard Branson at the 2105 CGI Annual Meeting in New York. Self-made billionaire Richard Branson likes to peruse global affairs magazines, such as The Economist and The New Yorker. But "I've never been an avid reader of leadership books in general," he explains in a recent blog post. That said, he has some stand-outs to recommend. The Virgin Group founder lists five books he read in 2016 that helped shape his perspective on leadership. Consider adding these to your 2017 reading list. "Winners" by Alastair Campbell Alastair Campbell, the chief strategist for prime minister Tony Blair, knows what it takes to win. He helped lead his party to victory in three successive general elections. In "Winners," Campbell draws on interviews with a range of successful people, from elite athletes to business magnates, to get to the heart of success. It "highlights tangible lessons from a diverse range of interesting people," Branson notes, and is "filled with useful tips." "If I Could Tell You Just One Thing" by Richard Reed Richard Reed took Innocent Drinks from a smoothie stand on a street corner to one of the the biggest smoothie brands in Europe. His success boils down to four pieces of advice, which he discusses in "If I Could Tell You Just One Thing." "Scanning through the delightfully illustrated pages, I found so many wonderful pearls of wisdom from remarkable game-changers, from Stephen Fry to Andy Murray, Sir David Attenborough to Martha Lane Fox," Branson writes. "If you're looking for inspiration or useful life lessons, I recommend you pick up a copy." "Black Box Thinking" by Matthew Syed In "Black Box Thinking," Matthew Syed argues that success requires acknowledgment of, and a willingness to engage with, failure. He discusses individuals and organizations that have successfully embraced what he calls a "black box approach" to improvement, including David Beckham and Dropbox. It "highlights the need for a growth mindset in life," Branson says. "It advocates for changing attitudes towards failure, and understanding that the only way we learn is by trying things and altering our behaviour based on the results." "Travels with Charley" by John Steinbeck "Travels with Charley" has been on Branson's bookshelf for decades. In the book, author John Steinbeck takes a road trip with his dog Charley through nearly forty U.S. states and documents what he sees, who he meets, and what he learns. "With his inimitable charm, it opens your eyes to the small pleasures of life, and the great wonders of humanity in the little moments that matter," says Branson. "Less a direction on how to lead, you could see it as a subtle guide on how to live." "Ending the War on Drugs" A gas flare on an oil production platform in the Soroush oil fields is seen alongside an Iranian flag in the Gulf. Royal Dutch Shell will sign initial agreements on Wednesday to develop Iranian oil and gas fields, an Iranian official said, the first deal by the world's second-biggest listed oil firm in Iran since sanctions were lifted. Analysts said the deals showed major oil companies were prepared to keep doing business with Iran despite the risk that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump could scrap the nuclear deal that ended the sanctions earlier this year. Shell will sign three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) agreements in Tehran to develop the South Azadegan, Yadavaran oil fields and the Kish gas field, the Iranian Oil Ministry official said. The South Azadegan and Yadavaran fields both straddle Iran's border with Iraq. Total , which last month signed the first deal by a Western energy firm since sanctions were lifted, will start talks about new oil and gas projects but will not be signing any deals on Wednesday, the official said. Shell and Total declined to comment. "These preliminary agreements could mark a strong sign of confidence towards the sustainability of the nuclear deal," said Homayoun Falakshahi, Middle East research analyst at Wood Mackenzie. "These preliminary agreements come at the right time for President (Hassan) Rouhani, who can leverage on the nuclear deal bearing fruits for Iran's economy despite Trump's election," Falakshahi said. Trump said during his campaign for the White House that he would scrap Iran's nuclear pact with world powers, describing it as "the worst deal ever negotiated". Iran, the third-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, hopes its new Iran Petroleum Contracts (IPC) will attract foreign companies and boost production after years of underinvestment. Foreign firms keen to tap Iran's vast oil and gas reserves have so far made little inroads into the country despite the lifting of many sanctions and the new contracts that aim to improve the terms Iran offers for oil development deals. Iran will launch its first new-style tender to develop oil and gas fields since the lifting of sanctions after January next year. Donald Trump, then President-Elect, appears with SoftBank's Masayoshi Son to speak to media in the lobby at Trump Tower in New York, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. Jabin Botsford | The Washington Post | Getty Images SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son's declaration in Trump Tower that he was investing $50 billion in the U.S. sounded like a big bet on President-elect Donald Trump. The reality is that SoftBank has been all-in on the U.S. for years. In addition to its majority ownership of wireless carrier Sprint, SoftBank is a fixture in Silicon Valley. Last year, the company led a $1 billion investment in online lender SoFi, calling it a "game changer in the fintech space." In October, SoftBank spearheaded a $130 million financing in Zymergen, a start-up that's combining automation and biology. According to CB Insights, SoftBank has participated in 13 private company deals since the beginning of 2014, totaling $2 billion. Way back in 1996, SoftBank partnered with Yahoo to form Yahoo Japan . Son, who founded SoftBank in 1981, visited Trump on Tuesday for a meeting with the incoming president. Trump sent out two tweets immediately following the meeting saying that Masa as he's known had committed to investing $50 billion in the U.S. "Masa said he would never do this had we (Trump) not won the election!" Trump wrote. In fact, SoftBank, along with Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, announced plans in October for a technology investment fund that could reach $100 billion in size. The $50 billion Son was referencing is tied to that fund, according to The Wall Street Journal. Son has been bulking up in U.S. Last year, SoftBank said it would be closing its venture arm SoftBank Capital, which was led by former Google executive Nikesh Arora. Son was looking to do bigger deals and move away from early-stage investments, so he transferred control of the venture portfolio to New York-based firm Lerer Hippeau Ventures. "If they're going to put $50 billion to work, writing $500,000 checks into seed rounds is probably not the way to go," said Paul Martino, a partner at venture firm Bullpen Capital, which invested alongside SoftBank Capital in game developer JumpRamp. That's not to say that Son views a Trump administration as just business as usual. As the controlling investor in Sprint, Son has long been interested in snapping up T-Mobile to bulk up against AT&T and Verizon . An earlier plan fell apart in 2014 amid regulatory opposition. Starbucks held its twice-annual investor conference on Wednesday, unveiling plans to add 12,000 new stores globally in the next 5 yearson top of the 25,000 stores that exist already. It also aims for 10 percent annual revenue growth, and mid-single digit same store sales growth with earnings expanding by 15 to 25 percent per year. "I think in the world that we are living in today, there is a greater responsibility on companies to ensure the fact that we balance profit with social impact. And that is the kind of message I would share with the President-elect and I hope that he would share that," Schultz said to the " Mad Money " host. Less than a week after Howard Schultz announced he would step down from his role as CEO of Starbucks , he told Jim Cramer that he has a message for President-elect Donald Trump . "We are very intentional. We know what we are doing and we've got a clear plan to go do it," Johnson told Cramer about the company's five-year plan. While Schultz will be stepping down as CEO in April and passing the reigns to longtime COO Kevin Johnson, he will still stay on as executive chairman. "The most important currency in leadership is trust. Kevin has the trust of our partners and our people. He has the trust of the street as you saw today, and this is going to be a very smooth and natural transition," Schultz said. One area of global interest for Starbucks is China, having operated there for 17 years and has 30,000 employees in the country. Starbucks opens a new store in China approximately every 15 hours. With China as a source of contention with the President-elect surrounding trade and overseas employment, Johnson said he expects to continue the close relationship with partners and customers in China. "I can't predict the political environment, but I do know that we have been in China for 17 years. We've done it in a way that is showing great respect to the culture and the people in China," Johnson said. Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that Starbucks opens a new store in China every 15 hours. Starbucks said it expects its fast-growing China business could one day eclipse its U.S. market. The company said Wednesday it plans to open 12,000 additional stores globally in the next five years, taking the chain to a total of about 37,000 outlets. Half of the new units will be in the U.S. and China. "Our core business has never been stronger in the U.S. and around the world," Starbucks Chairman and CEO Howard Schultz told analysts at the coffee retailer's investor day event in New York. The CEO also emphasized something he's said before: "These are the early days of the growth and development of the company. If Starbucks was a 20-chapter book, I still think we're in chapter 4 or 5." "Demand is there, and our ability to deploy capital and get the return on invested capital is very strong," Starbucks President and COO Kevin Johnson told attendees. Johnson will become CEO of Starbucks in April, succeeding Schultz, who will continue as the Seattle-based company's chairman. Executives during presentations Wednesday highlighted how the company is focusing on both its flagship Starbucks stores and the higher-end Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room outlets for future growth. The company also has targeted the Reserve Roastery stores, which will sell premium coffee at around $10 a cup, to represent about one-fifth of total outlets by 2021. Also, Starbucks plans to open new stand-alone outlets under Princi, a high-end Italian bakery the company invested in over the summer. The bakery will serve pizza and have locations in major markets such as New York, Seattle and Chicago by 2018. Moreover, Princi food is expected to be offered at all of the company's new Roastery locations. Starbucks presented a five-year strategic plan to grow earnings per share between 15 and 20 percent and targeted "mid-single digit" comparable-store sales growth. The company sees retail revenue growing during this period at an annual growth rate of 10 percent. "I know some of you are concerned about the slowdown in U.S. comps, which candidly I don't share," Schultz told analysts. Schultz said the retailer continues to open 500 to 600 stores annually and the new store performance on a sequential basis has been "better than the year before. There's no better evidence of the health, the strength, the equity of the brand and the relevance of the Starbucks business." On the international front, Schultz said China is one market that remains particularly attractive for the retailer. "Not only will China one day be bigger than the U.S., but our business in China will demonstrate that we will be one of the...most significant winners in terms of a Western consumer brand," he said. Starbucks sees food innovation and its cold coffee beverages as key areas fueling its future growth. At present, food is about 20 percent of company's retail sales in the U.S. "Food represents the biggest growth opportunity for our business," Sharon Rothstein, Starbucks global chief marketing officer, said at the coffee chain's investor day event in New York. She said the company plans to double the food business over the next five years by offering not just snacks but meals throughout the day. Breakfast sandwich category sales at Starbucks have nearly doubled over the past four years and now account for close to about 40 percent of total food sales. Starting in January, the retailer plans to launch Sous Vide Egg Bites, a new handheld product line in the breakfast meal category that will be protein rich, wheat-free and address "health and wellness demand." It will follow it up in the spring with a gluten-free breakfast sandwich. Rothstein said the company also sees "a big business opportunity" in the lunch crowd. As a result, the chain plans to offer new "grab and go" meals as well as regional offerings of soups. Meanwhile, cold coffee beverages are expected to grow to nearly half of its beverage revenue in the next five years. "We are relentlessly focused to innovate in all things cold coffee," Rothstein said. "And that starts with Cold Brew." The Seattle-based coffee chain forecasts that by the year 2021 nearly 50 percent of its beverage mix will be in cold, up from over 35 percent in 2013. Helping to drive growth are new offerings in the cold beverage category such as Cold Brew. The Cold Brew platform is part of Starbucks' overall strategy to deliver improved revenue and profitability through premium offerings. Earlier this year, the company also launched Nitro Cold Brew, which is now available in more than 500 U.S. stores as well as some locations in China and Canada. At Wednesday's investor event, management indicated that the Cold Brew platform has already contributed in a meaningful way to same-store sales growth. "[Cold Brew] is another example of premiumization at play as customers have traded up from their iced coffee habits to Cold Brew," said Rothstein. "In less than a year and a half, Cold Brew has really become big business for us." Cold Brew, an extra-strong brewed coffee, can cost as much as 20 percent more than the retailer's regular iced coffee offering. At present, Cold Brew is a roughly $140 million coffee platform in the U.S. market alone. Starbucks expects to more than quadruple its Cold Brew business by 2021. Starbucks also is about to launch a new line of bottled Teavana Craft Iced Teas in a partnership with Anheuser-Busch InBev . Four fruit-flavored iced tea varieties will be introduced in a category that Starbucks says is a $4 billion market potential. The new Teavana bottled iced teas will be available in the U.S. Northeast region starting in February and will expand across the rest of the nation by 2018. The company said each tea product will be under 100 calories and will contain no artificial ingredients. Meantime, the company sees the premium Roastery stores as an important contributor to future growth. The first Roastery opened two years ago in Seattle and the company plans to further expand the concept in the U.S., Europe as well as in Asian markets such as Japan and China. "[Roastery] serves as a really unique laboratory for experimentation and exploration," Rothstein said. "We have the ability to test, learn and then quickly scale our new customer favorites to all our Starbucks stores." Starbucks also disclosed plans at the event to add 12,000 new stores globally over the next five years. That would represent a nearly 50 percent increase from the current number and bring the chain to a total of about 37,000 stores. In trading Wednesday, Starbucks shares closed down just over 2 percent. watch now Donald Trump is still talking tough about China even with all the presidential campaigning behind him and some investors are starting to wonder who gets hit hardest if he puts words into action. Perhaps most concerning to Wall Street are the ramifications of the president-elect's talk of a punitive 45 percent tariff on goods imported from China, the world's second-biggest economy. The current average tariff on imports from China is about 3 percent, according to the U.S. International Trade Commission. Some economists say a tariff of that size could slow China's economy by 3 percentage points, that according to Capital Economics. "The direct impact on GDP would be sizable. The value added by export[s] is about 10 percent of China GDP, and [the] U.S. accounts for about one-fifth of China exports," Gene Ma, chief economist for China at the Institute of International Finance, told CNBC. But the pain would almost certainly spread to the U.S.-based multinationals that do business in China. watch now After years of diversification and globalization, big U.S. retail chains including Wal-Mart and others sell a tremendous amount of merchandise made in China to consumers in America. Low production costs in Asia and Latin America bring cheap goods to shelves in the United States, but tariffs would increase the cost of selling Chinese-made goods into the U.S. that in fact appears to be Trump's goal. An added tax on Chinese goods could pressure corporate margins and raise questions about how much many popular products will cost in a years' time. Wal-Mart did not immediately respond to a CNBC request for comment. China exported about $482 billion in goods to the United States in 2015, more than any other country exported to the U.S., according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. It is the technology industry that is perhaps most dependent on China, either for the manufacturing of specific components or whole products. Research consultancy Capital Economics points out that China is the source of three-quarters of mobile phones and 93 percent of tablets or laptops shipped to the United States. Over the past 15 years, China has been a manufacturing hub for big, diversified technology companies like Apple and Microsoft that specialize in hardware and software. Manufacturers in Harbin, China, that spoke to CNBC said the Chinese are known for their meticulous attention to detail and skill at manufacturing high-quality goods. But an added tax on goods made in China could push multinational companies to re-evaluate whether their exposure to China makes sense, or if it is time to scale back operations. The answer would likely be complicated. According to a Thomson Reuters model from analytics research group StarMine, companies with high revenue exposure to China include many semiconductor companies, such as Skyworks Solutions , Qualcomm , , Micron Technology and Texas Instruments . Many of those companies specialize in chips that power smartphones and tablets of Apple, Google and others. The Semiconductor Industry Association, a trade group that represents the industry, was not immediately available for comment. 'Ultimately his policies will likely be favorable' Donald Trump said Wednesday he sold his stocks in June because he thought he would win the presidency and wanted to avoid conflicts when making policy. In an interview on NBC's "TODAY," the president-elect elaborated on a statement Tuesday by a spokesman confirming he had sold all of his stock in June. The transition team, however, did not provide any documents to prove the sale. Stock holdings were one small part of Trump's personal fortune that could have been affected by his presidential decisions. For example Trump's proposals to loosen financial regulations and promote American energy production could have boosted some of the companies in which he invested. "I don't think it's appropriate for me to be owning stocks when I'm making deals for this country that maybe will affect one company positively and one company negatively, so I just thought it was a conflict," Trump told "TODAY." For example, Trump's administration could decide on the fate of the controversial Dakota Access pipeline, which is operated by Energy Transfer Partners . He held shares of the company earlier this year. Trump's brokerage accounts also had shares of Apple, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Verizon , among dozens of other companies, as of May, according to a financial disclosure document. Some of those stocks have rallied since Trump's election, partly on hopes about his policy agenda. Trump claims he "let everybody know" that he sold his stocks in June, though CNBC could not find a record of his campaign announcing that. However, he told Fox Business in August that he "got out" of the stock market, but did not specify when. A stock sale only reduces some conflicts for Trump's presidency, as his company still has real estate holdings around the globe. Trump plans to hand his businesses over to his three eldest children, but that may not eliminate conflicts, as they serve on his transition team. Daughter Ivanka sat in on a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shortly after the election. Cowen warned investors that Donald Trump's tweet criticizing Boeing on the Air Force One program's costs increases the risk on shares of defense companies with big-name contracts. "Trump's tweet lambasting the Presidential Aircraft likely won't have meaningful direct impact on BA as its current contract is small," analyst Cai von Rumohr wrote in a note to clients Wednesday. "However, his emerging habit of using Twitter as a bully pulpit could become a threat to controversial high profile programs." The president-elect on Tuesday tweeted he would like to cancel the government's Air Force One order, saying the "costs are out of control." Tweet Link Rumohr said Trump's tweet isn't a big threat to Boeing's business because the company's current Air Force One design contract is only $170 million and the project's future was already "uncertain." "The more important issue, however, is Trump's emerging pattern of using Twitter as a bully pulpit to negotiating leverage over targeted businesses, e.g. Carrier, Boeing on issues of concern," he wrote. "Presumably he won't comment on all defense contracts but will focus on high profile programs. However, given his power as President, this can have an impact on specific programs," he added. He said there is precedent for incoming presidents to cut specific defense programs due to high costs. For example, the analyst cited how Jimmy Carter canceled the B-1 bomber when he became president in 1977 "Furthermore, even if Trump only launches a bombastic Twitter shout out, this more aggressive approach to contractor relations could impact the stocks, particularly the platform producing primes," he wrote. Rumohr listed Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman as the defense companies most at risk on any Trump escalation. The two companies are trading at "record" valuation multiples of 15 times 2017 EBITDA estimates, according to the analyst. Rumohr has a market perform rating on Lockheed Martin with a $260 price target, representing 2 percent downside from Tuesday's close. He rates Northrop Grumman at market perform with a $227 price target, representing 8 percent downside from Tuesday's close. Donald Trump Carlo Allegri | Reuters The remains of a home smolder in the wake of a wildfire November 30, 2016 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Two juveniles were arrested Wednesday on aggravated arson charges in the Tennessee wildfire that killed 14 people, and more charges are possible, authorities said Wednesday. The suspects weren't identified because they're minors. Authorities would say only that they are residents of Tennessee but not of Sevier County, where the fire caused significant damage and forced the evacuations of thousands of residents around Great Smoky Mountains National Park. More from NBC News: China's president and Trump's ambassador pick go way back Thousands pay tribute at Pearl Harbor, 75 years after attack TIME Person of the Year for 2016 is President-elect DonaldTrump Sevier County District Attorney James Dunn said the suspects were being held pending a detention hearing at which a juvenile court judge will decide bond. Authorities said the suspects could be charged as adults and that other charges "are on the table." This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates. United Parcel Service CEO David Abney told CNBC on Wednesday the U.S. can improve its competitiveness under a Donald Trump administration. Abney also said small and mid-size businesses in the U.S. feel overburdened by regulations. "And it's not one particular thing," Abney said on "Squawk Box" at the Business Roundtable meeting in Washington. "It can be the cost of health care. It can be tax. It can be the environmental issues. You take all of those issues and and you add them together, it can just be overburdening for a smaller company." He continued: "A company like UPS ... we're going to have the experts that can focus on these regulations and they can focus on the expectations. But it's much harder for our customers of the smaller companies." Abney said he is optimistic about UPS under a Trump administration. During his campaign, Trump pledged to cut taxes, repair infrastructure and overturn government regulations that he said killed jobs and slowed economic growth. "Tax reform. You hear about it over and over, but it's very important to us. Obviously investing in infrastructure." Abney said. "When you have 100,000 drivers on the road, that's important to us. Regulations and being able to eliminate some of the unnecessary regulations." Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images The short-term spending deal reached by congressional Republicans late Tuesday includes a variety of spending measures and provisions unrelated to funding the government through April of next year, including $170 million in funding for the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, and language that would ease the confirmation of retired Marine Gen. James N. Mattis as Secretary of Defense. Conspicuously absent from the continuing resolution expected to pass the House easily on Thursday: a provision restoring full lending powers to the embattled Export-Import Bank. Ex-Im, as the agency is known, supports billions of dollars of U.S. trade financing annually, supporting thousands of U.S. jobs. But in fiscal 2016, job numbers have dropped dramatically as a result of the cutbacks. The agency has been operating with just two board members for nearly 18 months, one board member shy of the three needed to approve transactions greater than $10 million. The agency which guarantees loans to foreign companies wishing to purchase U.S. goods faces opposition from a contingent of Republicans in Congress who views Ex-Im's use of government dollars to backstop deals for U.S. companies as "corporate welfare." Those opponents have effectively blocked new nominations to Ex-Im's board, severely limiting the agency's ability to carry out its mission. Last week the Obama administration asked that the funding bill include a provision that would allow Ex-Im to operate at full capacity for up to three years with only two board members. GOP lawmakers, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Penn.) who attached similar requests to spending bills last week have also come out in support of restoring Ex-Im's full lending powers, going up against congressional colleagues like Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas that have vowed to shutter Ex-Im. But the larger question surrounding the long-term existence of the Export-Import Bank will be answered by the incoming Trump administration, which has yet to weigh in publicly on the matter. Fred Hochberg, chairman and president of Ex-Im Bank, is confident that Ex-Im's core focus on boosting the competitiveness of U.S. exports abroad and preserving jobs at home dovetails with the president-elect's stated economic agenda. Others aren't so sure. "If this thing is going to be rescued, it's going to have to be rescued by the president," said Richard Aboulafia, vice president for analysis at aerospace industry consultancy Teal Group. "And he's implied that he won't go to bat for it." A hot-potato issue The Export-Import Bank is 1 of nearly 100 export credit agencies representing countries around the world. The independent agency supports U.S. exports by backstopping loans needed by foreign governments or companies to purchase U.S. goods, typically costly capital goods, like jetliners, heavy equipment or infrastructure components. As such, companies like Boeing , General Electric and Caterpillar account for a large chunk of the loans Ex-Im guarantees in a given year. The heavy weighting of Ex-Im's larger loan guarantees toward a relatively small pool of big U.S. companies lends ammo to critics of the bank in Congress, who claim the U.S. government shouldn't be in the business of helping corporations cut deals abroad. Supporters of the bank counter that Ex-Im doesn't provide loans itself, but merely guarantees them in cases where customers might otherwise have trouble obtaining financing. Further, its record at backing worthwhile loans is respectable; Ex-Im is the rare government agency that actually makes money, returning some $7 billion to federal coffers over the past two decades. Perhaps more crucially, if Ex-Im doesn't step in on behalf of U.S. companies, other nations' credit export agencies will step in on behalf of their own industrial concerns, Aboulafia said. "The Ex-Im bank is probably one of the few forms of government intervention that is both harmless and can make a difference," he said. The bank's opponents in Congress first tried to kill Ex-Im in June of last year by refusing to reauthorize the eight-decade-old agency's charter. Supporters managed to revive it five months later, tucking a provision into a spending bill extending the bank's authorization into September 2019. But Republicans in Congress have failed to confirm new nominees to Ex-Im's board, leaving it short of the three-member quorum it needs to approve large loan guarantees. "We've got in the range of $30 billion dollars' worth of transactions that are like planes circling the airport trying to land, and we don't have enough board members to get them down," Hochberg said. "That's a lot of jobs." In 2014, Ex-Im supported $20 billion in financing, supporting some 165,000 jobs by the bank's estimates. Lacking a quorum, the bank supported just $5 billion in financing or 52,000 U.S. jobs in fiscal 2016, its lowest output in four decades. "The world has changed; it's more competitive; exports are more prominent," Hochberg said. "And yet we're operating at a level that we haven't seen in more than 40 years." Ex-Im Bank 2.0 For his part, President-elect Trump has yet to weigh in on the Export-Import Bank specifically, and it's unclear whether the president-elect will go against conservative critics of the bank in Congress. "There's not a lot of core knowledge in the world of economics that's been working with the team," Aboulafia says of the incoming administration. "That's going to change fast, but there's so much we don't know, because there's so much they don't know." One factor that could sway the president-elect in favor of preserving Ex-Im is an unprecedented opportunity to shape the agency as he sees fit. Because of the nuanced way Ex-Im board appointments work and because some of the seats have been held vacant for so long the new administration has the opportunity to pack the board with nominees that share his vision when he takes office in January. "Both Congress and the new president can really shape the complexion of the board entirely," Hochberg pointed out. That, coupled with a shared mission, should make the continued existence of Ex-Im attractive to the new administration. "The president-elect has demonstrated with Carrier and others to be very muscular in his support for U.S. jobs, muscular in support that we retain jobs for this country, that we don't ship jobs overseas, that we don't let other countries take sales and support jobs in their own countries," Hochberg said. "That's exactly what we do at the Export-Import Bank." watch now We've got in the range of $30 billion dollars' worth of transactions that are like planes circling the airport trying to land, and we don't have enough board members to get them down. Fred Hochberg chairman and president, Ex-Im Bank Onondaga Community College (OCC) on Friday formally opened With Love, a teaching restaurant located at 435 North Salina St. where La Cuisine, a Mediterranean restaurant, previously operated. (Eric Reinhardt / BJNN) SYRACUSE, N.Y. Onondaga Community College (OCC) on Friday formally opened With Love, a teaching restaurant located at 435 North Salina St. where La Cuisine, a Mediterranean restaurant, previously operated. Students enrolled in the schools food-service management and line-cook programs will staff the restaurant to learn about cooking cuisines and operating various restaurant formats. The restaurants cuisine will change every six months, OCC said in a news release. A student serving as the entrepreneur/restaurateur in residence will make that determination. The first student in that role, Sarah Robin, is from Lahore, Pakistan, and she has chosen a Pakistani cuisine. The eatery is a unique venue for our community, Mark Manning, OCC senior VP and CFO, said in his remarks at the Friday grand-opening event. That is because this is not only a restaurant but it is a workforce-training facility designed to train local people for jobs in the food-service management industry right here in Central New York. This restaurant will be a living laboratory for students to learn the fast-paced restaurant business through real life, hands-on experience, said Manning. The restaurants weekly schedule includes serving lunch on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. and dinner on Thursdays and Fridays between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., per OCC. Six OCC students will initially operate With Love, Adam Sudmann, program manager for OCCs food-service management program, said in speaking with reporters at the formal opening ceremony. Sudmann anticipates having 24 students involved in the restaurant by December 2017, he added. Project background The Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency (OCIDA) invested $300,000 into the project, J. Ryan McMahon II, chairman of the Onondaga County Legislature, said in his remarks at the event. OCIDA bought the parcel at 435 N. Salina St. from the Greater Syracuse Land Bank for $99,000, according to the property record on the website of the Onondaga County Office of Real Property Tax Services. OCIDA leases it to OCC. OCC uses a $2.5 million U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) TAACCCT grant to pay for its food-service management program, the school said. TAACCCT is short for trade-adjustment assistance community college and career training grant program, according to the USDOL website. OCC cites additional partnerships in helping the school launch the training restaurant. They include CenterState CEOs UP Start program, which gives the restaurateur in residence wraparound business and financial training. The UP Start program offers introductory classes on business plan creation, business structure and assistance with launch, according to the CenterState CEO website. In addition, Catholic Charities provides a five-week, prerequisite course in industrial kitchen best practices and ServSafe certification, OCC said. ServSafe is a certification program through the Chicago, Illinoisbased National Restaurant Association, per the associations website. OCC also cited the Onondaga Civic Development Corporation, which secured the restaurant location initially and assisted with funding renovations. Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com Dennis Gates and new-look Mizzou basketball ready for introduction It's been an offseason filled with change for Missouri basketball. Now, Dennis Gates and company are ready to get the games underway Our Bodies, Our Voices: Columbus Women Reflect on Abortion Rights The fall of Roe v. Wade has created a fury that is personal. These 10 essays and stories reflect how Central Ohio residents are feeling. Scott Zulpo is facing stiff competition. He's adding a senior project manager, a network analyst and a help desk worker to his 55-member IT staff at BCU, a Vernon Hills, Ill.-based credit union where he is vice president of IT. He plans to add even more people in 2017 to keep up with an increasing demand for tech-driven innovations. "The challenge is twofold -- first finding talent, and then determining if that talent has the skills, experience and personality to thrive in the position," says Zulpo, who's mindful that "the cost and impact of not hiring an 'A' player is huge." Zulpo has his work cut out for him. He's hiring at time when few IT professionals are out of work, so competition for tech talent is fierce. The unemployment rate for tech workers is about 2%, according to reports on recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Moreover, Zulpo is seeking the same skills that many of his fellow IT leaders also need. Computerworld's Forecast 2017 survey of 196 IT professionals found that both project management and technical support were among the top 10 most sought-after skills among survey respondents who said they plan on adding head count in the new year. "The IT labor market is still very hot. The candidate is very much in the driver's seat," says Jason Hayman, market research manager for IT staffing firm TEKsystems. Hayman cites a government report that estimates that 500,000 to 1 million IT jobs go unfilled every year, but notes that some analysts say the figure is closer to 2 million. He says there's a classic supply-and-demand scenario working here, with demand for talent far exceeding supply. "The takeaway is there aren't enough of these workers," he says. Here's a look at the top 10 most in-demand tech skills, as determined by the 29% of respondents to Computerworld's Forecast 2017 survey who said they plan to increase head count in the next 12 months. If you're a manager looking to hire people with these skills, be prepared -- it could take a while to find the right person. If you're an IT pro in possession of these skills, congratulations: Your services are in demand. If you intend to refresh your tech skills for 2017, start taking notes -- this is where the action will be in the upcoming year. Computerworld Programming/application development 35% of respondents with hiring plans said they will be seeking people with this skill in the next 12 months. Developers and programmers continue to be leading players in the IT world, with hiring managers citing programing and application development as the top skills they will be seeking in the upcoming year. "Companies are still developing software and applications," says Jack Cullen, president of IT staffing firm Modis. Companies need tech pros who can customize off-the-shelf applications, work on APIs and integration points, and even develop proprietary software -- yes, that's still happening, even in the age of software as a service (SaaS). Systems need to be maintained and updated, which further sustains the need for developers and programmers. Because of the strong demand for these specialists, organizations have to pay top dollar to attract talent. In fact, Cullen says he sees employers trying to entice top candidates to leave their current positions by making them offers that exceed their current salaries by upwards of 15%. Help desk/technical support 35% of respondents with hiring plans said they will be seeking people with this skill in the next 12 months. BCU's Zulpo is looking for a new service desk manager to replace someone who recently left. He says he knows he's competing with many other employers as he tries to recruit help desk talent, but he still has high standards for this hire. "We're looking for someone who not only can handle tickets coming in but can help us bring in best practices, policies and procedures," Zulpo says. Help desk staff remains in high demand because technology is so pervasive, says Rafi Khan, the former CIO at Riverside Community Care and now a senior consultant at Open Minds, a health and human services management consultancy. That's also why it's critical to find the right people for these jobs. Even though support technician is sometimes seen as an entry-level position, Khan says companies often require candidates to have broad knowledge about different hardware and software systems so they can handle requests from all over the organization. IT staffing firm Robert Half Technology lists help desk and desktop support professionals (especially Tier 2 and Tier 3 personnel) among the most in-demand tech workers for 2017. It says annual salaries range from $36,000 to $51,750 for Tier 1 workers, and from $60,000 to $80,500 for Tier 3 professionals. Security/compliance/governance 26% of respondents with hiring plans said they will be seeking people with this skill in the next 12 months. As manager of information management systems at the Central Pension Fund, Gregory Drauch oversees nine people who support 70 employees at the Washington, D.C., nonprofit organization. He says he's now assessing what skills he needs for the upcoming year but already expects to add security competencies to the mix. "Security is an ever-evolving threat, and it takes work to make sure your own skills are up to date," he says. As an IT leader at a small organization with a small tech team, Drauch sees the need for all IT staffers to have security proficiencies so that infrastructure and data security become routine parts of everyone's duties. "If it's not built in from the start, security is much more difficult to incorporate effectively," he says. Drauch plans to hire a consultant to help him strengthen the organization's security posture and engage a managed security service provider for penetration testing. He hopes to use both to train existing team members in current best practices and security technologies -- because the high salary that a full-time security professional commands in the current market is a stretch for an organization of Central Pension Fund's size. Karsten Scherer, the global analyst relations lead at TEKsystems, says even companies that are able to pay top dollar have trouble finding seasoned security professionals, particularly individuals with recognized credentials such as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). "There are far fewer people in the market than there are jobs for them," he says. Cloud/SaaS 26% of respondents with hiring plans said they will be seeking people with this skill in the next 12 months. Peter Danchak has been in IT for more than 25 years, the past 16 at Data Recognition Corp. (DRC), where he's now a systems administrator. Over the years, he has seen several companies, including his own, migrate more and more infrastructure to the cloud. Danchak now works mostly with cloud technologies, supporting integration and engineering the architecture needed for a cloud environment. He says he gained the necessary skills through independent study and company-sponsored training -- and those skills have been welcome additions to his resume. "The cloud environment is growing so fast, it's creating many new opportunities for businesses and workers," Danchak says. There's no single skill associated with cloud computing or SaaS; rather, companies are looking for a range of experiences and skills in candidates for cloud-related positions, says Sean Dowling, a partner at staffing firm WinterWyman and manager of recruiting strategy in the firm's technology contract staffing division. "Cloud architects, software engineers with cloud or AWS [Amazon Web Services] experience, DevOps engineers -- you see [ads for those people] all day long," he says, noting that help-wanted posts for system administrators and network engineers who have cloud experience are also plentiful. Business intelligence/analytics 26% of respondents with hiring plans said they will be seeking people with this skill in the next 12 months. As manager of data analytics for North Carolina healthcare system Mission Health, Arun Murugesan has seen his team grow from two people to 35 in just a few years. He expects to hire 15 to 20 people in the next couple of years as his organization seeks to gain greater insights from the data it collects. "There has been a huge surge in [the number of] people harnessing the power of data," he says. Healthcare companies have put a particularly high premium on BI and analytics skills, but the insurance and financial services industries, the retail sector and other industries are also driving demand for these specialists. "Companies want to mine their data to gain a competitive advantage," says John Reed, senior executive director of Robert Half Technology, explaining that companies need tech pros who can turn data into insights that senior leaders can use to understand buying patterns and industry trends and ultimately drive business strategy. Top candidates for BI and analytics jobs often have math, engineering and statistical backgrounds, Reed says. They know how to use specific BI tools and are skilled in data-related programming languages such as SQL. They're also business-savvy and are able to mine the data to show ways to improve revenue or cut costs or otherwise deliver competitive advantages. Web development 26% of respondents with hiring plans said they will be seeking people with this skill in the next 12 months. The internet is the vehicle that organizations use to connect employees, clients, partners and customers, so it's not surprising that the job of web developer remains a staple in the IT team, and that talented web developers continue to be in demand even as companies add social and mobile platforms to their portfolios. WinterWyman's Dowling says companies are hiring both full-time web developers and contractors at a fast clip. Employers are particularly interested in technologists skilled in front-end development, so they're searching for people with HTML, CSS and JavaScript expertise. "The website is your storefront; you need a slick interface that supports content and connects with other systems," Dowling says. Companies are continually updating and innovating in this area, Dowling says, and that's one of the big reasons why web development expertise is among the top 10 most sought-after skills. According to recent statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for web developers will grow significantly faster than demand for other tech professionals. According to BLS estimates, by 2024 the number of web development jobs is likely to have grown 27% from 2014 levels, translating into 148,500 additional jobs. The average projected rate of growth for all IT jobs in that same time frame is 12%. Computerworld Database administration 25% of respondents with hiring plans said they will be seeking people with this skill in the next 12 months. Database administration "is a skill set that is not going away," says Kitty Brandtner, who connects Chicago-area companies with IT talent through her role at recruiting firm LaSalle Network. Case in point: Brandtner says there's not a month where her firm doesn't see demand for SQL programmers and other skills related to database administration. According to the most recent statistics from the BLS, it's a good time to be -- or become -- a database administrator (DBA). The agency has pegged the rate of growth in employment opportunities for these professionals at 11% from 2014 to 2024 -- a pace that would add an additional 13,400 jobs. Employers expect top DBAs to have a range of skills. Proficiency in data modeling and database design rank high, as does the ability to ensure database performance and data integrity, recruiters say. DBAs also need to understand the user experience to ensure that data is of good quality from the time it is input, says Michelle Beveridge, CIO at Intrepid Group, an adventure travel company. Beveridge has one database administrator on staff and may hire another in a year or so. She says based on the market for this position, she's already expecting a challenge. "It's hard to find DBAs who can put themselves in the shoes of the user as a means to improving data quality," Beveridge says. "Many DBAs think in terms of data rules, mandatory input requirements and data structures rather than close examination of the business processes behind the data collection." Project management 25% of respondents with hiring plans said they will be seeking people with this skill in the next 12 months. Over the past 18 months, BCU's Zulpo set up a project management office with a half-dozen professionals to shepherd the credit union's growing number of projects. He says he's now looking to add one more professional to his staff to keep up with the volume of work. His expectations for this candidate are high: He's looking for someone with a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, a master's degree and a track record of successfully managing projects, as well as the ability to collaborate with various business partners and juggle multiple projects. "This is a highly visible person," Zulpo says, and given his lengthy list of desired qualities, he knows he might need three to six months to fill the position. But a lengthy search is worth the trouble because hiring that wrong person would be costly -- a situation that "that applies to all our positions across IT." Zulpo's comments mirror what other hiring managers are saying about project management, according to TEKsystems' Hayman. They expect candidates to have certifications and solid experience. Moreover, candidates must show they understand the technical and functional elements of the role and that they can communicate with people and lead teams. And on top of that they must be good cultural fits, too. Computerworld Big data 25% of respondents with hiring plans said they will be seeking people with this skill in the next 12 months. Companies are inundated with information harvested from various sources, and they need experienced people to extract insights and value from the wealth of structured and unstructured data they have amassed, says Matt Leighton, director of recruiting for Mondo. Leighton says companies want big data pros who are able to build out current data sets and have experience in specific technologies such as Hadoop and Oracle. They're also looking for engineers and architects who know big-data-oriented computer languages, such as Scala. And they want people with experience in specific industries, because industry experience helps big data professionals derive insights and value from the firehose of data. Mobile applications and device management 21% of respondents with hiring plans said they will be seeking people with this skill in the next 12 months. Several years into the mobile revolution, mobile initiatives are still top of mind for IT leaders and their companies: Expertise in mobile apps and mobile device management are still among the 10 most sought-after IT skills, and 35% of the respondents to Computerworld's Forecast survey said they plan to increase spending on mobile applications in 2017, making mobile the No. 2 spending priority for the year. Reltio, a data management firm in Redwood Shores, Calif., doesn't deploy its own mobile apps, yet managers still need staffers who understand mobile, says Ramon Chen, who oversees personnel and recruiting as chief marketing officer and head of product management. "We want our existing platform and applications to deploy in a browser-responsive manner, meaning the same code knows when it's running on mobile and that it should display in a mobile-friendly way," he says. And for that to happen, he needs IT employees with mobile app development know-how. Reltio currently doesn't have mobile-only job titles. Instead, it expects all of its developers to have mobile skills as part of their repertoires. Chen is, however, currently seeking two specialists -- a user interface (UI) designer and a senior UI designer -- to help the company carry out its strategy of delivering on mobile and, more specifically, to help create the best user interfaces and user experiences. "We want someone who doesn't just design [the mobile app] but also manages it once it's built and in use," he says. "These people need to be customer-facing, too, to be able to get feedback about what [users] like and don't like." Chen's approach to hiring for these positions, and for mobile skills overall, mirrors the strategies of other IT leaders. He says he wants candidates with the required skills, but he also wants people who fit culturally. Yes, he concedes, it's tough to land people like that in a job market where competition for mobile talent is fierce. But he's willing to take upwards of three months to find the right individuals. Head over to Facebook to add in your comments. This story, "Security among the hottest tech skills for 2017" was originally published by Computerworld . Nearly the entire tech industry, with the exception of PayPal founder and venture capitalist Peter Thiel, publicly lined up against Donald Trump and for Hillary Clinton in the recent presidential election. But words are one thing and actions another. And actions taken by the tech industry in the last decades helped seal Trumps surprise victory. Trump won, in large part, thanks to support by blue-collar voters without college degrees in the Rust Belt, particularly in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan. The region has been hollowed out by a changing economy in which well-paying manufacturing jobs have been disappearing, replaced either by low-paying service jobs or by nothing at all. Once upon a time, in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, you could get a secure, high-paying job in the automotive and other manufacturing industries and live a solid middle-class life, with a safe retirement. No longer. People in the middle of the country watched while the economy turned on its head, their jobs vanished and the tech industry flourished. The jobs disappeared, in large part, thanks to technology. The Australian Financial Review notes that U.S. manufacturing output has been growing, not shrinking, and hit record highs in 2016, even as 5 million manufacturing jobs have been lost since 2000 30% of the manufacturing workforce. The reason for the job losses isnt the availability of cheap, overseas labor or foreign trade agreements, according to Ball State Universitys Center for Business and Economic Research. The Associated Press reports that the university found that 88% of the factory jobs were taken by robots and other homegrown factors that reduce factories need for human labor. General Motors, the Associated Press notes, Now employs barely a third of the 600,000 workers it had in the 1970s. Yet it churns out more cars and trucks than ever. Thanks to robots, things will only get better for industry and worse for workers. The Boston Consulting Group says that by 2025, for example, a robot welder will have operating costs of under $2 per hour, far cheaper than the $25 an hour a human welder typically gets in the U.S. So there will be more jobs for well-educated people who design robots and their software and for the IT folks who will maintain them. More work for Silicon Valley; less work for Ohio. The tech industry mantra is to disrupt existing industries, without caring about the effects that has on millions of peoples lives. So the industry throws about the term with swagger, while workers in blue-collar industries face the consequences. How would you feel if you were a cab driver and listened to Uber and others crow about how they were destroying the industry that fed your family for decades? Or if you were an autoworker, and tech workers prospered by designing robots that replaced your job? President Obama touched on this issue when he was interviewed in Wired about artificial intelligence. Midway through the interview, he said, One thing that we havent talked about too much, and I just want to go back to, is we really have to think through the economic implications. Because most people arent spending a lot of time right now worrying about singularity they are worrying about Well, is my job going to be replaced by a machine? Obamas observation gets at something else that drives blue-collar resentment: The sense that the culture has left them behind, and the elites that drive it look down on them and their lives. How many blue-collar workers do you think spend their time worrying about the singularity, an imagining of a theoretical time in which an artificial superintelligence overtakes human intelligence and, potentially, rules the world? How many have even heard of it? Yet the technical elite spend their time thinking about abstract issues like that, while not giving a moments thought to how their disruptions affect millions of peoples lives or thinking how they can build technology that helps blue-collar lives, not destroys them. Blue-collar workers in the Midwest and beyond know all about economic disruption, and for them its all been bad. So its no surprise that when it came time to vote, they voted for what they thought would be the ultimate political disruption to the economic status quo: Donald Trump. Who can blame them? Certainly not the tech industry, which has done everything it can to disrupt their lives, and very little to better them. There is not a whole lot that Google doesn't have a hand in these days, when it comes to personal technology, at least. The tech giant already had a router in OnHub, but they just upped the home wireless ante with their new Google Wifi. The reviews are in -- here is what everyone is saying about Google's latest. In IT Blogwatch, we are connected and ready to go. So what is Google Wifi? Keith Shaw has the background: Google made a bunch of new hardware announcements earlier this year, which included...Google Wifi (love how they drop the hyphen and lowercase the F)...a wireless mesh platform to go up against...other startups like eero...Google Wifi is the update to its OnHub Wi-Fi platform...Google sent me a three-pack of the new system, which goes on sale to the general public today. And what exactly is a mesh network? Antonio Villas-Boas has the details: Google Wifi...is a "mesh" network, where you have multiple units that...communicate with each other to provide a strong, fast Wi-Fi signal throughout your home instead of a single Wi-Fi router, which might not reach that...Wi-Fi dead zone...Most mesh WiFi systems are pretty expensive, but Google's is the cheapest by far. Well, "cheapest" is a good start. But how hard it is to set up and keep running? Ed Oswald has that info: What makes Google Wifi special is its setup and maintenance...everything is done through a companion app, which allows just about anyone to set it up successfully. Maintenance...is automatic once it is set up. ... For example, Google Wifi scans available Wi-Fi channels every five minutes to ensure devices are...on the clearest channel. It also assists in choosing the best Wi-Fi band for your devices...That same feature also routes your device to the best access point ensuring a well-performing connection. ... The app...if it believes you might get a better Wi-Fi connection by moving the access point...will tell you, as well as alerts on whether it detects interference or other problems and how to fix them. Any other features worth mentioning, before we get to how well it works? Edward C. Baig has something to add: Speaking of your kids, through the Google Wifi app, you can apply parental controls that pause their Wi-Fi devices, perhaps during dinner or homework time...you can employ Google Wifi to control such...connected devices as Philips Hue bulbs. ... On Google Wifi, you can pause multiple devices at the same time by grouping them together...The apps let you see which devices are tapping into the network and which devices might be currently paused...if youre looking for a less expensive but...strong remedy for poky network connectivity, Google makes a compelling case. All sounds good. But what about the coverage? That is the most important part, afterall. Dong Ngo has us covered: Coverage and reliability is great...Google Wifi passed my 48-hour stress test with flying colors. During the test I set it to transfer lots of data between multiple wireless clients...The Wifi did this without any disconnections. The system also had excellent signal hand off, allowing you to walk around your house...connecting from one unit to another without getting disconnected from the internet. I tried this while making a call over Wi-Fi and the conversation wasn't affected at all. So should you get one? That is the big question, after all? Jordan Novet doesn't make the choice much easier: In the end, youll have to figure out if its worth upgrading your...home Wi-Fi...Googles product is convenient and easy to use, but its speed might not be the breakthrough that youre hoping for...That said, from a...pricing perspective...Google Wifi does undercut the competition. ... Google has...a good first stab at improving home Wi-Fi, but not necessarily something everyone needs...its worth experimenting for yourself to figure out whats best for your home. What are others saying? Tercius Bufete seems to agree: It's still up for debate whether these mesh networks are an absolute necessity for most consumers...but those who do choose to invest in one will likely appreciate the utility and ease of use. I'll...be adding Google Wifi to my holiday wish list. Raymond Wong, on the other hand, has a different opinion: If you want your Wi-Fi to "just work," I can't recommend Google Wifi enough. So let's say you want Google Wifi. Where you can you get it and for how much? Joe M. is in the know: In addition to the Google Store, you can also purchase Google WiFi from Amazon, Best Buy, and...Walmart...One Google Wifi unit can be purchased for $129, or you can score a three-pack for $299. All retailers selling Google Wifi feature the exact same prices. I guess if you bat for the iPhone is failing teams then you will have thrown the latest Kantar Worldpanel ComTech data into your does not fit the narrative trash can. Why shouldnt you? You have every right to ignore facts that may undermine your opinion. It keeps the prejudice industry alive. Defining the future If you look at the latest Kantar data youll see a slightly bigger picture. For the three months ending October 2016, it is Apple that leads the high-end of this market, the part in which the future of the smartphone industry is defined... You see, Apples iPhones are the top three smartphone brands sold in the US and the UK: iPhone 7 at number one, Apples iPhone 6s at two, with the iPhone SE in third place. This is true even though on a global basis the many different forks, devices and operating systems that form the Android ecosystem dominate the mass of mobile market, but that dominance seems to be declining in the US. iOS share highlights: Japan: 51.7% iOS UK: 44% US: 40.5% Shrink the mind-share Android appears to be losing mind-share in the US, where iOS share climbed 7 percentage points year-over-year: from 33.5% of smartphone sales to 40.5% in the three months ending October 2016. This represents the strongest rate of growth for the OS in more than two years, as well as the highest share seen since the three months ending January 2015 (42.8%), said Kantar. Its important not to over state the significance of this Apples main competitor isnt at any great risk and continues to dominate in the US, but the pattern of loss is a sustained one, it continues to lose users to iOS. While Android remains the dominant OS in the US, at 57.9% of smartphone sales, this latest data represents the fifth consecutive year-on-year period decline, the analysts explained (italics mine). Mind-share remains strong in Europe, where Android accounted for 75.2% of EU5 (Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) smartphone sales versus iOS at 21.2%. Apple can exploit the popularity of its platforms in order to introduce new products and services, some of which (like Apple Music) it now sells to those on other platforms. Who cares? The dance between Apples original iOS and the Google-backed Android ecosystem is a sideshow to most of us as we attempt to navigate these interesting times. Were only really interested in how the smartphones we purchase can help us live our lives, and many will respond to Apples crystal clear commitment to protecting our privacy. That focus on platform and privacy is critical to the future of the connected age, from the smart keys in your wallet to the retina scan to drive your car, from boarding passes to passports; We will all benefit from stable ecosystems that provide us with extra convenience at no cost to privacy or security from platforms that are widely supported. The smarter platform for the rest of us This is the lens you should use when looking at your next smartphone purchase: is it private? Will it be supported in three years? Can I install software updates? And what services will it provide me with in future? With those questions in mind, it is interesting to consider the significance of Apple Pay president, Jennifer Baileys recent statement that the company is thinking about everything in your wallet as it plots the future of Apple Pay. This likely includes cash, credit cards, loyalty cards, passports, tickets, driving license, business cards, keys, photos and more. Apple already provides a platform to handle most of these items, but Touch ID is rapidly emerging as a key ingredient for the platforms future evolution. The capacity to deliver such evolution is precisely why it is such an advantage that the iPhone remains the top-selling smartphone. This is helping Apple management execute the future platform and services proliferation it has been working towards since introducing the iPod. This is also why the future of the smartphone industry will be defined by Apple, and not by Google. No matter what Google search autocomplete has to say. Google+? If you use social media and happen to be a Google+ user, why not join AppleHolic's Kool Aid Corner community and join the conversation as we pursue the spirit of the New Model Apple? Got a story? Drop me a line via Twitter or in comments below and let me know. I'd like it if you chose to follow me on Twitter so I can let you know when fresh items are published here first on Computerworld. Apple on Tuesday acknowledged that an iPhone 6S shut-down problem is more widespread than first believed, and said it will include diagnostic tools in the next iOS update to collect more information on why some phones are shutting down unexpectedly. As with the initial admission, yesterday's was posted on the Apple website for the People's Republic of China (PRC) in both Chinese and English. Apple has not repeated the disclosure on its U.S. site. Apple's latest missive signaled that the Cupertino, Calif. company does not know why some iPhone 6S handsets are turning off on their own even though the battery indicator showed a third or more of the charge remaining. Late last month, Apple confirmed that some iPhone 6S smartphones were turning themselves off without warning. At the time, it said the problem was limited to devices made in September and October 2015 -- during early, but likely not initial, production runs of the model -- and launched a global battery replacement program for eligible customers. Yesterday, Apple again cited the battery as the root cause. "A small number of iPhone 6s devices ... contained a battery component that was exposed to controlled ambient air longer than it should have been before being assembled into battery packs," Apple asserted, as it did in a Dec. 1 post. But customers with iPhone 6S phones whose serial numbers do not put them in the September-October 2015 production range have also watched their devices shut down, Apple said. "Some of these shutdowns can occur under normal conditions in order for the iPhone to protect its electronics," Apple said, repeating a claim of last week in the first message. "In an effort to gather more information, we are including additional diagnostic capability in an iOS software update which will be available next week. This will allow us to gather information over the coming weeks which may potentially help us improve the algorithms used to manage battery performance and shutdown." The update Apple mentioned will almost certainly be iOS 10.2, which has been in beta -- and refreshed seven times thus far, most recently Wednesday -- since Nov. 1. Apple has been criticized by the China Consumer Association (CCA) -- an advocacy watchdog with ties to the government -- since mid-November over iPhone 6 and 6S shutdown problems. Last week, the CCA again took Apple to task, using a Nov. 30 announcement on its website (Chinese-language version) to accuse the American company of dragging its feet. The second message said the CCA had again sent a letter to Apple, contending that other models, including the iPhone 6 Plus and 6S Plus, had exhibited the shutdown behavior. The group also asked Apple for more information on the possible causes. The inclusion of diagnostic capabilities in iOS 10.2 next week was probably a direct response to the CCA's demand. This feels to me like an Arctic Convoy moment for HMS Britain. All officers on deck. Action stations. When asked about the referendum result, George Freeman replies that he is reminded of that Second World War campaign, which he describes as a defining test for the country that we passed. Although he wanted to remain in the EU, he hopes the challenge of leaving it will lead to a responsibility renaissance. He chairs Theresa Mays Policy Board, and later in this interview explains how it works as a conduit between the Prime Minister and her MPs. But the context for his policy work is set by the referendum, which has lifted the lid on a sense of alienation and powerlessness. Freeman, the MP for Mid Norfolk and former Life Sciences Minister, has been commissioned by May to help develop the policies needed to tackle those inequalities that she talked about in her electrifying speech on taking office. So will we in years to come be able to speak of something called Mayism? Here Freeman refuses to be drawn. He says he distrusts words ending in ism. But he is in no doubt that the Prime Minister has set up a policy machine which is intended, after Brexit has been accomplished, to respond to the deep anxieties of those who voted for it. ConHome: Do you feel energised by the referendum result? Freeman: Yes. This feels to me like an Arctic Convoy moment for HMS Britain. All officers on deck. Action stations. ConHome: Thats an interesting analogy. The Arctic Convoys were a pretty desperate business. Freeman: But equally, in the end it was a lifeline, and a defining test for the country that we passed. ConHome: Oh I see. Freeman: I think if we rise to the challenge, this can be a moment when we stop blaming others for our problems and as a nation we take responsibility. It might trigger a responsibility renaissance, at individual and at corporate and at governmental level. Ive been quite struck by how many businesses that I know, and used to work with, oddly particularly in the City, which people often think of as the most global and detached part of the economy, saying to me, We want to help. How do we sign up to help make a success of this? There are clearly huge challenges. But as with life, personal challenges can be great opportunities for redemption and renewal and recovery. Underpinning all of this, of course, including the work of the Policy Board, we are as an ageing, mature, western European political democracy, facing a series of structural challenges in our public finances, and the way we deliver public services, which do require us to think boldly and imaginatively about tackling in a way that brings people together. ConHome: So might 2020 be a bit like 1945, in the sense that it comes after the great effort Brexit is obviously not a war, but its a tremendous effort. Once youve achieved Brexit, you cant just say: Weve achieved Brexit vote for us. Youve got to say what the Tories are going to do for the next five years after that. Youre almost like Beveridge or Rab Butler or someone. Freeman: Its an interesting analogy. In so far as perhaps Churchill may well have been surprised that he won the war but lost the peace. I think that speaks to the importance of this generation of Conservatives led by Theresa May being able to show that we delivered Brexit, and an economy that works for everyone for the 48 as well as the 52 per cent. But also that we have an ongoing reforming energy and passion to tackle those inequalities that Theresa May talked about in that electrifying speech entering Number Ten. Every government faces this challenge of renewal in office. That is really the core raison detre of the Policy Board. Im not pretending that one small Policy Board can do it all. You remarked on my Great Uncle Gladstones statue downstairs [Freeman is proud to be related to Gladstone, by whose statue in Central Lobby we had met]. In some ways its my ancestors great opponent Disraeli who better sets the precedent for us here. I think in some ways the challenge for my generation is to do for twenty-first century conservatism what Disraeli did in the late nineteenth century, and to take a similarly challenging and disruptive insurgent groundswell that we face today and that mass enfranchisement represented to the Conservative Establishment in the 1870s, and frame a conservatism, a Conservative mission, which accommodates the Zeitgeist of this new asymmetric politics that were in. ConHome: Do you think there is ever going to be, or is there at the moment, such a thing as Mayism? Freeman: Well Im quite suspicious of words ending in ism. The truth is that Theresa May has been summoned to office at a moment of a unique national challenge, to construct a government capable of uniting the country around a model of Brexit that works for everyone. Shes not one of those politicians who has been carefully developing a programme in anticipation of office, but she brings to office capital V Values and a forensic attention to detail and process, and a steely resolve. The real answer to your question will be in years to come. Is this an administration that has a clear and compelling and identifiable and inspiring theme? And of course history has a habit of changing the way governments are judged. Its probably too early to tell for example what Cameronism will mean to future generations. The referendum lifted the lid and gave expression to some quite profound and very obvious groundswells of anxiety, with the sense of alienation and powerlessness the Prime Minister has spoken of. The Prime Minister is determined that we make sure that we pause and acknowledge and understand and think about those messages, and make sure that our programme of renewal in government, as we go into the world beyond Brexit and the next election, that were not just delivering Brexit but were tackling those underlying concerns. ConHome: You were a pretty strong Remainer. Freeman: As minister for the 60 billion UK life science sector, in which almost literally every man and woman was unambiguously in favour of Remain, that left me feeling a strong need as a minister to make the case for Remain. And on balance, whilst I could see the attraction of the liberation of Brexit, on balance it felt like inviting a set of problems we could do without. But Im absolutely with the Prime Minister in acknowledging the sovereignty of that decision. ConHome: What were your constituents saying to you? Freeman: My constituency voted 65 per cent for Brexit. For many of my constituents, it may only be 40 miles from Cambridge, a great crucible of globalised technological innovation and growing prosperity, but it might as well be a hundred years and 40 miles away, because many of my constituents physically would struggle actually to get to Cambridge. Many rural areas in East Anglia, and on the edge of the Fens, traditional agricultural areas, feel very disconnected from that world of globalised technology. ConHome: Do you think you managed to sway some votes locally, or not really? Because Ive spoken to Labour MPs who said they had no luck at all when they tried to persuade their constitutents to vote Remain. Freeman: I suspect a few but clearly not very many. ConHome: You campaigned quite hard? Freeman: Well I campaigned in two ways. As a minister, I convened and led five life-science Rallies for Remain, in the main life-science clusters round the country Cambridge, London, Oxford, Manchester and Birmingham, convening groups of academic, clinical and industry research leaders to make the case for the UK remaining in a reformed EU. But in the constituency, I took the role of convenor of the debate. I set out my position in my own terms but wanted my constituents to hear both sides of the argument, and I organised 15 EU In or Out debates across the constituency, and brought Douglas Carswell and Steve Baker to Mid Norfolk. ConHome: Who is on the Policy Board? Youre the Chairman. Freeman: Yes. Its set up as an official cog in the Government machine, in Number Ten and the Cabinet Office, linking between the Policy Unit, led by John Godfrey, who sits on the Board, and the Cabinet Office, which handles the Implementation Unit and back office of government policy making, led by Ben Gummer, who also sits on the Board, with myself, the two chiefs of staff ConHome: Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy Freeman: and Will Tanner as Deputy Director of the Policy Unit, and two or three officials from the Cabinet Office. ConHome: Its quite small, in fact its not a huge, unwieldy body. Because in its previous incarnation it did include MPs, didnt it? Freeman: Various governments, as you know, have tried to tackle this challenge of policy-making and renewal in office in different ways. In preparation for the 2015 general election, Jo Johnson led a Policy Board for David Cameron, with I think 12 or so colleagues, covering the usual policy-making areas for the manifesto. Of course were in a very different situation here, because we dont need a manifesto: were still delivering the 2015 manifesto. We are four years from an election. So theres no immediate imperative for the development of a manifesto. ConHome: Youre confident that were four years from a general election? Freeman: Well we have the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, and the PMs made it very clear she has no intention of doing anything else. ConHome: How often do you meet? Freeman: We meet monthly. And the Board is there really to provide two functions. A forum and conduit for the PM to invite in fresh thinking on key policy themes, in three key areas that go beyond the work done by ministers in their departments: One, those themes that span across more than one department, and are not adequately tackled by the existing portfolio. Two, those themes that are driven by deep societal, technological, economic, global change, out in the real world, which departments and civil servants arent necessarily best placed to anticipate. Three, the aggregate net impact of our overall policy offer on particular People and Places. So for example market towns, or the rust belt, or the old coalfields, or seaside towns, or poor pensioners, or carers. So we can think more strategically about particular cohorts, groups, in society. Because one of the things we saw very clearly in the referendum, and in that quite visceral and impassioned few months leading up to the referendum, was a deep sense for different small-c constituencies and groups that mainstream politics wasnt adequately addressing their needs. So the Policy Board is intended to complement the existing work of ministers, not to duplicate. Theres a core defining mission around looking ahead to the next manifesto and making sure we as a party and as a Government have done the deep thinking to understand whats driving this sense of powerlessness that the PM has spoken about. And to think deeply while we have the time now. So for example one of the issues that the Prime Minister talked about in her conference speech, the way that the banking crisis and the quantitative easing policy response has had important side-effects on the distribution of wealth in society. ConHome: Did that come from the Policy Board, that bit of her speech? Freeman: No, no. But that leads to one of our areas of inquiry, which will be on the tensions round the generational contract. And this group described as the millennials. We want to make sure were asking the right questions. Who are this group really? Where are they? What actually has the financial impact of the bank bailout and QE been on them? What are the issues that they feel most strongly about and want to see us address? Its easy to recycle urban myths, but we want to make sure were doing the heavy lifting to properly understand their values, needs and aspirations. ConHome: So if the Policy Unit is doing some bit of work, does that get channelled in through you, or could that just go direct from the Policy Unit? Freeman: The Policy Board is identifying particular themes. In fact weve just agreed a series of themes for the next six months. And then we place a Commission, a short document, out, that describes the issue were looking at, and frames the particular challenges that were inviting ideas on. ConHome: And who does this Commission go to? Freeman: I then place that Commission out with interested parliamentarians. And we have a standard submission template, so that ideas which are submitted we dont expect parliamentarians to be experts on the minutiae of departmental policy constraints but we want to make sure that if ideas are to be properly assessed and processed, that theyve been properly thought through. Its fairly basic stuff. It requires the proposer to have thought about cost implications, which department would lead, how it fits with existing initiatives. The idea is that colleagues can feed in ideas which if they score well can then be fed through either to ministers, if they do link to existing policy, or to ongoing work in the policy unit. But equally the Board is there as a channel for colleagues and peers who have ideas. ConHome: So do lots of colleagues and peers come to you? Freeman: Yes. Without any official request, just off the back of the Prime Ministers various announcements, Ive had at the last count, I think 64 submissions already, just spontaneously, from MPs. Next week, Im with the Association of Conservative Peers. So I would like to think that by the spring, instead of just having, if you like, the anointed 12 on the old Policy Board, well have potentially 20, 30 or 40 colleagues working on particular work streams. ConHome: That sounds like a lot. By colleagues you mean MPs? Freeman: Yes. For example, on Monday of last week we launched in the Prime Ministers speech at the CBI proposals around corporate governance. Well prior to that wed had meetings with 15 or so colleagues with deep professional experience in this field. ConHome: When you said Wed had meetings Freeman: I chaired meetings with them in Number Ten with the Policy Unit, to help shape the proposals. Most of us these days have had careers doing something else I was 15 years founding and financing technology companies but in the modern Conservative Party its a very diverse skill set, and we want to make sure were drawing on that. Just because somebody isnt a minister doesnt mean they dont have a lot to contribute in terms of helping shape policy. The response from ministers has been very supportive. One of the things that sets elected politicians apart from the finest minds in Whitehall is weve all had to go through the political acid test of selling policy on the doorstep, to people who dont live in the convenient silos of Whitehall departmentalism. This was a very unusual Prime Ministers Questions. Bob Blackman (Con, Harrow East) prompted a round of applause for Kitty Hart-Moxon, a Holocaust survivor who was visiting the House, and as a 16-year-old girl had witnessed the horrors of Auschwitz. David Lidington, the Leader of the House, stood in for Theresa May, who is in the Gulf. Labour for some reason decided Emily Thornberry would stand in for Jeremy Corbyn. Perhaps it was thought this was the best way to shore up Labours crumbling support in its Islington heartlands, though one suspects it would undermine Labour support everywhere else. For Thornberry is married to a knight, speaks in the tones of Lady Bountiful, and wears an unselfconscious air of moral and intellectual superiority, which was exposed to wider view during the Rochester by-election, when she was tactless enough to tweet a picture of a white van parked in front of a house draped in a St Georges flag. Today she tried to embarrass Mr Lidington by reminding him that before the referendum he said it would be a disaster for British business not to remain part of the customs union. Thornberry embraces Lidington! But the Leader of the House rejected her advances. With chaste and determined modesty, and a shudder which he did his best to repress, he reminded Thornberry that there has been a referendum. The British people have spoken! They have shown they do not want Lidington, or any of his colleagues, to embrace Thornberry. Instead they want Brexit. Thornberry protested that Labour too accepts the democratic verdict of the British people. But her manner belied this. She has still the haughty manner of a member of the ancien regime, who will never adapt her ideas to the revolution which has taken place, and will make only the most insincere pretence of offering some trifling concessions to the spirit of the age. Thornberrys heart is still in the customs union. So Corbyns job is in no danger from Thornberry. Perhaps that it why she was chosen: she at least could be relied upon not to upstage her chief. Putting it diplomatically, not every minister necessarily wants the job theyve got. Some accept roles as a way of getting on, eventually, to something they think more interesting, or more reflective of their talents. Others find themselves faced with the choice of either being moved into a department that they feel is beneath them or slung out on their ear, and choose the compensated humiliation of demotion over the cold humiliation of the sack. But some ministers are in jobs they actively want dealing with a policy area for which they have a yen, a topic they hold forth about in their spare time and issues which they believe to be both important and soluble. One such minister is Chris Grayling, who seems to be enjoying his gig as Secretary of State for Transport more than anyone really ought to enjoy transport. That doesnt make it an easy job. Notwithstanding the extraordinary boom in rail passenger numbers in recent years, and the modernisation of large parts of the system, the railways suffer serious practical and political problems. Practical, in the form of the ongoing disastrous mismanagement by Southern, disruption to services from works, strikes and over-crowding. Political, in the form of passenger discontent and the ever-present demand to renationalise, despite the progress made since privatisation. The two challenges arent separate. Passenger discontent rises when practical problems make their lives miserable for example when over-running works disrupt their journeys. Graylings announcement yesterday of a series of reforms is intended to try to address both. The Transport Secretary correctly identifies that its a problem that Network Rail, who manage the track, dont deal with the customers whose lives they make worse when they get it wrong. Understandably, passengers blame the train companies, often unaware of the odd distinction behind the scenes. And this lack of accountability doesnt incentivise Network Rail to do a better job in future. Sometimes, after much contractual wrangling, they have to pay fines to the train operator affected, but afterwards they each go back to their separate offices running what they believe to be separate enterprises, even though they are meant to be delivering the same eventual service. Graylings aim, therefore, is bringing back together the operation of track and train. Except it isnt quite as simple as all that. For the obvious reason namely that it would be a disaster he doesnt intend to reintroduce British Rail. But nor can he simply bundle each section of Network Rails line into the private operating companies (even if he wanted to take on the Parliamentary obstacle course of doing so), because plenty of lines serve more than one operator. His solution is a combination of two different approaches. The first is a collaborative approach, by which the operators will be expected to form a partnership with Network Rail in their relevant areas. In some cases this will mean one operator and one patch of Network Rail, in others it will mean more complex arrangements between several outfits. There wont be a single standardised model, and each partnership will hammer out a working relationship which suits their circumstances. What Grayling wants them to have in common is a much closer working relationship shifting them from separate organisations in separate offices to working literally side by side, with one person clearly in charge and responsible for the good running of that tract of the railway. In effect, this appears to be more about changing the culture and day to day management of the railways than about changing the rules or conditions by which they are run. It wont happen overnight apparently the requirement to form such partnerships will be brought in as the various contracts are put out to tender again so we will presumably learn more in time about what, if any, sharpening of the penalties for letting down passengers might accompany more direct accountability. The second approach is a more literal bringing together of track and train by putting one company in charge of both. Rather than diving in wholesale, Grayling has approved a trial of this method in the reopening of the old Cambridge-Oxord line (the connection between the two cities is a theme readers will recognise from the Prime Ministers modern industrial strategy). A new rail operator East-West will secure the permissions needed to reopen the line, and then attract private sector involvement to help build it and operate the track and the trains together. Its easy to see why the simplicity of this unitary approach appeals. There are hints from Grayling that, if it succeeds, he would like to implement the model elsewhere in the system. But it obviously couldnt work everywhere. For example, the East Coast main line carries the trains of nine different passenger operators, in addition to the various goods services which are normally forgotten. It wouldnt be possible therefore to just put one operator in charge of the track or, if you did, you would utterly skew the pitch for the others. This is a sign of a vexed question in any rail reform how does competition fit in? As Tony Lodge has written on this site, while competition on one line ie between different operators running trains on the same track has been too limited in its scope, where it has been achieved it has brought benefits to passengers. Indeed, the Competition and Markets Authority wants to see more of it. This new partnership model will have to strike a careful balance to ensure that good co-ordination doesnt spill over into central planning, and thus stifle competition. Pure unitary ownership of each line would of course kill competition completely. What we result, I suspect, is a patchwork of different system in different places unitary track and train operations where that is feasible, but looser partnerships on the bulk of the system. The degree to which it will solve the railways problems both practical and political wont be seen for some years. CORNWALL, Ontario The 21st Annual Safe Driver/Safe Worker Award Breakfast was held Dec. 7 at the Cornwall Transit facility at 863 Second Street West. The early morning ceremony was to accommodate the drivers and staff, who were able to receive certificates and pins, before they started their shifts. The awards presented were for long service, safe driving and safe working records. Len Tapp, Division Manager of Cornwall Transit said, We want to recognize the level of professionalism Cornwall Transit staff has shown while preforming their duties. Of the 34 Cornwall Transit operators, 10 have 15 or more collision free years. With the average operator driving over 40, 000 kilometres a year, this record of safety shows the commitment Cornwall Transit employees have to safety. Jean Marcil, Shift Supervisor and Trainer, explained as part of the training drivers are taught how to deal with situations and provide customer service. In reference to driver training Marcil said, We teach Defensive Driving as well; above the Ministry (of Transportation) Standards. Also on hand to honour the recipients were, Mayor Leslie OShaughnessy, CAO Maureen Adams, John St. Marseille, Municipal Works and Infrastructure Manager, Councillor Elaine MacDonald, the councillor on the Transit Committee, Rick Lapierre, Transit Committee Member and MAAC (Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee) Representative and Ron Bonneville, Cornwall Transit Committee Chair. United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit. MICHAEL EARL MCCUNE, Petitioner, v. UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, Respondent. No. 16-9527 Decided: December 06, 2016 Before TYMKOVICH, Chief Judge, PHILLIPS and McHUGH, Circuit Judges. ORDER AND JUDGMENT* Michael McCune, proceeding pro se, petitions for review of an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) upholding the disciplinary action taken by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA imposed a fine of $5000, assessed hearing costs of $1522.94, and suspended him for six months from all capacities in the securities industry for failing to follow the rules requiring disclosure of his personal bankruptcy filings and tax liens. We exercise jurisdiction under 15 U.S.C. 78y(a)(1), and affirm. I. Background From December 1996 until May 2011, McCune was associated as a registered representative with Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. (Royal Alliance), a FINRA member firm. FINRA is a quasi-governmental agency responsible for overseeing the securities brokerage industry. ACAP Fin., Inc. v. U.S. SEC, 783 F.3d 763, 765 (10th Cir. 2015). FINRA succeeded the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) in 2007. Brecek & Young Advisors, Inc. v. Lloyds of London Syndicate 2003, 715 F.3d 1231, 1234 n.2 (10th Cir. 2013). McCune's alleged violations occurred between 2005 and 2011, so FINRA applied the relevant NASD and FINRA rules. Because the applicable FINRA rules are not substantially different from the corresponding NASD rules, and because McCune does not argue for application of one set over the other, we refer only to the FINRA rules. FINRA charged McCune with violating FINRA Rules 1122 and 2010, alleging he willfully failed to timely amend his Uniform Application for Securities Industry Registration or Transfer (Form U4). Rule 2010 requires a member to observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade. See http://finra.complinet.com/en/display/display.html?rbid=2403&record_id=6905&ele ment_id=5504&highlight=2010#r6905 (last visited Dec. 1, 2016). Rule 1122 prohibits a member or associate from filing with FINRA information with respect to membership or registration which is incomplete or inaccurate so as to be misleading, or which could in any way tend to mislead, or fail to correct such filing after notice thereof. See http://finra.complinet.com/en/display/display.html?rbid=2403&record_id=11434&ele ment_id=8336&highlight=1122#r11434 (last visited Dec. 1, 2016). McCune filed for bankruptcy in February 1989, but did not amend his Form U4 to reflect the bankruptcy until he joined Royal Alliance in December 1996. At that time, the Form U4 McCune signed included a declaration that he would update his Form U4 to disclose any changes in the previously reported information. The SEC did not charge as a violation this failure to timely disclose his 1989 bankruptcy, but relied on it as evidence of McCune's knowledge of his disclosure obligations. McCune filed a second voluntary bankruptcy petition in October 2002. While the petition was pending, he signed an amendment to his Form U4 on October 23, 2003, responding no to the question whether he had filed a bankruptcy petition within the past ten years. McCune filed a third voluntary bankruptcy petition in May 2005. He failed to amend his Form U4 to disclose this bankruptcy until April 7, 2011. The Internal Revenue Service filed three tax liens totaling $160,500 against McCune in March 2009, May 2010, and March 2011. The State of Kansas filed a state tax lien against him in March 2009 for $1872. He failed to amend his Form U4 to disclose these liens until April 7, 2011. The Royal Alliance Sales Practices Manual provides that any change in the information on a Form U4 requires filing an amended Form U4 and that failure to do so can result in severe sanctions. The manual further instructs registered representatives to review their Form U4 at least annually to ensure its accuracy. In addition, Royal Alliance requires its registered representatives to complete an annual compliance questionnaire, which includes reminders to update the Form U4 and to provide information about various events, such as bankruptcy filings and liens. McCune stated that he had completed the required questionnaires during his employment with Royal Alliance. Royal Alliance discovered McCune's failures to update his Form U4 while preparing for an audit. When McCune's supervisor brought the omissions to his attention, McCune signed an amended Form U4, which disclosed the bankruptcies and tax liens, on April 7, 2011. He was permitted to resign in May 2011. In early 2013 FINRA instituted the underlying disciplinary proceedings. McCune concedes that he did not timely update his Form U4. He argues, however, that FINRA failed to establish that his failure to do so was willful and that mitigating circumstances should have reduced or eliminated the sanctions. In addition, he contends that the sanctions were so excessive that they violated the Constitution. II. Standards of Review We review the SEC's sanctions for an abuse of discretion. Rooms v. SEC, 444 F.3d 1208, 1212 (10th Cir. 2006). We will not set aside the SEC's sanctions decision unless it is beyond the law, it is unsupported factually, or it completely lacks reasonableness such that it is an abuse of the SEC's discretion. Id. We will uphold the SEC's factual findings if they are supported by substantial evidence. Substantial evidence is a minimum quantity of relevant evidence objectively adequate to support the findings when viewed in light of the record as a whole. Id. (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). We will not overturn the SEC's findings where the evidence is capable of rational interpretation that would favor either side. Id. (internal quotation marks omitted). We review de novo the SEC's legal determinations. Id. We have liberally construed McCune's pro se filings. Garrett v. Selby Connor Maddux & Janer, 425 F.3d 836, 840 (10th Cir. 2005). We do not, however, take on the responsibility of serving as the litigant's attorney in constructing arguments and searching the record. Id. Moreover, pro se parties [must] follow the same rules of procedure that govern other litigants. Id. (internal quotation marks omitted). III. Analysis McCune makes no appellate argument challenging the imposition of the $5000 fine and the hearing costs of $1522.94. Therefore, these issues are waived. See Specialty Beverages, L.L.C. v. Pabst Brewing Co., 537 F.3d 1165, 1179 n.10 (10th Cir. 2008) (holding party waived argument by failing to raise the argument to this court). McCune challenges the SEC's finding that his failure to update his Form U4 was willful. He argues FINRA was required to prove he acted with scienter or that he was aware he was violating the law. He admits his conduct was extremely negligent, Aplt. Opening Br. at 2, and asserts he was otherwise occupied by concerns about the declining stock markets. He further states that Royal Alliance's Sales Practices Manual containing the provision requiring registered representatives to review and update their Form U4 was buried in hundreds of pages that he barely read. FINRA and the SEC determined McCune was subject to statutory disqualification because he had willfully made false or misleading statements in his Forms U4. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(39)(F), 78o(b)(4)(A) (stating that statutory disqualification applies to false or misleading statements willfully made or material facts willfully omitted in required reports). The SEC held that a willful violation of the securities laws means intentionally committing the act which constitutes the violation. Admin R. at 873 (internal quotation marks omitted). This court has held the term willfully in the SEC sanctions context to mean merely intentionally committing the act which constitutes the violation. There is no requirement that the actor also be aware that he is violating one of the Rules or Acts. Decker v. SEC, 631 F.2d 1380, 1386 (10th Cir. 1980) (internal quotation marks omitted); accord Mathis v. U.S. SEC, 671 F.3d 210, 217 (2d Cir. 2012); Wonsover v. SEC, 205 F.3d 408, 414 (D.C. Cir. 2000). McCune argues that FINRA was required to prove he acted with knowledge that his conduct was unlawful. He relies on Ratzlaf v. United States, 510 U.S. 135 (1994), a criminal case, where the Court held, [t]o establish that a defendant willfully violated the antistructuring law, the Government must prove that the defendant acted with knowledge that his conduct was unlawful, id. at 137 (brackets omitted). As Ratzlaf recognized, willful is a word of many meanings, and its construction is often influenced by its context. 510 U.S. at 141 (alterations and internal quotation marks omitted). Even under McCune's proffered definition, his conduct was willful. It is undisputed that he knew he was required to report any changes to his Form U4 and, further, that if he did not, he was subject to sanctions. Even if the requirement to report changes was not made obvious in Royal Alliance's Sales Practices Manual, McCune does not dispute that he annually completed a compliance questionnaire, which reminded him to update his Form U4. Thus, substantial evidence supports a finding that McCune was aware he was violating the law. The SEC did not abuse its discretion when it concluded that he willfully failed to disclose the bankruptcies and tax liens on his Form U4. McCune argues his legitimate concerns about his clients' investments during a turbulent period in the domestic and global stock markets, as well as the prolixity of the Sales Practices Manual, should mitigate the length of his suspension. He does not claim that these factors are included in the mitigating factors FINRA considers when fashioning a sanction. See FINRA Sanction Guidelines (2015), at 6-7, http://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/Sanctions_Guidelines.pdf (last visited Dec. 1, 2016). Although the SEC credit[ed] McCune's candor in admitting that he failed to timely amend his Form U4, Admin R. at 880, it nevertheless upheld FINRA's determination that McCune's violations were egregious, id. at 879. The SEC identified egregious cases as including those involving repeated failures to file, untimely filings, or false, inaccurate, or misleading filings. Id. The Guidelines recommend for egregious cases a suspension of up to two years or a bar. See Sanction Guidelines, at 70; see also ACAP Fin., Inc., 783 F.3d at 767-68 (approving SEC's application of FINRA's Sanction Guidelines). McCune's six-month suspension was at the low end of the recommended sanctions. Therefore, under these circumstances, the SEC did not abuse its discretion in upholding the suspension. See Rooms, 444 F.3d at 1213. Next, McCune argues the six-month suspension imposed by FINRA was so excessive that it violated the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment. McCune cites Rooms as applying constitutional principles to FINRA. 444 F.3d at 1214 (Due process requires that an NASD [or FINRA] rule give fair warning of prohibited conduct before a person may be disciplined for that conduct.). In contrast, the SEC argues FINRA is a private, nonprofit corporation, so the discipline it imposed was not governmental action subject to the Excessive Fines Clause. See Aplee. Br. at 25-26; see also Desiderio v. Nat'l Ass'n of Sec. Dealers, Inc., 191 F.3d 198, 206 (2d Cir. 1999) (stating NASD is a private actor, not a state actor whose actions are not those of the state); cf. Blum v. Yaretsky, 457 U.S. 991, 1004 (1982) (stating government's [m]ere approval [e.g., SEC's order sustaining FINRA's sanction] is not sufficient to convert private action to state action). McCune maintains that 95% of the registered representatives who were suspended from all securities activities at the time he was suspended did not return to the securities industry. Therefore, he claims his loss of income due to his suspension totals $730,802 over the next ten years, in violation of the Excessive Fines Clause. He relies on United States v. Bajakajian, 524 U.S. 321, 324 (1998), which held that forfeiture of the entire $357,144 in currency the defendant attempted to carry out of the United States without complying with the reporting requirement would violate the Excessive Fines Clause. We decline McCune's invitation to conduct an independent investigation to ascertain how many registered representatives who were suspended as a sanction never returned to work in the securities industry or why. We also reject McCune's characterization of his claimed projected loss of income as a fine. Although FINRA imposed a $5000 finewhich McCune does not challenge on appealit did not require him to pay an additional fine or confiscate any of his income or assets. McCune's future-lost-income claim would not be covered by the Eighth Amendment because the Excessive Fines Clause was intended to limit only those fines directly imposed by, and payable to, the government, Browning-Ferris Indus. of Vt., Inc. v. Kelco Disposal, Inc., 492 U.S. 257, 268 (1989). Therefore, we need not resolve whether constitutional mandates apply here. IV. Conclusion The SEC upheld the six-month suspension imposed by FINRA. The sanction was at the low end of the range stated in the FINRA Guidelines. We find no abuse of discretion in the SEC's decision. McCune's admissions and behavior provide a sufficient basis for a conclusion that he did not observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade as [FINRA] Rule [2010] requires. Rooms, 444 F.3d at 1215. The SEC's decision is affirmed. Entered for the Court FOOTNOTES . FINRA Rule 1122 replaced NASD Interpretive Material 1000-1. See Order Approving Proposed Rule Change to Adopt FINRA Rule 1122, 74 Fed. Reg. 18767-01, 2009 WL 1096425 (April 24, 2009). FINRA Rule 2010 replaced NASD Rule 2110. See Order Approving Proposed Rule Change to Adopt FINRA Rule 2010, 73 Fed. Reg. 57174-01, 2008 WL 4410589 (Oct. 1, 2008). . McCune also asserts that his rights under the Fourteenth Amendment were violated, but he has provided no argument in support so we do not consider such a claim. See Specialty Beverages, 537 F.3d at 1179 n.10. Carolyn B. McHugh Circuit Judge United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. HOWARD LEVY, Petitioner-Appellant, v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Respondent-Appellee. No. 15-12246 Decided: December 06, 2016 Before TJOFLAT, WILLIAM PRYOR, and MARTIN, Circuit Judges. Howard Levy, a federal prisoner, appeals the district court's denial of his 28 U.S.C. 2255 motion to vacate his conviction and sentence. After careful review, we affirm the district court. I. In 2011, Levy and several co-defendants were indicted based on a bank fraud scheme. Levy was indicted for: (1) one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349 (Count One); (2) six counts of fraud with identification documents in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2 and 1028A(a)(1); and (3) five counts of bank fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2 and 1344. Levy pleaded guilty to Count One pursuant to a written plea agreement. His plea agreement contained a section stipulating that the effect of his conviction on his immigration status was uncertain, but that deportation was presumptively mandatory. This section affirmed that Levy want[ed] to plead guilty even if it resulted in his automatic removal. The agreement also contained an appeal waiver allowing him to appeal only if the government did so or if the district court imposed an upward departure from his sentencing guidelines range. At the bottom of the agreement was an acknowledgment, signed by Levy indicating he had carefully reviewed the agreement with defense counsel and understood its terms and conditions. At his change-of-plea hearing, Levy said (under oath) that he understood the plea agreement and the acknowledgment. The court asked Levy if he had discussed the immigration consequences of his plea with defense counsel, and he responded that he had not spoken with an immigration lawyer but had discussed the issue briefly with defense counsel. Counsel then stated that he told Levy there were possible immigration consequences and had advised him to consult with a specialist because one day that will become an issue. The court inquired further, and counsel confirmed he had advised Levy that he may face deportation. The court then took a short recess to give Levy and defense counsel more time to discuss the immigration consequences of Levy's guilty plea. After the break, Levy confirmed that he had been given sufficient time to discuss the immigration issues with defense counsel and said he still wanted to plead guilty. At Levy's sentencing hearing, defense counsel requested probation in lieu of imprisonment. The court denied this request and sentenced Levy to twenty months in prison, which was below his sentencing guidelines range. The court also ordered him to pay over $200,000 in restitution. Immediately after this hearing, Levy and defense counsel had a brief conversation. Counsel later testified that during this conversation, he told Levy there was no basis to appeal the sentence. Levy then brought this 2255 action. He alleged that defense counsel provided ineffective assistance of counsel in three ways: (1) counsel explained the elements of the wrong crime to Levy; (2) counsel failed to adequately advise Levy regarding the immigration consequences of Levy's guilty plea; and (3) counsel failed to file an appeal despite Levy's instructions to do so. A Magistrate Judge ordered an evidentiary hearing for the third ground only. At this evidentiary hearing, Levy testified that during their brief conversation immediately after the sentencing hearing, he told defense counsel he wanted to appeal his sentence because he was not happy with the amount of restitution he had been ordered to pay. On the other hand, defense counsel testified that when he told Levy he believed there was no basis to appeal, Levy responded not by asking him to appeal, but rather by shrugging and saying okay. Further, counsel testified that Levy sent him an email two months after the sentencing hearing asking when and how Levy would pay the restitution, and even in that email, Levy did not ask him to appeal anything. In January 2015, the Magistrate Judge issued a report and recommendation denying Levy relief on all three grounds. As relevant to this appeal, the Magistrate Judge ruled that defense counsel provided constitutionally adequate advice about the immigration consequences of Levy's guilty plea and in any case, Levy could not show he was prejudiced because his plea agreement said he wanted to plead guilty even if the consequence was automatic removal. The Magistrate Judge also found Levy's testimony at the evidentiary hearing was not credible because of a number of inconsistencies with earlier testimony. Thus, the Magistrate Judge credited defense counsel's testimony that Levy did not ask him to file an appeal and did not reasonably demonstrate an interest in appealing. Over Levy's objections, the district court adopted the Magistrate Judge's report and recommendation. In its order, the district court highlighted the inconsistencies in Levy's testimony as more than minor and noted the record of inconsistencies is further weighted by the fact that the Magistrate Judge made her credibility determinations after personally observing Levy and defense counsel at the evidentiary hearing. II. Levy makes two arguments on appeal. First, he argues the district court should have held an evidentiary hearing on the issue of whether defense counsel was ineffective for failing to adequately advise him of the immigration consequences of pleading guilty. Levy acknowledges that the record reflects defense counsel told him he might be deported as a result of his plea. However, he asserts this advice was deficient because it failed to make clear he would face automatic deportation if he could not establish citizenship through a family member. Further, Levy argues he would have refused the plea dealand would have been willing to risk longer incarcerationif he had been told his ability to remain in the United States rested entirely upon this citizenship claim. We review the district court's denial of an evidentiary hearing in a 2255 proceeding for abuse of discretion. Winthrop-Redin v. United States, 767 F.3d 1210, 1215 (11th Cir. 2014). A district court abuses its discretion if it applies an incorrect legal standard, applies the law in an unreasonable or incorrect manner, follows improper procedures in making a determination, or makes findings of fact that are clearly erroneous. Id. (quotation omitted). In order to get an evidentiary hearing, a 2255 petitioner need only allege, not prove, reasonably specific, non-conclusory facts that, if true, would entitle him to relief. Id. at 1216 (quotation omitted). However, the district court does not need to grant a hearing if the petitioner's allegations are patently frivolous, based upon unsupported generalizations, or affirmatively contradicted by the record. Id. (quotations omitted). Put another way, the district court must grant an evidentiary hearing [u]nless the motion and the files and records of the case conclusively show that the petitioner is entitled to no relief. Id. (quotation omitted). To secure relief on the theory that defense counsel's constitutionally deficient advice induced a guilty plea, a petitioner must show that the advice fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, Hill v. Lockhart, 474 U.S. 52, 57, 106 S. Ct. 366, 369 (1985) (quotation omitted), and that the outcome of the plea process would have been different with competent advice. Lafler v. Cooper, 566 U.S. ___, 132 S. Ct. 1376, 1384 (2012). In other words, the petitioner must show not only that defense counsel committed professional error, but also a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's errors, the petitioner would not have pleaded guilty and would have insisted on going to trial. See Premo v. Moore, 562 U.S. 115, 13132, 131 S. Ct. 733, 745 (2011). So when a 2255 petitioner seeks relief under this theory, the district court may deny the petitioner an evidentiary hearing if his 2255 motion or the record conclusively shows he cannot meet his burden under one of these two prongs. See Winthrop-Redin, 767 F.3d at 1216. In this case, the record conclusively shows that Levy cannot meet his burden under the second prong. He cannot demonstrate a reasonable probability that, but for defense counsel's erroneous immigration advice, he would have insisted on going to trial. Levy's plea agreement specifically included a section stating: (1) removal was presumptively mandatory because he was pleading guilty to the offense; (2) he understood that neither his attorney nor the district court could predict the effect of his plea on his immigration status; and (3) he wanted to plead guilty even if it resulted in his automatic removal from the United States. Further, Levy signed an acknowledgement at the end of the plea agreement stating that he had read and carefully reviewed every part of the agreement with defense counsel and understood its terms and conditions. Finally, at his change-of-plea hearing, Levy said under oath that he understood the plea agreement and the acknowledgment. Because he stated in a signed plea agreement that he wanted to plead guilty even if the consequence was automatic removal, Levy cannot demonstrate he would have refused to plead guilty if counsel had told him he could face automatic removal. Thus, the district court did not abuse its discretion by denying Levy's claim regarding defense counsel's immigration advice without granting Levy an evidentiary hearing. III. Levy's second argument has two parts. First, he argues the district court clearly erred in finding he did not ask defense counsel to appeal. Second, he asserts the district court erred in ruling defense counsel was not ineffective for failing to adequately consult him about filing an appeal. In a 2255 proceeding, we review a district court's legal conclusions de novo. Devine v. United States, 520 F.3d 1286, 1287 (11th Cir. 2008). Whether counsel was ineffective is a mixed question of law and fact that we review de novo. Id. We allot substantial deference to the factfinder in reaching credibility determinations with respect to witness testimony, so we review credibility determinations for clear error only. Id. (quotation and ellipsis omitted). In judging whether a lawyer's performance was constitutionally deficient, we apply the two-prong test established by Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052 (1984). First, we must determine whether the lawyer's performance was reasonable under prevailing professional norms. Id. at 688, 104 S. Ct. at 2065. The petitioner must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that his counsel's performance was unreasonable. Putman v. Head, 268 F.3d 1223, 1243 (11th Cir. 2001). Second, we must determine whether the lawyer's deficient performance was prejudicial. In order to satisfy the prejudice prong, the petitioner must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694, 104 S. Ct. at 2068. A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome. Id. We must consider the totality of the evidence before the factfinder in making this prejudice determination. See id. at 695, 104 S. Ct. at 2069. The Strickland test applies to claims of ineffective assistance based on counsel's failure to file an appeal. Roe v. Flores-Ortega, 528 U.S. 470, 476-77, 120 S. Ct. 1029, 1034 (2000). Counsel acts in a constitutionally unreasonable manner when he disregards specific instructions from [a] defendant to file a notice of appeal. Id. at 477, 120 S. Ct. at 1035. When this happens, we presume the defendant was prejudiced even if he signed an appeal waiver as part of his plea agreement. Gomez-Diaz v. United States, 433 F.3d 788, 790 (11th Cir. 2005). Even when a defendant does not give specific instructions to appeal, his attorney has a constitutional duty to consult with him about an appeal if (1) a rational defendant would want to appeal, or (2) the particular defendant reasonably demonstrated to counsel that he was interested in appealing. Flores-Ortega, 528 U.S. at 480, 120 S. Ct. at 1036. In determining whether a lawyer had a duty to consult his client about an appeal, we must take into account all the information counsel knew or should have known. Id. Further, one highly relevant factor is whether the defendant pleaded guilty, both because a guilty plea reduces the scope of potentially appealable issues and because such a plea may indicate that the defendant seeks an end to judicial proceedings. Id. With regard to Levy's claim that the district court clearly erred in finding he never asked defense counsel to appeal, we conclude to the contrary. The district court determined that Levy lacked credibility based on multiple more than minor inconsistencies between his evidentiary-hearing testimony before the Magistrate Judge and his earlier testimony. In contrast, there did not appear to be any inconsistencies in defense counsel's testimony. In light of the substantial deference we give to factfinders on issues of witness credibility, we cannot say the district court clearly erred in crediting defense counsel's testimony that Levy never gave him specific instructions to appeal. Further, Levy's argument that defense counsel was ineffective for failing to adequately consult him about an appeal fails because Levy cannot show defense counsel was under a duty to consult. First, he has not demonstrated that a rational defendant in his position would have wanted to appeal. Levy signed a plea agreement containing an appeal waiver, which allowed him to appeal only if the government did so or if the district court imposed an upward departure from his sentencing guidelines range. Because neither of these things happened, a rational defendant in Levy's shoes would not have sought to appeal. See Otero v. United States, 499 F.3d 1267, 1271 (11th Cir. 2007) (per curiam) ([O]n account of the plea agreement's broad appeal waiver, any appeal taken by Otero would have been frivolous and would have been an appeal that no rational defendant would have taken.). Levy also received a prison sentence below his guideline range and favorable plea agreement in which the government agreed not to prosecute him on eleven counts. Thus, Levy failed to show that a rational defendant would have wanted to appeal. Second, the district court did not clearly err in finding that Levy did not reasonably demonstrate an interest in appealing his sentence. Once again, in light of the contrast between Levy's testimony at his 2255 hearing and his testimony at the time he entered his plea, the district court found Levy's later testimony was not credible. The district court therefore accepted defense counsel's testimony that Levy responded to counsel's advice that there were no issues to appeal by saying okay and shrugging his shoulders, and that Levy never led counsel to believe Levy wanted to appeal. On appeal, Levy argues he was clearly upset by his sentence and was concerned about its effect on his immigration status. Even accepting these allegations as true, they are not enough to show the district court's finding, and the credibility determinations upon which it was based, were clearly erroneous. AFFIRMED. PER CURIAM: United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. RICK BONDS, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, Defendant-Appellee. Case No. 16-1417 Decided: December 06, 2016 BEFORE: GIBBONS, SUTTON, and WHITE, Circuit Judges. Rick Bonds came up just short in trying to pass his employment certification exam, missing one more question than allowed. Close as that was, his failure on the exam, not his age, led to his discharge from Varian Medical Systems, according to all of the evidence. As a result, we must affirm the district court's rejection of his state-law age-discrimination claim. In 2011, Varian hired Bonds on a probationary basis to work as a field service representative. As long as Bonds passed his training exams, the company planned to have him work on its Clinac C equipment, linear accelerators that treat cancer patients with radiation. R. 14-4 at 16. The parties agree that this equipment requires precise calibration and is dangerous if operated improperly. During his 180-day probationary period, Varian asked Bonds to shadow other engineers and participate in a number of training courses and examinations. To prepare for the final certification exam, Bonds took a series of five weekly quizzes designed to test each week's material. Unfortunately for Bonds, he failed four of the five. Those results, he now says, stemmed from technical problems with the computer mouse, which would alter his answers rather than scrolling down the page. On the reports compiled just after the tests, however, Bonds attributed his failures to stringent time limits, not technical problems. Whatever the cause, the test failures led to the same outcome: The company did not permit him to take the final Hardware L2 Beam certification exam with his classmates. Around this time, Bonds' supervisor, Rick Read, began receiving reports that Bonds was soliciting work for his personal Computer Tomography scanner business during his clinical training sessions. Read sent Bonds an email reminding him that such behavior was unacceptable and in violation of [his] non-compete. R. 17-6 at 2. At this time, Read also expressed concern about Bonds' level of initiative and [ ] motivation for th[e] job. Id. Nonetheless, in February 2012, the company gave Bonds a second chance. After Read retired, Bonds' new supervisor, Ryan Brookes, extended Bonds' probationary period for an additional 180 days and set a testing date for his Hardware L2 Beam certification exam for March 7th. That gave him one month to study for the test. He failed the examthis time by just one question. Eight days later, the company laid him off. Bonds was 46 years old at the time. Bonds filed this action under the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act. See Mich. Comp. Laws 37.2202(1). He claimed that Varian fired him based on his age and retaliated against him for raising a similar age-discrimination claim against his former employer, Philips Electronics. The district court granted Varian's motion for summary judgment. Bonds appealed the age-discrimination ruling. To survive summary judgment, Bonds needed to identify a genuine dispute of fact over whether age was a determining factor in [Varian's] decision to terminate his employment. Blackwell v. Sun Elec. Corp., 696 F.2d 1176, 1180 (6th Cir. 1983); see Hecht v. Nat'l Heritage Acads., Inc., 886 N.W.2d 135, 146 & n.32 (Mich. 2016) (reaffirming that a jury can find that the discharge was because of age even if age was not the sole factor). Put another way, he needed to present evidence sufficient for a trier of fact to find in his favor under this standard. Richardson v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 836 F.3d 698, 702 (6th Cir. 2016). The fundamental question under Michigan law, as under federal law, is whether the employer has made an adverse employment decision because of age. Id.; Mich. Comp. Laws 37.2202(1). Claimants can try to answer that question with direct or indirect evidence. Sniecinski v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mich., 666 N.W.2d 186, 192 (Mich. 2003). Direct evidence is evidence, [which] if believed, requires the conclusion that age was the but for cause of the employment decision. Scheick v. Tecumseh Pub. Sch., 766 F.3d 523, 530 (6th Cir. 2014); see Hecht, 886 N.W.2d at 146 & n.34. Bonds acknowledges that he lacks direct evidence of age discriminationevidence that illustrates discriminatory bias without requiring any inferences. Richardson, 836 F.3d at 703. So he seeks to prove his claim through indirect evidence. In that setting, Michigan law applies the McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting framework. See McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792 (1973); Lytle v. Malady, 579 N.W.2d 906, 91415 (Mich. 1998). Under the McDonnell Douglas approach, Bonds must first make out a prima facie case of age discrimination by showing that: (1) he is a member of a protected class (age 40 to 70); (2) he was discharged; (3) he was qualified for the position; and (4) someone outside of the protected class replaced him. Simpson v. MidlandRoss Corp., 823 F.2d 937, 940 (6th Cir. 1987). The burden then shifts to Varian to establish a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for the termination. Lytle, 579 N.W.2d at 91415 (quotation omitted). At that point, Bonds must show that Varian's reason is not the true reason but a pretext, id. at 915, by showing that Varian's reasons have no basis in fact, do not suffice to warrant termination, or did not actually motivate the termination, Cicero v. BorgWarner Auto., Inc., 280 F.3d 579, 589 (6th Cir. 2002). The problem for Bonds is that he failed the required certification exam. And that makes him unqualified for the positionthe third requirement of making a threshold showing of age discrimination. Bonds offers no contrary evidence on the point. Even if Bonds could establish a prima facie case of discrimination, he cannot show that Varian's explanation for its decisionthat Bonds failed his certification examwas a pretextual ground for firing him. No doubt, we have considerable sympathy for anyone who fails a test by just one question. But that unfortunate reality does not mitigate his burden to establish pretext. If a company is allowed to require employees to pass an exam, as Bonds appears to accept, it must set a passing grade at some pointsomething all licensed lawyers know firsthand. Once a passing grade is set, it follows that some individuals will just meet it and some will fall just short of it. Keep in mind that Bonds wanted to operate radiation machines for cancer patients. Those patients, we suspect, would prefer that the company rigorously stand by its insistence on hiring employees who can pass the exam. Bonds responds that the McDonnell Douglas test need not control every case under Michigan law. Perhaps so. But Bonds offers no alternative framework under which he would prevail, and we can see why. He admits that no one at Varian ever discussed his age. He acknowledges that he knows of no other employee who was permitted to stay on after failing the certification exam. He even offers non-age-related reasons for his firing. At one point, he says Varian let [him] go because [he] didn't have [a] military background. R. 14-4 at 17. At another point, he says that what stuck out to [him] in speaking to his supervisor was [that] the exam was the reason for his termination, and that if he wanted he could go out and get experience somewhere and then [Varian would] consider rehiring him. Id. at 22. The closest he gets to a company statement that might amount to discrimination does not involve an ageist remarkand thus does not show age discrimination. He claims that Kathy Brainerd, the head of Human Resources, profiled him during orientation by noting his mental state, which he claims she described as bouncing off the wall one minute and down in the dumps another. Id. at 24. Those remarks, however, have nothing to do with his age. That leaves the allegation that the new certification exam is more difficult than the one given to the other trainees. It is not clear Bonds is right about that. Varian explains that, although the new test is longer, it is untimed and permits students to access a searchable database of training materials. Either way, Bonds' allegation (right or wrong) does not show, or even suggest, discrimination based on age. Bonds acknowledges that he wasn't allowed to take the [earlier] certification exam because [he] didn't do better than 80 percent on the quizzes. Id. at 17. Nothing prevents Varian from offering a new test, even a harder test, to those who fail a series of qualifying quizzes so long as the policy is applied in a non-discriminatory way. Bonds offers no evidence, circumstantial or otherwise, to show that Varian asked him to take this allegedly more difficult exam because he was older rather than because he did not pass the first round of quizzes. For these reasons, we affirm. SUTTON, Circuit Judge. Cloud News It's Not All About The Cloud, Says CEO Of Cloud Hosting Provider Hostway Joseph Tsidulko Share this Emil Sayegh, CEO of Hostway, a cloud and dedicated hosting provider based in Chicago, told attendees of the NexGen Cloud Conference and Expo on Wednesday that "it's not all about cloud." Sayegh, who took the top job at the provider only a couple months ago, made the argument that hybrid infrastructure connecting clouds with on-premises networks, for most customers, is the right solution. Hostway often hears from customers who are frustrated by overspending after a cloud migration, he said. [Related: Lenovo Cloud Director: Open Source Technologies Are The Glue That Binds The Hybrid Cloud] "Hybrid is frankly the best of both worlds," Sayegh told attendees of the conference in Anaheim, Calif., produced by CRN parent The Channel Company. "It gives you flexibility; it gives you more choice, also gives you the right tools for the right workload and eliminates overspending." Cloud providers are solving real problems, from bottlenecks to scaling, "but that's not the only answer," Sayegh said. "We need a true hybrid." Corporate IT departments struggle to find suitable environments for hosting hundreds of applications, and "each one of those applications, my friends, has requirements," Sayegh said. Some workloads are great sitting in the cloud. Others, often those with predictable loads, like databases, typically achieve greater cost efficiencies on dedicated gear. And the needs of companies, from startups to established enterprises, are always changing as they evolve their businesses and scale. By interfacing one private network to a public provider, putting the application in the place it's best suited for, without a technology bias, partners can optimize costs for their customers, he said. If they have a burst in demand, they can scale in the cloud; for constant workloads they can rely more on their dedicated infrastructure. While the trend is to outsource IT, and there's plenty of pressure from business managers to shift costs from capex to opex, and get away from buying hardware, the cloud in many cases does not offer the most savings. "I cannot describe to you how many companies come to us and say, 'We are overspending with AWS, overspending with Azure,'" Sayegh said. Hybrid cloud is a construct that "solves a lot of these problems, eliminates a lot of these risks," Sayegh said. Hybrid hosting essentially is the third-generation of the cloud, he said, after private and public waves, and the third-generation of most technologies often proves the optimal one that sticks for the longest period. "The biggest jump in improvement is that third generation," Sayegh said. "As service providers, we have to make it easy for you to do hybrid." Kevin Walsh, owner of San Diego, Calif.-based MSP HostForYou, told CRN that he sees much the same dynamic Sayegh discussed in his own business. Customers often are irritated by costs they weren't expecting when leveraging large cloud providersfinding the front-end pricing not matching their actual bills. "Especially with AWS when you get data transfer costs," Walsh told CRN after hearing Sayegh's presentation. "It seems cheap, but once they start seeing the data transfers, it's sometimes not as cost effective." A lot of his customers also worry about internet latency and prefer the networking speed of on-premises infrastructure. "Most customers are still concerned about their data moving to the cloud," Walsh added. "So if they have more of a private system, they would prefer to have their data there. That's what I'm learning from my customers." Components & Peripherals News CRN Exclusive: Xerox to Move Tens of Thousands of Direct Accounts to Channel Partners Michael Novinson Share this Incoming Xerox North America President Mike Feldman said the company plans to transfer tens of thousands of its directly-served upper mid-market and smaller enterprise accounts to channel partners. "Today, our large enterprise direct sales force has a lot more business with more accounts than I would like them to be focused on," Feldman told CRN. "We're looking at those accounts that are considered below big, large enterprise and moving those to channel partners." Xerox also plans to change how it compensates its sales force, Feldman said, moving from a model that incentivizes direct sales to one that is channel-agnostic. [RELATED: Xerox CTO To Retire Following Companys Split] "Whether the salesperson sells it directly from Xerox or uses a channel partners as they sell into the account, we would like them to make the same amount of money regardless of the route to market," Feldman said. Feldman will take over as Xerox's North American leader at the start of 2017, after the company splits off its $7 billion business process outsourcing division - which will be renamed Conduent from its $11 billion document technology business, which will retain the Xerox brand name. Customers with 1,000 or more seats are currently classified as large enterprise accounts, Feldman said, and are therefore eligible to be serviced directly by Xerox's salesforce. Going forward, though, only accounts with 5,000 or more seats will be considered large enterprise, Feldman said. Feldman said Xerox plans to cover the smaller accounts that are part of its large enterprise group today in a more cost-effective way by having them serviced by channel partners. "The salesperson won't have to really get a vote on that," Feldman said. "We'll redirect our direct salespeople to bigger accounts, and going after new logo, really large accounts." All told, Feldman said Xerox has tens of thousands of accounts in its U.S. large enterprise organization today that it plans to move to channel partners, and just 2,000 accounts that need a direct interface from the Norwalk, Conn.-based vendor. "Xerox has a lot to gain by partnering more with our channel in the marketplace," Feldman said. "We want to compete less, and cover more." Feldman said even those 2,000 large enterprise accounts requiring a direct Xerox interface could be sold through channel partners. Feldman vowed that, under his leadership, Xerox's direct sales organization will partner will channel resellers to support large enterprise customers, which he said is something that hadn't happened previously. "I think the channel is a huge opportunity for us," Feldman said. "I really believe very much in the channel." Feldman cautioned that transferring these accounts from direct to channel-led coverage will take time since Xerox needs to ensure that its end users are comfortable with the new model. Even though the transition won't occur right away, Feldman said it's something the company is actively working on. Xerox-exclusive agents and multi-vendor dealers can provide better customer service and more expedited response times than Xerox's direct sales force, said Troy Tafoya of Fort Collins, Colo.-based Professional Document Solutions (PDS). "We're in the communities that we serve," said Tafoya, president of Xerox agent PDS. "We can do a much better job than the large enterprise organization was doing because they were so far removed." Internet of things News CompTIA: More Customers Are Looking To Adopt IoT, With Partner Help Lindsey O'Donnell Share this Channel partners are starting to "warm up" to the Internet of Things market as more customers move to adopt experimental pilot projects and formal initiatives surrounding IoT, according to a CompTIA report. Lisa Person, community director at CompTIA, told solution providers at The Channel Company's NextGen Cloud Conference & Expo that the channel realizes the benefits and opportunities surrounding the massive amounts of data coming in from connected devices. "Customers need help in connecting the different pieces of IoT," she said, Tuesday. "As devices become more connected, they want to know: How do you support all this and what do you do with all the data? That's where partners can come into play with BI and analytics tools." [Related: Google Executive: Change 'Not Optional' For Channel To Keep Up With Customer Digital Transformation] Though the IoT market is still new, customers are beginning to express interest in the Internet of Things as they realize benefits to IoT solutions including better customer experiences, better asset visibility, more accurate monitoring, cost savings and better decision-making data. According to CompTIA, 33 percent of organizations have an IoT experimentation or pilot project underway, and 27 percent have already adopted a formal IoT initiative. Meanwhile, 23 percent of organizations plan to have an IoT initiative underway within a year, and only 15 percent have no plans around IoT. Despite increasing interest in the Internet of Things, customers and channel partners both still face hurdles they need to overcome to adopt IoT strategies. For example, according to CompTIA's research, up to 55 percent of channels see developing expertise around IoT as a top challenge. "Partners are worried about building up in-house expertise and talent surrounding the Internet of Things, and then initial starting costs," said Person. Channel partners also listed initial IoT project costs, educating customers, and choosing business models as other challenges they are facing in the Internet of Things space. Once solution providers overcome these challenges, however, there are massive opportunities surrounding recurring revenue services, Person said. For example, one South African-based systems integrator, Dimension Data, came up with a revolution IoT solution to connect the Tour De France with a range of IoT applications. In 2015, Dimension Data embarked on a four-month project to connect the bikes, create custom networks, capture real-time data and provide high-tech security for the bike race, so that mobile users could instantly see the race participants' status. Nathan Phinney, president at Bright Bear Technology Solutions, an Irvine, Calif.-based managed service provider, said that solution providers are interested in IoT, but still are looking for successful use cases to get a better sense of how to best monetize the market. "I think a lot of MSPs are still taking the temperature there's a level of interest that's pretty high in developing IoT practices within the businesses of managed services partners," he said. "But it's still a green market; people are still figuring it out, similar to cloud when it was young what it is, how to monetize it, and what the opportunities are in the space." Managed services News Sources: Dimension Data Americas CEO Slaga Out As Company Restructures Sarah Kuranda Share this Dimension Data Americas CEO Mark Slaga has left the company, sources told CRN, the latest in a series of sweeping changes at the systems integrator in recent months. Slaga has been replaced by Dimension Data Europe CEO Andrew Coulsen, one source said. Company employees were told Slaga was leaving the company to spend more time with his family. Dimension Data Americas CFO Eric Gibson is also no longer with the company, one source said. [Related: The 10 Biggest Channel Stories Of 2016] Sources said the changes are part of a push by Dimension Data to move from wholly operated units in each geographic region to operating globally, with finance operations centered in South Africa. Under this new structure, there would only be a top sales leader in each region, the source said. Dimension Data did not provide a comment on the story. Slaga did not respond to calls from CRN. Slaga has been CEO of Dimension Data Americas since July 2013. He has been with the company since 2000 in a variety of technical and operating leadership roles. The restructuring and leadership changes join a growing list of drastic changes at Dimension Data, No. 11 on the 2016 CRN Solution Provider 500, including the sudden resignation of Dimension Data global CEO Brett Dawson, who stepped down in June after 12 years at the company. Dawson was replaced by COO Jason Goodall. Sources also told CRN in recent months that the company has instituted layoffs over the past year, including in customer service, alliances, solutions engineers, sales and the managed services group. The layoffs primarily occurred in the Americas region, although there have also been publicized reports of layoffs in other regions. Dimension Data has also moved to cut costs in other areas, sources told CRN in recent months, by cutting short-term incentive bonuses and limiting travel for some employees. Dimension Data's parent company, NTT Data, as a whole is seeing profitability drop 8 percent year over year to 58 billion yen although it said it expects to revise its forecast in the fall when it completes its $3.1 billion acquisition of Dells Perot Systems IT services business. Dimension Data previously had been pushing to aggressively drive up its sales, with a revenue target of $12 billion by 2018. To accomplish that, Dimension Data has been actively making acquisitions, including its 2014 blockbuster acquisition of Nexus, to nearly double its presence in the U.S. market and, more recently, acquiring Ceryx to strengthen its offerings around the Microsoft public cloud. NTT made clear on its most recent earnings call in August that the focus on profits will continue for the company, as it said profitability continues to improve overall but it continues to work for the reduction of unprofitable projects in our group. One way the company has looked to do that is with the August launch of NTT Security, which brings together its security subsidiary brands, including Solutionary, parts of Dimension Data and NTT Communications, into a single managed security services company. NTT Data will endeavor to grow sales in each region in order to increase the value of our global brand, while securing profits necessary for continually making investments and pursuing better business management efficiency, a translation of the companys first-quarter 2017 consolidated financial results said. Networking News AT&T Launches 5G Business Customer Trial Aimed At Rivaling Wired Broadband Speeds Gina Narcisi Share this Telecom giant AT&T has kicked off an enterprise trial using "5G" wireless technology, and Intel is the first customer. AT&T is working alongside telecom equipment provider Ericsson using millimeter wave (mmWave) technology for the test. The two companies are providing a high-bandwidth cellular network service in one of Intels Austin offices, and they expect to see connectivity speeds that rival (wired) broadband internet speeds that cable providers offer today. True 5G standards are still in development and aren't expected to be finalized until 2019, with commercial deployments expected in 2020. The 5G business customer trial at Intel's offices is the first of its kind in the U.S., according to Dallas-based AT&T. [Related: The State Of 5G Technology: Where Telecoms Stand ] The month-long trial, which will use one cell site and cover an area approximately 300 meters at one of Intel's' facilities, is a "significant step forward," according to AT&T's senior vice president of networking product management Rick Hubbard. Ericcson said that the trial would take the industry closer to 5G commercialization because it will help to validate the feasibility of outdoor-to-indoor mmWave coverage for business customers. MMWave is one of the technologies that is expected to be one of the main components of 5G, once finalized. "We expect mmWave technology to be an important part of 5G," AT&T's Hubbard said in a statement. "The trial will help accelerate our 5G work by shedding new light on how the technology acts in a business environment." No channel partners are involved with the trial, an AT&T spokesperson told CRN. However, the provider has said that there will be opportunities related to 5G network access for partners down the road. During the trial, AT&T expects to use cellular speeds faster than one gigabit per second to test multiple business use cases and applications that have been relying on broadband network services. These use cases will include virtual private networking, unified communications applications, and 4K video, AT&T said. The provider also plans on using the trial to test the potential of 5G VoIP over the 15GHz and 28GHz spectrum bands. AT&T may be conducting the first business customer trial, but competitor Verizon shared that it had been doing field trials of 5G in the U.S. in March. Back then the Basking Ridge, N.J.-based telco said it was planning a commercial launch of 5G as early as 2017. Networking News Partners Applaud Verizon's $3.6B Data Center Sale To Channel-Friendly Equinix Gina Narcisi Share this Verizon on Tuesday said it would sell its cloud hosting and data center business to global data center operator Equinix for $3.6 billion, following a year of speculation that the carrier was considering leaving the business of running data centers. Partners say that refocusing on its core offerings, while selling its data center assets to a channel-friendly, global data center provider is the right move. Via the terms of the deal, Equinix will take over ownership and management of 24 Verizon data centers sites, including 22 sites in the U.S. and two in Latin America. By offloading the data center operations, Verizon could be freed up to double down on its connectivity services, said J.R. Vernick, co-founder of Clinton, N.J.-based RDS Solutions, a telecommunications solution provider who partners with both Verizon and Equinix. "Equinix used to not be too channel-friendly, but they are now. As an Equinix partner, now they even have more availability, so we definitely don't see this as an option lost," Vernick said. [Related: Verizon Gets Out Of Data Center Business, Sells Latin, North American Assets To Equinix For $3.6B ] Verizon's sale of its data centers to Equinox makes sense because data center services have not been core to Verizon's portfolio, said Michael Wolfington, vice president of sales for Kingcom, a Portland, Ore.-based national Verizon platinum partner. Verizon's co-location services that it acquired when it bought Terremark in 2011 have struggled to gather traction within the channel community, Wolfington added. "This will now free up further capital to invest in areas Verizon knows will excel. Particularly, the SMB marketplace with the emergence of 5G LTE coming down the pipe. Smart cities will [also] create a rapid revenue stream as business owners nationwide will have affordable, reliable and efficient options beyond cable," Wolfington said. According to Verizon, the two companies are moving forward together and are working on a joint marketing agreement in which both providers will market each others services. Verizon and Equinix will offer solutions for business customers based on the newly-combined product portfolios, a Verizon spokesperson said. "Verizons sale of its co-location data centers is consistent with the companys strategic focus. The sale will enable Verizon to invest our resources in areas that will help drive digital transformation for enterprise customers," the spokesperson said. Verizon is one of the last of the incumbent carriers to relinquish its cloud hosting and data center strategies. In November CenturyLink announced plans to sell off its data centers and co-location business for $2.15 billion to a group of investors advised by investment firm BC Partners. Little Rock, Ark.-based provider Windstream also sold off its data center operations to co-location provider TierPoint for $575 million in 2015. While there's always uncertainly following an acquisition, RDS' Vernick doesn't believe the deal will create any issues for business customers using Verizon's co-location services. The deal will also be beneficial for Equinix in solidifying its global leadership position in the data center space, according to Andrew Pryfogle, senior vice president of cloud transformation for Petaluma, Calif.-based Intelisys, a Verizon and Equinix partner. The demand for data center services is growing as business customers move away from owning their own infrastructure and rely more on third-party providers, Pryfogle said. "Because [Equinix] has one of the largest data center footprints in the world, and they have led the way with the concept of the interconnected cloud, this will even give more opportunity to the channel," he said. "I applaud the move and I think it's good news all around." Security News Optiv CEO Aims To Build The Biggest Global Security Provider By Using KKR's Investment To Make International Acquisitions Sarah Kuranda Share this Optiv Security has always looked to be the biggest security player on the block, but the company is now looking to take that vision global under new private equity ownership, CEO Dan Burns said. Optiv announced Tuesday that private equity firm KKR & Co. planned to acquire a majority stake in the security solution provider, with current owner Blackstone Group maintaining a minority stake. One report put the purchase price at nearly $2 billion. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2017. One of the first steps under the new ownership will be to sit down and "hone the master plan" to expand Optiv globally, Burns said. Optiv currently sells its products and services in 76 countries but does so primarily using partnerships and regional distributors. As one of the world's largest private equity firms, with investments and locations around the globe, Burns said KKR would prove critical as Optiv looks to establish its foothold around the world. [Related: Security Blockbuster: Optiv Security Acquired By Private Equity Firm KKR] Burns said a large part of that strategy under KKR will be acquisition. "We will have to acquire," Burn said. "I believe that is the only way to get started. We will get interesting acquisitions globally." Burns said Optiv would likely first look to acquire in Europe, then turn to Asia. Then, he said Optiv could look to expand into South America and other regions two to three years down the line. "[Optiv will then] truly become the global security solution provider. That is the No. 1 priority of the organization," Burns said. Martin Wolf, president of martinwolf M&A Advisors of Walnut Creek, Calif., expects KKR to help significantly expand Optiv's international presence. "This opens the door for Optiv to move higher up the value chain," he said. "By leveraging someone like KKR that can aggregate customers, they'll build a big [security] platform. To the extent they are successful, it will be a shift in value and leverage to more customer facing people than just technologists." Burns said Optiv believes that scale is key in today's security market. He said large enterprises are looking for solution provider partners that can help them solve big problems, see major themes in the industry and quickly bring the knowledge, people, expertise and technology to bear to address those factors. "Our vision has always been to be large," Burns said. He noted that enterprise security has become incredibly complex and challenging to manage, but "to work with a single partner that can solve all these really complex problems more effectively and more efficiently is extremely attractive to the client." One top channel executive, who has experience with KKR and did not want to be identified, said it is likely that KKR is looking at rolling up some security company acquisitions to form a global security powerhouse. "This is a consolidation play," he said. "They generally get involved to scale the business." Optiv has already been very acquisitive this year, building out its business in North America and expanding its technology offerings. It acquired identity and access management company Advancive in April, third-party risk application company Evantix in May, and New England security solution provider Adaptive Communications in June. In addition to international expansion, Burns said Optiv would also look to build out its cloud security portfolio. That push will lead to additional investments to ancillary technology areas, such as identity and access management, DLP, data security, and services, he said. "We are in a better position than anyone else out there to make that transition [to the cloud] in a very thoughtful and secure way. You will see us investing heavily in cloud security as well and our cloud partnerships," Burns said. Burns said Blackstone, which owned security specialist Accuvant, helped create Optiv in early 2015 when it merged Accuvant and FishNet Security. The combined companies created a $1.5 billion security behemoth, which took the name Optiv in April 2015. Burns said now Optiv is ready to move onto the next chapter under KKR. "I think this whole thing is a journey and within that journey, there are multiple chapters," Burns said. "Chapter 1 and 2 are Accuvant and FishNet. Chapter 3 was Optiv. And, now it will be Chapter 4." Steven Burke contributed to this story. The unsatisfying answer to the title of this post is that nobody knows for sure. To quote one Nicholas scholar, We can grant a bishop of that name who had a great impact on his homeland. We can also accept December 6 as the day of his death and burial. These are all the facts we can hold to. Further we cannot go. (Gustav Anrich, quoted by Charles W. Jones in Saint Nicholas of Bari, Myra, and Manhattan). According to the best estimates, Nicholas, was born around AD 280 in Patara, in Asia Minor. He later became bishop of Myra in modern-day Turkey. Nicholas, it seems, died about 343 on or near December 6. There is no record of his existence attested in any document until the 6th century. By that time Nicholas, whoever he had been, was already famous. The emperor Justinian dedicated a church to him in Constantinople. Initially, Nicholas was most well known in the East. But by 900, a Greek wrote, The West as well as the East acclaims and glorifies him. Wherever there are people, his name is revered and churches are built in his honor. All Christians reverence his memory and call upon his protection. In 1087, Italian sailors stole his supposed relics and took them from Myra to Bari, Italy. This move greatly increased his popularity in Europe and made Bari one of the most crowded pilgrimage sites. It is said that Nicholas was represented by medieval artists more than any other saint except Mary. Man and the Myth Why was Nicholas so famous? Its impossible to tell fact from fiction, but this is some of the legend of St. Nicholas: He was reputed to be a wonder-worker who brought children back to life, destroyed pagan temples, saved sailors from death at sea, and as an infant nursed only two days a week and fasted the other five days. Moving from probable legend to possible history, Nicholas was honored for enduring persecution. It is said that he was imprisoned during the Empire wide persecution under Diocletian and Maximian. Upon his release and return, the people flocked around him. Nicholas! Confessor! Saint Nicholas has come home! Nicholas was also hailed as a defender of orthodoxy. Later sources claim he was in attendance at the council of Nicea. According to tradition, he was a staunch opponent of Arianism. Writing five centuries after his death, one biographer said, Thanks to the teaching of St. Nicholas, the metropolis of Myra alone was untouched by the filth of the Arian heresy, which it firmly rejected as a death-dealing poison. Stories of his courage abound, one claiming that Nicholas traveled to Nicea and, upon arrival, promptly slapped Arius in the face. As the story goes, the rest of the council was shocked and appalled, so much so that they were going to remove Nicholas from his bishopric, until Jesus and Mary appeared to defend him. According to the same legend, this apparition changed the minds of the delegates, who quickly recanted of their outrage. As you might have guessed, Nicholas was also revered for being a generous gift giver. Born into a wealth family, he inherited the fortune when his parents died. Apparently he gave his vast fortune away. The most famous story involved three girls who were so destitute that they were going to be forced into a life of prostitution. But Nicholas threw three bags of gold through the window as dowries for the young woman. Over time, Saint Nicholas became the patron saint of nations like Russia and Greece, cities like Fribourg and Moscow, and of children, sailors, unmarried girls, merchants, and pawnbrokers (the three gold balls hung outside pawn shops are symbolic of the three bags of gold). Christmas and St. Nicholas In honor of St. Nicholas the gift giver, Christians began to celebrate December 6 (his feast day) by giving presents. The tradition developed over time. For good boys and girls, St. Nicholas would come in his red bishops robe and fill boots with gifts on the night of December 5. For bad boys and girls St. Nicholas was to be feared. In highly Catholic parts of Europe, St. Nicholas became a deterrent to erring young children. In Germany, he was often accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht (farmhand Rupert) who threatened to eat misbehaving children. In Switzerland, St. Nicholas threatened to put wicked children in a sack and bring them back to the Black Forest. In the Netherlands, St. Nicholass helper would tie them in a sack and bring them back to Spain. In parts of Austria, the priest, dressed up in Christmas garb, would visit the homes of naughty children and threaten them with rod-beatings. At least nowadays, he only checks his list! Not surprisingly, the Reformers were less than friendly towards the traditions that had been built up around the saints. Luther rejected the saints days, believing they were built upon legends and superstitions (and a virulent strain of moralism we might add). In Germany, Luther replaced Saint Nicholas Day with a different holiday, Christ Child, or Christkindl. Ironically, Kriss Kringle which derived from Luthers Christ Child holiday, has become just another name for St. Nicholas. From St. Nicholas to Santa Claus The cult of St. Nicholas virtually disappeared in Protestant Europe, with the exception of one country: the Netherlands. If you love Christmas with all the trappings of Santa Claus and stockings and presents, thank the Dutch. If you despise all that, try to ignore my last name for the time being. The Puritans had done away with St. Nicholas and banned Christmas altogether. But the Dutch held on to their tradition and brought it with them to the New World. In the Netherlands Sint Nicolaas was contracted to Sinterklaas. According to Dutch tradition, Sinterklaas rides a horse and is accompanied by his helper Zwarte Piet, or Black Pete. Many consider Black Pete a racist stereotype derived from slavery, although others claim he is black because he goes down the chimney and gets a face full of soot. At any rate, it is easy to see how Sinterklaas evolved in America to Santa Claus. Santa Claus became the Santa we know in the United States only after the poem Twas the Night Before Christmas was written in 1823. Possibly the best-known verses ever written by an American, the poem has greatly influenced the tradition of Santa in the English-speaking world and beyond. Jolly Old St. Nick and Jesus How should Christians relate to the traditions of Santa Claus? C. S. Lewis embraced them and so included Father Christmas in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Other Christians, fearing syncretism, stay clear of Santa, reindeer, and a tree full of presents. Ill leave it to you and your family to form you opinions on observing the Christmas holiday (see Rom. 14:1, 5-6). But if Santa Claus is everywhere already, why not use him to your benefit and talk about the real St. Nicholas? We dont know a lot about him, but we know he was a real and much-revered person. According to legendone of those stories that probably isnt true, but should bewhen Nicholas was a little boy, he would get up early to go to church and pray. One morning, the aging priest had a vision that the first one to enter the church the next day should be the new bishop of Myra. When Nicholas was the first to enter, the old priest, obeying the vision, made the young boy bishop right on the spot. But before he consecrated Nicholas, the priest asked him a question. Who are you, my son? According to tradition, the child whose legend would one day become Santa Claus replied, Nicholas the sinner. Not bad for a little boy. With what little we know about St. Nicholas, it is safe to say he would not be pleased to know he had eclipsed Christ in the hearts of many as the central figure of Christmas. For the bishop of Myra no doubt knew the angels words to Joseph: Mary will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. So this Christmas, give gifts if you like. We will in our family. Receive them all with thanksgiving. But do not forget what we need mostsalvation through substitution. This is one gift the real St. Nicholas would not have overlooked. This article originally appeared on TheGospelCoalition.org. Used with permission. Kevin DeYoung is senior pastor of University Reformed Church (PCA) in East Lansing, Michigan, near Michigan State University. He and his wife Trisha have six young children. You can follow him on Twitter. Image courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com Publication date: December 7, 2016 Caribbean Cruise Line has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit to the tune of up to $76 million after the company made millions of so-called robocalls, violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Also named on the lawsuit are Vacation Ownership Marketing Tours, Inc. (VOMT), Economic Strategy Group, and The Berkley Group, Inc, a private timeshare resort development firm. We are extremely pleased with the settlement, said Eve-Lynn J. Rapp, partner, Edelson PC, which has been working on the case since 2012. Cruise Industry News first reported on the Federal Trade Commissions (FTC) database of complaints against Caribbean Cruise Line in the Spring 2013 Quarterly Magazine. Essentially, the company made millions upon millions of calls offering a free cruise at the time on Celebration Cruise Line in exchange for a time share sales pitch. It also made the calls under the guise of political surveys, an alleged grey area, according to FTC complaints. One complaint filed by a not-so-happy recipient of the call released to Cruise Industry News via a Freedom of Information Act Request, read: I have repeatedly received sales calls offering a free cruise to the Bahamas in return for answering pre-recorded political surveys. Calls have continued even after requesting removal from the call list. Such calls may not be in technical violation of the TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act), but would seem to violate the spirit of the law. Caribbean Cruise Line was located at the same Ft. Lauderdale address as Celebration Cruise Line, according to the lawsuit which cited the Florida Secretary of State. The company did not operate ships. In addition, Caribbean Cruise Line and Celebration Cruise Line are run by the same principals, as is VOMT, the lawsuit stated. Celebration, meanwhile, ended operations after an incident in the Bahamas with its Bahamas Celebration in 2014. A similar company, with similar executives, started up soon after operating the Grand Celebration. The lawsuit filing also said that Caribbean Cruise Line was believed to be responsible for 30 percent of passengers booked on Celebration Cruise Lines 1,500-passenger ship, which sailed every two days from the Port of Palm Beach. Plaintiffs that received a call are entitled to up to $500 per call, for up to three calls, up to a total of $76 million for the class. If the settlement reaches $76 million, per call damages will move to a pro rata share. According to the Settlement Agreement, $30 million will be put aside for members of the class immediately. More information is available here: https://www.freecruisecallclassaction.net/Home.aspx Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE: RCL) today declared a quarterly dividend of $0.48 per common share payable on January 5, 2017, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 21, 2016. Royal Caribbean Cruises owns and operates three global brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. The company also own a 50 percent joint venture interest in the German brand TUI Cruises and a 49% interest in the Spanish brand Pullmantur and have a minority interest in smaller regional brands. Together, these brands operate a combined total of 49 ships with an additional thirteen on order. The Pullmantur Group is expected to close the Paris offices of its Croisieres de France (CDF) brand early next year, according to sources familiar with the matter. Cruise Industry News learned earlier this fall that the two-brand (Pullmantur and CDF) configuration was on the table after Richard Vogel was named president and CEO of Pullmantur Group. Vogels background is with TUI and AIDA which built their success on focusing on a single market. Thus, Pullmantur is refocusing its efforts on Spain and Latin America, although France will remain a core market, but without a 100 percent dedicated French ship. Cruises will continue to be marketed in France on Pullmanturs Spanish identity ships with bookings being handled from Madrid rather than Paris. Pullmantur has already abandoned its 100 percent French cruises and instead sailing the two CDF ships under the Pullmantur brand umbrella. Costa and MSC are the two largest brands in the French market. Among other changes, cruises to Northern Europe no longer sail from Calais having been replaced by Rostock because of more efficient airlift and transfers from Spain. CDF launched service as a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruises with the Blu de France in 2008. That ship was later replaced by the Horizon, transferred from Pullmantur Cruises in 2012, and in 2014 the Zenith was added. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced that it has received approval from the government of the Republic of Cuba to operate cruises to Cuba, beginning March 2017. All three of the companys brands: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, will sail to Cuba in 2017, according to a statement. The companys first cruise to Cuba will set sail from PortMiami on Oceania Cruises Marina on March 7, 2017 with select Caribbean itineraries featuring calls on Havana, including many multiple-day calls to allow guests to explore Havana. Seven Seas Mariner, of the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet, will call on Havana during two cruises in April 2017. The Norwegian Sky will also offer a selection of four-day voyages that will overnight in Havana in May 2017. We are tremendously excited to have all three of our award-winning brands receive approval from the Cuban authorities to offer cruises to Cuba from the United States, said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. As a Cuban-American and founder of Oceania Cruises, I am incredibly proud that one of Oceanias vessels will be our companys first to sail to Cuba. This is truly a dream come true for me, and I cannot wait for our loyal guests to experience the sights and sounds of my hometown of Havana and get to know its rich culture and its warm and welcoming residents. Guests sailing on all three brands will have a selection of shore excursions to choose from, all of which offer an authentic Cuban experience that explores the people, art, history and culture of the island, which are in compliance with OFAC regulations. CXO MEDIA INC. TERMS OF SERVICE AGREEMENT Terms and Conditions of Use Welcome to CSOonline.com ("Service"), an online service of CXO MEDIA INC., Inc. ("CXO"). Your use of the Service will be subject to the terms of this Terms of Service Agreement (TOS). The TOS may change from time to time. Use of service after a change will subject you to the new terms. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS DO NOT USE THE SERVICE AS VIOLATION OF THE TERMS CAN LEAD TO LEGAL LIABILITY. 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The campaign has snared thousands of victims, but the website doesnt load anything malicious in fact the page displayed in most cases blank. Instead, the criminals behind the scheme are recording data. The messages are basic, either coming with the subject line Re: Re: Insurance or FTC subpoena. In the first wave of emails, the victims are sent a message that looks like a response to a request the victim had previously sent. In this email, the from addresses appears to be one that is internal, often from someone with authority, and the link to the insurance documents are spoofed to appear as if the document is on the organizations own website. The goal is to spark curiosity, and hopefully get the victim to click the link in order to understand whats happening. An example of one of these emails was forwarded to Salted Hash by a victim. Weve embedded it below. The second wave threatened victims with an FTC subpoena. This time, there is no email thread. Instead, the message requests that the victim click a link for additional details on the matter. However, unlike the original wave of spam, the FTC link doesnt look like an internal address. The emails from address is forged to look as if someone from inside the organization sent the message, in the hope of lending credibility. Not to mention, in some cases spoofing like this will bypass email filters. One of the victims that received the FTC message had been told internally it was possible some employees were about to be subpoenaed. When the message arrived they thought it was legit and clicked the link. The FTC campaign has logged thousands of hits according to logs on the criminals server, and many victims attempted to access the link repeatedly. However, there was nothing malicious delivered by the website. Instead, if a victim followed directions and accessed the link, a script on the criminals domain would record their email address and IP, as well as the FTC document title that was used as a lure. In all cases, the FTC document title was related to the email address, e.g. FTC_sragan.doc . The website used in the FTC spam run is a compromised storefront hosted on a domain in Vietnam. The criminal responsible for it has logged thousands of victims working in the government, legal, and medical sectors, as well as people working in sales, automotive, and education. There appears to be an even mix of financial (banks, lenders, insurance) and legal domains among the victim pool. However, there is also a good number of educational domains including K-12 systems across the U.S. One financial advisor working for a Fortune 500 life insurance firm clicked the FTC link multiple times at home and at the office based on IP logs proving that while the scam was simple, it was effective nevertheless. In all, there are several well-known organizations in the list, but some of those who clicked the message are in IT or IT-related roles, so it is possible they were testing the link. Then again, IT people fall for spam and Phishing scams too. Again, the spam campaign is logging the IP and email address of anyone who followed the link included with the emails. In the short term, nothing happened to the victim and thats a good thing. But long term, this campaign could be a serious problem. The person(s) running it now have an email list that can be targeted by business vertical, organization, or location, and a record of people known to click links in messages that present a sense or urgency, curiosity, or fear. Next time, the link could lead to Ransomware, or some other malware. If this message has been observed on your network, you should inform users to be on the lookout for emails targeted towards them or their position. In particular, they should keep an eye out for messages requesting PII or company protected data, as well as remind them to avoid following links or opening attachments, especially if the sender is unknown. If the message appears to come from someone within the organization, users should double check with that individual and confirm. No matter what, if something feels suspicious, encourage users to report it to IT. The emails pictured below are the samples sent to Salted Hash by victims, who asked that identifying details be redacted. BRIDGEPORT Police recently seized a truck they say was used to illegally dump garbage, and they are asking the publics help to identify a suspect in another incident as part of a continuing crackdown on illegal dumping. A resident tipped Bridgeport police on Nov. 22 that a private pickup truck was being used to dump construction debris on Beardsley Street, said Av Harris, the city spokesman. State regulations permit law enforcement agencies to seize assets and property used to commit crimes, including illegal dumping. Those caught unlawfully disposing of garbage and other material are subject by city ordinance to a $200 fine and can also be charged with a misdemeanor. Hearst Connecticut Media / Alex Gecan A week after the tip to police, security cameras caught a suspect dumping debris at the corner of Alice and Sedgewick streets, Harris said, and the public is asked to help identify him. There is a $200 reward for anyone who contributes evidence that leads to an arrest for illegal dumping, Harris said. This is our city and we all have an obligation to keep it clean, Chief Armando Perez said. We have zero tolerance for anyone who thinks they can trash our city. If we catch people illegally dumping material, we can seize vehicles under state law, and we will. Bridgeport has a very well-run transfer station that is easy to find and it processes waste very conveniently. That is where debris should be dumped, Perez said. Anybody who thinks they can dump on the cheap by just discarding materials on the side of the road in Bridgeport should know: Illegal dumping will cost you. Perez said he happened upon an illegal dumping incident in April, while he was driving to an event at the citys police academy. He summoned other officers, who let the men go after giving one of them a citation for littering. The police chief and Mayor Joe Ganim said then that the city will start taking advantage of a state law that allows courts to hand out property used to commit a crime. Ganim said that the city was going to drop the hammer on quality-of-life issues, a move that he said goes hand-in-hand with efforts to curb violent crime and ramp up community policing. The suspect in the April incident was doing a job for someone, and he cleaned out either a basement or a garage, said Perez. Hes a resident of Bridgeport; its free take it to the dump. To report incidents and provide evidence of illegal dumping, tipsters should call 203-576-8023 or 203-576-7976. The evidence can come in many forms, including a picture taken on a mobile phone and sent via text message, officials said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate STRATFORD Jennifer Mattei crouched along the low-tide mark at Stratford Point to scoop up a mound of inky gray sediment in the palm of her hand. It is proof, the Sacred Heart University biology professor said, that her Reef Balls are working to restore the beach. Her meandering rows of thousand-pound, dome-shaped cement balls create an artificial reef. Each ball is punctuated with holes that allow the tide and small sea creatures through. Over the past couple, years the reef, planted just off shore, has begun to not only stop erosion but reverse it enough for Mattei to win another grant to expand her work. Its working beautifully, Mattei said Tuesday of what many in the field call a living shoreline. A swath of sediment estimated at four feet deep and 100 feet wide has disappeared along the of shoreline over the past three decades. The property is now owned by the DuPont Corp. and managed by the Audubon Society. So far, surveyors periodically measuring the terrain estimate sediment about 12 inches thick has re-accumulated over the past two years behind the barrier. The just-announced $115,198 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundations Long Island Sound Futures Fund will be used this summer, with the aid of a team of Sacred Heart students, to plant thousands of marsh grass plugs along the shoreline in front of the barrier. The pilot study began with 64 Reef Balls. This November, another 327 were added with the help of DuPont and the Army Corps of Engineers. Mattei checks on them periodically, searching for signs of algae, barnacles and any oysters that now call them home. At one time, reefs made of clinging oysters protected the shoreline. They disappeared centuries ago. It was the oysters, the horseshoe crabs, the piping plover and all other species, Mattei said, that got her into this kind of research. Those creatures depend on the shoreline and their access has been compromised by decades of beach erosion and climate change. The ocean level is rising, Mattei said. Storm frequency is increasing. Global climate change is real. Seawalls dont help. They hurt. When waves crash against them, sediment is pulled away from the shore and sea creatures lose access to the shore. Mattei hit upon the idea of Reef Balls, which got their start in Florida to protect coral. The are made with a special cement formula that resists erosion and heavy enough to withstand hurricanes. The holes are positioned so that when a wave hits, the water shoots through more gently. Although used worldwide, they are rare in Connecticut. Scientists like Juliana Barrett, with the University of Connecticut Center for Land Use Education and Research hopes that will soon change. Barrett said state law now severely restricts the construction of traditional seawalls. Matteis project is a great example of an alternative. What she is doing is really, really important, Barrett, said. She is creating a living shoreline I hope will be replicated. She has the most extensive project going on. In addition to rebuilding dunes and salt marsh grass, Mattei said she also has her eye on sediment she expects to be dredged next fall from the nearby boat channel at the mouth of the Housatonic River, on the opposite end of Stratfords beach front. Although some is earmarked for Hammonasett Beach in Madison, Mattei said, some directed her way would speed up her stabilization project. I hope this can become a demonstration site for what to do, Mattei said. BRIDGEPORT The city school board has a long list of requirements for the candidates who want to take the helm of the district. Applicants without people skills, leadership acumen or the ability to communicate need not apply. The list of traits desired in a new school superintendent, compiled from nearly 1,200 people who filled out online and paper surveys, is long and commands four inches of real estate on one side of a two-sided promotional flier set to go out next week nationwide. We are hoping to get this out as soon as possible, Michael Rush, a consultant from Iowa-based Ray and Associates, told the school board last week. The company was hired this fall to help the district find a permanent superintendent for a district of some 21,000 students, a woefully underfunded budget and a school board so dysfunctional it didnt even hold regular meetings this fall. At a recent special meeting, the board voted to approve the flier developed by the search firm, with a number of modifications. The flier approved will mention all the schools in the district. The draft copy left out specialty high schools like Fairchild Wheeler and the Bridgeport Military Academy. Among other changes, the flier will swap out pictures of Caucasian students for those that reflect the existing diversity of the district. At present, 88 percent of students in the district are minority. More Information Survey Says Top traits sought in new superintendent Possesses excellent people skills, a positive image of the district. Willing to listen to input and make a decision. Possesses leadership skills required to respond to the challenges of an ethnically and culturally diverse community. Inspires trust, self-confidence, and models high standards of integrity and personal performance. Is a strong communicator. Successful experience in sound fiscal practices and management of district resources. Can build consensus and commitment among individuals and groups, with emphasis on parental involvement. Can delegate authority while maintaining accountability. Is strongly committed to a "student first" philosophy. Promotes positive student behavior. Has worked in similar districts. Has the ability to enhance student performance. See More Collapse And the sought-after qualities will lead with the student first characteristic. Isnt that what we all really want in a superintendent? asked Maria Pereira, a board member. We should make it the No. 1 bullet, not make it middle of pack. Rush said all of the characteristics were important. In his experience that is how candidates would view them. Survey participants were asked for the top 10 traits they want to see in a new superintendent. There were 33 possible traits listed. In all, 49 teachers, seven administrators, 10 support staff members, six school board members, 16 community members and 1,105 parents participated. Rush called the number of parents who replied to the survey amazing. That really doesnt happen that we have that many parents, Rush said. Its excellent to have that many parents. The flier will also list requirements. Applicants need to be qualified to obtain certification as a superintendent in Connecticut. A doctorate is preferred. The salary will be $260,000. Marcos Boyd will be spending the rest of his twentysomething years behind bars after he was sentenced in federal court for being an armed drug dealer. Marcos Boyd, now 26, was sentenced Tuesday to five years in jail by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford. After he is set free, Boyd still has to face another three years of supervised release. STORY LINK Surprise UK Industrial Output Contraction Weighs on Pound Euro Exchange Rate Disappointing UK Production Data Softened Pound Sterling Exchange Rates Euro Boosted by Hopes of Italian Banking Sector Rescue Plan Dovish European Central Bank Commentary Expected to Boost GBP EUR Exchange Rate Even though the cyclical picture for the euro-zone economy looks to be improving, more serious problems related to the cohesion of the single market could be brewing. Given the escalated political uncertainty, now doesnt appear to be the time to signal an end of ECB support that is clearly helping to stabilise financial markets in the euro-zone. We do not expect the resilience of the euro to persist whatever the outcome of the ECB meeting tomorrow. Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: Investors were disappointed when Octobers UK industrial and manufacturing figures fell significantly short of forecast, showing an unexpected contraction across the board.This naturally undermined confidence in Pound Sterling (GBP), indicating that the UK economy is still under pressure despite stronger PMI figures.The mood towards the Pound was also dampened by news that the Office for National Statistics had revised its pre-referendum trade deficit figures, revealing that the widening seen since the vote has been more pronounced that initially thought.With Brexit-based jitters persisting this saw the Pound Euro (GBP EUR) exchange rate slump sharply on Wednesday morning.Confidence in the Euro (EUR) recovered on Wednesday morning in response to reports that Italy could be seeking aid from the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) in order to recapitalise its banks.With investors increasingly hopeful that Monte dei Paschi will not be allowed to crumble, despite its fund raising efforts thrown into doubt as a result of Prime Minister Matteo Renzis resignation, the single market has found fresh support.However, both the Italian Treasury and ESM have since denied that there has been any request for funds, prompting the Euro to shed some of its earlier gains.Disappointment also stemmed from Germanys latest industrial production figures, which fell short of forecast in October to offer a fresh sign of vulnerability within the Eurozones powerhouse economy.Although the ongoing proceedings in the Supreme Court hearing on the governments Article 50 appeal could provoke further volatility for the GBP EUR exchange rate greater focus will be on the European Central Bank (ECB) policy meeting.Expectations are for policymakers to announce an extension of the quantitative easing program, which could see the appeal of the Euro sour further.As Derek Halpenny, European Head of GMR at MUFG, noted:Nevertheless, if the ECB signals that it is willing to take greater action to support the Italian banking sector then the GBP EUR exchange rate may still struggle to return to a stronger footing. International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements. TAGS: Daily Currency Updates Euro Pound Forecasts Pound Sterling Forecasts Somerset County Treasurer will 'do what it takes' for best returns St. Pauls Artist Series presents EYA: Natus ex Rex, A Medieval Candlelight Christmas, featuring music for womens voices from the 11th through the 15th centuries. The concert takes place on Tuesday, at 7:30 p.m., at St, Pauls Episcopal Church, 305 W. 7th Street at Pine. Tickets are $20; $15 for seniors; $10 for students. For more information go to the St. Pauls website: stpaulschatt.org/concert-season. Allison Mondel, EYAs director, said, Natus est rex! A King is born! This exclamation illustrates what exuberant joy the feast of the Nativity was to the medieval world. A vast array of monastic and secular communities throughout Europe, and well beyond, were anticipating and celebrating this time of year, just as we do now. This was a time of sacred rejoicing, bending hearts towards the virgin mother, her Son, and God the Father through exquisitely crafted music and poetry. EYA is pleased to channel this devotional feeling, as we settle into the quietude of deep winter and prepare ourselves for all that is to come. Review of EYA: EYA (Crossley Hawn, soprano; Allison Mondel, soprano, director; Kristen Dubenion-Smith, mezzo-soprano) is an award-winning vocal ensemble based in Washington, DC., specializing in the interpretation of medieval music for womens voices. Launched in 2010 and directed by Allison Mondel, EYA has established its place in the Washington, DC community as an early music ensemble of impeccable vocal quality and deep, creative spirit. EYA presents concert programs that interweave diverse repertories of the 12th through 15th centuries, from Hildegard von Bingen to Notre Dame to the flyleaves of early English manuscripts and beyond. Through this lens, these programs seek to tell a story that forges new points of connection between contemporary audiences and medieval repertoire, underlining our common humanity with these early poets and composers. PROGRAM Natus est rex Virgo pudicitie Ther is no rose Salve virgo tonantis solium Ave regina caelorum Salve rosa venustatis Stillat in stellam radium O frondens virga Flos regalis Hodie Christus natus est Salve mater misericordie Crist and Sainte Marie Caeli domina/Ave virgo virginum/ET SUPER Quia ergo femina Salve virgo virginum Ave Maria O viridissima virga Nowel: Owt of your slepe aryse Antiphon, St. Martial Repertory, 12th c. Conductus, Worcester, 13th c. Carol, English, 15th c. Conductus, Worcester, 13th c. Antiphon, plainchant Conductus, Worcester, 13th c. Conductus, Notre Dame School, 13th c. Antiphon, Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) Rondellus, Worcester, 13th c. Antiphon, plainchant Rondellus, Worcester, 13th c. Saint Godric of Finchale (1069-1170) Motet, Las Huelgas Codex, 13th c. Antiphon, Hildegard von Bingen Conductus, Worcester, 13th c. Jacob Arcadelt (Flemish, 1514-after 1557) Hildegard von Bingen Carol, English, 15th c. Samantha Cameron spoke about her rebellious youth Having launched her own clothing label, baronet's daughter Samantha Cameron, 45, curries favour with fashionista magazine Vogue by giving it a tantalising interview about her rebellious youth, saying: 'I was a bit of a goth in those days. 'My hair was hennaed, there was this pair of black velvet leggings I used to wear all the time, covered in skulls and crossbones God, I absolutely loved them.' To establish further her 'street cred', Samantha adds that she was a great admirer of independent-spirited TV presenter Paula Yates, who dumped Bob Geldof for Aussie pop star Michael Hutchence and died of a heroin overdose aged 41 in 2000. Is Tory minister Priti Patel, 44, pictured, on a collision course with the Queen? As International Development Secretary she is threatening to withdraw the UK's 15million funding for the Commonwealth (its Secretary-General, Labour peeress Baroness Scotland's 450,000 refurbishment of her 'grace and favour' London home can't have helped). Stopping the cash might destabilise the 67-year-old organisation at a sensitive time. HM at 90 hopes for a trouble-free transition to the reign of Charles, 68, and has been lobbying in secret for him to become head of the Commonwealth without facing an election. Some countries want to break the old imperial links, however. And one of the Queen's allies, New Zealand's PM John Key resigned suddenly on Monday. ITV's news presenter Tom Bradby, 49, promotes his coming TV interview with Prince Harry by saying he's 'a delight to work with', telling Radio Times that the fifth-in-line to the throne finds it 'great to be good and boring to be bad'. He adds oleaginously: 'This Christmas we might all say a loud 'amen' to that.' Might Harry do better with a less gushing TV inquisitor? Boomtown Rat Bob Geldof's appearance in support of Lib Dem Sarah Olney, who won the Richmond Park seat from Tory multi-millionaire Zac Goldsmith, infuriates the latter's brother, Ben Goldsmith, who rages on social media: 'People from all sides coming together on Twitter to affirm that Bob Geldof really is a prime c****. Perhaps the biggest on the celebrity circuit.' Goldsmith has an axe to grind. So it might have been wiser to let us come to our own conclusions about Geldof. Boomtown Rat Bob Geldof's appearance in support of Lib Dem Sarah Olney infuriates Zac Goldsmith's brother, Ben Goldsmith Now reliant on begging cash donations from its dwindling tribe of readers, The Guardian was taken in by a known Twitter practical joker, Godfrey Elfwick. He wrote a recent Guardian article purporting to be a Leftie whose mind had been poisoned by far-Right propaganda. A shrewd reader complains that it's hard to distinguish hoaxes 'from all the other s***' The Guardian publishes. The audiences of Question Time are usually accused of being too Left-wing, but one of the programme's producers has just been ticked off by the BBC for spreading far-Right propaganda. Alison Fuller Pedley, who is described as the show's 'audience producer', was a member of the British Patriotic Front Facebook group and shared an online post by Britain First, an anti-immigration organisation founded by former BNP members. The Britain First post that she shared was an innocent-looking image of British servicemen on parade, with the slogan: 'Like and share if you are proud of our Forces.' One of the Question Time's producers has just been ticked off by the BBC for spreading far-Right propaganda Britain First, whose name was shouted by the murderer of Labour MP Jo Cox, is one of several far-Right groups to use such images in this way to attract social media followers. Although its rallies struggle to attract supporters, Britain First has become well-known for its posts on social media, which combine patriotic celebrations of the Queen and Armed Forces with xenophobic and Islamophobic fear-mongering. It claims to have just 6,000 members, but has managed to build an army of online fans. It now has more than 1.4 million 'likes' on Facebook, more than any other British political party. Last September, Ms Fuller Pedley invited members of the extremist English Defence League, a street protest movement which focuses on opposition to what it considers to be a spread of Islamism and Sharia in the UK, to join the Question Time audience. She is said not to have advertised audience positions to any other social media groups for that particular show. The BBC confirms that the bosses of Question Time, which is presented by David Dimbleby, have spoken to Ms Fuller Pedley about her online activities. 'The BBC has clear impartiality guidelines covering the use of personal social media,' a spokesman says. 'This freelance producer and the rest of the programme team have been reminded of their responsibilities.' A source tells me: 'Alison has reassured her managers that the posts were shared unwittingly and she was unaware of their wider context.' Night Dame Natalie stole Wintour's fashion crown She has a dark, glossy bob and the fashion world at her feet. No, not formidable U.S. Vogue Editor Anna Wintour, but rather fashion's new Queen Bee, mother-of-two Dame Natalie Massenet, 51. Dressed in a white chiffon gown by designer Ralph & Russo, Natalie's glitzy British Fashion Awards at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday out-classed Wintour's May Met Ball in New York. It's a classic case of 'anything you can do I can do better'. Dressed in a white chiffon gown by designer Ralph & Russo, Natalie's glitzy British Fashion Awards at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday out-classed Wintour's May Met Ball in New York A messy end for Moss What a difference a few hours makes. Arriving in a demure black velvet dress, Kate Moss cut a sophisticated figure. By the end of the night, though, the model looked pale, bleary and every one of her 42 years. By the end of the night the model looked pale, bleary and every one of her 42 years Samcam wins arms race Most women of Samantha Cameron's age would shy away from sleeveless but the 45-year-old proved a clear winner in the arms race as she showed off her toned biceps. Let's hope Sam Cam's dress wasn't a taste of things to come for her new fashion line Cefinn, though. The bizarre embellishment resembled a torture device. Let's hope Sam Cam's dress wasn't a taste of things to come for her new fashion line Cefinn Naomi has a sticky moment Naomi Campbell's glamorous outfit included an unglamorous accessory a piece of tape stuck to her face. The model, 46, has suffered from hair loss so perhaps the tape was keeping her hairpiece in place. Naomi Campbell's glamorous outfit included an unglamorous accessory a piece of tape stuck to her face Twiggy's Croydon facelift With her hair scraped into a ponytail, Twiggy, 67, appears to have modelled her look on Little Britain's Vicky Pollard. The so-called 'Croydon facelift' pulls the hair back so tightly the skin is stretched as if by cosmetic surgery. With her hair scraped into a ponytail, Twiggy, 67, appears to have modelled her look on Little Britain's Vicky Pollard Billie Piper squeezes into kids' clothes Secret Diary Of A Call Girl actress Billie Piper is so tiny that she's taken to wearing children's clothes. Her pal, Jo Tutchener Sharp, has launched a new range for kids, Scamp And Dude, and Billie boasts that she can fit into the outfits as well as her two children with ex-husband Laurence Fox, star of Lewis. Wearing a pink animal-print top and leopard-print leggings, Billie gushes: 'My friend created this beautiful brand for kids and their parents. Finally we can dress the same.' Jo founded Scamp And Dude after suffering a brain haemorrhage last year. A mother herself, she had to have a lengthy stay in hospital and wanted to make clothes that helped children feel more secure when separated from loved ones. Secret Diary Of A Call Girl actress Billie Piper is so tiny that she's taken to wearing children's clothes Gove in a spat over 'ugly, narcissistic' Turner Prize It's the most important award in the arts world, but Michael Gove has become embroiled in a spat after dismissing the Turner Prize as 'modish c**p'. The former Education Secretary questioned its merits after Helen Marten was unveiled as this year's winner. First, he questioned the BBC's live coverage of the ceremony. 'Why? Turner Prize has nothing to do with JMW Turner's genius,' he tweeted. This prompted a retort from former Culture Minister and fellow Tory MP Ed Vaizey: 'Yes it does. It celebrates brilliant contemporary artists.' This only goaded Gove: 'No it doesn't it celebrates ugliness, nihilism and narcissism.' 'Funny, quirky, original and beautiful,' countered Vaizey Professional Educators of Tennessee on Tuesday sent a letter to Senator Lamar Alexander who serves as chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee in the U.S. Senate, expressing reservations regarding the nomination of Ms. Betsy DeVos as the Secretary of Education. The letter says: Dear Senator Alexander, Thank you for your continued leadership as Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, as well as the recently-passed Every Student Succeeds Act. A strong public education system is a key to our democracy, a foundation to build our economy, and the means by which we can help all Tennessee children achieve their dreams. Professional Educators of Tennessee is the fastest growing teacher association in our state. We are non-partisan and our organization is unaffiliated with the national teacher unions. Not all educators are members of the NEA or AFT. In fact, there are more educators that are members of independent education associations than the AFT. We are completely funded by the dues of our members. Our members are educators from the state of Tennessee. We do not endorse political candidates, or use their members dues to fund political candidates. I have worked with you previously on numerous occasions from American Legion Boys State as a teenager, to various political endeavors, and to address numerous public education challenges within the state of Tennessee. Today, I am writing to share our organization's reservations in regards to the nomination of Ms. Betsy DeVos for the position as Secretary of Education. There are two issues of immediate concern for our members. The first is that Ms. DeVos has no direct experience with public education as a student, employee, parent, or school board member, of which we are aware. In your case, when you served as Secretary of Education, you had the prerequisite background, having grown up as a child of public school educators and an advocate of public schools as Governor of Tennessee. Ms. DeVos lacks that background and may not fully understand the historical and philosophical basis for public education. Out of the roughly 55.5 million K-12 students in America, 49.5 million of them are in our public schools, which is a little over 89%. The second issue, her advocacy of vouchers funded through the use of public tax dollars, may well cloud her desired support of public schools. Vouchers are not a magic bullet, and may do little to improve the quality of public schools. Vouchers are also not a solution to problems in urban cities. These cities face societal challenges well beyond the classroom door. Most communities lack the number of high quality private schools to meet any real demand created by vouchers. It is clear that for now and the foreseeable future, a vast majority of children will be educated by public schools. We must focus on making our public schools successful. Therefore, choosing an education secretary that is so pro-voucher sends a negative message to the hard working educators in our public schools. I appreciate your strong support of students, educators, and public education in Tennessee, especially your commitment to local control of public education. We encourage Ms. DeVos to go out and visit our public schools and see the incredible things that educators are doing every day across our state and nation. We think she would be amazed. We welcome a dialogue with Ms. DeVos and yourself to address our concerns and invite you both to talk directly to our members to assure them that as Secretary of Education she will support the mission of public schools and has the necessary experience in improving them. Warmest Regards, J.C. Bowman, Ph.D Executive Director To great fanfare, and for the first time, a hearing in the Supreme Court has been running live on the news channels all week. The proceedings were carried for the most part in full, with the broadcasters scouring the country for self-styled legal commentators to pontificate on the proceedings. Personally, I thought the whole thing was like watching paint dry. Yet, in a world too often dominated by the inane chatter of Twitter and 24-hour news, the ponderous proceedings now playing out in the court have dominated the agenda for weeks. I have even been stopped more than once by constituents who asked me what I think will happen in 'that court case'. As the courts stray more into political territory, I believe it becomes imperative that we know more about those placed in such positions of power, writes Iain Duncan Smith The judges are, of course, considering an appeal by the Government which is seeking to overturn a recent High Court judgment that there must be a vote in Parliament before Article 50 can be triggered to begin our exit from the EU. Motivation The Prime Minister wants to fire the starting gun for us to leave, and only after that start to debate the details of exactly how our departure will take shape. All of that means the decision the Supreme Court will make which it's due to announce in January puts the 11 Justices hearing the case in the middle of the most vital constitutional question: which body is supreme, the Law Lords or Parliament? Do unelected judges (about which the public know almost nothing) have the right to supersede the wishes of the elected members of Parliament, and through them the Government? The chosen ones: Members of the Supreme Court, back row from left, Lord Carnwath, Lord Sumption, Lord Wilson, Lord Reed, Lord Hughes and Lord Hodge. Front row from left: Lord Kerr, Deputy President Lady Hale, President Lord Neuberger, Lord Mance and Lord Clarke Because this question goes to the heart of how this country is governed, the media, and particularly newspapers such as this one, have started asking the question: who are these powerful people who dispense judgment on the way our constitution works? More importantly, what is known of their interests and motivation, and what previous views have they expressed? The Supreme Court deliberations are important not because of some obscure legal argument, but because in the EU referendum in June (at which the turnout was the largest ever), 17.4 million people voted to leave the European Union, and they expect the Government to deliver on that decision. How fascinating, then, that as the media have peeled away the anonymity that cloaked the Supreme Court judges to reveal a number who have strong associations with EU institutions, a howl of protest has arisen from the Westminster establishment. The faux anger of some politicians and lawyers about the personal interests of the judges being made public, as though they were omnipotent, is close to risible. After all, it's not as though this present legal structure is a centuries-old edifice that has stood the test of time. It is worth reminding ourselves that the Supreme Court was created in June 2003 when I was Tory leader right in the middle of a botched Cabinet reshuffle by Tony Blair. Courtroom drama: James Eadie QC - known as the 'Treasury Devil' because he argues the Government's most crucial cases - back on his feet addressing the 11 judges With little thought for the constitutional proprieties, and partly because he wanted to get rid of his troublesome Lord Chancellor Derry Irvine who opposed the creation of a Supreme Court he sought to get rid of the post of Lord Chancellor and move the Law Lords out of Parliament to create a Supreme Court that was both legally and physically separate from Westminster. In one stroke of his all-too-regal pen, Tony Blair dispensed with centuries of constitutional balance. No thought, it seems, was given to the constitutional arrangement that had prevailed until then, that by having the nation's supreme appeal court actually within Parliament, the supremacy of Parliament was assured. Of all the many ill-considered arrangements made by the Blair government, this had to be among the least considered and most chaotic. Instead of a careful debate about the supremacy of Parliament and the role of the judiciary, or even how that delicate relationship should be settled, Blair rushed the proposal through to resolve his own political difficulties. An pro-Brexit supporter burns an EU flag outside the Supreme Court as an anti-Brexit campaigner holds his protest poster When MPs attacked him, saying what he had done was without thought and amounted to constitutional vandalism, he flippantly replied that he believed it was time to get rid of the men in tights. In response, one Tory MP suggested that instead of tearing up the constitution, Mr Blair could try giving the judges some trousers. The result is that we now have a Supreme Court, and after a number of major adjustments, we are having to learn to live with the notion of a separation of powers and, yes, location. This has coincided with another huge development. Ever since we joined the EU and accepted that European law was supreme, our judges have moved progressively more towards practising judicial activism (that is, rulings suspected of being based on personal or political considerations rather than on existing law). One of the main reasons for this is that European human rights legislation enshrined in British law by Tony Blair's Human Rights Act is so broadly worded that it allows judges considerable latitude for interpretation. All of this matters because it helps explain why this current Supreme Court process matters. When the High Court decided that the EU referendum in fact had only been advisory, it strayed into political territory and in doing so triggered a constitutional clash. Legal battle: Advocate General for Scotland, Lord Keen, left today, says devolved powers do not extend to stopping Brexit while James Eadie QC, right - known as the 'Treasury Devil' because he argues the Government's most crucial cases - has insisted that the verdict of the people on June 23 should be binding Just imagine if the Supreme Court upholds the High Court's decision, and Parliament is required to vote on the triggering of Article 50. What if Parliament rejects the invoking of that article and so stops Britain from leaving the EU at all? Betrayal You can be sure there are plenty in Labour and the Lib Dems and indeed some on the Tory benches who would dearly love to see that outcome. Yet that would be the most appalling betrayal of the will of the people. It simply cannot be allowed. During the passage of the Referendum Bill which set out the terms of the EU vote, it was made crystal clear that the British public's decision would be acted on by the Government. Lord Pannick told the Supreme Court that it was 'so obvious, so basic' that Theresa May does not have the power to trigger Article 50 But if the Supreme Court rules against the Government, and then Article 50 is halted, or mired in endless amendments, as Nick Clegg and his allies would like, then the judges will have set Parliament against the people and brought the constitution to a point of crisis. There was a good reason why, when England's Bill of Rights was crafted in 1689, article nine made plain that proceedings in Parliament must not be overruled in any court or place outside Parliament. It was to stop such an event as this a democratic referendum being derailed coming to pass. The Government's determination to use the prerogative powers of the Crown to invoke Article 50 without first holding a Parliamentary vote stems from the desire to avoid such a constitutional debacle. That said, Tony Blair's messy reform has given us the Supreme Court we have today and there is no going back. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't think carefully about how we can find a constitutional balance between the court and Parliament. Assault As the courts stray more into political territory, I believe it becomes imperative that we know more about those placed in such positions of power. It is no good railing against newspapers for seeking to lift the veil of secrecy surrounding the interests and backgrounds of our Justices, as though this were some sort of assault on the independence of the court. In the U.S., such appointees undergo gruelling hearings in the Senate which pore over every aspect of their legal opinions and personal lives. Since our Supreme Court is modelled on that of America (albeit with some differences), I believe it's time for us to introduce a process of Parliamentary hearings to examine candidates for the Supreme Court when a vacancy has to be filled. Remain figurehead Gina Miller is pictured leaving court after her QC Lord Pannick said it would be 'quite extraordinary' if Brexit was started by a 'minister acting without Parliamentary authority' That way we would no longer have to rely on newspapers to tell us about the backgrounds of the Justices on whose shoulders rest so much of importance in our daily lives. Whatever the outcome of the Government's appeal, this process has shone a light on the Supreme Court as never before, and has raised questions about the nature of the Court and the supremacy of Parliament which have until now been shrouded in obscurity. It is surely only right to recognise that, and to allow Parliament to question those who seek to sit in the highest court in the land. This paper rejoices that, at long last, 'Marine A' Sgt Alexander Blackman (pictured with wife Claire) is to have his chance of justice This paper rejoices that, at long last, 'Marine A' Sgt Alexander Blackman is to have his chance of justice. Indeed, the decision by the Criminal Cases Review Commission to refer the ex-marine's murder conviction to the Appeal Court is a triumph for the generosity, common sense and decency of Mail readers who raised 800,000 to fund his quest for fair treatment. At no stage have we condoned Sgt Blackman's shooting of a dying Taliban insurgent in September 2011. But like our readers, we were appalled at the way he was hung out to dry by senior officers after an act committed when he was serving our country in the heat of battle, under unimaginable stress. The Mail believes his murder conviction and life sentence with a minimum term of eight years were grossly disproportionate, while our investigations have unearthed serious shortcomings in the way his defence was conducted. True, yesterday's CCRC decision does not mark the end of Sgt Blackman's ordeal, since his appeal to reduce his conviction to manslaughter which could mean his release is unlikely to be heard for months. This is why he must surely be freed at once on bail. If British justice is all that we hope it is, he will be home with his wife Claire for Christmas. Stop the BBC sneers When BBC journalists support the winners of a popular vote, as they did after Austria's far-Right presidential candidate was defeated, they report the result as democracy in action. But when they dislike the result as they did over Brexit, Donald Trump's election and Italy's rejection of its pro-EU prime minister's reforms they almost invariably signal their disdain by describing it as a victory for 'populism'. Doesn't that snide word expose the Corporation's contempt for public concern about such issues as mass immigration? The implications couldn't be clearer: 'We at the BBC are intelligent, while anyone who disagrees with us is too stupid or racist to see through the rabble-rousers.' This is the authentic voice of the tyranny of the minority. BBC journalists disliked the results of Brexit and Donald Trump's election Meanwhile, by bracketing Brexiteers with European neo-fascists under the label of populism, the Corporation insults 52 per cent of British voters. The BBC is bound by its charter to be impartial. If that is to mean anything, director-general Lord Hall should ban this sneering and offensive term. Lesson on selection? In dismally familiar findings, the latest education global league tables show British 15-year-olds are no better than mediocre at reading and science, while yet again sliding down the charts in maths. Yes, arguments rage about the validity of the OECD's methods. But what cannot be disputed is that the UK is consistently beaten by countries which offer far greater access to selective schools. Indeed, we rank 59th out of 69 in the table for access to selection. Can't Theresa May's opponents admit that her plans to bring back grammars to poorer areas are at least worth a try? Or are they content for our brightest youngsters to be forever numbered among the world's also-rans? In the final part of our brilliant series, Delia shares some of her most popular recipes for foolproof Christmas entertaining. With classics such as her fillet of beef in pastry and salmon with champagne sauce, they'll turn any meal into a special occasion your guests will always remember... Delia shares some of her most popular recipes for foolproof Christmas entertaining FILLET OF BEEF IN PASTRY WITH WILD MUSHROOMS AND RED WINE SAUCE This is an update of an old personal favourite of mine. It's easy to prepare and is equally good served cold on a buffet table I've even taken it on a picnic! Its other virtue is that it can be prepared well in advance and just popped in the oven when you're ready. I've also included a horseradish sauce recipe, if you want to serve it cold. This is an update of an old personal favourite of mine. It's easy to prepare and is equally good served cold on a buffet table Serves 6 800g (1lb 12oz) middle cut or thick end fillet steak in one piece 300g (10oz) ready-made all-butter puff pastry 15g (oz) dried porcini mushrooms 1 large onion 325g (11oz) dark-gilled open-cap mushrooms 40g (1oz) butter Whole nutmeg 1 tsp of beef dripping or groundnut oil A little brandy A little flour, for rolling 1 egg, beaten Seasoning For the red wine sauce 275ml (9fl oz) full-bodied red wine horseradish, creme fraiche & mustard sauce (optional) 4 rounded tbsp hot horseradish sauce 2 heaped tbsp creme fraiche 2 dsp grain mustard (To make the sauce, simply mix these ingredients together and put them into a serving bowl) You will also need a heavy baking sheet, lightly greased, a saucepan and a frying pan Begin by making the filling well ahead it needs to be chilled before you use it. Soak the porcini in boiling water for 20 minutes and while that's happening chop up the onion and open-cap mushrooms as finely as possible (if you have a food processor you can do this in moments; if not use a very sharp knife and chop them minutely small). When the porcini have had their 20 minutes, squeeze out all the excess liquid (and reserve it for later), then chop them small as well. Now, in a medium saucepan, melt the butter and stir in the onions and mushrooms to get a good buttery coating, then season and add a few gratings of fresh nutmeg. What you need to do now is turn the heat to its lowest setting and cook, uncovered, allowing the juices to evaporate slowly. This will take about 35 minutes altogether stir from time to time and what you should end up with is a lovely concentrated mixture with no liquid left. Spoon the mixture into a bowl, cool and chill in the fridge. Now season the beef well, then heat the dripping in a frying pan over a high heat. When it is smoking hot, add the beef and brown it on all sides (using a cloth to protect your hands as you turn it). The browning will take about five minutes or so, then remove it to a plate and brush it all over with brandy, then leave it on one side to cool. Now, with the frying pan still on the heat, add the reserved mushroom soaking liquid and let it bubble and reduce a bit, then add the red wine, a heaped tablespoon of the mushroom mixture and some seasoning. Reduce the heat and let it all simmer and reduce by about a third, then take it off the heat and reserve till you need it. When both the mushrooms and beef have cooled, roll the pastry on a lightly floured surface to a rectangle approximately 35cm x 25cm (14in x 10in). Trim the edges (keep the trimmings for decoration), then spread one-third of the mushroom mixture over the centre, just large enough for the beef to sit on, then place the fillet on top and cover with the remaining mushroom mixture and pat it down round the beef into a good shape. Now brush the edges of the pastry with beaten egg and wrap the pastry like a parcel around the meat. I f necessary brush the edges at each end with a little more egg before folding them in. Now turn it over so the seal is underneath and use any trimmings to make pastry leaves for decoration. Place it on a plate and cover and chill in the fridge till needed. When you're ready to cook the beef, preheat the oven to 230c/gas 8. Place the beef parcel on a greased baking sheet and brush the pastry all over with beaten egg. Bake for 35 minutes for medium rare beef, or 5 minutes less for rare, and 5 minutes more for well done. When it comes out of the oven, warm the sauce while you rest the beef for 10 minutes before serving it cut into six thick slices. Alternatively, cool it completely, chill and serve cold as part of a buffet with the horseradish, creme fraiche and mustard sauce. SALMON IN CHAMPAGNE SAUCE Well, it doesn't have to be the real thing - a sparkling Saumur would be good - but either way it has a celebratory edge. The sauce gives this salmon a celebratory edge Serves 6 6 middle-cut skinless salmon fillets, each weighing approx 150g (5oz) 275ml (9fl oz) champagne 20g (oz) butter, plus a little extra for greasing 2 medium shallots, finely chopped 20g (oz) plain flour 200ml (7fl oz) double cream 1 x 50g jar salmon caviar, to garnish A few sprigs of fresh dill, to garnish Seasoning You'll also need a large, lidded deep frying pan with a diameter of 25cm (10in) to hold the salmon fillets in one layer. First of all, smear a little butter over the base of the frying pan, then arrange the fillets in it. Now slowly pour the champagne over the salmon (it will foam quite a lot, but not to worry), then bring it to a simmer over a medium heat. Next spoon the champagne over the top of the fillets before putting the lid on. Then gently poach the salmon for about 8-10 minutes. The tip of a knife inserted into the thickest part will show if it is cooked when you just ease the flesh back. While the salmon is poaching, melt the butter in a medium saucepan and cook the shallots over a gentle heat for five to six minutes, until softened and golden but not browned. When the salmon is cooked, carefully lift the fillets on to a warmed dish (reserve the poaching liquid), cover them with foil and keep warm. Next, add the flour to the buttery shallot juices, stir it in and cook for one or two minutes more. Now gradually add the salmon poaching liquid to the pan, a little at a time, then blend in the double cream, whisking until the sauce is smooth. Let it come to a simmer and cook for one to two minutes, then taste and add some seasoning. Serve the salmon fillets on warmed plates with a little of the sauce spooned over, a teaspoon of salmon caviar and a sprig of dill on top, and hand the rest of the sauce around in a warmed jug. I think steamed Anya potatoes tossed in butter and chives are a nice accompaniment, and perhaps a green salad with plenty of cucumber and a lemony dressing. CURRIED PARSNIP AND APPLE SOUP WITH PARSNIP CRISPS This is such a lovely soup. The sweetness of the parsnips is sharpened by the presence of the apple, and the subtle flavour of the spices comes through beautifully. If you're entertaining, the soup can be enhanced by some crunchy parsnip crisps sprinkled over as a garnish (see below). The sweetness of the parsnips is sharpened by the presence of the apple, and the subtle flavour of the spices comes through beautifully Serves 6 700g (1lb 8oz) young parsnips 40g (1oz) butter 1 tbsp groundnut oil 2 medium onions, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1.2 litres (2 pints) good flavoured stock (see below) 1 medium Bramley apple (175g/6oz) 1 heaped tsp coriander seeds 1 heaped tsp cumin seeds 6 whole cardamom pods, seeds only 1 heaped tsp turmeric 1 heaped tsp ground ginger Salt and freshly milled black pepper You will also need a large saucepan of about 3.5 litre (6 pint) capacity. Begin by heating a small frying pan and dry-roasting the coriander, cumin and cardamom seeds this is to toast them and draw out their flavour. After two to three minutes they will change colour and start to jump in the pan. Remove them from the pan and crush them finely with a pestle and mortar. Next heat the butter and oil in a saucepan until the butter begins to foam, then add the onions and gently soften for about five minutes before adding the garlic. Let that cook along with the onions for another two minutes, then add all the crushed spices along with the turmeric and ginger, stir and let it all continue to cook gently for a few more minutes while you peel and chop the parsnips into 2.5cm (l in) dice. Add the parsnips to the saucepan, stirring well, then pour in the stock, add some seasoning and let the soup simmer as gently as possible for one hour without putting on a lid. After that remove it from the heat, then liquidise it if possible; if not, use a food processor and then a sieve or even just a sieve, squashing the ingredients through using the bowl of a ladle. After the soup has been pureed, return it to the saucepan, taste to check the seasoning, then when you're ready to serve re-heat very gently. While that's happening, peel the apple, and as the soup just reaches simmering point grate the apple into it. Be careful to let the soup barely simmer for only 3-4 minutes. Serve in hot soup bowls garnished with parsnip crisps (see below). PARSNIP CRISPS 1 medium to large parsnip 275-350g (10-12oz) 6 tbsp groundnut oil Salt You will also need a 10in (25cm) frying pan. First peel the parsnip and then slice it into rounds as thinly as you possibly can, using a sharp knife. Now heat the oil in the pan until it is very hot, almost smoking, then fry the parsnip slices in batches until they are golden brown, about 2-3 minutes (they will not stay flat or colour evenly but will twist into lovely shapes). As they're cooked remove them with a slotted spoon and spread them out on kitchen paper to drain. Sprinkle lightly with salt. I f you like you can make these in advance, as they will stay crisp for a couple of hours. VEGETABLE STOCK 1 stick of celery, cut in half and split lengthways 2 small carrots, split in half lengthways 2 small onions, sliced 2 bay leaves 12 black peppercorns 1 small bunch of parsley stalks and celery leaves Salt 570-850ml (1-1 pints) cold water Simply place all the ingredients in a saucepan, cover it with a lid, bring everything to the boil, and boil briskly for 30 minutes. After that strain, discarding the vegetables, and the stock is ready for use. Advertisement POT-ROASTED PHEASANTS IN MADEIRA In the original recipe for this dish a brace of pheasants were cut up into portions, but that is quite a bit of work. So we've found it easier to cook the pheasants whole and carve them before serving. It is easier to cook the pheasants whole and carve them before serving Serves 4 1 brace of pheasants weighing about 700g (1lb 8oz) each 25g (1oz) butter 1 tbsp groundnut oil 200g (7oz) dry-cured lardons 450g (1lb) shallots, peeled 1 medium whole carrot, trimmed and peeled 1 stick of celery (with leaves), cut into 3 250g (9oz) small open-cap mushrooms (or portabellini) 2 large cloves garlic, peeled 425ml (15fl oz) dry white wine 570ml (1pt) Madeira 3 sprigs thyme 2 bay leaves 1 tbsp plain flour mixed with 1 tbsp soft butter Seasoning You will also need a 4.5ltr (8pt) heavy-based casserole. Season the pheasants all over, then melt the butter and oil in the casserole and when it starts to sizzle, add the pheasants and brown them all over, turning them around in the hot fat with a cloth to protect your hands. This will take about 15 minutes. After that remove them to a dish and leave on one side. Now, keeping the heat high, brown the lardons, and remove them. Follow with the shallots and, after they've browned, return the pheasants and lardons to the casserole and add the carrot, celery, mushrooms, garlic, wine, Madeira, thyme, bay leaves and some seasoning then bring it all up to simmering point, turn the heat down to the very gentlest simmer, put the lid on and cook for 1 hours. After that transfer the pheasants to a warmed dish and, using a draining spoon, remove the rest of the ingredients to join them, discarding the carrot, celery, garlic, bay leaves and thyme. Then add the butter and flour mixture in half teaspoon-sized lumps to the sauce, and whisk until it comes back to simmering point and thickens slightly. Now return the shallots, lardons and mushrooms to the hot sauce while you prepare the pheasant. To carve the pheasant put one of the birds on its back on a board, take a sharp knife and run the blade down the breastbone and along the wishbone, keeping it as close to the bone as you can. Using the knife as a lever, gently pull the breast away from the frame. Now insert your fingers along the ribcage and you'll find you can ease the leg and thigh away from the bone. Trim the bits of skin off and repeat with the other side. Do the same with the second pheasant, and finally cut each half in half again and return to the casserole to warm the joints in the sauce before serving. A STILTON & LANCASHIRE CHEESE TERRINE WITH SPICED PEAR CONFIT A wonderful combination here, which would also make a light lunch for four people, served with a green leaf salad and some crusty bread. This would make a light lunch for four people, served with a green leaf salad and some bread Serves 8 as a first course 110g (4oz) Stilton, crumbled 110g (4oz) Lancashire cheese, crumbled 275g (9oz) cottage cheese 7g (1/8 oz) leaf gelatine (or sufficient vegetarian gelling agent to set 570ml (1pt) of liquid) 75g (2oz) mayonnaise 1 dsp lemon juice 150ml (pt) double cream 3 tbsp snipped fresh chives Seasoning Watercress, to serve For the spiced pear confit 5-6 small, hard pears with stalks 1 tbsp lemon juice 500ml (18fl oz) dry cider 100ml (3fl oz) cider vinegar 1 tbsp soft dark brown sugar 1 tsp allspice berries tsp cloves tsp black peppercorns 1 cinnamon stick You will also need a 450g (1lb) loaf tin, measuring 15cm x 9.5cm x 7cm (6in x 3in x 2in), lightly oiled with groundnut oil, and a medium-sized pan. Start by putting all the ingredients for the pears (except the pears and lemon juice) in a medium-sized pan and bring it slowly up to simmering point. Meanwhile, peel the pears and brush them with lemon juice, then take each pear and lay it on a chopping board with the stalk against the board and, with a small, sharp knife, cut through the stalk first, then stand the pear up and split it in half. Now lay the halves cut-side down on the board and again cut through the stalk first, then split the pear into quarters. Cut out the cores and put the pears into the simmering liquid, turn the heat down very low and cook for an hour without a lid, turning them every now and then. After an hour, test the pears to make sure they are tender, then transfer them (with a draining spoon) to a dish. Then boil the liquid for about five minutes to reduce it to a sticky syrup and pour this over the pears. When they are cool, cover and refrigerate till needed. To make the terrine, start off by dealing with the gelatine. Put the leaves into plenty of cold water and soak for five minutes (longer wouldn't hurt). Then, in a processor, blend the cottage cheese, mayonnaise and lemon juice together until absolutely smooth. Next whip up the double cream until it has thickened to the floppy stage, but be careful as it should not be too thick. Now remove the gelatine leaves from the water, squeeze them out and put them in a small saucepan. Melt over a gentle heat it will only take about 30 seconds to become liquid. O nce it has melted, remove from the heat and pour into the cottage cheese mixture with the machine running. Then tip this mixture into a large bowl and add the crumbled cheeses, chives and seasoning. Finally, fold in the cream and turn the whole lot into the prepared tin. This should be done quite speedily, before it begins to set. Cover with clingfilm and chill in the fridge for several hours till firmly set. To turn out the terrine, carefully slide a palette knife around the edge of the tin, invert on to a serving plate and give the base a sharp tap. Serve in slices with the pears and some watercress. COFFEE CAPPUCCINO CREAMS WITH CREAM & SWEET COFFEE SAUCE If you are a coffee fan, this is the coffee dessert - the best ever! If you are a coffee fan, this is the coffee dessert the best ever! It is based on an old-fashioned recipe for honeycomb mould, which sometimes separates into layers but sadly, often doesn't. Therefore, I have now given up on layers because, anyway, it tastes absolutely divine. You can make this and serve it in Irish coffee glasses or plain glasses. The contrast of the unsweetened coffee cream mingling with the sweetened sauce and a generous amount of pouring or whipping cream is just gorgeous. Serves 6 For the creams 6 heaped tsp instant espresso coffee powder 1 x 11.7g (oz) sachet powdered gelatine 275ml (9 fl oz) whole milk 3 large eggs, separated 1 rounded tsp cornflour 200ml (7fl oz) creme fraiche 150ml (5fl oz) double cream, to serve For the sauce 3 heaped tsp instant espresso coffee powder 175g (6oz) golden granulated sugar You will also need six 200ml (7fl oz) serving glasses. Begin by soaking the gelatine: pour 150ml (5fl oz) of water into a small bowl, sprinkle in the gelatine and let it soak for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, pour the milk into a medium saucepan and place it over a gentle heat. Then, in a bowl, whisk the egg yolks and cornflour together and, when the milk is very hot and just about to simmer, pour it over the egg yolk mixture, whisking as you do. Now return the whole lot to the same saucepan, adding the soaked gelatine and coffee powder, then return the pan to the heat and continue to whisk until the custard is thickened and the gelatine and coffee are completely dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and pour the custard into a large mixing bowl, leave it to cool, then whisk in the creme fraiche. In another bowl, and using a clean whisk, whisk the egg whites to the soft-peak stage. Now fold two tablespoons of the egg whites into the coffee custard to loosen the mixture, then gently fold in the rest. Pour the mixture into the glasses and leave, covered with clingfilm, in a cool place for about two hours, then chill in the fridge until needed. To make the coffee sauce, gently heat the sugar and 225ml (8fl oz) of water together and whisk till all the sugar granules have completely dissolved, then simmer gently for 15 minutes without a lid, until it becomes syrupy. Next, dissolve the coffee in one dessertspoon of warm water, stir this into the syrup and transfer it to a serving jug to cool. Meanwhile, whip up the double cream to the floppy stage and, when you're ready, serve the coffee creams topped with whipped cream and the coffee syrup poured over. Note: This recipe contains raw eggs. Advertisement STICKY GINGERBREAD PUDDINGS WITH GINGER WINE AND BRANDY SAUCE The fragrance and spiciness of preserved ginger takes the edge off the sweetness beautifully For quite a long time now I've been trying to come up with an idea that matches the charm and popularity of the Sticky Toffee Pudding in my first Christmas Book. This quite definitely has it it has the same degree of lightness and, this time, the fragrance and spiciness of preserved ginger, which takes the edge off the sweetness beautifully. Serves 8 110g (4oz g) preserved ginger in syrup (8 pieces) 175g (6 oz) self-raising flour 1/3 tsp ground cinnamon 1/3 tsp ground cloves tsp ground ginger level tsp baking powder level tsp bicarbonate of soda 2 large eggs 75g (2-3oz) soft butter 110g (4 oz) molasses sugar 1 tbsp black treacle 1 heaped tsp freshly grated ginger 175g (6oz) Bramley apple, peeled, cored and chopped small 175ml (6fl oz) warm water For the ginger wine and brandy sauce 175g (6oz) soft dark brown sugar 110g (4oz) unsalted butter 4 tbsp ginger wine 2 tbsp brandy 2 pieces preserved ginger, chopped small To serve Chilled pouring cream You will also need 8 x 175ml (6fl oz) pudding basins, well buttered, and a solid baking sheet. Pre-heat the oven to 180c/gas 4. First of all place the pieces of preserved ginger in a food processor and turn the motor on for about seven to ten seconds. Be careful not to process for too long the ginger should be chopped small, but not pureed! After that sift the flour, spices, baking powder and bicarbonate into a mixing bowl. Then add the eggs, butter and sugar. The way to deal with the treacle is to grease the spoon first and, using a spatula or another spoon, push it into the bowl to join the rest of the ingredients. Now add the freshly grated ginger, then using an electric hand whisk, whisk everything together gradually, adding the water until you have a smooth mixture. Finally fold in the apple and preserved ginger. Now divide the mixture between the buttered pudding basins, stand them on a baking sheet and bake in the centre of the oven for 35 minutes or until they feel firm and springy to the touch. After that remove them from the oven and let them stand for about five minutes, then run a small palette knife around the edges of the tins and turn them out. Allow the puddings to get completely cold and keep them wrapped in clingfilm until you need them. To make the sauce, all you do is gently melt together the sugar and butter until all the granules of sugar have completely dissolved, then whisk in the ginger wine and brandy, add the chopped ginger and the sauce is then ready to serve. To serve: pre-heat the grill to its highest setting and arrange the puddings on a heatproof dish or tray. Spoon the sauce over, making sure that no little bits of ginger are actually on the top of the puddings, then place the whole thing under the grill so that the tops of the puddings are about 13cm (5in) from the source of heat. Now allow them to heat through this will take about eight minutes, by which time the tops will be slightly crunchy and the sauce will be hot and bubbly. Serve with chilled pouring cream. NOTE: If you want to make these puddings in advance, they freeze beautifully, and after defrosting should be re-heated as above. Delia's Happy Christmas by Delia Smith published by Ebury Press, price 15. Delia Smith. To order a copy for 17.50 (30% discount) visit www.mailbookshop.co.uk or call 0844 571 0640. P&P is free on orders over 15. Offer valid until 24 December 2016 Delias Winter Collection Delia Smith. For more Delia Christmas recipes, cookery school videos, bakeware & equipment information and stockists visit deliaonline.com The Delia Collection: Puddings. Delia Smith. For more Delia Christmas recipes, cookery school videos, bakeware & equipment information and stockists visit deliaonline.com Additional food photography by Dan Jones This week, I thought I'd give a salute to the strange-but-fascinating side of sexual practises. Human sexuality really is diverse and perverse! YOU'RE A VIRGIN? PROVE IT! Virginity was revered by ancient (and not so ancient) cultures and each developed its own method of virgin authenticity. The Incas in South America believed the breath of a virgin could ignite a smouldering fire. (An evil non-virgin was brought in to put the fire out.). Since it's the silly season, Tracey Cox thought she'd give a salute to the strange-but-fascinating side of sexual practices. Human sexuality really is diverse and perverse! In the Jewish Talmud, you'd straddle an open wine cask while a rabbi smelt your breath. If you'd done the deed, the wine fumes would have a clear path upward. Meanwhile, in ancient China, there was the 'pigeon egg test': the small, delicate egg would be pressed against you and if it could be pushed inside, you'd failed the test dismally. In medieval Europe, virgins were thought to be blessed with magic powers: able to pass through fires without burning, hold poisonous snakes without being bitten and catch salmon in their bare hands. If you couldn't do those things, you weren't a virgin. Virginity was revered by ancient (and not so ancient) cultures and each developed its own method of virgin authenticity IF YOU THINK WOMEN HAD IT BAD Castration - removal of the testicles and or penis - might be illegal today, but back along, it was as common as a Roman orgy. The testicles were removed by either crushing, twisting or tying a tight string around the scrotum, cutting off the blood supply and waiting until the whole thing dropped off. Or, if you were lucky, they simply used a knife. Why do it? Castrated men - eunuchs - were hotly pursued by royalty because they were considered good employees (ie unlikely to run off with your wife or mistress). In Greece, eunuch's were employed to guard the King's harem and The Persian Emperor Darius (500BC) insisted on being supplied with 500 castrated boys every year for employment within the palace. In medieval Europe, virgins were thought to be blessed with magic powers: able to pass through fires without burning, hold poisonous snakes without being bitten and catch salmon in their bare hands He liked eunuch's because they were 'docile'. Most weren't just docile: around ninety per cent of castrated men died early, if both the penis and testicles were removed. If they weren't lopping off penises to create obedient, subservient men, warriors were cutting them off as battle trophies. The Hebrews liked snipping off their enemy foreskins as war mementos; the ancient Egyptians and Ethiopians went the whole hog and took the lot. Egyptian Pharoah Menephta collected 13,240 penises from dead Libyan soldiers in 13000BC to celebrate his victory. In more recent times, a housewife in China decided the same 'pruning' principle that applied to trees, might work on her underperforming husband. There are still so many strange stories of sexual behaviour to choose from, it killed Tracey to narrow it down to these little corkers She cut off his penis thinking it might grow back bigger and stronger. It didn't. There's also the infamous story of two Thai wives who not only cut off their husband's penises, they made damn sure they couldn't be reattached. One, rather ingeniously, tied her husband's severed member to a helium balloon, the other simply chucked it out the window straight into the mouth of a duck. MEANWHILE, ON PRESENT DAY PLANET EARTH. There are still so many strange stories of sexual behaviour to choose from, it killed me to narrow it down to these little corkers. There's the Hereford man jailed first for having sex with the pavement (1993), then two years later for having sex in public with a bin liner. The US man, arrested for shooting himself for sexual kicks while wearing a bullet-proof vest (1992). The proud Frenchman who left his 25cm (9 inch) penis to a friend in his will. There was an 85-year-old Sicilian man who stabbed his wife in the shoulder when he found a hot, passionate letter addressed to her. It turned out to be written by him, fifty years earlier (stock image) A blond female porn star called Houston who decided to hold the World's Biggest Group Sex Session (1999), getting through exactly 620 men in one session. And the man who injected cocaine into his penis and ended up with it falling off in the bath after gangrene set in. He also lost both his legs and nine fingers. In Japan in 1993, there was a roaring trade of used panties, namely those of schoolgirls, housewives, nurses and widows. You could also buy bottles of schoolgirl saliva. A teacup, live shell, pair of glasses, frozen pig's tail, torch and peanut butter jar are all objects removed by doctors from the male rectum. Dr John Harvey Kellogg invented the breakfast cereal Kellogg's Cornflakes as an antidote to masturbation. He was anti-sex and didn't consummate his marriage, because it was 'injurious to health' (stock image) Dr John Harvey Kellogg invented the breakfast cereal Kellogg's Cornflakes as an antidote to masturbation. He was anti-sex and didn't consummate his marriage, because it was 'injurious to health'. ANIMAL ACTS According to a 1948 survey, eight per cent of adult US males had had sexual contact with animals and seems we're still quite fond of it. Not so long ago (1998) a man in San Francisco was charged with running a sex dungeon where you could have sex with an anteater, eels and a water buffalo. Not only are we still doing it, we're also getting caught. One can only imagine the humiliation felt by the 59-year-old man from Sussex, who sat his friends down to watch a wedding video, inserted the wrong tape and instead treated them to him having sex with the neighbour's dog (1994). Relationship expert Tracey Cox looks at the fascinating world of freaky sex PECULIAR FETISHES Necrophiliac 'Everyone to his own taste and mine is for corpses,' said Henry Blot, the famous necrophiliac at his trial in the 19thcentury. He'd continued to have sex with his wife for seven years after her death. Agalmatophiliac If you think that's odd, cast a suspicious eye over anyone abnormally absorbed in the Statue of David. A galateist or agalmatophiliac is a person sexually attracted to statues or mannequins. Anaclitism People, mainly men, who join 'Nappy Clubs' have a diaper fetish also called anaclitism. This involves needing to wear or use objects usually used by infants dummies, nappies, rattles - before they can become aroused. Acrotomophilia Adolfus Frederick, King of Sweden (1751-1771) had seven mistresses: two were one-armed, two were one-legged, two were one-eyed and one had no arms at all. He's though to have been an acrotomophiliac: someone who has an erotic fixation with amputees. Dendrophilia People with this fetish are attracted to trees and bring themselves to orgasm by rubbing themselves against them. Visit traceycox.com for Tracey's books, products and sex advice. When a Florida mom received a cruel piece of hate mail through her postbox, she was left feeling heartbroken and confused. Kelly Markland, 36, from Port Orange, had just come home from a dinner with her family when she stopped to go through her mail. Among the letters, she found an envelope with her name and address handwritten on the front. Initially, she thought it was just an extra-early Christmas card. But there were no season's greetings to be found inside the letter. Instead there was enclosed an image of a meme featuring Will Ferrell's character Ron Burgandy and an photo of an unknown plus-size woman in leggings bending over in a store. Scroll down for video Targeted: Port Orange, Florida, mom Kelly Markland, 36, recently received hate mail from a cruel bully body-shaming her A bad time: She was just coming home from celebrating her daughter's birthday when she found a handwritten letter among her mail Hurtful: The anonymous note contained this meme featuring Will Ferrell's Ron Burgundy and an image of an unknown woman 'Your pants say yoga but your butt says McDonalds,' read the caption on the meme. As if that weren't enough to get across the troll's cruel intentions, the image was accompanied by a handwritten note reading: 'Women who weigh 300 pounds should not wear yoga pants!!' The envelope had no return address, but was directly addressed to Kelley, who had only recently taken to wearing bold and bright colored leggings as a bit of fun for herself and for the kids she works with as a substitute teacher. At first, Kelley tells Daily Mail Online, she had 'no reaction' to receiving the horrific note, but soon she felt herself 'shaking inside'. 'I didn't know what to say. I took it to my husband and he didn't know what to say either,' she says. 'He actually started to crumple it up, but I grabbed it away from him.' Personal: Aside from the meme, there was also a handwritten note telling Kelley that she is '300 pounds' and 'should not wear yoga pants' Unsettling: The letter had no return address or signature, but was addressed directly to Kelley Kelley snapped photos of the offensive note and the meme, as well as of the envelope bearing her name, and posted them to Facebook. 'So, I came home from celebrating a fun birthday dinner for Mia and we were all so happy! I open my mail to find this envelope with a silly picture (not me in that picture BTW) and a note. Apparently, I weigh 300 pounds and I shouldn't wear leggings anymore,' she wrote. 'Anyone who knows me, knows that I care deeper and stronger than many. I am a sensitive woman and I despise cruelty towards others. At 36 years old, I am STILL being made fun of. Whoever sent this, be an adult and tell me who you are. JUST TELL ME!!!' Kelley says that posting the message to the social media site began as 'just venting'. 'I was disgusted and also becoming depressed,' she explains. 'I had just come from celebrating my daughters birthday felt very deflated. I started crying. I guess I posted it thinking maybe the person would see it and admit it was them.' The next day, feeling touched by the overwhelmingly positive response she received, Kelley addressed her friends and followers online with a video where she described how the family were handling the hate mail incident together. Finding strength: Kelley decided to broadcast the insult online to show her bully that 'You did not win' Playing up: After her story took off, local photographers Love and Limes partnered with leggings brand LulaRoe to do a free photo shoot with Kelley 'The video started getting more and more hits, and suddenly people from all over were messaging me - from Australia, Hawaii and everywhere around the country. 'Many have had similar things happening to them. I dont know about anyone having something mailed to them, but they could definitely relate to that feeling.' Soon enough, it was clear that Kelley had inadvertently sparked a movement. Women were coming out in droves to share their own stories of body-shaming and posting images of themselves sporting brightly-colored leggings. Local photographer Love and Limes and LulaRoe leggings company even offered her a free photo shoot to show her at her beautiful and most confident best. She has even been sent multiple pairs of leggings, each more flamboyant than the last, including one particularly over-the-top set with 'an 80s vibe', which she has dubbed her 'statement leggings'. 'You tell me not to wear leggings anymore and I'm going to go right out and find the brightest, boldest ones that I can!' she says. Handling it: Kelley and her husband have decided to use the incident as a teachable moment for their children Making a statement: Kelley says that the jibe has simply made her want to wear brighter, bolder leggings The situation has also given Kelley and her husband a teachable moment for their children. 'I would be lying if I said it didnt hurt like heck, but it was good for my eight-year-old daughter to see me not letting it break me,' she says. 'We want to teach the kids that people will try to hurt you, but it's how you handle it that matters.' As for the bully who posted her the letter, Kelley doesn't know if it was a person who she may be friends with on Facebook or if it was someone at her kids' school, but she says she hopes the person has seen her posts. In fact, she has even thanked the person to tried so hard to hurt her, saying that she has come out the other side 'a much better person'. They don't call it the silly season for nothing. In the lead up to Christmas an increasing number of women are getting Botox, and it's not for the reason you might think. Botox injected in to the feet helps ease the swelling and pain caused by wearing high heels. And with an increasing number of social occasions calling for stilettos to be worn, women are opting to undergo the procedure in the name of fashion. In the name of fashion: An increasing number of women are opting to have Botox injected in to their feet this Christmas to ease the pain of wearing high heels Party feet: The Botox in injected in and around the soles of the feet and works to ease pain and swelling ABOUT BOTOX IN THE FEET * Botox injected in to the feet helps ease the pain and swelling that comes with wearing heels. * A number of small injections are made in and around the soles of the feet. * The procedure takes about 20 minutes and costs about AUD$500. * Ice or painkillers are often prescribed as after care and the feet can be tender for a day or so. * The treatment is not seen as a long-term solution to wearing heels. Advertisement Australian Society of Plastic Surgery spokesman Dr Jeremy Hunt told Daily Mail Australia while Botox in the feet is not a new procedure, it is popular at this time of year. 'The use of Botox in the feet to ease swelling and pain caused by high heels is not a new technique, and gained a lot of attention a few years back when "skyscraper heels" were in fashion,' he said. 'The procedure involves a number of small injections in and around the sole area of the feet that aids with pain relief and reduces the swelling that can sometimes occur with wearing high heels for long periods of time. Rising popularity: Australian Society of Plastic Surgery spokesman Dr Jeremy Hunt (pictured) said the procedure saw a boost in popularity around the festive season 'The procedure sees an increase around this time of year when festive parties mean that women are spending more time in heels than they normally would.' One cosmetic doctor, Dr Esho of Clinic Esho from the UK, told The Independent since the start of this year he had performed the treatment on 223 women, 185 more women than he treated in 2015. So does it really work? Dr Hunt said the Botox injections do work to alleviate the pain and swelling that come with prolonged use of heels. Costly investment: The Botox procedure costs about $500 per treatment, but is not seen as a long term solution for sore feet However, there are no long term benefits and the treatment is purely for 'vanity'. The average cost of the 20-minute long procedure is about AUD$500 per treatment. Ice or painkillers are often prescribed as after care and women's feet can be tender for a day or so afterwards. 'It is not recommended as a long term solution to wearing high heels,' Dr Hunt said. Helena Frith Powell before undergoing the regime Have you wondered what it would be like to have all the money and time in the world to spend making yourself look younger? Thats the life former TV presenter Trinny Woodall, whos dating advertising guru Charles Saatchi, appears to enjoy. Now a blogger sharing random musings about fashion, beauty and wardrobe secrets gleaned from 20 years making over women, her social media feeds are littered with posts boasting of the outlandish and super-expensive treatments she has in order to look as young as possible. A conservative estimate puts the 52-year-olds regime at an incredible 10,000 a year. The treatments certainly seem to work for Trinny but it got me wondering if they could also work for me, a harassed 49-year-old mother of three. I decided to find out by spending four weeks having everything Trinny has, including Botox, a terrifying Vampire Facial, threading, pill popping and a whole lot more. So, was it all worth it? And after: Helena after (left)...and television presenter Trinny Woodall (right) THE BASICS A 169 FLANNEL Foreo Luna Silicone Cleansing Brush, 169, foreo.com Trinny swears by this bizarre-looking silicone circle which, believe it or not, is designed to replace your flannel. At the push of a button, the whole thing starts to vibrate alarmingly. To use, you simply wet your face, put a blob of soap on, then run the device over your skin. On one side there are hundreds of silicone dimples, which effectively lift off make-up and grime. The makers claim its far more hygienic and effective than a flannel. The other side of the circle has ridges on. According to the blurb, this is the side you use with the anti-ageing mode that delivers lower-frequency pulsations which, when applied to wrinkle-prone areas, reduces the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. I love it. My skin looks translucent and sparklingly clean, and I can tell my creams are sinking in and plumping my skin. Its wildly expensive but definitely a keeper. EFFICACY: 4/5 VALUE FOR MONEY: 4/5 MIRACLE CREAM Sisley Black Rose Cream, 95.50, johnlewis.com This is not cheap but as Trinny says: Sometimes you need to fork out to get the best result. It is a truly miraculous product. It doesnt matter how drab your skin looks, pop this on and you look almost instantly refreshed. You dont even need to use that much, so the tube lasts an age. The secret? Rose and gooseberry extracts, which are fantastically anti-ageing. EFFICACY: 4/5 VALUE FOR MONEY: 3/5 TWO-IN-ONE SCRUB Rudolph Facial Scrub Mask, 35.59, rudolphcare.dk/en Its a surprise Trinny uses anything natural, but this organic mask is as puritanical as you can get. This Danish brand uses granules made from acai berries and apricots to cleanse and exfoliate skin. It is also a mask, so the idea is you rub it into damp skin first and then you leave it on for ten minutes to give the organic oils time to nourish the skin. It is quite an earthy, unperfumed product. Results are good. My skin looked thoroughly rejuvenated smoother and fresher. EFFICACY: 4/5 VALUE FOR MONEY: 3/5 THE CLOWN LIP MASK The clown lip mask: Helena (left), tried out the lip gel patch used by Trinny (right) Gosh, this cherry lip gel patch is strange (4.30, amazon.co.uk). Trinny says she inherited many good things from her mother but I also inherited my prune-like mouth. To combat this, she uses a Korean lip sticker. It is a pleasant-smelling, jelly-like patch in the shape of oversized lips. You peel off the backing paper and stick the whole thing over your mouth for ten silent minutes. Cherry extracts plump the lips while you lie there looking like a clown. I liked the feel of it but I wouldnt say the results were dramatic. My lips look slightly plumper and with a pinkish tinge, but no more than the effect of a very good lipgloss. EFFICACY: 1/5 VALUE FOR MONEY: 2/5 Advertisement THE FACE TREATMENTS FULL-FACE THREAD minxbeauty.com, 51 Threading is a process by which hairs are removed by trapping them between two twisted pieces of thread and pulling them out. Many people use the technique to shape their eyebrows but Id never considered having my entire face threaded, as Trinny does. And, lets face it, the sad fact is that as we age, hair sprouts in the most unseemly places. I didnt even think about the fact that parts of my face were covered in a light down until it was gone. I cant pretend the treatment was painless (think of the agony of leg waxing and then quadruple it), but the difference is incredible. My face looks more defined, my skin clearer and make-up glides on with ease. Ill most definitely keep going with the threading. Its a revelation. EFFICACY: 5/5 VALUE FOR MONEY: 4/5 Threading is a process by which hairs are removed by trapping them between two twisted pieces of thread and pulling them out (file photo) VAMPIRE FACIAL lcas.com, 950 The vampire facial involves blood and needles, which are two of my least favourite things. But Trinny swears its one of the most effective anti-ageing tools out there. This is probably the best way to make your face look younger, healthier, with fewer lines, and fuller, she enthuses. A nurse takes a small syringe of blood from my arm from which the platelet-rich plasma is going to be extracted. The vampire facial involves blood and needles This is the substance naturally produced by the body to help the healing process when you cut yourself and it is known in the industry as liquid gold because of its ability to rejuvenate skin. My face is then covered in a topical anaesthetic so when the plasma is injected back into me at ten different sites on my face, it hurts less. Dr Veil, of the London Centre for Aesthetic Surgery, recommends three vampire facials over a period of three months, and then one a year as a top-up. Afterwards, I look like a tomato and I feel like my face is pressed up against a hot fire. But in the next two days, my skin starts to flake off, revealing younger skin underneath. Five days later it appears incredibly clear and plump. I look a decade younger. Despite the pain, its something Id definitely do again. EFFICACY: 5/5 VALUE FOR MONEY: 2/5 250 FACE-FREEZING JABS Trinny has admitted to having injections of Botox (lcas.com) twice a year since she was 37. Luckily, its a quick and fairly painless process: I was in and out of the clinic in ten minutes. You smile and frown so the dermatologist can see which muscles need to be targeted, then they inject. For the rest of the day you need to avoid doing anything that might move the Botox to somewhere you dont want it. It takes around three days to work but once it does you will be utterly hooked. Its the single most dramatic and effective anti-ageing treatment there is. I can see why Trinnys such an addict. EFFICACY: 5/5 VALUE FOR MONEY: 5/5 Its the single most dramatic and effective anti-ageing treatment there is. I can see why Trinnys such an addict FUTURISTIC LASERS Clearlift, from 150, michaeljohn.co.uk Trinny is right about lasers they really are the future of anti-ageing. The 150 Clearlift facial I had uses laser technology to trick the body into thinking that the skin has been wounded so kicking off a healing process. This stimulates growth of new cells and collagen. You simply lie back and they zap your face. It feels a little warm but is otherwise pain-free. The results were immediate. My skin looked plumper and smoother, with no redness or discomfort at all. And as with all collagen stimulating treatments, this is just the beginning as they continue to work for weeks after the actual facial. EFFICACY: 4/5 VALUE FOR MONEY: 4/5 REJUVINATING ACID PEEL 110, Medispa Belgravia Although acid peels have a bad reputation for leaving skin red-raw, the newest ones are quick, painless, cheaper than lasers and give incredible results. I can see why Trinny is such a fan. Women get addicted to peels, says my therapist, as she wipes an alcohol-soaked swab over my face to prep my skin for a three-minute Mandelic Acid peel. The maximum is eight minutes but only if you are a smoker or have leathery skin. There is a slight tingling during and immediately afterwards, which is alleviated by a nourishing post-peel mask. After three days my skin starts peeling off not in a horrendously dramatic way, but small flakes on the surface of it. This process lasts no more than two days, so just avoid any special events between days three and five post-peel. Afterwards my skin is glowing with a glossiness that looks healthy but a little shiny. EFFICACY: 5/5 VALUE FOR MONEY: 5/5 LITTLE EXTRAS YOUTHFUL DECOLLETAGE ellipseuk.com, 250 Its all very well looking after your face, but there are three areas that can give away our age like no other the hands, decolletage and neck. I tried the Ellipse VL treatment, which uses lasers to boost collagen production, stimulate new cells, soften wrinkles and improve skin tone. The downside is that pigmentation goes darker initially and may even scab over. But without doubt I saw results, especially on my hands, which, ten days after one treatment, were utterly transformed. EFFICACY: 4/5 VALUE FOR MONEY: 3/5 EXPENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS michaeljohn.co.uk, 160 Trinny has a highlighting technique known as balayage, in which the hairdresser paints, freehand, lighter dye onto hair rather than using foils. The idea is that it blends in greys and gives a sunkissed, youthful look. The hairdresser I saw suggested we lighten everything up a tone or two and add some highlights around my face. My hair now looks livelier and less dowdy. And when the grey hairs do start to come through between root treatments, they will be a lot less obvious. EFFICACY: 5/5 VALUE FOR MONEY: 3/5 Trinny has a highlighting technique known as balayage THE PILLS THE HAIR BOOSTER philipkingsley.co.uk, 45 I took a food supplement designed to maintain healthy hair that contains a mix of vitamins and minerals to help combat greys and boost hair and nail health. I have definitely noticed an improvement in nail strength, but I cant say its done much for my white hairs although youre supposed to use it for three months, so it may be that one month isnt long enough to see the full effects. Trinny takes 6,000mg of vitamin C a day despite the fact that the daily recommended dose is 65-90mg (file photo) EFFICACY: 4/5 VALUE FOR MONEY: 3/5 MEGA-DOSES VITAMIN C Available nationwide, 9.99 Trinny takes 6,000mg of vitamin C a day despite the fact that the daily recommended dose is 65-90mg. She says she takes it to counter the effects of smoking and sugar, which both destroy vitamin C. It certainly did feel like I had more energy, and according to the experts I spoke to its great for the immune system. Ill certainly keep going with the mega-doses, but I might reduce it a tad because one side-effect is that it does have a rather dramatic effect on ones digestive system, causing stomach upsets. EFFICACY: 5/5 VALUE FOR MONEY: 5/5 TOTAL COST OVER A YEAR: 10,422.50 CONCLUSION: There is no doubt that my skin is a lot better than it was when I started. Trinny: The star's regime costs 10,000 a year - but is it worth it? Its clearer, fine lines are less visible and the larger ones where the Botox has taken effect have more or less vanished. My age spots, too, are lighter than they were. I think the major lesson from my month living like Trinny has been two-fold. First, if you have unlimited funds (and time), you can dramatically affect the ageing process. Second, I definitely need to take more time and care over my skin, even if that just means regular home care such as peels, exfoliation and twice daily cleansing. If you dont look after your skin on a daily basis, an expensive treatment every now and again wont really help. My advice is to invest in some good Botox and focus more on your homecare routine. She's one of the world's most sartorially clued-up royals and Queen Maxima stayed true to her stylish reputation on Wednesday. The Queen of the Netherlands, 45, still managed to look chic as she battled with the freezing temperatures on a visit to a school in Rotterdam. The blonde royal, who wore her hair swept over to one side, wrapped up warm in a cosy grey poncho coat, which she teamed with a matching skirt and vibrant yellow blouse. Queen Maxima, 45, looked chic in a grey poncho and yellow blouse as she paid a visit to a school in Rotterdam on Wednesday The royal offset her look with a bold yellow snakeskin clutch bag and wore patent black stilettos for her visit to the Thomas More Hogeschool, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The Queen was greeted by the headmaster and various senior staff, who all looked delighted to have her. Once inside, Maxima took in a performance by the youngsters and cheered loudly as the showed off their musical talents. At one point the Queen appeared somewhat emotional and seemingly had tears in her eyes during the performance. The Queen was greeted by the headmaster and various senior staff, who all looked delighted to have her The blonde royal, who wore her hair swept over to one side, wrapped up warm in a cosy grey poncho coat, which she teamed with a matching skirt and vibrant yellow blouse The Queen of the Netherlands, 45, still managed to look chic as she battled with the freezing temperatures on a visit to a school in Rotterdam The royal showcased her usual flair for statement jewellery as she was spotted wearing a pair of over size golden studs Queen Maxima has certainly been showcasing her style credentials in recent weeks and decided to tone her look down on Friday as she stepped out for an official engagement in Waalre, North Brabant. The Dutch royal, 45, went for a simple black dress with a ruched neckline and fitted skirt from Belgian designer Natan, showcasing her trim figure with a chunky waist belt. She added a pair of black peeptoe court shoes and a rectangular chain bag, brushing her perfectly-coiffed blonde hair into a side-parting. The royal was visiting the town in the North Brabant province to visit the De Pracht community who have been awarded one of three Appeltje van Oranje awards. The annual award is for social initiatives that successfully connect different groups of people. According to De Pracht's website, Maxima stayed for half an hour to talk to employees and volunteers. She was also seen chatting and interacting with children who had come to catch a glimpse of the royal outside. Maxima was all smiles once inside, where she joined the children in their classes Once inside, Maxima took in a performance by the youngsters and cheered loudly as the showed off their musical talents Maxima appeared slightly emotional at one point, seemingly tearing up during the performance On what proved to be a busy day for the mother-of-three, she also attended the the Prince Bernhard Culture Prize ceremony at the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ concert hall in Amsterdam - opting this time for a bold, graphic printed chiffon blouse and wide-leg trousers. Maxima, who is married to King Willem-Alexander, 49, has spent much of this week hosting Queen Mathilde of Belgium who was on a state tour of the Netherlands with her husband King Philippe. The glamorous royals have been well and truly upping it in the style stakes over the past few days, with each day proving to be something of a fashion face-off. The Queen of the Netherlands looked fascinated as she chatted with staff members at the teacher training college The royal was seen laughing with the teachers as she made her way through the school On Wednesday both Mathilde and Maxima opted for for jewel colours as they headed to Amsterdam station to board a train to Utrecht. Maxima looked ravishing in an amethyst ensemble pairing a rich purple dress with a plum coloured coat. Meanwhile Mathilde stunned in a Topaz coloured dress coat with turquoise lace detailing. Both women opted for a small velvet statement hat that complemented their ensembles and a pair of matching suede gloves. Maxima took a moment to pose with students studying at the college for a group photo Well known for her constant smile Maxima looked right at home during the group photo Ivanka Trump looked every bit the glamorous Upper East Side mom while taking her eldest two children to school on Wednesday morning. The 35-year-old mother-of-three donned a red sheath dress featuring a slit and a $360 black and white coat from her eponymous fashion line over her shoulders. Ivanka, who was flanked by her Secret Service detail, smiled for the photographers outside of her Park Avenue apartment as she escorted Arabella, five, and Joseph, three, to the SUV parked in front of their building. Working mom: Ivanka Trump took her eldest children, Arabella, five, and Joseph, three, to school on Wednesday morning The business woman matched her coat with a pair of plaid heels from her accessories collection, but she decided to keep her hands free and go without a handbag during the school run. While Ivanka walked behind her children, they seemed more preoccupied with the toys that were in their hands. Joseph, who was carrying a toy bulldozer, may already be showing an interest in the family's real estate business, while Arabella was focused on the blue ball-shaped yo-yo she was playing with. Starting her day: Ivanka was flanked by her Secret Service detail as she stepped out of her Park Avenue apartment First Daughter: The 35-year-old donned a red sheath dress featuring a slit and a $360 black and white coat from her eponymous fashion line over her shoulders As they walked to meet their driver, Ivanka's only daughter rolled the yo-yo up and down, keeping her eyes on the blue ball as it hit the sidewalk. Ivanka's eight-month-old son Theodore was presumably upstairs with the family's nanny, but she is making sure that he isn't missing any action while he is at home. The proud mom took to Instagram on Monday to post a 'latergram' of herself showing her baby boy her new office at Trump Tower via video chat. Doting mom: Earlier this week Ivanka shared a photo of herself FaceTiming her eight-month-old son Theodore in her new office at Trump Tower Must have gone well! Ivanka was all smiles after she met with former Vice President Al Gore at Trump Tower on Monday 'Giving Theodore a FaceTime tour of the new @IvankaTrumpHQ space. He can't wait to come visit!' she captioned the image, which sees holding her cellphone up to her face. It's been a busy week for Ivanka, who spoke with former Vice President Al Gore on Monday to discuss climate change before he met with her father Donald, the President-elect. However, the doting mom managed to enjoy the weekend with her husband Jared Kushner, 35, and their three children, and on Sunday morning she shared a video of one of New York's beloved holiday traditions. All together: Ivanka, her husband Jared Kushner, and their three children, Arabella, Joseph, and baby Theodore, posed for a family photo with her grandmother on Thanksgiving The clip sees Santa Claus being 'rescued' by firefighters from the the rooftop of the New York City Fire Museum while the crowd cheered them on. Ivanka converted to Judaism when she married Jared in 2009, and the two are raising their children to be Jewish as well. However, it seems like couldn't help but get into the Christmas spirit on Sunday. A young woman with Down syndrome who found herself struggling to land a full-time job, has told how she took matters into her own hands by starting her own business - which now sees her working around the clock. Collette Divitto, 26, a Boston native, is realizing her dreams after her cookie company Colletteys Cookies suddenly took off, thanks to her story connecting with thousands of people across the country. From humble beginnings as a fledgling company started in her own kitchen, Collette is now hoping to grow the business enough to begin hiring other workers with disabilities. Scroll down for video Going big: Collette Divitto, 26, of Boston has become a massive success with her own cookie company after struggling to find a paying job Tasty treats: The business owner has now received more than 25,000 orders for her famous chocolate chip and cinnamon cookies from across the country Spurred on and helped by friends and family, Collette started the company after having perfected her own recipes. She purchased a website herself and learned how to invoice her customers. Soon enough, people were putting in orders online. But things really picked up after a profile CBS did of her last month. Now, Collette has been inundated with more than 25,000 cookie orders all across the country. 'I havent slept at all,' she told the station. 'I am really amazed at the support for my company and my cookies.' The story uploaded to the CBS Facebook page has been viewed more than eight million times since being shared just over a week ago. A bit of help: Collette's first client, the Golden Goose Market, are helping her keep up with demand by providing her with a fully-equipped kitchen and some help from employees Truly amazing: They are pumping out hundreds of cookies per day, which are then packaged and shipped all over the country and even overseas Thanks to the help of Collette's first client, Golden Goose Market, she is now enjoying the use of industrial equipment - and a few helping hands - to deal with her newfound success. Her signature recipe of chocolate chip cookies dipped in cinnamon are now being baked by the hundreds every day, packaged and shipped across the country, as well as overseas. Other local businesses in the Boston area have been inquiring about stocking her treats and there have even been investors sniffing around - meaning that Collette is going to be one busy woman for the foreseeable future. On her way: Collette hopes that she will eventually become successful enough to hire other workers living with disabilities But as the entrepreneur's sister Blake Divitto told CBS, the success isn't just about making Collette's dreams come true, but also about fighting ableism in the workplace. 'Its about getting jobs for everyone who deserves jobs,' she said. Collette's mother Rosemary Alfredo added: 'If theres one thing or gift you can give any child, its that kind of strength. Senator Bob Corker on Tuesday, praised committee passage of H.R.1150, the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act. The committee-approved legislation seeks to advance religious freedom through enhanced diplomatic and foreign assistance efforts, including improved training for foreign service officers and greater flexibility for responding to cases of religious persecution. This bill will help ensure that defending religious freedom remains at the core of our engagement in even the most repressive parts of the world and that we have the most effective policies in place to be successful, said Senator Corker. Dresses worn by Princess Diana in the 1980s are to be sold at auction in London next week. The lots include a purple velvet Bruce Oldfield gown, first worn by the Princess of Wales during an official visit to Portugal with Prince Charles in 1987, that's expected to fetch as much as 70,000 when it goes under the hammer. A tartan dress chosen by Diana for an outing to the Braemar Highland Games in 1982, and a turquoise silk outfit she wore during a tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1983, will also be sold on December 12. Princess Diana wore the dress again at a charity gala in London in November 1988 The Princess is seen chatting to the fashion designer while wearing his gown at the gala The embossed dress is the star lot at next week's auction in south London, and is expected to fetch up to 70,000 Princess Diana wore the off-the-shoulder Bruce Oldfield during an official visit to Portugal with Prince Charles in February 1987 The purple embossed Bruce Oldfield dress, which has a wide neckline exposing the shoulders and a slit to reveal a glimpse of leg, has an estimate of 50,000 to 70,000, and will be sold at Kerry Taylor Auctions in Bermondsey, South London, on December 12. The Princess wore the gown when she and Prince Charles attended a dinner thrown by the then Portuguese president Mario Soares at the Ajuda Palace in Lisbon. Diana wore the dress with a dazzling diamond tiara that was a gift from Her Majesty the Queen. Diana wore the dress again the following year at a charity gala in London, where she was pictured chatting to its designer, Bruce Oldfield. Two other outfits worn by Princess Diana will also be sold as part of the Passion For Fashion auction. A tartan wool dress, which the Princess wore to the Braemar Highland Games in September 1982, is expected to attract between 6,000 and 9,000, and a turquoise silk ensemble worn during a tour of New Zealand in 1983 is estimated to fetch up to 1,000. Princess Diana, seen with Prince Charles chatting to the then Australian PM Bob Hawke and his wife Hazel, wore the outfit during the royal couple's 1983 tour of Australia and New Zealand This turquoise silk dress, worn by Diana, Princess of Wales during a royal tour of New Zealand in 1983, is also being sold by Kerry Taylor Auctions in London on December 12 Diana's checked dress was a nod to her surroundings - the Braemar Highland Games in Scotland in September 1982 The Princess wore this dress to the Braemar Highland Games in 1982. It's expected to fetch between 6,000 and 9,000 at auction This well-thought out Pictionary pregnancy reveal became DRAW-n out when it took the contestants almost four minutes to guess their friend was expecting. When Andreanne Langevin and her partner Jay arrived at their friends, Alex and Fred's flat in Montreal, Canada, they had envisaged a picture-perfect announcement. However, despite much prompting and handy hints including arrows drawn at Andreanne's belly, Alex and Fred seemed oblivious to the obvious answer. Finally, Fred ignored the possible idioms - including quotes from Game of Thrones - and the couple could finally announce their impending new-born much to the joy of all four. Andreanne, from Montreal, said: 'Alex and Fred have a 'board game tunnel vision' problem. 'When playing a game, they can become a little oblivious to the outside world. 'So, they didn't realize how excited I had suddenly become, or even that Jay was filming. Andreanne Langevin and her partner Jay decided they wanted to announce their pregnancy to friends Alex and Fred with a game of Pictionary Despite the fact that Andreanne drew a pregnant woman with arrows pointing back to herself she says her friends took nearly four minutes to guess 'I really lost it when they came up with Game of Thrones references, and that's when I started pointing to myself. 'Thankfully Fred realised there was something much bigger being said there, not just idioms. 'Alex admitted afterwards that she would have never guessed it.' As the footage begins, Alex correctly guesses that Andreanne has been drawing 'crocodile tears', so they move on to the next question. Eventually Fred and Alex cottoned on and the pair embraced the mother-to-be while Jay filmed their reaction Alex admitted that she would 'never have guessed' that Andreanne was pregnant from the clues Andreanne - whose nickname is Day - starts by drawing out a sun to represent her moniker, followed by a pregnant woman. Following some wild wide-of-the-mark guesses, the mother-to-be can be heard saying 'follow the arrows people' and 'it's really not that complicated'. Andreanne said: 'All four of us love playing board games together. 'When Jay and I found out I was pregnant and were expecting a boy, we immediately knew how we wanted to announce it to our best friends. 'We bought the white board and pretended that we wanted our friends to host a 'typical' Pictionary night. Andreanne and her partner Jay discovered they were expecting during their rock climbing holiday on the America east coast (pictured during the trip) 'The result was not exactly what Alex and Fred were expecting I'm sure.' Andreanne admitted that a lot of thought had gone into their announcement with the couple even performing a practice run. She continued: 'Jay and I had rehearsed at home before driving over and had to hold it in until after dinner. 'When it came to Pictionary, I was shaking with excitement.' Andreanne and Jay - who are expecting their son in March 2017 - found out they were pregnant while on a mountain climbing trip around New York and Maine. Andreanne said: 'We found out while travelling around the East Coast and were so excited. 'Unfortunately, we had to cut our trip short because morning sickness kicked in quick and hard. 'I ended up having to be medicated. Even when it came to telling Alex and Fred I was actually going through the worst of my nausea. Although shes in her mid-50s, interior designer Jenny Weiss is frequently mistaken for someone at least a decade younger by visitors to her home. Jenny, who lives in Weybridge, Surrey, with her husband Graham, 55, a property consultant, their son Dan, 27, and his fiancee, Louise, admits that she looks after herself. I dont smoke, I eat healthily and I avoid sugar, she says. I also use good skincare. But the secret behind her youthful looks isnt a cream or surgery its the clever lighting shes had installed. Jenny, 55, an interior designer who lives in Weybridge, Surrey, with her husband Graham, 55, a property consultant, their son Dan, 27, and his fiancee, Louise, spent 10,000 on good lighting for her house to make herself look younger As Ive got older, Ive become acutely aware of the impact lighting can have on the way I look and feel, she says. As far as Im concerned, good lighting is the best make-up, so the lighting throughout our house has been painstakingly chosen to be as flattering as possible. It gives everyone a slightly airbrushed look that subtly blurs imperfections and takes years off. Looking her best is so important to Jenny that when she moved into her six-bedroom detached house five years ago, one of her first calls was to specialist lighting designer Sally Storey. Ive worked with Sally on several projects, and although her expertise starts at 10,000 not including lights its money well spent. Among the lighting tricks recommended by Sally are using warm, white-based bulbs, rather than colder blue-white ones, as they flatter skin tone and emit less glare, and long, slim lights either side of the bathroom mirror to imitate natural light. Obviously, you need good enough light to do make-up correctly, otherwise you risk leaving the house looking overdone, but you dont want to see every single flaw first thing in the morning, confides Jenny. Dimmer switches, or a mood lighting panel, in the bathroom and bedroom are also must-haves, she says. Looking her best is so important to Jenny that when she moved into her six-bedroom detached house five years ago, one of her first calls was to specialist lighting designer Sally Storey A softer glow rather than harsh overhead lights can take years off it creates warmth and fades wrinkles, Jenny explains. There are also four pre-programmed light settings in the main entertaining area, and Jenny selects a different one depending on the event or time of year. If Im entertaining, I choose the lowest setting, which is more flattering, she says. Ten years ago, the only women who could have told you how they liked to be lit were professional models and actresses. But now, thanks to instantly available digital images, ubiquitous camera phones, and the rise of the selfie, women of a certain age have a heightened awareness of the impact lighting can have on their appearance and theyre prepared to spend money on doing something about it. Wellbeing expert Stephanie Lewis (simplystephanie.co.uk) is only 30, but she installed dimmer switches and invested in warm-toned light bulbs after moving into her West London home with her fiance, Sebastian One friend of mine in her 40s has recently swapped all the bulbs in her house from bright white to warm white and ditched the harsh downlighters in the kitchen, where she spends much of her time. I look years younger, she said. Meanwhile, another has stopped going to quiz nights at her sons school because the strip lighting is so unflattering. My husband thinks Im really vain, but I look like a haggard old crone, she shrugs. So what is it about poor lighting that means it can so dramatically transform the way we look? I remember walking into our flat before we bought it and almost gasping in horror. Bright white bulbs and wall lamps created awful shadows that put at least ten years on me. My face looked washed out and ancient Light and shadow are how the eye distinguishes shapes, explains professional portrait photographer John Godwin. Its the way our brain makes sense of what were seeing, and is able to gauge, for example, how wide someones face is, or where their nose is. Thats why contouring using make-up is so popular, because its about artificially creating light and shadow in a way thats most flattering. And, he points out, its even more important to make sure we get lighting right as we age. As women get older, they lose the natural plumpness of the face and develop wrinkles and a tendency towards more uneven skin tone, he says. These are all features that bad lighting can emphasise, and good lighting can disguise. For example, light from directly above will cast shadow into wrinkles, making them appear even more apparent, as well as creating shadows under the eyes that make women look tired. Similarly, light from behind can highlight any downy hair around the chin, as well as any frizzy hair, which mean it often shows up greys because they tend to have a more wiry texture. The wrong lighting can instantly age you; kinder lighting take years off, which is why even celebrities can sometimes appear to age in the space of 24 hours. Stephanie completely changed the lighting in her London flat, as the bulbs when she moved in were bright white and completely washed her out Take Renee Zellweger, who was pictured at a photocall perfectly lit with glowing skin and smooth forehead, only to be snapped the following day in direct sunlight, which emphasised every wrinkle and made her look 15 years older. No wonder some women go out of their way to avoid places where they know the lighting is harsh. Jenny, who runs a design consultancy, Hill House Interiors, can roll off a list of places she tries to avoid at all costs, particularly anywhere with downlighters or spotlighting. I was recently photographed underneath a spotlight, and it wasnt flattering, she says. The hideous, fluorescent lighting in airports also makes everyone look terrible. Although shes in her mid-50s, interior designer Jenny Weiss is frequently mistaken for someone at least a decade younger by visitors to her home She points out that good lighting isnt just flattering, but is also uplifting, and, of course, when youre happy, you look better. Its the most worthwhile investment for looks and mood, she enthuses. Its not just women of a certain age who are going to great lengths to ensure the lighting in their home is ultra flattering. Wellbeing expert Stephanie Lewis (simplystephanie.co.uk) is only 30, but she installed dimmer switches and invested in warm-toned light bulbs after moving into her West London home with her fiance, Sebastian. I remember walking into our flat before we bought it and almost gasping in horror. Bright white bulbs and wall lamps created awful shadows that put at least ten years on me. My face looked washed out and ancient, she says. The lighting may sound like a lot of hassle and expense. But Jenny, and many like her, are utterly convinced that its all worth it But now, I can walk in at the end of a long day, shattered, and still feel good, she says. Jenny and Stephanie have worked out that with a little bit of know-how, its possible to create a lighting scheme that conceals imperfections. Shops have been doing it for years by lighting their fitting rooms in the most flattering ways, having realised we buy more clothes when we look our best in the mirror. So what basics does every woman particularly those over the age of 40 need to know? WHO KNEW? For 20 years, pop diva Mariah Carey did not let photographers snap the left side of her face she believed it wasnt her best angle. Advertisement You may think of lighting in terms of how many watts a bulb gives out, but what really makes a difference to your appearance is what is called the Colour Rendering Index (CRI), which measures how accurately a light will show the colour of an object, says lighting designer Bill Noble of wowlighting.co.uk. To do your make-up, you should choose as high a CRI as possible, as it will give you an accurate idea of what your bare face looks like. In other rooms, a lower CRI will be much more flattering. Colour temperature, which is really a gauge of how much yellow or blue is in a light, is measured in degrees Kelvin (K) and the colder or bluer the light, the higher the number, explains Bill. A warmer yellow light hides any blue tones, and doesnt emphasise red tones, so it is considered to be one of the most flattering lights The strip lighting you often find in offices is around 4000K, as anyone whos been aghast at the dark shadows that suddenly appear under their eyes in a badly lit office will know. In contrast, a warmer yellow light hides any blue tones, and doesnt emphasise red tones, so it is considered to be one of the most flattering lights. And, of course, positioning of lighting is also key. We usually only notice lighting in relation to mirrors, as thats when we see the effect it has on us, Bill Noble says. A single spotlight above only serves to highlight wrinkles and blemishes. But the same is true elsewhere in the home. The women say that looking glowing, healthy and youthful in their own homes is a priceless commodity Ceiling recessed downlights have become popular and can be very effective but, if you choose the wrong type of fitting, they will act as little glare bombs in the ceiling, highlighting wrinkles, and casting shadows under the eyes. If possible, you should use downlights instead, where the lamp is recessed into the fitting, significantly reducing glare. It may sound like a lot of hassle and expense, but Jenny Weiss, and many like her, are utterly convinced that its all worth it. On Christmas Day we are having 30 people for drinks in the morning and then 20 for lunch, Jenny says. Graham and I will be doing all the cooking, which we love, even though its pretty exhausting. But I know for a fact that no matter how tired I feel by the time we sit down, Ill still be looking glowing, healthy and youthful and thats all down to our lighting how can you put a price on that? One in ten patients are being forced to wait more than four hours for a hospital bed after being admitted in an emergency, new figures show. Some 473,453 people between October last year and September faced severe delays before there was a space made available to them. This represents 11 per cent of the 4.2 million patients admitted over the period and was a five-fold increase since 2010/11, according to data analysed by the BBC. While it was also revealed more than 1,400 people were made to wait in side rooms and spare cubicles in delays of more than 12 hours. Figures show 473,453 patients waited more than four hours for a hospital bed between October last year and September Five years ago, there were 97,559 'trolley waits'. But NHS England said the rise could be due to a change in how delays are measured. While the BBC also reported that three-quarters of hospitals are reporting bed shortages. Bed occupancy is not supposed to exceed 85 per cent, to give staff time to clean beds. This figure is also designed to keep infections low and ensure patients who need beds can be given them quickly. But 130 out of 179 hospital trusts are showing rates exceeding this for general use beds. Siva Anandaciva, of NHS Providers, which represents hospitals, said: 'These figures are deeply worrying. We are heading into winter in a more fragile state than I have seen in the past 10 years or so. This represents 11 per cent of the 4.2 million patients admitted over the period and was a five-fold increase since 2010/11 'Even the historically top-performing trusts are being challenged, which shows that this is an issue affecting all parts of health. 'No-one wants to see people waiting in corridors, side rooms and emergency bays when they should be admitted to a hospital bed. 'These patients are still under the care of doctors and nurses, of course, but it is not ideal for them and we know overcrowding leads to worse outcomes.' These figures are deeply worrying. We are heading into winter in a more fragile state than I have seen in the past 10 years or so. Siva Anandaciva, of NHS Providers, which represents hospitals Dr Chris Moulton, of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, told the BBC: 'Patients who are delayed like this are still being monitored by staff. 'But we know that the overcrowding we are seeing is dangerous. It leads to worse outcomes for patients - higher infection rates, patients ending up on the wrong wards, and generally a negative experience.' Dr Moulton believes there are too few beds. There are just over 100,000 general beds in England - a fall of 40,000 in the past 20 years. 'We simply don't have enough,' he said. 'If you compare us to other European countries we are really short and the demands being placed on the health service means we are now struggling to cope.' An NHS England spokesman said: 'Winter is always a busy time, with demand growing and putting further pressure on GPs and hospitals. A 12-year-old girl who was sent home from school because she felt unwell is now fighting for her life in hospital. Tia Llewellyn, from Milford Haven, Wales, began vomiting one morning four weeks ago, but was allowed to leave as staff thought she had a sick bug. However, the next day she woke up and was still poorly and was sent to her local hospital. Blood tests were taken before she was transferred to a hospital slightly further away who then revealed she had a rare childhood cancer. Doctors now say she has just a five per cent chance of survival after she was placed in an induced coma. Tia Llewellyn, from Milford Haven, Wales, began vomiting at the start of her day and was sent home with what was thought to be a sick bug. However, the next day she woke up and was still poorly and was sent to her local hospital Blood tests were taken before she was transferred to a hospital slightly further away who then revealed she had a rare childhood cancer. Doctors now say she has just a five per cent chance of survival after she was placed in an induced coma When Tia woke up the following day still being sick, she was sent for a blood test at Withybush General Hospital in Haverfordwest. However, she was then transferred 32 miles away to Glangwili General Hospital in Carmarthen. But just half an hour after being sent home with a suspected kidney infection, she was told to go straight to the Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales, Cardiff, because she had cancer. Doctors initially informed the family that she had burkitts lymphoma, a rare but treatable cancer of the lymph nodes. Tumours were also found in her kidneys and neck and was told she needed treatment in the US. However, her bone marrow needs to be treated in the UK before she goes But just three days later they revealed she actually had stage four alveolar rhadomyosarcoma - a rare form of soft-tissue cancer. WHAT ARE ALVEOLAR RHABDOMYOSARCOMAS? Sarcomas are rare types of cancer that develop in the supporting or connective tissues of the body. Soft tissue sarcomas can develop in muscle, fat, blood vessels, or any of the other tissues that support, surround and protect the organs of the body. About 3,300 new cases are diagnosed each year in the UK. The most common places for them to be found are the head, neck, bladder, vagina, arms, legs and trunk of the body. Alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas tend to occur in older children and adolescents. It is usually treated with chemotherapy, along with surgery or radiotherapy - but it's unknown what causes it. Most rhabdomyosarcomas are diagnosed after a person develops symptoms. These may include: a lump that can be seen or felt - it may or may not be painful bleeding from the nose, vagina, rectum or throat, if the tumour is in these areas tingling, numbness, pain and loss of movement, if the tumour presses on nerves in the area Source: Macmillan Cancer Support Advertisement Tumours were also found in her kidneys and neck and was told she needed treatment in the US. However, her bone marrow needs to be treated in the UK before she goes. Just before she was going to start treatment, Tia needed a hickman line put in her veins - but she began to heavily bleed. At the same time, her kidneys started to fail and she needed dialysis. But when doctors tried to start the treatment, her blood kept clotting and they had to place her in an induced coma so they could insert a catheter. The bleeding continued and Tia had to have several blood transfusions to keep her alive. Although the dialysis worked, she is till in an induced coma - and her family have been told by doctors that her odds of survival are slim. But the family hope she will be woken up by the end of the week. Tia's grandmother, Linda Thomas, gave up her job to help support the family and now makes the five hour round trip from her home in Milford Haven to Cardiff each day. Kerryanne Clayton, another family member, said she'd 'never seen a child deteriorate so quickly'. She decided to set up an online fundraising page to help Tia get treatment in the US if she make it through. Patients dialling 999 are being sent taxis instead of ambulances because paramedics are so overwhelmed. Operators at one of the country's largest ambulance services are booking cabs for less serious patients to ferry them to hospital. The pilot being undertaken by South Central Ambulance Service aims to free vehicles up for life-threatening cases. But campaigners say taxi drivers are 'not trained paramedics' and would not know what to do if patients suddenly deteriorated. The ambulance service covers a population of four million and the number of 999 calls is soaring by 5 per cent every year. Operators at one of the country's largest ambulance services are booking cabs for less serious patients to ferry them to hospital due to a shortage of vehicles This is the same across England and the rising demand has been blamed on migration, the aging population and a failure of GP services. Rob Kemp, the organisation's head of operations for south-east Hampshire, said: 'We have this terrible position where poorly patients are waiting while our resources are with other people. 'We can free up these resources with this taxi service. 'Our obligations are to make sure we have the resources for our poorly patients. They are our priority.' Operators will decide to dispatch an ambulance to patients with minor injuries or illnesses who need transport to A&E. But Tory MP Flick Drummond said: 'Taxi drivers aren't trained paramedics. 'I do have concerns about this and would like to see some more details.' A spokesman for Healthwatch Portsmouth, which represents patients in the area said: 'Although this seems like it could become a solution to helping ease pressure on the ambulance service, there are some concerns. The pilot being undertaken by South Central Ambulance Service aims to free vehicles up for life-threatening cases 'It would have been good to have some consultation first with patients to see what they think. 'I can imagine some people being nervous in getting in a taxi. 'For us, ensuring the patients opinions are heard while this pilot is on-going is key.' Ambulance services are struggling to cope with the soaring demand and NHS figures show they arrive late to a third of life threatening calls. We have this terrible position where poorly patients are waiting while our resources are with other people. We can free up these resources with this taxi service. Rob Kemp, South Central Ambulance Service's head of operations for south-east Hampshire The crisis is being fuelled by the fact ambulance crews are being held up at A&E, unable to 'handover' patients because units are so busy. Paramedics say that at certain busy times at nights and weekends there are no vehicles free to respond to the next 999 call. But Tory MP Suella Fernandes said the scheme could help ease demand. 'I spent time with South Central Ambulance Service on call outs they provide a very special service, working tirelessly to treat people with serious conditions. 'But I also witnessed that they are called out too often to people with minor or urgent, but non-emergency, conditions. 'When a medical emergency is obvious or a person is in a life-threatening condition then an ambulance is absolutely necessary. Ayahuasca, a powerful hallucinogenic drug, stimulates the brain to fight the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's and Down syndrome, a new study claims. The research, carried out in Brazil, comes amid a growing swell of studies examining the health benefits of the hallucinogenic, psychoactive drug. Most investigations have focused on how an ayahuasca-induced 'trip' could treat depression - much like the current studies into magic mushrooms. But new research shows the drug stimulates the generation of human neural cells that block the effects of DYRK1A, a gene that is overactivated in Alzheimer's and Down syndrome patients. Ayahuasca, a powerful hallucinogenic drug, stimulates the brain to fight the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's and Down syndrome, a new study claims WHAT IS AYAHUASCA? Scores of hipster tourists flock to South America all year round to try the plant-based drink, which induces a hallucinogenic 'trip' stronger than magic mushrooms. The effects of ayahuasca start 30 to 40 minutes after oral intake, with a peak occurring one to two hours later. Most people describe a pleasant (although not always easy) experience, which may include changes in perception (mostly visual), deep introspection, revival of seemingly forgotten autobiographical memories, and mood boost. The trip lasts four to six hours. Advertisement One of the main substances present in the beverage is harmine, a beta-carboline which potential therapeutic effects for depression has been recently described in mice. In order to elucidate these effects, researchers from the D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR) and the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (ICB-UFRJ) exposed human neural progenitors to this beta-carboline. After four days, harmine led to a 70 percent increase in proliferation of human neural progenitor cells. Researchers were also able to identify how the human neural cells respond to harmine. The described effect involves the inhibition of DYRK1A, which is located on chromosome 21 and is over activated in patients with Down syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease. 'It has been shown in rodents that antidepressant medication acts by inducing neurogenesis,' said Vanja Dakic, PhD student, one of the authors in the study. 'So we decided to test if harmine, an alkaloid with the highest concentration in the psychotropic plant decoction ayahuasca, would trigger neurogenesis in human neural cells.' Can Ayahuasca, the 'sacred plant' of the Amazon, help addiction and depression? by Rafael Guimaraes dos Santos for The Conversation This article (below) was originally published by The Conversation. Ayahuasca in the making Ayahuasca goes by many names: Daime, Vegetal, Hoasca, Kamarampi, Huni whatever you call it, this plant-based psychoactive decoction, which has been used by indigenous Amazonians for centuries to contact the spiritual world, has suddenly burst into global consciousness. As a recent New Yorker article put it, ayahuasca is 'the drug of choice for the age of kale'. The article, which positioned ayahuasca as a hipster trend in a tone of mockery mixed with mystification, nevertheless belies the growing interest of Western scientists and rich urbanites in its medicinal and therapeutic potential, which include antidepressant, anti-anxiety and anti-addiction elements. Does the science support the hype? As part of a small cohort of Brazilian scientists undertaking the world's first clinical trials on ayahuasca and treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, I'm here to say: maybe, but it's too soon to tell. Sacred plant, sacred medicine First, some background, which is key to understanding how ayahuasca is perceived as both a sacred plant and medicine. This idea is shared by indigenous groups, vegetalistas (healers that use plants to treat disease), and Brazilian religions such as the Santo Daime and the Uniao do Vegetal, which blend Catholic, indigenous, and Afro-Brazilian beliefs. In the indigenous context, ayahuasca is used to contact the supernatural world, the realm of the jungle spirits, who are called on to bring peace, happiness, and good health or harm and disease. During ayahuasca ceremonies, shamans invoke specific spirits either to heal their patients, or to harm their enemies. For them, ayahuasca is a powerful and dangerous plant used with great caution, and only by individuals who've undergone a prolonged initiation process that usually involves abstaining from sex and certain foods, along with periods of isolation in the jungle. Ayahuasca is also used therapeutically by the rural, poor and mestizo, or mixed-race, populations of Amazonian nations, including Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and Ecuador, who have limited access to hospitals and physicians but extensive training in ayahuasca. The spiritual is medical The effects of ayahuasca start 30 to 40 minutes after oral intake, with a peak occurring one to two hours later. Most people describe a pleasant (although not always easy) experience, which may include changes in perception (mostly visual), deep introspection, revival of seemingly forgotten autobiographical memories, and mood boost. The trip lasts four to six hours. A limited number of studies have suggested that those psychoactive effects could play a therapeutic role for humans. Ayahuasca is made by combining the leaves of Psychotria viridis or Diplopterys cabrerana(which contain the hallucinogen DMT), with the jungle vine Banisteriopsis caapi, which is rich in a group of alkaloids called beta-carbolines (harmine, tetrahydroharmine, and harmaline). Studies in animals, case reports and observational studies of long-term users suggest that ayahuasca and its alkaloids may have anti-anxiety, antidepressant, and anti-addictive properties. One of two jungle plants whose leaves are used in the preparation of ayahuasca Observational studies have also indicated that long-term members of Brazilian ayahuasca religions have apparently recovered from depression, anxiety, and drug dependence (especially alcohol and cocaine). Recent preliminary, open-label studies, or non placebo-controlled trials, on patients diagnosed with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder have been promising. These studies, led by Jaime Hallak from the University of Sao Paulo medical school in Ribeirao Preto, where I work, and by Draulio de Araujo, from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, in Natal, showed that a single ayahuasca dose was associated with significant, fast-acting, and enduring antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects. These positive results started in the first hours after ayahuasca intake and remained significant 21 days later. Out of the jungle, into the cities In the early 20th century, during the exploration of natural rubber, a small number of religious organisations that centred their sacred rituals on ayahuasca as a sacrament began to emerge in the Brazilian state of Acre. These groups blended Catholic beliefs with Amazonian shamanism, European esoteric philosophies, and Afro-Brazilian tradition. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, these religions organisations began to expand from the North of Brazil to other Brazilian capitals. In the early 1990s, some in particular the Uniao do Vegetal and Santo Daime started to create groups in Europe and in the US. Today they are among the main forces collaborating to extend ayahuasca's use beyond the Amazon. In recent years, healers called vegetalistas or maestros ('those who know') have started to practice rituals in big cities, including Bogota, New York, and other urban centres. In these places, their patients are more likely to be wealthy white people seeking healing from anxiety, mood disorders, drug dependence and other mental health issues. As more Westerners come to South American countries for healing ayahuasca trips and more healers travel to the US and Europe to perform their rituals, the idea that ayahuasca has powerful therapeutic potential has spread worldwide. Indeed, in the aforementioned New Yorker article, one American researcher is quoted as saying that 'on any given night in Manhattan, there are a hundred ayahuasca 'circles' going on.' This interest is also illustrated by a recent conference held in Acre and organised by the International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research & Service, which put together more than 700 participants from around the word, including dozens of indigenous participants. In the past year or so, many other major international news outlets have covered ayahausca, including the New York Times, Vice and Nature. Their pieces tend to portray the plant as a potential 'cure' for addiction and depression. Too early to tell Media hype and promising medical results aside, I must highlight critical limitations of the few studies that have inspired this enthusiasm for ayahuasca. First, the small sample size (only 17 individuals) and their non-controlled (no placebo) design makes the results unsound from a scientific perspective. Indeed, the placebo effect can be very significant in antidepressant studies. Therefore, it is not currently possible to conclude that the observed effects were really caused by ayahuasca, or that ayahuasca can 'cure' depression. My Brazilian colleagues, supervisors and I are now trying to replicate these observations in the lab with improved methodology. A bigger study assessing the antidepressant potentials of ayahuasca with 80 patients, using a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, is currently underway. And we at the Ribeirao Preto Medical School are in the middle of a research project on the impacts of ayahuasca treatment on socially anxious individuals. Ayahuasca has captured the imagination of scientists and hipsters alike. By helping us find the sacred within us, its psychoactive power seems to hold therapeutic potential as an alternative way to address common disorders that modern medicine has thus far found difficult to treat. The final journey of the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa started from Rajaji Bhavan and ended at the Marina Beach where the iconic leader was buried next to her mentor, MG Ramachandran. Amma's last rites were performed by her closest aide Sasikala Natarajan. Earlier, President Pranab Mukherjee and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi paid floral tributes to Jayalalithaa, the coffin was loaded on to a military vehicle, which proceeded slowly through the streets packed with mourners towards Marina Beach. Chennai: A sea of crowd during the funeral procession of Tamil Nadu's former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays his last respects to Tamil Nadu's former Chief Minister Jayaram Jayalalithaa at Rajaji Hall According to rough estimates, around 10 lakh people gathered at Chennai's Marina Beach to have a last glimpse of their 'Puratchi Thalaivi' (revolutionary leader) before a state funeral is accorded to the 68-year-old AIADMK chief. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his floral tributes to the tricolour- draped body at the Rajaji Hall, where wailing mourners gathered to view their leader one last time. A blanket of grief enveloped the sprawling southern state since Jayalalithaa - 'Amma' to her passionate followers - was pronounced dead just before midnight on Monday, ending an era in Tamil politics. The Centre has declared one-day mourning. The national flag was flown at half-mast throughout the day on all government buildings across the country. Amma's last rites were performed by her closest aide Sasikala Natarajan (left) Union minister Venkaiah Naidu, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, his counterparts from several states, governor C Vidyasagar Rao, DMK leader MK Stalin and superstar Rajnikanth were among the dignitaries who paid homage at Rajaji Hall where the body of 68-year-old Jayalalithaa lay in state since early Tuesday morning. Sasikala Natarajan, the close confidante of Jayalalithaa for over three decades, was beside the body throughout the day and later conducted the religious rituals before the sandalwood casket was lowered at a site close to MGR memorial on the shores of Marina beach. No sooner had the brief rituals concluded at around 6pm, the casket carrying the mortal remains of the five-time Chief Minister was lowered after a gun salute amid emotional chants of 'Amma Vazhga' (Long Live Amma) by a sea of humanity which had converged at the burial site. Gone but not forgotten: J. Jayalalithaa gestures to her party supporters while standing on the balcony of her residence in Chennai. Former film star Jayalalithaa Jayaram, was one of India's most colourful and controversial politicians. Hundreds of people and supporters gathered to witness the final journey during the funeral procession of AIADMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, in Chennai The body of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaraman is carried during her funeral procession in Chennai, People cry as the body of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaraman is carried during her funeral procession in Chennai, The mortal remains of Indian politician and actress Jayalalithaa Jayaram are carried during a procession to her burial place in Chennai A puppy found curled up in agony and waiting to die after maggots ravished the flesh between his ears can now be seen bounding about in 'pure happiness' in a moving video depicting his remarkable recovery. Cubby, as the young dog is now known, was found in the corner of a derelict building in Rajasthan, pawing the gaping wound on the top of his head - desperate for the pain to stop. Charity Animal Aid Unlimited rescued the sick hound who was just days away from succumbing to his injuries, with the parasites close to burrowing through his skull. Scroll down for video Curled up and ready to die: Cubby was found hidden in a corner of a dilapidated building, pawing at his gaping wound, desperate for the pain to stop As well as maggots eating through the flesh on his head, the puppy was also dehydrated and starving - and immediately took food from his rescuers And after flushing out the wound; and cleaning it and redressing it every day for two months, Cubby went on to make a full recovery. He is unrecognisable today and can be seen in the video running about the charity's sanctuary in Udaipur and showering the volunteers there with affection and giving them his paw in return for treats. A spokesperson for the charity said: 'This big puppy was in terrible trouble when he crawled into a dilapidated room and, like a dying animal, hid and waited, pawing at the huge wound on the top of his head in desperation for the pain to stop. Charity Animal Aid Unlimited were called to the scene and wrapped him in a blanket before taking him to its sanctuary and treatment centre in Udaipur Cubby was sedated so that the team could flush out his infested wound and start the healing process The massive hold was carefully dressed and then cleaned and redressed every day for weeks thereafter 'We have no idea how long he had hid in excruciating pain, but not only was his head ablaze with a huge maggot wound, but the poor boy was also malnourished and dehydrated. The moment we offered biscuits he devoured them. 'We rushed him back to Animal Aid Unlimited and began his life-saving treatment, sedating him so that we could thoroughly get all the maggots out and start his healing process. 'He was a stellar little patient and peacefully permitted many treatments, seeming to know that everyone around him wished him only happiness, play and love. But things couldn't be more different for Cubby now: he can now be seen bounding about the Animal Aid Unlimited sanctuary, showering the team there with affection The adorable boy is also seen giving the volunteers at the sanctuary his paw in return for treats 'It took a little over two months for his wound to heal, and each day his pain went further away and was replaced by pure happiness. Animal Aid Unlimited - set up by Erika, Jim and Claire Abrams-Myers 15 years ago after the family relocated to India from Seattle - rescues thousands of animals from India's streets every year. About 50 dogs, 30 cows, 25 donkeys and five pigs who cannot be returned to the street live at its sanctuary where it also cares for some 200 animals under treatment for injuries and illnesses at any one time. A Dwarka man is accused of using a hacksaw to saw off the legs of a puppy after the dog scratched him. Thanks to a colonial-era law he will be fined just Rs 50 (58p). A Dwarka resident is accused of using a hacksaw to saw off the legs of a puppy after the stray gave him a minor scratch. And experts say he could potentially get away with paying a Rs 50 fine thanks to an archaic colonial-era law. The horrific incident took place on December 2 when the two-month-old canine sneaked into the residence of Pramod, an unemployed man who was often found in an inebriated state by his neighbours. Pramod welcomed the puppy and also offered it some food. In its eagerness, the dog grazed the accused's leg with a paw. 'Soon after he noticed the scratch on his leg, he became angry and he rushed off to get a blade,' said Gaurav Sharma, an animal rights activist, quoting Pramod's wife's statement. 'Then he grabbed the puppy and tied it up before cutting its legs with a blade (a front and a back leg). 'As he was unable to cut through the bone, he used a hacksaw. While he was chopping the legs, Pramod was enjoying the whole process.' The episode adds to a grim litany of cruelty against animals in India. Dwarka is considered one of India's spiritual destinations and is visited by pilgrims Recently an animal enthusiast shared on Facebook photographs of a dead female monkey that was disemboweled with its limbs tied at a medical college in Tamil Nadu. An FIR was filed against some students. Kerala authorities are investigating political activists for killing dogs, tying the corpses to a pole and parading them in public in September to protest against dangerous strays. Two Chennai students were arrested in July for throwing a dog off a rooftop. There was massive social media outrage after a video they made of the incident went viral. On Sunday, Delhi Police received a call that people residing in a colony opposite Tihar Jail were torturing stray dogs. A team of cops reached the spot and warned the residents to stop such activities. Gaurav says he learnt about the Dwarka incident over the phone from a girl who lives near Pramod's home and claims he often attacked stray dogs. The accused's wife narrated the episode to the activist when he went to rescue the puppy. Hungry sacred cows feed off trash and litter thrown by locals or left by tourists on their pilgrimage to the temple in Dwarka She said that a few months ago, Pramod brought home a monkey and then chopped it up. However, these allegations are yet to be investigated. The woman also accused her husband of torturing her and their six children whenever he got drunk. At times, he would hang them upside down, she said. Based on all these allegations, a call was made to the police control room on December 2 and cops took Pramod from his home to the Dwarka sector-9 police chowki. A complaint was filed by the activist on behalf of the woman. The case was later transferred to the Palam Village police station. Sources say that the complaint has not been converted into an FIR as the woman is wary of punishing her husband. Pramod was previously booked in a case of domestic violence, they added. The puppy has been sent to a foster home and is up for adoption. Dog thrown from roof finds new family We have all seen the horrifying video of a medical student throwing a dog from the roof of a building. The incident took place in July. However, the dog survived miraculously and she was then named Bhadra. She suffered numerous fractures in her legs, and has recovered gradually. Bhadra now has a home and a family to care for her. The accused were identified as Gautam Sudarshan, who threw the dog, and Ashish Paul, who filmed the incident. They were suspended from the institute and arrested. Months later, when Karthik Dhandhapani of Chennai brought the four-legged animal home, he shared his happiness with his friends and family on Facebook. 'When a dream becomes reality!! It has been a desire of 6 years Coming from a family that has no connection to animals, being inspired to do something for them, turned an animal lover, spending time with them outside and not able to have one at home couple of fosters that came close yet didnt happen Sigh! But today, I am very, very happy to share that Bhadra is FAMILY. 'She came home as foster after she was found thrown off by the two medical students, and since then started ruling our hearts like she did the world,' he wrote on Facebook. Advertisement Activists say since punishment against animal cruelty is not severe, such sadistic acts often go unchecked. According to Delhi Police data, as many as 105 cases had been registered till mid-November under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Last year, a total of 114 such cases were registered while the figure was 110 in 2014. Several police officials, animal rights activists and veterinarians Mail Today spoke to said attacking stray dogs with knives or bullets, or any other kind of abuse, is part of initial preparation by people who are yet to debut in the world of crime. Flywheel Brands, Inc. welcomed Adam Duggan as the newest team member of the Hixson-based print management company. Assuming the role of business development executive, Mr. Duggan will be supporting new clients in their efforts to generate momentum behind their brands and develop marketing strategies that yield the return they're seeking. His primary focus will be with those organizations making a difference in the health, wellness and fitness industries. After earning his bachelors degree in Business and Organizational Management from Bryan College, Mr. Duggan joined Ribbon Enterprises as a sales and marketing account manager. There, he gained experience in a variety of disciplines, including sales, marketing and client relations, skills Duggan later employed as a donor relations specialist with St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis. After his career brought him back to Eastern Tennessee, Mr. Duggan launched a number of business ventures. He first led the marketing and business strategy as co-owner of River City Laser Tattoo Removal, the first company of its kind in Chattanooga. Later, he opened LIFT Fitness and Bootcamp, which he independently owned, managed and led as the head trainer. With LIFT, he continued his pursuit to connect people through business by helping others adopt successful fitness and wellness lifestyle programs. Most recently, Mr. Duggan has been an active licensed real estate Affiliate Broker in the Greater Chattanooga area. Adams experience, specialized skillset and originality will be great assets to our already dynamic team at Flywheel, said Vice President of Business Development Bart Simpson. His sincerity and drive for excellence absolutely reflect our mission to support todays brands by generating momentum through creative print solutions. On December 31, General Dalbir Singh is scheduled to hang up his boots as the chief of the Indian Army. Traditionally, the incumbent government would announce the name of the chief-designate two months in advance, but the Narendra Modi government has changed the convention. Appointing its first Army chief, the NDA government has kept the force guessing about its next leader with only three weeks left in the incumbent's tenure. Traditionally, the incumbent government would announce the name of the chief-designate two months in advance, but the Narendra Modi government has changed the convention The whole Army is rife with speculations and guesses on social media messages creating more confusion about the name of the next Army chief. There is also talk about the government creating the post of a permanent Chairman Chiefs of Staffs - a four-star appointment, who will head the tri-services organisations. When asked to clarify the government's position on the issue, senior Defence ministry sources said the appointment of permanent, COSC had not yet been made known to them. Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Bipin Rawat 'We made our recommendations almost two months ago on the panel of senior officers formed by us and forwarded it to the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) headed by the Prime Minister,' they said. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said he did not want to comment on the issue as the ACC and the PM has yet to approve the appointments. The Defence Ministry sources said the government does not want to follow the tradition of appointing services chiefs 80-90 days in advance as it did not want to create alternative power centers so early and this did not help in any way in functioning of the forces. In the Army, the panel formed by the Defence ministry for the appointment is learnt to include Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Pravin Bakshi Recently, some of the Army commander-level vacancies were filled up a week or 10 days after the incumbent had retired. Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba's appointment was also announced only 40 days ahead of Admiral Robin Dhowan's superannuation on May 31 earlier this year. In the Army, the panel formed by the Defence ministry for the appointment is learnt to include Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Pravin Bakshi, Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Bipin Rawat and Southern Army Commander Lt Gen PM Hariz. Of the three officers, the senior-most is Lt Gen Bakshi who is an armoured corps officer and was commissioned in the Skinners' Horse regiment. He commanded the Jodhpurbased 12 Armoured Division and the YOL Cantt-based 9 Corps. He was the Chief of Staff of the Udhampur-based Northern Command, which handles the borders with both Pakistan and China. Considered to be an upright officer, he was given the command of the Kolkata-based Eastern Command which looks after the entire eastern frontier with China, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Vice-chief of Army staff Lt gen Bipin Rawat has wide experience in counter insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast. He was commissioned in the 5th battalion of the 11 Gorkha Rifles regiment and has even served in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in Congo. Southern Army Commander Lt Gen PM Hariz He was appointed as the vice-chief of Army staff when Kashmir valley was boiling over the killing of terrorist Burhan Wani and there were daily instances of stone-pelting there. Lt Gen PM Hariz is a mechanised infantry officer and is currently heading the Punebased Southern Command. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is seeing the ghost of Prime Minister Narendra Modi this everything. Be it the Air Traffic Control (ATC) of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport making her Indigo aircraft hover in the air by withholding signal to land for 13 minutes, or the Army men stationed at 19 places in the state, collecting data about heavy vehicles in what was revealed to be a routine exercise. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is deeply suspicious of PM Narendra Modi The Trinamool Congress cadre have already alleged that a plan was underway to eliminate the CM. She herself has been crying hoarse about a 'military coup' and an attack on a democratically elected popular government in what she felt was not only an infringement of rights but also a direct attack on the federal structure of states. The conspiracy theory in circulation stems from her suspicion that being the most vocal critic of demonetisation, Modi is out to settle scores with her. Her conspiracy phobia is nothing new. She had been seeing the phantoms of the CPI(M) ever since she projected herself as the arch-enemy of the communists in Bengal. Anxiety: Mamata and Modi in 2015 When she launched the Trinamool Congress in 1992, she said that her party was the principal opponent of the Left and not the Congress, which over the years had turned into the CPI(M)'s B-team. Mamata's mistrust for the Left, however, has an iota of truth. In August 1990 she faced an attempt on her life in the hands of CPI(M) goons, Lalu Alam and Muhammad Mukhtar. Mamata, as the then Youth Congress president, was taking out a rally against the communists when CPI(M) supporters assaulted her. She suffered a near-death blow, and had to be treated for months in a nursing home. The fear took such deep roots that Mamata saw the evil designs of the CPI(M) behind every incident of attack. True, Mamata had to fight hard and struggle to unseat the 34- year-old Leftist rule in Bengal. But even after having come a long way, she could not leave her baggage of fears, suspicion and anxiety behind. Twitter is full of Banerjee's attacks on Modi Such was her conviction in her fears that even after becoming the chief minister in 2011, she was seeing the invisible CPI(M) hands behind every issue that rocked the initial days of her administration. A farmer from an obscure village of Belpahari in West Midnapore, Shiladitya Chowdhury was called Maoist and arrested for questioning Mamata on the hike in fertiliser prices in August 2012. Mamata's tirade against Modi does not go unnoticed Again, a student of Political Science of Presidency University, Tanya Bharadwaj came under the ire of the West Bengal CM for making a comment on the law and order situation in the wake of atrocities on women. Tanya was branded as a Maoist. Examples such as these are in plenty. Who can forget Jadavpur University Professor Ambikesh Mahapatra's harassment for sharing a cartoon, which made good humour of the tug-of-war between two Trinamool Congress MPs Mukul Roy and Dinesh Trivedi over the railway portfolio? Or the threats Kamduni girls such as Tumpa and Mousumi faced from the highest office of administration for daring to question Mamata on the rape and murder of their childhood friends in June 2013? In 2014, in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, while Mamata was campaigning in Malda district, an incident of fire from a short circuit in her hotel room broke out. She and then cabinet colleague, Madan Mitra, were quick to call it a deep-seated conspiracy to kill the Trinamool supremo. Now after 2016 Assembly election with the utter rout of the CPI(M) and the Left from Bengal politics, and the gradual rise of the BJP in the state courtesy the politics of polarisation the CM has been practising, Mamata has found a new foe in the saffron party. Her phobia has naturally found a new vessel in the BJP. Her relentless tirade against PM Modi, post-demonetisation, has given her an excuse to nurture the phobia and she has publicly said that she feared her life was threatened. Millions of people have been forced to queue up outside banks to change their currency In a tweet message she had said: 'Today I am taking a pledge whether I die or live, I will remove PM Modi from Indian politics.' Echoes of similar sentiment were heard in other tweets that followed over the past 21 days. In one tweet she wrote: 'Never seen a PM who threatens his political opponents. PM should be sober.' Then there's another: 'Modiji, you are equating corruption with anyone who opposes your policy. PM Modiji you think, you alone are intelligent?' The impact of demonetisation caused anger among many, with nationwide protests Is this the ranting of a mind completely overpowered by paranoia, suspicion and dread? Are her fears concerning the Indigo flight and the Army genuine? Mamata's fears in these cases are not only unfounded, but also carefully cultivated and positioned to create the right noise against the BJP-led NDA government. The Army had called her out on her false allegations of the Centre masterminding a 'military coup' against her democratically elected government, but a headstrong and fearless Mamata refused to budge. The incident has given the Opposition another handle to beat the government. Biswanath Chakrabarty, political analyst and Professor of Political Science of Rabindra Bharati University, explains Mamata's move as he says: 'The issue has hit the headlines and that she has been able to unify the heavily fractured Opposition is her success story.' There's method in her apparent madness, he insists. For Mamata it's heads I win, tails you lose The void and an all-consuming silence in the Opposition politics following Sonia Gandhi's illness, non-acceptance of Rahul Gandhi, the demise of J Jayalalithaa and a divided house for Mulayam Singh Yadav has given Mamata the opportunity to hit the national arena with a bang. Mamata, known for her caustic no-holds-barred tongue, is raising the decibel and making the right noise to corner the BJP and the NDA government. Trinamool Congress cadre stage a procession on the streets against demonitisation Recently at the state legislative assembly, she alleged that BJP had bought large swathes of land in different districts of Bengal and Bihar prior to the demonetisation to turn its unaccounted cash white. She also accused PM Modi of leaking out the news of demonetisation to his party to enable it to properly park the black money before the curtains came down on high denomination notes. Onlookers watch Trinamool Congress party protest march against the government's decision to withdraw high denomination notes from circulation, in Kolkata 'The political bigwigs have either lost their steam due to age or disinterest. The aggression, the killer instinct is missing. Mamata is the only one who has the edge and the guts to stand up to Modi and throw him a challenge. She's a perfect match to him word for word, eye for an eye,' said a Trinamool Congress MP in the Rajya Sabha. Perhaps Mamata too realises that and with the 2019 Lok Sabha election not far away, she has taken it upon herself the daunting task of cobbling up a 'secular' front against Modi. Activists of the Trinamool Congress during a protest march in Kolkata. The banners read 'revolt against demonetisation, dethrone Modi and save the country' So Modi-bashing continues and the issue of him interfering in state politics to try and destabilise a democratically elected government has to be kept alive. Every other day, Mamata has something to say against Modi. If Rajnath Singh had desired to be in touch with state government officials for better coordination and understanding of the law and order situation, Mamata sees an evil design to hijack her bureaucrats. If the Centre asks the panchayat department and Kolkata Municipal Corporation to provide economic revenue statements, or the Union government wants to transfer funds of NREGA straight to the accounts of the beneficiaries, bypassing the state, Mamata makes the people of her state believe that the plot is thickening and sinister designs are at work. Her latest worry is that the Centre is trying to win the trust of her bureaucrats, so that they start sharing her government's secret with the Modi government. Eight IAS officers fresh from training in the Union cabinet have been sent on compulsory waiting because the Chief Minister feels that they have been brainwashed to work as agents of the NDA government. Again at a programme of WBCS executive officers, she has warned that an officer, found to maintain rapport with the Centre, would be severely dealt with. See more news from India at The Bollywood actress spoke of her friendships with Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh Sharma has found huge success with Sultan and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Anushka Sharma is a name to reckon with. This year, she has tasted immense success with Sultan, in which she held her own despite Salman Khan being in it. And in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, she was loved by all for her role of Alizeh opposite Ranbir Kapoor. Lady Sultan! Actress Anushka Sharma spoke at Agenda Aaj Tak 2016 about her relationships Cricketer Virat Kohli and actress Anushka Sharma pose during a party earlier this month As far as her on and off-screen equation with actors Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh is concerned, Anushka is known to bully both of them. Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma and Indian cricketer Virat Kohli pictured in April 2015 'Speaking at the Agenda Aaj Tak 2016, Anushka cleared the air. 'I friendzone men very quickly. This is a specialty of mine. I quickly draw a line, when it comes to men, and tell them that you're my friend.' 'FRIEND ZONE?' The phrase 'friend zone' is used to describe an ostensibly platonic relationship in which one person is romantically interested in the other. However it has been linked with rampant misogyny as it is often men who complain about being in the friend zone and believe their attraction for their female 'friend' should be rewarded with sex. Advertisement 'I think my friendship with them is really good... more so with Ranbir Kapoor, because we have recently worked together (for Ae Dil Hai Mushkil) and we have a great understanding. 'Also, when you spend your sad times together, you come closer. 'We have done Bombay Velvet together, which was a colossal flop. That drew us closer,' said Anushka. Buoyed by the current political leadership's open support, time is ripe for the Indian Army to go for 'covert operations' and take Pakistan by complete surprise, said two ex-chiefs of Army Staff at the '5th Agenda Aaj Tak' on Tuesday. Retired generals Bikram Singh and VP Malik spoke candidly about 'surgical strikes,' effect of demonetisation on terrorism, and the current equation between the Army and the BJP dispensation. Speakers General Bikram Singh, former Chief of Army Staff (right) and General V. P. Malik, former Chief of Army Staff at Agenda Aaj Tak 2016 at The Taj Palace in New Delhi 'The two main jihadi organisations that are bleeding India today are Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaishe-Mohammad. These have also established their relevance among the public by helping in flood relief, etc. 'The Pak Army knows very well that it can't win with us in a conventional war, hence it feeds these,' General Bikram Singh informed. A protestor holds the Pakistan national flag during clashes with Indian government forces last month in Srinagar (file photo) 'Unfortunately, India hasn't taken this route before as Geneva Conventions prohibit it and we are a responsible democracy. But, it is time that we utilise all our asymmetric warfare tactics - political, military, intelligence, economic, psychological - to beat them,' he added. General Malik concurred with his friend and said the moment is ripe, with the army receiving unprecedented support from the government. 'What the Congress and opposition parties are saying, that such 'surgical strikes' have taken place before, is true. But the difference this time is that the government backed us. The announcement came at midnight, confirming what most of Tamil Nadu had known since the afternoon - Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had passed away. We knew it when parents began to receive messages that schools would be closing early. We knew it when offices sent their employees home at 3 pm. The roads were choked; by 4pm Greams Road - in which sits Apollo Hospital, where she has been wrestling with death for 73 days - was cordoned off. Tamil Nadu, where Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was given almost god-like status, is currently in three days of mourning following her death on Monday Nightmare Most of us remember Jayalalithaa's first term in office, 1991 to 96, as a nightmare. Jayalalithaa Jayaram had been battling ill health in hospital since September Rumours were rife about the chief minister scouting for prime property to which the government would lay claim, on her helicopter rides. Land owners were petrified. Traffic was stalled for hours on end every time her convoy left her home. Whispers of money laundering among her close associates, relatives of her friend and advisor Sasikala, seemed to be confirmed by a lavish wedding for which all the rooms in all the luxury hotels in the city were booked. There was also a 75,000-sq-ft pandal erected, and the state's security forces deployed across a two-km-long arterial stretch along which the wedding procession would pass. The estimated cost of the wedding, of Sasikala's nephew (and Jayalalithaa's foster son) to actor Sivaji Ganesan's granddaughter, was reportedly over Rs 5 crore in 1995. This was exclusive of clothes and jewellery. Yet, on December 5, 2016, there are few people who can say they don't feel the hollowness of grief. The popular politician started out as a film star - here, she is pictured in 1970 film I Came Looking for the Groom Journalists often grumbled about Jayalalithaa's propensity for filing defamation cases and her refusal not only to speak to the media herself, but also to permit open dialogue from official sources. Fearing retribution, most people in positions of authority would ask to remain anonymous, detracting from the reliability of a news report. But the story was different with the public. Women felt safer with Jayalalithaa as CM. But she later turned to politics, and became a worshipped figure across Tamil Nadu - despite some controversy in her earlier career We knew the police would not take crime against women lightly. The air of dignity and authority that wound itself around Jayalalithaa was reassuring. The people of Tamil Nadu knew, even if reluctantly, that this period of governance was a good one. As for her supporters, the cult of devotion to Jayalalithaa is without precedent, with the possible exception of that of MGR. Jayalalithaas journey to Amma began when she first became the chief minister in 1991 Jayalalithaa has been in the public eye since she was 16, when she starred in her first film Vennira Aadai. She often said she had wanted to become a doctor, and her financial circumstances had forced her into a more lucrative career. But it was a career at which she excelled. Propaganda It was MGR who took her under his wing in politics. He made her propaganda secretary of the ADMK (later AIADMK), the breakaway faction he founded after his fallout with Karunanidhi led him to leave the DMK. She was intelligent, articulate, and fluent in several languages. These attributes would help her forge a bond with the populace and rebuild the political career that seemed to have ended in 1996. Jayalalithaa Jayaram had battled poor health for some time and was hospitalised in September Her surprise win in 2001 heralded the beginning of a very different kind of rule. The air of entitlement and grandeur was gone. She was no longer 'JJ' or 'Jaya' - her epithet 'Puratchi Thalaivi' (Leader of the Revolution) began to give way to 'Amma'. The spinster without a family had become a maternal figure. Jayalalithaa had found the one role that would allow a woman to be worshiped by people of all genders, castes, and ages. Supporters hold a photograph of Tamil Nadu state leader Jayalalithaa Jayaram as they offer prayers for her well being at a temple in Mumbai after she suffered a heart attack The firebrand had turned into a benevolent, beneficent icon. Jayalalithaa's oratory skills struck a chord. She could humble herself without compromising on her bearing; she deferred to the people while remaining a figure of authority; she appeared remorseful for her excesses while never apologising or confessing to faults. She was astute, and never lost track of the pulse of the people. The traffic blockades became a thing of the past. There was minimal disturbance when her convoy passed. She sat by the driver's side and waved through the windows at passersby. The state of Tamil Nadu has been plunged into three days of mourning following the death of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram - these people reacted to the news outside the hospital where she was being treated and passed away Future The freebies were carefully thought out. The focus was on food, shelter, and education. Grinders, laptops, and grains were distributed either free of cost or at subsidised prices. She came up with innovative ways to tackle female foeticide and infanticide such as the Cradle Baby Scheme, under which people were encouraged to put up newborns that they could not raise or did not want, for adoption. A defeat in 2006 - blamed on government ineptitude in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami - was followed by a resounding victory in 2011 and a historical one in 2016. This time round, Jayalalithaa's future seemed secure. 'Amma' had become a brand, quite literally. For the first time in nearly four decades, a chief minister had remained in power. Rather than spend a couple of years undoing or renaming the schemes the previous government had put in place, she was empowered to see her own ideas through. Twenty years ago, Rajinikanth had famously said: 'Even God can't save Tamil Nadu if you vote for Jayalalithaa.' The situation is drastically different now. As a 79-year-old pensioner I knew very little about computers when I bought a laptop five years ago. But I did know enough to agree to buy a security system from Norton. I paid by credit card, and every year since it has taken payment at the same time, advising me that I would be covered for a further year. Everything was fine until this year when it deducted the amount in April and again in May. I only spotted this recently, but my attempts to get a refund have so far failed. W. A., London. Muddle: You were charged twice because your grandson also had a Norton subscription Im afraid there has been a bit of a muddle here. The reason you were charged twice is that you actually bought a second subscription - not for your computer, but your grandsons. My guess is that you bought him the laptop, and this computer had a trial of security software with the option to purchase after a few months. The extra payment was processed by a third party, not by Symantec itself (the company that produces Norton). Symantec has taken a look and it seems that one subscription would cover both your computer and your grandsons. It has kindly refunded your subscription and will, in future, take just one payment to cover both. Its worth noting this as we approach Christmas. Lots of youngsters are likely to receive a computer and they may well come with anti-virus and other security software which is initially free. Its worth a check to see if you can simply extend anti-virus coverage from a computer owned by another family member. While some security packages cover one computer, some higher-level ones may cover five or ten and are usually better value for families. STRAIGHT TO THE POINT Im worried that my National Insurance record is incorrect and that I will not get the right amount of state pension as a result. How can I check? C. R., Birmingham. You can get a statement online at gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record, or call 0300 200 3500 and ask for one to be posted to you. It will show how many years you have paid National Insurance - not how much state pension you will receive. You can find this out at gov.uk/check-state-pension or call 0345 3000 168. HM Revenue & Customs owes me 796 in overpaid tax. I logged onto my personal tax account online to claim it, but got an error message when I typed in my passport details. It then said I could not log in for another week. Is there a glitch with their system? And could you please help getting my money back? H. T., Crawley, W. Sussex. HMRC tested its online system and says it is working fine. A spokesman said the error message could have been due to wrongly typed details. He said youll get your refund shortly. Our flight from Venice to Gatwick was due to leave on July 9, but didnt depart until the next day. British Airways refuses to pay us any compensation. Can you help? R. T., Norfolk. Your flight was delayed as a result of a strike by air traffic control workers. Industrial action is considered an extraordinary circumstance, so British Airways does not have to pay compensation under the EU 261 ruling. I got a Marks & Spencer credit card in May. As part of the deal, I was promised a 30 gift voucher when I first used the card. Its now November and I still havent received it. Can you help? S. C., Essex. Marks & Spencer says it emailed you the voucher in July, but for some reason it hasnt arrived. So it has credited your account with 30 and 1,000 M&S points, which you can turn into vouchers to spend in store. As a guide, you get a 1 voucher for every 100 points you collect. I have a Halifax stocks and shares Isa, which gives an annual statement showing the holdings and overall value. But I have never had any dividends. Why is this? D. A., Bristol. If you are owed dividends they should be listed on your annual statement. If they arent, its likely youve chosen investments that dont pay dividends. However, you may be being stung by high charges, or have asked for these payments to be reinvested in the fund. If the latter is the case, you can contact Halifax and ask for them to be paid to you instead. When my husband was browsing the internet in August an advertisement for a free sample of face cream popped up. I just needed to pay 7.90 for postage. But when our Yorkshire Bank debit card statement arrived in September, we saw extra payments for 89.95 and 1.50 had been taken twice - a total of 182.90. We never requested or received anything else. Yorkshire Bank says it cant get our money back. Its such a lot to lose - what can we do? P. H., Lincoln. Big loss: Extra payments were taken from our account after signing up for free face cream Money Mail regularly hears from readers who have lost hundreds after signing up to receive a free sample of a beauty product. By handing over your card details to pay the postage, you have unwittingly signed up for a continuous payment authority. It allows companies to take money from your account at regular intervals. Theyre often used to bill customers for subscriptions to gyms or for magazines. But rogue online firms also sign customers up to these schemes. You can ask your bank to cancel a continuous payment authority at any time, which Yorkshire Bank did. You are also entitled to request a refund if you have paid for services you havent received or something you didnt agree to. You usually have 120 days from when the money leaves your account to do this. You should get your refund straight away; the bank will then try to get the money back from the retailer. Yorkshire Bank says it didnt do so at first because it hadnt realised youd never had the goods. It is now refunding the full 182.90. Id urge readers to be vigilant when signing up to unsolicited offers online. Something to shout about: Since Donald Trump won the election on November 8, the U.S. stock market has risen by 3.2 per cent A yellow taxi is cut up by another car and the driver honks his horn violently. Steam rises from a manhole cover on a side street and, above, the December sunlight flickers off the tinted glass of a skyscraper. It could be a normal Sunday morning in the heart of New York except its not. On the corner of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street a stones throw from the citys giant Central Park a camera crew has taken up residence. Nestled between their wires, coffee cups and camping chairs, three large lenses point at an enormous black skyscraper across the street. Theyre hoping for the slightest glimpse of Donald Trump, who lives in the penthouse suite of the 58-storey building. Mr Trump has changed everything. With his talk of building a giant wall on the Mexico border and locking up his opponent Hillary Clinton, his victory in the U.S. presidential election has stunned Americas financial capital. Its all youll hear about in bars and restaurants. Someone emerges from the crowd outside Trump Tower with a cardboard sign hanging from his neck that says: Santa, please take Trump to the North Pole. Any saver with cash to invest would think this troubled superpower is surely a place to avoid. But scratch beneath the surface and youll find theres more to Mr Trumps plans than meet the eye. Everyone I speak to seems to agree that, in the short term, Mr Trumps policies might boost Americas economy. Its the long term where real problems may lie. Kim Wallace, director of political consultancy Renaissance Macro Research, says: The White House is a powerful institution and the ability to put in checks and balances [to keep a President in line] is proven. But it takes time, so in the long term, its anyones guess whether Mr Trump can get through things in the background that have a [negative] effect on the economy. Since Mr Trump won the election on November 8, the U.S. stock market has risen by 3.2 per cent, turning 10,000 into 10,320 in weeks. Usually when there is political uncertainty, stock markets go down because companies cant plan for the future and professional investors stop investing until the picture becomes clearer. But Mr Trump is, at heart, a businessman and many investors think that despite his comments about immigration (building that wall on the Mexico border) and women (there was huge controversy when he was exposed for making comments in the past about grabbing them inappropriately), he will do whatever it takes to boost Americas economy. Policies that could power the U.S. economy include lowering corporation taxes from around 35 per cent to as little as 15 per cent. It would immediately increase companies bottom lines. Another of Mr Trumps big policy promises is to spend on infrastructure building roads, bridges, tunnels, airports, ports and waterways. But Matt Ward, manager of the Schroder ISF US Large Cap fund, warns it will not all be plain sailing: Mr Trump is a businessman at heart, so I do see the economy getting a fillip in the short term from his policies. But theres an awful lot of wishful thinking stock markets are taking all the positives of a Trump presidency and none of the negatives. One of the companies Mr Ward is backing is the Monster Beverage Corp. Two-thirds of the U.S. economy is driven by consumer spending. This part of the economy has shown to be in good shape, Mr Ward says. Other companies hes backing include internet giant Amazon and technology firms such as Facebook. These firms get a huge boost as more people use the web on smartphones. Jenny Jones, head of US Mid & Small Cap Equities at Schroders, says banks could benefit from Mr Trumps plans to relax the rules around how much cash they must hold on reserve when they issue loans. The banking sector is up 20 pc since the vote, she says. WHY THE U.S. COULD BE A GOOD BET The biggest rise in the Dow Jones was in 1984 when Ronald Reagan won a second term in office the index climbed 27.7 per cent in the subsequent year. On each of the four occasions a Republican has replaced a Democrat as president, the Dow Jones index has fallen by an average of 8.8 per cent. Since 1929 the S&P 500 has returned an average of 14.7 per cent a year under Democrat presidents and 5.4 per cent a year under Republican presidents. The biggest fall was when Jimmy Carter came into office in 1976, when the market dropped by 15.2 per centover that year. The first trillion dollar company is forecast to happen in the next few years with Apple, Google and Amazon among the top contenders. When theres a change from Republican to Democrat leadership or vice versa, the gold price typically rallies 10 per centwithin a year but equities fall 6 pc over three months. The New York stock exchange deals with an average 4.2 billion share trades a day the lowest ever was on March 16, 1830, when just 31 took place. The Philadelphia stock exchange is the oldest in America and was founded in 1790. It was originally based in a coffee shop. Unlike Britain, the U.S. still has many smaller regional banks that serve local communities. Its these firms, which dont rely on overseas markets, that could benefit from a Trump presidency, Mrs Jones says. For those who like the idea of investing in U.S.-based smaller firms, Jason Hollands, director of investing firm Tilney Bestinvest, recommends putting money into a fund called T Rowe Price US Smaller Companies. It has turned 10,000 into 24,390 over the past five years by investing in firms such as Ball Corporation, which is the worlds largest producer of metal food containers. He also tips First State Global Listed Infrastructure Fund, which in the past year, turned 10,000 into 13,000. It invests in companies such as Texas-based Kinder Morgan, which controls around 84,000 miles of gas pipelines and should be one of the firms to get a lift from Mr Trumps plans for infrastructure. Savers who see U.S. firms benefiting from Mr Trumps plans to boost economic growth could also invest in a fund that simply tracks the overall stock market. Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown, recommends Legal and General US Index, which has turned 10,000 into 23,360 in five years. Shares in troubled lender Monte dei Paschi di Siena have soared this morning on reports that Rome is in the midst of preparing a emergency bailout bid. It is understood the Italian government will take a 2billion controlling stake in the country's third biggest bank. There are also reports that as part of the bailout Rome will request 15billion from the eurozone's bailout fund - the European Stability Mechanism - to inject funds into all its banks. But so far nothing has been confirmed. Asked about a bailout request for its banks, a spokesman for the European Stability Mechanism said this morning: 'There is no request and there are no discussions with the Italian authorities on an ESM loan.' Nevertheless the speculation was enough to send shares in Monte dei Paschi up 10 per cent, while Intesa Sanpaolo, Unicredit and Banco Popolare all rose 3 per cent. Bank shares across Europe also jumped for a second straight session. In London, Standard Chartered was up 4.5 per cent, Barclays by 3.6 per cent, while HSBC and Royal Bank of Scotland increased by 3 per cent. At the same time Germany's Dax stock market hit its highest level in a year, while France's Cac 40 is at an 11-month high. Connor Campbell, analyst at Spreadex, said: 'The potential for a Monte dei Paschi package from the Italian government is lifting the European markets this Wednesday. 'There have been multiple different reports about what could happen. 'Last night Reuters claimed that the government could take another 2billion stake in Italy's oldest bank, while this morning La Stampa stated that the country could ask for a 15billion European Stability Mechanism loan, which would be used to aid not only Monte dei Paschi but a few of Italy's other ailing banks.' The planned rescue by the Italian government comes as hopes of private investment evaporate. Monte dei Paschi - which was founded in 1472 and is the oldest in the world - needs 4.2billion to save it from collapse as it buckles under the strain of 25.5billion of toxic debt. But it is understood that investors who had been lined up to provide a lifeline - including Qatar's cash-rich sovereign wealth fund - have got cold feet following the resignation of prime minister Matteo Renzi in the wake of the weekend's crushing referendum defeat. The Italian government is now preparing a state bailout for Monte dei Paschi to prevent the lender failing and triggering a full-blown banking crisis that would send shockwaves across Europe - including to Britain. Officials in Rome want to avoid any losses being imposed on ordinary Italians who own 1.8billion of Monte dei Paschi debt. These small investors could see the first 85,000 of their holdings guaranteed, in line with the rules protecting depositors. The bank, which has received a number of bailouts in recent years, is worth about 450million. Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets, said: 'No one in their right mind is likely to invest in a bank that has already been bailed out three times in the past few years against such an uncertain political backdrop.' The Italian banking sector is crippled by 300billion of toxic loans that are never likely to be repaid. Unicredit, Italy's biggest bank, is seeking 11billion from shareholders to bolster its finances. Monte dei Paschi was hoping that an 850million cash injection from Qatar would act as an 'anchor' investment and help persuade others to join in as it sought to raise 4.2billion. But with Italy now facing a possible general election that could see victory for the populist Five Star Movement, whose leader, the comedian Beppe Grillo, wants to withdraw Italy from the eurozone, the government looks set to step in and rescue the bank - possibly this weekend. Kathleen Brooks, research director at City Index Direct, said: 'Without Doha as the anchor investor in this much-needed capital raising, it is hard to see how Monte dei Paschi can avoid nationalisation. Monte dei Paschi's main problem is that it has become symbolic of Italy's rotten banking sector that now relies on foreign capital for life support. Selling: Joules' woolly jumpers and warm coats Families splashing out on winter warmers have helped sales at fashion brand Joules leap more than 16 per cent as it continues its charge into the US. Joules, known for its striped tops and printed wellies, is among a host of premium UK retailers which have exploited the American appetite for British lifestyle brands. In a trading update, Joules said sales rose 16.2 per cent to 81.4million for the six months to November 27, thanks to strong demand for its range of woolly jumpers and warm coats. The brand also opened ten new stores, bringing its total to 107 in the UK and Ireland. Joules, which is stocked in US department stores Nordstrom and Dillard's, is now launching its childrenswear range in another US chain store, but remained tight-lipped on which outlet it was. Marc Dench, chief finance officer, said emphasising the brand's 'Britishness' had proved successful. Colin Porter, chief executive, added: 'This reflects the strong appeal and quality of our products as well as the appeal of the Joules brand.' Senator Lamar Alexander on Tuesday said a health care bill he cosponsored in the Senate, that will help make the medical brain power of institutions like Vanderbilt University Medical Center available to doctors in rural parts of Tennessee and other rural areas of the country, is ready for the presidents signature. He said, "House passage of this legislation is good news for people fighting complex diseases in rural Tennessee and other parts of the country that are far away from specialists and large medical centers. The Senate unanimously passed the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) Act, which Senator Alexander cosponsored, on Nov. 29. The bill was introduced by Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). Sen. Alexander was one of 15 cosponsors on the bill. On Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed the legislation by voice vote. It is now heading to the presidents desk. Craft beer maker Camden Town Brewery is taking its flagship Hells lager to New York this month. Offering the tipple to American drinkers is part of a major expansion funded by parent company Anheuser-Busch InBev, which brews Budweiser. The drinks giant snapped up Camden in late 2015 for 85million after it became one of the frontrunners in Britain's craft beer movement. Now it is spending 25million on a new brewery in Enfield, which represents the largest investment into London's brewing industry for 30 years. Founder Jasper Cuppaidge, who set up the business from the cellar of a Hampstead pub in 2007, said: 'We've always been inspired by New York. 'It's a buzzing city filled with incredible places to eat and drink, so it felt like the right place to launch Camden into the US. 'Hells is a killer British lager we think drinkers across the world will love.' The company has grown on the back of a craft beer movement which has driven an explosion of small breweries across the UK, rising by 8 per cent over the past year to 1,700. Italy's struggling banks were granted a reprieve last night as hopes grew of a government rescue. Sources said Italian ministers were in contact with Brussels about how to give the sector, which is weighed down by 300billion of bad debt, the multi-billion-pound injection it needs. The nations third-largest lender, Monte dei Pashi di Siena, has been battling to secure a 4.2billion investment from the private sector. Arrivederci: Prime Minister Matteo Renzi announces his resignation after losing a referendum on constitutional reform But appetite for action has disappeared since prime minister Matteo Renzi lost a referendum on constitutional reform and resigned this week. It is feared this could lead to instability, fresh elections and possibly even an exit from the euro. Monte dei Paschi is now expected to end up in the hands of the state, with seven other banks potentially doing the same. Authorities are struggling to work out how they can intervene without falling foul of European Union rules which mean millions of elderly bondholders must lose their savings first. One option would be to apply for a 12.7billion loan from an emergency European fund to be shared out between several banks. Starbucks plans to open another 12,000 coffee shops by 2021, marking a major expansion of its global network. The move means it will have 37,000 outlets across the world in five years time. The company, which has 900 shops in the UK, did not give a regional breakdown or outline where new ones would be opening. Coffee giant: The newly announced expansion move means there will be 37,000 Starbucks stores across the world in five years time The coffee giant released the news ahead of its investor conference in New York, just days after chief executive Howard Schultz said he would be stepping down in April. After more than 30 years at the company, he will take up a position as executive chairman, and leave the chief executive role to Starbucks president and chief operating officer Kevin Johnson. Moving up: After more than 30 years at Satrbucks, chief executive Howard Schultz will take up a position as executive chairman Change of pace: Starbucks President and COO Kevin Johnson delivers remarks at the Starbucks 2016 Investor Day in Manhattan - he is set to take on the role of chief executive The expansion is part of a five-year plan to boost revenue by 10per cent and earnings per share by 15-20per cent. In November, the Seattle coffee brewer reported that consolidated full-year net revenues grew 11per cent to 16.9billion. London-listed commodities trader Glencore is among investors to have paid 9billion for a 20per cent stake in Russian state oil firm Rosneft. Glencore was joined by Qatar in putting money into Russias largest oil company, where BP already has a 19.75per cent stake. It is the largest privatisation deal, the largest sale and acquisition in the global oil and gas sector in 2016, Russian president Vladimir Putin said last night. London-listed commodities trader Glencore is among investors to have paid 9billion for a 20per cent stake in Russian state oil firm Rosneft The Kremlin still has a controlling stake in Rosneft but the sale of part of the company comes as Moscow sells assets to raise funds to fill a hole in its budget left by low oil prices. The deal suggests the lure of taking a share in one of the worlds biggest oil companies outweighs the risks that come with Western sanctions imposed on Russia over the conflict in Ukraine. Glamorous businesswoman, 28, from Kenya, killed herself because she was lonely living in Britain Manchester sales boss Sharon Bukokhe worked for family planning charity Nottingham Trent University graduate's husband was South Africa student Her closest relative lived 250 miles away and others lived in US and Canada She applied full make up and painted nails then suffocated herself at home A glamorous 28-year-old businesswoman killed herself because she struggled to cope with living alone in Britain with her family dispersed across the world, an inquest heard yesterday. Sales manager Sharon Bukokhe, of Levenshulme, Manchester, was a high achiever working for a family planning charity but felt lonely because relatives including her husband lived abroad. Mrs Bukokhe, who was originally from Kenya, used her laptop to research ways to commit suicide, applied full make up and painted her nails then suffocated herself at her flat in April. Suicide: Sales manager Sharon Bukokhe, of Levenshulme, Manchester, was a high achiever working for a family planning charity but felt lonely as relatives including her husband lived in other countries A diary found after her death said: I think that any life is as valid as the next, such that an ending of 25 is as good as 88. I have no real regrets or fears any more, I just feel decisive and justified. Mrs Bukokhe, who appeared to friends to be the happiest person in the world, settled in the UK in 2002 and graduated in design and engineering at Nottingham Trent University, the inquest heard. She was later appointed sales manager of a charity helping with family planning issues involving third world countries. But Mrs Bukokhe was deeply affected by her family living in other countries. Her husband lived in South Africa so he could complete a Masters Degree whilst her mother lived in Richmond, Virginia, in the US, and her sister lived in Canada. Her only relative in Britain was her brother who lived 250 miles away in Gillingham, Kent and as a result of her feelings of loneliness she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Tragic: Mrs Bukokhe, who was originally from Kenya, used her laptop to research ways to commit suicide, applied full make up and painted her nails then suffocated herself at her flat in April Mrs Bukokhes sister Caroline Lusiche, who flew in from Canada to be at the inquest in Manchester said: There were many factors which led to it. 'I think that any life is as valid as the next, such that an ending of 25 is as good as 88. I have no real regrets or fears any more, I just feel decisive and justified' Diary entry by Sharon Bukokhe She was a high achiever, her marriage was also a big factor. She wanted it to succeed but he was in South Africa doing his masters. She moved and they decided to put that marriage on hold. She had come here as a very young girl and it really affected her that we were all dispersed in different countries. In the last few days we had been trying to get back in touch with each other. But because of the time difference- me in Canada - we kept missing each other. I sent her an email and did not hear back then I heard. She was trying to be the one to bring the family together, she had a lot on her shoulders weighing on her. She had high objectives we were taught to hold our chin up and get on with it. Glamorous: She was sales manager of a charity helping with family planning issues in third world countries She tried to persevere she wanted to do that to protect your feelings - she didnt want to make you feel bad. 'She was a high achiever, her marriage was also a big factor. She wanted it to succeed but he was in South Africa doing his masters. She moved and they decided to put that marriage on hold' Caroline Lusiche, Mrs Bukokhe's sister Mrs Bukokhes flatmate of two years, Stefanie Maccalli, told the hearing: She was a really artistic, creative person, very active - and I think everybody who didnt know her particularly well found her the happiest person in the world. I would say the creative and joy and artistic side was real but the happiness she was showing all the time was not always real. There were times when she was not this happy, outgoing person. 'The two years I knew her where divided into a two periods, the first she was taking medication for the bipolar and she was always very happy. In the second part she changed the amount of medication. She would have ups and downs every few weeks. When low she would not like to talk too much and would take a day off work and stay in her room and watch movies. Intelligent: Mrs Bukokhe, who appeared to friends to be 'the happiest person in the world', settled in the UK in 2002 and graduated in design and engineering at Nottingham Trent University (left), the inquest heard She was always trying to find a balance. She started saying things like she could not show weakness, she felt guilty about being dull. Ms Maccalli said that the last time she saw her was on April 24, in the kitchen of their shared home. 'She was a really artistic, creative person, very active and I think everybody who didnt know her particularly well found her the happiest person in the world' Stefanie Maccalli, Mrs Bukokhe's flatmate She told me that she was thinking about buying a house, she was taking in a very positive way about the future - but her eyes did not show that, Ms Maccalli said. She took her food upstairs so I got that she was in one of her low moods. The last look she gave me, I got the feeling it was kind of a serious look. I had a bad feeling. Ms Maccalli added that the next couple of nights she arrived home late but had become concerned that neither she nor her other housemate had seen Mrs Bukokhe. I decided to check Facebook to see if she had gone somewhere but I couldnt find her profile. That was the moment everything started clicking, she said. I sent her a text to her mobile. Part of me was already thinking something bad. Cut off: Her only relative in Britain was her brother who lived 250 miles away in Gillingham, Kent and as a result of her feelings of loneliness she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder We tried to open the door it wouldnt open - it was obvious that it was closed from the inside. We decided to try and break the door, we looked inside and she was on the floor in front of the door. She was dressed with make-up and her nails done, she looked like she had been somewhere nice or she was just going somewhere. 'When I found out it shocked me very much. She always put a brave face on, she said she did feel very lonely' Dr Javaid Khan, Mrs Bukokhe's doctor The inquest was told Mrs Bukokhe had last seen her doctor, Dr Javaid Khan, in March this year. He told the inquest that she had stopped taking her medication in January, and said she was feeling low and her sleep was variable and she had a lack of motivation. Dr Khan said: She was having suicidal thoughts but she could put them aside. She was not a severe type of manic depression, there was a low assessment of suicide. When I found out it shocked me very much. She always put a brave face on, she said she did feel very lonely. Recording a verdict of suicide, Deputy Coroner for Manchester Carolyn Singleton said: Im sure that Sharon intended to kill herself. A primary school has erected a $30,000 sign with an embarrassing spelling error in their own name. The community-funded sign outside Ourimbah Public School on NSW's Central Coast went up last Thursday, missing the crucial letter 'c' in school. The sign was erected with the words 'Ourimbah Public Shool.' Missing something? A $30,000 community-funded sign outside a school was erected with an embarrassing spelling error 'I worry about my child's education when they can't even spell the word school,' one parent told The Daily Telegraph. 'Who checks these things?' Sydney-based company Signpac was the contractor in charge of the putting up the simple sign. A company spokesperson told the publication it was a 'simple mistake.' 'When humans are involved, unfortunately errors can be made,' the spokesperson said. Signpac's website describes the company as 'a trusted name in school signs', with over 20 years' experience. A Department of Education spokesperson said the error was fixed on Monday. The matriarch of a small New York church where two brothers were beaten for 14 hours during a counseling session has been sentenced to two years in jail. Fifty-year-old Traci Irwin was sentenced Monday in Oneida County Court after pleading guilty to two counts of felony unlawful imprisonment. The charges stemmed from the all-night beatings that killed 19-year-old Lucas Leonard and injured 17-year-old Christopher Leonard in October 2015 at the Word of Life Christian Church in New Hartford, near Utica. Investigators said the brothers were beaten for talking about leaving the congregation. Traci Irwin (above in court on Monday), the matriarch of a small New York church where two brothers were beaten for hours during a counseling session, has been sentenced to two years in jail The Word of Life Christian Church defendant was sentenced for her role in the beatings that killed Lucas Leonard and left his brother, Christopher, injured in the October 2015 attack During her sentencing, her attorney, Frank Policelli, said: 'I understand we have an agreed-upon sentence, but you're sentencing an innocent person,' the Observer-Dispatch reported. However, Oneida County Court Judge Michael Dwyer refuted her lawyer's claim and said that she was in the best position to stop the beatings, as she had seniority in the church. Policelli tried to counter and state that he believed his client would have been found not guilty with a fair trial and a fair judge. He said that she'll likely be released in March as she has already been in jail without bail for roughly 15 months. The matriarch did thank the court for allowing her to 'see the beauty of those who are broken' in 'heart, mind and soul.' She also thanked the court for allowing her 'to partake in this suffering,' as she was adamant she had no knowledge of the horrific beating that happened a little over a year ago. Lucas Leonard, 19, (left) was killed and Christopher Leonard, 17, was injured in the attack Traci Irwin (left) plead guilty to two counts of felony unlawful imprisonment, but contested that she had no knowledge of beatings. Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara (right) previously called the case 'a terrible tragedy' 'I had no knowledge. And if I had, things would have been very different if I had,' she told the court. 'Of all the tragedy that's happened to me in my life, if I had five minutes to redo something, I'd choose five minutes right there to save Luke because I loved him. I loved this family because it's who I am. 'And every single person you must have spoken to and the district attorney must have spoken to say the same thing. 'That's the truth. I had no knowledge. And that's all I have to say.' In total nine people were charged in the deadly attack, as eight took plea deals, including the teens' parents, Deborah and Bruce Leonard, Word of Life Christian Church Pastor Tiffanie Irwin, her brothers Joseph Irwin and Daniel Irwin, their mother Traci Irwin, along with mother and son church members Linda Morey and David Morey. The lone holdout, the boys' half sister Sarah Ferguson, was convicted in July of manslaughter and assault. She was sentenced to 25 years in prison for her role. A file photo shows a sign hanging on a utility pole outside the Word of Life Christian Church in New Hartford, New York in 2015 where the horrific incident took place Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara previously called the case 'a terrible tragedy.' 'I can only hope that Luke can rest in peace, Chris can get on with his life,' McNamara said. Christopher Leonard testified at an earlier hearing that Tiffanie Irwin asked his family and some others to stay behind for a meeting after an eight-hour Sunday service last October. Over the next 14 hours, he said, he and his brother were pummeled in their torsos and genitals with an electrical cord. McNamara has said the brothers were ordered during the beating to repent for a variety of sins, including using a voodoo doll. Police have said there was no evidence to support a claim by their half-sister, Sarah Ferguson, that they had molested her children. An eight-months pregnant Instagram star has spoken of her relief after her boyfriend was found tonight in a hospital A&E. I-D magazine digital editor Steve Salter left for work from the home he shares with fashionista Susie Lau in Seven Sisters, North London, at 10am on Monday. But he did not turn up at the office and nobody had heard from him since, with his phone turned off. Miss Lau, who has a huge social media profile, said she was 'very worried' about her boyfriend disappearing and described it as being 'completely uncharacteristic'. However he was found 'after much searching' tonight in A&E. He had been spotted in the King's Cross area at 11.50am on Monday and someone fitting his description was then seen crossing Waterloo Bridge around noon. His girlfriend said tonight: 'I want to thank everyone for sending their love, support, advice to myself, my friends and my family. I can't thank you and love you all enough.' Miss Lau wrote this message tonight saying her boyfriend had been found at hospital A&E Missing: I-D magazine digital editor Steve Salter (left) left for work from the home he shares with fashion writer Susie Lau (right) in Seven Sisters, North London, at 10am yesterday Fashion writer Miss Lau is known as @SusieBubble to her 314,000 Instagram followers and 278,000 Twitter followers. Miss Lau, who was born in Britain into a family from Hong Kong, studied history at University College London and met Mr Salter while working in digital marketing. She started to blog as a creative outlet, but was then headhunted for the fashion magazine Dazed and Confused to become their online commissioning editor. Her website Style Bubble has become one of the world's best-known fashion blogs, and she lives in a two-bedroom house on the site of a former teddy bear factory. The couple had been set to attend the British Fashion Awards together on Monday night. Miss Lau said Mr Salter (pictured together) was in a 'normal state of mind' when they last spoke on Monday morning and they were due to attend the Fashion Awards together In October, Chipotle reported that third-quarter sales fell for the fourth straight quarter since the food safety scares have a long way to go' to win back customers Ells said he is not 'satisfied' with the company's rate of recovery and that they He said company let customer service slip while trying to handle safety protocols after E. Coli outbreak sickened customers in 2015 Co-CEO Steve Ells said company is now training employees to clean dirty napkins off tables and keep glass on its front doors free of fingerprints Embattled Chipotle co-CEO Steve Ells has admitted that more than half of the burrito chain's 2,100 restaurants have poor customer service after an E. Coli outbreak devastated the chain. While speaking at a conference Tuesday, Ells said that the company is now training employees to clean dirty napkins off tables, make sure the soda fountain is organized and keep the glass on its front doors free of fingerprints. He said that the company let customer service slip as it focused on adding new food safety protocols after an E. Coli outbreak last year sickened some customers. It is now turning to improving its customer service to try and win back customers. Chipotle co-CEO Steve Ells (file above) said that half of the burrito chain's restaurants have poor customer service and they are trying to win customers back by improving service Ells said that the company is now training employees to clean dirty napkins off tables, make sure the soda fountain is organized and keep the glass on its front doors free of fingerprints at more than 2,100 of its restaurants (file above) In the last six months, Ells said that Chipotle has attracted 33million new or one-time customers that had stopped coming to its restaurants. A 'great experience' could make those people come in more often, Ells said. Although there are signs of improvement, Ells says that he is not 'satisfied' with the company's rate of recovery. In October, the Denver-based company reported that third-quarter sales at established restaurants fell for the fourth straight quarter since the food safety scares. 'We obviously have a long way to go,' Ells said. Shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. fell $29.90, or 7.6 per cent, to close at $366.37 Tuesday. Its stock is down about 24 per cent so far this year. Last month, several customers announced their intention to sue the fast food chain. The plaintiffs allege the company has advertised their burritos as having just 300 calories when they contain up to 1,000. Ells says that he is not 'satisfied' with the company's rate of recovery since the E. Coli outbreak last year sickened customers They state that advertising boards at three Chipotle restaurants in California displayed misleading information and that the company 'broke the law' by inaccurately representing the healthiness of its food and that they were 'lulled into a false sense of security.' The case is focused around Chipotle's chorizo burrito, which all three plaintiffs ordered. They say that they ordered the meal after advertising boards said the burrito would only contain 300 calories. However, their complaint against Chipotle states: 'After eating the Chorizo Burrito, [Plaintiff David] Desmond felt excessively full and realized that the burrito couldn't have been just 300 calories.' It is believed that they then consulted the Chipotle website, which revealed the 300 calories only referred to the Tortilla wrap and not the filling inside, which can be as much as a further 700 calories. A spokesperson for the restaurant chain said they do not comment on any pending legal action. A mother bear and her three cubs have been found dead in a Pennsylvania church parking lot in what authorities are calling a 'highly suspicious' situation. The female - who weighed 300 pounds - and her babies were a common sight in the borough of West Wyoming, and were spotted just before Mass on Tuesday by a parishioner at St Monica's Church. 'They assumed the bears were just sleeping at the time, however when they came out after Mass, the bears were still there. They went over to check on them and they found the bear dead,' Rick Humphrey of West Wyoming told WNEP. Scroll down for video Suspicious: A 300-pound momma bear and her cubs were all found in the parking lot of a church in West Wyoming Tuesday morning. None had any sign of external injuries Poisoned? Conservation officer William Williams (right) says authorities are investigating whether the bears had been poisoned. They were found outside St Monica's Church (left) When wildlife conservation officers were called out to the scene at 8:15am, they found no evidence of bullet marks or external trauma on the animals. The Pennsylvania Game Commission, which is performing the investigation, believes the animals may have been poisoned. It says it plans to conduct toxicology tests to determine the cause of the bears' deaths. The bears were frequently spotted by locals in in the area. 'We've seen these bears since they were small cubs, coming through the neighborhood, through West Wyoming, Swoyersville, and Exeter, and now to see the three of them dead...' said Joe Granteed of West Wyoming. 'Residents in Swoyersville and West Wyoming and Exeter, you'd see pictures on Facebook of everybody seeing these bears and now, now they're gone.' The bears were all tagged as part of a conservation effort, and had previously been relocated back to the wild after being spotted in urban areas. Anyone with information about the bears is asked to contact the West Wyoming Police on 570-693-1211 or the Pennsylvania Game Commission on 570-675-1143. Partnership for Families, Children and Adults has achieved national accreditation through the New York- based Council on Accreditation (COA). Partnership provides over 20 programs to the Greater Chattanooga area through five centers of service: Youth, Elder, Victim Support, Deaf, and Stability. These separate by complementary services serve a broad-spectrum of individuals from foster children to impoverished families and victims of domestic and sexual assault with services such as emergency and permanent housing, case management, counseling, court advocacy and job placement. COA has accredited 1241 agencies nationwide, with only two accredited organizations in Chattanooga, including Partnership. COA evaluated all aspects of Partnerships services, management and administration. COA accreditation is an objective, independent and reliable validation of an agencys performance. The COA accreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of an organizations administration, management and service delivery functions against international standards of best practice. The standards driving accreditation ensure that services are wellcoordinated, culturally competent, evidence-based, outcomes-oriented, and provided by a skilled and supported workforce. COA accreditation demonstrates accountability in the management of resources, sets standardized best practice thresholds for service and administration, and increased organizational capacity and accountability by creating a framework for ongoing quality improvement. An endorsement of COA and the value of its accreditation is reflected in it being named by the US State Department as the sole national independent accrediting body under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption to accredit intercountry adoption service providers. In addition, COA is the only national accreditor designated by the US Department of Defense to develop accreditation standards and processes for human service programs provided to military personnel and their families. Intruders broke in and scrawled swastikas and other racial slurs across the walls His parents, Joe and Pat, forced to relive trauma after their home was The son of an interracial couple whose home was destroyed and defaced with swastikas and racial slurs committed suicide after years of racist bullying. Jay Jude was just 16 when he killed himself in 2010 after he was taunted at his Cincinnati high school because of his mixed race. 'He was called the N-word and other unacceptable terms by his fellow students and residents of the town,' his mother Pat Jude said. Jay Jude was just 16 when he killed himself in 2010 after he suffered relentless taunts at his Cincinnati high school because of his mixed race 'One of his teachers even called him stupid in front of the entire class. 'Unfortunately, with all of this negativity, we lost a wonderful young man. He was intelligent and caring and accepted all people regardless the color of their skin.' His parents, Joe and Pat, were forced to relive the emotional trauma of his suicide after their home was targeted in a racist attack last week. The couple returned from visiting their daughter Jessica in Chicago over Thanksgiving to find their home in Price Hill, Cincinnati destroyed. Intruders had broken in and scrawled swastikas across the walls. They also threw paint everywhere and left other 'white power' slurs including one saying 'Die N*****.' 'They wrecked every room. Nothing was spared. They even poured cement down the pipes,' Mrs Jude told WCPO. They also stole appliances, including the refrigerator from the kitchen. His parents, Joe and Pat, were forced to relive the emotional trauma of his suicide after their home in Price Hill, Cincinnati was targeted in a racist attack last week Intruders had broken in and scrawled swastikas and other racial slurs across the walls Mrs Jude said the intruders destroyed ever room in the home and even poured cement down the drainage pipes to cause flooding in the house The couple, who have been married for 34 years, said they had previously suffered verbal abuse and racist taunts over their interracial relationship. But Mr and Mrs Jude said they have never experienced such hate and bigotry as they did in the recent attack on their home. The couple lived in Orlando, Florida for 23 years before moving their family to Cincinnati where they say the racial tension intensified. 'People need to learn not to look at the color of peoples skin but at the person's character. We are all Americans, we are all in this together,' she said. Mrs Jude started a GoFundMe page to help finance the repairs to the house. So far, the appeal has raised more than $40,000. The couple is also offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who has information about the attack on their home. Police are currently investigating the vandalism. For confidential support call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255. Any attempt to halt a retrial of policeman Michael Slager for shooting dead unarmed Walter Scott would be absolutely devastating the victims family lawyer said tonight. Vice President-elect Mike Pence declared the Trump administration will be responsible for reviewing and deciding if Slager should be re-tried after a jury failed to reach a verdict yesterday. Asked whether Trump and his newly-installed team would support a renewed federal case against the officer, Pence said: I think that will be a decision that the attorney general will review and make after January 20. Scroll down for video Michael Slager walked free from a courtroom last night after a judge declared a mistrial (pictured above outside court on Monday) Slager, right, was charged with murder in the April 2015 fatal shooting of Walter Scott, left Judy Scott, center, Walter Scott's mother, is comforted by her son Rodney Scott, as the family attorneys, Chris Stewart, left, and Justin Bamberg, right, hold a press conference after the mistrial was declared The remark was immediately seized upon as an indication that Trump will press for the case to end, signaling his support for police who are forced to draw their weapons and open fire while on duty. But lawyer Justin Bamberg, speaking exclusively to Daily Mail.com, said Slager was guilty of murder and there isnt a person who thinks what Slager did was right. Bamberg, who has been legal adviser to the Scott family since Walter Scott was shot five times in the back by Slager, added: I think justice in this country shouldnt depend on race, gender or political affiliation. We know that under President Obamas leadership the department of justice has stepped in and decided to prosecute officer Slager for what he did, which was to murder an unarmed man in a fashion that no American citizen should be subjected to. I am hopeful that when President elect Trump is sworn in to office, we see the US Department of Justice continue in their efforts to move our country forward in the right direction. Lawyer Justin Bamberg (pictured) said Slager was guilty of murder and there isnt a person who thinks what Slager did was right' Bamberg has been legal adviser to the Scott family since Walter Scott was shot five times in the back by Slager Slager, 35, who was sacked by Charleston police after his arrest last April and charged with murder, walked free from a courtroom last night after a judge declared a mistrial. The jury deliberated for 22 hours, spread over four days, without reaching a unanimous verdict. But the prosecution stated that they would be seeking a re-trial and force Slager back into court with a fresh jury. Bamberg added: The jury wasnt saying that officer Slager was innocent. They are not saying this is a win for officer Slager or a loss for the Scott family. They just could not come to a unanimous decision, so it is my belief it was a sole juror who felt they did not have what they needed to convict him, whether it was a personal belief, whether it was their individual interpretation of the letter of the law. As far as what Pence said, it really is a situation when you have these individuals stepping into an office that they have never held. I am not inclined to read too much into his comments. I would urge Americans not to try and read between the lines and create this concept that they are leaning one way or the other. I know that there was some talk of the Department of Justice moving forward and gearing up the process for trial at the beginning of January, prior to January 20th and the inauguration event. We really just have to wait and seeI like to see the good in even the greyest of situations. At the end of the day, I think individuals who are tasked with operating on behalf of this country are going to make decisions that are in the best interest of this country. Michael Slager was escorted from the courthouse by security personnel on Monday Bamberg, a Democratic member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, said: I was not a Trump supporter by any long stretch of the imagination, but I am willing to give him and those people he is appointing to particular positions including his vice president and his pick for attorney general, the opportunity to prove that they care about all Americans and not just the select few. Asked what message would be sent by Trumps administration if they decided Slager should walk free without further judicial examination, he said: It will be absolutely devastating. He added: I think it will send a very bad message not just to the Scott family but to the millions of American citizens of all races of all genders and races that think that what this officer did was completely wrong. It sends the wrong message to the system of law enforcement. He said he would have no legal grounds to challenge the decision to overrule any further prosecution. Vice President-elect Mike Pence (left) declared the Trump (right) administration will be responsible for reviewing and deciding if Slager should be re-tried I am hopeful that they will quite simply do the right thing. Officer Slager did the complete opposite. He did the wrong thing and he deserves to pay for what he did to Walter Scott and his family deserves justice. He said Scotts parents still deeply grieved over the loss of their son, who was gunned down after a routine traffic stop over a faulty rear light on his car. They lost him in a way that no parent should have to lose a son. It is a lonely and difficult road to walk alone and we are going to be with them every step of the way. Millions of Americans are standing firm with the Scott family. They received a $6.5 million payout after North Charleston city officials approved civil settlement earlier this year. The family have asked for any protests in the light of Slagers mistrial to be peaceful. The shooting of the 50-year-old Scott was captured on widely distributed cellphone video that renewed a national debate about how blacks are treated by law officers. Taken by a barber on his way to work, the footage showed Scott being shot five times in the back as he ran from Slager. The 2015 incident (pictured) was caught on a bystander's cellphone video, intensifying the debate in the US States over racial bias by police The first shot was fired when Scott was 17 feet away from Slager. The video then shows Slager walking back to the spot where he struggled with Scott and picking up his Taser. He then drops it near Scott's body. Alameria, who was from the UAE and was studying law, was shot in the head his car and running off The student had been driving erratically before Emirati law student, Saif Nasser Mubarak Alameri, who has been shot dead by police in Ohio after he flipped over his car before trying to run off into the woods An Emirati law student has been shot dead by police in Ohio after he flipped over his car and tried to run off into the woods. Saif Nasser Mubarak Alameri, who was studying at Cleveland's Case Western Reserve University, died from a gunshot wound to the head on Sunday and his death has been ruled homicide. It came after police in Hudson, 30 miles north of Cleveland, say Alameri was speeding and driving erratically on the Ohio turnpike. He then sideswiped another vehicle, causing his car to flip on to the roof before he fled the scene of the crash. Responding officers from Hudson Police and Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers searched for him after he ran into nearby woods. A Hudson police officer fired shots at the man during a struggle, the city said. The officer, who has not been identified, was treated for minor injuries and has been placed on paid administrative leave. The Summit County medical examiner's office said Alameri was shot once in the head. The shooting then made front page news on Wednesday in the United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven sheikdoms on the Arabian Peninsula. Online, stunned Emiratis shared a smiling black-and-white photo of the 26-year-old with the Arabic hashtag 'Saif Nasser is in the hands of God.' Meanwhile a statement from the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the shooting as a 'painful incident' and that the country's diplomats would be investigating. Alameri, who was studying at Cleveland's Case Western Reserve University, died from a gunshot wound to the head on Sunday and his death has been ruled homicide Jill Del Greco, a spokeswoman for the Ohio attorney general's office, confirmed investigators from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which is examining the shooting, will be meeting with representatives of the United Arab Emirates. Home to Dubai, the UAE is a major U.S. ally in the Middle East. American drones and aircraft involved in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria fly out of its air bases. The UAE also deployed forces to Afghanistan after the U.S.-led invasion following the 9/11 terror attacks. However, this is the second incident in the space of just months involving police officers near Cleveland and an Emirati citizen. In June, Emirati businessman Ahmed al-Menhali was detained at gunpoint by police in Avon, Ohio, while wearing a traditional white kandura, or ankle-length robe, and headscarf In June, Emirati businessman Ahmed al-Menhali was detained at gunpoint by police in Avon, Ohio, while wearing a traditional white kandura, or ankle-length robe, and headscarf. His arrest came after the family of a hotel clerk wrongly told police that al-Menhali was pledging allegiance to ISIS. The city of Avon later apologized to al-Menhali, who was briefly hospitalized after the incident. Australian Netflix viewers will get access to new shows more quickly thanks to a new in-house classification system. The new system will allow Netflix to assess its own content rather than wait for the Classification Board to assign maturity ratings for new shows, the Financial Review reported. A new classification system will get Australian Netflix viewers up to speed with the rest of the world. Pictured, Kevin Spacey in the Netflix original series House of Cards The country's slow classification process risks leaving Aussie viewers in the dust while the rest of the world enjoys speedy access to original Netflix shows like Narcos and House of Cards. Television broadcasters already classify their own content, but Australia's Classification Board has been slow to adapt to online streaming services. 'Processing delays could result in content being premiered later in Australia than in other Netflix markets,' Netflix global public policy manager Joshua Korn told IT News in August. The U.S. streaming service Netflix teamed up with the Australian government to create an in-house ratings system similar to those used by television broadcasters Pictured, actor Pepe Rapazote on the set of the Netflix original show Narcos 'Netflix adds thousands of hours to its Australian catalogue each month. Many of these titles, including Netflix original content, have never been shown in Australia and need to be given an Australian classification and labelled with appropriate consumer advisories,' Korn said. The government has partnered with the U.S. streaming service to create the new system, which will be part of a 12-month pilot program, the Financial Review reported. Expensive 'free range' turkeys for the Christmas table may not be free range at all this year. The Government has announced that all free range poultry in England must be kept inside to head off any chance of a bird flu outbreak. Outbreaks of the H5N8 strain of bird flu have been confirmed on farms in France, Germany and Sweden. Christmas turkeys which have not yet been slaughtered will spend the rest of their lives indoors over bird flu fears. Outbreaks of the H5N8 strain of bird flu have been confirmed in France, Germany and Sweden There are fears that it will be brought to Britain by wild birds, infecting turkey, chicken and duck farms. The food and farming department, DEFRA, has ordered the immediate and compulsory housing of domestic chickens, hens, turkeys and ducks, or where this is not practical, their complete separation from contact with wild birds. This order to bring in the birds will last for at least 30 days. British food laws mean birds can only be described as free-range if they have spent at least 50 per cent of their lives outside. Many of the birds subject to the bird flu order to be kept inside have already spent much of their young life undercover. As a result, technically, they will not satisfy the free range criteria. However, the Government allows a special exception for those forced to keep birds in as a result of its emergency lock-in. Despite this, Richard Griffiths, chief executive of the British Poultry Council, said he thought producers and retailers should tell customers if their 'free range' turkeys are not technically free range. He stressed that the birds that will now be reared inside will not suffer in terms of welfare. Outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N8) have been confirmed in poultry and wild birds in several countries across Europe including France Germany and Sweden and fears are building it could come to the UK. No cases of H5N8 have been found in the UK and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs insists the order is a precautionary measure to help prevent potential infection from wild birds. No cases of H5N8 have been found in the UK and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs insists the order is a precautionary measure According to Public Health England (PHE) the threat of bird flu to human health remains 'very low'. Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens said: 'While no cases of H5N8 avian flu have been found in the UK, and PHE advises the public health threat is low, we are closely monitoring the situation across Europe and have scaled up surveillance in response to the heightened risk. 'As a precaution, and to allow time for poultry and captive bird keepers to put in place appropriate biosecurity measures, we have declared a 30-day Prevention Zone to reduce the risk of infection from wild birds. 'Even when birds are housed a risk of infection remains so this must be coupled with good biosecurity for example disinfecting clothing and equipment, reducing poultry movement and minimising contact between poultry and wild birds.' Mark Williams, chairman of the Poultry Health and Welfare Group, which represents the industry, said: 'We welcomes Defra's decision to bring in enhanced biosecurity requirements for poultry and captive birds, including temporarily housing poultry in England. This is a precautionary measure to help reduce the risk from a strain of avian flu circulating in mainland Europe. Major charities have shown widespread disregard for the privacy of their millions of donors by routinely snooping on them and passing on their private details, the Information Commissioner said last night. The RSPCA admitted snooping on all seven million of its donors without consent - routinely carrying out checks on their wealth, and in some cases trying to work out how much they might leave in their wills. And Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said other charities had also been found carrying out similar activities. Announcing fines to the RSPCA and the British Heart Foundation for sharing their donors details and secretly prying into their wealth, she said: Our investigations suggest that these activities are also being carried out by some other charities. Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denhamwarned charities that they risked fines worth hundreds of thousands of pounds And she warned charities that they risked fines worth hundreds of thousands of pounds if they continued to show such a disregard for peoples privacy. The ICOs investigation was launched after a Mail expose revealed how the RSPCA was paying investigators to find out how much money its donors might leave in their wills. Benefactors had no idea the charity was snooping on them or that their gifts, intended for suffering animals, were being used to fund the process. The data watchdog said yesterday that the RSPCA had abused the trust of its seven million donors by repeatedly paying investigators to pry into their wealth. Both the RSPCA and the British Heart Foundation had secretly screened millions of their donors so they could target them for more money it said. The charities also traced and targeted donors by piecing together personal information obtained from other sources. They also traded personal details of hundreds of thousands of donors, creating a massive pool of donor data for sale, the ICO found. Donors were not informed of these practices, and so were unable to consent or object. The millions of people who give their time and money to benefit good causes will be saddened to learn that their generosity wasnt enough, Ms Denham said. Both charities were found to have breached the Data Protection Act and could have faced fines of up to 250,000, the Information Commissioner said. But they were eventually given much smaller fines because it was considered that a major financial penalty would add to the distress of donors that their money was not being used properly. Ms Denham said she believed donors would be concerned by the idea that the contributions people have made to good causes could now be used to pay a regulators fine for their charitys misuse of personal information. RSPCA was fined just 25,000, and the British Heart Foundation just 18,000. Ms Denham said: My exercise of discretion should not take away from how serious these breaches were, nor from how disappointed donors will be with the two charities weve fined today. And she warned that charities could not expect to routinely receive such lenient treatment. The law exists to protect peoples rights and it applies irrespective of how altruistic the organisations motives might otherwise be, she added. During the investigation the RSPCA, it told the ICO that it repeatedly wealth screened all seven million of its supporters. It did not have their consent to do so. It said the practice was common among charities, that it had been doing it since 2010 and it had no plans to stop. The British Heart Foundation told the ICO it had been screening donors since at least 2009. It too provided details of seven million people to wealth management companies, without their consent. But the British Heart Foundation said it had no plans to continue screening. Both the RSPCA and the British Heart Foundation secretly screened millions of their donors so they could target them for more money Both charities also admitted hiring investigators to find information about its donors that they had declined to provide. The charities then used the additional information, which the donor did not know they had, to contact them for donations. The RSPCA and British Heart Foundation also took part in a scheme to share or swap personal data with other charities to get details of more people to contact and ask for money. The RSPCA passed on hundreds of thousands of donors details to other organisations every year- while the British Heart Foundation disclosed one million donors details to other organisations. The ICO also found that details of RSPCA supporters were shared even though they had ticked the box to opt-out. And even though it promised donors their names would only be shared with similar organisations -such as those involved with animal welfare they admitted to the ICO that they did not even know which organisations the details were actually being shared with. RSPCA chief executive, Jeremy Cooper, said last night: We are disappointed at the ruling and disagree with the conclusions drawn by the ICO. There is no suggestion that we lost or sold any personal data, but rather the ICO considered the information we gave to supporters on how their personal data would be used was inadequate. There has been one acknowledged contravention, through an inadvertent error, which we ourselves brought to the ICOs attention. We always strive to ensure that our practices fully comply with all relevant legislation and are carried out to a high standard. We are listening to the public and are changing the way we ask people to support our vital work which meets their needs and expectations, whilst safeguarding potentially vulnerable people. Simon Gillespie, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation, said: We are extremely disappointed in the action the ICO has taken. The British Heart Foundation has endeavoured to ensure our practices follow ICO and Institute of Fundraising guidelines and we are committed to constantly evolving and improving our approach. We have actively taken the decision never to share our supporters data with other fundraisers and we have made it clear to our supporters that this is the case. Elderly residents are being put at risk because private firms are abandoning home care services, the watchdog has warned. The Care Quality Commission said rising numbers of companies are pulling out of contracts with councils as they are no longer 'profitable.' According to the watchdog, the crisis in social care funding means authorities can only afford to pay firms very low rates. Elderly residents are being put at risk because private firms are abandoning home care services, the watchdog has warned (stock image) David Behan, chief executive of the CQC, said several major companies including Care UK had pulled out of local home care contracts. Giving evidence to MPs at the Health Select Committee, he said firms were unable to 'deliver the quality of care and the volumes of care at the price being offered'. Latest figures show that 57 per cent of councils have reported home care companies giving up their contracts in the past six months. The research by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services last month estimated that this had left more than 10,800 elderly and vulnerable residents without home care. Around 400,000 people in the UK receive council-funded home care and many have several visits a day to help them get up, wash and prepare meals. Local authorities subcontract services to private firms but recently they have had to slash the amount they pay due to a shortage of social care funding. Mr Behan told MPs that companies were 'leaving the market' and replacements were 'not coming in.' 'The vast majority of contracts handed back in our experience have been domiciliary care contracts where providers are saying: 'We can't deliver the quality of care and the volumes of care at the price being offered'.' The Care Quality Commission said rising numbers of companies are pulling out of contracts with councils as they are no longer 'profitable.' (stock image) Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK said: 'It's worrying to hear that some care providers are giving up trying to make existing contracts work as their costs rise but funding fails to keep pace, and if these organisations are losing confidence in the sustainability of the care sector how on earth are older people and their families supposed to put their trust in it? 'No care provider would ever walk away unless they felt they had no choice and the fact some are now doing so says a lot about the parlous state of the market at present.' A spokesman for the charity Independent Age said: 'Providers handing back contracts is a serious problem for two reasons. 'Firstly, it inevitably means disruption to the continuity of care that it important to older people. 'But secondly it's because it is a symptom of a system in crisis. Providers give up contracts because they can't provide good quality care at the price on offer and it is very unlikely that an alternative provider can either. They refused to follow the money when the BBC lost the Great British Bake Off. And now Great British Bake Off stars Sue Perkins, Mel Giedroyc and Mary Berry have been rewarded for their loyalty to the broadcaster with new shows. Sue Perkins will be presenting a brand new documentary series of her own. The three-part series for BBC1 will see the 47-year-old explore the Ganges river in India. Sue Perkins, Mary Berry, Mel Giedroyc (l-r) were all given new programmes on the BBC as a reward for their loyalty to the broadcaster She is expected to receive a bumper pay packet for the programme, titled The Ganges with Sue Perkins, which is due to air next year Her fellow Bake Off stars Mel Giedroyc, 48, and Mary Berry, 81, were also rewarded with new shows for refusing to follow Paul Hollywood to Channel 4. Bake Off judge Hollywood, 50, found himself at the centre of a storm after the hit programmes makers Love Productions sold out to Channel 4 in a 75million deal. His co-judge Miss Berry, as well as Bake Off presenters Miss Giedroyc and Miss Perkins, refused to switch with them and quit the show out of loyalty to the BBC. Mary Berry will star in two new BBC programmes, both centred around cooking However, Hollywood took the cash - estimated to be 1.5m over three years. Miss Berry has since been given two new BBC programmes. In September, it was announced she would present her own BBC1 programme Secrets From Britains Great Houses, set to air in 2017. In it she will explore the culinary histories of stately homes and produce her own recipes. She will also present a new six-part series on BBC Two titled Mary Berry Everyday which will see the star share family classics, easy recipes and special occasion dishes. Following the Bake Off decision, Miss Giedroyc has landed a presenting role in new BBC talent show Let It Shine The show, which begins next year, follows Gary Barlow as he scouts a new Take That to star in The Band an upcoming musical based on the boybands greatest hits. Miss Giedroyc and Miss Perkins will also co-host BBC1s Lets Sing and Dance for Comic Relief ahead of Red Nose Day 2017. It was announced that the Great British Bakeoff was making the move from the BBC to Channel 4 earlier this year. Paul Hollywood was the only judge to follow the show In September, Miss Giedroyc and Miss Perkins became the first of the Bake Off stars to reveal their position on the shows move. The pair, who have been with the show since the start in 2010 when its home was on BBC 2, said: We made no secret of our desire for the show to remain where it was. The BBC nurtured the show from its infancy and helped give it its distinctive warmth and charm, growing it from an audience of two million to nearly 15 at its peak. They added: Weve had the most amazing time on Bake Off, and have loved seeing it rise and rise like a pair of yeasted Latvian baps. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., suggested today at a congressional forum that even 'rational people' are talking about their states seceding from the union due to the Electoral College victory of President-elect Donald Trump. Lofgren was attending the event 'The Electoral College and the Future of American Democracy,' which was being hosted by the House Judiciary Committee Democrats. The California Democrat noted how 'for the second time in sixteen years, people the American voters elected did not become president,' pointing toward popular vote winners, and fellow Democrats, Hillary Clinton and Al Gore. 'Rational people, not the fringe, are now talking about whether states should be separated from the U.S., whether we should have a Constitutional Convention,' she said, noting two high-stakes plans. 'And I think as time goes on that is apt to become more the case unless we here can figure an answer to preventing the majority from being ruled by the minority,' she noted. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, a California Democrat, argued that people are talking about taking drastic measures because they're so fed up by the wins of Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton and George W. Bush over Al Gore Rep. Lofgren (far left) suggested that something had to be done or the problem would only get worse as bigger states are taking on more people, who have less of a voice in the Electoral College vote Talking about her home state of California, which has 55 Electoral Votes and helped Clinton with her growing popular vote win, Lofgren noted how the Electoral Vote total still doesn't account for the states massive and growing population. 'Coming from California I'm mindful that the votes of my constituents count one-third as compared to a Wyoming resident and, looking ahead to the stability of our democracy I don't think that that is a sustainable model,' she explained. Electoral Vote totals come from the number of representatives and senators, the latter of which is always two, each state has though because of that, doesn't accurately reflect states' populations, with little states getting a boost. 'That is aggravated by the disparity in taxation, where California, for example, pays more than it gets in services from the federal government,' she continued. 'Whereas some of the smaller states whose votes count three times as much as my constituents actually are net recipients of federal tax dollars,' she added. Lofgren predicted the problem was only going to get worse. 'This is barely sustainable today, but if you look 50 years in advance, where the bigger states are getting bigger and the little states are losing population, I don't think we can sustain American democracy by having the majority ruled by the minority,' the Democratic congresswoman argued. She implored her fellow Democrats to look at a variety of solutions, though noted one major hurdle: the Constitution. Larry Ward, 20, was arrested for allegedly abducting and raping an 11-year-old girl on her way to school in Memphis on Monday An 11-year-old Memphis girl was on her way to school when she was suddenly hit by an SUV, then abducted and raped by the driver before being left in a ditch. Larry Ward, 20, has been charged with aggravated kidnapping, rape of a child and aggravated assault. The girl was walking to the bus stop on her way to Geeter Middle School when she was hit by a blue SUV around 7am on Monday. She told police that the driver then got out of the car and forced her inside, driving off before brutally assaulting her. Cameron Fifer was on his way to work when he saw the girl crying in a corner of the road. It was just minutes after the attack. 'Man, phew. Her face. Something just struck fear in her definitely,' he told LocalMemphis.com. Fifer said he asked the girl what happened, and the first thing she said was: 'I got raped'. 'She was like, "I was hit by a truck, a blue truck, and the guy proceeded to rape me.'" The girl was taken to a nearby hospital in non-critical condition and has since been released. Her mother said she was battered and bruised, according to WTKR. Ward was arrested after authorities located a Santa Fe Hyundai that matched the girl's description of the SUV just two miles from the attack, according to police. His physical appearance, as well as his clothes, also matched the child's description and he was arrested. The Memphis Police Department made the case a 'top priority', searching hours for the suspect to get justice for his victim. Video courtesy of FOX 19 The girl was walking along this road when Ward allegedly hit her with his SUV, forced her inside the car and then drove off before raping her The Memphis Police Department made the case a 'top priority', searching hours for the suspect to get justice for the young girl 'That broke my heart to imagine that a little innocent 11-year-old girl on the way to school was brutally attacked by anyone,' MPD Director Mike Rallings told WMC. 'I'm glad that we worked again to bring that family some closure.' News of the attack spread through the community, breaking neighbors' hearts but also putting them on edge. 'It's sad that somebody would do a child like that,' said neighbor Jimmie Blanchard. 'The youth is everything. They are the future.' Resident Thepeleton Richmond said the neighborhood had never seen such a brutal attack. 'We never had issues like that over here,' he said. 'Never ever. Not issues about rape. This is like a family community over here. ' Ward's criminal record includes a burglary arrest in 2015. He was also arrested for driving with a suspended or revoked license earlier this year. Rallings has continued to encourage parents in the community to make sure their children can walk with a friend or large group rather than alone. Carr Allison announces two associates, Jordan K. Carpenter and Erin Gomez, have joined their Chattanooga office. Mr. Carpenters practice areas include premises liability, insurance, professional liability, and construction. He earned his bachelors degree in environmental science from the University of Alabama and his law degree from Vermont Law School. While at the University of Alabama, Mr. Carpenter was president of the Campus Veterans Association and a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society. At Vermont Law School, he was a staff member for the Vermont Law Review and served as a senator in the Student Bar Association. Mr. Carpenter is admitted to practice in Tennessee. Before becoming an attorney, he spent six years as a psychological operations specialist in the United States Army. He deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan with the 9th Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne).Ms. Gomez will focus her practice on commercial transportation, premises liability, professional liability, and labor and employment litigation. She received a BA in Spanish and international studies from Maryville College, in Maryville, Tn. She earned her juris doctor from Emory University School of Law, where she served as an editor of the Emory International Law Review, a student member of the Emory International Humanitarian Law Clinic, and president of Emory Immigration Law Practice Society. While in law school, Ms. Gomez interned with the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Labor, and The Coca-Cola Company. This is the horrifying moment a grenade was blasted through the hand of an army cadet where it became wedged tight after having been fired from a grenade launcher. Fortunately, the grenade did not explode in the dramatic incident which happened during military exercises near the southern Ukrainian city of Odessa. The cadet, whose name has not been released, was taking part in an exercise at the Odessa Military Academy when the explosive device was accidentally fired into his hand from a grenade launcher. A soldier suffered horrific injuries after a grenade was embedded in his hand after being fired by a launcher during a military exercise in Odessa, Ukraine Fortunately for the cadet, the grenade did not explode but was lodged in his hand His shocked fellow soldiers raised the alarm and paramedics, police and the bomb squad quickly arrived on the scene. Pictures taken by police officers show the young man lying face down, covered by protective bulletproof blankets, as a brave bomb squad officer kneels beside him to disarm the device. The VOG-25P type grenade, which is a bouncing grenade with a small explosive charge in the tip, and which can be clearly seen protruding through both sides of his hand in the photographs, was safely removed and destroyed. The young soldier survived the horrific accident and is being treated for his injuries in hospital. The VOG-25P type grenade, pictured, was safely removed from the hand and destroyed The soldier survived the ordeal and is now being treated for his injuries in hospital Netizen 'Vasya' commented: "I don't understand how the grenade got there? Did he pull the trigger while he was charging the launcher?" Ukraine is believed to have lost a number of soldiers in military training accidents over the last few year. The total number has not been reported but a number of fatal incidents have been reported by the local media. Pregnant women are dying because doctors too often miss the clear symptoms of heart disease, a major report warns today. Cardiac disease is the biggest single cause of death among pregnant women and new mothers - and maternal death rates linked to heart problems have doubled since the 1980s. Yet doctors often ignore the warning signs because they mistakenly believe heart problems would not strike young women, experts warn. Pregnant women are dying because doctors too often miss the clear symptoms of heart disease, a major report warns today The national audit, led by experts at Oxford University, found a quarter of maternal deaths are linked to cardiac disease. The authors of the report - the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths - highlighted the many instances when pregnant women displayed clear symptoms and signs of cardiac disease which were not recognised. This was often because heart disease was simply not considered in a young pregnant woman, they said. When women arrive at hospital doctors are content to simply rule out certain problems and send them home, rather than trying to reach a firm diagnosis as to what is causing her symptoms, the researchers said. And clear red flags - such as high blood pressure - are often missed. In a bid to reverse the problem, they issued new guidance to women which said: You should expect to have your blood pressure and urine tested at every antenatal visit. Make sure this is happening. If it is not, ask why not. Experts have long warned cardiovascular problems are more likely to be missed among women than among men, because doctors tend to consider heart disease a male problem. But this is particularly the case during pregnancy, when doctors might think the patient is simply too young to be suffering heart problems. Yet they are at extra risk during this time because of the strain carrying a baby places on the heart and the symptoms of cardiovascular disease can be masked by the pregnancy. The actual numbers who die are small - 2.18 women per 100,000 maternities died of cardiac problems during or soon after pregnancy between 2012 and 2014, the audit found. This equates to roughly 17 every year - a quarter of the 67 women who die during pregnancy or in the first six weeks after a baby is born in Britain and Ireland each year. Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, stressed maternal deaths are very rare, but admitted the Government has a long way to go Cardiac-related pregnancy deaths, however, have more than doubled from 1.01 per 100,000 since 1985. The report authors looked in depth at 153 womens deaths from the last five years. In one case, a woman went to her GP and hospital five times within two weeks complaining of cough, shortness of breath and problems breathing when lying down. Despite realising the woman had a fast heart rate, doctors only prescribed antibiotics to which the woman failed to respond. Eventually, doctors realised she was suffering heart failure. The baby was delivered by Caesarean but the mother died. Another woman in her last trimester of pregnancy complained of such severe chest pain that it was causing her to sit upright in a chair at night. Hospital doctors ruled out the possibility that the woman was suffering from a blood clot but did not investigate further and discharged her. She collapsed and died a few days later. Had a scan been ordered right at the start, she could have been saved - but this window of opportunity was missed, the report authors said. Overall, the authors concluded red flags were being missed too often. This report highlighted many instances when pregnant and postpartum women had clear symptoms and signs of cardiac disease, which were not recognised, often because the diagnosis was simply not considered in a young pregnant woman, they wrote. There was evidence of a focus on excluding, rather than making, a diagnosis in women who presented repeatedly for care. Cardiac disease is the biggest single cause of death among pregnant women and new mothers - and maternal death rates linked to heart problems have doubled since the 1980s They found overall 200 women died during or shortly after pregnancy between 2012 and 2014 - 67 each year. Some 105 of their babies were delivered and survived, but they left behind a further 253 children, meaning a total of 358 children have been left without mothers. Between 2012 and 2014 the overall death rate was 8.5 per 100,000 maternities, down slightly from 10.63 in 2009-11, 11.39 in 2006-08 and 13.95 in 2003-05. The report said that the Governments ambition to cut maternal deaths by 50 per cent by 2030 would be a major challenge, given the slow progress so far. It highlighted huge progress in cutting maternal deaths from sepsis, mostly due to tackling flu during pregnancy. But suicide remains a major problem, with death rates unchanged in 20 years. Professor Marian Knight of Oxford University, who led the research, said: Whilst dying from heart disease in pregnancy or after childbirth is uncommon, women need to be aware that they may be at risk, particularly older women. Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: Its a tragedy that heart disease is taking womens lives at what should be one of the happiest times a family can have. Doctors should be vigilant and consider heart disease when a pregnant woman is experiencing symptoms such as chest pain. These findings are an urgent reminder that heart disease comes in many forms and can strike almost anyone. Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, stressed maternal deaths are very rare, but admitted the Government has a long way to go. Doctors and nurses should help children with terminal cancer draw up bucket lists of their hopes and dreams, according to the health watchdog. NICE is urging medical staff to draw up care plans with youngsters and their parents which include their life ambitions and wishes. This could include places they want to visit, finishing their GCSEs as well as making specific wishes for who should be given precious belongings. Medics or care workers developing care plans for youngsters should ask about their "life ambitions and wishes", according to new guidance on end-of-life care for children and young people from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) The guidelines are the latest in a string of announcements from NICE, whose main role is to decide what drugs should be available on the NHS. Critics have accused the watchdog of nannying and urged it to stick to recommending new drugs. The watchdog has compiled guidelines to improve the care of the 40,000 children and teenagers in England with life limiting conditions. This includes any illness which cant be cured such as certain types of cancer, cystic fibrosis or liver failure. Dr Emily Harrop, a consultant specialising in paediatric palliative care in Oxford, who helped to develop the guideline, said: The child or a parent, depending on the childs age, should also be asked about life ambitions. When we start a conversation about end-of-life planning, rather than introduce that with a very closed question or a very negative question, we often start by asking for things like What do you hope for? What do you aspire to do for yourself? What would you hope your child to achieve? It is incredible what you get back actually. Its rarely as simple as youd think. It is always very, very individual. For the adolescents I care for, a lot of it is about their legacy, what they leave behind. Stephen Sutton (pictured), who battled cancer in 2013, compiled a bucket list of 43 weird and wonderful things he wanted to achieve before his death. He accomplished many of them including a skydive and playing the drums in front of 90,000 people before a Champions League final at Wembley. The 19 year old from Burntwood in Staffordshire died in May 2014 Its about what they wish to achieve with the time they have - do they want to do their GCSEs? If they have treasured possessions, are they desperate to know who they are going to leave those to? Professor Mark Baker, director for the centre of guidelines at NICE said: To lose a child is a tragic, life-changing event. But the care given to a child and their family during this difficult time can offer great comfort, if done properly. As he battled cancer in 2013, Stephen Sutton compiled a bucket list of 43 weird and wonderful things he wanted to achieve before his death. He accomplished many of them including a skydive and playing the drums in front of 90,000 people before a Champions League final at Wembley. The 19 year old from Burntwood in Staffordshire died in May 2014 having raised 3.2 million for charity. NICE has issued a string of guidelines in the past few months and only last week called for 50 mph speed limits on motorways to slash air pollution. The watchdog is better known as the NHSs drugs rationing body but in recent years its remit has expanded to cover public health advice. Long-suffering Southern Rail commuters faced more delays and cancellations today, as the RMT continued its three day conductors' strike. Southern Rail said they were only able to run only 50 per cent of their full timetable, as another rail Union ASLEF ordered their members not to carry out any 'non-contractual work' including an indefinite ban on overtime. The disruption is set to continue tomorrow, as the operator struggles through a second day of the crippling walkout. A wave of nine more days of drivers' strike is set to begin on December 13, as ASLEF are set to call their members to take industrial action. Southern Rail say that if ASLEF strikes go ahead, no Southern services will operate on these days. Long-suffering Southern Rail commuters faced more delays and cancellations today At Victoria Station, many commuters were faced with familiar 'Cancelled' and 'Delayed' signs. Rob, 43, who works in IT, was on his way to attend a conference in Battersea. But as he lives in Sittingbourne, Kent, he had got up at 5am, two hours early, in order to arrive on time. Rob said: 'It is stupid. I've almost got used to the fact that it happens. 'I've been delayed 25 minutes today so far, but luckily I woke up at 5am, to adjust for it. 'I shouldn't really have to leave my house until 7am.' However, Rob said he did believe conductors played an important role in safety. He said: 'I think it's important that you do have someone there, helping people out if there is a problem. 'Even if we have the technology, we should still have a conductors on the trains.' Meanwhile Lydia, 46, waited anxiously to see whether her train to Brighton would arrive on time. Lydia, a marketing director, said her weekly commute to Brighton for a full day of meetings, had become very difficult to predict. She said: 'I'm very lucky because I only come down once a week. 'I come from Cambridge and go to London Victoria then on to Brighton. 'I've been doing that since February 2014. 'Southern was bad when I started but I've definitely seen it deterioriate. 'I used to get the 9am train from Victoria and I would get to the office at 9.40am. 'They then cancelled that train under the new revised timetable, which has just made things worse. 'They only brought that timetable in to improve their fail rate. ' A Southern Rail spokesperson confirmed all West London Line, London Bridge - Beckenham Junction and Brighton to Seaford services would be cancelled on Tuesday. Metro services were also reduced. At Victoria Station, many commuters were faced with familiar 'Cancelled' and 'Delayed' signs However, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), Southern's parent company, has applied to the High Court to stop the ASLEF strikes, with the hearing likely to be heard next week. Southern Director Alex Foulds said: 'Regrettably, because of this wholly unnecessary and unjustified industrial action, there will be severe and significant disruption on our network from next Tuesday and customers are advised that stations will be incredibly busy. 'If passengers can make alternative travel arrangements they should, and if they don't have to travel they shouldn't. If the drivers' strikes go ahead, there will be no services on Southern and customers should not attempt to travel. 'We're doing everything we can to stop the drivers' strike and that's why we a seeking an injunction in the High Court next week. 'This industrial action is a clearly co-ordinated and cynical manoeuvre by the unions to bring yet further travel misery to passengers as well as having a detrimental impact on the regional economy when it least needs it. 'If the unions are listening to passengers then they will call off all industrial action now and give hardworking commuters and their families their lives back.' Meanwhile Church of England bishops called for an end to the 'circle of blame' in the ongoing dispute affecting Southern trains as another wave of strikes brought misery to travellers. In a letter, the bishops in Sussex said the dispute was threatening the economic health and development of communities, and they called for someone to 'lead the way'. The church leaders said that those jointly responsible for the troubles on the trains have a 'moral duty to alleviate the damage that the disruption is causing'. The letter, by the Bishop of Chichester, Dr Martin Warner, and backed by the Bishop of Horsham, Mark Sowerby, and Bishop of Lewes, Richard Jackson, is jointly addressed to Southern's parent firm Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), union leaders and the Department for Transport. The letter said: 'We understand the complexity of the issues for those jointly responsible for this dispute. But we believe they have a pressing moral duty to alleviate the damage that the disruption is causing to our communities. 'The weight of responsibility in this dispute was summed up by someone who wrote to us, as bishops in Sussex, and put this simple question: 'Who will break the circle of blame?' 'Someone has to lead the way.' The US faces the highest threat from Islamist terror since September 11, according to a report released by the House's Homeland Security Committee. The committee warned of a 'surge' in homegrown radicalized terrorism and the persistent threat heading into 2017, according to the December Terror Threat Snapshot report released Tuesday. Of the 227 homegrown jihadist cases recorded in the 15 years since the 9/11 attacks, 115 of those occurred in the last two years, the report stated. Within the US, 35 people across 18 states have been arrested so far in 2016 on terror-related charges like plots to attack, traveling overseas, and weapons charges There have 62 ISIS plots to attack the West this year, and a total of 215 people have been killed as a result, with another 732 injured (pictured, a masked man in an ISIS video from 2014) The committee's Republican Chairman Michael McCaul of Texas cited the attack last week at Ohio State University as 'proof' of the persistent problem. Abdul Razak Ali Artan reportedly mowed down students and staff at Ohio State University before launching a knife attack, injuring 11 people. He was shot dead by a police officer at the scene, and police are still investigating his motive, citing terrorism as a possibility. McCaul highlighted the ongoing challenges and said: 'Groups like ISIS are radicalizing new operatives from within our borders, and just this week their new spokesman called for more inspired attacks by supporters "all over the world". McCaul was referencing Abi al-Hassan al-Muhajer, who encouraged lone wolf fanatics in Europe, US and Russia to attack people 'in their markets, roads and clubs' after ISIS' previous spokesman was killed in a U.S. air strike in Syria on August 30. Within the US, 35 people across 18 states have been arrested so far in 2016 on terror-related charges like plots to attack, traveling overseas, and weapons charges. Internationally, there have 62 ISIS plots to attack the West this year, and a total of 215 people have been killed as a result, with another 732 injured. The committee's Republican Chairman Michael McCaul of Texas (pictured) is in talks to become Donald Trump's secretary of Homeland Security (right, entering Trump Tower) McCaul, who is in talks to become Donald Trump's secretary of Homeland Security, said: 'Make no mistake: we face a deadlier threat than ever before not only because our enemies have gotten savvier, but because we took the pressure off them. 'For eight years, the Obama Administration reluctantly played global whack-a-mole with terrorists rather than leaning into the fight with decisive leadership. 'Because of this, the Trump Administration will inherit a generational struggle that has only gotten longer. But rest assured, we will work closely with them to turn the table on these fanatics.' McCaul has expressed his interest in becoming the secretary of Homeland Security and met with the president-elect at Trump Tower last week. He pushed back against criticism from the right and emphasized his strong stance on illegal immigration. In an opinion piece in FOX, he wrote: 'I will help champion President Trumps vision...and stop jihadists from exploiting our immigration system to enter the country posing as tourists, immigrants, and refugees.' McCaul also insisted that a wall would be built along the border with Mexico, and proposed a 'payment plan' for our southern neighbor, along with 'other countries in Latin America', to fund the construction. He did not specify which of those countries should contribute. A woman who fatally stabbed her violent drug-addled ex-partner has had her manslaughter conviction overturned. Jessica Silva, from Sydney, has won the appeal on the grounds that she was acting in self defence when she repeatedly stabbed James Polkinghorne to death with a kitchen knife on Mother's Day 2012. Her estranged partner had threatened her over the phone that he wanted to 'cave her f***ing head in' and 'bash the f***' out of her before he arrived at her Marrickville home high on ice. She was found guilty of manslaughter last year after pleading not guilty to murder. Jessica Silva (pictured in June) has won her appeal against her manslaughter conviction Ms Silva has won the appeal on the grounds that she was acting in self defence when she repeatedly stabbed James Polkinghorne (right) to death The NSW Court of Criminal Appeal on Wednesday allowed the appeal by majority, quashing the manslaughter conviction and sentence imposed. Outside court, her lawyer Adam Houda said there are no winners in this case, but the decision 'means everything' for Ms Silva. 'She's been emphatically cleared of any wrongdoing,' Mr Houda said. '(The) jury got it half right - they cleared her of murder but got the manslaughter verdict wrong. 'Today's decision sees that history corrected and preserves her legacy, which is extremely important for my client, for one day her son can read about her harrowing ordeal of brutality and she survived.' She challenged the conviction on the grounds that she was acting in self defence In 2014, Ms Silva had her conviction downgraded to manslaughter after she pleaded not guilty to murder by a NSW Supreme Court jury. The court heard Ms Silva had endured relentless abuse during her four-year relationship with Mr Polkinghorne. Lord Carlile said the problem has got worse during the rise of Islamic State Hundreds of thousands of pounds in British benefits have been used to fund terrorism in recent years, a former watchdog chief has claimed. Lord Carlile, the former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, issued the warning the day after it emerged two men living in Birmingham handed thousands in wrongly-paid state handouts to terror suspect 'The Man in the Hat'. Lord Carlile said the problem had become worse during the rise of ISIS which gained prominence in 2014 after seizing swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria. He called on the Government to put in place a system to monitor housing benefit paid to people when they leave the country. It comes after the conviction of a Belgian national who helped to fund terrorism by giving cash from overpaid benefits to Brussels bombing suspect Mohamed Abrini during a secret rendezvous in a Birmingham park. Zakaria Boufassil, together with Mohammed Ali Ahmed, supplied 3,000 to Abrini, dubbed 'the man in the hat' after he was caught on CCTV at Brussels airport just before the bombing in March. Zakaria Boufassil (left) and Mohammed Ali Ahmed (right) face jail for handing over 3,000 from an account containing housing benefit payments to terror suspect Mohamed Abrini Abrini is suspected of being the so-called 'Man in the Hat' terrorist in the Brussels bombing On Tuesday, Boufassil, 26, from Birmingham, was found guilty at Kingston Crown Court in south-west London of engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism. Lord Carlile told The Times: 'Several hundred thousand pounds in small remittances have been used to fund terrorism in one way or another.' He added: '(Such activity) has increased during the rise of Isis. Certainly the Government should ensure that there is more triage available when housing benefits recipients are known to have gone to another country.' In 2005, Detective Chief Superintendent Terri Nicholson, then assistant commander at the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism command unit, said she was certain that ISIS operatives were abusing the UK's lucrative benefit system to help finance terror. 'We are seeing a diverse fraud, including substantial fraud online, abuse of the benefits system, abuse of student loans, in order to fund terrorism,' she said. Nicholson added that women were being used to smuggle welfare money out of Britain to fund terrorists abroad, because they supposedly around less suspicion. Fears have previously been raised that British ISIS fighters were accessing UK benefits Authorities say they are 'appalled' and 'disgusted' after a train station in Victoria was used as the set for an amateur porn film. The eight-minute film, called Trainline Tramp, was recorded at North Shore Railway Station, in Norlane, back in April but has just come to the attention of train bosses. It features Melbourne graffiti artist Staytrue, known for creating murals while dressed in little more than a short skirt or lingerie. Authorities say they are 'appalled' and 'disgusted' after discovering that an amateur porn film was recorded at a Geelong train station The film, called Trainline Tramp, features Melbourne graffiti artist Staytrue (pictured) and was filmed at North Shore Railway Station back in April V/Line spokesman Rob Curtain confirmed that authorities are aware of the video, but would not offer further comment. He said bosses were 'appalled and disgusted' by the behaviour depicted. Police and railway bosses say they are working together to try and identify those involved in making the film so they can be prosecuted. The footage depicts several sex acts on a bench toward the end of the platform (right) as well as full intercourse The footage depicts Staytrue walking on to the platform in a short skirt, in similar fashion to other films of her work. She then attempts to tag a railway shelter before being 'caught' by a man wearing a mask over his face. The pair then perform several sex acts on a bench toward the end of the platform, including full intercourse. Staytrue has a cult following on Facebook where she posts images of herself painting on trains while wearing revealing clothing Troubled former AFL star Ben Cousins has been arrested after allegedly breaching a violence restraining order. The fallen former footballer, 38, was arrested in Canning Vale, in Perth's southern suburbs, on Tuesday night. The former captain of the West Coast Eagles will face Armadale Magistrates Court on Wednesday over the incident. Scroll down for video Troubled former AFL star Ben Cousins, pictured leaving court in October, has again been arrested Cousins now faces a string of charges including two counts of possessing methamphetamine, breaching bail by failing to appear in court in November, and three breaches to a violence restraining order. In addition to his Wednesday court appearance he will front the remaining charges on December 13. Two weeks ago Ben Cousins allegedly crashed his car into a truck in High Wycombe, Perth, on the 22nd December. The crash happened just hours after Cousins failed to show for a court appearance on November 22, triggering a warrant for his arrest. The Brownlow medallist, who has a long history of drug abuse, was suspended from the AFL for one year in 2007 for breaching team rules. He has since been the centre of numerous scandals, including being hospitalised in June after standing in the middle of Canning Highway in Como directing traffic. More on this to come Two cousins charged with gunning down two teenage girls at close range more than 40 years ago have admitted their murders. Larry Don Patterson pleaded guilty and his cousin William Lloyd Harbour pleaded no contest to two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of 12-year-old Valerie Janice Lane and Doris Karen Derryberry, 13, in 1973. The two were charged with the murders of the teens in September in a long-stalled cold case in Yuba County, California. Larry Don Patterson (left), of Oklahoma, and William Lloyd Harbour (right), of California who have both pleaded guilty to killing Valerie Lane, 12, and Doris Derryberry, 13, in 1973. Both men were 22 at the time It was only in 2014 that a state forensics lab matched DNA from the two suspects to semen found on Derryberry. The two men are 65-year-old cousins who both lived near the victims in Olivehurst when they were killed 43 years ago. The two girls' mothers first reported them missing in November 1973 after they failed to return home overnight from a shopping trip to the local mall. The Yuba County Sheriff's Department was notified and a few hours later their bodies were discovered. They were found along a dirt road in a wooded area near Marysville, north of Sacramento, where they had been shot at close range. Valerie Janice Lane (left) and Doris Karen Derryberry (right) were reported missing by their mothers when they didn't return from a trip to the mall on November 12, 1973. They were later found dead having been shot at close range Investigators in the 1970s carefully noted each of the more than 60 people they interviewed, but the suspects' names never came up. They later considered Patterson after he was charged in 1976 with raping two women in nearby Chico but they found no link to the killing of the two girls until the DNA match decades later. Both men previously pleaded not guilty. They did not face the death penalty because it wasn't an option when the girls were sexually assaulted and killed. Harbour had been living in Oklahoma and was extradited to face the charges in California. Yuba County public defender Brian Davis, who represented Harbour, said his client was relieved to have the case end. He said: 'It is a weight off his shoulders, and he is happy to have a resolution. He has been living with this for the last 43 years. At a court hearing earlier this year, Derryberry's nephew Stan Vantassel, revealed how the family lived opposite Harbour for years after her murder Michael Sullinger, an attorney representing Patterson, did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment on Tuesday. Both men now face five years to life in prison, under sentencing laws at the time of the crime. At a court hearing earlier this year, Derryberry's nephew spoke of how her murder had affected his family, especially as they discovered Harbour lived across the road from them. Stan Vantassel told ABC 10: 'It was extremely difficult knowing, as children, living and growing up in the neighborhood that we were running around with some of their children. Work is set to begin next month on the construction of a park at the former Charles A. Bell School in Alton Park. The school at 3501 Central Ave. closed in 1989. It was razed in 2011. The City Council on Tuesday night approved a $881,647 contract with P&C Construction for the work. It will include a pavilion, restrooms, trails, ball fields, picnic tables, grills and landscaping. Justice is finally being done. Its outstanding news that after three years of unremitting nightmare for Sgt Alexander Blackman, the authorities appear to have seen sense. Even at this stage, it cannot be a foregone conclusion that his conviction for murder on the battlefield will be dropped, but that is the only sane outcome. It is the one the public demands, through its momentous backing for the Daily Mails campaign. He should be released from prison immediately. If there are any legal means for him to be given bail pending his release, it should happen today. The courts should move immediately. Get him out now. If there was any justice, Sgt Blackman should spend Christmas with his family. That would be a great morale boost not only for them, but for the many supporters he has in the Armed Forces as well as millions like me who are sickened to see a brother in arms treated so treacherously. Its outstanding news that after three years of unremitting nightmare for Sgt Alexander Blackman, the authorities appear to have seen sense He should not be in prison at all. This case should never have come to a court martial. The charges could have been dismissed by a senior military officer and if none of his superiors had the courage to do that, the Defence Secretary should have ruled he was not to be tried. The Criminal Cases Review Commission declared yesterday that Sgt Blackman may have been suffering from diminished responsibility due to stress and battle fatigue. I could have told them that. In fact, I said it loudly and often, and so did many others. Our voices were ignored the sound of common sense and, on the ground, military experience, silenced by political correctness. Having studied the case, I know he was not acting in character when he shot a Taliban insurgent a man who could well have been dead already when Sgt Blackman fired. A demonstration in support of Sgt Alexander Blackman in Parliament Square, London: His wife Claire with his mother and father, alongside thousands of Marines This occurred at the end of an assault on a British base in Helmand Province, during a tour from hell in which Sgt Blackmans comrades had been tortured and their body parts hung from trees. He was a man suffering severe battle fatigue at the end of a six-month tour of duty. That is such a significant factor in his case, I am appalled it was not given far more weight. I have seen similar situations, where people under immense, prolonged pressure behave in uncharacteristic ways. It doesnt take much experience or knowledge to understand this, and it shouldnt take a psychiatrist five minutes to figure it out . . . not three years. Before Sgt Blackmans trial, I spoke to his lawyer and got the distinct impression that the court was not interested in seeking expert judgment. Without pressure from the Mail and its readers, this turnabout would not have happened. It shows the power of a free Press, not only to draw attention to injustices but also to highlight the scandal of faulty equipment and the appalling treatment of soldiers who have been wounded or discharged. Wedding day: Sgt Alexander Blackman with his wife Claire on their wedding day But we cant afford to relax. For one thing, there is the spectre of a retrial, possibly on charges of manslaughter. This would be a further gross miscarriage of justice. It cannot be stated too plainly: there should not be any new charges. Once the murder conviction has been wiped out, it should be recognised that Sgt Blackman was a fine, brave marine who risked his life for his country. Lets never forget that his only mistake was to be courageous enough to go into action for his country in the first place, instead of staying safely at home with all his armchair critics in Britain. There can never be enough compensation for him and his family, but what can be done is to ensure his future psychological health is safeguarded. To spend three years in prison, after already undergoing what he experienced in battle, will take it from me have inflicted considerable damage to his mental health. We owe him everything we can do to put that right, as far as possible. On a broader level, this insidious hounding of our troops has to stop. The Press must continue to fight for soldiers who are being victimised for political ends. Ministers need to start backing our soldiers, not indulge in schoolboy posturing. Sgt Blackman was the first British serviceman ever to be convicted of murder on the battlefield. He must also be the last. The military hierarchy must understand the terrible damage done to the morale of our fighting troops by such betrayals as this. One day, we will send marines and soldiers into battle again. They need to know they are being supported by the ruling class, not hung out to dry. The trio have been charged with importing a commercial quantity of cocaine The 28-year-old appeared in court via A glamorous Canadian woman accused of helping smuggle an estimated $30 million cocaine haul into Australia has appeared in court wearing a dark green prison jumpsuit. Isabelle Lagace, 28, appeared at Sydney's Central Local Court via video link from Silverwater womens jail on Wednesday morning with dark circles under her eyes. The former porn star was arrested in Sydney alongside her co-accused Melina Roberge, 23, and Andre Tamine, 64, after authorities allegedly found 95 kilograms of cocaine in their cabin luggage on board the MS Sea Princes in August. Scroll down for video Isabelle Lagace, 28, has fronted court for her alleged involvement in a cocaine smuggling ring Lagace (right) was arrested alongside her co-accused Melina Roberge, 22, (left) in August Only lawyers for co-accused Ms Roberge and Mr Tamine were present on Wednesday, with all three matters listed for a two-and-a-half hour committal hearing on December 16. Ms Lagace, originally from Quebec, remained composed throughout the brief appearance. She spoke only three words - yes and thank you. Ms Lagace and Ms Roberge were holidaying on the MS Sea Princess when US and Australian police co-ordinated an operation to track the trio. Australian Border Force Commander Tim Fitzgerald has alleged 35 kilograms of cocaine were found in a cabin shared by the two women after the ship docked in Sydney Harbour. Police allege the trio tried to smuggle $31 million worth of cocaine into Australia The pair posted holiday happy snaps from the cruise before their arrest in August Lagace posted an image of her on a beach in Tahiti with the caption 'collect moments, not things' Only lawyers for Ms Roberge (pictured) and Mr Tamine were present on Wednesday Meantime, 60 kilograms were found in the Montreal mans luggage in a separate room, Fitzgerald alleged. All three Quebec natives were charged with importing a commercial quantity of cocaine and remain in custody. The maximum penalty for the charge is life imprisonment. The young women's social media accounts showed the pair having the time of their life in the months leading up to their arrest. Pictures show them taking part in a range of activities from drinking coconuts on the beach to riding quad bikes through the desert while on the $20,000 (US $15,000) cruise. The young women's social media accounts showed the pair having the time of their life in the months leading up to their arrest They shared many photographs showing them swimming in crystal clear waters The alleged drug mules were pictured in Los Gemelos throwing their hands in the air Roberge is seen here atop a mountain overlooking the sea in Ecuador Lagace, 28, formerly worked as a porn star. She starred in erotic videos They also posted pictures on Facebook showing off their toned bodies and the exotic locations they travelled to before their arrest. They visited Colombia, French Polynesia Chile, Peru and New Zealand. The Green Party did not contest the Richmond Park by-election after it was offered a 250,000 to sit it out, it has been claimed. A leaked report from the Kingston Green Party suggests an anonymous donor put up the cash on the proviso the party enter a progressive alliance with the Liberal Democrats. The by-election was triggered by Zac Goldsmiths resignation from the Conservative Party over the decision to expand Heathrow Airport, with the former MP losing the by-election by fewer than 2,000 votes to Lid Dem Sarah Olney after running as an independent. The Richmond by-election was won by Lib Dem candidate Sarah Olney, pictured, by fewer than 2,000 votes over independent rival Zac Goldsmith But Green Party activists allege senior members, including co-leader Jonathan Bartley, pictured with son Samuel, put pressure on the local Kingston and Richmond branches not to run a candidate in the by-election after an anonymous offer of a 250,000 donation According to the report, which was leaked to the Guido Fawkes website, the local Richmond and Twickenham branch of the Greens was encouraged not to put a candidate forward by several senior members, including co-leader Jonathan Bartley, with a decision eventually taken not to contest the seat. Under Green Party rules, the Kingston branch would have been able to put up a candidate instead, but the report alleges pressure was brought against it in the form of phone calls, social media messages and emails. It is said the Kingston party was told about the offer of the donation on November 2, just six days before the deadline to register a candidate. One day later the Green Party announced it would not be contesting the seat. The report said: Party staff present at the meeting on 2nd November informed a group of activists, in confidence, that the party staff were keen for us to agree to stand down. This was because there would be serious, but confidential, implications for the national party so serious that they could even affect the jobs of party staff in the event that we did not do so. It added: We believe that the decision of party staff to divulge details of the conditional offer of a donation was wholly wrong. Not only should party staff have been impartial in the decision, but knowledge of a large conditional donation should not have been allowed to affect the decision of party members. Mr Goldsmith, pictured, triggered the by-election after resigning from the Conservative Party over the decision to expand Heathrow Airport According to the Times, senior Green sources confirmed the donation was discussed by activists and a staff member but claimed it was an error to raise it and was not conditional on backing down from the by-election. A Green Party spokesman told the paper: This is an unofficial report from three members of Kingston Green Party and is not officially recognised by either the national Green Party or the local party in question. Many of the claims are disputed and this report has been referred to the Green Party Regional Council and will be looked into as soon as possible. Prince Harry may have breached Buckingham Palace protocol by making a 1,700-mile detour via Canada to visit his girlfriend after an official tour. The prince was expected to fly back to London on Sunday night, but it was reported yesterday that he changed plans and instead boarded a flight to Toronto, home to American actress Meghan Markle. He was required to be back in Britain by this morning, when he is due to attend a charity event in the capital. Scroll down for video The prince was expected to fly back to London on Sunday night, but it was reported he instead boarded a flight to Toronto, home to American actress Meghan Markle But after almost three weeks apart from his girlfriend, he apparently decided to stop off to see her on his return home. Kensington Palace last night refused to comment on whether the prince boarded a flight to Canada on Sunday. But royal officials previously briefed the media, both in London and during Harrys 15-day tour of the Caribbean, that the prince would be returning immediately to Britain on a commercial flight funded by the taxpayer. In the hours before Harry was due to leave, aides maintained the prince would be returning to London. The fact that he apparently chose to visit his girlfriend on the way back from an official tour on behalf of his grandmother, the Queen, threatens to overshadow the successful work he undertook there. However, a friend told The Sun: Harry just couldnt wait to see her. He was due to fly back to London on a British Airways flight with the rest of his entourage. But he changed his mind and diverted straight to see her as they couldnt bear to be apart. Its just another sign of how head-over-heels he is about her. He is absolutely besotted. Weve never seen him so happy its great. The fact that he apparently chose to visit his girlfriend on the way back from an official tour on behalf of his grandmother threatens to overshadow the successful work he undertook there Prince Harry may have breached Buckingham Palace protocol by making a 1,700-mile detour via Canada to visit his girlfriend after an official tour An official said that in any situation costs incurred to taxpayers as a result of altered plans or extra flights taken would be met privately. Buckingham Palace has previously stated that members of the royal family should be actively discouraged from combining official and personal trips. Following a 2004 investigation into visits by Harrys uncle, Prince Andrew - who earned the nickname Air Miles Andy for his excessive foreign travel - the Royal Household told the National Audit Office: Members of the Royal Family are entitled to grant-in-aid for official travel, as are their staff and, where capacity permits, other officials. They meet their own costs, however, for private travel. In order to avoid confusion, combining private and public engagements in the same trip is actively discouraged. Despite the guidance, royals do on occasion mix personal trips with official engagements. It is unlikely that Harrys change of plans was made at the last minute because the prince has security with him at all times. As he was visiting a Commonwealth realm, local authorities would also have needed to be notified in advance. While Harry may reimburse the public purse for the cost of his flights, taxpayers will be forced to foot the bill for his bodyguards, who travel with him at all times. While Harry may reimburse the public purse for the cost of his flights, taxpayers will be forced to foot the bill for his bodyguards, who travel with him at all times With his departure from Guyana scheduled for 1pm on Sunday, the prince could have made a 4.25pm Air Canada flight from Barbados to Toronto arriving at 9.15pm in time for a late dinner. Harry and his girlfriend are also believed to be planning a pre-festive getaway together before he returns to Sandringham in time for Christmas. The pre-Christmas meeting came after Miss Markle, 35, offered her best festive clothing tips in an interview with Canadian media. Just in case the actress is handed a last minute invite to the annual Christmas service, attended by the royal family, Miss Markle made it clear that she intended to stay away from any garish outfits. The Suits star, who recently launched her own clothing line, told Postmedia News: The holidays are a time to not quite play it safe but play it classic. You dont want to be the girl in a head-to-toe sequin look, where you look like you should be an ornament on the tree. Dont be that girl... Be the girl who looks chic and classy and plays it really simple. The pre-Christmas meeting came after Miss Markle, 35, offered her best festive clothing tips in an interview with Canadian media Prince Harry visits the Joshua House Children's Centre in Georgetown, Guyana, during his official visit to the Caribbean A new ITV documentary will see Harry talk openly to anchor and former royal reporter Tom Bradby about his charity work in the Aids-stricken southern African nation of Lesotho. In an interview with the Radio Times, Mr Bradby said of the programme, due to air later this month: The film is also rather revealing about who he is and where he is in life. He talks candidly about the past, the present and his own future. But mostly he talks about how fired up he is about his position and what he can do with it. There is, he says, too much focus on the bad news in life. Its great to be good, he tells us, and boring to be bad. Meanwhile, choirmaster Gareth Malone has revealed that Harry has a fear of singing. Mr Malone, who was asked to form a choir formed of ex-servicemen for the princes Invictus Games, told OK! magazine: I think hes chicken! Blokes seem to fear singing like nothing else. He called police to his property in Dubbo, country NSW, on A zookeeper who punched a kangaroo in the face to save his pet dog is holed up in his house fearing for his life after threats made by animal rights activists. Greig Tonkins, from Dubbo in country New South Wales, became an internet sensation over the weekend when a video of him standing toe to toe with the marsupial as it attacked his dog went viral. But Daily Mail Australia can reveal being the centre of international attention has come at a cost to the quiet father-of-two. Scroll down for video Greig Tonkins, 34, punched a kangaroo to save his dog Max (Greig leaving for work pictured) Greig Tonkins, the zookeeper who punched a kangaroo to save his pet dog, is holed up in his house fearing for his life after threats made by animal activists The quiet father-of-two was forced to call police to his property in Dubbo, country NSW, on Wednesday morning after fearing animal rights activists were outside his home Being the centre of international attention has come at a cost to the reserved country man The 34-year-old - who is an elephant keeper at Taronga Western Plains Zoo (pictured) - has gone to ground in the days since the video exploded online, laying low at his rural home The 34-year-old - who is an elephant keeper at Taronga Western Plains Zoo - has gone to ground in the days since the video exploded online, laying low at his rural home. On Wednesday morning Mr Tonkins called police to his property after fearing animal rights activists were outside his home. Mr Tonkins' decision to punch the roo to redirect it away from his dog while on a pig hunting trip in Condobolin, NSW, in mid-June has seen millions label him a 'hero'. However the animal lover has been slammed by activists, who have called for him to lose his job at the zoo. Mr Tonkins was publicly condemned online by PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) - who described the act as 'neither funny nor brave' and 'illegal'. 'Pathetic excuse for a human being! Hope someone pays him back,' one woman wrote. 'Coward! This was totally unnecessary. The kangaroo released the dog. This guy is a pathetic coward that gets off on punching animals. He should be in prison!,' added one man. 'Greig Tonkin is VIOLENT RUTHLESS and an ANIMAL ABUSER. Children and elderly people are next to be hurt by Greig Tonkin,' another man posted. On Wednesday morning Mr Tonkins called police to his property after fearing animal rights activists were outside his home (Greig leaving for work pictured) The 34-year-old has gone to ground in the days since the video exploded online, laying low at his family home Social media was flooded with threats directed towards the man, with many activists calling for him to be charged for animal cruelty Mr Tonkins' decision to punch the roo to redirect it away from his dog while on a pig hunting trip earlier this year has seen millions label him a 'hero' The father-of-two had gone on the hunting trip in an effort to help his sick friend Kailem Barwick catch a 'tonner' a wild bore that weighs more than 100 kilograms. A videographer joined the group to record the special trip for Kailem, who has since passed away, and ended up recording the moment that has now gone viral. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, one of the men on the trip backed Mr Tonkins' actions, saying the punch was only thrown to protect the dog and prevent the roo attacking anyone else. 'The dog wanted no part of it, all it was trying to do was escape from the roo and that's why he stepped in,' the man said. 'There's people on social media saying, "I know men like that, I bet they killed it afterwards", but that's just ridiculous. 'He only threw the punch to redirect the animal and afterwards there were a few nervous and relieved laughs, and then we just went on with getting Kailem a tonner.' The trip ultimately proved successful, with the group ensuring the young man managed to kill his 'tonner'. Sadly Kailem passed away last week after a long cancer battle, with his funeral to be held on Thursday. He was able to marry his partner Brandi-Lee in a touching hospital bedside service two days before his death Greig Tonkins (centre) was on a boar hunting trip in an effort to help his sick friend Kailem catch a wild bore when the kangaroo-punching incident happend Sadly Kailem passed away last week after a long cancer battle. He was able to marry his partner Brandi-Lee in a touching hospital bedside service two days before his death Mr Tonkins was publicly condemned online by PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) - who described the act as 'neither funny nor brave' and 'illegal' The fellow hunter said he was dumbfounded by the reaction and left wondering why some were happy for the dog to be injured but not the kangaroo. 'The video went viral in America and there was not one bad comment, and then it goes crazy in Australia and there's a whole bunch of outrage,' he said. 'It made me sick to be part of this country when people were wishing this family man and dog died, when the kangaroo wasn't even hurt.' Daily Mail Australia can also reveal Mr Tonkins is a committee member of the Australian Pig Doggers and Hunters Association. In October, Max - the same specially trained dog that was attacked by the roo - won a high jumping competition at the organisation's AGM, with the performance captured on video. Millions of people across the world have viewed the video since it was posted to Facebook. Greig Tonkins is an elephant keeper at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo Taronga Zoo announced Mr Tonkins would not be sacked in a statement on Tuesday Mr Tonkins (pictured far right) is a committee member of the Australian Pig Doggers and Hunters Association, and in October his dog 'Max' won a high jumping competition at the organisations AGM In addition to threats for his own safety, Mr Tonkins' job as a zookeeper at Taronga also came under fire as a result of the viral video. After an internal investigation, the zoo announced on Tuesday that he would not lose his job, adding that they would continue to work with him on his conduct in regards to the incident. 'Following the events of the last 48 hours in which Greig Tonkins was seen on social media punching a kangaroo in attempt to free his dog from its hold, Taronga has been inundated with concern for Mr Tonkins as well as enquiries regarding Taronga's position on the events,' the zoo said in a statement. 'Best practice animal welfare and the protection of Australian wildlife are of the utmost importance to Taronga. 'Taronga strongly opposes the striking of animals and does not support the practice of using dogs to hunt, as this can result in negative welfare for both species. 'Mr Tonkins is an experienced Zoo keeper and during his six years at Taronga Western Plains Zoo has always followed Taronga's best practice approach to animal care and welfare. We confirm that there is no suggestion of Mr Tonkins' employment at Taronga Western Plains Zoo ending as a result of this event. 'However, the highest standards of animal welfare and care are a core value of Taronga and one that we expect our staff to uphold in all their interactions with wildlife and we continue to work with Mr Tonkins on his conduct in regards to this incident.' The Antarctic research base that first discovered the hole in the ozone layer is in danger of falling into a huge ice chasm. The Halley VI Research Station, which is home to the British Antarctic Survey, is set to be relocated 14 miles across the Brunt Ice Shelf, amid fears in could slide into an encroaching fissure. The chasm, which had lain dormant for more than three decades, began opening up in 2012, and by the following year it was expanding at the rapid pace of one mile per year. Scroll down for video The Antarctic research base that first discovered the hole in the ozone layer is in danger of falling into a huge ice chasm The Halley VI Research Station is set to be relocated 14 miles across the Brunt Ice Shelf, amid fears in could slide into an encroaching fissure in the ice shelf. This map shows the current location of Halley VI, its future location, and The Crack, labelled as Chasm I If the research station is not relocated, it could be swallowed by the ice by 2020. The problem is further compounded by a second crack, which has opened up to the north of the base, on a route sometimes used to deliver supplies. The team has just nine weeks to move the research station, before the harsh winter sets in. The base will be broken up into its eight modules and moved further inland by large tractors. The base will be broken up into its eight modules and moved further inland by large tractors Scientific research at will continue in temporary facilities at the existing site, until the team is moved to the new location next season HALLEY VI RESEARCH STATION Halley Research Station is an award-winning science lab, complete with accommodation for researchers. The modular lab, which was first constructed in 1956, is run by the British Antarctic Survey. It was here that researchers first discovered the hole in the ozone layer in 1985. The research facility comprises eight modules sitting atop hydraulic legs, enabling each module to be towed to a new location. Halley sits on the 130 metre-thick Brunt Ice Shelf. The ice shelf flows slowly out onto the Weddell Sea, where chunks of ice calve off as icebergs. In its current 'VI' configuration, it has been operational since 2012. Halley is home to 70 staff during the summer (late December to early March) and around 16 during winter. Source: British Antarctic Survey Advertisement Scientific research will continue in temporary facilities at the existing site, until the team is moved to the new location next season. Crucial research carried out at the base includes studies into as the impact of extreme space weather events, climate change, and atmospheric phenomena. Halley has also taken ozone measurements continually since 1956, with the team first discovering the Antarctic Ozone Hole in 1985. Tim Stockings, Director of Operations at the British Antarctic Survey, told the Telegraph: 'Halley Research Station was designed and engineered specifically to be re-located in response to changes in the ice. 'Over the last couple of years, our operational teams have been meticulous in developing very detailed plans for the move. 'Antarctica can be a very hostile environment. Each summer season is very short - about nine weeks. 'And because the ice and the weather are unpredictable, we have to be flexible in our approach. 'We are especially keen to minimise the disruption to the science programmes. If the research station is not relocated, it could be swallowed by the ice by 2020 Crucial research carried out at the base include studies into as the impact of extreme space weather events, climate change, and atmospheric phenomena 'We have planned the move in stages - the science infrastructure that captures environmental data will remain in place while the stations modules move.' The research base also hosts an ongoing European Space Agency (ESA) experiment, testing how well people can adapt to life in remote and isolated locations. The data will be used in preparations for long space flights, such as the first Mars landing. Halley has also taken ozone measurements continually since 1956, with the team first discovering the Antarctic Ozone Hole in 1985 Meanwhile, in Europe, scientists have discovered tiny specks of cosmic dust, which is usually only found in Antarctica, in urban cities on the continent. The cosmic dust was discovered on rooftops in Paris, Oslo and Berlin. Dr Matthew Genge, from the Department of Earth Science and Engineering at Imperial College London, said: 'We've known since the 1940s that cosmic dust falls continuously through our atmosphere, but until now we thought that it could not be detected among the millions of terrestrial dust particles, except in the most dust-free environments such as the Antarctic or deep oceans. A criminal migrant due to be deported from Sydney airport was involved in a standoff with police after pulling a blade and threatening to harm himself. The man, believed to be from New Zealand, was being transferred to Christmas Island for processing when the incident took place around 10.50am on Friday. Security officers and other deportees were caught in a standoff with police before the man eventually handed himself over, according to reports. Police say they were called to an airport terminal on Wednesday morning after a man threatened to harm himself. Around 40 minutes later the man handed himself over to officers and was taken to hospital for assessment. No injuries were caused as a result of the incident, police told Daily Mail Australia. An asylum seeker being deported to Christmas Island has been arrested at Sydney airport after allegedly threatening security officers with a knife Footage obtained by Nine News shows the moment he gave himself up to police officers before being taken away. Advertisement Hundreds of protesters clashed with riot police as a white nationalist took to the stage at Texas A&M University on Tuesday night. Demonstrators were confronted by law enforcement outside of the student center during Richard Spencer's speech on white supremacy, the head of the far right think-tank, The National Policy Institute. 'At the end of the day, America belongs to white men,' Spencer said to the audience of 400 people. Videos and images on social media showed riot police moving protesters from the Memorial Student Center as Spencer spoke. Texas A&M Police arrested two non-students during the event as tensions rose, but they insisted the event was 'peaceful'. Spencer was disowned by his elite Texas prep school last month when he was caught on camera saying 'hail Trump' as the crowd flashed him a Nazi salute. Scroll down for video Hundreds of people protested white nationalist Richard Spencer (pictured) as he spoke at an engagement on the Texas A&M University campus Several groups clashed with riot police (left) outside the student center Tuesday night during and before Spencer's appearance. Some students, who were sitting in on his speech, asked Spencer questions surrounding his beliefs One student from the university tweeted out several videos of the scene. In one video several people were heard yelling, 'Let them go!' as police (pictured) tried to 'push protesters' out the door. 'No Nazi's, no KKK, no fascist USA!' protesters chanted Spencer (left during his speech and right), who is known for spreading white supremacist views, was disowned by his elite Texas prep school last month when he was caught on camera saying 'hail Trump' as the crowd flashed him a Nazi salute. During his speech a woman dressed as a clown held up a sign that read: 'He's the real bozo' Ahead of Tuesday's speech, Spencer spoke with CNN and claimed that he is not a white supremacist, despite speaking of a Western civilization that, he said, 'only white people can support'. He told the network that the university's reaction to his speaking 'shows the power of the alt-right and the power of our ideas'. A group of officers were even barricading a stairway, while protesters chanted 'The whole world is watching.' One student from the university tweeted out several videos of the scene. One video several people were heard yelling, 'Let them go!' as police tried to 'push protesters' out the door. In one video, a woman was dragged from the crowd and onto the floor by police, who tied her hands behind her back with a plastic tie. 'No Nazi's, no KKK, no fascist USA!' protesters chanted. Videos and images on social media showed riot police (pictured) moving protesters from the Memorial Student Center as Spencer spoke in the building Protesters sing on the Texas A&M University campus where they faced riot officers during Spencer's speech Tuesday night Ahead of Tuesday's speech, Spencer claimed that he is not a white supremacist, despite speaking of a Western civilization that, he said, 'only white people can support'. A group of people standing in the room holding their fists in the air protested inside where Spencer was speaking Several students stood up and shouted at Spencer for his remarks made during his speech Jacob Jackson, a freshman international studies major, listens after asking a question to Spencer Texas A&M Black Lives Matter supporters listen as Spencer, the leader of the National Policy Institute, spoke on campus at an event not sanctioned by the school At one point during Spencer's speech, a woman dressed in a clown outfit walked in front of the stage holding a sign that said: 'He's the real bozo.' Those attending the speech had to walk a gantlet of chanting protesters while leaving the hall. Hundreds more gathered at nearby Kyle Field to hear music and speeches highlighting diversity and unity as a counter to Spencer. Earlier on Tuesday, some protesters silently held placards while others loudly chanted slogans. A&M officials say they didn't schedule the speech by Spencer. Instead, he was invited to speak by a former student who reserved campus space available to the public. In one video, a woman (being held down by police) was dragged from the crowd and onto the floor by police, who tied her hands behind her back with a plastic tie Students (pictured) stood face-to-face inside the student center on campus holding up their fists as law enforcement officers tried to keep them out of the ballroom where Spencer was speaking Hundreds more demonstrators (pictured) gathered at nearby Kyle Field to hear music and speeches highlighting diversity and unity as a counter to Spencer Students standing outside the student center are pictured holding a sign that says 'Hate is not an Aggie value' Texas A&M Senior Vice President Amy Smith told CNN in a statement: 'To be clear, Texas A&M University, including faculty, staff, students and/or student groups, did not invite this speaker to our campus nor do we endorse his rhetoric in any way.' The university is located in College Station, a town where Aggie alum Preston Wiginton, who invited Spencer to the campus, lives. Because the school is a public university, permission for the event could not be denied, officials told CNN. In a Monday interview on CNN's 'Anderson Cooper 360,' Wiginton said: 'I think the reaction to Trump being elected, and the reaction with the alt-right being popular, is a reaction to it (US) declining as a white nation.' Wiginton said he wanted to bring Spencer to campus because he wanted to spread the message that white people face marginalization. 'Why would I want to see America become less white?' Wiginton asked rhetorically in the interview. 'Why would I want to be displaced and marginalized?' In his interview with CNN, he also addressed the speech he gave last month when members of the alt-right movement gathered to celebrate Donald Trump's victory. 'Hail Trump! Hail our people! Hail victory!' Spencer shouted during the speech in November, as the crowd gave him a Nazi salute. Shortly after the controversial speech, his prep school, St Marks, said that the values honored by friends and alumni of the school were 'under attack' by their white supremacist classmate. A&M officials say they didn't schedule the speech by Spencer. Instead, he was invited to speak by a former student who reserved campus space available to the public. Law enforcement officers attempt to convince a protester (pictured with a mask on) to step down the stairs Because the school is a public university, permission for the event could not be denied, university officials said. Meanwhile, police attempted to disperse protesters outside of the speech in different areas around campus Texas A&M student Harsimran Singh, from India, signs a message board outside Kyle Field where students held their own event while Spencer spoke 'Spencer's views are un-American and a threat to civil society,' they said in a statement. 'We reject them and urge everyone to join us in condemning him and his agenda.' He made the speech at a gathering by the National Policy Institute, a think-tank that is part of the alt-right movement that includes neo-Nazis, white supremacists and anti-Semites, on Saturday, November 21. The headmaster of St Mark's School, in Texas, David W Dini, told NBC News that Spencer's comments brought 'even greater attention to these hateful, divisive, racist, and anti-Semitic views.' A woman holding a 'Black and brown lives matter' sign chants alongside other demonstrators before Spencer took to the stage to speak to an audience on campus A protester is pictured holding a sign that reads: 'We are indigenous to this continent' Donald Trump has officially selected the man he wants to take on the toughest job in international diplomacy. The president-elect's team announced Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has been tapped to serve as U.S. ambassador to China, a spokesperson told ABC News. Branstad, who has been governor since 2011, described Chinese President Xi Jinping a 'long-time friend' when he visited Iowa in 2012. In 1985, Xi, then aged 32, lived briefly in the small town of Muscatine, Iowa, while studying agriculture and he is understood to have met Branstad during that visit, forming a friendship that has lasted decades. Scroll down for video President Xi Jinping of China (left) and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad (right) have known each other for more than 30 years. Branstad has been chosen by Trump to be ambassador to China Governor Terry Branstad's job as ambassador will be made tougher by recent controversies created by Donald Trump with China. The two are pictured together at a campaign event in August The 70-year-old career politician will walk into arguably the toughest posting possible, thanks in part to Trump's controversial actions towards China in the past week. The first was his decision to accept a phone call Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. Trump's conversation with President Tsai was the first such contact with Taiwan by a U.S. president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter adopted a 'One China policy' in 1979, recognizing only the Beijing government. China suspects Tsai wants to push for the formal independence of Taiwan, which has managed to build a flourishing economy over the years despite formally being a pariah state. Terry Branstad (pictured, left) is thought to be a friend of China's President Xi Jinping. His appointment comes as it emerges that Bob Dole, (right) now 93, has been lobbying for Taiwan and was instrumental in getting Trump to take President Tsai Ing-wen's call Branstad (picturred, right) would need to smooth things over with Xi (left) after President-elect Trump spoke with officials from Taiwan in a break from U.S. foreign policy Xi Jinping talks with Rick Kimberley (middle) and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad (second left) during a tour of Kimberley's farm, in Maxwell, Iowa, in February 2012 Taiwan has been considered a 'renegade province' since 1949, when the Chinese nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) set up a state there after being defeated by Mao's communists in the Chinese civil war. Trump then followed up the controversial chat by launching a Twitter tirade against China's government policy. Did China ask us if it was OK to devalue their currency (making it hard for our companies to compete), heavily tax our products going into their country (the US doesn't tax them) or to build a massive military complex in the middle of the South China Sea? I don't think so!' he tweeted on Sunday. Trump created controversy when he went after Chinese government policy on Twitter on Sunday Since the controversy broke on Sunday, it has emerged former Senator Bob Dole - who was the Republican presidential candidate in 1996 - was paid to lobby Trump on behalf of Taiwan. Dole, who works for the lobbying firm Alston & Bird, received $140,000 from Taiwan between May and October this year. Speaking of Taiwan's hopes of diplomatic recognition from the U.S., Dole told the New York Times: 'Theyre very optimistic. They see a new president, a Republican, and they'd like to develop a closer relationship. Dole is believed to have been instrumental in getting Trump to take the controversial call from Tsai. China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said they were also concerned about Tsai stopping off in the U.S. next month en route to Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador, three of the countries which are among the 22 which recognize Taiwan. President Obama has been keen to maintain good relations with China's President Xi Jinping (left) but Trump's willingness to take a phone call from Taiwan's President Ing-wen (right) and his subsequent tweets suggests he is not scared of a confrontation with Beijing An American-made M60 tank fires a round during Taiwan's annual Han Kuang military exercises. Taiwan's army buys large amounts of equipment and ammunition from the U.S. Lu said 'transit diplomacy' is among the 'petty moves' employed by Taiwan and the 'ulterior political intentions are clear for all to see'. Although China claims Taiwan is a breakaway province, Beijing has never sought to conquer the island, although many Taiwanese fear an invasion and the country has bought significant arms from U.S. companies in a bid to defend itself. White House spokesman Josh Earnest claimed Trump was a diplomatic 'rookie' for taking the call from Tsai and said: 'Some of the progress that we have made in our relationship with China could be undermined by this issue flaring up.' Laced gummy bears sent 13 Chicago students to the hospital on Tuesday. The students, who attend Naperville North High School, told authorities that the candy was laced with marijuana, according to CBS Chicago. However, investigators said they have yet to confirm that information. It remains unclear whether the students were aware that the gummy bears were tainted. Laced gummy bears sent 13 Chicago students to the hospital on Tuesday. The students, who attend Naperville North High School (pictured), told authorities that the candy was laced with marijuana It remains unclear whether the students were aware that the gummy bears (file photo) were tainted. Police have confiscated samples of the candy for testing and are currently questioning a 17-year-old student who was taken into custody Police have confiscated samples of the candy for testing and are currently questioning a 17-year-old student who was taken into custody. Initially 14 students were taken to the nurse's office, but as a precaution, 13 of them were sent to Edward Hospital. Naperville North High School said several students became 'both uncomfortable and sick' after eating gummy bears 'that may contain another substance', CBS reported. At one point, 11 of the students were listed in stable condition, while two others were treated and immediately released. All of the students were released from the hospital shortly after 6pm. The students experienced symptoms ranging from rapid heart rate, dizziness and dry mouth, the station reported. 'We continue to review the specifics of the situation and will address it appropriately,' the school said. Naperville North High School (pictured) said several students became 'both uncomfortable and sick' after eating gummy bears 'that may contain another substance' Senator Lamar Alexander was one of two recipients on Tuesday, of the Scenic Byway Trailblazer Award from Scenic America, the National Scenic Byway Foundation and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership. Senator Alexander was recognized at an event celebrating the 25th anniversary of the National Scenic Byways Program. He said, When I was governor of Tennessee in 1985, President Ronald Reagan asked me to chair the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors, and he challenged those of us on the commission to look ahead for a generation and tell the country how we can best protect our outdoor spaces. The National Scenic Byway Foundation supports the National Scenic Byways Program, which was created in 1991 by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act to provide federal funding for maintenance and improvement projects on federally-designated National Scenic Byways. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) there are currently 150 designated National Scenic Byways and American Roads in 46 states, including five that pass through Tennessee: Cherohala Skyway Passes through North Carolina and Tellico Plains; East Tennessee Crossing Between North Carolina and the town of Cumberland Gap Great River Road Between from Minnesota and Louisiana, runs through West Tennessee; Natchez Trace Parkway Between Nashville, through Alabama and Jackson, Mississippi Woodlands Trace Between Garand Rivers, Kentucky and Dover, Tennessee. Bud Wright, executive director for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, also received the award. A judge has warned a Muslim woman after she refused to stand when the judicial officer entered the courtroom because 'she won't stand for anyone except Allah'. Moutia Elzahed - the second wife of Hamdi Alqudsi who was convicted for recruiting for Islamic State in Syria - once again appeared at the Sydney District Court on Wednesday for a civil matter. Ms Elzahed, Alqudsi and her two teenage sons are suing the Commonwealth of Australia and New South Wales for assault and battery during the 2014 counter-terrorism raids. After the regular morning tea break, Judge Audrey Balla told lawyer Clive Evatt she had noticed Ms Elzahed 'doesn't stand' for the judge when she entered the court room. Moutia Elzahed (pictured) appeared at Sydney District Court on Wednesday for a civil matter Judge Audrey Balla (left) told lawyer Clive Evatt she noticed Ms Elzahed 'doesn't stand' for the judge when she entered the court room, in which he responded it was for 'religious reasons' The woman is the second wife of convicted Islamic State recruiter Hamdi Alqudsi (pictured) 'Is there a reason?' the judge asked. 'I'm afraid so your honour,' replied Mr Evatt. 'Tell me what it is?' Judge Balla said. Mr Evatt then told the court he believed it was for 'religious reasons' before stopping to check with other lawyers. He then told the court: 'She's a Muslim, your honour, a strict Muslim and according to my instructions she won't stand for anyone except Allah which I'm not particularly happy with,Your Honour'. Ms Elzahed is suing the state over the 2014 counter-terrorism raid at her Sydney home She was spotted leaving court on Wednesday after she refused to stand for judicial officer The Muslim woman appeared at Sydney District Court on Wednesday for a civil matter She was spotted leaving court on Wednesday after she refused to stand for judicial officer Judge Balla then said 'no doubt' Ms Elzahed had been made aware of a recent offence created 'which may relate to such conduct'. She said a decision on 'any action' would be made by others but the judge 'just wanted to check she's received advice'. 'Each occasion she doesn't do it may be a separate offence'. The NSW government this year introduced a new offence for disrespecting the court. The offence went into force on September 1 and it carries a maximum penalty of up to 14 days in prison and or a fine of up to $1000 if a person is found guilty. Judge Balla last week refused to hear Ms Elzahed's evidence if she was wearing her niqab, which covers every part of her body in black cloth except her eyes. Mashable fired a film reporter after he wrote an article declaring that #OscarsSoWhite is 'canceled' due to the diversity of this year's possible contenders. Jeff Sneider predicted this year's Oscar nominees in an article published on Wednesday. But the piece sparked a backlash on Twitter from people who were incensed by his 'insensitive tone' and the suggestion that systemic racism was no longer a problem in Hollywood. The hashtag was created in 2015 by April Reign, a writer, editor, and former lawyer, to highlight the lack of diversity among the Academy Awards nominees. Senior Movies Reporter, Jeff Sneider (pictured) was fired by Mashable after he wrote an article declaring that #OscarsSoWhite is 'canceled' due to the diversity of this year's contenders His article sparked a backlash on Twitter and an Editor's Note (pictured) was added at the top Sneider article was changed with an Editor's Note added at the top that reads: 'An initial version of this story suggested that #OscarsSoWhite was canceled. 'This was incorrect and insensitive, and we've since clarified: The acting nominees, the central point of contention over the past two years, could be more diverse than ever before. 'Even so, it does not solve the ongoing problem of diversity in Hollywood, and we regret suggesting otherwise.' Mashable also deleted a tweet publicizing the article, and issued an apology that stated: 'We made a mistake and weve since removed it. We can and will do better.' Mashable issued a statement to Dailymail.com, stating it 'decided to part ways with Senior Movies Reporter, Jeff Sneider, effective last Thursday' citing his 'recent actions'. Mashable also deleted a tweet publicizing the article, and issued an apology that stated: 'We made a mistake and weve since removed it. We can and will do better' In 2015, Reign tweeted '#OscarsSoWhite they asked to touch my hair' and the hashtag took a life of its own before it was utilized again in 2016. Reign told the Huffington Post in February: 'My hypothesis is that one time is a fluke and two times is the beginning of a pattern thats when people latched on.' The lack of diversity struck a chord and became a talking point among celebrities, with Spike Lee and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith boycotting the event in response last year. This year, films like Moonlight, Fences, Lion, Hidden Figures and Loving have all received critical acclaim, and Sneider predicted the diverse cast members could rival the eight actors of color who were nominated in 2006. But people were quick to point out that Hollywood's diversity problem was far from over, and mocked Sneider's audacity to 'cancel' #OscarsSoWhite. Reign was quick to create the #MashableCancels in response, and supporters joined in. Dailymail.com reached out to Sneider for comment, but he has not responded. One Twitter user called Sneider's tone was 'dismissive', saying the issue extended beyond 'one awards season' April Reign created the hashtag OscarsSoWhite in 2015 to highlight the lack of diversity among the Academy Awards nominees. She was quick to create the #MashableCancels He rose to power defeating Tony Abbott in a leadership spill, but Malcolm Turnbull has fallen victim to a spill of his own after dropping a cup of espresso in a press conference. The Prime Minister was trying to polish off a quick espresso before a Wednesday morning press conference at the Sydney fish markets but didn't get his caffeine hit before it fell to the ground. The PM was at Blackwater Deli talking with Nick Dagaas about how a program developed as part of his innovation initiative was helping their business. Spilling the beans: The Prime Minister drinks an espresso before spilling it a press conference in the Sydney fish markets The Prime Minister ordered the drink from announced it was 'very good' before an ill-timed handshake with Mr Dagaas caused him to drop the tiny cup. 'It was at the end of the chat - we were going to do a combination of shake and he was going to swap his coffee around hands and fumbled - that's about it,' the deli owner said. Happy to do his own dirty work, the PM used some paper towels to quickly duck down and wipe up the spill. He was then asked to clear up confusion over his comments on a review into climate change policy, reports 9 News. 'You will have to ask Josh Frydenberg,' Mr Turnbull said, deflecting questions to the Energy Minister. Mr Frydenberg announced the review on Monday, claiming the Federal Government is in favour of energy security. Clearing up: Mr Turnbull was then asked to clarify confusion over his comments on a review into climate change policy Dirty work: The Prime Minister used some paper towels to mop up the spilled beverage Vice president-elect Mike Pence promised a roomful of top conservative donors on Tuesday that Donald Trump would immediately get to work instituting a wish-list of conservative policies, including repealing Obamacare, cutting corporate taxes, and rolling back President Obamas executive orders. Pence said he has also told his former congressional colleagues to prepare to move quickly on legislation to repeal Obamas health care reform law in January, advising lawmakers to buckle up, vacations over during a visit to Capitol Hill this week. Were going to roll our sleeves up in the first 100 days, Pence told a gathering of conservative donors at the Trump Hotel on Tuesday evening. Were going to rebuild our militaryWere going to repeal Obamacare, lock, stock and barrel. Youre going to see the president-elect take out that pen and repeal every single unconstitutional executive order, he added. Vice President-elect Mike Pence addresses the Heritage Foundation in Washington on Tuesday Pence told donors that the Trump administration will 'roll up our sleeves' to repeal Obamacare and cut corporate taxes. Pictured: Mike Pence and his wife Karen walk onstage The reassurance to the conservative base of the party comes after the Carrier jobs deal, which was called 'crony capitalism' by Sarah Palin, and the abandonment of a promise to appoint a special prosecutor to go after Hillary Clinton. There was even a meeting with Al Gore. Pence made a clear effort to reach out to the influential group and emphasize that their talking points were on the Trump agenda. Pence said he met with House and Senate Republicans on Tuesday to plot strategy and discuss ways they could work with the incoming White House. Were going to work with members of Congress to roll back the avalanche of red tape, said Pence. Were gonna cut taxes across the board. Fresh off a surprise electoral victory last month, the vice president-elect was clearly thrilled to address the room of funders, long-time friends, and former colleagues at the dinner hosted by the Heritage Foundation. But he also emphasized that the attendees needed to get to work quickly after inauguration if they wanted to put into place the policies supported by conservative think tanks like the Heritage Foundation. Weve got work to do, he concluded. Roll your sleeves up. The Heritage Foundation has been working with the Trump team on the presidential transition, helping to identify and vet potential cabinet and administration appointments. The conservative group also helped the Trump campaign build a list of potential Supreme Court nominees last summer. Pence paused to compliment one of Trumps former Republican adversaries, Carly Fiorina (pictured) Pence alluded to the groups work with the transition team, saying it has been playing a critically important role in the formation of a new government. Our new president-elect will appoint justices to the Supreme Court of America in the tradition of the late and great Justice Antonin Scalia, said Pence. Pence even paused during the speech to compliment one of Trumps former Republican adversaries, Carly Fiorina, who was sitting at a table near the stage. If I might single one person out, Carly Fiorina is right here, said Pence, encouraging a standing ovation from attendees. Thanks for your great leadership. Fiorina agreed to run as a vice presidential candidate on a unity ticket with Sen. Ted Cruz last spring, in a last-ditch effort to stop Trump from securing the Republican nomination. The plan flopped badly, and Trump was swept to a series of primary victories to win the nomination. A man says he was just 'seconds away' from jumping off the Sydney Harbour Bridge before police pulled him back down to the footpath. On December 4, 2014, a security guard spotted Dan Price as he walked 'heel-to-toe' along a thin piece of railing on the outside of a safety fence surrounding the bridge. Mr Price, who was heavily intoxicated, has described suddenly snapping out of a blackout state at that moment, and 'fear and shock' washing over him as he tried to figure out how he got there and how he was going to get down. Two years on, Mr Price has posted a tribute to the police officers who brought him back from the brink and forced him to confront the depression and anxiety that pushed him to contemplate suicide. 2 years ago today on the 4th of December 2014, I was seconds away from jumping off the Harbour Bridge, before I was... Posted by Dan Price on Saturday, December 3, 2016 Dan Price (pictured) who teetered on the edge of the Sydney Harbour Bridge while he was heavily intoxicated in 2014, has spoken of one of his saviours two years after the incident Posting online on the second anniversary of the incident, Mr Prince spoke of one of his saviours in particular, a police officer by the name of Arun Trevitt. 'Arun Trevitt was the main Police officer who talked me through a petrifying 20 minutes while my life hung in the balance, before I was lowered a harness to put on so I could get back over the security fence to safety,' Mr Price wrote. In an earlier interview with Daily Mail Australia, Mr Price described how problems in his life had led him to think about suicide before the incident. He described how he suddenly realised his circumstances on the bridg, and that he did not want to die. 'The way I felt when I realised what was going on and the trouble and the fear that was associated with the situation was incredible I was really scared,' he said. Mr Price said he 'panicked' as authorities lowered a harness to him to lift him up, cut a hole in the barb wire fence, and brought him safely back off of the ledge. That day was rock bottom, Mr Price said. 'It was the turning point there were struggles over the 18 months before that but it had never been that bad and I was never going to let it get that bad again.' Posting online on the second anniversary of the incident, Mr Prince spoke of one of his saviours in particular, a police officer by the name of Arun Trevitt Although he said he still has dark days, Mr Price said talking to a therapist, taking his medication and the support of his girlfriend, Kim, (pictured) push him to keep getting better Mr Price (right) said he had a very charmed life (pictured with his brother Matt Price and Jess Dunbar) The incident on the Harbour bridge was rock bottom, Mr Price (second from left) said Following the incident on the bridge, Mr Price's father contacted Mr Trevitt to thank him for saving his son. 'My wife Cait and I just wanted to thank you for your persistent efforts to save our son of the early hours of this morning,' Paul Price wrote. 'He is a lovely sensitive bloke Aaron (sic), and well worth saving. Hopefully he can see light at the end of the tunnel and embrace the difficult road to recovery. 'Given your wonderful work this morning, at least he now has this choice.' The incident came after years of silently coping with depression and anxiety came to a head as he battled to cope with the breakdown of his marriage in his mid-20s, Mr Price said. 'I felt numb. I couldn't really feel anything at all I was going through life feeling like a bit of a shadow. It is like you're flat lining and nothing gets you excited, nothing ticks any boxes. I felt like I couldn't go on it was day after day of complete and utter pain.' Mr Price spent three weeks in hospital following his close call and worked with doctors to create a plan of therapy and medication to help him tackle his mental illness. 'It was the turning point there were struggles over the 18 months before that but it had never been that bad and I was never going to let it get that bad again' Although he still struggles and has ups and downs, Mr Price said it is important for people to talk about their mental health and illnesses Although he still struggles and has ups and downs, Mr Price said it is important for people to talk about their mental health and illnesses. 'It is something that is beatable and manageable. Talking is so important because it's the only way for people on their own to get better. You need to reach out without help it will destroy you,' he said. Since opening up about his story, Mr Price said he has received an incredible outpouring of support and has talked to many others also struggling with depression and anxiety. In October he participated in theTour De L'est, a 900km bicycle ride from Sydney to Burleigh heads on the Gold Coast in Queensland. The money raised will go to help fund educational programs in schools to educate students about mental illness through LIVIN and will contribute to Society&Co's scholarship project for Indigenous students. A woman fighting breast cancer said she was 'violated' by TSA officers who attempted to perform 'a body cavity search in public' after she alerted them of a medical cream in her bag. Denise Albert, a morning show contributor and co-host of The Moms, a SiriusXM radio show, was traveling through Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday when the 'humiliating' experience left her in tears. Albert detailed the experience of removing her wig, exposing the sores on her feet, and telling the TSA agents she had a medical port in her chest that she didn't want them to touch - a warning that was not heeded. Denise Albert (pictured) was traveling through the Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday when the 'humiliating' experience of going through security left her in tears She said the TSA agents attempted to perform 'a body cavity search in public', adding: 'I never been so humiliated or felt more violated in my life' Albert said she notified TSA about her medical port and removed the cream from her bag, as she has done numerous times before without an issue. The security agents then pulled her aside, and said she would have to take off her shoes and undergo a full body pat-down 'with pressure' if she wanted to take the medical cream with her, Albert wrote. The agents flouted the TSA pre-check protocol by asking her to take off her shoes, leaving her bare feet freezing for 20 minutes due to her medical treatment, she claimed. Albert asked to sit down, since her chemotherapy has left her feet covered in sores, which she did not want touching the ground. They later offered to conduct the search in the privacy of a room, but Albert said she couldn't walk there because they wouldn't return her boots. The radio host said the agents then told her they would 'apply pressure from head to toe', and she decided to take her wig off, saying: 'I didn't want them to touch it, move it, or ruin it'. At a certain point, one agent 'forceab[ly] and aggressively put her hands down my jeans in the back', Albert wrote, before adding that they 'aggressively attempted to do a body cavity search in public'. Video footage showed one woman touching her chest, despite Albert's medical port. She had also undergone a lumpectomy to remove a growth from her breast. Humiliated: Albert (pictured right) is a morning show contributor and co-host of the radio show The Moms Albert underwent a lumpecomy to remove a growth from her breast after she was diagnosed with cancer in December 2015. She also has a medical port in her chest After filing a formal complaint and going public with her story, Albert ( pictured with her sons left and right with her partner Jeremy and boys) said she received an apology from the TSA over the phone Albert can be seen pulling back in the video before declaring several times, 'You can't touch me there.' She said as a TSA PreCheck passenger, she was not required to remove her shoes and agents were supposed to ask whether there were any tender areas they should avoid. Later, when they went through her bags, they joked about finding her fake eyelashes, and Albert told her she had lost all her hair as a result of the cancer treatment. A supervisor finally intervened and gave Albert a 'regular soft pat down' inside a private room. She said she had 'never been so h umiliated or felt more violated in my life'. Albert also told Pix 11: 'I understand security, and I understand that these people have a job to do. I understand they protect everyone of us everyday. These two people were out of line.' After filing a formal complaint and going public with her story, Albert said she received an apology from the TSA over the phone. Albert said TSA had launched an investigation into the incident and said they would review the training for their 3,000 employees on how to properly conduct screenings for people with medical issues and disabilities. She later wrote on Facebook: 'The TSA just called. I'm very pleased with our conversation. 'They apologized for my experience and at this point there is an LAX investigation into what happened. 'They very aggressively train their agents on how to screen medical / disabilities. A few customers at a McDonald's in North Carolina were offered more than just a side of fries with their order. A video posted to YouTube captures the moment drivers were offered an order of obscene comments with their Happy Meals. The restaurant in New Bern has explained the incident occurred as a result of someone hacking the wireless frequency used by the drive-thru. Scroll down for video The drive-thru console at a branch of McDonald's in New Bern, North Carolina had its radio frequency hacked. The operator was then able to spew obscene messages During the two minute video recorded by an unsuspecting customer, a voice can be heard making a number of unsavory statements. The hacker says, 'You know I'm actually on the toilet right now and I'm just going to serve you your food. I'm not even going to wash my hands. I'm trying to get some special sauce out right now.' After a brief moment, the taunting continues, 'You know what just pull forward because I'm going to give you whatever the f*** I feel like giving you.' A YouTube video captured the incident. It has since been shared tens of thousands of times On Monday, owner Bill Purcell, released a statement addressing situation, according to WCTI. 'We are investigating this matter with the help of the New Bern Police Department. In addition, we are taking steps to prevent this isolated incident from happening again. A Melbourne man who funded a US citizen's trip to Syria to fight for ISIS and supported him as he stayed in the war-torn country has been sentenced. Hassan El Sabsabi, 25, who sent Abedallah Karram almost $16,000 in 11 cash transfers, has avoided jail time. He has been ordered to serve a two-year community corrections order. The former pizza shop worker pleaded guilty to two charges of preparing for incursions into foreign states for the purposes of engaging in hostile activities. A smiling Hassan El Sabsabi leaves the Supreme court in Melbourne on Wednesday El Sabsabi pleaded guilty for funding a US citizen's trip to Syria to fight for ISIS and supporting him as he stayed in the war-torn country El Sabsabi said he was not able to fight with his body 'so in (SIC) going to do my best to fight with my wealth', a transcript tendered in the Victorian Supreme Court shows. Between June 2013 and September 2014 he sent almost $16,000 to Abedallah Karram after the two met online in 2012, the Victorian Supreme Court has previously heard. Karram asked El Sabsabi for money after the Melbourne man told him he wanted to 'do jihad' in 2013, court documents show. Karram travelled to Syria on August 13, 2013 and the following month used Facebook to publish a photo of himself kneeling next to a mutilated corpse. Defence barrister Stewart Bayles has argued El Sabsabi was neither an extremist nor anti-western and that his behaviour had to be viewed in the context of the situation in Syria at the time. El Sabsabi was opposed to the regime of Bashar El Assad in Syria, which Mr Bayles said had been widely condemned in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Victorian Supreme Court Justice Lex Lasry said El Sabsabi's motive over concerns about atrocities committed in Syria was 'perhaps more honorable than others' He added that sending El Sabsabi back to prison after 44 days of pre-sentence detention would be counter-productive given the progress he'd made in his rehabilitation. He sent almost $16,000 to Abedallah Karram after the two met online in 2012, the Victorian Supreme Court previously heard The winners of categories in The Nature Conservancy 2016 Photo Competition have been announced Advertisement A selection of stunning images of animals and landscapes around Australia are the winners of The Nature Conservancy 2016 Photo Competition. The photographs include detailed close-up shots of animals, such as a bird mid-flight and a whale poking its nose straight out from the depths of the ocean. The overall winning image of the whale was taken by renown nature photographer Mark Seabury and was described by one of the judges as 'exceptional'. The winning image (pictured) was taken by renowned nature photographer Mark Seabury and shows a humpback whale in a vertical position in the water, with its nose poking out and towards the sky Professional photographer Esther Beacon said the more she examined the photo, the more details she discovered. 'The eyes of humpback whales are normally hidden and shaded, so it is unusual to find one 'looking' with such a strong, clear gaze. It is also in such an unusual position, dead vertical, with only its snout out of the water. Again something that normally is not part of humpback behaviour,' Ms Beacon said. Another image shows the view straight down the centre of a jetty out to sea, with a sunrise in the background and is titled 'Dawn Walker'. The photograph shows the wooden surface of the jetty is gleaming after a recent shower of rain and won the People in Nature category. This photo of a jetty gleaming from a shower of rain is titled 'Dawn Walker' and won the People in Nature Category A photograph of a bird mid-flight with its claws turned outwards as if it is preparing to land titled 'The Hunt' won the Wildlife section, and was described by judges as 'a special moment captured perfectly'. In the Urban category, photographer Hai Pham won with his image of Melbourne and the Yarra River titled 'Reflections' which shows hot air balloons floating above the city skyline. In the Landscape category an image shows a bolt of bright lightning striking the earth, highlighted by the pink, orange and blue tones in the cloudy sky. The science-based conservation organisation is based in Victoria and holds the photography competition annually. This year the judges received 16,120 photo entries celebrating Australia's natural beauty. A photograph of a bird with its claws out mid-flight and feathery wings spread wide titled 'The Hunt' won the Wildlife category The winning entrant in the Landscape category was this image of a lightning bolt striking across a colourful cloudy sky Photographer Hai Pham took this shot of Melbourne and the Yarra River in the foreground, which won the Urban category The winner of the Mobile category was Josh Murphy with this image of a lightning strike behind a bay filled with boats This image of pink blossoms by Alex Buenaflor titled 'Blossoms in winter' won the People's Choice Award category This image by photographer Phillip Roach taken in Tasmania is titled 'A hail-battered Procyon Peak stands guard over Square Lake' and was highly commended in the Landscape category In the People in Nature category Ryan Mazure received a highly commended award for this image titled 'Ticket to the moon' Highly commended in the Mobile category was this image of a lightning strike over Sydney Harbour by James Toh titled 'Sunset storm' This photograph of the night sky above Cape Byron Lighthouse in Byron Bay NSW also got highly commended in the Urban category This image of Dove Lake in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in Tasmania was awarded highly commended in the Water category A young burns victim has bravely shown off his scars eight years after pulling a dish of boiling water onto himself when he was a curious toddler. New Zealand boy Jack Dragicevich was just weeks away from his third birthday when he climbed onto a draw in his kitchen to investigate a beeping microwave. Tragically he opened the microwave door and pulled a bowl of steaming hot vegetables directly onto his body, the New Zealand Herald reported. New Zealand boy Jack Dragicevich (pictured) was just weeks away from his third birthday when he climbed onto a draw in his kitchen to investigate a beeping microwave Now aged 11, Jack is proudly showing off his battle scars and sharing his powerful story Jack has had multiple skin grafts, confining him to hospital for weeks at a time He was immediately put under cool running water to minimise the damage - but was left with third degree burns to 11 percent of his body and minor burns to his face. Now aged 11, Jack is proudly showing off his battle scars and sharing his powerful story as part of a national campaign at Auckland City Hospital on how to keep children safe in the home. Jack has had multiple skin grafts, confining him to hospital for weeks at a time. Although he and his mother Allissa are happy with his recovery, Jack will face more operations to accommodate for his growing skin. Jack says when he plays sport his skin sometimes fees tight. Jack Dragicevich at age 2 with his mother Allissa McDowall in hospital in 2008 Although he and his mother Allissa are happy with his recovery, Jack will face more operations to accommodate for his growing skin 'When I'm training for swimming my shoulders don't go fully back' he told the publication. He has a simple safety message for families with young children: 'Keep microwaves high.' The Safekids Safety Whare exhibition will spend the next year visiting 10 hospitals in New Zealand. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security along with the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) and THP Recruit Class 1216 are asking the public to donate food and supplies to support those affected by the devastating wildfires that swept through the Smoky Mountains. THP Recruit Class 1216 has been challenged by the Virginia State Police to perform a mannequin challenge in addition to hosting a food drive. The THP mannequin challenge will bring attention to the resources needed for the people who are suffering such a great loss. The collection period will take place on Tuesday, December 6, through Tuesday, December 20. Members of THP will deliver the collected items to the Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries. To learn more about the organization, please visit their website at http://smarm.org/. Suggested items are: blankets, bottled water, canned food, non-perishable food, factory sealed food items, and pet food. Kindness is a gift that we all can share with one another, said THP Colonel Tracy Trott. I am personally requesting that you please show your neighbors in Gatlinburg that you care about them. This is a catastrophic event that affects all Tennesseans. The public can drop off items at any of the eight THP District Headquarters statewide. One can visit the website for a list of the district locations at http://tn.gov/safety/section/t hp . Seemingly harmless YouTube videos of children answering questions are in fact disturbing videos targeting paedophiles with bizarre fetishes. The shocking footage shows children, more often young girls, answering peculiar questions about being shrunk or shoes they would wear to crush a tiny-sized human under the guise of a viral challenge. The horrific content was exposed by New Zealand filmmaker David Farrier, who told 9 News: 'If you're a paedophile there are kids galore on YouTube you can search for, which is disturbing in itself. Seemingly harmless YouTube clips of children answering questions, are in fact disturbing videos targeting paedophiles with bizarre fetishes The shocking footage shows children, more often young girls, answering peculiar questions about being shrunk 'What I find about these videos that is particularly worrying is that they are custom-made for adults who are posing as kids.' The videos appear innocent enough with young children talking about what they would do in different situations, for instance if they were shrunk or made giant-sized or what they would do if confronted with 'a 1-inch tall guy'. The bizarre fetishes the unknowing victims are manipulated into taking part in are known as microphilia, macrophilia and vorarephilia. Those with microphilia received sexual gratification from the idea of unrealistically tiny people or people being shrunk. Macrophilia is a fascination with or a sexual fantasy involving giant and Vorarephiliacs, known as vore, fantasise about being eaten alive. The vast majority of those involved in these fetish communities are not paedophiles. Farrier has also directed the docu-thriller 'Tickled' about the mysterious world of tickling competitions. The horrific content was exposed by New Zealand filmmaker David Farrier , who directed docu-thriller 'Tickled' about the mysterious world of tickling competitions The videos appear innocent enough with young children talking about what they would do if they were shrunk or made giant-sized or what they would do if confronted with 'a 1-inch tall guy' Pauline Hanson has lashed out at Waleed Aly and called him 'one-sided and biased' after his showdown with Dick Smith over One Nation's immigration policies. The millionaire told Aly he didn't 'understand basic economics' during a discussion about how many people should be allowed to migrate to Australia each year. 'I don't bother watching him. I think he's very one-sided and biased in his opinion, he's not interested in listening to any real debate in this,' Senator Hanson told news.com.au 'I think he's rude. Do I really care what his opinion is? No.' Pauline Hanson has called Waleed Aly 'rude' and 'one-sided' after he clashed with Dick Smith on The Project over One Nation's immigration policies Waleed Aly and Dick Smith discussed immigration and population growth on The Project When Aly pointed out the population was aging and that to support growing numbers of retirees, the younger generations would have to work and pay tax, Smith told him he 'didn't understand basic economics' Smith appeared on The Project on Tuesday night to discuss his support of Pauline Hanson's immigration policies for Australia. Having cleared up he didn't support Senator Hanson's take on Muslims being banned from immigrating to Australia, Smith said he wanted overall population growth limited. But Aly pointed out the population was aging and that to support growing numbers of retirees, the younger generations would have to work and pay tax. 'You can come up with an immigration program that meant so a whole lot of young people would have to work with taxes at huge levels to support the retiring... otherwise you would have to level with us now and tell us how much tax you want young working people to pay so that the ageing population can have a retirement?,' Aly said. Smith retorted: 'Yeah, that's absolute rubbish. You don't understand basic economics and all I can say is it's going to get worse and worse. 'Peter Costello said that we've got to have three per cent growth. That doubles everything every 25 years. It gets to most incredible figures. A billion people in the time of 200 years of modern Australia. That would be ridiculous. Senator Hanson accused Aly of not being interested 'in listening to any real debate' 'I'm happy as a wealthy person to pay more taxes, to pay my tax now so we don't have to have a Ponzi scheme because it will affect young people.' He wants the population to remain about 26 million. Smith, who is from Sydney's north shore is planning to meet with Senator Hanson, who hails from Ipswich in Queensland, before Christmas, The Daily Telegraph reported. Senator Pauline Hanson says she plans to meet up with Smith before Christmas He liked the fact One Nation was the only party not focused on population growth, saying it would stop young people from being able to afford homes. Although there were other policies of Senator Hanson's he didn't like, Smith said he was beginning to understand where her support came from. But the former electronics mogul, once worth $50 million, has ruled out donating to One Nation. Speaking on 2GB radio, Senator Hanson said her supporters were counting on her to create national stability and pride. 'You've met me, I haven't got two heads or anything like that,' she said. 'The whole fact is that I'm prepared to say these things out in the open - what I see as a problem in Australia. Whereas too many others are so gutless behind closed doors, in their chambers and all the rest of it. (They) will agree with me but won't come out and say it. 'We want our sovereignty, we want out nationalism, who we are as a nation, we are individuals. We want peace in our lives. We don't want people coming in telling us what to do, how to live our lives and becoming such a nanny state. People want stability as well.' Carolina Herrera has weighed in on the question dividing America's fashion elite: Who is and who isn't going to dress Melania Trump when she becomes first lady? The Venezuelan-born designer insisted it would be her honor to offer the former model her clothes, splitting from a number of peers who have publicly boycotted her since her husband Donald's election win. Speaking on Tuesday at an event to celebrate her work, Herrera said: 'Of course I will, as the first lady of this country I will. Of course,' when asked if she would offer her services. 'It is an honor to dress the first ladies of the country and it's something to do for the United States. It's not for myself. It's for the public,' she added. Scroll down for video Carolina Herrera (left on Tuesday) said she would dress Melania Trump, describing it as an 'honor' to offer clothes to the country's first ladies Herrera, 77, is a Trump family favorite. Ivanka Trump is regularly among starlets and socialites in the front row of her New York Fashion Week shows and she dressed Donald Trump's second wife, Marla Maples, for their 1993 wedding. She was also counts previous Republican first ladies Laura and Barbara Bush among friends. Herrera was being honored at an event at New York's Lincoln Center when she made the remarks on Tuesday night. They are in sharp contrast to the reluctance of other American designers who have publicly boycotted the Slovenian former model. Tom Ford revealed last month that not only had he refused to dress Melania in years past but that he would not be offering her any of his clothes to wear as first lady. 'I was asked to dress her quite a few years ago and I declined,' he told The View on November 30, going on to describe her look as 'not my image'. Herrera is a Trump family favorite. Ivanka is a fan (left) and she has also dressed Donald Trump's first wife Ivana (seen together right in 1987) The Venezuelan designer even dressed Trump's second wife Marla Maples for their 1993 wedding. She is pictured with the couple on the day above Herrera has been favored by previous Republican and Democrat first ladies and counts Laura Bush among friends. They are seen together with her fellow designer Oscar De La Renta in 2005 Ford reasoned that his clothes were 'too expensive' for a first lady, who should be able to 'relate to everybody', despite having previously dressed Michelle Obama. His outburst followed that of Obama favorite Sophie Theallet who issued an open letter to customers to announce her refusal to contribute in any way to Melania's wardrobe. Michelle Obama wore a Herrera gown for a state dinner at the White House in 2014 'As one who celebrates and strives for diversity, individual freedom and respect for all lifestyles, I will not participate in dressing or associating in any way with the next First Lady. 'The rhetoric of racism, sexism and xenophobia unleashed by her husband's presidential campaign are incompatible with the shared values we live by,' she said. Marc Jacobs followed suit. 'I have no interest whatsoever in dressing Melania Trump. 'Personally, Id rather put my energy into helping out those who will be hurt by [Donald] Trump and his supporters,' he said. Others have however shown their support. Tommy Hilfiger said any designer ought to be proud to dress a president's wife while Diane Von Furstenberg said a refusal to do so would snub the very essence of democracy. 'Donald Trump was elected and he will be our president. Melania deserves the respect of any first lady before her. 'Our role as part of the fashion industry is to promote beauty, inclusiveness, diversity. We should each be the best we can be and influence by our example,' she said. Controversial designer Jean Paul Gaultier said he would be glad to dress Melania who he said was more stylish than Hillary Clinton. Ford dressed Michelle Obama in 2011 for a meeting with the Queen (left). He revealed he was once asked to dress Melania (right in April in a gown by a different designer), but refused Divided: Tommy Hilfiger and Diane Von Furstenberg (left and center) say they will be happy to dress the first lady while Tom Ford (right) and other American designers have refused 'If you have to be truly political, there are probably a few people you can dress. 'She dresses very well by herself, I have nothing bad to say against her, it's not a question of politics. 'She was better dressed than Hillary (Clinton), when she went to vote she was in her camel coat and white dress and was beautiful. 'I don't know who advises her or maybe it's herself, but if she asked me to dress her, why not? Definitely. It's not my objective but why not?' he said. Ralph Lauren, arguably one of America's most beloved native designers, has not commented. His designs were worn by both Hillary Clinton and Melania throughout the campaign. WILL DRESS MELANIA Carolina Herrera Tommy Hilfiger Diane Von Furstenberg Jean Paul Gaultier Ralph Lauren Sam Edelman Thom Browne Advertisement In the days before his death he asked her for $10,000 to buy an opulent coffin He would read his children the bible every night and kept many religious statues Slain gangster Pasquale Barbaro's ex-wife has revealed he would read the bible to his children every night and send footage of naked escorts to his friends at night. Melinda Barbaro has shed light on her ex-husband's devotion to God and shared how he would adorn his home with religious statues, The Daily Telegraph reported. The details on the 35-year-old's Catholic beliefs come weeks after he was gunned down by two-hooded hitmen in an execution-style shooting in Earlwood, in Sydney's south, last month. Scroll down for video The estranged wife of slain gangster Pasquale Barbaro, has revealed he was fiercely religious Melinda Barbaro, 31, said the underworld figure would read his children the bible every night and kept many religious statues 'Yes he loved his Versace shirts and Rolexes but he went to church to pray and was fiercely loyal and protective to me and our children,' Melinda, 31, told The Daily Telegraph. She said he knew his days were numbered and in the days before his death he asked for $10,000 so he could be laid to rest in an opulent mahogany coffin adorned with statues of Jesus. 'There were statues of La Madonna and Jesus and archangels around the house and we'd always read the bible to the children at night,' she said. She said Barbaro was not the same man after leaving prison in 2013 over methamphetamine production, which sent him in the downward spiral to his death. During this period he dated a number of glamorous women, most recently dancer, Chantel Baptista, who told Daily Mail Australia she was 'grieving' over his death. Sydney police have since carried out a wave of arrests in relation to Barbaro's death. Barbaro was gunned down by two-hooded hitmen in an execution-style shooting in Earlwood last month Barbaro dated a number of glamorous women, most recently dancer Chantel Baptista Footage from dawn raids on the home of an ISIS recruiter and his burka-clad wife has revealed police found documents calling for 'jihad' and letters from radical Islamist networks. Police searched the Sydney home of convicted terrorist Hamdi Alqudsi in September 2014 but a court has only just released the video as his wife claims she was assaulted during the search. In the footage, Moutia Elzahed - one of Alqudsi's two wives - is seen shouting at police officers and accusing one of hitting her. ISIS recruiter Hamdi Alqudsi is seen being read a search warrant as his home was raided by police in September 2014 In the footage, Moutia Elzahed - one of Alqudsi's two wives - is seen shouting at police officers and accusing one of hitting her Newspaper articles alluding to 'jihad in Iraq' were found on the mantelpiece in the living room Alqudsi, who was jailed for six years earlier this year for helping seven men travel to Syria to join ISIS, is heard scolding the officers as Mrs Elzahed rants in Arabic. 'Here, the woman's very sick. There's no reason for you to hit her in here,' he says. 'Just because she's Arabic doesn't mean she's a terrorist,' he adds. A suited police officer who was explaining the search warrant to Alqudsi tries to defuse the situation as Mrs Elzahed jabs her finger towards an officer. None of the alleged assault mentioned appears to have been caught on camera. The 10-hour search of their home follows the heated discussion, and turned up a haul of potential evidence. Mrs Elzahed, who claims she was assaulted in the raid, is pictured reading a document as police search her bedroom A handwritten document mentioning 'life in jail/supermax jail' was also discovered Among another haul of documents, the police found a press release from Hizb ut-Tahrir, a Sunni Muslim network that wants to set up an Islamic caliphate across the Middle East a list of what appear to be scriptures including two called 'The Art of War (brief)' and 'The History of Jihad (Basic)' was found in the house The squad of officers went from room to room, moving furniture and rifling through the family's belongings. They started in the living room, where newspaper clippings about jihad were found on the mantelpiece. 'Jihad in Iraq,' one headline from months earlier reads. 'New law will see jihadist party ban,' another says. It is not clear why the family would choose to keep copies of these articles months after they were published. Documents alluding to 'jihad' were also found in the room, as was a list of what appear to be scriptures including two called 'The Art of War (brief)' and 'The History of Jihad (Basic)'. A handwritten document mentioning 'life in jail/supermax jail' was also discovered. The squad of officers went from room to room, moving furniture and rifling through the family's belongings After searching through Aldi shopping bags, police found an iPhone with unopened WhatsApp messages written in Arabic Police searched the home of convicted terrorist Hamdi Alqudsi in September 2014 but have only just released the video as his wife claims she was assaulted during the search Just minutes into the search of the living room, at around 5am, members of the family are heard praying out of shot A USB drive was also recovered by police, who were seen searching inside an urn, as was a locked mobile phone. Other items found in the living room included credit cards issued to Alqudsi by St. George Bank and NAB, as well as a library card addressed to him. The ISIS recruiter was later found to have a Commonwealth bank account too. Just minutes into the search of the living room, at around 5am, members of the family are heard praying out of shot. The officers also searched the bathroom and the kitchen, where they searched the contents of the fridge and combed through drawers. After searching through Aldi shopping bags, they found an iPhone with unopened WhatsApp messages written in Arabic. Among another haul of documents, the police found a press release from Hizb ut-Tahrir, a Sunni Muslim network that wants to set up an Islamic caliphate across the Middle East - much like ISIS. In the letter, which had handwritten phone numbers on the back of it, the group's Lebanon spokesman speaks of Syrian rebel fighters being arrested and the 'bloody events of Tripoli', Libya. The search then moved to the master bedroom, where Mrs Elzahed was cautious of a male police officer searching through her clothes The 10-hour search of their Sydney home follows the heated discussion, and turned up a haul of potential evidence. Pictured, a reading on the wall of the living room Alqudsi, who was jailed for six years earlier this year for helping seven men travel to Syria to join ISIS, is pictured above during the search The search then moved to the master bedroom, where Mrs Elzahed was cautious of a male police officer searching through her clothes. A woman police officer had to search through drawers containing some of her clothes and was the only person allowed to look at photographs that showed the woman not wearing her full veil. 'She doesn't want any men to through her stuff,' a man who appears to be her son told two of the police officers. Mrs Elzahed was later seen using her burka to block the police camera's view of a police officer searching through a clothes drawer. The footage of the search was revealed as part of Mrs Elzahed court case against the police, who she is suing for alleged assault and battery of her and her two teenage sons. She caused controversy in court on Wednesday when she defied a judge's order to take of her veil and refused to stand because 'she won't stand for anyone except Allah'. Mrs Elzahed (pictured) appeared at Sydney District Court on Wednesday for a civil matter Judge Audrey Balla (left) told lawyer Clive Evatt she noticed Ms Elzahed (right) 'doesn't stand' for the judge when she entered the court room She was spotted leaving court on Wednesday after she refused to stand for a judicial officer Judge Audrey Balla told lawyer Clive Evatt she had noticed Ms Elzahed 'doesn't stand' for the judge when she entered the court room. 'Is there a reason?' the judge asked. 'I'm afraid so your honour,' replied Mr Evatt. 'Tell me what it is?' Judge Balla said. Mr Evatt then told the court he believed it was for 'religious reasons' before stopping to check with other lawyers. He then told the court: 'She's a Muslim, your honour, a strict Muslim and according to my instructions she won't stand for anyone except Allah which I'm not particularly happy with,Your Honour'. Ms Elzahed is suing the state over the 2014 counter-terrorism raid at her Sydney home She was spotted leaving court on Wednesday after she refused to stand for judicial officer The Muslim woman appeared at Sydney District Court on Wednesday for a civil matter Judge Balla then said he had 'no doubt' Ms Elzahed had been made aware of a recent offence created 'which may relate to such conduct'. She said a decision on 'any action' would be made by others but the judge 'just wanted to check she's received advice'. 'Each occasion she doesn't do it may be a separate offence'. The NSW government this year introduced a new offence for disrespecting the court. The offence carries a maximum penalty of 14 days in prison and a fine of up to $1,000. Judge Balla last week refused to hear Ms Elzahed's evidence if she was wearing her burka, which covers fully covers her in black cloth, except for her eyes. As the fight over Sofia Vergara's frozen embryos continues to rage on, the actress is facing two unlikely plaintiffs: her own fertilized eggs. Nick Loeb, Vergara's former fiance, has listed the embryos 'Emma' and 'Isabella' in a right-to-live lawsuit he filed against the Modern Family star in Louisiana this week. The lawsuit claims that the embryos, which were created in 2013, have been deprived of a trust that Loeb created for them in the state, according to Page Six. Isabella and Emma have been deprived of this inheritance by not being born and should be allowed to live so they can receive that money, according to the suit. Nick Loeb, Sofia Vergara's former fiance, has listed the couple's two frozen embryos - which he has named Isabella and Emma - as plaintiffs against the actress in a right-to-life case It's no coincidence Loeb filed the papers in Louisiana, a state that offers special legal protections for frozen embryos. Loeb, 41, lives in New York and Florida but attended Tulane University in New Orleans and is still a reserve police officer in the state, sources told the site. Text messages included in the filing reveal that, even when they were a couple, Loeb and Vergara, 44, were arguing about the embryos long before they split in May 2014. In March 2013 the couple found out they had created five embryos. Sources said Loeb then texted his fiancee: 'You can't keep 4 frozen lives forever or kill them, we will go to hell'. 'We r going to hell regardless', Vergara allegedly responded. She then told Loeb: 'I'm doing it because I want you to have a baby.' Vergara underwent two rounds of in-vitro fertilization but both failed. When the couple split up, Loeb allegedly texted her: 'We still have those 2 frozen babys'. The couple has signed a contract stating neither party could use the embryos without other's consent. The lawsuit claims that the embryos, which were created in 2013, have been deprived of a trust that Loeb created for them in the state of Louisiana Vergara was spotted walking around Beverly Hills with a lollipop on Tuesday, hours before reports of the lawsuit surfaced Vergara (pictured in Beverly Hills on Tuesday) underwent two rounds of in-vitro fertilization with Loeb, but both failed Loeb dropped a different lawsuit against Vergara in California on Tuesday when a judge ruled he would have to identity two women who had abortions after he impregnated them. He is pictured in 2011 But the new lawsuit argues that Loeb should have full custody over the embryos, which he wants implanted in a surrogate, and that Vergara should have no parental rights. Meanwhile, Vergara's legal team is arguing that Loeb is using his newfound pro-life stance to gain more publicity for his fight over the embryos. Loeb dropped a different lawsuit against Vergara in California on Tuesday when a judge ruled he would have to identity two women who had abortions after he impregnated them. Fred Silberberg, Vergara's lawyer, said he wanted to question both women in court as their own actions contracted Loeb's current pro-life stance. 'Oddly, Loeb wants us to believe that he supports a woman's right to privacy and to make a choice concerning reproduction,' Silberberg told Page Six. 'However, he seems to believe that his celebrity ex-fiancee, Sofia Vergara, does not have those same rights, especially if it means giving him more public exposure.' Loeb has claimed that his beliefs in 'right to life' came after and as a result of the abortions. Vergara, now married to actor Joe Manganiello, has said in the past that she believes a 'child needs a mother and a loving relationship with parents that don't hate each other' He also previously wrote in a New York Times op-ed that he believes he is entitled to 'bring his embryos to term' because he is willing to 'take on all parental responsibilities'. Vergara wants to keep the embryos 'frozen indefinitely'. The actress has previously said that she believes that a 'child needs a mother and a loving relationship with parents that get along, that don't hate each other'. 'I wouldn't want to bring kids to the world where it is already set everything wrong for them,' she added. 'It would be so selfish.' 'I've been working very hard for 20 years to get to this point where I am. I don't want to allow this person to take more advantage of my career and try to promote himself.' Vergara believes the contract the couple signed back in 2013 should have been the end of it. 'There's nothing to talk about,' she said. 'There's papers signed.' The 34-year-old was starved, beaten, branded and brutalized by the women She has told police that two Hispanic women kidnapped her on November 2 Sherri Papini's husband has not been ruled out as a suspect in the California mom's disappearance. Keith Papini 'has been cooperative and even volunteered for a polygraph, which he passed', Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko told the New York Post. His wife was kidnapped, tortured and starved, for three weeks, before she was discovered bound near Interstate 5 in Yolo County. Sherri had been able to somehow flag down a passing motorist, who helped her to safety. But Bosenko did not rule out Keith as a suspect in his wife's abduction on November 2, when the 34-year-old mother of two children, disappeared after leaving home to jog. 'We are keeping an open mind and looking at all avenues,' Bosenko said. Scroll down for video Sherri Papini's husband, Keith Papini (pictured), has not been ruled out as a suspect in the California mom's disappearance, but authorities said they are 'keeping an open mind and looking at all avenues' Keith Papini 'has been cooperative and even volunteered for a polygraph, which he passed', Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko. The couple and their children (pictured) recently left their home in Redding and moved to an undisclosed location in the wake of her abduction Police are still searching for the suspects described as two Hispanic women who dumped Sherri on the side of a highway on Thanksgiving Day in Yolo County. The couple and their children recently left their home in Redding, California, and moved to an undisclosed location in the wake of her abduction. In an interview with ABC News Sherri's husband revealed that it was too difficult for his wife to be at the home given what happened to her in the 22 days that she was held captive, and that he was not sure that they would ever return to the house. It has now been almost two weeks since Sherri was released by her captors, and there are still many questions that remain unanswered in the case. Sherri was kidnapped, tortured and starved, for three weeks, before she was discovered bound near Interstate 5 in Yolo County. She had been able to somehow flag down a passing motorist Horror house: Sherri (above on a family vacation) was kept isolated and shackled in a basement where she was beaten and branded during her 22 days in captivity Sherri is also having difficulty describing the two women who held her captive because in addition to keeping her isolated and shackled in a basement they also covered her head with a hood, making it hard for her to see anything but their eyes. She was also starved, beaten, branded and brutalized by the two Hispanic women, who remain at large and are armed according to police. Keith also detailed the 'very mixed emotions' he felt when he heard his wife's voice for the first time during his interview. He said that he received a call from the police officer who arrived on the scene after his wife was released by her captors on a California freeway, and in the background he could hear his wife screaming his name. 'It's very emotional. And, 'I love you, I love you, I love you, Oh my God, you're here. You're back. Where are you?'' said Keith. The Shasta County Sheriff's Department is still looking for clues to determine why Sherri was targeted and the motive of her kidnappers in their ongoing investigation. 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 22: Christine Everson spots a woman she believes to be Sherri Papini at a rest stop in Redding, just miles away from the missing woman's home. The woman refuses to engage Everson in conversation after she approaches the dark SUV she is sitting in, the same tupe of car police are now looking for in the case. Everson leaves but reports her sighting to police. 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 Bill Garcia, a private detective who has been looking into the case, said in an interview with Today last week that he believes that Sherri may have been a sex trafficking victim. 'I suspect based on the types of injuries Sherri incurred, the beatings, the broken nose, the cut hair, especially the chains and the branding, indicate that most likely it was one of these sex trafficking groups,' said Garcia. When asked about sex trafficking being a possible motive Bosenko would only say: 'We don't know if this was related to any cartel or sex trafficking.' Bosenko told DailyMail.com on Wednesday: 'Right now we have no known reason why she was abducted, we do not know if she was specifically targeted or if this was a random abduction. 'It's still an active and ongoing investigation and we're still looking for the reasons or the motive for this abduction. 'Abductions are generally rare, especially in this area, but I mean in general an adult abduction is an unusual occurrence.' He also spoke about the fact that Sherri's captors branded her with some sort of message, which neither he nor her husband Keith will share details about. 'I would think that that was some sort of either an exertion of power and control and or maybe some type of message that the brand contained,' said Bosenko earlier this week. 'It is not a symbol, but it was a message.' Keith previously revealed that his wife's captors kept her in restraints at all times, whether she was inside the house or out with them in a vehicle. 'She had a metal chain around her waist. She had a bag over her head,' said Keith. 'She was chained anytime she was in a vehicle. They opened the door... they cut something, freed her restraints that were holding her in the vehicle and they pushed her out.' They even kept her chained up after releasing her on the side of the road at around 4am on the morning of Thanksgiving. Police said the women may be traveling in a dark SUV and that the younger of the two has long curly hair and a thick accent. She also has pierced ears and thin eyebrows. Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko said that detectives are not any closer to establishing a reason or motive behind the kidnapping The older woman has thick eyebrows and straight black hair with streaks of gray. Keith said his wife told him that she screamed until she was 'coughing up blood' trying to get a motorist to stop before realizing that her chains might be scaring them away because it looked like she had broken out of prison. After she realized this Sherri hid the chains and was able to flag down a driver according to Keith. He made his first statement to the media about his wife's disappearance earlier this week after spending the weekend alone with his family. In addition to describing her injuries, he also lashed out at those who have implied that his wife is lying about the kidnapping. 'Rumors, assumptions, lies, and hate have been both exhausting and disgusting. 'Those people should be ashamed of their malicious, sub human behavior,' said Keith in the statement, which was released just four days after his wife was found safe. Gone girl: Sherri (above in a family photo from earlier this year) was reported missing by Keith after going out for a jog near their home in Redding on November 2 Scene: Sherri was found chained on the side of the road near Sacramento on Thanksgiving morning (above), 140 miles away from her home '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 later stated: '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.' Sherri was reported missing by Keith after going out for a jog near their home in Redding on November 2 and failing to return. Keith said he first grew concerned when he learned that his wife had failed to pick up their two 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'. Hundreds of teachers at 30 Victorian schools will wear T-shirts promoting the closure of offshore detention camps as of Monday as part of a pro-refugee movement. Up to 500 educators with Teachers for Refugees will wear shirts emblazoned with 'Close the Camps, Bring them Here' in order to open up discussions with students about refugees, such as those being held in Nauru Detention Centre. The group is being backed by the education union, but Opposition state education spokesman Nick Wakeling told the Herald Sun teachers and their schools should be focusing on raising education standards. Up to 500 teachers from 30 Victorian schools, who are with the group Teachers for Refugees, will wear T-shirts promoting the closure of offshore detention centres as of Monday The educators will wear shirts emblazoned with 'Close the Camps, Bring them Here' (pictured) in order to open up discussions with students about refugees 'The classroom isn't a soapbox for activist teachers to force their political views on our children,' he said. The Teachers for Refugees group said they are trying to fight against the 'poisonous racism' from Immigration Minister Peter Dutton. 'Some of us have taught refugees in offshore camps, or here in the community, and we know that they are denied basic human rights,' said Melbourne organiser Lucy Honan. 'We know there are both teachers and students on Nauru and Manus who should be in our schools, not in prison camps.' Hume Central Secondary College, St Joseph's Flexible Learning Centre, Williamstown High, St Albans Secondary College are just some of the schools involved in the group's movement. Seventy-five years after a Japanese admiral led the attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, the mayor of his hometown will lay flowers at the memorial event in Hawaii today in a bid to atone for the deaths of 2,403 Americans. In his famous speech after the surprise attack President Franklin D. Roosevelt said December 7 was a date which would 'live long in infamy'. The Japanese formally declared war on the United States an hour later, an act which still rankles 75 years later. Scroll down for video The surprise attack on U.S. Navy shops docked in Pearl Harbor (pictured) was the biggest single loss of life in America up until 9/11, which had a similar effect on the American psyche Japan hoped the attack would be a knockout blow from which the US Navy would never recover but they miscalculated because three aircraft carriers were not in port and survived unscathed. The attack was the brainchild of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who hailed from the city of Nagaoka. The Mayor of Nagaoka, Tatsunobu Isoda, has been invited to today's memorial by the Mayor of Honolulu and will take part in another ceremony tomorrow which has been organized jointly by Japan and the US for the first time. Last year the Mayor of Nagaoka, Tomio Mori (right), attended a celebration at Pearl Harbor-Hickam, with the Mayor of Honolulu, Kirk Caldwell (center) and U.S. Navy Rear Admiral John Fuller, (left) to mark the end of the 70th anniversary of the end of the war Later this month Shinzo Abe will become the first Japanese Prime Minister to visit Pearl Harbor, an act which comes months after President Obama visited Hiroshima. Mr Abe said this week: 'We must never repeat the horror of war. I want to express that determination as we look to the future, and at the same time send a message about the value of US-Japanese reconciliation.' Jim Downing is one of around 30 Pearl Harbor survivors who will attend the ceremony to remember their dead comrades today. Jim Downing, 103, poses in a Navy uniform in Honolulu, with a photo of himself taken shortly before the attack at Pearl Harbor. He remembers the attack vividly Pearl Harbor survivors (left to right) Stuart Hedley, Jack Holder and Ed Stone pose for a selfie with a tourist in Hawaii this week. Around 30 survivors are expected to attend today's event He had only just got married when he heard of the attack on the radio and ran to his battleship, the USS West Virginia, which was hit by nine torpedoes. Mr Downing, now 103, said: 'We were sinking and everything above the water line was on fire.' He remembers seeing a Japanese pilot coming in to attack: 'When he got the right angle, he banked over, turned his machine guns lose. But fortunately he didn't bank far enough so it went right over my head.' He vividly remembers the fear and the anger he felt on that day. Mr Downing, from Colorado Springs, will be among a dozen survivors at the ceremony today. Ray Chavez, a Pearl Harbor survivor from Poway, California, pauses while eating breakfast in Honolulu. Chavez was out on a minesweeper, the USS Condor, in the early hours before the attack Bill Hughes, who was aboard the USS Utah when it was attacked, arrives at a ceremony honoring the sailors at the memorial on Ford Island at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu They will stand on a pier overlooking the harbor to observe a moment of silence at 7.55am local time the exact moment Japanese planes began their assault. Thousands of other servicemen and women and members of the public are expected to attend and watch via a livestream feed. The USS West Virginia lost 106 men. Mr Downing spent two hours fighting fires and checking the name tags of the dead so he could write their families personal notes about how they died. 'I thought that would give them more closure than just a cold note "Your son was killed in action",' said Mr Downing, who also served as the ship's postmaster. He said he comes back to Hawaii every year for the anniversary commemorations to be with his shipmates. 'We get together and have a great time and compare our stories,' he said. Jim Downing (pictured) is among a few dozen survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor who plan to gather at the Hawaii naval base today Lieutenant Dawn Stankus (left) gets a kiss from Pearl Harbor survivor Ed Stone. She said 'it was an honor to be kissed by you' The hull of the capsized USS Oklahoma is seen (right) as the battleship USS West Virginia, (center, rear) begins to sink after suffering heavy damage, while the USS Maryland, (left), is still afloat in Pearl Harbor Ray Chavez was out on a minesweeper, the USS Condor, in the early hours before the attack. He remembers noticing with his shipmates that a mysterious submarine was lurking off the harbor. 'At 3.45am on December 7, I look out and spotted a submarine that wasn't supposed to be in that area,' said Mr Chavez, who is 104. The sailors reported the sighting and Chavez went home to sleep. He told his wife not to wake him because he hadn't gotten any rest during the busy night. 'It seemed like I only slept about 10 minutes when she called me and said, "We're being attacked." And I said, "Who is going to attack us?" She said, "The Japanese are here and they're attacking everything,"' Chavez said. These days, many people treat Chavez and other Pearl Harbor survivors like celebrities, asking them for autographs and photos. But Chavez said it's about the people who were lost. 'I'm honoring them, not myself,' he said. Iraqi asylum seeker Zaid K has been arrested in Germany for sexually assaulting two Chinese students Another refugee has been arrested in Germany for sexually assaulting two Chinese students. The man was seized five days after illegal Afghan migrant Hussein Khavari, 17, was apprehended for the rape and murder of medical student Maria Ladenburger in Freiburg. The latest suspect is 31-year-old Iraqi asylum seeker Zaid K., who came to Germany in 2015 and lived with his wife and two children near the scene of the two attacks in the city of Bochum. Prosecutors say he struck twice: once in August when he seriously injured a 21-year-old student after he attempted to rape her, and again in November. In the second attack a 27-year-old Chinese woman reported that she was attacked and raped. Police say the boyfriend of victim number one took photos of the suspect lingering at the crime scene days later. These led detectives to the refugee home where he lived. Police murder squad chief Roland Wefelscheidt said: 'The photos were pin sharp and we had no trouble identifying him at the asylum centre.' DNA evidence from both crime scenes has linked him to the attacks, according to police and prosecutors. The man is now being investigated for other unsolved sex crimes in the area. News of his arrest came on the same day that Chancellor Angela Merkel promised to get tough on illegal migrants as she battles for a fourth term in office next year. Hussein Khavari (right), 17, has been linked by his DNA to the murder of Maria Ladenburger (left), 19, a medical student whose father is a legal adviser to the European Commission in Brussels On Wednesday it was revealed that migrants committed 1576 sex crimes in Germany in 2015. In the first half of this year the figure already stood at 1683. Most offenders came from Muslim countries. The most notorious sex attacks occurred in Cologne on New Year's Eve when mobs of North African men sexually assaulted and robbed hundreds of women. Internet abuse against migrants is rising since the arrest last Friday of the Afghan teen accused of murdering Maria Ladenburger in October. Maria, daughter of a high-ranking EU bureaucrat, was ironically a refugee helper in her spare time. She was taped then drowned in a river after her attacker ambushed her as she rode home on her bicycle from a party. The killing of 19-year-old Maria Ladenburger (pictured) has enraged people in Freiburg Previous Next Morning Pointe of Hixson residents welcomed Skyuka Hall students to enjoy a holiday craft together. But while sticky fingers tacked gumdrops on gingerbread rooftops, a strong foundation of friendship was being built. Every week, the seniors at the assisted living and memory care community exchange hugs and conversation with the students from the K-9 school that serves students with learning differences. Although they are generations apart, the two groups met a mutual need in one another through Morning Pointes intergenerational programming. The partnership between the organizations began in early fall. While driving past the community, Dr. Josh Yother, Head of School, felt called to connect with the residents. Dr. Yother then met with Morning Pointe Executive Director Teresa Bryant, and a new relationship began. Since the visits began, the senior living associates and the faculty at the school have witnessed an opening up of the students. Its something that I knew, that I needed to reach out to them, Dr. Yother said. It was predestined for something that goes past anything we had ever imagined for these kids. Kristin Hunt, Skyuka Hall advocate and volunteer, says the change she has seen in the students has been overwhelming, including for her 12-year-old son who is a student at the school. Ms. Hunt says the Morning Pointe became a safe space where both populations are not judged. They dont see age in each other. They see joy in the interaction, she said. These relationships are special to these kids. Having caregiving experience in the senior care industry, Ms. Hunt says there are more similarities between the students and Morning Pointe seniors than many may realize. Just like the seniors have a care plan, the students have an individualized education plan, she says. It did not take me long to realize they are one and the same. During the first visit, Campbell Jannerbo, 14, a ninth-grade student who experiences disengagement and social insecurities, kindly offered his chair to a resident and found the courage to speak. The faculty and senior living associates who witnessed the interaction were moved to tears. I dont know how he connected, but he found a depth with these residents, said Penny Jannerbo, Campbells mother. When I picked him up that day, he told me that he wanted to volunteer. She said the partnership between Morning Pointe and Skuyka Hall has given her son confidence, stating that the experience has brought compassion and positivity into his life. Its delightful and amazing that he had the opportunity to connect and form a bond, she said. He recognizes the value in these seniors and that he can learn from them. During this weeks visit, Campbell listened intently as Bob LeCroix, Morning Pointe resident, shared stories about his experiences traveling overseas. Mr. LeCroix says this partnership brings back memories of the children he met during his wifes years as a teacher. He says the students have found a special place in his heart, and that there are few differences between the seniors and students needs. I think everybody wants to be loved, he said. Thats universal and I think thats part of it. After each weekly trip, the students express their enjoyment and look forward to returning to Morning Pointe in their spare time. Dr. Yother says the experience is a testimony of the needs found within every individual, stating that the relationship embodies his schools mission to develop students academically, physically, socially and spiritually. Morning Pointes five senior living communities in the Chattanooga area embrace intergenerational programming, as participants young and old engage in meaningful activities where they learn from one another. Dr. Yother said these programs serve as a solid model for other schools who aim to develop students outside of the textbook. Theres an innate need for all of us to be loved, to be accepted and to be respected, Dr. Yother said. These students offer that to these residents and these residents offer that to our students in turn. The joy that I feel internally when I see it externally in the kids is difficult to articulate. His rebellious antics earned him the title of 'Party Prince'. But Prince Harry is now more likely to be seen doing charity work on the world stage than dressing up - or stripping off - for a late night soiree. And the 32-year-old, who is dating actress Meghan Markle, appears to have completely turned his back on his rebellious antics, saying 'it is boring to be bad'. Dedicated: Prince Harry is now more likely to be seen doing charity work on the world stage than dressing up for a late night soiree. Pictured, Prince Harry with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho Broadcaster Tom Bradby claims the royal made the comments during a new ITV documentary the pair made together about Harry's charity work in the Aids-stricken southern African nation of Lesotho. Bradby, a former royal correspondent, said Harry opened up about his own life as he returned to the country. The Prince displayed his signature humility as he remembered his first trip to the nation on his gap year, aged 19. He said he was 'just literally being the ginger, white prince who has come to try to make these kids laugh'. The programme also captures the moment Harry is reunited with Mutsu, a teenager orphaned by Aids. The pair first met when Mutsu was four and have remained in regular contact. Prince Harry said when he first visited Lesotho he was 'just literally being the ginger, white prince who has come to try to make these kids laugh'. Pictured, in an ITV documentary The programme also captures the moment Harry is reunited with Mutsu, a teenager orphaned by Aids. Pictured, Prince Harry with Mutsu as a child during his volunteer work in Losetho Writing in the Christmas issue of Radio Times, Bradby said: 'The film is also rather revealing about who he is and where he is in life. HARRY WILL JOIN CITY TRADERS FOR CHARITY DAY Today Prince Harry will j oin City brokers on their trading floor for a charity fundraising day. He will close deals for the global firm ICAP and help generate money for a range of good causes. All the global revenues from trading during ICAP's 24th charity day will go to a number of causes around the world, including Sentebale, a charity of which Harry is patron. Advertisement 'He talks candidly about the past, the present and his own future. But mostly he talks about how fired up he is about his position and what he can do with it. 'There is, he says, too much focus on the bad news in life. It's great to be good, he tells us, and boring to be bad.' Bradby described the relationship between Harry and Mutsu as 'as heart-warming as anything you will see this Christmas'. The prince first took part in a film about Lesotho 12 years ago, before he joined the Army. He went on to set up the charity Sentebale in memory of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales and has visited the country many times. In 2004, The Forgotten Kingdom - Prince Harry in Lesotho, which was made by ITN for ITV, helped raise the profile of Lesotho's Aids epidemic. Pictured, Prince Harry in the documentary Bradby, who worked with Harry on his original film, described how the prince, seven years after his mother's death, 'was a bruised young man with a lot to say'. In 2004, The Forgotten Kingdom - Prince Harry in Lesotho, which was made by ITN for ITV, helped raise the profile of Lesotho's Aids epidemic and attracted more than 1 million in donations for what was then the Red Cross Lesotho Fund. Advertisement Smiling as they start their new lives in Britain, these moving black and white photographs reveal the faces of some of the thousands of immigrants that came from the Caribbean, Cyprus, Somalia, India in the 1950s and 60s, and changed the country forever. In the years following the Second World War, there was a realisation by the Government of a need to fill the labour market if Britain was going to reconstruct its economy. The British Nationality Act of 1948, which gave all Commonwealth citizens free entry into Britain, particularly encouraged immigration from the West Indies, with the start of this famously marked on on 22 June, 1948, when more than 400 workers arrived at Tilbury, Essex on board the Empire Windrush passenger ship from Jamaica. Large and unprecedented numbers of workers and their families from both Europe and outside the continent - mainly from the Caribbean, India and Pakistan, filled the UK's call for workers, and the Home Office estimated that around 472,000 arrived between January 1955 and June 1962 from all four corners of the globe. Below are some of the scenes of the arrivals to Britain, and the stories of their new lives. In June 1956, three generations of the Constantinous, a Greek Cypriot family, walk along a street in Bayswater, London. The child is wearing the uniform of the Evzones, a Greek army regiment In September 1954, Keith Edwards (right) and Queenie Marques, two newly arrived immigrants from Jamaica, lay back as Keith plays the trumpet In this undated photo from the 1960s, two bus conductors from Nottingham, Jamaican Eric Cox (left) and his co-worker Charlie Pinder, share a smoke in the terminal In May 1956, newly arrived immigrants from the West Indies read the paper in the Customs Hall following their arrival in Southampton, England From September 1954, a group of young women coming from Calcutta, India, on the streets of London From October 1955, a group of Polish immigrant children play wearing handmade national costumes at the Fairford Hostel in Gloucestershire Taken circa 1955, a group of British children and newly arrived children play on a playground in Cardiff, Wales Taken circa 1956, Caribbean immigrants arrive at Victoria Station in London after journeying from the Southampton Docks In 1952, George Bernard, a former tally clerk supervisor at Columbo docks, boarded an American ship bound for Calcutta in 1952 without a passport. Here in December 1956, after four years of sailing round the world and frequent spells in jail, he landed in Liverpool and was allowed to stay A group of Somalians get together for a drink and a smoke in a cafe in Butetown, Cardiff in April 1950 Chandler McGhie, a Jamaican immigrant working as a bus conductor in Birmingham in February 1955 Siebert Mattison, an immigrant from St Anne, Jamaica and his Welsh wife live, sleep and cook in the same room with their three children in January 1955 A Catholic volunteer worker (right) welcomes a young Irish immigrant upon her arrival in London in October 1955 Circa 1950, an immigrant employee from Pakistan at work in a spinning mill in Bradford, West Yorkshire, the worsted-manufacturing and wool-trade centre of England Two young women have a conversation in Butetown, one of the poorest areas of Cardiff, in January 1954 A doorman and a proprietor of an Indian restaurant share a laugh in London in June 1956 Two young women and a baby stand in a doorway in Butetown, also known as 'Tiger Bay', in Cardiff in January 1954 A newly arrived West Indian immigrant is met by a Salvation Army officer at Southampton circa 1956 Black and white children play in the street in Notting Hill, London, in 1959, while men play a game of dice in the background In this undated photograph, a group of Maltese women learn on the job in the cotton industry in a Lancashire Cotton Mill An immigrant reads a sign on a boarding house door which the says 'Rooms to Let - No Coloured Men' in September 1958 A train worker directs a group of West Indian immigrants arriving in Victoria Station from Southampton Docks in May 1956 In an undated photograph, Helma Hartmann, an 18-year-old German girl, arrives to work in Britain One of the thirty seven Indians detained on board a boat at Dover is finally allowed to enter Britain after a long journey from India. Here he sits at Victoria Station in November 1959 Circa 1955, a group of men kneel in prayer in Cardiff, Wales. Islam is the largest non-Christian faith in Wales, according the 2011 census. The first mosque was built in 1947 A young boy plays with a train set at his home in the Cardiff docklands in Butetown in April 1950 A woman and a baby at a shop in Butetown in April 1950. The city was one of the UK's first multicultural communities. A woman at an outdoor market in Butetown, Cardiff, circa 1950. An ethnic mix of Arab, Somali, West African, West Indian and Greek families made up the population of the dockland and still do today. A group of children listen as a record plays in Butetown in April 1950 West Indian immigrants get off a train at Victoria Station, London in this undated photograph A Red Cross worker helps a young West Indian immigrant who has something in her eye at a station in May 1956 Horace And Sybil Tovey from Calcutta, India with their daughters whom have come to find a husband, in September 1954 Three Sikh children in an Indian community in London in October 1955 A trio of Jamaican immigrants walking the streets of Birmingham in January 1955 A street scene in Brixton, London, where many immigrants settled in September 1952 The first pay-day for hostel near Lowton, Lancashire, where eight-week education course are run for European volunteers in an undated photograph Two West Indian women share a joke in a backyard in Cardiff in Janauary 1954 A student was left in agony after a fish bone from a McDonald's meal pierced his cheek. Kirill Tropitsyn had ordered a new cuisine-style McDonald's fish roll from a branch of the fast food restaurant in the Russian capital city of Moscow. He says that he suddenly felt a stab of pain as he bit into the meal - and could not believe his eyes when he saw a fish bone sticking through his cheek. Kirill Tropitsyn had ordered a new cuisine-style McDonald's fish roll from a branch of the fast food restaurant in the Russian capital city of Moscow Mr Tropitsyn had been on his way home from one of the city's universities when he decided to stop off at McDonald's to try one of the new rolls which contain dressed herring. He decided to eat his meal while sitting inside his car but says that he was in agony almost as soon as he bit into the wrap. Mr Tropitsyn said: 'At first I thought I had accidentally bitten part of my cheek. 'Then I looked in the mirror and I was terrified to see that there was a fish bone sticking out from my cheek.' He called an ambulance which took him to a hospital where the bone was removed before he was allowed to go home, reports said. Mr Tropitsyn added: 'I think that McDonald's should pay more attention to its products. 'I got lucky because the bone pierced only my cheek and not my throat or my colon.' His lawyer Sapizhat Gusnieva confirmed that a complaint had been lodged against McDonald's and that her client was demanding 150,000 RUB (1,854) in damages. A McDonald's spokesman told MailOnline the fast food chain is investigating the incident. 'McDonald's and our suppliers take great pride in serving our customers safe, high quality products that meet our strict quality requirements and all applicable local laws and regulations. 'McDonald's safely and quality requirements are defined and verified regularly through independent supplier audits. 'We will be investigating this alleged incident fully in order to ensure all practices and procedures are in place.' Dressed herring is a popular dish in Russia where it is known as 'herring under a fur coat'. The Liberal Democrats have been fined the maximum 20,000 by a watchdog for failing to declare almost 185,000 of their 2015 general election expenses. The Electoral Commission said it had also referred the matter to the Metropolitan Police to see if any criminal offences have been committed. The investigation found that 307 payments totalling 184,676 were missing from the Lib Dems' spending return without a reasonable excuse. In addition, invoices supporting 122 out of the 307 payments were missing from the party's return, the Electoral Commission said. The Electoral Commission findings will raise fears in Tory ranks they too could face prosecution over Conservative spending when the watchdog finishes an unrelated probe. Tim Farron's Liberal Democrats - last week jubilant at by-election victory in Richmond, pictured - today face a 20,000 fine and a police investigation into general election expenses The watchdog said Tim Gordon, the party's chief executive and registered 'campaigns officer' had committed offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act. Bob Posner, director of political finance and regulation at the Electoral Commission, said the case showed why the watchdog should be given powers to impose higher penalties. He said: 'Our investigation uncovered systemic failures in ensuring that the rules were being followed. 'The party and its officers co-operated fully throughout the investigation. However, this is an experienced party that failed to meet the basic requirements of the law, and cases like this undermine voters' confidence in our political finance system. 'This is why we have applied the highest financial penalty available to us. 'This also highlights why we have been calling on the UK Government to make higher sanctioning powers available to us. 'With millions of pounds being spent by large parties looking to form national governments, a fine of 20,000 is no longer a strong enough deterrent to ensure the rules are properly followed.' The Electoral Commission investigation found that 307 payments totalling 184,676 were missing from the Lib Dems' 2015 spending return without a reasonable excuse. The nationwide campaign included a battle bus for Nick Clegg A Liberal Democrat spokesman said: 'We always endeavour to ensure our reports of national campaign expenses are completed in full, in good time and according to all applicable rules. 'These mistakes, caused by issues with a small number of local accounting units, were a result of human error and failures of process. 'We are taking steps to ensure these mistakes are not repeated in future. We will co-operate fully with any investigation.' The Commission has also notified the Metropolitan Police of a possible criminal offence if party officials knowingly or recklessly signed a false declaration in relation to the above spending. The Liberal Democrats suffered a mauling at the hands of the electorate in 2015, keeping just eight of the 57 seats they had won in 2010. The campaign cost more than 3.5million. I was not raised in a racist home or environment. Living in the South, almost every White person has a small amount of racial awareness, simply beause [sic] of the numbers of negroes in this part of the country. But it is a superficial awareness. Growing up, in school, the White and black kids would make racial jokes toward each other, but all they were were jokes. Me and White friends would sometimes would watch things that would make us think that 'blacks were the real racists' and other elementary thoughts like this, but there was no real understanding behind it. The event that truly awakened me was the Trayvon Martin case. I kept hearing and seeing his name, and eventually I decided to look him up. I read the Wikipedia article and right away I was unable to understand what the big deal was. It was obvious that Zimmerman was in the right. But more importantly this prompted me to type in the words 'black on White crime' into Google, and I have never been the same since that day. The first website I came to was the Council of Conservative Citizens. There were pages upon pages of these brutal black on White murders. I was in disbelief. At this moment I realized that something was very wrong. How could the news be blowing up the Trayvon Martin case while hundreds of these black on White murders got ignored? From this point I researched deeper and found out what was happening in Europe. I saw that the same things were happening in England and France, and in all the other Western European countries. Again I found myself in disbelief. As an American we are taught to accept living in the melting pot, and black and other minorities have just as much right to be here as we do, since we are all immigrants. But Europe is the homeland of White people, and in many ways the situation is even worse there. From here I found out about the Jewish problem and other issues facing our race, and I can say today that I am completely racially aware. Blacks I think it is is fitting to start off with the group I have the most real life experience with, and the group that is the biggest problem for Americans. N****rs are stupid and violent. At the same time they have the capacity to be very slick. Black people view everything through a racial lense [sic]. Thats [sic] what racial awareness is, its viewing everything that happens through a racial lense [sic]. They are always thinking about the fact that they are black. This is part of the reason they get offended so easily, and think that some thing [sic] are intended to be racist towards them, even when a White person wouldnt [sic] be thinking about race. The other reason is the Jewish agitation of the black race. Black people are racially aware almost from birth, but White people on average dont [sic] think about race in their daily lives. And this is our problem. We need to and have to. Say you were to witness a dog being beat by a man. You are almost surely going to feel very sorry for that dog. But then say you were to witness a dog biting a man. You will most likely not feel the same pity you felt for the dog for the man. Why? Because dogs are lower than men. This same analogy applies to black and White relations. Even today, blacks are subconsciously viewed by White people are [sic] lower beings. They are held to a lower standard in general. This is why they are able to get away with things like obnoxious behavior in public. Because it is expected of them. Modern history classes instill a subconscious White superiority complex in Whites and an inferiority complex in blacks. This White superiority complex that comes from learning of how we dominated other peoples is also part of the problem I have just mentioned. But of course I dont [sic] deny that we are in fact superior. I wish with a passion that n****rs were treated terribly throughout history by Whites, that every White person had an ancestor who owned slaves, that segregation was an evil an [sic] oppressive institution, and so on. Because if it was all it true, it would make it so much easier for me to accept our current situation. But it isnt true. None of it is. We are told to accept what is happening to us because of ancestors wrong doing [sic], but it is all based on historical lies, exaggerations and myths. I have tried endlessly to think of reasons we deserve this, and I have only came back more irritated because there are no reasons. Only a fourth to a third of people in the South owned even one slave. Yet every White person is treated as if they had a slave owning ancestor. This applies to in the states where slavery never existed, as well as people whose families immigrated after slavery was abolished. I have read hundreds of slaves narratives from my state. And almost all of them were positive. One sticks out in my mind where an old ex-slave recounted how the day his mistress died was one of the saddest days of his life. And in many of these narratives the slaves told of how their masters didnt [sic] even allowing whipping on his plantation. Segregation was not a bad thing. It was a defensive measure. Segregation did not exist to hold back negroes. It existed to protect us from them. And I mean that in multiple ways. Not only did it protect us from having to interact with them, and from being physically harmed by them, but it protected us from being brought down to their level. Integration has done nothing but bring Whites down to level of brute animals. The best example of this is obviously our school system. Now White parents are forced to move to the suburbs to send their children to 'good schools'. But what constitutes a 'good school'? The fact is that how good a school is considered directly corresponds to how White it is. I hate with a passion the whole idea of the suburbs. To me it represents nothing but scared White people running. Running because they are too weak, scared, and brainwashed to fight. Why should we have to flee the cities we created for the security of the suburbs? Why are the suburbs secure in the first place? Because they are White. The pathetic part is that these White people dont [sic] even admit to themselves why they are moving. They tell themselves it is for better schools or simply to live in a nicer neighborhood. But it is honestly just a way to escape n****rs and other minorities. But what about the White people that are left behind? What about the White children who, because of school zoning laws, are forced to go to a school that is 90 per cent black? Do we really think that that White kid will be able to go one day without being picked on for being White, or called a 'white boy'? And who is fighting for him? Who is fighting for these White people forced by economic circumstances to live among negroes? No one, but someone has to. Here I would also like to touch on the idea of a Norhtwest [sic] Front. I think this idea is beyond stupid. Why should I for example, give up the beauty and history of my state to go to the Norhthwest [sic]? To me the whole idea just parralells [sic] the concept of White people running to the suburbs. The whole idea is pathetic and just another way to run from the problem without facing it. Some people feel as though the South is beyond saving, that we have too many blacks here. To this I say look at history. The South had a higher ratio of blacks when we were holding them as slaves. Look at South Africa, and how such a small minority held the black in apartheid for years and years. Speaking of South Africa, if anyone thinks that think will eventually just change for the better, consider how in South Africa they have affirmative action for the black population that makes up 80 per cent of the population. It is far from being too late for America or Europe. I believe that even if we made up only 30 percent of the population we could take it back completely. But by no means should we wait any longer to take drastic action. Anyone who thinks that White and black people look as different as we do on the outside, but are somehow magically the same on the inside, is delusional. How could our faces, skin, hair, and body structure all be different, but our brains be exactly the same? This is the nonsense we are led to believe. Negroes have lower Iqs [sic], lower impulse control, and higher testosterone levels in generals. These three things alone are a recipe for violent behavior. If a scientist publishes a paper on the differences between the races in Western Europe or Americans, he can expect to lose his job. There are personality traits within human families, and within different breeds of cats or dogs, so why not within the races? A horse and a donkey can breed and make a mule, but they are still two completely different animals. Just because we can breed with the other races doesnt make us the same. In a modern history class it is always emphasized that, when talking about 'bad' things Whites have done in history, they were White. But when we lern [sic] about the numerous, almost countless wonderful things Whites have done, it is never pointed out that these people were White. Yet when we learn about anything important done by a black person in history, it is always pointed out repeatedly that they were black. For example when we learn about how George Washington carver [sic] was the first n****r smart enough to open a peanut. On another subject I want to say this. Many White people feel as though they dont [sic] have a unique culture. The reason for this is that White culture is world culture. I dont [sic] mean that our culture is made up of other cultures, I mean that our culture has been adopted by everyone in the world. This makes us feel as though our culture isnt special or unique. Say for example that every business man in the world wore a kimono, that every skyscraper was in the shape of a pagoda, that every door was a sliding one, and that everyone ate every meal with chopsticks. This would probably make a Japanese man feel as though he had no unique traditional culture. I have noticed a great disdain for race mixing White women within the White nationalists community, bordering on insanity it. These women are victims, and they can be saved. Stop. Jews Unlike many White naitonalists [sic], I am of the opinion that the majority of American and European Jews are White. In my opinion the issues with Jews is not their blood, but their identity. I think that if we could somehow destroy the Jewish identity, then they wouldnt [sic] cause much of a problem. The problem is that Jews look White, and in many cases are White, yet they see themselves as minorities. Just like n****rs, most Jews [sic] are always thinking about the fact that they are Jewish. The other issue is that they network. If we could somehow turn every Jew blue for 24 hours, I think there would be a mass awakening, because people would be able to see plainly what is going on. I dont [sic] pretend to understand why Jews do what they do. They are enigma [sic]. Hispanics Hispanics are obviously a huge problem for Americans. But there are good Hispanics and bad Hispanics. I remember while watching Hispanic television stations, the shows and even the commercials were more White than our own. They have respect for White beauty, and a good portion of Hispanics are White. It is a well known fact that White Hispanics make up the elite of most Hispanics [sic] countries. There is good White blood worht [sic] saving in Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and even Brasil [sic]. But they are still our enemies. East Asians I have great respent for the East Asian races. Even if we were to go extinct they could carry something on. They are by nature very racist and could be great allies of the White race. I am not opposed at all to allies with the Northeast Asian races. Patriotism I hate the sight of the American flag. Modern American patriotism is an absolute joke. People pretending like they have something to be proud [of] while White people are being murdered daily in the streets. Many veterans believe we owe them something for 'protecting our way of life' or 'protecting our freedom'. But im [sic] not sure what way of life they are talking about. How about we protect the White race and stop fighting for the Jews. I will say this though, I myself would have rather lived in 1940's American than Nazi Germany, and no this is not ignorance speaking, it is just my opinion. So I dont [sic] blame the veterans of any wars up until after Vietnam, because at least they had an American [sic] to be proud of and fight for. An Explanation To take a saying from a film: 'I see all this stuff going on, and I dont [sic] see anyone doing anything about it. And it pisses me off'. To take a saying from my favorite film: 'Even if my life is worth less than a speck of dirt, I want to use it for the good of society.' I have no choice. I am not in the position to, alone, go into the ghetto and fight. I chose Charleston because it is most historic city in my state, and at one time had the highest ratio of blacks to Whites in the country. We have no skinheads, no real KKK, no one doing anything but talking on the internet. Well someone has to have the bravery to take it to the real world, and I guess that has to be me. Unfortunately at the time of writing I am in a great hurry and some of my best thoughts, actually many of them have been to be left out and lost forever. But I believe enough great White minds are out there already. All three women disappeared from their Brisbane home in Garry Dubois, who was found guilty of killing Barbara McCulkin and her two daughters in 1974, is reportedly appealing his conviction. Appeal documents filed to to Queensland's highest court on Wednesday, show Dubois, 69, arguing the verdicts could not be supported by evidence and were unreasonable, according to Seven News. The appeal also requests evidence from witnesses be reconsidered. A jury found Dubois guilty on November 29 of raping and murdering sisters Vicki and Leanne McCulkin and of the manslaughter of their mother, Barbara, after a two-week-long trial in Brisbane's Supreme Court. Dubois pleaded not guilty. Scroll down for video Garry Dubois, who was found guilty of killing Barbara McCulkin and her two daughters Vicki (left) and Leanne (right) after they disappeared from their Brisbane home in 1974, is appealing his conviction Dubious (pictured), 69, filed an appeal to Queensland's highest court on Wednesday, claiming the verdicts could not be supported by evidence and were unreasonable A jury found Dubois guilty on November 29 of raping and murdering Vicki and Leanne and of the manslaughter of their mother, Barbara (pictured), after a two-week-long trial in Brisbane's Supreme Court He was also found guilty of deprivation of liberty. The crown argued Dubois and his co-accused Vincent O'Dempsey, who is yet to face trial, took the McCulkins from their Highgate Hill house and killed them soon after. It was alleged Dubois aided by restraining the three women, according to The Courier Mail. The McCulkin family began to cry after the verdict was read and Dubois' wife, Jan, shook her head 'no'. Earlier this month, Dubois pleaded not guilty to the charges of murder, rape and deprivation of liberty. During the trial, witness Peter Hall claimed Dubois told him just days after the three women went missing that he and O'Dempsey allegedly drove them to bushland before killing them. Graham Ogden (left), brother of Barbara McCulkin, and family members, leave the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Monday Jan Dubois (pictured), wife of Dubois, shook her head after the verdict was read on Monday Garry Dubois's daughter leaves court (left) followed by Graham Ogden, the brother of murdered Barbara McCulkin The McCulkin family home in Highgate Hill in Brisbane where the three women were last seen Dubois, nicknamed Shorty, said the girls were separated from their mother, who he believed was strangled, Mr hall testified. 'He [Dubois] said there were gurgling sounds and he [O'Dempsey] seemed to be gone for what seemed like a long period of time,' Mr Hall said. 'After the sounds stopped O'Dempsey came back and he raped one of the girls and he told Shorty to rape the other one, which he had trouble doing.' Mr Hall said Dubois had said he didn't 'feel good' at the time but eventually complied. 'After that was over O'Dempsey killed one and asked him [Dubois] to kill the other. He said he couldn't do it so O'Dempsey killed the second one,' Mr Hall said. Detective Inspector Michael Dowie leaves court ahead of the family of Barbara McCulkin after hearing Dubois's guilty verdict The McCulkin family (pictured) began to cry after the verdict was read A mother who starved her three-month-old daughter then allowed the body to decompose inside a cooler bag in a shed has pleaded guilty to manslaughter mid-way through her murder trial. Tamara Louise Thompson, 38, had been on trial in the Western Australia Supreme Court accused of failing to provide proper nourishment to baby Destiny, whose 'extensively decomposed' body was discovered wearing a nappy and wrapped in a muslin cloth inside a cooler bag in July last year. The trial was abandoned on Wednesday when Thompson pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. Some members of the jury cried last week as prosecutor Carmel Barbagallo outlined the state's case, while Thompson also wept throughout the proceedings. Tamara Louise Thompson (centre) has pleaded guilty to the 2015 manslaughter of her three-month-old baby, Destiny 'Destiny was not a planned or wanted baby,' Ms Barbagallo said. 'Destiny was not a baby that was about to come into this world into the welcoming , warm, loving arms of her mother.' Thompson had fallen pregnant to her meth dealer and Destiny was born six weeks premature in Perth, but was healthy and moved to Geraldton with her mother, who had five other children, two of whom lived with her. Ms Barbagallo said Destiny was last seen alive by someone other than her mother in mid-May 2015. When her body was found it was too decomposed to determine the cause of death. Thompson lied about where Destiny was after she died, telling some people she was with friends and others that she was in the care of the Department for Child Protection, Ms Barbagallo said. Destiny was not a baby that was about to come into this world into the welcoming , warm, loving arms of her mother. Prosecutor Carmel Barbagallo The situation was revealed when a landlord came to the home she was renting and found animal faeces and vomit on beds and no washing machine or fridge, Perth Now reported. Thompson said the death of Destiny was a 'tragedy' that turned her life into a 'grief-stricken disaster'. Her defence lawyer said Thompson found Destiny dead in her cot one night and 'lost it'. Jade, her nine-year-old daughter, told the court it was sometimes her job to feed Destiny. Thompson will face a sentencing hearing on Friday. Iran has jailed 12 models for up to six years for 'spreading prostitution and a Western-style culture of nudity' online, it has emerged. The eight women and four men were also banned from working in the the fashion industry and barred from going abroad after being sentenced in the Iranian city of Shiraz. Their lawyer Mahmoud Taravat said his clients denied the charges and are planning to appeal. Iran has jailed 12 models for up to six years for 'spreading prostitution and a Western-style culture of nudity' online, it has emerged. Model Niloofar Behboudi is believed to have been arrested in a previous crackdown in Iran They were accused of 'encouraging prostitution' and 'promoting corruption' by publishing 'obscene' online and spreading a 'Western-style culture of nudity' that was designed to corrupt Muslims, the court heard. The defendants will face jail terms of between five months and six years, it has been reported. It is latest crackdown on the modelling industry in Iran. Earlier this year models were arrested and forced to grovel in public for posting glamorous pictures of themselves online without headscarves. Elham Arab, known for her wedding-dress portraits, was interrogated earlier this year in a separate crackdown Police arrested eight models as they targeted 'un-Islamic acts' such as women exposing their hair. One famous beauty, Elham Arab, known for her wedding-dress portraits, was interrogated on camera at the Iranian Revolutionary Court with her blonde hair hidden under a black chador. She was charged with 'promoting western promiscuity' and forced to give public 'self-criticism.' The arrests were made in a sting operation code-named Spider-2 which particularly targeted users of the picture-sharing site Instagram. Harrowing dashcam footage shows the final moments of a mother and her six-year-old daughter before they were run over and killed by a lorry driver outside Iceland. Seconds later Neville Fletcher's HGV struck Zena Jackson, 43, and Cidalia Mendez-Jackson after he skipped a red light at a pedestrian crossing outside the store. A court heard Cidalia was hit as she was being taught the green cross code by her mother, who tried to push the schoolgirl clear of the lorry but to no avail. Fletcher, 55, admitted two counts of causing death by careless driving and was yesterday jailed for 14 months. Speaking after the sentencing, Ms Jackson's daughter Sadie Jackson, criticised Fletcher's jail term, saying 'he will be out to enjoy Christmas with his family next year.' She said: 'On the one hand I want to hate Neville Fletcher and on the other I want to forgive him but I'm somewhere in the middle right now 'I hugged his wife before court but then I heard everything defending him and it made me angry. It seemed the court hearing was all about him. 'We haven't received justice. Seven months each for my mum and sister isn't much. No sentence can ever bring them back.' Harrowing: Dashcam footage shows the final moments of a mother and her young daughter seconds before they were killed by a lorry driver outside an Iceland store Fletcher struck mother-of-six Zena Jackson (left), 43, and little Cidalia Mendez-Jackson (right) while they were on a pedestrian crossing outside an Iceland supermarket in April this year Killed: Neville Fletcher's HGV is seen approaching a pedestrian crossing just before he ran a red light and struck Zena Jackson, 43, and six-year-old Cidalia Mendez-Jackson Hull Magistrates' Court heard how the HGV driver should have stopped at a red light, but failed to do so. He then collided with the mother-of-six and her daughter outside the supermarket in Hull in April, killing both instantly. The pair had waited for the light to go red for motorists and were halfway across the road when Fletcher's lorry hit them. He slowed to slightly less than 3mph as he approached the crossing, then virtually stopped, before carrying on. Fletcher then turned into a nearby street, where he stopped, thinking he had hit a cyclist, Hull Crown Court was told. Prison sentence: Fletcher, 55, admitted two counts of causing death by careless driving and was yesterday jailed for 14 months The full horror of the incident on April 29 near the Iceland store on SpringBank was captured on his dashcam camera and CCTV footage. Fletcher claimed the lights were green when he started to move and must have changed part way through. Malcolm Galloway, mitigating, said: 'If he could possibly turn back the clock he would do so. The remorse and guiltwill live with him all his life. He is a good man who is devastated. 'He has a granddaughter himself and every time he picks her up he thinks about what he has done.' He added that Fletcher had been a professional driver of 35 years and had never had an accident before. Judge Jeremy Richardson QC said: 'No sentence I impose can make up for the colossal sense of loss the family has suffered. 'A few minutes ago I watched the DVD of the tragic and catastrophic events. A court heard Cidalia (pictured) was hit as she was being taught the green cross code by her mother, who tried to push the schoolgirl clear of the lorry but to no avail Patient: Ms Jackson and her daughter had waited for the light to go red for motorists and were halfway across the road when Fletcher's lorry hit them, the court heard Killed: Fletcher's HGV is seen approaching a pedestrian crossing before he ran a red light. He then turned into a nearby street (pictured), where he stopped, thinking he had hit a cyclist 'The lives of the family of Zena and Cidalia have been irreparably shattered, particularly the five-year-old boy who no longer has his mother. Ms Jackson was described as a 'great mother' 'You plainly failed to take into account the red lights and you went through the red lights and executed a left turn, thereby running over the two deceased - first with the front wheels and then the rear wheels.' After the hearing, daughter Sadie Jackson said the family was still reeling from the loss of her mother and sister. 'We still don't feel any closure after this. I don't feel hatred towards Neville Fletcher really and I do feel sorry for his family,' she said. 'We know he didn't do it on purpose but he will be out to enjoy Christmas with his family next year while we will never spend another Christmas with my mum and sister. 'Five-year-old Alfie asks for his mum every night. I tell him she is in heaven and then he tells me he misses her.' Sentence: Fletcher admitted causing death by careless driving and was jailed for 14 months Careless driving: Hull Magistrates' Court heard how the HGV driver (pictured in the lead up to the crash) should have stopped at a red light, but failed to do so Tributes: The incident took place outside an Iceland supermarket in Hull in April this year She previously described Ms Jackson as a 'great mother' and said Cidalia was a 'real girly girl'. Paying tribute to her family, she said: 'My mum had a brilliant sense of humour and used to laugh and joke all the time. She was just funny. 'When you did something bad, she was a real mum, but when you were good, she was like a friend. She loved being a mum, but she was like a kid herself sometimes. 'My mum loved music, all sorts of stuff, and she enjoyed a night out. We would often go out together.I'm going to really miss her.' Speaking about Cidalia, Sadi said: 'She didn't just want to be a princess, she thought she was one. Donald Trump is very easy to talk to and values Britain, Theresa May has said after criticising the US President-elect during his campaign for the White House. Mrs May said the Republican was committed to the special relationship between the US and Britain. The Prime Minister made her praise of the President-elect while on a trip to the Gulf to promote UK ties to the region and her commitment to security. Mrs May today became the first woman and first UK Prime Minister to address the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) in an opulent purpose-built arena in Bahrain. Theresa May made history today as the first woman to address the Gulf Cooperation Council, pictured. She has also used her trip to praise Donald Trump to reporters, describing him as 'east to talk to' Mrs May's speech took place in the opulent surroundings of a purpose built arena Mr Trump's election as US President has led to a sharp intake of breath among the US's international partners, including in the Middle East where Barack Obama negotiated a deal with Iran and led an international bombing campaign against ISIS. Reflecting on her new relationship with Mr Trump, Mrs May said: 'What I have found with Donald Trump is that he is somebody who very much values the relationship he has with the UK. 'When we've talked that's been one of the key things we've talked about, is the depth of our special relationship, and the fact that we both want to ensure that we obviously maintain that, but we also build on that for the future.' Asked how she found the president-elect, Mrs May said: 'Very easy to talk to.' The warm words are a far cry from comments she expressed as home secretary when Mr Trump called for a ban on Muslims entering the US and claimed parts of London were no-go areas for the police. At the time, Mrs May said: 'I just think it shows he does not understand the UK and what happens in the UK.' Donald Trump, pictured yesterday on the latest leg of his 'thank you tour' around the US is 'very easy to talk to', Mrs May has said Mr Trump's unconventional approach to diplomacy left Downing Street embarrassed after the president-elect spoke to 10 other heads of state, and prime ministers, before Mrs May following his shock victory in November. He then caused further alarm by having a face-to-face meeting with then Ukip leader Nigel Farage in New York and even endorsed him as Britain's next ambassador to the US. The pair have had a second telephone conversation since then, and Mr Trump has invited the PM to Washington after his inauguration. Theresa May, pictured today in Bahrain, has praised Donald Trump and said the President-elect was eager to build on the UK-US special relationship Mrs May met Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, today before she became the first woman and first UK Prime Minister to address the Gulf Cooperation Council In a major speech to the GCC today, Mrs May said she did not want Britain and the Gulf to have merely a 'transactional' relationship but a 'strategic' one. She said: 'A relationship based on true partnership and an enduring commitment between our countries and our peoples, a relationship through which together we can meet these great challenges to our shared security and prosperity.' Mrs May added: 'Gulf security is our security. Extremists plotting terror attacks here in this region are not only targeting the Gulf but as we have seen targeting the streets if Europe to. 'Whether we are confronting the terrorism of Al-Qaeda or the murderous barbarity of Daesh, no country is a more committed partner in this fight than then United Kingdom.' Mrs May is using her visit to the Gulf to promote ties between Britain and the region, placing trade and security at the heart of her message Mrs May pictured during her meeting with the Emir of Qatar, today said she was 'clear eyed' about the threat from Iran but stood up for the multi-lateral deal struck with the regime Mrs May said British service personnel had their 'lives on the line' in the fight against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. And looking to the future, she told the GCC: 'As part of the renewed relationship I want to forge with you, the United Kingdom will make a more permanent and more enduring commitment to the long-term security of the Gulf. 'We will invest in hard power with over 3billion of defence spending in the region over the next decade, spending more on defence in the Gulf than in any other region of the world.' Mrs May said Britain would have a permanent base established in the Gulf for the first time since 1971. Mrs May's major trip has also seen her first address to British troops on deployment. Yesterday she spoke to sailors on the deck of the Royal Navy flagship HMS Ocean, pictured The PM said she was 'clear-eyed' about the threat posed by Iran but endorsed the deal struck with outgoing president Mr Obama. Mr Trump has said he wants to cancel the deal, insisting it is bad for America.= But Mrs May said: 'It has already seen Iran remove around 13,000 centrifuges, together with associated infrastructure, and eliminated its stock of 20 per cent enriched uranium. 'That was vitally important for regional security but we must also work together to push back against Iran's aggressive regional actions whether in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Syria or in the Gulf itself.; Lisa Baskette has joined Pinnacle Financial Partners as a senior vice president and mortgage advisor for the firms Shallowford Road office. She is based at the firms downtown office, 801 Broad St. until the Shallowford office is complete. Ms. Baskette, with 28 years of experience, served as a vice president and mortgage loan originator for Regions Bank. Prior roles included serving as a mortgage originator for FSG Bank, First Tennessee Bank, and SunTrust Bank. She began her career as a mortgage processor for Inter-Fed Bank (now Regions Bank). Lisa will be an excellent addition to our team, said Ryan Murphy, Pinnacles client services area manager. Aside from her in-depth experience and knowledge of the market, she is extremely dedicated to her clients and meeting all of their needs." for Ms Nolan's body near Dubbo in New South Wales More bones have been dug up by police searching for the remains of murdered woman Lateesha Nolan in New South Wales' central west. Ms Nolan's father Mick Peet joined officers at a riverbank near Dubbo on Wednesday, where a thigh bone belonging to Ms Nolan- who was killed nearly 12 years ago - had already been found. Mr Peet opened up on the details of his daughter's gruesome murder, describing it as worse than the scenes of horror movie Wolf Creek. Scroll down for video More bones have been dug up by police searching for the remains of murdered woman Lateesha Nolan in New South Wales' central west Ms Nolan (pictured) was murdered in January 2005 by her cousin Malcolm Naden The bones found on Wednesday will undergo forensic testing, expected to take about three weeks. Ms Nolan's father Mick Peet (pictured) joined officers at a riverbank near Dubbo on Wednesday, where a thigh bone belonging to Ms Nolan- had already been found 'What he did to my little girl was worse than Wolf Creek,' he said describing how he felt after reading Malcolm Naden's 25 page confession to his daughter's murder. 'What I read in that confession has been burnt into my mind. I'll never forget what he did,' he told The Daily Telegraph. The thigh bone was found by a member of the public on the banks of the Macquarie River south of Dubbo in November, with police confirming on Tuesday it belonged to the 24-year-old mother of four. The bones found on Wednesday will undergo forensic testing, expected to take about three weeks. Homicide squad detectives began searching the riverbank near Butlers Falls on Tuesday in the hopes of uncovering more of Ms Nolan's remains. Ms Nolan was murdered in January 2005 by her cousin Malcolm Naden. He strangled her in her car after becoming angry during an argument, then dismembered her body and buried it beside the Macquarie River. Naden then went on the run for seven years before being captured in 2012 after one of the state's biggest manhunts. Malcolm Naden (pictured) was jailed for life over her murder in 2012 after spending seven years on the run An aerial shot of the site where police and forensic officers are searching for the remains of the murdered woman Lateesha Nolan After his arrest Naden pleaded guilty to Ms Nolan's murder and led officers to the site in 2012 where excavations were carried out but her remains were not found. Ms Peet flew from Queensland to Dubbo to visit the spot where the bone was found. He said he used to take his daughter swimming at Butlers Falls when she was little. 'This is a start. That is what I am hoping for,' he said. Prince Harry was photographed sneaking out of girlfriend Meghan Markle's apartment under the cover of dusk after a whirlwind mini-break in Toronto. The besotted royal, 32, made a 1,700-mile detour to visit the American actress on the way back home from an official tour of the Caribbean on Sunday. He had been scheduled to fly directly to London from Barbados but instead stopped off in Toronto, where Miss Markle, 35, is based while filming US TV legal drama Suits. The couple spent two nights holed up together before Harry broke cover yesterday afternoon and darted out to a waiting car and headed for the airport. The prince took a 6.30pm British Airways flight from Toronto to London arriving at 6.25am - in time for an official engagement in the City less than four hours later. While Harry will reimburse the public purse for the cost of his flights, the security officers seen with him outside Meghan's apartment are thought to be Canadian, and funded by Canadian taxpayers. Breaking cover: Covering his head with a hood, Prince Harry dashed out of girlfriend Meghan Markle's Toronto apartment and bundled into a waiting car, pictured, yesterday afternoon. The couple spent two nights holed up together after Harry made a detour to visit her at home Whirlwind stopover: Prince Harry, 32, is understood to have taken the car, pictured, to Toronto airport where he boarded a flight to London. He took a 6.30pm British Airways flight from Toronto to London arriving at 6.25am - in time for a public engagement today Blossoming romance: After almost three weeks apart, Harry, left in London today, and Miss Markle enjoyed a low-key weekend inside Miss Markle's apartment. The actress appeared to spend Saturday preparing for her boyfriend's arrival the following day, pictured right Less than four hours after landing in London, he arrived bleary-eyed at the annual ICAP charity day, which sees traders donate all of their profits to a series of charities, including his own, Sentebale, which supports orphans and children affected by the HIV/Aids epidemic in Lesotho. After almost three weeks apart, Harry and Miss Markle enjoyed a low-key weekend inside Miss Markle's apartment. Security staff were positioned around the property and guards with earpieces patrolled the area, a witness said. On Tuesday afternoon, a male figure with a hood over his head ran out of Miss Markle's home and bundled into a waiting car. The vehicle sped away, followed by a security truck. Holed up: The couple are believed to have spent the weekend inside the apartment. They last saw each other when Miss Markle visited Harry in London during a break from filming last month. Pictured, the car waits outside the actress' flat before Prince Harry emerges yesterday On duty: Security staff were positioned around the Toronto property and guards with earpieces patrolled the area during Harry's stay, a witness said. Pictured, a man who appears to be a bodyguard is seen outside the apartment on Sunday - the day Harry arrived Security: A man who appears to be a bodyguard was seen standing next to a 4x4 near Miss Markle's Toronto home on Sunday, the day Harry is believed to have arrived Jet set: Following his tour of the Caribbean, Harry had been scheduled to return immediately to Britain on a commercial flight funded by the taxpayer. However he later took a different flight to Toronto, where Miss Markle is based while filming US legal drama Suits Following his 15-day tour of the Caribbean, Harry had been scheduled to return immediately to Britain on a commercial flight funded by the taxpayer. In the hours before Harry was due to leave, aides maintained the prince would be returning to London. However he later took a different flight to Toronto. An official said that in any situation costs incurred to taxpayers as a result of altered plans or extra flights taken would be met 'privately'. Buckingham Palace has previously stated that members of the royal family should be 'actively discouraged' from combining official and personal trips. Official engagement: Prince Harry arrived in London this morning just in time for the annual ICAP charity day, which sees traders donate all of their profits to a series of charities. Pictured, Prince Harry joins brokers on the trading floor as he helps raise money for the causes Bleary-eyed: Harry hopped on an overnight flight from Toronto to get back to London in time for an official visit to a charity event in the City today. Pictured, the 32-year-old royal arrives at the ICAP charity day. His Sentebale charity is among those that benefits from the event Non-stop: The prince proved how determined he is to make his long-distance relationship work by adding in a stopover in Toronto to his official tour of the Caribbean. Pictured, Harry returned to his official duties today when he joined brokers at the ICAP charity day in London Following a 2004 investigation into visits by Harry's uncle, Prince Andrew - who earned the nickname Air Miles Andy for his 'excessive' foreign travel - the Royal Household told the National Audit Office: 'Members of the Royal Family are entitled to grant-in-aid for official travel, as are their staff and, where capacity permits, other officials. 'They meet their own costs, however, for private travel. In order to avoid confusion, combining private and public engagements in the same trip is actively discouraged.' Despite the guidance, royals do on occasion mix personal trips with official engagements. It is unlikely that Harry's change of plans was made at the last minute because the prince has security with him at all times. As he was visiting a Commonwealth realm, local authorities would also have needed to be notified in advance. Beaming: Meghan Markle was seen buying fresh flowers in Toronto on Saturday, just 24 hours before Prince Harry boarded a plane to see her. She was also seen stocking up on groceries during a supermarket trip ahead of her boyfriend's romantic two-night stopover Besotted: The couple have yet to make an official appearance together but Meghan continues to drop subtle hints about the budding relationship. She has been spotted wearing a personalised gold necklace that appears to be subtly decorated with the letters M and H While Harry will reimburse the public purse for the cost of his flights, the security officers seen with him outside Meghan's apartment are thought to be Canadian, and funded by Canadian taxpayers. Harry and his girlfriend are also believed to be planning a pre-festive getaway together before he returns to Sandringham in time for Christmas. The couple have yet to make an official appearance together but Meghan continues to drop subtle hints about the budding relationship. She has been spotted wearing a personalised gold necklace that appears to be subtly decorated with the letters M and H. A man has been arrested after he was caught on CCTV kneeling on the floor and peering up women's skirts as they shopped in Walmart. Alan Ralph was charged with voyeurism after he was detained by police in Sarasota, Florida after several victims complained to officers. It came after CCTV footage of the suspect was released by police and in it he at first appears to be a normal customer pushing a trolley and browsing the aisles. Alan Ralph, left, who has been arrested after he was caught on CCTV kneeling on the floor and peering up women's skirts as they shopped in Walmart Footage from inside the store appears to show Ralph kneeling on the ground to peer up the woman's skirt In another instance at the Walmart store in Florida, he tried to see up another victim's skirt But he then appears to approach a victim by getting up close behind her while her back is turned and bending down. While on the floor, he then tries to peer up her skirt before moving on and trying to do the exact same thing with another victim. Meanwhile, on another occasion Ralph is without a trolley and can be seen kneeling on the ground as his victim looks at items on a shelf. He also tries the same thing on another woman, who is shopping in an aisle selling bicycles. On another occassion in Walmart, Ralp appears to target a woman looking in the vitamin aisle He kneels down on the ground on his hands and knees to try to see up another victim's skirt He also tries the same thing on another woman, who is shopping in an aisle selling bicycles Sarasota Police say one of his victims first reported his behavior after an incident at Walmart in October. Ralph has now been charged with three counts of voyeurism and his bond has been set at $15,000 When they analysed CCTV, police say Ralph committed the offences on October 3 and 29. Sergeant Mike Dumer told Fox 13: 'This was a purposeful event on his part. It wasn't something he did on happenstance. 'You can see him wandering around the store in various different shots, looking for potential victims.' Ralph has now been charged with three counts of voyeurism and his bond has been set at $15,000. Once he is released on his bond he is not allowed to have any contact with his victims or return to the Walmart store. Advertisement Its just weeks to go until Christmas but parts of Britain will be warmer than Athens today. The mild weather will see temperatures climb to 14C (57C) in London while they could hit 17C (63F) in Inverness. Northern Ireland will also enjoy pleasant conditions and could have its warmest December day on record today. It was 14C at Castlederg this morning, just 2C off the all-time monthly high of 16C (61F) set in 1994 at Murlough. Last week, morning commuters faced daily de-icing as temperatures fell as low as a -9.7C (15F) in parts of Britain. Slide me Compared: Allotments in St Werburghs, Bristol, sit in mild weather today (left) - a week after they were covered in frost (right) Slide me Changing: Bristol is just one area of Britain experiencing a dramatic temperature change following last week's cold snap Slide me Slide me One month later: No snow on Ilkley Moor in West Yorkshire today (left); a major contrast to the area on November 9 (right) Slide me Comparison: A lone figure at the Cow And Calf rock formation on Ilkley Moor today (left) and on November 9 (right) The latest forecast is vastly different as warm southerly winds drift up from the continent, trapped by cloud cover. It means much of Britain will be hotter than Madrid and Athens, where temperatures will only reach 14C (57C). But forecasters warn the trade-off will see gale force winds and heavy rain along the coast and on higher grounds. The unseasonable warmth will see most areas covered by cloud with the occasional outbreak of rain in the North. Temperatures will remain mild at night with most places tonight not dropping below double figures. Orange glow: A hovercraft leaves its terminal this morning as the sun rises behind Clarence Pier in Southsea, Hampshire Catch of the day: A fisherman stands on a pier near to the Round Tower in Portsmouth this morning shortly before sunrise Good morning: A fisherman looks out at a Wightlink boat in Portsmouth this morning as temperatures are expected to rise The South West will feel pleasant with temperatures not set to dip below 13C (55F), making it more like spring. But rain is expected to return tomorrow morning with showers in the Midlands, the South and South West. However, temperatures will still be reasonably mild for this time of year and the wind will die down. Met Office forecaster Emma Sillitoe said the next few days would feel mild for this time of year. Met Office forecasters said it would be 'much milder this afternoon, with brighter skies across parts of England and Wales' This time last week: Frozen water at London's Trafalgar Square last Wednesday as temperatures fell to -9.7C in parts of Britain She added: It is mild in terms of temperature for December but this will be offset by rain and wind. Friday will see the worst of the rain in Britain, starting heavily in the West before becoming lighter but persistent. By the time the weekend comes, the temperatures will have returned to more seasonal 9C (48F). A champion teenage showjumper died in a head-on car crash on the way to college. Ella Popely, 18, was behind the wheel when her Fiat collided with an Audi on her way to Burgess Hill Girls' School in West Sussex on Tuesday morning. The teenager competed in the Team GB junior riding squad and took part in competitions around the world. Friends and loved ones paid tributes to Miss Popely, whose father John has also represented Great Britain in equestrian events. Scroll down for video Crash: Ella Popely, 18, pictured, was behind the wheel when her Fiat collided with an Audi on her way to Burgess Hill Girls' School in West Sussex on Tuesday morning Talented: Miss Popely competed in the Team GB junior riding squad and took part in the Deauville Nations Cup in France. Pictured, at a competition in Ebreichsdorf, Austria, this year Boyfriend Chris Matthews wrote on Facebook: 'You will forever be in my heart - I love you.' Jack Dalton wrote on Facebook: 'You could light up the dullest of rooms with just a smile, and will forever be the brightest star in the darkest of nights. 'Save a place for me up there Ella Popely I'm so grateful to have known you, I will never forget you.' Mark Williams posted: 'RIP Ella Popely. No words will ever be enough to make life easier for those so close to you. On the occasions I met you you were a joy to be around, so bouncy smiley and full of life. My thoughts love and prayers go out to all of Ella's friends, family and those close to her at this difficult time. 'Try to remember all the good times of which there were so many.' Heartbroken: Friends and loved ones paid tributes to Miss Popely, pictured, whose father John has also represented Great Britain in the Nations Cup Skilled: Emma Popely rides a horse called Little Luidam in a competition in Verbier this year James Givons wrote: 'Forever in all our hearts.' Danielle Lane wrote: 'Heaven has gained an angel.' The equestrian community also paid tribute. A Facebook page called Jumping Around posted: 'Such sad, sad news. Young rider Ella Popely died in a car crash earlier today, Tuesday, 6 December, believed to be on her way to college. 'RIP Ella, a beautiful, bright, lovely young lady taken far far too soon. Our sincere condolences and thoughts go out to Lea and John and all connections.' The Facebook page of EquineHour stated: 'RIP Ella Popely - Terrible news of her being involved in a car accident today. 'Our deepest condolences go to her parents Lea, John & Family.' Surrey Police spokesman said: 'At around 10.40am a Fiat collided with an Audi travelling in the opposite direction. Two men have pleaded guilty to stabbing Victoria World War II veteran Ken Handford (pictured) to death before leaving him to die on what would have been his 90th birthday Two men have pleaded guilty to stabbing a World War II veteran to death before leaving him to die on his 90th birthday. Ken Handford, a farmhand and much-loved former RAAF pilot, was found bound in his home near Ballarat, in western Victoria, on September 15 last year by a neighbour who came to wish him a happy birthday. On Wednesday, Adam Williamson, 40, and Jonathon Cooper, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated murder, murder and theft in the Supreme Court of Ballarat over the great-grandfather's death, according to the Herald Sun. The court heard the two men believed Mr Handford, who was a grandfather and great-grandfather, kept $20,000 at his home so they kicked in his back door after midnight in an attempt to rob him. Cooper then stabbed Mr Handford in the back 13 times before they ransacked the home and took off with $3,900, several wear medals and a gold chain, a court heard. Mr Handford was known within the small community to carry large sums of money and cash the cheques of temporary workers, according to family. On Wednesday, Adam Williamson (left), 40, and Jonathon Cooper (right), 29, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated murder, murder and theft over the great-grandfather's death Ken Handford (pictured) was found bound in his home near Ballarat, in western Victoria, on September 15 last year by a neighbour who came to wish him a happy birthday The court heard the two men believed Mr Handford had $20,000 stashed on his property near Ballarat (pictured) The men stabbed the great-grandfather 13 times and took $3,900 and war medals before fleeing, a court heard Prosecutors said Mr Handford was attacked around 12.47, which is indicated by an acceleration in his heart rate tracked by a pacemaker, but didn't succumb to his injuries until five hours later. Many of Mr Handford's family members became emotional during the hearing on Wednesday as the court heard the elderly man recognized Williamson who was friends with his grandson and worked alongside him in 2014, according to the Herald Sun. Williamson and Cooper told friends about the murder and that Mr Hardford spoke to Williamson. Mr Hardford was a farmhand and much-loved former RAAF pilot who enlisted when he was just 18-years-old Mr Handford's brother Ron (pictured), 81, said his brother was known for carrying large amounts of cash 'He [Mr Handford] said "you're killing me Adam",' Cooper said. Mr Hardford's grandson Jarrod Handford who was friends with Williamson - said the attack shocked him. 'The fact that he knew Ken was my grandfather fills me with rage and just shows how corrupted he is.' 'I wonder if he has any remorse, any ill feeling for what has happened, or is he just sorry he got caught?' Police are searching for teenager Ben Savage (pictured) who is missing after a night out with friends Police, coastguard and more than 40 search and rescue volunteers are trying to find a teenager who went missing after a night out with friends. Ben Savage was last seen in Chatham, Kent, early on Tuesday morning after spending the evening in the Tap N Tin pub. The 18-year-old failed to returned home and has nor been seen since. Police described his disappearance as 'out of character'. Today, a police helicopter was helping officers search for the teenager. They were joined by the Medway Coastguard, the Sheerness Inshore Lifeboat crew, and about 40 Kent Search and Rescue volunteers who scoured the area looking for clues of Ben's whereabouts. Yesterday, Ben's mother Tara Savage posted on the pub's Facebook page appealing for the public's help. 'My son Ben was at tap n tin last night he has not come home and he's phone is off we have contacted the police if anyone has any information if you see him please message me,' she wrote. A friend added: 'He was pretty drunk last night, I'm really hoping he's alright, fingers crossed nothing bad has happened! Best of luck.' The teenager, from Rochester, Kent, is described as 5ft 10ins, with a medium build and short brown hair. He is believed to be wearing a black waist-length jacket with a zip on one arm, a grey t-shirt with a large white number on the front, dark blue skinny jeans and black trainers with white detail. A Kent Police spokesman said a search operation was underway and that the force is being helped by Kent Search and Rescue as well as the National Police Air Service helicopter. The 18-year-old was last seen in Chatham, Kent, early on Tuesday morning after spending the evening in the Tap N Tin pub. He failed to returned home and police are now searching for the teenager Officers are also reviewing CCTV footage to establish the teenager's last known movements. The spokesman added: 'Officers are concerned for the welfare of Ben Savage, 18. 'He had been out for the evening and his disappearance is considered out of character. 'He was last seen at 2.45am on Tuesday 6 December in Railway Street, Chatham. West Ham chairman David Gold has been tricked into retweeting a photograph of a TV comedy show believing Will from The Inbetweeners was a real schoolboy. Internet prankster @Gxmble posted a photograph of The Inbetweeners stars Will McKenzie, played by Simon Bird, and his mother Polly McKenzie, played by Belinda Stewart-Wilson, and asked the 80-year-old West Ham chairman for a retweet. The popular comedy was broadcast on Channel 4's youth station E4 between 2008 and 2010. West Ham chairman David Gold has been duped into retweeting an image featuring the stars of popular E4 comedy The Inbetweeners after being asked to do so by a West Ham fan West Ham chairman, Gold, left, pictured with co-owner David Sullivan, right, regularly interacts with his club's fans on social media, leaving him open to being possibly duped Some people have defended Gold asking how many 80 year old men watch shows on E4 The West Ham chairman is the latest celebrity to have been caught out retweeting photographs of incorrect people for a cheap laugh at their expense. In September 2014, Donald Trump was asked by a Twitter user to retweet a photograph of his recently deceased parents. Unfortunately for the billionaire mogul, the image featured notorious serial killers Fred and Rosemary West. Fred West took his own life while awaiting trial, although Rose West is currently serving a life sentence. Trump threatened to sue the Twitter user after he discovered he had been made into a joke on the internet. Former wrestler Hulk Hogan was also caught out in a similar scam. Another Twitter user contacted him with a photoshopped image of Austrian rapist Josef Fritzel, who kept his daughter locked in a cellar for 24 years. Hogan retweeted the image of Fritzel, who was wearing a World's Greatest Dad tee shirt, unaware of his criminal history. Others suggested the escapade was 'possibly the greatest thing ever seen' and some even showed respect over Gold's habit of interacting with his club's fans on social media Donald Trump was conned into retweeting a picture of serial killers Fred and Rose West Scandal: Stephen Port raped and murdered four victims - three of their families will sue the Met saying a child could have done it better The families of four gay men poisoned by Stephen Port will sue Scotland Yard because a 'five-year-old child' would have deduced they were murdered before their detectives did. The Met repeatedly said the similar deaths in Barking over 15 months were all not suspicious before serial killer Port was arrested last year. Jack Taylor, 25, Anthony Walgate, 23, Gabriel Kovari, 22, and Daniel Whitworth, 21, were all murdered by Port but initially they were considered self-administered overdoses and not linked. All were given lethal amounts of so-called 'chemsex' drug GHB - abused while unconscious - and dumped in the street or the local graveyard. Port even went to prison for lying about about Mr Walgate's death but officers still failed to work out he was a murderer and he was released before killing again. Mr Walgate's mother, Sarah Sak, said today: 'A five-year-old child could have put the clues together'. She said: 'It was homophobia. He had planted GMB on them. The police thought "young gay lad. Oh he's had chemsex. Done".' 'They were like that from the beginning, they just refused to investigate anything, didn't matter what you said to them they kept telling us there was nothing to investigate.' After Port was given a rare whole life term last month, the Met admitted they were reviewing 58 other similar deaths. Heartbreak: Anthony Walgate's mother, Sarah Sak, left, said today: 'A five-year-old child could have put the clues together' - Daniel Whitworth's stepmother Amanda Pearson says police wrote off his death as suicide Anger: Donna and Jenny Taylor, the sisters of final victim Jack, say he could have been saved o The men were found dead in the same area over 15 months, but police failed to connect them TIMELINE OF POLICE BLUNDERS June 4, 2014: Police find Stephen Port at Barking station in East London with a young man he had drugged who has collapsed. Port admits they had taken illegal drugs but is not arrested. June 19: Anthony Walgate, 23, given drug overdose and raped by Port who dumps body outside his flat and calls 999, claiming he has found an unconscious man. June 26: Port suspected of lying to police and charged with perverting the course of justice. Released on bail. He is not accused of murdering Mr Walgate. August 28: Gabriel Kovari, 22, given an overdose and raped by Port who dumps the body against a graveyard wall. September 20: Daniel Whitworth, 21, given a drug overdose and raped. Port dumps his body against the same graveyard wall. Mr Whitworth is wearing Mr Kovaris top and is in a bed-sheet which has Ports DNA on it. October 1: Detective Chief Inspector Tony Kirk tells local paper the three deaths within a mile of each other are not being treated as suspicious. March 23, 2015: Port jailed for perverting the course justice by lying over Mr Walgates death. Released on licence in June with an electronic tag. September 13: Jack Taylor, 25, given a drug overdose and raped by Port. Body found next to the same graveyard. October 15: Port arrested on suspicion of four murders and charged. Later charged with attacks on eight other men. Advertisement The four men were all found dead a short distance from the east London home of Stephen Port in 2014 and 2015 after meeting the 41-year-old chef, who had fetish for raping the unconscious. Port met them on gay dating Grindr - before drugging them and abusing them in his flat. Despite the similarities police treated the deaths as non-suspicious - 17 Met officers are the subject of a large-scale Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) probe into their handling of the killings. Donna and Jenny Taylor told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire they believe the Met's failures were laced with homophobia and meant the chance to save their brother Jack was missed. He was Port's final victim and murdered three months after he was released from prison. 25-year-old Mr Taylor was found propped up against the wall of Abbey Green, close to Port's flat and St Margaret's Church. Despite the similarities to the three other deaths in the area over the preceding 15 months, police treated it as non-suspicious because there were no signs of wounds or signs of drug use on his body. But Mr Taylor's family looked into previous cases and told police of the similarities, forcing the investigation which - after Mr Taylor's body was exhumed - finally saw Port caught and charged with murder. Donna Taylor said: 'Stephen Port obviously took Jack's life but we feel that the police didn't do their jobs, with any of the families. 'As far as we're concerned, they have played a massive part in Jack's death because if they had done their jobs properly, Jack would still be here today. 'There is no other way of looking at that and we feel we want them to be held accountable. We want the answers of why they didn't do this, didn't do that.' Port made the death of Daniel Whitworth (left) look like it was connected to that of Mr Kovari. His final victim was Jack Taylor, whose family were angry at the police's investigation Port was questioned over the death of Anthony Walgate (left). He was eventually jailed for perverting the course of justice, but not before Gabriel Kovari (right) was also found dead Port had left a fake suicide note in Mr Whitworth's hand, framing him for involvement in Mr Kovari's death and saying he had killed himself because he couldn't live with the guilt. After Port, pictured, was given a rare whole life term last month, the Met admitted they were reviewing 58 other similar deaths. Port also used social media to suggest links between Mr Whitworth and Mr Kovari, although the pair may have never met. His stepmother Amanda Pearson said that police did not analyse the handwriting on the letter - if they had they would have found it was Port's, not his'. Mrs Pearson revealed that she had to tell Daniel's grandmother that her only grandson had killed himself and left a note saying he had killed someone. She said: 'Daniel's grandmother had already lost a son to suicide. We put our trust in the police. She added: 'Daniel wasn't a party boy. He worked long hours and had little social time. They [the police] didn't want to know about the personality of my son, they didn't want to know really, they had made up their minds and that came across.' Rome's anti-establishment mayor Virginia Raggi said she is proud of the Italian referendum that shook the EU establishment and will change the future of Europe. Speaking for the first time since Sunday's historic 'no' vote, the glamorous 38-year-old told MailOnline: People rose their heads against the establishment and I am very proud of this. Citizens are beginning to understand what is going on in Europe and who should be really in control. We are writing a different story now in Europe. Italy rejected Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's proposed constitutional reforms in a vote that took on an anti-establishment significance after he promised to step down if defeated. The was also a slap in the face of EU leaders, who were perceived to have supported Renzi. Proud: Rome's first female mayor Virginia Raggi, pictured, said Sunday's Italian referendum, which forced prime minister Matteo Renzi's resignation was writing a new story for Europe Political earthquake: Raggi, 38, a married lawyer, is the poster girl for Italy's anti-establishment Five Star Movement, who campaigned for a no vote. She said the referendum result was about people beginning to understand who should really be in control in Europe And in an exclusive interview, mother-of-one Raggi told MailOnline: 'People are no longer just doing what they are told. 'They can get information from many sources, they dont just believe the media and political leaders. It makes me very proud. Romes first female mayor, a married lawyer who lives in a working class suburb of the capital, swept to victory in June, replacing 61-year-old Ignazio Marino who had stepped down amid an expenses scandal. She soon became the pin up of Italy's Five Star Movement, a rule-breaking, populist party founded by comedian Beppe Grillo, which has taken Italy by storm and rattled EU leaders. Her mass appeal was matched only by Alessandro Di Battista, 37, the party's heartthrob revolutionary, known for his flirtatious ways and selfie smile, who has vowed that nothing will stop Five Star when the moment comes. Vote: Raggi is pictured leaving the voting booth on Sunday during the referendum on Constitutional reforms, which became a vote on confidence in Renzi's government. In a rare interview with MailOnline she predicted the result would change the landscape of Europe Leader: The Five Star Movement is a rule-breaking, populist party founded by comedian Beppe Grillo, pictured, which has gained momentum and taken Italy by storm, rattling EU leaders The party is known for its colourful MPs, many of whom are young and female, and all of whom pledge to serve no more than two terms. Five Star MEPs are part of Ukips political bloc in Brussels, and Britains bold decision to leave the EU was seen as an inspiration by the party. Five Star MP Riccardo Faccaro, 35, told MailOnline that he would have voted for Brexit had he been British, as the EU was a negative force in the world which has made many member states poorer, both economically and socially. As Italians, Brexit has a big meaning for us, he said. The establishment threatened the UK with dramatic consequences, and this did not take place. Brexit has become a symbol, it has taken our fear away. It has given Italy the confidence to demand that the EU change, or else we will leave the Eurozone and maybe even the EU. Rebellious: Five Star is known for its young, colourful MPs, including Alessandro Di Battista, 37, the party's heartthrob revolutionary, pictured with Raggi during the election campaign Poster boy: Di Battista, pictured, is one of a new wave of politicians taking Italy by storm. The party has promised a referendum on whether Italy should follow Brexit and leave the EU The Five Star Movement led the campaign against Renzis referendum, claiming that he was trying to concentrate power in his own hands. The Italian leaders humiliating defeat by the electorate is a huge boost for the young political movement, which is now the most popular opposition party in Italy. EU leaders were perceived to back Europhile Renzi in the referendum, and the decisive No vote has caused deep concern in Brussels. Maria Edera Spadoni, a 36-year-old Five Star MP who also supported Brexit, said: The referendum was a big signal to the government and the EU. We made another anti-establishment decision, and the EU is afraid. Europe is just exploding. If the leaders dont change their attitude, the EU will be broken into 1,000 pieces. Bright young thing: Marta Grande, 29, the youngest sitting member of Italy's parliament and a member of the Five Star Movement, said: We are the party that is in touch with the youth' Ambition Maria Edera Spadoni, 36, a Five Star MP is also a Brexit fan. She said: Europe is just exploding. If the leaders dont change their attitude, the EU will be broken into 1,000 pieces Silvia Benedetti, 36, another Five Star politician, added: Why should the EU leaders be worried about direct democracy? I think if theyre worried about it, they should recalibrate their way of thinking. Or maybe the EU should be recalibrated, putting financial and economic interests after values like democracy. The movement has promised a referendum on membership of the Euro and wants radical EU reform, but has not yet vowed to take Italy out of the EU. Five Star Council of Europe delegate Manlio Di Stefano, 35, said he has encountered arrogance at the heart of Brussels. The MEPs spend their whole time discussing how to get rid of the Brits as quickly and easily as possible, but they never discuss why Britain wanted to leave in the first place, he told MailOnline. Revolution: Five Star's Silvia Benedetti, 36, pictured, said EU leaders shouldn't be concerned about direct democracy and if they are, they should 'recalibrate their way of thinking' New future for Europe: Five Star MP Riccardo Faccaro, 35, said the EU was a 'negative force in the world' and that Brexit has become a symbol for demanding change within the EU Shake up: Manlio Di Stefano, 35, pictured, a Five Star Council of Europe delegate, thinks EU leaders will need more than Brexit and the Italy referendum to change the way they work When the elites use the term populist, they mean it as an insult. But I say that they should reflect on what they have done to create Euroscepticism in Europe. The dream of the EU wasnt the problem. It was what the elite did to it. They spend most of their time acting on corporate interests while the people suffer high unemployment. So why should people rely on them any more? Our referendum was another slap in the face for the EU. But I think it will take even more than this for them to wake up. The upstart party has campaigned against uncontrolled immigration, corruption, big business and career politicians. Last month, Raggi pledged to invite Donald Trump to Rome City Hall, and has vowed to clean up Italian politics, echoing his drain the swamp motif. Yet her leadership has been seen as chaotic, with four top officials resigning and a scandal over the appointment of a sanitation chief. Comedian: Despite concerns over the ability of Grillo's movement to govern, the party is popular. Pictured: Ferrari driving founder with his wife on the beach in Sardinia The Five Star movement has rejected government funding that Italian political parties receive, while their politicians give up half their salaries and serve no more than two terms in office Eighteen of Five Stars 106 MPs have left the party in the last three years, throwing doubt on their ability to govern. The movements popular appeal, however, continues to snowball. Five Star politicians give up 50 per cent of their salaries, with the money going towards funding small businesses in Italy. They also serve no more than two terms in office, and the party has rejected the funding that the government provides political parties. Five Stars Marta Grande, 29, the youngest sitting member of parliament in Italy, told MailOnline that the partys youthfulness was part of its appeal. Young peoples voices need to be heard, and we are doing that, she said. In 2010, Berlusconi tried to say Google and instead he said Gogol. All of Italys youth were laughing at him. Police can be seen gathering around the protesters outside the Italian Parliament following the Italian referendum results, where Italy voted against Renzi's government. As the students were being arrested, other protesters chanted 'shame on you' Student protesters gathered to show their support for the 'No' vote with banners and megaphones after the results were announced on Monday. The demonstrations led to several scuffles and three arrests, including the arrest of one of the protest leaders. We are the party that is in touch with the youth. Why shouldnt a 30-year-old debate with Renzi or Berlusconi on TV? With Five Star, it is possible. According to Faccaro, this note of anti-establishment optimism is embedded in the very history of the movement. We did not start off wanting to be politicians, we just demanded that politicians give power to the people, he said. Anti EU: Right wing Lega Nord leader, Mattea Salvini, said: 'The EU is collapsing. It takes power from the people, and it must change or be destroyed.' They said no, so we decided to replace them with our own candidates. One day, we will also replace Junker. The Five Star Movement attracts followers from across the board. Some of their right wing views on Europe are echoed by Lega Nord, the anti-immigration, anti-EU party that has been compared to Ukip. Speaking to MailOnline at the Italian parliament, the Lega Nord leader, Mattea Salvini, said: 'The EU is collapsing. It takes power from the people, and it must change or be destroyed,' he said. 'Brexit has shown that there is life outside the EU. 'Now we understand that if Italy voted to leave, it would not be a disaster. On the contrary, being inside the EU is the disaster. Here is the Planning Commission agenda for Monday: I. Opening Comments & Announcements (Chairman) II. Subdivision Plats & Variances Variances SD 2016-066 North Chattanooga Land Company Lots 67A and 67B-Lot Frontage, Lot Size, and Existing Structure Setback-626 Spears Avenue (City of Chattanooga District 1, Hamilton County District 6) STAFF: Approve SD 2016-067 Scenic City Investments Lots 1 and 2-Lot Frontage and Lot Size-5410 Alabama Avenue (City of Chattanooga District 7, Hamilton County District 6) STAFF: Approve SD 2016-070 D.F. Shauffs Corrected Addition to St. Elmo Lots 17A and 17B-LotFrontage and Lot Size-5411 Beulah Avenue(City of Chattanooga District 7, Hamilton County District 6)STAFF: ApprovePreliminary PlatSD 2016-045 London Woods Subdivision Lots 1 thru 88-10715 London Lane(Hamilton County District 7)STAFF: ApprovePreliminary/Final PlatSD 2016-069 Stonebrook Condominiums, A Planned Unit Development-Lots 50 thru61-1508 Sedgefield Drive(Hamilton County District 7)STAFF: Approve with ConditionsFinal PlatSD 2016-068 Seven Lakes Subdivision, A Planned Unit Development, Lots 238, 254,241-250, and 274-292-8970 Seven Lakes Drive(Hamilton County District 9)STAFF: Approve with ConditionsSD 2016-071 River Watch Subdivision, Lots 1 thru 107-10928 Hixson Pike(Hamilton County District 1)STAFF: Approve with ConditionsIII. Old Business1. 2016-173 Frank Goodwin & Headrick Construction c/o Allen Headrick 1400& 1420 Hamilton Avenue City of Chattanooga Rezone from R-1 ResidentialZone to R-T/Z Residential Townhouse/Zero Lot Lin Zone(City of Chattanooga District 2, Hamilton County District 6)STAFF: Approve with conditionsIV. New BusinessA. Rezonings, Closures/Abandonments, Special Permits, Condition Amendments1. MR-2016-179 Berry Engineers, LLC c/o Ben Berry & Vision 515 Chestnut,LLC/CBL II 515 Chestnut Street City of Chattanooga Mandatory Referral:Abandon Sewer(City of Chattanooga District 7, Hamilton County District 6)STAFF: Approve2. 2016-180 Anne Binette, Representative for Asian Aide, USA & Steven Wolfe 5631 Watkins Street Hamilton County Rezone from R-2 ResidentialDistrict to O-1 Office District(Hamilton County District 9)STAFF: Approve with conditions3. 2016-181 Donavan Howe 10905 Howe Farms Way Hamilton County Special Permit: Permanent Amusement Resort & other use(Hamilton County District 9)STAFF: Approve with conditions4. 2016-182 Tim Dwyer with Leesman Engineering & Associates/Concord Creek,LLC 1503 Gunbarrel Road City of Chattanooga Rezone from R-4 SpecialZone to C-2 Convenience Commercial Zone(City of Chattanooga District 4, Hamilton County District 8)STAFF: Deny5. 2016-183 Mike and Cindy Cound 404 Colville Street & 628 Forest Avenue City of Chattanooga Rezone from R-1 Residential Zone to R-3 ResidentialZone(City of Chattanooga District 2, Hamilton County District 6)STAFF: Approve with condition6. 2016-184 Claudio Costa 4823 Winding Lane City of Chattanooga Rezonefrom R-1 Residential Zone to R-3 Residential Zone(City of Chattanooga District 3, Hamilton County District 1)STAFF: Deny7. MR-2016-185 Branch Waterside Associates, LP c/o Jack Haylett 2300 blockof Napier Drive City of Chattanooga Mandatory Referral: Street Closure(City of Chattanooga District 4, Hamilton County District 8)STAFF: Approve8. 2016-186 Michael A. Wagner 2897 Taft Highway Town of Walden Rezone from C-1 General Commercial Zone & LM-1 Light Manufacturing Zone(Town of Walden District, Hamilton County District 2)STAFF: Approve9. 2016-187 Michael A. Wagner 2897 Taft Highway Town of Walden Special Permit: Mini or Self Storage(Town of Walden District, Hamilton County District 2)STAFF: Approve10. 2016-189 James E. Pratt, Jr./Jon Jeffery Coppinger & Carol Anne B. Coppinger 5424 Cassandra Smith Road City of Chattanooga Rezone from R-5Residential Zone to R-1 Residential Zone(City of Chattanooga District 3, Hamilton County District 3)STAFF: Approve11. 2016-190 James E. Pratt, Jr./Jon Jeffery Coppinger & Carol Ann B. Coppinger 5424 Cassandra Smith Road City of Chattanooga Special ExceptionsPermit: Residential Planned Unit Development(City of Chattanooga District 3, Hamilton County District 3)STAFF: Approve with conditions12. 2016-191 Alan Haniszewski & Scenic City Investments, LLC 1500 AndersonAvenue City of Chattanooga Rezone from R-1 Residential Zone to R-T/ZResidential Townhouse/Zero Lot Line Zone(City of Chattanooga District 8, Hamilton County District 4)STAFF: Approve with conditions13. 2016-192 Alan Haniszewski & Scenic City Investments 1805, 1807, 1809 &1811 East 13th Street City of Chattanooga Rezone from R-1 Residential Zoneto R-T/Z Residential Townhouse/Zero Lot Line Zone(City of Chattanooga District 8, Hamilton County District 4)STAFF: Approve with conditions14. 2016-193 Field, LLC c/o Gabe Thomas/John & Jennifer Langworthy 721, 725,& 729 North Market Street, 14, 16, 18 & 20 Peak Street and 178 Spears Avenue-City of Chattanooga Rezone from E-CX-3 Commercial Mixed Use Zone & ERA-3 Residential Attached Zone & UGC Urban General Commercial Zone to RT/Z Residential Townhouse/Zero Lot Line Zone(City of Chattanooga District 1, Hamilton County District 6)STAFF: Deny Request; ApproveR-T/Z for part & E-RA-3 for part15. 2016-194 Jacob Lemus & Michael Herman 8199 & 8231 Balata Drive Hamilton County Special Exceptions Permit: Residential Planned UnitDevelopment(Hamilton County District 9)STAFF: Approve16. 2016-195 Kristen & Kevin Harvey/Margie Joe Howard Etal 2700 & 2708Walker Road City of Chattanooga Rezone from R-4 Special Zone to C-2Convenience Commercial Zone(City of Chattanooga District 6, Hamilton County District 7)STAFF: Approve with condition17. 2016-196 Ooltewah Development, LLC, Shane Howard & Robert & DarleneCenter 9742 & 9744 East Brainerd Road Hamilton County Rezone from A-1 Agricultural District to R-1 Single Family Residential District(Hamilton County District 7)STAFF: Approve18. 2016-197 Ooltewah Development, LLC , Shane Howard & Robert & DarleneCenter 9730, 9742 & 9744 East Brainerd Road Hamilton County SpecialExceptions Permit: Residential Planned Unit Development(Hamilton County District 7)STAFF: Approve with conditions19. 2016-198 Wade Batson for Dead Zero Shooting, LLC & Walden Ridge, LLC 2133 Retro Hughes Road Hamilton County Special Permit: OutdoorShooting Range(Hamilton County District 1)STAFF: Defer20. 2016-200 William Wise, Trustee Via City Attorneys Office 120 MarketStreet City of Chattanooga Rezone from D-RM-4 to R-RV-4 (Form BasedCode Area(City of Chattanooga District 7, Hamilton County District 6)STAFF: N/AGOVERNMENT MANDATORY REFERRALS21. MR-2016-188 City of Chattanooga Real Property Office c/o Gail Hart 1001Lindsay Street City of Chattanooga Mandatory Referral: Lease Agreement(City of Chattanooga District 8, Hamilton County District 6)STAFF: ApproveAMENDMENT RESOLUTIONS22. A Resolution to Amend the Hamilton County Zoning Regulations, Article VI,Exceptions, Section 408 Short Term Vacation Rentals Relating to beingRevocable23. A Resolution to Amend the Hamilton County Zoning Regulations, Article IV,Schedule of District Regulations and Article VII, Board of Zoning Appeals,Section 500 Special Permits Relating to Special Event Facilities24. A Resolution to Amend the Chattanooga City Code, Part II, Chapter 38 ZoningOrdinance, Article XVI Form-Based Code, Section 38-728 to Reduce Lot Areaand Width Requirements in The RA (Residential Attached) ZoneV. Public Comments on Non-Agenda ItemsVI. Approval of Planning Commission Minutes of November 14, 2016VII. Adjourn This is the incredible moment that a whale breaches not once but twice merely a few metres away from jet-skiers, in spectacular fashion. Captured on film off of the coast of Queensland, Australia, at the beginning of September this too close for comfort encounter marks the incredible moment that a wild humpback whale emerges from the water, soaring high in the air and splashing down on its back. The huge ripple of waves that ensue causes keen jet-skier Nic Staines, who caught the huge beast on film, to quip that he hopes the whale 'doesn't do it again right in front of them', through fears of being capsized. The moment the huge whale burst from the water's surface just metres from jet-skiers The massive creature created a huge splash as it hit the water Surely enough, only a few seconds later the huge humpback appears once more, this time only a few metres away from Nic, causing an even bigger splash than the first. Nic, from Ormiston, Queensland, said: 'It was a real buzz seeing a whale breach like that in front of me. 'Such a unique experience, one which all my friends and family are now incredibly envious of. 'I can't say I've ever been that close to one before. 'We were only on a jet-ski though, so when the whale came up that second time I thought we might get thrown off. 'My friend Felix was visiting from Germany and it was his last day on the trip. 'What a treat, though I do think it scared him a little bit.' The jet-skiers were stunned by the whale's sudden appearance off the coast of Queensland Police have arrested a 55-year-old man suspected of making online racist threats against anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller. The man was arrested on Monday at an address in Swindon and taken to a police station in Wiltshire. He was later released on bail and a file is being prepared for the Crown Prosecution Service. Scroll down for video Police arrested a 55-year-old man for allegedly making threats against businesswoman Gina Miller, pictured centre, who is taking a case against the Government over their Brexit plans Ms Miller, pictured outside the Supreme Court today, won a historic victory in the last month who ruled Theresa May does not have the power to use the royal prerogative to trigger Brexit As part of the same operation, a 38-year-old man in Fife, Scotland was issued with a 'cease and desist' notice. The investigation is being led by the Metropolitan Police's Operation Falcon Unit. The threats were made online from November 3 onwards. Ms Miller told Reuters, the arrest is 'is one of several ongoing police investigations'. The investment fund manager and philanthropist won a historic ruling against the Government at the High Court last month. On November 3, three judges in London decided that Prime Minister Theresa May lacked power to use the royal prerogative to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and start the two-year process of negotiating Brexit without the prior authority of Parliament. Gina Miller, pictured arriving at the Supreme Court today flanked by her security detail and legal team has said she has become the 'most hated woman in Britain' since her court case Ms Miller has revealed she has been subject to numerous racially motivated threats and others involving rape and violence since the High Court ruling. At the beginning of the current appeal, the Supreme Court justices acknowledged the case has stirred up 'strong feelings' throughout the nation. The Supreme Court's top judge issued a stark warning about online abuse. President Lord Neuberger said: 'Threatening and abusing people because they are exercising their fundamental right to go to court undermines the rule of law. 'Anyone who communicates such threats or abuse should be aware that there are legal powers designed to ensure that access to the courts is available to everyone'. As a result of her court success, Ms Miller told BBC Radio 5 live that she has become 'apparently the most-hated woman in Britain'. She said her high-profile role had led to death threats and she had spent 60,000 on security, but she has still been attending the Supreme Court battle, represented by Lord Pannick QC. In another interview with AFP, she said: 'I myself have received death threats... Apparently my head belongs on Traitors' Gate. 'Our business has been boycotted. It's been quite vile. But I won't be bullied because to my mind this is best for everyone, to have legal certainty.' Supreme Court President David Neuberger, pictured, warned social media users against making threats against the participants of the proceedings who are exercising their rights A panel of 11 Supreme Court justices is currently considering whether MPs need to be consulted before the Government begins the formal process of leaving the EU. Campaigners on both sides of the Brexit argument marched on the court building at the start of the week, with many clutching the flags of Britain or the EU. Ms Miller, a mother of three, was born in Guyana in South America before graduating with a marketing degree and training as a lawyer. She is married to City fund manager Alan Miller - who, following a House of Lords ruling in 2006, was told to pay a settlement that handed his ex-wife 5 million after less than three years of marriage. Nicola Sturgeon's top QC today admitted Scotland cannot veto Brexit - but insisted Theresa May must ask for permission first. James Wolffe said there 'should be no dispute' from the Prime Minister that she should go to the Holyrood parliament before invoking Article 50. The QC, named Lord Advocate by Ms Sturgeon in May, told the Supreme Court Brexit would mean a 'significant change' for Scotland so it is 'entitled to have a view'. He said: 'When the UK was founded in 1707 it was to Parliament and not to the crown that the power to change the law in Scotland was given.' Nicola Sturgeon has declared leaving the EU could lead to Scottish independence because the majority of the country voted to stay. It came as the Supreme Court's top judge Lord Neuberger admitted it would be 'odd' for MPs to vote again on triggering Brexit if Theresa May wins her showdown Commons vote today. Battle: Nicola Sturgeon's top QC Lord Wolffe today admitted Scotland cannot veto Brexit Meanwhile court president Lord Neuberger admitted it would be 'odd' for MPs to vote again on triggering Brexit Gina Miller, 51, left the court this evening flanked by bodyguards because of threats she has received The Supreme Court's top judge has admitted it would be 'odd' for MPs to vote again on triggering Brexit if Theresa May wins her showdown Commons vote today. In an apparent boost for the 17.4million who voted to leave the EU, Lord Neuberger also suggested that Parliament may have 'ceded its power to the people by agreeing to have a referendum. The court's President was debating whether today's Westminster motion - supporting Mrs May's pledge to start Brexit by March - would be sufficient authority to invoke Article 50. The Prime Minister has agreed to publish limited detail on her plans for Brexit - but throwing down the gauntlet to pro-Brussels MPs, she has called a vote today which will require them to back triggering two-year process for leaving the EU next year. Lord Neuberger said ahead of the vote: 'To the man in the street it sounds a bit odd if one says to the Government you have to go back to Parliament and have an act of Parliament passed to show what Parliament's will is when you have already been to Parliament and had a motion before both Houses which serves the notice. It does seem a bit odd doesnt it? Earlier also said it was 'surprising' that lawyers acting for remain supporters insist 'the referendum could have no consequences in law'. Dominic Chambers QC, appearing for London remainer hairdresser Deir Dos Santos responded: It might seem strange to the man on the Clapham omnibus but not for lawyers. The star QC acting for Gina Miller said this morning the massive 17.4million public vote backing Brexit does not give Theresa May the 'power' to trigger quitting the EU. Legal battle: Lord Pannick, left, the star QC representing Gina Miller, right today, has claimed it was 'impossible' for the referendum result to be viewed as a mandate for the Prime Minister to start Brexit Gina Miller (centre) arrives escorted by her legal team and bodyguards at the Supreme Court in London today Lord Pannick also dismissed the Prime Minister's showdown Westminster vote tonight saying nothing would be altered 'by a motion'. He has claimed it was legally 'impossible' for the referendum result to be viewed as a mandate for the Prime Minister to start Brexit. Speaking today he said: 'To hold a referendum is a very important matter however it has nothing to do with who holds the power [to start Brexit]'. Lord Neuberger added it could be argued 'Parliament has ceded this issue to the people' by holding a referendum. But Lord Pannick responded that the June 23 vote was simply to 'advise' not to decide whether to leave the EU. It came as his client Gina Miller, 51, was led into court again flanked by bodyguards after a Bath man, 55, was arrested on suspicion of making racist threats. Gina Miller, 51, pictured today, was led into court again flanked by bodyguards after a Bath man, 55, was arrested on suspicion of making racist threats He also said triggering Brexit will 'frustrate or render insensible' a large number of UK laws and is a reason why Parliament must be involved. On the first day of the hearing, Attorney General Jeremy Wright began the legal challenge on behalf of the Government by saying that "Parliament can stand up for itself". Lord Pannick countered on Wednesday: "With respect, that is a bad legal argument. "I invite the court not to accept any suggestion that the legal limits on ministers' powers are to be left to, or influenced by, political control - or Parliamentary control - short of an Act of Parliament." His argument was supported by Dominic Chambers QC, appearing for London hairdresser Deir Dos Santos, who is also at the centre of the battle to block the use of the royal prerogative in Brexit without primary legislation. Mr Chambers said that, under the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty, "Parliament is supreme" and no other person or body could nullify or set aside legislation Parliament enacted. The doctrine, "forged on the battlefields of 17th century England in the clash between the Crown and Parliament", meant the Government appeal must be dismissed because it was attempting to use the royal prerogative to set aside EU law rights enshrined in domestic law by Parliament without primary legislation. Mr Chambers added: "In the absence of such parliamentary authorisation, by triggering Article 50 the Government will be acting contrary to the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty, and so the Government will be acting unlawfully. "At the heart it really is as straightforward as that." Lord Pannick told the Supreme Court yesterday that it was 'so obvious, so basic' that Mrs May does not have the power to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty without MPs having a vote first. He said that arguing that 17.4million people voted to leave the EU so the Government could start the process without Parliament's authorisation was 'impossible to understand as a legal proposition'. Lord Pannick said the Supreme Court could not 'assume' that a referendum meant that MPs would not want to vote on the matter afterwards. Rivals: A pro-Brexit supporter burns an EU flag outside the Supreme Court yesterday as an anti-Brexit campaigner holds his protest poster He added: 'Parliament may wish to express a view on what information it needs from ministers before approving notification. Parliament may wish to impose conditions or requirements on the government.' He said that, if the case put forward by the Government was correct , it would mean that the 1972 Act which paved the way for the UK to join the EU would have a 'lesser status' than the Dangerous Dogs Act, he said. Earlier in the day the court's president, Lord Neuberger, acknowledged that if the court finds against the Government, some people might argue that the referendum verdict had been reduced to 'nothing'. He made the comment during a lengthy legal exchange with the Government's lawyer, James Eadie QC. Lord Neuberger said that, if the court reached the view that the issue of Britain leaving the EU had to go back to Parliament, 'then really we are saying the effect of the referendum is nothing, because it leaves us in precisely the same position that if it had not taken place, as far as we are concerned.' The case will continue today and tomorrow. A final verdict is due in mid-January. Whitehall insiders say that, if the Government loses, a one-line Bill will be published immediately asking Parliament to give authority for the Prime Minister trigger article 50. disease has never threatened Australian prawn farms until now A potentially disastrous disease targeting prawns has been detected in Australia for the very first time. The White Spot Disease has the potential to eradicate Australia's supply of the sea animal entirely if it is not contained. The extremely contagious disease was detected in two separate prawn farms south of Brisbane last week, just weeks before Christmas. The potentially disastrous disease was detected just weeks before Christmas, one of Australia's go-to times for the tasty seafood delicacy White Spot Disease has been the downfall of every major prawn-growing country, except Australia, the only prawn country it had not yet infiltrated. The lethal disease has reduced overseas prawn farms by up to 40% but until now, had never threatened Australia's market. Queensland's chief biosecurity officer Jim Thompson told the ABC it was the first time the lethal disease had reared its head in Australia. He said once found in prawn farms it had the potential to cause more than 80% of the stock to die. White Spot Disease in prawns (pictured) leaves the animal with tiny white spots and a loose shell Queensland's chief biosecurity officer Jim Thompson said it was the first time the lethal disease had reared its head in Australia What is White Spot Disease? White Spot Disease causes infected prawns to develop small white spots, a loose shell and suffer from reduced feeding habits. The disease is highly contagious and lethal, killing prawns quickly once infected Infected animals show signs of lethargy and aggregate near the water's surface or the edge of the pond or tank The disease can also affect lobsters and crabs, but is more prominent in prawns It continues to have serious effects in south-east Asia, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East. Australia was up until now, one of the few countries with a prawn farming industry free of the disease Advertisement Dr Thompson said authorities were 'very concerned' about the virus and its potential for real harm. The disease, which was first detected at two farms south of Brisbane, has now been confirmed at a third and neighbouring farm. Biosecurity Queensland said the disease was found south of the Logan River last week but have refused to disclose the exact location. While the disease was extremely viral, Dr Thompson said the three properties were now on 'lock down' to prevent it from spreading further. In efforts to eradicate the disease, authorities are destroying the prawns and decontaminating ponds at the affected properties. While the disease was extremely viral, Dr Thompson said the three properties were now on 'lock down' to prevent it from further spreading Biosecurity authorities have also expanded their efforts to contain the outbreak and are checking surrounding waterways. They are also urging people to report any unusual prawns or crabs caught in the area. Authorities said they are still in the dark as to how the potentially devastating disease entered the Australian market. Authorities in Queensland, where the disease was detected, are urging people to report any unusual prawns or crabs caught in the area While the White Spot Disease has the potential to devastate Australia's prawn supply, consumers have been assured there will be no change to this year's Christmas supply. Australian Prawn Farmers Association chief executive Helen Jenkins said it was an 'isolated incident' and consumers need not worry. A police officer who leaked a recording of a Django Unchained actress being arrested after he was accused of racism has been fined $500 for breaching ethics. Sergeant James Parker had faced a $10,000 penalty for sharing the audio after detaining African American actress Daniele Watts in September 2014. During the incident, Watts was briefly handcuffed and detained by police who were responding to a report of a couple having sex in a car parked in Studio City, an upscale neighborhood of Los Angeles. Sergeant James Parker (pictured middle) has been found in breach of LAPD ethics after he leaked an audio recording of Django Unchained actress Daniele Watts getting arrested In a highly unusual move, Parker was then accused of violating city ethics rules and was facing a large financial penalty, when he leaked audio of the incident after he was accused of racism. But at a hearing yesterday, the Los Angeles Ethics Commission said a lower nominal penalty of $500 was more appropriate as a fine. Parker's attorney Lawrence Hanna expressed outrage at the ruling, blasting panel members as cowards and vowing an appeal. He told the AFP news agency: 'This is the first police officer they've ever done this to... and they are trying to make an example out of him. 'They are cowards because they just feel that they have to do something and to show that they're being tough rather than backing a police officer and doing what's right.' Watts, pictured - who played Coco in Quentin Tarantino's Oscar-winning 2012 film - initially claimed that the police action was racially motivated. Sergeant Parker is not pictured here The hearing came after Watts arrest by Sergeant Parker, who was responding to a complaint of a couple having sex in public. The actress - who played Coco in Quentin Tarantino's Oscar-winning 2012 film - initially claimed that the police action was racially motivated. She also claimed the police were heavy-handed and left her 'wrist bleeding in pain' and said the whole affair left her humiliated. Parker had faced a $10,000 penalty for the leaking of the audio but the fine was reduced to $500 Her boyfriend Brian James Lucas wrote on his Facebook page that officers acted as though the pair were engaged in prostitution as he is white and Watts is black. In the immediate aftermath, prominent civil rights leaders took up Watts' cause. But Parker defended his actions, which gained national attention, by releasing an audiotape of the encounter to the celebrity website TMZ, prompting a backlash against the couple. He was not paid for the tape, his attorney said. At the time MailOnline also received a leaked copy of the recording. This leak was not mentioned in the complaint against Sergeant Parker. In the recording, Watts told Parker, who has now retired early from the LAPD: 'Do you know how many times the cops have been called just for being black? 'Just because I am black and he's white? I'm just being really honest.' Parker said the recordings showed he was simply responding to 911 calls and behaved reasonably during their encounter after Watts refused to show any form of ID. In May last year, Watts pleaded no contest to disturbing the peace with loudness. She was ordered to write an apology to three police officers and the occupants of a building near where she was briefly detained as well as the civil rights leaders, who had taken up her case. At the hearing yesterday, Parker was fined $250 for each of the two counts he faced - disclosing confidential information without authorization and misusing his position of authority to create a private advantage. In the immediate aftermath, prominent civil rights leaders took up Watts' cause but it was later shown Sergeant Parker acted appropriately. Watts is pictured with her boyfriend Brian Lucas Two police officials spoke on his behalf during the hearing Tuesday, saying the charges against him were unprecedented and pointing out that they had both released similar audio recordings of incidents to the media in the past and had not faced discipline. Commission president Jessica Levinson defended the ruling, insisting the panel members had simply applied the law. 'It's not about what has happened in other cases that are not before us (and) which we are not permitted to consider,' she said. Jo-Ellen Darcy, who has been Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, previously helped draft the Safe Drinking Water Act A bureaucrat overruled a recommendation by the Army Corps of Engineers which would have allowed construction of the controversial Dakota Access pipeline to go ahead, it has emerged. The company behind the project had sought an easement to begin construction. But following months of sometimes violent protests the Army Corps of Engineers said on Sunday it would find another path for the pipeline. Now it has been reported that the corps recommended approval but because the pipeline was 30in in diameter it had to be referred up to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Jo-Ellen Darcy, a civilian. Her spokesman, Moira Kelley, told NBC News: 'Ms Darcy had the authority to make the decision on behalf of the Department of the Army, and she did so.' When asked why Ms Darcy decided to go against the Corps of Engineers' recommendation, Ms Kelley said: 'The Army decided that the totality of circumstances call for additional analysis, a more robust consideration of alternatives, and additional public information.' The pipeline is proposed to bring crude oil down from North Dakota but it runs directly across land belonging to the Standing Rock Lakota tribes A Stars and Stripes flag is flown upside down as a sign of protest as blizzard conditions grip the protest camp on the Standing Rock reservation in North Dakota Wigwams stand in the snow at the protest camp at Standing Rock. Native American leaders say the pipeline is in breach of a treaty signed by the United States in the 19th century Those who oppose the pipeline say its construction threatens land on the Standing Rock reservation, which is believed to be sacred to the Lakota nation, sometimes referred to as the Sioux. But they also point out that if the pipeline were to leak it could pollute the crucial Ogallala aquifer, which supplies drinking water to thousands of people across the Great Plains. Before she was appointed to her current job in 2009, Ms Darcy spent years working in environmental protection working on a variety of issues, including the Safe Drinking Water Act. A spokesman for Donald Trump said on Monday the president-elect is in favor of building the Dakota Access pipeline, and will revisit the decision to halt construction until it can be routed around land belonging to the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. Trump spokesman Jason Miller said the crude oil conduit was 'something that we support construction of, and we'll review the full situation once we're in the White House and make an appropriate determination at that time.' Donald Trump supports the Dakota Access pipeline and will 'review the full situation' as president, a spokesman said after the Army Corps of Engineers caved to protests and said it will seek an alternate route for the project While the announcement signaled a victory for the Standing Rock Sioux and their supporters, some remained cautious, saying it was unclear what would happen when Trump takes office Protesters at the Standing Rock Indian reservation rejoiced as the Obama administration backed down from its plan to enforce an easement that would allow a pipeline to be built on their land Ms Darcy said in a statement on Sunday: 'Although we have had continuing discussion and exchanges of new information with the Standing Rock Sioux and Dakota Access, it's clear that there's more work to do.' 'The best way to complete that work responsibly and expeditiously is to explore alternate routes for the pipeline crossing.' She also added the new routes will be explored using an environmental impact statement, 'with full public input and analysis'. Representative Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, said the move was a 'chilling signal to others who want to build infrastructure in this country.' 'I can't wait for the adults to be in charge on January 20,' said Cramer, a supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated as president on that day. Opponents of the controversial pipeline celebrated the decision with a late-night fireworks display The company behind the pipeline want to bring the oil all the way down to a refinery in Illinois The company building the $3.8billion oil pipeline slammed the Obama administration. Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners released a statement on Sunday night calling the decision 'just the latest in a series of overt and transparent political actions by an administration which has abandoned the rule of law in favor of currying favor with a narrow and extreme political constituency.' The Standing Rock Lakota tribe and its supporters have long argued the project would threaten Lake Oahe as a water source and cultural sites. The Army's Assistant Secretary for Civil Works said a new route will be explored in consideration of an environmental impact statement along 'with full public input and analysis' Standing Rock tribal chairman Dave Archambault II said 'The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe will forever be grateful to the Obama administration for this historic decision' but the Trump administration could reverse it with the stroke of a pen Thousands of demonstrators at the Oceti Sakowin campsite erupted into cheers and cries of 'Mni Wiconi' 'Water is life' went up from the crowd as Sunday's news spread. Moments after the decision was announced, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Council Chairman Harold Frazier told DailyMail.com that he was 'shocked' by the news. The pipeline running through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois is mostly complete, except for a segment planned to run under Lake Oahe, which protesters resisted for several months. Faith Spotted Eagle, an elder of the Ihanktonwan tribe, said: 'The easement has been denied. We have all come to this gathering being hosted by Mother Earth. I love you all.' Shailene Woodley, star of the 'Divergent' movies and 'The Fault in Our Stars', who had previously been arrested while protesting told a huge crowd: 'We feel so honored to have been a small part of this movement.' Protesters opposed the $3.8 billion pipeline, saying the project, slated to carry 570,000 barrels of crude oil a day across four states, could harm drinking water and cultural sites The former Health Secretary - who was forced to quit after he was caught flouting his own Covid lockdown rules with his married aide Gina Coladangelo - has sparked a storm which has seen him ridiculed and even booted out of the parliamentary Tory party. Justifying his decision to fly Down Under, landing in Brisbane this morning, Mr Hancock denied he had 'lost his marbles'. He insisted it was so he can 'go to where the people are - not to sit in ivory towers in Westminster' - and claimed that he will 'promote his dyslexia campaign' and make a donation to a hospice - although not his entire estimated 350,000 pay deal from ITV. But millions are set to punish him for his decision, including MPs. One former minister has threatened 'to vote for him to eat armadillo c**k every night'. Transport Secretary Mark Harper said today that he should 'step down' and didn't deny he would also vote for Hancock to face Bushtucker Trials, smiling as he said: 'That will be between me and my phone'. In Mr Hancock's West Suffolk constituency, Andy Drummond, the cheesed off deputy chairman of the local Conservative Association, said: 'I'm looking forward to him eating a kangaroo's penis'. Incredibly the now independent MP insists that he will still be doing his job as an MP, meaning he will not forego his taxpayer-funded salary for the duration of his trip. He said: 'As an MP, my first priority is to my constituents. I have agreed with the show's producers that I can be reached at any point on any urgent constituency matters'. Yesterday the Prime Minister said he was doing the opposite. The former health secretary also revealed he had twice asked to appear on the show before but accepted the third offer because the government is now 'stable'. Many have pondered whether he made up his mind when he was snubbed by new PM Rishi Sunak at his victory rally last week, which was tacit confirmation his career as a senior MP is over. Syrian rebels have suffered a crushing defeat after government troops took control of Aleppo's Old City forcing 80,000 people to flee their homes. President Bashar al-Assad's troops have captured three-quarters of opposition territory in the city as the civil war heads towards an apocalyptic finale. The blistering assault has prompted a mass exodus of east Aleppo residents as regime forces won their most important victory yet in the bloody conflict that began in 2011. This morning, rebel factions proposed a five-day ceasefire for medical and civilian evacuation. After three weeks of fighting, Assad's troops appeared closer than ever to retaking all of Aleppo - a victory that could signal an end to the war. Scroll down for video Syrian rebels have suffered a crushing defeat after government troops took control of Aleppo's Old City forcing 80,000 people to flee their homes President Bashar al-Assad's troops have captured three-quarters of opposition territory in the city as the civil war heads towards an apocalyptic finale At least 80,000 people have fled their homes in eastern neighbourhoods since forces loyal to Assad began their assault on the one-time rebel stronghold, a monitor said. Diplomatic efforts to end the fighting have stalled despite widespread international concern, with Moscow and Washington trading accusations of blame. The winding streets of Aleppo's Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its medieval buildings and souk, had been divided between regime and rebel control since 2012. But rebels retreated overnight from the last parts of the Old City they held, after the army seized the neighbouring districts of Bab al-Hadid and Aqyul, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. 'Rebels were forced to withdraw from the Old City neighbourhoods of Aleppo for fear of being besieged,' the Britain-based monitoring group said. The blistering assault has prompted a mass exodus of east Aleppo residents as regime forces won their most important victory yet in the bloody conflict that began in 2011 After seizing areas east of the Old City on Monday - including the large and strategic Shaar neighbourhood - the army and allied forces were in control of 75 percent of the territory previously held by rebels in east Aleppo, the Observatory said. The offensive showed no signs of slowing and overnight the army carried out heavy shelling of the Al-Zabdiya neighbourhood and other territory still under rebel control in the southeast of the city, the monitor said. The assault has prompted a mass exodus of east Aleppo residents and the Observatory said Wednesday that at least 80,000 had now fled their homes. It said the figure included residents who had sought refuge in the government-held west of the city and a Kurdish-controlled enclave, but not those who fled to remaining rebel territory. President Bashar al-Assad's government has been urging civilians to leave east Aleppo for months and accused rebels of holding residents hostage for use as 'human shields.' As they moved into new areas, Syrian soldiers were helping residents to evacuate. This morning, rebel factions proposed a five-day ceasefire for medical and civilian evacuation Inside one bus, evacuees could be seen huddling together, a baby wrapped in heavy blankets fast asleep at his mother's feet as she sat waiting for the vehicle to leave. 'The situation was very difficult,' said Um Abdu, 30, as she left the Bab al-Hadid neighbourhood with her husband, five children, mother and siblings. 'We lived on edge for the last four days,' she told AFP. 'The gunmen were using us to protect themselves... but then the army came and we were able to leave.' World powers have struggled to find a way to halt the fighting. US Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday he would work for peace talks to restart. 'We have been trying to find a way to get to the negotiating table... but Assad has never shown any willingness,' Kerry said at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. 'Russia says Assad is ready to come to the table... and I am in favour of putting that to the test,' he said. After three weeks of fighting, Assad's troops appeared closer than ever to retaking all of Aleppo - a victory that could signal an end to the war Kerry, who has had repeated meetings on Syria with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, said they would meet again on Wednesday or Thursday in Hamburg, Germany. Moscow is a key Assad ally and launched an air war in support of his forces last year, while Washington has supported rebel forces battling the regime. Russia had announced talks with the United States in Geneva this week on organising a rebel withdrawal from Aleppo ahead of a ceasefire, but then Lavrov accused Washington of backtracking. Kerry denied any change of plans and Washington itself accused Moscow of stalling after Russia and China blocked a UN Security Council resolution on Monday calling for a seven-day ceasefire. Syria's government has said it will not agree to any ceasefire without a guarantee of a full rebel withdrawal from Aleppo, while key opposition factions have rejected any talk of leaving the city. The offensive has killed at least 369 people in east Aleppo, including 45 children, the Observatory says. Rebel fire into the government-held west of the city has killed at least 92 people, including 34 children, in the same period, it says. Russia said Wednesday that an army colonel working as a military adviser in Syria had died several days after being wounded by rebel shelling in Aleppo. Advertisement Incredible photos show the final hours of US servicemen and servicewomen spent relaxing before heading to fight in the Pacific theater of the Second World War. These images were released to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, which falls today. They show the lives of US Navy servicemen on their last night ahead of deployment. The black and white collection of classic 1940s pictures show servicemen letting their hair down by dancing with Hawaiian hula girls and queuing at a busy bar. Other images show them strolling across the beach and having lunch at a cafe. Servicemen relax and dance with hula dancers the night before deployment in the Second World War Servicemen pose with women in candid photos showing servicemen relaxing before they were shipped off to war Navy sailors queue at the bar on shore leave in their final hours before being deployed Shore Leave reveals the experiences of US Navy sailors who passed through Hawaii on their way to the Pacific. Located in the middle of the Pacific, the American territory was the final stop for the US Navy before venturing into war. America joined the Second World War following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Two-thousand Americans died and another one-thousand were injured. The attack destroyed twenty American naval vessels including eight large battle ships and three-hundred airplanes. The series of photographs have been released in the photo book, Shore Leave by editor, Ryan Mungia, 37, from Los Angeles, California. The book contains images collected by Jim Heimann. Servicemen take in the beautiful view in Hawaii on their way to fight in the Pacific Ocean theatre of the Second World War Servicewomen wait outside of a cafe in their final hours before being sent to serve in the Pacific Sailors passed through Hawaii on their way to the Pacific. The United States declared war on Japan the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor Servicemen spend time on a Hawaiian beach in the final hours before deployment in the Second World War The beach is crowded with servicemen and servicewomen as they pass through Hawaii on their way to the Pacific Mr Mungia said: 'The images in the book were culled from veterans scrapbooks that were collected over a thirty-year period from estate sales, flea markets, and garage sales. 'They offer up an intimate and at times gritty portrait of wartime activity that is in stark contrast to the official government photos of life on the island which seem tame by comparison. 'I am fascinated by the idea of young men from all points of the U.S, urban and rural, joining the military and finding themselves stationed briefly in Honolulu before being shipped off to war. 'For many, this was their first time away from home and they had a little bit of money in their pockets, which was spent on beer, tattoos, women, games and arcade photos. 'Anything to distract from the reality of war looming in the immediate future.' Servicemen enjoy a lunch break and a shoe shine in these photos released to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Servicemen walk the streets of Hawaii showing their final hours before being sent off to the Pacific The book focuses on the sailors and soldiers who were just passing through the island for forty-eight hours instead of the servicemen who were permanently based at the islands bases. 'Pearl Harbor changed everything about Hawaii and Honolulu,' added Ryan. 'Tourism stopped immediately, martial law was declared and numerous restrictions were enacted on both military personnel and civilians. 'For me, the snapshot quality of these photos is so seductive. 'Some of them are overexposed, out of focus, or poorly framed but this gives them an immediacy and honesty I find refreshing.' hey were bulldozing 200 Marion Street- but it was A demolition company has bulldozed the wrong house by mistake after an embarrassing mix up with the numbers on a letterbox. Workers from Daniel's Demolitions arrived at a three-bedroom home in Bankstown, Sydney on Wednesday to demolish what they thought was 200 Marion Street. Halfway through the job the owner Steve Ballas arrived to find his house in pieces. Scroll down for video A demolition company has bulldozed the wrong house by mistake after an embarrassing mix up with the numbers on a letterbox Workers from Daniel's Demolition arrived at a three-bedroom home in Bankstown, Sydney to demolish what they thought was 200 Marion Street- it turned out to be number 198 But after confirming with the local council it turns out Mr Ballas does not actually own 200 Marion Street- he owns 198 Marion Street (house pictured before it was demolished) Until Wednesday morning Mr Ballas believed he had owned 200 Marion Street 'It was all done without my approval,' Mr Ballas told A Current Affair. But after confirming with the local council it turns out Mr Ballas does not actually own 200 Marion Street- he owns 198 Marion Street. His house, which was next door to the real number 200, had the wrong numbers on the letterbox- causing confusion for the demolition workers. Until Wednesday morning Mr Ballas believed he had owned 200 Marion Street. However the City of Canturbury-Bankstwon confirmed his notices had the correct 198 Marion Street address printed on them, and the house was in the right place between number 200 and 196. The council has now approved demolition of the real 200 Marion Street. Police confirmed they are not investigating the incident. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Daniels Demolitions for comment. The house next door (200 Marion Street) had confusing 202 numbers on it The Salvation Armys Christmas presence is back downtown after a lapse of more than 30 years of always being at the corner of 8th Street and Broad Street, the old American National Bank plaza. It has moved 1.5 blocks to 109 E 8th St., Herman Walldorf & Company Realtors for an easy ground floor drop off. Walldorf, the oldest family name in Chattanooga real estate, has been domiciled downtown since 1926, so it has a strong commitment to the heart of the city, said officials. Walldorfs office receives cash donations in its Salvation Army Kettle, canned goods for the Armys needy pantry, blankets, and unopened hotel toiletries for the homeless Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. until Christmas. Its agents will be available to assist in collection. Walldorf & Co. agent contacts can be found at Walldorf.Realtor. The telephone for Walldorf & Co is 756-2400. The location is between Georgia Avenue and Walnut Street at 109 E 8th St., the center of the block. Please help us support the Salvation Army in all that it does year round, not just at Christmas, for the less fortunate in our wonderful city of Chattanooga. This is how we can give back as a community," said Nathan Walldorf, secretary treasurer at Herman Walldorf & Co., Inc. The number of cancer patients waiting longer than two months for life saving treatment has almost doubled in the last five years. Patients are meant to be seen within 62 days for treatment once they are diagnosed with cancer. But the governments target of treating 85 per cent of cancer patients within two months has been missed every quarter for nearly three years. Since 2010/11, the number of people waiting longer than two months for cancer treatment has nearly doubled. Five years ago, 13,478 patients in England had to wait for longer than the 62 days for their first cancer treatment on the NHS. That meant some 87 per cent of the 103,598 people who were diagnosed with cancer in England had surgery or other treatment such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy within two months. But by 2015/16, there were 24,035 out of 136,241 patients diagnosed waited longer than two months. Five years ago, 13,478 patients in England had to wait for longer than the 62 days for their first cancer treatment on the NHS. But by 2015/16, there were 24,035 out of 136,241 patients diagnosed waited longer than two months This means that today only 82.4 per cent of patients were treated within two months well below the governments 85 per cent target. Jonathan Ashworth, the Shadow Health Secretary who highlighted the figures, said: These figures are extremely worrying for patients who are in need of urgent cancer treatment. It has now been nearly three years since the Government hit its quarterly 62 day cancer treatment target. Waiting longer than necessary for treatment is unfair on patients and their families who are already faced with enough stress and anxiety. The Tories are failing patients and much more needs to be done to ensure that patients get the cancer care they desperately need without delays. The last time that the target was met was December 2015 the only occasion in nearly three years when 85 per cent of patients had been seen within two months. Waiting times for treatment began to dip to below the target in 2014/15. That year, some 128,642 patients were diagnosed with cancer in England but just 83.4 per cent accessed treatment within two months. That left 21,407 patients waiting for their first bout of treatment for more than two months. Britain is already grappling with some of the worst survival rates in Europe, and campaigners warned the delays only made the risks higher. Dr Fran Woodard, director of policy and impact at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: Nobody should have to wait longer than absolutely necessary to start cancer treatment but sadly, too many people are being left to linger. Not only can this wait have an impact on their emotional wellbeing, it may also risk their physical health. Jonathan Ashworth, pictured, the Shadow Health Secretary who highlighted the figures, said: These figures are extremely worrying for patients who are in need of urgent cancer treatment' She added: Sadly this has become the new norm. Its deeply depressing to see this decline in performance. If you feel anxious while waiting for treatment, Macmillan can offer a range of support, including its free telephone helpline and its online community. An NHS spokesman said: The NHS is helping more people survive cancer than ever before and weve now met seven of the eight cancer waiting time standards. Earlier this year we set out a new wide ranging plan which takes forward the Independent Cancer Taskforces five-year cancer strategy. This will increase prevention, speed up diagnosis, improve the experience of patients and help people living with and beyond cancer. The plan includes a 15million initial and immediate investment for a major programme of work to support earlier and faster diagnosis of cancer. A shortage of specialists coupled with an ageing population means the waiting times are expected to get worse. There are at least 2.5 million people living with cancer in Britain today more than the population of Birmingham. Across the UK, 163,000 died from cancer in 2014. Half of the people born since 1960 will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Every two minutes someone in England will be told they have cancer. Survival rates in the UK as a whole are worse than in any other country in Western Europe. Research comparing 29 countries across shows survival rates in Sweden are almost one third higher than in the UK. Only patients in eastern Europe have worse survival rates. The NHS is struggling to hit a raft of targets as pressure mounts on hospitals and GP surgeries. The health service is in the grip of the worst bed-blocking crisis since records began, with thousands of patients languishing in hospitals. Wards are becoming overcrowded and sick patients are having to stay on trolleys in A&E as there are no free beds, with waiting times soaring. A&E departments routinely miss the national target to deal with 95 per cent of patients within four hours. In 2015/16 only 87.9 per cent of patients in emergency departments were admitted, discharged or transferred within the timeframe nationally and doctors expect the situation to get worse this winter. In GP surgeries 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. A dashcam captured the moment night turned into day as a dazzling meteor shot through the sky over Russia. People in the Republic of Khakassia were left stunned by the huge fireball measuring up to 15 metres in diameter which sparked the night sky into light on Tuesday. After lighting up the sky for a couple of seconds, the night plunged back into darkness and 30 seconds later witnesses reported a loud bang which triggered car alarms. Talking to RT, one witness - Olga Sagalakova - said: 'At first, I couldn't understand what's going on. There was a sudden luminescence. It wasn't as light as day, but still quite bright. 'We looked at the mountain near us and there was huge meteor flying above it. It had a tail. 'Frankly, I was scared. I thought that it was a bomb.' The best views were reported in the town of Sayanogorsk, but many across the Khakassia area of Southwestern Siberia. A resident in the republic Nikolay Soldatov also saw the meteor, and told RT: 'I saw that it was starting to brighten fast. 'The flash was really bright. 'It wasn't blinding, but it was still bright. 'I looked up and above the city hospital there was a meteor.' It is understood the meteor, which was captured by a number of witnesses, exploded high in the atmosphere, causing the bang, and no damage had been done. People in the Republic of Khakassia were left stunned by the huge fireball measuring up to 15 metres in diameter which sparked the night sky into light on Tuesday It is understood the meteor, which was captured by a number of witnesses, exploded high in the atmosphere, causing the bang, and no damage had been done After lighting up the sky for a couple of seconds, the night plunged back into darkness and 30 seconds later witnesses reported a loud bang which triggered car alarms Head scientist of Space Research Institute (IKI) of Russian Academy of Sciences Natan Eismont told Russian news agency TASS he estimated the meteor at between 10 and 15 metres. 'Obviously, the meteorite wasn't big. Gayle Dunlop, 60, who killed her husband with a footstool after suffering 30 years of abuse has spoken about the moment she was acquitted of his murder. Ms Dunlop struck John Reed, 63, in the back of the head with a wooden stool at their Seaford apartment, Melbourne, in July 2015 and he died in hospital two days later. But it took only 22 minutes for the Victorian Supreme Court to find Ms Dunlop not guilty of murder or manslaughter, , A Current Affair reported. Gayle Dunlop, 60, was found not guilty of murdering her partner John Reed, 63 Ms Dunlop fell in love with her husband who did not appear to be violent before having a daughter, Mika, together. He's not a typical guy I'd go for, looks-wise or anything, but he was just spoke so soft. Didn't swear or anything. He put his arms around me, I felt so safe and loved. It's just what I needed at the time, Ms Dunlop said. However, it wasn't long before the domestic abuse turned into a routine occurrence. 'He'd got a glass or something, smashed it in my arm. I've gone unconscious and I've just been bounced around the house. Then he threw me down the side, heaps of blood there. My little girl, only five, said, "don't you kill mummy. You'll kill mummy." He said, "I hope that b---- dies," and threw me in a wheelie bin,' Ms Dunlop said. Ms Dunlop was unaware she was going to fight back on July 18 when Mr Reed became drunk. 'I thought he was dozing off. So okay, picked up my purse and that and thought, "I'm gonna get out." He's grabbed me by my arm and said, "you ain't going nowhere, you f**king b***h, I'll f**king kill you,"' Ms Dunlop said. 'As I've turned, the little footstool is there, so I've picked that up and just turned, he's been leaning over, holding on to me, and I've gone, "bang bang."' 'Then I've heard this, like, gurgling sound and I thought, 'Oh my God." Ms Dunlop fell in love with her husband who did not appear to be violent But the domestic violence became a routine occurrence and Ms Dunlop was abused for 30 years Ms Dunlop spent 18 months behind bars before she was told she was not guilty. 'I'll never forget the look when they came out with a decision,' she said. 'They [the jury] just smiled and I said "thank you," and they said, "no thank you." Their eyes, it was so genuine and touching. I will never forget the look on their lovely faces - can see it clear as day. Their heart and soul was with me. Even the judge, he turned and said, "thanks," and then turned and said, "you've made the right decision," to the jury.' Donald Trump says he's running his cabinet picks by President Barack Obama before he announces them and takes the Democrat's 'recommendations very seriously.' The men from opposing political parties have been talking regularly, and Trump told the Today show that he's asking Obama for advice on a range of issues, including nominations. 'There are some people that I will be appointing, and in one case have appointed, where he thought very highly of that person,' the president-elect said. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Donald Trump says he's running his cabinet picks by President Barack Obama before he announces them and takes the Democrat's 'recommendations very seriously' Trump spent his campaign railing against Obama. Since meeting the president a day after he became president-elect, he's changed his tune. Trump spent his campaign railing against Obama. Since his meeting with Obama the day after he became president-elect, he's changed his tune. Obama welcomed Trump and his wife Melania to the White House and the current and future presidents had a 90-minute discussion behind closed doors in the Oval Office. The political adversaries had never met before. 'We have a really good chemistry together. We talk,' Trump told Today's Matt Lauer this morning. 'He loves the country, he wants to do right by the country and for the country.' Trump said, 'We obviously very much disagree on certain polices and certain things. I really like him as a person.' Time Magazine put Trump on its latest cover and named him 'Person of the Year' on Wednesday, an honor that had eluded the billionaire when he was a businessman but was bestowed on him as president-elect. For its story, Time interviewed Trump. He spoke about his relationship with Obama, who he said 'really cares about the country.' 'I mean I differ with him in numerous things. But he really cares about the country.' Trump said, 'I had a great meeting with him at the White House and a couple of great conversations. He you know hes very committed. And you hear all different I will tell you, I really liked him, I think he liked me. I think he was surprised also.' The president-elect told the news magazine, 'We talked about some of the potential appointments that I would make. I wanted to get his opinion. And he gave me some opinions on some people that were very interesting to me, and that meant something to me. I believe in asking people. 'We have different views but he loves our country. And he wants whats good for our country. So I did talk to him about certain people that Im thinking about. Got his ideas.' Lauer used the interview as a springboard Wednesday to ask Trump who Obama counseled him to hire. 'Well, I don't think that would be fair to him, but I have asked him what he would think of this one and that one. I've asked him what he thinks are the biggest problems of the country, what are some of the greatest assets going forward,' Trump replied. Complimenting the sitting president, Trump said, 'We have a very good dialogue.' Trump met with Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota last Friday. If Obama recommended her for a cabinet position, the White House isn't saying so He noted that they did not speak or meet until after he became president-elect. 'I really, I do, like him. I love getting his ideas. And I may differ, in many cases I differ very greatly,' he said. Lauer pushed him to say whether he at least heeded Obama's hiring advice, even if he refused to say which person or persons they'd discussed. 'I would say that yes, I take his recommendations very seriously, and there are some people that I will be appointing, and in one case have appointed, where he thought very highly of that person, yes,' Trump said. The White House has acknowledged that the president and Trump are talking - but Obama's spokesman is leaving it to the incoming president to share the details of those conversations. He wouldn't comment last week on Trump's meeting with Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota. If Obama recommended her for a cabinet position, he wouldn't say so. 'Any personnel recommendations that the President may have offered were recommendations that he made confidentially,' John Earnest told reporters last Thursday. 'So Ill protect his ability to offer some private advice and counsel to the President-elect whenever the President-elect seeks it.' Trump is considering Heitkamp and her Democratic colleague in the Senate Joe Manchin of West Virginia for jobs. They have both indicated interest. Manchin told CNN they had 'not talked specifics.' Commenting on the possibility that his Senate seat could end up in Republican hands if he vacates it to join Trump's administration, he said, 'The people of West Virginia sent me here. I got to do what I can to make sure I'm helping my people.' Trump's transition team said Wednesday that Manchin would be coming to Trump Tower this week for an interview. Lucy Torrington is taking her stepmother to court claiming she bullied her father into signing his will A top financier's widow who is battling her cash-strapped stepdaughter over his 18million fortune has denied claims she 'bullied and dominated' her frail husband. Richard Thornton, who was said to have 'the Midas touch' during his lucrative career in finance, died in 2013, aged 81, leaving half his fortune to his Australian wife, Susie, now 71. The other half went into a trust for the rest of his family, including his three middle-aged children and his grandchildren, London's High Court heard this week. But his daughter, Lucy Torrington, 56, is spear-heading a legal bid to have his will overturned to dislodge her stepmother as an executor of the will, with a 'life interest' in the half of the fortune she didn't inherit. The music teacher claims her step-mother brought 'undue influence' to bear. In an extraordinary step, covert recordings were made of angry events at Mr Thornton's home in exclusive Pelham Place, Knightsbridge, as evidence of Susie's dominance over her sickly husband. In the tapes, Susie brands Lucy, and her sister, Mary, 57, as 'two disobedient children who just need a good spanking'. The tape recorded Ms Thornton saying of her step-daughters: 'They've done nothing but cause you pain all their lives and they've made messes of their own lives'. But the widow says the sisters 'orchestrated this scenario' in a bid to present her in the worst light. The hearing at London's High Court heard recordings of conversations between the couple But Ms Thornton is fighting her every inch of the way, condemning her step-daughter's claims as 'fanciful' and her case as 'hopeless'. Mr Thornton's other daughter Mary is backing her sister's case, although the multiple sclerosis sufferer is playing no active part in the case. Their younger brother, Henry, 53, is, with his step-mother, an executor of his father's estate. Mr Thornton married Susie in 1989 after divorcing his first wife, Jennifer, the mother of all three of his children. Mr Thornton's widow Susie denied putting pressure on her husband and said the recordings of their conversations were intrusive He began his glittering career as an investment manager in the 1960s, setting up Thornton Investments in the 1980s. His estate comprises shares and investments worth around 8.5million, plus real estate in London and Australia valued at about 5m.The Pelham Place house is now worth up to 9million, although he jointly owned it with Susie. He also left 5m assets tied up in an overseas trust. Challenging the final will he signed in 2009, Lucy insists he acted under Susie's influence and did not 'know or understand' its contents. Duncan MacPherson, for Lucy, said the will meant that she was 'unlikely to receive his bounty until after Susie's death'. Lawyers for the sisters put it to Mrs Thornton that she 'dominated her husband in private', a claim she dismissed as nonsense. Ms Thornton attacked the tape recording as underhand, intrusive and an unfair depiction of her life with Mr Thornton. Her barrister, Richard Dew, said Ms Torrington could gain little or nothing by challenging her father's will and condemned her case as futile. He said Mr Thornton was a 'hypochondriac' who 'certainly worried about his health', but was in a pretty good shape for a 78-year-old when he made the will. His mind was still sharp and clear at the time and the idea that he was 'bullied' into signing it by his wife was 'fanciful'. This video shows the moment an accused paedophile was marched to a police station by a vigilante who allegedly snared him by pretending to be a teenage girl. The 24-year-old from Taree, New South Wales, was approached by a man calling himself the 'Coffs Coast Pedo Hunter' in September after they allegedly chatted online. In the video, the vigilante is seen confronting the man and telling him he had been talking to him - and not the 14-year-old girl he had allegedly planned to meet. This video shows the moment an accused paedophile was marched to a police station by a vigilante who allegedly snared him by pretending to be a teenage girl The 'Pedo Hunter' told the man he had a copy of the online chat which allegedly included explicit pictures which he thought he had sent to the underage girl. He also claimed that the accused sex offender asked the teenager to reply with inappropriate images of herself. 'Do you want to tell me what's going on here? Do you always talk to little girls like this? This is a 14-year-old child mate,' the vigilante said. 'This is you?' he asked again, showing the man a print-out of the alleged conversations. 'These are the pictures of your c**k?' he added. 'Yeah sure,' the man replies. The vigilante then reads some of the alleged chat logs out to the man, who is seen nervously twitching his hands and trembling. The 'Pedo Hunter' said: 'Some of the things you're saying here, like: "I want to see underneath you clothes. I've shown you my bits so you show me yours". 'We're going to go for a walk up the street because you're going to get arrested today. You're lucky the boys in the car next to you aren't jumping on your f***ing head.' In the video, the vigilante is seen confronting the man and telling him he had been chatting to him - and not the 14-year-old girl he had allegedly planned to meet The 24-year-old man (pictured above) was arrested on September 29 and charged with child sex offences The two men set off up the street, walking a full five-minutes to the nearest police station as the vigilante filmed the alleged paedophile. The accused man is asked if he has anything to say for himself, but does not wish to respond. 'Mate, you've only got yourself to blame,' the 'Pedo Hunter' tells the man as they walk through the doors of the police station. A previous video posted online in September showed the man turning himself into the police. When an officer asks why he is there, the man replies: 'I've made a few bad decisions.' The police officer beckons the man inside and tells him that he is 'under arrest for child pornography'. MPs broke out in rare applause during Prime Minister's Questions today to pay tribute to a Holocaust survivor who turned 90 last week. Kitty Hart-Moxon, who was forced into the Auschwitz concentration camp at the age of 16 in 1943, stood and waved to MPs from the gallery after her story was retold in the chamber below. Tory MP Bob Blackman explained how Kitty survived 18 months in the death camp and on liberation in 1945 she dedicated the rest of her life to making sure the horrors of the Holocaust is remembered. Scroll down for video MPs broke out in rare applause during Prime Minister's Questions today to pay tribute to Holocaust survivor Kitty Hart-Moxon who turned 90 last week. She stood to wave to MPs from the gallery above the chamber Kitty Hart-Moxon, pictured in a BBC documentary about Auschwitz last year, was forced into the Auschwitz concentration camp at the age of 16 in 1943 Kitty, who moved to Britain with her mother after the fall of Nazi Germany in 1945, worked as a nurse and in 2003 received an OBE for her work for the Holocaust Education Trust. Today she returns to Buckingham Palace for a tour and tea with the Queen. Clapping in the Commons is one of a number of practices that is banned under Parliament's bizarre rules. Today's breach of the rules therefore reflected the strength of feeling towards Kitty and fellow Holocaust survivors. She explained afterwards that she was 'amazed and didn't know what to do, so I stood up!' 'I felt very honoured, Kitty added. Paying tribute to Kitty's extraordinary life, Mr Blackman told MPs today: 'In 1943, a 16-year-old girl was forcibly taken to Auschwitz Birkenau where she witnessed the horrors of the death camps. Kitty Hart-Moxon survived 18 months in the Auschwitz concentration camp, pictured 'On liberation she came to this country with her mother where she raised a family and became a nurse. 'She dedicated her life to making sure that the people of this country and beyond know the horros of the Holocaust. Kitty Hart-Moxon, pictured in 2014, received an OBE from the Queen in 2003 for her work at the Holocaust Education Trust 'Last week that lady turned 90 and Kitty Hart-Moxon is with us today at Prime Minister's Question Time.' Pausing while MPs broke out in spontaneously applause, Mr Blackman went on to thank Kitty for 'her lifetime of dedication to raising this important issue and also pay tribute to the Holocaust Educational Trust, who do everything possible so that we all remember and witness the horrors of the worst part of the 20th century.' Commons Leader David Lidington, who stood in for the absent Theresa May at Prime Minister's Questions today, echoed his tribute. He said: 'It was only a couple of generations ago that Europe was plunged into this unspeakable horror and it is important that not just the Educational Trust but all of us play our part to ensure that the memory of the Holocaust lives on and that the wider lessons of that dark period in our history are learned. 'I think I would be grateful to all members right across the House in all political parties in their support for working together to ensure this vital work continues.' Kitty, who now lives in Harpenden in Hertfordshire, was born in the Polish city of Lublin and was just 13 when war broke out. Tory MP Bob Blackman, pictured, explained how Kitty survived 18 months in the death camp and on liberation in 1945 she dedicated the rest of her life to making sure the horrors of the Holocaust is remembered Commons Leader David Lidington, pictured standing in for the absent Theresa May at Prime Minister's Questions today, echoed Bob Blackman's tribute to Kitty Hart-Moxon Kitty Hart-Moxon (left), returned to Auschwitz last year and took two teenage students - Lydia Hollingsworth (centre) and Natalia Smith (right), 17 to show the horrors of the death camp After enduring unimaginable privations in Lublin Ghetto, the family attempted to escape to Russia in early 1941 but with the border closed, they were forced to travel back into Poland. While being sheltered by a priest named Father Krasowski, the family were able to obtain false permits and Hart-Moxon and her mother joined a transport of Poles being taken into Germany to work for the I.G.Farben factory in Bitterfeld. But a year after arriving, Hart-Moxon, her mother and 12 other Jews working at the factory were betrayed to the Gestapo and on the 2nd April 1943, she arrived at Auschwitz. Unusually, both Hart-Moxon and her mother were selected to work, with both given jobs stripping the dead and sorting their possessions at Auschwitz II Birkenau - the death camp part of the Auschwitz complex. She told a BBC documentary to mark the 70th anniversary of the closure of Auschwitz last year: 'I just remember never ending columns of people going in [to the crematoria] and never coming out. 'We had no contact with people that were going to gas chamber. They were behind electric fencing and although they were not far away, they were too far too to recognise so you couldn't communicate with anyone that was passing by.' Kitty Hart-Moxon was sent to Auschwitz aged just 16 - but somehow survived and is now determined to teach a new generation the truth about the horrors of the Nazi regime. Pictured, Kitty shows two teenage students - Lydia Hollingsworth (centre) and Natalia Smith (right), 17, around the Auschwitz concentration camp last year Kitty Hart-Moxon (far right) is pictured with her family including brother Robert (second left) Kitty Hart-Moxon, pictured with her mother Rosa, was sent to Auschwitz aged 16 Hart-Moxon says even if they had been able to warn the columns of men, women and children of the fate in store for them, it wouldn't have made a huge amount of difference. 'What were you going to tell them? Were you going to tell them they were now going to die? You wouldn't have done them a favour telling them that would you? 'It was much better people didn't know then if they did know they were going to die. So no. it was never, never even in my thought to have warned people of what was going to happen. 'We couldn't go and tell these people, 'Now you are going to die' - that would have been a really cruel thing to have done and anyway, it was it was totally forbidden.' Despite the hardships and the constant threat of death, Hart-Moxon, who at one point succumbed to typhus, survived - as did her mother. But as the Red Army of Russia approached, the pair were 'evacuated' along with a group of 100 women and taken to a sub-camp of Gross Rosen in the town of Reichenbach, now Dzierzoniow in southern Poland, where they were put to work in the local Philips factory. SURVIVING AUSCHWITZ: THE HISTORY OF A DEATH CAMP Among the six Nazi vernichtungslager (extermination camps), Auschwitz holds a unique place thanks to its dual role as a concentration and work camp, and because of the especially large number of people murdered there. Although the majority of Jews from Hart-Moxon's native Lublin died at the Bezec death camp, among them her grandmother, Auschwitz was the final destination for one in six of Europe's Jews as well as prisoners of war, gypsies and other groups deemed undesirable by the Nazis. The original camp, Auschwitz I, was built in 1940 to house Polish and Soviet prisoners, and continued to do so throughout the Nazi period, although Jews were also held in the camp from the start. Auschwitz II-Birkenau was built in 1941 and was designated a vernichtungslager by SS leader, Heinrich Himmler, the same year. One of the first death camps, gas chambers were pioneered at Auschwitz and replaced the unreliable gas van method, which saw small groups murdered using the carbon monoxide produced by the exhaust. The technology paved the way for a further five large camps: Chelmno, Sobibor, Bezec, Majdanek and Treblinka, as well as two smaller camps, Sajmiste in what is now Serbia and Maly Trostinets in Belarus. But of all the camps, none murdered as many as Auschwitz which, after mass transports of prisoners began in 1942, was able to 'process' 9,000 Jews a day at the peak of its operations. Among those who died at Auschwitz II-Birkenau were 400,000 Hungarians, 300,000 Poles, 69,000 French, 25,000 Belgians, 7,500 Italians and six British Jews from the Channel Islands. Of the 1.3 million murdered at Birkenau, 200,000 were children. Advertisement Not long after, with the Red Army still advancing, Hart-Moxon and her mother were marched out of the camp along with 10,000 others. They were destined for a factory in Porta Westfalica in north-western Germany but the conditions on the march were so harsh, just 200 arrived. But with the Allies approaching from the west, Hart-Moxon's stint at the camp proved to be short-lived and once again, she and the other women were evacuated. Crammed into cattle cars, they eventually pulled up outside the notorious Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. But rather than being taken inside, the women were left to starve.'We were led to the big siding outside Belsen and then at that rail junction stood dozens of trains, all full of people inside. 'Sealed - in cattle trucks - sealed in. you could hear some people crying and some you couldn't hear anything at all. 'The train just stood at the siding and people were just left to die outside Belsen.' Just as it seemed her luck might finally have run out, a group of German soldiers took pity on the suffocating Jews and agreed to take them to a camp at Salzwedel, a subsidiary of the Neuengamme concentration camp. It was to prove the last stop before liberation for Hart-Moxon, who was freed along with 1,000 other women when the Americans arrived on the 29th April 1945. Hart-Moxon and her mother had survived but only just. Her father, as she later discovered, had been murdered by the Gestapo, while her brother Robert had been killed in the fighting. Her grandmother, like 95,000 other Lublin Jews, had been murdered in the gas chambers of Bezec. Despite the horror of her experiences, Kitty, who recently revisited Auschwitz with a pair of teenage girls, says she will continue to speak out about what happened. '[After the war], I vowed no matter what I was going to do in my life, I've got to make quite sure that people know what happened,' she said. 'It is a warning. We try and do this to protect future generations because we have no guarantee about what's going to happen. 'Have we a guarantee that this cannot happen again? Who can give you this guarantee today? If you see what's going on around the world, can you say, 'Oh no it can never happen?' 'That is why I think it's important for people to know what's in store - to protect future generations at least. 'I believe it's my duty to to say what I have witnessed.' In response to the tribute MPs made to Kitty Hart Moxon during PMQs, Karen Pollock MBE, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust said: A woman who directed a documentary about the plight of refugees in detention centres off the Australian coast has called for the facilities to be closed in an impassioned speech during the AACTA awards. Eva Orner, a producer and director from Melbourne, won the award for Best Feature Length Documentary for her film 'Chasing Asylum' on Wednesday night and took the opportunity to make an emotional plea to shut down detention centres on Manus and Nauru Islands. 'The Government has to repeal this legislation. If people witness sexual abuse of children on Nauru and they speak out they can go to jail for two years. It's not a democracy, we live in a democracy, this has to stop,' the 46-year-old urged. Scroll down for video Eva Orner (pictured), a director from Melbourne who created the documentary 'Chasing Asylum,' urged for offshore detention centers to be closed in an emotional speech at the AACTA Awards Ms Orner won the award for Best Feature Length Documentary for the film (pictured) on Wednesday night and took the opportunity to make an impassioned plea During her speech, Ms Orner asked the Australian government to shut down detention centres on Manus and Nauru Islands (pictured) 'The Government has to shut the camps and bring the refugees here.' 'Brave whistle-blowers risked jail term to expose what is happening at Nauru and Manus ...under the Border Force act it's a crime with two years jail to speak out about the camps,' she continued, adding that she and her crew could go to jail for making the documentary. 'Chasing Asylum,' which premiered earlier this year, features footage of dirty and overcrowded living conditions and interviews with asylum seekers who speak of the mental and physical strain being held at the centres has had. Politicians and immigration officials are also interviewed. 'The Government has to shut the camps and bring the refugees here,' Ms Orner said (pictured is the damage caused by rioters at Nauru in 2013 after refugees were told they were being sent to Papua New Guinea) 'Chasing Asylum,' features footage of dirty, overcrowded living conditions and interviews with asylum seekers who speak of the mental and physical strain being held at the centres has had 'Unless you are a journalist or working in development, most people internationally don't know about this,' she said referring to the offshore detention centres Ms Orner, an Oscar and Emmy Award winner, told The Guardian earlier this year she wanted to make 'a film that would shame Australia.' Frustrated by the country's boarder protection policies, Ms Orner said she returned to Melbourne from LA and raised money to fund the film. 'Unless you are a journalist or working in development, most people internationally don't know about this,' she said. Ms Orner (pictured), an Oscar and Emmy Award winner, said earlier this year she wanted to make 'a film that would shame Australia' 'If people witness sexual abuse of children on Nauru and they speak out they can go to jail for two years,' the 46-year-old urged during her speech on Wednesday The Papua New Guinea Government announced in August it will close an offshore detention centre on Manus Island, but will keep running another asylum facility 'If I had known how tough it would be to make this film, I would never have made it,' says Orner. 'You are trying to make a documentary about people that you can't film, where you don't have access to the camps, where the government won't speak to you and where new whistleblower legislation makes it risky for anyone to talk to you.' She has denied requests to identify where she received the footage from inside the camps. The former mixed martial arts fighter who brutally assaulted his ex-fiance because she got the wrong noodles for dinner winked and blew a kiss in court as he was sentenced. Julian 'Julz the Jackal' Wallace, 28 - legal name Julian Rubaud - appeared in the Newtown Local Court on Wednesday and was given 15 months jail for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and seven months for intentionally choking with recklessness. The sentences were to be served concurrently and they were both suspended, The Daily Telegraph reported. Former mixed martial arts fighter Julian Wallace (pictured), who brutally assaulted his ex-fiance because she got the wrong noodles for dinner, winked in court as he was sentenced He told the newspaper before entering court his former partner was 'to blame'. Wallace had pleaded guilty in October to the charges for bashing Jessy Jess on April 28, 2016. Magistrate Margaret Quinn said: 'So many times within relationships when something is going amiss, in a relationship, some people can get violent, not all people can, but some people do and it is simply unacceptable'. Ms Jess said from Las Vegas said she was 'heartbroken' by the sentence, which she described as slap on the wrist. Photographs reveal some of the injuries Ms Jess sustained at Wallace's hands Ms Jess, also an MMA fighter, said the sentencing was a 'slap on the wrist' The beating had left her with a cut lip and brusing on her neck and face. Wallace's contract with a fight promoter was canned after the charges were laid. Domestic Violence NSW chief executive Moo Baulch told The Daily Telegraph: 'The courts dont always come through with the decision we want'. She also said domestic violence sentencing needed consistency. A man with a criminal past allegedly attempted to steal a child from a busy square when her grandmother briefly left her stroller unattended. The baby's grandmother, surnamed Xu, went to the toilet and left the stroller outside according to reports of the incident in Nanchang, China. Shocking surveillance footage from the scene showed a man, identified as Zhou, coming over to push the girl's stroller away and disappearing from view in just minutes. The child-snatcher, surnamed Zhou, was seen moving towards the toddler in her stroller (left) and then calmly pushing her away (right) Nearly gone: A toddler (left) was stolen from a public square by a male suspect (right) after her grandmother left her outside while going to the loo The attempted kidnap, which occurred at around 4pm on December 4, was apparently not seen by any of the people nearby. Footage obtained by QQ News showed the child snatcher pushing the stroller along the street after he left the busy square. He was said to have been holding a length of sugar cane at the time. Using the CCTV footage, police traced the suspect to a bus. According to a statement issued on Nanchang police's official social media account, they were able to track down the man and the baby girl at around 6.45pm in nearby Jinxian County. He was caught on a bus at a highway intersection and the child was rescued. The police also released photos of the suspect and the toddler and said that the man had been apprehended. The man was a suspect in robberies in the area and an investigation into the incident is under way according to The Paper. Brazen: The man makes off with the toddler and her stroller in broad daylight in Nanchang This weekend, the lead navigator for the Get Covered Tennessee Coalition will facilitate two ACA Enrollment Workshops, which will provide general education and info about ACA enrollment in the healthcare exchanges and address any questions that members of the community have regarding ACA enrollment. Chattanoogans who are uninsured or under-insured are urged to take advantage of these free workshops to understand enrollment in the ACA healthcare exchanges. One out of every 12 Americans is currently living without health insurance. Through each states Health Insurance Marketplace, millions of Americans can gain access to health insurance. The workshops will be held Friday from 6-7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Development Resource Center, 1250 Market St. Participants need to attend one workshop. There is no need to attend both days. Enrollment for the ACA healthcare exchanges is open through Jan. 31. The workshops are free and open to the public. For more information call 622-0974. Breweries have been left reeling in the states of Colorado, Oregon and Washington as their target market has increasingly turned away from alcohol and towards legal marijuana, a new report reveals. Beer markets in all three states have underperformed over the past two years, with beer volumes falling by more than two per cent and all three markets being behind the national average. The stats, which came from financial services organization Cowan and Company, show that craft breweries are being affected, but mainstream beer producers such as MillerCoors have been hit harder, Brewbound reported. Joint action: Beer drinkers are turning to legal marijuana in Colorado, Washington and Oregon, a new report says. Mainstream US economy beer is down 2.4% and premium beer sales have dropped by 4.4% (file picture) Economy beer volumes for mainstream producers are down 2.4 per cent, while premium brands such as Coors Light and Bud Light are down 4.4 per cent. Denver in particular seems to prefer a bong to a beer, as total beer sales have fallen 6.4 per cent and craft beer volumes have dropped five percent to date this year. Vivien Azer Cowan and Company's managing director and senior research analyst specializing in the beverage, tobacco and cannabis sectors, said the results weren't surprising. 'While [weed] retail sales opened up in these markets at different points of time, with all three of these states now having fully implemented a retail infrastructure, the underperformance of beer in these markets has worsened over the course of 2016. 'This is perhaps not surprising, given that US government data for the states of CO, WA and OR all show consistent growth in cannabis incidence among 18-25-year-olds, coupled with declines in alcohol incidence [in terms of past month use].' Legal highs: All three states have seen domestic beer sales dropping in the past two years thanks to the legalization of marijuana for recreational use. Craft beer is also being hit. Customers are seen at a marijuana dispensary in Denver, Colorado Foreign imported beers are less affected by the legalization, although they are still noticeably behind the rest of the country. In particular, Azer said, Mexican company Constellation Brands - which represents Corona and Modelo, among others - is looking to be top of the beer heap. That's because weed use is less pronounced among the Hispanic group that its beers are marketed towards, she said. In July, it emerged that people now spend as much on legal weed as they do on alcohol, TIME Money said. Men spend $647 annually on marijuana products, while female consumers drop about $634 - compared to an average of $645 a year on alcohol and $1,000 a year on coffee, it said. Colorado and Washington both legalized recreational marijuana use in 2012; Oregon followed suit in 2014. There's no word yet on whether sales of pizza and Pringles have increased in the three states. Bah Humbug! Mary Jo Smith, 47, is accused of attempting to run over her ex-boyfriend while he was outside hanging Christmas lights A man was decorating his home in Pennsylvania with Christmas lights when he saw his ex-girlfriend's car barreling towards him, with holiday music blaring from the windows. State police say Mary Jo Smith tore up Alan McCutcheon's front yard and nearly ran over the 64-year-old man and his family on Monday. The 47-year-old woman was charged Tuesday with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and driving under the influence in the wake of the the incident. McCutcheon says he was setting up a holiday display outside his Dunbar Township home when Smith, who was allegedly drunk at the time, yelled 'Merry Christmas' and made several passes through his yard with her Jeep. According to a statement from the police, Smith intentionally struck her ex-boyfriend's home on Amity Drive, slammed into an above-ground pool and a relative's pickup truck that was parked outside. Scroll down for video Ho, ho, no! Pennsylvania State Police say Smith has left a trail of broken holiday decorations in her wake Monday Frosty down: The woman's suspected alcohol-fueled rampage has caused $500 in damage outside Alan McCutcheon's home in Fayette County State police say Smith then attempted to mow down the 64-year-old along with his wife, Donna, 56, and his 37-year-old daughter, Hillary Hamborsky, reported TribLive.com. No one was injured. Trooper Stefani Lucas tells the station KDKA that when McCutcheon made an attempt to talk to his ex, the woman gunned her Jeep at him, forcing the man to seek refuge behind a tree in his yard. Police say the man's daughter was eventually able to wrestle Smith to the ground and restrain her until officers arrived to arrest her. The alcohol-fueled rampage caused more than $500 in damage, leaving behind deep muddy tire tracks on the lawn and a trail of broken lights and crushed Christmas decorations. Uninvited guest: McCutcheon was setting up a holiday display outside of his Dunbar Township home (pictured) when Smith showed up unannounced, with Christmas music blaring from her SUV Marks: Smith's joyride has left behind these deep muddy tire tracks on the lawn Lucas said the attack came as a surprise to Alan McCutcheon, who had not heard from Smith in five years. McCutcheon did say he and his family had been subjected to harassment by Smith in the past over something that happened 25 years prior. President-elect Donald Trump says Mitt Romney is still under consideration to be his Secretary of State despite the pair having had 'tremendous difficulty' in the past. Trump got asked about the secretary of state selection, which has dragged on for weeks even as he rolled out a succession of other cabinet selections, in a call-in appearance on NBC's 'Today' show Wednesday morning. 'Yes he is,' Trump said, when asked by host Matt Lauer whether Romney was still being considered. Then, Trump quickly swerved to heaping praise on another announced nominee, retired Marine Gen. James Mattis, whom Trump noted he flew with on the way to a rally in North Carolina where the crowd cheered the decorated military man. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is still under consideration to be secretary of state, President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday 'I think that General Mattis is going to be terrific,' Trump said. 'He's a tough cookie. we need a tough cookie.' Lauer asked if Romney has a chance. He was publicly put on a list by Trump officials of four contenders, although the search has expanded. 'Yes he does. I've spoken to him a lot,' Trump said. 'We've come a long way together. We had some tremendous difficulty together, and now I think we've come a long way.' Trump got asked about a theory that he was trying to string Romney along because revenge is a dish 'best served cold.' 'No, it's not about revenge. It's about what's good for the country. And I'm able to put this stuff behind us,' Trump said. 'And I hit him very hard also. It's very nice that the press doesn't cover that. I'm very happy about that, actually,' Trump said with a chuckle. After Romney's name first floated, press accounts referenced a March speech where Romney thoroughly denounced Trump as a 'fraud' and a 'phony.' Trump called into the 'Today' show on NBC after appearing at a rally on Tuesday in Fayetteville, North Carolina 'His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University. He's 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,' Romney said then. But as he noted, Trump relentlessly mocked Romney as a failed candidate who 'choked' against President Obama in 2012, a candidate Trump has said was highly beatable. As for when the decision might come, Trump said, 'I think fairly close. I think next week will be the time that I announce it.' Trump got asked whether he was stringing Romney along because 'revenge' is a dish best served cold. 'It's about what's good for the country,' Trump responded Without saying his name, Trump brought up Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson, another candidate for the post Lauer read Trump a list of names of potential secretary of state candidates: former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Retired General David Petraeus, Tennessee Senator Bob Corker, former UN ambassador John Bolton, and Romney, and asked whether Trump had eliminated any of them. 'Well I think I have in my own mind,' Trump said. 'I don't wanna say which ones.' Then he touted the CEO of Exxon, Rex Tillerson another candidate for the post with whom he met at Trump Tower. Poundworld has been ordered to pay 190,000 for selling faulty phone chargers with bogus safety certificates amid fears thousands of shoppers could be at risk. The budget retailer, which has 340 branches around Britain, sold more than 72,000 of the 1 charging kits to customers in its Discount UK and Bargain Buys stores. Despite fears of ongoing danger to customers, a court there is no evidence over how Poundworld successfully recalled the item from stores. Poundworld has been ordered to pay 190,000 for selling faulty phone chargers (pictured) amid thousands of shoppers could be at risk Customers who bought the 'Complete Smart Phone Charger Kit' have now been urged to stop using it immediately. They also been urged to check the item with their local Trading Standards team and to check if they have been bought at Christmas presents. A trading standards spokesman said: 'We would urge anyone who has bought a Complete Smart Phone Charger Kit to stop using it immediately and check with the store or with their local Trading Standards team.' The discount retailer, which has 6,000 employees, was taken to court by Carmarthenshire County Council, West Wales, after spot checks discovered the faults in the chargers. The company was fined 166,00 and ordered to pay 24,000 in fines and costs after admitting failing to comply with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and the consumer protection act. Judge Richard Williams said Poundworld Retail Ltd failed to exercise due diligence in testing and instead only paid 'lip service' to essential testing procedures. Judge Williams said: 'During the investigation it was found that the adaptor did not have adequate insulation and was not designed to ensure protection against hazards or overloads. 'Loose wires gave risk of fire or electric shock and internal connections relied on solder alone to maintain their position.' The budget retailer (pictured), which has 340 stores around Britain, sold more than 72,000 of the 1 charging kits to customers, alongside bogus safety certificates The court heard Poundworld was asked to issue a 'rapid alert' but it failed to do so and instead posted recall notices in its stores. Judge Williams described their recall attempt as 'tardy' and said Poundworld had made little real effort to recall the kits or prevent their continued use. The court heard Poundworld claimed the chargers were tested at an independent laboratory in China. But it was later revealed that the products had not been tested at all - and that the safety certificates provided by the laboratory were forged. Judge Williams told the magistrates' court that the fines reflected 'aggravating features' in the way Northampton-based Poundworld handled the case. Councillor Jim Jones, Carmarthenshire County Council's Executive Board member for Public Protection, said: 'I wish to thank our Trading Standards officers and legal team who worked extremely hard to bring this case to a successful prosecution. 'We are pleased that Judge Williams has imposed a fine proportionate to the severity of Poundworld's culpability and the serious risk of harm to its customers. A new digital image has been released in the hopes of identifying a victim of America's deadliest serial killer. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has created an image of a girl who is known to have been murdered by Washington serial killer Gary Ridgway. Ridgway, known as 'The Green River Killer', was convicted in 2003 of killing 49 women, but he said he likely committed as many as 80 murders. He is serving a sentence of life without parole. A new digital image (left) has been released to try to identify an unknown victim of serial killer Gary Ridgway (right, in 2001) Ridgway carried out most of his killings in King County, Washington, over an almost 30 year span The newly released image show a girl police say was aged between 14 and 18, who was white, and between 5'4 and 5'8. Ridgway, 67, has confessed to butchering her at some point in the 1980s, however he claimed he does not know any information about her. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children was able to create the image by piecing together information is has gathered over the years. It used the results of chemical isotope testing on the Jane Doe's teeth and bones samples through the Smithsonian. Gary Ridgway is surrounded by police officers during a hearing in Kent, Washington, on February 18, 2011 WHO IS GARY RIDGWAY, THE GREEN RIVER KILLER? Ridway (pictured in this 1982 mugshot) was convicted for the murder of 49 women Gary Leon Ridgway is considered to be America's deadliest ever serial killer. The 67-year-old, who was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, was convicted of murdering 49 women in 2003. He was something of a loner as a child, and a poor student who had a below average IQ of 82. Prior to his first murderous attack, Ridgway stabbed a six-year-old boy in the chest when he was just 16. Records state he had led the youngster into the woods when he attacked him, stabbing him through his ribs and into his liver. He joined the Navy and got married at the age of 20 in 1969, however the relationship would last less than a year. He remarried in 1973, but that also fell apart, before he tied the knot for a third time in 1985. His killing spree got underway three years before his third marriage in 1982, when 'young runaways and prostitutes began disappearing from state Route 99 in south King County, Washington.' Biography.com states the killer would take prostitutes home and strangle them, before dumping them in the woods. Some bodies turned up in the Green River. Many of the bodies were posed and nude. He also confessed to having sex with at least six of the dead bodies after he had killed the women. Four of Ridgway's victims are pictured: Carol Christensen, Opal Mills, Cynthia Hinds, and Marcia Chapman (clockwise) He was eventually caught in 2001 by the very same officer who was assigned to his first killing. King County sheriff Dave Reichert led a push to re-examine old DNA evidence, and when it was tested links to Ridgway were found. The killer was charged with four counts of aggravated murder in December 2001, and he eventually pleaded guilty to a total of 49 murders. However, Ridgway claimed during an interview in 2013 that the real number of women he has killed could be as high as 80. The last body linked to Ridway was found in 2011 - a decade after he was caught. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole, having avoided a potential death penalty by telling police where he had dumped a number of his victims. He is behind bars at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington. Advertisement The results show she may have spent time in Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Idaho, Wyoming or several portions of southern Canada: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador. The image was released after police last month announced they were searching for evidence linked to potential victim remains in the horrific case. 'The King County Sheriffs Office, Major Crimes Unit, in conjunction with King County Search and Rescue, conducted an evidence search on Saturday morning, for victim remains of Green River killer Gary Ridgway,' a statement read. Health-nut Michelle Obama didn't let the presidential election get in the way of a good night's sleep. The first lady revealed in a People magazine interview with her husband that she didn't stay up to hear the election results last month, which ended in Donald Trump being named the President-elect. 'I went to bed. I don't like to watch the political discourse; I never have. I barely did with him,' Mrs Obama said, sending the president into a fit of laughter. Michelle Obama said in a People magazine interview that she went to sleep on election night, before hearing the results Two days after the election, Mrs Obama sat down for a talk with incoming first lady Melania Trump (left) at the White House The Obamas campaigned hard for Hillary Clinton in the race, but they said they are doing their best to make the transition to a Republican White House as smooth as can be. The president and first lady grace the cover of this week's People magazine 'Anything that I felt about the election I said and I stand by,' Mrs Obama said. 'Once you do what you can do, then the rest is easy. It was in the hands of the American people.' The Obamas grace the cover of this week's People, with their final interview with the magazine before leaving the White House. In the interview, Mrs Obama also detailed what these final weeks in the White House have meant to her daughters and her close friendship with Vice President Joe Biden's wife Jill. The Obamas say both of their daughters are torn about leaving the White House. While both are teenagers and ready to leave the nest, they also know that they won't be able to return to home they grew up in unlike many teens. 'They're ready to get out, just out from their parents' house. The fact that their parents' house is the White House may add to it,' the president said. Above, one of the photos included in the People interview of the Obamas this week Mrs Obama added: 'There's a sentimentality about this place, that they've had so many amazing experiences, and the staff are part of the family. It is different for them than most kids in that when they leave, they won't be able to come home. Malia's spoken about how she regrets the fact that she won't have that home base in the same way.' Mrs Obama, left, also revealed that she and Jill Biden, right, indulge in 'a little wine every now and then' Malia, the Obamas' oldest daughter, graduated from high school in the spring, but is taking a gap year before starting at Harvard next fall. The president called Malia 'a grown woman' ready to fly the coop before his wife corrected him, saying: 'I don't know about that...She's still a baby'. The Obamas plan to stay in Washington, DC after leaving office in January, so that their youngest daughter Sasha, 15, can finish high school. Among Sasha's close friends is Maisy, granddaughter of Vice President Joe Biden. The president and vice president's bromance has been a focal point of the administration, but the first lady says that she and Jill Biden are also close. In a joint interview for the People magazine story, Mrs Obama revealed that the two indulge in 'a little wine every now and then'. Mrs Obama and Mrs Biden said they bonded immediately on the campaign trail, over their shared interest in working with military families. Over the years, their friendship has gone from strength to strength. Mrs Biden was especially thankful that she had her close friend Michelle there for her last year, when her step-son Beau died of brain cancer. Dassey had spent nine years in prison when Judge William Duffin overturned his conviction in August - and Making a Murderer star Brendan Dassey's lawyer has blasted prosecutors for insisting he remain in prison despite a judge's decision to free him. Dassey should never have been convicted, attorney Laura Nirider said in papers filed on Tuesday before a federal appeals court - and he should certainly not be held behind bars while his appeal goes on. He only confessed to the crime under police interrogation without an attorney, she says in court papers obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com. Making a Murderer star Brendan Dassey's lawyer Laura Nirider says her client should not remain behind bars during his appeal. Dassey is pictured on the left, being led from Wisconsin court on March 3, 2006. He's pictured on the right in his 2006 police interview 'No fair-minded jurist - much less any parent - can watch Brendan's interrogation video without seeing a naive child whose already diminished ability to make rational choices is being grotesquely distorted by false promises,' Nirider said in a pleading to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeal which sits in Chicago. 'Many details in Brendan's confession were later proven false,' said Nirider. 'Brendan accepted the police's theory that Halbach was raped in Avery's bedroom, for instance, and added that she was shackled to the wooden headboard; but the headboard bore no scratches or marks, and technicians found no DNA from Halbach or Brendan in the bedroom. 'Similarly, Brendan agreed that Halbach's bleeding body was placed on a "creeper," but no blood or DNA was found on the creeper.' 'Many other parts of Brendan's confession simply don't make sense,' she added. 'By turns, the confession is riddled with contradictions (e.g. Brendan initially claimed Halbach's shirt was white, but later said it was black), nonsense (e.g. Avery built a huge bonfire before he attacked Halbach, even though he didn't plan to burn her body) and instances in which the interrogators themselves wondered if Brendan was just making things up.' Nirider insisted the confession 'did not come out of thin air', but was helped by his questioners planting ideas in his head. She also claimed he was promised leniency if he cooperated with them. 'The state court's finding of voluntariness, like the confession itself, is fiction,' the lawyer insisted. Prosecutors have insisted Dassey (pictured in Manitowoc County Courthouse in 2010) remain incarcerated despite a judge's decision to release him 'The message was unmistakable, especially for a mentally-limited 16-year-old,' she said. 'Brendan was clearly led to believe that he would not be punished for telling them the incriminating details they professed to already know.' She said Dassey was so convinced he was going to be released after making his murder confession that he asked to be returned to school because he had a project he had to complete. 'And when told he was under arrest, he asked in shock: "Is it only for one day?"' Nirider called the judge's decision to release Dassey a 'meticulous 91-page argument'. Wisconsin's attorney general Brad Schimel has two weeks to respond to Nirider's motion. Teresa Halbach (pictured) was killed on Halloween 2005, after she visited the Avery family's salvage yard in Manitowoc County. Investigators allege Avery lured her there by asking her to take photos of a minivan Dassey, who his lawyers say has severe learning disabilities, was just 16 when he and his uncle Steven Avery were convicted of killing photographer Teresa Halbach, who had gone to Avery's auto yard in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, on Halloween 2005 to take a picture of a minivan he was trying to sell. Halbach's car was discovered partially hidden in Avery's yard. Bloodstains recovered from its interior matched Avery's DNA and investigators said charred bone fragments found in a burn pit near Avery's home were Halbach's. Avery was convicted of murder, kidnapping, sexual assault and mutilation of a corpse and weapons charges. Dassey, who at the time had a mental age of nine, was found guilty of being party to first-degree murder, mutilation of a corpse, and second-degree sexual assault. The older man was sentenced to life without parole while, in a separate trial, his nephew got a life sentence - but with the possibility of parole. Their case was featured on the Netflix hit series Making a Murderer. Dassey had spent nine years in prison when Judge William Duffin overturned his conviction in August, saying the confession was obtained in violation of both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. The judge ordered Dassey, now 27, should be released within 90 days unless the prosecution agreed to a retrial. Avery was sentenced to life without parole while, in a separate trial, his nephew got a life sentence - but with the possibility of parole That 90-day period ran out on November 18 but a last-minute appeal by prosecutors persuaded a three-judge federal panel to keep him locked up indefinitely. DailyMail.com exclusively reported at the time that he had given away virtually all his prison possessions in the days running up to his expected freedom. His family was planning to welcome him home where he would live with his mother Barb Tadych until the final court decision was made. 'It's terrible. That's all I have to say,' his grandmother, Doris Avery told DailyMail.com. His attorneys said they were 'more disappointed than words can say.' Now lawyers are hoping the appeals court will reverse its decision to hold Dassey, stressing that he did not have the mental capacity to make a proper decision over the confession. 'His I.Q. of 74 fell in the borderline to below-average range, and his learning disabilities interfered with his ability to understand abstractions and idioms and rendered him more suggestible than 95 percent of the population,' Nirider said in her appeal. 'Against these profound vulnerabilities, this court must weigh the interrogators' tactics,' the lawyers argued. 'A confession is voluntary when the totality of the circumstances show that it was the product of 'rational choice' and 'mental freedom.' But the attorney said that did not happen in Dassey's case. 'He believes his conviction was dogged by questions of unreliability at every turn and the district court judge was rightly troubled by the state court's unreasonable adjudication of this case and granted habeas relief,' Nirider said. Dassey, who has been described as a perfect prisoner even earned his high school diplomacy while inside the Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, Wisconsin, a two-and-a-half hour drive from his home. Dassey had spent nine years in prison when Judge William Duffin overturned his conviction in August - and prosecutors are appealing his decision The family and its supporters have high hopes that Avery, 54, will also soon be freed from the maximum security Waupun Correctional Facility. High-profile Chicago lawyer Kathleen Zellner took on his case after it the Netflix series brought it international exposure. Zellner specializes in wrongful convictions and, so far, has a 100 per cent success record, exonerating 18 innocent people. She says new evidence will clear Avery, and she has promised to reveal the identity of Halbach's real killer. Family confidant and prison campaigner Shaun Attwood, said supporters have been thinking it's a 'foregone conclusion' that Avery will be freed because Zellner is demanding the court uses new forensic DNA testing methods, which she says will prove that Avery's blood had been planted in Halbach's Toyota RAV4 car - and is actually older than the vehicle itself. But Attwood says that Wisconsin state prosecutors - led by Schimel - will do anything to keep Avery locked up and are armed with tens of millions of dollars to fight a 'dirty' legal battle. At the time of his arrest, Avery was suing Manitowoc County in Wisconsin for $36million for wrongful imprisonment after facing 18 years for a separate sexually assault. He claims he was framed for the murder to prevent his case against the state going ahead. Because of the lawsuit a judge ruled that the investigation into Halbach's murder should be led by detectives from neighboring Calumet County. However Avery says Manitowoc officers took part in searches of his property and they were not properly supervised by Calumet officers. Larry, The Downing Street cat is live tweeting his hilarious version of the 12 Days of Christmas - which seems to run counter to the Government's anti-obesity strategy. In scenes of gluttony that would shame a Roman emperor, Larry begins with the partridge in a pear tree, which he soon eats. The two turtle doves soon follow, along with the second partridge. Larry the Cat, pictured, has spawned a Twitter account giving updates of life at Number 10 Larry the Cat began his Christmas celebration with a simple dish featuring a game bird Yet, by day two, Larry had trebled his intake of festive birds supplied by an unknown admirer With PM Theresa May on an international trade mission, Larry scoffed six birds in one day By day three, Larry, who is engaged in a battle for supremacy with the Foreign Office's own cat Palmerston, demolishes the three French hens, along with the newly-supplied turtle doves and solitary partridge. Showing remarkable resilience and an appetite normally seen in international weight lifters, he soon scoffs the four calling birds, along with the six other avian treats. Day five should have presented a problem, given he was only receiving 10 various birds along with five gold rings. Yet, for a remarkable cat such as Larry, he simply sold the gold rings to fund the purchase of yet more doomed birds. Although he did not admit to eating them. On Day six, he was presented with six geese a laying. In a wise change of strategy, instead of cooking the birds, he prepared a goose omelette. Ending his first week of feasting, Larry the Cat threatened a constitutional crisis after his true love sent him seven swans a swimming. Without supervision, Larry continued to gorge on the ongoing supply of gift birds Showing clear signs of addiction, Larry sold off five gold rings to purchase even more birds Showing remarkable compassion, he spared the geese, but made their eggs into an omelette However, today, Larry risked a constitutional crisis by devouring seven of the Queen's swans Since the 12th century, the crown has laid claim to swans and killing them is illegal, yet something seems to have emboldened Larry the Cat into ignoring the law of the land and a possible trip to court, by eating the swans. Now, given Larry's ravenous appetite, fears have been expressed for the future of the eight maids a milking, and nine dancing ladies who are due to arrive on Downing Street in the coming days. By the end of the week, they are due to be joined by leaping lords, pipers and drummers. Larry has also denied leaking the Government's current Brexit plans. MailOnline has contacted Downing Street in connection with the pronouncements on Twitter. F/A-18 Hornets have been involved in a number of recent crashes while the Navy has announced it is phasing them out in favor of the new model is in Japan for the anniversary and delivered a speech yesterday on the strength of US-Japanese relations A Marine Corps' jet has crashed off the Japanese coast on the 75th Anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. The pilot, who was from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, was forced to eject from the F/A-18 Hornet during a regular training mission at 6.40pm local time on Wednesday, while he was around 56 miles south of Muroto Cape. A search-and-rescue operation has been launched but initial reports are unclear about his fate. The cause of the crash is unknown at this time. Japan's Defense Ministry said Japanese military vessels and aircraft have joined the search and rescue effort. The military fighter jet, had been stationed at the US Marine Corps' Iwakuni Air Station - home to 5,000 US troops, pilot training and air patrols with F/A-18 Hornets. The crash occurred on the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. Scroll down for video A Marine Corps' jet has crashed off the Japanese coast on the 75th Anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack (file picture) The pilot, who was from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, was forced to eject from the F/A-18 Hornet during a regular training mission at 6.40pm local time, while he was around 56 miles south of Muroto Cape More than 2,400 Americans died after Japan launched an unprovoked strike on the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii on December 7, 1941. The United States entered the Second World War soon after and in 1945, launched its own devastating attack on Japan - dropping nuclear bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - killing up to 226,000 people. The official relationship between the US and Japan has improved enormously since the Second World War and the occupation of Japan. On Monday, Defense Secretary Ash Carter flew to Japan ahead of the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, and met with Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada to discuss the improved relations between the two countries. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter was in Japan yesterday to meet Japanese Deputy Defense Minister Kenji Wakamiya, right, ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Habor attack The crash occurred on the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, where Japanese aircraft attacked the US Pacific fleet on December 7, 1941 killing 2,400 people 'It's a testament to the strength of our alliance and the character of the Japanese people that a mere 75 years after Pearl Harbor, my friend and counterpart, Minister Inada, and I can stand next to each other proudly and discuss how our two countries can strengthen the security of this region together,' Carter said. He also announced that the US will hand over 10,000 acres of land on a island to the country's government before leaves office. THE F/ A-18 : A MULTI-ROLE FIGHTER The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet was first developed in the early 1970s. They are twin-engine, all-weather fighters, equipped with both internal and external weaponry, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground munitions, and 6-barrel 20mm guns in their nose sections. The F/A-18 Hornet (above) is a twin-engine supersonic, all-weather multi-role plane that is designed to engage in air-to-air combat as well as undertake attack missions A pair of General Electric F404 turbofan engines allow ultimate thrust, with the jets capable of reaching top speeds of Mach 1.8 - 1,034 knots or 1,190mph. The jets are able to be configured at speed and are used for attack missions, fighter escort, enemy air defence suppression, reconnaissance and air control. They were introduced on January 7, 1983 and cost between 18million and 37million. Advertisement Currently, the US controls the land - known as the Northern Training Area - on the island of Okinawa, which is used by the Marine Corps for jungle warfare training. That area will now be returned to the Japanese, Carter declared. In September, another Marines Corps fighter jet - an AV-8 Harrier - crashed off the coast of southwestern Okinawa in Japan. The pilot ejected safely from the aircraft and was rescued. Today's crash the latest in a series incidents involving US military F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets. Only last month, two of the combat planes collided near Miramar in California during a training mission forcing one of the pilots to eject. In July, Marine Major Richard Norton, 36, was killed during a training flight in Twentynine Palms. The US Navy is planning to phase out the F/A-18 Hornet over the next few years, in favor of the new F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter aircraft. The F/A-18 Hornet first entered into operation in the late 1970s and have required extensive maintenance over the years. Its primary users were the Navy and the Marine Corps as well as a number of foreign air forces, including the Royal Australian Air Force and the Spanish Air Force. The Hornet is a twin-engine supersonic, all-weather multi-role plane that is designed to engage in air-to-air combat as well as undertake attack missions. It can reach a top speed of Mach 1.8, which is equivalent to 1,190mph while carrying a wide variety of bombs and missiles, including both air-to-air and air-to-ground. The Hornet first saw extensive action during the US bombing campaign against Libya in 1986. Its successor, the Super Hornet, first entered service in 1999. Its designers improved upon the original Hornet by making it bigger with a 25 per cent larger wing area. It also has longer range and can carry more weapons. Just last week, the Navy announced plans to purchase dozens of F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter aircraft over the course of the next few years while ditching the older Hornet model jets. The application period for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency 2017 Spring Turkey Quota Hunts runs from Dec. 14 through Jan. 18, 2017. Applications are available and will be accepted at any TWRA license agent, TWRA regional office, or online at the TWRA website. Applications can be accepted until 11:59 p.m. (CST) on Jan. 18. Mailed applications will not be accepted. The areas available for the hunts are listed on the instruction sheets. Hunters have up to 14 choices, but will be drawn for only one. Applicants may not use the same hunt code more than once. There are a total of 14 hunts listed and three youth-only hunts. No person may apply more than once. Youth hunters (ages 6-16 by the date of the hunt) may submit one application for the regular quota hunt and one application for the youth-only quota hunt. A permit fee will not be charged to Annual Sportsman (Type 004), Lifetime Sportsman (Types 402-405) license holders or Senior Citizen Hunters (Type 166) with an Annual Senior Citizen Permit (Type 167). For all other license holders, the cost is $12 per permit, plus the agent fee. When applying at a license agent, hunters must remain at the location while the application is processed. Hunters will receive a receipt with a confirmation number when the application is complete. Hunters with Internet access may apply for a spring turkey quota hunt online by visiting https://quotahunt.gooutdoorstennessee.com/Hunts/CustomerLookup.aspx. (It will be active once the application period begins). Once the Internet site has been accessed, hunters can follow the on-screen directions. The 2017 statewide turkey season is April 1-May 14. The statewide Young Sportsman Hunt is March 25-26. *** Hunt Code Area Date Quota 01 Chuck Swan State Forest Mar. 23-25 150 02 Chuck Swan State Forest Mar. 30-Apr. 1 150 03 Chuck Swan State Forest Apr. 6-8 150 04 Chuck Swan State Forest Apr. 13-15 150 05 Chuck Swan State Forest Apr. 20-22 150 06 Happy Hollow Apr. 1-4 50 07 Happy Hollow Apr. 20-23 50 08 Oak Ridge Apr. 8-9 225 09 Oak Ridge Apr. 22-23 225 10 Yuchi Refuge Apr. 7-9 10 11 Yuchi Refuge Apr. 21-23 10 12 Yuchi Refuge Apr. 28-30 10 13 Yuchi Refuge May 2-4 10 14 Yuchi Refuge May 9-11 10 Youth-Only Hunts Area Date Quota Tellico West Mar. 25-26 5 Tellico (McGhee Carson Unit) Mar. 25-26 5 Yuchi Refuge Mar. 17-19 10 A man who splurged $2.1million on luxury cars, strippers and parties over two years is now broke and living with his mother, but says it hasn't slowed him down. Luke Moore, 29, who took advantage of a banking error that left him with a limitless overdraft, says he has better luck getting a date now than he did when he was living the bachelor high life. 'I pull more chicks now with $20 in my pocket than I did when I was splashing the bank's cash,' the criminal law student told The Daily Telegraph. 'With age comes wisdom and confidence and I've learned money doesn't buy everything but it was great while it lasted.' Luke Moore (pictured), a Goulburn man who splurged $2.1million on luxury cars, strippers and parties over two years, is now broke and living at home but says has better luck getting dates Moore withdrew funds to other bank accounts before going on a multi-million dollar spending spree, including this $169,000 Maserati and a a $54,000 Stessl boat The Goulburn man, who now drives an $800 car and lives off two-minute noodles, was jailed in 2015 after being found guilty of fraud, but walked out of court a free man last week after his conviction was overturned. He spent five months in jail before he was released on bail. He had been sentenced to more than four years in prison for obtaining financial advantage by deception and three years for dealing proceeds of a crime. The NSW Court of Criminal Appeal found that, while Mr Moore had taken the money, he had not been deceptive and ruled his conviction a mistake. Moore's case began back in 2010, aged just 22, when he decided to open up an overdraft account with St George while he was unemployed and claiming Centrelink benefits. He began withdrawing money and by the end of the year he was $9,000 in debt, but found no matter how much he withdrew, the bank never put a block on the account. Moore's case began in 2010 when he took out an overdraft account and discovered that no limit had been placed on it (pictured, a $32,000 Hyundai he bought) The 29-year-old man said the money was great while it lasted but he 'pulls more chicks now with $20' (pictured is his $91,000 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage) Moore celebrated his appeal on Facebook, with friends agreeing it was the bank's fault for lending him the money Moore then began moving large sums of cash into secondary bank accounts before opening the taps and going on a spending spree. His main expenses came in the form of cars - a Hyundai Veloceter for $32,000, an Aston Martin DB7 Vantage coupe for $91,000 and finally the Maserati at $169,000. A Stessl boat was also among his purchases, costing $54,000. He also splashed out on holidays to the Gold Coast and Thailand, spending big in pubs and clubs along the way. Moore collected sport and music memorabilia, including a signed Michael Jordan jersey, and signed albums from Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan and Led Zeppelin. Artworks also formed part of his collection, including a print by the much-lauded British graffiti artist Banksy. Music memorabilia was also part of his collection, such as this Michael Jackson signed album A Michael Jordan jersey signed by the man himself was also seized by police on his arrest By the time the bank realised what was going on, Moore owed them more than $2.1million, and the police were called in. He was arrested and his haul discovered, along with another $1.1million stashed away in accounts with other banks. When asked if he would do it again, Mr Moore said he wouldn't but he does miss the 'cocaine, strippers and fast cars.' 'I had to give everything back and I now drive a shoebox Falcon but I'm happier this way as I've realised my family and friends are my biggest treasures,' he told the Daily Telegraph. A woman accused of orchestrating the murder of a prominent Florida State University professor has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is not cooperating with investigators. Katherine Magbanua, 31, allegedly helped facilitate the murder-for-hire plot that left Daniel Markel dead in July 2014. She was indicted last week with first-degree murder and was the third person charged in the case. On Tuesday Magbanua entered a not guilty plea in a Leon County court, with the judge setting her trial date for February 27, 2017. Not guilty: On Tuesday Katherine Magbanua entered a not guilty plea for the first-degree murder of Daniel Markel in a Leon County court Magbanua, pictured here on Tuesday, is accused of being the link between the person who paid for the murder of Markel and the two men that killed the professor In court, Magbuana sat just feet away from her former partner Sigfredo Garcia, however the two did not interact or even look at each other, WCTV reported. Garcia is the accused gunman in the same murder for hire plot. A third defendant, Luis Rivera, has entered a plea in the case in exchange for his testimony against Garcia and Magbanua. Rivera told investigators that he, Magbanua and Garcia split $100,000 in payment for killing Markel, but said he was not aware where the money came from. Magbanua was dating Markel's former brother-in-law when the nationally-renowned criminal justice scholar was found dead with two gunshots to the head in his garage. Detectives believe Magbanua is the link between Markel's ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, and the two men accused of killing him. Adelson and Markel had gone through a contentious divorce right before he was killed and were fighting over the custody of their children. Katherine Magbanua, 31, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of prominent FSU law professor Daniel Markel, 41, who was found shot dead in his driveway two years ago Detectives believe that the close-knit family of Markel's ex-wife plotted to have him killed after a judge refused to let her move their two children to South Florida and away from their father Magbanua was in a romantic relationship with Charlie Adelson. But she also had two children with Garcia. Tallahassee police have long alleged that the motive for the murder was the bitter divorce between Markel and Adelson. Adelson's family were desperate to have their daughter and the couple's two children move closer to them in south Florida, but Markel had successfully fought his ex-wife's attempt to relocate with the children. Police arrested Garcia and Rivera - both from south Florida and with criminal histories - in May and charged them with Markel's murder. Magbanua was dating Markel's former brother-in-law Charles Adelson (left) at the time of his death. Sigfredo Garcia (right), one of the alleged hit men, is the father of her two children Rivera, originally charged with first-degree murder, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in October after striking a plea. He was sentenced to 19 years in prison, which will run concurrently with a 12-year federal sentence he is already serving. The plea deal will require Rivera to testify against both Magbanua and Garcia. Garcia will stand trial in January. Prosecutor Georgia Cappleman said Rivera provided the gun and drove the men away from the crime scene, according to the Tallahassee Democrat. Rivera provided a statement regarding Magbanua's involvement in the alleged murder-for-hire plot, claiming she delivered money the day after Markel was killed. Cappleman said she would not have been able to move forward with charges against Magbanua if Rivera had not cooperated. Magbanua will not testify. An affidavit for Magbanua's arrest alleged she had deposited over $50,000 in cash into her bank account in the 16 months after the murder. Last month, video footage was aired showing an undercover agent who posed as Rivera's brother confronting Markel's former mother-in-law, Donna Adelson, as part of a sting operation. Louis Rivera pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Markel's death and agreed to testify against Magbanua and Garcia The agent approached Donna on the street and said that his brother was in need of money, and asked her for $5,000 to help out the man. 'I wanted to let you know that my brother he helped your family with this problem your family had up north,' the man tells Donna. 'Hes going through some rough times and I want to make sure that you take care of what hes going through.' Donna appears shocked and taken aback in video of the interaction, which was revealed for the first time ever on 20/20, but not as shocked as authorities were after they saw what happened next. Soon after Donna met the agent claiming to be Rivera's brother, her son Charlie called his then-girlfriend Magbanua, according to police documents. 'You better kill him, because hes going to be a big problem,' he allegedly told her. 'If you can't do it, I'll have someone else do it.' Magbanua also reached out to Garcia after the sting, according to police. Earlier in September, police released probable cause affidavits that revealed Garcia called Magbanua an astonishing 2,700 times in the three months before Markel's murder. There were also a number of phones calls on July 1, 2014, 17 days before Markel was killed, between Adelson, Magbanua, Garcia and a phone registered to Harvey Adelson, Markel's former father-in-law, the affidavit states. A number of phone calls also occurred between midnight and 1am among Adelson, his mother Donna, Magbanua and Garcia on July 18, the day Markel was murdered. The probable cause affidavit also reveals that in the days and months after the murder, Garcia purchased a new car and motorcycle, according to WCTV. Records show Rivera also purchased a motorcycle within 10 days of the murder. Meanwhile, Magbanua began receiving checks from Adelson and his father's dental practice, the Adelson Institute, from September 2014 to January 2016. Wendi Adelson (pictured) and her family have continued to maintain their innocence in Markel's death. None of them have yet to be arrested in connection with his murder In the year prior to Markel's murder, Magbanua was making cash deposits that totaled $15,000. In the months after the murder she was making deposits totaling $44,000, the affidavit states. The affidavit also revealed that one of Wendi Adelson's ex-boyfriends told police she had revealed her brother was looking into hiring a hitman that would cost $15,000. Wendi Adelson and several of her family members said in a statement earlier this month that speculation they had a role in Markel's murder is 'categorically false'. 'To be clear, none of the Adelsons - Wendi, her brother Charlie, or their parents Donna and Harvey - had anything to do with Dan's murder,' said David Markus, the attorney who represents Charlie Adelson, in a statement. Markel, a world-renowned legal professor, was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head behind the wheel of his car in July 2014 The family has been subjected to an intense investigation over the past two years - including FBI involvement - that went over phone and computer records, emails, financial documents and text messages, the Adelson statement said. 'There is a reason that the police have not arrested any of the Adelsons - they weren't involved in Dan's death,' the statement said. A Tallahassee Police Department affidavit said Markel's death was the result of the 2013 contentious divorce from Wendi, a lawyer who now lives in Miami Beach and works for a federal judge. Authorities say Garcia and Rivera traveled from South Florida to Tallahassee in a light green Toyota Prius to kill Markel. Multiple surveillance videos captured the Prius following Markel as he dropped his sons off at daycare before going to the gym, according to the Miami Herald. Markel then returned home and was sitting in his car and talking on the phone, the keys still in the ignition, when he was shot dead. A neighbor called police after hearing a gunshot and seeing the Prius back out of the driveway. The first person Garcia called after the murder, police say, was Magbanua. Markel and Adelson wed in 2006 and separated six years later. The professor reportedly returned home from a business trip to find that his wife and children were gone, most of his house was empty, and divorce papers were laying on his bed. Wendi and Markel's custody battle turned ugly as her parents became desperate to move the couple's children closer to the Adelson family in South Florida. Markel asked a judge to stop Donna Adelson from having unsupervised contact with his sons, claiming she had been telling them disparaging remarks about him. A judge refused to allow Wendi to move her sons to South Florida in June 2013. It states that the family then discussed paying Markel $1million to allow the children to relocate, according to a probable cause affidavit for Charles Adelson. Wendi Adelson has since changed her children's last names, telling investigators she wanted to protect them. Cappleman said Magbanua could lead to more arrests in the case in the future, but for now prosecutors are not planning to charge the Adelsons. 'It's hard to present the case without mentioning the Adelson family,' she said. He once again firmly stated that his The pastor at the Texas church attended by Fixer Upper stars Chip and Joanna Gaines spoke out last week about the recent story detailing the fact that he is against gay marriage. Jimmy Seibert of the Antioch Community Church sat down with Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council for an interview on his Washington Watch radio show, and stood firm in his anti-gay beliefs. 'If you are struggling with same-sex attraction, if you are in a homosexual lifestyle, if you are divorced, if you are broken, whatever it is, welcome to church. We are here for you with arms open wide,' said Seibert. 'But we want to be clear that God's truth and God's Word is going to be our fixed point that we are all journeying toward.' When he was later asked if he ever expected to be a part of this kind of controversy, Seibert said he did imagine it would happen on day. 'In a weird way, actually yes,' said Seibert. 'Whenever anybody is clear and loving in a culture that is trying to vilify anybody that believes something as clearly as marriage definition or gender definition, it is just built into the system that we get persecuted.' Scroll down for videos Doubling down: Jimmy Seibert (above) of the Antioch Community Church sat down with Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council Great friends: He once again firmly stated that his church, which counts Joanna and Chip Gaines (above) as members, is against gay marriage Seibert also said that the outcry over the recent story is helping his cause, with more traffic being driven to his website. 'Viewership has increased by a thousand fold,' said Seibert. 'That has actually been the most encouraging side of the journey over the last 48 hours or so. Thousands, and maybe hundreds of thousands of people are now getting Scripture, getting some clarity, getting some truth and some thought on this issue of marriage, and life, and sexual identity. In a weird way we're grateful, because that message is getting out.' Seibert has spoken out against gay marriage frequently in the past, and it appears to be one of his favorite subjects to discuss in videos and interviews. In a video posted in May of last year he said: 'This issue is so key because it is trying to change and mar the identity of how god created us. It's not just your opinion or my opinion, your feelings or my feelings it has to do with what has god said, what has god created. He later said that anyone who believes they cannot change their same-sex attraction is wrong. 'Nothing could be further from the truth. You are just the way god created you before sin entered the world and through Jesus we're being brought back to that reality,' said Seibert. He then said that the Supreme Court ruling in favor of marriage equality would have an 'adverse affect' on himself and members of the church. 'Pray for the Supreme Court Justices,' he urged his followers. Mad: Seibert also criticized a culture that would 'vilify' him and others for having what he referred to as a clear definition of marriage (Chip and Joanna above last week) Seibert spoke about this subject once again in a special sermon last year following the Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage in all 50 states. In the almost hour long sermon, he said: 'This is a clear biblical admonition. So if someone were to say, ''Marriage is defined in a different way,'' let me just say - they are wrong. God defined marriage, not you and I. God defined masculine and feminine, male and female, not you and I.' Making his position crystal clear, Seibert continued: 'Truth No. 1 - Homosexuality is a sin. The lie - Homosexuality is not a sin.' He does, however, ask his congregation to show gay people compassion as 'the statistics say that 90 percent of people who are in a full-blown homosexual lifestyle were abused in some way. Physically, sexually, mentally.' Others have become 'addicted' to being gay after sing it in pornography, he said. Despite conversion therapy being declared harmful, he continued: 'Truth No. 2 - God is able to give us power over every sin, including homosexuality. Lie No. 2 - I am a homosexual in thought and action, and I cannot change.' Thoughts: Chip, the star of the popular HGTV series Fixer Upper, asked that his Twitter followers respect two of the writers who wrote stories about their church (above) More thoughts: Chip also wrote on Sunday: 'In times of trouble.. you'll find the gaines family at church' (above) Chip and Joanna have yet to respond to the controversy, but Chip did acknowledge the situation on Twitter over the weekend. 'Regardless of our decision to make a statement about all this craziness, or not, I ask that people please! respect @KateAurthur & @ginamei,' wrote Chip on Twitter, in reference to the authors of two of the stories. He then wrote one day later: 'In times of trouble.. you'll find the Gaines family at church.' The articles forced HGTV to issue a statement saying: 'We don't discriminate against members of the LGBT community in any of our shows. HGTV is proud to have a crystal clear, consistent record of including people from all walks of life in its series.' Chip and Joanna's show is now in its fourth season and is one of HGTV's most popular offerings. It has, however, yet to feature a same-sex couple despite other shows on the network including the Property Brothers and House Hunters International - its other top ranking shows - often helping find the perfect home for couples of the same sex. Aside from their reality show, Chip and Joanna are the founders of Magnolia Homes, Magnolia Market, and Magnolia Realty in Waco, they have their own home collections as well as collaborations with bigger retailers. Islamic leaders have encouraged Australian parents to embrace a Muslim alternative to popular British television show Peppa Pig. Head of the Australian National Imams Council Sheikh Shady Alsuleiman has urged parents to support programs teaching Islamic principles to prevent young children being corrupted by mainstream television, The Australian reported. The council is backing One4Kids, a Sydney company producing kid's shows with Islamic themes, including the upcoming Barakah Hills- pitched as alternative to Peppa Pig for Muslim children. The council is backing One4Kids, a Sydney company producing kid's shows with Islamic themes, including the upcoming Barakah Hills Head of the Australian National Imams Council Sheikh Shady Alsuleiman has urged parents to support programs teaching Islamic principles to prevent young children being corrupted by mainstream television (Barakah Hills preview pictured) Barakah Hills tells the story of the Abdullah family living in a Muslim community Head of the Australian National Imams Council Sheikh Shady Alsuleiman (pictured) has urged parents to support programs teaching Islamic principles to prevent young children being corrupted by mainstream television A fundraising campaign has been launched for the new program which tells the story of the Abdullah family in the small town of Barakah Hills 'with a predominantly Muslim population.' 'The Masjid is the central hub of the town with Imam Nouradeen as the community leader and role model,' the fundraising website reads. A trailer to Barakah Hills was launched on One4 Kids' Zaky and Friends Facebook page in November. 'Introducing Barakah Hills one of our many Peppa Pig alternatives,' the post reads. 'Barakah Hills represents an ideal Muslim community and is targeted to a post-toddler, pre-school demographic of children. 'The show's main objective is to show children what it is like to be a practicing Muslim as well as a good citizen in their community. 'Children will learn everything from how to have good manners, to how to get actively involved with community projects.' Islamic leaders have encouraged Australian parents to embrace a Muslim alternative to popular British television show Peppa Pig (pictured) A fundraising campaign has been launched for the new program which tells the story of the Abdullah family in the small town of Barakah Hills 'with a predominantly Muslim population' In an online post promoting the upcoming program followers slammed Peppa Pig's 'moral values' (Peppa Pig pictured) In an earlier post promoting the upcoming program followers slammed Peppa Pig's 'moral values.' 'Peppa pig is very rude. Yes please create a cartoon that teaches kids good moral values ie sharing, neighbour rights, when it is time for prayer, they should stop everything and go and pray 5 times,' one user commented. 'No lying, no hitting, no shouting, getting dressed, obey parents, fasting. Everything that features the life of a Muslim.' Another user said they felt guilty for allowing their children to watch a show 'all about pigs.' When questioned by police, Podchapko said: 'I didn't know children could die' A toddler starved to death and his two-year-old sister was left with the body for three days after their mother left them alone and without food in her flat for nine days. The mother, named as Vladislava Podchapko, 20, left her children only candles when she abandoned them in central Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, to be with her lover. Her youngest, Daniil, a boy aged 23 months, died from hunger after six days and his sister, Anna, two, remained alone in the flat with the body for another three days. The mother, named as Vladislava Podchapko (left), 20, left her children (right) only candles when she abandoned them in central Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, to be with her lover A toddler starved to death and his two-year-old sister was left with the body for three days after their mother left them alone and without food in her flat (pictured) for nine days Her youngest, Daniil (lef), a boy aged 23 months, died from hunger after six days and his sister, Anna (right), two, remained alone in the flat with the body for another three days Podchapko (right), who is thought to be either pregnant with her third child or already a mother-of-three, said when questioned by police: 'I didn't know that children could die.' The girl was rushed to hospital on the point of death from starvation and is miraculously expected to survive. 'The girl was exhausted, she was very weak,' said a doctor involved in her treatment. 'She was immediately taken into hospital where we started intravenous feeding. 'She is better now and we can say that she will live. We have started her on tiny amounts of solid food.' Podchapko, who is thought to be either pregnant with her third child or already a mother-of-three, said when questioned by police: 'I didn't know that children could die.' The mother has been detained and faces up to eight years in prison for child neglect The frightened and confused children had tried to escape from the locked flat, pulling and tearing at the front door Social media comments on her page demand that Podchapko should face the death penalty for neglecting her children Ukrainian children rights envoy, Nikolay Kuleba, said the mother had taken her children out of a kindergarten, but social services were reported to have failed to follow-up on any problems The mother has been detained and faces up to eight years in prison for child neglect. The frightened and confused children had tried to escape from the locked flat, pulling and tearing at the front door. Neighbours heard the children crying in the morning and evening, and there were unconfirmed claims they had called the police, who failed to respond. People on her Facebook profile have expressed 'disgust' at her actions in leaving her son and daughter alone, calling her a 'sadist', 'evil' an 'animal' and telling her to 'burn in hell' The stranded children received no help, and are believed to have been found when their mother finally returned and officers arrived. Podchapko's social media account is full of pictures of her children from before the incident, and messages of love to them. Ukrainian children rights envoy, Nikolay Kuleba, said the mother had taken her children out of a kindergarten, but social services were reported to have failed to follow-up on any problems. The mother did not appear to be short of money, boasting about owning an iPhone 6. The children are from her previous marriage, and she since found a new boyfriend, and became pregnant by him. Anna's future will be decided by social care workers. 'Perhaps she will be sent to an orphanage, or given for adoption, or if her father can look after her, she may go to him,' said a source. Social media comments on her page demand that Podchapko should face the death penalty for neglecting her children. Labour's betrayal over Brexit was compared to a Carry On remake of Mutiny On the Bounty by David Lidington as he stood in for Theresa May at Prime Minister's Questions today. The Commons leader accused Jeremy Corbyn's party of 'drifting on Europe' and losing touch with the referendum result, labelling its policy on Brexit as 'rudderless'. And after Labour steps up its threat to amend the Government's legislation to trigger Article 50 - the formal mechanism for leaving the EU - he accused the party of behaving in a 'profoundly undemocratic' manner. Labour's betrayal over Brexit was compared to a Carry On remake of Mutiny On the Bounty by David Lidington, pictured in the Commons, as he stood in for Theresa May at Prime Minister's Questions today To roars of approval from Tory benches, he compared Remain MPs to the low budget Carry On franchise making a film about the crewmen who staged a revolt on HMS Bounty in 1789 and set their captain and 18 loyalists adrift in the south Pacific ocean. Mr Lidington said: 'No other EU government is seeking to reverse or question the vote. 'It shows how distant the Labour party is from any aspiration to be back in government again. 'We watch them in action - its like quarrelling like Mutiny on the Bounty as reshot by the Carry On team.' He added: 'They are rudderless. They are drifting on Europe as on so many other aspects of policy.' Mr Lidington's attack on Labour shows the Government stepping up its rhetoric on opponents over Brexit. Yesterday No 10 accused Labour and the Lib Dems of not being on the 'UK team' because of their plans to re-write any legislation needed to start Brexit talks. Mr Lidington's opposite number, Emily Thornberry, pictured, who stood in for Mr Corbyn today, repeatedly asked Mr Lidington over whether the Government's plan is to stay in Europe's customs union after Brexit Mr Lidington's opposite number, Emily Thornberry, who stood in for Mr Corbyn today, repeatedly asked Mr Lidington over whether the Government's plan is to stay in Europe's customs union after Brexit. After he refused to give any more details on the Government's plan for Brexit, she accused him of 'stonewalling' and failing to answer 'the most basic of questions'. Their clash came ahead of a key Commons debate on Brexit. The Government caved in to Labour demands to commit to publishing its plan for Brexit before Article 50 is triggered, but Remain MPs are worried the 'plan' will contain little more detail than already provided. Speaking at PMQs today, Ms Thornberry told Mr Lidington: 'It's hugely disappointing that, on a day when the Government is committing to greater transparency on its intentions for Brexit, we're getting the usual stonewalling. To roars of approval from the Tory benches, David Lidington, pictured standing at the Despatch Box at PMQs today, compared Remain MPs to the crewmen who staged a revolt on HMS Bounty in 1789 and set their captain and 18 loyalists adrift in the south Pacific ocean 'We have a Government that is promising to tell us the plan while refusing to give us answers to the most basic of questions. 'We have a Government promising to give Parliament a say when they're spending we don't know how much of taxpayers' money across the road in the Supreme Court trying to stop Parliament having a say on this. 'In short, we have a Government that cannot tell us the plan because they do not have a plan. They do not have a plan.' She said that, in February, when he was Europe minister, Mr Lidington described the Leave campaign's comments as 'confusing contradictory nonsense'. Ms Thornberry added: 'Are we hearing anything different from this Government today?' Mr Lidington replied: 'We will publish before Article 50 is triggered a statement about our negotiating strategy and objectives, as the Prime Minister said yesterday. 'But you seem again to be in a state of utter denial about the consequences that flow from the referendum decision. 'No other EU government is seeking to reverse or question the legitimacy of that vote in the way that you and a number of your colleagues are still trying to do.' Steve Longero has broken his 36 year silence about the Rendlesham Forest sightings A retired US Air Force officer has supported claims of a UFO sighting 36 years after witnessing the infamous incident. Steve Longero has broken his 36 year silence to reveal he did see something in Rendlesham Forest in 1980. The disputed sightings in rural Suffolk have been called the British Roswell and provoked years of contrasting witness statements. Mr Longero has revealed what he saw was 'something not from this world' and 'it seemed like something watching us'. Strange lights were reported by servicemen in the forest near RAF Bentwaters and RAF Woodbridge. A hovering craft was seen in the air above the NATO airbases. Soldiers reported seeing an alien craft and even touching it. The disputed sightings, over three nights between December 26-28, occurred when Britain and the West were on high alert during the Cold War. Mr Longero was standing guard outside a weapons deport when the alarms went off. The disputed sightings in rural Suffolk have been called the British Roswell and provoked years of contrasting witness statements (stock image of UFO) Hundreds of people visit the UFO trail at Rendlesham Forest every year after the infamous sightings provoked a flurry of interest He said military bosses told soldiers not to reveal what they had seen because of the RAF Bentwaters' nuclear weapons. He told Jon Dillon for The Sun: '...I could see these lights over the treetops, and I was thinking, what's going on? Then they started sending people out there and at first it was hard to believe, all these bright lights. It was hard to take in. 'It was real kind of quiet and this thing hovering over the trees, and you were like kind of tracking it and like what is this?. And it was like following, it was like watching us, thats what it looked like to us. It seemed like something watching us.' Soldiers investigated what the lights were, including Staff Sgt Jim Burroughs, Airman First Class Edward Cabansag and Airman First Class Larry Warren. Mr Longero said the UFOs looked like red and green fluorescent lights hovering over treetops. He also dismissed one theory that the lights had been caused by a lighthouse. The Ministry of Defence has said there was no proof of any UFO landings at Rendlesham Forest (the woodland's UFO trail pictured) Internet troll Joshua Bonehill-Paine, 24, was today found guilty of the racially-aggravated harassment of Labour MP Luciana Berger A racist serial internet troll was today found guilty of harassing MP Luciana Berger in a string of anti-Jewish rants sent after the jailing of a fellow far-right extremist. Joshua Bonehill-Paine wrote five hate-filled blogs about the Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree after Garron Helm was sent to prison for four weeks in October 2014. The jury at the Old Bailey deliberated for about 75 minutes before finding Bonehill-Paine, who turned 24 today, guilty of racially-aggravated harassment. Speaking today outside the Old Bailey in London, Ms Berger called the verdict a reminder that those who 'perpetrate these horrific crimes can and will be brought to justice'. Garron, then 21, from Merseyside, had admitted sending a picture on Twitter depicting Ms Berger, 35, with a holocaust-era Star of David on her forehead and the hashtag Hitler was right. Over the next four months, Bonehill-Paine posted articles online calling her a dominatrix and an evil money-grabber with a deep-rooted hatred of men. Ms Berger (centre) spoke outside the Old Bailey in London, where Bonehill-Paine has been found guilty, calling his rants 'horrific crimes' In one, he claimed the number of Jewish Labour MPs was a problem. Bonehill-Paine also compared her with a rodent. He illustrated his posts with offensive pictures, including the anti-Jewish cliche of a rat with Ms Berger's face superimposed on it. Bonehill-Paine hailed the Filthy Jew B**** Campaign led by US white supremacist site Daily Stormer as fantastically successful after the MP was sent 2,500 tweets. Throughout, Bonehill-Paine, of Yeovil, Somerset, was on bail awaiting sentence for making claims on Twitter that several people were paedophiles. Giving evidence, Ms Berger said she felt sick at the blogs and very much under attack. She told jurors she feared for her safety because what happens online does not always stay online. The MP said: 'I hope that it will send a strong signal to anyone experiencing harassment - you do not have to suffer in silence' The MP said: It's fair to say I was the most concerned I have ever been about my personal safety since I was elected. It was in the midst of this 'Filthy Jewish B**** campaign the police were in constant contact with me. They were in my office and home and assisted my personal safety. James Palfrey, for Bonehill-Paine, described the posts as satire and pathetic puerile rubbish as he argued that they fell within the right to freedom of speech. But prosecutor Philip Stott said that the defendant had refused to face questions in the witness box because he had no sensible answer to the charge. The MP's parliamentary assistant, Eve Byrne (pictured), reported the blogs to police The jury was not told that the defendant, a former hospice worker, is currently serving three years and four months in jail over a conviction in December last year for posting anti-Semitic material ahead of a planned neo-Nazi rally. He was found guilty of inciting racial hatred in a flyer featuring a picture of Auschwitz saying the rally in Golders Green - home to many London-based Jews - would be a gas. Speaking outside the Old Bailey following the verdict today, Luciana Berger MP said: 'Every day up and down our country, people suffer harassment and racial abuse. 'Today's verdict demonstrates that under British law those who perpetrate these horrific crimes can and will be brought to justice, and it recognises that the British values of equality, tolerance and mutual respect that we hold dear, apply as much on the internet as they do offline. 'The protracted campaign of vitriol and hate had a deep impact on me and on the people around me, my family and my fantastic team. 'I would like to thank the Police and the Crown Prosecution Service for all their excellent work to ensure that Joshua Bonehill-Paine will be held to account. 'If any good can come from this awful experience, I hope that it will send a strong signal to anyone experiencing harassment - you do not have to suffer in silence. Major concerns: Ms Berger (left) said she felt sick at the blogs and very much under attack 'I'd encourage everyone to report these crimes. Together, we can show, that they are not, nor will they ever be tolerated.' Sarah Jennings, Special Casework lawyer from CPS London, said: 'The highly offensive, hateful and racist articles written by Bonehill-Paine in his online campaign against Ms Berger are indefensible. 'He claimed that the posts were appropriate within the bounds of free speech and freedom of political expression. However, the whole point of his posts was to aim anti-Semitic hostility towards Luciana Berger. 'Everyone has the right not to be harassed or subjected to racist abuse, no matter what position they hold in public life.' Bonehill-Paine's conviction comes days after neo-Nazi Thomas Mair, 53, was handed a whole life term at the same court for the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox. She said she feared for her safety because what happens online does not always stay online Earlier this year, another internet troll, John Nimmo, 28, from South Shields, was convicted of making a death threat against Ms Berger by saying she would get it like Jo Cox. In his first email of July 6, he told Ms Berger: Justice for Joshua Bonehill-Paine will be sweet, he has friends everywhere. Watch your back Jewish scum, regards your friend the Nazi. He then followed it up two days later with You will get it like Jo Cox did, you better watch your back Jewish scum just as Ms Berger was leaving her office in the early evening. Nimmo was previously jailed in 2014 for eight weeks for sending abusive messages on Twitter to feminist campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez and Walthamstow Labour MP Stella Creasy. Bonehill-Paine nodded to people gathered in the public gallery but made no reaction when he was found guilty. Ms Berger sat in the well of the court as the jury delivered its verdict. Mr Justice Spencer said he would adjourn sentencing to consider an application for a criminal behaviour order. Recent case: Bonehill-Paine's conviction comes days after neo-Nazi Thomas Mair (left), 53, was handed a whole life term at the same court for the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox (right) The maximum sentence for the racially aggravated offence is two years, the court heard. Before adjourning, Mr Stott outlined the defendant's long criminal history which dated back to when he was aged just 15. The court heard he was on bail over the harassment campaign against Ms Berger when he committed the Golders Green offence which landed him in jail last year. The judge adjourned sentencing until tomorrow, saying to jurors: 'The internet is a great blessing but there is a dark side.' After today's verdict, Stephen Silverman, director of investigations and enforcement at the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism, said: Joshua Bonehill-Paine conducted a vile campaign of harassment against Luciana Berger based exclusively on the fact that she is Jewish. In so doing, he abused her with many well-worn anti-Semitic tropes that have been employed across centuries to justify the persecution of Jews. These included the Jew as Christ killer, the Jew as sexually deviant, the Jew as vermin and the Jew as a grasping money-grabber. He also said refugees understand concerns of German citizens He referenced the murder of Maria Ladenburger allegedly by an Afghan migrant The Syrian refugee wrote 'one has to take the citizens' fears seriously' Migrants who break the law in Germany should be deported - according to a young Syrian refugee. Aros Bacho, 18, said there was no place in his adopted homeland for lawbreaking asylum seekers. He made the plea in a powerful article in response to the murder of medical student Maria Ladenburger allegedly at the hands of an Afghan migrant. The killing of 19-year-old Maria Ladenburger (pictured) has enraged people in Freiburg Maria worked in her spare time in the ancient university city of Freiburg helping out the migrants in various shelters and homes Writing for the Huffington Post Deutschland he said: 'A girl is abused and murdered on her way home - by an Afghan refugee. A tragedy that moves many people in this country. 'The demands for the deportation of criminal refugees are getting louder again and I understand this: Criminal refugees have to be deported. That's enough. Because of such incidents, many Germans think that all refugees are criminal and a threat to German society. 'This may not be true, but one has to take the citizens' fears seriously. Hussein Khavari (right), 17, has been linked by his DNA to the murder of Maria Ladenburger (left), 19, a medical student whose father is a legal adviser to the European Commission in Brussels 'That is why I have a message to all refugees who come here and then attack people, rape or assassinate: You should leave Germany quickly. You are not welcome here! 'You cannot just do what you want. You think Germany is a paradise in which you can do what you want. But it does not work that way. 'Germany has its own laws and these laws cannot be simply exceeded. The German state punishes those who do not take their laws seriously. 'I do not want to think about how many young women are afraid of going out or visiting friends because of people like you. 'I can understand this fear and I find that German politics must take care of it, otherwise such cases will accumulate. 'Refugees are people with heart and mind. We understand the concerns and fears of German citizens. I want to help protect the society that has received me with open arms. 'We law-abiding refugees do not welcome us because of you. We are hated. Is this what you want? 'I do not want to think about how many young women are afraid of going out or visiting friends because of people like you. Kaitlin Plascjak (pictured) has been arrested for allegedly having more than 100 images of child pornography on her computer and her phone A 28-year-old woman who allegedly had more than 100 images of child pornography on her computer and her phone has been arrested. Kaitlin Plascjak allegedly confessed to police when she was arrested in Pennsylvania at a home she shares with her mother, and told officers she had been looking at the images since 2006 as a 'coping mechanism'. The 28-year-old said she looked at the photos, which included pictures of 'infants and toddlers exposing themselves' and 'infants being sexually assaulted', because she had been abused when she was younger, WPXI reports. The Allegheny County District Attorney released a statement on the arrest, saying it was the first time ever a woman had been arrested on such charges. 'In the 16 years that the District Attorneys Office has participated in the FBI Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Cyber Crimes Task force, this is the first time that our office has arrested a female on charges of possessing child pornography,' the statement read. Plascjak faces a minimum of 15 to 30 years behind bars if she is found guilty. She was released on a non-monetary bond and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on December 12. Plascjak allegedly confessed to police when she was arrested in Pennsylvania, and told officers she had been looking at the images since 2006 as a 'coping mechanism' The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) and the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD) join the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) to promote Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, Dec. 59, by informing the public about the importance of supporting senior adult mobility. Collectively, the THSO, the TCAD, and the AOTA want to inform aging drivers and their families that strategies exist to help address concerns related to safe mobility and transportation. In 2016, there have been 209 fatalities reported involving a senior driver in Tennessee. This time last year, that number was 192. The THSO encourages Tennesseans to seek the necessary assistance, resources, and educational materials offered by the THSO, the TCAD, the AOTA, and other senior safety advocates to help reduce senior driver crashes, injuries, and fatalities. The THSO offers senior driver safety resources at www.tntrafficsafety.org/senior s . According to the TCAD, more than 1.5 million Tennesseans are now age 60 or older. By 2030, Tennessees senior population is projected to increase to 2.1 million. Therefore, it is imperative to educate Tennesseans on safe mobility and alternative modes of transportation. The TCAD offers information about transportation services for senior adults. Learn more by contacting a local Area Agency on Aging and Disability (AAAD) at 1-866-836-6678 orhttp://www.tn.gov/aging/articl e/aaad-map1 . A rape victim who was impregnated in the attack which took place when she was 14 is fighting to keep her attacker away from her daughter as he keeps the right to apply for visitation seven years layer. Jamie Melendez, 27, was found guilty of statutory rape and sentenced to 16 years probation for the 2009 assaults. Melendez knew the girl, having met her through a friend of her older sister's. She said he pressured her into having sex with him four times. The victim, who was in eighth grade at the time, became pregnant as a result of one of the attacks and gave birth to a baby girl in 2010. He was arrested in 2009 and initially denied paternity to escape the charges but was proven to be her father by DNA tests ordered by the prosecutors. In 2011, Melendez admitted four counts of statutory rape but was spared jail by a judge who said a probation sentence would allow him to work and pay her child support. The child is now six and Melendez has been paying her mother, now 22, $110 a week. Jamie Melendez, who pleaded guilty to four counts of statutory rape in 2011, (left), can apply as many times as he likes for visitation rights to the child he fathered in one of the attacks. His victim (right in disguise) is fighting to have that right stamped out While he has never met the child, he applied for visitation rights in 2012 under the argument that since he is paying child support, he deserves the right to see her. He was turned down by a judge who said his motives were insincere. It was claimed he was only using the threat of seeing the child to get the victim to relent in demanding child support payments. The victim was forced to see him in family court 'many, many' times as a result, her lawyer said. He can now return to court as many times as he likes to apply for the same rights until the child is 18. In June, he stopped paying child support and has not yet been forced by the court to stump up the money. He was previously jailed for violating his probation for not reporting to his probation officer. Melendez was 19 when he raped the girl four times. She was 14 He spent three months behind bars for the violation. Now, the victim is racing to have the case removed from family court before Melendez makes another application which will force her to come face-to-face with him. 'She is terrified that this new ruling means her rapist will soon be taking her child on visits as a way of ramping up the pressure to revoke the order requiring him to pay for the consequences of his crime,' Wendy Murphy, her lawyer, told DailyMail.com on Wednesday. Ms Murphy said she would now take their case to the Supreme Judicial Court. Massachusetts Court of Appeals denied the victim's request to have his rights stamped out The case was turned over to the family court after Melendez's sentencing in 2011 - something the victim argues should never have happened. RAPISTS CAN SUE FOR VISITATION AND CUSTODY IN 31 STATES Thirty-one states including the District of Columbia affords convicted rapists the right to apply in court for a relationship with a child they fathered in an attack. Some states have no laws whatsoever to prevent a rapist from claiming access to a child conceived in an attack. They are; Alabama, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Dakota, Wyoming. Others require a conviction to prevent action in court. These include; West Virginia, Washington, Virginia, Utah, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Oregon, Ohio, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Nevada, Nebraska, Montana, Massachusetts, Maine, Kentucky, District of Columbia, Delaware, California, Arkansas and Arizona. Technically, Jamie Melendez has been stripped of his rights in being denied access to the child. He has not however been prevented from applying again, meaning he can continue to do so, putting his victim through the same process, until the child is 18. Advertisement Outraged that the pair be treated in the same court as divorced parents and consenting couples, the girl argued that they were never a family despite the pair conceiving a child together. She asked that instead of child support, he pay her in criminal restitution to help cover the cost of raising the baby. The victim was however turned down. In 2013, when she was 19, she appeared in disguise for interviews with her lawyer to plead for a change in the law. In them, she said she felt her attacker was using the legal system to victimize her all over again, a legal phenomenon often referred to as 'second rape'. Her most recent effort to have his case quashed was to file a motion in appeals court to dismiss his argument. It was however rejected, with three judges upholding his right to apply in family court for a relationship with the girl. In Massachusetts, a convicted rapist can be given parental visitation rights to a child he fathered during an attack if a judge decides it is in the child's best interest. Murphy said it is not uncommon for rapists to use this right to get out of paying child support, threatening that they will apply for visitation unless the child's mother agrees they do not have to pay any. A couple who left their five-week-old daughter with a catalogue of 'catastrophic' injuries so serious she may not live past early adulthood have been jailed. Baby Isabelle may never regain sight, will be wheelchair-bound and will have to be fed by tube for the rest of her life after suffering at the hands of father Rocky Uzzell and mother Katherine Prigmore. But despite an investigating officer saying it was 'probably the worst crime' he had ever encountered, the mother will serve only 14 months behind bars and the father three years. Rocky Uzzell and Katherine Prigmore have been jailed after their baby suffered horrific injuries While their little daughter fought for her life in hospital, the pair discussed getting a Nandos The court heard the baby was admitted to Kettering General Hospital in March 2014 with medics discovering swelling on her brain and injuries consistent with squeezing. The baby was also found to have multiple fractured ribs and a break to her arm, Northampton Crown Court heard. Both defendants seemed to care more about a trip to Nandos than the welfare of their daughter while in hospital, the court heard. Staff noticed both defendants 'acting strangely' and instead of being concerned for the baby's welfare, they were overheard saying it would give them chance to eat at the chicken restaurant chain. Sentencing Uzzell, 29, of Kettering, to six years in prison, Judge Rupert Mayo said: 'The harm was deliberate and inexcusable. 'Isabelle has limited life expectancy and will lead a life dependent on the care of others. She was injured on more than one occasion by you.' Hospital staff were shocked by the couple's apparent lack of concern for the injured baby Adding an extended sentence of two-and-a-half-years, the judge added that Uzzell had a 'warped view' of what it was to be a parent or carer. Uzzell, who pleaded guilty to the offence and possession of indecent images of children for which he received a concurrent jail term, did not react as the sentence was handed down. Handing down a 28-month jail term to Prigmore, 24, the judge said: 'Your priority should have been Isabelle. It was not, it was you and your needs.' Prison rules mean the pair will serve half of their sentences behind bars before spending the rest on licence. Uzzell will serve an extended period on licence. Prigmore had called paramedics after the baby's limbs had gone limp and started vomiting on March 10, with the baby remaining in intensive care for more than two weeks. Advertisement These amazing pictures capture the unbelievable transformation of a giant crumbling water tower into a unique Grand Designs-style home. Incredible images show how the bare interior of the tank was lovingly developed into a a spacious three-bed modern house complete with a purpose built first floor and gym. The two-year project saw the 30ft stitled concrete monolith completely refurbished and it is now inhabitable for the first time since it was last used nearly 30 years ago. This is the amazing 30ft water tower which has been transformed into an unbelievable modern and unusual house The property, which was last used for its official purpose 30 years ago was purchased for just 197,000 Before its radical transformation, the water tower looked like any other piece of functional industrial architecture It boasts stunning near 360 degree views over the atmospheric waters of the serene Crouch estuary in Essex and has a completely refitted interior. And amazingly the one-of-a-kind bolt hole is just 15 miles from Chelmsford, a quick train ride from London, and was bought for just 197,000 - the same price as a tiny one-bed flat in the capital. It did need nearly 250,000 worth of work to make it liveable in a project described by its owner as 'sweet and sour'. A beautiful wood-clad first floor has been added to the cold concrete shell which boasts a stunning glazed wall which casts light straight into an open plan living space. This then leads to an amazing sand stone-clad balcony that peers over serene fields and the enchanting estuary. Yet now, following a 250,000 refurbishment, the unusual property in Latchingdon, Essex has amazing views Inside the newly-refurbished water tower now looks like an incredibly modern house with unrivaled views in the area At one side, the house features a terrace leading from the dining room and living area From this vertiginous vantage spot viewers can even see resort town Southend-on-sea, despite it being nearly 40 miles away. An unusual 40-step spiral staircase snakes up to first floor of the home from a purpose built ground floor. The Latchingdon Water Tower - which was built in the 1930s - sat empty for three decades before owner Mike Thomas embarked on his labour of love. The plumbing engineer and managing director bought the home in 2013 and started the painstaking process of sectioning off the vast empty concrete vat into rooms. Over the course of two years the 65-year-old grandad worked with a small team and his architect daughter Helen to create the amazing two storey home. Because of its former life, the designers had to create a purpose-built ground floor area Huge holes had to be cut in the side of the structure for the windows allowing natural light to pour into the building Inside the bathroom, a simplistic design would never reveal the structure's previous purpose as a water tower The work was finished earlier this year and there are now even plans to let inquisitive locals in for a charity tours. Mr Thomas said: 'This project has just been sweet and sour, most off the problems have been pretty difficult. 'But it has been enjoyable to meet the challenges as everyone involved in the project has been engineers. 'it has been a challenge, but we were very happy with how it turned out. 'It does feel like I have just been putting my hand in my pocket for three years though.' He added: 'I've just always wanted to do something like this. 'It was just in the perfect location and my parent and grandparents both come from here and we fell in love with the project. 'We knew it was a challenge, but we couldn't let it go. 'The trouble is the more we got into it the more of a challenge it was. 'Every aspect of it was difficult, the structure is just so old and thick. Even getting the staircase in was near impossible. We just about managed to get it passed building regulations.' Mr Thomas' vision was recently honoured by Maldon Council for his unique creation and won two prestigious design awards. The property is just 15 miles from Chelmsford in Essex and an easy commute into central London Because of its elevated position, the property, which is not overlooked, has unbelievable views across the countryside The property was transformed from a rather ordinary-looking water tower, pictured Into this stunning home, which features a wooden-clad ground floor area leading to an amazing spiral staircase President-elect Donald Trump plans to nominate retired Marine General John Kelly to lead the Department of Homeland Security, CBS News reported on Wednesday. Kelly, the former head of the U.S. Southern Command, has accepted the offer, CBS said, citing unidentified sources. Reuters has not independently confirmed the choice. Kelly, 66, would be the third general Trump has tapped for a high-level position in his administration. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Security supremo: John Kelly, the retired Marine Corps general who is being nominated for Homeland Security. He met with the president-elect on November 30 and is being named by sources as Trump's pick General in charge: Retired Marine General James 'Mad Dog' Mattis flew with Donald Trump to North Carolina on Tuesday to be officially unveiled as his choice for the Pentagon General at his side: Michael Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general, is Trump's choice for national security adviser The Republican president-elect, who has no military experience, planned to nominate retired General James Mattis to lead the Department of Defense and picked retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn to be his national security adviser. Kelly differed with Democratic President Barack Obama on key issues and has warned of vulnerabilities along the United States' southern border with Mexico. As head of the U.S. Southern Command, his final leadership post in a 45-year military career, Kelly was responsible for U.S. military activities and relationships in Latin America and the Caribbean. Kelly is also the highest ranking military officer to have lost a child in combat 1st Lieutenant Robert Michael Kelly, John Kellys son, was killed on November 9, 2010 in Afghanistan at the age of 29. 'He went quickly and thank God he did not suffer', John Kelly said of his son's landmine death in Sangin Afghanistan in 2010 He was leading a platoon of Marines in Sangin, where he took part in some of the most intense fighting of the war, killing dozens of Taliban fighters. He died instantly when he stepped on a land mine. 'He went quickly and thank God he did not suffer', John Kelly said of his son's death, according to the Los Angeles Times. 'In combat that is as good as it gets'. Although Kelly's military experience may give him insight into overseas threats, like drug trafficking or Islamic extremism, it will do little to prepare him for the legal and political complexities of grappling with a sprawling agency that oversees everything from airport security to protecting against cyber threats and responding to domestic crises. Trump's most senior appointment is that of 'Mad Dog' Mattis to the Pentagon. At a rally in North Carolina on Tuesday evening, Trump introduced him to the crowd and said he would be 'incredible'. He also warned Congress that if it doesn't give a special waiver to Mattis, people will be 'angry.' Democrats are balking at the procedure Republicans are trying to use to fast-track the waiver. Trump brought Mattis before a cheering crowd in Fayetteville, a military town that is home to Fort Bragg and other installations. 'He'll get that waiver, right?' Trump told the crowd. 'Oh, if he don't get that waiver there'd be a lot of angry people,' Trump warned. 'Such a popular choice,' he observed. Approval: Trump met Kelly at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, on 20 November and again at Trump Tower 10 days later for talks 'What a great guy he's gonna be incredible,' Trump said. 'Mad Dog plays no games, right?' Trump observed, using Mattis' nickname. Democrats are complaining about a GOP leadership move to expedite a waiver for Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon, retired Gen. James Mattis Congress must provide a waiver to Mattis to overcome a 1947 statute on civilian control of the military that states that the Defense head must have been out of uniform for at least seven years. Mattis has 'committed his life to his love for our country,' Trump said. 'General Mattis is the living embodiment of the Marine Corps motto: semper fidelis always faithful,' Trump said. He said Mattis 'will now be the civilian leader atop the Department of Defense.' Mattis, wearing a dark suit, made brief remarks that acknowledged the sensitivity of the situation. Police are investigating if a Cleveland-area man accused of breaking into two homes to kidnap little girls was involved in at least two other abduction attempts. A grand jury on Monday indicted Justin Christian, of Lorain, on rape, kidnapping and aggravated burglary charges. Prosecutors say Christian is suspected of kidnapping and raping a six-year-old Cleveland girl in May and attempting to abduct a 10-year-old Elyria girl in February. He was arrested on Friday after investigators found DNA to link the 29-year-old man to both cases. Now police are investigating two other attempted kidnappings they believe could be linked to Christian. Scroll down for video Justin Christian of Lorain, Ohio, (in his mugshot, left, and in another picture, right) has been arrested on charges of kidnapping, burglary and rape Cuayahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty said investigators are looking at possible links between the suspect and two other attempted abductions in Lorain County that he said 'fit the M.O.' He declined to name which cases, but they appear to be two kidnap attempts which took place within an hour-and-a-half of each other in Elyria last February. Police had received reports that on February 25, a man had grabbed a young girl walking to school, threatening her and punching her twice before she was able to run away and call the cops. An hour later, a man fitting the same description, reportedly exposed himself to another girl and followed her into a nearby yard. He ran away down West 8th Street but just 20 minutes later, there was another report of an attempted abduction. The 29-year-old was wanted in connection to the attempted abduction of a 10-year-old girl and the kidnapping and rape of a six-year-old girl. Above, Christian caught on surveillance footage around the time of one of the attacks A third girl reported that a man of the same description had grabbed her from behind as she walked along West 18th Street, in Elyria. She had kicked and screamed until the man gave up and fled, police report. A Lorain police captain said at the time that the abductions appeared to be 'closely tied' to Christian's abduction of the ten-year-old in Cleveland, Cleveland.com reports. FBI Special-Agent-In Charge Steve Anthony asked for the public's help in providing information about the other cases, or any others that may be linked to Christian. Police were able to track down Christian through a familial DNA search which aims to identify someone with a near-match to a person who committed the crime, such as a brother, father or son. The test initially flagged his brother Jimmy Christian, 29, a convicted sex offender who impregnated a 16-year-old girl in 2007. Jimmy eventually led police to Justin. 'When I learned that a predator was breaking into homes to snatch children from their beds, I wanted to immediately launch this new testing in Ohio, which we had been studying and validating for some time,' Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said. 'This is a first for BCI and a first for Ohio.' Christian was arrested on Friday and officials announced the arrest in a press conference on Monday Prosecutors say Christian, who has two children of a similar age to the victims - both of whom live with their mother in Florida, would carry out careful reconnaissance before he carried out his abductions. The first incident happened on February 24, when Christian went to the 10-year-old girl's home on February 24 and unlocked several doors and windows. He returned the following day, opened the girl's bedroom window and tried to forcibly remove her from by dragging her by the legs. But the girl was able to fight him off and run to her dad's room for help. A few months later, Christian kidnapped a six-year-old girl in Cleveland. Police used DNA to track Christian down (a rendering of Christian) He was caught on surveillance footage walking outside the girl's home on May 14, 15 and 20 - the day before the abduction on the 21st. Christian kidnapped the girl while she was asleep and then drove the girl to a home in an unknown location where he assaulted her. The next morning, he dropped the girl off at an intersection and she got help by going to a nearby home and ringing the doorbell. Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams called Christian 'a monster'. 'This fella who did this diabolical crime, one of the most sick and warped people...I've had a long career...will face justice,' McGinty added. There were no court records indicating whether Christian has an attorney. There is no home telephone listing for him. Family of Christian have spoken out about their disbelief at his arrest over the horrific crime. Theresa May has said ISIS's 'days are numbered' as an occupying power in Iraq and Syria as she assured Gulf leaders a post-Brexit Britain would not abandon the Middle East. Mrs May today became the first woman and first UK Prime Minister to address the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) in an opulent purpose-built arena in Bahrain. In a signal of the rarity of the occasion - as Mrs May was only the third Western leader to ever take part - she was referred to as 'her majesty' and 'her highness' in the English translation of summit proceedings. In her speech, Mrs May told Gulf leaders the UK was taking 'a leap forwards' with Brexit as a 'passionate' advocate for free trade. Theresa May has said ISIS's 'days are numbered' as an occupying power in Iraq and Syria as she assured the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) a post-Brexit Britain would not abandon the Middle East Mrs May, pictured left, made history as the first woman to ever address the GCC in a purpose-built, lavishly decorated venue in the Bahraini capital Manama Referring to ISIS as Daesh, the PM said: 'Today, UK servicemen and women are putting their lives on the line at the heart of the international mission against Daesh in Iraq and Syria. 'We are making progress. And as we are seeing with the current operations in Mosul, the days of Daesh as an occupying force are numbered.' Mrs May added: 'Gulf security is our security. Extremists plotting terror attacks here in this region are not only targeting the Gulf but as we have seen targeting the streets if Europe to. 'Whether we are confronting the terrorism of Al-Qaeda or the murderous barbarity of Daesh, no country is a more committed partner in this fight than then United Kingdom.' And looking to the future, she told the GCC: 'As part of the renewed relationship I want to forge with you, the United Kingdom will make a more permanent and more enduring commitment to the long-term security of the Gulf. 'We will invest in hard power with over 3billion of defence spending in the region over the next decade, spending more on defence in the Gulf than in any other region of the world.' Mrs May said Britain would have a permanent base established in the Gulf for the first time since 1971. Mrs May arrived at the historic meeting alongside Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa The Prime Minister used the address to strongly back the Iran nuclear deal after intense criticism of the agreement by US President-elect Donald Trump. On the final day of her visit to Bahrain, Mrs May told Gulf leaders: 'We secured a deal which has neutralised the possibility of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons for over a decade. 'It has already seen Iran remove 13,000 centrifuges together with associated infrastructure and eliminate its stock of 20 per cent enriched uranium. 'That was vitally important for regional security.' During his campaign for the White House, Mr Trump pledged to 'dismantle' the deal which sees international sanctions lifted in return for Tehran limiting its nuclear programme. Mrs May was one of only three women in the GCC meeting in Bahrain today, alongside her chief of staff Fiona Hill (right) The Gulf states have now committed to sign up to the WePROTECT Global Alliance which is aimed at taking action to end the online sexual exploitation of children. They also agreed to enter into discussions on compliance with international conventions on forced labour as part of global efforts to combat modern slavery. British experts at the UK Border Force will work with Gulf-based airlines to raise awareness of modern slavery among their staff and advise how to share any concerns they have with the police. Actor Danny Glover, appearing today alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders in Washington, was aghast that Time had named President-elect Donald Trump the magazine's 'Person of the Year.' Hearing the news for the first time from a reporter at a rally downtown, he asked how the magazine could make 'a reality TV host' the 'Person of the Year.' 'It's irresponsible to make him person of the year,' Glover told reporters gathered at the Freedom Plaza rally. 'Based on what? Based on the fact that he won the Electoral College?' Scroll down for video Actor Danny Glover (right) was aghast at the news that Time magazine had decided to make President-elect Donald Trump the 'Person of the Year.' He appeared alongside Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., (left) at a Washington, D.C. rally today Danny Glover appeared alongside former presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, at a rally to support striking federal contract workers Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., (left) a potential pick for Democratic National Committee chair, spoke at the rally, along with Sen. Bernie Sanders (right) 'Based on the fact that he lied to people? Based on the fact that all the stories of all he's done to women and what he thinks about women. Based on his racism?' the actor continued. 'A racist as "Person of the Year?"' Glover added. 'I'm appalled, I'm appalled. I'm angry now that Time magazine would name this person "Person of the Year." It's incredible,' the actor went on. Glover, a top surrogate for Sanders' failed presidential bid, returned to the senator's side today to speak at a rally organized by Good Jobs Nation, a group that represents low wage workers whose jobs are provided by federal contract work. He and Sanders both spoke briefly to the crowd, though hardly whacked at Trump. Glover reserved his real thoughts about the president-elect for the reporters backstage. Actor Danny Glover addressed the crowd gathered at Freedom Plaza in downtown Washington, D.C., though saved some of his best lines about Donald Trump for reporters waiting backstage Several hundred people gathered at a rally today asking the federal government to ensure that contract workers are paid a living wage 'This is not a fiction world,' Glover began. 'When you talk about building a wall and making Mexico pay for that wall. When you talk about immigrants. When you talk about Muslims. When you talk about LGBT people ... When you use racism as your card. When you strike our fear,' he continued, listing off a number of Trump's greatest hits on the campaign trail, which included the plan to ban non-American Muslims from the United States and build a Southern border wall. 'It's the most disrespectful thing,' Glover said, going back to his original point. 'That's a slap in our face, for Time magazine, for Time magazine to say that.' Glover said he didn't prescribe to the belief that Americans should give Trump a chance. 'Give him a chance what?' the actor mused. 'You know what happens here. We fight harder. We push harder. We know who he is. We know exactly who he is.' The star relented that he knew Trump was going to become president. 'We have to accept that,' he admitted. She also made headlines in 1999 when she received a $2.5billion settlement plus $100million a year in her divorce from Alec Wildenstein Wildenstein in a closet until police could arrest her the 49-year-old designer and then slashing him across the chest with a pair of scissors The New York City socialite whose many plastic surgery operations have earned her the nickname 'catwoman' was arrested by police early Wednesday following a fight at her Trump World Tower apartment. Jocelyn Wildenstein, 76, is accused of clawing her designer boyfriend Lloyd Klein and then slashing his chest with a pair of scissors after flying in to a violent rage at around 1:30am, a source tells Page Six. Klein, 49, was then forced to shove the 'Bride of Wildenstein' into a closet to prevent another attack according to sources, before police arrived to take her in. Wildenstein was arraigned in a Manhattan courtroom on Wednesday night, where she spoke with her boyfriend for 20 minutes before appearing in front of the judge. She also spent five minutes combing her hair while using her cell phone as a mirror. Wildenstein has been charged with felony assault with intent to cause physical injury with a weapon and a misdemeanor assault with intent to cause physical injury. Scroll down for video Court: Jocelyn Wildenstein was charged with felony assault with intent to cause physical injury with a weapon and a misdemeanor assault with intent to cause physical injury on Wednesday (above appearing before a judge on Wednesday night) Wildenstein spoke with her boyfriend for 20 minutes before appearing in front of the judge She also spent five minutes combing her hair while using her cell phone as a mirror Covered up: Jocelyn Wildenstein is escorted out o f Manhattan Criminal court after her arraignment on Wednesday Fashion Designer Lloyd Klein is spotted in New York on Wednesday showing the damage caused to his face after being attacked by New York socialite Jocelyn Wildenstein In addition to her penchant for cosmetic surgery, Wildenstein also made headlines in 1999 divorce when she won the largest settlement in divorce history. Wildenstein was awarded $2.5billion and an additional $100million a year for 13 years after splitting from her husband of 21 years, Alec Wildenstein. Alec, who married Liouba Stoupakova in 2000, passed away in 2008 of prostate cancer. Wildenstein has been dating Klein, a Canadian born designer who has created looks for the likes of Nicki Minaj and Paula Abdul, for the past decade. Wildenstein detailed her wild spending and acrimonious separation in a 1998 interview with Vanity Fair. She recounted dropping $350,000 on a Chanel dress, building a $3million mansion for her daughter on the family's Kenyan reserve Ol Jogi for her 17th birthday and the many plastic surgeries. 'She was crazy. I would always find out last. She was thinking that she could fix her face like a piece of furniture. Skin does not work that way. But she wouldnt listen,' said Alec at the time. Things got so bad between the two during the separation that Alec's father Daniel had Jocelyn banned from the family properties - a New York town house, their Paris chateau (the largest private residence in the city at the time), the 66,000-acre Ol Jogi ranch, and the private compound in the British Virgin Islands. At the same time her credit cards were cut off and had her monthly allowance lowered to just $50,000, which her lawyers fought in court. That all changed however with her massive settlement in 1999, which has allowed her to live comfortably ever since. Rough night: Wildenstein, 76, was arrested early Wednesday after a fight with boyfriend Lloyd Klein (couple above in 2009) Purrfect: Wildenstein earned the nicknames 'catwoman' and 'bride of Wildenstein' following her many plastic surgery operations She also made headlines in 1999 when she received a $2.5billion settlement plus $100million a year in her divorce from Alec Wildenstein (above with second wife Liouba Stoupakova in 2001) Felony: Wildenstein (above in April) is accused of scratching her 49-year-old designer boyfriend and then slashing him across the chest with a pair of scissors Jocelyn and Alec first met when she was 31 and they were both on safari with friends in Kenya at Ol Jogi. 'A lion had to be killed at a neighbors ranch,' Alec recalled in Vanity Fair. 'The night before, Jocelyn asked, "Could I go with you?" I said, "As long as you keep your mouth shut."' The next day they went and killed the lion, rode motorcycles and kissed for the very first time, with Jocelyn calling the moment 'quite intense.' She was born and raised in Switzerland and, according to Alec, had dated some very high-profile men before him. Among the men she had been linked with were European filmmaker Sergio Gobbi, Cyril Piguet, and Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. The pair eloped to Las Vegas in 1978, and one year later they both went in for their first plastic surgery operation - his-and-hers eye lifts. 'I dont think Ive known her when she wasnt healing from something,' said a friend of Jocelyn in 1998. Her looks then became more and more feline, though Jocelyn said the resemblance was always there. 'If I show you pictures of my grandmother, what you see is these eyes - cat eyes - and high cheekbones,' she said. 'I don't think there's anything wrong with it, and other than tightening up my appearance never change,' said Wildenstein in a 1999 interview with New York. 'My clothes, I am still the same size when I was 16 years old. You like to stay young - to stay healthy. I do a lot of waterskiing with my son.' She also said she had never had her nose done. Daughter: Jocelyn's daughter Diane Wildenstein (above) in an interview back in 2015 Son: Alec Wildenstein (left) arriving in court this past September in Paris in his family's tax evasion case The couple had two children early in their relationship, Diane and Alec Jr., but Alec's father never warmed to Jocelyn. 'My father checks things out. My father tried to warn me,' said Alec of his estranged wife back in 1998. Their relationship took a turn when Jocelyn returned to New York City from Kenya and showed up unannounced at the couple's New York City townhouse, despite her husband asking that she not enter the residence. He pointed a gun at either Jocelyn nor one of her bodyguards, police were called and Alec spent the night in prison. Alec was also reportedly in bed with a young Russian woman at the time. After Alec's arrest Jocelyn was allowed to use the house while he stayed at the Four Seasons, but complained in court papers that she was unable to use the stove and therefore needed money to hire help. Her lawyer called her a 'prisoner in her own home' while asking for $200,000 a month. New York toured the home at the time, revealing that there was a glass case above Jocelyn's bath to hold May Moon, her pet monkey. The pool room meanwhile had tanks filled with sand sharks, spotted eels, and neon terras. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel paid a visit to President-elect Donald Trump today. The former White House chief of staff told reporters Wednesday he had a 'very good meeting' with Trump and they discussed Oval Office 'operations, how to make that work,' as well as illegal immigration. Emanuel says he 'spoke out strongly' in favor of sanctuary cities like Chicago that do not offer up illegal immigrants for deportation and delivered a letter to Trump that was signed by 14 of the nation's mayors asking him not send away illegal immigrant students. Scroll down for video President-elect Donald Trump has been meeting with the mayors of America's most populous metropolitan areas, holding court today at his headquarters with Rahm Emanuel The former White House chief of staff said he had a 'very good meeting' with Trump and they discussed Oval Office 'operations, how to make that work' and illegal immigration Emanuel says 'spoke out strongly' in favor of sanctuary cities like Chicago and delivered a letter to Trump that was signed by 14 of the nation's mayors asking him not deport illegal immigrant students The Democrat says he told Trump the young people 'were working hard towards the American Dream...and it's no fault of their own their parents came here. They are something we should hold up and embrace.' 'We should embrace them rather than do a bait-and-switch,' Emanuel said, describing the content of the letter. Trump said in a Time Magazine cover story that came out today that his administration would 'work something out' for illegal immigrant children, known as DREAMers. 'I want Dreamers for our children also. Were going to work something out. On a humanitarian basis its a very tough situation,' he said. 'Were going to work something out thats going to make people happy and proud. But thats a very tough situation.' He's said in the past that he'll strip funding for sanctuary cities, prompting Emanuel's conversation with him about it today. Emanuel promised residents of his city last month that illegal immigrants could stay. 'To all those who are, after Tuesday's election, very nervous and filled with anxiety as we've spoken to, you are safe in Chicago, you are secure in Chicago and you are supported in Chicago,' Emanuel said. 'Chicago will always be a sanctuary city.' Trump has been meeting with the mayors of America's most populous metropolitan areas, holding court today at his headquarters with Emanuel. A spokesman for Trump had confirmed earlier in the day that Emanuel was at Trump Tower but couldn't say why or what they discussed. Emanuel slipped into Trump's New York City headquarters through a back entrance on Wednesday after a Wall Street Journal reporter was tipped off Tuesday to his upcoming visit. WSJ's Michael Bender tweeted late Tuesday night: 'Trump Tower guest list tomorrow includes Rahm Emanuel, I'm told. Chicago mayor & ex-Obama staff chief meets Trump after Cipriani fundraiser.' Cipriani is a restaurant in New York City Trump held a fundraiser at this morning to help pay for his transition and inauguration. Trump spokesman Jason Miller said Wednesday morning on a conference call that took place after the breakfast that Emanuel was at Trump Tower that morning. He was the president-elect's first meeting on the day. 'As we've seen with the president-elect, he's taken a broad range of meetings so far, ranging from people who have good ideas and advice on tackling particular issues, whether that be economic development or safer communities or...improving our national security.' Miller said he didn't have a readout to provide on their meeting, which had assumed had concluded, but would endeavor to get one. Emanuel spoke to reporters in the press pen at Trump Tower half an hour later. He said he 'spoke out strongly about what it means to be a sanctuary city who will support and secure the people who are here, like my grandfather who came to the city of Chicago as a 13-year old 100 years ago. 'Chicago was a sanctuary city for my grandfather. His grandson today is the mayor of this city, which is a testament to the strength of the values and ideals of America.' Trump said in a Time Magazine cover story that came out today that his administration would 'work something out' for illegal immigrant children, known as DREAMers Emanuel said he spoke with the president-elect, his incoming chief of staff, Reince Priebus, and his incoming senior advisor, Stephen Bannon about transportation, education and economic opportunity, in addition to immigration. 'We talked about our community college system and all our gains in education in the city of Chicago. We have been growing in our high school graduation,' he said. 'We've gone from 52 percent up to 73 percent.' In Chicago, students who get B average grades in high school are allowed to attend community college for free. 'Our reinvention of the community college system as a driver of our economic engine, which is why the Chicago for three years in a row has been the No. 1 city for corporate relocations,' Emanuel proclaimed. Emanuel was a senior advisor to Bill Clinton in his White House and chief of staff to President Barack Obama at the beginning of his first term. He ran for and won a seat in Congress after his first stint at the White House, replacing Rod Blagojevich in the lower chamber when the Democratic lawmaker -who's presently serving time in prison - ran for governor in 2002. Emanuel represented Illinois in Congress until 2009. He resigned his seat to work in the Obama White House, infamously coining the phrase 'never let a serious crisis go to waste.' He departed Washington a year later to return to Chicago and run for mayor. He's now in his second term in that office. His meeting with Trump today follows one the president-elect had with Washington, D.C.' Democratic Mayor Muriel Bower yesterday The Democrat's had a rocky tenure. The Department of Justice investigated his city's police department after Jason Van Dyke, a white law enforcement officer, shot and killed Laquan McDonald, a black teen carrying a knife on October 20, 2014. Chicago refused to release the dash cam video of the shooting, which took place four months before Emanuel's reelection. The city made the video public only after it was ordered to by a judge in Nov. 2015. Under political pressure, Emanuel fired Chicago Police Department Superintendent Garry McCarthy that December. He faced calls in January to resign over his handling of the shooting but didn't. His meeting with Trump today follows one the president-elect had with Washington, D.C.'s Democratic Mayor Muriel Bower yesterday. 'I wont talk about specific things that the president and I discussed. I will say that we had a wide-ranging conversation about things that are important to Washingtonians,' she told reporters afterward. Trump's second week as president-elect he met with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. The Democrat said at a press conference immediately after, which he held in front of Trump Tower, that he also confronted Trump about his deportation policy and his plans to bring back stop-and-frisk. 'I let him know that so many New Yorkers were fearful and that more had to be done to show that this country can heal, that people be respected, de Blasio said. This is the moment armed police raided a car wash in a quiet rural town hunting for suspected illegal immigrants in a dramatic daylight raid. Armed officers swooped on the Friendly Hands Car Wash after receiving a tip off about illegal immigrants, as well as guns and drugs being on the premises. There was also an allegation of money laundering being carried out on the business in Evesham, Worcestershire. These are the scenes as armed police stormed a car wash in Worcestershire Officers brandishing assault rifles and wearing body armour led the high octane raid Police had been tipped off that there may have been guns and illegal drugs in the premises CCTV footage shows the moment two officers, carrying assault rifles, burst into the property at 8am on November 28. Two suspects can be seen walking out of the front door of the business with their hands up before the officers order them to lie face-down on the ground. One of the armed officers then grabs one of the men by the arm and drags him 10ft across the ground. The workers were then ordered to sit on their knees facing the wall with their arms handcuffed behind their backs. Officers arrested a 26-year-old Albanian man on suspicion of entering the UK illegally and he was sent to an immigration detention centre. Local residents and the business owner have slammed police, accusing them of treating the workers 'like terrorists.' Officers dragged out one suspected illegal immigrant suspected of working in the car wash Worker raised their hands as armed police entered the building brandishing their guns The dramatic raid was captured on CCTV by car wash owner Bashkir Ademi, 38 Mr Ademi, pictured, complained that officers used too much force during the raid Owner Bashkim Ademi, 38, said: 'I have not been able to sleep the way they treated my staff. 'The Evesham police have visited us twice before and treated my staff like kings. 'We have always got on well with the Evesham police, but this time it was the Bromsgrove police and they treated my staff like this. 'I have got nothing to hide, anyone can come and look at the CCTV tapes, if I had something to hide I would not contact the newspapers.' Customer Rod Canning, who runs Vantage Commercials in the town, said: 'This is not a way to treat foreign workers, they were treated like dogs. 'I cannot believe that this was happening in this country, it made me ashamed to be British. 'The staff were treated like terrorists but they are hard workers, and as you can see in the tape, they were compliant with the police. 'One of them removed his hood to show the police his face, and both had their arms up straight away. 'Police dragged one of the staff along the floor and then kept staff with guns to their heads by the fence for half an hour. 'If they carry on like this they will end up shooting an innocent person. This country should welcome hard workers.' West Mercia Police declared the raid a success after one man was arrested for entering the UK illegally and stressed that officers involved in the operation kept to the required standards West Mercia Police have defended the raid, saying it was a 'success.' Chief Inspector David Ashmore said: 'This was a successful, pre-planned policing operation and was conducted in conjunction with the National Crime Agency (NCA) and UK Border Agency (UKBA). 'Local officers have carried out reassurance patrols in the area since the warrants were executed and after speaking to members of the public we are confident that there was minimal negative impact on local communities. 'Anyone who is not happy with police actions, or believes that they have not received the service they expect, should contact the Professional Standards Department of Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police. As a way to express appreciation for the many long hours and tireless dedication the first responders show every day, CHI Memorial Integrative Medicine Associates is offering them a chance to relax and be pampered with a complimentary Happy Half Hour acupuncture session. On Tuesday, Dec. 20, licensed acupuncturist Liza Mercado will give stress-reducing ear acupuncture treatments that will relax the guests spirit. First responders are called to high pressure situations every day. We want to let them know how thankful we are for their commitment to keeping us safe. This is a way we can give back to them and help take away the stress they encounter each day, said Ms. Mercado. Appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To schedule your complimentary treatment, call (423) 643-2246 and ask for the first responder Happy Half Hour treatment. Guests will need to bring an employee badge or other proper identification to the appointment. The Green Party-led presidential election recount in Wisconsin has turned up a surprising result: Donald Trump, not Hillary Clinton, was short-changed on November 8. Trump prevailed in the Badger State by 22,871 votes. The ongoing recount has widened his margin by 146 so far. Just 23 of Wisconsin's 72 counties have completed their second go-round, but the president-elect has gained 105 votes. Clinton has lost 41. Donald Trump, not Hillary Clinton, is gaining votes in Wisconsin as a recount initiated by Green Party candidate Jill Stein is well underway Trump prevailed in the Badger State by 22,871 votes; the ongoing recount has widened his margin by 146 so far The other 49 counties have until Dec. 12 to finish their recounts so state officials can certify the result by Dec. 13. That would guarantee that Wisconsin's Electoral College votes will count when the presidential election is officially conducted in Washington on Dec. 19. Green Party candidate Jill Stein paid $3.5 million to finance the recount despite winning just 1 per cent of the vote. 'We're not finding any problems with the machines,' Reid Magney, a Wisconsin Elections Commission spokesman, told FoxNews.com on Wednesday. 'The Stein campaign wanted a recount because they thought there was some problems with our machines and that was not the case,' he said. Wisconsin has until Dec. 12 to finish its recounts so the state's Electoral College votes will count when the presidential election is officially conducted in Washington on Dec. 19 Jill Stein was heckled and called a 'common criminal' during a press conference outside Trump Tower on Monday The Wisconsin recount began last Thursday, and has uncovered a handful of tiny errors none of which could swing the statewide election in Clinton's favor. 'The overall results will not change,' Magney said. 'It's two votes here, two votes there.' Recounts in Pennsylvania and Michigan are tied up in court. Michigan officials began a hand-recount on Monday but it will take a judge's ruling to continue it. That hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. The Michigan Court of Appeals has ordered state elections officials to toss out Stein's recount petition, ruling that she has no standing as an 'aggrieved' party since she has no chance of winning. Trump won Michigan by about 10,700 votes. Stein was heckled and called a 'common criminal' during a news conference outside Trump Tower on Monday. Despite demanding recounts only in swing states where Clinton lost narrowly, Stein insists she only wants to verify the reliability of the results; she also insists voting machines could have been hacked by Russians Despite initiating recounts only in three swing states where Trump beat Clinton by narrow margins, she has insisted her only goal is to verify the accuracy of the vote-counting. Stein has suggested, with no evidence, that electronic touch-screen voting was susceptible to computer hacking. An explosive new lawsuit is accusing Stanford University of failing to stop years of physical and sexual abuse by an alleged sexual predator against at least four students at the prestigious school. The lawsuit filed on Monday in U.S. District Court in San Francisco accuses the college of not immediately investigating or disciplining the male student only identified as 'Mr. X', who is accused of numerous sexual assaults over the course of four years, The Mercury News reported. In several cases, the lawsuit says staff implied that the alleged victims were themselves to blame for being sexually assaulted. The lawsuit details how one of the women identified as 'Ms. A' in the complaint claims Mr. X strangled and raped her, but when she went to her academic adviser for help, she was allegedly told to take a drive to the beach 'to deal with her rape' and take care of her mental health. New lawsuit accuses Stanford University of failing to stop years of physical and sexual abuse by an alleged sexual predator against at least four students at the prestigious school (file above) The lawsuit filed on Monday accuses the college of not immediately investigating or disciplining the male student only identified as 'Mr. X', who is accused of numerous sexual assaults over the course of four years (file above) In addition, a campus counselor didn't approve of the Ms. A wearing a sweater that exposed her shoulder to a counseling session and asked if she had put herself in unsafe situations to appear 'sexually available,' the complaint states. Residence staff who she later reported her concerns promised to tell Mr. X that assaulting women was 'not okay,' the complaint adds. The plaintiff in the lawsuit, who is a different woman and is identified as 'Ms. Doe,' said she started dating Mr. X around November 2013 unaware of his history of alleged sexual assault. Ms. Doe claims that she did not know he was first accused of sexual misconduct in September 2010 when he was alleged to have repeatedly sexually assaulted Ms. A over the course of several months. Mr. X allegedly strangled Ms. A 'nearly to the point of unconsciousness before whispering no one will notice when you die and raping her,' the lawsuit states. Ms. Doe ended their relationship, but claims Mr. X violently assaulted her in 2014 when she refused to engage in oral sex. She alleges that he also twisted her arm behind her back and told her to go kill herself when she refused to have sexual contact with him, the lawsuit claims. Her allegation was confirmed by a Stanford investigation later in the year, the complaint states. 'Women will not have an equal opportunity to succeed academically until the epidemic of sexual violence on campus ends,' Rebecca Peterson-Fisher, an attorney for Equal Rights Advocates, a San Francisco-based civil rights organization that filed the complaint, told the newspaper. Stanford has been focus of attention after ex-student Brock Turner (above) was convicted of three counts of felony sexual assault 'Institutions like Stanford need to be held accountable for their failure to recognize the severity of these crimes and to comply with Title IX of the Civil Rights Act.' On Monday, the school issued a statement and said it felt 'deep sympathy' for the plaintiff in the case and that it was cooperating with an investigation into the matter by a federal Office for Civil Rights. 'Sexual assault and sexual misconduct is abhorrent and antithetical to the values of our campus we take these matters very seriously and have zero tolerance for such violence,' the Stanford statement said. The school did not acknowledge the mishandling of the case, and its statement suggested that they could not do more since one or more of the victims didn't want to pursue a formal investigation. 'Without the cooperation of victims, regrettably the university is very limited in what it can do,' the statement said. In June 2014, a third student reported that Mr. X became 'violently angry' when she declined to have sex with him. She claims he 'threw a table at her and punched her in the face while holding a shampoo bottle, splitting her lip,' the lawsuit states. After the incident she took a leave of absence from the school, as the complaint also mentions a fourth case that involves a fourth female Stanford student. However, it did not provide details. After years of warnings, the school did eventually find the male student responsible for several charges of sexual assault and banned him from imposing no-contact orders and from campus, the lawsuit states. Stanford University saw protests at its 125th commencement ceremony in June over the Brock Turner case (file above) However, the school did allow him to be awarded both bachelor's and master's degrees. The plaintiff in the suit is now a graduate student at the school and says she witnessed Mr. X dinging at an on-campus restaurant with another young woman in February. 'Alarmed and traumatized, Ms. Doe sought assistance from Stanford public safety officers,' the complaint says. 'The officers told her that there was no official record of the ban and they could neither arrest Mr. X nor remove him from campus.' Over the past year, Stanford has been the focus of world-wide attention after Brock Turner was given only six months behind bars for being convicted of three counts of felony sexual assault. The $10 cup of Joe is more of a 'coffee experience' - whereby a barista takes a customer through the process of brewing coffee in a glass instrument A few Reserve cafes have already opened, and feature a $10 siphon coffee who consider Starbucks to be their parent's coffee shop, and who tend to buy high-priced coffee such as Blue Bottle Starbucks Corp unveiled a five-year growth plan, under which it would open more stores around the world, including several high-end coffee shops, while targeting annual revenue growth of 10 per cent. The company said it would add 12,000 stores globally by 2021 and target comparable sales growth in mid-single digits and profit growth of 15-20 percent a year. Starbucks Corp Chief Executive and co-founder Howard Schultz's also announced a plan to build a new prestige brand in hopes of raising the company's brand with millennials. Schultz in April will move into the role of executive chairman to focus on opening 1,000 new 'Reserve' brand stores by the end of 2017 and adding Reserve bars to 20 percent of its traditional cafes, which now number 25,000 around the globe. By 2021, the chain plans to be operating 7,400 Reserve cafes. Starbucks also envisions as many as 30 large, showcase Reserve Roastery and Tasting Rooms in major cities around the world. On Wednesday, Starbucks announced its plan to open 7,400 new 'Reserve' brand cafes by 2021. Above, a barista makes a siphon coffee at the Starbucks Corp Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room in Seattle in 2014 At the Reserve cafes that have opened so far, a siphon coffee goes for $10 The $10 cup of siphon coffee includes a lesson with a barista on how the coffee is brewed, using glass instrument Schultz's transition marks a turning point for Starbucks, which introduced millions of people around the world to higher quality coffee and espresso drinks and now must find a way to avoid being labeled pedestrian when compared with upscale rivals like Blue Bottle and Intelligentsia, which are popping up in U.S. cities. 'Starbucks is the millennials' parents' coffee house and Starbucks is acutely aware of that,' said Ric Rhinehart, executive director of the Specialty Coffee Association of America. Its Reserve projects are 'a reminder that they did this first and they do this best,' said AB Bernstein analyst Sara Senatore. Starbucks co-founder Howard Schultz will be stepping down from his position as CEO in order to focus on the expansion of the Reserve brand. Above, a Reserve Roastery in Seattle in 2014 The company hopes the Reserve brand will elevate their standing with millennials, who increasingly associate Starbucks with their parents Starbucks Chairman and CEO Howard Schultz delivers remarks at the Starbucks 2016 Investor Day in New York City on Wednesday Reserve stores will be about twice the size of typical stores and exclusively sell and serve exotic, small-lot coffees that can cost $50 per 8-ounce bag. The first are planned for Seattle and Chicago. The new Reserve stores and Roasteries will serve wine, beer and spirits and bake their own pastries from Princi, a boutique Italian bakery and Starbucks partner. Executives expect customers to stay longer and spend more at Reserve cafes, driving twice the financial returns of typical Starbucks stores, which have average unit sales of about $1.6 million annually. Schultz told attendees at the company's investor meeting on Wednesday that the halo from Reserve will make Starbucks a more compelling destination while providing an antidote to customers spending more of their time and money online. 'If Starbucks was a 20-chapter book, I still think we're in chapter 4 or 5,' said Schultz. Starbucks already has added Reserve bars to a handful of Starbucks shops in major cities, including New York, Chicago and Atlanta. Reuters recently visited a Reserve bar on Manhattan's Upper East Side, which offered $10 cups of coffee made in glass siphons, $10 'flights' of Reserve brews and nitro cold brew via a separate Reserve menu. Twenty-four-year-old Megan Sauers came in for her standard Starbucks caffeine jolt and discovered the new brand. 'I'd probably just stick to the regular, I'm not too picky,' said Sauer, who showed the kind of aspiration that Starbucks seeks. Starbucks already has added Reserve bars to a handful of Starbucks shops in major cities, including New York, Chicago and Atlanta. Above, bags of small-lot coffee are pictured on display at a Seattle Reserve cafe in 2014 'If I had the money to spend more towards coffee I'd do it,' she said. 'I think people want it, too.' The new Reserve stores could boost Starbucks' revenue if they hit targets, said Bernstein's Senatore, who cautioned that Schultz's new project has investment requirements that could become less attractive in a slowdown. Seattle-based Starbucks debuted the first Roastery in its hometown two years ago, spending a reported $20 million on the 15,000-square-foot industrial-chic playground for coffee enthusiasts. The Shanghai Roastery, which will be twice that size, is slated to open in about a year, with Manhattan to follow about six months later. But as Starbucks has already learned, moving upscale carries its own risks. Now former tenants and court documents paint a picture of the sinister and Derick Ion Almena, 46, leased the 'Ghost Ship' warehouse where 36 died as fire swept through it during an Details of the sinister and sometimes cult-like atmosphere around the 'artist' who ran the Oakland warehouse can be revealed. Derick Ion Almena was in charge of the illegal enclave, described variously as a collective or a commune, where 36 died in Friday night's devastating fire. He is facing a criminal investigation into the lead-up to the fire, which happened in a warehouse filled with junk and where Almena was raising his three children with his wife, Micah Allison. Now details can be disclosed of the power Almena exercised over those who lived in the space he illegally rented to them, to the extent that one described him as 'a cult leader'. Almena, who appeared on NBC's Today Show on Tuesday in a testy exchange with Matt Lauer in which he ranted about being 'sorry' but offered no explanations for the conditions in the warehouse, was accused of using threats of violence to get his way, and being able to flip from charming to threatening in a heartbeat. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Cult-like: Derick Ion Almena's art appeared to use elements of Hindu mysticism - such as the statue of Shiva in the center and items taken from other religions with two statues of Mary, the mother of Christ from Christian tradition surrounding it. There are two minor Hindu deities in the foreground Derick Ion Almena (left), 46, leased the 'Ghost Ship' warehouse. Almena was raising his three children with his wife, Micah Allison (right), inside the warehouse Symbolism: The way in which Aleman mixed religious imagery and other items is clear. The swastika (center) is a symbol of good fortune . Sinister: Skulls and skull figurines, a bow with arrows, unicorn statues and candles filled a crowded space in one room. He even attempted to take a restraining order out against a tenant who complained about conditions in the warehouse. The tenant, Shelley Mack, fell out with him in an angry dispute over the unsafe and unsanitary conditions in the 'commune'. In return he went to court, documents show that he went to court, alleging that she was illegally squatting at Ghost Ship and had falsely accused him of stealing a car, and also that she 'repeatedly called CPS [child protective services] on fake accusations'. Mack told DailyMail.com it was a lie to discredit her and described the strange atmosphere in the venue. Describing him as a 'cult leader' she said Almena threatened her several times and one of his followers pulled a gun on her. 'It was a cult if you believed what Derick had to say, but I didn't,' she said. 'But there were people who did believe him though. If you didn't follow him then they would threaten your life, pull guns on you, turn your electricity off. 'They would block you from the bathroom, call the police and lie and make up reasons for you to get arrested 'I had one friend in there who was a diabetic and Derick stole his medicine and his truck and kicked him out and called the police. 'If you didn't show that you were willing to do whatever he wanted you to do, you were on the out. 'If you didn't buy in to the way things were run they ostracized you, kicked you out and kept your money and your things. Mysticism: Almena displayed what appear to be items from a Hindu temple on the left mixed with African tribal masks and a portrait of Christ. He described himself as 'spiritual' Association: The Ghost Ship - which also called itself Satya Yuga, went out of its way to appear associated with religion, including this picture on its website of what appears to be an Indian sadhu - a Hindu holy man (right). Almena called himself a 'yogi' Mixed-up: A typical display from the Ghost Ship's website showed how elements of Christianirt (the candles) were mixed with an apparent Buddhist prayer flag (top peft) and Hindu items (the garland and the larger flag) The Ghost Ship building is littered with statues sinister-looking painted skulls and other religious symbols from Western and Eastern traditions - items collected by Almena and his wife Micah Allison during their travels 'They would make it incredibly difficult, I had to call the police to get an escort out of there. 'Derick would say this is a collective, we are building this spiritual, creative world, you had to buy in to that.' Almena called the warehouse alternately the Ghost Ship or the Satya Yuga collective. Jewelry designer Shelley Mack told DailyMail.com how she wrote to Almena to complain earlier this year Satya Yuga is a reference to Hindu theology, which sees it as the golden age at the start of time. There is no evidence Almena was himself practicing the Hindu religion, but he appears to have picked from elements of it in his 'art' and his father-in-law had previously told DailyMail.com that he spent lengthy periods in Bali, the majority Hindu Indonesian island. 'He wanted you to believe the whole Satya Yuga philosophy, spiritual, lyrical. He was into all this spiritual Yugi, Yogi bulls***,' she said. 'It wasn't a religion but it was a belief. He'd give these big speeches, on and on and on. It was all poetic, a lot of it didn't make any sense. 'He would speak in lyrics a lot of the time, he would say we're a family, we care about each other and we're living off this vibe in this wonderful, beautiful artistic thing.' Mack, who lived in the warehouse for four months, leaving in February 2015, said Almena considered himself a Yogi a person dedicated to yoga practice and the tantra traditions of Hinduism. Mack said Almena had a close circle of people around him who followed his commands. Weird: The art in the warehouse was apparently inspired by Almena's interest in mysticism even if some of it had unclear references such as the picture on a wall seen above Almena called the warehouse alternately the Ghost Ship or the Satya Yuga collective. The Ghost Ship building is also littered with statues of Shiva, Kali and other Hindu gods, like the one pictured center above 'He provided the appearance of a positive vibe, there was the words and the music and the art. He gave these people a place to stay and a space for their art and their creativity,' she said. 'We had meetings, he would have his own long dialogue or he would send out three or four pages of texts, stuff that was so bizarre you couldn't understand half of what he was saying, it was like somebody being on drugs and talking to you.' Mack says Almena's wife Micah Allison was always by his side. 'Don't forget his wife, she was there co-signing everything,' she said. Allison is self-described as the group's 'Mother Superior' and in a May 2014 Facebook post, she described the Ghost Ship as 'the true crossroads of culture and revolution in Oakland.' She added: 'Within the walls of the most beautiful temple living tribute tied bound nailed erected and held together with love and blood. It is the center of the universe.' Mack said a man called Max Ohr - nicknamed 'Warlord' - was Almena's right-hand man and would regularly do the leader's bidding. She added: 'Derick would tell him [Max] what to do and he'd do it, he had a devout group around him that still believes in him and is still lying for him.' It's believed Ohr, who escaped the blaze on Friday, was running the door for the rave that night. The violent side of the Almena's group has also been exposed in court papers and by the testimony of other tenants who lived under Almena's rule and visitors to the warehouse. Junk piled up: The Hindu god painting in one of the rooms in the warehouse is at the center of the sort of clutter which made it a tinderbox Travel: Almena appears to have used traditional masks from Indian theater to make this display. His ability to control others was part of life in the warehouse, one ex-tenant claims Last year Almena was accused by artists and events producers of stealing equipment, breaking contracts, and making violent threats, according to court documents. Philippe Lewis said that he rented the Ghost Ship for an event on January 3, 2015, but that Almena demanded extra money for the space. When he refused to pay more, he says Almena became violent and stole his sound system 'hiding it in the space.' During the incident, it was claimed, Almena locked individuals into the converted warehouse and held them captive. In a petition for a restraining order filed with the Alameda Superior Court, Lewis alleged that Almena threatened him. 'I'm going to get my gun,' he allegedly told Lewis, who had seen a box of new bullets while in the property. He also claims he was attacked, sustained a dislocated shoulder and was kicked in the head by Almena's henchmen - who assaulted Lewis on their leader's orders. He also says claims he saw evidence of a gun and bows and crossbow weapons on the property. A friend of Lewis', who asked not to be named, told DailyMail.com: 'Philippe doesn't want to have to deal with Almena any more than he has to, they are a violent group. He's trying to protect his family right now.' Another man who was at the party for the same dispute wrote in court documents that: 'I was robbed of my iPhone & Philippe's property at Derrick's (sic) direction & beaten by his staff.' Almena called the warehouse alternately the Ghost Ship or the Satya Yuga collective. Pictured above, several masks are on display at the home The collective's website features photos of who appear to be group members selling goods at festivals and fairs (pictured above) Speaking to DailyMail.com, the man who asked not to be named, said: 'I was at a party with a friend who had set up an event. I had never been there before. 'There was an argument over money and Almena tried to beat my friend up and I videoed it on my phone. Almena ordered his people to attack me. They beat me up as well. I called the police but nothing was done. 'It was very sinister and I spent a lot of time telling people not to go back there.' The man claims Almena made threats after the incident and that's why he filed a restraining order, which ultimately wasn't granted. 'I showed up in court but it didn't work out,' he said. Danielle Boudreaux, who has known Almena and his wife Allison for eight years, said Almena was charismatic and easily influenced those around him. But she said she saw a 'change' in him due to drug use. 'I knew Derick very well. The drugs made a big change in him. He was always this polar opposite person. One hand could be charming, making you feel you have great ideas, very able to persuade people in that way. There was always this dark vicious side underneath. That was never not present. 'He was like a cult leader, he has that sort of charisma, draws people in.' Almena promoted himself as a spiritual man and says on social media he's a 'student of the shadows'. He purported to worship the Hindu gods Shiva and Kali. In Hinduism our present time is Kali Yuga ruled over by Kali, the demon who is the source of all evil. Victims: The lost of the warehouse tragedy. Top row L-R Donna Kellogg, Nick Gomez-Hall, Travis Hough, Nicole Siegrist aka Denalda Nicole, Chelsea Faith Dolan, Barrett Clark. Second row from top: Feral Pines, Micah Danemayer, David Cline, Chase Wittenauer aka Nex Iguolo, Pete Wadsworth, Jonathan Bernbaum. Third row from top: Ara Jo, Cash Askew, Sara Hoda, Draven Mcgill, Michela Gregory, Johnny Igaz. Fourth road from top: Alex Ghassan, Hanna Ruax, Edmond Lapine, Em Bohlka, Jennifer Kiyomi Taouye, Jenny Morris. Fifth row from top: Ben Runnels, Alex Vega, alana Kane - Jennifer Mendiola, Amanda Allen (Kershaw), Griffin Madden, Joey Matlock aka Joey Casio. Bottom row: Vanessa Plotkin, Nicholas Walrath, Jason McCarty aka Jalien Adrian, Billy Dixon, Wolfgang Renner, Michelle Sylvan. Carnage: The aftermath of the fire in which the official death toll has reached 36, with warnings it may well increase further Kali wears a garland of skulls and a skirt of dismembered arms, holds a sword in one hand and a severed head in the other. The group's Facebook page - presumably with Almena's input - displays a drawing of Kali as its profile picture. 'An unprecedented fusion of earth home bomb bunker helter skelter spelunker shelters and indonesian straw huts rolling into valleys and down alleys,' is how Satya Yuga describes itself on the social media site. In fact it was a warehouse near the railtracks, stuffed with junk and violating safety codes. The Ghost Ship building is also littered with statues of Shiva and Kali and sinister looking painted skulls and other religious symbols from Western and Eastern traditions - items collected by Almena and his wife Micah Allison during their travels. Shiva - the destroyer - is often depicted with four arms and a serpent around his neck. The imagery raises questions over exactly what was happening in the building. In a document seen by DailyMail.com in which Mack logged her grievances as a tenant at the time, she records a complaint about a fellow tenant called Lisa a woman she says was close to Almena saying she carried out 'blood rituals' in the warehouse. She wrote: 'Lisa is complaining about the TV but I'm not coming to you complaining when she is dripping blood in the sitting room after coming back from one of her rituals?' Investigators said they have told the fire and sheriff's departments to treat the area as 'a potential crime scene'. Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley said Monday her office has just started its probe and has not yet determined whether a crime even occurred. This photo shows inside the warehouse just days after the deadly fire Blood rituals and animal sacrifice can be used in Hinduism, which Hindus see as a way of honoring the Gods, but it is unclear if this was what 'Lisa' was doing. Mack declined to expand on her complaint. Almena's response to the fire has included language which suggested he saw himself as a father-figure. 'Theyre my children. Theyre my friends, theyre my family, theyre my loves, theyre my future. What else do I have to say,' he told San Franciscos KGO-TV. One of them defended him in an interview with DailyMail.com - using language which suggested Almena remained convinced he was leading a 'family'. Artist Anthony Perrault, 27, who ran a studio inside the building for over a year, has spent time at the Marriot hotel in Oakland with Almena and other friends in the aftermath of the fire. He said Almena is 'absolutely devastated' by the tragedy and had expressed 'warm and compassionate words' to everyone involved. 'We're a family, he's a father, they [Almena and Allison] felt safe enough to allow their children to grow and thrive in their creation. 'That place was absolutely safe, he's a very strong man. The level of compassion comes out to anyone he invites into the warehouse, from taking people in off the streets and feeding and clothing them for a night, to doing what he can to create this whimsical world for imaginations to grow, he's an amazing man, Micah is an amazing woman, they're children, great, absolutely great.' When asked if Almena was running what could be compared to a cult, Perrault replied sternly: 'That's completely false and I'm not going to go into detail why that is false other than to say it's an art space. Tributes have been paid to Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone, pictured, who has died at the age of 55 after a short battle with cancer Tributes have been paid to Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone, who has died at the age of 55 after a short battle with cancer. The Kincardineshire-born former dairy farmer has been MSP for North East Scotland ever since the Scottish Parliament opened in 1999. Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson hailed the North East Scotland MSP as having 'embodied politics at its best'. Mr Johnstone was recently diagnosed with cancer and leaves behind his wife Linda and two children. Before coming to Holyrood, the grandfather-of-six had been a farmer and was appointed as convener of the Parliament's first rural development committee. He was made Scottish Conservative chief whip in 2001 and in the last session of the Scottish Parliament he represented the Conservatives on the welfare reform committee. Mr Johnstone had also been the Scottish Tory spokesman for infrastructure, housing and transport, a role he continued after the May 2016 Holyrood election. Ms Davidson said: 'Alex's passing is an enormous loss for the Scottish Conservative party, for the Scottish Parliament and for Scottish public life generally. 'He was a big man with a big heart. He embodied politics at its best: trenchant in his views, always up for a political fight, but respected and admired by all sides of the political divide for his decency and generosity. 'The north-east of Scotland could not have had a greater friend over the 17 years he served as their MSP. He was utterly devoted to championing the area.' First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: 'I am very sad to learn of Alex Johnstone's passing. Holyrood has lost one of its most well-known and well-liked parliamentarians, and he will be sorely missed. Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson, pictured, hailed Alex Johnstone as having 'embodied politics at its best' 'Alex was, of course, one of the Scottish Parliament's original 1999 intake and he quickly established himself as a champion of the north-east. 'He was never afraid to stand up robustly for the causes he believed in - but always did so with good humour and respect for his political opponents. 'I would like to offer my condolences to Alex's wife Linda, his family and his friends, and hope that they find some comfort in the warm tributes being paid to him from across the political spectrum and beyond.' Mr Johnstone, who was born in Kincardineshire and educated at Mackie Academy in Stonehaven, had been married to his wife Linda for 36 years, with the couple having two children. Ms Davidson said: 'All our thoughts and prayers are now with Linda and their family. 'During his short illness, Alex was greatly touched by the many messages of goodwill he received from across the parliament. 'On behalf of the party, may I thank everybody who got in touch with Alex to pass on their thoughts. It meant a great deal to him.' Responding to the death of Alex Johnstone today, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, pictured at a Muslim community event in Glasgow on Sunday, said: 'I am very sad to learn of Alex Johnstone's passing. Holyrood has lost one of its most well-known and well-liked parliamentarians, and he will be sorely missed' During his 17 years at Holyrood Mr Johnstone campaigned against knife crime, raising greater awareness of the dangers of carrying a weapon. He also promoted the relationship between Scotland and Japan, receiving the Consul General of Japan's Certificate of Commendation, and founding the Parliament's cross-party group on Japan. In addition to this, he called for greater recognition for King Macbeth and worked to ensure Unesco recognition for Arbroath Abbey. Former Tory MSP and friend Mary Scanlon said: 'Alex was respected across the chamber and during his short illness he received letters and good wishes from all sides of the Parliament. He was very touched by that. 'He was a man who never abandoned his principles, nor his Doric accent. Political opponents admired him because you always knew where you stood with him. 'He was a great parliamentary performer. Alex never read out a speech. He would research it thoroughly and then stand up and give a speech, taking interventions, answering points, with just three of four points written on a scrap of paper. did not refer to Dec 7 as a day of 'infamy' The handwritten notes Franklin D. Roosevelt scribbled before giving his 'Day of Infamy' speech have been put on display on the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The original draft of the president's speech is on display at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The former president dictated the first version of the speech to his secretary in the hours immediately after the attack, meaning he was editing his own words in later copies. In the opening line of the speech, FDR at first referred to the day, December 7, 1941, as one that would live in 'world history'. The words were scribbled out and replaced with 'infamy'. Scroll down for video Franklin D. Roosevelt is pictured delivering his 'Day of Infamy' speech on December 8, 1941 - the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor The handwritten notes FDR made to his first draft of the speech have been put on display in New York The draft was the first version of his address, which is arguably one of the most famous ever delivered by an American president, and one which he dictated to his secretary in the hours immediately after the devastating attack In total, there were dozens tweaks and edits made to the speech, while a handful of notes were also scribbled in the margins. The document is rarely put on display, and one expert claims it likely won't be seen for at least another decade after this exhibit ends President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who is wearing black armband, signs the declaration of war against Japan on December 8, 1941 Some of the other notable edits were changing 'simultaneously attacked' to 'suddenly attacked', and that Japan had shown 'no threat and no hint of an armed attack' to 'no threat or hint of war or armed attack'. In total, there were dozens tweaks and edits made to the speech, while a handful of notes were also scribbled in the margins. When it was delivered, FDR's speech lasted a little more than six minutes. The document is rarely put on display, and one expert told the Times-Herald Record it likely won't be seen for at least another decade after this exhibit ends. The notes will be on display until December 31. It costs $18 to visit the museum and library with a guided 'joint admission ticket'. A total of 2,403 Americans were killed and 1,178 were wounded in the attack on Pearl Harbor, after Japanese forces bombed the Hawaiian military base shortly before 8am on December 7. It would remain the worst loss of American life in a single strike until the September 11 atrocities - 70 years later. Japan hoped the attack would be a knockout blow from which the US Navy would never recover but they miscalculated because three aircraft carriers were not in port and survived unscathed. The attack is what pushed the U.S. to join World War II. Seventy-five years after the surprise attack, a group of forensic scientists in Hawaii is still working to identify the remains of the dead. On 2 December 1941 Nagato sent the signal Niitakayama nobore 1208 'Climb Mount Niitaka on 12/08 (Japanese Time)' that committed the Carrier Strike Force to the attack on Pearl Harbor A jumble of skulls, bones and teeth deemed unidentifiable in the years following the devastating attack are now being linked to missing sailors and Marines, thanks to advances in DNA testing. The Pentagon last year ordered the exhumation of remains belonging to 388 Americans who were killed aboard the USS Oklahoma, an enormous battleship that took multiple torpedo hits and keeled over in her Pearl Harbor berth, trapping hundreds of men inside. The December 7, 1941 attack sank four warships in so-called Battleship Row and badly damaged another four. Hundreds of Marines and sailors went down with their ships, others were burned beyond recognition in explosions and fires. FULL TRANSCRIPT OF FDR's 'DAY OF INFAMY' SPEECH COMPARED TO HIS ORIGINAL DRAFT (Changes from the first draft to the final speech are highlighted in bold text) FDR's delivered speech Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that Nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American Island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack. It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu. Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island. Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our Nation. As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole Nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forceswith the unbounding determination of our peoplewe will gain the inevitable triumph- so help us God. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire. FDR's first draft Yesterday, December 7, 1941- a date which will live in world history - the United States of America was simultaneously and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that Nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was continuing the conversations with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Hawaii and the Philippines, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a formal message from the secretary. This reply contained a statement (BOLD) that diplomatic negotiations must be considered at an end, but it contained no threat and no hint of an armed attack. It will be recorded that the distances of Manila, and especially Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that these attacks were deliberately planned many days ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. The attacks yesterday on Manila and the Island of Oahu have caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American naval ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu. Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya. Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications these attacks bear on the safety of our Nation. As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy I have, of course, directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole Nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. I speak the will of the Congress and of the people of this country when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but we will see to it that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again. Hostilities exist. There is no mincing the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. I therefore ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh , a state of war exists between the United States and the Japanese Empire. Black smoke is seen during the attack in 1941 Advertisement Three major US ships are visible in this photo of the aftermath of Pearl Harbor COULD PEARL HARBOR HAVE BEEN THWARTED? A 2011 declassified memo shed new light on a possible tip-off of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the White Houses slow reaction to it. The 20-page document from the U.S. Naval Intelligence Office to Franklin Delano Roosevelt appeared in a book December 1941: 31 Days That Changed America and Saved the World. The memo read: 'In anticipation of open conflict with this country, Japan is vigorously utilizing every available agency to secure military, naval and commercial information, paying particular attention to the West Coast, the Panama Canal and the Territory of Hawaii.' It also mentioned how the Japanese were bolstering their spy network and collecting technical information for use by its Navy. The book also reveals how FDR and his war cabinet considered the option of declaring war on all three axis powers (Germany, Italy and Japan) on the night of the Pearl Harbor attack. In the end, the United States only went with Japan, citing the idea of isolationism and the nations weariness from World War I. The U.S. would, however, declare war on Germany and Italy later on December 11. Advertisement Under the Pentagon directive, the unidentified remains are being disinterred from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu -- where they were buried in common caskets - and transferred to the nearby Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. A team of dental experts, technicians and anthropologists at the DPAA is working to identify the remains. They have succeeded in 53 cases during the past year alone. "We are making identifications almost every day," said Debra Zinni, a forensic anthropologist and laboratory manager. Many of the bones are well-preserved despite decades underground and months or years in the water before that, which Zinni attributed to the heavy oil and fuel spills that had poured from the sinking battleships. The leaking material 'saturated into the skeletal remains and preserved them very well" by inhibiting bacteria, she said. "The DNA extraction rate is extremely high and successful.' Later this month Shinzo Abe will become the first Japanese Prime Minister to visit Pearl Harbor, an act which comes months after President Obama visited Hiroshima. Mr Abe said this week: 'We must never repeat the horror of war. I want to express that determination as we look to the future, and at the same time send a message about the value of US-Japanese reconciliation.' Suspect: Minguell Kennedy Lembrick, 32, (pictured prior arrest) is believed to have shot officers and killed a police officer in Americus, Georgia, Wednesday morning A suspect who is on the run after allegedly shooting a Georgia police officer dead and critically injuring another carried on posting on Facebook as he hid from authorities. Minguell Kennedy Lembrick. 32, went on social media and wrote 'love yall' and 'I'm not going to jail' after he fatally shot Nick Smarr, 25, and wounded his partner Jody Smith near Georgia Southwestern State university in Americus. The suspect opened fire on the pair at around 9:30am, police said. Both were reportedly shot in the head. Lembick already had a warrant out for his arrest when the officers encountered him and is now at large,WALB 10 reported. A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest. The violence unfolded after Smarr arrived outside an apartment complex near the Griffin Bell Golf Course south of the university to, investigate the domestic disturbance call, Americus Police Chief Mark Scott told press. The complex was not on university grounds, but it was located so close to the south end of the main campus that campus officer Smith stepped in to provide backup. It was then, Scott said, that they identified Lembrick, who was already wanted on warrants related to a domestic disturbance kidnapping case. Shots were exchanged and Lembrick fled after downing both officers, police say. It's not known whether the suspect was hit. Nick Smarr, 25, (right) has been identified as the officer who was shot and killed. Jody Smith (left) was injured. They were both shot in the head Final post: In a final post on the page, the person purporting to be Lembrick said 'Love yall'. The page was deactivated shortly afterward Gone: Around an hour and a half after the shooting, Lembrick appeared to post this Facebook message in which he said 'other life gone not going to jail' Lembrick remains at large despite a multi-agency manhunt of around 50 officers, and police are now offering $20,000 for information leading to Lembrick's arrest. They stress that he should not be approached as he is considered armed and dangerous. At around 11am, an hour and a half after the shootout, two posts appeared on a Facebook page believed to belong to Lembrick. The posts show signs of desperation. 'I love ya Nikki brown I tried to stay out to get ya s**t happen...other life gone not going to jail,' he wrote. In a second post shortly after, he simply wrote 'Love yall.' The page was deactivated shortly afterward, but the posts received more than 500 comments, many of which were abusive. Slain officer Smarr is pictured left in military uniform. Police are offering $20,000 for info leading to the Lembrick's arrest. He is also wanted on a kidnapping warrant Children: Photos on the page appeared to show Lembrick with children The meaning behind his posts was unclear, but some commenters appeared to assume he was talking about suicide. 'PRAYING FOR UU...DNT DO THIS MAN' wrote one; another wrote: 'Don't do it.God still love you', said another.' Tanisha Williams said: 'Come on baby daddy...don't do this to these kids...' Photos on the Facebook page appeared to show Lembrich with three children: two young girls and a boy. Smith is said to be in 'very, very critical condition' in a hospital in Macon, according to 11 Alive. One commenter on the Facebook page claimed to know both officers, and said he was engaged to be married. Scene of the crime: The shooting happened at an apartment building (pictured) in the Country Club Estates near the Georgia Southwestern State University campus Multiple law enforcement agencies are now searching for Lembrick, including the Sumter County Sheriff's Office. Sumter County Sheriff's Office administrative assistant Dianne Brown said the shooter is not a student at the university. The university issued an alert on its website saying the shooting occurred off-campus but that it was going into lockdown and students should shelter in place. They were advised to turn off HVAC, secure all doors and windows, and move to unobservable parts of their rooms. Schools in the area were already locked down. A press conference scheduled for the afternoon was postponed after shots were fired in an unrelated incident. Americus is located about 130 miles south of Atlanta. Swiss army commanders have issued a crackdown on selfie-obsessed new recruits posting pictures of themselves in uniform on social media. The army has said there is a particular problem with female recruits obsessively taking taking snaps of themselves on military duty and posting them to their personal social media accounts. Army chiefs have also promised to crackdown on inappropriate posts by recruits on social media, including those with racist or sexist content. Swiss armed forces spokesman Daniel Reist said: 'There is a very clear policy: no photos in uniform. Whoever wants to take a picture must first ask the commander. Scroll down for video Swiss army commanders have issued a crackdown on selfie-obsessed new recruits posting pictures of themselves in uniform on social media The army has said there is a particular problem with female recruits obsessively taking taking snaps of themselves on military duty; while some female recruits have even posted pictures of themselves pole dancing 'If gross nonsense is posted, or sexist or racist content, we will get the military police in. But if they post positive experiences, that does not hurt the army.' Valentine Morina, 24, is one of the female recruits who regularly posts selfies to social media. The woman from the French-speaking city of Lausanne is a gunner in an M109 armoured howitzer. She said: 'I was the only woman under 400 men. The recruit school was a good experience, which unfortunately is now already over.' Women dressed in uniforms have posted snaps online, using hashtags such as '#proud' or '#strong' with their selfies Swiss newspapers have already printed several of the pictures of pretty female soldiers Other women dressed in uniforms post snaps and use hashtags such as '#proud' or '#strong' with their selfies. Tank soldier Alexandra Schnyder, 19, said: 'Never apologise for who you are and what you want.' The Swiss army, which conscripts soldiers thanks to the country's mandatory national service, said it wants to start a social media campaign next year to highlight what an military career looks like. The Swiss army has said it wants to start a social media campaign next year to highlight what an military career looks like Soldiers have put together a compilation of embarrassing blunders to create a video that went viral in Switzerland The video shows soldiers crashing army trucks in dangerous stunts, re-enacting scenes from Star Wars, pictured, and sleeping while on duty However, the word is already spreading after Swiss newspapers printed several of the pictures of pretty female soldiers. But Reist claims more thought needs to go into what is being posted after some soldiers put together a compilation of embarrassing blunders to create a video that went viral in Switzerland. The video shows soldiers crashing army trucks in dangerous stunts, re-enacting scenes from Star Wars and sleeping while on duty. The film quickly gathered thousands of likes, much to the ire of the military top brass. Another Swiss army spokesman, Christoph Brunner, said that such videos are a 'violation of common decency' and an 'insult to the prestige of the uniform.' He warned that military police could take action against those uploading the videos. An elderly veteran who flew Spitfires in the Second World War died after twice being attacked on his hospital ward by a fellow patient, an inquest heard. Kenneth Tyrer, 90, was 'barged' to the floor by a patient at Yeovil District Hospital on June 9 last year, with staff recording the incident as a 'no harm' fall. Three days later, the same patient kicked Mr Tyrer to the ground as the frail pensioner - who had dementia - wandered around the ward looking for his wife. Grandfather-of-two Mr Tyrer, from Milborne Port in Somerset, suffered a fractured hip in the fall and underwent an operation to repair it the next day. Kenneth Tyrer, 90, died after he hit his head and broke his hip when he was kicked to the ground by another dementia patient An inquest at Wells Town Hall heard Mr Tyrer developed pneumonia following the procedure and died on June 14 - 48 hours after being attacked. Mr Tyrer, from the village of Milborne Port in Somerset, spent more than 60 years with his wife Sheila before she went into a care home six years ago. The former salesman, who flew hundreds of missions for the Royal Air Force, had been admitted to the hospital in May with an infection. His family said that despite making a recovery, he had not been able to leave the hospital for a month because neither the council nor NHS would agree to fund a care home place for him. His family were arranging for him to move into a double room there with his wife, who he had married in 1949, four years after the end of the war. He had been declared medically fit to leave the hospital and was due to move in with Sheila, on June 15, the day after he died. Mr Tyrer, who learnt to fly in South Africa, started on Hurricanes but switched mainly to Spitfires by the end of the war Mr Tyrer's assailant, referred to only as 'Patient A' in the inquest, could not be detained, interviewed or charged in relation to the incident as he has dementia. Tony Williams, senior coroner for Somerset, reached a narrative conclusion. The hospital previously identified two 'missed opportunities' in Mr Tyrer's care. 'While a patient on Ward 6B at Yeovil District Hospital, Mr Tyrer was deliberately kicked by a fellow patient causing him to fall,' the coroner said. 'He sustained a fractured right femoral neck fracture which led to him developing a fatal pneumonia. 'At the time of the assault, Mr Tyrer was medically fit for discharge. He was awaiting a nursing home placement. 'No formal wandering risk assessment had been completed. 'There had been no risk assessment or action taken as to the impact of Mr Tyrer's behaviour or that of his assailant prior to the assault on June 12. 'Mr Tyrer's assailant was deemed not fit for detention, interview or prosecution.' His son, Bill, 59, had previously said: 'He should have been safer than he was at home. He was the sort of person I thought was the backbone of Britain. He never complained, he never asked for anything.' President-elect Donald Trump will pick an ardent opponent of President Barack Obama's measures to stem climate change to head the Environmental Protection Agency, a Trump transition team source said on Wednesday. Trump's choice, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, has enraged environmental activists, but he fits with the Republican president-elect's promise to cut the agency back and eliminate regulation that he says is stifling oil and gas drilling. Pruitt became the top prosecutor for Oklahoma, which has extensive oil reserves, in 2011, and has challenged the EPA multiple times since, including in a pending lawsuit to throw out the EPA's Clean Power Plan. The plan is the centerpiece of Obama's climate change strategy and requires states to curb carbon output. Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt met with President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday; he will be the next Environmental Protection Agency director Trump has packed his cabinet with officials who are strongly opposed to policies pushed for eight years by current president Barack Obama Pruitt has also filed court briefs in support of the Keystone XL Pipeline project which the Obama administration has blocked. In an interview with Reuters in September, Pruitt said he sees the Clean Power Plan as a form of federal "coercion and commandeering" of energy policy and that his state should have 'sovereignty to make decisions for its own markets.' Environmental activist groups bristled at the choice by Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20 after winning last month's election. 'Scott Pruitt running the EPA is like the fox guarding the henhouse,' said Gene Karpinski, president of the League of Conservation Voters, which supported Trump's opponent in the election, Democrat Hillary Clinton. 'Time and again, he has fought to pad the profits of Big Polluters at the expense of public health.' An official for the U.S. oil industry lobbying group, the American Petroleum Institute, declined to comment on Pruitt, but said it hoped to work with Trump's administration to 'help our nation continue to lead the world in the production of oil and natural gas, while also leading the world in reducing carbon emissions.' Oklahoma has massive oil reserves, making Pruitt, the state's top prosecutor, an expert at battling green groups and suing the EPA itself The Obama administration finalized the Clean Power Plan in 2015 as a key part of meeting U.S. obligations under the Paris Climate Agreement. Trump vowed during his campaign to pull the United States out of the Paris deal, but since the election has said he will keep an 'open mind.' Trump aides praised Pruitt's record. 10/31/2022 I could just scream! Have you ever thought that or even said it aloud? With this being the day for the annual Halloween observance, screaming seems to be the order of the day. Ghosts, goblins, ... more A five-star hotel in London has been given permission to build the biggest basement in the UK because it will enhance the capitals reputation as a luxury destination. Claridges hotel has been given the go-ahead on the 20,000 sq ft project by Westminster City Council despite its recent crackdown on basement extensions. A five-storey area will be added on to the bottom of the hotel, in a design that somewhat resembles an iceberg. Claridge's Hotel, pictured, has been given permission to build the UK's biggest basement after Westminster City Council agreed it would 'enhance London's luxury reputation' Designs for the extension, pictured, reveal it will be five storeys deep and make the development resemble an 'iceberg' The new floorspace will include a swimming pool, in-house chocolatier, wine cellar and bakery at the 203-room hotel, where rooms can start from 480 per night. Owners the Maybourne Group argued the new facilities were must haves for a modern day luxury hotel, and the council planners agreed it was important Claridges could keep up with competition from around the globe. Robert Davis, deputy leader and cabinet member for the built environment, told the Evening Standard the council was proud of Westminsters reputation as the home of luxury. He said: Additional basements on an already major refurbishment of the historic Claridges hotel in a commercial part of the city was regarded as proportional given the enhancement to this world-famous, world-class hotel. In particular, the extended basement will provide a new spa which will ensure Claridges remains a sophisticated, modern five-star hotel that can compete with global competition. The plans, pictured, show there will be a swimming pool and sauna on one of the new floors Another basement level, pictured, will include a gym and conference centre There will also be a floor that comes complete with a wine cellar and bicycle storage Plans for the basement have been approved alongside a general extension which will see 40 more rooms built on two new floors at the hotel. Additional rooms for laundry and storage are also expected to mean fewer delivery vans attending the hotel on a day-to-day basis, reducing noise and traffic problems. Since 2009 the Home Office has written off, cancelled, reduced or simply failed to Two thirds of fines issued to firms for hiring illegal immigrants go unpaid, official figures reveal. Since 2009 the Home Office has written off, cancelled, reduced or simply failed to collect more than 120million in penalties. The new statistics which were published in Parliament sparked outrage tonight. Critics said if fines werent collected they wouldnt act as a deterrent to firms hiring illegal migrants. Since 2009 the Home Office has written off, cancelled, reduced or simply failed to collect more than 120million in penalties Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, who uncovered the statistics, told the Mail: This is the irresponsible face of capitalism and businesses who do things like this give every other business a bad name. But the government should not be failing like this. They are at fault. They are not doing their job and collecting the penalties that we are all owed. Obviously fines change on appeal but the agencies are not up to the task and its ministers fault. The blame lies firmly their door, they need to get a grip. The statistics showed that since 2009 a total of 179.1 million worth of fines have been issued by immigration officials. But in the same period only 57.4 million were actually paid. That means two thirds of the total or 121.7million have not been paid. The Home Office said the increase in penalties issued last year showed it was working hard to tackle illegal working. Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, pictured, who uncovered the statistics, told the Mail: This is the irresponsible face of capitalism and businesses who do things like this give every other business a bad name. But the government should not be failing like this. 'They are at fault' Ministers pointed out that the penalties can be reduced or written off for a series of reasons especially if firms cooperate with Home Office investigations or pay promptly. They can be reduced, cancelled, increased or reissued at the objection or appeal stage, Immigration Minister Robert Goodwill said. Firms are required to keep copies of passports or visa documents showing their staff have the right to work in the UK. If they are found to be hiring undocumented migrants, or cannot produce the documents following a raid by the immigration authorities, they face being fined. Last year, 46.2m of penalties were initially issued to firms for employing illegal immigrants, whereas only 12.5m was collected. Figures for the current financial year to September show 24m in fines have been imposed, with 8.5m collected. The lowest level of fines came in 2012/13, when 10.8m in initial penalties were imposed and 6.3m taken in payment. Overall, there were 15,115 penalties issued from financial year 2009/10 to September 2016 for firms employing illegal immigrants. It is understood that the spike in the number of penalties last year, when 2,594 fines were issued, followed a major government crackdown. Last month Boris Johnson, pictured with US Secretary of State John Kerry and Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Brussels today, reportedly renewed his call for illegal immigrants who have escaped detection for 10 years to be granted the right to stay in the UK following Brexit Ministers have introduced measures such as working with insolvency companies to disbar directors who employ undocumented migrants in a bid to deal with the problem. The 2016 Immigration Bill also grants powers to close down businesses who are found to be hiring illegal immigrants. In November Boris Johnson reportedly renewed his call for illegal immigrants who have escaped detection for 10 years to be granted the right to stay in the UK following Brexit. The Foreign Secretary suggested to ministers that allowing those who entered Britain illegally the right to stay could generate funds for the treasury as tax income would rise. A Home Office spokesman said: Illegal working cheats the taxpayer, undercuts honest employers and denies legitimate job seekers employment opportunities. The increase in the number of penalties issued to employers in 15/16 shows we are working hard to tackle illegal working across the country, and those who abuse the UKs immigration system. We robustly pursue debts owed by employers of illegal immigrants, and last year collected more than 12 million. Daniel Blair (pictured), 23, committed a vicious attack and robbery while on bail. Blair stole Rachel Sommerville's iPhone and sent her a Facebook message demanding passwords A brazen pair stole a womans iPhone during a violent robbery then sent her a Facebook message asking her for its passwords the next day. Daniel Blair, 23, and Isabella Smith, 37, burst into the home of Markus Monteath in Dundee before Blair flipped him off the mattress he was sleeping on and launched a violent attack. The pair then ordered Mr Monteaths friend, Rachel Sommerville, out of the room as the attack progressed before targeting her with demands for cash. Miss Sommerville handed over 20 in an attempt to get them to leave - but that prompted Smith to demand she shake her T-shirt and bra in case she was concealing more money. Investigator Vicki Bell told Dundee Sheriff Court: 'Her phone fell out of her bra where she was holding it. 'Accused Smith took the iPhone and two other phones and then left. 'The iPhone was a contract phone in Miss Sommervilles fathers name. 'He activated the "Find My iPhone" service, which led him to the address of Smiths sister. 'Police attended and recovered the phone from a 15-year-old female, accused Smiths daughter, who lives there. Blair and Isabella Smith, 37, appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court, where they both pleaded guilty to a charge of assault and robbery. Blair is now awaiting trial in prison and Smith is on bail 'She had lost her phone and asked Smith to provide her with a new one. 'Accused Smith had arranged for her partner to provide the stolen iPhone to her daughter. 'The iPhone was identified by Miss Sommerville. Blair contacted Rachel Sommerville on Facebook after he violently assaulted her friend Markus Monteath and stole her iPhone 'When she switched it on there was a message on Facebook from accused Blair, sent on July 15, which read "Somebodys just mailed me askin what ur password is for Apple ID she said if she doesnt get it shes away to come over the road and see use again". 'The iPhone had been reset causing Miss Sommerville to lose all her data and the phone cover was no longer attached. 'Following the robbery Mr Monteaths face was swollen on the left around the eye area with an evident lump. 'He also had marks on the right of his face and was holding his left rib area. 'He has not returned to his home as a result of this incident.' The attack on Monteath was committed while Blair and Smith were on bail. Blair, a prisoner at HMP Perth, and Smith, of Dundee, both had pleaded guilty to a charge of assault and robbery. Lawyers for the pair asked for social work background reports to be obtained before they are sentenced. Sheriff Alastair Brown deferred sentence until January for social work background reports. Donald Trump's original campaign manager Corey Lewandowski mentioned another upside of a Trump presidency during an appearance on Fox News Channel's Hannity last night. Lewandowski declared the 'War on Christmas' officially done. The former top Trump aide touted the Carrier deal and said it made for a 'great Christmas.' 'Which you can say again, "Merry Christmas," because Donald Trump is now the president,' he added. 'You can say it again.' Scroll down for video Donald Trump's original campaign manager Corey Lewandowski suggested that a perk of the Trump presidency is that 'you can say Merry Christmas again' Sean Hannity (left) hosted former Donald Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski (right) on his show last night - who alluded to the 'War on Christmas' 'It's OK to say. It's not a pejorative word anymore,' Lewandowski added. For years, Fox News reporters have covered a 'War on Christmas,' suggesting that political correctness has led to a cultural transition from 'Merry Christmas' to 'Happy Holidays.' Lewandowski made it clear that Trump is solidly in the 'Merry Christmas' camp. He referenced this twice in talking to Sean Hannity last night. Lewandowski, who was fired from the Trump campaign in June, had been quickly hired by CNN to be a political commentator for the rest of the cycle. He quit that job on November 11 after his old boss won the White House and has been spotted at Trump Tower since. Hannity relished the fact that Lewandowski was back on the right-leaning news network. 'We going to by the way, Corey, isn't this a much better experience than CNN?' Hannity asked. 'You've got to admit it's much better.' 'Well, the good news you know, look, it's not eight on one, which I appreciate,' the former campaign manager answered, noting how a majority of CNN's talking heads didn't support Trump. Hannity publicly supported Trump by the end of the campaign. During the segment, Lewandowski gave high praise to his former boss. He suggested that the 'thank you tour' that Trump is 'so smart.' 'Not just going out and seeing the people and reminding them that the power is not in Washington but is out in the states, but saying thank you for the support that they gave Donald Trump in this election,' he remarked. 'What he said was, we're going to unite everybody,' Lewandowski added, noting how 'powerful' Trump's speech was that the president-elect delivered in North Carolina last night. Beyond making 'Merry Christmas' OK again, Lewandowski also offered a bold claim. She was arrested in July 2016 in California after failing to show up for her The stepmother of Oregon boy Kyron Horman, who has been missing since 2010, has been charged with stealing a gun in an unrelated case out of California. Terri Lynn Horman, 46, who now goes by the name Moulton, is accused of swiping a handgun from her male roommate in Marysville, California, where she had relocated last year. She told news outlets earlier this year that she decided to move out of Portland because she was facing too much scrutiny in connection to the disappearance of her stepson from a group of people she dubbed 'the Haters.' Scroll down for video Stepmom arrested: Terri Lynn Moulton (pictured left in a mugshot from July 2015), 46, the stepmom of Kyron Horman (right), who's been missing since 2010, has been arrested on an unrelated gun theft charge in California Mom speaks: Kyron's birth mother, Desiree Young (pictured together), said of Moulton's arrest: I think that her time is running out and I think that she knows that' Moulton was the last person to have seen Kyron on the morning of June 4, 2010, when she dropped off the 7-year-old at a science fair at his elementary school in Portland. The child then vanished without a trace. The stepmother has never been charged in Kyrons disappearance or named a person of interest. According to the station KGW, Moultons roommate in California reported his handgun missing in August 2015, accusing the woman of taking it from his safe without permission. When Sacramento police went to interview Moulton, they said she had the missing firearm in her possession. Moutlon was arrested and booked into the Yuba County Jail in early July 2016 on a misdemeanor charge of grand theft of a fireman after she failed to show up in court for her arraignment in November 2015. Moulton was released on bail the same day and later pleaded not guilty to the theft charge. She is due back in court for a hearing on December 16, reported OregonLive.com. Mystery: Moulton was the last person to have seen Kyron on the morning of June 4, 2010, when she dropped him off at school Kyron's biological mother, Desiree Young, has long blamed Moulton for her sons disappearance. In the wake of her arrest in California, Young told KGW the gun charge further reinforces the idea that we have the right person. I think that her time is running out and I think that she knows that. We are getting closer and closer to her and I think that she should be scared, Young said. The woman also suggested that Moulton might harm someone else before she is finally held accountable for whatever happened to her son. Terri Moulton, then still known as Horman, gave her first interview about Kyron's disappearance to ABC's Good Morning America in January, lamenting that her life was turned upside down in the wake of the tragedy. 'I saw him walking down to his room. My vision of him is the back of his head almost at the door,' Horman recalled, speaking of Kyron. 'That's what I see when I sit here and think about him that's my last thought.' Family divided: In the weeks and months after Kyron's disappearance, Terri Moulton (pictured second right) said their family, including the boy's biological mother, Desiree Young (second left), turned against one another lyMail on Facebook Moulton (pictured left in August 2010) has never been charged in Kyron's disappearance or named a person of interest. She now faces an unrelated charge of grand theft of a firearm Shortly after 8am on June 4, 2010, Horman dropped off Kyron at Skyline Elementary School for the science fair. She took photos of her stepson in front of his project and then left to run some errands with her daughter, Kiara. That was the last time she saw the bespectacled 7-year-old boy with a gap-toothed smile. At 2.30pm that day, when Terri and her then-husband Kaine Horman, headed to the bus stop to meet Kyron from school, they learned from the bus driver that the second-grader was not there. Moulton then called Kyron's elementary school and was told that he wasn't there either, even though his jacket and book bag still hung on a hook in a classroom. By that point, the boy had been unaccounted for for six hours. A large-scale search operation was then launched but failed to turn up any clues. Several weeks later, Terri Horman failed a polygraph test - an outcome she has blamed on her emotional state. Nearly two months after Kyron had gone missing, Horman's husband, Kaine, left her with their daughter after the couple had an explosive argument. Their divorce was finalized in 2013. In court filings, Kaine Horman said he believes Terri 'is involved' in Kyron's disappearance CNN reported. Victorian students have received their final Year 12 exam results almost a week early after a 'significant error' by VTAC. Hordes of students and parents took to social media on Wednesday night to complain their ATAR results had been sent via text message five days early. Students feared the scores may be incorrect, but on Thursday morning the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority confirmed both the ATAR and VCE result were accurate. 'This has caused utter chaos in my home,' one mother wrote to Facebook. 'All of my daughter's friends have their ATAR and mine is sobbing in her bedroom'. This student was able to access his results five days early after sending in his student number Victorian students have received their final year 12 exam results almost a week early after a 'significant error' by VTAC (stock image) Hordes of students and parents took to social media on Wednesday night to complain about the glitch including one mother who revealed her daughter was 'sobbing in her bedroom' 'As a parent I am ticked off. Thanks a lot'. More than 2000 students received the text message on Wednesday night and the rankings had not been due to be released until 7am on Monday. Hordes of students and parents took to social media on Wednesday night to complain about the glitch. 'My daughter got her ATAR results via text tonight, it's not supposed to come out til the 12th,' one woman tweeted. 'What's going on? I'm too scared to see my results,' one student posted. Some parents said after hearing of the glitch, they sent an SMS to the same service and were also able to access their child's results early, The Herald Sun reported. But many students were pleased after discovering their ATAR was higher than expected. 'I got 71.05! My hopes and dreams came true and I got into my dream course,' one young man wrote to Facebook. Hordes of students and parents took to social media on Wednesday night to say ATAR results had been accidentally sent after they received text messages five days early (stock image) Many students were pleased after discovering their ATAR was higher than expected. VTAC and the VCAA will contacting schools and each of the students affected to confirm the accuracy of the information and provide further support In a brief statement to AAP late on Wednesday the Minister for Education James Merlino said: 'Clearly a significant error has been made and a full investigation will be carried out to get to the bottom of this.' VTAC and the VCAA will contacting schools and each of the students affected to confirm the accuracy of the information and provide further support. 'We apologise to all VCE students for any confusion, anxiety, or upset caused by this incident,' a VTAC statement read. 'The SMS service used by VTAC and VCAA is handled by an external provider, Salmat Digital. 'Salmat is urgently investigating the exact nature, extent, and cause of what has occurred'. The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a score between 99.95 and zero determined by a student's Year 12 exam results and shows their ranking against their peers in the rest of the country. In Victoria, students receive their Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) after successfully completing secondary schooling. They are then sent university offers respective to both their choices and ATAR score through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). Melbourne Girls Grammar school confirmed the glitch in a tweet saying they were trying to confirm the accuracy of the results. But VTAC confirmed on Thrusday they were correct Leaders of the technology industry are set to join the pilgrimage to Trump Tower and attend a special meeting being set up for the industry next week. Leaders of such household name companies as Google, Facebook, and Apple have been invited to the pow-wow, Politico reported. Trump, who doesn't use a computer but has been Tweeting with frequency this week, is set to be represented by tech investor Peter Thiel, who spoke at the GOP convention in Cleveland and is one of the few major players in the industry to back Trump. Execs from Oracle and Amazon also reportedly are invited. Tech mogul Peter Thiel, a Trump supporter who spoke at the GOP convention, will represent Trump at the meeting News of the meeting comes shortly after Trump met with former Vice President Al Gore at Trump Tower on Monday. Gore also met with Ivanka Trump, and spoke to reporters after the meetings about climate change. 'It was a sincere search for areas of common ground,' Gore said. 'I found it an extremely interesting conversation, and to be continued, and I'm just going to leave it at that.' Gore joined Apple's board in 2003, and owns 440,000 shares, CNBC reported. President-elect Trump met with former Vice President Al Gore, an Apple board member, on Monday President Obama had close relations with leading tech executives, including Google's Eric Schmidt, a frequent White House visitor during his tenure. Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner was also slated to participate, as was incoming chief of staff Reince Priebus. Trump's relationship with the industry has been considerably more contentious. He called for a 'boycott' of Apple during the early days following the San Bernardino attacks in an effort to pressure the company to help the FBI unlock the rampage suspect's phone. He also blasted the firm's manufacturing model, including production in China and other overseas nations, although Trump companies have also done manufacturing overseas. Contributors identified with Internet firms gave $5.6 million to rival Hillary Clinton, according to OpenSecrets.org. Trump, by contrast, merely got $54,000. Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President-elect Donald Trump, is slated to participate in the meeting with tech gurus Trump railed against Apple during the campaign, even calling for a boycott at one point According to a study referenced in the Economist, employment in the tech sector in Democratic counties increased 35 per cent between 2000 and 2016. But in Republican counties, it dropped by nearly the same amount, 37 per cent. Trump met at Trump Tower Tuesday with Japanese tech mogul Masayoshi Son, who said he would pour $50 billion in investments into new U.S. startups and committed to producing 50,000 jobs here. Son is the CEO of SoftBank, which owns Sprint. 'We are going to invest $50 billion in the U.S. and commit to create 50,000 new jobs," Son told reporters while accompanied by Trump. "We (will) invest into the new startup companies in the United States." The pledge would come from the $100 billion investment fund the firm has already announced in a partnership with Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fun, the Wall Street Journal reported. Pamela Anderson was pictured this evening visiting Julian Assange for the fourth time in three months. The Baywatch star, 49, walked along Kensington, London, with her jacket over her shoulders as she carried bags from upmarket Whole Foods. The former Playboy model was delivering the Wikileaks founder his dinner at the Ecuadorian Embassy. Mr Assange has been hiding at the building in London under political asylum since 2012 to avoid a rape investigation in Sweden. Pamela Anderson was pictured this evening visiting Julian Assange for the fourth time in three months Mr Assange has been hiding at the building in London under political asylum since 2012 to avoid a rape investigation in Sweden He has struck up an unlikely friendship with Pamela and even complained when she kept bringing him 'vegan foods'. Last month, the mother-of-two's arms were kept full, as she juggled a straw bag, coffee shop carrier bag and a tray laden with treats like fruit salad and vegetarian burgers. But Mr Assange described the vegan treats as 'torture'. Pamela set up The Pamela Anderson Foundation at the start of 2014 with the goal of using her celebrity to help environmental causes and to protect vulnerable people and animals. Since then she has raised awareness for organisations such as PETA and Mercy For Animals, and joined initiatives that seek to protect the Arctic, halt deforestation and speak out against the force feeding of ducks and geese, a practice used in the production of foie gras. In August 2014 fashion designer and activist Vivienne Westwood introduced Pamela to Julian. The Baywatch star, 49, walked along Kensington, London, with her jacket over her shoulders as she carried bags from upmarket Whole Foods Speaking to The Mail On Sunday shortly after the meeting, the fashion designer explained the meeting of minds. 'I was supposed to take Pamela to see Julian in the embassy but she got the date wrong, so she went on her own the day after me. She told me afterwards that they got on very well. 'Julian was just brilliant... Pamela's trying to help people with her new trust and he gave her some ideas on how to do that.' It comes as bizarre rumors spread that Mr Assange may have died after a visit from Pamela in October. The blonde bombshell walked into the Ecuadorian embassy in London clutching bags from Pret A Manger. The former Playboy model was delivering the Wikileaks founder his dinner at the Ecuadorian Embassy She said afterwards she was worried for his health and when a series of mysterious tweets were sent by WikiLeaks on Sunday his fans feared that he had perished after eating her food. Assange, 45, who has been hiding in the London embassy since 2012 to avoid sex crime allegations in Sweden, is alive and well according to the embassy and now appears to be the victim of a cyber attack. At 6.30am this morning WikiLeaks tweeted: 'Julian Assange's internet link has been intentionally severed by a state party', with conspiracy theorists claiming that it is linked to John Kerry's visit to London to meet Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. WikiLeaks say they 'have activated the appropriate contingency plans' as they try to restore his internet link. In her hands were two bags from Pret, a popular sandwich shop chain based in the UK. Anderson, an advocate for animals' rights, later said that she brought Assange 'a nice vegan lunch'. 'He said I tortured him with bringing him vegan food,' she then joked. The former Playboy model said the WikiLeaks founder was doing 'really well' but expressed concern for him and his family. The Australian has been living in the embassy for over four years and has been granted political asylum by Ecuador. He is due to be questioned over a sex allegation in Sweden - which he denies. Mr Assange believes that if he goes to Sweden he will be extradited to the United States for questioning over the activities of WikiLeaks. This is the disturbing moment a knife-welding teenager lunges at his classmates in the schoolyard before being shot by cops. The shooting at Procter R. Hug High School was first reported at around 11.30am, resulting in a 'code red' lockdown, though the scene was considered stable and secure, Washoe County School District spokesman Riley Sutton stated. The 14-year-old boy, who has not been identified, was reported in critical condition Wednesday night at a Reno hospital, Police Chief Jason Soto said. Th teenager can be seen brandishing what looks like two knives at classmates who stand nearby Blood can seen on the face of the angry teen as he swipes at his peers with huge knife The teen was shot by a cop and fell to the ground before being taking to hospital Police had initially declined to confirm reports immediately after the 11:30 a.m. shooting that the teen had been armed with a knife. But Soto told reporters at a news conference at police headquarters on Wednesday night that he was 'armed with at least one knife and threatening other students' during a fight at the high school in a working class neighborhood on the city's north side. The armed student failed to comply with the school police officer's verbal commands to drop the knife, and the officer ultimately fired his service weapon, 'striking the student and ... stopping the threat,' Soto said. 'Once the threat was stopped, the officer immediately began to provide medical aid to the student until emergency medical assistance arrived,' Soto said. He refused to take any questions. Earlier, one high school freshman Robert Barragan first told the Reno Gazette-Journal that an officer shot a student in the shoulder after the teen pulled a knife and stabbed a classmate during a confrontation outside the school library. Barragan, told the Gazette-Journal that two male students were fighting outside the school library when the campus officer shot the knife wielding teenager. However there were no reported injuries other than the unidentified 14-year-old. Hug High School was placed under lockdown and the 14-year-old was taken to Renown Regional Medical Center where he was in critical condition with a gunshot wound. The lockdown was lifted by mid-afternoon and students were released to their parents. A regional officer-involved shooting team led by Reno police interviewed the campus officer, who was placed on routine paid administrative leave, Reno police officer Tim Broadway said. Broadway told reporters earlier Wednesday that more than 40 students witnessed the incident, including many who shot cellphone video that police want to see before the public. 'There's multiple videos out there,' said Broadway, the department spokesman. 'There's some very disturbing video out there. But there are other events that led up to this incident, so please don't react to those.' School district officials said classes would resume as scheduled on Thursday. 'Counselors will be available for any student or staff member who needs assistance,' School Superintendent Traci Davis said in a statement. Shots fired: Procter R. Hug High School in Reno, Nevada, was put on lockdown after a police-involved shooting Nevada Department of Public Safety director James Wright confirmed that a 14-year-old was wounded and taken to Renown Hospital Medical Center after he was shot by a campus police officer. Several videos have since emerged on social media purporting to show the chaotic moments leading up to the shooting and its bloody aftermath. Daily Mail could not confirm the authenticity of the recordings in question. In one video, a teenage boy dressed in a T-shirt is seen brandishing a large knife during what appears to be a school fight. In another recording shared on Twitter, the same teen is seen writhing in pain on the ground while holding onto his neck, with a campus officer pointing a gun at him. Parents wait outside Hug High School after the officer-involved shooting Wednesday The local school district tweeted that Hug High School was on a 'code red' lockdown Video courtesy of KOLO The district issued a statement before 1pm calling the campus 'currently stable and secure with heavy police presence.' Broadway said students would be released later in the day, and parents were directed to a staging area. Hug High opened in 1968 and is named for Proctor Ralph Hug Jr., a former teacher, athletic coach and Washoe County School superintendent who served as a state senator and a federal judge. A textbook claiming slaves were 'cared for like members of the family' by their owners has been pulled from classrooms. The fourth-grade social studies book, The Connecticut Adventure by John W Ifkovic, was flagged with public school officials in the state after a parent complained last month. In one of the book's chapters about slavery in the state, it appeared as though the author tried to downplay the significance of the horrific trade. A fourth-grade social studies book, The Connecticut Adventure (pictured), has been pulled from classrooms over an 'offensive' passage that said slaves were treated like family by owners 'Compared to other colonies, Connecticut did not have many slaves,' a passage reads. 'Some people owned one or two slaves. They often cared for them and protected them like members of the family. they taught them to be Christian, and sometimes to read and write.' It took less than a week for the 250-page book to be pulled from classes after the complaint was made, Hearst Connecticut Media reports. Norwalk Public Schools Chief Academic Officer Michael Conner released a statement explaining the decision, saying the wording was 'offensive to many' and 'simplistic'. Norwalk Public Schools Chief Academic Officer Michael Conner (left) said the book (right) was 'simplistic' and 'offensive to many' 'The portion of the textbook minimizes the impact and implications of slavery from the perspective of many constituents in the Norwalk community,' Conner said. All copies of the book will be gone by January 3, 2017. A spokeswoman for the school district said 10 out of 12 students have used the book since it was added to classrooms in 2007, before adding the decision to get rid of it had been backed by the community. THE 'OFFENSIVE' PASSAGE IN A BANNED SCHOOL BOOK Compared to other colonies, Connecticut did not have many slaves. Some people owned one or two slaves. They often cared for them and protected them like members of the family. They taught them to be Christian, and sometimes to read and write. Advertisement 'When it was brought to our attention it was pretty clear it wasnt consistent with our core beliefs and values,' Brenda Wilcox Williams told Hearst. 'We felt it was important to respond quickly as a result of that. 'Its also a sign that there has been a lot of change in the district and that we are moving toward a district that is responsive to the community.' The book was written in 2001. Slavery in Connecticut dated as far back as the mid-1600s, and by 1710 the governor of the time stated there were about 100 slaves in the state. That number continued to grow until, by the time of the Revolution, Connecticut had the most slaves in the New England area with 6,464. The state also emancipated slaves slower than other states in the region, according to Connecticut History, 'claiming it wanted to ensure the process respected property rights and did not disrupt civic order'. Barking Legs Theater is celebrating 24 years of music, dance, and art with Day of the Legs on Saturday. Beginning at 2 p.m. there will be activities in art, music and movement for children and families accompanied by live music from children's musician Alex Volz. There will also be seven visual artists from the Chattanooga community painting legs on the front of the building. Gears will shift at 6 p.m. unveiling the new legs and kicking off an evening of food, drinks, and performances. There will be musical sets from Pashin, Stratton Tingle, Swayvvo, Moondogg Sykes, Dana, Owens, Demond Moultrie, and many more. There will also be poets from Velvet Poetry Productions, fire performers, and a special DJ set to open the floor to dancing. Drinks and cocktails will be served at the bar with food provided by the Grilled Cheese Emergency and World Food Tribe. This event is free. The public is asked to bring friends who have never been to Barking Legs. A young woman who plunged ten metres from a balcony as she waved goodbye to her friend had to be cut out of her friend's car after he drove her to the hospital. The 26-year-old woman suffered serious back injuries after plummeting from the second story balcony of her Lidcombe apartment, in Sydney's Inner west, as she hung over the railing waving to a friend at about 10pm on Wednesday. The woman's friend saw her fall and piled her into his car before rushing her to Auburn Hospital's emergency department. Scroll down for video A young woman, 26, who plunged ten metres from a balcony as she exuberantly waved goodbye to her friend had to be cut out of her friend's car after he drove her to the hospital But when doctors came outside to assess her injuries, they realised she could not be removed safely from the car and was at risk of being paralysed if she moved. They contacted the Fire and Rescue New South Wales who sent a crew to cut her out of her friend's car so a spinal board could be put in to remove her. Inspector Norman Buckley from Fire and Rescue NSW said they had to do significant damage to the car to remove the patient. 'She was in a lot of pain when she arrived at the hospital and when doctors assessed her they decided she needed to be put on a spine board,' he told Daily Mail Australia. Fire and Rescue crews had to delicately remove the young woman from the car They were forced to remove the front and back door to gain access to the injured woman 'So we had to cut the doors off and the b post, which is the middle post that holds the roof up,' he added. Time Magazine has been accused of giving Donald Trump horns and likening him to Hitler with its person of the year cover. The magazine named the President-elect as its person of the year on Wednesday and published a portrait photo of Trump on the cover. But the internet was quick to criticize the cover image with many suggesting the magazine subtly portrayed Trump as the devil. Others drew similarities between Trump's image and a cover shot of Adolf Hitler. Winner: Donald Trump has been declared Time 'Person of the Year' (magazine cover above) The various theories made the rounds of Twitter on Wednesday. Some said the placement of the letter M above Trump's head made it seem like the President-elect had two red horns. 'Shocked that TIME has appropriated Satan himself, but at least they gave him the devil horns he deserves,' one Twitter user wrote. 'The low-key devil horns on the Trumpy Time POY cover are 100,' another said. Another Twitter user said: 'The time magazine cover places the M so it looks like DT has horns. Shameful.' Some pointed out that Trump posing in an armchair was strikingly similar to a cover that featured Hitler from 1941. 'Interesting how @Time put Hitler and Trump in similar chairs and positions, back-to-back. Intentional I'm sure,' one Twitter user wrote. Another said: 'Hitler, Stalin, Putin and now Trump. All have been person of the year. @realDonaldTrump is in bad company. Ok I get it Time, makes sense.' Hitler was named Time's 1938 Man of the Year but the cover from that issue showed a black and white illustration drawn by Rudolph Von Ripper that showed Hitler from the back. The President-elect was declared the latest winner of the annual honor on Wednesday morning, beating out finalists including Hillary Clinton, Beyonce and Vladimir Putin. Time editor-in-chief Nancy Gibbs said it was the easiest decision the magazine has ever made for the honor. They cited the upheaval in American politics brought about by his election campaign and victory. 'It's hard to measure the scale of his disruption,' Time said in its announcement. Time makes its annual choice based on the impact a person has on world events - good or bad. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was chosen last year. Previous winners ranged from Gandhi to Hitler. This was the second year in a row that Trump had been a finalist of the accolade. 'To be on the cover of Time as Person of the Year is a tremendous honor,' Trump said. He rejected Time's characterization of the country as fractured after the magazine's called him the 'president of the divided states of America' on the cover. 'Well I think putting divided is snarky. But again its divided, I'm not president yet. I didn't do anything to divide,' he told Today on Wednesday. 'There's a lot of division. We're going to put it back together.' Hitler featured on a 1941 cover of Time Magazine (pictured). Hitler was named Time's 1938 Man of the Year but the cover showed a black and white illustration of him from the back The magazine has been incredibly critical of both Trump and his politics over the past year, with the August 22 issue of Time showing Trump's melting face with the word 'Meltdown.' Two months later, on October 24, the image was even more severe with the subhead reading 'Total Meltdown.' Trump spoke during the interview about how he would measure his success as a president, saying: 'I think we're going to have a lot of jobs brought back. I think we're going to have a lot fewer companies leaving our country. 'I believe we will be successful with defeating ISIS or bringing them down to a level where it's almost the same thing. And I hope I'm judged from the time of the election, as opposed to from January 20th, because the stock market has had a tremendous bounce. 'And people are seeing very good things for business in this country. So I think we're going to have a lot of victories.' When then asked what he thought of this country, Trump said: 'Most incredible place ever. And we were losing that. And I don't want to lose that. And the people that voted for me, we call them the forgotten men and women. 'These are great people, these are people that built this country, and they've been forgotten. They're people that work hard, that they're people that love the country. And they didn't like what was happening.' Mixed feelings: Time has been critical of Trump many times over the course of the past year (Aug. 22 issue on left, Oct. 24 issue on right) The interview: Trump meets with the Time editors inside his apartment at Trump Tower (above) The President-elect also made it clear during the interview that he was not backing off his plan to build a wall between American and Mexico. 'We're going to build the wall. I'm going to build the wall. We're going to have strong borders. But we're also going to have people coming across the borders because we need workers,' said Trump. 'We have to be able to have people come in to our country, because that's good for all of us. It's good for them, but it's good for all of us. But we're going to have very strong borders. 'We're not going to have illegals coming in. But we're going to have people coming in, but we're also going to have them coming in based to a certain extent on merit.' He said that he did still want to welcome in young Dreamers however despite the wall. 'On a humanitarian basis it's a very tough situation,' said Trump. Teachers in NSW and Victoria are demonstrating against offshore detention Hundreds of teachers from schools in New South Wales and Victoria have been caned for planning to wear T-shirts in the classroom calling for the closure of offshore detention camps. Up to 500 Teachers for Refugees activists from Victoria will wear shirts emblazoned with 'Close the Camps, Bring them Here' to protest against asylum seekers being housed in Nauru. Up to 60 teachers in more than a dozen schools in New South Wales are also taking part in the political classroom demonstrations on Monday, The Daily Telegraph reports. The left-wing NSW Teachers Federation and the Australian Education Union are backing the demonstrations in both states, only a week after a report showed Australian students had fallen behind Kazakhstan in international rankings for maths and science. Scroll down for video Up to 500 teachers from 30 Victorian schools, who are with the group Teachers for Refugees, will wear T-shirts promoting the closure of offshore detention centres as of Monday Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham has written to his NSW counterpart Adrian Piccoli demanding the teachers be punished for exposing children to a political protest. 'Teachers demonstration of personal political views on any governments policies and, in this instance, specifically on the Australian governments border protection policies, oversteps the line of the teachers role to teach, encourage and facilitate robust debate on issues,' his letter seen by News Corp said. The educators will wear shirts emblazoned with 'Close the Camps, Bring them Here' (pictured) in order to open up discussions with students about refugees 'I am concerned that this campaign may lead to inappropriate personal political behaviour during school hours and in classrooms. 'The classroom isn't a soapbox for activist teachers to force their political views on our children.' The Teachers for Refugees group said they are trying to fight against the 'poisonous racism' from Immigration Minister Peter Dutton. 'Some of us have taught refugees in offshore camps, or here in the community, and we know that they are denied basic human rights,' Melbourne organiser Lucy Honan told the Herald Sun. The group is being backed by the education union, but Opposition state education spokesman Nick Wakeling said 'the classroom isn't a soapbox for activist teachers' Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham has written to his NSW counterpart Adrian Piccoli demanding teachers be told about the inappropriateness of the campaign 'We know there are both teachers and students on Nauru and Manus who should be in our schools, not in prison camps.' Immigration Minister Peter Dutton told News Corp: 'These Green activists parading as teachers should keep their politics out of the classroom. 'Parents are right to ask what other ideological views are being jammed down the throats of young and impressionable primary aged children. 'Parents want their children to receive the best education possible and at the moment are worried about outcomes around maths, English and science and this small, extreme element of teachers are seeing fit to use limited time in the classroom to impose their own political views.' The lawyer for Sofia Vergara claims the right-to-live lawsuit filed by her ex-fiance on behalf of embryos 'Emma' and 'Isabella' is a cynical attempt 'to garner public sympathy' in the ongoing feud over the actress' fertilized eggs. Former fiance, Nick Loeb filed against the Modern Family star in Louisiana this week claiming that the embryos, which were created in 2013, have been deprived of a trust that Loeb created for them in the state, according to Page Six. Isabella and Emma have been deprived of this inheritance by not being born and should be allowed to live so they can receive that money, according to the suit. A statement released by Fred Silberberg, the actress' lawyer on Wednesday, said: 'If these reports are true, this latest maneuver is nothing more than another attempt on the part of Loeb to keep himself in the public eye by keeping himself linked to Ms. Vergara. 'The media reports contend that Mr. Loeb has caused a lawsuit to be initiated claiming that the pre-embryos which are not embryos, but rather frozen fertilized ova, have been given names by him and have a right to live. 'Loeb apparently thinks that he will garner sympathy from the public and the courts through this latest maneuver, one that we believe will also result in failure. Nick Loeb, Sofia Vergara's former fiance, has listed the couple's two frozen embryos - which he has named Isabella and Emma - as plaintiffs against the actress in a right-to-life case 'It is unfortunate that Loeb feels the need to keep himself linked to Vergara, who is happily married, by taking up more of our overburdened courts resources, preventing judges from focusing on real legal problems. 'If it is really a family that Loeb wants, he should hire a surrogate and an egg donor and create one without dragging Vergara through another unnecessary legal battle'. It's no coincidence Loeb filed the papers in Louisiana, a state that offers special legal protections for frozen embryos. Loeb, 41, lives in New York and Florida but attended Tulane University in New Orleans and is still a reserve police officer in the state, sources told the site. STATEMENT IN FULL: ATTORNEY FOR SOFIA VERGARA ACCUSES LOED OF TRYING TO GARNER SYMPATHY FROM PUBLIC 'Next week the judge presiding over the case was to rule on Ms. Vergaras request for sanctions against Mr. Loeb for refusing to comply with a court order, and on her motion for summary judgment-seeking dismissal of the case he filed against her, attempting to get control of pre-embryos that he created with Vergara. That genetic material was created pursuant to a written agreement that required both parties written consent to attempt to create a pregnancy. Apparently Mr. Loeb and his counsel, knowing that he was about to lose decided to attempt to save face by taking their proverbial ball and going home. Reports are out that Mr. Loeb has caused a lawsuit to be filed on behalf of the pre-embryos in Louisiana, essentially trying to get the same relief that he was trying to get through his failed legal attempt in California. If these reports are true, this latest maneuver is nothing more than another attempt on the part of Loeb to keep himself in the public eye by keeping himself linked to Ms. Vergara. The media reports contend that Mr. Loeb has caused a lawsuit to be initiated claiming that the pre-embryos which are not embryos, but rather frozen fertilized ova, have been given names by him and have a right to live. Loeb apparently thinks that he will garner sympathy from the public and the courts through this latest maneuver, one that we believe will also result in failure. It is unfortunate that Loeb feels the need to keep himself linked to Vergara, who is happily married, by taking up more of our overburdened courts resources, preventing judges from focusing on real legal problems. If it is really a family that Loeb wants, he should hire a surrogate and an egg donor and create one without dragging Vergara through another unnecessary legal battle'. Advertisement Text messages included in the filing reveal that, even when they were a couple, Loeb and Vergara, 44, were arguing about the embryos long before they split in May 2014. In March 2013 the couple found out they had created five embryos. Sources said Loeb then texted his fiancee: 'You can't keep 4 frozen lives forever or kill them, we will go to hell'. 'We r going to hell regardless', Vergara allegedly responded. She then told Loeb: 'I'm doing it because I want you to have a baby.' Vergara underwent two rounds of in-vitro fertilization but both failed. When the couple split up, Loeb allegedly texted her: 'We still have those 2 frozen babys'. The couple has signed a contract stating neither party could use the embryos without other's consent. The lawsuit claims that the embryos, which were created in 2013, have been deprived of a trust that Loeb created for them in the state of Louisiana Vergara was spotted walking around Beverly Hills with a lollipop on Tuesday, hours before reports of the lawsuit surfaced Vergara (pictured in Beverly Hills on Tuesday) underwent two rounds of in-vitro fertilization with Loeb, but both failed Loeb dropped a different lawsuit against Vergara in California on Tuesday when a judge ruled he would have to identity two women who had abortions after he impregnated them. He is pictured in 2011 But the new lawsuit argues that Loeb should have full custody over the embryos, which he wants implanted in a surrogate, and that Vergara should have no parental rights. Meanwhile, Vergara's legal team is arguing that Loeb is using his newfound pro-life stance to gain more publicity for his fight over the embryos. Loeb dropped a different lawsuit against Vergara in California on Tuesday when a judge ruled he would have to identity two women who had abortions after he impregnated them. Fred Silberberg, Vergara's lawyer, said he wanted to question both women in court as their own actions contracted Loeb's current pro-life stance. 'Oddly, Loeb wants us to believe that he supports a woman's right to privacy and to make a choice concerning reproduction,' Silberberg told Page Six. 'However, he seems to believe that his celebrity ex-fiancee, Sofia Vergara, does not have those same rights, especially if it means giving him more public exposure.' Loeb has claimed that his beliefs in 'right to life' came after and as a result of the abortions. Vergara, now married to actor Joe Manganiello, has said in the past that she believes a 'child needs a mother and a loving relationship with parents that don't hate each other' He also previously wrote in a New York Times op-ed that he believes he is entitled to 'bring his embryos to term' because he is willing to 'take on all parental responsibilities'. Vergara wants to keep the embryos 'frozen indefinitely'. The actress has previously said that she believes that a 'child needs a mother and a loving relationship with parents that get along, that don't hate each other'. 'I wouldn't want to bring kids to the world where it is already set everything wrong for them,' she added. 'It would be so selfish.' 'I've been working very hard for 20 years to get to this point where I am. I don't want to allow this person to take more advantage of my career and try to promote himself.' Vergara believes the contract the couple signed back in 2013 should have been the end of it. 'There's nothing to talk about,' she said. 'There's papers signed.' Black employees of CNN are suing the company and its affiliates for racial discrimination. The class action was filed in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday on behalf of two workers, Celeslie Henley and Ernest Colbert Jr, but alleges widespread discrimination throughout the organizations. 'Dramatic' differences in pay, harsher evaluations for black males and fewer available promotions are among evidence of the prejudice, the lawsuit alleges. CNN declined to comment on the case when contacted. TBS and Time Warner did not respond to requests. Ernest Colbert Jr (left) and Celeslie Henley (right) are suing CNN for racial discrimination The suit is filed on behalf of every one of the company's black employees in salaried and mid-level managerial positions since 1997. It estimates the number to be around 30 people. ' This discrimination represents a company-wide pattern and practice, rather than a series of isolated incidents,' it said. Lawyer Daniel Meachum, who represented Wesley Snipes when the actor was accused of tax evasion, said he uncovered the evidence while investigating a separate discrimination case against CNN for another client, DeWayne Walker. Walker is suing the company for $50million on the grounds of racial discrimination. 'As a result of the current discrimination lawsuit filed on behalf of DeWayne Walker vs. CNN, Time Warner & Turner, we have uncovered stories involving abuse of power, nepotism, revenge, retaliation and discrimination. Celeslie Henley worked for the company for seven years as an Executive Administrative Assistant. The 44-year-old claims she worked longer hours than her peers and was discriminated against because of her sex and race. She also says she was unfairly treated when she was pregnant and taking maternity leave. Five days after filing a complain with HR, Henley says she was fired by her boss. Video courtesy of 11 Alive/WXIA They claim they suffered racially prejudiced treatment while working for the company in Atlanta, Georgia. CNN's newsroom in the city is pictured above DeWayne Walker is also suing the company in a separate suit as accusations of racial discrimination mount Ernest Colbert has worked for Turner Broadcasting for 20 years. The 44-year-old however says he has been consistently paid less than white counterparts. He claims he went without an official job description for years and was overlooked for promotions. He still works the company as a manager. They also claim that an evaluations system employed by managers consistently ranked black employees as worse performers than their white counterparts. 'The performance evaluation system is implemented by managers exercising undue authority to make biased and inconsistent determinations with little or no oversight and/or feedback. 'This system permits discrimination on the basis of race in evaluations where raises, bonuses as well as further advancement within the company, are based on "preferred qualifications". 'Because of the undue discretion of managers, pursuant to CNN's own confidential reporting system, African-Americans, especially African-American males, have historically received the lowest performance ratings,' the lawsuit reads. The plaintiffs are asking for a jury to determine any damages for them and a group of around 30 other employees. The lawsuit also notes the lack of African-American employees who have ever been promoted to top level positions. 'The discrimination experienced by the plaintiffs mirrors a much broader problem within the discriminatory practices being implemented throughout all of Turner's networks,' it said. Tribunal heard she was humiliated after the alleged park A female patient said she 'felt like a sexual object' after the doctor treating her depression took her to a park and they had sex, a tribunal has heard. When the 31-year-old woman first visited Dr Muhammad Azam's Springwood practice she was 'flattered' by his flirtatious behaviour and attempts to kiss her, she told the tribunal. But after the Pakistan-trained doctor drove her to Daisy Hill Conservation Park where they had sex in a clearing, the female patient said she felt used and humiliated, The Courier Mail reports. A female patient said she 'felt like a sexual object' after the doctor treating her depression took her to a park and they had sex, a tribunal has heard (stock image) The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal also heard that Dr Azam gave the woman money after their alleged encounter. The woman said she told the doctor's receptionist about the incident as well as another female doctor at another practise before reporting it to the practitioners' regulatory body. The doctor was then accused of hiring a private investigator to befriend the 31-year-old woman and ask about the complaint. Private investigator Keith Schafferius told the tribunal he pretended to be the father of a girl who had been inappropriately touched by Dr Azam. The medical practitioner is facing disciplinary charges of alleged inappropriate and sexual conduct with the 31-year-old woman in 2011 as well as inappropriate contact with a different female patient in 2012. He has not admitted to any allegations or given evidence. The hearing has been adjourned until December 16. Dr Muhammad Azam is alleged to have driven the 31-year-old woman to Daisy Hill Conservation Park (pictured) where they had sex in a clearing Thousands of jobs at the UK's largest steel manufacturer look likely to be secured after unions reached a deal with their bosses. Unions and Tata Steel hammered out a proposed plan that includes commitments to keep open the threatened vast Port Talbot steel works in Wales and invest 1bn. The huge boost for the UK steel industry follows months of uncertainty after the company's work in the UK was put up for review in March. Thousands of jobs at the UK's largest steel manufacturer look likely to be secured after unions reached a deal with their bosses But the 9,500 affected workers, in Wales, Corby and Hartlepool, need to agree to highly controversial proposed pensions changes and will be balloted on the plans. Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of Community trade union, said: 'The past year has been incredibly difficult for steelworkers and their families. 'When Tata announced in March that they planned to sell the steelworks, no one knew if they would have a job by Christmas. 'This proposal would secure jobs for years to come and bring serious investment not just to Port Talbot but to steelworks across the UK.' He added: 'These are unprecedented times for the steel industry globally with multiple risks including global economic uncertainty, slow manufacturing growth and currency volatility which continues to present significant challenges to the business.' Main parts of the deal include commitments to try and avoid compulsory redundancies for five years; to invest 1bn over ten years into steel making at Port Talbot and connected sites; and to keep open two blast furnaces at Port Talbot for at least five years. But Tata Steel has also said it also needs to close to new members the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS), whose multi-million pound deficit has been a stumbling block to its talks about a potential merger with German steel group Thyssenkrupp. Steel industry unions protested past Parliament in May of this year (pictured) after Tata Steel announced it might sell the UK business. Now, workers will be balloted on the new proposals It wants to replace the scheme with a defined contribution scheme with maximum contributions of 10pc from the company and 6 pc for employees, which unions say will leave their members worse off. A Community union spokesman said: 'These significant commitments on production, jobs and investment are welcome, however the move to close the BSPS will clearly be of serious concern to all members. 'After a detailed discussion, union reps have agreed to ballot all members on the proposal in the new year.' Welcoming the proposals, Welsh first minister Carwyn Jones said: 'This is great news for the future of steel making in Wales and a massive shot in the arm for the industry. Would-be thieves might want to think twice before committing a crime in one Chinese village - particularly if they have a sensitive nose. Locals from a village in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, caught a man in the act of attempting a theft according to Huanqiu, an affiliate of People's Daily. But instead of handing him straight over to the police, the man was forced to stand in a septic tank that's filled with excrement. Publicly shamed: A would-be dog thief was thwarted by villagers who dumped him in a septic tank The shocking photos showed the humiliated man standing in the middle of the pit of excrement. The foul-smelling concoction covered him up to his chest and he attempted to hide his face while villagers took his photograph. Footage that surfaced on Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter, along with the photographs even showed the man being dunked into the pit. Huanqiu and several Chinese media reported that the man had been trying to steal a dog. However, there were also social media reports that the man had been trying to steal a moped. The shame will linger: The thief was kept in the smelly tank until local police arrived Chinese web users expressed their disdain for the thief. One said: 'They are already merciful. They didn't ask him to eat up all the excrement.' Another added: 'He probably wouldn't dare steal anything for the rest of his life.' It's not clear whether the man was eventually handed over to the police. This is not the first time a dog thief has been given citizen's justice in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, which has a tradition of dog meat consumption. as part of the US A stolen mummy has been returned to Egypt after being seized by US customs. The valuable item is among five illegally-smuggled artefacts and is believed to have been mistaken for a sci-fi prop. The objects, that also include three wooden sarcophagi and a shroud that draped a mummy, are all Ancient Egyptian and between 2,000 and 3,000 years old, archaeologists have said. Scroll down for video When the 8th BCE century mummy hand was first brought to the US, the people carrying it did not know it was an actual Ancient Egyptian mummy hand. It was brought over as a prop for a sci-fi movie, and valued at $66 (51.74) THE STOLEN ARTEFACTS The objects are all Ancient Egyptian and between 2,000 and 3,000 years old, archaeologists have said. The stolen items include a mummy hand that was mistaken for a sci-fi prop, painted wooden sarcophagi and a shroud that once wrapped a mummy. The items were seized after years of investigations by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Advertisement The objects were unveiled at a recent opening ceremony at the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, D.C. 'While we recognize that cultural property, art, and antiquities are assigned a dollar value in the marketplace, the cultural and symbolic worth of these Egyptian treasures far surpasses any monetary value to the people of Egypt,' said ICE Director Sarah Saldana. The items were seized after years of investigations by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 'For the recovery and repatriation of these priceless artefacts, I would like to offer deepest thanks to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Director Saldana and in particular the agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement,' said Ambassador Yasser Reda. 'The tireless work of these men and women may often go unseen. 'But it is nothing short of vital for the preservation of ancient cultures from around the world.' Five illegally-smuggled artefacts have been returned to Egypt after being seized by US customs. The stolen items include a mummy hand that was mistaken for a sci-fi prop, painted wooden sarcophagi (pictured) and a shroud that once wrapped a mummy The objects are all Ancient Egyptian and between 2,000 and 3,000 years old, archaeologists have said. They were unveiled at a recent opening ceremony at the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, D.C. The investigations have been going on for years. In 2009, authorities recovered a nesting sarcophagus from a garage in Brooklyn, New York. One year later, in September, 2010, following leads from the Brooklyn case, Customs and Border Protection officers seized a shipment of smuggled Egyptian goods, including a funerary boat model and figurines. A related December 2010 shipment interception at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport contained ancient coins from different countries, 65 of which were repatriated to Egypt. The source of some of the objects surprised even those trying to bring them into the US. 'It's sort of amazing the kind of things people will try and ship across international borders,' Dr Frederik Hiebert, National Geographic archaeologist said in a video All five objects are set to go back to Egypt, to the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The museum 'has one of the best conservation labs in the world,' according to Dr Hiebert ICE launched 'Operation Mummy's Curse' in 2009 to bust a network of antiquities smugglers bringing illicit artefacts from other countries into the United States CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN ANCIENT EGYPT Harsh punishments were dished out all over Ancient Egypt. The punishment for treason was death, but torture was used to force a confession. Perjury was also punishable by death because accused men in court had to take an oath on the life on the Pharaoh, so if they lied, they were found to intend injury to the king another capital offence. During the Ramesside period - the rule of eleven kings with the name Ramesses - thieves had their feet beaten or noses and ears cut off. Those who committed serious crimes such as murder, faced being burned alive or impaled on poles. Francine Nicholas of the University of Sheffield explained in a blog post that so many punishments involved body mutilation because it destroyed people's 'wholeness'. Importantly, this destroyed any prospect of entering the afterlife as well as failing to achieve physical perfection, which was a preoccupation at the time. Advertisement For example, when the 8th century BC mummy hand was first brought to the US, the people carrying it were unaware of its origin. It was brought over as a prop for a sci-fi movie, and valued at $66 (51.74). 'It's sort of amazing the kind of things people will try and ship across international borders,' Dr Frederik Hiebert, National Geographic archaeologist said in a video. 'Some of these artefacts ended up in dealers' garages in New York City, and some of them are kind of abused to get to the United States because they have to cover up the fact that they're shipping ancient artefacts,' he said. All five objects are set to go back to Egypt, to the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The museum 'has one of the best conservation labs in the world,' according to Dr Hiebert. The ICE launched 'Operation Mummy's Curse' in 2009 to bust a network of antiquities smugglers bringing illicit artefacts from other countries into the United States. Saldana said her agency has made four arrests and two convictions in the investigation. 'Each of the artefacts returned today tells a story a human story, our story,' said Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. 'History comes alive when someone is able to not only read about the past, but is also able to visit the historical sites, watch and enjoy the artefacts, appreciate the images and see the actual writings of our ancestors,' Apple's online streaming service now has 20 million paying customers, the firm has revealed. The service, which launched last year, has added subscribers in an unprecedented number as it battles Spotify, which boasts over 40 million subscribers, and others including Tidal and Amazon. Apple's Eddy Cue told Dailymail.com the success of the service has led to overall growth for the music industry. Scroll down for video Apple's Eddy Cue unveils a major overhaul of Apple Music at the firm's WWDC in San Francisco earlier this year. He told Dailymail.com the firm's 70 exclusive in the last year led to six number one albums, and 20m paying subscribers - although the firm still trails Spotify's 40m. APPLE MUSIC IN NUMBERS Apple Music now has over 20 million paid subscribers 60% of people using Apple Music had not bought content from iTunes Music Store in the last 12 months Over 50% of Apple Music subscribers are outside of the US Advertisement 'Streaming is a huge opportunity for the music industry, and what we've seen is overall growth for the music industry,' Cue said. Cue also boasted the firm has managed to secure over 70 exclusive in the last year. 'Six of those albums we got to number one,' he said - and these were: Drake 'Views'; Drake & Future 'What A Time To Be Alive'; Frank Ocean 'Blonde'; Future 'Evol'; DJ Khaled, 'Major Key' and Travis Scott 'Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight'. Chance the Rapper also made history by hitting the top 10 on the Billboard charts based on just streaming, something Cue says he 'can't recall being done before.' THE MOST PLAYED ALBUMS ON APPLE MUSIC IN 2016 US Drake: Views Rihanna: ANTI (Deluxe) Adele: 25 Frank Ocean: Blonde Justin Bieber: Purpose (Deluxe) Chris Stapleton: Traveller Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton: Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording) Bryson Tiller: T R A P S O U L twenty one pilots: Blurryface Panic! At the Disco: Death Of A Bachelor UK Drake - Views Adele - 25 Various - Now Thats What I Call Music 93 Various - Now Thats What I Call Music 94 Justin Bieber - Purpose Coldplay - A Head Full of Dreams The 1975 - I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it David Bowie - Blackstar Rihanna ANTI (Deluxe) Sia - This is Acting Full list: AppleMusic.com/BestOf2016 Advertisement Drake's album views top the album chart in both the US and UK, while his single One Dance did the same in the song chart. 'In September introduced the new Apple Music - and the response has been great,' he added. Cue told Dailymail.com part of the firm's ethos is to employ staff who love music, rather than rely on algorithms. 'One of things we've said you can't do everything with algorithms. We have a large music team, and have invested in so many ways - even making the best sounding iPhone. 'It's been really interesting to see just how much everyone works together, and all of that integration is there for the future. BEST OF 2016 APPLE MUSIC CHARTS - SONGS UK Drake - One Dance Lukas Graham - 7 Years Calvin Harris - This is What You Came For Justin Timberlake - Can't stop the feeling Calum Scott - Dancing on my Own Mike Posner - I Took a Pill in Ibiza Sia - Cheap Thrills Justin Bieber - Love Yourself Shawn Mendes - Stitches Jonas Blue - Fast Car Full list: AppleMusic.com/BestOf2016 US Drake: One Dance (feat. Wizkid & Kyla) Justin Timberlake: CAN'T STOP THE FEELING! Rihanna: Work (feat. Drake) Flo Rida: My House Lukas Graham: 7 Years The Chainsmokers: Closer (feat. Halsey) Justin Bieber: Love Yourself The Chainsmokers: Don't Let Me Down (feat. Daya) twenty one pilots: Stressed Out Desiigner: Panda Advertisement 'When we started 18 monthas ago, we really weren't sure what the audience's reaction would be,' Zane Lowe, who Apple poached from BBC Radio 1 to set up the service, said. 'Apple Music is a very layered experience, and the Apple Music Festival is a great example of that. The cornerstone of Apple's music strategy has been Beats 1, its global radio station. 'When we started 18 monthas ago, we really weren't sure what the audience's reaction would be,' Zane Lowe, who Apple poached from BBC Radio 1 to set up the service, told Dailymail.com. 'Now, we have so many artists involved, and I think the service feels like home for artists. Lowe admitted that working with so many artists has meant the service has to be far faster than he'd expected. 'We have to move super quick - we get records sent 15 minutes before they're played, and we can do that. BEST OF BEATS 1 PLAYLISTS Desiigner - Panda Anderson .Paak - Come Down DJ Khaled - Holy Key Kungs vs Cookin' On 3 Burners - This Girl Sia feat. Sean Paul - Cheap Thrills Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna - This Is What You Came For Young M.A. - Ooouuu Kaytranada - Lite Spots Bastille - Good Grief Lady Gaga - A-YO Bon Iver - 22 (OVER SN Kings of Leon - Waste a Moment Flume feat. Kai - Never Be Like You Drake feat. Wizkid & Kyla - One Dance Chance The Rapper - No Problem Christine And The Queens - Tilted Frank Ocean - Nights Skepta - Man The 1975 - The Sound Kanye West feat. Post Malone & TY Dolla $ign - Fade Kiiara - Gold Young Thug & Travis Scott feat. Quavo - Pick Up The Phone Major Lazer feat. Justin Bieber & M - Cold Water The Weeknd - Starboy Chainsmokers, The feat. Halsey - Closer Advertisement Heloise Letissier of the band Christine and the Queens admitted the backing of Beats 1 'made me want to be even bolder' 'We've become really nimble, and that appetite and the pace was a huge surprise to all of us involved I think - I was stunned how fast we could move.' Lowe, originally from New Zealand, moved to London and worked for XFM, MTV and Radio One before making to move to LA to launch Beats 1. He admitted the move to a 'global' audience had been a struggle at times. 'You have to let go of the comfort of reaching a narrow audience, and being so colloquial. 'When we realised none of us could focus on that, it was really freeing'. Beats 1 has also attracted guest presenters such as Elton John, and regular shows from Ebro Darden in New York, who hosts a Hip hop show, and Julie Adenuga, whose show focuses on music from Great Britain and the United Kingdom. Lowe said the aim of the station was to bring together Apple's various services and content for music fans. 'We wanted to create something that has layers, something that's collectable.' 'Apple said focus on great music, and we wanted to add value to the fan, and make some careers. APPLE'S APP OSCAR AWARDS Apple also reveals its editorial picks for apps for 2016, dubbed the 'app oscars'. Winners were: iPhone App of the Year: Prisma iPhone Game of the Year: Clash Royale iPad App of the Year: Sketchbook Motion iPad Game of the Year: Severed Apple TV App of the Year: Twitter Apple TV Game of the Year: Riptide GP: Renegade Apple Watch App of the Year: MySwimPro - Personal Swim Trainer Apple Watch Game of the Year: Field Day Advertisement 'The thing that really excites me is that we are just 18 months in. 'There's so much we want to do, we are just beginning to fire.' One of the new artists who was surfaced by Beats 1 is Christine and the Queens. Apple also runs a hugely successful music festival in London, and this year performers included Britney spears and Robbie Williams. 'Feeling tilted used to weigh me down until I decided to dance along with it - and now, how moving it is to hear you sing it along with me! 'The support from Apple Music & iTunes from day one has been fantastic - it makes me want to be even bolder,' Heloise Letissier of the band said. Earlier this year the firm overhauled its Music service. The new app uses a design Apple says 'allows the music to become the hero'. HOW THE STREAMING SERVICES COMPARE Service Cost Apple Music Apple Music costs $9.99 a month or $14.99 for a family plan (up to six family members) - both with a three-month free trial Tidal $9.95-a-month for standard sound quality and $19.99-a-month for 'lossless high fidelity sound quality' (9.99 and 19.99 in the UK) Spotify Free level with adverts, Premium $9.99-a-month service (9.99 in the UK) SoundCloud Go $9.99-a-month in the US, 9.99 in the UK and 9.99 in Ireland Pandora $4.99-a-month for Pandora's ad-free internet radio service Deezer Free with adverts, $9.99-a-month for Premium+ (9.99 in the UK) Rdio Free with adverts, Rdio Unlimited costs $9.99 (9.99 in the UK) and US users can also get Rdio Select for $3.99 a month with limited downloads Following complaints from users it also has a a new structure that makes it easy to navigate and discover new music. The Library, For You, Browse and Radio tabs have been completely redesigned to provide an even greater sense of place. At the request of the State of Tennessee, the Department of the Interior has agreed to designate approximately 75,000 acres of mountain ridgelines as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations. Todays action helps protect a spectacular area of eastern Tennessee that is critical to the regions tourism and outdoor recreation economy, provides valuable fish and wildlife habitat and supports a healthy watershed. In its petition, the State said coal mining in the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area and Emory River Tract Conservation Easement would be incompatible with existing local and State land use plans and programs, and that such mining would result in significant damage to natural systems and cultural, scientific and aesthetic values. Todays action honors Tennessees request to protect the Cumberland Plateaus majestic forests, mountains and streams for future generations, said Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell. This is great news for the hunters, anglers, hikers and birders who come, year after year, to enjoy this incredible place. I applaud the State for their forward-looking vision that will help strengthen the local economy and help protect a critical watershed. The area is an important wildlife corridor, providing habitat for black bear, elk and numerous songbirds like the cerulean warbler. The New and Emory Rivers also run through the designated area and provide clean drinking water to thousands of Tennesseans. The designation does not impact existing mining operations within the area. Tennessee appreciates the thoughtful approach applied by the Department of the Interiors Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement throughout their deliberate handling of the states Lands Unsuitable for Mining petition filed in 2010 for specific mountain ridgelines in the Northern Cumberlands. Their final decision provides protection for particular high-elevation ridgelines in this region and also affords increased potential for beneficial remining that was both responsive to our input and measured to achieve optimal conservation and recovery on important public lands, said Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau. Secretary Jewell's decision to approve the State of Tennessee's petition to protect over 550 miles of ridgetops in Anderson, Campbell, Morgan and Scott counties as unsuitable for mining will help safeguard our states mountains without affecting mining operations in other parts of these counties or elsewhere in Tennessee, said U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander. This means these ridgetop landscapes and the rivers, streams and forests that surround them can continue to bring millions of tourists and thousands of jobs to Tennessee. Tennessees 2010 petition requested that Interiors Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation Enforcement (OSMRE) declare a 1,200 foot corridor (600 feet on each side of the ridgelines) in the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area and Emory River Tract Conservation Easement as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations. The petition area encompassed about 67,326 acres. Based on public comments and a robust evaluation, including improved aerial mapping technology that more accurately reflected the States objective, OSMRE is designating 74,968 acres associated with 569 miles of ridgeline as unsuitable in Anderson, Campbell, Scott, and Morgan counties, Tennessee. The petition area is unique in that it creates a horizontal protection zone along individual ridgelines. A map of the areas described in the petition is available here. The Record of Decision makes a limited exception for remining activities, restricted to proposals that will provide environmental benefits, such as reclaiming abandoned mine lands by eliminating highwalls and reducing the impacts of acid mine drainage and residual sedimentation. In reviewing remining proposals, OSMRE must consult with other parties, including the State of Tennessee, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service, to determine whether any proposed remining action is compatible with the designation. In evaluating the petition, OSMRE held public meetings in Scott, Morgan, Campbell, and Anderson counties as well as solicited public input and written statements during extended public comment periods. OSMRE also worked directly with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency in evaluating the petition. OSMRE studied six possible alternatives for the designation, including a no-action alternative that would deny the petition. The agency prepared a draft Petition Evaluation Document and accompanying draft Environmental Impact Statement in December of 2015. The final Environmental Impact Statement was released October 28, 2016. OSMRE regulates coal mining in Tennessee under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. Section 522 of SMCRA allows any person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected the right to petition the regulatory authority to have an area designated as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations. 30 U.S.C. 1272(c). Todays Record of Decision can be found here. Flying spiders once took to the skies to conquer remote islands in the Pacific Ocean. Researchers have discovered three new species of ghost spider on Robinson Crusoe Island, a site roughly 400 miles off Chile and they say they flew hundreds of miles to get there. According to the team, the eight-legged castaway used a technique known as ballooning to colonize areas across the ocean two million years ago, and then experienced rapid evolution to split into several species. Ghost spiders are native to the Valdivian temperate rain forest, an ecoregion on mainland South America. But, these arachnids have developed ways to expand their reach. A ghost spider, called Tomopisthes horrendus, is pictured as it captures prey THE NEW 'GHOST SPIDERS' Researchers say ghost spiders reached Robinson Crusoe Island by ballooning, 'an airborne dispersal mediated by strands of silk that are caught in the wind. Then they experienced rapid evolution, splitting off into many new species. Much about the new species still remains a mystery, but the team has noted a few characteristics that stand out from those found on the mainland. While ghost spiders are typically very small, one of these species Philisca ingens is an inch long. And, male spiders found on Robinson Crusoe Island have tiny genitals despite the large size of the animals themselves. They also have sophisticated courtship methods, interacting with their mouths in a 'kissing' technique. Advertisement Ghost spiders are native to the Valdivian temperate rain forest, an ecoregion on mainland South America, the researchers explain in the new study, published to Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. But, these arachnids have developed ways to expand their reach. The genus Philisca was found to include species both on the mainland and hundreds of miles across the ocean, on Robinson Crusoe Island in the Juan Fernandez archipelago. This was likely achieved in a single colonization event through ballooning, an airborne dispersal mediated by strands of silk that are caught in the wind. After reaching the island, several other species soon emerged. Everything that lives there comes from somewhere else and evolved in a very short span of time, Martin Ramirez, a spider researcher with Argentinas National Scientific and Technical Research Council, told National Geographic. Its not infrequent [to] find flying spiders in the middle of the ocean. Flying spiders once took to the skies to conquer remote islands in the Pacific Ocean. Researchers have discovered three new species of ghost spider on Robinson Crusoe Island, a site roughly 400 miles off Chile and they say they flew hundreds of miles to get there According to National Geographic, the spiders get their name from their pale colouring and the ability to run so fast that their legs blur. The team, including lead author Eduardo Soto of the University of Buenos Aires, has studied spiders in the region since 2011. And, researchers have now discovered a number of new species, including four new ghost spider species and three that have yet to be named. Much about the new species still remains a mystery, but the team has noted a few characteristics that stand out from those found on the mainland. The spiders get their name from their pale colouring and the ability to run so fast that their legs blur. A previously known ghost spider, Amaurobioides maritima, is pictured on left The genus Philisca was found to include species both on the mainland and hundreds of miles across the ocean, on Robinson Crusoe Island in the Juan Fernandez archipelago. The remote site is roughly 400 miles off Chile While ghost spiders are typically very small, one of these species Philisca ingens is an inch long. Along with this, the researchers noted another striking difference from their mainland counterparts. Male spiders found on Robinson Crusoe Island have tiny genitals despite the large size of the animals themselves, National Geographic reports. Though it may seem to be a disadvantage, the researchers say the phenomenon could be the result of their courtship methods. These spiders engage in foreplay thats much like kissing, using their mouths to interact rather than touching legs as they do on the mainland. If you've felt your evening are really dragging as you wait to leave work, then scientists have revealed why. A new study of the planet's tides has revealed that 'tidal braking' is resulting in longer days. However, don't panic - the difference is 1.8 thousandths of a second per century, meaning an Earth day will not last 25 hours for about two million centuries more. A new study of the planet's tides has revealed that 'tidal braking' is resulting in longer days. The difference is 1.8 thousandths of a second per century, meaning. WHAT IS CAUSING IT? The main braking effect comes from tides caused by the moon's gravity. As Earth's rotation slows, the moon's orbit grows by about 4cm a year. However, since the end of the most recent ice age, land masses that were once buried under slabs of frozen water have been unloaded and sprung back into place, cancelling out some of the slowing. Changes in the world's sea levels and electromagnetic forces have also had an effect. The different forces seem to drive cycles in the Earth's rotation spanning decades to centuries, with one cycle repeating every 1500 years, the researchers say. Advertisement The main braking effect comes from tides caused by the moon's gravity. 'The heaping up of water drags on the Earth as it spins underneath,' said Morrison. As Earth's rotation slows, the moon's orbit grows by about 4cm a year. Researchers at Durham University and the UK's Nautical Almanac Office gathered historical accounts of eclipses and other celestial events from 720BC to 2015 to make the calculation. A total eclipse falls on a small but well defined portion of Earth and the researchers used this information to measure the Earth's current and past rotation. Catherine Hohenkerk, Leslie Morrison and FR Stephenson, who led the study, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society journal, said the oldest records they found came from Babylonian clay tablets written in cuneiform, with more added from ancient Greek texts, such as Ptolemy's 2nd century Almagest, and scripts from China, medieval Europe and the Arab dominions. These ancient records captured the times and places that people witnessed various stages of solar and lunar eclipses, while documents from 1600AD onwards described lunar occultations, when the moon passed in front of particular stars and blocked them from view. 'We are not aware of any other eclipse observations before about 720 BC that can contribute significantly to the measurements of the Earth's rotation in the historical past,' the authors write. After lots of calculations they determined that the length of a day is increasing at an average rate of 1.8 thousandths of a second per century - actually less than they had thought. Researchers gathered historical accounts of eclipses and other celestial events from 720BC to 2015 to make the calculation. 'It is found that the rate of rotation departs from uniformity, such that the change in the length of the mean solar day (lod) increases at an average rate of +1.8 ms per century. 'This is significantly less than the rate predicted on the basis of tidal friction, which is +2.3 ms per century.' They believe the difference is due to the rebound of the Earth's surface after the last Ice Age and to changes taking place deep underground at the planet's core. 'Even though the observations are crude, we can see a consistent discrepancy between the calculations and where and when the eclipses were actually seen,' Leslie Morrison, an astronomer on the team, told The Guardian. Earlier this year, Samsung users around the world reported cases of their Galaxy Note 7 phones catching on fire. The South Korean company at first put the problem down to the battery manufacturing process, but new reports say there was a fault in the phone itself. The new reports say the fires were caused by an 'aggressive' design flaw that squeezed the phone's battery pack to dangerous pressure levels. Scroll down for videos The South Korean company at first put the problem down to the battery manufacturing process, but new reports say there was a fault in the phone itself. The new reports say the fires were caused by a design flaw that squeezed the phone's battery pack to dangerous pressure levels WHAT CAUSED THE FIRES? Ms Shedletsky and colleagues took apart one of the phones and found it did not leave enough space for the battery to swell when it expanded during charging. 'When batteries are charged and discharged, chemical processes cause the lithium to migrate and the battery will mechanically swell,' the blog says. 'Any battery engineer will tell you that it's necessary to leave some percentage of ceiling above the battery, 10% is a rough rule-of-thumb, and over time the battery will expand into that space. 'Our two-month old unit had no ceiling: the battery and adhesive was 5.2 mm thick, resting in a 5.2 mm deep pocket.' The researchers said this flaw could have been overlooked when Samsung engineers developed the phone. Advertisement Samsung axed its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone in October this year, stopping production of the faulty device a day after it halted global sales of the product and offering everyone their money back. The South Korean tech giant said it made the final decision to stop production for the sake of consumer safety, after a huge number of the phones overheated and spontaneously burst into flames. At the time, Koh Dong-jin, Samsung's mobile president, told reporters in Seoul: 'The flaw in the manufacturing process resulted in the negative electrodes and the positive electrodes coming together.' But Anna Shedletsky, hardware engineer and chief executive of tech company Instrumental, was not satisfied with Samsung's explanation for the flaming phones. This is because, after initial attempts to fix the problem, Samsung decided to recall every handset and cancel the product line. 'If it was only a battery part issue and could have been salvaged by a re-spin of the battery, why cancel the product line and cede several quarters of revenue to competitors?' Ms Shedletsky wrote in a blog post. Ms Shedletsky and colleagues took apart one of the phones and found it did not leave enough space for the battery to swell when it expanded during charging. 'When batteries are charged and discharged, chemical processes cause the lithium to migrate and the battery will mechanically swell,' the blog says. Earlier this year Samsung users took to social media to share pictures since the first incidents were reported in August The South Korean company at first put the problem down to the battery manufacturing process, but new reports say there was a fault in the phone itself A full-page ads in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Washington Post admitted the company 'fell short' on its promise of delivering 'breakthrough technologies that enrich people's lives' IS SAMSUNG SET TO DITCH THE HEADPHONE JACK? The latest rumours of what could be called the Samsung Galaxy S8 claim to 'confirm' that the handset will not have a headphone jack. This move will free up space for other components, a larger battery and possible loud front-facing stereo speakers. It is also speculated that Samsung is tossing out the home button and replacing it with an finger recognition system inside of the display. A bezel-less design also means Android users will have an edge-to-edge screen. Advertisement 'Any battery engineer will tell you that it's necessary to leave some percentage of ceiling above the battery, 10 per cent is a rough rule-of-thumb, and over time the battery will expand into that space. 'Our two-month old unit had no ceiling: the battery and adhesive was 5.2 mm thick, resting in a 5.2 mm deep pocket.' The researchers said this flaw could have been overlooked when Samsung engineers developed the phone. 'It's possible that Samsung's innovative battery manufacturing process was changing throughout development, and that the newest versions of the batteries weren't tested with the same rigour as the first samples,' they said. 'We are conducting a thorough investigation and will release the results as soon as they are finalised,' a Samsung spokesman told MailOnline. 'We understand the need for answers, but do not wish to say anything prematurely and cannot comment on these reports. 'We appreciate the continued patience of our valued customers as we work diligently through this process.' A Southwest Airlines plane was evacuated after smoke coming from an overheated Samsung device filled the cabin A Galaxy Note 7 burning at a Burger King in South Korea was caught on video by someone eating at the fast food restaurant. A staff member removed it while wearing an oven glove New renders of what could be Samsung Galaxy S8 surfaced in October and they suggest the device will incorporate a dual-lens camera design and remove the home button for an edge-to-edge screen. It's speculated that Samsung could design a fingerprint-sensing display or place the feature behind the tempered glass. Because levels of concentration will be increased with a 'full screen', pictures and videos should be much clearer and even go so far as to produce a 3D effect. A picture taken by the customer inside the plane shows the phone's burned screen In September, a Jeep burst into flames in Florida after the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 set alight when it was put on charge The language of the world's first alphabet could have been Hebrew. This is according to an archaeologist who has spent the past four years piecing together the letters of the alphabet from inscriptions on Egyptian tablets. In his controversial theory, Dr Douglas Petrovich claims Israelites in Egypt took 22 ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and turned them into the original Hebrew alphabet - over 3,800 years ago. The language of the world's first alphabet could have been Hebrew. This is according to an archaeologist who has spent the past four years piecing together the letters of the alphabet. Pictured is the tablet Sinai 375a containing the name Ahisamach (mentioned in Exodus 31:6) PIECING TOGETHER THE FIRST ALPHABET Because the original Hebrew alphabet was 'acrophonic ' - meaning the naming of letters so that their name begins with the letter itself, and uses no vowels - it leaves a lot of room for ambiguity in the translations. 'Let's say, for the sake of example, that English has no written script,' Dr Petrovich explained. 'And like the ancient Hebrews, you and I are going to invent it...and without vowels.' 'So, we decide that the "boat" pictograph is going to give us the 'b' sound. Every time we want someone to read "b", we draw a boat. 'We then decide that a "door" will give us the "d" sound, since "d" is what comes first in that word. 'When we draw a boat and a door side by side, our reader reads, "bed"or "bad", or "bid", or "bud".' Advertisement For years scholars have known the world's oldest alphabet was a Semitic language, but exactly which one it was has remained a mystery. Dr Petrovich from the Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, Canada told MailOnline: 'I have no doubt whatsoever that Hebrew is the world's oldest alphabet'. He believes Israelites living in Egypt transformed the civilisations hieroglyphics into the first version of Hebrew around 3,800 years ago. This, he says, is around the time the Old Testament describes Jews living in Egypt. He says it was a way for Hebrew speakers to have their own written expression of their language, just as the Egyptians around them had. In 2012, Dr Petrovich was conducting research from his home when he found evidence of a tablet called Sinai 115, from 1842 BC. 'What drew me to Sinai 115 in the first place is that I followed an archaeological trail that led me to identify several specific biblical figures in the epigraphical record,' he said. He claims the word 'Hebrews' was written on the tablet. His translation was: '6 Levantines: Hebrews of Bethel, the beloved,' which referred to Manasseh himself, his son, and four other Hebrews. The professor combined earlier identifications of some letters in the ancient alphabet with his own interpretation of disputed letters to create the 'Hebrew 1.0' script. An electronic drawing of Sinai 375a, which includes the separation of words and identification of proto-consonantal letters with biblical or modern Hebrew letters next to them. Red lines are word-dividers added by Dr Petrovich Examples of Hebrew letters (left column), and Egyptian heiroglyphs (right column) are shown alongside the first Hebrew alphabet that has been devised by Dr Petrovich (middle column) WAS THE WORLD'S FIRST ALPHABET HEBREW? In 2012, Dr Petrovich was conducting research at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, when he found a tablet called Sinai 115, from 1874 BC. These Sinai tablets contain what is widely considered the world's first alphabet, but the language has remained a mystery. 'What drew me to Sinai 115 in the first place is that I followed an archaeological trail that led me to identify several specific biblical figures in the epigraphical record,' he said. On the table Dr Petrovich claims the word 'Hebrews' was written. He used the symbols from the tablet to piece together a rendering of Hebrew script that he took into the field, and used to identify individual letters. Looking at other inscriptions found in Egypt, he came across a number of distinctly Hebrew words, including the naming of three biblical figures - Asenath, Ahisamach and Moses. Evidence for the presence of these Israelites in Egypt has not been discovered before, Dr Petrovich says, and this is one of the main reasons scholars 'mock' the bible. Ahisamach was written on Sinai 375a and Moses was mentioned on Sinai 361. 'There are several distinctively Hebrew words within the corpus of 16 texts that I have translated,' Dr Petrovich told MailOnline. Advertisement Looking at other inscriptions found in Egypt, he came across a number of distinctly Hebrew words, including the naming of three biblical figures - Asenath, Ahisamach and Moses. An inscription, dated to 1834 BC, is translated as 'Wine is more abundant than the daylight, than the baker, than a nobleman.' This may mean drink was plentiful, but food was hard to come by, suggesting Israelites, likely moved to Egypt during a time of famine. Evidence for the presence of these Israelites in Egypt has not been discovered before, Dr Petrovich says, and this is one of the main reasons scholars 'mock' the bible. Biblical figures were mentioned including Ahisamach, whose name was written on Sinai 375a and Moses, who was mentioned on Sinai 361. Sinai 361 says: 'Our bound servitude had lingered. Moses then provoked astonishment. It is a year of astonishment, because of the Lady. The 'Lady' mentioned is the goddess Baalath, who, in Egypt, was equated with the Egyptian goddess Hathor, Dr Petrovich says. Sinai 351 speaks of the Nile River and how it had swollen to over twice its normal level of inundation after the year had changed. This catastrophic event caused the cultic shrines and the watering troughs to become unclean, due to contamination from silty river water, Dr Petrovich says. 'There are several distinctively Hebrew words within the corpus of 16 texts that I have translated,' Dr Petrovich told MailOnline. Putting together a complete alphabet, detailed in a book, which is available from Carta and a Kickstarter page, was no easy task. Because the original Hebrew alphabet was 'acrophonic ', - meaning the naming of letters so that their name begins with the letter itself, and uses no vowels - it leaves a lot of room for ambiguity in the translations. 'Let's say, for the sake of example, that English has no written script,' Dr Petrovich explained. 'And like the ancient Hebrews, you and I are going to invent it...and without vowels. 'So, we decide that the "boat" pictograph is going to give us the 'b' sound. Every time we want someone to read "b", we draw a boat. 'We then decide that a "door" will give us the "d" sound, since "d" is what comes first in that word. 'When we draw a boat and a door side by side, our reader reads, "bed" or "bad", or "bid", or "bud".' Another challenge he faced was that many original Hebrew letters never had been identified properly, so Dr Petrovich did all this work himself. Sinai 351 speaks of the Nile and how it had swollen to over twice its normal level of inundation after the year had changed. This catastrophic event caused the cultic shrines and the watering troughs to become unclean, due to contamination from silty river water, Dr Petrovich says A photo of Sinai 361, located in the Cairo Museum. This photo contains the name Moses (M-Sh, the two fullest letters on the smaller fragment of the inscription) at the bottom of the first vertical column An electronic drawing of Sinai 361, which includes the separation of words and identification of proto-consonantal letters with biblical or modern Hebrew letters next to them. Dr Petrovich's translation of Sinai 361 is: 'Our bound servitude had lingered. Moses then provoked astonishment. It is a year of astonishment, because of the Lady.' WHO WERE MOSES, ASENATH AND AHISAMACH? Artist's impression of Moses, who led the Exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt and across the Red Sea Looking at Sinai 115 other inscriptions found in Egypt, Dr Petronich came across a number of distinctly Hebrew words. These words included the naming of three figures mentioned in the Hebrew Bible : Asenath, Ahisamach and Moses. Asenath was the wife of Joseph. Ahisamach, was the father of Aholiab according to Exodus 31:6, Exodus 35:34, and Exodus 38:23, and his name was mentioned on Sinai 375a. Moses, who led the Exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt and across the Red Sea, according to the Bible, was mentioned on Sinai 361. Advertisement 'I believe most people accept that, during the 1st millennium BC, Egyptian hieroglyphic signs were adapted to create an alphabet for writing the Meroitic language of East Africa, so the possibility of making such adaptation is not in doubt,' Dr William Manley, from the University of Glasgow, told MailOnline. The first controversial part of his theory is the dates Dr Petrovich uses for when Israelites were in Egypt. He goes by Bible dates suggesting the Israelites stayed in Egypt for 430 years, as recorded in Exodus 12:40-41, which is the equivalent of 1876 to 1446 BC. But some say these Biblical dates are unreliable. Dr Petrovich, however, argues the Hebrews who created the alphabet can be identified as Josephs sons Ephraim and Manasseh, from the Hebrew Bible. 'Two of these figures were born and raised in Egypt, with a father who was 2nd in command in all of Egypt, behind only the Egyptian king himself,' Mr Petrovich told MailOnline. 'Their mother was an Egyptian priestess of no small significance. 'It can and should be extrapolated that they were raised to learn hieroglyphic Egyptian writing. 'It is these two figures who were responsible for converting 22 hieroglyphic signs into the world's first alphabet.' Dr Petrovich deciphered 16 Hebrew letters from ancient Egyptian tablets. He says Israelites in Egypt turned hieroglyphs into letters over 3,800 years ago. But the theory is controversial as some historians dispute the Israelites' presence in Egypt. Stock image NOT EVERYONE AGREES The first controversial part of his theory is the dates Dr Petrovich uses for when Israelites were in Egypt. He goes by Bible dates suggesting the Israelites stayed in Egypt for 430 years, as recorded in Exodus 12:40-41, which is the equivalent of 1876 to 1446 BC. But some say these Biblical dates are unreliable. Professor Thomas Schneider, from the University of British Columbia, wrote a blog post outlining his issues with the proposed idea. He says: 'As part of Douglas Petrovichs proposal that the Early Alphabetic Inscriptions are Hebrew, he has proposed to read a word in one of the Egyptian inscriptions from Serabit el-Khadem as the word for Hebrew. 'This, however, is just not correct.' Professor Schneider adds that the correct reading is in two lines while Dr Petrovich combines them into one. Advertisement This is not the first time an archaeologist has claimed Hebrew was the first alphabet in the 1920s a German scholar named Hubert Grimme identified some of the inscriptions as Hebrew. 'Unfortunately for him, not enough was known about the proto-consonantal alphabet for him to be certain in his identification of all of the letters in the alphabet, and he was inaccurate on some of his identifications,' Dr Petrovich says. Because of his incorrect identifications, his work was dismissed by historians. But Dr Petrovich hopes his theory will be met with a better reaction. 'With Grimme's occasional wrong choice of letter and his mis-drawing of pictographs, he often made wild identifications of words and meanings of complete inscriptions,' Dr Petrovich said. 'This led to scholarly ridicule and, more or less, his being ostracised by the academy. 'They will attempt to do the same to me. Rest assured of that.' Other researchers have already challenged the theory. Professor Thomas Schneider, from the University of British Columbia, wrote a blog post outlining his issues with the proposed idea. He says: 'as part of Douglas Petrovichs proposal that the Early Alphabetic Inscriptions are Hebrew, he has proposed to read a word in one of the Egyptian inscriptions from Serabit el-Khadem as the word for Hebrew. 'This, however, is just not correct.' Wall paintings in a historic Pompeii brothel have revealed the amorous activities of ancient Italians. The 'Lupanar of Pompeii' is decorated with centuries-old wall paintings depicting explicit sex scenes. The sex house was once a hangout for wealthy businessmen and politicians before the Roman city was famously wiped out by a volcanic eruption in 79 AD. Wall paintings in a historic Pompeii brothel have revealed the amorous activities of ancient Italians. The 'Lupanar of Pompeii' is decorated with centuries-old wall paintings depicting explicit sex scenes Researchers believe the erotic paintings depicting group sex and other acts may have indicated the services offered by prostitutes. The Lupanar of Pompeii was the centre point for the doomed city's thriving red light district. The ancient Roman brothel was originally discovered in the nineteenth century. It was closed, but was recently re-opened to the public in October 2006. While the brothel is neither the most luxurious nor the most important historic building in what remains of Pompeii, it is the most frequently visited by tourists from across the world. The ancient Roman brothel was originally discovered in the nineteenth century. It was closed, but was recently re-opened to the public in October 2006 Prostitutes at the brothel were not exclusively women. Men, especially young former-slaves, sold themselves there too - to both men and women. The erotic lives of Pompeii's prostitues were recently illustrated by Western University professor, Kelly Olson. Professor Olson focuses her work on the role of women in Roman society, and the apparent open sexuality visible in the many frescos and sculptures. The Classical Studies professor travelled to the ancient city last month as a featured expert on Canadian broadcaster CBC's programme 'The Nature of Things'. Speaking of life in ancient Pompeii brothels, she said: 'It's not a very nice place to work.' The Lupanar of Pompeii - a Unesco World Heritage Site - was once a hangout for wealthy businessmen and politicians before the Roman city was famously wiped out by a volcanic eruption in 79 AD 'It's very small, dank and the rooms are rather dark and uncomfortable,' she told CBC. 'Married men could sleep with anyone as long as they kept their hands off other men's wives,' she said. 'Married women were not supposed to have sex with anyone else.' The building is located in Pompeii's oldest district. The two side streets that line the brothel were once dotted with taverns and inns. CAUGHT RED HANDED Though the historic sex site has been 'closed for business' for some time, that hasn't stopped some raunchy holiday makers attempting to re-christen the building. In 2014, three French holidaymakers were arrested for trespassing after breaking into the brothel ruins for a late night sex romp. A Frenchman and two Italian women, all aged 23 to 27, allegedly broke into the Suburban Baths to fulfil their fantasies inside a former brothel that is still decorated with centuries-old wall paintings depicting explicit sex scenes. But authorities brought the group's middle-of-the-night threesome to a premature end. Advertisement Upon entering the building, visitors are met by striking murals of erotic scenes painted on the walls and ceilings. In each of the paintings, couples engage in different sexual acts. According to historians, the paintings weren't merely for decoration - they were catalogues detailing the speciality of the prostitute in each room. Two thousand years ago, before the devastating volcanic eruption, prostitution was legal in the Roman city. Slaves of both sexes, many imported from Greece and other countries under Roman rule, were the primary workforce. Researchers believe the erotic paintings depicting group sex and other naughty acts may have indicated the services offered by prostitutes The Unesco World Heritage Site is of special importance because, unlike other Pompeii brothels at the time, the Lupanar of Pompeii was built exclusively for prostitution appointments, serving no alternative function. Its walls remain scarred by inscriptions left by past customers and working girls. Researchers have managed to identify 120 carved phrases, including the names of customers and employees who died almost two thousand of years ago. Many of these inscriptions include similar phrases to those one would find in a modern day bathroom, including men boasting of their sexual prowess. On the top floor of the building sit five rooms, each with a balcony from which the working girls would call to potential customers on the street. 2,000 years ago, before the devastating volcanic eruption, prostitution was legal in the Roman city. Slaves of both sexes, many imported from Greece and other countries under Roman rule, were the primary workforce Much like in ancient Rome, researchers speculate that Pompeii prostitutes were required to legally register for a licence, pay taxes, and follow separate rules to regular Pompeii women. For example: When out on the street, Pompeii's working girls wore strict attire - they wore a reddish brown coat at all times, and dyed their hair blonde. Prostitutes were separated into different classes depending on where they worked and the customers they served. The Unesco World Heritage Site is of special importance because, unlike other Pompeii brothels, the Lupanar of Pompeii was built exclusively for prostitution appointments, and served no alternative function Though the historic sex site has been 'closed for business' for some time, that hasn't stopped some raunchy holiday makers attempting to re-christen the building. In 2014, three French holidaymakers were arrested for trespassing after breaking into the brothel ruins for a late night sex romp. A Frenchman and two Italian women, all aged 23 to 27, allegedly broke into the Suburban Baths to fulfil their fantasies inside a former brothel that is still decorated with centuries-old wall paintings depicting explicit sex scenes. But authorities brought the group's middle-of-the-night threesome to a premature end. In 2014, three French holidaymakers were arrested for trespassing after breaking into the brothel ruins for a late night sex romp Lithium ion batteries are the go to energy source for gadgets, powering everything from our smartphones to our laptops. But too much use can cause them to run down, overheat, and in the case of some faulty phones, explode. Now scientists have used X-rays to peer inside lithium batteries to find out why some of them swell like a pillow. Scroll down for video Scientists in Canada have used x-rays to peer inside lithium batteries to find out why some of them swell like a pillow. They used CT scans to show what happens in a typical jelly roll style battery (pictured), used in smartphones and laptops They revealed that when the batteries are overheated or overcharged, chemical reactions produce gas inside the cells causing the pillowing effect. A team from the Canadian Light Source (CLS) in Saskatoon used high resolution CT scans to image the inside of a jellyroll type lithium batteries. This type of energy source use a Swiss roll of metal coiled inside to generate a charge, with manufacturers cramming in as many folds as they can in order to generate as much energy as they can. But wear and tear on the battery, such as charging for too long or overheating from prolonged use, can lead to components reacting and producing gas. Earlier this year Korean electronics giant Samsung was forced to recall its Note 7 smartphone after a spate of explosions and fires caused by overheating batteries Overheated and overcharged batteries can 'pillow' due to the build up of gasses inside the cells. Pictured is an expanded lithium-ion battery from an Apple iPhone 3GS WHAT'S HAPPENING INSIDE THE BATTERY? The study used CT scans to build up a view of the inside of a typical lithium ion battery - like the one used in a smartphone. In the jelly roll design, the material is folded in a Swiss roll-like structure. But as the battery is overused or overheats, chemical reactions lead to the production of gas - including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and flammable methane. This gas can cause a pillowing effect, where the folds warp and the battery expands. Advertisement As gas builds up, so does the pressure, causing the layers to warp and the battery to swell. Toby Bond, a scientist at CLS, carried out tests on a standard jelly-roll style battery, charging and discharging the battery and imaging the results. Previous work showed that the gasses produced include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane which could ignite. Comparing before and after scans of the battery revealed the effects of the gas on the battery, causing pillowing on the structure. While the effect may be small, it can make any existing faults in the design much worse. Basically, if you have these kinds of defects in the jellyroll before use, they get more pronounced, explains Bond. These results suggest that if you can prevent these defects in the manufacturing process, then the electrode assembly should be able to better tolerate pillowing if and when it does occur. The researcher told MailOnline: 'This is the first time swelling has been imaged internally. 'One reason this hasnt been explored before is that you need to be able to image very small, subtle changes throughout the entire battery.' Before the experiment, scans revealed the imperfections in the design, caused by manufacturers cramming in as many energy-producing layers as they can After misuse - when the battery is charged and discharged multiple time - gas is produced, which causes the sheets to warp Comparing the before and after scans revealed tiny changes to the jelly roll structure (in red). Researchers say that the process can make any existing imperfections worse, which could result in poorly made batteries melting or exploding Earlier this year Korean electronics giant Samsung was forced to recall its Note 7 smartphone after a spate of explosions and fires caused by overheating batteries. In its investigation, the firm traced the problem back to an issue with a battery supplier in China and what it called an isolated battery cell issue. However, it is unclear whether a pillowing effect was a factor or not. Being able to detect such design discrepancies is key in laptops and smartphones, but could prove even more important in electric cars and other vehicles, which rely on the technology to generate far more power. Bond told MailOnline: 'I hope that battery companies will be able to use this information to start looking more closely into the role that manufacturing defects play in battery safety. 'There is lots of excellent research being done to determine how the chemistry of batteries can be changed to make them safer, but our research suggests that the physical arrangement of materials inside commercial batteries also warrants a closer look.' The sole purpose of this craft is to transport troops, supplies and The craft will either continue the journey, retreat home or Its designed with sensors that allow it to detect sensory Advertisement A flying ambulance that can fly itself into high dangerous areas has successfully completed its first ever autonomous flight. Dubbed the Cormorant, this vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is capable of carrying 1,000 pounds over 31 miles, allowing it to deliver supplies to war zones and carry wounded soldiers to safety. The craft is also designed to make 'split decisions' if issues should occur during a mission - it either continues its journey, retreats home or lands for further instructions from a human operator. Scroll down for videos A flying ambulance has successfully completed its first ever autonomous flight. Dubbed the Cormorant, this vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is designed to carry 1,000 pounds every 31 miles, allowing it to deliver suppliers to war zones and carry wounded soldiers to safety CORMORANT FIGURES Capacity: 2 patients Length: 20 ft 4 in (6.2 m) Width: 11 ft 6 in (3.5 m) , 2.15 m without thrusters Height: 7 ft 7 in (2.3 m) , 1.8 m without thrusters Advertisement The prototype has taken two years to complete, but its creators are hopeful that it will be able to reach places traditional helicopters can't in the near future. The Cormorant was developed by the Israeli firm Tactical Robotics, a subsidiary of the 'Fancraft' technology pioneer Urban Aeronautics, who has conducted more than 200 flights with this military machine. Its sole purpose is to transport troops, civilian passengers or supplies within tight quarters where helicopters are unable to travel. This test flight, which was carried out on November 3, was the first time the Cormorant took to the skies over uneven terrain while piloting itself. Urban Aeronautics' demonstration brings this technology one-step closer to assisting soldiers in search and rescue missions, as it is able to access dangerous war zones that are unsafe for humans. 'This flight paves the way forward for the immediate evolution of Cormorant from prototype to near-term production and ultimately commercialization of this groundbreaking technology - for broad applications and markets, said Urban Aeronautics founder Rafi Yoeli. 'This is the most exciting time in the Company's history and we look forward to accelerating our progress now that the technology is fully proven.' Engineers designed the craft with a Flight Management System (FMS), which lets it to make 'split second decisions' if any of its sensors detect a problem during a mission. The craft will then make the judgment call on its own - it decides between continuing the journey, retreating home or making an immediate landing to wait for further instructions from a human operator. The Cormorant was developed the Israeli firm Tactical Robotics, a subsidiary of the 'Fancraft' technology pioneer Urban Aeronautics, who has conducted more than 200 flights with this military machine. This test flight (pictured), which was carried out on November 3, was the first time the Cormorant took to the skies over uneven terrain while piloting itself WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF THE CORMORANT? Has completed about 200 flights with the prototype. Can carry just a little over 1,000 pounds of cargo. It can reach speeds of 100 knots (115 mph) and operate at altitudes of up to 18,000 feet. Features lift rotors that are safely enclosed inside its body and uses duct fans to operate. Powered by remote control or autonomous control system and it's equipped with rear propellers that enable it to take-off horizontally. The vehicles are powered by a 730 shp Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 turboshaft and the final versions will use the more powerful ARRIEL 2 variant, capable of providing 985 shp at takeoff. Tactical Robotics Ltd hopes the Cormorant will be in the field over the next few years. Cormorant will be able to deliver supplies day after day and can also be a maritime force multiplier on vessels that are too small for a traditional helicopter, as noted by Defense Update. Advertisement 'The challenge in designing and testing an FMS for a configuration that is has never been addressed by standard flight control algorithms, is analogous to a novice pilot attempting to fly for the first time with an understanding of basic aerodynamic principles but no instructor,' explained Urban Aeronautics. The Cormorant is set to replace medivac choppers, like the one from the television show MASH (pictured), in order to reach tight quarters helicopters cannot go During the test flight, Cormorant's FMS corrected itself in response to unexpected events. Two instances were related to height above ground over the field (resulting from inaccuracies in laser beam return over uneven terrain and ground conditions). The third event occurred over the tarmac, which was caused by 'poor judgment' on the part of the Flight Control System (FCS), causing the aircraft to descend too early in its landing approach. Instead of using traditional propellers, the Cormorant is designed with duct fans that keep the rotors enclosed in a protective shield in case the vehicle hits a wall or any other object in its path, reports LiveScience. These duct fans enable it to to take-off and land horizontally, and it also has vertical movement that is controlled by internal rotors, which can only be seen from directly above or below. Engineers designed the craft with a Flight Management System (FMS), which lets it to make 'split second decisions' if any of its sensors detect a problem during a mission. The craft will then make the judgment call on its own - it decides between continuing the journey, retreating home or making an immediate landing to wait for further instructions However, Urban Aeronautics reveals that the team is working on obstacle avoidance sensors that will keep the vehicle away from oncoming objects, which they hope to add to the vehicle in the near future. The Cormorant has enough strength to carry 1,000 pounds per 30 miles, which means it can hull about 13,000 pounds in a full day. The craft flies itself using an array of laser altimeters, radars and sensors, and it is capable of reaching speeds of 100 knots (115 mph) and operate at altitudes of up to 18,000 feet. It weighs about one-ton and can be operated with a specially made remote control or by using its own autonomous control system. Two instances were related to height above ground over the field (resulting from inaccuracies in laser beam return over uneven terrain and ground conditions). The third event occurred over the tarmac, which was caused by 'poor judgment' on the part of the Flight Control System (FCS), causing the aircraft to descend too early in its landing approach Earlier this year, the Cormorant, which was known as the 'AirMule' at the time, hit a milestone that allowed it to successfully complete its autonomous flight. In January, the craft performed its first ever untethered flight, which it demonstrated a vertical takeoff and landing, followed by stability checks and forward flights at low speeds, reports Defense Update. 'Looking back at a decade of internal rotor VTOL aircraft development at Urban Aeronautics Ltd', said Yoeli regarding the earlier this year. 'It gives me great satisfaction to see that we are able to transform a dream into a safe and reliable aircraft that is designed to meet manned helicopters safety criteria and absolutely stands up to existing airworthiness standards.' The craft flies itself using an array of laser altimeters, radars and sensors, and it is capable of reaching speeds of 100 knots (115 mph) and operate at altitudes of up to 18,000 feet. It weighs about one-ton and can be operated with a specially made remote control or by using its own autonomous control system With the strength of the Cormorant, it will be able to deliver supplies day after day and can also be a maritime force multiplier on vessels that are too small for a traditional helicopter, as noted by Defense Update. The craft's test flight took place on December 30th at the Megiddo airfield in the northern part of Israel. Urban Aeronautics is also working on compact, car-sized VTOL aircraft for civilians, called Metro Skyways. 'Metro Skyways is at an early stage of exploring business opportunities that will develop Urban's 'Fancraft' technologies into a family of safe, FAA certifiable personal and commercial, manned VTOL aircraft for the civil market', according to the company. This model may be the flying cars we have all so desperately hoped for. Demand for fashionable breeds of dogs popular with celebrities is fuelling a dangerous rise in illegal puppy imports, vets warned yesterday. The huge demand for breeds such as pugs, chiahuahuas and French bulldogs is leading to animals who have not had proper vaccinations being smuggled to the UK potentially spreading diseases and putting the animals' welfare at risk. Nearly a third of vets believe they have treated puppies who have been unlawfully imported to the UK, according to the survey of more than 1,000 vets by the British Veterinary Association. Scroll down for video Celebrities with pugs, such as Kelly Brook, may be fuelling the demand for fashionable breeds Of those who had examined puppies they thought were illegal imports, half raised concerns about French bulldogs, 29 per cent were concerned about pugs, and 16 per cent about chihuahuas. Paris Hilton, Sharon Osbourne and Reese Witherspoon are famously fond of chiahuahuas, Victoria Beckham has a pet French Bulldog called Scarlet who features regularly on her Twitter page, while showbusiness types fond of pugs include Hugh Laurie and Kelly Brook. The BVA also raised concerns about designer cross-breeds and other bulldogs who can suffer difficulties in breathing. The research, which comes as many consider getting a dog from Christmas, found suspicions were raised by issues such as foreign microchips or the puppy's age not matching the age in its passport. The Beckhams famously love bulldogs. Pictured is David Beckham with a British bulldog, a breed known to have respiratory problems due to excessive selective breeding VETS REPORT A BOOM IN FASHIONABLE DOG BREEDS Advertisement The British Veterinary Association has warned of a boom in the illegal dog trade. Following a survey of 1,000 vets in the UK, the association reported that many puppies are being smuggled into the UK without being properly vaccinated. According to the BVA, the demand for fashionable breeds is being fuelled by celebrity pets. But more than just a trend, the boom in illegal dogs could be putting the health of Britain's pet pooches at risk, as the imported dogs may be carrying disease. Vets saw puppies with health problems such as parvovirus and kennel cough, which suggest they have been poorly bred without the correct vaccinations or health checks. Some vets also saw puppies with health problems such as parvovirus and kennel cough, which suggest they have been poorly bred without the correct vaccinations or health checks. Puppies can be brought into the UK for sale, but there are regulations governing the trade, such as requirements to openly declare imports for commercial purposes and that all puppies must be over 15 weeks of age. Importers must also have the correct documentation and licences. Vets see owners who are not aware of their puppy's background and buy an unwell puppy that needs extensive veterinary care, or in the worst cases has to be put down, the BVA said. Gudrun Ravetz, president of the BVA, said: 'Illegal importers only care about profit, not puppy welfare. 'As vets, we've heard awful stories of people buying puppies only for their puppy to be dead 24 hours later because of the way it was bred and cared for in its early days outside of the UK. 'It's extremely concerning that we're seeing so many flat-faced breeds, like French bulldogs, being brought into the country given the serious breathing and health issues they already suffer from, let alone the added disease risks associated with illegal imports. Sharon Osbourne has long been known as a lover of dogs, pictured with her Pomeranian and Justin Timberlake 'A dog should never be bought 'for Christmas' as it is a stressful time of year with lots going on that can unsettle and distress pets.' Expert says the findings are likely the result of a A controversial paper published recently by a team of NASA researchers shook up the science community as it appeared to show theyd created a working EmDrive prototype. Its said that the radical, fuel-free impossible engine could get humans to Mars in just 10 weeks but, the concept defies the fundamental laws of physics. Many have dismissed the results as an experimental error, including advanced propulsions systems expert Brice Cassenti, who now says there is likely a mundane explanation behind the findings. But, while the expert argues that theres a slim probability that the results will hold up in further investigation, he also notes that its not zero. Scroll down for video A fuel-free engine, described as 'impossible' to create, may now be a step closer to reality, according to leaked Nasa documents. Pictured is a prototype of the EMDrive that some say power a spacecraft to Mars in just 10 weeks WHAT IS THE EMDRIVE? The concept of an EmDrive engine is relatively simple. It provides thrust to a spacecraft by bouncing microwaves around in a closed container. Solar energy provides the electricity to power the microwaves, which means that no propellant is needed. The implications for this could be huge. For instance, current satellites could be half the size they are today without the need to carry fuel. Humans could also travel further into space, generating their own propulsion on the way. But when the concept was first proposed it was considered implausible because it went against the laws of physics. Its allegedly fuel-free nature also means the drive may directly contradict the law of conservation of momentum. It suggests it would produce a forward-facing force without an equal and opposite force acting in the other direction. Advertisement With no fuel to eject, the EmDrive would violate Newtons third law, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Such a violation would invalidate much of the basis for all of physics as we know it, Cassenti, an engineering professor at the University of Connecticut, told UConn Today. The paper, now published in the AIAAs Journal of Propulsion and Power, describes a series of successful tests carried out by scientists at NASAs Eagleworks Laboratories. Its publication means it has been reviewed by scientists independent to the study, adding to its credibility but, this does not necessarily mean that the results are valid. As there is no plausible proven physical explanation for the findings as of yet, either experimentally or theoretically, the expert says the results may boil down to an experimental error. I personally believe that there is a mundane explanation for the results, Cassenti said. For example, electric currents are heating components within the Drive that expand during the experiments, causing motion that would appear as a force. It is very difficult to remove such effects, although the authors of the journal article tried to remove not only these thermal effects but also many other possible sources for experimental errors. According to Cassenti, its extremely difficult to be certain that all sources of error have been eliminated, and this can only be proven through independent tests of the hypothesis. If the EmDrive results do turn out to be valid, the achievement points to new physics. And while there have been circumstances where Newtons laws have been found not to apply at high speeds, as in large gravitational fields and with tiny molecules, the researcher note that Newton is still mostly right. The tests managed to generate powers of 1.2 millinewtons per kilowatt (mN/Kw), a fraction of the current state of the art Hall ion thruster, which can achieve a massive 60 mN/Kw (illustrated) THE 'LEAKED' NASA PAPER A research report, which has appeared online, describes a series of successful tests carried out at Nasas Johnson Space Center in Texas. It outlines a experiments with a 'closed radio frequency cavity'. The paper describes how early tests of the system in a vacuum, recreating the conditions of the engine if were used in space. Engineers carried out controlled bursts at 40, 60 and 80 watts, reporting that the thrust achieved in a vacuum was similar to the performance achieved in air. The tests managed to generate powers of 1.2 millinewtons per kilowatt (mN/Kw), a fraction of the current state of the art Hall thruster, which can achieve a massive 60 mN/Kw. But the researchers say that the lack of fuel consumption could make up for the drop in power. Advertisement Over my professional life, I have seen several of these exciting experimental or theoretical results reported in peer-reviewed literature, Cassenti said. So far only the reality of black holes has come through. 'So, based on my experience, the probability of this holding up under further analysis and testing appears slim. But its not zero. Essentially, the EmDrive generates thrust by harnessing particles of light and bouncing microwaves around inside a closed chamber, shaped like a cone. The movement generates thrust at the slim end of the cone, which drives the engine forward. In the new study, which tested if the device could operate in a vacuum, the researchers found that 't hrust data from forward, reverse, and null suggested that the system was consistently performing at 1.20.1 mN/kW1.20.1 mN/kW, which was very close to the average impulsive performance measured in air.' The supporting physics model for these conditions, according to the researchers, could be a 'nonlocal hidden-variable theory, or pilot-wave theory for short' - an interpretation of quantum mechanics. Many have taken interest in the findings, including one physicist who has claimed that there may really be something in the findings but, the cause might be something entirely different than whats been proposed. Rather than the quantum vacuum theory which was initially cited in the leaked version to explain the findings, a phenomenon known as the Mach effect could be to blame, according to Motherboard. The issue involved here is whether the experiment is seeing something real or not, Jim Woodward, a physicist at California State-Fullerton, told Motherboard. The technology has been dubbed the 'warp drive' for its similarity to the fictional propulsion system seen in the Star Trek series I know Paul [March, one of the lead researchers] does clean work and to be honest, I suspect there may really be something here. But the result theyre seeing cant actually be explained in terms of the theory theyre proposing. So the question is: what is causing it? Researchers in the past have proposed both the quantum vacuum theory which states that the microwaves are pushing off virtual particles in the cavity to generate thrust and an explanation in which radiation pushes against the machines walls. But according to Woodward, neither of these are likely to be correct, as they do not follow the laws of physics. Can any disposition of microwaves inside the cavity produce thrust? Theres a simple answer to that question: No, it cannot, Woodward told Motherboard. Conservation of momentum dictates that any purely electromagnetic system that is enclosed cannot produce thrust. This is for both quantum theory and classical electrodynamics. Its physically impossible. Instead, the physicist says the seemingly impossible nature of the EmDrive may be explained by the Mach effect without breaking the laws of physics. By this effect, which Woodward first theorized in the 1990s, some of the force applied to an accelerating body of mass is stored as potential energy in its body rather than generating kinetic energy, according to Motherboard. This causes fluctuations in the objects resting mass, and this effect could be harnessed to create the type of thrust seen in the experiments. But, tests to attempt to reproduce the results of the NASA study using the Mach effect theory would be necessary to confirm this. The controversial paper, was first leaked on a Nasa Spaceflight forum by Australian user Phil Wilson before being taken down by administrators, reports IBTimes. 4.1F above the 20th century average from Sept-Nov After months of unseasonably warm temperatures, scientists have confirmed that this autumn was the hottest ever recorded in the United States. During the September-November period, the contiguous US was an average 4.1F above the 20th century average, making it the second consecutive year to shatter the temperature records. The analysis from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is based on 122 years of data, stretching back to January 1895. Scroll down for video After months of unseasonably warm temperatures, scientists have confirmed that this autumn was the hottest ever recorded in the United States. The temperature anomalies for the September-November period are shown above According to the report, this autumn was an average 57.6 degrees Fahrenheit, topping the previous record set last year at 56.8 degrees. And, at an average 48 degrees Fahrenheit, November was the second warmest since scientists began keeping track. It was 6.3 degrees above the 20th century average, surpassed only by November 1999 (48.1F). Overall, this autumn saw above average temperatures across nearly the entire country, with record numbers in Colorado, Iowa (5.9F above normal), Kansas, Michigan (5.7F above), Minnesota (6.5F above), New Mexico, Texas, and Wisconsin (6.1F above). And, 27 other states experienced temperatures that were either the second or third warmest on record. Across the country, both the minimum (night-time) temperatures and the maximum (daytime) temperatures were the warmest on record for this period. Autumn also brought precipitation extremes for a number of states. So far, the average temperature this year (January-November) is the second warmest on record at 56.9F, sitting just .1 degree behind the leading year, 2012. These anomalies are shown in the map above CLIMATE CHANGE ALREADY CAUSING DEATHS A new study has revealed the dangers of climate change are already affecting humanity and led to the death of hundreds of people across Europe sixteen years ago. A heatwave in 2003 killed 506 people in Paris and 315 in London, experts have said in a new study. A fifth of those deaths can be blamed on man-made pollution. The study led by University of Oxford scientists said there were 315 heat-related deaths in London as Europe experienced its hottest summer on record, out of which 64 were caused by climate change. The study was the first to calculate the number of premature deaths and it's link to air pollution and warned heatwaves will become more common and more severe in the future. Advertisement In the Northwest, the autumn period was the fourth wettest, with above average precipitation in Idaho and Montana, and record-breaking precipitation in Washington, with 18.78 inches, 7.05 inches above normal. In contrast, the South and Southeast were plagued by dryness, including Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Louisiana. This phenomenon even made it to the central Rockies, with Colorado experiencing its eighth driest autumn on record. The coastal southeast, on the other hand, was hit by above-normal precipitation, despite the drought in the nearby western Carolinas. This was largely attributed to the remnants of Hurricanes Hermine and Matthew. In other areas, the season intensified drought. Between August 30 and November 29, the drought footprint of the contiguous US increased from 19.5 to 31.5 percent. Across northern Georgia, northern Alabama and the Appalachian portions of the Carolinas and Tennessee, the most severe category, D4 Exception Drought, had been established. Autumn also brought a number of extreme events, including higher than normal wildfire activity and an increase in tornadoes In the Northwest, the autumn period was the fourth wettest, with above average precipitation in Idaho and Montana, and record-breaking precipitation in Washington, with 18.78 inches, 7.05 inches above normal. In contrast, the South and Southeast were plagued by dryness In November alone, every state in the Lower 48 experienced an above average temperature for the month, with Idaho, North Dakota, and Washington hitting record highs. Even Alaska was hotter than normal, with an average temperature 1.7F above their 92-year period of record. The month has experienced one of the fastest warming rates since 1970, at 6.6F per century, falling only behind January (10.5F per century). November also brought a number of extreme events, including higher than normal wildfire activity and an increase in tornadoes. Ooltewah Media has released a new video to its YouTube channel, which has taken months of work by many students. In the true precedent of OHS positivity created by " We Are Ooltewah ," and " Ooltewah Is Beautiful ," the latest video shows the best of the school. Advertisement NASA has successfully tested a radical new type of jet engine it says could revolutionise air travel. The new design can be embedded into the aircraft's wings, and lead to radical new designs such as the 'double bubble'. It could boost fuel efficiency by up to eight per cent, and dramatically reduce drag and weight of future planes. Scroll down for video The new engine design can be embedded into the aircraft's wings. It could boost fuel efficiency by up to 8%, and reduce drag and weight, NASA said. BENEFITS OF THE D8 Increased fuel efficiency Improved air quality Less community noise Greater airport compatibility Faster boarding and deplaning Higher efficiency, even at transonic cruise speeds Improved passenger experience Advertisement Engineers at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland are testing the new fan and inlet design, commonly called a propulsor. On today's jet aircraft, the engines are typically located away from the aircraft's body to avoid ingesting the layer of slower flowing air that develops along the aircraft's surfaces, called boundary layer. Aerospace engineers believe they can reduce fuel burn by embedding an aircraft's engines into these surfaces and ingesting the boundary layer air flow to propel the aircraft through its mission. 'Studies backed by more detailed analyses have shown that boundary layer ingesting propulsors have the potential to significantly improve aircraft fuel efficiency,' said David Arend, a BLI propulsion expert at NASA Glenn. 'If this new design and its enabling technologies can be made to work, the BLI propulsor will produce the required thrust with less propulsive power input. 'Additional aircraft drag and weight reduction benefits have also been identified.' The highly experimental tests required years of preparation. Throughout testing, the team will change the wind speed and vary the boundary layer thickness and fan operation to see how these changes affect the propulsor's performance, operability and structure. Results of the tests will be applicable to multiple cutting-edge aircraft designs being pursued by NASA as well as by its academic and private industry partners. Among the plans is the 'double bubble' D8, which is a twin-hull plane that is designed to make the experience of flying more fuel efficient, with faster loading and unloading and a quieter, more comfortable takeoff. The design was initially developed by Aurora Flight Sciences and MIT in 2008, and now Nasa has awarded the company a $2.9 million (2.19 million) contract to make a scale model of the aircraft. The X-planes were a celebrated part of post-war aviation, helping Nasa break the sound barrier and create more efficient planes. The Virginia-based Aurora Flight Sciences is hoping to create the latest generation of X-plane with the D8, and says the plane will begin service in 2027. Among the plans for the new engine is the 'double bubble' D8, which is a twin-hull plane that is designed to make the experience of flying more fuel efficient, with faster loading and unloading and a quieter, more comfortable takeoff. The 'double bubble' D8 Series future aircraft design concept came from a research team led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It is designed to be over 50 per cent more fuel efficient than current best-in-class aircraft. On a flight from LAX airport in LA to JFK in New York - a distance of 2,475 miles (3,983 km) - the D8 would save 2,095 gallons (9,524 litres) of fuel compared to the most efficient commercial aircraft available today. The 'double bubble' D8 Series future aircraft design concept came from a research team led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It is designed to be over 50 per cent more fuel efficient than current best-in-class aircraft. The plane is designed to fly at 582 mph (936 km/h) with 180 passengers over a range of 3,500 miles (5,500 km) The D8 is designed to fly at 582 mph (936 km/h) with 180 passengers over a range of 3,500 miles (5,500 km). A subscale model is shown being tested in a wind tunnel at MIT The design has the potential to cut fuel burn by 71 per cent, reduce noise and cut LTO NOx emissions by 87 per cent compared to a Boeing 737-800 narrow-body aircraft. A subscale model is shown being tested in a wind tunnel at MIT 'The idea there is to take some of the lift that you would normally get from the wings and try and move that to the fuselage,' said Michael Rogers, a research at Nasa's Ames Research Center. 'Another thing that's done to enable laminar flow on this vehicle is to reduce the sweep of the wings. 'It is easier to maintain laminar flow if the wings, instead of being swept back like a lot of modern commercial transports, are more sort of perpendicular to the side of the body of the plane.' According to Aurora, the D8 takes its inspiration from the famed Boeing 707 of 1958, which not only introduced the public to single-day world travel, but also used a tube-wing design that redefined passenger aircraft. The D8 is designed to fly at 582 mph (936 km/h) with 180 passengers over a range of 3,500 miles (5,500 km). The design has the potential to cut fuel burn by 71 per cent, reduce noise and cut LTO NOx emissions by 87 per cent compared to a Boeing 737-800 narrow-body aircraft. As part of the Nasa contract, Aurora will build test components as the company develops a 1:2 scale demonstrator X-plane over the next three years. Advertisement Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and King Kong - its no wonder that so many movies have used New Zealands epic backdrop to depict a fantasy universe. The scene-stealing location is also the star of Rach Stewarts vibrant photography, which has taken her to Mount Cook, Fiordland, Nelson, Wanaka and Queenstown in the South Island and Mount Maunganui, The Coromandel, Taranaki, Raglan and Rotorua in the North Island. Ms Stewart, a Wellington native, has been shooting her homeland on a Canon 5D and 6D for the past two years, captivated by its vast and varied landscape. Although she has travelled widely, Ms Stewart explained the countrys appeal to MailOnline Travel: Within a couple of hours drive from anywhere in New Zealand you can usually be at a beach, a mountain or a lake. We have so much diversity here, it's a photographer's dream. Nature has given us some incredible places to explore here, and every one of them leaves you speechless. The photographer has over 100,000 followers on her Instagram account and hopes her work inspires people to go out, enjoy and appreciate nature more. New Zealand is the star of Rach Stewarts vibrant photography, which has taken her to Mount Cook, Fiordland, Nelson , Wanaka and Queenstown in the South Island and Mount Maunganui, The Coromandel, Taranaki, Raglan and Rotorua in the North Island. This image was taken on a Canon 6D of a lake at Tasman Glacier Inspiring journey: The Wellington native has been shooting her homeland on a Canon 5D or 6D for the past two years, captivated by its vast and varied landscape. Pictured above is Aoraki/ Mount Cook Although she has travelled widely, Ms Stewart explained the countrys appeal to MailOnline Travel: Within a couple of hours drive from anywhere in New Zealand you can usually be at a beach, a mountain or a lake.' The serenity of Lake Rotorua in the North Island, is captured above The photographer has over 100,000 followers on her Instagram account and captioned this image of Tasman Glacier lake: 'Icebergs, mountains and a fiery red sky to start the day... moments one never forgets' Breath-taking beauty: Ms Stewart shot a pink sunset reflected in Lake Matheson on the west coast of the South Island She said: We have so much diversity here, it's a photographer's dream. Nature has given us some incredible places to explore here, and every one of them leaves you speechless. Above, she is pictured gazing at Karangahake Gorge in the North Island Ms Stewart snapped a full moon rising at Mount Maunganui Beach (right) and the Church of the Good Shepherd near Lake Tekapo (left) during the winter Nearly a quarter of British adults have never been on a plane, a new study has revealed. A fifth (20 per cent) say they have never visited a beach in their life, 25 per cent have never visited a European capital city and 41 per cent say they've never tried foreign food. One in ten Brits (eight per cent) have stayed in the UK their entire life and never once been abroad while a quarter (22 per cent) have never travelled on an aeroplane. Nearly a quarter of British adults have never been on a plane, a new study has revealed The research, by travel search engine Kayak.co.uk, reveals the types of experiences we are missing out on as a result. More than a third (36 per cent) have never enjoyed dinner with a sea view. We are also missing out on visiting famous landmarks - with over half (53 per cent) admitting they've never visited the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. A total of eight in ten (80 per cent) have never seen New York's famous Statue of Liberty - the 305ft tall monument which was given to the USA by France in the 1880s and is now a worldwide symbol of freedom. And more than three quarters (77 per cent) have never seen the Colosseum in Rome, Italy. The main reasons given for not going abroad is that travelling is 'too expensive' (30 per cent) or 'too complicated' (20 per cent). The research reveals more than half of us (52 per cent) have been unable to take a break abroad in 2016 and 30 per cent have not been overseas in the past five years. The destination we would most like to visit is New Zealand (42 per cent), followed by Canada (35 per cent) and Australia (35 per cent). Over half (53 per cent) of Brits admitted they've never visited the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, a survey said TOP FIVE COUNTRIES BRITONS HAVE ALREADY VISITED 1. France (68 per cent). 2. Spain (63 per cent). 3. Italy (44 per cent). 4. USA (42 per cent). 5. Germany (41 per cent). Advertisement And the landmark we would most like to see is The Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA, (35 per cent). The 2000-year-old and 5,500 mile-long Great Wall of China and the Pyramids in Egypt also top our wishlist of landmarks to visit. When it comes to travel experiences Brits would like to try, holidays involving wild animals proved most popular. Three in ten (28 per cent) want to go on a safari, which is closely followed by wanting to swim with dolphins (27 per cent) or go turtle or whale watching (22 per cent). France is the country most visited by Brits already (68 per cent), followed by Spain (63 per cent) and Italy (44 per cent). Suzanne Perry, travel expert at Kayak, said: 'Our main aim is to show the cheapest offers so Brits can travel within their budget. 'We want to make it easy for as many people as possible to travel, but it still seems many are missing out. 'While we understand many are unable to travel long distance due to health or for financial reasons, we were surprised nearly a third of adults haven't been abroad in the past five years, meaning many are missing out on what the world has to offer.' Tired pilots are putting passengers at risk because airlines aren't taking fatigue seriously, a new report claims. In a survey of 7,200 pilots across Europe 58 per cent of them said they thought their pilot colleagues were sleepy at work and half said that tiredness was not taken seriously by their company. More than a quarter felt their airline was understaffed and 14 per cent even admitted to working when they were unwell. In a survey of 7,200 pilots across Europe 58 per cent of them said they thought their pilot colleagues were tired at work (file image) 24 HOURS OF FATIGUE How a pilot can end up working around the clock while still observing the safety rules: A pilot wakes at 7.30am and starts stand-by duty at 12 noon. The pilot is called at 3.30pm to report for duty at 5pm. His flying duty finishes with him landing at 4am the following morning, by which time he has been awake for more than 20 hours. A pilot in this situation would experience severe sleepiness similar to having a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit for flying. Advertisement The research, by the London School of Economics, also found that employees felt unable to raise concerns for fear they would be treated as a troublemaker. The British Airline Pilots' Association has said it's not surprised by the findings and said fatigue is always top of their members' concerns across all types of airlines. Head of Flight Safety at the British Airline Pilots' Association (Balpa), Dr Rob Hunter, said: 'It's not surprising to Balpa that the LSE survey shows more than 50 per cent of pilots feel fatigue is not being taken seriously by their company.' The association has previously said that pilots are being forced to work shifts of more than 20 hours without breaks. The study found that the problem was particularly rife on budget airlines where crew are expected to work multiple flights on the same day. 'Fatigue has been a growing issue among pilots and has intensified since the introduction of EASA flight time limitations earlier this year,' Dr Hunter added. 'Balpa has been challenging all airlines and carriers to improve their fatigue management. 'Our own survey with in collaboration with the CAA previously highlighted similar issues, with pilots not having confidence in their companies' attitudes towards fatigue or reporting of fatigue. 'Safety is the top priority for pilots, as is demonstrated in the LSE's survey, with 93 per cent agreeing their colleagues take safety seriously. 'We welcome further research into safety culture, an important area that is often ignored, and hope that this latest survey will shine some light on the issues faced by today's pilots.' More than a quarter felt their airline was understaffed and 14 per cent even admitted to working when they were unwell (file image) A serving airline captain, speaking anonymously, told MailOnline Travel: 'The alignment of pilots' flying hour limits by the EU was opposed by the pilot associations in each country but was of course backed by the airlines who got what they wanted - a lowest common denominator solution meaning longer duty hours for crews and lower costs. Sadly it is only a matter of time before an incident or accident by an EU carrier is attributed to fatigue A serving airline captain 'Fatigue, both short term and long term, is now a significant factor for pilots, especially those working for the low cost carriers who will routinely roster their crews right up to the new higher EU limits. 'Sadly it is only a matter of time before an incident or accident by an EU carrier is attributed to fatigue in the same way that fatigue and crew rostering issues were highlighted in the Colgan Air crash in Buffalo, USA, in which 50 people lost their lives.' Dr Tom Reader, Associate Professor in Organisational and Social Psychology at LSE and one of the report's co-authors, said: 'Pilots, airlines, and regulators need to begin a dialogue to understand what these results means for the industry. 'This will help to address the concerns raised by pilots, and help to identify what could be changed to maintain the positive safety culture within the industry, while ensuring that European aviation remains competitive.' The survey found that Britain performed third worst in Europe with pilots rating their airline's approach to fatigue lower than in any other country apart from Croatia and Luxembourg. But Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, said: 'Safety is the number one priority for everyone involved in aviation. A generous boss spent nearly 400,000 on a luxury holiday to the Maldives for 100 of his employees as a 'small token' of his gratitude. Founder of mixed martial arts company Evolve, Chatri Sityodtong, flew his workers to the tropical nation for an all-expenses paid trip because he was so pleased with his company's figures. He said Evolve, a Singapore-based chain of MMA academies, had seen a 30 per cent year-on-year growth and he wanted to thank his employees for their hard work and dedication. Scroll down for video The founder of mixed martial arts company Evolve, Chatri Sityodtong, flew his workers to the Maldives for a trip of a lifetime He did it to say thank you for their hard work and dedication and said it was a 'small token' of his gratitude Mr Sityodtong spent a cool 392,000 on the trip to the paradise island While some bosses may buy you a drink at the office Christmas party, Mr Sityodtong spent a cool 392,000 on the trip to the paradise island. And this is not the first time he's splashed out on his employees. He said the holidays are a 'normal part of Evolve culture' and he has previously taken his workers to luxurious destinations such as Bali, Krabi, Khao Lak and Bintan in Indonesia over the past five years. 'These rewards are a small token of my heartfelt gratitude to all of the phenomenal rockstars at Evolve MMA,' he said. He said the holidays are a 'normal part of Evolve culture' and he has previously taken his workers to luxurious destinations Mr Sityodtong said a lot of his team would like to travel the world but don't have the means to do so so he enjoys treating them to luxury trips 'Every year, I take the entire team on an all-expenses-paid trip to a five-star luxury resort at a surprise destination.' He added: 'Many of my staff would love to travel the world, but do not have the means to do so. 'The vast majority of my team at Evolve come from humble backgrounds of poverty, tragedy, or adversity. 'The best deserve the best. It is only fair,' Mr Sityodtong said of his hard-working team 'Evolve has the best team in the world. I am very confident in my team. I believe in them 100 percent,' he said Mr Sityodtong has also taken his employees on holidays to Bali, Krabi, Khao Lak and Bintan in Indonesia He said taking his employees on holiday is a normal part of the culture at his company 'For them, Evolve is the greatest opportunity to escape poverty and to achieve the life of their dreams. 'The best deserve the best. It is only fair. 'We do our best to hire the best people in the world, giving out only one job offer for every 200 applicants. So they should be compensated as such. 'We work hard, and we play hard. 'Evolve has the best team in the world. I am very confident in my team. I believe in them 100 per cent.' The entrepreneur said the holidays will continue for the foreseeable future but joked he has not yet planned 2017's one just yet. He said: 'The world is a big place! I don't know where our annual retreat will be held next year, but I hope to take them to another spectacular place.' He may be known for his wild and party boy ways, but cheater he is not - at least according to him. And while on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live, Jax Taylor flat out denied cheating on girlfriend Brittany Cartwright while at Harrah's in Philadelphia on Saturday. The Vanderpump Rules star cleared up the rumors on Monday, and co-star Tom Schwartz backed his claims. 'No!': While on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live, Jax Taylor, 37, flat out denied cheating on girlfriend Brittany Cartwright while at Harrah's in Philadelphia on Saturday A fan -via show host Andy Cohen- asked Tom Schwartz and Katie Maloney if they believed rumours that Jax cheated on his girlfriend of over a year-and-a-half at a Philadelphia casino. 'No,' said Tom, as he repeatedly shook his head. Andy, seemingly unaware of the rumour until that moment, directed his attention towards Jax. Jax admitted he had heard the news that morning, and also denied it's truth. Sticking by his pal: A fan -via show host Andy Cohen- asked Tom Schwartz and Katie Maloney if they believed rumours that Jax cheated on his girlfriend of over a year-and-a-half at a Philadelphia casino In the hot seat! Andy, seemingly unaware of the rumour until that moment, directed his attention towards Jax, who denied any wrongdoing 'No. No, come on. if I was gunna do that, do you think I'd do that in a public place; If I was gonna do that?' he shot back. Andy jokingly said that he didn't know, which prompted the reality star to try and get the host on his side. He then admitted that he's 'done a lot of dumb things, but not that.' Tom quickly came to his aide, defending his pictures with women and fans as nothing more than work. Jax, 37, agreed. 'It's part of my job. I gotta do appearances. Take pictures with people,' he pointed out, something Andy wasn't buying, as he quickly cut him off and moved on. Long-term: Since May 24, 2015, Jax has been in a relationship with his Kentucky native girlfriend, Brittany Cartwright, 27 Since May 24, 2015, Jax has been in a relationship with his Kentucky native girlfriend, after having met in Vegas, according to Bravo. Having been together for the amount of time has prompted the marriage talk. 'Before Brittany I was not about marriage. It was not going to happen for me. I didn't believe in marriage. Not because I didn't love Brittany, I just didn't believe in marriage. It just wasn't for me,' he admitted to The Daily Dish. 'As time progresses, I'm starting to open my mind about it a little bit more because I do love her and that's something she wants. And I'm willing to bring the idea back. We'll see. I just hate divorce. I hate it. I've done a lot of things in my life, it's just kind of the one box I don't want to check off that I've done.' She recently arrived in Sydney to promote her jewellery line Erth. And Nicole Trunfio's latest campaign is set to send pulses racing as she poses TOPLESS and near naked in a variety of poses for the photoshoot. The 30-year-old flashes the flesh as she seductively works the camera partially naked next to a white horse. Scroll down for video Hawt! Nicole Trunfio's latest campaign is set to send pulses racing as she poses TOPLESS and near naked in a variety of poses Elegant: Keeping her makeup low key and simple, the brunette lets her natural beauty shine through In one image she is pictured all but naked in a leather rocker jacket and cowboy hat as she holds straw up to her nether regions to protect her modesty. Keeping her makeup low key and simple, the brunette lets her natural beauty shine through. In other images she is pictured leaning against an elegant white horse with nothing on but a pair of small black undies. Her luxury jewellery is equally classic, with a wide range of chokers, earrings and necklaces. Making hay? Nicole is pictured all but naked in a leather rocker jacket and cowboy hat as she holds straw up to her nether regions to protect her modesty The mother-of-one created the fine jewellery company Trunfio Universe in 2015 and they intended to 'create forever long lasting pieces that inspire'. And the brand has quickly found popularity with fans including Kendall Jenner. 'Kendall Jenner asked to borrow some stuff the day before we launched which was kind of surprising,' Nicole revealed to Daily Telegraph. Natural beauty: In other images she is pictured leaning against an elegant white horse with nothing on but a pair of small black undies And she hasn't taken it off [the jewellery] for five days,' the statuesque beauty continued. The comments come as Nicole arrived in Sydney to complete this shoot, before returning back to the States to be with husband Gary Clark Jr. and their one-year-old son Zion. Since returning to Australia, Nicole has been quick to gush about her love for the country on Instagram. The in demand personality - who was born in Western Australia - shared a makeup-free selfie while on a photo shoot on Tuesday. Inspirational: The mother-of-one created the fine jewellery company Trunfio Universe in 2015 and they intended to 'create forever long lasting pieces that inspire' Nicole's flawless skin, which she just treated to a facial on Monday, was on display as she glowed in the photo she shared with her 208,000 followers. Clearly happy to be back Down Under, Nicole captioned her pic: On set Hi Australia. Feels good to be home.' The relaxed photo was a contrast to many of the more made-up looks the television personality flaunts on glamorous runways and red carpets across the world. The star was spotted jetting into Sydney Airport on Monday from her base in the United States. Popular: Nicole's jewellery brand has quickly found popularity with fans including Kendall Jenner Aussie girl: Since returning to Australia, Nicole has been quick to gush about her love for the country Quality: The jewellery is handcrafted by skilled artisans Pure: Only the finest 18K gold or platinum is used as well as white diamonds Earlier she took to Twitter to announce her visit back home: 'Im coming for you Australia,' she wrote, adding: 'See you soon.' Nicoles trip caps off a big year for the brunette beauty, who married American musician Gary Clark Jr. in Palm Springs in April. The couple, who started dating in 2012, share one-year-old son Zion. Despite her international fame, it appears Australia still holds a special place in Nicoles heart, having last visited home in October. Chilling out: Nicole cuts a relaxed pose in her latest sultry photoshoot Bang bang! This photoshoot is sure to target an upmarket clientele Cheeky: Nicole poses happily in front of the camera in various sexy poses Stunning: Nicole works the camera in the sexy photoshoot Classical: Nicole's luxury jewellery is classic with a range of chokers, earrings and necklaces Range: A stunning collection, Nicole should be proud of It looked like love might finally be in the air for the morning show host. Showing off a mysterious moment with a tall, dark and handsome friend, Sam Armytage looked happy and relaxed in a photo posted to her Instagram on Monday. The Sunrise host then quickly burst the bubble of her long-suffering fans by revealing the man was none other than the show's reporter and friend, Shaun White. Scroll down for video Mystery man: Sunrise co-host Sam Armytage posted a work Christmas party photo on Monday with her tall, dark and handsome friend who turned out to be her co-worker Shaun White The duo looked a picture perfect pair with their matching white outfits and glowing tanned skin as they sat outside and enjoyed the summer weather. The 40-year-old had no qualms about getting tongues wagging, referencing her work Christmas party and writing in the caption, 'This'll get them talking'. Sunrise presenter Edwina Bartholomew decided to join in the fun, leaving a comment underneath the photo: 'You two are so good together'. 'This'll get them talking': Sam and her Sunrise co-worker Shaun had no issues getting tongues wagging on Instagram with their intimate photos together This was followed by a fan getting in on the action and replying, 'Yeh Sam have a go! He's a bit delish!' Shaun posted a better version of the photo to his Instagram account, with the smiling duo beaming for the camera. 'That pic will start rumors!' one fan insisted in a comment. Love the lads: The popular TV personalities took a moment to join a happy group of their male co-workers at Sunrise's annual Christmas party Another enthusiast went a step further and suggested the co-workers should 'Get out the Xmas party mistletoe'. Shaun quelled talk of the twosome being anything more than friends, calling her his 'sista'. The TV personality has been very open about her challenging search to find love. All work, no play: Pictured with her Sunrise crew including Shaun [R], the 40-year-old has been open about her challenging search to find love, blaming 'bad judgments' and 'wasting time' 'I think on occasion Ive made bad judgments, wasted time,' she told news.com.au last year. 'I dont for one minute, ever blame my career because my career has actually never been that much of a priority ... maybe its timing.' Despite being linked to a variety of famous suitors, including Shane Warne and Russell Crowe, she remains hopeful in her search for Mr. Right. 'I think all of Australia would like me to meet someone. It is not impossible. Im out there. Im out and about,' she said. She's rightly proud of her stunning shape. And Pascal Craymer, 29, left little to the imagination when she attended the Sixty6 Magazine launch party in London on Tuesday night in a barely-there silver minidress. The former TOWIE personality must have felt the chill in the revealing frock which showcased her ample cleavage. Scroll down for video Daring! Pascal Craymer, 29, left little to the imagination when she attended the Sixty6 Magazine launch party in London on Tuesday night in a barely-there silver minidress The backless thigh-skimming number clung to her toned physique as she sauntered through the night. Its shimmering straps wrapped around her neck to former a choker, with the loose material plunging down the front of her chest. Keeping things coordinated, she wore a pair of sparkly peep-toe heels, while her digits were given a bold red pedicure. Thigh-skimming: The former TOWIE personality must have felt the chill in the revealing frock which showcased her ample cleavage Body confident: The former TOWIE personality must have felt the chill in the revealing frock which showcased her ample cleavage She ensured she was bronzed for the occasion and showed off her pearly whites when she flashed a bright smile. Pascal wore her dark shoulder-length tresses in bouncy curls and decorated her eyes with a silvery shadow and lashings of mascara. The bash attracted many reality TV favourites with the likes of Joey Essex, Olivia Buckland, Jessica Cunningham and Chloe Paige on the guestlist. Unmissable: The backless thigh-skimming number clung to her toned physique as she sauntered through the night Glamour girl: Pascal wore her dark shoulder-length tresses in bouncy curls and decorated her eyes with a silvery shadow and lashings of mascara There she goes: Keeping things coordinated, she wore a pair of sparkly peep-toe heels, while her digits were given a bold red pedicure Pascal told her fans last week that she has been working hard on her body, writing on social media: '3rd week back at the gym and my body is starting to come back after letting it slip a bit!' 'Loved being back to healthy eating and training #fitness #motivation #healthy.' Two of a kind: Pascal was joined by Larissa Eddie - who dazzled in a red velvet co-ord Loving life: The girls seemed unaware of one enthusiastic reveller posing behind them She's the news reporter turned reality star who was relentless in her quest for love. She found it on The Bachelorette last season with contestant Lee Elliott, 35, and now Georgia Love is enjoying a new chapter in her life. The 27-year-old managed to squeeze in some down time at Bondi Beach on Tuesday, after joining the Studio 10 team as interim co-host last month. Scroll down for video 'Bondi, I love you': The Bachelorette's Georgia Love managed to squeeze in some down time at Sydney's famous beach on Tuesday after joining the Studio 10 team as co-host last month She stopped for a moment to strike a pose at the beach's famed art wall, choosing to stand between an intricate piece of two outstretched wings. Dressed in workout gear with her hair casually pulled back and shades covering her eyes, she looked into the distance as she held her headphones in one ear. The mural was tagged #WhatLiftsYou and perhaps struck a chord with the media personality after her emotional second half of 2016. Perfect match: After giving up her job as newsreader for WIN New in Tasmania to star in The Bachelorette, she found love with Victorian plumber turned model Lee Elliott, 35 In September she gave up her job as newsreader for WIN News in Tasmania to star in the second season of The Bachelorette. After fielding the advances of 18 contestants, she chose Victorian plumber turned model Lee over marketing manager Matthew 'Matty J' Johnson in the show's finale. It was revealed during the taping of the show her mother Belinda had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, passing away after the final episode aired. My rock: The media personality endured an emotional second half of 2016, with finding happiness with her new partner a highlight Three weeks after the show's finale, she went on The Project with Lee to pay tribute to his love and support for her through the difficult time. 'It's been incredibly difficult, but would have just been made so much more difficult if Lee had not been there,' she told the show's panel. 'There are silver linings and my mum absolutely supported me 100 per cent in doing this and in everything I did,' she said. Bittersweet: At a time when she was on TV discovering love with Lee, her mother Belinda was tragically diagnosed with cancer and passed away during the taping of the show's finale She recently scored a gig as co-host of Studio 10 for the summer non-rating period, replacing Sarah Harris. 'With my mum falling ill, it made me realise that work or a job isn't the only important thing in life,' she revealed in an interview with the show's website. 'I wanted to be with my family but also have someone to support me and have love of my own,' she said. 'Tis the season: The cheery reporter is all smiles as she helps decorate the Studio 10 Christmas tree and prepares for her co-hosting gig over the summer non-rating period She flaunted her figure in a fully nude shot for the cover of Sixty6 magazine. And Demi Rose Mawby put on a similarly revealing display as she attended the publication's launch party in London on Tuesday night. The 21-year-old model - who was rumoured to have had a fling with rapper Tyga during his break from Kylie Jenner - smouldered in a sheer scarlet gown which boasted a racy thigh-split. Turning heads: Demi Rose Mawby, 21, put on a similarly revealing display as she attended the new publication's launch party in London on Tuesday night The Birmingham-born beauty flashed some serious cleavage in the embellished gown, which featured a daringly plunging neckline. Showcasing more than a glimpse of tanned leg, the garment's semi-sheer nature also revealed Demi's nude thong underneath. Allowing her dress to steal the spotlight, she wore her glossy raven tresses in a sleek style that fell past her shoulders. Flaunting her asset: Demi went braless in the revealing wine-hued gown Working her angles: She revealed her toned behind in the unashamedly sheer dress Revealing: The model - who was rumoured to have had a fling with rapper Tyga during his break from Kylie Jenner - smouldered in a sheer scarlet gown which boasted a racy thigh-split Scarlet siren: The Birmingham-born beauty flashed some serious cleavage in the embellished gown, which featured a daringly plunging neckline The model plumped her pout with nude lipstick and highlighted her dark eyes with lashings of mascara and smokey eyeshadow. Lengthening her toned legs even further, Demi rocked a pair of maroon cross-strap patent courts. She was joined by former TOWIE star Pascal Craymer, who seemed to get into the festive spirit in a silver cowl-neck minidress. Preened to perfection: The model plumped her pout with nude lipstick and highlighted her dark eyes with lashings of mascara and smokey eyeshadow Body goals: Lengthening her toned legs even further, Demi rocked a pair of maroon cross-strap patent courts Insta-famous: Demi shot to fame and racked up more than 3million Instagram followers thanks to her brief dalliance with Tyga in May Bum's the word! She revealed her pert behind in a tiny thong as she headed inside Demi shot to fame and racked up more than 3million Instagram followers thanks to her brief dalliance with Tyga in May. And reflecting on the experience, the model revealed things progressed 'really fast' with their fling. She told Sixty6 magazine: 'He had been messaging me then I went to a party in Cannes and bumped into him. We ended up spending the rest of our time there together.' Demi, who is the daughter of a bank manager, added: 'He was quirky, funny, genuine, thats what I liked about him.' Shine on: Pascal Craymer seemed to get into the festive spirit in a silver cowl-neck minidress Skimpy attire: The former TOWIE star revealed her toned figure in the tiny backless garment Legs for days! She showcased her toned limbs in the daringly short minidress Just smile and wave: Pascal politely ignored an overzealous fan who stood ready with his phone to snap photos Stealing the spotlight: She eschewed accessories to let her backless dress shine She's got a lot of front! The reality star teamed her dress with towering silver stilettos A Kardashian fan? Pascal's dress looked like a replica of the original version worn by Kendall Jenner at her 21st birthday bash Glamorous: The 29-year-old wore her hair in bouncy curls and added a heavy application of make-up Meanwhile Demi stripped off for one of her raunchiest shoots to date recently. Daring to bare all, the model left nothing to the imagination as she posed fully nude to grace the cover of SIXTY6 magazine. With just the magazine's title and some conveniently placed emojis protecting her modesty, the British beauty showed off her ample bust and toned stomach as she covered her plump pout in mock shock. For another saucy offering, Demi was slightly more covered up, forgoing her briefs but donning a nude bra that struggled to contain her ample bust. Still going strong! Love Island couple Olivia Buckland and Alex Bowen proved their romance was as good as ever Sizzling: Olivia, 22, smouldered in a skintight pink Latex dress with a plunging neckline Strike a pose: The photogenic couple posed for a slew of snapshots outside the hotspot Hands on: Alex put a loving arm around his belle's waist as they enjoyed their night out Overdone it slightly? Chloe Khan and her new boyfriend Ashley Cain looked a tad bleary-eyed as they headed inside Ready for her close-up Chloe sported a nude lipstick and sweep of winged eyeliner All white on the night: She layered a fur gilet over the skintight dress and finished the look with some strappy mules Head of hair: Chloe, who enjoyed a brief fling with Stephen Bear on CBB, showcased her flowing extensions as she headed inside Scanty outfit: Celebrity Big Brother star Chloe displayed her surgically enhanced cleavage in a plunging nude dress Preppy: Ex On The Beach star Ashley wore distressed jeans and a pink striped shirt that appeared to be several sizes too small for him Posing seductively on a bed spread, the brunette beauty oozed glamour in the sizzling shot. Seeming incapable of wearing both elements of her lingerie, the stunning siren then donned a skimpy black thong but no bra as she flashed her ample assets beneath an open floral bomber jacket. Then able to get hold of a matching underwear set, the sultry star posed in exotic caged bottoms and a lacy bra, whilst her incredible physique was dripping with diamonds. Glitter girl: X Factor alum Chloe Paige, 22, wore a golden strapless dress Chic: She teamed the sparkly garment with a fur coat and Perspex heels Making an entrance: She ensured all eyes were on her as she arrived at the party Mane attraction: The singer wore her platinum tresses swept up in a glossy topknot Having fun? The Apprentice star Jessica Cunningham appeared to be having a whale of a time Monochrome maven: The former stripper and pole dancer wore a black Bardot dress with a fur trim Double trouble: Calum Best hung out with Gary Lineker's son George Check him out! Joey Essex rocked a plaid shirt and black skinny jeans Animated guy: The former TOWIE star pulled some questionable hand signs at the event All white on the night: He complemented his ensemble with a loose white T-shirt Sign of the times: As he strolled outside of the party, Joey threw up yet more hand signs Proving to be princess of sexy shoots, she donned a glittering diamond on her glossy chestnut tresses. The head turning starlet shot to fame this summer after being pictured with Tyga on several occasions, including during a trip to the Cannes Film Festival. Coming from humble roots as the daughter bank manager, the British beauty kickstarted her career by jetting out to the USA to become part of Taz's Angels. She likes to party: Lizzie Cundy was also among the list of luck revellers invited to the bash What a hot mesh! Lizzie displayed her tantalising curves in a daring red mesh dress She's got it in the bag! She toted a large black handbag, perfectly matching her peep-toe heels Lady in red: Singer Larissa Eddie wowed in a red two-piece as she arrived at the exclusive bash Jovial: She appeared to be in jovial spirits as she prepared to mingle with well-heeled guests Social butterfly: Larissa and Pascal teamed up for pose for a snapshot outside the venue Feeling warm? Despite the wintry chill, Pascal happily strolled outside in her risque gown Cheeky! A reveller took the opportunity to photobomb the glamorous duo as they posed The Angels are a group of glamorous young women who live together in a rented mansion in Miami, apparently mentored by a man known simply as 'Taz' on how to achieve fame and fortune. Taz, aka Michael Williams, is described as being the 'black Hugh Hefner', although he has previously been accused of being a pimp and running the girls as escorts - reportedly sparking an FBI investigation into prostitution. Demi will undoubtedly peak interest in SIXTY6 magazine, a brand new quarterly uni-sex magazine released on December 6. All eyes on her: Daring to bare all, Demi Rose, 21, left nothing to the imagination as she posed fully nude to grace the cover of SIXTY6 magazine with just emojis protecting her modesty She's not camera shy! Seeming incapable of wearing both elements of her lingerie, the stunning siren then donned a skimpy black thong but no bra as she flashed her ample assets Former flame: The head turning starlet shot to fame this summer after being pictured with rapper Tyga on several occasions, including during a trip to the Cannes Film Festival Paul Hogan called President-elect Donald Trump 'pathetic' for taking offence at Alec Baldwin's impersonation of him on Saturday Night Live. Since October, the actor has occasionally donned a blonde wig and plenty of make-up to make fun of the controversial businessman, who tweeted that the comedy show was 'totally biased' and 'sad'. And Aussie acting legend Paul, who now lives mainly in the US, compared Donald to Sir Les Patterson, a lecherous and offensive fictional politician created by comedian Barry Humphries, as he spoke to the Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday. Scroll down for video Unimpressed: Paul Hogan called President-elect Donald Trump 'pathetic' for taking offence at Alec Baldwin's impersonation of him on Saturday Night Live 'It's pathetic, isn't it?' he said. 'Alec Baldwin is lovely in it. He just nails him to perfection.' Clearly not impressed with America's choice to replace outgoing President Barack Obama, the 77-year-old added: 'They've outdone us. I'd rather have Sir Les.' Hollywood star Alec has been mocking the Republican since October, with the two involved in a high-profile Twitter spat last month. Uncanny: The actor dons a blonde wig and plenty of make-up to make fun of the controversial businessman, who tweeted that the show was 'totally biased' and 'sad' Nailed it: Paul says the Hollywood actor 'nails him to perfection' in his impersonation of the controversial 70-year-old Keyboard warrior: The President-elect took to Twitter - ironically the main focus of Alec's sketches - to voice his displeasure at the latest episode And on Sunday, the incoming President tapped out another tweet to express his displeasure at Alec's impersonation during the latest episode. He tweeted: 'Just tried watching Saturday Night Live - unwatchable! Totally biased, not funny and the Baldwin impersonation just can't get any worse. Sad.' Meanwhile, Paul left the States for his homeland earlier this week, flying in to Sydney after he was announced as the recipient of the Longford Lyall Award at Wednesday night's AACTA Awards. Not bothered: Paul posed on the red carpet alongside actor Shane Jacobson at a ceremony to announce him as the 2016 recipient of the Longford Lyall Award at Wednesday's AACTA Awards The Crocodile Dundee star strolled into a ceremony on Tuesday, where it was announced that he would be receiving one of Australian film's most prestigious awards. With perspiration from under his arms drenching his denim shirt, the smiling Hollywood veteran prepared for his honour at this week's sixth AACTA Awards. He humbly celebrated being the 2016 recipient of the Longford Lyell Award, one of the Australian film industry's most prestigious accolades. 'I'm a huge one-hit wonder,' he joked with reporters at the announcement. Strike a pose: Despite Sydney's scorching temperatures on Tuesday, the 77-year-old Aussie screen legend was excited to celebrate winning one of Australian film's top honours Feeling the heat? It was hard not to miss Paul's soaked denim shirt as he arrived at the ceremony Moist: With perspiration from under his arms drenching his denim shirt, the smiling Hollywood veteran prepared for his honour at this week's sixth AACTA Awards 'Crocodile Dundee started out as a sketch - it was going to be Hoges in New York and it just sort of grew from there, a fluke,' he explained of his iconic role. The Lightning Ridge-born actor rose to international fame with the 1986 film, garnering an Academy Award nomination and winning a Golden Globe. 'It was the first independent movie to ever go number one right around the world,' he said of the movie's success. 'I was Mr Australia there for a while.' Mr Australia: Paul believes the success of Crocodile Dundee helped him to become 'Mr Australia' for a while Down to earth: Paul offered a humbling response as he addressed the crowd after being announced as the winner, saying: 'I'm a huge one-hit wonder' The former Australian Of The Year is well-known for working as a rigger on the Sydney Harbour Bridge before setting his sights on the big screen. Gaining popularity in the early 80s for his Australian tourism ads featuring the famous 'put another shrimp on the barbie' line, his breakout role was as bushman Mick Dundee thirty years ago. The 2016 AACTA Awards Ceremony will be held on Wednesday and televised on Channel 7 at 8:30pm. Matt Damon hit back at critics who have claimed his casting in The Great Wall movie amounted to 'whitewashing.' The fantasy monster movie set in and filmed in China with a Chinese director stars Damon as a British mercenary who leads Chinese troops against terrifying beasts. The role, Damon stated Tuesday during a press call in Beijing, 'was always intended to be European,' The Hollywood Reporter reported. No foul: Matt Damon, pictured in his starring role in The Great Wall, hit back Tuesday at critics who claimed his casting amounted to 'whitewashing', saying the part was never meant to be played by a Chinese actor The controversy was sparked by Fresh Off The Boat actress Constance Wu who, following the release of a 30-second trailer for the movie, tweeted: 'We have to stop perpetuating the racist myth that a only (sic) white man can save the world.' Some responded by saying Damon's role should have gone to a Chinese actor. Damon explained he takes 'the whole idea of whitewashing... very seriously,' but it was never a case of the role being re-written or re-cast so he could take the lead. Fan event: The actor tackled the issue during a press call for the film held in Beijing on Tuesday where he was joined by the director Zhang Yimou and his co-stars The Hollywood star and the director Zhang Yimou told the AP that because of the demands of the story, Damon's role was never envisaged for a Chinese actor. 'Once people see that it's a monster movie and it's a historical fantasy and I didn't take a role away from a Chinese actor...it wasn't altered because of me in any way,' Damon said. He blamed the appetite for 'fake news' as in part responsible for the negative uproar, claiming people just fell for outrageous headlines designed as click bait. 'It suddenly becomes a story because people click on it, versus the traditional ways that a story would get vetted before it would get to that point,' Damon said. European character: Damon plays a British mercenary who leads Chinese troops into battle against monsters in the mythical fantasy drama set at the time of the Great Wall being built Hollywood/China production: 'It wasn't altered because of me in any way,' Damon, pictured in Los Angeles on December 2, said Tuesday Joining the Bourne star in the movie are Willem Dafoe, Chinese stars Lu Han and Jing Tian, Hong Kong's Andy Lau and Taiwan's Eddie Peng. It's believed The Great Wall is the most expensive Hollywood/China production to date with an estimated budget of more than $150 million. On Tuesday the stars and the filmmakers walked a red carpet, greeted fans and then did a Q&A onstage, an event livestreamed across China. The Great Wall debuts in Chinese cinemas on December 16 followed by other countries, including the United States in February. She is the scientific sales representative-turned-reality star who completed a degree in molecular genetics and biotechnology earlier this year. And Snezana Markoski, 35, reminded fans of her impressive credentials this week by showcasing her science-themed interior decor. Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, the mother-of-one uploaded a photo of herself posing in front of a large, framed periodic table mounted on the wall of her home study room. Scroll down for video 'I might have added a subtle little personal touch to our home': Snezana Markoski, 35, reminded fans of her impressive credentials this week by showcasing her science-themed interior decor 'I might have added a subtle little personal touch to our home,' she quipped in the caption. 'The periodic table is finally framed and in its rightful place! @SamJamesWood loves it, isn't that right?' she joked, tagging her gym-owner fiance Sam. '@SamJamesWood loves it, isn't that right?' She also tagged her gym-owner fiance Sam Wood in the caption The former Bachelor winner also made sure to plug her new fashion collaboration with Imonni Melbourne. Snezana recently released her own line of chic designs for the fashion brand, with prices ranging from $119 to $149. 'With each piece, I focused on flowing cuts to create movement, and to keep me cool in the heat,' she wrote of the collection on her lifestyle blog. Budding fahsion designer! The former Bachelor winner also made sure to plug her new fashion collaboration with Imonni Melbourne 'Cinched waists are so classic and emphasise the female form, added pockets for functionality, and chose luxurious fabrics, perfect for Christmas and New Years Eve celebrations,' she added. She recently revealed that lingerie was on her wish-list this festive season, telling Popsugar, that she her eye on 'delicious lingerie' by Agent Provocateur. 'There is always an abundance of delicious lingerie at Agent Provocateur,' she told the publication. 'And I have been eyeing off some of their latest pieces for the holiday season.' Paul Hogan has not been championing Channel Seven's TV biopic of his life. Hoges is set to air in 2017 and details the Crocodile Dundee star's rise to fame, from rigger to household name, but he doesn't rate it. 'There are hardly any warts, it is lacking drama,' Paul told the Daily Telegraph. Scroll down for video Unimpressed: Paul Hogan thinks the miniseries bases on his life, Hoges, 'lacks drama' House Of Lies star, Josh Lawson plays Paul in the TV drama and probably will be disappointed to hear the 77-year-old's damning opinion. 'Paul Hogan has always been one of my heroes, so this role is as exciting as it is challenging,' Josh previously said about taking on the role. 'He's such an iconic figure. Everyone loves Hoges and one of his great gifts was making audiences feel like we really knew him. But there's so much of his life that many people don't know about and I'm thrilled that I get to be a part of telling his incredible story. Starring: House Of Lies actor Josh Lawson plays Paul in the Channel Seven miniseries Coming soon: The drama will air next year on Channel Seven Josh added: 'To be able to make this back in my hometown of Brisbane just makes it all the more special for me' Paul was speaking ahead of receiving the 2016 Longford Lyell Award, one of the Australian film industry's most prestigious accolades. 'I'm a huge one-hit wonder,' he joked with reporters at the announcement. Crocodile Dundee: The Lightning Ridge-born actor rose to international fame with the 1986 film, garnering an Academy Award nomination and winning a Golden Globe Recognition: Paul Hogan, Shane Jacobson and Geoffrey Rush pose after Hogan is announced as the 2016 AACTA Longford Lyell Award recipient 'Crocodile Dundee started out as a sketch - it was going to be Hoges in New York and it just sort of grew from there, a fluke,' he explained of his iconic role. The Lightning Ridge-born actor rose to international fame with the 1986 film, garnering an Academy Award nomination and winning a Golden Globe. This Is Us Rating: Imagine... The Art World's Prankster Rating: The biggest problem with This Is Us (C4) was not the automated plotting, or the cheesy acting, or the layers of schmaltz plastered over thick dollops of twee whimsy. It was the lie in the title. This pilot episode for an 18-part comedy/drama introduced four characters across America who shared a birthday. At first, it seemed nothing connected them except this coincidence, but gradually we realised they were related. Two were twins, one was their adopted brother and the fourth was their father. This Is US: Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia star as Rebecca and Jack That would have been a clever, if rather contrived, set-up . . . if any of them had been real human beings. Instead, they were comic-book characters, coloured by numbers. Milo Ventimiglia played Jack, the saintly dad who looked like a modern-day hipster, but turned out to be an old-fashioned hippy his scenes were really flashbacks to 1980, when his children were being born. Former pop star Mandy Moore played his wife, though she didnt have much to do except lie on a maternity bed and scream sweatily. Jack got all the best camera angles, including a few where he appeared to have a halo. Evidently, someone thinks Ventimiglia looks like Jesus. Their daughter Kate (Chrissy Metz) grew up to weigh 40st and ate two-handed from the fridge. Her brother Kevin (Justin Hartley) had the opposite problem with body image he was a sitcom actor with such a great six-pack that the director made him play every scene with his shirt off. Chrissy Metz (centre) as Kate, Rebecca and Jack's daughter who weighs 40st No doubt, this was supposed to be a pointed satire on Americas obsession with physique. But it made no sense at all. Kevin and Kate were such devoted siblings that a single text message would bring one rushing to the others side . . . so how come fitness obsessive Kev has not thought to help his very big sis lose weight until their 36th birthday? And if the semi-naked sitcom scenes were supposed to be a joke at televisions expense, they were undermined by the fact that Hartley is an ex-soap star who built his career on taking his shirt off. Sterling K. Brown was their brother Randall, a hyper-successful businessman who boasted he had bought his 110,000 car for cash on a whim. Maybe in the U.S. that is inspirational, not sickeningly naff and conceited. Its called This Is Us, but have you ever met anyone even faintly like these people two-dimensional cartoons stencilled in cheesecake? Of course you havent. They could be created only by scriptwriters. AWFUL SONGS OF THE WEEK Three amateur bands of singers in The Choir: Gareth's Best in Britain (BBC2) reached the final, and what did they get to perform? Kylie and Jason's tuneless pop nonentity Especially For you...and worse still, James Blunt's dirge You're Beautiful. What codswallop. Advertisement The worst of them was an obstetrician called Dr Katowsky (Gerald McRaney), who talked in quips and maudlin anecdotes. He claimed he was folksy, but it was a folksiness so creepy that I kept waiting for him to run amok with a chainsaw. But even Katowsky (Hey, you kids, call me Dr K, he said, most everybody does, hyuck hyuck) looked believable beside the imposter Maurizio Cattelan, whose gimcrack sculptures were celebrated by a fawning Alan Yentob in Imagine . .. The Art Worlds Prankster (BBC1). Everyone interviewed in this grovelling programme was besotted with Cattelan. They thought it hilarious he had broken into a gallery, stolen the exhibits and displayed the works as his own. And they saw nothing depressing in the fact that his tatty model of two policemen standing on their heads had sold for $2 million, or that some schmuck with infinitely more money than taste had paid $10 million for a misshapen childs body with Hitlers head, wearing a tweed suit and kneeling in prayer. 'Artist' Maurizio Cattelan (pictured) had his 'gimcrack sculptures' celebrated by Alan Yentob on BBC1's Imagine ... The Art World's Prankster Cattelans most famous work is a bad waxwork of Pope John Paul II being hit by a meteorite. He specialises in stuffed dogs, with punning labels like Cheap To Feed. Even his jokes are dreadful. This overlong show treated us to a parade of critics from American magazines and newspapers, who offered no criticisms whatsoever. One of them looked at three child manikins, suspended by their necks from a tree in a Milan park, and asserted: I think its among his most important pieces of work. There is no denying it has been a rough time in their household in recent months. And a new report suggest that Kim Kardashian is taking a proactive approach to her husband's recovery. The 36-year-old reality star has reportedly been a steady source of support for Kanye West according to an article published by People on Tuesday. Support system: Kim Kardashian has been 'super focused' on Kanye West and his recovery according to a Tuesday report from People, as they are pictured together in New York City back in September 'She's super focused on him,' said an insider seemingly close to Kim as they added the reality star has been 'dutiful, responsible, loving spouse that one would expect.' In the same report another source told the publication that his ongoing health crisis has caused a strain on the marriage, especially when considering the trauma surrounding Kim's robbery ordeal in Paris. According to the report Kim has been 'very focused on being supportive and managing the crisis that is going on.' As 39-year-old Kanye was released from the hospital last week after being admitted for 'exhaustion' and Kim wsa robbed at gunpoint in Paris back in October, it has been a tough few weeks for the couple. 'Kanye and Kim had a stressful few months,' a different insider told the weekly. 'It's been a tense time. But Kim is happy he is getting help.' Wow factor: An insider seemingly close to the 36-year-old reality star said she has been 'dutiful, responsible, loving spouse that one would expect,' as she is pictured in New York City back in September The source added that in addition to Kim, The Life Of Pablo rapper has a huge support group who have been loyal to him and around him since day one. The insider also explained that the rapper has spent plenty of time with his two children: three-year-old daughter North and son Saint, who recently just turned one. 'Being a father completely changed Kanye's life and who he was,' said a source close to Kanye. 'Hes an incredibly proud, doting, involved and loving father. He loves playing with his kids, he loves talking to his kids, he loves teaching his kids. He and North have an amazing relationship. Shes very attached to him.' The report comes at an interesting time as it was recently reported that the two were experiencing marital woes in recent weeks which lead to his breakdown. Tough times: An insider for the weekly said it has been a stressful time for the couple as they added: 'It's been a tense time. But Kim is happy he is getting help,' as they are pictured in Miami back in September In the aftermath of her Paris robbery ordeal the reality star apparently felt like she couldn't lean on the 'workaholic' rapper, who was becoming increasingly 'paranoid' and not sleeping. 'It's just been hell for them,' a source told Us Weekly. The Famous hitmaker had apparently become 'unbearable' to live with and the duo, who share a 11,000 sq ft Bel Air home together, were fighting a lot. 'He would be up all night ranting about things,' said the insider who added that Kanye 'unraveled' when he realized he can't do it all. 'He'd be up drawing, writing and sketching, or pacing and doing push-ups. he would not calm down and go to bed.' Family first: The insider also explained that the rapper has spent plenty of time with his two children: three-year-old daughter North and son Saint, who recently just turned one, as they are seen in New York City back in August Things reportedly came to a head when Kanye's on-stage rants became increasingly worrying and controversial, ending one of his concerts after just three songs. In Sacramento, California the rapper launched into a 15-minute tirade attacking friend Beyonce and begging Jay Z to call him before walking off stage. Two days later the producer canceled his remaining Saint Pablo Tour dates. 'Kanye's so used to getting her constant support and coddling, but it's not always about him,' the source told Us Weekly. Moving on: Last month Kanye cancelled his remaining Saint Pablo Tour dates as he is pictured at The Forum in LA back on October 2015 'She didn't know if she could take it anymore, and this time she refused to support him.' a source close to Kim revealed. It all became too much for Kim, 36, who, at the time of Kanye's breakdown was planning her first public appearance since the jewelry heist at the Angel Ball in New York to honour her late father Robert. But as she left for the east coast, the KUWTK star informed her husband of two years that she needed a break and told him she didn't want to talk to him, according to Us Weekly. A source said Kim felt like Kanye had bailed on her and that 'she felt like she needed him to be stable and her rock instead of the other way around.' Muse: There are also reports that Kim's robbery ordeal in Paris and the fact that it happened near the nine-year anniversary of the loss of his mother Donda only deepened the rapper's distress, as they are pictured together in New York City back in June 2007 While Kim, who suffered nightmares and flashbacks, was 'disappointed at the lack of support' from her husband after the October 3 heist, he himself was struggling to deal with the terrifying incident. The 'near death' experience reportedly left Kanye 'completely freaked out' and the fact that it happened near the nine-year anniversary of the loss of his mother Donda only deepened the rapper's distress. According to TMZ, Kanye suffered a 'nervous breakdown triggered in large part by the anniversary of his mother's death.' She set tongues wagging on Monday night when she stepped out with boyfriend Ashley Cain and a huge sparkler on her ring finger. And Chloe Khan, 25, kept the rumour mill turning on Tuesday as she and her muscular beau attended the Sixty6 Magazine launch in London with the eye-catching ring still firmly on display. The Celebrity Big Brother star wore another racy ensemble which showcased her large cleavage. Scroll down for video Loved-up: Chloe Khan, 25, kept the rumour mill turning on Tuesday as she and boyfriend Ashley Cain attended the Sixty6 Magazine launch in London with an eye-catching ring still firmly on display Engaged? Chloe set tongues wagging on Monday night when she stepped out with Ashley and a huge sparkler on her ring finger She slipped into a tiny lace minidress and covered her shoulders with a fluffy white cloak. The businesswoman showed off her slender pins and completed her outfit with a Louis Vuitton clutch and nude heels. Chloe wore her raven tresses in a messy style and decorated her eyes with a pale smokey shadows and her lips with a matte pink slick. Glamour girl: Chloe slipped into a tiny lace minidress for the event and covered her shoulders with a fluffy white cloak Leggy display: The businesswoman showed off her slender pins and completed her outfit with a Louis Vuitton clutch and nude heels Beefy: Ex On The Beach star Ashley wore a tight-fitting short-sleeved shirt, torn jeans and textured white kicks The busty babe took Ashley's bicep as they sauntered towards the venue. Her nails were given a slick of black polish and she wore a dazzling choker. Ex On The Beach star Ashley wore a tight-fitting short-sleeved shirt, torn jeans and textured white kicks. Chloe's sparkler was first seen as the pair packed on the PDA as they they returned to their hotel following a night out in Leicester on Monday. Made up: Chloe wore her raven tresses in a messy style and decorated her eyes with a pale smokey shadows and her lips with a matte pink slick Stand by your man: The busty babe took Ashley's bicep as they sauntered towards the venue The couple began dating in September and have been inseparable in recent months, following her high-profile romance with Ashley's Ex On The Beach co-star Stephen Bear in the Big Brother house this summer. However, Chloe - who has an eight-year-old daughter from a previous relationship - was alleged to have still been married to estranged husband, Mohammad Imran Khan. A representative for the star told MailOnline that the pair were never 'legally married', as it wasn't a formal legal marriage service they had, but they referred to one another as husband and wife after it and classed themselves as civil partners. Coldplay crooned their way through another confetti-drenched performance on Tuesday night as they kicked off the Australian leg of their world tour. And Down Under fans couldn't have been more excited to welcome the boys to the stage, with many taking to Twitter throughout and after Tuesday's performance with gushing reviews. 'Never so high as when I'm with you @coldplay', Tweeted one fan, adding: 'Thank you and goodnight all'. Viva la vida! Coldplay crooned their way through another confetti-drenched performance on Tuesday night as they kicked off the Australian leg of their world tour 'Keep on making magic guys!!!' Tweeted another excited fan. Meanwhile, another devotee Tweeted: '@Coldplay absolutely amazing concert in Brisbane. I'm already looking forward to the next one next summer in Europe.' James McVey, lead guitarist and back up vocalist for the pop rock group The Vamps, also wrote a sweet tribute to Coldplay on Tuesday. 'Never so high': Down Under fans couldn't have been more excited to welcome the boys to the stage Don't stop! 'Keep on making magic guys!!!' Tweeted an excited fan Dedicated coldplayer: Meanwhile, another devotee Tweeted: '@Coldplay absolutely amazing concert in Brisbane. I'm already looking forward to the next one next summer in Europe' 'Absolutely blessed': James McVey, lead guitarist and back up vocalist for the pop rock group The Vamps, also wrote a sweet tribute to Coldplay after playing as the supporting act for the band in Brisbane 'Absolutely blessed to live in the same era as @coldplay... Thank you for incredible songs like this,' he Tweeted alongside a link to the video clip for the song Christmas Lights. This year marks the 20th anniversary of British pop-rock band Coldplay's formation, and front-man Chris Martin has remained realistic about their waning popularity among younger audiences. 'Thanks for putting up with all the s*** you get for liking Coldplay,' he told the audience during his Brisbane show this week. Rockers: This year marks the 20th anniversary of British pop-rock band Coldplay's formation, and front-man 'We're gonna try and make it worth the effort!' he said. A Head Full of Dreams is Coldplay's seventh studio album and was released December 4 of last year. Coldplay collaborated with a long list of celebrity musicians for the album including Beyonce, Noel Gallagher, Tove Lo, Khatia Buniatishvili and Merry Clayton. 'Thanks for putting up with all the s*** you get for liking Coldplay': Front-man Chris Martin has remained realistic about their waning popularity among younger audiences The group will perform for Nova's Red Room in Sydney on Wednesday, before arriving in Melbourne for two shows, followed by a final two shows in Sydney. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Chris admitted that A Head Full Of Dreams could be their last album. 'I feel like everything we want to say about life and the world is available to buy. It's not that we've said it all, but we just want to enjoy saying it for now.' She was recently pictured enjoying time with new pal Karl Stefanovic in Sydney. And on Tuesday, food blogger Sofia Levin was spotted out on a stroll near her home in Melbourne, as the Today show host continued to holiday in the same city with his mother Jenny. Talking on the telephone, the engaged brunette beamed as she chatted away, before looking stressed while texting on her mobile after the call. Scroll down for video What's making you smile? On Tuesday, Karl Stefanovic's friend and Melbourne-based food blogger Sofia Levin was spotted smiling and laughing on the phone as she took a stroll in her hometown Change of mood: The engaged brunette later looked stressed out after she finished her call and texted Sofia looked trim wearing tight high-waisted jeans and teamed the look with a knitted cropped jumper. She had her locks pulled back off her face and into a messy high bun. Sofia carried a tan bag over her shoulder and a white plastic bag in her hand. Friends: She was recently pictured enjoying time with new pal Karl Stefanovic in Sydney (he is seen here in Melbourne this week) Au naturale: She had her locks pulled back off her face and into a messy high bun, wearing not a scratch of makeup Picking up some food: She carried a tan bag over her shoulder and a white plastic bag in her hand Making headlines: New Idea published photographs of Karl picking up Sofia in his luxury sports car The foodie was also seen heading to a restaurant and taking some snaps before leaving with a doggy bag. She then was seen walking her adorable pet pooch - a poodle. Today Show's Karl, 42, is also currently in Melbourne with his mother, Jenny. The single father appears to be living it up at Melbourne's luxury Crown Towers, owned by his friend James Packer, reports The Daily Telegraph. Relaxed: Sofia looked trim wearing tight high-waisted jeans and teamed the look with a knitted cropped jumper Tense: Sofia looked a little stressed as she texted on her phone A short break: Karl appears to be living it up at Melbourne's luxury Crown Towers, owned by his friend James Packer, reports The Daily Telegraph Flying in from Sydney with his mother Jenny on Monday, the 42-year-old bachelor is thought to be staying in the hotel's lavish deluxe penthouse-style villa, costing upwards of $4,300 per night. On Monday, Jenny was pictured relaxing on the poolside cabana with her arms stretched back and her sandals off. Karl was not seen to be close by and could have possibly been spending time in his hotel room. Pricey! Flying in from Sydney with his mother Jenny on Monday, the 42-year-old bachelor is thought to be staying in the hotel's lavish deluxe penthouse-style villa, costing upwards of $4,300 per night Stepping out? As his mother relaxed by the pool, Karl was not seen to be close by and could have possibly been spending time in his hotel room Luxurious: The exclusive 130 square-metre residence even boasts its own lift entrance, giving the TV presenter plenty of privacy during his holiday The exclusive 130 square-metre residence even boasts its own lift entrance, giving the TV presenter plenty of privacy during his holiday. The extravagant suite offers exclusive services such as a 24-hour butler and a bottle of Champagne upon arrival. According to its website, the pricey accommodation is designed to embody 'the character of a fine penthouse residence'. Catching up: The Channel Nine host, who split from his wife Cassandra Thorburn in September, was spotted with 27-year-old Sofia in Sydney last week Taking the wheel: In photos published in New Idea , Karl is seen picking up the pretty brunette in his flash Mercedes Benz, Sofia smiling at the TV star while seated in the luxury car Friendly: According to the magazine, Sofia was in Sydney for several days, and during that time the new friends enjoyed several outings together Grabbing some food: One outing included a reported lunch together at Verde Restaurant in Sydney The Channel Nine host, who split from his wife Cassandra Thorburn in September, was spotted with 27-year-old Sofia in Sydney last week. In photos published in New Idea, Karl is seen picking up the pretty brunette in his flash Mercedes Benz, Sofia smiling at the TV star while seated in the luxury car. According to the magazine, Sofia was in Sydney for several days, and during that time the new friends enjoyed several outings together. One outing included a reported lunch together at Verde Restaurant in Sydney. Sofia is engaged to Matt John who owns Sydney eatery Epic Pizza, and has denied rumours of a romance between herself and Karl. Setting the record straight: Sofia is engaged to Matt John who owns Sydney eatery Epic Pizza, and has denied rumours of a romance between herself and Karl Doing her thing: She is seen here taking some pictures of her food Close: In an interview with Woman's Day , Sofia said she and Karl text and FaceTime each other several times a week Clearing it up: Sofia said she is busy planning her wedding In an interview with Woman's Day, Sofia said she and Karl text and FaceTime each other several times a week. 'Yes, we FaceTime and text each other, but I don't believe my relationship with Karl is at all inappropriate - I didn't known him when he was with his wife,' Sofia said. 'We're just friends. I'm in the middle of planning my wedding!' Close up! The beauty tried a variety of angles to get the best shot 'We're just friends!' Sofia said the pair have a platonic relationship Nothing to it: Longtime partner Matt John, also laughed off claims of a romance between Sofia and Karl Longtime partner Matt John, also laughed off claims of a romance between Sofia and Karl saying: 'I've hung out with Karl and Sofia together.' Sofia met Karl in September during an appearance on the Today show. 'We just got along really well and have stayed in touch,' Sofia said. New Idea had claimed Karl had developed a crush on Sofia after she made a guest appearance on the Channel Nine breakfast program several weeks ago. The story was strongly denied by his representative. Karl has three children with ex Cassandra. New friends: Sofia met Karl in September during an appearance on the Today show Reports: New Idea had claimed Karl had developed a crush on Sofia after she made a guest appearance on the Channel Nine breakfast program several weeks ago Slamming claims: The story was strongly denied by his representative Concentrating: Sofia appeared in high spirits as she hopped on a chair to take a snap At Long Last, The Honorary Trump Street Signs Are Down By Stephen Gossett in News on Dec 7, 2016 6:43PM In what proved to be a no-thats-not-awkward-at-all prelude to Mayor Rahm Emanuels Wednesday morning meeting with Don Donald, the city finally removed the remaining honorary Trump Plaza street signs over the weekend, the Sun-Times reports. The campaign to remove the offending bits of visual litter began in October, when Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) introduced an ordinance to take down the honorary signs, which marked a stretch of Wabash Avenue near Trump Tower. Chicagos honorary street signs are meant to recognize Chicagoans who have made us a world-class city, Reilly told Chicagoist at the time. Given Donald Trumps recent rhetoric against the city, women and minorities, he does not deserve that special distinction. The City Council voted in favor of the ordinance last month, but even after getting the thumbs up for a teardown, the city hadnt removed the signs until this weekend. (One of the three signs had already been cleared away by a vandal enterprising nobleman.) The other signs were finally, unceremoniously stripped away at around 8 a.m. on Sunday morning, Michael Claffey, CDOT spokesperson, told the Sun-Times. A week after the ordinance was introduced, Emanuel was joined by a gaggle of local politicians and lawmakers in front of Trump Tower where they alternated verbal smackdowns against the now-president-elect. There, Emanuel said he supported the removal of the Trump signs. (Emanuel received a $50,000 political donation from Trump in 2010, a sum which Emanuel has not returned.) Emanuel further pushed back on Trump more recently with his pledge to maintain immigrant rights in Chicago. When the two met face-to-face on Wednesday, Emanuel urged Trump to not cut funding for DACA, the federal program that assists immigrant children. As you may recall, during the campaign Trump made one or half a dozen unflattering references to Chicago, in terms of crime and corruption. Since Trump's election, protesters have staged several large-scale anti-Trump demonstrations in the city. Meanwhile, Ald. Anthony Beale, for one, seems fed up with honorary-street-sign talk in general and wouldn't mind seeing a pause on the practice altogether, according to the Sun-Times. Still, we're pretty down with the Trump signs getting taken down. Now if we could just do something about the Trump Tower sign itself. Heard any good ideas? Their family is known for its close bond. And Willow Smith and her mum Jada were never far from each other's side as they attended the Chanel Collection des Metiers d'Art 2016/17: Paris Cosmopolite on Tuesday. The pair dressed in similar black ensembles as they both put their best fashion foot forward inside the Ritz Paris. Scroll down for video Close bond: Willow Smith and her mum Jada were never far from each other's side as they attended the Chanel Collection des Metiers d'Art 2016/17: Paris Cosmopolite on Tuesday Willow, 15, wore a lightweight lace vest top tucked into a flowing skirt which gave way to a fluffy section. Jada, 45, wore an elegant black gown and a lavish fluffy jacket, while she held a metallic clutch which glistened in the light. Her daughter wore her septum ring, bold red lipstick and rosy cheeks. The left side of Jada's face was partially obscured by her sleek fringe, and she gave her lips a slick of pink. Chin up: Willow, 15, wore a lightweight lace vest top tucked into a flowing skirt which gave way to a fluffy section Made up: Willow wore her septum ring, bold red lipstick and rosy cheeks The mother-of-two accessorised with an eye-catching silver necklace and gave the cameras a smouldering stare. Willow's brother Jaden, 18, cut a casual figure as he arrived at the hotel earlier in the day wearing a colourful scarf, a dark hoodie and jogging bottoms. The previous night he put on a dapper display at The British Fashion Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Dressed to impress: The left side of Jada's face was partially obscured by her sleek fringe, and she gave her lips a slick of pink Dressed down: Willow's brother Jaden, 18, cut a casual figure as he arrived at the hotel earlier in the day wearing a colourful scarf, a dark hoodie and jogging bottoms The siblings appeared together in Interview Magazine earlier this year for their first joint cover shoot. The pair described their parents as their biggest inspiration in life, with Willow explaining: 'Growing up, all I saw was my parents trying to be the best people they could be, and people coming to them for wisdom, coming to them for guidance, and them not putting themselves on a pedestal, but literally being face-to-face with these people and saying, Im no better than you, but the fact that youre coming to me to reach some sort of enlightenment or to shine a light on some- thing, that makes me feel love and gratitude for you. 'They always give back what people give to them. And sometimes they keep giving and giving and giving. 'And some people dont feel like they need to give anything back because its like, Oh, if youre famous, you can just keep giving, and it doesnt matter.' Peace: The previous night Jaden attended The British Fashion Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London Caitlin Stasey has lent her social activist voice to another environmental cause. After speaking up for Standing Rock, the Australian actress has refocused her attention to the Great Barrier Reef and the threat of coal for its continued existence. Caitlin has shared numerous Instagram messages on the subject, urging her fellow Australians to get involved and sign Australian Conservation Foundation's petition. Scroll down for video Eco warrior: Caitlin Stasey has thrown her support behind the protection of the Great Barrier Reef 'Australia, my first home, is one of the most diverse and unusual eco systems on earth, and yet our government constantly neglects, abuses and profits from our natural resources at its expense,' she captioned one image. 'We boast such a rich excess of flora and fauna found nowhere else. Please get involved, Aussies! We stole this land and the very least we can do is defend it.' Caitlin was responding to the news that Australian Prime Minster, Malcolm Turnbull, may well put $1 billion in public funding towards Adani, a multinational mining company, despite promising otherwise. The government had claimed that their Great Barrier Reef 2050 Plan - to ensure its health and stop it being listed as a 'world heritage in danger' - was progressing, though other research suggests they are not taking into consideration 'the climate change impacts of greenhouse gas emissions sourced from one of Australia's largest exports, thermal coal.' Support: She urges her Australian followers to speak up against the effects of climate change Caitlin does not live in Australia anymore, but she still urges her home countrymen and women to take a stand. 'The choice is so simple, ' she captioned an image of the reef. The Reign actress recently paid a visit to North Dakota to support the people of Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and their fight against the construction of a pipeline through their sacred lands. Easy: The actress says the choice to protect the Great Barrier reef is simple #reefnotcoal: She wants Australians to choose the protection of coral over the fossil fuel While Barack Obama and the Army Corps of Engineers have supported the water protectors by denying a permit to build the pipeline until an alternate route is found, people are still on the picket line. 'The fight STILL isn't over, it's vital that these people LITERALLY weather the impending storm,'she wrote on Instagram. 'We need permanent eco structures that can shelter the masses huddled down there. Any solar panels, engineers, builders, welders THEY NEED YOU AS MUCH AS THEY EVER HAVE #standingrock'. She loves to boast about her voracious appetite. And Sofia Vergara proved its existence beyond all doubt as she lustily sucked on a tasty candy cane as she went on a holiday shopping spree in Beverly Hills on Tuesday. The Colombian sex bomb looked like she could not get enough as she licked the tasty treat while heading back to her car. She's got it licked: Sofia Vergara lustily sucked on a candy cane as she went on a holiday shopping spree in Beverly Hills on Tuesday The yummy mummy was looking as good as ever in a black top, Karen Kane Drape-Front Duster in Heather cardigan, tight jeans and suede boots. But it was the 44-year-old Modern Family favourite's enthusiastic gobbling that will have drawn more than a few stares as she walked back to her car. The saucy actress, who is married to True Blood beefcake Joe Manganiello, is renowned for her voracious appetite, with her son Manolo even posting a video online showing how much she loves to eat in 2012. But for all her feasting there is one thing that never seems to change - the sizzling senorita's famously curvy physique. Having a gobble: She seemed to be having a great time indulging her voracious appetite Yummy mummy: The 44-year-old looked as good as ever as she nibbled her treat Such a sweetie: The Colombian sex bomb wore a cheeky smile as she left the shops Can't get enough: Sofia is well known for her love of consuming sweet treats Indeed her succulent form has seen her become the highest paid star on television. The voluptuous star topped Forbes list of the worlds highest-paid TV actresses for the fifth year in a row, bringing in $43 million which also beats what any TV actor made. Her earnings went up by an eye-watering 66 per cent on last year, mainly due to endorsement and licensing deals. She advertises cola, has her own line of furniture, is the face of Head and Shoulders and has even started advertising nurse scrubs. She sucks: Sofia held the sugary treat in her mouth as she headed to the valet Fast worker: She had almost consumed the entire cane before she even handed over her tip Scarlett Johansson told a newspaper magazine that she was pleased to see more 'female energy' on set and also dreamed of playing a Disney princess. The 32-year-old actress told The New York Times' Turning Points magazine that she was glad to see more women working on film sets as she feels it was 'basically a bunch of dudes' running movies 10 years ago. 'We see more female directors, more women in various departments on set. If you looked around a film set even 10 years ago, it was basically a bunch of dudes; maybe in the wardrobe department or in the hair and makeup department there would be women,' Scarlett said. Female energy: Scarlett Johansson, shown in October in Beverly Hills, California, told a newspaper magazine about increased 'female energy' on film sets 'Now you see more female camera assistants, cinematographers, grips. It's nice to have a diverse group of people so that it doesn't become so one-note - to have a female energy on set, to have different types of people and different vibes, and a more balanced creative environment,' she added. Scarlett's latest film Rock That Body was written and directed by Broad City writer Lucia Aniello and the comedy is currently in post-production. 'In the job that Im on now, ''Rock That Body,'' there are a number of women working as crew members, as opposed to many other productions that I've been on,' she said about the upcoming comedy. Scarlett also was asked if she'd like create a film experience for her two-year-old daughter Rose. Princess role: The actress, shown as superhero Black Widow in 2015's Avengers: Age Of Ultron, also revealed she dreams of playing a Disney princess 'My daughter is still young. Right now I think we both share the dream that I will someday be a Disney princess, but it's probably not going to happen. I've been asking for that job for the past 20 years, and nobody has booked me,' she replied. The actress also revealed what drew her to the Black Widow character in the wildly popular Marvel superhero film franchise. 'Ive never been a superhero-comic fan exactly. I did ''Iron Man 2'' because I loved what [the director Jon] Favreau did with ''Iron Man.'' It spoke to me as someone who was not a fan of that genre, and I saw a future in building a character with Marvel,' she said. Marvel star: Scarlett, shown last month in China, also discussed what drew her to the Marvel role Female director: Sofia Coppola who directed Lost In Translation is shown with Scarlett on the set in 2003 'The idea of doing a franchise was exciting being able to play a character over many installments, the challenge of playing a character who had a built-in fan base, and trying to put my stamp on that character,' she added. Scarlett can next be heard in the animated comedy Sing also featuring the voices of Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon and Seth MacFarlane. Sing is due out in theaters on December 21. In addition to Rock That Body, she can be seen next year in Ghost In The Shell. Scarlett also will reprise her role as Black Widow for Avengers: Infinity War due out in 2018. She's the food blogger who has struck up a friendship with TV host Karl Stefanovic in recent months. And Sofia Levin was spotted running errands in Melbourne on Tuesday while wearing a pair of black leather Birkenstock sandals. The 27-year-old's sandals appear to be the exact same style as those worn by her Today host pal in Sydney earlier in the week. Scroll down for video They have the same taste! Food blogger Sofia Levin (left) was spotted in Melbourne while sporting the same pair of Birkenstock sandals as her pal Karl Stefanovic (right) Cutting a casual figure in her quintessentially Melbourne all-black ensemble, Sofia looked in high spirits as she chatted on her phone. The culinary enthusiast showed off her slender legs in a pair of tight jeans, matching them with a flowing long-sleeved top. With her brunette locks worn in a bun, Sofia flaunted her smooth complexion while going makeup-free. Speaking to someone special? The 27-year-old was beaming as she strolled through the streets of Melbourne, while chatting to someone on her phone Casual: The food blogger cut a relaxed figure in all-black while also walking her dog Grinning from ear to ear, Sofia was seen chatting on her phone while walking her pet pooch at another stage in the afternoon. On Monday, Sofia's newly-single friend Karl was seen out and about with his mother Jenny. Appearing to have spruced up his bachelor wardrobe, the father-of-three sported several trends all in one go. Checking out: Karl was spotted flying into Melbourne with his mum Jenny on Monday, after taking a break from his Today show duties Showing off his legs in a pair of shorts with a quirky print, the Channel Nine star added a navy blue T-shirt and Birkenstock sandals. In a bizarre move, he added a fedora to the otherwise resort-style outfit. Karl and his mother flew to Sofia's home city of Melbourne on Monday night, and it's said he's been staying at James Packer's luxury Crown Towers hotel, according to The Daily Telegraph. Lavish: The 42-year-old is said to be staying at Crown Towers' penthouse-style deluxe villa, which costs upwards of $4,300 per night The star's exclusive penthouse-style deluxe villa boasts its own private lift entrance and costs upwards of $4,300 per night. Sofia and Karl became friends after the pretty brunette appeared as a guest on Today. In an interview with Woman's Day, Sofia said she and Karl text and FaceTime each other several times a week, but are not more than friends. 'Just friends': Sofia told Woman's Day recently that she Facetimes and messages Karl, but insists there's nothing 'inappropriate' going on between them Taken: Sofia is engaged to Matt John, who insists there is nothing going on between his fiancee and Karl, despite the blogger confirming she Facetimes the TV star 'Yes, we FaceTime and text each other, but I don't believe my relationship with Karl is at all inappropriate - I didn't known him when he was with his wife,' Sofia said. 'We're just friends. I'm in the middle of planning my wedding!' Her fiance Matt John, also laughed off claims of a romance between Sofia and Karl saying: 'I've hung out with Karl and Sofia together.' In photos published in New Idea earlier this week, Karl is seen picking up the pretty brunette in his flash Mercedes Benz, Sofia smiling at the TV star while seated in the luxury car. First meeting: Sofia struck up a friendship with the TV personality when they met on the set of a photo shoot for celebrity chef Luke Mangan in September According to the magazine, Sofia was in Sydney for several days, and during that time the new friends enjoyed several outings together. One outing included a reported lunch together at Verde Restaurant in Sydney. Karl split from his wife of 21 years Cassandra earlier this year, and is currently taking a break from his television duties over the summer. When contacted at the time of publication, a Channel Nine Spokesperson said: 'Articles suggesting any "new" relationships are 100% untrue, and incredibly hurtful to all of those mentioned in the articles.' The whole family was rocked by the news that Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint during Paris Fashion Week. And Kourtney Kardashian seemed to be taking more precautions to ensure her own safety as she was spotted carrying pepper spray as she picked up son Mason from an art class in Calabasas on Tuesday. Showing support for another member of the family, the 37-year-old reality star also donned a hoodie from brother-in-law Kanye West's pop-up shop - the rapper is currently recovering at home after going to the hospital for exhaustion two weeks ago. Scroll down for video Ready for anything: Kourtney Kardashian was spotted carrying pepper spray as she picked up son Mason from an art class in Calabasas on Tuesday Kourtney was dressed comfortably in the white fleece top as she enjoyed some bonding time with her six-year-old son. Along with the on-trend outerwear she wore a pair of black sweatpants that were tucked into a pair of white striped socks along with black Vans Old Skool low-tops. She accessorised the look with a black, on-trend dad cap and matching designer shades. Loved up: The 37-year-old reality star looked happy to be bonding with her six-year-old son Her raven-coloured locks were worn down flowing over her shoulders as she let her natural looks show by going make-up free. Mason looked like the coolest kid in town as he wore a grey striped hoodie over a black Darth Vader shirt, skinny black jeans, slip on shoes and a black beanie. Safety first: Kourtney bared her pepper spray on her keyring. It is a chemical agent that causes temporary blindness However, it was Kourtney's pepper spray that was the stand out feature of her ensemble as she bared it on her keyring whilst heading to her car. Pepper spray contains a chemical agent that causes temporary blindness if sprayed in the eye, and is used as a self-defense agent. It was no doubt a sensible move on the mother-of-three's part to increase her feeling of safety after her younger sister suffered a terrifying ordeal at the hands of armed robbers. Kim was bound, gagged and tied up on the floor of her bathroom in the luxury Hotel de Pourtales in Paris on October 3 while her bodyguard protected her sisters in a nearby nightclub. Thieves made off with gems worth 8.5million, including her 3.5m engagement ring. Show of support: She rocked on one brother-in-law Kanye West's hoodies from his pop-up shop collection from Paris Keeping cool: Along with the on-trend outerwear she wore a pair of black sweatpants that were tucked into a pair of white striped socks along with black Vans Old Skool low-tops Hot mama: She accessorised the look with a black, on-trend dad cap and matching designer shades For Pablo: She definitely looked comfortable on the outing Family values: Kourtney carried the spray after younger sister Kim's robbery ordeal. She also showed her support for Kim's husband Kanye West who was hospitalised for exhaustion It was quite a busy day for Kourtney as she took to Snapchat to document her preparations for Christmas. She showed off her just decorated tree with lights and ornaments all over it. There were also matching white patterned onesies with Christmas trees. No doubt it will be an interesting holiday season for the star as it was thought that she was back with Mason's father Scott Disick, which was later denied by insiders. However it seems there is light at the end of the tunnel, as a source told ET Scott has delighted his former squeeze as he 'has been consistently on his best behavior for the past two months. Glitter gal: Kourtney shared this stunning selfie on Tuesday modeling a sexy gold bodysuit and heels Winter wonderland: Later in the day Kourtney's ex Scott Disick shared a snap of him having some fun with the kids in faux snow It's coming together nicely: Kourtney has been documenting her Christmas decorations on Snapchat Matchy matchy: She also showed off the family onesies with Christmas tree patterns all over Dare to bare: Earlier in the day she showed off the Christmas tree pre-decorations Sisterly love: She also shared a Snapchat video of younger sister Khloe captioned: 'She has gorgeous elbows' 'Hes not been partying or drinking. This is the first time weve seen Scott be this good in a very long time. 'Yes, that is always something Kourtney wanted for Scott - to calm down and be at home.' However the insider added there is work ahead as, 'She is not going to forget years of tears and heartbreak because he is on a six-week streak. They are not back together.' Tough times: The outing comes just as 39-year-old Kanye - pictured in New York back in September - recovers at home after going to the hospital for exhaustion two weeks ago Kourtney split from the self-proclaimed Lord in summer last year after photos emerged of him canoodling with stylist Chloe Bartoli in Monaco It brought to an end a nine-year relationship that has spawned three children - Mason, Penelope, three, and nine-month-old Reign. However they have remained on good terms, and the prospect of a dream reconciliation has even been teased on the family's show Keeping Up With The Kardashians. They work together on The NRL Footy Show. And on Wednesday, Erin Molan took to Instagram to gush over her co-star Beau Ryan after he fulfilled a cancer-stricken young woman's dying wish to meet him. Erin called the father of one 'incredibly generous' and 'kind' and told her fans, 'this is the Beau I know.' Scroll down for video Kind words: On Wednesday, Erin Molan (seen) took to Instagram to gush over her co-star Beau Ryan after he fulfilled a cancer-stricken young woman's dying wish to meet him 'Rushes to a hospital two hours away to meet a young girl dying of cancer... life can be so cruel but the blow can be softened sometimes by incredibly generous and kind people,' Erin wrote. 'Beau does this all the time. It rarely makes headlines. He doesn't do it for that. Love you @beauryanandkara xxx,' she finished. On Tuesday night, the former Sharks player rushed to the bedside of 22-year-old Kia Lettice, who was diagnosed with metastic gastric cancer this year, that spread to her hip. Sweet: Erin called the father of one 'incredibly generous' and 'kind' and told her fans, 'this is the Beau I know' (Beau is seen here with Kia Lettice, who is battling cancer) Beau travelled to her bedside at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney, leaving his parents dinner in Shellharbour to surprise her, with Kia being told she had only hours to live. Kia's friend Mahalia Murphy, an Australian rugby sevens star, posted a Facebook status saying her friend wants to meet Beau and Greg Inglis, which gained thousands of likes on social media. Ms Lettice, from Narrabri in New South Wales, was beaming from her hospital bed at the Prince Of Wales in Sydney as she recounted how Ryan left dinner at his parent's house in Shellharbour and made the two hour journey simply to lift her spirits. A good deed: Beau travelled to her bedside at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney, leaving his parents dinner in Shellharbour to surprise her 'I feel very special, especially because I love Beau Ryan', Ms Lettice told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday. 'And he kissed me too,' she added. Her father Noel said it was the happiest he had seen his daughter in months. 'It was great to see that smile on her face - it really sparked her up. I haven't seen her smile like that in a month, Mr Lettice said. Demonstrators dressed as sausages have crashed the AACTA Awards red carpet in a bizarre protest against a lack of film diversity. The sleeve-encased protesters lay on the red carpet on Wednesday afternoon, in an attention-grabbing bid to raise awareness of the lack of female representation in awards for screen and TV. In a statement distributed during the flurried protest, a group calling themselves Women In Film and Television (WIFT) asked for the industry to end the 'deeply shameful situation' of women not being nominated enough for awards. Scroll down for video Crashed: Demonstrators dressed as sausages have crashed the AACTA Awards red carpet in Sydney in protest against a lack of film diversity Shortly after 4pm, at least 10 women were spotted throwing themselves on the event's red carpet, which is billed as Australia's night of nights for the best talent in the country. Security guards were quickly seen jumping in and making attempts to remove the females from the ground as red carpet onlookers watched on in confusion. Many took to social media in bewilderment over what the protest was actually about. Ejected: Security guards moved swiftly to forcibly remove the sausage-clad demonstrators from the event Thumbs up: Protesters were seen smiling with thumbs up for photos after they had disrupted the ceremony's red carpet 'Crap security on the #AACTAS red carpet when protesters can just waltz on,' one Twitter user commented. Others wanted more information about what the protest was about. 'Just saw a group of women dressed as sausages protesting at the #AACTAs is this raising the issue of #gender equality? More information pls!' another Tweeted. How do I look? In a statement distributed during the flurried protest, the meat-dressed women revealed they were acting out against the lack of female nominees at the AACTAs Move along: A police man later attempted to move the sleeve encased women away from the prestigious awards night What happened? One user asked how people could have gotten onto the red carpet What is it about? Another person on Twitter quickly guessed it was about gender equality The protesting group's president, Sophie Mathisen, said their choice of outfits 'seemed appropriate attire for Australia's biggest sausage party!' 'Women are making more content than ever before and this year's nominations in not only feature films but also television categories are not at all reflective of this fact,' she said. Linking arms: These sausage-clad women seemed fast friends, linked together as they made their way back from the red carpet Better than a barbecue: Some of the women were clearly elated that the protest had caused such a sizzle After the women were forcibly removed from the red carpet, several of them posed gleefully for photos while distributing pamphlets. One demonstrator gave a man with the thumbs up, smiling for his camera. The protest happened at the same time as celebrities such as Jessica Mauboy, were walking the red carpet. Not at Bunnings anymore: The women seemed invigorated after being ejected from the red carpet event Rebecca Judd took a break from motherhood on Wednesday to attend a rather festive event. The TV personality and lifestyle blogger was among the guests at Ann Peacock's Women in Media Christmas luncheon held at The Atlantic in the Crown Casino, in Melbourne. Bec, 33, certainly got the white Christmas memo as she displayed her post-baby body in a white jumpsuit. Scroll down for video A bit of all white: Bec Judd rocks an angelic jumpsuit for Ann Peacock's Women in Media Christmas luncheon The top half included a jewelled halterneck that showed off her slim arms while the bottoms featured a wide leg and belt to cinch in her waist and give some shape. Bec accessorised the white number with some matching shows and a clutch bag while adding some shimmer with a silver watch. The mother-of-four completed her look with a stylish wavy blow-dry and smoky brown eyes. All white, everything: Lauren Phillips also opted for a the colour in her outfit choice Meanwhile, Lauren opted for a white racer-back dress featuring a layered diagonal hemline. The TV host and travel blogger donned a pair of heels with tie ankle straps and added some colour with a green handbag with a gold chain. Weather presenter Bec recently told the Herald Sun she will be giving up her duties for Channel Nine to focus on her family . Santa baby: The TV personalities posed with Father Christmas at the event held at the Atlantic at Crown Casino in Melbourne Who wore it best? Jo Hall stuck to the white theme too for the society event 'Ive deliberated about it for six months and we need some time together as a family,' she said. 'When I found out I was having twins I thought Im not sure I can go back to working weekends. 'I might go back once the kids are older. Channel Nine were fantastic about it,' she concluded. No regrets: Bec has decided to step back from her role as Channel Nine's weather presenter Newborns: Rebecca gave birth to twin sons Tom and Darcy back in September Channel Nine's Director of News Hugh Nailon supported Bec's decision, saying she 'will always be part of the Nine News family.' The former model will continue her role as host for the network's travel program Postcards once a week from January. She will also be working on her active wear label Jaggad and fulfill her duties as a fashion ambassador for Myer. She welcomed her husband home three weeks ago, after he spent eight long months in hospital following a serious fall. And on Wednesday, Kerri-Anne Kennerley stepped out on the social scene for the first time since his long-awaited arrival home. Walking the red carpet at the 2016 AACTA Awards in Sydney, the 63-year-old stunned in a royal blue floor-length gown. Scroll down for video Blue beauty: Kerri-Anne Kennerley stunned in a royal blue floor-length gown on Wednesday as she attended the 2016 AACTA Awards in Sydney The figure-hugging garment flattered the television personality's figure and showed off glimpses of her bare skin through sheer lace panels at the front and around the legs. She accessorised her red carpet attire with a gold clutch and a simple gold chained love-heart necklace and earrings. For the occasion, Kerri-Anne wore her blonde locks out and styled with a tight curl. She also keep her makeup simple, with a glossy pink lipstick matching the apples of her cheeks, while black mascara and eyeliner added some drama to the look. Making a statement: The figure-hugging garment flattered the 63-year-old television personalities' slender figure and showed off glimpse While at the event, Kerri-Anne revealed to Yahoo7 Be that she will be spending the Christmas break at her home with her husband. Earlier this year, the media personality's husband was left paralysed after he slipped while at a social gathering in Coffs Harbour on the New South Wales north coast. During an interview with Channel Seven's Sunday Night last month, Kerri-Anne confessed she is struggling to come to terms with her husband's devastating injury. 'I hate this new life to be quite frank. I just hate it. It's awful,' she confessed, adding: 'I think right now, the most difficult thing... is not being able to talk to him.' Simple: For the occasion, Kerri-Anne wore her blonde locks out and styled with a tight curl, while keeping her makeup simple with a glossy pink lipstick and a black mascara Kerri-Anne, who has been married to John for 32 years, confessed the tragic incident has taken its toll on her. 'I want my old life back. And I want my husband back. I have my husband, we're just different now.' She added: 'A whole chunk of me just doesn't exist anymore. There's just a whole big chunk that he used to fill.' John is now back at the couple's Sydney home after eight months in hospital and doctors have revealed the 76-year-old is lucky to be alive. Did The Police Union Head Really Just Defend A Code Of Silence? By Stephen Gossett in News on Dec 7, 2016 3:26PM The head of the Chicago Police Union acknowledges and appears to defend the existence and practice of a code of silence among Chicago police in a new Al Jazeera documentary video. Theres a code of silence everywhere, FOP President Dean Aneglo says after the interviewer asks if such a code exists within the department. Everybody has it. Angelo then pivots to how the Catholic Church engaged in a code of silence during the child-abuse scandal. But that doesnt make it right, the interviewer responds. That makes it very wrong. No, but why would this profession be any different? Angelo says. When asked if it needs to change, Angelo seems to defend the practice. I dont think anybody in this day and age, anybody that does anything that jeopardizes the livelihood of their job for their family to stand up for somebody that they know is doing something they shouldnt be doing, is silly, Angelo says. We investigate the role of Chicago's police union contract in creating a code of silence https://t.co/XG95iRv0fR on @AJFaultLines pic.twitter.com/YekrnzAzM7 Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 6, 2016 The 25-minute film, produced by documentary series Fault Lines and called The Contract: Chicagos Police Union, explores via the lens of the Laquan McDonald case how the Chicago police union contract is written in a way that undermines safety and hampers police accountability. Adam Gross of the oversight working group, who also appears in the film, says the mandatory cooling off period written into the contract allows officers to collude; and journalist Jamie Kalven, of Invisible Institute appears in the film to argue against the rule that police misconduct records only need to be retained between 5 and 7 years. In the clip, Angelo also questions the importance of keeping such records for further lengths. Im not sure about the value on old complaints, he says. Angelo did not immediately return requests for comment. Later in the film, Mayor Rahm Emanuel is seen moving hurriedly away from the filmmakers when asked at a groundbreaking ceremony if he'll renegotiate the contract "that your own task force says institutionalize a code of silence," as the interviewer phrases. "We'll deal with that," Emanuel says, stepping away. The full documentary can be seen above and on Fault Lines website. Angelo's interview portion begins at 18:45. She seems to always be decked out head-to-toe in some of the most stylish gear out there. And it looks like Lily Aldridge's four-year-old daughter Dixie Pearl Followill is quickly following in her mother's fashionable footsteps. On Tuesday, the girls were spotted wearing nearly identical all black outfits - right down to their boots - for a trip to the Grove. Scroll down for video Fashion runs in the family! Lily Aldridge and her daughter Dixie Pearl Followill were spotted wearing nearly identical all black outfits - right down to their boots - for a trip to the Grove in Los Angeles on Tuesday Lily, 31, rocked black leather trousers, a matching bomber jacket, and ankle boots. Dixie's outfit was nearly a dead ringer for the one Lily wore - she too wore black trousers, a matching jacket, and a cute pair of studded ankle boots. Girl time: Lily and her little girl spent some quality time together at the mall Doting dad: Also joining the girls was Lily's husband Caleb Followill, who kept his cool in a light yellow cardigan, grey T-shirt, and jeans The ladies also both had their hair pulled back away from their faces. Also joining the girls was Lily's husband Caleb Followill, who kept his cool in a light yellow cardigan, grey T-shirt, and jeans. Lily met future husband Caleb in 2007 and the couple welcomed Dixie in 2012, one year after tying the knot. Having a go: Lily appeared to be tossing a pebble into the stream Follow the leader! The youngster held her mother's hand The outing comes not long after Lily's recent trip to Paris for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. The model was joined by the likes of Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, and Adriana Lima n the catwalk for the brand's iconic annual fashion show in France. No doubt, ever since she's returned home, Lily is keen on spending as much quality time with her family as possible. Lily first got her Angel wings when she walked in the 2010 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and has continued to model for the luxury lingerie brand ever since. There is plenty of Oscar buzz surrounding her latest flick. And Emma Stone already looks in award season form. The 28-year-old actress - rocking Monique Pean jewelry - looked beautiful in blue at the Los Angeles premiere of her flick La La Land on Tuesday night. Scroll down for video Beautiful in blue: Emma Stone looked gorgeous at the Los Angeles premiere of her flick La La Land on Tuesday night She looked typically elegant in a blue sleeveless number while joined by her co-stars at the Westwood Village Theatre. The sheer midi dress featured a jewelled detailing around the collar and down to the hips as she teamed the look with navy blue stilletos. She wore her brunette tresses in a snazzy updo as she accentuated her porcelain skin with pink blush and shiny lip. Stunner: The 28-year-old actress - rocking Monique Pean jewelry - looked typically elegant in a blue sleeveless number while joined by her co-stars at the Westwood Village Theatre Talented: The sheer midi dress featured a jewelled detailing around the collar and down to the hips as she teamed the look with navy blue stilletos. Also at the gala event was Emma's handsome co-star Ryan Gosling who looked fantastic in a checked navy blue suit. The 36-year-old actor also sported a crisp white dress shirt with orange tie, silver tie bar and brown leather dress shoes. His dirty blonde locks were combed elegantly to the side as he sported a bit of scruff on his face. Dapper: Ryan Gosling looked fantastic in a checked navy blue suit Handsome: The 36-year-old actor also sported a crisp white dress shirt with orange tie, silver tie bar and brown leather dress shoes Ryan's role in the upcoming flick even helped him pick up a new skill as he opened up about learning piano in a recently-released behind-the-scenes featurette from La La Land. He said:' Piano had always been something I wish I had the time to learn. What other job is it a part of your job to just sit in front of a piano for three months and play? 'It was really one of the most fulfilling pre-production periods that Ive ever had.' Ryan plays a jazz pianist named Sebastian who falls in love with Emma's character Mia, who is an aspiring actress. Darkside: Rosemarie DeWitt stars in the film as she wore a black velvet gown Dancer's figure: Cheryl Burke stunned in a low-cut backless burgundy jumpsuit Dynamic duo: The Dancing With The Stars pro was joined by Nicole Wolf Lovely in lace: Anna Chazelle sported a lacy maroon top with black midi skirt Colourful character: Jackie Cruz took the plunge in a shiny patterned number Loved up: Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna were arm-in-arm for the occasion Take a walk on the wild side: The 53-year-old reality star wore a black velvet jacket over a leopard patterned blouse This is their third film together as they previously starred together in 2011 comedy Crazy, Stupid, Love and 2013's Gangster Squad. The highly anticipated dramedy musical was both directed and written by Damien Chazelle, who is best known for his work on 2013 Oscar-nominated flick Whiplash. La La Land is set for release in the US on December 16 with the UK release following after on 13 January. Advertisement Jessica Mauboy and Jessica Marais stood out on Wednesday night's AACTA Awards red carpet in Sydney, for all the wrong reasons. Brunette songstress Jess, 27, donned an ill-fitting semi-sheer pink frock, while the 31-year-old Love Child actress made a bizarre fashion choice in a blue and green abstract design. However not all was a disaster, Isla Fisher, 40, stunned in an Alex Perry backless polka-dot gown, while cuddling up to her dapper husband Sacha Baron Cohen. Scroll down for video Dotty for him! Isla Fisher, 40, stunned in an Alex Perry backless polka-dot gown with thigh-high split as she cuddled up to doting hubby Sacha Baron Cohen at the 2016 AACTA Awards in Sydney on Wednesday The slim-fitting design of the gown skimmed over Isla's enviable physique, while a long train added a dramatic touch. Upon turning to the side for the cameras, the comedic actress highlighted her lithe arms and toned back. Showing off her penchant for accessorising, Isla donned a pair of statement drop earrings, jewelled bracelet and her sparkling wedding rings. Allowing her signature red locks to fall in relaxed waves around her face and shoulders, Isla complemented the overall look with an elegant makeup palette of a dewy complexion, defined brows, lashings of mascara and a soft pink lip. Well-suited: Sacha cut a suave figure in a navy tailored suit, teamed with a crisp white shirt, slim polka-dot tie to match his wife's dress and added a pair of black lace-up dress shoes Svelte: Isla showed off her lithe arms and toned back in the chic number as she turned to the side Perfect at every angle: Isla showed off her phenomenal figure in the backless frock as she fulfilled media commitments on the red carpet Sacha cut a suave figure in a navy tailored suit, and crisp white shirt. Sporting a slim tie with a polka-dot print to match his wife's dress, the popular personality finished off the look with a pair of simple black dress shoes. Sacha put on an affectionate display, embracing wife Isla as photos were taken. The appearance also marks the couple's 15th anniversary. Standing tall: Isla looked up at her beau affectionately on the red carpet at one stage Noteworthy: The high-profile couple garnered plenty of attention at the industry's night of nights Meanwhile, kicking off the red carpet was songstress Jessica Mauboy, who suffered yet another fashion fail by wearing an ill-fitting see-through gown in pink. The plunging neckline, over-sized sleeves and haphazard-looking appliqued tulle material did little to flatter her fabulous physique. Embroidered flowers drew attention to the unflattering neckline of the frock, while it's thick choker detailing threw off the proportions of her torso. Fire the stylist! Kicking off the red 2016 AACTA Awards red carpet on Wednesday was songstress Jessica Mauboy, who suffered yet another fashion fail by wearing an ill-fitting see-through gown in pink What was she PINKing? The plunging neckline, over-sized sleeves and haphazard-looking appliqued tulle material did little to flatter her fabulous physique Posing on the side, Jessica made sure to flash a glimpse at her high-waisted underwear beneath the diaphanous layers of tulle. Despite the strange ensemble, Jessica did manage to create a winning formula of chic up-styled hair and silver jewellery. She wore a pair of spiked jewel earrings and a set of matching rings. Oh dear! Embroidered flowers drew attention to the unflattering neckline of the frock, while it's thick choker detailing threw off the proportions of her torso Peek-a-boo! Posing on the side, Jessica flashed a glimpse at her high-waisted underwear beneath the diaphanous layer of tulle Glitz: Her look was complete with a soft, feminine makeup look that included a touch of pink lipstick and a cat-eye flick Saving grace? Despite the strange ensemble, Jessica did manage to create a winning formula of chic up-styled hair and silver jewellery Repeat offender! It comes just weeks after she failed to impress at the ARIAs with her bizarre patch-work inspired gown Her look was complete with a soft, feminine makeup look that included a touch of pink lipstick and a cat-eye flick. It comes just weeks after she failed to impress at the ARIAs with her bizarre patch-work inspired gown. Love Child actress Jessica Marais, 31, opted to make a bizarre, bold statement in a blue and green abstract frock. The slim-fitting design highlighted her enviable figure, however billowing patterned fabric at the knee was an uneccessary touch. Making a statement: Love Child star Jessica Marais, 31, cut a very bold yet bizarre figure in a blue and green figure-hugging frock, that featured a billowing of patterned fabric at the knee What was she thinking? Apart from the fashion faux-pas, Jessica also flashed her nipples for the camera Jessica was in the mood to stand out, pairing the bold frock with even bolder accessories including chunky biker-style Louis Vuitton lace-up boots, a patent black clutch by the same label and a drop earring in just one lobe. Sweeping her blonde locks into a casual style at the nape of her neck, the mother-of-one finished off the look with defined brows, kohl-rimmed eyes and a glossy lip. Jessica also pulled a series of animated expressions on the red carpet. Loving your outfit, Jessica? The mother-of-one appeared certainly in her element as she fulfilled a series of media obligations Animated: Jessica pulled a series of playful facial expressions as she posed up a storm on the red carpet Also making sure to stand out on the red carpet was A Place To Call Home actress Marta Dusseldorp, who made a statement in a quirky sheer gown with sequinned applique. The imagery depicted on her colourful gown include that of a cherub, several parrots, fireworks and falling leaves. Posing with her back toward the camera, Marta showcased a pair of embroidered angel wings on the upper back portion of her frock's bodice. Won't lose her in a crowd! Also making sure to stand out on the red carpet was A Place To Call Home actress Marta Dusseldorp, 43, who made a statement in a quirky sheer gown with sequinned applique She's a work of art! The imagery depicted on her colourful gown include that of a cherub, several parrots, fireworks and falling leaves How angelic! Posing with her back toward the camera, Marta showcased a pair of embroidered angel wings on the upper back portion of her frock's bodice Allowing the dress to do the talking, the 43-year-old swept her short blonde locks into an effortless ponytail, with several strands left to frame her face. A pair of jewelled studs and glitzy gold clutch worked as accessories, while an elegant makeup look of a flawless base, defined brows, lashings of mascara and a glossy pink lip finished off the look. Bonnie Sveen cut a feminine figure in a pale, pink dainty frock. The design allowed her toned shoulders and lithe arms to be on display, while a hem of varying lengths added an extra touch. Nude strappy heels, a monogrammed clutch and drop earrings worked as accessories. Bonnie's blonde locks were swept up into an elegant style, paired with a makeup palette of a flawless base, defined brows, lashings of mascara and a matte nude lip. Pretty in pink: Bonnie Sveen cut a feminine figure in a pale, pink dainty frock, with a hem of varying lengths Coordinating: Nude strappy heels, a monogrammed clutch and drop earrings worked as accessories Rose Byrne, 37, flaunted her enviably slim physique in a floral frock with a slight plunging neckline. The lack of sleeves showed off the Hollywood star's lean arms, while a wrap-around tie accentuated her slender waist. Elongating her frame with a pair of round-toe black heels, the brunette beauty styled her tresses semi-straight and enhanced her striking eyes with kohl-rimmed eyes and lashings of mascara. Blooming beautiful: Rose Byrne, 37, flaunted her enviably slim physique in a floral frock with a slight plunging neckline A fine sight: The Hollywood star styled her brunette tresses semi-straight and enhanced her striking eyes with kohl-rimmed eyes and lashings of mascara Monochrome: Also gracing the red carpet was actress Danielle Cormack, who wore a quirky black-and-white dress with heavy heeled booties and a black box clutch Also gracing the red carpet was actress Danielle Cormack, who wore a quirky black-and-white dress with heavy heeled booties, a black box clutch and a dramatic pair of jewelled earrings. Slicking her blonde tresses into a chic style at the nape of her neck, the Wentworth star complemented the ensemble with a vampy makeup look. A flawless base, defined brows, subtle kohl-rimmed eyes and a deep matte burgundy lip, enhanced her striking facial features. Details: The plunging neckline highlighted the star's delicate decolletage, while the sleeveless design showed off her toned arms Sleek: She slicked her centre-parted mane back into a sophisticated up-do and accessorised her look with a dramatic pair of jewelled earrings Statuesque: Natalie Bassingthwaighte, 41, looked radiant as she stepped on the red carpet in a colour-block dress with sheer skirt detailing Natalie Bassingthwaighte looked radiant as she stepped on the red carpet in a colour-block dress with sheer skirt detailing. The sleeveless design showed off her toned arms, while block detailing accentuated the 41-year-old's slender waist. Keeping accessories to a minimum, the former Neighbours star sported two delicate bracelets on one hand and opted to wear no earrings. A glamorous, bouffant hairstyle added a feminine touch, while Natalie's facial features were highlighted with a bronzed complexion, bold brows, lashings of mascara and a matte nude lip. Effortless: Keeping accessories to a minimum, the former Neighbours star sported two delicate bracelets on one hand and opted to wear no earrings Beauty: A glamorous, bouffant hairstyle added a feminine touch, while Natalie's facial features were highlighted with a bronzed complexion, bold brows, lashings of mascara and a matte nude lip Vintage chic! Packed To The Rafters star Zoe Ventoura, 35, channelled old Hollywood glamour with her plunging velvet dress in midnight blue Packed To The Rafters star Zoe Ventoura, 35, channelled old Hollywood glamour with her plunging velvet dress in midnight blue. The daringly-low neckline showed off a generous amount of cleavage, while the remaining fabric skimmed over her enviable curves. An embellished white clutch, pearl drop earrings and her stunning wedding rings acted as accessories. An elegant up-do with several strands framing her face, drew attention to a flawless complexion, a smoky brown eye and a glossy nude lip. Flawless: The gown offered a glimpse of the star's toned back and highlighted her lithe arms as she turned to the side for the cameras Stunning: An elegant up-do with several strands framing her face, drew attention to a flawless complexion, a smoky brown eye and a glossy nude lip Kerri-Anne Kennerly, 63, cut a stunning figure in a slim-fitting vibrant blue frock. Sheer detailing offered glimpses of skin as well as a modest amount of cleavage. Statement gold jewellery and a coordinating clutch added an extra touch, as the television personality posed for several snaps on the red carpet. Allowing her shoulder-length blonde tresses to fall in soft waves, Kerri-Anne finished off the standout look with a dewy base, defined brows, lashings of mascara and a glossy pink lip. Vibrant: Kerri-Anne Kennerley, 63, looked flawless in a figure-hugging frock that offered glimpses of skin with sheer detailing Flawless: The star accessorised with statement gold jewellery and finished the look with soft tousled waves and an elegant makeup palette In profile: Kerri-Anne drew attention to a blemish-free visage as she posed for cameras on the red carpet E! Host Australia presenter Ksenija Lukich looked glamorous in a vibrant blue, slinky frock, by Alex Perry. Sheer fabric at the bust gave the illusion of a plunging neckline, while a daring split showed off her endlessly toned legs. A pair of strappy metallic heels elongated her frame, while delicate gold jewellery and her wedding ring acted as the perfect accessories. Ksenija's brunette locks were styled sleek and semi-straight, and her facial features were enhanced with a bronzed complexion, defined brows, a metallic eye, lashings of mascara and a matte nude lip. Knockout: E! Australia presenter Ksenija Lukich looked glamorous in a vibrant blue, slinky frock, by Alex Perry Right on the mark: Sheer fabric at the bust gave the illusion of a plunging neckline, while a daring split showed off the star's bronzed legs The Bachelorette's Georgia Love opted to make an edgy statement on the red carpet. A sleeveless mesh zip-up jacket was teamed with layer upon layer of black tulle that covered her lean legs. Delicate rings adorned her fingers, while a glitzy black clutch, several bracelets and drop earrings added an extra touch. Parting her locks in a side part, Georgia sported a bold makeup look of a dewy base, defined brows, kohl-rimmed eyes, lashings of mascara and a bold red lip. She's a standout: The Bachelorette's Georgia Love made an edgy statement in a black tulle dress, complemented with a bold makeup look Covering up: The reality star showed off her lithe arms, while layer upon layer of tulle covered her lean legs Bold: Georgia sported a bronzed complexion, defined brows, kohl-rimmed eyes, lashings of mascara and a bold red lip The Bachelor's Richie Strahan and Alex Nation put on a loved-up display. Alex took to the plunge, showing off her cleavage in a red floor length jumpsuit, which looked like a gown at certain angles. Semi-sheer fabric offered glimpses of her lean legs, while strappy heels, a thin jewelled choker and beige clutch worked as accessories. Showing off lighter blonde tresses, Alex sported a dewy complexion, defined brows, a metallic eye, and a matte pink lip. Meanwhile Richie donned a black slim-fitting suit, coordinating dress shirt and slim tie. A generous amount of product was applied to his fair-haired tresses. Perfect match: The Bachelor's Richie Strahan and Alex Nation put on a loved-up display as they took to the red carpet Their sartorial best: Alex highlighted her cleavage and lithe arms in the vibrant ensemble, while Richie cut a dapper figure in a tailored black suit My Kitchen Rules' Manu Feildel cut a dapper figure on the red carpet. The French chef donned a tailored charcoal suit, with what appeared to be velvet detailing. A crisp white shirt with small black buttons, a velvet bow tie, polka-dot cravat and dress shoes, all worked in Manu's favour. Applying a generous amount of product to his short locks, the television personality beamed for the cameras. Coming up a treat: My Kitchen Rules' Manu Feildel cut a dapper figure on the red carpet, opting for a charcoal and velvet tailored suit No faults: The television personality accessorised with a velvet bow tie, polka-dot cravat and applied a generous amount of product to his dark tresses Tammy MacIntosh, 46, perhaps best known for her role in All Saints, dared to bare in a plunging black, semi-sheer frock. The lack of fabric showed off extreme cleavage, while the slim-fitting design flaunted her lean curves. Tammy's blonde locks were styled in loose waves, while a pared-back makeup palette finished off the look. Busting out! Tammy MacIntosh, 46, perhaps best known for her role in All Saints, dared to bare in a plunging black, semi-sheer frock Brooke Satchwell, 36, cut a demure yet stylish figure in a floor-length black, lace frock. The slim-fitting design showed off the Wonderland star's slender frame, while a neutral-hued clutch and statement jewels worked as accessories. Brooke's brunette locks fell around her face in glamorous waves, while a neutral makeup palette finished off the elegant look. In style: Brooke Satchwell, 36, cut a demure yet stylish figure in a black lace floor-length frock Having a ball: The Wonderland star beamed for the camera, as she worked her angles on the red carpet Ada Nicodemou, 39, was joined by Home And Away co-star Charlie Clausen, 39, on the red carpet. The brunette beauty opted for a strapless royal blue frock that featured a coordinating choker. A pair of black strappy heels gave the actress extra height, while a gold-chained shoulder bag carried all her belongings. Ada's tresses fell in soft waves around her face, which was enhanced with a bronzed base, defined brows, lashings of mascara and a matte nude lip. Soap stars unite: Ada Nicodemou, 39, was joined by Home And Away co-star Charlie Clausen, 39, on the red carpet In fine form: Ada's strapless design showed off her toned shoulders and delicate decolletage, while Charlie cut a sharp figure in a black tailored suit Meanwhile Charlie looked sharp in a tailored black suit, crisp white shirt with small black buttons and a bow-tie. A pair of simple black lace-up dress shoes finished off the look, while a small amount of product was applied to his dark tresses. Hollywood director and actor Mel Gibson, 60, cut a suave figure in a tailored black suit jacket, crisp white shirt, simple black bow tie and pair of patent dress shoes. Red carpet regular: Hollywood director and actor Mel Gibson, 60, cut a suave figure in a tailored black suit jacket, crisp white shirt, simple black bow tie and pair of patent dress shoes Well groomed: Mel trimmed down his beard prior to attending the annual event Happy embrace: Mel was joined on the red carpet by Australian actress Kerry Armstrong, who opted for a glitzy blue floor-length frock She's got the blues: Kerry accessorised the look with patent pointy-toed heels in a similar blue hue, a box clutch and delicate jewellery The red carpet regular trimmed down his beard prior to attending the annual event. While on the media wall, Mel posed for photos with Australian actress Kerry Armstrong. Kerry opted to wear a glitzy blue floor-length frock, coordinated with pointy-toed patent heels in a similar hue, a box clutch and drop earrings. Singer-songwriter Boy George, 55, was hard to miss, sporting a large orange fedora and patterned black and yellow coat. A black button-up shirt was teamed underneath, and paired with simple black trousers. Boy George opted for his signature bold eye makeup of defined brows, a brown smoky eye and what looked to be a significant amount of foundation. Eccentric: Singer-songwriter Boy George, 55, was hard to miss, sporting a large orange fedora and patterned black and yellow coat Content: The iconic star happily flashed the peace sign while on the red carpet Jordan and Zac Stenmark were primped to perfection as they made another stylish arrival on the red carpet. Slim-fitting tailored suits were teamed with crisp white shirts, patent dress shoes and bow ties. A pocket square also added stylish flare to each of their looks. Genetically blessed duo: Jordan and Zac Stenmark were primped to perfection as they made another stylish arrival on the red carpet In fashion: A pocket square added a stylish flare to the overall look Home And Away star Georgie Parker, 51, opted for flattering black. The one-shoulder design offered a glimpse of skin, while a subtle split added an extra flair to the chic design. Platform heels added height to her stature, while a chained shoulder bag carried Georgie's belongings. Jewelled drop earrings added an elegant touch, while glamorous waves and a neutral makeup palette finished off the ensemble. Black to basics: Home And Away's Georgie Parker, 51, opted for an off-the-shoulder black frock with a slight split The Block's Shaynna Blaze, 53, also sported a black ensemble. Embellished fabric added an extra dimension, while a hem of varying lengths gave the dress a flirty touch. Platform heels, silver and black drop earrings a glitzy box clutch worked as accessories. Sweeping her blonde locks into an effortless up-do, the Channel Nine personality kept her makeup look minimal, highlighting a dewy complexion, lashings of mascara and a matte nude lip. Fun and flirty: The Block's Shaynna Blaze, 53, also sported a black ensemble, that featured embellished detailing and a hem of varying lengths Heavily pregnant Italian actress and cooking personality Silvia Colloca, put on a leggy display in a black ensemble. The 39-year-old highlighted her delicate decolletage in the strapless number, while puffy detachable off-the-shoulder sleeves added a sultry touch. A generous amount of thigh was exposed with a daring thigh-split, while focus was also placed on her burgeoning baby belly that she happily caressed. Silvia's dark locks were styled sleek and straight, and her facial features were defined with a flawless base, defined brows, lashings of mascara and a glossy pink lip. Thigh's the limit: Heavily pregnant Italian actress and cooking personality Silvia Colloca, 39, put on a leggy display in a black ensemble Beautiful: Silvia's dark locks were styled sleek and straight, while her facial features were defined by a flawless base, defined brows, lashings of mascara and a glossy pink lip Italian-Australian actress Greta Scacchi, 56, cut a smart casual figure on the red carpet. A navy shirt was teamed with an embellished shawl over the top, while floral trousers and blue strappy heels added a bold dimension. The star was in high spirits as she beamed for the cameras. Krew Boylan, who played Schapelle Corby in the television mini-series, cut a chic figure in a white frock with a plunging neckline. A coordinating choker in the same fabric, worked as an accessory, while strappy black heels and a simple clutch added an extra dimension. Sporting a half-up, half-down do, Krew opted for a vampy makeup look of pale skin, defined brows, lashings of mascara and a burgundy lip. The actress was accompanied by producer Jodi Boylan, who cut a demure yet stylish figure in a beige frock. Clean cut: Krew Boylan (L), who played Schapelle Corby in the television mini-series, cut a chic figure in a white frock with a plunging neckline. The actress was accompanied by producer Jodi Boylan (R), who cut a demure yet stylish figure in a beige frock Low-key: Italian-Australian actress Greta Scacchi, 56, cut a smart casual figure on the red carpet Playful: A navy shirt was teamed with an embellished shawl over the top, while floral trousers and blue strappy heels added a bold dimension Benita Collings, perhaps best known for her role as a presenter on Play School, cut an edgy yet stylish figure on the red carpet. A black round-neck shirt was paired with baggy two-toned pants, black ballet flats and an embellished velvet scarf left to hang on her right shoulder. Showing off her penchant for accessories, Benita sported medium-sized silver hoop earrings, a coordinating necklace, a leather band watch and statement rings. Finishing off the ensemble was an elegant makeup palette of a bronzed complexion and a deep red lip. Quirky: Benita Collings, perhaps best known for her role as a presenter on Play School, cut an edgy yet stylish figure on the red carpet TV chef Silvia Colloca is expecting her third child with her husband Richard Roxburgh. The Italian beauty confirmed the news on the red carpet at AACTA Awards, where she debuted her baby bump. Dressed in a fitted black custom gown complete with a thigh-high slit, the 39-year-old told The Daily Telegraph that she is five months along and that the sex is not yet known. Scroll down for video Expecting: TV chef Silvia Colloca is expecting her third child with her husband Richard Roxburgh, she confirmed on Wednesday With Albury-born actor Richard, 54, currently working on a play in New York, the 'Silvia's Italian Table' star attended the star-studded event solo. The mother-of-two made quite an entrance on the red carpet while sporting a strapless elegant couture gown. It featured detachable puff sleeves and intricate detail. Glowing: Dressed in a fitted black custom gown complete with a thigh-high slit, the 39-year-old told The Daily Telegraph that she is five months along and that the sex is not yet known Dazzling: With Albury-born actor Richard, 54, currently working on a play in New York, the 'Silvia's Italian Table' star attended the star-studded event solo She completed the dazzling look with a black and white clutch and large diamond sparkler. Despite being five months along in her pregnancy, Silvia has shown no signs of slowing down with the Milan-born actress pairing the look with black strappy stiletto heels. Her long brunette tresses were neatly parted at the centre and worn loosely. Expanding their brood: The ABC personality shares two sons with her husband of 12 years Richard: nine-year-old Raphael and five-year-old Miro She opted for elegant evening makeup consisting of foundation, smokey eyes, winged eyeliner and a nude lip. The ABC personality shares two sons with her husband of 12 years Richard: nine-year-old Raphael and five-year-old Miro. Earlier this year, Richard gushed about his quiet family life in the Northern Beaches, telling Manly Daily that he feels content there. We are never moving again. I said to Sylvia: this is it now. Everythings walkable and its great for the boys,' he said. Her character met her untimely death in 2001 flick Pearl Harbor. And Jaime King sure looked like an angel on her latest outing. The 37-year-old model was a wonder in white as she attended a Dior Lady Art Pop-Up Boutique opening event on Tuesday night. Wonder in white: Jaime King looked good as she attended a Dior Lady Art Pop-Up Boutique opening event in Los Angeles on Tuesday night She looked fashionable as always as she rocked the stylish Christian Dior midi at the event in Los Angeles. The strapless dress was tight around the torso and flared out into a flowy skirt as she paired it with black leather heels. She accessorised the look with a small black designer bag, large silver bangle and dangling earrings. Gorgeous: The 37-year-old actress looked fashionable as always as she rocked the stylish Christian Dior midi at the event Just the two of us: She was joined by Destry Spielberg at the event Fancy seeing you here: The two ladies greeted each other with a hug Blonde ambition: The pair posed for a few snaps together Stylish: The 20-year-old daughter of legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg rocked a red strapless mini dress which she paired with black leather heels Jaime put her signature blonde locks into a bun as she accentuated her porcelain skin with pink blush and red lip. She seemed to be quite the social butterfly at the event as she caught up with Destry Allyn Spielberg. The 20-year-old daughter of legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg rocked a red strapless mini dress which she paired with black leather heels. Showing her style: Zoey Deutch looked fantastic in an sleeveless LBD with matching suede ankle booties Lovely lady: The 22-year-old daughter of Lea Thompson wore her blonde locks down Starlets: She was joined with fellow actress Odeya Rush Tremendous trio: Zosia Mamet, Gillian Jacobs and Ahna O'Reilly - pictured from left to right - all posed together Ravishing in red: The 34-year-old actress donned a red mini dress Pretty in patterns: The 31-year-old actress rocked a dizzying number The Heart Of Dixie actress was not the only star at the event as Zoey Deutch looked fantastic in an LBD. The 22-year-old daughter of Lea Thompson wore a sleeveless mini dress along with matching suede ankle booties. Cara Santana looked good in a patterned blue and black number as she was joined by hunky fiance Jesse Metcalfe. Power couple: Cara Santana and fiance Jesse Metcalfe were also in attendance Fashion first: The 32-year-old actress wore a patterned blue top tucked into a black midi skirt Dapper: Jesse sported a long brown coat over an all-black look including T-shirt, trousers and boots Zosia Mamet, Gillian Jacobs and Ahna O'Reilly also all brought their most fashionable looks as they posed together at the event. The opening was for a temporary space for Dior's Lady Art collaboration which made its official debut at Art Basel Miami Beach last week. It was commissioned seven American and British contemporary artists - Mat Collishaw, Ian Davenport, Daniel Gordon, Chris Martin, Jason Martin, Matthew Porter, and Marc Quinn - to express their visions onto limited editions of Lady Dior products. Going green: Chelsea Lauren looked good in an emerald number Going green: Halston Sage showcased her slim figure in an olive mini dress Prety in pink: Olivia Holt rocked a baby pink Christian Dior mini It's one of the most highly anticipated awards shows in Australia. But would-be viewers of this year's 6th AACTA Awards were left furious on Wednesday, after The Age appeared to make a premature announcement of award winners hours before the ceremony aired. In a mass newsletter sent out to The Age subscribers on Wednesday afternoon, the Fairfax-owned publication claimed Hollywood actor Mel Gibson, 60, had won nine awards, including best film and director, for his fourth directorial outing, on Hacksaw Ridge. Scroll down for video Ooops! In a mass newsletter sent out to subscribers on Wednesday afternoon, The Age accidentally announced that Hollywood actor Mel Gibson (pictured arriving at the awards show in Sydney) had won nine gongs When contacted by Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, the publication confirmed the error and explained that in an attempt to rectify the situation, 'a replacement newsletter will be sent out shortly.' Eagle-eyed readers were quick to point out the article was time-stamped five hours ahead at 10:45pm, indicating the email was sent out prematurely. Actor Mel's Hacksaw Ridge lead the way with 13 AACTA nominations. Premature: The newsletter accidentally revealed actor Mel won nine awards including best film and director, for his second directorial debut Hacksaw Ridge It was already revealed at an industry luncheon on Monday, ahead of the awards show, that the war film won four awards for best production design, best cinematography, best sound and best editing. The film retells the story of American pacifists combat medic Desmond Doss and it stars Sam Worthington, Teresa Palmer and Andrew Garfield. Speaking of the inspiration behind the film, Mel explained that the film is about human nature. Success: It was already revealed at an industry luncheon on Monday, ahead of the awards show, that the war film won four awards for best production design, best cinematography, best sound and best editing 'I think the most difficult thing in life and I struggle with this all the time is to overcome your own fallen nature,' he said. 'We are a bunch of people full of flaws. So to try and overcome those negative things in ourselves, that are born in us a good way to that is to choose love. He added: 'And this is what impressed me about Desmond ... Greater love hath no man than he give his life for another and this guy: that is what he was about. He was putting his life on the line, crawling into all kinds of horrible situations, for his brothers. For anybody. It didn't matter what they looked like or smelt like. That's a pretty high calling.' The AACTA Awards honours excellence in the Australian film and television industry. The show airs on Channel Seven at 8:30pm. She sadly lost her mother to pancreatic cancer in October. And on Wednesday, Georgia Love opened up about life after her losing her parent as she attended this year's AACTA Awards in Sydney. For the annual event, the 28-year-old slipped into a black princess-style dress, which featured a racy cut-out top. Scroll down for video Making a statement: Georgia Love stunned on Wednesday at the AACTA Awards in Sydney as she slipped into a black princess-style dress, which also featured a cut-out top but paused to reflect on her mother on the red carpet The layered tulle skirt flared outwards and to the ground as it covered a pair of tiny black hot pants, which the former newsreader wore underneath. Georgia added a pop of colour to her all-black look with a red lipstick as she highlighted her blue eyes with thick black eyeliner and mascara. She opted to wear her freshly-cut hair out and styled with a natural wave. Details: The layered tulle skirt flared outwards and to the ground Revealing: Underneath the thick layer of material, she wore a pair of tiny black hot pants While at the event, Georgia opened up about life following her mother's death. Belinda was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just before filming of The Bachelorette began and sadly passed away after the final episode aired in October. Speaking to news.com.au, she admitted: 'Theres absolutely nothing normal about my life anymore. 'Obviously, losing my mum has changed everything for me, but then also Ive moved back to Melbourne from Tazzie... 'Ive left my job, so I dont have permanent work, Ive got a new partner. Its a whole lot of getting used to what is the new norm now,' she told. Beauty: Georgia added a pop of colour to her all-black look with a red lipstick as she highlighted her blue eyes with thick black eyeliner and mascara Earlier in the year, she gave up her job as newsreader for WIN News in Tasmania to star in the second season of The Bachelorette. Three weeks after the show's finale, Georgia went on The Project with Lee to pay tribute to his love and support for her through the difficult time. 'It's been incredibly difficult, but would have just been made so much more difficult if Lee had not been there,' she told the show's panel. 'There are silver linings and my mum absolutely supported me 100 per cent in doing this and in everything I did,' she said. They are one of three acts to have fought their way from auditions through to the coveted X Factor final. And as the last stretch of the competition looms, 5 After Midnight were treated to an emotional homecoming as they were sent back to Leicester during Battle Bus week. The trio, Kieran Alleyne, Nathan Lewis and Jordan Lee, were given some leave on Monday and arrived in their home-town where they were reunited with their families and friends. Scroll down for video The boys are back in town: As the X Factor final looms, 5 After Midnight were treated to an emotional homecoming as they were sent back to Leicester during Battle Bus week The group of three friends, aged between 20 and 23, arrived back in the East Midlands as the final week of the singing show got underway. Making their way home from London on a touring bus embossed with their own branding, the boys were give some precious time with their family members. Making a stop at Kieran's house with mentor Louis Walsh they were greeted by their loved ones; with Kieran getting to spend some time with his supportive grandfather. Back at home: Kieran Alleyne, Nathan Lewis and Jordan Lee were given some leave on Monday and arrived in their home-town where they were reunited with their families and friends Following their pit-stop with their families, the boys headed into Leicester's city centre. Pulling up outside the Leicester Athena, the boys were greeted by a hoard of screaming fans. Emerging from their battle bus, the three lads couldn't hide their delighted smiles. Rolling into town: The group of three friends, aged between 20 and 23, arrived back in the East Midlands as the final week of the singing show got underway Who are they waiting for? The boys could barely believe their eyes as they stepped off the battle bus Welcome home: Following a pit-stop with their families, the boys headed into Leicester's city centre were they were greeted by a hoard of adoring fans Smile! Kieran looked to be in his element as he posed for selfies with a number of fans on the red carpet Lap it up lads: Nathan Lewis (L) and Jordan Lee (R) were also in high spirits, and like Kieran couldn't wait to meet their fans Meeting their fans as they strolled down the red carpet, the boy band looked like bona fide pop stars. Shortly after their arrivals the boys took to the stage at the venue and played to a 1,600 strong crowd. Their triumphant homecoming came after they managed to impress the judges and the public with their rendition Stay Another Day by East 17, on Saturday's X Factor. Ready for a winner: The trio were accompanied by their mentor Louis Walsh Back on the stage: The band performed to a packed crowd at the Leicester Athena That's a full house: Kieran, Nathan and Jordan sang their hearts out in front of a 1,600 strong crowd Both Nicole Scherzinger and Simon Cowell were full of praise for the band, with the former Pussycat Doll gushing: 'You proved you could do it without the dancing around. You stripped it back and made it your own.' Meanwhile, Simon admitted he was blown away by their energy, as he observed: 'I thought that was absolutely fantastic. That's what we've been waiting for. You had presence and had personality.' She oozes sex appeal whenever she steps in front of the camera. And Abbey Clancy once again sizzled as she became the latest celebrity to star in the LOVE Magazine Video Advent calendar - in the seventh entry of the countdown. The 30-year-old WAG and model looked simply sensational in a biker-themed shoot, in which she sported a leather cap with a matching skirt, before stripping down to just her lingerie. Abbey became the latest star to pose for the countdown, hot on the designer heels of Bella Hadid, Rita Ora and Ireland Baldwin. With her sensational physique clad in the sexiest of underwear, the Liverpool-born beauty was sure to flash every inch of her figure. As she started off the shoot, the blonde stunner sported just a bra with a leather high-waisted skirt adorned with chains. However as the shoot descended into an even sexier tone, Abbey pulled off her skirt to expose a frilled set of knickers which flashed her taut abs to perfection. Love! And Abbey Clancy once again sizzled as she became the next celebrity to star in the LOVE Magazine Video Advent calendar - in the seventh entry of the countdown Bed time beauty! The 30-year-old WAG and model looked simply sensational in a biker-themed shoot, in which she sported a leather cap with a matching skirt, before stripping down to just her lingerie Why hello there! Abbey was at her very sexiest as she pouted and preened for the camera Leather lady: Abbey showed off all her best assets in the sizzling snaps Starting out the clip, Abbey walked down a set of stairs before heading into the lavish bedroom and playing around with the pup. Having lost her skirt by the time she reached the bed, the blonde beauty peeled off her varsity style jacket to reveal her lingerie-clad figure. With her adorable fluffy prop larking around her, the wife of football ace Peter Crouch looked nothing short of sensational. The clip was shot in the lavish Blakes Hotel in London's Chelsea. The video was shot by Liz Collins while Victoria Young acted as fashion editor. Hot stuff: Abbey became the latest star to pose for the countdown, hot on the designer heels of Bella Hadid, Rita Ora and Ireland Baldwin Bedtime babe: Writhing around on the bed, she showed off her figure Busty babe: Abbey sizzled in her saucy lacy lingerie It's a dog's life: The clip was shot in the lavish Blakes Hotel in London's Chelsea. The video was shot by Liz Collins while Victoria Young acted as fashion editor The LOVE calendar is undoubtedly one of the most thrilling Christmas countdowns hitting the web and now backed by Agent Provocateur, Coach, Dsquared2, and Marc Jacobs Beauty. Last year the stunning clips, featuring mega stars including Kendall, Gigi Hadid and Pamela Anderson, gained a reach of over 1.2 billion. Models still to star include Abbey Clancy, Alessandra Ambrosio, Alexa Chung, Barbara Palvin, Ciara, Chrissy Teigen and Daisy Lowe. Strutting her stuff: Starting out the clip, Abbey walked down a set of stairs before heading into the lavish bedroom and playing around with the pup Cheeky! Abbey's peachy posterior certainly stole the show in the minute long clip - Puppy love: Despite larking around in her sexy best, Abbey also stole a moment to cosy up to the white dog She works hard to maintain her phenomenal figure. And Olivia Buckland, 22, ensured every inch of her sensational physique would be on full display as she poured herself into a latex dress. Attending the launch of SIXTY6 magazine in London on Tuesday, the Love Island starlet was joined by her handsome beau Alex Bowen, 24, who understandably couldn't take his eyes off her. Scroll down for video Nice to PVC you! Olivia Buckland, 22, poured herself into a latex dress for the launch of SIXTY6 magazine in London on Tuesday, where she was joined by her handsome beau Alex Bowen, 24 Clad in a plunging pink dress, the blonde beauty channeled Kardashian glamour - donning a dress favoured by both Khloe and Kim. And Olivia certainly gave them a run for their money as the garment showcased her slender waist and ample cleavage. With a hint of her underboob tattoo on display, the reality starlet drew yet even more attention to her bodacious bust as she sashayed into the event. She scrubbers up well! The garment ensured every inch of her sensational physique would be on full display, with her underboob tattoo drawing more attention to her bodacious bust Posing from the side, Olivia also showed off her enviably peachy posterior, with the figure-hugging garment falling just above the knee. Adding some height to her petite frame, she donned a pair of nude coloured heels that showed her ankle tattoo. She finished off the look with a string of gold chokers that complemented her tousled honey coloured bob. Their style is rubbering off on you! The blonde beauty channeled Kardashian glamour - donning a dress favoured by both Khloe and Kim. And Olivia gave them a run for their money PVC-ing double! Khloe Kardashian donned a similar plunging latex dress for Scott Disick's birthday in May, but Kim donned PVC first whilst pregnant in June 2015 Meanwhile, Alex looked effortlessly stylish in distressed black jeans and a plain grey T-shirt, which he kept on throughout the evening. Olivia, however, changed into a second ensemble for the evening, slipping into a glittering gold gown for the Mayhew Animal Home Tinsel And Tails Fundraiser across town. Adorned with sequins, the floor length garment was more demure than her saucy latex dress, but still flashed her tanned and toned pins with a daring thigh high split. Bootylicous! Posing from the side, Olivia also showed off her enviably peachy posterior, with the figure-hugging garment falling just above the knee Blonde bombshell: She finished off the look with a string of gold chokers that complemented her tousled honey coloured bob and tanned complexion Jean-ius: Alex looked effortlessly stylish in distressed black jeans and a plain grey T-shirt, that which he kept on throughout the evening Alex and Olivia found love during the second season of ITV2 show Love Island and their relationship has gone from strength to strength. The handsome star recently moved into his girlfriend's Wolverhampton home, and the pair bought an adorable French bulldog puppy together called Reggie. Speaking to Femail about her beau, Olivia recently gushed: 'I know it sounds cliche but I honestly dont think it could be any better. 'When Im with him it just feels so right, its like nothing Ive experienced before. My mum always told me that when you find The One youll see why your past relationships werent right. Alex is The One.' Golden girl! Olivia, however, changed into a second ensemble for the evening, slipping into a glittering gold gown for the Mayhew Animal Home Tinsel And Tails Fundraiser across town Leggy lady! Adorned with sequins, the floor length garment was more demure than her saucy latex dress, but still flashed her tanned and toned pins with a daring thigh high split Mayor Rahm Emanuel To Meet With Donald Trump In New York By aaroncynic in News on Dec 7, 2016 2:47PM Photo by Aaron Cynic/Chicagoist Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel will meet with President elect Donald Trump this morning, according to a report from the Chicago Tribune. Trump, who has been busy draining the swamp in Washington by filling his inner circle with Wall Street friendly moguls and others who donated heavily to his campaign while criss-crossing the country on his victory thank you tour, will meet with the Emanuel when he is in New York for a series of other meetings, according to mayoral spokesman Adam Collins. When they spoke a few weeks ago the president-elect asked for a meeting with the mayor, as he has done with others who have significant experience in the White House and several other big city mayors, Collins said in a statement to the Tribune. The meeting comes after Emanuel, who once received a $50,000 donation to his mayoral campaign from the carnival barker President elect, had a phone conversation with him last week. While the call between the two was reportedly cordial, Emanuel and Trump have tacitly butted heads in recent weeks, mostly by proxy. Trump, who has rarely spent any time in a Chicago neighborhood outside of the Loop, has frequently painted the city as a violent, lawless dystopia. Meanwhile, Emanuel has vowed to keep Chicago a sanctuary city for undocumented immigrants, a favorite target of Trumps xenophobic rhetoric, who last month said he would block federal dollars for sanctuary cities. Emanuel also just announced the creation of a task force to help immigrants with their legal and mental health needs with Sen. Dick Durbin and Congressman Luis Gutierrez. Australian actress Isla Fisher has taken a swipe at the U.S President elect, Donald Trump, during her AACTA Trailblazer acceptance speech on Wednesday night. During the awards ceremony in Sydney, the 40-year-old thanked the politician for 'showing the world that unqualified orange people can win things.' Earlier in her speech, she also made fun of his wife Melania Trump as she recited lines from one of Michelle Obama's speeches. Scroll down for video 'Orange people can win things!' Australian actress Isla Fisher has taken a swipe at the U.S President elect, Donald Trump, during her AACTA acceptance speech on Wednesday night 'From a young age my parents told me the values that you work hard for what you want in this life, that your word is your bond, you say what you want to do and you keep your promises. 'And that you treat people with respect, those are actually Michelle Obama's words,' she laughed. 'But I figured if Melania Trump can use them and have success I should try.' Her mother and husband, Sacha Baron Cohen, who sat in the audience, were left shocked and in tears of laughter by her speech. Trailblazer: During the awards ceremony in Sydney, the 40-year-old thanked the politician for 'showing the world that unqualified orange people can win things' First Lady's speech: Earlier, she also made fun of Donald's wife as she read a statement from Michelle Obama's speech, saying: 'I figured if Melania Trump can use them and have success I should try' In the media room after the presentation, Isla spoke about how much Home And Away shaped her career.' She said: 'I definitely think that working in a soap environment where you are inhabiting the emotional landscape of your character in a very quick way...it's definitely good preparation.' On Wednesday, Isla was honoured for her work, receiving the AACTA Trailblazer Award. Earlier this week, she took to Instagram to tell fans: 'I am incredibly honoured to be the recipient of this year's AACTAs Trailblazer award'. The actress added the hash-tags: 'Sydney here we come', 'come a long way from summer bay' and 'gratitude'. Waiting for it: Her husband, Sacha Baron Cohen, who sat in the audience, was left shocked and in tears of laughter by her speech Award-winning: On Wednesday, Isla was honoured for her work, receiving the AACTA Trailblazer Award Proud: She wrote on social media: 'I am incredibly honoured to be the recipient of this year's AACTAs Trailblazer award' The Summer Bay tag was in reference to her time on popular Australian soap, Home And Away. In an official statement released over the weekend, Isla gushed: 'That I am considered among those Australians who are inspiring the next generation of talent is a true honour. 'I'm looking forward to coming back to Sydney to accept the AACTA Trailblazer Award.' Happy times: In an official statement, she gushed: 'That I am considered among those Australians who are inspiring the next generation of talent is a true honour' Flashback: Isla (R) found fame when she joined the cast of Australian soap Home And Away in 1994 (pictured with former co-star Kate Ritchie) Isla Fisher found fame when she joined the cast of Australian soap Home And Away in 1994. Since then the red-haired beauty has become an accomplished dramatic actress, author and has released three movies to differing levels of success this year. The Australian sweetheart is also now a mother to two daughters and a son. Reese Witherspoon looked ready to take charge as she attended a business meeting in Beverly Hills on Tuesday. The Legally Blonde star rocked a chic black, ruby and splashed white houndstooth mini-dress as she strutted to her LA destination. A pure fashionista, the 40-year-old Draper James founder sported a trendy frilled coal pea coat and wowed in some fierce leather knee high boots. Scroll down for video She's a boss! Reese Witherspoon looked ready to take charge as she attended a business meeting in Beverly Hills on Tuesday Blinged out: The Legally Blonde star rocked a chic black, ruby and splashed white houndstooth mini-dress as she strutted to her LA destination Reese's blonde locks hung loosely in a natural style as she laughed into her phone. The mum-of-three accessorised with a proper pair of oily waterbug sunglasses with a rose lip and a sleek raven box bag that complemented her gold chain and hoops. Reese escorted her children - Ava, Deacon, and Tennessee - and second husband Jim Toth at the Los Angeles premiere of her new movie Sing on Saturday. It's a family affair! Reese escorted her children - Ava, Deacon, and Tennessee - and second husband Jim Toth at the Los Angeles premiere of her new movie Sing on Saturday Are they twins? 17-year-old Ava - whose father is Ryan Phillippe - was the spitting image of her 40-year-old mother with her blonde locks and alabaster complexion 17-year-old Ava - whose father is Ryan Phillippe - was the spitting image of her 40-year-old mother with her blonde locks and alabaster complexion. The Oscar winner's 42-year-old ex-husband fathered her 13-year-old son Deacon, while her CAA agent beau fathered four-year-old tyke Tennessee. On Thanksgiving, Witherspoon - who boasts 13.1M followers - said of her blended brood: 'So thankful for these sweet kids in my life ! They make me laugh and smile everyday. I feel grateful for every moment I get to be with them.' So tired! The Oscar winner's 42-year-old ex-husband fathered her 13-year-old son Deacon, while her CAA agent beau fathered four-year-old tyke Tennessee Thankful: On Thanksgiving, Witherspoon said of her blended brood: 'So thankful for these sweet kids in my life ! They make me laugh and smile everyday' Sing, an animated musical about an animal singing competition, sees the Hot Pursuit funnywoman voicing a shy pig mother-of-25 called Rosita. The Universal Studios comedy - also starring Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Saunders, and Seth MacFarlane - hits US theaters December 21 and UK theaters January 27. Sing marked the second onscreen collaboration between the Inherent Vice stunner and co-star Matthew McConaughey following the 2012 indie drama Mud. She is in town to be honoured with the Trailblazer Award at this year's AACTAs. And on Wednesday, Isla Fisher made a bizarre statement regarding female protesters who turned up to the event in Sydney dressed in sausages. While speaking about the incident from the red carpet alongside her husband Sasha Baron Cohen, the 40-year-old cheekily asked Fairfax Media: 'Were they pork sausages? I enjoy his sausage.' Scroll down for video Not what we were expecting: Isla Fisher has made a bizarre statement regarding female protesters who turned up to the AACTAs in Sydney dressed in sausages on Wednesday As she made the comment, the Australian actress grinned and looked up to her comedian husband. Isla went on and laughed: 'Too many sausages are eaten without much regard for the animal behind them.' Moments before her big arrival at the event, demonstrators dressed as sausages crashed the AACTA Awards in a bizarre protest against a lack of film diversity. The sleeve-encased protesters laid on the red carpet, in an attention-grabbing bid to raise awareness of the lack of female representation in awards for screen and TV. 'I enjoy his sausage': While speaking about the incident from the red carpet with her husband Sacha Baron Cohen, the 40-year-old got cheeky Comedic: Isla went on and laughed: 'Too many sausages are eaten without much regard for the animal behind them' In a statement distributed during the flurried protest, a group calling themselves Women In Film and Television (WIFT) asked for the industry to end the 'deeply shameful situation' of women not being nominated enough for awards. Shortly after 4pm, at least 10 women were spotted throwing themselves on the event's red carpet, which is billed as Australia's night of nights for the best talent in the country. Security guards were quickly seen jumping in and making attempts to remove the females from the ground as red carpet onlookers watched on in confusion. Rant: Moments before her big arrival at the event, demonstrators dressed as sausages crashed the AACTA Awards in a bizarre protest against a lack of film diversity Protest: The sleeve-encased protesters laid on the red carpet, in an attention-grabbing bid to raise awareness of the lack of female representation in awards for screen and TV Many took to social media in bewilderment over what the protest was actually about. 'Crap security on the #AACTAS red carpet when protesters can just waltz on,' one Twitter user commented. Others wanted more information about what the protest was about. Thumbs up: Protesters were seen smiling with thumbs up for photos after they had disrupted the ceremony's red carpet Move along: A police man later attempted to move the sleeve encased women away from the prestigious awards night 'Just saw a group of women dressed as sausages protesting at the #AACTAs is this raising the issue of #gender equality? More information pls!' another Tweeted. The protesting group's president, Sophie Mathisen, said their choice of outfits 'seemed appropriate attire for Australia's biggest sausage party!' 'Women are making more content than ever before and this year's nominations in not only feature films but also television categories are not at all reflective of this fact,' she said. Linking arms: These sausage-clad women seemed fast friends, linked together as they made their way back from the red carpet Better than a barbecue: Some of the women were clearly elated that the protest had caused such a sizzle After the women were forcibly removed from the red carpet, several of them posed gleefully for photos while distributing pamphlets. One demonstrator gave a man with the thumbs up, smiling for his camera. The protest happened at the same time as celebrities such as Jessica Mauboy, were walking the red carpet. It was one of the happiest nights of the year for this Hollywood couple. But Sacha Baron Cohen, 45, failed to crack a smile as he accompanied his stunning wife Isla Fisher, 40, to the AACTA Awards in Sydney on Wednesday. The British actor looked bored and disinterested while posing for snaps alongside his beaming wife, despite it also being the couple's 15th anniversary - as Sacha pointed out. Scroll down for video Bored? Hollywood actor Sacha Baron Cohen, 45, failed to crack a smile as he accompanied his stunning wife Isla Fisher, 40, to the AACTA Awards in Sydney on Wednesday Dressed in a dapper navy suit and sparkly tie, the Borat star looked suave and sophisticated as he arrived on the red carpet. To his left was mother-of-three Isla, who cut a glamorous figure in a fitted black sparkly gown, complete with a thigh-high slit. Onlookers couldn't help but notice the unique dress material, which adorably matched Sacha's tie as a symbol of their love. Say cheese! The British actor looked bored and disinterested while posing for snaps alongside his beaming wife, despite it also being the couple's 15th anniversary Preened to perfection! Dressed in a dapper navy suit and sparkly tie, the Borat star looked suave and sophisticated as he arrived on the red carpet When asked whether he presented his wife with a gift on their anniversary, the Golden Globe award-winning actor jokingly referred to their three children: nine-year-old Olive, six-year-old Elula Lottie Miriam and 21-month-old Montgomery Moses Brian. 'I got her some kids. I've done my bit. They are all coming they are in the post,' Sacha told Channel Seven. Inside the event, Isla took home the Trailblazer Award and said it was an honour. 'I've done my bit': The funnyman joked with Channel Seven he didn't get his wife a present to celebrate their anniversary as he had already provided his genetics for their children But first, let me take a selfie! The Borat star appeared to take a selfie with his phone at one point 'I am completely over the moon. It's so nice to be home. It's wonderful,' she said. 'I have my husband and my family here.' It's believed the anniversary is 15 years since the couple met, given Sacha and Isla began dating in 2002, before marrying in Paris in 2010. It's the night of all nights for the Australian film and television industry. And on Wednesday evening, some of the big names in the sector came together for the sixth AACTA Awards ceremony in Sydney. At the event, Mel Gibson received the award for Best Direction Film, 14 years after his last Australian film award, as his latest film Hacksaw Ridge took home nine trophies. Scroll down for video Winning big: Mel Gibson received AACTA for Best Direction on Wednesday, 14 years after his last Australian film award as his latest film Hacksaw Ridge took home nine trophies Mel's prestigious award also comes 20 years after he received an Oscar for Best Director for his iconic film, Braveheart. After receiving his award, the actor choked up with emotion as he thanked Australia for their support. 'Thank you. Thank you, so honoured. I need to thank Australia for making this film. All the way up and down the line, I mean it's a home-grown thing. Proud moment: After receiving his award, the actor choked up with emotion as he thanked Australia for their support Honoured: He gushed: 'Thank you. Thank you, so honoured. I need to thank Australia for making this film. All the way up and down the line, I mean it's a home-grown thing' 'It's where I started. Everyone from the Government, who is so supportive of their talent and their artists here, Film Australia, Film NSW, the cast and crew the calibre of which it's as good or better than anywhere in the world. 'I'm not the only one who wants to make films here all the time, Ridley Scott said the same thing, he loves it here, it is truly great. 'I'm really honoured and choked up, I can't even talk. I'm honoured to receive this. Thank you all for bestowing this.' Hacksaw Ridge also took out the award for Best Film on the night. Australian Producer Paul Currie spoke on behalf of his American counterpart, Bill Mechanic, saying on-stage: '[Bill] is very grateful and he says that we are all very grateful for this award...I have said it many times but Hacksaw Ridge might never have gotten made without the support. 'Thank you all for bestowing this': Mel continued: 'I'm really honoured and choked up, I can't even talk. I'm honoured to receive this. Long time coming: Mel's prestigious award also comes 20 years after he received an Oscar for Best Director for his iconic film, Braveheart 'We need to firstly thank the superb Aussie cast, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, soon-to-be new mum Teresa Palmer, the great Hugo Weaving and Rachel Griffiths.' Mel added: 'I am a pretender on this I am not a producer on this, I am just up here...but I would like to say a couple of words about Bill Mechanic and his ability to... 'He really got his hands dirty on this, he is something. I have never met a producer that works so hard and he gets dirty.' The film's Andrew Garfield won the award for Best Lead Actor Film, while his co-star Hugo Weaving took home the AACTA for Best Supporting Actor. Through a video link, Andrew gushed about working alongside Mel in the film while thanking him for his on-going support and guidance. Collecting them: Mel's film Hacksaw Ridge also took out the award for Best Film on the night '[This is] a real honour and this film it wouldn't have been the film that it is without Mel. Mel's brilliance, Mel's passion, Mel's ability to make everyone feel as valuable as each other. The Australian in hill, that good leader.' He continued: 'I'm so thankful to him, truly thank you, it's just a pure pleasure to make this film.' Hacksaw Ridge stars Andrew Knight and Robert Schenkkan went on to win the AACTA for Best Original Screenplay. In the pair's acceptance speech, Andrew praised Mel, saying: 'Mr Gibson, my God, nice to have you back in the game. You're a terrifying talent. 'I'm staggered by the quality of the Australian talent that came with this project.' Odessa Young won Best Lead Actress at just eighteen, while Miranda Otto received her first AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actress. Excited: Samuel Johnson took home the gong for Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama in Channel Seven's Molly Adding to his collection: In 2001 won, Sam won the AFI Award (now the AACTAs) for Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama for his appearance in The Secret Life Of Us Australian producer and director Eva Orner's documentary, Chasing Asylum received the AACTA for Best Feature Length Documentary. Eva used the opportunity to address the asylum issue within Australia, saying: 'Brave whistle-blowers risked jail term to expose what is happening at Nauru and Manus ...under the Border Force act it's a crime with two years jail to speak out about the camps. 'The Government must repeal this legislation. Legislation like this is a threat to all of us including all documentary film makers and story tellers who just want to tell stories about what is happening in our country. 'We can all go to jail for the film we have made. We haven't because powerful and smart lawyers like Stephen Glass who is here tonight have protected us all.' Commemorated: Also on the night, Australian Hollywood actress Isla Fisher was honoured with the AACTA Trailblazer Award Swipe: During her acceptance speech, the 40-year-old took a swipe at Donald Trump as she thanked the politician for 'showing the world that unqualified orange people can win things...' She emotionally continued: 'The Government has to repeal this legislation. If people witness sexual abuse of children on Nauru and they speak out they can go to jail for two years. It's not a democracy, we live in a democracy, this has to stop. 'The Government has to shut the camps and bring the refugees here.' Also on the night, Australian Hollywood actress Isla Fisher was honoured with the AACTA Trailblazer Award. Funny: Earlier in her speech, she also made fun of his wife as she read a statement from Michelle Obama's speech, saying: 'I figured if Melania Trump can use them and have success I should try' Toasting to success: Acting legend Paul Hogan also received the AACTA Longford Lyell Award during the ceremony During her acceptance speech, the 40-year-old took a swipe at Donald Trump as she thanked the politician for 'showing the world that unqualified orange people can win things..' Earlier in her speech, she also made fun of his wife as she recited line from one of Michelle Obama's speech, saying: 'I figured if Melania Trump can use them and have success I should try.' Acting legend Paul Hogan also received the AACTA Longford Lyell Award during the ceremony. Meanwhile, artist and director Lynette Wallworth was the recipient of the Byron Kennedy Award. Collecting their price: Foxtel's Wentworth received Best Television Drama Series For television, Elizabeth Debicki received Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama for her role in Foxtel's The Kettering Incident. Samuel Johnson went on to take home the gong for Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama in Channel Seven's Molly. When accepting his award, the actor was lost for words as he simply said: Thank you to Molly for backing me in and...I should have worked out a speech.' The Kettering Incident won the AACTA Award for Best Telefeature or Mini Series while popular series, Wentworth received Best Television Drama Series. Winning with laughter: In the comedy category for the awards, ABC's Upper Middle Bogan won their first AACTA Award for Best Television Comedy Series Making a mark: Actresses Sarah Scheller (L) and Alison Bell (R) won their first AACTA, receiving who it for Best Screenplay in Television for ABC Comedy Showrooms The Letdown In the comedy category for the awards, ABC's Upper Middle Bogan won their first AACTA Award for Best Television Comedy Series. Actresses Sarah Scheller and Alison Bell also won their first AACTA, receiving who it for Best Screenplay in Television for ABC Comedy Showrooms The Letdown. Network 10's MasterChef won the AACTA Award for Best Reality Television Series for the second year in a row. ABC's Gruen won an award for Best Light Entertainment Television series, while SBS' Destination Flavour Scandinavia presented by former MasterChef winner, Adam Liaw, received the AACTA for Best Lifestyle Television Program. Gold: ABC's Gruen series (L) won Best Light Entertainment Television series, while SBS' Destination Flavour Scandinavia (R) received the AACTA for Best Lifestyle Television Program They were draped in Twenties-style garb while playing gangster's molls in new movie Live By Night. Yet Sienna Miller and her co-star Zoe Saldana were very much modern day fashionistas on Wednesday as they attended a Los Angeles press conference for the forthcoming movie. The 34-year-old Layer Cake beauty wowed in a chic striped gown with a small cut out while the Star Trek actress, 38, showed more skin than her co-star in a chic knitted slip dress complete with a ruffle around her hips. Scroll down for video Striking pair: Sienna Miller and her co-star Zoe Saldana (left-right) were very much modern day fashionistas on Wednesday as they attended a Los Angleles press conference for the forthcoming movie Sienna, who plays Emma Gould, the mistress of a powerful mobster in the movie, showed off her unique flare for fashion in the ensemble which made the most of her petite physique. As ever, the natural beauty was cutting edge in her look, as she wowed in the striped gown complete with red and blue animal print alongside black stripes. The top was styled into a crossover at the bust before nipping into a skirt at the base which featured a jagged asymmetric hem. The mother-of-one, who shares daughter Marlowe Ottoline Layng with her ex-fiance Tom Sturridge, looked phenomenal in the flirty getup. Cut me out: The 34-year-old Layer Cake beauty wowed in a chic striped gown with a small cut out while the Star Trek actress, 38, showed more skin than her co-star in a chic knitted slip dress complete with a ruffle around her hips Golden girl: Sienna, who plays Emma Gould, the mistress of a powerful mobster in the movie, showed off her unique flare for fashion in the ensemble which made the most of her petite physique Blonde beauty: As ever, the natural beauty was cutting edge in her look, as she wowed in the striped gown complete with red and blue animal print alongside black stripes Sienna's bouncy blonde tresses were worn in loose waves which were perfectly layered to add volume. Her make-up was flawlessly applied, with fluttering false eyelashes accentuating her wide eyes while a dab of pink gloss plumped her pout. Zoe meanwhile looked sensational in her knitted dress which boasted flimsy straps in a mustard colour with a navy body. while her slender hips were surrounded with a thick frill. She kept her beauty look totally natural as she wore her hair in loose waves while pulling tendrils off her face to make the most of her glowing complexion. Slinky: Zoe meanwhile looked sensational in her knitted dress which boasted flimsy straps in a mustard colour with a navy body. while her slender hips were surrounded with a thick frill Natural beauty: Zoe looked sensational for the conference The stunning pair were joined by their co-star and director Ben Affleck, 44, who looked dashing in a crew-neck red jumper. His famously handsome good looks were enhanced by his salt and pepper coloured beard and hair - proving he is ageing with grace. Ben plays a 1920s gangster in upcoming crime drama in where he used a Boston for the prohibition-era flick. In a teaser trailer released on last month, he is seen playing Joe Coughlin, the son of the Boston police superintendent, who chooses to live the life of an outlaw, turning his back on his strict upbringing. Chris Cooper, Brendan Gleeson and Chris Messina also star in movie based on the book by Dennis Lehane. Striking: She had nothing but kind words for Ben, who's also written, starred in and co-produced the adaptation of Dennis Lehane's eponymous 2012 novel Hey Ben! The stunning pair were joined by their co-star and director Ben Affleck, 44, who looked dashing in a crew-neck red jumper Ben directs and also adapted the screenplay for the movie which is slated for release January 13 2017. He also produced the flick along with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson Killoran. In a promotional interview, Zoe explained her choice to star in the film: 'I would never have considered gangster movies.' But as she told Los Angeles Confidential, which she's covered for its Awards Season Special issue, she wound up asking herself: '"Why not do that?"' Per her description, 'I just told myself: "Why not just work with Ben Affleck? Why not just play an Afro-Cuban that sells molasses to make rum in the 1920s in Florida?"' Star: Ben directs and also adapted the screenplay for the movie which is slated for release January 13 2017. He also produced the flick along with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson Killoran She had nothing but kind words for Ben, who's also written, starred in and co-produced the adaptation of Dennis Lehane's eponymous 2012 novel. 'He just has a great deal of empathy for what we go through as actors,' she effused, 'so his dynamic on a set is much friendlier, much more relaxed, more levelled.' As she reminisced, 'Every day, every scene, every conversation I would have with Ben, I just felt really hooked. Like: "Okay, whatever input Im adding, hes really considering it."' She appears to have an endless supply of swimwear. And Kady McDermott produced yet another stunning bikini on Wednesday as she continues her Australian getaway, where she has gone Down Under to support her boyfriend Scott Thomas' twin brother Adam on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here The 20-year-old Kent-born make-up artist, who met her beau on the ITV2 dating show, languished poolside as she slipped into a cobalt blue bikini. Scroll down for video Blue beauty: And Kady McDermott has once again produced another stunning bikini on Wednesday as she continues her Australian getaway, where she has gone Down Under to support her boyfriend Scott Thomas' twin brother Adam on I'm A Celebrity... As she posed in her hotel, she showed off her stunning figure in the sexy two piece which boosted her cleavage to the maximum. Showing how coordinated she was, the brunette beauty wrapped herself in a matching sarong - tying in her beach babe look perfectly. With her incredibly long tresses cascading down to her waist, the stunning star held her hand up to her head to show off her body best. In the snap, no doubt taken by Scott, she also showed off her toned legs - the result no doubt of her militant exercise regime. In the pink! Just a day before, Kady posted a playful video, where she was seen playing around on the beach while rocking her stunning pink bikini Just a day before, Kady posted a playful video, where she was seen playing around on the beach while rocking her stunning pink bikini. Drawing attention to all her best assets, the brunette beauty wowed with the dazzling adornments at her hips and on the halterneck ties. With her lengthy brunette tresses billowing in the wind and a pair of oversized sunglasses on, the Kent-born beauty looked every inch the beach babe. She later took to the photo-sharing site to post a stunning shot where she was looking over her shoulder while surrounded by flashing bulbs for a photoshoot. Peachy! The make-up artist looked sensational in a barely-there bikini as she larked around on the beach in a tiny bikini before posing for a stunning poolside photoshoot Using her time in the sunshine wisely, Kady was advertising a line of bikinis as she posed in the pool while surrounded by fellow sunworshippers. Just a day before her onslaught of Instagram posts, Kady reportedly made fix claims against I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here bosses. The reality beauty headed Down Under with Scott to throw their support behind Adam, although after he came third in the show on Sunday night's final she is said to have slammed producers. Hours before the programme aired, in which Scarlett Moffatt was crowned queen of the jungle, Kady littered her social media accounts with yet more sizzling snaps of her beach body - clearly basking in the blissful weather in Oz. Playing around: Kady posted her playful video on Tuesday, where she was seen playing around on the beach while rocking her stunning pink bikini Brunette beauty: With her lengthy brunette tresses billowing in the wind and a pair of oversized sunglasses on, the Kent-born beauty looked every inch the beach babe Hitting out: Just a day before her onslaught of Instagram posts, Kady reportedly made fix claims against I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here bosses Kady met her beau after Love Island kicked off in May, leading to a tumultuous start to their romance before they cemented their relationship and moved in together earlier this year. While Emmerdale actor Adam slaved away in the jungle, the Kent-born beauty joined the Thomas family, including Coronation Street star Ryan and their parents, in cheering him on from the outside. During Sunday night's final, the remaining three came down to comedian Joel Dommett and Scarlett, who finished in second and first place respectively, ahead of Adam. While the Emmerdale actor took his place gracefully, by thanking his supporters and congratulating Scarlett - Kady and Scott were reportedly more disgruntled. She wore an Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini: Hours before the programme aired, in which Scarlett Moffatt was crowned queen of the jungle, Kady littered her social media accounts with sizzling snaps of her beach body Fuming: The reality beauty headed Down Under with Scott to throw their support behind Adam (pictured), although after he came third in the show on Sunday night's final she is said to have slammed producers In now-deleted Tweets, the Mirror report that Kady penned: ' Fix. Good night' before adding: 'They knew their winner before the show even started... Anyway he's the winner in our eyes he did AMAZING!!!! #KingAdam'. Scott's note was more subtle in approach, as the Tweet reportedly read: 'Wow don't get that at all I'm sorry!' Aside from her angry outbursts, the brunette beauty was still keen to show off her incredible figure as she took to Instagram throughout the trip. Happiness is: Kady met Scott (pictured) after Love Island kicked off in May, leading to a tumultuous start to their romance before they cemented their relationship before moving in together earlier this year Stunner: She then shared an incredible snap showing off her total natural beauty, as with the glowing snap she added the caption: 'Sea salt hair, fresh faced, freckles out loving life in the sun! Happy Sunday' One particularly sexy snap saw the stunner show off her perky posterior, as her bottom was adorned with a sand handprint. She then shared an incredible snap showing off her total natural beauty, as with the glowing snap she added the caption: 'Sea salt hair, fresh faced, freckles out loving life in the sun! Happy Sunday'. After Adam's devastating loss, the news appeared to get to Kady as she headed out to dinner Down Under, where the feisty stunner looked disgruntled as she spoke to her beau. Not happy! After Adam's devastating loss, the news appeared to get to Kady as she headed out to dinner Down Under, although the feisty stunner looked disgruntled as she spoke to her beau Fuming: Kady seemed convinced that Scarlett's victory was a fix Looking sensational in a key-hole crop top, she flashed her incredibly toned midriff atop enhancing her glowing tan. She added in white Pallazo pants with racy slashes extending the length of the leg. As she stood next to her strapping beau, she was once again dwarfed by him yet boosted her height with a pair of staggering heels. Scott meanwhile remained relatively low-key as he wore a stone-coloured crew neck T-shirt with slashed jeans and box fresh trainers. He welcomed his second child with wife Mila Kunis into the world on Wednesday. And on Tuesday new father Ashton Kutcher took a quick break from his paternal duties, heading out into Los Angeles to run some errands. Wrapped up against the cool winter weather, the 38-year-old actor cut a slightly fatigued figure as he made his way along the street. Scroll down for video Break from the baby? New father Ashton Kutcher took a quick break from his paternal duties, and headed out into Los Angeles to run some errands, on Tuesday Heading out on his own, the actor had presumably been sent out to grab a few supplies for his new-born, Dimitri. Clearly feeling a chill in the air, the That '70s Show star made sure to wrap up against the cold, wearing a number of layers. Wearing a white tee, burgundy hoodie and a heavy tan jacket, the actor also sported bootcut jeans and a pair of battered tobacco boots. Winter's here: Wrapped up against the cool winter weather, the 38-year-old actor cut a slightly fatigued figure as he made his way along the street Proud parents: Heading out on his own, the actor had presumably been sent out to grab a few supplies for his and Mila Kunis' new-born son, Dimitri Keeping the chills firmly at bay, Ashton pulled a green beanie low over his brow. The actor - who also has a two-year-old daughter, Wyatt, with Mila - looked slightly tired and he sported a rough layer of stubble on his famous features. The actor and his wife have kept a relatively low-profile since the birth of their second child on November 30. Keeping it casual: Wearing a white tee, burgundy hoodie and a heavy tan jacket, the actor also sported bootcut jeans and a pair of battered tobacco boots Hiding away: The actor and his wife (pictured in June) have kept a relatively low-profile since the birth of their second child on November 30 They broke the news to the world by releasing a statement on Ashton's website, A Plus, which read: 'Dimitri Portwood Kutcher was born at 1:21 a.m. on November 30, weighing 8 pounds and 15 ounces.' The little boy's first name is a nod to Ted actress Mila's heritage - it is a Russian version of the Greek name Demetrius. In October 2014 the couple welcomed their first child, Wyatt Isabelle Kutcher, and shortly after in July 2015 the couple tied the knot in an intimate ceremony. The couple formerly played boyfriend and girlfriend on That '70s Show, and started dating in 2012 after Ashton had finalized his split from first wife, Demi Moore. She was left red-faced earlier this year, when critics likened her Oscars dress to a vagina. And Sunrise host Edwina Bartholomew, 33, suffered yet another embarrassing red carpet moment at the AACTA Awards in Sydney on Wednesday, when Hollywood actor Mel Gibson, 60, bluntly asked 'who are you?' Viewers wasted no time hailing Hacksaw Ridge director Mel, with one Twitter user claiming the question was simply 'what all of Australia is thinking.' 'Mel Gibson just summed up what all of Australia is thinking... who the hell is Edwina Bartholomew. Even she had trouble explaining it AACTAs,' one tweet read. 'The AACTAs red carpet on Seven was brutal, but I just couldn't look away...' one user wrote. Another drew reference to American E! News presenter Giuliana Rancic, asking: 'Watching the #AACTAs Red Carpet car crash and where's Giuliana Rancic when you need her.' Edwina and Mel's awkward exchange occurred as he made his way down the red carpet. Awkward! Sunrise host Edwina Bartholomew, 33, suffered yet another embarrassing red carpet moment at the AACTA Awards in Sydney on Wednesday, when Hollywood actor Mel Gibson, 60, bluntly asked 'who are you?' Not familiar: Edwina and Mel's awkward exchange occurred as he made his way down the red carpet Sporting a suave tuxedo and dark shades, the actor stood just inches away with his back turned when Edwina eagerly approached him. 'Edwina, pleasure to see you,' the Channel Seven presenter said extending out her hand to which he bluntly replied: 'Who are you?' TV host Edwina misheard the actor and instead thought he had asked how she was. 'Edwina, pleasure to see you,' the Channel Seven presenter said extending out her hand to which Mel bluntly replied: 'Who are you?' Asking the question everyone's thinking? Twitter users backed the Hollywood actor and director when he asked the personality who she was with viewers unfamiliar with the Sunrise presenter The blonde presenter proceeded to respond with: 'I'm very, very well, how are you more to the point? You're the man of the evening' Confused, Mel politely answered while also repeating his initial question. 'No I'm good and who are you?' he asked with sincerity in his tone. Trainwreck TV? One viewer said they couldn't turn away from the 'brutal' red carpet Looking at how the American's do it? One Twitter user referenced American E! News presenter, asking: 'Where's Giuliana Rancic when you need her.' Not one to get flustered on the red carpet, Edwina brushed off the bizarre moment and politely reintroduced herself before quickly changing the subject. On Instagram, the former Dancing With The Stars co-host laughed off the awkward exchange and told fans that it was actually an event 'highlight' for her. 'Just a regular afternoon with @jmoconfidential ... highlights include Mel Gibson asking who the hell I was, a protest involving sausages and meeting Pippa from Home and Away. All the best bits tomorrow on @sunriseon7 and in @sydconfidential. Dress from @camillaandmarc,' she captioned a selfie. Seeing the funny side: On Instagram, the bubbly blonde laughed off the awkward exchange and told fans that it was actually an event 'highlight' for her The red carpet host for the event was also snubbed by Geoffrey Rush who walked straight past her as she tried to grab him for a chat. However, rather than get embarrassed, Whyalla-born Edwina threw her arms up with a grin, brushing it off in true Eddy style. Brushed: The red carpet host for the event was also snubbed by Geoffrey Rush who walked straight past her as she tried to grab him for a chat Taking it in her stride: However, rather than get embarrassed, Edwina threw her arms up with a grin, brushing it off in true Eddy style Despite the blunders, the Channel Seven star looked elegant while chatting to celebrities in a fitted navy halter dress that showed off her curvy physique. Her luscious blonde locks were swept up in a chic bun and she opted for semi-natural makeup consisting of foundation, smokey-eyes and a nude lip. The awkward moments come just weeks after Edwina suffered a humiliating wardrobe malfunction while attending Melbourne Cup in Flemington. Oh no! The awkward moments come just weeks after Edwina suffered a humiliating wardrobe malfunction while attending Melbourne Cup in Flemington The TV journalist showed more than she bargained for while flashing her Spanx, when her elegant white frock split at her derriere. Fortunately, a quick-thinking pal was able to sew it back together for the Channel Seven host, who laughed off the incident on Instagram. 'When you [sic] dress splits up the back and it's not even 10am. Thanks for the quick stitch up Gen! #melbournecup #sun7,' she captioned a snap. Tear-rible! The TV journalist showed more than she bargained for while flashing her Spanx, when her elegant white frock split at her derriere As if all those embarrassing moments weren't enough for Edwina, earlier this year she was ridiculed for wearing a Rachel Gilbert ice blue gown with unusual detailing at the Oscars. Instagram users instantly likened the look to a vagina but Edwina was able to find humour in the incident, which she playfully dubbed 'Vajayjaygate.' 'Hahaha I did know they might call it 'the vagina dress' and I still wore it anyway!' she proudly told Kyle and Jackie O after the show. Ridicule: The awkward exchange comes nearly one year after the media personality was ridiculed for wearing a Rachel Gilbert ice blue gown with unusual detailing at the Oscars They are both famed for their extremely ample assets. So it was bound to be a spectacular display when Emily Ratajkowski and Kate Upton joined forces as they attended the Vince Camuto Holiday Dance Party in Los Angeles on Tuesday held at Ashlee Margolis' The A List. Vince Camuto celebrated the holidays with an exclusive girls only dance party hosted by Erin Foster, Nathalie Love, Kelly Oxford, and Sasha Spielberg. Guests mingled and danced to music by DJs Kitty Ca$h and Kidada Jones while previewing the latest Vince Camuto styles sipping Whispering Angel Rose and JUST water. Battle of the boobs: It was bound to be a spectacular display when Emily Ratajkowski and Kate Upton joined forces as they attended the Vince Camuto Holiday Dance Party in Los Angeles on Tuesday The 25-year-old London-born beauty was dressed to impress at the fashion bash as she opted to go braless beneath a perilously plunging black shirt, while the Other Woman actress, 24, was relatively more covered up. Emily soared to fame in 2013 after appearing naked in the video for Robin Thicke and Pharrell's controversial hit Blurred Lines. Since her rise to prominence, the brunette beauty has never been shy of showing off her all-natural assets - with Tuesday being no exception. Looking sleek in head-to-toe black, Emily opted to show off her cleavage by going braless in a deeply plunging shirt adorned with glittery detailing. She tucked the shirt into high-waisted satin trousers which highlighted her tiny middle and further accentuated her braless state. Check them out! The 25-year-old London-born beauty (left) was dressed to impress at the fashion bash as she opted to go braless beneath a perilously plunging black shirt, while the Other Woman actress, 24, was relatively more covered up The squad: With their blonde and brunette tresses the girls perfectly complemented each other Stunner: Emily soared to fame in 2013 after appearing naked in the video for Robin Thicke and Pharrell's controversial hit Blurred Lines What a pair! Emily posed with lookalike star - Mexican actress Eiza Gonzalez, who dazzled in silver Boosting her model height with staggering black heels, she brought the look together with the addition of a boxy silver clutch. She wore her brunette tresses in bouncy loose waves falling from a centre parting, while her make-up was dewy and stunning. Kate meanwhile opted for a more classic look as she oozed flapper glamour in a fringed skirt which offered a cheeky glimpse of her legs from beneath the sheer bottom. Wowing the crowd: Kate meanwhile opted for a more classic look as she oozed flapper glamour in a fringed skirt which offered a cheeky glimpse of her legs from beneath the sheer bottom Giving her all: Kate preened and posed in front of the camera She tucked her vest top into the skirt but was uncharacteristically covered up - considering the famous status of her incredible curves. Proving her cutting edge style credentials, Kate slipped a black tuxedo jacket over her shoulders which provided a contrast of androgynous chic with the super girly vibes to her look. She too wore her hair in loose waves, as she was styled to complement Emily - with both girls toting the same silver clutch bag. All the girls: The chesty duo were joined by sunning writer Erin Foster Gossip Girl beauty Michelle Trachtenberg wowed with a vampish look as she contrasted her alabaster complexion with a slick of plum lipstick. Sasha Spielberg, daughter of legendary director Steven, was also in attendance - sporting a Unique ensemble comprising of a high neck shirt with raglan trousers. She posed alongside Kate with writer Erin Foster, whose father is record producer David Foster, and her sister Sara. Guests came with bags of clothes to donate to GLAM4GOOD, an empowerment platform that creates and celebrates inspiring stories of transformation that ignite positive social change through style. She's got the gossip! Gossip Girl beauty Michelle Trachtenberg wowed with a vampish look as she contrasted her alabaster complexion with a slick of plum lipstick In the right direction: Sasha Spielberg, daughter of legendary director Steven, was also in attendance The People's Liberation Army will soon have an unusually shaped drone, which is expected to strengthen the Chinese military's aerial reconnaissance capabilities. The Xianglong, or Soar Dragon, drone is seen in this file photo. Provided To China Daily An unknown number of Xianglong, or Soar Dragon, high-altitude, long-endurance drones have been produced by Guizhou Aviation Industry Group, which is part of the State-owned aircraft maker Aviation Industry Corp of China, according to aviation sources. The aircraft is believed to be undergoing testing and is expected to be delivered to the PLA soon, sources said, adding that it is likely to become China's answer to the United States' Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk, considered to be the most well-known unpiloted surveillance drone in the world. With an innovative "joined tandem wing" design, the drone's configuration is different from all other Chinese manned and unmanned planes - it has a conventional swept wing joined with a forward swept wing, which makes it look like a traditional Chinese kite. In accordance with Chinese regulations, Guizhou Aviation Industry Group has not, and will not, reveal characteristics of the drone. However, AirForces Monthly, a British military aviation magazine, said Xianglong has a cruise speed of 750 kilometers per hour and a flight range of 7,000 km. It is capable of operating for 10 hours and can fly up to an altitude of 18,000 meters, the magazine said. Xianglong was unveiled in 2006 at an air show in China, but later disappeared from public view until 2011 when a prototype was seen at an airport run by the Aviation Industry Corp of China. No other news on the drone's development has been leaked since then, and whether it has conducted its first flight remains unknown. However, since July, speculation about the mass production of Xianglong started to circulate on Chinese defense technology websites after Guizhou Aviation Industry Group published a photo of one of its manufacturing facilities on the internet, with two yellow Xianglong models in a corner of the picture, leading observers to discuss whether the inclusion was intentional. "Xianglong's unique design makes it suitable for long operations at high altitude. Once the drone is commissioned to the military, it will boost the PLA's long-range reconnaissance capabilities," said Wang Ya'nan, editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge magazine. "Moreover, the jet is a good platform for electronic warfare operations such as signal intelligence collection and electronic jamming," he added. The PLA has become a big user of unmanned aircraft thanks to the rapid development of the drone industry in China. The military showed three types of unpiloted, fixed-wing planes at the most recent parade in September last year. It is also said to have deployed several other models. Advances in the nation's drone technology have also benefitted at least 10 foreign countries, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan, with foreign media reporting such countries have bought and deployed Chinese military drones. She's currently Down Under to perform in Sydney Theatre Company's play, Speed-the-Plow. But despite her hectic schedule, Rose Byrne took time out to present the trophy for the Best Lead Actor in a Drama TV at the AACTA Awards in Sydney on Wednesday. The 37-year-old took to the stage, before rushing off to take to the stage for the production's evening show. Scroll down for video Double duties: Rose Byrne presented the first trophy of the night at the AACTA Awards in Sydney on Wednesday, before rushing off to perform on-stage in the Sydney Theatre Company's production of Speed-the-Plow Rose cut a chic figure at the industry's night of nights. A floral frock with a slight plunging neckline, showed off the actresses' delicate decolletage, toned shoulders and lithe arms. Detailing just under the bust cinched in at Rose's slender waist, while billowing fabric from the hips down added an extra feminine touch. Tressed to perfection: The Bridesmaids star styled her shoulder length brunette locks semi-straight Beauty: Rose enhanced her striking eyes with bold brows, kohl liner and lashings of mascara Elongating her frame with a pair of round-toe black heels, the Bridesmaids star carried her belongings in a simple black clutch. Allowing her shoulder-length brunette tresses to be styled semi-straight, Rose enhanced her striking eyes with bold brows, kohl liner and lashings of mascara. Rose returned to her homeland in October, with actor partner Bobby Cannavale and their nine-month-old son Rocco. Back Down Under: Rose returned to her homeland in October, with actor partner Bobby Cannavale (pictured) and their nine-month-old son Rocco. Pictured at the Met Ball in New York in 2015 Overjoyed: The petite personality recently shared her enthusiasm for her return home: 'It is so lovely being back. We are just enjoying it so much being home with the family and friends' The petite personality shared her enthusiasm for her return with the Daily Telegraph last month: 'It is so lovely being back. We are just enjoying it so much being home with the family and friends,' she gushed to the publication. Confirming that Rocco will enjoy his first ever Christmas in Australia, Rose added: 'It's been great to be here with our son.' The Sydney-born actress recently opened up about her motherhood experience to Nine, saying she hates missing out on Rocco's night-time routine due to her acting schedule with the Sydney Theatre Company. Precious time: Confirming that Rocco will enjoy his first ever Christmas in Australia, Rose added to the publication: 'It's been great to be here with our son' She did however explain that she was lucky to have her days freed up to spend with the youngster. 'I think the best advice I've been given about motherhood is that it's just messy. There's no way to do it that's perfect,' Rose explained. 'And it's also the best thing I've ever done in my life,' she gushed. Rose and Bobby, who welcomed their first child into the world in February. Hot property: Rose has enjoyed a steady stream of success in Hollywood, landing roles in Bridesmaids, Bad Neighbors and Spy, to name a few She filmed her final scenes in April. But Alison King could be set to make a sensational return to ITV soap Coronation Street. The actress, who played Carla Connor, has reportedly been spotted on set amid reports the soap's boss Kate Oates is working hard to persuade her to return. Back on the cobbles? Alison King could be set to make a sensational return to ITV soap Coronation Street just eight months after she quit to pursue other roles Alison left Corrie after over a decade earlier this year, explaining she wanted to spend more time with her daughter and pursue other roles. But the 43-year-old actress is apparently in talks to make her comeback, The Sun report, with new show boss Kate Oates leading the charge to bring her back. A source has told the paper: 'Alison decided to leave before Kate took over the role of series producer, something Kate was gutted about. Kate is a big fan of Alison and is keen to get her back full-time as she loved her character.' Popular character: The actress, who played Carla Connor, has reportedly been spotted on set amid reports the soap's boss Kate Oates is working hard to persuade her to return A spokesperson for the soap has told MailOnline that the actress was on the Corrie set to visit friends. Carla was last seen on the cobbles in May when she headed to Devon to start a new life after blurting out that she cheated on husband Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) with her arch-enemy Tracy Barlow's (Kate Ford) lover Robert Preston (Tristan Gemmill). But soap bosses left the door open for her to return, with the insider adding that the actress would be keen to come back as she's found it difficult to secure roles away from the soap: 'Alison struggled to find work since leaving in the summer and the cast and viewers would love her to return too,' says the source. 'There was always an emphasis on the door being left open for her character and several storylines are coming up that could make that happen.' Alison could make her return for the upcoming storyline which will see her on-screen dad Johnny Connor (Richard Hawley) and Jenny Bradley (Sally Ann Matthews) marry. Wedding bells: Alison could make her return for the upcoming storyline which will see her on-screen dad Johnny Connor (Richard Hawley) and Jenny Bradley (Sally Ann Matthews) marry Speaking to OK! Magazine at her leaving bash in the Spring, the 43-year-old actress explained the job is so demanding that after her decade-long stint on the show, she'd 'rather not be broken all the time'. Explaining her reasons for leaving Corrie, which has seen win four awards for her acting, the Leicester-born star explained the unforgiving pace of the show left her feeling drained. She said: 'Youre doing 15-hour days, plus two hours of learning new scripts once you get home,' she explained. 'To do that for a decade can break you, so I would rather not be broken all the time for the rest of my life. I also think Carla has done everything she can do for now.' Drama queen: Carla was last seen on the cobbles in May when she headed to Devon to start a new life after blurting out that she cheated on husband Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) with her arch-enemy Tracy Barlow's (Kate Ford) lover Another contributing factor in her decision to quit the street is her home life - specifically spending time with her seven-year-old daughter, Daisy Mae. And while the decision to walk away after 10 years - she'd originally planned on only staying four - was hard, she admitted to OK! that she was missing her daughter growing up. 'Im a single mum and I have to put Daisy first,' she explained. 'Shes at an age where everything passes so quickly and she needs her mum around a bit more. I need to see her grow up more than I have done. Alison first appeared in Corrie as Mrs. Fanshaw, a customer of builder Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas), in 2004, and first starred as Carla in December 2006. They celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary last week. And on Wednesday, Zoe Ventoura gushed about married life with husband Daniel Macpherson as she attended the 2016 AACTRA Awards in Sydney. Speaking to Yahoo7 Be, the 35-year-old actress commented: 'Married life is wonderful'. Scroll down for video Happily ever after: Actress Zoe Ventoura has gushed about married life with husband Daniel Macpherson as she attended the 2016 AACTRA Awards in Sydney The actress went on to explain to the online publication that she and Dan are 'taking it one day at a time' due to their busy schedules that sometimes leaves them on opposite ends of the globe. 'We're just doing our thing and taking it one week at a time at this stage because we've both been moving around so much with work,' she explained. Zoe and Dan married in an intimate ceremony in Noosa, Queensland last December. Perfect: At the event, the 35-year-old actress commented: 'Married life is wonderful' One step at a time: She added: 'We're just doing our thing and taking it one week at a time at this stage because we've both been moving around so much with work' They met in 2011 when they both appeared in TV series, Wild Boys. Last week the pair celebrated their first wedding anniversary and documented the occasion on social media. While sharing an image from their big day, Dan gushed in the caption: 'Happy First Anniversary @zoe_ventoura...What a special day that was, surrounded by so many special people... Forever: Zoe and Dan married in an intimate ceremony in Noosa, Queensland last December, after meeting in 2011 when they both appeared in TV series, Wild Boys 'Zoe and I look forward to the day that all of our friends have the right to get married in Australia,' he continued in reference to the current same-sex laws. Taking to her own Instagram account, Zoe wrote: 'One year married to this guy. Happy Anniversary my love, here's to many, many, many more @danmacpherson.' Last year, Dan announced their secret wedding on social media, writing: 'Mr & Mrs...We were married last Thursday surrounded by family and friends & lots of love. We couldn't be happier!' Back in May, he became a trending topic on Twitter after falling off his chair while wearing heels during an appearance on Loose Women. And on Wednesday, it was a clear case of history repeating itself - albeit with different attire - when he returned to the ITV chat show encased in bubble wrap, ironically in a bid to keep him protected and safe after his last fall. With his limbs tied together, the Scottish-American actor, 49, ended up needing help from the show's hosts after his limited mobility caused him to clumsily topple over onto his bottom as he attempted to take a seat on the stage. Scroll down for video He can't help falling for you! John Barrowman needed a helping hand when he took a tumble while making an appearance on Loose Women on Wednesday His mishap left the audience in fits of laughter, as well as the co-hosts and the screen star himself, as the impracticality of the bizarre ensemble became clear. The star soon wrestled himself free of the taped-on wrap, as he prepared to sit down for an interview to promote his new pantomime Dick Whittington. A photograph of a laughing John falling over was uploaded to Loose Women's Twitter account, along with the caption: 'OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not AGAIN!!!!!!' It's a wrap! The 49-year-old screen star made his way to the stage encased in bubble wrap Help! Co-host Andrea McLean admitted to keep him steady as she pre-empted his tumble He will not be moved: John attempted to keep going, but his bound legs began to fail him Man down! He laughed raucously on realising his battle with the bubble wrap was officially lost Something's up! As he fell to the floor, the jovial actor comically threw his legs up in the air Freedom! The co-hosts soon set John free, as they ripped off the restricting bubble wrap Chatting away... As ever he was animated and hilarious And his antics didn't go unnoticed elsewhere on Twitter, with viewers taking to the micro-blogging site in droves in heap praise on the screen star. 'I love John Barrowman so much, he just makes everything so much better,' said one user, while another wrote: 'John Barrowman makes the world a better place.' Another seemed eager to see more of the star on domestic shores as they enquired: 'When is #JohnBarrowman going to do another series for #UK TV?' Before and after: Photographs of John pre and post-fall were later uploaded to the show's official Twitter account Chatting away: The show favourite looked right at home among the hosts Keeping it casual: He later posed for shots backstage, showing off his more conventional attire Promotional trail: He appeared on the show to promote his new pantomime Dick Whittington Up high! John gave Coleen a high five as they chatted on the panel Fun and games: His appearance on the show drew largely positive comments from viewers Back in May, the actor had been invited to appear on the lunchtime programme to help demonstrate how difficult it is for men to walk in women's shoes - quite literally. John made himself comfortable during a teaser segment for the show, which aired live during This Morning, propping up his shiny scarlet stilettos on the table. All of a sudden, the Torchwood star - joined by hosts Andrea McLean, Nadia Sawalha, Sherrie Hewson and Kaye Adams - lost his balance and took a spectacular backwards fall. Flailing his arms in the air, John vanished under the table, legs akimbo. Head over heels! The screen star suffered a hilarious fall during an appearance on Loose Women back in May In hysterics: The Arrow actor had the whole panel in stitches thanks to his gravity-defying tumble Going... John suddenly lost his balance while propping up his shiny scarlet stilettos on the table Going... Flailing his arms in the air, the Scottish-American actor suffered a spectacular mishap Gone! Barrowman disappeared under the table, legs akimbo - as Sherrie Hewson screeched with fright The panelists' reaction was equally amusing as they jumped up from their chairs, screeching in shock. Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes couldn't contain their surprise, dissolving into fits of giggles from the live link on This Morning. Luckily John wasn't injured during his fall and proved himself to be a real trooper, later emerging in a pair of black heels and performing a skilled tap dance with ease. Stunned: The panelists' reaction was equally amusing as they jumped up from their chairs, screeching in shock Good sport: John later joked, 'As soon as I knew I was going backwards - tuck and roll! We do some of our own stunt stuff on Arrow' Kaye Adams quipped: 'John Barroman is great in high heels, but he's rubbish on stools!' Oops: Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes couldn't contain their surprise either, dissolving into fits of giggles from the live link on This Morning As the episode of Loose Women kicked off, Andrea joked: 'The party might be getting started here, but for one person it nearly ended about half an hour ago! 'We can confirm John is absolutely fine - and we're still going to put him in heels.' Kaye chimed in: 'John Barroman is great in high heels, but he's rubbish on stools!' Re-surfacing: Luckily John wasn't injured during his fall and proved himself to be a real trooper Not so macho: The down-to-earth actor also endured a leg wax in a bid to prove the pain women endure; however, he screamed like a girl throughout Ouch! John bravely offered to get his legs waxed - but he didn't handle the pain very well Over it! Like the born performer he is, John quickly dusted himself off and was back at his best Quizzed about the incident, John explained: 'As soon as I knew I was going backwards - tuck and roll! We do some of our own stunt stuff on Arrow.' The down-to-earth actor also endured a leg wax in a bid to prove the pain women endure; however, he screamed like a girl throughout. John added: 'The one thing men will never experience and they should never complain about is childbirth. never complain about pain, never ever!' Handling it well! Before his awkward fall, it seemed as though stilettos were no match for the star That escalated quickly! The TV presenter's mood quickly changed once the wax was stripped from his leg Sending viewers into hysterics: John Barroman began trending on Twitter following the incident Going viral: Many people shared videos of the incident and joked they couldn't stop re-watching it Comedy gold: Poor John's misfortune cause much mirth among viewers The American's star's hysterical slip-up was a hit with viewers, who went wild on social media following the incident. As his name began trending on Twitter, one fan enthused: 'John Barrowman falling off that chair has really made my day!', while another posted: 'I don't know what's funnier John Barrowman wearing red heigh heels or him falling off the chair'. 'I'm still laughing about John Barrowman falling off that stool, I love daytime tv!, a third fan wrote, with another sharing, 'My mum replayed John Barrowman falling of his chair about 20 times'. Never again! Leg waxing is seemingly not a beauty treatment John will be repeating in the future Red-faced: John wasn't a fan of his waxing experience and won't be repeating it anytime soon I'm fine! John insisted that he didn't need any help from panellist Sherrie Hewson Meanwhile, John has revealed he would like to reprise his role as Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and has teased he is heading to Cardiff, Wales, where the sci-fi drama is filmed for a secret project. Speaking on BBC's The One Show about a possible comeback, he said: 'I'd love to, keep watching. Keep watching, I've love to! I don't know! It's not up to me ... but keep watching!' John made his first appearance in Doctor Who in 2005, and then in spin-off show Torchwood, and continued to make cameos in both programmes until 2013. Joker: The Doctor Who star also discusses the perils of men's underwear, much to the panel's amusement She's expecting her second child with husband Guillaume Canet. But Marion Cotillard refused to play to by any rule-book but her own when it came to maternity style on Wednesday, as she channelled a chic and sassy look. Arriving at the Assassin's Creed photo call in Madrid, Spain with her co-star Michael Fassbender, the 41-year-old showed off a new blunt fringe whilst she subtly covered up her baby bump. Scroll down for video Maternity chic: Marion Cotillard refused to play to by any rule-book but her own when it came to maternity style on Wednesday, at the Assassin's Creed photo call in Madrid, Spain Marion, who announced she was expecting her second child in September, went for a simple yet stylish monochrome ensemble. The Allied star opted to obscure her blossoming bump in a floaty white blouse, which featured over-sized sleeves. She teamed the breezy garment with a pair of skin-tight black jeans, which showcased the French beauty's lithe legs. Sassy style: Arriving at the photo call with her co-star Michael Fassbender, the 41-year-old showed off a new blunt fringe whilst she subtly covered up her baby bump Covering up: The Allied star opted to obscure her blossoming bump in a floaty white blouse, which featured over-sized sleeves Rounding her ensemble off with a suitably high-fashion finish, the Macbeth star wore a pair of towering, peep-toe heels. Marion, who plays Sofia in the big-screen adaption of Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed game, also debuted a chic new do at the event, revealing her blunt new fringe. The star's new hairstyle only served to highlight her striking, pretty features, which she subtly accentuated with a simple palette of make-up. Simple style: Marion (pictured with co-star Michael Fassbender) teamed her top with a pair of skin-tight black jeans and peep-toe heels, which showcased the French beauty's lithe legs New do: Marion, who plays Sofia in the big-screen adaption of Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed game, also debuted a chic new do at the event, revealing her blunt new fringe Cool like Mike: Michael, 39, rocked his usual suave yet laid-back look, with the Inglorious Basterds star teaming a black turtle-neck jumper with grey trousers and a pair of white trainers Teamwork make the dream work: Joined by the film's director Justin Kurzel, the two stars looked delighted to be on the promotional trail for the film Joining her on the red carpet at the photo call was her 39-year-old co-star, Michael Fassbender. The Irish-German actor rocked his usual suave yet laid-back look, with the Inglorious Basterds star teaming a black turtle-neck jumper with grey trousers and a pair of white trainers. The handsome Hollywood hunk swept his short brown locks into a side-parting, but kept a rugged edge to his look by leaving a smattering of stubble on his jawline. The cast are here: (L-R) Carlos Bardem, Javier Gutierrez, Michael, Marion, Justin and Hovik Keuchkerian all posed together From console to cineam: Michael and Marion's latest project sees them tasked with bringing Ubisoft's award-winning game series Assassin's Creed (pictured) onto the big screen Michael and Marion's latest project sees them tasked with bringing Ubisoft's award-winning game series onto the big screen. Michael plays Callum Lynch, who explores the memories of his ancestor Aguilar and gains the skills of a Master Assassin thanks to a machine called the animus. Cal discovers he is a descendant of the secret Assassins society thanks to the machine, and through this he is able to explore the genetic memory of his ancestor. She sashayed down the Paris catwalk, pimped and preened for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show last week. But Bella Hadid cut a distinctly more casual figure on Wednesday as she jetted out of Paris to New York City. The 20-year-old rising star wore her long dark hair tied back into a ponytail teamed with large gold rimmed glasses and minimal make-up, showing off her natural beauty. Scroll down for video Casual but designer: Bella Hadid sported gold rimmed glasses, a white crop top, leather jacket and tracksuit bottoms at Charles De Gualle airport in Paris on Wednesday Sporting a white polo neck crop top which showed off her famous toned stomach to the maximum. She teamed her ensemble with a black leather jacket and loose fitting Givenchy tracksuit bottoms with black comfortable boots. The star recently revealed she was last year turned down for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Top of the crops: Bella showed off her famous washboard abs as she caught the flight back to the U.S. Hell for leather: The model sported a polo neck jumper and jacket over tracksuit bottoms No better feeling: Bella expressed her joy via Twitter at being given the chance to walk the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show this year Speaking to Paper Magazine, the younger sister of supermodel Gigi confessed she tried out for the 2015 show but was rejected. 'I was really surprised, but definitely excited. I tried last year [to be cast in] the show [but] I think everything happens for a reason.' Bella confirmed her place in the 2016 show five weeks ago, gushing on her Instagram page: 'I can't believe it !!!!! There is no better feeling than being confirmed for the @victoriassecret fashion show !!! What a dream come true..I feel so appreciative and excited!' Bare faced chic: Bella wore her dark hair pulled back into a ponytail and minimal makeup New opportunity: Bella was turned down for the Victoria's Secret Fashion show after being turned down last year 'Thank you for this opportunity to walk next to some of the most inspiring and incredible women in the world! Thank YOU from the deepest part of my heart.' Bella was delighted to have sister Gigi by her side as she made her VS debut this year, telling Paper: 'It's amazing; she's really my comfort zone and my comfort blanket, so to be able turn around and to be able to talk to her, it really grounds me and makes me a little less nervous to have my best friend with me.' Gayle King may be Oprah's BFF but that doesn't mean the talk show queen always plays nice. The c o-anchor of CBS This Morning got a surprising message during her show on Tuesday. It looks like Oprah reached out to the 61-year-old morning host's assistant to point out 'the circus' around her neck. All that glitters: CBS This Morning host Gayle King wore a flashy necklace to work on Tuesday that her BFF Oprah called a 'circus' They go way back: Here, the media mogul and her journalist BFF attend the Hearst MagFront 2016 event this October in New York On Tuesday King, who is the editor-at-large of Oprah's O Magazine, shared a photo of herself wearing the offending necklace on Instagram. She posted the caption: 'Note @oprah sent to my asst this am. plz tell Gayle I'm on treadmill & it's hard to focus w/the circus around your neck.' The morning host wore a dark green top with a shiny oversize statement necklace that seemed to do all the talking. In the post though, the morning host quipped back at her friend: 'I think she's WRONG thoughts? ' In the comments, Gayle's followers weighed in. 'I was thinking how much I love it. I never thought I would disagree with Oprah!' said one fan. 'That a true friend. I didn't think it was bad it was just distracting' chimed in another. Others were blunt: 'Sorry Gayle, beautiful woman, ugly necklace!' They work well together! The dynamic duo both look fantastic in evening gowns, at an event for the Smithsonian's new National Museum of African American History and Culture The jokes seem to be in good fun though. The two TV powerhouses met in 1976 and have been friends for over 30 years. This year Gail made an appearance in the comedy The Boss. The film starred Melissa McCarthy as a high-powered business lady who finds herself serving time behind bars. Oprah, who is 62-years-old, is keeping busier than ever with her talk show, magazine, and a new book on the way. She blanked a question about her former fling Rob Mills during an interview on The Project last month, claiming she didn't remember the former Australian Idol star. 'Who?' the American socialite responded bluntly, before the segment was quickly wrapped up by TV producers. Now her old flame 'Millsy' has hit back at the blonde American heiress. Scroll down for video 'Who?' Rob Mills has hit back at former flame Paris Hilton after she 'claimed' not to remember the Australian Idol star after their 2003 fling, during an interview on The Project last month Questioned about Paris's short term memory on the red carpet at the AACTA Awards on Wednesday night by Yahoo7, Rob responded in the same vein, asking 'who?' During her interview with The Project last month, Paris looked awkward when guest host Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald brought up her brief romance with the former reality star. Near the end of the interview, Fitzy asked if she was in a relationship, and Paris replied: 'I'm very single.' But when he brought up her fling with 'Millsy', things took a rather unfortunate turn. 'This is an old flame, but do you still keep in contact with Millsy? Robert Mills? Remember Millsy?' he asked. 'Who?' said Paris, shaking her head, 'No'. Not an approved question? Paris looked awkward when guest host Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald brought up her brief romance with Rob on The Project. Pictured with host Peter Helliar (R) 'Do you still keep in contact with Millsy?' When Fitzy brought up Paris' fling from 13 years ago, things took a rather unfortunate turn 'We're running out of time, Fitz': Meanwhile, The Project host Carrie Bickmore (R) desperately tried to wrap up the segment. Pictured with host Waleed Aly Meanwhile, host Carrie Bickmore desperately tried to wrap up the segment, saying: 'We're running out of time, Fitz.' Amusingly, The Project's closing credits music began playing the moment Fitzy asked the question. Paris had a brief relationship with Rob shortly after he rose to fame on the first series of Australian Idol in 2003. Memorable? Paris' sudden memory loss may come as a surprise to Rob, who recently said he kept in touch with the US socialite for a year after their Melbourne Cup hook-up But her sudden memory loss may come as a surprise to the Neighbours star. Last month, Rob said he kept in touch with Paris for a year after their fling during an appearance on 2Day FM's Rove And Sam. 'For about a year we did and then that was it. We caught up the next time she was (in Australia),' the 34-year-old said. What a transformation! In the last 13 years, Rob has reinvented himself from reality TV larrikin to respected musical theatre star and TV actor. Pictured in 2014 They first met at an event at Sydney Opera House before heading to an after-party hosted by Osher Gunsberg. Afterwards, they spent the night at Paris's hotel before meeting up again shortly after the Melbourne Cup. 'We did pretty much everything but (sex) and then we caught up at the races a week after,' he told The Sydney Morning Herald. Their yet to be announced live reunion is one of the most hotly-anticipated events in the music industry. But fans of Spice Girls offshoot GEM, comprising of Geri Horner, Emma Bunton and Mel B, will have to wait until next year for the spectacle, after it was reported plans for the girls to appear in the X Factor final have fallen through. A source told The Sun's Dan Wootton: 'The girls were very keen to make it happen and negotiations went on throughout the week.' Scroll down for video X-it Factor: Fans of Spice Girls offshoot GEM, comprising of Geri Horner, Emma Bunton and Mel B, will have to wait until next year for their big live reunion The legendary girl group were allegedly interested in working with trio 5 After Midnight, but their schedule just wouldn't allow it. The insider continued: 'Mel B was in town for the filming of Lip Sync Battle, but she has to get to New York to start rehearsals for Chicago on Broadway. 'They did everything they could to make the schedules work at the end of the day but it just couldnt happen.' MailOnline has contacted representatives for X Factor and GEM and is awaiting comment. GEM recently revealed leaked track Song For Her was written by the group, but they never intended for it to be their first single. Unfortunate: The legendary girl group were allegedly interested in working with trio 5 After Midnight, but their schedule just wouldn't allow it Emma Bunton told MailOnline: 'We wrote something and it got leaked and it got stolen which is not great but we've had nice feedback.' Asked if the track was meant to the first single, Emma continued: 'No, it was just a great fun song we wrote together.' Meanwhile, 5 After Midnight were treated to an emotional homecoming as they were sent back to Leicester during Battle Bus week. The boys are back in town: As the X Factor final looms, 5 After Midnight were treated to an emotional homecoming as they were sent back to Leicester during Battle Bus week The trio, Kieran Alleyne, Nathan Lewis and Jordan Lee, were given some leave on Monday and arrived in their home-town where they were reunited with their families and friends. The group of three friends, aged between 20 and 23, arrived back in the East Midlands as the final week of the singing show got underway. Making their way home from London on a touring bus embossed with their own branding, the boys were give some precious time with their family members. Making a stop at Kieran's house with mentor Louis Walsh they were greeted by their loved ones; with Kieran getting to spend some time with his supportive grandfather. Back at home: Kieran Alleyne, Nathan Lewis and Jordan Lee were given some leave on Monday and arrived in their home-town where they were reunited with their families and friends Following their pit-stop with their families, the boys headed into Leicester's city centre. Pulling up outside the Leicester Athena, the boys were greeted by a hoard of screaming fans. Emerging from their battle bus, the three lads couldn't hide their delighted smiles. Rolling into town: The group of three friends, aged between 20 and 23, arrived back in the East Midlands as the final week of the singing show got underway Who are they waiting for? The boys could barely believe their eyes as they stepped off the battle bus Welcome home: Following a pit-stop with their families, the boys headed into Leicester's city centre were they were greeted by a hoard of adoring fans Smile! Kieran looked to be in his element as he posed for selfies with a number of fans on the red carpet Lap it up lads: Nathan Lewis (L) and Jordan Lee (R) were also in high spirits, and like Kieran couldn't wait to meet their fans Meeting their fans as they strolled down the red carpet, the boy band looked like bona fide pop stars. Shortly after their arrivals the boys took to the stage at the venue and played to a 1,600 strong crowd. Their triumphant homecoming came after they managed to impress the judges and the public with their rendition Stay Another Day by East 17, on Saturday's X Factor. Ready for a winner: The trio were accompanied by their mentor Louis Walsh Back on the stage: The band performed to a packed crowd at the Leicester Athena That's a full house: Kieran, Nathan and Jordan sang their hearts out in front of a 1,600 strong crowd Both Nicole Scherzinger and Simon Cowell were full of praise for the band, with the former Pussycat Doll gushing: 'You proved you could do it without the dancing around. You stripped it back and made it your own.' Meanwhile, Simon admitted he was blown away by their energy, as he observed: 'I thought that was absolutely fantastic. That's what we've been waiting for. You had presence and had personality.' She sparked wedding rumours after being spotted visiting a Sydney bridal shop earlier this week. But Bachelor winner Alex Nation, 25, has denied she has wedding plans in place with her boyfriend Richie Strahan. 'Moira Hughes designed and made my dress for the [Derby Day] Cup so I was just checking in to see how she was,' Alex told Yahoo Be on the red carpet at the 2016 AACTAs on Wednesday. Scroll down for video 'I thought I'd stop in': Alex Nation, 25, has denied she has wedding plans in place with her boyfriend Richie Strahan after being spotted visiting a Sydney bridal store earlier this week (pictured) 'I'd returned my dress and I though I was in Paddington so I thought I'd stop in and see her. And now I'm 'getting married'! Not really,' she continued. When quizzed whether wedding bells were on the cards, Alex said coyly: 'Not in the immediate future', but said that it would likely occur in the 'distant future'. The sighting came just weeks after Alex and Richie were spotted ogling at engagement rings. Taking it slow! She set the record straight about her rumoured nuptials after stepping onto the red carpet with Richie on her arm at the AACTAs in Sydney on Wednesday No bride here! Alex donned this strapless white number by bridal designer Moira Hughes during Derby day celebrations last month Last month, Alex spoke about Richie meeting her five-year-old son Elijah from a previous marriage, for the very first time to OK! Magazine. 'As a mother, you can't put into words seeing everything feel so right when the man that's come into your life meets the most important person in the world,' she said. While it was previously alleged she introduced him to her son on the set of their first photo shoot together, Alex revealed the meeting took place at her house. No immediate plans: When quizzed whether wedding bells were on the cards, Alex said coyly: 'Not in the immediate future', but said that it would likely occur in the 'distant future' 'It's not about Elijah, myself or Richie,' she said. 'It is just about having things in our control and as a mother you go to great lengths to do the right things for your child, but also his dad as well.' Richie is currently in the process of relocating to Melbourne to be closer to his new family. 'It is just about having things in our control': Last month, Alex spoke about Richie meeting her five-year-old son Elijah from a previous marriage, for the very first time to OK! Magazine The Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MOD) has refuted recent media reports claiming that missiles launched by China have bought down a Myanmar military aircraft and caused it to crash in Chinese airspace. The MOD's information office said such reports were "a sheer fabrication." Senior Colonel Yang Yujun, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MOD), takes questions at a routine press briefing on Nov.30, 2016. [Photo by Chen Boyuan / China.org.cn] Earlier, Senior Colonel Yang Yujun, spokesperson for the MOD, said on Nov. 30 at a routine press briefing that the Chinese military was "seriously concerned about" the military confrontations in northern Myanmar, and has "strongly urged the parties involved to seriously address the security concern of the Chinese side." "We urge concerned parties to take concrete and effective measures to strengthen management and control of the military operations in the China-Myanmar border region, and prevent such incidents from happening again," said Yang. The fabricated reports of China shooting down a Myanmar warplane reflected the continued tensions after conflict broke out again in north Myanmar recently. Stray bullets and cannon shells were reported to have entered Chinese territory, causing casualties of Chinese citizens and damage to properties. The PLA has pledged to strengthen border patrols, control and security protection as well as being prepared for emergencies, said the MOD spokesman. "The Chinese military will resolutely safeguard state sovereignty, security and also safety of the lives and property of the Chinese people in the border region," he said. According to the MOD, the PLA has also been cooperating with local government departments in regions that border Myanmar to provide shelters to Myanmar citizens who have fled to China to escape the warfare. Hundreds of immigrants released from Texas detention centers Hundreds of female and underage immigrants were released from detention centers in Texas after a state judge ruled that such sites could not legally house children, an immigrant advocacy group said Tuesday. The 470 detainees were being held at two privately-run detention centers, according to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which confirmed their release. Asylum-seeking immigrants are routinely released after their cases are initially processed, but the weekend's release was unusually high, according to the San Antonio-based group Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES). The Karnes County Residential Center, seen in July 2014, is one of two immigration detention centers in Texas for women and children that saw hundreds of people released after a state judge ruled that such sites could not legally house children Drew Anthony Smith (Getty/AFP/File) At least four times more people were released than usual, said RAICES policy director Amy Fischer. "We're in the process of moving them out, getting them on flights and buses," Fischer said. The release came after a Friday ruling by Travis County District Court Judge Karin Crump that the detention sites could not be considered child care providers. In a statement, ICE said that the releases were "scheduled as a part of normal operations and not in response to the court ruling," and that it is reviewing the judge's decision. The agency did not respond to AFP's request for comment on the size of the release. - 'Failed experiment' - The immigrants had been held at the South Texas Family Residential Center and the Karnes County Residential Center, both located south of San Antonio. Their detentions ranged in length from a few hours to a few weeks, Fischer said. More than a quarter of the released detainees had not been interviewed to assess whether they fear persecution or torture in their home countries, a requisite step for asylum seekers, Fischer said. One was also sent to a hospital for a severe, untreated leg infection, she said. "The medical care in detention is extraordinarily poor," Fischer said, adding that underage detainees had in the past been released with untreated pneumonia. Undocumented female immigrants and their children have been held inside walled "family unit" detention sites since a 2014 spike of refugees arriving in the United States, most of them fleeing violence in Central America. "We can only hope this is a sign that the Obama Administration is finally deciding to end this failed experiment in family detention," Jonathan Ryan, executive director of RAICES, said in a statement. Texas immigration advocates had gone to court to stop housing children at the detention centers. Considering the detention centers as child care facilities "runs counter to the general objectives of the Texas Human Resources Code," which protects the health, safety and well-being of children, Judge Crump said in her Friday ruling. Cop accused of racism by 'Django' actress fined A now-retired Los Angeles police officer, who grabbed headlines over the detention of a "Django Unchained" actress, was fined $500 Tuesday by an ethics commission for leaking audio of the incident. Sergeant James Parker had faced a $10,000 fine but members of the Los Angeles Ethics Commission said a lower nominal penalty was more appropriate. In a highly unusual move, Parker was accused of violating city ethics rules after he leaked audio of his September 2014 encounter with African-American actress Daniele Watts. The Los Angeles police officer accused of racism by US actress Daniele Watts was fined $500, but was facing up to $10,000 in potential fines MOHD RASFAN (AFP/File) Parker's attorney, Lawrence Hanna, expressed outrage at the ethics commission ruling, blasting panel members as "cowards" and vowing an appeal. "This is the first police officer they've ever done this to... and they are trying to make an example out of him," he told AFP. "They are cowards because they just feel that they have to do something and to show that they're being tough rather than backing a police officer and doing what's right." In the 2014 incident, Watts was briefly handcuffed and detained by police who were responding to a report of a couple having sex in a car parked in Studio City, an upscale neighborhood of Los Angeles. She had refused to show any form of identification to the responding officers and was released after her boyfriend, Brian James Lucas, gave police her ID. The actress -- who played Coco in Quentin Tarantino's Oscar-winning 2012 film "Django Unchained" -- and Lucas initially claimed that the police action was racially motivated. Lucas wrote on his Facebook page that officers acted as though the pair were engaged in prostitution as he is white and Watts is black. Parker defended his actions, which gained national attention, by releasing an audiotape of the encounter to the celebrity website TMZ, prompting a backlash against the couple. He was not paid for the tape, his attorney said. Lucas and Watts subsequently pleaded no contest to disturbing the peace and were ordered to apologize to police officers. As part of their deal with prosecutors, charges of lewd conduct were dropped. The ruling on Tuesday fined Parker $250 for each of the two counts he faced -- disclosing confidential information without authorization and misusing his position of authority to create a private advantage. Two police officials spoke on Parker's behalf during the hearing Tuesday, saying the charges against him were unprecedented and pointing out that they had both released similar audio recordings of incidents to the media in the past and had not faced discipline. Commission president Jessica Levinson defended the ruling, insisting the panel members had simply applied the law. "It's not about what has happened in other cases that are not before us (and) which we are not permitted to consider," she said. Britain seeks deeper ties with S.Africa post-Brexit: Hammond Finance minister Philip Hammond on Wednesday said Britain was working on strengthening ties with non-EU partners before exiting the European Union. After a string of "constructive" talks with top political and business leaders, the chancellor of the exchequer, who is currently in South Africa, pledged millions in aid for developmental programmes. "As Britain leaves the EU, we will be deepening our work with our international partners to build ever stronger economic links around the world," he said in a statement issued by the British embassy in Pretoria. British Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond visited the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and took part in a roundtable with leaders from major local companies TOBY MELVILLE (POOL/AFP/File) "South Africa is a key strategic partner for the UK in Africa and internationally, and we are determined to see that go from strength to strength." The visit is the first leg in a three-nation tour that will take the minister to Japan and South Korea. Hammond, who on Tuesday was in Brussels to discuss Britain's impending departure from the European Union, is embarking "on a series of international trips to showcase the UK's commitment to forming even stronger global ties," according to Treasury. Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May has stated that she will formally trigger the two-year EU divorce process by the end of March 2017. However, Brussels and London face the daunting prospect of gruelling negotiations on future trade deals with the European Union and countries outside of the bloc. In South Africa, Hammond met his counterpart Pravin Gordhan and International Relations Minister Maite Nkoane-Mashabane. - 'Tackle barriers' - He also visited the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and took part in a roundtable with leaders from major local companies. Hammond told South African business leaders that Brexit "is in no way a vote by the British people to turn inwards, to close the doors, to turn our backs on the world, (it's) quite the opposite." "We will manage the Brexit process very much with business equities in mind ... we need to continue to attract foreign direct investment to the UK," he assured the captains of industry and commerce. During the talks with political leaders, he confirmed "up to 35 million ($44 million) for an ambitious new prosperity programme over the next four years supporting inclusive economic development in South Africa". The two countries will achieve this by working together to "tackle barriers to trade and growth, increase competitiveness, and improve ease of doing business". "This funding is a key part of the UK's strategy for helping promote economic growth." South Africa is Britain's biggest export market in Africa, with its bilateral trade hitting almost 8.0 billion ($10.2 billion, 9.5 billion euros) in 2015. To build on the close business ties between the two countries, several commercial deals were announced including a $180-million Rolls Royce service contract with the national carrier South African Airways "South African Airways have signed a new TotalCare service order for Trent 700 engines made by British company Rolls Royce that power five Airbus A330 aircraft," the statement said. On Thursday, Hammond is expected in Cape Town where he will meet start-ups to discuss synergies with British tech businesses and investors. From South Africa he flies to Japan to meet the finance minister Taro Aso and Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda, as well as with Softbank chief executive Masayoshi Son. The mobile giant's recent $32-billion takeover of iPhone chip designer ARM Holdings is the biggest Asian investment in the UK. Klan leaders charged after stabbing ahead of pro-Trump rally Two leaders of the Ku Klux Klan group were set to appear in court on charges of stabbing a fellow white supremacist before a parade to celebrate Donald Trump's presidential election, a sheriff's official said. William Hagen and Christopher Barker were arrested Saturday in Caswell County in the southeastern US state of North Carolina after allegedly stabbing Richard Dillon, a sheriff's official in the county said. The official, who would not give his name, said on Tuesday the men had gotten into an argument with Dillon that turned violent. This booking photo of William Hagen, one of the two leaders of the Ku Klux Klan group, arrested in Caswell County in the south-eastern US state of North Carolina Caswell County Sheriff (Caswell County Sheriff/AFP) Hagen has been identified as the leader, or "Grand Dragon," of the Loyal White Knights faction of the Klan in California. Barker is the founder, or "Imperial Wizard," of the Loyal White Knights in North Carolina. Both were charged with assault with a deadly weapon after Dillon, who was stabbed in the chest, went to police. The pair were scheduled to appear in court Wednesday. The incident took place hours before the Klan held a "Trump victory parade" in Roxboro, North Carolina, during which participants shouted white power slogans. Hagen was one of several Klan members involved in a "white lives matter" rally in February in Anaheim, California, that escalated into violence. Trump's victory has been widely celebrated by white supremacist groups in the United States and former KKK leader David Duke has expressed support for the Republican president-elect. Bangladesh extremist to hang for attack on UK envoy Bangladesh's highest court on Wednesday upheld the death sentence handed down to a top militant and two of his followers for a 2004 attack on the British ambassador that left three people dead. The Supreme Court rejected the appeals by Mufti Abdul Hannan, head of Harkatul Jihad Al Islami (HuJI) and two members of the banned militant group. The appeals are "dismissed", Chief Justice S.K. Sinha told the court in a brief ruling. Bangladesh's highest court has upheld a death sentence on Harkat-ul Jihad al Islami leader sentence on Mufti Abdul Hannan (C) and two other militants after a 2004 attack that left three dead STR (AFP/File) They could now be hanged within months unless they seek a review of the apex court's verdict. But chances of overturning a death sentence in a review is extremely rare in Bangladesh's judicial history. "We think we'll seek a review of the verdict. But it depends on the decision of the three," Mohammad Ali, the state-appointed defence lawyer, told AFP. The trio were originally convicted in 2008 of murder and masterminding the grenade attack in May 2004 on then British high commissioner Anwar Choudhury, who was only slightly injured. The attack came just weeks after the Bangladeshi-born diplomat took up the post and occurred as he was visiting a historic Sufi shrine in the northeastern city of Sylhet. The blast left three worshippers dead and scores injured. The British High Commission had welcomed the conviction of those involved but opposed the use of the death penalty, which is outlawed in Britain. Police said at the time of the attack that the group was plotting "to avenge the deaths of Muslims in Iraq and across the world by America and Britain". HuJI was formed in 1992 by Bangladeshis who had fought in Afghanistan in the war against Soviet forces. It was the first Islamist extremist outfit to have emerged in the Muslim majority nation of 160 million and it was transformed into a deadly group after Hannan took over its leadership in the late 1990s. The group has been accused of a series of deadly blasts targeting a Christian church, a mosque of Ahmadi Muslims, rallies of secular activists and communists. "He started the Islamist terrorism in Bangladesh and masterminded a series of deadly attacks in the late 1990s until his arrest (in 2005)," deputy attorney general Sheikh Monirzzaman Kabir told AFP. According to Kabir, Hannan went to the Pakistani city of Karachi in the 1980s to study in a madrassa, but left it to join the Afghan war. "He then came back to Bangladesh and joined a madrassa as its principal but quit to join HuJI," Kabir added. Hannan was also being tried for the August 2004 grenade attack on an opposition political rally in Dhaka being held by Sheikh Hasina, the current Prime Minister. More than 20 people were killed and Hasina was wounded. Teenager jailed for seven years for Australia terror plot An 18-year-old was sentenced Wednesday to seven years in prison for planning a Mother's Day attack in Melbourne, the latest of a series of plots in Australia involving teenagers. The young man, who was 17 when he was arrested by police last year, pleaded guilty to one charge of committing an act, or planning the preparation of an act, of terrorism. He will be eligible for parole in five years and three months. A Melbourne teenager who cannot be named has been sentenced to seven years in prison for planning an act of terrorism WILLIAM WEST (AFP/File) The Australian Broadcasting Corporation said the teenager, who cannot be named, was making pipe and pressure cooker bombs for a May 10 Mother's Day attack last year when he was arrested. Police seized several items from his home, including a document entitled "Make a Bomb in Your Mom's Kitchen" on his computer, ABC said. Canberra has become increasingly worried about homegrown extremism and the terror threat level was raised in September 2014. Australian officials say they have now prevented 11 terror attacks on home soil in the past two years. But some have gone ahead, including the murder of a Sydney police employee last year by a 15-year-old boy. Counter-terror police have made a series of arrests since late 2014, with the youth and radicalisation of many of those detained a growing concern for authorities. Syria army takes all of Aleppo Old City: monitor Syrian government forces control all of Aleppo's historic Old City after rebel fighters withdrew in the face of army advances overnight, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Wednesday. The army and allied forces hold more than 75 percent of east Aleppo, a rebel bastion since 2012, three weeks into their operation to capture all of the second city. The Observatory said rebels had withdrawn from the last parts of the Old City under their control overnight after the army seized the neighbouring districts of Bab al-Hadid and Aqyul. Smoke billows near Aleppo's historic citadel during fighting between Syrian regime forces and rebel fighters, on December 3, 2016 Youssef KARWASHAN (AFP/File) "Rebels were forced to withdraw from the Old City neighbourhoods of Aleppo for fear of being besieged," the Britain-based monitor said. The army has made steady gains since it began its latest bid to recapture east Aleppo. It now controls all the areas east of the historic citadel, and parts of the Marjeh neighbourhood, the Observatory said. Overnight, the army carried out heavy shelling of the Al-Zabdiya neighbourhood and other territory still under rebel control in the southeast of the city, the Observatory said. It said at least 15 people, including a child, were killed in government fire on east Aleppo on Tuesday. Three children were among 11 people killed by rebel fire on government-held areas of the city. Nana Akufo-Addo, Ghana's veteran runner-up Ghana's New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate Nana Akufo-Addo is hoping it'll be third time lucky when the country votes for a new president on Wednesday. Akufo-Addo, an erudite rights lawyer and former government minister with round tortoiseshell glasses, narrowly lost the 2008 and 2012 elections to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC). He contested the results in 2012 alleging electoral fraud, but ultimately accepted the Supreme Court's ruling upholding John Mahama's presidency. Ghana's New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate Nana Akufo-Addo PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (AFP/File) Today Akufo-Addo, the son of a former president, has pledged to play by the rules and accept defeat even on the slimmest of margins, underscoring his commitment to keeping the peace in a country hailed as one of Africa's most stable democracies. "The stability and progress of Ghana and advancement of her democracy guided our actions in those difficult days," Akufo-Addo said recently of the campaign. Akufo-Addo is banking on the backing of voters who are frustrated with a litany of corruption scandals, unreliable electricity and sluggish economic growth. While Mahama has been slow to address what voters perceive as worsening corruption, Akufo-Addo has promised to act quickly to stop a "borrowing binge" that has "mortgaged our future". The 72-year-old campaigned hard across the country, brandishing his party's red, white and blue flag emblazoned with an elephant as a symbol for radical change. An economic liberal, he has focussed on creating more jobs -- especially among youth who face growing levels of unemployment -- and on modernising the commodity-dependent economy. His "one district, one factory" programme would encourage private sector investment, as would a policy of slashing corporate taxes. Akufo-Addo was born in Kyebi, in the eastern region of Ghana into the political elite. He is related to three of the "Big Six", politicians dubbed as Ghana's founding fathers, including his father who served as president. Akufo-Addo, who speaks with a distinguished British accent -- he studied in England -- has enjoyed a successful career. He worked in England and France before returning to Ghana. When multi-party democracy was restored to the west African country in 1992 after decades of military rule, Akufo-Addo became involved with the NPP, later serving as both justice minister then foreign minister under President John Kufuor between 2001 and 2008. BBC under investigation for profile of new Thai king Thai authorities are investigating the BBC over a Thai-language profile of the new king, officials said Wednesday, after the article outraged ultra-royalists in a country where criticism of the monarchy is outlawed. A harsh royal defamation law has been used to jail scores of critics and spawned a culture of self-censorship across the kingdom's media, academia and the arts. The BBC is now under scrutiny for the profile published out of its London offices of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who ascended to the throne last week. Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn pays respects to his late father King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok, as he accepts the invitation to ascend to the throne The royal succession was Thailand's first in seven decades and is considered a delicate moment for the institution. Vajiralongkorn does not command the respect enjoyed by his late revered father. The BBC profile included information about Vajiralongkorn's personal life that is well-known inside the kingdom but rarely printed by Thai media, such as details about his three marriages that ended in divorce. The article, which has since been blocked online in Thailand, quickly went viral on social media but attracted a torrent of criticism from royalists. Any member of the public can allege royal defamation and authorities are duty bound to investigate. On Tuesday a team of police officers visited the BBC's Bangkok office but found it closed. "This case is in the process of investigation but I cannot disclose the details," Pornchai Chalordej, the commander of the Bangkok police station responsible for the case, told AFP. Top leaders from Thailand's royalist junta, which has ramped up use of the lese majeste law since the 2014 coup, defended the probe on Wednesday. "As they have an office in Thailand and Thai reporters work there they must be prosecuted when they violate Thai law," junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha said of the BBC. The junta's number two, defence minister Prawit Wongsuwon, stressed the police's duty to investigate any wrongdoing. "If anything is illegal we must prosecute accordingly without exception," he told reporters. The BBC defended the profile in a statement and said its Thai-language service was committed to bringing "impartial, independent and accurate news to a country where the media faces restrictions". "We are confident that this article adheres to the BBCs editorial principles," it added. On Saturday a prominent Thai dissident was arrested for sharing the BBC profile on Facebook. Jatupat "Pai" Boonpattararaksa, a leader of a small group of anti-junta students, was released on bail but faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of lese majeste. The BBC's Thai service is one of few platforms that publishes comparatively unfiltered reporting in the Thai language. Its articles are edited and published out of London, though the service employs a small number of local staff in Bangkok. The BBC's English-language bureau in Bangkok is an editorially separate entity. Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn reads a statement accepting the invitation to ascend to the Thai throne Deadly strike in western Iraq, fierce battles in Mosul An air strike in Iraq has killed dozens of civilians in an area near the Syrian border still controlled by the Islamic State group, officials said. The deadly strike came as Iraqi forces battled jihadists deep inside Mosul, edging closer to the River Tigris that divides the city and looking for a breakthrough in the seven-week-old offensive. The speaker of Iraq's parliament, Salim al-Juburi condemned the air strike "that targeted a market area for civilians and resulted in the death and injury of dozens of them" in the town of Al-Qaim. Iraqi forces are battling jihadists deep inside Mosul, edging closer to the River Tigris that divides the city Achilleas Zavallis (AFP) If confirmed, the blunder would be one of the worst cases of civilians being killed in strikes in Iraq since the start of the air campaign against IS in 2014. Officials in Anbar, the western province in which Al-Qaim is located, said dozens were killed in the afternoon strike, although AFP could not reach sources in the town to confirm the casualty toll. A spokesman for the provincial council of Anbar claimed the strike was carried out by an Iraqi aircraft in the afternoon. "The strike hit a market at peak hour, there were retirees queueing up pick up their pension, people collecting salaries and social security payments," Eid Ammash said. "Entire families were killed," he said. Another officials blamed the strike on the US-led coalition that has carried out thousands of air strikes against IS in Iraq and Syria since 2014. There was no immediate comment from Iraq's Joint Operations Command coordinating the fight against IS and the coalition denied carrying out any strikes in the area at the time. "We didn't conduct strikes in the area at the time of the incident," coalition spokesman Colonel John Dorrian told AFP. - Army pinned back in Mosul - Meanwhile in east Mosul, the 9th Armoured Division had reached Al-Salam hospital in a push on Tuesday, the farthest the army had penetrated into the city since the start of a broad offensive launched on October 17. But it quickly found itself surrounded by jihadists and needed support from the elite Counter-Terrorism Service to pull back, commanders said. "Our forces dealt with the situation at Al-Salam hospital" in southeastern Mosul, Maan Saadi, a CTS commander, told AFP. "Our mission was to offer support to the 9th Division forces surrounded in the hospital, our units accomplished this mission and opened a passage," he said. Saadi said the army was now occupying a position nearly one kilometre (less than a mile) from the hospital, which a 9th Division commander said had been used by IS as a command centre. The five-storey building towers above the neighbourhood and the jihadists had been using the upper floors and roof as sniper positions for some time, Mosul residents said. The IS-affiliated Amaq news agency said the jihadists had carried out five suicide car bomb attacks in the area inflicted heavy losses on the army. CTS has spearheaded the drive into Mosul in the past month, retaking several neighbourhoods in the east of the city. The army also punched into Mosul in November but its progress has been slower and Iraqi forces barely control half of the eastern side of the city. Saadi said his forces had retaken two neighbourhoods in eastern Mosul and were aiming to flush out jihadists from two more in the coming days. "We are now in Al-Taamim which is three kilometres (two miles) from the river, including an open area of about one kilometre where there are no buildings," he said. - Water crisis - Forces on the southern and northern fronts made quick early gains when Iraq launched its largest military operation in years but progress has been slow in recent days. One of the main factors hampering Iraqi forces in Mosul is the continued presence of hundreds of thousands of civilians, who either want to stay in their homes or are prevented from leaving by IS. The United Nations on Wednesday put the overall number of people displaced by the offensive at more than 82,000, less than half the number the UN expected before the offensive. It its latest situation report, the UN spoke of spiralling civilian casualties as Iraqi forces went house to house in east Mosul, attempting to battle jihadists and protect civilians at the same time. "Partners are rushing to bring trauma care closer to the front lines to give injured civilians the best chance of survival," the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. It said work was also under way to repair water and electricity infrastructure in east Mosul, where it described the current water shortage as "critical". The conditions for those massing in the camps on the city's outskirts were hardly better, with the onset of winter bringing freezing temperatures at night. Iraq's elite Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) has spearheaded the drive into Mosul over the past month, retaking several neighbourhoods in the east of the city Thomas Coex (AFP/File) Iraqi forces in Mosul Thomas SAINT-CRICQ, Sabrina BLANCHARD, Simon MALFATTO (AFP) Located at the junction of the Silk Road Economic Belt, the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Chongqing Municipality has distinctive geographical advantages in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, according to a symposium held during the visit of the Youth Leaders Delegation of Central and Eastern European (CEE) Countries in Chongqing on Dec.2. A symposium with the theme of China-CEE Countries Cooperation and Chongqings Participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, was held in Chongqing Municipality on Dec. 2. [Photo by MiXingang/China.org.cn] Chongqing has proactively participated in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative through accelerating the free flow of economic elements, allocating resources more efficiently and deepening market integration, said Gao Wen, director of the International Cooperation Department of the Chongqing Commerce Commission, during the symposium. Chongqing has now established aviation, railway and inland river transport hubs, three state-level first-class ports and three bonded supervision areas, Gao added. Starting from Chongqing, the Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe Railway with a total length of 11,179 kilometers has connected China with Europe since 2011 as it passes through Lanzhou City in Gansu Province, Alataw Pass in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Kazakhstan, Russia, Poland and ends in Germany, said Tan Jun, vice-director of the publicity department of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Transport, at the meeting. With a planned area of 35 square kilometers, the Chongqing Western Modern Logistics Park is at the starting point of the Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe Railway and serves as a bonded logistics center in southwestern China, said Liu Sheng, chairman of the supervisory board of the park, when he introduced it to the delegates from CEE countries. The park aims to help more enterprises to go global and its annual output value is expected to reach 300 billion yuan after its completion, he added. Many of the delegates were amazed by the beautiful cityscape in Chongqing and they would like more Chinese support on infrastructure construction in their countries. Aleksandar Seselj, member of the presidium of the Serbian Radical Party, expressed his anticipation for the construction of the Hungary-Serbia Railway, which is now undertaken by Chinese enterprises. "We hope more Chinese merchandise can enter Serbia through broadened channels as Chinese goods are of good quality and low price," he added. Vesna Andreevska, director of the China Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, who had worked in China for years, complimented Chongqing's achievement as a miracle and expressed her willingness to establish more links between Chongqing and her country by holding business forums and so on. Stefan Voinea, director of the International Cooperation Bureau of the National Chamber of Commerce of Romania, noted that China and Romania have harmonious trade relations and he advocated more commitment from CEE countries to the Belt and Road Initiative. Israel votes to advance settler homes bill Israeli lawmakers voted Wednesday to advance a bill legalising some 4,000 settler homes in the occupied West Bank despite international criticism and warnings over its implications. Fifty-seven members of the parliament, or Knesset, voted to approve the draft legislation in the first of three readings, while 51 were against it. Supporters of the bill submitted by the party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday called it a step towards eventual annexation of most of the West Bank. The international community considers all settlements in the West Bank, including Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, to be illegal, whether they are authorised by the government or not Thomas Coex (AFP/File) Some 400,000 Israeli settlers currently live in the West Bank, excluding annexed east Jerusalem, along with 2.6 million Palestinians. The United States, UN officials and the European Union have warned that continued settlement building is eating away at the possibility of a two-state solution to the conflict. All Israeli settlements are viewed as illegal under international law and major stumbling blocks to peace efforts as they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state. Israel differentiates between those it has authorised and those it has not. The bill would legalise nearly 4,000 settler homes built on private Palestinian land. Key figures in Netanyahu's coalition, considered the most right-wing in Israeli history, openly oppose a Palestinian state. Education Minister Naftali Bennett, the bill's main backer, has advocated annexing most of the West Bank, like other Israeli religious nationalists who point to the Jewish connection to the land from biblical times. Netanyahu says he still supports a two-state solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but is nonetheless supporting the bill. He spoke Wednesday with French President Francois Hollande to rule out a proposed meeting with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on the sidelines of a peace conference in Paris later this month. Netanyahu said however that he was willing to meet Abbas "directly, without preconditions," his office said in a statement. "Israel will not participate in an international conference that will not contribute to peace," it added. The bill has advanced despite concerns from attorney general Avichai Mandelblit, who has said he will not be able to defend it before the courts and warned it would violate both Israeli and international law. - 'Profoundly damaging' - US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Tuesday: "We hope that it does not become law. "Enacting this law would be profoundly damaging to the prospects for a two-state solution. "We've also been troubled by comments that we've heard by some political figures in Israel that this would be the first step in annexing parts of the West Bank." Walid Assaf, the Palestinian minister responsible for monitoring Israeli settlements, has called the bill "the most dangerous law issued by Israel since 1967". Israel occupied the West Bank in the Six-Day War of 1967 and subsequently annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognised by the international community. But while comments by Bennett and others have sparked international condemnation, opinion polls have shown a significant percentage of Israelis support annexation. A recent survey published by the Israel Democracy Institute think-tank says 44 percent of Jewish Israelis support annexing all of the West Bank, while 38 percent are opposed. Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, speaking to EU ambassadors on Wednesday, criticised them for focusing on settlements instead of other global issues. According to settlement watchdog Peace Now, the bill would legalise some 3,881 housing units. Most of the homes are in Israeli-approved settlements but were built on Palestinian land. Around 750 are located in outposts which Israel has not yet approved, Peace Now says. US Secretary of State John Kerry has said there are currently around 100 wildcat outposts in the West Bank and the bill would give retrospective Israeli approval to 54 of them. An agreement to remove one wildcat outpost from the bill has allowed the legislation to move forward. The outpost known as Amona, home to around 40 families, is under a court order to be evacuated by December 25 since it was built on Palestinian land. Some members of Netanyahu's coalition said they could not support the bill if Amona remained part of it because of the court ruling against it. A solution is still being sought for Amona settlers. Settlements in the West Bank Kun TIAN, Gillian HANDYSIDE (AFP) A bill to legalise some 4,000 settler homes in the West Bank has severely tested Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, seen as the most right-wing in Israeli history Ronen Zvulun (Pool/AFP/File) Tata Steel commits to staying in Britain India's Tata Steel pledged Wednesday to stay in Britain, ending months of uncertainty over the future of its operations including at the sprawling Port Talbot plant. "Tata Steel UK today reached an agreement with trade unions on a number of proposals that would structurally reduce risks and help secure a more sustainable future for its UK business," it said in a statement. The group vowed to keep its two blast furnaces at Port Talbot in Wales open until 2021, invest in various British sites and overhaul pensions. Tata Steel has pledged to stay in Britain, reversing its decision to sell assets including the vast Port Talbot plant in Wales, unions say Oli Scarff (AFP/File) Trade unions added in a separate statement that Tata has entered a "jobs pact" to avoid any compulsory redundancies over the next five years. Tata currently employs around 11,000 people in Britain, including 4,000 at Port Talbot -- the nation's biggest steel plant. Union members will now face a ballot on the proposals in the new year. "Steel unions have today secured a commitment from Tata Steel to secure the future of jobs and production at Port Talbot and other steelworks across the UK," read a statement issued by unions Community, GMB and Unite. "This proposal comes eight months after Tata announced their original intention to sell their UK steel assets." Tata will commit to a ten-year investment plan of 1.0 billion ($1.3 billion, 1.2 billion euros) to support Port Talbot and secure the future of other sites, according to the unions. The company will consult on closing and replacing the old British Steel pension scheme which it inherited with the purchase of Corus in 2007. The unions added that, after meeting with company executives at the Port Talbot facility, the latest proposals were "welcome". "The past year has been incredibly difficult for steelworkers and their families," said Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of the Community union. "When Tata announced in March that they planned to sell the steelworks, no-one knew if they would have a job by Christmas. "This proposal would secure jobs for years to come and bring serious investment not just to Port Talbot but to steelworks across the UK." Earlier this year, Tata announced that it was considering the future of its loss-making British assets, blaming the decision on a global oversupply of steel, cheap imports into Europe from countries including China, high costs and currency volatility. Tata put its European long products division up for sale as it refocussed on strip steel, in the face of a collapsing market. In May, the group sold that loss-making division to investment firm Greybull Capital, who renamed it as the new British Steel. At the start of July, Tata revealed that it was holding strategic discussions with several companies, including German conglomerate Thyssenkrupp, over the possible formation of a joint venture for European steel operations. Apple Music attracts 20 million subscribers Apple's streaming service says it has reached 20 million subscribers, showing quick growth as the tech titan tries to close in on sector leader Spotify. Apple Music launched in June 2015 as Apple, which revolutionized digital music with iTunes 15 years ago, saw the future in streaming -- a service that allows online listeners to play unlimited music on demand. Senior Apple official Eddy Cue, revealing the figures in an interview with Billboard published late Tuesday, predicted further rapid gains entering 2017. In the crowded music streaming marketplace, Apple Music still trails Spotify, which has approximately twice as many subscribers Don Emmert (AFP/File) "There are billions of people listening to music and we haven't even hit 100 million subscribers. There's a lot of growth opportunity," Cue told the music-industry magazine. He said that more than 60 percent of Apple Music subscribers have not bought from iTunes for the past year -- a sign of streaming's steady rise over pay-per-track downloads. Apple Music still trails Spotify, which announced in September that it had 40 million paying subscribers. The Swedish company also has a free, advertising-backed tier -- controversial among some artists -- which brings Spotify's total listeners to 100 million. Spotify and Apple Music have plenty of smaller competitors including established streaming players Deezer and Rhapsody and rap mogul Jay Z's upstart Tidal. Online retail giant Amazon in October entered the streaming war, offering a discount rate to subscribers who use the company's speakers. Apple, like Tidal, has sought to erode Spotify's base by offering exclusives. Apple Music had early windows in which it alone offered the latest albums by leading hip-hop artists Drake, Chance the Rapper and Frank Ocean. 'He is evil': Survivor slams US church shooter as trial opens A survivor of last year's attack on black parishioners at a historic Charleston church gave emotional testimony about watching her son die as the trial of the self-described white supremacist accused of the crime began Wednesday. Dylann Roof, who prosecutors say gunned down nine people in June last year in a cold-blooded and calculated attack, went on trial on federal hate crimes charges, and could face the death penalty if convicted. His defense team conceded Roof's guilt but made the case to spare his life after prosecutors made their opening argument. They have refused to accept an offer of a guilty plea on 33 federal charges in exchange for a life sentence. Dylann Roof chose to attack the historic "Mother Emanuel" church, which has strong links to the fight against slavery and segregation, because of its importance to the African American community, said a US attorney John Moore (Getty/AFP/File) But the jury also heard searing testimony from survivor Felicia Sanders, who described telling her granddaughter to play dead as her son lay dying and she cowered from the attacker, covered in the blood of her relatives. Roof turned his gun on a Bible study class at the "Mother Emanuel" church -- the oldest African Methodist Episcopal place of worship in the US South -- as worshippers began closing prayer, about 30 minutes after joining them. Senior pastor Clementa Pinckney, a state senator, was among the nine people killed. "Seventy-seven shots in that room, from someone we thought was looking for the Lord," Sanders said, choking back tears. "But the whole time he was just evil, evil, as evil as can be." Sanders said she told her 11-year-old granddaughter to play dead. "I muzzled her face to my body so tight I thought I'd suffocate her," Sanders, the first witness to take the stand in a trial that could last for weeks, was quoted as saying by The Post and Courier newspaper. Assistant US Attorney Jay Richardson said Roof chose the historic church precisely because of its importance to the African American community, and stockpiled ammunition during a months-long effort to plan the massacre. The church played a key role in the fight against slavery and segregation in Charleston, a historic port city in South Carolina. "He chose to execute nine good and innocent men and women ... And he chose to do so out of a callous hatred of the color of their skin," Richardson was quoted by local media as telling the 12 jurors chosen earlier in the day along with six alternates. Sanders recalled Roof telling her son Tywanza as he pleaded with the gunman to stop shooting: "You all are raping our women and you all are taking over the world." Tywanza died shortly afterward. "I watched my son come into this world and I saw my son leave this world," said a tearful Sanders, who burst into sobs. The judge promptly called a recess to give her time to compose herself. When Roof's defense attorney David Bruck pointed out that the gunman was barely 21 at the time and had planned to kill himself, Sanders responded: "He is evil... There is no place on Earth for him." Roof did not lift his eyes from the defense table to look at Sanders during her testimony. - 'Send a message' - Authorities found chilling evidence of Roof's apparent neo-Nazi leanings on a website believed to be his. He espoused racist views and posed for photos with firearms and the Confederate battle flag, once flown by the rebel army of the slave-owning South. The banner is seen by some as a symbol of regional heritage. But many more view it as an ugly reminder of racism's cruel legacy. "He hoped to send a message to other white people to stand up and do something," Richardson said about Roof, noting he had typed his internet manifesto on his father's computer hours before the attack. Bruck, the defense attorney, said his side was not disputing the facts, and that he may not call any witnesses during this phase of the trial. "This is going to be hard, it's going to be hard to sit through. You're going to see things you will never be able to unsee," he told the jurors, according to local media. Roof is also facing state murder charges in South Carolina, though that trial is not due to begin until January 17. State prosecutors are also seeking the death penalty. The opening of the trial came with the city on edge after a mistrial was declared in the case of a former South Carolina cop who shot dead an unarmed black suspect in neighboring North Charleston. Roof had asked for a trial delay in light of that decision, but the judge rejected his request. The death penalty trial of self-described white supremacist Dylann Roof got underway December 7, 2016 Handout (CHARLESTON COUNTY SHERIFF/AFP/File) Polanski 'happy' Polish court rejected extradition to US Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski on Wednesday said he was "happy" the Polish Supreme Court had rejected a bid to extradite him to the United States to face sentencing over a decades-old case of statutory rape. "I'm happy this business is over once and for all. I only regret that I had to wait so long," the 83-year-old Polish-French director told private news channel TVN24. "I'll finally be able to feel safe in my own country," said the director of "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Pianist" who has won eight Academy Awards. Roman Polanski, pictured in 2013, who lives in France and had been avoiding Poland, now plans to visit his father's grave in the southern city of Krakow VALERY HACHE (AFP/File) Polanski, who lives in France and had been avoiding Poland because of the court case, now plans to visit his father's grave in the southern city of Krakow. He said he will also pay his respects to friend and fellow Polish filmmaker Andrzej Wajda, who died in October. Polanski is wanted in the United States for sentencing over the 1977 statutory rape of Samantha Gailey after a photo shoot in Los Angeles. He was arrested after Gailey, now Geimer, accused him of forcing her to have sex after drugging her. She was 13 at the time. Polanski was 43. He pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor, or statutory rape, as part of a plea bargain under which he served 42 days in detention while undergoing psychiatric evaluation. But in 1978, convinced that a judge was going to scrap the deal and hand him a hefty prison sentence, Polanski fled for France. In 2009 he was arrested in Switzerland on a US extradition request and spent 10 months under house arrest before Bern rejected the US order. The US then asked Poland to extradite Polanski in January 2015, but a Krakow court rejected the demand the following October. But after the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party came to power in November 2015 and Zbigniew Ziobro became justice minister, he announced a review of the decision, saying he wanted to "avoid double standards". On Tuesday, Poland's Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, definitively ending Poland's part in the 1977 case. Judge Michal Laskowski stressed his court's role was not to rule on the merits of the case but rather to make sure due process had been followed by the lower court. Starbucks to add 12,000 cafes globally US coffee giant Starbucks outlined plans Wednesday to add 12,000 cafes globally by 2021, including a group of new premium stores that will showcase rare coffees and gourmet food. The store expansion includes previously-announced plans to add more than 5,000 stores in China, a market that Starbucks believes will ultimately be even bigger than the US. Starbucks currently has about 25,000 stores. The goal is to elevate the Starbucks brand "around all things coffee, retail and mobile," Starbucks President Kevin Johnson said at the company's biennial investors day. Starbucks plans to add more than 5,000 stores in China Karen Bleier (AFP/File) Starbucks last week announced Johnson would replace longtime chief executive Howard Schultz, who will shift to overseeing the build-out 1,000 Starbucks Reserve Stores that aim to build up the coffee chain's premium business. Two years ago, Starbucks opened a reserve roastery in its hometown of Seattle that provides an "immersive experience" to java addicts and has led to new drink concoctions such as the Smoked Butterscotch Latte and the Iced Coconut Milk Mocha Macchiato. Starbucks also said it is working to upgrade its mobile application to permit customers to order via an artificial intelligence program. Other technology efforts aim to boost sales through greater personalisation of orders. The goal of the expansion plans is to grow revenues by 10 percent and earnings per share by 15-20 percent over five years, Starbucks said. UN Security Council to discuss North Korea rights abuses The UN Security Council will discuss human rights violations in North Korea on Friday despite opposition from China, Pyongyang's ally, diplomats said. Beijing is expected to call for a procedural vote to block the meeting on North Korea -- accused by a UN inquiry of committing atrocities unparalleled in the modern world -- for the third consecutive year. Nine council members -- Britain, France, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain, Ukraine, the United States and Uruguay -- requested the meeting, saying in a letter this week that they required information on the situation in North Korea "and its implications for international peace and security." Nine UN Security Council members have requested a meeting, requiring information on the human rights situation in North Korea "and its implications for international peace and security Ed JONES (AFP/File) Beijing maintains that the regime's rights abuses do not pose a risk to global security, and that the issue should be taken up by the UN Human Rights Council. China failed to stop the meeting last year, although Russia, Angola and Venezuela also voted in favor of dropping North Korea's rights abuses from the council agenda. The council has held annual meetings on human rights in North Korea since 2014, with Pyongyang refusing to send a representative to the talks. A UN commission of inquiry in 2014 found compelling evidence of torture, execution and starvation in North Korea, where between 80,000 and 120,000 are being held in prison camps. This year's meeting is likely to focus on forced labor and North Korea's diversion of resources to build up its missile and nuclear programs, a Security Council diplomat said. UN member-states adopted a resolution at a General Assembly committee last month condemning rights abuses and expressing concern that funds needed to ease the dire humanitarian crisis were being spent on Pyongyang's military programs. Although the General Assembly has encouraged the Security Council to refer North Korea to the International Criminal Court for war-crimes investigation, China -- which has a veto on the council -- is likely to block any such move. The meeting follows last week's adoption of tougher sanctions against North Korea, including new measures to curb Pyongyang's coal exports to China. Obama praises Japan ties on Pearl Harbor anniversary President Barack Obama on Wednesday praised the alliance between Japan and the United States exactly 75 years after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor that led to America's entrance into World War II. President-elect Donald Trump also marked the milestone anniversary with a message praising the "American heroes" who died in the raid. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to make a historic visit to a memorial in Pearl Harbor later this month -- the first such visit by a Japanese leader -- when Obama is scheduled to join him. US President Barack Obama praised the alliance between the US and Japan on the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, which took place on December 7, 1941 Mandel Ngan (AFP/File) "As a testament that even the most bitter of adversaries can become the closest of allies, I look forward to visiting the USS Arizona Memorial later this month along with (Abe)," Obama said in a statement. "This historic visit will stand as a tribute to the power of reconciliation and to the truth that the United States and Japan -- bound by an alliance unimaginable 75 years ago -- will continue to work hand-in-hand for a more peaceful and secure world," he added. Japan's devastating attack on December 7, 1941 caught America off guard, sinking or heavily damaging eight US battleships. The two-hour assault killed 2,403 Americans and injured more than 1,100 others. Abe's visit to Hawaii will come a few months after Obama visited Hiroshima, where a US bomber dropped one of two atomic bombs that would lead to Japan's surrender. Japanese officials say Abe will not be making an apology for the Pearl Harbor attack, but commemorate the war's victims. - 'Heroism of a generation' - Recalling the huge death toll from Pearl Harbor, Obama underscored how those soldiers' sacrifices galvanized the resolve of millions of US troops and civilians. "In the hours after the attack, President Roosevelt promised that 'the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory,'" Obama said. "Thanks to the heroism of a generation, we did." Trump sent out his own statement praising those killed and wounded at Pearl Harbor. "Their shared sacrifice reminds us of the great costs paid by those who came before us to secure the liberties we enjoy, and inspires us to rise to meet the new challenges that stand before us today," Trump said, while Vice-President-elect Mike Pence visited a World War II memorial in Washington. Hawaii has organized a string of events and commemorations to mark the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. With survivors now at least in their 90s, it is possibly the last big-number anniversary they can attend, seen as a "last hurrah." US and Japanese representatives on Tuesday visited the wreck of the USS Arizona, where 1,177 sailors and Marines died. The ship's rusting remains, still visible, are now a memorial. They extended a peace offering by pouring bourbon from a World War II water bottle into the hallowed waters. During the event, known as the "Blackened Canteen ceremony," the drink is tipped from a container believed to have been held by a US airman killed in 1945 when his plane collided with another over Japan. A local farmer later recovered the canteen and built monuments to promote peace between Japan and America. During his May 27 visit to Hiroshima, Obama -- the first sitting US president to visit the city -- clasped hands with one survivor and hugged another. He reiterated calls for a nuclear-free world, but offered no apology for the atomic bombings, having insisted that he would not revisit decisions made by US president Harry Truman at the close of a brutal war. This US Navy file image shows a ship burning after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 Congo rights group blames govt, parties for deadly unrest DR Congo's independent human rights commission Wednesday blamed both the government and the opposition for the deaths of 46 people, most of them by gunfire, in clashes in Kinshasa in September. Scores more were hurt in the capital when "non-identified elements in the police" and "protesters using stolen weapons" clashed September 19 and 20 in opposition protests against President Joseph Kabila, a commission report said. The release of the CNDH report, its first since the commission was set up in July 2015, was hailed by the European Union, a major donor to the vast resource-rich nation. People take to the street during an opposition rally in Kinshasa, on September 19, 2016 EDUARDO SOTERAS (AFP/File) Democratic Republic of Congo has seen months of trouble ahead of the official end of Kabila's mandate on December 20, his second term in office. He is barred from serving again but has never said he plans to step aside and last month cut a power-sharing deal with fringe opposition politician Samy Badibanga as prime minister in a move that effectively extends his term to early 2018. The CNDH toll for the September protests, which were organised by anti-Kabila coalition Gathering, was slightly lower than the UN toll of 53 dead. Gathering brings together mainstream opposition parties that back longtime Kabila rival, Etienne Tshisekedi. There were signs of an easing of political tension in the country this week when Tshisekedi agreed to join mediation talks headed by the country's bishops, the deputy secretary of Congo's National Episcopal Conference said. The talks, which aim to agree on a transition ahead of April 2018 presidential elections, showed "there is goodwill all round," said Andre Masinganda. Tshisekedi's Gathering had snubbed talks involving the authorities up until this week. The formal talks are set to start "Thursday December 8 2016" at 10am (0900 GMT) in Kinshasa, according to a statement released late Tuesday. However the UN mission in Congo, MONUSCO, is bracing for violence ahead of December 20, UN Special Representative to DR Congo Maman Sambo Sidikou said in New York on Tuesday. "MONUSCO has further updated its contingency plans and is further adjusting its posture and deployment to mitigate politically driven violence and to protect civilians," he said. Kabila came to power after the murder of his father Laurent-Desire Kabila by a bodyguard in 2001 during the Second Congo War, which ended two years later. Environmentalists mobilize for battle with Trump Environmentalists are gearing up to battle President-elect Donald Trump, who promised on the campaign trail to roll back laws and regulations that protect the environment and fight global warming. Trump also said he would withdraw the United States, the world's second-largest greenhouse-gas polluter after China, from the Paris global climate accord signed in 2015 by 192 countries. But the Republican real-estate tycoon has modified that position since his November 8 election win. President-elect Donald Trump is expected to pick Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, a climate change sceptic, to head the Environmental Protection Agency Mandel Ngan (AFP/File) In a recent interview with The New York Times, Trump hinted he may support global accords on climate change, saying he had "an open mind." As a candidate Trump had called the concept of global warming a hoax, but he acknowledged to the Times there was "some connectivity" between human activity and climate change. "Some, something. It depends on how much," he said, adding that he would still remain concerned about how much green measures would "cost our companies." On Monday, Trump held a lengthy meeting in New York with Democratic former vice president Al Gore, a key environmentalist and leader in the fight against global warming. "I found it an extremely interesting conversation and to be continued, and I'm just going to leave it at that," Gore told reporters after his talk with Trump. - Bracing for Trump - Environmentalists are bracing for Trump to take office on January 20 with his Republican Party in control of Congress. "If Trump tries to go backwards on climate change and the protection of the environment, he will run headlong into an organized mass of people who will fight him in the courts, in Congress and on the streets," vowed Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club, one of the largest US environmental organizations, with 2.4 million members. "We got more new members joining the Sierra Club in three weeks since the election than for the full year... with 9,000 new monthly donors," Brune said in an interview. "People are worried and feel angry." Environmentalists criticize the president-elect's choices for interviewees as he prepares his transition to the presidency, talking to billionaires linked to the oil and coal industries and notorious climate-change skeptics. One of them, Scott Pruitt, the Oklahoma attorney general who is suing the Environmental Protection Agency, is reportedly Trump's pick to head the EPA -- which Obama used via executive order to cut carbon emissions. The EPA would be the vehicle Trump could use to roll back Obama's regulations. In addition, the chief executive of oil and gas giant ExxonMobil, Rex Tillerson, has emerged as a candidate to be secretary of state, the nation's top diplomat. The mobilization of environmentalists against Trump has taken to television, for example, with John Oliver, the British host of "Last Week Tonight," a weekly HBO show, calling for action. Oliver recently asked Americans to donate to and join environmental protection organizations, citing in particular the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). - 'Outpouring of support' - In an interview, Susan Casey-Lefkowitz, chief program officer of the NRDC, a New York-based organization with 2.5 million members, said that since Trump's election there has been "a real outpouring of support -- people standing with us against any potential rollback from environmental protection." She said NRDC is preparing a petition "that will go to Trump immediately to let him know that people do not want rollback from core environmental protection." A key tactic would be to focus on the importance of protecting air and water quality, two goals widely shared, even by Trump's supporters, she said. For May Boeve, the head of climate campaign group 350.org, the best way to mobilize working-class Americans who voted for Trump "is to push for a 100 percent renewable-energy economy that works for all." "Clean energy remains the greatest potential job creator in the 21st century, while climate change is still our greatest threat," Boeve said. The New York-based nonprofit organization is "preparing for the fight of our lives," she said, and planning a mass demonstration in Washington when Trump is in the White House. Taking a more wait-and-see stance was Elliot Diringer, an expert at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, a bipartisan nonprofit organization that works to reconcile energy production and climate protection. "One of the biggest lessons of the election season was unpredictability and it remains true today," he said. "So we cannot prejudge and hopefully he will listen to scientists and business leaders and others and take climate seriously," Diringer added. 2 Mexican cousins get life in US prisons over 2013 slaying FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) Prosecutors say two 60-year-old cousins from Mexico must serve life terms in U.S. prisons for helping set up the 2013 Texas slaying of an attorney who once led a drug cartel. Jesus Gerardo Ledezma-Cepeda was sentenced Tuesday in Fort Worth. Ledezma-Cepeda in May was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder for hire in what prosecutors say involved electronic stalking of the victim. Juan Jesus Guerrero Chapa was fatally shot while loading shopping bags into his parked SUV in Southlake, near Dallas. His attacker remains at large. Trump DC hotel attracting foreign envoys and controversy NEW YORK (AP) Donald Trump's new luxury hotel in Washington, D.C., has been attracting foreign envoys, special interest groups and a bit of controversy. One of the latest groups to book the hotel is the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank whose big donors gathered there Tuesday night for a speech by Vice President-elect Mike Pence. Pence spoke on Trump administration priorities. The Heritage Foundation said its decision to use the hotel was driven by space needs. Vice President-elect Mike Pence is seen on a large video monitor, which is reflected in a mirror, in a ballroom at the Trump International Hotel as he addresses the Heritage Foundation's 2016 President's Club Meeting in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) The Trump International Hotel has come under scrutiny by government ethics experts who worry that foreign governments, special interest groups and others will book rooms and events there to curry favor with the president-elect. The Washington Post reported last month that about 100 foreign diplomats from around the world used the hotel for a reception just a week after the election. On Dec. 15 an umbrella organization for U.S. Jewish groups is holding a joint Hanukkah party with the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan there. Malcolm Hoenlein, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, said using the hotel was in no way an attempt to gain favor with the president, and that conflicts of interest are not an issue anyway because Trump isn't president yet. "Until January 20, he's a private citizen so I don't think the conflict issue comes in," Hoenlein said. He added, "Do you think the president-elect knows who rents rooms for two hours?" The Azeri embassy did not respond to a phone message requesting comment. The Obama administration criticized Azerbaijan its latest annual report on human rights in April. A party to be held at the hotel by another foreign embassy is causing a stir. On Monday, U.S. Rep. James McGovern of Massachusetts sent a letter to Trump urging him not to accept any money from the Bahraini monarchy for use of his hotel. He cited news reports that the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain will hold its National Day celebrations at the hotel on Wednesday. The embassy did not reply to an email and phone call about the event. In June, a bipartisan group of senators wrote a letter to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry saying they were "deeply alarmed" by the government of Bahrain's suppression of free speech and political dissent. Trump tweeted last month that he would disclose plans on Dec. 15 to "take me completely out of business operations" without elaborating what that means. He had previously said that he plans to hand over management of his business to three of his adult children. That is far short of what some government ethics experts are pushing him to do: sell his assets, and put the money in a "blind trust" overseen by an independent manager not related to him. The Trump Organization did not immediately reply for comment about events at its hotel. Since the election, government ethics experts have called for the Trump Organization to sell its interest in the hotel. Aside from attempts to use the hotel to influence the president-elect, they worry about a 60-year lease that his company took out with the U.S. to use the government-owned building that houses the hotel. In addition to an annual rental fee, the Trump Organization has to pay a special annual payment based on various measures on how well the hotel is doing. Any disputes over that payment will be handled by the General Services Administration, the federal agency overseeing the property. The head of the GSA will be appointed by the new president. The Pence speech on Tuesday was the highlight of the Heritage Foundation's annual gathering for its biggest donors. The event was mostly being held at the Ronald Reagan Center across the street from the hotel. "The space wasn't large enough and there are security concerns," said Heritage spokesman Wesley Denton. "It's just this one speech." Vice President-elect Mike Pence addresses the Heritage Foundation's 2016 President's Club Meeting in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) FILE - This Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, file photo, shows the exterior of the Trump International Hotel in downtown Washington. The Heritage Foundation says Vice President-elect Mike Pence will deliver a speech Tuesday night, Dec. 6, 2016, to a conservative group at President-elect Donald Trumps new hotel in Washington, about areas of focus for the Trump administration in the first 200 days. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) Police: 3 kids killed, mother critically injured in shooting ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Critically wounded, an Albuquerque mother struggled in vain to pull her three children to safety after a gunman shot them during a confrontation inside the family's home in what police described Tuesday as a violent and senseless act. Police Chief Gorden Eden confirmed during a news conference Tuesday that the children, who ranged in age from 5 to 9, were killed and that the mother remained in critical but stable condition following Monday night's encounter. Eden said preliminary evidence suggests the family was attacked by George Daniel Wechsler, 45, who was believed to have had a brief relationship with the 36-year-old mother. A small memorial of a stuffed animal and candles left by neighbors sits outside an Albuquerque, N.M, home on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016, a day after police say a man broke in and fatally shot three children. Albuquerque police say the three children were killed and their mother is in critical condition after the gunman shot them when they arrived home Monday night. Authorities say the gunman was in a short relationship with the mother. (AP Photo/Russell Contreras) Investigators believe Wechsler forced his way into the home and waited for the family to arrive before shooting them. Police said Wechsler had asked to visit to give the children Christmas gifts but the mother told him no after he repeatedly called and sought to visit. The mother had asked Wechsler several times to stay away, police said. Wechsler was found unconscious with a self-inflicted gunshot wound Monday, police said. He died at the hospital. Authorities said had Wechsler a criminal history, including an aggravated battery charge which included harassment and stalking. Eden said the mother, despite being wounded, fought to protect her children. As the only surviving witness, he said investigators have not been able to talk to the woman as they try to piece together a possible motive and the events that led up to the shooting. The victims' names have not been released pending the notification of other family members. Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry called for the city to come together, saying the crime was unimaginable and heartbreaking. "It's hard not to be angry. It's hard not to be frustrated," he said during a news conference at police headquarters. The shooting also drew condemnation from New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez. "I'm heartbroken over this horrible and senseless act of violence that has left all of us shaking our heads and asking 'Why?" Martinez said in a statement. "My heart and prayers go out to the family and the mother who is fighting for her life." Authorities said the violence erupted about 6:30 p.m. Monday. A woman called for help, saying that shots had been fired at a home in the Four Hills neighborhood in southeast Albuquerque. Within minutes, officers arrived to find the mother and the children a 5-year-old boy, a 6-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy all shot. It's not clear in what order the victims were shot. Authorities said there was no history of previous calls to the home. Officials with the Albuquerque school district said their crisis management team and other support staff were ready to help classmates of the victims and staffers. ___ The first name of the Albuquerque police chief has been corrected to Gorden Eden in this story. Mother settles JetBlue lawsuit after son flown to wrong city NEW YORK (AP) A woman has agreed to settle her lawsuit against JetBlue Airways after it mixed up her 5-year-old son with another boy and flew him to the wrong city, her lawyer said Tuesday. "With regard to the matter of Maribel Martinez, et al v. Jet Blue Airways the parties have agreed to amicably resolve this matter," attorney Sanford Rubenstein said in a written statement. Details of the settlement weren't disclosed. New York-based JetBlue Airways Corp. declined to comment. Martinez had charged in the lawsuit that she suffered "great emotional distress, extreme fear, horror, mental shock, mental anguish and psychological trauma" when she went to meet her son's Aug. 17 flight at John F. Kennedy International Airport and he wasn't on it. The little boy, Andy Martinez, had been mistakenly put on a flight to Boston's Logan Airport instead of the flight to Kennedy. According to the court papers, JetBlue staffers at Logan escorted Andy to a woman he had never seen before and told him he was being reunited with his mother. Meanwhile, a boy who was supposed to be on the flight to Boston had been put on Andy's New York-bound flight and was presented to Martinez. Both boys had flown out of Cibao International Airport in the Dominican Republic. Cemetery administrator charged in unused burial plots scam MELROSE, Mass. (AP) A cemetery administrator has been accused of selling unused burial plots owned by a Massachusetts city. Prosecutors say John Hughes offered to sell plots at the Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose at discounted rates. They say he arranged for buyers to pay fake sellers for burial plots they didn't own and then split the profits with the fake sellers. Prosecutors say Hughes falsely sold 13 burial plots this way at a profit of about $75,000 starting in about 2011. Hughes was appointed administrator in 2007. Hughes was arraigned Tuesday in Middlesex Superior Court on larceny charges. He was released pending his next court date on Jan. 9. Police Chief Michael Lyle calls the charges against Hughes "extremely disturbing." Hughes' lawyer hasn't commented. ___ Gambia leader's upset heartens families of the disappeared KANIFING, Gambia (AP) Fatoumata Sawaneh tried to hold back tears while talking about her father, one of hundreds of people who disappeared during the 22-year reign of President Yahya Jammeh in this tiny West African country. Imam Ousman Sawaneh was arrested in October 2015, picked up as he led volunteers clearing grass in the local cemetery. His detention, for unknown reasons, bewildered his family. "We don't have access to see him," she says, breaking down into sobs. "We are hoping that we will see him soon." In this photograph taken Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, Fatoumata Sawaneh, left, sits with relatives in the family's Kanifing, Gambia's home. Sawaneh has not heard from her father since, and fears for his life. Sawaneh tries desperately to hold back tears while talking about her father, Imam Ousman Sawaneh of Kanifing South, who was among three imams arrested in October 2015. She has not heard from him since, and like so many others in Gambia, fears for their loves ones life.Though the sudden disappearances are often unexplained, it is a familiar tale for so many under President Yahya Jammehs 22-year rule, which has created a climate of fear and mistrust. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay) Now, after the president's stunning defeat in last week's election, Fatoumata and others are hoping those who vanished can come home. Jammeh has long been accused by human rights workers of heading a government that tortures opponents and silences dissent. Hundreds of Gambians have been arbitrarily detained for years, often without access to family members or lawyers. They have effectively disappeared, but families cling to hope that they may still be alive. On Monday, an appeals court ordered the release on bail of top opposition figures who were arrested in April for staging peaceful protests. The next day, a court released on bail a dozen opposition supporters whose trial was ongoing for unlawful assembly. A lawyer said the decisions signal a "wind of change." But for every such high-profile case in Gambia, countless other people remain incommunicado, often for unknown reasons. "There are many cases, many family members who still don't know where their loved ones are," said Sabrina Mahtani, West Africa researcher for Amnesty International. "Gambia is a state that was run on fear, to keep people afraid, to keep people compliant." There is no real reason why one person would get picked up instead of another, contributing to that culture of fear, Mahtani said. "So it meant that people didn't speak out openly, people didn't share things on social media, people are always watching their back." The arrest of Sawaneh came not long after he and other imams presented a petition to Jammeh urging the release of some rice farmers who had been arrested, according to Amnesty International. A court ordered that Sawaneh be produced in March 2016, but the order has not been obeyed. Mahtani said this is common and that the new government has an obligation to look into the cases of people who have disappeared, to open the doors to prisons and to start a truth and reconciliation process. Jammeh's election loss saw Gambians for the first time in decades ripping down posters of their leader and shouting "Freedom!" in the streets, while soldiers and police stood by, some even cheering. Many families are using this chance to speak out. Nfansu Ceesay, says his 38-year-old brother, Ebrima, left one morning to meet with friends in November 2015 and never came back. Ceesay said the family looked everywhere, even offering money for information. "He's a jovial somebody ... who doesn't go and stay out of the compound without a reason. He always sleeps at home," Ceesay said. Frustrations over the disappearances and other abuses helped to usher in the shift of power to Adama Barrow, who has said he will release all political prisoners. "Gambians have shown Jammeh they are fed up of the illegal detentions, of the killings, of detaining people without bringing them to trial for three to four years," said Mymuna Darboe, the wife of Ousainou Darboe, an opposition party leader who was among those released Monday. They were detained after demanding the body of party member Solo Sandeng, who died from torture while in state custody. Another relative of a disappeared person, Isatou Kanyi, called on the president-elect to make sure her husband's case is investigated. Kanyiba Kanyi, a member of Ousainou Darboe's party, was taken away by security personnel in September 2006 and has not been heard from since. "He was the breadwinner of the family, and his arrest and subsequent 'disappearance' have made things worse," his wife said. The election of a new government opens the door to address human rights abuses associated with Jammeh's rule, including "bringing up the truth of what has happened to those many people who disappeared," said Andrea Ori, West Africa regional representative for the U.N. high commissioner for human rights. Chief Ebrima Manneh worked as a journalist before he went missing a decade ago. His brother Musa has since fled to Italy, making the perilous journey by sea to flee reprisals after he demanded answers about his brother's whereabouts. "Life has never been the same," Musa said. "Ten years of disappearance is very, very painful." ___ Associated Press writer Abdoulie John in Dakar, Senegal, contributed. In this photograph taken Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, the name of Imam Ousman Sawaneh is written on a wall outside the family's home, in Kanifing, Gambia. Fatoumata Sawaneh tries desperately to hold back tears while talking about her father, Imam Ousman Sawaneh of Kanifing South, who was among three imams arrested in October 2015. She has not heard from him since, and like so many others in Gambia, fears for their loves ones life.Though the sudden disappearances are often unexplained, it is a familiar tale for so many under President Yahya Jammehs 22-year rule, which has created a climate of fear and mistrust. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay) In this photograph taken Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, Fatoumata Sawaneh, breaks down as she recalls her father Imam Ousman Sawaneh, in her family's home in Kanifing, Gambia. Sawaneh tries desperately to hold back tears while talking about her father, Imam Ousman Sawaneh of Kanifing South, who was among three imams arrested in October 2015. She has not heard from him since, and like so many others in Gambia, fears for their loves ones life.Though the sudden disappearances are often unexplained, it is a familiar tale for so many under President Yahya Jammehs 22-year rule, which has created a climate of fear and mistrust. AP Photo/Jerome Delay) In this photograph taken Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, Fatoumata Sawaneh, sits in the family home in Kanifing, Gambia, holding photos of her father Imam Ousman Sawaneh. Sawaneh tries desperately to hold back tears while talking about her father, Imam Ousman Sawaneh of Kanifing South, who was among three imams arrested in October 2015. She has not heard from him since, and like so many others in Gambia, fears for their loves ones life.Though the sudden disappearances are often unexplained, it is a familiar tale for so many under President Yahya Jammehs 22-year rule, which has created a climate of fear and mistrust. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay) In this photograph taken Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, Fatoumata Sawaneh sits with relatives in the family's home, in Kanifing, Gambia. Sawaneh tries desperately to hold back tears while talking about her father, Imam Ousman Sawaneh of Kanifing South, who was among three imams arrested in October 2015. She has not heard from him since, and like so many others in Gambia, fears for their loves ones life.Though the sudden disappearances are often unexplained, it is a familiar tale for so many under President Yahya Jammehs 22-year rule, which has created a climate of fear and mistrust. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay) Chinese ship pulls out of MH370 search, leaving lone ship CANBERRA, Australia (AP) The seabed search for the missing Malaysian airliner has been left to a single ship, with a Chinese vessel heading home to Shanghai, officials said on Wednesday. A Dutch survey ship Fugro Equator will finish the search of the southern Indian Ocean for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 alone after resupplying at the southwest Australian port of Fremantle, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which coordinates the search, said in a statement. The Chinese ship Dong Hai Jiu 101 had finished searching the 120,000-square-kilometer (46,000-square-mile) expanse last weekend and was headed back to Fremantle to drop off equipment before returning to its home port of Shanghai, the statement said. FILE - In this March 31, 2014, file photo, HMAS Success scans the southern Indian Ocean, near the coast of Western Australia, as a Royal New Zealand Air Force P3 Orion flies over, while searching for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. A Dutch survey ship Fugro Equator will finish the search of the southern Indian Ocean for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 alone after resupplying at the southwest Australian port of Fremantle, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which coordinates the search, said in a statement. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith, File) The Chinese ship in February joined three search vessels operated by the Dutch underwater survey company Fugro in the hunt for the Boeing 777 that authorities say crashed with 239 people aboard far off the southwest coast of Australia on March 8, 2014. Fugro Equator is expected to finish the search by February, the statement said. The ship is using a highly maneuverable drone known as an autonomous underwater vehicle to get sonar images of difficult terrain. A group of victims' relatives traveled to the island nation of Madagascar off the southeast coast of Africa and this week offered locals possible financial rewards to search for debris from the plane. A Malaysian official investigating the disappearance visited Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo, to pick up debris that has already been found and will be analyzed to see if it came from the aircraft. Time to reconcile: 2 cities overcome Pearl Harbor legacy TOKYO (AP) Seventy-five years after a Japanese admiral led the attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, the mayor of his hometown is joining his Honolulu counterpart to mark the anniversary as friends. Tatsunobu Isoda, the mayor of Nagaoka, Japan, will lay flowers at the main memorial event on Wednesday and join a smaller ceremony a day later co-organized by Japan and the U.S. for the first time. His presence is the fruit of nearly a decade of effort by his predecessor, Tamio Mori, who in 2014 became the first Japanese municipal leader invited to the commemoration in Hawaii. FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2015 file photo, U.S. Navy Read Adm. John Fuller, left, Honolulu mayor Kirk Caldwell, center, and then Nagaoka CityMayor Tomio Mori look on during a celebration marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, in Honolulu. The mayor of Nagaoka, Japan, the birthplace of the man who engineered the Pearl Harbor attack, is joining his counterpart of Honolulu to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the four-year war between the two countries, as friends. Mayor Tatsunobu Isoda and eight other members of his delegation are formally invited as guests of Honolulu at both the main memorial on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016, and a separate first ceremony Thursday, Dec. 8, co-organized by Japan and the U.S. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia, File) "To many Americans, Pearl Harbor was a sacred place for the survivors and their animosity, and a place to glorify the war dead," said Nagaoka city official Yusuke Nishiyama, who has organized peace education and youth exchange programs with Honolulu for several years. Nagaoka, a city of 270,000 people on the Japan Sea, is the hometown of Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto, the naval commander who masterminded the surprise attack on Dec. 7, 1941, that killed 2,400 sailors, Marines and soldiers. Mori reached out to then-Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann at an international conference in the Hawaiian capital in 2007. Introducing himself as the head of Yamamoto's hometown, he proposed youth exchanges for peace education to restore friendship. It took five years for Nagaoka and Honolulu to become sister cities, and even longer to build a deeper trust. "We continued our exchanges, not just on milestone anniversaries but year after year, and it was last year when we finally heard the word 'reconciliation' mentioned (by the Americans) for the first time," said Nishiyama, the Nagaoka official. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced this week that he will visit Pearl Harbor with President Barack Obama in late December to pay respects to the war dead as a gesture of reconciliation. Nagaoka is famed for its fireworks, and displays of them in Hawaii have become a symbolic part of the exchange, including one at the ceremony last year marking the 70th anniversary of the end World War II. In Nagoaka, the fireworks have long served as a reminder of the more than 1,400 people who died in U.S. aerial firebombing attacks on the city during the final weeks of the war. The city's residents can take some solace in knowing that although Yamamoto was behind the Pearl Harbor attack, he initially opposed waging war on America, because he thought Japan had little chance of winning. He died in 1943 when his plane was shot down by U.S. forces. __ Follow Mari Yamaguchi on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/mariyamaguchi Find her work at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/mari-yamaguchi Thai prime minister cautions news media on lese majeste law BANGKOK (AP) Thailand's prime minister warned Wednesday that the BBC could be prosecuted if an online report published by its Thai-language service about the country's new king is found to have violated the law safeguarding the monarchy's reputation. BBC-Thai, a relative newcomer among the services of the British Broadcasting Corp., caused a stir when it published a profile of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun touching on controversial aspects of his background. The story included details of three of his marriages that ended in divorce and other material that cannot be published by Thai news media without legal risk. Thailand has a strict lese majeste law against insulting the monarchy that carries a penalty of three to 15 years in prison. No charges have been filed against the BBC yet. The Thai offices of the BBC are locked and unoccupied with their signage removed in central Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. Thailand's defense minister says the government will not back down from prosecuting news outlets that publish "illegal" content, following scrutiny of the BBC's bureau in Bangkok for an article about the country's new king. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said that because "a news agency has a branch in Thailand staffed with Thai reporters, if they violate Thai laws, they have to be prosecuted. Just like when we go to other countries and violate their laws, we are also prosecuted." "It doesn't matter whether they are part of the press or not, a crime is a crime," Prayuth told reporters. "So please be careful with what you do. Don't violate other people's personal lives to the point of causing disorder and confusion." Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan made the same point. "Whatever is illegal will be processed accordingly, no exceptions," he said. In the days after the story was published on Friday one day after Vajiralongkorn ascended the throne the BBC's office in Thailand received multiple visits from the army and police. The BBC shut the office this week, but continues to broadcast and publish on its website and on Facebook, although some readers said they found the link to the article about Vajiralongkorn now blocked in Thailand. BBC said in a statement that its Thai-language service "was established to bring impartial, independent, and accurate news to a country where the media faces restrictions, and we are confident that this article adheres to the BBC's editorial principles." The article sparked outrage among some Thai royalists, with social media groups vigorously criticizing the BBC. The Facebook group "V for Thailand" posted the BBC's Bangkok phone number on its Facebook page, encouraging its followers to call and harass people who work at the news service. Thai police arrested a student on Saturday for sharing a link to the BBC article on Facebook, releasing him on bail the next day. It was the first arrest under the lese majeste law since Vajiralongkorn became king. It also appeared to be the first lese majeste case involving material produced by a respected mainstream media outlet, although previous cases have involved content from several foreign tabloids. Mainstream media have had stories about the Thai monarchy censored, by blocking their websites and the voluntary stopping of distribution of editions of magazines and newspapers in Thailand, including The Economist and The International New York Times. Critics of the lese majeste law, known as Article 112, say it is used to silence political dissidents. The military regime that took power in a 2014 coup has especially cracked down on commentary on the internet. Rescuers comb Indonesia earthquake rubble for second day MEUREUDU, Indonesia (AP) Rescue workers, soldiers and police combed through the rubble of a devastated town in Indonesia's Aceh province Thursday, resuming a search for earthquake survivors that was halted at night by rain and blackouts. More than 100 people died in the shallow and powerful quake that struck northeast Sumatra before dawn on Wednesday. Hundreds were injured and dozens of buildings were destroyed. The worst damage appears to be in Pidie Jaya district near the epicenter, but assessments of the region are still underway. Scores of rescue personnel were crawling over a market in Meureudu, the hard-hit town, where many shop houses collapsed. One shop owner, Hajj Yusri Abdullah, didn't hold out much hope of finding survivors. He said nearly two dozen bodies were pulled from the market debris the day before. They included a group of eight made up of a newlywed couple and family members holding an ornate celebration known as Antar Dara Baro. A woman stands on the ruin of a market after Wednesday's earthquake in Meureudu, Aceh province, Indonesia, early Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016. Thousands of people in the Indonesian province of Aceh took refuge for the night in mosques and temporary shelters after a strong earthquake Wednesday killed a large number of people and destroyed dozens of buildings. (AP Photo/Heri Juanda) Some people spent the night outdoors while thousands of others took refuge in mosques and temporary shelters. Many were homeless after the magnitude 6.5 quake destroyed or damaged their homes and others were too scared to return home. Killer quakes occur regularly in the region, where many live with the terrifying memory of a giant Dec. 26, 2004, earthquake that struck off Sumatra. The magnitude 9.1 quake triggered a devastating tsunami that killed more than 100,000 Acehnese. A spokesman for Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency said the death toll had risen to 102, spread across three districts in northern Aceh but concentrated in Pidie Jaya. Aceh's disaster mitigation agency said more than 8,000 displaced people were at several shelters in the district. The Indonesian government has declared a two-week emergency period in Aceh and some aid was already reaching hard-hit areas. Humanitarian organization CARE said it would was leading a joint assessment mission of four international aid organizations. "It will take several more days to get a full picture of the impact," CARE's Indonesia director Helen Vanwel said in a statement. "We know from experience that after an earthquake of such a scale, people urgently need water, shelter, food and medicine," she said. The Indonesian Red Cross deployed emergency response teams and announced bank accounts for donations. Its head of disaster management, Arifin Hadi, said five water trucks had been sent into the quake area. Aid, including hygiene kits, tarpaulins, jerry cans, blankets and family assistance kits, is being distributed, with more to be sent from Jakarta, he said. The International Organization for Migration sent an assessment team to Aceh. The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was centered about 19 kilometers (12 miles) southeast of Sigli, a town near the northern tip of Sumatra, at a depth of 17 kilometers (11 miles). The agency had initially placed the epicenter undersea. It did not generate a tsunami. Siti Rukiah, 51, a mother of four, was among the many people who took refuge for the night in local mosques. She and about 100 other people from Pante Raja, a seaside village in Pidie Jaya district, fled to Nur Abdullah mosque located on higher ground in a nearby hamlet. She said the quake felt so powerful she had to grab onto a table to keep from falling down. She was sure a tsunami was coming. "I'm really scared about a tsunami," said Rukiah, whose brother and neighbors died in the 2004 disaster. She said she didn't want to return home "not only because my house is damaged, but I am still afraid an aftershock could cause a tsunami." Aceh's disaster mitigation agency said more than 600 people were injured. The national disaster agency said about 245 buildings were seriously damaged or destroyed in Pidie Jaya and neighboring Bireuen district, including 14 mosques. The rest were mainly dwellings and shop houses. Roads also cracked and power poles toppled over. The world's largest archipelago, Indonesia is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. The 2004 quake and tsunami killed a total of 230,000 people in a dozen countries, most of them in Aceh. John Ebel, professor of earth and environmental sciences at Boston College, said there is a risk of aftershocks that even if relatively weak could cause further damage to buildings, particularly because modern building codes aren't consistently enforced in Indonesia. The general hospital in Pidie Jaya was overwhelmed with the numbers of injured, and many people were being treated in tents pitched on its grounds, according to its director Muhammad Reza Faisal. ___ AP writers Stephen Wright, Niniek Karmini and Ali Kotarumalos in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed. Earthquake survivors spend a night at a temporary shelter in Ulim, Aceh province, Indonesia, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016. Thousands of people in the Indonesian province of Aceh took refuge for the night in mosques and temporary shelters after a strong earthquake on Wednesday killed a large number of people and destroyed dozens of buildings. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara) Earthquake survivors sleep on the ground at a temporary shelter in Ulim, Aceh province, Indonesia, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016. Thousands of people in the Indonesian province of Aceh took refuge for the night in mosques and temporary shelters after a strong earthquake on Wednesday killed a large number of people and destroyed dozens of buildings. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara) Acehnese women survey the damage after an earthquake in Ulhee Glee, Aceh province, Indonesia, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016. Thousands of people in the Indonesian province of Aceh took refuge for the night in mosques and temporary shelters after a strong earthquake Wednesday killed a large number of people and destroyed dozens of buildings. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara) A man salvages printed materials from under the rubble of a shop flattened in Wednesday's earthquake at a market in Meureudu, Aceh province, Indonesia, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016. Rescue workers, soldiers and police combed through the rubble of a devastated town in Indonesia's Aceh province early Thursday, resuming a search for earthquake survivors that was halted at night by rain and blackouts. (AP Photo/Heri Juanda) An Acehnese man and a police officer survey the damage after an earthquake in Ulhee Glee, Aceh province, Indonesia, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016. Thousands of people in the Indonesian province of Aceh took refuge for the night in mosques and temporary shelters after a strong earthquake Wednesday killed a large number of people and destroyed dozens of buildings. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara) Earthquake survivors sleep on the ground outside a mosque turned into a temporary shelter in Ulim, Aceh province, Indonesia, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016. Thousands of people in the Indonesian province of Aceh took refuge for the night in mosques and temporary shelters after a strong earthquake on Wednesday killed a large number of people and destroyed dozens of buildings. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara) Earthquake survivors spend a night at a temporary shelter in Ulim, Aceh province, Indonesia, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016. Thousands of people in the Indonesian province of Aceh took refuge for the night in mosques and temporary shelters after a strong earthquake on Wednesday killed a large number of people and destroyed dozens of buildings. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara) Rescuers recover the body of a victim from a collapsed building after an earthquake in Pidie Jaya, Aceh province, Indonesia, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. A strong earthquake rocked Indonesia's Aceh province early on Wednesday, killing a large number of people and sparking a frantic rescue effort in the rubble of dozens of collapsed and damaged buildings. (AP Photo/Heri Juanda) Rescuers use excavators to search for victims under the rubble of collapsed buildings after an earthquake in Pidie Jaya, Aceh province, Indonesia, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. A strong earthquake rocked Indonesia's Aceh province early on Wednesday, killing a large number of people and sparking a frantic rescue effort in the rubble of dozens of collapsed and damaged buildings. (AP Photo/Heri Juanda) Bangladesh court confirms death for Islamic group leader NEW DELHI (AP) Bangladesh's Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld death sentences for the leader of a banned Islamic group and two of his associates found guilty in a 2004 grenade attack on a British envoy. Defense lawyers representing Mufti Abdul Hannan, head of the group Harkatul Jihad, said they would appeal for a Supreme Court review of Wednesday's ruling, though such reviews are rare. Hannan and the two others were found guilty in 2008 of orchestrating a grenade attack against Bangladesh-born British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury while he was visiting a popular Islamic shrine in the northeastern city of Sylhet in 2004. Choudhury was unharmed, but the attack killed three police officers and wounded 70 others. Attorney General of Bangladesh, Mahbubey Alam, center, walks out of the Supreme Court after the hearing of a review petition relating to the death sentence of Harkatul Jihad leader, Mufti Abdul Hannan, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. The court upheld the death sentence against Hannan and two of his accomplices found guilty of orchestrating a 2004 grenade attack against Bangladesh-born British High Commissioner, Anwar Choudhury, as he visited a popular Islamic shrine in the north-eastern city of Sylhet. (AP Photo) The trial court in 2008 sentenced two other associates of Hannan to life in prison in connection with the attack. Hannan took over leadership of Harkatul Jihad in the late 1990s. The group, formed in 1992 by Bangladeshis returning from fighting Soviet forces in Afghanistan, has been blamed for many other attacks in the Muslim-majority nation. Hannan was also sentenced to death for another attack in 2001 that killed 10 people during a new year celebration. He remains on trial in a 2004 grenade attack that killed 24 people which targeted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when she was the opposition leader. Hasina escaped injury. The group was banned by the government in 2005. UAE calls Ohio police killing of Emirati 'painful incident' DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) The United Arab Emirates has called the police killing of an Emirati man in Ohio a "painful incident" that the country's diplomats would investigate, just months after another citizen of the U.S.-allied Arab nation was wrongly accused in Ohio of being an Islamic militant. The shooting death on Sunday of Saif Nasser Mubarak Alameri made front page news Wednesday in the UAE, a federation of seven sheikdoms on the Arabian Peninsula. Online, stunned Emiratis shared a smiling black-and-white photo of the 26-year-old university student with the Arabic hashtag "Saif Nasser is in the hands of God." Police in Hudson, Ohio, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Cleveland, say Alameri was speeding and driving erratically Sunday on the Ohio Turnpike when he sideswiped another vehicle, causing his car to flip onto the roof. They say Alameri fled the scene of the crash, forcing responding Hudson police officers and Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers to search for him in nearby woods. A Hudson police officer fired shots at the man during a struggle, the city said. The officer was treated for minor injuries and has been placed on paid administrative leave. The officer hasn't been identified. The Summit County medical examiner's office said Alameri was shot once in the head. Jill Del Greco, a spokeswoman for the Ohio attorney general's office, said investigators from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which is examining the shooting, will be meeting with representatives of the United Arab Emirates. The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said its officials would talk to local authorities. "In light of this follow-up, and after details of the painful incident are clarified by the authorities, the ministry will issue a more comprehensive statement," undersecretary Mohammed Mer al-Raisi said late Tuesday in a statement. The United Arab Emirates, home to Dubai, is a major U.S. ally in the region. American drones and aircraft involved in the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria fly out of its air bases. The UAE also deployed forces to Afghanistan after the U.S.-led invasion following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks by al-Qaida. But this is the second incident in months involving police officers near Cleveland and an Emirati citizen. In June, Emirati businessman Ahmed al-Menhali was detained at gunpoint by police in Avon, Ohio, while wearing a traditional white kandura, or ankle-length robe, and headscarf. His arrest came after the family of a hotel clerk wrongly told police that al-Menhali was pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group. The city of Avon later apologized to al-Menhali, who was briefly hospitalized after the incident. It also saw UAE authorities warn Emiratis traveling abroad to avoid wearing traditional garments. ___ Gillispie reported from Cleveland. ___ Trump chooses hardliners but talks softer on immigration NEW YORK (AP) Donald Trump embraced new Cabinet officers Wednesday whose backgrounds suggest he's primed to put tough actions behind his campaign rhetoric on immigration and the environment, even as he seemed to soften his yearlong stance on immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children. It's clearer by the day, underscored by Trump's at-times contradictory words, that his actual policies as president won't be settled until after he takes his seat in the Oval Office. Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly has been selected to head the Department of Homeland Security, and Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, a climate-change denier whose policies have helped fossil fuel companies, is to be announced as head of the Environmental Protection Agency. FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2016 file photo, President-elect Donald Trump talks to media as he stands with retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse in Bedminster, N.J. Trump is tapping another four-star military officer for his administration. He has picked Kelly to lead the Homeland Security Department, according to people close to the transition. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) Separately, Trump named the former chief executive of World Wrestling Entertainment, Linda McMahon, to head the Small Business Administration and may have breathed new life into the candidacy of a secretary of state contender. Trump said he planned to name his choice for the key Cabinet post next week and insisted that former rival Mitt Romney still had a chance. Trump, who has met twice with the 2012 GOP presidential nominee, denied he was stringing Romney along to make him pay for earlier remarks that Trump was unfit to be president. "No, it's not about revenge. It's about what's good for the country, and I'm able to put this stuff behind us and I hit him very hard also," Trump said in a telephone interview on NBC. Three sources close to the selection process said late Wednesday that Romney's stock is on the rise again within Trump's circle after a period in which the celebrity businessman had cooled on the candidacy of the former Massachusetts governor. But Trump has changed his mind repeatedly throughout the process and has expanded the pool of contenders beyond the previously identified final four of Romney, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker and former CIA Director David Petraeus. Trump's long presidential campaign was in large part defined by searing rhetoric and his steadfast promises to build an impenetrable wall on the border with Mexico and crack down on immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. But he struck a softer tone in an interview published Wednesday after he was named Time Magazine's "Person of the Year." "We're going to work something out that's going to make people happy and proud," Trump said. "They got brought here at a very young age; they've worked here, they've gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And they're in never-never land because they don't know what's going to happen." He offered no details about a policy that would make that clear. During the campaign, Trump's tough comments including a vow to overturn President Barack Obama's executive orders on immigration have led to fears among immigrant advocates that he will end Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Hundreds of thousands of young immigrants have gained work permits and temporary protection from deportation under the 2012 program, which aides to Trump have said would be revisited. Others continue to press the immigrants' case. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel presented Trump a letter Wednesday from 14 big city mayors urging him to keep the program intact. "They were working hard toward the American dream," Emanuel told reporters in lobby of Trump's skyscraper. "It's no fault of their own their parents came here. They are something we should hold up and embrace." Though some immigrant advocates hope Trump's words were an olive branch, others were skeptical. "We've seen this movie before," Frank Sharry of the immigrant-rights group America's Voice said in a statement. "Unfortunately we expect no pivot and no softening." Meanwhile, Trump moved toward making another addition to the collection of generals in his Cabinet, settling on Kelly to head Homeland Security, according to people close to transition. Gen. Kelly, who joined the Marine Corps in 1970, retired this year after a final command that included oversight of the Guantanamo Bay detention center. He has a reputation as a border hawk after a time in the Southern Command, which is based in South Florida and regularly works with Homeland Security on missions to identify and dismantle immigrant smuggling networks. Trump also picked Pruitt, a longtime critic of the EPA, to head that same agency, according to person close to Pruitt who was not authorized to speak publicly about the choice before it was announced. The move comes just after Trump met with former Vice President Al Gore, who is an environmental activist, and said he had "an open mind" about honoring the Paris climate accords. That gave hope to some environmentalists, but on Wednesday Trump's apparent decision was denounced by Democrats. "Mr. Pruitt's record is not only that of being a climate change denier, but also someone who has worked closely with the fossil fuel industry to make this country more dependent, not less, on fossil fuels," said Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. But Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, a Republican, said Pruitt "has proven that being a good steward of the environment does not mean burdening taxpayers and businesses with red tape." The president-elect also announced his selection of Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as the new U.S. ambassador to China. Trump and Branstad are expected to appear together in Iowa on Thursday. Before that, Trump will meet with some of the victims of last week's car-and-knife attack at Ohio State University. He has denounced immigration policies that allowed the apparent attacker into the country. ___ This story has been corrected the spelling of Rahm Emanuel's last name. ___ Associated Press writers Nicholas Riccardi in Denver, Thomas Beaumont in Des Moines, Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City and Julie Pace, Julie Bykowicz, Lolita Baldor, Michael Biesecker and Laurie Kellman in Washington contributed. ___ Reach Lemire on Twitter at http://twitter.com/@JonLemire Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt arrives at Trump Tower in New York, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) In this photo taken Jan. 8, 2016, Gen. John Kelly speaks to reporters during a briefing at the Pentagon. President-elect Donald Trump is tapping another four-star military officer for his administration. He has picked Kelly to lead the Homeland Security Department, according to people close to the transition. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2016 file photo, Linda McMahon talks with reporters after a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower in New York. President-elect Donald Trump will nominate wrestling executive Linda McMahon to serve as administrator of the Small Business Administration, a Cabinet-level position. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) On the theory that a driver who knows when a red light will turn green is more relaxed and aware, vehicle manufacturer Audi is unveiling this week in Las Vegas a technology that enables vehicles to 'read' traffic signals ahead and tell the motorist how long the wait will be. It's a simple display for the driver a dashboard traffic signal icon and a timer next to the digital vehicle speed and area speed limit displays already common in newer cars. The technology behind it is more complex. It uses 4G LTE cellular communication between the vehicle and a centralized traffic management control network dubbed vehicle-to-infrastructure or 'V2I.' Audi offers it through a subscription service not unlike commercial satellite radio. The company calls it 'traffic light information.' Scroll down for video The dashboard of an Audi A4 is seen during a demonstration of Audi's vehicle-to-infrastructure technology. Audi debuted a technology that can 'read' red lights ahead HOW IT WORKS The technology uses 4G LTE cellular communication between the vehicle and a centralized traffic management control network dubbed vehicle-to-infrastructure or 'V2I.' The Las Vegas-area program, dubbed FAST, collects data and synchronizes 1,300 traffic signals in the region. It also has 508 cameras and freeway flow detectors, and controls 106 message signs and freeway on-ramp meters. Information is transmitted to the car and shown on the dashboard - or eventually on a heads up display. The driver will be shown a traffic signal icon and a timer next to the digital vehicle speed and area speed limit display. Advertisement Company executive Pom Malhotra terms it 'time to green.' 'You don't have to constantly stare at the traffic light. You have that information right in front of you,' Malhotra told reporters who test-drove the system Tuesday in vehicles on and around Las Vegas Strip. Can't see the light because there's a tour bus ahead? No problem. The icon says you have 37 seconds. 'A lot of behavior in the car changes,' Malhotra said. 'You have time to relax your hands and shoulders ... time to hand a milk bottle to your child in the back seat ... while knowing you're not taking attention away from the road.' Audi and Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada officials said Tuesday that Las Vegas was picked for the first-in-the-nation debut because it has a single centralized traffic management center covering all jurisdictions in Clark County, a region nearly the size of New Jersey. Malhotra said Audi hopes to expand the system soon to other big U.S. cities, including places like Los Angeles, which have patchwork traffic management systems run by varying jurisdictions in a sprawling urban landscape. The Las Vegas-area program, dubbed the Freeway and Arterial System of Transportation, or FAST, collects data and synchronizes 1,300 traffic signals in a region home to more than 2 million people and host to more than 40 million tourists a year. It also has 508 cameras and freeway flow detectors, and controls 106 message signs and freeway on-ramp meters. Over the course of the six-month test phase, a total of 500 test drivers in 120 cars and three motorcycles covered a total of 1.65 million kilometers (1.03 million miles). The vehicles were networked with one another via specially developed radio transmission equipment Tina Quigley, transportation commission general manager, said other car companies will be able to tap into the Las Vegas data, which she said should improve mobility and safety particularly in the congested Las Vegas Strip tourist corridor and around McCarran International Airport. About 150 Audi owners are using the system in Las Vegas, Malhotra said. The car company official called the debut of the commercial service 'a small step forward in V2I,' but a key demonstration of the kind of technology that will enable vehicle-to-vehicle communication and driverless cars. Using cellular communication for smart car systems differs from vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-traffic signal programs using dedicated short-range communication. DSRC has been tested since 2012 at the University of Michigan, said Debra Bezzina, senior program manager for the Ann Arbor Connected Vehicle Test Environment. A line of Audi A4 cars are parked before a demonstration of Audi's vehicle-to-infrastructure technology. The technology allows vehicles to 'read' red lights ahead and tell the driver how long it'll be before the signal turns green The university Transportation Research Institute program is backed by several federal traffic safety, research, trucking and transit agencies, and pilot programs are slated for Wyoming, New York and Tampa, Florida. Bezzina said properly equipped vehicles with DSRC are able to detect traffic signal phase signals at intersections. 'If the light has turned yellow, it can tell the driver, 'You're not going to make the light,'' Bezzina said. Audi spokesman Mark Dahncke said his company expects other car companies will develop similar cellular-enabled technology, or could piggyback with its program contractor, Traffic Technology Services. 'We are blazing a trail that does not lock anyone else out,' Dahncke said. The man who gunned down a retired NFL star this past April after a heated confrontation triggered by a car accident in New Orleans stood over his victim's body and taunted him as he lay on the road dying, a witness to the shooting testified on Wednesday. Rebecca Dooley, a family friend of former New Orleans Saints star Will Smith, took the stand during the murder trial of Smith's shooter, Cardell Hayes. Hayes, 29, a former semi-pro football player and owner of a tow-truck business, claims that he shot Smith because he feared for his life when both men got out of their cars after a collision to confront each other on a street in New Orleans. Hayes also wounded Smith's wife, Racquel, in the legs before surrendering to police. He is being charged with second-degree murder. Scroll down for video Cardell Hayes (left), 29, is on trial for second-degree murder in the shooting death of retired football star Will Smith (right) Dooley and her husband were riding with Smith and his wife when the Hummer driven by Hayes slammed into them. Hayes had chased down Smith's vehicle after he claims that Smith had rear-ended him moments before. 'They just both seemed angry: Will saying "You hit my car",' 'Mr. Hayes saying, "You hit me first", then back and forth, back and forth,' Dooley testified. Dooley said her husband and Hayes' passenger also had words, and that the passenger took a swing at her husband. Rebecca Dooley (left), a family friend of Smith, testified that Hayes taunted his victim as he lay dying on the road 'without remorse'. Another witness, former New Orleans Saints star Pierre Thomas (right), also testified in court on Wednesday But she said no physical contact was made among any of those arguing, and she too thought tempers had calmed. Then, she said: 'I see Mr. Hayes walking toward Will with a gun pointed at him. I hear shots fired. I see Will's body jolt.' '"Look at you now. You were showing off",' Dooley quoted Hayes as saying over Smith's slumped body. 'It just sounded like there was no remorse evil kind of sounding,' Dooley testified. Then, she said, 'I heard Mr. Hayes say, "Where's that white boy at?''' 'At that point I though he was looking for my husband,' she said, but no other shots were fired. Contradicting a developing defense narrative, Dooley and Thomas said they never heard Smith threaten to fetch a gun before he was shot. Another witness to the shooting, former Saints running back Pierre Thomas, told the jury on Wednesday that he thought the heated argument between the two men had cooled but then he heard gunshots and turned to see his friend being gunned down. 'After the shooting stopped I stood there in shock. Telling myself that didn't happen,' Thomas said, his voice shaking. Will Smith's widow, Racquel, who was wounded in the shooting, arrives with family and friends at Orleans Parish Criminal District Court on Wednesday 'Telling myself he didn't just kill one of my friends, my former teammate.' Thomas' testimony is the latest to bolster the prosecution's scenario of how the shooting unfolded: The Smiths were out for the evening with friends after a festival in the French Quarter. The group was traveling in three different vehicles when Smith's Mercedes SUV stopped short behind an orange Hummer. Surveillance video appears to show that the SUV may have lightly bumped the Hummer. Smith then steered around it and continued on his way, with the Hummer in pursuit. Moments later, the Hummer rammed into the rear of Smith's vehicle, and both drivers got out and angrily confronted each other. Only Hayes was armed. Police have said a loaded handgun remained in Smith's car. Prosecutors and their witnesses say Racquel had calmed her husband, the argument had subsided when Hayes fired, hitting her in the legs, followed by a bullet to Smith's side and seven more in his back. Defense attorneys John Fuller and Jay Daniels have questioned these witnesses' credibility and insisted that Hayes fired in fear that Smith was going for his own gun. While the prosecution says Hayes deliberately rammed his Hummer into the SUV, the defense says the collision was an accident, which they blamed on Hayes being distracted as he tried to report the earlier contact between the vehicles to 911. Fuller noted that Smith had been drinking at the festival, a bar and two restaurants earlier that night, but Thomas insisted that Smith showed no signs of being out of control, and resisted suggestions that he was trying to burnish Smith's image. 'I want justice,' he told Fuller during his cross-examination. Danish officer shot in head dies; suspect jailed for 4 weeks COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) A 43-year-old dog squad officer who was shot in the head at close range outside a suburban Copenhagen police station has died, Danish authorities said Wednesday. Kim Christiansen, head of the suburban police district, said the officer died "surrounded by his next of kin" on Wednesday, the day after he was shot. His condition had deteriorated the night before after doctors failed to remove the bullet in his head, Christiansen added. A 26 year-old Danish man was jailed earlier in the day on suspicion of shooting the officer, who has not been publicly named. Prosecutor Morten Frederiksen said the man was suspected of stealing the gun that was used to shoot the officer on Tuesday from a shooting range. Claus Oxfeldt, chairman of Denmark's main police union, called it "a black day for the police." The last time a Danish officer was fatally shot in the line of duty was 21 years ago, according to the union. Officer Morten Mortensen was fatally shot during an armed bank robbery. The latest death to strike at the heart of Denmark's law enforcement community came in 2008, when intelligence officer Karsten Krabbe was among the 50 people killed when a car bomb exploded outside a hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan. Frederiksen said police are working to establish a motive for Tuesday's shooting, which was seen by witnesses and recorded by surveillance cameras at the Albertslund police station. The suspect refused to speak during a pre-trial hearing Wednesday where he was ordered held for four weeks, he said. At the hearing, the judge also ordered the suspect, who was not identified because of a court order, to undergo a mental investigation. Four years ago, he was sentenced to eight months for threatening officers at the same police station with a fake gun. Italian director clarifies 'Last Tango' butter rape scene ROME (AP) Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci is clarifying details about the infamous butter rape scene in the "Last Tango in Paris." Bertolucci says the only novelty sprung on actress Maria Schneider was the butter not the simulated rape, which he said was written into the script. "Some people thought, and think, that Maria wasn't informed about the rape," said a Bertolucci statement carried by the ANSA news agency Monday. FILE - In this Oct. 15, 2016, file photo, director Bernardo Bertolucci poses for photographers during a photo call at the Rome Film festival in Rome. A recently unearthed video interview with Bertolucci from 2013 has renewed interest, and outrage, over what happened to actress Maria Schneider on set during the infamous butter sex scene in Last Tango in Paris. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File) "False! Maria knew everything because she had read it in the script, where it was described," he said. "The only novelty was the idea of the butter." The controversial film made headlines in recent days after a 2013 interview surfaced in which Bertolucci said neither he nor Marlon Brando had told Schneider of their plans to use the stick of butter during the scene. He said he and Brando came up with the idea on the morning of the shoot and decided not to tell Schneider because he wanted her to react "as a girl, not as an actress." Bertolucci wanted her, he said, to feel "the rage and the humiliation." Schneider, who died in 2011, spoke often about the scene between her, then aged 19, and Marlon Brando, then 48, even saying in a 2007 Daily Mail interview that she "felt a little raped" by her co-star and director. In the statement, Bertolucci said the controversy was "ridiculous." He criticized commentators for being so "naive" as to think that what they see on screen actually happens. "Those who don't know that in film, sex is (almost) always simulated, probably also think that every time John Wayne fires, someone actually dies." ___ UN agency says Iran no longer in violation of nuclear deal VIENNA (AP) A U.N. agency says Iran is no longer in violation of its nuclear agreement with six world powers because it has reduced its store of heavy water. Heavy water cools reactors that can produce substantial amounts of plutonium used to make the core of nuclear warheads. A recent report from the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency said that Tehran had slightly more heavy water stored than the 130 metric tons (143.3 tons) called for by the deal between it and six world powers. A new confidential IAEA report obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press says the agency verified Tuesday that an Iranian export shipment of 11 metric tons (over 12 tons) of heavy water had arrived at its destination. WikiLeaks' Assange releases statement he gave prosecutors LONDON (AP) WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Wednesday released a statement given to prosecutors in which he asserts he did not commit any crimes when he had sex with a woman in Sweden six years ago. He says he did not have intercourse with a woman while she was asleep. That allegation is at the heart of an ongoing Swedish investigation into a possible rape. Swedish prosecutors have not charged Assange with any crime. Swedish officials say they are waiting for a written report from Ecuadorean prosecutors who interviewed Assange last month before deciding whether to charge Assange. The interview took place at the Ecuadorean Embassy in London, where Assange sought refuge more than four years ago. FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2016, file photo, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange stands on the balcony of the Ecuadorean Embassy in London. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has released his statement to prosecutors in which he asserts he is innocent of committing sex crimes while visiting Sweden six years ago. In the statement released Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016 he denied having sexual intercourse with a woman without using a condom while she was asleep. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File) Ann Oberg, a spokeswoman with the Swedish prosecutors' office, said prosecutors will not provide further information on the case. "We are waiting for the transcript of the interview," she said. It will be up to Swedish prosecutors to decide whether to move the case forward or drop it without charging Assange. The case has been complicated by Assange's fear that if he goes to Sweden, he faces extradition to the United States to answer possible criminal charges related to WikiLeaks' role in the release of classified documents. It is not clear if he faces a secret grand jury indictment in the United States. His lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Assange plans to remain inside the Ecuadorean Embassy even if the Swedish prosecutors announce he will not be charged until there are assurances he will not face charges in the United States. She said the statement made public Wednesday was read to Ecuadorean officials when Assange was questioned, in the presence of Swedish prosecutors, at the embassy in mid-November. In the statement, Assange described his sexual relations with the woman in question as consensual. He says the two had consensual sex several times and that he is "certain" she was not asleep at the time in question. "I was also certain she expressly consented to unprotected sex before such intercourse started," he said. Under Swedish law, having sex with a woman who is asleep can be considered rape, so the questions of whether the woman was asleep, and whether she agreed to having sex without a condom, are vital. ___ UN prosecutors demand life sentence for Gen. Ratko Mladic THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) U.N. prosecutors on Wednesday demanded a life sentence for Gen. Ratko Mladic, telling judges that they should convict and imprison the former Bosnian Serb military chief for orchestrating atrocities throughout Bosnia's 1992-95 war. Prosecutor Alan Tieger told judges at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia that it would be "an insult to the victims, living and dead, and an affront to justice to impose any sentence other than the most severe available under law: A life sentence." Tieger was speaking at the end of prosecutors' closing statements at the conclusion of Mladic's trial on charges including genocide, murder and terror. Former Bosnian Serb military chief General Ratko Mladic looks across the court room at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in the Hague Netherlands in this image taken from video Wednesday Dec. 7, 2016. United Nations prosecutors on Wednesday demanded a life sentence for Gen. Ratko Mladic, telling judges that they should convict and imprison the former Bosnian Serb military chief for orchestrating atrocities throughout Bosnia's 1992-95 war. (ICTY Video via AP) Mladic's defense attorneys will deliver their closing statements before the three-judge panel retires to consider verdicts, which are expected late next year. Mladic faces 11 counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide linked to his command of troops accused of atrocities including indiscriminately shelling and sniping in the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, and murdering thousands of Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica in July 1995, Europe's worst massacre since World War II. The 74-year-old Mladic insists he is innocent and often appeared unmoved by the prosecution's final statement. He spent part of the morning in court Wednesday leafing through two newspapers, sometimes looking up at a computer screen when prosecutors displayed images of Bosnian Serb army orders. As Tieger delivered his sentence demand, Mladic stared at him across the courtroom. On the final day of prosecutors' closing statement, lawyer Adam Weber told judges that Mladic played a key role in the deadly siege of Sarajevo during the war, saying it was the general's "personal approval that was necessary" for Serb forces to shell the city using specially modified munitions. Another prosecutor, Peter McCloskey, went on to outline Mladic's role in the Srebrenica slayings, saying that "we see Mladic commanding his forces in an organized and systematic capture, detention, transportation, execution and burial of over 7,000 able-bodied men and boys of Srebrenica." Mladic's trial, which started more than four years ago, is the last case still underway at the tribunal, which convicted and sentenced 83 suspects. Among them was Radovan Karadzic, the former Bosnian Serb leader who was sentenced to 40 years in March for genocide and other crimes. Tieger reminded judges that four of Mladic's subordinate officers have been convicted by the tribunal and sentenced to life for their role in the Srebrenica genocide. Mladic insists he did nothing wrong during the war that left 100,000 dead, claiming that his military campaigns were intended to protect the Serb people as Bosnia disintegrated following the breakup of Yugoslavia and that he did not have a hand in some of the worst atrocities. But in an emotional finale to his closing statement, Tieger said there was no doubt Mladic was guilty and focused in on the victims. "No-one can fathom the extent of the individual tragedies of the victims in this case," he said, referring to slain children, beaten prisoners and women who were raped. "The litany of tragedies goes on and on," Tieger said. "No-one can fathom the extent of the suffering for which Ratko Mladic is responsible." Former Bosnian Serb military chief General Ratko Mladic looks across the court room at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in the Hague Netherlands in this image taken from video Wednesday Dec. 7, 2016. United Nations prosecutors on Wednesday demanded a life sentence for Gen. Ratko Mladic, telling judges that they should convict and imprison the former Bosnian Serb military chief for orchestrating atrocities throughout Bosnia's 1992-95 war. (ICTY Video via AP) The Latest: Wreaths presented to honor Pearl Harbor fallen PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) The Latest on a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor (all times Hawaii): 12:45 p.m. After a Pearl Harbor ceremony marking the anniversary of the 1941 attack, several dignitaries and officials rode boats to a memorial sitting over the sunken hull of the USS Arizona. United States Navy Rear Admiral John Fuller, center, presides over the memorial service at the USS Arizona Memorial at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016, in Honolulu. Hawaii First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige, left, Hawaii Governor David Ige, second from the left, United States Navy Senior Chaplain George Mendes, third from the left, Arizona First Lady Angela Ducey, second from the right and Arizona Governor Douglas A. Ducey, right, look on. Survivors of the Japanese attack, dignitaries and ordinary citizens attended a ceremony at Kilo Pier to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on the naval harbor. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner) They presented wreaths in honor of those who died in the Japanese attack on the harbor 75 years ago. Others giving wreaths included the USS Arizona Reunion Association and the consulate general of Japan. Thousands of servicemen and women and members of the public attended the ceremony at Pearl Harbor on Wednesday to mark the anniversary. The ceremony was held on a pier across the harbor from where the Arizona sank. ___ 9:35 a.m. U.S. Pacific Command Commander Adm. Harry Harris says those who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor never failed to stand for the national anthem. His remarks Wednesday at a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack generated a lengthy standing ovation from the crowd, with people whistling and hooting. Thousands gathered for the event, held on a pier across the harbor from where the USS Arizona sank during the 1941 attack. Harris told the crowd: "You can bet that the men and women we honor today - and those who died that fateful morning 75 years ago - never took a knee and never failed to stand whenever they heard our national anthem being played." In recent months, San Francisco 49ers quarter Colin Kaepernick and others have knelt through the national anthem to protest police brutality and the treatment of minorities, drawing criticism and acclaim alike. ___ 8:35 a.m. Laura Stoller accompanied her adoptive grandfather, a Pearl Harbor survivor, to the ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. She described her trip with 96-year-old Stan VanHoose of Beloit, Wisconsin, as "overwhelming in a wonderful way." Before the ceremony, the two watched crowds of people jostling to get autographs from the survivors and pose for photos with them. Stoller says it's fun to see the veterans get the recognition they deserve. She also is enjoying seeing the survivors reconnecting and sharing stories with each other. VanHoose served on the USS Maryland. ___ 8 a.m. Thousands gathered at Pearl Harbor bowed their heads for a moment of silence as a remembrance ceremony for those killed in the Japanese attack 75 years ago got underway. The USS Halsey sounded its whistle to start the moment at 7:55 a.m. the same moment Japanese planes began their assault on Dec. 7, 1941. F-22 fighter jets flying in formation overhead broke the silence afterward. Wednesday's ceremony is being held on a pier across the harbor from where the USS Arizona sank during the raid, killing 1,177 sailors and Marines. The ship's casualties accounted for almost half of the more than 2,300 servicemen killed in the attack. There's a clear blue sky over the harbor as the ceremony gets underway. ___ 7:50 a.m. A 95-year-old veteran from Columbus, Ohio, is visiting Pearl Harbor for the first time since 1945. Veterans advocates raised money to pay for Milton Mapou's (MAY-poh) trip. He and other survivors returned to Pearl Harbor on Wednesday to mark the 75th anniversary of the attack that drew the U.S. into World War II. On Dec. 7, 1941, Mapou was getting ready to sit down for breakfast on board the USS Detroit when he heard an explosion. He went topside to see a plane coming in low. It dropped a torpedo but missed the Detroit. Later, Mapou shattered a leg during the war when a kamikaze plane sunk his ship and cut it in half between Okinawa and Japan. ___ 5: 28 a.m. President Barack Obama in Washington issued a statement Wednesday on the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Obama says he and first lady Michelle Obama join Americans in "remembering those who gave their lives" on Dec. 7, 1941. More than 2,300 service people died that day. Obama said "we can never repay the profound debt of gratitude we owe to those who served on our behalf." Thousands, including servicemen and women and members of the public, are expected to attend a ceremony at Pearl Harbor on Wednesday to mark the anniversary. The president said he will visit the U SS Arizona Memorial later this month with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan. ___ 9:25 p.m. Surprise, fear, anger and pride. That's what Pearl Harbor survivor Jim Downing recalls about the attack that plunged the U.S. into World War II. Downing plans to return to Pearl Harbor Wednesday with other survivors to mark the 75th anniversary of the attack that left more than 2,300 service people dead. Thousands of servicemen and women and members of the public are also expected to attend the ceremony. Downing, a 103-year-old resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado, served on the USS West Virginia, which lost 106 men. He says he spent two hours fighting fires and checking the name tags of the dead so he could write their families personal notes about how they died. Pearl Harbor survivor Donald Barnhart, center, shakes the hand of a United States Marine while leaving the 75th Anniversary National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Commemoration on Kilo Pier at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016, in Honolulu. Survivors of the Japanese attack, dignitaries and ordinary citizens attended the ceremony. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner) Pearl Harbor survivor Delton Walling, center, leaves the 75th Anniversary National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Commemoration on Kilo Pier at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016, in Honolulu. Survivors of the Japanese attack, dignitaries and ordinary citizens attended the ceremony. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner) Various memorial wreaths decorate the USS Arizona Memorial at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016, in Honolulu. Survivors of the Japanese attack, dignitaries and ordinary citizens attended the 75th Anniversary National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Commemoration on Kilo Pier and then paid their respects to those txt lost their lives in the attack at the memorial. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner) ADVANCE FOR MONDAY DEC 12 AND THEREAFTER - In a Dec. 7, 1941 photo provided by the US Navy, a PBY patrol bomber burns at Naval Air Station Kaneohe, Oahu, Hi., during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. (U.S. Navy via The Virginian-Pilot via AP) Pearl Harbor survivor Ira Schab, right, is saluted by various members of the armed forces as he leaves the 75th Anniversary National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Commemoration on Kilo Pier at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016, in Honolulu. Survivors of the Japanese attack, dignitaries and ordinary citizens attended the ceremony. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner) Marines fire their rifles during Rifle Salute during a commemoration for the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on the naval harbor on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016 at Kilo Peir in Honolulu. (Craig T. Kojima/The Star-Advertiser via AP, Pool) Adm. Harry B. Harris, Jr., Commander, U.S Pacific Command speaks during a commemoration on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016 at Kilo Peir in Honolulu. Survivors of the Japanese attack, dignitaries and ordinary citizens attended a ceremony at Kilo Pier to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on the naval harbor. (Craig T. Kojima/The Star-Advertiser via AP, Pool) With the USS Missouri in the background, the USS Arizona memorial is seen, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016, in Honolulu. Survivors of the Japanese attack, dignitaries and ordinary citizens attended a ceremony at Kilo Pier to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on the naval harbor. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia) Pope warns about fake news - from experience VATICAN CITY (AP) Pope Francis is warning about the dangers of fake news, and he should know: Earlier this year, he was reported falsely to have endorsed Donald Trump for U.S. president. In an interview published Wednesday with the Belgian Catholic weekly Tertio, Francis repeated a frequent warning of his that the media can fall prey to spreading slander, scandal, defamation and disinformation. He said: "Disinformation is probably the greatest damage that the media can do, as opinion is guided in one direction, neglecting the other part of the truth." Not so jolly: Mom wants NC Santa fired for fat-shaming son FOREST CITY, N.C. (AP) Here's a not-so-jolly story: A mother wants her local St. Nick kicked to the curb for fat-shaming her son. Ashley Mayse tells WLOS-TV (http://bit.ly/2g8JsXI ) that her 9-year-old son started crying when the Santa Claus on Main Street in Forest City, North Carolina, told him to "Lay off the hamburgers and french fries" during his Christmas visit on Saturday. The Santa is employed by the town of Forest City, and Mayse says coal in his stocking would be too good for such behavior. The town manager says Santa apologized to the family as well as a supervisor, but mom wants him to get a pink slip. Anthony Mayse, meanwhile, says he tore up his photo with Santa and will take his wish list to another Father Christmas next year. ___ FBI arrests Puerto Rico mayor on public corruption charges SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) The mayor of a small Puerto Rican municipality has been arrested by FBI agents on public corruption charges related to telecommunications project that officials say turned out to be a Ponzi scheme. U.S. Attorney Rosa Emila Rodriguez Velez announced Tuesday that Gurabo Mayor Victor Ortiz Diaz has been arrested on charges of extortion and soliciting a bribe. Prosecutors allege that the mayor squandered two checks from the city's public coffers totaling nearly $200,000 in a bogus project. He says he is a victim of the scheme and denies accusations of wrongdoing. But Rodriguez alleges that it was "the citizens of Gurabo who were the victims of his corrupt acts." Albania offers 4-month amnesty for handing over weapons TIRANA, Albania (AP) The Albanian government is offering a four-month amnesty to all those who hand over guns. Interior Minister Saimir Tahiri said on his Facebook page the Cabinet passed a law Wednesday offering "no penal prosecution and zero punishment to all those handing over arms before April 30, 2017." Illegal weapon possession can attract sentences of up to 15 years of jail but old army Kalashnikovs and new pistols bought in Europe are widely used in domestic crimes, feuds and other shootings. More than 10,000 people have been killed or wounded by light weaponry in the 25 years since the fall of communism, according to ministry figures, adding that only 2,500 arms have been collected in the past three years. In 1997 Albanians who lost life savings in fake pyramid investment schemes looted hundreds of thousands of small arms and light ammunition from army depots. A United Nations-led project collected about 200,000 arms, but as many again are still believed to be in circulation. Military targets handling of misconduct cases WASHINGTON (AP) Military leaders are trying to fix the lengthy, inconsistent process for investigating senior officers accused of misconduct, The Associated Press has learned. They are seeking to change a hodgepodge system in which investigations can drag on for years while taxpayers pay six-figure salaries to officers relegated to mid-level administrative posts. Trust in the disciplinary system "is strained," the chiefs of the four military services said in a memo to Defense Secretary Ash Carter. The memo was obtained by The Associated Press. The chiefs said they planned to set up a task force to study the issue. It would be created by the end of the year and likely include former members of the military, lawmakers, and former investigators or inspectors general. The panel would be charged with providing specific proposals within 10 months. FILE - In this June 30, 2016 file photo, Defense Secretary Ash Carter speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon. Top military leaders are trying to fix the lengthy, inconsistent process for investigating senior officers accused of misconduct, The Associated Press has learned. They are seeking to change a hodgepodge system in which investigations can drag on for years while taxpayers pay six-figure salaries for senior officers relegated to mid-level administrative posts. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) The memo said the service leaders have concerns about "our internal processes to respond promptly and equitably when there are accusations of misconduct." There are no real policy guidelines or regulations that govern where the officers go and what jobs they can hold while they wait for investigations to end. Instead, decisions are made by commanders on a case-by-case basis that provides little guarantee of equal treatment across the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, or even for those within the same service. "We are very frustrated by the amount of time it takes for us to process things," said Lt. Gen. Gary Cheek, director of the Army staff. "In many cases this is in fairness to the individual as well as to run the process through the levels of review. But it can take months to adjudicate some of these and we would greatly prefer that to be weeks, not months." Eugene Fidell, a lawyer who specializes in military cases and teaches at Yale Law School, said the lengthy process wastes money and is particularly damaging for those ultimately found innocent or not charged. And he said it can treat officers differently, even if they committed the same offense. "There are people who are hung out to dry, and it's extremely unfair because it's virtually impossible to put Humpty back together again," Fidell said. As an example, for the past year, Army Maj. Gen. Ron Lewis has been poring over older military regulations to see what needs updating. His work, in a small suburban Virginia office as a special assistant to the Army's personnel chief, isn't far from the Pentagon. But it's a universe away from his high-powered job as senior military adviser to Carter a job he lost amid charges of improper behavior and misuse of a government credit card. He will stay there until the Army decides on his case and determines at what rank he can retire a decision that could affect his annual income by tens of thousands of dollars. The Navy, meanwhile, has officers wrapped up in a lengthy, complicated corruption investigation, involving bribes from Malaysian businessman Leonard Glenn Francis, also known as "Fat Leonard." A total of 16 people, including nearly a dozen current and former Navy officials, have been charged so far in the scandal, which has dragged on for about three years. In some cases, such as Lewis', the investigation is done by the Pentagon's inspector general. Others are handled by the military services' inspectors general, and in cases like "Fat Leonard," the Justice Department drives the probe. There are about a half-dozen active duty senior leaders mainly two- and three-star officers who are working in administrative jobs now, waiting for final decisions on misconduct investigations. Over the past five years, there have been nearly 30. Investigators sometimes have to go back and recreate history, months and years after it occurred and after people and commanders have long moved on. There is concern that stretching out the process makes it difficult to send a clear signal to others that bad behavior won't be tolerated. Cheek, who is responsible for deciding where Army officers go and what they do while under investigation, said it's important to remember that an accused soldier is innocent until proven guilty and he defended the need to handle incidents on a case-by-case basis. The investigations are largely done the same way, he said, but "they all have different issues they're working through. We have to match it to the individual circumstances." He said that "when we have someone who has mistreated people or done something wrong, we hold them appropriately accountable. We may not advertise that or announce it from the mountain tops but every case has a process it has gone through very deliberately." He noted that the officers under investigation are usually at the lowest point of their lives. Wal-Mart plans to invest $1.3 billion in Mexico MEXICO CITY (AP) Wal-Mart's Mexico unit has announced plans to invest $1.3 billion dollars and create 10,000 jobs in expanding its logistics and distribution network in Mexico. The company stressed that the investment "was generated by profits we have obtained in Mexico," appearing to quell any doubts about any transfer of jobs or investment from the United States. Wal-Mart officials announced the investment at an event with President Enrique Pena Nieto on Wednesday. The company said "a substantial part" of the total would be invested over the next three years. Its investment involves building new distribution centers and expanding existing ones. Aimless pizza shop gunman latched onto internet, religion SALISBURY, N.C. (AP) Before he was charged with firing an assault rifle inside a Washington restaurant, where he had been drawn by a fake news story, Edgar Maddison Welch was known as a well-meaning father of two girls who unnerved some with his religious fervor and sometimes had trouble detaching himself from the internet. Police say he came to the Comet Ping Pong pizza restaurant Sunday on a self-imposed mission to investigate a false account of a child sex ring that had spread through fake internet news stories. For years, he had appeared to lead an aimless life of things left unfinished: jobs, college and even marriage. Along the way, he was convicted of drunken driving and minor drug charges. Edgar Maddison Welch, 28 of Salisbury, N.C., surrenders to police Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Washington. Welch, who said he was investigating a conspiracy theory about Hillary Clinton running a child sex ring out of a pizza place, fired an assault rifle inside the restaurant on Sunday injuring no one, police and news reports said. (Sathi Soma via AP) And in the weeks before his Washington arrest, there were signs of turbulence. In late October, the 28-year-old struck a teenage pedestrian with his car in his hometown of Salisbury, requiring the boy to be airlifted to a hospital, according to a police report that said he wasn't immediately charged. More recently, days before he drove to Washington, he was dropped from the rolls of a volunteer fire department. But the one constant, friends and family say, was his love for his two young daughters. "He's a father and a very loving man, very concerned about children," said his aunt Tajuana Tadlock, adding: "He's not a vigilante, by no check of the words." Tadlock said Welch's parents haven't been able to talk to him to ask what he was thinking, and the family's only information comes from the news and the public defender. "He left Sunday morning with no indication of where he was going or going to do," she said. In Washington, court documents say Welch fired an AR-15 rifle multiple times inside the restaurant but later exited with his hands up. He told police "he had read online that the Comet restaurant was harboring child sex slaves," and he wanted to investigate. He said he surrendered when he found no signs of children being held. Welch faces charges including assault with a dangerous weapon. In recent years, Welch often mentioned his Christian faith. Interspersed with Facebook posts about his daughters are the registered Republican's musings on the Bible and religion. Danielle Tillman of Raleigh said she met Welch a few months ago and has known his current girlfriend for years. She recalls Welch made her uncomfortable while talking at length about religion. At one point, he grabbed her hand and prayed, asking for "the demons to come out of me," she said. Welch's family has roots in the Salisbury area, where his father and grandfather served in local government, according to the Salisbury Post. A woman at the family's property declined to answer questions this week. At West Rowan High School in the mid-2000s, Welch was part of the "BMX-type crowd," said Tremayne Smith, who also attended the school. Welch "was always with the ones who were little more edgy and maybe the skateboarding type, which was a different flavor for West Rowan, which is very rural," said Smith, now an aide to a North Carolina congressman. Around age 18, Welch pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drug possession charges in neighboring Cabarrus County, according to online records of the January 2007 offense. Welch enrolled at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, but court records say he didn't graduate. A friend, Kathy Sue Holtorf, said he wrote a screenplay for a short film, "Mute," while at the college and she produced it. She described the nine-minute film as a "sweet coming of age story." Court records from 2013 say he worked for a film production company linked to his family, but at the time of his Washington arrest he listed a grocery store as his employer. "He's a fantastic, intelligent, heartfelt, caring man," said Holtorf, who moved to California and has kept in touch with Welch. On a break from college in 2009, Welch was interviewed by the Salisbury Post after he made it halfway through a hike of the 500-mile Colorado Trail. He told the newspaper the hike helped him overcome an addiction to the internet. "It's a good feeling, going solo," he told the newspaper. "There's something spiritual about it." In April 2013, Welch was charged with impaired driving with a blood-alcohol content of .09, court records show. He pleaded guilty, was sentenced to probation and community service and underwent alcohol counseling. Rowan County records show that after a short marriage, his wife filed for divorce in November 2014. The thin file doesn't say why they split up. The divorce complaint was dismissed in 2015 after neither attended a scheduled hearing. Documents related to his arrest say they remain separated, and his two children live with him. Welch twice served briefly as a volunteer firefighter, and his aunt said he was recently taking classes needed to get a paying job as a firefighter. Locke Fire Chief Rusty Alexander said Welch barely showed up at the fire station after joining in 2012, and lasted about six months. In May 2016, Welch became a volunteer firefighter in the town of Spencer, Chief Gray Grubb said. "When we interviewed him, he seemed like a good guy," Grubb said. Grubb said Welch stopped attending training sessions and didn't answer alarms, so he was removed from the active roster Nov. 30. The same day, Welch posted a video on Facebook of the Christian rock song "Lift Your Head Up Weary Sinner." Quoting one of the lyrics, he added the caption: "If your lost and wandering." Within days, he was arrested in Washington. ___ Gresko reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Tom Foreman Jr., Sarah Brumfield in Washington and Martha Waggoner in Raleigh contributed to this report. Police secure the scene near Comet Ping Pong in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016. A man who said he was investigating a conspiracy theory about Hillary Clinton running a child sex ring out of the pizza place fired an assault rifle inside the restaurant on Sunday injuring no one, police and news reports said. (Photo by Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post via AP) Arsenal win Group A in the Champions League after big win in Basle Arsenal head into next Monday's Champions League round of 16 draw with no regrets after Lucas Perez's hat-trick secured a superb win in Basle to see Arsene Wenger's side finish as surprise winners of Group A. Wenger gave his side just a 10 per-cent chance of advancing top of the group but that is exactly what happened as rivals Paris St Germain only drew at home to Ludogorets to open the door for the Gunners - and they forced their way through it with an emphatic 4-1 win in freezing conditions. Arsenal went into the final matchday almost certain of advancing to the round of 16 as runners-up for the fourth straight season - knowing even victory in Switzerland would not be enough if PSG picked up an expected win. Arsenal's Lucas Perez scores his hat-trick goal But Wenger's men duly delivered a hammering 4-1 win courtesy of Perez's hat-trick and an Alex Iwobi effort, with Basle surrendering tamely and only striking a late consolation through Seydou Doumbia. And remarkably, Ludogorets pulled off a surprise result some 250 miles away in Paris, meaning Arsenal go into Monday's draw as winners. Although t hey could still land the likes of Bayern Munich or Real Madrid, at least Wenger knows he did all he could to avoid the big boys and looks to progress into the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010. The Frenchman brought a strong squad and played the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez in clash at a bitterly cold St.Jakob-Park. Arsenal set about their task early on and it was Sanchez who crafted the opening goal for Perez, lofting a perfect pass to Kieran Gibbs, who squared for the Spaniard to tuck home his maiden Champions League strike. His second followed eight minutes later, this time Ozil playing in Gibbs and Perez stuck away his second, again from point-blank range, after the England full-back's drive was pushed out by Tomas Vaclik. Basle skipper Matias Delgado headed over when well-placed but it was Arsenal who went in two goals to the good, with the news from Paris no doubt filtering through the away dressing room. And they wrapped up their three points just two minutes after the restart as Gibbs' heavy pass was missed by Sanchez but collected by Perez, who slotted home to round off his first Arsenal hat-trick. The fourth came from another flowing move but this time it was Ozil who resumed his usual position of providing the assist, breaking in behind and squaring for Iwobi to finish from close range. Wenger would have been nervous when Sanchez was fouled and went down in a heap, but the Chilean picked himself up to rattle the crossbar with the resulting free-kick. Sanchez was replaced by Mohamed Elneny moments later, while Theo Walcott would be introduced in place of Ozil with a little over 15 minutes remaining. Substitute Doumbia pulled one back for the hosts with a clinical finish, but Basle ended the night bottom of the group and miss out on Europa League qualification to Ludogorets. Cause of Viola Beach death crash 'will never be known' It may never be known what happened when four band members of Viola Beach were killed when their manager drove a car through two crash barriers over a raised bridge before plunging into a canal below, an inquest has heard. Craig Tarry, 32, was behind the wheel of the hired Nissan Qashqai in Sweden last February 13, taking the band back to their hotel after playing at a festival for upcoming bands. As Mr Tarry and the four-piece Warrington-based band of Kris Leonard, 19, River Reeves, 19, Tomas Lowe, 27, and Jack Dakin, 19, drove back along a motorway in the early hours of the morning not far from Stockholm, they approached a bridge over a ship canal, Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington heard. British rock band Viola Beach, who were all killed in a car crash in Sweden Despite a series of flashing warning lights Mr Tarry drove the car down a verge past stationary traffic and crashed through two sets of barriers before hitting a raised section of the bridge and plunging 30 metres into the water below. Mr Tarry had no drugs or alcohol in his system and none of the others had drugs and only small amounts of alcohol in their blood. The cause of death was head injuries except for Mr Lowe who died from drowning. Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg, recorded all five died as a result of a road traffic accident, at the end of a day-long inquest, which was attended by more than 20 family members of the deceased men. He added: "It's not for me to speculate, it is now known, I don't think it ever will be known what happened." Addressing the families he added: "The events we have been hearing about reveal the most awful tragedy for all of you. I'm very sorry you have suffered this terrible loss." Earlier, the court heard the group were following their dreams on tour abroad and were a band "in the ascendancy" at the time. They were making the 125-mile journey from the Where's The Music? festival in Norrkoping back to the airport hotel where they were staying. Graham Bennett, the band's agent, said the group had been on stage to perform at 9.45pm on the night of Friday, February 12. "It went down very well, very high level of promoters in the room, who were all enthusiastic," Mr Bennett said. He left at midnight, as the band set off with Mr Tarry. As the car drove down the E4 motorway at Sodertalje, outside Stockholm, flashing yellow lights and signals warned a bridge ahead over a ship canal was about to be raised, with the middle section of the road lifted horizontally, the inquest heard. Mr Tarry drove down a narrow verge past stationary queuing traffic, clipping the wing mirror of a taxi, and through the first set of barriers around 120 metres from the bridge, the court heard. He then drove in a "controlled manner" at between 43 and 55mph down the centre of the road, with the white lines going under the vehicle. The court heard the vehicle then went through a second set of barriers, 30 metres from the drop into the canal and crashed into the underside of the raised section of the bridge before plummeting down. The impact caused "substantial deformation" of the vehicle, with scraping and damage to the underside of the bridge section, before going over the edge. The vehicle turned in flight, the back of the car hitting the water at 54mph before sinking eight metres to the bottom of the canal. Mr Tarry and Mr Leonard, in the front seats, were wearing seat belts but the other three passengers were thrown from the car. The tanker that had requested the bridge to be lifted then passed over the crash spot along the canal. Technical examination showed there was nothing wrong with the car, the signalling or barrier system, or the procedure for raising the bridge, and the road was wet but not frozen with ice. The alarm was raised when police were informed of car parts and damaged barriers on the road - and they then realised a car had gone into the canal. Viola Beach, who had featured on BBC Introducing which showcases up and coming music artists, described themselves as an "indie pop" band. Their debut album was released after their deaths and their debut song Swings & Waterslides entered the official singles chart and topped the iTunes chart as tributes poured in from the music world. Benedict Dunne, father of guitarist Mr Reeves, told the inquest his son studied drama and then changed to music. He said: "It was a situation where, ultimately, River, being the wilful person he was, wanted to follow his dreams. He was doing something he loved, which is not always something you get to do. He was as happy as he's ever been." Following the hearing, Supt Martin Cleworth, of Cheshire Police, speaking on behalf of the families said: "The families of River, Tom, Jack, Kris and Craig wish to thank everybody for their kind support at this heartbreaking time and the support they have shown over the last 10 months. "The people of Warrington and the wider community have been truly amazing, especially in taking Viola Beach to Number One (in the charts). "We would also like to thank Cheshire Police for their commitment to this case and to the five boys who tragically lost their lives doing what they were enjoying. "If possible, we ask everyone to respect the families' privacy at this difficult time." Mr Cleworth went on to tell reporters: "Many questions will remain unanswered and may well do so infinitum. It is a truly, truly tragic case. "Cheshire Police, as in any other UK police force, have no jurisdiction to investigate collisions abroad. What we have sought to do in consultation with both the coroner and our police colleagues in Sweden is to seek to try and present the findings in a way that provides the best possible answers and the best support to the families. "But a number of questions remain unanswered. I am sure there will be speculation, inevitably so. "We don't know the final answer with any definitive logic in terms of what actually happened in those moments just prior to the final collision and tragic descent into the waters. "We have given a commitment to continue to work with the coroner and the families to try and seek to understand some other issues that came from the inquest. NHS regulator orders crackdown on high payments to temporary bosses A crackdown on "unacceptable" high payments from hospitals to potentially ill-qualified temporary bosses has been ordered by the health service's financial regulator. It is understood NHS chiefs are paying as much as 2,000 a day, equivalent to 480,000 a year, to some stand-in staff. In a letter to health chiefs, NHS Improvement warned that, on average, stand-in staff were earning twice the money of full-time employees and "this average hides many instances where the premium is much higher". Jim Mackey reportedly said the NHS had "developed some bad habits" in issuing sizeable payouts Its chief executive, Jim Mackey, wrote that the health service had "developed some bad habits" in issuing sizeable payouts without adequate justification. He said: "This is unacceptable when in some cases there is not enough evidence of need-or indeed that the quality of leadership being 'purchased' is of sufficient quality-to justify such high pay rates." Any contractors being paid more than 750 a day require the approval of the regulators, Mr Mackey wrote. The letter also made a stark warning that pay arrangements could be exploited by some as "a method of tax avoidance". It added: "This is deeply unpalatable to taxpayers, and to other NHS staff." Analysis found interim hospital financial directors were earning twice as much as permanent staff at 1,800 a day, which is equal to 432,000 annually. In a separate statement, Mr Mackey added: "The NHS has lots of talented and committed staff willing to take on important roles when organisations go through tough times. "But for the sake of patients and staff, interim directors need to be demonstrably high quality. In other sectors, 'turnaround' is a profession and the skills and experience required for those tough jobs are recognised formally with accreditation. 84.2m fine for Pfizer after NHS over-charged as price of drug hiked 2,600% Pfizer has been fined a record 84.2 million by the competition watchdog for its role in over-charging the NHS after the price of an epilepsy drug was hiked by up to 2,600% overnight. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) also fined distributor Flynn Pharma 5.2 million after it accused the pair of "excessive and unfair" pricing for a vital medicine used by around 48,000 patients in the UK. In handing out its biggest ever fine, the watchdog said the "extraordinary" price hikes cost the NHS and taxpayer tens of millions of pounds. The Competition and Markets Authority said drug maker Pfizer and distributor Flynn Pharma broke competition law It comes amid a government crackdown on drug pricing abuse over fears firms are using generic versions of medicines to exploit an NHS loophole. The CMA said the NHS saw the cost of phenytoin sodium capsules, which are used to prevent and control seizures, rocket by between 2,300% and 2,600% overnight in September 2012 after it was deliberately debranded. US-based Pfizer has rejected the findings and plans to appeal against the decision. Pfizer makes the drug and sells it to Flynn, which in turn sells it to the NHS. Pfizer used to make and sell the drug under the brand name Epanutin, but sold the UK distribution rights to Flynn in September 2012. It was then debranded, meaning that it was no longer subject to price regulation and both firms were free to ramp up the price. The CMA said the NHS at one stage saw the price of 100mg packs of the drug jump from 2.83 to 67.50. The hikes meant the cost to the NHS rocketed from around 2 million a year in 2012 to about 50 million in 2013. The CMA said UK prices were many times higher than elsewhere in Europe. But the NHS had no alternative but to pay , as e pilepsy patients who are already taking the drug should not usually be switched to other products due to the risk of loss of seizure control. Philip Marsden, chairman of the case decision group for the CMA's investigation, said: "The companies deliberately exploited the opportunity offered by de-branding to hike up the price for a drug which is relied upon by many thousands of patients. "These extraordinary price rises have cost the NHS and the taxpayer tens of millions of pounds." He added: " This is the highest fine the CMA has imposed and it sends out a clear message to the sector that we are determined to crack down on such behaviour." Pfizer claimed the anti-epilepsy drug was loss-making before it was de-branded, but the CMA found any losses would have been recouped within two months of the price rises. Both firms have now been given up to four months to reduce their prices. Pfizer said its distribution rights deal with Flynn "represented an opportunity to secure ongoing supply of an important medicine for patients with epilepsy". It added the increased price of the drug was still 25% to 40% lower than the cost of an equivalent medicine by another supplier to the NHS. Flynn Pharma said it will also appeal against the decision. David Fakes, chief executive of Flynn Pharma, said fines for selling phenytoin capsules for less than phenytoin tablets "beggars belief". Epilepsy Action condemned Pfizer and Flynn for "unacceptable" behaviour. Simon Wigglesworth, deputy chief executive at Epilepsy Action, said: "Drug price increases mean that the NHS spends more money on the same patient outcomes. This money could be better spent in other areas of epilepsy care, for example specialist nurse posts." The Department of Health said its Bill to control generic drugs prices passed through the House of Commons on Tuesday. A spokesman added: "W e are absolutely determined to ensure that no pharmaceutical company can exploit the NHS. Man held over 'racist threats' to Brexit challenge businesswoman A man has been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated malicious communications over threats made to the businesswoman behind the Brexit legal challenge. Gina Miller, 51, said last month that she had received a series of racist messages following her decision to spearhead a High Court challenge against the Government. The Metropolitan Police said a 55-year-old man had been detained on Monday at an address in Swindon, Wiltshire, over the threats made online from November 3 onwards, before being released on bail. Gina Miller spearheaded the legal challenge to the Government over Brexit Highly charged debate has surrounded the decision in the High Court that Parliamentary approval was required before Article 50 was triggered. At the start of the Government's Supreme Court appeal against the ruling, Lord Neuberger, the court's president, warned that "legal powers" existed to deal with those making threats and abuse towards members of the public involved in the case. Ms Miller has become the face of the first successful legal battle against Brexit, but told BBC Radio 5 live that she was "apparently the most-hated woman in Britain". She said her high-profile role had led to death threats and she had spent 60,000 on security, but she has still been attending the Supreme Court battle, represented by Lord Pannick QC. A panel of 11 Supreme Court justices is currently considering whether MPs need to be consulted before the Government begins the formal process of leaving the EU. Campaigners on both sides of the Brexit argument marched on the court building at the start of the week, with many clutching the flags of Britain or the EU. Last month, three senior judges said Theresa May lacked power to use the royal prerogative to begin Britain's divorce from the Continent. Investment fund manager and philanthropist Ms Miller criticised the Prime Minister over her decision to take her case to the highest court in the land, saying it suggested she was "supreme and above the (High Court) judges". Ms Miller, a mother of three, was born in Guyana in South America before graduating with a marketing degree and training as a lawyer. She is married to City fund manager Alan Miller - who, following a House of Lords ruling in 2006, was told to pay a settlement that handed his ex-wife 5 million after less than three years of marriage. Ken Clarke leads Tory calls for MPs vote on negotiating strategy before Brexit Ken Clarke has led Tory calls for the Government to give MPs a vote on its negotiating strategy before triggering formal Brexit talks. The eu rophile former chancellor said the existing commitment from ministers to publish a Brexit plan is " extremely vague", adding the " strategic objectives" should be outlined in a document. Mr Clarke suggested this should then require the approval of the Commons before Prime Minister Theresa May can begin the formal talks to leave the EU. Keir Starmer is Shadow Brexit secretary. Brexit Secretary David Davis claimed Mr Clarke's comments were an indication that he did not agree with the result of June's referendum. The exchanges came after Labour said it will not accept a "late, vague plan" for Brexit ahead of voting to trigger Article 50 Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said the Government must publish its outline for Brexit well ahead of any vote, to allow any amendments to be considered from both sides of the House. But he was forced to insist Labour did not intend to delay the process beyond the end of March, amid pressure from a number of Tory MPs. Sir Keir also faced accusations from Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas of "falling into a Tory trap" by supporting the Government amendment to the Labour motion calling for a Brexit plan to be published. Faced with a revolt by up to 40 Tory MPs, the Prime Minister on Tuesday bowed to pressure and backed a Labour motion which says she should publish a plan before triggering the formal process of leaving. In return, most of the rebels and Labour are expected to back a compromise Government amendment to support Mrs May's pledge to invoke Article 50 to start Brexit by April. Mr Clarke, intervening on Mr Davis, said: "Quite apart from the legalities of the situation, we do have to address the political question of the accountability of Government to this House for its important policy. "This word plan is being used in an extremely vague way and could cover some of the vague assertions ministers have been making for the last few weeks. "Will you accept the House requires a description, published in a white paper preferably, of the strategic objectives the Government is going to be pursuing, submit that strategy to a vote of the House and once it has got the House's approval then it can move to invoking Article 50?" Mr Davis replied: "You are at least straightforward in what you say - you don't really agree with the outcome of the referendum. "My view, I agree with you to some extent, is very clear - you said the plan is vague. In fact, I think what I've said already to this House in terms of giving every possible information - subject to not undermining the negotiation - is actually more comprehensive. "But there's not an issue here that we're not going to allow the House votes - we can't do it as a Government, even if we wanted to." He added there will be "considerable amounts of legislation" during the negotiations. Opening the debate, Sir Keir claimed the Government had "caved in" by supporting an amended version of the Labour motion. He said: "The Government must now prepare its plan and publish it. "And I put the Government on notice, that if it fails to produce a plan by the time we are debating Article 50 legislation - if we are, assuming the Government doesn't win (the Supreme Court appeal) - amendments from this side and possibly from the other side of the House will be put forward setting out the minimum requirements of a plan. "In other words, we're not going to have a situation where the Government seeks a vote in a vacuum, or produces a late, vague plan." Sir Keir reiterated the Opposition does not want to "frustrate the process or delay" the PM's timetable, a stance questioned by Mr Davis and other Tory MPs. Labour frontbencher Sir Keir also said he accepted the Government will not make public all the details and tactics of its negotiating position. But he said it is essential MPs and the public are given a plan that outlines the starting position, with enough detail to "end the circus of uncertainty" on issues such as the single market, the customs union and transitional arrangements. He said: " Asking for a plan setting out the objectives is not to seek to undermine the UK's negotiating plan, nor is it to seek a running commentary. "But it is, in fact, to have clarity, scrutiny and accountability." Conservative former justice minister Dominic Raab accused Sir Keir of trying to wreck Brexit. He said: "I can understand him pressing the Government for its plan, I can understand him setting down his red lines, I can't understand him wanting to enshrine it in legislation. "The only reason for doing that is so the Labour Party can set the Government up to be sued later. Isn't the truth - will he come clean - it's wrecking tactics by any other name?" Sir Keir dismissed this assertion, saying: "The answer to the question is no". He said the plan must also have enough detail to allow the relevant parliamentary bodies to scrutinise it effectively and for the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to do its job properly. Conservative Crispin Blunt, Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, told Sir Keir: " I'm fascinated by this focus on the plan and the amount of work you're going to invite the OBR to do and everything else. "You do understand that no plan survives engagement with the enemy." Labour MPs were among those who took exception to the phrase used, with Mr Blunt insisting he was using a "military metaphor". He added: "It is plain our negotiating hand is clear and it's clear it's not compatible with the position being taken by our 27 partners, so this is all going to change in the course of the negotiations and we're going to have to leave it to the Government to make those decisions." Sir Keir said he believed Mr Blunt may "on reflection" think he "didn't use the right word in describing our partners as the enemy". Mr Davis defended the Government's insistence that the detail of its negotiating strategy should remain secret. He said: "The reason for this is to retain room for manoeuvre including the ability to give and take, to trade off between different interests, to maximise the value of concessions and to do so without always giving the other side advance notice. "We must retain the ability to negotiate with a high degree of agility and speed and the more complex the negotiation the more important this is." Mr Davis likened the forthcoming Brexit negotiations to trying to thread the eye of a needle. "If you have a good eye and a steady hand it is easy enough," he said. "If somebody jogs your elbow it's harder. If 650 people jog your elbow it's very much harder." Tory Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) intervened to ask Mr Davis to commit to giving Parliament a vote on ratifying the final Brexit deal struck between the Government and Brussels. He said: "Do you accept that you can be an honest Brexiteer who wants to get this through but still want to proclaim parliamentary sovereignty? "That's a perfectly logical point of view." Mr Davis replied: "Actually, there is a law that applies to it. The Constitutional Reform Act 2010. "We are effectively bound by that." Sir Keir then intervened and asked Mr Davis to confirm that there will be a vote on the final deal. Mr Davis said: "All I can say is what I have said before which is that is what I expect, simple as that." When pushed by Labour former frontbencher Chris Bryant to guarantee a vote, Mr Davis said: "If the European Union Parliament has a vote, it's inconceivable this House doesn't, simple as that." Mr Davis was also grilled by a number of MPs on whether the Government wanted the UK to remain in the customs union. He said: "What the Prime Minister said is this is not a binary option, there are about four different possibilities and we are still assessing that. "I have given an undertaking to the Opposition spokesman that I will notify the House in detail when we come to that decision, so that's the point." Mr Davis insisted that "no law will be changed without the explicit approval of Parliament". The Brexit Secretary said the Government backed the "spirit" of Labour's motion with the caveat that "nothing we say will jeopardise our negotiating position". Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said he would rather stay in the European Union than leave and remain in the customs union. He said: "Why would the United Kingdom want to stay in a customs union, when one of the key elements that is important on making that important decision to leave the European Union is we get back the opportunity to make our own trade arrangements. "I'd rather we stayed in than stay in the customs union, because it seems completely pointless to me to actually embroil ourselves on the customs union, go through all this rigmarole of arguments and debates and rows, only to find at the end of the day there is no jewel in the crown at the end." Mr Duncan Smith also accused Labour members of not really wanting to leave the EU, but found themselves representing constituencies that voted to leave in June's referendum. The SNP's Europe spokesman, Stephen Gethins, said Scotland wanted to retain freedom of movement and suggested he would welcome control over immigration for Scotland. He made the point in reference to former education secretary Michael Gove, who said during the referendum campaign that Scotland could control immigration in the event of a Leave vote. Mr Gethins said: "It's good to see the member for Surrey Heath is in his place today, for was it not him that said Scotland could have control over immigration if we voted to leave the European Union? "I would be delighted to hear of their plans when the minister comes up. And he's (Mr Gove) nodding still, and I look forward to him joining us in the lobbies at some point as well. "He can come to his roots and we'll welcome him on this particular issue." The SNP has tabled an amendment calling on the Government to give the devolved administrations a formal role in Brexit negotiations before Article 50 is triggered. "This motion fails to take on board the impact on devolved administrations, and a huge array of questions lie unanswered that are their direct responsibility, not just in Edinburgh but also in Belfast and Cardiff as well," said Mr Gethins. Mr Clarke said it is clear the Government does not have a strategy for Brexit and that the Brexiteers "don't agree with each other". He warned that if Parliament takes "careless" decisions then it could set a precedent that results in the "weakening of the system of checks, balances and accountability which I think is crucial to our constitution". He dismissed Government assertions the Labour motion amounted to a threat. Mr Clarke said: "This is a harmless resolution, an absolutely plain and simple resolution setting out what you would expect to happen in any similar circumstance, and would certainly have expected to happen at any time probably over the last 100 or 150 years. Certainly at every Parliament I've sat in." The former chancellor said a government would be expected to set out a plan for the role of the UK it is trying to seek and the Commons would vote on the strategy. The process of parliamentary scrutiny should help ministers improve their Brexit plan, he added, as he tore into what he said was a lack of a Government strategy. He said: "In strengthening its negotiating position the Government could actually benefit from having a proper process, particularly as at the moment it is sadly clear from the constant remarks made to the newspapers and the leaks now and again that at the moment the ministers have no idea what the strategy is anyway. "And they don't actually agree with each other." He said that while Britain voted to leave the EU, the public did not vote for what might replace it. "These choices which the ministers are now struggling with, for which they should be accountable to us, would have been a mystery to 99% of the people listening to the debate and voting in the referendum," he said. "Brexiteers in the Government don't agree with each other on the path they should now follow, and we should go back to parliamentary democracy and accountability to this House." He added: "No Government that I can recall would have had the nerve to come along to Parliament and say 'We are exercising the royal prerogative, we are not actually going to go to you'. "It is the nature of accountability - I'm not sure the Government has totally picked up the point yet." He also launched a blistering attack on the Government's "vague plan". He told MPs: "We have been told the plan is to have a red, white and blue Brexit and we are the leaders in free trade whilst giving up all the conditions that govern free trade in the single market." Mr Clarke added: "We need a White Paper, a strategy, votes in this House and clarity." Hilary Benn, chairman of the Brexit select committee, urged an end to the divisive debate around Brexit as he demanded clarity over the type of deal the Government hopes to strike. He said: "I want to begin by expressing my concern about the continuing tone of some of this debate around the UK's exit from the European Union and to express the hope - that may be vain - that today will mark the end of the phony war." He said dismissing MPs as remoaners "does a profound disservice to the scale of the task we face as a country, to the seriousness of the task and the importance of the outcome to every single person who lives in the United Kingdom". He said Labour accepts the outcome of the referendum but ministers must come forward with a plan. Questions over Britain's relationship with the single market, the future of schemes such as university exchange programme Erasmus and the issue of transitional arrangements must all be addressed, Mr Benn added. Luciana Berger in plea to other victims as racist troll convicted of harassment MP Luciana Berger called for more victims to stand up to online bullies after a serial troll was found guilty of harassing her in a string of anti-Jewish rants. Joshua Bonehill-Paine, who turned 24 on Wednesday, wrote five hate-filled blogs about the Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree after fellow far-right extremist Garron Helm was sent to prison for four weeks in October 2014. The jury at the Old Bailey deliberated for just over one hour and 15 minutes before finding Bonehill-Paine guilty of racially-aggravated harassment. Labour MP Luciana Berger speaks outside the Old Bailey after Joshua Bonehill-Paine was found guilty of harassing her The defendant, who smirked in the dock as he was sent down, faces up to two years in jail when he is sentenced on Thursday. Afterwards, Ms Berger said the conviction should send a "strong signal" that no-one need "suffer in silence". She said: "Together we can show that they are not, nor will they ever be, tolerated." The court heard how Garron, then 21, from Merseyside, had admitted sending a picture on Twitter depicting Ms Berger, 35, with a holocaust-era Star of David on her forehead and the hashtag "Hitler was right". Over the next four months, Bonehill-Paine posted articles online calling her a "dominatrix" and "an evil money-grabber" with a "deep-rooted hatred of men". In one, he claimed the number of Jewish Labour MPs was a "problem". He illustrated his posts with offensive pictures, including the anti-Jewish cliche of a rat with Ms Berger's face superimposed on it. Bonehill-Paine hailed the "Filthy Jew Bitch Campaign" led by US white supremacist site Daily Stormer as "fantastically successful" after the MP was sent 2,500 tweets. Throughout, Bonehill-Paine, of Yeovil, Somerset, was on bail awaiting sentence for making claims on Twitter that several people were paedophiles. Giving evidence, Ms Berger said she "felt sick" at the blogs and "very much under attack". She told jurors she feared for her safety because "what happens online does not always stay online". James Palfrey, for Bonehill-Paine, described the posts as "satire" and "pathetic puerile rubbish" as he argued that they fell within the right to freedom of speech. But prosecutor Philip Stott said the defendant had refused to face questions in the witness box because he had no "sensible" answer to the charge. The jury was not told that the defendant, a former hospice worker, is currently serving three years and four months in jail over a conviction in December last year for posting anti-Semitic material ahead of a planned neo-Nazi rally. He was found guilty of inciting racial hatred in a flyer featuring a picture of Auschwitz saying the rally in Golders Green - home to many London-based Jews - would be "a gas". Before adjourning, Mr Stott outlined the defendant's long criminal history which dates back to when he was in care aged just 15. It includes punching and throwing keys at carers, stabbing holes in a wall with a knife, fraud, being racially abusive, and assaulting an officer while stealing a police uniform. In 2013, he wrote on his website that the owners of a Leicestershire pub had "out of respect for the Islamic community" banned members of the armed forces. It resulted in threats of arson and criminal damage and led to the pub's closure to protect staff. The court heard he was on bail over the harassment campaign against Ms Berger when he committed the Golders Green offence which landed him in jail last year. The court heard of the devastating impact on some of Bonehill-Paine's victims, who had been falsely accused of being paedophiles. Trial judge Mr Justice Spencer commented to jurors: "The internet is a great blessing but there is a dark side." Outside court, Ms Berger told reporters: "Every day up and down our country, people suffer harassment and racial abuse. "Today's verdict demonstrates that under British law, those who perpetrate these horrific crimes can and will be brought to justice; and it recognises that the British values of equality, tolerance and mutual respect that we hold dear apply as much on the internet as they do offline." She added: "If any good can come from this awful experience, I hope that it will send a strong signal to anyone experiencing harassment - you do not have to suffer in silence. "I'd encourage everyone to report these crimes. Together we can show that they are not, nor will they ever be, tolerated." Bonehill-Paine's conviction came days after neo-Nazi Thomas Mair, 53, was handed a whole life term at the same court for the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox. Earlier this year, internet troll John Nimmo, 28, from South Shields, was convicted of making a death threat against Ms Berger by saying she would ''get it like Jo Cox''. In his first email of July 6, he told Ms Berger: ''Justice for Joshua Bonehill-Paine will be sweet, he has friends everywhere. Watch your back Jewish scum, regards your friend the Nazi.'' He then followed it up two days later with ''You will get it like Jo Cox did, you better watch your back Jewish scum',' just as Ms Berger was leaving her office in the early evening. Tata makes commitment to jobs and steel production at Port Talbot, union says Steel unions say they have a commitment from Tata to secure the future of jobs and production at Port Talbot and other steelworks across the UK. A number of "significant" measures include keeping two blast furnaces at the South Wales plant for five years, a commitment to seek to avoid compulsory redundancies for a similar period, a 10-year investment plan of 1 billion and consultation on replacing the pension with a defined benefit scheme. Unions said after a meeting in Port Talbot that the commitments on jobs, production and investment were welcome, although the pension proposal was "worrying". Union officials will discuss proposals with representatives from Tata plants across the country The future of Tata plants has been in doubt since its UK business was put up for sale in March. The Indian conglomerate put the sale on hold in the summer as it considered a tie-up with German steelmaker ThyssenKrupp. Tata employs thousands of workers, including more than 4,000 at Port Talbot, and others at Trostre and Shotton in Wales, Corby, Hartlepool and at sites in the West Midlands. Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of the Community union, said: "The past year has been incredibly difficult for steelworkers and their families. When Tata announced in March that they planned to sell the steelworks, no-one knew if they would have a job by Christmas. "This proposal would secure jobs for years to come and bring serious investment not just to Port Talbot but to steelworks across the UK. "Reaching this stage of the process is a credit to the hard work of our members, who never gave up the fight to 'Save Our Steel' - it was their jobs on the line and it has been their campaign that has brought Tata to this position. "This is not the end of the process and it will be for all our members to now vote on this proposal. We will continue to work closely with Tata and all levels of government as we seek to build a sustainable future for Britain's steel industry. "We recognise that today's announcement does not cover the Speciality Steels business in South Yorkshire or the SAW mills in Hartlepool. We will continue to work hard with the companies involved to secure the investment necessary to ensure those businesses grow and that our members are protected." Unite's national officer, Tony Brady said: "Today's news it a step in the right direction for our industry but there is still a lot more that government can and must do. The Tories say they are committed to an industrial strategy, but steelworkers need more than warm words. "The commitments made today by our reps must now be followed by a commitment from the Government that they will hold Tata to their word and ensure jobs are protected. The UK steel industry supports our whole manufacturing sector and it is vitally important that the future of that industry is secured for generations to come." GMB's national officer, Dave Hulse said: "This agreement would mean the blast furnaces at Port Talbot keep making steel and that steelworks across the UK get the investment they need to compete in the future. We've fought hard to save jobs and today's agreement is a credit to our members. "Today's news is a step forward, but there is still much to be done. We will continue to fight for a level playing field for our industry; for action on energy costs, on business rates, and on the dumping of foreign steel." Senior union reps from every affected Tata steelworks in the UK met with company executives to discuss the latest proposal, which will now be sent to workers. The main elements are: :: Production - A guaranteed minimum five-year commitment to two blast furnace steel-making. :: Jobs - A jobs pact equivalent to Tata's agreement with steelworkers in the Netherlands, which includes a commitment to seek to avoid any compulsory redundancies for five years. :: Investment - A comprehensive 10 year, 1 billion investment plan to support steel-making at Port Talbot and secure the future of the downstream sites. :: Pension - Tata Steel will begin a consultation on the closure of the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS) to future accrual, replacing it with a defined contribution scheme with maximum contributions of 10% from the company and 6% from employees. Unions said the proposal represents a "significant shift" in Tata's opening offer, which included no detailed investment plan, no jobs guarantee, no commitment to two blast furnaces and the closure of the BSPS, with a new scheme of contributions of 3% from the company and 3% from employees. Unions said the proposal affects 8,000 Tata employees in the strip steel business. Gareth Stace, director of trade group UK Steel, said: "This news will bring great relief to the workers involved, their communities and the wider industry, and is a testament to the dedication of the workforce and company to find a solution. "The drive to save our steel sector must not end here, though. This good news must now be backed up by Government through a long-term strategic plan, firmly embedded within a wider industrial strategy, that secures the future of the thousands of livelihoods and businesses relying on this critical industry. "Action is still required in a number of areas such as the disparity in electricity costs and business rates. As we have seen today though, much can be achieved when we pull together and we look forward to continuing to work with Government to ensure a positive long-term future for the wider steel sector in the UK." Koushik Chatterjee, group executive director of Tata Steel and executive director for its European business, said: "The agreement between Tata Steel UK and the unions today marks an important step forward in the journey to develop a sustainable future for our UK steel business. "These are unprecedented times for the steel industry globally, with multiple risks including global economic uncertainty, slow manufacturing growth and currency volatility which continues to present significant challenges to the business. "The delivery of Tata Steel UK's transformation plan and generation of free cash flows will be the key enabler for the future sustainability of the business and we are very encouraged by the early signs of the delivery of the plan. "There is much more work to be done to make Tata Steel UK more financially sustainable, but I am confident that all stakeholders will do all they can to try to ensure that the company will be able to achieve its plan in the coming months and years. "The proposed changes to future pension provision and other employment terms are necessary to de-risk the company and help achieve long-term sustainability. We are also working separately on a necessary structural solution for the British Steel Pension Scheme fund." Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "This agreement is great news for the future of steel-making in Wales and a massive shot in the arm for the industry. "The Welsh Government has worked tirelessly to find a sustainable way forward and ensure the plants did not close, and this announcement is a big step forward. "I am pleased to announce today over 4 million to develop skills and training for Tata employees, while we have also made significant progress towards defining a wider package of support for Tata to secure the future of steel-making in Wales." Shadow Welsh secretary Jo Stevens said: "The proposed deal is very welcome but there are still serious questions to answer to protect the longer term future of steel in Wales and the thousands of dependant jobs. "The Government should have done much more, much earlier to support Tata to ensure steel production in Wales remains viable." Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said: "We welcome today's agreement between Tata and the trade unions to present a proposal to the workforce. This is an important step forward in achieving a sustainable long-term future for steel-making at Port Talbot. "The Government will continue to work with all parties in achieving this shared goal." Shadow business secretary Clive Lewis said: "The Government has dragged its feet at every step. It is disappointing that this looks like a significant deterioration of the pension prospects of the workers at the steel plant, whose security in retirement has been weakened by the Tory Government's refusal to offer support. Assad and Putin condemned over Aleppo 'humanitarian disaster' Western leaders have condemned Syria's Bashar Assad and Russia's Vladimir Putin for obstructing the supply of humanitarian aid to Aleppo. Prime Minister Theresa May joined the leaders of the US, Canada, France, Germany and Italy to issue a joint statement calling for an immediate ceasefire to allow aid to reach eastern Aleppo, where Syrian regime forces have been bombarding rebel-held areas. The statement accused Russia and Iran of failing to support a political process to end the bloodshed in Syria, instead concentrating on supporting the Assad regime. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said war crimes have been committed The leaders said: " A humanitarian disaster is taking place before our very eyes. Some 200,000 civilians, including many children, in eastern Aleppo are cut off from food and medicine supplies. "Aleppo is being subjected to daily bombings and artillery attacks by the Syrian regime, supported by Russia and Iran. "Hospitals and schools have not been spared. Rather, they appear to be the targets of attack in an attempt to wear people down. The images of dying children are heart- breaking. "We condemn the actions of the Syrian regime and its foreign backers, especially Russia, for their obstruction of humanitarian aid, and strongly condemn the Syrian regime's attacks that have devastated civilians and medical facilities and use of barrel bombs and chemical weapons." The leaders highlighted UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's statement that war crimes had been committed and said "there must be no impunity for those responsible", suggesting that further sanctions could be imposed against allies of the Assad regime. "We call on the UN to investigate respective reports and gather evidence to hold the perpetrators of war crimes to account. We are ready to consider additional restrictive measures against individuals and entities that act for or on behalf of the Syrian regime," the joint statement said. Russia has repeatedly blocked action in the UN Security Council over Syria and the leaders said Moscow's actions had left the organisation "unable to do its work and put an end to the atrocities". The joint statement pointed the finger at both Moscow and Tehran for frustrating efforts to find a peaceful end to the brutal civil war. Wolseley upbeat on forecast as U.S. growth boosts profit By Esha Vaish Dec 6 (Reuters) - Heating and plumbing products supplier Wolseley forecast annual profit in line with expectations after posting a higher quarterly profit, banking on U.S. growth to continue offseting weakness in increasingly challenging UK and European markets. Wolseley has looked to grow in the U.S., which accounts for about two-thirds of its revenue, as it faces tough competition and a weak market for its core repair, maintenance and property improvement services in the UK and Europe. The company earlier this year set out plans to close just over 10 percent of its UK branches, as it seeks to respond to an oversupply in the plumbing and heating market that has also forced rivals Travis Perkins and Grafton to restructure. Wolseley would see strong growth for the year, its chief executive said on Tuesday, citing expectations of further growth in the U.S. residential and commercial markets as well as improvements in the industrial and commodities pricing markets. "I think overall in the U.S. we're positive," John Martin told Reuters. However, as Wolseley focuses on growing its business and acquisitions, Martin said surplus cash payouts should not be expected imminently. Its last fiscal was the first time in four years that Wolseley failed to return excess cash to shareholders. Wolseley reported a 21.2 percent rise in trading profit to 303 million pounds ($386 million) and a 22.9 percent increase in revenue to 4.369 billion pounds for the quarter ended Oct. 31. Like-for-like revenue grew 1.8 percent year-on-year, underpinned by a 4.2 percent growth in the U.S from a 3.1 percent increase seen in the preceding quarter. U.S. growth was slightly below the 4.5 percent level noted for the opening weeks of the year, raising some concerns among analysts as the UK and Nordics posted revenue declines of 2.9 percent each, versus falls of 2.1 percent and 2.3 percent respectively for the preceding quarter. Martin said the UK business would remain tough for the year, citing a need to replace heating volumes lost due to an ongoing pullback in the social housing market. He said the weakness could not be linked to uncertainty caused by Britain's vote to leave the European Union, a condition that forced Travis Perkins to warn on profit in October. "We leave our forecasts virtually unchanged with the key question for the rest of the year being whether the U.S. volume growth can be sustained," Barclays analysts wrote in a note. New Zealand charity StepUp gains as PM steps down By Swati Pandey WELLINGTON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - New Zealand Prime Minister John Key may have shocked an entire nation with his abrupt decision to step down, but for one small North Island community, the move was timed to perfection. On Monday, the day Key announced his departure to spend more time with his family, charity group StepUp Taranaki released the world's largest choreographed dance video, featuring a guest appearance by Key. In one of his last acts before leaving, Key tweeted the video from his official account, boosting interest in the elaborate dance film, said Cathy Carpenter, the group's publicist. "He seemed to time his resignation so well to give us four to five hours when we were going viral, with thousands and thousands of hits," she added. "We would love to think that he was kind enough to plan his resignation around our launch. It looks like he did do it that way and it's wonderful. We can't thank him enough." Key gives a thumbs-up in his brief role as a pilot in the video. "Great to be involved in the local @Stepup_Taranaki initiative," he wrote on Twitter. Key's previous show business forays include a 2009 spot on CBS's Late Show hosted by David Letterman, with a top 10 list of reasons to visit New Zealand, besides interviewing Peter Jackson, director of the "The Lord of the Rings", in 2011. The video, in which the entire Taranaki region is seen dancing to the iconic New Zealand song Poi E, was filmed over 1-1/2 years to help boost tourism and investment. Oil and gas is the biggest industry in Taranaki, on the west coast of the North Island, and the region has suffered massive job losses after oil prices slumped from record highs. Norway's Schibsted to hire more staff to stave off Facebook in classified ads By Stine Jacobsen and Mia Shanley OSLO, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Norwegian media group Schibsted plans to add 200 people to its 1,800-strong technology team in the next year to further develop its online classified ads business and fend off competition from Facebook , its chief executive says. Schibsted holds market-leading positions in local classified advertising websites across Europe including Finn in Norway and Leboncoin in France, and has a big presence in Asia and Latin America. Everything from old ski clothes to cars are bought and sold on Schibsted's sites while the company is recruiting heavily to deepen its offering in categories like real estate and jobs. Schibsted faces a test of whether it can fend off the likes of Facebook and Google, exploiting its local character in a $21 billion industry which McKinsey & Co sees growing at 10 percent annually. Facebook, which is searching for new ways to engage users, launched its "Marketplace" in October where people can buy and sell items locally, in what was seen as a step into the classified advertising market. Facebook must be taken "very seriously", Schibsted Chief Executive Rolv Erik Ryssdal told Reuters in an interview. "So far, we think they are enlarging the total market, but we are watching very closely what they are doing," he said. The classified ads business accounted for 38 percent of Schibsted's revenues last year and 81 percent of its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, which amounted to 2 billion crowns ($239 million). The launch of Facebook's Marketplace has weighed heavily on Schibsted shares, which have fallen 22 percent since October to trade around 177.6 crowns on Tuesday, a near 40 percent drop this year. "If Facebook is serious about this and willing to say 'this is a game for me which I'm willing to play for the next five years' I think they are in a very strong position to win this game," said Thomas Schumacher, an online marketplace specialist at Digital McKinsey. TECH TALENT With 6,800 employees in 30 countries, Schibsted dominates the classified ads market in much of Europe. South Africa's Naspers runs Russia's biggest classified ads site, while in the United States a range of players including letgo, eBay and start-up OfferUp compete in the market. Schibsted has been cutting costs in its newspaper division while spending more on its technology operations and recruiting in its five European technology hubs of London, Barcelona, Stockholm, Oslo and Krakow. In the past two years Schibsted has recruited a team of 100 in London. Facebook announced last month it would hire 500 new staff in Britain next year, adding to the 1,000 people it already employs there. Schibsted is investing in its mobile "boot sale" app Shpock which is available in six countries. It is also working to boost its professional content, aimed at commercial sellers, in real estate, jobs and cars - areas which it believes can generate greater revenues. Developers are working on products like messaging, automatic picture recognition and pricing tools for professionals. One Nordic fund manager with a position in Schibsted felt the Facebook threat had been overplayed as it looked like the social media giant was not planning much in the "professional" market. Ryssdal said it would require something very special to disrupt the markets that Schibsted dominates today. Poland - Factors to Watch Dec 7 Following are news stories, press reports and events to watch that may affect Poland's financial markets on Wednesday. ALL TIMES GMT (Poland: GMT + 1 hour): RATES Poland's central bank will decide on the level of interests rates at its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday. Analysts expect the bank will hold its benchmark rate at record-low of 1.5 percent. UTILITIES Poland's state-run utilities - PGE, PGNiG, Enea and Energa - have started talks on their potential capital investment in troubled construction firm Polimex-Mostostal. UNICREDIT, PEKAO The potential sale of a stake in Polish unit Pekao by UniCredit to Poland's state-run insurer PZU and its partner PRF could be finally settled this week, Parkiet daily said quoting unnamed sources. PENSION FUNDS Polish brokers have appealed to the labor ministry not to transfer any of the assets of the state-guaranteed pension funds to a single investment vehicle, arguing this move could have a disastrous impact on Poland's capital market, Parkiet daily said. DINO The IPO of Poland's retail chain Dino, in which private equity fund Enterprise Investors will sell its 49-percent stake in the company, could be worth around 1 billion zlotys ($240.33 million), Parkiet daily said. SELENA FM Polish construction chemicals producer Selena FM has opened another factory in Kazakhstan, Rzeczpospolita daily said quoting the company's statement. CAPACITY MARKET Launching the capacity market, in which electricity producers are paid not only for power generation but also for reserve power, could bring the industry savings of around 25 billion zlotys, Puls Biznesu daily said quoting an internal energy ministry document. ****Reuters has not verified stories reported by Polish media and does not vouch for their accuracy.**** PRESS DIGEST - Bulgaria - Dec 7 SOFIA, Dec 7 (Reuters) - These are some of the main stories in Bulgarian newspapers on Wednesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. -- Right-wing coalition Reformist Bloc will only make offers on a next cabinet in case President Rosen Plevneliev gives them a mandate to form it. Last week, Plevneliev indicated he was ready to give out the mandate to the Reformist Bloc (Standart, Trud, Monitor, 24 Chasa, Sega) -- Outgoing Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova made a U-turn, saying there is "no evidence" of a terror attack being plotted in Bulgaria. On Monday, Bachvarova said that "diplomatic sources" had confirmed data about foreign nationals possibly organzing a plot (Trud, Standart, Monitor) OPEC deal will go ahead even if only Russia commits - Nigeria oil min By Maha El Dahan and Stanley Carvalho ABU DHABI, Dec 7 (Reuters) - OPEC's deal to cut oil production will go ahead even if Russia becomes the only non-OPEC country to commit to reduce output at a meeting this week, Nigeria said on Wednesday, while the UAE voiced optimism that other producers would participate. OPEC agreed last week to slash output by around 1.2 million barrels per day beginning in January in an effort to reduce global oversupply and prop up oil prices. It hopes non-OPEC countries will contribute a further 600,000 bpd of cuts. Russia has said it will reduce output by around 300,000 bpd. "Yes, we will go ahead, but we will continue to work on the rest to come onboard," Nigerian Oil Minister Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu said when asked whether OPEC was ready to go ahead with the production agreement even if only Russia committed to cut. "We did clearly say we would like to see non-OPEC participate, but we did not say we would not go ahead when they don't," Kachikwu told reporters on the sidelines of a Bloomberg Markets summit in Abu Dhabi. Nigeria, which is exempt from output cuts under the deal because of militant attacks on its oil infrastructure, hopes to boost production to 2.1 million bpd next month, the minister said. Fourteen non-OPEC countries including Russia have been invited to meet with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in Vienna on Saturday to cement the pact. The United Arab Emirates' energy minister said he was optimistic that non-OPEC producers would pledge cuts. "I think it's reasonable what we set for them. It's half of what OPEC committed to," Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazroui told reporters. Mazroui said the oil market needs prices that provide an incentive to invest in production. Investment was declining even at $50 a barrel, he said. "We have tested $40 and $50 prices and it hasn't worked," he said, adding that six months could be enough to correct the market to reasonable levels. "We will see in six months what will be the requirement and take the right measures." Dutch PostNL rejects new offer from Belgium's Bpost AMSTERDAM, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Dutch postal company PostNL rejected a raised 2.54 billion euro ($2.7 billion) takeover offer from Belgium's Bpost on Wednesday, saying it lacked political support and would hurt profit. PostNL shares slumped more than 9 percent to 4.30 euros following the announcement, well below Bpost's Dec. 1 offer of 5.75 euros per share, which the Belgian company had said was its third and final bid. Much of the Dutch opposition to the deal has centred on the Belgian government's influence over Bpost. At the moment, it has a 51 percent stake but that would fall to 40 percent under its merger proposal. PostNL said it was concerned the Belgian stake would add layers of bureaucracy and render the Dutch business less competitive. It said one reason it had not entered formal merger talks with Bpost was because of opposition from Dutch Economic Affairs Minister Henk Kamp. "One of the main concerns expressed by several Dutch politicians relates to the 40 percent share and the influence the Belgian government would retain in the combination," PostNL said in a statement. Bpost had argued that a combined company would be a major European player with cost efficiencies but PostNL's management said it made no sense to have Bpost acquire a privately owned and more agile business. "It goes beyond just politics, it goes more broadly to all our stakeholders. We are very concerned about a lack of critical support from our stakeholders, including staff, clients and the government," PostNL Chief Executive Officer Herna Verhagen said. "If you look at the underlying reasons why, you see we were looking out for the interests of our shareholders," she told reporters. Several major shareholders and smaller investors had asked that PostNL at least sit down and discuss the offer with Bpost's management but the Dutch company's board unanimously rejected the requests. Philippines' Duterte takes aim at Macau casino boss By Manuel Mogato and Farah Master MANILA/HONG KONG, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the arrest of Jack Lam, one of Asia's top casino kingpins, on charges of economic sabotage and bribery, according to the country's police chief. Philippine authorities said they have also shut down two properties in the country that are owned by Lam, a Chinese citizen and head of Hong Kong-listed Jimei International . Lam is not in the Philippines currently, national police chief Ronald Dela Rosa told reporters on Wednesday. Last month, Philippine immigration authorities detained about 1,200 Chinese men working in call centre-like facilities for running suspected online gambling operations out of a former U.S. air base, Clark Field. Dela Rosa said in a radio interview on Saturday that an associate of Lam tried to secure their release. He said Duterte then ordered Lam's arrest. On Wednesday, Dela Rosa said Lam had indicated to the authorities that he was willing to return to the Philippines and assist in any investigations. "The feelers were to me," the police chief said. Lam's casino operations in the cities of Laoag, which is in northern Luzon, and Clark, just north of Manila, have been shut down, according to local authorities and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Jimei said in a statement on Tuesday that Lam's gaming operations in the Philippines were personally owned and not part of the group's business. "As at the date of this announcement, so far as the company is aware, Dr. Lam has not been held by the Philippine authorities," it said. Jimei did not respond to requests for comment. Lam, who used to bring high rollers to Macau's top casinos including Sands China and Wynn Macau, has faded from prominence over the past few years as Beijing's crackdown on corruption has crippled so-called junket operations. U.N. rights watchdog calls on Sri Lanka to investigate torture GENEVA, Dec 7 (Reuters) - A U.N. rights watchdog called on Sri Lanka on Wednesday to investigate documented allegations of torture and rape of detainees by security forces and to rein in broad police powers. The United Nations Committee against Torture described continuing reports of abductions, deaths in custody, poor conditions of detention and the use of forced confessions in court. There was no immediate response from the Sri Lankan authorities. But the committee's report said the island's attorney general, Jayantha Jayasuriya, had told its investigators that his government had a zero tolerance policy when it came to torture. The report included recommendations by the panel of 10 independent rights experts citing "consistent reports" from national and U.N. sources that torture remains common in regular criminal investigations in Sri Lanka. "The Committee is concerned that the broad police powers to arrest suspects without a court warrant has led to the practice of detaining persons while conducting the investigations as a means to obtain information under duress," it said. It cited allegations that "police investigators often fail to register detainees during the initial hours of deprivation of liberty or to bring them before a magistrate, within the time-limit prescribed by law, during which time torture is particularly likely to occur." The panel urged Sri Lanka to identify and prosecute perpetrators of "emblematic cases" from a 26-year-civil war that ended in 2009, including the murder of the "Trincomalee Five" students on the beach and 17 aid workers of Action Contre la Faim, both in 2006. The separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelan was crushed in 2009. The United Nations and rights groups have accused the military of killing thousands of civilians, mostly Tamils, during the final weeks of the conflict. The Tamil Tigers were also accused of widespread abuses during the war, such as using child soldiers and targeting civilians with suicide bombers. How Iran closed the Mosul "horseshoe" and changed Iraq war By Dominic Evans, Maher Chmaytelli and Patrick Markey BAGHDAD/ERBIL, Iraq, Dec 7 (Reuters) - In the early days of the assault on Islamic State in Mosul, Iran successfully pressed Iraq to change its battle plan and seal off the city, an intervention which has since shaped the tortuous course of the conflict, sources briefed on the plan say. The original campaign strategy called for Iraqi forces to close in around Mosul in a horseshoe formation, blocking three fronts but leaving open the fourth - to the west of the city leading to Islamic State territory in neighbouring Syria. That model, used to recapture several Iraqi cities from the ultra-hardline militants in the last two years, would have left fighters and civilians a clear route of escape and could have made the Mosul battle quicker and simpler. But Tehran, anxious that retreating fighters would sweep back into Syria just as Iran's ally President Bashar al-Assad was gaining the upper hand in his country's five-year civil war, wanted Islamic State crushed and eliminated in Mosul. The sources say Iran lobbied for Iranian-backed Popular Mobilisation fighters to be sent to the western front to seal off the link between Mosul and Raqqa, the two main cities of Islamic State's self-declared cross-border caliphate. That link is now broken. For the first time in Iraq's two-and-half-year, Western-backed drive to defeat Islamic State, several thousand militants have little choice but to fight to the death, and 1 million remaining Mosul citizens have no escape from the front lines creeping ever closer to the city centre. "If you corner your enemy and don't leave an escape, he will fight till the end," said a Kurdish official involved in planning the Mosul battle. "In the west, the initial idea was to have a corridor ... but the Hashid (Popular Mobilisation) insisted on closing this loophole to prevent them going to Syria," he told Reuters. The battle for Mosul is the biggest in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion of 2003. In all, around 100,000 people are fighting on the government side, including Iraqi soldiers and police, "peshmerga" troops of the autonomous Kurdish region and fighters in the Popular Mobilisation units. A U.S.-led international coalition is providing air and ground support. Iraqi army commanders have repeatedly said that the presence of civilians on the battlefield has complicated and slowed their seven-week-old operation, restricting air strikes and the use of heavy weapons in populated areas. They considered a change in strategy to allow civilians out, but rejected the idea because they feared that fleeing residents could be massacred by the militants, who have executed civilians to prevent them from escaping other battles. Authorities and aid groups would also struggle to deal with a mass exodus. KILL BOX Planning documents drawn up by humanitarian organisations before the campaign, seen by Reuters, show they prepared camps in Kurdish-controlled areas of Syria for around 90,000 refugees expected to head west out of Mosul. "Iran didn't agree and insisted that no safe corridor be allowed to Syria," said a humanitarian worker. "They wanted the whole region west of Mosul to be a kill box." Hisham al-Hashemi, an Iraqi analyst on Islamist militants who was briefed on the battle plan in advance, also said it initially envisaged leaving one flank open. "The first plan had the shape of a horseshoe, allowing for the population and the militants to retreat westward as the main thrust of the offensive came from the east," he said. About a week before the launch of the campaign, Lebanese Shi'ite Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, a close ally of Iran, accused the United States of planning to allow Islamic State a way out to Syria. "The Iraqi army and popular forces must defeat it in Mosul, otherwise, they will be obliged to move to eastern Syria in order to fight the terrorist group," he said. Hezbollah is fighting in support of Assad in Syria. Hashid spokesman Karim al-Nuri denied that Tehran was behind the decision to deploy the Shi'ite fighters west of Mosul. "Iran has no interest here. The majority of these statements are mere analysis - they are simply not true," he said. Nevertheless, securing territory west of Mosul by the Iranian-backed militias has other benefits for Iran's allies, by giving the Shi'ite fighters a launchpad into neighbouring Syria to support Assad. If Islamic State is defeated in Syria and Iraq, Tehran's allies would gain control of an arc of territory stretching from Iran itself across the Middle East to Lebanon and the Mediterranean coast. RUSSIAN PRESSURE Iran was not the only country pressing for the escape to be closed west of Mosul. Russia, another powerful Assad ally, also wanted to block any possible movement of militants into Syria, said Hashemi. The Russian defence ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. One of Assad's biggest enemies, France, was also concerned that hundreds of fighters linked to attacks in Paris and Brussels might escape. The French have contributed ground and air support to the Mosul campaign. A week after the campaign was launched, French President Francois Hollande said any flow of people out of Mosul would include "terrorists who will try to go further, to Raqqa in particular". Still, the battle plan did not foresee closing the road to the west of Mosul until Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi agreed in late October to despatch the Popular Mobilisation militias. "The government agreed to Iran's request, thinking that it would take a long time for the Hashid to get to the road to Syria, and during that time the escape route would be open and the battle would still proceed as planned," Hashemi said. The Hashid move to cut the western corridor was announced on Oct. 28, 11 days after the start of the wider Mosul campaign. Fighters made swift progress, sweeping up from a base south of Mosul to seal off the western route out of the city. Abadi "was surprised to see them reaching the road in just a few days," Hashemi said. "The battle has taken a different shape since then - no food, no fuel is reaching Mosul and Daesh (Islamic State) fighters are bent on fighting to the end." IRAQ STRONGHOLD Once the Iraqi Shi'ite militia advance west of Mosul had begun, Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi told his followers there could be no retreat from the city where he first proclaimed his caliphate in July, 2014. Those tempted to flee should "know that the value of staying on your land with honour is a thousand times better than the price of retreating with shame," Baghdadi said in an audio recording released five days after the Shi'ite militias announced they were moving to cut off the last route out. Since then his fighters have launched hundreds of suicide car bombs, mortar barrages and sniper attacks against the advancing forces, using a network of tunnels under residential areas and using civilians as human shields, Iraqi soldiers say. A senior U.S. officer in international coalition which is supporting the campaign said that waging war amidst civilians would always be tough, but the Baghdad government was best placed to decide on strategy. "They've got 15 years of war (experience)... I can't think of anyone more calibrated to make that decision and as a result that why as a coalition we supported the government of Iraq's decision," Brigadier General Scott Efflandt, deputy commanding general in the coalition, told Reuters. "The opening and closing of that corridor, hypothetically, realistically, did not fundamentally change the plans of the battle," he added. "It changes how we prosecute the fight, but that does not necessarily make it easier or harder." But the Kurdish official was less sanguine, saying the battle for Mosul was now "more difficult" and could descend into a long drawn out siege similar to those seen in Syria. Merkel's conservatives toughen tone on integrating migrants in Germany By Paul Carrel ESSEN, Germany, Dec 7 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives toughened their tone on integrating migrants on Wednesday, debating a resolution on tackling forced marriage and honour killings under the motto: "Our values. Our future." A day after Merkel called for a ban on full-face Muslim veils "wherever legally possible", the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) stressed the values they want migrants to adopt. "Forced marriage and honour killings must be prevented and prosecuted rigorously," read the resolution debated by CDU delegates at a party conference in Essen, western Germany. The interior and justice ministries could not immediately give figures on any forced marriages or honour killings among the record 890,000 people from the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere who arrived in Germany last year. Ahead of next year's federal election, the CDU is trying to mend fences with its Bavarian ally, the Christian Social Union (CSU), which is tougher on immigration, to try to claw back support lost to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Jens Spahn, a deputy finance minister and senior CDU member, told Deutschlandfunk radio that some of the migrants who have arrived in Germany were young men with "very repressed sexual morality" and a "strange view of women". His comments touched on popular concerns about integrating migrants. This week, German police detained an Iraqi migrant for suspected rape only days after an Afghan refugee was held in a separate rape and murder case. The two cases threaten to fan anti-migrant sentiment in Germany, which has seen support grow for the anti-immigrant AfD while Merkel's popularity has suffered. In a sign of how Germany's "Willkommenskultur", or welcoming culture, has faded since migrants arrived last year, Spahn called for legal barriers to be lowered to facilitate the deportation of migrants who do not qualify to stay in Germany. "Those who are not refugees, who are not fleeing from Iraq or Syria from war and persecution, must return to their homelands - and that needs to be done consistently," he said. An Emnid poll on Sunday showed support for the CDU and the CSU at a 10-month high of 37 percent, 15 points ahead of the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD). Three charged in Belgium over suspected IS support BRUSSELS, Dec 7 (Reuters) - A judge charged three men with supporting Islamic State following house searches across Belgium in which eight people were taken for questioning, federal prosecutors said on Wednesday. The men, a 23-year-old Serb and Kosovar nationals aged 23 and 27, were accused of being part of a terrorist organisation, prosecutors said in a statement. The other five detained on Tuesday were released without charge. On Tuesday, prosecutors said they had carried out the house searches looking for those who support Islamic State financially and through the recruitment of fighters to travel to Syria. Belgium gained a reputation for being a European base for Jihadists after it appeared that much of the Paris attacks in November 2015 in which 130 people were killed were planned in the country. Brazil top court rules Senate head can stay, defuses crisis By Anthony Boadle BRASILIA, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Brazil's Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned an injunction that ordered the indicted head of the Senate, Renan Calheiros, to step down, voting to allow him to continue in the post but not in the presidential line of succession. The 6-3 ruling defuses a clash between the top court and the Senate that threatened to derail spending cuts at the center of President Michel Temer's plan to tame a widening budget deficit and end a two-year recession. The removal of Calheiros, indicted last week on embezzlement charges, would have left the Senate leadership in the hands of a leftist senator whose Workers Party opposes the cutbacks due to go before the upper house next week. The court's decision means the approval of the legislation to place a constitutional ceiling on federal spending is assured. Investors consider the reform a crucial step for Brazil to regain its investment grade credit rating. Calheiros, whose mandate in charge of the chamber expires when Congress goes into its Christmas recess in a few days, had refused to step down on Tuesday, heightening the standoff between the legislature and judiciary. "Our confidence in Brazil's judiciary and the separation of powers continues unshaken," Calheiros said in a statement on Wednesday, having earlier criticized the court for exceeding its jurisdiction by trying to oust a Congressional leader. Calheiros was second in line to Brazil's presidency after the speaker of the lower house, as the nation currently has no vice president. Former vice president Temer replaced President Dilma Rousseff when she was placed on trial in May by Congress, which eventually voted to remove her. In the plenary debate in the Supreme Court, Justice Marco Aurelio de Mello defended his injunction issued two days earlier, which was based on a majority vote by the court in November that no person indicted for a crime could be in the presidential line of succession. But in Wednesday's ruling, the majority decided that, while no indicted person can be in line for the presidency, that does not mean they have to step down from other positions. The injunction against him intensified a confrontation between the judiciary and the legislature over attempts by lawmakers to shield politicians from corruption probes by curbing the powers of prosecutors. Calheiros was indicted on Dec. 1 on charges of misusing public funds in a nine-year-old case involving child support for a daughter he had in an extramarital affair, including billing the Senate for car rentals with false contracts. The president of the Senate faces 10 other corruption investigations, mostly in the sprawling bribery and kickback scandal centered on state-run oil company Petrobras. In a year of political turmoil in Brazil, the attempted ouster of Calheiros follows the removal of the former speaker of the lower house for hiding Swiss bank accounts and the impeachment of the left-leaning Rousseff. Reports earlier on Wednesday that Calheiros would survive the injunction strengthened the real currency and pushed up the BOVESPA stock index as investors welcomed the prospect that the spending cap would win approval on Dec. 13. The government's leader in Congress, Senator Romero Juca, said the Senate would work overtime to recover lost time and the reform would be put to the vote on schedule on Tuesday. Germany urges Israel to scrap "illegal" settlement bill BERLIN, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Germany urged Israel in unusually strong language on Wednesday to scrap legislation that would legalise Israeli settlement homes built on private Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank, saying this would break international law. Germany tends to be more reserved than other European nations in its criticism of Israel due to the legacy of the Nazi Holocaust, but it has objected in the past few years to Israeli settlement expansion on land Palestinians want for a state. Israel's parliament gave initial approval on Monday to a revised bill on the settlement homes, a move that has drawn international condemnation and follows the victory in the Nov. 8 U.S. presidential election of Donald Trump, one of whose aides has hinted at a more tolerant U.S. stance on settlements. A German Foreign Ministry spokesman told a regular government news conference: "We're extremely concerned about this development and have noted with consternation statements made by Israeli government officials during this debate. "Such a bill violates international law," he said, adding that Israel would undermine its commitment to finding a "two-state solution" - a Palestinian state in territory Israel captured in a 1967 war - if the bill were passed. Asked whether Germany and the European Union should punish Israel with economic or diplomatic sanctions, the spokesman said: "We don't think that sanctions would be the right path in this case to make headway in the Middle East peace process." The last round of U.S.-brokered Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed in April 2014, with settlements among the key issues. Most countries consider Israeli settlements on occupied land to be illegal. Israel disputes this. Israel's Knesset voted 60-49 in favour of the amended bill on Monday. It must pass three more votes at unspecified future dates before becoming law. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took a gamble this week by voting for the measure, risking international censure and possibly legal action in order to appease far-right members of his coalition who have been emboldened by Trump's election. Croatia public sector unions reject govt offer on wage hike By Igor Ilic ZAGREB, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Public sector trade unions on Wednesday rejected a wage bill increase proposed by the Croatian government and invited the country's conservative prime minister to join the negotiations in person. The government agreed in early 2009, at the beginning of the global financial crisis, that it would increase the wages of public sector workers 6 percent a year once the economy grew on average 2 percent in two consecutive quarters. That condition was met last year but the government, led by the HDZ party which was also in power in 2009, now says the salary increases are unsustainable given the country's fragile budget. The government proposes a small compensation payment for 2016 before a two percent wage rise in January and an additional two percent increase next December, union leaders said. "We do not accept the government's proposal. We invite Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic to join the talks which are set to continue on Friday," Branimir Mihalinec, one of the union leaders, told a news conference. The Unions want the full six percent increase in 2017 which they say could be done in phases and a solution for the raise they say they were due this year. The annual cost of the salary increase promised in 2009 would be an estimated 1.5 to 2.0 billion kuna ($284.64 million), or some 0.5 percent of gross domestic product, according to the government and unions. The government says it wants to resolve the deadlock but that any solution must not undermine its fiscal consolidation efforts. Croatia is under pressure from Brussels to reduce its budget gap and tame the public debt. Public debt currently stands at about 85 percent of GDP. For years Croatia has run a budget gap of more than three percent of GDP for years. The government targets a gap of 1.7 percent this year and 1.6 percent in 2017. It expects its 2017 budget proposal to be adopted on Thursday. OPEC, U.S. begin "cat and mouse" oil game as producers pounce on hedges By Amanda Cooper and Catherine Ngai LONDON/NEW YORK, Dec 7 (Reuters) - As far as one of the world's biggest commodities traders, Glencore's chief Ivan Glasenberg, is concerned, the oil market will be at the mercy of "a cat and mouse game" between OPEC and its U.S. shale rivals in the coming year. A 16 percent price rally over the past week has delivered U.S. frackers a golden opportunity to hedge - or sell forward - their production for 2017 and beyond, to shore up their coffers against possible future price falls. Prices for prompt Brent and WTI benchmark futures contracts have hit their highest in nearly a year and a half, but this rush by the shale industry to hedge has capped the rally in prices of oil for delivery further in the future. This will probably mean no life-support for the higher-cost producers, at least as further-out prices remain below $60 per barrel, and OPEC knows this. "It's going to be a cat and mouse game between OPEC and shale oil in America," Glasenberg said this week. "OPEC members will say, 'if you (raise output), we are going to ramp up production and push oil back down to $35' ... I hope shale in America will be responsible and realise what's happened and allow the higher oil price to be sustained," he said. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed on Nov. 30 to its first production cut since 2008, whereby it will reduce output by around 1.2 million barrels per day to 32.5 million bpd from January for six months. Crucially, Russia agreed to cut output by up to 300,000 bpd in the first half of 2017, its first joint action with OPEC since 2001, and another 300,000 bpd in cuts are to be borne by other non-OPEC producing nations. NO FREE LUNCH FOR SHALE The collapse in the premium of longer-dated oil futures contracts in both the Brent and U.S. crude futures markets shows how investors and producers alike are taking OPEC at its word. The U.S. futures curve <_0CL:_> has inverted so prices for delivery of oil in December 2017 are now above those for delivery a year later, reflecting the wall of producer selling that has materialised since OPEC made its announcement. "Producers have returned very actively in the market for hedging last week after the OPEC decision," said one source with a bank active in the forward-selling market. Brandon Elliott, executive vice president of corporate development and strategy for U.S. shale producer Northern Oil & Gas, said his company had added to its hedges. "In some core Bakken areas, it's economical to drill in the $45-$55 WTI price," he said, referring to the North American Bakken shale formation. "I would expect that as we lock in some of the low $50s, activity picks up a bit." Higher prices for oil for prompt delivery compared to those for delivery in the future will guarantee OPEC countries higher cash-flow income now, rather than further down the line, when they ramp production back up again. "OPEC knows this dynamic. As such they have been quite clever by only pledging a cut lasting six months to begin with. This tightens up the front end of the market," SEB commodities analyst Bjarne Schieldrop said. "OPEC would prefer though not to lift forward prices further out on the curve. They don't want to offer shale oil producers a free lunch with the possibility of a guaranteed, high profitability for new projects through a high forward price." Giving U.S. oil producers an incentive to drill more aggressively is the last thing OPEC members want, particularly since the group's decision in November 2014 to let prices fall was precisely to squeeze out higher-cost shale rivals. Turkey summons German envoy over treatment of Turkish lawmaker - sources ANKARA, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Turkey's foreign ministry summoned the German ambassador to Ankara on Wednesday, ministry sources said, hours after President Tayyip Erdogan criticised the treatment of a senior ruling party lawmaker by police at Cologne airport. Deputy parliament speaker Aysenur Bahcekapili was temporarily held at the German airport due a problem with her passport on Monday, according to the Hurriyet newspaper. In a speech earlier on Wednesday, Erdogan said Turkey would "retaliate in kind" if the officers involved were not probed. German-Turkish relations have been strained over a series of issues, including Berlin's criticism of mass arrests in Turkey and Ankara's treatment of the media, and charges by Turkey that Germany is a safe haven for the Kurdish militant PKK group. Hungary to set new strategy involving Budapest Bank by Dec 15. -official By Gergely Szakacs BUDAPEST, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Hungary's government will draw up a new strategy for state-owned Budapest Bank by Dec. 15, with options including a full or partial privatisation, the government commissioner in charge of financial services told Reuters. Since taking office six years ago, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has nationalised several banks and implemented policies to boost domestic ownership in a sector previously dominated by foreign names. Hungary's banks, about half of which are foreign-owned, have paid one of Europe's highest bank levies under Orban since 2010. But his government has started reducing the levy this year as part of efforts to encourage lending. Economic growth has also strengthened the banking sector. The government bought Budapest Bank from GE Capital for $700 million in 2015 and officials have said its resale would start in 2016. However, banking sources told Reuters the process had stalled, probably due to differences about pricing, and the government was running out of time to complete the sale before an election in early 2018. Government commissioner Andrea Bartfai-Mager said on Wednesday that Hungary would draw up a new strategy for state development bank MFB, which owns Budapest Bank through a subsidiary, by the middle of this month. She said that plan would set the course for Budapest Bank, Hungary's ninth-largest lender by assets, which has forecast profits worth 13 billion to 15 billion forints ($45 million to $51 million) in the coming year. "The strategy will include several scenarios for the bank," Bartfai-Mager said in an emailed response to questions. "These include the possibility of a full or partial sale, but the government will make the final decision regarding Budapest Bank at a later stage." Under Orban's landmark agreement with local banks, Hungary and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development have bought 15 percent stakes in Erste Bank Hungary from its Austrian owner Erste Group Bank to strengthen its capital base and support more lending. The government also committed itself then to transferring all its majority stakes in local banks to the private sector within three years. Bartfai-Mager said the final decision about Budapest Bank would take those commitments into account. Thirty-five people rescued from ferry that sank off Yemen ADEN, Dec 7 (Reuters) - At least 35 of the 64 people who were on a ferry that sank off Yemen have been rescued, a Yemeni minister said on Wednesday. Rescue teams continued to look for survivors from the boat that was en route from Hadramout province in mainland Yemen to the island of Socotra, Fisheries Minister Fahad Kaffen said on his Facebook page. Socotra and Hadramout are under the control of the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, which is in a war with the Houthis who control most of northern Yemen. The Aden al-Ghad news website said the ship was believed to have suffered an accident and authorities at Hadramout's Mukalla port lost contact with it on Tuesday evening. It sank 40 km (25 miles) northwest of Socotra, an archipelago some 380 km south of mainland Yemen. Eyeing re-election, Germany's Merkel takes tougher tone on migrants By Paul Carrel ESSEN, Germany, Dec 7 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives toughened their tone on integrating migrants on Wednesday, passing a resolution on tackling forced marriage and honour killings, and cracking down on dual citizenship. A day after Merkel called for a ban on full-face Muslim veils "wherever legally possible", her Christian Democrats (CDU) endorsed that message and stressed the values they want the 890,000 migrants who arrived in Germany last year to adopt. Merkel, who implored the party on Tuesday to help her win a fourth term in office at federal elections next year, told N-TV at the end of a two-day CDU party conference that individual criminals among the migrants must be found and prosecuted. But she was quick to say: "We must not draw conclusions about the whole group of people seeking protection." Neighbouring Austria on Sunday rejected a candidate vying to become the first freely elected far-right head of state in Europe since World War Two, halting - at least temporarily - the wave of populism sweeping Western democracies. In a sign of how much Germany's "Willkommenskultur", or welcoming culture, has faded since the 2015 influx, Jens Spahn, a deputy finance minister and senior CDU member, said legal barriers for deportation must be lowered. "Those who are not refugees, who are not fleeing from Iraq or Syria from war and persecution, must return to their homelands - and that needs to be done consistently," he told Deutschlandfunk radio. SWING TO THE RIGHT Ahead of next year's election, the CDU is trying to mend fences with its Bavarian ally, the Christian Social Union (CSU), which is tougher on immigration, to try to claw back support lost to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). But Merkel is reluctant to move too far from the centre. In a sign the CDU base is moving to her right, party members adopted a motion to oblige young people who grow up in Germany to foreign parents to decide by the age of 23 whether they will take German nationality or that of their parents' home country. The CDU leadership had urged members to reject the motion, which went back on a compromise reached in 2014 with the Social Democrats (SPD), junior party in Merkel's ruling coalition, allowing those concerned to take two passports at 23 years old. "Such a step backward into the past will not take place with the SPD," Katarina Barley, secretary general of the centre-left Social Democrats, told the Funke media group. "The CDU has swung to the right at its party congress," she said. Reacting to the vote, Merkel showed she is not in lock step with her party base by insisting the 2014 double-passport agreement with the SPD would not be abandoned before next year's election and that campaigning should not focus on the issue. She was re-elected chairwoman of the CDU by 89.5 percent of the delegates present at the conference in the western city of Essen, where she was first elected party chairwoman in 2000. Her score was down from 96.7 percent two years ago but above her lowest winning score of 88.4 percent in 2004, and daily newspaper Bild dubbed the winning margin "Merkel's little victory". An Emnid poll on Sunday showed support for the CDU and CSU at a 10-month high of 37 percent, 15 points ahead of the SPD. Seeking to claw back ground lost to the AfD, CDU members at the conference adopted a measure calling for forced marriage and honour killings to be "prevented and prosecuted rigorously". German police this week detained an Iraqi migrant for suspected rape only days after an Afghan refugee was held in a separate rape and murder case. British lawmakers back PM May's Brexit timetable By Elizabeth Piper and Kylie MacLellan LONDON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - British lawmakers backed Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit timetable on Wednesday after she headed off a rebellion in her Conservative Party over a lack of insight into the government's strategy to leave the European Union. May has come under pressure from lawmakers, businesses and investors to set out at least a broad picture of how she sees Britain's future relationship with the EU. She says giving too much away could weaken Britain's hand in the country's most important negotiations since World War Two. After a sometimes rowdy session in parliament, lawmakers voted by 448 to 75 to support a motion calling on the government to offer up its Brexit plan, but also backed the government's timetable to trigger the divorce procedure by the end of March. During the six-hour debate, the opposition Labour Party pressed its motion for a plan setting out the government's negotiating stance in its talks with the bloc, before Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty is invoked to start the exit process. But by agreeing to the government's demand for parliament to endorse May's timetable for Article 50, Labour lawmakers were accused of falling into a trap -- allowing ministers to begin the divorce without consultation. Labour Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer denied the vote was on Article 50. It was a vote, he said, to force the government to offer a plan with "enough detail and clarity to end the circus of uncertainty" over Britain's future ties to the EU's single market of 500 million consumers. "Asking for a plan setting out the objectives is not to seek to undermine the UK's negotiating hand nor is it to seek a running commentary, but it is in fact to have clarity, scrutiny and accountability," he said. He said that if the government failed to provide a sufficiently detailed plan, Labour would challenge it again, he said, adding that the party aimed to head off a "hard Brexit". The answer from government was clear -- it was offering information when it could and it would produce a plan. What was not clear was what would be included in that plan. "I will make as much information as possible available without prejudicing our negotiating position," said David Davis, May's Brexit minister. May hopes to stick to her timetable but faces obstacles after a court ruled that the government needs parliament's assent to invoke Article 50. The government is challenging that ruling in the Supreme Court. Kremlin says Glencore, Qatari fund to buy 19.5 pct stake in Rosneft By Polina Devitt and Darya Korsunskaya MOSCOW, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Russia said on Wednesday it sold a stake in oil giant Rosneft for 10.5 billion euros ($11.3 billion) to Qatar and commodities trader Glencore , confounding expectations that the Kremlin's standoff with the West would scare off major investors. The deal, to acquire a 19.5 percent stake in Rosneft from the Russian state, suggests the lure of taking a share in one of the world's biggest oil companies outweighs the risks that come with Western sanctions imposed on Russia over the conflict in Ukraine. It pointed to a possible reassessment by foreign investors of the risks of dealing with Russia, at a time when the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president has heightened expectations of a thaw between Moscow and Washington. The deal was announced days after Russia and OPEC agreed to coordinated output cuts to support oil prices, the first time they have cut in tandem in 15 years. State-owned Rosneft had kept the deal a tightly-guarded secret, with the first word emerging when Russian President Vladimir Putin met Rosneft Chief Executive Igor Sechin on Wednesday evening in Moscow. "It is the largest privatisation deal, the largest sale and acquisition in the global oil and gas sector in 2016," Putin said in televised remarks from the meeting. Under the deal, according to Sechin, Glencore and Qatar's sovereign fund will take equal shares of the 19.5 percent stake in Rosneft, which is being sold by the government as part of a privatisation drive. Rosneft has a market value of $59.17 billion, according to Reuters data, which suggests that the deal was done with a 2 percent discount to the market price. Glencore said in a statement it would finance part of the deal by putting up 300 million euros of its own equity, with the rest financed by banks and by the Qatari sovereign fund, the Qatar Investment Authority. The Qatari fund, which could not immediately be reached for comment, is one of the biggest investors in Glencore. Russian officials were jubilant that Rosneft had pulled off a deal which will deliver a large chunk of the cash they need to fill gaps in the state budget caused by an economic slowdown and sanctions. "Money has no smell," a government source told Reuters when asked about the outcome of the deal. PUTIN'S CONTRIBUTION Putin congratulated Sechin, one of his closest lieutenants, on the deal and said he hoped that the consortium of new investors would improve Rosneft's governance and transparency and would raise its market value. "Given the very difficult economic circumstances and the extremely tight deadlines for this kind of project, I can report to you that we were able to land this deal thanks to your personal contribution, your support," Sechin told Putin. Glencore stands to benefit from the deal by gaining access to Rosneft's crude volumes. It said that under the deal, it would conclude a new five-year offtake agreement with Rosneft giving it an extra 220,000 barrels a day to trade. To date, Glencore's rival Trafigura has been the biggest long-term buyer of Urals crude oil, the grade of oil produced in Russia. Qatar, meanwhile, will further establish itself as a major investor in some of the world's biggest businesses. It already owns stakes in such bluechip firms as Volkswagen and Credit Suisse. Rosneft is subject to U.S. sanctions imposed after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014. But since the money from the sale of the stake will go to the Russian state, rather than to Rosneft, the sanctions do not directly apply. By landing the investors, Sechin will further burnish his standing within Russia's ruling elite. He was already riding high after securing a deal in October to acquire Indian refiner Essar, giving Rosneft a foothold in the world's fastest growing fuel market. "He said the money would come," said a second source within the government, referring to revenue from the Rosneft stake sale that was promised to the government. "He killed all the birds with one stone. He showed everyone," said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity. Just a few weeks ago, most industry watchers had written off the chances of a foreign investor being found for Rosneft, and the government signalled that the company would instead buy its own shares. When Rosneft this week placed $9.4 billion in domestic rouble bonds, market players assumed that was to fund the buyback of its shares, absent an outside investor. But it now appears that, in parallel, Sechin and his aides were trying to hash out an eleventh hour deal to land a foreign investor. Ivan Glasenberg, Glencore's chief executive, was in Moscow on Tuesday, where he was spotted at a mining conference. The second government source said the bond issue was a safety net in case the negotiations with the outside investors fell through. The deal with Qatar and Glencore was so last minute that it appeared it would not close in time to meet the government's deadline for booking money in the budget from the sale. Asked by Putin when the state budget was going to get the money earned from the sale, Sechin said that it was going to come from Rosneft cashflow and from credit finance, organised by one of Europe's largest banks. After the deal was announced, the Kremlin said steps would be taken to ensure that the influx of a large volume of foreign currency from the deal would not cause volatility on the Russian forex market. ($1 = 0.9298 euros) Netanyahu in high stakes gamble with new settlement bill By Maayan Lubell JERUSALEM, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's support for a bill that would legalise Israeli settlement homes on private Palestinian land in the West Bank is seen in Israel as another feint in a power struggle within his ruling right-wing coalition. But critics in Israel and abroad fear that Netanyahu's machinations aimed at appeasing political partners could have grave consequences internationally, even if the law does not survive likely court challenges. Preliminary approval for the bill granted by parliament on Monday has alarmed the United States, European Union and United Nations, raising the possibility of some sort of U.N. resolution before President Barack Obama's term is up in January. Israeli officials are also concerned that the bill could provide grounds for prosecution by the International Criminal Court in The Hague. It prompted particularly strong criticism from Germany. Netanyahu himself cited possible court action when he initially opposed the legislation promoted by the far-right Jewish Home party and its leader, Naftali Bennett. Palestinians condemned the bill as a land grab in territory they seek for a state. But for the fourth-term prime minister, failure to support the bill would have ceded ground to Bennett in their pursuit of conservative voters that form the power base of both Jewish Home and Netanyahu's Likud. "Naftali Bennett has scared him more than the U.S. administration and more than the European Union. Even though Netanyahu has been prime minister for 11 years, he still remains more a politician than a leader," Amnon Abramovitz, political analyst for Israeli Channel Two, told Reuters. The bill passed its first reading in the legislature with 58 lawmakers voting in favour and 51 opposed. It will require two more votes, probably next week, to become law. The legislation could ultimately be overturned by Israel's Supreme Court, where human rights groups are widely expected to challenge the effective expropriation of privately owned land. Some political commentators in Israel have suggested that Netanyahu could be relying on the court to kill the bill. Netanyahu has been searching for a way to avoid a confrontation with settlers over the court's order to evacuate Amona, the largest settlement-outpost in the West Bank, by Dec. 25. Talia Sasson, a former state prosecutor who in 2005 led an inquiry into outposts commissioned by then-prime minister Ariel Sharon, said the bill was "a political stunt" to keep the coalition together. "The prime minister will come out looking good to his supporters once again -- after all, (it will be seen that) he tried to legalize the theft of lands in the West Bank, and it was the Supreme Court that got in his way," Sasson wrote in Maariv newspaper. OUTPOSTS In the five decades since Israel captured the West Bank, it has built about 120 formal settlements on the territory. Most of the world deems them illegal and an obstacle to peace with the Palestinians, who aim to establish a state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip with East Jerusalem as its capital. As well as those settlements, which Israel fully supports, settlers have established more than 100 outposts, many on hilltops across the West Bank, often with tacit government support. Under the new bill, 55 of the outposts will have official sanction, according to Israeli settlement watchdog Peace Now. Compensation would be offered to Palestinian land owners. The deeper the government becomes involved in backing settlement activity the worse it could be for Israel, said Aeyal Gross, a professor of international law at Tel Aviv University. Once the law is on the books, Gross said, it will "add a level of illegality to the existing illegality of the settlements". Saeb Erekat, secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said Israel's action stemmed from a "culture of impunity" in which Israeli leaders believed the international community would not take action against settlement activity. "We call upon all states of the United Nations, particularly Security Council members, to support a forthcoming resolution on settlements," Erekat said in a statement on Tuesday. "Additionally, we will provide the International Criminal Court with information about this and other steps taken by the Israeli government," he said. Far-right parties have been emboldened by Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election in November. Shortly after Trump's election, Bennett, who advocates Israeli annexation of part of the West Bank, announced: "The era of the Palestinian state is over." Trump has pledged to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a city that Israel regards as its capital -- a claim that has not won international recognition. Yossi Verter, a political analyst at the left-leaning newspaper Haaretz, said the power of the settler lobby had grown out of all proportion. Trump can't fight Islamic State without wading into Syria's war By Mohamad Bazzi Dec 7 (Reuters) - Over the course of the U.S. presidential campaign, Donald Trump changed his mind on many issues. But he's been consistent on one foreign policy question: he wants to end American support for Syrian opposition groups fighting Bashar al-Assad's regime. Trump argues that the United States should expend all of its efforts on fighting Islamic State instead. "I've had an opposite view of many people regarding Syria," Trump told the Wall Street Journal on Nov. 11, in his first interview after he won the White House. "My attitude was you're fighting Syria, Syria is fighting ISIS, and you have to get rid of ISIS. Russia is now totally aligned with Syria, and now you have Iran, which is becoming powerful, because of us, is aligned with Syria.  Now we're backing rebels against Syria, and we have no idea who these people are." Even if Trump goes ahead with his threat to cut off aid to Syrian rebels fighting the Assad regime - especially those supported by a covert CIA program which provides training and anti-tank missiles - the president-elect will face another major test of his Syria policy soon after he's inaugurated on Jan. 20. The United States is supporting two military campaigns simultaneously in Syria: one against Assad's government and the other against Islamic State. Trump has made clear that he doesn't view the fight against Assad as a U.S. priority. But will Trump continue a separate Pentagon support and training program for the Syrian Democratic Forces, a coalition of rebel groups, which is leading a ground offensive to oust Islamic State from the city of Raqqa, capital of its self-proclaimed caliphate? That campaign started on Nov. 6 with a mobilization of about 30,000 rebels to encircle Raqqa and cut it off from all sides, to deny Islamic State the ability to resupply weapons and fighters. The battle to push the jihadists out of Raqqa could take months. If it falters under a fledging Trump administration, Islamic State would have a safe base from which it would unleash new attacks in Syria and Iraq, and against the West. U.S. military planners pushed for the Raqqa offensive to start soon after the long-awaited invasion to recapture Iraq's second-largest city, Mosul, from the militants began in mid-October. Pentagon officials say they fear that Islamic State operatives, including some who fled the Mosul offensive, will use Raqqa to plot attacks against Western targets. "There's a sense of urgency about what we have to do here because we're just not sure what they're up to, and where, and when," the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, Lt. General Stephen Townsend, said at a news conference on Oct. 26 in Baghdad. "But we know that this plot planning is emanating from Raqqa." Trump says he wants to avoid direct U.S. involvement in the Syrian conflict, which has expanded into a regional proxy war. Russia and Iran, along with allied militias like Lebanon's Hezbollah, are helping Assad consolidate control and recapture territory he lost to the rebels and jihadist groups. Assad and his backers have rarely fought directly against Islamic State, which controls Raqqa and other parts of eastern Syria. Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United States are backing various rebel factions that are fighting Assad and his allies, and, at times, Islamic State. Under Barack Obama's administration, the CIA has funneled up to $1 billion a year in weapons, including light arms, ammunition and anti-tank missiles, to Syrian rebel groups fighting the Assad regime that were deemed moderate by U.S. officials. But some of these rebels have been forced into battlefield alliances with jihadists, including al Qaeda affiliated groups. While the offensive against Islamic State in Raqqa began in the waning days of the Obama administration, it needs support from the incoming Trump administration to bear fruit. But the Raqqa operation is already alienating American allies, especially Turkey, which is critical of the Syrian Democratic Forces. The SDF is a coalition of Kurdish, Sunni Arab, Christian and Turkmen rebel groups that is anchored by the People's Protection Units (known by its Kurdish acronym, YPG), which includes thousands of Syrian Kurdish fighters. Turkish leaders view the YPG and other Syrian Kurdish groups as allies of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (known as the PKK), which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish government since the 1980s, seeking autonomy for Kurdish areas. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insists that Washington must not allow the YPG to take a leading role in expelling Islamic State from Raqqa, a largely Sunni Arab city. During the presidential campaign, Trump argued the United States should arm and help Kurdish factions, both in Iraq and Syria. "I'm a big fan of the Kurdish forces," he said in July. If Trump follows through on his praise of the Kurds, that would be good news for the SDF and its largest militia, the YPG. But once in office, Trump would also have to balance the objections of allies like Turkey and Erdogan, its increasingly autocratic president. Among his first top appointments, Trump named Michael Flynn, a retired general and former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, as his national security adviser. Flynn, who once worked as a paid lobbyist for a prominent Turkish businessman, has expressed strong support for Erdogan's government and argued that Washington should be more sympathetic to its concerns. In late August, Turkey sent several hundred of its special forces into Syria, and began carrying out air strikes to help rebel factions allied with Ankara consolidate control of territory near the Turkish-Syrian border. The Turkish-backed rebels have fought both Islamic State jihadists and occasionally the U.S.-backed YPG militia. In October, Erdogan said he told Obama in a phone call that Turkey was capable of ousting Islamic State from Raqqa on its own. Other Turkish officials argued that the campaign to retake Raqqa should not begin until Iraqi forces complete their offensive against Islamic State in Mosul, which has slowed in recent weeks. But U.S. officials are keen to isolate Raqqa and use Syrian forces to encircle it, mainly because of worries about Islamic State operatives fleeing from Mosul and plotting new attacks against the West. That concern is genuine because the jihadist group - even as it was weakened over the past year, after intensive U.S.-led bombing and defeats by its opponents in Iraq and Syria - has shown a significant ability to adapt and inflict new terror. Ties between Russia and the Taliban worry Afghan, U.S. officials By Hamid Shalizi and Josh Smith KABUL, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Afghan and American officials are increasingly worried that any deepening of ties between Russia and Taliban militants fighting to topple the government in Kabul could complicate an already precarious security situation. Russian officials have denied they provide aid to the insurgents, who are contesting large swathes of territory and inflicting heavy casualties, and say their limited contacts are aimed at bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table. Leaders in Kabul say Russian support for the Afghan Taliban appears to be mostly political so far. But a series of recent meetings they say has taken place in Moscow and Tajikistan has made Afghan intelligence and defence officials nervous about more direct support including weapons or funding. A senior Afghan security official called Russian support for the Taliban a "dangerous new trend", an analysis echoed by the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson. He told reporters at a briefing in Washington last week that Russia had joined Iran and Pakistan as countries with a "malign influence" in Afghanistan, and said Moscow was lending legitimacy to the Taliban. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova pushed back at Nicholson's comments in a briefing in Moscow on Wednesday, calling them naive and inaccurate. "We have repeatedly said that Russia is not carrying out any secret talks with the Taliban and is not providing it with any kind of support," she said. Zakharova said Russia favours a negotiated peace in Afghanistan, which can only happen by cultivating contacts with all players, including the Taliban. The Russian embassy in Kabul has scheduled a press conference for Thursday to discuss Afghan-Russian relations, amid reports that the Afghan parliament plans to investigate Russia's ties with the Taliban. ANOTHER "GREAT GAME"? Afghanistan has long been the scene of international intrigue and intervention, with the British and Russians jockeying for power during the 19th Century "Great Game," and the United States helping Pakistan provide weapons and funding to Afghan rebels fighting Soviet forces in the 1980s. Taliban officials told Reuters that the group has had significant contacts with Moscow since at least 2007, adding that Russian involvement did not extend beyond "moral and political support". "We had a common enemy," said one senior Taliban official. "We needed support to get rid of the United States and its allies in Afghanistan and Russia wanted all foreign troops to leave Afghanistan as quickly as possible." Moscow has been critical of the United States and NATO over their handling of the war in Afghanistan, but Russia initially helped provide helicopters for the Afghan military and agreed to a supply route for coalition materials through Russia. Most of that cooperation has fallen apart as relations between Russia and the West deteriorated in recent years over the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria. Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump, who takes office in January, has signaled a desire to improve relations with Russia, meaning future U.S. and Russian policies could change. FOREIGN MEETINGS In recent months, Taliban representatives have held several meetings with Russian officials, according to both Taliban and Afghan government sources. Those meetings included a visit to Tajikistan by the Taliban shadow governor of Kunduz province, Mullah Abdul Salam, said Kunduz police chief Qasim Jangalbagh. Another recent meeting occurred in Moscow itself, according to an official at the presidential palace in Kabul. Afghan officials did not produce evidence of direct Russian aid, but recent cross-border flights by unidentified helicopters and seizures of brand new "Russian-made" guns had raised concerns that regional actors may be playing a larger role, Jangalbagh said. "If the Taliban get their hands on anti-aircraft guns provided, for example, by Russia, then it is a game-changer, and forget about peace," said another senior Afghan security official. ISLAMIC STATE OR UNITED STATES? According to Afghan and U.S. officials, Russian representatives have maintained that government security forces, backed by U.S. special forces and air strikes, have not done enough to stem the growth of Islamic State in Afghanistan. Militants loyal to the radical Middle East-based network have carved out territory along the border with Pakistan, and have found themselves fighting not only Afghan and foreign troops, but also the Taliban, who compete for land, influence, and fighters. Taliban officials dismissed the idea that their ties to Russia had anything to do with fighting Islamic State. "In early 2008, when Russia began supporting us, ISIS(Islamic State) didn't exist anywhere in the world," the senior Taliban official said. "Their sole purpose was to strengthen us against the U.S. and its allies." That was echoed by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, who said "ISIS is not an issue". Nicholson said the talk of Islamic State is a smokescreen designed to justify Russian policies. "Their (Russia's) narrative goes something like this: that the Taliban are the ones fighting Islamic State, not the Afghan government," Nicholson said. The Cabinet spokesman and Minister Rajitha Senaratne today reiterated that there would be no changes on the proposed fine of Rs.25,000 for seven traffic offenses. While speaking to the media at the weekly Cabinet press briefing at the parliament complex, Minister Senaratne said even the governments decision was also the same and there would not be any rollback of the proposed fine. We will never give permission for drivers to kill people. Since the date the decision was taken there is a slight decrement of road accidents. I think the accidents would be less if the law was implemented, he added. The proposals were made to take legal actions for overtaking from the left side, speeding and to place speed limits. First of all, decisions should be taken on implementing the legal situation of overtaking from the left side and speeding, he said. He said the President had not said anything on changes to proposed the imposed fine of Rs.25,000 for seven traffic offenses during the discussion with the Bus Owners Associations held at the parliament complex on Saturday (3). He said it was fair to impose a reasonable fine for overtaking from the left side and speeding but there would be no relief for the other five offenses. He had also requested the government to take legal actions strictly against persons who damaged the Sri Lanka Transport Buses (SLTB) during the private bus strike. 128 SLTB buses were damaged during the strike and the police should have arrested 128 people who were held responsible for them. But the police could not arrest that much of people. The police have no connection with the people in those areas. In that case there is no use of the police, he said. He said most of the bus strikers were the ones who had worked according to a certain political agenda and added that most of the members of the bus associations were used to take part in poster campaigns during the previous elections under their names. (Chaturanga Pradeep) Video by Rishan An undersea earthquake off Indonesia's Aceh province has killed at least 24 people, authorities said. The 6.4 magnitude quake struck near the town of Sigli on Sumatra island destroying dozens of buildings. Indonesia's meteorological agency said there was no risk of a tsunami. In 2004, Aceh was devastated by a tsunami caused by a massive undersea earthquake that killed 120,000 people in the province. The US Geological Survey said the earthquake struck just offshore at 05:03 local time (22:03 GMT Tuesday) at a depth of 17.2km (11 miles). Many people are thought to be trapped in the rubble. Local authorities say heavy equipment is being used to search for survivors. The quake shook the nearby provincial capital of Banda Aceh and prompted many people to flee their homes and workplaces across the region.(BBC) Cabinet spokesman, Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne today said who ever spoke to IGP Pujitha Jayasunadara during the press conference in Ratnapura on November 30 was not to influence him to arrest or not to arrest any individual but only to know about the position of the said case. Responding to a barrage of questions from journalists at the weekly Cabinet news briefing in Parliament, Minister Senaratne said no one could suggest that the so-called Sir was in a move to influence Mr. Jayasundara to do something or not to do it. If you closely go through what transpired during the conversation, it was very clear that Mr. Jayasundara was explaining to the Sir about an ongoing inquiry against a Nilame. He did not say whether he was to arrest or not. The Sir also did not apparently asked Mr. Jayasundara to take action to arrest the Nilame or not. I think, the media blew this incident out of proportion and it became a big topic in the media and in political circle, Minister Senaratne stressed. However, when asked by a journalist whether it could be Law and Order and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayaka, Minister Senaratne said 'it could be'. (Sandun A.Jayasekera) Video by Rishan The Attorney General, in the Colombo High Court, today re-indicted former minister Basil Rajapaksa and Divineguma Departments former director general Kithsiri Ranawaka on charges of misappropriating Rs.29 million belonging to the Divineguma. The indictments originally filed in Court on Mr. Rajapaksa and Mr. Ranawaka were yesterday withdrawn by the AG on the basis that it had contained some technical errors which needed to be rectified. The money had been reportedly used to print and distribute almanacs with the photographs of then presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa. In the wake of the withdrawal of the indictments Colombo High Court Judge Pathmini N. Ranawaka yesterday discharged Mr. Rajapaksa and Mr. Ranawake from the case filed against them. The prosecuting counsel said the indictments had been originally served without the AGs consent letter. (Shehan Chamika Silva) The construction of a Christmas tree on Galle face is a sheer waste of money, and those responsible for this work should be asked to use the funds to construct houses for poor people or provide scholarships to poor children, said the president of the Bishops' Conference -- Colombo Archbishop, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, yesterday. He said that though the money was said to have been given by a ministry, the ministry concerned had not been identified. The cardinal made these observations during a media briefing at the Archbishop's house. He said the market economy was selling Christmas and making religion a tool. "The late Rev Fr. Marceline Jayakody propagated the idea that, 'My Christmas is the day the poor have a meal of rice.' We too hold this view and we can really enjoy Christmas only when the poor join in," he said. This year the theme of Christmas is 'The Family'. There is a distinct breakdown in family relationships. This is evident in migratory families, and the Bishops' Conference is planning to bring this to the notice of the government. "A wife on her return after working abroad finds that her husband has left her and remarried. The family is broken up. The children have become destitute. These women frequently become victims of crime. "The idea of a small family and abortion are leading people on the wrong path. Therefore we have taken a decision to organise consultancy services to protect these families," he said. The chairman of the Mass Media Commission of the Catholic Church, Bishop Raymond Wickramasinghe, and deputy chairman Bishop Emmanuel Fernando were also present at the media briefing. (Vineetha M. Gamage) By Yohan Perera The government will present an anti-dumping bill to parliament in January, next year, Development Policies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama told parliament yesterday. Samarawickrama, who was speaking during the committee stage debate on the budget in the House, said this would be aimed at protecting local industries. The minister also said a local industries policy will be ready for discussion next year. Sri Lanka is gearing to enter into free trade agreements (FTAs) with countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, China, Korea and Bangladesh, while planning to sign an extension to the present FTA with India, covering services sectors. However, this extension to the Indo-Lanka FTA, the proposed Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA), has run into much opposition from professional groups, industrialists as well as a section of academics and economists. The government will present the Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement to parliament before signing it, Samarawickrama told parliament. Illegal trading of liquor in Sri Lanka has increased in 2015 compared to 2014, Parliament was informed yesterday. Minister of Law and Order Sagala Ratnayake, who was responding to an oral question raised by MP Buddika Pathirana in the House said about 75.5 million litres of liquor which was kept to be traded illegally was seized in 2015 compared to the 1.2 litres that was seized in 2014. In addition 1.1 mn liters of beer kept for illegal trade has also been recovered in 2015 compared to 166, 974 liters in the previous year. Further 9.1 million liters of toddy subjected to illegal trade has been traced compared to the 378, 823 liters in 2014. Meanwhile, 99, 977 persons have been arrested for illegal trade of liquor in 2015 compared to 98, 768 persons in 2014, he charged. The punishment for illegal trade which is the maximum fine of Rs. 100,000 and two years of imprisonment. This does not seem to be sufficient as a deterrent as those who are penalized routinely return to this trade," the Minister said. He assured that the Government was committed to eradicate illegal trade of liquor. (Yohan Perera) The joint opposition today lodged a complaint against Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Atukorale at the Bribery Commission over a case of financial misappropriation causing the State loss of Rs. 1,500 million. Addressing a media briefing, the joint opposition MP Niroshan Premaratne said Minister Atukorale had caused the State a loss of Rs. 1500 million by the mandatory insurance scheme of Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) for all Sri Lankan migrant workers since August 2015. The SLBFE has announced all Sri Lankan migrant workers to get the insurance from the Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Company in Kuwait by paying USD 100 each. The Supreme Court has ordered the SLBFE to refrain from choosing a selected company to provide the insurance, he added. He said the SLBFE had ignored the Supreme Courts order and had arrived to an agreement with the Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Company despite two other companies were given quotations for USD 60 each to provide the same insurance with more facilities. He said the Minister Atukorale was involved in this financial misappropriation by gaining excess of peoples money worth USD 40 (Rs. 6,000) from each Sri Lankan migrant worker. There are nearly 263,307 of Sri Lankan migrant workers who have obtained the insurance during the period from August 2015 to December 2016. Therefore the total of Rs. 1,417, 842, 000 (nearly Rs. 1,500 million) of excess amount has been taken by the SLBFE from these innocent people, he added. He said this insurance scheme has been cancelled by Minister Atukorale on December 1 with the enquiry made by him in Parliament about this financial misappropriation on November 30. Minister Atukorale has tried to prove her innocence by denying my allegations. But her guilt was proved with the immediate cancellation of the insurance scheme. We have lodged a complaint against the SLBFE Chairman along with Minister Atukorale he added. Meanwhile, the joint opposition today onwards launched a website named www.yahapalanatop10.com to make people aware of the financial misappropriations which took place during the Yahapalana regime. The people were also enabled to make their complaints against them through info@yahapalana.com. (Kalathma Jayawardhane) Former Deputy Minister Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman, who was arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), was released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today. He was released on a cash bail of Rs. 1 million with four sureties of Rs. 5 million each. The FCID arrested the former Deputy Minister on November 29 for allegedly misusing a bullet proof vehicle valued at approximately Rs. 800 million. A travel ban was imposed on the former minister who was also ordered to report to the FCID every Sunday.(Shehan Chamika Silva) Video by Courts Prasanna (Colombo, Sri Lanka) International Investment Banking professional and entrepreneur, Mr Love Yadav has join the board of three companies under Amana Holdings Limited in the move that is intended to align group strategy keeping in mind the future growth prospects. Yadav will serve as the Group Managing Director across Amana Wealth Management Limited, Amana Asset Management Limited and Amana Capital Limited. He carries with him nearly 20 years of global conventional and Islamic Asset Management and Investment Banking experience. Having worked across multiple markets in Middle East, Asia Pacific, South Asia including critical exposure to EU and African markets, Love has gathered immense cross-border financial markets knowhow. His previous assignments includes working for Reliance Capital Group and its affiliates across 3 countries, F&C India (Foreign and Colonial, a UK based and oldest asset management company on the planet) and in the investment advisory business of Kotak Mahindra Bank. His track record in Islamic Finance includes the set-up and operation of Reliance Global Shariah Growth Fund, Reliance India Shariah Growth Fund and Reliance China-India Shariah Growth Fund. Love embodies Entrepreneurship as the central theme of his assignments and fosters free thinking and innovation in developing products, markets and people. I see Sri Lanka being in the right place in time to seize opportunities locally and internationally. There is a huge potential but a tremendous focus in needed in capacity building. At Amana we have taken positive steps in shaping the businesses across 3 avenues of Investment Banking, Asset Management and Wealth Management towards this end, said Love Yadav, Group Managing Director, Amana Capital Limited. The landscape of financial services has begun to change locally with the adoption of technology and ICT notwithstanding the rise in consumer awareness and complexity. We believe that growth in our business will be driven by product excellence and exceptional service quality. The group is committed to invest in technology that not only ensures transparency and prudence in its operations but also connects our clients to a holistic sense of investment management and wealth planning, explained Yadav, adding that tie-ups and agreements were already in place with internationally acclaimed service providers to give access to clients on their portfolios and market information at their fingertips. Speaking on opportunities for Sri Lanka Love opined, For the global investor, frontier markets like Sri Lanka are attractive propositions given the right assets to invest into and potential for growth with reasonable predictability. Amana Capital Limited will be working aggressively with international networks in promoting Sri Lankan opportunities and the other way around as well. Amana Holdings Limited, is the pioneer and flagbearer of Shariah based finance in Sri Lanka and has set its sights in firmly on establishing the business lines of Investment Banking, Asset Management and Wealth Management in thenear future. Dayan Jayatilleka has made some pertinent points regarding conflict resolution and the seemingly vexed issue of Tamil grievances/aspirations and relief sought in an article titled Constitution-making and the North-South political cycle. I have an issue withe the term North-South so let me first get it out of the way. It is a break that has been used frequently enough to give it legitimate political currency. Erroneous, however. It has come to the point of goes without saying which automatically assumes came without saying and therefore pushed deliberately. What does North taken for and what is South? They have acquired proxy status for Tamil and Sinhala respectively and imply, following the geographical reference, a land that is divided by a line moving from West to East where the North is of (and a legitimate claim of) Tamils and the South of the Sinhalese. A 50-50 that is a gross distortion of historical and demographic realities. Language, needless to say, is not innocent. With that out of the way, lets consider the implications of Dayans more serious and more legitimate contentions. Even today, there is no Tamil progressive or moderate tendency in or outside Sri Lanka that is willing to denounce the LTTE, Prabhakaran and Tamil Eelam openly. Tamil politics has remained self-referential and pan-Tamil in character. Tamil nationalism is psychologically separatist even when it isnt politically separatist. The above claim is followed by an expression of disappointment regarding the lack of interest on the part of Tamil politicians to forge a bloc with Southern progressives. Theoretically, a Tamil chauvinist or even nationalist retort could take the following form: Sinhala politics has remained self-referential in character. Sinhala nationalism is psychologically unitary- fixated even when it talks of devolution. It follows that a Tamil version of Dayans lament regarding Progressives is also possible, although that would still leave us without an answer to the question What is progressive? Even if we were to put aside the strong objections based on history, geography, demography and doability to the Tamil separatist project and all devolution proposals that do not take issue with current political boundaries for their arbitrariness, their implicit subversion of separatist claims, the very existence of positions as detailed above gives credence to Dayans claims about things intractable and therefore the necessity of management. This is why I am in agreement with the first part of Dayans vision expressed as follows: Sri Lanka could (should?) draw up a New Social Contract in which national minorities are integrated on the basis of equal citizenship and non-discrimination while assured of a reasonable sufficiency of autonomy through the devolution of power within a Unitary State. The reservations about the second part (regarding devolution) are principally on the issue of boundaries and economic logic of the same. As mentioned above and as stated by President Maithripala Sirisena the current boundaries upon which the separatist map has been crafted, with quite some stretching on the Western coast were arbitrarily drawn by the British. Secondly, given the reality that close to half the Tamil population live outside the so-called Traditional Homelands, devolution cannot assume to resolve any Tamil issue in and of itself. Power-devolution is theoretically a democratizing proposition, but in Sri Lankas context, given the intractabilities mentioned above, it is a non-starter or, as the 13th Amendment proved, guaranteed to trigger bloodbaths and generate further complications, primarily because the foundational logic is flawed and therefore the edifice is necessarily weak. A different kind of devolution might make sense, for example one where the entire provincial boundaries are re-drawn in a way that makes sense in terms of geographical realities and takes into account current resource anomalies among the existing provinces, but again thats not even an element that anyone is willing to entertain, leave alone discuss. This brings us back to integration on the basis of equal citizenship and non-discrimination. That is a tough cat-belling, so to speak, but right now its the only logical starting point. It would be about guarantees. It would have to take into account the issue of religion and the special place for Buddhism. Not easy since histories count, historicities count and these things have eminent toy-value for extremists and real, on-the-ground relevance. For example, would the removal of the tokenist privileging of Buddhism in the Constitution accompany an erasure of customary laws that are relevant to Islam and those relevant to Tamils who can cite the Thesawalami Laws? Would we discuss the pruning of customary Buddhist holidays from four to three (the sathara poya to pun-poya) and the privileging of Christian holidays (Sundays 52 of them)? It is not easy, but it is a discussion that has to take place simply because resolution is for the most part about managing and balancing insecurities, whether or not they are legitimate. Thats where the audit must begin and not with rhetoric. And thats exactly what has not happened. This is why solutions (like the 13th) fail(ed). The true dimensions, in other words, of all the relevant issues have been ignored. There are no mechanisms proposed to ascertain these. Small wonder that the entire reconciliation exercise is floundering. In the absence or rather the improbability of magnanimity by all (and not some) the players in the story. Malinda Seneviratne is a freelance writer. Twitter: malindasene Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M. A. Sumanthiran, yesterday, told Prisons Reforms, Resettlement, Rehabilitation and Hindu Religious Affairs Minister D. M. Swaminathan to resign his portfolio and hand over his ministry to someone else if he could not work for the Tamil people. You have failed to work for the Tamil community in the North who were affected by the war. Please resign if you cant work and hand over your ministry to someone else. There are many others in the government who can do a better job, he said. Mr. Sumanthiran opposed the move initiated by Mr. Swaminathan to construct prefabricated houses in the North. Brick houses are much cheaper, he said. Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan also expressed similar views on the prefabricated houses. (Yohan Perera) Win Your Home, a consumer promotion that offered valuable gifts for participating customers, was held by Samsung Sri Lanka recently. It concluded on a high note for the Samsung customers who won valuable prizes and gifts. As a form of thanking loyal Samsung customers, they were asked to fill coupons during avurudu season when they purchased a Samsung product and the lucky winners received valuable gifts to the value of Rs 21 million in all, said Youngmin Shin, Managing Director of Samsung Sri Lanka. The winner of the grand prize RuwanTharanga from Kirindiwela was gifted with a valuable apartment. For Ruwan, it was a life changing moment, having won such a gift with a considerable value. Having participated in the draw, he felt excited and grateful for being chosen as the winner. H.L.N Kumari won a LED 55 Smart TV, making a dream come true for her family. She was grateful for the gift and was there in person with her family to receive the gift from Youngmin Shin. K.K Nissansalawon a SBS refrigerator while W Sunanda and DulithRangana won washing machines. There were others who won TVs, smart phones, VR and microwave ovens, adding value and appreciation to the competition while encouraging greater participation. For the customers, it was a moment of being recognized and rewarded by Samsung Sri Lanka for their loyalty and contribution. For Samsung , it is an opportunity to give our customers the opportunity to win gifts of considerable value, added Shin. We want to reward our customers with prizes that give them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win big. Shin further said that Samsung Lanka was grateful for the participation of the dealers which enhanced the scope of the competition. "A Menomonie boy who has won success and distinction in the field of invention and industry is Harold A. Miller." -- Thursday, Dec. 7, 1916 His rise had been steady from the time he left Menomonie and operated one of the important and growing industries of Los Angeles. Besides being the inventor of a number of successful automobile appliances, he had produced a metal composition of brass and aluminum which was said to possess great strength as well as lightness and was well adapted for parts of racing cars. An issue of the Los Angeles Sunday Times contained a page feature on the important part inventions of Los Angeles citizens played in the automobile industry and the article was led with an account of Mr. Miller's work and embellished with a picture of Mr. Miller and one of his motors. Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015 Chippewa County, Dunn County and many other local counties saw a dip in the number of harvested deer during this season's 9-day gun deer season, according to numbers released by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on Thursday. Chippewa County saw an 8.4 percent drop in the amount of total harvested deer this season compared to 2014, a number that includes an over 10 percent drop in registered antlerless deer. Dunn County dropped nearly 7.4 percent overall including nine percent fewer antlered deer. Eau Claire, Clark, and Polk counties also saw a dip in deer harvest. Wisconsin DNR Wildlife Biologist Jess Carstens said that while harvest numbers for the 9-day gun deer season were down in Dunn County, numbers from archery season were up and with more archery and a 4-day antlerless season approaching later this month, it remains to be seen how the total kill numbers will stack up to previous seasons. Wednesday, Dec. 4, 1991 Doug & Dick's Foods can move its Class A beer and liquor license from the Thunderbird Mall to the former K Mart building on Oak Avenue. That decision was made at Monday night's session of Menomonie's city council when an ordinance was amended that permits the move. The ordinance that prohibited the move was adopted in 1984. It said that a license would be terminated if transferred to another location. By taking such action at that time, the council hoped to eventually achieve a goal of one Class A license for every 3,000 residents. The amendment that was adopted was suggested by City Atty. Kenneth E. Schofield. One of the largest electrical permits granted in Menomonie's history went in October to AFG Industries, 2200 Parkway Dr. The permit is worth $2 million. The firm is constructing a glass manufacturing plant here. Wednesday, Dec. 7, 1966 The deer kill in Dunn County during the past buck-only season was 227, according to figures released last week by Rod Bahr, district game manager. He said this total is incomplete and will increase when final figures are tabulated. The kill in area counties which had a buck-only season was 132 in Pepin, 179 in Pierce and 155 in St. Croix. These figures, too, are incomplete. Bahr pointed out that the kill was larger in these counties this year when a comparison is made with the kill in the last buck-only season. Pepin and Pierce counties had a buck-only season back in 1961 and the kill was 127 in Pepin County and 155 in Pierce. Thus the kill jumped by five in Pepin and 24 in Pierce. St. Croix had its last buck-only season in 1962 and 92 deer were registered compared to this year's total of 155. Back in 1962, when Dunn county had its last buck-only season, 235 deer were registered. And with the total 227 last weekm the figure is expected to be topped this season. Bahr said the total kill in the west-central area of the state which includes 15 counties was 22,033. Wednesday, Dec. 3, 1941 A deal was made here this week whereby the Olbert Bros. Implement Co. will become the property of Elmer Funk. He is to take possession Jan. 15. Previous to that time Mr. Funk, his wife and daughter. Deloris, will take a trip to the west coast. Besides the implement business Elmer will purchase the residence next door which is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Rob Olbert. Olbert Bros., J. C. Olbert and Rob Olbert came here from Durand 24 years ago and since that time have been in the implement business and well drilling. A brother, George, who died several years ago was also a business partner. Frank Olbert, another brother, manages the well drilling part of the business. John Olbert will remain here after the business transfer is made, Mr. and Mrs. Rob Olbert will locate temporarily at Winona, Minn. Thursday, Dec. 7, 1916 A Menomonie boy who has won success and distinction in the field of invention and industry is Harold A. Miller, now of Los Angeles, Calif., who has produced a line of improved carburetors, motors and other automobile appliances and for whose establishment in Los Angeles, already of considerable proportions, a large development is predicted. Mr. Miller, who is a brother of Mrs. John Steele, was born on the Hudson road a short distance west of the city, and such schooling as he has had was obtained in the local schools. He was always of an inventive turn of mind, but has developed executive faculties with his creative genius. Mechanics were always his hobby and engaged his attention from his earliest years. Mr. Aasmundrud autoed to Menomonie Wednesday to get Helmer Gordon and Helmer Aasmundrud. On their way home they stopped at the Big Beaver school and got Charlotte Aasmundrud, and they all spent the weekend at home. Mr. Aasmundrud took them back Sunday, where they will take up their school duties again. Friday, Dec. 4, 1891 The News advises the council to revise its electric light scheme and put it upon some basis of fairness and justice. To make the taxpayers of the Fourth ward, most of whom are poor laboring men, pay for five lights. while the Second ward with its business streets and all its wealth only pays for six lights is gross injustice. There is no demand for so many lights in the Fourth ward and the rate of taxation required to raise the $525 each year is three times as large as the rate required to raise the $630 annual light fund in the Second ward. By the action of the council the light district plan is made a snare and a delusion. It places the burden of taxation most unfairly. One fourth of the lights contracted for must be paid by the Fourth ward while the taxable property of that ward is not more than one seventh of the entire valuation of the city. We are in favor or electric lights where they are needed, but not on the plan nor the basis adopted by the council. Saturday, Dec. 8, 1866 About 35 persons are engaged in mere handizing in this town, including clerks; and it is safe to say that five of the whole number are actually living and in quite tolerable health without tobacco or whiskey! They have somehow taken it into their heads that good food is the chief thing to subsist upon, and they also agree with the skeleton democracy in one thing - that majorities are not always right. Thirty dirty, squirty tobacco caters against five decent men! Sad majority. The district is anxiously waiting for a good teacher to turn up and the emphasis is well placed. There seems to be a loose screw somewhere, and who can guess where it is? It is safe to conclude that disorderly homes make disorderly schools. How would it do for the parents to go to school where family government is dispensed? Will the Clerk pay us $2 for this "Teacher Wanted?" Guess not. Since Greenpeace was hounded out of the country last year, the noose has ben tightened around Lawyers Collective, a legal NGO led by eminent Supreme Court advocates Indira Jaising and Anand Grover. According to the duo, the Union ministry of home affairs has been subjecting the organisation to unmerited harassmnet and persecution, especially in the context of the cases that the NGO has been at the forefront of, such as Section 377, as well as representing the late Sohrabuddin Sheikh, the late Yakub Memon and Sanjiv Bhat, while fighting in court against the establishment faces such as Amit Shah. Much like the modus operandi used in forcing Greenpeace to shut its shop, really crunching its funds, seizing its bank accounts and disallowing FCRA, the home ministry has been after Lawyers Collective, erecting many a flimsy excuse of money being misused. Jaising and Grover have been at the helm of a number of public interest litigations that have been at loggerheads with the present government's interests. Jaising and Grover have dubbed the frequent assaults on their organisation as well as the constant hampering of their ability to work as lawyers as an attack on their right to free speech and right to association, which speaks poorly of the government. Indira Jaising's NGO Lawyers Collective alleges harassment and persecution by the Union ministry of home affairs once again. [Photo: Agencies] Read the full statement below. Lawyers Collective (LC) has received an order dated November 27, 2016 cancelling its registration to receive foreign contribution under Section 14(1), Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 ("FCRA"), on 29th November, 2016 at its registered office at Mumbai. The cancellation order is on the grounds that LC allegedly has violated the terms and conditions of its registration certificate, violated the provisions of the FCRA, and most importantly, acted against "public interest". Strangely enough, the order is passed on a Sunday, when government offices are closed. The order repeats what is alleged in the show cause cum suspension order dated 31.05.2016 and disregards LC's replies in fact and in law. At the same time, certain new allegations have surfaced such as "diversion" of foreign contribution and utilisation for "personal gain", which are not borne out by the facts or the records, are absolutely false and defamatory. It is preposterous for the MHA to suggest that LC has no record of work, when the Government of India has itself acknowledged LC's contributions towards advancing women's rights, securing access to affordable medicines, protecting the rights of HIV positive people as well as transgender persons and continues to call upon LC for legal inputs. LC reiterates that the current proceedings under FCRA, including the latest cancellation order, are only a continuation of the harassment and persecution of the organisation, especially of its two trustees, Ms Indira Jaising and Mr Anand Grover, Senior Advocates, perpetrated by the Government, over last one year. Both Ms Jaising and Mr Grover have been and are continuing to take up sensitive cases, in their professional capacity, against the powerful functionaries of the present ruling establishment, including Amit Shah, Sohrabuddin, Yakub Memon and Sanjiv Bhat. LC perceives this to be a clear attack on the right to legal representation of persons who need legal services the most and a gross abuse of powers by the government of the day. It is also a clear attack on the right to free speech and association guaranteed by the Constitution of India. Last month, the MHA refused to renew LC's registration under the FCRA. According to media reports, LC is among a list of 25 NGOs "allegedly taking part in activities detrimental to the country's interest". LC calls upon the government to make the intelligence reports (based on which LC was put under the list of 25 NGOs) public so that we have an opportunity to challenge the reports against us, an elementary tool of natural justice. Martin Treptow and Travis Hakes were on a mission to find all the family members buried at Tilden Lutheran Cemetery but two graves were missing. After some investigating, and landscaping, they finally found the two missing family members under an overgrown bush. The cemetery has about 40 people in it. 75% of its residents are relatives of Treptow and Hakes who are 4th cousins. A.J. Fernandez Cigars has a new factory and a new client. Espinosa Cigars has announced it is shifting the majority of production for its 601 branded cigars and a few newer releases. These cigars will now be produced at Fernandezs new San Lotano factory in Ocotal, Nicaragua, located about 50 miles north of Esteli near the Honduras-Nicaragua border. This new partnership between AJ Fernandez and Espinosa Cigars stems from not just a friendship between us but between myself and AJs father, Ismael Fernandez. When we were approached, Erik didnt give it a second thought. It is a perfect opportunity for Espinosa to finally meet the demand our cigars have acquired across the country, commented Hector Alfonso Sr., Director of Factory Operations at La Zona. Our La Zona Factory has been producing quality highly-rated cigars for almost 5 years now. But due to the constraints placed on a small operation we have not been unable to expand our production at that facility. In all honesty we have already outgrown it, but will never part with it, added Alfonso. While the 601 line is heading to Fernandezs factory, La Zona will continue to produce the other brands for Espinosa Cigars as well as cigars it makes for other third party companies.We believe that the La Zona factory is a modern day landmark in Esteli, a destination for many on cigar sojourns to Nicaragua. We feel really comfortable with it and it will remain iconic and home to Laranja Reserva which was our breakthrough cigar back in 2014, said Alfonso. Alfonso is also excited about further opportunities of future projects with A.J. Fernandez, but that happening would depend on easing of regulations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on premium cigars. Meanwhile Alfonso is excited about the new relationship. If we were going to make cigars with anyone else, it would only be AJ. I respect him as a cigar maker, admire his work ethic and we really love what he has done with his lines. We are obviously not alone as you can see the amount of manufacturers who have come to him. Only good things can come from this. When she first ran for chancellor of Germany in 2005, Angela Merkel promised zero tolerance in matters of national security; five years afterward, she said that multiculturalism had failed, and failed utterly. But in January 2015, in what seemed a massive U-turn, she proclaimed Islam a part of Germany; and later that year, she welcomed a veritable army of Muslim refugees into the country, a foolhardy act that won her high praise from politically correct elites around the world. Hillary Clinton applauded Merkels bravery in the face of the refugee crisis; in December 2015, Time named Merkel Person of the Year. Just five days later, however, Merkel again slammed multiculturalism, warning that it leads to parallel societies and promising to cut immigration figures. Yetmaddeningly, menacinglyshe kept the floodgates open, explaining that the refugee crisis represented a historic test for Europe and calling on other European leaders to follow her example. Then came New Years Eve 2015-16. In a chilling illustration of the folly of Merkels policy, hundreds of migrants committed brutal sexual assaultsmost famously in central Cologne, but also in the heart of nearly every other major German city. Since then, Merkel has had more and more to answer for: her country has experienced a rise in gang violence; its acquired more no-go zones; its undergone an epidemic of rapes in public swimming pools; and its seen the murder of German citizens by foreign-born Muslims become increasingly commonplace. The most high-profile recent homicide victimher body was found on a Freiburg riverbank in Octoberwas 19-year-old Maria Ladenburger, a medical student and daughter of a top European Commission attorney. Ladenburgers October 26 death notice in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung asked for donations to Weitblick Freiburg, a student group under whose auspices shed worked as a volunteer aiding refugees and migrants. On December 3 came news of a DNA report proving that the girl had been raped and killed by an Afghani asylum-seeker, identified by authorities only as Hussein K. The murder sparked national outrage, as did the decision by ARDthe state-run, license-fee-funded broadcasterto ignore it on its daily newscast, calling the story too regional. Rainer Wendt, chairman of the national police union, spoke for many Germans when he blamed Ladenburgers slaughter on mass immigration and the so-called welcome culture, whose apostles, he charged, had responded to Hussein K.s monstrous act with not a word of compassion, no self-doubt, only arrogant insistence on [their] own noble disposition. For Germans whove had enough of Merkels catastrophic immigration policy, the Ladenburger case has proved a lightning rod, contributing to her sinking approval ratings in the run-up to next years federal elections. Which may explain why, in a December 6 speech to leaders of her party, the Central Democratic Union, the tough version of Merkel reappeared. Calling for a law against the burka, which is already forbidden in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, as well as in parts of Spain, Italy, and Switzerland, Merkel maintained that the full veil was not appropriate here and should be banned wherever its legally possible. She further insisted that sharia law should never take precedence over German law. The Washington Post suggested that Merkels latest remarks might signal a pragmatic shift to the right in the wake of Brexit and Donald Trumps victory. The Post might also have cited this weeks constitutional referendum in Italy (the results of which were viewed as a thumbs-down to the EU and euro), the continuing rise of Geert Wilderss Freedom Party in the Netherlands and of Marine Le Pen in France, andmost importantthe blow dealt to Merkel in September when the Alternative for Germany party, which criticizes mass immigration, scored big in regional elections. But before one accepts the idea that Merkel has actually turned over a new leaf, its advisable to keep in mind that shes been playing a double game throughout her tenure, talking tough (sometimes) about Muslim immigration and assimilation even as shes stuck stubbornly to policies that have spelled disaster not only for Germany but also for much of Western Europe. To be sure, in an attempt to lighten Germanys load, Merkel has tried to force resistant EU members to take in some of the refugees shes admitted; but to the extent that any of them do so, alas, the primary impact will be further to erode stability and order within those nations borders. Merkel also worked hard this year on whats been called a murky deal with Turkey to try to stem the refugee tide, but so far, its main effect has been to embolden that countrys Islamofascist president, Recep Erdogan. In any case, even if Merkel did come through with a burka ban, such a movehowever positivewould mean little in the long run unless it was part of a broader, tougher approach designed to address effectively Germanys, and Western Europes, ongoing Islamization. Unfortunately, theres no sign of any such drastic policy shift. Despite Merkels drop in popularity during the last few years, a November poll showed that a remarkable 59 percent of the German electorate still wanted to see her returned to office when federal elections are held sometime between August and November of next year. But already that figure has dropped dramatically: just this week, according to a Deutsche Welle survey, only 36 percent expressed that hope. Certainly, judging by the history of Merkels combination of tough talk and compassionate action on immigration, it seems likely that if German voters truly desire serious reform on this front, they should seek new leadership. Photo: Volker Hartmann/Getty Images Ally Financial Inc., a digital financial-services company, provides various digital financial products and services to consumer, commercial, and corporate customers primarily in the United States and Canada. It operates through four segments: Automotive Finance Operations, Insurance Operations, Mortgage Finance Operations, and Corporate Finance Operations. The Automotive Finance Operations segment offers automotive financing services, including providing retail installment sales contracts, loans and operating leases, term loans to dealers, financing dealer floorplans and other lines of credit to dealers, warehouse lines to automotive retailers, and fleet financing. It also provides financing services to companies and municipalities for the purchase or lease of vehicles, and vehicle-remarketing services. The Insurance Operations segment offers consumer finance protection and insurance products through the automotive dealer channel, and commercial insurance products directly to dealers. This segment provides vehicle service and maintenance contract, and guaranteed asset protection products; and underwrites commercial insurance coverages, which primarily insure dealers' vehicle inventory. The Mortgage Finance Operations segment manages consumer mortgage loan portfolio that includes bulk purchases of jumbo and low-to-moderate income mortgage loans originated by third parties, as well as direct-to-consumer mortgage offerings. The Corporate Finance Operations segment provides senior secured leveraged cash flow and asset-based loans to middle market companies; leveraged loans; and commercial real estate product to serve companies in the healthcare industry. The company also offers commercial banking products and services. In addition, it provides securities brokerage and investment advisory services. The company was formerly known as GMAC Inc. and changed its name to Ally Financial Inc. in May 2010. Ally Financial Inc. was founded in 1919 and is based in Detroit, Michigan. New Media Investment Group Inc. invests in, owns, and operates local media assets in the United States. The company's principal products include 146 daily newspapers with total paid circulation of approximately 1.5 million; 323 weekly newspapers with total paid circulation of approximately 268,000 and total free circulation of approximately 1.4 million; 132 shoppers with total circulation of approximately 3.1 million; and 581 locally-focused Websites, including Internet and mobile devices with approximately 364 million page views per month. Its principal products also comprise 77 business publications; and UpCurve Cloud and ThriveHive, which provides digital marketing and business services. In addition, the company produces niche publications that address specific local market interests, such as recreation, sports, healthcare, and real estate. Further, it offers print and online products that offer local market news and information on various topics comprising local news and politics, community and regional events, youth sports, opinion and editorial pages, local schools, obituaries, weddings, and police reports, as well as commercial printing services for publishers; and prints commercial materials, including flyers, business cards, and invitations. Additionally, the company produces approximately 350 annual events with a collective attendance approximately 400,000, such as themed expo, signature event, endurance event, and white label event services; and provides digital and print advertising services. It reaches approximately 22 million people per week; and serves approximately 199,000 business customers. New Media Investment Group Inc. was founded in 1997 and is based in New York, New York. OGE Energy Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy and energy services provider that offers physical delivery and related services for electricity, natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids in the United States. The company generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric energy. It provides retail electric service to approximately 879,000 customers, which covers a service area of approximately 30,000 square miles in Oklahoma and western Arkansas; and owns and operates coal-fired, natural gas-fired, wind-powered, and solar-powered generating assets. As of December 31, 2021, the company owned and operated interconnected electric generation, transmission, and distribution systems, including 16 generating stations with an aggregate capability of 7,207 megawatts; and transmission systems comprising 54 substations and 5,122 structure miles of lines in Oklahoma, and 7 substations and 277 structure miles of lines in Arkansas. Its distribution systems included 350 substations; 29,494 structure miles of overhead lines; 3,365 miles of underground conduit; and 11,125 miles of underground conductors in Oklahoma, as well as 29 substations, 2,795 structure miles of overhead lines, 349 miles of underground conduit, and 662 miles of underground conductors in Arkansas. The company was founded in 1902 and is based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Equifax Inc. provides information solutions and human resources business process automation outsourcing services for businesses, governments, and consumers. The company operates through three segments: Workforce Solutions, U.S. Information Solutions (USIS), and International. The Workforce Solutions segment offers employment, income, criminal history, and social security number verification services, as well as payroll-based transaction, employment tax management, and identity theft protection products. The USIS segment provides consumer and commercial information services, such as credit information and credit scoring, credit modeling and portfolio analytics, locate, fraud detection and prevention, identity verification, and other consulting; mortgage services; financial marketing services; identity management services; credit monitoring products; and online information, decisioning technology solutions, as well as portfolio management, mortgage reporting, and consumer credit information services. The International segment offers information service products, which include consumer and commercial services, such as credit and financial information, and credit scoring and modeling; and credit and other marketing products and services, as well as offers information, technology, and other services to support debt collections and recovery management. The company serves customers in financial services, mortgage, employers, consumer, commercial, telecommunication, retail, automotive, utility, brokerage, healthcare, and insurance industries, as well as state, federal, and local governments. It operates in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, the Republic of Ireland, Russia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. The company was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide. It offers a range of skin care products, including moisturizers, serums, cleansers, toners, body care, exfoliators, acne care and oil correctors, facial masks, cleansing devices, and sun care products; and makeup products, such as lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, foundations, eyeshadows, nail polishes, and powders, as well as compacts, brushes, and other makeup tools. The company also provides fragrance products in various forms comprising eau de parfum sprays and colognes, as well as lotions, powders, creams, candles, and soaps; and hair care products that include shampoos, conditioners, styling products, treatment, finishing sprays, and hair color products, as well as sells ancillary products and services. It offers its products under the Estee Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, MAC, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin, Smashbox, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, GLAMGLOW, Kilian Paris, Too Faced, Dr. Jart+, DECIEM, and The Ordinary brands. The company sells its products through department stores, specialty-multi retailers, upscale perfumeries and pharmacies, and salons and spas; freestanding stores; its own and authorized retailer websites; third-party online malls; stores in airports; and duty-free shops. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in New York, New York. The following companies are subsidiares of Roper Technologies: AC Analytical Controls B.V., AC Analytical Controls Holding B.V., AC Analytical Controls Services B.V., Abel Pump, Acton Research, Acumen PM LLC, Aderant Canada Company, Aderant Company, Aderant Holdings Inc., Aderant International Holdings LLC, Aderant Legal (UK) Limited, Aderant Legal Holdings (AUS) Pty Ltd, Aderant Legal Holdings (NZ) ULC, Aderant Legal Holdings Inc., Aderant North America Inc., Aderant Parent Holdings Inc., Advanced Sensors Limited, Advanced Sensors Ltd., AiCambridge Ltd., Alpha Holdings of Delaware I LLC, Alpha Holdings of Delaware II LLC, Alpha Technologies B.V., Alpha Technologies GmbH, Alpha Technologies Japan LLC, Alpha Technologies Services LLC, Alpha Technologies U.K., Alpha Technologies s.r.o., Alpha Trust Corporation, Alpha UK Holdings LLC, American LegalNet Inc, Amot Controls Corporation, Amot Controls GmbH, Amot/Metrix Investment Company Inc., Amphire Solutions Inc., Amtech Systems (Hong Kong) Limited, Amtech Systems LLC, Amtech World Corporation, Antek Instruments, Archisnapper BV, Ascension Technology Corporation, Assureweb Limited, Atlantic Health Partners Inc., Atlas Database Software Corp., Avitru, Bellefield Systems, BillBlast, C/S Solutions Inc., CBORD Holdings Corp., CBORD Holdings Corporation, CIVCO Holdings Inc., CIVCO Medical Solutions B.V., Centurion Research Solutions LLC, Chalwyn Limited, Civco Holding Inc., Civco Medical Instruments Co. Inc., Clackamas Pump LLC, CliniSys Group, CliniSys Group Limited, Clinisys Scotland Limited, Clinisys Solutions Limited, Cointec Ingenieros y Consultores S.L., Commerce Pump LLC, Compressor Controls (Beijing) Corporation Ltd., Compressor Controls Corporation B.V., Compressor Controls Corporation Middle East, Compressor Controls Corporation S.r.l., Compressor Controls LLC, Compressor Controls Mauritius Ltd., Compressor Controls Pty Ltd., Compressor Controls Saudi Arabia LLC, ComputerEase Software, ConceptShare, ConstructConnect, ConstructConnect Canada Inc., ConstructConnect Inc., Cornell Pump Company, DAT Solutions LLC, DATSolutions Private Limited, DCMH Group Holdings Inc., DCMH Group Holdings LLC, DCMH Holdings Inc., DI Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., DI Dutch Holdings LLC, DI Hong Kong Limited, Data Innovations, Data Innovations Canada Ltd., Data Innovations Cooperatief U.A., Data Innovations Europe S.A., Data Innovations LLC, Data Innovations Latin America Ltda, Dawning Technologies LLC, Deltek, Deltek Ajera Inc., Deltek Asia Pacific (HK) Limited, Deltek Australia Pty Ltd., Deltek Danmark A/S, Deltek France SAS, Deltek GB Limited, Deltek GmbH, Deltek Inc., Deltek Nederland B.V., Deltek Netherlands B.V., Deltek Norge AS, Deltek Sverige AB, Deltek Systems (Canada) Inc., Deltek Systems (Colorado) Inc., Deltek Systems (Philippines) Ltd., Deltek TNSCore Holdings LLC, Deltek WST LLC, Dominion I Inc., Duncan Technologies, Dynamco Inc., Dynamic Instruments Inc., Dynisco Enterprises GmbH, Dynisco Enterprises LLC, Dynisco Europe GmbH, Dynisco Holding GmbH, Dynisco Instruments LLC, Dynisco Instruments S.a.r.l., Dynisco LLC, Dynisco Parent Inc., Dynisco S.r.l., Dynisco Viatran LLC, Dynisco Viatran (M) Sdn Bhd, Dynisco-Viatran Instrument Sdn Bhd, EPSI, FMS Purchasing & Services Inc., FSI Holdings Inc., FTI Flow Technology Inc., Flow Technology, Fluid Metering, Fluid Metering Inc., Foodlink Holdings Inc., Foodlink Holdings Inc., Foodlink IT India Private Limited, Foundry, Foundry Visionmongers (Ireland) Limited, Freight Market Intelligence Consortium, Gatan, GeneInsight Inc., Getloaded Corporation, HRsmart Canada Inc., HRsmart France SAS, HRsmart Germany GmbH, HRsmart Inc., HRsmart International, HRsmart International Holdings LLC, HRsmart Mexico, HRsmart SA (Pty) Ltd., HRsmart Talent Management Solutions Europe Limited, HRsmart Ventures LLC, Handshake Software Inc., Handshake Software Inc., Hansco Automatisering B.V., Hansen Technologies, Hansen Technologies Corporation, Harbour Holding Corp., Hardy Process Solutions, Horizon Lab Systems LLC, Horizon Software International LLC, IDS, INPUT Inc., IPA Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., ISL Finance SAS, ISL Holding SAS, ISL Scientifique de Laboratorie - ISL S.A.S., Impact Financial Systems, Industrial Products Investment Company, Innovative Product Achievements LLC, Innovative Product Achievements LLC, Inovonics Corporation, Instill Corporation, IntelliTrans Limited, Intellitrans LLC, Intellitrans Sweden AB, JLT Mobile Computers Inc., Job Access LTDA, Laser App Inc., Link Logistics Holding LLC, Loadlink Technologies Corporation, Logitech, Logitech Limited, Lumenera Corporation, MASD, MED Professional Services LLC, MEDTEC Inc., MEDTEC LLC, MHA Long Term Care Network Inc., MHA Long Term Care Services Inc., MIPS Austria GesmbH, MIPS Deutschland GmbH, MIPS France Sarl, MIPS Nederland B.V., MIPS Schweiz AG, MIPS Software Iberica SL, MPR Readers Inc., Managed Health Care Associates Inc., Media Cybernetics L.P., Medical Information Professional Systems NV, Medina Acquisition LLC, Metrix Instrument Co. L.P., NDI Europe GmbH, NDI Holding Corp., Navigator Group Purchasing Inc., Neptune Technology Group (Canada) Co., Neptune Technology Group Holdings Inc., Neptune Technology Group Inc., Neptune Technology Group Mexico S.de R.L. de C.V., Neptune Technology Group Services Inc., Nippon Roper K.K., Northern Digital Inc., Omega Legal Systems Inc., On Center Software LLC, Onvia Inc., PAC (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PAC Denmark ApS, PAC GmbH, PAC Instruments (Thailand) Company Limited, PAC Instruments Asia PTE. Ltd., PB Bidco Limited, PB Holdco Limited, PB Midco Limited, PB Topco Limited, PGP UK Limited, PMC/Beta, Petroleum Analyzer, Petroleum Analyzer Company L.P., Petrotech, Phase Analyzer Company Ltd., Photometrics, PowerPlan, PowerPlan Canada ULC, PowerPlan Holdings Inc., PowerPlan Inc., PowerPlan Intermediate Holdings Inc., PowerPlan Operations ANZ Pty Ltd, PowerPlan Operations Ltd., Princeton Instruments, Project Aloha Merger Sub Inc., Project Diamond Intermediate Holdings Corporation, Project Torque Intermediate Holdings Inc., Project Viking Holdings Inc., Project Viking Intermediate LLC, QSC 1208 Limited, QSC 1209 Limited, Quantitative Imaging Corporation, RF IDeas, RF IDeas Inc., RI Marketing India Private Limited, RIL Holding Limited, RMT Inc., RT Merger Sub Inc., Rebate Tracking Group LLC, Redlake Imaging Corporation, Resonant Software Inc., Roda Deaco Valve Inc., Roper Acquisitions Holdings Inc., Roper Brasil Comercio E Promocao De Productos E Servicos LTDA, Roper Canada Holdings LP, Roper Canada UK Limited, Roper Denmark UK Limited, Roper EUR Pte. Ltd., Roper Engineering s.r.o., Roper Europe GmbH, Roper GM Denmark Holdings ApS, Roper Germany GmbH, Roper Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Roper Holdings Limited, Roper IH LLC, Roper Industrial Products Investment Company, Roper Industries Denmark ApS, Roper Industries Deutschland GmbH, Roper Industries Inc., Roper Industries Limited, Roper Industries Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Roper Industries Mauritius Ltd., Roper Industries UK Limited, Roper International Holding Inc., Roper International Holding Limited, Roper International Holding SCS, Roper LLC, Roper Luxembourg Finance S.a.r.l., Roper Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., Roper Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Roper Middle East Ltd. FZCO, Roper NL1 UK Limited, Roper NL2 UK Limited, Roper Operations Company I LLC, Roper Operations Company II LLC, Roper Pte. Ltd., Roper Pump Company, Roper Scientific B.V., Roper Scientific SAS, Roper Scot LP, Roper Singapore Holding LLC, Roper Southeast Asia LLC, Roper Swiss Finance GmbH, Roper T1 LLC, Roper T1000 Corp., Roper T2 LLC, Roper Tech. Middle East Ltd. FZCO, Roper Technologies (Ireland) Limited, Roper Technologies (Scot) LP, Roper UK Investments Limited, Roper UK Ltd., Roper-Mex L.P., Ropintassco Holdings L.P., SHP Group Holdings Inc., SIRA LLC, Shanghai Roper Industries Trading Co. Ltd., Sinmed Holding International B.V., Societe de Distribution de Logiciels Medicaux, SoftWriters Inc., Softwriters Holdings, Softwriters Holdings Inc., Sohnar Pty Ltd, Star Purchasing Services LLC, Strata Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., Strata Decision Technologies LLC, Strata Decision Technology LLC, Strata Parallel II Inc., Strategic Healthcare Programs Blocker 2 Inc., Strategic Healthcare Programs Blocker LLC, Strategic Healthcare Programs Holdings LLC, Strategic Healthcare Programs Holdings LLC, Strategic Healthcare Programs L.L.C., Struers, Struers (Shanghai) International Trading Ltd., Struers A/S, Struers GmbH, Struers Inc., Struers K.K., Struers Limited, Struers SAS, Sunquest Europe Limited, Sunquest Holdings Inc., Sunquest Information Systems (Europe) Limited, Sunquest Information Systems (India) Private Limited, Sunquest Information Systems (International) Limited, Sunquest Information Systems Inc., Sunquest Information Systems Pty Ltd, TLP Holdings LLC, Team TSI Corporation, Technolog Group Limited, Technolog Holdings Limited, Technolog Holdings Ltd., Technolog Limited, Technolog SARL, The CBORD Group Inc., The Foundry Topco No.2 Limited, The Foundry USCo Inc., The Foundry Visionmongers Ltd., The Tidewater Healthcare Shared Services Group Inc., The Washington Management Group Inc., Torque Acquisition Holdco Inc., Transcore Atlantic Inc., Transcore CNUS Inc., Transcore Holdings Inc., Transcore ITS LLC, Transcore LP, Transcore Nova Scotia Corporation, Transcore Partners LLC, Trinity Integrated Systems Limited, Trinity Integrated Systems Ltd., UHF Purchasing Services LLC, Union Square Software (International) Limited, Union Square Software Inc., Union Square Software Limited, Union Square Software Pty, United Controls Group Inc., Uson L.P., Uson Limited, Utilitec Limited, Utilitec Services Limited, Utility Data Services Limited, Verathon Canada Holdings Inc., Verathon Holdings (Delaware) Inc., Verathon Inc., Verathon Inc., Verathon Medical (Australia) Pty Limited, Verathon Medical (Canada) ULC, Verathon Medical (Europe) B.V., Verathon Medical (France) SARL, Verathon Medical (Hong Kong) Limited, Verathon Medical (Japan) K.K., Verathon Medical (UK) Ltd., Vertafore, Vertafore Canada Inc., Vertafore Inc., Vertafore India Private Limited, Viastar Services LP, Viatran Corporation, WELIS, Walter Herzog GmbH, WorkBook APAC Ltd., Workbook Software A/S, Zetec (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zetec Canada Ltd., Zetec France, Zetec Inc., Zetec Korea Inc., Zetec Services Inc., iPipeline, iPipeline (TCP) Limited, iPipeline Canada Inc, iPipeline Co. Ltd., iPipeline Holdings Inc, iPipeline Inc, iPipeline Limited, iSqFt Holdings Inc., iSqFt Parent Corporation, iSqFt Sub Inc., iTradeNetwork Inc., and mySBX Corporation. Read More InterXion Holding N.V. provides carrier and cloud-neutral colocation data center services in France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The company enables its customers to connect to a range of telecommunications carriers, cloud platforms, Internet service providers, and other customers. Its data centers acts as content, cloud, and connectivity hubs that facilitate the processing, storage, sharing, and distribution of data between its customers. The company offers colocation services, including space and power to deploy IT infrastructure in its data centers; a range of output voltages and currents; connectivity services that enable its customers to connect their IT infrastructure to exchange traffic and access cloud platforms; and systems monitoring, systems management, engineering support, and data backup and storage services, as well as installs and manages physical connections running from its customers' equipment to the equipment of its telecommunications carriers, Internet service providers, Internet exchange customers, and other customers. It provides its services to telecom operators, Internet service providers, and content delivery networks; content and cloud providers; and enterprises through direct sales forces, as well as through tradeshows, networking events, and industry seminars. As of December 31, 2018, it operated 51 carrier and cloud neutral colocation data centers in 13 metropolitan areas in 11 countries. The company is also involved in real estate management/holding businesses. InterXion Holding N.V. was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands. FLEETCOR Technologies, Inc. provides digital payment solutions for businesses to control purchases and make payments. It offers corporate payments solutions, such as accounts payable automation; Virtual Card, which provides a single-use card number for a specific amount usable within a defined timeframe; Cross-Border that is used by its customers to pay international vendors, foreign office and personnel expenses, capital expenditures, and profit repatriation and dividends; and purchasing cards and travel and entertainment cards for its customers to analyze and manage their corporate spending. The company also provides employee expense management solutions, including fuel solutions to businesses and government entities that operate vehicle fleets, as well as to oil and leasing companies, and fuel marketers; lodging solutions to businesses that have employees who travel overnight for work purposes, as well as to airlines and cruise lines to accommodate traveling crews and stranded passengers; and electronic toll payments solutions to businesses and consumers in the form of radio frequency identification tags affixed to vehicles' windshields. In addition, it offers gift card program management and processing services in plastic and digital forms that include card design, production and packaging, delivery and fulfillment, card and account management, transaction processing, promotion development and management, website design and hosting, program analytics, and card distribution channel management. Further, it provides other products consisting of payroll cards, vehicle maintenance service solution, long-haul transportation solution, prepaid food vouchers or cards, and prepaid transportation cards and vouchers. The company serves business, merchant, consumer, and payment network customers in North America, Brazil, and Internationally. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It offers cooking, dining, and entertaining products, such as cookware, tools, electrics, cutlery, tabletop and bar, outdoor, furniture, and a library of cookbooks under the Williams Sonoma Home brand, as well as home furnishings and decorative accessories under the Williams Sonoma lifestyle brand; and furniture, bedding, lighting, rugs, table essentials, and decorative accessories under the Pottery Barn brand. The company also provides home decor products under the West Elm brand; kids accessories under the Pottery Barn Kids brand; and an organic bedding to multi-purpose furniture under the Pottery Barn Teen brand. In addition, it offers made-to-order lighting, hardware, furniture, and home decors inspired by history under the Rejuvenation brand; and women's and men's accessories, travel, entertaining and bar, home decor, and seasonal items under the Mark and Graham brand, as well as operates a 3-D imaging and augmented reality platform for the home furnishings and decor industry. The company markets its products through e-commerce websites, direct-mail catalogs, and retail stores. It operates 544 stores comprising 502 stores in 41states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico; 20 stores in Canada; 19 stores in Australia; 3 stores in the United Kingdom; and 139 franchised stores, as well as e-commerce websites in various countries in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, South Korea, and India. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. engages in designing, building, overhauling, and repairing military ships in the United States. It operates through three segments: Ingalls Shipbuilding, Newport News Shipbuilding, and Technical Solutions. The company is involved in the design and construction of non-nuclear ships comprising amphibious assault ships; expeditionary warfare ships; surface combatants; and national security cutters for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. It also provides nuclear-powered ships, such as aircraft carriers and submarines, as well as refueling and overhaul, and inactivation services of ships. In addition, the company offers naval nuclear support services, including fleet services comprising design, construction, maintenance, and disposal activities for in-service the U.S. Navy nuclear ships; and maintenance services on nuclear reactor prototypes. Further, it provides life-cycle sustainment services to the U.S. Navy fleet and other maritime customers; high-end information technology and mission-based solutions for Department of Defense (DoD), intelligence, and federal civilian customers; nuclear management and operations and environmental management services for the Department of Energy, DoD, state and local governments, and private sector companies; defense and federal solutions; and unmanned systems. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Newport News, Virginia. The following companies are subsidiares of WPP: 24/7 Real Media UK Ltd., 41?29! Media Internet, AD Venture Worldwide Inc, AKQA, AKQA Denmark A/S, AKQA GmbH, AKQA Inc., AKQA Limited, AQuest, Acceleration, Acceleration eMarketing Inc, All Global, Always (Shanghai) Marketing Services Co Ltd, Arctouch LLC, BCW LLC, BWR PR, Beijing Benpao Century Technology Development Co. Ltd., Benenson Strategy Group LLC, Black and Deen, Blast Radius, Blast Radius Inc., Bomtempo Anahory e Ralha, Bottle Rocket, Bottle Rocket LLC, Brindfors Design AB, CB Associes S.A., CMI Media, CMI Media LLC, CONEXANCE MD, CT Finances SA, Catalyst Online LLC, Cavendish Square Holding BV, Center Partners, Cerebra, Cockpit Holdings Limited, Cognifide, Commarco, Commarco GmbH 120274, Cordiant Communications Group Limited, Dawson Integrated Marketing Communications, DeepLocal Inc., Design Bridge, Design Bridge Limited, Dewey Square Group, Ecommera, EffectiveUI, Enduring Organisation, Entreprise de Communications Tank Inc., Essence, Essence Global Group Limited, Essence Global LLC, Eurosem Belgium SA/NV, F.biz, FAST - Financial Administration Solutions & Technologies Srl, Finecast Limited, Finsbury LLC, Forward Limited, GREY Dusseldorf GmbH, GTB Agency LLC, GTB Shanghai Advertising Co. Ltd, GTB Stat LLC, GWE LLC, Geometry Global Japan GK, Geometry Global LLC, Geometry Global Limited, Glendinning Management Consultants, Go Direct Marketing Inc., Gorilla LLC, Grey, Grey Advertising Limited, Grey Global Group LLC, Group M France SAS, Group M Worldwide LLC, Group SJR LLC, GroupM (Shanghai) Advertising Co. Ltd, GroupM Argentina Trading S.A., GroupM B.V., GroupM Chile SAC, GroupM Competence Center GmbH, GroupM Denmark A/S, GroupM Japan KK, GroupM Limited, GroupM Market Advertising Co. Ltd., GroupM Media India Pvt Ltd, GroupM Pakistan (Private) Ltd, GroupM Singapore Pte Ltd, GroupM Srl, GroupM UK Digital Limited, Guangzhou Dawson Marketing Communication Co. Ltd, H-ART, HERING SCHUPPENER Consulting Strategieberatung fur Kommunikation GmbH, HeathWallace, Hill & Knowlton Limited, Hill and Knowlton Strategies LLC, Hirschen Group GmbH, Hogarth California LLC, Hogarth Worldwide Inc., Hogarth Worldwide Limited, Icon Brand Navigation Group, IntelliQuest Information Group Inc, International Meetings & Science LLC, J Walter Thompson Middle East and North Africa E.C., J Walter Thompson Publicidade Ltda, J.Walter Thompson Bridge Advertising Co. Ltd., John Street Inc., KBM Group LLC, KR Media UK Limited, KR Wavemaker SAS, Kantar TNS, Kinetic Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Kinetic Worldwide Limited, LLC GroupM, LLC Wavemaker, Landor LLC, M Media Group Pty Ltd, M2 Digital Inc., Marketeers Vietnam, Marketing Direct LLC, Marketing Perspectives Limited, Mather Direct GmbH, Maxus Communications (UK) Limited, Media Club SpA, Media Insight SNC, MediaCom - Warszawa Sp.z.o.o., MediaCom AS (Norway), MediaCom Agentur fur Media-Beratung GmbH, MediaCom Communications Pvt Ltd, MediaCom Danmark A/S, MediaCom Group Limited, MediaCom Istanbul Medya Hizmetleri A.S., MediaCom TWENTYFIVE GmbH, Mediacom AG, Mediacom Australia Pty Limited, Mediacom Canada, Mediacom Iberia SA, Mediacom Italia Srl, Mediacom LLC, Mediacom Middle East & North Africa Holding W.L.L., Mediacom North Limited, Mediacom Paris SA, Mediacom Worldwide LLC, Mediaedge:CIA Worldwide Limited, Mediaedge:cia India Pvt Ltd, Medialets, Memac Ogilvy & Mather Holding Inc, Mind Share Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., MindShare Canada, MindShare GmbH, MindShare Hong Kong Limited, MindShare Polska Sp. z.o.o., Mindshare Media UK Limited, Mindshare SA, Mindshare South Africa (Gauteng) (Proprietary) Limited, Mindshare SpA, Mindshare Spain SA, Mindshare USA LLC, Mirum LLC, Mirum S.A. de C.V., Motion Content Group Limited, OPR AGENCY PTY LIMITED, Ogilvy & Mather Brasil Comunicacao Ltda, Ogilvy & Mather Group (Holdings) Limited, Ogilvy & Mather Pvt Ltd, Ogilvy & Mather S.A.S, Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide LLC, Ogilvy Australia Pty Ltd, Ogilvy Commonhealth Worldwide LLC, Ogilvy Public Relations GmbH, Ogilvy Singapore Pte. Ltd., Ootworld, OpenMindWorld LLC, P Four Consultancy, PTR Comunicacoes Ltda, Penn Schoen & Berland Associates LLC, Penn Schoen Berland, Pep LLC, Plano.Trio Comunicacao, Potato London Ltd, Premiere Group Holdings Limited, Prism Sport + Entertainment, Promotion Execution Partners LLC, Public Strategies Inc., Quasar Media Private, Quinn Gillespie & Associates, Quirk, RLM Finsbury, Rasor Holdings LLC, Ray + Keshavan Design Associates, Real Media, Red Fuse New York LLC, Regional Management Group SAS, Russell Square Holding BV, Salmon Limited, Salmon Ltd, Sandtable, Scangroup, Set Management LLC, Shanghai Easycom Advertising Co. Ltd., Shanghai Linjie Marketing Services Co. Ltd., Shanghai Ogilvy & Mather Advertising Ltd, Shire Hall Group, Spafax Airline Network Limited, Spafax Networks LLC, Stickleback Limited, Sudler & Hennessey LLC, Superunion Limited, Swift + POSSIBLE LLC, Syzygy AG, TMARC, Taxi, Taxi Inc., Team Garage LLC, The Brand Union, The Cocktail Global S.L., The Finsbury Group Limited, The Glover Park Group, The Glover Park Group LLC, The GroupM ESP Clever Company S.R.L. de C.V., The Lacek Group LLC, The Marketing & Communication Agency, The Ogilvy Group LLC, The Performers Group, The Young & Rubicam Group of Companies ULC, Triad Digital Media LLC, Twist Image, Two Circles, VML LLC, VMLY&R, WPP (Thailand) Ltd, WPP 2005 Limited, WPP AMC Holdings, WPP AUNZ, WPP Beans Limited, WPP Brands (UK) Limited, WPP Brands Development Holdings (UK) Limited, WPP Brands Holdings (UK) Limited, WPP Deutschland Holding GmbH & Co. KG, WPP Finance 2013, WPP Finance 2015 Limited, WPP Finance Co. Limited, WPP Finance SA, WPP Group (UK) Ltd, WPP Group Canada Finance Inc., WPP Group U.S. Finance LLC, WPP Group USA Inc., WPP Health Limited, WPP Holdings Spain S.L., WPP Jubilee Limited, WPP Luxembourg Gamma Three Sarl, WPP Luxembourg Sarl, WPP Luxembourg Turris S.a r.l., WPP Marketing Communications (Hong Kong) Limited, WPP Marketing Communications Germany GmbH, WPP Media Ltd, WPP Montagu Square LLC, WPP Mexico S.R.L. de C.V., WPP Ottawa Ltd, WPP Samson Limited, WPP Sigma Limited, WPP Sphinx Limited, WPP Square one B.V, WPP UK Germany Holdings, WPP Unicorn Limited, WPPIH 2001 Inc., Warwicks, Wavemaker A/S, Wavemaker Australia Pty Ltd, Wavemaker BV, Wavemaker Canada ULC, Wavemaker Czech s.r.o., Wavemaker Global LLC, Wavemaker Global Limited, Wavemaker GmbH, Wavemaker Hong Kong Limited, Wavemaker Hungary Kft, Wavemaker Italia S.r.l., Wavemaker Limited, Wavemaker MENA FZ LLC, Wavemaker Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Wavemaker Publicidad Spain S.L., Wavemaker Sp.z.o.o, Wavemaker Taiwan Ltd, Wavemaker Servicos Publicitarios Ltda, Who Digital, Witgoud Investments B.V., Worldwide Mediacom Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., Wunderman A/S, Wunderman Thompson (UK) Limited, Wunderman Thompson LLC, XMKT Group, Xaxis LLC, Xaxis US LLC, Y&R Propaganda Ltda, Young & Rubicam, Young & Rubicam LLC, clarus digital, dBOD, groupm Germany GmbH & Co. KG, mPlatform LLC, plista GmbH, thjnk, and thjnk AG. Read More A new state grant will allow high school students to earn college credit in health care, hospitality and cybersecurity. Gov. Terry McAuliffes office has allocated about $130,000 to Piedmont Virginia Community College and the Charlottesville-Albemarle Technical Education Center as part of the states Affordable Pathways grants, which are awarded to any program that eases the transition from high school to college. The grant will serve a cohort of 60 students in the first year, said Leigh-Anne Lawrence, a spokeswoman for PVCC, and is expected to save each student about $1,200 on their postsecondary education. The new local program will be modeled after the dual enrollment courses currently offered at Charlottesville-area high schools but will incorporate embedded industry certifications and stackable credentials, said Adam Hastings, PVCCs dean of business, mathematics and technologies. Ultimately, we hope to create and expand pathways for more students to access quality education and training in a shared high school to community college pathway at CATEC and PVCC, Hastings said in an email on Tuesday. The joint effort by PVCC and CATEC is one of five programs to receive Affordable Pathways funding. The programs are expected to save students an average of $10,600 toward their degrees or credentials, according to a statement sent Tuesday from McAuliffes office. They will save an estimated $4.3 million for the first cohort of students, according to the statement. The State Council for Higher Education in Virginia will administer the grants. SCHEV is accepting a second round of grants and entries that are due by Dec. 15. More information on Affordable Pathways is available at schev.edu. DANVILLE Rep.-elect Tom Garrett, R-5th, says hes excited to help both businesses in the region and students saddled by massive loan debts. Garrett who will replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Robert Hurt after winning in November against Democrat Jane Dittmar said he had spent the past two weeks attending orientation meetings in Washington. During that time, Garrett said he presented a plan to revamp both student loans and Social Security to Rep. Luke Messer, R-Indiana, the House Republican Policy Committee chairman. Called Student Security, the plan would allow students to defer years of Social Security payments in order to forgive thousands in student debt. With national student debt close to $1.5 trillion, Garrett said students are being crippled financially and are unable to significantly contribute to the U.S. economy. It would make Social Security viable forever, Garrett said. Garretts proposal is based on a plan from Albemarle County Republican Committee Chairman Elliot Harding. Garrett also said he was looking forward to working with President-elect Donald Trump and others in Congress to reduce federal regulation of local businesses. Garrett said many executive actions could be taken to help these businesses. We can start to roll back that regulatory burden literally Jan. 21, Garrett said. Garrett said he plans to keep a legislative office open in either Danville or Pittsylvania County. Currently, Hurt operates a Danville office. Garrett also praised Lynchburg lawyer Mark Peake, who was recently chosen as the GOP nominee to replace Garrett in the 22nd Senate District. Peakes Democratic opponent is former Fluvanna County Sherriff Ryant Washington, who is now a special policy adviser for the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. RICHMOND Explosions, machine gun fire and shouts of air raid roused Pvt. William Hoagland Jr. from his bunk at Hickam Field, Hawaii, shortly before 8 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941. After some frantic misstarts, Hoagland, then 19, dashed from his barracks where dozens were killed at breakfast into the violent pandemonium outside that would change his life, his country and the world. The now-94-year-old Ashland resident was decorated for his performance under fire that day, when the U.S. Army Air Corps base and adjacent Pearl Harbor naval base came under surprise attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy. The shrapnel went right through the wall lockers and cut our uniforms right in half. Half of them were hanging, and the other half was on the floor, he recalled. Little planes, flying all over the damn place. You could hear them and so you would kind of dive, if you were outside somewhere, to try and get out of the line of fire if you could. It was more like an earthquake you didnt know what to do, Hoagland said of his first taste of a war that would continue for the next four years. * * * Hours later, about 4,400 miles to the east, Bruce Heilman was toting a pail of milk on a dairy farm when he got the news. Well, my first thought was, I sure am glad they didnt attack the United States. Im just a Kentucky boy. I had not the slightest idea where Pearl Harbor was. I was about 15 years old at the time, he said. From that day forward I wanted to get to be 17 years old so I could join the Marine Corps and get in the mix. The war was still going on by the time I turned 17, and I left like hundreds of thousands of other young farm boys and city boys and all kinds of youngsters who wanted to become heroes. And we did, said Heilman, 90. Now a retired president and chancellor of the University of Richmond, Heilman recently reflected on the significance of that day 75 years ago that brought the U.S. into World War II, and a date that continues to hold a place in the American psyche. For one thing, he said, It was the last war that we clearly won. Its down in black and white: We defeated the dictators from all over the world, and the war ended. So it was distinctive in that regard. It also was, for different people, very different in a variety of ways. My mother had three sons in World War II, and we all came home after the war. None of us were killed. None of us were seriously injured, even though my older brother was in the Marine Corps when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Before the conflict was over, about 16 million men and women served in the U.S. armed forces. The war changed them, and with so many young people taken out of a population of just 130 million, the war also changed those who stayed behind. Among other things, the mothers, sisters, wives and daughters of servicemen took over jobs traditionally occupied by men on the home front. Thats when women were liberated, Heilman said. And thanks to the GI Bill, after the war millions of servicemen and women who otherwise might not have gone to college were able to do so. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, by 1956, about 7.8 million World War II veterans had participated in an education or training program. That more highly educated population also helped to transform the country. None of that was on the minds of Hoagland and Heilman three quarters of a century ago. * * * Hickam Field was under attack from the air by Japanese Zero fighters and dive bombers intent on discouraging any U.S. aerial interference with the attack on the American fleet moored at Pearl Harbor and to prevent U.S. aircraft from attacking the Japanese aircraft carriers from which the attacking forces were launched. Hoaglands barracks, which accommodated about 3,200 men, was almost brand new. After jumping out of his bunk, he saw from a window a bomb hit a hangar. U.S. aircraft parked on the flight line were being shot up and bombed. I ran downstairs I was on the third floor I ran downstairs and realized I didnt have any clothes. So I ran up (in shorts) and crawled along the wall. By then, some of the shrapnel was going on through the windows, but it wasnt hurting anything except going straight on through and maybe setting a mattress on fire, he said. I got my clothes and ran downstairs and put em on and saw I had two left shoes. He went back upstairs for his shoes, got them and raced back down. He said he felt ill and thought the enemy might be dropping poison gas. So he made another trip upstairs for his gas mask but was driven back by the smoke. I went on downstairs. I ran in to two other fellows in my outfit, senior sergeants. He said they came up with a plan. Hoagland said, They were strafing from the parade ground, which was the Honolulu side, and the other side was pretty well protected. We had our telephone trucks back there. We said, Lets sneak out there, get in our trucks and go on up to the telephone exchange. Thats where well be needed. He was assigned to guard an entrance to the facility. The telephone exchange had been reinforced with concrete. My commander, who was a captain, came out of the door of the office of the exchange and we could hear a train of three bombs coming, and after the second one I dove on the floor and he dove on top of me, and a bomb went off right outside and raised us up off the floor. That bomb, he said, cut telephone cables to the other communication centers. And it knocked off all the little dial systems in the center, he said. So our communications was completely gone. He and his comrades began stringing tactical telephone line to restore communications as bombs fell and the field was being strafed a job that at one point had to be redone because bulldozers rushing to repair runways overran and cut the wires. Hoagland said that once the air attacks ended, there was a new concern: We were afraid that they were going to land troops, and that was what had us afraid more than anything. We had no guns on the air base, so that did worry us. We were so unprepared. We were using equipment from World War I. All the packs, the leggings, everything, was all the same as World War I, all that stuff. Its a shame that we never were able to update things, but you know we went through the Depression and all that, and that was the reason. * * * Today, Hickam is an active Air Force base but also a national historic landmark. According to the National Park Service, on Dec. 7, 1941, Hoaglands barracks was strafed and bombed repeatedly, and 35 men were killed when a bomb hit the mess hall that morning. Hickams casualties totaled 121 men killed, 274 wounded and 37 missing. There was no invasion and after the attack, Hoagland and others in his unit were given a citation by the base commanding officer that read in part: During the aerial bombing and machine gun attack on Hickam Field by the Japanese, you performed your assigned duties in a highly commendable manner, and much credit is due you for your work in repairing damage done to the automatic telephone equipment and setting up field wire circuits to replace those destroyed in the initial attack. You performed these tasks in the face of enemy bombardment and with complete disregard of personal safety. Hoagland later became a navigator/bombardier on B-25 bombers. When the war ended, he was flying missions out of the Philippine Islands against the Japanese in what then was called Formosa, now Taiwan. At one point, when his unit was traveling by ship from one island to another, his boat was escorted by a destroyer on which his younger brother, Harold, was serving. One of his final air missions might have been his last, when much of the rear of his B-25 was cut off by a propeller of another bomber during an abrupt maneuver over the target. But he made it back to the base safely. After the war, Hoagland remained in what became the U.S. Air Force for 30 years. He retired in 1970 as a chief master sergeant. In the 1960s, he was stationed at Hickam Field again. He had a family and took them along to Hawaii. The same building I was bombed in was the headquarters. I couldnt believe it, he said. * * * Heilman said, Our father was a tenant farmer. He was running a dairy of about 40 cows, and I and my younger brother were working just like farmhands along with him. We were milking those cows ... on Dec. 7. I walked out of the barn with a bucket of milk to put it in the cooler to be shipped, and the owner of the farm, a 500-acre farm, walked into the milk house and said, The Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor. Heilman joined the U.S. Marine Corps in early 1944. It was an adventure for us, he said. We didnt think we were going off to get killed. But a lot got killed. Among other action, Heilman fought at Okinawa in the Pacific. We were 18 and 19 years old. Most of those battles were won by 18- and 19-year-old kids. We dont think of that today, but it was true and they were the ones who had the idea of adventure and they were going to be heroes. He attained the rank of sergeant when he was 20. I was more proud of myself as a sergeant in the Marine Corps than I ever have been as a university president, he said. The military is the best education I think anybody can have. It really broadens you, and you learn about things youd never learn anywhere else. The Dec. 7 attack 75 years ago pushed the U.S. into World War II and was the key event in the lives of many Americans. It had a lot to do with who we became. It had more to do with what I have become than any other one thing, he said. There is no possible defense for the outrageous tweets from Charlottesville Vice Mayor Wes Bellamy, who has been named to and since resigned from the State Board of Education. But then Bellamy isnt making one. The tweets are variously racist, homophobic and sexist and, in one instance, seem to condone rape. Todd Gilbert, a member of the House of Delegates, is correct to note that Republicans are often crucified for less. At the same time, the suggestion that the tweets disqualify Bellamy from public service or even his job with the Albemarle County school system, which has placed him on administrative leave while it looks into the issue goes too far. To begin with, the tweets date back several years. That sets them apart from other instances in which GOP officials have used email or social media to share racist images of President Obama and his wife or making racially charged comments about black protesters. People need not pretend that Bellamy never wrote what he did, but perhaps some sort of statute of limitations is in order. Second, Bellamy has issued a thoughtful apology. 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, he 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. That statement could not be more different from the responses of other offenders. When Wally Hudson, the chairman of the Mecklenburg GOP, caught heck for posting images of Obama as a witch doctor and street thug four years ago, he blamed his critics for playing the race card. Anyone who was offended, he said, was just not human. John Whitbeck, another local GOP chairman, initially blamed liberal activists for alleged outrage over his telling of an anti-Semitic joke. Only later did he offer a semi-apology in which he characterized the joke as a lighthearted attempt at humor to which some have taken offense. And while Richmonds own Joe Morrissey, a Democrat, has no record of bigotry, he also has shown precious little remorse over his decades-long record of poor choices. Bellamys contrite statement not only speaks of personal growth, but demonstrates it. Far from being a bad example to schoolchildren, he is a good one: a person who, when he does something wrong, confesses the fault and indicates a desire to change. His resignation from the Board of Education shows a willingness to insulate important institutions from his own shortcomings. Politicians from George W. Bush to Terry McAuliffe have said, correctly, that America is a land of second chances. The young man from Charlottesville deserves one. Richmond Times-Dispatch Wes Bellamys past has caught up with him and may drastically affect his future. Mr. Bellamy is on administrative leave from his position as a computer science teacher at Albemarle High School after a blogger blasted old tweets and retweets Mr. Bellamy had posted that contained racist, sexist and homophobic themes. Mr. Bellamy is also a Charlottesville city councilor, which raises a whole different set of related issues. Those we will address in a separate context. But for now, with a decision on his employment possibly imminent, it is appropriate to address his position in the public school system. We will ask readers to accept ambiguities and accommodate complexities. The Bellamy case is not one that can be narrowed down to an easy simplicity of right or wrong just because we wish for that kind of convenience. Mr. Bellamy has issued a moving apology that must be taken into serious consideration. As we said about the recent (and peripherally related) case of University of Virginia lecturer Doug Muir, who faced backlash over a Facebook post that was widely considered racist, a sincere apology can go a long way toward mitigating offenses. Here are some additional issues the Albemarle County School Board must address in Mr. Bellamys case: When, if ever, is it appropriate to punish someone for exercising free speech? As we said in the Muir incident, the comments made on social media were offensive, ill-considered, and downright stupid. Critics are right to demand better from Mr. Bellamy not only an apology, but also a change of heart and of behavior. But this is in part a First Amendment issue. If we can be punished for speaking our minds, however offensively, then we are all at risk no matter what our viewpoints might be and no matter how strongly we might express them. When, if ever, is it appropriate to impose employment sanctions for private actions taken outside the job? The board must deterine whether Mr. Bellamy is spreading racist, sexist and homophobic messages in the classroom. If that can be shown, then he should be relieved of his position. But if not, then the board must avoid succumbing to a witch-hunt mentality that might sacrifice the long-term public good to the immediate expediency of pacifying critics. There are cases where private actions are so egregious that they must be held, prima facie, to tarnish public actions. But determining which such cases are legitimate requires weighing each on its merits. And this is where wisdom and judgment are needed, in order to judge mitigating circumstances and shades of gray. Mr. Bellamy shares some similarities with other men and women who have faced criticism for words or actions that are not the full measure of who they are or what they have accomplished. And, ironically, he shares this position with some of those he himself has criticized. We have said before, in cases ranging from the effort to remove the statue of Robert E. Lee from a city park, to the petition to limit Thomas Jeffersons words at the University of Virginia, and even to the fall from grace of UVa lecturer Muir: We should not judge others based on narrow, single-issue biases. Not one of us is free of error; each of us should have the good we have done weighed against the mistakes. We now say that about Mr. Bellamy. Mr. Bellamy has worked tirelessly with black youth, especially young men, to mentor them toward better lives. He has sought to instill concepts of responsibility and the drive to achievement. He has become a role model to many black youth, a symbol of what can be accomplished with perseverance, hard work and hope. Of course, we must make sure that attitudes of racism, sexism and homophobia are no longer part of his repertoire. But if we crush him, we also risk crushing the hopes and dreams of the young people who look up to him. We risk reinforcing any damaging stereotypes that they might hold about whether they can succeed. If they interpret this incident as evidence that its impossible to be forgiven for error, impossible to grow and mature, impossible to rise above their circumstances, then we do a vast disservice to our young people. Mr. Bellamy must serve as a role model yet again. This time he must show his critics and the community at large not just with an apology but with actions that he is a wiser man who has learned from his mistakes and has changed his behaviors. If he can achieve that, he will have given the community one of the most meaningful gifts possible at this season of giving. Radford University placed four fraternities on interim suspension Monday after investigating claims a juvenile goat had been abused. School officials sanctioned Delta Chi, Sigma Pi, Lamda Phi and Alpha Sigma Phi after consulting the chapters national offices and interviewing witnesses who had come in contact with the goat. The animals whereabouts remained a mystery to Radford City Police as of press time. Authorities have been searching for the goat for days, city spokeswoman Jenni Wilder wrote in an email. No one has been charged with a crime. The investigation follows an internet uproar that appears to have stemmed from a post via the Goats of Anarchy Instagram account. It referred over the weekend to abuse of the goat but didnt name the fraternities, prompting a flurry of tips to the university and city officials. Details on the abuse allegations were unavailable. City zoning rules restrict where farm animals can go but do not outlaw them. Animals cannot roam free, and if they are tethered, they cannot enter a public place such as a street or sidewalk. Animals are barred from Radford Universitys campus unless they are service animals. Radford fraternity houses are located off campus and arent subject to campus housing rules. An online petition, started by a woman who appears to live outside Virginia and signed by many people outside the state, calls for the goat to be freed. Titled Free the Radford Frat goat, the petition alleges, It is highly suspected that the goat is being raised by pledges in order for them to then kill it as initiation into the fraternity. The petitioner offered no evidence for the claim. The petition included more than 400 signatures Monday evening and said the owner of the Goats of Anarchy Instagram account would adopt and care for the goat. The account is tied to a New Jersey-based nonprofit group of the same name that rescues and rehabilitates goats with special needs. Goats of Anarchy has claimed to have adopted an abused goat in the past. When a group of Fayetteville, Arkansas, high schoolers allegedly used a goats horn to open a canned beverage, Goats of Anarchy posted that it had rescued the animal, according to a report from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Attempts on Monday to reach the person in charge of the account were unsuccessful. The suspended fraternities may not hold any events, this includes but is not limited to meetings, social events (on or off campus), and any events that a reasonable person would consider a chapter event, according to a university statement. The same statement seeks tips from the public about the goats whereabouts: Anyone with information regarding the location or condition of the animal, or facts regarding the alleged mistreatment, is asked to contact RUPD at 540-831-5500 or the RUPD Crimestoppers Anonymous Tip Line: 540-831-STOP (7867). Richard Settle "Coon", 58, of Richardsville, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, December 1, 2016, at his home.He is the son of Anne Settle and the late William A. Settle of Culpeper, Virginia.He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Myra Settle; and four children, Richard Settle Jr., (Allen), Amy Settle, Kelley Settle, and Kristen Settle. He also leaves behind six grand-children.Mr. Settle worked in the landscaping business for many many years. He loved the out-doors and keeping busy.All funeral services will be held at Horizon Funeral Home, 750 Old Brandy, Culpeper, VA 22701. The viewing will be held from 6 until 8 p.m.on Friday, December 9, 2016. A visitation service will start at 11 a.m.and a funeral service will start at 12 p.m.on Saturday, December 10, 2016. Keith Ellison seemed to be on cruise control in his campaign to be the next head of the Democratic National Committee. The Minnesota Democrat had won endorsements from Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Chuck Schumer for the job and had emerged as the liberal favorite in a party that has become increasingly controlled by its progressive wing in recent years. Then this week his past came back to haunt him. Ellison has a long history of controversial remarks, many of which he has disavowed. Like the time he compared George W. Bush to Hitler. Or his defense of the Nation of Islam. Or calling his 2012 opponent a low-life scumbag. But, this week another Ellison controversy emergedand this from the much-more-recent past. In 2010, Ellison gave a speech at a fundraiser hosted by a past president of the Muslim-American Society. In it, he says he wants the U.S. to be friends with Israel but adds: We cant allow another country to treat us like were their ATM. Then Ellison said this: The United States foreign policy in the Middle East is governed by what is good or bad through a country of 7 million people. A region of 350 million all turns on a country of 7 million. Does that make sense? Is that logic? Right? When the Americans who trace their roots back to those 350 million get involved, everything changes. The Anti-Defamation League quickly condemned those views as both deeply disturbing and disqualifying. Haim Saban, a massive Democratic donor who is Israeli-American, said Friday that Ellison was clearly an anti-Semite and anti-Israel individual, adding that the Minnesota congressman as DNC Chair would be a disaster for the relationship between the Jewish community and the Democratic Party. Strong wordsparticularly when you consider that the Jewish community is not only one of the most reliable voting blocs in the the Democratic base but also one of the partys disproportionately large fundraising sources. What remains to be seen is whether anyone else will fill the void created by Ellisons stumbles. Former DNC Chair Howard Dean ended his candidacy on Friday, leaving only Ellison, South Carolina state party chair Jaime Harrison and New Hampshire Democratic party chair Ray Buckley in the race. If the field stays as it is, Ellison would have a major edge due to his high profile support from liberals and name recognition. (Neither Harrison nor Buckley are at all well known outside of their home states.) But, after a week like this one, you can be sure there is considerable talk among Washington Democratic poobahs aimed at finding a less controversial liberal to chair the DNC. Labor Secretary Tom Perez is the most often mentioned as that candidate. No matter what happens, Ellison is in for a far rockier road than he likely imagined when he entered the race just a few weeks ago. And, even if he does ascend to the DNC chairmanship, there will likely be a decent-sized chunk of Democratic voters and donors who are none too happy about it. Keith Ellison, for learning that the past isnt dead, it isnt even past, you had the Worst Week in Washington. Congrats, or something. If Fidel Castro had gotten his way, much of the world would have been in radioactive ruins today. Its not, due largely to John Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev having cooler heads than the people who were advising them during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. When U.S. intelligence discovered the Soviets were building missile bases just 90 miles off our shores, the joint chiefs of staff urged a full-scale invasion of Cuba. They were gambling that the Soviet Union would not respond. That seemed to Kennedy to be a risky game of nuclear poker. Given six options, he went with the sixth one: Blockade the islandexcept he called it a quarantine because a blockade is an act of war. Same thing, just a different, less inflammatory word. For his part, Khrushchev ignored Castro. At the height of the crisis, Castro wrote the Soviet leader a letter in which he urged the Soviets to launch a nuclear strike on the United States. Castro warned that an American invasion was imminentperhaps within the next 24 hours. If such an invasion came, Castro advised, he hoped the Soviets would launch a nuclear attack. The Soviet Union must never allow circumstances in which the imperialists could carry out a nuclear first strike against it, Castro wrote. If the United States dared attack Cuba, he said, that would be the moment to eliminate this danger forever, in an act of the most legitimate self-defense. Khrushchev was volatile in many ways but he wasnt suicidal. Fortunately, he and Kennedy found a way to back the two superpowers away from the brink of nuclear war. Now, more than five decades later, can a President Trump be as savvy and nuanced as Kennedy and his rival when it comes to trade? President Obama has moved to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba and loosen certain restrictions on trade, but technically, the American embargo on Cuba remains in force. Should it? The argument for: Cuba remains a dictatorship, just under a different Castro. We shouldnt reward that. The argument against: We have nearly 60 years of evidence that the embargo hasnt achieved its goal, so perhaps we should try something different. Why not invade Cuba with our most powerful weaponthe American economy? Perhaps that would prop up the regime, as some say. Or perhaps it would undermine Cuban communism. We really dont know. We just know two things: One, a hard-line embargo didnt work. And a softened embargo hasnt. And two, even under current restrictions, Virginia sells $42 million worth of agricultural products to Cuba each year, and given Cubas proximity, theres clearly opportunity to sell more. President-elect Trump has made noises about rolling back the current trade with Cuba. If Trump can instead use trade to muscle Cuba closer to democracy, then he will have employed a savvy negotiating tactic that Kennedy would have admiredand achieved a goal that every American president since has sought and failed. However, if all he succeeds in doing is shutting off a growing market for American productsone that benefits Virginia farmers who likely voted strong for Trumpthen he will have blundered badly. Thats not exactly on the same scale as nuclear brinksmanship, of course. But because Kennedy ignored his generals and Khrushchev ignored Castro, we have the luxury of worrying about soybean farmers. A few months ago, I launched a new project with the Montpelier Foundation that has already opened some very interesting doors and shed fascinating light on folks from Culpeper. In 1834, struggling under the weight of considerable debt, former President James Madison agreed to sell 16 enslaved Virginians to a man named William Taylor. Taylor was pursuing the popular economic venture of the period, a sugar plantation in Louisiana. Research has informed us that Taylor actually owned two plantations along the Mississippi, the other one engaged in cotton production. William Taylor was born in Orange County in 1783 to Edmund Taylor and Sarah Stubbs. Ambrose Madison, the grandfather of President James Madison, was married to Frances Taylor (1700-1761). Frances was an aunt to Edmund Taylor, Williams father and the sister of Zachary Taylor, the grandfather of President Zachary Taylor. All that is to say that James Madison and William Taylor were cousins, a fact that presumably made the sale of the 16 individuals more palatable, at least to Mr. Madison. An interesting note to me personally is William Taylors wife. In October of 1834 in the city of Fredericksburg, Taylor (51 years old) married Lucy Lewis Thom, who was born about 1809 at Berry Hill in Culpeper County. Mr. and Mrs. William Taylor arrived at their new home in Pointe Coupee Parish, La., by Nov. 26 of the same year. I am now engaged in trying to learn more about the 16 who were relocated to one of these plantations in Louisiana with the goal of finding a living descendant! To say the least, it is an extraordinary challenge but well worth the pursuit. We have no surnames and only one given name: Betty. Not much to go on! Our best effort is to study as much as possible of William and Lucy Taylor. We have discovered a diary written by William Taylor and letters written to Lucy from Culpeper, specifically from her sister, Elizabeth Mayo Ross, of Bel Pre. The letters not being written by Lucy offer little information about the Taylors activities in Louisiana, except where the writer references an earlier letter from Lucy. The bulk of the content is about friends, family and neighbors in Culpeper. William died in September 1850, leaving Lucy to manage the properties and a considerable number of slaves. Newspaper advertisements for the sale of the sugar plantation published in the Times Picayune prior to Taylors death indicate possible financial difficulties. A letter to Lucy while in New Orleans in 1857 speaks of an ongoing financial situation involving lawyers. The next letter written in 1858 is addressed to Mrs. Lucy Lewis Taylor in Paris, France. Perhaps, she finally resolved the troublesome issues. William and Lucy Taylor had no children. William died while convalescing in Estill County, Ky., and was buried in the family plot in Franklin County, Ky. Lucy died in January 1864 and was buried beside family members at the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond. There are many leads yet to be explored in the Point Coupee Parish courthouse, in the hope of finding names of the 16 sold to Louisiana. Until next week, be well. For the 13th year, our early December column in The Telegram will discuss workforce development. Kara Asmus is the coordinator of the Drive for Five talent initiative. Today, she will give you an update on what shes been doing the last 12 months. I think, as you read this, youll find that shes been busy. I think its clear that she is getting a lot accomplished with the collaboration of all these partners. This is critical work, to be sure, and Im proud to say our Chamber and our community are really thought-leaders statewide in this arena. -- K.C. Belitz, Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce president Drive for Five has now been active for a decade, connecting talented individuals with the many job opportunities available in Columbus. Weve shared information about available jobs, quality of life in Columbus, and the many amenities that are available here in our community. Twenty-six recruiting trips were taken this year to career fairs in Nebraska, South Dakota, Missouri, Kansas and Iowa. We continued in our effort to attract our nations veterans, helping them find employment after their years of service to our country. Our online reach is growing through the Drive for Fives website, workincolumbus.com, as well as through our Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages. Over 430 job seekers shared their resume with us in 2016. Those resumes were distributed to our Drive for Five partners and to employers who might have had an interest in their skill sets. The Drive for Five has been able to have a direct, face-to-face connection with over 1,520 legitimately interested job seekers through these methods of engagement, and we have told the story of opportunity to thousands of others who may one day decide to call Columbus their home. Connecting with individuals who have moved away from the community was another area of attention. Communication pieces are sent to alumni of our local school systems sharing the word of job opportunities, community information and success stories from the alumni who have returned. Local summer interns were able to get a better look at Columbus during our Summer Intern Networking Series. Three events were held during their stay in our community. These events served to help them meet other individuals in a similar situation as themselves and acquainted them with all our community has to offer if they choose to locate here permanently. Partnerships between our schools and businesses have been a critical component and major focus for the Drive for Five. Career awareness and readiness programs were hosted for Columbus Public, Lakeview Community and Scotus Central Catholic students. Various school/business partnership programs included College Week, Bank in Schools, Vehicle Day, Reality 101, Industry in Education, Education in Industry, and visits to schools from the "Dream It, Do It" Dream Team. These programs expose students to careers in Columbus and prepare our students with the skills and information they will need to be career-ready. Finally, training events were offered to employers to improve their skills as supervisors which will create an environment employees will want to stay in. Drive for Five efforts at recruitment, retention and readiness have had a positive impact in growing our regions pool of talent. Thanks to these partners, the Drive for Five can seek solutions and implement strategies to facilitate growth in our communitys labor force: ADM, Aegis Therapies, ARL Credit Services, Associated Staffing, BD Medical Systems and BD Pharmaceutical Systems, Behlen Mfg. Co., Black Hills Energy, Cargill Meat Solutions and Cargill Cooked Turkey and Cooked Meats, City of Columbus, Columbus Community Hospital, Columbus Hydraulics, Columbus Public Schools, Columbus United Federal Credit Union, Cornhusker Public Power District, Duo-Lift Manufacturing Company, FLEXcon Company, HOME Real Estate, John Crane-Orion, Lakeview Community Schools, Loup Public Power District, Pillen Family Farms, Pinnacle Bank, Platte County, Preferred Sands of Genoa, Samson, LLC and Ramada, Thrivent Financial Services, and Valmont Industries. Detention Center The inmate count at the Platte County Detention Facility Tuesday was 77, with 49 from Platte County and 28 from out of county. Police Nov. 24 9:53 a.m. In the 2200 block of 34th Street, an unknown vehicle struck a parked vehicle owned by Cheryl Cody, 2205 34th St., and left the scene. Dec. 2 8:22 a.m. At the intersection of 18th Avenue and 16th Street, traffic accident. Drivers were Dalton Taylor, 18, 4747 63rd St., and Sandra Olsan, 54, 1419 Eighth St. 3:51 p.m. In the 2900 block of 23rd Street, a vehicle driven by Tina Weldon, 44, 2610 25th St., struck an unknown vehicle. The unknown vehicle left the scene. 5:07 p.m. At the intersection of East 23rd Street and the 600 block of East Sixth Avenue, driver Sara Gerou, 30, 3016 16th St., had diabetic reaction, lost control and struck a vehicle driven by Melinda Slegl, 45, 3734 Willow St. 5:20 p.m. In the 2400 block of 17th Street, traffic accident. Drivers were Faida Musungay, 33, 3804 12th St., and Amy Hespen, 40, 4125 Goedeken St. Dec. 3 8:33 a.m. In the 2700 block of Pershing Road, traffic accident. Drivers were Anthony Weiland, 55, 458 13th Ave., and John Iossi, 70, 3383 36th Ave. 11:08 a.m. At the intersection of 33rd Avenue and 14th Street, traffic accident. Drivers were Alan Imhof, 52, 2403 32nd St., and Barbara Siedlik, 63, 1171 13th Ave. 11:27 a.m. At the intersection of 33rd Avenue and 23rd Street, traffic accident. Drivers were Samantha Trampe, 19, Kearney, and Aurora Espino, 42, 1735 Woodland Drive. 12:02 p.m. In the 2200 block of East Sixth Avenue, traffic accident. Drivers were Shane Svoboda, 33, Rogers, and Jennifer Wieck, 44, Genoa. 1:20 p.m. At the intersection of Pershing Road and 23rd Street, traffic accident. Drivers were Riley Roddy, 17, 1753 18th Ave., and Juan Barrios, 28, 453 24th Ave. Dec. 4 8:28 a.m. In the 1500 block of Eighth Street, a vehicle driven by Abel Veliz, 37, 1674 41st Ave., lost control and rolled into a yard at 1604 Eighth St. Sheriff Dec. 5 9:30 a.m. Traffic violation southbound on U.S. Highway 81 at the intersection with 430th Street, William Waldner of Norfolk was jailed on a Madison County warrant. 10:05 a.m. Theft at 659 So. 33rd Ave., fence, ramps and pipes stolen, $500 loss. 4:10 p.m. Wanted person at the Platte County Detention Facility, 1125 E. 17th St., Jose Martinez-Estrada turned self in on a Platte County warrant. Fire Dec. 5 1:56 p.m. In the 2400 block of 15th Street, medical. 3:12 p.m. In the 4300 block of 41st Avenue, medical. 8:44 p.m. - Silent fire alarm activated at Central Community College-Columbus, cancelled en route. 1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war. 2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war. 3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength. 4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war. 5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites. 6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination. 7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N. 8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N. 9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress. 10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N. 11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.) 12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party. 13. Do away with all loyalty oaths. 14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office. 15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States. 16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights. 17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks. 18. Gain control of all student newspapers. 19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack. 20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions. 21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures. 22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms." 23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art." 24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press. 25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV. 26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy." 27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch." 28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state." 29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis. 30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man." 31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over. 32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc. 33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus. 34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities. 35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI. 36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions. 37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business. 38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand. 39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals. 40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce. 41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents. 42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems. 43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government. 44. Internationalize the Panama Canal. 45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike. Half of All Buddy Card Sales to Be Contributed to The Dayton Foodbank LaRosas Family Pizzeria, with a strong heritage of community support is once again focusing its holiday efforts on helping The Foodbank in the Miami Valley. Launching on November 21, LaRosas will donate $5 from the sale of every $10 Buddy Card to The Foodbank. The Foodbank provides emergency food for 70,000 people a year. 40% of those people are children. We believe no one should go hungry, especially children, said Michael LaRosa, CEO, LaRosas Inc. LaRosas has contributed over $ 10,000 to The Foodbank as a result of this program over the last three years. The $10 Buddy Card entitles the bearer to a free large cheese pizza with the purchase of any large pizza, and is good for 14 uses, or 14 free large cheese pizzas within one year. At $10 the Buddy Card is a perfect holiday gift idea or stocking stuffer, and helps support our neighbors in need. To benefit The Foodbank in the Miami Valley, Buddy Cards can be purchased at any LaRosas restaurant location in the Miami Valley. For a full list of locations, go to http://www.larosas.com/find/. The program, which continues through December 31, 2016, will be supported in-store, with a PSA campaign and social media support. About LaRosas LaRosas was founded in 1954 on Cincinnatis West Side by Buddy LaRosa. It is now a $160 million restaurant company with 65 pizzerias serving neighborhoods in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee. To learn more about LaRosas, go to http://www.larosas.com Board members and trustees are also aware that in the case of AirAsia, ethical concerns have been raised with respect to certain transactions as well as overall prevailing culture within the organisation. Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a forex violation case to probe ousted Tata Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry's allegation that fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore, involving non-existent entities in India and Singapore, were carried out in an instance involving AirAsia airlines. ED has issued summons to the airline's officials and a few others to submit relevant documents and explain the matter to investigators next week as part of its probe into the case registered under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The probe will also look at a specific transaction of Rs 12 crore, out of Rs 22 crore, made to a Singaporean firm. ED officials said the agency would first go into the documents and findings of an in-house forensic investigation, as claimed by Mistry. In October, flagging "ethical concerns" in Tata Group's joint venture with AirAsia, Mistry had claimed a forensic investigation had revealed fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore involving non-existent entities in India and Singapore. As a bitter war played out between Mistry and Tata Group's interim Chairman Ratan Tata, the former had alleged that due to the latter's passion for aviation, the Tata Sons Board increased capital infusion into the aviation sector at multiple levels of the initial commitment. In a letter written to the Board members of Tata Sons a day after he was ousted on October 24, Mistry said, "Board members and trustees are also aware that in the case of AirAsia, ethical concerns have been raised with respect to certain transactions as well as overall prevailing culture within the organisation. "A recent forensic investigation revealed fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore involving non-existent parties in India and Singapore." Mistry went on to allege that "executive trustee Mr Venkataraman, who is on the board of AirAsia and also a shareholder in the company, considered these transactions as non-material and did not encourage further study". It was only at the insistence of the independent directors, one of whom immediately submitted his resignation that the board decided to belatedly file a FIR, Mistry had said in the letter. He claimed it was Tata who had completed negotiations with AirAsia, but early in his tenure as the Chairman of Tata Sons he (Mistry) was asked to table a proposal for the JV with AirAsia at a Tata Sons board meeting. In 2013, Tata Sons had joined hands with Malaysian carrier AirAsia and Arun Bhatia's Telestra Tradeplace to start low cost carrier AirAsia India. The carrier had to wait for nine months before taking off. In September 2013, Tata Group had joined hands with Singapore Airlines to start a new full-service airline in India, 18 years after a failed attempt. Tata Sons owned 51 per cent stake in the carrier, which has been christened as Vistara, with Singapore Airlines holding the rest. A unit of Oil and Natural Gas Corp Ltd (ONGC) is in early talks with Gazprom for supply of natural gas through a complex swap involving Russia, China and Myanmar, the head of the unit said on Wednesday. The unit, ONGC Videsh Ltd, and two other state companies, GAIL and Engineers India Ltd, first discussed the idea with Gazprom a few months ago, said Narendra K. Verma, ONGC Videsh's managing director. "Myanmar is sending gas to China through an existing pipeline ... if Russia can provide equivalent gas to China, then we can reverse the flow of gas from Myanmar to China and bring that gas to India," Verma told reporters on the sidelines of India's Petrotech energy conference. "For that we'll need a pipeline from Myanmar to India." He said this was the best way of getting Russia to help India with its gas needs, but would need the cooperation of China and Myanmar. In afternoon trading market heavyweight SoftBank was up 4.2 per cent at 7,249 yen. Tokyo: SoftBank shares soared Wednesday after US President-elect Donald Trump said the Japanese telecoms giant would invest $50 billion in business and job-creation in the United States. The Tokyo-listed firm jumped more than five per cent after the opening bell, hours after the tycoon announced the deal, while wrapping an arm around SoftBank's flamboyant billionaire founder Masayoshi Son. In afternoon trading market heavyweight SoftBank was up 4.2 per cent at 7,249 yen. "This is Masa of SoftBank from Japan and he's just agreed to invest $50 billion in the United States and 50,000 jobs," Trump told reporters in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York. In New York, the SoftBank chief executive brandished a document featuring the names of his firm and that of Foxconn, the Taiwanese technology giant, that read: "Commit to invest $50bn + $7bn in US, generate 50k + 50k new jobs in US in next four years." The soon-to-be US president offered no specific details, and a Tokyo-based spokesman for SoftBank declined comment. Foxconn, which assembles Apple's iPhone and supplies parts, also refused to comment. Son told reporters the money will come from a $100 billion investment fund he is setting up with Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and other partners, a move announced in mid-October, Japan's Jiji Press reported. "Investors are welcoming the announcement," Shuji Hosoi, a senior strategist at Daiwa Securities in Tokyo, told AFP. "It was something unexpected, and the size of the pledge is big. Son's remarks were generally in line with what Trump has been saying (about boosting the economy)." Trump campaigned on a platform of bringing jobs back the United States he claimed were being taken away by -- particularly by China -- while he also threatened "consequences" for American firms that fire workers and leave the country. He also said he would slash corporate taxes. SoftBank already has investments in the United States in 2013 it paid $22 billion for 80 per cent of Sprint. Son initially set his sights on a merger with T-Mobile, but that plan was abandoned owing to likely opposition from US regulators Mumbai: Ratan Tata , chairman of the Tata Group has sought the support of the Tata Sons shareholders to support the resolution at the forthcoming extraordinary general meeting (EGM) for the removal of former chairman of the group Cyrus Mistry as director. Mr Tata said that the board had lost confidence in him and his ability to lead the Tata group in the future. He explained that the decision was taken after the relationship with Mr Mistry steadily deteriorated and several attempts to remediate went unheeded. Mr Tata said that he was offered the opportunity to step down voluntarily as chairman but he rejected it a said the decision should be taken by the board. Explaining that Mr Mistry was appointed director by virtue of the fact that he was group chairman and should have resigned when he was ousted, Mr Tata said that his continuance is a serious disruptive influence on these company boards which dispelling doubts that might have arisen in the minds of shareholders regarding allegations made by Mr Mistry over corporate governance issues and need to close loss making ventures like Nano and Tata Steels business in Europe Mr Tata said that the group always had the interest of shareholders in mind whilst supporting and funding businesses during the development and growth phases. The group also was respected for promoting and practising the best corporate governance standards, Mr Tata said. Mr Tata appealed to shareholders to support the EGM resolution to enable our companies to continue on the path of growth and value creation as they have done over their long-standing past history. With the hopes of getting a windfall from demonetisation exercise almost fading away, the government may heighten the surveillance of money transfers as it seeks to increase tax collection in a face-saving exercise. On Wednesday, RBI deputy governor R. Gandhi said nearly Rs 11.5 lakh crore of scrapped notes have come into the banking system. The scrapped notes in circulation as of November 8 were worth about Rs 15.44 lakh crore, a Reuters report said quoting government data. While a good Rs 3.94 lakh crore is yet come into the banking system and only 23 more days are left, questions will be raised over the implementation of this scheme and its costs, if all Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes are deposited in banks. Intangible cost of the demonetisation may not be beyond the computational ability of economists. But the tangible costs in the form of loss of business could be difficult to ignore. The Centre for Monitoring the Indian Economy forecast that the demonetisation would cost Rs 1,28,000 crore for the economy due to the loss of business or sales, cost to households, the expenses for printing fresh currency notes, etc. This is quite big a figure to be ignored and the government could come under tremendous pressure to show gains from the demonetisation at least to offset the cost incurred as the promise of long term benefit may not go down well with the voters. Infographic The government had sold the demonetisation step as a short-term pain for longer term gains that could come from flushing out of black money. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had bet his entire political capital on demonetisation. Given the kind of tough task master he is, analysts feel Mr Modi would not allow the domonetisation exercise go waste without bringing any tangible benefits to the government or the economy. The government has already begun raids on different people on the basis of information that it has received from several sources. They expected huge chunk of money to go out of the system. But Indians developed ingenious ways to circumvent the domonetisation drive. Now the government has to show that it means business and get the hidden money back, said economist Arun Kejriwal. The modus operandi could be targeting bank officials and those who might have connived with black money hoarders to convert their old notes. Sources, however, suggest that those who rented out accounts were ready to wait for nearly one year before getting them transferred to its original owners. In this backdrop, the government needs to wage a protracted battle against stash hoarders. But will the government keep its fight against black money confined to cash or will it go all guns against all avenues of black money despite the initial reversal? This is a trillion dollar question. Jan Dhan flows decline The government on Wednesday said that inflows into Jan Dhan accounts have come down significantly after it warned people not to allow their accounts to be misused for converting black money into white. The deposits in Jan Dhan accounts post demonetisation saw a sudden surge but after the Centre's warning against misusing such accounts, there has been a continuous fall in deposits in last couple of weeks. Total amounts deposited during November 8-15 were Rs 20,206 crore, while during November 16-22, people deposited Rs 11,347 crore in such accounts. This further decelerated to Rs 4,867 crore during November 23-30. Total daily deposit in Jan Dhan accounts as Rs 410 crore on December 1 and Rs 389 crore on December 2. Foxconn is the world's largest contract electronics maker and assembles products for international brands such as Apple and Sony. Taipei: Taiwan's tech giant Foxconn confirmed Wednesday it is in "preliminary discussions" over a new US investment after President-elect Donald Trump announced a $50 billion deal with Japan's SoftBank that would also involve the firm. Trump made the announcement about the SoftBank deal -- which he said would bring 50,000 jobs -- in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York, alongside SoftBank's flamboyant chief executive Masayoshi Son. Son brandished a document featuring the names of his firm and Foxconn which read: "Commit to invest $50bn + $7bn in US, generate 50k + 50k new jobs in US in next four years." Foxconn confirmed in a statement it is "in preliminary discussions regarding a potential investment" that would expand its current US operations, although the scope has not been determined. "We will announce the details of any plans following the completion of direct discussions between our leadership and the relevant US officials. Those plans would be made based on mutually-agreed terms," the statement said. Shares in the company ended 0.97 percent higher in Taipei Wednesday at Tw$83.1 ($0.3). Foxconn is the world's largest contract electronics maker and assembles products for international brands such as Apple and Sony. It employs about one million workers at its factories across China. It also has a plant in Virginia which employes over 400 people, as well as other operations in more than 10 countries including Vietnam, Brazil and Mexico.Shares in Tokyo-listed SoftBank ended up 6.19 percent after Trump's announcement, which he made while wrapping an arm around Son. "This is Masa of SoftBank from Japan and he's just agreed to invest $50 billion in the United States and 50,000 jobs," Trump told reporters. The telecoms and internet giant already has investments in the United States: in 2013 it paid $22 billion for 80 percent of Sprint. Private traders have imported 1.72 million tonne (MT) wheat so far and total inbound shipments are expected to cross 2 MT this year. New Delhi: The Centre is mulling scrapping import duty on wheat to boost domestic supplies amid rising prices and concerns about the 2016-17 wheat crop in view of IMD's forecast of warmer winter. The government had in September lowered wheat import duty to 10 per cent from 25 per cent till February. Private traders have imported 1.72 million tonne (MT) wheat so far and total inbound shipments are expected to cross 2 MT this year. "The Food Ministry has proposed zero import duty on wheat in order to improve domestic availability and control prices. The PMO and Finance Ministry have started deliberating on this proposal seriously," a source said. A decision on this is likely to be taken soon, he added. More imports are required as the industry says that there is a shortage because of fall in domestic output in 2015-16 crop year to 86 MT even though the Agriculture Ministry maintains that it is at 93.50 MT. The industry has demanded zero customs duty on wheat, while experts are expressing concerns about new 2016-17 wheat crop, sowing of which is underway, against the backdrop of India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting warmer winter this year. Flagging these concerns, sources said the Food Ministry has proposed removal of import duty on wheat, which the PMO and Finance Ministry are "deliberating seriously". Already, the wheat stocks in state-run Food Corporation of India (FCI) are getting exhausted and therefore the agency has restricted wheat sale to bulk users. FCI is worried that if new crop is affected due to rise in temperature and private traders intensify procurement, then the agency would be under pressure to meet the requirement under public distribution system (PDS). FCI's wheat procurement remained lower at 22.9 MT even during year as private traders were active. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Director General Trilochan Mohapatra had said yesterday that the country's wheat output could be affected if the temperature rises during crucial February-March period. Brent futures slid $1.01 to settle at $53.93 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 86 cents to $50.93 per barrel. New York: Oil prices on Tuesday ended lower for the first time since OPEC agreed on Nov. 30 to cut output, as data showing record high production in the producer group fed skepticism that it would be able to reduce supplies. Brent futures slid $1.01 to settle at $53.93 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 86 cents to $50.93 per barrel. Crude had surged more than 15 per cent in the four sessions since the November 30 OPEC meeting. "Prices fell for the first day in five in reaction to news that OPEC's output hit a record high last month," said James Williams, president of energy consultant WTRG Economics in Arkansas. OPEC's output set another record high in November, rising to 34.19 million barrels per day (bpd) from 33.82 million bpd in October, according to a Reuters survey. Oil prices pared losses slightly after inventory data released late Tuesday from the American Petroleum Institute showed US crude stocks dropped more than expected last week despite a hefty build of 4 million barrels in Cushing, Oklahoma. If the Cushing build is reinforced in Wednesday's report from the US Energy Information Administration, that would signal the largest weekly rise since January 2009, data showed. As part of last week's decision, OPEC said major oil producers outside the group would cut 600,000 bpd of production on top of OPEC's 1.2 million bpd reduction. Those countries and OPEC meet this weekend to finalize the terms. Russia reported average oil production in November of 11.21 million bpd, its highest in nearly 30 years. That means OPEC and Russia alone produced enough to cover almost half of global oil demand, which is just above 95 million bpd. Market watchers had said OPEC's decision to cut output marked an about-face for Saudi Arabia, which has been battling to keep market share for the past two years by selling more, if cheaper, barrels rather than bolstering prices. But in a sign the fight for market share is not over, Saudi Aramco cut the January price for its Arab Light grade for Asian customers by $1.20 a barrel from December. The US EIA expects US crude production to fall less than previously expected to 8.9 million bpd in 2016 and to 8.8 million bpd in 2017 from 9.4 million bpd in 2015, according to its monthly short term energy outlook. Mumbai: On Tuesday night, veteran actor Dilip Kumar was rushed to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai after he complained of fever and swelling in his right leg. The star, wholl be turning 94 on December 11, was admitted to the hospital by his wife Saira Banu. While talking to a daily, Saira informed that the actor also complained of cold and cough and without wasting anytime, she quickly took him to the hospital. The veteran actor is currently under observation and will most likely be home before his birthday. However, sometime back he took to Twitter to inform fans about the stability in his health condition. This is the second time the actor has been hospitalised. On April 15, Dilip Kumar was taken ill with pneumonia and was admitted at the same hospital. The actor made quick recovery and was discharged in two days. Mumbai: Karan Johar may be busy with his talk show right now, but the filmmaker says directing movies has not taken a back seat and he will start working on his new project by the end of next year. "I have solemnly resolved that I will be back on sets as a director next year, towards the end of the year as a filmmaker. My heart lies in television but my soul lies in films," Karan told reporters at the launch of new singing reality show 'Dil Hai Hindustani' here. He has been a judge on television shows like 'Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa' and 'India's Got Talent' and will now be judging 'Dil Hai Hindustani'. "I have covered all on television. If there are other ideas then I will see. I think the more reality shows the better. Whatever offer comes my way I will see. I cant say no to television," he said. The 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' helmer thinks he has become a television personality. "Now films are seeming to be an incidental part of my personality. People ask me about talk show, talent show and its embarrassing that I have to tell people I direct and produce films as well," Karan said. "The impact of television is more, three per cent of our country watch films and 25-30 per cent watch television, so its nine times more impactful. So my wish to be on national television has only helped my brand as filmmaker. I am thankful to television for that," he added. Mumbai: If all goes well, Ranveer Singh will soon have his own wax statue. The superstar in the making, is all set to be seen in Aditya Chopras Befikre, but already has begun shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Padmavati, co-starring Shahid Kapoor and Deppika Padukone. Befikre, predominantly set in Paris, has a lot of French Connections going for it. And now, seems like theres one more in the making, as the actor will soon have his own wax statue in Paris Grevin wax museum. One of Ranveers many fanclubs took to Twitter to share a few of the pictures from his session with the artists. Well, with a physique as that, he is bound to make for one gorgeous wax statue. Its hard to believe that Jayalalithaaji has gone so soon! She and I are of the same age. In fact, I started my career with her. I was supposed to do my first film, Vennire Adai in Tamil, in which she was the other heroine. It was a love triangle with Jayalalithaaji and I playing the heros two love interests. But then the director Sridhar removed me from the film after a few days of shooting. I was only 15, and too young to understand the complexities of love and relationships. So, I dont blame them for asking me to leave. The few days that I shot with Jayalalithaaji, though, I got to observe her very closely. I was very impressed by her grace, beauty and her dignity. She came to the sets with her mother, and so did I. She remained aloof all the time that I met her on the sets. She didnt speak much to anyone! I always wondered how the shy lady I met on the sets of my first film (which I never did) transformed into one of the most powerful women in India! Jayalalithaaji was not just a politician, she was the messiah of the masses. Look at the way the masses of Tamil Nadu, especially women, are mourning for her. She gave hope to the poor even before she became the Chief Minister. After she came to power, she didnt forget her promise to help the poor. She provided free rice, televisions sets, computers, and even homes to the poor. Thats why they loved her and called her Amma. Its as if the state has lost its mother. Thats the place Jayalalithaaji made in the masses hearts. They loved and worshipped her like God. Speaking of the Gods, here is one of her lesser known achievements she helped restore hundreds of temples in Tamil Nadu, which were on the verge of collapse. To me, her biggest achievement was that she took on the male-dominated bastion of politics with such fearlessness and grace. They tried to humiliate and cow her down in every way possible. But Jayalalithaaji was unstoppable. With every attack on her integrity, she emerged stronger. Its a pity that bad health and illness snatched her away from us so soon. She had so much more to give. A truly inspiring woman for all of us. You are right when you say my career resembles hers. We both started in our mother tongue in Tamil cinema. We both went from acting to politics. Jayalalithaaji also danced on stage, like I did. She did filmi dance with dignity. We could say the same about her conduct in politics. There will never be another woman like her. (As told to Subash K Jha) Mumbai: Those who are Keeping up with the Kardashians on a daily basis, already pretty much know what a sizzling diva Kylie Jenner has turned into. With every passing day and new post, we see a massive change in Kylie. From her hair to her lips to her ever changing physique to her dressing sense, Kylie is slowing turning into the next Kim Kardashian. The young star is turning into Kim's replica as she follows her footsteps. fill yourself with adventure A photo posted by Kylie (@kyliejenner) on Dec 3, 2016 at 10:18am PST A photo posted by Kylie (@kyliejenner) on Dec 3, 2016 at 10:27am PST A photo posted by Kylie (@kyliejenner) on Dec 2, 2016 at 1:43pm PST A photo posted by Kylie (@kyliejenner) on Dec 2, 2016 at 1:46pm PST With her latest posts, its not wrong to say that Kylie is heating up winter with some very hot pictures. On a recent Miami vacation, the Internet sensation, who was joined by her supermodel sister Kendall Jenner, Kylie flaunted her assets in a cheeky thong swimsuit. The 19-year-old reality TV star shared the picture on her Instagram account with caption, Fill yourself with adventure. Later, she was seen having a great time with her boyfriend and friends at a club where things got hotter. Kylie got a lap dance by a female friend and it was all recorded on her Snapchat. A video posted by Kylie Jenner Snapchats (@kylizzlesnapchats) on Dec 3, 2016 at 10:43am PST A video posted by Kylie Jenner Snapchats (@kylizzlesnapchats) on Dec 3, 2016 at 9:47am PST A video posted by Kylie Jenner Snapchats (@kylizzlesnapchats) on Dec 3, 2016 at 9:31am PST A video posted by Kylie Jenner Snapchats (@kylizzlesnapchats) on Dec 3, 2016 at 9:29am PST A video posted by Kylie Jenner Snapchats (@kylizzlesnapchats) on Dec 3, 2016 at 10:00am PST A video posted by Kylie Jenner Snapchats (@kylizzlesnapchats) on Dec 3, 2016 at 10:01am PST Bengaluru: With 142 films to her credit in Tamil, Telugu, English and Kannada, J. Jayalalithaa was a superstar even before she became a colossus of Tamil Nadu politics. Acting ran in the family with her mother Sandhya acting in movies and plays. Sandhya was a career artist in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films and did not taste much success. What made Jaya debut as a child artiste in movies was by pure accident. Kannada film historians say that Sandhya, who was playing a supporting role in Shri Shaila Mahathme, had brought along little Jayalalithaa to the sets. As it happened, a child actor who was to play the role of a goddesses did not turn up and the film-makers requested Sandhya to let Jayalalithaa dress up and act in the scene. The movie, directed by Aroor Pattabhi, was starring the giant of Kannada films Dr Rajkumar. Tamil star Sivaji Ganesan, who was spellbound by Jayalalithaas Bharatnatyam arangetram, advised her to take up acting. Eventually, circumstances made her choose acting as a career, and again, she made her full-fledged acting debut in Kannada in 1964. The movie, Chinnada Gombe, was directed and produced by icon B.R. Panthulu. In her entire movie career, she acted in five Kannada films 'Chinnada Gombe', Mavana Magalu, directed by S.K.A. Chari, Nanna Karthavya, directed by Vedantham, and Badukuva Daari, all of them with Kalyan Kumar as lead. Badukuva Daari in 1966 was her last Kannada movie. In fact, it was Panthulu who introduced Jayalalithaa to M.G. Ramachandran for his Tamil venture 'Aayirathil Oruvan' in 1965. Jaya and MGR, who later turned into her mentor in life and politics, were an instant hit and they acted in 28 movies, all of them blockbusters. B. Saroja Devi, another actress from Karnataka who has also made it big in Tamil films and was a frequent leading lady in MGRs films, fondly remembers her association with Jayalalithaa. Whenever we met, Jayalalithaa spoke to me in Kannada. She always informed me about her visits to Bengaluru through her security men. Once she even wished to visit me at my home in Bengaluru, but she had to leave following protests," she said. It was an incident that occurred during the shooting of a Tamil film in Premier Studios in Mysuru which probably kept her away from Kannada films. Jaya had angered pro-Kannada activists by saying that she was a Tamilian, and spoke Kannada as she was born in Melukote. Activists protested and demanded an apology from her, but a stubborn Jaya would have none of it and refused to retract her statement. Later, a movie, Chellida Rakhta, opposite Dr Rajkumar, had to be shelved because of that unsavoury incident. Poverty cuts an average of almost 10 years off American mens lives and seven off womens, a new study shows. Eager to tease out socioeconomic disparities that can hide in state-level data, researchers reclassified all the U.S. counties into 50 new states based on household income instead of geography. Then they examined longevity, smoking, obesity, childhood poverty and other health information from the richest and poorest places. Men in the poorest spots died on average nearly 10 years earlier, at 69 years old, than men in the wealthiest ones, and women in the poorest places died on average seven years sooner, at 76 years old, the research team reports in the American Journal of Public Health. The results should be deeply disturbing to all persons in the country, the study authors write. Life expectancy in the poorest state falls below that of more than half the countries in the world, meaning that, in essence, there are several developing countries hidden within the borders of the United States. Senior author Dr. Randy Wykoff said in a phone interview that he expected to see differences in smoking and obesity rates and thats indeed what the study showed. Adults in the poorest places were twice as likely to smoke and 50 percent more likely to be obese. But the life-expectancy gap surprised him, said Wykoff, who is dean of the College of Public Health at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. Also stark were the numbers about race and children living in poverty. Non-Hispanic African-Americans were 4.5 times more likely to live in the poorest regions than in the richest, the study found. Also, more than 48 percent of children in the poorest spots lived below the federal poverty line, while less than 9 percent of children in the wealthiest did. Nearly half of young children grow up in low-income families that cannot provide them with adequate resources to thrive, Dr. Neal Halfon wrote in an email addressing the study. Halfon directs the Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities at the University of California, Los Angeles. He was not involved in the research. It is not hard to see that individuals born in these low-income and deprived places with few resources are likely to have much lower lifelong health trajectories, he said. The public sector and civic sector have not been able to put together a comprehensive anti-poverty campaign. The study authors suggest that public health programs should be targeted more narrowly than by state, focusing instead on the poorest counties. Researchers found that five states Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas housed both the richest and the poorest people in the nation, suggesting that poverty stems not only from a lack of resources but from their unequal distribution. Wykoff warned that failure to address economic, educational and health disparities in the poorest spots could lead to a further widening of the gap between the nations rich and poor. We hope this study reinforces the understanding that poverty really is a major factor that impacts health, he said. Other countries have had some success combating poverty, Halfon said. Unfortunately, he said, the U.S. has not had the political will nor the inclination to take this on in spite of the devastating long- and short-term consequences. A liver transplant was the only option for Manjunath and it took place in late October. (Representational image) Bengaluru: A city hospital performed a liver transplant to save the life of a 51-year-old patient suffering from acute liver failure caused by anti-tuberculosis medication. His condition was fast deteriorating when he arrived at the BGS Global hospital. A liver transplant was the only option for Manjunath and it took place in late October. The surgery lasted nearly 12 hours, including the time taken to harvest the organ from the donor. A multi-disciplinary team including Dr Sanjay Govil, Dr Suresh Raghavaiah, Dr Raghavendra CV (Transplant Surgery team), Dr Vinit Shah (Hepatologist) and a team of intensivists and anesthetists worked on the surgery. Dr Sanjay Govil, Senior Consultant, HPB & Liver Transplant Surgery said, For patients with acute liver failure, time is crucial. Transplantation must be performed within days of hospital admission and requires an experienced team of doctors to maintain the patient while waiting for an organ for transplantation. Dr Suresh Raghavaiah, Consultant, HPB & Multi Organ Transplant Surgery, said that liver support measures such as plasma exchange to purify blood and remove toxins are particularly useful and in specific instances might permit the liver to recover spontaneously without transplantation. An elective liver transplant patient usually requires about three weeks of hospitalisation and about three months of recovery outside of the hospital. In Manjunaths case, given that he was very sick, he stayed in the hospital for 5 weeks and continues to be on follow up with the doctors. She said she hadn't been to London in 20 years (Photo: Twitter) Islamophobia is a rapidly rising problem in the west and hate crimes have been reported as rising in the past few months. A major claim adding to the hysteria around Islam is that Muslims will take over Europe and the west in the near future and sharia rule will be imposed. An author expressed this same sentiment in a tweet, as she wrote that Britain had become completely Islamic, and that came as a shock to her since she didnt go there for 20 years. My friends just returned from London. Shocked. Hadn't been in 20 years. Said London is gone - all Islamic. https://t.co/YFFKkt2wli Janie Johnson (@jjauthor) December 5, 2016 The issue soon created a buzz on Twitter and users slammed her in the most epic way, as they came up with their own witty take on the conspiracy theory about Muslims taking over Britain. @jjauthor this is true. I've just returned from London, wear British women are now forced to follow Islamic dress codes. pic.twitter.com/YEtFbXy28F hrtbps (@hrtbps) December 5, 2016 @criticalbill @hrtbps @jjauthor i can confirm. One of the london landmarks is actually a giant woman wearing a burqa pic.twitter.com/C9gGUxMVS2 #ForcaChape (@ErayKurtoglu98) December 5, 2016 @M_Z_Harrison @jjauthor Seconded, as a London resident I can confirm this is scaremongering bullshit. TechnicallyRon (@TechnicallyRon) December 5, 2016 While the author might have received a fitting response from British social media users, her comments on a public platform make a grave situation even worse. Ahmedabad: A 19-year-old Dalit girl has alleged that she was raped by a BJP leader's son at a hotel on the pretext of marriage in Surendranagar district, police said. The BJP leader is the president of Patdi taluka unit of the party, Deputy Superintendent of Police M R Sharma said. The girl filed a complaint at Patdi police station late last night alleging that 23-year-old Bittu Patel took her to a hotel and establish physical relations with her on the pretext of marriage. "Both of them knew each other since schooldays and studied in the same college in Patdi town. The victim alleged that she was raped by Patel under the pretext of marrying her," Sharma said. He said an FIR has been registered against the accused and the girl has been sent for medical examination. Patel has also been charged under the Prevention of Atrocities Act. No arrests have been made yet, Sharma said. Ghaziabad: In a shocking incident an 11-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her father at Khoda area here, police said on Tuesday. The police said the man has been arrested and girl sent for medical examination. SHO of Khoda police station Jai Prakash Chaubey said on getting information from the sister of victim girl police reached the spot and nabbed her father. The girl narrated rape ordeal in which she said that last night she was alone in the house, as her mother and sister had gone to join a marriage function. Finding her alone her father allegedly raped her, the police said. FIR has been registered under relevant sections of IPC and POCSO Act. Port Blair (Andaman): Over 1,400 tourists have been stranded at Havelock Islands in the Andamans due to heavy rains with the Navy pressing into service four ships today to evacuate them. Heavy overnight rains have disrupted normal life in the island with a flood-like situation in north and middle Andamans. While officials have put the number of tourists stranded at 800, the tour operators said 1200 tourists are stuck. Mobile and Internet connectivity have also been snapped in many areas. "More than 800 tourists are stranded in Havelock Island," CPRO Defence S S Birdi said. Indian naval ships Bitra, Bangaram, Kumbhir and LCU 38 have been deployed for evacuation, which has not yet begin because of "unfavourable conditions". The sudden evacuation mission was initiated at the request of the Andaman and Nicobar disaster management, which speculates that a "cyclonic storm" might strike Havelock, an island about 40 km from the state capital Port Blair, a Navy official said. "Ships are waiting outside harbour. Adequate food, fresh water, medicines and doctors besides divers and local administration personnel being ferried on board to provide succour and relief," the official said. The ships, which had departed Port Blair at 0315 hours, will ferry the stranded tourists back to Port Blair. Havelock is one of the populated islands in the Andaman group. Chennai: Actor, editor and political analyst Cho Ramaswamy passed away due to an illness at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai on Wednesday. He was 82. Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy aka Cho Ramaswamy, as he is popularly known in Tamil cinema and even throughout the country, passed away at 3.58 AM on Wednesday due to cardiac arrest, said a report. He was undergoing treatment for a prolonged time at Apollo Hospitals in Greams Road, said the report. He was known to be very close to Jayalalithaa and mentored her during her film career, and even continued to support her after she entered politics. The body of the founder of Thuglak magazine has been taken to his residence at MRC Nagar where his friends, family and public will pay their last respects to him. Cho adorned many feathers to his hat like an actor, comedian, character actor, editor, playwright and dialogue writer, film director and lawyer and was known for his unbiased views on political issues. He is survived by wife, son and daughter. He acted in 89 movies alongside famous artists like Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan, in 15 plays, directed 5 movies and also wrote screenplay for another 5, said the report. He was also involved in religious and charitable work. New Delhi: Offering his condolences to the family of noted journalist and polical analyst Cho Ramasawamy who passed away on Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday remembered the eminent personality as a dear friend, adding that he was pained by his demise. Taking to Twitter the Prime Minister posted old video clips of Ramaswamy introducing him at a public event calling him 'Merchant of Death'. "Cho Ramaswamy was a multidimensional personality, towering intellectual, great nationalist & fearless voice who was respected and admired. Above all, Cho Ramaswamy was a dear friend. I have been to his annual readers meeting which were an unprecedented editor reader interface," he said in a series of tweets. Read: 82-year-old actor, political satirist Cho Ramaswamy passes away after illness Asserting that Ramaswamy was insightful, frank and brilliant, Prime Minister expressed his grief at his demise. Political satirist and founder editor of Thuglak magazine, Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy popularly known as Cho Ramaswamy passed away due to cardiac arrest in a Chennai hospital early this morning. He was 82 years old. He was also an advisor to former Tamilnadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. He is survived by his wife, a son and daughter. His body has been taken to his residence at MRC Nagar where his friends and family and public will pay their last respects to him. Taking to Twitter, Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan condole Cho's demise. "I deeply saddened on the demise of Multifaceted personality shri.#choRamaswamy. My condolences to his family & Thuklag staff,thousands. Of its readers. May his soul rest in peace," he said in a series of tweets, Cho had several laurels in his wreath like an actor, comedian, character actor, editor, film director and lawyer. He was popularly known for his unbiased views on political matter and bold nature. His magazine carried critical thoughts and raging views with and admirable fearlessness. He has acted in 89 movies and featured in 15 play, besides directing five movies and writing the screenplay for another five films. The Enforcement Directorate officials have started to check up those accounts that have suspicious transaction post demonetisation. (Photo: File) New Delhi: Stepping up action to check financial crimes post demonetisation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday launched an 'enquiry of records' operation at over 50 bank branches across the country to detect money laundering and hawala dealing instances through these channels. Officials said multiple teams of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) swooped early morning at over 50 branches of at least ten banks, both in the private and public sector, along with banking auditors to "scrutinise" transaction records and account statements, armed with vital inputs gathered from financial snoop agencies. They said ED teams have launched the operations at branches located in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai and others based on records of transaction of these branches where the maximum amount of old notes have been deposited or huge cash has been deposited in bank accounts in one go or in a staggered fashion giving rise to suspicion of suspect deposits. Officials said the sleuths and auditors are "looking at the banking transaction records post November 8" and instructions have been issued to these teams to ensure that regular operations and customer dealings are not affected due to this. The ED, tasked with enforcing two important laws to check financial crimes--Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA)--has sourced Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and Cash Transaction Reports (CTRs) of the banks under scanner from various financial intelligence agencies and has launched the operation to check possible financial irregularities, instances of money laundering and hawala dealings. The agency had recently arrested two Axis Bank employees working at a branch in Delhi while probing a similar instance under PMLA. ED, last week, had also conducted searches at 40 locations across the country in order to check black money held with currency exchanges, hawala dealers and others. Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested senior manager of Central Bank of India and two firm owners in Bengaluru for allegedly violating norms post demonetisation. New Delhi: Amid tensions with Pakistan over terrorism, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday said India is "definitely" for peace, but asserted he is not a "coward" who will compromise on security in fear of a war. "We are definitely for peace. This country has never in its history strived for war. But those who compromise in fear of war are called cowards and I do not intend to call myself a coward," he said. Speaking at a media conference in New Delhi, he added, "I am very clear that many a time peace is established by a strong country." Parrikar, who has often stressed the need for greater military might arguing it becomes a 'detrimental factor', underlined that "national security should be paramount". He said one should be willing to go back on their own words in case of national security but stressed that international commitments have to be met. When tension escalates (on the border), Indian jawans also die even if more damage is caused to the other country, Parrikar said, adding that no one likes loss of lives. Stating that the recent surgical strikes carried out by India across LoC led to "unpredictability" in Pakistan's mind, the Defence Minister pointed out that he only took credit for "taking a decision" and never for the operation. He said action by the Army at the LoC forces the "other side" to reach out and talk, which has now brought down the ceasefire violations. In the aftermath of a firing blizzard by the Indian Army, the Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations had reached out to his Indian counterpart on November 23. Following the talks, the ceasefire violations have drastically come down along the LoC. Parrikar said he had to personally take a number of decisions on military modernisation that has been pending for years, besides working out the financial outlay required to fund it. New Delhi: The cyber cell of Delhi police reportedly received a reply on Twitter from the IP address which was used by suspects who were behind the hacking of Congress and Rahul Gandhis accounts on the popular micro-blogging site. According to ANI sources, Twitter handle logs shows that both Rahul Gandhi & Congress' accounts were operated from 5 countries- Sweden, Romania, US, Canada and Thailand. Rahul Gandhis official Twitter account was hacked on November 30 and several expletive-laden tweets were posted on the page. The very next day, Congress official twitter handle was also taken over by hackers. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had filed a complaint with the EOW of the Police in the case. Both the ministry of electronics and IT (MEITY) and the Delhi police are working on the case. Congress had blamed the hacking on fascist forces, a term it uses for BJP, which hit right back saying it showed the main Opposition partys mental bankruptcy. Blaming fascist forces for the hacking, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had said, it reflects the extremities of an intolerant culture that resorts to abuse when cornered and claimed the party has fought such hatred with Gandhian compassion and tolerance. The BJP hit back at Congress for pointing fingers at it and its supporters, saying it showed the opposition partys mental bankruptcy as it blamed the main ruling party for everything that went against it. We absolutely reject the charge. It only shows Congress bankruptcy that it blames BJP for everything. When court asked their leaders to appear in National Herald case it blamed BJP, when summons were issued later it still blamed BJP, and now it is blaming BJP for something completely unrelated to the party, BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma said. He demanded that Congress to tender an apology for making such a baseless allegation. Often, the perpetrators are relatives seeking to punish young couples for bringing shame to the family. (Photo: Representational Image) New Delhi: India has registered a nearly 800 percent spike in the number of so-called honour killings reported last year, leading state officials and women's rights groups to demand investigations into how such crimes persist. Junior Home Minister Hansraj G. Ahir told lawmakers this week that police registered 251 cases of honour killings in 2015, compared with just 28 a year earlier. The surge could partly reflect more willingness by people to report such crimes, which many still consider just punishment for women and men who defy communal customs by marrying outside of their religion, clan or caste. Often, the perpetrators are relatives seeking to punish young couples for bringing "shame" to the family. Bengaluru: The state government on Tuesday declared a day of state mourning as a mark of respect to AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah describing her as one of the "tallest personalities" in Tamil Nadu politics whose demise had caused an "irreparable loss." Recollecting her joining the AIADMK, where she served as propaganda secretary and Rajya Sabha member before becoming the Chief Minister, he said Ms Jayalalithaa became one of the tallest personalities not merely in the Tamil Cinema, but also in Tamil Nadu Politics. Now, its all a history. By acting in more than 140 films, including Sri Shaila Mahathme, Chinnada Gombe, Amara Shilpi Jakanachari, Badukuva Daari, Mavana Magalu, Mane Aliya and Nanna Kartavya in Kannada and in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi movies, Jayalalithaa carved a niche for herself in the hearts and minds of people, Mr Siddaramaiah said in his condolence message. Noting that Ms Jayalalithaa became the youngest chief minister of her state, he said, During that time, the 'cradle baby scheme', which she implemented to counter female infanticide and save the girl child, was appreciated from all quarters. He said the novel concepts of all women police station, women libraries and all women bank was effectively implemented by Jayalalithaa during her regime. He pointed out that Jayalalithaa's "toughness" in administration, "strict discipline" in party affairs, and pro-people popular schemes like Amma Canteen and Amma Water created "an ocean of admirers" for her. All these have now created an environment in Tamil Nadu, which is not ready to accept that she is no more," he said. Hyderabad: Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaas cabinet ministers zealously guarded her image. Couple of years ago, Hyderabad hosted all India Fisheries Ministers conference where ministers from several states including Tamil Nadu attended. Tamil Nadu fisheries Minister who spoke in chaste Tamil explained the status of the fisheries industry in Tamil Nadu. He also repeatedly referred to his Jayalalithaa as Puratchi Thalaivi (revolutionary leader) and said the state grew by leaps and bounds under her leadership. A fisheries minister from Uttar Pradesh who could not understand the TN ministers speech in Tamil asked a minister from the South, Saab...yeh Puratchi Thalaivi kon si machili hai (what kind of fish is this Puratchi Thalaivi)? The TN minister who overheard the conversation asked the minister what the minister from UP was asking. When the minister explained, the Tamil Nadu fisheries minister was furious and walked out of the meeting citing insult of his leader, Jayalalithaa. The UP minister was stumped by the protest. After much cajoling, the TN minister returned to meeting. The minister from the north had to tender an apology for posing such a question. Amma fans: Famed Amma fans which are distributed free of cost to the poor by Tamil Nadu government was manufactured by a city company in the Balanagar industrial area. The table fan with a picture of Jayalalithaa is a big hit with beneficiaries. TN government planned to supply 1.93 crore fans and a part of the order was placed to a Balanagar company. Each fan cost Rs 930 plus taxes. Bengaluru: The driver of a Karnataka Administrative Service officer committed suicide on Tuesday, claiming that that he knew that politician and mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy converted Rs 100 crore black money into white. According to ANI, the driver, Ramesh Gowda, in his suicide letter also alleged that Reddy paid 20 per cent commission to the Karnataka Administrative Service officer. Furthermore, the driver has alleged mental torture by the mining baron. Ramesh Gowda committed suicide by consuming poison in Maddur, said a report. He was found dead last night. Gowda worked as special land acquisition officer Bheema Nayak's driver in Bengaluru. Gowda alleged in his note that he received constant death threats, because of which he was committing suicide. The suicide note claimed that Reddy along with BJP MP Sriramulu met Nayak several times in a five star hotel in Bangalore before Reddy's daughter's wedding in November. Along with 20 percent cut, Nayak wanted Reddy to help him get a ticket to contest the 2018 Karnataka elections. A case has been booked against Nayak and his driver Mohammed. Reddy was in the news in November for spending Rs 500 crore on his daughters wedding, and reportedly inviting 50,000 guests, at a time when banks have been ordered to limit withdrawals due to demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. Reddy spent 4 years in Bengaluru and Hyderabad jails after being indicted in a mining scandal in Karnataka. New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday demanded a "thorough inquiry" into the suicide of a driver who had accused former BJP minister in Karnataka Janardhana Reddy of illegally converting Rs 100 crore into white money. "There should be a thorough inquiry as to why (the driver) committed suicide. There is big secret behind it. I request the state and central governments for full inquiry into the matter," Azad told reporters outside Parliament. In his suicide note, K C Ramesh, the driver of a Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) officer, had claimed that he got Rs 100 crore converted into white money for the mining baron for the marriage of his daughter. The opulent wedding of Reddy's daughter days after the announcement of demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes had triggered a controversy. On Hurriyat Conference's appeal to tourists to visit Kashmir Valley, Azad said the appeal was not made during the tourism season but at a time when there is no flow of tourists in winters. "Nobody made the appeal when it was a tourism season which is in August-September. That time the atmosphere was bad (due to turmoil in the Valley). There is no flow of tourists in winter season," he said. He hoped that next year such appeal would be made before the beginning of the tourism season so that the Valley could see surge in tourists arrival. Azad also trained guns on BJP, saying the party forgets its own deeds when it comes to power and claimed that when the saffron party was in opposition, it had demanded the presence of then then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Parliament during the discussion on 2G scam. "This is a problem with BJP when it comes to power, it forgets. When a discussion was to be held on 2G, then BJP had put up a condition that Manmohan Singh should be present in Parliament. Singh was present for two days in Parliament and the discussion took place in his presence," he said. On the controversy surrounding the appointment of Rakesh Asthana as the interim director of CBI, Azad said the selection committee should meet immediately and select a "full fledge" director. He said the government has made "a habit" of continuing with interim appointments and that this was done in case of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) director also. The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear on December 9 a plea challenging the appointment of Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana as the interim director of CBI. Patna: Stepping up attack on BJP overlarge-scale land purchases ahead of demonetisation, the JD(U) on Wednesday came out with alleged details of transactions showing huge amount was paid in cash at different places and sought to know how the saffron party mobilised huge amount of cash. Rejecting the defence of senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi and new state party chief Nityanand Rai that payment for land purchases were made through bank RTGS, a statement issued by senior JD(U) leader Shyam Rajak and 3 state spokesmen Sanjay Singh, Niraj Kumar and Rajiv Ranjan Prasad. The statement gives details of area of land bought, registration, name of sellers and sources of payment. After Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had on Monday questioned BJP's silence on the issue of "large-scale purchase of land" in the state ahead of demonetisation and had said if the matter comes before his government it will act on it, the party has stepped up its attack on BJP over the issue. "The JD(U) has raised the question of large-scale purchase of land by BJP in Bihar ahead of demonetisation for opening offices. BJP should answer from where they got this much of money," Kumar had said. The JD(U) statement claimed that for 22.38 decimal of land in Bagha at a cost of Rs 66 lakh from Ravindra Nath Tiwari one-third payment was made in cash. Similarly in case of purchase of 31.25 decimal in Bhabua in Kaimur district at Rs 48.75 lakh the entire payment was made in cash, it said. In Kisanganj for 35 decimal of land a sum of Rs 15 lakh was paid in cash, the statement claimed. In Chapra the entire payment of Rs 48.90 lakh for 56.198 decimal land was made in cash, it claimed. In Sitamarhi the total amount of Rs 17.80 lakh for four decimal land was paid in cash. In case of 42 decimal land in Sasaram out of a total payment of Rs 1.5 crore a sum of Rs 40 lakh was made in cash, it added. Belting out details of transactions, ruling JD(U) leaders sought to know from BJP as from where they got this much of cash ahead of scrapping of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 banknotes. "Instead of giving categorical answer as source of huge amount of cash for purchase of lands, the BJP leaders are making false claims that payment was made through bank RTGS system which has been proved wrong seeing the official documents for the purchase," Rajiv Ranjan Prasad told PTI. Rai had on Tuesday claimed land purchased by BJP was completely "legal" and the party was open to probe by any agency for the purchases made by it. New Delhi: Weeks after Sushma Swaraj revealed that she was hospitalised for kidney failure, her husband had expressed annoyance with the media for the detailed coverage on her health, wondering if they will have to prepare for a live telecast of the transplant. According to a report in NDTV, Swaraj Kaushal, who holds the position of the Governor of Mizoram called for the media to respect her privacy, in a series of tweets. "The media reports about Sushma's surgery are so detailed. I think we will have to prepare for a live telecast. Alas! A lady in public life is also a citizen of India and entitled to some privacy" the Governor reportedly said on his Twitter account which is only visible to approved followers on the site. When Swaraj had announced the news of her kidney failure, people from all over the country had started to offer help and even offered their kidneys. She had posted about it on 16th November. Sushma was overwhelmed by the offers and soon the media started speculating who her potential donor could be. Governor Swaraj expressed that some boundaries need to be maintained while covering the life of a public figure. She has been suffering from diabetes for almost 20 years. The 64-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was earlier admitted to AIIMS in April when she underwent treatment for pneumonia and other health issues. Chennai: Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin's personal visit to pay homage to former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa is an ice-breaker in the state known for vendetta politics and lack of cordiality among leaders of DMK and AIADMK. In stark contrast, the circumstances in 1987 when AIADMK founder MGR died was marred by mob violence and vandalism in which the statue of Karunanidhi was broken. The situation was very tense and Karunanidhi was forced to stay indoors and a personal visit to the venue where MGR's body was kept was inconceivable. Stalin, who condoled the AIADMK leader's death, described it as a great loss and said though his views differed with Jayalalithaa in politics, they were handling them in a democratic manner. Stalin had attended the swearing-in ceremony of Jayalalithaa despite the government allocating a seat in the middle rows, triggering a controversy. Karunanidhi, who is admitted to Kauvery hospital, to responded to the growing decency in political culture by issuing a condolence statement for Jayalalithaa, with whom he was wrangling for power during the last three decades. He said Jayalalithaa had worked for the welfare of the party and she would live in the hearts of its cadres forever. New Delhi: Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoors home was burgled on November 29, and the robbers made away with several valuable items including glasses gifted to him by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to a report in the Indian Express, several valuable items, including idols and copper Gandhi glasses gifted to him by Modi, were stolen from Tharoors home. Following a complaint by Tharoor, a case has been filed under IPC section 380/457 (burglary) at Tughlak Road police station. Several teams of the New Delhi district special staff and the Crime Branch are on the case, said the report. Tharoor lives in Lodhi Estate in the well-guarded Lutyens Zone, residence also to many other MPs and top politicians. According to Tharoors complaint, the thieves climbed the wall of his official residence and entered his personal office after breaking the front door, said the report. They took an antique Nataraja idol, 12 small Ganesha idols, and 10 small Hanuman idols. Twelve 32 GB pen drives and an internet dongle were also stolen, as well as the glasses given to Tharoor by Modi for his participation in the Swacch Bharat campaign. After registering the case, police have started questioning security guards and drivers working in nearby residences and others living in the vicinity. Prima facie, the theft could be the handiwork of vagabonds, the police were quoted as saying. Hyderabad: Telangana Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Jupally Krishna Rao on Wednesday had a meeting with bankers and postal department officials on implementing of cashless transactions in the state. Rao said the Telangana Government has taken such a step to serve the people on implementing cashless transaction at the district level. "As per the orders of the Chief Minister, K. Chandrashekar Rao, we have to make Telangana state a cashless society. The Panchayat Raj and Rural Development department is trying to open 100 percent accounts, and as per the requirement, we held a meeting with bankers, postal department, cooperative banks," he said. "We have to create a roadmap within three days and from December 11 we will go to every village. Banks which have over 3000 branches have been asked to visit at least two villages to open Jan Dhan accounts of people who do not have them. These banks have also been instructed to provide biometric registration to those who are not registered, give debit cards to them and give swiping machines in the Panchayat," he added. Rao asserted that people do not have to visit banks and all transactions will be cashless which will benefit them. The Telangana Government had on Monday said that Ibrahimpur village in the Siddipet Assembly constituency has become cashless, claiming it is the first hamlet in south India to become so. Hyderabad: A Central team headed by IAS officer Reddy Subrahmanyam, which visited Telangana state recently, has reported to the Centre that the state's rural economy had been badly hit by demonetisation. According to top sources, the committee reported that the overall finances had seen a drastic fall. On the positive side, banks had conveyed that their non-performing assets had come down by almost 30 per cent and many gold loans were getting repaid. The report said that there was a "scarcity psychosis" among people leading to hoarding of Rs 100 notes, which was having an adverse impact on liquidity. The team assessed that agriculture produce was being sold at lower prices at market yards due to non-availability of cash, and wealthier farmers were not bringing produce to the market at all. Small farmers dealing in perishable items like fruits and vegetables have been badly hit. There was havoc in the cotton plantations as no wages have been paid to workers. Daily arrivals had plunged to 30,000 to 40,000 bales against the usual 1.5-2 lakh bales at this time of year and prices have increased by 9 per cent in a week, pushing up global prices in turn. Paucity of funds had affected the procurement and delivery by traders as well as official procurement as the officials are depositing the money in bank accounts and farmers are unable to withdraw the same from their respective accounts. Though weather conditions are favourable for sowing, the report has pointed out that no one has yet begun sowing the Rabi crop. Operations in business establishments in rural areas were subdued. The local power loom industry has also taken a major hit. The second and third tier workers in the sector who function largely on cash have been the worst hit. Overall, the state's finances have seen a drastic fall, and the state could lose Rs 3,000 crore. There was also a marked increase in deposits in Jan Dhan accounts. However, credit off take from banks has seen a dramatic decrease despite the onset of the Rabi season. On the request of the state government, the team recommended that instead of printing currency notes of `2,000 denomination, currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 100 should be quickly printed and disbursed to increase liquidity. Indiranagar is touted as Bengalurus next big neighbourhood, but even the famed 12th Main reflects the total apathy of its corporators. The area is full of bad roads and vacant plots that are breeding grounds for mosquitos. Each BBMP ward is alloted between Rs 2 and Rs 3 crore for developmental work. A near-incredible factoid, considering the pothole-ridden roads, mountains of garbage and unscientifically designed speedbreakers! Corporators defend their inaction by saying the gap between them and the people is too large, although they shy away from forming ward committees that could act as a bridge between citizens and their governing bodies. Its time to break the silence and bring these to book. If you are having to put up with pothole- ridden roads, unscientific humps and uncleared garbage in your locality , you dont have to throw up your hands with frustration at the ways of the government and suffer these problems in silence. Instead you could approach your area corporator, who is supposed to fix these problems with the crores of rupees allotted to him or her every year not only by the BBMP, but also the state and Union governments. Every BBMP ward is allotted huge sums for developmental work. While Rs 2 crore is allotted to the old 132 wards , Rs 3 crore is allotted to the 66 new wards. In addition they also receive Central and state funds, grants under the Nagarothana scheme and a social justice fund, which amount to a few crores as well. Read | Q & A with K Veena Kumar, Jeevan Bhima Nagar corporator The idea is to equip the corporator with enough funds for ward developmental work like pothole filling, and repairing of roads and drains. But you would hardly think so going by the condition of the various localities in the city. With most corporators doing little to maintain their wards, the people of their areas are left angry and frustrated at their civic needs being ignored despite the many taxes they pay. Indiranagar is touted as Bengalurus next big neighbourhood, but even the famed 12th Main reflects the total apathy of its corporators. The area is full of bad roads and vacant plots that are breeding grounds for mosquitos. Take the Jeevan Bhima Nagar ward in east Bengaluru, which covers localities like Indiranagar, HAL and New Thippasandra. Visit these areas and all you hear are complaints about their poor upkeep. Says Mr Jerry Varghese, who lives on 12th 'A' Main, Indiranagar, "When people hear the name, Indiranagar they think it is a posh locality. But when they visit it their impression changes. Look at the roads, especially the Bilvapatra Balamuri Vara Siddi Vinayaka Temple Road and Sai Darshan Marg which are filled with potholes and uncleared garbage. It seems like there is no civic body responsible for the localitys upkeep." As corporators, we may not know many things which the experts in the ward committee know. What is wrong in listening to the voices of the citizens and experts via ward commi- ttees and implement them" Ms Poornima Ramesh, Corporator, Yediyur ward Others in the area complain about vacant sites being turned into mini-dumping yards and the garbage there being set fire to, raising a stink and causing pollution. Mr Varadarajan, a retired employee, says the many vacant sites in and around HAL 2nd Stage are becoming an excellent breeding ground for rodents and snakes on account of their garbage and thick vegetation. There must be a system in place to allow people to raise such civic issues and have them resolved by the BBMP, he insists. But if the people of Jeevan Bhima Nagar are unhappy with the condition of their ward, those living in Yeddiyur ward seem to be content with their lot. Kannada film director, Seeni, who lives here, says the area corporator, Poornima Ramesh of the BJP is both approachable and aware of the problems of the people. "She also responds to our needs promptly." he adds with satisfaction. So well maintained is the area with its smooth garbage -free roads and footpaths, and a park with herbal plants that walkers and others can enjoy in their leisure, that it is easily the best among the 198 wards in the city . In fact since 2011 Yeddiyur ward has been listed as the number one 'model ward' in media ratings and an NDTV survey of 2015 rated it as one of the best wards in South India based on its civic amenities, showing what a councillor can acheive when he or she performs as expected. Corporators have a feeling that by formation of ward committees, they will lose their power and citizens' voice become prominent. Also they do not wish to be accountable, as once the ward committees are formed they have to be more accountable and transparent" Kathyayini Chamraj, CIVIC Bridge gap between corporators, people Upset with the BBMP for failing to set up ward committees in all the 198 wards of the city as directed to by the high court, some civic activists now plan to file a contempt petition against it to ensure that it complies. Ms Kathyayini Chamaraj of CIVIC says its only lack of political will that is stopping the civic agency from setting up the ward committees.Corporators believe that if the ward committees are set up they will lose their powers and the citizens' voice will gain prominence. Also they do not want to be accountable as once the committees are formed they will have to be more transparent in their dealings, she contends. Ward committees will be a bridge between the citizens and government and will make way for good development as works in the ward can be prioritized based on meetings at the committees." Ms Aruna Newton, president of HAL 2nd Stage Civic Amenities andCultural Association of Indiranagar Ms Aruna Newton, president of the HAL 2nd Stage Civic Amenities and Cultural Association of Indiranagar, says the ward committees can be a bridge between the people and government and make way for better development of localities. "We are very keen to work with the government and urge it to set up these ward committees at the earliest, she adds. Corporator Poornima Ramesh, who has already set up a ward committee in her Yeddiyur ward, is all for them. "As corporators, we may not know everything that takes place in our wards. So whats wrong in listening to the voices of the people and experts at these ward committee meetings and resolve their problems ?" she asks pertinently,adding, The committees will in no way diminish the powers of corporators. If there is political will, they can become a reality. Hyderabad: The Telangana Government on Wednesday decided to conduct the winter session of the Legislative Assembly from December 16. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao requested Assembly Secretary Raja Sadaram to send a request note to Governor E S L Narasimhan regarding convening the winter session, a release from the Chief Minister's Office said here. Rao held a preparatory meeting on the winter session with the ministers and the assembly secretary today. It was decided that the meeting of Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the Assembly will be held on December 15. A meeting of the state Cabinet, to be chaired by the Chief Minister, will be held on December 10. Ahead of the session, a conference of district collectors will be organised on December 14, it said. He also decided to hold a meeting of the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi Legislature Party on December 15. The Chief Minister has instructed that clothes be distributed to the needy Christians on the occasion of Christmas, the release said. The TRS government distributes clothes to the needy on the occasion of certain festivals. Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is likely to take up the continuing demonetisation crisis and seek the Centres help in the promotion of cashless transactions in the state with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to New Delhi. Mr Rao will be in Delhi on Thursday for the wedding reception of Union minister Nitin Gadkaris daughter Ketki. Sources said the government would seek the Centres support in the implementation of cashless transactions including making available swipe machines, improving internet services, banking system and other related mechanism. The Chief Minister plans to meet some Union ministers to discussed pending issues including dues from the Centre under various schemes. Most rupay cards not activated PSU banks have issued 70 lakh Rupay cards in TS so far, but 45 lakh cards are yet to be activated, which has become a major obstacle in launching of cashless transcations in the state. This was disclosed by finance minister Etela Rajender at a meeting with officials and bankers at the Secretariat late on Wednesday. Unless this issue is addressed on a war footing, achieving the target of cashless transactions would be difficult. Though 95 per cent of households have bank accounts as per official statistics, most of them exist on paper and have not been operative for years. These issues need to be resolved soon," he added. Expressing displeasure at the RBI for not addressing the change problem in the state even a month after demonetisation, he said, All the banks and ATMs continue to witness serpentine queues to withdraw money even after a month. This shows that adequate currency was not supplied by RBI. He said the RBI had sent Rs 15,563 crore new currency to the state so far, of which over 94 per cent comprised Rs 2000 notes resulting in severe shortage of change. He urged the RBI again to supply low value notes. New Delhi: Veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani, who has been maintaining a stoic silence erupted on Wednesday in the Lok Sabha and targeted both the Speaker Ms Sumitra Mahajan and parliamentary affairs minister Mr Ananth Kumar for not being able to run the House. The House is running on its own, he said. Saying that he would speak to the Speaker over the issue, the old warhorse virtually threatened to go public on the way the House was being run. I am going to go public on this, he said. To break the deadlock, the state government held talks with cement companies to supply cement for cheaper rate recently. (Representational image) Hyderabad: Cheaper cement and free sand has been giving a fillip to Telangana state government's flagship programme of constructing 2BHK houses for poor. The scheme, which remains the major poll promise of TRS, failed to make headway even after the government completing its half-term in office, with contractors unwilling to take up works citing the unit cost prescribed by the government 'financially unviable'. To break the deadlock, the state government held talks with cement companies to supply cement for cheaper rate recently. The cement firms agreed to supply cement for just Rs 230 per bag against market price of Rs 330 for the next three years and signed a MoU with government to this effect. Thereafter, the government announced to provide sand for free. Both these initiatives have turned encouraging for contractor, who are now approaching government to take up the works. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will be holding a mass house warming ceremony to handover 2BHK houses to beneficiaries in his two adopted villages Erravelli and Narsannapeta on December 23, where the construction has been completed, has also enthused the housing department to speed up works in other districts. In this backdrop, housing minister A.Indrakaran Reddy held a meeting with collectors of Adilabad, Nirmal, Asifabad and Mancherial districts on Wednesday to speed up construction of 2BHK houses in these districts. Housing principal secretary Chitra Ramachandran was also present. Since the issues of cement and sand, which comprise the major component of construction expenditure, have been resolved now, the contractors are coming forward to take up the works. We have now decided to put the 2BHK scheme on fast track mode. Plans have been readied to construct over 2 lakh houses within a year, said Mr Reddy. About 1 lakh houses would be built in GHMC limits alone, while the remaining lakh will be built in districts. Administrative approvals to call tenders and start construction works in all districts will be issued this month, Mr Reddy added. Bengaluru: The former BJP minister and mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddys daughters gala wedding has caught the attention of the Income Tax Department, which has reportedly set in motion an investigation into the actual expenses that have been incurred in the alleged Rs 500 crore wedding, which is scheduled to be held on Wednesday at the Bengaluru Palace Grounds. Though officers in the I-T Department are tightlipped about the investigation, it is reliably learnt that they are examining the actual expenditure and the source of money, given the fact that most of Mr Reddys assets were seized after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested him in September 2011 in the Obalapuram Mining case. Subsequently, a special anti-money laundering court had attached assets worth over Rs 37.88 crore belonging to him and his wife Lakshmi Aruna. He (Janardhan Reddy) has planned a lavish wedding for his daughter and the expenses are estimated to be around Rs 500 crore. The I-T Department will investigate the amount that has been spent and the source of money and if there is any irregularity in terms of use of unaccounted or nondeclared income, the Department will take necessary action against Reddy, said an official source. But sources close to Reddy said that he may be using legitimate money, which he may have raised after pledging his properties. The agencies had frozen only those assets, which were borne out of crime or ill-gotten wealth. Some of them may have been defrozen if they found no illegality. One must not forget that in 2008, he had declared his income around Rs 50,000 crore. His daughters grand wedding is his announcement to the world that he is back in business (read politics), the officer said. Security by Reddy, not police Only skeletal staff of police was found deployed at the Palace Grounds on Tuesday. "As the wedding planners and event managers have arranged their own security personnel, we have only our skeletal staff deployed from both law and order as well as traffic," said a senior police officer from Sheshadripuram sub-division. Police personnel from High Grounds police station were at the ground managing traffic and crowd on Tuesday. The police will not provide elaborate security cover for Janardhan Reddy's daughter's wedding on Wednesday, as the organisers have themselves arranged security personnel in the way of bouncers for the wedding. Over 10,000 to attend Over 10,000 guests are expected to attend the wedding of the mining baron's daughter Brahmini on Wednesday. Apart from regular traffic policemen, there would not be any additional traffic policemen to manage the traffic as the ample space for the parking would ensure there is no problem. "However depending upon the situation and the necessities as-needed decisions would be made and managed," a senior police officer said adding that there was no requisition from anyone for security in this regard. As of now, there are no VIP or VVIP movements communicated to us and hence we have not provided any security cover for the same. However, if there are any VVIP/VIP movements, then we will take up the required measures, another police officer said. Video grab of KuL Yadav Bhushan, whom Pakistan has arrested for his alleged links with Indias foreign espionage agency RAW. (Photo: PTI)(Photo: video grab) New Delhi: Another war of words broke out on Tuesday between India and Pakistan after the Pakistan Army released a video of an arrested ex-Indian Navy officer purportedly confessing his involvement in terror activities in Balochistan which India promptly rubbished. The head of Pakistan Armys Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt. Gen. Asim Bajwa and Federal Information Minister Pervez Rashid held a press conference in Islamabad to release the video, saying Kul Bhoshan Yadav confessed to his role of of working for RAW to foment trouble in Balochistan. Mr Yadav had been arrested in Pakistan, which described him as an Indian Navy officer. Read: India disowns ex-Navy officer arrested in Pakistan No link with Kulbhushan: India After Pakistan Army released a video of an arrested ex-Indian Navy officer Kul Bhushan Yadav purportedly confessing his involvement in terror activities in Balochistan, the claim was debunked by the Indian government which said he had no link with the Government since his premature retirement from the Navy. However, head of Pakistan Armys Inter-Services Public Relations Lt. Gen. Asim Bajwa and Federal Information Minister Pervez Rashid claimed that Mr Yadav was still a serving officer due to retire in 2022.Official sources in Delhi rubbished the purported confession and said it was Pakistans propagandist ploy to deflect the attention from its own problem of home-grown terrorism. Read: Thirteen more Indian spies held in Pakistan The sources also said India was not given the consular access to Mr Yadav. despite its requesting for the same and alleged that the release of the video was Pakistans attempt to deflect the attention from the Pathankot terror strike probe. Citing Mr Yadavs case, Bajwa accused India of carrying out state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan. There cannot be a clearer evidence of Indian interference in Pakistan, he claimed. The Pakistanis claimed that Yadav had established a small business in Chabahar in Iran and had directed anti-Pakistan activities in Karachi and Balochistan. He converted to Islam and worked at Gadani under the cover of a scrap dealer, Lt. Gen. Bajwa said at a joint press conference with mr Rashid. Quranic verse: We will surely test you with something of fright, hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits (means of livelihood), but give good tidings to the patient. A Sufi adage says: When one falls in love with the Divine, s/he goes through various forms of test, pain and suffering. Therefore, pain or distress was taken as bliss by scores of Sufi luminaries. They had great joy even in their worries, grieves and sadness. In fact, mystics in Islam were inspired by a universal truth as explained in this Quranic verse: We will surely test you with something of fright, hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits (means of livelihood), but give good tidings to the patient. Ismail Ibn Kaseer, an authentic exegete of Quran unearths more meanings of this verse. He writes: the one who has faith in the divine shall be tested in his/her wealth, offspring and family. Every believer shall be tested according to the degree of his/her faith, and when faith is stronger, the test is larger. He cites one more related verse from Quran to emphasise: But if you persevere patiently and have taqwa (righteousness), then verily, that will be a determining factor in all affairs of your life. However, this spiritual distress which appears as a tribulation in the divine path is diametrically different from the worldly stress that each of us grapples with. Any distress devoid of its spiritual dimensions is unhealthy. Such a mundane distress has become a widespread problem not only for the common people but even for doctors who are supposed to cure the stressed patients. Generally, this common grievance stems from what we call 24x7 mode of jobs in the modern workplaces that demand long working hours. This lifestyle troubles not only employees and students but also those attached to clinical departments in both private and government hospitals. Such a stress or distress has very negative consequences in our daily lives. It further reduces the human life which is already getting shortened now. This kind of worldly distress is called huzn (worry) in the Quran. There is no use of having such mundane distress. It is always discouraged in so many words and verses. For instance, So lose not heart, nor fall into despair: For ye must gain mastery if ye are true in Faith and Verily, there is no fear on the friends of God, nor shall they grieve. Shaikh Saadi, a noted Sufi saint in Persia, exhorted: Life is already short, so why shorten it further with worldly worries and grief? Better, have a divine heart that breathes joy and happiness in all cases. It is narrated in a hadith tradition that one of the Prophets companions used to pray: O, Allah if you give me what I ask for, Im happy once. But if you dont give it to me, I become ten times happier, because the first was my choice and the latter was yours. Even a worldly stress can be propelled into something a potential. A modern Islamic thinker writes: Tension is only the negative name of a positive phenomenon It is actually a blessing in disguise. Your mind has unlimited capacity, but this capacity, which is a gift of nature, is in the form of potential. You need to turn this potential into actuality. Space Systems/Loral will provide spacecraft bus, critical hardware and services for the development, deployment and operations of the Restore-L mission. NASA is building a a robotic spacecraft equipped with the tools and technologies needed to repair or refuel satellites currently in orbit. The US space agency has awarded a USD 127 million contract to the California-based Space Systems/Loral of Palo Alto for Restore-L Spacecraft Bus and Support Services. Space Systems/Loral will provide spacecraft bus, critical hardware and services for the development, deployment and operations of the Restore-L mission. They also will provide related services to accomplish mission integration, test, launch and operations. The Restore-L Project is managed within NASA's Satellite Servicing Projects Division at the agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. Restore-L is a free-flying mission projected to launch in 2020 to perform in-orbit satellite servicing in low-Earth orbit. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. All the current and future models in the Moto Z line-up including Moto Z, Moto Z Force and Moto Z Play will be compatible with the mods. Lenovo-owned Motorola recently launched two new Moto Mods for its Moto Z series. Now reports suggest that the company has further committed to releasing 12 additional Moto Mods in the coming year. While in talks with CNET, Motorolas Senior Director of Product Management John Touvannas said that the company plans on ramping up Moto Mods development in 2017. Our goal is to get more Mods out this year than we did last year, no question, he told the news agency. All the current and future models in the Moto Z line-up including Moto Z, Moto Z Force and Moto Z Play will be compatible with the mods. CNET further pointed out that Lenovos year runs from April to April. Therefore, on this basis, it is safe to assume that the company wont be unveiling any new mods in the coming months. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Samsung Electronics began rolling out its Gear S3 smartwatch earlier last month. Now reports suggest that the company recently took the wraps off the new official Gear S3 bands. The Korean tech giant recently released a statement, suggesting that it is collaborating with two major players of the accessories market to deliver straps that are specifically designed for its latest smartwatch. The new collection by Strap Studio offers a collection of different bands including Italian leather bands in 15 different colours. The new band further features a new spring bar system that is easy to change and will allow users to switch out straps without the need of any tool. SLG Design is another company that offers official Gear S3 straps. This collection consists of nine premium straps, out of which six are made out of leather and three are made out of canvas. The new bands can be purchased from two companies official website and will be made available in Samsungs online stop in Korea and its offline stores in select countries including Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico later this month. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The WhatsApp message reads that BSNL is now offering unlimited data and voice calls and in order to enrol yourself, you need to apply online and generate a bar code. BSNL is offering free 4G unlimited data and voice calls for a period of one year, reads a message on WhatsApp make sure you dont click on the link in the message, or forward it to anyone. The hoax message is a huge scam and someone out there is making money from it, apart from mining for personal information. Ever since the country has got the taste of free 4G internet with Reliance Jio, other telecom operators are facing the heat, trying their level best to match rates and offer irresistible deals to make sure customers stay back. While top telecom players in India are offering irresistible data plans at cheaper rates, they still cannot beat the Jio offer, which is absolutely free for another four months (till March 31, 2017). Taking advantage of this data offer battle, scamsters prey on unsuspecting victims to make some dough. A new scam has emerged where a message being circulated around reads that BSNL is offering free 4G unlimited data and voice calls for a period of one year. Please note that the message is a hoax and a big scam to make money and mine for personal information. The message reads that the top telecom player is now offering unlimited data and voice calls and in order to enrol yourself, you need to apply online and generate a bar code similar to how Jio worked. The message further reads that one can get a free SIM card with 10Mbps speeds on 4G along with free voice calls and SMS for one whole year with BSNL 4G ExPress SIM. The message is a hoax, features a big scam and the link in the message and does not lead you to the BSNL website. In fact, if you closely look at the URL in the message, the L in BSNL is a capital i, which takes you to the bsni.cowebsite. Once you hit the link, you will be taken to the browser which reads http://bsni.co/sim/ (check the URL in the browsers address bar). On the page, you will see the ad for the 4G ExPress SIM card and you will be asked to enter details such as name, address, phone number and state you live in. Surprisingly, as a test, we chose Gujarat, which had a spelling mistake in it (see screenshot). The message on the screen reads all the information to lure you into the scam. The next screen will then inform you that you need to generate a bar code and verify your address, but in order to proceed you would need to send the invitation to 10 more friends or groups on WhatsApp. After sending the message to 10 groups (the website checks the count and wont allow you to bluff), the next screen asks you to install an app to verify the mobile number you provided. The message also tells you not to uninstall the app for three days and to allow the website at least 12 hours to verify the app installation. Clicking on the link will take you to the Google Play Store and you would have to install the app from there. Further on, nothing happens and you finally find out that you were duped. Although you did not pay for anything, you have successfully sent the scamster all your details such as name, number and address. The scamster will collect this data and sell the database in the online market, to sales companies and many other services for a hefty sum. Apart from this, the scamster has cleverly designed the website which will also show ads, automatically click on a few links in the background and make you download a few apps. He has also managed to monetise on the ads and apps that get downloaded to your smartphone and is now smiling away to the bank. A few days ago, a similar scam with Airtel offering free unlimited data for three months had been doing the rounds. The scam is similar to this one, but the BSNL message looks more authentic. These types of scams are not new anymore. But what one needs to know is to be careful with such messages that seem too good to be true. Before hitting on such links, make sure you know the sender. Research online for a similar offer or information to make sure it is genuine. And if you find it fishy, youd rather ignore or delete the message. Dont forward such messages to anyone. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The 'Shift' controller, produced by Seoul-based 'this is engineering Inc', comprises a wireless thumb ring and small joystick which the developers say can make flying a drone more intuitive.(Representational image) A South Korean start-up company has developed a thumb joystick that allows users to fly a drone with one hand, replacing the traditional two-handed joystick. The 'Shift' controller, produced by Seoul-based 'this is engineering Inc', comprises a wireless thumb ring and small joystick which the developers say can make flying a drone more intuitive. The user holds the joystick in one hand and inserts their thumb into the unattached ring. When the operator's thumb moves, the drone goes in the same direction. 'The position of the thumb determines the speed and direction of the drone,' Hong Yoo-jung, the company's founder and chief executive, told Reuters Television. The basic thumb ring and stick is expected to go on sale in Europe, Asia and the Americas early next year and sell for around $150. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. But they did not provide a road map to juries and lower courts on how to navigate similar disputes in the future. The US Supreme Court on Tuesday sided with Samsung in its big-money smartphone patent fight with Apple, throwing out an appeals court ruling that the South Korean company had to pay a $399 million penalty to its American rival for copying key iPhone designs. The 8-0 ruling, written by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, held that a patent violator does not always have to fork over its entire profits from the sales of products using stolen designs, if the designs covered only certain components and not the whole thing. The justices sent the case back to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington to determine how much Samsung must pay. But they did not provide a road map to juries and lower courts on how to navigate similar disputes in the future. Apple spokesman Josh Rosenstock said in a statement that the US company remained "optimistic that the lower courts will again send a powerful signal that stealing isn't right." Samsung told Reuters in a statement the ruling was a "victory for Samsung and for all those who promote creativity, innovation and fair competition in the marketplace." Following a 2012 jury verdict favoring Apple, Samsung initially was hit with nearly $930 million in penalties, later cut by $382 million, for infringing Apple's iPhone patents and mimicking its distinctive appearance in making the Galaxy and other competing devices. Samsung in December 2015 paid its Cupertino, California-based rival $548 million. But Samsung took the matter to the Supreme Court, saying it should not have had to make $399 million of that payout for copying the patented designs of the iPhone's rounded-corner front face, bezel and colorful grid of icons that represent programs and applications. With the products that used iPhone designs, Samsung went on to become the world's top smartphone maker. Tuesday's ruling followed a ferocious legal battle between the world's top two smartphone manufacturers that began in 2011 when Apple sued Samsung for patent and trademark infringement. It was one of the most closely watched patent cases to come before the top US court in recent years. The legal dispute centered on whether the term "article of manufacture," on which design patent damages are calculated in US patent law, should be interpreted as a finished product in its entirety, or merely a component in a complex product. In court papers, Samsung, Apple and the US government all agreed that the term could mean a component. But Apple urged the Supreme Court to affirm the appeals court's ruling because Samsung presented no evidence that the article of manufacture in this case was anything less than its entire smartphone as sold. Samsung, meanwhile, said that it did not have to present such evidence. Sotomayor, writing for the unanimous court, said that the law is clear. The term "article of manufacture is broad enough to encompass both a product sold to a consumer as well as a component of that product," she wrote. PERIOD OF UNCERTAINTY The justices nevertheless refused to devise a test for juries and lower courts to use to discern what a relevant article of manufacture is in a particular case, a task that could be fraught with difficulty when considering high-tech products. "No doubt whether with Apple-Samsung, or some other design patent case, we are going to have a period of uncertainty where courts will be trying to formulate a test and what the boundaries are," Richard McKenna, an expert in design rights at the law firm Foley & Lardner in Milwaukee, said in an interview. In court papers, Apple said its iPhone's success was tied to innovative designs, which other manufacturers quickly adopted in their own products. Samsung, in particular, made a deliberate decision to copy the iPhone's look and many user interface features, Apple said. Samsung argued that it should not have had to turn over all its profits, saying that design elements contributed only marginally to a complex product with thousands of patented features. Design patent fights very rarely reach the Supreme Court. It had not heard such a case in more than 120 years. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. According to press release issued yesterday from the Pakistans mission to the UN, Fatemi told the top UN leaders that Indian forces had stepped up ceasefire violations on the Line of Control and the Working Boundary in order to divert international attention from the alleged human rights atrocities, particularly the targetting of civilians, in Kashmir. (Photo: AFP) United Nations: Blaming India for closing the doors on any bilateral engagement with it, Pakistan told top UN officials that the world body has a "moral responsibility" to play its role in resolution of the Kashmir issue and help in de-escalating tensions. Special Assistant to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, during his day-long visit to the city, met UN Secretary General-designate Antonio Guterres, Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson and Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffery Feltman. According to press release issued yesterday from the Pakistans mission to the UN, Fatemi told the top UN leaders that Indian forces had stepped up ceasefire violations on the Line of Control and the Working Boundary in order to divert international attention from the alleged human rights atrocities, particularly the targetting of civilians, in Kashmir. "India had also closed the doors on any bilateral engagement. In this situation, the UN had a moral responsibility to call for ending human rights violations" in Kashmir, "play its role in resolution of this long festering dispute and help in immediately de-escalating tensions", he said, according to the release. Fatemi, accompanied by Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi, said, Islamabad expected the UN to play its role in ensuring peace and stability in the South Asian region, especially in the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He said while Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had reached out to India and made efforts to develop a mutually beneficial relationship, the efforts were not being reciprocated by New Delhi. Fatemi also briefed the UN officials about alleged human rights violations by Indian forces on the Kashmiri people, saying efforts to quash a popular and indigenous uprising in Kashmir had led to the killing of over a hundred people and injuries to thousands. The release said that the UN leadership called for resumption of dialogue and de-escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan adding that Eliasson expressed concern at the regional situation and called for the lowering of tensions. On Afghanistan, Fatemi said Pakistan was ready to play its part for peace and stability in the country. Washington: President-elect Donald Trump has picked Iowa Governor Terry Branstad for the key post of US ambassador to China, US media reported on Wednesday. Beijing responded by calling Branstad an "old friend" on Wednesday, signalling that his nomination may have the effect of calming tensions with China heightened by Trump over the past week. Bloomberg first reported the news of Branstad's appointment on Tuesday evening, saying he had accepted the offer, citing anonymous people close to the matter. The Iowa governor had met with the Republican billionaire earlier on Tuesday at Trump Tower in New York. Afterward, Branstad, 70, declined to comment about whether he had been offered a job, telling reporters only that he is excited about a Trump presidency and the "quality of the people that he's attracting to the cabinet." Branstad has known Chinese President Xi Jinping since 1985, when Xi visited Iowa as a provincial official, Bloomberg reported. Branstad has since visited China several times and gave a dinner for Xi in Des Moines in 2012 nine months before he became Chinese president. Branstad was also an early supporter of Trump's campaign. His son Eric served as the state director for the real estate tycoon's campaign in Iowa. News of Branstad's nomination comes amid new tensions with China after Trump smashed almost four decades of diplomatic protocol last week by speaking directly to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. The move risked a serious rift with Beijing by calling into question one of its self-described "core interests" -- the "One China" policy. Tsai's conversation with Trump was the result of months of lobbying by Taiwan, The New York Times reported. China regards self-ruling Taiwan as part of its own territory awaiting reunification under Beijing's rule. After China protested to Washington at Trump's breach, the president-elect responded with a Twitter broadside accusing Beijing of currency manipulation and militarizing the South China Sea. During his campaign this year, Trump also accused China of trying to "rape our country" with unfair trade policies. The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded to the news about Branstad on Wednesday saying he is "our old friend." "We hope he can contribute to the development of bilateral relations," spokesman Lu Kang told reporters. "We stand ready to work with whoever takes the post to enhance bilateral relations." Branstad's apparent tapping comes amid heated speculation about Trump's yet-to-be-announced choice for secretary of state and concerns the president-elect's brash leadership style may shake up global security. Sallie was put to death by lethal injection at 10:05 pm (Photo: Youtube Screen grab) Georgia: The state of Georgia on Tuesday executed a man convicted of murdering his father-in-law, after the US Supreme Court rejected his lawyers' final appeal. William Sallie, 50, was put to death by lethal injection at 10:05 pm (0305 GMT Wednesday) at the state prison in Jackson, according to correctional authorities in the southeastern state. He "accepted a final prayer and recorded a final statement", the state's Department of Corrections said in a news release, without providing details. Sallie was convicted of fatally shooting his father-in-law in 1990 and injuring his mother-in-law following a custody battle with his estranged wife over their son. His original death sentence was overturned because of a conflict of interest related to his lawyer. Sallie was again convicted and sentenced to death in 2001 following a second trial. According to Sallie's lawyers, a female jury member during the second trial had pressured fellow jurors and lied about her past, alleged bias that could lead to the verdict's annulment. But Sallie missed a filing deadline to request a federal review of the case, at which point he no longer had a lawyer advising him. On Monday, the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles rejected a clemency petition from Sallie's current defense team. The pace of executions is declining in the United States, due to a combination of factors, including a shortage of the drugs used to carry out lethal injections. Georgia, however, is bucking the trend, having put more people to death this year than Texas, the state that usually carries out the most executions nationwide. According to Norman Fletcher, a former chief justice of the Georgia State Supreme Court, Sallie's lack of representation at a crucial time is a federal issue. "The United States Supreme Court has not ruled that the Constitution guarantees a right to an attorney during the critical post-conviction review stage in state courts," he wrote in an opinion piece published this week in The New York Times. "Georgia continues to deny counsel -- and denies a man like William Sallie the opportunity to defend his life." Tokyo: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will honour war dead but wont apologise when he becomes the first Japanese leader to visit Pearl Harbor this month, a top government spokesman said on Tuesday. The move follows US president Barack Obamas historic May trip to Hiroshima, the first by a sitting US president, where he spoke of victims suffering but offered no apology for dropping the worlds first nuclear bomb. Mr Abe will pay his respects to those who died in Japans surprise 1941 attack at the US naval base in Hawaii, which triggered World War II in the Pacific, and highlight a decades-old security alliance between the former enemies. Meureudu, Indonesia: The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck western Indonesia on Wednesday has nearly doubled to 97, the military said, as more bodies were pulled from the rubble of scores of shattered buildings. The shallow 6.5-magnitude quake struck Pidie Jaya district in Aceh province at dawn as many in the mainly Muslim region on Sumatra island were preparing for morning prayers. The death toll has steadily climbed as rescue crews search, often by hand, through the homes, mosques and shops reduced to ruins. The earlier figure of 52 dead was revised up significantly by the Indonesian military, which has taken over responsibility for the search and rescue operation. "So far 97 people have been killed and the number keeps growing. When we retrieve bodies sometimes there's five, sometimes 10 corpses," Aceh military chief Tatang Sulaiman told AFP. More than 1,000 soldiers and about 900 police have been deployed to the worst-hit areas to set up shelters and evacuation points, he added. Hundreds of houses and shops had been levelled by the quake, leaving countless people homeless and in need of basic supplies like food and water, officials said. "The electricity is still off. Some places have generators, but there are not many," local disaster agency head Puteh Manaf told AFP. "If it rains there will be disease." Everything was destroyed The sole hospital in Pidie Jaya was quickly overwhelmed, with patients treated on the grass out front or sent to neighbouring districts with better facilities. The district health office chief Said Abdullah said nearly 200 injured had arrived since the quake, but many would not enter the hospital for fear of aftershocks. "We are treating people outside. We took the beds out because nobody is daring enter the hospital," he told AFP. Another regional hospital had suffered serious damage in the quake, along with schools and other key infrastructure, a national disaster agency spokesman said. In the hard-hit town of Meureudu, terrified residents rushed outside as their homes buckled and crumbled. "Everything was destroyed," said Hasbi Jaya, who pulled his two children unconscious from the rubble of their home. "It was pitch black because the electricity was out. I looked around and all my neighbours' homes were completely flattened." An AFP correspondent said dazed residents were wandering debris-strewn streets, unable to return to their damaged homes in fear of aftershocks. Some fled to higher ground for fear of a tsunami although no alert was issued. A huge undersea earthquake in 2004 triggered a tsunami that engulfed parts of Aceh and other countries around the Indian Ocean, killing more than 170,000 people in Indonesia alone. Indonesian seismologists said the latest earthquake was felt across much of Aceh province, with many aftershocks following the initial tremor. The US Geological Survey upgraded the magnitude to 6.5 from an initial reading of 6.4 and issued a yellow alert for expected fatalities and damage. Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide. Aceh lies on the northern tip of Sumatra island, which is particularly prone to quakes. In June a 6.5-magnitude quake struck off the west of Sumatra, damaging scores of buildings and injuring eight people. File photo of US Navy Read Adm John Fuller (left), Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell (center) and the previous Nagaoka City Mayor Tomio Mori look on during a celebration marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, in Honolulu. (Photo: AP) Tokyo: 75 years after a Japanese admiral led the attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, the mayor of his hometown is joining his Honolulu counterpart to mark the anniversary - as friends. Tatsunobu Isoda, the Mayor of Nagaoka, Japan, will lay flowers at the main memorial event on Wednesday and join a smaller ceremony a day later co-organized by Japan and the US for the first time. His presence is the fruit of nearly a decade of effort by his predecessor, Tamio Mori, who in 2014 became the first Japanese municipal leader invited to the commemoration in Hawaii. "To many Americans, Pearl Harbor was a sacred place for the survivors and their animosity, and a place to glorify the war dead," said Nagaoka city official Yusuke Nishiyama, who has organized peace education and youth exchange programs with Honolulu for several years. Nagaoka, a city of 270,000 people on the Japan Sea, is the hometown of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the naval commander who masterminded the surprise attack on December 7, 1941, that killed 2,400 sailors, Marines and soldiers. Mori reached out to the then-Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann at an international conference in the Hawaiian capital in 2007. Introducing himself as the head of Yamamoto's hometown, he proposed youth exchanges for peace education to restore friendship. It took five years for Nagaoka and Honolulu to become sister cities, and even longer to build a deeper trust. "We continued our exchanges, not just on milestone anniversaries but year after year, and it was last year when we finally heard the word 'reconciliation' mentioned (by the Americans) for the first time," said Nishiyama, the Nagaoka official. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced this week that he will visit Pearl Harbor with President Barack Obama in late December to pay respects to the war dead as a gesture of reconciliation. Nagaoka is famed for its fireworks, and the displays of them in Hawaii have become a symbolic part of the exchange, including one at the ceremony in 2015 marking the 70th anniversary of the end World War II. In Nagoaka, the fireworks have long served as a reminder of the more than 1,400 people who died in US aerial firebombing attacks on the city during the final weeks of the war. The city's residents can take some solace in knowing that although Yamamoto was behind the Pearl Harbor attack, he initially opposed waging war on America, because he thought Japan had little chance of winning. He died in 1943 when his plane was shot down by US forces. MH370 disappeared during a flight from the Malaysian capital to Beijing in March 2014, carrying 239 people. (Photo: Representational Image) Sydney: The seabed search for the missing Malaysian airliner has been left to a single ship, with a Chinese vessel heading home to Shanghai, officials said on Wednesday. A Dutch survey ship Fugro Equator will finish the search of the southern Indian Ocean for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 alone after resupplying at the southwest Australian port of Fremantle, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which coordinates the search, said in a statement. The Chinese ship Dong Hai Jiu 101 had finished searching the 120,000-square-kilometer (46,000-square-mile) expanse last weekend and was headed back to Fremantle to drop off equipment before returning to its home port of Shanghai, the statement said. The Chinese ship in February joined three search vessels operated by the Dutch underwater survey company Fugro in the hunt for the Boeing 777 that authorities say crashed with 239 people aboard far off the southwest coast of Australia on March 8, 2014. Fugro Equator is expected to finish the search by February, the statement said. The ship is using a highly maneuverable drone known as an autonomous underwater vehicle to get sonar images of difficult terrain. A group of victims relatives traveled to the island nation of Madagascar off the southeast coast of Africa and this week offered locals possible financial rewards to search for debris from the plane. A Malaysian official investigating the disappearance visited Madagascars capital, Antananarivo, to pick up debris that has already been found and will be analyzed to see if it came from the aircraft. Confirmation that the plane crashed came last year when a wing part washed ashore on Reunion Island in the western Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. Authorities have offered no explanation of why the plane flew off course during a flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing. The accused dragged the boy to a forest, hit on his head and body before gang raping him (Photo: Representational Image) Sweden: A 15-year-old boy was gang-raped at knifepoint by five Afghan teenagers in a woodland in Uppsala, south east Sweden. The accused were later arrested followed by the victims complaint to the police. The victim also hails from Afghanistan. The prosecutors told the Daily Mail that the boy was beaten and dragged to a forest at knifepoint before being subjected to an ordeal lasting more than an hour. The victim was filmed during the attack that happened in a forest in Sweden. One of the attackers even posted the footage on social media after filming parts of the assault overnight on October 24 and 25. The teenager, aged 16 and 17, were detained on child rape charges. Court papers say they 'grabbed the defendant, covered his mouth and dragged or carried him into a woodland area' and thereafter 'inflicted beatings' to the child's head and body. However, the suspects have reportedly denied all allegations against them, one even saying he was not present. Two of them said they do not remember what they were doing as they were under alcohol influence, while the final pair made some concessions. The court papers say the victim was also bitten on the back and spat on and each of the accused carried out serious sexual assaults on the child. The victim and accused, all arrived in Sweden as unaccompanied minors seeking asylum. All the five accused could be deported if convicted. The local media reports that the alleged perpetrators and the victim knew each other but the motive for the attack is still not known. Stefan Wallin, a defense lawyer representing one youth, said his client neither admits nor denies the charges, "He has no recollection of the events because of alcohol intoxication." A trial is set to take place in Uppsala District Court. A recent report from the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency said that Tehran had slightly more heavy water stored than the 130 metric tons (143.3 tons) called for by the deal between it and six world powers. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP) Vienna: A UN agency says Iran is no longer in violation of its nuclear agreement with six world powers because it has reduced its store of heavy water. Heavy water cools reactors that can produce substantial amounts of plutonium used to make the core of nuclear warheads. A recent report from the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency said that Tehran had slightly more heavy water stored than the 130 metric tons (143.3 tons) called for by the deal between it and six world powers. A new confidential IAEA report obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press says the agency verified Tuesday that an Iranian export shipment of 11 metric tons (over 12 tons) of heavy water had arrived at its destination. The agency did not specify the destination but diplomats say it's Oman. Kent: A paedophile who was on America's most wanted list was arrested for grooming a 13-year-old vulnerable teenaged girl for sex. According to a report in the Daily Mail, the accused identified as Gerard Zalewski, manipulated the teenager to send him indecent pictures of herself, and then arranged to meet her in a park in Bamber Bridge, Preston in Lancashire where he taped the girls mouth with masking tape, put a dog collar around her neck and scrawled the words rape me on her leg. He then headed to take obscene photographs of the girl. Zalewski, who was a resident in Dartford, Kent, pleaded guilty for penetrative sexual activity with a child, meeting a child following sexual grooming, taking indecent photographs of a child and false imprisonment. He fled from the scene but was arrested in Kent on June 21 after a man-hunt. He was jailed for 12 years and given an 'extended indeterminate licence period'. Zalewski was earlier charged for committing 'involuntary deviate sexual intercourse' with a 13-year-old girl in June 2004, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He was wanted by the FBI for failing to appear at the sentencing hearing in March 2006. In his absence he was convicted to serve five to 20 years in a state correctional institution after he pleaded guilty to these offences. But when he did not surrender to the custody, a warrant was issued against him. Detective Chief Inspector Vicki Evans of Lancashire Constabulary's Public Protection Unit, who led the investigation of the Lancashire offences said: 'Gerard Zalewski is a dangerous and predatory sexual deviant who posed a significant risk to children across the country.' 'He groomed this vulnerable young teenager before arranging to meet her knowing that she was under 16. He then filmed her for his own gratification.' 'We welcome today's sentence which will mean the public, particularly children who are vulnerable, are protected from him for the foreseeable future.' 'This case highlights the risks and dangers faced by children with online grooming. 'It is important for parents, carers and guardians to talk to children about who they communicate with online, who their friends are, and how to manage these online relationships The government has been urging civilians to leave for months, and has accused the rebels of holding residents hostage for use as human shields. (Photo: AP) Beirut: At least 80,000 people have fled east Aleppo since the Syrian army began an operation in mid-November to recapture the rebel-held sector of the second city, a monitor said Wednesday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the figure included residents who have sought refuge in the government-held west of the city and a Kurdish-controlled enclave between the two sectors. But it does not include others who have fled south to remaining rebel-held territory, Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said. The army has made swift progress in its operation to recapture east Aleppo and now controls three-quarters of the sector, which had been a rebel bastion since 2012. The government has been urging civilians to leave for months, and has accused the rebels of holding residents hostage for use as "human shields." Before the assault began, an estimated 250,000 people remained in east Aleppo, which was surrounded by government forces in mid-July, halting deliveries of basic goods. The clerics who are a part of this programme have said that most of the militants come with questions related to women, their role in the community, among others. (Representational Image) Baghdad: A radio station run by Islamic State has launched a platform for its militants to discuss their personal problems. According to a report in the Daily Mail, the radio station Al-Bayan, that operates in the terror group's territories, features a special programme that translates ''Fatwas Over the Airwaves". In the programme, the clerics listen to the militants' problems and offer solutions to it. They also answer questions based on the Islamic law and what all is permitted under it. The clerics who are a part of this programme have said that most of the militants come with questions related to women, their role in the community, among others. One of the militants had asked the clerics if women are permitted to watch execution videos. A transcript of a call obtained by Middle East Media Research Institute said, "Are women allowed to watch the mujahideen's videos? And what is the ruling on women looking at men?" The caller got a response saying, "Some of the scholars have tended not to permit women to look at male strangers at all, and some of them have tended to prohibit women from looking at male strangers if this was out of desire or at a time or place ripe for temptation. However, if the looking is devoid of these things, it is permissible, and this is the correct stance to which the textual proofs point." "Since women were ordered to conceal themselves from men, and men were not ordered to do this, therefore it is fundamentally permissible for the Muslim women to watch Islamic State videos, even if they contain sermons, military preparation, or combat by the men of the Islamic State," the respondent added. Mosul: Iraqi army said on Wednesday that Islamic State militants launched an overnight attack against security forces in the southeastern part of Mosul, a day after the troops advanced deeper into the city. The attack "inflicted heavy losses," Iraqi Army Sgt. Maj. Hakim Saranbii told The Associated Press without giving specific casualty figures or further details. Iraqi Defense Ministry officials in Bagdad did not immediately comment. The setback came after Iraq's army on Tuesday rolled into the southeastern neighborhood of al-Salam, taking a hospital before meeting stiff resistance from IS militants. Convoys of dozens of armored Iraqi special forces and army Humvees could be seen moving into the southeastern neighborhood Wednesday morning. "What we see here is the enemy reacting to a new axis of advance," said coalition spokesman US Army, Col. John Dorrian, explaining that the new push putting increased pressure on IS. After the advance on Tuesday, Iraqi forces said that they pushed the front line back more than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) and retook Mosul's al-Salam hospital, but only a few hundred meters (yards) appeared to be secured and clashes continued into the evening. When Iraqi forces initially launched a push into eastern Mosul in early November, troops came under heavy counterattacks after advancing too far too quickly. Islamic State militants depend on suicide car bombs and sniper fire to derail the security forces, as well as a network of underground tunnels. The Iraqi government has not publicised the casualty figures for government troops and paramilitary forces fighting in Mosul and elsewhere in northern Iraq. Last week, the UN said in a report that nearly 2,000 members of the Iraqi forces were killed last month, but after coming under fire from the media arm of the Iraqi military, it announced it would discontinue publishing casualty figures for Iraq's security forces. Backed the US-led international coalition, Iraqi government troops and paramilitary forces launched a campaign in October to dislodge IS from Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city and IS's last major urban bastion in the country. The air strikes were launched as Syrian rebels, backed by Turkish troops and firepower, besiege Islamic State controlled al-Bab. (Photo: AFP/Representational) Syria: Turkish warplanes pounded 12 Islamic State targets in the al-Bab region of northern Syria on Wednesday, killing 23 militants, the military said. The air strikes were launched as Syrian rebels, backed by Turkish troops and firepower, besiege Islamic State controlled al-Bab as part of the three-month-old Euphrates Shield operation to push the jihadists and a Kurdish militia away from Turkey's border. Separately, one Turkish soldier was killed and six were wounded, one of them seriously, in a vehicle-borne bomb attack in the area on Wednesday morning, the military said in its statement. Media reports had earlier said two soldiers were killed in the attack. Military and hospital officials said the wounded soldiers were transported to hospitals in the southeastern Turkish city of Gaziantep. Wednesday's air strikes targeted buildings used by Islamic State fighters as well as three tanks and a bomb-laded vehicle, the army said. Nine similar targets were destroyed in air raids the previous evening, it said in an earlier statement. The advance by largely Turkmen and Arab rebels backed by Turkey towards al-Bab, the last urban stronghold of Islamic State in the northern Aleppo countryside, potentially pits them against both Kurdish fighters and Syrian government forces. Last month an air strike, which Turkey's military initially assessed to have been carried out by the Syrian air force, killed three Turkish soldiers in the region. Moscow has said neither Russian nor Syrian armed forces carried out the attack. Beijing: China has urged Washington to block Taiwan's president from passing through the US, after reports said she may stop in New York for talks with Donald Trump's team, following a protocol-smashing phone call between the pair. The president-elect broke with decades of precedent last week to accept a congratulatory phone call from Tsai, angering Beijing which regards the island as a rogue province awaiting unification. Taiwan's Liberty Times reported that President Tsai Ing-wen may seek to meet members of Trump's team while in New York on her way to Central America, though her office would not confirm the plan to AFP. The trip would take place before Trump's inauguration on January 20, the newspaper said. Taiwan has diplomatic relations with 22 states and the island's leaders make regular visits to its small group of allies in Central America and the Caribbean, often stopping in the US for meetings with sympathetic lawmakers. China's foreign ministry called on Washington to block any stopover in the United States. Tsai's "true intention is self-evident", it told AFP on today. "We hope America abides by the principle of the One China policy and the three US-PRC Joint Communiques and does not allow her transit." Countries that have formal diplomatic ties with Beijing cannot enjoy such links with Taipei and vice versa. Both Beijing and Taipei in principle consider themselves the only legitimate power in charge of both China and Taiwan. Beijing further warned against Washington giving an "erroneous signal to 'Taiwanese independence' forces". Trump's surprise call with Tsai and subsequent Twitter barrage criticising Chinese military expansions and accusing it of manipulating its exchange rate seemed to have caught Beijing off-guard. China's foreign ministry repeatedly deflected or downplayed reporters' questions Monday. But by Tuesday, state media were trotting out attacks on Trump as a "diplomatic rookie". Today they emphasised the need for calm, with experts in the often shrill Global Times urging China to "watch and wait" until Trump takes office and not to "play his games". Reports suggest the call was long-planned by both sides, but whether Trump wants a wholesale change in US policy on Taiwan is still unclear. Communist Party authorities will be closely watching Trump's picks for secretary of state and ambassador to China as a sign of whether he truly intends to take a hard line on the world's second-largest economy. Although the United States is Taiwan's main ally and arms supplier, it has not had official diplomatic relations with Taiwan since 1979, when it switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing. Dhaka: Bangladeshi child labourers who live in slums work for an average of 64 hours a week, many of them in textile factories making clothes for top world brands, a major study said Wednesday. The new report from the London-based Overseas Development Institute has found that 15 percent of Dhaka slum-dwellers aged between six and 14 did not go to school and worked full-time. The report, entitled "Child labour and education - a survey of slum settlements in Dhaka", found that two-thirds of girls from slum areas who are working full-time were employed in the booming garment sector. The findings raised concern over Bangladesh's $30 billion clothes manufacturing industry, which is one of the world's biggest despite a dreadful safety record. The manager of one unnamed garment factory told researchers that while he was aware children aged 11-14 should not be working, he did not regard their employment as illegal. He also admitted that many of his employees did not carry identification cards which would verify their age. There was no immediate comment from Bangladesh authorities or its powerful garment manufacturers, but union leaders said child labour in factories was rampant. The extent of child labour in Bangladesh's textile industry was laid bare in July when a nine-year-old boy was brutally killed at one of the largest spinning factories. Police probing the factory said they found a quarter of the workforce at the factory outside Dhaka were children. The ODI report, one of the largest surveys on child work and education conducted in Bangladesh, found that by the age of 14 almost half of the children living in Dhaka's slums were working. The report's co-author Maria Quattri said researchers found many children wanted to go to school. "But poverty was driving parents to find jobs for their children, even though they could see that it would jeopardise their long-term future," she wrote. The study also found that child labour levels rise from around eight percent at the age of 10 to 45 percent at the age of 14, with 36.1 percent of boys and 34.6 percent of girls saying they had experienced extreme fatigue. A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha delivered the verdict after dismissing the appeals moved on behalf of the convicts, including Harkatul Jihad al Islami (HuJI) chief in Bangladesh Mufti Abdul Hannan. (Representational image) Dhaka: Bangladesh's Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the death penalty handed down to the chief of HuJI militant group and two of his associates for a 2004 terror attack on the British envoy in the country that left three policemen dead, clearing the way for their execution. A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha delivered the verdict after dismissing the appeals moved on behalf of the convicts, including Harkatul Jihad al Islami (HuJI) chief in Bangladesh Mufti Abdul Hannan. The appeals are "dismissed," Sinha said in a brief ruling. The trio could now be hanged within months unless they seek a review of the verdict. But chances of overturning a death sentence in a review is extremely rare in Bangladesh. Hannan and his two accomplices had filed an appeal against a High Court judgement in February this year that had validated a lower court verdict handing them down the capital punishment. In 2004, the then Bangladesh-born British High Commissioner Anwar Chowdhury narrowly escaped the grenade attack at an Islamic shrine in northeastern Sylhet. Three policemen were killed and 70 others were wounded in the attack. On December 23, 2008, the Sylhet Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal sentenced Hannan, Bipul and Ripon to death and two others to life imprisonment for the grenade attack. Hannan and seven other operatives of his outfit were earlier sentenced to death by another court in Dhaka for a deadly 2001 bomb attack that killed 10 people during Bengali New Year celebrations. Twenty one HuJI men, including Hannan and an ex-junior minister of previous BNP government are now being tried for a grenade attack on Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina on August 21, 2004. The then opposition leader Hasina narrowly escaped the attack that left 24 people dead. The United States several years ago designated HuJi as a foreign terrorist organisation and "specially designated global terrorist" HuJI's involvement is also suspected in several bomb blasts in India. HuJI was formed in 1992 by Bangladeshis who had fought in Afghanistan in the war against Soviet forces. It was the first Islamist extremist outfit to have emerged in the Muslim majority nation. Hannan took over its leadership in the late 1990s. In October 2005, it was officially banned by the government of Bangladesh. Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Wednesday admitted that the government was presented with only "insufficient evidence" on alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav who is under detention. Addressing a full Senate chamber, Aziz said the dossier on Jadhav contained mere statements. "It did not have any conclusive evidence," he was quoted as saying by the Geo TV. "What the dossier contained was not enough. Now it is up to the concerned authorities how long they take to give us more matter on the agent," Aziz said. Jadhav, who was reportedly arrested in Baluchistan after he entered from Iran, has been accused by Pakistan of planning "subversive activities" in the country. Pakistan Army had also released a "confessional video" of Jadhav, who said he was the serving Indian Navy officer. India has acknowledged Jadhav as a retired Indian Navy officer, but denied the allegation that he was in any way connected to the government. Myanmar ethnic Rohingya Muslims shout slogans during a protest against the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo: AP) Yangon: Myanmar has stopped sending workers to Muslim-majority Malaysia as relations sour over a bloody military crackdown on the Buddhist country's Rohingya minority. The move came after Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak lashed out at Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi for allowing "genocide", during a rally in Kuala Lumpur that drew thousands of people. The crowds were protesting against a military crackdown in Myanmar's western state of Rakhine that has pushed more than 20,000 Rohingya Muslims into Bangladesh. Survivors have told AFP horrifying stories of gang rape, torture and murder at the hands of Myanmar security forces, while dozens have died trying to cross the river that separates the two countries. Buddhist-majority Myanmar has long discriminated against the stateless Rohingya and the recent crisis has galvanised protests in Muslim countries around the region, including Malaysia. "We want to tell Aung San Suu Kyi, enough is enough... We must and we will defend Muslims and Islam," Najib said at Sunday's 5,000-strong rally. "The world cannot sit and watch genocide taking place." A Malaysian government minister has also called for a review of Myanmar's membership of the regional ASEAN bloc. Myanmar officials have denied the allegations of abuse and Suu Kyi has told the international community to stop stoking the "fires of resentment". Late on Tuesday Myanmar's immigration ministry said it had stopped issuing new licences for its nationals to work in wealthier Malaysia, for years a top destination for migrant labour. "Myanmar has temporarily stopped sending workers to Malaysia from 6/12/2016 because of the current situation in Malaysia," it said in a statement, without elaborating. Myanmar has also summoned Malaysia's ambassador to protest at Najib's accusations of ethnic cleansing. "Such irresponsible remarks could worsen the already deepening polarisation between the two communities and violent extremism," Myanmar's foreign ministry said on Wednesday. Malaysia already hosts tens of thousands of Myanmar workers, most of them in low-paid jobs in factories or the food and hospitality industries. According to Malaysia, some 56,000 Rohingya have arrived on its shores in recent years, many taking perilous boat journeys to flee poverty and discrimination in Rakhine. But on Tuesday former UN chief Kofi Annan, who heads a commission on troubled Rakhine, told reporters he thought the crisis would not split the region apart. "I think it can be contained. There is a possibility here to contain what is going on," he told a news conference in Yangon at the end of a week-long visit. The private sector has imported around 1.2 million cotton bales from different countries and orders for 0.3 million bales of Indian cotton have been placed, according to officials. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP) Karachi: Amidst Indo-Pak tensions, Pakistan has rejected a consignment of 10,000 bales of cotton worth USD 3.3 million from India citing violation of plant quarantine rule by importers. The shipment of ginned cotton at Karachi Port was imported by seven textile mills. It was rejected by the Plant Quarantine and Certification Services Office, Ministry of National Food Security and Research Department of Plant Protection, Dawn newspaper reported. The rejection sent shock waves in the textile industry which has been striving for permission to import cotton from India, the report said. Last year, 2.7 million bales worth USD 800 million were imported from India to make up for the shortfall after cotton crop failure. The customs deputy collector informed that the consignment was imported in violation of the 'Pakistan Plant Quarantine Act 1976 and Rules 1967' and said the consignment would be returned to India at the expense of importers. The private sector has imported around 1.2 million cotton bales from different countries and orders for 0.3 million bales of Indian cotton have been placed, according to officials. According to the textile industry leaders the cotton imported from countries other than India was cleared by the customs authorities without any issue, the report said. Zahid Mazhar, Senior Vice-Chairman All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma), was critical of the government policy of not allowing cotton imports from India. He said unbridled arrival of cotton yarn from the neighbouring country was causing injury to the domestic spinning industry. "The industry needs around four million bales of imported cotton this year to meet the supply shortfalls," he added. The country is expected to produce around 10.05 million bales this year against an estimated demand of 15m bales. India is the second largest textile & clothing exporter in the world, contributing around 5 per cent to the global textile and clothing trade, said India Brand Equity Foundation, a trust established by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Veteran journalist, former Rajya Sabha Member, political commentator and satirist Cho Ramaswamy passed away early this morning in a private hospital here due to age-related problems. Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister O Paneerselvam, DMK leader M K Stalin and superstar Rajnikanth were among those who paid floral tributes to Cho at his residence. The 82-year-old, who was admitted to Apollo Hospitals last week for respiratory problems, is survived by his wife, son and daughter. In his tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as a multidimensional personality, towering intellectual and a great nationalist. "Cho Ramaswamy was insightful, frank & brilliant. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family & countless readers of Thuglak," Modi said. "Above all, Cho Ramaswamy was a dear friend. I have been to his annual readers meeting, which were an unprecedented editor reader interface," he said. A wreath was laid on the mortal remains of Cho on behalf of Modi, the Tamil Nadu government said in a release. The wreath was laid by State Protocol Officer Shiv Das Meena, it said. A stream of admirers, literary personalites and those from the cinema and theatre world also paid tributes to Cho at his residence. A lawyer by profession, Cho was a popular name in theatre, cinema and journalism. He was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 1999 to 2005. Condoling his death, Governor Rao said he was a multi-faceted personality. "I am deeply shocked and grieved to hear about the sad demise of Cho Ramaswamy, an actor, editor, lawyer and writer. He was a multifaceted personality, a bold, veteran journalist and a political critic who never hesitated to express his views unequivocally," he said in a Raj Bhavan statement. The field of journalism "has lost a doyen and a great personality," he said. Panneerselvam, accompanied by his cabinet colleagues C Srinivasan, Edappadi K Palaniswamy, P Thangamani and S P Velumani, paid homage to Ramaswamy. DMK President M Karunanidhi, in a statement, said despite political differences, Ramaswamy had great love and affection for him. He was a friend and a political critic who could convey his message with humour, he said. Rajinikanth described Ramaswamy as a "close friend" and recalled they had been friends since 1978. "Whenever I was in Chennai, I used to visit him at least once a week," he told reporters after paying homage to Cho. "His death is not an ordinary loss," he added. Top American lawmakers today expressed concern over the alleged curbs imposed by India on a Christian charity organisation whose representatives appeared before a Congressional hearing seeking change in New Delhi's policies related to foreign funding of NGOs. "It is my hope that by bringing attention to this issue, as we're doing here today, the 145,000 children will not be tragically denied the services they desperately need, and that American families....can continue to send the USD38 a month for food and education fees to the poorest of the poor," Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the powerful House Foreign Relations Committee said in his opening remarks. Royce joined by other lawmakers and representations of human rights bodies and Compassion International (CI) -- the Christian charity organisation which is often accused of being engaged in religious conversions in India -- rued that the recent effort to regulate foreign funding and enforce taxation laws has made it impossible for them to carry out work among poor children in India. "In India, it (CI) is the single largest contributor of aid for children living in extreme poverty," Royce said. "We have spent nine months and hundreds of hours dealing with the Indian bureaucracy on this, and it looks like the bureaucracy is trying to run out the clock," Royce said. Compassion International says in 2011, the Indian government made significant changes to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), which is the law that regulates NGOs' receipt of foreign funds into the country. The Indian Government has asserted that its policies initiated in 2011 is not aimed at one particular NGO. Congressman Eliot Engel, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he has been concerned by reports that NGOs are having difficulty registering and operating in India. "Civil society plays a pivotal role in democracy, holding government accountable and standing up for the rights of marginalised groups. So it's troubling that a country with such a long tradition of an empowered and active civil society might be going down this path," he said. "We cannot avoid the hard questions or avoid discussions simply because they are difficult conversations to have. This is how democracies work, warts and all," he added. Testifying before the committee, Stephen Oakley, general counsel and vice president of the General Counsel Office at Compassion International, alleged that the Home Ministry and the Income Tax Department are harassing NGOs like his which are engaged in charity works among poor children. "Most recently, MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) has prevented the return of USD 330,000 in aid that Compassion attempted to transfer to its Indian partners. The money cannot be received by the intended partner in India or returned to Compassion. This low-level harassment and intimidation by MHA is widespread and not limited to Compassion," Oakley alleged. "While Indian government has wrongly accused Compassion of engaging in illegal conversions and anti-national activity, it has simultaneously ignored and violated its own laws," he alleged. "MHA knows that they can use the inefficiency and massive delays of the Indian bureaucracy as a weapon - forcing charities like Compassion to either accept their determinations, or spend years seeking redress in a painfully slow and often corrupt legal system. In short, India`s Home Ministry is using those aspects of India's bureaucracy, which are most in need of urgent reform, to systematically target NGOs with agendas and views that differ from its own," Oakley said. John Sifton, Asia policy director Human Rights Watch, alleged that a troubling new crackdown on civil society is underway in India, especially in the last few months. A large number of NGOs have faced increasing governmental harassment including intrusive and politically motivated legal scrutiny, and the US government - a close ally - needs to respond, he urged members of the Congress. Sifton said the US government should raise concerns about the FCRA more publicly. "US officials should also urge (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi to end government harassment of NGOs, while encouraging him to ask parliament to amend the FCRA to only regulate corruption and deprive the Home Ministry authority to block funding for NGOs," he said. Irfan Nooruddin professor Georgetown University in his testimony said, "This incident is consistent with a broader trend affecting many NGOs and nonprofits in India which are increasingly complaining of heavy-handed government regulation in what has led many social observers to raise alarms about an attack on civil society by the current government. Such alarmism is not entirely misguided but it is overblown. "In enforcing the regulations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), the Government of India is acting fully within its rights as a sovereign state, and the reality is that a great many of the organisations that have lost their licenses since May 2014 were in violation of FCRA regulations, he said. "But it is also arguably true that many have violated the letter rather than the spirit of the law, and that the enforcement has been too often opaque and without clear explanation of cause. Further, while concerns that the Government of India has targeted faith- based Christian organisations disproportionately cannot be confirmed without more systematic analysis, anecdotal evidence does suggest that such concerns are not without warrant," Nooruddin said. Lok Sabha proceedings were virtually washed out for the 15th straight day today, with the Opposition carrying out noisy protests over the demonetisation issue, leading to two adjournments of the House before the Chair called it a day. Due to the unabated commotion, the Lower House could not take up the listed legislative business including consideration and passage of the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill and the Mental Healthcare Bill. As soon as the House re-assembled in the afternoon after two adjournments since morning, TRS member A P Jitender Reddy was called by the Chair to initiate the debate on demonetisation under Rule 193, which does not entail voting. When Reddy started reading out his written speech, Opposition members, particularly those from the TMC, came near his seat and indulged in vociferous slogan-shouting, apparently to drown his voice in the din. Large number of Congress and other Opposition parties were also seen raising slogans from the aisles or inside the Well. "We want discussion and voting on it," the TMC members shouted, indicating that they would allow debate only when it takes place under Rule 184 which entails voting. As Reddy's speech was not audible due to the loud sloganeering, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the TRS member had every right to speak as "he is an honourable member of the House" and discussion on demonetisation has already begun under Rule 193. "He (Reddy) is initiating the debate on demonetisation. He has welcomed (PM) Narendra Modi's bold decision. TRS chief and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has also welcomed the demonetisation," Kumar said. As the chaos continued, Karnataka BJP MP Pralhad Joshi who was in the Chair adjourned the House for the day. Earlier when the proceedings commenced at 1100 hours, the Opposition insisted on their demand for a discussion on demonetisation under Rule 184 Members of the Congress, TMC and the Left parties soon entered the Well, raising slogans and demanding voting after a debate on the demonetisation issue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the House at that time as questions for the PMO were listed to be taken up during Question Hour. However, he left the House shortly thereafter. Rejecting the Opposition demand, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kumar said voting had already taken place and it has gone in favour of the Prime Minister. When Kumar said Modi has got the highest votes in the 'Time' magazine opinion poll and the voting has already taken place, Leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge objected to it. The Minister was referring to the results of the opinion poll carried out by prominent American magazine Time, in which Modi got the highest votes for 2016 Person of the Year. Reacting to Kharge's objection, Kumar said "it is beyond my understanding why the Congress, the Trinamool Congress and Left parties are opposing the discussion under Rule 193." Kumar's remarks were met with vociferous slogans by the Opposition members who demanded a debate under rule 184 which entails voting after the discussion. With slogan shouting continuing unabated, the House was adjourned till noon. Similar scenes continued when the House met again at noon. However, the Speaker directed the laying of papers and allowed members to raise issues of importance. Congress and TMC members stormed the Well chanting slogans against the government and seeking a discussions under Rule 184. They also sought to know where the blackmoney had disappeared and wanted the government to unearth it. In the melee, the Speaker took up the Zero Hour by asking members to raise issues of urgent public importance. But as the din continued, she adjourned the House till 1400 hours. The demonetisation decision was taken after detailed deliberations and not in haste, while nearly Rs 11.85 lakh crore or 80 per cent of junked notes have come back into the system, RBI today said promising to maintain steady supply of new currency to ease cash crunch. "The decision was not and has not been taken in haste but after detailed deliberations," said RBI Governor Urjit Patel. "The consequences that have emanated from that were taken on board. That is why the planning, the process and implementation was what it was, keeping in mind high secrecy had to be maintained. The central bank and the government were conscious of certain immediate difficulties for the public at large and all efforts were made to mitigate them," he added. After the 5th Bi-monthly monetary policy review, Patel told the media that the problems of the common person were at "the top of our radar" and all dispensation were put into the place so "that period for disruption is minimal while we recalibrate our note supply to the denomination that were not withdrawn in terms of legal tender character". RBI Deputy Governor R Gandhi said that almost Rs 11.85 lakh crore in the scrapped Rs 500/1000 notes have come back to the banking system. Government had announced that the old Rs 500/1000 notes will no longer be legal tender from November 9. Public has been given time to exchange/withdraw the notes by December 30. Gandhi further said printing presses of RBI and the government are working to full capacity and all efforts are being made to reach the notes in every part of the country. "In fact, during this period that is from November 10 to December 5, the RBI supplied to the public banknotes of various denominations near about Rs 4 lakh crore. "As regards lower denomination of notes, the RBI through its counters and bank branches have supplied 19.1 billion (pieces) in this period which is more than what RBI had supplied to the public in whole of last three years," he said. Patel said presses have been recalibrated in the past two weeks to print more of new Rs 500 and Rs 100 notes. RBI also urged the public not to hoard the new currency and put it into circulation to ease the situation. "Large quantity of notes of various denomination have already been supplied... I appeal to the public that they may not worry about availability. It is continuously coming. If they freely re-circulate the notes...this problem will not be there," Gandhi said, adding that "hoarding of notes helps nobody's cause". Licence of an NGO run by noted lawyer Indira Jaising has been cancelled permanently by the government for alleged violation of FCRA, an action termed by the organisation as "preposterous" and an attack on "right to free speech" guaranteed under the Constitution. In its order, the Home Ministry claimed that there were discrepancies in foreign contributions cited by Lawyers' Collective in its returns filed with the government. Jaising, who was the Additional Solicitor General of India under the previous UPA government, had violated Foreign Contribution Regulation Act norms by receiving foreign funds between 2006-07 and 2013-14 when she was a government servant, the order said. Reacting to the government's move, the NGO issued a statement expressing wonder how an order could be issued on Sunday when all the government offices are closed. "Lawyers Collective has received an order dated November 27, 2016 cancelling its registration to receive foreign contribution...at its registered office at Mumbai. "The cancellation order is on the grounds that LC allegedly has violated the terms and conditions of its registration certificate, violated the provisions of the FCRA, and most importantly, acted against 'public interest'", the statement said even as it noted that "strangely enough, the order is passed on a Sunday, when government offices are closed. In June, the licence of Lawyers' Collective was suspended by the Narendra Modi government for six months for alleged violation of FCRA by using the funds for rallies, dharna with political "hue and colour", a charge denied by the association which termed it as an act of "vindictiveness". The organisation has also been put on the list of 25 NGOs found allegedly taking part in activities detrimental to the country's interest, official sources said. The Home Ministry earlier had said, "It is really surprising how a senior law officer, such as an ASG can simultaneously and for such a long period be on the rolls of a private entity, being paid (out of foreign contribution) for undisclosed purposes in gross violation of rules applicable to law officers of Union of India". Jaising, who served as ASG between 2009 and 2014, has represented social activist Teesta Setalvad in an FCRA violation case against Setalvad's NGO 'Sabrang Trust' and 'Citizens for Justice and Peace'. Jaising and senior Supreme Court lawyer Anand Grover are the office bearers of the Lawyers' Collective. Grover was part of a lawyers' team to petition the Supreme Court on behalf of 1993 Mumbai blast convict Yakub Memon hours before he was to be hanged. The Lawyers Collective (LC) statement said the order repeats what is alleged in the show cause cum suspension order dated May 31 and "disregards LC's replies in fact and in law. At the same time, certain new allegations have surfaced such as 'diversion' of foreign contribution and utilisation for 'personal gain', which are not borne out by the facts or the records, are absolutely false and defamatory. "It is preposterous for the MHA to suggest that LC has no record of work, when the government itself has acknowledged LC's contributions towards advancing women's rights, securing access to affordable medicines, protecting the rights of HIV positive people as well as transgender persons and continues to call upon LC for its legal inputs," the statement said. The statement said the NGO reiterates that the current proceedings under FCRA, including the latest cancellation order, are only a continuation of the harassment and persecution of the organisation, especially of its two trustees and senior advocates Indira Jaising and Anand Grover perpetrated by the government, over last one year. "Both Jaising and Grover have been and are continuing to take up sensitive cases, in their professional capacity, against the powerful functionaries of the present ruling establishment," the statement said. The action is perceived to be a "clear attack on the right to legal representation of persons who need legal services the most and a gross abuse of powers by the government of the day. "It is also a clear attack on the right to free speech and association guaranteed by the Constitution of India. The entire proceedings against LC under FCRA are nothing but an attempt to discredit the long-standing credibility of the organisation and that of its trustees, and a part of the larger clampdown on civil society spaces in India," it said. The NGO termed it as "preposterous to allege that LC has acted against public interest whereas LC has always strived to advance public interest through its pioneering work. "LC is exploring all legal options to challenge the cancellation order, including its defamatory contents, and will take necessary action in an appropriate time," the statement said. The apology tendered by controversial Uttar Pradesh Minister Azam Khan for his alleged remarks on the sensational Bulandshahr gang rape case does not appear to be "unconditional", the Supreme Court observed today. A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy made the observation after Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi objected to certain words like "if" and "then" used by Khan in his affidavit tendering unconditional apology as per the November 17 directions of the apex court. The use of words like "if" and "then" in the affidavit, which was to be an unconditional apology, has defeated the purpose, Rohatgi said. "In the affidavit, he (Khan) is saying that unfortunately statements made (by him) were misreported. If it is a question of misreporting then why there is an apology? This is not an unconditional apology. He is using the words 'if' and 'then'. He can't ride two horses at a time," Rohatgi told the bench. However, the bench asked Khan's counsel to provide a copy of the affidavit to senior advocate Fali S Nariman, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae. "Show it to Mr Nariman. It does not appear to be an unconditional apology," it said. Nariman also said it was not an unconditional apology. However, Khan's counsel sought a passover in the matter.After the hearing resumed, senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, who was representing Khan, said the affidavit should be "ignored" and the Samajwadi Party leader would file a fresh one. Rohatgi continued to insist that this cannot be treated as an unconditional apology. However, the bench agreed to Sibal's contention and directed Khan to file a fresh affidavit. "The affidavit filed today by R-2 (Khan) is ignored and he shall file a fresh affidavit in terms of the direction given earlier by this court," the bench said and posted the matter for hearing on December 15. At the fag end of the hearing, Sibal said, "It's difficult for me to say whether he (Khan) will say the word apology. He intends to say remorse instead of apology". To this, the bench said it would examine whether remorse is sufficient for tendering an unconditional apology on the next date of hearing. The brutal incident had happened on the night of July 29 when a group of highway robbers stopped the car of a Noida- based family and sexually assaulted a woman and her daughter after dragging them out of the vehicle at gun-point. The apex court had on August 29 taken note of the alleged controversial remarks of Khan that the gang rape case was a "political conspiracy". On November 17, the apex court had directed Khan to tender "unconditional apology" for his alleged remarks in the matter while seeking assistance of the Attorney General in dealing with the issue of statements made by persons holding public office in such cases. Sibal had earlier said that though Khan had not said anything attributed to him against the victims in the case, but if the father of the victim felt "insulted or offended" in any manner then Khan was willing to apologise. The court has said it would deliberate upon the questions framed by it earlier regarding the freedom of speech and expression and probable impact of statements of those holding high offices on free and fair probe in heinous cases including rape and molestation. Initially, the FIR was lodged by the Uttar Pradesh Police under various provisions on July 30. The CBI had re-registered the case on August 18 in pursuance to the Allahabad High Court's interim order. The man, whose wife and daughter were gangraped in July on a highway in Bulandshahr, had on August 13 moved the apex court seeking transfer of the case to Delhi, besides lodging of an FIR against Khan as well as several policemen. The Allahabad High Court had ordered a CBI probe into the incident, besides deciding to monitor the investigation. The Twitter handles of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress which were recently hacked were operated from five countries including the US, Delhi Police today said. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), which is probing the matter, received a reply around three-four days ago from Twitter headquarters on the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses used by the hackers to send derogatory tweets from these accounts, a senior police officer said. "We have got to know that the IP addresses from where the accounts were accessed don't fall under our jurisdiction. The Twitter handle logs show both the accounts were operated from five countries - Sweden, Romania, the US, Canada and Thailand. We will write to the Internet service providers of these countries to share details of users with us and that is how the investigation will proceed," the officer said. Analysis of the data shows that the accounts were accessed from these countries on November 30 from 9.15 PM to 9.30 PM and from 10:30 AM on December 1, the officer added. In case, police do not get the necessary details, they might have to initiate the process of sending Letters Rogatory to competent courts in these countries for assistance, sources said. According to the officer, police are yet to get log details of the Congress website from the party's server. Police had lodged two FIRs in connection with the hacking of the two Twitter accounts, the party website and the email accounts of Congress and Rahul on December 1 following two complaints from Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala to the EOW. Rahul's Twitter account was hacked on November 30 and some remarks full of expletives were posted. On December 1, his email account was also hacked, the party had claimed. Two cases under section 66 of IT Act were registered, police had said. "There is irrefutable proof against Kulbhushan Jadhav, who had also made a public confession in March," it said. Aziz also "condemned the continued Indian interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan and urged the international community to take immediate notice of the violation of international law by India," it added. Pakistan Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz today admitted that the government was presented with only "insufficient evidence" on alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav who is under detention. Addressing a full Senate chamber, Aziz said the dossier on Jadhav contained mere statements."It did not have any conclusive evidence," he was quoted as saying by the Geo TV. "What the dossier contained was not enough. Now it is up to the concerned authorities how long they take to give us more matter on the agent," Aziz said.Jadhav, who was reportedly arrested in Balochistan after he entered from Iran, has been accused by Pakistan of planning "subversive activities" in the country. Pakistan Army had also released a "confessional video" of Jadhav, who said he was the serving Indian Navy officer.India has acknowledged Jadhav as a retired Indian Navy officer, but denied the allegation that he was in any way connected to the government.Later, a Foreign Office spokesperson issued a statement, saying the remarks attributed to Aziz was "absolutely incorrect." "The Adviser had said that the investigations regarding the network of Kulbhushan Jadhav are ongoing and the dossier shall be completed upon conclusion of the investigation," the statement said. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has told authorities investigating him over a rape allegation that his accuser "made it very clear" she wanted to have sex, according to testimony he released today. His statements are the first he has made to investigators since taking refuge in Ecuador's embassy in London over four years ago to avoid extradition to Sweden for questioning in the matter. He has said he fears Sweden would then hand him over to the United States to answer for the leaking of diplomatic cables and other classified documents by his whistleblowing website. "I want people to know the truth about how abusive this process has been," the 45-year-old Australian said in a statement he released with the testimony. Swedish prosecutors dropped a sexual assault probe into Assange last year after the five-year statute of limitations expired. But they are still investigating a 2010 rape allegation, which carries a 10-year statute of limitations. An Ecuadoran prosecutor grilled him last month over the rape claim with questions supplied by Swedish prosecutors. Assange told the prosecutor he met the woman who has accused him of rape at a 2010 talk in Stockholm, where he was based after WikiLeaks released 75,000 secret Pentagon documents about the war in Afghanistan. The woman, known as SW in the documents, "appeared to be sympathetic to my plight and also appeared to be romantically interested in me", adding that she invited him back to her home. She "made it very clear that she wanted to have sexual intercourse with me," he added. "During that night and again in the morning we had consensual sexual intercourse on four or five occasions." In a copy of her testimony seen by AFP, she said she woke up the next morning to find Assange having unprotected sex with her and decided to file a complaint after talking with friends. Elisabeth Fritz, the lawyer for Assange's alleged victim, said last month it was "time for this to go to trial" after six years of legal battles. "We are expecting that the prosecutor will announce charges after this questioning and that these charges lead to a trial in a Swedish court," she said. WikiLeaks's public profile dwindled while its mastermind remained holed up in the embassy. But it recently returned to prominence with the leak of tens of thousands of emails from the US Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton's campaign in the final weeks of the race for the White House. Assange denied influencing the shock election result and rejected claims he had links with Russia. President-elect Donald Trumps motives for his unorthodox call with the leader of Taiwan remain mysterious, but some Republicans are hailing his improvisational diplomacy as a refreshing break with diplomatic rituals that date to the Richard M Nixon administration. It could lay the groundwork, they say, for a healthier relationship with China. The question, as often with Trump, is whether he will have the discipline to see through these changes. Was the phone call the start of a calculated policy, or was it merely a one-off gesture that will alienate China and leave Taiwan even more isolated? So far the messages from the Trump camp are mixed. Vice President-elect Mike Pence insisted on Sunday (December 3) that people were reading too much into the conversation with President Tsai Ing-wen, and that Trump was simply accepting congratulations from the democratically elected leader of Taiwan. But people advising the transition say Trump knew exactly what he was doing. Certainly, the president-elect has done nothing to defuse the tensions stirred by the call. A string of vituperative Twitter posts by Trump over the weekend on Chinas trade and military policies has fanned questions about whether he wants to reset the relationship with Beijing more fundamentally. But there is no dispute that several people involved in the Trump campaign have long favoured opening more formal channels between the US and Taiwan as a way to put pressure on China. And Republicans being considered for top jobs applaud what they view as Trumps determination to use Taiwan as a chip in a geopolitical contest with China. Hes the first president since the Shanghai Communique who provides an opportunity to look fresh at the cross-strait relationship, said Jon M Huntsman Jr, who served as ambassador to China under President Barack Obama. Huntsman was referring to the 1972 statement, issued after Nixons visit to China, which sharply constrained Americas dealings with Taiwan. Huntsmans name has recently surfaced as a candidate for secretary of state, along with that of John R Bolton, a former ambassador to the United Nations under President George W Bush. Bolton met with Trump on the day he took the phone call from Tsai. Later, he said the US should shake up the relationship with China. Trump seemed to take umbrage at the suggestion that he needed Chinas approval to speak with Tsai. In two posts on Twitter, he wrote: Did China ask us if it was OK to devalue their currency (making it hard for our companies to compete), heavily tax our products going into their country (the US doesnt tax them) or to build a massive military complex in the middle of the South China Sea? I dont think so! That, in turn, prompted the Chinese government to stiffen its protests of Trumps freewheeling diplomacy. After initially playing down the precedent-setting call, the Chinese warned Trump, in a front-page editorial in the overseas edition of Peoples Daily, that creating troubles for the China-US relationship is creating troubles for the US itself. China often uses the overseas edition of Peoples Daily to test-run major policy pronouncements. In a pointed rejoinder to Trump, the editorial said that pushing China on Taiwan would greatly reduce the chance to achieve the goal of making America great again. By going after Chinas policies on trade and security, however, Trump appeared to be confirming his intent to take a tougher line with the Chinese leadership across a broader range of issues and further dampened hopes in Beijing that he might step back from the campaign rhetoric he has used, including threats of punishing trade tariffs. Such a stance would reflect his foreign policy advisers, who have criticised the Obama administration for being weak towards Beijing. Alex Grey, a member of Trumps State Department transition team, wrote an article, with another Trump adviser, Peter Navarro, in Foreign Policy magazine last month in which he described Obamas treatment of Taiwan as egregious. This beacon of democracy in Asia is perhaps the most militarily vulnerable US partner anywhere in the world, Grey and Navarro wrote, declaring that the island needed a comprehensive arms deal with the US to deter Chinas covetous gaze. Reince Priebus, Trumps designated chief of staff, also has a history with Taiwan. In October 2015, he met with Tsai in Taipei as part of a delegation from the Republican National Committee. After Trump selected Priebus, Taiwans foreign minister, David Lee, told a legislative session that the appointment was good news for Taiwan. Restore balance Pro-Taiwan groups in Washington played down their role in orchestrating the call. But they welcomed it as a step to restore balance in the three-way relationship between Washington, Beijing and Taipei. They also said it need not provoke a confrontation with China. Its absurd that we talk about going to war with China to defend Taiwan, and our presidents cant talk to each other, said Randall Schriver, chief executive of the Project 2049 Institute, a Washington think tank that favours closer US ties with Taiwan. The Chinese understand this, Schriver continued. They dont want to see their efforts to isolate Taiwan rolled back, but they also dont want a bad relationship with the US. Other China experts said they saw value in Trumps desire to rethink old diplomatic protocols. As Trump has observed, it is difficult to explain to ordinary people why the US sells advanced weapons to Taiwan but the leaders cannot speak to each other. Some China scholars say it is not clear the policy serves the US all that well nor is it clear that Beijing would not learn to live with a closer US relationship with Taiwan. The trouble, said some, is that Trump needlessly antagonised China by trumpeting the phone call and then following it up with a series of defiant tweets. Its not the phone call thats the problem; its the making it public thats the problem, said Shelley Rigger, a professor of political science at Davidson College who specialises in Taiwan. That could put President Xi Jinping in a difficult position, forced to choose between playing down Trumps attacks and risking a backlash at home, or raising the stakes by pushing back more forcefully and setting China on a potential collision course with the US. The just-concluded Heart of Asia (HoA) conference that India hosted at Amritsar prioritised the fight against terrorism and radicalism. The Amritsar Declaration was forthright in its rejection of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and described it as the gravest challenge confronting the HoA region and the rest of the world. Previous HoA conferences were rather reticent about identifying by name the terrorist groups behind the bloodletting in Afghanistan; they named only the al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group. The Amritsar Declaration not only named these two jihadist groups but also the Taliban, the Haqqani Network, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, East Turkistan Islamic Movement, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, Jundullah etc. The list of groups named in the final declaration is noteworthy for two reasons. This is the first time that a HoA declaration names Pakistan-backed and based terror groups like the Haqqani Network, LeT and JeM. The LeT and JeM target India rather than Afghanistan and while Pakistan is likely to have opposed their naming in the declaration, it managed to get the TTP included. Clearly, participants at the HoA conference battled hard to further their own interests. Importantly, the declarations wording is such that it avoids describing the Taliban as a terrorist group. This is, perhaps, aimed at facilitating the Afghan governments ongoing efforts at negotiating a peace settlement with the Taliban. While calling on governments to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries and disrupt all support for terrorist groups, the Amritsar Declaration refrained from naming Pakistan. However, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani did not pull his punches. In his speech, he called out Pakistan for its selective displacement of terrorist networks and snubbed the countrys offer of US$ 500 million in development funds, saying that Pakistan could put this money to better use by containing extremism emanating from its soil. Ghanis stinging remark stemmed from his frustration with Pakistan. But his observation also underscored the fact that Afghan reconstruction cannot make much headway so long as Pakistan-backed terror continues to bleed Afghanistan. Close cooperation between India and Afghanistan was on display at the Amritsar conference. The two countries were clearly on the same page in their condemnation of state support to terrorism. And while Prime Minister Narendra Modi refrained from naming Pakistan, it was evident who New Delhi was criticising. As in other recent summits and meetings, Indias diplomacy at Amritsar conference was aimed at isolating Pakistan. It was partially successful. However, Russia expressed its unhappiness with the HoA meeting being reduced to an India-Pakistan slanging match. Indias recent preoccupation with isolating Pakistan may not be a smart strategy as it is drawing the ire of other countries. Sangama, Sambhrama- 2016 Samskrithika Samarasya, on Wednesday, brought languages, other than Kannada, such as Tulu, Konkani, Beary, Kodava, Arebhashe and Urdu together. An initiative of Kannada and Culture department in association with various academies and authorities, it unveiled melange of cultures and traditions, with people, especially Kodavas, clad in their traditional dresses. District In-charge Minister M R Seethram kick-started the ceremony at Field Marshal K M Cariappa College Ground. Chairmen and chairpersons of nine academies took part in the inaugural ceremony. However, it was not short of shortcomings, with Women and Child Development Minister Umashree, who holds additional charge of Kannada and Culture ministry, giving it a miss. Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment B Ramanath Rai, who was supposed to inaugurate the book exhibition, also stayed away. Similarly, Mysuru and Kodagu MP Prathap Simha, local MLAs M P Appachu Ranjan and K G Bopaiah, MLC Sunil Subramani also did not turn up. In his address, coordinator of Kanaka Centre for Research and Studies K T Chikkanna said, Such is the attitude of people in the cities, that they lead a life of islanders, having scant regards for culture and tradition. The modern world that has brought along with a life of stress, also offers to give solace with various other activities like arts, culture, music and dance. Karnataka Sahitya Academy chairperson Malathi Pattanshetty said, Everybody should develop habit of savouring the essence of culture. If it happens, the programme, that has reached its third year, will be a regular feature. It is also my dream programme. She said Kodagu holds a distinct place in the state with its unique topography and is known for its culture and tradition, besides hospitality. State Sangeeth Nritya Academy chairperson Gangamma Keshavmurthy said, Gamaka still has its hold in Kodagu with people not losing interest in the same. It is a great art and efforts are being made to protect and patronise it. Mahadevappa Shambulingappa Shilpi, chairman of Karnataka Shilpakala Academi said, Unlike the prime minister and the chief minister who are bound by protocol, art can be likened to a river that flows transcending the world. It has no limits and remains a source of inspiration for many. Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academi chairman Roy Castelino said, The state has highest number of academies, giving equal encouragement to languages other than Kannada. On the absence of elected representatives, Castelino said, The programme should have been planned in apolitical manner. Kodava Sahitya Academy chairman B S Thammaiah said, The programme was postponed twice with the only intention of bringing all under one roof. However, the elected representatives preferred to skip the programme in the name of attending Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) progress review meeting. Beary Sahitya Academy chairman Muhammad Haneef felt the elected representatives should have attended the programme and encouraged the cause, as the invitations were printed as per protocol. MLC Veena Achaiah, Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy chairman Belagallu Veeranna, Tulu Sahitya Academy chairman M Janaki Brahmavara, Arebhashe Sahitya Maththu Samskriti Academy chairman Kolya Girish and joint director of Kannada and Culture department Mallikarjun were present. The state government which was treading cautiously over the implementation of the run of the river hydel project at Shivanasamudra in Mandya district, has decided to set up the project at an estimated cost of Rs 845 crore. The state Cabinet on Wednesday, which decided to give its approval for the project, also decided to inform the Cauvery Supervisory Committee (CSC) about the same. After the Cabinet meeting, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra told reporters that anticipating inter-state water dispute (between Tamil Nadu and Puducherry), the government wanted to inform the CSC about the same, before going ahead with the project. The government had sought legal opinion from the Advocate General (A-G). The A-G has given an opinion that the CSC should be informed. The government is not seeking the CSCs approval. We will just be informing it about the project, and subsequently take up works on the same, the minister added. Karnataka had proposed the setting up of the 200 MW hydel project at Shivanasamudra, but had faced stiff opposition to it from Tamil Nadu. It also fears that the neighbouring state might move the court. When contacted, Energy department officials said that the project will come up within the boundaries of Karnataka. Further, no water will be impounded as claimed by Tamil Nadu. They also said that the decision to approve the project just two days after the demise of Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, was a sheer coincidence. Officials said that the project approval was delayed owing to the legislature session in Belagavi. With the Cabinet approving the project, Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL), the implementing agency, will ready the detailed project report. Once clearances are obtained from the departments concerned, including environmental clearances, the project would be completed within 36 months. Financial assistance Jayachandra also said that the Cabinet had approved the extension of a financial package of Rs 396.72 crore to the state-owned Mysore Paper Mills Ltd, Bhadravathi to meet expenses towards Voluntary Retirement Scheme/Voluntary Separation Scheme of 2,200 employees. He said that the sick unit had incurred losses of Rs 600-Rs 700 crores. Given its financial crisis, it had not even been able to privatise the Mills. Hence, the government had decided to extend the financial support. MML report The state Cabinet on Wednesday failed to arrive at a decision with regard to taking action as recommended by the then Lokayukta over the alleged irregularities in the state-owned Mysore Minerals Ltd (MML). Law Minister T B Jayachandra said that the matter was debated for over two hours and later deferred. He said that the report will be referred back to the Mines and Geology department for re-examination. A former minister and and seven IAS officers, including Mahendra Jain and Gangaram Baderia, are under scanner. Other decisions *Approval for starting new medical college (Bowring and Lady Curzon Medical College and Research Centre on the premises of Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital, Bengaluru) *Approval for Karnataka Advocates Welfare Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2016. (Welfare fund has been doubled). *Reappointment of medical officers on contract basis, till they attain 65 years. *High Court employees to be paid on a par with state government staff. Senior BJP leader Jagadish Shettar on Wednesday said the state government is trying to help private companies by reversing its decision to declare Kappatagudda forest in Gadag district as a conservation reserve. Shettar, who is leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, said the government had issued a notification in 2015 by declaring parts of Kappatagudda as conservation reserve going by the ecological aspects. However, on November 4, 2016, the notification was withdrawn to help mining company Baldota group and Encorn power generating company. He said Ramgad Minerals of Baldota group intends to take up mining activities including gold deposit exploration. The company has submitted an application to the government in this regard. While withdrawing the notification, the government should have sought the Supreme Courts permission. But this process has not been followed, he charged. Shettar said that as many as 20 seers of various mutts recently met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and submitted a memorandum, urging him not to allow mining activities in the forest area. Siddaramaiah had told the delegation that on the recommendation of the Wildlife Board, the notification was withdrawn. The chief minister himself is on the board. How can he give such answer? We demand the government to reconsider its decision, he added. He also said Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil, who is from Gadag, is not opposing the move to allow mining. Kappatagudda spreads over taluks of Ron, Gadag and Mundargi. Shettar said the Congress party functions are being organised by misusing funds of boards/corporations. Recently, one such programme was held in Gokak by using Karnataka Road Development Corporation Ltds funds, he charged. The University of Mysore will confer honor-ary doctorates on Tibetan spiritual leader The Dalai Lama and descendant of the Wadiyar kings, the founders of the university, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar at its 97th convocation to be held on December 13. Vice-chancellor K S Rangappa said The Dalai Lama, who could not make it to the 96th convocation, will also deliver the convocation address at 11 am at the Crawford Hall, the univesitys administrative complex. Governor Vajubhai R Vala and Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy will be present. The university has obtained special permission to conduct two convocation ceremonies in the same calendar year. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday set the BBMP a December 2017 deadline to finish 13 major projects. At a review meeting to assess the progress of the 13 projects in Bengaluru under the state governments Nagarotthana Scheme with an annual grant of Rs 7,300 crore, Siddaramaiah expressed his displeasure over the slow pace of works. Of the 13 projects, only four have been completed so far. He was not happy with the speed of TenderSURE road projects, mayor G Padmavathi, who attended the meeting, said. Siddaramaiah said the two grade separators at Kittur Rani Chennamma Circle and Magadi Road should be completed by March 2017 while the eight-lane corridor at Okalipuram should be ready by December 2017. On the Okalipuram corridor, he asked Palike officials to coordinate with the Railways to get all the necessary approvals. The chief minister warned of strict action against officials who failed to meet the deadline and suggested completion of all major works like grade separators and signal-free corridors in a time-bound fashion. With the 25 main roads in the city getting damaged frequently due to heavy traffic, Siddaramaiah directed Palike engineers to develop them under the TenderSURE scheme or concretise them. He was also not happy over the delay in erecting skywalks at 76 places in the city. BBMP commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad told the chief minister tenders have already been invited and work would commence shortly. Regarding property tax collection, the Palike commissioner said that so far, Rs 1,700 crore was collected as against the target of Rs 2,500 crore. He added that the Palike has identified 18.8 lakh properties in the city and GIS mapping of these properties is under way. The chief minister stressed on the need for effective coordination between various civic agencies like BBMP, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board and Bangalore Development Authority for completing various works. He also reviewed the anti-encroachment drive on stormwater drains and the status of solid waste management in the city. The offer is valid till the end of this month across all consumer goods. Ola, Indias largest mobile app transport aggregator, has announced the launch of Ola Credit a unique postpaid service to enable hassle-free mobility to its customers who can pay later for their rides. Ola Credit will give customers seven days of credit, so that they can keep booking cabs without worrying about cash. Several companies are coming out with innovative ideas to lure customers, after registering a decline in their businesses post-demonetisation. Marry now, pay later, is one such offer from a nationwide chain of hotels. Weddings were severely effected post-demonetisation as most transactions are in cash.We wanted to address this pressing issue for families getting children married. We have tied up with Bajaj Finance Limited to design this unique offer, C K Baljee, managing director, Royal Orchid Hotels told DH. Currently, the offer is on at its leisure properties in Bengaluru, Goa, Mussoorie and Jaipur.Royal Orchid Hotels will take care of the venue, decorations, catering, stay, music and transport with 0% down payment, with the first equated monthly instalment (EMI) being paid only after 30 days of booking. The scheme, however, is applicable to only those who opt for a loan from Bajaj Finance. The company offers loans at 0% interest to be repaid in 10 EMIs.In the unlikely event of a wedding getting cancelled a day before the event, the hotel charges for the cancellation of bookings, while the finance company offers a 100% refund, Baljee said.On an average, Royal Orchid hosts between 120 and 150 weddings a year, he said. South Korean electronics major Samsung India Electronics has allowed consumers to buy now and pay after two months in easy monthly instalments. With cash still in short supply, long queues were seen at ATMs and banks that were dispensing cash on Wednesday. Most ATMs on the citys outskirts, especially those of private banks, were shut with no cash boards. There were crowds at select nationalised bank ATMs and some of these were not accepting cards of private banks. Mobile ATMs were deployed at some places to ease the rush but they were collecting transaction charges despite the Union governments waiver, complained users. N Prasad, a resident of Sarjapur Road, was forced to stand in long queues to withdraw money to pay bills. I have been running around to withdraw money and pay bills in the first week of the month. But I am still unable to get enough cash. My landlord is old and I cannot give him a cheque or pay online, as he cannot go to the bank. I have to pay him cash, and bank officials tell me that there is shortage of currency, said Prasad. A bank official from HDFC Bank said: The head office and branch offices of State Bank of India have long queues because they have a lot of cash. But we are yet to get sufficient cash stock for our customers. This is the reason why most ATMs have remained shut. K Vinaya, senior branch manager, Karnataka Bank, said the rush to deposit old currency notes in banks has come down by nearly 70%. The rush was huge in the first two weeks. Now, people are withdrawing new currency either through cheques of withdrawal slips. But since the flow of cash is low, banks are unable to meet the demand and are forced to put a cap on withdrawals. Pay cash: schools Some parents are finding it difficult to meet school expenses too because of cash shortage. My child studies in a CBSE school. Apart from paying fees, I have to buy uniforms but have limited cash, said a worried Lalitha, a resident of Hennur Main Road. After demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes, several police personnel have been arrested for making away with money that was being transported for exchange illegally. The Central Crime Branch (CCB) alone has seized Rs 2.43 crore cash in eight cases after the note ban was announced on November 8. The cash consisting the new currency as well as the banned notes has been handed over to the Income Tax department. Apart from the CCB, West division police have registered 20 cases in as many days and seized several crores in cash. Eight serving police personnel and a retired deputy superintendent of police have been arrested in these cases. In East division, only one case has been registered in KR Puram, a senior police officer told DH. The police are yet to calculate the total money seized in the West and East divisions. Asked about the reasons for involvement of the police personnel in the heists, the officer said: It is human tendency and temptation. They are being tempted to make quick buck. But they are ending up being arrested. In all the cases where policemen have been arrested, there has been a link between the cops and their informants. The arrested police personnel thought that cash being carried for conversion/exchange on commission basis was unaccounted money. They also thought that black money hoarders would not approach the police as they have to provide supporting documents to prove that the money belonged to them. When those who lost money have no documents, they hesitate to approach the police, fearing arrests. In such cases, people normally do not approach the police. Taking advantage of such a situation, the policemen make away with the cash without registering a case, senior officials explained, on how the racket worked. The city police are also investigating how police informants get to know about cash being transported by different people. The nexus between the police and informants is being checked. Informants are using the police to make easy money. All the policemen have been instructed to inform their superiors as soon as they seize cash, besides alerting the I-T department, an officer said. Jayalalithaa, who appeared abrasive and unrelenting not just towards Karnataka but also within Tamil Nadu, was soft at heart. She shared a close relationship with the people of Mandya. Her roots are in my district. It is my duty to pay my special respects to her. (The author is a former chief minister of Karnataka) As a Rajya Sabha member, Jayalalithaa came prepared with her lines, and delivered them like ammunition from an AK-47. On several occasions, in my capacity as Central minister, it was my responsibility to face her explosive, staccato questions. Jayalalithaa was not just an astute politician but also an excellent parliamentarian. Her leadership qualities ensure a permanent place for her in Indian political history.It can be argued Mamata and Mayawati have emerged on similar lines, but they dont display her kind of will, ability and determination. Jayalalithaa held the reins of Tamil Nadu politics for a long time because of her exemplary qualities. She must have assumed she had the time to develop a second generation of leaders. But an untimely death has snatched her away.I remember an event at Kolar Gold Fields, a Karnataka town with a predominant Tamil population. I had been invited in my capacity as industries minister. MGR and Jalayalithaa came to the event together.When it came to the Cauvery dispute, I was in conflict with her. The arguments she presented on behalf of Tamil Nadu struck everyone as extraordinary. She was profoundly aware of the many facets of the dispute, and I observed from close quarters how she acted with sensitivity to protect her states interests.Whenever we met, she spoke to me in Kannada. But the moment the Cauvery talks began, she would switch to English and maintain distance. She wouldnt speak to us during the meeting, lest she melt and cause injustice to her state.She firmly believed Cauvery belonged to her state. I have no clue on what she based this conviction. The Cauvery is born in Karnataka and flows here, yet Jayalalithaa blatantly propounded that it belongs to Tamil Nadu. She was always trying to use the 1924 agreement to vanquish Karantaka.When G K Moopanar, the senior Congress leader, passed away, Pranab Mukherjee and I had travelled to Chennai to pay homage on behalf of the party. Jayalalithaa was there. Mukherjee and other leaders stood some distance away. Jayalalithaa, standing near where I was seated, spoke to me warmly in Kannada. Krishna-avare, please ask them to come and sit here. Mistry had also claimed that Ratan Tata was keen on entering into joint ventures with AirAsia Bhd for AirAsia India and Singapore Airlines for Vistara. He said Tata forced the Group to venture into the sector and making capital infusion higher than initial commitment. The Enforcement Directorate has registered a case of forex violation to investigate claims of former Tata Group chairman Cyrus Mistry about AirAsias fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore involving non-existent entities in India and Singapore. Sources said the agency has issued summons to officials of AirAsia India, a joint venture of Tata Sons and AirAsia Bhd, asking them to submit documents and explain the matter next week.The case has been registered under Foreign Exchange Management Act (Fema) and will also look at a specific transaction of Rs 12 crore, out of Rs 22 crore, made to a Singaporean firm. In October, Mistry shot off an email to the directors of Tatas, claiming that the group initially sought to side-step ethical concerns raised against AirAsia India.He said there were questions on business ethics as well as culture of the airline that was not in tune with the Tatas. Board members and trustees are also aware that in the case of AirAsia, ethical concerns have been raised with respect to certain transactions as well as the overall prevailing culture within the organisation, Mistry had said in the email.He referred to a recent forensic investigation revealing fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore involving non-existent parties in India and Singapore. Mistry said an executive trustee, who is on the board of AirAsia India and a shareholder in the company, considered these transactions as non-material and did not encourage further study.It was only at the instance of the independent directors, one of whom immediately submitted his resignation, that the board decided to belatedly file a First Information Report, he said. Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has taken objection to the appointment of Rakesh Asthana, a Gujarat cadre IPS officer, as the acting director of the CBI. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kharge said a meeting of the selection committee to appoint a CBI director was not convened to facilitate giving charge to a junior officer. Kharge tried to raise the issue in the Lok Sabha but could not be heard in the din by Opposition members protesting the demonetisation of high-value currency. The entire process has been vitiated and being manipulated to preempt the decision to be arrived at, in the meeting of the selection committee, Kharge said in his letter to Modi. Kharge has also objected to the transfer of R K Dutta to the Ministry of Home Affairs as the Supreme Court had ordered that no officer involved with in the investigation of the 2G scam and coal allocation cases can be transferred. According to the Lokpal law, the selection of the CBI director has been tasked to a committee comprising the prime minister, the chief justice of India and the leader of the largest Opposition party in the Lok Sabha. The Modi government had amended the Lokpal Act in 2014 to include the leader of the largest Opposition party in in the Lok Sabha in place of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha as mandated in the original law. It has been once again proved that the amendments of the Lokpal were mere lipservice to the institution. Kharge has put that in writing (in a letter to the prime minister), Sushmita Dev, AICC spokesperson said. R K Dutta, a 1981 batch IPS officer, was widely tipped to be the CBI director given his seniority. Others in the fray included two lady officersMeera Borwankar and Archana Ramasundaram. However, Dutta was transferred to the Ministry of Home Affairs as a special secretary a few days before Anil Sinha demitted office on December 2. Asthana, a 1984 batch officer who would not have been in contention for the post as officers of three batches from the senior-most officers joining year are eligible for consideration, was given additional charge as director, CBI on December 2. A petition against the appointment of the interim director of the CBI is expected to come up for hearing in the Supreme Court on Friday. The closure of Sree Hanuman Jute Mills in Howrah has emerged as the emblematic problem of the states jute industry in the wake of the Centres move to demonetise notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000. The jute mill in Howrah, one of the biggest in West Bengal, decided to shut shop on December 6, a day before payday, leaving some 2,500 workers without a job. The ensuing cash crisis has left around 2 lakh workers without wages and mill owners in a fix. Although jute mill workers are paid daily wages, payments are traditionally made weekly or fortnightly and jute mills across the state have missed two payments, once in late November and again on Wednesday. While nearly 95% workers get paid in cash, owners are citing an acute crisis of available cash as the reason behind their inability to pay wages. Besides the management of Sree Hanuman Jute Mill, other jute mill owners also claimed similar predicament, pointing a finger at the unavailability of cash to pay wages. While the state had intervened last month to mediate a sit-down between trade unions and mill owners to sort out the crisis, the unavailability of cash has come across as the primary reason behind the failure to tide over the crisis. After jute mill workers missed a payday on November 21, trade unions agreed to mill owners opening bank accounts for all workers to make account transfers. A representative body of mill owners, however, claimed that owing to the ongoing cash crisis across the nation, banks are caught up in disbursing cash to millions of people in queue and other banking activities have suffered. A government driver has committed suicide, saying he was being harassed for his knowledge of mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddys money laundering deals. K C Ramesh alias Ramesh Gowda, a native of Maddur taluk, was the official driver of Bheema Naik, Special Land Acquisition Officer, Bengaluru Urban District. Ramesh checked into Samrat Lodge on the Mysuru-Bengaluru highway and killed himself by drinking poison, police said. The death came to light at 6 pm on Tuesday. Ramesh was facing death threats from Naik and his second driver Mohammed, Rameshs brother Mahendra has told the police. Ramesh has left behind a 12-page note, saying the KAS officer helped Reddy launder Rs 125 crore for a 20% commission. He has also listed Naiks assets and the bribes he purportedly paid officials and politicians to close corruption cases against him. The KAS officer and Mohammed, Rameshs note says, were threatening him with dire consequences if he spoke about the murky deals. Naik was close to B Sreeramulu, Ballari MP. The two met frequently. Days before the ostentatious wedding of Reddys daughter Brahmani, Naik had met Reddy and Sreeramulu and discussed the deal, it says. According to the note, Naik helped Reddy convert about Rs 125 crore. A major part of the note talks about assets acquired by Naik in the names of his relatives and friends. It says Naik also bribed judges and senior government officials, a police officer said. The note mentions the name of a senior judge of the Supreme Court who retired recently. Naik bribed a magistrate in Bengaluru to the tune of Rs 25 lakh, Rameshs note suggests. On October 28, 2016, Naik met Reddy and Sreeramulu at the latters house in Parijata Apartments in Bengaluru. They discussed financial support for Naik, who is keen to contest the 2018 Assembly elections from Hagaribommanahalli, according to Ramesh. Naik has bought property in Hagaribommanahali, Belagavi, Mariyammanahalli, Hosapete and Bengaluru, the note says. Maddur (Mandya district): Ramesh mentions the names of Reddy and PWD Minister H C Mahadevappas personal secretary Nagaraju in his death note, according to sources here. The letter lists Naiks assets, including a petrol bunk in his brothers name, three swanky cars and a diamond ring worth Rs 50 lakh. Naik also owns a bungalow in Belagavi, besides sites, farms and shares worth Rs 5 crore, the note says. Rameshs note alleges Naik handed Nagaraju Rs 25 lakh to close a departmental inquiry against him. Ramesh constantly received death threats from Naik and Mohammed as he was privy to the information, his brother has said. Abetment case booked The Maddur Town police have booked Bheema Naik and his driver Mohammed for abetment to suicide. Naiks phone was switched off through the day. A senior policeman said the KAS official would be summoned for questioning. Wedding back in focusDriver Ramesh was roped in to launder Rs 25 crore for the extravagant wedding of Brahmani, daughter of mining baron Janardhana Reddy, his suicide note indicates. The note also focuses on the wealth of Bheema Naik, who had worked as deputy tahsildar in Ballari. Prior to the November 16 wedding, Reddy had told reporters he would account for the expenses a month after the ceremony. Janardhana Reddys brother Somashekhara Reddy told reporters on Wednesday no black money was used at the wedding. He said he did not know either Naik or his driver Ramesh. The American College of Nutrition (ACN) honored GrassrootsHealth, an Encinitas nonprofit, with a Humanitarian Award at the organizations 57th annual conference, which was held in San Diego in early November. The Humanitarian Award is presented to individuals or organizations that have worked selflessly and effectively in the broader field of nutrition to benefit humanity, and past recipients include UNICEF, David Perlmutter (author of Grain Brain) and Vitamin Angels. This year, GrassrootsHealth was honored for its tireless effort to move vitamin D research into practice. In addition to working with over 10,000 individuals in their D*action program to test vitamin D levels, GrassrootsHealth also teams up with hospitals and cancer centers across the country to make resolving vitamin D deficiency standard care. Since it was founded by current director Carole Baggerly in 2007, GrassrootsHealth has tried to bring the low-cost, safe nutritional benefit of vitamin D to light. 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, ACN Executive Director Michael Stroka said in a news release. 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, Baggerly said. Together, we have created a call to action to get the world to the recommended 40 to 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. Submitted press release Construction kicked off Nov. 29 on the $700 million first phase of a 40-year project along coastal North San Diego County that will target multiple modes of transportation an approach that state and federal officials say should be a model for all of California. The work is part of the North Coast Corridor Program, a $6 billion multi-agency effort that will include wider freeway bridges, new carpool lanes, double-tracked railroad bridges, 10 miles of new bike paths, multiple pedestrian walkways and crossings, and the complete restoration of the San Elijo Lagoon. Dozens of local, state and federal representatives gathered Nov. 29 during a groundbreaking held at the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center in Cardiff. This project will improve the daily lives of people who live and work along the Interstate 5 corridor, said Monica Gourdine, associate division administrator for the Federal Highway Administration. The gain is not without some pain. Starting almost immediately, work on the carpool lanes and bridges is certain to slow traffic and make life a little more difficult for commuters at times until the first phase of work is completed in 2021. We are going to do the best we can to minimize that disruption, said Malcolm Dougherty, director of the California Department of Transportation. He asked for the motoring public to be patient during the work, and said everyone will be better off once it is finished. Work should begin within days on the new I-5 bridge across the San Elijo Lagoon at the border of Solana Beach and Encinitas. Construction of the Batiquitos Lagoon bridge in Carlsbad is scheduled to begin in mid-2017. Several speakers at the Nov. 29 event said the innovative approach of combining freeway, railway, public transit and environmental construction projects will allow all the work to be done faster and with less upheaval. Doing all these projects concurrently gets us out of the (environmentally-sensitive habitat of) the lagoon a lot quicker, said San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts. It also minimizes the negative effects on traffic, business, pollution and other things, he added. Nearly $500 million of the first phase money is budgeted for highway improvements, including the replacement bridges, additional carpool lanes, sound barriers in some residential areas, and more. Rail projects are budgeted for about $100 million, and bike, pedestrian and community enhancement programs for $40 million Interstate 5 and the coastal railway are widely seen as an economic lifeline, facilitating the movement of goods and services within San Diego County and to the rest of the state. Efforts to protect the environment and provide public recreation are interwoven into the freeway and railway work. The new longer, wider bridges with fewer piers in the water will improve the health of both lagoons by allowing tidal waters to flow more freely in and out, preventing stagnation and making the tidal waters more accessible to marine life. Weve been talking about the tidal flow in these lagoons forever, Roberts said. That has been a big issue. The budget also includes $80 million to pay for the restoration of the San Elijo Lagoon, a project lagoon conservancy executive director and principal scientist Doug Gibson has been working on for 20 years. The lagoon is home to more than 700 plant and animal species, many rare or endangered, Gibson said. The loss of this critical habitat has slowly progressed over the past century. Experts estimate as much of 90 percent of coastal Californias wetlands have been covered by development. San Elijo and other San Diego County lagoons provide a critical part of the remaining wetland habitat. Additional areas will be set aside and protected at San Elijo as part of the mitigation efforts required for widening the freeway and railway. Also, selective dredging and filling will remove the unnatural buildup of sediment in the lagoon and restore a healthy environment for more of the natives species. The lagoon restoration is scheduled to begin in mid 2017 and continue through 2021. Additional trails will be built to improve public access to the lagoon, including a pedestrian undercrossing beneath the railroad bridge that will connect east and west ends of the lagoon for the first time since the railroad was built more than 100 years ago. Phil Diehl writes for The San Diego Union Tribune Community members gathered Nov. 17 to learn more about the Solana Beach citys efforts toward crafting a Climate Action Plan during a public workshop at Solana Beach City Hall. The Climate Action Plan Workshop was held during a special meeting of the Climate Action Commission, an advisory group that was established last November to assist in developing a Climate Action Plan for the city. Developing a Climate Action Plan is not easy work, Deputy Mayor Peter Zahn said at the start of the meeting. He and Councilwoman Lesa Heebner serve on the committee. There are a lot of tough choices that need to be made and we all need to live with these choices, added Zahn, who encouraged the public to provide feedback on the plan. California Assembly Bill 32, adopted in 2006, compels the state to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Subsequent California legislation established additional requirements for setting more long-term greenhouse gas reduction targets. Since then, several cities in San Diego County, including neighboring Del Mar, have adopted Climate Action Plans to identify projected future emissions. The plans also set specific greenhouse gas reduction targets and strategies to achieve those targets. To assist with developing a Climate Action Plan, Solana Beachs nine-member Climate Action Commission is helping update the citys greenhouse gas emissions inventory, set reduction targets, implement mitigation measures and perform periodic monitoring, verification and evaluations. Fortunately, our city has done a lot of groundwork, going back to the Clean and Green Committee, Zahn said. A lot of good work has been done so far and the commission has been able to build on that. About 50 people attended the workshop, where Dr. Jeffrey Severinghaus, Solana Beach resident and professor of geosciences research division at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, provided a brief overview of climate change. We have a big problem and its bad, he said. Its time to do something about it. For most of the workshop, Dr. Nilmini Silva-Send, assistant director and adjunct professor at the Energy Policy Initiatives Center at University of San Diego, discussed using mitigation measure modeling to help develop a Climate Action Plan. According to Silva-Sends presentation, Solana Beach emits more than 139,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. The majority, 63 percent, stems from transportation. A Climate Action Plan would serve as a comprehensive roadmap, outlining strategies the city could use to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. In order to meet the states directives, she said the citys plan needs to help reduce the citys greenhouse gas emissions 15 percent below 2010 levels by the year 2020, 40 percent below 2010 levels by 2035, and 50 percent below 2010 levels by 2035. This is to be consistent with everyone else, Silva-Send said. Various state mandates have been set to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Silva-Send explained, but the city will still need to implement strategies to meet its goals. Some of those strategies, Silva-Send said, might include implementing clean and renewable energy, rooftop solar systems, energy and water efficient buildings, alternative transportation, recycle and divert waste, and tree canopy covers. Theres a lot we can do, she said. After further discussing these options and asking attendees various interactive questions, Silva-Send showed that Solana Beach would greatly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions if these steps were taken, but there still would be a small gap, approximately 12,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, to meet the states 2035 target. Theres still a gap to meet those state targets, but its not bad, she said. To gather further input from the public, the city is currently asking people to participate in an online survey. Responses will help city officials and commissioners identify key opportunities for lowering greenhouse gas emissions in Solana Beach. Survey findings will be summarized in a report that will be available on the citys website. To participate in the survey, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/HT3XDQ5 Praising City Manager Scott Huths work in 2016, the Del Mar City Council unanimously approved a 2 percent raise and a 4 percent bonus for their top administrator at a meeting on Monday, Dec. 5. The increase will be added to Huths current salary of $203,000, and is intended to bring his pay within 5 to 7 percent of the median salary for city managers in San Diego County, according to a report on the councils agenda. Before the raise, said the report, Huths salary was 8.4 percent below the median of $221,613, according to a survey of San Diego city manager compensation performed by the city. The survey found Huths salary stood fourth-lowest among other city managers in the county. Del Mars population, at about 4,300, is the lowest among San Diego Countys 18 cities. The increase was Huths second in about six months. The council granted Huth a 3 percent raise and a 3 percent bonus in June, following a performance evaluation for the calendar year 2015. Under his current contract with the city, Huth receives a performance evaluation and potential raise every year. At Mondays meeting, Councilman Terry Sinnott noted that the 2015 review had been delayed, and that was why Huth received two evaluations so close together this year. Council members credited Huth with a number of major accomplishments in 2016, from launching construction of the new city hall to finalizing a deal to send the citys wastewater to the San Elijo Joint Powers Authority for processing. Wastewater treatment may not be sexy, said Councilman Don Mosier, but the agreement with San Elijo will save the city tens of millions of dollars over the long term and is a huge accomplishment. The deal will also bring recycled water to the Beach Colony and Village areas, according to the agenda report. City council members also praised Huths stewardship of city finances, which included increases in city reserves and capital improvement funding. The citys financial condition is improved, and is now very healthy, said Sinnott, for which he credited the work of Huth and city staff. Our general conclusion is Scott is doing very good work, meeting our expectations in a number of different areas, said Sinnott. One reason the council wanted to complete Huths performance review at this point, said Sinnott, is that two new council members, Dave Druker and Ellie Haviland, will be sworn in next week, taking the seats now held by Mosier and Councilman Al Corti. The current council wanted to handle the performance evaluation for 2016, Sinnott said. As part of Huths performance review, council members also suggested opportunities for improvement. According to Councilman Dwight Worden, one such area is communicating with the community. Huth assumed his post in 2012. In 2015, the council approved a three-year extension of his contract, which runs through Jan. 1, 2018. Included in Huths package of benefits, according to his contract with the city, is a $500 monthly car allowance and a $150 per month cell phone allowance. Per his contract, Huth also received a cost of living increase of 1.6 percent in January, in addition to the merit increases, according to the city. The City of Del Mar renewed its ban on new short-term vacation rentals in the city, while working on a comprehensive set of rules that would delineate where and how local property owners could rent their homes to vacationers in the beach-side community. At its meeting on Monday, Dec. 5, the council passed an urgency ordinance, by a 5-0 vote, that bans any new short-term rentals (less than 30 days) in the city for the next 45 days. The ordinance does not prevent property owners who are currently using their homes for short-term rentals from continuing the practice. A previous moratorium on new rentals expired Dec. 1. City officials said they needed to renew the moratorium to preserve the status quo while the permanent rules are being devised. The issue is expected to come back before the council within the next couple of months. Councilman Dwight Worden said he would not be in favor of extending the moratorium beyond February. By the end of February I think we need to have it done, Worden said. Short-term rentals through such services as Airbnb and VRBO.com have become controversial across the country in recent years. The issue pits the rights of property owners to generate income with those of nearby residents, who have complained of noise, parking problems and other issues arising from the short-term rentals. In California, the states Coastal Commission has frowned on outright bans of the short-term rentals, considering them to be a way of promoting beach access, since they are often more affordable than hotels. In justification for Del Mars moratorium on new rentals, an agenda report said the city has received numerous complaints about noise, parking, refuse and the disruption of continuity in the neighborhoods where short-term rentals are located. A report prepared for a previous meeting said there were 143 rentals listed on Airbnb and VRBO in Del Mar. Council members said it will be challenging to craft rules that protect both property rights and quality of life for all parties. This is a very tough issue, said Councilman Terry Sinnott. Im assuming we may end up in court here no matter what we do, Worden said. ZTE is acquiring a 48% shareholding in Turkeys Netas Telekomunikasyon to strengthen its presence in the region. The Chinese vendor has signed the agreement with holding company OEP Turkey Tech B.V., which is managed by One Equity. The parent firm originally acquired its stake in Netas from Nortel in 2010. Founded in 1967, Netas is a leader in Turkeys ICT industry with audited revenue of US$371m for the fiscal year 2015. It provides services across multiple segments to telecom carriers, banks, governments and enterprises. Following the proposed transaction, Netas will remain an independent company, with increased access to ZTEs portfolio of products, services and solutions for telecom carriers, enterprises and governments, as well as consumers. This will allow Netas to complement and strengthen its current offerings, deliver more value to customers, and expand its customer base. Netas solutions will be made available to ZTEs international clients. Zhao Xianming, Chairman and CEO of ZTE Corporation, reaffirmed Netas future operation: Following the transaction, Netas shall remain committed to its corporate values to deliver the best value and service levels to clients, working closely with existing suppliers to nurture localised innovations. C. Mujdat Altay, CEO of Netas, said: With our new shareholder ZTE, we will continue to flourish and position Netas as a global technology player. Netas has been a major architect of Turkeys digital future and we will now work with ZTE to further address the global marketplace. We will engage in an exchange of expertise with ZTE, particularly in the areas of R&D and innovation. We also believe this transaction highlights Turkeys attractiveness as an environment for foreign investors. The remains of a teenager tragically struck down by a fatal cardiac arrest brought on by type 1 diabetes have been flown to her native South Africa following a fundraising drive. Caitlin Davis (pictured) passed away suddenly in late October in an emergency helicopter after a visit to a GP surgery, having felt unwell and complaining of chest pains. The 17-year-old had been looking forward to her 18th birthday on 6 January on that date next year a special memorial service will take place in her homeland. She moved to a village called Bunclody in the Republic of Ireland two years ago along with her parents to pursue her dreams of becoming a doctor, studying medicine in a country she thought offered her the best educational opportunities. Debbie, Caitlins mum, told the Irish Mirror: She kept saying, Mum Im going to be 18 in two months. On her birthday she wanted to wake up with her bedroom full of balloons and she really wanted one of those balloons in the shape of the number 18, so I will have to get her one of those. Her community rallied around to help the family send Caitlins ashes to South African, so far more than 6,000 has been with money also towards a charity to train medical detection dogs. Debbie added: People think diabetes you can handle that but it is such a dangerous disease. I told her, I couldnt live without you if something happened to you. I suppose somehow I just knew and now here I am living my worst nightmare. Picture: Irish Mirror Supercapacitor company CAP-XX announced on Wednesday that it has achieved significant production cost savings on its supercapacitor solutions for both passenger vehicle and heavy vehicle automotive applications. The AIM-traded firm had announced in June that it had secured three new orders for evaluation units of large supercapacitor systems. It said the customers comprise a North American vehicle manufacturer, an Asian Tier-1 OEM and an Asian distributor/OEM. The company also announced that it was in advanced negotiations with additional North American and Asian OEMs for the supply of evaluation units and for the licensing of its technology. Since June, development work undertaken by CAP-XX's research and development team in conjunction with its engineering team has resulted in a significant lowering of the cost of production of its supercapacitor products for automotive applications. It said the changes, which include the development of a proprietary electrode and the incorporation of new materials and processes, have resulted in significant reductions in the costs of materials and processing, while further enhancing the supercapacitors' already industry leading performance. As a result, once full commercialisation has been achieved, the company now expects to see the truckStart module selling to truck OEMs and aftermarket chains for less than $500, a significant reduction from the $1,000 price that was previously envisaged. Meanwhile, CAP-XX said it remains in developed discussions with numerous companies regarding licensing its technology or entering into joint ventures on both an exclusive and non exclusive basis, which will benefit from the reported engineering and cost benefit enhancements. We have responded to the demands of our international customer base for a cost competitive product which our R&D and engineering teams have delivered, said chief executive Anthony Kongats. At a significantly lower market entry price point, we believe that our automotive supercapacitors have a broader range of potential applications for energy capture and storage to support traditional batteries. Internet company CentralNic s .xyz domain has been approved by the Chinese government for use in the country. The .xyz domain is one of the first endings to be accredited by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MITT) to allow business and individuals in china to use the domain to host their websites from 16 December. CentralNic, with its partner .XTM, put in place a customised technology platform that has been approved by both the global internet regulator ICANN and China's MIIT. The domain, which is among the first batch of non-Chinese not-COM domains approved for Chinese citizens, is currently sold through more retailers than any other new top-level domain name, and is already a multi-million seller in China. CentralNics chief executive Ben Crawford China is the biggest new top-level market, and the approval could accelerate .XYZs growth. Shares in CentralNic were down 0.21% to 45.65p at 0801 GMT. Mineral & Financial Investment updated the market on Wednesday on TH Crestgate , a private Swiss investment company in which MAFL holds a 49% stake. The board of the AIM-traded firm said it was advised that the work program has been completed on the Central Sector of the Lagoa Salgada project owned and controlled by TH Crestgate. Lagoa Salgada, located 100km SE of Lisbon, Portugal, is accessible by highway and benefits from full and easy infrastructure access, the board reported. It said the work, which involved a geological re-interpretation of four historic drill holes at Lagoa Salgada, revealed long intersections of copper rich polymetallic mineralisation. Re-logging and re-assaying resulted in identifying a new and different type of mineralisation in addition to the previously identified lead-zinc rich VMS system, a large area of zinc-copper mineralisation in an uncommon altered rock with a stock-work texture. Recent IP studies showed indications of chargeability anomalies interpreted as sulphide disseminations, the board said, as well as well-defined resistivity boundaries coherent with larger areas comparing with the VMS type bodies, interpreted as stockwork zones; The work highlighted the potential of a new high tonnage target, according to Mineral & Financial, about 1000m south west of the current resource hosted within in a VMS formation. We are pleased with the work being undertaken on our investment in TH Crestgate, saich chairman Jacques Vaillancourt. Although they currently have insufficient data to definitively announce the presence of a copper bearing intrusion within the Central Sector's VMS system, nevertheless, the indications of significant prospectivity now present in the Central Sector in addition to the significant resource potential of Lagoa Salgada's known Iberian Pyrite Belt VMS system gives us cause for optimism. Vaillancourt said TH Crestgate was now evaluating the most efficient sequence of steps required to test and confirm this possible new structural discovery. The copper-zinc intervals currently compiled on these geological late events on Central Sector demonstrate that we are in the presence of a big and complex system. TH Crestgate is very excited and committed to develop, understand and test this new type of mineralization together with the other unexplored VMS potential structures on the property. Industrial output fell by 1.3% month-on-month in October (consensus: 0.2%), as production in mining and quarrying sector shrank 8.6% and factory activity declined by 0.9% (consensus: 0.2%). Against the US dollar and as of 1710 GMT the pound was off by 0.56% to 1.2604. "As we enter the first half of 2017, when it is anticipated that Article 50 will be triggered, we expect firms to become more cautious in light of a lack of clarity regarding Britains negotiation strategy and the aimed for post-exit relationship between the UK and the EU and the rest of the world," Andrzej Szczepaniak and Fabrice Montagne at Barclays Research wrote in a research note sent to clients. In parallel, euro/dollar was edging higher by 0.29% to 1.0751 ahead of the European Central Bank's policy meeting the next day. On a related note, in an interview with Market News International former Cypriot ECB governing council member Panicos Demetriades urged Frankfurt to act swiftly to shore up Italy's banking system. Dollar/yen retreated 0.36% to 113.62. The Aussie edged up by 0.25% to 0.7477 against the US dollar with traders quickly brushing off data published early on Wednesday showing that Australia's gross domestic product shrank at a 0.5% quarter-on-quarter clip over the three months to September. That was a far worse outcome than the 0.1% drop which economists had projected, as a result of adverse weather and the uncertainty around the most recent elections, but most observers were optimistic that the country's GDP would rebound in the last three months of 2016. Against India's rupee the Greenback was lower by 0.39% to 67.64 after the Asian contry's monetary authority surprised markets by deciding not to cut rates at its policy meeting. From a bird's eye view, the US dollar spot index was lower by 0.25% to 100.24. Pharmaceuticals Pfizer and Flynn have been fined for a collected 90m for hiking the price of an anti-epilepsy drug to the NHS. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) fined Pfizer a record 84.2m and distributor Flynn Pharma for 5.2m, and ordered them to reduce their prices, after finding that they broke competition law for charging excessive and unfair prices for phenytoin sodium capsules, an anti-epilepsy drug. The fines follow an 2,600% increase in the price of the drug overnight after it was de-branded in September 2012, as the price charged to the NHS for a 100mg pack jumped from 2.83 to 67.50. It reduced to 54 in May 2014. NHS expenditure on the drug increased from about 2m a year in 2012 to about 50m in 2013. The CMA said that the final decision and fines relate to both the prices that Pfizer charged to Flynn Pharma and the prices that Flynn Pharma charged to customers since September 2012. It said both companies held a dominant position in their respective markets for the manufacture and supply of phenytoin sodium capsules and each has abused that dominant position by charging excessive and unfair prices. The drug is used by an estimated 48,000 patients in the UK and the CMA said that epilepsy patients who are already taking phenytoin sodium capsules are not usually able to switch to another manufacturer's version of the product, due to the risk of loss of seizure control. Before September 2012, Pfizer sold the drug under the brand name Epanutin and the prices were regulated. Pfizer then sold the UK distribution rights for Epanutin to Flynn Pharma, which de-branded it so it was no longer subject to regulation. Philip Marsden, chairman of the Case Decision Group for the CMA's investigation, said: "Businesses are generally free to set prices as they see fit but those holding a dominant position should not abuse this situation and set prices that are excessive and unfair. There is no justification for such rises when phenytoin sodium capsules are a very old drug for which there has been no recent innovation or significant investment. "This is the highest fine the CMA has imposed and it sends out a clear message to the sector that we are determined to crack down on such behaviour and to protect customers, including the NHS, and taxpayers from being exploited." Pfizer said it "refutes" the findings which led to CMA's decision. "In this transaction, and in all of our business operations, we approached this divestment with integrity, and believe it fully complies with established competition law. Phenytoin capsules were a loss making product for Pfizer and the Flynn transaction represented an opportunity to secure ongoing supply of an important medicine for patients with epilepsy, while maintaining continuity of manufacture. South Korean smartphone maker Samsung has won a US Supreme Court case which overturns a lower court's decision to make it pay as much as $399m to rival Apple . The lower court had previously decided that Samsung owed Apple the full amount of profits gained from sales of its phones, due to infringing design patents on the latter's flagship iPhone. The verdict came via Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and represents a crucial victory for Samsung at a time when it is struggling to regain the trust of consumers and investors following a series of mishaps with its smartphones and other technology. Sotomayor's decision was based on the fact that the separation between the device and components of the device was not made clear by Apple's legal team. "The term 'article of manufacture' is broad enough to embrace both a product sold to a consumer and a component of that product whether sold separately or not," Sotomayor wrote. The original penalty against Samsung had been closer to $1bn after a jury concluded in 2012 that the company had infringed three separate patents. However, the figure has since been reduced, and now may not even come to fruition. Even though it is likely that Apple will respond with another case, a Samsung win would have wide-reaching implications for the tech industry, opening the doors for the mimicking of established products by competitors. Apple reacted strongly to the court's decision on Tuesday, referring to Samsung's actions as "blatant copying of our ideas". US president-elect Donald Trump has been named Time magazine's Person of the Year award after claiming a shock victory over Hillary Clinton in the race for the White House last month. The Republican's victory in the November election finalised a dramatic rise to the top of the political ladder which left more established politicians in his wake, with the expected downfall in financial markets in case of a Trump win not materialising. The publication chooses one person per year who has influenced the world more than any other, and they make up the cover of that particular edition of the magazine, with former winners including former rival Clinton, as well as Vladimir Putin and Adolf Hitler. Trump told the Today show on NBC that receiving the accolade was a "great honour" for him. "I've been lucky enough to be on the cover many times this year and last year, but I consider this a very, very great honour," Trump said on Wednesday. The other nominations for 2016 included Clinton, Beyonce, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, cyber hackers and the CRISPR pioneers. "I don't think we have ever seen one person operating in such an unconventional way have an impact on the events of the year quite like this," said Time's managing editor Nancy Gibbs. "When have we ever seen a single individual who has so defied expectations, broken the rules, violated norms, beaten not one but two political parties on the way to winning an election that he entered with 100-1 odds against him." A clear majority of people surveyed in new research from Ipsos Public Affairs and Buzzfeed said that they have believed fake news headlines they have seen in the past. The controversy surrounding fake news appearing on various social media platforms is rumbling on after first coming to light in the aftermath of Donald Trump's victory in his campaign to become the president of the United States. Other results seen from the survey include a likelihood of many news consumers to be fooled by false stories, even if it is not in line with their ideological viewpoint. The research was carried out by Ipsos, with over 3,000 adults in the United States participating in the first known study of its kind relating to fabricated news articles. FBI AGENT SUSPECTED IN HILLARY EMAIL LEAKS FOUND DEAD IN APPARENT MURDER SUICIDE https://t.co/whYz1f4jJ9 Agnes de Berlimont (@AgnesdeBerlimon) November 7, 2016 "The 2016 election may mark the point in modern political history when information and disinformation became a dominant electoral currency," said Ipsos' Chris Jackson. "Public opinion, as reflected in this survey, showed that 'fake news' was remembered by a significant portion of the electorate and those stories were seen as credible." Among the headlines that were believed to be accurate by most of those surveyed were "FBI Agent Suspected in Hillary Email Leaks Found Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide", which 72% believed to be accurate, and "Donald Trump Sent His Own Plane to Transport 200 Stranded Marines", which 84% believed to be accurate. Last month, Facebook was the first social media platform to acknowledge the problem of false news, and said that it was taking measures to combat the phenomenon. Just this week Mark Zuckerberg's company appealed to its users to help them to identify misleading stories. London stocks were sitting higher on Wednesday as hope of a bailout of Italys Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena lifted investor sentiment. The FTSE 100 closed up 1.81% to 6,902.23 points. Shares in Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena rose after La Stampa reported that Italy could ask for a 15bn European Stability Mechanism loan to help not just Paschi but also some of the countrys other struggling banks. The news gave the rest of the sector a lift with shares in HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Chartered in the black. Meanwhile, the Italian parliament on Wednesday gave its final approval to the government's 2017 budget. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is expected to hand in his resignation at 1800 GMT. Elsewhere, equities were boosted by optimism that the European Central Bank will announce an extension of its bond-buying quantitative easing programme on Thursday, when it is due to make its latest policy announcement. In economic data, the Office for National Statistics revealed UK industrial production in October fell 1.3% compared to September, following on from a 0.4% drop a month ago, while production fell 1.1% versus October last year. Economists had forecast a 0.2% month-on-month rise and a 0.5% annual increase. Manufacturing production fell 0.4% versus the consensus estimate for a 0.8% rise, while month-on-month the figure dropped 0.9% versus 0.2% forecast. UK house price growth rose a modest 0.2% month-on-month in November to 218,002, following a 1.5% increase in October, according to Halifax. In the three months to November, prices were 6.0% higher than in the same period in 2015, having slowed to a three-year low of 5.2% for the three months to October. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research has estimated UK economic growth remained flat in the three months ending in November. NIESR said its estimate suggested gross domestic product grew by 0.4% in the three months ending in November 2016, as it did in the preceding three months to October. German industrial production rose less than expected in October, according to figures released by Destatis. Industrial production was up 0.3% from September, when it dropped a revised 1.6%, missing expectations for a 0.8% increase. In the US, crude inventories fell by 2.4m barrels last week to 485.8m barrels, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday. A day earlier, the EIA raised its oil output forecast for this year and next amid speculation OPECs deal to cut production from January will bolster US shale production. The EIA lifted its 2016 domestic output forecast to 8.86 million barrels a day from 8.84 million projected in November. It increased its estimate for 2017 to 8.78m barrels a day from 8.73m previously. At 1628 GMT Brent crude fell 0.84% to $53.46 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate declined 1.19% to $50.33 per barrel. Among corporate stocks, Rio Tinto surged after Credit Suisse upgraded the stock to outperform from neutral and lifted the price target to 3,600p from 2,750p as it switched its preference from BHP Billiton. GKN also got a broker note boost as Bank of America-Merrill Lynch upgraded its stance on the shares to buy from neutral and upped the price target to 365p from 350p. On the downside, WPP lost ground following reports the US Justice Department is investigating claims advertising agencies are rigging the bidding process for contracts on producing commercials in order to persuade clients to use their in-house production units over independent companies. Unilever was also under the cosh as JPMorgan Cazenove downgraded it to neutral from overweight on a weaker top line as it took a look at the European food/household and personal care stocks. Shire also got hit by a broker note as UBS cut the stock to neutral from buy and pushed the target price down to 5,000p from 5,600p. Bunzl retreated as Goldman Sachs cut its price target to 2,200p from 2,400p, maintaining its neutral rating. Market Movers FTSE 100 (UKX) 6,902.23 1.81% FTSE 250 (MCX) 17,625.53 0.99% techMARK (TASX) 3,230.16 0.22% FTSE 100 - Risers Rio Tinto (RIO) 3,221.50p 6.62% Anglo American (AAL) 1,252.00p 4.81% International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 435.10p 4.77% Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 62.27p 4.69% GKN (GKN) 318.40p 4.50% St James's Place (STJ) 985.00p 4.40% Standard Chartered (STAN) 684.70p 4.22% Old Mutual (OML) 195.60p 4.10% Prudential (PRU) 1,649.00p 4.07% Ashtead Group (AHT) 1,617.00p 3.92% FTSE 100 - Fallers Shire Plc (SHP) 4,357.00p -4.47% WPP (WPP) 1,647.00p -2.77% Pearson (PSON) 784.50p -1.07% Croda International (CRDA) 3,135.00p -1.01% Bunzl (BNZL) 2,007.00p -0.94% Worldpay Group (WPG) 256.60p -0.85% Unilever (ULVR) 3,111.00p -0.77% AstraZeneca (AZN) 4,007.00p -0.76% Imperial Brands (IMB) 3,391.50p -0.40% Provident Financial (PFG) 2,831.00p -0.25% FTSE 250 - Risers Ladbrokes Coral Group (LCL) 127.10p 7.08% IG Group Holdings (IGG) 513.00p 5.75% Evraz (EVR) 238.90p 5.34% BGEO Group (BGEO) 3,278.00p 5.30% Essentra (ESNT) 426.10p 4.98% Ocado Group (OCDO) 277.70p 4.63% Restaurant Group (RTN) 345.10p 4.29% Capital & Counties Properties (CAPC) 296.60p 4.14% Paysafe Group (PAYS) 366.90p 3.82% SSP Group (SSPG) 375.20p 3.82% FTSE 250 - Fallers Indivior (INDV) 295.90p -4.89% Carillion (CLLN) 246.10p -3.90% Auto Trader Group (AUTO) 384.70p -2.68% G4S (GFS) 224.10p -2.35% Greencore Group (GNC) 270.40p -2.24% Ultra Electronics Holdings (ULE) 1,929.00p -1.83% Genus (GNS) 1,781.00p -1.83% Tullow Oil (TLW) 305.40p -1.80% Aldermore Group (ALD) 224.50p -1.75% Renishaw (RSW) 2,404.00p -1.63% Barclays has selected Debenhams chairman Ian Cheshire as its number one candidate to lead its new ring-fenced UK bank as it prepares to adopt a new regulatory framework designed to insulate taxpayers in the event of a future financial crisis, according to a report by Sky News. An application regarding the appointment has been submitted to banking watchdog Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), according to insiders. If approved Barclays intend to make an announcement about his recruitment in January, they added. Cheshire, former boss of B&Q-owner Kingfisher, is one of Britains well known businessmen. Aside from chairing Debenhams, he has acted as the government's lead non-executive director in Whitehall. One concern about his appointment to head Barclays UK operations could be related to his prior directorship of Bradford & Bingley, the high street mortgage lender which had to be bailed out by taxpayers during the 2008 financial crisis. Cheshire was a non-executive on B&Bs board for several years before a shutdown in the wholesale funding markets led to its need for state funding. Barclays's new ring-fenced bank, with roughly 22m retail customers and 1m business clients, will be one of the largest UK-based lenders. Applications for the chairmanship comes a year after the current chairman John McFarlane angered the Bank of England through its proposal for a structure under which its retail operations would temporarily be owned by its investment bank. The plans were changed after the Governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney stepped in to intervene. Barclays said it plans to implement its ring-fencing plans during the Easter weekend in 2018, giving it time to executive the logistically complex task of creating a major new UK bank. The UK investigation into Octobers flash crash in sterling has focused heavily on the Japanese trading operations of Citigroup, which fired off repeated sell orders that exacerbated the pounds fall, according to bankers and officials involved in the inquiry. Citis traders are not believed to have started the slide in the currency in thin Asia trading but its Tokyo desk played a key role in sending the pound to its lowest levels in 31 years, bankers and officials said. - Financial Times The ability of the global insurance industry to manage societys risks is being threatened by climate change, according to a new report. The report finds that more frequent extreme weather events are driving up uninsured losses and making some assets uninsurable. - Guardian The new president of the trade body that represents the UK pharmaceutical industry says she will make access to breakthrough medicines a key focus of her tenure. Lisa Anson, who is head of AstraZeneca in the UK, was named president of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry at the trade body's annual general meeting last night. - Telegraph The British economy will see its growth hampered by a fall in immigration from Europe following the Brexit vote but low-paid workers in some sectors will see a modest boost to their income, according to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research. In a new report Niesr predicts that in the case of a middle-range Brexit, where EU immigration falls by as much as 91,000 a year, the growth of gross domestic product per capita will be 3.4 per cent lower by 2030 than it would have been otherwise. - Financial Times Standard Chartered, the FTSE 100 emerging markets-focused bank, is looking at setting up a legal base in either Dublin or Frankfurt to ensure it can continue doing business in the European Union following Brexit. Banks based in the UK are fearful that they will lose their so-called passporting rights, which allow them to sell their services across the EU, once Britain leaves Europe. One of the companies behind the continuing Southern rail fiasco is expected to be revealed as the new operator of the Manchester Metrolink tram network. An announcement from Transport for Greater Manchester is due as early as next week and industry sources insist that it will involve Keolis, a British division of the French state railway SNCF. - The Times The US Supreme Court has thrown out an order forcing Samsung to pay Apple $399m (314m) for copying key parts of the iPhone, a victory for the Korean group in the long-running dispute between the two smartphone giants. The ruling is likely to further reduce the amount that Samsung ultimately owes Apple after a verdict in 2012 that its Galaxy smartphones infringed on patents related to the iPhone. - Telegraph Donald Trump sold all of his shares in companies in June, aides said on Tuesday, a move that may have raised substantial cash ahead of the presidential election and if confirmed could ease some, but not all, concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Trumps stock portfolio included shares of companies including Apple Inc, Microsoft Corp, JPMorgan Chase & Co and a host of others, according to a financial disclosure form filed in May. - Guardian The British chief operations officer of Lego has been selected to lead the company after the biggest organisational shake-up in its 84-year history. Bali Padda, who has been with the company for 14 years, will become the first non-Dane chief executive of the toymaker, replacing Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, who rescued the brand from near-financial collapse in 2004. - The Times Specialist regional UK property investment, development and management company Circle Property announced its results for the six months to 30 September on Wednesday. The AIM-traded firm posted a 16.3% increase in value of the group's portfolio of 16 UK investment properties to 90.425m, up from 77.735m at the end of March, resulting primarily from the group's successful asset management initiatives. Arrow Global, a provider of debt purchase and receivable management, announced that Tom Drury has decided to step down as chief executive after five years performing the role. Former chief financial officer of Virgin Money Lee Rochford will replace Drury as CEO and board director from 3 January 2017. Drury will remain in the business until the end of February. Tertiary Minerals announced on Wednesday it has entered into a non-binding heads of terms to acquire land and historic mine workings on its Lassedalen fluorspar project in Norway from global aluminium company, Hydro.The AIM-traded company said the purchase was subject to successful due diligence, and a 12-month period has been granted for Tertiary to complete that due diligence. AIM-listed Porta Communications is to increase its stake in the Hong Kong and Australian businesses of Newgate Communications.The company is to increase its shareholding in start-ups Newgate Australia and Newgate Hong Kong, which the company founded. Marketing firm Be Heard Group has bought content marketing agency Kameleon Worldwide for an initial 4.05m that could rise to 10m, in a bid to deliver a more cost-efficient service to clients.The AIM-listed company said the acquisition, which is expected to be materially earnings enhancing in the first full year of ownership, is part of its goal to build a digital marketing services business that will deliver better, more cost efficient and more creative solutions to clients. Mineral & Financial Investment updated the market on Wednesday on TH Crestgate, a private Swiss investment company in which MAFL holds a 49% stake.The board of the AIM-traded firm said it was advised that the work program has been completed on the Central Sector of the Lagoa Salgada project owned and controlled by TH Crestgate. 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. Inflation, abortion on voters' minds ahead of upcoming election What are the most important issues for Ohio voters? We canvassed the state as the midterm election nears. Here's what we learned. DCI Engineers Carnahan Honkawa Spaulding Rastogi Alden In Seattle, DCI Engineers hired David Alden as a CAD designer, Udit Rastogi as a project engineer, Erin Spaulding as a communications coordinator, and promoted Max Honkawa to senior CAD designer and Rick Carnahan to CAD manager. Alden has experience in formwork design, traffic control design, and technician/quality assurance in aviation electronics. He is working on residential renovation and commercial projects. Rastogi has over seven years of engineering experience coordinating projects in the U.S. and India. He is working on 620 Terry in Seattle. Spaulding has done print news and freelance writing. She does marketing, business development content, blog posts and press releases, specifically working on publicity for DCI's Portland and southern California offices. Honkawa was hired in 2013 and has supported projects that include SLI 47+7 in Seattle. He also did BIM modeling for 6230 Yucca in Los Angeles. Carnahan joined DCI in 2001 and has done drawings for projects, including Multicare Covington Medical Center in Covington. He will manage the production schedule for 14 drafters; train and mentor new staff; and contribute to the firmwide CAD standards. DCI is a civil and structural engineering firm, with offices in Washington, Oregon, California, Texas and Alaska. European regulator grants conditional approval to Microsoft's $26.2-bn LinkedIn deal The European antitrust regulator yesterday approved Microsoft's $26.2-billion acquisition of professional social network LinkedIn, after the software giant offered several concessions. The transaction, which has already received antitrust approvals from regulators in the US, Canada, Brazil and South Africa, will close in the next few days, said Brad Smith, Microsoft's president and chief legal officer. In June, Microsoft announced plans to buy professional networking platform LinkedIn for $26.2 billion in an all-cash deal, its largest ever acquisition. (See: Microsoft to acquire LinkedIn for $26.2 bn in cash) While the EC had sought information from rivals as part of its routine steps while reviewing a major merger, business software provider Salesforce.com had opposed the deal and urged the EC to block the transaction on the ground that the merger could harm competition and privacy (Salesforce opposes Microsoft-LinkedIn merger). "Given Microsoft's history and existing monopolies, it will be necessary for antitrust enforcement agencies to be vigilant to ensure that Microsoft operates in a manner that promotes competition, rather than stifles it," Salesforce had said in a statement. To address the competition concerns identified by the EC in the professional social network services market, Microsoft offered a series of commitments, including: Ensuring that PC manufacturers and distributors would be free not to install LinkedIn on Windows and allowing users to remove LinkedIn from Windows should PC manufacturers and distributors decide to preinstall it. Will allow competing professional social network service providers to maintain current levels of interoperability with Microsoft's Office suite of products through the so-called Office add-in program and Office application programming interfaces. Will grant competing professional social network service providers access to "Microsoft Graph", a gateway for software developers. These commitments will apply in the EEA for a period of five years and will be monitored by a trustee (Microsoft offers concessions to EU over its $26 bn acquisition of LinkedIn). Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy at the EC, said, "A growing number of Europeans subscribe to professional social networks. These networks are important for professionals to connect and interact and to find new career opportunities. Today's decision ensures that Europeans will continue to enjoy a freedom of choice between professional social networks." LinkedIn is the world's largest and most valuable professional network and continues to build a strong and growing business. Over the past year, the company has launched a new version of its mobile app that has led to increased member engagement and enhanced the LinkedIn newsfeed to deliver better business insights. LinkedIn had acquired leading online learning platform Lynda.com in 2015 to enter a new market and rolled out a new version of its Recruiter product to its enterprise customers - innovations that resulted in increased membership, engagement and financial results, Microsoft noted. 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. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has committed to the repair of the X-ray unit at Dungloe Community Hospital but a call has been made for a new X-ray unit at the hospital. The news of the repair of the X-ray unit has a received a lukewarm reception from local TD, Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher. Deputy Gallagher said that while he welcomed the d the commitment by the HSE to repair the existing X-ray unit at Dungloe Community Hospital, the move should be just a temporary measure. The Fianna Fail TD said it is evident that the unit is no longer fit for purpose and therefore this temporary arrangement for repair will not be sufficient or adequate for the medium or long term future of the X-ray unit at Dungloe Community Hospital. He said that that the X-ray unit within the Hospital is extremely important to the entire west Donegal, greatly reduces the pressure on the Letterkenny based X-ray unit, and provides a service for the communities of west Donegal without having to travel long distances. Due to its location the unit is extremely well utilised and as such the X-ray unit must be fit for purpose and one which can be relied on for providing a full and complete service for the west Donegal communities which it caters for, he said. I am now publicly calling on the HSE to make provision for a new X-ray unit for Dungloe Community Hospital as part of their capital budget, and that they prioritise the purchase of such a unit in the 2017 capital spend, the current repairs to the existing unit will only buy time but the reality is the unit is no longer fit for purpose and requires immediate replacement. The service provided by Dungloe X-ray unit is critical for West Donegal and as such requires immediate attention of the HSE official and the Department of Health. RGPD et recherche scientifique : le cadre juridique en Belgique On entend souvent dire que la recherche scientifique serait gravement menacee par lentree en vigueur GDPR. Pourtant, la reglementation en matiere de protection des donnees prevoit un certain nombre dassouplissements au profit des activites de recherche scientifique (possibilite de reutiliser des donnees collectees initialement a dautres fins, possibilite de traiter les donnees sensibles, possibilite de deroger aux droits des personnes concernees, possibilite de conserver les donnees plus longtemps, exception au devoir dinformation et au droit a leffacement, etc.). Outre un rappel des regles relatives a la base de liceite de ces traitements, voici un bref apercu de ce regime derogatoire consacre par le GDPR et complete pour certaines dispositions/exception par la loi belge du 30 juillet 2018. Lire le dossier Youre never too young to become an entrepreneur, declared Thomas McEvoy, Louths Head of Enterprise. We meet these potential young entrepreneurs every day through our work in the Local Enterprise Office, he added. Louths Student Enterprise Programme for secondary schools is experiencing record numbers of young entrepreneurs. Peggy McGlynn of the Local Enterprise Office manages the Student Enterprise Programme. Numbers participating in the programme this year have increased by over 25%. We now have in excess of 1,000 students in 18 schools in Louth taking part. Through the programme students learn to develop business ideas, conduct market research, source materials and produce their products, design their packaging and marketing literature, sell their product to the public and manage their company finances. They also learn how to work as a team and develop their confidence in sales. These are valuable business and enterprise skills and will be useful to them whether they choose to work for someone else or set up their own business. Louths student entrepreneurs are busy building their mini-companies now and are preparing for the County Final which takes on March 7th as the finale to Local Enterprise Week 2017. But its not just Louths students who are innovating and creating. Despite being the smallest county, Louth had one of the highest levels of entries in Irelands Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) 2016. Sarah Mallon of the Local Enterprise Office manages the competition for Louth. We are thrilled with the number of entries from Louth in the 2016 competition. We worked hard to reach out to young entrepreneurs across the county, encouraging and supporting them to participate. The competition is a brilliant way to win investment for your business but also to access superb business advice and mentoring. 50% of the applications came from female entrepreneurs this year. This is a massive increase and represents a gender balance in applications for the first time since the competition began in 2014. The greatest number of applications received was in the Start Up category. These are new companies that have gone beyond the business idea stage and started trading. This is a great sign as it indicates that the Start Up sector in the county is dynamic, vibrant and feeling optimistic about the future. The IBYE County Finals will take place on Tuesday 13th December at Bellingham Castle where a county winner will be announced in each category. Each will win investment in their business plus additional business support as they move forward to the Regional Finals in January. The future of enterprise is looking bright in Louth. Were in great hands with our student and youth entrepreneurs and we at the Local Enterprise Office Louth will keep supporting their development and growth, Thomas concluded. The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Louth is based at the Town Hall in Dundalk with a presence in Drogheda and is part of Louth County Council. It offers supports to entrepreneurs and SMEs through advice, training, mentoring and finance. For more information about the supports available visit www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Louth As the dust starts to settle on what has been an astounding US election, the question on everyones lips is how will global trade be affected? Lets face it, the protectionist policies that helped propel Donald Trumps vote in Middle America will have far-reaching consequences for the global economy and global alliances if implemented. Nevertheless, we need to be alert to the potential threats and opportunities. There will be winners and losers, and whilst I seriously doubt Trump will successfully implement 45% tariffs on Chinese imports, you can bet current trade policies are in for a rethink. Threats to tear up Free Trade Agreements should not be taken lightly and proposed tariffs on imports to the US could trigger counter-measures from other nations. On face value, it appears Trumps trade policies will hit developing economies harder than they will developed economies. Aside from his rhetoric on China, Trumps criticisms of NAFTA, for instance, target Mexico far more than Canada; and following Junes Brexit vote, he said the UK would always be at the front of the line for a bilateral trade deal with the US. The likely reality is that the bulk of Trumps trade policies will be designed to protect and restore US manufacturing jobs from the competition of imports from cheap labour countries thus appealing to his so called deplorables on a range of fronts. Protectionist policies focused around supporting and protecting first and second stage traditional manufacturing industries (utilising local inputs) could be logical targets for the incoming President making political sense in the heartland whilst still being palatable to 5th avenue. The potential for other nations to implement retaliatory trade measures against a protectionist Trump is no doubt already being war gamed by governments around the world. Resultant shifts in trade flows could provide serious windfalls for specific industries in some countries and Australia and New Zealand are arguably in the box seat in the Asia Pacific region at least from a trade perspective. We have seen this previously in mini trade wars fought around commodities such as beef. One of the SME exporters that hopes to benefit from a Trump presidency is PCT Global from Seven Hills in Western Sydney. The company, which manufactures and distributes EnduroShield easy clean treatments and surface cleaners, has been exporting to the US market for just over five years and now sells into a number of major retail chains. PCT Global Managing Director, Craig Howard, said that EnduroShields clients in the US operate within the glass processing and home improvement industries. These customers have hope of a stimulated US economy in the wake of the election with many of them planning to invest for growth. As an exporter to the US, selling in US dollars, we would benefit from an appreciating US currency that could occur from any Trump stimulus package. It is our hope that there will be no detrimental changes to the trade agreements between the two countries which is unlikely given our current close ties, he said. The currency gyrations Howard alludes to will be somewhat more unpredictable after all, who would have picked an appreciation in the US Dollar in the event of Trumps ascendancy? That said, for the same reasons as outlined above, we probably should have guessed that the hardest hit currencies in the wake of the US election result have been in developing economies that trade heavily with the USA. For example, the Brazilian Real and the Mexican Peso. The reality is that even before you start looking at the potential global security implications (and potential shifts in alliances) associated a Trump presidency, possible shifts in trade flows could have substantial impacts on the current world order. There will be winners and losers as there always is in international trade. About the author Ian Smith is the CEO of CargoHound, an online marketplace for international freight that enables importers and exporters to source competitive freight pricing from community rated service providers. Since launch in July 2015, the Sydney-based company has signed up over 940 importers and exporters and received aggregate freight quotes totalling more than A$5 million. We talked about this during this weeks podcast but I think it deserves a post all of its own. Virginia Tech professor Marc Edwards recently completed a new round of testing of the water entering the homes of Flint residents and found that 43% of them are still contaminated with lead: Water in Flint continues to improve, researchers reported Friday after finding no detectable levels of lead in 57 percent of homes during another round of tests. Marc Edwards of Virginia Tech, a scientist who revealed Flints alarming lead levels in 2015, said the public health crisis is nearing an end, although he firmly urged residents to continue to use filters on kitchen faucets perhaps for as long as it takes to replace the old lines that bring water into homes. Its very likely folks will never be told the water is safe as long as those lead pipes are there, Edwards said during a news conference at Virginia Tech that was streamed online. The devastating impact of this fact was given a face in these two Thanksgiving tweets by Little Miss Flint: Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Anyone want to guess how many bottles of water it takes to cook a full meal? #FlintWaterCrisis #Flint Little Miss Flint (@LoveMeLuLu22) November 24, 2016 Dinner is done, it took 6 packs of water, so 144 bottles of water #FlintWaterCrisis #ThanksGiving #WaterIsLife Little Miss Flint (@LoveMeLuLu22) November 24, 2016 144 bottles of water to prepare one American Thanksgiving meal for an average Flint family. Let that sink in. In other news, a federal judge overruled the Snyder administrations effort to avoid having to deliver bottled water to impacted Flint residents this week: On the same day that researchers said Flints water is improving with amazing progress, a federal judge delivered a legal blow to state officials in ordering them to deliver bottled water to Flint whether they like it or not. In a 12-page ruling, U.S. District Judge David Lawson ruled that Flints water is still unsafe to drink for certain residents and that the state must deliver bottled water to those households without properly installed or maintained filters until the problem is cleared up. [] The state defendants say the current method of delivery, whereby Flint residents must find a way to retrieve their own drinking water, and can use water filters that may or may not be installed and maintained correctly, is good enough, Lawson wrote. That is incorrect. Lawson denied the states request to stay the preliminary injunction, stressing: Flint residents continue to suffer irreparable harm from a lack of reliable access to safe drinking water. This is more than a mere inconvenience; hunting for water has become a dominant activity in some residents lives, causing anxiety, stress and financial hardship. This tragedy is ongoing and seems to have fallen from the national radar. Today is Day 433 since Gov. Rick Snyder ADMITTED that Flints water had been poisoned by actions taken by his appointed Emergency Managers and its been far longer than that the lead contamination has actually been happening. And Gov. Snyders response appears to be avoiding doing the right thing instead of standing up and taking responsibility. Keep this statistic in mind: Only 1% of the lead service lines of the 29,000 or so that are estimated to be present in Flint have been replaced. If Flint Mayor Karen Weaver meets her goal of replacing 1,000 by years end, it will still only be 3% of the total number that need to be replaced. Please dont let this go down the memory hole. Flint is counting on us all. One more thing: With their success in stopping the North Dakota Access Pipeline, Standing Rock protesters are now coming to Flint: The North Dakota pipeline battle may be over but veterans and community activists supporting the opposition of the project say their fight isnt finished and the Flint water crisis is next on their list. We dont know when we are going to be there but we will be heading to Flint, said US Army veteran Wes Clark Jr. who helped organize veterans who joined the fight. This problem is all over the county. Its got to be more than veterans. People have been treated wrong in this county for a long time. We welcome them to Michigan with open arms. As I mentioned in my update last night, a Michigan Court of Appeals panel ruled that the Board of State Canvassers needed to reconsider Jill Steins petition to force a recount and reject it. At nearly the exact same time, the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the federal order allowing the recount, rejecting the appeal by Michigan Attorney Genera Bill Schuette and the Michigan Republican Party. However, the 6th Circuits order also said, If, subsequently, the Michigan courts determine that plaintiffs recount is improper under Michigan state law for any reason, we expect the district court to entertain any properly filed motions to dissolve or modify its order in this case. Since the Appeals Court has actually done this with their decision yesterday, all it takes now is for the Board of State Canvassers to meet and declare Steins petition for a recount invalid, setting the stage for the recount to be stopped. Since they tied with a 2-2 vote the first time they ruled on her petition, its simply a matter of flipping one vote. That could happen as early as today when the Board of State Canvassers meets at 9:30 a.m. That will be followed an hour later when U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith will hold a hearing at 10:30 a.m. to reconsider his previous ruling in light of the Board of State Canvassers decision and potentially halt the recount. Only he is able to do that. UPDATE: Both the Board of State Canvassers met this morning/afternoon. The elections board adjourned while they wait for a ruling from Judge Goldsmith. Judge Goldsmiths adjourned his hearing just before 1 p.m. ET without releasing a ruling. He is expected to issue a written opinion later today. It took eight hours for him to release his ruling after his hearing last Sunday so we may be waiting awhile. Stay tuned UPDATE 2: The Board of State Canvassers decided to call it a day and didnt wait for the ruling from Judge Goldsmith to be released. They voted to direct the Secretary of State to stop all recounts if Judge Goldsmith rules that the recount should be allowed to be ended. The board recessed initially until 1 p.m. to wait for a ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Mark Goldsmith, who ordered the recount to go forward by noon Monday. At 1:30, the board recessed until 4 p.m. while they continued to wait for a ruling from Goldsmith, who said he will issue a written opinion on the recount. When they reconvened at 4 p.m. still without a ruling from Goldsmith Colleen Pero, one of the Republicans on the Board of Canvassers said that they had already given the Secretary of State authority to run the recount and they should give them authority to stop it so that an estimated 2,600 county workers dont head to their counting stations Thursday morning. By Thursday, 34 counties will be recounting the ballots cast for president. Meanwhile, we await Judge Goldsmiths ruling. Meanwhile, Ingham County has already completed its recount and County Clerk Barb Byrum announced it with this epic mic drop: UPDATE 3: The recount has now been halted. Click HERE for more. [CC image credit: Gage Skidmore | Flickr] Amazon on Monday unveiled a prototype convenience store called Amazon Go, which uses mobile e-commerce, machine learning and computer vision to allow customers to make purchases without a cashier. The 1,800 square foot concept store in Seattle uses the companys Just Walk Out technology, which incorporates many of the same concepts found in self-driving cars, Amazon said. Customers use the Amazon Go app to enter the store, then pluck items off the shelves. Anything a customer takes off a shelf is added to a virtual shopping cart. Items returned to the shelves automatically are removed. When theyre finished shopping, customers just exit. Their purchases automatically are scanned and charged to their Amazon accounts, and receipts are sent to their smartphones. The store sells breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack items freshly made by on-site chefs or provided by local kitchens and bakeries. It offers staples like bread, milk, cheeses and sweets. Both major brands and exclusive items are available, and customers in a rush can pick up Amazon Meal Kits, which include all the ingredients to cook a meal for two in half an hour. Self-Driving Tech The Amazon Go store uses a combination of computer vision, deep learning algorithms and sensor fusion, which are some of the same technologies used in self-driving vehicles, the company said. We know there are advantages to a multichannel environment, noted Robert Hetu, agenda manager for retail and consumer goods research at Gartner. In my opinion, Amazon is going to launch many stores with the goal of doing retail better through new technology, he told the E-Commerce Times. What so far is unknown is how the company will expand on the concept. Amazon might choose to locate the stores in gas stations like 7-11, for example or it could place them at shopping malls or city centers. Its also unknown whether Amazon might allow advance online ordering from outside the store, letting customers pick up their preselected items. Amazon is testing both in-store shopping and picking up online orders, according to Jim McGregor, principal analyst at Tirias Research. The prototype store is currently in beta testing with Amazon employees, and it is expected to open its doors to the public in 2017. Amazons Track Record There is no reason to believe that Amazon cannot transform the convenience store with this new technology, observed David Jones, director of sales engineering at Dynatrace. Amazon and newer e-commerce startups have pushed traditional grocers to incorporate more of these technologies into the customer experience, he told the E-Commerce Times. The rise of boutique online grocery delivery vendors, as well as Walmarts entry into online grocery ordering, proves there is a market for Amazons grocery services, Jones said. Understand that this will be a competitive marketplace; we see that Meijer, Trader Joes and Stop and Shop are providing some of the fastest online experiences, all under 3.2 seconds, against an industry average of 5.3 seconds. The Amazon Go concept represents a broad threat to the retail model as we know it, because it could combine the convenience of a 7-11 store with the breadth of a Walmart, noted Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. It defines disruption, because it also blends online with on-premises retail to possibly provide the best of both worlds, he told the E-Commerce Times. As VR and mixed reality tech advances, its breadth of products could range from groceries to cars and even homes, eventually. Amazon has collaborated with automakers to use its technology in ways that help automate passenger cars. It began working with Ford Sync-equipped cars earlier this year, enabling the Amazon Echo and Wink to link home devices with cars in order to turn off lights, open garage doors and control security devices. Asked whether Amazon was using any of this technology in self-driving cars or is testing online purchases with the prototype store, spokesperson Lori Richter said the company does not comment on rumors or speculation. Google on Thursday fired back at the European Commissions charges that it violated antitrust law by imposing coercive rules on mobile operators and developers who use or write applications for its Android operating system. The EC this spring charged that Googles requirements to use its search engine and its Chrome browser on mobile devices running Android were coercive tactics. The EC also charged that Google prevented manufacturers from offering smart devices using rival operating systems based on the Android open source code. Google has not harmed competition through the way it offers the Android operating system, argued Kent Walker, general counsel for the company. On the contrary, Google has expanded competition, he said. Folly of Fragmentation First, the commissions case is based on the idea that Android doesnt compete with Apples iOS, Walker noted. We dont see it that way. Eighty-nine percent of respondents to the ECs own market survey considered Android and Apple as competitors, he pointed out. The ECs charges ignore the dangers of fragmentation in a mobile ecosystem, Walker said, noting further that the 1.3 million developers active as of 2015 needed a stable and consistent framework to operate in. Although developers can download and modify Android as they please, the fragmentation that creates has led to problems for operating systems like Unix and Symbian, he observed. When anybody can modify your code, how do you ensure theres a common, consistent version of the operating system, so that developers dont have to go through the hassle and expense of building multiple versions of their apps? Walker asked. Apple and Microsoft offer less choice of apps on their phones, he maintained. Android usually accounts for only one-third of preloaded apps, he said. Consumers can download apps they want to use, and the average user downloads an additional 50 apps over the lifetime of a device. Consumers downloaded 65 billion apps from Google Play in 2015, an average of 175 million a day. However, there are deep divisions within the tech industry and the open source community about the impact Android has left on competition. Critics Abound Android actually is a closed system, and any claim to the contrary is disingenuous, said Thomas Vinje, counsel to digital rights group Fair Search. Google imposes severe sanctions on those who defy its insistence on conformity, he pointed out. Phone makers that offer even a few phones that fail to comply with Googles straightjacket are cut off from all Google-branded products, according to Vinje. The EU seems be taking a fairly aggressive stance toward Google on other issues as well, noted Daniel Castro, vice president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. Google has the facts on its side, he acknowledged, but its questionable how much that will matter in the end. Its hard to envision a scenario in which the company emerges completely unscathed, Castro told the E-Commerce Times. One of the reasons apps have been concentrated on Google devices is that consumers want what they need in one place, argued Karol Severin, an analyst at Midia Research. No matter how many searches or OSes are out there, the best ones are bound to rise to the top and start acting like chip leaders if they can, he told the E-Commerce Times. The Google argument that Android competes with Apples iOS is almost the same argument that Microsoft gave when it argued that it competed against the Mac OS in a separate case involving Windows, recalled Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. Ironically, then Google was one of the firms pushing for the adverse Microsoft judgment, while Apple actually defended Microsoft, he told the E-Commerce Times. The EC was in receipt of Googles response, spokesperson Ricardo Cardoso confirmed to the E-Commerce Times, and in keeping with its standard practice, it would give careful consideration to the companys arguments before deciding how to move forward. A LinkedIn block in Russia could be imminent, in light of last weeks court ruling that the company broke a law requiring personal data on Russian citizens to be stored on servers within the country. Roskomnadzor, Russias telecommunications and media authority, is waiting until it has the full text of the ruling before acting on it. We remain interested in a meeting with Roskomnadzor to discuss their data localization request, said LinkedIn spokesperson May Chow. The Russian courts decision has the potential to deny access to LinkedIn for the millions of members we have in Russia and the companies that use LinkedIn to grow their business, she told the E-Commerce Times. Russia had 5 million registered LinkedIn members in Q1. The United States had 128 million, and India had 35 million. Indonesia and the Netherlands were ahead of Russia with 6 million each. Behind the Scenes On Sept. 21 last year, Amendments to Russias 2014 law requiring the localization of personal data in the countrys territory went into effect last fall. Moscows Tagansky Court this summer approved a request from Roskomnadzor to add LinkedIn to a list of Internet sites that had violated the new provisions. LinkedIns appeal against the ruling was rejected last week. Why LinkedIn? Foreign social media firms including Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp gather, process and share Russian users data, but it appears thatnone of them comply with the Russian law. LinkedIn might serve as a showcase to support Roskomnadzors desire to gain greater control over social networks, which played a major role in street protests in Moscow in 2011 and 2012. Up to now, it hasnt been able to clamp down on them. LinkedIn is perhaps small enough to tackle, and its relationships with Roskomnadzor apparently are not as strong as those of Facebook and Twitter. Its possible that a ban on LinkedIn would aim to push larger players to negotiate, and bans on smaller social networking sites might be implemented to ratchet up the pressure. Russian rights activist Pavel Chikov reportedly has visualized a worst-case scenario in which the ban is the first step in Russias easing out of the global Internet. The Impact on US Companies Russias data law is part of a worldwide data localization trend that emerged in the wake of news about the U.S. National Security Agencys PRISM surveillance program, which first came to light several years ago. The PRISM revelations caused laws to come up all over the world requiring localized storage of citizen data, observed Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. These laws have already significantly adversely impacted international sales of technology and services across a broad spectrum of firms, and will likely continue hurting domestic revenues, jobs and taxes, he told the E-Commerce Times. A Ray of Hope Other countries need us more than we need them, maintained Michael Jude, a program manager at Stratecast/Frost & Sullivan. If they protect themselves from our technology, they cant use it either, he told the E-Commerce Times. Foreign customers will be denied access to the best technology, which will hurt their economies more than ours. Microsofts impending acquisition may give LinkedIn a way out, Enderle suggested. Azure has many localized storage facilities, he said, and I expect LinkedIn will use those resources to better comply with these laws. Conspiracy Theories in the Information Age, Part 1 In the past, heightened rhetoric and propaganda were the tools of choice for those looking to convince an electorate to vote them into office, and conspiracy theories were their bane. This election season has seen the rise of a new form of persuasion, one thats unique to the Information Age. For months, WikiLeaks creator Julian Assange had promised to rain bombshells on the narrowing field of presidential candidates, and he indicated that Hillary Clinton would be the target of the release. Rumors had swirled around the secrets the former secretary of state might have wanted to protect when she deleted more than 30,000 emails from a private server. As the U.S. celebrated Independence Day, WikiLeaks released the first batch of emails, and the fireworks began. Nothing in the emails proved particularly damaging for Clintons presidential aspirations, though. WikiLeaks had released troves of sensitive information in the past, so at first glance its actions represented nothing new. However, that particular series of leaks was about to introduce much of the world to a new form of propaganda. The Tainted Well During the Cold War, authoritarian regimes had their own mouthpieces, along with enough control over the populace to stomp out dissenting voices, noted Mark Fenster, a professor at the University of Florida and author of Conspiracy Theories: Secrecy and Power in American Culture. They were organs of the state, and they spoke about whatever it was the government wanted to speak about, he told TechNewsWorld. Those were obviously perfect means of distributing propaganda particularly if the government was also able to suppress any other voices from making it to the public. With the rise of the Internet, it became difficult to drown out competing voices. From the delivery of paquetes of digitized American culture in Cuba to hacktivism in China, the Internet has provided tools that make it next to impossible for any government to silence its critics completely, or to screen outside ideas from their view. Weve got an interesting experiment going on right now, Fenster said in an interview conducted prior to last weeks election, if the allegations are true that Russian hackers, ordered by the Russian government, got hold of email documents from [Clinton campaign manager] John Podesta, the DNC and the Clinton campaign, and are releasing them collectively to in order to manipulate the election for their preferred candidate: Donald Trump. The cache of Clinton campaign documents might not have been as devastating as Assange initially indicated, but it undoubtedly added a new dimension to this election season and introduced the public to what might be called the tainted well. This isnt propaganda in the classic since, Fenster said, but it is a way of trying to shape government opinion. Because of the positive adjectives Pressident-Elect Donald Trump used to describe Russian leader Vladimir Putin during the campaign, speculation grew that the leaked emails were intended specifically to damage Clintons chances. However, it is still not clear that Russia even if it did commission the hacks aimed to sway the election toward Trump. Russia might have been trying to prevent either candidate from having a mandate upon taking office, suggested Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group, in a conversation prior to the election. I think Russia isnt trying to promote either candidate at the moment, it is operating to ensure that neither of them will be able to actually govern if elected, operating under a broad strategy of discrediting the government and effectively fermenting revolt, he told TechNewsWorld. Please Sir, More Propaganda Whatever the true motives of the leaks and their possible sponsors might have been, its indisputable that the Internet has created a world thats ripe for and receptive to propaganda in many forms from ads many try to avoid, to stories that gain attention through votes cast by mouse clicks and screen taps. Even if unintentional, online news services currently track interests and serve up news based on those interests, noted Enderle. During the latest election cycle, for instance, liberal and conservative voters received very different news streams, he pointed out, so their perceptions of the world were very different. It helped to massively polarize the two views. Just as social media metrics have advanced to help marketers serve up relevant ads at the moment consumers are primed to purchase goods or services, those same tools can be used to dish out fake or heavily biased news, according to Enderle. Confirmation bias already teaches we are very vulnerable to this type of manipulation, and this same methodology is largely used for telephone and Internet scams, he observed. While there are few governments that grip as tightly as North Korea does these days, states still use propaganda for good and bad, according to University of Floridas Fenster. Governments use propaganda all of the time, he said. They do so by publishing information on their websites or releasing information to the press and NGOs to report on, Fenster noted. Oftentimes, governments have their own public relations offices that might not be named as such but work the same. There are times when governments turn to conspiracy theories as a form of propaganda, suggested Richard W. Lachmann, a professor of comparative/historical sociology and political sociology at the University of Albany. Whenever a country is losing a war, there always are conspiracy theories to explain the loss, he told TechNewsWorld. When it comes to propagating propaganda about war, its common for governments to spin webs about traitors, he added. Most famously, there was the stab in the back conspiracy theory in Germany at the end of World War I, when many Germans came to believe that their defeat was due to Jewish traitors in Germany rather than to the manpower and weapons edge of the Allies, Lachmann said. In the Information Age, theres a new way to tell war stories that favor one side over the other. Dip from a tainted well and offer a drink to a world thats thirsty for information. Uber on Monday announced the acquisition of startup Geometric Intelligence, a move designed to increase its presence in the autonomous vehicle technology field. Geometric CEO Gary Marcus will become the chief of Ubers new artificial intelligence business.He will lead the newly formed Uber AI Labs, which will be dedicated to conducting research into artificial intelligence and machine learning for Uber, according to Jeff Holden, the companys chief product officer. The new AI lab initially will be staffed with the 15 employees from Geometric Intelligence, and additional hires are expected in the future. NYU Development Marcus, a professor of psychology and neural science at New York University in Manhattan, in 2014 cofounded Geometric Intelligence with Zoubin Ghahramani, a Cambridge professor of machine learning; Kenneth Stanley, a professor of computer science at the University of Central Florida; and Douglas Bemis, a PhD graduate in neurolinguistics at NYU. The firm grew out of a business incubator at NYU through a partnership between its Tandon School of Engineering and the New York City Data Future Labs. Additional AI and machine learning will be used to help the company with a variety of scenarios, according to Ubers Holden, including everything from finding an optimal route for the arrival of your car to placing an order using UberEATS, or matching up riders for UberPOOL. It could be applied to the development of new types of robotics, or helping a self-driving machine navigate the world using autonomous vehicles, or even helping guide an aircraft through busy airspace. Uber did not disclose terms of the Geometric Intelligence acquisition. The agreement will further Ubers efforts to expand into autonomous vehicle technology. The company already is testing autonomous vehicles in Pittsburgh as part of a pilot program to examine how well self-driving cars perform while transporting passengers under real-world conditions in the city. Autonomous Vehicle Demand Ubers ultimate goal is to create a massive fleet of self-driving vehicles for every major global market, said Karl Brauer, executive publisher of Kelley Blue Book. Processing the amount of data these vehicles will collect is impossible without advanced AI, he told the E-Commerce Times. Machine learning is a necessary technology to make self-driving vehicles able to navigate real-world conditions, he pointed out, but Uber wants to have more than just safe self-driving vehicles. It wants to implement the most efficient methodology for deploying those cars, and machine learning will be a key component of making that happen. Artificial intelligence seems to be the critical element for the safe use of autonomous cars, observed Steven Polzin, director of mobility policy research at the University of South Floridas Center for Urban Transportation Research. Transportation fatalities are measured in terms of incidents per 100 million miles of driving, he said. Overall, there are 1.15 fatalities per 100 million miles, but the autonomous vehicle industry has yet to reach the level of development and testing necessary to match that level of road experience. I think Uber is realizing there is a finite ability to scale up services dependent on drivers, Polzin told the E-Commerce Times. If the economy takes off and the job market gets even stronger, it could be increasingly difficult to find drivers. Other factors can play into the increasing demand as well. For example, with the legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado, the city of Denver recently was unable to find enough qualified bus drivers who could pass a drug test, he said. Uber previously had announced plans to develop a joint autonomous vehicle testing center with Carnegie Mellon University. However those plans failed to materialize, and a number of the researchers involved went to work for Uber directly to assist in the firms creation of a testing and development center. 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Now, they are being found sick and dead in places as unwild as a Walmart parking lot and a nearby casino. The Berkeley Pit, an abandoned open pit copper mine in Butte, Montanapart of the largest Superfund site in the U.S.is filled with 40 billion gallons of acidic, metal-contaminated water. PitWatch.org The 700-acre Berkeley Pit closed in 1982, leaving behind a trove of toxic heavy metals. As the pit filled with rainwater, arsenic, cadmium, copper, cobalt, iron, zinc and other inorganic compunds leached into the water. It soon became a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund site. Snow geese summer in colonies on the Canadian and Alaskan tundra, migrating south in the fall to wintering grounds along the American coasts and inland wetland areas. For those in the central part of the continent, their migration route takes them across Montana. On the evening of Nov. 28, wildlife spotters hired by Montana Resources, which jointly manages the abandoned mine with Atlantic Richfield, saw an incoming flock about 25 miles away that they estimated at 25,000 geese. Flickr/Tim Lenz I cant underscore enough how many birds were in the Butte area that night, Mark Thompson, environmental affairs manager for Montana Resources told the Associated Press. Numbers beyond anything weve ever experienced in our 21 years of monitoring by several orders of magnitude. Workers used hazing techniques including loud noises and non-lethal gunshots to attempt to deter the birds. But they may not have had much choice in where to land. One theory is that the usual landing place for migrating snow geeseFreezeout Lake west of Great Fallswas largely frozen over when the geese flew by. Others think that Novembers unseasonably warm weather delayed the timing of their southbound migration or that a storm may have driven the birds to find a new landing spot. Crews have been trying to rescue as many birds as possible, bringing the geese to animal shelters and veterinarians as they find them. But a similar, although much smaller, die-off in 1995 showed how dangerous the toxic waters can be. In each bird autopsied, the oral cavity, trachea, and esophagus, as well as digestive organs like the gizzard and intestines, were lined with burns and festering sores, wrote Harpers in 1996. Snow geese are not considered an endangered species. The population numbers about 15 million. Mining in the Butte region dates back to 1864 when gold was discovered in Silver Bow Creek. A large-scale underground mine operated from 1875 to 1955, when open-pit mining at Berkeley Pit began. A Montana mine circa 1893. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration A spokesman for the EPA said the companies and agency are keeping a lookout for additional flocks headed toward Butte. Montana Resources said it will reimburse veterinary costs and investigate this incident. It will look to update its mitigation plan to keep wildlife out of the pit water. Donald Trump has appointed Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The conservative Republican has close ties to the fossil fuel industry and has waged numerous legal wars against the EPA and President Obamas environmental regulations, including the presidents signature Clean Power Plan. Pruitt, who was elected as Oklahomas top legal officer in November 2010, states on his own LinkedIn page that he has led the charge with repeated notices and subsequent lawsuits against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for their leaderships activist agenda and refusal to follow the law. Although the president-elect will not be able to completely cancel Obamas historic carbon emissions standards for power plants, having a legally experienced EPA head can help substantially weaken, delay or slowly dismantle them, the New York Times reported. Pruitt was among a handful of other attorneys general that began planning as early as 2014 a coordinated legal effort to fight the Obama Administrations climate rules. That effort has resulted in a 28-state lawsuit against the Clean Power Plan. The case is now pending in federal court, but likely to advance to the Supreme Court, the New York Times said. Watch this Fox Business interview with Pruitt in August 2015 when he was leading the charge against the EPAs guidelines on emissions, calling the 2015 EPA rules a power grab: Trumps latest appointee falls in line with his other cabinet picks who deny the overwhelming scientific consensus that human activity is causing climate change. Pruitt once wrote an editorial questioning the degree and extent of global warming and its connection to the actions of mankind. The Heartland Institute, a nonprofit that questions the reality and import of climate change, celebrated Trumps EPA appointment. H. Sterling Burnett, research fellow at The Heartland Institute, said in response, Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Keith Gaby, the senior communications director of the Environmental Defense Fund, noted that since 2002, Pruitt has received more than $314,996 from fossil fuel industries. In 2014, Pruitt was infamously caught sending letters to President Obama and federal agency heads asserting that the EPA was overestimating the air pollution from drilling for natural gas in Oklahoma. Turns out, the letter was by lawyers for one of states largest oil and gas companies, Devon Energy. Harold G. Hamm, the chief executive of Continental Energy, was also co-chairman of Pruitts 2013 re-election campaign. Pruitts appointment has been met with unprecedented criticism by environmental and health organizations nationwide. By appointing Scott Pruitt as head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Trump is putting America at risk, Greenpeace spokesperson Travis Nichols said. Pruitt is a pure product of the oil and gas industry, installed in successive government posts to sell out his constituents at every turn. He will push this country far behind the rest of the world in the race for 21st century clean energy. With Scott Pruitt as head of the EPA, the people and the environment will be in the hands of a man who cares about neither. Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, agrees. The mission of the EPA and its administrator requires an absolute commitment to safeguard public health and protect our air, land, water and planet. Thats the litmus test. By naming Pruitt, President-elect Trump has flunked, Suh exclaimed. Suh wrote in a blog post on Monday that over the past five years, Pruitt has used his position as Oklahomas top prosecutor to sue the EPA in a series of attempts to deny Americans the benefits of reducing mercury, arsenic and other toxins from the air we breathe; cutting smog that can cause asthma attacks; and protecting our wetlands and streams. You couldnt pick a better fossil fuel industry puppet, 350.orgs Executive Director May Boeve said. Pruitts appointment reveals Trumps climate flip-flopping and meetings with Gore as nothing more than a smokescreen. Why we should never get over the U.S. House Science Committee's Breitbart tweet: @EcoWatch https://t.co/uhNh24yRCF #climate climatehawk1 (@climatehawk1) December 6, 2016 And the outcry didnt stop there. Ken Cook, president of Environmental Working Group, said, Its a safe assumption that Pruitt could be the most hostile EPA administrator toward clean air and safe drinking water in history. CEO and president of Defenders of Wildlife, Jamie Rappaport Clark, added, We need a leader for EPA who fully appreciates the gravity of the menace that climate change poses for our nations public health, our wildlife and our environment, and is prepared to use the full force of our nations strong environmental laws to curb that threat. Mr. Pruitt is plainly not that person. Food & Water Watchs executive director, Wenonah Hauter, shared her dismay, too. Pruitt has championed the interests of industrial agriculture in his state, supporting a dubious, deregulatory right to farm initiative that residents rightly rejected at the ballot box this year. Hes also sued the EPA over the Waters of the U.S. rule that effectively strengthens the Clean Water Act. Pruitt is a wholly owned subsidiary of the oil industry, Kassie Siegel, director of the Center for Biological Diversitys Climate Law Institute, said. Any Senator who doesnt fight this nomination is handing corporate polluters a wrecking ball to destroy our future. World Resources Institutes Director Sam Adams said, Americans depend on EPA to promote human health and protect families and future generations. Its ability to protect air, water, and the climate for all people must continue. Friends of the Earth climate and energy program director Benjamin Schreiber concurred. As the Attorney General, Scott Pruitt did the bidding of the oil and gas industry and fought many of the laws he will now be tasked to enforce, Schreiber said. He helped Big Oil turn Oklahoma into an Earthquake zone. David Turnbull, campaigns director at Oil Change International, concluded, We call on Senators to reject this nomination, as well as other climate-denying, unqualified and regressive nominees. There is no place in our government for individuals who refuse to accept science and risk the safety of Americans around the country. There is no place in our government for individuals who are in clear alliance with the industry fueling our climate crisis. We need a separation of oil and state. (Photo: Peter Kenny / Ecumenical News)World Council of Churches associate general secretary general Isabel Apawo Phiri in Jerusalem in February 2016 for a WCC meeting. She was deported from Israel after arriving at Tel Aviv airport for arriving for another WCC meeting Dec. 5, 2016. The World Council of Churches has rejected as "false," accusations made by Israel after "an unprecedented move" against its leaders resulted in the interrogation and deportation by Israel of its associate general secretary Isabel Apawo Phiri. The WCC said in a Dec. 6 statement that Israeli authorities detained, interrogated and deported Dr. Phiri, a national of Malawi and former South African university professor upon arrival in Tel Aviv the preceding day. The WCC "deeply regrets the Israeli antagonism against the WCC's initiatives for peace with justice for both Palestinians and Israelis," said the council's general secretary Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit. Phiri, a theologian, was travelling to attend consultations with church leaders in Jerusalem on the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel, one of the many programs supported by the WCC globally. The WCC said reason given for Phiri's deportation was "Prevention of illegal immigration considerations." Phiri resides in Geneva, Switzerland, where she has served as associate general secretary with responsibility for Public Witness and Diakonia at the offices of the WCC since August 2012. She was the only African member of a WCC staff delegation currently visiting Jerusalem. All four other members were allowed entry. The WCC has instructed its legal representatives to lodge an appeal against this patently unjust and discriminatory action against Phiri immediately. "The accusations made against the WCC and the EAPPI program in the interrogation of Dr. Phiri and published in the media today are completely false" said Tveit. "I am very surprised and dismayed that the Israeli Ministry of Interior is apparently basing its decisions on incorrect and unreliable sources." This is not the first time an African working for the WCC has been apprehended, interrogated and deported after arriving in Israel to take part in consultations. In May a South African ecologist and a Swiss colleague were also deported after being accused of coming to work on the EAPPI program which involves accompanying Palestinians and Israeli, often at army checkpoints and offering them solidarity with their presence. They were tying to enter Israel for a WCC meeting on another program. According to this new information the Russians have known about alien civilizations for several decades, to many this comes as no surprise,... In a brave new world, we have to up our game. The European Investment Bank (EIB) would like to thank participants for their continued engagement and the fruitful discussions that took place in Luxembourg on Monday 30 January, during the sixth annual civil society seminar with the EIBs Board of Directors. This seminar is a key pillar of the Banks stakeholder engagement and the only forum where the Board of Directors meets with external stakeholders. It was also an opportunity for informal, constructive, meetings between the CSOs and the Banks services. Approximately 65 participants from 56 organizations attended the event. They represented a good mix of civil society organizations with many diverse interests, including international and local NGOs, think tanks, research and academic institutions and trade unions. The seminar was opened by Vice-President Jan Vapaavuori before the Secretary General and director generals provided an overview of the Banks achievements since the last meeting and outlined its priorities for the year ahead. The Bank informed civil society that it would like to further exchange, during 2017, on the gender action plan, land tenure rights and meaningful and effective participation at project level. The EIB also mentioned that it will be updating its guidelines on financing in the water sector, reviewing its Emissions Performance Standards and launching the public consultation on its Complaints Mechanism. The first thematic session of the day, introduced by Vice-President Jonathan Taylor, took a look at the trade-offs the Bank faces when having to implement its different policy objectives. Taking the bull by the horns, it was decided to use, as an illustration of these difficult decisions, climate action, energy security and biodiversity protection. There was a lot of discussion about the real need for additional, controversial, fossil fuel infrastructure when there were higher priorities and the audience insisted on us using the precautionary principle until we were sure that this infrastructure was really necessary and that it was not going to be yet another stranded asset. Board members seemed to think that further building up our internal knowledge on project related metrics, drawing also on civil society input including from the global South, would be useful and timely. To minimize the trade-offs and connect the dots, participants further suggested that the Bank should focus on nature-based solutions and the circular economy, for example, and clarification was provided by the Bank that we will not water down our environmental and social standards, even when other objectives are pressing.. Discussions took a completely different turn in the second thematic session dedicated to the very broad theme of accountability; both at policy and at project level. Issues ranged from the added value of early engagement by the Bank with civil society at project level, to the highly anticipated public consultation about the review of EIB-Complaints Mechanisms. The need for the EIB to better communicate its impact, positive and negative, was also stressed as a way to rise up to the challenge of maintaining and increasing public trust in EU institutions. At the end of the seminar, a record number of Board members listened to civil societys suggestions, answered their many questions both on specific projects and policies, which ranged from gender, to resettlement of communities, to the possible financing of defense. The Board also clarified its role and responsibilities and recognised the importance of this engagement and reassured civil society that they were being heard. All these issues, and many more, will be reported back on during the next Board seminar, early 2018. We very much look forward to working with all of you on these important questions in the coming year. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a EUR 30 million loan agreement with Tallinn Airport to finance expansion and modernisation works. The EIB loan is guaranteed under the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the heart of the Investment Plan for Europe. The project comprises a number of investments at Tallinn Airport that are aimed at improving environmental and safety performance, alleviating current congestion and accommodating future growth in traffic. It includes the reconstruction of the existing runway and apron pavement, an extension and reconfiguration of the passenger terminal and the renewal and upgrade of the airside lighting system. EIBs Vice President Jan Vapaavuori commented: The EIB has been cooperating with the Tallinn Airport since the late 1990s to support the airports development and growth as the main gateway to and from Estonia. Through the Investment Plan for Europe the EIB has more possibilities to support such strategically important infrastructure projects that might otherwise have challenges in obtaining financing for relatively large amounts and long maturities. In addition, the case of Tallinn Airport shows how EIB financing and EU funds can bring tangible benefits to citizens through improved airport facilities. EU Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said: Thanks to the Investment Plan for Europe, Tallinn Airport will be upgraded to reduce congestion and accommodate two million more passengers per year, while improving environmental and safety performance. This will facilitate economic development and create job opportunities, with long-term benefits for Estonia. It is very encouraging to see that Estonia is using the opportunities offered by the Investment Plan for Europe to develop its infrastructure and I hope to see more projects of this kind." Estonian Minister of Finance Sven Sester who witnessed the signing of the loan agreement highlighted: Investments in infrastructure and better connections that support economic growth are also one of priorities of the new Estonian government. Smaller works included under the facility are the renewal and upgrade of maintenance, fire and rescue equipment and a range of other environmental related airside enhancements, such as the upgrade of the storm water drainage and de-icing network, a new snow dump area and an aircraft run-up area. The project will increase the handling capacity of the airport by approximately 1.2 million passengers per year. The CEO of Tallinn Airport, Piret Murk-Dubout, added: Concluding the loan agreement with the EIB is a major milestone in funding the further development of Tallinn Airport and ensuring that we continue to provide quality services in a safe, efficient and environmentally sustainable manner. The EIB loan facility also acts as a certificate of excellence to demonstrate the financial stability of Tallinn Airport. In line with the objectives of the Investment Plan for Europe, under which this loan will be guaranteed by the European Commission, the project is expected to require about 540 person-years of employment during the construction phase. Further, some 50 permanent jobs will be created for running the facility once it will be operational and the strong economic rationale indicates that these jobs will be sustainable over the long term and that the project will contribute to increased productivity and hence economic growth. Potential Econ 101 Exam Question: In your answer please use basic supply and demand analysis, graphs, and provide an example as illustration. If possible, provide a mainstream news story to support your analysis. Suppose the supply of lower-wage workers suddenly decreases. a) What is the effect on wages and employment in sectors dependent on lower-wage workers? b) What is the effect in output markets dependent on employment of input markets that employ lower-wage workers? Suggested Answer: a) If the supply of lower-wage workers decreases (shifts to the left) the the total number of workers employed in lower-wage jobs will decrease and the wages for those lower-wage workers still working will increase (see graph below): Example: If a new immigration policy results in the deportation of large numbers of lower-wage workers, the total number of workers employed in lower-wage sectors will decrease and the wages of those workers working in lower-wage jobs will increase. For arguments sake, let's call the workers legal and illegal, and suppose that illegal workers are willing to work for lower wages. This means lower-wage workers fall at the lower tail of the worker supply curve (they will be in the southwest corner of the graph). If mass deportation of illegal workers occurs, and wages do not rise, then total employment in these sectors will fall by the amount of the deportation. But because lower-wage demanding illegal workers have displaced higher-wage demanding legal workers, employers in these sectors will begin to offer higher wages and draw some of the higher-wage legal workers into these sectors. The end result is higher wages in these sectors, fewer total workers employed in these sectors, but more legal workers working in these sectors (at higher wages) than before. A WIN for legal workers. b) But we need to recognize that higher wages in these sectors represent an increase in input prices for output markets reliant on these inputs. An increase in inout prices shows up as a decrease in supply in the output market and higher output prices and lower output quantities (see graph): Example (cont'd): The decrease in the supply of workers due to a new deportation immigration policy will result in an increase in prices for outputs that rely on lower-wage workers for production. For example, the prices of most domestically produced fruits and vegetables are likely to increase as a result of the decrease in availability of lower-wage workers and the higher wages for the legal workers. That a LOSE for domestic fruit and vegetable consumers. In addition, the higher prices of domestic fruits and vegetables will increase the pressure to import fruits and vegetables from countries that can produce fruits and vegetables with lower-wage workers AND the higher wages for legal workers will increase the incentives for domestic producers to lower costs in other ways, likely through technological improvements that reduce the demand for higher-wage legal workers. Mainstream news story to support my analysis (From the Washington Post): President-elect Donald Trump has promised a major crackdown on illegal immigration, triggering immense alarm among the country's 11 million undocumented people. But Trumps deportation promises, if fulfilled, would ripple far beyond the lives of illegal immigrants. Deportations would affect vast swaths of the economy with a particularly dramatic impact on agriculture. As a result, Americans could see the cost of some fruits and vegetables soar. Undocumented workers account for 67 percent of people harvesting fruit, according to the Agriculture Department. They make up 61 percent of all employees on vegetable farms, and as many as half of all workers picking crops. Agricultural economists across the political spectrum say that theres no way that workforce could be raptured up without reverberations throughout the food system think farm bankruptcies, labor shortages and an eventual contraction of the broader economy. And even if youre far from the agriculture industry, you could see $4 milk, low-quality oranges, and extortionately priced raspberries. The logic behind these dire predictions is pretty straightforward. If Trump were to begin deporting farmworkers or requiring that farms verify their work status, farmers would have three ways to fill in the labor gaps. They could hire legally authorized workers, who are vastly more expensive; switch away from crops that require human laborers to harvest them; or cut production, allowing fields to fallow and fruit to go unharvested. Whichever way you slice it, farmers pay more to produce less which could squeeze the budgets of the very Americans who supported Trumps immigration message. To many of them, mass deportation sounded attractive in the abstract. But practically speaking, the economy is so complex and so interdependent that Trump could not possibly deport the countrys 11 million undocumented people without also impacting middle-Americans wallets. In fact, to keep costs under control, Americans may end up being forced to buy more groceries from abroad, undermining Trump's effort to boost American industry. Young environmental visionaries from the University of Cape Town took first place in the Growthpoint Greenovate Awards for the second year running. The awards recognise innovative solutions for the property industry to environmental challenges. Now in its second year, the awards programme is an exciting initiative by Growthpoint Properties in association with the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA). It inspires and encourages students of the built environment to discover, explore and invent ways to live more sustainably. This years participants were from the University of Cape Town, University of the Witwatersrand and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Students were challenged to come up with ideas for any property-related project that makes the way we live greener and our environmental footprint lighter. Groups from each of the participating universities competed internally first and the two top projects from each were chosen as finalists. The winners were announced at a gala dinner in Sandton Central with keynote speaker, trend analyst Dion Chang of Flux Trends, who warned: If you don't take the time to think proactively, you will increasingly find yourself reacting to your environment rather than influencing it. The UCT team of Cedric Fournier and Priscilla Nthai, with supervisors Saul Nurick and Abby Street, were named the winners of the Greenovate Awards 2016. They focused on the perceptions of occupants in office buildings that contain green building features and initiatives. This team of outstanding young green innovators took home R30,000 in prize money. They will also be fully sponsored to attend the GBCSAs Green Building Convention in Cape Town in 2017 where they will present their research to local and international property professionals and green leaders. The University of the Witwatersrand team of Nthabiseng Makgabo and Bongiwe Dlamini, supervised by Samuel Azasu, scooped second place with their comparative analysis of the factors that influence the choice between green and conventional buildings in selected nodes in Gauteng. The team earned a prize of R15,000 for their insightful project and tickets to the Green Building Convention in 2017. The third placed young green thinker came from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Lungela Gcwabaza, supervised by Gerrit Crafford, investigated the obstacles to effective implementation of strategy within quantity surveying firms as a method for enhancing business sustainability in the long run. He won R10,000 and tickets to the Green Building Convention 2016. Werner van Antwerpen, head of sustainability at Growthpoint Properties, explains: By nurturing innovation for a greener, healthier, more sustainable environment, everyone wins. The Greenovate Awards is producing pioneering student projects that show new ways to drive green building thinking forward, to ensure a better, greener future. Growthpoint is proud to collaborate with GBCSA, the universities, and their students to provide a platform to shows and grows green innovation. Van Antwerpen was part of the judging panel that comprised some of SAs top green minds, including: Thulani Kuzwayo, Managing Executive: Public Sector at Green Building Council South Africa; Evan Rice, Business Development Manager for Tesla; Martin Smith, Technical Director - Buildings at Aurecon, and; Mike Aldous, Associate - Green Building & Sustainability Services/BIM Champion at Mott MacDonald. Brian Wilkinson, GBCSA CEO, says: GBCSA is thrilled to partner with Growthpoint for the second consecutive year on the prestigious Greenovate student awards. They recognise and reward some of South Africas top students, who are the future green leaders and innovators in South Africa and are set to change the way the world is designed, built and operated for the sake of our environment and future generations to come. The ways in which the Greenovate Awards is building a better world go well beyond its annual competition. Nurturing green innovation, GBCSA has offered discounted Accredited Professional Training at universities since 2013. This has consistently grown each year, expanding from one university and 45 property studies students in 2013 to five universities and over 250 students in property, construction management, architecture, interior design and quantity surveying in 2016. Donne Atkinson, Education and Training Manager at GBCSA, says: The Greenovate Awards have certainly added to the motivation to attend the programme. Much of the growth has occurred in the last two years and we expect this will grow even further in 2017. GBCSA is thrilled that, this year, over 250 graduates will enter the marketplace with awareness around how the design, construction and operation of the built environment, when done right, can mitigate against climate change and reduce humankinds negative impact on the environment. The success of the competition will continue to see the awards programme becoming even bigger in future. Van Antwerpen reports: Ultimately, the Growthpoint Greenovate Awards programme will be made available to all universities in the country with the appropriate built environment faculties. In addition, in 2017, it will be adapted and expanded to other faculties too, to recognise and encourage environmentally innovative thinking among even more of South Africas future leaders. Growthpoint is the largest South African primary listed REIT and strives to be a leading international property company providing space to thrive. It creates value for all its stakeholders with innovative and sustainable property solutions. Growthpoint is a Platinum Founding Member of GBCSA and a member of the GBCSAs Green Building Leader Network, and has been included in the FTSE/JSE Responsible Investment Index for seven years running. It owns and manages a diversified portfolio of 526 property assets including 467 properties in South Africa, 58 properties in Australia through its investment in Growthpoint Properties Australia (GOZ) and a 50% interest in the properties at V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. Founded in 2008, the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) is one of over 95 members of the World Green Building Council. It exists to inspire the property industry to design, build, operate and tenant better, greener buildings. GBCSA operates in the commercial, residential and public sectors. Its aim is to work with its membership community to sustainably transform the built environment, and strives to preserve the planet for future generations through advocacy, membership, certification and training. The GBCSA is the official certification body for Green Star SA and EDGE residential projects. While serious questions remain on the commercial viability and environmental feasibility of the Adani Mining Pty Ltds (AMPL) A$21.7 billion Carmichael coal mine, rail and port projects in the state of Queensland, the company is confident of commencing construction between July and September 2017. The projects headquarters will be based in Townsville, in north Queensland. AMPL, a subsidiary of India-based Adani Enterprises, on 10 November 2016 crossed one of the major hurdles with the Queensland Parliament passing the Environmental Protection (Underground Water Management) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill, 2016 and the amended Water Legislation Amendment Bill, 2015 (Queensland Parliament 2016, 2015). The amended legislation means that companies that had already undergone scrutiny through an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the Land Court would still require a water licence, but that would not go through the public objection process. The mine is situated close to the Great Artesian Basin, a key irrigation resource for agriculture across inland Australia (Smerdon 2013; AgForce nd). It is expected to extract about 12.5 gigalitres per year from the Belyando River, one of the longest rivers in Central Queensland. Queensland Environment Minister Steven Miles told local media, That particular [Carmichael] project has been through two very significant Land Court cases and so what we've said is if they can demonstrate that they have met the requirements of the water licence and all of those elements had been tested in previous Land Court hearings, then this water licence stage would not be appealable in the Land Court. It would still be subject to potential judicial review, but not a full Land Court challenge (Burke 2016). Not everyone is happy with the amended groundwater laws. The Australian Greens deputy leader Larissa Waters said, Queensland Labor were elected to save the [Great Barrier] Reef but instead theyve caved in to big coal, creating loopholes to put Adanis Reef-destroying mega-mine on the fast track. ... With this decision, the Queensland Government is condemning the Reef to worse bleaching and jeopardising the 70,000 jobs it provides (Waters 2016). But, Adani Australia Chief Executive Officer Jeyakumar Janakaraj said in a statement, We are very encouraged the government did recognise the balance between its commitment on water licensing and acknowledging that this work has already been done in our case, and that the new provisions as originally drafted risked unintended duplication and activist appeals. ... We look forward to continuing working with the Premier and the State Governmentas we have with Federal and Local governmentsto making these projects a reality in the interest of jobs and investment (Mesner 2016). On 3 April 2016, the Queensland state government had approved the mining lease for AMPLs Carmichael coal mine. The approved leases are 70441 Carmichael, 70505 Carmichael East and 70506 Carmichael North, which are estimated to contain 11 billion tonnes of thermal coal. Political Support In October 2016, in an unprecedented move, the state government had granted Adanis Carmichael coal project critical infrastructure and prescribed project status to fast-track its development (Department of the Premier and Cabinet 2016a). The Adani groups forays into Australia had commenced in 2010, when coal prices were near A$120 per tonne, with the purchase of the Greenfield Carmichael coal mine in the Galilee Basin, one of Australia's richest coal reserves, and the Abbot Point Port near Bowen in Queensland (ABN Newswire 2010; YCharts nd). The prescribed project and critical infrastructure declarations give the coordinator general extraordinary powers to speed up or progress assessment, and step in and take control of any legal decision still required for the project to proceed with ministerial consent. It also strips away most usual statutory powers of the Queensland Courts to judicially review and determine the lawfulness of the coordinator generals decisions. Queenslands Development, Natural Resources and Mines Minister Anthony Lynham said, This step bundles together major elements of the project for the first timethe mine, the 389-kilometre rail line, and the water infrastructure, including a pipeline, pumping stations and a dam upgrade. The decision would mean less red tape for the proposed project and the jobs and business opportunities it offered. He added that since early 2015, 22 key federal, state and local government approvals have been granted for the Adani mine project and that Adani has now obtained all the necessary primary approvals for its mine, rail and port project. ... At a state level, the only key approvals remaining are water licenses and Adani is actively working on those with my Department (Department of the Premier and Cabinet 2016a). The decision had come close on the heels of an open letter, published in major newspapers around the state, from Queensland-based regional leaders demanding the federal and state governments to clear the project without any further delays. On 5 December 2016, the project secured another major secondary approval. The Queensland State CoordinatorGeneral has approved an application for 31.5 km of permanent rail line as well as a temporary construction workers camp for up to 300 beds. The rail section will form a part of the 389 km standard gauge, heavy haul railway line from the mine in the Galilee Basin to the coal export port of Abbot Point. Commercial Viability The Adani Group has successfully enlisted political support, but it has not been able to obtain financial support, either from the government or from major banks. In April 2016, while approving the mining lease, Lynham had said that Queensland taxpayers will not fund infrastructure for the project and there would be no dredging at Abbot Point until Adani demonstrates financial closure (Department of the Premier and Cabinet 2016b). The company has not reached a financial closure, but a spokesperson for Adani, Ron Watson,[1] said that the company is confident that the project is commercially viable. If it wasnt financially viable, why would we have invested A$3.3 billion to date on the project and spent another A$100 million in contesting legal challenges? It is understood that the company is advancing on a number of fronts, including financing the project. So far, most major banks, including the government-owned State Bank of India, have declined to invest in the project, touted to be Australias largest coal mine project (Quiggin 2016) and one of the biggest of its kind in the world. As Greenpeace Australia Pacific Reef Campaigner, Shani Tager said, This mine does not have any of the finances it needs to proceed. International investors have shunned Carmichael because funding it would be a major financial risk (Greenpeace 2016). However, certain aspects of the proposal have moved in the companys favour in 2016, increasing the probability of progress from extremely remote to a possible start later in 2017. But, according to the Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), Australia, the financial condition of Adani Enterprises remains particularly averse to this project. According to IEEFAs Director of Energy Finance Studies, Tim Buckley,[2] With the share price having fallen by 50% over the last five years, Adani Enterprises market capitalisation of equity is US$1.0bn against net debts as at September 2016 of US$2.4bn. Further, IEEFA estimates the Adani family has an estimated US$1.2bn of margin loans against its various listed Adani group companies (Enterprises, Ports, Power and Transmission). This makes financing a foreign A$10 billion project that includes clear stranded asset carbon risk extremely problematic. With the moves by the Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund in 2015 and the announcement last month by the largest investor in the worldBlackrock (US$4.9 trillion AUM [assets under management])calling for a high global price on carbon and the entry into force of the COP21 (or the conference of the Parties to the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change) climate agreement, Buckley said, International financial institutions are increasingly unlikely to provide financial support for a greenfield, low quality thermal coal export mine. The thermal coal price has nearly doubled from decade lows of US$42/t (tonne) evident at the start of 2016, with forward prices of benchmark 6,000kcal (kilocalories), 1214% ash export coal by 20202022 now sitting at a more realistic US$67/t.[3] So, while Carmichael coal (4,950kcal, 26% ash) will receive a dramatic discount to the benchmark due to its low energy/high ash nature, the potential viability of the project has improved to the point where it might be cashflow positive if future prices are sustained over the 30-year life. This is a big `if, because we dont want to conflate price and volumesdemand for seaborne thermal coal is in structural decline. Coal Imports India has set its target to cease thermal coal imports by the end of this decade. According to Buckley, The 14% year-on-year decline in coal imports in October 2016 supports this forecast.[4] It is literally a loss-making proposition for coal fired power plants to operate at current spot prices. Further, the Indian Governments plan for 225GW (gigawatt) of renewables by 2022 and 350GW by 2030 shows a rapid diversification away from coal, particularly imported coal.[5] This remains a key strategic challenge. Why would Adani pursue a greenfield capex proposal for an import product that India neither needs nor can afford at anywhere near current prices? Indias coal import volumes from Australia, though, have increased considerably over five years (Department of Industry, Innovation and Science 2016). From 0.5 Mt (million tonnes) worth A$41.6 million in 201011, Indian imports of black thermal coal from Australia increased to 5.8 Mt worth A$397.3 million in 201516. Similarly, from 30.9 Mt worth A$7,078.3 million in 201011, Indian imports of black metallurgical coal from Australia grew to 43.7 Mt worth A$4,593.7 million in 201516, according to Australian government figures. The world energy demand till 2035 is set to grow 40% and needs around A$50 trillion in energy investments to meet this demand. How this investment is made will write the script of our energy future, said Megan Clark (2016), Rio Tinto non-Executive Director and former Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. Solar Energy Adani is also a major investor in renewable energy technologies. The company is planning to have a number of solar projects in Australia with a total capacity of 1,500 MW (megawatt) within the next five years. The Adani group and South Australias Whyalla City Council on 25 November 2016 formally reached an agreement for the company to access land to develop a A$200 million solar farm. The project will involve a 120 MW solar generation plant, with potential capacity of up to 150 MW. A day earlier (24 November 2016), the Adani group had announced that the central-western Queensland town of Moranbah had been chosen for a 100200 MW solar plant. The A$200 million solar farmto be built on a 600 ha (hectaore) block that was part of the Rugby Run grazing propertywill use the latest mono-PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Contact) solar cell technology and single-axis tracking systems developed to improve efficiency and output. The year 2016 has seen Adani Green Energy invest US$1 billion to become the largest solar project developer and operator in India. Adani has constructed 793 MW of solar plants in India to date and it has a further 1,225 MW in construction or late development phases. It has also announced a 320 MW solar development programme for Bangladesh (Rasel 2016). According to Buckley, While Adani talks about the importance of Carmichael coal, the actions of the company in terms of over US$1bn of investments into solar made in 2016 alone suggests a re-alignment of Adani Enterprises Ltd, pivoting rapidly into a leading solar company that understands solar projects in India at Rs4.505.00/kWh (kilowatt hour) are immediately more cost effective for India than new imported coal fired power plants at Rs6-7/kWh, plus associated fuel and currency risks. Coal vs Renewables The Carmichael mine is expected to produce and transport about 60 million tonnes of coal a year for export, mostly to India. Watson said, Australian coal will predominantly be used in Adani powerhouses in India in line with the Government of India's strategy, which will help to deliver affordable electricity to 100 million people who currently do not have power in their homes. Currently, India has around 65 GW of coal capacity under construction. According to Mark Fulton,[6] founder of Energy Transition Advisors (ETA) and a former head of research at Citigroup and Deutsche Bank Climate Change Advisors, The overall supplydemand situation in the shorter term, when combined with ambitious targets for renewable energy, implies that this coal capacity is unneeded, meaning it could become economically stranded. Longer term, if renewable energy continues to scale up dramatically then the need for further coal capacity is heavily reduced. Fulton (2016), who is the editor of the report Thermal Coal in AsiaStopping the Juggernaut, thinks the Adani coal mine in Queensland does not makes sense from an economic point of view in terms of cost and need in the Indian energy system. He said, India also wishes to promote its own coal supply and in the long run should be looking to reduce coal demand. The implications of the coal pipeline go beyond the climate and pollution impacts, with stranded assets likely to emerge and stress the financial system as capacity utilisation rates continue to fall. Right now, there is no need for new coal plants. Removing subsidies on coal production and consumption is an obvious policy option and in that context promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency especially through Electricity Market Reform to prioritise its use and encourage Green Financing such as Green Bonds makes perfect sense. So, should Indian and Australian governments be promoting renewable energy sources and removing subsidies for coal production and consumption and imposing moratoriums on new coal power construction? Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)[7] that the Adani Carmichael project has the full support of the Federal Government: We have a global commitment to reduce our emissions. ... And coal is going to be an important part of our energy mix, theres no question about that for many, many, many decades to come, on any view. So the reality is, that Australias coal compared to that from other countries is relatively clean. The fact is if we stop all of our coal exports tomorrow, you would simply have more coal exported from other countries like Indonesia, like Columbia, like China, that would be filling the gap. So the answertrying to strangle the Australian coal industry is not going to do anything ... to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental Concerns Environmental and indigenous groups are concerned that the Carmichael project would threaten the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) world heritage listed Great Barrier Reef,[8] destroy the habitat for many endemic species of flora and fauna, jeopardise the rights of Australias first people, and have an adverse impact on the health and livelihoods of local communities (UNESCO nd). According to Australian Conservation Foundations (ACF) Chief Executive Officer Kelly OShanassy,[9] If Adanis mine goes ahead, it will push the endangered Black-throated Finch [Poephila cincta cincta] closer to extinction by destroying critical habitat in the Galilee Basin. The mine would draw massive quantities of artesian water that would damage the ecologically and culturally significant Doongmabulla Springs. And most importantly, when burnt, coal from the Carmichael mine will produce 4.6 billion tonnes of climate pollution. That would completely cancel out the annual pollution cuts the Turnbull Government has promised as part of Australias commitment to the Paris Agreement. Further, the expansion of the coal port at Abbot Point and an increase in the number of coal ships would present new risks to the Great Barrier Reef. But by far the biggest risk to the Reef is climate change. The Reef suffered a huge bleaching event this yeara direct result of warmer than usual waters. Even without Adanis polluting new coal mine, the reef is in trouble. Indigenous Concerns The Wangan and Jagalingou people (W&J),[10] traditional owners of the land in Queenslands Galilee Basin where the mine would be sited, are divided on the open-cut Carmichael coal mine (Ker 2016). The pro-conservation faction of W&J has vowed to fight against the mining leases all the way to Australias apex court, the High Court, and if required under international law to protect their rights, land, environment and cultural heritage. Adrian Burragubba, senior Traditional Owner and spokesperson for the W&J Council said in a media release: Adanis much touted Indigenous Participation Plan talks in big headline numbers but would deliver the equivalent to Aboriginal people in the region of about A$5,000 a person per year. And their grossly inflated jobs numbers would amount to no more than 30 minimum wage, dead-end, jobs for our people if the mine ever got to full production (Wangan & Jagalingou People 2016a). The Carmichael mine remains a remote prospect also because, as Buckley said, We note no material hires of staff, so Adani Enterprises existing 26 staff have not progressed the engineering and design plans since the entire development team was retrenched in 2015.[11] The company recently advertised four job vacancies in Queensland, the only engineering role was for a solar power engineer. The proponents of the mine claim that the project will create nearly 10,000 jobs and lead to sustainable economic development of the Galilee Basin region. Peter McCallum, Coordinator, Mackay Conservation Group said in a media release, The foreign owned miner continues to claim its project would create 10,000 jobs, when evidence provided in court, under oath, by Adanis economic witness revealed it would only generate 1,464 additional jobs. Even with the port and rail line factored in, the project will only create a maximum of 25% of the jobs Adani claims (South Asia Times 2016). Legal Challenges The company has won several legal cases in 2016 and it is determined that the project must go ahead and the reason it gives to convince the criticsenvironmental, indigenous and othersis that the project has passed more than 40 environmental and regulatory tests with all levels of government. Those tests included Indigenous issues following consultation with Elders. Currently, there are three legal challenges against the company that are pending decision. First, in May 2016, the ACF had challenged former Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunts approval of the coal mine on the basis that the approval was inconsistent with Australias international obligations to protect the reef (Australian Conservation Foundation 2016). The ACF lost before a single judge of the Federal Court in August 2016, but it has appealed that decision to the full bench of the Federal Court. The appeal is expected to be heard in the first half of 2017. Second, the Determination of National Native Title Tribunal in April 2015 was challenged by the W&J peoples, represented by Adrian Burragubba (Wangan & Jagalingou People 2016b). A single judge of the Federal Court dismissed the case, but Burrugubba has appealed that decision to the full bench of the Federal Court. The case is likely to be heard in FebruaryMarch 2017. It is also worth noting that the W&J peoples have made a submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in which they have sought assistance to deal with the failure of both federal and state governments to properly respect the human rights of the Traditional Owners (Wangan & Jagalingou People 2016c). Third, Whitsunday Residents Against Dumping (2016) has sought judicial review in the Supreme Court of Queensland of the grant of the environmental authority for work associated with the Abbot Point Port expansion. The trial was held in October 2016 and the decision is pending. According to Chris McGrath,[12] a lawyer who has acted in several of the cases against the mine, Adani appears to be claiming the court cases are delaying the project as a smokescreen for its inability to obtain finance for the mine. If the price and market outlook for thermal coal was better, the mine would have already commenced despite the pending court cases. In terms of Adanis legal rights to act on its approvals, none of these cases prevent Adani from proceeding with the mine immediately. The controversies relating to the coal mining projects are far from over. References: ABN Newswire (2010): Linc Energy Limited (ASX:LNC) Sells Galilee Coal Tenement to Adani Enterprises (BOM:512599) Subsidiary Adani Mining for A$3 Billion, 4 August, viewed on 2 December 2016, http://www.abnnewswire.net/press/en/63470/. AgForce (nd): Great Artesian BasinA Significant Water Resource, viewed on 2 December 2016, http://www.agforceqld.org.au/index.php?page_id=170. Australian Conservation Foundation (2016): Australian Conservation Foundation Appeals Federal Court Decision on Adanis Carmichael Coal Mine, 19 September, viewed on 2 December 2016, https://www.acf.org.au/acf_appeals_federal_court_decision_on_adani_s_carmichael_coal_mine. Burke, Gail (2016): Mining Companies' New Water Licence Requirements Passed by Queensland Parliament, ABC, 10 November, viewed on 2 December 2016, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-10/parliament-qld-laws-water-licence-requirements-mining-companies/8011634. Clark, Megan (2016): Science and the Mining and Resources IndustryPartners and Helpers in Building an Exciting, Equal and Sustainable World, 42nd Essington Lewis Memorial Lecture, Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, UniSA City West Campus, Allan Scott Auditorium, Adelaide, 28 October, viewed on 2 December 2016, http://www.ausimm.com.au/content/docs/branch/2016/adelaide/essingtonlewis_address_2016.pdf. Department of Industry, Innovation and Science (2016): Resources and Energy Quarterly, September, Office of the Chief Economist, Australian Government, Canberra, viewed on 2 December 2016, http://industry.gov.au/Office-of-the-Chief-Economist/Publications/Documents/req/REQ-September-2016.pdf. Department of the Premier and Cabinet (2016a): Queensland Government Steps Up to Progress Adani Mine Project , media statement, 9 October, Queensland Government, Brisbane, viewed on 2 December 2016, http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/10/9/queensland-government-steps-up-to-progress-adani-mine-project. (2016b): Carmichael Mine Approvals Put Thousands of New Jobs Step Closer, joint statement, 3 April, Queensland Government, Brisbane, viewed on 2 December 2016, http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/4/3/carmichael-mine-approvals-put-thousands-of-new-jobs-step-closer. Fulton, Mark (ed) (2016): Thermal Coal in AsiaStopping the Juggernaut, October, Energy Transition Advisors, viewed on 2 December 2016, http://et-advisors.com/wp-content/uploads/ETA-Asia-Coal-Juggernaught_final.pdf. Greenpreace (2016): Critical Infrastructure Status for Carmichael Absurd and Indefensible, media release, 10 October, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, Brisbane, viewed on 2 December 2016, http://greenpeace534.rssing.com/chan-5302474/all_p46.html. Ker, Peter (2016): Traditional Owners Split over Adani Mine, Sydney Morning Herald, 17 April, viewed on 2 December, http://www.smh.com.au/business/mining-and-resources/traditional-owners-split-over-adani-mine-20160417-go8780.html. Mesner, Kerri-Anne (2016): Adani Confirms Carmichael Mine Construction Start Date, Morning Bulletin, 10 November, viewed on 2 December 2016, https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/adani-confirms-carmichael-mine-construction-start-/3110469/. Queensland Parliament (2015): Water Legislation Amendment Bill 2015, Queensland Government, Brisbane, viewed on 2 December 2016, http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Documents/TableOffice/TabledPapers/2015/5515T1598.pdf. (2016): Environmental Protection (Underground Water Management) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016, Queensland Government, Brisbane, viewed on 2 December 2016, http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Documents/TableOffice/TabledPapers/2016/5516T1496.pdf. Quiggin, John (2016): Why Is Everyone So Afraid of Adani's Carmichael Mine? Crikey, 4 February, viewed on 2 December 2016, https://www.crikey.com.au/2016/02/04/why-is-everyone-so-afraid-of-adanis-carmichael-mine/. Rasel, Aminur Rahman (2016): Adani Group to Install Solar Power Plants in BD, Dhaka Tribune, 6 November, viewed on 2 December 2016, http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/power-energy/2016/11/06/adani-group-install-solar-power-bd/. Smerdon, Brian (2013): Water In, Water Out: Assessing the Future of the Great Artesian Basin, Conversation, 28 March, viewed on 2 December 2016, https://theconversation.com/water-in-water-out-assessing-the-future-of-the-great-artesian-basin-13104. South Asia Times (2016): Adani Uses Getty Stock Images to Show Angry Locals in Ad Campaign, 28 October, viewed on 2 December 2016, http://www.southasiatimes.com.au/news/?p=6600. UNESCO (nd): Great Barrier ReefUNESCO World Heritage Centre, viewed on 2 December 2016, http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/154. Wangan & Jagalingou People (2016a): Canavan Doing Foreign Miner Adanis Bidding, 23 October, viewed on 2 December 2016, http://wanganjagalingou.com.au/canavan-doing-foreign-miner-adanis-bidding/. (2016b): Traditional Owners Fight On: Appeal Carmichael Mine Federal Court Decision, 8 September, viewed on 2 December 2016, http://wanganjagalingou.com.au/traditional-owners-fight-on-appeal-carmichael-mine-federal-court-decision/. (2016c): Traditional Owners Fighting Adani Mine Meet UN Rapporteur, 13 October, viewed on 2 December 2016, http://wanganjagalingou.com.au/traditional-owners-fighting-adani-mine-meet-un-rapporteur/. Waters, Lasrissa (2016): Labor Buckle to Adani and Betray Queenslanders, media release, GreensMPs, 9 November, viewed on 2 December 2016, http://larissa-waters.greensmps.org.au/articles/labor-buckle-adani-and-betray-queenslanders. Whitsunday Residents Against Dumping (2016): Whitsunday Residents Take Expansion of Adanis Abbot Point Terminal to Court, media release, 24 June, Environmental Defenders Office, West End, Queensland, viewed on 2 December 2016, http://www.edoqld.org.au/news/wrad-media-release-whitsunday-residents-take-expansion-of-abbot-point-terminal-to-court/. YCharts (nd): Australia Coal Price (Monthly, USD per Metric Ton), viewed on 2 December 2016, https://ycharts.com/indicators/australia_coal_price. Spanish and French scientists devote 15 years to the study of one of the most acidic rivers in the world and come up with a way of cleaning it, with a surprise in store. Tinto means red wine in Spanish. It is also the name of a river in the South of Spain which looks like out of this world: it is tinged red, has a very acidic pH and is extremely polluted due to more than 100 mines that line its banks. The mines date from pre-roman times and are now closed, however the minerals still leak their poison. This inhospitable river is close to another river, the Odiel, which is also heavily contaminated. The two rivers pour into the sea 30-40% of all the zinc worldwide that reaches the oceans, as well as 10% of all the copper. In the past, researchers at NASA have studied the Tinto River as a model for the extreme conditions present in Mars. Citizens in nearby towns are not allowed to use the water from these rivers in any way. The phenomenon responsible for the colouring of Tinto River waters is known as acid mine drainage (AMD). AMD is the result of pyrite oxidation, a chemical reaction that releases acidity into the environment. When these acid waters strike natural waters from adjacent rivers, natural nanoparticles of iron and aluminum oxy-hydroxides are formed, resulting in the beautiful colours that decorate the otherwise arid landscape. But a lot more is hidden behind the spectacular colours: these natural nanoparticles act as scavengers of toxic elements such as arsenic and selenium, and they concentrate Rare-Earth elements (REE), which are also known as critical materials for their use in technological applications. The Rio Tinto, with different tinges depending on the Ph of the water. In the last 15 years, a team from the Universidad of Huelva, which is very close to the site, the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC) from Barcelona, the ISTerre (CNRS, Universite Grenoble-Alpes) in Grenoble, and the ESRF, has tried to get a detailed nanoscale picture of the different geochemical processes underlying AMD. The result: experiments on seven beamlines, more than a dozen papers, clean water and the side-effect production of REEs. It is a very exhaustive story, explains Alex Fernandez-Martinez, a member of the team from the ISTerre (CNRS). There are two PhD students currently working on the subject and there have been twelve since the beginning of the project. This week, their latest results have been published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology. From an analysis of the nanomaterials in the rock It all started when researchers studied the nanominerals that developed when the rock in the area (pyrite) comes into contact with rain. Our first experiments were devoted to learning how naturally-occurring pollutants are transported by the iron and aluminum nanominerals in the acid waters, says Rafael Perez-Lopez, from the University of Huelva. Scientists published the structures of schwertmannite and basaluminite, two of the more relevant nanominerals, over the last six years. The atomic-level information of the structure of these disordered phases was provided by Pair Distribution Function (PDF) experiments at the ESRF's ID15, ID31 and ID22 beamlines, in close collaboration with Agnieszka Poulain (ESRF). Further experiments at BM25 using X-ray absorption (EXAFS) gave information about the location of the contaminants in the structure of these nanominerals: This was a crucial step for the design of effective remediation strategies, says Perez-Lopez. The team used an array of techniques at the ESRF for this research, from X-ray absorption spectroscopy, to small-angle X-ray scattering, diffraction and PDF analyses in different beamlines. It is quite exceptional that a same subject of research can be studied in such a range of beamlines. The team during their last experiment at the ESRF, on ID22. Second picture, from left to right: Alba Lozano, Ingrid Nayeli, Pablo Cruz, Alex Fernandez-Martinez, Sergio Carrero. Credits: C.Argoud/ESRF. They also got insight into the formation of minerals using BM26, and about their texture using ID11. In situ small-angle X-ray scattering experiments showed the different steps of formation of the aluminum nanoparticles, mimicking the real chemical conditions of the rivers. X-ray diffraction microtomography was used to study the textural properties of schwertmannite, the iron oxide nanoparticles. The findings from all these experiments at the ESRF result in a complete characterization of the mineralogy and geochemistry of the rivers. It is interesting to see that the same processes that we found in nature are nowadays used in laboratory syntheses of nanomaterials. We can learn a lot from nature, says Sergio Carrero-Romero, a PhD student working between Huelva and Grenoble. to hitting the jackpot Alba Lozano, from the team, prepares a sample at the ESRF. Credits: C.Argoud/ESRF. In parallel to this research, scientists at the University of Huelva and the IDAEA were trying to figure out how to decontaminate the water from the two rivers to make it useable by the population. They came up with the idea of building big pools in which they could neutralize the acidity using dissolving limestone. But they were in for a surprise: This is a quite straightforward system, we started to test it in the lab in 2005, and we implemented it in the field in 2011. What we didnt expect was what the solid residues contained explains Carlos Ayora, from IDAEA. When they analysed the precipitates on ID21 and BM25, they hit the jackpot. Using the techniques of X-ray micro-fluorescence and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, they found high concentrations of REEs associated with the structure of the aluminum nanoparticles. REEs are used routinely in technology such as mobile phones or batteries. This was a real surprise as they have an important economic value. Today, China has the monopoly of REE thanks to its multitude of mines, and it supplies the rest of the world. Coming across such precious materials unexpectedly was a game changer. We could potentially exploit this to fund at least the purifying process, so it wouldnt cost money and the population in the neighbouring area could use the water, explains Jose Miguel Nieto, from the Universidad of Huelva. Models of basaluminite (left side of picture) structure reported by Farkas and Pertlik (1997) doped with arsenate or selenate located in: I) monodentate inner-sphere, II) bidentate inner-sphere, III) bidentate mononuclear inner-sphere and VI) outer-sphere theoretical position; and the most probable structural location of arsenate (top right) and selenate (middle and bottom right) onto basaluminite. The signal intensity was normalized by the maximum of Al-O distance. Reprinted with permission from Carrero S et al, (2016) Arsenate and selenate scavenging by basaluminite: Insights into the reactivity of aluminum phases in acid mine drainage, Environ. Sci. Technol. , DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b03315. Copyright 2006 American Chemical Society. Many times the academic work doesnt go beyond the University walls. In this case, however, a multidisciplinary team has managed to make a change for some citizens and the analysis at the ESRF have contributed to a great extent. As Alejandro Fernandez-Martinez says: "It's been a really great experience working on the Rio Tinto. This work has combined field and lab-based research, including many data collected at the ESRF. Thanks to this multi-scale approach, we've been able to get out and offer solutions to a real ecological problem. What's more we got the added bonus of being able to auto-finance the decontamination, so thus doubly helped the population around the river". Text by Montserrat Capellas Espuny References Carrero S et al, (2016) Arsenate and selenate scavenging by basaluminite: Insights into the reactivity of aluminum phases in acid mine drainage, Environ. Sci. Technol. , Just Accepted Manuscript. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b03315. Ayora C., et al, (2016) Recovery of Rare Earth Elements and Yttrium from Passive-Remediation Systems of Acid Mine Drainage. Environmental science & technology, 50: 8255-8262 Carrero S., et al,(2015) The potential role of aluminium hydroxysulphates in the removal of contaminants in acid mine drainage. Chemical geology, 417: 414-423 Perez-Lopez, R, et al, (2011) Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Zn-Rich Mine-Drainage Precipitates from an MgO Passive Treatment System by Synchrotron-Based X-ray Analysis. Environmental Science &Technology, 45: 7826-7833 Perez-Lopez R, et al, (2011) Synchrotron-based X-ray study of iron oxide transformations in terraces from the Tinto-Odiel river system: Influence on arsenic mobility. Chemical Geology, 280: 336-343 Fernandez-Martinez A., et al, (2010) The structure of schwertmannite, a nanocrystalline iron oxyhydroxysulfate American Mineralogist, 95, 1312-1322. The EUs chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, said that the UK would have till October 2018 to reach a deal with the remaining EU27. He reiterated that the two-year schedule for talks set out by Article 50 did not leave time for a broader negotiation on the UKs future relationship with the EU, adding that the sooner the better. Mr Barnier also concluded that time will be short. Its clear that the period of actual negotiation will be shorter than 2 years, thus suggesting that if London keeps to the plan to trigger Article 50 in March next year, an agreement will need to be reached by October 2018 to allow time for all stakeholders to ratify the deal. The EUs chief Brexit negotiator also repeated that London would not be allowed to cherry-pick regarding the rights and obligations that it would like to keep after leaving the block. Mr Barnier stressed that being a member of the European Union comes with rights and benefits. Third countries can never have the same rights and benefits since they are not subject to the same obligations. British negotiators have come to terms with the fact that their country would have fewer rights while they still want to achieve maximum possible access for British goods to the EUs giant free trade zone. However, Mr Barnier also pointed out that it was not legally possible for Brussels to negotiate a new partnership agreement with the UK covering trade, foreign policy and other broader issues before the basic talks on the UKs withdrawal are finalized. The EU is generally expected to demand up to 60 billion euros from the UK to cover various EU budgetary commitments as well as narrow technical and legal issues to allow the country to leave. Only after the financials are settled, the EU will consider further negotiations. This contradicts the wishes of the British negotiators who would like to negotiate both agreements in parallel. The EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian crisis will provide a new 139 million assistance package to help refugees fleeing the war in Syria and their overstretched host communities. The new tranche also includes 50 million for Iraq, which will cover a multi-project action aimed at fostering socio-economic opportunities towards stabilization. The program will significantly scale up the EUs contribution to stabilizing Iraq especially in areas liberated from Daesh so that displaced populations can return to their homes. The programs main focus is on jobs creation and improving peoples livelihoods. The package for Lebanon includes 62 million to finance a health program for Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese populations to increase access to quality, equitable and affordable health care services and 20 million aimed at Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program for Syrian refugees and Lebanese host communities. The package also includes almost 7 million to support alternative investment sources for Jordan and Lebanon as well as financing for a multi-tierexternal monitoring and evaluation mechanism to continuously check the performance of the EU Trust Fund in real time. Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, commented that we are delivering on our commitment to support refugees and host communities across the region. With this new package we are well on track to meet our ambitious target to mobilize 1 billion for the EU Syria Trust Fund and with the latest contributions and pledges from our Member States and the EU budget I expect we shall actually exceed 1.2 billion by early 2017. This funding will secure better healthcare, education and economic opportunities for those affected by the Syrian conflict, bringing more stability to the region and beyond. Its been years since we looked into Maxwells argument for design. In 2012, we posted one of his poems that devastated naturalism with satirical wit. Michael Flannery has written an excellent piece on Maxwells design argument from the unity of nature, and discussed its relation to the modern ID movement. Professor Flannery focused primarily on refuting the misleading statements of historian Matthew Stanley, who had misrepresented the comparisons and contrasts between Maxwell and Behe. We thought it would be instructive, then, to take a closer look in a couple of posts at Maxwells design argument, not so much to present an argument from authority from this genius who helped usher in the modern age of electromagnetic technology, but to explore crucial developments of design philosophy in an age rapidly moving from theism to naturalism. Maxwell, who was well versed in the evolutionary literature as well as in design arguments from antiquity to his day (including those of the natural theologians), was an independent thinker. He was not one to simply accept and re-propagate what others had said. His views, in fact, differed in some ways from those of his Christian colleagues. Though deeply religious himself, he pursued arguments that did not rely on religion, but could be discussed among all scientists, religious or not. And he advocated a philosophy that would stimulate further research. Pre-Darwin Views Maxwells close friend Lewis Campbell wrote the definitive biography, The Life of James Clerk Maxwell, in 1882, three years after the physicists untimely death at age 48 in 1879. (Selections and page numbers from Campbells biography are taken from the digital version by James C. Rautio.) In the book, Campbell reproduces many of Maxwells letters. Lets start with one from 1852 when Maxwell was a young student at Cambridge. He wrote to Campbell that he felt his Christian foundation provided the only world view that allowed anyone free and open inquiry into all aspects of philosophy and science. There were no dark alleys or bugbears, no sacred plots, that were to be off limits. Accordingly, he set out on a project to uncover every secret of truth he could: Now, my great plan, which was conceived of old, and quickens and kicks periodically, and is continually making itself more obtrusive, is a plan of Search and Recovery, or Revision and Correction, or Inquisition and Execution, etc. The Rule of the Plan is to let nothing be wilfully left unexamined. Nothing is to be holy ground consecrated to Stationary Title, whether positive or negative. All fallow land is to be ploughed up, and a regular system of rotation followed. All creatures as agents or as patients are to be pressed into the service, which is never to be willingly suspended till nothing more remains to be done; i.e. till A.D.+ . [Emphasis added.] Here we see that Maxwell never considered his Christian faith a science stopper. Next year, in a period of high pressure at Cambridge, he wrote A Students Evening Hymn. In it, he shared his thoughts on created things as a path to knowledge. Through the creatures Thou hast made Show the brightness of Thy glory, Be eternal Truth displayed In their substance transitory, Till green Earth and Ocean hoary, Massy rock and tender blade Tell the same unending story We are Truth in Form arrayed. Maxwell clearly expected the study of nature to reveal Truth: not just religious dogma, but truth in form arrayed i.e., accessible to every honest observer. That same year (1853), now an honored member of the Select Essay Club (which Campbell calls the creme de la creme of Cambridge intellects), Maxwell wrote a number of essays to his fellow Apostles as they were known because of the clubs 12-member limit. Of special interest for our purposes is one entitled What is the Nature of Evidence of Design? Design! The very worddisturbs our quiet discussions about how things happen with restless questionings about the why of them all. We seem to have recklessly abandoned the railroad of phenomenology, and the black rocks of Ontology stiffen their serried brows and frown inevitable destruction. [All ellipses are in Campbells original.] Campbell notes that the essay has an alternative title, Ought the Discovery of a Plurality of Intelligent Creators to weaken our Belief in an Ultimate First Cause? to which a third title was added later in the authors hand Does the Existence of Causal Chains prove an Astral Entity or a Cosmothetic Idealism? By the alternative titles, we see that Maxwell expected the design question to be separable from the identity of the designer or designers, as do modern design theorists. We also see indications of his requirement for causal chains adequate to explain any phenomenon under investigation. The belief in design is a necessary consequence of the Laws of Thought acting on the phenomena of perception. In this statement we see a hint of the Argument from Reason elaborated on by Balfour, Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, and Plantinga. The next paragraph draws allusions to Paleys watchmaker argument: The essentials then for true evidence of design are (1) A phenomenon having significance to us; (2) Two ascertained chains of physical causes contingently connected, and both having the same apparent terminations, viz., the phenomenon itself and some presupposed personality.If the discovery of a watch awakens my torpid intelligence I perceive a significant end which the watch subserves. It goes, and, considering its locality, it is going well. My young and growing reason points out two sets of phenomena (a) the elasticity of springs, etc. etc., and (b) the astronomical facts which render the mean solar day the unit of civil time combined with those social habits which require a cognisance of the time of day. As stated, this much of Paleys argument fits Behes concept of irreducible complexity without venturing beyond to argue, as Paley did, for the God of the Bible. The design inference is warranted by observation that the parts all serve the common function, the significant end which the watch subserves. His reference to a presupposed personality harks to the universal design intuition Doug Axe writes about in Undeniable. Yet to this point Maxwell leaves the identity of the personality undefined, using scientific reasoning alone. It is the business of science to investigate these causal chains. If they are found not to be independent but to meet in some ascertained point, we must transfer the evidence of design from the ultimate fact to the existence of the chain. Thus, suppose we ascertained that watches are now made by machinerythe machinery including the watch forms one more complicated and therefore more evident instance of design. This statement clearly calls on science to investigate cases of intelligent design. Thats the business of science, he says, to investigate causal chains when interrelated parts suggest a designing intelligence has been at work. Maxwell still keeps to the empirical evidence before him, not specifying the nature of the designing intelligence. But if the object was made by a machine, clearly the machine provides even stronger evidence for design, exhibiting as it does higher complexity. The only subordinate centres of causation which I have seen formally investigated are men and animals; the latter even are often overlooked. But every well-ascertained law points to some central cause, and at once constitutes that centre a being in the general sense of the word. Whether that being be personal is a question which may be determined by induction. The less difficult question whether the being be intelligent is more practicable, and should be kept in view in the investigation of organised beings. Once again, restricting himself to the notion of intelligence as a cause, he states that science can determine if the cause is intelligent whether or not it can determine if it is personal. We omit a few sentences that are speculative in nature, such as whether animals can be centres of causation and whether that idea could lead to theological errors. Returning to the subject of causation, he offers some warnings about invalid design inferences. Three fallacies (1) Putting the final cause in the place of a physical connection, as when Bernoulli saw the propriety of making the curves of isochronous oscillations and of shortest time of descent both cycloids; (2) The erroneous assertion of a physical relation, as when Bacon supplemented the statement of Socrates about the eyebrows by saying that pilosity is incident to moist places; (3) (and worst) applying an argument from final causes to wrongly asserted phenomena: Because water is incompressible, it cannot transmit sound, and therefore fishes have no ears. Every fact here stated is erroneous. It is unfortunate Campbell didnt provide the entire essay, but this is pretty sharp thinking for a 22-year-old. Maxwell was already well versed in classic literature and philosophy as well as the trends of his own era. His stature as a scientist was established, having recently won Second Wrangler in the infamous Mathematical Tripos, and co-equal winner of the Smiths Prize. Another essay from this period informative of Maxwells maturing design philosophy dates from February, 1856, entitled Are There Real Analogies in Nature? In this lengthy essay, Maxwell finds a design inference from contingency. A specific value out of a vast array implies an intelligent act, he says: There is nothing more essential to the right understanding of things than a perception of the relations of number. Now the very first notion of number implies a previous act of intelligence. Before we can count any number of things, we must pick them out of the universe, and give each of them a fictitious unity by definition. Until we have done this, the universe of sense is neither one nor many, but indefinite. But yet, do what we will, Nature seems to have a certain horror of partition. In his conclusion, Maxwell has premonitions of Behes irreducible complexity and Meyers analogy of causes: Perhaps the next most remarkable analogy is between the principle, law, or plan according to which all things are made suitably to what they have to do, and the intention which a man has of making machines which will work. The doctrine of final causes, although productive of barrenness in its exclusive form, has certainly been a great help to enquirers into nature; and if we only maintain the existence of the analogy, and allow observation to determine its form, we cannot be led far from the truth. In subsequent years Maxwell would move his professorship from Cambridge to Aberdeen (1856), win the Adams Prize for his model of Saturns rings (1857), and would marry Katherine Dewar in 1858. But then the world changed. The Origin of Species was published in November 1859. The Darwinian Revolution had begun! Tomorrow: Maxwells post-Darwin views. Photo: James Clerk Maxwell Monument, Edinburgh, by Kim Traynor (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons. The Pound to Euro exchange rate today (09/12/16): 1.18661, Best 24hr rate 1.18809. The Euro to Pound Sterling exchange rate today: 0.84274 The Euro to Dollar exchange rate today: 1.06155. Foreign exchange Investors have seen the British pound to euro conversion rate rally as markets reacted dovishly to the latest news from the European Central Bank. Despite extensions to QE until 2018, the stimulus was reduced by 20b euros. The ECB has announced that they will extend the QE program for an additional 9 months until the end of 2017. However, they have reduced the amount of stimulus from 80 Billion to 60 Billion per month. Mario Draghi explained that QE, now extended until the end of 2017, could be carried on even further should the Governing Council deem it necessary. "We are expecting volatility to calm down a little today after another roller-coaster ride in the EUR around the ECB meeting. EURUSD was almost a mirror image of the price action at the start of this week around the Italian referendum" note Lloyds in a brief today. "The next main event for the market, and particularly the broader USD, is the FOMC meeting next week. 2020? With inflation also forecast to remain below target until the end of 2019, there is a possibility that European Central Bank may not look to tighten monetary policy until the beginning of 2020 at the earliest. With investors jittery ahead of comments from ECB President Mario Draghi the Pound Euro exchange rate has been able to regain some ground, although the pairing remains under pressure. Although Parliament voted in favour of the opposition day motion on Brexit, which saw a potential reveal of the governments plans traded off with tacit support for Prime Minister Mays timeline, Brexit-based jitters remain. If Draghi fails to deliver on the level of dovishness that is anticipated, however, the GPB EUR exchange rate could slump sharply. Traders continued to sell off the Pound to Euro rate (GBP/EUR) on Wednesday afternoon, extending its morning losses as more investors began to face the reality of Brexit. As UK Prime Minister Theresa May looked to make sure Article 50 would be activated by having MPs vote for it in order to see the governments Brexit plans, traders lost hopes that the Brexit process would be delayed any longer. Hard Brexit worries worsened, as did concerns that the Brexit process would hurt the UK economy thanks to the mornings surprisingly bad UK production results which still weighed on GBP demand. The Pound Euro exchange rate gave up more of its recent gains after discouraging UK manufacturing data, which suggested that the economy remains under pressure. With the Supreme Court hearing into its third day the mood towards the Pound has remained generally muted, weakening the GBP exchange rate complex. The Euro, meanwhile, found some cause for confidence thanks to rumours that Italy could seek assistance in recapitalising its banking sector from the European Stability Mechanism, reducing the chances of a collapse. After rallying to a multi-month high last month, the Pound Euro exchange rate weakened in response to speculation surrounding the ongoing Supreme Court decision. As the UKs Supreme Court heard a second day of arguments in the case over who has the right to trigger Britains exit from the European Union, the Pound weakened significantly against the major currencies, with Sterling hitting lows below 1.18 versus the Euro (GBP EUR). The UK currency has also lost momentum versus the Australian (GBP AUD) and New Zealand Dollars (GBP NZD). Have Pound Sterling (GBP) Exchange Rates Peaked? Having posted its first monthly gain against the US Dollar (GBP USD) since April last month, the Pound may have just peaked in the near-term, as concerns grow over whether the Supreme Court will overrule the High Court decision giving parliamentary approval on Brexit. What we have now is renewed uncertainty and that is hurting the potential for further upside for the Pound. The biggest surprise this week has been the resilience of the Euro, which is actually higher against both the Pound (EUR GBP) and the US Dollar (EUR USD), despite the political uncertainty in Italy and the rise in anti-establishment. Fed Rate Hike Forecast Next Week, US Dollar Exchange Rates Trend Higher The Italian government failed in its referendum for political reform, which saw the Prime Minister Matteo Renzi resign on Sunday evening. We might have expected a decline in Euro (EUR) exchange rates as a result of this but 2016 has become the year of the unexpected. There is also the very real threat of a banking crisis in Italy, coupled with escalating concerns over elections in France and Germany in 2017 with nationalist parties attracting more and more voters. Back to Pound Sterling (GBP) exchange rates. and the focus over the coming weeks will be on the Supreme Court. The market is fairly confident that given the High Court decision on November 3rd appeared to be fairly strongly in favour of parliament, the chances of the government winning are reasonably low. The danger here is that the market is slowly taking the view that Hard Brexit can be avoided and that Britain will be able to retain access to the single market. Of course, there is no guarantee that even if lawmakers get to vote on a Brexit deal that the UK will be able to access the single market. There will be pressure from the EU for freedom of movement and so far there are very few signs that any concessions will be made. The EU need to be tough on the UK. As I mentioned, there are key elections in Germany and France next year and officials wont want other nations thinking that they too would be better off going alone. With UK data falling short of forecasts, the Pound Euro (GBP EUR) exchange rate extended losses as the European session continued. Expats often send their children to international schools, but new research shows it is getting costlier with school fees up by 3.5% in 2016.In Asia the most expensive international schools are in China, Hong Kong and Singapore, while in Europe they are in Switzerland, Belgium and the UK. The ExpatFinder International School Fee Survey 2016, designed to provide guidance on navigating cost challenges relating to global relocation, bases its ranking on a comprehensive market survey of 707 international schools across 98 countries.The survey shows that international school fees are steadily rising, particularly in markets that are popular destinations with expats. According to Sebastien Deschamps, chief executive officer of ExpatFinder, this is resulting in expat parents rethinking their entire approach to their childrens education.For example, we see more and more parents considering options such as home schooling or enrolling their children in local schools that offer internationally recognised curriculum. Some have also opted for private tutors that provide supplementary native language lessons in lieu of costly international education, said Deschamps.China is the most expensive in the world with average annual fees of US$36,400, followed by Switzerland at US$28,300, and Belgium at US$27,800 while the UK, Hong Kong, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Austria and Australia all have annual fees above US$20,000.In the survey expats explain the impact high fees have had. We shifted both our children to an international school so they can learn French, our mother tongue. However, the high cost of education has in turn changed the way we budget for our lifestyle. We now limit ourselves on spending much more than we did in our home country. Paying for education and extracurricular activities now takes up the largest part of our monthly budget, said Helene Denaiffe, a French expat in Singapore.But among the 707 international schools surveyed, annual tuition fees fluctuate from as high as US$48,170 in Switzerlands Institut Le Rosey to as low as US$860 in Colombias Colegio Anglo-Colombiano.It means that some expat parents want flexible packages when being relocated abroad. According to Stephen Park, head of global mobility at Fonterra, parents of younger children favour smaller and more intimate schools that are not necessarily the most expensive, but it depends on the child.Given the rising costs of education and ability to access top schools in certain locations, we are noticing an increasing trend of short term international assignments and commuting assignments where children remain in the home location, he explained.Some cities, such as Hong Kong, are particularly challenging. At times, it is competitive to get children into good schools and I imagine some employees may turn down assignments in Hong Kong for the sake of their children's future. It just shows how important education has become, he added.The survey also shows that Switzerland, the United States, Spain, France, and Sweden have the highest price variance between the most expensive and most affordable schools. Overall Spanish schools are the most affordable, standing at only US$6,320 per annum.However, when comparing the average tuition fees of international schools located in capital cities with those in secondary cities, prices for the former can be up to five times more expensive.I'm surprised to see such a price gap between international schools located in Paris and those in other French cities. International school fees in Paris are significantly more expensive for families not supported by their companies or embassies, said Camelia Pierre, an expat mother of two in France. Lifesaivng Resources will be offering a series of ICE RESCUE TRAINING PROGRAMS for First Responders. The purpose of this training is to provide First Responders with the skills and knowledge required to safely and effectively respond to incidents on and through the ice. The following is a list of ICE RESCUE TECHNICIAN level courses: ` January 21 (So. Portland, Maine) ` February 4 (So. Portland, Maine) ` March 4 (So. Portland, Maine) These courses meet/exceed NFPA 1670 Standard for Technical Rescue and certification is valid for 5 years from the course completion date. These courses include 3-hours of classroom sessions and 5 hours of practical training on and through the ice. Participants wear Ice Rescue Suits to protect them from the elements during this training. Lifesaving Resources also conducts an annual INTERNATIONAL ICE RESCUE TRAIN-THE-TRAINER ACADEMY (February 16 - 19) for the purpose of training and authorizing Ice Rescue Instructors for First Responder agencies from throughout the United Sates and Canada. For information on any of these training programs, please access the Lifesaving Resources' website (lifesaving.com) or call 207/967-8614. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Embattled San Antonio attorney Todd Prins, accused of fabricating court documents and forging judges signatures, invoked his right not to incriminate himself more than 25 times at a bankruptcy proceeding Tuesday. Among the questions Prins wouldnt answer during a creditors meeting was whether he has complied with a Bexar County Probate Court judges order to turn over to the court $360,902 that has been held in his law firms trust account for a deceased clients estate. Prins cited the Fifth and 14th amendments and a section of the Texas Constitution in declining to answer that and other questions. The 14th Amendment grants equal protection of the laws to all U.S. citizens. The issue is expected to come up again Wednesday when Prins is scheduled to appear before Probate Judge Kelly Cross for a hearing to determine whether he should be held in contempt for disobeying her Sept. 28 order to turn over the money. Its just the latest legal trouble for Prins, who has been sued by two former clients accusing him of fabricating court documents and forging judges and others signatures in a 2009 Bexar County District Court case to conceal from his clients the actual status of the case. Prins would not address the allegations after the creditors meeting. By his side during the meeting were two former Bexar County prosecutors, Carlos Solis and Derek Hilley. Throughout his career, Mr. Prins endeavored to represent his clients to the best of his ability, Solis said in an email, declining further comment on the case. Prins has asked for privacy for himself and his family, Solis added. The creditors meeting was the first time Prins has appeared at any proceeding in the bankruptcy case since he and his wife filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation on Sept. 29 the same day he was ordered to turn over the money in the probate case. He skipped the first creditors meeting on Nov. 1 and two subsequent court hearings. He was scheduled to give a deposition in the lawsuit brought by his two former clients after Tuesdays creditors meeting. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig Gargotta threatened to hold Prins in contempt if he didnt appear for the deposition. Ten days prior to the bankruptcy, Prins filed for divorce from his wife, Paula, after 14 years of marriage. But she said during the creditors meeting that she learned of the divorce from a newspaper report after receiving a friends text while in Chicago. The San Antonio Express-News referenced the divorce case in a Nov. 8 article on the bankruptcy case. RELATED: See the Ozers' court filing against Todd Prins here. Despite the pending divorce and bankruptcy, the couple and their two minor children departed for a trip to London, Copenhagen, Denmark and Edinburgh, Scotland. Paula Prins, though, had trouble remembering seemingly obvious details of the trip, including the dates they were away, what airline they flew and whether her husband paid for meals and other expenses with cash or a credit card. 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. Did you think that was odd, filing for bankruptcy and then going on a three-week European vacation? asked Caroline Small, an attorney representing some of Prinses former clients. Martin Seidler, the Prins bankruptcy lawyer, instructed Paula Prins not to answer the question. Paula Prins, who described herself as a homemaker, later mentioned she was in Portland, Oregon, last week on job interviews. Todd Prins would not discuss why he was out of the country or his divorce petition, other than indicating he doesnt intend to go ahead with the divorce. When asked why they filed for bankruptcy, Prins said, Couldnt meet our financial obligations. The have reported $933,664 in assets and almost $1.6 million in liabilities. Prins also said that he is no longer operating his law firm, which he said shut down about a month ago. A call to the Prins Law Firm Tuesday was answered by a service. Just what clients are being told isnt clear. Prins declined to answer when he was asked if he would notify clients of his bankruptcy. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Candle in hand, Valerie Redus held the spiral bound notebook that held her sons journals for a class. In it, her son had written about what he was thankful for that day. Strong, healthy legs. Loving parents. This is the Cameron that I want all of yall to remember, that I want all the world to know about, she said to the group gathered on the sidewalk in front of the University of the Incarnate Word on Tuesday night. The three dozen friends, family members and classmates were there to commemorate Cameron Redus, an honors student at UIW who was shot and killed by a campus police officer three years ago. For about 45 minutes, they shared their memories of Redus. Six months ago, Joseph Lopez, a professor at UIW, welcomed a baby boy, who cried from a stroller on the sidewalk. He named the baby Joey Cameron, in remembrance of his former student, whom he said he still thinks about every day. After Lopez, Aleah Rosales, a friend and classmate of Redus, stepped forward. You all did a great job raising Cameron, she said to Redus parents. He really did make you feel like you were important to him. Johnny Guajardo, who was student body president at UIW for three years, said people kept coming out year after year to remember Redus because of his caring personality. This tragic event, this horrible thing, happened to a person who was so great, he said. It was the third time friends and family came together to honor Redus, who died Dec. 6, 2013. He was shot five times by Christopher Carter, who was then a UIW campus police corporal, during an off-campus traffic stop. The vigil and the three-year anniversary of Redus death came a day before arguments in the familys wrongful death suit against the university at the Supreme Court of Texas in Austin. The court will determine whether UIW, a private university, can claim immunity as a government entity because it employs a police force. Redus, a 23-year-old senior, was stopped by Carter on Broadway after the officer observed his car weaving in traffic. An autopsy later confirmed Redus had been driving drunk, and his blood alcohol level was almost twice the legal limit. An altercation in the parking lot of Redus off-campus apartment in Alamo Heights ended with the officer firing six shots at the student, including one in the back. The student was unarmed at the time of the shooting. His family has disputed Carters claim that Redus attempted to wrest his baton away from him. In audio of the shooting released last year, Carter repeatedly told Redus to put his arms behind his back and stop resisting. Carter told investigators that Redus charged at him with a raised fist. A Bexar County grand jury declined to bring criminal charges against Carter, who eventually resigned from the force. UIW attorneys argue that though the university is a private institution, it should still be treated as a governmental unit in regard to its campus police force. If successful, the university would be protected as a public entity under state law. In August 2015, the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio ruled against UIW in the case, saying it is not a government unit. But UIW appealed to the Texas Supreme Court, which will hear arguments today. Matthew Wymer, an attorney for UIW, said the university will remain consistent in its argument that since the schools Police Department is licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, it should be offered protection under the Texas Tort Claims Act. Were glad that the Texas Supreme Court is going to provide the final word on the status of our Police Department, Wymer said. That matter will be resolved once and for all. Brent Perry, an attorney for the Redus family, said their argument today will be straightforward, reiterating that a private Catholic university is not entitled to be treated as a government agency. The San Antonio Court of Appeals decided the issue correctly, Perry said. We expect the same result before the Texas Supreme Court. lcaruba@express-news.net The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is being placed on probation and three of the five Alamo Colleges are being warned by their accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, according to leaders of the institutions. UTRGV President Guy Bailey sought to reassure the university community in a memo, noting that the school will remain fully accredited over the 12-month probation period, while attributing the problem to timing issues with the school's evolution. That complex process included not only the amalgamation of the assets of UT Brownsville and UT Pan American, but also the dissolution of the UTB and Texas Southmost College partnership, which was contingent upon TSC achieving separate accreditation, Bailey explained. The latter created issues in meeting the transition timeline set forth in the legislation that created UTRGV, which required the start-up of UTRGV by August 31, 2015. The university will receive official notification from the accrediting agency in mid-January, and at that time, a plan for addressing the areas of concern will be provided. UTRGV awarded more than 5,400 degrees in its first year and had a 2016 first-year retention rate of 80 percent, Bailey said. Our focus will remain on our students as we continue to work and consult with SACSCOC over the next 12 months to ensure that all their concerns are adequately addressed, Bailey said. Losing accreditation would be devastating for the school, Bailey said. Students who attend unaccredited schools might not qualify for federal financial aid, and many employers and professional licensing organizations require that their applicants be graduates of accredited schools. As for the three Alamo Colleges, Chancellor Bruce Leslie said in an email Tuesday to employees that the presidents of San Antonio, Northwest Vista and St. Philips Colleges were verbally informed of the warning status at the agencys conference in Atlanta. The institutions have a year to resolve issues of institutional autonomy. We are waiting for the written materials to clarify their concerns and to develop a strategy to address, Leslie said in his email. A spokesman for the community college district, Leo Zuniga, said none of the colleges have ever before received accreditation warnings to his knowledge. The three warned colleges were scheduled for accreditation reaffirmation this year, but that was denied during the warning period until we fully address standards associated with autonomy, said Robert Vela, president of San Antonio College, in an email to employees. Each of the three colleges retains its accreditation, Leslie said. The colleges can request a second year to address the accrediting agencys concerns, which they expect to receive in writing in mid-January, Vela said. The warning does not carry any further consequences unless the issues are not resolved within two years, Zuniga said. Palo Alto College was not scheduled for reaffirmation this year and Northeast Lakeview College, the districts newest, is still on the path to accreditation with a visit scheduled for February. Some will wish to turn this into a crisis, which it clearly is not, Leslie said in his email. The board, as is the practice, is being provided time to thoughtfully consider the issues and develop a cohesive response. Thats the way the process works. In his email, Vela said he was confident the accrediting agencys concerns would be satisfied. Under the subject line Happy Holidays! Leslies email also congratulated employees on the districts student success metrics. The colleges conferred about 12,000 degrees in May, a near-threefold increase from 10 years ago. Our amazing increase in student degree achievement, transfer and employment are clear evidence that your efforts and our strategies are having the impact we all wish for our students, Leslie said. The five Alamo Colleges enroll a total of 52,000 students. Reaffirmation for San Antonio, Northwest Vista and St. Philips Colleges first came up in June, but was deferred while the accrediting agency determined how autonomous the individually accredited colleges were within the district. After a September visit, a special committee issued seven recommendations to the three colleges, including one to demonstrate that faculty are primarily responsible for curriculum content. That recommendation was brought about by the conclusion that trustees bypassed faculty in requiring that The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People be included in the curriculum districtwide. The accrediting agencys other recommendations included accepting courses for transfer at the college rather than district level, a policy that existed but was not being followed; calculating grade-point averages at the college as well as the district level; and changing employment contracts and other documents to represent each college rather than the district. Those changes are being implemented across the district, administrators said. amalik@express-news.net anelsen@express-news.net AUSTIN Republican Donald Trumps election doesnt mitigate the need for a Convention of States to amend the U.S. Constitution and curb the federal governments power, Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday. Instead, Abbott said, it puts a spotlight on the need to do just that. What is ailing America is a problem far bigger than what any one president can fix, Abbott told an auditorium full of enthusiastic Convention of States supporters who applauded the filing of a measure calling for such a gathering. The president-elect, Donald Trump, epitomizes exactly why we need a Convention of States. As an example, Abbott pointed to the cold congressional reception given to one of Trumps proposals. The president-elect himself has called for one of the constitutional amendments that we are calling for, which is to put term limits on members of the United States Congress, Abbott said. And youve seen the way that the United States Congress themselves have thumbed their nose at the president-elect, saying thats not going to happen. A measure calling for a convention was filed by Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, and Rep. Rick Miller, R-Sugar Land. Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, and Birdwell also filed a separate bill to specify how the convention-delegate process would work. Abbott in January called for a Convention of States to curtail the U.S. Supreme Courts power and slash federal oversight of states, an idea that was getting attention in the race for the GOP nomination for president. The push was highlighted by GOP anger over President Obamas actions on such issues as immigration; U.S. Supreme Court decisions on matters including gay marriage; and federal regulations on priorities including the environment. For a Convention of States to occur, it would require approval by 34 states, and proposed amendments would require ratification by 38 states. Abbott points to that ratification requirement as one of the safeguards against concerns by some conservatives that a convention could go rogue and propose liberal constitutional changes. Liberal critics, meanwhile, describe the Republican governors push as political posturing at a time when the state faces long-standing challenges in core areas including education, transportation and health care. The Texas House last year approved a resolution asking Congress to call a convention, but it died in the Senate. Supporters are hopeful of success in the legislative session that begins in January. A number visited lawmakers offices Tuesday, dropping off holiday cards with a push for the proposal. We dont want to jinx ourselves, but its almost a foregone conclusion, said Bob Peery of Fort Worth of the proposals passage, noting support from Abbott and from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate. Patrick earlier this year didnt comment on the idea but has since called it a priority. Peery and other supporters who came to the Capitol Tuesday cited issues including the U.S. Supreme Courts power and fiscal matters in supporting a convention. The people need to take back control from the federal government, said George Howard of San Antonio. Another San Antonian, Bobbie Mueller said, I just believe its the only way were going to get back to the Constitution, and thats giving the power back to the people. pfikac@express-news.net Twitter: @pfikac Texas state Sen. Jose Menendez filed a bill Tuesday morning that would allow doctors to prescribe medicinal cannabis, calling it a legitimate medicine that can help a variety of sick people. Menendez said cannabis can help people with a number of illnesses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, cancer, multiple sclerosis or epilepsy. The San Antonio Democrat addressed a packed conference room at the State Capitol, with a couple of doctors in white lab coats behind him and family members of patients on either side of him. Citing the more than two dozen states that already allow medical marijuana use for patients, Menendez said its time for Texas to step up to the plate. He shared stories of people hed met who left the state so they could have access to medicinal marijuana. Why are we forcing Texans to become medical refugees, Menendez asked. Currently in Texas, patients with intractable epilepsy can receive specific types of cannabis under the Texas Compassionate Use Program. Menendezs bill, SB 269, would seek to add to the number of conditions that qualify for the program. The Department of Public Safety manages both the registry of physicians who can prescribe cannabis and is in charge of licensing dispensing businesses. Throughout the country, attitudes toward marijuana legalization are changing. A 2010 Pew Research Center study found that almost three-quarters of Americans say they favor their state to allow for the sale and use of marijuana for medical purposes, if its prescribed by a doctor. But, almost 50 percent of respondents said they would be very or somewhat concerned if a store that sold medical marijuana opened near other stores in their area. After coming back from Iraq, Kate Cochran Morgan, a retired Marine Force officer, said she was a mess, feeling isolated and overwhelmed in her new civilian life. She shared her story at Tuesdays press conference. She took three to seven different medications for her hip dysplasia, anxiety and other conditions that left her in a fog of pain and pills. After her mentor told her to get a dog, quit abusing alcohol and find a community, she wound up finding cannabis. It helped her with her problems, but without the side effects from her prescription medications, she said. I tell you, this is one of those bills that you really get an opportunity to really help people, Menendez said. He repeatedly called it a medical issue, not a partisan one, and said it would take a strong grassroots effort of people contacting their representatives to encourage them to vote for this bill. The legislative session will begin next month. frahman@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Smelly sewer water still swirls inside a deadly sinkhole on the Southwest Side that swallowed two vehicles Sunday night, and it could be days before the torrent can be stopped. San Antonio Water System crews and contractors will have to build a sewer line to bypass the hole that is roughly 12 feet deep and formed at the intersection of a decades-old concrete sewer pipe and a fiberglass pipe installed last year. The stench of raw sewage filled the air Tuesday as three box-shaped diesel pumps sat near the hole. The ground is also saturated after days of heavy rain. An off-duty Bexar County Sheriffs deputy, Dora Lina (Solis) Nishihara, was driving on Quintana Road when her car fell in Sunday evening, killing her. Another car also nosedived into the hole, but the driver was rescued. The hole has widened since then to span the width of the two-lane road, with chunks of crumbled asphalt inside. SAWS has not yet identified the cause of the sewer line failure, SAWS President and CEO Robert Puente said. To temporarily repair it, a line of high-quality plastic will be installed to pipe sewage around the hole. Itll take a while for all of the mud and anything to dry out a bit, Puente said. Well clean it out and see what remaining pipe is in there and what may have happened. The hole formed near a Y-shaped intersection where a 54-inch pipe and a 24-inch pipe that drain all of SAWS territory in west Bexar County come together and meet another pipe 96 inches wide. Over time, SAWS has been replacing sections of sewer from southwest to northeast, including the portion where the hole is now late last year. The most recent phase, at a cost of about $12 million, is being done by Spiess Construction Co. Inc., which will likely be hired for the bypass and permanent repair work, Puente said. The hole also exposed a purple line delivering recycled water from SAWS Leon Creek facility and part of a water main. The water main was still functioning Tuesday but the recycled water line was shut down. SAWS Chief Operating Officer Steve Clouse, who has worked for the utility 32 years, said he had never seen anything like the hole formed by sewage erosion. We need to see what really happened, Clouse said. At least we can eliminate things that its not. bgibbons@express-news.net Twitter: @bgibbs This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Bexar County jury that had listened to Michael Scott Quinn describe killing a San Antonio man with a hammer, cutting off his legs with two saws and setting his remains on fire sentenced him to life in prison Tuesday. It had taken jurors 20 minutes to find Quinn guilty of murder Monday. It took them less than 10 minutes to decide on the maximum punishment available. Quinn, now 53, had testified during the punishment phase of the trial that he and his then-girlfriend, Connie Yanez, agreed that Quinn would take the rap for killing Albert Guerra, 56, who had been romantically involved with Yanez. The pair had broken up, and Quinn had accompanied Yanez, now 40, to Guerra's home on May 4, 2013, to pick up her things. Because Yanez had said Guerra had hit her, Quinn beat Guerra with a hammer, used a tree-trimming saw and a circular saw to cut his legs off, then doused the dismembered body with a flammable fluid and set it on fire, Quinn said in a video interview with police. I loved her to death, Quinn said in the video. I did what I did for her. In his testimony Monday, Quinn said he did not kill Guerra and had no recollection of what occurred that night but did remember cutting Guerra up while drinking an entire bottle of tequila. Testifying for the defense, Jack G. Ferrell, a forensic psychologist, told the jury that he evaluated Quinn and deemed him competent, but he also said the defendant suffers from PTSD because of witnessing abuse as a child and said Quinn was a victim of sexual and physical assault. Defense attorney Bob M. Hicks invoked Quinns history of being abused and also argued that Quinn acted out of sudden passion. Walking into Guerras North Side home on Wonder Parkway reminded him that Guerra had hit Yanez, which sparked negative memories from his own past, Hicks said. But prosecutor Talia Nye countered, Sudden passion has to occur at the time of the offense that caused it when Connie was punched. Not 12 hours later. Before he was sentenced, Quinn, who was mostly quiet but at times smirked during the trial, abruptly thanked his attorneys, state District Judge Lori Valenzuela and the prosecutors for being professional and courteous to him. He will have to serve at least 30 years before he is eligible for parole. ezavala@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Dreams of preserving a colorful piece of San Antonio history moved toward reality Tuesday as Commissioners Court authorized a $5.8 million project to develop the century-old remnants of the Hot Wells Resort into the newest Bexar County park. The project started several years ago when the owner of the South Side site along the San Antonio River sought the countys help in preserving the resorts ruins, including its famed Bath House that operated in the early 1900s. The daunting scope of the needed preservation work, and the sites cultural significance, led to the courts 2015 decision to develop the location as the countys first cultural park. Commissioners selected low-bidder Davila Construction to lead the Hot Wells County Park project, which also involves consultants in architecture, engineering, landscape design and masonry. Officials said owner James Lifschutz has agreed to donate the sites 3.8 acres to the county, including the ruins and surrounding land. Once the transfer takes place, contractors will begin to stabilize the ruins, rebuild some of its windows, improve drainage, build interpretive trails, provide signage and create an entry road and parking. Future development plans call for restrooms and lighting. The effort along the rivers Mission Reach is designed to help the public appreciate the significant role played by Hot Wells, said Bexar Heritage and Parks Department Director Betty Bueche. The historic Bath House has many ruins that are substantial, and the primary part of the project is to stabilize those ruins, Bueche said, adding that the Bath House wont be fully reconstructed. In addition to support from surrounding neighborhood associations and several community groups, the Hot Wells Conservancy has enlisted support from the National Park Service, Mitchell Lake Audubon Center and other groups that could run programs there. Its one of the more important projects that were doing, said County Judge Nelson Wolff, whos hoping the site can teach the public about Hot Wells popularity among celebrities and its role as a haven for those in the silent film industry. It is indeed a very historic place, Wolff said. In other action, commissioners accepted a donation from H-E-B of $13,000 to acquire a K-9 for the sheriffs office. The two-year-old, female Belgian Malinois named Phoenix and acquired from the Hill Country Dog Center LLC is already being trained for duty, said Sheriff Susan Pamerleau. The dog is replacing K-9 Tex, which was recently retired for medical reasons. Pamerleau said the gift resulted from a casual conversation during a recent Christmas event, when H-E-B representatives asked a deputy if the sheriffs office needed anything. The quick answer was the office needed another K-9, she said. H-E-B stepped up to provide a needed resource, Pamerleau said. Were excited about this gift, she said. Were pleased to help, said H-E-B Public affairs Director Dya Campos, adding, Everybody wants a puppy for Christmas. jgonzalez@express-news.net Twitter: @johnwgonzalez Manuel Medina sounds just like a mayoral candidate. In his first public statement since the San Antonio Express-News reported that Democratic precinct chairs have urged him to run for mayor, Medina, the partys county chairman, said Tuesday that he will spend the rest of this month doing homework on the challenges of launching a campaign. Medina said he hasnt yet made a formal decision, but added, It is going in that direction. In fact, it seems to be going in that direction at lightning speed, with Medina privately reaching out to elected officials for support and planning to commit a huge chunk of his own money to a campaign war chest. Medina, 47, a native of Torreon, Mexico, already has his talking points down. He made the case Tuesday that the city is flailing under the low-key leadership of Mayor Ivy Taylor. I believe we need a new mayor and a new direction, Medina said. Were the capital of South Texas and the seventh largest city in America, and I love my city. But certainly there is a sense that there is dysfunction at City Hall. Why did the police contract take so long when, at the end of the day, we gave them what they wanted? Why is (the) fire (union) still on the sidelines? Medina would be entering a race that includes Taylor and District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg. As Medina sizes things up, Taylor is a Republican (although she has never defined herself that way), Nirenberg is a centrist and theres a void that needs to be filled by a progressive Democrat. For him, that means addressing generational poverty on the West Side, generational violence on the East Side, uncontrollable growth on the North Side and income inequality citywide. Medina first made his mark in San Antonio politics in 2001. That year he teamed with his good friend, political operative Christian Archer, and former Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes to organize a local gathering that attracted 3,000 young Democrats and featured future presidential nominee John Kerry. Medina went on to build a lucrative career as a political consultant, including some high-profile work in Panama. When Medina challenged the late Choco Meza for party chair in 2012, he promised to be an advocate, not just an administrator. Even detractors of Medinas aggressive leadership style would concede that he has fulfilled that promise. In 2015, he stood on the steps of City Hall and berated U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a fellow Democrat, for proposing legislation making it easier for the federal government to deport unaccompanied children from Central America who illegally crossed the border. Medina also has urged City Council to pass a resolution unambiguously declaring San Antonio a sanctuary city for undocumented immigrants. On Tuesday, Medina confirmed rumors that if/when he enters the race, hell be willing to commit as much as $300,000 of his own funds to the campaign. He said his wife has even given him permission to mortgage their home in The Dominion a gated community on the Northwest Side if necessary. Medinas willingness to dig into his own deep pockets is reflective of a compulsive personal drive to take every battle to the hilt. He showed that in 2012, when he spent more than $100,000 of his own money for the county chair race, an amount that stunned observers who regarded the financial sacrifice to be way out of scale for the job. In the case of the mayors race, Medina aims to use self-funding at least partly to make a statement: that he wont be beholden to powerful interests because he doesnt need their money. People believe that the dysfunction at City Hall is a symptom of the special interests that are running the city, Medina said. Candidates are getting contributions, the special interests are getting special favors and taxpayers are getting stuck with the bill. He also argued that conservative thinking has paralyzed city leaders unwilling to risk a taxpayer revolt by pushing for bold, catalytic projects. Candidates are afraid to talk about mass transit and commuter rails from San Antonio to Austin, because the tea party will be jumping on their back, Medina said. Someone like myself, that is politically and financially independent, will be the transportation mayor, because we will push a commuter train from San Antonio to Austin, then turn around and look for a commuter train to Monterrey. No one has ever accused Medina of lacking nerve, and his audacity may soon be on full display in the mayors race. ggarcia@express-news.net Twitter: @gilgamesh470 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A handful of vacant buildings on and around the downtown River Walk have been bought by a company affiliated with AMS Commercial Real Estate of Austin. The company, Soledad House LLC, bought about 0.71 acres of property on Nov. 29 around the southeast corner of the intersection of Houston and Soledad streets, property records show. The buildings are across the street from the Geekdom tech incubator and a block away from Main Plaza, in a part of downtown that many see as an emerging tech district. The previous owner was Service Lloyds Insurance Co. of Austin. The purchase price was undisclosed, but Soledad House took out a $5.3 million loan to buy the properties, property records show. The purchase includes two buildings on the River Walk: the three-story Book Building and a five-story building that appears to be vacant. It also includes part of the Solo Serve Building and at least two small buildings on Soledad Street that also seem to be vacant. The properties are next to the Savoy Building, which local developer Weston Urban bought in February and recently received city permits to begin renovations. Service Lloyds sold the rest of the Solo Serve in August to Houston hotel developer Vista Host, which plans to replace it with a nine-story hotel. A previous plan to build a 21-story hotel there fell through when one of the investors got cold feet about San Antonios hotel market. John Davenport, who is partner with AMS and is listed as the managing member of Soledad House, said in an email that he didnt have anything to share about the purchase at this time. AMS develops and owns commercial real estate through HSM Capital Partners, a partnership with the Dallas-based Henry S. Miller commercial real estate firm, according to its website. The partnership has invested in properties in Austin, San Marcos and Harlingen. The recently-purchased buildings are in a part of downtown that is likely to see big changes over the next few years. They are two blocks from the site of the future 23-story Frost Tower, and a block away from an 18-story hotel and office tower thats planned on Main Plaza. rwebner@express-news.net @rwebner Peanut Factory Lofts, an apartment complex that marked a turning point for the near West Side when it was built in 2014, is set to be purchased by an Oregon company this month. Windmill Investments, which is based in Salem, Oregon but has staff in San Antonio, is under contract to buy the complex from 210 Development Group and expects to close within a week or two, its founder and CEO Daniel Carter said. The company plans to add more luxury to the apartments interiors and to create amenities such as a fire pit, he said. He declined to disclose the purchase price for the complex, which was assessed at $17.3 million this year by the Bexar Appraisal District. Carter has confidence in the future of the near West Side, which is blighted in some areas and has not yet been hit by the surge of new development that has swept through other neighborhoods near downtown. A plan to renovate the 270,000-square-foot Scobey complex into multifamily residential and creative office space fizzled earlier this year. We think the area is rejuvenating. If you look at where it was 10 years ago and where it is today, theres a huge difference. And I think its going to keep going that way, he said. You look at the UTSA campus, how thats expanding, and whats going on north of the campus. We see that moving south. Carter pointed out that the near West Side has plenty of vacant lots that create opportunities for developers, and that its cost of living is cheap compared to other neighborhoods near downtown such as The Pearl district. A small cluster of single-family homes is across the street from Peanut Factory a rarity so close to downtown. Also on the near West Side, 210 Development is building another apartment complex, Vitre, two blocks north of UTSAs downtown campus. Construction is expected to start in January, the firms president, Michael Wibracht, said. Windmill is a great owner and operator, he said. Weve done business with them in the past and they hire good people to run their projects. Windmill is a privately held firm with a small group of investors, two staff members in Oregon and two in San Antonio, Carter said. It has bought five multifamily properties in the local area since 2012, including 210 Developments Villa Espada Apartments on the far South Side selling some of them since then. We like the San Antonio market a lot. Our intent is to be in the market for the long term, Carter said. Its stable, its diversified. I like the fact that its not based on any one industry. ... It doesnt have typically as much construction and supply growth that you see in the other (metropolitan areas). Last week, City Council voted unanimously to weaken the terms of a $400,000 loan that was first made to 210 Development but will be transferred to Windmill. 210 Development will pay $150,000 of the loan back to the city, and Windmill will assume the other $250,000, which could be forgiven under the more lenient terms. The borrower originally was required to rent at least 30 of the complexs 102 apartments to students each year for 10 years for the loan to be partly forgiven, and to rent at least 49 units to students for it to be fully forgiven. Under the new agreement, Windmill will have to rent only 15 of the apartments to students each year for the loan to be fully forgiven. Carter touted the advantage of having the complex so close to UTSA and said he will welcome students. Will we work with UTSA? Absolutely. Will we work with students there? Absolutely, he said. But he added that were not a student housing company, so I doubt a majority of our residents will ever be students. rwebner@express-news.net @rwebner WAKEMAN, Ohio As soon as his father helped him out of the car and into his power chair, Austin Yaworsky headed straight for the barn to check on his animals. Spinning his tires in the soft, wet earth as he rolled along, Yaworsky came face to face with a cream-colored pygmy goat on the wrong side of the fence. He immediately chased the escapee back to its pen. Thats not even my goat, he said. Those are my sisters. His goat was the large Boer goat that popped its head out from inside the barn. Anything that I raise has to have a purpose, the teen said, explaining his Boer goat would eventually be sold for meat, unlike the pygmy goats his sister owns. After making sure the goat was securely in place, he makes his way to the chicken coop, again spinning his tires trying to get into position. This time hes stuck. As he patiently waits for his father to come to his rescue, he explains how he ended up with the small flock of meat chickens. I dont know how I got talked into them, he said, explaining a friend encouraged him to take them. John Yaworsky trudges across the yard to free his son. After a couple minutes of pushing and spinning his tires, Austin is moving again for now. He apologizes to his father for having to free him and, after tending to the chickens, Yaworsky speeds off to the next barn. Austin was born premature, at 32 weeks, said Angie Yaworsky, Austins mother. He was born black and we didnt think he was going to make it. It turns out Austin was born with spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy that affects his lower body. Austins mother said the disease causes his legs to tighten and affects the part of the brain that would normally tell those muscles to contract. His back muscles are also too loose, which makes it hard for Austin to stand. As you get older, you age quicker, said Angie. He uses a walker around the house, but he cant use it for long periods of time. The Yaworsky family farms 110 acres of corn and beans in Huron County and owns a total of 155 acres. John Yaworskys father and uncle also farm grain and hay close by. I think farming is something that gets in your blood, said Angie Yaworsky, and I think Austin has that. As Austin rounds the corner to check the backside of the barn, he speeds up, hoping he will make it through the puddle ahead. Hes stopped short once again. Again, he apologizes to his father for having to come to his rescue, before peeking around the back of the barn to check on his cattle. I trained my cow Betsy how to push me out when I get stuck, said Austin. Tying calves to his wheelchair, he would halter break them. From then on, whenever Austin was out with his cattle, the heifer knew when to give him a push to keep him moving. At 17, Austin has come to realize his disability would make it difficult to pursue grain farming, so the animals would be his connection to the farm. Weve never limited him, said Angie. Austin started showing 4-H animals at age 10, and has shown rabbits, chickens, turkeys, miniature ponies, goats, pigs and beef cattle. He trained the rabbits, chickens and turkeys to sit at his feet on his power chair when he entered the show ring and then would ask the judge to hold and flip the animal over so he could answer questions about his animal. He wanted to take a feeder calf one year, so they reached out to Johns cousin, Nick Wagner, and his wife, Darlene, to help them get started. Nick and Darlene Wagner raise 60 head of registered black Angus cattle on their farm in Attica, Ohio. Austin showed a calf at the Lorain County Fair, winning reserve champion honors that year. Its something that he seems to be very interested in, said Nick Wagner. With Wagners help, Austin pursued his own beef breeding project when he started the FFA program at Western Reserve High School, in Collins, Ohio. Currently, Yaworsky has two cows and two heifers of his own, which he sends to Wagners farm for breeding. Hes been dealt a difficult hand in life, he said. Austin cant read and, to me, that is a tremendous handicap because I do a lot of reading. But Austin relies on the minds of his farming friends and family to help him when he has a question about farming. I will continue to give Austin any help and advice I can, said Wagner. After finding his cows were tucked away inside on this dreary afternoon, Austin spun his chair around to head back toward the house. Again, he faced the menacing puddle ahead of him and thought maybe this time he could trudge through on his own almost, but not quite. Again, his dad came to the rescue and, again, Austin apologized. Its all right, Austin, John Yaworsky would tell his son every time. They give up a lot of time to help me, said Austin. I dont want them to have to. Austins dream is to own an Action Trackchair that would make it easier to get around the farm. Originally designed for military veterans, the all-terrain wheelchair uses tracks instead of wheels and can move the operator from a sitting to a standing position. Yaworsky and his parents feel the chair would help him maneuver around the farm, as well as give him a better state of mind. Micayla Finchum, a senior at Western Reserve High School and FFA chapter president, has been Yaworskys classmate since kindergarten. Shes heading up a chapter spaghetti dinner benefit Dec. 10 that will help raise funds for Austin to get a Action Trackchair. (Austin) has been working harder than any of his classmates that are not as limited as he is, said Finchum. He could tell you anything about beef cattle. Yaworsky has participated in numerous FFA events, from soil judging to livestock judging, with the help of his classmates. His first two years of high school, a couple of older, stronger boys would carry Yaworsky down into the soil pit so he could judge the soil, explained Angie. As he got older and those stronger boys graduated, Austin would roll his chair to the edge of the pit and ask a fellow student to bring him samples. For the past two years, Yaworsky has been a student at the Erie, Huron, Ottawa Vocational Education (EHOVE) Career Center. I cant read or write too well, so I know its where I need to be, but I miss my friends (at Western Reserve), said Austin. But that hasnt stopped him from being a part of the FFA chapter activities and meetings, said Finchum. Austin has a phenomenal willingness to learn, said Mark Starkey, Western Reserve FFA adviser. While he has only been at the high school for a year, Starkey has already seen Yaworskys character. I have a tractor I brought into the shop to restore, said Starkey. Austin immediately began asking how he could help. The Austin Yaworsky Spaghetti Dinner benefit is Dec. 10, 5-8 p.m., at the Western Reserve High School Auditeria, 3841 U.S. Route 20 E., Wakeman. About this time in the afternoon, Austins little brother Justin, 8, gets off the school bus and runs to greet his brother. Hi buddy, says Justin, tossing Austin his backpack. Justin enjoys helping Austin out around the farm and Angie believes he shares his big brothers passion for the animals. Im the brains of the operation; hes the legs, said Austin, as his brother runs off to help their parents halter a calf. While Austin and his family know he is limited, and Austin knows he wont be able to do everything without a little help, he also knows he wants to carry on the farming tradition. John and Angie purchased a second farm with 10 acres of pastureland which they intend to expand to 20 acres for Austin to expand his herd. My dream is to make the farm depend on itself, said Austin. And hes determined to power through any of lifes mud holes to make that happen. Cant attend the benefit but want to help out? If you would like to donate to Austins cause, you can mail donations to: Western Reserve FFA Alumni, Attn: Mark Starkey, 3841 U.S. Route 20 E., Collins, OH 44826, or contact Rebecca Beck at becks5@accsandusky.com. Austins 4-H club set up a gofundme page to help Austin reach his goal of attaining an Action Trackchair. Visit https://www.gofundme.com/2jujk24 for more information. The Prairie Doc: Men, you can thank women for your good health columnists Place Your Advert Register or sign in to advertise your job British 'Quality Standard Mark' lamb has been touring central and southern Germany in a bid to boost its growing popularity. The visiting truck toured 21 high-end supermarkets over the course of 37 days as part of AHDB Beef & Lamb initiative allowing local foodies to sample Quality Standard Mark lamb. The Quality Standard Mark Scheme for beef and lamb provides high levels of assurance about the meat people buy. All beef and lamb carrying the Mark is chosen according to a strict selection process to ensure it is succulent and tender. Quality Standard Mark (QSM) beef and lamb is produced to higher standards than required by law with a supply chain which is fully assured and independently inspected at every stage. The German tour, which made its final stop at the end of November, has been hailed a success after gaining the support of retailers and supermarket butchers as well as local consumers. Experts at AHDB Beef & Lamb say its essential to develop strong links with the German market especially with the premium retail sector. Sales of UK lamb are on the rise with exports to Germany rising to 13,000 tonnes this year. AHDB head of meat exports, Jean-Pierre Garnier said: The German market for lamb is progressing well with more and more people appreciating its taste. Over the last three years, Germany has become the second largest market for UK lamb and sales are rising year after year. Retailers and supermarket butchers are very supportive of this campaign and it has been praised by German consumers. We will be looking to build on this in 2017. Research suggests that between 10 and 20% of German people are foodies who look for high quality produce, enjoy cooking and sharing, and travel to food festivals a demographic AHDB and farmers are keen to target. Farmers could enjoy a buoyant couple of years ahead of Brexit but the industry may face another downturn after 2020, experts have warned. They emphasised it is vital that farmers re-evaluate their business plans to make the most of the good times and protect against future volatility. Speaking at a meeting in Newton Abbot, Devon, on Monday (5 December), Andrew Vickery, head of rural services at accountant Old Mill, said farmers were currently benefiting from the weak Pound following the EU referendum. This was making exports more competitive and had boosted the basic payment by 16.5% in 2016. If currency stays weak we could have two or three very good years. However, the uncertainty of Brexit and the 2020 CAP reform meant farmers had to prepare for a future with ambiguous government support, warned Paul Blundell, relationship director in rural services at HSBC. 60% of farm owners have no succession plan in place, according to an NFU survey Given the current straitened times, many rural businesses have been reconsidering their long-term strategy, including succession planning. However, those who had invested heavily with the use of capital allowances, and who were now restructuring or retiring, could 'crystallise' large profits when selling plant and equipment, warned Mr Vickery. It could be worth re-evaluating the business structure to reduce the resulting tax liability. Any changes in business structure must be reflected in personal Wills, added Ashfords solicitor Jonathan Hickman. A poorly drafted Will can cause just as many problems as not having one: If you change your business structure you will need to review your Will, he said. Having an open dialogue about succession planning could also enable a business to reduce its tax liability, he added. This included identifying assets which qualified for Agricultural and Business Property Relief, and whether the main house was eligible for the new Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB). According to the findings of a NFU 2015 Survey, 60% of farm owners have no succession plan in place with a similar percentage believing a succession plan to be important for the future of the business. If your whole estate is worth more than 2m the RNRB will be tapered down and above 2.2m it will not be available at all, so it could be worth using lifetime gifts to maximise the tax reliefs available. The Government has declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone requiring that all poultry must be kept indoors, or otherwise kept separate from wild birds. The 'Prevention Zone' applies to all of England and will remain in place for 30 days. A zone has also been declared in Scotland and Wales. High path H5N8 has been found in wild birds in Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the Russian Federation. There are fears that migrating wildfowl could carry the virus to the United Kingdom, but up until now the Government had resisted appeals from the British poultry industry to order that free range birds be housed Government chief vet Nigel Gibbens declared the move vital for introducing enhanced biosecurity for poultry and captive birds. Mr Gibbens said: While no cases of H5N8 avian flu have been found in the UK, we are closely monitoring the situation across Europe and have scaled up surveillance in response to the heightened risk. Within the Zone bird keepers are legally obliged to take all practicable steps to ensure that poultry and other captive birds kept separate from wild birds - in most cases this will be by keeping birds housed. 'Keep birds indoors' Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity, Fergus Ewing said the 30-day Prevention Zone is a 'precautionary measure' to protect Scotlands 'valuable' poultry industry, particularly in the weeks before Christmas. "It is important to stress that there has been no cases of this strain detected in the UK. The Scottish government and its partners continue to monitor the situation in Europe closely and stand ready to respond to any suspicion of disease in Scotland. Any bird keepers who have concerns should immediately seek veterinary advice." Scotlands Chief Veterinary Officer Sheila Voas said the risk of an HPAI incursion into poultry in the UK remains at low, but heightened, although for wild birds the risk has been raised to medium. Robert Gooch, chief executive of BFREPA, said the decision is a 'necessary step' She said: "It is normal to see these viruses circulating among wild bird populations at this time of year, however the strain seen in Europe appears to be particularly virulent which is a cause for some concern. "Keeping birds indoors helps to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus, provided that poultry keepers maintain good biosecurity on their premises and remain vigilant for any signs of disease. Consumers should not be concerned about eating eggs or poultry given the expert advice about food safety and human health." Wales' Environment and Rural Affairs Secretary Lesley Griffiths said: While no cases of H5N8 avian flu have been found in the UK, I have declared a 30-day Prevention Zone to reduce the risk of infection from wild birds and to allow time for poultry and captive bird keepers to put appropriate biosecurity measures in place. This is a precautionary measure. We are closely monitoring the situation across Europe and have scaled up surveillance in response to the heightened risk. 'Necessary step' Robert Gooch, chief executive of British Free Range Egg Producer Association (BFREPA) said the Government's decision to implement a prevention zone is a 'necessary step' in response to the rapid spread of avian influenza (AI) across Europe. The risk of infection is from wild migratory birds who are leaving cold weather feeding grounds and could head to the UK, carrying with them the potential to bring the H5N8 strain to our shores. It would be devastating for a British producer to have to go through the heartbreak of seeing their entire flock wiped out by this virus as we have already seen in continental Europe. Housing birds presents significant challenges to free range egg producers but they understand that it is important to reduce the risk of AI spreading. Its crucial for consumers to remember that AI is not a food safety issue and all free range eggs carrying the British Lion stamp are always perfectly safe and nutritious. The spread of bird flu across Europe Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease affecting the respiratory, digestive and/or nervous system of many species of birds. It spreads from bird to bird by direct contact with infected body fluids, droppings and contaminated boots, clothing, equipment etc. Reports of Avian Influenza H5N8 outbreaks in wild birds and poultry in Germany, Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland have resulted in the risk level for Avian Influenza incursion to the UK via wild birds being raised from Low to Medium. Last Saturday (3 December), a new case of high risk bird flu was found in southern France prompting a 7000 duck cull. On 25 November, Swedish authorities decided to cull at least 37,000 poultry after a highly contagious bird flu outbreak was confirmed on a farm in southern Sweden but the figure may rise. On 24 November, a case of high risk H5N8 bird flu was confirmed in the German state of Lower Saxony and about 16,000 turkeys have been culled, authorities say. And on 18 November, following the discovery of cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 in several European countries, France decided to raise the level of risk of disease from "negligible" to "moderate". A man who drove a tractor into the path of a train has been ordered to complete 150 hours unpaid work. Judge Paul Batty QC, hit out at Network Rail saying that it was an accident waiting to happen. No-one was seriously injured when the passenger train hit the tractor at a level crossing near Flaxby in North Yorkshire in May 2015. The court was told that the crossing gates at Oaxwood Farm near Flaxby, Harrogate, can still be opened as a train approaches. On May 14 last year Andrew Doney approached the crossing on his tractor and opened them before driving onto the line. British Transport Police said the incident had caused significant disruption to the rail network. Ch Insp Glen Alderson of British Transport Police said: "It is astounding that no-one was seriously injured or killed in this incident." He said the crash had closed the railway and adjacent roads for several hours and the incident cost Northern Rail 114,000 and Network Rail 3,660. Doney of Ripon, North Yorkshire, was ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work and pay 300 in prosecution costs. A group of young farmers from across Wales have discussed future post-Brexit Welsh agricultural policies with the government, emphasising a need for three 'key pillars'. NFU Cymrus Next Generation Policy Group's vision is for a policy that is outcome focussed, delivering on three key pillars of sustainability economic, social and environmental; a policy that supports sustainable farming systems across the range of scales that is currently seen in operation in Wales. Held at the Senedd, the meeting was an opportunity for the Next Generation Policy Group to discuss a range of issues including; their ideas on a future agricultural policy for Wales, how to support and encourage new entrants into the industry and the role that farmers play in delivering a wide range of goods and services to society in Wales. The Next Generation Policy Group is made up of young farmers from across Wales who come from a wide range of sectors and farm types. The group has met on a number of occasions prior to their meeting at the Senedd, to discuss and agree their key priorities for a post Brexit agricultural policy for Wales. 'We are clear in our vision' Guto Davies, who is a member of the group and an upland beef and sheep tenant farmer from Clwyd said: As a group we are clear in our vision for a policy that is outcome focussed, delivering on the three key pillars of sustainability economic, social and environmental; a policy that supports sustainable farming systems across the range of scales that we currently see in operation in Wales. Joy Cornock, who is also a member of the group and from a dairy, beef, sheep and arable farm in north Pembrokeshire said: A post Brexit policy should provide mechanisms that target improvements in productivity on farm and ensures that interventions are made to support the active farmer. Cabinet Secretary Lesley Griffiths AM said the discussions were 'open, honest and constructive' around the future direction of agriculture in Wales. Miss Griffiths said: As we prepare to leave the European Union, it is more important than ever we work in partnership to identify opportunities to develop a distinctively Welsh agricultural policy, one that works in the very best interests of farm businesses and the wider Welsh economy. It was also good to talk about how we might encourage more young, and not so young people too, into farming new blood and fresh ideas are an essential ingredient in any successful industry. Farmer, 20, who took over family farm after tragedy scoops award Blaze happened in Kerkhoven By Diego Flammini Assistant Editor, North American Content Farms.com A barn fire in Minnesotas Swift County resulted in the loss of nearly 2,000 hogs on Tuesday. According to the West Central Tribune, Swift County Sheriff John Holtz said fire crews received news of the blaze just after 2:00 pm. Firefighters from Kerkhoven, Murdock, DeGraff, Pennock and Sunburg responded to the situation on the 1000 block of 165th Avenue Southeast in Kerkhoven. The property owner thinks the fire may have started with a space heater which started running when electrical crews working on a nearby power line turned the power back on. Photo: Briana Sanchez Its just a challenge, property owner Grant Krieger told the West Central Tribune. Weve had (challenges) before. Theres currently no estimated dollar amount of damage. Sheriff Holtz said theres no official cause yet and the Minnesota Fire Marshals Office is investigating. The Minnesota Fire Marshal's office told Farms.com the investigation is ongoing and will continue to provide updates as they become available. Farms.com has reached out to the Kerkhoven Fire Department for investigation updates. "While some of these falls, such as for lamb, mangos and to some extent beef are seasonal, there is ongoing weakness in grains and we have some concern for beef in 2017." "When it became apparent to Wellard that these factors would cause Wellard to miss its prospectus forecast the company advised the market, and advised it again when our forecast was lowered again when the supply and price situation worsened,'' Mr Griffiths said. This funding was expected to be made available in the coming weeks, which Mr Moltoni said would be beneficial in helping develop new markets for WA crops, as well as used for research and development and industry marketing. "That's something you wouldn't be able to do with 3G - first because in regional areas you often don't have that sort of network, and also the range of 3G is very short, it's about one kilometre. Joining the rest of his purchases, the top-priced line will be used as replacement ewes as well as helping to expand the Skinner family's sheep enterprise since it hasn't bred any of its own replacements for a number of years. Original caption: Damaged ships after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7 1941. The USS Cassin (DD372) and the USS Downes (DD375) in Drydock No. 1. Photo courtesy of the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. The future of Fauquier Times now depends on community support. Your donation will help us continue to improve our journalism through in-depth local news coverage and expanded reader engagement. Support Voter Guide: Everything Cumberland County voters need to know Early voting is underway, with local, state and federal races on the ballot in Cumberland County. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the International Foreign Bribery Taskforce (IFBT). Not familiar with the IFBT? It doesnt get a lot of attention. Working mainly out of the limelight, the IFBT was established in 2013 and consists of the FBI, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Australian Federal Police, and the City of London Police Overseas Anti-Corruption Unit. The purpose of the IFBT is to enhance the sharing information and the joint pursuit of investigations involving cross-border bribery. Representatives from these law enforcement agencies addressed the annual conference of the International Forum on Business Ethical Conduct for the Aerospace and Defence Industry (IFBEC) in London. IFBEC was kind enough to allow me to share some insights from the panel, which provided a valuable glimpse into how the IFBT works to combat bribery and corruption on a global scale. The IFBT works together in a number of ways. Representatives from the four law enforcement agencies formally meet on an annual basis to exchange information regarding on-going investigations, report on innovative investigative techniques and determine what country is best suited to take the lead on particular multi-jurisdictional matters. However, the real meat of the relationship is real-time information sharing. According to the panel, the agencies speak and correspond with each other on an almost daily basis. The panelists emphasized that if one agency is investigating misconduct that involves another IFBT country, they will communicate that to one another quite early in the process. Moreover, each of the agencies frequently second personnel to physically sit in the offices of the other agencies. For example, both the FBI and the Australian Federal Police currently have agents based in London working with the UK National Crime Agency and the Serious Fraud Office. The panelists indicated that the agencies informally assign one organization among them to take the leading role in each multi-jurisdictional investigation. This decision is based not only where the misconduct has occurred or the situs of most of the evidence, but also where theyre likely to secure the largest penalty. The other interesting piece of information was the number of cross-border bribery cases each agency is currently handling. Not surprisingly, the United States tops the list, with approximately 140 on-going FCPA cases, including public companies, private companies and individuals. Britain reported having approximately 38 on-going investigations under the UK Bribery Act. Australia and Canada reported having 20 active cross-border bribery investigations each. The panelists did not provide details about how many cases theyre currently working on together, but did report that the number is significant. The IFBT panel was a stark reminder that corruption investigations are becoming increasingly international in scope. The implications for voluntarily disclosing potential infractions in an effort to secure cooperation credit are obvious. At least among these four common law jurisdictions, there can be no forum shopping. ____ Bill Steinman is a Contributing Editor of the FCPA Blog. Hes the senior partner at Steinman & Rodgers LLP, a boutique law firm in Washington, D.C. specializing in international anti-corruption compliance and investigations. Chris Pratt once lost out on a date with a girl because he couldn't pull off Michael Jackson's 'Man In The Mirror' at a karaoke bar. Chris Pratt The 37-year-old actor - who has a four-year-old son Jack with wife Anna Faris - had previously been impressed with his own rendition of the late King of Pop's classic track, so decided to sing it again in a bar after meeting a girl he wanted to impress. Speaking on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon', the 'Jurassic World' star said: "I had killed it one week, I felt really good. I was like, 'That's my song! I can sing 'Man In The Mirror'!' "It's very difficult. High degree of difficulty but when you nail it, you nail it. "I was riding high on the wave of nailing 'Man In The Mirror' the week before, but I went to a new karaoke bar and met a girl, her name was Marina. "I was flirting with her, and I had 'Man In The Mirror' in my pocket and I knew I was gonna kill it. "I got up on stage and I said 'This song's for Marina'. "Now, I didn't realise there's different notes and different keys and stuff, and it just wasn't my key, it wasn't my night." But the 'Parks and Recreation' actor soldiered on through with the song until someone from the crowed yelled "You suck" and his evening rapidly went downhill. He continued: "I really started sweating. "Some guy yelled 'You suck', and I look and he's standing right next to Marina! "And she left with the 'You suck' guy!" But the disastrous experience hasn't put Christ off karaoke for good. He said: "I am a karaoke guy. I've sung karaoke for a long time, my whole family always sings karaoke at parties." Queen Elizabeth was escorted out of a London hotel yesterday (06.12.16) after an intruder ran inside. Queen Elizabeth The 90-year-old monarch was enjoying a private lunch at the Goring Hotel in London's Belgravia when the guy reportedly waved his arms around before sprinting through the front door in the early afternoon. The royal was ushered out of the establishment by managing director David Morgan-Hewitt. According to Mail Online, witnesses claimed the man appeared drunk and was spotted on the Tube before the incident. One witness quoted the guy as saying: "I'm Irish, I'm hard as f**k." Describing what they saw happen on the London Underground, they said: "He was crawling around on the Tube picking up empty cans and sucking out what was left." After the Goring Hotel incident, the intruder was stopped by a man in a suit, who was thought to be a royal protection officer, and was patted down by officers who let him go. But it is not known why he entered the building. It's not the first time the queen has come close to an intruder. In 1982, Michael Fagan broke into Buckingham Palace on two separate occasions, and the second time he ended up in the monarch's bedroom after entering the royal household by climbing up a drainpipe. While some reports claimed he sat on her bed, he admitted in a later interview that she ran out of the room to get help. Speaking about the July 1982 incident in 2012, he said: "It was a double bed but a single room, definitely - she was sleeping in there on her own. "Her nightie was one of those Liberty prints and it was down to her knees. "She went past me and ran out of the room; her little bare feet running across the floor." He also claimed to have entered the Palace a month earlier, where spent 30 minutes eating cheese and crackers, drinking wine, and wandering around before leaving. Bollywood's queen Kangana Ranaut, who is back from the US after wrapping up Hansal Mehta's 'Simran' shoot, attended the Times Lit Fest to speak on the topic 'Being Kangana'. The star, who was in a jovial mood not only posed for the shutterbugs but also spoke to the media after her session. After addressing questions about her upcoming movies 'Simran' and 'Rangoon', Kangana was asked about Alia's comments made on a popular chat show. The actress laughed if off saying, "I love Alia, she is so talented and such a lovely girl. I am pleased that she wants to know about my whereabouts. I don't think it's offensive. Alia is one person I try and reach out to, I love her work and her spirit. I haven't seen her latest film but I believe she is incredible in it. She makes us very proud." She also went on to add that she thinks Alia is India's 'official sweetheart'. When further coaxed about Ranveer Singh's comments on the same show, Kangana said, "Ranveer is my buddy and he is very curious about my love life... I remember once he tried to grill me about it but like we all know I am very mysterious and I don't give in." Well said Kangana! Next Story : Not Your Average Gift: Our Handpicked Thoughtful Diwali Gifts Kikani Exports, India based yarn supplier with 12 years of experience in exporting to China, has a fully-equipped testing laboratory with latest technology for fibre and yarn quality assurance from the Uster Group, a high-technology instrument manufacturer for quality certification in textiles. Kikani MDshares his views on China yarn market. As a leading exporter of yarn to China, what according to you is the major factor impacting China yarn trade? Exporting yarn to China is both a massive opportunity and a tremendous challenge. Price competitiveness is the most crucial factor in China trade along with control of sourcing, control of quality, and control of costs. What according to you is the biggest difference between China and other export markets in the volume of business available? In China the volumes are huge. We started selling there in 2004, with about 60 tons per month. That increased over time to as much as 4,000 tons per month by 2014, but in the past year the market has been more depressed, so we have recently been at a level of around 2,000 tons. Kikani Exports, India based yarn supplier with 12 years of experience in exporting to China, has a fully-equipped testing laboratory with latest technology for fibre and yarn quality assurance from the Uster Group, a high-technology instrument manufacturer for quality certification in textiles. Kikani MD Vrajesh Kikani shares his views on China yarn market.# What kind of quality strategy do you deploy in your in-house spinning methods? Kikani has put in place a carefully-planned strategy to ensure consistent control of every aspect. It begins with sourcing the right yarns at the right price from reliable spinners. Latest technology and process control is also necessary. Can tell you about the latest Uster technology used in spinning yarns in Kikani mills? We rely on Uster guidelines, ensuring our quality consistency within defect tolerances below 5 per cent. Staff training for quality management is also a priority, and we implement both routine quality checks and random audits. The new mill, in the Ahmedabad District of Gujarat, started up in 2015, expanding to 29,376 spindles and 4,320 TFO drums by the end of the year. What special kind of yarn do you produce? A special advantage for knitting yarn is Kikani's focus on a Gujarat cotton type known as Shankar 6, which is said to have the lowest contamination rate of the entire Indian crop although still high compared with cottons from the USA or Australia. Talking about contamination in Indian cotton, what is Kikani Exports doing to tackle the issue? Contamination by foreign matter is a serious issue, and there is a constant need to monitor and control it. Kikani uses a combination of the latest Uster JOSSI MAGIC EYE detection in the blow room and Uster QUANTUM 3 (PP option) clearers on its winders. What kinds of yarn do you specially trade off to China? Kikani's yarn range includes both carded and combed variants, across as count range of Ne 16 to Ne 40 ring spun, including compact, and Ne 6 to Ne 24 in OE-spun. Most yarns are 100 per cent virgin cotton or blends with waste cottons. What do you expect in the future from China yarn market? The current tough market environment will become even tougher in the future. Our volumes into China will come down for sure, because of increasing competition from Vietnam and other countries, as they have preferential duty structures. (GK) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India A total of 20 companies, from more than 300 entries, were selected for the third best green fabric award at the 'China Fabrics Quality Competition' held on December 3. The event was held along with the 18th session of Shenzhen clothing OEM and accessories exhibition and the closing ceremony of the third session of the Shenzhen original design fashion week. A total of 20 companies, from more than 300 entries, were selected for the third best green fabric award at the 'China Fabrics Quality Competition' held on December 3. The event was held along with the 18th session of Shenzhen clothing OEM and accessories exhibition and the closing ceremony of the third session of the Shenzhen original design fashion week.# During the thirteenth Five Year Plan period, the supply side of reform as a national strategy has greatly impacted the textile and garment industry. The Chinese government put forward strategy to increase varieties, improve quality and create brands, and promoted a 'quality revolution' across the country . As a large textile manufacturing country, China is facing quality bottleneck in continuously upgrading its international reputation. The 'China Fabrics Quality Competition' was initiated to address the pain point of quality of the domestic textile industry, and to ensure orderly competition and healthy development of textile fabrics enterprises. A total of 20 companies, from more than 300 entries, were selected for the third best green fabric award at the 'China Fabrics Quality Competition' held on December 3. The event was held along with the 18th session of Shenzhen clothing OEM and accessories exhibition and the closing ceremony of the third session of the Shenzhen original design fashion week.# The theme of the third China Fabrics Quality Competition was to 'find a good fabric in China'. With fabric quality as the core of the contest that began on June 28 this year, the competition attracted entries from more than 300 fabric enterprises. To make the entry of various enterprises more convenient, a variety of registration channels were opened through multimedia and widely publicity was given for the same. The competition was organised by the China Academy of Textile Science, Textile Science Research magazine, the Shenzhen Textile Industry Association, the global textile network, DICTION, and Pengcheng Exhibition Co. Ltd. The China Textile Testing and Certification Center provided exclusive technical support. A total of 20 companies, from more than 300 entries, were selected for the third best green fabric award at the 'China Fabrics Quality Competition' held on December 3. The event was held along with the 18th session of Shenzhen clothing OEM and accessories exhibition and the closing ceremony of the third session of the Shenzhen original design fashion week.# Compared with the previous two editions, the latest China Fabrics Quality Competition had three firsts. It was for the first time that the event was held in Shoaxing, Shenzhen and other industrial clusters. It was also for the first time that industry trade platform Global Textile Network, fashion industry innovation platform DICTION news network, and well-known exhibition company Pengcheng exhibition were invited to join as a sponsor to bring in new vitality in the industry chain contest. The competition was also held for the first time in a textile laboratory, on the opening day, which ensured zero-distance access to the participating enterprises to understand testing standards, projects and related standards and methods. A total of 20 companies, from more than 300 entries, were selected for the third best green fabric award at the 'China Fabrics Quality Competition' held on December 3. The event was held along with the 18th session of Shenzhen clothing OEM and accessories exhibition and the closing ceremony of the third session of the Shenzhen original design fashion week.# Further, activities were carried out in Shaoxing, Shenzhen and other places to make the fabric enterprises understand the rules of the contest, and to help fabrics and brand apparel enterprises to achieve effective participation. At the same time, the organisers sent representatives of enterprises to third-party testing organisations to visit textile labs to make them understand the requirements of the testing process. A total of 20 companies, from more than 300 entries, were selected for the third best green fabric award at the 'China Fabrics Quality Competition' held on December 3. The event was held along with the 18th session of Shenzhen clothing OEM and accessories exhibition and the closing ceremony of the third session of the Shenzhen original design fashion week.# The entry fabrics for the competition were tested by professional testing organisations and textile standard testing and certification centres. The fabrics were tested for the presence of various items including formaldehyde, decomposable carcinogenic aromatic amine dyes, etc. PH value and colour fastness of fabrics were also tested. Additionally, combustion performance was also tested for those participating in the national best baby clothing green fabric products competition. A total of 20 companies, from more than 300 entries, were selected for the third best green fabric award at the 'China Fabrics Quality Competition' held on December 3. The event was held along with the 18th session of Shenzhen clothing OEM and accessories exhibition and the closing ceremony of the third session of the Shenzhen original design fashion week.# To make the test results easier to compare and understand, the China Textile Standard designed and evaluation system, whereby various laboratory results were converted into scores, and based on the weight of each test, an ultimate Total Quality score was arrived at. A total of 20 companies, from more than 300 entries, were selected for the third best green fabric award at the 'China Fabrics Quality Competition' held on December 3. The event was held along with the 18th session of Shenzhen clothing OEM and accessories exhibition and the closing ceremony of the third session of the Shenzhen original design fashion week.# The fourth edition of China Fabrics Quality Competition will begin in June 2017. (RKS) A total of 20 companies, from more than 300 entries, were selected for the third best green fabric award at the 'China Fabrics Quality Competition' held on December 3. The event was held along with the 18th session of Shenzhen clothing OEM and accessories exhibition and the closing ceremony of the third session of the Shenzhen original design fashion week.# Textile Science Research (China) Ujwal Lahoti, the new Cotton Textile Export Promotion Council (Texprocil) chairman has requested exporters to adopt Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as a step towards cashless mode of payment and maintaining transparency in transactions. UPI is an open and inclusive digital payment platform developed by the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI). Lahoti, who is the executive chairman of Lahoti Overseas, took charge as the chairman of Texprocil with effect from November 21 after the completion of the tenure of RK Dalmia, senior president of Century Textiles & Industries. We have also requested the government to take measures like increasing the working capital limits by 50 per cent, increase the moratorium period from 2 months to one year for repayment of loans and increase cash withdrawal limits for SME units based on their withdrawal record, said Lahoti in a statement. Ujwal Lahoti, the new Cotton Textile Export Promotion Council (Texprocil) chairman has requested exporters to adopt Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as a step towards cashless mode of payment and maintaining transparency in transactions. UPI is an open and inclusive digital payment platform developed by the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI).# We need to focus on intensifying business in the new and emerging markets of Africa, South America and Middle East, he said. In order to sustain economic activity and employment, we have requested the Centre to encourage exports and have also urged them to extend the benefit of 3 per cent Interest Equalisation Scheme to cotton yarn and merchant exporters. Further, request has also been made for urgent policy support such as increase in the entitlement under Merchandise Exports from India Scheme for export of yarn, fabrics and made ups to EU. Commenting on the election of Republican Donald Trump as the new US president, Lahoti said, Considering the election rhetoric and campaign promises especially relating to trade agreements like NAFTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), we can expect some changes in trading patterns. (RR) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India The trade show for fabrics, trimmings and accessories Texworld Paris, begins February 6-9, 2017, with around 650 exhibitors. Major companies from Pakistan and Bangladesh, which had stayed away since the last two years, are back again, while Texprocil, an Indian trade body will be attending with a group of companies, who will be presenting innovative fabrics.According to Messe Frankfurt France, the organiser, the Elite segment which was introduced in September 2016, is already fully booked. The trade show for fabrics, trimmings and accessories Texworld Paris, begins February 6-9, 2017, with around 650 exhibitors. Major companies from Pakistan and Bangladesh, which had stayed away since the last two years, are back again, while Texprocil, an Indian trade body will be attending with a group of companies, who will be presenting innovative fabrics.# The main advantages of this new dedicated area are that the ranges are clearly identified and better set apart, stimulating visitor interest and delivering new contacts, the organiser said.There will also be a series of lectures focusing on the latest developments in the sector, fashion shows and the Trends Forum, all of which will make up for a varied and imaginative programme for visitors.The active and firm commitment to the next show by exhibitors, attests to the effectiveness of the decisions taken by Messe Frankfurt France, and the innovations it has implemented to further ensure that Texworld Paris continues as a must-attend event for the fashion industry, Michael Scherpe, president of Messe Frankfurt France said. (AR) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India "Ray Beltran is going to be my toughest test to date, he's been in with the likes of the best. He's failed at times, he's succeeded at times, and for an up-and-comer like me, I have to be able to get through a guy like Beltran to show that I belong at the top...I gotta go in there and pull off another upset and show the world that I'm meant to be at the top level," stated lightweight contender Mason Menard, who talked about his upcoming clash with Ray Beltran on the Crawford vs. Molina Jr. undercard. Check it out! PC: Huge opportunity for you on Saturday night against your most experienced and seasoned opponent to date in Ray Beltran. How did things go for you during this training camp? MM: I'm feeling real good. Everything went pretty smooth and I'm grateful for having a great camp. PC: Did you do anything differently for this camp or did everything stay the same for you? MM: Everything still stayed the same. We was already getting ready for a December 15th fight and they offered us this one and we took this one on short notice. I was feeling good, I was already in shape, so why not go ahead and make the best of this opportunity. PC: You've always told me that these are the kind of fights you have to step to the plate for and accept and if you can't win these kind of fights, it shows you where you are at as a fighter. I'm sure it wasn't a very long thought process for you to accept this fight. MM: Not at all. Ray Beltran is going to be my toughest test to date, he's been in with the likes of the best. He's failed at times, he's succeeded at times, and for an up-and-comer like me, I have to be able to get through a guy like Beltran to show that I belong at the top. PC: You also stated that you feel a win over Beltran should put you in line for a title shot. Is that the goal headed into the new year? MM: Oh, most definitely! I'm defending my NABO title against Beltran, so we can shoot up to that #1 spot and become the mandatory challenger for Flanagan. PC: Beltran has been in with guys like Terence Crawford and Ricky Burns, who are world champions. This is probably his last shot at the big leagues. That being said, what type of fight are you expecting from him? MM: He is treating this like his last opportunity because it basically is his last opportunity. He's 35 years old, he's at the end of his prime, but I expect him to bring it though. Maybe he will be a little bit cautious or maybe he won't be cautious because he knows it's all on the line right here. A guy in his situation could be looked at as dangerous, very dangerous. I've never backed down from no fight. Just like when they mentioned the Gamboa fight to fight on this card and then they ended up making the Beltran-Diaz fight and Diaz pulls out and they asked me to fill in and I'm all game. These are the fights that I need and it's a blessing that they are happening. PC: It seems like the big stage doesn't bother you. You had two Knockout of the Year candidates on your first and second appearance on Showtime. I'm taking it HBO's stage won't be too big either. MM: I look at every fight the same. There is no pressure. I get in there and do what I gotta do; make the adjustments. Every fight that I've been on since I been on TV has been a step up. I'm always the underdog, the least experienced, and here it is again. I gotta go in there and pull off another upset and show the world that I'm meant to be at the top level. PC: What does this fight mean to you on a personal level and as far as your career is concerned? MM: A win over Beltran for my career lines up world title fights, which we've been aiming for and working for since the beginning. Every fighter wants a world title shot and wants to win a world title. Ray Beltran, I believe, is that last step to get there. For me personally, I think it's the difference in becoming a 6-figure fighter and on to a 7-figure payday fighter or your basic average fighter that can make a couple of dollars here and there and have to work a regular job. PC: Is it difficult to train through the holidays for you? MM: It's business as usual for me. Nothing has changed. Thanksgiving is no biggie to me. It's just another day to me. PC: Do you feel like you have a grasp for what it is that Beltran relies on and his tendencies? MM: I've watched him fight several times on TV. I watched him fight Lundy. I watched him knock out that dude who he tested positive for, when he lost the title because he couldn't make weight, and I believe I watched the Crawford fight and I may have watched him one or two other times. I know he's going to bring it. I haven't watched him recently. I'm not interested in watching guys because it's just not me. I let my team watch it and they have all been saying the same thing and some insiders have been saying the same thing as my team. I'm going to make my adjustments in the ring. I don't know how he's going to come, but there are things I'm going to watch out for. PC: What do you feel will separate you from Ray Beltran on fight night? MM: I think the thing that will separate me from Beltran on fight night...I think the key is going to be my speed. I think that will be the difference in the fight is my speed compared to his. I don't really know how fast exactly he is because video, it's always hard to tell. Timing is going to be a thing as well. We both have good timing, but I think I will be faster than him and I think that will be the difference. PC: I wish you the best of luck and like I tell you after every interview, keep representing Louisiana well and we'll talk afterwards. Is there anything else you want to add? MM: Thank you, man. I appreciate you calling me and I hope to hear from you after the win on December 10th. [ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ] President Tusk commended Fijis rapid development, particularity the work undertaken to reform Fijis sugar industry, and assured the EUs full support to Fiji through the EU representative in Fiji, Mr. Andrew Jacobs. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has raised Fijis lack of visa free access to Schengen countries amid a wide-ranging discussion with the President of the European Council, Mr. Donald Tusk, on areas of mutual interest between Fiji and the European Union.At the meeting, held in Brussels, Prime Minister Bainimarama requested urgent action be taken to grant Fiji visa free access to the Schengen zone, given that Fiji has already met the requirements for visa free travel and had submitted a formal request to the EU in 2015. He also cited the visa free status already granted to many other Pacific Island countries.Prime Minister Bainimarama also briefed Mr. Tusk on Fijis plans as President of the 23rd session of the United Nations Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP-23), and sought EU support for Fijis agenda. The ILO Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting brings together the ILOs tripartite constituents from throughout Asia, the Pacific and the Gulf and Arab States which consists of approximately 450 participants, Government Ministers, representatives of workers organizations and representatives of employers organizations and academics from about 40 countries. A tripartite delegation consisting of the Fijian Government, employers representative and workers representative is attending the International Labour Organisation 16th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting in Bali Indonesia this week from 6 to 9 December 2016 to discuss regional world-of-work priorities and the vision for decent work.The delegation is headed by the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Hon. Jone Usamate and he is accompanied by his permanent secretary, Salaseini Daunabuna.The other members of the delegation include the chief executive officer of the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation, Nesbitt Hazelman as employers representative and Felix Anthony the president of the Fiji Trade Union Congress as workers representative.Minister Usamate said that this years meeting also includes a discussion on building an inclusive future with decent work and working towards sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific.The Report of the ILO Director-General as presented in the ILO Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting will highlight the progress made in the Asia and Pacific Region in terms of decent work under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, future changes, and the way forward, Minister Usamate said.Other discussions that will be held during the meeting include inclusive growth for social justice, fair migration with a focus on recruitment, skills for the future, strengthening social dialogue for inclusive and sustainable growth, and promotion and application of the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy in Asia and the Pacific.Minister Usamate will also get an opportunity to address the meeting on Thursday 8 December 2016 to respond to the Report of the Director-General of the ILO on decent work and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific with a specific focus on Fiji. SRK On Raees Release SRK also confirmed the reports that Raees will indeed release on January 25, 2017 and it will be a regular release. He added that it was decided earlier. SRK On Nawazuddin Raees will see SRK in the role of a bootlegger while Nawazuddin Siddiqui is playing a cop. Speaking about his co-star, SRK, said, "When all the good artists work together, it makes everyone emotional. I always say about myself that a star comes in poster and takes all the credit but actors like Nawazuddin make us look best on the screen." SRK On Rahul Dholakia The Superstar also praised the direction of the Raees director and told, "The nicest part of the film is the enactment, the writing and direction of Rahul (Dholakia)." SRK On Sunny Leone In the trailer, we also saw a glimpse of Sunny Leone, shaking a leg to the song Laila O Laila'. When Shahrukh Khan was asked about her, he told "Sunny Leone is very professional and charming." SRK On Changes Made With Regard To Mahira "I have never ever sat in an editing studio and made changes in any of my films," said Shahrukh Khan on being asked about rumours of changes made in Raees with regard to Pakistani actress Mahira Khan. More Cinema Halls In India At the trailer launch of Raees, giving the example of countries like China, UK or USA, the Superstar said that we must have more cinema halls in India. "The local films of China make three or four times the money as compared to us. The number of theatres and screens compared to us are far more." "Alongside promoting innovation in UK businesses, we also want to see the best firms from around the world coming to the UK." According to the Agreement, the FCA and the HKMA will closely collaborate on a number of initiatives such as referrals of innovative firms, joint innovation projects, information exchange and experience sharing, to facilitate financial innovation in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. For the UK this represents the fifth co-operation agreement that the FCA has signed with international authorities after Australia, Singapore, South Korea, and China. The FCA says the partnership will reduce the barriers for authorised firms looking to grow to scale overseas and assist non-UK innovators interested in entering the market the FCA oversees. Christopher Woolard, Executive Director of Strategy and Competition at the FCA, said: Alongside promoting innovation in UK businesses, we also want to see the best firms from around the world coming to the UK. Both consumers and the wider UK economy benefit from this transfer of ideas and innovation. The Agreement signed today with the HKMA is a good example of this type of international co-operation and we look forward to working to promote innovation and reduce barriers to entry for firms both here in the UK and in Hong Kong." Mr Shu-Pui Li, Executive Director (Financial Infrastructure) of the HKMA, added: We are delighted to sign the Agreement with the FCA. Both Hong Kong and the UK are well positioned as global financial centres and premier locations for financial innovation. Many fintech firms and financial institutions in the two markets have already gained a solid local footing. Collaboration between the HKMA and the FCA will create significant synergy for the two markets by enabling fintech firms and financial institutions to extend their global reach and learn from their foreign counterparts. It will also help to enhance services delivered by financial institutions. LONDON, December 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Three of the fastest growing crowdfunding platforms in the UK will partner with Big Society Capital as part of a unique 10 million Crowd Match Fund to allow the public to invest directly in charities and social enterprises. Crowdfunder, Ethex and ThinCats (through Community Chest) will help connect people with the causes they really care about by listing social sector organisations who want to raise debt and equity finance. The 10 million fund will see Big Society Capital match crowdfunded investments made by individuals into Social Investment Tax Relief (SITR) eligible charities and social enterprises. It will be the first of its kind to match different investments made by the public across the social sector. Private investors will qualify for SITR, which offers a 30% tax break. The amount that younger charities and social enterprises can raise through SITR will increase to 1.5 million from April 2017. Ben Warren, Investment Associate at Big Society Capital, said: "This fund marks a totally new approach for social investment and crowdfunding. By bringing together the experience and knowledge of these three partners we want to open up opportunities for the public to invest in a huge variety of causes they feel passionate about. "We hope that this initiative will help charities and social enterprises to find new routes to investment which could offer better value and engagement from their local community. Donation-based crowdfunding was the fastest growing model of alternative finance in 2015, and we are excited about the potential for this fund to create similar momentum in the social investment sector." Recent Nesta research shows that the UK alternative finance sector grew by 84% in 2015, with 3.2 billion in investments, loans and donations. Matt Fountain, who raised investment through SITR for his social enterprise Freedom Bakery, said: "I think we will see a fast increase in the number of deals being made through crowdfunding platforms and the fund is going to be a very powerful tool for communities and social enterprises to raise investment. The magic of crowdfunding in this way is that it will not only bring in much needed investment but will bring the public far closer to the causes they seek to support." VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 12/06/16 -- RewardStream Solutions Inc. ("RewardStream" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: REW)(FRANKFURT: JL4L) (WKN Number A2APX1), a world leader in referral marketing solutions for telecommunications, financial services and e-commerce providers, announces a corporate update for its three main target segments. Financial Services Business Segment The Company currently serves a number of financial services organizations, providing SaaS-based referral marketing capabilities to credit unions and banks. With current customers such as Envision Financial, Arsenal Credit Union, Valley First, Island Savings, Utilities Employee Credit Union and more, the Company continues to focus on growing its business in this sector to the more than 6,000 credit unions in North America(1). Credit unions remain a significant market opportunity, as customer satisfaction ratings exceed 90% and word of mouth remains the most effective method at acquiring new customers. Telecommunications Business Segment The Company continues to serve major telecommunications clients with its enterprise-class referral marketing platform. The Company currently provides services for major national and regional/specialty wireless carriers including Rogers Wireless, Freedom Mobile (formerly WIND Mobile), Koodo Mobile and a leading Hawaii-based carrier in the United States. The Company's referral marketing program with a major U.S. telecommunications carrier has recently ended and the Company will complete the wind-down of service to this customer in the second calendar quarter of 2017. The decision to end the program was due to budgetary considerations and the Company remains engaged with the customer for potential future projects. While this will negatively impact the Company's 2017 financial performance, the Company has identified, and is pursuing, growth opportunities in the carrier market in Canada, the United States and Europe. E-Commerce Business Segment As previously disclosed, the Company is moving into the high-growth E-Commerce industry by integrating its referral marketing software into existing large scale E-Commerce platforms. The worldwide E-Commerce market is expected to grow to over 4 trillion U.S. dollars by 2020(2). As previously disclosed, the Company's referral marketing platform is now available as an integrated "plug-in" for two major E-Commerce platforms - Magento and WooCommerce. Magento powers over 270,000 online stores(3) including the largest number of the Internet Retail Top 1000 stores of any other E-Commerce platform(4). WooCommerce powers over 1.5 million online stores(5) and is the most broadly used E-Commerce platform in the world. The Company is nearing completion of its beta-testing phase with Shopify (TSX: SHOP), an additional platform providing E-Commerce capabilities for over 325,000 online stores(6). Once the Shopify extension is complete, the Company will have an addressable market of 2 million online stores currently powered by these three platforms. The integration strategy provides fast and easy onboarding for clients without requiring IT involvement, and integrates RewardStream referral marketing tools directly into the store's shopping cart process. As previously disclosed, the Company has already seen uptake in the E-Commerce market and launched programs for online retailers including iPromo.com, Scholar's Choice, Double Your Dating, Messy Maids and more. The Company continues to evaluate integration opportunities with additional leading E-Commerce platforms to further expand the addressable market opportunities in this fast growing segment. About RewardStream Solutions Inc. RewardStream specializes in the execution of automated referral marketing programs that help brands to acquire, engage, and retain their most valuable stakeholders - customers. By utilizing an innovative blend of marketing insight and proprietary technology, RewardStream turns an existing customer base into a powerful new sales channel for all of our clients. RewardStream delivers a scalable, real-time technology platform as the foundation of our client's referral program. The platform provides customer acquisition programs that deliver new, highly loyal customers at very low cost per acquisition rates. Our award-winning marketing solutions have powered loyalty and referral marketing programs across 39 countries for brands including Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile, Envision Financial, Koodo Mobile and more. For more information please visit www.rewardstream.com. Sources: 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_credit_unions_in_the_United_States 2: https://www.emarketer.com/Article/Worldwide-Retail-Ecommerce-Sales-Will-Reach-1915-Trillion-This-Year/1014369 3: https://trends.builtwith.com/shop/Magento 4: https://magento.com/about 5: https://trends.builtwith.com/shop/WooCommerce 6: https://press.shopify.com/ 7: https://www.statista.com/statistics/251666/number-of-digital-buyers-worldwide/ Forward-Looking Information This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding growth of the Company's business in various business segments, potential market opportunities and their rate of growth, movement into new industry segments, and completion and integration of the Company's E-Commerce extensions. Words such as "expects", "anticipates" and "intends" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on RewardStream's current expectations about future events, and on certain assumptions and analysis made by RewardStream in light of current conditions and expected future developments and other factors management believes are appropriate. These expectations are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Although RewardStream believes that the assumptions underlying these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect, and readers cannot be assured that actual events will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Actual events could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, many of which are beyond RewardStream's control. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent RewardStream's expectations as of the date of this news release, or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made, and subsequent events may cause these expectations to change. RewardStream undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. This press release contains information obtained by the Company from third parties, including but not limited to market data. The Company believes such information to be accurate but has not independently verified such information. To the extent such information was obtained from third party sources, there is a risk that the assumptions made and conclusions drawn by the Company based on such representations are not accurate. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: RewardStream Solutions Inc. Rana Vig, Vice Chairman Rana.vig@rewardstream.com (604) 282-7572 Rob Goehring, CEO Rob.goehring@rewardstream.com (877) 692-0040 CHICAGO (dpa-AFX) - Boeing Co. (BA) said that it is currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of complex military aircraft that serve the unique requirements of the President of the United States. It looks forward to working with the U.S. Air Force on subsequent phases of the Air Force One program allowing the company to deliver the best planes for the President at the best value for the American taxpayer. Earlier today, US President-elect Donald Trump has asked the US government to cancel the order with aircraft maker Boeing for new Air Force One, the official air plane for US President, as its costs were out of control. 'Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!' he tweeted Tuesday morning. The Air Force had signed deals with Boeing to design the new presidential aircraft, including its interior, electrical and power system, and maintenance systems. The U.S. Government Accountability Office estimated the entire program to cost about $3.2 billion from the 2010 through 2020 fiscal years, including $2 billion for research and development. Boeing will build two or more new planes for US Presidents that would enter service around 2024. Meanwhile, Trump would not be able to use the new planes unless he won a second term in the 2020 election. Donald Trump will have the power to cancel the contract with Boeing for the new planes when he takes power as the US President and Commander-in-chief in January. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Australian dollar weakened against the other major currencies in the Asian session on Wednesday. The Australian dollar fell to a 2-day low of 0.7417 against the U.S. dollar and a 5-day low of 0.9852 against the Canadian dollar, from yesterday's closing quotes of 0.7461 and 0.9905, respectively. Against the yen, the euro and the NZ dollar, the aussie dropped to 84.66, 1.4449 and 1.0419 from an early 2-day highs of 85.32, 1.4341 and 1.0496, respectively. If the aussie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 0.72 against the greenback, 0.97 against the loonie, 81.00 against the yen, 1.40 against the euro and 1.03 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. WOLFSBURG (dpa-AFX) - Volkswagen AG (VKW.L, VLKAF.PK, VOW.BE) has launched its new, stand-alone mobility services company, named Moia. Moia, which will focus on ride-hailing and on-demand pooling services, is part of Volkswagen's efforts to enable a shift from conventional car making to digital mobility. The new company will challenge ride-hailing services such as Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. Volkwagen, which has been entangled in diesel-car emissions cheating issues, launched the new mobility services company at the 'Tech Crunch Disrupt' technology event in London on Monday. The German automaker noted that Moia will develop and market its own mobility services either independently or in partnership with cities and existing transport systems. Moia will be headquartered in Berlin and begin operating with a team of around 50, with this number 'growing fast' up to the end of 2017. Volkswagen intends to generate a substantial share of its sales revenue from this new business by 2025. 'Our sights are set on becoming one of the global top players for mobility services in the medium term. To achieve that we will be seeking to attract the best minds and technology start-ups', Ole Harms, CEO of Moia, said. Moia will also have a location in the city of Hamburg. In the fall, the Volkswagen Group and Hamburg agreed to a three-year strategic mobility partnership to make urban mobility more environmentally-friendly, safer and efficient. The findings from this partnership will also be incorporated in future Moia projects in Europe. The management team of Moia comprises Ole Harms as CEO, Dr. Frank Dilger as CFO and Robert Henrich as COO, who will take up his post on January 1, 2017. An Advisory Committee chaired by Thomas Sedran, Head of Group Strategy at Volkswagen AG, will support Moia's leadership team. Moia will focus on ride hailing via app. Volkswagen Group has a $300 million strategic investment in London-based ride-hailing service Gett. Gett app users can already instantly book on-demand transportation, delivery and logistics in more than 100 cities worldwide. Moia will also focus on the pooling business. The company's goal is to set up its own on-demand pooling services via app - also known as 'connected commuting'. The first pilot projects in this field are scheduled to begin in 2017. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de REDMOND (dpa-AFX) - The European Commission said it has approved proposed acquisition of LinkedIn by Microsoft Corp. (MSFT). The decision is conditional on compliance with a series of commitments aimed at preserving competition between professional social networks in Europe. As a result, the company has now obtained all of the regulatory approvals needed to complete the acquisition, and the deal will close in the coming days, Microsoft said. The approval in Brussels follows similar reviews and clearances in the United States, Canada, Brazil and South Africa. As part of discussions with the European Commission, Microsoft formalized several commitments regarding Microsoft's support for third-party professional social networking services. Microsoft has committed that for the next five years it will continue to make Office Add-in program available to third-party professional social networking services. The Office Add-in program enables developers to integrate their services into Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel, providing users an enhanced experience using Office. It will continue to make promotional opportunities in the Office Store available to third-party professional social networking services. Microsoft will ensure that IT administrators and users can customize their Office experience by choosing whether to display in the user interface the LinkedIn profile and activity information that may be integrated in the future. If Microsoft develop a LinkedIn application or a tile for Windows PCs and include it in Windows, Microsoft will allow PC manufacturers to choose not to install them on their Windows PCs in the European Economic Area, or EEA. Similarly, Microsoft will ensure that users can uninstall the application and tile if they wish. Microsoft also won't use Windows itself to prompt users to install a LinkedIn application, although it can remain available in the Windows Store and be promoted in other ways. In the EEA Microsoft won't enter into agreements with PC manufacturers for pre-installation of a Windows LinkedIn application or tile that would favor LinkedIn on an exclusive basis and thereby bar the distribution of competing professional social networking services. Microsoft said in June that it agreed to buy LinkedIn Corp. for $196 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at $26.2 billion, inclusive of LinkedIn's net cash. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Expedia, ARM and HomeServe Take Top Spots LONDON, Dec. 7,2016 /PRNewswire/ --Glassdoor, the world's most transparent jobs and recruiting site, has announced the winners of its ninth annual Employees' Choice Awards, celebrating the Best Places to Work in 2017 across North America and parts of Europe. Unlike any other workplace awards, the Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards are based solely on the input of employees who voluntarily provide anonymous feedback, by completing a company review, about their job, work environment and employer over the past year. This year, the Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards feature six categories, honouring the Best Places to Work across the UK, U.S. (both large and small companies), Canada, France and Germany. There is one category in the UK: 50 Best Places to Work (honouring employers with 1,000 or more employees). Winners are ranked based on their overall rating achieved during the past year. (Ratings based on a 5-point scale: 1.0=very dissatisfied, 3.0=OK, 5.0=very satisfied): The top five UK Best Places to Work in 2017 are: 1. Expedia1 (4.3 rating) - second year in a row at the top of the ranking 2. ARM (4.3 rating) 3. HomeServe UK (4.3 rating) 4. Mott MacDonald (4.3 rating) 5. Hays Plc (4.3 rating) "Company culture and the employee experience are critical considerations for job seekers everywhere when deciding where to work. The Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards are solely determined by the authentic voice of those who really know a company best - the people who work there. This really helps job seekers identify the Best Places to Work in the UK," said Diarmuid Russell, Glassdoor Head of International. "Employers where employees love to work continue to prove that they have a recruiting and business performance edge. We're proud to celebrate the 2017 Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards winners in earning this incredible achievement." Glassdoor's 50 UK Best Places to Work in 2017 list features winning employers across diverse industries with technology and retail dominating, but also companies in finance, accounting, energy and more. Expedia is the first company in the UK to rank No. 1 twice, and is among only ten employers that have made this list for three consecutive years. Twenty four employers are debuting as Best Places to Work this year, including HomeServe UK (Third; 4.3 rating), Peninsula (Sixth; 4.2 rating) and Salesforce (Eighth; 4.2 rating), among others. When employees submit reviews about their company on Glassdoor, they are asked to give their opinion on some of the best reasons to work for their employer (pros), any downsides (cons) and are encouraged to provide advice to management. Employees are also asked to rate how satisfied they are with their employer overall, rate their CEO, as well as rate five key workplace attributes, including giving their opinion on career opportunities, compensation & benefits, culture & values, senior management and work-life balance. In addition, employees are asked whether they would recommend their employer to a friend and whether they believe their employer's business will perform better, worse or remain the same in the next six months. Employees' Choice Award winners for the 2017 Best Places to Work are determined using Glassdoor's proprietary algorithm, taking into account the quantity, quality and consistency of Glassdoor-approved company reviews shared by UK-based employees between 2 November, 2015 and 30 October, 2016. At a minimum, employers considered for the list must have received at least 30 company reviews during the eligibility period. For reporting simplicity, ratings are displayed to the nearest tenth, though calculations extend beyond the thousandth to determine final rank. Complete report methodology can be found and downloaded here: https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/List/about-employees-choice-awards.htm SEE THE 2017 WINNERS: All winning employers across this year's six categories can be found by visiting: 50 Best Places to Work - UK 50 Best Places to Work - U.S. 50 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work For - U.S. 25 Best Places to Work - Canada 25 Best Places to Work - France 25 Best Places to Work - Germany VIDEO, PHOTOS + EMPLOYEE COMMENTARY: See links below to download and embed video interviews showcasing what employees and senior leaders at winning employers have to say about their workplaces: VIDEO: Inside Expedia (No. 1, UK) VIDEO: Inside Bain & Company (No. 1, U.S. large companies) VIDEO: Inside Greenhouse Software (No. 1, U.S. small & medium companies) VIDEO: Inside Shopify (No. 1, Canada) VIDEO: Inside Microsoft (No. 1, France) VIDEO: Inside SAP (No. 1, Germany) Workplace/office photos and employee commentary about winning employers are also available upon request. Please email: pr@glassdoor.com. About Glassdoor Glassdoor is the world's most transparent jobs and recruiting marketplace that is changing how people search for jobs and how companies recruit top talent. Glassdoor combines job listings with anonymous reviews, ratings and salary data to help people find a job and company they love. This level of transparency, in turn, helps employers attract the right candidates for their company and culture at a fraction of the cost of other channels. Glassdoor offers employers job advertising, job posting and employer branding solutions in addition to robust talent analytics. Launched in 2008, Glassdoor has job listings and data for more than 600,000 employers in 190 countries and is available on iOS and Android platforms. For labor market trends and analysis, visit Glassdoor Economic Research. For career advice and job related news and tips, visit the Glassdoor Blog. Glassdoor is a registered trademark of Glassdoor, Inc. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/446387LOGO VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- Power Metals Corp. ("Power" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: PWM) (FRANKFURT: OAA1) is pleased to announce the results of its Phase I program at Larder River, Nova Scotia. The Company extended its existing strike length of 1km by 75m at Larder River with 606 soil samples over a 1.6 km grid with the majority of results now in hand demonstrating lithium grades consistently several factors above background. Power Metals followed that up with the drilling of two core holes designed to aid in geophysical interpretation. These holes intersected multiple pegmatites. 14 core samples have been selected and have been delivered to the Fredericton location of Activation Lab for preparation. President and CEO Johnathan More, noted: "We are very excited that our first Phase of evaluation work has vindicated our thesis, and the prior work by the Nova Scotia government, which demonstrated that the highest levels of any recorded lithium in the province were discovered at Larder River, within the company's 3,200-acre project area, which is located three kilometers west of the village of New Ross, N.S., in the central portion of the South Mountain Batholith -- 100km from Halifax, right off of the highway and proximal to port." More continued, "There are close geological similarities between areas of Nova Scotia and North Carolina's Gaston and Cleveland Counties which at one point contained more than 80 percent of the known lithium reserves in the United States, and produced over 50 percent of the world's estimated output. Those properties were the launching pad of what is now the massive FMC Lithium Corp. (Albemarle Corporation)." Power Metals is readying a approx. 10 hole drill program at Larder River in Q1 following additional mapping and analysis to target anomalies with the identified strike. The company is also preparing for an estimated approx. 15 hole program at the 2,500 acre Case Lake project in Q1. Case Lake is located 130 kms NE of Timmins, a major mining town in northern Ontario, as well as 80 kms east of Cochrane, and adjacent to Batholithic & Sub-province Boundaries. Case Lake is host to 3 main dikes presently with the potential to host many more, including the untested NE dike that sampled 2% Li2O. The local geology of pegmatite dike swarms gives Case Lake the potential for large tonnage. Spodumene-rich pink pegmatites outcrop intermittently over at least 1200 m, averaging 15% of the Main dike. Government geologic mapping indicates presence of pegmatites over a strike length of in excess of 5 kms. A limited drilling campaign to a depth of 75 metres in 2010 yielded strong grades and widths including: 14.07m @ 1.35% Li2O 9.2 m @ 1.98% Li2O 8.8m @ 1.02% Li2O 4.4m @ 1.49% Li2O John F. Wightman, MSc. (Geology), P.Eng., FGAC, a qualified person, prepared the disclosures reports related to these projects. National Instrument 43-101 reports have not been prepared on these properties. About Power Metals Corp. Power Metals Corp is one of Canada's newest premier mining companies with a mandate to explore, develop and acquire high quality mining projects for minerals contributing to power. We are committed to building an arsenal of projects in both lithium and clean power fuels like uranium. We see an unprecedented opportunity to supply the staggering growth of the lithium battery industry. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD - Johnathan More, Johnathan More, CEO and Director Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Contacts: Power Metals Corp. Johnathan More CEO 646-661-0409 info@powermetalscorp.com BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - Chinese firm SinoFortone reportedly has acquired a 16th-century Buckinghamshire inn, The Plough at Cadsden, which got famous for a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping and UK's then Prime Minister David Cameron. The village pub has become an attraction for Chinese tourists since president's state visit to the UK in October 2015. The Plough, near Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire, is just minutes away from the official countryside home used by British prime ministers at Chequers. Cameron took Xi Jinping for fish and chips supper and a pint of Greene King IPA. The pub was sold through property firm Christie and Co. Neil Morgan, the Christie & Co director behind the sale reportedly said, 'The pub became famous in Chinese circles following the visit of President Xi Jinping, and it has become quite a tourist attraction for Chinese visitors since, who are keen to sample the classic British food and beer that the president tried.' According to Peter Zhang, managing director of SinoFortone Investment, the English pub concept is growing very fast in China and it's the best way culturally to link people from different countries and build friendships. The Chinese company is involved in the development of new London Paramount theme park, the proposed Crossrail 2 route through London, as well as in new metro systems in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Cabinet office is set to release preliminary Japan leading economic indicators index data for October at 12:00 am ET Wednesday. The leading index is expected to show a score of 101.04, up from 100.3 in September. Ahead of the data, the yen fell against its major rivals. As of 11:55 pm ET in the Asian deals, the yen was trading at 122.40 against the euro, 144.53 against the pound, 113.08 against the Swiss franc and 114.16 against the U.S. dollar. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. WEST DES MOINES, IA--(Marketwired - December 07, 2016) - Dave Rinehart, a director of outbound sales with Sammons Financial Group Member Companies (SFG), has been honored with the Patriot Award by the Iowa Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense (DOD) office, in recognition of extraordinary support of Josh Woodvine, an SFG employee who serves as a sergeant in the Iowa Army National Guard. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures, including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed. Rinehart was nominated by his employee, Sergeant Josh Woodvine, for being highly supportive of Josh's duties -- a critical component to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation's National Guard units. "Dave has been an exemplary supervisor, and on multiple occasions, has helped accommodate my schedule while participating in duties required by the military," says Sergeant Woodvine. "Without his support, balancing my work life with my military responsibilities would have been extremely difficult." For Dave Rinehart, the support comes easy. "I've always admired the commitment and sacrifice of the volunteers in the Army National Guard," says Rinehart. "The work they do to serve and protect our nation is admirable, and needs to be fully supported in every way. I'm honored to receive this award." "We couldn't be more proud of Dave and Josh," said Cindy Reed, president of Sammons Annuity Group. "While Josh fulfills his responsibilities in the Iowa National Guard, Dave provides him with support and flexibility here at Sammons Financial Group so he can freely serve our country." For more information about ESGR outreach programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil. ABOUT SAMMONS FINANCIAL GROUP Sammons Financial Group, Inc. (SFG), an SEI wholly-owned subsidiary, is the parent of a group of member companies under the insurance Holding Company Act made up of several successful financial services companies offering a variety of financial and retirement products through multiple distribution channels. These consist of retirement products, annuities, variable annuities 1 , variable life insurance 1 , and life insurance (including bank, corporate, and credit union-owned life insurance). The member companies of SFG include North American Company for Life and Health Insurance , Midland National Life Insurance Company, including its divisions, Sammons Annuity Group" and Sammons Corporate Markets Group , Sammons Retirement Solutions Inc., and Sammons Financial Network LLC. For more information, please visit www.sammonsfinancialgroup.com Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/12/6/11G124385/Images/IMG_0754-b00dbdac1474bc7694fc30229219179e.jpg Contact: John Myers Associate Vice President Corporate Communications Email contact www.sammonsfinancialgroup.com BENTONVILLE (dpa-AFX) - Retail giant Walmart has got high marks from an LBGT rights advocacy group for its LBTG friendly moves including insurance coverage for transgender workers this year. Human Rights Campaign or HRC, the largest advocacy group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights, published its Corporate Equality Index, in which the discount retailer got a perfect 100 score. The Corporate Equality Index is HRC's annual ranking of companies' workplace protections for LGBT employees. Walmart was one of 517 companies to earn a perfect score, up from 407 last year, HRC noted. Other retailers with 100 include Target, Best Buy, J.C. Penney, Macy's, and Gap. Walmart had scored 90 points in 2014 and 2015, and was as low as 40 in 2011. Wal-Mart Stores spokesman Kevin Gardner reportedly told, 'At Walmart, 'Respect for the Individual' is one of the core beliefs that are the foundation of our company. We are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment for our more than 2 million associates around the globe.' In 28 states, it's still legal to fire a person for being gay. Deena Fidas, director of the workplace equality project at the HRC said, 'Corporate America has risen to the top in terms of being a high-impact influencer on LGBT rights. We have corporations going on the record at the federal level, at the judicial level and certainly at the state level speaking out against what we would call anti-LGBT bills.' 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. The ANGEL-MS extension study will offer the 260 patients enrolled in the on-going Phase IIb CHANGE-MS study the opportunity to continue their treatment for an additional two years and will provide additional efficacy and tolerance data. Regulatory News: GeNeuro (Paris:GNRO)(Euronext Paris: CH0308403085 GNRO), a biopharmaceutical company developing new treatments for autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, and Servier, a leading independent international pharmaceutical company, announce the setting-up of ANGEL-MS, a long-term extension study for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and treated with GNbAC1. GNbAC1, developed by GeNeuro, is the first drug candidate directly targeting a potential cause of MS. GNbAC1 is a monoclonal antibody designed to neutralise MSRV-Env, a toxic protein potentially associated with the inflammatory and neurodegenerative components of the disease. To collect long-term data on this new treatment, particularly on its tolerance, the durability of its effect and the patients' quality of life, GeNeuro and Servier have decided to set up an the ANGEL-MS (Assessing the HERV-W Env ANtagonist GNbAC1 for Evaluation in an open label Long-term Safety Study in patient with MultipleSclerosis) study, which is an extension of the CHANGE-MS study currently underway. ANGEL-MS will give patients an opportunity to continue their treatment. This study is expected to last two years and will start in April 2017, once the first patient included in the CHANGE-MS study will have completed the 12-month participation. GeNeuro is the study sponsor, and as with CHANGE-MS, the ANGEL-MS study will be fully funded by Servier. As per the terms of its partnership signed with GeNeuro in 2014, Servier is funding the European, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical study on GNbAC1 CHANGE-MS (Clinical trial assessing the HERV-W Env Antagonist GNbAC1 for Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis. The primary endpoint of this 12-month study is the cumulative number of active brain lesions shown on an MRI at 6 months. The primary results after 6 months are expected in Q4 2017. ANGEL-MS will be conducted in parallel with any Phase III studies that might be launched based on the results of the CHANGE-MS study. About Multiple Sclerosis (MS) MS is a disease of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) that affects more than two million people worldwide. MS is the consequence of inflammatory processes directed against the myelin sheath, a protective sleeve surrounding the neurons. Myelin damage prevents the neurons from functioning properly and in some cases leads to their degeneration. It slows down or prevents nerve impulses from travelling between the brain and the rest of the body, thereby causing the symptoms associated to this disease. About GNbAC1 The development of GNbAC1 is the result of 25 years of research into human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), including 15 years at Institut Merieux and INSERM, a French national medical research institute. Found in the human genome, certain HERVs have been linked to various autoimmune diseases. Researchers have demonstrated that the toxic Env protein, associated with MSRV (Multiple Sclerosis RetroVirus) and identified in patients with MS, particularly in active lesions, stimulated the inflammatory processes via an interaction with the TLR4 receptor involved in the innate immune system and blocked neuron remyelination. By neutralising MSRV-Env, GNbAC1 could at the same time block these pathological inflammatory processes and restore remyelination. As MSRV-Env has no known physiological function, GNbAC1 is expected to have a good safety profile, without affecting the patient's immune system, as observed in all clinical trials to date. About GeNeuro GeNeuro's mission is to develop safe and effective treatments against neurological disorders and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis by neutralizing causal factors encoded by HERVs, which represent 8% of human DNA. GeNeuro is based in Geneva, Switzerland and has R&D facilities in France at sites in Archamps, Haute-Savoie and Lyon. It has 28 employees and rights to 16 patent families protecting its technology. For more information, visit: www.geneuro.com About Servier Servier is an international pharmaceutical company governed by a non-profit Foundation and headquartered in France. With a strong international presence in 148 countries and a turnover of 3.9 billion euros in 2015, Servier employs over 21,200 people worldwide. Corporate growth is driven by Servier's constant search for innovation in five areas of excellence: cardiology, oncology, metabolism, neuropsychiatry and rheumatology, as well as by its activities in high quality generic drugs. Being completely independent, the Group reinvests 25% of Servier's products turnover in Research and Development, and all its profits in its growth. Servier has long-standing experience in neuropsychiatry and offers new treatments for patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders. Its research teams investigate primarily the causes of diseases rather than their symptoms. Servier has 11 on-going projects at various stages of development in this field, particularly for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, severe depression, post-stroke functional recovery and multiple sclerosis. For more information, visit: www.servier.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161206006209/en/ Contacts: GeNeuro Jesus Martin-Garcia, +41 22 794 50 85 Chairman and CEO investors@geneuro.com or NewCap (France) Julien Perez (investors), +33 1 44 71 98 52 Nicolas Merigeau (media), +33 1 44 71 94 98 geneuro@newcap.eu or Halsin Partners Mike Sinclair (media), +44 20 7318 2955 msinclair@halsin.com or LifeSci Advisors Chris Maggos (investors) +1 646 597 6970 +41 79 367 6254 chris@lifesciadvisors.com or Servier Servier external communication Karine Bousseau, +33 1 55 72 60 37 media@servier.com During November 2016 AB Klaipedos nafta (hereinafter - the Company) reloaded 544 thousand tons of petroleum products into its storage tanks of Klaipeda oil terminal and Subacius fuel base (SFB), i.e. less by 0.5 per cent compared to November 2015, when 547 thousand tons were reloaded.During January - November of 2016 the Company in total reloaded 6,758 thousand tons of petroleum products into its storage tanks or greater by 17.2 per cent compared to the same period of 2015 when 5,764 thousand tons were reloaded. Total transhipment volume for the 11 months of 2016 is higher by 994 tons compared to the same period of previous year because of increased petroleum products transhipment of AB ORLEN Lietuva and increased petroleum products freights from Byelorussia.During November 2016 in the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal of the Company 911 thousand MWh of the natural gas were re-gasified and supplied to the natural gas transmission system, i.e. grater by 3,2 times compared to November 2015, when 282 thousand MWh where re-gasified. During eleven months of 2016 the Company in total re-gasified 13,761 thousand MWh of the natural gas, i.e. grater by 3.1 times compared to the same period of 2015 when 4,372 thousand MWh natural gas was re-gasified.The sales revenue of AB Klaipedos nafta oil terminal and SFB for the November 2016 comprise EUR 2.4 million that is less by 22.6 per cent compared to the revenue of November 2015 (EUR 3.1 million). The preliminary sales revenues during January - November of 2016 of the Company's oil terminal and SFB comprise EUR 34.1 million and are less by 5.5 per cent compared to the same period of 2015 (EUR 36.1 million).The preliminary sales revenues of the Company's LNG Terminal for November 2016 comprise EUR 5.5 million (November 2015 - EUR 5.4 million), which consist of the liquefaction and regasification activity revenues for the period calculated based on the tariffs approved by the National Control Commission for Energy Control and Prices. The preliminary revenue of the LNG terminal for the 11 months of 2016 comprise EUR 61.4 million and are grater by 3.5 per cent compared to the same period 2015 (EUR 59.3 million).Total preliminary sales revenues of the Company for the 11 months of 2016 comprise EUR 95.5 million, i.e. 0.1 per cent grater compared to same period 2015 (EUR 95.4 million).Petroleum products transshipment and LNG re-gasificationNovember January - November -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016 2015 Change, 2016 2015 Change, % % -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Petroleum products transshipment, 544 547 -0.5% 6,758 5,764 17.2% thousand tons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LNG re-gasification, thousand MWh 911 282 223.0% 13,761 4,372 214.8% --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Preliminary revenues of the Company, EUR millionNovember January - November ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016 2015 Change, % 2016 2015 Change, % ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Klaipeda oil terminal activity 2.15 2.83 -24.0% 31.5 33.8 -6.8% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subacius fuel base activity 0.25 0.27 -7.4% 2.6 2.3 13.0% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- LNG terminal activity 5.5 5.4 1.9% 61.4 59.3 3.5% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total: 7.9 8.5 -7.1% 95.5 95.4 0.1% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------Marius Pulkauninkas, Director of Finance and Administration Department, +370 46 391 763 LONDON, December 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Almost half of UK companies will not be entering into the festive spirit this month as staff are forced to pay for their own parties, a survey of 1000 businesses has revealed. The survey, conducted by 3gem on behalf of BE Offices the award winning serviced offices provider, showed that 48.5% of all those interviewed said that they had to pay for their own Christmas party, even if it was a company organised event. Of that total 22.1% had to make their own arrangements while 16.5% reported that they have to pay for company organised celebrations. Only 30% of respondents said their companies fully funded the Christmas parties. However, most companies made an effort to get into the Christmas spirit with 63.7% of respondents saying their workplaces were reasonably festive including 10.5% who stated that they have a full on "Santa Land" approach, with London and Bristol leading the way at approximately 16%. Even so, 8.3% reported a "Bah Humbug" approach to the festivities, with no decorations adorning their places of work. There were strong regional variations in attitudes to Christmas. The Midlands appear to be most festive with more than half the companies decorating the workplace on 1 December although the East Midlands was also among the least festive with 18.4% having no Christmas decorations at all. Many staff felt the impact of the corporate Scrooge when it came to holidays over the festive period. Almost one in three companies (30.7%) automatically deducted Christmas closures from employees' holiday entitlement. A further 16.7% reported that any reduced working hours were reflected in lower pay packets. Only 16% of respondents said they received full pay while the office was closed with 24% getting full pay despite reduced hours. Long gone are the days of the traditional Christmas bonus. Two-thirds of those surveyed reported that they received no Christmas bonus with the remainder either picking up a bonus based on their individual performance or a flat company-wide scheme. Work performance during the run up to Christmas varied dramatically. Over 23% of respondents reported a moderate increase in sick leave absences while a similar number said there was a noticeable winding down by employees from 1 December, with a further 40% stating that productivity levels declined noticeable by the start of the third week in December. Getting back into work mode following the holidays is pretty slow with 41% of respondents saying their companies are not fully productive until the week after New Year. The increasingly widespread tradition of "Secret Santa" gifting among staff is still alive and well despite over 44% of companies not encouraging the idea. Almost half of those surveyed said cash limits for Secret Santa presents were between 5 and 15 although the quality of gifts varied enormously. Aside from the obvious naughty gifts and those clearly trying to draw attention to colleague's personal hygiene, some of the bonkers presents included: A bath plug; A carrot; Half used aftershave An empty crisp packet A goldfish Store vouchers cut from a newspaper David Saul, Managing Director of BE Offices, commented: "We were surprised by the apparent corporate meanness reflected in the results of our survey. What is particularly shocking is the large numbers of companies that make the staff pay for the Christmas party as well as those deducting pay or holiday entitlement for time off over the period even if the workplace is formally closed or operating on reduced hours. I think Dickens would be astonished to see the modern version of his Scrooge. "Having reviewed the survey statistics, I'm very pleased to say that at BE Offices our Christmas decorations are up on December 1st, we provide a fully funded Christmas Party with dinner and dancing for all staff and we operate much reduced hours on full pay over Christmas and New Year." Getting in to the festive spirit David is taking part in Rays of Sunshine BeMoreSanta this year. The children's charity, which grants wishes for terminally ill children, is asking bosses to spend one day being more Santa, doing the staff tea runs and perhaps treating staff to a special breakfast. In aid of this amazing charity, which was co-founded by David, the BE boss will be waiting on staff on Friday 9th December festively dressed in a Christmas jumper and Santa hat. Ahold Delhaize, ein fuhrendes Unternehmen im Bereich Supermarkte und eCommerce mit marktfuhrenden lokalen Marken in 11 Landern, veroffentlichte solide Ergebnisse fur das erste Quartal (Q1) 2017, einschlielich einer verbesserten pro forma zugrundeliegenden Umsatzrendite fur die Gruppe. Der Nettoumsatz ist um 65,1% auf 15,9 Milliarden EUR gestiegen (61,4%... 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. Yext research finds that business location information via smartphone searches is often wrong. LONDON, Dec.7,2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With smartphones increasingly the digital tool of choice when it comes to searching for information about businesses or services, a new survey from Yext, the global Location Data Management leader, has exposed critical inaccuracies in important online business data. The survey, carried out amongst more than 2,000 UK consumers in October, reveals that as many as eight in ten encounter incorrect information about a business when searching online. Tellingly, nearly half (43.2%) of the consumers in the survey said that this was not a rare occurrence. In fact, a Yext scan of business listings across the UK found that 65% of large UK businesses have incorrect addresses listed online. The problem is not restricted to large organisations, as 67% of smaller businesses have incorrect addresses listed. The incorrect information doesn't stop there--33% of large businesses list incorrect phone numbers, and 61% of small businesses face the same challenge. 34% of UK consumers reported that the piece of information that was most often incorrect was opening hours, with approximately the same percentage identifying products and services information as the most often inaccurate piece. Consumers were very clear about where they consider the responsibility for accurate location data to lie. Just under half (49%) blamed businesses themselves, clearly expecting businesses to ensure their important details are kept updated. Only 20% of survey respondents thought that this was the responsibility of the search engine or app where the incorrect data was showcased. This perception of responsibility signifies a key reputational risk to businesses with out-of-date information. "Consumers rely on mobile search to get the information they need quickly, and they expect it to be reliable. Our research has shown that businesses with out of date location information online are risking their relationships with customers and their revenue," said Jon Buss, Managing Director for UK and Northern Europe at Yext. "Our research shows that UK businesses are falling behind the US, with twice as many incidents of incorrect information displayed, so they need to address this issue urgently." The data also show that mobile phone use in looking up businesses is on the rise, with 73% of 25-34 year-olds saying they are more likely to use a smartphone rather than a desktop device. Yext addresses the challenge of incorrect business data with its award-winning Location Cloud, which allows companies to manage location data across their websites, mobile apps, internal systems and over 100 maps, apps, social networks, directories and search engines including Google, Apple, Facebook, Bing, and Yelp. For more information, visit yext.co.uk. About Yext Yext puts business on the map with the award-winning Yext Location Cloud. We enable companies of all sizes to manage location data across their websites, mobile apps, internal systems, and the industry's largest ecosystem of maps, apps, social networks, directories, and search engines including Google, Apple, Facebook, Bing, and Yahoo. Our products - Listings, Pages, and Reviews - enable the world's millions of businesses to drive face-to-face and digital interactions that boost brand awareness, drive foot traffic, and increase sales. Yext is rapidly growing our footprint across Europe, with operations in London and Berlin in addition to New York City, Chicago, Dallas, and Washington D.C. Yext has been recognized as one of America's fastest-growing companies by the Inc. 5000 (2015 & 2016), one of Forbes' Most Promising Companies (2014 & 2015) and one of Fortune's Best Places to Work (2014, 2015, & 2016). Contact: Michael Dolmatch, Yext mdolmatch@yext.com Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161205/445701-INFO Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150223/177279LOGO LONDON, December 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Petra Lounge at Amman Queen Alia International was named the Africa & Middle East Winner in the Priority Pass Lounge of the Year Awards 2016. Now in its twelfth year, the awards are based on ratings by Priority Pass Members and recognise excellence within the world's largest independent lounge membership program that includes the best service design and visitor experience in over 1,000 airport lounges, in over 500 cities. This year's overall winners are: Global and Europe : Plaza Premium Lounge at London Heathrow : Plaza Premium Lounge at London Heathrow Africa & Middle East : Petra Lounge at Amman Queen Alia International & : Petra Lounge at Amman Queen Alia International Asia Pacific : Asiana Lounge at Seoul Incheon International : Asiana Lounge at Seoul Incheon International North America : The Club at San Jose CA Mineta International : The Club at San Jose CA Mineta International Latin America & The Caribbean : VIP Lounge at Guadalajara Miguel Hidalgo International Azzam Abu Yasin, Managing Director of Hotels Global Group said: "Jordan is a country known for its hospitality, and that is exactly what guests at Petra VIP Lounge will find. We strive to always offer the best service possible, from our staff, who are always on hand to meet the needs of our visitors, to our delightful Arabic dishes made by our own Chef Mohammad Issa. This win recognises our commitment to excellence, and shows that we're already well on our way to offering one of the world's most luxurious airport lounge experiences." Stephen Simpson, Global Marketing Director for Priority Pass, part of the Collinson Group, added: "It is an honour to recognise Petra Lounge at Amman Queen Alia International as the winning Africa & Middle East Lounge of the Year. This award recognises the team's continuing efforts to deliver a high-quality experience beyond the expectations of frequent flyers, through a focus on comfort, quality and service in every area." "It has never been more important to be able to escape the hustle and bustle of the airport terminal. We are proud to have the world's largest independent lounge membership program which provides access to a tranquil space in over 1,000 lounges in key destinations across the globe. As our network grows, so too does our knowledge and understanding of the changing global demands of the 21st century traveler, something that informs every level of service in the lounges in the Priority Pass network." Wider recognition in Africa Other winners this year include the Shongololo Lounge at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International, which was Highly commended in the Africa & Middle East Lounge of the Year category; and Marhaba Lounge at Dubai International, which was Highly Commended in the Best Business Facilities category. Priority Pass received over 60,000 ratings from its Members in this year's awards using the lounge rating function on the new Priority Pass website and app. Its Members provide ratings on a set of criteria covering overall lounge quality, refreshments, staff, business facilities and ambience. Visit prioritypass.com to view the complete list of this year's winners. Amsterdam, 1 March 2017 - Heineken N.V. today announces the appointment of Ernst van de Weert as Executive Director Global Legal Affairs as of July 1, 2017, reporting to Jean-Francois van Boxmeer, Chairman of the Executive Board / CEO. Ernst will succeed Steven van Maasakker who will leave HEINEKEN after leading the HEINEKEN Legal function for over 12 years. Ernst van de Weert is a Dutch national and is currently HEINEKEN's Company Secretary. He joined HEINEKEN as Regional Legal Counsel Asia Pacific in 2008 coming from the law firm De Brauw, Blackstone Westbroek. Jean-Francois van Boxmeer, HEINEKEN's Chairman of the Executive Board / CEO commented: "I wish to express my deepest appreciation to Steven for his commitment to HEINEKEN. Steven has been very instrumental in building a well-recognised legal function within HEINEKEN and I wish him all the best. I am very pleased that in Ernst van de Weert we have found a great successor to Steven from within the company." Press enquiries Michael Fuchs E-mail: pressoffice@heineken.com Tel: +31-20-5239-355 Jesper Kleingeld E-mail: pressoffice@heineken.com Tel: +31-20-5239-355 Editorial information: About HEINEKEN HEINEKEN is the world's most international brewer. It is the leading developer and marketer of premium beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken brand, the Group has a powerful portfolio of more than 250 international, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. We are committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through "Brewing a Better World", sustainability is embedded in the business and delivers value for all stakeholders. HEINEKEN has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. We employ approximately 73,500 people and operate more than 165 breweries, malteries, cider plants and other production facilities in more than 70 countries. Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V. shares trade on the Euronext in Amsterdam. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIA NA and HEIO NA and on Reuters under HEIN.AS and HEIO.AS. HEINEKEN has two sponsored level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) programmes: Heineken N.V. (OTCQX: HEINY) and Heineken Holding N.V. (OTCQX: HKHHY). Most recent information is available on HEINEKEN's website: www.theHEINEKENcompany.com and follow us via @HEINEKENCorp. -Ends- Please click here for full press release. (http://hugin.info/130667/R/2083283/785261.pdf) This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: HEINEKEN NV via Globenewswire According to the latest market study released by Technavio, the global keyless entry systems marketis projected to grow to USD 83.57 billion by 2021, at a CAGR of more than 9% over the forecast period. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170511006236/en/ Technavio has published a new report on the global keyless entry systems market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire) This research report titled 'Global Keyless Entry Systems Market 2017-2021' provides an in-depth analysis of the market in terms of revenue and emerging market trends. This market research report also includes up to date analysis and forecasts for various market segments and all geographical regions. Keyless entry systems are systems that provide physical access to a premise without the use of a mechanical key to lock or unlock a door. The swift penetration of keyless entry systems in the automotive sector is expected to be one of the key factors driving the growth of the market. This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free Based on the end-users, the report categorizes the global keyless entry systems market into the following segments: Automotive sector Government sector Healthcare sector BFSI sector Transportation sector Others The top three revenue-generating end-user segments in the global keyless entry systems market are discussed below: Automotive sector "The automotive sector occupied nearly 72% of the global keyless entry systems market in 2016, and is expected to continue its impressive hold on the market through the forecast periodsays Chetan Mohan, a lead analyst at Technavio for human machine interface research. Technological advances and the competition among vendors to provide value propositions in the automotive industry have resulted in the widespread adoption of new technologies, such as the Bluetooth passive keyless entry (PKE) system. The remote keyless entry (RKE) system is currently one of the most prominent keyless entry systems in the automotive sector. Government sector The keyless entry systems market by the government sector is projected to be worth USD 14.14 billion by 2021. The rising incidences of criminal activities and fraud have prompted the widescale adoption of keyless entry and access control systems in government organizations. These systems are mainly adopted to provide hassle-free access to authorized people while safeguarding it from everyone else. They are also used to track the attendance of employees and helping in workforce management in the government sector. Healthcare sector "Keyless entry systems are experiencing swift adoption rates in the healthcare sector, with a projected CAGR of around 14% through 2021. The implementation of stringent regulations to maintain patient privacy is one of the key factors impacting the growth of the segmentsays Chetan. Healthcare fraud, medical identity theft, and inaccurate patient identification have witnessed a significant decline since the adoption of access control systems in the healthcare sector. The growth in this sector is attributed to the increased need for security of critical and confidential data. Browse Related Reports: Global Smart Rings Market 2017-2021 Global Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Gear Market 2017-2021 Global Mobile Augmented Reality Market 2017-2021 Become a Technavio Insights member and access all three of these reports for a fraction of their original cost. As a Technavio Insights member, you will have immediate access to new reports as they're published in addition to all 6,000+ existing reports covering segments like lightingsemiconductor equipment, and sensors. This subscription nets you thousands in savings, while staying connected to Technavio's constant transforming research library, helping you make informed business decisions more efficiently. About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies. Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, resellers, and end-users. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170511006236/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 630 333 9501 UK: +44 208 123 1770 www.technavio.com BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 4:30 am ET Wednesday, the Office for National Statistics releases U.K. industrial output data. Production is forecast to rise 0.2 percent on month versus a -0.4 percent in September. Ahead of the data, the pound declined against its major counterparts. The pound was valued at 1.2632 against the greenback, 144.22 against the yen, 1.2749 against the franc and 0.8491 against the euro as of 4:25 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. SAN FRANCISCO, December 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The globalbentonite marketsize is expected to reach USD 1.93 billion by 2024, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Rising product use as anti-scalants in applications such as foundry sands and water treatment will augment market growth over the next eight years. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150105/723757 ) The increasing use of bentonite in iron ore pelletizing, pet litter, drilling mud, civil engineering and refining applications will fuel the product demand. Rising application scope of bentonite as a bonding agent in non-ferrous and ferrous foundries is expected to propel product growth over the forecast period. Sodium bentonite is employed as a key constituent of drilling fluids for boring holes of small diameter in environmental monitoring wells, and mineral exploration. Furthermore, it is used in horizontal directional drilling as lubricants to place pipelines and utility cables under highways, streets, buildings & environmentally sensitive areas without disruptive surface trenching. The growth of aforementioned application segments is expected to fuel product demand over the forecast period. Bentonite possesses properties like water absorption which makes it an excellent sealant for environmental applications. Bentonite products are also used in boring tunnels, subways & highways and pipelines installation to transport sewage, storm water & drinking water. This is expected to fuel product need over the next eight years. Browse full research report with TOC on "Bentonite Market Analysis By Product (Sodium, Calcium), By Application (Foundry Sands, Iron Ore Pelletizing, Pet Litter, Drilling Mud, Civil Engineering, Refining), By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, MEA), And Segment Forecasts, 2013 - 2024" at: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/bentonite-market Further key findings from the report suggest Calcium bentonite is expected to witness the fastest growth at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2016 to 2024 as a result of its ability to absorb a large amount of water and form thixotropic and viscous suspensions. Foundry sands as an application for bentonite will witness the fastest growth in terms of volume at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2016 to 2024 owing to its superior bonding properties. Latin America market is expected to witness significant growth and was estimated at over USD 110 million in 2015 on account of rising infrastructure development and increasing exploration activities in the market is expected to witness significant growth and was estimated at over in 2015 on account of rising infrastructure development and increasing exploration activities in the Key participants include AMCOL International Corp., Wyo-Ben Inc., MidPoint Chemicals Company, LLC, Hindustan M-I Swaco Limited, Charles B. Chrystal Co. Inc., Cimbar Performance Minerals Inc., Amsyn Inc., Kutch Mineral, Clariant AG, Minerals Technologies Inc., Bentonite Performance Minerals LLC. and Pacific Bentonite Ltd Key companies in the market are focused on increasing their global presence through mergers & acquisitions and plant expansions. Browse related reports by Grand View Research: Enhanced Fire Protection Systems Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/enhanced-fire-protection-systems-market Packer Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/packer-market Pressure Pumping Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/pressure-pumping-market Base Metal Mining Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/base-metal-mining-market Grand View Research has segmented the global bentonite market on the basis of product, application and region: Product type Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2024) Sodium Calcium Others Application Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2024) Foundry sands Iron ore pelletizing Cat litter Drilling mud Civil Engineering Refining Others Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons, Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2024) North America U.S. Europe Germany Russia Asia Pacific China India Latin America Brazil MEA UAE Access research insight: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/research-insights/bentonite-market-insights-size 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/bulk-chemicals 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 SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- Kenna, a vulnerability and risk intelligence platform that enables organizations to measure and monitor their exposure to risk, today announced it has closed a $15 million Series B funding round led by PeakSpan Capital. New investor OurCrowd and previous investors U.S. Venture Partners (USVP), Costanoa Venture Capital, and Hyde Park Angels also participated in the round, bringing the company's total funding to $25 million. The capital will be used to power Kenna's engineering roadmap as well as scale sales, marketing, and customer success to meet increasing market demand. "The security landscape is jammed with startups competing for attention, but it's rare to see a company such as Kenna transforming the security analytics space, providing value from the C-suite all the way to security and IT Ops, while rapidly acquiring enterprise customers," said Brian Mulvey, co-founder and managing partner, PeakSpan Capital. "Kenna's ability to see a customer's attack surface and enable a risk-based approach drives a compelling new way for SecOps to confidently increase efficacy and IT Ops to focus on addressing the issues that matter most, saving time and money." Today's funding comes after two consecutive years of more than 300 percent growth in enterprise bookings, with over a dozen new Fortune 500 customers. Kenna also strengthened its executive board with the strategic addition of Rick Schultz as vice president of sales in 2016, who brings over 30 years of leadership experience in enterprise sales. Now a best practice in major enterprise organizations, Kenna correlates billions of vulnerability data points with real-time exploit intelligence data, quickly identifying an organization's specific vulnerabilities and security threats. As a result, companies save much-needed time, CISOs gain the ability to see their exposure to risk with easy-to-read reports that they can carry straight into the boardroom, and IT Operations can finally trust that the issues that they're being asked to address will make a fundamental difference to their organization's security. "We are humbled that our customers have enabled us to have a breakout year in 2016," said Karim Toubba, CEO, Kenna Security. "Today our platform processes over 10 billion vulnerabilities daily, allowing hundreds of customers to see their risk in real time, and more importantly remediate with confidence, increasing productivity across their organizations. This investment will allow us to capitalize on an obvious hunger in the market. We are proud to be leading the charge on how enterprises view and manage security efficacy with substance." About Kenna Kenna is a Risk and Vulnerability Intelligence platform that correlates external Internet breach data, exploit data, and zero-day threat intelligence with internal vulnerability scan data so organizations can focus on fixing the most critical problems. Kenna processes over 10 billion vulnerabilities a day against Internet breach data for its users. For more information visit kennasecurity.com. About PeakSpan PeakSpan Capital is a growth equity firm based in New York City and Silicon Valley, with a focused mission to be the partner of choice for growth stage entrepreneurial teams who are building amazing software targeted at business buyers of all sizes -- from very small businesses to large enterprises. PeakSpan combines deep domain expertise within a select number of themes with a homegrown, proprietary technology platform providing visibility into company and market performance, to help entrepreneurs drive resilient, risk-adjusted value creation. To learn more about PeakSpan Capital and its portfolio, please visit: www.peakspancapital.com. Media Contact: Ashley Womack LEWIS for Kenna Email Contact 415-432-2443 AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwired - December 07, 2016) - Today, Lifesize, a global innovator of video conferencing technology, announced it has enhanced its Skype for Business interoperability* to simplify cross-platform audio, video and web conferencing, and extend the Skype for Business environment to the conference room by making it easy to pair with award-winning Lifesize HD camera and phone systems. With this enhanced interoperability, Lifesize is the only SaaS-based video conferencing provider to date that enables users to make direct calls to and from Skype for Business for one-to-one and group calls. Microsoft Office 365 and its communication application, Skype for Business, is a cornerstone for modern businesses, with more than 100 million people using Skype for Business worldwide. Yet, despite the popularity and regular use of Skype for Business, seamless integration between video conferencing solutions and Skype for Business remains limited. Far too often, workers get stuck in this type of situation: A product development team of four individuals gather in a small conference room in Austin. They connect via video conference to three marketing team members in San Francisco. A few minutes into the discussion, they realize they need input from a contractor based in London. They reach for their speakerphone to make the call, but stop --the contractor only uses Skype for Business and their system cannot call her. Now what? Meetings should not be interrupted or lack video quality because of interoperability limitations, which is why Lifesize is dedicated to delivering the most user-friendly and complete video communication experience for organizations regularly collaborating with Skype for Business users. Designed to complement the Skype for Business environment, Lifesize fits into the existing Skype for Business workflow by allowing Lifesize users to place direct calls to Skype for Business users, add them to existing calls, and send and receive screen sharing. The integration also allows organizations to bring a Skype for Business presence into the conference room with the Lifesize plug-and-play video conference room system, which gives users the option to connect to any third-party conference room system. With this comprehensive package of unmatched quality, ease of use, flexibility and interoperability, IT administrators don't need to worry about risking their investment with "lock-in" products for the conference room. In fact, Lifesize now helps IT administrators further extend their Skype for Business deployment throughout their organization and increase the value of their investment. "Skype for Business and other such applications allow organizations to standardize collaboration workflows," said Craig Malloy, CEO at Lifesize. "For users in those organizations, the best conferencing solution should complement the way they work, not hinder it. The interoperability Lifesize offers extends far past any other solution in the market, providing the simplest, most effective collaboration experience between Lifesize, Skype for Business and third-party vendors." Lifesize enhances the Skype for Business environment with: A superior conference room experience: Users can place and receive direct calls from a Lifesize HD camera and phone system within the conference room to a Skype for Business user at his or her desktop PC. Users can also leverage a Lifesize virtual meeting room to connect third-party conference room systems to Skype for Business or Lifesize users. Bi-directional calling with Skype for Business: Those using the Lifesize cloud-based application can place direct calls to Skype for Business users or add them to an existing call. Skype for Business users can also place direct calls to Lifesize app users, conference room systems or virtual meeting rooms. Bi-directional screen share with Skype for Business: Skype for Business users can send and receive real-time screen sharing in a call with a Lifesize app user, conference room system or virtual meeting room. Broader reach: Skype for Business users can extend their call capability with the Lifesize cloud-based application, which allows up to 50-way calling, audio dial-in numbers in more than 60 countries, the ability to view more participants on screen, and the option to bring in callers from outside of the organization. The Lifesize Skype for Business interoperability is supported on Skype for Business Server or Skype for Business Online through Microsoft Office 365. This feature is included in Lifesize Enterprise and Premium subscription plans. Current Enterprise and Premium users will automatically receive theses feature updates in December 2016. Additional Information Learn more about Lifesize and Skype for Business on our blog, click here For more information about Lifesize, please visit www.lifesize.com Experience the Lifesize cloud-based application with a free 14-day trial Like Lifesize on Facebook: facebook.com/lifesizeHD Follow @lifesizeHD on Twitter Join other customers for collaboration, advocacy and insights at community.lifesize.com About Lifesize At Lifesize, we understand the power of connecting people to make the workplace great. For more than a decade, Lifesize has been at the forefront of video collaboration, delivering high-quality solutions designed to bring people together. We combine a best-in-class, cloud-based video conferencing experience, with award-winning, easy-to-use devices that are designed for any conference room so you can connect to anyone, anywhere. It's a meeting experience like no other. Our video conferencing solutions are designed for the demands of today's modern enterprise, yet fully accessible to businesses of any size. For more information, visit www.lifesize.com or follow the company @LifesizeHD. Lifesize and the Lifesize logo are trademarks of Lifesize, Inc. and may be registered. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Microsoft, Office 365, and Skype are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. *This interoperability has been developed based on open standards. Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/12/6/11G124393/Images/Lifesize_and_Skype_for_Business_Laptop-a8abda5521edb3ba9d75262f93d63e6d.jpg Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/12/6/11G124393/Images/Lifesize_and_Skype_for_Business_Screen_Share-3ee4697e80a69610a004c9d7f71dd63e.jpg Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/12/6/11G124393/Images/Lifesize_Conference_Room_and_Skype_for_Business-26be38a1f8b0a21d970dec4af33d5b13.jpg Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/12/6/11G124393/Images/Lifesize_Phone_HD_and_Skype_for_Business_Directory-8d186483fbddbf80979297db6c05b368.jpg Embedded Video Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_LonJW6Oek&feature=youtu.be Media Relations: Maria Galler Lifesize Kelly Stone The Hoffman Agency PR@lifesize.com TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- Red Pine Exploration Inc. (TSX VENTURE: RPX) ("Red Pine" or the "Company") has received results for holes sampled as part of its sampling program of historic core at its Wawa Gold Project. The Company has also completed two additional boreholes (SD-16-42 and SD-16-43) of its on-going Fall 2016 Drill Program. Highlights from new results of the sampling program include: -- 45.08 metres at 3.32 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold in hole U0706L5 and 46.33 metres at 3.11 g/t gold in U0690L5 (Table 1); -- Increase in the gold weighted average (sum of individual intercepts gold grade times length) for 7 of the 20 sampled holes, and an average increase of the intersection length in 7 of the 20 holes (Table 1); and -- Discovery of a gold zone in the Jubilee Shear. Highlights from the on-going 2016 Fall Drill Program include: -- A five metre intersection of a network of quartz veins, including one carrying visible gold(1), in hole SD-16-43 drilled 525 metres north of the inferred resource boundary (Figure 1); -- A 103 metres(2) intersection of continuous shearing and alteration related to the Hornblende Shear Zone in SD-16-43; -- A 98 metres(2) intersection of continuous shearing and alteration related to the Hornblende Shear Zone in SD-16-42. Quentin Yarie, President and Chief Executive Officer of Red Pine states, "We are excited to see that each new set of results from the sampling of historic core has a positive impact on the gold weighed average for some of the sampled holes. Again, these results, indicate that significant gold remains to be identified in the current inferred resource pit model. The observation of visible gold(1) in a new quartz vein network and in the Jubilee Shear Zone in hole SD-16-43 is exciting as it proves that the structure, host of the Surluga Deposit, and the associated gold system, extend at least 525 metres north of the current boundary of the inferred resource. We are also impressed by the thickness of the Hornblende Shear Zone as seen in holes SD-16-42 and SD-16-43, which further demonstrates the large size of this parallel gold-bearing structure." Sampling of historic core Red Pine's current sampling of 42,000 metres of historic core (from 318 underground and 119 surface drill holes) continues to define additional gold in many of the historic boreholes that intersected the Jubilee Shear Zone - host of the Surluga Deposit, a 1.088 million ounces inferred resource(3). The spatial distribution of the historic boreholes with notable gold weighted average increases will positively change the current deposit model (Figure 1). On-going Fall 2016 Drill Program The on-going diamond drill program is focussed on expanding the Surluga Deposit to the north. Hole SD-16-42 targeted the Wawa Gold Corridor at the northern limit of the inferred resource. This borehole successfully intersected the Jubilee Shear Zone, the Surluga Road Shear Zone, and the Hornblende Shear Zone. Hole SD-16-43 located 525 metres north of the inferred resource, successfully intersected the Jubilee Shear Zone, the Hornblende Shear Zone, and a series of quartz-sulfide veins containing visible gold(1) in both the hanging wall and footwall of the Jubilee Shear Zone. In SD-16-42 and SD-16-43, the respective intersections of 98 and 103 metres of continuous shearing and hydrothermal alteration in the Hornblende Shear Zone, outside of the current deposit model, demonstrates the potential to increase the inferred resource. Assays are pending. Table 1 - Before and after intersections(4) with a cutoff of 0.2 g/t gold ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Before/ Hole After Structure From To sampling (m) (m) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- U0675L5 Before Jubilee 52.73 56.08 After 42.95 56.08 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- U0690L5 Before Jubilee 11.28 56.08 After 9.75 56.08 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- U0697L5 Before Jubilee 43.13 57.61 After 39.62 57.61 Jubilee 99.67 103.94 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- U0706L5 Before Jubilee 20.12 53.64 After 15.88 60.96 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- U0714L5 Before Jubilee 54.25 55.17 After 51.91 60.53 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- U0716L5 Before Jubilee 37.64 53.34 After 37.64 63.7 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- U1226L6 Before Jubilee 0 5.49 After 0 7.62 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gold Intersection Weighted Grade % changes gold Hole length(i)(m) Average (g/t gold) weighted average (g/t (i) m) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- U0675L5 3.35 3.96 1.18 38.64 13.13 5.49 0.42 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- U0690L5 44.8 141.74 3.16 1.51 46.33 143.88 3.11 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- U0697L5 14.48 3.2 0.22 129.38 17.99 7.34 0.41 Zone was 4.27 1.32 0.31 historically un- sampled ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- U0706L5 33.52 145.64 4.34 2.9 45.08 149.86 3.32 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- U0714L5 0.92 1.9 2.07 101.58 8.62 3.83 0.44 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- U0716L5 15.7 35.73 2.28 11.17 26.06 39.72 1.52 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- U1226L6 5.49 4.35 0.79 9.43 7.62 4.76 0.62 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i) True width has not been calculated for each individual intercept, but true width is generally estimated at greater than 80% of drilled width. 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 if further work or verification is needed. 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. (1) Gold visible with the naked eye - "visible gold" (2) Based on core angles, this is very close to true width. (3) NI 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. (4) Before results are entirely historical and are based on assay results obtained during drill programs conducted between 1961 and 1989 by previous operators of the Wawa Gold Project. After results represents the combination of the historical results with the new assay results obtained by Red Pine Exploration as part of its sampling program. Red Pine's sampling of the core involves re-measuring the historical boreholes and sampling the un-sampled core pieces left in the historical intersections. A full QA/QC program is implemented as part of Red Pine sampling program. All the sampled historical boreholes with the new sample locations are also systematically photographed as part of the sampling protocols. 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 the historic drill holes with weighted gold average increases and 2016 drill holes, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/figure1.12.07.pdf 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 Our priority is to provide our customers with the highest quality drinking water, a reliable water supply and an effective wastewater discharge service. Similarly to previous years, we have also provided an excellent service to our customers. We remain focused on maintaining and improving all our key performance indicators, so our consumers can rely and depend on the services they receive. Water quality last year, was the best in the company's history and we managed to retain leakage performance amongst the best in class, despite a very cold 1st quarter.Operational indicators for 2016Indicator 2016 2015 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Drinking water -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Compliance of water quality at the customers' tap 99.93% 99.86% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Water loss in the water distribution network 15.07% 14.68% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average duration of water interruptions per property in hours 3.44 h 3.22 h -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wastewater -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Number of sewer blockages 670 737 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of sewer bursts 107 127 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wastewater treatment compliance with environmental standards 100% 100% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Customer Service -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Number of written complaints 45 67 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of customer contacts regarding water quality 166 115 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of customer contacts regarding water pressure 339 337 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of customer contacts regarding blockages and discharge of 1,190 1,061 storm water -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Responding written customer contacts within at least 2 work days 99.46% 99.20% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of failed promises 4 9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notification of unplanned water interruptions at least 1 h 98.8% 98.7% before the interruption --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Tap water is drinking waterTap water quality remains excellent, and is comparable to that of any other country in West-Europe. Strict legal requirements apply to the quality of drinking water, and compliance is monitored in accordance with the drinking water monitoring programmes, approved by the Estonian Health Board.In 2016, we took a total of 2,948 samples across our service area (Tallinn and Saue) (2015: 2 945) and 99.93% of the water samples taken, were compliant with all the requirements (2015: 99.86%). Thus, only two samples in 2016 and 2015 exceeded the prescribed limit values. Subsequently, we completed additional maintenance work on the water network in question, and the repeated samples were fully compliant. The consistent high quality is the result of an efficient water treatment process, preventive actions reducing the number of water bursts on the network, timely investments and effective maintenance of the water network.The results of drinking water analyses taken from Lake Ulemiste, the Water Treatment Plant, ground water and customers' taps, can be found on the company's website.For us it is very important that our customers trust the quality of their water and recognise that tap water is safe to drink. Over the years, we have repeatedly promoted tap water as drinking water. In recent years, it can be seen that people value water quality and according to a survey carried out by Kantar Emor in 2016, already 80% of end users drink tap water, whilst in 2011 this figure was only 48%.A reliable serviceIt is important for all consumers to have a reliable and high-quality service that is available 24/7. We therefore strive to plan and optimise our activities, to minimise disruption and inconvenience, wherever possible.Preventive works on networks have resulted also in very low leakage rate of 15.07% during 2016, which is slightly higher than in 2015 (14.68%), but still represents a very good result.We continue to make targeted capital investments, renovating or replacing assets based on previous condition surveys and performance data, to ensure the continued reliability of the infrastructure. At the end of 2016, we finished the complex repair of Tihase tunnel collector, through which the wastewater from Mustamae and Oismae is directed to Paljassaare. We also constructed 600 mm water pipe in Tondi that now provides a parallel supply to almost 100,000 people.Over the years, the customers' need to inform us of problems has shown a declining trend. The number of customer contacts on various topics has increased to some extent in 2016. At the same time, the number of written complaints and failed promises has declined during the same period. There were 45 complaints submitted in 2016, compared to 67 complaints in 2015. We continue to work hard, so that people would have less reasons to be unsatisfied.We ask regular feedback from our clients, so that we could further improve our customer service, react on problems in a timely manner and focus on more problematic areas. Annually we order Kantar Emor to carry out a satisfaction survey among our customers. This is an extensive survey, mapping the satisfaction of both our contractual clients and end users with our work and activities. The assessment is being given based on their client experience and direct contact with the company, but also on the opinions created by the media coverage, services, or other type of indirect or direct contact.In 2016, already second year, the customer retention (TRI*M index) has been very high, being 94 points. For years now, we have continued to stand out with the ratings significantly higher than the European average of industrial sector (69 points) and the top 10% of utility companies (87 points).Cleaner environmentWe provide wastewater discharge service to nearly one third of the Estonia's population located in Tallinn, and some of the surrounding municipalities. The company's wastewater treatment plant is located at Paljassaare, which is constantly being updated with new technologies, to ensure continued compliance with ever tightening environmental legislation. In 2016, final effluent was again 100% compliant with the stipulated permit requirements.We remain focussed on reducing the possible risk of flooding within our network and preventing any pollution incidents. The number of sewer blockages provides a good indication as to how we are proactively managing the network, for example jet washing. In 2016, the number of sewage blockages reduced by 9.09% compared to 2015, i.e. when in 2015 we eliminated 737 blockages, then this year we eliminated 670 blockages.Riina Kai AS Tallinna Vesi Chief Financial Officer Ph: (+372) 62 62 262 riina.kai@tvesi.ee 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. NEW YORK, NEW YORK and TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- TouchBistro, the company that created the #1 grossing iPad point-of-sale (POS) App for restaurants, has been granted a patent for a feature that enables restaurants to easily and quickly split bills between customers. The United States patent number 9514427 - entitled "Graphical Interface and Input Method for Allocating an Invoice Amongst a Plurality of Accounts" - was issued on December 6. The patented feature provides restaurant staff with a powerful tool to correctly allocate whole (or partial) ordered items to individuals, or to be shared by everyone at the table. The feature leverages the tablet's touch and swipe capabilities to designate which diner is to pay for items ordered, or how individuals are to be grouped on a bill. By simply swiping between two seats on a graphical interface showing seats around the table, the software instantly splits the bill among customers and calculates all related taxes and tips. As splitting bills between customers is one of the more time-consuming and challenging functions regularly requested of waiters, TouchBistro focused on designing a feature to accelerate and simplify the process. The patented graphical interface with simple swipe input and automated calculation eliminates a primary stressor for serving staff, reduces billing errors, and helps increase table turns. "This patent, along with our recent New York Design Award, demonstrates that we are design and thought leaders in our space. Unlike a generic register App, TouchBistro has been designed specifically for restaurants, enabling them to automate or simplify processes that ultimately increase revenue and improve the user and customer experience alike," said Alex Barrotti, CEO and founder of TouchBistro. "We are committed to continually investing in technology development to address the unique challenges restaurants face. We are honored to be recognized for our invention and innovation in the market." TouchBistro provides an innovative mobile iPad POS for full service restaurants, quick service restaurants, food trucks, and coffee shops and bars. Waiters use the TouchBistro iPad app to take tableside customer orders and instantly transmit them to the kitchen and bar, eliminating much of the time-consuming running back and forth that slows service and table turns. The feature-rich solution helps restaurants manage and improve operational efficiency and their bottom line. This quarter, TouchBistro announced a new $17 million Series B round of funding, bringing TouchBistro's total funding to date to $30 million. TouchBistro is the top grossing iPad restaurant point-of-sale (POS) app in 37 countries. The company has experienced significant month-over-month growth over the past year, and now has deployed approximately 19,000 terminals across 7,000 restaurants around the world. Its POS solutions process Gross Merchandise Volumes in excess of $4 billion annually. In the last quarter, TouchBistro launched in Spanish and French, and integrated with QuickBooks and Square. About TouchBistro With offices in New York and Toronto, TouchBistro is a leader in iPad point-of-sale technology for restaurants, cafes, bars, food trucks, and other food and drink venues. The TouchBistro app has been ranked as the number one top-grossing food and beverage app in 37 countries on the Apple App Store(SM). TouchBistro was named 2016 Best POS System for Restaurants by Business News Daily in its annual review of dozens of point-of-sale (POS) systems, a Gold Winner of the 2016 New York Design Awards and International App of the Year 2015 by Best in Biz Awards. TouchBistro offers a 30-day free trial that can be converted to a no-contract subscription. Additional information is available at www.touchbistro.com. Contacts: Media Contact: Kari Wise Boulevard Public Relations (for TouchBistro) 818.588.8074 kari@boulevardpr.com GREAT NECK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- Sarraf Gentile LLP announces a class action lawsuit has been filed against GNC Holdings, Inc. ("GNC" or the "Company") (NYSE: GNC) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws on behalf of purchasers of the Company's common stock. The action is pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and is captioned Martin v. GNC Holdings, Inc., et al., No. 2:15-cv-01522. The complaint alleges that defendants issued materially false and misleading statements and/or omitted adverse information about the Company's business and prospects. 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. Sarraf Gentile LLP has not filed a lawsuit against the defendants. If you are a current Company shareholder and want to discuss your legal rights, at no cost and without obligation, please contact Joseph Gentile at Sarraf Gentile LLP (telephone: 516-699-8890, extension 12; e-mail: joseph@sarrafgentile.com). Sarraf Gentile LLP has extensive experience litigating shareholder actions across the United States and has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of injured shareholders. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact: Joseph Gentile SARRAF GENTILE LLP 14 Bond Street, Suite 212 Great Neck, NY 11021 T 516.699.8890 F 516.699.8968 joseph@sarrafgentile.com www.sarrafgentile.com STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Dec 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- EQT Mid Market acquires Fertin Pharma, the world's largest independent developer and manufacturer of medicated chewing gum The founding Bagger-Soerensen family will reinvest and enter into a partnership with EQT Mid Market with the view to further develop and accelerate the growth of Fertin Pharma The management team of Fertin Pharma, led by CEO Soeren Birn, will remain with the Company and invest alongside the Bagger-Soerensen family and EQT Mid Market EQT Mid Market has agreed to acquire Fertin Pharma ("Fertin Pharma" or the "Company") from the Bagger-Soerensen family. The Bagger-Soerensen family will reinvest part of their proceeds and will following the transaction own 30% of the Company. The Company is the leading independent B2B developer and manufacturer of medicated chewing gum, primarily within Nicotine Replacement Therapy ("NRT"), a pharmaceutical product used for withdrawal management in the process of tobacco cessation. Furthermore, Fertin develops pharmaceutical chewing gum with different APIs (MediChew) and nutraceutical chewing gum products (Nutraceuticals). Rikke Kjr Nielsen, Director at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Mid Market, said: "We are truly impressed by Fertin Pharma's strong management team and its unparalleled market position based on a unique combination of more than 100 years of chewing gum heritage, profound nicotine knowledge and strong pharma manufacturing capabilities. Fertin is a global market leader within NRT gum with a strong financial track record operating in one of EQT's core sectors and core geographies. As such we see an excellent match with EQT, which is further underpinned by the EQT track record in healthcare investments and experience in supporting companies to drive growth across different avenues. We are therefore extremely pleased about the partnership with the founding family to jointly develop Fertin into an even stronger company". Soeren Birn, CEO of Fertin Pharma, said: "Fertin has developed a global stronghold with its leading NRT gum product portfolio and realized above market growth for several years.We are very pleased to have EQT as our new majority owner and partner in this exciting phase for Fertin. We share the same vision and ambitions for Fertin's great potential. Under the new partnership, we look very much forward to continue growing the core business while exploring new avenues of growth for the Company". Steen and Claus Bagger-Soerensen, main shareholders of Fertin Pharma, said: "We are pleased to have EQT as the new majority owner of Fertin, and we believe they are a great fit with Fertin, both in terms of core values, visions and long-term ambitions for the Company. Furthermore, we are excited about entering a partnership with them, and we look forward to working alongside EQT and contributing knowledge, experience and history". Financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed. Contacts: Rikke Kjr Nielsen at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT Mid Market, +45 4021 1216 Kerstin Danasten, EQT Press Officer, +46 8 506 55 334 About the Bagger-Soerensen family The Bagger-Soerensen family founded Vejle Caramel og Tablet Fabrik in 1915 and launched the Dandy chewing gum brand in 1939. In 1978, the Swedish company Fertin, known for their V6 chewing gum, was acquired by the Bagger-Soerensen Group. Following the acquisition the company was renamed Fertin Pharma and in 2000 Fertin Pharma launched the world's first coated nicotine gum. Today, the family brothers Steen and Claus Bagger-Soerensen, along with the family fund, comprise the owners of Fertin Pharma prior to the transaction. About EQT EQT is a leading alternative investments firm with approximately EUR 31 billion in raised capital. EQT Funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR 15 billion and approximately 100,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership. More info: www.eqtpartners.com About Fertin Pharma Fertin Pharma A/S is a family-owned company based in Vejle, Denmark, with additional facilities in India. Fertin is the world's leading B2B developer/manufacturer of medicated chewing gum, specialising in Nicotine Replacement Therapy gum. Fertin has 715 employees and an estimated 2016 revenue of DKK 851m and EBITDA of DKK 250m. More info: www.fertin.com CONTACT: This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/eqt-ab/r/eqt-mid-market-invests-in-fertin-pharma-a-s,c2139279 ANKARA (dpa-AFX) - The Turkish Lira firmed against the U.S. dollar in European deals on Wednesday, after the government authorities stepped in to stem a rapid fall of the currency. In a statement, Turkish defence ministry said it has converted almost $300 million in hard currency into lira in the wake of call from President Tayyip Erdogan to support the domestic currency. The Lira advanced to a weekly high of 3.4154 against the greenback, compared to Tuesday's closing value of 3.4404. The next possible resistance for the Lira is seen around the 3.0 mark. 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. NORWALK (dpa-AFX) - Xerox (XRX) announced long-term financial model as a standalone company, as it expects to complete the separation of Conduent Incorporated on Dec. 31, 2016. The new Xerox expects to: expand operating margins to be in the range of 12.5 - 14.5 percent in the near term by delivering at least $1.5 billion cumulative gross productivity and cost savings by 2018 from its strategic transformation program; and increase contribution from strategic growth areas to 50 percent of total company revenue by 2020 and to outperform the market over the long term. Xerox also provided details on its business strategy. The company continues to drive its three-year strategic transformation program to deliver at least $1.5 billion in productivity gains and cost savings for the standalone entity. Xerox will invest in areas of strength and growth such as document outsourcing and color production, and will execute strategies to increase its participation in underpenetrated markets, including small- and medium-sized businesses. As a result, the company will shift its revenue mix toward growing markets to increasingly offset declines in mature areas. 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. ROME (dpa-AFX) - Italian lender UniCredit SpA (UCG, UNCFF.PK) reported Thursday that its first-quarter net profit climbed 40 percent from last year to 907 million euros, with improvement in all divisions. Gross operating profit was up by 14.6 percent, and net operating profit was up by 36.1 percent. Revenues came to 4.8 billion, an increase of 3.4 percent year-on-year. The company generated resilient recurring revenues underpinned by solid NII and strong fees generation. Trading profit benefited from large client driven transactions. NII stabilized at 2.6 billion euros, while fees increased by 4.5 percent. Operating costs dropped 3 percent, thanks to Transform 2019 Actions. Jean Pierre Mustier, Chief Executive Officer, said, 'UniCredit had an encouraging first quarter with all core business lines contributing positively to the Group.....We also confirm our 2017 NII objective of 10.2 billion and an end of year fully loaded CET1 ratio above 12 per cent. We are already seeing early but tangible results of our Transform 2019 plan..' UniCredit shares were trading at 16.68 euros, up 3.67 percent. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- DiaMedica Inc. (the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: DMA)(OTCQB: DMCAF) announced today it has engaged Outreach 99 LLC ("Outreach") to assist in the business development efforts of the Company. Paul Papi, Founder and President of Outreach 99 LLC, will personally direct the effort, acting as DiaMedica's Vice President of Business Development. Mr. Papi has over 37 years of experience in life sciences including 25 years at Mylan Pharmaceuticals. His expertise includes executive management in the pharmaceutical industry, investment banking, and investor relations. Mr. Papi stated, "I look forward to working closely with the DiaMedica team as it enters an exciting time in its development." "Mr. Papi is a seasoned pharmaceutical and investment banking veteran with extensive experience in business development, mergers and acquisitions, and marketing," stated Rick Pauls, President and CEO of DiaMedica. The agreement is for an initial one year term. About DiaMedica DiaMedica is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for neurological and kidney diseases. DiaMedica's 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, all of which are available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). 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: DiaMedica Inc. Donna Husemoller Corporate Controller 763-270-0603 info@diamedica.com DUBLIN, Dec 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Military Aircraft Hangars Market 2016-2020" report to their offering. The global military aircraft hangars market to grow at a CAGR of 2.66% during the period 2016-2020. The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global military aircraft hangars market for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated through the construction and installation of military aircraft hangars. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market. One of latest trends in the market is joint logistics approach. The growing geopolitical instability, including political volatility, violence, growing dominances by rebel forces, and territorial disputes in various parts of the globe, has considerably influenced the contemporary military agenda of the international community in the recent past. Due to its geographical importance, the Middle East has been a prime focus of US foreign policies over the last four decades. The countries in this region have also shown signs of collaboration and cooperation around military transportation and logistics. The US Army maintains a strong military, security, intelligence, and diplomatic relationship with various countries in the Middle East, including Jordan, Egypt, and Israel, as well as the member countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC). Therefore, the collaborative military operations remain a nominal exercise between the US Army and the armies of partnering countries. According to the report, one of the primary drivers in the market is increasing emphasis on establishing facilities for sophisticated combat aircraft. Over the years, the use and acceptance of military aircraft have been increasing across the globe. The growth of long-range warfare remains the prime reason for augmenting the fleet size of military aircraft among the combat forces of various countries. After a decade-long involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq, the air wing of multiple countries faced serious need to upgrade the technological capabilities of their air platforms, which fueled the need to develop sophisticated combat aircraft that can amplify the magnitude of air strikes. Led by the US, many other allied countries are now involved in a campaign intended to neutralize the militancy activities, which are based on the fundamental religious belief in the Middle East. The ongoing actions in Syria and Iraq have been expanded to include massive air strikes by the US and its allied nations, including Australia, Denmark, Canada, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK. Further, the report states that one major challenge in the market is maintenance costs associated with military bases. Due to the advancement of modern warfare strategies, the deployment of military forces is not limited to the borders of the country. As collaborative efforts gain importance among countries, their military forces have also started functioning in close cooperation in foreign territories. This has evolved the need for an efficient way of constructing and maintaining temporary overseas base camps. Key vendors AECOM Alaska Structures Contrack Watts DIUK ARCHES Rubb Buildings Other prominent vendors AAR Evan Fall Protection Fulfab John Reid & Sons & Sons Universal Fabric Structures Key Topics Covered: Part 01: Executive summary Part 02: Scope of the report Part 03: Market research methodology Part 04: Introduction Part 05: Market landscape Part 06: Market segmentation by product Part 07: Geographical segmentation Part 08: Market drivers Part 09: Impact of drivers Part 10: Market challenges Part 11: Impact of drivers and challenges Part 12: Market trends Part 13: Vendor landscape Part 14: Appendix For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/m6n2pg/global_military 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 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 10, 2017 / Alexandria Minerals Corporation (TSXV: AZX) (OTCQB: ALXDF) (FSE: A9D) ("AZX" or the "Company") is pleased to present assay results from Diamond Drill Holes ("DDH") OAX-17-100 and OAX-17-99, which were completed below the open pit at Zone 4, in Val d'Or, Quebec. Notably, OAX-17-100 intersected multiple high grade gold veins and their associated alteration envelopes between 39.30 meters and 256.00 meters depth, assaying 2.84 g/t gold over 217.00 meters. Highlights High gold grades and robust widths were intersected in hole DDH OAX-17-100 over most of the length of the hole with such assay intervals as: 9.00 g/t gold over 13.85 meters, including 16.23 g/t gold over 5.05 meters; 6.29 g/t gold over 15.35 meters; 4.85 g/t gold over 12.00 meters, including 9.15 g/t over 3 meters (see Table 1), Collectively, the shallow sub-parallel, gold-quartz veins and their adjacent alteration zones indicate broad gold-mineralized zones in OAX-17-100 with assays such as 3.82 g/t gold over 63.70 meters between 151.00 meters and 214.70 meters downhole, As a step-out hole, OAX-17-100 confirms the occurrence of the high-grade veins 100 meters west and 100 meters below the limits of the previously-estimated Current Resources (2009), The gold-quartz vein mineralization remains open in all directions: to the north, along strike, and at depth. Eric Owens, President and CEO of Alexandria, stated, "These are the best results we have received to-date at Zone 4, and we are especially pleased that they have come from a previously untested area. This gives us great encouragement and confidence in the potential for growth, as we are still waiting for assay results from 22 holes, including 10 step-out holes west of the open pit." The Current Program Both Holes OAX-17-099 and OAX-17-100 were completed below the east end of the Zone 4 Open Pit (Figures 1 and 2). This program is aimed at exploring for and expanding the high-grade gold-quartz veins at Zone 4, first recognized in 2015. These veins and veinlets often occur in clusters, and typically have a shallow, south-dipping, orientation within the steeply, north-dipping Cadillac Break shear Zone. The recently-completed drill holes at Zone 4 are from the first round of drilling by Alexandria to test for the south-dipping veins, and is focused on the upper 250 meters of depth. The drill program consists of three parts: infill drilling in the Current Resources area, step-out drilling to the west of the Current Resources and step-out drilling to the east of the Current Resources. The Open Pit lies at the west end of the Current Resources (See Figure 1). The holes reported here are step-out holes, increasing the along-strike length of gold mineralization at Zone 4 to the west of the Current Resources and deepening it by 100 meters, to 256 meters depth. Assay results are pending for holes both below and west of the pit. Figure 1. Longitudinal Section, Zone 4 2017 Drilling, with Holes OAX-17-99 and 100 shown as black arrow. Note outline of Current Resources Limit (2009), and outline of Open Pit. To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: http://www.accesswire.com/uploads/26711_a1494380222093_0.jpg Figure 2. Cross Section, DDH OAX-17-100 and 099. Note Outline of Open Pit. To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: http://www.accesswire.com/uploads/26711_a1494380222328_10.jpg DDH OAX-17-099 was drilled to a depth of 69 meters, where it was aborted due to complications in the subsurface. The entire hole yielded an average assay of 1.71 g/t gold over 52 meters, with high grade zones, including 15.50 g/t gold over 1.20 meters and 13.40 g/t gold over 1.00 meters. The gold-bearing zones correlate with those in hole 100 at this depth. DDH OAX-17-100 was drilled some 10 meters north of hole OAX-17-099, and hit its target depth of 300 meters. Several gold-quartz veins, hosted in deformed schists of the Cadillac Break, yielded strong assays and robust widths (See Figures 2 and Table 1), before the hole was stopped in non-mineralized volcanic schists. Table 1. Selected Assay Results Diamond Drill Holes OAX-17-100 and 99 Hole # From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) Gold (g/t) OAX-17-100 39.30 256.30 217.00 2.84 INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING INTERVALS: OAX-17-100 39.30 43.00 3.70 4.07 including 42.00 43.00 1.00 8.40 OAX-17-100 48.00 50.00 2.00 5.51 OAX-17-100 58.70 59.70 1.00 5.43 OAX-17-100 63.95 66.25 2.30 6.06 including 63.95 65.00 1.05 10.70 OAX-17-100 87.00 92.20 5.20 4.75 including 88.00 90.00 2.00 8.93 OAX-17-100 104.35 118.20 13.85 8.99 including 113.15 118.20 5.05 16.23 and 113.15 116.00 2.85 20.04 OAX-17-100 127.20 140.75 13.55 3.75 including 127.20 128.00 0.80 7.33 and 131.00 132.00 1.00 6.66 and 133.00 138.20 5.20 5.09 and 140.00 140.75 0.75 10.20 OAX-17-100 151.00 214.70 63.70 3.82 Includes the following: OAX-17-100 152.00 166.35 14.35 6.29 including 153.00 156.00 3.00 11.11 and 158.00 160.00 2.00 11.40 and 165.00 166.35 1.35 8.51 OAX-17-100 170.70 174.00 3.30 4.57 OAX-17-100 179.00 191.00 12.00 4.85 including 179.00 182.00 3.00 6.22 and 188.00 191.00 3.00 9.15 OAX-17-100 197.00 208.00 11.00 2.95 including 200.00 202.00 2.00 4.14 and 205.00 207.00 2.00 3.86 OAX-17-100 212.00 214.70 2.70 4.89 OAX-17-100 232.70 241.10 8.40 4.13 Including 238.00 241.10 3.10 5.56 OAX-17-099 20.00 23.00 3.00 1.72 including 29.00 30.20 1.20 15.50 and 32.00 33.00 1.00 4.07 and 39.00 40.00 1.00 5.92 and 45.00 53.00 8.00 3.01 including 52.00 53.00 1.00 13.40 OAX-17-99 68.10 69.00 1.00 5.30 Assay Intervals are reported as core length but are considered to be close to true width; no capping applied; for reporting purposes here, cut-off for long intervals is 0.5 g/t gold, and for shorter, higher grade intervals hosted within those, cutoff is 2 g/t gold. Drilling at Zone 4 is currently stopped and will resume after Spring thaw concludes in mid to late May. Figure 3. Drill Hole Location Map, Superimposed on Geology, Showing OAX-17-100 and 99. Note outline of Open Pit. To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: http://www.accesswire.com/uploads/26711_a1494380222749_86.jpg Further information about the Company is available on the Company's website, www.azx.ca, or our social media sites listed below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexandriaMinerals Twitter: https://twitter.com/azxmineralscorp YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/AlexandriaMinerals Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/alexandriaminerals/ Program design, management, and Quality Control/Quality Assurance are conducted by Alexandria's exploration group of which Phillippe Berthelot, P.Geo, is the Company's Qualified Person. Mr. Berthelot has reviewed the results in this press release. Alexandria's QA/QC program is consistent with National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 and industry best practices and has been previously addressed in NI 43-101 reports found on the Company's website or on www.sedar.com. Due to the presence of coarse gold and the complications arising caused by the "nugget effect", the Company routinely analyzes selected samples via a metallic sieve procedure which analyzes separate coarse and fine fractions from a I kg portion of the crushed sample. About Alexandria Minerals Corporation Alexandria Minerals Corporation is a Toronto-based junior gold exploration and development company with strategic properties located in the world-class mining districts of Val d'Or, Quebec, Red Lake, Ontario and Snow Lake-Flin Flon, Manitoba. Alexandria's focus is on its flagship property, the large Cadillac Break Property package in Val d'Or, which hosts important, near-surface, gold resources along the prolific, gold-producing Cadillac Break, all of which have significant growth potential. WARNING: This News Release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of up-coming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Alexandria Minerals Corporation relies upon litigation protection for 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. PLEASE CONTACT www.azx.ca info@azx.ca Mary Vorvis Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations (416) 305-4999 Eric Owens President/CEO 416-363-9372 SOURCE: Alexandria Minerals Corporation TEMPE, AZ -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- Quantum Energy, Inc. (OTC PINK: QEGY), a diversified energy holding company, is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Dominion Energy Processing Group, Inc., www.dominionenergyca.com, has successfully contracted for its proposed refinery site in the Stoughton, Saskatchewan area. The site is located in the Viewfield crude production area adjacent to the Crescent Point Energy gas plant and comprises 320 acres. The site is strategically located with Highway 33 access West to Regina (145km) and Highway 47 access north to Trans Canada Highway 1. Dominion would like to thank Farm Boy Realty for its expertise and assistance in negotiating the purchase contract. Quantum continues its Bakken refinery development projects with ongoing permitting efforts in North Dakota and an increased emphasis with continued real progress on a 40,000 bpd proposed project in the Stoughton area of Saskatchewan, Canada. About Quantum Energy, Inc. QUANTUM ENERGY, INC. is a development stage, publicly traded, diversified holding company. Quantum places an emphasis in refinery development, land holdings, oil and gas exploration, drilling, well completion and fuel distribution primarily in the Bakken field www.quantum-e.com. Safe Harbor Forward-Looking Statements To the extent that statements in this press release are not strictly historical, including statements as to revenue projections, business strategy, outlook, objectives, further milestones, plans, intentions, goals, future financial conditions, future collaboration agreements, the success of the Company's development, events conditioned on stockholder or other approval, or otherwise as to future events, such statements are forward-looking, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. For Company Contact: Quantum Energy, Inc. 480-366-5884 FAIRPORT HARBOR, OH -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- OurPet's Company (OTCQX: OPCO), a leading proprietary pet product company, has been awarded a 2016 Industry Recognition Award by the trade publication Pet Business for its OurPets Switchgrass Natural Cat Litter with BioChar. To find Industry Recognition Award winners, the Pet Business editorial staff and editorial advisory board search the industry for the most exciting and innovative products, focusing on elements such as uniqueness, functionality and "shelf presence," among other features. OurPets Switchgrass Natural Cat Litter with BioChar is biodegradable, all natural, sustainable, and is a non-food alternative to the other corn or wheat based natural cat litters in the marketplace. Switchgrass is a hardy, natural grass native to North America that does not require fertilization or the use of chemicals during growth. Historically, switchgrass has been used for flood control, not for feedstock. Biochar is made using the pyrolysis process to convert natural wood chips to an activated, non-marking carbon that is proven to be highly odor and moisture absorbent. During pyrolysis, the volatile gases are collected and used as clean burning fuel while the CO2 is trapped in the pine wood with minimal CO2 release into the atmosphere. Together, switchgrass and biochar combine to make a strong clumping cat litter that is safe, highly moisture and odor absorbent, biodegradable, lightweight, and made in the U.S.A. from sustainable ingredients. OurPets Switchgrass Natural Cat Litter is sold in 10- and 20-pound bags and is currently available to purchase. To learn more about the OurPet's Company and its products, visit www.ourpets.com. About the OurPet's Company The OurPet's Company (OTCQX: OPCO) designs, produces and markets a broad line of innovative, trend-setting pet products and accessories sold under the OurPets and Pet Zone brands domestically and internationally. OurPets and Pet Zone products are sold through leading pet specialty retailers, food, drug and mass merchandisers, direct-mail catalog and internet retailers. Since its founding in 1995, the OurPet's Company has been building an extensive intellectual property portfolio with more than 170 patents in either issued or pending status all devoted to solving problems related to the human/pet bond. OurPet's was named a Weatherhead Top 100 Fastest Growing Company in Northeast Ohio in 2013 and has been a Lake-Geauga County Fast Track 50 Hall of Fame local business success winner for the last eight consecutive years. In addition, the OurPet's Company was named 2015 Business of the Year by the Painesville Area Chamber of Commerce. Investors and customers may visit www.ourpets.com and www.petzonebrand.com for more information about the Company, its products and brands. Media Contact: Peter Ostapowicz Marketing Communications Specialist Email Contact Investor Relations: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) New York, New York www.NetworkNewsWire.com 212.418.1217 Office Email Contact VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- Wavefront Wireless Commercialization Centre Society ("Wavefront"), a national centre of excellence, headquartered in Vancouver, BC., today announces the expansion and re-launch of its Wireless Zones in 6 accelerator facilities across Canada. These device libraries have now expanded to carry over 1000 devices including, smartphones, tablets, sensors and wearables, spread across locations in Vancouver, Toronto, Waterloo, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax. The addition of sensors and wearables is to help augment the commercialization of applications being developed for the Internet of Things (IoT). Through exclusive agreements with Rogers, Samsung and Sierra Wireless, Wavefront is able to provide a range of hardware devices and SIM services that help developers, UI/UX designers and QA personnel test their mobile applications across a variety of operating systems and environments, with minimal rental and data costs. Wavefront has partnered with Communitech, Invest Ottawa, Centennial College, CEIM and Volta to deliver this essential service through hosting Wireless Zones in their facilities. Startups and SMEs can access these devices to help get their products to market faster and more effectively. This past year, the device libraries have recorded over 4542 rental days using 407 handsets. With the increase in devices available for testing, Wavefront anticipates seeing a significant increase in usage throughout the next year. "We greatly appreciate the support of our enterprise and community partners in helping us expand the Wireless Zone offering," said Wavefront CEO, James Maynard. "Being able to provide a resource such as the Wireless Zones have contributed to enabling the companies we work with to accelerate their time to market by 4 to 5 months, while also saving them considerable costs in building their businesses." With the rapid rise of applications being developed for connected devices in industries such as healthcare, retail, smart-home automation, smart communities, and in-vehicle technologies, developers are keenly aware that success hinges on their applications performing without fail for the end user; and testing is necessary for that outcome. By 2020, analyst firm Gartner predicts there will be nearly 20 Billion connected devices in the marketplace, and is expected to generate $300 Billion in incremental revenues. Wavefront's core mandate is to help drive economic impact and social benefits for Canadians through accelerating the adoption and commercialization of wireless and IoT technologies. Wavefront does this by equipping companies with the critical resources, partnerships and opportunities necessary to scale from Startup up to export ready, mid-size enterprises. "We all have a role to play in supporting Canada's innovation ecosystem," said Nitin Kawale, President, Enterprise Business Unit, Rogers Communications. "We recognize the challenges that some businesses face when it comes to bringing new technologies to market successfully. By providing devices in Wavefront's Wireless Zone, we hope to give start-ups a big boost - to accelerate their market-readiness and get on with becoming the high growth companies of the future." "Working with a partner such as Wavefront allows us to bring even more value to the programs and services that Communitech delivers to our startup and SME community," commented Avvey Peters, VP External Relations, Communitech. "It also allows us to support the growth of a nationally engaged entrepreneurial ecosystem." About Wavefront As the Canadian Centre of Excellence for wireless innovation we are one of a handful of organizations in the world that bring all the components critical to a wireless company's success under one roof. Companies at all stages of development, from emerging start-ups to more established players benefit from our holistic approach to commercialization. We are able to address the needs of both Wireless Entrepreneurs and Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through the Wavefront Accelerator. Our expertise in technical training and business consulting allows us to deliver solutions to established enterprise companies who want to gain a competitive market advantage through Wavefront Enterprise Solutions. Visit www.wavefront.ca to learn more About Communitech Communitech is a private-public innovation centre in Waterloo Region that supports a community ecosystem of more than 1,000 tech companies -- from startups to rapidly growing mid-size companies and large global players. A member of the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs, which is funded by the Ontario Government, Communitech helps tech companies start, grow and succeed. Visit www.communitech.ca to learn more. Contacts: For media Inquiries please contact: Michelle Sklar VP Marketing Wavefront michelle.sklar@wavefront.ca (778) 331-7498 Brussels (ots) - Today, the national promotional institutions of the five largest European economies (Bpifrance in France, British Business Bank in the UK, Cassa depositi e prestiti in Italy, Instituto de Credito Oficial in Spain and KfW in Germany) presented their joint study on the European venture capital market, making recommendations for boosting EU venture capital to the next level.Access to venture capital is a key success factor for innovative, growth-oriented start-ups. This is why the study "Building Momentum in Venture Capital across Europe" was conducted jointly by the five national promotional institutions. It is based on available statistics and their expert knowledge of the single national markets."Since the beginning, National Promotional Institutions (NPIs) have been important actors in European VC markets, addressing market failure and helping the markets to emerge - and they will continue to do so", pointed out the economists Edoardo Reviglio, Chief Economist of Cdp Cassa depositi e prestiti (Italy); Philippe Mutricy, Chief Economist of Bpifrance; Blanca Navarro, Chief Economist of ICO Institute de Credito Oficial (Spain); Jorg Zeuner, Chief Economist of KfW (Germany); and Matt Adey, Director of Economics of British Business Bank.Contrasting the EU venture capital market as a whole with the single national VC markets and with the US benchmark, the study identifies four main areas where further actions are paramount: Increasing the supply of funds for VC investments, reducing the fragmentation within the European VC markets, increasing quantity and quality of demand for VC, and improving exit routes for VC investments. To build momentum in VC across Europe, activities in these fields are needed on both the EU as well as the national level.The main findings of the study were presented during a joint lunch debate that brought together more than 100 participants including the European Association of Long Term Investors (ELTI), the European Investment Fund, Invest Europe and the University of Oxford.The study is available here:http://ots.de/7RlhqPress contact:Bpifrance: Anne Sophie de Faucigny - as.defaucigny@bpifrance.fr, Tel: +33 141 799 910; Nathalie Police - nathalie.police@bpifrance.fr, Tel: +33 141 799 526BBB: Scott Shearer - scott.shearer@british-business-bank.co.ukCdp: Rodolfo Belcastro - rodolfo.belcastro@cdp.it Tel. +39 06 4221 4000ICO: Marisa del Rio - marisa.delrio@ico.es, Tel: +34 91 592 1722KfW: Wolfram Schweickhardt - Wolfram.Schweickhardt@kfw.de, Tel: +49 69 7431 1778About the five national promotional banksAbout BpifranceBpifrance, a subsidiary of the French state and the Caisse des Depots, and the entrepreneurs' trusted partner, finances businesses from the seed phase to IPO by means of loans, guarantees and equity investments. Bpifrance also provides operational services and strong support for innovation, export, and external growth in parnertship with Business France and Coface. Bpifrance offers businesses a large range of financing opportunities at each key step of their development, including offers adapted to regional specificities. With its 42 regional offices (90 % of decisions are made locally) Bpifrance represents a strategic tool for economic competitiveness dedicated to entrepreneurs.More info: @ www.bpifrance.frAbout the British Business BankThe British Business Bank is the UK's national economic development bank. Established in November 2014, its mission is to make finance markets for smaller businesses work more effectively, enabling those businesses to prosper, grow and build UK economic activity. Its remit is to design, deliver and efficiently manage UK-wide smaller business access to finance programmes for the UK government. The British Business Bank is currently supporting over 51,000 businesses, working through its 90 finance partners. Its programmes support over 3.2bn of finance to UK smaller businesses and participate in a further 4.6bn of finance to UK small mid-cap businesses.More info: @ www.british-business-bank.co.ukAbout Cassa depositi e prestitiCassa depositi e prestiti (Cdp) is the National Promotional Institution that has supported the Italian economy since 1850. It finances public investments, nurtures international cooperation and is the catalyst for the country's infrastructure growth. It backs Italian enterprises, helping them innovate and grow, while fostering their exports and international expansion. As the primary operator in social and affordable housing, Cdp contributes to the growth of the Italian real estate sector and promotes urban transformation. Cdp's important stimulative role in Italy's economy is evident in its 2016-2020 Business Plan. During this five-year period, Cdp will inject EUR 160 billion, plus over EUR 100 billion through public and private funds, into the economy to help drive Italian growth.More info: @ http://en.cdp.itAbout Instituto de Credito OficialICO is a state-owned bank, created as a public corporation, attached to the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness. It has the legal status of a credit institution and takes the role of state financial agency. As a state-owned bank, ICO grants loans to finance investment and liquidity projects for businesses in Spain and abroad, through intermediary financial institutions or via direct financing. Moreover, as the State Financial Agency, ICO manages the official financing instruments provided by the Spanish state to promote exports and support development.More info: @ www.ico.esAbout KfW GroupKfW is one of the world's leading promotional banks. With its decades of experience, KfW is committed to improving economic, social and ecological living conditions across the globe on behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany and the federal states. To do this, it provided funds totaling EUR 79.3 billion in 2015 alone, and of this, 37 % went into measures for protecting the environment and combating climate change.KfW does not have any branches and does not hold customer deposits. It refinances its promotional business almost entirely through the international capital markets.In 2015 KfW raised EUR 62.6 billion for this purpose. In Germany, the KfW Group is represented in Frankfurt, Berlin, Bonn and Cologne. Its network includes 80 offices and representations around the world.More info: @ www.kfw.de/kfw.de.htmlOriginaltext: KfW digital press kits: http://www.presseportal.de/nr/41193 press kits via RSS: http://www.presseportal.de/rss/pm_41193.rss2Press contact: KfW, Palmengartenstr. 5 - 9, 60325 Frankfurt Kommunikation (KOM), Wolfram Schweickhardt, Tel. +49 (0)69 7431 1778, Fax: +49 (0)69 7431 3266, E-Mail: Wolfram.schweickhardt@kfw.de, Internet: www.kfw.de - Second patient of first cohort treated with ISC-hpNSC -CARLSBAD, Calif., 2016-12-07 14:30 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB:ISCO), a California-based clinical stage biotechnology company developing stem cell-based therapies and biomedical products, today announced the treatment of the second patient in the Australian trial for Parkinson's Disease. The patient was injected with 30,000,000 ISC-hpNSC cells and is currently recovering.The surgery was performed on Sunday, December 4, at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), the same site as the first treatment. The operation was successfully performed without complications by the team of the RMH neurosurgeons."We are very encouraged by how the clinical trial is moving ahead," commented Russell Kern, PhD, executive vice president and chief scientific officer of ISCO. "The second operation was delayed by a supply chain disruption of equipment critical to the operation, but we have managed to fix the issue and bring the clinical trial back on track. In addition, we have identified patients to be enrolled in the trial and are working to get them treated in 2017."About the clinical study The Phase I clinical study is a dose escalation safety and preliminary efficacy study of ISC-hpNSC, intracranially transplanted into patients with moderate to severe Parkinson's disease. The open-label, single center, uncontrolled clinical trial will evaluate three different dose regimens of 30,000,000 to 70,000,000 neural cells. A total of 12 participants with moderate to severe Parkinson's disease will be treated. Following transplantation, the patients will be monitored for 12 months at specified intervals, to evaluate the safety and biologic activity of ISC-hpNSC. PET scan will be performed at baseline, as part of the screening assessment, and at 6 and 12 months after surgical intervention. Clinical responses compared to baseline after the administration of ISC-hpNSC will be evaluated using various neurological assessments such as Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Hoehn and Yahr and other rating scales.About Parkinson's diseaseParkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system mainly affecting the motor system. The motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease result from the death of dopamine-generating cells in the substantia nigra, a region of the midbrain. Early in the course of the disease, the most obvious symptoms are movement-related; these symptoms include shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement and difficulty with walking and gait. Later, thinking and behavioral problems may arise, with dementia commonly occurring in the advanced stages of the disease, and depression is the most common psychiatric symptom. Parkinson's disease is more common in older people, with most cases occurring after the age of 50.Currently, medications typically used in the treatment of Parkinson's, L-DOPA and dopamine agonists, improve the early symptoms of the disease. As the disease progresses and dopaminergic neurons continue to be lost, the drugs eventually become ineffective while at the same time frequently producing a complication marked by involuntary writhing movements. In 2013 PD resulted in about 103,000 deaths globally, up from 44,000 deaths in 1990.About ISC-hpNSCInternational Stem Cell Corporation's proprietary ISC-hpNSC consists of a highly pure population of neural stem cells derived from human parthenogenetic stem cells. ISC-hpNSC is a suspension of clinical grade cells manufactured under cGMP conditions that have undergone stringent quality control measures and are clear of any microbial and viral contaminants. Preclinical studies in rodents and non-human primates have shown improvement in Parkinson's disease symptoms and increase in brain dopamine levels following the intracranial administration of ISC-hpNSC. ISC-hpNSC provides neurotrophic support and cell replacement to the dying dopaminergic neurons of the recipient PD brain. Additionally, ISC-hpNSC is safe, well tolerated and does not cause adverse events such as dyskinesia, systemic toxicity or tumors in preclinical models. International Stem Cell Corporation believes that ISC-hpNSC may have broad therapeutic applications for many neurological diseases affecting the brain, the spinal cord and the eye.About International Stem Cell CorporationInternational Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO) is focused on the therapeutic applications of human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) and the development and commercialization of cell-based research and cosmetic products. ISCO's core technology, parthenogenesis, results in the creation of human pluripotent stem cells from unfertilized oocytes (eggs). hpSCs avoid ethical issues associated with the use or destruction of viable human embryos. ISCO scientists have created the first parthenogenetic, homozygous stem cell line that can be a source of therapeutic cells for millions of individuals of differing genders, ages and racial background with minimal immune rejection after transplantation. hpSCs offer the potential to create the first true stem cell bank, UniStemCell. ISCO also produces and markets specialized cells and growth media for therapeutic research worldwide through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology (www.lifelinecelltech.com), and stem cell-based skin care products through its subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care (www.lifelineskincare.com). More information is available at www.internationalstemcell.com.To subscribe to receive ongoing corporate communications, please click on the following link: http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1468&to=ea&s=0To like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter for company updates and industry related news, visit: www.facebook.com/InternationalStemCellCorporation and www.twitter.com/intlstemcellSafe harbor statementStatements pertaining to anticipated developments, expected results and timing of clinical studies, progress of research and development initiatives, and other opportunities for the company and its subsidiaries, along with other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management constitute forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not historical fact (including, but not limited to statements that contain words such as "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates,") should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or commercialization of potential products, regulatory approvals, need and ability to obtain future capital, application of capital resources among competing uses, and maintenance of intellectual property rights. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements and as such should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the company's business, particularly those mentioned in the cautionary statements found in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements.Contacts: International Stem Cell Corporation Russell Kern, PhD Executive VP, Chief Scientific Officer Phone: +1 760 940 6383 Email: ir@intlstemcell.comAlex Fudukidis Russo Partners Tel.: +1 646 942 5632 E-mail: alex.fudukidis@russopartnersllc.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - US President-elect Donald Trump has officially nominated retired Marine Corps general James N. Mattis as the new Secretary of Defense. Trump announced his intention to nominate the four-star general while addressing the first meeting in his 'thank you' tour, held in Cincinnati, Ohio, last week. He made the nomination official in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on Tuesday night in the second leg of his 'thank you' tour. 'He is one of the most effective generals and extraordinary leaders of our time, who has committed his life to his love for our country,' Trump told the crowd, describing General Mattis as 'the living embodiment of the Marine Corps motto, 'Semper Fidelis,' always faithful.' General Mattis acknowledged the nomination by saying he is honored by President-elect Trump's nomination and his respect for the brave men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States. A Trump Transition Team statement said Gen. Mattis has spent his life defending America in numerous theaters of war. 'Gen. Mattis has been at the forefront of the development of our nation's counterinsurgency tactics, and has earned accolades for his ferocity, intellect and dedication, making him one of the foremost defense experts in the world.' Gen. Mattis commanded at multiple levels during his 44 year career as an infantry Marine. Before retiring in 2013, he was the Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), directing military operations of a more than 200,000-strong force across the Middle East. As Mattis retired from the military in 2013, his nomination will require a waiver of the National Security Act of 1947. Under US law, a retired officer must be out of uniform for at least seven years before he can assume the role of Secretary of Defense. Mattis would be the second Secretary of Defense to receive such a waiver in a Republican-controlled Congress, following George Marshall. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 7, 2016) - Enerdynamic Hybrid Technologies Corp. (TSXV: EHT) ("EHT" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has completed its first microgrid off grid system to Gariba Lodge in Ghana West Africa. This smartgrid is a fully off grid energy solution utilizing solar panels and battery storage deploying Outback Technology and EHT's own battery expertise combined. The customer, Gariba Lodge is one of the largest local hotel complex's in the northern Ghana, using renewable energy to power a Policy Training Institute and a Retreat for development practitioners, in addition to the hotel. With the increase in local electrical rates and frequent power outages through the main grid, Gariba Lodge now expects to see a payback within 5-years on this green energy investment. EHT's smartgrid solution will allow the three separate buildings, all connected in the EHT off grid microgrid solution, to generate and share power between themselves and on demand. The three combined buildings will generate over 500kWh daily and the system is believed to be the first of its kind in Ghana to communicate in such a unique way. The smart microgrid energy system is designed to transfer the power produced to any of the three facilities connected to the smartgrid. This will allow all buildings in this grid to be both a generator and a consumer of power. During the construction of the system over the last 4 weeks, people from many levels of Ghana's Government, private sector and Local Businesses have come to view the system. People have been amazed how this system works, and what prospects this will bring for Ghana's policy of moving rapidly towards renewable energy. John Gamble CEO said, "I have spent a number of days over the last weeks at Gariba Lodge meeting with both the private sector and the Ghana governments technical people on how this system works. All people have responded with the same thoughts, this is the best most professional system we have ever seen built in Ghana. We are looking forward to EHT working with us to build many more of these systems over the years to come." Mrs. Gariba the owner of Gariba Lodge said, "We thank EHT for all their professional work in planning and designing this system. This is truly a momentous occasion not only for us at Gariba Lodge but also for Ghana-Canada relations. I will like many more Ghanaian businesses to turn to Canada for a truly collaborative partnership in building high-quality, state-of-the-art solar system for now, and for posterity." Please click on the link below to view some photos of the system. GARIBA LODGE PROJECT PHOTOS This system lends itself to entire villages and communities producing their own electricity and sharing the power produced locally among various buildings. This local power production reduces line losses and costly power transmission infrastructure that takes extended periods of time to plan and build. EHT sees the West African region as an area of focus for its modular building system and microgrid power technologies. This region has a population in excess of 400 million people with both low cost housing and power supply in high demand. About EnerDynamic Hybrid Technologies EHT delivers proprietary, turn-key energy solutions which are intelligent, bankable and sustainable. Most energy products and solutions can be implemented immediately wherever they are needed. EHT stands above its competitors by combining a full suite of solar PV, wind and battery storage solutions, which can deliver energy 24 hours per day in both small-scale and large-scale format. In addition to traditional support to established electrical networks, EHT excels where no electrical grid exists. The organization supplies advanced solutions for various industries in combination with energy saving and energy generation solutions. EHT's expertise includes the development of module structures with full integration of smart energy solutions. These are processed through EHT's production technologies into attractive applications: modular homes, cold storage facilities, schools, residential and commercial out buildings and emergency/temporary shelters. 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 statements herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information involves risk, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Although EHT believes that the assumptions 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, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. EHT 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 applicable securities laws. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: John Gamble Director (289) 488-1699 jgamble@ehthybrid.com info@ehthybrid.com Company Website: www.ehthybrid.com GREENWOOD VILLAGE, COLORADO -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- AZARGA URANIUM CORP.'S (TSX: AZZ)(FRANKFURT: P8AA)(OTC PINK: PWURF)("Azarga Uranium" or the "Company") wholly owned subsidiary, Powertech (USA) Inc., has received approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the "NRC") for the first amendment to the NRC Source and Byproduct Materials License (the "Amendment") for the Dewey Burdock Uranium Project (the "Project"). The Amendment completes certain NRC license conditions for the Project, including the finalization of the financial assurance amount required for construction of the Project and completion of other initial pre-operational NRC license conditions. The Amendment also completes one of the necessary steps for resuming the South Dakota state permitting process. The Company remains in compliance with the NRC license conditions and anticipates receiving a decision from the NRC Commission in the near-term with respect to the two outstanding contentions pertaining to the identification and protection of historic and cultural resources. Prior to commencing construction and operations at the Project, the Company requires additional regulatory approvals, including approvals from two other major agencies, the Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") and the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The Company currently anticipates receiving the draft Class III and Class V underground injection control permits from the EPA in the near-term. "We are pleased to see continued steps forward in the permitting process for the Dewey Burdock Uranium Project. Although the balance of regulatory approvals required are not subject to prescribed time frames, the Company remains actively engaged with all parties working on advancing the development of the Dewey Burdock Uranium Project," said Blake Steele, President of Azarga Uranium. About Azarga Uranium Corp. Azarga Uranium is a mineral development company that controls six uranium projects, deposits and prospects in the United States of America (South Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado) and the Kyrgyz Republic. The Dewey Burdock Uranium Project in South Dakota (the "Project"), which is the Company's initial development priority, has received its Nuclear Regulatory Commission License and the Company is in the process of completing other major regulatory permit approvals necessary for development of the Project, including those from the Environmental Protection Agency. For more information please visit www.azargauranium.com. Follow us on Twitter at @AzargaUranium. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding its disclosure and amendments thereto. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Company resuming the South Dakota state permitting process, the Company receiving a decision from the NRC Commission in the near-term with respect to the two outstanding contentions pertaining to the identification and protection of historic and cultural resources, the Company receiving the draft Class III and Class V underground injection control permits from the EPA in the near-term and the Company's continued efforts to obtain major regulatory permit approvals necessary for development of the Project. 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. 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 the Company 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 without limitation: (1) the risk that the Company does not resume the South Dakota state permitting process, (2) the risk that the Company does not receive a decision from the NRC Commission in the near-term, (3) the risk that the Company does not receive a decision from the EPA in the near-term and (4) the risk that such statements may prove to be inaccurate and (5) other factors beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Additional information about these and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties are set out in the "Risks and Uncertainties" section in the Company's most recent MD&A filed with Canadian security regulators. The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this News Release. Contacts: Azarga Uranium Corp. Blake Steele President and CFO +1 303 790-7528 info@azargauranium.com www.azargauranium.com MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- Bee Vectoring Technologies (the "Company" or "BVT") (TSX VENTURE: BEE) is pleased to announce that it has retained Virtus Advisory Group Inc. ("Virtus"), to develop and implement a strategic corporate communications program to increase the Company's exposure among industry stakeholders and investors across Canada. In connection with the engagement, Virtus has been awarded a consulting contract that includes a monthly fee of $6,500 and a grant of incentive stock options, which will vest in equal quarterly instalments over 12 months, to acquire 100,000 common shares of the Company, exercisable at a price of $0.24 per share for a period of five years from date of grant. The Options shall be subject to the terms of the Company's stock option plan and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Virtus Advisory Group Virtus is a Toronto-based consulting firm, providing select private and publicly listed companies with business consulting, capital markets strategy and investor relations services. The company provides expert counsel and access to an unmatched network of investors and capital markets professionals across Canada and the United States. Virtus helps issuers establish the relationships and the investor confidence required to build long-term shareholder value. Visit www.virtusadvisory.com for more information. About Bee Vectoring Technologies International Inc. BVT has developed and owns patent-pending bee vectoring technology (consisting of a proprietary tray dispenser containing a unique carrier agent) that is designed to harmlessly utilize commercially reared bumblebees as natural delivery mechanisms for a variety of powdered mixtures comprised of organic compounds that inhibit or eliminate common crop diseases, while at the same time stimulating and enhancing the same crops. This unique and proprietary process facilitates a targeted delivery of crop controls using the simple process of bee pollination to replace traditional crop spraying, resulting in better yield, organic product and less impact on the environment without the use of water or disruptions to labour. Additional information can be viewed at the Company's website www.beevt.com. On Behalf of Bee Vectoring Technologies International Inc., Ashish Malik, President & CEO Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: Ashish Malik President & CEO marketing@beevt.com Investor Relations Babak Pedram 416-644-5081 bpedram@virtusadvisory.com For media enquiries or interviews, please contact Josh Stanbury josh@sjspr.co.uk 416-628-7441 OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- Editors Note: There are four photos associated with this press release. Corel's Mindjet team introduces the new MindManager Enterprise. With mind mapping, diagram creation, visual planning tools, patented data integration and flexible sharing options, MindManager Enterprise helps businesses improve communication and collaborate across all their key business initiatives. "We're offering companies a smarter way to exchange information, manage projects and drive success by harnessing the power of ideas and data. While mind mapping may be at our core, MindManager Enterprise goes far beyond to help our customers achieve excellence in mission critical areas including project management, IT and R&D, engineering and more," said Gerard Metrailler, VP of Products at Corel. Many of the world's leading companies trust Mindjet MindManager because it delivers a complete solution that works with the platforms, applications and services they rely on. Enterprise ready, MindManager easily integrates into any corporate environment with simple network deployment, SharePoint integration, support for industry-standard authentication protocols, and a depth of functionality unmatched by other applications. MindManager promotes free-form thinking and enables individuals and teams to quickly organize complex ideas and information into strategies and plans. Built on the power of the new MindManager 2017, MindManager Enterprise also offers customers new features designed specifically for corporate environments: -- New! Universal HTML5 File Export: Break down barriers by exporting your mind map to an interactive HTML5 file which can be shared and viewed on any modern browser. Viewers can navigate and search, open and close branches, and access links, attachments and topic notes. -- New! Dashboard Roll-up Maps: Now it's simple to roll multiple project plans and statuses into a single project portfolio dashboard. Add read- only topics or entire branches from one or more locally stored maps into a dashboard roll-up. -- Enhanced! Project Management: Drive productivity and success with new project management features including the ability to visualize and filter a project's Critical Path, apply Task Highlights to quickly identify and mitigate issues, integrate with dozens of project and task management systems, and more. -- New! Advanced Project Scheduling: Turn on new capabilities to streamline and improve project planning with enhanced Gantt chart support and powerful plan-optimization features. Easily adjust plan start and finish dates, remove slack time and optimize the schedule. See tasks by resource and get the full picture when resources are over utilized. With the power and flexibility of Advanced Project Scheduling, it's easier than ever to see an entire project and improve business processes from start to finish. -- Enhanced! SharePoint Task Integration: SharePoint Task synchronization now includes Categories in addition to task name, priority, progress, resources, start date and end date. Users can also import resources from SharePoint into MindManager, simplifying the process to create projects, and assign tasks that are synchronized and tracked in SharePoint. -- New! Extended SharePoint Authentication: Now take advantage of support for Office 365 Authentication, Azure ADFS/On Premises Authentication, and MFA Authentication, in addition Windows NTLM Authentication and Forms Based Authentication. -- Enhanced! Visualizations and Mapping: Communicate more effectively with visually rich and effective maps. Use new Timeline Layouts to structure and present time-based information. Flow Chart improvements include a new menu to quickly select shapes, insert topics between existing workflow topics, and enhance images. Create polished maps with more than 700 new scalable topic images and updated templates. MindManager Enterprise also offers a full complement of industry standard styles and formats including Gantt charts and more. -- Enhanced! File Management with Box and SharePoint support: Now easily access files no matter where they're stored - locally, on SharePoint and now Box. With new support for Box, users can store and access files in the cloud, and lock and unlock Box files directly in MindManager. Use MindManager to connect to one or more SharePoint sites and check in and check out files. -- Enhanced! Zapier Integration: Get the full picture and use Zapier to automate tasks between MindManager and 700+ web applications and services including Gmail, OneNote, Box, Evernote, Slack, Trello, Jira, Basecamp, and more. -- New! Simplified Installer: Ensure your corporate deployment is as simple as possible with new 32-bit, 64-bit, and combined installers. -- New! Special Preview Applications: Enable everyone in your organization to access the power of your teams' data. MindManager Reader offers powerful map rendering capabilities on both Windows and Mac. Pricing and Availability The new MindManager Enterprise includes MindManager 2017 for Windows, MindManager 10 for Mac, MindManager Reader for Windows/Mac, and MindManager software for SharePoint servers. MindManager Enterprise customers are eligible for special software licensing and service programs. Ideal for global deployments, MindManager Enterprise is available in English, German and French. For more information, please visit www.mindjet.com/enterprise. About Mindjet MindManager MindManager helps business professionals achieve more by efficiently organizing and clearly communicating complex ideas and information. With over 4,500 corporate customers and 2.5 million paid users, including 83% of the Fortune 100 companies, MindManager mind mapping and information visualization software enables brainstorming and creative problem solving, improves communication, and gives users the ability to plan and complete complex projects more efficiently and effectively. Corel acquired Mindjet MindManager in August 2016. For more information, please visit www.mindjet.com. 2016 Corel Corporation. All rights reserved. Corel, the Corel logo, the Corel Balloon logo, MindManager and Mindjet, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Corel Corporation and/or its subsidiaries in Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners. Patents: www.corel.com/patent To view the photos associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20161206-1079136a_800.jpg http://www.marketwire.com/library/20161206-1079136b_800.jpg http://www.marketwire.com/library/20161206-1079136c_800.jpg http://www.marketwire.com/library/20161207-MM_800.jpg Contacts: Media Contact Jessica Gould Mindjet PR jessica.gould@corel.com www.mindjet.com London (ots/PRNewswire) -Die Partnerschaft wird die Portraitfotografie durch die Linse des Huawei P10 neu definieren, das am 26. Februar eingefuhrt wird.Huawei gab heute die internationale Partnerschaft mit der weltbekannten Saatchi Gallery bekannt. Mit der Einfuhrung des neuen Smartphones Huawei P10 am 26. Februar wird Huawei die Portraitfotografie durch Technologie und Design neu definieren und zusammen mit der Saatchi Gallery und dem bereits bestehenden Partner Leica Camera damit fortfahren, dieses Medium durch die Linse des neuen Huawei P10 zu erkunden.(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160506/364549LOGO)Die Saatchi Gallery, bekannt fur ihren bahnbrechenden Ansatz bei zeitgenossischer Kunst, war der Startpunkt fur viele der einflussreichsten Kunstler unserer Zeit, wie Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst und Jeff Koons. Mit dem Fokus auf der Entwicklung von Portraits wird die Partnerschaft die Fusion von Kultur und Technologie erkunden, um die zeitgenossische Portraitfotografie neu zu definieren.Saatchi Gallery und Leica Camera haben sieben bekannte Fotografen damit beauftragt, das Huawei P10 zu nutzen, um diese neue Geschichte auf ihre eigene Weise zu erkunden, wobei sie ihrer eigenen Interpretation der Welt um sie herum durch die bahnbrechende Dual-Kamera Ausdruck verleihen sollten. Die exklusiven Arbeiten werden das erste Mal bei einer Sonderausstellung auf dem Mobile World Congress gezeigt, der vom 26. Februar bis 2. Marz 2017 stattfinden wird, womit zum ersten Mal neue Kunst zum MWC gebracht wird.Als der weltweit drittgrote Smartphonehersteller war die Huawei Consumer Business Group erstmals im Jahr 2014 auf der angesehenen Liste Interbrand Best Global Brands zu finden und im Jahr 2016 stieg das Unternehmen auf Platz 72. Im Rahmen dieser Partnerschaft mit der Saatchi Gallery und dem bereits bestehenden Partner Leica Camera wird auf den Erfolg der neuesten Gerate aufgebaut, unter anderem dem Huawei P9 und P9 Plus, die weltweit uber 10 Millionen Mal ausgeliefert wurden.Richard Yu, CEO, Huawei Consumer Business Group, merkte an: "Bei Huawei wollen wir stets die Grenzen des durch Engineering und Technologie Moglichen ausloten. Wir freuen uns daruber, die Schnittstelle zwischen Technologie und Kultur zusammen mit der Saatchi Gallery und Leica zu feiern und zu erkunden sowie die Interpretationen zeitgenossischer Portraitfotografie durch die Linse des Huawei P10 zu teilen."Nigel Hurst, Galeriedirektor & Chief Executive der Saatchi Gallery, fugte hinzu: "Technologie spielt zunehmend eine wichtige Rolle in der Arbeit von Kunstlern, professionellen Fotografen und Enthusiasten. Wir freuen uns daruber mit Huawei zusammenzuarbeiten, um neue Moglichkeiten durch das Medium der Fotografie zu erkunden. Weiterhin ist es uns eine Ehre, die Interpretationen dieser neuen asthetischen Moglichkeiten der international bekannten Fotografen vorzustellen, indem wir deren vielfaltige Ansatze der zeitgenossischen Portraifotografie zeigen.""Indem wir Huaweis fortschrittliche Industriedesignexpertise und den markanten Fotografiestil von Leica Camera mit dem bahnbrechenden Ansatz zu zeitgenossischer Kunst der Saatchi Gallery vereinen, heien wir die Moglichkeit willkommen, neue kreative und asthetische Moglichkeiten zu erkunden", erklarte Karin Rehn-Kaufmann, Kunstdirektorin & Generalbevollmachtigte, Leica Galleries International. "Das Huawei P10 gibt kunstlerischen Kopfen ein Tool, um ihre Kreativitat auszudrucken, und definiert die Portraitfotografie mit einem Smartphone neu, womit eine neue Generation an Fotografieenthusiasten beeinflusst wird."Informationen zur Huawei Consumer Business GroupHuaweis Produkte und Dienstleistungen sind in mehr als 170 Landern verfugbar und werden von einem Drittel der Weltbevolkerung genutzt. Das Unternehmen befand sich im Jahr 2014 auf Platz 3 bei der weltweiten Auslieferung von Mobiltelefonen. 16 F&E-Zentren wurden in den Vereinigten Staaten, Deutschland, Schweden, Russland, Indien und in China eingerichtet. Huawei Consumer Business Group ist eine von drei Geschaftseinheiten Huaweis und deckt Smartphones, mobile Breitbandgerate, Heimgerate und Cloud-Dienste ab. Huaweis weltweites Netzwerk baut auf uber 20 Jahre Erfahrung in der Telekommunikationsindustrie auf und hat es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht, den Verbrauchern weltweit die neuesten technologischen Fortschritte bereitzustellen.Nahere Informationen erhalten Sie auf: http://consumer.huawei.comFur regelmaige Updates zu Huawei Consumer BG folgen Sie uns auf:Twitter https://twitter.com/huaweimobileInstagram https://www.instagram.com/huaweimobileFacebook https://www.facebook.com/huaweimobileYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/HuaweiDeviceCoGoogle+ https://plus.google.com/+HuaweiMobileLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/huawei-consumer-business-groupInformationen zu Leica CameraLeica Camera AG ist ein international tatiger Premiumhersteller von Kameras und Sportoptikprodukten. Der Mythos von Leica baut auf den Linsen des Traditionsunternehmens auf. Zusammen mit innovativer Technologie bieten sie hinsichtlich aller Aspekte von Vision und Wahrnehmung bessere Bilder. Leica Camera AG hat sein Hauptquartier in Wetzlar, im Bundesland Hessen in Deutschland, und einen zweiten Produktionsstandort in Vila Nova de Famalicao, Portugal. Das Unternehmen ist international vertreten durch Niederlassungen in Australien, China, England, Frankreich, Italien, Japan, Schweiz, Singapur, Sudkorea und den USA. Neue innovative Produkte haben die neuere positive Entwicklung des Unternehmens vorangetrieben.Informationen zur Saatchi GalleryDie Saatchi Gallery wurde im Jahr 1985 als innovative Plattform gegrundet, uber die zeitgenossische Kunst einem grotmoglichen Publikum vorgestellt und zuganglich gemacht wird.Laut der jahrlichen Umfrage internationaler Museumsbesuche von The Art Newspaper hat die Saatchi Gallery in den letzten 5 Jahren 15 der am meisten besuchten 20 Ausstellungen in London durchgefuhrt und gehort auch zu den weltweit funf beliebtesten Museen auf Facebook, Twitter, Instagram und Google+. Der Eintritt in die Ausstellungen der Saatchi Gallery ist frei.http://www.saatchigallery.comHannah Moseley,Hannah.moseley@hkstrategies.com+44(0)20-7413-3205OTS: Huawei Consumer Business Group newsroom: http://www.presseportal.de/nr/111965 newsroom via RSS: http://www.presseportal.de/rss/pm_111965.rss2 LONGUEUIL, CANADA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/10/17 -- Reunion Gold Corporation (TSX VENTURE: RGD) (the "Company") is pleased to announce, effective immediately, the appointment of Mr. Rejean Gourde, as President and CEO of the Company and Mr. David Charles as Manager, Investor Relations and Business Development. Mr. David Fennell, who has been acting as President and CEO on an interim basis will continue as Chairman of the Company. The Company is also pleased to announce that Ms. Elaine Bennett has been appointed to the Company's Board of Directors effective immediately. Appointment of Rejean Gourde as President and CEO Mr. Rejean Gourde, a Reunion Gold board member since 2011, has been appointed President and CEO of the Company. Mr. Gourde has more than three decades of experience in the mining industry. From 1994 to 2006, Mr. Gourde was SVP of the Guiana Shield Division at Cambior Inc. (now IAMGOLD). In that role he was responsible for the operation of Omai Gold Mines in Guyana, Rosebel Gold Mines in Suriname and other projects in the Guiana Shield. Since 2007, Mr. Gourde has worked as a mining consultant on several mining projects including the Essakane and Bombore projects in West Africa, and other projects in Guyana and Peru. Mr. Gourde holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mining Engineering from Ecole Polytechnique at the Universite of Montreal and is a registered Professional Engineer in Quebec. Mr. David Fennell, who remains as Chairman of Reunion Gold, commented on the appointment of Mr. Gourde: "we are very happy to welcome Rejean as President and CEO of Reunion Gold. Rejean brings with him unparalleled experience in the Guiana Shield both from the perspective of advancing projects from feasibility to development and mine operation. With the Company's strategic shift to focus its attention on gold projects located in the Guiana Shield of South America, Rejean will be a key member of the team that will construct the project portfolio. Appointment of Elaine Bennett to the Board The Company is also pleased to report that the board of directors of the Company has appointed Ms. Elaine Bennett as director and member of the audit committee of the board, subject to TSX Venture approval. "We are delighted that Elaine has accepted to join the board of Reunion Gold. Her experience in the financial and mining business will be of significant benefit to the Company" said David Fennell, the Company's Chairman. Since 2008, Ms. Bennett has been Vice President Finance and CFO for Sabina Gold & Silver Corp., an advanced exploration and development company listed on the TSX. Prior to joining Sabina, Ms. Bennett was VP Finance and CFO for Miramar Mining Corporation which was acquired by Newmont in 2007. With more than 25 years of experience in the mining industry, Ms. Bennett has experience in financial reporting, mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations, mine construction, accounting and information technology. Ms. Bennett has also been director and chair of the audit committee of three junior exploration company listed on the TSXV having activities abroad. Ms. Bennett is a Chartered Professional Accountant. David Charles appointed Manager, Investor Relations and Business Development David Charles brings close to 30 years of experience in the financial services industry in Canada primarily as a mining equity analyst. During his career Mr. Charles has worked for BMO Capital Markets, GMP Securities and Dundee Capital Markets as a senior analyst and visited mines and projects in North and South America, Europe and Africa. Mr. Charles holds a bachelor's degree in geology from Trinity College Dublin, an MSc. (applied) in Mineral Exploration from McGill University and is a CFA charter holder. David Charles' mandate is to develop the Company's investor communications and market awareness efforts, assisting management in developing a strategy to enhance and expand the Company's exposure in North America and Europe. In exchange for Investor Relations services, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, the Company will pay a monthly fee of C$4,167 and grant stock options to purchase up to 400,000 common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $0.07 per common share for a period of five years. Mr. Charles' options will be vesting over two years in accordance with vesting and termination provisions pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plan and TSX Venture Exchange policies. David Charles does not currently have any direct or indirect interest in the Company. Rejean Gourde, the Company's President and CEO, stated: "Mr. Charles will be a valuable addition to our team, particularly in assisting with investor communications. I welcome David to our team." Option Grants The Company also announces that, subject to regulatory approval, it has approved the grant of an aggregate of 8,645,000 incentive stock options to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company. The options are exercisable for a period of five years at an exercise price of $0.07 and will be vesting over a period of two years. About Reunion Reunion has recently sold its manganese project in Guyana and entered into option agreements to acquire an interest in two gold projects in French Guiana. The options are subject to a number of conditions. Reunion will be conducting due diligence on the projects and seeking the necessary approvals. Information about Reunion is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and its website (www.reuniongold.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: REUNION GOLD CORPORATION David Fennell, Chairman or Rejean Gourde, President and CEO +1 450.677.2585 +1 450.677.2601 (FAX) Email: info@reuniongold.com BASEL, Switzerland and BRAINE-L'ALLEUD, Belgium andMALMO, Sweden, Dec. 7,2016 /PRNewswire/ --Lonza and the PolyPeptide Group jointly announced today that PolyPeptide Laboratories Holding (PPL) AB has entered into a definitive agreement with Lonza Sales AG and Lonza AG (both 100% affiliates of Lonza Group AG) to acquire the peptides business and operations of Lonza in Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium. Lonza's Braine facility, with approximately 280 employees, is the center for peptide chemical development and manufacturing within Lonza. The agreement is expected to close in the next weeks, subject to customary closing conditions. The acquisition will enhance PolyPeptide's manufacturing capacity and capabilities and will enable seamless support for its broad portfolio as many products progress toward regulatory approval and commercial supply. Lonza Braine will provide immediate access to additional large-scale capacity in synthesis, purification and isolation of peptides, while PolyPeptide's existing, complementary portfolio of late-stage products offers opportunities for synergies and continued growth for the Company. "The addition of Lonza's Braine facility to PolyPeptide is a great fit and will offer customers an even more comprehensive range of services for every stage of development," said Jane Salik, CEO of the PolyPeptide Group. "With this acquisition we will be expanding our capacity to meet the needs of customers who demand the highest quality products with the most robust, scalable and cost-efficient peptide manufacturing processes at every scale." Marc Funk, Chief Operating Officer of Lonza's Pharma&Biotech segment, said: "This agreement is the result of our strategy of continuously reviewing our business portfolio and streamlining and optimizing our site and production platforms. The peptides chemical business is a niche business for Lonza, with only limited synergies with other small molecule technologies. PolyPeptide is focused and dedicated to the production, operations and sales of peptides; so we believe that we have found the optimal partner for the business to give new perspectives to the Braine site and its employees. This move will also allow us to fully focus on our many other technologies, which we will continue to develop further." Both PolyPeptide and Lonza have long and distinguished histories in peptide manufacturing. Lonza acquired the Braine peptide business in 2006 from UCB, while PolyPeptide's corporate roots in peptide therapeutics date back to the 1950s. Both companies became successful in peptide manufacturing by building excellent reputations for quality, service and GMP support. The acquisition announced today will not affect ongoing activities at the Belgian facility before or after close, and the integration process is expected to be seamless to customers. PolyPeptide Group announced that the harmonization of procedures to ensure consistency, continuity and quality within its expanded Group will be implemented in the coming months. With this acquisition the PolyPeptide Group will employ close to 800 people worldwide with GMP facilities in the United States (Torrance and San Diego, California), France (Strasbourg), India (Ambernath), Belgium (Braine-l'Alleud) and Sweden (Malmo). The financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed. Lonza will book a non-cash related write-off of CHF 44 million in the second half of 2016 and then book a non-cash currency translation impact at the closing of the transaction. About Peptides Peptides, like proteins, are naturally occurring chains of amino acids involved in virtually every life process. They help regulate body functions such as the release of hormones and the regulation of blood-sugar levels. Advances in formulation and delivery platforms have boosted the demand for peptides, particularly in the development of pharmaceuticals. Synthetic peptides serve as the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in peptide-based drugs that treat diabetes, obesity, various types of cancer, endocrine and nervous system disorders, and other health conditions. About Lonza Lonza is one of the world's leading and most-trusted suppliers to the pharmaceutical, biotech and specialty ingredients markets. We harness science and technology to create products that support safer and healthier living and that enhance the overall quality of life. Not only are we a custom manufacturer and developer, Lonza also offers services and products ranging from active pharmaceutical ingredients and stem-cell therapies to drinking water sanitizers, from the vitamin B3 compounds and personal care ingredients to agricultural products, and from industrial preservatives to microbial control solutions that combat dangerous viruses, bacteria and other pathogens. Founded in 1897 in the Swiss Alps, Lonza today is a well-respected global company with more than 40 major manufacturing and R&D facilities and approximately 9,800 full-time employees worldwide. The company generated sales of CHF 3.8 billion in 2015 and is organized into two market-focused segments: Pharma&Biotech and Specialty Ingredients. Further information can be found at www.lonza.com. About the PolyPeptide Group The PolyPeptide Group is a privately held leading provider of custom and generic GMP-grade peptides for a range of pharmaceutical and biotechnology applications. With corporate roots that began in the 1950s, the Group was formally launched in 1996. Today, it operates a growing international network of peptide manufacturing facilities. With its multinational organization, exclusive focus on peptides and solid financial base, the PolyPeptide Group offers a unique guarantee of quality, service and security of supply to its customers. More information about the PolyPeptide Group is available at www.PolyPeptide.com. Lonza Contact Information Lonza Group Ltd Lonza Group Ltd Lonza Group Ltd Head Investor Relations Head Corporate Communications Head External Communications Dirk Oehlers Dominik Werner Constance Ward Tel +41 61 316 8540 Tel +41 61 316 8798 Tel +41 61 316 8840 Fax +41 61 316 9540 Fax +41 61 316 9540 Fax +41 61 316 9840 dirk.oehlers@lonza.com dominik.werner@lonza.com constance.ward@lonza.com PolyPeptide Contact Information PolyPeptide Laboratories AB PolyPeptide Laboratories AB CEO Global Director, Sales Jane Salik Jan Christensen Tel +1 310 782 3569 Tel +45 20 74 70 73 Fax: +1 310 782 3645 Fax: +46 40 36 63 86 jane.salik@polypeptide.com jan.christensen@polypeptide.com Additional Information and Disclaimer Lonza Group Ltd has its headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. It has a secondary listing on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited ("SGX-ST"). Lonza Group Ltd is not subject to the SGX-ST's continuing listing requirements but remains subject to Rules 217 and 751 of the SGX-ST Listing Manual. Certain matters discussed in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations and estimates of Lonza Group Ltd, although Lonza Group Ltd can give no assurance that these expectations and estimates will be achieved. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty and are qualified in their entirety. The actual results may differ materially in the future from the forward-looking statements included in this news release due to various factors. Furthermore, except as otherwise required by law, Lonza Group Ltd disclaims any intention or obligation to update the statements contained in this news release. SASKATOON, SK--(Marketwired - December 07, 2016) -GFG Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: GFG) (OTCQB: GFGSF) ("GFG" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Arnold Klassen to its Board of Directors ("Board"). Mr. Klassen will join the Board effective immediately. "We are pleased to have Mr. Klassen bring his significant board experience to our team," stated Patrick Downey, Chair of the Board. "His wide range of expertise and skills, with a focus on accounting, finance and corporate governance, complement our Board well and will benefit the Company as we advance the Rattlesnake Hills Gold Project." Mr. Klassen is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over 35 years of experience in accounting, audit and tax, of which includes over 30 years of experience in the mining industry. Mr. Klassen is currently President of AKMJK Consulting Ltd., a private consulting company, and prior to that was the Vice President of Finance for Dynatec Corporation. Mr. Klassen has significant board experience which includes, Lake Shore Gold Corp., Claude Resources Inc. and Northern Superior Resources Inc. and is currently a director of Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. Mr. Klassen holds a degree in Commerce from the University of British Columbia and has obtained the Institute of Corporate Directors ICD.D designation. GFG Resources Inc. is a publicly traded precious metals exploration company headquartered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada, whose shares trade on the Toronto Venture Stock Exchange (GFG) and on the OTCQB (GFGSF). The Company owns 100% of the Rattlesnake Hills Gold Project, a district scale gold exploration project located approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Casper, Wyoming U.S. The geologic setting, alteration and mineralization seen in the Rattlesnake Hills are similar to other gold deposits of the Rocky Mountain alkaline province which, collectively, have produced over 50 million ounces of gold. CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the future price of gold, success of exploration activities and metallurgical test work, permitting time lines, currency exchange rate fluctuations, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of exploration work, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims and limitations on insurance coverage. Generally, these forward-looking statements 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 the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results, "may", "could", "would", "will", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. All forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions, including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management, the assumed long-term price of gold, that the Company will receive required permits and access to surface rights, that the Company can access financing, appropriate equipment and sufficient labour, and that the political environment within the United States will continue to support the development of mining projects in the United States. In addition, the similarity or proximity of other gold deposits of the Rocky Mountain alkaline province to the Rattlesnake Hill Gold Project is not necessary indicative of the geological setting, alteration and mineralization of the Rattlesnake Hills Gold Project. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of GFG to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: actual results of current exploration activities; environmental risks; future prices of gold; operating risks; accidents, labour issues and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining government approvals or financing; and other risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties are not, and should not be construed as being, exhaustive. Although GFG has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. In addition, forward-looking statements are provided solely for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of our operating environment. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date hereof and GFG assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws. For further information, please contact: Brian Skanderbeg President & CEO Phone: (306) 931-0930 or Marc Lepage Vice President, Business Development Phone: (306) 931-0930 Email: info@gfgresources.com Website: www.gfgresources.com VANCOUVER, BC -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- Fundamental Applications Corp. ("Fundamental" or the "Company") (CSE: FUN) (FRANKFURT: 2FA) (OTCQB: FUAPF), a leading developer of innovative smartphone applications targeted toward millennials, announces that as part of its investment in Mo Tecnologias LLC ("MO"), an innovative nano and micro credit decision engine and issuing platform, both companies will jointly provide a fully integrated ecommerce solution in Colombia. Fundamental and MO will provide millennials, college and university students in Colombia a fully integrated ecommerce solution. Fundamental's Foro platform will use a Foro storefront connected by API (Application Programming Interface) to a payment gateway facilitated by MO's credit engine. MO and Fundamental will launch a multi campus marketing campaign targeting Colombia's 2,000,000+ secondary education students in January 2017. "This exclusive relationship gives Fundamental the ability to establish the Foro brand in an emerging ecommerce space. With MO's unique nano loan mechanism bringing in millions of people from a cash based to e-commerce economy, our online buy/sell model is perfectly suited to help people transact with each other and SME businesses," explains Fundamental's CEO Brad Moore. Paolo Fidanza, MO's founder and CEO states, "We are excited by this collaboration to jointly present a unique value proposition to millennials via two revolutionary products, which combined will offer a unique P2P purchase experience." Investment Terms Further to the Company's news release of November 28, 2016, and pursuant to a Convertible Promissory Note issued by MO in favour of the Company (the "Note"), the Company has agreed to invest US$50,000 in MO. The Note, which is subject to an automatic conversion of the principal and unpaid accrued interest into shares of MO, shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount at the rate of 8% per annum, from the date of funding of such principal amount until the Note is paid in full or converted into equity securities of MO. The principal on the Note, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, shall be due and payable on May 28, 2018. About Fundamental Fundamental Applications Corp. (CSE: FUN) (FRANKFURT: 2FA) (OTCQB: FUAPF) designs, develops, markets, and acquires innovative mobile applications targeted at the "Millennials" generation, people born in an age of digital technology, internet access, and smart phones. This demographic is an early adopter of mobile technology, has significant discretionary income, and is lifestyle driven with a willingness to try new things. Fundamental's three leading mobile platforms are Foro, a peer-to-peer mobile ecommerce marketplace; Truth, a one-to-one anonymous messaging app; and Opinit, an app that enables users to create and share emotion driven content. To learn more about Fundamental Applications Corp., please visit www.FunAppCorp.com, or review its company profile on the SEDAR website (www.sedar.com) and on the CSE website (www.thecse.com). About MO Mo Tecnologias LLC, founded by serial technology entrepreneur Paolo Fidanza and technology development leader Andrii Kurinnyi, has developed a revolutionary credit decision and issuing platform for nano and micro loans. The platform will be marketed as "MO - tu credito movil" initially in Colombia, and will then roll out to other countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia. To learn more about Mo Tecnologias LLC, please visit www.mocreditomovil.com. Forward-Looking Information This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of Fundamental. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of Fundamental. Although Fundamental believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because Fundamental can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Fundamental disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws. Investor Relations Contact: Bradley Moore Chief Executive Officer 514.561.9091 Email Contact www.FunAppCorp.com Media Contact: Richard Krueger TallGrass Public Relations Email Contact CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Canadian dollar slipped against its major counterparts in the European session on Wednesday, as oil prices declined on lingering worries over whether the planned output cuts by the OPEC and Russia would halt oversupply and restore balance in the market. Crude for January delivery fell $0.48 to $50.45 per barrel. Both OPEC and Russia have reported record production in November, while Saudi Arabia has cut its selling price of Arab Light crude for Asian consumers in January, casting skepticism about the impact of the OPEC deal that is aimed to rein in supply glut. OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers will meet in Vienna this weekend to finalize the output deal approved on November 30. The nations have agreed for an overall output reduction of around 1.5 million barrels per day from January 2017. The Bank of Canada decision is due at 10:00 am ET, with economists expecting the benchmark rate to be kept unchanged at 0.50 percent. The rate has been on hold since July 2015. Market participants await the monetary policy statement to assess the consequences of protectionist policies proposed by the U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and its risks on trade relations with Canada. The loonie showed mixed performance in the Asian session. While the loonie rose against the aussie and the yen, it held steady against the euro and the greenback. The loonie fell to 1.4261 against the euro, off its early high of 1.4210. The loonie may locate support around the 1.45 mark. Figures from Destatis showed that Germany's industrial production recovered in October. Industrial production grew 0.3 percent in October from September, when it declined by revised 1.6 percent. Nonetheless, the pace of growth was weaker than the expected 0.8 percent increase. The loonie pared gains to 1.3287 against the greenback, from a high of 1.3263 hit at 5:00 am ET. The loonie is seen finding support near the 1.35 region. The loonie reversed from an early session's high of 86.12 against the yen, easing back to 85.79. The next possible support for the loonie-yen pair is seen around the 83.5 mark. Preliminary figures from the Cabinet Office showed that Japan's leading index increased less-than-expected in October to the highest level in nearly a year. The leading index rose to 101.0 in October from 100.0 in the previous month, Economists had expected the index to climb to 101.4. The loonie, having advanced to a 5-day high of 0.9852 against the aussie at 7:45 pm ET, reversed direction and fell back to 0.9909. The loonie may possibly target support near the 1.01 level. Looking ahead, U.S. crude oil inventories data and consumer credit for October are set to be published in the New York session. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de New Capability Safely Mitigates Vulnerabilities without Breaking Applications Waratek, the virtualization-based application security company, today announced an enhancement to its security solution for Java that directly mitigates Java deserialization vulnerabilities in popular app servers without relying on blacklisting, whitelisting or complex custom code. Deserialization exploits allow denial-of-service, access control, and remote code execution attacks whose severity is rated high by OWASP and CERT. OWASP defines serialization as the process of disassembling an object into a sequence of bits for easier storage and transportation. Deserialization is the reassembly of bits into an object. Since many apps that accept serialized objects do not validate or check untrusted input before deserializing it, attackers can inject malicious objects into a data stream and execute them on the app server to gain complete remote control over it. Blacklist and Whitelists Fall Short Deserialization attacks are commonly blocked by blacklisting vulnerable classes. However, blacklisting has several shortcomings and negative side effects: Profiling is required before deployment and when an application is updated or upgraded Apps that depend on a blacklisted class are likely to break Vulnerable classes cannot be blocked if they are required for execution It does not block new, unpublished, zero-day exploits A separate configuration is required to protect each vulnerable class It only mitigates exploits with external dependencies and cannot mitigate exploits that do not have external dependencies, such as so-called "golden gadget chain" payloads Whitelisting, another common defense also has shortcomings. Profiling of the application is required for each new release of the application. The white list tends to be much bigger than the black list, and is difficult to maintain. The list also requires frequent updates that if not maintained results in false positives. Also, whitelisting does not protect against several Denial of Service deserialization attacks. "Since Waratek uses a virtualization-based approach to runtime application self-protection, our new deserialization security capability creates a smart, restricted compartment that prevents malicious operations from executing," noted Waratek Founder and CTO John Matthew Holt. "This protection mechanism is activated when deserialization occurs and is automatically disabled when completed. It is also automatically activated when the deserialized objects perform specific actions, such as during their garbage collection. This offers significantly improved security protection compared to any existing security solution without increasing deployment or operational complexity." Waratek RASP-Based Approach Waratek Deserialization Protection provides the following benefits: Is compatible with legacy applications that depend on vulnerable classes. This is achieved by allowing the vulnerable classes to be used safely if their use does not alter or damage the system Produces no false positives or false negatives Reduces the risk of breaking the application Protects against deferred-execution and lateral attacks Does not require blacklisting or whitelisting Does not require application profiling or code changes Does not require separate rules for separate exploits -- a single rule mitigates all ysoserial exploits (27 out of 27) Protects against Denial of Service, deferred-execution and lateral attacks Protects against any unpublished, zero-day exploit with no code changes Can be actively deployed and works in both allow or deny mode Availability The latest version of the Waratek solution with deserialization protection is available immediately from Waratek and its business partners worldwide. Technical demonstrations and Proof of Concepts are available upon request. About Waratek Waratek is a pioneer in the next generation of application security solutions known as Runtime Application Self-Protection or RASP. Based on virtualization, Waratek's solution is highly accurate, easy to install, simple to operate and does not slow application performance while providing protection against known and unknown vulnerabilities in current and legacy software. Waratek is based in Atlanta, Georgia and Dublin, Ireland. For more information visit www.waratek.com or follow us @Waratek. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005747/en/ Contacts: MGPR Marc Gendron, 781-237-0341 marc@mgpr.net Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 7, 2016) - Rheingold Exploration Corp. (CSE: RGE) ("Rheingold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement equity financing. Under the financing, the Company issued 3,500,000 units at a price of $0.10 per unit, receiving gross proceeds of $301,500 in cash, and converting $48,500 of debt into units. Each unit is comprised of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant exercisable for two years for an additional share at a price of $0.25. If the Company's common shares trade above $0.50 per share for 20 consecutive trading days, then the expiry date of the warrants will be accelerated to the date which is 10 days after such 20 consecutive trading days. The securities issued under the financing are subject to a four month hold period which will expire on April 7, 2017. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the financing for general working capital. Additional details regarding the financing can be found in the Form 9 filed in accordance with the rules of the Canadian Securities Exchange, a copy of which is accessible at www.thecse.com under the Company's profile. Mackie Research Capital Corporation received a finder's fee of $17,255 cash and 246,500 broker warrants. Rheingold also issued 3,500 units at a deemed price of $0.10 per unit and 5,000 broker warrants, to another firm as a finder's fee. Each broker warrant is exercisable for two years for a common share at a price of $0.25. If the Company's common shares trade above $0.50 per share for 20 consecutive trading days, then the expiry date of the warrants may be accelerated to the date which is 10 days after such 20 consecutive trading days In addition, Rheingold announces that it received an extension on the delivery of the final option payment necessary for Rheingold to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the Pattullo Property located in the Rainy River District of Northwestern Ontario. On June 17th, 2011 Rheingold entered into an option agreement (the "Original Agreement") under which Rubicon Minerals Corporation granted to Rheingold an option to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the Pattullo Property mining claims. The Original Agreement called for Rheingold to make five cash payments to Rubicon Minerals totalling Cdn$105,000. The Original Agreement has now been amended to extend the delivery of the final option payment of $30,000 to June 17th, 2017. About Mackie Research Capital Mackie is one of Canada's largest independent full service investment firms, and proudly traces its roots back to 1921. Mackie is privately owned by many of its 300 employees. As a fully integrated national investment dealer, Mackie offers a full complement of capital markets and wealth management services to private clients, institutions and growth companies. About Rheingold Exploration Rheingold is a Vancouver-based exploration company currently focused on the exploration and development of its Pattullo Project located in the Rainy River district of Northwestern Ontario. For more information, please contact info@rheingold.ca or visit RheingoldExploration.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Paul Pedersen" Paul Pedersen, CEO Forward-looking statements This release may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company and certain of the plans and objectives of the Company with respect to the same. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. THE CSE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. PHOENIX, AZ -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- With the holidays upon us, MiCamp is advising consumers to be on the lookout for common scams, particularly during the busy shopping season when defenses are down and spending is up, according to CEO Michael Infante of MiCamp, a trusted leader for EMV payment integrations for restaurant and hospitality industries. "Unfortunately, credit card fraud tends to increase during the busy holiday shopping season, peaking on shipping cutoff dates and Christmas Eve," said Infante. "Forty percent of fraudulent online credit card transactions occur during October, November, and December." Some of the most common scams during the holiday season: Gift cards are an easy target for cyber criminals, who use scanners to collect the digital information stored on gift cards before they are purchased. Once the unsuspecting consumer activates the card, the funds are depleted. Inspect gift card packaging to make sure it doesn't appear tampered with, and that the PIN is still intact. Delivery scams are rampant during the holidays, with victims falling prey to email schemes alerting them that a package was unable to be delivered to their home. These emails, which often appear to be coming from actual shipping companies such as FedEx and UPS, instruct recipients to click and print a bogus document in order to claim their package at the post office. Doing so invites malware on the victim's computer, allowing hackers to steal personal information such as passwords and credit card numbers. Never click links in emails from unknown senders. Shoppers short on cash during the holiday season can become easy targets for loan scams. It may start with an email that appears to come from a familiar bank offering fast and easy loans. Clicking the link leads to a legitimate-looking website where victims are prompted to input personal details, putting this sensitive information right into the hands of criminals. Banks never will contact their customers to request personal financial information in this way. If you have any doubts, contact the bank yourself using the phone number on your bank statements, not a phone number provided in the email in question. MiCamp Solutions offers the latest advancements in EMV payment integrations to increase security while maximizing business operations. For information visit micamp.com. Contact: Maria Pierson (954) 776-1999, ext. 222 mpierson@piersongrant.com Arvell Craig (800) 396-0246, ext. 10001 marketing@micamp.com ATLANTA, GA -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- Small businesses feel ignored by their countries' political decision making, according to new research by Sage, the market leader for integrated accounting, payroll and payment systems. In a year of political instability and changes across the globe, the research revealed that 63% of small businesses globally said they were unaware of government efforts to fight in their corner or felt under-represented by politicians. The news comes as Sage today announced the launch of a 'Forum for Business Builders' in the New Year, providing entrepreneurs and business builders all over the world with a platform to get their views heard, along with insight on business barriers, and policy support for entrepreneurs as they navigate uncertainty and turmoil. Sage's research also found that businesses in the U.S. are concerned about living costs with 46% saying this has the biggest impact on their business. However, they are positive about the future of the US economy, with the majority saying it is more stable (37%) or the same (23%) as six months ago. In comparison to businesses in the rest of the world: Business confidence is comparatively high in the US. 62% feel confident about their businesses' prospects over the next six months, compared to a global average of 52%. Interest rates have the most negative economic impact on US small businesses (35%) The US election provokes a mixed reaction from US small businesses. 38% say it will have a negative impact on their business; this is balanced by over half (51%) of small businesses saying it will have a positive impact on their business. In line with the global outlook, 43% of US small businesses believe that the Government can best help them through business support e.g. export opportunities, grants. Stephen Kelly, CEO of Sage, said: "Business builders are the heroes of the economy -- working night and day to create two thirds of all new jobs in most developed economies. But so often, when the world's policy makers discuss the economic picture, these entrepreneurs are excluded from the discussion. They toil away long after the rest of us have gone home, making personal sacrifices to grow their businesses, to support their families and their communities -- especially during the busy holiday season. "Sage is launching the Forum for Business Builders, and is holding events like today's to make sure the issues facing the world's small businesses are recognised, debated and resolved." Sage's new Forum, which will go live in the New Year, was launched at a panel event today in Dublin with Ireland's An Taioseach, Enda Kenny. During the event, customers and partners heard from business associations, experts, academics and ministers to discuss how Ireland's entrepreneurs and business builders can be supported to help unlock their economic potential. To celebrate the businesses who work to ensure the rest of us enjoy the holiday season, Sage has also today launched a prize draw offering people the chance to nominate small businesses in their community who work through the holiday season. Running in the UK and the US, the winning businesses will win 5,000 and $5,000 respectively to spend however they choose. Nominations can be submitted via sage.com for the US and sage.co.uk for the UK, and Sage's Christmas advert demonstrating how small businesses are thereforus can also be viewed. https://youtu.be/iSptvAJ7acQ About Sage Sage is the market and technology leader for integrated accounting, payroll and payment systems, supporting the ambition of entrepreneurs and business builders. Today, business builders measure success in strong relationships, partnerships, and communities. It's why Sage helps drive today's business builders with the most intelligent and flexible cloud-enabled software, support and advice to manage everything from money to people. Daily, more than 13,000 Sage colleagues in 23 countries work with a thriving global community of over 3 million entrepreneurs, business owners, tradespeople, accountants, partners and developers to champion the success of business builders everywhere. And as a FTSE 100 business, we are passionate about doing business the right way, supporting our local communities through the Sage Foundation. Sage -- the market and technology leader for integrated accounting, payroll and payment systems, powered by the cloud and supporting the ambition of the world's entrepreneurs and business builders. Because when business builders do well, we all do. For more information, visit www.sage.com Press Contact: Victoria Borges Sage 770-527-1300 Victoria.Borges@Sage.com BLOOMFIELD, MI -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- ProGreen US, Inc., (OTCQB: PGUS) www.ProGreenUS.com, is pleased to announce that, following mailing a Definitive Information Statement to our stockholders about amendments to our Certificate of Incorporation to decrease the authorized shares of common stock from 1,500,000,000 to 950,000,000, on December 6, 2016, we filed a Certificate of Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation in Delaware to this effect. PROREEN US, INC. (PROGREEN) (OTCQB: PGUS), www.Progreenus.com, based in Bloomfield, Michigan, is engaged in the business of acquiring, refurbishing and upgrading residential real estate into modern affordable homes, offered for sale with Land Contracts to buyers still unable to obtain conventional credit. The company has also recently entered into property investments in Baja California, Mexico and will be intensifying this activity, with the aim of creating a sustainable income stream for years to come. This press release might contain information, which may constitute 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 'Forward-looking statements' are based upon expectations, estimates and projections at the time the statements are made that involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated. Jan Telander President and CEO jan@progreenUS.com Phone: 1 (248) 805-3652 www.ProGreenUS.com DUBLIN, Dec 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Neuroendovascular Coil and Non-Coil Devices Market - Growth, Trends and Forecasts (2016 - 2021)" report to their offering. The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projection using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, diseases, geographies, companies, price trend, pipeline products, type of coil & non-coil devices and competitive landscape. The report concludes with the profiles of major players in the global neuroendovascular coil & non-coil devices market such as Stryker, Medtronic, Terumo, and DePuy Synthes. The major market players are evaluated on various parameters such as company overview, product portfolio, and sales figures of neuroendovascular coil & non-coil devices segment from 2012 to 2021. The report also entails major drivers and challenges of neuroendovascular coil & non-coil devices market. Market Segmentation Neuroendovascular coil & non-coil devices market can be segmented based on - Device Type - Disease Type - Company - Geography Based on Device, the global neuroendovascular coil & non-coil devices market can be segmented as follows: - Coil - Carotid Stent - Clot Removal - Liquid Embolic - Coil Assist Balloon - Coil Assist Stent - Flow Diverter Stent - Micro wire/Catheter Based on Disease, the global neuroendovascular coil & non-coil devices market can be segmented as follows: - Aneurysm - Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease (ICAD) - Ischemic Stroke - Arteriovenous Malformation(AVM) Based on Geography, the global neuroendovascular coil & non-coil devices market can be segmented as follows: - United States - France - Germany - Italy - Spain - United Kingdom - Japan - China - India - Brazil Based on Company, the global neuroendovascular coil & non-coil devices market can be segmented as follows: - Stryker - Medtronic - MicroVention (Terumo Corporation) - De Puy Synthes Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Global - Neuroendovascular Coil & Non-Coil Devices Market & Forecast (2009 - 2021) 3. Global - Neuroendovascular Coil & Non-Coil Devices Market Share Outlook 4. Global Neuroendovascular Coil & Non-Coil Devices Market - Device Segmentation (2009 - 2021) 5. Global Neuroendovascular Coil & Non-Coil Devices Market - Geographical Segmentation (2013 - 2021) 6. Global Neuroendovascular Coil & Non-Coil Devices Market - Disease Category Segmentation (2013- 2021) 7. Neuroendovascular Coil & Non-Coil Devices - Price Analysis 8. Neuroendovascular Coil & Non-Coil Devices Analysis - Major Neuroendovascular Products, Recent FDA Approval Products, Pipeline Products, Promising New Products 10. Competitive Landscape of Major Neuroendovascular Companies 11. Key Companies Analysis 12. Neuroendovascular Coil & Non-Coil Devices Market - Growth Drivers 13. Neuroendovascular Coil & Non-Coil Devices Market - Challenges Companies Mentioned - DePuy Synthes - Medtronic - Stryker - Terumo Corporation For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/9n3vvk/global 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 PALM BEACH, FL -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- New Colombia Resources, Inc. (OTC PINK: NEWC) (the "Company"), a U.S. listed Colombian resource company with premium metallurgical coal and medical marijuana assets, is pleased to provide an update of their new joint venture to apply for an orphan drug designation with the FDA for a cannabis based pharmaceutical product within the next few weeks. New Colombia Resources' existing joint venture, Sannabis S.A.S., has been legally producing and distributing high quality medical marijuana products in Colombia since 2014. Sannabis has been interviewed by many national and international news organizations with documentaries featuring their products, patients, and growers. New Colombia's ability to provide a pure landrace strain for research and development will benefit both the patients to be treated and the country of Colombia's new medical marijuana industry. New Colombia's new joint venture partner has received several orphan drug designations from the FDA and has identified the steps needed to file and receive approvals most efficiently. Having worked for the World Health Organization in Colombia for several years, he also understands the intricacies of maneuvering through INVIMA, Colombia's health authority. The Venture will file orphan drug applications in the U.S. and Colombia with a team of physicians, biostatisticians, and toxicologists being assembled in preparedness for a pre-IND meeting and subsequent FDA clinical trials. The Joint Venture partner will navigate the company through the hurdles of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as well as the FDA. Attorneys are finalizing a private placement memorandum (PPM) for the joint venture to raise funds for clinical trials and operating expenses. Several public vehicles have been identified for the venture to acquire allowing New Colombia Resources, partners, and their shareholders to maximize the value of their investment by providing a means to raise capital. New Colombia Resources reserves the right to issue some of their shares as a dividend to their existing shareholders. Fund managers, institutions, and accredited investors are encouraged to contact jcampo@newcolombiaresources.com for a copy of the PPM and/or a power point presentation. Clinical data obtained in Colombia will be much more cost effective affording more research. The venture will work with a certified FDA compounding laboratory in Maitland, FL with environmental controls as their manufacturing arm in the U.S. and has met with an INVIMA certified laboratory in Barranquillla, Colombia to do the same. New Colombia is seeking the collaboration of Colombia's Ministry of Health for some of the clinical trial to be conducted in Colombia. Ministry officials have publicly expressed interest in bringing Cannabis research to Colombia and the Company feels their project is in line with this aspiration. In late August, New Colombia Resources received a letter from the Presidency of Colombia directed to the Health Minister requesting his assistance on behalf of the company's medical marijuana project. The Joint Venture partners and their team are working on the applications to be explained in much more detail in the coming days. Once the applications are submitted the designation and/or comments are expected within 90 days, the application is expected to be filed in the next few weeks. Once an application is submitted, New Colombia Resources, Inc. will file a Form 8K with the Securities and Exchange Commission providing the file number. Other companies with cannabis drug applications with the FDA include, GW Pharmaceutical, Zynerba Pharmaceuticals, and INSYS Therapeutics among others. New Colombia Resources' joint venture in Colombia, Sannabis S.A.S. has been producing high quality, all natural medical marijuana products since 2014. To view or purchase cannabis based products from Sannabis, visit www.sannabis.co. Follow Sannabis on Facebook for photos and testimonials at https://www.facebook.com/sannabis.cannamedicinal New Colombia Resources, Inc. New Colombia Resources, Inc. owns vast reserves of premium metallurgical coal mining titles and a medical marijuana joint venture in the Republic of Colombia. They are setting up a rock mining operation to supply the major road and infrastructure projects within miles of their properties. They own 100% of La Tabaquera metallurgical coal mine in Colombia with an estimated 15- 17 million tonnes of reserves. They have an additional 1196 ha. metallurgical coal mining title that they are negotiating to develop with a foreign entity to build a coal fired power plant. New Colombia Resources holds a significant position in Sannabis SAS which legally produces medical marijuana products in the Republic of Colombia, visit www.sannabis.co. For more information on the Company visit www.newcolombiaresources.com. Forward Looking Statements Forward Looking Statements; This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. A statement containing works such as "anticipate," "seek," intend," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "project," "plan," or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements might not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include financing, the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations. New Colombia Resources, Inc. does not undertake any duty nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements. Media/Company Contact: New Colombia Resources, Inc. John Campo President/Chairman (1)-410-236-8200 USA (57) 318-657-0918 Colombia jcampo@newcolombiaresources.com MONTREAL, CANADA -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- MOBI724 Global Solutions Inc. ("MOBI724" or the "Company") (CSE: MOS) (CSE: MOS.CN), a Fintech leader offering all in one fully integrated EMV payment, card link couponing and digital marketing - MOBI724 S.R.L. an Argentine corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of MOBI724 Global Solutions Inc., has signed a commercial agreement with Banco Macro to implement, integrate, maintain and support MOBI724's oneSwipe Card-Linked-Offers solution for Banco Macro's card holder base. MOBI724's innovative oneSwipe Card-Linked-Offers patent pending solution will allow Banco Macro's cardholders, to redeem their offers directly at the Point of Sale of participating retailers, in a seamless customer experience. Banco Macro will also benefit from MOBI724's other solutions and services such as Data Analytics & Business Intelligence. Marcel Vienneau CEO of MOBI724 stated "We are thrilled to be able to provide one of the largest and fastest growing top 5 banks in the country, with our state of the art card-linked-offers & BI platform, and we are looking forward to working with the bank so they can truly leverage the full potential of our solution for the benefits of their card holders". About Banco Macro Macro is the only Bank that can show 58 consecutive quarters with profit. It is the first Bank in domestic private capitals. The Bank's net income totaled Ps.1.8 billion in the second quarter of 2016. This result was 28% higher than the Ps.1.4 billion posted in the first quarter of 2016 and 119% higher than the Ps.824.2 million reported in the second quarter of 2015. In the second quarter of 2016, Banco Macro's financing to the private sector grew 13% quarter over quarter and increased 37% year over year. https://www.macro.com.ar/ About Mobi724 Global Solutions MOBI724 Global Solutions Inc. (CSE: MOS), a leader in the Fintech industry based in Montreal (Canada), offers a unique and fully integrated suite of Payment & Digital Marketing solutions. We are innovating in our market with a combined EMV Payment, Card Linked Offers, and Digital Marketing platform that works on any card and any mobile device. We pioneered in adding intelligence to all types of transactions benefiting banks, retailers and cardholders. We succeed in leveraging all available user and purchasing data to increase transaction volumes and spend. MOBI724 provides a turnkey solution to its clients to capture card transactions on any mobile device, at any point of sale or from any payment card. Our easy-to-adapt gateway Switch is designed for easy integration with all payment protocols in our target markets. Within the same solution suite we combined our Card Linked Offers solution, and provided financial institutions' payment card portfolios and retailers the ability to add offers and/or coupons which can be redeemed directly at the Point of Sale, in a seamless user experience for all the parties in the eco-system. MOBI724 Global Solutions unleashes the true potential of both payment and card-linked couponing/rewards transactions for both online and offline points of sale (POS). The Corporation provides its customers with full and comprehensive traceability and enriched consumer data through its offering. Its solutions enables card associations, retailers, manufacturers, offer providers, mobile operators and card issuers to create, manage, deliver and "track and measure" incentive campaigns worldwide to ANY mobile device and allow its redemption at ANY point of sales. Our credit and debit EMV payment solutions will allow banks to process end to end EMV transactions, focusing on authentication, approved security and quick merchant adoption which allows the users to process payments with a wide range of devices over a secure and seamless transaction. MOBI724's PCI and EMV cloud-based switch, with their device agnostic connectivity, simplifies deployment and integration, and introduces new payment and digital incentives solutions to the market enabling multi layered intelligent transactions therefore SMART TRANSACTIONS. Certain statements in this document, including those which express management's expectations or estimations with regard to the Company's future performance, constitute "forward-looking statements" as understood by applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are, of necessity, based on a certain number of estimates and hypotheses; while management considers these to be accurate at the time they are expressed, they are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and risks on the commercial, economic and competitive levels. We advise readers that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other known and unknown factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Investors are advised to not rely unduly on the forward-looking statements. This advisory applies to all forward-looking statements, whether expressed orally or in writing, attributed to the Company or to any individual expressing them in the name of the Company. Unless required by law, the Company is under no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events, or other circumstances. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed this news release and does not accept responsibility for its adequacy or accuracy. This news release does not constitute a solicitation to buy or sell any securities in the United States. Contacts: MOBI724 Global Solutions Mr. Marcel Vienneau 1-514-394-5200 Ext 413 www.mobi724globalsolutions.com VIENNA (dpa-AFX) - Tesla Motors Inc. voluntarily recalled more than 7000 charging adapters. The company said these adapters of Nema 14-30, 10-30 and 6-50 are sold separately as accessories. Earlier in November, two customers had complained about overheating issue of Nema 14-30 charging adapters. Tesla confirmed in its recall communication that there were no other similar incidents or reports of injuries or property damage. The recalled adapters are manufactured six months ago by a supplier. Tesla said it would replace 14-30 adapters with a newly manufactured ones through its stores and service centers. All the returned materials will be recycled. Earlier in 2012, the company had recalled an accessory and later in 2013, it has recalled 90,000 Model S cars to rectify a seat-belt issue. The electric car manufacturer had to recall 3000 Model X SUVs in last April for issues in its third row seats. Tesla has been aiming to deliver around 80,000 vehicles in 2016 and has achieved delivery of more than 55,000 through the third quarter. 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. DENVER, CO -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- ENSERVCO Corporation (NYSE MKT: ENSV), a diversified national provider of well-site services to the domestic onshore conventional and unconventional oil and gas industries, announced today the completion of an underwritten public offering of 12,937,500 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $0.40 per share. The net proceeds to the Company from this offering were approximately $4.5 million, after deducting the underwriting discount and other estimated offering expenses. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay outstanding indebtedness under its revolving credit facility thereby increasing its liquidity for general corporate purposes, acquisitions and/or capital expenditures. In connection with the offering, William Blair & Company, L.L.C. acted as the underwriter. The securities described above were offered by the Company pursuant to a registration statement previously filed with, and declared effective by, the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release does 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 the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About ENSERVCO Corporation Through its various operating subsidiaries, ENSERVCO Corporation provides a wide range of oilfield services, including hot oiling, acidizing, frac water heating, water transfer, bacteria and scaling treatment, water hauling and oilfield support equipment rental. The Company serves customers over a broad geographic footprint covering Colorado, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Wyoming and West Virginia. Additional information is available at www.enservco.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include the Company's anticipated use of the net proceeds from the offering, and thus involve uncertainty and risk. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "could," "would," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "project," "predict," "intend," "future," "potential," "suggest," "target," "forecast," "continue" and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based upon management's current expectations, beliefs, estimates, projections and assumptions, many of which are inherently uncertain and beyond the Company's control. Such expectations, beliefs, estimates, projections and assumptions are expressed in good faith and management believes there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs, estimates, projections and assumptions will be achieved, and actual results may differ materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those contained or incorporated by reference in the Company's registration statement and the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus that have been or will be filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date such statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, subsequent events or circumstances or other changes affecting forward-looking information except to the extent required by applicable law. Contact: Jay Pfeiffer Pfeiffer High Investor Relations, Inc. Phone: 303-393-7044 Email: jay@pfeifferhigh.com According to the latest market study released by Technavio, the global hydraulic cylinder market is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 4% during the forecast period. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005052/en/ Technavio publishes a new market research report on the global hydraulic cylinder market from 2016-2020 (Graphic: Business Wire). This report titled 'Global Hydraulic Cylinder Market 2016-2020' provides an in-depth analysis of the market in terms of revenue and emerging trends. This market research report also includes an up to date analysis and forecasts for various market segments and all geographical regions. According to Likhitha Bandla, a lead analyst for tools and componentsresearch, "The widespread usage of hydraulic cylinders in various end-user industries and increasing spend on infrastructural developments is driving the demand for this market." Request a sample report: http://www.technavio.com/request-a-sample?report=54908 Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. The report categorizes the global hydraulic cylinder market into four major end-user segments. They are: Agriculture Industry Construction, mining, and material handling equipment industry Industrial equipment industry Aerospace and defense industry Agriculture Industry The agriculture industry will provide the global hydraulic market with a revenue of close to USD 3 billion by 2020. The agriculture industry is expected to see significant development in the APAC region, owing to a surge in demand from countries such as India and China. Adoption of mechanized processes in the agriculture sector will contribute to providing more efficient and sustainable production methods. In India, the government has launched various schemes to assist the agriculture sector. For instance, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sinchai Yojna (Prime minister's plan for agriculture sector) aims at irrigating every farmer's field and assisting in improving water use efficiency. Similarly, the government is providing subsidies for the establishment of farm machinery to promote mechanization of the agriculture sector. Construction, mining, and material handling equipment industry The construction, mining, and material handling equipment industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5%. It is estimated that the construction market in India will grow twice as that of China by 2030, due to rapid urbanization in the country. This, in turn, will create a significant demand for the hydraulic cylinder market. The mining industry will also register a steady growth due to an increase in investment to meet the growing demand for power. Brazil and the US have become significant areas for mining activities due to an increased focus on basic metal requirement. "As hydraulic cylinders are vital components of mining equipment, the increased activity in the mining industry will result in the high demand of the product," says Likhitha. Industrial equipment industry The industrial equipment segment uses hydraulic presses and other machine tools to perform metal forming, casting, sheering, forging, milling, drilling, and shaping. The recent global growth trajectories in the automobile and construction industries will drive the demand for hydraulic cylinders. The global competition level in this market segment is so high that plant managers are under constant pressure to optimize their manufacturing facilities, resulting in the adoption of automated facilities and interconnected facilities through the internet. Enhanced automation will provide new market opportunities for hydraulic cylinders. Aerospace and defense industry This segment used hydraulic cylinders for landing gears, brake, engines, ramp doors, wheels, flight control, and fuel system in aircraft. In addition, hydraulic cylinders have a large area of application on ground service equipment (for instance, ground support equipment, baggage handling equipment, and specialty aircraft repair equipment). The increasing infrastructural development in developing countries, resulting in better airport facilities will drive the demand for ground service equipment. This is largely dependent on the global air traffic, and expansion and creation of new airports. It is estimated that the global ground equipment market will grow at CAGR of 4% annually by 2022, which augurs well for the growth of the hydraulic cylinder market. The top vendors highlighted by Technavio's heavy industryresearch analysts in this report are: Bosch Rexroth Eaton HYDAC Parker Hannifin WEBER-HYDRAULIK Browse Related Reports: Global Hydraulic Equipment Market 2016-2020 Global Hydraulic Equipment Market for Mobile Applications 2016-2020 Global Pneumatic Equipment Market 2016-2020 Do you need a report on a market in a specific geographical cluster or country but can't find what you're looking for? Don't worry, Technavio also takes client requests. Please contact enquiry@technavio.com with your requirements and our analysts will be happy to create a customized report just for you. About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies. Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, re-sellers, and end-users. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005052/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 630 333 9501 UK: +44 208 123 1770 www.technavio.com DUBLIN, Dec 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Generic E-learning Courses Market in the US 2016-2020" report to their offering. The report forecasts the generic e-learning courses market in the US to grow at a CAGR of 10.16% during the period 2016-2020. The report has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. It covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market. Educators in the US education industry are looking for ways to make education more learner centric. The traditional approach of knowledge push methodology required knowledge sharing to be done primarily by teachers. They were the sole providers of information and students had limited access to learning sources. Institutions are now shifting toward the knowledge pull pedagogy method, wherein students are given the liberty and flexibility to learn specific concepts with the help of numerous online sources, such as digital libraries. According to the report, the corporate and academic sectors have extensively adopted online learning methodologies. The regular course curriculum in institutions consists of online course content in the form of generic e-learning courses. Students are encouraged to access web-based resources of study materials for further references. Such courses are increasingly replacing traditional textbooks to cope with the digitalization of the education system in the US. Further, the report states that corporate organizations have a plethora of options in generic e-learning courses to choose from for the training and development of employees. However, corporate organizations are increasingly switching to customized e-learning courses from generic courses. This is because corporations can deliver knowledge on core business procedures and operations that are specific to their business to gain a competitive advantage. Key vendors: City & Guilds Kineo Macmillan Learning Pearson Education Skillsoft Key Topics Covered: Part 01: Executive summary Part 02: Scope of the report Part 03: Market research methodology Part 04: Introduction Part 05: US economy overview Part 06: Market landscape Part 07: Market overview Part 08: Market segmentation by product Part 09: Market segmentation by end-user Part 10: Market drivers Part 11: Impact of drivers Part 12: Market challenges Part 13: Impact of drivers and challenges Part 14: Market trends Part 15: Vendor landscape Part 16: Key vendor analysis Part 17: Other prominent vendors Part 18: Appendix For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/r7dh29/generic 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 CLARK, NJ -- (Marketwired) -- 02/08/17 -- CaroTrans, a leading global NVOCC (non-vessel operating common carrier) and ocean freight consolidator, today announces a new, direct weekly LCL service from Milan to Miami which provides logistics service providers with an efficient, dependable supply chain option. Miami serves as an ideal hub for Italian goods bound for Central American and Caribbean destinations. The Milan-Miami service, a 14-day transit, is CaroTrans fourth direct service from Milan to the U.S. Service is also offered to Chicago, Charleston and New York. Milan is the main freight hub for products manufactured in the north and all of Italy, as well as cargo moving from Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. Main U.S. imports from Italy include: beverages, industrial machinery and engines, autos, pharma and footwear (U.S. Census Bureau). Euro Italian Freight Systems in Milan, CaroTrans dedicated partner in the region, has been serving the area for over 30 years and is one of Italy's NVOCC pioneers. EURO Italian Freight has its own customs bonded import/export CFS and operates a comprehensive global import/export network. In North America, CaroTrans has 13 local offices and 25 strategically positioned CFS (container freight stations) to serve the transportation needs of shippers in local markets. "The current global containerized shipping market is marked by ongoing changes that impact today's supply chains. As a global NVO, we're able to offer a broad range of secure, direct services that provide our customers with transportation solutions they can rely on," said Greg Howard, CaroTrans, CEO. "Our new Milan-Miami service, in partnership with Euro Italian Freight Systems, is another excellent service option that further expands our offerings." Carmen Ronzoni, Director, Euro Italian Freight Systems, said "We provide broad coverage of Italy origins with an efficient truck service network that offers dependable pick-up and transits. Our partnership with CaroTrans continues to grow to support supply chain flexibility and the need for efficient transportation alternatives." About CaroTrans Established in 1979, CaroTrans International is one of the world's leading NVOCCs providing global LCL (less-than container load) and FCL (full container load) services. CaroTrans has a network of offices in Asia, Europe, South America, Oceania, and the United States, along with strong local partners in global markets, offering a global reach that is truly unique. The CaroTrans suite of Web-based and EDI-enabled e-commerce tools include booking, ocean and inland rates, sailing schedules, and tracking. They are an essential part of CaroTrans' commitment to delivering faster, more efficient freight management solutions. For import shipments, CaroTrans Online Freight Release solution provides logistics service providers with direct control of the release of their customers' cargo. CaroTrans is a people driven company with dedicated and knowledgeable team members who engage customers with passion and experience on a local level. For additional information, visit: www.carotrans.com Connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn Contacts: CaroTrans Greg Howard 732-540-8121 Email Contact CKL Communications Carol Lerner 973.635.6923 Email Contact - Atento Peru was recognized by Great Place to Work, for the 12th year running, in the "More than 1,000 employees" category - The only CRM/BPO sector company included in this prestigious ranking in Peru - Atento was also recognized in 2016 as one of the 25 Best Multinationals to Work for in the World, and one of the Best Multinationals to Work for in Latin America LIMA, Peru, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Atento S.A. (NYSE: ATTO), a leading provider of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing services (CRM/BPO) in Latin America, and one of the top three providers worldwide, has been recognized by Great Place to Work as the third best company to work for in Peru in 2016, within the "More than 1000 employees" category. Jose Antonio Iyo, Atento Peru Managing Director said, "We are proud to be recognized for another year as one of the best companies to work for in Peru. Our commitment to people is an essential component of Atento's business model, enabling us to offer businesses the best customer experience solutions while providing training and development opportunities to our employees." Jose Antonio Iyo added, "I want to take this opportunity to thank our employees for their commitment and motivation, which have lead us to be the third best company to work for in the country in 2016." Ignacio Varangot, Atento Peru and Americas South Region People Director, commented: "We are very happy to be in the Great Place to Work ranking once again. We've been part of this prestigious ranking for 12 consecutive years now, which reaffirms our continuous commitment to people, our main asset, and to generating first employment in the communities where we operate." Atento receives this recognition for the 12th year running, and is still the only CRM/BPO sector company in Peru to be included in this select group of companies committed to comprehensive people development. In 2016, Atento was also recognized as one of the 25 Best Multinational to Work for in the World for the fourth consecutive year, and as one of the Best Multinationals to Work For in Latin America for the sixth year running. About Great Place to Work Great Place to Work is the world's leading authority in workplace cultures that promote trust and high performance. Using its own assessment tools, consultancy services and certification programs such as the Best Workplaces lists, and workplace reviews, Great Place to Work provides the benchmarks, framework and experience needed to create, maintain and recognize extraordinary workplace cultures. About Atento Atento is the largest provider of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing (CRM BPO) services in Latin America, and among the top three providers globally, based on revenues. Atento is also a leading provider of nearshoring CRM/BPO services to companies that carry out their activities in the United States. Since 1999, the company has developed its business model in 13 countries where it employs 150,000 people. Atento has over 400 clients to whom it offers a wide range of CRM/BPO services through multiple channels. Atento's clients are mostly leading multinational corporations in sectors such as telecommunications, banking and financial services, health, retail and public administrations, among others. Atento's shares trade under the symbol ATTO on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). In 2016, Atento was named one of the World's 25 Best Multinational Workplaces by Great Place to Work for a fourth consecutive year. For more information visit www.atento.com Logo- http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150506/214260LOGO Digital River World Payments, a leading global payments service provider, is now an acquirer for cards that run on the Discover Global Network, the third largest payments network in the world1 and part of Discover Financial Services. Merchants in licensed territories using the Digital River World Payments solution can now accept international online payments from Discover, Diners Club and network-to-network partner cards. "Discover Global Network continues to serve our cardholders by growing our global acceptance footprint," said Ricardo Leite, vice president, Discover Global Network. "Our relationship with Digital River World Payments will help build digital acceptance for Discover, Diners Club and our network-to-network partners across Europe, Asia and South America." "Digital River World Payments is committed to offering our merchants payment options that differentiate and propel their business worldwide," said Hayden Reed, senior vice president and general manager of Digital River World Payments. "Discover, and the numerous local and regional card brands that are enabled across the Discover Global Network, provide a rich and robust set of consumer payment options. This shared alignment of affording choice and reach is the foundation for our global acquiring partnership." About Discover Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers private student loans, personal loans, home equity loans, checking and savings accounts and certificates of deposit through its direct banking business. It operates the Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company. About Digital River World Payments Backed by nearly 20 years of experience, Digital River World Payments is a leading provider of global online payment solutions. Powered by a robust ecommerce payments platform, its solutions support payment activities across more than 170 countries and 140 payment methods covering global card schemes along with locally relevant brands and payment networks. Digital River World Payments delivers significant value across the full transaction lifecycle while empowering merchants with a single streamlined user interface. Irrespective of their markets, payment methods, or acquiring bank connections, merchants benefit from consolidated reporting, analytics and reconciliation as well as complete back-office integration. To learn more about Digital River World Payments, visit www.digitalriver.com/solutions/payments. Digital River World Payments is a trademark and Digital River is a registered trademark of Digital River, Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks, registrations or copyrights of their respective owners. Twitter Tags: DigitalRiverWorldPayments, @DigitalRiverInc, @DGNbusiness Tweet This: DigitalRiverWorldPayments announces expanded relationship with Discover Global Networks, @DGNbusiness, @DigitalRiverInc 1 Retail Banking and Research, August 2015 View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005919/en/ Contacts: Discover Sarah Grage Silberman, +1 224-405-6029 sarahgragesilberman@discover.com @Discover_News or Digital River, Inc. Gerri Dyrek, +1 952-225-3719 Group Vice President, Corporate Communications publicrelations@digitalriver.com Technavio analysts forecast the global IT spending in energy sectorto grow at a CAGR of more than 3% during the forecast period, according to their latest report. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005041/en/ Technavio publishes a new market research report on the global IT spending in energy sector market from 2016-2020. (Photo: Business Wire) The market research study covers the present scenario and growth prospects of the global IT spending in energy sector for 2016-2020. The report also lists IT services, software and hardware as the three major segmentsfor IT spending in the energy sector. "IT spending in the energy sector is growing at a significant rate to enhance operational efficiency and adhere to government regulation", says Amit Sharma, a lead analyst at Technavio for IT spendingresearch. Request a sample report: http://www.technavio.com/request-a-sample?report=54907 Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Technavio ICTanalysts highlight the following market drivers that are contributing to the growth of the global IT spending in energy sector: Emergence of industry 4.0 technologies Need to comply with regulations and guidelines Increased spending in public sector projects Digital transformation and automation of energy sector Emergence of industry 4.0 technologies Industry 4.0 is also known as the fourth industrial revolution that denotes the industrial use of several modern automation, data exchange, and manufacturing technologies. Industry 4.0 may transform the industrial operational processes through advanced technologies such as IoT, cloud computing, big data and analytics, augmented reality, 3-D printing, and Web2.0. Such developments may help industries to integrate the horizontal and vertical supply chain systems with advancements in information technology. Need to comply with regulations and guidelines The oil and gas industry must comply with many governments and industry regulations and guidelines. Operators also need to be compliant with environmental standards enforced inside national boundaries. For instance, the industry in the UK is regulated by several statutory bodies, including the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), Environment Agency (EA) in England, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) in Wales, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in Scotland. Any violations can result in legal issues and penalties for operators. Increased spending in public sector projects The public-sector spending in the modernization of the energy sector has increased in the various countries such as the US and the UK. The President's budget in the US has sanctioned USD 32.5 billion for FY2017. This is to support the modernization of the Department of Energy in several functions such as clean energy, nuclear security, science and innovation, and other functions. The DoE is planning to implement analytical tools and IT security software solutions to make an integrated grid system. The analytical solution will help to forecast the demand for energy consumptions as well as help to increase the efficiency of power grids. "The UK government plans to spend approximately USD 65 million over the next five years in smart technologies for the energy sector. The UK government is also planning to implement smart power technology to save electricity consumption," says Amit. Digital transformation and automation of energy sector Digitization of the energy sector in numerous developed nations such as the US and Singapore has created high demand for IT solutions. Digital transformation in the energy sector is the key enabler of IT spending. Modernization of this sector has increased the procurement of the most advanced IT solutions such as energy analytics and IoT to reduce energy consumption. Automation in the energy sector has also attracted investment in IT solutions, with industrial automation solutions such as SCADA and PLC being the top selection of enterprises in 2016. Clean energy initiatives in numerous countries have also helped the market to attract significant IT spending. Browse Related Reports: Global IT Spending in Cold Chain Logistics Market 2016-2020 Global Defense IT Spending Market 2016-2020 Global IT Spending for Smart Homes 2016-2020 Do you need a report on a market in a specific geographical cluster or country but can't find what you're looking for? Don't worry, Technavio also takes client requests. Please contact enquiry@technavio.com with your requirements and our analysts will be happy to create a customized report just for you. About Technavio Technaviois a leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies. Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, re-sellers, and end-users. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005041/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 630 333 9501 UK: +44 208 123 1770 www.technavio.com NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- C-Suite Network announced today that Executive Perspectives LIVE, on C-Suite TV, will begin its seventh season on December 14th. Executive Perspectives LIVE is an online television show hosted by Jeffrey Hayzlett that features one-on-one interviews with business executives who are innovators and game-changers. The upcoming season was filmed live at the C-Suite Network Conference in San Francisco where the conversations centered around innovation, disruption, and diversity in business. Some highlights include a discussion on how the shipping industry will evolve in the next five years and a live demo on stage with an exoskeleton that can help a paraplegic walk again. Conversations also covered digital transformation, disruptions in the marketing field, and the power of business relationships. "We're ready to kick off our seventh season with a number of great interviews, each one is full of engaging and educational content from some of the most disruptive companies in business today," said show host and C-Suite Network Chairman Jeffrey Hayzlett. Adding, "You won't want to miss it." The seventh season of Executive Perspectives LIVE will include interviews with: Tom Edwards, Chief Digital Officer, Agency, Epsilon Alan Gellman, Chief Marketing Officer, Esurance Max Scheder-Bieschin, CFO, Ekso Bionics John Haber, Founder & CEO, Spend Management Experts Gregory Johnson, Gregory Johnson, Head of Business Relationships, Capital One Spark Business Card All episodes of Executive Perspectives LIVE are hosted by Jeffrey Hayzlett and can be seen exclusively on C-Suite TV. About C-Suite TV: C-Suite TV, an entity of the C-Suite Network, is a web-based digital on-demand business channel featuring interviews and shows with business executives, thought leaders, authors and celebrities providing news and information for business leaders. C-Suite TV is your go-to resource to find out the inside track on trends and discussions taking place in businesses today. This online channel is home to such shows as C-Suite with Jeffrey Hayzlett, Executive Perspectives LIVE and Best Seller TV, and more. C-Suite TV is part of C-Suite Network, the world's most powerful network of C-Suite leaders. Connect with C-Suite TV on Twitter and Facebook. About Jeffrey Hayzlett: Jeffrey Hayzlett is a primetime television and radio host of C-Suite with Jeffrey Hayzlett and Executive Perspectives on C-Suite TV and All Business with Jeffrey Hayzlett on CBS on-demand radio network Play.It. Hayzlett is a global business celebrity, speaker, best-selling author, and Chairman of C-Suite Network, home of the world's most powerful network of C-Suite leaders. Connect with Hayzlett on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+ or www.hayzlett.com Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3088904 Media Contact: Gena Larsen TallGrass Public Relations Email Contact 732.330.5145 OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister for Canadian Heritage, will deliver a speech on Thursday during a meeting with leaders in the field of official languages to conclude the Cross-Canada Official Languages Consultations 2016. Media representatives will have an opportunity to ask the Minister questions during a media availability after her speech. Media representatives who wish to attend the afternoon session may do so as observers. Please note that all details are subject to change. All times are local. The details are as follows: DATE: Thursday, December 8, 2016 TIME: Minister Joly's speech in Room B: 1:30 p.m. Media availability in the lobby: 2:00 p.m. Afternoon session in Room B: 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. PLACE: Library and Archives Canada 395 Wellington Street Ottawa, Ontario Stay Connected Follow us on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Flickr. Contacts: Pierre-Olivier Herbert Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage 819-997-7788 Media Relations Canadian Heritage 819-994-9101 1-866-569-6155 PCH.media-media.PCH@Canada.ca LONDON, December 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- At Gorkana's final media briefing event of 2016, the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme's business presenter Dominic O'Connell and business editor Simon Hamer spoke about their ideal guests and the type of business news that gets covered on the show, and offered tips for giving a successful radio interview. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161207/446615 ) In a packed room at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in central London, O'Connell and Hamer gave a breakdown of the Today Programme's business team, the news they cover and their PR requirements. They explained that they are open to receiving potential news or stories over phone or through email, and that they have a constant need for guests, particularly CEOs of major corporations. Today is an influential, early morning news and current affairs programme which broadcasts weekdays between 6-9 am and on Saturdays from 7-9 am. It is the most popular programme on Radio 4 and reaches more than seven million listeners a week. It consists of regular news bulletins, high-profile political interviews, in-depth reports and daily scripted slot Thought for the Day, which offers a religious perspective on a current affairs issue. O'Connell, former business editor at The Sunday Times, joined the Today Programme as business presenter in June this year. Here are four top tips to take away from the Today Programme media briefing event, which was chaired by Philip Smith, head of news and content at Gorkana: The Today Programme needs guests The Today Programme needs a constant supply of guests because, Hamer said: "radio is a conversation". Of course, this provides PRs with opportunity, but the programme has some key criteria that need to be met. O'Connell wants to speak with CEOs of major companies. He cited Sir Martin Sorrell as an example of a CEO who makes a great guest, since he understands the value of the programme and its audience and is, therefore, accessible. Business news has grown in importance The Today Programme introduced its first business editor in 2000 but, according to Hamer: "Business and economic news is getting more and more important." However, he jokingly compared its listener's attitude towards business news with that of his children towards vegetables: "They know it's good for them, but they might prefer something else." Over-preparation does not make for a good interview O'Connell said: "The radio is amazingly good at communicating bulls**t." With the aid of some audio examples from the programme this year, he advised interviewees to stay away from overly-prepared content, such as press releases, or a list of key messages, and said the best guests let their personality come across. O'Connell also advised that CEOs know relevant facts and numbers before coming on air and that they provide direct answers to the questions asked. Tone is key When asked what type of content they look for, the Today Programme's business team is reluctant to rule anything out. O'Connell said: "To me everything is interesting." Hamer added: "There is no magic formula about what's going to work. The key is tone." In relation to guests, O'Connell agreed: "I like people who are interesting and tell their story well." Gorkana's media briefings return in January 2017. For more information, visit the events page. Cision is a leading global media intelligence company, serving the complete workflow of today's communication professionals. Offering the industry's most comprehensive PR, IR and social media software, rich analytics, content distribution and influencer outreach, Cision enables clients to engage audiences, enhance campaigns and strengthen data-driven decision making. Cision solutions include PR Newswire, Gorkana, PRWeb, Help a Reporter Out (HARO) and iContact brands. Headquartered in Chicago, Cision serves over 100,000 customers in 170 countries and 40 languages worldwide, and maintains offices in North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America and Australia. For more information, visit http://www.cision.com or follow @Cision on Twitter. For more information, visit http://www.gorkana.com | http://www.cision.com or follow @gorkana | @Cision on Twitter For media information please contact: Philip Smith Head of News and Content philip.smith@gorkana.com Gorkana +44(0) 20-7674-0200 NELSON, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- Members of CUPE 339 have voted overwhelmingly in favour of job action at both the City of Nelson and the Nelson Youth Centre if they are unable to negotiate a fair settlement in the current round of bargaining. The local which represents 85 employees who work at both locations held the strike vote Monday. With a majority of the membership turning out to cast a ballot, 95 percent voted in favour of a strike. "No one ever wants to go down this road, especially at this time of year," says CUPE 399 president Mike Stefiuk. "We are in a bit of a unique situation here because we feel bargaining is nearly settled, however we have been unable to reach an agreement with the City when it comes to terms for the Youth Centre." Youth Centre employees applied to unionize on July 8, 2016 and were varied into the bargaining unit comprised of City of Nelson employees. As a result, they are now covered by the existing CUPE Local 339 collective agreement. "Our focus in this round of bargaining has been a modest wage increase and benefit improvements for our lowest paid members and trying to ensure they have stable employment," notes Stefiuk. "However, the City wants to keep discussing whether or not staff at the Youth Centre want to be unionized, which is not something that is properly addressed through collective bargaining." Since the collective agreement expired on December 31, 2015, the parties have returned to the table several times over terms for the Youth Centre, with the two parties attempting to reach a mediated deal. However, the mediator was unable to bring the two parties to a satisfactory conclusion. Members of CUPE 339 represent municipal employees who work for the City of Nelson and provide a wide range of services to the city's residents and businesses. The local also represents staff who work at the Nelson Youth Centre providing support services including overseeing the skateboard park and the Nelson campground, employment counselling, community and school outreach programs as well as a number of other programs supporting Nelson and the community. Contacts: Kathryn Davies CUPE Communications Representative 250-886-6502 Louise Oetting CUPE National Representative 250-231-3709 UK MORTGAGES LIMITED (a closed-ended investment company incorporated in Guernsey with registration number 60440) ("the Company") Result of Annual General Meeting and Update 7 December 2016 Please be advised that at the Annual General Meeting (the "AGM") of the Company held on 7 December 2016 at 10.00am, all resolutions set out in the AGM Notice sent to shareholders were duly passed. The breakdown of votes is detailed at the end of this notice. Investment update The Board of UK Mortgages Limited ("UKML") and TwentyFour Asset Management LLP ("TwentyFour") would like to thank investors for their support and for their patience whilst the investment of the Fund's remaining capital is finalised. As expressed in our last update to investors and during the investor roadshow and webinar in November we continue to work extremely hard to achieve a fully covered dividend as soon as possible. In that regard, we are pleased to advise investors that we are now at an advanced stage of negotiation regarding the purchase and financing of an existing pool of mortgages, that will deploy the Fund's remaining available capital. During the aforementioned roadshow and webinar we discussed a transaction of future origination flow - we continue work on this transaction, however it is highly likely that the purchase of the existing pool mentioned above will complete first. Regarding the fund's existing investments: The pool of mortgages purchased from The Coventry Building Society continues to demonstrate exceptional underlying credit performance. As mentioned during the roadshow, we have been updating our model assumptions following the first year of performance history since purchase and despite the fall in absolute rates following the UK Bank Base Rate cut in August, the improvements in financing costs and the excellent credit performance means that we now expect an IRR in the region of 7.63% for the Fund's investment in the portfolio, an improvement of 28bps from our initial assumption. The pipeline of mortgage product for the TML investment is building steadily, drawing down on the committed capital as per the timeframe at closing. The active pipeline is now nearing 40m, in line with our expectations. The first quarter is typically extremely busy for UK mortgage lenders with renewed interest from buyers and sellers, and we believe TML is now well placed for this period. A further announcement will be made on signing of terms relating to UKML's next investment. Details of the proxy voting results which should be read alongside the Notice sent to shareholders on 7 November 2016 are noted below. A vote withheld is not a vote in law and has not been counted in the votes for and against a resolution. Ordinary Resolutions For Against Withheld 1 127,776,715 5,680,259 6 2 133,456,974 0 6 3 127,776,715 0 5,680,265 4 133,456,974 0 6 5 133,456,974 0 6 6 133,456,974 0 6 7 133,456,974 0 6 8 133,456,974 0 6 9 141,958,629 0 15,839,036 10 133,456,974 0 6 11 133,456,974 0 6 12 133,456,974 0 6 At the same AGM noted above, the following Extraordinary and Special Resolutions were also passed: Extraordinary Resolution 1: (133,091,807 in favour / 365,167 against / 6 withheld) That, in addition to and without prejudice to any authority currently in force, (and in addition to any power conferred on them by ordinary resolution 12 above), the Directors be and are authorised generally and unconditionally in accordance with Article 6.7 of the Articles to exercise all powers of the Company to issue equity securities (as defined in Article 6.1.1(a)) for cash as if the members' pre-emption rights contained in Article 6.2 of the Articles did not apply to any such issue pursuant to the general authority conferred on them by the ordinary resolution numbered 11 above (as varied from time to time by the Company in general meeting): a) pursuant to an offer of equity securities open for acceptance for a period fixed by the Directors where the equity securities respectively attributable to the interests of holders of Ordinary Shares are proportionate (as nearly as may be) to the respective numbers of Ordinary Shares held by them but subject to such exclusions or other arrangements in connection with the issue as the Directors may consider necessary, appropriate or expedient to deal with equity securities representing fractional entitlements or to deal with legal or practical problems arising in any overseas territory, the requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange, or any other matter whatsoever; and b) provided that (otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraph (a) above) this power shall be limited to the allotment of equity securities up to an aggregate nominal value equal to 10% of the total number of shares in issue in the Company at the date of the passing of this extraordinary resolution, and provided further that (i) the number of equity securities to which this power applies shall be reduced from time to time by the number of treasury shares which are sold pursuant to any power conferred on the Directors by resolution 12 above and (ii) no issue of equity securities shall be made under this power which would result in Ordinary Shares being issued at a price which is less than the net asset value per Ordinary Share as at the latest practicable date before such allotment of equity securities as determined by the Directors in their reasonable discretion, and such power hereby conferred shall expire on whichever is the earlier of: (i) the conclusion of the annual general meeting of the Company to be held in 2017; or (ii) the date 15 months after the date on which this extraordinary resolution is passed (unless renewed, varied or revoked by the Company prior to that date) save that the Company may, before such expiry, make offers or agreements which would or might require equity securities to be issued after such expiry and the Directors may issue equity securities in pursuance to such offers or agreements as if the authority conferred hereby had not expired. Special Resolution 1: (133,456,974 in favour / 0 against / 6 withheld) That, the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation in the form produced to the meeting and initialled for identification by the Chairman of the Meeting be adopted as the Articles of Incorporation of the Company in substitution for and to the exclusion of all previous articles of incorporation. Enquiries: Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited The Company Secretary Trafalgar Court Les Banques St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 3QL Tel: 01481 745189 The global solar street lighting market is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 19% during the period 2016-2020, according to Technavio's latest report. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005058/en/ Technavio publishes a new market research report on the global solar street lighting market from 2016-2020. (Graphic: Business Wire) In this report, Technavio covers the market outlook and growth prospects of the globalsolar street lightingmarketfor 2016-2020. The market is further categorized into two product segments which are compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED). The global solar street lighting market was dominated by the CFL-based product segment, which commanded approximately 62% of the total solar street lighting market. "The demand for solar street lighting is expected to grow at a rapid pace during the forecast period. This growth is mainly attributed to the growing need to reduce the power consumed by street lights, which are a necessity for ensuring the safety of residents as well as pedestrians," says Thanikachalam Chandrasekaran, a lead power research expert from Technavio. Technavio's energyresearch analysts segment the global solar street lighting market into the following regions: APAC EMEA Americas In 2015, with a market share of over 46%, APAC dominated the global solar street lighting market, followed by EMEA with over 30% and the Americas with around 23%. APAC: government incentives in India and China promote growth APAC accounted for the largest share of the market and is expected to dominate throughout the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to government incentives in countries such as India and China to promote energy-efficient lights, and the presence of many LED chip and packaging factories in China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. The Indian government is focusing on developing smart cities in the country, with a target of creating at least 100 such cities by 2030. Unlike traditional street lights, solar LED is a cost-effective solution as it does not require trenching or grid connection, and is highly valuable in sun-rich countries, thus making it an ideal choice for off-grid usage. Lighting up the streets in remote areas enables businesses to remain operational even after dusk, which will also enhance the standard of living. These factors drove the implementation of the 1,000-Village Solar LED Initiative in 2010, leading to the installation of hundreds of solar LED street lights in villages across India, China, and Africa. Request a sample report: http://www.technavio.com/request-a-sample?report=54862 Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. EMEA: Africa presents a huge potential for growth of the solar street lighting market In 2015, Europe was the second largest revenue contributor to the global solar street lighting market. The market is mainly driven by the energy efficiency and renewable energy targets set by the government, which, in turn, is driving the installation of solar-powered street lights in Europe. In the UK, street lighting accounts for about 40% of energy consumption, therefore, government authorities are looking towards LED lights combined with solar power as a promising solution to this concern. These alternatives help in cutting down the CO2 emissions, while saving on energy costs. Vendors such as Philips have introduced a separate line of solar street light products that help in the transitioning of traditional lighting to energy-efficient street lighting systems. "Off-grid systems are quite popular in southern Europe and the Middle East, as these regions have an abundance of sunshine during the year and grid power availability is low," says Thanikachalam In Egypt, the government is installing solar-powered street lights to reduce the load on the power network and prevent any outages that may occur during the peak hours of summer. Africa still has a vast section of population that lacks access to grid electricity and depends on traditional methods for lighting needs. However, several cities in this region have been illuminated by solar street lighting systems, thus improving the social and economic conditions of the rural and urban population. Americas: Brazil and the US exhibit the highest demand for solar street lighting The market is expected to see an increased demand for energy-efficient lighting solutions during the forecast period, owing to stringent government regulations with respect to energy use in the US. The declining cost of LEDs and solar panels along with their improving performance have driven the adoption of solar street lighting in the region. In 2016, the city of Las Vegas partnered with EnGoPLANET, a New York-based company, to install solar kinetic-based street lights across the city as it is making the shift from conventional energy to sustainable and renewable energy. While the US dominated the market for solar street lights in North America, Brazil is the leading country in the solar street light market in South America. Brazil is heavily investing in LED-powered street lights since 2013. The R20 Hub in Brazil is a leading a large-scale LED street lighting program that aims at covering 13 cities with 1.5 million street lights across the country. Solar-powered street light installations in the country are driven by the need to reduce the overburdening of the power grid. The top vendors in the global solar street lighting market as highlighted in the report are: Omega Solar Philips Lighting Solar Street Lights USA Su-Kam Power Systems Browse Related Reports: Global Solar Home Lighting Market 2016-2020 Global Smart Solar Market 2016-2020 Global Solar Microinverter Market 2016-2020 Do you need a report on a market in a specific geographical cluster or country but can't find what you're looking for? Don't worry, Technavio also takes client requests. Please contact enquiry@technavio.com with your requirements and our analysts will be happy to create a customized report just for you. About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies. Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, re-sellers, and end-users. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005058/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 630 333 9501 UK: +44 208 123 1770 www.technavio.com OTTAWA, Ontario, December 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Nordion, a standalone business of Sterigenics International, in partnership with General Atomics (GA), welcome today's award by the United States Department of Energy's (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the Phase II cooperative agreement funding to GA to complete its project with Nordion and the University of Missouri Research Reactor Center (MURR). This Phase II funding will support the establishment of a new, reliable supply of molybdenum 99 (Mo-99) using Low Enriched Uranium (LEU). Today's award brings NNSA's total commitment to the project to $25.0M, $15.3M above the original Phase I funding of $9.7M provided in September 2015. This investment represents a major vote of confidence in the work of more than 100 highly skilled professionals who have contributed to the project over the past year. "NNSA's new funding will help ensure we achieve our goal of reestablishing the routine North American commercial supply of molybdenum-99 by mid-to late-2018," said Phil Larabie, General Manager of Medical Isotopes for Nordion. "The ongoing test program for this project is exceeding our expectations and will help secure Nordion's long-term future as the world's premiere provider of Mo-99 to health care systems in the U.S. and around the world." "We are pleased NNSA has elected to continue funding this important project and have full confidence that, with our partners Nordion and MURR, we will develop the capability to commercially produce Mo-99 using GA's LEU-based selective gas extraction technology. Our Phase I results show that the product meets Nordion's stringent specification requirements for use in their existing infrastructure," added Kathy Murray, GA's Mo-99 Project Manager. A medical isotope is a safe radioactive substance used by health professionals to assist in the diagnosis of approximately 50 million patients in North America and around the world every year. The most important of these is technetium-99m (Tc-99m), which is derived from molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) and used in more than 80 percent of all nuclear medicine procedures. Once operational, the project will replace the Mo-99 previously provided by the Canadian National Research Universal Reactor (NRU) in Chalk River, Ontario. While the NRU ended routine Mo-99 production on November 1, 2016, the Government of Canada, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and Nordion have committed to maintain a stand-by production capability until March 31, 2018 in the event of a significant Mo-99 supply shortage. Information: Nordion Nordion is a leading provider of medical isotopes and gamma technologies used for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease and infection. Nordion's products are used daily by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, medical-device manufacturers, hospitals, clinics and research laboratories. Nordion supplies products to approximately 500 customers across more than 40 countries around the globe, and is a standalone business within Sterigenics International LLC, the leading global provider of contract sterilization and lab services for the medical device industry, the world's leading supplier of Co-60 and a leading supplier of medical isotopes. Sterigenics International, LLC is the only vertically integrated sterilization company in the world. Learn more atnordion.comand follow us on Twitter at@NordionInc. General Atomics San Diego-based General Atomics is committed to developing energy innovations and advanced technologies with world-changing potential. The scientists and engineers of GA's Energy Group are pushing the frontier of scientific discovery to produce safe, sustainable and economic solutions to global challenges in energy, medical imaging and next generation computing.Learn more about General Atomics atGA.com. University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) The University of Missouri Research Reactor Center (MURR) has a long history of safe reliability. With its 10 MW reactor and a 6-days-per-week; 52 week per year operating schedule, MURR supports research and education while also providing short-lived isotopes for medical applications. MURR provides a range of radioisotopes that help medical professionals diagnose and treat many diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. The nation's largest university research reactor also supports undergraduate and graduate education programs that train the next generation of nuclear engineers and chemists. For more information onUniversity of Missouri Research Reactor Centerplease visit:http://www.murr.missouri.edu/. Nordion, Paul Monlezun, +1-613-222-7184, paul.monlezun@publicaffairsadvisors.com; General Atomics, Zabrina Johal, +1-(858) 455-4004, zabrina.johal@ga.com ESI signs a Long-Term Strategic Partnership with PARC, a Xerox company To Enhance System Modeling Solutions, from Faults Detection to System Reliability Analysis, and Maintainability Prediction Paris, France - December 7, 2016 - ESI Group (http://www.esi-group.com/company/), leading innovator in Virtual Prototyping (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_prototyping) software and services for manufacturing industries, announces the signing of a long-term strategic partnership with PARC, a Xerox company (http://www.parc.com) and renowned provider of custom R&D and technology solutions to Global 1000 companies and government agencies. The partnership initially focuses on expanding and industrializing PARC's advanced research project on Fault Augmented Model Extension (FAME), initiated with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The partnership encompasses system reliability modeling, system safety assessment, predictive maintenance, and condition-based maintenance. These capabilities will come to strengthen the already existing ESI solutions (http://www.esi-group.com/software-solutions/system-modeling) dedicated to helping industrial manufacturers overcome engineering issues related to complex cyber-physical systems. As today's industrial systems incorporate increasingly complex hardware and software sub-systems, an integrated model- and data-driven approach has become essential to address design, validation and operational issues throughout the system design and operations cycles. Over the years, ESI has been developing coherent and integrated virtual prototyping solutions that enable industrial customers to virtually manufacture and evaluate product performance in different environments and use cases. Today, ESI extends its proposition to smart virtual prototyping; giving its customers the ability to animate their virtual prototypes and use the latest technologies, including big data analytics and machine learning, to accurately predict and manage product operational performance from an early stage. ESI's partnership with PARC marks the continuation of ESI's strategic investments in system simulation. Indeed, in 2013, ESI acquired the cloud-based system design specialist CyDesign Labs (http://www.esi-group.com/company/investors/news/acquisition-cydesign-labs-inc-lead-innovator-systems-modeling), based in the Silicon Valley, and more recently the German company ITI GmbH, developer and vendor of SimulationX (http://www.esi-group.com/company/investors/news/acquisition-iti-gmbh-global-leader-realistic-simulation-mechatronic-and-multi-domain-systems), the leading Modelica-based system simulation application in the field of System Modeling of cyber-physical systems. ESI has also complemented its data-driven system analytics capabilities by acquiring earlier this year Mineset Inc. (http://www.esi-group.com/company/investors/news/acquisition-mineset-inc-big-data-visual-analytics-and-machine-learning-specialist), specialized in web-based visual analytics and machine-learning and also based in the Silicon Valley. The research projects conducted in collaboration with PARC will accelerate the development of hybrid virtual prototyping and data-driven analytics solutions to maximize the useful and operationally reliable lifecycle of the products developed by ESI's clients Tolga Kurtoglu, Vice President and Director of the System Sciences Lab (SSL) at PARC, remarks: "Industrial manufacturers want to minimize the cost of complex systems, while maximizing performance. Design teams need to be able to quantify reliability and mitigate risk at the earliest phase of the process. We will work with ESI in partnership to help customers identify problem areas, gain insight, and quantify the impact of component failure through time and use of a manufactured system's lifecycle. Mature and complex industries, including transportation, aerospace, defense, and energy, will benefit from our FAME project, and we are thrilled to work with ESI Group to bring these capabilities to customers around the world." Fadi Ben Achour, Electronics Business Development VP at ESI Group, comments on the long-term strategic partnership between ESI and PARC: "We are honored that such a highly regarded organization as PARC, with extensive expertise in system diagnostics, prognostics and condition based maintenance, has chosen ESI to industrialize one of their breakthrough technologies." He continues: "Building on our existing expertise, the results from research conducted at PARC will enable ESI to deliver industrial solutions to answer system level challenges and to leverage the data generated by our customers systems during operations. Of course, we are also excited by the impact on our efforts to build a strong eco-system in San Francisco Bay Area and its hyper dynamic and innovative Silicon Valley". For more ESI news, visit: www.esi-group.com/press (http://www.esi-group.com/press) ESI Group - Media Relations Celine Gallerne (mailto:Celine.Gallerne@esi-group.com) Celine.Gallerne@esi-group.com +33 1 41 73 58 46 For additional information, please feel free to contact our international communications team: North America Natasha Petrous (mailto:Natasha.Petrous@esi-group.com) +1 248 3818 661 Germany, Austria, Switzerland Alexandra Lawrenz (mailto:Alexandra.Lawrenz@esi-group.com) +49 6102 2067 183 South America Daniela Galoflo (mailto:Daniela.Galoflo.Marchesan@esi-group.com) +55 11 3031 6221 United Kingdom Kim Melcher (mailto:Kim.Melcher@esi-group.com) +44 1543 397 905 Italy Maddalena Marinucci (mailto:Maddalena.Marinucci@esi-group.com) +39 051 633 5577 Japan Nozomi Suzuki (mailto:Nozomi.Suzuki@esi-group.com) +81 363818486 France Gaelle Lecomte (mailto:Gaelle.Lecomte@esi-group.com) +33 4 7814 1210 Eastern Europe Lucie Sebestova (mailto:Lucie.Sebestova@esi-group.com) +420 511188875 Spain Monica Arroyo Prieto (mailto:Monica.Arroyo.Prieto@esi-group.com) +34 914840256 Russia Natalia Nesvetova (mailto:Natalia.Nesvetova@esi-group.com) +7 343 311 0233 South Korea Gyeong Hee Lee (mailto:Gyeong.Hee.Lee@esi-group.com) +822 3660 4507 China Yuxiang Guo (mailto:Yuxiang.Guo@esi-group.com) +86 (0)10 18500685938 About ESI Group ESI Group (http://www.esi-group.com/) is a leading innovator in Virtual Prototyping software and services. Specialist in material physics, ESI (http://www.esi-group.com/) has developed a unique proficiency in helping industrial manufacturers replace physical prototypes by virtually replicating the fabrication, assembly and testing of products in different environments. Today, coupled with Virtual Reality, animated by systems models, and benefiting from data analytics, Virtual Prototyping (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_prototyping) becomes immersive and interactive: ESI's clients can bring their products to life, ensuring reliable performance, serviceability and maintainability. ESI solutions help world-leading OEM's and innovative companies make sure that their products will pass certification tests - before any physical prototype is built - and that new products are competitive in their market space. Virtual Prototyping addresses the emerging need for products to be smart and autonomous and supports industrial manufacturers in their digital transformation. Today, ESI's customer base spans nearly every industry sector. The company employs about 1100 high-level specialists worldwide to address the needs of customers in more than 40 countries. For more information, please visit www.esi-group.com/ (http://www.esi-group.com/) Follow ESI (http://www.esi-group.com/linkedin) (http://www.esi-group.com/facebook) (http://www.esi-group.com/twitter) (https://plus.google.com/u/2/106423981342210270204/about) (http://www.esi-group.com/youtube) News Release in PDF (http://hugin.info/156812/R/2062660/773850.pdf) This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: ESI Group via Globenewswire WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - As President-elect Donald Trump continues to fill out his Cabinet, multiple sources have reported retired Marine Corps General John Kelly will be nominated as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Kelly, who led the U.S. Southern Command until earlier this year, would be the third retired general to be picked for a top position in Trump's incoming administration. Trump previously tapped retired Marine Corps General James Mattis as Defense Secretary and retired Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn as National Security Advisor. The New York Times said Trump plans to announce his choice of Kelly next week, along with his remaining national security positions, including Secretary of State. As Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kelly would play a key role in Trump's efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. Kelly became the highest-ranking military officer to lose a child during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan when his son, Marine Lieutenant Robert Michael Kelly, was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010. 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 RAFAEL, CA--(Marketwired - December 07, 2016) - Tom Marx to remain as chairman of Marx Group; chief strategy officer Devin Hart to focus full-time on Hart Marx Advisors mergers & acquisitions; will become member of Marx Group board of directors Move establishes Detroit office for Marx Group and Hart Marx Advisors, expands national reach of Near Perfect Media Marx Group, a full-service research, strategy and marketing communications agency for the automotive aftermarket, announced today the appointment of Frank Buscemi as president/CEO and creative director, effective Dec. 1, 2016. In conjunction with the move, the agency has formed an alliance with Near Perfect Media in Birmingham, Michigan, to establish a full-scale Detroit-area office. Tom Marx, who founded Marx Group in 1984, will remain as chairman and chief strategy officer. Devin Hart, currently co-CEO of Marx Group, will become a member of the Marx Group board of directors, while continuing to be managing partner of Hart Marx Advisors focusing on mergers and acquisitions in the industry. Marx will remain as a partner of Hart Marx Advisors. Marx Group and Hart Marx Advisors will maintain its headquarters and production facilities in San Rafael, California. "This move sets the stage for the next phase of Marx Group," said Marx. "Frank brings a unique level of knowledge, leadership and global experience in our industry and gives us the opportunity to continue the momentum we have established during the past 32 years and grow the company for many years to come." Through the alliance, Near Perfect Media -- a public relations firm serving corporations, professionals and celebrities -- will establish additional offices in conjunction with current Marx Group locations around the country and will also serve as the Detroit office for the Marx Group. "Our goal is to expand the reach of Near Perfect Media and this alliance does exactly that, further it gives us the opportunity to provide additional digital, advertising and creative services to our clients," said Justin Near, founder and president of Near Perfect Media. Buscemi brings more than 20 years of experience in global marketing communications, primarily in the automotive industry to his new role. As a lifelong Detroit area resident, he's worked in both corporate and agency management settings with several global, tier-1 automotive suppliers and aftermarket companies, including TI Automotive, ZF, Continental and Nexteer, among others. He joined Near Perfect Media in 2016. "This is a tremendous opportunity for all of us," Buscemi said. "I look forward to building on the legacy that Tom has established and am thrilled to see Near Perfect Media expand nationally." For more information, phone 415-453-0844, or visit marxgrp.com. Image download: https://goo.gl/racxMr About Marx Group Marx Group is a full-service research, strategy, and marketing communications agency working exclusively in the automotive, performance, heavy duty and commercial vehicle aftermarket, offering a diverse range of services, tailored to fit your needs. Marx Group delivers strategic marketing campaigns to drive sales, increase market share and grow the client's business. About Near Perfect Media Near Perfect Media, founded in 2006, is a Birmingham, Mich.-based public relations firm providing public relations and crisis management for prominent businesspeople, startups, small to medium-sized corporations, high profile restaurateurs and hospitality entrepreneurs, philanthropists, celebrities, and non-profit corporations. Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/12/7/11G124522/Images/Buscemi-2015_copy-c10d4b85668da59b8e9b1a347c659cb5.jpg For further product/service information, contact: Tom Marx Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer 415-453-0844 x106 tmarx@marxgrp.com For further PR information, contact: Gary McCoy PR Director 847-622-7228 gmccoy@marxgrp.com For further information on Near Perfect Media, contact: Justin Near Founder & President 248-855-4300 Justin@nearperfectmedia.com RIMOUSKI, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- In its ongoing plan of action to acquire the Murray Brook Deposit, Puma Exploration Inc. (TSX VENTURE: PUM) (SSE: PUMA) is pleased to announce it has signed a Letter of Intent with the mining exploration company Murray Brook Minerals Inc. (MBM) whose assets include four base metal (Cu-Zn) properties in the Restigouche county and an earned interest in the Murray Brook Deposit Property located in the Bathurst mining camp of New Brunswick, Canada, all of which will complement Puma's mining properties portfolio. The acquisition is subject to the usual regulatory conditions, but if completed as planned, MBM will become a wholly subsidiary of Puma Exploration. MBM brings in the transaction a $1 million cash secured investment. MBM's assets include: 1. A secure cash deposit of 1 million dollar. 2. A $3 million cash + 0.25% NSR or 1% NSR, December 2017 option payment due to MBM 3. Four (4) polymetallic properties located in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. 4. New exposure to the European money markets. Terms of the transaction Puma Exploration (PUMA) and Murray Brook Minerals (MBM) have signed a Letter of intent (LOI), the terms of which are as follows: -- Puma is to acquire 100% of the 23 644 165 issued and outstanding shares of Murray Brook Minerals for 36,000,000 shares of Puma. -- Shareholders of Murray Brook Minerals are to receive approximately 1.52 Puma share for each MBM share. -- Puma will supervise the exploration work currently underway on the Legacy property and assume the cost of the program. -- Murray Brook Minerals will appoint one director to Puma's Board of Directors. -- The transaction is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange regulatory authorities. -- The Board of Directors of both Puma and MBM are to approve the transaction. -- The transaction is subject to MBM's shareholders approval. In parallel, Puma is proceeding with an updated 43-101 Resource Estimate of the Murray Brook Deposit according to current metal prices and currency exchange. This Resource Estimate is due in December 2016. Various economic and development scenarios directed at establishing the high-grade zinc zones potential of the Deposit will also be studied. Puma's projections for 2016-2017 in view of the purchase of the Murray Brook Deposit are as follows: 1. Produce an updated 43-101 Resource Estimate by December 2016. 2. Produce an updated PEA (Preliminary Economic Assessment) during the first half of 2017 for HIGH GRADE ZINC zones of the Deposit. 3. Proceed with additional advanced recovery (metallurgical) tests on the Deposit's mineralization, especially in regards to GOLD and SILVER recovery with the objective of establishing the economic value of the Deposit. 4. Proceed with a drilling exploration program to delineating the size of the Deposit and potentially add more deposits along strike in the Caribou Mine direction. The Murray Brook Property (jointly the Murray Brook Deposit Mining Lease 252 and the contiguous 245 mineral Claim Block 4925/ the Camel Back Property) is located 4 km west of the producing Caribou Mine owned and operated by Trevali Mining Corporation. By acquiring Murray Brook Minerals, Puma Exploration is strengthening its position towards the purchase of the Murray Brook Property. In so doing, Puma will hold significant assets in the New Brunswick Bathurst Mining Camp that has produced over 120 million tons of ore since the opening of the Brunswick No.12 Mine in 1964. "This transaction secures a $1 million cash deposit to be used for the initial payment of the Asset Purchase Agreement signed with Votorantim Metals Canada Inc. on December 5th, 2016 for the acquisition of the Murray Brook Property. This acquisition is in keeping with our corporate strategy to focus our efforts and interests in the northern part of New Brunswick, Canada, a politically stable jurisdiction with sophisticated mining expertise." notes Marcel Robillard, president of Puma Exploration Inc. "Both Murray Brook Minerals Inc. and Puma Exploration Inc. own polymetallic exploration properties in New Brunswick and both hope to see the Murray Brook Deposit come into production. We are extremely happy to know that our contribution will participate in Puma's efforts to acquire the Murray Brook Property and that our shareholders will benefit from this transaction. We wish Puma a well deserved success." notes Isabelle Valiquette, president of Murray Brook Minerals Inc. About Murray Brook Minerals Inc. Murray Brook Minerals Inc. (MBM) is a Canadian polymetallic exploration company with a portfolio of some 1 300 hectares of mining properties located in New Brunswick, Canada. In addition to the equity interest held in the Murray Brook Property situated in the Bathurst mining camp, MBM is the owner of the Legacy Copper-Silver property, the Burntland Copper-Silver property, the Legacy North/McKenzie Gulch Gold property and the McKenzie Gulch West property, all of which are located in the Restigouche county of New Brunswick. About Puma Exploration Inc. Puma Exploration is a Canadian mineral exploration company with advanced precious and base metals projects in Canada. The Company's major assets are the Turgeon Zinc-Copper Project and the Nicholas-Denys Project in New Brunswick and an equity interest in Black Widow Resources related to the Little Stull Lake Gold Project in Manitoba. Puma's objective for the coming year is to focus its exploration efforts in New Brunswick. Canada. You can visit us on Facebook and Twitter. Learn more by consulting www.pumaexploration.com for further information on Puma Exploration Inc. The contents of this press release were prepared by Marcel Robillard, PGeo., a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101. 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. Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Puma Exploration Inc. to be materially different from actual future results and achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date the statements were made, except as required by law. Puma Exploration undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described in the quarterly and annual reports and in the documents submitted to the securities administration. Contacts: Puma Exploration Inc. Marcel Robillard, President (418) 724-0901 Toll free: (800) 321-8564 president@explorationpuma.com MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 12/07/16 -- Note to Editors: There is a photo associated with this press release. - Today, the City of Sherbrooke launched the new generation B-CITI parking application which revolutionizes parking transactions by offering refunds for unused time, prepaid time credits, visual recognition and multi-city capabilities. - B-CITI is a smart city portal developed by the Canadian tech startup B-CITI, in partnership with the City of Brossard and the Ecole de Technologie Superieure (ETS) in Montreal. - Within 6 months, the B-CITI smart city portal has allowed the City of Brossard to reduce consultations at City Hall during intense registration periods by 95%, while 65% of resident cardholders have obtained a digital resident card. - B-CITI is led by Vivianne Gravel, the founder of LIPSO (2000-2010), a developer of several well-known digital technologies including mobile parking payments for Stationnement de Montreal (Montreal Parking) and Air Canada's mobile boarding pass. Today, the City of Sherbrooke launched B-CITI's new generation multi-city parking application, which offers a number of cutting-edge features including refunds for unused parking time, prepaid time credits that reduce transaction costs, and visual recognition of parking places. In addition, the multi-city application allows residents of Brossard, for example, who have registered with B-CITI, to access the application when in Sherbrooke. B-CITI is a smart city portal that marks the passage of cities into the era of smart cities, Big Data and artificial intelligence. Launched by B-CITI in partnership with the City of Brossard and the Ecole de Technologie Superieure, the B-CITI smart city portal addresses the challenges of traffic congestion, security, economic development and environmental protection, in a context where 50% of the world's population currently lives in cities. Following Brossard (deployed in February 2016), a number of other cities will deploy the B-CITI portal in 2017. The idea for the portal came about when reflecting on ways to improve the services offered to residents of the City of Brossard. Realizing that no such thing existed on the market, B-CITI, a Canadian start-up specialized in digital technologies, developed the smart city portal. "All cities aspire to become true smart cities. At B-CITI, we've developed, along with our partners, the world's first smart city portal. The portal offers cities and their residents the possibility to stay connected and make enormous gains in efficiency," explains Vivianne Gravel, president and CEO of B-CITI. "Brossard is among the most innovative cities in Quebec and Canada with regard to smart cities. The B-CITI smart city portal, with its digital resident card that we were the first to adopt, puts us at the cutting edge of smart digital interaction with residents," states Paul Leduc, the mayor of Brossard. Services The basic B-CITI smart city portal, customized according to each city's needs, combines digital resident cards, renewals and payments of subscriptions and activity registrations, reports to the city with or without photo attachments, news, emergency alerts, online appointment scheduling and instant surveys. Additional digital modules are available to B-CITI clients, including residents consultations, parking permit management, a smart personal assistant that instantaneously answers oral and typed questions, a digital card reader allowing cities and their partners to make accessing services easy from anywhere, the parking application with visual recognition of license plates and an e-waste disposal directory to geolocate the nearest drop-off point according to the type of waste. Other smart services will be made available in 2017. The development of the B-CITI smart city portal will be powering smarter cities. Business model, partnerships and technology Based out of the INGO Innovation Centre at ETS, in the heart of Montreal's Quartier de l'Innovation - the city's innovation centre - B-CITI has been working with researchers from the Communications and Microelectronic Integration Laboratory (LACIME) at ETS as research partners. In addition to its early collaboration with ETS, Mitacs and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), B-CITI recently established research agreements with the Institute for Data Valorization, a scientific and economic data science hub (IVADO-HEC/Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal/Universite de Montreal) and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), bringing together numerous internationally renowned experts in Big Data, security and artificial intelligence. B-CITI, designed to be evolutionary, connects systems, centralizes data and city processes and develops data validation and learning algorithms, as well as decision-making support techniques. About B-CITI Founded in 2015, B-CITI is a Canadian tech startup specialized in digital technologies. The B-CITI smart city portal was developed by B-CITI in partnership with the City of Brossard and the Ecole de Technologie Superieure (ETS), and an additional research partnership was recently signed with IVADO. The company has a total of 25 employees. The B-CITI smart city portal is deployed in the city of Brossard and will be deployed in 2017 in a number of other cities including Beloeil, Blainville, Longueuil, Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Saint-Constant and Sherbrooke. In November 2016, B-CITI was selected as a finalist in the Ericsson "QI Connexion" Smart City Challenge. Visit www.b-citi.com for more information. To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20161207-304_800_2.jpg Source: B-CITI Contacts: Media contact: Diep Truong for B-CITI 514 524-7348 diep@exergue.ca Communications Department City of Brossard (450) 923-6311 Customers set to benefit from co-operation between market leaders Cutting tool and tooling systems specialist Sandvik Coromant has signed an agreement to become a Premium Partner of leading machine tool manufacturer, DMG MORI. The deal makes Sandvik Coromant the only tooling manufacturer to be named as a DMG MORI Premium Partner, and will serve to further strengthen the relationship between the companies on a global scale. Machine shops around the world will now benefit from the combined knowledge and experience of two market leaders. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207006306/en/ (L-R) Dr. Masahiko Mori, CEO, DMG MORI; Klas Forsstrom, President Sandvik Coromant; Christian Thones, Chairman of Executive Board, DMG MORI; Bjorn Roodzant, VP Marketing Communication; Sean Holt, General Manager Sales Area Americas (Photo: Business Wire) As a DMG MORI Premium Partner, Sandvik Coromant will work together with the machine tool builder on initiatives such as open house events, trade show appearances, technical seminars, website collaboration and the DMG MORI Journal. Specifically, the agreement will give users of DMG MORI machines access to turning, parting and grooving, threading, milling, drilling, boring and reaming tools from Sandvik Coromant, as well as tooling systems and the company's extensive range of knowledge, industry solutions and services. "This agreement confirms our position as one of our industry's true premium and forward-looking companies," says Klas Forsstrom, Global President of Sandvik Coromant. "As we join forces with a leading machine tool builder, for example on turnkey projects, we take an active role in advancing technology for the industry." Sandvik Coromant will equip DMG MORI machines right from the start of each project with a wide range of products, services and know-how. For instance, a customised start-up tool kit and service will be supplied with each NLX series universal lathe and NT turn-mill centre. An example of the successful collaboration between Sandvik Coromant and DMG MORI can be seen when the pair recently partnered with Rota Metal, a distributor in Turkey, and its customer, Polat Makina. Polat, a producer of decanter and separator technologies utilised for wastewater treatment, industrial, mineral and food applications, was ready to make the switch from individual machining to multi-tasking machines. Here, Sandvik Coromant was able to recommend a complete new tooling package based upon the company's Coromant Capto modular quick-change tooling concept. The DMG MORI machines included an NTX 2000 with Capto C6 spindle, an NT 5400 with Capto C8 spindle, and an NT 6600 with Capto C8 spindle. Further Sandvik Coromant tools specified to help complete the switch included Silent Tools, CoroTurn HP, CoroCut SL, CoroDrill 860, CoroTap 300, CoroChuck 970 and CoroChuck 930. The end result was reduced machining time, from 2500 to 500 minutes for a finished Duplex stainless steel product. This 80% saving is helping ensure rapid return on the company's investment. "Sandvik Coromant did not just supply the tools, they supplied the solution," says Volkan Polat, deputy general manager of Polat Makina. About Sandvik Coromant Photo Caption: (L-R) Dr. Masahiko Mori, CEO, DMG MORI; Klas Forsstrom, President Sandvik Coromant; Christian Thones, Chairman of Executive Board, DMG MORI; Bjorn Roodzant, VP Marketing Communication; Sean Holt, General Manager Sales Area Americas Download image here. www.sandvik.coromant.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207006306/en/ Contacts: Contact details for editorial enquiries Sandvik Coromant Nikki Stokes, +44 (0) 121 504 5422 PR Advertising nikki.stokes@sandvik.com or Publitek (Pinnacle Division) Birgit Schoniger, +44 (0) 208 429 6554 Account Director birgit.schoeniger@publitek.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Acting US attorney general Sally Yates, who refused to enforce Donald Trump's controversial travel ban, has been sacked. She has been replaced by Dana J. Boente, who will serve until Trump nominee Senator Jeff Sessions is confirmed by the Senate. Immediately after taking over, Boente clarified that she found the Executive Order 'lawful on its face and properly drafted,' and rescinded Yates' guidance. Prior to this appointment, Boente had been serving as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Citing security concerns, Trump had Friday suspended the entire U.S. refugee program for four months and banned for 90 days entry into the U.S. of nationals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somali, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, which are predominantly Muslim countries. Monday, Yates issued a memorandum barring Department of Justice Attorneys from presenting arguments in defense of the President's Executive Order titled 'Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States.' The White House responded by delivering by hand notice of her dismissal at night. 'The acting Attorney General, Sally Yates, has betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States,' said a statement issued by White House press secretary Sean Spicer. 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. Mit Blick auf die neue Afrika-Strategie der Bundesregierung hat Jamie Drummond, Mitgrunder der Lobby-Organisation One, vor Fehlern gewarnt. "Man muss aufpassen, dass man jetzt die richtigen ersten Schritte geht", sagte Drummond der "Welt". Die Ziele der deutschen G20-Prasidentschaft seien ehrgeizig, sagte der Brite der vor rund einem Jahrzehnt zusammen mit U2-Sanger Bono die Organisation One, die sich weltweit fur den Kampf gegen Armut engagiert, gegrundet hatte. Die Bundesregierung durfe aber nicht zu sehr auf wirtschaftlich starke afrikanische Staaten setzen, die schon auf einem guten Weg seien. Der deutsche Staat musse kunftig auch private Investitionen in fragile Staaten absichern. "Deutschland kann hier noch deutlich nachbessern", sagte Drummond. So gebe es in Frankreich deutlich mehr staatliche Burgschaften fur Investitionen. Wer nur auf die starken Staaten setze, riskiere, dass die Probleme der Schwachen eines Tages auch auf die anderen Lander ubergriffen. Zugleich forderte er deutsche Firmen auf, die Chancen Afrikas zu sehen. "In Afrika kann man richtig Geld verdienen", sagte Drummond. Es gebe Risiken, aber der Staat konne diese Risiken kalkulierbar machen. Frankreich, Grobritannien und China hatten das verstanden. "Die deutschen Firmen haben es noch nicht so ganz begriffen", sagte Drummond. Die Bundesregierung hat den Kampf gegen die Armut in Afrika zu einem zentralen Ziel ihrer diesjahrigen G20-Prasidentschaft gemacht. Bundesentwicklungsminister Gerd Muller (CSU) wollte am Mittwoch zudem seinen lange angekundigten Marshall-Plan mit Afrika veroffentlichen, der neue Prioritaten bei der Zusammenarbeit mit Afrika setzen soll, unter anderem eine Starkung privater Investitionen. Ein zentrales Ziel der Regierung ist, dass sich deutsche Firmen starker in Afrika engagieren. SparkPost, a San Francisco, CA-based cloud email delivery service, received a US$10m loan. Wellington Financial provided the financing. The company intends to use the funds to continue to expand operations. Led by Phillip Merrick, Chief Executive Officer, SparkPost provides a cloud email delivery service to more than 15,000 active customers ranging from small startups to major technology companies. Customers including Pinterest, LinkedIn, Twitter, Groupon, Marketo, Zillow, CareerBuilder, ZipRecruiter, the Financial Times and Comcast send over 3 trillion messages a year. The companys existing investors include LLR Equity Partners and NewSpring Capital. FinSMEs 06/12/2016 Knowledgehook, a Waterloo, Ontario, Canada-based software for teachers to personalize their support of individual students, secured $1.25m in financing. The round was led by Sayan Navaratnam of Aadya Capital and CEO of Connex Telecommunications and also includes investors Steve Case, co-founder of AOL, and John Abele, co-founder of Boston Scientific. The company intends to use the funds to expand into global markets. Founded in 2014, Knowledgehook provides software that surfaces what concepts students are struggling with, identifies why and suggests how teachers can support them. In 2016, Knowledgehook software made more than 6,000 recommendations on how best teachers could close gaps it identified in their students learning. The companys platform is used by teachers in more than 75% of Ontario school boards and in more than 300 school districts in the U.S. FinSMEs 07/12/2016 Warsaw: Poland's Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a bid to extradite Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski to the United States, where he faces sentencing over a decades-old case of statutory rape. The 83-year-old French-Polish national did not attend the hearing but got the news via text message from his lawyer Jerzy Stachowicz, who told reporters: "We're very happy." "We hope one day it will be over in the United States," Stachowicz added. Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro had appealed to the court in May to overturn a 2015 ruling against extraditing Polanski, saying no one should be above the law. The Supreme Court "is dismissing the appeal," said Judge Michal Laskowski, definitively ending Poland's part in the 1977 case. Laskowski stressed that the Warsaw court's role was not to rule on the merits of the case but rather to make sure due process had been followed by the lower court. "We did not find a flagrant violation of the law," he said alongside his two fellow judges. He added, however, there were circumstances with no legal bearing that were hard to ignore completely: "More than 38 years have passed since the incident. The victim in this case publicly forgave Roman Polanski. He paid her the monetary damages she requested." The government appeal had appeared to be part of what the rightwing Law and Justice (PiS) government, which took office a year ago, touts as a moral revolution in strongly Catholic Poland. 'Avoiding double standards' Polanski is still wanted in the United States for sentencing over the 1977 statutory rape of Samantha Gailey after a photo shoot in Los Angeles. He was arrested after Gailey, now Geimer, accused him of forcing her to have sex after drugging her. She was 13 at the time. Polanski was 43. He pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor, or statutory rape, as part of a plea bargain under which he served 42 days in detention while undergoing psychiatric evaluation. But in 1978, convinced that a judge was going to scrap the deal and hand him a hefty prison sentence, Polanski fled for France. In 2009 he was arrested in Switzerland on a US extradition request and spent 10 months under house arrest before Bern rejected the US order. The US then asked Poland to extradite Polanski in January 2015, but the local court in the city of Krakow rejected the demand the following October. "Had Poland accepted the US extradition request, it would have violated the rights of Mr Polanski and at the same time the European Convention on Human Rights," judge Dariusz Mazur said at the time. The Krakow court was critical of the original US investigation into the filmmaker's case, saying US judges and prosecutors had flouted "the rules of a fair trial". But after the PiS came to power in November 2015 and Ziobro became justice minister, he announced a review of the decision, saying he wanted to "avoid double standards". Ziobro said he respected the Supreme Court decision but added: "Sexual offences against minors should be pursued all the way, regardless of who committed them and when." 'Grotesque case' Geimer published a book in 2013, saying she was made to drink champagne and given a sleeping pill before being raped by Polanski in the house of actor Jack Nicholson. The mother-of-three said in her book she has forgiven him. "My family never asked that Polanski be punished. We just wanted the legal machine to stop." Polanki's French lawyer Herve Temime told AFP he was "delighted by this decision which puts an end to a grotesque case." Born in Paris in 1933 to Polish Jewish parents, Polanski moved to Poland with his family before World War II. When he was eight, the Nazis arrested his parents and sent them to concentration camps. His mother never returned. He went on to win acclaim for his 1962 feature debut in Poland, Knife in the Water, before arriving in Hollywood in 1968 to shoot his first big international hit, Rosemary's Baby. The following year his pregnant wife, actress Sharon Tate, and four friends were murdered by cult leader Charles Manson and his followers. Polanski now lives in France with his third wife, French actress Emmanuelle Seigner, but he often visits Poland. He has yet to return to the United States, however, not even in 2003 to pick up an Oscar for best director for his harrowing Holocaust drama, The Pianist one of his eight Academy Awards. NEW DELHI Chad's government is negotiating with Exxon Mobil Corp over a massive fine which a court has ordered an Exxon-led consortium to pay and hopes to reach an "amicable" solution, Bechir Madet, Chad's minister of petroleum and energy, told Reuters on Tuesday.A court in October fined the consortium 44 trillion CFA francs ($71.65 billion) - nearly four times BP's record Deepwater Horizon settlement - over unpaid royalties."The government is trying to find an amicable solution acceptable to both parties and looking for a future with the company," Madet told Reuters in an interview at the Petrotech conference in New Delhi. Madet also said Indian companies ONGC Videsh and Adani Enterprises had shown interest in buying oil blocks in Chad. ($1 = 614.0800 CFA francs) (Reporting by Sudarshan Varadhan) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. PIDIE JAYA, Indonesia Nearly 100 people were killed and hundreds injured in Indonesia on Wednesday when a strong earthquake hit its Aceh province and rescuers used earth movers and bare hands to search for survivors in scores of toppled buildings.Medical volunteers rushed in fading evening light to get people to hospitals, which were straining to cope with the influx of injured.The Aceh provincial government said in a statement 93 people had died and more than 500 were injured, many seriously.Sutopo Nugroho of Indonesia's national disaster management agency, said a state of emergency had been declared in Aceh, which sits on the northern tip of Sumatra island. "We are now focusing on searching for victims and possible survivors," said Nugroho. His agency put the death toll at 94.Aceh was devastated by a massive earthquake and tsunami centred on its western coast near the provincial capital, Banda Aceh, on Dec. 26, 2004. That tsunami killed 226,000 people along Indian Ocean shorelines.Officials urged people to sleep outdoors as twilight fell, in case aftershocks caused more damage to already precarious buildings. President Joko Widodo was expected to visit the area on Thursday, his deputy told media.Wednesday's quake hit the east coast of the province, about 170 km (105 miles) from Banda Aceh. Nugroho said Aceh's Pidie Jaya regency, with a population of about 140,000, was worst hit. Many victims had suffered broken bones and gashes and had to be treated in hospital corridors and hastily erected disaster tents, a Reuters witness said. Television showed footage of flattened mosques, fallen electricity poles and crushed cars. A Red Crescent volunteer said health workers were struggling. "There aren't enough medical staff," the Red Crescent's Muklis, who like many Indonesians uses one name, told TVOne. Nugroho said more than 1,000 personnel, including military officers and volunteers, had been deployed to help in disaster relief. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck just after 5 a.m. (2200 GMT Tuesday) at a depth of 17 km (11 miles). No tsunami warning was issued.At least five aftershocks were felt after the initial quake, the disaster management agency said.The region suffered massive destruction in 2004 when a 9.2 magnitude quake triggered a tsunami that wiped out entire communities in Indonesia and other countries around the Indian Ocean. Indonesia was the hardest hit, with more than 120,000 people killed in Aceh. (Additional reporting by Fergus Jensen in JAKARTA and Reuters stringer in PIDIE JAYA; Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor; Editing by Paul Tait, Robert Birsel) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Scott DiSavino | NEW YORK NEW YORK Oil prices slid on Wednesday on bearish U.S. petroleum inventory data and doubts that production cuts promised by OPEC and Russia would be deep enough to end a supply overhang that has weighed on markets for more than two years.Brent futures LCOc1 fell 93 cents, or 1.7 percent, to settle at $53.00 a barrel, while U.S. crude CLc1 lost $1.16, or 2.3 percent, to settle at $49.77.The U.S. Energy Information Administration EIA said crude inventories fell 2.4 million barrels during the week ended Dec. 2, which was more than the 1 million-barrel draw analysts had forecast in a Reuters poll. Stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub for U.S. crude futures, however, increased by a hefty 3.8 million barrels last week, the most since 2009, the data showed.Reaction to the EIA report was muted, analysts said, in part because the results were similar to the data published by the American Petroleum Institute (API), an industry group, late on Tuesday. "Focus at the moment is on the key producers and OPEC and growing doubts non-OPEC producers will be able to come up with 600,000 barrels of cuts," said Matt Smith, director of commodity research at ClipperData in Louisville, Kentucky.The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries last week agreed to slash output by around 1.2 million barrels per day beginning in January to reduce global oversupply and prop up oil prices. OPEC hopes non-OPEC countries will contribute a further 600,000 bpd of cuts. Russia has said it would reduce output by around 300,000 bpd.Nigeria's Oil Minister, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, said on Wednesday OPEC's deal to cut production will go ahead even if Russia becomes the only non-OPEC country to commit to reduce output at a meeting this weekend."While this weekend's meeting with non-OPEC producers will likely be hyped as a major breakthrough, we are maintaining an opinion that any non-OPEC production cuts will be largely of the involuntary variety," Jim Ritterbusch, president of Chicago-based energy advisory firm Ritterbusch & Associates, said in a note. Oil prices surged almost 20 percent after OPEC and Russia announced plans to cut production, but since then both OPEC and Russia have reported record production.In addition, Nigeria, which is exempt from the OPEC cuts, said on Wednesday it hoped to boost its oil production to 2.1 million bpd in January, up from 1.9 million bpd now. (Additional reporting by Christopher Johnson in London and Henning Gloystein in Singapore; Editing by Jason Neely and Richard Chang) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Mubasher Bukhari | LAHORE, Pakistan LAHORE, Pakistan A Pakistani court has charged four men with the murder of a woman social media star, including her brother, but all four deny involvement in her death, their lawyer said on Wednesday.The woman, known as Qandeel Baloch, gained massive popularity but also drew censure in mostly conservative Pakistan for her outspoken and often risque social media posts.She was strangled to death at her home in the city of Multan on July 16. The killing sent shockwaves across Pakistan and triggered an outpouring of grief on social media for Baloch, whose real name was Fauzia Azeem.Her brother, Muhammad Waseem, addressed a news conference while in police custody a day after the killing, telling reporters about the need to protect his family's "honour". A cousin, Haq Nawaz, and two other men including taxi driver Abdul Basit and Zafar Khosa were also indicted at a hearing on Monday, said Sardar Zafar Ahmed, defence counsel for all four men.All four pleaded not guilty, Ahmed said. At least 500 women are killed each year in Pakistan at the hands of relatives over perceived damage to a family's honour that can involve eloping, fraternising with men or any other infraction against conservative values.The government has been under pressure to pass stricter laws aimed at preventing so-called honour killings.In October, parliament unanimously passed a law that seeks to close loopholes that allows murderers to go free if they are forgiven by family members. Under the new law, relatives can still forgive convicts if they have been sentenced to death, but the convict would still have to face, at minimum, a mandatory life sentence. (Writing by Asad Hashim; Editing by Robert Birsel) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. New Delhi: Four ships of the Indian Navy were sailed on Wednesday morning to evacuate about 800 tourists from Havelock Island in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an official said. The sudden evacuation mission was initiated at the request of the Andaman and Nicobar disaster management, which speculates that a "cyclonic storm" might struck Havelock, an island about 36 km from capital Port Blair. "There is a deep depression (in the sea) about 310 kms from Port Blair. That is why the Navy was contacted as we don't want to take any chances," an official from Directorate of Disaster Management, A&N administration, told IANS. More than 800 tourists are stranded in Havelock Island; we are ready for evacuation, waiting for weather to clear: DK Sharma (Navy PRO) pic.twitter.com/mM8sRQKAaA ANI (@ANI_news) December 7, 2016 The official said that because of heavy rains and winds, the difficulty tourists are facing is to reach the jetty to board the ships. "We can't say as of now that the depression will turn into a cyclone," the official said. They expect the evacuation to be completed by the evening, he said. Navy spokesperson Captain D.K. Sharma said the ships were in the area and that there was a bad sea state. He said the ships departed from Port Blair around 0315 hours onwards. The official said the Indian Navy has sent four ships -- INS Bitra, Bangaram, Kumbhir and LCU 38 -- for the evacuation. Sharma said all the ships will go alongside and ferry tourists to Port Blair. Their highest consideration is safety of the tourists. P Namgail found out about the demonetisation move announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi a day after he reached Zanskar in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. A resident of Shaday village, Namgail sent home one of the village boys working in Kargil town with the news. "After a day-long journey, he reached home and told villagers that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes will cease to be legal tender and they must be deposited in banks. However, the villagers laughed at him. Even the sarpanch didn't believe him, Namgail, 24, told Firstpost on the phone on Sunday. Less than 1,000 souls live in a cluster of hamlets called Shun, Shaday and Ralakung in Zanskar Valley. In local parlance, these hamlets are called attic on the rooftop of the world. And if the villagers younger ones were to make a trip down to Zanskar, they have to walk for at least 12 to 14 hours because there is no motorable road. India, they say, lives in its villages. But these clusters of habitations in the arid Ladakh region remain disconnected most of the time from the rest of civilisation. Even in the 21st Century, we still lack electricity. Television is an unthinkable luxury. It takes young people like me 12 to 14 hours to reach Zankar. For elders, it can take up to three days, he said. Zanskar tehsil has only one bank branch, which is operated by the Jammu and Kashmir Bank for the population of nearly 20,000 people. Most people prefer to hoard money in their homes since they lack trust in the banking system. People in places like ours dont have enough trust in financial institutions or banking system. How would one make them understand that the notes they possess in their homes will turn into pieces of paper and they have to be deposited in banks? asked Namgail. Shabir Ahmad, a teacher and zonal resource person in the Zonal Education Office of Zanskar, says most of the people, who live in these far flung areas, had no idea about the prime minister's new plan. Electricity is still a dream in these villages. There is no motorable road. Helicopter is the only way to reach there. During elections, the Election Commission sets up booths for voters there, but no politician comes to even ask for them. They live so far from us, Shabir says. Locating a resident of these villages is an arduous task. Firstpost made at least 37 calls to track down people living in this part of the arid region. Finally, when we did manage to speak to one resident, he said some people did come to Zanskar with small cash to exchange it while others have preferred to keep it with them, thinking that someone was playing a prank. Most young residents in these cluster of villages have migrated to a village called Serpho on the Leh-Himachal border where they work as daily wage labourers. Buddhism is the dominant religion among the people here with few Muslims in Zanskar's total population of 20,000. Dr Sonam Jolden, a lecturer, said people living in Leh and Kargil were rattled by the news of demonetisation because many of them have no TV or mobile phones. "Dissemination of information is a tricky job. If you want to send them any information, you need to send people on foot to tell them about developments or any other information." Dr Jolden said people who live in these far flung areas of Zanskar dont have bank accounts because they hardly have access to banks and most of them keep their life savings at home in cash. When access to information is limited, he says there are thousands of people in Ladakh who have been affected by the decision. "Their life will turn upside down. A majority of these people might not have even heard about the government's decision. There is one group, even in the main towns of Leh and Kargil that has been severely hit the women. They keep their savings in hard cash at home. Even people who work as tour guides keep their savings, not in the bank, but in hard cash. They will be the worst hit," he said. One of the first dents in Jayalalithaas (her name is sometimes spelled Jayalalitha) popularity was when she held a conspicuously ostentatious wedding for her foster son VN Sudhakaran who was the nephew of her close confidante Sasikala Natarajan. This was in 1996 and people believed this was the most expensive wedding ever seen in Tamil Nadu with its two-kilometre long illuminated barat route, ten dining halls which could accommodate over 2.5 lakh guests and elaborate wedding pandal that covered over 75,000 square feet. Each wedding card was accompanied with a silver plate, silk sari and a silk dhoti and is said to have cost over Rs 20,000 Sudhakaran was said to be groomed to become Jayalalithaas heir and was getting married to Shivaji Ganesans granddaughter Sathyalakshmi. By todays standards, the wedding can hardly be described as ostentatious, overtaken as it is by other even more ostentatious weddings. If this wedding had cost her Rs 100 crore, twenty years later, mining magnet Janardhan Reddys daughters wedding held at the Bengaluru Palace Grounds is reported to have cost over Rs 550 crore. For the wedding of Transport Minister Nitin Gadkaris daughter, about 30 chartered flights touched down in Nagpur. An angry former chief minister M Karunanidhi had in 1996 asked how arch rival Jayalalithaa had spent so much money when she drew just rupee one as salary every month. Women groups and lawyers went to town over her extravaganza and managed to whip up a wave of anti-Jayalalithaa sentiment accusing her of misusing public machinery for a private function. This was followed by police raids on her residence where they netted over 11,000 saris, 750 pairs of shoes and a three-pound diamond studded gold belt. She found herself being accused of being another Imelda Marcos, the wife of deposed Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos, who was found (following raids) to have 3,000 pairs of shoes in her closet. The adverse publicity saw the party losing elections in May 1996 and she herself was defeated from the Bargur constituency. This was a low period for Jayalalithaa because it saw 48 cases being slapped against her and her aide Sasikala. On 27 August 1996, she snapped ties with Sasikala and disowned her foster son Sudhakaran. December of the same year saw her being arrested and having to spend a month in prison. This one month period must have been a learning curve for her because after her release, it saw Jayalalithaa emerge as someone who shunned ostentation. She dressed simply and wore no jewellery. She also publicly promised to change and devote herself to the welfare of her citizens. She kept her promise and introduced several welfare schemes across the state. Following her re-election, she started a number of populist schemes aimed at creating a strong base for her party. In this, she succeeded. Her Amma canteens, Amma pharmacies, the mixers and grinders, and colour TV sets given to the voters won her the hearts of the Tamilian people. Even prior to her release from jail, she had a marked pro-people tilt. In 1991, she swept the elections with the AIADMK party winning 225 seats out of 234. The women in Tamil Nadu had rallied around in large numbers. And it was in one such election rally which I attended that she announced that all girl students passing the tenth standard would be given a bicycle. The cradle baby scheme for girl infants who are deserted by their families along with TASMAC was also introduced. These and several other welfare measures have ensured that Tamil Nadu has some of the best social indicators amongst all the states in the country. For a leader who was a reluctant politician and started out as an ostentatious displayer of power and pelf, it is no small matter that one of the principal reasons why she will be remembered for is making welfarism an accepted, even emulated, part of statecraft. There were over thousands of police personnel deployed in Chennai after the death of J Jayalalithaa, the charismatic chief minister who held sway over Tamil Nadu politics for more than three decades with a pro-poor image. Lakhs of grieving men and women bid her a tearful adieu. Such was the impact of Jayalalithaa's death on Tamil Nadu and the country that many international newspapers and organisations also reported about her death. BBC in an article said that "Jayaram Jayalalitha was one of India's most colourful and controversial politicians, adored by some and condemned by others." The report also said that she was "naturally charismatic" and introduced a lot of schemes for the welfare of the poor. It also, however, said that the support she got "verged on the bizarre" as her supporters were known to have professed their loyalty through acts like walking on hot coals or drawing her portrait with blood. It also talked about the allegations of corruption against Jayalalithaa in detail, mentioning how the police, during a raid on one of her premises, had found "more than 10,000 saris and 750 pairs of shoes." Another article in The Washington Post titled 'Jayaram Jayalalitha, powerful Indian politician who broke gender barriers, dies at 68' said that "she was known as a secretive, somewhat imperious politician who rose to power despite Indias deeply patriarchal political system and was credited with developing her state and helping the rural poor." The article also talked about the corruption charges and disproportionate assets case against her and said that Jayalalithaa inspired a "cultlike devotion". The New York Times article titled 'Death of Tamil Nadus Leader Leaves Power Vacuum in Southern India' focused on how Jayalalithaa's death will affect the politics in Tamil Nadu. "Her death ushers in an uncertain period for the roughly 78 million people in Tamil Nadu, in part because it is unclear who will succeed her as leader of her party, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam," the article said. "An American diplomatic cable, written in 2009 and released by WikiLeaks, said that Ms Jayarams 'ruthlessness, including her willingness to sanction violence in pursuit of her goals, eventually reversed the traditional view of gender roles, leading the public to see Jayalalithaa as the toughest person in Tamil Nadu politics,'" it added. A CNN article called Jayalalithaa the 'goddess' of Indian politics. "Jayalalithaa, a popular former Tamil cinema star, embodied the blurred lines between celebrity and government that define the state's politics," said the article, adding that her supporters praised her like she was "a living Hindu goddess." The Guardian called her "Tamil Nadu's 'iron lady'". "She relentlessly challenged the male-dominated, sexist politics of Tamil Nadu that worked relentlessly to block her every step of the way," the report quoted novelist Vaasanthi Sundaram, Jayalalithaa's biographer, as saying. The report also said that "she pioneered alternative energy and water harvesting schemes and reduced the rate of female infanticide". An article in Al Jazeera also said that "In the first half of 2014, Jayalalithaa made a bid to become India's prime minister by saying she would form a coalition in New Delhi if no party dominated elections." But as we know now, that wasn't meant to happen. Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, who led the five-judge constitution bench in the Supreme Court which had struck down the controversial National Judicial Appointment Commission (NJAC) Act for the appointment of judges, was on Tuesday recommended as the 44th Chief Justice of India. Chief Justice of India TS Thakur on Tuesday wrote a letter recommending the name of Khehar, who is the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court to be his successor. First CJI from the Sikh community Justice Khehar, 64, will be the first Chief Justice from the Sikh community and he will succeed CJI Thakur who will be demitting office on 3 January, 2017. Having received his LLB and LLM from Punjab University, Chandigarh, Khehar was awarded Gold Medal for securing the first position in the university in LLM examination. Before being elevated as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court at Chandigarh on 8 February, 1999, Khehar had practised before it as well as the Himachal Pradesh High Court and the Supreme Court. He was twice appointed as the acting chief justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court from 2 August, 2008, and again from 17 November, 2009. He was elevated as chief justice of Uttarakhand High Court on 29 November, 2009. Later he was transferred as chief justice of Karnataka High Court. He was elevated as judge of the Supreme Court on 13 September, 2011. According to a report in Hindustan Times, lawyers and former judges of the Punjab and Haryana high court have described him as a hardworking and competent lawyer, a self-made person, who was destined to scale new heights. Khehar, who will be sworn in on 4 January, will hold the tenure for over seven months until 27 August, 2017. NJAC Considered to be a strong judge, Khehar presided over the constitution bench that junked the NJAC as unconstitutional holding that it intruded upon the independence of the judiciary. The government had sought to replace the existing collegium system for the appointment of judges to higher judiciary by the NJAC mechanism through the enactment of Constitution's 99th amendment that had put in place NJAC and the NJAC Act, 2014. President's Rule, Subrata Roy and more Khehar also presided over the five judges' constitution bench that had quashed the then Arunachal Pradesh Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa's decision to prepone the assembly session from January 2016 to December as it directed the restoration of ousted Chief Minister Nabam Tuki's government. But subsequent political developments in Arunachal Pradesh took a different course. He was also a part of the bench which sent Sahara chief Subrata Roy to jail while hearing the matter relating to the refund of money invested by people in his two companies. Khehar also headed a bench which recently gave a significant verdict holding that the principle of 'equal pay for equal work' has to be made applicable to those engaged as daily wagers, casual and contractual employees who perform the same duties as the regulars. Turf war between the judiciary and the executive While the turf war between the judiciary and the executive over the appointment of judges for higher judiciary has intensified, Khehar on the occasion of Constitution Day on 26 November had responded to the tirade from Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi by saying that the judiciary was working within its "lakshman rekha". "Judiciary is mandated to shield all persons, citizens and non-citizens alike, against discrimination and abuse of State power. Liberty, equality and dignity of the citizen have flourished substantially in India due to the pro-active role of the judiciary in the country," he had said. With inputs from agencies The suspension of six pilots, two each from indigo, Spicejet and Air India for allegedly endangering their flights as they hovered over Kolkata waiting for landing clearance makes no sense. Spurred by the accusations of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who was on one of them and believes this whole exercise was designed to have her killed, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) decided to investigate the issue.With ana alacrity it seldom displays. On the face of it all three aircrafts were low on fuel and had asked for clearance or else they were to prepare to move to an alternate airport. There is a fixed protocol in every commercial or scheduled flight. You go from point A to point B with thirty minutes go around or hover fuel over point B and enough fuel after that to reach your alternate airport (in this case, Bhubaneshwar) and hover there for thirty minutes. If any of these parameters have been broken, then by all means charge the pilots and the ground crew and the dispatch for negligence. But if they have not been broken and the fuel was sufficient to get to the alternative with enough to spare then becoming all holier than thou because a chief minister gets paranoid borders on the ridiculous. We have to understand that when you make the pilot community jittery and take punitive action like this you are more likely to compromise air safety that if you go off half-cocked into an investigation that requires a probe of what went on between the three flights and the ATC where there might have been a possible misunderstanding but you do not create such a furor and take these unilateral actions when there is no evidence of the rules being broken. At no stage were the aircrafts in danger or passenger safety compromised and it seems that all this controversy is predicated to the Banerjee's impatience of her flight landing being delayed. In fact she should be asked why she would scare 170 passengers and why an airline should be maligned by her causing distress and concern to future passengers. When you accuse airlines of negligence, it has far reaching effects. Add to that a finger pointing at the pilots for not carrying out their duty and the carrier is literally placed in the dock. You cannot seriously imagine that the crew colluded to endanger a flight complement of 170 passengers and place their lives at risk as an part of a conspiracy to eliminate Banerjee. The more incredible part is how protected these politicians are that they can make such outrageous statements and get away with it. Any other normal passenger making such claims would either be taken away in a straitjacket or be placed into custody pending an inquiry. Once having said it, Banerjee should be asked to explain exactly how and why she has arrived at this conclusion based on the flimsy perception that her flight was slightly delayed. Imagine, if you will, if all of us on delayed flights were to see the a hand in glove plot what utter chaos there would be in the skies. Seeing that no pilot on any of these flights called an emergency, hit the transponder 7700 code or said anything more than alerting ground control to facts on the fuel situation suspension for doing their job seems untenable. After all, they had enough fuel to break the parameters and hover over Kolkata for another ninety minutes. In a yet another case of crimes against women, a 25-year-old physiotherapist was found raped and murdered at her residence in Vile Parle, Mumbai early on Tuesday. Two people have been arrested in connection to the case, reports Mumbai Mirror. The Indian Express report says that the Vile Parle police registered a case under sections 302, 376, 377 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code. The police says that victim was strangulated by a pair of jeans and that the place had been set on fire. The Mumbai Mirror report stated that the police reached the spot at 4.30 am after neighbours alerted the victim's parents of the smoke emanating from her room, which was the first floor of the building. The victim's parents lived on the ground floor. The post-mortem report by Cooper Hospital came out at 9 am on Tuesday. She was sexually assaulted, hit on the head, and then strangled. The murderers tried to set her body on fire, Mumbai Mirror quoted one of the doctors on the condition of anonymity. According to a Mid Day report, the victim had gone out for a birthday party at a restaurant close to her home at around 8 pm on Monday, and reached home at around at midnight. The murder might have taken place before 3.30 am on early Tuesday, states a Hindustan Times report quoting the cops. The police are now looking for CCTV footage to get a breakthrough in the case. The police are suspecting the hand of her friends in the incident and are currently questioning them, the Mid Day report added. The victim was also robbed of some cash and gold. New Delhi: Principals of Delhi government-run schools can appoint retired teachers in case of "shortage" of teaching staff in their institutes. This was announced by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, during the annual function of a Sarvodaya Vidyalaya in Mayur Vihar Phase I in New Delhi on Tuesday. "If there is shortage of a teacher in any school, then the principal need not ask the deputy director or send file to him. Now, the principals will be able to appoint retired teachers of government schools for such vacancies," Sisodia said. Retired TGT and PGT teachers of government schools will have to register themselves on the education department's website if they want to apply for such posts. They will be able to select a school of their choice, a senior government official said. The applicants will be interviewed at the school concerned by a selection committee comprising principal, a teacher and two to three members of the school management committee, he said. The retired teachers who are not selected in any school, will be included in a panel to be prepared by the education department for future appointments as the need may arise, the official said. Sisodia RPT Sisodia said it is often difficult to permit teachers to go on leave due to shortage of teaching staff. Appointment of retired teachers as per need will solve this problem. Previously, the government had allowed school principals to appoint estate managers for maintenance of cleanliness and sanitation. Earlier, the principals or teachers were engaged in ensuring cleanliness at the schools but now the estate managers discharge this duty, the official said. Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin, Unhousel'd, disappointed, unanel'd; No reckoning made, but sent to my account; With all my imperfections on my head, - Hamlet The above words could very well be the epitaph of Jayalalithaa Jayaraman. Except the very likely possibility that they won't be used to eulogise the former Tamil Nadu chief minister. The last leg of Jayalalithaas journey towards her eternal resting abode was marked by an 'unknowing'. In the sense that ever since she was admitted in a hospital after falling critically ill, some 75 days ago, she never emerged from that state. It is said that death equalises everything. But does it? Writing obituaries for political leaders like Jayalalithaa is always tough, especially amidst an ongoing national mass hysteria, showering her with exaggerated hyperbole. Its also equally true that the 'real' Jayalalithaa lay somewhere between her image as 'Amma' and as an authoritarian. She will certainly be remembered as a significant political leader and our assessment should, therefore, be confined to and be rooted in that sense of history. The legendary historian RC Majumdar, who wrote the monumental three-volume 'History of the Freedom Movement in India', said: There are some obvious difficulties in writing a history of the movement for freedom in India only fifteen years after it was achieved, and by one who has himself passed through the most eventful period in itWe are all too near the events to view them in their true perspective. I have been a witness to the grim struggle from 1905 to 1947, and do not pretend to be merely a dispassionate or disinterested spectator. I would have been more or less than a human being if I were soWithout denying this possibility, I have tried my best to take a detached view." At the risk of oversimplifying, it can be said that if the rest of India practices a certain form of democracy, Tamil Nadu practices its own patented form characterised essentially by personality cults, harking right back up to Periyar. The phenomenon of how a mass agitation was premised on and spurred by misguided notions of linguistic purity swiftly degenerated into linguistic chauvinism and then to a raucous and often violent political culture of personality cults is a topic for academic research. The world over, personality cults are banyan trees that allow nothing to grow under their sprawling shade. And one of its defining traits is this: 'Its not enough if anything good is done, but it is only I who should do it, or at least seen to be doing it. Else, it shouldnt be done.' Indeed, its nobodys argument that no good comes out of it but the cost of and the trade off that accompanies this good is what should concern us. Thanks to this brand of personality-centric democracy, politics in Tamil Nadu is dictated by emotionally-charged, grand vows by 'great leaders'. Those who grew up in that milieu can distinctly recall how MG Ramachandran had once sworn that 'as long as he was alive, he would not allow Karunanidhi to become the chief minister.' Or the fact that after her humiliation in the early days, Jayalalithaa had vowed that the next time she would set foot in the Tamil Nadu Assembly would be as the chief minister. This in turn gave rise to equally grand titles of 'Kalaignar', 'Nadigar Tilakam, Makkal Tilakam', 'Puratchi Thalaivi' and the rest. Vengeance was logically yet another immensely spicy ingredient to make this mix complete. The mass of supporters of the respective 'great leaders' had their share of blood upon capturing power, as the last thirty years in Tamil Nadu have shown. To a dispassionate observer, this only represents an enormous squandering of valuable and proven leadership skills, not to mention the generational waste of human and other resources. Or more dangerously, and tragically, the phenomenon of what transpired in Tamil Nadu (and parts of Bangalore) in the aftermath of MGRs death. According to a 1988 India Today report: "For two days normal life was paralysed. Shops were closed, essential supplies were cut off, vehicular transport ground to a halt and passengers were stranded at railway stations and the airport. Vice-President SD Sharma was stuck at the airport for three hoursMadras succumbed to grief and anarchy perhaps a glimpse, a brief foretaste of what lies ahead. Vandals began pelting stones, burning buses, uprooting road dividers, looting shops and setting ablaze and chipping and chiselling off the statue of Karunanidhi, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's (DMK) leader and MGR's arch political foe," "Hurling stones and shattering the window panes of Pals Restaurant on Mount Road. Rati, 21, assisted by a gang of at least 100 All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) members said: 'Why should Madras survive when MGR has gone?' R Chandrasekhar, 23, mourned: "The world will never see another leader like MGR." Unmindful of the advancing police patrol, G Raja said: "With MGR dead, what is the use of us living?" the report said. This brief, overall political-historical situation provides an objective backdrop to analyse Jayalalithaas legacy. She not only closely observed MGRs style of functioning and his singular ability to manipulate and sway the masses his way, but imbibed it in her own long political career. The report added: "MGR's special link with his people had a near psychic dimension to it. His style of governance was autocratic, his demeanour feudal, his attitude vindictive, his administration inefficient. But the people of that region, in their blind, mystic reverence for him, saw none of thisdespite of his administrative failings. MGR, because of the sway he held over the masses, was able to perform a critical balancing act that made him not just a regional politician but a national figure as well." The similarities, however, run deeper. Like MGR, Jayalalithaa too ensured that there was no succession planning in the party, and it is anybodys guess as to when an all-out war will erupt in the ranks of the AIADMK, like it had in 1988-89. But 2016 is not 1998, and for what its worth, the personality-cult political magic wand will no longer work. But theres also an eerie similarity is the near-identical manner of their deaths. Firstpost had earlier hinted at a kidney ailment that was plaguing Jayalalithaa, who finally succumbed to a cardiac arrest on Monday. Now, compare this with India Today's report on MGRs death: "It is ironic that MGR who had been waging a losing battle with his kidney for the last three years should die of cardiac arrest." Yet perhaps thats where the similarities end. There is some credence to the note that its time we saw Jayalalithaa independently, outside of the prism of MGR. Unlike MGR, Jayalalithaa had an incredible grasp of the nuances of administration. And unlike MGR, Jayalalithaas rather elite and anglicised education, and her scholastic achievements greatly helped her in her position as chief minister. Similarly, in vastly changed circumstances since MGRs time, Jayalalithaa proved that she was adept at adapting. For instance, in MGRs time, the media was not as rudely intrusive or pervasive as it eventually became. The instance of Jayalalithaas deft handling of the media can be illustrated by her classic interview with a combative Karan Thapar (who was with the BBC back then). Of her decisiveness and cool aggression, there can be no two opinions. Of her delivering on key electoral promises, there can be no doubt. Yet, all of this towards what ultimate end? One of the merits of MGR was the fact that he shattered Karunanidhis divisive Dravidian ideological and political rhetoric that bordered on secession from the Indian Union. MGR wrote a separate script premised on his personality-centred mass appeal of pro-poor and pro-farmer schemes. Tearing poverty was indeed a daily spectre that haunted most of the era of post-Independence socialist India. But in a post-liberalisation India, neither Jayalalithaa nor Karunanidhi had any excuse to indulge in cash-for-votes kind of electioneering, and rampant and destructive welfarism, which has created at least one generation of unemployable youth. Equally, there are really no excuses for the numerous scams that dogged her entire career as chief minister. Or the fact that instead of resolving the Cauvery issue peacefully, she repeatedly allowed it to fester, perhaps to bolster her appeal as the messiah of the farmers. Or her avoidable assault against the Kanchi Shankaracharya Matham, that earned her the permanent ire of vast sections of Tamil Nadu. These then are some of the facets of the aforementioned enormous squandering of valuable and proven leadership skills, which Jayalalithaa was amply endowed with. She never accepted defeat, and reinvented herself with remarkable defiance. Yet each time she re-emerged victorious, she put in motion the same vicious cycle of populism, corruption and the rest. In this light, one is amazed at the tragic futility of it all. It is here that one needs to apply objectivity to accurately sift the personal struggles of Jayalalithaa from her contributions and legacy as a political leader. To recall Majumdar, we now have the luxury of knowing her life and leadership, and the impressions and influences thereof on people. While this clouds our own individual judgement, a future historian will equally have the luxury of taking a completely detached view in analysing her true legacy. While it is undeniable that Jayalalithaas final exit has left a void in Tamil Nadus political landscape, it has also left us with a warning. Student-led agitations grew by over 148 percent in the five-year period between 2009 and 2014, an analysis from the Ministry of Home Affairs data on police organisations shows. In general, the country witnessed a 55 percent rise in protests in the same period, amounting to an average of 200 protests each day. The analysis posits a correlation between literacy rates and incidence of protests, with Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra accounting for more than half of the protests. The underdeveloped states such as UP and Bihar, on the other hand, account for less than one percent of the protests in the five-year period. What stands out from these numbers is the rise in student-led protests. The data seems to have captured the rumblings of a phenomenon that exploded post the 2014 general elections, especially with Narendra Modi governments interventions in the arena of higher education. It is only over the last two years that we have come to realise the full force of this movement, from Hokkolorob protests at Jadavpur University, Occupy UGC movement to the protests in wake of Rohith Vemulas suicide, and subsequently, the response to the crackdown on JNU students. However, the surge in the number of student-led agitations in the preceding years points to much deeper socio-economic causes, to which adequate attention has not been paid. The unfolding of student politics in India in recent times, especially now in the much more dramatic context of global politics, warrants careful analysis. In April 2015, when a fledgling student group at IIT-Madras issued a pamphlet announcing a lecture to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, little did they know that it will attract national limelight (the institute student body recently banned the distribution of pamphlets in the campus ostensibly due to environmental reasons). Quoting from Annihilation of Caste, it said, Ambedkar proposed to annihilate caste by destroying Hinduism. He says, You must destroy the Religion of the Shrutis and the Smritis. Nothing else will avail. Hinduism is a veritable chamber of horrors and it must die for caste to vanish. Consequently, an anonymously written letter undersigned by Students, IIT Madras reached Smriti Irani-led MHRD. The letter accused the concerned student group Ambedkar-Periyar Study Circle (APSC) of creating hatred among student in the name of caste and trying to polarise the ST, SC students (sic) and trying to create hatred against the Honourable Prime Minister and Hindus. The ministry swung into action and sought comments from the institute in an official letter, which included handwritten notes, as reported by The Telegraph: Unfortunate. IITs were never used for such purposes. Pl get comments. Ideologically on the same page as the ruling dispensation, the Dean of Students acted to "de-recognise" the student group. In the days that followed, the IIT-M campus resembled a fortress with protests by students inside as well as different ideological groups outside. The de-recognition of APSC led to the group being catapulted to the centre of a sharply polarised national discourse. Similar groups sprang up at other universities overnight, in solidarity, and much of this battle was waged on social media. It is important to note that this happened at an institution which takes pride in its apolitical credentials. Politics of any sort indeed triggers deep anxiety among the IITs which have constantly sought to distance themselves from the political spaces that exist in institutions such as JNU, with the underlying assumption that they somehow exist outside politics. And yet, it ought to be recognised that one would be hard-pressed to find one singular imagination of student protests or student movements. Even in institutional spaces that are deemed explicitly political and within movements deemed explicitly progressive, new arrangements, alliances, and tensions have taken shape. For instance, the Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students Association (BAPSA) at JNU was born out of the failure of organisations such as SFI and AISA to take up issues around caste. However, even amidst the fragmented landscape of social movements, student groups have found common ground to express their political creativity and unsettle totalising narratives. What the APSC case does is that it provides an instance of the polarising context that set in leading up to the 2014 general elections and thereafter, and against which we could read the data on student protests. Interestingly, the 2014 Lok Sabha elections witnessed increased voting by young people. The turnout among the first-time voters (18-22) and other young voters (23-25) was 68 percent, 1.4 percent above the national voter turnout, a Centre for the Study of the Developing Societies (CSDS) analysis shows. The number is significant as the turnout among young voters remained below the national average in the past. It would, however, be naive to treat the polarised context in itself as a possible cause. The history of social movements in India that drew heavily on student politics ranging from the anti-Hindi struggle to the anti-Emergency movement point to the layered socio-economic circumstances that resist easy reductions. It is then pertinent to look at some of the characterisations of student politics in the country in recent times. An important strand of argument looks at student politics primarily in response to the neoliberal reconfiguration of our universities and the economy at large. It is a structural feature of the Indian economy that sectors that contribute the most to productivity in terms of GDP do not provide the proportionate number of jobs. Unemployment, and youth unemployment in particular, has been a persistent feature of the economy with successive governments failing to address the issue. This is in addition to cuts in public sector jobs. There could be as many as 10000 applications for a single government job, as Craig Jeffrey reports, as part of his research, published in The Guardian. With the continued prioritisation of capital intensive industries accompanied by the agrarian crisis, the problem is unlikely to go away, says Delhi based researcher, Thomas Crowley in Jacobin Magazine. Economic instability, the arguments goes, does not only have a bearing on youth aspirations, unemployment and access to education, but it also compels the state to engage in repressive measures to create distractions. These measures include the kind of crackdown on student leaders like Kanhaiya Kumar and Umar Khalid. Student politics in this sense comes to be defined as a response to a repressive state. Additionally, the changed composition of universities following the implementation of affirmative action policies is treated as an opportunity, even though they remain inherently exclusionary as argued by Satish Deshpande and Mary E John in The Hindu. Furthermore, the neoliberal university becomes less a space for critical engagement, debate and inquiry, and more a skills factory for the technocratic workplaces owned by transnational capital." The administrators act in nexus with state-capital to discipline different forms of activism. The reconfiguration of spaces of learning then generates disillusionment, and such spaces are to be rescued through student activism. As an example, the Occupy UGC movement sought to protest the discontinuance of fellowships for MPhil/PhD among the reasons for the move are budgetary cuts for higher education and the likely opening up of education to international trade, as pointed out by Ayesha Kidwai. I would argue that looking at student politics solely in terms of a neoliberal development is an easy critique, one that we must stretch. This has implications for how we look at student protests in contested times. First, taking the incidence of protests as the sole indicator of political dynamism risks reducing the nature of our political engagements to some predetermined schema. It also implies that we contest correlations such as that between underdevelopment and protests, and go beyond them. Bihar and UP may account for only one percent of the registered protests between 2009-2014, but ethnographic literature has mapped the complex linkages between larger macroeconomic shifts, gendered youth cultures, and students political engagement sometimes good, sometimes bad. The lack of protests doesnt take away from the political richness of the dynamics in the region which could be as potent as any protests. Second, while overt crackdown on dissent is a feature of the current political regime, we should also remember that a lot of our institutional spaces are interstitial in nature. It means that spaces for negotiation and engagement do exist albeit in the interstices of power and surveillance. We should, therefore, also consider the importance of quiet politics in addition to protests and demonstrations. Finally, as a conceptual alternative, the notion of precarity offers a useful way of looking at student politics, and here I draw on Wanda Vrasti's essay, Struggling with Precarity: From More and Better Jobs to Less and Lesser Work, The Disorder of Things. Precarity usually refers to a sense of uncertainty mixed with anxiety. It is usually used to denote some sense of betrayal, either by the state or the society. However, as different scholars have argued, precarity is a consistent feature of life under capitalism. This is a problem as well as an opportunity. In terms of the latter, it is imperative that we re-appropriate precarity. We then look at precarity not just in terms of loss and betrayal but as a series of contingencies that offer opportunities to build solidarities and seek common ground, however shifty it may be. The author is a fellow at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), Bengaluru. During his visit to India to attend the Heart of Asia conference in Amritsar on Saturday evening, Pakistani High Commissioner Abdul Basit got into a row with a member of security personnel at the Radisson Blue hotel, the venue of the conference. After security denied permission for Aziz's interaction with the Pakistani media at the conference venue, Basit got into an argument which was caught on video by a news channel. Later, the Pakistani High Commission planned the interaction at another hotel but that too was not allowed, the Pakistani High Commission sources said. Subsequently, Basit spoke to the Pakistani media. Earlier that same day, Pakistan claimed that its Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor was not allowed to visit the Golden Temple and speak to Pakistani media persons at the hotel where he was staying, even as India said it was done due to security considerations. Sources in the Pakistani High Commission said Aziz had planned to visit the Golden Temple but was not allowed citing security concerns. With inputs from PTI A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was arrested in Kolkata on Tuesday with new notes worth Rs 33 lakh on his person, reports said. Sharma was allegedly trying to exchange old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 that were demonetised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 November. Kolkata: STF arrested 7 people including BJP leader Manish Sharma with Rs 33 lakhs(new Rs 2000 notes) and arms, later sent to police custody pic.twitter.com/ytfegJUDHb ANI (@ANI_news) December 6, 2016 Having fought on on a BJP ticket in the West Bengal assembly election this year from the Bardhaman district of West Bengal, BJP leader Manish Sharma was arrested when he was trying to exchange a large quantity of old notes, News18India reported on Tuesday. According to the report, Sharma was arrested with six other people involved in mining business with the BJP leader, who according to the police, were trying to exchange the old notes. Sharma was caught by a special task force from the Raniganj coal belt of West Bengal, and has been sent to police custody. According to a report by livehindustan.com, the police also found seven fire arms, 89 round bullets from them. The police also found new notes of Rs 2,000 worth Rs 10 lakh from Sharma's car. The police also found notes of Rs 50 and Rs 100 from the BJP leader. Among those arrested by the police, the report said that one of the culprit was a local don Rajesh Jha, 46, who had been arrested twice in June and July in cases related to fake currency and murder. State BJP president Dilip Ghosh told News18India that Sharma was with the BJP for a few months, and was given the responsibility to manage Raniganj. It was withdrawn after the elections. Ghosh also said that Manish's party membership has been suspended and will be restored only after he is found innocent. The impasse in Parliament over the issue of demonetisation has taken such a mammoth proportion that on Wednesday veteran BJP leader LK Advani was openly critical of Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan for failing to end the stalemate. Led by Union Finance minister and Leader of the House Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, the BJP took an aggressive stand and dared the Opposition to participate in the debate on demonetisation. The Parliament hardly did any business since the beginning of the Winter Session which already logged into its 16th day today. As soon as the House started, BJP members started shouting slogans from their benches after Jaitley challenged the opposition that to "have courage" to begin discussion on demonetisation, which they have been disrupting on a daily basis leading to many premature adjournments. Disappointed by the series of adjournments, Advani spared none to express his anguish over the state of affairs. Apart from blaming Kumar and Mahajan, the veteran BJP leader also took the Opposition to task. Kumar's efforts to mollify Advani did not have any desired impact on the veteran leader. Advani's angered pitch was such that it was heard by the media persons sitting in the press gallery on the first floor of the House in Lok Sabha. The issue was such that it became an instant talking point among all concerned in the corridors of Parliament and outside. At one level Advani's giving a vent to his ire to his own party members, especially to someone who has been close to him and responsible for floor management in the both Houses of Parliament, could be taken as a genuine reading of the situation by the eldest statesman in the House. But then at another level, any such remark in full public on the current deadlock in Parliament on an issue as sensitive as demonetisation, could be taken as yet another censure of his own party and government. Advani would know that his remarks would make instant news. Though senior BJP leaders including Information and Broadcasting and Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu played it down saying that this should be taken in good spirit, it could be easily assessed that ruling party had been deeply embarrassed by their 'Margdarshak'. The problem for the BJP is that the opposition might use Advani's statement to target the government and go to town claiming that it was actually the government which was to be blamed for the deadlock in Parliament. For over a year Advani had been silent, not speaking on any issue within and outside of Parliament. On demonetisation, he had issued a written statement hailing Modi's decision. But his rather tough positioning on Parliament functioning came when a raging debate is going on the mismanagement of cash flow and hardships faced by common mass. At this juncture, the party could ill-afford reprimand on floor management from its senior most leader. It had been over a year when Advani had taken on the current dispensation in the BJP. Shortly after BJP had lost Bihar elections Advani along with Murli Manohar Joshi and Yashwant Sinha had issued a joint statement, brief but tough and loaded: Results of Bihar elections has shown that "no lessons has been learned from the fiasco in Delhi. To say that everyone is responsible for the defeat is to ensure that no one is held responsible... Principal reason for latest defeat is the way the party has been emasculated in the last year. A thorough probe must be done of the reasons of defeat as well as the way party is being forced to kowtow to a handful and how its consensual character has been destroyed." This time around Advani's message is not as direct and not as embarrassing but it has hit hard and made many talk about floor management and attitude of the government. The party stalwart may face further marginalisation but he apparently is not bothered for he would think that his was only true nature of a given situation. There are some other people in the ruling party who feel that the issue could have been resolved if the government had shown slight flexibility. According to those believing in this line of thought, the prime minister should have been present in both Houses of Parliament when the Opposition had asked for initially and should have agreed to a discussion under a provision which requires voting. "The party had taken a position that this was a fight against corruption and one has to be either for it or against it. Even if voting had been done, people would have taken note of who was with the government in the war against corruption, black money, fake currency and terror funding and those who were opposed to it," said a government functionary. Nagpur: On the third day of the Winter Session of the Maharashtra Assembly in Nagpur, the 29-day-old process of demonetisation made its appearance. It was on 8 November that Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that notes of the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations would no longer be considered legal tender. Subsequently, new Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes were infused into the system. Speaking with Firstpost, former chief minister and former minister of state of the PMO, Prithviraj Chavan launched a scathing attack on the decision taken by the Modi government. "Claiming that this move is aimed at curbing corruption and putting an end to black money is election jumla by the prime minister. The decision to demonetise was taken with one eye on the upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab," said Chavan. While only six percent of black money is in currency notes, the rest of it 94 percent comprises investment in real estate, gold, shares and other things. "So in trying to stamp out the six percent of black money that is in currency notes, this demonetisation move has caused a headache for more than 100 crore citizens of India. The decision was a blunder and it will effect our rural economy," said the former chief minister. He claimed that the decision was taken in a hurry, without preparation or homework. "Nobody knew of the difficulties when the decision was made. In order to control black money, the implementation is non-existent and and now, we are taking the economy cashless?" asked Chavan, adding, "This too will fail in the future." "Many millionaires keep their black money overseas. But the Modi government is not doing anything about this money. It is only focussed on the six percent of black money found in currency notes in India," he said, "But, the interesting thing is that in the past 29 days after demonetisation, more than 90 percent of Rs 17 lakh crore is back in banks. Was all of this black money?" Chavan went on to say that nobody knows the reality of black money. "The ruling party MLAs and MPs are also unhappy with this decision, but nobody dares to oppose the decision or the hurried manner in which it was announced," he said, "After the decision, every citizen of the country believed that Modi would wipe away the scourge of black money from this country. But the prime minister breached the confidence. Will he (Modi) now announce that the elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab will be conducted with credit cards, debit card and cheques? There will be no money transactions in these election. So what's the benefit of demonetisation?" Suggesting that the former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan opposed the decision, the senior Congress leader said, "Rajan had clearly said that scrapping Rs 500 notes was not possible in the current system. clearly told that to scrap Rs. 500 notes is not possible in the current system. Countries like Myanmar, the erstwhile USSR and North Korea suffered due to demonetisation as we have all seen." At the same time, Chavan has demanded that Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis push for the withdrawal of Rs 2,000 notes. He also appealed to the chief minister to discuss the issue of withdrawing such a high-value denomination. "This (demonetisation) will hurt the Indian economy, particularly the rural economy," noted Chavan, "As per my information, the RBI is not ready for a quick process of demonetisation. They want two months to print new Rs 500 notes. And if you look at the dates for when the Code of Conduct begins for the Uttar Pradesh and Punjab elections likely to be announced on 15 January, 2017 it becomes clear that the decision by Modi was completely political in nature." On the topic of going cashless and e-wallets, the former chief minister called it a good idea. However, he asked, "Do we have internet connections and WiFi systems in rural areas? Did nationalised or private banks reached the last villages in the state? How can we provide more than 12,000 villages the service? In countries like the US and Kenya, cash transactions are quickly growing in volume. This idea to go cashless will be a big failure like demonetisation if e-wallets are promoted without adequate preparation." Chavan went on to state that he didn't understand why District Cooperative Banks (DCB) are not being allowed to function the basic duty of a bank. "If Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has intelligence on money laundering by DCBs, then the licence must be cancelled. Jaitley cannot take arbitrary decisions," said the former chief minister, "Eighty percent of rural transactions have been stopped. The Bhiwandi and Malegaon power loom sectors have totally shut down. The labour of this section is dependent on daily cash transactions. So who is responsible for the whole mess in the state and country?" "Earlier, we were talking about going corruption-free, then black money-free and a month later, we are going cash-free. This is a complete blunder as I see it," the former chief minister signed off. New Delhi: Six pilots flying three separate aircrafts to Kolkata last Wednesday have become scapegoats in the controversy over West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees flight and its delayed landing amid emergency procedures. From all available accounts, it is clear that her life was never under threat on that balmy November evening and these three aircraft were delayed at Kolkata due to normal congestion issues. No emergency was declared by the pilots of any of the three aircraft, none reported being low on fuel - so where is the question of a threat to the CMs life? She was not alone, there were hundreds of other passengers too on board these aircraft, waiting for a safe landing just like her. It is obvious then that politics, not aviation safety procedures, has dictated the subsequent strict action by air safety regulator DGCA. The regulator has de-rostered six pilots two each from IndiGo, SpiceJet and Air India for allegedly being low on fuel that day. A source said that a senior DGCA officer confessed to 'immense political pressure' before issuing the diktat about these pilots. Director General B S Bhullar was not available for comments for this story. IndiGo has protested against strictures on its pilots by the DGCA. An airline spokesperson said, the inquiry was conducted by the regulator supported by IndiGo safety department. Pilots operating flight 6E 342 have been kept off flying duties till investigations and discussions with DGCA are complete. As an airline we always comply with the DGCA guidelines. IndiGo captain had followed all SOPs as laid down by the regulator and at no stage did the captain declare a fuel priority or an emergency. There has been no violation or breach of any regulatory requirement in the above-mentioned matter. We are taking up the matter in greater detail with the DGCA. In fact, each of three airlines which have been asked by DGCA to de-roster pilots has stoutly denied the low-on-fuel charge. Besides IndiGo, Air India also plans to contest the DGCA order further. An airline spokesperson declined to offer any comments for this story. But since they have been de-rostered, the pilots of all these flights will now have to undergo corrective training before they can resume duties. A SpiceJet spokesperson did not comment on whether her airline will appeal against the DGCA decision but confirmed that the flight was not low on fuel at any time. Crying wolf is an old trick which Banerjee uses frequently. Her partys paranoia over the delayed landing of her IndiGo flight came just around the time the CM also imagined that army deployment at some toll plazas in her state was a conspiracy against her. The army later clarified that this was routine exercise, done after following laid down procedures which include informing local authorities. In the flight instance too, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs made several allegations about a threat to Banerjees life. "Is there more to this than meets the eye?" asked TMCs Derek O'Brien. "There is a school of thought that this is a conspiracy," he said in the Rajya Sabha. On the evening of 30 November, IndiGo flight 6E 342 carrying the CM was made to hover at Kolkata airport for about an hour. Though the airline subsequently said that at no time did its pilots either seek priority landing or report low fuel, full emergency procedures were put in place by the ATC when the flight landed. IndiGo had then said that the ATC got it wrong - the pilots said they had enough fuel for diversion (to Bhubaneshwar, which is about 20 minutes away) and another eight minutes of fuel for hovering. They did not say there was any fuel shortage. The IndiGO statement after the incident said: The flight was kept on hold for landing due to air traffic congestion at Kolkata. The pilot operating 6E 342 had informed the ATC that he has eight minutes of extra holding fuel over Kolkata (destination) before commencing diversion to the planned alternate. However, this information was misunderstood by the ATC who assumed that the aircraft had only eight minutes of total fuel left. The misinterpretation of the information by the ATC led ATC to instruct fire engines and ambulances to be stationed at Kolkata airport. We would like to clarify IndiGo captain at no stage declared a fuel priority or an emergency. Subsequently, the air plane made a normal landing at Kolkata airport at 8.40 pm, delayed by an hour due to congestion. An industry source said an Air India flight was ahead of the IndiGo aircraft in landing queue and the SpiceJet aircraft was third. But Air Indias AI 020 Delhi-Kolkata flight was asked to go around at the airport and the ATC gave priority to the IndiGo aircraft carrying Banerjee to land. When Jayalalithaa became Tamil Nadu chief minister in 1991, one of her first acts was to introduce the 'Cradle Baby' scheme, meant to reduce female infanticide, in the state's Salem district. Throughout the country, one of the leading causes of female infanticide was poor parents' inability to take care of their daughters, seeing them as a financial burden. But under the Tamil Nadu government's new scheme, parents could anonymously leave unwanted female babies in white-painted cradles kept outside the district's 116 clinics. The argument was to donate the child to the State instead of killing them. In February 1993, I travelled to Salem to see if the scheme was working. It was. In the first two months after the cradles' installation, 18 female babies were given up. The scheme was later extended to other parts of the state. The last time I looked at the figures was five years ago, by which time the number of "cradle babies" was hovering around 4,000. They had been dispatched to children's homes and were leading a life as orphans. This was one of the earliest schemes Jayalalithaa had introduced, in her first term as CM, to end what she had been calling "male domination" of the society. She had begun to talk about "male domination" back in 1989, when ruling DMK legislators assaulted her and pulled her sari in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, two years after her mentor and AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran died. It was right then that she vowed to become the CM herself. Her government was also the first to reserve 30 percent of police jobs for women and to establish all-women police stations. For the upliftment of women, she also came up with sundry other schemes which were later copied by other states. On one side, you see in Jayalalithaa a woman who was the personification of authoritarianism. In fact, she often seemed like a megalomaniac, she was the epicentre of her own universe. Sacking ministers and transferring officials at her whim and fancy, she demanded and achieved total submission from the party cadre. She thumbed her nose at other chief ministers and even prime ministers whenever they raised her hackles, and her attitude at times bordered on arrogance. But on the other hand, she was an able and efficient administrator who came up with innovative schemes, though the long-term benefits of some of these are debatable. And no doubt, she worked very hard. She was one of the few chief ministers if not the only one I have come across who work from morning to night, seven days a week, seeing files or meeting people or travelling. Killer 2004 tsunami Her ability to rise to the occasion in times of crisis was evident when a massive tsunami struck India and other SouthEast Asian countries on 26 December, 2004. In India, Tamil Nadu suffered the brunt, with about 8,000 people killed and lakhs of people displaced. I arrived in Nagapattinam (which alone accounted for more than 5,000 deaths in Tamil Nadu) late that night and stayed there for close to a month to cover a tragedy of gigantic proportions. On the coast, hundreds of entire homes were washed away and roads were filled with sea water. On what was once a beach, there were now helmets, utensils, clothes, coins, toys and even cars half-buried in sand. Bodies were strewn everywhere. Hundreds of fishing boats anchored at the coast were wrecked by the surging tidal waves. Some days, it was difficult to arrive at the precise number of people killed, women who lost husbands who had gone fishing and children who lost both parents. At first, the relief operation was tardy, considering the scale of the tragedy, but Jayalalithaa lost no time in personally taking charge of the situation. She handpicked officials to supervise relief and rehabilitation work. It was a pleasant surprise to see the speed with which the official machinery swung into action. Within 48 hours, select officials from across the state were mobilised to converge on the worst-affected areas near Nagapattinam and Cuddalore. Soon, the streets were being cleared and hundreds of decomposed bodies were being recovered from the debris of half-destroyed houses. Medical camps were set up to inoculate people against possible epidemics. And even as all this was going on, Jayalalithaa was busy drawing up plans to build thousands of homes for those who were rendered homeless. She constantly coordinated the operations from Chennai. When some said the relief was too slow, she called them "nincompoops". She lost the 2006 Assembly election for a variety of other reasons, but the proactive chief minister left her mark on the state with her work during four terms, interrupted twice by court verdicts which saw O Pannerselvam take her place. The long list of her welfare schemes did make significant impact on various sections of people, and even if they didn't turn Tamil Nadu into a heaven on earth, her achievements on the several fronts like law and order, electricity generation and attracting investments in industry are no less admirable. Pannerselvam has a lot to do to protect or build on this legacy. Tamil Nadu is a state with a very rich cultural heritage typified by Carnatic music and Bharatnatyam. The same has been reflected in the economy too and the state has been one of the forerunners in economic growth and development for the last two decades irrespective of the government in power. Ms Jayalalithaa ((her name is sometimes spelled Jayalalitha) had continued to take the state on the upward path and hence her demise means not so much an unfinished agenda but further acceleration in the economic prospects. Tamil Nadu leads the country in terms of having the second highest per capita product across all larger states coming just slightly below Maharashtra. It has the third highest number of bank branches after Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh and also in outstanding credit where Maharashtra and Delhi are higher. In terms of bank deposits it ranks fourth. Quite clearly TN has the infrastructure for growth. In the social development tables, TN is above the nations average in terms of life expectancy and literacy and has the second lowest infant mortality rate. Ms Jayalalithaas economic legacy will be more remembered in terms of what the government did for the alleviation of the poor, which has also been questioned by critics as being populist. The schemes introduced over the years have focused on providing direct assistance to the weaker sections in terms of various projects as well as distribution of physical goods. Hence, there has been a direct attack on the problems that affect the lower income groups which has become effective over the years. The interesting part of these schemes across the board is that they have been identified with her personality with a prefix of Amma, which hence has helped to drive home the point that it was the person that mattered. This is still not too unusual considering that even other states and the centre have used names of icons with these social programmes. The difference is that they have been associated with her name. Hence cradles for babies, gold for girls getting married, subsidized meals at Rs 1, free water to households, subsidized bottled water, free power of 100 units per month and so on were schemes which directly affected the well-being of the poor. A significant aspect of some of these schemes is the implementation which has been stupendous like the mid-day meal programmes which has almost forced parents to send their children to schools for the meal and also thus ensuring that they get educated in the process. This has worked specially for girls in rural India where there are still taboos relating to gender education. The other set of policies involved would hinge on what would loosely be called freebies, which has come to typify the habit in several other states too. Distribution of laptops, sarees, sewing machines, grinders and mixers, seeds, mobile phones, subsidized cement, and salt for the poorer sections are measures that have been taken to directly reach out to the poor. While some of these state-sponsored gifts add to the productive capacity of the people, others are household conveniences that appeal also to the political decisions taken at the time of elections. Now how would one evaluate such largesse? For the orthodox economist, such expenses would be termed as being populist and wasteful and will not get the approval. Further, it is argued that such programmes tend to put substantial pressure on budget balances as these outlays are considered to be of the non-development variety. The TN government has, however, always argued that these expenses have to be borne as they were part of the elections promises that have to be implemented. Besides, such expenditure created demand for the respective industries. Further, with the budgetary numbers reading okay, there was little reason, it has been argued, for critics to get into the quality of the expenditure. Also, the fact that the state is one of the better performing ones vindicates the stance that the money could have been put to alternative uses. The policies in TN have raised a wider debate about whether or not it is right to peer down the numbers of the budget when the overall contours are being maintained. Governments have to spend where others do not, and while some states have worked on the industrialization route to ensure that the trickle down effects work, the direction has been different here where direct action has been taken. TN would probably go down as one of the few successful welfare states in the country which has made a difference. What lies ahead now for the state? First, the state has to go in for drastic power reforms as the DISCOMs need to be revamped and their operations realigned with those of other states as the present losses are not sustainable. This does call for radical changes in the tariff structures and measures taken to cut down on T & D losses. Second, while TN is a better industrialized state, it still lags others when it comes to ease of doing business. The latest study carried out by the government with World Bank reveals that TN comes in the second category of acceleration required and is not in the top 10. This is where the government should work on because states are getting progressively competitive and would attract larger quantities of investment in case the environment is not cleaned up. Hence the focus should now be more on higher growth enabling policies while continuing with social enhancement schemes so that the state remains high on the radar. Given that there has been continuity in the latter, it may be expected that the government will work on the former in the coming months. (The writer is chief economist, CARE Ratings. Views are personal) J Jayalalithaa (her name is sometimes spelled Jayalalitha) had what the French would call je ne sais quoi. Charisma in English explains the expression to some extent but not fully. It could refer to a human attribute that defies easy description. It is that unique quality that makes someone likeable despite ones many flaws. One either has it or one doesnt; it cannot be cultivated. The late chief minister of Tamil Nadu had it. It made her larger than life and immensely popular. That may not be the case with her successor, O Panneerselvam. The fact that her party, the AIADMK, has managed a bloodless transition is a tribute to her capacity to maintain discipline among the rank and file. However, its too early to jump to any conclusion. It is for the simple reason that Panneerselvam, a two-time stop-gap chief minister, lacks the X factor that draws masses to a big leader and inspires blind devotion to him or her. Of course, personal charisma is no pre-condition for success in politics and some assume aura as they move ahead. Odishas Naveen Patnaik is a case in point. But in Panneerselvams case, the disadvantage is he would forever be in comparison with the towering Jayalalithaa. She had it in her to move out of MGRs shadow and create an identity for herself. Her successor, known primarily for his only virtue of absolute loyalty to Amma, would need to work doubly hard to achieve something similar. His administrative acumen is impressive. He shares the same politically influential Thevar vote base as Jaya. He has experience as chief minister. And he wields good clout in the south of the state. But all this do not equate with mass appeal. In a state where the force of personality easily overwhelms all other considerations, Panneerselvam certainly has a big handicap to overcome. The personality cult allowed Jayalalithaa to be authoritarian it is not necessarily a bad personality trait from a leader demanding total support from the party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been accused of being authoritarian but the fact is being in control allows him to implement his vision more effectively. It keeps dissidence under check and also demolishes rival power centres within the party, a bane for several other parties of the country. Panneerselvam will face several challenges on this front. He is only the first among equals, and he has to contend with the influence of Sasikala, Jayalalithaa's confidante. It is not immediately known what role she would play but political analysts say she would take over as general secretary, effectively controlling the partys organisation. This would curtail the chief ministers freedom to develop his own personality cult. In addition, he will have to contend with Sasikalas own equations with leaders at the lower level and senior party leaders who would find it difficult to treat him on the same footing as his predecessor. The AIADMK could be headed for some kind of crisis at some point. The same could happen in the case of DMK after MK Karunanidhi calls it a day. His efforts to establish Stalin as his successor has not worked out well. Politics in the Dravidian land is headed for interesting times. It may have to discover or create a new cult personality with je ne sais quoi to regain balance and a sense of order. Till then, Panneerselvam may be a stop-gap arrangement, a role he is used to. New Delhi: Miffed over the appointment of Dilraj Kaur as the member secretary of DCW, which the Lt Governor's office has termed as "temporary", Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday hit out at Najeeb Jung, likening him to "Hitler". "LG is acting like Hitler, following in footsteps of his masters Mr Modi n Amit Shah...Najeeb Jung has sold his soul to the Prime Minister," Kejriwal said in a series of tweets. The LG office said the appointment of Kaur was necessitated by retirement of Alka Diwan, who previously held the post, on 30 November. "The post fell vacant so a stop-gap arrangement was made. This is a temporary appointment as the Lt Governor felt the post should not remain vacant considering its importance," an official in the LG office said. The LG office also rejected the government's contention that a proposal made by it with regard to the appointment was pending with it. "In fact we have asked the Chief Secretary to come up give us the government's recommendation if any." The appointment of member secretary to the DCW (Delhi Commission for Women) recently emerged as yet another flashpoint between Kejriwal and Jung. Kejriwal had termed as "unconstitutional" the earlier appointment of Diwan to the same post, saying Jung had overlooked the name suggested by the government. DCW chief Swati Maliwal had alleged that the appointment of Diwan led to the stalling of the functioning of the Commission and was subverting its autonomy. Six pilots who had reported fuel shortage when TMC head Mamata Banerjee was on board the flight 6E 342, from IndiGo, SpiceJet and Air India were suspended by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Tuesday, according to a report by The Times of India. However, according to ANI, IndiGo Airlines have said that the pilots operating flight 6E 342 have been kept off flying duties till investigations and discussions with DGCA are complete. Allegedly, the regulatory action was a 'strict' warning to airlines to refrain from cutting any corners, especially in winter when visibility is low, according to the same Times of India report. The inquiry conducted by the regulator was supported by the IndiGo safety department, the IndiGo airline has said, adding that as an airline it always complies with the DGCA guidelines. According to the airline, the IndiGo captain had followed all SOPs as laid by the regulator and at no stage the captain declared a fuel priority or an emergency. A private airline plane carrying the Bengal Chief Minister hovered for over half an hour in the city sky before landing at the NSCBI Airport in Kolkata on 30 November, prompting Trinamool Congress to allege that it was a conspiracy to eliminate the party supremo. "This is nothing but a conspiracy to kill our chief minister as she has raised voice against demonetisation and is touring the country to organise a mass movement against the anti-people decision," said Senior Trinamool Congress leader and state Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim, who was accompanying Banerjee in the flight. The issue was also later raised in the parliament, turning it into a political row. "The flight took off from Patna at 7.35 pm, an hour behind schedule, and landed in Kolkata shortly before 9 pm, after hovering over 30 minutes in the sky due to technical reasons," airport officials said, adding that such an incident was nothing new in any airport. However, Hakim alleged:"The pilot sought permission for landing from the (Air Traffic Control) ATC as the plane was flying short on fuel but the ATC kept the flight on hold," also claiming that even as the pilot announced 180 km away from Kolkata that the plane would land within five minutes, it ultimately touched down after over half an hour," seriously inconveniencing the chief minister and other passengers". But when contacted, a senior ATC official said he was not aware of such incident. On 1 December, IndiGo said that the plane was delayed due to congestion before making a normal landing and that the fuel on arrival was more than the minimum diversion fuel and there has been no violation of regulatory requirements. In a detailed statement, IndiGo said that the flight 6E 342 with 174 passengers on board, made a "normal landing" at Kolkata airport and that its captain did not declare a fuel priority or an emergency, though there was some misunderstanding between the Air Traffic Controller and the pilot. "The flight was kept on hold for landing due to air traffic congestion at Kolkata. The pilot operating 6E 342 had advised the ATC that he has eight minutes of extra holding fuel over Kolkata (destination) before commencing diversion to the planned alternative (airport). However, this information was misunderstood by the Air Traffic Controller who assumed that the aircraft had only eight minutes of total fuel left," it said. It went on to say that this misinterpretation led the ATC to instruct fire engines and ambulances to be stationed at the airport, clarifying that the IndiGo captain at no stage declared a fuel priority or an emergency. When TMC raised the issue in both houses of the Parliament, the government denied any designs by saying that at the same time as Banerjee's flight reported low on fuel, two other flights of Air India and SpiceJet also called in with the same problem. Other opposition members, including Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav, Bahujan Samaj Party's Mayawati, Janata Dal United's Sharad Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal's Prem Chand Gupta, Communist Party of India-Marxist's TK Rangarajan, Trichuri Shiva of AIADMK and Rajiv Shukla of the Congress demanded a thorough inquiry in the matter and tabling of the report in the Rajya Sabha. But Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said as per the "facts", all laid down procedures and regulations were followed by the ATC and assured the upper house that a probe will be conducted and its report tabled. Even in the Lok Sabha, TMC leader Sudip Bandopadhyay had raised the issue alleging that the Air Traffic Control (ATC) delayed giving the green signal to land despite the pilot pointing out that the plane was running out of fuel. Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju, however refuted the claim and announced that the DGCA has ordered a probe into the matter to find out how three flights at the same time could fly low on fuel into Kolkata when the norms mandated them to carry enough fuel enabling them to hover for 30-40 minutes, as well as to reach the nearest diversion airport, which in this case would be Bhubaneshwar. With inputs form agencies Sanaa: The Yemeni government says 60 nationals are feared drowned in the Arabian Sea, after their vessel went missing for days. In a statement, the internationally recognised government said the vessel disappeared some 40 kilometres from the remote Socotra Island five days ago. It was heading from the southern province of Hadramawt, carrying women and children among others. Another statement by the governor of Hadramawt, Ahmed ben-Break said that two were rescued and that the search is still ongoing. The government has urged the Saudi-led coalition which is backing the government in its fight against the Houthi rebels for help. Flights between Yemeni cities and the island were suspended since March 2015 when the Saudi-led coalition began its campaign, by closing the air space of Yemen. By John Davison | BEIRUT BEIRUT Years of siege conditions mean the citizens living in rebel-held parts of Aleppo are accustomed to danger, fear and tragedy. But as the Syrian army close in on the ruined streets of the Old City, they face some unbearable choices."I feel this is the end," Reem, a mother of two children, said via patchy internet connection from a rebel held district of the historic city centre. Cold and a lack of water had made her children ill and the family was surviving on one meal a day."We've long accepted that if we die we die, from barrel bombs and so on, but now we're scared that the army will come in and take my husband."The options facing Reem and others caught up in the rapid government advance are bleak: men of fighting age could be arrested whether they stay put or head to government-held districts. If they flee to rapidly-shrinking rebel-held areas they may only be putting that prospect off.Whatever they do, the risk of being killed increases daily."We want to get out, but to Idlib or Jarablus," Abu Youssef, 34, and from the same neighbourhood said, listing two rural areas still in rebel hands."But there's no way out, and the bombardment is unbearable ... We're very scared - we heard that yesterday the regime arrested every youth they found" in areas the army recaptured, Abu Youssef said.A neighbour who tried to leave for a government-held area a week ago had not been heard from since, he said.A Syrian military source has denied any arrests but said the identities of people leaving rebel-held areas were being checked and that anyone who was unknown was being put into "specific places" in areas where civilians were gathered. BOMBED IN THE STREETS Government forces, on the front foot in the nearly six-year-old war that has killed hundreds of thousands and made more than 11 million homeless, swept into the Old City on Wednesday, saying they would not consider a ceasefire until insurgents withdraw.Residents of the quarter, where the rubble from historic buildings fills the narrow streets, described civilians being bombed in the open and severe food and power shortages.Damascus and Russia, which supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, have called on rebels to withdraw from Aleppo, disarm and accept safe passage out, a procedure carried out in other areas where rebels abandoned besieged territory in recent months.Rebels called for a truce and civilian evacuations, but to areas of opposition control such as the northern Aleppo countryside, amid fears the government would immediately arrest men crossing from rebel-held territory.Many people have streamed from areas rebels have left and are crammed into abandoned homes while air raids and shellfire fall around them, hoping to escape before Aleppo is retaken. "We've had to move three times in a week," said Abu Mahmoud, a 25-year-old driver, who fled with his wife and two children through areas of the Old City as they fell to government forces.They now live in an abandoned home in one of the remaining rebel-held districts southwest of the ancient citadel. "The bombing was intense - mortar shells, rockets, phosphorus," he said.Residents say up to 20,000 people have fled their homes in recent days for other opposition areas. Around 18,000 had fled to government-held areas, the U.N. said last week. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said that number was likely in the tens of thousands.CONSTANT BOMBARDMENT Bombs continue to fall even as people flee, another resident said, saying many people had been killed trying to escape Bab al-Hadid near the citadel."There's been tragedy here for a long time but I've never seen this kind of pressure. You can't rest for five minutes, the bombardment is constant," he said, declining to be named.He had sheltered for three days in the same neighbourhood as Abu Mahmoud, using the building's basement as cover during air raids. "A single mortar shell here will kill 20 people because it's so crowded now," he said.Several hundred people have been killed in Syrian and Russian bombardments of rebel areas, including hospitals, in recent weeks, and in insurgent shelling of government areas, according to the Observatory.Many people were unable to go out in search of food because of the intensity of the bombardments."Bread is sometimes distributed (by local authorities)," Abu Youssef said. "You can't go out yourself to get it because the bombing is so so heavy."Meanwhile, communication with the outside world was becoming increasingly difficult."I have to turn my mobile off now because there's no battery left ... there's a small generator a couple of houses away where we go to charge our phones, I'll try to get there" he said, as a loud gunshot rang out. (Writing by John Davison; Editing by Samia Nakhoul) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Michael Holden and Estelle Shirbon | LONDON LONDON The referendum in which Britons voted to leave the European Union is not legally binding, the Supreme Court was told on Wednesday during a hearing on who has the power to trigger Brexit.The court is considering an appeal by the government against a ruling last month that ministers cannot invoke Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, the first formal step in the process of leaving the bloc, without parliament's explicit approval.If the Supreme Court upholds that ruling, the risk for the government is that proceedings in parliament could delay Prime Minister Theresa May's plan to trigger Article 50 by the end of March, watering down her Brexit strategy.The case has inflamed passions in Britain, with pro-Brexit critics saying those challenging the government through the courts were seeking to thwart the will of the people.On Wednesday, police announced they had arrested a man on suspicion of making racist threats against Gina Miller, the lead claimant in the case against the government.David Pannick, the lawyer acting for Miller, told the court the June referendum, in which Britons voted for Brexit by 52 percent to 48, had important political consequences but not legal ones."Parliament has deliberately chosen a model which does not involve any binding legal effect," he told the 11 Supreme Court justices during an exchange on the 2015 act of parliament that set the rules for the referendum to take place. Pannick argued that the 2015 act did not say what should happen after the referendum, and that since triggering Article 50 would effectively nullify the 1972 act through which Britain joined the EU, only parliament could authorise such a step.OVER TO THE GOVERNMENT? Pannick's assertion that the outcome of the referendum was merely advisory goes to the heart of the controversy generated by the case. Many politicians in May's Conservative Party and some pro-Brexit newspapers say the courts would be overstepping their constitutional role if they ignored the express will of the people.Miller and Pannick counter that their case is not aimed at blocking Brexit but rather at ensuring parliament is properly involved in the process. They won convincingly in the High Court in November.Supreme Court President David Neuberger questioned Pannick on Wednesday over whether parliament needed further involvement. "One could say it (the referendum process) is parliament ceding the ground ... to the people, to a referendum. It's done that, and then it's over to the government," Neuberger said."It could be said to be a bit surprising that ... an act such as the Referendum Act and an event such as the referendum has no effect as a matter of law." A stone's throw away from the Supreme Court, parliament will vote on Wednesday on whether to back May's timetable on Article 50.Pannick said that even parliament did vote in favour of the March deadline, that would make no difference to his case that parliament, not ministers, had the power to authorise triggering the article."Our submission is that a motion in parliament does not affect, cannot affect, the legal issues in this case," he said. (Writing by Michael Holden and Estelle Shirbon; editing by John Stonestreet) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Ben Blanchard and Bill Barreto | BEIJING/GUATEMALA CITY BEIJING/GUATEMALA CITY China called on U.S. officials on Tuesday not to let Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen pass through the United States en route to Guatemala next month, days after President-elect Donald Trump irked Beijing by speaking to Tsai in a break with decades of precedent.The U.S. State Department appeared to reject the call, saying that such transits were based on "long-standing U.S. practice, consistent with the unofficial nature of (U.S.) relations with Taiwan."China is deeply suspicious of Tsai, whom it thinks wants to push for the formal independence of Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing regards as a renegade province.Her call with Trump on Friday was the first between a U.S. president-elect or president and a Taiwanese leader since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 1979.Tsai is due to visit Guatemala, one of Taiwan's small band of diplomatic allies, on Jan. 11-12, its foreign minister, Carlos Raul Morales, told Reuters.Taiwan's Liberty Times, considered close to Tsai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, reported on Monday that she was planning to go through New York early next month on her way to Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador.Taiwan has not formally confirmed Tsai's trip but visits to its allies in the region are normally combined with transit stops in the United States and meetings with Taiwan-friendly officials.The trip would take place before Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20 to replace Democrat Barack Obama and Tsai's delegation would seek to meet Trump's team, including his White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, the Liberty Times said. MEETING "UNLIKELY" An adviser to Trump's transition team said he considered it "very unlikely" there would be a meeting between Tsai and Trump if she were to go through New York.China's Foreign Ministry said the one-China principle, which states Taiwan is part of China, was commonly recognised by the international community and that Tsai's real aim was "self-evident."China hopes the United States "does not allow her transit, and does not send any wrong signals to 'Taiwan independence' forces," the ministry said in a statement sent to Reuters.U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said on Monday he had no information whether Tsai would meet U.S. officials if she stopped in transit but said Taiwanese presidents did stop over periodically. He said the transits were "based on long-standing U.S. practice, consistent with the unofficial nature of our relations with Taiwan." A spokeswoman repeated the position on Tuesday when asked to comment on the Chinese call.In a meeting with American reporters on Tuesday, Tsai played down the significance of her conversation with Trump, saying it was to congratulate the president-elect."I do not foresee major policy shifts in the near future because we all see the value of stability in the region," she told the reporters.U.S. Vice President-elect Mike Pence told the Fox News Channel on Tuesday that Trump did not regret taking the call. "(The) president-elect was fully aware of the one-China policy," Pence said. "Hes also very aware that the United States has sold billions of dollars in arms to Taiwan."We have a unique relationship with that country thats been defined over the decades since weve reopened relations with the Peoples Republic of China but I think he think he felt it would be rude not to take the call.Taiwan has been self governing since 1949 when Nationalist forces fled to the island after defeat by Mao Zedong's communists in China's civil war.Taiwan's Presidential Office said media reports about a January trip were "excessive speculation."El Salvador's government said it was working with Taiwan on plans for a visit by Tsai in the second week of January but gave no specific dates.The Nicaraguan government had no immediate comment. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is to be sworn in for a third consecutive term on Jan. 10, however, so Tsai's trip to Guatemala would dovetail with that ceremony.The White House said on Monday it had sought to reassure China after Trump's phone call with Tsai, which the Obama administration warned could undermine progress in relations with Beijing. (Reporting by Bill Barreto in Guatemala City, Nelson Renteria in San Salvador, Enrique Andres Pretel in Mexico City, David Brunnstrom and Susan Heavey in Washington, Michael Martina in Beijing and J.R. Wu in Taipei; Writing by Simon Gardner; Editing by Bill Trott and James Dalgleish) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. United Nations: Blaming India for closing the doors on any bilateral engagement, Pakistan told top United Nations (UN) officials on Wednesday that the world body has a "moral responsibility" to play its role in resolution of the Kashmir issue and help in de-escalating tensions. Special assistant on foreign affairs to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Syed Tariq Fatemi, met UN secretary general-designate Antonio Guterres, deputy secretary general Jan Eliasson and under secretary general for political affairs Jeffery Feltman during a day-long visit. According to a press release issued from Pakistan's mission to the UN, Fatemi told the top UN leaders that Indian forces had stepped up ceasefire violations on the Line of Control (LoC) and the working boundary in order to divert international attention from human rights atrocities, particularly the targeting of civilians in Kashmir. "India had also closed the doors on any bilateral engagement. In this situation, the UN has a moral responsibility to call for ending human rights violations in Kashmir, play its role in resolution of this long festering dispute and help in immediately de-escalating tensions," he said, according to the release. Fatemi, accompanied by Pakistan's ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi, said Islamabad expected the UN to play its role in ensuring peace and stability in the South Asian region, especially in the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He said that while Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reached out to India and made efforts to develop a mutually beneficial relationship, the efforts were not being reciprocated by New Delhi. Fatemi also briefed UN officials about alleged human rights violations by Indian forces on the Kashmiri people, saying efforts to quash a popular and indigenous uprising in Kashmir had led to the killing of over a hundred people and injuries to thousands. The release said that UN leadership called for resumption of dialogue and de-escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, adding that Eliasson expressed concern at the regional situation and called for the lowering of tensions. On Afghanistan, Fatemi said Pakistan was ready to play its part for peace and stability in the country. Manila: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he felt "like a saint" after his phone conversation last week with US President-elect Donald Trump, who he said praised him for "doing great" in his deadly campaign against illegal drugs. Duterte said in a speech on Wednesday that Trump told him not to worry about Americans criticising him, saying "you are doing good, go ahead". He said Trump invited him for coffee if he visits the US to hear how he deals with the media, his critics and the public. Duterte quoted Trump as saying, "We should fix our bad relations." Duterte also announced that he'd told his Indonesian and Malaysian counterparts that their forces can bomb fleeing Filipino militants and their kidnap victims at sea because the hostages "are not supposed to be there". Duterte said in a speech that he told Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo that their forces could enter Philippine waters while pursuing Muslim militants who are fleeing with hostages. If the militants were about to escape, Duterte said "Bomb them. If they cannot be captured, you bomb them. How about the hostages? Eh, bomb them also. They're not supposed to be there, there is a warning." The brash-talking Duterte cited a US travel advisory warning Americans not to travel in the treacherous waters bordering the three countries. The Abu Sayyaf militant group is holding more than a dozen mostly foreign hostages in their jungle lairs on the southern Philippine island of Jolo. Despite discussions among the three leaders on ways to strengthen security along their sea borders, Abu Sayyaf militants and allied gunmen from Jolo and nearby islands have continued to target and kidnap crewmen of slow-moving tugboats as well as fishing boats. The ransom-seeking militants, who are notorious for beheadings, have also attacked cargo ships and separately snatched a South Korean skipper and Vietnamese crewmen in the southern Philippines. The US and the Philippines consider the Abu Sayyaf a terrorist organisation. LEWISBURG A Pennsylvania company has recalled about 1,300 stainless steel playground slides sold to parks, schools and municipalities because children could lose their fingers from a broken weld. Playworld Systems Inc., of Lewisburg, is aware of 13 incidents of broken welds and two children who had fingers amputated, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The CPSC says the weld between the slide bed and sidewall can crack and separate and a childs fingers can get caught in the space. The slides have both single and double beds and were sold by Playworld Systems and independent distributors from November 2000 through October 2016 for between $1,500 through $4,000. The CPSC said consumers should immediately stop using the recalled slides and contact Playworld for a free replacement slide and free installation. A temporary barrier will be shipped to consumers prior to shipment of a replacement slide to prevent children from using the slide. Playworld is contacting consumers who purchased the slides directly. By Lisa Barrington and Tom Perry | BEIRUT BEIRUT Syrian rebels in besieged eastern Aleppo called on Wednesday for an immediate five-day ceasefire and the evacuation of civilians and wounded, but gave no indication they were ready to withdraw as demanded by Damascus and Moscow.The Syrian army and allied forces have made rapid gains against insurgents in the past two weeks and look closer than ever to restoring full control over Aleppo, Syria's most populous city before the war, and achieving their most important victory of the conflict now in its sixth year.In a statement, the rebels called for talks about the future of the city once the humanitarian situation has been improved, but made no mention of evacuating fighters who are defending an ever shrinking area of eastern Aleppo. Syria and Russia, which supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, have said they want rebels to leave Aleppo and will not consider a ceasefire unless that happens."It's been a tragedy here for a long time, but I've never seen this kind of pressure on the city - you can't rest for even five minutes, the bombardment is constant," a resident said."Any movement in the streets and there is bombardment (on that area) immediately," said the east Aleppo resident contacted by Reuters, who declined to be identifiedRetaking Aleppo would also be a success for President Vladimir Putin who intervened to save Moscow's ally in September 2015 with air strikes, and for Shi'ite Iran, whose elite Islamic Republic Guard Corps has suffered casualties fighting for Assad.The government now appears closer to victory than at any point since 2012, the year after rebels took up arms to overthrow Assad in a war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people, made more than half of Syrians homeless and created the world's worst refugee crisis.Outside of Aleppo, the government and its allies are also putting severe pressure on remaining rebel redoubts. In what appears to be the final days of the rebellion in Aleppo, the rebels, including groups that have received U.S. support to fight Assad, say they have been abandoned to their fate by states that have backed the opposition to Assad. Rebels had lost control of about 75 percent of their territory in eastern Aleppo in under 10 days, Director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdulrahman, said.ARMY RETAKES OLD CITY The Observatory said on Wednesday the Syrian army had seized control of all parts of the Old City of Aleppo which had been held by rebels. It said the army advance on Tuesday and overnight, which was supported by air strikes and shelling, caused insurgents to withdraw from the historic Old City, including from the area around the historic Umayyad Mosque.There was fierce fighting in surrounding neighbourhoods on Wednesday as the army pressed its offensive. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Hamburg on Wednesday, Russian news agencies reported. Lavrov will also meet with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the agencies reported.The Kremlin said on Wednesday that a potential U.S.-Russia deal to allow Syrian rebels to leave Aleppo safely was still on the agenda. Damascus and Moscow have been calling on rebels to withdraw from the city, disarm and accept safe passage out, a procedure that has been carried out in other areas where rebels abandoned besieged territory in recent months. Moscow wants negotiations with Washington to facilitate such an evacuation.The Syrian Foreign Ministry said it would accept no truce at this point in Aleppo, should any outside parties try to negotiate one unless all the terrorist groups there depart. Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution on Monday calling for a week-long ceasefire. Moscow said rebels used such pauses in the past to reinforce. An official with an Aleppo rebel group, who declined to be named, told Reuters the United States appeared to have no position on the Syrian army assault on Aleppo, just weeks before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office."The Russians want the fighters out and they (the Americans) are ready to coordinate over that", said the Turkey-based official, citing indirect contacts with U.S. officials overnight. While rebels say they could fend off the offensive for some time to come, the fighting is complicated by tens of thousands of civilians sheltering in the rebel-held area, many of them related to the fighters, the official said."The civilian burden is very heavy, in a small area."The east Aleppo resident who has lived in the city throughout the war, said he, like many families, has fled his home because of the government advance."I shelter in the basement of the house I'm staying in; but in a bombardment that happened the day before yesterday a missile hit a five-storey building and drilled right into the basement," he told Reuters. "VERY DISASTROUS" SIEGE As winter sets in, siege conditions are increasingly desperate, exacerbated by increasing numbers of displaced residents and food and water shortages. The United Nations called the situation "very disastrous"."The weather's very cold, dangerously so, yesterday it went below zero. And when people were fleeing ... they came under shelling, many people were killed," the Aleppo resident said. "There is no electricity at all, no drinking water. People who have bottles of water are drinking from that, others drinking from wells ... There are families who have not had bread for three days." Very few rebels had quit Aleppo so far, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who described those who were left there as "terrorists" who were uniting around fighters from the group formerly known as the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front.But eastern Aleppo is widely seen by analysts of the Syria conflict as a bastion of the moderate opposition to Assad, which has maintained that jihadists have little presence in the city. The "humanitarian initiative" document published by rebels called for the evacuation of around 500 critical medical cases. Civilians wanting to leave east Aleppo should be evacuated to the northern Aleppo countryside, rather than Idlib province, it said. Idlib is dominated by Islamist groups including Fateh al-Sham, the group formerly known as the Nusra Front, and is facing intense bombardment by Russian warplanes. Fighters and civilians from rebel-held areas around Syria have often previously been transferred to rebel-held Idlib under settlement agreements reached with the Syrian army. But the rebel document said Idlib was too dangerous due to intense air strikes, and was unable to cope with more displaced persons.As a result of recent gains, Aleppo's local government has started to re-open the Aleppo airport road, Syrian state media said, as government steps to reunite the city under its control gathered pace. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington, Tom Perry and John Davison in Beirut, additional reporting by Andrew Osborn in Moscow, editing by Peter Millership) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Essen, Germany: Angela Merkel has called for a ban on full-face Muslim veils (burqas) while laying out her case for a fourth term as German chancellor on Tuesday. "Here we say 'show your face'. So full veiling is not appropriate here. It should be prohibited wherever legally possible," she said in a speech that lasted an hour and a quarter and was followed by 11 minutes of applause. Merkel was speaking to a party congress of her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Essen, the western rust belt city where she won the party leadership 16 years ago. Merkel also sought to present herself as a guarantor of stability in an uncertain world. Merkel promised a tougher stance on immigration and not to allow a repetition of last year's migrant influx when nearly 900,000 migrants poured into Germany and drew cheers when she said the Muslim full-face veil was not compatible with German culture. A year ago, the CDU rejected such a ban. The meeting was taking place a month after Donald Trump was elected president of the United States and at a time when Europe is reeling from a surge in populism and Britain's vote to leave the European Union. Merkel has been described as the last guardian of western democratic values, a suggestion she rejected. "You must help me," she said in an impassioned appeal to 1,000 CDU delegates. "No one, not even someone with great experience, can change things for the good in Germany, in Europe, in the world more or less on their own certainly not a chancellor of Germany." She was later re-elected head of the party by 89.5 percent of the delegates present, down from 96.7 percent two years ago. Europe's most powerful leader announced in November that she would seek to win a fourth term next autumn a feat achieved by only two post-war chancellors, Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl, both of the CDU. Merkel's decision to allow the migrant influx last year hit her popularity, triggered a damaging fight with her Bavarian allies and led to a surge in support for the anti-immigrant, eurosceptic Alternative for Germany (AfD). The party is expected to win its first seats in the federal parliament next year. "Off the rails" Admitting that many people felt the world was "going off the rails", Merkel told the conference: "We are faced with a world, especially after the US election, that needs to re-order itself, with regard to NATO and the relationship with Russia." Britons voted for Brexit in June, while Trump has questioned the relevance of the post-war transatlantic alliance and sent conciliatory signals to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The brutal war in Syria has led hundreds of thousands of refugees to flee to Europe. The AfD is one of many populist parties across Europe that are challenging the political establishment and threatening the liberal democratic values that have shaped the West since World War Two. In her speech, Merkel called the bombardment of the Syrian city of Aleppo a "disgrace" and warned Britain there would be no "cherry picking" in its Brexit talks. She made a case for free trade and won applause when she talked about slashing German unemployment. When she came into office in 2005, George W Bush was US president, Jacques Chirac was at the Elysee Palace in Paris and Tony Blair was British prime minister. An Emnid poll on Sunday showed support for the CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU) at a 10-month high of 37 percent, 15 points ahead of the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD). "The 2017 election for the Bundestag will be difficult like no previous election at least since German reunification" in 1990, Merkel told the conference. BEIRUT The Syrian army and its allies pushed into rebel-held areas of Aleppo's Old City late on Tuesday, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.A rebel official denied government forces had entered those areas but said they were pushing toward the Old City. A military source said government forces had begun to move "in that direction". (Reporting by John Davison, and Kinda Makieh in Damascus; Editing by Chris Reese) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Steve Holland and Warren Strobel | NEW YORK/WASHINGTON NEW YORK/WASHINGTON President-elect Donald Trump plans to nominate a third former general for a top job in his new administration with the choice of retired Marine General John Kelly to lead the Department of Homeland Security. A source familiar with the situation told Reuters on Wednesday that Trump was expected to name Kelly, 66, to head the agency, which oversees border security, but did not elaborate.Kelly is the former head of the military's Southern Command, where he was responsible for U.S. military activities and relationships in Latin America and the Caribbean. Kelly retired in January, 2016 after a 45-year military career. The Republican president-elect, who has no military experience, also plans to nominate retired General James Mattis to lead the Department of Defense and picked retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn to be his national security adviser. Although Kellys military experience may give him insight into overseas threats like drug trafficking or Islamist militancy, he would face new challenges at an agency that oversees everything from airport security to protecting against cyber threats and responding to domestic security crises. In 2015 testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Kelly warned of potentially dire consequences from illegal immigration on the U.S.-Mexico border."The relative ease with which human smugglers moved tens of thousands of people to our nation's doorstep also serves as another warning sign: These smuggling routes are a potential vulnerability to our homeland," Kelly told U.S. lawmakers. "Terrorist organizations could seek to leverage those same smuggling routes to move operatives with intent to cause grave harm to our citizens or even bring weapons of mass destruction into the United States," he said.Such sentiments may have endeared him to Trump, who warned repeatedly during his presidential campaign of dangers from immigration, and pledged to build a wall along the border and make Mexico pay for it. Kelly also questioned the Pentagon's decision to allow women to serve in combat, and differed publicly with President Barack Obama over the Democrat's attempt to close the Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba."There are no innocent men down there," Kelly said of Guantanamo in a January interview with the Military Times newspaper.The Republican-controlled Senate must confirm Kelly for the Homeland Security post. (Reporting by Steve Holland and Warren Strobel; Writing by Alistair Bell; Editing by Jonathan Oatis) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Dominique Patton and Steve Holland | BEIJING/NEW YORK BEIJING/NEW YORK President-elect Donald Trump will nominate Iowa Governor Terry Branstad as the next U.S. ambassador to China, a transition official said on Wednesday, choosing a longstanding friend of Beijing after rattling the world's second-largest economy by speaking to Taiwan's president.The appointment of Branstad may help to ease trade tensions between the two countries, the world's two biggest agricultural producers, diplomats and trade experts said. It also suggests that Trump may be ready to take a less combative stance towards China than many expected, the experts said.The New York real estate developer, who defeated Hillary Clinton in last month's election, has said he intends to declare China a currency manipulator when he takes office on Jan. 20 and has threatened to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese goods coming into the United States.Trump's unusual call with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen last week prompted a diplomatic protest on Saturday from Beijing, which considers Taiwan a renegade province. Trump's transition team played down the exchange as a courtesy call, but the White House had to reassure China that its decades-old "one China" policy was intact.The Trump transition official confirmed the choice of Branstad, first reported by Bloomberg, which said he has accepted the job.Earlier in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang called Branstad an "old friend" of China when asked about a report on the appointment, although he said Beijing would work with any U.S. ambassador."We welcome him to play a greater role in advancing the development of China-U.S. relations," he told a daily news briefing.Branstad called Chinese President Xi Jinping a "longtime friend" when Xi visited Iowa in February 2012, only nine months before he became the Chinese leader. Xi visited Iowa in 1985 on an agricultural research trip when he led a delegation from Hebei Province. He returned 27 years later and reunited with some of the people he had met.Trump's stance on China has been in particular focus since Friday's call with Tsai, the first such top-level contact with Taiwan by a U.S. president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter adopted a "one-China" policy in 1979, recognising only the Beijing government.DUMPING ALLEGATIONS Specific U.S. trade concerns include allegations that China is dumping steel and aluminum in global markets below the cost of production, hurting American producers. In the agricultural sector, the U.S. has been unable to get Beijing to lift anti-dumping measures on U.S. broiler chicken products and an animal feed ingredient known as distillers' dried grains (DDGS).China is one of Iowa's biggest export markets, so Branstad is well-placed to deal with China-U.S. trade issues, said Professor Huang Jing, an expert on Chinese politics at the National University of Singapore."This really sends a message that Donald Trump wants to handle China at the bilateral relationship level," he said.Branstad's personal ties with Xi could also help to ease U.S. access to Beijing's leadership, the diplomats and trade experts said. Still, they said his many years running Iowa, the top U.S. state for production of corn, soybeans and pigs, may not have prepared him for the more delicate tasks of diplomacy with Beijing.During Xi's 2012 trip, Chinese soybean buyers announced they would buy more than $4 billion in U.S. soybeans that year.Since then, the United States has grown more reliant on China's voracious appetite for commodities to spur demand for everything from oil to corn as global oversupply has hurt prices. Volumes of U.S. agricultural exports to China hit record levels in 2015."It's natural that they should continue this good relationship with China," said Pan Chenjun, senior analyst at Rabobank in China.As Trump puts together the top people in his administration, the process of announcing his choices has has not always been smooth. A Branstad spokesman, Ben Hammes, said early on Wednesday that the reports of the governor's nomination were "premature and not accurate."Trump transition official David Bossie told Fox News Branstad may join Trump at an appearance on Thursday in the Iowa capital, Des Moines. (Reporting by Sangameswaran S in BENGALURU, Christian Shepherd in BEIJING, John Ruwitch in SHANGHAI; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu in Washington and Kay Henderson in Des Moines; Editing by Robert Birsel, Martin Howell and Frances Kerry) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. ISTANBUL Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday called for the immediate extradition of eight Turkish soldiers who fled to Greece and sought asylum following a coup attempt in July.A Greek court earlier this week had ruled that three of the eight could be extradited while the Appeals Court had ruled that three other Turkish soldiers should not be returned home.Speaking to state-run broadcaster TRT in Brussels, Cavusoglu said all the soldiers were coup plotters. "Our wish is the immediate extradition of these people to Turkey," he said. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by David Dolan) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Remember Pearl Harbor resonates today as a turning point in world events that launched the American Century and its era of globalization, according to a local expert. The surprise attack 75 years ago did more than force a reluctant U.S. into World War II, said Conrad Crane, chief of historical services at the Army Heritage and Education Center outside Carlisle. The raid saw an end to isolationism and set in motion a unified effort unparalleled in human endeavor that not only brought down Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany, but redefined the world. Pearl Harbor turned America outward, Crane said. The globalization that arises was an American creation no one could have foreseen on Dec. 6, 1941. Weve created a world in our image. A strategic disaster Before the attack, the U.S. was thought to be safe and secure, protected by two oceans. The nation was self-sufficient with ample resources, plenty of food and a strong industrial base. The people were divided over whether to intervene in World War II in Europe. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was doing what he could to support Britain and Russia by supplying war material through lend-lease. Most everyone thought if war came to America, it would be by way of Europe, Crane said. U.S. Navy warships were already involved in escorting convoys through U-boat infested waters. There were attacks on American destroyers. Still many thought it was prudent to stay neutral and isolated. In 1941, a motion to extend the peacetime draft by one year passed Congress by only one vote, Crane said. But all this changed when aircraft carriers of the Imperial Japanese Navy launched an airstrike on the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor and on U.S. airfields throughout Oahu. On that Day of Infamy, 2,403 American servicemen died and 1,178 were wounded. Two battleships the Arizona and the Oklahoma were total losses, and six more were damaged. Almost 190 aircraft were destroyed and 160 were damaged. Japanese losses were 29 aircraft, 64 servicemen killed and five midget submarines sunk or grounded. While a victory at the tactical and operational level, the surprise attack on Hawaii was a strategic disaster for Japan because it did the unexpected, Crane said. The Japanese thought of the U.S. as a mongrel nation that was soft. They didnt realize how united we would be after Pearl Harbor. They downplayed our fighting skills. They downplayed our courage. They just did not see us as standing up to their superior warrior spirit. Lack of imagination The attack was mounted amid an atmosphere of rising tension in the Pacific. The U.S. wanted Japan to back out of its empire in China and Southeast Asia, which Japan saw as necessary for survival. Japans refusal prompted the U.S. to impose an oil embargo and other sanctions that convinced Japanese leaders America could no longer be trusted as a reliable source of raw materials. Japan looked to the Dutch East Indies as an alternative, but knew it had to defeat the British in Malaya and the Americans in the Philippines to secure the supply route to such a conquest, Crane said. One obstacle to their plan was the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor which had to be taken out to prevent reinforcements from coming over by sea. The Japanese figured if the attack could cripple the fleet, it could also buy enough time for the empire to set up a line of defense too costly for the soft Americans to overcome, Crane said. They were aware of American industrial might, but they didnt think we would have the guts to fight through it. They thought we would get tired of fighting and would let them hold onto their gains. But the U.S. had its own misconceptions. We were a victim of a failure of the imagination, Crane said. We just didnt think the enemy was going to do what they did. We had signals the Japanese fleet was on the move, but nobody thought they would be so audacious as to attack Hawaii. For one, U.S. commanders thought the battle fleet was safe because Pearl Harbor was too shallow for conventional torpedoes. We underestimated their technical capability, Crane said of the Japanese, who had developed a shallow running torpedo just for use in the attack. Army Lt. Gen. Walter Short was responsible for the defense of Oahu. He thought the threat was from saboteurs so he ordered all planes on the airfields to be lined up in rows to make it easier for sentries to guard. But this would only help the Japanese who attacked the planes on the ground with fighters and dive bombers. Because no one thought Hawaii was a target, the Army and Navy were sloppy with surveillance and did not send patrol aircraft aloft to cover all angles of approach, Crane said. He added while the attack force was picked up on radar, the technology was so new it wasnt trusted and the contact was misidentified as a formation of B-17 bombers expected in from the West Coast. Even the slightest warning could have changed the outcome and could have resulted in greater Japanese casualties, Crane said. More planes could have taken off, more anti-aircraft gun mounts could have been manned and the ships in the harbor could have been at battle stations and even moving out to sea. But none of that happened on Dec. 7, 1941. Missteps and snafus But the Japanese made mistakes that day. For one, they were unable to attack the Pacific Fleet aircraft carriers that were away on other missions, Crane said. The devastation to the battleship fleet forced the U.S. Navy to focus on the carrier as the main offensive weapon. Six months after Pearl Harbor, four of the six Japanese carriers that attacked on Dec. 7 were sunk at the Battle of Midway, turning the tide of the Pacific war. The Japanese also failed to attack the harbor repair facilities and oil storage farm that made Pearl Harbor an effective base, Crane said. Though this oversight was made out of fear of an American retaliation and the reality of an alerted defense, it would leave the U.S. Navy with a foundation on which to build its revenge. The payback came swiftly. Within days of the attack and the U.S. declaration of war, the order had been sent out to the Pacific submarine fleet to begin unrestricted warfare on enemy merchant shipping, Crane said. Though at first American torpedoes were of poor quality, the long-term effect of this submarine campaign would devastate Imperial Japan. Pearl Harbor ended the struggles Roosevelt had in trying to rally support for the Allied cause, Crane said. The American people quickly mobilized to win on two fronts after Nazi Germany declared war on the U.S. on Dec. 11, 1941. The Arsenal of Democracy was launched, Crane said. Victory was assured by the Allies. America has never been as united as it was after Pearl Harbor. It still boggles the mind to think about the resources we put together to fight in both Europe and the Pacific. It was truly an amazing effort. No other country in the world could have done it. Remember Pearl Harbor Just to take on Japan, the U.S. had to build a fleet of supply ships capable enough to haul men and equipment across thousands of miles of ocean. There was no way Imperial Japan could keep up with this output. Remember Pearl Harbor helped to drive us all the way back across the Pacific, Crane said. It was a battle cry for the rest of the war. By August 1945, U.S. carriers were attacking the Japanese home islands, B-29 bombers had firebombed most of the cities and the coastal waterways were choked off by sea mines. Japan as a civilization was on the brink of collapse and millions of civilians were in danger of starvation. The U.S. emerged as the only major Allied nation unscathed by the effects of World War II. Its status as one of two superpowers would launch the U.S. into the forefront of the world stage. It will It would become a bulwark against the Soviet Union and the spread of Communism and the center of a multitude of military and trade alliances. We went from this isolated country that cant unite to one that is creating a globalized system, Crane said. We got enmeshed in the world, and that was the biggest change. By Lawrence Hurley | WASHINGTON WASHINGTON President Barack Obama's legal defence of some key initiatives including his signature healthcare law is collapsing as courts put cases on hold until after President-elect Donald Trump, hostile to the policies, assumes office on Jan. 20.The pending conservative legal challenges could undo important elements of Obama's presidential legacy if Trump, as expected, opts not to defend the Obama policies in court or simply ditches the initiatives that are under attack.Since Trump's election on Nov. 8, various courts have delayed action in three groups of cases that will not be resolved before Obama leaves office and blocked an administration regulation from going into effect in another.They include a challenge by House of Representatives Republicans to an important provision in the Obamacare law, and cases concerning religious objections to that law's mandate that employers provide health insurance coverage for birth control.They also include Obama's executive action, put on hold by the Supreme Court in June, to spare from deportation millions of immigrants in the country illegally, and his administration's bid to extend overtime protections for workers.Republican-governed states like Texas were behind some of the biggest challenges to Obama policies."We have a host of cases pending against the federal government due to the Obama administration's overreach," said Marc Rylander, a spokesman for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican who has sued the administration on various issues including immigration. Rylander said Texas officials "will continue to pursue all of these cases and look forward to working with a new administration."The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Monday put on hold the House Republican Obamacare challenge until at least Feb. 21. Trump and Republican congressional allies have said they plan to repeal and replace the law, meaning the case could become moot.The Obama administration opposed the delay in that case, but agreed to put on hold its effort to revive Obama's 2014 immigration plan.The administration and the states that challenged the plan filed a joint motion on Nov. 18 saying the case should be put on hold "given the change in administration." Trump has vowed to crack down on immigrants in the country illegally and is expected to abandon Obama's blocked policy. BIRTH CONTROL COVERAGE The series of cases pending in lower courts concerning efforts by Christian groups to obtain an exemption to a provision of the Obamacare law requiring employers to provide health insurance coverage for contraceptives are also in a holding pattern. The Supreme Court sent the cases back to lower courts in May, throwing out several rulings in favour of the administration. The lower courts are now awaiting the change in administrations.In one of the cases, before the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, lawyers for some of the religious groups said in court papers that a delay "will afford the newly-inaugurated president and new administration an opportunity to take a fresh look at this litigation and consider potential resolutions acceptable to all sides." In the labour case, a federal judge on Nov. 22 prevented Obama's regulation to extend mandatory overtime pay to more than 4 million salaried workers from going into effect on Dec. 1 as scheduled. That will give Trump leeway to change course when he takes office.So far, courts have not delayed action on several other cases involving key Obama policies, including a state and industry challenge to rules to curb greenhouse gas emissions mainly from coal-fired power plants. An appeals court in Washington heard oral arguments in September but has not yet issued a ruling.Trump has said he plans to rescind the regulation.Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has agreed to decide a major transgender rights case that hinges in part on the Obama administration's policy position in support of a female-born transgender high school student named Gavin Grimm, who identifies as male and sued in 2015 to win the right to use the school's boys' bathroom.The court has not yet scheduled oral arguments in the case. It is due to rule by the end of June. (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Will Dunham) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Patricia Zengerle | WASHINGTON WASHINGTON The U.S. failure to retaliate strongly for the 2014 cyber attack against Sony Pictures (6758.T) may have helped inspire Russian hackers who sought to interfere in the 2016 U.S. election, a senior congressional Democrat said on Tuesday."Russia may have concluded that they could hack American institutions and there'd be no price to pay," Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, told a press breakfast sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor.Schiff suggested that Washington team up with European allies to impose sanctions that would hit the Russian economy.Russia was blamed for high-profile attacks on Democratic organizations that damaged the party during the 2016 election campaign, in which Republican Donald Trump won the presidency and his party kept control of the Senate and the House. Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the allegations as U.S. campaign rhetoric.Schiff was one of a group of senior House Democratic lawmakers who wrote to President Barack Obama on Tuesday asking administration officials to brief members of Congress on Russian efforts to influence or interfere in the Nov. 8 U.S. election. "Russia may have succeeded in weakening Americans' trust" in democratic institutions, said the letter, also signed by Steny Hoyer, the No. 2 House Democrat, and the ranking Democrats on the Judiciary, Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, Oversight and Armed Services committees. Other lawmakers, including some Republicans, have asked for investigations or called for legislation to address the hacking issue.Reuters reported on Friday that James Clapper, the U.S. director of national intelligence, asked Congress to remove a provision in an upcoming intelligence authorization bill that would have created a special committee to combat Russian efforts to exert covert influence abroad. Schiff, who backs creation of the bipartisan committee, said on Tuesday the United States needed to do more to stop such hacking. "Unless we establish some kind of deterrent, this is going to be unending," he said.An Intelligence Committee aide said the panel had changed the provision independent of Clapper's letter and felt it had "appropriately addressed" intelligence community concerns. In 2016, the hacking benefited Trump, Schiff said. He added, however, that Russian hackers could turn on Trump once he is president if they do not approve of his policies. The Obama administration publicly blamed North Korea for the malicious breaches that crippled Sony in 2014. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Leslie Adler and Peter Cooney) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The U.S Supreme Court has sided with Samsung in its ongoing battle with Apple over smartphone patent which will potentially save the South Korean smartphone maker $399 million in damages. The five year long design patent battle between the two tech giants reached Supreme Court in October. Apple had sued Samsung for copying design features of its devices, and other software features. Samsung was ordered to pay Apple $399M for copying the iPhones rounded edges, flat screen, and the way in which apps are arranged following which the company filed a request with the Supreme Court asking it to re-examine the decisions made in the patent infringement lawsuit against Apple. The $399 million won by Apple was based on a percentage of the entire profit Samsung made from its infringing smartphones. However, Samsung argued that instead of calculating the damages on entire profit, they should be based on only part of the profit, as only part of the phones design was copied from Apple. The latest decision from the Supreme Court does not reverse Apples win however the case will now be returned to the Federal Circuit to reassess the damages. [Update] Samsung has released an official statement on U.S. Supreme Courts decision. The U.S. Supreme Courts landmark decision today is a victory for Samsung and for all those who promote creativity, innovation and fair competition in the marketplace. We thank our supporters from the worlds leading technology companies, the 50 intellectual property professors, and the many public policy groups who stood with us as we fought for a legal environment that fairly rewards invention and fosters innovation. Source The first real scare for Stewart Yeo was when his son Tuffy ran out the front door and into the opening act of World War II in the Pacific. The 5-year-old boy was unaware of the threat hovering just above the parade ground from the low-flying plane with red circles on its wings. I had always visualized going to the front wherever it was in the event of war, but here it was brought to us on Dec. 7, the retired Army colonel recalled in his memoir. Seventy-five years ago today, Yeo was the executive officer of the 8th Field Artillery Battalion stationed with the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks on Oahu in the territory of Hawaii. Yeo heard bomb explosions around 7:50 a.m. coming from the nearby Army Air Corps base of Wheeler Field. Dismissing it as a training exercise, he sat down to eat breakfast with his wife Eunice, son Tuffy and 8-month-old daughter Mary. Almost immediately, we heard planes over the roof tops firing machine guns, Yeo wrote in his eyewitness account now stored in the archives of the Army Heritage and Education Center outside Carlisle. Running out the front door we saw light bombers with the red discs of the Rising Sun on wings and fuselage, Yeo said. It took a few moments to realize this was a Jap attack. Rude awakening Miles away at Fort Shafter, Lt. Col. H.H. Blackwell was sleeping off the effects of a late Saturday night party when he was rudely awakened by the noise of bombs and cannons firing. At first I thought it was dynamite blasting in a tunnel which is being constructed at Shafter, Blackwell wrote two days later in a letter to his wife Eloise. But when I heard the whistling sound preceding the explosion on some of the closer ones, I jumped out of bed and ran to investigate. The only reply I got to my inquiry was that You had better get dressed and come on down to the Command Post, Blackwell wrote. When I got outside I was perfectly dumbfounded. Black columns of smoke were rising from the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard about three miles distant and the sky was filled with puffs of black smoke from AA [anti-aircraft] shells. It looked like war, but I just could not believe my eyes. Blackwells account of the Day of Infamy was so detailed that an Army censor returned the letter with instructions not to include any further reference to military activities in future correspondence for the duration of the war. Like Yeos memoir, the original Blackwell letter became part of the archival holdings of AHEC. Tuffy spared Fortunately for Yeo, no harm came to his son Tuffy despite the presence of enemy planes over the parade grounds of Schofield Barracks. His unit had practiced many times the protocol to use in an air attack. This was carried out with minimum confusion, Yeo wrote. While drawing ammunition and equipment our personnel were in the barracks quadrangles being strafed by diving Jap planes, resulting in some killed and wounded including a battery dog mascot. Part of Yeos job that day was to supervise the loading of ammunition onto trucks for transport south to prepared positions around Honolulu. At one point, Yeo rushed home long enough to check on his family only to find the house deserted with breakfast dishes and a partially eaten meal on the table. I soon found the family and maid had been moved, with other families, to the concrete barracks of the 13th Field Artillery nearby for protection, Yeo wrote. The only exception was Heinie presumably the family dog who took refuge under the house. After checking on his family, Yeo rejoined his unit, which was forming a truck convoy. As they worked, Day One of the Pacific War raged around them. One of our fighter planes came down in a power dive and crashed in flames about 400 yards from us, Yeo wrote. Dog fights were taking place high up. As Yeo waited for the convoy to move out, a lieutenant from division artillery came dashing up with word the highway leading to Honolulu was lined with Japanese snipers. This turned out to be false information, Yeo wrote. But he noticed how some truck drivers were holding pistols in one hand as they were driving. Giving them flak Elsewhere on Oahu, Blackwell had problems of his own. The flak he was seeing over the harbor was from ships firing at anchor. The Army was slow to respond to the surprise attack. Our AA guns were not in firing positions, but were parked at Shafter or other posts, Blackwell wrote. We were on alert against sabotage, and in a condition of readiness which allowed three hours to go into action in case of attack. There were bright spots among the desperation. We had frequent drills on going out into battle positions, Blackwell wrote. Everyone had been trained thoroughly on just what to do. As soon as we found out this was the real thing, we cut the time in half, he said. Speed limits were ignored. Some units began firing within 45 minutes from the time they were alerted. All units were firing before the attack was ended and we shot down 4 or 5 planes. Confusion and paranoia Among all the AHEC holdings pertaining to the attack is a document that came very close to being lost forever in a landfill. In 2005, a central Pennsylvania building contractor came into Ridgway Hall with an envelope of paperwork he had salvaged from the trash can of an elderly client. Tucked inside the envelope was a bundle of 17 pages recording the incidents, messages, orders, etc. that were sent and received by telephone by the headquarters of the 25th Infantry Division on Dec. 7, 1941. The pages chronicle the mass confusion and paranoia at work that day among survivors of the attack. Time and again, reports came in of strange men dressed in blue denim coveralls with a red circular patch on the chest. At 10:45 a.m., word came in of enemy ships approaching Pearl Harbor from 30 miles to the southeast. This was followed soon after by the first reports of paratroopers landing on Oahu. Both rumors proved to be false. Around noon there came the report of how enemy soldiers attempting to swim ashore were driven off by friendly forces entrenched on the beach. Everywhere the Americans were chasing phantoms. This was true of Yeo and Blackwell who mentioned how paranoia took hold in those early days of the Pacific War, but eventually nerves settled down into the grim task ahead. Yeo wrote how his family was evacuated to mainland USA in March 1942. He returned stateside that August and eventually served in New Guinea and the Philippines. There was no further information available at press-time on Blackwell. Taiwan-based handset maker Asus has started sending out the press invites for the Zennovation event which will be held during CES 2017 in Las Vegas. The company has scheduled the event on January 4, 2017, at 11:30 AM (Jan 5th 1:00 AM IST), which is in fact the second day of CES (Consumer Electronic Show) 2017. As per the media invite, the company is expected to launch a Snapdragon-powered device. If the rumors circulating around the Internet turns out to be true, Asus will launch a smartphone with Snapdragon 835 chipset under the hood. Moreover, the handset maker has also made arrangements to stream the program live so that the users around the globe can catch the live action on your smartphones/PC. The live stream will commence on 11:30am PST (19:30 GMT). Also, Asus CEO, Jerry Shen revealed that the company will be launching a new smartphone with sensors incorporated, which is necessary for Project Tango. He also added that the Zenfone AR, will have a competitive price along with high-end performance and functions. Source | Via Panasonic launched P77, 4G smartphone with Voice over LTE (VoLTE) support in the P series back in September for Rs. 6990. Today the company has announced that the smartphone will be available from Flipkart at a discounted rate tomorrow. Panasonic P77 specifications 5-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD IPS fully laminated display 1GHz quad-core processor 1GB RAM, 8GB internal memory, expandable memory up to 32GB with microSD Dual SIM Android 5.1 (Lollipop) 8MP rear camera with LED Flash 2MP front-facing camera Dimensions: 143 x 72 x 7.6mm; Weight: 126g 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS 2000mAh battery The Panasonic P77 comes in White and Grey colors and will be available from Flipkart at a discounted price of Rs. 5,299 on December 8th. Customers can also exchange their old phone and receive a discount of up to Rs.4500. Flipkart also offers additional 10% Instant Discount for Axis Bank Debit & Credit Card holders. Commenting on the launch, Pankaj Rana, Business Head Mobility Division, Panasonic India, said: Our association with Flipkart has always helped us to reach out to our customers. P77 with 4G Technology available at Rs. 5299/- is one of the year ender offers from Panasonic. This past year has been a busy one for Suncor Energy (SU -2.71%). The Canadian oil giant unveiled a series of strategic moves to reshuffle its portfolio as well as strengthen its balance sheet. That said, the biggest win was the company's ability to close the acquisition of Canadian Oil Sands. Persistence paid off Suncor Energy initially approached Canadian Oil Sands with a merger proposal in 2015 but was rebuffed in its attempts to agree on a friendly deal. Because of that, the company formally commenced an unsolicited offer to acquire the company for 6.6 billion Canadian dollars in October. The company stuck with its approach and finally won the support of Canadian Oil Sands' board and largest shareholders in February 2016, thanks in part to a 37% slide in crude prices since launching its initial offer. While Suncor had to adjust the terms of the deal slightly by providing more of its shares, it ended up acquiring Canadian Oil Sands for the same CA$6.6 billion all-in price tag. The reason Suncor Energy fought so hard to acquire Canadian Oil Sands is that it wanted the company's 36.74% stake in Syncrude, which is one of the largest and oldest oil sands production complexes in Canada. Not only would that increased stake boost Suncor's production, but it would give the company a bigger seat at the table to potentially bring about needed changes at the facility, which has underperformed in recent years. That is why the company would go on to acquire Murphy Oil's (MUR -2.95%) 5% stake in the asset for CA$937 million, which brought its total interest in Syncrude up to 53.74%. Making Syncrude great again By taking a majority stake in the facility, Suncor Energy was able to work closer with 25% stakeholder Imperial Oil (IMO -1.09%), which had been the operator of the facility under a 10-year management service agreement. The aim was to improve the reliability of the plant as well as to cut costs. Not only had operating expenses risen sharply in recent years, going from around $38 per barrel a few years ago to a peak of $46.75 in 2014, but utilization slipped from the low 80% range earlier this decade to just 70% last year. However, by working with Imperial Oil to identify production constraints and move quickly to fix these problems, Syncrude delivered its best quarterly results in nearly a decade during the third quarter. Not only did cash costs fall to $27.65 per barrel but utilization spiked to 98%. That said, Suncor Energy still sees plenty of potential for future improvements, including possibly integrating Syncrude with Suncor's adjacent Base Mine to further trim costs and improve reliability. Among the options they are considering are jointly operating mining trucks and storage facilities, which would not only improve Syncrude's costs but also those at Suncor's Base Mine and therefore further push down the company's overall production costs. Investor takeaway Suncor Energy saw an opportunity amid the oil market downturn to boost its stake in an underperforming oil sands asset. The company had to push hard to get a deal done, but in the end, it won out. It then got right to work to bring changes to the facility, which not only produced immediate results but the company was able to deliver that asset's best performance in almost 10 years. Even better, Suncor sees more upside potential in the years ahead as it continues to integrate and optimize Syncrude, which could lead to tremendous cash flow generation in a rising oil price environment. The Supreme Court unanimously sided with smartphone maker Samsung on Tuesday in its high-profile patent dispute with Apple over design of the iPhone. The justices said Samsung may not be required to pay all the profits it earned from 11 phone models because the features it copied from the iPhone were only a part of Samsung's devices. Cupertino, California-based Apple had won a $399 million judgment against South Korea-based Samsung for infringing parts of the iPhone's patented design, but the case now returns to a lower court to decide what Samsung must pay. The case is part of a series of disputes between the technology rivals that began in 2011. Apple accused Samsung of duplicating a handful of distinctive iPhone features for which Apple holds patents: the flat screen, the rounded rectangular shape of the phone and the layout of icons on the screen. At issue was how much Samsung is required to compensate Apple under an 1887 law that requires patent infringers to pay "total profit." Apple said that means all the profits from the phone sales, while Samsung argued it was limited to profits related to the specific components that were copied. Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote for the court that the law does not require damages to be based on the entire product, but can be limited to only a component of the product. The decision overturned a ruling from a federal appeals court in Washington, which said that Apple was entitled to all the profits. But the high court declined to lay out a specific test for how such damage awards should be calculated. Sotomayor said doing so was not necessary and the justices left it up to lower courts to resolve. Samsung had argued that the hefty award ignored the fact that its phones contain more than 200,000 other patents that Apple does not own. Apple said the verdict was fair because the iPhone's success was directly tied to its distinctive look. Samsung already has handed the $399 million over to Apple, but was hoping to get some of that money back with a favorable Supreme Court ruling. None of the early-generation Samsung phones involved in the lawsuit remains on the market. In a statement, Apple said the company is optimistic that lower courts "will again send a powerful signal that stealing isn't right." "Our case has always been about Samsung's blatant copying of our ideas, and that was never in dispute," the company said. "We will continue to protect the years of hard work that has made iPhone the world's most innovative and beloved product." A Samsung spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The patent battle between the technology titans was being closely watched by other industry giants. Companies including Google, Facebook and eBay sided with Samsung, arguing that the verdict was an excessive windfall for copying a few features of the iPhone. On the other side, sportswear manufacturer Adidas and jewelry maker Tiffany & Co. said allowing Apple to recover all the profits Samsung earned would discourage "design pirates" and protect companies that invest in creative designs. "This removes a threat for technology companies," said Janelle Waack, a Washington, D.C., lawyer specializing in patent law. "The products that incorporate technology are not automatically going to get stung with a patent infringement suit that's going to cost them all of the profits from their product." It almost seems ridiculous to discuss the Academy Awards two months before nominations are announced, but awards season has begun in earnest with top contenders already picking up betting odds for the biggest movie awards ceremony. Many of the predictions lists being generated are coming from the recent slew of critics associations naming this years best films. And judging by the nominees for some awards and the winners of four associations in the last two weeks, the Academy Awards may boil down to two moviesMoonlight and La La Land. Moonlight, a story following a young man over three chapters of his life, was the big winner at the Gotham Independent Film Awards last Monday. The film won Best Feature, Best Audience Award, Special Jury Award for Ensemble Performance and Best Screenplay. The movie also took the Best Picture award from the Los Angeles Critics Associations Awards announced Sunday, and actor Mahershala Ali (House of Cards) has swept almost all of the awards so far for Best Supporting Actor, with co-star Naomie Harris also scoring nominations and taking the Best Supporting Actress award from the National Board of Review last week. And while Moonlight director Barry Jenkins has taken most of the direction awards, La La Land still has a strong showing so far this season. The musical featuring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling took Best Film from the Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Monday and Best Picture from the New York Film Critics Circle Awards last week. Another contender is Manchester by the Sea, which has garnered more awards for its actingCasey Affleck and Michelle Williamsbut has also taken some top awards, including Best Film from the National Board of Review. The three potentially top films of the year means the category of Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars will be the hardest one to predict. In addition to the three films, Jeff Nichols (Loving), Taylor Sheridan (Hell or High Water) and Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou (The Lobster) also wrote original screenplays. The adapted screenplay category will likely include writers for the films Lion, Silence, Nocturnal Animals, Arrival, Hidden Figures and Fences. Here is a look at the other top contenders pulling ahead in other major categories: Actor Affleck has won most of the awards for Best Actor, though Adam Driver received the top acting award from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association for his work in Paterson. Likewise in the supporting category, Ali has been the big winner, though the National Board of Review gave its supporting actor award to Jeff Bridges for Hell or High Water. The Los Angeles Film Critics Association honored Ali, but also gave a runner-up award to Issey Ogata for Silence, surprisingly one of the few awards so far for Martin Scorseses long-awaited project. Actress The lead and supporting actress categories may be one of the toughest to predict for any awards this year due to the possibility of two actresses having two nominations. Isabelle Huppert is wowing critics with her work in The Things to Come and the controversial Elle. Two of the awards that shes won combined both of her performances instead of splitting her nomination in two movies, and she was arguably sneaked into the Gotham awards for its American actress award despite the film being French (there was a loophole regarding more than one American working on the film). If her nomination is split, she would face tough competition from Amy Adams who won the National Board of Review award for Arrival, Natalie Portman who won the DC critics award for Jackie, and Rebecca Hall who won the Los Angeles runner-up award for Christine. In the supporting category, Michelle Williams could also see split nominations for her work in Manchester by the Sea and 20th Century Women. She, like Huppert, has been honored with an award for both films instead of one. Other actresses with a strong showing so far are Naomie Harris for Moonlight and Viola Davis for Fences. Direction Only Jenkins for Moonlight and Damien Chazelle for La La Land have scored wins at the various film awards so far. There will still be some big names that will be in contention for a directing award, including Scorsese for Silence, Mel Gibson for Hacksaw Ridge and Denzel Washington for Fences. Other contenders include Denis Villeneuve for Arrival, David Mackenzie for Hell or High Water, Kenneth Lonergan for Manchester by the Sea and Tom Ford for Nocturnal Animals. Though many of the critics are getting their awards out of the way now, there is still a wait until the major awards ceremonies. The Golden Globe nominations will be announced next week, with an awards ceremony on Jan. 8. The Screen Actors Guild nominations will be announced later next week, as well, with a ceremony on Jan. 29. The Oscar nominations will be announced Jan. 24, with a ceremony on Feb. 26. German industrial gases group Linde on Wednesday invited U.S. rival Praxair to negotiate a merger of equals after Praxair defused some contentious issues that had led to the failure of an initial approach. Linde also said after a meeting of its supervisory board on Wednesday that its Chief Executive Wolfgang Buechele would step down sooner than planned, with former executive board member Aldo Ernesto Belloni returning from retirement to replace him, effective Thursday. "With the resumption of the talks, a successful merger is now drawing near," Buechele said in the statement. "With a succession plan in place, the necessary continuity is assured without interruption for the demanding tasks of the coming months," he added, without elaborating on why he was leaving. Belloni, 66, retired at the end of 2014, after 14 years on Linde's management board. The failure of initial merger talks with Praxair in September had already led to changes at the top at Linde, with finance chief Georg Denoke leaving immediately and CEO Buechele announcing he would stay on only until April. That has left Chairman Wolfgang Reitzle, Buechele's predecessor as CEO, as the most powerful figure at Linde but raised questions over his ability to control infighting over the merger talks. The two industrial gases groups, alongside peers Air Liquide and Air Products, are struggling with slower economic growth that has weakened demand from the manufacturing, metals and energy sectors, putting pressure on smaller players and leading to consolidation in the sector. Air Liquide bought Airgas Inc, the leader in U.S. packaged gases, in a $13.4 billion transaction finalised in May. Linde said last week it was looking into a revised proposal it had received from Praxair about a potential merger of equals, which was confirmed by Praxair. (Reporting by Ludwig Burger; Editing by Maria Sheahan) With 2016 coming to a close, people are looking forward to new beginnings, including finding a new job. However, with millions of jobs to choose from, where do you even start? Glassdoor, one of the worlds largest jobs and recruiting sites, has announced the winners of its 9th annual Employees Choice Awards, honoring the Best Places to Work in 2017 in five countries across North America and Europe. Unlike other workplace awards, winners are determined entirely on feedback provided by those who really know a company best the employees. Employees love working at all of these companies and we definitely see some common themes shared by these Best Places to Work according to their own employees, says Scott Dobroski, Glassdoor community expert. We see employees talking favorably about working for companies with mission-driven company cultures, working for senior leaders who embrace and practice transparency, doing interesting work that has a greater impact, career growth opportunities and competitive pay. We also see employees at tech companies in particular talking about great perks they enjoy, including free meals, gyms on site, massages, free laundry services and generous parental leave policies. So what are the best companies to work for in 2017? And, what are employees actually saying about their employers? Top 10 Best Places to Work: 1. Bain & Company Company Rating: 4.6 Your colleagues are legitimately smart and always interested in helping you progress your career. Pay is generous and grows quickly if you do well. Company culture is unparalleled. - Bain & Company Case Team Leader (Boston, MA) 2. Facebook Company Rating: 4.5 From its openness to its diversity, Facebook has truly surpassed all tech companies in terms of culture, perks, and employee lifestyle. - Facebook Software Engineer (Menlo Park, CA) 3. Boston Consulting Group Company Rating: 4.4 Great career progression, opportunity to learn, collaborative culture, very smart teams, great benefits. - Boston Consulting Group Employee (Boston, MA) 4. Google Company Rating: 4.4 Smart people, data-driven decisions and culture, a mission I can feel good about when I go to sleep every night. This is as good as it gets. - Google Engineering Manager (Mountain View, CA) 5. World Wide Technology Company Rating 4.4 Extremely caring towards their employees as well as their customers. The benefits are amazing. The company thrives on making their employees happy, knowing it will make their customers happy. - World Wide Technology Supply Chain Coordinator (Edwardsville, IL) 6. Fast Enterprises Company Rating: 4.4 The family atmosphere makes working together as a team satisfying and successful, as well as the out of office adventures and team building. I have met a lot of different and unique people after being with FAST for 10 years. - Fast Enterprises Controller in Centennial, CO 7. In-N-Out Burger Company Rating: 4.4 Always busy. Time flies. With hard work you move up pretty quickly. Everyone is so nice and friendly. Great positive atmosphere - IN-N-Out Burger Employee (Stockton, CA) 8. LinkedIn Company Rating: 4.4 They truly invest in the professional development of employees. Very proactive at making sure that you're in a role you want to be in. Their benefits are fantastic. - LinkedIn Product Marketing Manager (Mountain View, CA) 9. Adobe Company Rating: 4.3 Great company culture, benefits and overall atmosphere to work. People are very open, knowledgeable and potential for advancement is very much available. - Adobe Order Management Employee (Lehi, UT) 10. Power Home Remodeling Company Rating 4.3 The career growth opportunity is outstanding. Everyone in the office genuinely cares about each other and wants to see you be successful. - Power Home Remodeling Marketing Manager (Iselin, NJ) For complete results, including winners in the U.S. (large & small/medium employers), Canada, UK, France and Germany as well as methodology, check out the 2017 Glassdoor Employees Choice Awards. Some customers at a Lowe's store in Texas are getting tag-team assistance from a military veteran and his service dog after both were hired to work at the store. The Abilene Reporter-News (http://bit.ly/2hdVHCk ) reports that U.S. Air Force veteran Clay Luthy and his golden retriever, Charlotte, both wear red and blue Lowe's vests to work at the home improvement retailer. Luthy has had five surgeries on his knees and can't bend his left leg. Charlotte is trained to help Luthy up if he can't get off the floor. Charlotte has become a customer favorite in her two months on the job. Luthy says everyone loves the pooch, adding: "This definitely was not part of the job description." Most people need to save independently to ensure they have enough money once they retire. If your company offers a 401(k), participating in that plan could help you save money for the future. But there's even better news: Your 401(k) can also help you save money on taxes. The withdrawals you take from a 401(k) in retirement are taxed at your ordinary income rate -- unless, of course, you take an early distribution, in which case you'll incur an additional penalty. However, the money you contribute goes in tax-free, which can lower your taxes during your working years. IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES. Tax benefits when you need them the most The beauty of the 401(k) is that it allows to lower your tax bill at a time when you're earning a steady income and your tax rate is likely to be highest. When you contribute to a 401(k), the money goes in on a pre-tax basis. Currently, anyone under 50 can contribute up to $18,000 a year to a 401(k). If you're 50 or older, you're allowed a $6,000 catch-up contribution for an annual total of $24,000. Let's say you're 52 years old and your effective tax rate is 28%. If you manage to max out your annual 401(k) contribution at $24,000, you'll save about $6,700 in taxes the year you make that contribution. Now, keep in mind that you will pay taxes on that money eventually -- just not right away. But if your effective tax rate in retirement is lower than 28%, and when you take withdrawals then (like you're supposed to), you'll come out ahead by paying less tax on that contribution overall. Furthermore, if you think you can't afford to contribute to a 401(k), consider the fact that doing so will lower your taxes today, thus freeing up at least some money for you to set aside for retirement. Let's say you want to contribute $2,000 a year but don't do it because you don't want to part with that much money. If your effective tax rate is 25%, then in reality, you're not parting with $2,000 -- you're only parting with $1,500. Of course, you're not actually parting with that money at all, because it'll be available for you in retirement when you need it. But if you're not thrilled with the idea of having less disposable income at present, remember that you're not losing as much from each paycheck as you'd think. Paying taxes on 401(k) withdrawals While a 401(k) can help lower your taxes the years you contribute, it unfortunately won't provide tax relief in retirement. In fact, distributions in retirement are taxed as ordinary income -- something many retirees aren't prepared for. Furthermore, if you take money out of your 401(k) before you reach age 59 1/2, your distributions will be taxed as ordinary income and you'll be hit with a 10% early withdrawal penalty -- unless you happen to qualify for an exception. You can, for example, withdraw funds penalty-free before 59 1/2 if you need the money to pay for medical expenses that exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income for the year. Similarly, if you separate from the company sponsoring your 401(k) during the year you turn 55 or later, you can take that money with you and avoid a penalty. Generally speaking, though, early withdrawals are taxed and penalized. While withdrawing funds early from a 401(k) is a bad move, waiting too long can be even more problematic. If you have a 401(k), you're actually required to start taking withdrawals once you reach age 70 1/2. Fail to abide by that rule, and you could face a 50% penalty on the amount you should've withdrawn but didn't. Of course, the kicker is that although you have no choice but to withdraw that money, you'll still need to pay taxes on your distributions. Go figure. While the money you have in your 401(k) will be taxed eventually, you'll get a huge up-front tax break by contributing during your working years. And the sooner you begin putting money into that account, the greater your chances of saving enough for a financially secure retirement. The $15,834 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: One easy trick could pay you as much as $15,834 more...each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after.Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies. 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. Medical bills can be a huge burden even if you have a decent insurance plan in place. Thankfully, the IRS allows you to deduct medical expenses on your taxes. As long as you submit an itemized return, you can write off eligible deductible medical expenses that exceed a certain percentage of your income. Keeping an accurate record of your medical bills will help you know what to claim come tax time, so be sure to track all of your health-related expenses throughout the year. Image source: Getty Images. What counts as a deductible medical expense? To claim the right deduction on your taxes, you'll need to know which medical expenses qualify. Generally speaking, you can deduct any out-of-pocket cost you incur for preventative care or medical treatment, including dental and vision care. In-office and prescription co-pays count as deductible medical expenses, as do medical appliances, such as hearing aids, crutches, and wheelchairs. You can also write off the cost of prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. The IRS maintains a comprehensive list of deductible medical expenses on its website that you can consult when you prepare your taxes. Furthermore, you're allowed to deduct the expenses you incur for traveling to and from treatment centers, including mileage on your vehicle and parking. You can't, however, deduct medical expenses that your insurance provider reimburses you for. Furthermore, you can't deduct the cost of cosmetic procedures or non-prescription drugs. Requirements for claiming deductible medical expenses Though you're allowed to deduct eligible medical expenses to lower your tax liability, you can only do so if your out-of-pocket costs for the year exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income. Let's say your adjusted gross income for the year is $50,000, and you rack up $6,000 in medical bills. In that case, you'd be able to take a $1,000 medical expense deduction. Now if you're a senior looking to claim a medical deduction this year, you get a little more leeway. As long as you're 65 or older, you can claim a deduction for medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income; you don't need to reach that 10% threshold. However, this provision runs out at the end of 2016, at which point you'll only be able to deduct expenses that exceed 10% of your income. In order to claim a medical expense deduction, you must itemize on your tax return. Depending on your situation, it could make more sense to take the standard deduction rather than itemize, so be sure to run the numbers to see which scenario works out the most in your favor. How much do you stand to save? When taking a medical expense tax deduction, it's important to understand that you won't actually get back every dollar you claim. While a tax credit reduces your taxes dollar for dollar, tax deductions simply reduce your taxable income, and your savings ultimately depend on the effective rate at which you're taxed. Let's say you earn $50,000 a year and your effective tax rate is 25%. If you're eligible for a $2,000 medical expense deduction, you'll reduce your taxable income to $48,000, which will result in a savings of $500. But you won't get to subtract that $2,000 directly from your tax liability. Claiming deductible medical expenses could help you lower your taxes, so don't forget to save your receipts every time you shell out a co-pay or incur any sort of unreimbursed cost. Furthermore, if you use your vehicle to get to and from medical appointments, make sure to keep a detailed mileage log so you know how much to claim on your taxes. Though you're absolutely allowed to write off legitimate medical expenses as a deduction, it's important to be precise with what you claim to avoid IRS problems down the line. The $15,834 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $15,834 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after.Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies. 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. IRAs are a key source of retirement income for countless Americans. If you have an IRA, it's important to understand the tax rules regarding withdrawals. IRA distributions may or may not be taxable depending on the type of IRA you have. Traditional IRA withdrawals are taxable at ordinary income rates provided you wait until age 59 1/2; earlier withdrawals are taxed and also assessed a 10% penalty. Roth IRA withdrawals, on the other hand, are not subject to taxes. Unless you have a Roth, you'll need to plan for IRA withdrawal taxes in retirement to avoid getting caught off guard. IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES. IRA tax benefits The tax benefits you'll get from your IRA will depend on the type you choose to open. With a traditional IRA, the money you contribute goes in tax-free, which can help lower your taxes during your working years. However, when the time comes to take withdrawals in retirement, your distributions will be taxed as ordinary income. Roth IRAs work the opposite way. With a Roth IRA, your contributions are made with after-tax dollars, so there's no immediate tax benefit for funding your account. However, when the time comes to take withdrawals in retirement, those distributions will be tax-free. When choosing between a traditional and Roth IRA, you'll want to think about the best time to maximize your tax savings. If you expect to pay more taxes during your working years than in retirement, it often makes sense to get a tax break up front, when your income is higher. On the other hand, if you want the peace of mind that your retirement income won't be taxed, a Roth might be the better bet. Furthermore, if you expect tax rates to generally go up in the future, a Roth IRA is a good way to essentially lock in your current rate and protect yourself from an increase. There are a number of additional benefits to opening a Roth IRA, but keep in mind that not everyone is eligible because of the income limits involved. For the current tax year, single filers earning $132,000 or more aren't eligible for a Roth. Married couples who file jointly and earn $194,000 or more also don't get the option to open a Roth. Whether you elect a traditional IRA or a Roth, the annual contribution limits are the same. If you're under 50, you can put up to $5,500 into your account each year. Those who are 50 and older are allowed a $1,000 catch-up contribution for a total of $6,500. Timing your IRA withdrawals Taking an early withdrawal from an IRA could have serious financial consequences if you aren't careful. If you take distributions from a traditional IRA before reaching age 59 1/2, you'll be hit with a 10% early penalty and get taxed on your withdrawal. There are, however, a few exceptions. If you withdraw money from a traditional IRA to pay for qualifying higher education expenses, you won't be assessed a penalty. Furthermore, if your medical expenses for a given year exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income, you can withdraw funds from a traditional IRA to pay for them without penalty. Finally, you can withdraw up to $10,000 from a traditional IRA penalty-free to buy a first-time home. Keep in mind, however, that even if you qualify for an exception, your withdrawal itself will still be taxed as ordinary income. Roth IRAs, on the other hand, offer a lot more flexibility as far as distributions go. You can basically take money out of a Roth IRA at any time and avoid taxes and penalties as long as your withdrawals are limited to your principal contributions. Remember, the money you put into a Roth IRA is money you've already paid taxes on. So if you contribute $5,500 to an IRA and withdraw that exact amount at age 40, your distribution won't be taxed or penalized. But if that $5,500 contribution turns into $5,800 thanks to your investments and you withdraw that amount in full, you'll be taxed and penalized on the $300 earnings portion. Taxes have a way of catching retirees off caught, so it's essential that you understand the rules surrounding IRA withdrawals and plan accordingly. The last thing you want is to fall short on retirement income because you forgot to account for taxes all along. The $15,834 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $15,834 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after.Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies. 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. Boeing (NYSE:BA) Chairman and CEO Dennis Muilenburg called President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday after Trump targeted the company over the cost of building the next Air Force One. Muilenburg congratulated Mr. Trump on his election win and committed to working with the new administration to control costs as they establish requirements for the new Air Force One to keep the program as affordable as possible and deliver the best value to American taxpayers, Boeing said in a statement. The aerospace and defense giant said Trump and its CEO also discussed the overall importance of American manufacturing and Boeings continuing strong contribution and commitment to U.S. jobs. Boeing found itself in the spotlight when Trump criticized what he called out of control costs of $4 billion tied to the Air Force One program, which calls for two 747-8 jumbo jets that will serve as the next presidential fleet. In a message on Twitter (NYSE:TWTR), Trump said the federal government should cancel the order. I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number, Trump told reporters at Trump Tower in New York. We want Boeing to make a lot of money but not that much money. A defense official confirmed that the programs total cost will likely hit $4 billion, according to Fox News. So far, Boeing is under contract for $170 million, as the company moves forward with the research and development phase of the project. The U.S. Air Force earmarked $1.65 billion to fund the project between 2015 and 2019, and the Government Accountability Office estimated a total cost of $3.2 billion through fiscal-year 2020. Boeing said it would work with the Air Force on the next phases of the program to deliver the best planes for the President at the best value for the American taxpayer. Shares of Boeing fell in early morning trading on Tuesday, but the stock ended the day in the green. Boeing also posted gains on Wednesday morning in reaction to Muilenburgs call with Trump. Its possible that Boeing and the Air Force can lower costs for the entire Air Force One program, but theres no chance it will be cancelled, according to CFRA Research analyst Jim Corridore. The current aircraft that fly the President are old and outdated and need replacement and we see [Boeing] as the only viable alternative for the program since it is the only American company with the technological capabilities to make the plane, Corridore wrote in a note to clients. Britain's finance chief is in South Africa to try to reassure global partners ahead of his country's planned departure from the European Union. Philip Hammond met with business leaders in Johannesburg on Wednesday and is due to visit Japan and South Korea next. South Africa is Britain's biggest export market in Africa, with bilateral trade reaching nearly 8 billion pounds in 2015. Hammond's South Africa stop includes meetings at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Britain's decision to leave the EU in a referendum earlier this year sent shock waves around the world, rocking financial markets and toppling former Prime Minister David Cameron. The headquarters of Bank of America in Charlotte, North Carolina. Image source: iStock/Thinkstock. Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) is a big bank. But just how big it is surprised me recently when I measured its size in a less common way. The usual way to gauge a bank's size Analysts and commentators almost always compare banks based on the total size of their balance sheets -- that is, by the cumulative value of their assets. This makes sense when you consider that a bank's assets are a primary source of revenue. By this measure, there's no question that Bank of America is massive. At the end of the third quarter, it reported just under $2.2 trillion worth of total assets on its balance sheet, split between loans, interest-earnings securities, and a variety of other asset types. Yet, even though that's enormous, it's nevertheless smaller than one of Bank of America's principal competitors: JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM). Going into the financial crisis, JPMorgan was ranked third in terms of assets -- Citigroup was first, followed by Bank of America. Fast forward to today, however, and JPMorgan Chase is now the biggest bank in the United States, with $2.5 trillion worth of assets on its balance sheet -- click here for the full list of America's 10 biggest banks by assets. Measuring size by capital But despite JPMorgan Chase's ascent, which was fueled by its 2008 acquisitions of Bear Stearns and Washington Mutual, it still lags behind Bank of America if you measure size a slightly different way. Namely, by looking at the quantity of shareholders' equity, or capital, on their respective balance sheets. This is what's left over after you subtract a bank's liabilities from its assets. In layman's terms, it's what a bank is worth according to the bank's own estimate of the market value of its assets and liabilities. (This shouldn't be confused with a bank's market capitalization, which is the total market value determined by investors of its outstanding common stock.) When you measure size in this way, it turns out that Bank of America is actually the biggest bank in the United States. It has $270 billion worth of capital compared to JPMorgan's $254 billion. Citigroup and Wells Fargo round out the four biggest banks by capital, at $232 billion and $203 billion, respectively. Data source: YCharts.com. Chart by author. On the one hand, this is good for Bank of America and its shareholders, as it means that the North Carolina-based bank has more than enough capital to survive even the most extreme economic downturn. On the other hand, given that Bank of America has so much capital relative to assets, it operates with less leverage than, say, JPMorgan Chase or Wells Fargo. Using less leverage may not sound like a bad thing, but it's one of the reasons that Bank of America is less profitable than other banks, as a bank that can buy more assets with a given amount of capital is going to generate more revenue than a bank that's able to buy fewer assets. Thus, while impressive, Bank of America's legitimate claim to being the biggest U.S.-based bank when measured by the quantity of capital on its balance sheet is clearly a double-edged sword. 10 stocks we like better than Bank of America 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 Bank of America 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 Nov. 7, 2016 John Maxfield owns shares of Bank of America and Wells Fargo. The Motley Fool owns shares of Wells Fargo. 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. Once you've mastered your personal finances, balanced your budget, and established some emergency savings, it may be time to start investing for the future. To make an investment, you'll need to open a brokerage account. Two well-known brokerages,TD Ameritrade and Interactive Brokers, offer a wealth of features for individual investors. Here's how the two brokers compare for individual investors. Trading costs and commissions Discount brokers have universally low trading costs, and TD Ameritrade and Interactive Brokers are no exception to this rule. The following table shows both brokers' published rates for completing stock, options, ETF, and mutual fund transactions. Broker Stocks/Options ETFs Mutual Funds TD Ameritrade $9.99 per trade + $0.75 per options contract $9.99 per trade $49.95 per purchase Interactive Brokers Stocks: $1 minimum per trade, $0.005 per share Options: $1 minimum per trade, $0.25 to $0.70 per contract $1 minimum, $0.005 per share $14.95 per purchase Data source: company websites. Notably, Interactive Brokers charges its clients a minimum fee of $10 in monthly periods where they don't generate more than $10 in trading commissions. In addition, the following table reflects Interactive Brokers' fixed commission schedule; investors who elect to trade under its tiered commission schedule may pay less in commissions. Promotional offers may substantially reduce your trading costs. See our page on special offers for IRAs, which is updated frequently with new promotions specific to IRA accounts. Commission-free funds and trades TD Ameritrade and Interactive Brokers offer investors the opportunity to invest in so-called no-transaction-fee (NTF) ETFs and mutual funds. Here's how these brokers' NTF fund selections compare. Broker Commission-Free ETFs Mutual Funds TD Ameritrade 101 ETFs (iShares, Vanguard, VanEck) 3,984 Interactive Brokers 64 (GlobalX) 2,912 Data source: company websites. Importantly, NTF funds still carry annual management fees that may dwarf the transaction fee over time. However, investors who use ETFs and mutual funds in their portfolio should see if their favorite funds are on brokers' NTF lists, as they may be able to avoid at least one expense that comes with investing in ETFs and mutual funds. Account minimums Minimum account sizes are one of the biggest differentiating factors for TD Ameritrade and Interactive Brokers. TD Ameritrade offers no-minimum accounts, allowing investors to get started with as little as $1. Interactive Brokers has a standard minimum account size of $10,000, which is reduced to $5,000 for IRAs, and $3,000 for investors younger than 25. Trading platform Here at The Motley Fool we take a long-term, buy-and-hold approach toward investing. For this reason, we're probably the wrong people to ask about the quality of a trading platform, since we don't tend to spend that much time in our brokerage accounts. Both TD Ameritrade and Interactive Brokers offer trading platforms that suit the needs of long-term investors. In truth, it's mostly personal preference, so we'll let you be the decision maker on this one. International stocks and ADRs TD Ameritrade clients can buy and sell American depositary receipts (ADRs) but lack direct access to foreign stock markets. Thus, TD Ameritrade customers are mostly limited to foreign companies that are large enough to justify an ADR on an American stock exchange. Interactive Brokers' clients can trade on a number of domestic and foreign exchanges. It offers trading on over 100 markets across 24 different countries, so it would be a better choice for investors who want to trade stocks listed on international exchanges. Importantly, both brokerages allow trading in American ETFs and mutual funds that hold foreign stocks. Therefore, for fund investors, the difference is less substantial. Discount brokers allow you to save money on trading costs, without sacrificing too much in the way of research or features. Image source: Getty Images. Research quality and tools Online discount brokers are an alternative to full-service brokers. Their main promise was that online brokers could eliminate a lot of trading costs by providing fewer services. However, over time, discount brokers have rolled out more research tools to their clients. TD Ameritrade and Interactive Brokers have plenty of research tools to keep you informed. You can access third-party insight from Thomson Reuters and Morningstar on both services. In addition, proprietary screeners and market scanners enable you to sort through stocks and funds by fundamental factors such as historical returns and earnings results. Mobile app If you want to trade from a mobile phone or tablet, you might be interested in how customers of both brokers rate their mobile apps on iOS and Android devices. Ratings are as of Dec. 1, 2016. Broker Apple App Store Google Play TD Ameritrade 4.5 3.5 Interactive Brokers 2.5 4 Data source: relevant app stores. Picking the broker for you Long-term buy and hold investors will find that TD Ameritrade and Interactive Brokers have features and benefits that satisfy their needs, offering low-cost trades, NTF funds and ETFs, in addition to research tools that provide a wealth of information about their investments. To be clear, The Motley Fool does not endorse any particular broker, but we can help you compare all the options available to you. Head on over to the Fool.com Broker Center to compare current offers for online brokers. 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 owns shares of Interactive Brokers. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends TD Ameritrade. The Motley Fool recommends Interactive Brokers. 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. Banks to bear liability in case of online security breach: RBI Published: December 7, 2016 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has clarified that banks will have to bear the full liability in the event of any security breach or compromise in the authorised card network. Banks issuing the cards will offer the payment authentication solutions of the respective card networks on an optional basis to their customers. RBI held that Only authorised card networks will offer such payment authentication solutions with participation of card issuing and acquiring banks. For this purpose customers consent must be taken while making this solution available to them. Customers opting for this facility will go through a one-time registration process. They are required to enter card details and additional factor authentication by issuing bank. Thereafter, registered customers will not be required to re-enter card details for every transaction at merchant locations that offer this solution, thus save time and effort. The card details already registered will be the first factor while the credentials used to login to the solution would be the additional factor of authentication. Besides, RBI also has relaxed additional factor authentication (AFA) norms for online transactions up to Rs. 2,000. This decision was taken in a move to save time for customers amid the governments push for digitization of payments. Month: Current Affairs - December, 2016 Topics: Banking Cyber-Attacks Cybersecurity National RBI Latest E-Books Generic drugmaker Mylan said on Wednesday it may cut less than 10 percent of its global workforce as part of a restructuring program. Mylan has been under investigation and faced harsh criticism over steep price increases for its life-saving EpiPen auto-injector, which is used for severe allergic reactions. The company said it would implement restructuring programs in certain locations, but did not provide further details. Mylan has about 35,000 employees, the company's spokeswoman Nina Devlin said. She declined to comment on the workforce reduction. The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in late November postponed a hearing planned on Mylan's $465 million settlement to resolve charges that it underpaid government healthcare programs by misclassifying its EpiPen treatment. Mylan has come under fire for raising the price of a pair of EpiPens to $600 from $100 in 2008 and the classification of EpiPen as a generic rather than a branded product, which led to significantly smaller rebates to state Medicaid programs. Earlier in November, Mylan said that the money it set aside for the settlement had led to a third-quarter loss. The Canonsburg, Pennsylvania-based company said it expects EpiPen to account for 6 percent of total sales in 2017. (Reporting by Natalie Grover in Bengaluru; Editing by Martina D'Couto) Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE:RDS.A) announced Wednesday it has signed a provisional agreement with Iran to explore future energy projects in the region. Though the agreement is nonbinding and the terms have not yet been fully disclosed, Shell said it is working to further explore areas of potential cooperation with Tehran. Shell, the second largest listed oil firm in the world, is the biggest company to express interest in the country since sanctions were lifted in January as part of Irans perceived compliance with the controversial nuclear deal. The Anglo-Dutch oil giant could provide a huge boost to Irans energy industry, which took a tremendous hit as a result of financial restrictions imposed by the U.S. and other Western countries. People fail to realize how desperate the economic crisis in Iran had become as a result of sanctions. Iran was almost flat on its back financially, dead broke, John Hannah, deputy national security advisor for the Middle East under Vice President Dick Cheney, told FOXBusiness.com. Since the sanctions were lifted, businesses have been cautious about investing in Iran. For U.S. companies in particular, additional obstacles took the form of separate sanctions imposed over Irans support of terrorism and its human rights abuses. Still, opportunities for financial gain in the region are plenty, and businesses now seem eager to buy in. Last month, Total SA (NYSE:TOT) signed a deal with Tehran worth $4.8B to develop the South Pars gas field, the largest in the world. The French oil and gas giant is now reportedly looking to negotiate an oil deal as well. But it is not just energy companies touching down in Tehran. European plane manufacturer Airbus, along with U.S. aerospace and defense company Boeing (NYSE:BA), were both given the greenlight to sell aircraft to Iran earlier this year. Boeing, which has been a recent victim of President-elect Donald Trumps ire over the cost of its new 747 Air Force One jets, told FOXBusiness.com it looked forward to working with the President-elect after his victory last month, and would remain cooperative with his policies in the region. Should the U.S. Government determine it is appropriate that the sanctions removed under the nuclear agreement snap back into place, we would comply with that determination, the companys vice president of communications, Gordon Johndroe, said. The political uncertainties regarding Trumps policies toward Iran are profuse. The President-elect, who has called the deal the worst deal ever negotiated and has pledged to dismantle it, has sparked sharp criticism from Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in recent days. In an address at the University of Tehran, President Rouhani asked "Do you think the United States can rip up the JCPOA (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal)? Do you think we and our nation will let him do that?" Tehran also reportedly held a vote on Sunday, to ban "the purchase of U.S. consumer goods including animal and agricultural products" in response to the unanimous Senate decision to renew the Iran Sanctions Act. The Iranians have no clue what to make of Trump. The uncertainty no doubt has them very nervous. And it has only gotten worse with the appointment of people like [General James] Mattis, [Rep. Mike] Pompeo and [General Mike] Flynn who are known to favor a much tougher approach toward Iran, Hannah said. Nevertheless, Shell, which has significant financial interests in the U.S., is no stranger to navigating the difficult relationship between Iran and the Western world. It was one of the first Western companies to reinvest in Irans oil sector following its post-Islamic Revolution reopening in the 1990s, though that investment was ultimately cut short by the imposition of tighter financial sanctions. Royal Dutch Shell stock was trading slightly higher Wednesday afternoon. Officials say a second worker injured in the Oct. 31 explosion of a major gasoline pipeline in Alabama has died. Al.com (http://bit.ly/2gSRfI0) quotes the Occupational Health and Safety Administration as saying the employee died on Nov. 22 from injuries received during the explosion of the Colonial Pipeline in Shelby County. The federal agency says it was contacted by the worker's employer, Heflin-based L.E. Bell Construction. OSHA didn't identify the worker. Colonial officials say eight members of the nine-member crew working on the pipeline when it exploded were employees of L.E Bell. Officials say the explosion resulted from a worker who accidentally hit the line while doing excavation work. The explosion sparked a geyser of fire and shut down a vital pipeline supplying gasoline to millions of people across the Southeast. ___ Information from: The Birmingham News, http://www.al.com/birminghamnews British regulators fined U.S. drugmaker Pfizer and distributor Flynn Pharma a record 89.4 million pounds ($112.7 million) Wednesday for increasing the cost of an epilepsy drug by as much as 2,600 percent. Pfizer and Flynn Pharma charged "excessive and unfair prices" for the drug used by 48,000 people in Britain, the Competition and Markets Authority said. Pfizer was fined 84.2 million pounds and Flynn Pharma 5.2 million pounds. "This is the highest fine the CMA has imposed and it sends out a clear message to the sector that we are determined to crack down on such behavior and to protect customers, including the NHS, and taxpayers from being exploited," Philip Marsden, chairman of the case decision group for the investigation, said in a statement. The authority said the companies removed the official brand of Epanutin, Pfizer's name for phenytoin sodium capsules, so they could increase the price. As a result, the National Health Service saw the bill for drug increase to 50 million pounds in 2013, from 2 million pounds in 2012. "The companies deliberately exploited the opportunity offered by de-branding to hike up the price for a drug which is relied upon by many thousands of patients," Marsden said. Pfizer rejected the ruling, saying that Epanutin was a loss-making product and the deal with Flynn Pharma helped secure supplies of the drug for patients. It plans to appeal, as does Flynn Pharma. "In this transaction, and in all of our business operations, we approached this divestment with integrity, and believe it fully complies with established competition law," Pfizer said. Pfizer said the increased price of the drug was still 25 percent to 40 percent lower than the cost of an equivalent medicine by another supplier to the NHS. "The ruling highlights real policy and legal issues concerning the respective roles of both the Department of Health and the CMA, in regulating the price of pharmaceutical products in the U.K.," the company said. "Pfizer will seek clarity on these issues as part of the appeal process." Regulators around the world are getting tough on drugmakers amid soaring prices that companies say are justified by years of research and product development. In one recent case, drugmaker Mylan said it would pay $465 million to settle allegations it overbilled Medicaid, the U.S. program that provides health insurance for poor people, for its EpiPen, used to provide emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions. In another, Turing Pharmaceuticals' former CEO Martin Shkreli increased the price of Daraprim by 5,000 percent. The drug is the only approved treatment for toxoplasmosis, a life-threatening parasitic infection that mainly strikes pregnant women, cancer patients and AIDS patients. A U.S. bank regulator is ready to fail Wells Fargo on a national scorecard for community lending, sources familiar with the decision said on Wednesday, in a move that could limit near-term expansion for the bank. Wells Fargo is due to be deemed a bank that "needs to improve" under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), a law meant to promote lending to poor neighborhoods. The move is a two-notch downgrade from the "outstanding" tag Wells Fargo has held since 2008 and the change would give regulators a greater say on day-to-day matters like opening new branches. The ruling from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the main regulator for national banks, is due by early January, said the sources with knowledge of the plans. A Wells Fargo spokesperson was not immediately available for comment. A spokesman for the OCC declined to comment. Wells Fargo has struggled since September to overcome its admission that employees wrongly created as many as 2 million accounts without customer authorization. A downgrade on the bank's community service score could further tarnish the reputation of the San Francisco-based lender at a time when it hopes to move beyond the scandal. Wells Fargo may win an appeal to the downgrade through an independent arm of the regulator but no decision has yet been made, said sources familiar with the process. Consumer advocates have faulted the OCC for letting eight years pass between reviewing Wells Fargo's commitment to community development. "Regulators could have downgraded Wells Fargo years ago and maybe that would have stopped some of this wrongdoing," said Paulina Gonzalez, head of the California Reinvestment Coalition. Following the 2008 housing market collapse, the OCC faulted several national banks for their community lending. Bank of America Corp lost its "outstanding" grade in 2011 when the OCC faulted the lender for "discriminatory or other illegal credit practices." JPMorgan Chase & Co also slipped one notch from "outstanding" to "satisfactory" in 2013. But industry and regulatory sources said they knew of no other case where a national bank had slipped two notches in a single review of CRA compliance. (Reporting By Patrick Rucker, additional reporting by Dan Freed in New York; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli) One week after Starbucks (NYSE:SBUX) founder and CEO Howard Schultz surprised investors with an after-the-bell announcement that he will step down from his post, he took the stage Wednesday at the company's investor day in New York to outline an ambitious vision for his company's future. Over the next five years, the coffee giant looks to achieve revenue growth of 10% alongside profit-per-share growth of between 15% and 20%. While growth among stores open 12 months or longer remained steady in the final quarter of 2016, the rate slowed by four percentage points to 4% from the same period in 2015. The company still expects to see mid- to single-digit comp growth each year as it plans to open 12,000 new global stores by 2021. The dip in same-store sales growth has spooked investors, but Schultz repeatedly said Wednesday hes not worried, citing innovation in the Starbucks pipeline, saying the core business has never been stronger. If Starbucks was a 20-chapter book, I still think were in chapter four or five, he said to a packed room of Starbucks shareholders before quelling lingering concerns that his transition from CEO to executive chairman meant he was departing the company. Im not leaving. Schultz reiterated his full confidence in Kevin Johnson who currently serves as the companys president and chief operating officer, and who will take over as chief executive in April. I want you to know he is going to be CEO. Hes got the last word, hes running the company, Schultz said of Johnson. The soon-to-be-CEO outlined the pillars of the companys next-phase growth strategy, which puts significant focus on building out premium offerings through an expansion of its Reserve coffees and the first-of-its kind Roastery experience. The introduction of its cold brew coffee has led to a bigger customer desire for cold beverages, which Johnson expects will represent about 50% of the company's overall beverage sales by 2021. Alongside focus on those offerings, Johnson explained the company looks to capitalize on the busy lunch rush with new, fresh and healthy food offerings, which he hopes will drive 21% of food sales over the next five years. Its not just in-store offerings Starbucks is looking to boost: The company is also placing more importance on digital engagement by enhancing its mobile app. While just 40% of the companys stores, though, are able to take advantage of mobile order and pay options, Johnson said theres an effort underway to extend that opportunity to its licensed partners around the globe. Last September, the company rolled out the option for customers to place orders on their smartphones and pick up those beverages and food in store -- a feature fit for on-the-go coffee drinkers who want to skip the in-store lines. Now, the coffee giant is expanding that ability for its 12 million Starbucks Rewards members through voice command order personalization, and more customized rewards, recommendations and opportunities to earn stars, its version of reward points, for purchases. I will honor and respect the mission and values that drive this company, will always strive to make the right decision and do the right things for partners, customers and shareholders, Johnson said, reiterating his confidence in the leadership team to carry out the companys five-year plan. Shares of Starbucks, which are down more than 4% year to date, jumped 2.21% on Wednesday amid a broad market rally. Focus on Premium to Grab Customer Attention With Johnson set to take over the c-suite next year, Schultz will shift his focus to growing Starbucks premium offerings and expansion in Reserve and Roastery experiences. Im going to focus my attention on building a new business within Starbucks which will be complimentary to the core, Schultz said. Focus for that growth -- which will be on delivering more premium customer experiences and more store capacity -- will remain in North America, where the U.S. has driven double-digit revenue growth. It will also remain on China, a market that is included in the company's fastest growing Asia Pacific region, which is home to 6,400 stores. Starbucks looks to double revenues and store count there over the next five years, and expects Japan to grow its store count to 1,700 after notching 5% comp sales growth over the last two years. Following the success and feedback of the company's Seattle Roastery, Starbucks has planned to open subsequent cafes that mimic that experience across the world. The next two phases will roll out in Shanghai and New York over the next 18 months, and will each be double the size of the Seattle location. In Shanghai, visitors will be able to purchase artisanal bakery items and sit at a Teavana bar. In the U.S., customers will also be able to try out a 45-foot long spirit and mixology bar. Ride-sharing company Uber wants the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to delay policy recommendations that govern the testing of driverless cars. Uber, which has been testing the driverless cars in Pittsburgh for weeks, wants PennDOT to wait for legislation to be passed before it attempts to regulate such testing, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (http://bit.ly/2gabLF8 ) reported. PennDOT's proposed guidelines, which were released Tuesday, would let the state access Uber's data about how driverless cars perform and could dictate on what kinds of roads they can be tested, in some instances. The guidelines were developed by the Pennsylvania Autonomous Vehicles Testing Policy Task Force, which includes government regulators, technical experts, academics and business leaders, including those from Uber and General Motors. The guidelines will be useful for crafting legislation, but shouldn't hamper testing of such vehicles in the meantime, Uber said. "In the interim, we strongly recommend setting aside the current draft policy until there is legislative action and, in its place, adopting a simple and straightforward policy encouraging the development and testing of (highly autonomous vehicles) in Pennsylvania," Uber spokeswoman Shari Shapiro said in a written statement. Kurt Myers, PennDOT's deputy secretary for driver and vehicle services, co-chaired the task force and said it made sense to release the guidelines even before there's accompanying legislation. "This document was never intended to be the final document," Myers said. "This is a living document. This is a document that will evolve over time." The policies areas prompting the greatest concern are a requirement that companies like Uber and General Motors submit testing proposals to PennDOT and sign contracts confirming the cars meet federal and state standards. The policies would also require companies to notify the state before autonomous vehicles are tested without human drivers. Uber's test vehicles all have a human operator who can intervene if the vehicles' guidance systems fail. PennDOT also wants to access data that would let it investigate crashes involving such vehicles, and keep tabs on how far and how long they're driven, and where. Shapiro contends the "onerous" contracts with PennDOT "would inhibit testers' ability to continuously and seamlessly improve this advanced technology." General Motors' director of public policy, Jeffrey Perry, said the contracts would delay testing without increasing safety, and said Pennsylvania is the only state requiring such contracts. A state Senate bill introduced last month appears to differ from the policies PennDOT is proposing. But any action on such a bill would likely be several months away. ___ Information from: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, http://pghtrib.com In one of the largest financial industry spinoffs of the year, annuities and other related financial instruments provider Athene Holding is going public via an IPO. The company is majority-owned by private equity powerhouse Apollo Global Management (NYSE: APO), whichintimated several times previously that it would float Athene Holding in an IPO. That day is almost upon us; here's a brief look at the company. IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES Corporate siblings Athene Holding is a large company, but its core business is straightforward -- it enters into annuities contracts with its clients, using those deposits to invest in assets that provide a higher return than what it's paying out. It's a good business to be in, and Athene Holding has managed to operate it profitably for years. Its annual bottom line has been in the black since 2012. This year has been a strong one for the company; in the first three quarters of 2016 it managed to nearly double net revenue (to just over $3 billion), while improving available net income by a chunky 37% to $437 million. Strategic acquisitions have helped Athene Holding grow to its present size (roughly $87 billion in assets). In late 2012 it struck a deal to acquire Aviva USA, an arm of big UK-based insurer Aviva, for 1.1 billion pounds (roughly $1.8 billion at the time) -- around one-third of the unit's total book value. Although Athene Holding remains focused on the domestic market, it's made its presence known overseas. Last year, it bought German life insurance provider Delta Lloyd Deutschland, a unit of the eponymous Dutch multinational insurer. Following the IPO, Athene Holding will still be tightly linked to Apollo Global Management and its affiliates, who will collectively own around 45% of the shareholder voting rights in the company. In Apollo's most recently reported quarter, it disclosed that it "managed or advised" nearly $72 billion of Athene Holding's assets under management (at the end of September, total AUM for the latter stood at $188 billion). Additionally, said the parent, "$15.3 billion, or 21%, was either sub-advised by Apollo or invested in funds and investment vehicles managed by Apollo." We can imagine that this close relationship will continue. A taste for risk Relative to its peers, Athene Holding tends to plow its deposit money into higher-risk investments such as subprime real estate assets. That, plus its level of specialization, means typically higher net profit margins than that of the company's rivals, which for the most part are more diversified insurers such asMetLifeandLincoln National. In terms of price to book value, Athene Holding will be more expensive than its two peers. If it's priced at the very bottom end of its expectedIPO price range at $38, the company's price/book will be exactly 1. By comparison, MetLife currently trades at a price/book just under 0.8, while Lincoln Financial's ratio is a bit over 0.9. That seems to be a fairly good deal, given Athene Holding's higher margins.Some might be concerned that the tight link with Apollo mainly helps the larger company, but in my opinion it's more benefit than burden; Apollo is a sharp operator that can find offbeat and lucrative investments for its partner. Anyone interested in putting some money on the new company, however, should monitor that relationship going forward. The details A total of 23.75 million shares of Athene Holding are to be sold in the company's IPO, by a group of selling shareholders (mainly Apollo and its affiliates). The company will receive no proceeds from the sale. The stock, which is scheduled to start trading Friday on the New York Stock Exchange, will bear the ticker symbol ATH. The IPO price is $38 to $42 per share. The issue's big underwriting syndicate reads like a who's who of American investment banks. It includes Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Wells FargoSecurities, and Bank of AmericaMerrill Lynch. 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. Eric Volkman has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of Wells Fargo. 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. President-elect Trump may need to add purging the password to his long To-Do list. In a new report by the Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity, the group warned President Obama that password hacks are on the rise. Identity, especially the use of passwords, has been the primary vector for cyber breaches-and the trend is not improving despite our increased knowledge and awareness of this risk cites the report. We are making it too easy for those who seek to do harm, whether they be nation-states, well-organized criminal groups or online thieves it states. Passwords, once the gold standard to protect your privacy, are now more than passe, theyve become a liability. The outdated technology is costing individuals and corporations billions as they deal with cyber-hacking, identity theft and in the case of the Democratic National Committees e-mail hack earlier this year, possibly even influencing voter sentiment ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Passwords are easy to guess, often, and you have to share it with the site you are logged into so the site has a copy, you have a copy and all it takes is the breach of a site to be compromised, warned former Netscape Co-Founder Jim Clark during a sit down with FOXBusiness.com. The tech pioneer, who founded Netscape along with Marc Andreessen which was later sold to AOL (NYSE:VZ) in 1998, says his company developed a solution 20-years ago. Known as Transport Layer Security (TLS), the technology uses Public Key Certificates [developed at MIT in the late 70s] to make the authentication and encryption process automatic. The certificate is a signed, kind of a notarized digital passport you cant alter and you get to share with everyone, and if everyone knows your Certificate they can send you messages encrypted with thatIn the case of a web site [that] has a Certificate, when you log into the web site and you connect to that website it automatically verifies that [it] is the proper website and you cant be spoofed explains Clark. Clark notes the technology, when developed years ago, was ahead of its time. However, as the password proves easier prey for hackers, and tech infrastructure becomes more advanced, Clark says a wider-adoption of Certificates is a no-brainer. I was frustrated so I started this new company called CommandScape and I said guys we are going to use a Certificate like it is supposed to be used, we are going to give our users Certificates so theyll never have to type in a password he said. Certificates run and are supported by Amazon Web services (NASDAQ:AMZN) via a log-in connection facility. You can use your phone to go to your home or business digitally via the cloud [simply a remote computer] and you specify your destination. Then you are connected and authenticated by the sites server. No password needed. While the U.S. has yet to widely adopt the password-less technology other countries are getting on board. The German government for example is among the countries using Certificates when citizens file their taxes. While passwords at one time were the near-perfect protection, the technology has not kept pace with the exploding internet and ballooning world of the cloud. Even changing your password multiple times a year doesnt cut it anymore. So why are banks, companies and workplaces still using them? Many of these corporations dont realize you can actually issue certificates for users. and to a certain degree theyre lazy, it means making a big change laments Clark. This is part of FOXBusiness.coms Industry Forecast series that deep dives into cloud innovations across global businesses. Suzanne OHalloran is Managing Editor of FOXBusiness.com and a graduate of Boston College. Follow her on @suzohalloran. The battle over Sofia Vergaras embryos took an extraordinary turn Tuesday when a right-to-live lawsuit was filed on behalf of the fertilized eggs against their mom. The female embryos are listed as plaintiffs Emma and Isabella in the Louisiana court papers, which come amid her knock-down, drag-out legal battle with former fiance Nick Loeb, sources told The Post. Loeb had already sued the Modern Family star in California for custody of the embryos, which the couple created when they were still together in 2013. The potentially landmark new case in Louisiana a traditionally pro-life state that offers special legal protections for frozen embryos also lists the embryos trustee, James Carbonnet, as a plaintiff, sources said. The new lawsuit contends that Emma and Isabella, by not being born, have been deprived of an inheritance from a trust that has been created for them in the Louisiana, according to sources. It asks that the frozen embryos be given to Loeb so that they can live and receive the trust set up for them, which would fund, among other things, their healthcare and education, sources said. The lawsuit also contends that a contract Vergara and Loeb previously signed at the ART Reproductive Center in Beverly Hills should be voided since it violated California code and Louisiana law, according to sources. The contract said neither party could use the embryos without the consent of the other. But the lawsuit argues that it didnt say what should happen if Loeb and Vergara were to split. Loeb, a 41-year-old businessman, spends his time between New York and Florida but has ties to Louisiana. He graduated from Tulane University and still serves as a reserve police officer in the state, according to sources. The then-happy couple first turned to in-vitro fertilization to have a child of their own in 2013. This article originally appeared in Page Six. Making sense (and, sometimes, nonsense) out of Current News, Issues, Politics Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes believes the Democratic Party was a bigger threat the the First Amendment during the 2016 election, not Donald Trump. Bewkes was asked about the President-elect's campaign promise to open up libel laws at Business Insider's IGNITION conference. "Do you worry about that at all," Business Insider's Henry Blodget asked Bewkes of Trump's threats towards CNN which is owned by Time Warner. The then-candidate said he wanted to change American libel laws to make it more difficult for the press to publish inaccurate stories. Bewkes responded saying he doesn't "think that's a serious thing" and that if anyone is trying to change free speech it's the Democrats who "had a campaign plank to change the First Amendment, and they were doing it in the guise of campaign finance reform." Bewkes was referring to Hillary Clinton's campaign platform to overturn the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United ruling which stated that free speech extends to unions and corporations. "And that was worrying me more," Bewkes said. "The press tends to miss that because they tend to lean that way, and therefore they were supporting what they were viewing I think overly charitably as something in cleaning up money in politics when in fact what it would do is restrain multiple voices." "Democrats support a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Courts decisions in Citizens United and Buckley v. Valeo," the Democratic Party's 2016 platform stated. "So I thought the real threat to the First Amendment came from the Democrats' side more," Bewkes concluded. "There's not going to be a serious effort on the Republican side." Ben Carsons nomination as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development raised some eyebrows, and not just because Carson had recently said he wasnt interested in running a federal agency. The responsibilities of the job running a federal agency whose budget in 2016 neared $50 billion and which is responsible for helping local housing authorities manage over a million households struck some as an odd fit for his training as a neurosurgeon. At first, one is struck by the oddity of this appointment of someone whos had no history with public housing to the extent that we know of, said John Spengler, a professor of environmental health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who has done research on health in public housing. But public health professionals are hoping that hell bring his medical lens to the job pushing for quality housing for low-income people and improving peoples health conditions within public housing. Not having access to safe, affordable housing is one of the least healthy situations you can find yourself in, said Mariana Arcaya, an assistant professor of urban planning and public health at MIT. Research has shown that lacking stable housing is related to a variety of health outcomes, such as higher levels of depression and anxiety, more illicit drug use, and greater use of emergency departments at hospitals. For people who move from place to place, its very difficult to have a regular source of healthcare, said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. We know that a regular source of healthcare is very important to having good health. And being sick makes it difficult to find better housing, Benjamin said. Bad health and bad housing go hand in hand and there are some things that the federal agency can do to help. HUD funds housing developments and neighborhood projects across the country. It gives money to state and local organizations that build and subsidize housing, and makes policies for public housing that impact the health of residents and communities, such as setting the acceptable levels of lead in the blood of children living in federally-subsidized homes, and a ban on public smoking in such homes announced at the end of November. Where money is invested in housing, and what kind of housing is built, both have large health impacts, scholars say. The location of housing itself is the determinant of all the neighborhood factors youre exposed to, and those have implications for health, Arcaya said. For instance, where you live determines where you go to school, where you buy your food, where you can exercise in public parks, and whether or not youre close to a doctors office. The quality of your home can also have a direct impact on your health. Dr. Megan Sandel, a pediatrician at Boston Medical Center, recalled an 8-year-old girl she saw in the intensive care unit 20 years ago. The child had terrible asthma, and Sandel couldnt figure out why until the family told her that they recently got a cat. The child was allergic to cats, but the family bought one anyway to get rid of a mouse in the childs bed. The prescription I wanted to write was for a healthy home, Sandel said. The bad house, she said, was was ultimately the underlying illness. Asthma was the symptom of the disease. Arcaya said that she hopes a physician in the secretarys seat would take medical-related housing concerns more seriously. But that shes concerned about Carsons critiques of some HUD programs, including his characterization of certain agency programs as social engineering. These government-engineered attempts to legislate racial equality create consequences that often make matters worse, he wrote in the July 2015 op-ed. Such views are at odds with what might be best for health, said Justin Steil, an assistant professor in MITs urban studies and planning department. Residential segregation by race and by income are characteristics that have been repeatedly associated with negative health outcomes, yet Ben Carson has voiced opposition to existing fair housing policies that seek to prevent discrimination in housing, Steil said. Still, Carsons high profile could benefit the agency. Sandel said that HUD is often a forgotten department that doesnt get enough attention, and that Carsons nomination opens up a critical window of opportunity to potentially have the ear of the President. And while a neurosurgeons knowledge may be little help running the federal agency, scholars say some attributes that make Carson a good doctor may benefit him in his position. Benjamin said that while he has no idea how Carsons medical training will influence how he does the job, neurosurgeons are good at working on a team and at making detailed plans, both of which could benefit Carson in the position. Spengler said that Carson could bring a doctors sense of compassion to the agency. But Benjamin offered Carson a suggestion he would like to see HUD release an annual report about the health of people living in public housing. This would allow the agency to gauge its success in part by how the health of public housing residents changes year to year. Red eyes can spark a lot of annoying questions from people wondering if youre sick, upset, or hungover. But bloodshot eyes can be caused by a bunch of different things. Theyre often a sign of another problemlike dry eyes, too little sleep, or even overdoing it on certain eye drops, says Andrew Holzman, M.D., ophthalmologist and regional medical director of TLC Laser Eye Centers in Maryland. (For 2,000+ other tips on how to live your best life, check out the Mens Health Better Man Project.) Here are 10 possible culprits, and how you can fix them. #1. CAUSE OF RED EYES: YOUR EYES ARE DRY. When your eyes are dry, they become irritated and inflamed. Its that inflammation that causes the redness. Dry eye is more common in adults over 50, but it often affects younger people who spend a lot of time staring at computer screens, says Dr. Holzman. We dont blink as much when we look at screens, which causes dryness, he says. Other symptoms: Burning, stinging, and a gritty sort of feelinglike something is in your eye. How to fix it: Artificial tears can moisten your eyes, which reduces inflammation and eases the redness. To keep the problem from coming back, try to blink more when youre at your computer, says Dr. Holzman. You can also try the 20-20-20 rule to help reset your blinks and reduce the dry-eye issues caused by staring at your computer: Every 20 minutes youre in front of a screen, focus on something 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds. If that doesnt help, you could have chronic dry eye, so see your doctor. He or she might prescribe eye drops that reduce dryness-related inflammation, like Restasis. #2: CAUSE OF RED EYES: YOU HAVE SEASONAL ALLERGIES. Allergens like pollen and grass can cause swelling and inflammation in your eyes, which can lead to redness. Because allergies also tend to make your eyes itchy, you end up rubbing them, which creates even more inflammation and redness, Dr. Holzman says. Other symptoms: Itchiness, sneezing, congestion, and watery eyes. How to fix it: Ease the redness and inflammation by applying cold compresses to your eyes for 15 minutes several times a day, says Dr. Holzman. Then, talk with your primary care doctor to figure out the best way to keep your allergies under control. He or she might recommend antihistamines, which decrease your bodys response to allergens and ease inflammation. Related: How Your Allergy Meds Can Affect Your Gains At the Gym But because antihistamines make your eyes dry, you might also have to use artificial tears to prevent dryness and redness. #3: CAUSE OF RED EYES: YOURE TAKING CERTAIN MEDS. Antihistamines arent the only medications that can potentially dry out your eyes and leave them red. Sleeping pills, anti-anxiety meds, and even pain relievers like ibuprofen can also cause dryness and redness. These medications can reduce blood flow to tissue in and around your eye, making it dry and red, says Jeffrey Anshel, O.D., optometrist and founder of the Ocular Nutrition Society. How to fix it: Get quick relief from the drynessand rednesswith artificial tears. But for longer-term relief, talk with the doctor who prescribed your medication. He or she may be able to adjust your dose, or offer an alternative prescription with fewer side effects. #4: CAUSE OF RED EYES: YOU HAVENT BEEN GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP. Whether you stayed up late watching Netflix or spent half the night tossing and turning, your eyes will probably look a little bloodshot in the morning. The eyes need to be closed for an extended period of time for your tear layers to regenerate and replenish. And loss of tears leads to redness, says Dr. Anshel. Other symptoms: You might find yourself squinting. The eyes muscles need to recharge overnight, Dr. Anshel says. If they dont get enough rest, youll have a harder time focusing on things both close up and far off. How to fix it: Again, artificial tears can help you re-moisturize your parched tear layers, Dr. Anshel says. Getting the recommended 7 to 8 hours of sleep can keep the dryness from coming back. #5. CAUSE OF RED EYES: YOU DRANK TOO MUCH. Its not just the fact that you didnt get home until daybreak. Alcohol causes your blood vessels to relax, Dr. Holzman says. That allows more blood to flow through the vessels in your eyes, so they look redder. Other symptoms: Headache, dehydration, nausea, and feeling like garbage overall. Related: 11 Ways to Cure a Nasty Hangover How to fix it: Use an over-the-counter eye whitening drop, like Visine. It works by constricting blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to your eyes so they look less red, says Dr. Holzman. Itll ease the redness within 15 minutes or so. Just dont go overboard (See #10.) #6. CAUSE OF RED EYES: YOURE A SMOKER, OR HUNG OUT WITH ONE. Cigarette smoke causes the blood vessels in your eyes to constrict, which dries out the surface of your eyes, Dr. Anshel says. When your body senses the dryness and lack of blood flow, it tries to compensate by dilating your blood vessels. And that means more redness. Other symptoms: You might notice dryness in the short term. In the long-term, the blood vessel constricting-effects of smoking (or exposure to secondhand smoke) can raise your risk for macular degeneration and cataractswhich can cause vision loss and even blindness. How to fix it: If you smoke, take steps to quit smoking. If not, seek fresh air. Your eyes should clear in about an hour, Dr. Anshel says. #7. CAUSE OF RED EYES: YOU HAVE PINK EYE. Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is a viral or bacterial infection that can strike in one or both eyes. Its highly contagious, so its easy to spread from one eye to the other by just rubbing your eyes, Dr. Holzman says. The infection causes inflammation in and around your eye, which makes it look red and swollen. Other symptoms: Itching or burning, watery eyes, mucus-like discharge, and sensitivity to light. How to fix it: See your eye doctor, who can examine your eyes to determine whether your pink eye is viral or bacterial. Related: Why You Should See Your Eye Doctor RegularlyEven If You Think Your Vision Is Great If its viral, youll probably have to wait it out, which can take two to three weeks. (Steroid eye drops could help the redness and swelling for really bad viral infections, Dr. Holzman says.) If its bacterial, your doctor will prescribe antibiotic eye drops, which will start soothing your symptoms within a couple of days. #8. CAUSE OF RED EYES: YOU JUST WENT SWIMMING. The salt in ocean water is drying, which leads to redness. And pools contain caustic chemicals, like chlorine, that actually kill off some of the good bacteria in your eyeswhich can lead to irritation and redness, Dr. Anshel says. Other symptoms: Your eyes might also feel dry or irritated. How to fix it: Flush your eyes with saline solution or artificial tears, which will wash out the irritating gunk and ease the redness, Dr. Anshel says. And if you wore contacts while swimming, take them out and clean them ASAP. Next time, wear goggles to keep the salt and chemicals out of your eyes. #9. CAUSE OF RED EYES: YOU POPPED A BLOOD VESSEL. Popped blood vessels can happen if you were straining (like coughing intensely), if you slept in a weird position that put a lot of pressure on your eye, or experienced some kind of traumalike getting punched or being in a car accident. When a blood vessel bursts, blood gets trapped under the surface of your eye. That can cause a bright red splotch, or make the entire white of your eye turn blood red. But popped blood vessels arent actually seriousthey just look bad, Dr. Holzman says. Other symptoms: Popped blood vessels dont hurt, but your eye might feel slightly heavy from the extra blood. How to fix it: Unfortunately, theres nothing you can do to reduce the redness or speed up the healing. It should go away on its own in about a week, says Dr. Holzman. #10. CAUSE OF RED EYES: YOU WENT CRAZY WITH THE VISINE Weirdly, eye whitening drops can actually make your redness problem worse. Thats because the drops work by constricting the blood vessels in your eyes to reduce blood flow. If you use the drops on a regular basis, your body will adapt to the drops, Dr. Holzman says. Then when you stop, you end up getting a rebound effect where your blood vessels dilate and your eyes start to look red. Related: Gambling Addictions, Purple Sweat, Driving While Asleepthe Scary Side Effects Of Popular Meds Other symptoms: Theyll vary, depending on the underlying issue thats making your eyes red (like drinking, smoking, or allergies). How to fix it: Using eye whitening drops once in a while (like after a night of drinking) is fine. But if youre using them every day for more than a week or two, see your eye doctor to figure out whats actually causing your redness (often, its dryness, Dr. Holzman says). Once you figure out the root cause, you can treat it. This article originally appeared on MensHealth.com. In New York City, 14 infants have tested positive for Zika virus, five of which have shown evidence of whats being called congenital Zika virus syndrome. In an alert sent to doctors, the citys Department of Health and Mental Hygiene urged vigilance and continued to discourage women from traveling to areas battling the virus, The New York Times reported. According to Wednesdays alert, since July, at least four babies have been born in New York City with Zika-related symptoms, which can include microcephaly, in which the childs brain is severely underdeveloped. The Department of Health reported the first case of a baby born in New York City with microcephaly on July 22. The New York Times reported that, as of Dec. 2, 962 city residents tested positive for Zika, including 325 pregnant women. Todays news is a reminder that Zika continues to be a threat to pregnant women and their babies, said the citys health commissioner, Dr. Mary T. Bassett, according to The New York Times. We are closely following all babies born to mothers who test positive for Zika infection and will connect parents to available services to improve their childs quality of life, she added. Pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant should avoid travel to parts of Central and South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, according to the New York Department of Health. A report published in November found that Zika infection, which is spread by infected mosquitos, can cause a range of damaging symptoms, including a collapsed skull, eye scarring, severe muscle tension and brain calcifications. The Zika virus set off worldwide concern after an outbreak in Brazil, where babies are now turning one and families continue to struggle with medical problems. next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 Residents in an Arkansas town are applauding local police officers for a generous act that helped a fellow citizen enjoy the holiday season. Officers from the Centerton Police Department helped the unidentified person hang their Christmas lights after Centerton Mayor Bill Edwards put a call out for assistance on Facebook, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. It is an important part of Christmas to me, the resident told Edwards. "I have only one eave that needs a sliding aluminum ladder, which I do not have." When several local police officers responded, Edwards expressed his gratitude, the news station reported. Thanks for giving back to the community, and thanks for a job well done, Edwards said. On Facebook, the Centerton Police Department shared four photos of the officers stringing the lights on the residents home, along with the following caption: "Some days it's not just about writing tickets and taking people to jail," Centerton police said on Facebook. "Community policing is a major need in this day and age, and we believe even the smallest acts can leave lasting effects!" A Canadian doctor who allegedly sent a letter to patients asking them to sponsor his retirement has come under fire from regulators. Dr. Myron MacDonald, a doctor in West Vancouver, said various expenses have depleted his funds leaving him with little take-home pay, CTV News reported. Any amount will be of help to me, the 74-year-old allegedly wrote to his patients. Perhaps $20 to $30 a month on your credit card could work for you. According to the report, MacDonald billed the medical services plan $163,978.42 last year. The B.C.s College of Physicians and Surgeons slammed his alleged request for patient funds in a statement to CTV News. Any physicians who request money from patients to support him or her in retirement would be contravening a foundational principle which every physician is required to abide by: Do not exploit patients for personal advantage, the statement said. The report said MacDonald would not be disciplined but would not be allowed to accept money. I believe that President-elect Donald Trump will succeed in bringing down health care costs, and tackling soaring drug prices will be at the forefront of his battle. This may have come as a shock to the industry, who likely believed that theyd be given a free pass under a Republican presidency and Republican-controlled Congress. It is likely that on Election Day the Big Pharma companies prematurely let out a collective sigh of relief believing that a Republican-led government would never allow for imported medicines or for Medicare to negotiate drug prices, but it appears that the well-deserved panic is starting to set in. On the day Trump was named Time Magazines Person of the Year, the publication released excerpts from a November interview in which he divulged plans to address out-of-control drug costs. Im going to bring down drug prices. I dont like whats happened with drug prices, he said. Those two lines, short enough to fit in a Tweet, sent shockwaves through the industry. Biotechnology and pharmaceutical stocks took a hit, signaling that the relief they had been enjoying since Election Day was short-lived. They could have and should have seen this coming, as Trump has previously advocated for allowing cheaper pharmaceutical drugs manufactured abroad to be sold in the U.S. During his campaign, he also said allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices directly with pharmaceutical companies could save the agency $300 billion per year. While his savings number has been disputed, the cost-cutting measure aligns with what Democrats have peddled before, and he hasnt backed down yet. Where he will likely run into trouble is with Senate Republicans and the pharmaceutical industry itself, which has significant lobbying power in Congress. But where others before him have bowed to the pressure of medical industry titans, Trump will not. We recently watched Martin Shkreli, a hedge fund manager-turned pharmaceutical CEO raise a life-saving drugs price from $13.50 to $750 per pill. The public responded with outrage, and Trump called him a spoiled brat. To her credit, Hillary Clinton criticized him too, but she was also accepting campaign funds from pharmaceutical executives. Shkreli cited the need to turn a profit on the drug for the hike, and while he may have come under the most criticism, he is certainly not the first in the industry to put profits before patients. According to prescription-benefit manager Express Scripts Holding Co., from 2008 through 2014, average prices for the most widely used brand-name drugs jumped 128 percent. The industry chalks soaring costs up as a trade-off for all the money saved in preventing hospitalizations and illness-related complications. But even once in those hospital settings, something as simple as an Advil will cost significantly more when administered by a medical professional than if you picked it up at a local CVS, and thats the industrys fault. If pretending that practicing preventative medicine is the tradeoff is what makes the industry heads sleep better at night so be it, but for the countless ill patients who cannot afford their medications, no price hike is justifiable. Really, whats to blame here is the U.S. government for allowing such atrocities to occur in the first place. If a parent gave his 13-year-old keys to a Ferrari and then the teen crashes it, you dont blame the teen, you blame the negligent parent. Unlike civilized countries elsewhere in the world, the U.S. government does not regulate prices or partake in negotiations. Drug makers in the U.S. enjoy exclusivity in the marketplace under patents that last for 20 years, preventing healthy competition and the sovereignty of monopoly for a devastating period of time. Generic drug makers are often run out of the marketplace when brand-name medicines hit the shelves as it costs too much to try to keep up. A Wall Street Journal investigation found that compared to Norway, U.S. prices were higher for 93 percent of 40 top branded drugs available in both countries. It was similar in England and Ontario. A large difference between these countries and ours is the power of negotiation. In other countries drug companies are met with price caps and have to prove a drugs value in comparison to existing ones before getting cost approved. While opponents of government negotiating say it will discourage drug industry research and deny patients access to some medications, I ask them to consider if the alternative that we are living is really that much better. Our patients are already dying without proper medication because of soaring costs, and many causes are short on funding while marketing geniuses and those with good handshakes gobble up airtime and all the spending that comes with it. We need a change, and Im hopeful Trump, the great negotiator, will champion it. Dozens of children and their families took to the skies Tuesday in a special flight over Vermont to help them kick off the holiday season and forget about their illnesses for the day. JetBlue, Burlington International Airport, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, Ronald McDonald House and University of Vermont Childrens Hospital all came together to host 39 children in the sky. Dubbed The Dream Flight, the experience was a first for many of the children, who have all spent considerable time hospitalized for an illness, MyChamplainValley.com reported. Frosty the Snowman was on hand to help check in the special passengers at the gate. I was really excited because I thought I was going to a doctors appointment, 9-year-old Rowan Dodge, a two-time cancer survivor, told WCAX.com. Im hoping to see Santa because my mom told me we were going to see Santa, but she already tricked me once today, so I dont know if were actually going to see Santa Claus. Each child was given a teddy bear when they reached their seats and treated to views of Mount Mansfield and Mount Washington. When we took off, I started to cry, Steve Shover, a JetBlue employee who was on the flight, told WCAX.com. It was happy tears, though, to do something really special for kids who may not ever have another opportunity in their entire lives to actually go on a plane. Once the flight landed the children and their families were treated to a holiday party with Santa Claus. A Pittsburgh man and woman are facing charges after their 2-month-old baby was allegedly revived by the rescue drug Narcan and tested positive for methadone. Fox 25 Boston reported that a criminal complaint alleges the baby was brought to Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC on Oct. 11 after the babys parents, Lorie Adkins and Erik Eakin, found him unresponsive. The baby went into respiratory arrest, the complaint stated, and the babys urine indicated he had been exposed to methadone. The complaint stated the babys condition improved with a dose of Narcan, the opiate antidote. Adkins told hospital staff that she takes methadone daily and that her baby must have overdosed from breastfeeding, Fox 25 Boston reported. But the babys medical report stated that was unlikely because the level of exposure via breastfeeding would probably not have given the baby the symptoms he suffered. The complaint stated that a caseworker for the Office of Children, Youth and Families told detectives he contacted staff at the Childrens Home, a local nonprofit that cares for medically fragile babies, who informed him the infant was not breastfed. Staff told the detective that while the baby was weaning off methadone, Adkins had to feed him formula because she was not producing enough milk to pump. Fox 25 Boston reported that warrants have been issued for the parents. They are charged with endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person. Texas could be the epicenter for the nation's next major fight over stricter requirements for immunizations as rates of schoolchildren who refuse shots for non-medical reasons climb in America's second-largest state. The number of Texas kindergarten through 12th grade students who reported filing conscientious exemptions for at least one immunization last school year increased 19-fold since 2003 though that is still less than 1 percent of enrolled students, according to the Immunization Partnership, a pro-vaccination Texas nonprofit. Texas requires parents to approve immunizations, rather than mandating shots and having families opt out if they object to them. Some Texas state lawmakers said Wednesday they want to create a system where students who oppose immunizations would have to opt out of otherwise standard immunizations and could only do so after watching a video on the medical effectiveness of vaccines. The most common immunizations protect against measles, mumps, and rubella, or German measles, as well as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and hepatitis A and B. Texas and 17 other states allow philosophical exemptions to vaccines. California used to let students forgo vaccinations for similar reasons only to approve some of the country's strictest vaccine requirements last year. That law eliminated religious and personal beliefs as reasons for opting out of mandatory immunizations. The small group of Texas lawmakers that wants to make changes isn't planning to go that far when the GOP-controlled Legislature heads back into session Jan. 10. "The fact is that people have a choice to not immunize, but we need the herd effect," Rep. Donna Howard, an Austin Democrat who has filed an immunization "opt-in" bill, told reporters Wednesday. "We need a significant number to be immunized to not only protect themselves but to protect the larger community." Past efforts to improve immunization rates in Texas mostly have been stymied by opposition from conservative legislators who are immunizations skeptics, as well as a political group called Texans for Vaccine Choice. They point to discredited studies linking immunizations to health problems including autism. Texans for Vaccine Choice didn't respond to requests for comment Wednesday. Preparations for a legislative clash come amid a mumps outbreak south of Fort Worth, where immunization refusal rates in school districts are higher than the state average. Neighboring Arkansas has reported nearly 1,900 confirmed or suspected cases of mumps this year, though many of those involved children who got vaccines. That outbreak has nonetheless centered in an area where opt-out rates exceed those in other parts of Arkansas, according to that state's Department of Health. Like Texas, Arkansas allows parents to claim medical, religious or philosophical exemptions from school vaccination requirements. In Texas, nearly 45,000 kindergarten through 12th grade students reported filing conscientious exemptions to vaccinations last school year, which represents 0.84 percent of the number of students reported enrolled by schools in an annual survey, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. But as recently as the 2008 academic year, only about 12,600 public school students reported filing conscientious exemptions to immunizations, or 0.28 percent of that year's reported enrollment total. State Rep. Sarah Davis, a suburban Houston Republican who is sponsoring a proposal to mandate an online class for Texans who get non-medical exemptions to school immunizations, said that "for some reason, there's a growing movement afoot to question the science and effectiveness of vaccines." "Discredited research offered by discredited sources has nonetheless gained traction," Davis said Wednesday. "It has created doubts in parents and uncertainty among the public. We're here because it's time to fight back." : 30 ; 7 The National Council of La Raza hosted its prestigious Capital Awards Gala last week and, not surprisingly, immigration reform was front and center. As I listened to NCLR honorees give their own perspectives on immigration, I was particularly intrigued by a comment made by Cristina Jimenez, Managing Director for United We Dream, a youth-led immigration initiative. She stated that when she says dreamers, she doesnt just mean people that were brought over here as babies and young children by their parents or caregivers through no fault of their own, but rather, all of her family that has crossed the border in search of a better future for themselves and their families. This includes all the abuelos, tias, tios, primos, and los papas. Basically, everyone. While Senator Marco Rubio, R-FL., is quickly becoming the new face for the party, he still needs the rest of the partys support to tackle [the immigration] issue. Laura Berrocal When we consider the current political state of play, it seems clear that immigration reform needs to happen this year or it will again be moved to the back burner. On November 4, 2014, 33 of the 100 seats in the Senate will be contested and elections to the House of Representatives will also be held. Policymakers rarely take on controversial legislation when they are up for reelection, so where does this leave the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in this country? During a recent roundtable discussion with USA Todays Susan Davis, hosted by the Womens High Tech Coalition, the issue of immigration again dominated the conversation. The headliner (drumroll) if the GOP wants to win in 2014, they need to address immigration reform. As the Latino population continues to grow, their impact on elections is becoming increasingly dominant. And if the United States growing Latino population continues to support Democrats, Republican wins are going to be hard to come by. So the question remains, How can Republicans diversify their base and tap into a growing and very important voting bloc if the party is not making steps to address immigration reform? Short answer it cant. Republicans need to figure this out and figure it out fast. The fact that CPAC talked about immigration and headlined as many Latinos as they could find seems to be a clear sign that the GOP realizes its running out of time. And while Senator Marco Rubio, R-FL., is quickly becoming the new face for the party, he still needs the rest of the partys support to tackle this issue. Adding fuel to the fire, Congress is the youngest and least experienced group of policymakers that weve seen in a long time. Forty percent of House members have served four years or less. And while we hear a lot about the old guard members of Congress, we arent really getting the full picture that being, weve got a rookie Congress. More members than wed like to think barely understand how a bill becomes law, which makes tackling an issue like immigration reform that much more daunting. So the prospect of a comprehensive immigration reform bill being passed seems unlikely. Garnering support for pieces of legislation that address the biggest concerns related to immigration reform seems more palatable. Namely, moving on legislation that addresses a pathway to citizenship, border security and the current backlog that exists for immigrants trying to enter this country legally. Its about time this country realizes that immigration reform is not just about addressing the issue of people crossing the border illegally; its about the American dream and safeguarding what America is about. America is a country built by immigrants and our diversity is what makes this country so great. A responsible and effective immigration policy will ensure that America continues to grow and prosper in a way that continues to showcase to the world that we are a people of many cultures and from all walks of life. Thats what makes this country so amazing. Immigration reform may not happen the way many would like to see, but dreamers should keep dreaming because this issue cannot continue to be ignored for much longer, particularly as the Latino population continues to grow and have greater influence on this important policy debate. Newly-elected President Donald Trump will soon take the helm of the worlds most-powerful job. Hell command an expansive nuclear arsenal, an unparalleled military and a Twitter account with 16.9 million followers. That last item gives Trump the unique ability to go around the major media. It makes him a one-man super power able to push policy agendas, compliment allies and critique the press. The American media are terrified of Trump. They are freaked out by his ability to talk directly to the American public. Even more, they are enraged over his willingness to attack them the people who think they are truth tellers. What many in the left and the news media dont seem to understand is that Trump is doing his job. In slightly less than a month since the election, Trump has already passed the benchmark of the first 100 Tweets of his new administration. More than one-fourth of those more than 100 tweets has criticized the biased media. Trump has blasted the failing New York Times 10 times, and knocked one-sided, biased "Saturday Night Live" and the highly overrated play "Hamilton." According to Socialbakers.com Trump's followers have skyrocketed since the election, from roughly 13 million followers to nearly 17 million. Monday, he aimed his tweets in a full broadside at the traditional news media: If the press would cover me accurately & honorably, I would have far less reason to "tweet." Sadly, I don't know if that will ever happen! he wrote. Trump had told "60 Minutes" that he would cut back on Twitter as president just days after the election. Im going to be very restrained, if I use it at all, Im going to be very restrained, he explained to correspondent Lesley Stahl. That appearance was cited by CBS News on Monday night. But they seem to have forgotten what else he said during the earlier interview. I have a method of fighting back, he added. Hes right. And he needs it to even the odds against the press that is still campaigning against him. Trumps tweets have been widely criticized in the media, including on "Saturday Night Live." Liberal actor Alec Baldwin mocked Trump in the skit saying his brain is bad, explained Townhall. "I just retweeted the best tweet. I mean, wow, what a great, smart tweet, Baldwin says after sharing a 16-year-old high schoolers tweet -- which actually happened last month. "The Views" Whoopi Goldberg urged simply: Stay off Twitter and do your job now. So-called journalists are just as bad. CNNs Chris Cuomo admitted to Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway the press is distracted from a little bit of analysis of the cabinet by the tweeting once again. Cuomo listed a few of the topics Trump had targeted on Twitter and asked her, Is this really how he's going to spend his time as president? The Times ended up confused, wondering, If Trump Tweets It, Is It News? A Quandary for the News Media. The news organization that has 32 million followers on Twitter, isnt sure if Twitter is a legitimate form of communication?! The paper inadvertently made Trumps case for using Twitter, amidst its internal angst: Mr. Trumps Twitter account a bully pulpit, propaganda weapon and attention magnet all rolled into one has quickly emerged as a fresh journalistic challenge and a source of lively debate. The Times quoted liberal Nation editor and publisher Katrina vanden Heuvel urging news outlets to limit covering what Trump said. Media would be wise to stop hyper-coverage of Trumps tweets they distract, distort and debase, she whined. Not everyone agrees that Twitter is bad, even on the left. White House Press Sec. Josh Earnest told reporters defended Trumps use of Twitter President Obama has found Twitter to be a useful mechanism for communicating with the American public and providing some insight to all of you about what hes thinking about, he told the press corps. What many in the left and the news media dont seem to understand is that Trump is doing his job. Former vice president Dick Cheney gets it. He told a defense forum recently that Twitter is sort of a way around the press. Cheney added: Hes at the point where we dont need you guys anymore. And thats what really scares journalists. That he doesnt need them. Why deal with an activist, left-wing news media that is continuing its campaign against him? Nancy Reagan became famous for the slogan, Just say no. In Trump terms, that should become: Just tweet no. A federal judge has overturned a decision to discharge a Marine reservist after he was accused of using an unclassified email account to send a warning about an Afghan official. The ruling on Tuesday, first reported by the Marine Corp Times, comes nearly three years after a Marines Corps board of inquiry recommended that Maj. Jason Brezler be honorably discharged. The decision allowed Brezler to keep his benefits, though he was denied the honor of wearing the uniform Brezler had warned fellow Marines in August 2012 about an Afghanistan police chief who was linked to the Taliban and was an alleged child molester, days before one of the suspect's alleged victims killed three Marines. He was accused of sending classified information over an unclassified network because he allegedly used an improper email account to pass on the warning, and later of retaining classified information on his computer. This is a stunning rebuke of the fundamentally unjust proceedings to which this decorated Marine was subjected for over three years, Brezlers attorney, Michael Bowe, said in a statement. In his decision, U.S. District Judge Joseph Bianco in New York, wrote that he was not ruling on whether the board of inquiry was an act of retaliation, but that the Navy did not provide Brezler with all relevant documents, which clearly prevented Major Brezler from fully and fairly litigating his retaliation claims. The Judge correctly found that highly relevant documents and information were withheld from the defense, that the excuses for doing so were completely unsupported, and that Major Brezler was completely deprived . . . of any meaningful opportunity to rebut critical claims," Bowe said in his statement. The case now goes back to the Secretary of the Navy for a new trial. Fox News Catherine Herridge contributed to this report. President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of Defense said Tuesday that he was "grateful" to be nominated as House Republicans introduced a must-pass spending bill that included language designed to expedite his confirmation. Retired Marine Gen. James "Mad Dog" Mattis briefly joined Trump on stage at the president-elect's "Thank You" rally in Fayetteville, N.C. "Im grateful for the opportunity to return to our troops, their families, the civilians at the Department of Defense," Mattis said in brief remarks. "I know how committed they are and devoted they are to the defense of our country [and] the defense of our Constitution. And with our allies strengthened and with our country strengthened, I look forward to being the civilian leader, so long as Congress gives me the waiver and the Senate votes to consent." "You're going to get that waiver," Trump said as Mattis left the microphone. "If you dont get that waiver, there are going to be a lot of angry people." Mattis retired from the military in 2013. However, since federal law requires the secretary of defense to be off active duty for at least seven years, Congress would have to approve a waiver allowing Mattis to lead the Pentagon. Shortly before Trump took the stage, House Republicans included a proposal to expedite the waiver in legislation to keep the government funded into next spring. The bill would prevent the government from shutting down this weekend and buy several months for the new Congress and incoming Trump administration to wrap up more than $1 trillion worth of unfinished agency budget bills. However, it also includes language meant to force Senate Democrats to consider whether to oppose the entire spending bill over Mattis' confirmation, risking a government shutdown over the matter. The legislation requires Mattis to receive 60 Senate votes to receive the waiver. However, the legislation would limit debate on the measure to 10 hours. For Mattis to receive the waiver, at least eight Senate Democrats would have to join 52 Senate Republican to approve it. Trump himself was less bombastic Tuesday evening than at a similar rally last week in Cincinnati. The president-elect attempted to strike more of the healing notes traditionally delivered in the weeks after a bruising campaign. He even stopped the crowd when it started to boo the media. "We will defend American jobs. We have to look at it almost like a war," Trump thundered. "We want the next generation of innovation and production to happen right here in America. "We will heal our divisions and unify our country. When Americans are unified there is nothing we cannot do -- nothing!" he added. "I'm asking you to dream big again as Americans. I'm asking you to believe in yourselves." Fox News' Chad Pergram and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Donald Trump is apparently responsible for everything that goes wrong in peoples lives, including the heartbreak of psoriasis. He can even screw up your love life! We all read magazine pieces and blog posts during the campaign on couples who were fighting because one person backed Trump and the other was hoping for Hillary. And all those pieces about how to survive Thanksgiving when one of your relatives might be crazy enough to be a Trump voter. And fashion designers who expressed their disgust by announcing that they would not provide any outfits for Melania Trumpthat one worthy of a New York Times story. And we all know what happened with Hamilton. Yes, it seems theres a fertile media market for people speaking out about how Trumps election has ruined their lives, is ruining the country, and possibly could ruin western civilization. Forget about Taiwan or Carrier or flag-burning, all they have to do is put together a personal rant to win their 15 seconds of fame. Editors are, well, rather receptive. It helps if youre already famous. Take Madonna, who at one event offered to sexually service any man who voted for Hillary. Now Billboard magazine quotes its Woman of the Year as saying the following about Trumps victory: It felt like someone died. It felt like a combination of the heartbreak and betrayal you feel when someone you love more than anything leaves you, and also a death. I feel that way every morning; I wake up and say, Oh, wait, Donald Trump is still the president, and it wasnt a bad dream that I had. It feels like women betrayed us. The percentage of women who voted for Trump was insanely high. Why is that? Women hate women, says the Material Girl. What other explanation could there be? But the absolute winner in this blame-Trump has to be Stephanie Land. Never heard of her? Neither has anyone else. But the Washington Post saw fit to give the Missoula, Mont. woman a platform to spew about the president-elect ... though what shes saying isnt exactly clear. The single mom starts out by saying she was going on as many as six dates a week to try to find a partner. A couple of dudes were emerging as finalists. But then: Once it was clear that Donald Trump would be president instead of Hillary Clinton, I felt sick to my stomach. I wanted to gather my children in bed with me and cling to them like we would if thunder and lightning were raging outside, with winds high enough that the power might go out. The world felt that precarious to me. So were her potential boyfriends Trump backers? Nah. But one felt too unfamiliar and Land wanted to focus on her friends. I cant, I told him. I just cant. Ive lost the desire to attempt the courtship phase. And thats it. Poor Stephanie is depressed, so she doesnt feel like dating, and its all Trumps fault for messing things up. Sad! I cant remember when Ive read a piece so lame. The New York Times, meanwhile, gives op-ed play to one Christopher Suprun, under the headline: Why I Will Not Cast My Electoral Vote for Donald Trump. He is a Republican elector in Texas, but he now declares he will not cast his vote for someone who shows daily he is not qualified for the office. No one elected Suprun, of course, to exercise his own judgment. He is supposed to vote for Trump as the candidate who carried his state. So this is a stunt that will have no impact on Trump taking office. Suprun has lots of grievances. He says Trump lacks foreign policy experience. He quotes Alexander Hamilton. He says that Mr. Trump goes out of his way to attack the cast of Saturday Night Live for bias. He says GOP electors should unite behind, say, John Kasich, who only won his home state. With all due respect, who cares what he thinks? This whining by Trump-haters is becoming a market niche. And its getting old. Republicans are looking to put a bow on this years election victories with a final Senate win this weekend in Louisiana. The party took control of Washington last month, with Republican Donald Trump staging an upset White House victory and Democrats failing to retake the House or Senate. But the GOP hopes to widen its slim majority in the upper chamber in Louisiana on Saturday, when two finalists compete in a runoff for the open seat of retiring GOP Sen. David Vitter. A Republican win would give the party a 52-48 seat majority in the Senate next year. The contest between GOP candidate John Kennedy, the state treasurer, and Democratic opponent Foster Campbell, a state Public Service commissioner, also has emerged as a final proxy battle between the Trump campaign and supporters of failed Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. State Republicans announced Wednesday that Trump, now the president-elect, will visit Baton Rouge on Friday to lead a get-out-the-vote rally for Kennedy. Kennedy leads Campbell by 14 percentage points in the runoff race, according to the most recent polling by Southern Media Opinion and Research. They enter the runoff as the top two vote-getters in the Nov. 8 general election in which nobody in the 12-person field could surpass the 50 percent threshold to win. The GOP in 2016 had incumbent senators in 24 races, which gave Democrats their best opportunity in years to retake control of the chamber. But the populist wave that swept Trump into the White House also helped fellow Republicans keep their House and Senate majorities. A GOP win this weekend would be cause for a final, 2016 celebration for the party. This past weekend, Vice President-elect Mike Pence was in Louisiana trying to whip up votes for Kennedy. I just hung up the phone from President-elect Trump, Pence told the crowd. He said to say how grateful he was for the support from Louisiana. He said that he has one more thing to ask, to send John Kennedy to the United States Senate. Despite having a Democratic governor, Louisiana is deep red and has voted for the GOP presidential nominee in eight of the past 10 contests, including this year when Trump decisively beat Clinton, 58-38 percent. As Pence suggested Saturday, his visit with Trump this summer to flood-ravaged Louisiana -- a trip Clinton didn't make -- only strengthened the bond between Republicans and Louisiana voters. The most inspiring day for me on the campaign was back in August, he said. Louisiana, you inspired the nation. And I promise that our president-elect and I will be with you. Southern Media pollster Bernie Pinsonat on Tuesday told FoxNews.com: Trump is very popular here. The issue is very simple: Trump stomped Clinton. Clinton supporters and other Democrats have tried to help Campbell, giving enough money, much of it in small-dollar donations, to essentially keep him evenly matched with Kennedy. Each has roughly $1.4 million in cash going into Saturdays runoff, according to OpenSecrets.org. Still, Campbell faces an uphill battle in trying to erase Kennedys 52-38 point lead with the runoff just days away. Beyond the Trump effect, Louisianas $300 million budget deficit is a big factor in the contest. Pinsonat said Kennedy climbed to the top of the race because he was a state treasurer with the popular message that Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards administration was spending too much. He had a microphone to go across the state, Pinsonat said. He was the peoples choice on the budget. The Southern Media poll showed voters agreed with Kennedy 54-40 percent on overspending, not Edwards argument that state government needs more revenue. If Campbell has one advantage compared with last month's candidates, it is that he is the only Democratic Senate contender this year who can tell voters exactly how he would deal with a new president -- since Trump has already won. "If he wants to build roads and bridges, I'm all about that," Campbell recently said on the "Keepin' It 1600" podcast. "But if he wants to privatize Social Security and he wants to give a voucher for Medicare, I cannot support that. I'll fight that tooth and toenail." Powerful lawmakers are drilling down into the Department of Veterans Affairs, seeking answers to how a Wisconsin dentist who treated vets was able to ignore safety and sanitary procedures, potentially exposing hundreds patients to HIV and hepatitis. The patients were treated by a dentist at the Tomah, Wis., VA facility, where the unnamed dentist used improperly cleaned equipment. Acting Medical Director Victoria Brahm said last week 592 veterans who received care from the dentist can receive free screenings for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. "I pray no one has an infection," Brahm said, adding that the risk is low. On Tuesday, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, fired off a letter to VA Secretary Robert McDonald demanding answers about the VAs training procedures and equipment protocol as well as steps that the VA is taking to ensure safety. It is unclear what other steps the VA has done to hold [the dentist] accountable for the breach of protocol, the letter stated. Further, it is unclear what the VA is doing on a national scale to ensure that all VA doctors, not just dentists, comply with safety protocols. The dentist, who reportedly used, cleaned and reused his own equipment, in violation of VA regulations, was placed in an administrative role before resigning last week. His actions came to light when a whistle-blower came forward, and the Office of Inspector General recently opened a review of the situation. In the letter, Johnson and Grassley sought explanations of the VAs disposable equipment protocol, what punishment the dentist faces and what steps the agency intends to take on a national scale to ensure that all VA doctors comply with safety protocols. Statewide recounts in key 2016 battlegrounds are proceeding in fits and starts -- but doing little to change the math behind Donald Trump's victory. In Wisconsin, one of three states where Green Party candidate Jill Stein has sought a fresh tabulation, the president-elect has even gained on Hillary Clinton. The push for a recount in Pennsylvania, meanwhile, is awaiting a federal court's OK, and a similar effort in Michigan has run into new judicial turbulence. But while Trump narrowly defeated Clinton in all three states, the numbers trickling in look unlikely to call into question the Nov. 8 results. In any election, the actual change in the margin of votes is very, very low, Drew Spencer Penrose, legal director at FairVote, told FoxNews.com. For people hoping for a change in results, I wouldnt hold my breath. Heres a rundown of what is happening in each state: Wisconsin With the Wisconsin Election Commission working since last Thursday when Stein paid $3.5 million for the recount after alleging reports of fraud there has been little change so far to the unofficial results reported on Election Day. Trump won the state by 22,000 votes over Clinton. In a twist, Trump is gaining. By Wednesday morning, Trump had widened his victory margin over Clinton in Wisconsin by 146 votes, with 23 of the state's 72 counties having finished their recounts as of Tuesday. In those counties, Trump gained 105 votes and Clinton dropped 41 votes. Stein, who received about 1 percent of the vote in the states under question, said her intent was not to help Clinton, but to verify the accuracy of the count as she believed the votes were susceptible to computer hacking. Were not finding any problems with the machines, Reid Magney, a spokesperson for the Wisconsin Elections Commission, told FoxNews.com. The Stein campaign wanted a recount because they thought there was some problems with our machines and that was not the case. Whatever Steins reasons, it appears the recount has been more of a help than a hindrance to Trump, who saw the number of votes for him go up in several counties. In Green Lake County, which sits about 100 miles northwest of Milwaukee, the unofficial results from election night had Trump winning with 6,213 votes to Clintons 2,701. The recount found that Trump actually received 6,216 votes while Clinton lost eight votes to finish with 2,693. And in those counties where Clinton picked up votes on Trump, Wisconsin officials said the number was not enough to influence the results. The overall results will not change, Magney said. Its two votes here, two votes there. The remaining counties in the Badger State have until Dec. 12 to recount their votes in order for Wisconsin to certify its results by the following day, and ensure they count when the Electoral College votes on Dec. 19. Michigan A statewide hand recount of Michigans roughly 2.8 million ballots that began on Monday is now up in the air as a federal judge will hold a hearing Wednesday on whether to stop it. The state elections board also is meeting Wednesday, a day after the Michigan appeals court ordered it to dismiss Stein's recount petition, claiming she has no standing. The court noted that she received 1 percent of the vote and has no chance of catching Trump, who narrowly defeated Clinton in the state. A federal judge takes up the matter next. According to the certified results from late November, Trump won the state by about 10,700 votes or about two-tenths of a percentage point. The recount so far was looking at eight counties, including the states largest, Wayne. A controversy also is brewing in that county as officials said Tuesday that one-third of precincts could be disqualified from the recount because of problems with ballots. Wayne County home to Detroit overwhelmingly voted for Clinton late last month, but officials couldnt reconcile vote totals for 610 of 1,680 precincts during a countywide canvass of vote results. During the canvass, the number of ballots in precinct poll books did not match those of voting machine printout reports in 59 percent of precincts, 392 of 662. Michigan state law prohibits precincts whose poll books dont match with ballots from recounting votes. Despite the issue in Wayne County, experts say it will have little effect on the results in Michigan, or nationally. They are not going to affect the decision, but the discrepancy certainly warrants further investigation, Ned Foley, a professor of election law at Ohio State University, told FoxNews.com. Even if it did change the results in Michigan, it still wouldnt matter because Clinton needed to win all three states to surpass Trump in the Electoral College. Pennsylvania Verification measures have been taken in the Keystone States two largest counties Philadelphia and Allegheny (home of Pittsburgh) but the fate of a statewide recount rests in the hands of a federal court after Steins Green Party filed a federal lawsuit on Monday. While Pennsylvania has yet to certify its results from Novembers election, an updated count by state election officials saw Trumps lead shrink to just about 46,000 over Clinton out of the 6 million votes cast in the state. So far there have been very few reports of discrepancies in the recounts that have taken place. A re-examination of Allegheny County voting machine results did not change any votes and, in Philadelphia, Clinton gained only five votes after the City Commissioner's Office recounted votes in 75 of Philadelphia's more than 1,600 voting divisions in response to the recount appeal by more than 250 Philadelphia residents. These numbers are still shy of Pennsylvania's 0.5 percent trigger for an automatic statewide recount. The Associated Press contributed to this report. President-elect Donald Trump has picked Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad for the key post of U.S. Ambassador to China, the transition team announced Wednesday Branstad met with Trump at Trump Tower in New York Tuesday afternoon. Governor Branstads decades of experience in public service and long-time relationship with President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders make him the ideal choice to serve as Americas Ambassador to China, Trump said in a statement. "After long discussions with my family, I am honored and humbled to accept President-elect Trumps nomination to represent our great country as Ambassador to China," Branstad said. "I have known President Xi Jinping for many years and consider him an old friend. I look forward to building on our long friendship to cultivate and strengthen the relationship between our two countries and to benefit our economy." Trump's offer was first reported by Bloomberg. Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence will hold a "Thank You" rally for supporters in Des Moines on Thursday. In last month's presidential election, Iowa voters backed the Republican ticket for just the second time since 1984. Branstad, 70, was an early and staunch supporter of Trump, and his son, Eric, served as the state director for Trump's campaign in Iowa. Branstad would assume the post at a pivotal moment in U.S-China relations, following Trump's Dec. 2 phone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. The conversation broke nearly four decades of U.S. diplomatic protocol. Trump followed that with a series of Twitter posts over the weekend challenging China's trade and military policies. As a presidential candidate, Trump repeatedly accused China of manipulating its currency and trying to "rape our country" with unfair trade policies. Bloomberg reported that Branstad has a longstanding relationship with President Xi. Branstad first met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in 1985, when Xi, then a provincial agricultural official, visited Iowa. More recently, Brandstad gave a dinner for Xi in Des Moines in 2012 and has visited China four times in the past seven years. At a campaign rally in Sioux City Nov. 6, Trump called Branstad up to the stage, saying the governor "would be our prime candidate to take care of China." Trump has pledged to be more "unpredictable" on the world stage, billing the approach as a much-needed change from President Barack Obama's deliberative style and public forecasting about U.S. policy. But Trump's unpredictability is likely to unnerve both allies and adversaries, leaving glaring questions about whether the foreign policy novice is carrying out planned strategies or acting on impulse. China's authoritarian government likes predictability in its dealings with other nations, particularly the United States. The U.S. and China are the world's two largest economies with bilateral trade in goods and services reaching nearly $660 billion last year. While there have been sharp differences between Beijing and Washington on China's island building in the South China Sea and over alleged Chinese cybertheft of U.S. commercial secrets, the two powers have cooperated effectively on climate change and the Iran nuclear deal. Fox News' Serafin Gomez and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Adding yet another general to his administration, President-elect Donald Trump is expected to tap retired Marine Gen. John Kelly as his choice to lead the Department of Homeland Security. Kelly told Fox News Trump already has asked him to serve in the DHS position. I have been asked and would consider it an honor, he said. Kelly would be the third general Trump has picked for his administration, after announcing James Mattis who along with Kelly is a four-star general -- as his pick for Defense secretary. Trump also announced in November that retired Gen. Michael Flynn would be his national security adviser. Kelly retired from the Marine Corps earlier this year after leading U.S. Southern Command for three years, during which he was involved in the oversight of the detention center at Guantanamo Bay and the southern border. Kelly was picked by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to serve as his senior military adviser and then served in the same position under Leon Panetta before moving to Southern Command. Kelly complained at his last Pentagon press conference in January that after 40 years as a Marine he had the authority to watch drug dealers heading to the border by sea, but he could not disrupt them. He is believed to have a good relationship with current DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson, with whom he served as Pentagon general counsel. He served three tours in Iraq, and holds the somber distinction of being the most senior military officer to lose a child in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan. His son, Marine 2nd Lt. Robert Kelly was killed in November, 2010, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Known as an outspoken but loyal commander, Kelly will be first to lead the department who is not a lawyer and the fifth overall. The department was formed after the 9/11 terror attacks in order to help foil future attacks on the American homeland. Sources say Trump has settled on Kelly for the role, and is expected to name him in the next few days. Kellys selection will require confirmation by the Senate. Immigration enforcement is a familiar issue for Kelly, and a big part of the DHS portfolio. Southern Command, which is based in South Florida, regularly works with DHS on missions to identify and dismantle immigrant smuggling networks. And it has partnered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in an operation targeting human smuggling into the U.S. and helped with the rescue of children arriving alone at U.S. borders. While Trump has tapped military officials for key appointments, doing so can also bring complications. Gen. Mattis will need to secure a waiver from Congress in order to be considered due to a requirement that military officials be out of service for seven years before being secretary of Defense. Trump, meanwhile, said Wednesday that he has taken, and acted on, advice from President Obama on who he should appoint to various positions in his administration. I have asked him what he would think of this one and that one, Trump said on NBC's "Today" show. I would say that, yes, I take his recommendations very seriously and there are some people that I will be appointing, and in one case have appointed, where he thought very highly of that person, yes. While he did not go into specifics, he said that he likes Obama "as a person" despite the brutal criticism he leveled at the president on the campaign trail. "I will say this, I've now gotten to know President Obama. I really like him. ... I can't speak for him, but we have a really good chemistry together. We talk, Trump said. A coziness between current and former presidents is not unusual. President George H.W. Bush wrote President Bill Clinton a warm note when Clinton took office, while President Obama has repeatedly spoken of how accommodating President George W. Bush's team was to Obama in the lead-up to him taking office in 2009. Fox News John Roberts and Jennifer Griffin and The Associated Press contributed to this report. President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday that he plans to nominate Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt an outspoken critic of the EPA to lead the environmental agency. "For too long, the Environmental Protection Agency has spent taxpayer dollars on an out-of-control anti-energy agenda that has destroyed millions of jobs, while also undermining our incredible farmers and many other businesses and industries at every turn," Trump said in a statement. "As my EPA Administrator, Scott Pruitt, the highly respected Attorney General from the state of Oklahoma, will reverse this trend and restore the EPAs essential mission of keeping our air and our water clean and safe. Word of Trumps choice for the Environmental Protection Agency came as the president-elect also named Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as his pick for ambassador to China and asked retired Gen. John Kelly to lead the Department of Homeland Security. Trump announced late Wednesday as well that hell nominate Linda McMahon, former chief executive of World Wrestling Entertainment, as administrator of the Small Business Administration. Pruitt may be the most controversial pick of the four. Pruitt, 48, has been a reliable booster of the fossil fuel industry and a critic of what he derides as the EPA's "activist agenda." Representing his state as attorney general since 2011, Pruitt has repeatedly sued the EPA to roll back environmental regulations and other health protections. He joined with other Republican attorneys general in opposing the Clean Power Plan, which seeks to limit planet-warming carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants. Pruitt has argued that curbing carbon emissions would trample the sovereignty of state governments, drive up electricity rates, threaten the reliability of the nation's power grid and "create economic havoc." His installment, if confirmed, would mark a significant break with the current EPA approach toward global warming. In an opinion article published earlier this year by National Review, Pruitt suggested the debate over global warming "is far from settled" and claimed "scientists continue to disagree about the degree and extent of global warming and its connection to the actions of mankind." He also filed court briefs in support of the Keystone XL Pipeline project blocked by the Obama administration, which would have run through his state. And Pruitt sued the EPA over the agency's recent expansion of water bodies regulated under the federal Clean Water Act. "Respect for private property rights have allowed our nation to thrive, but with the recently finalized rule, farmers, ranchers, developers, industry and individual property owners will now be subject to the unpredictable, unsound and often byzantine regulatory regime of the EPA," Pruitt said last year. As word of Pruitt's nomination spread Wednesday, environmental and liberal groups quickly responded with condemnation. Public Citizen called him a "terrible choice," saying in a statement: "Pruitt is cozy with the oil and gas industry and treats the EPA like an enemy." Business leaders in his home state, however, lauded Pruitt's selection, especially those in the oil and gas industry. "Scott Pruitt is a businessman and public servant and understands the impact regulation and legislation have in the business world," said Jeffrey McDougall, chairman of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association. "His appointment will put rational and reasonable regulation at the forefront." Fox News John Roberts and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Vice President-elect Mike Pence is using the capitals glamorous new Trump International Hotel as a backdrop for major events. The Bahrain government is hosting its national day reception at President-elect Donald Trumps elegant D.C. property Wednesday. This, amid reports that delegations from foreign countries are eagerly snapping up pricy rooms at the Pennsylvania Avenue location. Taken together, the developments give a snapshot of the kind of ethical entanglements Trump could face with his newest luxury property -- and the broader conflict of interest questions surrounding his business empire -- as he prepares to move into the White House less than a mile away. One Asian diplomat recently told The Washington Post: "Why wouldn't I stay at his hotel blocks from the White House, so I can tell the new president, 'I love your new hotel!' Isn't it rude to come to his city and say, 'I am staying at your competitor?'" Larry Noble, general counsel with the Campaign Legal Center, cited this kind of scenario as a problem. They are saying that of course we'll stay at the Trump hotel. We're going to see the president and when we see the president, we want to say you have a wonderful hotel there, he told Fox News. So he's really profiting from this. It really creates real conflicts of interest. At issue is the foreign emoluments clause of the Constitution, which bars U.S. government officials from accepting gifts from foreign powers without congressional approval. Bahrain isnt the only foreign government sending money into the Trump Organizations coffers this month. The Azerbaijani Embassy is hosting a Hanukkah party at the Trump hotel next week. Trump and his family say theyre trying to put up the necessary firewalls to settle any ethical questions. Shortly after his election, Trump declared he would be distancing himself from the business and making sure his children take on a bigger role in the Trump Organization. He and daughter Ivanka told CBS 60 Minutes the companys brand paled in comparison to the importance of governing. I don't think it matters. This is so much more important, Ivanka Trump said. And more serious. And so you know, that's the focus. Donald Trump echoed his daughter message This is big league stuff. This is our country. Our country is going bad. We're going to save our country. I don't care about hotel occupancy. It's peanuts compared to what we're doing, he said. With the president-elect now promising a Dec. 15 news conference where he will officially turn over the business to his children, good government groups are suggesting that is not enough and the entire family should get out of the business. I think this is a really dangerous area and I think he's going to see it, Noble said. Hopefully he's going to see it, and they're just going to divest. In one curious development, while Ivanka Trump and her father said she and her siblings were taking on a bigger role in the business, reports have surfaced that she and her husband are moving to Washington suggesting she may instead be taking on a bigger role in the government and raising more questions of whos poised to run the family business. A new witness has broken his 36 -year silence to speak out about Britains most famous UFO incident. Steve Longero was told to keep quiet by his superiors following the infamous Rendlesham Forest incident in Suffolk. But now the retired U.S. Air Force police officer has gone on the record for the first time and said: I think it was something not from this world. The incident dubbed the British Roswell took place over three nights between 26 and 28 December, in 1980. Military personnel from nearby RAF Bentwaters and RAF Woodbridge, including the deputy base commander, witnessed strange lights in the forest and hovering above the twin NATO airbases which were on high alert as the Cold War was at its peak. A UFO? VIDEO CAPTURES STRANGE OBJECT NEAR OHIO MILITARY BASE Steve, who served as a police sergeant in the USAF, was guarding the weapons storage area when the alarms started going off. He said: While on duty that night, we had a very sophisticated alarm system and everything just went off. And then I could see these lights over the treetops, and I was thinking, whats going on? Then they started sending people out there and at first it was hard to believe, all these bright lights. It was hard to take in. "Well from what I remember the lights, fluorescent lights, kind of a glow, like a reddish glow. I remember going out there. Steve went out into the forest where he remembers seeing a large group of other military personnel had already gathered including Staff Sgt Jim Burroughs, Airman First Class Edward Cabansag and Airman First Class Larry Warren. Describing the UFOs, he said: They looked like fluorescent coloured lights, like red and green, glowing lights and thats what they looked like.I could see them hovering over the treetops like an eye that was almost following everybody. MYSTERIOUS UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT CRASHES IN MYANMAR He added: It was real kind of quiet and this thing hovering over the trees, and you were like kind of tracking it and like what is this?. And it was like following, it was like watching us, thats what it looked like to us. It seemed like something watching us. From what I remember it was like aglow, it was really glowing like a reddish, greenish light. It was really glowing, like something was really hot and it was just glowing. He also recalled seeing Colonel Charles Halt there, who made a tape recording describing how beams of light were being shone down by the UFO. He has written an explosive new book called The Halt Perspective describing his close encounter. Mr Longero said: Col Halt came afterwards, after all that was called in. I remember him turning up, thats when they kind of gathered everyone around and said this is what we are going to do, and everybody kind of dispersed and did what they were told to do. "I remember we had a little briefing right there and everybody was just like, we just could not believe what we were seeing. Your adrenalin was flowing and I remember people saying like what is that?. STRANGE 'BURNING' OBJECT SPOTTED IN SKY OVER WESTERN US Rubbishing theories that the lights in the woods were caused by a lighthouse on the east coast, he laughed: I dont think so. Not unless the lighthouse could move. Unless they could float that thing in the air. And then, as people were getting close to this thing it kind of came nearer to us and then it would go forward and then go back and all of a sudden it just disappeared, like something out of Star Trek, it was like warp speed and we were all what was that? it was gone and then thats when they started doing all their investigations. After we secured the area they said okay, youre gone, get out of here. Steve said he was debriefed a few days later and was told not to talk about what he saw as the base had nuclear weapons on site. UFO investigator Philip Mantle, who interviewed Steve for Outer Limits Magazine, said: Steve does not claim to be anything special but he wanted to emphasise that there were a lot of others involved who were witness to the events in question, many of whom have yet to add their voice to these events. Steve has confirmed the open secret that nuclear weapons were stored at RAF Bentwaters at the time although he did not personally witness any lights being shone onto the WSA. UFO OVER ST. LOUIS? STRANGE LIGHT OVER GATEWAY ARCH SPARKS DEBATE He has confirmed much of what Colonel Halt has already said on the record and he is in no doubt that Larry Warren was there. What is clear is that despite the best efforts of some this case will continue to be hotly debated for many years to come. The story originally appeared on The Sun. New observations from a NASA spacecraft could help solve a persistent mystery why the sun's atmosphere is so much hotter than its surface. While the sun's visible surface is about 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, its upper atmosphere, known as the corona , has temperatures in the millions of degrees. NASA's Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) spacecraft looks at the transition region between the sun's surface and the corona. The satellite recently saw evidence of "heat bombs," which occur when magnetic fields cross in the corona and realign, much like the process that causes solar flares. "Because IRIS can resolve the transition region 10 times better than previous instruments, we were able to see hot material rushing up and down magnetic fields in the low corona," Paola Testa, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics who led the research, said in a NASA statement . "This is compatible with models from the University of Oslo, in which magnetic reconnection sets off heat bombs in the corona." This isn't the only way that the corona is heated, but it's one of the contributors. Another factor is when plasma waves from the sun smash into the corona, moving energy into the outer atmosphere. IRIS, which launched in June 2013, could be a step toward understanding coronal heating, which has puzzled astronomers for decades, NASA officials said. One benefit of the observatory is that it looks continuously at the sun, allowing scientists to see quick-moving events such as the heat bombs. "The problem of coronal heating was first discovered in the 1940s," Bart De Pontieu, a solar physicist at the Lockheed Martin Solar & Astrophysics Laboratory, said in the same statement. "The problem involves a variety of complex physical processes that are difficult to directly measure or capture in theoretical models." Original article on Space.com. On Wednesday, the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, NOAA will livestream dives to two Japanese mini submarines, the first of which was sunk by the USS Ward prior to the attack. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will use an underwater robot operated from its ship Okeanos Explorer to send back images from the wreck sites, which are near Pearl Harbor. "Until now, only a handful of explorers and scientists have seen these relics of the war in the deep sea," said James Delgado, director of maritime heritage at the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, in a press release. "But thanks to technology, anyone and everyone can now dive with us in the first live exploration of the 'midget' submarines that represent the beginning of the war in the Pacific." INCREDIBLE IMAGES REVEAL US NAVY SEAPLANE LOST IN PEARL HARBOR ATTACK NOAA explains that, on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, U.S. naval vessels and aircraft on patrol outside Pearl Harbor saw a partially submerged submarine attempting to enter the harbor, but alerts were not immediately sent out. Some 90 minutes before Pearl Harbor was bombed by Japanese aircraft the USS Ward fired on the mini sub and sank it, marking the first U.S. shots fired in World War II. The second submarine disappeared on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, but was discovered in shallow waters in 1951 and raised by the U.S. Navy. The sub was then taken out to sea and dumped in deeper water, before its rediscovery by the University of Hawaiis Undersea Research Laboratory in 1992. The last time the wreck was visited by the universitys submersibles was in 2013. NOAA told FoxNews.com that the first livestreamed dive, which will visit the submarine sank by the USS Ward, will start at 11:30 a.m. ET and is expected to end at 1:30 p.m. ET Wednesday. The dive to the second submarine, which is lying in three pieces, will start at 4:30 p.m. ET and end at 7:00 p.m. ET Wednesday. INCREDIBLE IMAGES OFFER FIRST GLIMPSE OF SUNKEN WWII-ERA AIRCRAFT CARRIER The livestream will be available here. Last year NOAA and the University of Hawaii released incredible images of a U.S. Navy seaplane sunk during the opening minutes of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Earlier this year scientists also released stunning images of the light aircraft carrier USS Independence, which was intentionally sunk off California in 1951. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers Turkey's tourism industry has been dealt some heavy blows in the wake of deadly terrorist attacks and an attempted coup this summer. According to Cruise Critic, Carnival Corporation's Cunard Line and P&O Cruises have both confirmed the cancellation of all calls to Turkey next year. "After careful consideration, we have taken the decision to remove Turkey from all itineraries in 2017 for both Cunard and P&O Cruises, based upon various sources including advice given by the U.K.s Foreign and Commonwealth Office," the cruise lines said in a statement. Planned stops in Turkey will be replaced with calls in Greece and Albania. The news may disappoint travelers looking forward to enjoying some of Turkey's historic sites, Cunard and P&O aren't the first cruise lines to pull out of the troubled destination. More from TravelPulse Go Big or Go Home: GOGOs Top 3 Las Vegas Hotels Ryanair CEO: Flights Will Be Free Within 10 Years Albania: Europes Best-Kept Secret 7 Los Cabos Golf Courses You Have To Play The Best Things to do in Riviera Maya Some cruise lines including Disney Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises and MSC Cruises, among others canceled calls in Turkey this year following a series of high-profile incidents. The U.S. State Department continues to warn Americans of "increased threats from terrorist groups throughout Turkey." "U.S. citizens should avoid travel to southeast Turkey and carefully consider the risks of travel to and throughout the country," the department said in a travel warning issued Oct. 29. The first store opened by Walmart's founder is getting the Julia Child kitchen treatmentat least a symbolic part of it. The iconic American brand has announced it will be donating the doors from Sam Waltons first Arkansas outpost to Smithsonians National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. Sam Walton opened his first Ben Franklin variety store in Newport, Ark. in 1945. After being in business for five years, Walton had to relocate when his landlord refused to renew his lease. According to the Walmart Museum, Walton relocated the store to Bentonville, and within the first year he was commanding impressive six-figure sales. After the Arkansas store proved successful, Bud Walton, Sams brother, opened a second outpost in Ruskin Heights, Mo., a Kansas City suburb. In 1962, Sam Walton opened his first eponymous Wal-Mart after successfully managing nine Ben Franklin stores. At the time, offering low priced goods in rural communities was the main company focus. Today, Walmart operates over 11,000 stores in 28 countries, under 60 different brands names. SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT WALMART FOOD Yet despite its major global presence today , artificats from the early days of Walmart are few and far between, says Alan Dranow, the director of the Walmart Museum. We had absolutely no artifacts, nothing from that store because nobody held onto them, Dranow told FoxNews.com. Nobody knew that Walmart was going to be what Walmart became or that Sam was going to become what he became. Enter the doors from the very first Ben Franklin store. According to Dranow, the doors were kept for decades in a warehouse by Gene Ivy, co-owner of the Arkansas-based contractor Ivy Brothers Construction. The company was charged with renovating Waltons first store in Newport in the 1960s-- and the original doors have been kept in storage since then. Ivy kept the doors in his garage after he retired. When he died in 2014, one of his grandchildren contacted a Walmart employee about what to do with salvaged store relics. The Walmart Museum, which first opened in 1990 as the Walmart Visitor Center, was more than happy to take in the prized store relics this summer. But Dranow admits the doors have seen their share of wear and tear. "Because Waltons store was so popular he had more traffic than anybody. The door is worn on the side where you push to get in, Dranow told FoxnNews.com. Theyre not really in great condition. Basically they were just stored and never touched. One door will live in Bentonville, and a second will soon be relocated to a place where millions of Americans can take in a bit of Walmart history every year-- the National Museum of American History in the nations capital. No specific date has been set for the doors displaya representative from the Smithsonian would not confirm when the new exhibit will open-- but Dranow says the shipping process is now coming into place. HOSTESS LAUNCHES DEEP-FRIED TWINKIES EXCLUSIVELY AT WALMART Were preparing it [the door] for shipping because you cant just ship it on one of our trucks, says the museum director. Weve got thousands of trucks but this is not something you just put on a truck thats shipping packaged product. It has to be shipped from an art shipper. Sam Walton died in 1992 shortly after receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George H.W. Bush. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is now the largest retailer in the world with over two million employees and nearly $500 billion in revenue. Denise Albert was flying home to New York Sunday night when she says a TSA agent put her hands on her buttocks and crotch and then patted her left leg all the way down to the ankle, applying pressure the whole way. In the incident, captured on video, the TSA agent then goes back up and repeated the process along Alberts right leg. But when the agent moved her hands to her chest, Albert, co-host of a media company called The Moms, had had enough. You can't touch me there, she told the agent. You cant touch me there ... You cant touch me there." Albert reiterated, "Sorry I have breast cancer. I have a port in me. You cant touch me. A second agent moved in and told her: So, that is part of the procedure. We have to clear everything Shes going to use as much pressure as she needs to, to clear the area. Thats part of this. We have to make sure theres nothing there. I was in such shock. I have never been so humiliated or felt more violated in my life, Albert, 41, wrote that night in a lengthy Facebook post that included a video of the incident. The mother of two sons, who has chronicled her battle with cancer in Good Housekeeping and writes a series called Divorce Diaries for the Huffington Post, continued: I went through the scanning machine at the airport without incident. I had already told them about my metal port and my medical cream which I removed from my bag for them to see and test as I have done on prior flights. I don't know what was different this time but TSA agents aggressively attempted to do a body cavity search in public. I was TSE precheck and once through the scanner they asked me to take off my shoes. I explained I didn't have socks on and that my cream is for an infection from my current treatment, including on my feet. So if they wanted to put my shoes through x-ray, I would have to sit down because I would not put my bare feet on the floor. They allowed that. They then started to tell me they would apply pressure from head to toe and I got very upset because I wear a wig. I didn't want them to touch it, move it, or ruin it. So I ripped it off for them to pat my head . After at least 20 minutes of sitting there because they were debating how to proceed, I told them my feet were freezing. Also a side effect from chemo. They refused to help me. After several minutes, a supervisor finally arrived, took her to a private room and conducted a regular soft pat down, Albert wrote. But her ordeal wasnt over. they opened my bags, removed everything and another TSA agent joked about all of the eyelashes I had. I told her, it's because I don't have real ones from my cancer treatment. "I started crying," Albert told PIX11, where she is a regular guest on the morning news. "It was overwhelming and horrific. I could not believe what was happening. In an updated Facebook post on Dec.5, Albert wrote that she has " never been so humiliated or felt more violated in my life." She said she has since filed an online complaint with the TSA and received a form response: We regret that you had a negative screening experience. While every person and item must be screened before entering a secured area, the manner in which the screening is conducted is important. Our policies and procedures focus on ensuring that all passengers, regardless of their personal situations and needs, are treated with dignity, respect, and courtesy. In a statement sent to Pix11, the TSA wrote: The Transportation Security Administration takes reports of alleged impropriety very seriously. TSA is currently looking into the specific details as to what occurred during the screening process to ensure our security protocols were followed. We regret any distress the security screening process may have caused the passenger. We will work with the passenger directly to address her concerns. Authorities hope a facial reconstruction of a girl who was slain by a Seattle-area serial killer will help identify the victim. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children created the reconstruction of the girl, who was one of Gary Ridgway's victims. Ridgway, known as the Green River Killer, was convicted in 2003 of killing 49 women, but he said he likely committed more than 71 murders. He is serving a sentence of life without parole. Ridgway admitted killing the girl, estimated to be between 14 and 18, but said he didn't know who she was. The Virginia-based National Center for Missing & Exploited Children arranged chemical isotope testing on the Jane Doe's teeth and bones samples through the Smithsonian. The results show she may have spent time in Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Idaho, Wyoming or several portions of southern Canada: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador. December 7, 1941, began like any other day for Jimmy Lee. The self-described rascal and nosy little kid was 11 years old, feeding the pigs on his parents farm on the shores of Hawaii. Then, a plane suddenly buzzed over the treetops, followed by the roar of engines in the skies. Jimmy rushed to the train tracks near his home, believing another war game was taking place. But then he saw it in the distance: explosions rocking American battleships and planes swarming the area like wasps. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was under way. I never saw anything like this in all my life, Lee recalled to FoxNews.com. We really thought it was a war game. It was astonishing to see all the things that were happening above. FULL COVERAGE OF THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PEARL HARBOR ATTACK Lee, 86, is just one of a shrinking number of living veterans and witnesses to have experienced the attack firsthand, and on its anniversary, he and historians who have studied Americas Date of Infamy say there are still lessons to be learned from what happened at Pearl Harbor 75 years ago. My big concern is that when we came about World War II . . . people just got together, we didnt care, said Lee, who still lives in Hawaii. Everyone got together to support and help each other. One of the things I worry about now is should something happen are we going to be the same? Are we going to be together as one country, whether we like it or not? Lee who went on to serve for the Army in Europe during the early 1950s now hopes to instill those same values in younger generations, working as a volunteer with the National Park Service to speak to students in classrooms. Students throughout the country are going on an electronic field trip Wednesday with the help of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans and PBS member station WYES, which are broadcasting a free live webcast of Pearl Harbor-themed programming for grades 5-8, including on-the-scene reporting from students with survivors and witnesses of the attack. The museum will host free events throughout the day, including a commemoration ceremony, a military band performance and panel discussions. Robert Citino, a senior historian at the museum and a military history scholar who is taking part in the panel, told FoxNews.com that for the threats America faces today, there is a lesson of Pearl Harbor and its that you have to be vigilant." "It was scary at the beginning because they were flying low enough where you could see the pilots' faces." Alfred Al Rodrigues, Navy storekeeper and disburser He also said Japans actions at Pearl Harbor in 1941 offer a cautionary tale to countries of how you dont really know what youre buying when you launch a war. The attack left 2,403 U.S. military personnel dead and 169 American aircraft destroyed. But in the coming years the Japanese suffered heavy losses, including the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that culminated in the end of World War II. Richard Frank, a National World War II Museum Tour Historian, told FoxNews.com that Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto the mastermind of the Pearl Harbor attack -- was not in favor of launching a war with the U.S. However, given his governments decision to plan an attack to damage the U.S. Pacific fleet -- so Japan could pursue oil resources in the Dutch East Indies -- Yamamoto felt as if he had to come up with something. So he decided to strike at one of the only vulnerabilities that the U.S. had. He clearly understood what Japans prospects in a war with the U.S. were, Frank said. PEARL HARBOR SAILOR'S FAMILY BRINGS HIM HOME AFTER HIS REMAINS ARE FINALLY IDENTIFIED Another veteran, Alfred Al Rodrigues, woke up at 3:30 a.m. on the day of the attack and went to work as a Navy storekeeper and disburser at a receiving station at the entrance of Pearl Harbor. He heard rumblings later in the morning from the shipyard side of the facility. After ignoring them, saying the harbor was being dredged, Rodrigues took notice when he heard the message Man your battle stations this is not a drill over the intercom. Rodrigues was handed a Springfield rifle and started firing at the planes above. He knew it was the enemy when he saw the red circles on the planes exteriors. It was scary at the beginning because they were flying low enough where you could see the pilots' faces, Rodrigues told FoxNews.com, recalling how he fired at the Japanese. We know we hit them - but a 30-caliber rifle is not going to bring a plane down. Rodrigues, who is from Hawaii and still lives there, says for a long time he never talked about his experience that day at Pearl Harbor and people didnt even know he was in the Navy. But as the 75th anniversary is recognized across America Wednesday, he says a message rings out. We need to do a little more loving in this world instead of fighting. Eight Chicago residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury for the smash-and-grab crime at a Saks Fifth Avenue in suburban St. Louis. The U.S. Attorney's office in St. Louis on Wednesday announced the indictments. All eight suspects are in their 20s. Illinois State Police say they are also under investigation for similar crimes in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Frontenac police say the crime on Nov. 26 at Plaza Frontenac in St. Louis County lasted only seconds. Ten to 12 people walked into the store soon after it opened and smashed shelves to steal 16 handbags worth nearly $60,000. They fled in two vehicles into Illinois. Eight suspects were caught after spike strips disabled their SUV. Frontenac police say two to four suspects in a Nissan got away and are still at large. Authorities say two law enforcement officers have been shot in south Georgia. Georgia Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Nelly Miles says two officers were shot Tuesday in Americus, about 130 miles south of Atlanta. She says the shooter remains at large. Georgia Southwestern State University, which is in Americus, issued an alert on its website saying the shooting occurred off campus but that the campus was on lockdown. A child predator in Pennsylvania who vanished before his 2006 sentencing has been convicted in England of raping a 13-year-old girl. The Montgomery County district attorney's office says 33-year-old Gerard Zalewski was sentenced Wednesday in Lancashire to 12 years in jail. Police in Lancashire say Zalewski groomed the girl online and manipulated her into sending him explicit photos. They say she met him in June in a park, where he subjected her to hours of sexual abuse. He pleaded guilty in October. His Pennsylvania arrest stemmed from his sexually explicit online chats with a detective posing as a 12-year-old girl. He was arrested in 2004 after trying to meet the undercover detective for sex, and he pleaded guilty. An investigation revealed he had previous sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl. A Wyoming man has been reunited with his high school class ring more than 45 years after he threw it as far as he could in a fit of teen rage. Class ring flung in rage reunited with owner decades later https://t.co/kRyzQqSh02 pic.twitter.com/jo89tb0Z5o WB News (@wbfullstories) December 7, 2016 Mike Peyton says he's flabbergasted to get the ring back after losing it so long ago. The Powell Tribune reports that a man with a metal detector found the 1968 Powell High School ring inscribed with Peyton's initials. The man's wife and a family friend tracked down Peyton's mother, who surprised her son with the ring a couple weeks ago. Peyton says his girlfriend at the time was wearing the ring when they broke up in the early 1970s. He says he can laugh now about how he'd taken the ring and flung it away. Enforcement of a jury's decision in a defamation case against Rolling Stone has been put on hold while a judge considers the magazine's challenge to the verdict. Jurors found in November that the magazine, its publisher and a reporter defamed University of Virginia administrator Nicole Eramo with its botched story "A Rape on Campus." Eramo was awarded $3 million. Attorneys for the magazine asked the judge Monday to overrule the jury's verdict. Judge Glen Conrad said Wednesday that the enforcement of the jury's verdict is on hold while he considers the magazine's request. The story told the account of a woman identified only as "Jackie," who said she was gang raped at the University of Virginia. A police investigation found no evidence to back up her claims. A woman accused of killing her twin sister by driving their SUV off a cliff in Hawaii won't fight extradition from upstate New York. The lawyer for Alexandria Duval says she plans to waive her right to a hearing during a court appearance Friday. That would clear the way for her to return to Hawaii, where she faces a second-degree murder charge. Authorities say Alexandria Duval was driving a sport utility vehicle in May with her sister, Anastasia, in the passenger seat when the vehicle crashed into a rock wall and plunged about 200 feet. Duval lawyer Kevin K. O'Brien says she is anxious to get back to Hawaii to defend herself. Duval was arrested in Albany last month. The sisters were born in the Utica, New York, area. A campus police officer shot a student Wednesday during a confrontation witnessed by dozens of other students at a Nevada high school, according to authorities. Reno police Officer Tim Broadway told reporters that one student was taken to a hospital with unspecified injuries after the shooting at Hug High School. A lockdown was lifted by mid-afternoon and students were released to their parents. More than 40 students witnessed the incident, Broadway said, including many who shot cellphone video that police want to see before the public. "There's multiple videos out there," said department spokesman Broadway. "There's some very disturbing video out there. But there are other events that led up to this incident, so please don't react to those." Nevada Department of Public Safety Director James Wright told The Associated Press that a 16-year-old was taken to Renown Hospital Medical Center in Reno after he was shot. Neither Wright nor Broadway knew the extent of the teen's injuries, and a hospital spokeswoman said she could not provide information about his condition. Broadway said reports that another student had been stabbed before the shooting weren't true. He wouldn't say whether a knife or any other weapon was involved. He said that the "disturbance" was under investigation. The Reno Gazette-Journal reported that it reviewed video showing a student wielding a knife before being wounded. A student, Robert Barragan, told the Gazette-Journal that two male students were fighting outside the school library before a police officer shot the knife-wielding student in the shoulder. The shooting was reported about 11:30 a.m. at the school on the city's north side, a few blocks from U.S. Highway 395. The district issued a statement before 1 p.m. calling the campus "currently stable and secure with heavy police presence." Hug High opened in 1968 and is named for Proctor Ralph Hug Jr., a former teacher, athletic coach and Washoe County School superintendent who served as a state senator and a federal judge. The Missouri State Highway Patrol has arrested a woman from Steelville on a count of involuntary manslaughter stemming from a fatal accident in Iron County on Nov 4. According to patrol, Penny J. Dyer, 56, was arrested for involuntary manslaughter as a result of an investigation into the two-car accident in Iron County just north of Viburnum. In a complaint filed in the Circuit Court of Iron County, Prosecuting Attorney Brian Parker indicated that Dyer committed a class B felony of involuntary manslaughter in the first degree while under the influence of alcohol causing the death of Elizabeth D. Fishburn, 27, of Bixby. According to the patrol report, Dyer was traveling north on Route Y when she crossed the centerline and struck Fishburn's southbound vehicle head-on. Fishburn died from injuries sustained in the accident, and Dyer was transported by Air Evac to Mercy Hospital Creve Coeur. In the same report it states that two patrol officers observed Dyer while at the hospital and noticed her eyes were bloodshot and watery, her speech was slurred, she appeared confused and was mumbling, and both officers could smell a strong odor of an intoxicating beverage on her breath. At the time Dyer reportedly admitted to consuming alcohol prior to the accident and, according to the report, consented to a chemical test of her blood. The first sample was taken at 10:08 p.m. and registered a blood alcohol level of .243 percent and another sample was taken at 11:22 p.m. and registered a .219 percent. The legal limit in the state of Missouri is .08. At that time, the officer reportedly placed Dyer under arrest for DWI. Dyer was incarcerated at the Iron County jail on a $75,000 bond. On Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese bombs rained down on Pearl Harbor beginning just after 6 a.m. PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR: WHAT I SAW ABOARD THE USS ARIZONA ON DECEMBER 7, 1941 The attack damaged or destroyed more than a dozen U.S. ships there. More than 300 Navy and Army Air Corps aircraft suffered damage. The Associated Press' chief of bureau in Honolulu, Eugene Burns, was unable to get out the urgent news of the historic attack that would draw the U.S. into World War II. The military had already taken control of all communication lines, so Burns was left without a line to the outside world. In Washington, AP editor William Peacock and staff got word of the attack from President Franklin D. Roosevelt's press secretary. "President Roosevelt said in a statement today that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, from the air. The attack of the Japanese also was made on all naval and military "activities" on the island of Oahu," part of the AP's first wire read. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A black cat was lucky for one of its officers tracking down a fugitive, a Pennsylvania police department said. The Ephrata Police Department posted on its Facebook page that officers were searching for Jonathan Michael Steffy last month over an outstanding bench warrant. They found the 23-year-old in a backyard but he fled. As they searched the area, one officer noticed a black cat in a nearby yard staring intently at a shed. The officer checked that shed, but it was empty. The officer again saw the cat, and it became apparent it was staring at a different shed behind the officer. The officer opened that shed and found Steffy. Police said they were thankful for any crime-fighting help, "whether human or feline." It wasn't clear if Steffy has an attorney. Prosecutors dropped murder charges Wednesday against a man in the killing of a Detroit college police officer who was shot in the head while on duty. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said charges against DeAngelo Davis, 31, of Detroit, were dropped. Davis was accused of shooting Wayne State University Officer Collin Rose on Nov. 22. Davis had been jailed without bond since his arrest that night. He faced charges of first-degree murder and murder of a police officer. Davis became a suspect in Rose's shooting almost immediately. In a statement after he was charged, Worthy said Davis was riding a bicycle when Rose stopped him. Rose was shot shortly after requesting help from other officers. Detroit Police Chief James Craig said at the time that Rose was investigating possible thefts of navigation systems from vehicles. Wayne State, which has more than 27,000 students, employs about 65 officers. Rose, 29, died a day after the shooting and was posthumously promoted to sergeant. He is the only Wayne State officer killed in the line of duty. Pipeline protesters in North Dakota are either too afraid their hard fought victory will slip away or are having too much of an experience to disperse, and it may take plunging temperatures and disease to dislodge them from their camp at Standing Rock. Drumming, sacred blessings and cries of joy have echoed from the assembled throng of Sioux Indians, environmentalists, civil rights and water-worried protesters after the weekend announcement that U.S. Army Corps of Engineers struck down plans for the controversial Dakota Access pipeline. The tube, which is nearly complete, was to extend under a section of the Missouri River that the Standing Rock Sioux consider sacred ground, even though it is not on their reservation. With temperatures diving, and the lack of sanitation taking its toll, it may seem theres nothing left to fight or celebrate. But even though some of the less hardy have gone their separate ways, tribal elders vowed this week that it is an absolute they will remain. The greater fight is the corporations raping the earth, Margaret Engle Reyes, an activist who traveled to the camp last week, told FoxNews.com. That is the real fight and will continue. People here are used to bad snow conditions and are hunkered down. Some of the California hippie types might not stay. Protesters fear the victory which comes in the twilight days of the Obama administration is fragile. President-elect Donald Trump has the power to overturn the decision when he takes office next month, and has vowed to make energy independence a top priority. The $3.8 billion, 1,170-mile natural gas pipeline proposed and mostly completed by Energy Transfer Partners is slated to carry around 470,000 barrels of domestic crude oil per day from North Dakota to Illinois. The company claims it will be far safer and more cost effective than moving oil by rail, and officials emphasize that the project is not on reservation, but rather privately-owned land. James Reese, founder of private security firm Tiger Swan, which was hired by Energy Transfer to protect private property in early September, told FoxNews.com that law enforcement has any potential flare-ups under control, and that his battery of personnel made up mostly of Special Operations veterans will continue to sit and make sure the equipment and private property is safe. He is betting that his men can outlast at least most of the protesters. Our assessment is that many will leave, Reese continued. But there will still be a hardcore element that will stay on and protest. A spokesperson for the Tribal Council at Standing Rock did not respond to a request for comment. At the sprawling camp, where thousands remain, there are growing concerns over health and safety. Undercover officers patrolling the camps cited overflowing toilets, bad cases of diarrhea and the spread of bronchial problems. Demonstrators are having issues with pink eye, strep and pneumonias, another source on the ground said. They arent showering for five or six days, many are sharing beds. Its going to happen. Several sources cited increasing friction among the demonstrators, telling FoxNews.com that this week there has been quarrelling over supplies, huts being taken over by non-locals and a rift among leadership over whether the outside supporters are even welcome. One protester said the donations from around the nation have dried up, the vets who came have abandoned their leadership and there is a genuine fear people will die. There is some discontent between factions in the camps, and the weather is brutal, Reese said. People are trying to sleep in cars, and carbon monoxide poisoning is a concern. There are over 100 vehicles in snow banks crashed on the side of the road. People are trying to leave but dont know where to go. Visibility is about 50 feet. If you arent ready for this environment, you will die. Rob Keller, spokesman for the Morton County Sheriffs Department, said that they have opened up a community center and schools in the area for demonstrators to seek shelter, and highlighted that the weather has made this a life or death situation. Keller noted that there was little logic or reason for people to remain in the camps, but said they would not forcibly remove people. Yet many demonstrators insisted that the bigger fight remains as firm as ever, claiming that the construction is only temporarily halted, and that the drilling will go on. This fight will end when we see the end of the outdated fossil fuel era, when this greed and destruction has been replaced by the sanity of sustainable systems that honor our earth and its people, stressed activist Nicole Fantl. If the elements, supplies and health risks werent enough, there is always the danger violence could break out between law enforcement and demonstrators. You can still do security and you can be nice. But when they start throwing stones and rolling propane bombs at you, it is not being nice anymore, Reese said. We are outnumbered thousands to one. The law enforcement is outnumbered hundreds to one. It is a small law enforcement [presence] here and they are tapped out, these protesters are taking away other officers from their community. The locals are tired, their livestock is missing. This has been going on for months. Law enforcement has characterized the protest as lawless, and more than 400 have been arrested. While most of the protesting is taking place in North Dakota, security and intelligence personnel did span South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois over steep concerns that the situation will spill over. Several sources also told FoxNews.com that protesters threatened the lives of employees and other figures connected to Energy Transfer Partners in Texas, which in recent weeks became a point of great concern for them and their families, some of who consulted private guard firms. However, protesters have vehemently denied unlawful behavior and paint a very different picture. It is a peaceful prayer camp and people adhere to and respect that. The people are respectful, conscious, educated and socially aware. The water protectors are not doing anything to warrant the violence against them, protester and filmmaker Elias Matar, 52, said, before hinting that some were concerned their electronic devices were hacked and tapped. There have been frequent incidents of phones displaying strange behavior. Jamie Brennan contributed to this report Dylann Roof sat quietly as the lead prosecutor in his death penalty trial described Wednesday how he allegedly opened fire on a dozen members of a Charleston church who had welcomed him to a bible study. He seemed to the 12 to be harmless, prosecutor Jay Richardson said during his opening statement. But little did they know what a cold and hateful heart he had. MISTRIAL DECLARED IN NORTH CHARLESTON POLICE SHOOTING CASE Roofs lawyer David Bruck, a renowned opponent of the death penalty, told jurors he expects a guilty verdict. But he urged jurors to consider Roofs background and motivations when they decide whether he should be sentenced to prison for the rest of his life or whether he should be executed. The large group of observers in the packed courtroom included family members of the nine victims who died in the massacre at the historically black Emanuel AME Church the evening of June 17, 2015. TWO GEORGIA POLICE OFFICERS SHOT NEAR COLLEGE Roof, an avowed white supremacist, had initially said he wanted to act as his own attorney. He has since agreed to allow lawyers to represent him in the initial guilt phase of the trial, but not in the sentencing phase. Under this arrangement, Roof himself would have the option to cross-examine witnesses during this later phase including victims relatives. Normally youd have a defense attorney asking the questions and the defendant sitting at the defense table, said Ashleigh Merchant, an Atlanta-based criminal defense attorney. But not in this situation. Youd actually have him speaking directly to the victim. And that very well may be the answer as to why he wants to represent himself. But Merchant said there are other reasons clients refuse legal representation during sentencing including a desire to prevent their lawyers from bringing up information about their past. Such information may play on jurors sympathies, but can be embarrassing for a defendant. Ive had that in my own practice, where my client suffered great abuse during his childhood or suffers from mental illness, Merchant said. And the reasons that he did this crime, he just does not want to come out in public. The beginning of the Roof trial comes just two days after another racially-charged case ended in a mistrial in a courthouse across the street. A jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on whether Michael Slager, a white North Charleston Police officer, committed a crime when he fatally shot Walter Scott, an African-American motorist who fled on foot during a routine traffic stop last year. Roofs defense team requested a delay in jury selection and opening statements, arguing that publicity surrounding the other trial might influence jurors in their case. But U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel denied the motion and the trial began on schedule. It was a reunion John D. Anderson hoped to achieve 75 years ago, risking fire and death as he frantically searched for his twin brother while under attack on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor. Amidst the explosions and smoke brought on by the Japanese planes, Anderson was never able to find his brother, an anti-aircraft gunner. But as the U.S. marks 75 years after the attack on Wednesday, Andersons ashes are to be interred underwater in the remnants of his old turret, finally reuniting with Delbert Jake Anderson, whose body was never recovered from the ship. He just kept saying, Ive got to find my brother, Ive got to find my brother, his son John D. Anderson Jr. recalled to the Washington Post. FULL COVERAGE: THE PEARL HARBOR ATTACK, 75 YEARS LATER About 40 members of Andersons family were set to gather at the USS Arizona memorial returning his ashes to turret no. 4, one of two interments scheduled for the day. On the Arizona, 1,177 sailors and Marines were killed. The 24-year-old brothers joined the Navy in 1936. John Anderson was a boatswains mate second class and Jake was a boatswains mate first class. He talked all the time about his brother, John D. Anderson Jr., of Carlsbad, N.M, told the Post. They wrote letters back and forth to each other when they were on different ships. And Jake really wanted him to get on the Arizona with him. Jakes wish was fulfilled. On the day of the attack, however, only John would survive. PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR: WHAT I SAW ABOARD THE USS ARIZONA During the chaos, John was ordered off the ship by an officer, but told him that he was not leaving, according to an oral history recorded by videographer Don Smith. My brothers here someplace. Ive got to find him, Anderson had said. The officer then shoved John into a rescue boat. Once they reached shore, John took control of an empty boat and headed back to the burning Arizona, risking his life as he hoped to find Jake, the Post reported. After World War II, John settled in Roswell, N.M., becoming a local TV personality. He died in 2015 at age 98, leaving only five remaining living survivors of the Arizona. Andersons family told the newspaper that they believed the brothers should rest together. Click for more from The Washington Post. Officials say the sea bed search for the missing Malaysian airliner has been left to a single ship, with a Chinese vessel heading home to Shanghai. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said in a statement Wednesday that a Dutch survey ship will finish the search of the southern Indian Ocean for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 alone after resupplying at the southwest Australian port of Fremantle. The statement says a Chinese ship finished searching last weekend and was heading back to Fremantle to drop off equipment before returning to its home port of Shanghai. The Chinese ship in February joined three search vessels operated by the Dutch underwater survey company Fugro in the hunt for the Boeing 777 that authorities say crashed with 239 people aboard in 2014. The Albanian government is offering a four-month amnesty to all those who hand over guns. Interior Minister Saimir Tahiri said on his Facebook page the Cabinet passed a law Wednesday offering "no penal prosecution and zero punishment to all those handing over arms before April 30, 2017." Illegal weapon possession can attract sentences of up to 15 years of jail but old army Kalashnikovs and new pistols bought in Europe are widely used in domestic crimes, feuds and more. In 1997 Albanians who lost life savings in fake pyramid investment schemes looted hundreds of thousands of small arms and light ammunition from army depots. A United Nations-led project collected about 200,000 arms, but as many again are still believed to be in circulation. A 43-year-old dog squad officer who was shot in the head at close range outside a suburban Copenhagen police station has died, Danish authorities said Wednesday. MANHUNT LAUNCHED AFTER SHOOTING TARGETING GEORGIA POLICE Kim Christiansen, head of the suburban police district, said the officer died "surrounded by his next of kin" on Wednesday, the day after he was shot. His condition had deteriorated the night before after doctors failed to remove the bullet in his head, Christiansen added. A 26 year-old Danish man was jailed earlier in the day on suspicion of shooting the officer, who has not been publicly named. Prosecutor Morten Frederiksen said the man was suspected of stealing the gun that was used to shoot the officer on Tuesday from a shooting range. PARIS TAKES CARS OFF THE STREETS AS SMOG CLOUD COVERS THE CITY Claus Oxfeldt, chairman of Denmark's main police union, called it "a black day for the police." The last time a Danish officer was fatally shot in the line of duty was 21 years ago, according to the union. Officer Morten Mortensen was fatally shot during an armed bank robbery. The latest death to strike at the heart of Denmark's law enforcement community came in 2008, when intelligence officer Karsten Krabbe was among the 50 people killed when a car bomb exploded outside a hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan. Frederiksen said police are working to establish a motive for Tuesday's shooting, which was seen by witnesses and recorded by surveillance cameras at the Albertslund police station. The suspect refused to speak during a pre-trial hearing Wednesday where he was ordered held for four weeks, he said. At the hearing, the judge also ordered the suspect, who was not identified because of a court order, to undergo a mental investigation. Four years ago, he was sentenced to eight months for threatening officers at the same police station with a fake gun. The man was arrested Tuesday hours after the shooting that briefly prompted security outside all Danish police stations to be stepped up. Several area fire departments were called to the area of Route AA and Pleasant Hill Road at 10:11 p.m. Monday to assist Washington County with three separate fires on the same property. Potosi Fire Chief Roger LaChance said when they got there a mobile home was engulfed in flames, one house had just started burning and half of another house had flames coming from it. They were all abandoned, no one was living out there, said LaChance. We were out there for approximately four hours. We did call the fire marshal out to investigate since the fire was suspicious, but he hasnt made a ruling. Its an open investigation. LaChance said they did strike a second alarm for manpower since there were three buildings burning. Leadwood, Big River, Steelville, Park Hills, Irondale and Desloge Fire Departments all assisted the Potosi Fire Department. All three structures were a total loss. An official said the property was just sold through the courthouse recently. A fire in the 1,000 block of Keystone left a Park Hills home slightly damaged Monday evening. Park Hills Fire Captain Brad Weiss said the Leadington Fire Department arrived two minutes before them because the department was manning the station from a previous fire that Park Hills just came back from. The damage was relatively minimal, the front porch and the entryway to the house was all that had any damage, said Weiss. They had already called Servpro to come in and start doing cleanup last night before we left. Weiss said they had a quick response time since they were all at the station and Desloge Fire Department did come to the house. We disregarded Farmington and Wolf Creek Fire Departments who were also en route to the scene, said Weiss. We did contact the fire marshal and he decided he didnt think he needed to come in after we told him what we had there. It looked like electrical wires in the wall and since there was a lack of anything else, the fire marshal didnt feel like he needed to investigate it. Weiss said they were there for more than an hour but the fire was out within five minutes. A 26 year-old Danish man has been jailed for four weeks on suspicion of shooting a Danish policeman in the head outside a police station in suburban Copenhagen. Prosecutor Morten Frederiksen said Wednesday the man also was suspected of stealing the gun from a shooting range that was then likely used to shoot the canine squad officer on Tuesday. At the pre-trial hearing, the judge also ordered the suspect, who was not identified in line with Danish practice, to undergo a mental investigation. Four years ago, he was sentenced to eight months for threatening officers at the same police station with a fake gun. He was arrested Tuesday hours after the shooting that briefly prompted security outside all Danish police stations to be stepped up. Crews were racing to find a U.S. Marine Corps pilot who ejected before his F/A-18 crashed off Japan, the Pentagon confirmed. The pilot ejected approximately 120 miles southeast of Iwakuni at about 6:40 p.m. local time. The missing pilots wingman was forced to return to base cutting off the search, Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis said. BUDGET CUTS LEAVING MARINE CORPS AIRCRAFT GROUNDED The aircraft was assigned to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and was conducting regularly scheduled training when the "mishap" occurred. The Marine Corps was investigating the cause of the crash. NO SURVIVORS IN PAKISTAN PASSENGER JET CRASH CARRYING 48 PEOPLE, OFFICIALS SAY A U.S. Navy destroyer, Curtis Wilber (DDG-54) with at least one helicopter aboard, was headed to the crash site to continue the search. Seven Japanese military aircraft were also assisting. USNS Montford Point, an American auxiliary ship, was also taking part in the search along with three Japanese ships. Wednesday's incident was only the latest involving the F/A-18, six of which have crashed this year. During the summer, two of the jets crashed, one of the accidents resulting in the death of Marine Corps Maj. Sterling Norton, 36. Norton's mother told Fox News at the time she wished the Marines would stop flying old planes. At one point, the head of Marine Corps aviation ordered a 24-hour pause in training operations around the fleet, except those participating in ISIS airstrikes. The Wednesday crash was also the fourth F/A-18 mishap since October, including an incident in November when two jets collided near San Diego. A Marine AV-8 crashed in September off Japan. Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson contributed to this report. German industrial production rose more weakly than expected in October following a significant decline the previous month. The Economy Ministry said Wednesday that production in Europe's biggest economy was up 0.3 percent compared with September, well below the 0.8 percent economists had predicted. In September, production was down 1.6 percent revised from the initial reading of a 1.8 percent drop. The rise was led by a strong pick-up in the construction sector. The disappointing production figure came a day after factory orders figures for October far exceeded expectations, posting a 4.9 percent gain over the previous month thanks to a strong increase in orders for investment goods such as machinery. Officials trying to fight Paris worst winter pollution in a decade have banned many cars from the streets in a bid to clear the smog from the French capital. The surge in pollution is being caused by cold weather and windless conditions trapping exhaust fumes and smoke from wood fires in the atmosphere, the AirParif air monitoring service said, according to the AFP. MERKEL'S CALL FOR BURQA BAN IN GERMANY DRAWS BACKLASH The current level of fine airborne particles is at 60 percent of the level in Beijing one of the worlds most notorious polluted cities. Officials in Paris announced that private cars with license plates ending in odd numbers are banned from the streets between 5:30 a.m. and midnight. The rule has been in place since Tuesday, alternating between even and odd plates, and is extended until at least Thursday, the AFP reports. FRANTIC RESCUE EFFORTS IN INDONESIA AS EARTHQUAKE KILLS AT LEAST 97 Traffic cops fined more than 1,700 drivers Tuesday for breaking the rules. City officials are also offering public transit for free to encourage commuters to keep their vehicles parked at home. "It feels like I'm smoking 10 cigarettes instead of one," Mohamed Navhit, a tricycle rickshaw driver, told AFP. This is the fourth time the city has taken such measures to fight air pollution, previously doing so in 1997, 2014 and 2015. The current level of winter pollution is its worst in a decade, according to the AFP. Outside of Paris, officials in the southeast Rhone valley region said they would introduce similar measures to crack down on pollution in the city of Lyon. Click for more from the AFP. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 British police have arrested a man on suspicion of sending online threats to the lead claimant in Britain's landmark Brexit court case. Financial entrepreneur Gina Miller took the government to court, arguing it does not have the power to trigger Britain's exit from the 28-nation European Union without a vote in Parliament. Last month, judges agreed. The Supreme Court is hearing an appeal by the government. Miller, 51, says she has received abuse and death threats since the Nov. 3 ruling. London's Metropolitan Police said Wednesday that officers had arrested a 55-year-old man in Swindon, western England, "on suspicion of racially aggravated malicious communications." The force said the arrest concerned threats to a 51-year-old woman since Nov. 3. The suspect has been bailed while prosecutors consider whether to charge him. Pope Francis is warning about the dangers of fake news, and he should know: Earlier this year, he was reported falsely to have endorsed Donald Trump for U.S. president. In an interview published Wednesday with the Belgian Catholic weekly Tertio, Francis repeated a frequent warning of his that the media can fall prey to spreading slander, scandal, defamation and disinformation. He said: "Disinformation is probably the greatest damage that the media can do, as opinion is guided in one direction, neglecting the other part of the truth." Francis was a victim of fake news spread on social media, including the false claim that he had endorsed Trump. Popes do not endorse political candidates, though he urged Catholic voters to "study the proposals well, pray and choose in conscience." Syrian government troops and allied militiamen seized more ground in Aleppo's ancient quarters on Wednesday, further widening their control over an enclave in the divided city that has been in rebel hands since 2012, Syria's state media and an opposition monitoring group said. The state news agency SANA said the Syrian forces established control over two districts north of the Aleppo Citadel in the heart of the city the Aghiour and Bab al-Hadid neighborhoods after rebels abandoned positions and retreated further south. The new gains have choked the rebels, forcing them to pull back to other parts of the Old City, said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an activist group that tracks Syria's civil war, now in its sixth year. Rebel defenses have collapsed rapidly in the face of a massive government assault backed by Russia and thousands of Iranian-backed Shiite fighters. On Tuesday, Syrian government forces captured Aleppo's centrally located al-Shaar neighborhood from the rebels, security nearly three quarters of the besieged enclave less than two weeks after launching their ground offensive. A map provided by the Syria army showed a quickly shrinking opposition enclave a pointed leaf-shaped territory in the center, abutting already government-controlled Aleppo districts. The army media said the new gains bring the area controlled by the government in eastern Aleppo to about 73 percent of its original size, which is estimated to be about 45 square kilometers (17 square miles.) There was no immediate Syrian opposition comment on Wednesday's losses. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry said a Russian colonel who worked as a military adviser in the government-controlled part of the city of Aleppo has died in rebel shelling. The fatality marks Russia's third casualty this week, after two nurses were killed in a rocket attack on a makeshift Russian military hospital in Aleppo. The ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that Col. Ruslan Galitsky was wounded in rebel shelling of a government-controlled neighborhood several days earlier and has died of his wounds. The Syrian government and its ally Russia have rejected a cease-fire for the war-torn city, keeping up the military offensive that has forced rebel retreats and massive displacement of Aleppo civilians. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 United Nations prosecutors have demanded a life sentence for Gen. Ratko Mladic, telling judges they should convict and imprison the former Bosnian Serb military chief for orchestrating atrocities throughout Bosnia's 1992-95 war. Prosecutor Alan Tieger on Wednesday told judges at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia that it would be "an insult to the victims, living and dead, and an affront to justice to impose any sentence other than the most severe available under law: A life sentence." Tieger was speaking at the end of prosecutors' closing statements at the conclusion of Mladic's trial on charges including genocide, murder and terror. Verdicts are expected late next year. Miami-Based Franchise Development Group Increases Miami Grill Locations in Florida and Ecuador Successful Papa John's Pizza franchise owners take on new Miami Grill locations in Florida and Ecuador FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Dec. 6, 2016 // PRNewswire // - A large commitment from Miami-based International Food Chains, LLC to the future of Miami Grill will increase market penetration and brand recognition for the fast casual chain over the next several years, adding more locations to Florida and new locations in Ecuador. Led by Mario Cordovez and Sebastian Espinosa, the team arrives with a proven success record with Papizzec S.A., also known as Papa John's Pizza. Combined, they've opened 18 Papa John's locations in Ecuador. Recently, the duo turned their sights on Miami Grill and committed to opening five Orlando locations, one Gainesville location and five locations in Ecuador. "Mario and Sebastian inspire us with their dedication and enthusiasm," said Robert Haar, Vice President of Franchise Development at Miami Grill. "Plus, they know how to pick strong locations, which is paramount to the success of the store, and I predict great things for Miami Grill as their plans unfold." Originally, Cordovez and Espinosa purchased a Miami Subs location in Kendall, Florida, and, while it is currently being converted to a Miami Grill, it remains one of the top producing stores in the chain, operating in the upper quartile of the highest volume restaurants. "Believe it or not, we tried Miami Subs for the first time about 20 years ago and loved it. Then, late last year when we saw how the brand was repositioning itself, we knew it was time for us to get involved," Cordovez said. In October, 2016, International Food Chains, LLC signed a deal for a 2,500 sq. ft. store located within a new, luxury student apartment building called The Standard, just steps from the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Florida. This 9-story apartment building, currently under construction, is a lifestyle center with roof top swimming pools, a work out facility and recreational areas with pool tables. The first level of the building features retailers such as Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Pei Wei, Bento Box, Miami Grill and a Target Express. There will also be a hotel developed on the property. The building is slated to open for Fall of 2017. In the meantime, franchisees Cordovez and Espinosa will continue focusing on site selection in Central and North Florida, including the Orlando and Jacksonville markets. About Miami Grill South-Florida based Miami Grill is the hottest fast casual concept to hit the market, developed by the same owners as Miami Subs, Miami Subs Capital Partners 1, Inc. and key equity partner, Armando Christian "Pitbull" Perez. Miami Grill and its "Everything Goes" concept embody the taste and sensations of South Beach and provide a diverse menu unlike any other chain in the category. For franchising and other information, visit www.miamigrillfranchise.com. This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com SOURCE Miami Grill Contact: Jackie Maceda Marketing Director Phone: 954-623-6031 jmaceda@miamisubs.com ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Scooters Coffee Adds Fifth Location in Sioux Falls Market New Store to Donate 100 Percent of Grand Opening Day Sales to McCrossan Boys Ranch December 07, 2016 // Franchising.com // Sioux Falls, SD Scooters Coffee, the Midwest-based coffee franchise that has experienced tremendous nationwide growth over the past year, will continue its growth in Sioux Falls with the companys latest Grand Opening at 85th and Minnesota Street (7710 S Dakota Hawk Ave.) on Wednesday, December 7. To demonstrate its commitment to the Sioux Falls community, this new location is partnering with McCrossan Boys Ranch on Grand Opening Day donating 100% of the days sales to the organization. In the years since we have started here in Sioux Falls, weve become engrained in the community, said owner Travis Rhoades. Im pleased that we can use our grand opening to draw attention and raise money for this worthy cause. In addition, in celebration of this new store opening, the location will be treating customers to a Week of Specials following the Grand Opening event on December 7. The week of specials includes the following: Monday, December 12 Half Off Caramelicious Tuesday, December 13 Half Off Mocha or White Mocha Wednesday, December 14 Half Off Fruit Smoothies Thursday, December 15 Half Off Candy Bar Drinks Friday, December 16 Free $5 gift card with purchase of $5 or more Weve had great success here in the Sioux Falls area, stated Rob Streett, President and Chief Operating Officer of Scooters Coffee. As the demand for our coffee grows, we want to keep expanding the number of stores in Sioux Falls, and Travis is the perfect partner for this important endeavor. With more than 150 stores open in 13 states, Scooters Coffee has signed agreements in two additional states and will open nearly 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 also added several locations this year to expanding markets, such as Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa. 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 Taco Johns Breaks New Ground In Parshall December 07, 2016 // Franchising.com // Residents of northwestern North Dakota now have a new option for dining out: Taco Johns. The expanding Mexican chain has brought its philosophy of bold flavors and fresh ingredients to a number of locations across the state, but its newest store is unique. Taco Johns is the first Mexican quick-service restaurant serving the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, said Mervin Packineau, Northeast Segment Representative and Treasurer for the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation. Were surrounded by some of the states busiest and biggest attractions its a great location. Taco Johns is celebrating the stores grand opening by giving away Golden Tickets good for a years worth of their fan favorite Potato Oles. Being the first restaurant of its kind in the area, people are excited to try new flavors, says Packineau. Theres never been anything like TJ here. Guests have two ways to enter the running for the Potato Oles giveaway. Golden Tickets will be awarded to the first 30 visitors who line up before the store opening at 10 a.m. Those who cant make it can enter online at TacoJohns.com/Parshall. SOURCE Taco Johns Contact: Bandy Poitra Project Manager, North East Segment 701-627-8100 bpoitra@mhanation.com ### Add to Request List Added Request Information Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. 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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 As people from around the world gather at Pearl Harbor for the 75th anniversary of the attack that catapulted America into World War II, a man from Stafford County will be in the thick of the activities. David Werner, who retired as a Navy captain after 24 years, is working as a public affairs specialist with the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Hes helping to support media representatives and special guests from around the world who have converged on Pearl Harbor in recent days. Its a place thats been meaningful to Wernerwhose late father, Marine Cpl. Evan Werner, used a flamethrower against the Chinese in the Korean Warsince he first heard details of the day of infamy. And its been made more meaningful as the student of military history learned even more after each visit to Pearl Harbor, about the whole area thats steeped in naval heritage. For a Navy guy, its the cornerstone of my experience, he said during a phone interview. THROUGH THE FIRE Werner, 50, graduated from Stafford High School in 1984 and attended the University of Florida through the Naval Reserve Officer Training program. He and his wife, the former Kim Harding, were high-school sweethearts, and theyve been married since 1990. Her parents, Warren and Marty Harding, still live in Stafford. Werner started his Navy career in 1988 when he was commissioned as an ensign and reported to a Charleston, S.C.-based frigate, the USS Taylor. At that point, Werner believed hed see the world, courtesy of the U.S. military, then he and Kim would settle in the Fredericksburg area. Seemed like an easy rideuntil the frigate he was aboard was on routine patrol in the Persian Gulf when Operation Desert Shield was initiated. All of a sudden, youre on the lookout for floating mines, and in an instant, the gravity of the life I had chosennot a career, a lifefinally dawned on me, he said. That was underscored even more in 1996, the first time he saw Pearl Harbor. He attended a ceremony that included Sen. John McCain, who described a fire aboard the USS Forrestal in 1967. An electrical mishap caused a rocket to discharge aboard the flight deck of the aircraft carrier off the coast of Vietnam, causing a chain reaction of fires that killed 134 sailors and injured 161. When you hear stories from these veterans that have been through the fire and you are looking on the flight deck, down on the gravesite that is the USS Arizona, it is really powerful, Werner said. Youre part of it, and youre in the shadow of those on the Arizona, on the Oklahoma, on the Utah. The guys on that day of infamy sacrificed with their lives. In the early morning attack on Pearl Harbor, hundreds of Japanese fighter planes hit the naval base with a devastating two-hour barrage. Eight battleships and more than 300 airplanes were destroyed, and more than 3,000 American soldiers and sailors died or were injured. The next day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan, and Congress approved his declaration with just one dissenting vote. The Navy got punched in the nose at Pearl Harbor, Werner said, but as he would learn when he analyzed naval historyand saw the Pacific landmarks for himselfAmerican forces were not down for the count. CHRONICLING HISTORY Werners Navy career included stints with electrical and engineering duties and as an officer overseeing ordnance and safety measures, but his longest service was in public affairs. He and his wife, who have two children, Chad and Hannah, lived in Northern Virginia as Werner reported to the Navy Recruiting Command in Arlington. He oversaw a national network of more than 35 public affairs specialists and journalists. In subsequent years, he went back to the Persian Gulf again, aboard the USS Carl Vinson battle group. He had more than two dozen nervous members of the media on board when the group launched Operation Desert Strikeand fired more than 40 Tomahawk missiles against Iraqi military targets. Werner later worked to tell others about the duties of submarine forces as well as the deployment of naval vessels during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He had assignments that took him between the Pentagon and the Naval Media Center. When he retired in 2012, the Werners thought he could finally exhale and explore some other passions. But Werner jokes that it didnt take long for his wife to want him out of the house, so he came out of a short retirement and went to work for the Navy History and Heritage Command. He became the assistant director for communication and outreach and held a position that combined his interest in history with his knowledge of the Navy. He and others worked to assemble the Navys collections of art, artifacts and photos that chronicled famous moments. The research and resources the group compiled can be seen at the history.navy.mil website. Werner worked with that command for three years, then joined the public affairs staff of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. That move brought him to Pearl Harbor in February, in time to start planning events for the 75th anniversary of the attack. His latest position has given him the chance to participate with the people who made history. Hell continue to work in the Pacific for the next four years as the Navy commemorates other battles and milestones that led to Americas victory in World War II. Theres nowhere else Id rather be, he said. Measures aimed at curbing organized interstate cigarette trafficking, including the issuance of a certificate to cigarette retailers, were endorsed unanimously Monday by the Virginia State Crime Commission. Under one proposal, a retailer wishing to buy cigarettes wholesale without paying state sales tax would need to obtain a cigarette exemption certificate involving a background check and an effort to make sure the business actually exists. The illegal industry is made possible by the wide disparity in excise taxes imposed on cigarettes by different states. Kristen J. Howard, executive director of the crime commission, cited a Dec. 3 story in the Richmond Times-Dispatch about a New Jersey operation that moved at least $9.5 million in cigarettes purchased, for the most part, at Virginia wholesale clubs without paying Virginia sales tax. Were still dealing with some of these issues, Howard told the commission, which has been considering legislation to deal with the problem for several years. A bill to require cigarette retailers to obtain a license from the Virginia Department of Alcohol Beverage Control died in the General Assembly last year. Under the current proposal, the cigarette exemption certificate would be obtained via mail from the Virginia Department of Taxation, Colin L. Drabert, the commission staff attorney, told commission members Monday. The state could charge up to $50 for a certificate. However, the process would be simplified for businesses that already have an ABC license or a state license to sell other tobacco products. In those cases, there would be no fee. Each location in a large chain of gasoline stations/convenience stores would need a certificate, but one application would cover all of them. The certificates would be renewed every five years. Virginia has the second-lowest excise tax in the country, at $3 per carton, while the New Jersey tax, for example, is $27. The New Jersey operation, in which three people have pleaded guilty in federal court, used six shell businesses to buy the cigarettes. The businesses got certificates exempting them from paying sales tax which can be obtained online without any vetting when they bought cigarettes from wholesalers. They were supposed to be reselling them legitimately and the sales tax ultimately collected at the retail level. Instead, the traffickers were sending them out of state for illegal resale. Of the six Virginia false businesses, five of them never paid any Virginia taxes. The commission also endorsed a proposal to require that a state form be completed and maintained for any cigarette purchase of more than 50 cartons or when the total value exceeds $10,000. The form would be developed by the Virginia Attorney Generals Office. The commission staff now will draft bills for consideration by the General Assembly in the session that begins in January. Lanny Horton was asleep when the telephone rang and he heard his next-door neighbors voice on the other end of the line. Tell the Lions Club I wont be able to call bingo on Sunday night, Julius Mal Malinowski said. I wont be able to ring the bell for the Salvation Army either. Im in jail in South Korea. Horton, who has lived beside the 79-year-old Malinowski for 18 years and worked with the man on numerous civic projects, was admittedly stunned. At first, Horton thought this was an attempted scam, one where someone pretending to be a police official says he is attempting to secure bail or fine money for a friend or relative who has supposedly been arrested in a foreign country. It was a scam alright, but Horton was not the intended victim. According to Horton and Malinowskis son, who has been working to free his father, a South Korean businessman was. And Malinowski, a retired Federal Reserve Bank executive, found himself right square in the middle of an attempted international financial swindle. The ruse was elaborate, one that took several months to set up and unfold. The scammers, believed to be based in Nigeria and using a Bulgarian web host, worked to gain Malinowskis confidence so that he would unwittingly help them with their scheme, the exact mechanics of which are still unclear. According to Kent Malinowski, the victims son, the scam began sometime around midsummer. By means that remain a mystery, the elder Malinowski began communicating with what he thought was the BB&T Bank Corp. concerning a job that called for a financial background and promised world travel. Malinowski applied and on Aug. 22 received a letter on what appeared to be BB&T stationery that said he had the job and would be paid $5,000 plus expenses for his out-of-country trips. The signer used the name of an actual officer of the North Carolina-based bank. To further gain his confidence, one or more of the scammers met Malinowski in Williamsburg and paid for him to play a round of golf, according to his son. A month later Malinowski received his first assignment, a trip to Perth, Australia, to have some papers signed. The company provided him first class airfare and top quality accommodations at his destination. The courier met several supposed businessmen, got the papers signed and returned to Culpeper. We now suspect that Australia was a test run, says the younger Malinowski In either late October or early November, Malinowski received his second assignment, a trip to Seoul, Korea. According to Kent Malinowski, his father arrived in Korea, met with the intended victim and his bankers and was asked to come back the next day for a second meeting on Nov. 10. When he returned he was arrested, charged with bank fraud and tossed in jail. He was allowed to make only two phone calls, one to the U.S. Embassy in Seoul and the other to Horton. It was a very short call, said Horton, who also serves on the board of directors of Habitat for Humanity with Malinowski. Upon discovering that his father was in jail, Kent Malinowski, a retired investigative journalist, and his daughter went to work. They alerted the Culpeper Police Department and had Horton open Malinowskis Laurel Street home to look for any correspondence that might connect the elderly man with the scammers. They found some documents, but without a password were unable to get into the victims email. BB&T, the State Department and the FBI were alerted. Using what documents they could find, Kent Malinowski and his daughters research discovered as many as eight U. S. companies that were set up for fraudulent purposes, including one in Jacksonville, Fla., that was dissolved two days before his fathers ill-fated Korean trip. Using a picture taken at a dinner during Malinowskis Australian trip, the younger Malinowski says they found the restaurant and identified one of the men in the photo, a Russian who now is believed to be living in China. Kent Malinowski has hired an English-speaking South Korean lawyer to represent his father and attempt to secure bail, which is very rare in South Korea. A Culpeper Korean pastor (there is a Korean congregation that meets at the Culpeper Baptist Church) also has been trying to intercede. Rep. Dave Brats office said it was working with the State Department on Malinowskis case. We are always available to help constituents, and are looking into this issue to see how we can best assist, the office said in a prepared statement. An intern for Brat will pick up cards and letters from the 7th District congressmans Culpeper office Monday and deliver them to Seoul. The intern already had a trip planned. The U. S. Embassy and the Malinowskis South Korean attorney are now keeping the family members posted daily. Meanwhile, Mal Malinowski,, who suffers from high blood pressure and diabetes, has been sleeping on a cell floor for almost a month. His last note, sent to his family through the U.S. Embassy, read: Im good, but not healthy. Sunday, Malinowski was taken to a hospital about four miles from the compound where he is being held for treatment of kidney issues. Now all the family can do is wait. Kent says that in South Korea charges being dropped is about as rare as bail. The elder Malinowski almost certainly will be forced to stand trial. He also is being forced to pay the intended scam victim about $11,000 that he put up so that the scammers could pay Malinowskis expenses to and from Korea. This was a very elaborate internet scheme, says Kent Malinowski. [These people] targeted an elderly retiree who was healthy enough to travel, but not high-tech savvy enough to spot the bogus email addresses. Parts of the employment confirmation letter contain grammar that likely would never be used by corporate officials. People need to be very careful every time they get on the internet, said Culpeper police investigator Andrew Terrell, who is working the case and agrees that Malinowski is a victim. Just turning on your computer can open up your home to scammers. Mal Malinowski can attest to that. This is a man of high integrity who got taken in, Horton said. Miriam Patrick, Stafford, arrived at the Brooke VRE Station on Tuesday morning expecting to begin her usual commute to Crystal City. But after boarding the train, Patrick learned the train ahead had struck a vehicle at the Brent Point Road crossing just north of the station. Virginia Rail Express officials said there were no injuries. However, the crash led to major delays for morning commuters. VRE officials advised riders to expect at least a two-hour delay and possible cancellations. Planning for a two-hour delay, Patrick left the station to get breakfast. When she returned at 7:45 a.m., there were still no signs of the trains resuming. She wandered the parking lot in the pouring rain asking passersby for more information on what happened and when the trains would begin operating again. At this point, I dont know whether to wait for a train or ask my husband to drive me, Patrick said. Howard Townsend of Spotsylvania was on his way to the LEnfant VRE Station when he heard about the incident. Townsend said his wife was on her way to pick him up from the station, and he would have to work from home for the day. Yesterday, my boss gave me his number in case I ever need to let him know I need to work from home because of bad weather or other circumstances, Townsend said. It was good timing, I guess. Many commuters at the Brooke station avoided the rain by waiting for updates in the warmth of their cars, while others stood under the overhang at the station speculating about how long the delays would last. Occasionally a car would drive up to the station to pick up a commuter who had decided to give up and go home. After the tracks were cleared, the train involved in the crash was moved up to Quantico, and passengers were shuttled back to southern stations on buses provided by PRTC, according to a VRE statement. The intersection opened shortly after 8:30 a.m. The Fredericksburg line operated on an S schedulewhich is reserved for bad weather, holidays and other service disruptionson Tuesday afternoon. Only a limited number of trains run on this schedule. Two people died as a result of a single-vehicle crash in Louisa County Tuesday night. Michael A. Martin, the driver, 28, of Fluvanna County and Wendy A. McDaniel, a passenger, 21, of Scottsville, died at the scene, according to a news release sent by Sgt. Steve Vick of the Virginia State Police. The vehicle, a 2009 Ford Focus, was traveling north on State Route 626 (Jordan Store Road) when it went through the intersection with Mallory Road and struck an embankment. The crash occurred at 6:08 p.m., according to state police. The release said neither the driver nor the passenger were wearing seat belts. Virginia State Police Trooper G.S. Stewart is investigating the case. As researchers begin to expand their investigations into targeted therapies, including immunotherapies, the potential targets are likely to be very different in childhood AML than in adult AML, Tarlock said. Childhood AML: a genomic landscape all its own Though pediatric and adult AML cells may look the same under a microscope, the DNA changes driving normal myeloid blood cells to turn cancerous are very different in children and adults. Tarlock, in work that was presented Dec. 5 at ASH, used a commercially available clinical genetic sequencing platform to assess not only sequence changes in adult and pediatric disease, but also large structural changes, in which whole chunks of chromosomes may be lost, duplicated or change position. Examining samples from 179 children and 755 adults, she found catastrophic chromosomal alterations in 60 percent of AML from children under 18, but in only 38 percent of adult samples. Several of the specific structural alterations Tarlock identified in pediatric AML can be used by oncologists to better predict patient outcome or match them to optimal treatment. Because the structural changes can have such strong effects, oftentimes a child whose myeloid cells genome has been so drastically altered only needs one (or sometimes no) other mutation to tip normal cells into cancer, Tarlock said. Adults, in contrast, usually seem to accumulate many mutations before their cells begin to run amok. The sequencing platform Tarlock used is a clinical platform available right now, said Meshinchi, noting that Seattle Childrens pediatric oncologists already use this same sequencing platform on all AML patients. The amount of information that is gathered is enormous and has both clinical and research applications, he said. Tarlocks findings echo those of the National Cancer Institute's TARGET (short for Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments) AML Initiative, also presented Dec. 5 at ASH by Dr. Jason Farrar, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Meshinchi leads the TARGET AML Initiative, which seeks to chart the molecular landscape of childhood AML. The TARGET AML Initiative compared samples from a large cohort of children treated on clinical trials through Childrens Oncology Group with data generated in its adult counterpart, The Cancer Genome Atlas, or TCGA, AML initiative. Again, the team found that children tended to have large genomic alterations compared to the many smaller mutations found in adults. Individualizing even more, the group found that certain genes are more likely to be affected in children than adults, and that some genes are mutated within specific age groups. In the majority of younger children AML is caused by large structural chromosomal alterations that lead to a very rapid evolution of the disease, Meshinchi said. In adults it is the combination of simple sequence mutations which people accumulate over years that drives the disease. Common DNA changes also separate AML in the youngest patients from AML in older children, according to work presented by Rhonda Ries, a member of Meshinchis lab. In a sample of 164 patients under 2 years of age, Ries found that more than 90 percent had certain types of large structural changes in their DNA. In the genomes of AML cells from this group, Ries saw that either a section of one chromosome had jumped to a new chromosome, or that large segments of a chromosome had been duplicated or lost. And unlike genetic change seen in older AML patients, these leukemia-driving alterations didnt accumulate with time they were always present at the time of the childs birth, Meshinchi said. The highlight of the study, he said, is how unique these younger children are. [Therapeutic] targets that are being developed even for older pediatric patients may not really reach this group of very young patients unless we are devising treatments and therapies that are specifically for them." Tailoring treatment child by child Already scientists are discovering genetic signatures that hold the potential to improve care and match pediatric AML patients to treatments most likely to eliminate their cancer. Dr. Dalia Selim, also in Meshinchis lab, presented at ASH the results of an analysis examining how subtle differences in mutations in the gene nucleophosmin, or NPM1, can alter outcomes. Selim found that in adults, a particular mutation in the NPM1 gene, known as a Type A variant, predominated. In children, in contrast, she found that it was a slightly different mutation in NPM1, a non-Type-A mutation, that was most common. Selim found that patients with non-Type-A mutations fared better. If validated, these are clinical practice-changing results, Meshinchi said. Genes can be turned on and off without any alterations in the DNA code, by epigenetic alterations in molecules that attach to DNA or its packaging. Epigenetic alterations can combine with mutations to cause AML. As part of the TARGET AML initiative, Dr. Timothy Triche Jr. of the University of Southern California presented work showing the association of specific epigenetic signatures with AML variants arising from different cell types. Triche and his group also found that different epigenetic signatures may reveal vulnerabilities to various drugs. We hope to one day use genetic and epigenetic signatures for therapy and risk stratification, or to predict outcome, Meshinchi said. Dr. Emilia Lim of the British Columbia Cancer Agency presented the results regarding another epigenetic biomarker, a study in which researchers generated a predictive model based on epi-genetic molecules known as microRNAs. We make many different types of microRNAs, and Lim and her team identified 16 microRNAs that increased and 20 that decreased in pediatric AML patients who experienced an event such as death or relapse within five years of AML treatment. The group was able to use the microRNA model to divide patients groups at low, moderate or high risk of poor outcomes. Lims strategy is a completely new concept in risk determination, using a cluster of microRNA expression, Meshinchi said. It is a completely new way of looking at risk stratification [which allows the researchers to] much more accurately define risk groups." New therapeutic targets As researchers strive to create ever-more individualized therapies, they seek targets in pediatric AML. Tarlock presented evidence that a protein known as mesothelin may be an attractive target for precision medicine strategies in pediatric AML. Mesothelin is a protein expressed only rarely in certain healthy tissues. For reasons that remain unclear, many solid tumors, including pancreatic and lung cancer, express mesothelin at high levels. Its rarity in healthy tissue but abundance in cancer makes mesothelin a potential goldmine for researchers seeking targets that make cancer cells, but not healthy cells, vulnerable to new treatments such as immunotherapies. AML cells in some pediatric patients also appear to express the mesothelin gene at high levels but whether mesothelin is a good, stable target for new therapies remained uncertain. In her study, part of the NCIs TARGET AML Initiative, Tarlock showed that in one quarter to one third of pediatric patients AML, mesothelin appears to be a potential target at both diagnosis and relapse. The striking thing is that mesothelin expression correlated with a few common structural variants in pediatric AML, Tarlock said. She and her team are now looking at whether mesothelin may be a biomarker for these patients, possibly signaling prognosis for treatment response or relapse risk. Additionally, pediatric oncologists can take advantage of the fact that various immunotherapies against mesothelin are already in the works for solid tumors. Next steps As scientists identify more genetic changes in pediatric AML and uncover their significance, treatment will continue to improve. Even though it may take time to develop new therapies, knowing a childs AML harbors a genetic variant associated with poor prognosis can help oncologists choose better care. At the very least, these are the patients that should go to transplant, said Meshinchi. And if theres any obvious therapeutic target available, we can use it [to tailor treatment]. And simply knowing the genetic variants in a childs AML can make it possible to keep an eye out for relapse long before it manifests clinically, he said. Knowing a childs mutation allows oncologists to finally see their disease. Fred Hutch and Children's Oncology Group are working with commercial partners to create the worlds first lab that will be able to design a monitoring test for any child with any mutation, Meshinchi said. A deeper understanding of AML is now coming out, he said. We can choose treatment more appropriate [to a childs] AML. Now the question is, How do we do it for everyone? Tour Travel By Odas Global Consulting Is Looking For Tourism Partners Worldwide Tour Travel by Odas Global Consulting is looking for partners worldwide and it is interested in firms or individual tourism consultants who want to become their partners abroad. -- Tour Travel by Odas Global Consulting is interested in firms or individual tourism consultants who want to become partners abroad. 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For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.com Market Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Vehicle Wiring Harness in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), like North America Europe China Japan Southeast Asia India Split by product type, with production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided into General Wire, Heat-resistant Wire Shielded Wire Halogen-free Electric Wire Others Split by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Vehicle Wiring Harness in each application, can be divided into Application 1 Application 2 Application 3 Complete Report Details @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/797615-global-vehicle-wiring-harness-market-research-report-2016 Table Of Contents - Major Key Points Global Vehicle Wiring Harness Market Research Report 2016 1 Vehicle Wiring Harness Market Overview 1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Vehicle Wiring Harness 1.2 Vehicle Wiring Harness Segment by Type 1.2.1 Global Production Market Share of Vehicle Wiring Harness by Type in 2015 1.2.2 General Wire, 1.2.3 Heat-resistant Wire 1.2.4 Shielded Wire 1.2.5 Halogen-free Electric Wire 1.2.6 Others 1.3 Vehicle Wiring Harness Segment by Application 1.3.1 Vehicle Wiring Harness Consumption Market Share by Application in 2015 1.3.2 Application 1 1.3.3 Application 2 1.3.4 Application 3 1.4 Vehicle Wiring Harness Market by Region 1.4.1 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 Vehicle Wiring Harness (2011-2021) 2 Global Vehicle Wiring Harness Market Competition by Manufacturers 2.1 Global Vehicle Wiring Harness Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016) 2.2 Global Vehicle Wiring Harness Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016) 2.3 Global Vehicle Wiring Harness Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016) 2.4 Manufacturers Vehicle Wiring Harness Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type 2.5 Vehicle Wiring Harness Market Competitive Situation and Trends 2.5.1 Vehicle Wiring Harness Market Concentration Rate 2.5.2 Vehicle Wiring Harness Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers 2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion .......... 7 Global Vehicle Wiring Harness Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis 7.1 Delphi Automotive 7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors 7.1.2 Vehicle Wiring Harness Product Type, Application and Specification 7.1.2.1 Type I 7.1.2.2 Type II 7.1.3 Delphi Automotive Vehicle Wiring Harness Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016) 7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview 7.2 Furukawa Electric 7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors 7.2.2 Vehicle Wiring Harness Product Type, Application and Specification 7.2.2.1 Type I 7.2.2.2 Type II 7.2.3 Furukawa Electric Vehicle Wiring Harness Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016) 7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview 7.3 Lear 7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors 7.3.2 Vehicle Wiring Harness Product Type, Application and Specification 7.3.2.1 Type I 7.3.2.2 Type II 7.3.3 Lear Vehicle Wiring Harness Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016) 7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview 7.4 Leoni 7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors 7.4.2 Vehicle Wiring Harness Product Type, Application and Specification 7.4.2.1 Type I 7.4.2.2 Type II 7.4.3 Leoni Vehicle Wiring Harness Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016) 7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview 7.5 Sumitomo Electric Industries 7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors 7.5.2 Vehicle Wiring Harness Product Type, Application and Specification 7.5.2.1 Type I 7.5.2.2 Type II 7.5.3 Sumitomo Electric Industries Vehicle Wiring Harness Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016) 7.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview 7.6 Yazaki 7.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors 7.6.2 Vehicle Wiring Harness Product Type, Application and Specification 7.6.2.1 Type I 7.6.2.2 Type II 7.6.3 Yazaki Vehicle Wiring Harness Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016) 7.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview 7.7 CTI Industries 7.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors 7.7.2 Vehicle Wiring Harness Product Type, Application and Specification 7.7.2.1 Type I 7.7.2.2 Type II 7.7.3 CTI Industries Vehicle Wiring Harness Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016) 7.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview 7.8 Electrical Components International 7.8.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors 7.8.2 Vehicle Wiring Harness Product Type, Application and Specification 7.8.2.1 Type I 7.8.2.2 Type II 7.8.3 Electrical Components International Vehicle Wiring Harness Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016) 7.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview 7.9 Fujikura Zhuhai 7.9.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors 7.9.2 Vehicle Wiring Harness Product Type, Application and Specification 7.9.2.1 Type I 7.9.2.2 Type II 7.9.3 Fujikura Zhuhai Vehicle Wiring Harness Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016) 7.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview 7.10 Gold Peak Industries 7.10.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors 7.10.2 Vehicle Wiring Harness Product Type, Application and Specification 7.10.2.1 Type I 7.10.2.2 Type II 7.10.3 Gold Peak Industries Vehicle Wiring Harness Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016) 7.10.4 Main Business/Business Overview 7.11 GP Auto Parts 7.12 Motherson Sumi Systems 7.13 PKC 7.14 Prestolite Wire ........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=797615 ABOUT US: Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. 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Address: Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar Pune - 411028 Phone: +1-646-845-9349 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/vehicle-wiring-harness-market-by-manufacturers-types-regions-and-applications-research-report-forecast-to-2021/152195 Release ID: 152195 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) Corporate Direct Introduces Registered Agent Services The company is helping business owners avoid the loss of their personal assets, reports www.CorporateDirect.com. -- Corporate Direct announced the introduction of their registered agent services. Based in Reno, Nevada, the company aims to help business owners in all 50 states prevent a piercing of the corporate veil and prevent the possible loss of their personal assets. Those who are launching a business or are interested in a greater level of protection for their existing entity can visit the Corporate Direct website to gain access to free resources that demonstrate how Registered Agent Services can benefit them. Garrett Sutton, Esq., best selling business author and the founder of Corporate Direct, commented "It's a cold, hard fact that over 50 percent of all businesses and real estate ventures fall victim to common legal attacks because of an unfortunate disadvantage that we call piercing the corporate veil. When a corporation, LP, or LLC doesn't have the money to cover what the plaintiff is suing for, the 'corporate veil' is what gives them the liability protection they need. Without this veil in place, business and real estate venture owners can be held personally liable for lawsuits against their corporation, LP or LLC, and are vulnerable to losing their possessions. The good news is that we can help them do something about it." As legal entities, corporations, limited partnerships, and limited liability companies must follow a set of rules put forth by the state in which that entity was formed. Failure to follow these rules can result in a lack of critical legal protection for these entities. Hiring a Registered Agent Service is an important step in guarding the business and avoiding 'piercing the veil' claims that put personal assets in jeopardy. As Sutton further commented, "Many people ask the question: what is a registered agent? The simple answer is that it's the person they designate to protect their business by receiving important legal documents and keeping the corporate veil intact. We have made it our mission to help business owners succeed, and that means doing things right from a legal standpoint. We'll do everything in our power to help them follow the rules so they can be confident that they are protected at every turn." About Corporate Direct: Corporate Direct provides professional and affordable corporate and LLC formation and maintenance in all 50 states. The company offers a superior and protective registered agent service in all 50 states. In the 27 years they've been in business, Corporate Direct has provided over 10,000 clients with the most worry-free way to launch and maintain their business. For more information, please visit http://www.CorporateDirect.com Contact Info: Name: Elizabeth Ryan Organization: Corporate Direct Phone: (775) 824-0300 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/corporate-direct-introduces-registered-agent-services/151973 Release ID: 151973 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) Serenity Scout, Sacramento's Premier Senior Care Consulting Agency, Opens Serenity Scout announces its opening as Sacramento's premier senior care consulting and placement agency in Northern California. The core mission of Serenity Scout is to provide clients with the knowledge and comfort that they are matched with the best care in the industry. -- Serenity Scout announces its opening as Sacramento's premier senior care consulting and placement agency in Northern California. The core mission of Serenity Scout is to provide clients and their loved ones with the knowledge and comfort that they are matched with the best possible care in the industry. At Serenity Scout, professionally trained consultants will personally meet with all clients to ensure that each individual situation is comprehensively evaluated and that every client's unique needs are met as they enter the next phase of their life. Located in Old Fair Oaks Village, Serenity Scout was formed by the brother/sister team of John and Tess Deterding of Carmichael, CA. The Deterding family is well known in the Sacramento area as Carmichael's founding family - settling the area in the mid 1800's, and making a name for themselves as both business and community leaders still to this day. Serenity Scout is highly committed to ensuring that each and every facility that they partner with both meets and exceeds regulations set forth by local and state code and maintains the absolute highest standard of compliance within the elder care industry. "We're thrilled to open Serenity Scout in Sacramento - working closely with families that are searching for the face-to-face assistance that this ever-growing industry is missing. Our reputation as a hardworking and reliable family in the Sacramento community will no doubt shine through in our work with our clients" said John Deterding, co-founder of Serenity Scout. Serenity Scout is proud to partner with Donna Deterding & Associates, a partnership that brings the highest caliber of industry expertise and experience. Donna Deterding has been at the forefront of the senior care industry in Northern California for over 25 years. Serenity Scout offices are located at 4125 Temescal Street Suite D Fair Oaks, CA 95628. For more information, contact 916-284-0273 or visit www.serenityscout.com For more information, please visit http://www.serenityscout.com Contact Info: Name: John Deterding Email: John@serenityscout.com Organization: Serenity Scout Address: 4125 Temescal Street Suite D, Fair Oaks, 95628 United States Release ID: 152258 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) Niche Retreats Releases Christmas Offers On Cornwall Holiday Accommodation Cornwall holiday company reveals its last-minute deals and special offers on self catering holiday accommodation in Cornwall this Christmas. -- Cornish holiday company Niche Retreats has this week released a list of special offers and last-minute deals on self catering accommodation in Cornwall over the Christmas holidays. The Porthleven based lettings agency has rounded up a selection of offers with up to 20% off its last remaining cottages and holiday homes available for the festive period. Christmas is a particularly special time of year to visit Cornwall, when visitors can enjoy quiet beaches, wild scenery and a festive, community spirit in towns and villages along the coast. Niche Retreats hopes the special offers and last-minute deals on Christmas cottages and holiday homes in Cornwall will inspire more people to visit at this time of year. Matt Osborne from Niche Retreats said: "A lot of our accommodation is already booked up for Christmas by people who return year-on year. But we hope the last remaining holiday homes will be taken by newcomers to Cornwall at Christmas so they can experience the county's magical beauty and festive spirit at this time of year." The list of special offers includes Kennack Heights - a stunning penthouse apartment with breathtaking sea and countryside views in the village of Kuggar on the Lizard peninsula. This smart, modern apartment sleeps up to 4 people and is available for 1095 (reduced from 1250) for one week from 20-27th December. Also available is Anchor Cottage, right on the sea front in the pretty fishing village of Porthleven. This traditional, stone cottage sleeps 4 people and enjoys panoramic views of the coast as well as high spec furnishings and facilities. This property is now available for 940 (was 1175) for Christmas week from 21-28th December. A little further up the south coast of Cornwall is The Boat House, which is on offer for 880 (down from 1100) for Christmas week from 20-27th December. This stunning cottage is superbly set right on the beach at Portholland, surrounded by the Caerhays Estate. The Boat House, which sleeps 4 people, makes a great location and comfortable base for a Christmas getaway. Matt Osborne Commented: "These holiday homes and the others on our list of Christmas offers are some of the finest places to stay in Cornwall. All are located on or very close to the coast, making them perfect for bracing walks or simply soaking up the sea views." For more information, please visit the special offers page at Niche Retreats: http://www.nicheretreats.co.uk/special-breaks-and-offers/ For more information, please visit http://www.nicheretreats.co.uk/ Contact Info: Name: Matt Osborne Organization: Niche Retreats Address: Anchor Cottage Cliff Road, Porthleven, TR13 9EZ United Kingdom Phone: +441872870675 Release ID: 152171 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) 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. YoungJaws Launches Digital Marketing Services The company is helping businesses of all sizes expand their online presence, reports http://www.youngjaws.com. -- YoungJaws, a digital marketing agency catering to businesses and professionals in Malaysia, announced the launch of their SEO services. The company aims to use a unique combination of four tried-and-tested techniques to help business owners expand their online presence and climb the search engine rankings. The company works with businesses of all types and sizes to develop a custom SEO plan for their specific needs. Young & Jaws, owners of YoungJaws, stated "For business owners who want to thrive in our increasingly global economy, building their online presence is a must. While many of them realize the importance of getting organic traffic from big search engines like Google, a large number of them are still at a loss when it comes to understanding how search engines work and what they need to do to climb the rankings and gain greater visibility. It is for this reason that our team has launched our full suite of digital marketing services. Instead of allowing business owners to flounder in confusion, we are instead providing them with the assistance they need to see better rankings and reach their target audience." YoungJaws Services include a suite of four techniques designed to help businesses achieve top search engine rankings. These techniques include a full SEO audit and evaluation of on-page optimization, in-depth competitive keyword research and analysis, a long-term, Google-friendly strategic off-page link building campaign, and an extensive social media integration strategy. Business owners are encouraged to contact the YoungJaws team for a free consultation and customized search engine optimization plan. Young & Jaws went on to say, "We know that all business owners are working toward one goal, and that is increasing their bottom line so that they have the resources to grow and expand their companies. Our team makes use of the latest techniques to help them achieve success in this area. Our techniques have been proven to work for clients, helping them out-rank their competition, capture the attention of their target audience, and take their business to the next level." Business owners who would like to learn more about YoungJaws or take advantage of their free consultations can log on to youngjaws.com for further details. About YoungJaws: YoungJaws considers themselves to be the best digital marketing agency for businesses and professionals in Malaysia. Their consultants are committed to using organic SEO techniques to get clients the results they need. The YoungJaws team works with businesses of all types and sizes. Every business and industry requires a specific targeted approach, and YoungJaws has experience working with large and small businesses and assisting them in developing a targeted strategy and plan that's just right for their company. For more information, please visit http://www.youngjaws.com Contact Info: Name: Young & Jaws Organization: YoungJaws Address: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Phone: (+603) 5103 2926 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/youngjaws-launches-digital-marketing-services/152307 Release ID: 152307 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) California Contractor Bond And Insurance Services Expand Their Product Line To Include Speacialty Bonds California Contractor Bond & Insurance Services are now able to offer specialist contractor bonds at great rates to tradesmen in California, including roofing bonds, swimming pool bonds and more. -- When carrying out important work on homes and offices, it is important that tradesmen are experienced and qualified to do the tasks they are undertaking. Even the best and most experienced still make mistakes however, which is why people look for additional assurance and peace of mind from contractors who are fully licensed, bonded and insured. California Contractor Bond & Insurance Services are Contractors License Bond and Insurance Specialists in California. They help contractors in California get their insurance, bonds and licenses for the best price possible, and have now extended their services to include specialist bonds for the most common contracting work. The new bonds include bonds for swimming pool contractors, bonds for roofing contractors, and more. These bonds ensure that contractors abide by state laws, through an agreement between the state and a surety company on behalf of a contractor. California Contractor Bond & Insurance Services has long-established links with surety companies, ensuring they can negotiate the best possible rates on behalf of contractors. In addition to these new bonds, they also offer general liability insurance essential for any contractor whose work may have the potential to affect others. Bonds and insurance are both essential to getting the CSLB license, which customers will be looking for when deciding who to hire. A spokesperson for California Contractor Bond & Insurance Services explained, "California Contractor Bond & Insurance Services understands that because Bond payouts have to be repaid by the contractor to the surety company, the rates for bonds depend on the individual's credit history. We believe this puts many contractors on the back foot, so we are here to champion them and ensure they get the best possible rates on their bond. We want to ensure they are not taken advantage of. With new speciality bonds in place, we can help more contractors than ever do the kind of work they want to do. We can't wait to help new contractors get the bonds and insurance they need." About California Contractor Bond & Insurance Services: California Contractor Bond & Insurance Services provide fast and easy bonding services to contractors throughout California. They specialize in license bonds and general liability insurance, while offering competitive rates on bid and performance, Qualifying Individual, Roofing License, and Swimming Pool Contractor Bonds. Their experienced team of brokers collaborate with a wide range of surety underwriting markets to provide the best coverage at the best price. For more information, please visit https://www.contractorbond.org/ Contact Info: Name: Michael Benoit Email: info@contractorbond.org Organization: California Contractor Bond & Insurance Services Address: 2358 University Ave #2109, San Diego, CA 92104 Phone: 619-354-9720 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/california-contractor-bond-and-insurance-services-expand-their-product-line-to-include-speacialty-bonds/152341 Release ID: 152341 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) B2B Copywriting Direct Response Web Content White Papers Services Launched Lee Nourse, a professional copywriter with 27 years of experience in English language instruction, launched a variety of B2B copywriting services. As a member of AWAI, she strives to offer target-suited writing services such as direct response copywriting, web content creation, editing and proofreading. -- Lee Nourse, a professional copywriter with extensive background in English language teaching and a member of the American Writers and Artists, Inc (AWAI) launched extensive B2B copywriting services including web content, direct response copies, white papers, research and proofreading. More information is available at http://leenoursecopywriting.com. Online marketing has recently grown to considerable proportions, as more and more people turn to the internet in search of the best service providers. As companies strive to reach visible Google rankings, they sometimes use aggressive ranking strategies that neglect content in favor of high keyword density, backlinking and spam posting. However, quality content is among the most important marketing tools currently available. Content marketing is extremely powerful in that it attracts potential clients not by direct marketing strategies, but by providing them with quality information. In doing so, the business builds credibility and trust. While generic keyword-dense content may be written by any website owner, powerful content normally requires a degree of writing expertize usually obtainable only after extensive training. Similarly, e-mail marketing and direct response copywriting are ineffective if they are not designed with copywriting principles in mind. Lee Nourse is a professional copywriter with 27 years of experience in English language instruction. As a member of AWAI, she strives to provide comprehensive b2b copywriting services, from web content to white paper and direct response copywriting. Research is crucial to quality web content and content marketing. Lee Nourse uses both online and offline resources in her research, in an attempt to find the relevant facts that will contribute to quality content. Direct response copywriting is extremely important in that it has the potential to make readers take immediate action and contact the company as soon as they read the copy. Lee Nourse undertakes extensive preliminary studies of the target audience, in order to discover their needs and expectations. This way she ensures the copy will be as effective as possible. Other services offered include white papers, case studies, web content creation, editing and proofreading and content strategy. Holiday Specials are also available for new clients. Interested parties can find more information by visiting the above-mentioned website. For more information, please visit http://leenoursecopywriting.com Contact Info: Name: Lee Nourse Organization: Lee Nourse Copywriting Address: 102 - 2424 Maple Street, Vancouver BC, V6J 4Y1, Canada Phone: 1-778-899-4875 Release ID: 151638 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 Bulletproof Vest Market To Grow At 7.47% CAGR To 2020 ReportsnReports.com adds Global Bulletproof Vest Market 2016-2020 latest research report, this analyst forecast the global bulletproof vest market to grow at a CAGR of 7.47% during the period 2016-2020. -- The global bulletproof vest market analyst says one of latest trends in the market is growing demand for Dyneema. The particular purpose of Dyneema used in the bulletproof vest is to reduce the impact of the bullet in a significant manner. The materials currently used are made from Ultra High Molecular Weight Poly Ethylene (UHMWPE) and aramid fibers. The aramid fibers are developed by upgrading the bulletproof nylon fiber whereas UHMWPE is developed from polyesters. Kevlar is the dominating material that is used in the bulletproof vest, which belongs to the aramid fiber. Complete report on bulletproof vest market spread across 64 pages, analyzing 4 major companies and providing 46 data exhibits are now available at http://www.reportsnreports.com/reports/769760-global-bulletproof-vest-market-2016-2020.html According to the bulletproof vest market report, one of the primary drivers in the market is growth in arms and ammunition transfer. The terrorists are easily acquiring weapons in two major ways. Firstly, through the illegal trade of weapons like mortars, land mines, and rifles. These weapons are being circulated for years as a result of the Soviet Union and the US supporting their allies during the Cold War. These weapons can be easily smuggled across the borders. The second way to acquire the weapons is through the non-state organizational acquisition of weapons from soldiers defeated in battles. For instance, Boko Haram benefits from corrupt sources in the Nigerian military, who provide weapons to the terrorist group. The following companies are the key players in the global Bulletproof Vest market: VestGuard UK, Point Blank Body Armor, Canarmor, and Black Hawk. Other prominent vendors in the market are: Armor 500, Armour Wear, BulletBlocker, EnGarde, Imperial Armour, PPSS, Survival Armor, T.G. FAUST, and US Armor. Order a copy of Global Bulletproof Vest Market 2016-2020 report @ http://www.reportsnreports.com/purchase.aspx?name=769760 The global bulletproof vest market in North America was valued at over $542 million in 2015 and will grow at a CAGR of around 7% by 2020. The rise in the defense budget of the US will increase the demand for bulletproof vests in the North American market. The global bulletproof vest market in Europe was valued at almost $294 million in 2015 and will grow at a CAGR of more than 7% by 2020. The increasing requirement for defense and homeland security will boost the demand of bulletproof vest in the European market. The global bulletproof vest market in APAC was valued at about $203 million in 2015 and will grow at a CAGR of almost 8% by 2020. The rapid economic development in several APAC countries is making this the fastest growing region in the market. The global bulletproof vest market in ROW was valued at around $90 million in 2015 and will grow at a CAGR of almost 9% by 2020. The rising terrorism rate in the Middle East and cross-border tensions will boost the growth of the bulletproof vest market in this region. Global Bulletproof Vest Market 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. This report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global Bulletproof Vest market for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the sales of bulletproof vests widely used worldwide in various end-user applications. About Us: ReportsnReports.com is your single source for all market research needs. Our database includes 500,000+ market research reports from over 100+ leading global publishers & in-depth market research studies of over 5000 micro markets. With comprehensive information about the publishers and the industries for which they publish market research reports, we help you in your purchase decision by mapping your information needs with our huge collection of reports. For more information, please visit http://www.reportsnreports.com/reports/769760-global-bulletproof-vest-market-2016-2020.html Contact Info: Name: Ritesh Tiwari Email: sales@reportsandreports.com Organization: ReportsnReports Phone: + 1 888 391 5441 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/world-bulletproof-vest-market-to-grow-at-7-47-cagr-to-2020/152336 Release ID: 152336 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) Educational Building Toy Company Click-A-Brick Disappointed To Hear All-New Allegations Of Toys Spying On Children Educational building toy company Click-A-Brick is dismayed at the newest allegations of electronic, internet-connected toys spying on children and encourage parents to rethink buying toys this Christmas that could potentially be used to collect data on their children and use it unlawfully. -- The team behind educational building toy Click-A-Brick is dismayed at the latest round of allegations surfacing against electronic toys that connect to the internet that say the toys might be spying on children and breaching privacy laws. As has been reported on numerous news outlets, consumer watchdogs in both the United States and the European Union are filing complaints against various so-called smart toys because the groups believe the toys are collecting data on the children that play with them, breaching privacy and data protection laws. Groups like the European Consumer Organisation BEUC and the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) in the United States have filed complaints with French authorities and other European authorities while the US groups have filed complaints with the US Federal Trade Commission. "By purpose and design, these toys record and collect the private conversations of young children without any limitations on collection, use, or disclosure of this personal information," EPIC and other US consumer watchdog groups like the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood said in their complaint. "The toys subject young children to ongoing surveillance and are deployed in homes across the United States without any meaningful data protection standards. They pose an imminent and immediate threat to the safety and security of children in the United States." The groups urge the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the collection, use and disclosure of the data collected by these toys and to stop the collection and dissemination of data through children's toys. The European based groups allege the toys breach the EU Unfair Contract Terms Directive and the EU Data Protection Directive and possibly the Toy Safety Directive. Educational building toy company Click-A-Brick says it is disappointing to see companies that make internet connected toys not apparently doing enough to protect the privacy of the children that use them. "Stories like this are a double-edged sword," Click-A-Brick Co-Founder Jason Smith said. "On the one hand, it's good to see consumer groups being diligent about these toys and the dangers they pose, but on the other hand it's disappointing to see it happening at all. Kids being off limits for data collection like this should be a given, but unfortunately, companies seem to want to profit off the data they collect from kids. We, of course, encourage parents to consider educational toys that are not connected to the internet so they can avoid breaches of privacy altogether. As long as toys are connected to the internet, the danger is always there." For more information, please visit http://www.clickabricktoys.net/ Contact Info: Name: Rob Swystun Email: fun@clickabricktoys.net Organization: Click-A-Brick Toys Source: http://marketersmedia.com/educational-building-toy-company-click-a-brick-disappointed-to-hear-all-new-allegations-of-toys-spying-on-children/152193 Release ID: 152193 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) French Press Coffee Maker Brew Loose Tea Stainless Steel Double Wall Released Bruhen has released their new Klassik French Press Tea or Coffee Maker designed with a double filter to produce rich flavored clean brews. The pot is stainless steel for an elegant appearance with insulated double walls to keep beverages both hot and cold. -- Bruhen has released its Klassik French Press Tea or Coffee Maker. The stainless steel press has a double wall design to keep brewed contents hot and the outer walls cool to the touch. It also has a double filter to keep all coffee grounds and tea leaves out of drinks. More information about Bruhen and their Klassik French Press Tea or Coffee Maker is available on Amazon at: https://amazon.com/Large-Stainless-Steel-French-Press/dp/B00MR2FHBQ. About 83 percent of adults drink coffee in the United States, the world's largest population of coffee consumers, according to the National Coffee Association. At an average of about three cups of coffee a day per person, about 587 million cups of coffee are consumed in the United States every day. Tea is the only beverage commonly served hot or iced anytime, anywhere, for any occasion according to the Tea Association of the U.S.A., and on any given day over 158 million Americans are drinking tea. Americans consume over 80 billion servings of tea, or more than 3.6 billion gallons, per year. Buhen has designed its Klassik French Press for making tea and coffee. The 32 ounce double wall insulated press makes four mugs (1 liter) of coffee or tea per brewing. The double wall construction keeps coffee or tea hot four times longer than glass. It can stand alone as an insulated pitcher for hot or cold beverages. The stainless steel pot is naturally BPA free with a mirrored finish for an elegant appearance. The French press has double steel mesh filters that ensure users get a clean cup of coffee with flavor released from the brewing that cannot be attained with automatic coffee machines. The full immersion brewing method and ability to control water temperature allows extracting the best flavors from coffee or tea while preventing the bitterness of over-brewing. The Klassik French Press Tea or Coffee Maker provides for a simple brewing method to extract high quality flavor. Boil water, pour over grounds, wait 4-6 minutes and press. It produces a coffee brew that is hot but not unbearable and thicker than water with fine, suspended particles creating richness. The stainless steel French Press is designed to be versatile for both formal and rugged occasions, suitable for use in the kitchen and dining room and also for taking camping, boating or in RVs. It is also rugged and can be used for commercial use in hotels and restaurants. It is dishwasher safe for occasional deep cleaning. More information of Bruhen and the Klassik French Press Tea or Coffee Maker is available at the website listed above and also at: http://bruhen.com. For more information, please visit https://www.amazon.com/Large-Stainless-Steel-French-Press/dp/B00MR2FHBQ/ Contact Info: Name: Mary Haar Organization: Bruhen Address: 9035 Wadsworth Pkwy, Denver United States Release ID: 152275 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) Best Local Commercial Property Letting Estate Agents Belfast N.Ireland Launched "Commercial Estate Directory", is celebrating its official launch by Inviting commercial estate agents to claim a page one listing. The launch will take place in 2017 and will unveil a unique way for commercial letting agents to showcase their websites at the top of Google. -- In a unique change of pace, Northern Ireland business directory "Commercial Property Agents", will be celebrating its official launch by Inviting commercial estate agents to claim their page one listing. It's planned the launch will take place early in 2017 and will unveil a unique new way for Belfast based commercial letting agents to showcase their websites and services at the top of Google. In a world where most companies tend to inform only their close friends and business associates of a new product or service and fail to cause much of a stir, "Commercial Property Agents " has opted to be a little more progressive by announcing their business directory internet wide and allowing commercial letting agents across Northern Ireland to register and secure their private listing a month in advance. Creator and owner of the "Commercial Property Agents" Directory, Stuart Longridge says: "the idea was to create a new type of directory listing where companies stuck on page 2,3,4 can now display their "full working website" on page one without any editing" It should be very worthwhile as it will help commercial estate agents in Belfast and many other cities in Northern Ireland showcase their websites higher in the search results where the majority of people are looking for their help. http://www.commercialestateagent.com "Commercial Property Agents" success is due to the concept of standing out and making an impact which will help businesses get on page one without having to edit or perform expensive "search engine optimisation" procedures for their websites. When asked about the business directory for commercial letting agents, creator of the directory said: "it's going to be a big hit because this is a different type of listing as it displays the businesses actual working website rather than the standard directory listing where only basic details of the business can be accessed." The "Commercial Property Letting Estate Agents Directory" is set to 'go live' in January. To find out more about the service and to secure a number one listing in a specific city or town please visit: http://www.commercialestateagent.com For more information, please visit http://www.commercialestateagent.com Contact Info: Name: Stuart Longridge Email: invitation@paitakhtco.com Organization: Commercial Estate Professionals Address: Office 2, 70 Orby Road, Castlereagh,, Belfast,, BT5 5HP United Kingdom Release ID: 152224 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) Local Columbus Bed Bug Exterminator to Launch New Service in Athens, Ohio Sentinel Emergency Pest Services is celebrating the launch of their new Bed Bug Extermination and Removal service in the Athens, Ohio area by Giving away FREE inspections during December and January. Further information can be found at sepsoh.com. -- In a slightly different approach to launching its new Bed Bug Extermination and Removal service, Sentinel Emergency Pest Services, a Pest Control Services in Athens, Ohio has decided it will be giving away FREE inspections during December and January, and this is expected to take place Starting December 12. Where most businesses tend to just run an ad or print a flyer, Sentinel Emergency Pest Services has decided to be a little more This is a unique month long expansion and the start of its new Bed Bug Extermination and Removal service. Click here to get more information. Owner, Chris Nash at Sentinel Emergency Pest Services, says: "We wanted this to be a unique month long expansion. With the launch of our new Bed Bug Extermination and Removal service in Athens, we thought it would be the best way to show the community exactly what it takes to truly provide service to Athens and the OU area. It should be really worthwhile and we're hoping it introduces our company, services and employees to the community. Sentinel Emergency Pest Services has always made a point of standing out when compared to other Pest Control Services in the Athens, Ohio area. This launch celebration is just one of the many ways it does so.This is a great chance for Athens, Ohio residents to see how a company that cares can work in their city. We are family owned and are willing to respond when others simply can't or won't." Sentinel Emergency Pest Services has been serving the Columbus, Ohio area since January 2016. To date it has served over 200+ customers and has become recognized as one of the most popular in the area. It can be found on 6661 Huntley Rd near Near the corner of Shrock Rd and Huntley Rd. Mr. Nash also said: "While Sentinel Emergency Pest Services may not be the only business offering this kind of service, local residents are choosing Sentinel Emergency Pest Services because we provide free follow up service for up to 30 days." When asked about the new Bed Bug Extermination and Removal service,the owner stated: "We think it's going to be a hit because there is an immediate need for this service ". Further information about Sentinel Emergency Pest Services and the new Bed Bug Extermination and Removal service can be discovered at sepsoh.com. For more information, please visit http://sepsoh.com Contact Info: Name: Chris Nash Email: support@sepsoh.com Organization: Sentinel Emergency Pest Services Address: 661 Huntley Rd, Columbus, 43229 United States Phone: +16143330586 Release ID: 152300 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) "Maybe he's right, and Black creatives must have the opportunities to tell these Black stories, regardless of how painful they are," writes Preach Jacobs on the upcoming "Till" movie. Read moreFight the Power: Upcoming 'Till' movie a necessary pain At this point in the COVID-19 pandemic, Columbians are not without good options for takeout. Indeed, I for one have subsisted (more than my wallet would like) on delectable bowls from Freshe Poke, gratifying pizzas from Village Idiot and Il Focolare, baleadas from Cabanas and Chinese feasts Read moreThe dine-in experiences Free Times food writers have missed during COVID-19 Free Freightnet Membership List your company in the Freightnet directory. It's Free, it's Easy and your company can be displayed in front of potential freight buyers within 24 hours. Mumbai: Katrina Kaif was in Maldives for a magazine shoot and posted a photo on her Facebook page announcing the end of her trip.Katrina posted pictures of her from the beaches and scenic lanes of Maldives and looked sizzling hot a always.The Dhoom 2 actress did some unwinding beach fun in a green bralet and denim shorts, looking like the cute 'girl next door'. Story Highlights Satisfaction with availability of quality healthcare at 9% in mid-2016 Satisfaction with basic needs at post-2010 earthquake levels WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Political newcomer Jovenel Moise faces many challenges if and when he becomes Haiti's next president, including Haitians' unhappiness with almost every aspect of their country's infrastructure. Haitians in 2016 are the least satisfied in the world with multiple aspects of their country's infrastructure, from the availability of quality healthcare to the quality of their air and water -- and that was before the catastrophic damage from Hurricane Matthew. Haitians' Satisfaction With Basic Needs Before Hurricane Matthew May 18-22, 2016 % Satisfied Quality of air 35 Quality of water 26 Availability of good, affordable housing 17 Availability of quality healthcare 9 Gallup World Poll Moise was the top vote-getter in an October 2015 election, but the results were scrapped in mid-2016 amid widespread accusations of voter fraud. The date for the rerun election was spoiled by Hurricane Matthew. The election finally took place two weeks ago, with Moise winning a majority of the votes. Still, some of his competitors have said they will contest the latest results once the votes are verified this month. The elected president is a banana exporter with no previous political experience, and will now head a country that continues to struggle years after a devastating 2010 earthquake as well as the recent hurricane. Perhaps the most immediate challenge for Moise is Haiti's healthcare crisis. The country has long struggled with cholera outbreaks, and the U.N. recently acknowledged its role in an acute outbreak that took place in 2010 after the earthquake. Cholera became a problem again after Matthew. Many doctors struggle to care for patients without medicine, electricity or water. Before Matthew, Haitians' satisfaction with the availability of quality healthcare in the city or area where they live dropped to a new low of 9% in the first half of 2016 -- less than half of the prior year's figure. It is difficult to imagine how this figure could improve after the hurricane's damage. Low in Satisfaction With Water Quality Matches Post-Earthquake 2010 Water shortages are another long-term problem that plagues the nation, and further challenges its struggles with cholera. According to the World Bank's analysis last year, fewer than one in four Haitians have access to a working toilet, and less than half of rural residents in the country have access to running water. Prior to the hurricane, about a quarter of Haitians (26%) expressed satisfaction with their quality of water, matching the low in post-earthquake 2010. This is the lowest figure among the 140 countries Gallup surveyed in 2016. Satisfaction With Housing Matches Post-Earthquake Low From 2010 Housing was already an issue in Haiti before the latest storm hit. The 2010 earthquake left 2 million residents homeless, with many living in camps. Before Matthew, just 17% of Haitians said they were satisfied with the availability of affordable housing, matching the 2010 post-earthquake low. Additionally, over the past five years, between 40% and 48% of Haitians have said there were times during the year in which they did not have enough money for shelter or housing for themselves and their family. Bottom Line Once disputes over the election results have been settled, the incoming president will preside over a country still grappling to rebuild after the earthquake in 2010 and Hurricane Matthew this year. New leadership presents a new opportunity for the country to rebuild in a sustainable way. Moise has pledged to create a master plan for development projects, which aid groups and foreign governments would need to observe. Critics say that despite good intentions, foreign aid to post-earthquake Haiti failed in critical ways in its planning and execution. Avoiding these failures is key in order to set Haiti on a path to success. The data in this article are available in Gallup Analytics. Survey Methods Results are based on face-to-face interviews conducted May 18-22, 2016, with a random sample of 504 adults in Haiti, aged 15 and older. For results based on the total sample of national adults, the margin of sampling error is 5.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. All reported margins of sampling error include computed design effects for weighting. For more complete methodology and specific survey dates, please review Gallup's Country Data Set details. Learn more about how the Gallup World Poll works. 'Descendants 2' Release Date, Latest News and Update: Thomas Doherty Revealed Some Details about His Character as Harry Hook "Descendants 2" is the sequel to the 2015 movie "Descendants" and it is set to be released in the summer of 2017. There is no doubt, but "Descendants" fans are excited to watch the upcoming Disney Channel original movie. There are still no enough details about the new movie so fans have to cope up with tidbits of information not just about the story, but the characters as well according to M Magazine. This time, one of the characters of "Descendants 2" Thomas Doherty is spilling some secrets about his character as Harry Hook in the Winter 2016 issue Wonderland magazine. Harry Hook will be played by Thomas Doherty, a 21 year old actor who is also part of the British musical teen drama "The Lodge". Thomas Doherty talked about how evil his character is in "Descendants 2". He even exaggerated that he has the most evil character of them all. However, he needs to exert a different energy because his character is far different from what he really is that is why he needs to immerse himself according to a report in Justjaredjr. "Descendants 2" presents two islands: the Isle of the Lost and Auradon. All villains supposed to live in the Isle of the Lost and the villain kids started out evil. But, they ventured to Auradon where they adjusted and transformed themselves into something opposite of what their parents want them to be. However, it seemed like Hary Hook does not have a moral compass that is why it will be a challenge for Carlos, Evie, Jay and Mal. This part is said to be interesting as he unfolds his character as Hary Hook who always stays true despite his rotten heart. Thomas Doherty said that he is proud being a part of the Disney Channel family and said that he is grateful that he is in a position to help and influence young people by being positively active. Star Wars: Episode 9 Release Date, News & Update: LucasFilm Begins Production In April 2017 At Pinewood Studios In London! More Details Buzz is strong that LucasFilm would begin production of Star Wars: Episode 9 in April 2017. It would be filmed likely at the Pinewood Studios in London where three previous Star Wars movies were also shot. Neither Disney nor LucasFilm has confirmed a release date for Star Wars: Episode 9, although rumors said it would be on May 23, 2019. Movieweb reports. However, it did not discount the possibility that the release date would be moved to December, the scheduled release dates for three forthcoming franchises. Release Dates On Dec. 16, 2016, it would be Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and two days later, it would be Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Star Wars: Episode 8 is scheduled for release on Dec. 15, 2017 which makes the speculated May 23, 2019 release date for Star Wars: Episode 9 look like the odd man. However, since LucasFilm has set the release date of Hans Solo: A Star Wars Story which is a second spin-off for the franchise, on May 25, 2018, the studio could likely retain the May 23, 2019 schedule since May 25, 2018 marks 41 years since the first Star Wars movie came out. 65mm Film, Not 35mm According to Gamesradar, Colin Trevorrow, director of Jurassic World, would direct and write Star Wars: Episode 9. He would use 65mm film to shoot the movie, veering away from the 35mm format he used for The Force Awakens and Star Wars 7. The production of Star Wars: Episode 8, directed by Rian Johnson, finished in July. Trevorrow said that Star Wars: Episode 9 will answer all the theories of followers of the movie about Rey (Daisy Ridley) and her parents. Actor Mark Hamill said in August that he would be back as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode 9. After Star Wars: Episode 8 ended production, he immediately shaved his beard. 'How To Train Your Dragon 3' Release Date & Synopsis: Franchise Movie Deferred For 2 Years; Toothless Dragged Away From Home DreamWorks Animation pushed back for another time the release date for its movie franchise "How To Train Your Dragon," a press release said. The supposed third installment of the film adaptation of Cressida Cowell's novel series has been deferred until March 2019, after it was put off three times since "How To Train Your Dragon 2" hit the theaters in 2014. Although the third installment was held off until 2019, fans are assured the franchise will push through and even provided synopsis for what they should expect. Dean DeBlois, who will reprised its task as the film director and writer said in an interview that the original cast for voice recording will be back for the third movie, which will be about the completion of Hiccup's transition to adulthood. Toothless will reportedly dragged from home after he discovered an "untamed mate." "As Hiccup fulfills his dreams of creating a peaceful dragon utopia, Toothless' discovery of an untamed, elusive mate draws the Night Fury away," DeBlois was quoted as saying during an interview last year via Collider. "When danger mounts at home and Hiccup's reign as village chief is tested, both dragon and rider must make an impossible decisions to save their kind," the film director and screenwriter continued. The latest postponement was due to DreamWorks Animation's restructuring of its movie plan each year. Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief of the film's creator, said in 2015 that the three films every year is an ambitious undertaking. It was reported that such undertaking came after Comcast bought DreamWorks Animation valued at $3.8 million. Comcast's acquisition of DreamWorks Animation, making it a part of Universal Pictures spells bad news for animation's fans as many franchise movies have been put on hold. "The Croods 2" has also been delayed, changing its release date again to 2018. However, DreamWorks Animation is set to release its film, "The Boss Baby" in April 2017. MMA News: Dana White Calls Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Associations Bjork Rebney Biggest Scumbag in the History of Combat Sports Last week a new fighters association the Mixed Martial Arts Athlete Association (MMAAA) bannered by a number of prominent current and former fighters that included Georges St-Pierre, came out and promised to be a game changer for the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). Recently, UFC President Dana White commented on another prominent character associated with the group, former Bellator CEO Bjork Rebney, calling him the biggest scumbag in the history of combat sports. Listen, I dont know enough about it [MMAAA] to really speak on it. The only thing I need to know is the biggest scumbag in the history of combat sportsBjorkis involved in this thing, Dana White said on the UFC Unfiltered podcast. And if youre a fighter, listen, theres three unions out there now all battling against each other. And if youre a fighter, these guys are all looking to get in your pocket. Its another business where guys are looking to make money. And if youre a fighter and this is what you want to do, youve got to figure out whose hand you want in your pocket. And I guarantee you, you dont want Bjorks hand in your pocket. Former UFC champion Randy Couture, who has had his own run-ins with the UFC, echoed Dana Whites sentiment. His reputation as a promoter precedes him a little bit, and its interesting now that all [of a] sudden hes for fighter rights and all these things that obviously as the CEO of a major fight organization he didnt demonstrate that same feeling, Couture said, as reported by Bloody Elbows Amy Dash. The two were not alone in expressing distrust for Bjork Rebney, with MMA agent Malki Kawa tweeting that he wont have anything to do with a fighters association that has Rebney in it. Lol if Bjorn rebney is in, I'm out. He was the most anti-fighter promoter I ever met. Contract worse than ... https://t.co/LnfCPdjqQN malki kawa (@malkikawa) November 29, 2016 The press conference held by MMAAA last week gave rise to more questions than answers. And with the recent billion dollar sale of the UFC, this looks to be an issue that will persist in the foreseeable future. Bjork Rebney, for his part, took to Twitter to respond to Dana Whites comments. .@danawhite You pay fighters 8 cents on the $. No pension, No benefits, No safety net & your Co.s worth $4 Billion! U should be ashamed. Bjorn Rebney (@BjornRebney) December 6, 2016 Source: .@danawhite You pay fighters 8 cents on the $. No pension, No benefits, No safety net & your Co.s worth $4 Billion! U should be ashamed. Bjorn Rebney (@BjornRebney) December 6, 2016 ">Bleacher Report Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx Wedding Update: Holmes Finally Reveals the Truth in Regards to Their Rumored Union Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx has been making rounds on the headlines due to their rumored relationship. After her divorce with Tom Cruise, Holmes was linked to several celebrities, but Jamie Foxx is the one that's been consistently making the headlines at it was even mentioned that Foxx and Holmes secretly tied the knot. It was reported that Katie Holmes secretly tied the knot with Jamie Foxx just this year, where an insider added that Holmes has been very happy with her life at the moment where she finally met Foxx. The source then added that Katie Holmes vowed that she will no longer be living under the spotlight, which pleased Jamie Foxx. "Her life now, compared to back then, is like night and day-and she is soooo much happier," a source told HollywoodLife. "She has vowed never to allow her life to be lived under the media spotlight again, and Jamie is very happy with the way things are too." Rumors have been ongoing in regards to their union, but the couple continuously denies it. Up to this date, there's still no confirmation if Holmes and Foxx are still in a relationship. Holmes even confirmed that she is not yet married. Fake news and rumor website continually make it into the headlines, which often devices the public in regards to updates involving their favorite celebrity. With the hype of technology and internet, Katie Holmes opens up about living life under the limelight wherein she mentioned that rumors would often invade their privacy as they live their lives in front of the public's attention. "There's definitely an awareness of the fact that people have camera phones, and that your privacy is sometimes invaded, but that's something that I think everyone has had to adjust to," Katie Holmes mentioned during her interview with The New York Times. "Even early on, when I was a young actor and all of a sudden people knew who I was, my dad told me, 'Don't let that change how you live your life.' I've always sort of approached it that way. You have to continue to do the things you want to do and not let outside forces dictate." Samsung Galaxy S8 To Feature Harman Kardon Stereo Speakers And An Auto-Focus Selfie Camera The Samsung Galaxy S8 is still a long way from its official announcement, but sources have begun speculating about its hardware and features. After Samsung's Note 7 disaster, the company badly needs to change how the consumers perceive and feel about their smartphones. The S8 will definitely require awesome hardware and innovative features to take back its glory. The latest rumors have focused on the Samsung Galaxy S8 front camera and reported stereo speakers. According to PhoneArena, the future flagship will be carrying a front-facing selfie shooter with their newly trademarked "Smart AF" technology. The company's trademark is expected to apply to almost their entire product lineup that uses a camera. It also apparently mentions "facial recognition software for smartphones," which further confirms the recent speculation regarding the S8's selfie camera technology. Samsung has also recently acquired Harman International Industries, which gives the company access to brands like AKG, Mark Levinson, JBL, Infinity, Lexicon, Revel, Bowers & Wilkins, Bang & Olufsen and Harman Kardon. These labels are all well-known in the audio industry and should obviously give the company an edge in the Samsung Galaxy S8 sound department. The Korean tech giant has previously collaborated with Bang & Olufsen for some of its smartphones and audio products. Techradar also notes that its only logical for Samsung to take advantage of their audio acquisition. It is not yet confirmed how the Samsung Galaxy S8 speaker configuration will play out. They could take an inspiration from HTC and put front-firing speakers on the top and bottom edges of the phone. The final specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S8 have been speculated for a while now. Sources have claimed the device would have two variants like its predecessor, which had the regular and the edge version. Screen sizes are rumored to start from 5.1 inches and go up as large as 6.2 inches. The display would still use their Super AMOLED technology but could sport a 4K resolution. Its RAM is speculated between 6GB or 8GB. The Note 7's iris scanner feature would most likely make a comeback as well. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 Teaser, News & Update: 1st Movie Teaser Breaks Record With 81 Million Views In 24 Hours Marvel Studios just broke the record for the highest number of views in one day for a film by the studio. The first official teaser of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 got 81 million views within the first 24 hours it was released. However, it failed to break the record which belongs to Beauty and the Beast, James Gunn, the director of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, wrote on his Facebook page. He thanked the fans for watching the teaser which was debuted at CCXP in Brazil, and for sharing the teaser and welcoming Mantis and Baby Groot with open arms, Movieweb reports. Ego The Living Planet There were some elements in the newly released teaser not seen at the showing by Marvel of some footage at the San Diego Comic-Con during summer. It includes Kurt Russell as Ego The Living Planet. In October, James Gunn released to the public the first footage of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 which gave viewers the first look at Mantis. Who Is Mantis? According to The Hollywood Reporter, Mantis was initially drawn by Don Heck and created by writer Steve Englehart. She initially came out in 1973 as a comic book character in Avengers No. 112 as a sidekick to Swordsman, a reformed villain. The two met in Vietnam where Mantis portrayed by Pom Klementieff in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was a sex trade worker. Besides video teasers, songs from the movie are also effective ways to attract moviegoers to "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" slated for release on May 5, 2017. Fox On The Run, performed by Sweet, and the teaser song, is number 1 on iTunes. It was similar when Blue Swedes Hooked On a Feeling served as the teaser for Guardians of the Galaxy, James Gunn said. Dracula Untold Latest News & Update: Universal Excludes Dracula Untold, Dashes Hope Of Luke Evans Reprising Role! More Details Revealed Dracula just got kicked out of the Universal Pictures monster universe. Actor Luke Evans, who portrayed the count in Dracula Untold, also lost his chance to reprise the iconic character. Alex Kurtma, director of The Mummy which just released its first trailer, said at a press event for the Tom Cruise-starrer that Dracula Untold is not included in the shared monster universe that Universal is developing. He explained that to build the monster universe, great individual movies must be developed first, Movieweb reports. Talk About Interaction Of Movie Monsters Prior to Alex Kurtmas statement, reports said that Luke Evans disclosed that there has been talk about the monster universe with the parties involved figuring out the interaction of the monsters. Luke Evans pointed out that if Iron Man and Thor can share a scene with Captain America, Dracula from Dracula Untold and the Mummy could be in one movie too. But Alex Kurtma said the moviegoers must fall in love first with these monster movies and the characters initially. Once these two elements are developed, the next move is come up with an organic story reason to bring together these characters such as the count from Dracula Untold and the Mummy. Other Possible Monsters However, based on the trailer of The Mummy, Dr. Jekyll (Russel Crowe) seems to be connected to the upcoming monster universe of Universal. Although Alex Kurtmas explanation did not rule out Dracula Untold totally, chances of Luke Evans playing the count again appears dim. Other monster movies that Universal would possibly make would feature The Invisible Man (Johnny Depp) and Frankenstein (Javier Bardem), according to rumors. One possible reason why Alex Kurtma appears cold to the idea of including Dracula Untold in the Universal monster world is that the film was not a mega blockbuster when it was shown in 2014. It earned $217 million and was produced at a cost of $70 million, according to MoviepIlot. Moon Express Latest News & Update: Space Company To Organize Lunar Vacation Worth $10,000! Moon Express has announced its plan on sending tourists to the moon by selling recreational tickets by 2026. The highly ambitious plan of the space flight company will cost tourists a whopping price of $10,000. Moon Express, a private spaceflight company believes that after a decade going to the moon will be easy and will cost less. The advancement in technology makes the idea of recreational purposes on the moon possible. The space exploration company plans to sell the tickets for the moon travel soon. A billionaire and philanthropist Naveen Jain founded Moon Express in 2010. The company is competing with other 16 private companies to win the Google Lunar X Prize. The prize will be given to the first private teams who can soft land any unmanned vehicle on the moon. According to CNBC, Moon Express is the first company that the United States permitted to orbit and explore the moon for possible resources. In 2017, Moon Express secured a mission to send an unmanned vessel to rover the moon. Moon Express founder Naveen Jain believes that when its mission to the moon next year will be successful, there will also be a chance of moon travel after a few more years. He predicts that in the next few years, people will be able to buy tickets to the moon and back for approximately $10,000. According to the Telegraph, like Moon Express, other private companies also have plans on selling tickets for a space travel. Virgin Galactic is optimistic that it's optimistic for its spaceflight launch with selling ticket price of $250,000 per person. Another is SpaceX, a private company that also plans to commercialize the space travel in the near future. NASA also has ambitious with a plan on colonizing the planet Mars by 2030. Meanwhile, Moon Express founder Naveen Jain is hopeful that the moon travel can only take four hours with the use of technological advancement. Also, Jain expressed his enthusiasm in working with SpaceX's founder Elon Musk, "Elon will build the rocket and we do the rover. Essentially, he lays the cables and we do the last mile." 15 Motorola Devices Receiving Android Nougat Update This Month! OS Features & More Details Revealed! Although they now belong to China's Lenovo, the Moto family will always be the creation of Motorola devices and one of the best-known names in the mobile market. Their Moto G, now in the fourth generation, has garnered a huge audience for Motorola and lately we have already seen a lot of information about the upcoming Moto G5. However, the news today is related to the upgrade to the much-desired Android 7.0 Nougat and Motorola devices has already said which are the Moto's elected to this update.Through its official blog and Gadgets NDTV, Motorola has already announced which are Moto's entitled to upgrade to Android 7.0 Nougat that is expected to arrive in the coming months. In total, there are 15 Motorola devices that will receive their dose of Nougat and from the mid-range to the top of the range, there is no shortage of updates for the users of the brand. The updated nougat Android are given for Moto G4, Moto G4 Plus, Moto G Play, Moto X Pure Edition, Moto X Style, Moto X Play, Moto X Force, Droid Turbo 2, Droid Maxx 2, Moto Z, Moto Z Droid, Moto Z Force Droid, Moto Z Play, Moto Z Play Droid, and finally, Nexus 6. Unfortunately, some older devices such as the first Moto E and Moto G will not receive this update of Motorola devices without great surprises here. On the other hand, the equipment launched in 2015 and more recently will be entitled to all the news that Android 7.0 Nougat will bring. It can be seen that Motorola Nexus 6 is part of the list, a device that should have already received the update. After all, since Nexus got some problems, it seems this update to be constantly behind schedule. Finally, Motorola has not specified the exact date that each update will be available for each of these 15 smartphones. Yet, people should be happy to see that so many of this Motorola devices are those that have been popular in the market. Nokia Android Smartphone Release Date, News & Update: Worldwide Launch In January 2017 Confirmed? Impressive Specs, Features & Price Details Nokia has confirmed its return to the smartphone market in 2017. Nokia's Android smartphones, which will run Android, will be produced by another company, also Finnish: HMD Global, which bought the rights of the iconic brand for 10 years. The details of the handsets that will be released remain a secret, but an interview with HMD Global executives has just given us a few more clues. The interview was published by the Indian The Economic Times. Arto Nummela stressed that the CEO of Nokia brand will be present worldwide, unlike what happened with the N1 tablet, produced by Foxconn, which was restricted to few markets, such as China and Russia. The executive says the idea is to make Nokia's Android smartphones a global player early in its operations. Although it is only licensing the Nokia brand and not Nokia in its full form, is run by veterans of the Finnish mobile phone company to prodiuce Nokia's Android smartphones. CEO Arto Nummela was head of Microsoft's mobile devices division in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. While President Florian Seiche handled Microsoft Mobile's sales and marketing in Europe. However, even with all the positivity of the executives, people do not expect HMD Global to show the same pace as Nokia's innovations in the 2000s. The new owner of the brand begins at a much smaller size without all the research and development power of Nokia's Android smartphones, which came to create their own chipsets and camera modules. In addition, the competition is extremely complicated: only Apple and Samsung really manage to make a profit on smartphones, and I have doubts if Nokia will have the breath to bleed a lot of cash before gaining space. Is there still room for Nokia in 2017? Put your comment below. Leah Remini Revealing Church of Scientology Secrets Despite the Lawsuits, Jennifer Lopez Supportive of her Decision The former "King of Queens" star Leah Remini is constantly in dispute with the Church of Scientology. Her new A&E series "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath" is another step in her mission to expose the religious secrets and dangers of the church. She also claimed that Tom Cruise asked her to use her influence and get a "60 Minute" report squashed. Remini is disclosing one after another secret of the church which might result in several Lawsuits. But she is not bothered by them. The Leaders of Scientology have tried their best to stop Leah Remini 's show from the day one which prompted her to demand $1.5 million in damage. Moreover, due to her step Remini has to endure public shaming. In an interview with Hollywood reporters, Remini claimed that Kirstie Alley even called her a "bigot". The church objected to Her A&E 8-part series and tried to stop it with aggressive push back. Remini also accused the church leaders of trying to manipulate her. Leah Remini spent 30 years with the church before getting out of it. She said that her show will shed some light on the truth of Church of Scientology. She claimed that the church separates people from their families. The premiere episode of the show focused on Amy Scobee who was with the church's "Celebrity Center". After leaving the Church of Scientology Scobee reunited with her mother Bonny Elliott, noted Independent Journal Review. Leah Remini also accused the church of brainwashing her. According to her, she started to question the church and disagreed with it when it asked members to avoid talking to people whom it deemed as the enemy. Initially when Remini failed to convince CBS producer Les Moonves to feature Scientology events in "60 Minutes the church was not happy with her. However, Leah Remini has left it and does not bother about it. She now claims that she welcomes any lawsuit against her and her main objective is to bring out the truth to help others. Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez supported her decision to leave the organization. Nonetheless, the Church of Scientology is accusing that Leah Remini is doing all these only for money. Moto X 2017 Release Date, Specs, Features, News & Update: All-Metal Design Photo Leaked; Early 2017 Launch Confirmed? More Smartphone Details Revealed Lenovo has recently revealed its upcoming devices for 2017 including the all new Moto X 2017. According to reports, apart from the highly anticipated Moto X device, the company is also planning to roll out the new Moto Z, Moto M, Moto G, Moto E and Moto C. However, the one that captures the attention of consumers is the Moto X 2017, which is said to be the most reliable and value-laden smartphone. The Moto X 2017 is definitely an underrated smartphone series, but it has always delivered with such great performance despite being labeled as a budget-friendly handset. According to reports, the new iteration of Moto X 2017 will carry an all-metal design, which Motorola has been known for. There have been speculations suggesting that Lenovo will no longer release a new model of the Moto X 2017 series; however, the company announced in the middle of 2016 that the series is "alive and well." As of the moment, Lenovo, which bought Motorola in 2014, has yet to confirm the official release date of the device. However, fans and critics are saying that the smartphone might arrive in the first quarter of 2017. Apart from its attractive all-metal exterior design, which photos were recently leaked, the upcoming Moto X 2017 will also carry impressive features and specs under the hood. Although no official details have been reported as of the moment with regard to the specs, industry observers suggest that Moto X 2017 will be more advanced than its predecessor. Meanwhile, the new Lenovo Moto X is expected to sport an advanced camera feature with dual LED flash. There are also rumors that the device might have 4 GB of RAM, along with the Snapdragon 820 processor. However, fans must take these reports with a grain of salt until Lenovo decides to issue an official announcement. Stay tuned for more news and updates about the development and release date of Moto X 2017. Vikings Season 5 Air Date, Spoilers, News & Update: Ragnar, Lagertha to Die Next Season? Details Revealed by Series Creator! Plot, Predictions "Vikings" Season 5 has been surrounded by several rumors and speculations all over the Internet. Despite the lack of official details coming from the production team and the network, the upcoming fifth run of the Irish-Canadian historical drama television series has continued to become a favorite subject of numerous reports for months now. New reports have emerged suggesting that the show might come to an end following reports of Ragnar's death in "Vikings" Season 5. There have been several reports saying that Ragnar Lothbrok is going be killed by the people after an attempted suicide. However, these are just mere speculations from fans and critics, who have been waiting for the people behind the show to provide them with solid information regarding the plot of "Vikings" Season 5. With all the rumors circulating all over the Internet with regard to the death of Ragnar, a new report has surfaced saying that the show's main protagonist along with Lagertha will not die in "Vikings" Season 5. According to the report, Ragnar will continue his reign as the King of Kattegat at least for one more season. Show creator, Michael Hirst denied the rumor that Lagertha will be killed in "Vikings" Season 5, saying that her character will stay in the show. Apparently, a fan warned Hirst to let Lagertha live no matter what. "There was a fan in New York who wrote to me years ago and she said, 'I don't' care how many of the male characters you kill off, but if you do anything to Lagertha, you're in trouble.' So I'm very careful about that warning," Hirst explained. Meanwhile, fans are still waiting for History to provide the first official trailer of "Vikings" Season 5. Despite the silence from the people behind the show, fans believe that next season will be pretty exciting for the series. Stay tuned for more news and updates about "Vikings" Season 5. Samsung vs Apple Lawsuit Latest News & Update: Korean Tech Giant Wins Design Patent Infringement Case Against iPhone Maker; Details Here The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of Samsung in its patent lawsuit against Apple. The highest court in the country unanimously decided that Apple should pay damages to Samsung for design patent infringement. Samsung Wins the Case CNet revealed that according to the U.S. Supreme Court, Apple must pay Samsung damages as regards the part of the device that infringed the patents, and not on the whole product. In 2015, Samsung was ordered to pay $399 million to Apple. The present law states that an award may be ordered based on the entire profits of the infringing device. The recent ruling in favor of Samsung will most likely reduce the total amount it was previously demanded to pay its competitor. The Supreme Court stated that the article of manufacture does not need to be the end product sold, but may only be a component of that said product. The Samsung vs. Apple lawsuit will be remanded to the lower courts to determine the damages to be paid. Samsung stated that the landmark decision was a victory for the company and all who promote innovation, creativity and fair competition in the industry. They thanked those who stood by them throughout the legal battle. Apple stated that the Supreme Court now has to determine the amount that Samsung should pay for their previous copying. The company added that their issue was always about how Samsung was blatantly copying their ideas. Apple continued that they will protect all the effort they put in the iPhone and remain optimistic that the lower courts will send a powerful message that it is not proper to steal. Samsung vs Apple: Long-Term Rivals The Samsung vs. Apple court decision is most recent in the long-running patent dispute between the two electronic companies. In July 2016, Apple filed a brief against Samsung in its patent infringement lawsuit. In 2014, Apple's request to ban Samsung from selling any of its products that allegedly infringed the former's patent technology was denied. In 2014, both Samsung and Apple also agreed to drop all patent infringement suits against each other outside the U.S. More updates and details on Samsung and Apple are expected soon. Kate Middleton Latest News & Update: Duchess of Cambridge Reportedly Against Prince Harry's Romance with 'Suits' Star Meghan Markle Kate Middleton is once again in the middle of an online storm. Recent reports suggest that she is not thrilled about the budding romance between brother-in-law Prince Harry and "Suits" star Meghan Markle. According to the reports, the Duchess of Cambridge is not pleased that Prince Harry's girlfriend is well-accepted into the Royal brood. There have been reports over the past years that Queen Elizabeth is not a supporter of Prince William's marriage to Kate Middleton. Rumor has it that the reason behind this is because Princess Kate is a commoner. Meghan Markle is not just a commoner, she is a celebrity and also a divorced one. The latest in news about the Royal family is that Queen Elizabeth approves of the actress. It is said that this is the reason why Kate Middleton is against Prince Harry's romance with Markle. The Duchess of Cambridge allegedly feels unhappy about the Queen's approval of the Hollywood star, who, just like her, is not of Royal blood. Prince William has reportedly given his blessings to the new couple and this has purportedly caused marital issues between him and Kate Middleton. The rumors go as far as speculating that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge may be headed for divorce due to Meghan Markle's entry into Prince Harry's life. Kensington Palace has remained mum on the topic. Despite all the allegations surrounding Kate Middleton, Hello! reveals that the Duchess of Cambridge and her husband, along with Prince Harry, will be attending a special Christmas party. The trio will serve as guests of honor for the annual Heads Together event. The occasion will be hosted by The Mix, a youth support service. Before the big night set for December 19, Prince William and Prince Harry will be sharing their experience and knowledge about various issues that youth of today are faced with. Kate Middleton, on the other hand, will be featured in a live online chat that will focus on counseling sessions with youth from around the country. It appears that amid all the rumors about Kate Middleton allegedly disapproving of Prince Harry's new girlfriend, the Duchess is still in good terms with her brother-in-law. Since the rumors have not been addressed by the Royals yet, it may be best to take the reports with a grain of salt for now. Feb. 13, 1941 Dec. 1, 2016 William Bill Kenneth Freeman, 75, of Philomath passed away at the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, from complications due to cancer. Bill was born in Boring on Feb. 13, 1941, to Kenneth Eugene Freeman and Ruth Elsie Frieda (Ide) Freeman. He was the youngest of five children. He was a 1959 graduate of Corvallis High School and also attended Concordia Bible College in Portland. Later he received a degree at Linn Benton Community College. He met the love of his life, Dawn Marie Summers, in 1956, and, after serving his country in the United States Army from 1960 to 1962, they were married on Oct. 27, 1962. He as affectionately dubbed Billy by Dawn. They resided in the Albany and Corvallis area. They were married 40 years before Dawn passed away in 2003. Bill was employed by Mutual Produce, and then managed a Texaco Station for several years before becoming an Energy Consultant with Consumers Power Inc. After retiring, he sold real estate through Landmark Realty. In his younger years he loved fishing with his brothers, Keith and Gene, and later on one of his favorite activities was going antiquing with wife, Dawn, and their life-long friends, Ron and Debbie Shipman. He would tell you his greatest achievement was his family. He loved them dearly and would do anything for them from killing spiders, to changing flat tires, to loaning money he didnt really have, to supporting them in any endeavor they showed an interested in. Bill will forever be remembered as a loving, kind, warm and generous man with a brilliant smile and a big heart. He was welcoming to everyone he met and made an indelible impression on all who were privileged to know him. Bill is survived by daughter Laurie Davison (Randy) of Corvallis; daughter Lisa Speers (Jamie) of Salem; son Ryan Freeman (Ashley) of Florida; son Rick Freeman (Johnnie) of Philomath; daughter-in-law Carlea Freeman of Lebanon; grandchildren Justin (April), Trevor (Michelle), Tyler (Ericca), Kyle (Kayla), Megan, Chad, Dylan, Carly, Avery, Cassidy, Macy and Chloe; sister Darlene Fotopoulous of Albany; brother Keith Freeman (Sharon) of Redmond; sister-in-law Fawn Drewel (Ken) of Prosser, Washington; sister-in-law Kathy Albrich (Steve) of Lebanon; brother-in-law Fred Fuller of Cottage Grove; as well as a multitude of nieces, nephews and friends he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Eugene Freeman; sister Bernice Fuller; and his beloved wife, Dawn. A celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at Life Community Church, 4900 N.W. Highway 99W, Corvallis, with a small reception to follow in the church fellowship hall. Please share your thoughts and memories for the family www.demossdurdan.com. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org. Benton County has joined the growing chorus of voices vowing to protect residents who are in the country illegally as well as other groups who may have something to fear from the incoming Trump administration. By a 3-0 vote on Tuesday, the Board of Commissioners declared Benton County a sanctuary county. The declaration reads, in part: The recent political climate has galvanized support of anti-immigrant, Islamophobia, anti-LGBTQ, anti-people of color, anti-women policies resulting in many individuals afraid for their safety and the loss of civil liberties. We must act now and always to uphold our commitment to be a community free of prejudice, bigotry, and hate. The document goes on to say, Benton County will not participate in or facilitate any federal efforts to register individuals based on their religious affiliation or other status. The Sheriffs Office will respect the rights of and provide equal access to all individuals, regardless of religion, race, and ethnicity or immigration status. Benton Countys declaration comes on the heels of similar statements issued by Oregon State University and the Corvallis School District. The Corvallis City Council will consider a sanctuary declaration on Dec. 12, and Corvallis Police Chief Jon Sassaman recently reaffirmed that his officers will not arrest anyone for immigration violations. Nationally, several large cities and a number of counties have previously declared themselves sanctuaries for people in the country illegally, and some have reaffirmed that stance in the wake of campaign promises by President-elect Donald Trump to conduct large-scale deportations once he takes office. Trump has softened that stance somewhat since winning the election, but many people remain concerned about the possibility of mass deportations. No one testified against the sanctuary declaration at Tuesdays Board of Commissioners meeting, but six people urged the commissioners to go further by adopting language put forward by the King Legacy Advisory Board, a panel that advises Corvallis officials regarding issues of race and diversity. Among other things, that proposal says that the County Sheriffs Office will not inquire about an individuals immigration status or engage in activities designated to ascertain the immigration status of any person. Jasper Smith, a county employee who serves on the King Legacy Advisory Board, said 29 Oregon county sheriffs have publicly pledged not to enforce immigration laws, but Bentons has not. Many people in our community feel threatened and bullied by recent events, and we owe it to them to let them know we will stand by them, he said. Dennis Aloia, the countys chief operating officer, pointed out that the sheriff is an elected official rather than a county employee and thus cant be ordered by the commissioners to take a particular stance. You can understand the quandary we had in preparing this, said Commissioner Annabelle Jaramillo, who drafted the sanctuary declaration. In the end, the commissioners voted to adopt the declaration as drafted by Jaramillo, with the proviso that the language could be changed later. After the meeting, Jaramillo acknowledged that the declaration was primarily a symbolic gesture but added it was important to express support for immigrants, Muslims and other groups targeted by the heated rhetoric of the presidential campaign. I dont know that it gives them a lot of protection, she said. What I hope it does is reassure them. Trump and some congressional Republicans have threatened to withhold federal funds from local governments that resist immigration enforcement efforts, but Jaramillo said that wouldnt force Benton County to withdraw its promise of sanctuary. If push comes to shove, I suppose we could turn down the money, she said. I think we would still say that people should feel safe here and that we want to protect their human rights. Benton County Sheriff Scott Jackson was in Bend for a conference on Tuesday and did not attend the meeting. Reached by phone, however, he said his agency would continue to abide by Oregons sanctuary law, which prohibits the use of state resources to enforce federal immigration laws. I understand people are fearful, Jackson said, but what the Sheriffs Office has done in the past is how we will continue to operate. Its been 75 years, but for David Russell, the memories of the more than 400 fellow sailors many of them close friends who died on Dec. 7, 1941, at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, are vivid. Their images are most haunting in the dark of night, when Russells Albany home is silent. Thats when he thinks about the roar of Japanese planes flying low overhead in their early Sunday morning sneak attack on the naval base. There were bombs exploding, machine guns strafing the base and torpedoes sinking ships, including the USS Oklahoma, his home for 18 months. And of course, there is the stench of war that never fades away. Thousands of sailors died and hundreds swung between life and death in the burning oil-filled waters of the previously tranquil, clear-blue bay. The sturdy bearded young man who grew up in the small town of Auburn, Nebraska, was reading a book while waiting to begin his early morning repair shift on the Oklahoma. The attack on what had been a sleepy Sunday morning would leave his ship overturned in the bay, the 21-year-old Russell scrambling by rope to the nearby USS Maryland, frantically trying to stay out of the raging oil- and gas-fueled fires. The Japanese allied with Nazi Germany thought the attack would scare the United States away from entering a war that had been growing in Europe and islands throughout the Pacific Ocean since 1939. Instead, those 110 minutes of terror galvanized a country that had been divided over whether it should get involved the memories of World War I still vibrant and plunged the United States into World War II. There were 1,354 men on the Oklahoma and more than 429 perished that morning, many of whom Russell considered friends. Today, just 29 of his shipmates remain. Of nearly 45,000 persons stationed at Pearl Harbor that day, fewer than 2,000 are believed to still be alive. Russell said he joined the Navy in 1939 to escape the Great Depression that haunted the entire country, but especially crippled the farm and ranches of the Midwest. There werent any jobs, Russell said. Nobody had anything. I was the oldest in the family along with two brothers and a sister. After training at the Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois, Russell was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, a slow, outdated battleship docked in San Pedro, California. We were set up to hoist boats and sea planes out of the water, Russell said. The Oklahoma sailed from California for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in 1940, and Russell said duty was lucrative for more than a year. I was a seaman first class, Russell said. We started off earning $30 per month and then went up to $36 and eventually $54. Having known tough times during the Depression, Russell greatly appreciated three hot meals daily and a clean bunk. There was also plenty of time to explore Oahu when off shift. We had a recreation area on the island where we could get food and beer and play sports. We wrestled and had a punching bag and barbells. Russell also enjoyed watching movies every night aboard ship, Until the war started, he said. But Russells life changed dramatically a little before 8 a.m. on Dec. 7. While an envoy of Japanese officials were in Washington, D.C., as a smokescreen, their military forces staged a multiphase aerial attack on Pearl Harbor. Waves of planes strafed and bombed both the naval and army bases, severely damaging ships docked in the harbor, killing 2,335 servicemen and wounding another 1,143. Of the eight ships severely damaged that day, only two, the Oklahoma which was deemed too old to repair and the USS Arizona, never returned to duty. The Arizona remains in the bay and is the site of the Pearl Harbor Memorial. Russell and other sailors had been repairing blisters on the side of the ship for some days. "Blisters" are metal reinforcing shields designed to protect key areas of the ship. They get rust on them and we had been removing that and oiling the metal, Russell explained. Russell had spent Saturday in downtown Honolulu visiting with his uncle, George Russell, who was stationed at nearby Hickam Air Base. He predicted we would be in the war within two days, Russell said. There was so much speculation and information in newspapers about that possibility. We knew something was up because we had painted the ship black, even our bright work, and we were very proud of that bright work. When the attack began, Russell headed below deck to a duty station, but quickly realized his services might be needed top deck to help load guns. By the time Russell made it topside, the Oklahoma was already listing sideways, eventually completely overturning. Russell saw his fellow sailors in the burning water and knew his only hope was to make it to the nearby USS Maryland. I jumped and caught my right foot on a piece of metal that was overlapping, he said. But I made it to the Maryland by catching a rope. As he had planned to do on the Oklahoma, Russell helped load the Marylands anti-aircraft guns. I didnt see the Arizona blow up, but I did see the destroyer Shaw blow, he said. Guns were going off everywhere and it was very loud. Russell said he could see the Japanese attack planes flying very low over the ships. Every time you go into battle you are scared, but you adjust to it and do your job because you are so well-trained, Russell said. We drilled constantly. Russell said he kept thinking, Why are they attacking us? Although he wasnt injured physically, Russell said his pride took a beating. Russell and many others lost everything in the attack and had only the clothes on their backs for several days. Dec. 23 he was assigned to the destroyer USS Mahan as a gunners mate. The ship and Russell would go on to see numerous intense battles. Thats the job of a destroyer, Russell said. We went looking for trouble every day. He said the ship fired its guns so many times they had to replace its barrels. The 5-year-old Mahan provided support for Marines landing at Guadalcanal and engaged in numerous battles until Dec. 7, 1944, when it was severely damaged by a kamikaze attack in the Philippine Islands. On fire and exploding, the ship was sunk by a U.S. Navy destroyer. Again, Russell escaped unharmed. He was in the United States when the war ended, but instead of seeking a discharge like millions of other soldiers and sailors, Russell decided to stay in the Navy. He served more than 20 years, rising to the rank of gunnery mate first class and traveling around the world. We were in Shanghai when the communists took over, Russell said. We dropped anchor and raised the battle flag. Its really something to see. It gives you goose bumps. His ship made numerous trips from the U.S. to South Korea hauling military armaments. After the war, Russells tours included stints in France and he was on ship during the crowning of Queen Elizabeth in June 1953. He has a diagram of where ships were docked in England on that day hanging in a bedroom of his home. Russell retired in 1960 after a rewarding naval career. I really enjoyed it. Once you get used to regulations, its very good, he said. In civilian life, Russell worked in the transportation field until 1980. I think about that day all the time, especially at night, Russell said of Dec. 7. I thank God were fine, but I worry about how much longer we can stay free. The sneak attack woke us up, Russell said. I am proud of what we did, Russell said of his generation. We did wonders. Russell served in Japan after the war, and although he was shocked by the devastation caused by the explosion of two nuclear bombs, he believes it was the right thing to do to end the war. I definitely approve, Russell said. We didnt lose any more lives after that. 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. Bad Godesberg to Bonn : Exhibitionist exposes himself on train Bonn A young woman was followed from the platform onto the train at the Bad Godesberg train station. When she went to inform police in Bonn, she says I was told that there had just been two arrests and nobody had time." Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken On Monday, a young woman was followed from the Bad Godesberg platform onto the train by a man who then exposed himself. She went directly to the police bureau at the central train station. On Monday evening, an exhibitionist bared himself to a 19-year-old woman. The young woman told General Anzeiger that she was at the Bad Godesberg station to take the 7:01 pm train to Bonn. Already on the platform, she had the feeling she was being observed. She got in the train, sat down - and the man stood in her view, opening up his coat. Shortly after 7 pm when the train arrived at Bonn Hauptbahnhof (central station), the 19-year-old went directly to the police station (called Gabi) to report the crime. Police said it would have been better if she called instead of coming to the police station I was told that there had just been two arrests and nobody had time, she reported. Further, she said they told her, they didnt want to send me away but it would be better if I would come back the next day. Then they informed her that it would have been better if she had called right away instead of coming to the police station - then they could have sent someone there. But I was sitting in the train and I thought I would be in Bonn in a few minutes anyway, said the young woman. In response to General Anzeiger, the police said that the young woman had come to them and they offered that she could take a place and wait in line because all of the police were involved in discussions at that time. Alternatively, they said she could come back the next day. An earthquake much more powerful and damaging than last years 7.8 magnitude quake could rock Katmandu and the Himalayan Frontal Fault, an international team of seismic experts has concluded. The unsettling news comes after field research and analysis in the year following the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, which killed 9,000 people and destroyed 600,000 structures throughout the region. Geophysics professor and director of the Center for Neotectonic Studies, Steve Wesnousky of the University of Nevada, Reno, has been studying the Himalayan Frontal Fault for 20 years. He was one of the first scientists into the region to assess the geophysical impacts following last years quake. His latest research was published in the Elsevier science journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters. We conducted a number of paleoearthquake studies in the vicinity of Katmandu in the past year, digging trenches and studying soils and faultlines looking back over the past 2,000 years, Wesnousky said. Coupled with the historical record, its apparent the faults are capable of earthquakes far greater than the Gorkha earthquake. Last years earthquake and aftershocks could be viewed as a warning of a more powerful earthquake that could rock the region with even more devastating effects. The teams observations shows the Tribeni site is probably approaching or is in the later stages of strain accumulation before a large earthquake, which could produce 15- to 30-foot high fractures in the earth. The sum of our observations suggest that this section of the Himalayan Frontal Thrust fault, extending about 200 kilometers from Tribeni to Bagmati, may rupture simultaneously, and the next great earthquake near Kathmandu may rupture an area significantly greater than in the Gorkha earthquake, Wesnousky said. It is prudent to consider that the fault near Kathmandu is in the later stages of a strain accumulation cycle prior to a great thrust earthquake, much greater than occurred in 2015. In these regards, the 2015 Gorkha earthquake did not diminish the current level of seismic hazard in Kathmandu. Funded by the National Science Foundation, the team visited the Katmandu region several times for hands-on study of the faultlines. They dug two deep trenches near the mouths of major rivers at Tribeni and Bagmati. They examined structural, stratigraphic (layers of rocks and soils) and radiocarbon relationships in trenches across the fault where it has produced steep banks in soil deposited by the rivers. In these trenches is evidence that earthquake displacement along this part of the Himalayan Frontal Thrust has produced surface ruptures resulting in a scarp, a steep bank, of at least five meters or 15 feet vertical separation sometime between the years 1221 and 1262 in Tribeni, located about 200 kilometers south of Kathmandu. At the Bagmati site, the vertical separation across the scarp registers about 10 meters, or 30 feet and possibly greater, and was formed between 1031 and 1321 AD. The scenario we developed hypothesizes that the next great earthquake may begin to the west near Tribeni and propagate into the section of fault beneath Kathmandu that did not rupture during the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, Wesnousky said. The length of such a rupture would be about 200 kilometers or greater and capable of producing a magnitude 8 or greater earthquake. This scenario is not unique. Wesnouskys research team includes Deepak Chamlagain, a professor at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, Yashurhiro Kumahara a professor at Hiroshima University in Japan, Ian Pierce of the Center for Neotectonics Studies and the Nevada Seismological Laboratory at the University of Nevada, Reno, Alina Karki of Tribhuvan University and Dipendra Gautam of the Centre for Disaster and Climate Change Studies in Kathmandu. Wesnousky, a member of the Nevada Seismological Laboratory in the College of Science, has six peer-reviewed scientific papers about the Himalayan fault and more than 100 papers about earthquakes published during his career. His work centers on the foothills south of Kathmandu, just over the border in India and he has expanded his study area following the historic quake, the first large quake in that area since 1930. Following the April 2015 quake he and two of his doctoral students, Ian Pierce and Steve Angster, spent six days in the area south of Kathmandu looking for ground ruptures, following leads from villagers and residents as well as visiting various other sites studied in the past. During their studies, the graduate students sent photos and updates about their work in the Himalayas, which are posted on the Universitys website at http://www.unr.edu/science/himalayan-quake-research Their observations are working to further define the seismic hazard of the region as well as the mechanics of fault rupture along major continental thrust faults. A Fulbright Scholar, Wesnousky has studied earthquakes, faultlines and seismic activity throughout Nevada and parts of South America, California, Pakistan, New Zealand, Mexico, Japan, the Solomon Islands, China and India. Steve embodies the quintessential University professor and scientist, conducting a full body of relevant research, successful teaching and community outreach, Jeff Thompson, dean of the College of Science, said. He has done a wonderful job with the neotectonics center, informing the body of knowledge on the worlds most hazardous earthquake fault zones. Note: The above post is reprinted from materials provided by University of Nevada, Reno. An opportunity for foodies and beer lovers to get lost in a world of food and drink from a hand-selected range of food trucks and breweries from around New Zealand. 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. Hello Police WhatsApp Group Lets You Alert the Cops Just By Sending a Message Features oi -Sneha Police introduces "Hello Police" which allow the citizens of India can alert the police on any anti-social activities just by sending a WhatsApp message. Illegal activities happen all around, but how many cases gets registered with the police? The answer is, hardly a few. Well, what about if you can convey the details about all the anti-social activities to the local police with just a WhatsApp message? "Hello Police" is an initiative by the Indian police officials which will enable the citizens to report on any inevitable happenings around their locality just by sending a WhatsApp message, including photos, audio, videos or a simple text instantly to 86086 00100. SEE ALSO: India's First 4G VoLTE Aadhaar-Enabled Smartphone with Iris Scanner to Launch in 2017 With this initiative, the police officials have planned to make it easy for the citizens to alert the police on any illegal and anti-social activity happening in and around them or any information that the have received from their friends. As per the reports, this is an exercise to bring the public closer to the police and reduce the gap between the two. To execute the plan, an exclusive control room has been set up at the police headquarters to receive all the calls and WhatsApp messages for an easy execution of the process. SEE ALSO: RComm Introduces Cheapest Internet Plan, Offers 1GB Data At Just Rs. 9: Here's How to Activate it Just in case of the report any mishap the reporter's details will be highly confidential and no information will be revealed under any circumstances. Soon after Hello police receives a complaint, the control room will alert the concerned police station and the police person, and the officials will reach the spot in not more than 30 minutes. The "Hello Police" team is said to work for 24 hours and is ready to support the citizens anytime. Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals Best Mobiles in India Multiple Experiments before the Final Discovery It was Dutch Scientist, Isaac Beeckman who first conducted experiments in 1629, which involved gunpowder explosions to find the speed of light. The experiment was unconvincing and a decade later in 1638, Galileo Galilei played with lanterns to come to a conclusion, which also didn't give any definitive results. SEE ALSO: 5 Unexplainable Mysteries Which Even Technology Can't Solve Ole Roemer Finally Did it in 1676 Ole Roemer took the matter in his hands in 1676 and found that the discovery of speed of light involves study of outer space. He timed the intervals between eclipses of Jupiter's moons at different points on the planet's orbit of the sun and discovered that the gap between eclipses of Jupiter's moon I0' rose by up to seven minutes when the earth was moving away from Jupiter, and came down when the planet approached Earth. The measurements helped Roemer find a reasonably accurate estimate of the speed of light. Roemer used a bunch of calculations involving the diameter of the Earth's and Jupiter's orbits to conclude that it took around 22 minutes for light to cross the diameter of Earth's orbit around the Sun. Christiaan Huygens later converted Roemer's findings to more commonplace numbers, showing that light traveled at about 220,000 kilometers per second. Albert Einstein's theory of relativity is built on the premise that the speed of light in a vacuum is always the same. SEE ALSO: Gionee M2017 Will Break All Records with its Massive 7,000 mAh Battery Image: Findgrave.com Did you know? It takes about 1.3 seconds for light or radio waves to reach us from the Moon. And 14 hours to reach the Voyager 1 spacecraft, the only man-made machine to reach the farthest distance from earth. And guess what, its journey is still not ended. Speed of Light is fast but not the fastest in Universe Einstein's special theory of relativity states that nothing with mass can go faster than the speed of light. But there are some human minds that believe light is not the fastest thing in our universe. The speed of light i.e. 671 million miles per hour and 299,792,458 metres per second surely sounds blazing fast, but it's still not the fastest thing in universe. Cool Science facts states that light takes four and half years to travel to the nearest star (other than the Sun), 100,000 years to travel across the width of the galaxy, and 100 billion years to travel across the observable Universe. So what can Surpass the Speed of Light? As per techtimes, a team at NASA may have unintentionally accelerated particles to faster-than-light speeds while using the EmDrive resonance chamber. If their findings turn out to be accurate, the team may have just discovered faster-than-light travel. EmDrive resonance chamber is a proposed method of interstellar propulsion. If it ends up working as planned, there's a good chance that it could lead to a new breed of engine. Besides, some cosmic phenomenons are touted to have speeds faster than light such as empty space (the Big Bang), Quantum entanglement and Wormholes. 5 Features to Expect From BlackBerry Mercury, the Companys Last Phone Features oi -Prajith BlackBerrys phone legacy to end with Mercury. Unless you've been living under a rock, you'd be aware of the fact that BlackBerry, the Canadian tech giant had long stopped making smartphones. But a rumour had been circulating online since June claiming that one last BlackBerry branded smartphone is incoming. Rumoured to be called the BlackBerry Mercury (BBB100-1), the smartphone had been spotted on GeekBench listing as well. Putting an end to all the rumours about this mysterious device, John Chen, the company's CEO had confirmed the existence of a QWERTY phone. Also Read: BlackBerry DTEK 50 and DTEK 60 Launched in India, Should You Buy Them? Moreover, a couple of days ago, a few photos of the much-rumoured device purported online revealing a QWERTY keyboard with the device running on Android. Here's everything we know about the upcoming device so far. Classic BlackBerry QWERTY Keyboard and 4.5-inch display BlackBerry smartphones have always come with crazy screen aspects and looks like the Mercury won't be an exception. From the leaked images, it's clear that the smartphone will have a 4.5-inch display with a QWERTY keyboard below it (3:2 ratio). Octa-core 2.02GHz processor In terms of hardware, the smartphone is expected to come with an octa-core 2.02GHz unidentified chipset (Qualcomm likely) along with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage space. Android 7.0 Nougat out-of-the-box As per the rumours, the smartphone should run Android 7.0 Nougat out-of-the-box. But, it remains to be seen if it actually does when it's launched. Camera and Other features As per the leaked images, the smartphone has a front facing camera and a proximity sensor flanked on either side of the earpiece. As far the pixel count is concerned, the smartphone will have an 18MP primary camera and an 8MP selfie shooter. A 3,400mAh battery is speculated to provide the juice for the device. As of now, there's no information on the pricing or the availability of the device. But, we will keep you posted as soon as something pops up on the internet. Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals Source 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 Design: LG V20 is the Clear Winner The LG V20 is crafted well, and with its aluminium body, it looks much premium. The design hasn't got a big turnaround from the LG V10, but LG has made some subtle changes to make it look much better. We have just one word to describe the Google Pixel's design- It is the Google's version of Apple iPhone 7'. That's it. There is a big awkward chin on the front, which looks way weird than we have anticipated. The rear looks somewhat different from competition with glass and metal combined, but the design department goes to LG V20. Display: Again, the LG V20 has Advantage with Secondary Display Both are bigger; But, the LG V20 is slightly larger than the Pixel XL at 5.7-inch display. So, what's interesting here is the LG V20 does come with a secondary display with a low resolution of 1040*160 pixels, and the primary display is a IPS Quantum QHD display with a resolution of 2560*1440 pixels. The Google Pixel XL comes with a 5.5-inch display, which is bright and crisp and it has the same QHD resolution with a resolution of 2560*1440 pixels. Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals Camera- No Words, Only Google Pixel XL! The camera on the Google Pixel XL is rated as the best smartphone camera by DxOMark, and it proved the rating as the correct choice in real life usage. Having said that, it uses a smaller 12.3MP sensor than the LG V20's 16MP sensor, but it outsmarts the competition. Added to the advantage is the auto HDR+ mode which is enabled by default in the smartphone and has zero shutter lag, thanks to Google's intelligent image processing technology. The LG V20 also has a competitive camera hardware, and it comes with the dual camera as well: a 16MP sensor primary sensor, which is better than Google Pixel' sensor and a secondary 8MP wide-angle camera. This is the same setup seen on the LG G5 configuration. The Google Pixel XL camera is just brilliant in every condition. Software: Google Assistant Rescued Pixel! The Google Pixel XL is the first smartphone to run Android 7.1 Nougat and the search giant has added some exclusive features (for the first time). One of them is the Google Assistant. We have previously seen the Google Assistant in the Google Allo messaging app, but the same has been integrated into the entire smartphone. Typically saying, the Google Assistant is the updated version of Google Now on Tap, seen on Marshmallow and the primary difference is it is exclusive to only Pixel phones. It is worth noticing that the LG V20 is the first smartphone to run Android 7.0 Nougat out-of-the-box, apart from Pixel phones and LG has added some exciting features as well. It is a heavily skinned UI but gets the job done with its insanely powerful hardware. So, the software department goes to Google's phone. Hardware: Pixel XL is 10 percent faster than LG V20 The Google Pixel XL comes with the quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chipset, coupled with 4GB of RAM. The LG V20 comes with a Snapdragon 820 chipset along with the same amount of RAM- 4GB. According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 821 is 10 percent faster than the Snapdragon 820 and paired with stock Android; the performance is fluid in Pixel XL. The only advantage LG V20 has is the support for microSD card support. Yes, the LG V20 comes in two different storage variants, and the storage can be expandable up to 2TB via a microSD card slot, which is absent in the Pixel XL. Another aspect where the LG V20 excels is the multimedia department. Yes, the V20 is rated as the best multimedia phone till date, due to the three audio DAC's present in the phone. Verdict: Google Pixel XL wins the Phablet Race! Both the Google Pixel XL and LG V20 are arguably the best smartphones ever produced. However, going against each other, the Pixel XL wins the race even with an annoying design. Another aspect is the pricing. The Google Pixel Xl starts at Rs. 67,000 in India for the base 32GB model and the LG V20 is priced at Rs. 54,999 in the country. Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals ZUK Z2 and ZUK Z2 Pro May Get Android 7.0 Nougat (ZUI 2.5) Update by the End of Jan 2017 News oi -Prajith ZUK Z2 Pro gets a huge price cut; ZUI 2.5 based on Android 7.0 Nougat announced. Lenovo's child brand, ZUK, at an even in China announced ZUI 2.5 update based on Android 7.0 Nougat. The company said that the update will be rolled out to both the Z2 and Z2 Pro smartphones by the Chinese New Year (or the Spring Festival) which is around the end of January in 2017. The update will reportedly bring along features such as customisable lock screen and information cards for text messages among other standard Nougat features. The company had also stated that the more affordable ZUK Z1 will also be getting a closed beta by the end of January 2017. Also Read: Beware Xiaomi Mi Band 2 and Fitbit! Meizu Band, the Company's First Fitness Tracker Is Here However, the company did not mention when a stable version of the same will be made available. That said, the company touted that the ZUK Z1 will be the first Snapdragon 801 SoC equipped smartphone to receive the Nougat update. As of now, the above-mentioned updates are China-specific. The update should be rolled out globally including India (for the Lenovo Z2 Plus) sometime in 2017. However, currently, there's no information on a particular time frame. At the same event in China, the company had also announced a huge price cut around CNY 600 (which is roughly around Rs. 6,000) for the high-end ZUK Z2 Pro model which was launched earlier this year. 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 Effect: Vodafone Introduces Low Cost Data Pack Starting from Rs. 24/Month News oi -Abhinaya Prabhu This Vodafone data pack for 1 month costs just Rs. 24. Vodafone, one of the largest telecom service provider in India, is constantly introducing some or the other special packs to compete with Reliance Jio that has created a great buzz in the country's telecom sector. The latest one from Vodafone is the low-cost data pack for as low as Rs. 24 with a validity of 30 days. The price of this pack varies from one circle to another. It is termed Bada Data Chota Price offer by the service provider. Also Read: RComm Introduces Cheapest Internet Plan As of now, Vodafone has not revealed the amount of data it will be offering along with this low-cost monthly data pack priced at Rs. 24. Also, there is no word on which network this Bada Data Chota Price offer is applicable, whether its 2G, 3G or 4G networks of Vodafone in the country. This announcement has been made right in time with the announcement of the Happy New Year Offer by Reliance Jio that is the extension of the Welcome Offer offering free data, calls, messages and app access until March 31, 2017. Click here for more 4G smartphone models It is clear that Vodafone India is coming up with a slew of new and interesting offers in order to lure its customers and retain them to its network. Moreover, its not only Vodafone but also the other service providers have come up with several such offers to retain their customers from porting their numbers to the Reliance Jio network. Also Read: BSNL Rs. 149 Plan to Offer Unlimited Voice Calls, 300MB Data Though the amount of data that will be bundled with this low-cost data pack is not confirmed by the service provider, we can't expect to get a lot of data as it is a low-cost pack priced at just Rs. 24. Source 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 Saudi Court Sentences 15 To Death For Spying For Iran RFE/RL December 06, 2016 A Saudi court has sentenced 15 people to death for spying for the kingdom's archrival Iran, in a move that is likely to heighten regional tensions. The court in the capital, Riyadh, also sentenced 15 other defendants to prison terms ranging from six months to 25 years. Two defendants were acquitted at the December 6 session. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi denied that any Iranian spying had occurred in Saudi Arabia. "Such accusations are baseless and serve political motives," he was quoted as saying by the semiofficial Tasnim news agency. The charges against the group included establishing a spy ring in collaboration with Iranian intelligence, providing Iran with confidential information on the Saudi military, attempting to recruit moles in the government, and supporting "riots" in Shi'ite-majority areas in the kingdom. Amnesty International, in a statement, described the sentences "a travesty of justice and a serious violation of human rights." "Sentencing 15 people to death after a farcical trial which flouted basic fair trial standards is a slap in the face for justice," said Amnesty's Samah Hadid. The 32 defendants included 30 Saudis from the predominately Shi'ite region of Qatif, one Iranian, and one Afghan national. Ghasemi said Riyadh had not passed on "any information to the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the alleged Iranian person" in the trial. Saudi Arabia has blamed sporadic unrest among Shi'ites in Qatif, who claim to face persistent discrimination, on Tehran. Iran has denied any involvement. Saudi media reported that many of the 32 were former employees of the Saudi defense and interior ministries. They were detained in 2013 and went on trial in February. Among those arrested that year were an elderly university professor, a pediatrician, a banker, and two clerics. The verdicts can be appealed. The Sunni-ruled kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite-led Iran are major rivals in the Middle East. In January, Riyadh cut ties with Tehran after Iranian demonstrators torched Saudi diplomatic missions following Saudi Arabia's execution of a prominent Shi'ite cleric. With reporting by dpa, Reuters, and AP Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/saudi-15-death- sentences-spying/28158981.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 Pearl Harbor Pearl Harbor is more than a mere port or naval station. It is a workplace, a naval base, a home and a graveyard. To many Americans, Pearl Harbor is the ultimate symbol of treachery and our nation's official entry into World War II. The harbor's history is much longer and richer, however, stretching back several hundred years. Although recognized as a strategic port and surveyed by European explorers almost 200 years ago, it eventually took over a century to convert a native fishery on the island of Oahu into one of the most strategic naval ports in the world. The Naval Station, across Quarry Loch, was authorized in 1908. Dredging of the Pearl Harbor channel entrance began in 1910 and, on December 14, 1911, USS California (CA-6) became the first warship to pass through the new channel into Pearl Harbor. Today, the Naval complex at Pearl Harbor serves as a major homeport and "pit stop of the Pacific" for the submarines and surface ships of the US and Allied Pacific fleets. Naval Station Pearl Harbor had its beginning in 1912 as a receiving station located at Hospital Point. In 1940 the receiving station moved to the present Naval Station headquarters building. On 07 May 1940, the U.S. fleet moved its headquarters from San Pedro, California, to Pearl Harbor. The move was undertaken with great reluctance by Admiral James O. Richardson, Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet. Richardson and most Navy officials who opposed the move thought a fleet anchored in Pearl Harbor would be unnecessarily exposed to Japanese naval strength. President Roosevelt, however, considered the move as a necessary countermeasure to growing Japanese bellicosity. The 7 December 1941 Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor was one of the great defining moments in history. A single carefully-planned and well-executed stroke removed the United States Navy's battleship force as a possible threat to the Japanese Empire's southward expansion. America, unprepared and now considerably weakened, was abruptly brought into the Second World War as a full combatant. The battle-scarred and submerged remains of the battleship USS Arizona (BB-39) are the focal point of a shrine erected by the people of the United States to honor and commemorate all American servicemen killed on December 7, 1941, particularly Arizona's crew, many of whom lost their lives during the Japanese attack on the United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Arizona's burning bridge and listing masts and superstructure, photographed in the aftermath of the attack and her sinking and emblazoned on the front pages of newspapers across the land, epitomized to the Nation the words "Pearl Harbor" and form one of the best known images of the Second World War in the Pacific. Arizona and the Arizona Memorial have become the major shrine and point of remembrance not only for the lost battleship but also for the entire attack. Indelibly impressed into the national memory, Arizona is visited by millions who quietly file through, toss flower wreaths and leis into the water, watch the irridescent slick of oil that leaks, a drop at a time, from Arizona's ruptured bunkers after more than forty years on the bottom, and read the names of Arizona's dead carved in marble on the Memorial's walls. Just as important as the shrine, as embodied in the form of the modern memorial that straddles Arizona, is the battleship herself. Intact, unsalvaged, and resting in the silt of Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona is a partially frozen moment of time, her death wounds visible and still bleeding oil, and her intact hulk holding most of the battleship's crew. Overlooked in the original designation of Pearl Harbor as a National Historic Landmark, Arizona, the greatest victim of the Pearl Harbor attack and the nation's focal point for remembering a day of infamy, is of exceptional national significance. By 1954, ninety percent of the Navy's enlisted personnel enroute to and from duty in the middle and western Pacific were processed through the receiving station. In 1955, Naval Station Pearl Harbor was established. The first submarines arrived in Honolulu in August of 1914. Four F-class submarines operated from the old Naval Station, at Pier 5 in Honolulu Harbor. During World War II, the Pearl Harbor Submarine Base serviced submarines which made 488 war patrols from Hawaii sinking a total of 2,009,744 tons of enemy shipping. The expansion of the Submarine Base reached its peak in 1944 when there were 6,633 enlisted personnel serving on the base. Since World War II, many facilities have seen change with permanent buildings replacing the old temporary ones and new facilities to service both the diesel and nuclear powered submarines of the fleet. A-3 Missiles were carried aboard the two-crew POLARIS Submarines that were homeported in Pearl Harbor from 1964 to 1981. The submarines actually operated out of FBM Refit Site III on Guam under the direction of COMSUBRON FIFTEEN. The submarine crews were stationed in Pearl Harbor for training when they were not "on-crew" for upkeeps alongside USS PROTEUS (AS-19) in Guam or on deterrent patrol. Today the Submarine Base consists of about 125 acres of land and 118 buildings. The Naval Submarine Training Center [the "Big Blue Building"] was built in 1962 to train submarine crews and SUBASE personnel who performed submarine repairs. It offers realistic diving and attack center simulators and has been extensively modernized to keep pace with the latest submarine technologies. As part of the Navy's effort to modernize its bases, a $24 million, 865-foot-long submarine pier [Piers S-8/9] was designed and constructed to accommodate up to four submarines at Naval Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor. Project included dredged material unsuitable for ocean disposal. The dredged material was contained in a confined aquatic disposal (CAD) system which entailed a unique containment structure using prestressed concrete sheet pile panels, driven under the pier deck. The CAD was the first of its kind to be constructed in Hawaii. Naval Station Pearl Harbor supports 50 homeported fleet units and 24 submarines, since merging with SUBASE. Naval Station's fleet support mission is accomplished by a staff of nearly 2,000 military personnel and civilian employees. The station currently occupies and maintains 1,107 acres of land throughout the Pearl Harbor complex, ranging from Waipio Peninsula to Bishop Point and including Ford Island. The current plant value of the Naval Station is in excess of $1 billion. Naval Station Pearl Harbor provides service comparable to a large city. Operating the Navy's busiest harbor, Naval Station annually completes 65,000 boat runs and transports 2.4 million passengers and 200,000 vehicles to and from Ford Island and other harbor locations. Navy-manned USS Arizona tour boats transport nearly 2 million visitors to the memorial each year. The bachelor quarters house approximately 3,000 permanent party and transient personnel. Naval Station's Family Service Center provides essential training, counseling, spouse employment and family enhancement programs for over 55,000 people each year. Naval Station also owns and operates one of the Navy's largest recreation and special services programs, has its own police and security force and is responsible for DOD firefighters in 13 stations island-wide. The entire Navy is undergoing regionalization to determine better and more economical ways to deliver services at shore installations, by streamlining services and merging similar functions under one commander. Capt. George B. Covington, commanding officer of Submarine Base Pearl Harbor relieved Capt. Kraig M. Kennedy as commanding officer of Naval Station Pearl Harbor in a change of command ceremony on 25 July 1997. The ceremony marked the consolidation of Naval Station and Submarine Base, as part of regionalization efforts in Hawaii. Covington, SUBASE commanding officer since October, will lead the new merged command of approximately 2,100 military and civilian personnel. Instead of two separate organizations, each with departments performing similar tasks, there is now one streamlined organization, providing better services more efficiently. Pearl Harbor is modeling its regionalization plan on the successes of other naval bases, such as San Diego and Seattle, both of which have shown that regionalizing makes sense. Commander, Naval Base, Pearl Harbor Hawaii has first-line responsibility for implementing Regionalization and Claimant Consolidation for the Navy in Hawaii. Both initiatives are closely linked together and are necessary for the Navy to gain service improvements in Shore Installation Management, including food service, supply, building maintenance, firefighting, public affairs and data processing support. Individual supply departments from Pearl Harbor shore commands were consolidated into the Fleet Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Pearl Harbor in 1996. The result is local supply resources combined into one efficient and effective regional supply department. Pearl Harbor is located on the south coast of Oahu, the third largest of the eight major islands generally considered to be "Hawaii." In addition to the eight major islands, the archipelago of the Hawaiian Islands also include many islets, reefs, and shoals. The westernmost island of the group is Midway Island, which is located approximately 1,200 nmi west-northwest of Oahu near the 180th meridian in the central North Pacific Ocean. Midway is the only island of the group not part of the State of Hawaii. Pearl Harbor is located west of and adjacent to Honolulu, the capital city and chief population center of the State of Hawaii. The Port of Honolulu is the principal deep-water, commercial port of Hawaii. The island of Oahu has an areal extent of 604 square miles Oahu measures 39 nmi southeast to northwest between Makapuu and Kaena Points and 26 nmi south to north between Barbers and Kahuku Points. Oahu is a mountainous island of volcanic origin. The Koolau Mountain Range parallels the northeast coast for most of its length. The portion of the range between Makapuu Point and the Mokapu Peninsula has a sheer rocky cliff on its seaward side. The cliff is nearly 2,000 ft (610 m) high in some places. The entire range has a jagged appearance and is cut on its inland side by deep gorges and valleys. The highest elevation in the Koolau Range is 3,150 ft (960 m) at a point approximately five nmi northeast of Honolulu. The Waianae Range parallels the southwest coast of Oahu between Kaena and Barbers Points. Elevations over most of its length commonly exceed 2,000 ft (610 m). The highest elevation in the range is 4,046 ft (1,233 m). Several peaks exceed 3,000 ft (914 m) in height. An extensive plain lies in a valley between the Koolau and Waianae ranges. The land areas surrounding Pearl Harbor and Honolulu Harbor are generally low in elevation, slowly rising to 250 ft (76 m) approximately 1.3 nmi inland from the harbor (Figure 3). Once 250 ft (76 m) is reached, the terrain slopes rapidly upward east of Pearl Harbor on the west side of the Koolau Range and west of Pearl Harbor on the east side of the Waianae Range. North of Pearl Harbor, the slope is more gradual through the valley separating the two mountain ranges. The valley elevation does not exceed 1,000 ft (305 m) at any point. Several prominent landmarks mark the eastern seaward approaches to Pearl Harbor and Honolulu. Makapuu Head, located on Makapuu Point, the eastern extremity of Oahu, is a bold, barren, rocky headland 647 ft (197 m) high that is the landfall for vessels inbound from the mainland United States. Koko Crater, a sharp, brown, 1,204 ft (367 m) high cone is located 2.6 nmi southwest of Makapuu Head. Koko Head, located 4 nmi southwest of Makapuu Head, is a bold, 640 ft (195 m) high promontory with a steep seaward side. Diamond Head, the most widely known landmark on Oahu, is an extinct, 761 ft (232 m) high crater located nine nmi southwest of Makapuu Head, and about 9.5 nmi southeast of Pearl Harbor. Seaward approaches from the west offer less dramatic landmarks. The coastline between Kaena Point and Barbers Point consists mainly of alternating ledges of rock and stretches of white sand with spurs of the Waianae Mountains extending to most of the points. Between the spurs and ridges are heavily wooded valleys that contrast with the rocky and bare mountains. Pearl Harbor, is a Defensive Sea Area established by Executive Order No. 8143 of May 26, 1939. The area of water in Pearl Harbor, Island of Oahu Territory of Hawaii, lying between extreme high-water mark and the sea, and in and about the entrance channel to said harbor, with an area bounded by the extreme high-water mark, a line bearing S from the SW comer of Puuloa Naval Reservation, a line bearing S from Ahua Point, and a line bearing W from a point 3 miles due S from Ahua Point, has been established as a defensive sea area for purposes of national defense, and no persons (other than persons on public vessels of the United States) are permitted to enter this defensive sea area, and no vessels or other craft (other than public vessels of the United States) are permitted to navigate in this area, except by authority of the Secretary of the Navy. Permission to enter Pearl Harbor must be obtained in advance from Commander, Naval Base, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Although Pearl Harbor is located in a low, flat plain, many features exist that are identifiable from its seaward approaches. The dome-shaped Ala Moana Building (2117'34.3"N 15750'35.0"W) in Honolulu is conspicuous. Blue lights are shown from the 315 ft high tower. An unmarked channel approach point (Papa Hotel) is located at 2116'06"N, 15756'23"W [United States Coast Pilot 7 lists Papa Hotel as being located at 2116'17"N 15756'33"W, approximately 500 yd northwest of the Fleet Guide's position]. The Pearl Harbor Entrance Channel commences some 4,000 yd from "Papa Hotel" on a bearing of 33336'. The entrance channel is marked by lighted and unlighted buoys and a lighted range. With an approximate width of 350 yd, the channel has an initial project depth of 49.9 ft (15.2 m) near the center and 45 ft (13.7 m) on either side of the central 100 yd wide main channel. The central channel project depth decreases to 45 ft (13.7 m) approximately one nmi north of the channel entrance. The project depths on either side of the central channel decrease to 40 ft (12.2 m) at the same location. The same depths are maintained in the Main Channel to a point adjacent to Dry Docks 1 and 2. Channel depths within Pearl Harbor vary by location, and should be verified with the Pearl Harbor Port Operations Office. Pearl Harbor is fan shaped with an entrance width of 400 yd (366 m). Extending inland some 5 nmi, the main basin is divided by two peninsulas and an island into four smaller basins: West Loch, Middle Loch, East Loch, and Southeast Loch. Most of Pearl Harbor's facilities are located on East Loch and Southeast Loch. Middle Loch is used primarily as a Reserve Fleet Anchorage. The Naval Magazine maintains berths at the approximate mid-point of West Loch, but the upper half of the loch is too shallow for deep draft vessels. Three additional, smaller lochs, Quarry Loch, Merry Loch and Magazine Loch, are located adjacent to Southeast Loch. Due to lack of swinging room, there is only one anchorage within the confines of Pearl Harbor. It is an explosives anchorage located north of Ford Island in East Loch. Harbor pilots state that if a large vessel assigned to the anchorage requires more swinging room than the approximate 175 yd radius the anchorage allows, the anchorage is shifted to a position 200 to 300 yd southwest of the charted position. Anchorage is available outside Pearl Harbor in 60 ft (18.3 m) of water adjacent to the "Reef Runway" of Honolulu International Airport. The Fleet Guide for Pearl Harbor contains a listing of 99 berths inside the main channel entrance. Of those, 29 are assigned to the Naval Station, 32 to the Naval Shipyard, 19 to the Naval Supply Center, 14 to the Submarine Base, and five in West Loch to Naval Magazine. Specific data for each berth, such as berth length and alongside depth can be found in the Fleet Guide for Pearl Harbor. One significant change in the 1994 berth listing applies to Berth F5 just southeast of the USS Arizona Memorial monument on Ford Island. It was rebuilt and lengthened to 1,000 ft to accommodate the planned berthing of battleships at Pearl Harbor. The South Channel has been dredged to depths of 45 ft over much of the area between Ten Ten Dock and the USS Arizona Memorial to provide adequate clearance and turning room for the deep-drafted battleships. Because all of the battleships in the US Navy inventory are now decommissioned, the pier is now designated for other uses. According to local harbor authorities, there were 14 surface ships home ported at Pearl Harbor in 1994, with two more scheduled to arrive. In addition, there were 19 submarines home ported at Pearl Harbor, with five more scheduled to arrive. The best berths for large surface vessels were thought to be the Hotel berths and Kilo Piers 3 through 5 at the Naval Supply Center, the Naval Station's Foxtrot berths 12 and 13 on Merry Loch, and Bravo berths 22 through 26 at the Naval Shipyard. The best berths for small ships are Bravo 1 through Bravo 21 at the Naval Shipyard. Submarines are berthed in Magazine and Quarry Lochs. Local harbor pilots state that the Naval Shipyard berths B15 through B21 and Naval Station berths M3 and M4 are in very good condition. Naval Shipyard berths B7, B8, B10, B11, B12 and B13 are weak due to toredo worm damage to wood pilings at and near the water level. Because of the worm damage, camels tend to crush the damaged pilings if a ship is forced on to her berth. As a result, ships requesting that a camel be placed inboard will normally be berthed outboard of another ship. Exceptions are granted only when required for specifically approved hull maintenance evolutions. The new Nimitz-MacArthur Pacific Command Center features a state-of-the-art facility designed in a Hawaiian/Pacific architectural style reminiscent of the 1920s. The six-story, 274,500 square foot structure will house existing Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command and Special Operations Command, Pacific personnel. The new headquarters of the future will consolidate existing USCINCPAC and Special Operations Command, Pacific personnel into a six-story, 274,500 square foot structure overlooking views of majestic Halawa Valley. It will be built across the street from the existing headquarters complex at Camp H.M. Smith. The building will have a Hawaiian/Pacific Rim architectural style reminiscent of the 1920s Hawaiian architecture. The architectural style was chosen with consideration of its visible location on Halawa Heights. The interior architecture and state-of-the-art fiber optic network will be designed for maximum flexibility, allowing for long-term change and reconfiguration. PACDIV awarded the $78 million contract in June 2000 to Dick Pacific Construction Company. Work began in early 2001 with move-in planned for September 2003. New Pearl Harbor subase berthing piers are under construction in a $22 million project that will be completed in July next year. PACDIV awarded the contract in June 2000 to Healy Tibbits Builders which also replaced Pearl Harbor's Bravo and Mike piers in 2000. The new wharves will accommodate 100-ton cranes. The current structures built in the early 1940s cannot take that immense load. The project includes dredging to be sure the water depth is 35 feet at all locations along the pier. Two concrete holding cells are being constructed at a confined disposal facility at Waipio Peninsula for dredged materials that are unsuitable for ocean dumping. The cells cover 15 and nine acres. The contractor also rerouted a temporary 8-inch potable water line because the existing fresh water pipe is too close to the new wharf construction site. The new pier's wider concrete deck will be moved further from the harbor. The older, existing line will be demolished when the new conduit is activated. BRAC 2005 In its 2005 BRAC Recommendations, DoD recommended to close the Naval Shipyard Portsmouth, Kittery, ME. As a result, it recommended to relocate Portsmouth's ship depot repair function to Intermediate Maintenance Facility at Pearl Harbor and two other naval stations. This recommendation would retain one nuclear-capable shipyard on each coast, plus sufficient shipyard capacity to support forward deployed assets. In another recommendation, DoD would realign Hickam AFB, HI, by relocating the installation management functions to Naval Station Pearl Harbor, HI, establishing Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI. All installations employed military, civilian, and contractor personnel to perform common functions in support of installation facilities and personnel. All installations executed these functions using similar or near similar processes. Because these installations shared a common boundary with minimal distance between the major facilities or are in near proximity, there was significant opportunity to reduce duplication of efforts with resulting reduction of overall manpower and facilities requirements capable of generating savings, which would be realized by paring unnecessary management personnel and achieving greater efficiencies through economies of scale. Intangible savings would be expected to result from opportunities to consolidate and optimize existing and future service contract requirements. Additional opportunities for savings would also be expected to result from establishment of a single space management authority capable of generating greater overall utilization of facilities and infrastructure. Further savings would be expected to result from opportunities to reduce and correctly size both owned and contracted commercial fleets of base support vehicles and equipment consistent with the size of the combined facilities and supported populations. Regional efficiencies achieved as a result of Service regionalization of installation management would provide additional opportunities for overall savings as the designated installations are consolidated under regional management structures. The quantitative military value score validated by military judgment was the primary basis for determining which installation was designated as the receiving location. Assuming no economic recovery, this recommendation could result in a maximum potential reduction of 511 jobs (277 direct jobs and 234 indirect jobs) over the 2006-2011 period in the Honolulu, HI Metropolitan Statistical Area (less than 0.1 percent). DoD would realign Naval Station Pearl Harbor, HI, by disestablishing storage and distribution functions for tires, packaged petroleum, oils, and lubricants, and compressed gases. This recommendation would achieve economies and efficiencies that would enhance the effectiveness of logistics support to forces as they transition to more joint and expeditionary operations. This recommendation would disestablish the wholesale supply, storage, and distribution functions for all tires; packaged petroleum, oils and lubricants; and compressed gases used by the Department of Defense, retaining only the supply contracting function for each commodity. The Department would privatize these functions and would rely on private industry for the performance of supply, storage, and distribution of these commodities. By doing so, the Department could divest itself of inventories and eliminate infrastructure and personnel associated with these functions. This recommendation would result in more responsive supply support to user organizations and would thus add to capabilities of the future force. The recommendation would provide improved support during mobilization and deployment, and the sustainment of forces when deployed worldwide. Privatization would enable the Department to take advantage of the latest technologies, expertise, and business practices, which translates to improved support to customers at less cost. It centralizes management of tires; packaged petroleum, oils, and lubricants; and compressed gases and eliminates unnecessary duplication of functions within the Department. Assuming no economic recovery, this recommendation could result in the maximum potential job reductions of 2 total jobs (1 direct and 1 indirect) in the Honolulu, HI Metropolitan Statistical Area over the 2006-2011 time period (less than 0.1 percent). NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 6, 2016 U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports. Strikes in Syria Bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted five strikes in Syria: -- Near Raqqah, three strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units and destroyed a fighting position. -- Near Ayn Isa, a strike damaged an ISIL vehicle bomb. -- Near Manbij, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit. Strikes in Iraq Attack, bomber, fighter, remotely piloted and rotary wing aircraft and rocket artillery conducted six strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq's government: -- Near Haditha, a strike destroyed an ISIL mortar system. -- Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed nine ISIL-held buildings, four mortar systems, two vehicle bombs, a vehicle, a heavy machine gun, two repeater tower power stations and a land bridge; damaged a bridge, a front-end loader and 47 roads; and suppressed a tactical unit. -- Near Ramadi, a strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle bomb. -- Near Rawah, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an air defense artillery system. Task force officials define a strike as one or more kinetic events that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single, sometimes cumulative, effect. Therefore, officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIL vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against buildings, vehicles and weapon systems in a compound, for example, having the cumulative effect of making those targets harder or impossible for ISIL to use. Accordingly, officials said, they do not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target. Ground-based artillery fired in counterfire or in fire support to maneuver roles is not classified as a strike. Part of Operation Inherent Resolve The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat it poses to Iraq, Syria, the region and the wider international community. The destruction of targets in Syria and Iraq further limits ISIL's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said. Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Carter Stresses Region's Strategic Importance to Service Members in Japan By Terri Moon Cronk DoD News, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2016 Defense Secretary Ash Carter today told sailors serving aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain that they are in the midst of the most important strategic transition the United States is undertaking at an essential place and time. Carter visited the McCain, homeported at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, as part of an around-the-world trip, and he emphasized the importance of the U.S. rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region. Service members stood dockside of the ship, part of the U.S. 7th Fleet, as the secretary first spoke to them as a group and later greeted each of them individually. "It makes me proud as the secretary of defense to lead what is the finest fighting force the world has ever known," Carter told them. "We're very busy these days. You know that here in the Asia-Pacific. Your operational tempo is extremely high, and I would like to say it's going to slow down, but it's not. It's the nature of our world and the nature of our responsibilities." Half of the world's population resides in the Asia-Pacific region, and half of the world's economy will be there shortly, Carter said. "And what that means is this is the single part of the world of most consequence for our country in the long run," he added. Americans have been essential to keeping peace and security in the region for 70 years, the secretary said, telling the service members they're participating in a vitally important mission. Must Stand Strong North Korea is in the immediate vicinity, the secretary said, where "there's a serious need for deterrence in defense that only we can provide." "And it doesn't end there," Carter added. "All around the world today, and including this region, we need to stand strong, not just for ourselves, but for our allies." The U.S. alliance with Japan has never been stronger than it is today, he said. "It is a two-way street," the secretary said. "We do a lot for Japanese security, and they do a lot to give us forward presence here. "We work together to keep a system of principle and order here when it's challenged. You do that and we do that with friends and allies." DoD Is One Family Carter noted that it's the holiday season that and many of the sailors are deployed and away from their families for a couple of hundred days a year. Joined by his wife, Stephanie, he reminded the group that the Defense Department is one family. "You are doing the noblest thing with your life, and that is dedicated to the protection of our people and leaving a better world for our children. That's your mission," he said. "Americans know they're well protected by the very best," he continued. "They have great respect and take great pride in you. But for you, like me in this awesome Department of Defense, what we do is wake up every morning knowing we're part of something bigger than ourselves." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Department of Defense Press Operations News Release No. NR-428-16 December 06, 2016 Readout of Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work's Meeting with Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze Deputy Secretary of Defense Spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Courtney Hillson provided the following: Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work hosted Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze for a meeting at the Pentagon today. The leaders discussed their mutual commitment to the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements in support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Work expressed that Ukraine needs to maintain momentum on defense reforms to help Ukraine better provide for its own security and make its defense enterprise more effective and efficient. The deputy prime minister noted how she believes that success in defense reform could have a positive domino effect in other areas of reform throughout Ukraine. The two leaders also reviewed U.S. security assistance efforts designed to help build the capacity of Ukraine's forces. The United States has committed more than $600 million since 2014, including training programs, equipment, and a robust advisory effort to advance the implementation of key defense reforms. Work noted the fiscal year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act offers a promising signal that security cooperation efforts can continue in the new year if Ukraine demonstrates progress in implementing defense institutional reforms. The deputy prime minister expressed her gratitude for U.S. support on Ukraine's defense reforms, and noted the significance of their meeting at the Pentagon today as Ukraine celebrates its Armed Forces Day. http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/1021548/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Department of Defense Press Operations News Release No. NR-428-16 December 06, 2016 Readout of Secretary of Defense Ash Carter's Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter met today with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo, Japan. This was his second meeting with the prime minister. During their meeting, the two leaders discussed the rapidly evolving security environment, including the persistent North Korean threat and maritime issues in the East and South China Seas. Secretary Carter noted that the U.S.-Japan alliance is the strongest it has ever been. He thanked Prime Minister Abe for his leadership and vision, and welcomed his upcoming visit to Hawaii with President Obama. Secretary Carter reaffirmed that the Senkaku Islands are administered by Japan and fall under Article V of the U.S.-Japan Mutual Security Treaty. The two leaders affirmed both governments' determination to uphold the principle of freedom of navigation, and to continue to conduct maritime operations in accordance with international law. The two leaders exchanged views on building a principled and inclusive security network in the Asia-Pacific, to include enhancing trilateral cooperation with the Republic of Korea (ROK). Secretary Carter congratulated the prime minister for concluding a bilateral Japan-ROK General Security of Military Information Agreement that will increase information sharing and strengthen security cooperation between the United States' two closest allies in Northeast Asia. Secretary Carter and Prime Minister Abe affirmed the importance of making progress on realignment efforts in Japan and pledged to work closely together to enable the return of close to 10,000 acres of the Northern Training Area on Dec. 22, constituting the largest U.S. land return in Japan since 1972. The two leaders committed to further efforts to transform the alliance by implementing the 2015 Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation. Secretary Carter and Prime Minister Abe reaffirmed that the U.S.-Japan alliance remains unwavering and continues to serve as the cornerstone of peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region. http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/1020819/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Department of Defense Press Operations News Transcript Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter; Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe December 06, 2016 Remarks by Secretary Carter and Prime Minister Abe in Tokyo, Japan STAFF: Prime minister of Japan. JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I'd like to extend a heartfelt welcome upon your return. In the past four years under the administration of President Obama, we successfully and significantly reinforced the alliance between Japan and the United States. And I'd like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation of all your contribution as the secretary of defense. At the end of this month, I will visit Hawaii. And during my visit, I will have a bilateral meeting with President Obama. And we, together, visit the Pearl Harbor as well as USS Arizona Memorial where we will pray for the souls of the war vets. And on that occasion, I would like to demonstrate my determination for the future that we must never again repeat the devastation of war. And also, I would like to express my appreciation for your support in the impact mitigation in Okinawa with regard to the return of the total of 4,000 acres in the Northern Training Area. We sincerely hope to realize the return through our collaboration and cooperation on the 22nd of this month. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ASH CARTER: Prime minister, thank you. Very good to see you again, see your -- (inaudible) -- again. Thank you for allowing me to visit one of your excellent ships today, the -- (inaudible). You wanna -- (inaudible)? Like you, I believe and we all believe that the alliance between the United States and Japan has never been stronger than it is today. That is truly an important measure because of your vision and your leadership, as well as our commitment and President Obama's commitment. And this is critical. It is the cornerstone of security in the Asia-Pacific, now and in the future, even as it had been in the past. And I also know that President Obama is very much looking forward to your visit to Hawaii. And you're right, your doing so and your two meeting is a great sign of a joint commitment to peace and also to reconciliation. And then last, we share your commitment to the realignment and are prepared to make the largest land transfer in the history of our alliance. And I can confirm to you that we share your objective of completing that by December 22nd of this month. -END- http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/1021535/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Department of Defense Press Operations News Transcript Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter December 06, 2016 Remarks by Secretary Carter at a Troop Event in Yokosuka, Japan REAR ADMIRAL CHARLES WILLIAMS: Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Great day here in Yokosuka. My name is Rear Admiral Charlie Williams, all of you know me as the commander of Battle Force Seventh Fleet, commander of Carrier Strike Group Five. And today, it's a great day for Seventh Fleet sailors, all of you, and it's my personal privilege to introduce our honored guest. Ladies and gentlemen, the 25th secretary of defense, the Honorable Ash Carter. (APPLAUSE) SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ASH CARTER: Thanks, appreciate it. Hi, everybody. I'm going to speak real loud and hope that you all can hear me because I know we got quite a bit of wind here. First of all, let me thank Admiral Williams for introducing me. By the way, you all -- you guys ought to know that I want you guys all to know that this is big for me, because most of your senior officers I've known in one way or another over the years. And so Charlie Williams, I get out of the car and I see him and I said jeez, I just saw you like three weeks ago or so in the Pentagon -- (inaudible). Captain Bennett -- Jeff Bennett, also an old pal of -- of mine and you should know that most of the senior leaders, their families, we're all one family and we're one family with you. And let me start with that, that's the real reason for me being out here -- (inaudible) -- to first and foremost tell you how proud I am of you, how proud it makes me as America's secretary of Defense to lead what is the finest fighting force the world has ever known. We need that because we're very busy these days and you guys know that out here in the Asia-Pacific. Your op tempo is extremely high. I'd like to tell you it's gonna slow down, but it's not. It's in the nature of our world and it's in the nature of our responsibilities. Here in the Asia-Pacific resides half of the world's population, half of the world's economy will shortly be here. And what that means is that this is the single part of the world that's of most consequence for our country in the long-run. And keeping peace and security here, which we have been essential to for 70 years, is a vitally important mission. And you only have look around this -- just this immediate vicinity, just to pick one, North Korea for example. Serious need for deterrence and defense that only we can provide. And it doesn't end there. All around the world today, and including in this region, we need to stand strong. Not just for ourselves, but for our allies. And of course, I'm happy to be talking to you here in Japan. Japan -- our alliance with Japan is essential. It's never been stronger than it is today. It is a two-way street. We do a lot to -- for Japan -- (inaudible) -- they do a lot to give us forward presence here in a part of the world where we want to -- (inaudible) -- together against common opponents, of which North Korea is one. We work together to keep a system of principle and order out here when it's challenged. We do all that, but we do that with friends and allies, and the -- one of the things I hear as I travel around and I talk to foreign leaders is they always tell me, you know, our people really like working with your people. And it's not just that you're really good at what you do, it's also because of the way you conduct yourselves and what you stand for. They love that. They like to work with Americans. That's why if you -- (inaudible) -- in the world and our opponents -- (inaudible) -- that's not an accident. So, this -- (inaudible) -- right now, in the midst of the -- the most important strategic transition our country is making. And without you and this presence right here, this alliance, we couldn't do what we need to do. So, you are strategically at an essential place at an essential time. I also want to just say something about you personally -- (inaudible) -- holiday time and many of you are deployed for a couple hundred days a year. That's a lot time away from your families. Some of you even here -- (inaudible) -- with your families who are back stateside. And it's family time of year at holidays. That's why my wife Stephanie is here -- I don't where she is, but she can't always travel with me because she works, but she wanted to come on this trip, especially at holiday time, because we're all one family. (inaudible) -- we think about it. We are what you wake up for. I mean -- sorry -- you are what we wake up for every morning. You're what's on our mind every morning. You are doing with your lives the noblest thing that a person can do with their life, and that is dedicate it to the protection of our people and leaving a better world for our children. That's your mission. There are lots of other things you can be doing with your life. You're talented people because we picked you. And we don't take for granted that we have you. And we work very hard to get the very best and to retain the very best and to develop you as sailors in the course of your career. But for you, like for me and everybody else in this great -- this awesome Department of Defense that we have, what we do is wake up every morning knowing that we're part of something bigger than ourselves. That's what you've given your life to. Our -- so that makes me very proud, very proud of you. Also -- and I can certainly say that on behalf of the rest of the Department of Defense. I can also say that on behalf of our great country too. You know, Americans don't understand what you do, many of them have not served, but they do appreciate what you do. I sense it. I travel around the country. They tell me again, they don't always know, but they know that they're well protected. They know they're protected by the very best. They have great respect for you and they have -- take great pride in you. That's a wonderful thing. It's something you deserve, but again, I don't take that for granted either. But when I hear it, I'm very glad to hear it, because they should be proud of you. So, take a moment over the holiday time, first of all to be proud of yourself, but also to talk to your family and remind them that hard as things are sometimes for you and demanding as we sometimes are of you, that you're doing the noblest thing a person can do with their life. So, thank you for that. God bless you at this holiday time. God bless our wonderful country. I now -- I -- I got a little time and I'm going to let -- let you ask some questions or make a comment, if you have something that you think I ought to know that I might not know, have at it. Any topic is good. And then what I want to do is save plenty of time because I want to take each and every one of you, shake hands with you, look you in the eye and thank you personally. And here comes -- okay, so I think what you do is you come up and -- to this microphone right? You want to switch out. Okay. (CROSSTALK) SEC. CARTER: You know, we don't have to do the questions. (CROSSTALK) SEC. CARTER: Hey, come on up. This is good. Here you go -- here you go. All right, have at it. Q: Good afternoon, sir -- (inaudible). SEC. CARTER: Speak -- speak directlyin, it's real hard because of the wind. Q: My question is, what's our current plan to counter the anti-ship cruise missile threats posed to our naval forces out here -- (inaudible). For example, the proliferation, the anti-ship cruise missiles by Russia and other regional actors. Our current anti-ship cruise missile capability is limited to the Harpoon, which was developed in 1977 and deployed in 1977. SEC. CARTER: Okay. I don't know if everybody got that, but it was about anti-ship cruise missiles and our ability to defend our own ships and it's an excellent question. And we're -- we are doing a lot and spending a lot of money. I can't tell you everything we're doing, and you probably know more than me that you could say in -- in that question, but let me -- let me give you a general answer to it. This is a competitive world and our enemies and potential enemies are working very hard to get new technology to counter our capabilities, and that's why I have been so intent upon investing in new capabilities -- advanced capabilities. Remember, we -- we spent about 15 years focused very heavily on counter-insurgency in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The strategic transition I was speaking of earlier is to pay more attention to full-spectrum conflict, and that includes these high-end threats. That -- that is why our priority, mine and the CNO's and the rest of the Navy leadership, is on lethality, range, the ability to strike first before you're struck, self-defense that is up to date in terms of the type of seekers that are on anti-ship cruise missiles. So a ship's survivability and lethality comes first. That readiness, your compensation and shipbuilding are kind of the four ways that we spend our money. Obviously we'd all like to have more money, but the -- we're putting a priority on ship lethality right now. That is the CNO's top priority and that has -- and I've backed him fully in that regard. And you're right. Without going into detail, we have some catching up in certain areas to do. I'm sure you know. Q: Good afternoon, Mr. Secretary. My question is, for the upcoming change in administration next month, what can we here in Seventh Fleet expect for priority changes? SEC. CARTER: The question was with the change in administration, what changes out here can you expect? So, let me say two things about that. First of all, I don't want to speak for the next administration -- I can't speak for the next administration. We are welcoming -- gonna be welcome to them in this -- this time of transition. We've done that for 240 years. We're ready for that, we prepared for that. We're gonna do a very professional job of it, so that the new team can -- and our new president-elect can hit the ground running. The -- the -- I think what you can expect here is that this -- the continued importance of this region, everybody recognizes that. And so that's gonna mean for you a continued high op tempo, a continued priority in the Navy in terms of newest equipment -- most high-end equipment will end up here. I think you can expect a continued heavy investment in capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region. Everybody recognizes that this is the single region of greatest consequence to America's future. So, your strategic mission and your strategic need are connected to the world out here. And the -- the world isn't going to change because our administrations are changing. So, new people will make their own decisions, but it -- but it's gonna be in the same strategic context that you are now operating. STAFF: We got time for one more. SEC. CARTER: Okay. One more? Q: Hey. Good afternoon, sir. Welcome -- (inaudible). I'm -- (inaudible). So, my question is -- (inaudible) -- operations in South China Sea. What are the new requirements and planning for manning and maintenance requirements for our force, sir? SEC. CARTER: Okay. Question was it's -- particularly, you started out with South China Sea operations and maintenance requirements, and it really associated, I guess with a high op tempo. It's a very good question and -- and is this a very good place to ask that question actually, because this is one of the bright places in the overall Navy maintenance system here, Yokosuka. We -- and we get terrific help from the Japanese in this regard, do a lot of our ship maintenance. Maintenance is closely related to op tempo. And I would say, you know, alongside the question about the ship lethality and survivability, it is the -- the other thing that I talk most with the Chief of Naval Operations about. There's a backlog in -- in maintenance in some class areas. There are times when it takes too long and it is the pacing item, in many cases, for our ability to put ships to sea, and of course, that's that point of having them in the first place. High op tempo's a good thing in this -- I know it works you harder, but it's a good thing in the sense that it's making better use of -- (inaudible) -- in the first place. You know, there's a lot to say about that in addition to good things about Yokosuka, but it's an issue for carriers and of course CVN 76-- but really every ship class. And it's really not the Navy either. In the Marine Corps, there's a -- we have a lot of issues, and the commandant and I talk about this a lot, the -- in aviation maintenance. And so each service had readiness and maintenance issues. They're all different because the services are different, but it's a big priority for us. So, as we try to balance what we do within the amount of money we're given, it -- it's a pretty high priority for us. We can't have everything, but we need to have that. That's an excellent question. They're all good questions. And what that says is you guys know your business and I knew that anyway, but it's really an impressive group. Just remember how proud I am of you. And I don't know where Stephanie went, but I just want to point out my wife, somewhere -- somewhere over here. But really, from my family to your family, we are so proud of you. There she is. So, there's Steph -- that's right. I was just telling her -- (inaudible) -- this is a family affair. And Steph is so glad -- is a huge booster too. She loves you guys. She thinks about you guys all the time. And so, from our family to yours, happy holidays. (APPLAUSE) -END- http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/1021389/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of NATO Foreign Ministers on projecting stability NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 06 Dec. 2016 (As delivered) Good evening. We have just concluded a discussion of NATOs efforts to project stability beyond our borders. We reviewed the developments in the Middle East and North Africa. Allies are deeply concerned about the renewed offensive by the Syrian regime, supported by Russia. The scale of the humanitarian catastrophe is staggering. We continue to call for a political solution. Including a cessation of violence and the resumption of humanitarian aid. Both in Syria and in Iraq, the US-led Global Coalition is making steady progress. ISIL is losing ground. Once Mosul falls, local forces will need to hold the territory. So building local capacity remains essential. This was a key issue at our Warsaw Summit in July. We decided to step up efforts to help countries in our wider neighbourhood to build strong institutions, train local forces, and tackle terrorism. We decided to provide AWACS support to the Counter-ISIL Coalition, to start training and capacity building in Iraq and to enhance maritime security in the Mediterranean. We are now implementing those decisions. Our AWACS surveillance aircraft have provided information to the Counter-ISIL Coalition since October. We have trained hundreds of Iraqi officers in Jordan. In January, we will expand that training and capacity-building into Iraq itself. And in the Central Mediterranean, our new Operation Sea Guardian is now supporting the EUs Operation Sophia with information and logistics. And we continue to support our partners Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine as they pursue important reforms. Today we discussed how NATO can strengthen our partnerships, make better use of military training and better resource our efforts. NATO has a strong track-record in projecting stability in Afghanistan and in the Western Balkans. We discussed the Western Balkans today. NATO has had a significant presence there for many years. With our KFOR mission keeping the peace for all the people of Kosovo, three regional offices, the prospect of membership for two countries in the region and active partnerships with all the rest, including Serbia. Montenegro shows how much Euro-Atlantic integration can achieve and we welcome that 15 Allies have already ratified Montenegros accession to NATO. But elsewhere in the region, progress has faltered and we have seen backsliding on reform. So we must do more to support reform and stability, with more political dialogue, more practical cooperation, and by working even more closely with the European Union. Because stability in the Western Balkans brings greater security to Europe. And with that, Im ready to take your questions. JENS STOLTENBERG (NATO Secretary General): With that I am ready to take your questions. MODERATOR: We will start with the Wall Street Journal. WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORTER: I wonder on, you mentioned Syria and I wonder if you are worried the Russians are stalling for time, waiting for a new administration in America that might, eh, cut a different deal and, if you think a delay will lead to a worse humanitarian disaster there, even worse? JENS STOLTENBERG: Any delay in a diplomatic solution will lead to more suffering and more deaths and eh, what we now see in Syria is a humanitarian catastrophe which has been worsened by the renewed offensive by the Syrian regime supported by Russia. So any delay in any political solution will increase the human suffering in Syria and thats the reason why we continue to call for a political solution and starting with a ceasefire, a cessation of hostilities and a resumption of humanitarian aid and we also discussed the situation in Syria during our meeting today. Secretary Kerry updated us on his efforts and he has been tireless in his efforts to try find a political solution, a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Syria and he has really shown very strong personal commitment to try to find a solution and to end the human suffering in Syria. MODERATOR: Montenegro Radio. MONTENEGRO RADIO REPORTER: (Inaudible) from Montenegro. You were talking about stability in the Western Balkans. So can you tell us how Montenegrin membership in NATO could contribute to that stability of the whole region, thank you? JENS STOLTENBERG: The idea of NATO is that we stand together and we protect each other so, of course it would be good for Montenegro to be part of NATO but, it would be also good for NATO that Montenegro becomes a full member of the Alliance. Montenegro would be part of the strongest military alliance in the world. Montenegro would be covered by the security guarantees that NATO provides and that we stand together and protect each other and that an attack on one ally will be regarded an attack on the whole Alliance and of course that will contribute to peace and stability and security in Montenegro, as we have seen for almost seven decades in the rest of Europe, for those countries that are a member of the Alliance. But I would also like to underline that, ah, NATO membership is not only good for Montenegro, but its also good for NATO in the way that Montenegro contributes to our collective defense and to the security of the whole Alliance, by its strategic location where they are close to the Adriatic Sea and by bringing partnerships into the Alliance and also by the fact that Montenegro has some military capabilities which are important also to NATO and weve seen that Montenegro has already contributed, for instance, to our presence in Afghanistan. So this is good for NATO, good for Montenegro and we are looking forward to have Montenegro as a full member as soon as possible. MODERATOR: The Financial Times. ARTHUR BEASLEY (Financial Times Reporter): Hi Arthur Beasley here. No matter what anyone says the question of the new administrations support for NATO and its Article 5 guarantees still lingers. Would the best way out of this uncertainty be for President-Elect Trump to explicitly affirm his commitment to NATO? We know what he said to you, we know what he said to other leaders, but he hasnt said so publicly himself. JENS STOLTENBERG: Im absolutely confident that, eh, the United States will maintain its strong commitment to NATO, to the Trans-Atlantic bond and to the security guarantees for Europe. I am confident, both because he has said so to many European leaders, and he also told me the same as such, when we had a phone call some weeks ago. But on top of that I think its also important to underline that, eh, just a few days ago he U.S. Congress authorized a budget which quadrupled the funding for the U.S. military presence in Europe with a new brigade, with equipment for yet another brigade, for funding more prepositioned supplies and, and eh, and eh, different kinds of equipment. So this is a budget which has strong bipartisan support. So I think that just underpins the very clear message that the U.S. will stay committed to Europe and to our Trans-Atlantic Alliance, because a strong NATO, a strong NATO is good for Europe but its also good for the United States. You to have to remember that the only time we have involved Article 5, was after an attack on the United States and hundreds of thousands of European NATO Allies, soldiers from European NATO Allies have been deployed in Afghanistan and more than 1,000 have lost their lives in an operation which was a direct response to an attack on the United States. Stability in Europe, peace in Europe is important for Europe but its also important for the United States, so I am absolutely confident that also with the new administration, the U.S. will continue to stay committed to NATO. Let me add one more thing, and that is that of course, eh, the President-Elect also focused on the need for increased defense spending. That has been the message also from President Obama and, I agree with them,because those Allies who spend less than 2% of GDP on defense should increase defense spending. So thats something we all agree on and we have to implement and we have started to increase defense spending among European Allies. MODERATOR: The gentleman in the second row. MARC BARONE: Actually Marc Barone Vista Italian Defaca (sp?). Could you please provide us with more details about your training activity in Iraq to come next year, thank you? JENS STOLTENBERG: Eh, we will, we are working on the details but we will be there in January and the main focus will be, at least for the beginning, on countering IED, improvised explosive devices. You know that this is really something that causes a lot of suffering and one of the main reasons for casualties and therefore everything that we can do to help the Iraqi Army with improving their capabilities and to fight or to conquer IEDs, is of great importance. We will also work on civil military planning and on also some other areas but, we will start and then we will, of course, assess what we do and consider to do more. Everything is based on a request from the Iraqi government. I met with Prime Minister al-Abadi and, earlier this year, and he sent us a letter to NATO where he requested this kind of help and we will start to provide inside Iraq training from January on but we have already started to train Iraqi officers in Jordan. MODERATOR: Slovak Pravda in the second row. SLOVAK PRAVDA REPORTER: Thank you. (Inaudible). Mister Secretary General how much have you been talking during the last session about the influence of Russia in Western Balkans and what are the conclusions and secondly, another question in the declaration we have from NATO from today there is, there is a sentence that E.U. and NATO will cooperate to make a positive narrative, to make bigger outreach of the positive narrative? What is this positive narrative and what do we want to achieve by it? To counter others, namely Russia? JENS STOLTENBERG: So we dont seek confrontation with Russia but we believe in the sovereign right of every nation to decide its own future. We believe in open democratic societies where we have different views, different open debates reflecting the, the, the different political positions of different parties and different groups in each and every country including the right of every country to decide its own path. We have seen some increased, eh, Russian presence, also in the Western Balkans. We will not counter Russian propaganda with propaganda. We will counter it with an open free debate because we believe that the facts and the truth in the long run will prevail and, and eh, of course weve also seen some reports about Russian citizens being involved in a very serious incident in Montenegro on election day and this is something that authorities in Montenegro is now investigating, investigating but, I also know that Serbia has helped and contributed to try to find out to get all the facts on the table related to this incident that we saw on election day in Montenegro, but we believe in open free democratic societies and we believe that reform, modernizing security institutions, governments will increase the resilience of the countries in the Western Balkans and that would be also the best way to, in a way, make them more able to protect themselves against any kind of outside interference. This is also an area where we work together with the European Union and their declaration we, or the statement we agreed on earlier today, will provide us with the framework for also working more closer together with the European Union also in addressing these issues in the Western Balkans. MODERATOR: Thank you very much. Thats all we have time for tonight. We will see you again tomorrow. JENS STOLTENBERG: Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 06 Dec. 2016 (As delivered) Good afternoon. We have just finished a meeting where we addressed the cooperation between NATO and the EU. And the meeting was attended by High Representative / Vice President Federica Mogherini and with the Minister from Sweden and the Ambassador of Finland, so in addition to the 28 members of the Alliance and Montenegro, we also had representatives of the European Union present at the meeting. And it's always a good pleasure to welcome you to NATO, Federica, especially when we are able to agree on such a substantial list of measures to take our cooperation forward. And we have been working together on how to strengthen and how to enhance the cooperation between NATO and EU for a long time, so therefore I think today we really mark a milestone in our efforts to build our cooperation and to strengthen the partnership between NATO and the EU. The security of Europe and North America is interconnected. A stronger NATO is good for the EU and a stronger EU is good for NATO. And strengthening our strategic partnership is more important than ever. First, we all face new threats and new security challenges, which combine military and non-military means of aggression. Such as hybrid, cyber, terrorism. And neither NATO nor the EU has the full range of tools to respond to these challenges, so therefore we have to cooperate. Second, the EU is taking steps in strengthening European defence, which we welcome. It is important that these steps are complementary with NATO efforts. And third, the strength of the transatlantic bond is vital to our security. Strong ties between NATO and the EU bring North America and Europe closer together. In Warsaw in July, I signed a Joint Declaration with Presidents Tusk and Juncker. We said at the time that we had never done so much together. Now we are going to do even more together. We have identified over forty proposals in several key areas. They are pragmatic, but they are ambitious. - On hybrid, we agreed on concrete measures to increase situational awareness. And to bolster our nations' resilience. - On maritime, we enhanced cooperation between Operations Sea Guardian and Sophia in the Mediterranean. Through logistical support and information sharing. - On cyber, we will strengthen our mutual participation in exercises, and foster research. - NATO and the EU will also work more closely together to build the capacities of our partners. - And we have committed to pursue greater coherence in the development of our defence capabilities. So these are only some examples of how we now are strengthening the cooperation between NATO and the EU in a very concrete and pragmatic way. And I strongly encourage the fullest involvement of non-EU Allies in European defence, because they contribute substantially to European security. So let me therefore thank Federica for her outstanding personal commitment to our cooperation. This has been a priority for both of us since we took office in the autumn of 2014. But before I pass the floor to Federica, let me say a few words about the importance of strong institutions in times of instability as we see today. Both NATO and the EU were established as a result of two World Wars. Together, they helped bring peace and security to our continent, based on our shared values. Both NATO and the EU have seen many changes and many challenges. But throughout the decades, they have proven robust and adaptable. This is also what we are doing now: adapting to a new security environment. And therefore I am confident that we will continue to do so in the years ahead, that NATO and the EU are able to adapt to a changing and a more challenging security environment. So once again, Federica, it's great to have you here, it's great to attend this meeting together with you and great to see that we are able to deliver concrete measures and proposals on how to strengthen our cooperation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Doorstep statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the meetings of NATO Foreign Ministers NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 06 Dec. 2016 (As delivered) Good morning. Today and tomorrow, NATO's Foreign Ministers will address some of the security challenges we are all facing and we will do that by addressing a wide range of the issues but at the core of the meeting is the importance of the transatlantic bond, the bond between Europe and North America. One way of strengthening the bond between North America and Europe is by strengthening the cooperation between NATO and EU. And we have a momentum now when it comes to NATO-EU cooperation. In July, I signed a Joint Declaration with Presidents Tusk and Juncker and at the meeting today we will decide how we turn that declaration into concrete action. So this afternoon, we will meet with EU High Representative/Vice President Federica Mogherini and all Allies will endorse over 40 proposals to deepen our cooperation in seven key areas. These include agreements to do more on land, at sea, and in cyberspace including to counter hybrid threats. We will also commit to working more closely to support our partners in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Our proposals are pragmatic, but ambitious and we will continue to work in this spirit. Later today, we will focus on NATO's efforts to project stability beyond our borders to the south and to the east. We have made progress since the Warsaw Summit. Our AWACS surveillance planes have started to provide information to the Counter-ISIL Coalition. We have trained many Iraqi officers and are now expanding that training. And our new operation Sea Guardian is now supporting EU's Operation Sophia in the Central Mediterranean. We will also address NATO's support for the Western Balkans, which requires our continued attention and effort. Tomorrow, we will begin with a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission. Underscoring the Alliance's enduring support for Ukraine. We will take stock of NATO's support, and of the government's reforms. The ministerial will close with a meeting on Afghanistan and our Resolute Support mission. We will reconfirm our strong commitment to Afghanistan's security and we will get an update on the government's reform agenda, which is essential for Afghanistan's long-term stability and prosperity. And with that, I'm ready to take your questions. Q: Secretary General, after the agreement on logistics signed today between the US and the EU, are you concerned at all that this sidesteps NATO? And, how can real NATO-EU cooperation move forward without a peace deal on Cyprus? Secretary General: I welcome the agreement that is signed between the United States and the EU today. Because that is one building bloc of what we are going to do later on here at NATO, and that is to strengthen the transatlantic bond, by strengthening the cooperation between NATO and the European Union. And we think this is more important than ever, partly because we are faced with new kinds of threats. This combination of military and non-military means of aggression, hybrid, cyber, terrorism that requires that NATO and the European Union work together. We also think that stronger NATO-EU cooperation is even more important, because the European Union is now more focused on strengthening a European defence. And we welcome stronger European defence, but to make sure that this is done in a way which is complementary to NATO, we need even closer cooperation between NATO and the European Union. Also the fact that there have been questions, that questions have been asked related to the strength of the transatlantic bond, I think the best way to respond to those questions is to deliver stronger NATO-EU cooperation, which strengthens the transatlantic bond. And today, we will endorse 40 concrete proposals on cyber, on hybrid, on exercises, on maritime cooperation and in many other areas. So the agreement between the US and the European Union is something we welcome; we regard it as a building bloc in the broader effort of strengthening the transatlantic bond. On the Cyprus conflict, I will just say that I strongly support the efforts, the UN-led efforts to find a solution between the two communities at Cyprus. There has been some progress, but still I think it's not sure to say whether they will succeed or not. But I think what we have proven over the last couple of years is that even with the conflict in Cyprus unsolved, we have been able to move forward on strengthening NATO-EU cooperation. We have seen that in the Aegean Sea, where NATO and the European Union work together; we have seen it now in the Central Mediterranean with Sea Guardian and Operation Sophia and we see today with the 40 concrete proposals. So, yes I would like to see a solution to the conflict in Cyprus, but no, that's not a precondition on moving forward on NATO-EU cooperation. Q: in the war against Daesh NATO is participating in support of the Coalition, can you tell us the first result of NATO contribution in this war against Daesh in Syria and Iraq? And maybe will the Sea Guardian Operation be useful in monitoring and may be fighting the movement of Daesh fighters from Iraq and Syria to Libya, because according to many security experts this will be one of their options. Secretary General: All NATO Allies participate in the counter-ISIL Coalition. And for the Coalition it is important and a great advantage that through decades of NATO exercises and decades of NATO operations, NATO allies and partners have developed interoperability, the ability to work closely together in military operations, as we now see in Syria and Iraq. So NATO Allies participate and the Coalition[inaudible]. Second, we decided in July to increase our support from NATO to the Counter-ISIL Coalition. We have done that by providing AWACS support and AWACS planes have started to fly and to provide information supporting the counter-ISIL Coalition to improve their air picture over Iraq and Syria; and we have trained Iraqi officers; we will increase that by also starting now in-country training in Iraq from January; and we will then assess and look into whether we are going to do even more based on the experience from the activity that will start in Iraq in January. Our Sea Guardian operation is a Maritime Security Operation. It's a flexible operation. It can be used to different tasks, depending on decisions by the 28 Allies. We have already started to provide support to Operation Sophia; we provide logistical support and also information-sharing with Sea Guardian. Sea Guardian will not operate in Libyan territorial waters. It will operate in international waters, but of course improved situational awareness and better understanding of what's going on also in the Mediterranean sea contributes to our overall effort to counter terrorism in the region. Q: In Russian President Putin's state of the union speech last week and his foreign policy document, he expressed the wish to try to [inaudible] cooperation with the US and the new President. What is your take on the speech and on the foreign policy document? Is there anything for NATO there to work for better relations with the Russians? Secretary General: I welcome any toning down of the rhetoric, because words matter. Less aggressive rhetoric can be a first step towards also better dialogue. At the same time, words matter but of course deeds matter even more. Therefore the important thing is what we see, what kinds of actions we see from the Russian side. We will continue to pursue a dual track approach with Russia based on strength, based on deterrence and collective defence combined with dialogue and by keeping the channels for political dialogue open with Russia. This was the message the first day I arrived in NATO the 1st of October 2014, that we need defence and dialogue not defence or dialogue. Therefore, we welcome anything that can improve the conditions for dialogue with Russia. We believe that especially when tensions run high it is particularly important to have dialogue to have direct communications, and we do not want a new cold war, we don't seek confrontation with Russia. We will continue to strive for a more constructive relationship with Russia. Q: Mr Secretary General, there will be an informal discussion about the future relationship with Russia. Could you give us an insight why the Alliance is always trying to reconsider to look for another approach to make the ties with Russia better if there is no reciprocity from the Moscow side. Secretary General: One of the reasons why we think it is important to sit down is also to discuss those issues where we disagree. So far this year we have been able to convene two meetings of the NATO-Russia Council. And there we have also discussed also issues like Ukraine. We didn't come to any agreement, we continue to disagree but I think just to meet, to sit around the table and to have a frank and open discussion on also the difficult issues is important. We will continue to keep that kind of dialogue open in different ways but also through the Nato-Russia Council. Then we will also continue to work for reciprocity when it comes to transparency, risk reduction, and also the full implementation of the different agreements we have, for instance in the OSCE framework on transparency and risk reduction. We have something called the Vienna document and something called the open skies document. These documents regulate how you notify military exercises, how international observers are allowed to inspect military exercises, and one of the issues we have very much focused on in our dialogue with Russia is exactly how we can strengthen and improve these kind of mechanism's, partly by making sure that existing mechanisms are fully implemented and partly by improving some of the mechanism. So we are strengthening the tools to avoid incidents and accidents, like for instance the downing of a Russian plane over Turkey last tear. Or some of the very dangerous situations we have seen in the Baltic Sea and Black Sea, where Russian planes have been very close to NATO or US planes and ships. So we need to strengthen the tools we have to avoid these kind of dangerous situations and if they happen, to make sure that they do not spiral out of control. This is of course about reciprocity and that is exactly what we are discussing for instance in the NATO-Russia Council. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS San Antonio Concludes OOL Support, Highlights LPD Capabilities Navy News Service Story Number: NNS161206-09 Release Date: 12/6/2016 9:54:00 AM From U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs MEDITERRANEAN SEA (NNS) -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) concluded its support of Operation Odyssey Lighting (OOL), having completed a relief-in-place with the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), Dec. 4, 2016. Precision air strikes in support of the Libyan Government forces fighting Daesh in Sirte, Libya, had been conducted from San Antonio since Oct. 23. "This deployment and this operation have proven the combat capabilities of the LPD class ship," said San Antonio Commanding Officer, Capt. Darren Nelson. "But it is because of the effort of the crew that this ship is able to conduct such dynamic operations. They have performed fantastically throughout this deployment." A-H1W Super Cobras from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit's (MEU) Air Combat Element (ACE) provided the precision airstrike capability from the San Antonio. Over the course of the 43 days, the crew successfully carried out dozens combat sorties. "OOL demonstrated the great flexibility of the LPD-17 class ships and their ability to support a wide array of mission requirements from the flight deck," said San Antonio Air Boss, Lt. Cmdr. Peter Keus. "We have spent 72% of the days underway this deployment at flight quarters. The Sailors and Marines on our flight deck are very hard working and extremely flexible. I am very proud of them," Keus went on to say. Like all amphibious ships, San Antonio's operations required a cohesive effort between the Navy and Marine Corps team. "There was great communication with the ACE, which allowed us to plan properly for the operations. We adjusted to the optempo smoothly," said Petty Officer 1st Class Shawn Johnson, San Antonio Air Department Leading Petty Officer. "Both the Marines and Sailors understood that there was a common mission and after the initial integration we worked very well and became one element out on the flight deck." San Antonio completed a relief-in-place with Wasp on Oct. 23. Wasp had been conducting precision air strikes in support of OOL as of Aug. 1. Wasp has now conducted another relief-in-place with San Antonio to continue the mission. "This deployment has kept the entire Wasp Amphibious Ready Group extremely busy," said Commander, Amphibious Squadron Six, Capt. F. Byron Ogden. "We've innovatively supported OOL from both the Wasp and the San Antonio, demonstrating significant air strike capabilities the Navy and Marine Corps team brings to the fight. With San Antonio moving on, Wasp can continue the fight against ISIL in Sirte." San Antonio is deployed as part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. Commander, Amphibious Squadron Six commands the Wasp ARG, which consists of San Antonio, Wasp, and amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41). The 22nd MEU is currently embarked on the Wasp ARG. 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, security and stability in Europe and Africa. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, Djibouti to strengthen military cooperation People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:46, December 06, 2016 A senior Chinese military official on Monday said that the Chinese army is willing to strengthen dialogue and coordination with Djiboutian troops. Fan Changlong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while meeting with Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim, Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces. Fan spoke about the sound cooperation between the two armies in international peacekeeping, staff training, medical and health care and equipment maintenance. Zakaria said Djibouti is willing to make joint efforts with China to strengthen pragmatic cooperation and boost relations between the two armies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Venezuela's opposition quits govt. talks with new demands Iran Press TV Tue Dec 6, 2016 5:11PM The leader of Venezuela's opposition coalition has pulled out of the current round of crisis talks with government authorities, demanding the release of prisoners and a vote on the country's political future. "We are staying in the dialogue system but we are not going to take part in today's meeting," the MUD coalition leader Jesus Torrealba said on Tuesday. "The government is not only failing to fulfill its promises, it is denying all the agreements," Torrealba claimed in an interview with a local radio broadcast amid new opposition allegations that President Nicolas Maduro had agreed in the last round of talks to meet some of the opposition's demands. Maduro, however, says the issue of prisoner release and a referendum were never on the table as conditions for crisis negotiations. He has refused both demands while saying that he is willing to engage in dialogue with the opposition. Torrealba further stated that his side would only meet with Vatican and regional Latin American mediators on Tuesday, without elaborating on what they aim to achieve without government negotiators. Torrealba's side wants government authorities to release jailed opposition leaders and agree to hold a referendum on whether President Maduro should remain in office. While the center-right opposition holds Maduro's administration responsible for the country's deep economic crisis and shortage of basic goods, the Venezuelan leader has emphasized that the persisting crisis is a US-sponsored conspiracy in a bid to destabilize the Latin American nation. Meanwhile, a group of 14 jailed opposition leaders began a hunger strike on Monday to demand the release of political prisoners and a vote to settle the crisis. Venezuela's economic recession and ensuing shortages of food and medicine were driven by crashing prices for the country's crucial crude oil exports. Maduro enjoys the public backing of the military high command and of most other state institutions. The dialogue between the government and the opposition was aimed at calming tensions amid persisting opposition calls for the removal of the president as the only option to deal with the country's continuing economic troubles. Analysts have warned there is a risk of unrest in Venezuela. Anti-government protests in 2014 led to clashes that left over 40 people dead. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi jets bombard areas across Yemen Iran Press TV Tue Dec 6, 2016 10:59AM Saudi warplanes have carried out a series of new aerial attacks against areas across Yemen. On Tuesday morning, Saudi fighter jets launched nearly two dozen airstrikes against Baqim, Kitaf wa al-Boqe'e, Majz, al-Dhaher, Monabbih, and Thu'ban districts in the northwestern Yemeni province of Sa'ada. There were, however, no immediate reports on possible casualties and the extent of the damage caused, Arabic-language al-Masirah television network reported. Saudi artillery units also pounded several areas in the Monabbih and Shada'a districts of the same Yemeni province, but no reports of fatalities were available. Additionally, Saudi military aircraft bombarded various areas in the Nihm district of the capital province of Sana'a. A military camp was hit in the al-Khawkhah district of the coastal western province of Hudaydah. A number of areas were targeted in the Bayt al-Faqih district as well. Pipeline bombing Meanwhile, militants suspected of affiliation to the al-Qaeda terror network have reportedly attacked a crude oil pipeline in the southern province of Shabwah. A local source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the pipeline was carrying oil to the industrial port town of Balhaf. The al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has taken advantage of the chaos and the breakdown of security in Yemen caused by the Saudi war to tighten its grip on the southern and southeastern parts of the impoverished crisis-stricken country. UN envoy leaves Kuwait empty-handed Separately, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed has failed to convince Kuwaiti authorities to host a fresh round of UN-brokered peace talks between representatives from Yemen's warring sides. The senior UN official met and discussed the latest regional developments with Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah and First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sabah al-Khalid al-Sabah during his 5-day-long stay in Kuwait City. Kuwaiti authorities have said they would no more host the talks between the parties to the Yemeni conflict and would only host a potential ceremony to sign a peace agreement. Saudi Arabia has been engaged in a deadly campaign against Yemen since March 2015 in an attempt to bring back the former Yemeni government to power. The impoverished Arab country is grappling with the scarcity of food supplies and an outbreak of diseases amid the Saudi Arabian war. The UN International Children's Fund (UNICEF) says 7.4 million Yemeni children are in dire need of medical help, and 370,000 run the risk of acute malnutrition. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US returning parts of occupied land in Okinawa to Japan Iran Press TV Tue Dec 6, 2016 10:54AM The United States is returning some of the Japanese territories it has been occupying since the Second World War, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter says. More than 4,000 hectares (40 square kilometers) of land on the island of Okinawa, which has been under US control since 1945, would be turned over to Japan later this month, Carter said during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Tuesday. "We share your objective of completing the transfer by December 22," Carter told Abe. A senior US military official said a formal return ceremony was scheduled for December 21 and 22, according to Reuters. The land is part of a territory officially known as the Northern Training Area, located inside a vast US military base complex on the Pacific island. This is the largest return of the US-occupied territories since 1972, when Washington gave back a large chunk of Okinawa to Japan. The agreement for the return was reached in 1996, but faced delays due to protests against construction of new US military facilities. Under the deal, the US Marines' Futenma base, which is currently in a heavily-populated area, would be relocated to a new site in Okinawa. After the rape of a Japanese schoolgirl by three US troops in 1996, Washington and Tokyo agreed to relocate some US servicemen outside Okinawa or move others to less populated parts of the island. Protesters, however, want the base and the US military off their land altogether. Okinawa hosts the bulk of the nearly 50,000 American military personnel stationed in Japan, an issue that has turned the island into a source of enduring tensions. Protests against the presence of US military forces on the island have been going on for around two decades The US military bases in Japan are a key part of the security alliance between Washington and Tokyo. Carter's visit was aimed at calming anxieties ensued from US President-elect Donald Trump's election victory last month. Trump has called on all US allies to either pay more for the military support they receive from Washington or take on the job themselves. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli parliament moves bill forward to legalize unlawful outposts Iran Press TV Tue Dec 6, 2016 9:13AM Israel's parliament (Knesset) has given its initial approval to a controversial bill that would authorize the presence of illegal settlement units built on privately-owned Palestinian territories in the occupied West Bank amid outcry that the measure would amount to land grab. The legislature advanced the so-called Regulation Bill by 60 votes to 49 during a late Monday session. It will be put to a second vote on Tuesday, with three readings needed at unspecified future dates before it becomes law. The bill is a revised version of legislation that, in its original form, defied the Israeli supreme court's decision on the evacuation of the illegal Amona settlement outpost, which is located northeast of Ramallah in the central West Bank and constructed on private Palestinian land. The supreme court decision stipulated that the evacuation of Amona "must occur before December 25." The new bill has scrapped the so-called Amona clause. The 330 residents of the unlawful settlement outpost are then to be moved to a nearby hill for eight months, after which they would be forced to move a second time. Hard-line Israeli politician Naftali Bennett has praised the parliamentary approval of the bill to retroactively authorize illegal outposts as a step away from establishing a Palestinian state. Opposition leader Isaac Herzog has, however, lamented the legislation and warned that the Israeli regime is committing "suicide" with the measure. US Secretary of State John Kerry has also called the bill "really concerning." "There will be no advance and separate peace with the Arab world without the Palestinian process and Palestinian peace," he said. Additionally, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov said, "Some have pronounced (this bill) to be a step towards the annexation of the West Bank (that could have) far-reaching legal consequences for Israel and across the occupied West Bank, and greatly diminish the prospect of Arab-Israeli peace." More than half a million Israelis live in over 230 illegal settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem al-Quds. The Palestinian Authority wants the West Bank as part of a future independent Palestinians state, with East Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital. However, the continued expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine has created a major obstacle to that goal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nigerian authorities urge prosecution of Sheikh Zakzaky Iran Press TV Tue Dec 6, 2016 8:21AM Authorities in a Nigerian state have called for the prosecution of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky who was recently ordered to be released after nearly a year of detention without trial. The government of Kaduna State on Monday said Zakzaky should be put on trial for the alleged "lawlessness" of his group, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), for the past 30 years. In October, authorities in the state declared the mainstream Shia group as illegal as part of the state crackdown against the Muslim community. On Monday, the Kaduna government accused the group of "allegiance to a foreign power." The news comes few days after the federal high court of Nigeria ruled that Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, should be released unconditionally. The prominent cleric and his wife were taken into custody on December 14, 2015, after deadly clashes between the supporters of the IMN movement and Nigerian troops. Nearly 350 members of the Shia movement were killed in the clashes. The sheikh was brutally injured and his house was reportedly destroyed by the army in the incident. Justice Gabriel Kolawole said he had given 45 days for authorities to provide new accommodation for the Zakzaky family. The judge also said the state security service would pay Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife $78,984 each in compensation for the violation of their rights for being held in unlawful custody for nearly a year. Monday's call could threaten the release of Zakzaky as the Kaduna government could bring charges against him. Last month, nearly 100 IMN supporters were killed when Nigerian forces fired live rounds and tear gas at mourners during a peaceful march ahead of the Arba'een mourning rituals. Authorities also destroyed a number of buildings belonging to the IMN. The Nigerian government has stepped up its crackdown on the IMN since the December 2015 deadly incident. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU, NATO Herald 'Transatlantic Bond' Ahead Of Trump Presidency RFE/RL December 06, 2016 NATO and the European Union heralded a "new important era" of cooperation on December 6, endorsing an agenda for closer collaboration amid uncertainty over U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's foreign policy and approach to the alliance. NATO foreign ministers in Brussels agreed on plans to combat cyberattacks, information warfare, sea operations, and improve defenses for neighboring countries. "Today we start a new important era in EU-NATO cooperation," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told reporters at the alliance's headquarters. Trump, who is set to succeed outgoing President Barack Obama in January, suggested earlier this year that the United States might not protect fellow NATO members from attacks if they do not pull their financial weight in the alliance. Washington has long demanded that NATO members meet the alliance's target of spending 2 percent of their GDP annually on defense, a threshold that only a handful of members are meeting. Trump's comments during the campaign rattled NATO's easternmost members, who are wary of Russia's intentions in the region following its annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and backing of armed separatists in eastern Ukraine. The Republican president-elect has also spoken positively about Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing a desire to mend battered bilateral ties with Moscow and saying he would examine the possibility of lifting sanctions targeting Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in Brussels on December 6 that he is "absolutely certain that the United States will remain committed to the transatlantic bond, will remain committed to NATO, and will live up to...security guarantees to Europe." Speaking after talks with his NATO counterparts, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that "the change of the administration will not change the unwavering commitment of the U.S. to...our NATO obligations." Appearing at his final NATO ministerial meeting, Kerry added that "unity is very, very important" for the alliance. "We need to come together, to make sure there is a strong Europe, a strong NATO and that the values and the interests that we all share, we are continuing to work on together," he told reporters. With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, and dpa Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/eu-nato-trump -kerry-mogherini/28160017.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 Poland Launches Massive $14.5 Billion Military Overhaul Sputnik News 22:11 06.12.2016(updated 00:41 07.12.2016) Officials in Warsaw, Poland, have announced plans to devote $14.5 billion to military modernization efforts over the next five years. Poland will spend about $5.7 billion of the funds in the next two years, according to a defense spokesman. The ministry plans to modernize its air-defense systems while acquiring a slew of new military vehicles, including 14 helicopters, 1,200 UAVs, three coastal defense ships and two mine destroyers. Further, a spokeswoman indicated that Poland would team up with an undisclosed NATO ally to procure a presently-unknown number of submarines, Defense News reports. The UAV fleet will include 1,000 aircraft with fighting capabilities and 200 UAVs for surveillance missions, according to Defense News. In November, Poland's Parliament voted to approve the formation of a territorial defense force consisting of over 50,000 part-time soldiers to be deployed across the nation, Politico EU reported. Defense minister Antoni Macierewicz is, "a very efficient politician and defense minister" Polish pundit Mariusz Olszweski told Sputnik Poland. "His ability to place [the territorial defense force] under his personal command, rather than the president's, is nothing short of a political masterpiece," he said. A Polish spokeswoman said 3.2 billion zloty (approximately $768 million) would be allocated toward the territorial defense forces for new weapons and military gear. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secret Report of $125Bln Wasted by Pentagon Prompts Demand for Congress Probe Sputnik News 20:54 06.12.2016(updated 20:55 06.12.2016) An internal Department of Defense audit that reportedly showed $125 million wasted by the agency's bloated bureaucracy is being sought for an investigation by Congress, according to a press release issued by US Senator Claire McCaskill on Tuesday. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) Earlier it was reported that the effort went awry when auditors discovered $125 billion in waste an amount so large that Defense Department officials decided to kill the report and hush up the audit. "If this is true, the Pentagon played Congress and the American public for fools," McCaskill said in the release. "It would mean that while some in Congress were busy debating cuts to vital services the Department of Defense literally knew it could save the American people billions and billions of dollars in bureaucratic waste." In January, McCaskill will become the ranking minority member of the US Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, according to the release. She is also a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. McCaskill's call for an investigation was prompted by a newspaper report earlier on Tuesday of a Pentagon-ordered study that was intended to make the agency's bureaucracy more efficient and use the savings to support combat troops. McCaskill's release noted that her office had contacted the Defense Department to demand a full copy of the buried study along with the background data. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Matter of Prestige: Reasons Behind Bangladesh's Purchase of Chinese Submarines Sputnik News 20:44 06.12.2016(updated 21:26 06.12.2016) Bangladesh purchased two diesel-electric submarines from China, sparking concerns in neighboring India. Russian military expert Vasily Kashin spoke to Sputnik about this. India's eastern neighbor Bangladesh acquired two diesel-electric submarines from China for $203 million. After they enter service in 2017, they will become the first and only submarines in the Bangladesh Navy. However, Bangladesh's geography is one of the reasons why questions and speculations have been raised regarding this purchase. Bangladesh is almost entirely surrounded by the territory of India and has only a small border with Myanmar. A number of Indian observers have interpreted the Chinese supply of submarines to Bangladesh as part of China's policy on "encirclement" of India. Russian military expert, Vasily Kashin, however, thinks otherwise. The two submarines purchased by Bangladesh are modernized 035 project version subs. They were constructed in the 1970s and were considered not to be successful. After modernizing the 035G project subs were equipped with new torpedoes and sonar stations copied from the French sonars. According to the expert, the Chinese navy used 035G submarines in combat training in 1990-2000. Moreover, the 035G submarines were obsolete even at the start of their construction in the late 1980s. This was precisely the reason which forced China to purchase 12 submarines from Russia later on. Talking about the regional situation, Kashin told Sputnik China that, "Against the background of eight modern submarines of project S20 which China intends to supply to Pakistan, two 035G to the Bangladesh Navy hardly represent a big problem for a potential enemy." The expert further said that lack of experience of the Bangladesh Navy and their possession of the obsolete 035G submarines make them an easy target for a more advanced Indian Navy in case such a situation arises. Thus, the Indian discontent is not due to the supply of this particular submarine, but it is due to the fact that Bangladesh is strengthening its military using Chinese weapons. In addition to the submarines, Bangladesh had also purchased Chinese project 056 corvettes. The expert also added that there are reports that they had also purchased frigates and there are numerous contracts in recent years for the supply of military equipment to the army and the air force. The expert further noted that, "Judging by some Indian publications, if Bangladesh had purchased the same or even a larger number of weapons from extra-regional suppliers, for example, Russia or Europe, it would not have caused such negative emotions from the Indian side." Furthermore, the expert said that Bangladesh has an uneasy relationship with its second neighbor, Myanmar. There is an ethnic conflict involving Muslim population of Myanmar, which has caused a major refugee influx. In addition, in the past, Bangladesh and Myanmar had maritime territorial disputes which they managed to resolve only just recently. Kashin also said that perhaps acquisition of the submarines was done out of prestige considerations. In recent years, many ASEAN countries have purchased submarines. At some point, Myanmar also considered buying them but abandoned the plan due to the lack of funds. "However, a number of other ASEAN countries such as Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia have already formed their submarine fleets, or like Thailand are planning to create one soon. Perhaps, Bangladesh does not want to stay behind them too much," the expert concluded. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nordics Bracing for New Arms Race Despite Russia's Proposed Military Budget Cuts Sputnik News 16:56 06.12.2016 The news of Russia's plans to bring down its military expenditure should obviously have a soothing effect on the Nordic countries, who seem a bit paranoid about the imminent Russian "aggression." Nevertheless, the anti-Russian rhetoric lingers on. In late November, the Russian magazine Kommersant informed that Russia plans to cut its 2017 military budget by almost $12 billion, only to follow up with more drastic cuts in 2018. According to Kommersant, defense expenditures will be cut by 26 percent compared to the 2016 budget. Together with Vladimir Putin's recent state of the nation address, where he specifically stressed that Russia is not looking for enemies, but wants friends, this was a welcome message in the Nordic countries. "For us who have followed the internal political discussion, this is hardly surprising. The surprising thing is that his trend is not properly addressed in the Norwegian press. This trend is now being portrayed as something new, but it is not," Russia expert Julie Wilhelmsen from the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) told Norwegian daily Aftenposten. "I prefer to regard Russia as a rational actor," Wilhelmsen added. Researcher Una Hakvag from the Defense Research Establishment (FFI) stated that the military budget cuts should signal Russia's reluctance to start a new arms race to the West. "It is not inconceivable that the Russian authorities have noted that Russia's high defense priorities in recent years have led to concern and higher defense expenditure in Russia's immediate surroundings. The cuts can therefore be interpreted as unwillingness to start a new arms race," Una Hakvag said. If the proposed cuts are implemented, the Russian military will be back at the same budget as when Putin began his third presidential term four years ago, according to FFI estimates. Former top Navy officer and independent defense expert, Jacob Brresen, who previously criticized the use of conflict rhetoric against Russia, pointed out that Norway should stop "turning the defense mode on and off" based on the level of its relations with Russia. Brresen lashed out at Norway's recent defense plan and predicted a coming thaw in Norwegian-Russian relations. However, former Norwegian intelligence chief Kjell Grandhagen warned his compatriots against being lulled into a sense of false security. "Putin's vision implies an ambitious Russia striving to be a global power and ready to fill the vacuum US and EU might leave in the coming years. The country's weak resource base may push Russia into sparring with rivals above its weight class. This is seldom of any good. Russia continues to represent a significant long-term challenge both globally and for us as its smaller neighbor," Kjell Grandhagen ventured in a comment on his Facebook page. In Sweden, the possibility of defense cuts in Russia also triggered mixed reactions. Left Party defense spokesman Stig Henriksson expressed hope that it might put an end to the nascent arms race between Russia and the West. At the same time, he reminded that Russian defense was greatly dismantled after the fall of the USSR, as well as the fact that even Saudi Arabia runs a larger military budget than Russia, Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet reported. Meanwhile, Conservative defense policy spokesman Hans Wallmark did not share his colleague's optimism. By his own admission, he saw no signs of reduction in Russia's re-armament and neither did Moscow "turn down its ambitions." According to Wallmark, Russian "aggression" went on through Russian intelligence in Europe, disinformation campaigns and provocations in the Baltic Sea Region. This opinion was indirectly shared by the Swedish Armed Forces, which in their recent report indicated a need for a drastic military budget increase to "keep pace with the Russian army," Svenska Dagbladet reported. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address William Sallie A Georgia man who shot and killed his father-in-law before abducting his estranged wife and her sister became the ninth man executed by the state this year. William Sallie, 50, died by lethal injection at 10:05 p.m. Tuesday at Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson. His execution had been scheduled for 7 p.m. But the state waited to hear from the U.S. Supreme Court on whether Sallie's execution would be stayed. In his final statement, Sallie apologized for his crime and asked for forgiveness. He accepted a final prayer before the deadly dose of drugs was administered. Sallie was sentenced to death for the March 1990 murder of John Moore. He had already abducted his 2-year-old son and moved to Illinois when he returned to Georgia and rented a mobile home in Liberty County under an assumed name. He had a friend buy a 9-millimeter pistol for him and, on March 28, 1990, went to the home of John and Linda Moore his estranged wife, Robin's parents where he cut the phone line while Robin was talking to her boyfriend. At about 12:45 a.m., Sallie pried open a back door of the home, went into the master bedroom and shot John and Linda Moore. John was hit six times, including two shots that damaged his heart, and died. Linda was shot in the thumb, the shoulder and both thighs. Sallie went outside to reload and Robin and her 17-year-old sister, April, pleaded with him to let them get help for her parents. Instead, he re-entered the home and handcuffed a bleeding Linda Moore to Justin, Robin's 9-year-old brother. He then bound Robin and April to each other with handcuffs and duct tape. He took the two of them to his Liberty County mobile home, where he assaulted them both. After a few hours, Linda and Justin managed to get themselves free and get to a neighbor, who called police. Sallie released Robin and April in Bacon County the night of March 29, after asking them not to press charges. He was arrested shortly thereafter. Sallie became the 68th inmate executed in Georgia since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976. He was the 46th inmate put to death by lethal injection. There are presently 58 men under death sentence in Georgia. This year, Georgia has nearly doubled its records for executions. The death penalty was carried out five times last year. | Report an error, an omission; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; send a submission; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! EU, US Sign Military Logistical Assistance Agreement Sputnik News 16:08 06.12.2016(updated 16:19 06.12.2016) Representatives of the European Union and the United States on Tuesday signed an agreement aimed at facilitation of bilateral logistical support during military operations, the European External Action Service (EEAS) said in a press release. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The sides to the agreement have described it as "a major milestone" in bilateral military cooperation which would help to reinforce strategic partnership between the European Union and NATO. "The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini and the US Secretary of State, John Kerry signed an EU-US Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) today [Tuesday]," the press release read. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel's settlement 'legalization bill' would harm prospects for Arab-Israeli peace, UN envoy warns 6 December 2016 The United Nations envoy on the Middle East peace process today warned against Israel's move to adopt the so-called 'legalization bill,' which aims to protect illegal settlements and outposts built on private Palestinian property in the West Bank, "but which some have said could be a step towards annexation" of the area. "If adopted, it will have far reaching legal consequences for Israel, across the occupied West Bank and will greatly diminish the prospect of Arab-Israeli peace," said the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nickolay Mladenov, in a press statement. He reiterated that all settlement activities are illegal under international law and run counter to the position of the diplomatic Quartet on the Middle East comprising the UN, Russia, the United States and the European Union that settlements are one of the main obstacles to peace. "I encourage Israeli legislators to reconsider this move," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Foreign Policy Under Trump Likely to Preoccupy NATO Ministers By Lisa Bryant December 06, 2016 NATO Foreign ministers face a busy agenda as they meet for year-end talks Tuesday in Brussels. But at a time when the alliance faces myriad challenges, the biggest issue is not on the official agenda: What NATO course will Donald Trump chart when he becomes U.S. president? "Trump will be on everybody's mind," says analyst Sven Biscop of the Egmont Institute, a Brussels-based research group, before the two-day meeting in Brussels. The President-elect's conflicting remarks about the Atlantic alliance and his controversial calls and tweets, including a telephone chat with Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-Wen that irked Beijing, have fed European concerns, analysts say, while his choices for key security posts have sparked a mixed response. Working together NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg did not directly address those questions at a news conference Monday, saying only he was "looking forward to working" with Trump and his team. Stoltenberg earlier expressed confidence Washington's commitment to its alliance will not change, despite Trump's campaign claims the United States may not necessarily come to the defense of NATO members who fail to pay their dues. "The Europeans will want to emphasize their commitment to European defense and keep America tied to NATO and Article 5 (on collective defense)," said Andrew Dorman, a NATO expert at London policy institute Chatham House. This week's talks will also mark the last major NATO meeting under the Obama administration, and a farewell to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. "The Europeans will be trying to get a feel of what the heck a Trump administration is going to be like," Dorman said. "And it's not clear Kerry is going to be able to tell them that much. He's probably guessing as much as anyone else." Defense funding threat This week's meeting comes days after the European Union unveiled an ambitious new plan for defense funding and research, including a $5.36 billion annual investment fund. While Washington has for years called on the Europeans to increase their defense spending, Trump's tough remarks appear to have hit home, analysts say. The United States bankrolls about 70 percent of NATO's budget. Only four members, Britain, Estonia, Greece and Poland, meet alliance commitments of earmarking at least two percent of their GDP on defense. Last week, Lithuania's president Dalia Grybauskaite said her country would meet the NATO target by 2018, even as she called on Trump to uphold NATO commitments. "It's really interesting to see how Trump is pushing the Europeans to react," says Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer, Paris office director for The German Marshall Fund of the United States. "When you meet with military commanders in France, they'll say, 'We want to prove that Trump is wrong.' That's the leitmotif of what you're hearing." Brexit, Iran, Russia Brexit is providing another push for closer military cooperation among the EU's remaining members, with heavyweights France and Germany leading the way. "The UK has been blocking the creation of the European Union's own operational headquarters," says Dorman of Chatham House. "That will go ahead now." While Trump's selection of retired general James Mattis as defense secretary has earned European praise, his positive remarks about Russian President Vladimir Putin and his threats to tear up the Iran nuclear agreement have unsettled many allies. On Iran, European allies may break strongly with Trump if he tries to undo the nuclear deal, Biscop says. For Europeans, the normalization of relations with Iran is absolutely uncontroversial," he said. "There's no desire to go back on that." Russia is more complex. While Europeans maintain their sanctions and tough talk against Moscow on issues like Ukraine and Syria, France's conservative presidential candidate Francois Fillon is among those pushing for a more accommodating policy toward Moscow. "I think the concern now in Europe is where is Trump's red line when it comes to Russia. Is he willing to formalize Crimea's annexation? Or to find a solution with Putin in Iraq and Syria?" said de Hoop Scheffer. Those questions are unlikely to go away, de Hoop Scheffer predicts Moscow will flex its military muscles in the weeks before Trump's January inauguration. "Putin will be testing Trump to see how he reacts," she said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Philippine Marine Sanctuary in Disputed Sea Risks Upsetting China By Ralph Jennings December 06, 2016 A marine sanctuary proposed by the Philippine president inside a contested South China Sea shoal risks upsetting rival claimant China despite an ecological mission and a recent thaw in relations with the Asian superpower. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte told local media in late November he planned to issue an executive order declaring the triangle of water inside Scarborough Shoal a no-fishing zone. Duterte said he had notified his Chinese counterpart of his intention for the shoal, encompassing about 158 square kilometers (58 square miles) of water. Competing claims China and the Philippines have tried since August to repair relations damaged in part by competing claims to the tiny land form 198 kilometers (123 miles) west of Luzon Island. Vessels from China and the Philippines entered a two-month standoff at the shoal in 2012. The president's order would effectively reassert Philippine sovereignty. "Designating the Scarborough Shoal area as a marine sanctuary would be a renewed claim by the Philippines to sovereignty over that area," said Jonathan Spangler, director of the South China Sea Think Tank in Taipei. "Any unilateral actions that imply sovereignty are likely to cause friction between rival claimants, even if they are framed as marine conservation efforts." China claims about 95 percent of the South China Sea, including waters west of the Philippine archipelago. It has upset Manila and four other Asian governments since 2010 by reclaiming land for artificial islets, militarizing some of them and passing vessels through tracts of ocean claimed by other countries. The sea, which is about 3.5 million square kilometers (1.4 million square miles), ranges from Singapore to Taiwan. It's prized for fisheries, shipping lanes and possible fossil fuel reserves under the seabed. Better fishing Duterte wants the marine sanctuary to help replenish fish in the shoal where stocks have been depleted, Philippine National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said at an Asia Pacific leadership meeting in Peru November 20. The adviser said the government might send civilian coast guard personnel to the shoal and that he hoped China would accept the marine conservation plan. Duterte visited Beijing in October and Chinese officials pledged then $24 billion in aid for the Philippines. The visit also eased tension created under Duterte's predecessor, who took Beijing to a world arbitration court over its maritime claims. The court ruled July 12 that China lacked a legal basis to claim much of the sea. China should accept the marine sanctuary proposal as it would regenerate fish and avoid the question of sovereignty, said Ramon Casiple, executive director of the Philippine advocacy group Institute for Political and Electoral Reform. Two sides will talk The two sides agreed in October to discuss the South China Sea issue eventually including possible joint exploration for gas or oil. "Marine sanctuary, fishing rights, coast guard cooperation, access to Scarborough Shoal, (they are) not really touching on the sovereignty issue," Casiple said. China has not weighed in. The foreign ministry spokesman in Beijing said only that the Chinese claims to sovereignty over the shoal will not change. The marine sanctuary would need "at least tacit approval" from related claimants other than Manila to reduce South China Sea tensions, Spangler said. Elsewhere in the South China Sea, Taiwan formed a national park nine years ago at Dongsha Atoll in the Pratas archipelago to regenerate coral. China claims the Pratas as well but has not overtly challenged Taiwan's sanctuary. In October a city in China ordered anyone without government approval to avoid an ecologically unique, 301-meter-deep (987-foot) ocean sinkhole on a Paracel Island holding near Vietnam. Manila's maritime protection area may be seen as an assertion of sovereignty without the boldness of a military move, said Douglas Guilfoyle, associate international law professor at Monash University in Australia. Manila also has the right to declare it unilaterally because the shoal is within its 200 nautical-mile (370-km) exclusive economic zone, he said. "I don't think there's any internationally agreed definition of what a marine protection area means," Guilfoyle said. Last year the world court ruled that Britain violated international law in setting up a marine protected area around the Chagos Archipelago, which is also claimed by the nearby Indian Ocean nation of Mauritius. "One way of characterizing it may be in essence a peaceful assertion of sovereignty in that if you declare that you are going to be attempting to be protecting and preserving the environment in an area, the objective sounds laudable and the means by which you would normally do it would be through coast guard or fisheries inspectorate vessels, so it looks much less heavy handed than sending in the navy," he said. "But nonetheless it is a display of sovereign authority." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Uganda's LRA Senior Commander Goes on Trial at ICC By Lisa Bryant December 06, 2016 The International Criminal Court has begun its first trial against a senior member of the Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army, and its first against a former child soldier. The procedures raise complex ethical questions as defendant Dominic Ongwen, who has pled not guilty, was both a victim and an alleged perpetrator of the rebel group's brutality. The trial against Ongwen took an unusual turn Monday as the defendant initially said he did not understand the charges against him. His defense team suggested he was not psychologically fit to stand trial. But presiding judge Bertram Schmitt rejected those claims, and Ongwen was asked whether he pleaded guilty. ONGWEN (thru translator): "In the name of God I deny all these charges in respect to the war in northern Uganda." JUDGE: "You therefore plead not guilty with respect to all the charges, I assume." ONGWEN: "Yes." Ongwen faces a record 70 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity against him at the Hague-based International Criminal Court. They include rape, murder, torture, pillaging and enslavement during LRA attacks on camps of displaced people in northern Uganda between 2003 and 2004. He is also accused of many other crimes the ICC is not examining at this particular trial. Possibility of life in prison Ongwen was captured in the Central African Republic in January 2015. If found guilty, he could face life in prison. The ICC's chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said the LRA's brutality blighted the lives of millions of ordinary people. She showed graphic images of slaughtered children after four LRA rampages on Ugandan camps. "Your Honors, the evidence shows that in each case, Dominic Ongwen played a prominent role in the planning and execution of the four attacks," said Bensouda. "He did so as a commander of one of the four principal operations units of the LRA - the senior brigade." But Ongwen was also a victim of the LRA, abducted by the rebels at the age of 10 as he walked to school. The defense team will seize on his background in its argument. At the trial's opening, Ongwen blamed the atrocities on LRA leader Joseph Kony, who faces an ICC arrest warrant and is still on the run, for the brutalities. Investigation into abuses Leslie Lefkow, deputy Africa director for Human Rights Watch, says the group has also called on the court to expand its investigation to LRA atrocities committed outside Uganda. "We have also by the way, have called upon the ICC to investigate abuses committed by the Ugandan military during its long war with the LRA because we and others have documented serious crimes on that side," said Lefkow. The Ongwen trial comes after several African countries said they would withdraw from the court. But in the case of Gambia, where longtime President Yahya Jammeh was defeated in last week's election, the incoming president says he is committed to remaining in the court. And South Africa's opposition has launched a legal effort to block government efforts to withdraw from the ICC. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tensions Between India, Pakistan Undermining Regional Alliances By Ayesha Tanzeem December 06, 2016 Tensions between India and Pakistan are spoiling efforts to try to tackle the region's security problems, as the nuclear-armed neighbors have difficulty finding issues on which they can work together. A regional conference that India recently hosted on Afghanistan fell hostage to a "[b]lame game, rather than constructive engagement," wrote Imtiaz Alam, a Lahore-based journalist and analyst, in his column for the English language The News. Another regional conference, scheduled for last month in Pakistan, was canceled because of discord with India. "I don't think you can have any kind of effective regional cooperation in which these two countries are involved until the India-Pakistan confrontation is resolved," said Ajai Sahni, executive director of the Institute for Conflict Management in New Delhi. South Asia is not a well-integrated region, and few countries in the region are working together to address common problems. One of the few alliances developed to change that has struggled to perform. Under the best of circumstances, organizations like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, or SAARC, have fought to be effective. "Every meeting of SAARC used to turn into a confrontation between India and Pakistan," said Sahni. Even in peacetime The discord, however, has reached a new level. "We always had high tensions during war or immediately after war, but we have not seen this type of negative sentiment during peace before," said Lahore-based political analyst Hasan Askari Rizvi. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly announced a policy to try to isolate Pakistan internationally, after a September attack on an Indian army base in the disputed Kashmir region killed 18 soldiers. India blamed the attack on Pakistan-based militants. SAARC, according to Michael Kugelman, a senior associate for South and Southeast Asia at the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson Center, could become one of the biggest casualties of that policy. "With the India-Pakistan relationship in deep crisis, New Delhi has tried to use SAARC as a mechanism to isolate Pakistan," he said. A recent conference held in the Indian city of Amritsar, called "The Heart of Asia Istanbul Process," had a larger audience, with the United States, Russia, China and Turkey among those present. It was supposed to be about regional countries coming together to help strife-torn Afghanistan deal with its economic and security challenges. Obvious tension The conference unanimously approved a joint declaration that included language like "close regional cooperation aimed at promoting stability, peace and prosperity in Afghanistan," and demanded an "immediate end to all forms of terrorism, as well as all support to it." Still, Sahni said, the declaration amounted to nothing more than a polite meeting among diplomats. "You can have any number of declarations you like; that's not going to go anywhere," he said. This time, however, the optics of tension became so obvious that, as Alam wrote in his column, Russia's special envoy to Kabul "had to lament the use of a multilateral forum for bilateral mudslinging." The Indian leadership kept Pakistan's adviser to the prime minister on foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, who is the country's de facto foreign minister, mostly at arm's length. He was not allowed to hold a news conference with Pakistani media, citing "security concerns," and he did not meet bilaterally with any official of the host country. "It made for riveting headlines, but in truth may have only set back further the cause of stability and peace in the region," read an editorial in Pakistan's largest English language daily, Dawn. The two sides differ on the fundamental causes of this alienation. Pakistan-based analysts say the Indian government is trying to whip up ultranationalist fervor. "The state by itself is promoting extremism in the same way that Zia-ul-Haq did in his tenure," said Rizvi, referring to Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq, the late Pakistani president and military dictator. Haq is blamed for promoting a culture of Islamist extremism and intolerance in Pakistani society. Terrorism claims Many Indian officials and analysts blame Pakistan's continued support for terrorist groups, despite Islamabad's claims that it is fighting a war against all terrorist elements. "There is no effort whatsoever to contain, control or neutralize the groups that are directed against Afghanistan and the groups that are directed against India," said Sahni. Still, some are questioning the efficacy of a policy of disengagement. "[I]f every window for engagement with Pakistan is closed for India and Afghanistan, the two countries must closely consider what their next step will be," wrote India's widely circulated English-language paper The Hindu, in an editorial. "A lack of engagement may, in the short term, yield some pressure on Pakistan's leadership to act, as it did briefly after the Pathankot attack," said the paper, referring to a militant raid last January on an airbase in Pathankot, in Punjab state, that killed seven Indian soldiers. "But in the long run it may deplete the two countries of their limited leverage as Pakistan's neighbors." New Delhi blamed the Pathankot attack on Pakistan-based militants. Islamabad denies any role in supporting cross-border terrorism. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Venezuela Opposition Withdraws from Meeting with Government Officials By VOA News December 06, 2016 Venezuela's opposition says it will not attend a meeting Tuesday with government officials, putting a halt to on ongoing talks intended to defuse the country's political crisis. Opposition spokesman Jesus Torrealba said authorities have yet to make compromises more than a month into the mediation effort, but he said opposition leaders are staying in the dialogue system. Opposition leaders want to revive a suspended recall referendum that could lead to the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro and are demanding the release of political prisoners. Maduro has rejected both demands, but added he is ready to talk. With international mediators present in October, Maduro met with five opposition leaders, including Torrealba and opposition governor Henri Falcon in Caracas. Afterward, he told Venezuelans during a televised speech that he was "willing to listen and, hopefully, be listened to, and find points in the common interest of the great majority of the country, of the national interests. I think that this is not the time for long speeches, but rather to assume a deep commitment." If Maduro were to accept their demands, reports say, opposition concessions would then include the suspension of planned street protests and stopping a symbolic impeachment attempt in congress while abandoning efforts to seat three contested legislators. "It would be insincere to keep sitting there as if nothing has happened," said Torrealba said. "The government is not only failing to fulfill its promises, it is denying all the agreements." On Monday, more than 14 opposition political prisoners were taking part in a hunger strike to demand their release and allow a vote to proceed. The initial dialogue between government and opposition leaders was a Vatican-led effort to defuse the country's political crisis after Pope Francis met privately with Maduro. "The government and the opposition committed to lowering the aggressiveness in the language used in political debate," said papal envoy Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli. But socialist party leader Diosdado Cabello said the cardinal is taking a stricter approach with the government, while spending a greater time with the opposition. "It's irresponsible and disrespectful to think the Vatican is going to tutor Venezuela. When we say we're free and have sovereignty, it's because we're free and have sovereignty. We don't accept anyone trying to teach us," he said. Polls show if the recall referendum is reinstated, Maduro would lose the presidency. Maduro said blocking the referendum was an independent decision by the judicial and electoral authorities based on fraud allegations. He has distanced himself from the issue. His political opponents have accused him of staging a "coup d'etat" by stopping the effort to hold a vote to remove him. Some material for this report came from AP and AFP. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Attack on Pearl Harbor The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor encapsulates the tactical brilliance and strategic stupidity that was one of the primary sources of the ultimate Japanese defeat. Tactical surprise was essentially complete, most of the American forces were damaged or destroyed, and it was indeed some time before the USA could gather its forces to effectively respond. Strategically, it was a disaster, as it brought the United States into a war the ultimate outcome of which was now determined. Not unlike Wilson before him, FDR had been trying for some time to drag an unwilling America into the Second World War, and now Japan had solved this problem. America First closed up shop the next day. The Japanese military, deeply engaged in the seemingly endless war against China, badly needed oil and other raw materials. Commercial access to these was gradually curtailed as the conquests continued. The Japanese continued their expansion, and entered French Indochina in 1941. The United States responded with an embargo which made Japanese shortages of oil and raw materials even more acute as the war in China continued without resolution. In July 1941 the Western powers effectively halted trade with Japan. From then on, as the desperate Japanese schemed to seize the oil and mineral-rich East Indies and Southeast Asia, a Pacific war was virtually inevitable. By late November 1941, with peace negotiations clearly approaching an end, informed U.S. officials (and they were well-informed, they believed, through an ability to read Japan's diplomatic codes) fully expected a Japanese attack into the Indies, Malaya and probably the Philippines. Largely unanticipated was the prospect that Japan would attack east, as well. Japan's war potential, her probable action and plans of invasion had been brilliantly anticipated many years before by Homer Lea in his amazing book, The Valor of Ignorance, published in 1911. Although this extraordinary publication had created a sensation among the general staffs of the world, the growing Japanese menace was not fully appreciated. In 1918, the Imperial Defense Policy adopted by Japan identified the United States as their number one potential enemy. This belief influenced all aspects of Japanese naval policy. A naval arms race resulted from increased tensions between the two nations. From the Japanese perspective, war with the United States seemed inevitable. President Roosevelt's decided to redeploy a significant part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet from San Diego to Hawaii in May 1940. It brought the total number of American warships operating out of the Hawaiian port to well over 100. This forward basing decision by President Roosevelt was seen by the Japanese as a provocative action. Dean Acheson, who in 1941 was Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, declared before Pearl Harbor that no rational Japanese could believe that an attack on us could result in anything but disaster for his country. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson believed the Japanese, however wicked their intentions, would have the good sense not to get involved in a war with the United States. Edward N. Luttwak, in his Strategy: The Logic of War and Peace, contended that the Japanese had no victory options after Pearl Harbor other than an invasion of California, followed by the conquest of the major centers of American life and culminating with an imposed peace dictated to some collaborating government in Washington. Luttwak conceded that such a strategy lay fantastically beyond Japans power, and, in fact, no Japanese leader ever proposed an invasion of the United States. So the best Japanese option after Pearl Harbor was to sue immediately for peace, bargaining away Japans ability to resist eventual defeat for some years in exchange for whatever the United States would concede to avoid having to fight for its victory. Roberta Wohlstetter, in her path-breaking Pearl Harbor: Warning and Decision, denounced the fanciful Japanese thinking behind the decision for war: Most unreal was their assumption that the United States, with 10 times the military potential and a reputation for waging war until unconditional surrender, would after a short struggle accept the annihilation of a considerable part of its naval and air forces and the whole of its power in the Far East. Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto, the Commander and Chief of Japan's Combined Fleet, was highly respected within the Japanese Navy. He had spent considerable time in the United States and understood that Japan could not compete with America's great industrial capacity. Few Japanese leaders appreciated the limits of Japans power; on the contrary, many had wildly exaggerated ideas of Japans destiny and ability to fulfill it. By some accounts, Yamamoto reasoned that the shock of a decisive attack might drive the Americans to a negotiated peace with Japan in light of the deteriorating war situation in Europe. If he were wrong, Yamamoto felt it would take years for the United States to replace what it had lost in the attack. By that time, Japan could solidify the South Pacific region and retain it indefinitely. But in October 1940 Yamamoto warned that to fight the United States is like fighting the whole world. . . . Doubtless I shall die aboard the Nagato [his flagship]. Meanwhile, Tokyo will be burnt to the ground three times. Yamamoto had warned Prime Minister Konoe in the fall of 1940, if I am told to go at it, you will see me run wild for half a year, maybe a year. But I have no confidence whatsoever when it comes to 2 years, 3 years. Admiral Osami Nagano, the IJNs chief of staff, clearly understood that a protracted war benefited the United States. He believed the probability is very high that they [the United States] will from the outset plan on a prolonged war. Therefore it will be necessary for us to be reconciled to this and to be prepared militarily for a long war. He hoped that the United States would aim for a quick war leading to an early decision, send[ing] their principal naval units [into the Western Pacific], and challeng[ing] us to an immediate war, but he feared that America will attempt to prolong the war, using her impregnable position, her superior industrial power, and her abundant resources. In late 1941, two months before Pearl Harbor, Yamamoto predicted: "It is obvious that a Japanese-American war will become a protracted one. As long as the tides of war are in our favor, the United States will never stop fighting. As a consequence, the war will continue for several years, during which [our] material [resources] will be exhausted, vessels and arms will be damaged, and they can be replaced only with great difficulties. Ultimately we will not be able to contend with [the United States]...." America's Pacific Fleet was its center of gravity in the region. Its destruction was essential before initiating military operations in the south to achieve Japan's ultimate objectives. The attack on Pearl Harbor was a carefully planned fleet-to-shore operation. It was initiated as a result of growing tensions between Japan and the United States over an embargo of oil and other materials. This deliberate action by the United States was designed to penalize Japan for its aggressive military intervention in Indochina. Given the lack of natural resources in their own country, the embargo had the affect of "drawing a line in the sand" for the Japanese. The primary concern of Japanese war planners in 1941 was to secure a source of oil soon after hostilities were initiated. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, abruptly ushered the United States from defense to war and united Americans in a determination to defeat the Axis powers. The justificatory aim of the attack according to Japanese pronouncements was to liberate Asia from the colonial domination of the great American and European powers. Although the execution of the Pearl Harbor operation was successful, the operation did not achieve its strategic aim. A mismatch existed between operational and strategic objectives which was partially attributed to flaws in target selection, priority, and tactical level decision making during execution. Japan's narrow objective of destroying primarily capital ships, spared important logistical facilities from destruction. These support facilities proved to be the key to a quick restoration of U.S. naval presence in the region. Likewise, Japan's emphasis on placing a higher target priority for battleships versus carriers, allowed a more potent weapon system to essentially escape unscathed. This mistake had strategic implications in that aircraft carriers were the key weapon's platform used to destroy the Japanese Navy in later battles in the Pacific. The tactical commander's failure to exploit America's military forces at its most vulnerable point, minimized further damaged which could have been inflicted upon the U.S. Pacific Fleet anchored at Pearl Harbor. These operational and tactical errors allowed America to quickly recover from the attack and pursue offensive actions in the Pacific within a few months. The net result of the Pearl Harbor attack along with subsequent operations, solidified Japan's position in the Southwest Pacific. However, flaws in operational planning and conservative military leadership during the plan's execution, guaranteed this dominance only in the short term. American military planners had to make an important decision when the US entered the war. The country could not fight effectively at the same time in both Asia and Europe. It was decided to use most of American forces to defeat the German troops of Adolf Hitler. A strategic defensive was maintained in the Pacific until success in Europe permitted the transfer of forces to the Pacific for an offensive against Japan. This decision had important results, as Japan was able to win many of the early battles of the war in Asia. The devastating attack against Pearl Harbor on 7 December 19411 and the subsequent Japanese thrusts in Asia left only one important obstacle in the path of the Japanese onslaught to the Southwest Pacific. The Japanese operations which plunged the United States into total war occurred in rapid sequence and were well timed. The surprise attacks against Pearl Harbor and the Philippines were followed at once by the invasion of Malaya, the seizure of Guam, and the capture of other American and British areas in the Pacific and the Far East. When the first blows fell, Nazi Germany, Japan's ally, had already conquered most of Europe. The German armies were deep in Russia on a broad front, and in the Middle East Rommel's armored divisions were attacking the British troops defending Egypt. Japan's ultimate aim was complete hegemony in Asia and unchallenged supremacy in the western Pacific. Her strategic objectives were the subjugation of the Philippines and the capture of the immense natural resources of the Netherlands East Indies and Malaya. The conquest of the Philippines became an immediate military necessity. . Close to South China and the island stronghold of Formosa, they were not only an obstacle to Japan's international ambitions, but they could be made into a powerful strategic springboard for their drive south and eastward. Flanking the vital sea routes to the south, they were the hub of the transportation system to Southeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific; from the Philippines, lines of communication radiated to Java, Malaya, Borneo, and New Guinea. Economically too, they were necessary to Japan's grandiose scheme of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. As a thriving democracy, the Philippines were a living symbol of American political success in Asia and a direct negation of the national and moral principles represented by Japan. The Japanese were convinced that the Philippines must be conquered. The Japanese also planned to capture other strategic areas where they could establish advance posts and raise an outer barrier against an Allied counteroffensive. Their scheme of conquest envisaged control of the Aleutians, Midway, Fiji and Samoa, New Britain, eastern New Guinea, points in the Australian area, and the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal. All these would be seized or neutralized when operational conditions permitted. If the offensive succeeded, the United States would be forced back to Pearl Harbor, the British to India, and China's life line would be cut. The memory of the "sneak attack" on Pearl Harbor fueled a determination to fight on. Once the Battle of Midway in June 1942 had eliminated much of Japan's striking power, that same memory stoked a relentless war to reverse her conquests and remove her, and her German and Italian allies, as future threats to World peace. Japan's industrial potential was approximately ten percent of that of the United States, and was always hampered by a lack of oil. Even though her research and technical design work was not purely imitative, Japan's ability to develop reliable operating equipment in the new fields was low. Japanese radar and communications equipment was weak. Japan could not build sufficient ships or escort vessels, and lacked construction equipment to build adequate airfields. Japan could not economically afford to build adequate shelters for her population, and could not both disperse her industry and also repair damaged plants. Japan chose dispersal rather than repair, but had insufficient means even to disperse effectively. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Social-Media Giants Team Up To Curb Terrorist Content RFE/RL December 06, 2016 Four major U.S. technology companies say they are joining forces to remove terrorist-related content from their online services. YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Microsoft announced on December 5 that they planned to create a shared database of the videos and images that they have removed from their sites. The companies said the database, hosted by Facebook, will enable their peers to quickly remove similar posts on their platforms. The database will store digital snapshots of images and videos known as "hashes" -- a unique digital fingerprint created for each piece of content. Photos and videos being uploaded to the participating services will have their hash checked against the database. If it matches a hash stored there, a notification will be sent to the company to which the content has been uploaded so that it can be manually reviewed for possible removal. The joint database is to start operating next year and more companies may be brought into the partnership. "We hope this collaboration will lead to greater efficiency as we continue to enforce our policies to help curb the pressing global issue of terrorist content online," Facebook said in a statement. "There is no place for content that promotes terrorism on our hosted consumer services," a spokesman for Twitter said, adding that the initiative was aimed at the "most extreme and egregious" images and videos. Tech companies have come under pressure from Western governments to do more to remove content related to terrorist organizations and far-right groups. The European Union's executive body has warned that the EU would introduce regulation mandating swift action against hateful and racist content if tech companies did not respond more quickly. Social media has become a powerful recruitment tool for the Islamic State militant group, enabling it to expand its reach around the globe through posts that radicalize followers and inspire them to plan lone-wolf attacks. A number of tech firms such as YouTube and Facebook have begun to automatically remove extremist posts. But many providers have relied until now mainly on users to flag objectionable material, which is then individually reviewed by human editors who delete postings found in violation. Twitter suspended 235,000 accounts between February and August and has expanded the teams reviewing extremist posts. An international group comprising some of the main U.S. tech firms said in a report last week that governments seeking to curtail the spread of extremist content online risk jeopardizing free speech and privacy rights. The Global Network Initiative said on November 30 that companies should not be pressured by governments to change their terms of service, and that demands to restrict content need to be consistent with existing legal frameworks. Members of the group include Microsoft, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, and Yahoo. With reporting by AP, Reuters, and Bloomberg Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/social- media-work-together-terrorist- propaganda/28158782.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 Obama Defends Counterterrorism Strategy Against al-Qaida, IS By VOA News December 06, 2016 President Barack Obama said his administration's shift in the tactics of fighting terrorism -- from bearing the brunt of the battle to creating a multinational force that engages local governments -- should be credited for gains the United States has made against the Islamic State and al-Qaida terror networks. In his final major speech on national security, Obama praised the work done by the U.S. Special Operations Command and U.S. Central Command, the units in charge of special operations elements of the Army, Navy and Air Force. "Our nation owes you an unbelievable debt of gratitude," he told Special Operations troops based at MacDill Air Force Base in the southeastern state of Florida. When Obama took office in 2009, the United States had been at war for seven years in Afghanistan and Iraq. "For the eight years I've been in office, there has not been a day where a terrorist organization or some radicalized individual was not plotting to attack the United States," Obama said, adding that when he leaves office on January 20, 2017, he will have become the only president to have served two full terms during wartime. Obama said due to his administration's attempts to build coalitions and collaborate with local governments, al-Qaida -- the group behind the 9/11 attacks on the U.S. -- "is a shadow of its former self." Islamic State has "lost more than half its territory ... has lost control of major population centers. Its recruitment is drying up," he added. Ben Rhodes, White House deputy national security adviser, said before the speech that the administration's strategy "represents a more sustainable approach ... one where we had a limited number of U.S. forces on the ground." But some counterterrorism experts contend the rise of IS is an indication the Obama administration did not respond soon enough, despite the administration's success in killing key militant leaders. President-elect Donald Trump said during the campaign season that Obama and former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton were "co-founders" of IS, by accusing them of allowing the initial spread of the terrorist group. Obama will defend his counterterrorism record during a period of widespread unrest in the Middle East, with the intent of keeping the broad framework of his policies intact after he leaves office in January. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Human Rights (DEC 7 2016): A prisoner was reportedly hanged at Dizel Abad Prison (Kermanshah province, western Iran) on Tuesday December 6 on murder charges, and a prisoner was reportedly hanged at Salmas Central Prison (West Azerbaijan province, northwestern Iran) on Wednesday December 7 on drug related charges. The human rights news agency, HRANA, has identified the prisoner hanged at Dizel Abad Prison as Ali Akbar Karami. According to HRANA, Mr. Akbar Karami had turned himself in to Iranian judicial authorities two months after allegedly committing murder about three years ago. Ali Chartagh is the name of the prisoner who was reportedly hanged at Salmas Prison, according to HRANA and independent sources close to Iran Human Rights. "Ali Chartagh was arrested three years and seven months ago and was charged with participating in the storage of 750 grams of crystal meth. He was sentenced to death by the revolutionary court in Salmas," a confirmed source tells Iran Human Rights. According to close sources, Mr. Chartagh was executed by Iranian authorities even though he had reportedly requested a retrial and his case file was in the process of being reviewed by Branch 38 of Iran's Supreme Court, presided by Judge Latifi Rostami. Iranian official sources, including the Judiciary and the media, have been silent about these two executions. Source: Iran Human Rights, December 7, 2016 | Report an error, an omission; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; send a submission; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! Obama Appeals for Counterterrorism Policy That Adheres to Core US Values By Cindy Saine December 06, 2016 In his final national security speech, President Barack Obama thanked U.S. troops for keeping America safe and, without mentioning his name, rejected President-elect Donald Trump's call for a ban on Muslims and his support expressed during the election campaign for waterboarding. In a speech Tuesday to troops at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, Obama said, "Over the last eight years, no foreign terrorist organization has successfully planned and executed an attack on our homeland," adding that it was not for a lack of trying. He told the troops, "This is your work." Before the speech, the president met with and thanked U.S. Central Command and Special Operations leaders and troops at MacDill. Obama laid out how he views the status of the fight against terror after his two terms, getting loud applause when he said al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden is dead. He noted with pride that when he took office, 180,000 U.S. troops were deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying that number is now down to 15,000. He said the reduction in U.S. ground forces deployed in war zones marks a deliberate shift in strategy to rely more on building strong international coalitions and relying on local partners, in order to reduce American casualties and monetary costs. Obama touted substantial progress against the Islamic State terrorist group, saying, "The bottom line is we are breaking the back of ISIL (Islamic State)." He said the cost was considerably lower than efforts in the previous administration, putting it at $10 billion over two years. He said that although great progress has been made, the job is not done, and he noted that in recent years, the deadliest attacks on the homeland have been carried out by "homegrown and largely isolated individuals radicalized online." But he cautioned against losing perspective on the threat that terror poses. "Today's terrorists can kill innocent people, but they do not pose an existential threat to our nation," he said, saying terrorists are killers and thugs, and we should treat them as such. Obama said his administration prohibited torture, including waterboarding. "Upholding our values and adhering to the rule of law is not a weakness. It is our greatest strength," he said. During the campaign, Trump promised he would get tougher on terrorists and their families and said he supports waterboarding. Obama said it is past time to shut down the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, calling it a "blot" on America's honor. He called on Congress to vote on a new authorization of the use of military force for the fight against Islamic State. In an indirect criticism of Trump's call for a ban on Muslims, Obama said the war on terror cannot be a war on Islam, adding: "Protecting liberty is something we do for all Americans, not just some." Some critics of the president's counterterror strategy, including President-elect Trump, say that by pulling U.S. forces out of Iraq, Obama created a vacuum that terrorists have used to set up a base. Terrorism expert Max Abrahms of Northeastern University disagrees, saying the "original sin" on Iraq was former President George W. Bush's decision to depose former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Abrahms also faults Obama for "regime change" in Libya. But he said Obama's overall record in the fight against terror is "respectable." "I think Obama, to his credit, improved at counterterrorism over time. His initial response to the Islamic State was too tepid. It was too slow. It wasn't intense enough," Abrahms said. "And it was only when our journalist James Foley had his head chopped off, when [Islamic State executioner] 'Jihadi John' bragged about it, that Obama went before the American public and basically rallied support for a more robust counterterrorism mission," he said. Abrahms agreed with Obama that one of the biggest issues that remains to be resolved is the problem of "lone wolf" terrorists at home, individuals radicalized online and acting on their own. Colin Clarke of the RAND Corporation praised Obama's national security record for his ability to form large international coalitions and his prohibition of torture, saying, "I think they will outlast this presidency and give some momentum to President-elect Trump as he grapples with a very serious set of circumstances." Clarke pointed out that the person Trump chose to be his secretary of defense, retired Marine General James Mattis, recently said waterboarding is not effective. "Mattis is someone that has spoken out against waterboarding and so we are likely to see him [Trump] taking the wise counsel he is now surrounding himself with and possibly being a bit more deliberative and discerning with respect to some of those positions he has taken." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump-Tsai Call Reflects Views of Trump Advisers Urging Toughness With China By Nike Ching December 06, 2016 A U.S. Republican party foreign policy aide arrived in Taiwan Tuesday morning for a week-long visit, which might include a meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, after she congratulated U.S. President-elect Donald Trump during a phone call last Friday. The call, made by Tsai, was seen as a reflection of the Trump advisors' hawkish view that Washington should pursue its relations with Beijing from a "position through strength." It was November of 1987 when Stephan Yates, then a Mormon missionary, first arrived in Taiwan. He used to have to ride buses for many hours between major cities, including Changhwa and Kaohsiung, where he spent almost two years. Three decades later, much has changed. Modernized infrastructure and high-rise buildings are seen everywhere, along with high-speed rail that makes transportation much easier. Not to mention the matured Taiwan democracy where several peaceful shifts in power from one party to another have taken place. Respect for Taiwan "If mainland China wants to establish a good relationship with the people of Taiwan, they must respect the political reform and democratization of Taiwan with the example of President-elect Trump," Yates, now the chairman of the Idaho Republican Party, told VOA Tuesday. Keeping it low-key, Yates said he is not carrying any message to Tsai on behalf of Trump. Getting tough with Beijing While Trump's conversation with Tsai has brought solemn protest from China, the call reflects the views of Yates and many other hard-line Republican advisers, who urge Trump to openly take a tough stand against China. Officials from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spoke with U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus to lodge an objection last Saturday. 'One China' policy still in effect In Washington, the State Department said the call did not undermine the current U.S. "One China" policy. "By establishing this 'One China' policy, it's allowed us to develop closer relations with Beijing and also to deepen our unofficial ties with Taipei," said deputy spokesperson Mark Toner Monday. "So in our estimation, it's been a productive policy to pursue given Beijing's very serious concerns in this case." China claims democratically ruled Taiwan is part of its territory and has never renounced the use of military force to bring the island under Beijing's control. The United States broke diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979. In the 1979 U.S.-China Joint Communique, the U.S. recognized Beijing as the sole legal government of China, acknowledging the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. Meeting with Trump aides in NY Taiwanese media reports indicated Tsai plans to transit through New York on her visit to Nicaragua in early January before Trump's inauguration ceremony on January 20. News reports said Tsai might not meet with Trump in person but was planning to meet with Trump's close aides. The State Department said on Monday it would handle Tsai's transit with proper protocol, with consideration of "the safety, comfort, and convenience for the travelers." Trump message to Beijing Republican congressman Dana Rohrabacher from California said the call sent a diplomatic warning to China. Rohrabacher was reportedly a potential candidate to be the next Secretary of State. "He [Trump] showed the dictators in Beijing that he is not a pushover," Rohrabacher told the Fox News television network on Monday morning, adding "China has had an enormously aggressive foreign policy." Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, who also emerged as a contender to be the next top U.S. diplomat, said it was time to shake up U.S.-China relations, noting China's "aggressive and belligerent claims" in the South China Sea. Trump transition team economic advisor Peter Navarro and the Trump camp's defense advisor, Alexander Gray, called Taiwan a "beacon of democracy in Asia," and said it is "perhaps the most militarily vulnerable U.S. partner anywhere in the world." Both advocated for comprehensive U.S. arms sales to Taiwan to deter "China's covetous gaze," and fulfill the U.S. commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act. Obama Asia Pivot Both advisors said the so-called Asia Pivot policy has been a failure under President Barack Obama and has invited Chinese aggression in the East and South China Seas, according to an article published by Foreign Policy magazine in early November. Expectations too high? But some regional experts voiced deep concern. "It will likely raise expectations in Taiwan of a pending shift in the U.S. 'One China' policy that is not likely to be forthcoming. Beijing will probably seek to exact a price from the new Trump administration and will be deeply mistrustful of him and his new team," said Bonnie Glaser who is director of the China Power project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "The U.S. should strengthen ties with Taiwan, but in a substantive rather than a symbolic way. Let's negotiate a free trade agreement with Taiwan, and encourage other countries to do so as well," Glaser added. There are also others in Trump's cabinet who have been supporters of upgrading Taiwan's status. Georgia Republican congressman Tom Price, picked by Trump to be his Secretary of Health and Human Services, sponsored a congressional bill in September to give a greenlight to high-level Taiwanese officials to meet with State Department officials. The so-called Taiwan Travel Act states "it should be the U.S. policy to permit high-level Taiwanese officials to enter the United States under respect conditions and to meet with U.S. officials, including officials from the Department of State and the Department of Defense. " It also advocates an upgrade of Taiwan's quasi-official representation, the so-called Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) to conduct official business in the United States. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran will duly respond to US extension of sanctions: Velayati Iran Press TV Tue Dec 6, 2016 1:46PM A senior Iranian official says a recent US Senate vote to extend the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) violates last year's nuclear agreement signed between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries, vowing a tough and appropriate response by the Islamic Republic to the move. "If it (ISA) becomes definitive and the US president signs it, the Islamic Republic will definitely give a tough and appropriate response," Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on international affairs, said at a press conference in Tehran on Tuesday. The US Senate on December 1 voted to extend ISA for another 10 years. The sanctions law, which would authorize the US president to re-impose sanctions on Iran, was first adopted in 1996 to punish investments in the Islamic Republic over its nuclear program and its support for anti-Israeli resistance groups. The ISA now needs President Barack Obama's signature to turn into law. Under the JCPOA, which was signed between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council the United States, France, Britain, China and Russia plus Germany in Vienna in July 2015 and entered into force in January, Tehran undertook to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of all nuclear-related bans imposed against it. Iran, Russia resolved to help Syria Velayati also pointed to the visit by Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov to Iran this week and said Tehran and Moscow are determined to help the Syrian government defeat terrorist groups and take full control of the strategic northwestern city of Aleppo, located some 355 kilometers north of the capital, Damascus. Iran and Russia have common views on Syria and believe that the Arab country's territorial integrity must be protected, he said, adding that both Moscow and Tehran oppose the disintegration of Syria. "Terrorists, particularly the al-Nusra Front (which has changed its name to Jabhat Fateh al-Sham), must be annihilated and Syrian cities must certainly be liberated," the Iranian official said. Moscow has been helping Damascus in the fight against terrorism with Russian warplanes pounding the positions of terrorists in Syria since September 30, 2015, upon a formal request from Damascus. Iran has also been providing military advisory assistance to the Syrian government in its campaign against terrorism. Velayati further described as "important" a recent move by Russia and China to veto a UN Security Council resolution, drafted by New Zealand, Egypt and Spain, which would have mandated a seven-day ceasefire in Syria's Aleppo. On Monday, Russia stated that a truce would only permit the militants to regroup and that the subject requires further talks between Russia and the US. "It was an important move because it was a prelude to Syria's partition," the senior Iranian official said. "Undoubtedly, regional security must be established by regional countries or countries which are strategically linked to the region. Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon have shown that they are capable of maintaining regional security despite acts of sabotage by foreigners," Velayati pointed out. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran committee to decide on ISA ratification: Rouhani Iran Press TV Tue Dec 6, 2016 9:54AM Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says a committee tasked with monitoring the implementation of a nuclear agreement with six world powers will on Wednesday decide on how to respond to the US Congress' recent extension of a piece of anti-Iran legislation. President Rouhani made the announcement during an address on the occasion of the Students' Day at the Tehran University on Tuesday. The deal, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), involves a total of seven sides, namely Iran, the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia, and China. It was reached in July 2015. The deal stipulates that nuclear-related sanctions against Iran be terminated and no such sanctions be imposed as long as Iran meets its side of the bargain, including certain limits to its nuclear program. Numerous reports by the US administration and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has been tasked with monitoring the technical implementation of the JCPOA, have confirmed Iranian compliance. However, the US Congress voted recently in favor of extending the US president's authority to potentially impose sanctions on US entities that do business with Iran. The passing of the bill, known as the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA), at the US Congress sparked speculation that new sanctions were to be imposed against Iran in what would be a violation of JCPOA's text. Iranian officials have described the Congress vote itself as a violation of the deal, too. The ISA needs the US president's approval to become law. While the White House has signaled it will sign the ISA, it has said it will use a provision in the bill that allows the waiving of nuclear-related sanctions. In his Tuesday speech, President Rouhani said, "Even if the US president declares invalid part of the bill ratified at the US Congress, we will react to this level of JCPOA violation that has [already] taken place." Other parties to the JCPOA have already warned against unilateral breaches. The deal has been endorsed by the United Nations Security Council, which means it has become international law. Iran had warned that any breach of the agreement would be confronted. Elsewhere in his remarks, President Rouhani referred to the election of Donald Trump to the US presidency and said his election will have no impact on the Islamic Republic's policies. There has been speculation that the JCPOA may be violated by the US under Trump. While campaigning for office, Trump, who has never served in the government, said he would "tear up" the Iran deal if elected. Referring to those remarks, President Rouhani said, "Yes, he may desire many things, he may desire to undermine or tear up the JCPOA, [but] will we and our nation allow such a thing?" "The US," he said, "cannot influence our determination... [or] the resistance and perseverance of this nation." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kerry stresses commitment to Iran deal Iran Press TV Tue Dec 6, 2016 8:35AM US Secretary of State John Kerry has stressed the "absolute urgency" of remaining committed to a nuclear deal with Iran. Kerry, who was his country's lead negotiator during talks that culminated in the Iran deal, said in Berlin on Monday that his boss was in contact with President-elect Donald Trump, due to take over in January 2017, to inform him of the importance of keeping the deal intact. "I know that President [Barack] Obama has already engaged in conversations with the president-elect and we will work as diligently as we can to impart to the incoming team the absolute urgency of keeping that and other agreements intact," he said, referring to the Iran deal, which is known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The deal was reached between Iran on the one side and the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia, and China on the other in July 2015. It followed some 23 months of tough negotiations. Trump, a businessman with no background in governance or diplomacy, campaigned for US presidency in large part on a platform of rejecting the achievements of President Obama. He succeeded in rallying mostly blue-collar Americans behind his tough talk on matters of world policy without providing any specific policy alternatives of his own. During the campaign, he said he would "tear up" the Iran deal if elected. Trump has not commented on Iran-related issues since winning the US presidential election on November 8 but has surrounded himself with individuals who are known for bellicose rhetoric toward the Islamic Republic. The Obama administration, which regards the deal and the resultant resolution of the nuclear dispute with Iran as its foreign policy legacy, has been involved in efforts to convince Trump's incoming team of why the deal should stand. Senior officials at the outgoing administration have said they would be making a strong argument to the incoming team that the potential abdication of American commitments under the Iran deal would have "grim consequences" for the United States. Kerry, meanwhile, hailed the Islamic Republic's contribution to the conclusion of the accord. The deal came about "with Iran's consent and participation," he said. There has been speculation that the deal may be violated by the US under Trump. The US Congress recently voted to extend the US president's authority to potentially impose sanctions on Iran. Such developments have caused concern among the other countries that negotiated the deal, including European states. China, too, on Monday warned that no party to the agreement should allow its domestic upheavals to adversely affect its commitment to the accord. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia using Iran's airbase currently not on agenda: Qassemi Iran Press TV Tue Dec 6, 2016 1:28AM Iran says Russia currently has no plans for using the airbase near the western Iranian city of Hamedan for its anti-terrorism operations. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi made the remarks during a press conference on Monday in response to earlier reports concerning Russia's use of the Nojeh airbase. "Whether it is necessary [for Russia] to use our territory again as it did before will depend on relevant situations in the future. But currently it is not on the agenda," he said. In a statement on August 16, the Russian Defense Ministry said the country's warplanes had taken off from an airbase in the western Iranian city of Hamedan to target Daesh Takfiri terrorists and other militants in Syria. Following the strikes, Russian Defense Ministry said that future use of the base would be based upon mutual agreements between the two countries and the situation in Syria. According to the statement, the attacks destroyed a number of training camps, command centers, and large arms and fuel depots belonging to the militant groups near the village of Jafra and the city of Dayr al-Zawr, adding that a large number of militants were killed in the air raids. Iran and Russia are Syria's main allies and have been assisting the government in Damascus in its fight against foreign-backed terrorist groups, including the Daesh Takfiri terrorists. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi army raises national flag over hospital on left bank of Tigris Iran Press TV Tue Dec 6, 2016 3:13PM Iraqi army soldiers have wrested control of al-Salam Hospital situated on the left bank of Tigris River as part of their operation to liberate the strategic city of Mosul from the grip of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group. Major General Walid al-Khalifah, the deputy of the army's 9th Division, said the Iraqi national flag was hoisted over the hospital building on Tuesday. He further announced the recapture of another Mosul medical institution, called al-Talimi Hospital, by the Iraqi forces. Meanwhile, the commander of Nineveh Liberation Operation, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Yarallah, confirmed the al-Salam Hospital recapture, noting that the troops from the 9th Division "continued clearing" the al-Salam neighborhood of Daesh militants. Mosul is split by the Tigris River, with the eastern half of the city known as the left bank. The northern Iraqi city fell to Daesh two years ago, when the terror outfit began its campaign of death and destruction in the Middle Eastern country. Since October 17, the Iraqi army troops and allied fighters have been leading an offensive to retake Mosul. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has vowed to rid the city of Takfiri elements by the end of 2016. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Japan's new missile weak in real battle: military expert People's Daily Online By Sun Wenyu (People's Daily Online) 16:02, December 06, 2016 Chinese military expert Du Wenlong said in a recent interview with CCTV that Japan's new surface-to-ship missile (SSM), which has a range of 300 kilometers, will hardly serve its purpose in real battle, pointing out that the weapon's threat is only theoretical. According to U.S. defense news site RCD, Japan's new missiles are scheduled to be deployed to the Miyako and Yaeyama island chains in the southern part of Okinawa prefecture in 2023, enclosing China's Diaoyu Islands in their combat radius. If Japan deploys the new missiles to the 270-kilometer-wide Miyako Strait, the country will be able to seal the channel and expand its firing range to the Diaoyu Islands and even Taiwan, as well as northeastern coastal areas. RDC commented that the increase in Japan's offensive capability could be a double-edged sword for the U.S. If the RCD report is true, the new missiles will not only pose a threat to the Diaoyu Islands, but will also threaten certain activities of the Chinese Navy and Air Force, said Du. Japan already deployed Type 88 SSM to the Miyako Islands in 2013. With double the former combat radius, the new missiles are able to strike targets in more remote areas. However, Du believes such threats are only theoretical, and the weapon is unlikely to do much in an actual battle. Publicly deployed on fixed islands, missile bases can be destroyed in war. In addition, some Chinese Air Force aircraft are able to disturb the missiles' radar and electronic reconnaissance systems. Meanwhile, mid- to long-range airborne weapons are also capable of precise strikes to the missiles. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US to Return Half of Military Training Area to Japan on December 22 Sputnik News 17:25 06.12.2016 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US Defense Secretary Ash Carter agreed to hold the ceremonial returning of about half of the US military training grounds in the prefecture of Okinawa to Japan on December 22, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday. TOKYO (Sputnik) The United States agreed to return half of the training area in 1996 in exchange for the permission to build and operate six helipads on the US half of the territory. "On the issue of the Northern Training Area that has been contentious for the past 20 years, both sides agreed to put maximum effort into returning [to Okinawa] of 4,000 hectares [about 9,888 acres] on December 22," the ministry's statement said. In 2007, the United States built the first two helipads, but had to stop because of the protests from local residents. The resumption of the construction this summer led to the renewal of the protests. Many of the local residents were worried about the use of the controversial Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft by the US military. Since 2007, the Osprey has had three crashes and a number of accidents and are seen as unsafe by many local residents. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Washington, Tokyo Pledge to Cooperate to Return Land to Japan - Pentagon Sputnik News 16:57 06.12.2016 Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have pledged to return a large US training area in Okinawa to Tokyo, Pentagon spokesperson Peter Cook said in a release on Tuesday. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) The partial land return is expected to be the largest since 1972. "Secretary Carter and Prime Minister Abe affirmed the importance of making progress on realignment efforts in Japan and pledged to work closely together to enable the return of close to 10,000 acres of the Northern Training Area on Dec. 22," Cook stated. The Northern Training area, also known as Camp Gonsalves, in Northern Okinawa was established in 1958 and serves as a US Marines warfare training area. During the meeting in Tokyo, Carter and Abe also discussed regional security, including the situation in North Korean and the East and South China Seas, according to the release. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Blog Hinangai While there is much discussion in Guam about the economic benefits of increasing the islands military presence, the damages/dangers that they represent are rarely mentioned. This blog, a supplement to the Peace and Justice for Guam Petition, is meant to counter that by providing information about the US military in Guam, with the hopes of steering policy away from a dangerous unilateralist course to more sustainable notions of regional development and a strengthening international solidarity. Japan: Abe Will Not Apologize at Pearl Harbor By Steve Herman December 06, 2016 What is billed as the last big gathering of survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor takes place Wednesday in Hawaii 75 years to the day after the bombing which brought the United States into World War II. Another poignant and historic event will occur 20 days later at the naval base, when Shinzo Abe becomes the first Japanese prime minister to visit the memorial dedicated to more than 2,400 military personnel and civilians who died in the aerial raid. But those who expect Abe to apologize are likely to be disappointed. "The purpose of the upcoming visit is to pay respects to the war dead, not to offer an apology," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Tuesday in Tokyo. Six months ago, U.S. President Barack Obama became the country's first sitting leader to visit a memorial in the Japanese city of Hiroshima, where in 1945 the United States detonated the world's first atomic bomb intending to end the war. Abe is scheduled to visit Hawaii December 26-27 and go to the site with Obama, who spent part of his childhood in the state. "This visit is for the sake of consoling the souls of those who died in the war, not for the sake of an apology," Suga said. U.S.-Japan alliance The Japanese prime minister, who visited U.S. President-elect Donald Trump last month in New York, is concerned about a possible weakening of the U.S.-Japan alliance under the new administration, according to Koichi Nakano, professor of Japanese politics at Tokyo's Sophia University. "So he is doing all he can to send signals that U.S.-Japan relations are strong and indispensable," Nakano told VOA. During his campaign, Trump at times criticized Japan and other nations where the U.S. plays a role in security and bases troops. Trump asserted that those governments should shoulder more of the cost. Grant Newsham, a senior research fellow at the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies, said Trump's win in November "has really thrown the Japanese for a loop." Candidate Trump's statements "suggesting that Japan was not doing enough for its defense and not paying enough for the services effectively of U.S. forces really frightened the Japanese government," Newsham told VOA. "Japan once erred and challenged the emergent U.S.-centered international order, but has since repented and is now serving the international order as a good sidekick of the U.S.," said Professor Nakano in Tokyo. "The irony is that Abe at heart doesn't believe any of it, and now he is met by Trump, who doesn't believe any of it either." The strengthening of the U.S.-Japan military alliance has been justified in recent years as crucial to maintain the liberal international order, Nakano told VOA. "And the entire logic is now bankrupt as neither of the two leaders of the alliance will be a liberal, so God knows where the U.S.-Japan alliance will drift to." Asians look for apology Abe's words at Pearl Harbor "will be very closely parsed, as are all statements by high Japanese officials about the war," said senior fellow Denny Roy at the Hawaii-based East West Center. "I would like to hear some kind of recognition that it was an act of aggression for Japan to attack Pearl Harbor." But many of Abe's supporters "don't want him to apologize or say anything near an apology," Roy told VOA. Japanese and American citizens will not be the only ones monitoring Abe's statement, which he will deliver while standing beside Obama. Aggrieved Asian peoples "would like a strong apology for issues involving their countries," Roy explained. "Prime Minister Abe, regardless of what he may believe personally and privately, has fully accepted the official Japanese government's view on these issues," Yuki Tatsumi, senior associate for East Asia programs at the Stimson Center, told VOA. Remorse and apologies have been expressed to other countries by various Japanese prime ministers since the 1950s. Tatsumi, who served as a special assistant for political affairs at Japan's embassy in Washington, expects Abe's Pearl Harbor remarks "to be very similar to the speech he gave to the U.S. Congress in April 2015 to remember the terrible history of Japan's conduct in World War II and to reaffirm Japan's commitment of not resorting to war to resolve international disagreements." "Apologies are not necessary," according to Tetsuo Kotani, senior fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs. Abe, he said, only needs to express remorse for those who suffered and died in the human tragedy and express a sincere commitment to peace. Both Tatsumi and Kotani tell VOA that this aspect of history remains politicized in China and Korea which were occupied by Imperial Japan while the United States and Japan are setting an example of true reconciliation. The Hawaii visit by Abe will be an "appropriate complement to President Obama's visit to Hiroshima this summer. The message is that Japan acknowledges its past, and that it is ready to move forward," said retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Dave Stilwell. More than 2,300 U.S. servicemen were killed in the Japanese aerial attack at Pearl Harbor, which sunk the USS Arizona battleship while damaging or destroying 20 other ships and 164 planes. The attack will be marked Wednesday by a remembrance ceremony and a moment of silence at 7:55 a.m., when the Japanese planes first struck their targets. Three and a half years later, the world war came to an end after the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing 210,000 people in the two attacks. VOA's Victor Beattie contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Libyan political accord 'stands firm, but stuck' UN envoy tells Security Council 6 December 2016 Briefing the Security Council just days ahead of the first anniversary of the Libyan Political Agreement, the United Nations envoy for the north African country highlighted that while there has been progress, the deal has stalled and "much more should have happened." UN Special Representative Martin Kobler also underscored that in addition to looking at the security situation in the country, the economic dimensions also needed to be kept on the agenda. "Until today, even the most vociferous critics of the Agreement acknowledge that it is the only workable framework," Mr. Kobler told the Council at its meeting on the north African country. "That said, the Libyan Political Agreement did not fulfil the expectations. The implementation has stalled," he added. Mr. Kobler explained factors such as the limited authority of the Government of National Accord (GNA), the rejection, twice, of the proposed lists of GNA by the Libyan House of Representatives, lack of cooperation between State institutions, "pretender" governments competing for power, and crime and volatile security situation continued to add to the worries in the country. Sounding the alarm, he said the country "continues to be awash" in weapons, and arrivals of new weapons continue unabated, in violation of existing weapons embargo. "Weapons do not fall from the sky. They come by land or sea," he stressed, adding that they sometimes end up in the hands of terrorists throughout the region. As such, he called for strong enforcement of the embargo until Libya has a reliable and coherent security set up. Of special concern, Mr. Kobler underscored, were violent clashes in Tripoli the first since 2014 triggered by the killing of a religious scholar, and he noted that such clashes were symptoms of the lack of security and underlying tensions between communities. He added that despite an increase in oil production, the country remains in a budget deficit of about 70 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) and said that the strained relations between the Presidency Council and the Central Bank further complicated the financial situation. "Libya's financial reserves have shrunk from $108 billion in 2013 to $45 billion. The country will face an economic meltdown unless something changes," he stressed, expressing particular concern for the lack of rule of law, rising corruption and high yields on the black market that result in billions of dollars disappearing into illegitimate accounts. Next steps In moving ahead, the UN envoy said that while the implementation of the Agreement is challenged, its articles are "not set in stone." "The Libyan Political Agreement foresees a mechanism for change, should the political circumstances demand," he explained. He pointed to the need to: tackle outstanding political questions; stop the use of armed groups and instead set up a Presidential Guard (as proposed by the Presidency Council) to protect State institutions and embassies; prioritize economic recovery of Sirte and Benghazi; address the fundamentals of the Libyan economy; promptly act on human rights issues, including the situation of migrants; and the return of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), which he heads up, to Tripoli in a phased manner, once the security concerns are mitigated. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kofi Annan urges Myanmar army to act within rule of law Iran Press TV Tue Dec 6, 2016 6:39PM Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has called on Myanmar's army to act within the rule of law amid a heavy crackdown on the Rohingya Muslims in the northwestern state of Rakhine. Annan, who is the head of a panel tasked with finding a solution to the ongoing violence in the Muslim-majority state of Rakhine, said on Tuesday that allegations of human rights abuses by Myanmar's forces had "deeply" concerned him. "Wherever security operations might be necessary, civilians must be protected at all times and I urge the security services to act in full compliance with the rule of law," Annan told reporters in Yangon, Myanmar's commercial capital. "There is no trade-off between security and civil liberties," he added. The former UN chief made the remarks after meeting with Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and the current commander-in-chief, Min Aung Hlaing, on his second visit to the country. Myanmar's soldiers have been accused of raping Rohingya women, burning homes and killing civilians since October. On October 9, Myanmar's military launched a fresh wave of crackdown on the Muslims in the wake of an attack on the country's border guards that left nine policemen dead. The government blamed the Rohingya for the assault. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said that some 21,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh in recent weeks. The United Nations has warned that human rights violations against the Rohingya in Rakhine could be tantamount to "crimes against humanity." According to the UN, the Rohingya are one of the most persecuted minorities in the world. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IOM says 21,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar crackdown to Bangladesh Iran Press TV Tue Dec 6, 2016 10:44AM The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says nearly 21,000 Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar have fled persecution and violence to Bangladesh in the past two months. "An estimated 21,000 Rohingyas have arrived in Cox's Bazar district between October 9 and December 2," Sanjukta Sahany, head of the IOM office in Bangladesh's southeastern district bordering Rakhine, said Tuesday. Most of those who crossed the border have taken refuge in makeshift settlements, official refugee camps and villages, she added. The figure is based on the data collected by UN agencies and international NGOs. Myanmar's military has launched a fresh wave of crackdown on Muslims since an alleged attack on the country's border guards on October 9 left nine policemen dead. The government blamed the Rohingyas for the assault. There have been numerous accounts by eyewitnesses of summary executions, rapes and arson attacks against Muslims since the crackdown began. The military has blocked access to Rakhine and banned journalists and aid workers from entering the zone. At least 30,000 Rohingyas have been internally displaced in Rakhine, while thousands of others have tried to reach Bangladesh over the past month to seek refuge among the Rohingya people who already live there. The United Nations has warned that ongoing human rights violations against the Rohingyas in Rakhine could be tantamount to "crimes against humanity." The Bangladesh government has also come under fire for pushing back Rohingya refugees, with Muslim groups and the opposition urging the country to open its border to the displaced people. On Tuesday, Bangladesh police said its forces had banned 10,000 Muslim protesters from marching to the Myanmar embassy in Dhaka to demonstrate against the ongoing "genocide" of the Rohingyas. Rakhine has been the scene of communal violence at the hands of Buddhist extremists since 2012. Hundreds of people have been killed and tens of thousands have been forced from homes and live in squalid camps in dire conditions in Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. The government denies full citizenship to the 1.1 million-strong Rohingya population, branding them illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. However, many believe the Rohingyas are a community of ancient lineage in Myanmar. According to the UN, the Rohingyas are one of the most persecuted minorities in the world. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Kremlin Information-Security Doctrine Calls For 'Managing' Internet In Russia Robert Coalson December 06, 2016 Russia's new information-security doctrine calls for the government to develop "a national system of managing the Russian segment of the Internet." The doctrine took effect upon being published on December 6. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed it the previous day, superseding a similar doctrine dating from 2000. The 17-page document broadly outlines the Russian government's perception of threats to its national interests and security in the information sphere and priorities for countering those threats. Much of it discusses the need to counter the propaganda and recruitment efforts of terrorist organizations and to secure computers from cyberespionage and cybercrime. The call for a system to "manage" the Russian Internet comes toward the end of the document and is not elaborated. It may lead to concerns that Putin's government will seek to increase control over content and use of the Internet, despite past remarks in which he has said that state authorities should not restrict Internet freedoms. Among the threats identified in the document are the expansion of the use of "informational-psychological influences" by foreign intelligence services "aimed at the destabilization" of various regions of the world, including Russia. The new information-security doctrine comes as the governments of Western and former Soviet countries accuse Moscow of waging informational warfare and conducting cyberattacks. U.S. intelligence agencies accused Moscow of using both tactics in a bid to influence the U.S. presidential election last month. 'Spiritual And Moral Values' The Russian document also cites "a tendency toward an increase of materials containing biased assessments of the state policies of the Russian Federation in foreign media." It also asserts that Russian mass-media outlets endure "open discrimination" abroad and Russian journalists "often encounter obstacles aimed at keeping them from carrying out their professional activities." The doctrine further asserts there has been increased informational activity targeting Russians, "particularly young Russians, with the goal of undermining traditional Russian spiritual and moral values." It also calls for efforts to "neutralize informational-psychological activities aimed at disrupting the historical foundations and patriotic traditions association with the defense of the Fatherland," which is presumably a reference to what the Kremlin says are attempts to challenge the Soviet interpretation of the history of World War II. Among the strategic priorities it mentions are protecting the information-security interests of Russian allies and blocking the activity of foreign states, organizations, and individuals aimed at undermining Russia's sovereignty or territorial integrity. The doctrine also calls for "liquidating the dependence of domestic industries on foreign information technologies" and ensuring information security by developing effective Russian technologies. Russian Internet and cybersecurity analyst Andrei Soldatov told RFE/RL earlier this month that the Russian government was actively cooperating with China "on the development of a new, second phase of the Internet-filtration system" aimed at enabling the government to monitor and filter online requests for information. With reporting by RIA Novosti and Mir24.tv Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/russia- informaiton-security-internet- freedome-concerns/28159130.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 Russian Applications For U.S. Asylum Surge Again In 2016 Carl Schreck December 06, 2016 WASHINGTON -- The number of new U.S. asylum applications by Russian citizens has jumped for the fourth straight year in 2016, reaching the highest level in more than two decades and more than doubling since President Vladimir Putin's return to the Kremlin for a third term. Russian citizens filed 1,912 new U.S. asylum application in the fiscal year ending September 30, up 31 percent compared to 2015 and 164 percent since 2012, when Putin was again elected president following a four-year stint as prime minister, new official statistics show. RFE/RL obtained the U.S. Department of Homeland Security data after filing a request under the Freedom Of Information Act. While the data does not indicate the basis for applicants' persecution claims, immigration attorneys link this multiyear surge to policies in Russia seen as discriminatory toward sexual minorities, a squeezing of dissent during Putin's third term, and widespread corruption. Anecdotal evidence and internal accounting from lawyers working with sexual minorities suggest a sharp rise in the number of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals from Russia seeking U.S. asylum since Putin signed a 2013 law banning "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations" to minors. The so-called "gay propaganda" law was widely denounced by Western governments and international rights groups as state-sponsored homophobia -- a charge the Kremlin rejects. Rights activists have also warned of increasing numbers of hate crimes committed against LGBT individuals in recent years. Immigration Equality, the largest legal-advocacy group in the United States devoted to assisting LGBT individuals with immigration matters, says it received 245 inquiries from Russians interested in asylum by November this year, up from 199 inquiries in all of 2015. "Clients report increased violence. We have a lot of clients that are coming to us because they've been targeted and have suffered some sort of physical attack in Russia," Pamela Denzer, the client programs director at the New York City-based organization, tells RFE/RL. Russian prospective asylum seekers are also "concerned about the safety of their partners and children" and about "the Russian government targeting their families," Denzer says. She adds that Immigration Equality has seen an uptick in inquiries by prospective asylum seekers from other former Soviet republics, including Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Georgia. Fleeing Corruption New York-based immigration attorney Alena Shautsova says she has handled roughly the same number of asylum seekers from Russia this year as in 2015 but that she is not surprised to hear that the overall number of applications spiked year-on-year. She tells RFE/RL that her Russian asylum seekers this year have included LGBT individuals and entrepreneurs alleging they were targeted by corrupt officials. In one case, the client's mother worked at a state-owned aerospace company and was harassed over the person's studies in the United States, Shautsova says. "The client's mother was questioned about the client's activities here," she says. "They basically told her to quit, or the child has to come back." Shautsova says that this year she also took on two cases involving former businessmen who fled Russia because, they claimed, corrupt officials launched criminal cases against them in order to take over their companies. She adds that she had more than 10 other inquiries this year involving similar cases. Russians Leaving Russia The number of new U.S. asylum applications by Russians in 2016 was the largest in a single fiscal year since 1994, when the U.S. government received 2,127 applications from Russian citizens three years after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The EU remains a more popular destination for asylum seekers from Russia. First-time Russian applicants in the 28-country bloc in 2015 rose 30 percent year-on-year to more than 18,000, according to official EU statistics. That number was on pace to increase this year, with 11,465 applicants through the second quarter, according to the most recent available data. Germany and Poland, easily reachable by train, are traditionally the preferred asylum destinations for Russians in the EU, with many applicants coming from Russia's restive North Caucasus region. In the first 10 months of 2016, Germany received 10,172 first-time asylum applications from Russian nationals, according to German government data. These upward asylum trends in the United States and the EU come amid what sociologists warn is a troubling outflow of human capital from Russia -- including highly educated, working-age citizens -- not reflected in official data. Aleksandr Grebenyuk, co-author of a recent study on Russians' emigration trends, says that 500,000 to 600,000 Russians have moved abroad to reside permanently over the past five years. "That is several times greater than the figures that official [Russian government] statistics show us," he tells RFE/RL. The study was published in October by a civil-society group founded by Putin's former finance minister and longtime associate, Aleksei Kudrin. Grebenyuk adds that a majority of these emigres are motivated primarily by economic and employment considerations, as well a desire for a higher standard of living. "Political motives are of secondary importance," he says. Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/russia- increase-seeking-us- asylum-in-2016/28159435.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 US not stalling Syria talks with Russia on Aleppo: Kerry Iran Press TV Tue Dec 6, 2016 5:26PM US Secretary of State John Kerry has denied Moscow's charges that Washington has stalled planned talks on terrorists' withdrawal from the Syrian city of Aleppo in order to get more time for them. "I'm not aware of any specific refusal," Kerry said on Tuesday when asked about a Russian statement in Brussels where he attended a NATO foreign ministers meeting. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier Tuesday said Washington cancelled the meeting to buy time for the militants to replenish their reserves, accusing the United States of bad faith in conducting negotiations. "It looks like an attempt to buy time for the rebels to have a breather, take a pause and replenish their reserves," Lavrov said. Syrian government forces, who are in full control of western Aleppo, have been conducting operations to purge militants from the city's east. Backed by Russia's airpower, Syrian army forces and their allies have dealt heavy blows to the foreign-sponsored militants over the past few weeks. Syrian army helicopters on Sunday dropped leaflets on eastern Aleppo warning the militants to surrender while they still can. The distributed leaflets called on the militants still remaining in eastern Aleppo to lay down the weapons and to permit the wounded and other civilians to exit the city. A military source told reporters that the city will be fully purged of militants "in weeks." Meanwhile, the Syrian military has announced that a large number of terrorists have been killed during operations which secured several neighborhoods in the city. The conflict in Syria, which flared up in March 2011, has claimed the lives of more than 400,000 people, according to an estimate by UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syrian army busts terrorists' chemical warehouse in Aleppo Iran Press TV Tue Dec 6, 2016 5:25PM Syrian military forces in the city of Aleppo have discovered a large depot where foreign-backed terrorists stored toxic chemicals for filling shells. Syria's official news agency SANA reported on Tuesday that the warehouse was set up inside the Sana'a Mhaidali school in the Aleppo district of Masaken Hanano, which was retaken from militants last month. The discovery came as the army engineering units were searching for landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the recently recaptured neighborhood. The report further said that Syrian forces had found explosives and equipment used for manufacturing rocket shells and weaponizing gas cylinders. Terrorist groups such as Daesh and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, have on several occasions used toxic materials such as chlorine gas to target civilians in Aleppo areas. The Syrian government accuses Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey of providing the militants with the banned weapons. Terrorists shell UNRWA center Another SANA report also said on Tuesday that the terrorists had fired rocket shells at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) center in the al-Nairab refugee camp east of Aleppo. The attack was launched by terrorists based in Aleppo's southeastern areas, leaving six people wounded and damaging the center's food storehouse. Several killed as militants target Fu'ah hospital Separately on Tuesday, Jaish al-Fatah terrorists fired rocket shells at the only hospital in the militant-held al-Fu'ah town in Syria's northwestern Idlib Province. According to unnamed local sources, the assault killed five people and injured nine more, and caused the hospital to go out of service. A similar attack was also reported in the nearby militant-held town of Kefraya, causing material damage to public and private property. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syrian troops purge more E Aleppo districts of terrorists Iran Press TV Tue Dec 6, 2016 1:55PM Syrian army soldiers and allied fighters have managed to recapture eight militant-held eastern Aleppo districts in their latest push against foreign-backed terrorists on the battlefield in the contested city. Lebanon's al-Manar television channel reported on Tuesday the liberation of Qadi Askar and Tirbet Lala neighborhoods. According to other reports, Sha'ar and Karm al-Dada neighborhoods in the eastern part of Aleppo were also purged of terrorists by the Syrian forces on Tuesday. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said after Sha'ar's liberation, the terrorists' campaign would be reduced to a "war of attrition" with the Syrian military. In addition to Sha'ar, the SOHR confirmed the full recapture of four other eastern Aleppo areas, namely, Dahret Awad, Juret Awad, Karam al-Beik, and Karam al-Jabal. According to the UK-based monitoring group, the fresh gains put the Syrian government in control of over 70 percent Aleppo's east. Backed by Russia's air cover, Syrian army forces and their allies have dealt heavy blows to the militants over the past few weeks. Syria dismisses Aleppo truce, urges terrorists' withdrawal Additionally on Tuesday, Syria announced that it would not agree to a truce in Aleppo unless it received adequate guarantees for the full withdrawal of militants from the flashpoint city. In a statement carried by Syria's official news agency, SANA, the Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Ministry said that Damascus would "exert every effort to liberate" the citizens held hostage by terrorists in eastern Aleppo, adding, "It therefore rejects any attempt by any side to reach a cease-fire in east Aleppo that would not include the exit of all terrorists." The statement was released one day after Russia and China vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a seven-day ceasefire in Aleppo, with Moscow emphasizing that the pause would only permit the militants to regroup. Elsewhere in its statement, the Syrian Foreign Ministry "appreciated" the double veto of the motion and noted that it would have only granted the terrorists "the opportunity to regroup and commit their crimes again." US buying time for militants to re-arm Separately on Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov referred to the planned negotiations between Moscow and Washington on the cessation of hostilities in militant-held eastern Aleppo, saying that the US "retracted the initial document and now they have a new document, which brings back all of our previous concerns." Lavrov made the remarks in a joint press conference with Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland following a meeting in Moscow. He further denounced the US effort to secure a pause in Aleppo fighting as "an attempt to buy time for militants to give them breathing space and be able to replenish their ammunition." The top Russian diplomat also warned that Aleppo terrorists would be wiped out unless they quit the city, saying, "There is no other way." On Monday, a militant attack on a Russian mobile hospital in Aleppo left two medical staff dead and several others injured. Touching on the assault, Lavrov argued that "it was an orchestrated action planned by those who attempt to preserve their positions in Aleppo under the patronage of some Western countries." Aleppo situation 'disgrace' for international community In another development on Tuesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the international community had failed to alleviate the suffering of Aleppo residents. "It is a disgrace that we have been unable to establish humanitarian corridors, but we must continue to fight for it," she said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Criticizes International Reaction To Aleppo Field Hospital Shelling RFE/RL December 06, 2016 Russia is criticizing what it says has been the "more than modest" international reaction after two Russian Army medics were killed in what the Defense Ministry said was rebel shelling of a field hospital in the Syrian city of Aleppo. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov singled out the United States on December 6 for what he said was a muted reaction to the "tragedy" the previous day. "We regret that the world community, including our partners in the United States, are reacting very modestly to the tragedy that unfolded with the attack on the field hospital," Peskov told reporters. The Russian Defense Ministry said two female army medics, Nadezhda Durachenko and Galina Mikhailova, were killed and a third medic, Vadim Arsentyev, was seriously wounded. A ministry spokesman claimed on December 5 that it was a planned attack and suggested that the coordinates of the hospital were given to rebels by a foreign power. U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said any accusation that United States could have done so would be "completely false," adding: "We would never give coordinates to the Syrian opposition." State-funded Russian media outlet RT said that in response to a request for comment, the International Committee of the Red Cross said the incident indicated that "all sides to the conflict in Syria are failing in their duties to respect and protect health-care workers, patients, and hospitals, and to distinguish between them and military objectives." Russia's Defense Ministry said that statement was "cynical" and showed the organization was "indifferent to the murder of Russian medics in Aleppo." Russia has backed the Syrian government throughout the more than five-year civil war and stepped up its support by launching a campaign of air strikes in September 2015. With reporting by AP, TASS, Interfax, and RT Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/russia-aleppo-medics- deaths-criticizes/28159440.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 JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser Russia, China Veto UN Measure Calling For Truce In Aleppo RFE/RL December 06, 2016 Russia and China on December 5 vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution pushed for by Western powers and calling for a seven-day truce in the Syrian city of Aleppo. Russia argued that the measure would allow rebel forces to regroup and should be postponed pending talks between Washington and Moscow scheduled for this week. It was the sixth time Russia has vetoed a Security Council resolution on Syria since the conflict started in 2011 and the fifth time China has blocked action. "These kinds of pauses have been used by fighters to reinforce their ammunition and to strengthen their positions and this will only worsen the suffering of civilians," Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said. Russian Foreign Ministers Sergei Lavrov said earlier in the day that Moscow would start talks with Washington this week on the withdrawal of opposition forces from Aleppo following significant gains made by Russian-backed Syrian forces in recapturing rebel-held areas since mid-November. "The concrete route and time frame for the withdrawal of all fighters from eastern Aleppo will be agreed upon," Lavrov said. "As soon as these routes and time frames are agreed on, a cease-fire can come into effect." 'Made-Up Alibi' At the UN, Churkin argued that action by the Security Council should be postponed to allow time for those negotiations. But U.S. officials said no agreement on withdrawal is near. Rebel forces have rejected calls for them to evacuate. "That is a made-up alibi," Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Michele Sison told the council. "We have not reached a breakthrough because Russia has been more focused on preserving its military gains than helping Aleppo's citizens," she said. "We will not let Russia string along this Security Council while waiting for a compromise from the Russians that never seems to come." Sison said the veto of the cease-fire resolution was "a death sentence for innocent men, women and children" in Aleppo. The United Nations says more than 200,000 civilians might still be trapped in rebel-held areas of Aleppo, which are experiencing severe food and aid shortages. British UN Ambassador Matthew Rycroft expressed surprise that China joined Russia in vetoing the resolution, which would have allowed humanitarian aid access while quelling violence throughout Syria by both rebel forces and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's troops. Rycroft concluded Russia and China blocked the measure "because of their longstanding, misplaced faith in a despot who has killed nearly half a million of his own people." Chinese UN Ambassador Liu Jieyi said the vote on the draft text should have been delayed to allow for more negotiations to reach a consensus on the council. He accused Rycroft of "poisoning" the atmosphere and "abusing" the forum with his remarks. Had the resolution been adopted, it would have been a "fragile glimpse of hope" and allowed the UN to "save lives," French ambassador Francois Delattre said. He accused Russia of having "decided to take Aleppo regardless of the human cost." New Zealand UN Ambassador Gerard van Bohemen, who helped draft the resolution, said the failure to act was "deeply damaging to the council's reputation and catastrophic for the people of Syria." With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/russia-china-veto- un-security-council-resolution-calling- for-truce-syria-aleppo/28158531.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 US Secretary Kerry Doubts Fall of Aleppo Will End Syrian War Sputnik News 23:34 06.12.2016 The fall of Syria's Aleppo won't lead to bloodbath conflict in the country, US Secretary of State John Kerry said at a NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels on Tuesday. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) The ouster of militants from Aleppo by forces loyal to President Bashar Assad doesn't mean conditions in Syria will stabilize, Kerry stated. "Even if did fall, Aleppo will not change the fundamental underline complexity of this war," Kerry stated. "If Assad takes over Aleppo, is the war going to end? No." The secretary added that Syria cannot be rebuilt solely by its government because that process will require millions of dollars of international investment. However, the international community won't support Assad until there is a political settlement of the country's civil war, he predicted. "Russia says that Assad is prepared to come to the table, they say that's part of their agreement," Kerry said. "I am personally deeply in favor of putting that this to the test." Kerry concluded by saying the conflict in Syria will be a key part of his conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Hamburg, Germany later this week during a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. In recent months, Aleppo has become a major battleground in the civil war, involving government forces, jihadists and several opposition groups. Previous internationally mediated ceasefires have collapsed as militants continued attacks and government troops resumed an advance. Russia has said the United States' inability to distinguish between moderate and extremist factions fighting Assad are the main reason the ceasefires have failed. Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, an al-Qaeda affiliate banned by Russia and formerly known as the Nusra Front, is among several internationally designated terrorist groups operating in Syria. Earlier Tuesday, Assad's forces took control of another five militant-controlled districts of eastern Aleppo, bringing the total number of areas liberated to 35, the Russian center for Syrian reconciliation said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syrian Army Liberated 35 Aleppo Districts Since Start of Operation Sputnik News 19:52 06.12.2016(updated 19:58 06.12.2016) The Syrian army has liberated a total of 35 Aleppo districts from militants since the start of the operation, the Russian Defense Ministry said. HMEYMIM (Sputnik) The Syrian government forces on Tuesday took control of another five districts of Aleppo, the Russian center for Syrian reconciliation said. "By the evening of December 6, the Syrian army took full control of another five districts of eastern Aleppo," the center said in a statement. Over 300 civilians have left militants-controlled eastern part of Syria's Aleppo to safe districts over the past 24 hours. Besides, the center said, more than 1,100 civilians have returned to their apartments in Aleppo's eastern quarters cleared of militants. They are being provided with food, medical assistance and warm clothes by the Russian center. The center also said 10 militants who had laid down arms over the past day were pardoned in line with the decision announced by Syrian President Bashar Assad. Over recent months, Aleppo became major battleground in Syria, engaging government forces, terrorists and numerous opposition groups. Eastern Aleppo is currently encircled by government troops, and the fighting has affected thousands of civilians still trapped in the city. Previous internationally mediated ceasefires have collapsed as militants continued attacks and opposition failed to expel al-Nusra Front, which is now known as Jabhat Fatah al Sham, from the city. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syrian Army, Militia Gain Control Over One More Aleppo's District Sputnik News 18:48 06.12.2016(updated 19:54 06.12.2016) The Syrian army supported by allied militia units completed liberation of the Qadi Askar district located near the historic center of the Aleppo city, Al-Watan newspaper reported on Tuesday. DAMASCUS (Sputnik) The Syrian government troops are now only several hundred feet away from the citadel a medieval fortress on the dominant terrain. During the last 24 hours the government troops managed to liberate the districts of Turbat Lala and Shaar from militant groups. The government forces also completed clearing and demining the strategic district of Sheikh Saeed in the north-eastern part of the city. Over the recent months, Aleppo became a major battleground in Syria, engaging government forces, terrorists and numerous opposition groups. Eastern Aleppo is currently encircled by government troops, and the fighting has affected thousands of civilians still trapped in the city. On Monday, a military source told RIA Novosti that about 18 square kilometers (11 square miles) were under control of militants in eastern Aleppo, which accounted for about 40 percent of the city's territory. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Monitoring Group Accuses Turkish Border Guards of Killing 163 Syrian Refugees By Jamie Dettmer December 06, 2016 A monitoring group Tuesday alleged at least 163 Syrians fleeing their war-torn country have been slain by Turkish border guards since the start of 2016. The accusation is the latest in a series stretching back more than a year of border guards firing on war refugees as they sought sanctuary in Turkey. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), which has a network of activists on the ground inside Syria, says 31 children and 15 women were among those killed by Turkish gendarmes as they attempted to cross into Turkey. Turkish authorities closed their border with Syria in March 2015, ending in effect their much-vaunted open door policy for refugees. Initially, they said the move was just temporary. Since then, there have been frequent claims by Syrians trying to escape airstrikes and fighting of being targeted by Turkish border guards. Turkish officials insist their border guards do not fire on refugees but they say they have to make the border secure from infiltration by jihadists and terrorists intent on carrying out attacks in Turkey. The first refugee killing this year came on January 12, says the monitoring group, when gendarmes killed a refugee as he attempted to sneak into Turkey from the province of al-Hasakah in the northeast corner of Syria. Refugees have reported being shot at all along the border, from Latakia in the west and through the provinces of Raqqa, Aleppo and Idlib. There have also been reports of refugees being beaten and robbed of money and cell phones by Turkish gendarmes. Call for Turkey to rein in border guards SOHR executive director Rami Abdul Rahman called Tuesday "for the international community and UNHCR to push the Turkish government to control their border guards and to stop them from killing the Syrian citizens." In July, SOHR and other monitoring and rights groups accused Turkish border guards of shooting dead eight Syrian refugees in one weekend, including three children and four women, as they tried to escape northern Syria. The Local Coordination Committees, another network of activists inside Syria, backed up the claim, reporting that one child was just 6 years old. Three of Syria's immediate neighbors, Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon, have made it virtually impossible for civilians to flee Syria. As refugees have strained resources and competed for jobs, often lowering wages as a result, public opinion has increasingly hardened against them in all three countries. The Syrian conflict has uprooted more than 5 million Syrians who have fled to neighboring states and Europe to escape the airstrikes, barrel bombs and fighting in their war-torn country. Another 6 million are displaced from their homes. Last month, Lebanon's new president, Michel Aoun, in his inaugural address, vowed to send packing the 1.5 million Syrian refugees in his country. "The issue of the Syrian refugees should be resolved as soon as possible," he said, characterizing them as a security threat. Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement, a Christian party, is allied with the Shi'ite Hezbollah movement, whose fighters have helped to prop up the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Human Rights Watch last year accused European governments of indirectly encouraging harsh treatment of war refugees by Syria's immediate neighbors by shutting their doors on Syrians. "EU officials should recognize that their red light for refugees to enter the EU gives Turkey a green light to close its border, exacting a heavy price on war-ravaged asylum seekers with nowhere else to go," the rights group said. Wherever you turn, there's war For Syrians, the journey to safety in Turkey is harrowing enough without the dangers of a border crossing. There are tremendous physical risks inside with blistering airstrikes and skirmishes among an array of armed groups. For civilians in northern Syria, fleeing conflict can take you right back into conflict. Wherever you turn, there's war, say refugees who have made the trek. Forty-two-year-old Bassam, a father of three, described the trip he and his family made in October through northern Syria. The former shop owner shook his head at what he had seen, saying he'd encountered many women and children carrying small bundles. "There's little food to be had on the journey," he said. "We had to move very slowly to avoid being targeted by warplanes." Other refugees describe complicated meandering journeys around northern Syria trying to reach the border safely and then facing the peril of being shot at by Turkish guards. Last year, Lina Chawaf, editor of the independent Syrian radio station Rozana, which broadcasts from studios in Paris and Gaziantep, Turkey, described to VOA her experience trying to re-enter Turkey after a reporting trip to Aleppo. A well-known TV personality in Damascus until she fled after siding with the political opposition against President Bashar al-Assad, Chawaf and a group of civilians trying to use a cross-border tunnel 700 meters long, three meters deep and three meters across were fired on when they began to walk to the tunnel. "The shooting came from Turkish guards trying to deter refugees from reaching the tunnel," she said. The refugees dashed to the tunnel. She said small children were in the group. Bribes for safe passage Syrians who manage to slip across the border often have to bribe Turkish gendarmes, paying up to $1,200 a person, according to refugees interviewed by VOA during the past year. People smugglers also profit, charging several hundred dollars. "The current rate for a 'less risky' smuggling road to Turkey is $1,500 per person, which is a huge amount for the vast majority of Syrians," according to Haid Haid, an analyst with Chatham House, a London-based research institution. "Therefore, people keep trying other smuggling roads that are cheaper and riskier," he says. "Border security is no excuse for depriving Syrians of refuge and by no means does it justify shooting civilians when it is clear that all they seek is their own safety." Earlier this year, Western governments and aid agencies urged Turkey to open its border and admit civilians fleeing heavy fighting in northern Syria sparked by a Russian-backed Assad offensive. A European diplomat based in Turkey told VOA that in recent months, EU governments had reduced their behind-the-scenes pressure on Ankara to open the border. "We are just going through the motions really: European governments fear another migration wave and they know if Turkey did open the border, there would be more Syrians attempting to reach Europe." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Monitors: Death Toll from Air War in Idlib, Syria, Climbs Past 300 By VOA News December 06, 2016 Syrian monitors say the death toll from a Russian and Syrian air offensive that began late last month against rebel positions southwest of Aleppo has climbed past 300. And they say more than 1,000 others - many of them women and children -- have been wounded. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, in a statement Tuesday, said new strikes targeted eight refugee settlements in Idlib province, about 100 kilometers southwest of Aleppo. The statement identified a full third of the fatalities as children. Russia announced last month it was resuming airstrikes in Idlib and Homs provinces in support of the government of President Bashar al-Assad. Separately Tuesday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said Damascus will reject any cease-fire agreement in war-ravaged Aleppo that allows rebels to stay in the sector, to prevent opposition fighters from regrouping and launching new attacks. A ministry statement rejecting any future rebel presence in the northern city comes three days after Syrian rebel commanders - facing a powerful government offensive in Aleppo's east - warned that they are not leaving the sector. Diplomats say the intransigence from both sides increases the likelihood of a decisive Aleppo battle in the near future, unless a deal is reached to end months of Russian and Syrian airstrikes and an ongoing government ground offensive that analysts say threatens to overwhelm rebel forces. Hopes for a quick truce in Aleppo were dealt another blow Monday, when Russia for the sixth time this year vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have provided for a seven-day cease-fire to allow humanitarian aid to reach the battered city. Russian U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin criticized the resolution, saying "these kinds of pauses have been used by fighters to reinforce their ammo [munitions] and to strengthen their positions." New Zealand envoy Gerard van Bohemen later countered that characterization, calling the Churkin argument "hollow fiction." Tens of thousands of civilians are thought to be trapped in eastern Aleppo despite a huge surge of refugees fleeing in the past two weeks for the relative safety of government-controlled western districts. Monitors last week estimated that 18,000 civilians in the east had moved into western neighborhoods and more than 9,000 others into a Kurdish-controlled district. U.N. special envoy Stefan de Mistura said last week he expected eastern Aleppo to fall to government forces by the end of December, without a negotiated settlement to end the four-year rebel occupation. Some material for this report came from AP, AFP and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Large Syrian Refugee Population in Lebanon Sparks Social Tensions By Lisa Schlein December 06, 2016 The United Nations has launched a four-year crisis response plan for Lebanon it hopes will maintain stability and prevent an internal conflict from breaking out. It is appealing for $2.8 billion to get humanitarian and stabilization support programs underway in 2017. The United Nations does not believe Lebanon is on the brink of collapse but it warns there is a danger the country could implode if the Syrian refugee crisis is not well managed. Syrian refugees account for 30 percent of Lebanon's population, the highest concentration per capita of refugees in the world. Seventy percent live below the poverty line compared to 40 percent of the Lebanese population. Few camps exist for Syrian refugees. Most live in host communities among Lebanese who are as impoverished as they are. The U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon, Philippe Lazzarini, said there is a constant high risk of tension among the host communities and Syrian refugees over competition for services and limited resources. He said it is critical that the international community continue its support for Lebanon and provide the funds needed to promote the crisis response plan. "We do believe that it is in the interest, not only of the Lebanese, but of the region to shield Lebanon from the instability in the rest of the Middle East... Hence, the need to maintain the same level of support to the country. There is a risk always that if we loosen our attention, this might trigger host community fatigue... [and] social tension will follow," Lazzarini said. The four-year Lebanon Crisis Response Plan will have a strong focus on humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities, a necessity as most Syrian refugees are completely dependent on international aid for their survival. Besides providing food, shelter, and other essentials, Lazzarini said the plan will work on peace and security, governance and social and economic issues. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan-U.S. relations helpful to cross-strait ties: president ROC Central News Agency 2016/12/06 20:07:47 Taipei, Dec. 6 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen () said on Tuesday that Taiwan is an important partner of the United States and maintaining good bilateral relations is helpful to the promotion of cross-strait ties and peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Tsai made the remarks during a meeting with a group of American journalists on a study tour in Taiwan. The visit is sponsored by the Asia-Pacific Journalism Fellowships program under the East-West Center, an organization established by the U.S. Congress in 1960 to promote better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia and the Pacific. The president told the visitors that Taiwan has always maintained a close relationship with the U.S. through both official and unofficial channels, according to a statement released by the Presidential Office. She noted that Taiwan is America's 14th-largest export market and ninth-largest trading partner, which she said demonstrates the close trade partnership between the two countries. Taiwan and America also share many common values, such as freedom, democracy, rule of law, human rights and a market economy, and are important partners in regional and global affairs, she added. Tsai said efforts by her administration to promote foreign relations are not only aimed at protecting Taiwan's best interests but also at promoting regional peace and stability. Taiwan attaches equal importance to its relations with the United States and China because such relations are crucial to peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, she said. Taiwan and China should sit down and talk as soon as possible to resolve their differences, Tsai said, adding that her position as outlined in her inaugural and National Day addresses, remains unchanged. (By Sophia Yeh and Y.F. Low) ENDITEM/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump-Tsai call a 'good, small' step: Ex-Cheney aide ROC Central News Agency 2016/12/06 19:12:46 Taipei, Dec. 6 (CNA) A former White House official said on Tuesday that the recent call between U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen () was an "important step" in the direction many Republicans have advocated for, but added that the move remains a "small step," during a visit to Taiwan. "We should not over-analyze or overreact to the fact that your current and our future leader spoke by phone," said Stephen Yates, deputy national security adviser to then-U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney during the George W. Bush administration, during a media conference in Taipei. Noting that it is reasonable for the people of Taiwan to expect friendly relations from the incoming administration in the United States, he said "it would not be reasonable to anticipate major changes in U.S. policy at this point." Yates arrived in Taiwan earlier Tuesday for a private visit. However, his visit has received much media attention in Taiwan because of speculation that he played a role in arranging the phone call between Trump and Tsai last Friday. However, Yates denied any involvement, saying that the call was arranged by Trump's transition team and was initiated by "the person offering congratulations." He described the call as "a very good, small step," but denied that he played a role in it coming about, saying that he was in Idaho when Trump and Tsai spoke. He added that he has no affiliation with Trump's transition team and to date has not been offered any position in the new administration. Commenting on the call, Yates said he was "thrilled" that Trump agreed to receive Tsai's "congratulatory phone call." He said that as an active member of the Republican National Committee and a former White House official, he cares a lot about helping to ensure the success of Trump's transition team and the incoming administration and that he speaks "with friends in the transition from time to time." The Trump-Tsai call was the first interaction of its kind since the U.S. switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in January 1979. The call raised many eyebrows in the U.S., with critics and media outlets saying Trump broke diplomatic convention and risked upsetting U.S. relations with China. Commenting on the issue, Yates rejected all the criticism. "I do not believe that accepting a courtesy phone call of congratulations is provocative," he said. He also noted that "it is not changing policy to take a phone call." According to accounts from both sides, Tsai called Trump to congratulate him on winning the U.S. presidential election and Trump extended his congratulations on her electoral victory early this year. In their conversation that lasted more than 10 minutes, the two leaders also discussed economic and defense issues, and Tsai expressed her hope for more bilateral exchanges and contacts. Yates is currently chairman of the Idaho Republican Party and was one of those responsible for including the "Six Assurances" given to Taiwan by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1982 and the Taiwan Relations Act in the Republican Party's platform at its national convention in July. (By Elaine Hou) ENDITEM/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan to take tougher action against drones in restricted areas ROC Central News Agency 2016/12/06 16:35:45 Taipei, Dec. 6 (CNA) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Tuesday that with effect from January next year, civilian drones that enter restricted air spaces in Taiwan will either be intercepted or shot down. The military will also report such incidents to the Civil Aeronautics Administration and the police, and the operators of the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be liable to a penalty of up to five years in prison, the MND said. The new regulations will be introduced on Jan. 10, 2017 with a view to curbing the incidence of drone accidents and intrusions into restricted areas, the ministry said. In cases where a drone is found to be endangering the safety of airplanes, obstructing military operations or trying to access restricted military information, the UAV will either be intercepted or shot down by the military, the ministry said. Since July 2015, there have been eight such incidents in Taiwan involving UAVs, according to Maj. Gen. Chung Shu-ming (), director of the MND's Joint Operation Division. He cited the examples of a camera drone crash into the Taipei 101 skyscraper in July last year and the intrusion of another one into the Pingtung military airport space a month later to photograph E-2 early warning planes. In August this year, commercial flights at Chingchuangang Airport in Taichung were affected by the intrusion of several UAVs into that airspace, Chung said, citing the Civil Aviation Act that prohibits hazardous objects in the vicinity of 20 airports and airfields around Taiwan. He said that starting in January, the military will report intrusions of civilian drones into restricted areas and will provide detailed information to the relevant authorities, including the police, to identify and track down the operators. (By Lu Hsin-hui and Lilian Wu) Enditem/pc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tsai-Trump phone call symbol of friendship: MOFA ROC Central News Agency 2016/12/06 14:24:45 Taipei, Dec. 6 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen's () phone call with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump last week was a symbol of friendship between the two sides, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) official said Tuesday. Taiwan has maintained very good partnerships with both the Democratic Party and Republican Party of the United States and has many friends in both the conservative and liberal camps, according to Eleanor Wang (), a ministry spokeswoman. The MOFA will continue to pay attention to the formation of Trump's security and foreign affairs team and strengthen contact with the new U.S. administration, she said during a regular press briefing. Asked whether the phone call will be helpful to Taiwan's efforts to promote relations with the United States, Wang said: "I don't think there is other way to see it." She stressed that the call was a symbol of friendship and that the government will continue to strengthen such friendship. It is premature to say whether the new administration under Trump will adjust Washington's policy toward Taiwan, she added. Asked if Taiwan has received any inquiries from the American Institute of Taiwan or the U.S. State Department after the phone call, Wang said she had no information in this regard. In a break with decades of diplomatic precedent, Trump took a congratulatory call from Tsai on Dec. 2, the first publicly reported call between a Taiwanese leader and a U.S. president or president-elect since 1979, when Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. China reportedly has lodged a diplomatic protest with the U.S. over the phone conversation. Beijing sees self-governing Taiwan as part of its territory, to be united by force if necessary. (By Tai Ya-chen and Y.F. Low) ENDITEM/jc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ex-Cheney aide in Taiwan, denies arranging Trump-Tsai call ROC Central News Agency 2016/12/06 11:09:44 Taipei, Dec. 6 (CNA) A former White House official on Tuesday denied media speculation that he helped arrange a phone call between U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen () but described the call as "a very good beginning" in the relationship between the two administrations. Stephen Yates, deputy national security adviser to then-U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney during the George W. Bush administration, said he hoped the U.S. and Taiwan would take advantage of the opportunity as a starting point to effectively expand their bilateral relations. The adviser to the Trump transition team made the comments to waiting reporters when he arrived in Taiwan early Tuesday for a pre-arranged visit. He said his meetings in Taiwan had yet to be confirmed but there are media reports saying that he will see Tsai later this week. Yates is believed to be the first former Republican administration official to visit Taiwan since Tsai called Trump last Friday in an exchange that has captured the imagination of the people of Taiwan. It was the first interaction of its kind since the United States switched its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in January 1979. The call raised many eyebrows in the United States, with critics and media outlets saying Trump broke diplomatic convention and risked upsetting U.S. relations with China. According to accounts from both sides, Tsai called Trump to congratulate him on winning the U.S. presidential election and Trump extended his congratulations on her electoral victory early this year. In their conversation that lasted over 10 minutes, the two leaders also discussed economic and defense issues, and Tsai expressed her hope for more bilateral exchanges and contacts. Yates is currently chairman of the Idaho Republican Party and was one of those responsible for including the "Six Assurances" given to Taiwan by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1982 and the Taiwan Relations Act in the Republican Party's platform at its national convention in July. As a Mormon missionary in Kaohsiung in the 1980s, Yates developed several friendships that he still maintains, he told reporters. In addition, he visited Taiwan several times while working at the Heritage Foundation, a Washington-based think tank, before and after his Bush administration tenure. (By Bien Chen-feng, Tai Ya-chen and Evelyn Kao) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan criticizes China statement as detrimental to cross-strait ties ROC Central News Agency 2016/12/06 23:47:48 Taipei, Dec. 6 (CNA) Taiwan describes a statement issued by the Chinese government urging the United States to block transit stops by President Tsai Ing-wen () during a reported trip to three of Taiwan's diplomatic allies in Central America next month as an overreaction that is not conducive to the development of cross-strait relations. Taiwanese media has reported that Tsai -- who doubles as chairwoman of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party -- plans to visit Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador in January. As part of the trip she will attend the inauguration of the Nicaraguan president and make stopovers in the United States. There has also been speculation that she could meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. In response, China has urged the U.S. not to let her transit there, according to a Reuters report. In a statement sent to Reuters addressing the possibility of a Tsai stopover in the U.S., China's Foreign Ministry said the "one China" principle, which states Taiwan is part of China, was commonly recognized by the international community, the report said. China hopes the U.S. "does not allow her transit, and does not send any wrong signals to 'Taiwan independence' forces," Reuters reported on Tuesday. Asked to comment on China's reported remarks, Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang () said that it is equally important for Taiwan to maintain good ties with the U.S. and China, which is not only in the interests of all parties concerned but also the key to peace and stability in the region. "Such overreaction is unnecessary and is also not conducive to the normal development of cross-strait relations," Huang said. The Presidential Office said on Monday that it was nothing more than "media speculation" that Tsai would meet with Trump and his team in New York. For any state visit by the president or the vice president, a public announcement will be made once the details are finalized, the office said. The reports of Tsai's overseas visit in January came days after Trump angered Beijing by accepting a congratulatory phone call from Tsai last Friday in a break with decades of precedent. The call was the first interaction of its kind since the U.S. switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in January 1979. In the Reuters report, Guatemala's Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales confirmed that Tsai is due to visit the Central American country on Jan. 11-12. El Salvador's government said it was working with Taiwan on plans for a visit by Tsai in the second week of January, the report said, adding that the government of Nicaragua had no immediate comment. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is scheduled to be sworn in for a third consecutive term on Jan. 10. (By Elaine Hou and Sophia Yeh) ENDITEM/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China calls on US to ban transit by Taiwan president Iran Press TV Tue Dec 6, 2016 11:35AM China has urged the United States not to allow Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen to transit there when she visits Guatemala in January. Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its own territory awaiting reunification with China and any move implying independence for the island would anger Chinese leaders. Tsai is reportedly planning to transit in New York early in January during her trip to Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador. Guatemala's Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morale confirmed the visit, saying it will take place on January 11-12. Asked about the possibility of transit by Tsai in the US, China's Foreign Ministry expressed Beijing's hope that the US "does not allow her transit, and does not send any wrong signals to 'Taiwan independence' forces." It also stressed that the "One China" principle was commonly recognized by the international community, adding Tsai's real aim is "self-evident." Washington cut formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979 and recognizes Beijing as the sole government of "One China". The US, however, remains Taiwan's most important political ally and sole arms supplier. There was no official confirmation of Tsai's trip, but visits to Central Ameerica are normally combined with transit stops in the US. Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Eleanor Wang underscored that any presidential travel details would be released at the proper time. The reports on the transit comes few days after China lodged an official protest with the US over a direct contact by phone between President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwan's president. The 10-minute telephone call was the first by a US leader since former president Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China. According to one report, Tsai's delegation would seek to meet Trump's team, including his White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, and that the trip would take place before Trump's inauguration on January 20. US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said he had no information about such meeting. "What I can say about that is that that kind of transit is based on longstanding US practice, and it's consistent with the unofficial nature of our relations with Taiwan," Toner said in a regular media briefing. An adviser to Trump's transition team however ruled out a meeting between Tsai and Trump if she were to stop in New York. China and Taiwan are physically separated by the Taiwan Strait in the Western Pacific Ocean. They split politically following the 1927-1950 Chinese Civil War and there have been no formal cross-strait diplomatic relations ever since. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Greek court OK's extradition of three Turkish 'coup' officers Iran Press TV Tue Dec 6, 2016 4:54PM A Greek court has ruled that three Turkish army officers accused of playing a role in a failed July coup against the administration of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could be extradited to Turkey. According to a judicial source, the Athens appeals court said that the three should be sent back for "attempting to topple the regime" of President Erdogan. The court, however, noted that it had not found conclusive evidence linking the officers to an attack on Erdogan. The ruling came a day after the same court rejected the extradition of another three Turkish military officers. The court said in its Monday ruling that Turkish authorities had not provided sufficient evidence over the officers' involvement in the coup attempt of July 15, and that their personal safety was in danger at home. That decision outraged the Ankara government, which has launched a wide-ranging crackdown since the attempted putsch. Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said on Monday that "Greece is in the NATO alliance with Turkey and is a NATO ally. Our expectation is that the Greek government make every effort to return" those individuals to Turkey. The Geek court is expected to decide the fate of the remaining two officers on Thursday. Any final decision to extradite rests with the Greek Minister of Justice Stavros Kontonis. The case is awkward for Greece, which depends on Turkey to stem the flow of thousands of refugees to its shores. The Turkish government has demanded the extradition of two Turkish commanders, four captains and two sergeants who had requested asylum in Greece following the coup attempt. Ankara says the eight will face prosecution if they return. The officers deny any involvement in the coup attempt, saying they escaped to Greece out of fear. Ankara has arrested more than 37,000 people as part of the crackdown following the coup. Turkey accuses US-based cleric, Fethullah Gulen, of masterminding the coup. Tens of thousands have also been dismissed or suspended from their positions in the military and public institutions. More than 100,000 people have also been dismissed or suspended from their jobs on similar charges. The opposition has fiercely criticized the widening crackdown, with top figures in the Republican People's Party (CHP) accusing the government of capitalizing on the failed coup to stifle dissent. Western governments and major rights campaigners have also censured the crackdown, saying Ankara has acted beyond the law in its hunt for coup plotters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Number of Turkish Soldiers Captured by Daesh Could Be 'Higher' Than Reports Say Sputnik News 20:28 06.12.2016(updated 00:40 07.12.2016) Publishing Editor of the Turkish newspaper BirGun Ibrahim Varli told Sputnik Turkey that the number of Turkish soldiers captured by Daesh fighters could be much higher than it was reported by official sources. Last week, reports said that two Turkish soldiers, along with their local interpreter, were captured by terrorists near the Ed Dana village in the vicinity of al-Bab. The soldiers were reported injured and said to be receiving medical treatment in the city of Raqqa in one of the special underground shelters built for Daesh leadership, while their interpreter died due to injuries sustained during the capture. Although there are no official reports about other Turkish servicemen abducted by Daesh, Varli believes that the actual number of captured soldiers is much higher. "This issue is unclear. No official information is available. It has been reported that three servicemen of the Turkish Armed Forces are currently being held prisoners by jihadists. However, local sources say that the number is much higher, about 35-40 soldiers. We have not seen it by ourselves, and so we can't publish this information, because otherwise we could be accused of disseminating misinformation among the population. However, local correspondents claim that the number of the Turkish soldiers held hostage is much higher," the journalist said. The journalist also commented on the recent call of Daesh to carry out attacks on Turkey. The main targets of terrorist attacks could be Turkish official bodies, as well as embassies and consulates of Turkey in foreign countries, Daesh announced. "The threat posed by Daesh to Turkey has been there all this time, but now it has become even more evident, especially amid the fact that jihadists have recently been defeated in Iraq and Syria," the journalist stated. "They are being backed in a corner and therefore are as dangerous as ever," he added. Earlier, Russia and China were criticized for vetoing a draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Syrian city of Aleppo, however Varli believes that it was the right decision. "[Daesh] militants are being pushed back in Aleppo, the Syrian government army took control of two-thirds of the city. In these circumstances, the ceasefire would have provided jihadists with the opportunity to regroup and recover. So I think it was the right decision to block the resolution for a ceasefire in Aleppo," Varli said. The Turkish forces, backed by US-led coalition aircraft, started the Euphrates Shield military operation in August, with the aim of freeing the Syrian northern territories from terrorists and creating security zones for the accommodation of refugees. In the course of the operation, several Turkish soldiers were reported dead, and some of them are assumed to be missing. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Britain has 18 months to reach Brexit deal, EU warns Iran Press TV Tue Dec 6, 2016 5:3PM The European Union has warned that Britain will have less than 18 months to strike a deal to exit the bloc once Brexit negotiations begin, assuming London keeps a promise to formally launch the process of leaving the EU by the end of March. At a news conference on Tuesday in Brussels, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, set a target of agreeing a Brexit deal with Britain by October 2018. Barnier said the two-year deadline for final withdrawal stated in Article 50 of the EU treaty meant there would be less than 18 months for actual negotiations because it will take several months to have a deal ratified by the UK, the other 27 EU states and the EU parliament. Once article 50 is triggered by an EU member state, there is a two-year time limit to complete negotiations. If negotiations fail to reach agreement, the member state leaves the bloc with nothing. "Time is short," he said. "Should the UK notify the European Council by the end of March 2017 ... it is safe to say negotiations could start a few weeks later and an Article 50 agreement reached by October 2018." British Prime Minister Theresa May has said she will give formal notification of Britain's departure in March. May's spokesman said she was not expecting to negotiate a Brexit deal for longer - something that would be possible only by mutual consent. "There is a two-year time frame," the spokesman said after Barnier's remarks. "We are not seeking to extend that process." Barnier said a Brexit will not be a better deal for the UK than staying in the EU and London could not "cherry pick" on issues such as the EU single market. "Keep calm and negotiate," Barnier said. "The work will be legally complex, politically sensitive and will have important consequences for our economies and first for our people on both sides of the channel." May faces a rebellion among her own lawmakers when Parliament will debate on Wednesday whether the government should make public its Brexit plan before triggering formal divorce talks with the EU. The opposition Labour Party has put forward a motion, calling on the government to publish its plan for leaving the bloc before it invokes Article 50. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address When Marie Recine took a trip to the Dominican Republic last summer, she hoped that seeing living-wage apparel company Alta Gracia would inspire her. And it did, the Oregon State University student said. But the shocking and awful stories from workers at another nearby factory also left a deep impression on Recine. I got to see the shadow and dark side of the apparel industry that a lot of people dont see or arent aware of, Recine said. I couldnt unsee it. I had to do something about it. Recine, a 20-year-old apparel design major at OSU, returned from her two-week trip to the Dominican Republic in mid-August. By early September, Recine had founded Sweatshop Free OSU, part of Sweatshop Free Apparel, a coalition of several campus groups looking for increased transparency and accountability in the manufacture of OSU apparel. Recine said shes always loved clothing design, schoolwork and social justice, but never had thought of combining the three until this past summer. Her passion for clothing design first developed while growing up in the San Francisco Bay area. She came to OSU in 2014 to study apparel design and later became a three-year member of the OSU Womens Lacrosse Club. But her passion for activism remained mostly unseen on OSUs campus. Two years ago, she took a trip to the Dominican Republic to help teach children about health and started an initiative to fix a local aqueduct. Ive always been interested in social injustices, she said. But I never knew how to get involved on campus other than doing the easy things. I feel like I was waiting for an opportunity. And she found it as a sophomore while researching Alta Gracias clean and well-equipped factory in the Dominican Republic. At the same time, she heard third-hand stories about sweatshop conditions in other factories in the area. But Recine said she wanted to see for herself. Recine applied for a grant from the Student Sustainability Institute to pay for the airfare to the Dominican Republic to join the group Solidarity Ignite, an organization that fights for the rights of factory workers. As part of her trip, Recine visited Alta Gracia herself and stayed with a woman who worked at the factory. I got to tour Alta Gracia and it was very clean and the workers were all smiling, she said. They have their own onsite free clinic for anyone who gets injured or sick. And their paid a living wage, three times more than the factory across the street. For the second half of her trip, Recine wanted to see the dark side of the apparel industry. She didnt have to travel far. Alta Gracia is in the same industrial park as a cardboard factory that is not unionized and is operating pretty much like a sweatshop, she said. But we werent able to go into it because they dont want people to go in and see. Recine dedicated herself to hearing firsthand stories from workers at the cardboard plant and others nearby. It was just so sad, she said. One of the most heartbreaking things for me was that so many of the people I talked to are my age, and they arent going to school because they have to work these jobs. A few workers also told her detailed stories of employers committing sexual harassment to the female employees and nothing being done about it. These guys had seen a lot of their co-workers being sexually harassed. But they had no idea what they could do about it, she said. They knew if they said anything, theyd get fired. Other workers told her that they were denied safety equipment, even while working with chemicals, and that the companies made them pay for every piece of equipment they used and deducted the materials from their paychecks. And the company would tell them theyre required to buy these things, she said. Its wage theft. They would make up excuses as to why they would deduct things from their paychecks without telling them. They would get their paycheck and realize its half as much as they were owed. And there was nothing they could do about it. Recine said the experience changed her forever. Seeing Alta Gracia was really inspiring to me. And seeing the other side was also a huge shock, she said. Being in America, you dont really see side of things because were more consumers than producers when it comes to apparel. Its crazy to me that in 2016 there is still this huge disparity and lack of equality. Human rights shouldnt be that difficult. Back on campus, Recine and other OSU students, as part of the Coalition for Sweatshop Free Apparel, are calling on the university to create an affiliation with the Worker Rights Consortium and source ethically made apparel from Alta Gracia. Sweatshop Free OSU is looking to reignite actions started by previous OSU student activist groups such as the Chicano student group MEChA and the OSU chapter of United Students Against Sweatshops. I came back from my trip and I was going to buy my mom an Oregon State Alta Gracia T-shirt. But there were none left because they stopped ordering them at the Beaver Store after the people from those other groups graduated, Recine said. This is going to be something that students are going to have to keep going and fighting for. After she graduates, Recine said, she knows of a few other students who might be able to carry on with the crusade at OSU. And Recine herself plans to open her own apparel company. And, of course, I would make sure I only use fair-wage companies and not sweatshops, she said. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler wants a task force created to address the high number of homicides in the city. I believe it is going to take a coordinated effort, larger than anything weve undertaken in a long time, to completely tackle the violent crime that has gripped our city, Vogler said during an impassioned speech at the end of Danvile City Councils meeting Tuesday night. There have been 14 homicides in Danville this year, the highest number since the city began keeping records in the 1950s. Vogler asked for a working task force to include the police chief, city manager, commonwealths attorney, at least one member of City Council but not more than two, city sheriff, at least one church leader working to actively address the issues, the Danville Public Schools superintendent, and a representative from W.W. Moore Detention Center and the Danville Housing Authority, and possibly other groups. This would not be a show horse group. This needs to be a workhorse, Vogler said. This group should be assembled with the sole purpose of formulating a comprehensive strategy to address violent crime in our city, and then, implementing it. There is no silver bullet to reduce violent crime in Danville, but by each one of these individual sectors of our community working together, in conjunction with one another, we can make it happen. And we will make it happen. Vice Mayor Alonzo Jones said 13 out of the 14 homicides in the community have been African-Americans. Jones pointed out that we care about everyone in our community but this is alarming. Also, the community needs to talk about the good things that are happening in the city, and give praise to young people performing well, Jones said. Lets continue to move our city forward, Jones said. City Councilman Sherman Saunders said the crimes people commit impact the city and hurt everyone. However, the great majority of people in Danville are great people doing great things, Saunders said, adding that he hopes everyone doesnt paint all young people with the same brush. A lot of the people committing these crimes are repeat offenders, he said. We know who they are. Theyre committing crimes, going to jail, being released and committing those crimes again, Saunders pointed out, That cycle has to stop, Saunders said. A lot of officers are close to retirement and young people are choosing not to go into law enforcement, he added. The Virginia State Police is losing about 12 people per month. Thats just the state police, Saunders said. Danville is not different. In other matters, City Council voted to declare an apartment building at 205 Jefferson Ave. a blighted property. The city is giving the owner a chance to make repairs or it will petition the court to act as a receiver for the property. According to the citys online real estate records, Agomuo Ventures LLC owns the property. The citys inspections division has imposed numerous enforcement measures on the property since the late 1980s. The first correction order for maintenance code violations was issued in 1988, and additional orders were issued in 2002, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, according to city officials. The city declared the building unfit for human occupancy in 2014 and the tenants were removed. It has since been boarded up and secured. Built in the 1920s, the 26-unit, stucco-covered building had gas, ceiling and roof leaks, mold, roaches, deteriorated floors and plumbing that didnt work. City officials want to avoid tearing down the 16,773-square-foot structure, which has historic importance in the neighborhood. We dont believe it is too much to the point where we can force demolition on it, said City Manager Ken Larking during an interview last month. There is still an opportunity for it to be rehabbed. We prefer that buildings get rehabbed rather than demolished. In this case, we feel like theres a good opportunity for that apartment complex to be redeveloped. The building could fill a housing need close to the River District, Larking said. Virginia law has provided localities the option of receivership to control a property in exchange for its repair. Once the property is brought back up to code, it would be sold and the city paid for the cost of repairs. The property owner would get any money left over. The goal of receivership is for the city to spend enough money on the property to bring it into compliance and make it ready for someone to make use of it. The city must declare the property blighted before it can petition for receivership in circuit court. A blighted property means that the structure endangers the public health, safety or welfare because it is dilapidated, or deteriorated, or because the structure or improvements violate minimum health and safety standards, according to state law. Receivership provides an option for the city when its not able to pursue a case administratively because a property is not unsafe enough to warrant it, said Cory Wolfe, assistant city attorney, during an interview last month. Danville must also adopt a spot blight abatement plan outlining the blight conditions on the property and giving the owner a time frame to make repairs. In another matter, City Council unanimously voted for the citys budget to provide $269,226 from the Virginia Department of Transportation to buy two buses and a bus shelter. The purchase is related to the citys project to offer new connecting transit service along Mount Cross Road to Averett Universitys North Campus. The city submitted an application for a grant of nearly $1.3 million from the state to pay for road construction the Mount Cross widening project and transit equipment. The state approved a contract in October to fully finance the buses and bus shelter to support the new service. Averett University would provide contract revenue to offset operating costs for the service. Congressman-elect for the 5th District Tom Garrett says hes excited to help both businesses in the Dan River Region and students saddled by massive loan debts. Garrett who will replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Robert Hurt after winning in November against Democrat Jane Dittmar said he had spent the past two weeks attending Congressional orientation meetings in Washington. During that time, Garrett said he presented a plan to revamp both student loans and Social Security to Republican Policy Committee Chairman and Indiana Congressman Luke Messer. Called Student Security, the plan would allow students to defer years of Social Security payments in order to forgive thousands in student debt. Garrett said the plans beauty was in giving students a choice. It doesnt force anybody to do anything, Garrett said. With national student debt close to $1.5 trillion, Garrett said students were being crippled financially and were unable to contribute to the U.S. economy. It would make Social Security viable forever, Garrett said. Garretts proposal is based on a plan from Albemarle County Republican Committee Chairman Elliot Harding. Garrett said he was proud to have made inroads on the program in such short notice. This is something where if we would be able to do in five years it would be amazing, he said. Garrett also said he was looking forward to working with President-elect Donald Trump and others in Congress to help local businesses with overregulation by the federal government. During the campaign, Garrett said overregulation was the biggest obstacle stopping local business growth. Garrett said many executive actions could be taken to help these businesses. We can start to roll back that regulatory burden literally Jan. 21, Garrett said. Garrett said he also plans to keep a legislative office open in either Danville or Pittsylvania County. Currently Hurt operates a Danville office on Craghead Street. Garrett said the upcoming congressional calendar was going to be one of the busiest ever for Washington, and he needed to make sure he was still able to connect with his constituents. We need to make sure we have a good staff on the ground, Garrett said. Garrett also praised Lynchburg lawyer Mark Peake, who was recently chosen as the GOP candidate to replace Garrett in the Virginia Senate. Peake will face Democratic opponent and former Fluvanna County Sherriff Ryant Washington. The theme of this years Danville Historical Societys Holiday Tour is Steel Wheel & Rails, celebrating Danvilles streetcar history in the early 1900s, according to Sarah Latham, who is chairing the holiday tour committee. The 44th annual event scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. for Dec. 10-11 will include four historic homes, a River District building that has been repurposed into retail space at ground level and apartments above, a church, a River District art gallery and several museums all with knowledgeable docents ready to share the history of the buildings with visitors. All of the sites on this years tour are on the historic streetcar line or in easy walking distance, Latham said. A display will be set up at the 249 Jefferson Ave. tour stop, highlighting that history. The Danville Historical Society has been working with the city to create this exhibit, which will ultimately be displayed at the [bus] transfer station on Spring Street, Latham said. 145 Holbrook Ave. The home of Van and Connie Fletcher Whitlow, this 1989 Queen Anne style building enjoys an asymmetrical outline, with its angular corner turret, varied projections and wood shingles. Inside, original details have been preserved, including intricate plaster ceiling medallions and Eastlake-inspired woodwork. 247 W. Main St. Now the home of Iulian and Corrie Teague Bobe, this 1914 Foursquare was built of granite from Mount Airy, North Carolina. Each stone was hand dressed; no two are alike. The house has 23 rooms, 68 windows and eight fireplaces. 826 Green St. Now the home of Bill and Liz Hagan, a Danville land book for 1893 records the addition of a side-hall plan house, built for Mr. J.A. Yancey a Patton Street grocer on a 45-foot lot; it was assessed at $1,100. Ownership of the house changed over the years. In 2007, Richard Morris purchased and restored the building. The Hagans purchased the home in 2013. 249 Jefferson Ave. Currently, this narrow house is unoccupied, but the architecture can be admired while visitors enjoy an exhibit on Danvilles streetcar history and browse through gift items from the Danville Historical Society. This site will be serving refreshments during the event. 442 Main St. Built in 1901, the Dudley Building has housed a bank, an Elks Lodge and stores selling a variety of goods, including dry goods, boots, cigars and jewelry. Developer Stephen Staats has rehabilitated the upper floors into six one- and two-bedroom apartments. The River District Association is located on the ground level. Two units of the apartments will have docents available to explain the history of the building, but tour-goers are welcome to visit the other unique apartments in the building. You really have to see all of them, Latham said. Each one has its own floorplan. 116 Jefferson Ave. Records show Greek people began arriving in Danville as early as 1898, and as the community grew its members decided they needed a church. In 1943, fundraising began and in 1947 the first church was held at St. Peters Greek Orthodox Church. The icons, stained glass windows and other furnishings in the church were all donated by the original congregation. This is the first time this church has been on the tour in over 40 years, Latham said. It will be a big treat to see it. 210 North Union St. The Danvillian Gallery currently houses Emma Edmunds exhibit, 1963 Danville Civil Rights Movement: The Protests, the People, the Stories. 975 Main St. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History/Sutherlin Mansion 117 Broad St. Langhorne House Museum 917 West Main St. Schoolfield Museum & Cultural Center. Refreshments will be served. Tickets Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance at the Ginger Bread House, Karens Hallmark, Rippes and Vintages by the Dan. On the days of the tour, tickets also can be purchased at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History, Langhorne House Museum and the Schoolfield Museum and Cultural Center. They can also be purchased online at www.danvillehistory.org. The tickets are good for one admission at each site, and admission to the museums on the list are included. Latham said visitors are welcome to split the tour up over two days instead of trying to see all 10 sites in one afternoon. Thibodeau reports for the Danville Register & Bee. Indie duo Penny & Sparrow have had a great many pinch me moments this year. They released two new albums: Let A Lover Drown You, which was produced by the Civil Wars John Paul White and Alabama Shakes keyboardist Ben Tanner, in March and Christmas Songs last month. On top of that, they have ideas for six more albums planned, writes vocalist Andy Baxter in an email while sitting in what he calls the duos rain-soaked war tank that is our tour van. If thats not enough, Penny & Sparrow just completed a sold-out tour with Johnnyswim and The Oh Hellos and have started a winter tour with Delta Rae, which they will take a break from to play a show at Phase 2 this Wednesday. The guys have also received praise from NPR and Elmore Magazine for their honest, beautiful and often heartbreaking fragility. It's just the pure vocals and the pure sound, says concert promoter Jonathan Slye. I have a growing respect and admiration for groups that in this day and age are not using all sorts of effects. Vocalist Andy Baxter and his roommate at the University of Texas, Kyle Jahnke, guitar and vocals, formed their band four years ago when they started playing music and recording songs as a hobby. Next came shows around Texas, where they performed under various names, including the Dallas Cowboys and the Utah Jazz, until their first legit gig. At that point, Baxter and Jahnke realized they needed to actually settle on something that wouldnt get them sued. They stole the title of their other roommates blog, Penny & Sparrow (with his permission), and made it the band name, which they have performed under ever since. What's special about Penny & Sparrow is its just raw and real, Slye says. Its two guys that are just up close and personal. Its just them, their voices and their guitars. I think thats a really special thing. Baxters melancholic and unvarnished quality floats into high, clear falsettos and digs for touches of deep, dark tones as it moves seamlessly with Jahnkes sparse and airy guitar. It mixes hints of gospel grandeur into the country-lyric heaviness and folk-esque progressions. So many things slink into our music, Baxter explains of the refreshing sound. Kyle likes to say that our job is akin to museum curators. Inasmuch as musicians tend to horde all the art they digest and repurpose it into new things. During the event at Phase 2, Baxter and Jahnke will play an approximately 90-minute set featuring music from all five of their albums, says Slye. Penny & Sparrows performance, which has been organized by Slyes company Lynchburgs Party and is being called Lynchburgs Ugly Sweater Party, will also include hot cocoa, Christmas cookies and holiday activities, as well as an ugly sweater competition. Baxter and Jahnke plan to dress for the occasion. Hell yeah we own ugly Christmas sweaters, Baxter says in his email. Hell yeah we're wearing em. Christmas sweaters are the apparel equivalent to the island of misfit toys. There is something so heartfelt and deeply emotional in the lyrics and arrangements of your songs. Was this a conscious decision? Yes, it's intentional. To say difficult and worthwhile things and to be [essentially] the same people on and off stage is a huge desire of ours. I think that's important to us [mostly] because integrity is attractive to us. It seems like honesty and vulnerability and malleability are less popular than they ought [to] be, so we'd like to sing about those things and model it. Sometimes it's easier to sing it [than] to be it. But hey, these songs encourage us too. In what way did "Let a Lover Drown You" really cement you as career musicians? It was the very first record we wrote as full-time musicians. Every other album up to our partnership with Single Lock records was done while we were working other jobs with no intention of singing for a living. It was a huge leap from what we were doing then to what life looks like now. Sweet lord, Im glad we did it, too. This life is so [expletive] great. You have said in previous interviews that you try to say things that are difficult or not often explored lyrically. How do you find original topics or ways to discuss things in music when it feels like everything has been explored in some way already? Originality is tricky since it could be argued that it's impossible. I would say the goal is the lyrical equivalent of taking you to look at a painting you know well. Once we arrive, together, I ask you to trust me. Then, if you do, maybe I ask you to close one eye and walk all the way up to [a] whisper distance away from the canvas and ask you to look again. Is it a different painting? No. Does it look different from this angle? Yes. Does that change how you feel about the piece, or the painter, or life in general? Maybe. And if it does, maybe we did a great job. Your latest release is a Christmas CD. Why a Christmas album now? Because it sounded like a blast. And we had some fun ideas to try out. Also, because we want to be prolific. I mean, seriously, who knows how long we get to have a pulse? Might as well spend it. A new state-financed economic development initiative is moving forward to create regional councils to identify and cultivate clusters of like-minded businesses that can drive economic growth in nine regions of Virginia. GO Virginia, a business-led initiative created and funded by the General Assembly this year, approved nine districts that will form their own regional councils. That process already is in the early stages of development in a region that stretches from the Richmond area through the Tri-Cities and Southside to the border of North Carolina. The nine districts approved Monday by the GO Virginia board include District 2, which encompasses more than a dozen jurisdictions, including Lynchburg and its surrounding counties, Roanoke and the New River Valley. The 24-member GO Virginia board, composed of business and political leaders from across Virginia, set a deadline of Feb. 17 for each region to submit proposals for regional councils that would be governed by guidelines adopted Monday. The board would act on the proposals at its next meeting March 14 or, potentially, April 6. The state board expects each council to include no more than 25 members who are representative of all parts of their region, as well as diversity in ethnicity and gender. It would be in the eye of the board whether it feels theyve met that requirement, said William C. Shelton, executive director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and secretary to the GO Virginia board. The initiative, embodied in a pair of bills adopted by the assembly and signed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe this year, will offer different kinds of initiatives than usual for economic development. In addition to $35 million included in the two-year budget to establish the program and begin funding projects identified by the regions, GO Virginia also will give local governments the opportunity to share in additional income tax revenue that would arise from the growth in high-paying jobs from the projects sponsored by two or more localities working together. Thats a huge incentive, said John O. Dubby Wynne, a retired Hampton Roads business executive who serves as chairman of the state board. Its the first time localities can actually participate in income taxes for their communities for a period of time. However, Wynne cautioned that GO Virginia is not about regionalism. Two or more localities have to come together, he said. The whole region doesnt need to move in lockstep on everything. The GO Virginia initiative also wont compete with existing economic development programs, principally the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, to provide financial incentives to recruit new businesses or expand existing ones, Wynne said. That is not what we do. ... There are others who do that. Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd P. Haymore, a member of the GO Virginia board, said the initiative would work in tandem with the Economic Development Partnership, which is likely to be restructured in the next 18 months to address concerns raised by a highly critical legislative report last month. It is a complementary component of state economic development entities, Haymore said after the meeting. The legislature appropriated $5 million in the first year of the budget to establish the state program and regional councils, and about $30 million in the second year to begin funding projects. However, those funds could be reduced when McAuliffe proposes his revised budget Dec. 16 to identify how the state will close a projected revenue shortfall of $1.5 billion, including a $654 million gap in the second year, while providing for mandatory increases in spending for Medicaid, the Childrens Services Act and inmate health care. In order to balance the budget, anything new will get a second look, predicted Del. Jimmie Massie, R-Henrico, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. For the nine regions, the initiative will give business and political leaders an opportunity to put in motion plans that already have identified economic opportunities, such as the Richmonds Future plan developed by a nonprofit group led by former Virginia Commonwealth University President Eugene P. Trani. The plan placed a heavy emphasis on logistics businesses built around moving goods and services which was the business cluster that emerged in Memphis, Tenn., because of its location on the Mississippi River and as the air hub for the shipping giant FedEx. The greater Richmond region, including the U.S. Army logistical base at Fort Lee, also wants to take advantage of transportation assets, such as the James River and Port of Richmond, as well as the intersection of railroad and interstate highway networks. The whole logistics identity for central Virginia certainly makes sense, said Dennis Morris, executive director of the Crater regional commission based in Petersburg. It isnt like we start from scratch with a blank sheet of paper. Morris said it also makes sense for regions to participate fully in the new direction for state economic development efforts. Why wouldnt you try to play in their sandbox? he asked. TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Dec. 7, 2016) - THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO THE U.S. NEWS AGENCIES Century Global Commodities Corp. (TSX:CNT) ("Century") is pleased to announce that it has received the 2016 Silver Business Excellence Award for Professional, Scientific and Technical Services from the Canada China Business Council (CCBC). The award was presented to Century during CCBC's 5th Gala Luncheon held in Toronto last Friday. Every two years, the Canada China Business Council presents Business Excellence Awards to recognize companies that have played an innovative and leadership role in expanding and nurturing bilateral business relationships between Canada and China. The Silver Award for Professional, Scientific and Technical Services is given to an enterprise "that demonstrated the successful inclusion of China in the company's growth and their overall business strategy." The award recognizes Century's development of a mining database that is focused on gold and copper and includes some 1,500 mining companies and 3,500 mining projects. The companies included in the database are listed on major international capital markets including TSX, ASX, HKEX, LSE and the NYSE, and the database is for use by individual investors, mining professionals and companies seeking mining property acquisitions. A unique feature of the system is that all data is accessible in both Chinese and English and commercial sales of the system are planned in Canada, China and elsewhere. Development of the mining database is consistent with Century's new direction to increase shareholder value, which includes maintaining and advancing its mining activities as well as developing new opportunities in non-ferrous mining, in mining services and in the food business in Hong Kong and China. Sandy Chim, President and CEO said "We are very honoured to receive this Award. I additionally want to thank our employees for the many hours they have contributed to make the web based system an effective and viable commercial tool. Also I would like to recognize our Chinese strategic partners, WISCO, Minmetals and their teams, who have invested in Century and our projects, for the unwavering support they have extended to us over the years. Sandy Chim went on to say "I also salute CCBC and its important and outstanding role in nurturing the good business relationships which create mutual economic benefits for both Canada and China." About CCBC The Canada China Business Council is the country's Canada-China bilateral trade and investment facilitator, catalyst and advocate. Founded in 1978 as a private, not-for-profit, non-partisan business association, CCBC provides unparalleled insight into Sino-Canadian trade and investment issues and develops connections that ensure its members' business success. In addition to its focused and practical services, the Council is also the voice of the Canadian business community on issues affecting Sino-Canadian trade and investment. About Century Century Global Commodities Corp. (TSX:CNT) is building shareholder value through existing and entrepreneurial business units that meet continuing and growing demand from China, the largest market in human history. Iron Ore With WISCO and Minmetals, both Global Fortune 500 Chinese strategic partners, Century owns one of the largest iron ore mineral resource bases in the world, across five projects in Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador. Joyce Lake, a direct shipping ore project in Newfoundland and Labrador, is our most advanced project. It has completed feasibility and permitting studies and can be brought to production within approximately 30 months. We are maintaining our properties in preparation for a return to higher iron ore prices. Base and Precious Metals Century is monitoring investment and acquisition opportunities. When the right opportunity presents itself, our strong balance sheet will allow us to invest or acquire undervalued assets during the current down-cycle, positioning ourselves for gains when the market improves. Quality Food Services Quality food products sourced from advanced countries are in great demand from the quickly-growing middle class in China. The emphasis is on the need for safe, high-quality food products. Century has established a professional marketing team and built a distribution system to serve Hong Kong and eventually mainland China. Initial successes include contracts with one of the largest egg producers in Australia and supply contracts with hotels, restaurants, grocery chains as well as an international airline. Century's website is www.centuryglobal.ca. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF CENTURY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE CENTURY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 7, 2016 / Ashanti Gold Corp. (OTC PINK: GULSF) (TSX-V: AGZ) ("Ashanti" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Jonathan Henry is joining the board of directors. Mr. Henry (50) has been President and Chief Executive Officer of TSX-listed Gabriel Resources Ltd. since June 2010. Between 1994 and 2010 he worked with Avocet Mining Plc ("Avocet"), a UK based and listed gold producer and now a West African gold mining and exploration company operating the Inata Gold Mine in Burkina Faso. At Avocet he worked in a variety of senior management capacities, including Finance Director and Chief Executive Officer from 2006-2010. During his tenure at Avocet, he oversaw successful exploration, feasibility study, mine development, and capital funding activities, plus a number of acquisitions and disposals of mine assets in Portugal, Peru, USA, Tajikistan, Burkina Faso, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Avocet's activities during Mr. Henry's tenure as CEO included the company's revised focus on gold mining and exploration in West Africa. Mr Henry has an honours degree in Natural Sciences from Trinity College, Dublin. He is based in London, UK. Tim McCutcheon, Ashanti's CEO, said: "We are very excited to have Jonathan join our board. His deep experience in all phases of gold asset development, and his long-standing relationships with mining focused institutions, is a great addition to the Ashanti team." The Company also notes the resignation of Douglas Richdale as a director. The Board thanks Mr. Richdale for his service. Grant of Incentive Stock Options Ashanti also announces that, pursuant to its Incentive Stock Option Plan, it has granted incentive stock options to directors and consultants of the Company to purchase up to an aggregate of 300,000 common shares in the capital stock of the Company. The options are exercisable on or before December 6, 2018 at a price of $0.45 per share. ABOUT ASHANTI GOLD Ashanti is a gold-focused, exploration, and development company with projects in the northern Ashanti Belt of Ghana and the Kinieba Belt of Mali. The Company targets projects where it has a competitive advantage due to past work experience of the team and specific project know-how. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Ashanti Gold Corp. "Tim McCutcheon" Tim McCutcheon CEO For further information, please contact: Ashanti Gold Corp. 2300 - 1177 West Hastings Street Vancouver BC, V6E 2K3 Phone: 604-638-3847 Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement, timing, and cost of exploration programs, anticipated exploration program results, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate, and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the commodity markets generally, variations in the nature, quality, and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents, or authorizations required, including TSX-V acceptance, for its planned activities, the inability of the Company to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital, or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's latest interim Management Discussion and Analysis and filed with certain securities commissions in Canada. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties. SOURCE: Ashanti Gold Corp. Vancouver, December 7, 2016 - Rheingold Exploration Corp. (CSE: RGE) ("Rheingold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement equity financing. Under the financing, the Company issued 3,500,000 units at a price of $0.10 per unit, receiving gross proceeds of $301,500 in cash, and converting $48,500 of debt into units. Each unit is comprised of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant exercisable for two years for an additional share at a price of $0.25. If the Company's common shares trade above $0.50 per share for 20 consecutive trading days, then the expiry date of the warrants will be accelerated to the date which is 10 days after such 20 consecutive trading days. The securities issued under the financing are subject to a four month hold period which will expire on April 7, 2017.The Company intends to use the proceeds of the financing for general working capital. Additional details regarding the financing can be found in the Form 9 filed in accordance with the rules of the Canadian Securities Exchange, a copy of which is accessible at www.thecse.com under the Company's profile.Mackie Research Capital Corporation received a finder's fee of $17,255 cash and 246,500 broker warrants. Rheingold also issued 3,500 units at a deemed price of $0.10 per unit and 5,000 broker warrants, to another firm as a finder's fee. Each broker warrant is exercisable for two years for a common share at a price of $0.25. If the Company's common shares trade above $0.50 per share for 20 consecutive trading days, then the expiry date of the warrants may be accelerated to the date which is 10 days after such 20 consecutive trading daysIn addition, Rheingold announces that it received an extension on the delivery of the final option payment necessary for Rheingold to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the Pattullo Property located in the Rainy River District of Northwestern Ontario. On June 17th, 2011 Rheingold entered into an option agreement (the "Original Agreement") under which Rubicon Minerals Corp. granted to Rheingold an option to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the Pattullo Property mining claims. The Original Agreement called for Rheingold to make five cash payments to Rubicon Minerals totalling Cdn$105,000. The Original Agreement has now been amended to extend the delivery of the final option payment of $30,000 to June 17th, 2017.Mackie is one of Canada's largest independent full service investment firms, and proudly traces its roots back to 1921. Mackie is privately owned by many of its 300 employees. As a fully integrated national investment dealer, Mackie offers a full complement of capital markets and wealth management services to private clients, institutions and growth companies.Rheingold is a Vancouver-based exploration company currently focused on the exploration and development of its Pattullo Project located in the Rainy River district of Northwestern Ontario. For more information, please contact info@rheingold.ca or visit RheingoldExploration.com.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD"Paul Pedersen"Paul Pedersen, CEOThis release may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company and certain of the plans and objectives of the Company with respect to the same. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.THE CSE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. ROUYN-NORANDA, QC, Dec. 7, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - X-Terra Resources Inc. (TSXV: XTT) announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase a 100% interest in four mining claims comprising part of the Veronneau Gold Property (the "Property"), located in the Eeyou Istchee/Baie-James Territory, 135 kilometres north of the town of Matagami in the Province of Quebec. The Property is covering an area of approximately 216.56 hectares (2 km2) on the Colomb-Chaboullie volcanic belt. Historical work on the Property was last carried out by Cambiex in 1994 and showcased a drill intersection with results of 8.37 Au g/t (ppm) over a width of 3.9 metres consisting of pyrrhotite stringers (10-15%) in silicified metabasalts (the "Lac Marcaut Showing"). Additional positive intersections made by Cambiex obtained results of 7.0 Au g/t (ppm) over a width of three (3) metres and 6.90 Au g/t (ppm) over a width of two (2) metres. The foregoing historical information is derived from a report filed by Cambiex Exploration with the Ministere de l'Energie et Ressources Naturelle (Quebec) (the "MERN") in 1994 (reference: Riopel, Jules, Rapport technique des travaux, campagne 1994, propriete Lac Marcaut, Cambiex Exploration - GM 53629). An electromagnetic survey highlighted the continuity of the auriferous mineralization up to two kilometres south-west of the Lac Marcaut Showing. Additionally, the Lac Marcaut Showing is located approximately 13.7 kilometres to the north-east of the new Veronneau gold showing located in the same stratigraphic unit (see X-Terra Resources' press release dated November 22, 2016). Pursuant to the acquisition agreement, X-Terra Resources will acquire a 100% ownership interest in four mining claims from two prospectors (collectively, the "Vendors"). In consideration for the acquisition of the mining claims, X-Terra Resources will pay an aggregate amount of $10,000 to the Vendors and will the issue to each of the Vendors 75,000 common shares of X?Terra Resources at a deemed price per share of $0.26. All the mining claims to be acquired by X-Terra Resources will be subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty in favor of the Vendors. X-Terra Resources may, at any time, purchase 50% of the net smelter return royalty from the Vendors for $1,000,000. The transaction with the Vendors is subject to all regulatory approvals, including that of the TSX Venture Exchange. Historical data The reader must be aware that the above technical information relating to the mining claims has been obtained from a report filed by Cambiex Exploration with the MERN (reference: Riopel, Jules, Rapport technique des travaux, campagne 1994, propriete Lac Marcaut, Cambiex Exploration - GM 53629). Much of this historical information has not been verified by X-Terra Resources' staff but is believed to be reliable. Therefore the historical information should be treated and viewed as uncertain until further exploration has been carried out on the Property. Qualified Person Mr. Jeannot Theberge, PGeo, a consultant to X-Terra Resources, is the qualified person for the Property under National Instrument 43?101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and is responsible for the technical contents of this news release, and has approved the disclosure of the technical information contained herein. About X-Terra Resources Inc. X-Terra Resources is a resource company focused on acquiring and exploring precious metals and energy properties in Canada. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information may include, among others, statements regarding the future plans, costs, objectives or performance of X-Terra Resources, or the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. In this news release, words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate" and similar words and the negative form thereof are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at or by which, such future performance will be achieved. No assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, including the development of the Property, or if any of them do so, what benefits X-Terra Resources will derive. Forward-looking information is based on information available at the time and/or management's good-faith belief with respect to future events and are subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond X-Terra Resources' control. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those described under "Financial Instruments" and "Risk and Uncertainties in X?Terra Resources' Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, a copy of which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. X-Terra Resources does not intend, nor does X-Terra Resources undertake any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking information contained in this news release to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except if required by applicable laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the release. SOURCE X-Terra Resources Inc. VANCOUVER, Dec. 7, 2016 /CNW/ - Kootenay Silver Inc. (TSXV: KTN) (the "Company" or "Kootenay") is pleased to report 6 additional core drill holes have been completed and submitted for assaying, with the core drill rig collared on the 7th hole within the La Soledad Zone, located approximately 1,000 meters south of the Company's established La Cigarra silver resource in Chihuahua State, Mexico. Drilling on La Soledad is part of a current 3,000 meter, multi-phase discovery and resource expansion program underway to assess and evaluate several high priority targets that have been identified proximal to the La Cigarra deposit with the potential to add near surface silver resources to the project. The Company drilled the first 11 holes of the program on La Cigarra's adjoining RAM structure resulting in an entirely new silver discovery (see news release dated November 23, 2016), within a large structurally controlled anomalous silver trend measuring 3.8 kilometers in length. Combined with the 5 holes drilled on the La Soledad structure, the Company reports it has completed a total of 16 holes to date on the program. The La Soledad structure is contained within the southern extension of the main La Cigarra mineralized system that currently measures over 6.5 kilometers in length and remains open to the north and south. A comprehensive ground exploration and reconnaissance program recently conducted by Kootenay on La Soledad confirmed mineralization along the structure occurs as quartz vein breccias up to 8 meters in width with peripheral veins and stockworks in a 60 to 80 meter wide zone. Previous rock and chip sampling taken by both Northair Silver and Kootenay returned high-grade silver values of 582, 458, 323, 278, 277gpt. Kootenay's technical team report the mineralized quartz breccias share similar textural affinities to the major Veta Colorada Mine located to the east of the La Cigarra Property (immediately north of the City of Parral) and to the San Francisco Del Oro and Santa Barbara veins being actively mined immediately south of La Cigarra. To view maps of the La Soledad Structure highlighting the silver in rock sampling program click on the following links: La Soledad Silver in Rock Sampling Plan; La Soledad Silver in Rock Sampling Image. The Soledad Zone is one of 8 prospective targets that have been identified proximal to the La Cigarra deposit with the potential to add near surface silver resources to the project. In total, the Company completed an additional 1,000 meters in drilling in the 5 diamond drill holes on La Soledad structure. Results from Phase I drilling on the La Soledad will be announced as soon as assays from the program are compiled and interpreted by the Company. Drilling Notes The current 16 drill holes are the first phase of a planned ongoing, multi-phase drilling program that will be conducted on the La Cigarra project over the next 12 to 18 months. Follow up drilling of the RAM and the La Soledad structures is expected to commence in the early part of the New Year and will form part of a larger strategy to test additional undrilled targets and the extensions of the La Cigarra Deposit itself. Once the current 3,000 meter drill program is complete and results of re-logging and detailed mapping of the deposit are interpreted, the details and dates of the anticipated follow up programs will be finalized and announced in a future news release. Sampling and QA/QC All technical information for the La Cigarra exploration program is obtained and reported under a formal quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") program. Samples are taken under the direction of qualified geologists and stored in sealed bags. Samples are delivered by the Company via courier to ALS Minerals ("ALS") in Chihuahua. The samples are dried, crushed and pulverized with the pulps being sent airfreight for analysis by ALS in Vancouver B.C. Systematic assaying of standards is performed for precision and accuracy. Analysis for silver, zinc, lead and copper and related trace elements was done by ICP four acid digestion, with gold analysis by 30 gram fire assay with an AA finish. Qualified Persons The Kootenay technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects) and reviewed on behalf Kootenay by James McDonald, P.Geo, President, CEO & Director for Kootenay, a Qualified Person. About Kootenay Silver Inc. Kootenay Silver Inc. is an exploration company actively engaged in the discovery and development of mineral projects in the Sierra Madre Region of Mexico and in British Columbia, Canada. The Company's top priorities are the advancement of the La Cigarra silver project and the Promontorio Mineral Belt, in Chihuahua, Mexico and Sonora, Mexico, respectively. The La Cigarra property is 26 kilometers from the historic mining city of Parral and boasts nearby power, good road access, gentle topography, and established infrastructure. La Cigarra currently hosts a resource estimate of 18.54 million tonnes containing 51.47 million ounces of silver in the Measured & Indicated categories grading 86.3 gpt silver and 4.45 million tonnes containing 11.46 million ounces of silver in the Inferred category grading 80 gpt silver. The mineralized system at La Cigarra has been traced over 6.5 kilometers and is defined at surface as a silver soil anomaly and by numerous historic mine workings. The La Cigarra silver deposit is open along strike and at depth and is approximately 25 kilometers north, and along strike, of Grupo Mexico's Santa Barbara mine and Minera Frisco's San Francisco del Oro mine. The Promontorio Mineral Belt includes the Company's La Negra high-grade silver discovery and its Promontorio Silver Resource. The Promontorio Mineral Belt is under option to Pan American Silver whereby they can earn a 75% interest in the project with US$16 million of expenditures and payments with Kootenay retaining a 25% carried to production interest (see news release February 16 and March 4, 2016). The Promontorio Silver Resource currently hosts a resource estimate of 44.5 million tonnes containing 92 million ounces of silver equivalent in the Measured & Indicated categories grading 64.3 gpt silver equivalent and 14.6 million tonnes containing 24.3 million ounces of silver equivalent in the Inferred category grading 52 gpt silver equivalent. The Company's core objective is to create value by acquiring silver resources through discovery and acquisition and testing those resources with the ultimate goal of developing them into silver production if they are proven to be economically viable. Neither the 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. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: The information in this news release has been prepared as at December 7, 2016. Certain statements in this news release, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", constitute "forward-looking statements" under the provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. These statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expected", "may", "will" or similar terms. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Kootenay as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, known and unknown, could cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as otherwise required by law, Kootenay expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in Kootenay's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Cautionary Note to US Investors: This news release may contain information about adjacent properties on which we have no right to explore or mine. We advise U.S. investors that the SEC's mining guidelines strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. U.S. investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on our properties. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. This press release uses the terms "Measured", "Indicated", and "Inferred" resources. United States investors are advised that while such terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize them. "Inferred Mineral Resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources will ever be converted into Mineral Reserves. United States investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a Mineral Resource is economically or legally mineable. SOURCE Kootenay Silver Inc. TORONTO, Dec. 7, 2016 /CNW/ - Treasury Metals ("Treasury Metals" or the "Company") (TSX: TML) is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement issuing up to 2,739,726 flow-through common shares ("Flow-Through Share") of the Company at a price of C$0.73 per Flow-Through Share, for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$2.0 million (the "Offering"). The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for the advancement of the Company's Goliath Gold Project and to expand the successful exploration program including conversion of further underground resources to Indicated category for use in future Feasibility level mine design. The proceeds will also allow the Company to advance into the second phase of the stated exploration plan to drill high-priority targets directly to the northeast of the current resource area. Closing of the Offering is anticipated to occur on or about December 21, 2016. Closing of the Offering is subject to receipt of regulatory approvals, including the acceptance of the Offering by the Toronto Stock Exchange. The Flow-through Shares issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period under applicable securities laws in Canada. The Company may pay a finder's fee of 6% cash commission to certain parties with respect to services provided in connection with the Offering. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein in the United States. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to the account or benefit of a U.S. person absent an exemption from the registration requirements of such Act. To view further details about the Goliath Gold Project, please visit the Company's website at www.treasurymetals.com. About Treasury Metals Inc.: Treasury Metals Inc. is a gold focused exploration and development company with assets in Canada and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") under the symbol "TML". Treasury Metals Inc.'s 100% owned Goliath Gold Project in northwestern Ontario is slated to become one of Canada's next producing gold mines. With first-rate infrastructure currently in place and gold mineralization extending to surface, Treasury Metals plans on the initial development of an open pit gold mine to feed a 2,500 per day processing plant with subsequent underground operations in the latter years of the mine life. Treasury Metals is currently in the mine permit process and working towards completion of a feasibility study on the Goliath Gold Project. Follow us on Twitter @TreasuryMetals Forward looking Statements This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expect, are forward-looking statements. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Treasury Metals disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, save and except as may be required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE Treasury Metals Inc. Today is the 75th anniversary of the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, as we recount in today's newspaper in a story about survivor David Russell of Albany and a special section that draws on a new book about the attack, Steve Twomey's "Countdown to Pearl Harbor." A couple of points are worth highlighting from the coverage: First, as Twomey notes in the special section, "The overwhelming majority of Americans today have no living memory of Dec. 7, 1941." In fact, of the nearly 45,000 Americans who were stationed at Pearl Harbor on that sunny Sunday morning, estimates are that fewer than 2,000 are alive today. The ranks of the living include Russell, whose memories of the day still are vivid, as one would expect. But as memories inevitably fade, that only increases the responsibility on the rest of us to remember. We need to remember not just the more than 2,300 service members and civilians who were killed that day and the additional 1,100-plus victims who were wounded. We need to also remember the heroism of sailors like Russell, who was stationed on the USS Oklahoma at the time of the attack, but who managed to pull himself to safety to the USS Maryland through waters aflame with gasoline and oil. As the attack progressed, not too long afterward, Russell helped load anti-aircraft guns on the Maryland. (Russell, by the way, was reassigned to the USS Mahan, a destroyer that saw plenty of action during the war, and went to serve a long career with the Navy.) It's worth remembering, too, how the nation pulled together after the shock of this attack, which made it clear that the United States did not have the option of sitting on the sidelines during World War II. A united country found the resolve to rally and defeat enemies on two far-flung fronts. But here's another vital point that we need to keep in mind today, and Twomey does a nice job of pointing it out in the special section: It's not so much what you don't know that's dangerous it's assuming that you do know something and being unwilling to consider evidence to the contrary. As Twomey puts it, "if you want to avoid making mistakes in life, Pearl Harbor will always be there as a case study. Thou shalt not assume, but check. Don't ignore upsetting facts; adjust to them. And don't underestimate the determination and capability of others." In the case of Pearl Harbor, it's clear that American officers knew something was up: For one thing, on Dec. 1, the Japanese had changed hundreds of their radio call signs only a month after the last change, not the normal six. And U.S. intelligence officers were unsure of the whereabouts of four of Japan's aircraft carriers. Still, the Americans were confident that the Japanese would be unable to mount such a risky cross-ocean raid and also consistently underestimated the capabilities of the Japanese fleet. In other words, they knew that the Japanese wouldn't attack. They were wrong. The result? What Franklin D. Roosevelt called "a date which will live in infamy." And memories that a generation of Americans never can escape. I think about that day all the time, especially at night, Russell, the Albany survivor, said of Dec. 7. I thank God were fine, but I worry about how much longer we can stay free. To some extent, that would seem to depend not just on how well we remember that day, but also on how well we keep learning the lessons that Pearl Harbor still can teach. (mm) State and local governments collect data in amounts that almost defy description -- everything from health outcomes and marriage records to crime statistics and Head Start enrollments. Much of this data collection is required by federal or state law, and some is compiled at the initiative of individual agencies.But collecting data is not the same asdata, a fact that is gaining acceptance among state and local decision-makers as they move toward a more robust vision for what data can accomplish -- specifically, toward the idea that data is a strategic asset that can help policy-makers and officials manage programs more effectively and inexpensively.Many states and localities are finding innovative approaches to sharing, matching and using data to drive policy decisions, budgeting and operational decision-making. To fully understand the extent to which this is happening, The Pew Charitable Trusts has initiated a rigorous project that will help identify success stories that other governments can study, duplicate and even improve upon.One way that states can harness information for a larger strategic purpose is to take a deep dive into data that have been collected for years in order to uncover systemic failures and craft new solutions, which is what Delaware's Department of Education did in 2012.After an extensive analysis of data measuring the performance of Delaware high school students, conducted with the assistance of Harvard University's Strategic Data Project, the state determined that a large number of students whose SAT scores indicated they were capable of obtaining a college education nonetheless were not enrolled in college. From 2008 to 2011, for example, 18 percent of Delaware students who scored at least 1550 out of 2400 on the SAT did not enroll in college.With these data in hand, the state began what it called its "Getting to Zero" campaign, designed to take that 18 percent down to zero by having every college-ready student in Delaware apply for and enroll in post-secondary education. The campaign includes better training for school counselors on how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid; the designation of October and November as college application months, during which students receive help with college applications; and a texting system that families can use to access real-time information on financial aid and other concerns.The campaign is proving to be a success. Ninety-eight percent of the state's college-ready applicants from the high school classes of 2014 and 2015, the first two years of Getting to Zero, enrolled in an institution of higher learning.New Mexico had a different problem to solve: the improper payment of unemployment-insurance claims. With support from the federal government, the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, along with several other state workforce agencies, modernized and integrated its unemployment insurance tax and claims system, significantly decreasing fraudulent payments.But the state wanted to do more to predict and prevent overpayments. Working with a private-sector partner, state officials mined and analyzed years of data on employment by industry, prior claims, work history and other variables to uncover trends and patterns in the behavior of unemployment-insurance applicants. The data helped state officials predict where in the application process claimants were likely to provide inaccurate responses that could lead to improper payments. Armed with this information, state officials created and tested personalized messages designed to prompt claimants to provide accurate information. They found, for example, that claimants did not change their behavior when the message described the relevant law and penalties for breaking it. However, when told that nine out of 10 people in their home counties reported their earnings accurately, a quarter of claimants were more likely to report their incomes correctly.New Mexico continues to do randomized control trials to test the effectiveness of the predictions -- updating and recalibrating as needed. The department expects to see a 35 percent reduction in overpayments for a savings of $1.9 million annually.As states and localities face common challenges, the strategic use of data -- which too often sit underutilized on computer servers and in paper files -- provides an opportunity to not only improve program management but also to share innovations that other governments can use to better serve their constituents. The recount of votes on Maine's contentious marijuana legalization initiative began Monday in Augusta with volunteers slowly hand-sorting through thousands of "Yes" and "No" votes, one by one.Volunteer counters occasionally set aside small numbers of ballots that could be challenged because they had been mismarked or may not have been counted properly. On one ballot, for example, a voter filled in the "o" in the word "No" instead of filling in the oval next to it. On another, a voter colored in circles above "Yes" but didn't fill in the oval.The painstaking recount got underway just over one month before the historic new law is set to take effect, and the process of reviewing as many as 700,000 ballots from roughly 500 communities could delay implementation of the law even if the review does not uncover enough counting errors to overturn the results.The law -- which is now scheduled to take effect by Jan. 7 -- would make Maine one of eight states to allow adults 21 and older to use marijuana as a recreational drug. The legalization votes in Maine and other states in November were seen by advocates as tipping the balance toward nationwide legalization, although uncertainty about the policies of the incoming Trump administration is chilling the enthusiasm.Maine's law, if it stands, would go a step further than other states, by also allowing state-licensed marijuana social clubs where people could smoke the drug in a social setting and not just in the privacy of their homes. Social clubs and marijuana stores would likely not open in Maine until January 2018 because the state would need to set up rules and licensing standards.The marijuana recount started at 9 a.m. in the Florian Room of the Maine Department of Public Safety in Augusta. And the first ballots to be recounted were from Portland, where residents voted 24,594 to 13,008 in favor of Question 1.Eighteen volunteers recruited by the Yes and No campaigns and staff from the Secretary of State's Office formed counting teams. Each volunteer counted the votes and the totals were then compared. Each side had representatives keeping track of the results, as did the state's elections staff.Attorneys and campaign staff from both sides watched over the final tallies and kept an eye on any disputed ballots or changes. Fewer than 10 people watched from the audience on Monday.As of noon, the volunteer counters had gone through 11,430 ballots from Portland, or about 31 percent of the ballots from the city.It was not immediately clear if any votes had shifted on either side. The Secretary of State's Office does not release those counts until the end of the recount process.The rare statewide recount of the marijuana vote could take more than a month to complete and cost $500,000, if it continues until all votes are counted. The state is collecting ballots first from larger communities and waiting to see how the recount progresses before gathering ballots from hundreds of smaller communities, a process that will require significant overtime for Maine State Police troopers.Newell Augur, the attorney representing the No on 1 campaign, said opponents will continually assess where they stand in the recount."We are not going to drag this out if it's obvious the numbers aren't moving," Augur said.Alysia Melnick from the Yes on 1 campaign said legalization supporters want to get the recount completed so the law can go into effect as soon as possible. The law could take effect the first week in January, but Melnick noted the recount could ultimately delay the effective date of the new law beyond January."Every day the implementation of this law is delayed there are adults out there who are subject to punishment for responsible use of marijuana," she said. "And this delays responsible and effective implementation."The recount also will reduce the amount of time the Legislature has to develop and fine-tune the law, as it is mandated to do within nine months of the vote, she said.Opponents did not have to pay for the recount because the margin was so small, less than 1 percent of votes cast.Question 1 on the Nov. 8 passed by 4,073 votes -- 381,692 to 377,619 -- according to unofficial results from the Secretary of State's Office. Opponents say that with such a slim vote margin and given the seriousness of the new law, it's important to make sure the results are accurate, while supporters have argued it is a waste of state resources.Opponents of Question 2, which imposes a tax surcharge on high-income households and passed by a margin of fewer than 10,000 votes, had also petitioned for a recount, but withdrew the request last week.A large part of cost for the marijuana recount is for state police to pick up padlocked and sealed ballot boxes from 503 individual towns and deliver them to Augusta, according to state officials. State police estimate it costs about $70,000 to collect ballots from 100 towns, or more than $350,000 for all of them. Secretary of State Matt Dunlap said there are additional costs to his office, primarily in overtime for employees who are being pulled away from their regular work.The recount is expected to go on every day for two weeks before breaking for the holidays. If the No on 1 side wants to continue with the recount it likely would begin again in January and push back the effective date of the law.Maine has never had a statewide recount that included every ballot, because the requesting group dropped it after a partial review. In 2010, opponents of the Oxford Casino referendum stopped a recount after a review of about 25 percent of ballots showed no significant change in results.Legalization advocates in Maine and other states saw last month's votes for legalization in four states as a sign of momentum behind national reform, but are now concerned about potential opposition from the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. In addition, Gov. Paul LePage has said he might challenge the vote in court because marijuana remains illegal under federal law.The referendum proposal, if it stands, will make it legal for adults to possess as much as 2.5 ounces of marijuana and to grow a limited number of plants. Marijuana stores and social clubs would likely not open for a year or so, to give the state time to set up licensing and regulatory rules. Individual communities also may consider zoning rules for retail stores and social clubs, or ban them outright. Two days after conceding in the North Carolina gubernatorial race, Republican Gov. Pat McCrory plans to meet with President-elect Donald Trump in New York, Trump's transition team announced Tuesday morning.Sean Spicer, a Trump spokesman, told reporters McCrory is expected to meet with Trump on Wednesday at Trump Tower but gave no further details.Neither McCrory's office nor campaign has confirmed the meeting. Trump plans to be in Fayetteville, N.C., on Tuesday night as part of his "Thank You" tour.Asked over the summer whether McCrory could get a job in his administration, Trump told The (Raleigh) News & Observer, "Certainly, it would be something I'd consider."McCrory ally John Lassiter spoke with the governor Monday and told the Charlotte Observer on Tuesday that McCrory is looking forward to the meeting. Lassiter is a former Charlotte City Council member, who led McCrory's gubernatorial transition team in 2012."This is kind of meeting, you go into listening to what the president-elect is interested in," Lassiter said. " ... He's going, to my knowledge, with an open mind about what opportunities might exist and whether they fit into his future plans."Lassiter didn't have details on job possibilities for the soon-to-be former governor. He said McCrory had previously planned a trip to New York and the timing worked out to meet with Trump.Some of Trump's recent meetings have been with allies and potential Cabinet picks to give the president-elect advice or to meet for job interviews. McCrory, who served one term as governor, lost the Nov. 8 election to North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, a Democrat, by about 10,000 votes, with election board certification pending.In the month since the election, Trump has been meeting with a steady stream of lawmakers, businessmen, military leaders and media figures in his 58th-floor triplex in Trump Tower.Trump's transition aides have emphasized visitors are all "high-quality individuals" and that the president-elect is sitting down with some of them in order to listen to their advice. But, most are there for job interviews as Trump picks his Cabinet and begins assembling his administration.In the early days of his transition efforts, Trump mainly rewarded loyal backers of his presidential bid. Unlike many officials the president-elect has met with, McCrory was not an early or die-hard supporter of the Republican candidate. McCrory's lukewarm endorsement came in June, after the GOP presidential primary."I've stated that I would support the Republican nominee. Anything else?" he told the News & Observer when asked why Trump would be the best candidate for president.After a tape surfaced in October in which Trump boasted about groping women, McCrory said he condemned his comments "in the strongest possible terms ... I find them disgusting."Trump did not seem to hold a grudge. When McCrory appeared with him at a campaign rally in Wilmington, N.C. a few days before the election, he pulled the governor on stage and said he has been "loyal to Trump from day one," urging the crowd to vote for the "incredible governor" and "good man."McCrory returned the favor."We need an outsider to clean up Washington, D.C., just like we had an outsider to clean up Raleigh," he told the rally.McCrory has a warmer relationship with vice president-elect, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who he campaigned _ and tailgated _ with in the state.McCrory's background includes a long career in politics and in the private sector with Duke Energy and Charlotte-based Moore & Van Allen Law Firm, as well as his brother's consulting firm. He served on the Charlotte City Council and was Charlotte mayor for 14 years.He also served on the federal Homeland Security Advisory Council for four years, appointed by former President George W. Bush in 2002.McCrory's tenure as North Carolina governor is well-known nationally for a 2016 law he supported to bar transgender people from using public restrooms according to their gender identity. The so-called "bathroom bill," passed as House Bill 2 by the North Carolina General Assembly, requires people to use restrooms in government buildings and schools according to their birth sex. The law drew an immediate lawsuit, as did a similar measure passed by a Virginia school board. The issue is pending in federal courts.Beyond the bathroom bill controversy, McCrory's administration has won praise for lowering state income taxes, raising teacher pay and overseeing major infrastructure investments statewide, including a $2 billion long-term plan to improve schools, utilities and public safety. Hopes for Medicaid expansion, the program intended to bring health coverage to thousands of low-income adults, have died in Wyoming.The four-year effort to expand Medicaid in the Cowboy State expired unceremoniously in the wake of Donald Trumps successful White House bid. The president-elect has said he will overhaul or replace the Affordable Care Act, of which growth of the Medicaid program was a key component.Once touted as a means to ease the states budget woes by infusing the Wyoming economy with hundreds of millions of federal dollars, expansion was rejected by the Wyoming Legislature each year since 2013. Republican lawmakers called it European-style socialism. Many questioned whether the federal government would live up to its promises to continue funding most of the program, which would have provided coverage to roughly 20,000 Wyomingites.Legislators dismissed Obamacare as more government growth by a liberal commander-in-chief whom they blamed for busting Wyomings economy through increases in another area of government: regulation of fossil fuels.Gov. Matt Mead, a Republican who had championed Medicaid expansion for the past two years, said on Wednesday that he was not going to press lawmakers on the issue next year. There are too many unknowns under Trump, he said.Healthy Wyoming a coalition of business, religious, medical and advocacy groups will also abandon its lobbying for expansion. The groups met after the election and decided to re-evaluate the political landscape, said Phoebe Stoner, executive director of the Equality State Policy Center, which coordinated the effort.I think that our takeaway is that were looking forward to working with the governor to find solutions to find Wyomingites affordable access to quality health care, which has always been our goal, she said. I think that with all the changes that have happened both at national and at the state level and locally, the landscape is different.Rep. Steve Harshman, next years House speaker, believes Meads decision on expansion was wise.The whole Medicaid program, which is for folks with disabilities and kids and those kind of things, is really under a lot of pressure under expansion, the Casper Republican said. When you open it up to able-bodied adults, its a whole lot of pressure on the system. Well see how this plays out with the new administration in Washington.Sen. Chris Rothfuss, the Democratic leader in the Senate, said Meads decision on expansion does nothing to help Wyomings poor, who face some of the nations most expensive health care costs. Many go without care.What are we going to do, kick it down the road? Rothfuss asked.Matthew White, an economics professor at the University of Delaware who studies health care, said he understands Meads decision. Its futile to continue to push for the program, White said.Its apparently a losing battle with members of his own party, and Trumps win doesnt make it any easier, he said. Its not really clear whats going to happen to states that have expanded Medicaid if the ACA is repealed. On Tuesday, in the afternoon, at Government House, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey hosted an afternoon tea in support of the launch of the BUSHKids history book, BUSHIES: Stories from the first 80 years of BUSHkids the Royal Queensland Bush Childrens Health Scheme where the Governor addressed guests. In the evening, at Government House, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey hosted staff and their families at the official switching on of the Government House Christmas Lights. Description GIS 07 December, 2016: The core amendments brought and progress achieved in the implementation of the Nine-Year Continuous Basic Education (NYCBE) - Governments reform project for Mauritius learning sector - were discussed yesterday afternoon in Port Louis during a press conference. The Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, while spelling out some key changes brought to the system, stated that the objective is to ensure that children benefit from nine year continuous basic education and develop essential competencies with equitable Learning for All opportunities. The implementation of the reform is beginning next year and the results of the reform will be seen over the coming years, the Minister said. She announced the start as from this week of the communication strategy on the NYCBE with the issue of information packs, materials and video clips. Mrs Dookun-Luchoomun also spoke about other key components namely: first PSAC assessment, Admission after Grade 6, Curriculum, Training, Recruitment exercise, Digitised learning, National Certificate of Education assessment, and Additional Scholarships. Core amendments Introduction, as from Grade 1, of the Primary School Readiness Programme to facilitate the transition of pupils from pre-primary to the primary level. The start of the Early Support Programme from Grade 1 which seeks to address the learning difficulties of pupils identified at the very start and hence reduce learning gaps. For this purpose, Support Teachers have been recruited and trained. The programme will be planned and developed by both the Class Teachers and the Support Teachers. The Support Teachers will subsequently use innovative pedagogies to address learning gaps. Holistic development programme - while not neglecting cognitive development of learners, the NYCBE puts focus on their socio-emotional, physical, creative or intuitive and aesthetic potentials. Assessment review - at the end of Grade 6 in 2017, pupils will sit for the first time for the Primary School Achievement Certificate (PSAC) which replaces the CPE (Certificate of Primary Education). First PSAC assessment The first PSAC assessment will consist of the following: Written assessment in core subjects, including in optional languages Arabic/Asian/Kreol Morisien; and, School-based assessment in the non-core learning area of Communication skills, and the level of competencies attained will be defined as either basic or intermediate or proficient. Also, a modular assessment for two subjects, namely History & Geography and Science will be introduced. This will enable pupils to enable to concentrate on a limited amount of subject content assessed at a given time. This approach will be used as from 2017. Admission Admission will be effected on a regional mode after Grade 6. The NYCBE advocates that all learners move on to Grade 7 through a regional mode of admission based on the following criteria: parental choice; grade aggregate at the PSAC; and proximity of residence to the secondary school. In the advent that a child at the end of Grade 6 has not yet attained the required level, he will have the possibility to follow a four-year cycle. A special reduced class size reserved in every secondary school will cater for learners requiring special support. Curriculum, Training and Recruitment As regards curriculum, Grades 1 to 6 curriculum have been reviewed after consultations with stakeholders and Educators. This has resulted in the elaboration of a new National Curriculum Framework (NCF) involving the preparation of new textbooks, while a new NCF for Grades 7 to 9 is being finalised. In line with the implementation of the NYCBE reform, a comprehensive training plan has been worked out for primary school personnel at all levels. Additional Educators are being recruited especially for the Holistic Education programme based on a broad range of topics and areas of interest, and for the Early Support Programme following the introduction of remedial teaching in Grade 1 classes. Digitised learning For the first time an Early Digital Learning Programme is starting in the first quarter of 2017. Under the programme, tablets will be provided to pupils of Grades 1 and 2 with the support of the Indian Government. Digitised learning materials will be uploaded on these tablets for equitable learning opportunities for all. NCE and Regional Scholarships The NCE assessment that will be introduced at the end of Grade 9 will be held for the first time in 2020. This will serve for the progression of students to upper secondary and orientation to general or technical vocational education. In addition to the existing Laureate Scheme, 16 Regional Scholarships will be introduced in 2019. Description GIS - 07 December, 2016: Raising awareness on Asbestos, its hazards and on how to manage asbestos at workplaces is at the fore of discussions during a three-day tripartite training programme which opened on 05 December 2016 at the Maritim Resort & Spa, Turtle Bay, Balaclava, in the presence of the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, Employment and Training, Mr Soodesh S. Callichurn. Raising awareness on Asbestos, its hazards and on how to manage asbestos at workplaces is at the fore of discussions during a three-day tripartite training programme which opened on 05 December 2016 at the Maritim Resort & Spa, Turtle Bay, Balaclava, in the presence of the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, Employment and Training, Mr Soodesh S. Callichurn. Some 50 participants namely representatives from the Government, Employers and Workers organisations, are attending the training programme organised at the initiative of the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, Employment and Training in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation . Participants are being acquainted with the up-to-date features regarding the hazard one can face owing to continuous exposure and the use of asbestos. After the training programme, participants will also be more aware of asbestos, its uses, the hazard it represents for people exposed to it especially for workers and the measures to be taken to protect workers in addition to being given an overview of the Occupational Safety and Health (Control of Asbestos) Regulations 2014. In his address, the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, Employment and Training, Mr Soodesh S. Callichurn, enumerated the various measures taken by Government with the view to curtailing exposure of persons to the hazards of asbestos. He also pointed out that presently there is no new use of asbestos at workplaces and that asbestos-containing materials are being replaced with asbestos-free materials. Measures taken against asbestos include; adoption of a National Action Plan on Asbestos, in 2002 to protect workers against the hazards of asbestos; site visits conducted at several worksites; adoption of the Occupational Safety and Health (Control of Asbestos at Work) Regulations 2014, which aim at fulfilling the requirements for control of existing asbestos at places of work, given that its importation has been prohibited under the Dangerous Chemicals Control Act 2004. (TNS) -- Anchorage, Alaska's city-owned electric utility is slated to outfit thousands of streetlights with LED bulbs and wireless controls that can dim or brighten the lights remotely or alert city officials to burned-out bulbs, signaling a push toward "smart" lighting technology.On Tuesday, the Anchorage Assembly will consider authorizing a $1.6 million contract to convert 4,000 streetlights from orange sodium bulbs to energy-saving LED bulbs in 2017. The contract, which pays for equipment and is roughly half the total project cost, is with Crescent Electric Supply Co., a Fairbanks-based electrical supplier. Municipal Light and Power officials estimate energy and maintenance savings of about $400,000 a year or more by shifting to LEDs, or light-emitting diodes.Unlike conventional lighting, LEDs waste little energy as heat.The new lights will also come with a wireless control system, "LightGrid," designed by General Electric, that can allow the lights to be remotely controlled. In the future, the technology could be used in ways that range from monitoring traffic and parking, collecting data on air quality, detecting the location of a gunshot or observing human activity.A number of other cities are already experimenting with "smart" streetlights, including San Diego, California, and Jacksonville, Florida. In San Diego, officials are testing sensors that could guide drivers to open parking spots. A Chicago test program is collecting climate data from sensors on top of light poles.That's far beyond what the Assembly will consider Tuesday, said Jim Jager, a city spokesman.He said the current contract would only allow for the installation of LED lights and a wireless LED control system. The control system can be used to dim lights and locate burned-out ones, but does not include audio or video surveillance equipment, Jager said.The computer-like devices come with meters to measure how much electricity the LEDs are using, Jager said. He said that information can be used for billing purposes.Mayor Ethan Berkowitz had promised to re-start a city effort to transition to LED lighting. That effort began this summer with streetlights owned by the city's Maintenance and Operations department using $200,000 in bond money. Berkowitz went up in a cherry picker to screw in the first of the lights.Those bulbs did not include the wireless technology that will be deployed in LEDs by ML&P, but could be outfitted with it in the future, Jager said. He said the controls can be installed and connected with other public agencies in the future.Right now, Anchorage's lighting system, evolved over time, is a sprawling tangle of ownership . On a given block, four streetlights might be owned by four different companies or agencies.With the new system, locating a burned-out bulb will be easy, Jager said.With the wireless controls, the light will "check in" every 15 minutes to indicate that it's still on, Jager said.He said it will also be possible to dim and brighten lights as needed, to save energy, match traffic patterns or accommodate special events. The city could also respond to public complaints in light-polluted New York City, some residents were irate about the brighter LED street lamps.In the future, an Anchorage resident could complain to a city office and petition for a light to be dimmed, Jager said.Jager likened the technology to using a smartphone to unlock a house door or turn on a smoke detector."It will let us talk to the streetlights," Jager said.Expanding the technology to what other cities are doing to include visual or audio sensors would take more money and political discussion, Jager said.For now, Jager said, ML&P will pay for the installation over a 10-year period. The costs will be covered by anticipated savings in maintenance and electricity, he said.He said there shouldn't be a short-term effect on ratepayers, with the goal of cutting costs over time. (TNS) -- The Columbus City Council approved a contract Monday night with a Texas company to provide body cameras for police officers, costing the city about $9.1 million over five years.Its not yet clear when the 1,432 officers slated to get the cameras will all be equipped, Assistant Public Safety Director George Speaks said. But 12 officers in the traffic bureau should have them by the end of this month, with the remaining 72 officers in that bureau to have them by the end of January.The city selected Watch Guard Video of Allen, Texas, from 12 company proposals. The city plans to buy 1,575 cameras for officers, with some cameras to be kept in reserve. After providing them to the traffic bureau, the city would then distribute the rest of the cameras in eight phases.About $4.1 million will be for data storage and $3.6 million for the cameras themselves. The rest of the money will be used for training, licensing fees and other accessories.Ive been a champion of this kind of technology, council President Zach Klein said. He said it will bring accountability and transparency to police actions with the public. In September, the police union and the city agreed to rules that will allow officers to review footage before filing reports or making statements.In other business, the City Council approved new rules for extended-stay hotels that will prohibit them in manufacturing districts such as in areas east of Indianola Avenue in Clintonville. City officials and residents have been concerned that developers have avoided rezoning by going to these areas, and the projects are operated more like apartments than hotels. Developments in the planning stages or under construction will be grandfathered in.Also, the council approved a jobs-creation tax credit of 55 percent for five years with DSW and five affiliates in return for a $3.6 million investment and 100 new full-time jobs.The company plans to make the improvements at 4314 E. 5 th Ave., a former airline hangar at John Glenn Columbus International Airport. The company will improve 82,000 square feet there while also reconfiguring its headquarters at 810 DSW Dr.The shoe company will be creating a business-park campus at those two locations, plus at 4150 E. 5 th Ave., for the new jobs and 840 jobs that it will be retaining.The annual salaries for the new jobs it plans to create will range from $24,960 to $104,000.Asked why the city needed to offer the incentive, Development Director Steve Schoeny said DSW was considering Utah for the expansion.And the council agreed to give the Capitol South Community Urban Redevelopment Corp. a little more than an acre at S. 3 rd and E. Rich streets so Kaufman Development and Daimler Group can build a 12-story building called Two25 Commons, the last piece of the redevelopment of the Columbus Commons site where the Columbus City Center mall once stood.The mixed-use building will have offices, stores and residences. Capitol South will sell the sites to the developers for $2.4 million. Seeing a gap in its threat intelligence and recognizing safety in numbers, the nation's second-largest county is rolling out a new platform aimed at deputizing municipalities in the war on cybercrime, officials announced Wednesday, Dec. 7.In October, cities and villages in the northeastern Illinois region were given access to the Cook County Cyber Threat Intelligence Grid, a collaboration between the Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) and Redwood City, Calif.-based Anomali, a provider of market-leading threat intelligence platforms.About 15 of 143 Cook County municipalities are in various stages of joining; three, chosen in part for their locations throughout the county, are confirmed to have done so to date. One village official said he was "excited" by the grid's ability to let cities do more even in what he called the "pilot phase."The ultimate goal is a stronger, united front against malware, distributed denials of service, ransomware and other cybercrime, Cook County Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Ricardo Lafosse toldIt's part of the county's three-year strategy to build out its threat intelligence program and was prompted in part by discussions with the federal Department of Homeland Security about the difficulties of two-way communication."From a national level, they push down alerts, but having two-way communication they also struggled with," said Lafosse, noting the county's own gap in threat intelligence also centered on information and communication. "We would investigate these threats; however, we did not have additional information to make informed decisions."Officials chose Anomali, which created a cyberthreat exchange in the health-care industry called the Health Information Trust Alliance Cyber Threat XChange, to provide the platform because it was the best fit, Lafosse said. DHSEM discovered value in its automating tools and ability to push information out to Cook County cities and villages, he said, many of which don't have formal information security systems.Discussions between Lafosse and Colby DeRodeff, Anomali co-founder and chief strategy officer, began roughly two-and-a-half years ago, DeRodeff said, adding that the platform was envisioned as a safety net for munis with varying security levels."If one of those organizations has a breach or is compromised, thats a huge risk because theyre all threatened. What this allows for is the organizations that dont have so many resources or don't have as much maturity as others to benefit," DeRodeff said. "That can trickle down and provide a much better level of security for all organizations."The project's cost wasn't released; Lafosse said only that it it was part of the county's budget to build out its information security threat intelligence program.Peter Schaak, IT director for the Village of Schaumburg, said there'd been no cost to join for his municipality, where officials have audited the grid and will get training in mid-December on how to use it.DeRodeff compared its architecture, a hybrid cloud and on-premises design accessible via mobile, desktop and laptop browsers, to Google Plus and LinkedIn. A key, he said, is its utilization of groups called trusted circles."These are trusted communities, and organizations become a member of these communities," he said, noting circles could link municipalities by area or region or even by the first letters of their names.As with some portal designs, members can create profiles, run searches and ask to be alerted to certain types of information.County officials can disseminate information to circles or individual members and members can also share what they know or have learned. Other agencies, like the federal DHS and the FBI, may also be allowed to publish bulletins."From there, the goal is to really operationalize the intelligence," DeRodeff said. "Having intelligence information is interesting and it's good to know what is going on, but actually leveraging intelligence as part of your operational security practices is where you see the most [value]."The grid's objective is granular intelligence that goes past merely identifying attackers' IP addresses to probe their backgrounds and histories.Municipalities that have joined early are reporting they like being able to sign up for keyword alerts. The grid also allows them to set up infrastructure alerts which can inform cities if their government Web addresses end up on third-party websites.James Frank, IT director at the city of Berwyn, said in a statement that joining the grid will give his city "a much better ability to rapidly pinpoint cyberthreats" and work to neutralize them.Schaumburg's Schaak toldthat the grid's sophistication in fighting cyberthreats will rest with the municipalities that join and the information they provide. That said, he praised its regional focus."A threat in San Francisco has much less significance to me than a threat in Hoffman Estates," he said, referring to a Cook County border village partially in neighboring Kane County. "Im anxious to have this platform being used by more people and have people giving us the heads-up of a problem before it becomes a problem. You can never be too secure." (TNS) -- Pressured by governments around the world, four companies operating some of the worlds most popular Internet sites and services Facebook, Twitter, Googles YouTube and Microsoft announced this week a joint effort to censor violent terrorist imagery or terrorist recruitment videos or images. Its an effort to fight a bad use of technology with more technology, in the hope of curtailing the use of social media by Islamic State and other terrorist organizations to recruit followers and promote their murderous agendas.According to a blog post by Google , whenever one of the four companies deletes a terrorism-related image or video, it will have the option of submitting the files unique identifier to a shared database. The other companies will then review the file to see whether it violates their terms of service, and if so, they can use its unique identifier to delete it from their pages.The database is similar to the one the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children uses to catalog and remove child pornography. And the goal of the companies effort is similar as well: to push jihadist material out of the most widely used spaces online, making it harder for Islamic State and its ilk to radicalize people remotely.The announcement is both welcome and worrisome. Counterterrorism experts have long sought to close the spigot of jihadist propaganda online, arguing that social media plays an integral role in sustaining groups like Islamic State. Yet Mondays brief, relatively low-key announcement leaves many questions unanswered about what criteria the companies will use to decide what to block, how proactive they will be in censoring content, and whether users will be able to appeal when their images or videos are blacklisted.This isnt mere quibbling over the finer points of free-speech rights (and besides, the 1st Amendment isnt applicable here because it limits only censorship by the government, not by private companies). The four entities involved here have enormous power to shape users experiences online, which is one reason they should remain as neutral as possible when it comes to the content they host. We may all agree that jihadists shouldnt be allowed to use these platforms to distribute beheading videos, but thats just a fraction of the material used to recruit and radicalize. Should speeches by Islamic State leaders and sermons by extremist clerics be censored too? What about news photographs of, say, victims of Israeli or American air strikes, or photos of detainees tortured in Abu Ghraib? Bear in mind that the database doesnt distinguish between different potential uses of blocked imagery; if Facebook censored a video circulated by Islamic State propagandists, CNN wouldnt be able to use that footage on its Facebook pages either.Clearly, the line between what is and isnt acceptable will be hard to draw. To their credit, at least some of the four companies plan to take a narrow view of what to block, at least initially, and to have humans, not software, decide when a file needs to be censored. That will give them more time to develop clearer standards for determining what content is unacceptable and avenues to appeal their decisions to censor.Admittedly, the threat posed by jihadist groups is so great, the usual bromides about defeating bad speech with more speech dont offer much reassurance. And the longer the companies maintained their hands-off posture, the more they risked being compelled by Congress or European governments to act a development that could have been far more threatening to the free flow of information online.Yet the slope the companies have started down is slippery. Governments will surely push to extend the blocking effort to more online sites and services, such as Telegram (a messaging app that's popular with extremists) and Googles search engine. They may also pressure companies to use technology to scour their sites proactively for suspected terrorist content, as they do for child pornography , rather than letting human reviewers decide what to block.And if the effort to interdict jihadist propaganda is successful, what other kinds of content will governments want these platforms to exclude? Hate speech ? Indecent material? Fake news? Cartoons that ridicule the government a form of expression thats a crime in some parts of the world? The precedent being set here is that a handful of powerful private companies could take the place of courts and juries in setting limits on speech that, because of these companies collective dominance online, would apply broadly across the Internet.Thats why the collaboration on violent jihadist imagery causes anxiety in spite of the benefits it could yield in the battle against jihadism. The participating companies need to offer much more clarity and transparency about the way they will judge content, as well as an expeditious process for appealing decisions to block files. And the public needs to guard against the government pressuring these companies to expand their coordinated takedowns from truly dangerous material to more kinds of speech that the government simply doesnt like. In a world that is becoming increasingly communicative where people often receive their news, share news, state their opinions and post pictures with their whereabouts via social media the lines are perhaps a bit more blurry about how such information can be used.Last month, the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan law and policy institute, released a map that details specific cities, counties and law enforcement agencies across the United States that have spent at least $10,000 on social media monitoring software.All of the data which comes from public reports, information from the government procurement database SmartProcure, public records requests via the ACLU of Northern California and the investigative news site MuckRock found that nationwide, at least 151 police departments, cities and counties spent millions of dollars collectively on social media monitoring software.Additionally, the International Association of Police Chiefs found that more than 300 law enforcement agencies across the country use social media for listening or monitoring, and more than 400 agencies use it for intelligence purposes.We hope people are able to use the map to understand how money is being spent, said Rachel Levinson-Waldman, senior counsel at the Brennan Center. What are the consequences and the implications? Is this being used to monitor 1st Amendment-protected information? Is this being used to monitor a certain kind of activism? People in a particular community can see if $30,000 or $100,000 was spent on this. This may trigger a public discussion. What kinds of power and capabilities are in the hands of law enforcement, and is this something the community is comfortable with? Are there policies around this?The map focuses on purchases of eight social media monitoring products: Geofeedia, Media Sonar, Snaptrends, Dataminr, DigitalStakeout, PATHAR, Meltwater and Babel Street. Levinson-Waldman, who directed the efforts to create the map, said that as more companies start to appear in the database, they will be added to the map.Clicking a location on the map indicates the jurisdiction, the purchase amount, the years purchased, a description of the purchase along with sources, and PDFs of the purchase orders. For example, the map shows that Los Angeles County spent $137,625 from 2014-2016 on Geofeedia, a service that allows users to select particular geographic areas and search for public posts on social platforms. In Baton Rouge, La., officials spent $19,000 on Geofeedia from 2014-2016.While it may seem obvious that police departments use social media just as the public uses it, this is uncharted technology territory. In October, the ACLU of California obtained records that Twitter, Facebook and Instagram provided user data access to Geofeedia. Its findings included emails from Geofeedia representatives to law enforcement officials detailing special access to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram user data all of which have cut Geofeedia's access to their data If I want to follow someone who I think is interesting, thats different from the much broader analytical capabilities that these companies have, Levinson-Waldman said. If I see something, I may respond or re-tweet, but I dont have the power to act. But the software programs can do a lot more in terms of digging into who is using particular hashtags, particular pictures, using geo-sensing and then creating networks of association.According to the Brennan Center, the social media monitoring products have the capability to read, interpret and categorize millions of posts in minutes. According to an article by Rachel Cohn and Angie Liao, two interns at the center, some social media monitoring products can interpret sarcasm in posts, evaluate the credibility and influence of a message, chart out the relationships between social media users, recognize and create alerts based on images, and pinpoint the movements of individuals.Certainly we can see that there are huge numbers of police departments that are buying this software, Levinson-Waldman said. Clearly they think its effective. Whether it is, we dont know yet.The Brennan Center plans to continue to update the map as new information becomes available. Q: If Julius Caesar wasnt delivered by cesarean section, as Ive read, how did the medical procedure get its name? A: Lets begin with the old story that Julius Caesar was born by cesarean section, an urban legend that we discuss in Origins of the Specious, our book about language myths. (The usual spelling is cesarean in the US and caesarean in the UK.) This fiction can be traced back to one sentence in Pliny the Elders Historia Naturalis, a 37-volume work on astronomy, botany, architecture, human physiology, and many other subjects. It was written in the first century. In discussing human birth, the Roman naturalist says its contrary to nature for children to come into the world with the feet first. To make his case, Pliny cites the emperor Nero, who was born with his feet first and proved himself, throughout the whole of his reign, the enemy of the human race. If such children are delivered surgically, he adds, they are evidently born under more favorable auspices. In passing, he notes that the first of the Caesars was so named, from his having been cut from his mothers womb (a caeso matris utero). The Latin caeso comes from caedere, to cut. As we explain in Origins, Pliny was plainly referring to the first of the many Caesars who preceded the great emperor. But over the centuries a lot of readers thought the first Caesar was a reference to the emperor himself. Ergo, a myth was born! Gaius Julius Caesar was born on July 12 or 13 in the year 100 or possibly 102 BC. The exact date is uncertain. However, his mother, Aurelia, lived long into her sons adulthood, which would have been impossible if shed delivered him by cesarean. In ancient times, surgical deliveries were performed only on women who were dead or dying, we write in Origins. Back then, the childs survival was barely possible after such an operation, but not the unfortunate mothers. The first documented case of a mothers surviving a cesarean apparently took place in Prague on Feb. 25, 1337, according to a recent article in the New York Times. Beatrice of Bourbon, second wife of the King of Bohemia and Count of Luxembourg, survived a cesarean in giving birth to her only child, Duke Wenceslaus I, according to archival documents found by Czech researchers. As for the cognomen Caesar (a cognomen is the last of a Roman citizens three names), its origin is still in dispute. Did it have anything to do with surgery? It could be that the original Caesar was born surgically and that inspired the cognomen, as Pliny wrote, but several other theories have been proposed. One of the more interesting comes from a Roman grammarian, Sextus Pompeius Festus, who believed the name came from the Latin word caesaries, or hair, and suggested the first Caesar was born with a full head of hair. Be that as it may, the author of the earliest example for the term cesarean section in the OED apparently based the English usage on Plinys account of the surgical birth of the first Caesar. The dictionarys first citation is from Mikrokosmographia, a 1615 medical treatise by Helkiah Crooke, the court physician of King James I: Concerning this Csarian section, Franciscus Rossetus the French Kings Physitian hath set foorth an elegant Booke so beautified with Histories and abounding with good arguments. (Weve expanded the citation to put it in context.) Elsewhere in the treatise, Crooke cites Pliny and says the birth of the first Caesar was by the cutting of the mothers wombe, from whence the Caesars had their names. Finally, we should mention that Julius bears no responsibility for Caesar salad. As we point out in Origins, the king of salads was invented in 1924 by Caesar Cardini, a chef and restaurateur in Tijuana, Mexico. Help support the Grammarphobia Blog with your donation. And check out our books about the English language. Adam Bearcub cups his hands to waft smoke dispensed with an eagle feather by tribal elder Barbara Aripa at a smudging ceremony Friday. - Scott Hunter photo Smiles and tears accompanied song and prayer last week as members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation gave an appreciative sendoff to 10 armed forces veterans who were heading to an international protest to stop a pipeline being constructed in North Dakota from crossing under the Missouri River. They were joining thousands of other veterans from Indian Country across America headed to the Oceti Sakowin protest camp on the Standing Rock Sioux reservation south of Bismarck, where Energy Transfer Partners was ready to drill under the river for a pipeline from Montana to Illinois to carry oil from the Bakken Oil fields. Vincent McDonald served in the U.S. Army from 1991 to 1995, he told those assembled at the ceremonial arbor across highway 155 from the Colville's new government headquarters. "From this day forward, I am also a water protector, 2016," he said. The thousands of protestors in North Dakota labeled themselves "water protectors" early on their months-long effort to stop the pipeline. "It's not political, it's our survival," Harvey Moses Jr. said. "It's what we've done ... and what we'll continue to do until we're all gone." Those two were among the 10 veterans "deploying" from Nespelem Friday, along with Joaquin Marchand, Inchelium Councilman Larry Allen, Monte Joseph Sr., Adam Bearcub Jr., Edward Cawston, Michael Joseph, Ray Watt and Rick Desautel. "This is all about tribal sovereignty," Colville Business Council Chairman Dr. Michael Marchand said in a press release. "Tribes are trying to protect their sacred burial sites, sacred water, the people and the land. Tribal Nations and the United States Veterans are organized across the country to take a stand and really show the world what is important: water." The veterans headed to the midwest Friday were not the first Colvilles to join the movement, which has reportedly been met with teargas, dogs, rubber bullets and water cannon in freezing temperatures. Dan Nanamkin left his job as the Nespelem Community Center director to support the protest and has been posting about it regularly on his Facebook site. Billy Drywater was present Friday to see the veterans off, after having returned about two weeks earlier from the protest camp. Drywater said he had to go to North Dakota after seeing videos of old women and children being mistreated by guards and law enforcement. The former prize fighters wanted to "kick some ass" when he and Nick Washington and Alfredo Labro went there. But that intent was stopped abruptly when they arrived. Drywater said everyone at the camp was forbidden to use violence, and was trained in regular classes in non-violent resistance methods. The water protectors, he said, were trained "not to have anything that could even be considered a weapon," and to "keep our hands open" not fisted. The strategy paid off, at least for now. On Sunday, the U.S. Department of the Army announced that it would not allow the pipeline to be drilled under the reservoir on the dammed Missouri just north of the reservation, but would look for alternative routes for the $3.7 billion project. Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault II called for the camp to disperse as a blizzard hit the thousands remaining at the camp. "The camp has brought us this far," he said. "Now it is time we pivot to the next phase of this struggle. That will be lead on different fronts like in court, with the new Administration, with Congress, and with the investors." Toto Wolff has excused his fellow Mercedes team chief Niki Lauda for initially reacting angrily to Nico Rosberg's shock decision to retire. Lauda, an F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman, sounded angry that Rosberg's late call has left the reigning world champions needing to replace him for 2017 at the eleventh hour. Wolff told DPA news agency: "Niki is a very rationally thinking person and does not relate to these emotional decisions. "There is no heart issue in his world of thinking, and too many rational reasons against giving up the best car just as he (Rosberg) becomes world champion," he added. Another F1 legend Gerhard Berger, however, said he cannot understand why Lauda would react angrily to Rosberg's call. "Not at all," he told Austrian broadcaster Servus TV when asked if he knows why Lauda is angry. "I said to Niki 'You were even worse! You left in the middle of a season after practice because you didn't want to drive in circles anymore!' "On the other hand I understand some displeasure," added Berger. "If you run a racing team and have a driver of Nico's calibre in place for the future, all the other pieces of this giant puzzle in the right places and then you lose a big piece like that, it's a huge loss," he explained. "Of course you are annoyed in the first moment, but they will recover," said Berger, who earlier this year negotiated a new two-year contract for Rosberg. (GMM) Self-learning systems are a key technology for piloted-driving cars, and Audi has already built up a body of know-how in machine learning. The company is the only automaker represented at NIPS 2016 with its own stand and a showcase. (Although engineers from Daimler are presenting a demonstration at NIPS 2016 on the detection of obstacles by an autonomous car.) Audi is a sponsor this year of the annual Conference and Workshop on Neural Information Processing Systems ( NIPS ) and is showcasing its expertise at the conference on artificial intelligence for the first time. Throughout this week, the automaker is showing, with the aid of a 1:8 scale modelthe Audi Q2 deep learning concepthow a car develops intelligent parking strategies. On an area measuring 3 x 3 meters, the Q2 autonomously searches for and finds a suitable parking space in the form of a metal frame, and then parks itself there. The Audi Q2 deep learning concepts sensor technology consists of two mono cameras, facing forward and toward the rear, along with ten ultrasonic sensors positioned at points all around the model. A central on-board computer converts their data into control signals for steering and the electric motor. On the driving surface, the model car first determines its position relative to the parking space. As soon as it perceives the position, it calculates how it can safely drive to its targeted destination. The model car maneuvers, steers and drives forward or in reverse, depending on the situation. The model cars parking ability is made possible by deep reinforcement learning. In other words, the system essentially learns through trial and error. To begin, the car selects its direction of travel at random. An algorithm autonomously identifies the successful actions, thus continually refining the parking strategy. So in the end the system is able to solve even difficult problems autonomously. The Audi Q2 deep learning concept is a pre-development project of Audi Electronics Venture (AEV), an AUDI AG subsidiary in Gaimersheim, Germany. In the next step, the developers are transferring the parking-space search process to a real car. The Audi global network encompasses not only research institutes, but also companies from hotspots in Californias Silicon Valley, Europe and Israel. The premium manufacturer is working with partners including Mobileye, the worlds leading company in the field of image recognition. In this partnership, the two companies combined their expertise to develop a deep learning-based software for environment perception systems. Audi will use the software for the first time in 2017, in the central driver assistance controller (zFAS) in the new generation of the Audi A8. NVIDIA, a leader in the field of hardware systems with an associated development environment, was an important partner in the development of the zFAS. (NVIDIA is also a NIPS 2016 sponsor.) These technical solutions will enable the customer to enjoy piloted driving in traffic jam situations as well as piloted parking. Audi is further intensifying its collaborations with partners from high-tech industries through an increasing degree of integration of components with artificial intelligence (AI). These forms of artificial intelligence are important for dealing with challenging situations such as urban traffic. It enables piloted driving cars to evaluate their complex surroundings and perform necessary driving maneuvers accordingly. Also at NIPS to gain insights into these and other exciting developments will be AI specialists interested in working on innovations at Audi. Specialists and HR experts from the company will be at the event to provide them with information on a range of career opportunities. At Audi the specialists will have opportunities to help shape the role of AI in the automotive industry by applying their knowledge in the areas of machine learning, cloud computing, data analytics and vehicle architecture. The Neural Information Processing Systems (NIPS) Foundation is a non-profit corporation the purpose of which is to foster the exchange of research on neural information processing systems in their biological, technological, mathematical, and theoretical aspects. Neural information processing is a field which benefits from a combined view of biological, physical, mathematical, and computational sciences. The primary focus of the NIPS Foundation is the presentation of the continuing series of professional meetings known as the Neural Information Processing Systems Conference, held over the years at various locations in the United States, Canada and Spain. The Thirtieth Annual Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NIPS 2016) is a multi-track machine-learning and computational neuroscience conference that includes invited talks, demonstrations, symposia and oral and poster presentations of refereed papers. Following the conference, there are workshops which provide a less formal setting. An almost centurian's vehicle to expound at nonspecific intervals on his opinions regarding politics-local to international, health care, life,society,and perhaps religion plus periodic vignettes about Plainfield N.J. In addition to "blowing off",I enjoyed my second career as an amateur public advocate. PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii Surprise, fear, anger and pride overcame Jim Downing as Japanese planes bombed Pearl Harbor. Then a newlywed sailor, he recalled a Japanese plane flying low and slow in his direction as he rushed to his battleship from his home after hearing explosions and learning of the attack on the radio. "When he got the right angle, he banked over, turned his machine guns lose," Downing, now 103, said in an interview at a Waikiki hotel, "But fortunately he didn't bank far enough so it went right over my head." The next aviator might have better aim, Downing remembers thinking. And with nowhere to hide, "I was afraid," he said. Downing plans to return to Pearl Harbor Wednesday with a few dozen other survivors to mark the 75th anniversary of the attack that plunged the United States into World War II and left more than 2,300 service people dead. Those who gather at the ceremony on a pier overlooking the harbor are expected to observe a moment of silence at 7:55 a.m. the same moment Japanese planes began their assault. Thousands of other servicemen and women and members of the public are expected to attend and watch via a livestream feed. Postcards from the edge: Letters from kids after Pearl Harbor offer hope, healing In the years following the attack on Pearl Harbor, a new generation quietly begins to heal the hatred and fear that seared relations between the United States and Japan over nearly four years of bitter warfare. Downing said he comes back to Hawaii for the anniversary commemorations to be with his shipmates. "We get together and have a great time and compare our stories," said Downing, a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado. His ship, the USS West Virginia, was hit by nine torpedoes. "We were sinking and everything above the water line was on fire," he said. Downing said he felt proud while watching sailors balance the capsizing ship by allowing water to seep in. The tactic let the giant battleship slide into mud below. "They just instinctively did the right thing at the right time without any thought about their own lives or safety," he said. The West Virginia lost 106 men. Downing spent two hours fighting fires and checking the name tags of the dead so he could write their families personal notes about how they died. "I thought that would give them more closure that just a cold note, 'your son was killed in action,'" said Downing, who also served as the ship's postmaster. Ray Chavez was out on a minesweeper, the USS Condor, in the early hours before the attack. He remembers noticing with his shipmates that a mysterious submarine was lurking off the harbor. "At 3:45 a.m. on Dec. 7, I look out and spotted a submarine that wasn't supposed to be in that area," the 104-year-old Chavez said. The sailors reported the sighting and Chavez went home to sleep. He told his wife not to wake him because he hadn't gotten any rest during the busy night. "It seemed like I only slept about 10 minutes when she called me and said 'we're being attacked.' And I said 'who is going to attack us?' She said 'the Japanese are here and they're attacking everything,'" Chavez said. These days, many people treat Chavez and other Pearl Harbor survivors like celebrities, asking them for autographs and photos. But Chavez said it's about the people who were lost. "I'm honoring them, not myself," he said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate GREENWICH - About 50 people gathered outside of Greenwich Avenue on the 75th anniversary of the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor to hear the story of World War II veteran Chuck Standard. Standard recounted an abridged version of his WWII experience for the crowd, who stood in solidarity as the sky turned from blue to black. The story ended with a 21-gun salute and the traditional trumpet call of Taps. Standard was nowhere near Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Instead, the then-21-year-old was at his house with his Purdue University fraternity brothers. One of them ran through the hallway telling everyone else the news. We said, Pearl Harbor, wheres that? Nobody knew, Standard said. We didnt have computers or iPhones, we couldnt Google it. Hawaii wasnt even a state then, he said, and they were left scrambling to learn more about the place that had sparked their countrys entry into the war. A few weeks later I got drafted, Standard said. Seventy-five years ago, that was a long time. Standard appealed to the president of Purdue University to let him finish out the last few months of his degree and begin his training at the Purdue airport. The president accepted, and Standards journey to become a dive-bomber for the U.S. Navy began. Standard said he met friends in the service who had gone to Notre Dame University, and whatever collegiate rivalries they had were put aside. They did acrobatic aviation moves in their airplanes for fun. We called ourselves the flying circus, Standard said. Standard went on to fly missions over the waters west of Hawaii. He flew a bomber during the war. He said he and his wife were in a hotel at the Grand Canyon on vacation when he heard the news about the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Standard was awarded the Navy Cross, the second-highest medal given out by the U.S. Navy, for his heroics in the long campaign against the Japanese. The Navy did a lot for me, Standard said at the end of his speech. I think every child, boy and girl should spend a year in the service after high school or college. First Selectman Peter Tesei read a portion of President Franklin Delano Roosevelts speech after the bombing, adding, We shall never forget what our veterans have done in the face of the winds of war. pfrissell@hearstmediact.com; @PeregrineFriss President-Elect Donald Trump on Wednesday appointed Connecticuts Linda McMahon, the co-founder of the World Wrestling Entertainment conglomerate, to run the Small Business Administration. I am honored and humbled to be appointed by President-Elect Trump to serve as head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, McMahon said late Wednesday after reports surfaced that she was being tapped to head the agency. Was not their mistake once more bred of the life of slavery that they had been living?a life which was always looking upon everything, except mankind, animate and inanimatenature, as people used to call itas one thing, and mankind as another, it was natural to people thinking in this way, that they should try to make nature their slave, since they thought nature was something outside them William Morris These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Informed Samsung Galaxy S7 owners have been thrilled about being able to try Nougat on the flagship phone since the program launched just under a month ago. It first launched in the South Korea, then UK, and US carrier versions received the same Beta just several days later. If you were able to successfully register and download the Beta software for a Verizon-branded Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge, consider yourself lucky. Verizon, the largest carrier in the US, has put its foot in the door, yet again, by pulling the plug on the Beta program for its own subscribers. There was no reason given for the abrupt decision to discontinue further beta builds of Android Nougat for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. When looking for updates on the Beta with a Galaxy S7 edge on Verizon, a message from the Galaxy Beta Program Team which reads: Verizon will stay on the original software for the remainder of this trial. Beta trial users will be upgraded to the commercial N release when it is available early next year This would not be the first time Verizon interferes with the Samsung experience. In the past, Verizon has disabled certain features from Samsungs firmware, not to mention it heavily modified the Settings app appearance and totally hid the Note7s 15GB of cloud storage from Samsung in the settings in order to promote its own cloud storage option. The message mentioned that Verizon would stay on original software for the remainder of this trial. Perhaps Verizon didnt like something about the overall delivery of the Beta software and asked Samsung to halt it. The wording of the message suggests that Verizon would be on board for a future Beta test, but on its own terms. Via Are you looking to jumpstart your creative juices? You might want to try playing around in a different tuning, such as open D. This particular tuning has been hailed as [] United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, who will step down at the end of this month, made his most explicit apology yet for the UNs role and responsibility in Haitis cholera epidemic, the worlds worst. However, in his ballyhooed Dec. 1 address to the UN General Assembly, Ban stopped short of admitting that UN soldiers militarily occupying Haiti since 2004 introduced the deadly bacterial disease into the country in 2010. On behalf of the United Nations, I want to say very clearly: we apologize to the Haitian people, Ban said in the nugget of his long speech in French, English, and Kreyol. We simply did not do enough with regard to the cholera outbreak and its spread in Haiti. We are profoundly sorry for our role. UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston, whose scathing report last August put Ban on the hot seat, rightly dubbed it a half-apology. He apologizes that the UN has not done more to eradicate cholera, but not for causing the disease in the first place," Alston told the Guardian. The epidemic began when cholera-laced sewage from Nepalese UN soldiers outhouses leaked into the headwaters of Haitis most important river, the Artibonite. Within a year, it had spread throughout the country. To date, cholera has killed about 10,000 Haitians and sickened one million. Bans 11th hour half-apology comes after a relentless campaign of legal suits, popular protests, letter writing, condemnation by celebrities, and a withering torrent of critical press reports, books, and films. The legal crusade began on Nov. 3, 2011 when lawyers with the Boston-based Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti (IJDH) filed a claim within the UNs internal grievance system to obtain compensation for Haitis cholera victims, as well as a formal apology and the construction of modern water and sanitation systems. They were rebuffed in February 2013, a year and a half later, with a two page letter simply stating that the claims were not receivable because the UN enjoys legal immunity. For the next three years, the IJDH, along with other legal teams, attempted to sue the UN in New York State courts, but in 2015 and 2016 decisions, both district and appeals courts upheld the UNs legal immunity, as argued by U.S. government attorneys. (The UN never deigned to appear.) But as lawyer Brian Concannon, Jr., the IJDHs executive director, noted: Every time they had a victory in court supporting their supposed legal immunity, it turned into a public relations disaster due to the negative press coverage and its amplification by social media. As Special Rapporteur Alston remarked, the UN was employing a stonewalling strategy and double standard which undermines both the UN's overall credibility and the integrity of the Office of the Secretary-General. It is true that the United Nations Mission to Stabilize Haiti (MINUSTAH) troops did not do enough to stop choleras spread from the central Artibonite Valley where it emerged. As a veteran cholera-fighting Cuban doctor told Haiti Liberte when the epidemic began in October 2010: They are doing exactly the wrong thing by admitting cholera patients into general hospitals and clinics and not sealing off the outbreak area. Bans carefully worded apology, similar to his 2014 tour of Haiti with statements citing the UNs moral duty to fight cholera, seek to repair the UNs tattered credibility and Bans pock-marked legacy, while avoiding any true legal liability and obligations. "We now recognize that we had a role in this but to go to the extent of taking full responsibility for all is a step that would not be possible for us to take," said Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson. To sweeten the deal, Ban promised (although he wont be around) that the UN would try to raise around $400 million over two years to support efforts like a cholera vaccination campaign (which Haitian biologist/journalist Dady Chery condemns as useless) as well as improvements in peoples access to care and treatment when sick, while also addressing the longer-term issues of water, sanitation, and health systems. This latter step is the only way to stop the spread of cholera. The UNs previous anti-cholera fund drives have been singularly unsuccessful, raising only 18% of a $2.1 billion Cholera Elimination plan from 2013-2022. As Concannon told a Dec. 2 conference call, as hard as we fought to get those promises made, were going to have to fight even harder to get those promises fulfilled. For six years, the UN has been saying it doesnt have the money, Concannon continued. Weve been saying that theyve been spending between $800 million to $400 million a year for over 12 years for a peacekeeping mission in a country which has not had a war in my lifetime... Since the cholera epidemic started, the MINUSTAH has spent over $4 billion, and we think thats a powerful argument to make when the UN says it doesnt have money for a cholera epidemic which they started, while they have plenty of money for a grave threat against international peace which never existed. Indeed, it remains to be seen if the UN will use its new cholera-fighting promises to prolong the mandate of the highly unpopular MINUSTAH, which was originally proposed to deploy only six months in 2004. Its latest six-month extension expires in April 2017, before which the mission will undergo a strategic assessment, Ban said in August. In conjunction with his Dec. 1 address, Ban released a Nov. 25 report to the General Assembly entitled A new approach to cholera in Haiti. In it, he referred to a 2013 UN-commissioned medical panels report which stated that the exact source of introduction of cholera into Haiti will never be known with scientific certainty, however, the preponderance of the evidence and the weight of the circumstantial evidence does lead to the conclusion that personnel associated with the Mirebalais MINUSTAH facility were the most likely source. This is the closest Ban ever came to an actual admission of guilt for an epidemic whose source will never be known with scientific certainty. We're moving forward but we're not finished, said Jean-Charles August, a teacher from Petit-Goave, who is one of the cholera victims represented by IJDH and its sister International Lawyers Bureau (BAI) in Haiti. We want eradication and compensation. This is more of a beginning than an end in terms of our fight, Concannon told the conference call of lawyers, activists, and journalists. In the weeks and months ahead, the IJDH, along with the Haitian government and others, will be in negotiations with the UN for exactly how eradication and compensation should come about. The current Haitian UN ambassador, Jean Wesley Cazeau, applauded Bans radical change of attitude and looked forward to concrete results. As a Dec. 5 New York Daily News editorial summed up the situation: Up next, and urgently: a practical reckoning to undo the damage done. In short, only time will tell if Bans parting gesture reflects a genuine committment within the UN to compensate the Haitian people and eradicate cholera, or was simply a head-feint to continue the UNs shameful record, from Korea to Afghanistan to Haiti, of leaving death and destruction in countries it invades (at Washingtons behest) to supposedly help. Kat Jamieson is an author and tastemaker who has been sharing her passion for lifestyle topics such as fashion, decor, travel, and cooking since 2011 on her blog: With Love From Kat. Her first book, Blended, was recently released in October. In this book, Kat shares a seasonally inspired and holistic approach to cooking, as well as her take on entertaining and living well. She shares more than 125 recipes that have helped her to feel energized, vibrant, and balanced. Aside from these nourishing recipes, Kat also discusses how she has obtained a truly balanced and... By Vasia Orion | Published on 2016/12/07 We have reached the midpoint of "Dr. Romantic" and our hospital staff has to bond and work as one more tightly than ever. Seo-jeong is back in action and she is reminded of the pain doctors have to deal with when it comes to life and death while Dong-joo and In-beom learn how to work together. This appears to be part of Teacher Kim's plan, which we will surely know more about soon. Advertisement It looks like Seo-jeong's (Seo Hyun-jin) case is resolved, at least for now, which means that her recovery as a doctor will follow. Although I disapprove of the way in which the writing brought her here, I am eager to see her journey. She is the one who thinks about the moral and emotional responsibility of doctors more than any of the younger folks, so she has great potential to be the kind of doctor patients need. The second part of the attack against Doldam is also handled today and I am torn once again. I find inspector Choi's (Kim Joon-won) case interesting, because it briefly raises a point which has been missing from this show. Protecting lives should come first, we can all agree, but protecting patients from dangerous doctors is included. I just wish the writer had picked a source of drama between Geodae and Doldam which did not include excusing malpractice in order to elevate its characters' intentions and continue the plot. The episode returns some of the focus to Dong-joo (Yoo Yeon-seok), who has faded a bit in the background with this new mess. His efforts and lack of constant whining are an improvement, but they seem to come from his bonding with the hospital and staff, rather than from maturing as a person. This is why Yoon-wan's (Choi Jin-ho) "seduction" will be a true test for him. If he refuses to use patients in power games, he has learned something. Speaking of power games, while the series paints Teacher Kim's (Han Suk-kyu) plan as potentially sinister for suspense, I believe it is no more than a plan for a hospital with the most talented and truly dedicated doctors in the country. Teacher Kim knows what lack of power can bring, so wanting a powerful organization able to play by its own rules that put the patients first sounds like something befitting our talented teacher. The series still handles interesting parts of hospital ethics, but between looking the other way to sort its plot out and piling on the aggressive antagonists, the time and attention it gives those parts has dwindled. I hope that Teacher Kim's plan will be about nurturing his staff's talent and ability to form their own moral compass, bringing the drama back to what it does well. "Dr. Romantic" is directed by Yoo In-sik, written by Kang Eun-kyeong and features Han Suk-kyu, Yoo Yeon-seok, Seo Hyun-jin and Kim Hong-pa. Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings' Watch on Viki Note: Due to licensing, videos may not be available in your country ELKO Affordable Colleges Online, a leading resource for online learning and college affordability information, has released its ranking for the 2016-17 Best Online Colleges in Nevada. Great Basin College ranked first in the study. According to a recent study by the National Center for Education Statistics, 12.5 percent of students, nationwide, are enrolled exclusively in distance education courses. We wanted to highlight the schools in each state that are driving innovative learning and meeting demands of students, said Dan Schuessler, CEO and founder of AC Online. These schools are not only offering great programs, but they have expanded their program excellence to the much desired online environment. In order for universities to qualify for this ranking they must be a public, not for profit institution, and offer at least three online bachelor degree programs with an annual tuition fee less than $25,000. Qualifying schools were then evaluated based on the following: published tuition and fees for in state undergraduate students; the percent of full time undergraduate students; the percent of full time undergraduate students receiving institutional financial aid; the number on online programs offered; and student to teacher ratio. An in-depth look at the Most Affordable Online Colleges in Nevada for 2016 can be seen at http://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/online-colleges/nevada/. ELKO Student veterans will receive additional help next year, since Barrick Gold Corp. donated $74,528 to help Great Basin College begin its Operation Bravo. GBC Veterans Resource Coordinator Jacob Park said the program will kick off in January. Operation Bravo is a student veteran internship program that is going to help them succeed while theyre attending school here at Great Basin College, he said. They can intern with various different locations throughout the community. The program is dedicated in honor of Elko native, Marine Lance Cpl. Raul Bravo who was killed in action in Iraq in 2007, Park said. Bravos mother, Joy Marisco of Henderson gave permission for her sons name to be used in connection with the program. We were very honored to do so, Park said. Its the least we can do to honor him with our program thats going to only help transition new veterans. The student veteran receives on-the-job training as well as school work through the program. The money Barrick donated will sponsor five student veterans. He said the program wouldnt be possible without the funds from the gold mining company. The donation was a by-product of the relationship and the partnership with GBC and the Veterans Resource Center, said Jorge Esteva, Barrick Gold of North America communications director. Certainly the main goal here is to take advantage of that expertise in the workforce that is well trained and certainly willing to go to different places. Serving in the military and working in the mining industry has similarities, he said. You sometimes work in remote places, Esteva said. You have to work with big equipment, and nothing is bigger than military equipment, so when they come (to the mine site) they feel right at home. The donation was made a little more than a week before Veterans Day. Its a great opportunity to share the pride our staff has and the opportunity for these veterans to be present in the workforce, Esteva said. Sheldon Mudd, mining industry specialist with the Governors Office of Economic Development, attended the check presentation. Ultimately we came here today because in the past theres been a lot of companies that have identified as veteran friendly, but Barrick Gold Corp. came to the plate and they have really shown what it means to be a veteran-friendly company, he said. Another way Barrick exhibits being veteran friendly is through hiring. Barrick employee Brian Mason is a Marine and helps recruit other veterans to the company. He served from 1977 to 1998. Mason said Operation Bravo is geared off the internship program Barrick has with the Western Shoshone. Its pretty significant for the fact that this Operation Bravo is an internship program, he said. Part of Barricks social license to operate is giving back to the communities. The program allows the veteran to go through school and have a job in the field he or she is studying. It also gives the company a paid-for resource, Mason said. Part of the donation is to cover the salary for those internships. Say for example, an individual thats studying finance interns at Wells Fargo. Well, Wells Fargo is going to get free labor and the individual is going to get that experience that he needs to go out and get a job. So the whole time hes interning hes going to be interviewing for a job. One of the veterans Mason helped recruit to Barrick was Jill Temoke. She served in the Marines from 2007-2011. She is an admin technician in the process area at Goldstrike Mine. Temoke said her transition from military life to civilian life was made easier because of Mason. As the Native American recruiter, he kind of found my name through my dad, and the Marine Corps helped too, she said. He was wearing a Marine Corps hat and my dad said my daughters a Marine too and that connection was made. He found a job for me soon after that. Temoke said she thinks Operation Bravo will be an opportunity for fellow veterans because it offers an education and a paycheck. I know sometimes its hard for them to just even get in the door and find an appointment, she said about veterans transitioning to civilian life. Mine was fairly easy with Brian. I didnt have as tough a time as some people do. Dan Hain, manager for talent management at Barricks Shared Business Center in Elko, said he hopes the program educates veterans all over the country as to the different career opportunities available to them. Hain served in the Army from 1983 to 2016. I had never heard of Barrick before applying for the job that Im in now, he said. I think its a win-win for both sides because not only do we get an opportunity to employ the veterans, the companies that get those veterans get an opportunity to take advantage of a work ethic and the discipline that those individuals have acquired over their time in service. While the program is at GBC, it will be advertised in several national publications. We hope to encourage our student veterans to use their benefits that theyve earned, Park said. Theyre not entitlements, theyve earned these benefits, and with the outstanding support of Barrick, were able to give them additional resources. Veterans who want to apply for the program need to go to career and advising in Berg Hall at the Elko campus. Park also encouraged all student veterans to come by the Veterans Resource Center, even if they arent in the program. He said the staff has various tips for any veteran going back to school. Theres also the camaraderie, he said. When youre in the military, youre in a unit. Youre used to that unit. Youre used to the support of others that are familiar with your background and where youre coming from. So, coming into the resource center, youre able to network with other vets that have been in similar situations. Were building that unit again. Esteva encouraged other businesses to become involved in the program. This is just a kickoff, he said. At the end of the day what were trying to build is a solid community that is open and friendly for veterans. Mason said he thinks the community will support the program. I mean theyre going to want to do it because theyre not just Barricks veterans, he said. Theyre all of our veterans. Many of these companies, I think, are going to jump right on it. Other companies that want to sponsor the program should contact Mudd at 738-6075 or email him at smudd@diversifynevada.com. The Veterans Resource Center is located in McMullen Hall on the Elko campus. The convenience store chain 7-Eleven has signed a Proactive Compliance Deed with the Fair Work Ombudsman following a series of allegations this year involving the exploitation of workers. The 'landmark' agreement commits 7-Eleven to ensure all workers receive their lawful entitlements through strong accountability for all operators across its franchise network and supervision by the Fair Work Ombudsman. This involves installing and overseeing biometric shift scanning systems and the roll out of 7-Eleven owned CCTV systems at all outlets. This will allow the head office to monitor employee hours and make sure workers are paid correctly. The deed also implements measures aimed at overcoming the challenging and unlawful practice of cash backs by workers to franchisees which were revealed by the Fair Work Ombudsmans Inquiry Report into workplace non-compliance in the 7-Eleven network. Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James said the commitments in the deed would help prevent the unlawful practices identified in the regulators April 2016 Inquiry Report, increase accountability across the entire franchise network and introduce a culture of compliance from head office down. The measures in this deed are the most robust and comprehensive that any franchise brand has in place in Australia, said James. The goal is to make sure franchisees pay workers correctly in the first place. As we noted in our Inquiry report, non-compliance in this network has been long term, extensive and systemic. James added that some franchisees have demonstrated they will go to extreme lengths to circumvent record keeping systems. The deed establishes a framework for 7-Eleven to detect, investigate and rectify underpayments within its network now and into the future," she said. It also maintains commitments to backpay workers underpaid in the past." The 7-Eleven CEO Angus McKay said the company has zero tolerance for wage fraud and is doing all they can to stamp it out from their network of franchised stores. This week we have taken the next major step in our reform journey through voluntarily signing a robust Proactive Deed of Compliance with the Fair Work Ombudsman that sets the standard for our industry, said McKay. Our resolve is unquestionable. 7-Eleven immediately fronted up and owned the issue of wage underpayment in our network of franchised stores. McKay added that 7-Eleven have invested in industry-leading initiatives internally to ensure correct wages are paid, voluntarily paying almost $57 million to more than 1,400 claimants to date. Moreover, McKay said they have proposed a range of policy reforms to raise the standard across the franchising industry. I have consistently said we want to be judged on our actions. Well continue to report transparently on our progress as we seek to be the exemplar of a solution to a problem that is regrettably broader than our network, he said. We will continue these efforts, and our ongoing collaboration with the Fair Work Ombudsman and others, to ensure our franchised store network operates at the highest standard we and the community expect. Employers withheld at least $3.6 billion in superannuation payments to 2.4 million workers in 2013/14, according to new research. This equated to about a third of workers who were not being paid part or all of their compulsory superannuation. The report also showed employees under the age of 30 and workers in the construction, hospitality and cleaning industries are most likely to be short-changed superannuation. Industry Super's director of public affairs Matthew Linden told the ABC that without the money going into their accounts, it means that they will have a poorer retirement. Most people would be making additional salary sacrifice contributions in the belief that they are going to improve their standard of living if retirement, said Linden. It appears as if employers - some employers - are reducing their compulsory obligations, and the law currently allows it. "There is several hundred million dollars a year in penalties that it issues to employers and it seems to be recovering about half of that. Moreover, ACTU President Ged Kearney said it should not be up to individual employees to chase their employer for entitlement owed. The fact that one in three workers miss out on superannuation that is owed to them shows we absolutely need a Senate Inquiry," she said. "Employers who are dodging super obligations must be brought to heel and the ATO must be much better resourced to deal with breaches. Given 2.4 million Australian workers are missing out on superannuation entitlements, those individual workers suffer and are short-changed, but our whole economy also suffers. Kearney added that unions fight hard every day for back-payment of superannuation where employers try to avoid their obligations, but we cant do it on our own. Prime Minister Turnbull must act now to close the loopholes and put a clear, enforceable penalty system in place for employers who rip off their employees, said Kearney. The federal governments huge funding cuts to the ATO and ASIC mean those regulators are just not resourced to manage the volume of unlawful breaches committed by employers. Young workers, workers on minimum wages and workers in insecure work are most likely to miss out on super owed to them. The amount of unpaid super grows every year. Without better monitoring and enforcement that amount will continue to grow, and employees with find themselves unable to fund their retirements. By Jesse Wood The Watauga County Board of Elections are meeting Wednesday to hold a recount of ballots cast in the N.C. Auditors race during the general election on Nov. 8. Republican candidate Chuck Stuber is running against incumbent N.C. Auditor Beth Wood, a Democrat. Unofficial results on election night showed Wood had 2,259,397 votes (or 50.07 percent) versus Stubers 2,253,405 votes (or 49.93 percent). On behalf of Stuber, the N.C. GOP delivered a formal recount request to the State Board of Elections on Tuesday morning. In a statement, Stuber said: During the recent election for the state auditor position, I received over 2.2 million votes and Im in a virtual dead heat with my opponent, the two-term incumbent. On behalf of the voters in our great state, I am exercising my right to ask for a recount. I am doing this to honor all the citizens of North Carolina who voted in this race, and those who supported and encouraged me throughout my campaign. As someone who is running for state auditor, I believe it is imperative to ensure absolute accuracy whether with votes in an election, or with statistical data in an audit of an entity receiving government funds. I have confidence that the North Carolina State Board of Elections will coordinate the vote recount in a fair and efficient manner. The N.C. Democratic Party responded that a recount is unlucky to change and pointed to a statewide recount in a N.C. Supreme Court race in 2014 that resulted in a change in results of 17 votes. With Beth Wood ahead of Chuck Stuber by close to 6,000 votes, a statewide recount is unlikely to change the results of the election. We are confident that Beth won the race, and its time for Chuck to concede. Instead of adding more uncertainty for North Carolina voters and charging taxpayers at least $1.5 million, Stuber should accept the will of the people and drop his recount request, said Kimberly Reynolds, NCDP Executive Director. N.C. General Statues allows for statewide recounts on a ballot item if the difference is one-half of one percent (0.5 percent) of the votes cast in the ballot item, or 10,000 votes, whichever is less. Staff at the Watauga County Board of Elections office said the recount will last all day long. Share this: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pocket GOLCONDA Working for Newmont Mining Corp. has allowed Twin Creeks' new mine manager, Melissa Harmon, world traveling opportunities. Harmon didnt really come from a mining background. Her father was in the Army and when he retired the family moved back to Elko, where both her parents grew up. "My mom did work for Barrick (Gold Corp.), but it was in human resources, not anything directly involved in mining, she said. Living in Elko and having my mom work at Barrick meant that I was aware of mining and knew that mine engineering existed. When she was finishing high school, she knew she wanted to use her interests in science and math and go into an engineering field. She researched several engineering fields. Ultimately, I chose to major in mine engineering because I felt that it would allow me to pursue engineering but in an environment where Id get to work outside, Harmon said. I also knew that it was a male-dominated industry and I was drawn to the challenge of succeeding in that environment. She graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno, with a degree in mine engineering. Newmont hired her 16 years ago. After 10 years at the Carlin site, she was offered an opportunity to be the chief engineer at Newmonts Ahafo Mine in Ghana. For me and my family it was an adventure that we enjoyed taking, she said. So I went with my husband and my two kids to Ghana, so they lived there as well for three years. It gave us an opportunity to learn a different culture, she said. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for kids to experience living in Africa and we got to travel a lot, which was pretty amazing as well. Harmon said it expanded her familys worldview. Mining is similar in Africa, but the culture is quite different. You have to sort of adjust to working in that different culture, she said. In ways its similar. All people are motivated by that same thing. They want to be safe at work. They want to provide for their families. They want a job that allows them to provide for their families. So in a lot of ways its very similar, but in some ways different as well. Its a very social and oral culture in Ghana, so you have to spend a lot more time interacting with people orally, she said. While Newmont has written procedures for every site all over the world, Harmon said people in Ghana learn by talking, so most of the training was given verbally. Harmon also said many of the employees were brand new to mining. The majority of them had no knowledge of the industry until they began working at the site. Often theyd never even driven a light vehicle, so before we could train them to drive a haul truck, we first had to train them to drive a car, she said. We had a simulator for learning to drive a car. It took a lot more time to train employees to become proficient operators, she said. After three years at Ahafo, Harmon worked at Newmonts corporate office in Denver for two years and then went back to Ghana. This time she was in mine operations at the Akyem Mine, the newer of Newmonts two mines in Ghana and similar in size to Twin Creeks. She was at Akyem for a year before being hired at Twin Creeks this year. We were looking for an opportunity to come back to Nevada, Harmon said about why she returned to the United States. She had been at Twin Creeks for about two months when she was interviewed, and was focused on growing the mine site on the surface and underground. Finland came in fourth in reading, fifth in science and twelfth in mathematics in the sixth and latest edition of the influential global rankings published yesterday by the OECD. Finnish 15-year-old learners remain among the best-performing in the world in mathematics, reading and science, despite a decline in test scores, according to the 2015 Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) . The decline in test scores is nevertheless a concern for many. Looking at the graphs, your attention is drawn to the year 2006. We were on a great upward trend throughout the early 2000s, but then the skills started to decline, Kai-Ari Lundell, the Teacher of the Year in 2013, writes in a blog on Puheenvuoro. We are closer to the rock bottom than the top of developed countries in mathematics. What are we currently doing differently than in the early 2000s? Or should we be asking what exactly has happened in the society that surrounds our schools? he asks. Lundell is also concerned about the gap between the test scores of 15-year-old boys and girls in science, which at 19 points is wider than anywhere else in the OECD. He estimates that the decline in test scores could be attributable to the fact that the school system has been tinkered with constantly and that the further education of teachers has been all but neglected. At times, it has felt like no one has any idea of how the school system should be developed, he writes. Olli Luukkainen, the chairperson of the Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ), estimates that the newly-unveiled results are further evidence of growing inequalities in Finland. The test scores, he points out, indicate that the place of residence and socio-economic background of parents are reflected increasingly in the school achievement of students. If social alienation begins as early as in primary school, [the consequences] will be fateful. A poor foundation in science, mathematics and reading skills have an adverse effect on school achievement also at higher levels of education: in vocational and general upper-secondary education, and higher education, he says in a press release from OAJ. Luukkainen also points out that the share of learners excelling in the tests has decreased. They will be the ones who will be responsible for creating jobs and promoting employment in tomorrow's Finland. They have been ignored for too long when developing the school system, he states. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Mikko Stig Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi The European Commission, he pointed out, proposed last week that a joint defence fund be established specifically because of the continuing diversification of cyber-security threats. Cyber-security is a greater challenge than ever, Jyrki Katainen (NCP), the European Commission's Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, stated during a lunch event organised by the Finnish Association of Political Journalists on Monday. Katainen estimated that member states cannot currently afford to develop their defence capabilities to the extent that is necessary due budgetary restrictions, the emergence of new threats and soaring defence technology prices. China, Russia and the United States, meanwhile, are all spending considerably more on defence than Europe. The United States is spending nearly twice as much on defence than all of Europe. China has increased its [defence] appropriations significantly over the past ten years by as much as 150 per cent, according to some estimates. Russia is spending a large share of its annual resources on security, he said. Katainen added that he is particularly concerned about the insistence of every member state to develop their defence capabilities independently, thus hamstringing the development of defence technology in Europe. It's alarming that roughly 20 per cent of [defence-related] procurements are opened to international tenders. Roughly 80 per cent of defence procurements are more or less reliant on domestic suppliers, he pointed out. The European Commission has proposed that 25 million euros be earmarked for defence research in the budget of the European Union for 2017. It has also declared its intention to propose that an estimated 500 million euros a year be allocated for a dedicated defence research programme after 2020. We'd be spending 25 million euros from the EU's budget for next year on jointly-agreed defence research projects, explained Katainen. The budget allocation would rise to a total of 90 million euros until 2020, and it's our estimate that the need would be roughly 500 million euros a year after 2020. If we're able to get to joint defence research projects of this magnitude, it'd probably promote security and develop the defence industry in Europe. The European Commission also proposed to allow the European Investment Bank to fund the development of defence technology more freely and to allow member states to co-operate in defence investments on a voluntary basis. When you're making procurements together, the unit prices will probably come down, said Katainen. For Finland, he added, the proposal would present a number of opportunities to further enhance defence co-operation with its fellow member states. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Heikki Saukkomaa Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi The Elko Daily Free Press is counting down the days until marijuana is legal in Nevada by answering questions concerning the law. Q: Will Nevada residents be able to carry a firearm and marijuana on their person at the same time? Nevada residents will be able to have a legal firearm and their legal marijuana on their person at the same time. Though there is some ambiguity regarding what gun owners who use marijuana will be allowed to do come Jan. 1, Elko County Sheriff Jim Pitts said recreational marijuana will likely be treated the same way alcohol is in regard to carrying firearms. It would be the same as having a six pack of beer. As long as theyre not open and youre not drinking them there are no issues there, he said. Once marijuana becomes legal there will be nothing that says you cant have firearms and marijuana together. Sen. Pete Goicoechea did not support recreational marijuana use and expressed some concern the regulations did not give clear instructions to law enforcement on how to handle a situation where someone is legally carrying a firearm and in possession of a legal amount of recreational marijuana. Despite his issues with the law, Goicoecha said he would not be in favor of any additional regulation that would infringe upon someones Second Amendment rights. Any effort to say that having marijuana on your person would prohibit you from openly carrying a firearm thats not something you want to get into, he said. Even though the regulations regarding recreational marijuana and gun ownership may be adjusted in some form going forward, Pitts urges gun owners who choose to partake in marijuana to be sensible about their consumption. It comes back to common sense that you dont want to be under the influence of anything while shooting guns, he said. Its not a good combination. Oliver films himself on top of the 207m power station tower The teenager who illegally climbed one of the iconic Poolbeg towers has warned others not to replicate the feat. Oliver, a 17-year-old Dane, is one half of a duo who record themselves scaling tall structures and buildings and then place the videos online. The dizzying seven-minute footage of Oliver's 207m Poolbeg climb was posted on YouTube channel OJ Adventures. The teenager admitted that what he did was dangerous and involved serious risk, and warned others not to do the same. Gardai are investigating the climb at the power station, while the ESB has reviewed security in the area. Oliver, who was in Dublin on a school trip, said others should not follow his lead. "I do not support copycats. I don't think others should attempt the things we do. It is dangerous." He said he was not worried about gardai investigating the incident, and told how neither he nor his climbing partner have ever been arrested. "The whole police thing does not worry me. I did not do anything that would cause damage to anything or anyone," Oliver said. He said the climb, which was his highest to date, was "very interesting". The YouTube footage shows him trespassing on the site before climbing a ladder to the top of the tower. Barry O'Leary, former secretary of the Irish Mountaineering Club, was quick to condemn the stunt. Buzz "It's nuts," he said. "People like this young man climb high buildings for a rush, an instant buzz and they do it quickly to get out of there before they're arrested. "It's a selfish act. Just one wrong move and they are going to die. There are no safety back-ups and there is no room for error. "I know fellas who used to jump from the West-Link toll bridge and they had a car waiting for them at the bottom. They should know better. "This is not a case of jumping from your uncle's shed roof on to a bed of nettles. No one should ever consider trying it." A spokesperson for the ESB, which manages the Poolbeg site, described the stunt as "sickening". "I would like to see the full rigour of the law used against this person." A gang that stole a greyhound worth an estimated 1m is being hunted by gardai. Officers are carrying out a full investigation into the theft of Clares Rocket, stolen on Monday night from the kennels of Irish Derby-winning trainer Graham Holland. The dog is owned by the Limerick Full House syndicate, headed by Joe Cahill and has been trained by Mr Holland, who owns family-run business Riverside Kennels in Golden, Co Tipperary. An organised crime gang is suspected of being behind the theft. Last night, a source said an exact motive had not yet been established. Ransom "There have been no ransom demands yet, this is a highly unusual crime," the source said. Valuable Clares Rocket is listed as the second favourite at odds of 25/1 for next year's English Derby, one of the most prestigious greyhound races. Yesterday, a spokesman at bookmaker Paddy Power told the Herald that any bets placed on Clares Rocket would be refunded if the dog did not run in the race. Just 1,000 has been placed on him to date. Clares Rocket is a previous winner of the Champion Stakes and the valuable Produce Stakes and was a favourite this year for the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Puppy Stake. Earlier this year, the dog won the Doire Construction Champion Stakes semi-final by seven lengths. That victory was described as "an annihilation of some of the best greyhounds on either side of the Irish Sea". Gunpoint This week's theft of the greyhound has drawn comparisons with the famous Shergar case from 1983. The Aga Khan-owned Shergar horse was taken at gunpoint by the IRA from Ballymany Stud in Co Kildare but was never recovered. The Provisional IRA has been long suspected of involvement in the theft of Shergar and sources said that dissident Republicans have not been ruled out in the investigation into the greyhound theft. "A number of criminal groupings could be responsible for this including dissident Republicans and crime groupings from Limerick," a source said. The father of missing Trevor Deely says he has "renewed hope" of a breakthrough after learning that vital CCTV footage has been sent to Britain for analysis. The film captures his son's last known movements before his disappearance in 2000. Michael and Ann Deely will today attend the fourth national Missing Persons Day at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park. Tomorrow, they will be marking the 16th anniversary of 22-year-old Trevor's disappearance with a prayer Mass near their Co Kildare home. Devastated The couple, who have three other children and nine grandchildren, said the anniversary will be more bearable this year after the recent commitment of the Serious Crime Review Team to investigate the high-profile case again. Crucially, gardai have sent the last-known footage of Trevor - captured on CCTV early on December 8, 2000 - to specialists in the UK for a detailed forensic examination. Mr Deely (74), who lives in Naas, said he is being kept up to speed on any progress made by a family liaison officer who is part of the Pearse Street Garda Station team. "I've been calling for more resources to be given to the gardai for years to help them solve Trevor's case and the cases of all missing persons," he said. "I'm delighted that Trevor's case is being looked into again. There's a team of five or six gardai that have been appointed to reinvestigate Trevor's case and I met them a couple of weeks ago. "There's no body or no scene for them to go on, so they're prioritising the CCTV footage of him which has been taken to the UK where they have more advanced methods of examining it than we do here in Ireland. "I'm very pleased that there will be some fresh eyes looking into this, and it has certainly given me and my family a big boost. "I don't want to raise my hopes too much at this stage, but at the same time I feel far more hopeful than I have in years." As one of Ireland's most high-profile missing persons cases, the image of Trevor and the key facts in his dis- appearance are well-known. Message The last-known image of him - and the one that is currently being re-examined in the UK - is of him walking down Hadd- ington Road towards his flat in Ballsbridge at 4.14am. The IT worker had previously returned to his office where he had picked up an umbrella after a night out at Buck Whaley's nightclub on Lower Leeson Street. He phoned his best friend and left a message, saying he had had a great night and that he would talk to him later. He has not been seen or heard from since. His father said: "It's still our belief that Trevor is alive and I'll carry on believing that until it is proved otherwise." Gardai have not yet been able to obtain charges in the case of a 36-year-old man brutally murdered by one of the country's most dangerous gangs. A full inquest into the death of Benny Whitehouse will now take place at Dublin Coroner's Court on March 15, 2017. The father-of-two was shot dead in front of his partner at Clonard Street, Balbriggan, on September 25, 2014, as part of a bitter feud that has seen a number of violent incidents both before and since the murder. Yesterday, Detective Inspector Eddie Carroll of Balbriggan Garda Station told coroner Dr Myra Cullinane that a file had been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and no prosecution was directed. Whitehouse, of Ring Commons Halting Site in Balbriggan, died after the shooting, while his partner was also shot in the leg during the attack. Two people, one man and one woman, were arrested and questioned following the incident. Targets Gardai have been on high alert as they believe Benny's brothers Jimmy and Clifford Whitehouse will become the next targets of the mob suspected of the attack. They have been previously warned about an active death threat against their lives and are understood to have been given fresh security advice from officers in Drogheda, Co Louth. The gang suspected of killing Whitehouse is also believed to be behind the suspected murders of Tallaght man Willie Maughan (34) and his partner Anna Varslavane (21), who were last seen in the Gormanston area of Co Meath on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 14, last year. One theory being investigated is that they were murdered because they were trying to break links with the dangerous Traveller gang they had been associated with in the months before their disappearance. The couple made a desperate phone call pleading for help the day they disappeared. Last month, the Herald revealed that the gang boss who is suspected of being behind all three of the murders was released from prison after spending almost a year behind bars. Sources say the gang has been "re-grouping and re-organising" since his release and is now based at his large Co Meath compound. Fine Gael deputy leader James Reilly has criticised the Government over the delay in introducing plain-packaged tobacco products. Dr Reilly, who spearheaded the legislation when he was Children's Minister, expressed concern that the new laws are three-and-a-half years behind. Plain packet cigarettes are due to be appear on the shelves in Northern Ireland in the coming weeks. However, the Department of Health has admitted to the Herald that the laws in the Republic have yet to be fully implemented. outstanding The industry has sought a 12-month period after the law is enacted to allow it to sell off any outstanding tobacco that is not contained in plain packaging. If this is granted, it appears highly unlikely that plain packets will be on Irish shelves until 2018. A spokeswoman for the Dep- artment of Health confirmed that the legislation has yet to be enacted. "The Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Act 2015 is currently being amended by the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016 which is currently going through the legislative process in the Oireachtas," she said. "These provisions are of a technical and practical nature and the majority seek to provide basic information to the consumer. "Once the bill completes the legislative process and is enacted, arrangements can then be made to introduce the standardised packaging measures." The spokeswoman did not say when plain packets will finally be on the shelves. Dr Reilly said the legislation must be expedited as a priority. "I am very concerned that it has taken such a long period to introduce measures that will reduce addiction rates," the now senator told the Herald. Earlier this year, a number of NGOs expressed concern about the delay in the law coming into force. "We are calling for the prioritisation of this legislation by the Government so that this important public health measure can be introduced without any further delay," they wrote. In Australia, in the two years following the introduction of plain packaging, smoking rates fell to a historic low of 12.8pc, down from 15.1pc before. Courage In Ireland, the smoking rate currently stands at 19.5pc. The fast-tracking of the measure will be a huge step towards achieving the new Programme for Government's commitment to making Ireland tobacco-free (less than 5pc smoking rate) by 2025. Any additional delay may endanger this target. "The State has shown great courage in tackling smoking rates and the tobacco industry and we hope that this continues with the prioritisation of this bill," the NGOs wrote. They included the Irish Thoracic Society, the Asthma Society, the Irish Cancer Society and the Children's Rights Alliance The group also expressed concern that the tobacco industry, which has engaged in significant lobbying in recent months, will seek to take advantage of the bill being delayed. The Mexican Supreme Court has ordered President Enrique Pena Nieto to release details about the number of people and devices it spied on in 2014 after his government rejected a petition from the National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information and Personal Data (INAI), on the basis that publishing the details of its telephone wiretaps would harm national security. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in 2013. AFP More information El Supremo mexicano ordena al Gobierno revelar datos de espionaje telefonico The court ruled 10-1 in favor of the INAI, saying statistical data would not reveal the methods the Center for Investigation and National Security (CISEN) uses or bring to light sensitive information such as the names of people whose devices the organization has intercepted. The case began when the Defense of Digital Rights Network (R3D) filed a petition through the INAI asking the government to release espionage data. Humberto Castillejos, the presidents legal counsel, brought the request before the Supreme Court in August. The decision marks a new precedent in Mexico and will provide greater transparency on issues related to surveillance. R3D argues that all statistical data, regardless of content, is public information. Luis Maria Aguilar, the president of the Mexican Supreme Court, challenged this line of reasoning, saying some statistical information is in fact too sensitive to release and that cases should be judged individually. CISEN has increased its espionage operations since embattled Enrique Pena Nieto took office in 2012. The administration of former president Felipe Calderon intercepted 340 telephone lines during its six years at the reins. In contrast, this government filed for warrants to intercept 747 private conversations for up to 360 days in each case in 2014 alone. The Supreme Court has now ruled that the executive must reveal how many people and devices it spied on throughout that year. CISEN is less accountable than other government security agencies in Mexico. R3D says 99% of its requests to telecommunications companies for wiretaps were not backed by a warrant. Todays decision is a very important step for transparency and the right to privacy in Mexico, R3D said in a statement. English version by Dyane Jean-Francois. The rescued migrants arriving at the port of Almeria. Paquet (EFE) Spanish rescue vessels rescued 64 undocumented migrants on Tuesday who were attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Spain from North Africa. The immigrants, including two minors, were found aboard two rickety vessels on the Alboran Sea the westernmost area of the Mediterranean Sea and taken to Almeria. Authorities were alerted by their Moroccan counterparts All aboard were well, Spanish authorities reported. Spanish authorities were alerted by their Moroccan counterparts, who said a makeshift migrant boat carrying 33 people had departed from Tazarine, west of the Spanish enclave of Melilla. A helicopter, an airplane and a ship were used in the search, which located an additional vessel with 51 other migrants aboard. There were 11 women, a five-year-old child and a baby among the rescued group. Spain is one of the main immigration routes into Europe from Africa. English version by Susana Urra. Archeologists from Mexicos INAH National Institute for Anthropology and History have revealed details of their discovery of a pre-Columbian temple dating from around 1325 in the northern suburbs of the capital they say was dedicated to Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec god of wind. The INAH's Eduardo Luna at the excavation site. INAH More information Descubierto en Tlatelolco un templo dedicado al dios del viento The circular platform, approximately 11 meters in diameter and 1.2 meters high, was found three meters below ground level during the construction of a shopping mall in Tlatelolco, a city that was once a rival to nearby Tenochtitlan. The structure is very important because it was part of the sacred area of Tlatelolco," said Pedro Francisco Sanchez Nava, national archaeology coordinator at the INAH. During the excavation, archaeologists have discovered some 43,000 objects. These include at least 20 graves of adults and children, as well as the remains of animal offerings and of censers and ceramic figurines used to prey to Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl who was thought to have the power to create rainfall with the wind during periods of drought. The temple, located just across from the Plaza of the Three Cultures, where Mexican security forces gunned down dozens of students and protesters in 1968, is a glimpse into the past, a place that opens up for us, from the archeological side, to understand the development of the cities that preceded us, said Sanchez. Archeologists have been working on the site since 2014 and expect to finish this month Given the archaeological potential of the area, officials from the INAH worked closely with the mall developers during each step of the demolition and excavation process. The relevance of the discovery in the context of the Mexica-Tlatelolca culture was such that the construction company ceded to INAH the 300-square-meter piece of land where the pyramidal base was found. We werent expecting to find this pyramidal structure. Given its magnitude and degree of preservation, it was decided to leave it exposed, giving the community a chance to get a glimpse of our past, said Sanchez. The INAH says it will protect the area with an archaeological window. In order to protect the pyramid, a wall will be built around it . . . a ramp and a railing will also be set up, allowing the public to see at least half the temple, explained Villegas. Almost 70 pyramidal structures have been found at the Tlatelolco Ceremonial Center, with around 40 more detected under nearby streets. The INAH says that the temple was built in three phases. The first would have been around 1337, the second between 1376 and 1417, which is the best-preserved part, and the final would have been constructed around 1427, of which little remains. The wind deity Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl was thought to be able to provoke rainfall during times of drought The temple may well have been damaged during the construction of the supermarket above it, during the 1950s, said Eduardo Luna, the projects supervisor. The team of 12 archeologists has been working on the site since 2014 and expect to finish by December. Tenochtitlan, located in and around what is today downtown Mexico City, was a political and religious center, while Tlatelolco was one of the most important trading points in Mesoamerica. When Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes arrived in 1519, he wrote about Tlatelolco, which by then had been taken over by Tenochtitlan. When the Spanish launched their attack on Tenochtitlan, many residents fled to Tlatelolco, which became one of the last areas to hold out against the conquistadores. English version by Nick Lyne. Text in which the author defends ideas and reaches conclusions based on his / her interpretation of facts and data When Ahora Madrid, the coalition linked to anti-austerity party Podemos, took over City Hall last year, I was reminded of what happened when the BNG Galician nationalist party was elected to run Pontevedra. A lot of people reacted in the same way, as though towns and cities, like countries, should always be governed by the same people, even by people we dont like, which is the essence of institutionalism: tolerating the opposition because we know who they are, almost as if they were one of us. Madrid's Gran Via will be closed to traffic for the holiday season. Claudio Alvarez This explains why when former Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero immediately fulfilled his election pledge to pull Spanish troops out of Iraq, or passed a law granting same-sex couples marriage rights, or began peace talks with ETA, he was vilified and his first term in office considered little more than a victory for terrorism Islamic or Basque terrorism, depending on his adversaries level of anger. Zapatero had betrayed Spain and even betrayed the dead, to use the same words as Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in parliament. Actually, what Zapatero had really done was betray a paralysis that had been ongoing since Spain emerged from its dictatorship. After all, nothing he did caused as much uproar as appealing for the rehabilitation of the victims of the Civil War. If history teaches us one thing, its that progress always sparks scandal Zapatero was no barbarian, although he flirted with it. Barbarians come from ideological latitudes where they survive without being tamed, unrecognizable in parties where unity is all. Which is why I thought of what happened in Pontevedra: in the end, the communists created pedestrian zones. If history teaches us one thing, its that progress always sparks scandal: we cant advance without a mob protesting about something that in five years will be the norm. If one day, City Hall decides to do the most logical thing that Madrid needs, which is to pedestrianize the citys Gran Via central thoroughfare, then we can expect to hear about how shops wont be able to survive, how tourism will vanish, and how it will be the decline of civilization as we know it. Weve grown so used to seeing our cities gridlocked with cars that it seems that the anti-system thing to do is to fill it with people instead. And it is the same with laws. English version by Nick Lyne. Police in Mexicos Gulf coast state of Veracruz say 14 criminal suspects have been killed in a gun battle with a patrol of Mexican marines. A statement released on Monday by state police says the shootout began when gunmen attacked a police patrol car in the township of Jesus Carranza in a remote part of the state. The Mexican army is patrolling the area where the skirmish took place. ANGEL HERNANDEZ (CUARTOSCURO) More information Un enfrentamiento entre marinos y hombres armados deja 14 muertos en Veracruz The authorities said marines arrived as backup and also came under fire. When they arrived, they were attacked by the same group, 14 of whom were killed and an unknown number ran up the hill, said an official report published by the Veracruz government. The state attorney generals office has asked authorities to secure the area where the attack took place and ordered prosecutors and forensics experts to begin an investigation. The marines reportedly found a .50-caliber sniper rifle and 13 assault rifles at the scene. Veracruz has been riven by drug cartel turf battles, kidnappings and killings Veracruz has been riven by drug cartel turf battles, kidnappings and killings over the last decade. The incident is the third round of clashes between law enforcement agents and armed gangs in the five days since Miguel Angel Yunes Linares of the conservative National Action Party (PAN) took office. His predecessor, Javier Duarte, fled after Mexican prosecutors accused him of corruption and misappropriation of public funds. After meeting with navy officials, he has since promised to reinforce security in coordination with federal agents. A shootout in the same area on Saturday between suspected criminals and Mexican soldiers resulted in the death of three suspects. Authorities also found two bodies showing signs of torture in the states, while local media reported homicides in seven cities. Homicides are on the rise in Veracruz. Official organizations have documented 993 murders between January and October of this year, up on the 565 homicides in 2015. Corruption scandals, hundreds of bodies found in mass graves, human right violations, thousands of disappeared people and hundreds of killings of women have marked Duartes time in office, an official once named by Pena Nieto as a member of a new generation of politicians who were going to change Mexico. According to Mexicos Finance Ministry, Duarte left Veracruz with a public debt of $837 million. He resigned from his post as governor of Veracruz on October 12 to face over 50 allegations against him. The rise in violence is the result of several factors: the dispute between criminal groups, and not just between the Jalisco New Generation and Los Zetas cartels, but also due to internal battles between Gulf groups, Los Zetas and other criminal organizations, explains the security analyst Alejandro Hope, adding that the regional government has been to blame for failing to impose its authority. Veracruz, once a major tourist destination, is facing economic ruin: the violence has kept visitors away, and industry and manufacturing is in decline, while its port is losing business to more competitive rivals. 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 Access to Power: VP Pence Calls Sargsyan; Erdogan & Aliyev Call Pres.-elect Trump By Harut Sassounian Publisher, The California Courier www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com Shortly after the Nov. 8 elections, I wrote a column suggesting that Armenian-Americans make every effort to contact President-elect Trump or his aides before the January 20 Presidential inauguration, after which it would be much more difficult to have access to the President. I am happy to report that one such successful connection was made last month by the joint efforts of Armenias Ambassador to Washington, Grigor Hovhannissian, and President of Prime Health Care, Mike Sarian of Glendale, California, who has extensive contacts with high-ranking Republicans. As a result, Vice President-elect Mike Pence called Pres. Serzh Sargsyan on December 1 to thank him for his earlier congratulatory letter to Pres.-elect Trump. According to the Armenian Presidents website, Pence and Sargsyan stressed the importance of expanding political and economic relations between Armenia and the United States. Pres. Sargsyan and Vice President-elect Mike Pence discussed also issues of mutual interest, including regional problems and challenges. The Armenian Presidents website drew special attention to the fact that the Pence-Sargsyan phone call was initiated by the American side. In contrast, Azerbaijans President Aliyev and Turkeys President Erdogan were the ones calling Pres.-elect Trump on Nov. 9 and 17 respectively, making Vice Pres.-elect Pences call to Sargsyan politically more valuable! Trump may have asked Pence to make the call to Sargsyan due to his familiarity with Armenian issues during his 10-year tenure in the House of Representatives. As a member of the House Foreign Relations Committee, Cong. Pence voted for a Congressional Resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide in 2005, but voted against similar resolutions in 2007 and 2010, expressing concern for the possible fallout on US-Turkey relations. Erdogans and Aliyevs other disadvantage was that their phone calls to Trump were most probably arranged through hired multi-million dollar public relations and lobbying firms in Washington, whereas Armenia did not have to spend a penny for the Pence-Sargsyan phone conversation. This successful access to the newly-elected Trump Administration confirms the importance of getting involved in American political life, so that when the need arises, such arrangements can be made with relative ease. Furthermore, the phone calls between Trump and leaders of several countries, including those of Taiwan, Turkey and Pakistan, came under intense scrutiny by the U.S. media. Chinas leaders were upset that Trump spoke with the President of Taiwan. No U.S. President or President-elect has done so since 1979, due to the U.S. One China policy which recognizes Taiwan as part of the People Republic of China. The controversy regarding Turkey involves Ivanka Trumps participation in her fathers phone conversation with Pres. Erdogan which some view as a conflict of interest. Ivanka was closely involved with the Trump Towers project in Istanbul and Turkish business partner Mehmet Ali Yalcindag. She attended the 2012 opening celebration of Trump Towers in Istanbul. During the phone call, Trump told Pres. Erdogan that he and Ivanka admire him and Yalcindag. Trumps lavish words were intended to relieve the irritation caused by his earlier announced plans to ban all Muslim immigrants. In response, Erdogan had demanded that Trumps name be removed from the Istanbul Towers. Another controversial phone call was the one Pres.-elect Trump made to Pakistans Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Trump was quoted as heaping lavish praise on Pakistan, its people and culture which drew a harsh response from India, an important U.S. ally and Pakistans archenemy. In contrast, back in 2012, Trump had tweeted: Get it straight: Pakistan is not our friend. Weve given them billions and billions of dollars, and what did we get? Betrayal and disrespect -- and much worse. #TimeToGetTough. Finally, readers may recall that in my last weeks column I had commended the Armenian government for blocking Pakistans request for Observer status in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), due to Pakistans pro-Azerbaijan, pro-Turkey, anti-Armenia, and anti-Artsakh (Karabagh) policies. The Turkish media disseminated my column, although mistakenly attributing to the Armenian government my four suggestions to counter Pakistan at the UN, US Congress, Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), and support India in the Kashmir conflict with Pakistan. Armenian-Americans should continue their efforts to cultivate good relations with the Trump Administration and Members of Congress in order to counter all anti-Armenian attempts by Azerbaijan, Turkey and their high-priced lobbying firms in Washington! NEWTON The Catawba County Board of Commissioners swore in three returning elected officials Monday morning at the 1924 Courthouse in Newton. County Commissioners Barbara Beatty and Dan Hunsucker along with Register of Deeds Donna Hicks Spencer all renewed their terms as county officials. All three of the officials ran unopposed in the 2016 election. Beatty has served as a commissioner since 1996, Hunsucker since 2000 and Spencer since 2004. Commissioners also had to approve appointments for the chair and vice chair positions at the Monday morning meeting. Randall Isenhower will continue to serve as the chair of the board and Beatty will continue her tenure as vice chair. North Carolina State Rep. Mitchell Setzer administered the oath to Beatty while North Carolina Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Nathaniel Poovey swore in Hunsucker and Spencer. The board recognized and awarded Suzanne White, library director for Catawba County with the Library Director of the Year award. White accepted the award along with other library staff members. I have a lot of incredible colleagues across the state and the nationall I can say is we are a team; we work better together, she said. The board approved the consent agenda, which approved the granting of an easement to Piedmont Natural Gas of a parcel of land 0.118 acres in size. PNG is conducting a line replacement project that requires crossing of county owned property. PNG offered $7,000 to the county as payment for the easement, according to documents provided by the county. County Chief Financial Officer Bob Miracle and Paula Hodges of Martin Starnes and Associates presented the commissioners with the reports of the Fiscal Year audit and financial report. Our audit encompasses the entire county, Hodges said. The county still maintains excellent financial status for the year. Catawba County ranked as the seventh lowest millage rate out of 27 similar counties in the state, according to auditors. Retail sales also are up in the county and recently overtook Iredell County. As a result, sales tax revenues have increased. Catawba County is the 17th largest county in the state and is ranked 12th for retail sales, according to the report. Sixty percent of retail sales in the Unifour take place in Catawba, while only 43 percent of the population lives within the county. Overall, the countys credit ranking and financial score are very good, Miracle said. The meeting concluded with a presentation for strategic planning regarding internet connectivity in the county. Zachariah Arthur Carl, 31, of Newton, faces charges of one felony count of second-degree murder, one count of driving while impaired, one count of failure to stop for a red light, one count of possession of an open container, one count of driving with license revoked and one misdemeanor count of probation violation. Second-degree murder is defined as either an intentional killing that is not premeditated or a killing caused by dangerous conduct and lack of concern for human life, according to NC general statute 14-17 (b) (1). In court, Carl requested a court-appointed attorney. Barkley appointed attorney Adam Milsaps to represent Carl. Carl said nothing else during his appearance. The victim was Michael Howard Vanderburg, 43, according to a press release from the District Attorneys Office. Vanderburg was killed in the collision. Vanderburg was a preacher at the Abundant Life Church of God in Hudson, N.C. Other members of the Vanderburg family were in Vanderburgs minivan at the time. The release states they were taken by EMS to an area hospital. This is a horrific tragedy, District Attorney David Learner said. As I told the judge, it was a random act of violence. There is never a good time for something like this to happen, but right here, three weeks before Christmas is probably one of the worst times. In court, Learner requested an increase in Carls bond to a $1 million cash bond. This defendant has previous driving while impaired convictions. In the interest of public safety, I would ask for a significant bond be set, said Learner to Barkley. Barkley approved the district attorneys request. Carls previous DWI convictions were on July 25, 2011 and Aug. 13, 2015, according to Learner. Should Carl meet the bond, he faces a number of other criteria. These include no alcohol, no controlled substance, no contact with the victims family, electronic house arrest and alcohol monitoring. Carl is held at the Catawba County Detention Center. His probable cause hearing is scheduled for Dec. 16. Learner notes that Carl is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The NC State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the case. 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/ A range of measures has been instituted in recent times to deal with the scourge of corruption, including the demonetisation of the high-value notes. Indian industry welcomes these steps, which help infuse transparency and probity into the business environment. However, care must be taken to distinguish between corrupt and legitimate activities or actors. One of the measures, the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 (L&L Act), was introduced for dealing with complaints of corruption against public servants. The definition of public servant, however, includes a gamut of directors, managers, secretaries or other officers of societies, associations and trusts that receive government funding of more than Rs 1 crore or foreign funding more than Rs 10 lakh for their charitable or philanthropic activities. Going by this definition, public servants should furnish particulars of their assets and liabilities as well as those of their spouses and dependent children to the authorities. Non-compliance with this will be imply that the official has acquired the assets through corrupt means and is liable for action against him/her under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988. There are several ambiguities in the L&L Act, which, in current form, strongly discourages the participation of citizens in social and humanitarian activities. In recent times, the Prime Minister has undertaken a number of seminal initiatives that envisage greater engagement of non-governmental organisations, civil society and ordinary citizens. For instance, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan places the responsibility of constructing public toilets on the private sector. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), the expertise of civil society is being leveraged with authority to manage strategic operational issues. Read: LS approves amendment to Lokpal Act for deferring asset filing So, the current definition of public servant in the Act also brings into its ambit persons who neither perform a public duty nor receive emoluments from the government or enjoy authority or representation in the service of the government. Officials or directors of trusts, societies and associations, therefore, can in no way be included under this definition. Read:Lok Sabha passes Lokpal, Lokayukta amendment bill without discussion Financial irregularities by institutions and individuals are, in fact, covered through several other pieces of legislation and policies such as the Indian Penal Code, the Prevention of Corruption Act, the Foreign Currency Regulation Act, the Companies Act, the Income Tax Act and so on. One repercussion of the provisions of this Act could be loss of talent in the NGO sector, if eminent personalities opt out. It is estimated that there are more than 3 million functioning NGOs with about 18 million persons serving on their boards, most of them on an honorary basis. Some of these could prefer to step down rather than be subject to onerous additional declarations. One suggestion is to allow organisations to notify one of their key officials as a point person who would be responsible for compliance and liability, while excluding all other directors and employees. Secondly, there is need to define the extent of financing by the government as many organisations receive tax incentives, grants or other assistance. Instead of the vague term wholly or partly financed, the threshold could be set at 75% or more of an average of three immediately preceding financial years operating budget received from the government. Third, it is suggested that the provision to include organisations receiving foreign currency under Section 14(1)(h) should be deleted altogether, since this is covered under the FCRA. These are private funds and their misuse or diversion does not constitute corruption as in the L&L Act. Reworking the L&L Act would contribute to the participation of prominent individuals, specialists, and experts in social, philanthropic and charitable work and ensure their invaluable voluntary engagement with Indias development. Chandrajit Banerjee is director general, Confederation of Indian Industry.The views expressed are personal. Congress MLA Govind Singh on Tuesday raised a query during question hour on Tuesday that stumped Madhya Pradesh minister of state for general administration department Lal Singh Arya. Singhs question, raised in his absence by fellow party legislator Ramniwas Rawat, inquired of the subjects and dates of letters written by Bhind representatives to the collector for development programmes. It also wanted information on whether the general administration department approved the letters. The Congress MLA also wanted to know if a record of the letters is maintained and if the administration had intimated him about a July 18 letter that he had sent, asking for photocopies of the acknowledgement letters sent to him. In reply, Arya said yes to the acknowledgment letters but was unable to provide any proof of the same. Rawat accused the ministers reply of being vague and asked the minister to not make a mockery of a constitutional body like the state assembly. Speaker Sitasharan Sharma instructed the minister to ensure that an adequate reply is given to Singhs question and photocopies of the acknowledgment letters also be provided. Later, during Zero hour, Rawat, acting leader of the Opposition Bala Bachchan and other MLAs alleged that the government had failed to give replies to many petitions submitted in previous sessions. On this, Sharma instructed parliamentary affairs minister Narottam Mishra to ensure that pending petitions are replied by the next session. IAS officer Ramesh Thete and his suspended colleague, Shashi Karnawat, stepped up the offensive against additional chief secretary Radheshyam Julaniya by lodging a complaint of caste discrimination against him at the Anusuchit Janjati Kalyan (AJK) police station in Bhopal on Tuesday. Thete, a Dalit, told HT that Julaniya had violated an order passed by the panchayat and rural development ministry simply to target him. In January, I was empowered to hear and decide cases as a secretary of the panchayat rural development ministry. However, Julaniya stayed the order in November. He violated the rules solely to target me, because I am a member of the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe community, he said. Thete and Karnawat approached the AJK police after participating in a rally held at Ambedkar Park to mark the 60th death anniversary of social reformer Babasaheb Ambedkar. They asked superintendent of police Dhananjay Shah to take action against Julaniya under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989. Police will investigate the matter, and take action accordingly, said Shah. Thete said he had even urged the panchayat and rural development minister to look into the matter. The minister asked Julaniya to vacate the stay on the order, but he ignored the directive, he added. Karnawat, who has accused the Madhya Pradesh government of victimising her over her caste, said she would observe a fast unto death if Thete did not receive justice. Julaniya refused to comment on the charges against him. God bless them. My best wishes was all he said in response. The Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday claimed no child in Gwalior division and Sheopur district had died due to malnutrition in the last three years. The comment comes barely three months after the state governments official spokesperson Narottam Mishra assured that a white paper on the status of malnutrition in the state would be prepared. The National Human Rights Commission had issued a notice to the chief secretary in September following media reports that 116 children had died allegedly due to malnutrition related ailments in Sheopur district in the last five months. In a written reply to a question on malnutrition deaths in Sheopur district and Gwalior division, state minister for women and child development, Archana Chitnis told the House that there have been no deaths due to malnutrition during the last three years in Gwalior division and Sheopur district according to the health management information system record that was provided by the health department. Former home minister Babulal Gaur had enquired how many children died from the two regions since 2013 and what action had the state government initiate, if any, against the officials. In her response, Chitnis said there was no question of taking action against any officer as there were no malnutrition deaths. Earlier, principal secretary (women and child development) and principal secretary (health) had rushed to Sheopur in September following a media outcry on malnutrition deaths. Chitnis had then directed senior officials to submit a detailed report on the ground situation of malnutrition in Sheopur district and about deaths due to malnutrition. Sheopur district recorded the highest proportion of malnutrition at 55 %, according to National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) released earlier this year. The Saharia tribals, one of the three most primitive tribes of Madhya Pradesh living in villages around Sheopur, are the worst affected. According to NFHS4, MP stands second in the context of malnourishment after Bihar. Over 42 % of the children under five years in the state have stunted growth and 42.8% are underweight, according to health indicators released earlier this year. The data also shows that 68.9 % children aged 6-59 months are anaemic. Replying another question, Chitnis said work on preparing the white preparation was on, but could not provide the date when it would be brought out. Farhan Akhtar entered the film industry as a director, but he hasnt donned the film-makers hat for some time now. Instead, he has opted to act and sing. The actor is now looking forward to his next production Raees. Farhan is also foraying into digital media with a web series. As for acting in an online production, he says, All avenues are open if something interesting comes my way. HT Cafe catches up with him for a quick chat. Can you take more risks with your choices as an actor than as a director or a film-maker? Every job comes with its share of risks, challenges and rewards. You try and do your best. Your efforts are to be as honest as possible in your storytelling. At times it works, and at times it doesnt. I feel that it defeats the purpose of what we are trying to do if you function with a safety net in a creative field. I think we have to take risks as storytellers. We have to try and push the envelope. Otherwise, whats the point? You have been part of story-driven films. Will you ever take up a no-brainer entertainer or a slapstick comedy? I would love to do a comedy [film]. I got the chance to do a bit of comedy in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011). I had a wonderful time. But comedy is serious business. Its not easy. People imagine comedy to be the easiest genre to work in. But its really tough to make people laugh. It is easier to move people through drama. With comedy, the timing of all the actors, the body language everything plays a huge role. And as for a no-brainer, a certain amount of brains is required to create a no-brainer (laughs). I think I might do one. Feels good to be back in training with my main man @samir_jaura.. chalo bowdy banayen dobaara.. #stayfit #stayclean A photo posted by Farhan Akhtar (@faroutakhtar) on Nov 27, 2016 at 11:13pm PST You have dabbled in different genres as a film-maker and an actor. What genre would you never take up? For me, personally, the areas I am not comfortable venturing into would be anything that gets into borderline vulgarity or being crass. Those are the areas I am not happy to get into. But that aside, if it is a great comedy that I know will work, and will make people laugh, then sure, why not? Your first web series is being produced on a big scale We are working on a web series, which is being shot and produced. I think it is going to be the first show that will be released on the digital platform, first one out of India. We are excited about that. Thank you #RajeshPratap .. loved your new collection.. was an honour to walk for you. #trueartist #GQFashionNight A photo posted by Farhan Akhtar (@faroutakhtar) on Dec 4, 2016 at 9:57pm PST On the music front, you perform live regularly. How different is this one than any of your other concerts? To start with, there is great energy in any festival, such as Enchanted Valley Carnival. I think because of the kind of festival that it is it does allow a little bit of experimentation with sound. We may do a couple of songs that we dont get to do in other places. What do you like about music festival as an artiste? You get to discover other artistes, their works, and get to meet fellow, like-minded music-loving people. It is a great atmosphere; it is quite fun. There is so much to see and listen to. I would say it is such a joy to discover new music and discovering new talent. The actor was last seen on screen in Rock On 2, and as a filmmaker, is producing Raees and his first web series Powerplay. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The makes of the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Raees decided to tease fans with a new look from the much-anticipated film ahead of the grand launch of the movies trailer on Wednesday afternoon. Khan shared a new poster from the upcoming film that is set for release on January 26 next year. SRK looks completely different from the first look that was shared earlier this year. While he looked like a serious, nonsense businessman in the earlier poster, the latest one shows him as a local goon. A few hours and we will get to see the trailer of the film. Sources from the sets told Hindustan Times that everything - from SRKs pathani suit to the surma to the glasses - was handpicked after long experiments. For example, the glasses that SRK wears inn the first poster, play a very integral character in the film and were chosen only after SRK tried 50 different glasses. Aaj Raees ka naya poster dekho kal trailer dekhne ko milega! Ab #ApnaTimeShuru pic.twitter.com/D0p8ivqtHE Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) December 6, 2016 Director Rahul Dholakia was very specific with the glasses as he wanted to give an edgy look to SRKs character. Shah Rukh Khan had to try more than 50 glasses to get an exemplary look for his Raees role, the sources reveal. SRK in the first poster of Raees. Moreover, the makers had approached vendors from Bengaluru and China to find the perfect glasses that could suit SRK and blend in the entire look. Follow @htshowbiz for more Britains competition watchdog has fined Pfizer a record 84.2 million pounds ($106.5 million) for its role in ramping up the cost of an epilepsy drug by as much as 2,600%. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) also fined Flynn Pharma 5.2 million pounds for overcharging for phenytoin sodium capsules, following a dramatic price hike in 2012. The CMA had first accused the companies over the matter last year. As a result of the price increase, spending on the capsules by the National Health Service rose from 2 million pounds a year in 2012 to about 50 million in 2013. The CMA said UK prices for the capsules were many times higher than elsewhere in Europe. Pfizer used to market the medicine itself, under the brand name Epanutin, but it sold the rights to Flynn, a privately owned British company, in September 2012, after which the product was debranded and the price soared. The decision to debrand the drug, or make it available as a generic product, meant that it was no longer subject to price regulation. The companies deliberately exploited the opportunity offered by debranding to hike up the price for a drug which is relied upon by many thousands of patients, Philip Marsden, chairman of the CMAs case decision group, said on Wednesday. These extraordinary price rises have cost the NHS and the taxpayer tens of millions of pounds. Pfizer, in a statement, disputed the CMAs decision and said it planned to appeal all aspects of the verdict. The US drugmaker said the medicine had been loss-making and it was therefore forced to consider whether it could continue supplying it. Pfizer added that the price set by Flynn was actually 25 to 40 percent less than the cost of an equivalent tablet form of the medicine from another supplier. No one was immediately available at Flynn for comment. ($1 = 0.7903 pounds) Ahead of the extraordinary general meetings (EGMs of six Tata Group firms called to remove Cyrus Mistry as director, Tata Sons interim chairman Ratan Tata on Wednesday told shareholders that the continued presence of the ousted executive in respective boards is a serious disruptive influence, and can make companies dysfunctional. In a letter to shareholders seeking their support to the special resolution moved by Tata Sons to remove Mistry as director, Tata said Mistry was removed as the chairman since Tata Sons board lost confidence in him and his ability to lead the conglomerate. He also said the deliberated action to remove Mistry by the Tata Sons board was taken after the relationship with him steadily deteriorated, and several attempts to remediate went unheeded. Tata said Mistry was appointed as a director of various Tata group companies only as a corollary to his being the chairman of Tata Sons. The right step would have been for him to resign as director. Unfortunately, he has not yet done so and his continued presence as a director is a serious disruptive influence on these company boards, which can make the company dysfunctional, particularly given his open hostility towards the primary promoter, Tata Sons. Read| Cyrus Mistry caused huge financial loss to group firms: Tata Sons Mistry was offered an opportunity to step down voluntarily from the chairmans position, which he rejected, he added. The board of Tata Sons lost confidence in him and in his ability to lead the Tata Group in the future. As a final step he was offered an opportunity to step down voluntarily from the chairmans position, which he rejected and said that it should be taken up at the Board. Read| A leader must command trust: Lessons for India Inc from Tata-Mistry fight The RBI on Wednesday did not allow Stanley Pignal, the South Asian business and finance correspondent for the Economist magazine, to attend the central banks bi-monthly monetary policy press conference. Pignal later put out a series of tweets about RBI not allowing access. Ive been critical of new governor not speaking to press, did not expect RBI to freeze us out of press conference. Its their call obviously, he tweeted. When HT contacted, the RBIs spokesperson said that the matter was between the Economist correspondent and RBI, and that it can be discussed and sorted out between the two. The RBI spokesperson also spoke to Pignal subsequently. The Economist had recently carried a series of stories on demonetization and on how the new RBI governor Urjit Patel has not been talking to the media. Pignal later also tweeted that the RBIs decision to exclude the Economist from the press conference was not related to the magazines coverage of the demonetization issue. E-commerce company ShopClues is going the Paytm way, but with a different focus. The company on Tuesday launched Reach a services that will enable merchants who are not on Shopclues platform to make digital payments. Recently, Paytm also launched a point-of-sale feature on its app, mainly targetting roadside vendors and those who do not have point of sale machines . ShopClues, however, wants to focus on small shops with no more than five employees, and those who transact offline. We are not going after the chai wala (tea stalls) and vegetable monger Our intention is to go after a large number of offline merchants, said Sanjay Sethi, co-founder and CEO, ShopClues. This will allow ShopClues, which already has half a million merchants (most of them are small shopkeepers) on its platform, to attract more merchants from smaller towns and cities, especially where card-swiping machines are hard to come by. While less than a million shops in India have swiping machines, most of them are concentrated in bigger cities. The new service will allow merchants to send a message to buyers at the store with a link. Once the buyer clicks on the link, it gets connected with a payments gateway, where all digital payments credit and debit cards, mobile wallets and net banking are accepted. But an internet connection is mandatory. ShopClues, however, does not want to launch an offline model like others. Paytm is working on a feature phone-based application, while MobiKwik has already launched one. We want to reach out to people who dont buy or sell on ShopClues, and you dont need a wallet to pay, Sethi said. A big change considering that since ShopClues came into existence in 2010, it has only served merchants who listed products on its platform. Once merchants use the platform for receiving money, they will slowly list their products, Sethi said. Once the products are listed they will use the sites ad platform, take loans and use its inventory management services. The Reach feature will also help large merchants on ShopClues to find smaller ones and sell to them. For a company like ShopClues, which sells products in the unstructured low-price category, organising the supply chain (creating demand and supply) helps in mobilising large number of transaction, Sethi added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Tata Steel has pledged to stay in Britain with a 1.0-billion investment plan to support steelmaking at its Port Talbot plant in Wales and elsewhere, unions said Wednesday. Steel unions have today secured a commitment from Tata Steel to secure the future of jobs and production at Port Talbot and other steelworks across the UK, read a statement issued by trade unions Community, GMB and Unite. This proposal comes eight months after Tata announced their original intention to sell their UK steel assets. A number of significant measures include keeping two blast furnaces at the South Wales plant for five years and a commitment to seek to avoid compulsory redundancies for a similar period. Tata will commit to a ten-year investment plan of 1.0 billion ($1.3 billion, 1.2 billion euros) to support Port Talbot and secure the future of other sites. And it will launch consultations on closing and replacing the costly old British Steel pension scheme which it inherited with the purchase of steelmaker Corus in 2007. The unions added that, after meeting with company executives at the Port Talbot facility, the latest proposal was welcome. The past year has been incredibly difficult for steelworkers and their families, said Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of the Community union. When Tata announced in March that they planned to sell the steelworks, no-one knew if they would have a job by Christmas. This proposal would secure jobs for years to come and bring serious investment not just to Port Talbot but to steelworks across the UK. Earlier this year, Tata Steel had announced that it was considering the sale of its loss-making British assets, blaming the decision on a global oversupply of steel, cheap imports into Europe from countries including China, high costs and currency volatility. At the start of July, it revealed that it was holding strategic discussions with several companies, including German conglomerate Thyssenkrupp, over the possible formation of a joint venture for European steel operations. In late November, the company agreed to start exclusive talks for the sale of its speciality steel assets to metal processing firm Liberty House. Tata currently employs around 11,000 people in Britain. Reserve Bank of India governor Urjit Patel was non-committal when asked, on Wednesday, whether the entire demonetised currency would come into the banking system. He said the demonetisation does have costs in the short term, but benefits in the medium and long term with more transparency, accountability and better security to fight terrorist financing, counterfeit notes and black money. The costs are what we are witnessing now in terms of inconvenience we are all aware of. The benefits are in the medium and long termWe will have more transparency, in terms of fiscal and tax compliance, we will be at a better place, our public finances could improve and very important is the collateral benefit is the cost of digitisation that is taking place, Patel said. The fifth bi-monthly monetary policy conference that saw a status quo on policy rates, remained more focused on the impact of demonetisation of 500 and 1,000 notes. Patel said the new currency notes have enhanced security and it will be more difficult to forge or fake the notes. The RBI chief added that the cost-benefit is going to catalyse and improve transparency and accountancy. In terms of cost of money as more digitisation takes place, the total quantum of paper currency that we require from the base level should come down, he told journalists. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The acute shortage of cash, after the demonetisation exercise, has hit the countrys mid-sized and smaller banks like Punjab National Bank, Yes Bank and Dena Bank more than their large-sized peers, including State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, ICICI Bank, Bank of Baroda and HDFC Bank among others. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been releasing the larger chunk of cash to the banking behemoths, while leaving just a tiny share for the smaller ones, banking sources said. So, smaller banks are finding it tougher to cater to the surge in customer demand for cash, and most of their ATMs are running dry, they added. Besides, there are over 4,000 currency chests in the country, of which SBI and its associate banks manage about a half, while more than 1,000 are managed by other public sector banks. Very few currency chests are managed by the mid-sized and smaller private sector banks, thereby making things ever more difficult for these lenders. This, many fear, could lead to a devaluation of their brand image. We are finding it very difficult and the share of cash that is coming to mid-sized or smaller banks is much less than bigger banks, so our ATMs are also mostly running dry and we have no way to refill them, a senior official at a mid-sized private sector bank told HT on the condition of anonymity. At a time when the government wants more number of banks to come in, customer trust is eroding from these lenders, since they are coming across as less efficient for no fault of theirs, another official of a small-sized public sector bank said. While RBI sources said the share of cash distribution depends largely on the customer base of a bank, a senior official of a mid-sized private sector bank said it was difficult to explain those dynamics to customers, who have been queuing up for as long as four to five hours. To add to the chaos, there are few takers for the new currency notes of R2,000. Till now, RBI has pumped in over R2 lakh crore into the system. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New Delhi A group of angry women blocked traffic on Netaji Subhash Marg in Daryaganj for half an hour after a bank allegedly refused to give them money. The women were waiting outside Bombay Mercantile Co-operative Bank since early morning hoping to get cash when the bank opened. Danish Swaleh, an eyewitness who owns a shop near the bank, said, The women had arrived at the bank early in the morning. The bank opened at 10 am but they were told that there was no cash. The women lost their cool and blocked traffic from 10.30 to 11 in the morning, he added. Police had to intervene after which the traffic was cleared. A bank official at Bombay Mercantile Co-operative Bank said they are not getting enough cash from the currency chest. We had demanded Rs 2 crore but we got just Rs 2 lakh that was exhausted on Tuesday even though we had put up a cap of Rs 4,000 per person, he said. Read more: Frustrated bank customers in Gurgaon take to roads The officials at the currency chest said the reason they would not be able to give us money was because their priority at the moment was banks that have salary accounts of people, he said. On Wednesday, we had no cash left to give. A bank official has gone to the currency chest hoping to get some cash, he added. According to reports, banks and ATMs are running on nearly 40% less cash than they would need. Most banks in Delhi are refusing withdrawal of Rs24,000 and ATMs dont dispense over Rs 2,500 per card. Some banks in the national capital are giving Rs 4,000 per person while those with better cash availability are disbursing between Rs 10,000 and Rs 14,000, against the specified limit of Rs 24,000. Despite recalibration of over 90% of the 2.2 lakh ATMs across the country, ATMs are still running out of cash nearly a month after demonetisation. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In the passing away of J Jayalalithaa India has lost a rarest of a rare political leader. Her exceptional leadership qualities made her stand out. Her personality presented an awkward mix. Though she commanded awe, yet at personal level, she was communicative, warm and extremely articulate. She never minced her words. It is difficult to forget interactions with her. There were several distinct features of her personality and political career for which she will be remembered. Her emotional connect with her people was unparalleled. She commanded unflinching loyalty and respect. Her constituents saw hope emanating from her. She inculcated a sense of faith in her people who believed that she could resolve all problems and lead them to progress. Her welfare model consolidated her emotional connect with the people who considered her a messiah. She had unparallel capacity to go alone on a path she decided for herself. She could walk alone. She showed determination. Adversity did not deter her. Political defeats and adverse judicial verdicts were part of her struggle. They could not write her off. She emerged stronger from every adversity. She converted these adversities by projecting them as wrong done to her and eventually emerged victorious. Political defeats were reversed and judicial verdicts were upturned. This enabled her to play the victim card. Read| Amma Jayalalithaa, a saga of grit and determination with few parallels She learned her politics while being in the job. Her politics was combination of both policy and welfarism. Her concentration on policy helped her to develop Tamil Nadu into a strong manufacturing State. She made Tamil Nadu into an investment destination. The increased resources with the Government helped her to pursue the politics of welfarism. Some considered her welfare politics as mere populism. She was convinced that the State needed to grow economically, earn greater revenues and use these revenues both for infrastructure and for poverty eradication. Her welfare model consolidated her emotional connect with the people who considered her a messiah. Her grip on administration and policy was complete. Amongst contemporary political leaders, Ministers and Chief Ministers that I have interacted with, most could discuss issues and policies in generalities. The finer details were left to the civil servants to explain. Jayalalithaa ji was a clear exception. She led from the front. She was always specific never casual. Her advisors and civil servants sat quietly around her when she guided the entire discussions. Her transformation from a cinema personality to a political leader was remarkable because of the substance and style that her politics represented. Whilst in Opposition, I discussed with her some of the alleged scams during the UPA regime. She could go into finer details of each issue with complete clarity. Later whilst in Government, the discussion of Central assistance to Tamil Nadu, the GST or the situation caused last year by the Chennai floods displayed her complete grip on each subject. The civil servants intervened in the discussion only when asked to. Otherwise, she was the master of all facts and arguments to support her viewpoint. Her articulation enabled her to emphasise what needed to be emphasised. Read| Tamil Nadu has lost a vociferous, fearless champion in Jayalalithaa One of her most sterling quality as a leader of regional party was her strong nationalist credentials. On issues such as terrorism, insurgency, external and internal threats, she rose to the occasion and spoke as a staunch nationalist. She would cast aside narrow vote bank considerations when it came to issues of insurgency either in Tamil Nadu or in any other part of the country. She knew clearly which side of the divide she was on. Her transformation from a cinema personality to a political leader was remarkable because of the substance and style that her politics represented. (The writer is the Union finance minister) All feudal societies have some markers. India has several: Caste wars, untouchability and honour killing. According to the data released by the government in Parliament on Tuesday, the country registered 251 honour killings in 2015 against 28 in 2014, recording a big spike in murders carried out by people professing to be acting in defence of their familys reputation. But it was not known how many women died because the government didnt provide a gender-wise break-up of the data for 2015. The killings are reported under two sections murder, which Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code deals with, and culpable homicide not amounting to murder, which falls under Section 304. Uttar Pradesh, which registered one case in 2014, topped the list the next year with 131 cases of murder with honour killing as the sole motive. Read: 792% spike in honour killing cases, UP tops the list: Govt in Parliament While the spike in honour killings is unfortunate, it reveals two things: Better reporting of cases and mindsets are finally changing in recognising the illegality of such actions, albeit slowly. While a lot is said about the need to change mindsets, it is a slow process and there is no guarantee that such a thing will happen within a time frame. What needs to be done simultaneously is pass a law that specifically deals with honour killing and speedy justice for victims. The problem today is that there are large numbers of cases of honour crime in which the culprits go unpunished and the slow justice-delivery system contributes to the growing impunity with which relatives and parents kill young people, who want to exercise their choice in relationships and marriage. Read: Honour killings are products of social prejudice against women As India doesnt have a specific law to deal with honour killing, law-enforcement agencies are forced to charge suspects under separate provisions of the IPC, depending on the scale of a crime. The government said in Parliament in 2014 that the Law Commission had recommended a law, the prohibition of interference with the freedom of matrimonial alliance Bill, to prevent honour killings and punish offenders. The Bill is still pending. Read: Honour killing still rampant. When will UP leaders rein in the khap panchayats In an article published in a national daily, Left leader Brinda Karat did not mince words on why India still doesnt have a law against honour killing: If we do not have such a law, it is because vote-bank politics, that requires the appeasement of the most retrograde social forces such as those who lead the orthodox caste panchayats, supersedes the responsibility of those in government, or for that matter any who aspire to be in government, to protect the constitutional and democratic rights of citizens. Its time Indias politicians bit the bullet on honour killing. India will establish a centre of excellence in information technology at Egypts oldest and most prestigious Al-Azhar University as part of an effort to enhance cooperation in education between the two countries. The centre will be set up in the engineering department of the university early next year, Indias ambassador to Cairo Sanjay Bhattacharyya has said. Bhattacharyya called on Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Ahmed el-Tayeb on Monday to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between India and the varsity on different issues. A group of The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), one of Indias leading computer IT organisations, had come to Egypt earlier this year and they met with people at Al-Azhar University from the department of IT and department of engineering to discuss the establishment of the centre, Bhattacharyya said. We expect that the centre should start very soon early next year. It will be located in the engineering department in Al-Azhar University, Bhattacharyya said. He said about 150 Indian students were studying in the varsity. The idea is that we would like to work with the youth over here in terms of advanced technologies, IT and give jobs because were very happy that Al-Azhar university, besides the teaching of theology also teaches other disciplines and has many faculties so we wish to be supportive, Bhattacharyya said. The Grand Sheikh was very supportive of the idea of the centre, and he wishes to look at this personally and then see its expansion in other Al-Azhar institutions across the country, he said. Noting that the India government will pay all the cost of the project, the ambassador said another major issue he discussed with el-Tayeb was Al-Azhars role in spreading moderate Islam. We have all seen the growing incidence of radicalism and terrorism across the world. Both, this region and the Indian region are not immune to it. We both have also suffered as has happened in many other parts of the world and we share the belief that Al-Azhar university have a very central role in bringing about more moderate, tolerant aspect of Islam which is appreciated in this region and in other parts of the world including in India, Bhattacharyya said. Following the direction of Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar to construct embankments along Ghata village, the forest department submitted a proposal in this regard to the divisional commissioner office last week. The forest department has proposed to construct five check dams in three months at a cost of 2-2.5 crore. The proposed structures are to hold the water run-off from the Aravallis, which causes waterlogging in Ghata, Wazirabad, Silani, Haiderpur Viran, Chakkarpur and Nathupur. After a detailed study of Ghata village, which took the department four months, we submitted a proposal to the divisional commissioner of Gurgaon. We are waiting for approval, Anand R, divisional forest officer, Gurgaon, said. Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar had ordered the construction of the embankments during his visit to Gurgaon on August 1. However, the divisional commissioner said he is yet to review the proposal. I will look into the proposal and decide its feasibility soon, D Suresh, divisional commissioner, Gurgaon, said. Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) had proposed the Ghata lake project in April and had sought the help of the Haryana Space Applications Centre (HARSAC) to conduct a survey. HARSAC conducted satellite mapping of the area and proposed 250 sites for construction of check dams. In July, the Haryana chief secretary said that the forest department should go ahead with the project as the land belongs to the department. Later, the conservator of forest, south circle, Haryana, MD Sinha, conducted a detailed study of the area to make an accurate estimate for the project. To improve the situation in the city during the monsoon, we submitted a proposal. Before the next monsoon, Ghata village will be ready to hold the rainwater, which otherwise floods the city, Sinha said. The Ghata lake, a seasonal water body, was documented in the Gazette of India (1883). The natural lake and the bundh were filled with water up to 50 feet, until five years ago, and covered 370 acres. This area also comes under the ambit of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900. This is the best time to construct the check dams. The plan is to trap the water at the foothills. Honouring the chief ministers motive to protect the area, we are expediting the project, Sinha said. Gurgaon had 117 ponds in 2000, but only six of these are traceable now. Experts said that the current trend might turn the area into a dry land. Also, a three-hour spell of rain can cause serious problems to residents if the check dams do not come up soon. Read more: 250 water pits planned in Ghata village could have saved Gurgaon from havoc SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Banks in Gurgaon have imposed their own cash withdrawal limits as the rush of the salaried section and pensioners is putting them under immense pressure. Banks are reporting that the supply of currency from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been reduced, whereas the demand has soared. A large number of people started queuing up outside banks from Monday as their salaries and pensions were credited to their account by the third of December. However, bank employees suggested them to withdraw only Rs5,000-Rs6,000 due to the cash shortage. On average, a bank branch is getting cash supply of just Rs80 lakh to Rs1 crore per day. The RBI has fixed the withdrawal cap at Rs24,000 per week, but the banks are not allowing customers to withdraw the maximum amount due to the cash shortage. I went to three different branches of my bank but they all denied withdrawal of more than Rs6,000 at one go. I need Rs22,000. Does it mean I will have to stand in queue four more times to withdraw my own money? Vipul Sharma, who runs a transport business, said. Traders have been allowed to withdraw Rs50,000, but they are unable to do so due to the shortage of cash. The manager of a nationalised bank in Sector 31 market said, We are requesting consumers to not withdraw large sums of money in one go. In fact, we are not able to give any consumer the maximum amount as it is being rationed. For the last one week, banks have been running dry and the situation has worsened after the pay day. Ramesh Chandra Nayak, the lead bank manager, said that banks have no option but to ration cash so that a maximum number of consumers are catered to. He admitted that there is a currency shortage and said that bankers and RBI are trying their best to increase cash flow. However, he said that it would take few days for the situation to normalise. ATMs also ran empty on Tuesday. On Monday, 712 of the 1,306 ATMs in the city were out of cash. Banks are demanding Rs2,000 crore per day, but are getting less that half the amount. Read more: Workers from other states find it hard to subsist in Gurgaon SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The district administration has adopted Fazalpur Badli village, 27 kms from Gurgaon, to develop it as a model cashless village. The roughly 3,000 residents of the village will be provided bank accounts, ATM and Rupay cards. Camps to open bank accounts and train villagers in cashless transactions started on Tuesday following the state governments initiative to develop at least one village in every district as a model cashless village. The state governments decision last week followed the Centres push to create a cashless economy. Since such an idea is far-fetched in rural areas where people not even have bank accounts, the government is focusing on holding camps and training villagers in cashless transactions through cards, online transactions, and mobile wallets. Making villages cashless is an uphill task, but generating awareness will yield some results, said Ramesh Chandra Nayak, lead district manager. He said the lead bank is holding camps to open villagers accounts so that they can start going cashless in a phased manner. The district authorities held a meeting with Fazalpur Badlis panchayat representatives and bank officials on Monday to streamline the process. Village residents are also being enrolled for Aadhaar cards whose numbers would be later connected to their bank accounts, said an official monitoring the drive. The administration has already started the process of carrying out cashless transactions in all government departments. Respective departments have ordered Point of Sale machines or swipe machines that are expected to be operational by next week. In its effort to boost cashless transactions, the Faridabad administration too has decided to provide two swipe machines to each of the 144 villages under its jurisdiction. The machines would be used to pay water and electricity bills and at public distribution shops. Veteran actor Helen Mirren says she is not sexy and argues with people for terming her as a sexual object. The 71-year-old actor said there is a difference between looking good and looking sexy, reported Female First. Helen Mirren speaks on stage at the 8th Annual Governors Awards in Los Angeles, California, US, November 12, 2016. (REUTERS) Im not sexy. If you see a painting you love, one that speaks to you, you can say, Oh my god, that painting is sexy. When (people say) Im a sexual object, Id argue - Im so not that. Its just something that gets hung on your back and you can never quite get it off, Mirren said. The actor, who has long been an opponent of sexism and ageism in the film industry, also pointed out at the importance of making people forget the labels that often go with certain ages. Its making people around you - directors, whoever - and making yourself let go of being a beautiful 30-year-old, or a distinguished 40-year-old, or an interesting 50-year-old. You just have to let go of whatever it is and move on. Follow @htshowbiz for more P.S. Retro: Leave Vano Siradeghyan alone! (video) After the change of power in 1998, the Pan-Armenian National Movement (HHSh) lived through hard times. Few people participated in the rally held by the HHSh and other liberal forces. Deputy Chairman of the HHSh Board Andranik Hovakimyan said liberal ideas would never be able to draw large crowds: Communists organize rallies much easier. TV viewers wanted Andranik Hovakimyan to confess that the HHSh had destroyed the Soviet Armenia, which was a flourishing country then, and that [second President] Robert Kocharyan simply continued looting the country. The HHSh representative agreed that there was looting while there were in power, but we have not been in power for three years. We have not formed a political majority in the National Assembly for three years. Everything could have been corrected and changed over years but we have seen the opposite. Andranik Hovakimyan said Robert Kocharyan should prove that he was right in the Karabakh issue, but there were rumours that Armenia was going to sell Meghri to Azerbaijan. HHSh board chairman Vano Siradeghyan fled Armenia only month ago to avoid criminal prosecution. Andranik Hovakimyan said he was unaware of Siradeghyans whereabouts. Viewers advised Mr. Hovakimyan to leave Siradeghyan alone; he is not in good standing. Andranik Hovakimyan died of a heart attack in May 2008. Fifteen inmates escaped from a government-run juvenile home in Transport Nagar here, prompting the authorities to launch an inquiry. The juveniles escaped through the main gate which was opened last evening and the matter came to light when a roll call was done later. The superintendent of the home lodged a complaint and a search has been launched to trace them, a police officer said. The juveniles were lodged at the home for rehabilitation. An official of the Child Empowerment Department said an inquiry was being conducted to ascertain the facts with regards to the incident. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran Lal Krishna Advani has expressed his ire over the repeated disruptions in Parliament post the governments demonetisation drive while holding both the ruling dispensation as well as the opposition responsible for the deadlock. Advani, who put forth his concerns before parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar, said both the government and opposition benches are party to the repeated disruptions in the parliament. He demanded that action should be initiated against those lawmakers responsible for the continued deadlock in both the houses. He also demanded that there should be a cut in their salaries for their adamant attitude. The BJP veteran asked the government to find a way out or ensure that Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan asks the protesting lawmakers to leave the parliament. Kumar later met minister of state for parliamentary affair S.S. Ahluwalia to chalk out the future course of action in parliament. Union Information and Broadcasting minister M. Venkaiah Naidu was also present in the meeting. Advanis outburst came as the demonetisation issue today continued to disrupt proceedings in the parliament. Since the beginning of winter session of the parliament, the opposition has been demanding a debate on demonetisation along with Prime Minister Narendra Modis participation in the same. Former chief minister J Jayalalithaa and former founding editor of Thuglak magazine, political commentator and fellow actor Cho Ramaswamy shared a long friendship that continued till their very last, and as fate would have it, passed away within few hours of each other. If Jayalalithaa found in Cho, a well-read intellectual on the sets when she was an actor, Cho saw in her a spark as a leader that he tracked all through his working life as the editor of Thuglak that drew heavily on wit, humour and sarcasm to narrate political stories tellingly. Read | Cho Ramaswamy, former MP who first proposed Modi for PM, passes away in Chennai Jayalalithaa may have been his friend, but he did not spare her when criticizing her government. Neither did she allow any concessions and targeted his publication, denying advertisements after Cho had invited one of her party MLAs, Karuppaiah, to address one of the magazines annual functions. In January this year, Karuppaiah had launched a stinging criticism of Jayalalithaa and her style of governance and was summarily expelled. But Jayalalithaa and Chos friendship survived the turbulence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with political commentator Cho Ramaswamy in August 2015. (PTI File Photo) Cho once described Jayalalithaa as a phenomenon. A little before 2011 assembly elections, Cho said, If Jayalalithaa teams up with Captain, she will be invincible. Tamil actor Vijaykanth, also known as Captain, heads the DMDK, which won 29 seats that year. Ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, he hit the nail on the head saying, Even all by herself, she will do very well in Lok Sabha elections. The AIADMK won 37 of the 39 Lok Sabha seats in the state. But Cho never sweetened his comments on Jayalalithaa. She does not take anyones advice, she has a mind of her own, he once said. Ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly elections in 2016 though, he seemed to back the then AIADMK chief when he said, Her government may be corrupt, but Jayalalithaa is still better than Karunanidhi. Describing Cho, Jayalalithaa once said, He is my friend, philosopher and guide. And although the two had disagreements, she still had a soft corner for the acerbic Cho. Nothing will happen to you, promise me you will be around for a long time, Jayalalithaa told Cho when she called on him last year at Apollo Hospital where he was admitted. Cho had been in and out of hospital in recent times and was admitted to the Apollo hospital for the last time about a week ago. But the good friend that he was, Cho kept his word and breathed his last after Jayalalithaa was laid to rest at the Marina beach. Also read | Jayalalithaa buried near MGR Memorial in Chennai, thousands bid teary adieu SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Samajwadi Party (SP) inducted Amar Singh in the partys central parliamentary board on Wednesday, giving him more power and say in the party affairs, including ticket distribution. Ramgopal Yadav, partys national general secretary, announced the induction of Singh, described as an outsider by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav during the Yadav family feud. Ramgopal is considered an Akhilesh camp member in party circles. In a letter dated December 6, Ramgopal said partys national president Mulayam Singh Yadav nominated Singh as a member of the board. Ramgopal wrote: I extend congratulations to you. I hope the party will get stronger with your experience and hard work. Mulayam had expelled Singh from the SP for six years in 2010. Without formally re-inducting him in the party, Mulayam got Amar Singh elected to the Rajya Sabha in May. In July, Amar Singh became an executive committee member of the SP. He was appointed the partys national general secretary in September. Ramgopal had said in Etawah on December 5 that he would have the final say in ticket distribution. Patients subscribing to ayurveda for treatment will also be able to seek health cover as the Centre has issued guidelines to insurance companies to this effect, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.. Patients at Central and state government hospitals, ayurvedic hospitals accredited by National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) or registered with a government authority will be eligible for health cover, MoS for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik said in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha. The guidelines specify 20 different kinds of ailments that can be included in a health insurance scheme. It also lists the cost of different kinds of therapies in order to provide benchmarks for calculating treatment expenditure to settle an insurance claim. According to the ministry, these guidelines are the outcome of consultations among Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), Ayurvedic Hospitals Association and Insurance Companies. Similar guidelines will be issued soon for Unani, Siddha, Yoga, Naturopathy and Homeopathy, the AYUSH ministry said. The Supreme Court rejected on Wednesday Azam Khans written apology for calling the Bulandshahr gang rape incident a political conspiracy, saying it was not unconditional as promised by the Samajwadi Party leader. A bench headed by justice Dipak Misra had objection to the three-page affidavit that continued to blame the media for misreporting Khans statement. If any word or deed of the answering respondent has caused any pain to the victims or their family, who have already suffered so much, then the answering respondent unconditionally and without reserve expresses his sincere and heartfelt remorse at anything said by him which may have unintentionally added to their suffering, read Khans affidavit. The SP leader had termed the July 29 incident by a group of highway robbers as an attempt to malign the Akhilesh Yadav government. The girls father moved the top court for action against Khan and in the wake of his statement sought the transfer of the case to the CBI. There should be no ifs and buts, the bench said, telling the counsel it was unacceptable. Senior advocate Fali Nariman, who is assisting the court on the issue of whether political leaders should be allowed to comment on gruesome crimes, asked the court to disregard the apology. This is not what he had promised, Nariman told the bench. Appearing for Khan, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said that his client wanted to use the word remorse instead of apology. Its difficult for me to say whether he (Khan) will say the word apology. He intends to say remorse instead of apology. The next date of hearing is December 15. A Bengaluru bank manager allegedly issued 149 demand drafts to a private firm and accepted payments in scrapped Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes to help convert illegal income worth Rs 71 lakh into legitimate money. Investigators from the Central Bureau of Investigation told HT that F Lakshminarayana, a senior manager at the Basavanagudi branch of Central Bank of India, allegedly issued the demand drafts for amounts less than Rs 50,000. A case has been registered against him. In this way, the CBI said, Lakshhminarayana helped convert Rs 71.49 lakh of black money into white. The demand drafts were purchased by two Bengaluru-based businessmen. This is the latest in a string of similar cases where individuals have connived with bank officials to launder illegal incomes and escape detection after the government recalled high-value banknotes about a month ago to stamp out black money. Bengaluru was recently been in the news after Rs 4.7 crore in the new Rs 2,000 notes were recovered from two state bureaucrats. In a separate incident, a deputy superintendent of police too was caught for allegedly trying to help some realtors convert black money to white. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A BJP leader has been arrested in Kolkata with unaccounted cash worth Rs 33 lakh and illicit arms and ammunition, barely a week after police arrested a youth wing leader of the party in Tamil Nadu and seized Rs 20.5 lakh in cash, including wads of new Rs 2,000 notes. Manish Sharma contested the last assembly election from Raniganj on a BJP ticket. Six others, including a Rajesh Jha, alias Raju were held by the Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police on Monday evening from an apartment in Baguiati on the outskirts of Kolkata. They were produced before a court on Tuesday and remanded to police custody. Out of Rs 33 lakh, Rs 31 lakh was in new currency in Rs 2,000 denomination. Seven firearms were also seized from their possession, said an STF sleuth. The BJP sought to control the damage following the incident. Sharma was suspended from the party in June because of his illegal activities, claimed Sayantan Bose, the state BJP secretary. Sharmas arrest is another embarrassment for the BJP after one of its members, Dilip Ghosh, who is also a doctor, was nabbed in the baby trafficking case by CID. The party has suspended Ghosh. The police said that they were looking for Rajesh Jha and his two aides Partha Chatterjee and Lokesh Singh. A murder case is pending against Chatterjee and Singh. The sleuths came to know that Jha had purchased a flat in Baguiati, posing as an agro-product businessman. We have come to know that they had exchanged their old currencies with the new and were procuring firearms in the city, said an STF sleuth. Jha, who was active in the coal mafia in Raniganj and Asansol for years and had earned a lot of black money. A day after 7 people -- including a BJP candidate from the last West Bengal Assemble polls -- were arrested with stacks of new banknotes, Union minister Babul Supriyo said two of the seven arrested are mafia dons who have links with the states ruling Trinamool Congress while terming his party functionary as a small fish. He rued the fact that he, along with other BJP leaders, wasted so much time campaigning for a person who has been caught doing things he should not have, and said that he was not disowning the BJP member and asserted that law will take its own course. I rue the fact that I waste so much of time. So many BJP leaders wasted so much of time campaigning for a person who seems to have been derailed from life and has been caught in doing things he should not do. And, therefore, law will take its own course, he said. Seven people were arrested in the eastern part of Kolkata for their alleged involvement in smuggling coal. According to reports, stacks of new currency notes were also recovered from them. Mastermind Raju Jha (46), Lokesh Singh (35), Manish Sharma (44), Krishna Murari Kayel (44), Sayan Majumdar (29), Partha Chatterjee (41) and Subham Bhowmik (28) were arrested by the Special Task Force of Kolkata Police. ...Manish Sharma and his photos with Babul Supriyo, its all over in the public domain. Seven people who are arrested, there are two people in that who are the real don. This guy (Sharma) is a small fish. Krishnakanth, he is mafia don who was part of Mamata Banerjees official delegation to Singapore in 2014. There are documents about that. The biggest mafia don who was arrested among the seven is Raju Jha...everyone is aware about how many crores was given (to the ruling party) by Raju as an understanding for illegal coal business in Asansol. I am waiting to see whether police, apart from Manish Sharma, are going to come up with details pertaining to these two gentlemen which points to the ruling party, he said. Asserting that he was not disowning the arrested BJP leader, Supriyo said, I am saying, if any person, who had dinner with me last night and if he is caught with some illegal activity today morning, I am going to say yes, you are a friend of mine but you have done something for which the law will take its own course. Supriyo said that no one can point out that either him or any of his party leaders had given ticket to this particular person for exchange of money. I am not disowning him. I am rather saying that I aggressively campaigned for him like I did for all other candidates in West Bengal. I did about 70-80 rallies. Obviously there are going to be hundreds of videos in which not only me but several other leaders are going to be seen because he was the candidate. We all campaigned for him, he said. The Union cabinet on Wednesday cleared Phase-I of the Rs 11,420 crore Pune metro rail project. The 31 kilometre link will have two corridors --- Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation to Swargate and Vanaz to Ramwadi. The proposed alignments will provide much needed respite to commuters forced to travel through some of the densest and heavily congested parts in the Pune Metropolitan Area. The city with a population of 5.2 million has inadequate public transport system. The metro will considerably reduce the traffic congestion and will bring in fast, comfortable, safe, pollution-free and affordable mass transportation system, said a senior Union urban development (UD) ministry official. The metro project will be implemented by the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited, a jointly owned company of Centre and the Maharashtra government. NKR Prime Minister make speech in US Congress NKR Prime Minister Arayik Harutyunyans speech at the event dedicated to the 25th anniversary of NKR independence proclamation Washington, D.C. The United States Congress December 6, 2016 Your Eminence Honorable Members of Congress, Ambassador Hovhannisyan, Dear compatriots, Ladies and gentlemen, I greet you all on behalf of the people and the government of the Republic of Artsakh as well as in my personal capacity at this already traditional event dedicated to the independence of the Artsakh Republic. The 25th anniversary is celebrated as a jubilee, and is an occasion to look back at the long path that we have crossed during these 25 years and to outline the forthcoming programs and projects. Making use of this opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude to all those individuals and institutions, who assisted in Artsakhs security and development in general, and in the organizing of tonights celebration in particular. It is symbolic for us to organize this event on the occasion of Artsakhs independence in the United States Congress as both our nations and states share the same values. About two and a half centuries ago, the American people fought for their independence and have built the homeland of their dreams, where the rights and freedoms of all peoples are respected, citizens have sufficient security conditions to create and to live. It is a country where great ideas are born and implemented. After 25 years of our own independence, we can state that the Republic of Artsakh has recorded considerable successes in regards to respecting and guaranteeing human rights and freedoms, building liberal market-based economy and a democratic political system. But we have not yet reached the desirable level of development for the political and socio-economic systems. What is more important, our people constantly face challenges and threats against their basic security needs. The reason for this is long not a secret, at least for us. We have a neighboring state, whose government glorifies maniacs who axed a sleeping Armenian officer in Hungary and beheaded our servicemen alive; a government that calls all Armenians of the world as their number one enemy and considers killing any Armenian as a primary objective. It is a country where the government propagated fascism-style enmity towards their neighbor even within schools and kindergartens, where the Armenian historic-cultural heritage is destroyed or falls victim to vandalism. Given the ongoing confrontation with such a neighbor like Azerbaijan, the people of Artsakh continue not only to survive for more than twenty years, but also to create and develop their own country. We have succeeded in considerably improving the quality of life in Artsakh. Let me bring some examples. During the last 20 years, GDP per capita increased 12-folds if it was $250 in 1995 now we have reached $3000 in 2015. Moreover, we have recorded a 10 percent average GDP growth rate, which can be considered a desirable pace for many countries. After the proclamation of independence, we transformed our Soviet planned economy into a free market system, which was not an easy task. But we were able to restore the ravaged economy during these years and guarantee economic freedoms and market competition. Using the international experience and taking into account our domestic peculiarities, Artsakh has been able to record the fastest pace of economic development and install probably the most attractive taxation policy in the region. Just imagine that even during the years of global financial economic crisis we recorded over 10 percent of GDP growth, realizing grand projects in the fields of hydroenergy, agriculture, food and textile industry as well as the mining sector. Thanks to these steps, Artsakh is fully self-sufficient now and even exports electricity to the Republic of Armenia. By the way, we produce electricity only from renewable sources without causing harm to our environment. As you see, the Republic of Artsakh has made its share of contribution towards the protection of ecology of the region, but we are deprived of the possibility of receiving international assistance. Wouldnt you agree that neither human rights nor environmental protection recognize borders and international status of countries? Restoration and further development of Artsakhs economy and ruined infrastructures became possible due to effective management of domestic resources and constant assistance and investments by Armenia and Diaspora. Besides, we continuously attract foreign investments, many of which have proved to be profitable and successful in Artsakh. For example, one of our largest investors is from Lebanon who owns our telecommunication company. Among numerous foreign investors, we have also Italian clothing brands. Another interesting example is the domestic production of black caviar, which was launched with a large foreign direct investment and the investor is expected to export black caviar from Artsakh very soon. I would like to emphasize here that we are not going to use black caviar in diplomacy, unlike some of our neighbors. With that being said, the development of our economy faces obstacles, too, and there are number of both objective and subjective hindering factors, most of which are conditioned by Bakus antagonistic policies. In particular, the Azerbaijani authoritarian leadership continues the blockade of the republics of Artsakh and Armenia, threatens to shoot down even our civilian planes, boasts about launching a large-scale war against our consolidating democracy, seeks to impede the activities of foreign companies and investors in Artsakh, makes obstacles for export and sale of the products made in Artsakh. I would run a parallel between these and a number of other obstacles and limitations with the sanctions and pressures carried out against the American people in the years of the American Revolution. The answer of your ancestors to those sanctions and pressures was the Boston Tea Party, the American Revolutionary War and the construction of a democratic state. We also walk towards that direction, as we defended our homeland and our rights during the war and are now building a democratic and prosperous state, regardless of Azerbaijani pressures and limitations. Dear guests, The latest large-scale outbreak of the Azerbaijani hatred towards Artsakh and all Armenians was in April of this year, when the Azerbaijani army violated the 1994 tripartite treaty of ceasefire with Artsakh and Armenia and attacked the military positions and peaceful settlements of Karabakh. The Azerbaijani side mobilized thousands of special force soldiers, more than 10 helicopters, hundreds of tanks and artillery, rocket launch systems, which included forbidden weapon types. Our army could resist Azerbaijans sudden aggression and defend our population from massacre and deportation. Despite that, the Azerbaijani forces committed war crimes and other crimes against humanity. In particular, in Talish village they brutally tortured, mutilated, and killed three civilians, including a 90-year old woman. Using Islamic State methods, Azerbaijani soldiers beheaded three of our servicemen and tortured and mutilated the bodies of over 20 Armenian soldiers both alive and dead. Moreover, a few days following the attacks the Azerbaijani president decorated and glorified those criminals. Besides, Azerbaijans artillery was intentionally shelling peaceful settlements of Karabakh, which resulted in the death of a child who was walking school. The continuation of that policy was the statement released by the Azerbaijani defense ministry that they were going to bombard Karabakhs capital city Stepanakert. Bakus behavior in April was a terrorism committed and praised on the state level, which, unfortunately, again has not been condemned properly by the international community. Four days after the Azerbaijan aggression, the official Baku requested a ceasefire due to the painful retaliatory actions of our army as well as Azerbaijani failures and greater losses. However, we also had irreparable human and considerable material losses. Particularly, we lost tens of soldiers. Furthermore, more than 10,000 citizens, which is equal to 7 percent of Artsakhs population, had to leave temporarily their settlements near the frontline. As for the Talish village, its inhabitants left because of Azerbaijans ferocities and have not returned yet due to security concerns. Nevertheless, we are making efforts to restore Talish. The war also had its negative direct and indirect effects on the economy. The direct effect is over $20 million loss, while indirect negative impact will be felt for a longer period. Ladies and Gentlemen, In regards to the conflict resolution efforts, we welcome the steps of the co-chairs of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Minsk Group directed towards the stabilization of the situation and conflict settlement. The people of Artsakh highly appreciate the role of the United States within the frameworks of OSCE Minsk Group in the realization of necessary steps directed at the preservation of peace and final peaceful settlement of the conflict. We are glad that the U.S. shares our position in the protection of the rights of Karabakhi people and inadmissibility of military activities. From that perspective, we are also grateful to the seven US states - Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, Louisiana, California, Georgia, and Hawaii for supporting the independence of Artsakh Republic and our peoples right to self-determination. Like the whole civilized world, we also claim that the conflict must be resolved only through peaceful means without use of force or the threat thereof. At the same time, it is inadmissible and impossible to reach a successful conflict resolution without the equal and full participation of the main side of the conflict, that is the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. It must be stated that our inclination to resolve the conflict exclusively through peaceful means does not mean that we are weak or are not ready for a new war. No, friends, the Artsakh army has enough capacity and combat readiness to confront any harassment towards our people which is our sacred duty and responsibility. We simply value human life and, like the entire civilized humanity, we think that it is possible and needed to settle conflicts peacefully. I am sure, you realize that this position of Artsakh Republic is not only in our favor but also in favor of the Azerbaijani people. Moreover, due to our commitment to peace we can confidently assert that Artsakh is a reliable partner for the international community in providing regional peace and stability. It is important to say that despite the mediators' long-standing efforts, the official Baku's destructive and fascist policies have resulted in stalled and ineffective negotiations. Due to the false-parity and lack of strong condemnation against Azerbaijan by the international community as well as feeling empowered by the petrodollars and the false sense of impunity, Azerbaijan has gradually become more militaristic by arming itself and destabilizing the entire South Caucasus. The official Baku has not only openly violated the permissible limits of the conventional arms, but also boasts about it. International organizations have recorded many times that the Azerbaijani authorities export the authoritarian methods used against their own people, trying to implement those same methods against their neighbors and other states. Unfortunately, the whole world turns a blind eye to that dangerous behavior. I think the main aim of the international community, especially after the April aggression, must be the guarantee of peace not by blank statements but by practical measures of restraining and pressuring the aggressor Azerbaijan in the political, economic, and military fronts. In that context, the Azerbaijan Sanctions Bill authored by Congressman Chris Smith sends a strong message that human rights, freedoms, as well as the safety and dignity of individuals remain as the most important values of the civilized humanity. The Azerbaijani leadership must remember it once and forever, and the international community must understand that with further accumulation of heavy armaments in the region, the new war is going to be extremely devastating and destructive for both sides which in short time will make the whole South Caucasus face a serious humanitarian disaster. It is not hard to imagine what kind of negative consequences such a scenario will have for safety and security in the West, the Middle East and Central Asia. As one of the greatest US presidents John F Kennedy said, Mankind must put an end to war - or war will put an end to mankind." In the context of ensuring peace in the Karabakh conflict zone, we highly appreciate congressmen Ed Royce and Eliot Engels proposals which last year were introduced to the U.S. administration with the signatures of over 80 Members of Congress. As you know, they call upon the US authorities to get an agreement from all the sides to remove snipers from the frontline, to install advanced gunfire locator systems and sound-ranging equipment to determine the source of attacks, as well as, to deploy more OSCE observers along the line of contact to better monitor and investigate ceasefire violations. It is not surprising that the Republic of Artsakh , the Republic of Armenia and the OSCE mediators welcomed those proposals, while Azerbaijan refused. And why? Ill let you draw your own conclusions. We are pleased and grateful that there are many legislators in the U.S. Congress who are concerned about the future of our people and who share our values. We are also happy that in the latest elections the overwhelming majority of our friends in the Congress received the vote of the American citizens. I cordially congratulate you on earning that high trust and Im sure that it will contribute to further deepening of our friendship. We are grateful for the financial support that the US Congress and all Americans provide for Artsakh every year. I hope you know that it is the only foreign official support to the Karabakh people. Due to that humanitarian assistance, many lives have been saved, many infrastructures have been restored. I want to bring only two examples so that you can see the importance of the support you provide. Since 2000, with the American financial assistance the HALO Trust organization has cleaned 1848 hectares of mine fields in Karabakh, preventing possible unfortunate accidents. Let me inform you that if in the 1990s Artsakh had the highest per capita explosive remnants of war in the world, then now, due to the American support we have just over 722 hectare mine fields left to clear. So, thank you for the saved lives. Another tangible work was the support to construct a drinking water network in Stepanakert, due to which tens of thousands people have been provided with drinking water. This is something that had not been done even by the powerful Soviet Union. Thank you for providing our people with water. Our people will never forget your assistance. I am sure that more such projects are still to come. In particular, now there is a need to expand the existing Baroness Caroline Cox Rehabilitation Center in Stepanakert, which is a unique center providing humanitarian services to wounded and disabled persons. In the course of 18 years they have treated almost 1000 citizens per year from all age groups. In the meantime, the actual need is more than 10 times higher. For our population living in conflict conditions it is a center of vital importance. Besides, because of the military actions unleashed by the Azerbaijani side this past April, many families have suffered significant losses, and more than 500 inhabitants of the Talish village, as I mentioned, had to be displaced. Hence, now there are new humanitarian needs which also can be addressed with the American support. Dear Members of Congress, I call upon you to keep Karabakhs challenges in the center of your attention and to participate as much as possible in trying to solving them. Be sure that by that you are lending a hand to a people who walk on the democratic path well known to you. Moreover, Artsakh is going to make a new step on that path by making some amendments in the Constitution. In particular, we have a goal to increase the efficiency of the political system, to make the guarantees of human rights protection as well as the strengthen the foundations of our statehood. However, it is a well- known fact that democracy-building is not an easy task, especially when you have to simultaneously struggle for basic security. But the people of Artsakh are very committed to these principles to ensure security without having to sacrifice our freedoms, as one of the founding fathers of the US Benjamin Franklin would say in order to deserve both democracy and security. Therefore, the Karabakh people's struggle is for the sake of universal values similar to the American peoples struggle for freedom in our region, which can also serve as an example for other people. Dear friends, our values are also your values. Our struggle is also your struggle. Our success is also your success. Let us stand together and support the victory of universal human values in another corner of the world. Thank you! The Centre on Wednesday told the Delhi High Court that it has decided to continue the use of 51 out of the 67 pesticides that have been banned world over, based on the recommendations of an expert panel. The Ministry of Agriculture submitted before a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal that the decision to continue the use of the 51 pesticides was taken based on the recommendations of the expert panel.The government said that of the 51, use of 27 pesticides shall be reviewed in 2018. The Centre also said that though the panel had recommended phasing out of six pesticides out of the 51 by the year 2020, any final decision would be taken after going through the objections and suggestions invited from general public and other stakeholders. Objections and suggestions have also been invited regarding the recommended complete ban of 13 other pesticides, the ministry told the bench. The government, however, has accepted the panels recommendation to ban use of one pesticide, fenitrothion, in agriculture. In view of the submissions made by the government, the petitioner who had sought immediate ban of some the pesticides withdrew his PIL to file a fresh one challenging setting up of the panel and for constituting a fresh one. The Centre, in its report placed before the court, has said that ban on Endosulfan would continue as it was ordered by the Supreme Court. Regarding use of DDT, the ministry has said that it was being used by health departments in limited quantities for vector (mosquito) control programmes and any final decision to ban it would be taken after receiving comments of Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage (DPPQ & S). The petitioner, K V Biju had alleged conflict of interest against the expert committee for having representatives from the pesticide industry who, it claimed, had vested commercial interest. It had contended that the panel had heavily relied upon the inputs of these members from the pesticide industry. As per the petition, the expert panel was set up by the Agriculture Ministry to look into 67 pesticides which were banned in other countries but continued to be used in India. A grieving Chennai appeared to move on with life on Wednesday hours after millions of weeping mourners paid their respects to chief minister J Jayalalithaa, belying fears that the beloved leaders death would shut the state down for days. The streets of Tamil Nadus capital city was packed with cars and buses on Wednesday morning as shops and restaurants opened and people started trickling back into offices. No doubt, it was a tragedy for all of us and we had observed mourning yesterday. But we need to move on, said Krishna, an auto driver, parked in front of a hotel in the heart of the city. Many shops and establishments had quickly downed shutters on Tuesday as news spread of Jayalalithaas passing, fearing riots and violence by her legions of followers who trooped into Chennai from all over the state. But there was little disorder as thousands of teary-eyed followers climbed trees and statues and thronged a British-era hall to catch one glimpse of their amma. Educational institutions remained closed for the second consecutive day, as the Tamil Nadu government announced holidays for three days. But it was business as usual in the government offices, though attendance was said to be very thin. Many restaurants, including that of the famed Saravana Bhavan chain, were unusually deserted. Hospitals and medical shops were the only places with some crowds. Educational institutions remained closed for the second consecutive day, as the Tamil Nadu government announced holidays for three days. But, it was business as usual in the government offices, though attendance was said to be very thin. Ripples of grief surged continued to surge through the city, however, as people cutting across class and gender lines term the six-time chief ministers death a tragedy. I feel sad that a strong leader like her [Jaya] has passed away. She spoke for our needs. We have lost that voice, says Thangam, an elderly woman in Anna Salai. I dont believe in any political party but Jayalalithaa was there for the poor, added Selvam, who runs a tea stall near the Eldams Road-Anna Salai junction. Read| From Puratchi Thalaivi to Amma: Jaya firmly established her political legacy The politician was laid to rest with full state honours just after sunset on Tuesday, next to her long-time costar and political mentor MG Ramachandran as hundreds of dignitaries and politicians, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, looked on. Many said they were forced to go out because of a cash crunch following the Centres recall of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes a month ago, with long queues in front of the few ATMs that were open. For the last two days, we survived without a penny. I have been waiting for the last 45 minutes in the queue to get some money today at least, said Srinivasan, an engineering student, standing in front of a Bank of Baroda ATM at Pondy Bazar. Others said the city returned to normal as many had mentally prepared for Jayalalithaas death. That is precisely why her death did not come as a shock and hence, it did not affect the normal life, observed a police official at Theyagaraja Road. Ramesh and his taxi driver friends said will not be working for three days, despite the financial loss. That is there. But look how great a leader Amma was. This is the little we can do, he said. Read| Not Amma to all: The other side of Jayalalithaas legacy Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the government of manipulating the process of selecting the CBI director by appointing a junior officer to head the premier investigating agency. The government did not name a full-time chief but ordered last week Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana to hold additional charge as CBI director after Anil Kumar Sinha retired on December 2. Asthana, who supervised the initial investigation into the Godhra train burning incident when he was inspector general of police, Vadodara range, is said to be close to both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, both from Gujarat. In a strongly-worded letter to Prime Minister Modi on Monday, Kharge said the government did not convene a meeting of the panel that approves the appointment of the CBI director. The government circumvented this process by giving the 1984-batch officer additional charge. The law does not lay down any procedure for an ad hoc appointment, Kharge said. The CBI chief is selected through a collegium comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition or the largest party in opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India. Kharge is a panel member for being the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha. He alleged that the government vitiated and manipulated the process to preempt the decision to be arrived at the panels meeting. The CBIs credibility demands that a meritorious and experienced officer of requisite seniority be appointed as its head, he said. After the NDA government came to power in 2014, it refused to accord the leader of the oppositions post citing that the Congress with 44 parliamentarians did not meet the criteria 10% of the strength of the 543-member Lok Sabha. However, it gave in following protests. Sources said Kharge was particularly infuriated at the way the government foisted Asthana, who had joined the CBI this April. He wasnt even the senior-most officer when Sinha retired; 1981-batch officer RK Dutta was. Dutta was edged out to a post created to accommodate him in the home ministry. It now appears that this was done deliberately to facilitate giving the charge of the post of CBI director to an officiating junior officer, Kharge wrote and asked Modi to convene a selection panel meeting immediately. Asthanas appointment has been challenged in the Supreme Court, which agreed on Wednesday to hear the plea on December 9. DMK chief M Karunanidhi was discharged from a private hospital in Chennai on Wednesday after a week-long treatment for nutritional and hydration support. The 93-year-old former Tamil Nadu chief minister was admitted to the Kauvery Hospital on December 1 after being treated at home for a drug-induced allergy. After medical treatment, he has improved substantially and was discharged from the hospital today, Kauvery Hospital executive director Dr S Aravindan said. In a statement, he said the DMK chiefs vital signs and bio-chemical parameters have normalised now. He has been advised rest and Kauvery Hospital will continue to assess and provide necessary medical and nursing care to facilitate his recuperation at home, he said. The drug-induced allergy has kept Karunanidhi out of public activities for the past one month. A Karnataka land officials driver who committed suicide left a note stating he killed himself because he was harassed for knowing how the officer converted into legal tender Rs 100 crore black money belonging to mining baron G Janardhan Reddy, said police. Ramesh Gowda, the driver of special land acquisition officer Bheema Nayak, stated in the note that this money was used in the lavish wedding of Reddys daughter in Bengaluru on November 16, the police added. More than Rs 500 crore was reportedly splashed on the wedding, but there are no official estimates or any put out by the family. Gowda also stated in the note that the black money was in Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination currency recalled by the government and he knew how Nayak got it changed for a hefty commission, said police. Read: Karnataka: I-T dept raids mining baron Janardhan Reddys offices in Bellary Gowda ended his life by consuming insecticide at Samrudh Lodge in Maddur town on Tuesday, inspector KR Prasad of Maddur police station in Mandya district, which is 100 km southwest of Bengaluru, said on Wednesday. In a suicide note, Gowda has alleged he was being harassed because he knew details of the conversion of Rs 100 crore worth of black money belonging to G Janardhan Reddy by Bheema Nayak for a 20 per cent commission, Prasad added. Prasad said Gowda alleged in the note he was being threatened by Nayak and another of the officers drivers, Mohammed. A case has been registered under section 306 (abetment of suicide) of Indian Penal Code against Nayak and Mohammed, Prasad added. Gowda has alleged in the note that Nayak was well acquainted with Reddy as well as his close aide B Sreeramulu, the MP from Bellary. Despite repeated attempts, Reddy, Sreeramulu and Nayak could not be reached for comment. Incidentally, the income tax department had surveyed Reddys offices in Bellary on the basis of a complaint lodged a day before his daughters wedding. Reddy is out on bail, granted by the Supreme Court, in a case of alleged illegal mining of iron ore. Read: Janardhan Reddys spending on daughters wedding is as strategic as extravagant SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Parliament logjam over demonetisation could end with the Congress on Wednesday giving up its demand for a debate under a rule that entails voting, hours after BJP veteran LK Advani embarrassed the government, lashing out at its failure to run the House. Parliament has not got much business done after it opened for the winter session on November 16, with the Opposition taking on the government over its decision to discontinue Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes that has triggered a cash crunch. The Opposition softened its stand during a meeting with speaker Sumitra Mahajan in the evening. Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge accepted Mahajans offer for a debate in the Lok Sabha without invoking any rules regarding voting but said the government should suspend all business to start the discussion, sources said. Congress partys chief whip Jyotiraditya Scindia and Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandopadhyaya also met the speaker. The government had not responded to the proposal till late evening. The meeting came hours after former deputy prime minister Advani berated the government and the Opposition for disruptions in the Lok Sabha. The BJP patriarch lost his cool after the House was adjourned for a second time in the day at 12.44pm. Who is running the House? Neither the speaker nor the parliamentary affairs minister is running the House This is disgraceful, he said. When parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar rushed to pacify Advani, who sits in the front row of the treasury benches, the BJP veteran said, I will say it publicly. The 89-year-old then left Parliament and did not return when the Lok Sabha reconvened at 2pm, only to be adjourned minutes later for the day. He was blaming the Opposition, Kumar later said. The change in the Congresss stance stemmed from the view that the party made its point through disruptions and it was time to corner the government during a debate, sources said. The government could accept the Oppositions demand, as it only had reservations about voting, sources said. If there were to be voting in the lower House, a similar demand could have been made in the Upper House, where the ruling coalition is in a minority. On the demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modis presence during the debate, the government said the PM would intervene but didnt promise his presence all through the debate. Things are moving in the right direction, Sudip Bandopadhaya told HT. The Congress and other opposition parties are likely to take a call on Thursday after hearing from the government. The Opposition will observe Thursday as black day to mark one month of demonetisation. Opposition MPs will wear black bands and hold a sit-in in the Parliament complex. Modi was in the Lok Sabha when proceedings began in the morning. But as soon as the question hour began, Congress, Trinamool Congress and Left members trooped into the well, demanding a discussion with voting. As protests grew louder, Modi left, having spent five minutes in the House. A source close to Advani said he was upset with Kumar and the speaker for not taking action against the five-six unruly MPs who have held the House to ransom. Somewhere he felt that the treasury benches were lacking in their duty to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament. Hence, he said in the House that both the sides are party to it (disruption), the source said. In the Rajya Sabha, finance minister Arun Jaitley lashed out at the Opposition, accusing it of running away from the demonetisation debate. Read| Janshakti is with govt: Modi snubs Oppn over note ban protests in House SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A rare, public eulogy of former AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa by her most vitriolic political opponent, DMK, has potentially raised hopes of better relations between the two parties which have fought some of the most ugly battles in Indian politics. A placard, with a paean written in Tamil, was put up by DMK workers on Tuesday at Marina Beach, providing a glimpse of the opposition partys changing views on the former chief minister who passed away in hospital aged 68. You are no longer there to take us on courageously, the DMK said. Even if there were a thousand more leaders ready to stand against us, will anyone be equal to a warrior like you? While we saw you as a warrior on the field of political elections, our commander-in-chief (Karunanidhi) and general (MK Stalin) had nothing but your well-being in their hearts, the party wrote, in stark contrast to the bitter attacks on one another over the last two decades. DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, who is himself admitted to a hospital for an allergic reaction, issued a statement mourning her passing away on Monday. His son, party treasurer and leader of the opposition MK Stalin, was more emotional, saying the death of Jayalalithaa was an irreparable loss for the people and state of Tamil Nadu. His sentiments were appreciated by Jayalalithaas party. When Stalin went to pay homage at the Rajaji Hall on Tuesday, AIADMK cadres in their thousands cheered him on. Read | Jayalalithaa was an iconic leader, irreparable loss to Tamil Nadu: Stalin Jayalalithaa and Stalin had exchanged courtesies after the former returned triumphantly to power in the assembly elections, leading many political commentators even then to believe the adversarial stance between the two Dravidian majors may be finally thawing. We wish to bury our acrimonious past, and forge a new path ahead, DMK spokesperson C Saravanan told HT after Jayalalithaas death. We join the people of Tamil Nadu and her supporters in mourning the passing of Jayalalithaa, an extraordinary leader. The genesis of their rivalry goes back to March 25, 1989, when DMK leader Durai Murugan allegedly attempted to disrobe Jayalalithaa inside the assembly. In 2001, Jayalalithaa, then the chief minister, paid back with equal measure when police swooped down on Karunanidhis residence at midnight and dragged him out, his clothes coming undone in the scuffle, under the glare of television cameras. But now, with the AIADMK without its towering leader and DMK too under a younger leader, most would believe the two parties will be able to keep their rivalry to politics. And the hope would be reinforced by the ending of DMKs note on Jayalalithaa. Where will we now find an able and equal contestant? Without you, we are in a state of despair. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Anguished over restrictions on withdrawals by their embassies, many foreign governments are contemplating reciprocal measures against Indian missions abroad terming the cash curbs as a serious breach of the Vienna Convention. In strong comments, Frank Hans Dannenberg Castellanos, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps which represents the voice of 157 foreign missions here, said the buck stops at PM Narendra Modis door and he should intervene to resolve the issue soon. Castellanos, ambassador of the Dominican Republic, said, I am not saying all governments will do that but there might be governments who are already studying the possibility of reciprocating through Indian diplomats in their countries. He said he had written a letter to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and the chief of protocol expressing concern over the restrictions. At the same time, he hoped the issue will be resolved soon and that such action by foreign governments will not be required. A 19-year-old Dalit girl has alleged that she was raped by a BJP leaders son at a hotel on the pretext of marriage in Surendranagar district, police said. The BJP leader is the president of Patdi taluka unit of the party, deputy superintendent of police M R Sharma said. The girl filed a complaint at Patdi police station alleging that 23-year-old Bittu Patel took her to a hotel and establish physical relations with her on the pretext of marriage. Both of them knew each other since schooldays and studied in the same college in Patdi town. The victim alleged that she was raped by Patel under the pretext of marrying her, Sharma said. He said an FIR has been registered against the accused and the girl has been sent for medical examination. Patel has also been charged under the Prevention of Atrocities Act. No arrests have been made yet, Sharma said. Sensing growing resentment against its December 30 deadline to make Goa a cashless state, chief minster Laxmikant Parsekar said on Wednesday no time frame could be imposed to implement such initiatives. I have asked the state commercial tax department to clarify on the issue (of cashless transactions). It cannot be made compulsory so they (the department) would clarify about it. I have been talking about it since two-three days, Parsekar told reporters in Panaji. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar and Parsekar had chaired a meeting last week, asking bankers to educate vendors, hawkers and the business community on how to execute cashless transactions. The CM had earlier set a deadline of December 30 for achieving cashless transactions, inviting criticism from opposition Congress as well as from within the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). There cannot be a deadline to go cashless. I have always said that it is not cashless, but could be less cash to start with. Goa can do it, Parsekar said. He dismissed reports that the state government will penalise those who failed to shift to cashless mode before the stipulated time frame. If anyone can have cashless transaction, they should have. We will pat the back of those who implement the cashless concept but if they could not, that does not mean we will be penalising them, the BJP leader said. Parsekar said the transactions could be conducted through mobile phones. The youth in Goa are technology savvy. Considering all these factors, Goa can be the first cashless state, he added. The BJP-led state government had drawn flak over the move, with Congress terming the cashless push as a doom for the coastal state, which earns significant revenue from tourism. Goa unit BJP general secretary Sadanand Tanawade had on Tuesday asked the government to refrain from forcing the people to have cashless transactions within a stipulated deadline. The state goes to polls in 2017. Turkologist: Turkey has tilted towards the Islamic world (video) Turkey became isolated not only in the region but in the entire world, Hakob Chakryan, an expert in Turkish studies, said on December 7. He says the recent visit of the Turkish FM to Russia and its consequences show that Turkey has not normalized its relations with Russia yet. On November 23, the Council of Europe decided to freeze EU-Turkey relations as long as Turkey has not lifted the state of emergency in the country and released opposition MPs, he said. The Turkologist says the situation is chaotic in Turkey. Turkey has tilted towards the Islamic world but I would not say that Islamic countries are fascinated by Turkey, he added. Asked whether Turkeys isolation can influence Armenia, Hakob Chakryan said, Armenia does not have diplomatic relations with Turkey, therefore it cannot make a change for us, but Turkeys policy in the region throws an obstacle in the relations between the United States and South Caucasus. Perhaps, this is the reason why the United States no longer considers Turkey its strategic ally. The government on Wednesday gave the nod for an MoU with Afghanistan in the field of outer space, the signing of which will help India gain a foothold in Kabuls strategic space and communication sector. The MoU envisages cooperation between the two countries for application of space technologies in education, agriculture, weather forecasting and telecommunications, a statement here said. It will also enable cooperation in rural health, sanitation, urban development, resource mapping, navigation and remote sensing. The MoU will help in developing Afghanistans space sector and burnish Indias credentials as a nation with advanced space technology, one that can also assist other countries, the statement said. Further, the cooperation will also boost high-tech jobs in the two countries in both core Science & Technology and R&D fields. The government on Wednesday asked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the probe into the November 29 suicide attack on an army camp in Nagrota, Jammu and Kashmir. Read | 7 soldiers, including 2 officers, killed in militant attack on Nagrota army camp In compliance with the instructions issued by the ministry of home affairs, the NIA has re-registered the case under FIR 221/2016 registered at Nagrota police station, said the agency. Seven army men and three heavily armed suicide attackers were killed in the attack. The attackers had planned to take women and children as hostage but army men managed to neutralise them. Sources said the agency was roped in because of its expertise in cases with international ramifications and the Nagrota attack had a clear imprint of Pakistani involvement. The NIA has registered the case under relevant sections of the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. A team reached Nagrota to take over recoveries made from the attackers. The recoveries made from the attackers will be matched with the items recovered during earlier attacks to see which terror group was involved. Items with Pakistani markings and communication devices had been recovered from the dead attackers, said an official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Read more | Attack on Nagrota army base exposes major security, intelligence failures The Hurriyat Conferences invite to tourists and pilgrims to visit the Kashmir Valley received conflicting responses from the BJP and its government at the Centre, with the former dismissing it as absolute hypocrisy and the latter hailing the initiative. Two factions of the Hurriyat Conference and the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), which have been spearheading the five-month-long unrest in Kashmir, had in a surprise joint statement on Tuesday night invited tourists and pilgrims to visit the Valley to enjoy the traditional hospitality of its people while promising them safety. Tourism minister Mahesh Sharma welcomed the initiative by the separatist groups and said New Delhi was prepared to see that the tourism industry flourishes in the Valley. Tourism will change the shape of the Valley and will bring glory back...as a tourism minister I welcome their initiative and, of course, other calls will be taken by the government of India, Sharma said here. Kiren Rijiju, minister of state for home affairs, said J&K was a very very important sector and everybody should promote tourism there. If there is peace in the Valley, tourism will flourish there and if tourism increases, it will economically benefit the state and its people. Promotional tourism is absolutely necessary to revive the economy because it is a very important part of their social life, Rijiju said. But BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav expressed doubts over the separatists intentions. I consider it a spelling mistake. They wanted to say terrorists but ended up saying tourists. They only welcome terrorists and no one believed such statements coming from their side. If they want peace in the Valley, they should stop Calender-Baaji (the weekly calendar released by separatists containing agitational programmes during the strike). They should stop terror if they want tourists. On one hand, you instigate terrorists, close down schools, markets and paste calendars and on the other, you stage such a drama. I think it was a spelling mistake, he said. Madhav termed it as absolute hypocrisy on part of the Hurriyat leadership. If they want tourists, they should first ensure peace absence of which is the biggest hurdle in bringing back and normalcy in the state, he said. Madhav also hit out at National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah for supporting the Hurriyats call in this regard and questioned the leaders change of mind. Farooq Abdullahs statement is very unfortunate and surprising. He is the same Farooq who used to release statements against Hurriyat Conference in Kashmir Valley and today suddenly he wants to move forward on the path of the Hurriyat, he said. Abdullah, while addressing his party workers at a function to commemorate the 111th birth anniversary of his father and party founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah at Hazratbal on December 5, had said his party was not against the Hurriyat and supported the Kashmiris demand for their rights but it would not tread the wrong path for achieving these goals. (With PTI inputs) The Delhi Police cyber cell has identified five IP addresses in different countries from where the official Twitter account of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi was hacked. The information was sent to Delhi Police by Twitter. The investigators will now write to the server heads of the countries to identify the systems from where the tweets generated. Sources said that the tweets were reportedly generated from accounts based in the United States, Romania, Canada, Thailand and Sweden. The Twitter account history accessed by us reveals that the tweets were generated from accounts operated from these countries, a senior police officer said. Police have written to the internet service providers for more details, which will help identify the persons and login details of the accounts used to hack in. Further scrutiny of the data of the two accounts revealed they were accessed on November 30 between 9:15pm and 9:30pm and on December 1 from 10:30am in Bengaluru, where the main server of the INC media operation is located. The Delhi Police will also write to the five countries asking for the details of the users. If the details provided by them are unsatisfactory, or if they refuse to share the information, we will issue a Letter of Retreat (LR) to the competent courts in the five respective countries seeking more details, a senior police officer said. The history details of the Congress server are yet to be obtained. Rahuls account was hacked on November 30; the following day, the official account of the Indian National Congress (INC) was also hacked. The hackers then flooded Twitter with derogatory tweets. The Indian Navy deployed four ships on Wednesday to rescue about 800 tourists stranded on the Havelock island in Andaman and Nicobar after a tropical storm unleashed heavy rains, making it unsafe for vessels to sail in. A navy spokesperson said four ships had set sail to bring back the tourists, but rough weather was impeding the operation. The ships are presently waiting off the island. The group of islands has been pounded by heavy rains and winds for the past few days, severely affecting travel to the mainland. It wasnt immediately clear how many days the tourists have been stranded but some reports said it could be about 2-3 days with many of them running out of money. Officials said the choppy seas and the heavy swell in tide had made the rescue operation difficult for civilian authorities, which then sought the help of the navy. #HADR Dist betwn Port Blair & Havelock-25Nm/50kms.Ships waiting off island. Evacuation Ops delayed due very rough weather @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/n9Jw4sSb7N SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) December 7, 2016 #HADR Indian Navy swings in2 action 2 evacuate 800 stranded tourists at Havelock Is. 4ships sailed ex Port Blair & in area @SpokespersonMoD SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) December 7, 2016 According to ANI reports, the naval ships deployed were Bitra, Bangaram, Kumbhir and LCU 38. Thousands of tourists from India and abroad visit the Andamans every year including the islands of Havelock and Neil known for their sun-soaked pristine beaches and water sports, including snorkelling to sea walking. October-to-February is considered the best time to travel to the islands, which also house the famous Cellular Jail in capital Port Blair, built by the British to jail dissenters. All three defence wings the army, navy and air force have bases in the Andamans. Commercial airlines said they have begun waiving charges for passengers cancelling or rescheduling their flights to the Andamans due to the adverse weather. In view of current weather situation in Andamans,Vistara is waiving penalties for changes to travel plans to & from Port Blair (1/2) Vistara (@airvistara) December 6, 2016 Due to Bad Weather at Portblair, all Departures/Arrivals and their consequential flights may get affected. (1/2) SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) December 6, 2016 The cyclone warning division of the Indian Meteorological Department said the archipelago will receive heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours due to a depression over southeastern Bay of Bengal. The depression was centered around 1,260 km south-southeast of Vishakhapatnam, and 260 km west-southwest of Car Nicobar, one of the islands in the archipelago. In July, a Russian-made AN-32 plane of the Indian Air Force with 29 people went missing while flying from Chennai to Port Blair. An attempt to steal 38kg of gold worth Rs 6.95 crore from a branch of Manappuram Finance Ltd in Bihars capital Patna early on Tuesday was thwarted thanks to the use of smart technology, police have said. The heist at the gold-based lenders Boring Road branch in the heart of Patna was prevented after the firms employees received alerts from their Kerala office. Officials at Manappuram, which has 12 branches in Bihar, said they alerted the police but some of them refused to take any action. Thieves had reportedly snapped the close circuit television (CCTV) camera and internet connection wires but the sensors installed at the office had already sent a message to the control room. The advanced security surveillance system at Thrissur alerted the firms managing director, regional manager Vinay KK, marketing manager Usha Chandran in Guwahati and senior manager (security) Sachchidanand Pandey in Patna at around 1.54am. Pandey said he also received a computer-generated SMS on his cellphone as soon as he got calls about the attempted burglary from his bosses in Guwahati and Kerala. I immediately set off on foot, as I stay close to my office. I came across a police patrol party on Boring Road, which refused to help me. As I proceeded towards my office, I found two other constables on patrolling and they accompanied me, Pandey, a retired deputy superintendent of Bihar police, said. The burglars, armed with gas cutters and other accessories, managed to cut the main shutter and three of the five layers of reinforced iron door of the strongroom, where the gold was kept, before police arrived. The burglars managed to cut the main shutter and three of the five layers of reinforced iron door. (HT Photo) When we reached, I found one person running away. One of the cops tried to chase, but the thief disappeared in fog and darkness, Pandey said. The police suspect that five people were involved in the robbery bid. One of them has even been caught on CCTV camera. I am recommending suspension of the assistant sub-inspector on Boring Road who refused assistance. I am also recommending that two other constables of Budha Colony police station who were on patrolling be rewarded for their timely help, Kotwali deputy superintendent of police, Shibli Nomani, said. The shutter gang, with roots in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, was active in the two states in 2015. They reportedly looted around 38 cooperative banks in Araria, Darbhanga, Supaul districts of Bihar besides others in UP. After the Centres demonetisation drive, gold prices have surged following a huge demand for the yellow metal, making them the prime target for heists. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi while raising the issue of deaths due to various causes across the country after the November 8 demonetisation. How many more lives will be lost for Modi babu? Banerjee said on a social media website while retweeting a post by Trinamool Congress spokesperson Derek OBrien. Earlier, Trinamools parliament member Derek OBrien tweeted a list of 88 people who he said had died while standing either in queues at banks or ATM kiosks or committed suicide due to lack of cash after demonetisation. There was a state-wise breakup of the deaths, names of the victims and the cause of their death. Sad. No end to corruption and yet at least 87 people have now died #NoteChaos #DeMonetisation Listed by State/Name/Cause of Death pic.twitter.com/79ZxLAUPBL Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 5, 2016 J Jayalalithaas legions of devotees had immolated themselves in her defence in the past but when their beloved Amma died on Monday night, they were strangely calm and disciplined in mourning. Her party, the AIADMK, said late on Wednesday that 77 people died of shock across Tamil Nadu following news that their resilient Amma couldnt pull through after a cardiac arrest. It promised to pay Rs 300,000 each to the families of the deceased. Official reports put the death toll at nine till evening. But whatever the number, it could have been a nightmare had Ammas supporters behaved the way they did when she was arrested in September 2014 after a Bengaluru trial court convicted her of corruption in a disproportionate assets case. About 244 people died of shock or committed suicide then, while mobs ran riot. Police prepared very well did barricading for crowd control, which was effective. They factored in every aspect of the situation, drawing from past experience and placed policemen and rapid action force (RAF) units wherever needed, said R Natraj, an AIADMK legislator and a former director general of police. Barring frayed tempers and minor scuffles, the state and its capital, Chennai, remained peaceful. Thousands of mourners filed into the landmark Marina beach for a final salute at the grave of the 68-year-old former chief minister and matinee idol. They wailed and beat their chests, but remained disciplined. The reasons are not far to seek. The AIADMK leaders prolonged illness since September, the month she was admitted to Apollo Hospitals, and her oscillating health gave the administration and the people enough time to prepare for the inevitable. Since news about her health came out of Apollo Hospitals and the party in fits and starts, people were prepared for the eventuality, said psychologist Chitra Arvind of Manas, an NGO. Yes, it is difficult for her supporters to accept it. But there was no impulse for them to commit suicide, as was the case before. Even die-hard supporters were reconciled to the inescapable fate this is a natural death, an act of god. Read| Chennai gradually returns to normal after Jayalalithaas death Word went out to the partys rank and file to maintain strict discipline as it was the greatest homage that they could pay to Amma not to bring discredit to the party, said C Ponnaian, an AIADMK spokesperson. Pickets and preemptive action checked the outbreak of violence, while meticulous preparation helped manage a sea of crowd and VVIPs who turned up during Jayalalithaas burial on Tuesday. Across Tamil Nadu, about 100,000 police personnel were deployed, their leaves cancelled. In Chennai, 10,000 rookie constables and 1,000 trainee sub-inspectors were on duty, supplementing the regular security set-up. A police officer said the closure of state-run Tasmac liquor shops for three days helped too because there were fewer drunken brawls that could have escalated into mass violence. Read| Not Amma to all: The other side of Jayalalithaas legacy SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday stressed on the need for converting the Line of Control as a permanent border and initiation of talks with Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue. How will you resolve Kashmir issue without talking to Pakistan? The two countries have to talk to each other. Also the Centre needs to initiate talks with the constituents of Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir to find an amicable solution to the issue, the National Conference (NC) president said during the Agenda Aajtak event in New Delhi. He warned that if the Centre continued to ignore Kashmir, it will be up in flames once again. ... Fire is there which can be low on intensity for some time but it can again rise. Till when will we sacrifice the lives of our people and soldiers, he asked. I know many people will not like it but there is only one solution to the Kashmir issue which is that this part of Kashmir remains part of India and that part of Kashmir remains part of Pakistan, Abdullah said. He had last year claimed that even former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had offered Pakistan to make LoC permanent border during his Lahore visit in 1999. The former chief minister said that the Centre should take precise steps that can solve the Kashmir issue so that people live there peacefully and prosper. As of now, there is no progress. I would like people to remember when (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee went to Lahore, he said that India regards Pakistan as a nation and look forward to living in peace. People fear to visit Kashmir... Why is this fear, this fear should not have been there. He said that Kashmir joined India because of its secular credentials where people from different religions have equal rights. But we are hearing voices today that India is a Hindu state and everyone is Hindu. Does this mean that a Muslim, Sikh or a Christian cannot be an Indian, he asked, adding the government should allay these fears by crushing such communal voices. If you want to save India, then hold on to that thing which is in the Preamble in our Constitution... If you keep the country united, the nation will progress, he said and warned that if these communal forces keep on creating a divide in the society, the nation will not progress and there will be enemies within the country. The time has come when we look into the mistakes and try to correct, heal people. Not to kill. Today, young children are out on the streets, fighting and your minister announces that because they did the demonetisation, things have stopped. We will have to see which direction we want to move. We will have to find the ways which will make the nation stronger. Do not relax or rest after witnessing little things like exams that are being conducted, stone-pelting is stopped, Abdullah said. He warned that the simmering discontent among the people needed to be addressed quickly otherwise the spring next year may again see bloodshed. We will have to find the medicine of the pain, he added. PDP MP from Baramulla Muzaffar Hussain Baig said if the Kashmir issue is not resolved in the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, then it cannot be solved ever. Though Pakistan has been isolated on the international front, Indian government will have to rethink its Kashmir policy. Modi should unite other Saarc nations and confront Pakistan in resolving the persistent issue, Baig said. Myanmar has banned workers from going to Muslim-majority Malaysia as relations sour between the neighbours over a bloody military crackdown on the Buddhist countrys Rohingya minority. The move came after Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak lashed out at Myanmars de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi for allowing genocide on her watch during a rally Sunday in Kuala Lumpur that drew thousands of people. The crowds were protesting against a military crackdown in Myanmars western Rakhine state that has pushed more than 20,000 Rohingya Muslims into Bangladesh. Survivors have told AFP horrifying stories of gang rape, torture and murder at the hands of Myanmar security forces, while dozens have died trying to cross the river that separates the two countries. Buddhist-majority Myanmar has long discriminated against the stateless Rohingya and the recent crisis has galvanised protests in Muslim countries around the region, including Malaysia. We want to tell Aung San Suu Kyi, enough is enough... We must and we will defend Muslims and Islam, Najib said at Sundays 5,000-strong rally. The world cannot sit and watch genocide taking place. A Malaysian government minister has also called for a review of Myanmars membership inside the regional ASEAN bloc. Myanmar officials have denied the allegations of abuse and Suu Kyi has told the international community to stop stoking the fires of resentment. Late Tuesday Myanmars immigration ministry said it had ceased issuing new licences for its nationals to work in wealthier Malaysia -- for years a top destination for migrant labour. Myanmar has temporarily stopped sending workers to Malaysia from 6/12/2016 because of the current situation in Malaysia, it said in a statement, without elaborating. Malaysia already hosts tens of thousands of Myanmar workers, most of whom take on low-paid jobs in factories or in the food and hospitality industries. According to Malaysia, some 56,000 Rohingya have arrived on its shores in recent years, many taking perilous boat journeys to flee poverty and discrimination in Rakhine state. But on Tuesday former UN chief Kofi Annan, who heads a commission on troubled Rakhine, told reporters he thought the crisis would not split the region apart. I think it can be contained. There is a possibility here to contain what is going on, he told a news conference in Yangon at the end of a week-long visit. Read| Myanmars Rohingya recount killings, rapes, burnings back home The government is not considering any proposal to provide reservation for general category people belonging to economically weaker sections, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday. At present, there is no proposal under consideration to provide reservation for economically weaker sections among general category people, minister of state for social justice Krishan Pal Gurjar said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. The ministers reply assumes significance as earlier his colleague in the same ministry -- Ramdas Athawale -- had pitched for reservation to the poor belonging to general category. Athawale had said the reservation limit should be raised to 75 per cent from existing around 50 per cent, giving the additional 25 per cent quota to economically weak people of general castes. However, the change should be made without tinkering with the current reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs, the RPI(A) chief had said. At present, according to the Constitution, 15 per cent seats are reserved for SCs, 7.5 per cent for STs and 27 per cent for OBCs in central government-funded higher education institutions, jobs and even in elections. A bed-ridden Egyptian woman weighing 500kg was granted visa on Wednesday by Indian Embassy in Cairo following intervention by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. Eman Ahmed, 36, a resident of port city of Alexandria, was issued the medical visa hours after a Mumbai- based bariatric surgeon requested Swaraj to help the woman travel to India for her treatment. Thanks for bringing this to my notice. We will definitely help her, Ms Swaraj tweeted in response to the request. A few hours later, Muffi Lakdawala, who a philanthropist, tweeted that Indian Embassy in Cairo granted the visa to Ahmed. Embassy in Cairo called Visa granted. Thank you so much for this prompt response, impressed Appreciate the help @SushmaSwaraj, Lakdawala said. Earlier, seeking Swarajs intervention, he had said Eman weighs 500 kg and has been refused the visa. Maam , Eman Ahmed (Egypt) 500kgs requested me 2 save her pls help me get her a medical visa as refused thru normal process @SushmaSwaraj, he had tweeted. Ma'am , Eman Ahmed (Egypt) 500kgs requested me 2 save her pls help me get her a medical visa as refused thru normal process @SushmaSwaraj pic.twitter.com/93Fwz6m8iL Dr Muffi Lakdawala (@DrMuffi) December 5, 2016 Embassy in Cairo called Visa granted.Thank you so much for this prompt response,impressed Appreciate the help @SushmaSwaraj @CODSIndia01 Dr Muffi Lakdawala (@DrMuffi) December 6, 2016 Ahmeds weight prevented her from pursuing her studies as she dropped out of school due to weight gain. She would be will now be airlifted to Mumbai for surgery in a specially arranged chartered flight, said medical news website My Medical Mantra. Amidst Indo-Pak tensions, Pakistan has rejected a consignment of 10,000 bales of cotton worth USD 3.3 million from India citing violation of plant quarantine rule by importers. The shipment of ginned cotton at Karachi Port was imported by seven textile mills. It was rejected by the Plant Quarantine and Certification Services Office, Ministry of National Food Security and Research Department of Plant Protection, Dawn newspaper reported. The rejection sent shock waves in the textile industry which has been striving for permission to import cotton from India, the report said. Last year, 2.7 million bales worth USD 800 million were imported from India to make up for the shortfall after cotton crop failure. The customs deputy collector informed that the consignment was imported in violation of the Pakistan Plant Quarantine Act 1976 and Rules 1967 and said the consignment would be returned to India at the expense of importers. The private sector has imported around 1.2 million cotton bales from different countries and orders for 0.3 million bales of Indian cotton have been placed, according to officials. According to the textile industry leaders the cotton imported from countries other than India was cleared by the customs authorities without any issue, the report said. Zahid Mazhar, senior vice-chairman All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma), was critical of the government policy of not allowing cotton imports from India. He said unbridled arrival of cotton yarn from the neighbouring country was causing injury to the domestic spinning industry. The industry needs around four million bales of imported cotton this year to meet the supply shortfalls, he added. The country is expected to produce around 10.05 million bales this year against an estimated demand of 15m bales. India is the second largest textile and clothing exporter in the world, contributing around 5 per cent to the global textile and clothing trade, said India Brand Equity Foundation, a trust established by the department of commerce, ministry of commerce and industry. The chief election commissioner (CEC) has asked the income tax department to stop giving exemption to political parties that dont contest elections because many of these outfits could be fronts to siphon off black money. Political funding in India remains a grey area, with most parties skirting disclosures under rules that make naming the source mandatory only when donations cross Rs 20,000. They are also exempt from income tax. The election commission (EC) suspects many registered parties, which exist only on paper, might be taking advantage of these legal loopholes to route dodgy cash. There are over 1,900 registered political parties in India. After every two days a political party is registered. They hardly contest elections. Many of them are used as conduits for siphoning off black money, chief election commissioner Nasim Zaidi said on Wednesday. Only 400 of them contested polls during 2005-15, he said. The commission has asked chief electoral officers of all states to inform it about such parties. Zaidi demanded total transparency in funding of parties as recommended by the law commission, saying only 20% or Rs 20 crore, whichever is less, of a partys fund could be allowed to remain anonymous. There are over 1,900 registered political parties in India. After every two days a political party is registered. They hardly contest elections. Many of them are used as conduits for siphoning off black money. Lamenting that the EC could register political parties but didnt have any power to de-register them, Zaidi said the commission has written to the law ministry on a series of electoral reforms, including prevention of abuse of money, transparency in funding of political parties, decriminalisation of politics and making paid news an offence. The CEC said the representation of people act (RPA) should be amended to give powers to the commission to countermand an election on the ground of distribution of money to unduly influence the electorate, or politicians bribing voters. In the 1980s, booth-capturing was a big problem but we managed to check it after Section 58A was added to the RPA giving power to the commission to countermand or cancel elections. We want Section 58B to be added for misuse of money during polls, Zaidi said. The commission had to use its plenary powers under Article 324 of the Constitution in May 2016 to cancel elections in two Tamil Nadu assembly seats. Every year (around) 2.5 crore young people cross the age of 18 and become eligible to vote. But the law allows their registration only once a year on January 1. Due to this provision, crores of eligible youth are deprived of their right to vote, he said. In Jammu and Kashmir, electoral rolls are revised four times a year since 1957. Why cant it be done in the rest of India? It can be done at least twice a year on January 1 and July 1. The CEC also pitched for a rule to set aside a candidates election if that person is found furnishing an affidavit with false information Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered all assistance on Wednesday to Indonesia which was hit by a powerful earthquake, killing nearly 100 people and causing widespread destruction. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Aceh over the calamity today. India stands ready to render any assistance required, Modi tweeted. An earthquake of 6.5-magnitude struck Pidie Jaya district in Aceh province in Indonesia at dawn. So far 97 people have been killed and the number keeps growing, Aceh military chief Tatang Sulaiman told AFP. When we retrieve bodies sometimes theres five, sometimes 10 corpses. More than 1,000 soldiers and about 900 police have been deployed to the worst-hit areas to set up shelters and evacuation points, he added. Hundreds of houses and shops had been levelled by the quake, leaving countless people homeless and in need of basic supplies like food and water, officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the Opposition on Wednesday for triggering repeated disruptions over the governments demonetisation exercise in Parliament that has stalled proceedings this winter session. At a weekly meeting of the BJP parliamentary party, Modi said: What some opposition parties are doing is undemocratic and the issue should be debated in Parliament. Modi said his governments decision to scrap high-value banknotes --- announced a month ago --- was a major reforms exercise aimed at weeding out black money. He said the move had received massive support from the people, endorsing the results of a stock-taking survey carried out through his official app. Modis surprise announcement on November 8 to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes has sparked chaos and confusion across the country, with millions of consumers queued outside banks and ATMs to change a limited number of old notes for new ones or withdraw cash. The government has stressed the move, which met with the Oppositions resistance, was aimed at fighting corruption. Read | Govt didnt have enough time to prepare for demonetisation: Piyush Goyal With the demonetisation issue rocking the Rajya Sabha again on Wednesday, finance minister Arun Jaitley too blamed the Opposition for using the tactics of disruption on a daily basis rather than resuming the discussion that started on the first day of the winter session (on November 16). The Opposition disrupts proceedings for one reason or the other. I challenge them to begin the debate if they have courage, Jaitley said in the Upper House. At the BJP parliamentary party meeting, Modi referred to previous instances where Parliament had taken up issues that became talking points in the country. He rued that a constructive discussion on demonetisation was not being allowed by the Opposition, which had initially demanded Modis representation in the debate. Modi also drew a parallel between the polling process and the notes ban, saying there was a need to educate people about the benefits of cashless transactions in post-demonetisation days --- just like the way voters are educated about electronic voting machines during election. Janshakti (peoples power) is with the government on demonetisation, he said. His Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) passed a resolution hailing the perceived mass support and another demanding that Parliament be allowed to function and discuss the issue. The BJP parliamentary party also accused the Opposition of shifting goalposts on a debate in the House. Opposition parties are doing so for no valid reason, and as part of a political agenda. We have made it clear that the Prime Minister will speak in both the Houses, but they keep changing the goal posts, parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar said. (with agency inputs) Also read | PM Narendra Modi must defend his demonetisation move in Parliament SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two pilots of the IndiGo flight carrying West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, and four others from Air India and SpiceJet who had reported low fuel while hovering in Kolkata skies last week, have been taken off duty following a probe into the issue by aviation regulator DGCA. The regulator had ordered an inquiry to find out how three flights at the same time could fly low on fuel into Kolkata when the norms mandate them to carry enough fuel to enable hovering for 30-40 minutes as well as to carry it to the nearest diversion airport, which in this case was Bhubaneshwar. A row had erupted over the Indigo flight carrying Banerjee following Trinamool Congress allegations that the aircraft was not accorded priority in landing despite fuel shortage. A senior DGCA official said the six pilots have been taken off duty for one week while the air traffic controller, who handled these flights have been told to undergo corrective training. The official said the probe into the issue was still going on. Earlier in the day, an IndiGo spokesperson has said that two of its pilots who had operated its Delhi-Kolkata flight, which had the West Bengal chief minister onboard along with other passengers, have been taken off duty pending investigation. TMC vice-president Mukul Roy had alleged that a conspiracy was hatched to eliminate Banerjee and dashed off a letter to civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapati Raju, demanding a thorough inquiry by his ministry to unearth the truth. IndiGo on its part had said that its flight carrying the Trinamool Congress supremo was delayed due to congestion over Kolkata before making a normal landing and had adequate fuel. In a statement, IndiGo had said the flight 6E 342 with 174 passengers on board made a normal landing at Kolkata airport and that its captain did not declare a fuel priority or an emergency, though there was some misunderstanding between the Air Traffic Controller and the pilot. TMC had raised the issue in both Houses of Parliament alleging that Banerjees flight was made to hover over Kolkata airport for about half an hour despite the pilot reporting that the plane was low on fuel. The government had vehemently denied any design, saying just when West Bengal chief ministers Patna-Kolkata Indigo flight reported low on fuel, two other flights of Air India and SpiceJet also called in with the same problem. Banerjees flight hovered over Kolkata airport for only 13 minutes on December 30 and it was ensured that the aircraft landed in a safe and orderly manner, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were informed. The Supreme Court indicated on Wednesday that it would order shutting of all liquor vends on national and state highways for the safety and security of commuters who get distracted after seeing the shops, causing accidents. A bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur came down heavily on states for not heeding the Centres advice to not give licences to the vends on the highways. Instead, the states have increased the number of licences, the bench pointed out. The first communique was released in 2007, since then the Centre has been sending notices to the states. We would not like any vend on national highways, state highways, advertisements, or signage about the availability of liquor shops. We will direct all highway authorities to remove all sign boards. It should be absolutely free from any distraction or attractions. It should not be visible. Visibility is the first temptation, Justice Thakur said. The court was hearing petitions challenging various high court verdicts, which disapproved the sale of liquor on highways. The courts have held that the shops be located at a distance from where they are neither visible nor accessible to the commuters. You can start a door delivery of liquor, the bench told counsel for Jammu and Kashmir who argued if the vends are away from the highway, people would have problems accessing them due to the terrains. Punjab government counsel also faced the courts ire for defending the liquor lobbys interest. You are acting like a mouthpiece for the liquor lobby by defending the policy, the bench told the advocate who pleaded the ban should be made effective from April 1, 2017 to avoid a revenue loss of `1,000 crore to the exchequer. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Centre to place before it the Parliamentary Standing Committee report that suggested amending the law to appoint Lokpal, Indias first anti-corruption ombudsman. A bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur told attorney general Mukul Rohatgi it wants to peruse the report to know the amendments that the panel proposed, which the government claims it has incorporated in the amended bill pending before Parliament. The court will take up the matter on December 14. In the last hearing, the court had expressed disappointment over the Centre not appointing Lokpal despite Parliament enacting a law in January 2014. In defence, the government said it had amended the bill to include the leader of the largest opposition party in the selection committee to name the Lokpal. Under the original law a recognised Leader of Opposition (LoP) is the member of the PM-headed committee. Since the present Lok Sabha does not have a LoP, changes were suggested to make the law more flexible. The CJI on the last date told Rohatgi that it would pass orders to include the leader of the largest opposition party in the selection committee, prompting the law officer to submit the direction would amount to judicial legislation. The amendment bill is pending in Parliament and it will take some time to get passed. There cant be a protem situation in this case, the AG said. Senior advocate Shanti Bhushan, arguing for petitioner, NGO Common Cause, countered Rohatgi and accused the government of lacking political will. The SC said the LoP is indispensable and things cannot proceed without him. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked universities and its affiliated institutions to launch a month-long campaign to create awareness about cashless and digital transactions among students and shopkeepers from December 12. The UGC has asked institutes to rope in volunteers associated with the National Service Scheme (NSS) and National Cadet Corps (NCC) for the initiative. The volunteers will adopt one market outside campus and help shop owners make the transition to digital transactions. A similar campaign will be rolled out in IITs, NITs and other state-funded institutes. Ensuring that all the campuses are made completely cashless by adopting digital payment systems in all its receipts, payments and transactions is an important component of the campaign. Participation in the campaign by youths studying in higher educational institutions is relevant because they would be the main beneficiaries of a digital economy that is free of corruption, black money and is completely transparent and just, UGC secretary Jaspal Sandhu said in a letter addressed to state universities. Lawmaker threatened journalist and said 'it is not the end' (video) Vahe Makaryan, a journalist working with Hraparak daily, was beaten by Armenian lawmaker Rubik Hakobyan in the National Assembly on Wednesday. My colleagues told me that before the incident Hakobyan had been very aggressive, Vahe told A1+ on the phone when commenting on the occurrence. I came up to him a little later; he [Rubik Hakobyan] was talking to another journalist. He said he was not going to answer my questions. When I asked him about the possible alliance with the opposition, he said I was to know the answer and added that he did not want to answer any of my questions, Vahe added. Vahe said that the lawmaker had asked him aside for a private talk but he did not agree. Some time later he showed up again and said he wanted to have a talk with me. I thought he had changed his mind and wanted to speak to me, but as soon as the journalists left the area, he cursed and hit me in the face several times out of the public eye, he added. After the incident, the lawmaker rushed to leave the buildin and told Vahe that it's not the end. We tried to speak to Rubik Hakobyan but he did not answer the phone. Some media outlets have published the lawmaker's comment on the incident. Hundreds of reports and essays have been written on the ongoing Kashmir unrest in the last five months and thousands of photographs have been taken. But, for the first time, the first 120 days of the unrest has been captured on film by independent local film-makers. Directed by two journalism students of the Media Education Research Centre, Kashmir University Sheikh Adnan (23) and Furqan Khurshid (23) Tales of Siege narrates how the continuous state-imposed curfew and strike by separatists has played out in the Valley. The film is desribed as a movie about the resilience and survival of people of Kashmir in the first 120 days of the unrest. The duo, which also kick-started their YouTube channel, called Raconteur, with the film, was helped by their batch mates Saher Iqbal and Muneem Farooq. They are all third semester students at the University. The 18-minute-long film was uploaded on YouTube on Sunday and had garnered 2,500 views in less than 24 hours. The number of views climbed to 4,675 by Tuesday evening. The idea was to talk to all stake holders of the conflict, understand the events that had unfolded and present an unbiased picture of what really happened, Adnan said. He adds that most officials did not agree to interview requests, making it difficult for the filmmakers who wanted to present all sides of the events. The film was shot from October 8 to November 7, because, Adnan says, moving around Kashmir before that was difficult. The team says they were not allowed to record interviews of pellet victims inside hospitals by authorities. The short film captures what many Kashmiri youth think about militant commander Burhan Wani, how mobile internet was banned for more than four months, how prayers were disallowed at the central Jamia Masjid for 19 weeks and how schools remained shut and syllabus was incomplete. The movie also captures the trauma of pellet victims and families of people killed in the clashes, and the effects of shutdown on businesses and day-to-day life. The short film features prominent lawyer Aijaz Ahmed speaking on how the state cracked down on unrest by making mass arrests and pediatrician Dr Altaf Hussain talking about the kind of injury that pellet guns cause. In a powerful sequence in the film, sister of twelve-year-old Junaid Ahmed, who was killed when pellets struck him on the evening of October 7, breaks down and cries: Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said my brother was a stone-pelter. What proof does she have? Does she know that he was martyred on his door step? The film-makers believe that the film, available free online, will be of archival importance in the coming days. The duo is also coming out with a sequel that captures life in Kashmir post the first 120 days. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) has started work on the 15,000 square feet of land situated alongside the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) near Press Complex on Tuesday. One week ago, the IMC had won a legal battle in the Supreme Court against the Waghmare family, who had been refusing to hand over the land for expansion of the BRTS. On Tuesday, the IMC marked the land that has come in their possession, cut down the trees on the land and also started construction of the boundary wall. With acquisition of this land, the bottle neck along the BRTS corridor between Free Press House and Shrimaya hotel would be removed. The road is now around 100 feet wide and will become around 200 feet after this land is included as part of the BRTS corridor. Gaud said that along with widening of the road, a cycle track and footpath would also be constructed. Storm water lines and drainage lines would also be laid and connected to the main lines. This would end the waterlogging that takes place during heavy rains along this stretch, she said. Mayor Malini Gaud inspected the land on Tuesday evening and also met the Waghmare family. When asked about granting of certificate of appreciation to the family, the mayor said, We won the order from the court, so no certificate would be given. The visit was a courtesy call. The district administration had been embroiled in a legal fight with the Waghmare family over the plot for over a decade, when the plan for BRTS was conceived. Even though a large number of people whose residences came along the BRT corridor had voluntarily handed over land to the administration, the Waghmare family had refused to hand over their land and had moved court. The Supreme Court finally settled the case on November 29, ruling in favour of IMC. Even though the IMC won the case, it has offered to construct a boundary wall for the property, before starting construction of the road. The judgement The Apex Court dismissed several petitions challenging the provisions of Madhya Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act 1956, which empowers civic bodies to acquire private land for road widening as per master plans. The division bench of justices JS Khehar and Arun Kumar Mishra held that power of acquiring private land for road widening purpose for execution of citys master plan is vested with the local municipal body. A total of 13 petitions were moved before the Supreme Court challenging the provisions 305, 306 and 387 of the Act as ultra vires. While nine petitions were moved from Bhopal, four petitions were from Indore. The petitions were moved against acquisition of land by municipal corporations for road widening in Bhopal and Indore. ABVPs national convention to be held at a government college in Indore later this month has sparked a row with the opposition Congress describing it as saffronisation of educational institutions. The convention of ABVP, the students wing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, is scheduled to be held between December 24-27 at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Arts & Commerce College. Premises of government educational institutions cannot be used to propagate political agenda of any political groups, said Ashwin Joshi, a former Congress MLA and an alumnus of the college. College authorities have given permission to hold the event and the district collector has sanctioned Rs 1.5 crore through Janbhagidaari Samiti for giving a facelift to the campus, which is against the principles of the constitution. More than 6,000 ABVP members are likely to participate at the event where yoga guru Ramdev is expected to be the chief guest. District collector P Narahari has misused his power by sanctioning money through Janbhagidaari Samitis fund, Joshi said, adding that the fund should be used for welfare of educational institutes and elevate the standards of education. A city-based social activist, meanwhile, moved a public interest litigation before the Madhya Pradesh high court against the collectors move. The court has issued notice to authorities. When asked about the allegations leveled against him, the district collector just said the matter is subjudice. Vipin Wankhede, the president of National Students Union of India (NSUI) state unit, said allowing a political event on a government college campus clearly shows that the BJP wants to saffronise the educational institutions. Will the government or district administration allow and fund us to hold a political event on a government college campus, he said. NSUI is the student wing of the Congress. Nalini Joshi, the acting principal of the college, told Hindustan Times that the ABVP had obtained permission to hold the event and paid `50,000 as rent to the college for five days. Advocate Anand Mohan Mathur said, At many earlier instances, the Supreme Court held that government educational campus cannot be used for any political purposes. It is unlawful on the part of district administration and college management to favour a political group. Confident after winning 33 seats in Mumbai civic elections, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) now plans to take out a rath yatra ahead of 2017 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. The party state unit has drawn up an elaborate programme for poll campaign, which will be led by its firebrand member of Parliament (MP) from Hyderabad, Asaduddin Owaisi. The rath is being built. We intend to launch the yatra from west UP, said UP president of the outfit Shaukat Ali. Equipped with big LCD screens, the rath will showcase speeches of Owaisi largely focusing on the ruling Samajwadi Partys failure to fulfill its promises to the Muslims. Be it job quota, establishment of exclusive education hubs for the community, Urdu medium schools or release of innocent Muslims framed in anti-terror cases, the SP has let the Muslims down, said Ali. We have planned 10 public meetings and will start our campaign by month-end from Sambhal, Amroha, Rampur, Badaun, Kairana, Moradabad etc, he said adding that demonetisation had delayed the under-construction rath and the partys poll schedule. After its negotiations with other smaller regional parties failed, the AIMIM has decided to go it alone in the state. The party has already selected around 40 candidates, while another 55 have also been short-listed. Ali said the rath yatra would travel to the assembly segments from where the partys candidates would be contesting. Our enrolment drive has received good response from these cities and we already have around 8 lakh members, said Shaukat. The seats chosen by the outfit have a large number of Muslim voters. According to the 2011 census, Sambhal has 77.67% Muslim voters, , followed by Amroha 73.80%, Kairana 80.74, Rampur 50.57, Moradabad 46.79 and Badaun 43.94%. Because of his inflammatory speeches, Owaisi has been denied permission by authorities to hold open public meetings in communally sensitive cities like Kanpur, Agra, Azamgarh and Saharanpur. Our leader is blamed for inflammatory comments and not allowed to hold public meetings while those accused of Muzaffarnagar riots are honoured, pointed out Ali. Read more: Yatras show shift in BJPs focus from temple to development Centre marks buffer zone around Sanjay Gandhi National Park, allows construction work The Union environment ministry on December 5 issued a notification, demarcating an area upto a radius of 4km around Sanjay Gandhi National Park, (SGNP) Borivli, as a buffer zone, where construction work as per law could be carried out. It has declared the area an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ). Read A year on, Maharashtra govts towering housing for all claim falls flat A year after the Devendra Fadnavis-led state government adopted the Centres housing for all mission, setting an ambitious deadline to create 19 lakh affordable houses by 2022, not even a single tenement is ready or even close to completion. Read Dilip Kumars Twitter handle states hes fine, thanks well-wishers Doctors at Lilavati Hospital, Bandra, where 93-year-old thespian Dilip Kumar has been admitted since Tuesday morning, said he has developed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his left leg. DVT is a condition wherein blood clots form in one or more veins in the body. Read Mumbai court denies bail to developer Pujit Aggarwal A magistrate court has last week refused to grant bail to Pujit Aggarwal, managing director and chief executive officer of developer firm Orbit developers. While rejecting bail, the court observed that if granted bail, Aggarwal will tamper with the investigation. Read Mumbainama: Why Salman Khan cannot make Mumbais stink go away Actor Salman Khan was apparently disgusted at the sight of some people answering the natures call at Bandra Bandstand, decided to marshal his awesome power to do something about it, approached the venerable Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) with an offer to install mobile toilets, and the next thing you know, the BMC made him the face of its campaign against open defecation. Inspired by Khan, a private company pledged to donate 30 mobile toilets. Many more donations may come the BMCs way. Read The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) now wants to keep a close eye on the functioning of the 24 administrative wards in the city, following the road and storm water drains scams that rocked it over the past year. After developing a uniform system to supervise the various engineering work carried out by various central agency departments, the vigilance department has now moved towards streamlining the 24 wards. Over the years, the BMC has received complaints such as escalated price estimates made by ward officials before issuing tenders for minor engineering works. Ward level work includes repairing potholes, cleaning minor nullahs and box-drains, repairing minor interior roads, footpaths, laying of small water pipelines and others. These jobs will now be monitored. The ward level work is mainly influenced by local corporators and legislators and this further leads to either a delay, duplication of work and a degree of unchecked arbitrariness.To curtail this and to develop uniformity, the civic body has created templates that will have to be filled in by all ward officials. The guidelines framed will be a standard operating procedure and are likely to be issued before the end of this week, said sources. Explaining the move, a civic official said, The templates will have to be filled at various stages from the tender issued to the work being completed. Also a standard estimate for various ward level work is likely to be circulated so that whenever the vigilance department carries out random inspections, it can be compared with the base estimate, in cases of over-pricing. After the guidelines are issued, it is likely that the duplication of work on the same location, for example laying and re-laying a narrow lane because of the interference of local leaders will be curtailed, as every time work will have to be recorded. With increasing corruption in the civic body, this move is likely to bring in transparency, hoped officials involved with drafting the guidelines. A senior civic officer from the vigilance department said, Detailed guidelines and modalities have been formed to streamline the working of the wards. It will help provide better quality to the citizens as they have to be followed by the ward level officials. Progress will also have to be updated from time to time. However, after inspections carried out by the vigilance department, officers found to have neglected duty will be liable to face strict action, revealed sources. READ MORE BMC road scam: Cops arrest 3 more engineers 10 auditors arrested for Rs 350 crore road scam in Mumbai SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Mumbai customs is keeping a close eye on flyers bringing in foreign currency after receiving intelligence that some people are converting the demonetised notes into foreign currency to save the money. There are reports that people are converting their old currency to foreign currency and then taking it out of the country, only to carry it back again. They declare this foreign currency before the customs and make it legal,said a senior officer. The rules say that any person can bring foreign currency to India and there is no limit on it. However, declaring the currency on a Currency Declaration Form (CDF) in two scenarios is mandatory. First, where the value of the notes exceed US$5,000 or equivalent and second, where the aggregate of the foreign exchange (in the form of currency notes, bank notes, traveller cheques etc.) exceeds US$ 10,000 or equivalent. Officials said that the after-effects of demonetisation included new trends in money-laundering and smuggling. The AIU has been initiating cases wherein flyers have been intercepted with undeclared foreign currency being brought to the country. AIU is investigating to find out if the attempts had anything to do with the demonetisation. The agency, however, has limitations because detecting currency is not an easy task. Sources stated that the baggage scanning machines are equipped with metal detectors and they need to be upgraded to detect currency as well. There is also a huge demand for the new denominations abroad. New Indian notes of Rs 500 and Rs 2000 are also in demand by Forex dealers who are abroad. Some are resorting to smuggle them abroad, said the officer. Since the announcement on scrapping old notes on November 8, foreign exchange centers outside India have stopped accepting the notes. This has limited the options for people abroad to covert their black money into white. READ MORE Protest against demonetisation in Mumbai: Congress leader calls Centre anti-poor Modi responsible for deaths due to demonetisation, book him for murder: Nirupam SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Locals, mostly tribals, visiting the Bank of Maharashtras Pelhar branch in Vasai to exchange demonetised notes and withdraw new currency resorted to a sit-in on Wednesday morning after they were told that the bank was out of cash. Though the bank had issued tokens on Tuesday, it is yet to handover cash to these people. Bank officials claimed there was shortage of notes of all denominations. Locals said they will continue their protest till the time the bank doesnt hand them over their hard-earned money. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Following preliminary investigation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered a case under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) to probe the alleged fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore involving AirAsia. The ED has issued summons to officials of Air Asia in connection with alleged violations under FEMA. Bharatiya Janata Party MP Subramanian Swamy had written to ED in November, seeking a probe into one of the allegations raised by Cyrus Mistry in a letter sent to the board members and Tata Trust trustees. Mistry had claimed that a recent forensic investigation revealed fraudulent transactions of Rs22 crore involving non-existent parties in India and Singapore. In his letter to ED chief Karnail Singh, Swamy cited Mistrys letter and stated that the transaction of Rs22 crore payment made to Air Asia (Bhd) of Malayia and needs to be probed for money laundering under the PMLA. He alleged that it was a bribe routed through hawala route for unknown reasons in the transactions to setup the illegal Air Asia (India) aviation company. Also read: AirAsia paid ex-CEO Mittu Chandilyas aide to set up meetings with CMs: Audit SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Maharashtras energy department will now find out why renowned singer Asha Bhosle is getting electricity bill ranging between Rs50,000 and Rs80,000 for her bungalow in Lonavla. State energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule asked Pune region chief engineer to probe after Mumbai legislator Ashish Shelar requested him to do the needful. The veteran singer has bungalow at Tungarli Road in Lonavla. Shelar said Bhosle had told him that she rarely stays at the bungalow, yet the electricity bills were in the range of Rs 50,000 to Rs 80,000, and suspected She suspected some foul play. Shelar wrote to Bawankule and met him to seek his intervention in the singers complaint. Bawankule promptly agreed to look into the matter, said Shelar. Also read: Asha Bhosle: A picture of positivity despite personal tragedies SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Edward Nalbandian: Armenian contingent will continue its duty Statement by Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia at the Resolute Support Mission Ministerial Meeting Mr. Secretary General, Distinguished Colleagues, Our servicemen in Afghanistan and our presence here today are the best testimonies to our enduring commitment to peace, security and stability in Afghanistan. We stand united within The Resolute Support Mission in our joint efforts to meet these objectives and help Afghan authorities to provide effective control across the country and ensure its long term safety. A lot has been achieved, however, much still needs to be done. The security related incidents continue to take place drawing our attention to the challenges that Afghanistan faces. Alarming reports about Taliban activities and the presence of ISIS and other terrorist groups in Afghanistan are disturbing. It reminds us that insecurity in one place of the world threatens all of us, if remains unaddressed. It also strengthens our determination to continue concerted efforts in addressing security requirements of those in need. The terrorists should be deprived of the opportunity to find breeding grounds. It is with this understanding that Armenia committed to contribute to joint efforts in maintaining international peace and security. In this regard our participation in past and present international missions ranges from Iraq to Kosovo, Lebanon and Mali. As President of Armenia reiterated at the NATO Warsaw Summit, Armenian contingent will continue its duty with Resolute Support Mission throughout 2017 on its current strength level. We have also expressed our readiness to contribute to Enduring Partnership Mission when it will take over from the Resolute Support Mission. Mr. Chairman, Armenia continues to support the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned inclusive peace process. We are confident that with our collective efforts and firm resolve we will meet our joint objective in helping Afghan people in ensuring safety and stability. The Bombay High Court has restrained a magisterial court from taking cognisance of a charge sheet filed by the police against socialite Poonam Bhagat on a complaint from her estranged husband, industrialist Jaidev Shroff. In April this year, a case had been lodged against Bhagat in the Khar police station following a complaint made by her estranged husband and industrialist Jaidev Shroff. Shroff had alleged that Bhagat had conspired with a Bengali baba and tried to poison him by spiking his juice. The police accordingly initiated a probe, arrested the godman, and filed a charge sheet against him and Bhagat. The police sent Bhagat a letter earlier this month, asking her to remain present before the Bandra magistrate court on December 3. However, Bhagat then filed a plea in the high court seeking relief and a bench led by Justice Ranjit More has now asked the magistrate court to not take cognisance of the charge sheet, until further orders. The directions came after Bhagat argued that the charge sheet went against a directive issued in September this year by Maharashtras additional chief secretary (home), seeking that the case be transferred to the crime branch. The high court is likely to take up the matter for further hearing on December 21 this year. Also read FIR against socialite at Khar police station Poonam Bhagat wanted to perform black magic on husband, claim lawyers SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After the commotion that ensued because of the demonetisation that hit the country on November 8, banks in the city are facing another hurdle. They seem to be running out of 100-rupee notes. Adding to the misery of people waiting outside in queues, some banks have started giving away cash in the denominations of Rs10 and 20. This is the limit. We are getting money in Rs 10 and Rs 20 denominations if we want Rs 1,000. Else we get 2,000-rupee notes. There is nothing in between, said Raghav Patra, a Kandivli resident, adding, What do we do if we have to buy something for Rs 300? We have to go about with bundles of Rs10. Patra was standing in a queue outside a bank in Kandivli. Barring a few private banks which offered Rs 100 and Rs 500 notes, many national and cooperative banks dispensed low denomination notes. Anmol Ghori, a Goregaon resident, said that the situation had been such for two days now. Another problem has come to the fore. Even notes of Rs 100 seem to be falling short in circulation, Ghori said, adding, We are being tested with all sorts of experiments. A month after the decision was taken to scrap Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes, people feel the situation is far from being normal. The month is closing in and they seem to have run out of Rs100 notes in the financial capital of the country. How much can worsen? But if we look at the larger picture, how bad will this prove for them in the elections? said Kirit Khairnar, a Parel resident. Though the queues outside banks and ATMs seem to be getting shorter, some people said that the situation has not improved. You cannot say that the situation has improved just because the queues are shorter. It can also mean that banks are not providing appropriate service and are working on their own terms instead, said Ameya Bhaskar, a management student who was waiting in a queue at a bank in Parel. Higher authorities might be playing a part in it. Money is not flowing down to us. It gets stuck midway. READ MORE Demonetisation: Queues shrink, but ATMs still running dry fast in Mumbai Demonetisation: Long queues to deposit, withdraw cash continue More people have started living beyond Kalyan and railway stations in these areas have seen several more passengers in the past few years, but railway authorities have failed to adapt train services and stations to cater to the demand. The result, said railway activists, is delayed services and technical failures. In just six months, this section the route passes through satellite towns and cities of Badlapur, Ambarnath, Ulhasnagar, Karjat,all the way to Kasara has witnessed massive commuter agitations twice, one at Badlapur on August 12 and the second at Titwala on Wednesday. Both incidents were sparked because of delayed services, with passengers demanding punctuality. Although it is a crucial region for railways, as most long-distance trains pass from here, it continues to be highly neglected. The section sees several rail fractures and technical failures. While officials should be monitoring the tracks closely, they continue to be apathetic, said Aniket Ghamandi, a member of the Mumbai suburban passengers federation. That trains run late on this route is no secret. The deteriorating punctuality of CR trains was pointed out in the 2016 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, which put the punctuality of CR services at 87% in 2014-15, against the Railway Boards benchmark of 95%. Last year, this came down to 83%, but gradually improved to 88% in the past few months. So what does the system lack? Railway officials said the Kalyan-Kasara section is saturated and there is hardly any room to run new trains which they said was the solution. For this, railway authorities have undertaken a Kalyan-Kasara third line project, but this work is moving at a very slow pace. The section also needs extra lines as many goods trains take the Kasara-Igatpuri route. So there are delays even when long-distance or goods trains fail, said one source. The extra line may take several years to be completed, as CR authorities are yet to acquire land parcels at certain locations. We have finalised tenders for some construction work, but some land acquisition is still pending, said a senior railway official, not wishing to be named. Another senior official said people should understand the entire suburban system is over-burdened. They need to be more tolerant, as there is no space to add new services, the official said Meanwhile, Ravindra Goyal, divisional railway manager of CR said that they are going to probe the reasons behind the power block. READ MORE Changing times for Mumbai train services: Railways look north for relief SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Shiv Sena is keeping up the pressure on its ally at the Centre, the BJP, over its demonetisation move. Party chief Uddhav Thackeray will on Thursday meet Union finance minister Arun Jaitley to discuss the impact of the sudden ban on old Rs500 and Rs1,000 banknotes on the common man. A month ago, the Narendra Modi-led Central government discontinued the banknotes, in a bid it said to weed out those with black money and curb counterfeiting. Ever since, common citizens have been lining up at ATMs and banks, waiting to exhange their useless notes for new ones. The Sena, while maintaining it had nothing against its allys demonetisation move, has constantly criticised its poor implementation across the country. Thackeray had spoken to Jaitley over the phone soon after the announcement on November 8 On Thursday, the Sena chief will meet Jaitley over tea at 3.30pm to discuss the consequences of demonetisation and the distress faced by the common man, a Sena functionary said. Uddhav met Union home minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi on Wednesday. The Sena has maintained that one of its main issues with the notes ban was how it is paralysing the rural economy, which unlike the cities works on cash. The party, which has had choppy relations with the BJP, has been very vocal in its censures of the implementation, even joining an opposition march led by Mamata Banerjees Trinamool Congess last month. The Senas Members of Parliament have also knocked on the doors of the Prime Minister and the Reserve Bank of India Governor to request measures to ease the cash crunch. READ MORE Demonetisation debate heats up winter session Digital revolution welcome, but need to create awareness Following in the footsteps of Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), officials from Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) took action against 60 to 70 illegal establishments at Shil Road on Tuesday. Officials said though the action against illegal establishments will continue till Wednesday, the period could be extended. Deputy municipal commissioner Suresh Pawar said, The drive against illegal establishment will continue. Several unauthorised establishments like garages, vegetable stalls and service centres, among others, have been demolished along the Netivali Road. The anti-encroachment team, headed by ward officer Arun Wankhede, took action which was also the result of efforts taken by the Corporator Raveena Mali of Bhopar-Sandap village. Mali has been raising the issue of squatters with civic chief E Ravendiran time and again. Also read Satyam lodge demolition: 4 held, including 2 owners Sex workers used hidden door in Thane lodge to escape during raids SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Sewer lines in four municipal corporations and councils along the Ulhas river will be connected to sewage treatment plants (STP), the Maharashtra government told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on December 2. The river supplies potable water to Badlapur, Navi Mumbai, Ambernath, Ulhasnagar, and many villages on its banks, which stretch from Karjat to Kalyan. The diversion of sewage drains from the river to STPs is a short-term measure suggested in the affidavit filed before the tribunal last month, in response to an order which sought an action plan that would prevent the river from being polluted. Currently, the river is heavily polluted with untreated domestic and industrial effluents from Kalyan-Dombivli, Ambernath, Ulhasnagar, and Kulgaon-Badlapur. Only 10% of the 216 million litres a day (MLD) sewage generated daily by the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) is treated before it is released into the river. Although existing STPs can treat 123 MLD, only 22 MLD is treated. Worse still, all of the 80 MLD sewage generated by the Ulhasnagar municipal corporation is discharged without being treated. About 40% 5MLD of 18MLD from the Kulgaon-Badlapur Municipal Council gets treated. Although 60% of the sewage from the Ambernath Municipal Corporation goes through the STP, the affidavit states that there is an additional 30% area under the civic bodys jurisdiction that needs an underground sewage facility. The existing sewage network too is inadequate and needs to be revamped. At least the state is beginning with short-term measures. But we would like to see the work speed up, said petitioner Stalin D of non-government organisation Vanashakti. In 2013, Vanashakti moved the tribunal to direct the MPCB to shut all polluting industries discharging untreated effluents into the Ulhas river. Based on monitoring conducted in May 2014 and earlier, an interim report by the National Institute of Oceanography concluded that the upper and middle zones of the Ulhas estuary have been degraded, owing to a release of domestic and industrial effluents. It added that such conditions are not conducive to diverse aquatic fauna. The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation has started the tendering process to lay down disposal lines at Dombivli and Ambernath for Rs241 crore, as per the recommendations of the National Institute of Oceanography. This long-term measure has a time frame of three years. The Ulhas river is rapidly deteriorating, but corporations have done little to show they are serious about protecting this last fresh water river, said Stalin D. Highly-polluted river The Ulhas river supplies potable water to Badlapur, Navi Mumbai, Ambernath, Ulhasnagar, and many villages on the river boundary starting from Karjat to Kalyan. The river flows through the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), which has a daily water requirement close to 10,657 million litres. It can also fulfil the water requirement of Thane district through which it flows. The river is heavily polluted by discharge of untreated effluents from various industries and domestic sewage from Ambernath, Dombivali, and Ulhasnagar Sample tests carried out by reputed organisations have found biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand as high as 20 times permissible limits. Read SC sets aside Bombay HC order on Ulhas river Ulhas river pollution: Green tribunal directs Centre to intervene Ulhas river case: NGT orders action against Maha pollution control board SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON To improve the voting percentage in the ensuing civic elections in February-March next year, the State Election Commission (SEC) has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other civic bodies to rope in college students, celebrities, housing societies, hotels, malls and theatres to encourage the electorate to visit polling booths. Read: BMC elections: Demonetisation drives parties back to planning The SEC has directed the municipal corporations to identify the wards with the low voter turnout and launch awareness campaigns there. In a recent meeting, the commission asked the BMC and other corporations to connect with housing societies, which can play an active role to boost the turnout. Some of the wards in South Mumbai witness very low voting percentage. We have told the BMC to induct college students in the drive and ask them to visit families at least two to three times in ten days ahead of the elections. We believe the appeal by students will work wonders, state election commissioner JS Saharia told Hindustan Times. The BMC has been asked to seek celebrities help to encourage people to vote, Saharia said. The malls, hotels, clubs will be asked to put up banners, while corporate companies will be requested to spend their CSR fund for the campaign. The SEC also held a meeting with 19 community radio stations for the drive. Ten municipal corporations and 26 district councils will face elections. The commission hopes 40,000-odd housing societies will participate in the drive The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in state is likely to announce setting up of a State Backward Class Commission to consider various demands for providing reservation in government jobs and education including that by the Maratha community. As the Opposition continued to raise the issue of demonetisation, the ruling side on Wednesday initiated debate on the issue of Maratha communitys demand for reservation. The motive behind the move is to counter the Opposition parties that are trying to corner the BJP government. The BJP is also trying to convince the Maratha community that the Congress-NCP were responsible for their problems while the formers government is taking efforts to meet their demands. Sources said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is likely to announce formation of SBCC in his reply to the debate on Thursday. The commission, which is headed by a sitting or retired high court judge, considers demands of various communities and groups for reservation in government jobs and education. The demand by the Maratha community would be put before the commission after its constitution, said the sources. If the commission recommends reservation for Maratha community (which the government believes it will) the same would become a strong ground for the state government in the Bombay high court, which is hearing a petition on the same. The HC has already stayed the previous Congress-NCP governments decision to reserve 16% quota in government jobs and education for Maratha community. However, the last two commissions led by retired judges R M Bapat and R H Bhatia had refuted demand for reservation to the Maratha community. So there are doubts if the commission set up by this government can rule in favour of the quota. However, by setting up the commission, the government will get time to deflect the ongoing protests by the community and get time until the commission submits its report. In the assembly, the debate was initiated by BJP legislator Ashish Shelar, who demanded that the government should constitute the SBCC immediately and present the proposal for Maratha reservation before it. He also demanded setting up of a State Agriculture Commission and provide free crop insurance to Maratha farmers. The debate will continue on Thursday and Fadnavis is expected to reply to the same. The Maratha community ghas planned a massive protest march on December 14 in Nagpur where the winter session of the state legislature is in progress. Read more: Maratha reservation: HC gives Maharashtra govt six weeks to compile data SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Former Maharashtra deputy chief minisiter Chhagan Bhujbal, one of the main accused in a multi-crore money laundering case, was shifted back to Sir JJ Hospital from the private Bombay Hospital on Wednesday evening. Following media reports about Bhujbals unwarranted stay at Bombay Hospital, top officials from the state police department ordered the jail authorities to shift Bhujbal to the state-run hospital for further treatment, said a source from the prisons department. Dr TP Lahane, dean, JJ Hospital, said Bhujbal will undergo an angiography soon. The doctors will look at his condition, after which they will perform the procedure, he said. According to reports, officials from the Enforcement Directorate, during a surprise check found Bhujal was allotted a highly luxurious room in Bombay Hospital. Bhujbal was shifted to Bombay Hospital on November 2 for a medical test (thallium scan) that requires barely a few hours, said doctors from Sir JJ Hospital. They said the test cannot be conducted at any government-run hospital. While doctors from Bombay Hospital said they had informed the police to make arrangements to shift Bhujbal back to JJ Hospital, the police said it was the hospitals responsibility to ensure he was shifted. READ MORE My arrest and detention were illegal: Chhagan Bhujbal tells Bombay high court A magistrate court has last week refused to grant bail to Pujit Aggarwal, managing director and chief executive officer of developer firm Orbit developers. While rejecting bail, the court observed that if granted bail, Aggarwal will tamper with the investigation. Aggrawal was arrested in September on the complaint of Ashok Aggarwal senior vice-president of Capri Global Capital Limited (CGCL). The Azad Maidan police had booked the builder as he failed to hand over possession of a property bought by Ashok. After the first case registered with Azad Maidan police station, the developer was arrested in many other cases. Recently Aggarwal had filed bail plea in two cases. One of them was registered with Azad maidan police station. Second was the case registered with EOW on the complaint of FIR filed by Capri Global Advisory Services, a promoter group company of financial institution Capri Global Capital Ltd for cheating. Pujit alleged that both the cases were purely business transactions and investigation in both the cases is over. It was contended that the police has already seized records and examined accounts and agreements. Hence he deserves to be released on bail. The prosecution however, objected the bail plea. The prosecution argued that the case is an economic offence and accused may hamper the process of investigation if released on bail. The additional chief metropolitan magistrate AP Kulkarni, considered the apprehension of prosecution and rejected the bail plea. Also read: Court extends developer Pujit Aggarwals police custody till October 1 SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday informed the Bombay high court that its general body will consider the proposal for allotment of land at Veravali water reservoir in Andheri for installation of the citys second Doppler radar, in its special meeting scheduled to be held on Thursday. BMC counsel SU Kamdar informed the division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice MS Sonak that the Improvement Committee of the civic body has already cleared the proposal for allotment of the land in its special meeting held on December 3. According to the rules of the procedure, proposals for allotment of land are required to be cleared first by the municipal commissioner and then by the Improvement Committee and finally by the general body. Kamdar said the improvement committee has sanctioned allotment of the land to the India Metrological Department (IMD) for a nominal rent, as civic lands cannot be leased out for free. As ordered by the court, civic chief Ajoy Mehta appeared before the court on Wednesday for the second time for hearing on the public interest litigation filed by a city resident Atal Bihari Dubel. In his PIL, Dubel has raised concern over poor weather forecasting in the city in the wake of the June 2005 floods, after which the city had come to a standstill for two days. The judges had summoned him after noticing that although the civic body had assured them in September to hand over the site selected to install the Doppler within eight weeks, the decision to allot the site had not even been taken by the commissioner. The meteorological department has already installed one Doppler atop a building in Colaba, which became operational in August 2015. Besides, the department was set to install 22 more automatic weather stations across the region in addition to the existing eight, by March 2016, but the additional automatic weather stations are yet to see the light of the day. Read Bombay HC anger prompts BMC to clear second Doppler radar site HC summons BMC chief for delay in Doppler site selection The Anti-narcotic Cell (ANC) of Navi Mumbai police arrested a 49-year-old woman and confiscated a kilogram of mephedrone on Wednesday. A senior police officer said the market value of the contraband is about Rs30 lakh. Acting on a tip-off, the police laid a trap near LP junction on Sion-Panvel highway in the wee hours of Wednesday and arrested Ajitha Begam, a resident of Cheeta Camp in Trombay, around 8am. We had received a tip-off that woman from Mumbai was coming to Nerul with some drugs. We immediately alerted our officials and deployed them at different places in the city, said Vinod Chavan, senior inspector, ANC. He added, Within a few hours, our officials spotted a woman, similar to the descriptions we had received, near LP junction. She was carrying a plastic bag. Based on suspicion, our officials intercepted her. Upon checking her bag, they found a kilogram kg of mephedrone. She was arrested on the spot. Later, an FIR was later registered with Nerul police station and Begum was booked under section 8a and 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The police are now investigating the source from which she procured the contraband and the prospective buyer. They are also trying to find out if more people are involved. Last week, the ANC had a 42-year-old woman for allegedly selling drugs in Hanuman Nagar at Turbhe and recovered 6.48 gram of narcotics worth Rs 22,000 from her possession. Also read: 3 Nigerians arrested with drugs worth Rs12 lakh SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Actor Salman Khan was apparently disgusted at the sight of some people answering the natures call at Bandra Bandstand, decided to marshal his awesome power to do something about it, approached the venerable Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) with an offer to install mobile toilets, and the next thing you know, the BMC made him the face of its campaign against open defecation. Inspired by Khan, a private company pledged to donate 30 mobile toilets. Many more donations may come the BMCs way. Khan, in his 30-year-long career under the arc lights, has been the face of numerous campaigns for a wide range of products and services. His NGO is involved with many noble deeds, we are constantly reminded by his paid and unpaid image consultants, but this campaign against open defecation may be a bit different for the star. After all, Bandra Bandstand is not the only spot where open defecation or urination happens nor is it emblematic of the urgent problem across Mumbai. If Khan engages with the issue, he will realise that he would have to donate thousands of toilets or, better still, persuade the BMC to construct them. It will take more than star power for the BMC to end open defecation and urination across Mumbai. It will need more than patrols by BMCs Clean-Up Marshals to stop people from using the open and direct them towards public toilets. It will take more than fines of Rs 200 per offence that the BMC plans to levy after December 15 and public shaming to get people to use toilets. The issue is simple: Mumbaiites use the open because there arent enough toilets everywhere for everyone. Where toilets exist, they are often dirty, lack water and light, and cost the user. The BMC needs to put thousands more public toilets in place, in every ward and junction but especially in slum areas and clusters of homeless residents, ensure that these are connected to the civic water supply and plumbing systems, and consider making them free to use before it has Khan urging people to stop open defecation. Why does Mumbai not have enough public toilets especially when it houses nearly half of its 12.4 million (unofficial estimates put it at 18 million) population in informal settings? Mostly because the BMC did not make sanitation services to all citizens a priority. The rich are spoilt for choice within their lavish homes, the middle classes make do with tiny cubicles as toilets, commuters and informal sector workers plan their toilet trips. Public toilets are needed across the city but nowhere as desperately as in slums. An independent think-tank told us last year that nearly 20% of slums, which roughly works out as 1.25 million Mumbaiites, have no access to toilets; the BMCs own surveys revealed that there were only about 80,000 toilet seats in slums catering to only 37% of the citys slum population; in M ward which is replete with slums, there is only one toilet for every 200 persons. In this stinking saga, women have it worse than men only about one-third of the approximately 11,000 pay-to-use toilets are for women, according to the Right to Pee campaign launched five years ago as a coalition of more than 30 NGOs. Using the public toilet, where one exists, becomes an issue of safety and security for women. The BMC commissioner Ajoy Mehta should lend a serious ear to the Right to Pee activists who worked with civic ward officers across Mumbai to identify locations where public toilets were needed, and attempted to work around the obstacle of inadequate space to put them up. This was not some adversarial NGO with an agenda to show up the BMCs lacunae. The lack of adequate sanitation costs a city in many ways including its economic and health parameters. Most of all, ending open defecation and urination is a part of what ought to be a comprehensive sanitation policy. This needs ideas, investment and a commitment from the BMC, not star power and a few mobile toilets. Also read: Mumbainama: HABITAT III harps on inclusiveness; Mumbai needs it badly SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Doctors have developed a mobile application that will help patients check the credentials of the medical practitioners they consult. The app, created by the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), will also allow patients to file complaints about medical negligence. The MMC is a statutory body, governed by the Medical Council of India to establish uniform and high standards of medical education in the state. It will use its database of 85,000 MBBS doctors to allow patients to check registration numbers of consulting doctors and their specialisation certificates. The app was developed by Dr Gurram Manik a gynecologist from Solapur and Parivartan, a team of eight doctors, of which four are from Mumbai. Introducing an easy-to-use app brings about transparency between the medical fraternity and patients. Currently, there is no other easy way for people to check the authenticity of their doctors, said Dr Gurram. He said they will add a specialisations feature to the app, using which, people will be able to check if a doctor who has specialised in a particular field is also practising it. Dr Ketan Parikh, a member of the team and a paediatric surgeon from Mumbai said the app will reduce the burden of pending cases of medical negligence. The MMC is yet to announce its decision on 600 of the 750 complaints of medical grievances filed between 2005 and 2015. Currently, patients dont have a platform where their complaints of medical negligence can be redressed.Officials will be able to check complaints on the app and decide whether they account for proceedings, said Parikh. The app also has online continuing medical education (CME) so doctors can be made aware of new concepts and discoveries. Read Indian-origin doctor launches UKs first order a daddy app State launches mobile app for emergency medical services App helps meet blood shortage in 100 cities The Panvel police have handed over the body of a 28-year-old mountaineer from Hyderabad, who allegedly fell to death while climbing a hill in the Prabalgad fort area, to her family, officials said. The hilly area, known for trekking, is located near Panvel, 30 km east of Mumbai. The deceased, Rachita Gupta Kanodia went missing after she reached Panvel on November 25. Her family members along with the Hyderabad police came to the city searching for her after they lost communication with her. The local police along with some villagers traced the body around 600 meters down from the top on Monday. According to the police, Kanodia alone flew to Mumbai from Hyderabad on November 25. She took a taxi to Panvel from the airport, The vehicle immediately left after dropping her to the Prabalgad area, the police said. Abhay Mahajan, police inspector of Panvel taluka police station, said, She knew the area well as she had come to the same place in September. Probably, thats why she came alone this time. She was in touch with her family till she started climbing the hills. She also sent a picture to her husband on his phone. But there was no communication after that, he said. When Kanodia did not return home on November 29, her family registered a missing complaint with the Hyderabad police and then came to Panvel. The police traced the body on the back side of the hill. Mahajan said, We sent the body to Panvel rural hospital for a post-mortem and then handed it over to her family. The body was decomposed, and probably she died around four days ago. Her family members took it to their native place to conduct the final rites on Tuesday. The post-mortem report is yet to come, he said. The police have registered an accidental death case. Kanodias husband is a businessman and stays in Dubai. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON An angry mob attacked a few houses in a village in Satara district after a married woman was allegedly murdered by a youth from a different caste. Heavy security has been deployed in Chinchner Vandan village, along with a few surrounding villages, to avoid an untoward incident. Satara superintendent of police Sandip Patil said the situation was under control and asked people not to believe any rumours. He has warned of strict action against those spreading rumours on social media. The mob was allegedly incited after 21-year-old Aruna Mohite was found murdered. The police claim her former boyfriend Siddhaarth Danane confessed to killing her. He allegedly told the police he was angry with Mohite because she married someone else instead of him. The police said the couple had wanted to get married, but their families were against the union because they both belonged to different castes. Mohites family then married her off to a boy from Baramati in October this year, the police said. The former couple had been in contact with each other on the mobile phone even after Aruna got married, the police said. On November 30, the police said Mohite left her house in Baramati for Satara and told her family she was going to meet a friend. She met Danane in Satara and they left for Thoseghar, a popular picnic spot, in an ST bus, the police said. Danane confessed to hitting Aruna with a blunt object and threw her body into the jungle, the police claim. Mohites family registered a complaint with the Baramati police. According to the police, the last phone call Mohite made was to Danane. The police have registered an offence against unidentified people. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Your travel between Mumbai and Pune is likely to be smoother, faster and without any jams on the expressway. Reason: The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) floated bids for the construction of additional lanes and tunnels to decongest the ghat section of the expressway. There will be two elevated roads in the valley section and two tunnels between Khalapur and Sinhgad institute near Kusgaon. The augmentation plan of the corporation aims to reduce travel time between the two cities by 30 to 45 minutes. At present, traffic from the expressway and the old highway converge on the six-lane stretch between Khopoli and Khandala, causing traffic congestion. Our plan is to connect the section after Khalapur toll plaza and Sinhgad institute through tunnels and viaducts. Wherever there is a valley section, we will have viaducts [elevated road] and wherever there is a mountain we will have a tunnel. With this, motorists will be able to bypass the ghat section, where there is traffic congestion on most occasions, said Kiran Kurundkar, joint managing director, MSRDC. According to MSRDC officials, the two four-lane tunnels will be 1.75km and 8.92km in length, while the additional lanes will be of 13.3km and 5.9km. The estimated cost of the project is Rs5,385 crore and the period of construction is three years. We have invited bids for qualification and we intend to award the contract by February, said a senior MSRDC official. Earlier, the MSRDC had invited bids for qualification in October, but the plan hit a roadblock because it was not technically feasible. The planned elevated road, which is part of the link between Khalapur toll plaza and Sinhgad Institute, was not feasible, because the latter is on a high gradient (upslope). Following that, the corporation reworked the detailed plan and has now invited fresh bids for the project. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Demolition drive at Retibunder creek undertaken by the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) and Thane collector took a violent turn after a van belonging to an assistant municipal commissioner was vandalised by unknown persons during the drive. The collector announced that the land mafia, who have misused the Retibunder land, will be booked accordingly. The corporation, along with the collecto,r initiated a massive drive against encroachment along the four-kilometre Retibunder creek. Civic commissioner Sanjeev Jaiswal has assured that a chowpatty will be developed along the creek in the next six months. The demolition drive began early on Wednesday. Sandeep Malvi, public relations officer for TMC, said, The car belongs to one of the assistant municipal commissioners. Somebody broke both the windscreens. We have asked the police to investigate the matter. Though were mild altercations with the locals, who resisted demolition of their structures, the situation is now under control. After targeting the illegal dance bars, lodge and hookah parlours in the last few days, the TMC has shifted focus to Retibunder creek next. Moreover, Jaiswal has assured rehabilitation to the occupants. Speaking to media persons, collector Mahendra Kalyankar said, Several land sharks have sold government plots for Rs4 lakh to Rs5 lakh and are also involved in illegal activities along the creek. We will register cases against all such encroachers. On the other hand, those who are doing business for over a decade or two will be rehabilitated. An occupant of one of the illegal structures, who protested against the TMC action, sustained injuries after a portion of a concrete structure fell on his head. Also read: Thane: Demolition halted after women threaten to immolate themselves SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The body of an unidentified woman suspected to have been murdered, was found lying by the road side close to the Mall Of India near Sector 18 area Wednesday morning, police said. The incident came to light after some passersby informed the police about a suspicious looking sack. The body was found in a sack cloth. The deceased was wearing a black suit. There was an injury mark on the head, which appears to be fatal, said Rashid Ali, station house officer, Sector 20 police station. Police said the name Shahida was tattooed on one hand of the deceased who was aged around 40 years. Circumstantial evidences suggest murder. A case was registered with Sector 20 police station and a team was constituted to investigate the matter. The body was sent for post-mortem, reports of which are awaited, said Ali. Police said the deceased had henna on her both hands. No signs of scuffle were found at the spot. It seems like somebody dumped the body here. We are checking footage of CCTV cameras to get a clue of the suspects, said Ali. Body of an unidentified woman, estimated to be in her late 30s, was found lying on the roadside in Sector 18 near the Mall of India on Wednesday morning, the police said. Some passersby came across the body in a sack and informed the police. The body was found in a sack wrapped in cloth. The deceased was wearing a black burqa. There was an injury mark on the head. Her mouth was gagged with a piece of cloth, said Dinesh Yadav, superintendent of police, Noida. The police said the womans palms had Shahida and Farooq written in henna (mehendi). Investigators said there was an overpowering smell of kerosene or petrol at the spot where the body was lying. The police also found a piece of cloth wrapped around the neck and this has led them to suspect that the woman might have been strangled. Also read: Nine bodies of women found in 14 months, only one case solved It seems like the attackers wanted to burn the body but they failed in the attempt and dumped it in Sector 18. Circumstantial evidence suggests murder. Prima facie, it seems like the woman was murdered six to seven hours before the body was discovered, Yadav said. A case under sections of murder was registered at the Sector 20 police station and a team was constituted to investigate the matter. The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination, reports of which are awaited, he said. The investigators said they have not found any signs of scuffle at the spot. It seems like somebody dumped the body there. We are checking CCTV camera footage to get a clue about the suspects. About 20 CCTV cameras are there in the area and these are being checked. So far, we have not found any clue to identify the deceased, said Rashid Ali, station house officer, Sector 20 police station. The police have informed the neighbouring police stations about the incident and have sought details of missing women in the age group of 30-35 years. Buyers in Shikhar Enclave housing scheme in Sector 15 of Vasundhara on Wednesday staged a sit-in protest outside the UP Housing Development Boards (UPHDB) regional office in Sector 16 over late delivery of flats. The Shikhar Enclave housing scheme was launched by UPHDB in 2010. A total of 216 flats were allotted to buyers in July 2011. The housing scheme offered 2BHK and 3BHK flats. The payment for the flats was to be completed by April 2013 and the possession was to be given by July 2013. More than 150 buyers gathered outside the housing boards office around 11am and raised slogans against the authorities. They said the 216 buyers are living in Delhi-NCR, waiting for delivery of flats. We had filled the forms for the housing scheme in 2010 and the flats were allotted in July 2011. By April 2013, we made total payment for the flats, but they are yet to be delivered, VS Tomar, a buyer, said. He is currently staying in Surya Nagar. Buyers said they have spoken to officials many times, but in vain. We have been meeting the authorities for the last two years, but they always give us a new deadline. In July, we had carried out a similar protest and officials assured us that the possession will be given by Diwali. However, here we are again, making the same demand despite it being past the latest deadline, Dinesh Kumar, a buyer, said. Kumar is currently staying in Patparganj, Delhi. Following the demonstration, officials of the board met the protesters and assured them of expediting the delivery. After learning about the grievances of the buyers, I had asked the executive engineer of the area to speak to them. We assured the buyers of delivering the flats by March 2017 and requested them to stop the demonstration, Mahendra Prasad, additional housing commissioner (Meerut Zone), UPHDB, said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A team of Uttar Pradesh pollution control board (UPPCB) completed the survey of air quality in Kaushambi, following a petition by residents. The officials also took note of the current pollution level with the help of ambient air quality monitoring instruments. The Kaushambi Apartments Residents Welfare Association (Karwa) had filed a contempt petition at the National Green Tribunal (NGT), alleging negligence by authorities in preventing pollution in the area. Kaushambi is located near the Anand Vihar interstate bus terminal and a UP Roadways bus terminal, where the level of PM10 and PM2.5 are almost 10 times the permissible limit. Heavy traffic flow at Maharajpur border also causes pollution. The area houses 21 highrises, with a population of around 10,000. During the survey, we photographed pictures of various places marred by open solid waste dumps and also traffic choke points. We had also installed an ambient air quality monitoring instrument to measure the current pollution level. The data will be compiled and submitted to NGT, Paras Nath, regional manager, UPPCB, said. The equipment to assess the air quality was installed at the T-junction near Panchmani Tower. VK Mittal, president of Karwa, said, UPPCB members have been visiting Kaushambi for the last few days. The team also took pictures of various sources of pollution such as encroachments, digging work, dusty roads and traffic choke points. Dusty stretches and improper disposal of solid waste, besides other issues, have worsened air quality. While hearing the contempt petition in November, NGT had directed UPPCB to file a report on the steps taken to curb pollution and dumping of solid waste in Kaushambi. The tribunal had also directed the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to file an affidavit on the steps taken to curb pollution from its casting yard in Sahibabad industrial area. The casting yard is located two kilometres from Kaushambi residential locality and is used to make segments for the 9.41km metro route in Ghaziabad. Karwa had initially moved the green court in August 2015, following which NGT directed for short-term and long-term measures to be implemented within six weeks and six months, respectively, by agencies and officials including the municipal corporation, senior superintendent of police, district magistrate and UPPCB. During subsequent hearings, the tribunal also called upon UP Roadways and DMRC as additional respondents in the case. Read more: Pollution, civic issues irk Kaushambi residents SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two residents of Indirapuram were duped of large sums of money from their bank accounts in two separate incidents. Both gave a written complaint at the Indirapuram police station on Monday. In the first incident, Akshay Saxena, who is a resident of Rishabh Paradise apartments in Ahinsa Khand-2, Indirapuram, found that Rs 83,500 went missing from his account between November 30 and December 2. My father and I have a joint bank account. On the night of November 30, my father got a message on his mobile phone about the tranfer of Rs 20,000, Rs 10,000 and then again of Rs 10,000 to an online wallet system. We went to the bank next morning and asked the manager to cease our accounts immediately, said Sexena, who works at a private firm. He claims that the account was ceased only on December 2 until which a total of Rs 83,500 had been debited from the account and transferred to other online wallets. He said that he does not use any online banking services or online wallets. We did not even get one time password for any transaction which means that the miscreants used the details of my debit card to do the transactions. I will file an online FIR after giving the written complaint at the police station, said Saxena. According to the police, the accused will be nabbed soon. The complainant has given a complaint against the issue. We will also inquire from the bank about the details and try to trace the culprits. An investigation is going on, said Anil Kumar Yadav, circle officer, Indirapuram police station. In the second incident, a resident of Lotus Pond apartments in Vaibhav Khand, Indirapuram, was duped of Rs 70,000 when unidentified persons misused his ATM card details. I got a call on Sunday afternoon from an unknown number saying that they are from the bank and my ATM card may be blocked in some time. In order to avoid it, they said, I should tell them the details of the card and the one time password which I will receive. I did as they said and later found that in four transactions Rs 70,000 had been debited on my account, said NT Mathur, who is retired as additional director at Lok Sabha, government of India. He gave a written complaint at the Indirapuram police station on Monday. Mathur has also given us the mobile number from which he received the call and it has been put on electronic surveillance. An FIR will be lodged after further investigation, said Yadav. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Dozens of students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in Greater Noida boycotted school on Tuesday morning over the death of 12-year-old student Aditya Kumar. Aditya, along with 500 other students, used to live in a hostel inside the school campus in Dhoom Manikpur village of Dadri tehsil. The agitated students alleged that Aditya had been suffering from fever since Friday and he died due to negligence shown by school authorities. Aditya passed away at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, in Delhi, on Monday evening. The reason for his death is still unknown and his body has been sent for post-mortem. Taking note of the agitation, Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate NP Singh has asked for a magisterial inquiry regarding the death. We have taken note of the protest by students over Adityas death. I have asked the sub-divisional magistrate of Dadri to enquire and take strict action against those found guilty, said Singh. Aditya, a native of Chhapra in Bihar, had joined JNV in July this year. On Friday evening, he complained of fever from the cold weather and asked the schools nurse for medication. Students claim that Aditya didnt receive immediate medical care by the nurse and was taken to the district hospital in Noida only on Sunday when his condition deteriorated. We informed the principal and other officials about Adityas condition but they did not take any action. The nurse, Kamlesh Tomar, gave Aditya an injection without a doctors prescription on Saturday when his health deteriorated. Aditya was then taken to the district hospital on Sunday and a hospital in Delhi on Monday but he couldnt be saved. Had the school management taken action on time, he would have been alive, said a student of Class 10. Students have demanded the removal of Tomar and school vice-principal PS Chauhan. They also alleged that school authorities locked them in the hostel on Monday night fearing a backlash. When Aditya was declared dead on Monday evening, the first thing our vice-principal did was to lock us in the hostel so that we are unable to protest. We were kept hungry for the entire night and subsequent morning by the hostel authorities. This is sheer torture and harassment and we demand Tomar and Chauhan be sacked immediately, said another student. The police reached the school on Monday evening to calm down the agitated students. We are at the hostel since morning, and, after several requests, the students have finally taken their meals. We have not registered any case and investigation is ongoing. Further action will be taken once the post-mortem results are out, said Anand Mishra, station house office, Badalpur police station. Adityas father is currently on a business trip to Goa and is expected to reach Delhi on Wednesday, while his mother is at the Delhi hospital and has refused to comment. The schools principal, GS Tomar, couldnt be reached for a statement despite several attempts. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Following a suggestion by the district administration and to meet the needs of their workers, factory owners in different areas distributed nearly 500 grocery coupons on Tuesday for workers to buy household essentials in the face of lack of cash. Factory owners usually pay their workers in cash by the seventh of every month, but like everyone else, they too are facing a cash crunch following demonetisation. These industrialists have identified grocery shops in different areas whose shop owners have agreed to take payments later for products bought through these coupons. Workers can purchase daily-use items with these coupons that bear the names of their employers factories and amount details. The value of items purchased through these coupons will later be deducted from the salary of the workers. There are over 8,000 small, medium and big factories in Gautam Budh Nagar with over one and a half lakh employees who have been drawing salaries in cash till now. While their dependence on cash transactions has left them stranded in these times, their employers are also facing difficulties in paying salaries as they face withdrawal limits on their savings and current accounts. Bharat Bagga, who owns a garment factory at Sector 2, said, I have distributed nearly 25 grocery coupons of Rs500 each. It is essential to retain employees and help them as they wait for salaries to purchase grocery items. The coupons being distributed range from Rs500 to Rs1,800. Sudhir Srivastava, vice-president, Noida entrepreneurs association (NEA), said, Some NEA members distributed 150 grocery coupons on Tuesday. In the next three days, our members will try to distribute the maximum number of coupons. Employees can purchase all essential items such as rice, flour, sugar, oil, spice, dal and salt with these coupons. District magistrate NP Singh had asked industrialists a few days ago to assist their workers with grocery coupons. Noida Industries Welfare Association (Niwa), which has little less than 300 members, too distributed nearly 350 coupons ranging from Rs1,500 to Rs1,800 in value. For companies, keeping their employees happy and retaining them is a big challenge as demonetisation has created massive resentment among lower-paid workers who are going through a difficult time. Their worry has badly affected our business as well, said Rajesh Jain, general secretary, Niwa. Meanwhile, banks have geared up to meet the massive withdrawal requirement expected over the next three days after salary distribution begins on Wednesday wherever possible. We have arranged additional cash, and arranged extra counters and manpower to control crowds from Wednesday onwards, said AK Singh, lead bank manager Gautam Budh Nagar. Read more: Noida industrialists to pay Nov salaries in instalments SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Three days after the death of a student at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Dadri, students continued their protest seeking action against the school administration for alleged negligence and did not attend classes. Twelve-year-old Aditya Kumar, from Chhapra in Bihar, had died at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash ((LNJP) hospital in Delhi on Monday after suffering from high fever. He had been staying in the schools hostel. Classes were not held on Wednesday as we protested and raised slogans against the school administration. They have promised action against whoever is found guilty, said a student of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya. Aditya had joined the school in July this year in class 10. He had complained of fever on Friday evening. School nurse Kamlesh Tomar administered treatment, but his health deteriorated. He was shifted to the Noida district hospital on Sunday from where he was referred to LNJP hospital in Delhi where he died on Monday. Students have alleged negligence on the part of the school administration and the nurse, who the school has transferred to Jhansi. The nurse has been transferred till the time the probe is completed, said a school official requesting anonymity. To pacify the agitating students, the school administration displayed a copy of the nurses transfer letter. Students said they will end their agitation from Thursday morning. Classes will resume from Thursday. We have faith in the district magistrates probe and since the nurse has been transferred, the probe will not be hampered, said a student. Adityas body was sent for post-mortem to Delhi, reports of which are still awaited. District magistrate NP Singh had ordered an enquiry into the death of the student. I have asked the local sub-divisional magistrate to take action against whoever is found guilty, he said. The students have alleged that the nurse had given Aditya an injection without doctors prescription, which led to complications. They had also said that he was not given immediate medical attention. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Death is a great leveler. It is also a great eraser, especially of unsavoury memories and problematic legacies. The passing of six-time Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa unleashed a surge of obeisance for three days as commentators lauded her decisiveness, leadership and governance. Social media was flooded with articles and videos that celebrated the Iron Lady for her policy grit and personal charisma. She was rightly credited for steering the southern state to becoming Indias second-largest state economy, turning Chennai into an automobile hub and attracting billions of dollars in industrial investment across Tamil Nadu. The deluge of mourners devastated at the loss of their beloved Amma also shone light on her welfare schemes that ranged from state support for abandoned babies, women and the poor to her enduring brand of cheap but healthy canteens, free medicines and water. To the poor and downtrodden of Tamil Nadu especially women she was a benevolent mother who touched their lives through her runaway-hit schemes. They rewarded her by voting her back to power in the last assembly elections, a feat no one had achieved in 30 years. She also enacted what is considered Indias most robust social justice scheme that assures 69% reservation to a wide range of weaker sections. Just two years into her first stint in 1993, the imperious politician lobbied the central government to put Tamil Nadus ingenious quota system beyond judicial review and it remains the only state to have done so a curious omission from most of her otherwise gushing obituaries. Her rightful achievements makes for good headlines and even better posturing as speaking ill of the deceased is considered bad form. But such adulation distorts the truth, especially surrounding one of Indias tallest and most complex leaders whose legacy is a complicated mesh of caste and gender. A common criticism of Jayalalithaa is that of corruption she was convicted twice of amassing wealth disproportionate to her income. But a less discussed aspect of the AIADMK chief was her questionable record on atrocities against the lower castes. She was chief minister in 2011 when the state police fired at a gathering in south Tamil Nadus Ramanathpuram district, killing seven Dalit villagers. Jayalalithaa constituted an inquiry commission but did little to mitigate simmering caste tensions between the dominant Thevars and Dalits that continue to claim lives in a state where, ironically, every leader swears by anti-caste Dravidian ideology. A year later on the other side of the state, hundreds of Dalit homes were set ablaze in Dharmapuri as a mob of intermediate caste Vanniyars went on an uncontrolled rampage while an outnumbered police force stood by and watched. The trigger for the violence: Their caste pride had been wounded by a Dalit boy and a Vanniyar girl who defied a local panchayat diktat against their love and fled the region. The boy, Ilavarasan, was found dead by the local railway tracks, becoming the face of festering caste hatred that had spurred a rash of honour killings. His killers have still not been convicted. A year later, clashes between cadre of the PMK and Dalit villagers in the states Villupuram district left two people dead. Earlier this year, Ilavarasans fate was repeated when a Dalit boy, Shankar, was hacked to death in full public view in Udhumalpet by his upper-caste in-laws the entire country witness to the horror via a live close circuit camera recording that went viral. In between these high-profile cases, the rubric of Tamil Nadus Periyar-centric ideology was steadily eroded as intermediate castes such as Thevars, Gounders and Vanniyars took on a neo-oppressor role for Dalits. The AIADMK presided over a large part of this reign and counted most of these dominant castes as support Jayalalithaas confidante Sasikala and Tamil Nadus new chief minister O Pannerselvan are both Thevars. Additionally, the party fought elections in alliance with the PMK said to have fanned anti-Dalit sentiment across the state three times. But it wasnt just caste atrocities where the 68-year-olds record was poor. She also famously brooked no dissent and in her last term, filed more than 200 defamation cases against opponents and journalists, sometimes for merely reporting criticism of her policies. She filed cases against anyone who reported on her supposedly poor health, forcing on one instance the web portal Rediff to take down an article. More than a dozen cases were filed against the Times of India, The Hindu, Tamil newspaper Dinamalar, compelling the Supreme Court to rebuke the state government and accuse it of throttling democracy. Jayalalithaas career was a mash-up of controversial and visionary decisions, clever politicking and costly mistakes. She was a tough decision maker who fought gender abuse for years in a male-dominanted political scene a reason, many say, for her famously icy exterior and demand of total loyalty from her followers. A leader who commanded the devotion of legions of supporters and humiliated entrenched opponents cannot be someone with a straightforward legacy. In choosing to gloss over her imperfections and blunders, we are doing a disservice to one of the most important leaders of our times and how history might end up judging her. (Views expressed are personal. The author tweets @dhrubo127) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON When launching the International Solar Alliance (ISA) during the United Nations Climate Change summit in 2015 at Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said, The sun is the source of all energy, the world must turn to solar, the power of our future. Last week, a solar power plant in Kamuthi, Tamil Nadu became the worlds largest plant. With a capacity to produce 648 MW of electricity, the plant comprises 2.5 million individual solar modules. Still, despite being a sun-rich country, India has failed to tap its true potential. The endeavours range from a one-off photovoltaic solar project to an almost failed solar-cooker propagation drive. Even with more than 300 sunny days a year in most parts of the country, Indias solar energy programme had never really caught on till the launch of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission in 2010. By the middle of 2013, the cumulative installed capacity had risen to 506.9 MW, from 17.8 MW in 2010. The wheel had been set in motion. Read: Bengals solar dome to light up a million homes Two years ago, the government upped its solar energy targets. The installed capacity is now more than 10 times of that in 2010. With the addition of 1,964.76 MW in the first seven months of the current fiscal, the total solar power generation capacity in the country as on October 31, 2016 has risen to more than 8727.62 MW. The target up to March 2017 is 10,500 MW. This is proof enough that India is on the right track. In its action plan to combat climate change formally called Intended Nationally Determined Contributions submitted to the UN, India has promised to increase its renewable energy target to a massive 175 GW, of which solar energy is expected to rise to 100 GW by year 2022. Of this, as much as 40 GW is slated for rooftop solar. India is witnessing a huge paradigm shift when it comes to solar power. Airports (Kochi went fully solar in 2015), the Delhi Metro, the railways, solar-powered toll plazas, farmers cooperatives, canal-top solar generation in Gujarat and even a solar-powered blood bank in Arunachal Pradesh, the list goes on. But the best opportunity that remains as-yet untapped is the roof top solar for the vast country as diverse in terrain as India. Solar energy: an agent of change Thousands of households across India still live under dark need de-centralised solar power rather than the cost-intensive grid power. Even when government has announced solar parks, and several of them are indeed coming up in many states, it is the off-grid solar power that will and should pave the way for not just for those households in rural, hinterlands but for urban roof tops too, not to mention hundreds and thousands of government buildings across the country. The government is promoting its Surya Mitra skill development scheme in a big way and has completed training for a large number of youth. This, however, is fraught with its own set of problems. People in rural areas face an absence of point of sales for solar panels, post-sale maintenance and availability of spare parts. A case in point is the Jammu Kashmir Energy Development Agencys Surya Mitra youth. Of the 26 persons who completed the training in February 2016, many are still awaiting work. An official associated with the project told me that in absence of adequate opportunities in their own state, the students are mostly referred to institutions outside. But we are hoping that things will change when the state cabinet approves of the proposed Roof Top Technology policy, he told me. Not just roof top solar, there is immense potential for research and development in the solar energy field. The challenge is to come up with technology suitable to Indian market requirements even when several private companies, both domestic and foreign, are eyeing a big pie. In its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions document, India said: If climate change is a calamity that mankind must adapt to while taking mitigation action withal, it should not be used as a commercial opportunity. It is time that a mechanism is set up which will turn technology and innovation into effective instrument for global public good, not just private returns. This technology and finance, coming from private players, needs to be diverted for creating social change and not end up as another cause for capital funding. Nivedita Khandekar is an independent journalist based in Delhi. A grand stage has been set for the Punjab governments mega event Pani Bachao, Punjab Bachao (Save Water, Save Punjab) rally to be held at Killi Chahal village in the district on the occasion of chief minister Parkash Singh Badals birthday on Thursday. The rally, to be attended by CM Badal, deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal and revenue minister Bikram Singh Majithia, besides other Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders, is being seen as the last mega event of the state government before the coming assembly polls. A number of illegal hoarding, hailing the SAD, have been put up from Jagraon to Moga on the walls of government buildings, under the bridges, bus stands and the divider on the national highway-95. Notably, the Punjab and Haryana high court has imposed a complete ban on installation of hoardings along national highways as it diverts the attention of drivers, which may lead to accidents. According to the Punjab Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1997, nobody can deface any public or private property by pasting posters, writing or painting on the walls or putting up banners without the prior permission from the owner of the property concerned. Ignoring all the rules, the state information and public relations department had instructed district public relations officers (DPROs) in Moga and adjoining districts to ensure installation of these billboards. Workers installing flags carrying CM Parkash Singh Badal's photo on the Ludhiana-Ferozepur highway in Moga on Wednesday. (Parampreet Singh Narula/HT) At the venue on Wednesday. (Parampreet Singh Narula/HT) At the rally venue in Moga on Wednesday. (Parampreet Singh Narula/HT) Meanwhile, the police have made elaborate security arrangements for the rally and SSP Sharma has of late been spending most of his time at the venue. A 200-acre stretch of land has been taken in the village by the government to make this rally historic. While senior Akali leaders have been making rounds at the venue for reviewing arrangements, Badal landed in Moga on Wednesday evening and reached agriculture minister Tota Singhs home. The entire Moga administration, led by additional deputy commissioner (ADC) Ajay Sood, and the district police, led by senior superintendent of police (SSP) Snehdeep Sharma, has been engaged in looking after the arrangements for the rally, which SAD had smartly turned into a government event, linking it with the cause of saving Punjabs waters. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Of the two things Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had said during his Punjab visits candidates would be announced six months in advance and only Congress can defeat the Congress but only the latter is coming true. Even as elections are likely to be announced this month, the party is busy doing what it does best, adjusting candidates and fitting them into the criteria of youth, women and this time also one family, one ticket. Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh, who has been proclaiming ever since his return to presidency that winnability alone will be the criteria, also seems to be applying it with exception for both loyalists and detractors. Even the surveys are being put to selective use. Party sources say some sitting MLAs are on a weak wicket in the surveys but Amarinder has ruled out swapping of general seats. A little inspiration from Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Badal would have helped here. To beat anti-incumbency, Sukhbir has dropped and juggled seats of over 30 sitting and former MLAs with great ease, despite an open revolt. Congress MLAs are also questioning why Amarinder has brought in the criteria of no swap only for general seats. If senior leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal is looking better than other Congress contenders on the Lehra seat in the surveys, its simply because the Congress has no better alternative against her. Bhattal was keen to shift, but has been pinned down to Lehra. A ready reckoner for the Congress on how a little shuffling helps should be in Ludhiana MP Ravneet Bittu who was in 2014 shifted out of the Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha segment at the last moment owing to anti-incumbency and he clinched the Ludhiana seat as a wild card entry. Some of Amarinders loyalists were in the danger zone in the surveys but they were allowed a safe passage in the list of MLAs he had decided to drop for non-performance. Even these MLAs, it is learnt, have managed to get adjusted with Rajya Sabha MPs, central Congress leaders and in some cases, Rahul and party president Sonia Gandhi themselves, bailing them out. Muktsar seat is an example. Amarinder had met Bhai Kuku for the Muktsar seat but sitting MLA Karan Brar has in an audio message announced her candidature. Though Brar says as a disciplined party leader, she is waiting for an official announcement. Sources in the party contend she had got Sonias word that her seat is safe. Rubbishing any survey that showed Brar on a sticky wicket, sources close to her said Bhai Kuku had been going around saying he has been promised the seat by Amarinder. Sources in the screening committee said there is little possibility of a sitting MLA from general seat being dropped, other than those who have decided to opt out for family. SC MLAs VS WINNABILITY Amarinder has said shuffling of sitting and former MLAs will be allowed on reserved seats, never mind if the MLA can win even the other seat. In Jaito, MLA Joginder Singh, sources said, does not have favourable report in the surveys. So he was asked to shift base to another reserved seat, Malout. But here too he faced a revolt. Joginder is likely to be rehabilitated in another reserved constituency if not dropped. Likewise, the party is eager to shuffle the Bhadaur seat of its MLA Mohammad Sadique. In neighbouring Mehal Kalan, MLA Harchand Kaur fits the criteria of woman candidate but is being opposed by a MLA close to Amarinder. YOUTH VS WOMEN VS HINDU The party is facing a conflict between its criteria of fielding women and youth along with one family, one ticket norm. At least three women MLAs who ranked high on winnability will be making way for the family, including Amarinders wife and Patiala (urban) MLA Preneet Kaur, Rajya Sabha MP Partap Bajwas wife Charanjit Bajwa and Nawanshahr MLA Guriqbal Kaur. Another concern of the party is to ensure it fields at least 24 Hindu faces as the last time. Three Hindu MLAs one each from Gurdaspur, Ludhiana and Hoshiarpur districts were not looking good in the surveys. In Ludhiana north, mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria too is vying for the ticket in place of MLA Rakesh Pandey, a Bhattal loyalist. Sources said of the 117 seats, 65 to 70 are non-contentious where there is a sitting MLA or a strong contender, including new entrants from the SAD. The party is struggling on the remaining seats to ensure the different criteria are met. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Shyamu, 34, a worker at a hosiery firm in Ludhiana, has been stalling his travel plans to his native place in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, for almost 20 days now. His mother, who is sick, is waiting for him there. Everything hinged on December 7, payday. But his boss offered him demonetised banknotes of Rs 500 and 1,000, citing a currency crunch. Shyamu refused to take the salary, for now. He is one of the 12 lakh workers in the industrial town affected by the demonetisation move that took out about 85% of the currency in circulation, and the resultant cash crunch due to shortage of new notes. As most of banks and ATMs remain out of cash, many traders are banking on agents who have come up overnight and are taking a 10-15% cut to exchange old notes with valid ones. Or, in some factories, the owners have partly paid the workers. Very few have given cheques as either the workers lack bank accounts or the owners do not want the transactions tracked. Only big players such as Hero Group and Trident textiles, where the entire workforce has bank accounts, have paid by cheques or e-transfer. Around 80% of all industry is in the unorganised sector. And 80% of the workers do not have bank accounts, said Badish Jindal, vice-chairman of the National Productivity Council, In some cases, workers who are refusing to accept the old notes or cheques are being laid off. Workers here usually come from villages of UP, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh, and such migrants are 8 lakh of the 12 lakh workers here. Around 4 lakh work in the hosiery industry, while more than 2 lakh in the cycle industry. Other sectors include machine tools, sewing machines and auto parts. Suresh Arora, owner of Arora Fabrics in Sundarnagar locality, said, I could not pay salary to more than 80% of my workers as I could withdraw only Rs 50,000 from my current account. If somebody chooses to leave, he or she can. Around 60% of my workers have already left for their native places in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Harmohinder Pahwa, director of Nova Cycles, said they could pay only 15% of the 550 workers. We have given cheques to workers who have bank accounts. Since we do not have cash, we will be paying the rest in installments in the coming days. Meanwhile, Arun Kumar, 42, who works in a hosiery firm for the last 24 years, and his family are relying on potatoes alone for meals. He was given the salary in old notes that he refused to accept. He last withdrew Rs 2,000 from his account on November 17. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Nearly a month after Prime Ministers demonetisation announcement on November 8, the situation on ground has not improved much. Banks continue to receive 40-50% less cash than the demand, as a result most of the automatic teller machines (ATMs) are dry and people are left harassed. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is giving us money, but the problem is occurring because of the demand and supply mismatch. Supply of cash by the RBI does not match the demand of customers. There is a problem for sure, said a senior officer of the HDFC Bank. There is no improvement in the situation. Cash is being provided by the RBI, but it is not as per the requirement. Supply is there, but it is not as per the demand. As per my observation, the supply is 40% less than the demand, said a senior officer of the State Bank of India (SBI). Because of little supply of cash, most of the ATMs are without cash. The ATMs in Sectors 27, 28, 30, 20 were out of cash. At bank square, hardly two-three ATMs were functional. My number was 192 in the line, but the cash got over after the 30th customer only, said a professor from Panjab University (PU). Long queues can be seen outside a few functional ATMs. I have to stand in queue for at least an hour daily as I have to meet my expenses. It is very difficult as not all ATMs are functioning. It has become a routine task to search for ATMs with cash, said Sonal Dua, a student. There was some logistics issue on Monday, due to which many ATMs were dry. But today (Tuesday), we have received enough cash and all ATMs are dispensed with cash, said another officer from SBI. There are 230 ATMs of SBI in the tricity. Out of these, 5-6 ATMs have Rs 100 notes and other have new currency. Officials from central bank informed that the supply improved on Tuesday. Nearly 50% ATMs of central bank are functional. I am motherless and have no siblings. I was hit by a vehicle few days ago and hurt my right paw. I am fine now, just have a small limp while walking. I love other dogs and cats as well and can adjust to any environment. I am also very low maintenance. This Facebook and WhatsApp post is from Buddy, a month-old male pup, looking for a foster home. Not that he doesn't have one. Rohit Beri and Sandra Beri, who have moved back to India from Dubai recently, had found Buddy lying on a road with a fracture. He was all cramped up and shivering. We brought him home. But we have another pet from Dubai who is ferocious and attacked him. Then we took him to a friends home but even her pet dog did not accept him, says Sandra. The idea to let Buddy do the talking came to the Beris from dog shows in Dubai. The British firms make puppies wear bibs to tell about themselves. I thought an emotional first-person account by Buddy would help us get him a new foster home, says Rohit, who has recently set up a training academy for airhostesses here. The FB post Even Buddy seems to understand why. My foster parents cannot keep me as they have another rescue pet and he does not like me much though I tried my best to make him like me. Its okay. I understand, the post adds. Just in case a little introduction helps, Buddy describes himself as, I am super, duper energetic, full of charm and personality. And as you can see, I like to self-praise. My favourite past time is cuddling, eating, chewing (as I am is teething) and sleeping. But when the country is talking of Make In India, the Beris say the few enquiries they have received for Buddy have not been fruitful, as people wanted foreign breeds. "People here are too breed-conscious. He is an indi-pup. He looks a little like a German Shepherd. A woman asked us if his ears will stand up as he grows. But we couldn't promise that, says the Panchkula-based couple.. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In a report submitted before the Punjab and Haryana high court, the Punjab government has admitted that out of 5,517 cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 across the state this year till November 30, sources of drugs have been identified in 152 cases only. The report says that not even a single source has been identified in 11 of the total 29 police districts or commissionerates. The highest number of cases with identified sources has been reported from Amritsar rural police district. Even there too, sources have been identified in only 50 of the total 287 cases registered. Amritsar rural falls along the international border with Pakistan. In three districts or commissionerates, the number of cases with identified sources is only one each. Also read | Facts, figures and falsehoods of Punjabs drug problem The report was filed in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) wherein the HC is monitoring Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarhs efforts to battle the drug menace. The case mainly emerged out of the infamous Jagdish Bhola synthetic drug case. The state governments report comes in compliance with the high court order of September 7, wherein it was asked to file an affidavit with details of all cases registered since January 1, including whether the sources of drugs have been identified therein. The order was passed in the wake of allegations in the court that small-time drug peddlers were being targeted by the Punjab Police, which did not touch the big drug lords. Though arguments did not take place on the police report, which was handed over to former director general of police (DGP, prisons) Shashi Kant for its minute study, the HC bench of justice Surya Kant and justice Sudip Ahluwalia observed that the states prosecution was helping big sharks in getting acquitted in drug cases. It is proved from a recent case wherein four persons were acquitted and only two convicted in a drug seizure case. In the order, the judicial officer has mentioned five times that no evidence was produced (by prosecution), the HC bench observed. It stated that there was a spate of FIRs in 2013, but after that the state lost the track. You can argue that nothing is happening. But then such incidents (acquittal of four) belie your claims, the bench observed. In the report, the state has claimed that in 5,517 NDPS cases, 6,595 persons were arrested while the total number of sources nominated was 152. However, the affidavit filed by Ishwar Singh, director, Punjab State Narcotics Control Bureau, does not specify how many arrests were made in cases with identified sources. List of drug lords Meanwhile, director, Punjab Bureau of Investigation, Iqbal Preeet Singh Sahota, said that reports were procured from intelligence and security wings of the state police and there was no list of drug lords on the record as claimed by Shashi Kant. However, Shashi Kant contested Sahotas claim and said that on an earlier occasion, the state had changed its stand before the HC from list did not exist to not traceable. Kant claims that during his stint in intelligence wing he had prepared a list of drug lords and handed it over to the government. Meanwhile, Shashi Kant sought direction from the high court to transfer the defamation cases filed against him in Jalandhar to Chandigarh courts. He stated that he had to frequently travel to Jalandhar and the police have to make extensive security arrangements during his visits as people were out to eliminate him. They (Punjab police intelligence) had also informed me that one Punjab minister had planned to get me killed in some road accident, Shashi Kant said in his application, seeking transfer of these cases out of Punjab. The defamation cases have been filed by some individuals who were allegedly named by Kant as drug lords at a 2014 press conference in Jalandhar. The HC also directed the Haryana government to submit a report on drugs cases registered since January 2016, along with details of sources identified. The report is to be submitted by February 15, 2017, the next date of hearing. Apprehending that Thursdays sarbat khalsa (congregation of Sikhs) planned by Sikh radicals in Talwandi Sabo would disturb peace in the state, the Bathinda district administration on Wednesday denied permission to the event. The permission has been denied as the Bathinda senior superintendent of police (SSP) has apprehended law and order problem if such an event is organised, deputy commissioner Ghanshyam Thori said. The high court had on Monday asked the DC for his views on the scheduled congregation after the organisers moved the court apprehending that the government would deny them the permission. Meanwhile, speaking on the sidelines of a sangat darshan at Tohra village in Patiala, chief minister Parkash Singh Badal said the government wont allow Sikh radicals to hold sarbat khalsa as it might vitiate the hard-earned peace in the state. A handful of self-styled leaders are hell bent upon holding sarbat khalsa for hatching conspiracies to derail the process of development and peace in the state and push it back into turbulent times. The state government cannot not allow these divisive forces to hold the congregation, the CM said. At the same time, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann moved the Punjab and Haryana high court in Chandigarh again alleging the police detained some of his supporters when they were on their way to meet the Bathinda deputy commissioner. Simranjit said they had gone to the administration on Tuesday to seek permission for holding sarbat khalsa. He alleged that among those picked up by police were one Parminder Singh Balianwal. He further alleged that more than 200 persons had been arrested or detained by the police, including a granthi. Justifying the administrations move, the Bathinda DC said a similar event was organised in November last year where Sikh radicals delivered provocative speeches and raised pro- Khalistan slogans. Such an event will scare the minorities, besides raising the chances of halting the states development. There is also a possibility of confrontation between radical elements which can create law and order problem, the DC quoted the SSP in his three-page report. Citing the recent Nabha jailbreak case, Dinanagar and Pathankot terror attacks, the DC said some agencies were funding separatist and radical elements in Punjab to disturb the peace. The organisers did not cooperate and distributed posters and pamphlets before getting the permission from the administration, the DC said. In the silence of the wee hours on Tuesday, the Sikh radicals brought the holy Guru Granth Sahib in a van to the venue for their proposed Sarbat Khalsa on the outskirts of the city, scheduled for Thursday, and commenced akhand path (continuous recitation for 48 hours) there. The police were caught unawares as the palanquin carrying the holy book recahed the agricultural fields at 4 am and the recitation began under the supervision of leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and the United Akali Dal (UAD). The SAD-BJP government had in the past thwarted the Sikh radicals similar efforts to take on chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on the Panthic issues, including the incidents of the denigration of Guru Granth Sahib that led to violent public protests last year. As the news of the akhand path in the vicinity of Gurdwara Damdama Sahib spread, the police swung into action, cordoning off the entire 10-acre agricultural land and arresting half a dozen radical leaders and activists. Bathinda zone inspector general (IG) SK Asthana and senior superintendent of police (SSP) Swapan Sharma were seen on the spot as the cops sealed the area to stop more activists reaching the venue. There were around 50 activists, including the clergy performing akhand path, led by SAD (Amristar) general secretary Jaskaran Singh Kahansinghwala, on the venue. UAD general secretary Gurdeep Singh Bathinda was picked up at a barricade and reportedly taken to Maur police station. The two others prominent activists rounded up at the Bathinda mini-secretariat were Baba Chamkaur Singh and Suhdev Singh. The duo had come to meet the deputy commissioner for seeking permission for the December 8 religio-political congregation. They (the organisers) have no permission (for the congregation), said SSP Sharma, when asked why did the police cordon off the entire venue. The SSP maintained that nobody is being stopped to reach the venue, but the activists settled in the fields complained that people were not allowed to bring langar for them. Even the priest reciting the hymns is hungry, said Kahansinghwala, who asserted that they would hold the Sarbat Khalsa at any cost. The commuters from adjoining villages were diverted to other link roads around Talwandi Sabo, where a paramilitary company was also deployed. Notably, the police had thwarted a similar congregation of radicals earlier scheduled for November 10, by uprooting the tents and rounding up over 2,000 people four days ahead of the event. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Supreme Court on Wednesday slammed the governments of Punjab and Puducherry for speaking in a language that was friendly to the liquor lobby and revenue-oriented than as states concerned over peoples well-being. The courts stinging comments came as it reserved orders on a batch of petitions for the removal of liquor vends on national and state highways since drink-driving was leading to fatal accidents on such roads. The court also said there would be no distinction between hill states and others as far as ban on liquor vends on highways is concerned. Look at the number of licences you (Punjab) have given. Because the liquor lobby is so powerful, everyone is happy. You are speaking the language of the liquor lobby, a bench of Chief Justice TS Thakur, and justices DY Chandrachud and L Nageswara Rao said. The court asked the two government to have a positive attitude on the matter. You are defeating the objective by carving out exceptions, Chief Justice Thakur observed as Punjabs counsel said the amended liquor policy had exceptions to permit liquor shops in markets coming under flyovers on national highways. Also read | Get Talli gets into trouble: MBA, engineer held for selling liquor online The Punjab government came in for flak after the court was told that in pursuance of the policy that liquor shops should not be visible, the liquor vends rear portions now faced the highway and their front sides were not exposed to highway travellers. The (liquor) stock is not visible but there are enough indications that vend is close by, the bench remarked. Must read | Punjab drug menace: Of 5,517 cases, source identified in less than 3% Look at the number of licences you (Punjab) have given. Because the liquor lobby is so powerful, everyone is happy. The excise department is happy, the excise minister is happy and the state government is also happy that they are making money. If a person dies due to this, you give Rs 1 or 1.5 lakh. That is it. You should take a stand which is helpful for the society, the bench said. When the Supreme Court was told that removing liquor vends from highway in Jammu and Kashmir was not possible as they would then come up in inaccessible places, the court remarked that let them serve liquor at homes. The Punjab and Haryana high court on Tuesday directed the Punjab government to put the waiting list of qualified elementary trained teachers (ETTs) against vacant posts in various categories on the official website. The direction was given during the resumed hearing of a petition initiated by high court, concerned over the incident of two ETTs sitting atop a tower in Sector-3 in Chandigarh since November 3. States additional advocate general PPS Thethi told the court that as many as 449 ETT candidates were included in two selection lists, made for 4,500 posts in 2015 and 2,005 posts this year, as they had applied twice. As appointment is to be given to them under either of these lists, 449 posts would fall vacant. A waiting list of posts that will fall vacant as a consequence of the options given by the candidates has also been drawn up, he added stating that this waiting list would be put on the website. The court was further told that 852 posts in various reserved categories are yet to be filled due to non-availability of candidates. As there was a stay on certain categories of posts, an application is being filed for vacation of stay. The waiting list in respect of these categories will also be prepared and put on the website. Thethi assured the court that the exercise of giving appointment letters would be hopefully finalised by the next week. The Dhanbad Municipal Corporation (DMC) has emerged as the 2nd best civic body in the country for the fastest disposal of garbage though a mobile-based sanitation application, a survey has revealed. The study conducted by the Union urban development ministry, has placed the coal city after Greater Mumbai in disposal of garbage under the Clean India Mission or Swachh Bharat Abhiyan app launched by the Centre earlier this year The survey released on Wednesday, has placed the DMC in the second slot while Coimbtore civic body in Tamil Nadu and Mysore Municipal Corporation in Karnataka have been placed third and fourth in disposing garbage from a spot after receiving a complaint through the app, said Manoj Kumar, DMC town commissioner. The civic body received 1,256 complaint of garbage accumulation through the sanitation app, out of which it managed to clean 1,164 spots within 24 hours, he said. The DMC was a notch below Greater Mumbai in the number of downloads of the app. He further said that while 1,800 residents in Greater Mumbai downloaded the mobile app for lodging complaint of garbage accumulated in their respective neighbourhoods, only 500 people in the city have downloaded it until now. We will launch an awareness campaign in educational institutions, especially among college students, urging them to associate with the drive so that the maximum cleanness can be done through the app, he said. The survey report has come as major shot in the arm for Dhanbad, which was earlier, declared as the dirtiest among 73 cities of the country in a survey conducted by the ministry in January this year. It was not my magic wand that changed the scenario in the city, Kumar said. Earlier, there was lack of planning and after assuming office in October, I instructed my team to chalk out a project for cleanness and implemented it, he said. The result is out there for everyone to see. He further said that much needs to be done and the task ahead of the civic body is to pull up Dhanbad from the dirtiest city tag and place it among cleanest cities of the country. Superstar Rajinikanth and actors Ajith and Suriya were among the first celebrities from Tamil filmdom to pay homage to well-known actor, playwright and political analyst Cho Ramaswamy, who breathed his last here on Wednesday. Cho, 82, passed away due to cardiac arrest at Apollo Hospital on Wednesday early morning. Actor Ajith Kumar, who had flown in from Bulgaria where he was shooting for his next yet-untitled film, paid his respects to J Jayalalithaa at her memorial and then went and mourned the death of veteran actor Cho. While paying tribute to Cho Ramaswamy, Tamil actor Ajith also went to MGR Memorial to pay homage to J Jayalalithaa. (Vedalam.Official. AJITH/Facebook) It's Great to see Our #THALA #AJITH flew back to INDIA for paying last respect for #Jayalalitha pic.twitter.com/dBXJAg4e3v AJITHKUMAR FANS CLUB (@ThalaAjith_FC) December 7, 2016 Mr Ajith Kumar's condolence message on the demise of Dr Puratchi thalaivi amma. pic.twitter.com/o49eezY59Z Suresh Chandra (@SureshChandraa) December 5, 2016 Speaking to reporters at Chos residence, Rajinikanth said he had come to offer my condolences and pay tribute. As a writer, Cho never compromised for anyone, he added. Actor Suriya, brother Karthi and their father Sivakumar had also paid their last respects to Cho, who had starred in over 75 Tamil films. Suriya alongwith his father and brother Karthi paid rich tribute to the actor-analyst Cho Ramaswamy. (SuryaActor/Facebook) Hes best known for working in films such as Nirai Kudam, Galatta Kalyanam, Bommalattam and En Annan among others. Having adorned many hats apart from acting, Cho was also the founder and editor of Thuglak magazine, and a lawyer too. He was also a director and dialogue writer. He had also directed five films which include the very popular Tamil political satire, Mohammed Bin Thuglaka, apart from Mr. Sampath and Sambo Siva Samboo. ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop As Tamil Nadu continues to mourn the death of former chief minister Jayalalithaa, a tweet from veteran actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan has created quite a flutter the actor has being accused of being insensitive, reports Times of India. His tweet in Tamil on Tuesday, which roughly translated to: Deepest sympathies for all those who depended on her, did not go down well with the supporters of the former actor-politician, who trolled him. Kamal was accused of being insensitive to the memory of Jayalalithaa. . Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) December 6, 2016 Kamal and Jayalalithaa had a fall out in 2013 after her government banned his film Vishwaroopam to maintain law and order in the state. Jayalalithaa said she feared violence if the film was released. Several Muslim groups had objected to the film and petitioned the government to not allow it to be released. The film was eventually released. ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop On September 19, it was reported that Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from her husband Brad Pitt, citing irreconcilable differences. The duo had tied the knot in August 2014. Its been just over a couple of months since the divorce, and its being reported that Pitt is already looking for love. A report said that the actor is looking for someone to bring light into his life after all the drama. However, according to experts, getting into a new relationship immediately after a breakup is not advisable. Dr Suyog V Jaiswal, assistant professor in psychiatry, HBT Medical College, says, Such relationships, or dating on a rebound as its called, can indirectly affect you and your new relationship. The emotional wounds that one sustains post a breakup need to be healed. Getting into a rebound relationship masks the old wounds and may create problems in the long run. Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from her husband Brad Pitt, citing irreconcilable differences. (AP ) Take a break So, for how long should you wait after a breakup to get into a relationship? Jaiswal says there is no time frame as such, and it depends on the person. He says, After a breakup, an individual goes through denial, anger and depression, followed by acceptance. The length of this process and severity of the associated emotions depends on ones emotional involvement in the relationship. The more serious and older the relationship, the longer one takes to get over it. Generally, it takes about six months to a year for one to get over a serious relationship. He adds that it is better not to get into another relationship unless you get over your past one, as your state of mind will be conducive to a fresh start only after it recovers. Before that, you are emotionally still in the past relationship, and may be hoping for its revival, which may not allow you to give your complete attention to the next one. Celebs whove reportedly dated on a rebound Ashton Kutcher - On November 17, 2011, Demi Moore announced her intention to end her marriage with Kutcher. The latter started dating Mila Kunis a few months later. The couple got married in July 2015. Scarlett Johansson - She announced her separation from Ryan Reynolds in December 2010. She started dating Sean Penn within a month. That relationship ended in June 2011. Later, Johansson started dating advertising executive Nate Naylor. They split in October 2012. A month later, Johansson started dating, her now husband, Romain Dauriac, the owner of an advertising agency. Christina Aguilera - Just a month after her five-year marriage to Jordan Bratman ended, Aguilera started dating a set assistant, Matt Rutler. The duo got engaged in 2014. Leonardo DiCaprio - He dated Israeli model Bar Refaeli from 2005 to 2011. Less than a month after his breakup, he was dating Blake Lively. Their relationship ended five months later. Jennifer Lopez- She announced her split from husband Marc Anthony in July 2011. She started dating her former backup dancer Casper Smart in October 2011. The duo split a few months back. Filling the void However, waiting to get into another relationship after a breakup may be difficult for some, as people may want to fill the void that is created by the exit of their partner. Jaiswal says, This may happen with people who do not have friends with whom they can share their feelings. However, a relationship that starts soon after the end of serious relationship, may not last long. However, if you have found someone, and you know they may be a rebound, you can take steps to avoid more pain. Clinical psychologist Tanushree Bhargava says, Some people get into a new relationship immediately after a breakup as a form of weapon against their ex. People should avoid this and get into a new relationship only after they are certain about their feelings. But how do you know that you are ready to date again? When you know you are over your past relationship and are content with the good memories, rather than being sad over the painful breakup, it may be time to mingle again, says Jaiswal. Bhargava adds, When you no longer feel the desperation to enter into a new relationship, but are waiting for the right moment, you dont compare your potential partner or relationship with those in the past. You know the reasons behind the breakups and have learned from your mistakes, then you are ready for the next one. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The city with fabulous castles, lakes and palaces -- Vienna is turning into a favourite city among Indians with 30.4% increase in visitors, according to Vienna Tourist Board (VTB). As many as 47,465 visitors in the first 10 months of 2016 went to the Austrian capital and 102,701 overnight stays between January and October 2016. Located in the heart of Europe, Vienna has the right mix of culture, diversity and modernity. The city represents North European lifestyle and South European efficiency. Horse and rider (Archduke Charles / Erzherzog Karl) memorial in Vienna / Wien Austria. (Shutterstock) Vienna got an overwhelming response from travellers from India exceeding the target of 100,000 overnight stays for 2016 by Indian tourists in just 10 months, said Isabella Rauter, Public Relations Manager of Vienna Tourist Board, in a statement. Air India, currently offering a thrice-a-week direct flight from Delhi to Vienna and back, also contributed to more Indians flocking to the Austrian capital. Indians love to stroll around the fabulously green city, with half its metro area dotted with 2,000 green spaces, 850 parks and 400 species of rose, perhaps unmatched by any other city in the world, added Rauter. Follow @htlifeandstyle for more Bigg Boss 10 contestant Manu Punjabi, who had to make an emergency exit from the show after the sudden death of his mother last weekend, is all set to return to the house. Despite facing a tragic loss, Manu has not lost sight of his competition and game. The businessman from Rajasthan plans to return to Bigg Boss soon. Some of his social media posts clearly suggest his comeback: @j_i_t_e_s_h__v_y_a_s_1998 #manupunjabi #bb10 Coming Back SOOOON A photo posted by Manu Punjabi (@manu_punjabi) on Dec 5, 2016 at 10:28pm PST Last Pic.....Back to BB's House Now @jayparwani1769 #manupunjabi #manu_punjabi #manojpunjabi #manoj_punjabi #bb10 #bbs10 A photo posted by Manu Punjabi (@manu_punjabi) on Dec 6, 2016 at 4:26am PST Manveer Gujjar and Monalisa, who were disappointed to see Swamiji return and wanted Manu to come back instead, will be more than happy to see their friend come back on the show. Earlier, Manus fiancee Priya had told Indian Express that he will return to Bigg Boss soon. Manus return is likely to be aired this weekend. Last year, Keith Sequeira had to leave the show (Bigg Boss 9) midway due to his brothers death and later came back on the show. Follow @htshowbiz for more Nobody from Bollywood has approached me yet, says Ssumier S Pasricha aka Pammi Aunty. And as to whenever that happens, the actor is quick to respond, It wont be as Pammi Aunty but as Ssumier. Pammi apni jagah aur Ssumier apni jagah. When people are imitating you, youre on the right track, says Ssumier whose life took a turn when the viral Pammi Aunty, an experiment as he calls it, happened after the actor took a sabbatical from TV serials. Pammi started as a fictional character but its real now. She has become the voice of India and everyone wants to know her views on social issues. I didnt think that itd become so dear to people. Now, its a brand and big companies want Pammi Aunty for endorsements, says Ssumier popularly known for shows such as Sasural Simar Ka(2012). Pammi aunty and Diwali Taash Party.... Ssumier part 81: https://t.co/ZB4o78eS1r via @YouTube Ssumier S Pasricha (@Ssumier) October 26, 2016 The actor took to social media recently urging his fans to refrain from making youtube channels and pages in his name as it is against legalities. He also confessed that he often gets trolled but he tries to remain as humble as possible. Born in Delhi and based out of Mumbai, Ssumier has had a penchant for theatre since the age of ten. Theatre has always been my first love. I didnt go to any training school to learn acting. I used to act during school and then I started to do it professionally. I was doing theatre in Delhi and Australia also. Going to Australia to pursue further education in 1999, Ssumier says was the best decision ever. My dad was not happy with me doing acting and theatre.He always believed that actors dont make money. And I was passionate about it. Australia made me independent. Its important to step out of your comfort zone in life. As for his upbringing in the Capital, he shares, My mom is a housewife and my dad a business man. I have been part of a generation where it used to be like Aunty aapke ke ghar mein kya bana hai, wahan jaake khaana kha liye. Now people dont even know their neighbours. The actor performed in Gurgaon recently as part of the play Amavas Se Amaltas that addressed social issues where he played an autistic person. I was honoured to do the role.It had a message that Autism is not an illness. It can be tackled if people are trained to do so. As for visiting the Millennium City, the actor says, Its far from Delhi but its a brilliant place. I like Gurgaon, its well planned. Whenever Im in Delhi, my friends take me to CyberHub to eat nice food. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A 6.5-magnitude earthquake rocked Indonesias Aceh province early on Wednesday, killing nearly 100 people and sparking a frantic rescue effort in the rubble of dozens of collapsed and damaged buildings. Maj Gen Tatang Sulaiman, chief of the army in Aceh province, said at least 97 died while four people were pulled from the rubble alive. Another four or five are known to be buried, but he didnt say if they are dead or alive. Hopefully we would be able to finish the evacuation from the rubble before sunset, said Sulaiman. The rescue effort involving thousands of villagers, soldiers and police is concentrated on Meureudu, a severely affected town in Pidie Jaya district. Excavators were trying to remove debris from shop houses and other buildings where people were believed buried. TV footage showed rescuers in orange uniforms shining flashlight into the interiors of broken buildings as they searched for signs of life. Men inspect a collapsed mosque after an earthquake in Pidie Jaya, Aceh province, Indonesia. (AP) The National Disaster Mitigation Agency said 273 people were injured, about a quarter of them seriously. Some 245 buildings were seriously damaged or destroyed, mostly in Pidie Jaya, including 14 mosques and the remainder largely dwellings and shop houses. Roads also cracked and power poles toppled over. Aiyub Abbas, the chief of Pidie Jaya district, located 18 km southwest of the epicenter, said there was urgent need for excavation equipment to move heavy debris and emergency supplies. Footage showed rescue personnel taking bodies in black bags away from the rubble. Muhammad Reza Faisal, director of Chik Ditiro General Hospital in Pidie Jaya, said the facility, which was damaged by the quake, was overwhelmed with the number of injured and many people were being treated in tents pitched on its grounds. He said five of the quake victims died at the hospital. The US Geological Survey said the shallow 6.5 magnitude earthquake that struck at 5:03 am (2203 GMT Tuesday) was centered about 19 km southeast of Sigli, a town near the northern tip of Aceh, at a depth of 17 km. The agency had initially placed its epicenter undersea. It did not generate a tsunami. For Acehnese, the quake was a terrifying reminder of their regions vulnerability to natural disasters. More than 100,000 died in Aceh after the December 26, 2004, earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami. It was very bad, the tremors felt even stronger than 2004 earthquake, said Musman Aziz, a Meureudu resident. I was so scared the tsunami was coming. In the capital Jakarta, President Joko Widodo said he had ordered all government agencies to take part in the rescue efforts for Aceh, a conservative province that has considerable autonomy from the central government under a peace deal with separatists. Motorcyclists pass a damaged section of a road following an earthquake at Meureudu, Pidie Jaya, in the northern province of Aceh, Indonesia. (Reuters) The Red Cross Indonesia has deployed emergency response teams and advertised bank accounts for donations. The International Organisation for Migration said it had sent an assessment team to Aceh. Seaside resident Fitri Abidin in Pidie Jaya said she fled with her husband and wailing children to a nearby hill after the quake jolted the family awake early in the morning. They stayed there for several hours until authorities reassured them there was no tsunami risk. It terrified me. I was having difficulty breathing or walking, said Abidin. She said her husband grabbed hold of her and carried her out of the house. The familys house didnt collapse but the homes of some neighbors did and Abidin is afraid three friends were buried in building collapses. In Pidie Jayas neighboring district of Bireuen, a teacher at an Islamic building school died after being hit by falling debris, said health worker Achmad Taufiq. Residents of the nearby town of Lhokseumawe ran out of their houses in panic during the quake and many people fled to higher ground. The worlds largest archipelago, Indonesia is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. The 2004 quake and tsunami killed a total of 230,000 people in a dozen countries, most of them in Aceh. The Yemeni government says 60 nationals, including women and children, are feared drowned in the Arabian Sea, after their vessel went missing for days. In a statement, the internationally recognised government said on Tuesday the vessel disappeared some 25 miles (40 kilometres) from the remote Socotra island five days ago. It was heading from the southern province of Hadramawt, carrying women and children among others. Another statement by the governor of Hadramawt Ahmed ben-Break said that two were rescued and that the search is still ongoing. The government has urged the Saudi-led coalition which is backing the government in its fight against the Houthi rebels for help. Flights between Yemeni cities and the island were suspended since March 2015 when the Saudi-led coalition began its campaign, by closing the air space of Yemen. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said a victory for his army in the battered second city of Aleppo would be a huge step towards ending the countrys five-year civil war. In an interview with Syrian daily Al-Watan to be published on Thursday, an early copy of which was seen by AFP, Assad said defeating beleaguered rebels in Aleppo would not put an end to Syrias conflict. Read | Syria army captures new territories in east Aleppo, pins down rebels Its true that Aleppo will be a win for us, but lets be realistic -- it wont mean the end of the war in Syria, Assad said. But it will be a huge step towards this end, he said. In a blistering three-week offensive, Syrian government forces have seized about 80 percent of east Aleppo, a stronghold for rebel groups since 2012. Increasingly cornered in a pocket of territory in the citys southeast, opposition factions on Wednesday called for an immediate five-day humanitarian ceasefire. When asked about the possibility of a truce in Aleppo, Assad said, its practically non-existent, of course. The Americans in particular are insisting on demanding a truce, because their terrorist agents are now in a difficult situation, Assad told Al-Watan. He said a rebel loss in Aleppo will mean the transformation of the course of the war across Syria. Aleppo was once known as the beating heart of Syrias commercial and cultural industries. But since violence broke out there four years ago, the city has been left divided between rebels in the east and government forces in the west. Rebel fighters, who took control of east Aleppo in 2012, have suffered a string of defeats in recent days, losing about 80 percent of their former territory in the city, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group. Regime forces scored an important victory on Wednesday when the rebels retreated from the Old City, the historic heart of Aleppo. They extended their advances later in the day, seizing the Bab al-Nayrab, Al-Maadi and Salhin neighbourhoods, according to state media. Syrias conflict erupted in March 2011 with widespread demonstrations but has since turned into a brutal multi-front war drawing in world powers. Bangladeshs highest court on Wednesday upheld the death sentence handed down to a top militant and two of his followers for a 2004 attack on the British ambassador that left three people dead. The Supreme Court rejected the appeals by Mufti Abdul Hannan, head of Harkatul Jihad Al Islami (HuJI) and two members of the banned militant group. The appeals are dismissed, Chief Justice SK Sinha told the court in a brief ruling. They could now be hanged within months unless they seek a review of the apex courts verdict. But chances of overturning a death sentence in a review is extremely rare in Bangladeshs judicial history. We think well seek a review of the verdict. But it depends on the decision of the three, Mohammad Ali, the state-appointed defence lawyer, told AFP. The trio were originally convicted in 2008 of murder and masterminding the grenade attack in May 2004 on then British high commissioner Anwar Choudhury, who was only slightly injured. The attack came just weeks after the Bangladeshi-born diplomat took up the post and occurred as he was visiting a historic Sufi shrine in the northeastern city of Sylhet. The blast left three worshippers dead and scores injured. The British High Commission had welcomed the conviction of those involved but opposed the use of the death penalty, which is outlawed in Britain. Police said at the time of the attack that the group was plotting to avenge the deaths of Muslims in Iraq and across the world by America and Britain. HuJI was formed in 1992 by Bangladeshis who had fought in Afghanistan in the war against Soviet forces. It was the first Islamist extremist outfit to have emerged in the Muslim majority nation of 160 million and it was transformed into a deadly group after Hannan took over its leadership in the late 1990s. The group has been accused of a series of deadly blasts targeting a Christian church, a mosque of Ahmadi Muslims, rallies of secular activists and communists. He started the Islamist terrorism in Bangladesh and masterminded a series of deadly attacks in the late 1990s until his arrest (in 2005), deputy attorney general Sheikh Monirzzaman Kabir told AFP. According to Kabir, Hannan went to the Pakistani city of Karachi in the 1980s to study in a madrassa, but left it to join the Afghan war. He then came back to Bangladesh and joined a madrassa as its principal but quit to join HuJI, Kabir added. Hannan was also being tried for the August 2004 grenade attack on an opposition political rally in Dhaka being held by Sheikh Hasina, the current Prime Minister. More than 20 people were killed and Hasina was wounded. He has also been sentenced to death for a bomb attack on a Bengali new years festival in 2001 that left 10 people dead and scores wounded. Bangladeshs Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld death sentences for the leader of a banned Islamic group and two of his associates found guilty in a 2004 grenade attack on a British envoy. Defence lawyers representing Mufti Abdul Hannan, head of the group Harkatul Jihad, said they would appeal for a Supreme Court review of Wednesdays ruling, though such reviews are rare. Hannan and the two others were found guilty in 2008 of orchestrating a grenade attack against Bangladesh-born British high commissioner Anwar Choudhury while he was visiting a popular Islamic shrine in the northeastern city of Sylhet in 2004. Choudhury was unharmed, but the attack killed three police officers and wounded 70 others. The trial court in 2008 sentenced two other associates of Hannan to life in prison in connection with the attack. Hannan took over leadership of Harkatul Jihad in the late 1990s. The group, formed in 1992 by Bangladeshis returning from fighting Soviet forces in Afghanistan, has been blamed for many other attacks in the Muslim-majority nation. Hannan was also sentenced to death for another attack in 2001 that killed 10 people during a new year celebration. He remains on trial in a 2004 grenade attack that killed 24 people, which targeted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when she was the opposition leader. Hasina escaped with an injury. The group was banned by the government in 2005. The referendum in which Britons voted to leave the European Union is not legally binding, the Supreme Court was told on Wednesday during a hearing on who has the power to trigger Brexit. The court is considering an appeal by the government against a ruling last month that ministers cannot invoke Article 50 of the EUs Lisbon Treaty, the first formal step in the process of leaving the bloc, without parliaments explicit approval. If the Supreme Court upholds that ruling, the risk for the government is that proceedings in parliament could delay Prime Minister Theresa Mays plan to trigger Article 50 by the end of March, watering down her Brexit strategy. The case has inflamed passions in Britain, with pro-Brexit critics saying those challenging the government through the courts were seeking to thwart the will of the people. On Wednesday, police announced they had arrested a man on suspicion of making racist threats against Gina Miller, the lead claimant in the case against the government. David Pannick, the lawyer acting for Miller, told the court the June referendum, in which Britons voted for Brexit by 52 percent to 48, had important political consequences but not legal ones. Parliament has deliberately chosen a model which does not involve any binding legal effect, he told the 11 Supreme Court justices during an exchange on the 2015 act of parliament that set the rules for the referendum to take place. Read | UKs Brexit plans in the hands of Supreme Court Pannick argued that the 2015 act did not say what should happen after the referendum, and that since triggering Article 50 would effectively nullify the 1972 act through which Britain joined the EU, only parliament could authorise such a step. Over to the Government? Pannicks assertion that the outcome of the referendum was merely advisory goes to the heart of the controversy generated by the case. Many politicians in Mays Conservative Party and some pro-Brexit newspapers say the courts would be overstepping their constitutional role if they ignored the express will of the people. Miller and Pannick counter that their case is not aimed at blocking Brexit but rather at ensuring parliament is properly involved in the process. They won convincingly in the High Court in November. Supreme Court President David Neuberger questioned Pannick on Wednesday over whether parliament needed further involvement. One could say it (the referendum process) is parliament ceding the ground ... to the people, to a referendum. Its done that, and then its over to the government, Neuberger said. It could be said to be a bit surprising that ... an act such as the Referendum Act and an event such as the referendum has no effect as a matter of law. A stones throw away from the Supreme Court, parliament will vote on Wednesday on whether to back Mays timetable on Article 50. Pannick said that even parliament did vote in favour of the March deadline, that would make no difference to his case that parliament, not ministers, had the power to authorise triggering the article. Our submission is that a motion in parliament does not affect, cannot affect, the legal issues in this case, he said. Read more | UK PM May faces parliamentary rebellion over refusal to publish Brexit plans British Prime Minister Theresa May and leaders from six Gulf Arab countries agreed Wednesday to counter Irans destabilizing activities, a pledge meant to calm nerves following the nuclear deal with world powers. The decision came at the end of a two-day summit in Bahrain of the Gulf Cooperation Council, a regional bloc of Western-allied countries including the tiny island nation, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Those Gulf nations, especially the Sunni-ruled kingdom of Saudi Arabia, have watched with concern as Iran backed Shiite rebels in Yemen and supported embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad. A Saudi-led war in Yemen against the rebels continues, while a communique issued at the end of the meeting called for an enduring political settlement based on transition away from the Assad regime in Syria. There is no military solution to the regions armed civil conflicts, the communique read. Concern over Iran remains for the GCC, whose member nations have bulked up their own militaries as a deterrent. For her part, May said that all parties must work together to push back against Irans aggressive regional actions, whether in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Syria or in the Gulf itself. Her comments come after Britain was a party to the nuclear agreement that limited Irans ability to enrich uranium in exchange for the lifting of some economic sanctions. Britain and Iran also have reopened their embassies in each others countries and exchanged ambassadors. Direct British Airways flights between London and Tehran also have resumed after the nuclear accord. Mays participation in the meeting drew criticism from human rights groups as Bahrain is in the midst of a crackdown on dissent at a level unseen since its 2011 Arab Spring protests. The United Kingdom is building a new naval base in Bahrain. From a childhood as a refugee, Captain Safia Ferozi is now flying a transport plane for Afghanistans air force as the countrys second female pilot, a sign of the efforts to bring more women into the armed forces. Along the way, the 26-year-old Ferozi also married another pilot, who flies in the same unit supporting army ground forces. They are part of a small Afghan air force that is trying to take a greater role in fighting the Taliban insurgency. When I wear military uniform, I really, really feel proud of myself as a woman, Ferozi said while preparing for a flight at the air force base in the capital, Kabul. She flies a C-208, a turboprop plane used as transport for the armed forces. Nearly 16 years since the collapse of the militant Taliban regime after the US-led invasion in 2001, Afghan women are taking steps to increase their presence in society, including in parliament, government and the military. Still, they face resistance in a deeply conservative society where women are largely expected to stay in the home and where violence against women remains a widespread problem. Capt Safia Ferozi, 26, sits in a C-208, a turboprop plane used as transport for the armed forces, before a flight, at the Afghan military airbase in Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP) When she was a child, Ferozis family fled from their home in Kabul in the 1990s, during the civil war among Afghanistans warlords. They took refuge in Pakistan, returning only after the fall of the Taliban. In high school in post-Taliban Afghanistan, Ferozi saw a TV commercial urging women to join the military. So after graduation she enrolled in the military academy, studying to become a communication officer. Then it was announced at the academy that the air force was looking for women to become pilots. Ferozi and 12 other women applied, and she was the only one who passed the tests to enter training. While she was training at an airfield in the western province of Herat, she first met Capt. Mohammad Jawad Najafi, the pilot who would later become her husband. They married nearly two years ago, and he has since backed her ambitions. She graduated from training in 2015. She gave birth to their first child, daughter Nergis, now nearly 8 months old, and is back flying missions. Ferozi is one of only two female pilots in the Afghan air force, but five other women are currently going through training. In 2013, Capt. Niloofar Rahmani became the countrys first woman pilot in more than 30 years and the first to pilot fixed-wing aircraft - there were a few female helicopter pilots during Soviet-backed rule in the 1980s. She is now in the United States training on the far larger C-130 military transport craft. In this Monday, Nov. 21, 2016, photo, Capt. Safia Ferozi, 26, right, and her husband Capt. Mohammad Jawad Najafi, 31, left, walk past a C-208 plane at the Afghan military airbase in Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP) Ferozi says she hopes to inspire other women. As a woman you face many challenges, but you have to deal somehow with all those problems, she said. There are around 1,800 women serving in Afghanistans 195,000-member military, according to Gen. Mohammad Radmanish, deputy defence ministry spokesman. The military, which is heavily backed by the US and NATO, is working to bring the number up to 10 percent of its ranks over the next seven years, he said. Afghanistans small air force - just over 100 aircraft - received little attention for years, but in 2015 NATO and the U.S. began focusing on building it up with increased training and equipment. The force has attack helicopters and light attack planes that have been flying combat missions this year, though NATO militaries carry out the vast majority of strikes in the fight against insurgents. The other major role for the air force is in emergency humanitarian missions, helping those hit by flooding, avalanches, landslides or other disasters. It was the middle of the night when the villagers sounded the alarm: a huge Sumatran elephant was raiding their rice fields, and they needed urgent help to drive it back to the forest. Dodot -- a veteran Indonesian elephant keeper trained to handle such emergencies -- rushed to the scene, fearing villagers would take matters into their own hands if he didnt get there in time. It was the king, Dodot said of the hungry bull male that had strayed from the forest in southeastern Sumatra in search of food. Hes not afraid of humans, or weapons. He owns the territory. It was the third such intrusion in a month. Confrontations between elephants and humans can quickly turn violent in Sumatra, where competition for space has intensified as the islands forests have been rapidly cleared for timber and farming. Nearly 70 percent of the Sumatran elephants habitat has been destroyed in a single generation, says conservation group Wold Wildlife Foundation (WWF), driving them into ever-closer contact with humans. Villagers have been trampled and killed by stampeding herds, but its the elephants that have suffered most as their habitats have shrunk. In 25 years, half of Sumatras wild elephants have been wiped out. The species was upgraded to critically endangered in 2012, with experts blaming the twin drivers of deforestation and conflict with humans. Ivory poachers have long hunted bulls for their tusks but many elephants are killed simply for trespassing on land. This month an elephant was found dead near a palm oil plantation in the islands northeast. Authorities believe it accidentally ingested fertiliser but an investigation is continuing, the local conservation head said. Nearly 70% of the habitat of Asian elephant populations, including the endangered Sumatran sub-species, have been wiped out due to deforestation. (AFP) Elephant patrols Keeping the peace between elephants and humans is a round-the-clock job for rangers like Dodot, who like many Indonesians goes by just one name. Hes assigned to one of three specialist elephant response units strategically located at hotspots around Way Kambas National Park, where human settlements border a tranche of lowland forest home to an estimated 250 wild Sumatran elephants. At the Margahayu station half a dozen rangers man their remote forest camp year round, rotating four days on, two days off. They cook their own food, maintain canals and fences and, most importantly, patrol the borders with a squad of six captive elephants under their command. These elephants are vital to the teams success. Atop patrol elephants, rangers can keep track of the wild, nomadic herds as they roam the 1,300 square kilometres of dense forest. The patrol elephants -- trained by the keepers, or mahouts, who live alongside them -- are skilled at picking up the trail of their wild kin, said Eko Arianto, a forest policeman posted with the Margahayu response unit. When we spot wild elephants we inform the community, and our teams on the outside, to be on the lookout, he said. That way they can be ready to turn them back. It doesnt always go to plan. Villagers killed an elephant in 2012, Arianto said, while angry farmers have been known to use fire, poison and beehives to drive away intruders. Dominant males are solitary and harder for the rangers to track, emerging suddenly from the forest to raid fields before vanishing for weeks on end, Arianto said. A single incident can strain hard-earned trust between rangers and local communities, who view elephants as a threat to their livelihoods and blame park authorities when they run amok. Building trust The response units recruit locals to thaw suspicion and foster a sense of joint responsibility for the future of the iconic species. We are striving to find ways people can coexist with the elephants, Arianto said. If the community feels involved, then they will help protect them. These elephants not only belong to us, but to everyone. Their diplomacy has paid off. Rangers estimate the frequency of clashes has dropped up to 80 percent since they began patrolling the area in 2015. Farmers -- once so fearful of rampaging elephants they slept in their fields at night -- were now reporting their first undisturbed harvests in years, Dodot said. Before we were here they were constantly on guard. Now they stay at home to sleep, he said. The patrols also locate and disable traps laid by poachers, disrupting lucrative criminal networks trading in exotic species. Its a dangerous business. Last year, a beloved patrol elephant from a separate Sumatran unit was found dead at his station, his tusks hacked off. But those on the frontline arent deterred. Theres plans to expand patrols next year to a fourth outpost at a trouble-prone section of Way Kambas, Arianto said, and talk of acquiring a drone for aerial tracking. Junaidi, a 23-year-old trainee ranger, uses GPS technology to map the position of wild herds, but in the jungle relies on traditional skills passed down by experienced mahouts. Following dung trails and crushed vegetation, the young recruit wanders deeper into the forest until spotting three elephants, almost camouflaged in the undergrowth, grazing silently. If the next generation doesnt care for them, what does their future hold? Junaidi said. The seabed search for the missing Malaysian airliner has been left to a single ship, with a Chinese vessel heading home to Shanghai, officials said on Wednesday. A Dutch survey ship Fugro Equator will finish the search of the southern Indian Ocean for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 alone after resupplying at the southwest Australian port of Fremantle, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which coordinates the search, said in a statement. The Chinese ship Dong Hai Jiu 101 had finished searching the 120,000-square-kilometer (46,000-square-mile) expanse last weekend and was headed back to Fremantle to drop off equipment before returning to its home port of Shanghai, the statement said. The Chinese ship in February joined three search vessels operated by the Dutch underwater survey company Fugro in the hunt for the Boeing 777 that authorities say crashed with 239 people aboard far off the southwest coast of Australia on March 8, 2014. Fugro Equator is expected to finish the search by February, the statement said. The ship is using a highly maneuverable drone known as an autonomous underwater vehicle to get sonar images of difficult terrain. A group of victims relatives traveled to the island nation of Madagascar off the southeast coast of Africa and this week offered locals possible financial rewards to search for debris from the plane. A Malaysian official investigating the disappearance visited Madagascars capital, Antananarivo, to pick up debris that has already been found and will be analyzed to see if it came from the aircraft. Confirmation that the plane crashed came last year when a wing part washed ashore on Reunion Island in the western Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. Authorities have offered no explanation of why the plane flew off course during a flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing. When Angela Merkel beat him to it last year, Donald Trump had griped TIME magazine was never going to name him person of the year. It did in 2016, rounding of a year the president-elect, and the world, will never forget. Its a great honour, Trump said on a morning TV show, when asked about TIME picking him. He went on to add he had featured on the magazines cover a few times the last one, which he didnt mention, was headlined Meltdown. The magazines managing editor, Nancy Gibbs, said on the programme that Democrat Hillary Clinton was the No. 2 finalist. Gibbs said the choice of Trump this year was straightforward. The Manhattan real estate magnate went from fiery underdog in the race for the GOP presidential nomination to president-elect when he defeated Clinton in the November 8 election. Trump tweeted moments before the announcement on NBC that I will be interviewed on the @TODAYshow at 7:30. Enjoy! Though thrilled by the honour now, Trump said he did not like the sub-head President of the Divided States of America. He said he didnt divide the country, the country was already divided and that he will now bring it together. And in that context, he turned to his growing closeness with President Barack Obama, whom he had baited for years, accusing him of being born outside the United States. Trump has consulted Obama on his cabinet selection, and when pressed, said he did pick someone the president had recommended highly. He wouldnt reveal who. But he was almost effusive in his praise for the president. On his cabinet selection, Trump said Mitt Romney, a harsh one-time critic, remained on his list of probables for the position of the secretary of state, while some of the others speculated about earlier had been crossed out. He didnt name names. Trump, meanwhile, announced his first ambassadorial appointment, naming Iowa governor Terry Branstad as US envoy to China, a position traditionally going to a high-level political appointee with access to the president. President-elect Donald Trump has picked Iowa Governor Terry Branstad for the key post of US ambassador to China, US media reported on Wednesday. Beijing responded by calling Branstad an old friend on Wednesday, signalling that his nomination may have the effect of calming tensions with China heightened by Trump over the past week. Bloomberg first reported the news of Branstads appointment on Tuesday evening, saying he had accepted the offer, citing anonymous people close to the matter. The Iowa governor had met with the Republican billionaire earlier on Tuesday at Trump Tower in New York. Afterward, Branstad, 70, declined to comment about whether he had been offered a job, telling reporters only that he is excited about a Trump presidency and the quality of the people that hes attracting to the cabinet. Branstad has known Chinese President Xi Jinping since 1985, when Xi visited Iowa as a provincial official, Bloomberg reported. Branstad has since visited China several times and gave a dinner for Xi in Des Moines in 2012 nine months before he became Chinese president. Branstad was also an early supporter of Trumps campaign. His son Eric served as the state director for the real estate tycoons campaign in Iowa. News of Branstads nomination comes amid new tensions with China after Trump smashed almost four decades of diplomatic protocol last week by speaking directly to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. The move risked a serious rift with Beijing by calling into question one of its self-described core interests -- the One China policy. Tsais conversation with Trump was the result of months of lobbying by Taiwan, The New York Times reported. China regards self-ruling Taiwan as part of its own territory awaiting reunification under Beijings rule. After China protested to Washington at Trumps breach, the president-elect responded with a Twitter broadside accusing Beijing of currency manipulation and militarizing the South China Sea. During his campaign this year, Trump also accused China of trying to rape our country with unfair trade policies. The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded to the news about Branstad on Wednesday saying he is our old friend. We hope he can contribute to the development of bilateral relations, spokesman Lu Kang told reporters. We stand ready to work with whoever takes the post to enhance bilateral relations. Branstads apparent tapping comes amid heated speculation about Trumps yet-to-be-announced choice for secretary of state and concerns the president-elects brash leadership style may shake up global security. The EU unveiled its futuristic new 321-million-euro headquarters on Wednesday, saying it symbolised joy at a time of rising populist anger against Brussels that helped lead to Brexit. A glass lantern-shaped structure inside a cube made of recycled window frames sourced from across the 28-nation bloc, the Europa building has been dubbed the Space Egg because of its otherwordly appearance. At its heart is a huge room decked out in psychedelic rainbow carpets and ceiling tiles where European Union leaders will hold their summit meetings on the multiple crises that beset the bloc. But the eco-friendly building has faced criticism for its high cost and delays at a time when cash-strapped EU member states are wrestling with spending cuts and Brussels is trying to cut waste. The Belgian architect, Philippe Samyn, insists however that his building symbolises all that is best about a union formed in the aftermath of World War II to unify the continent. I wanted to make a a joyful meeting place where people entering with a lot of problems can get some breathing space, the bow-tie wearing Samyn told reporters in the giant 11-storey atrium. 3,750 windows He said the symbolism of the lamp is fundamental to the story, adding that he had come up with the idea in the middle of the night after puzzling over how to put a friendly circular summit room in a square building. I always have a piece of paper by my bed, which bothers my wife, and one night I just woke up and dreamed of this lamp shape, and it has stayed ever since then, the architect added. The idea for the 3,750 windows on the facade -- a cleaners nightmare -- is also symbolic, said Samyn, reflecting diversity because they have come from around the EU and unity because they are recycled. He added that it was also a very clear message about transparency in the union: with all that is happening, people dont realise the good that the European Union is giving to people, he added. The headache-inducing decor in the summit rooms is meanwhile a united patchwork. The rear part of the Europa building consists of the old Residence Palace, a refurbished Art Deco block that has variously served as a government ministry and the Nazi headquarters during the German occupation of Belgium. The European Council is due to hold its first full meetings in the new Europa building in January and its first leaders summit in March, after a few trial runs in the past few weeks. It was commissioned by EU leaders as far back as 2004 to replace the unloved Justus Lipsius building, a hulking concrete slab that was never originally designed to host summits. Gilded cage The original 2004 cost was 240 million euros but that has been converted to 321 million euros in 2016 terms, said William Shapcott, director general at the Council of the European Union. There will be a small overrun but nothing very dramatic, Shapcott said, saying that it would be a handful of percent and not the 50-100 percent typical of major construction projects. The building is also entering into service late because of difficulties in building it over a major subway line, the discovery of oil pollution in the ground and a legal appeal. Its cost has been criticised. Britains then-prime minister David Cameron described it in 2011 as a gilded cage for leaders at a time when austerity was causing pain across a debt-hit continent. But with Britain now on the way out of the EU after its shock 23 June referendum, officials say the main question for now is what to do with the UK delegation rooms in the Europa building after it leaves. A strong undersea earthquake rocked Indonesias Aceh province early on Tuesday, killing at least 54 people and sparking a frantic rescue effort in the rubble of dozens of collapsed and damaged buildings. Major General Tatang Sulaiman, chief of the army in Aceh province, said 52 people have died in Pidie Jaya, the district closest to the epicenter. Another two people died in neighbouring Bireuen district. The national disaster mitigation agency said 78 people have suffered serious injuries. The rescue effort involving villagers, soldiers and police is concentrated on Meureudu, a severely affected town in Pidie Jaya district. Excavators were trying to remove debris from shop houses and other buildings where people were believed buried. More than 40 buildings including several mosques were flattened in the district located 18 kilometres southwest of the epicentre, according to Aiyub Abbas, the district chief. Roads also cracked and power poles toppled over. The shallow 6.5-magnitude quake struck Pidie Jaya district at dawn, as some in the predominantly Muslim region prepared for morning prayers. (REUTERS) Abbas said there is an urgent need for excavation equipment to move heavy debris and emergency supplies. TV footage showed rescue personnel taking bodies in black bags away from the rubble. The US Geological Survey said the shallow 6.5-magnitude earthquake that struck at 5:03 AM (0330 IST) was centred about 10 kilometres north of Reuleut, a town in northern Aceh, at a depth of 17 kilometres. It did not generate a tsunami. For Acehnese, the quake was another terrifying reminder of their regions vulnerability to natural disasters. More than 100,000 died in Aceh after the December 26, 2004, earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami. It was very bad, the tremors felt even stronger than 2004 earthquake, said Musman Aziz, a Meureudu resident. I was so scared the tsunami was coming. A doctor examines a patient in a hospital following an earthquake in Pidie Jaya, Aceh, Indonesia in this still frame taken from video December 7, 2016. (REUTERS) In the capital Jakarta, President Joko Jokowi Widodo said he has ordered all government agencies to take part in the rescue efforts. Seaside resident Fitri Abidin in Pidie Jaya said she fled with her husband and wailing children to a nearby hill after the quake jolted the family awake early in the morning. They stayed there for several hours until authorities reassured them there was no tsunami risk. It terrified me. I was having difficulty breathing or walking, said Abidin. She said her husband grabbed hold of her and carried her out of the house. The familys house didnt collapse but the homes of some neighbours did and Abidin is afraid three friends were buried in building collapses. Israeli lawmakers could vote to advance a bill legalising some 4,000 settler homes in the occupied West Bank despite international criticism and warnings over its implications. The bill was set for a first reading in the Knesset, or parliament, and if approved would require two more full votes before becoming law. A vote was expected on Wednesday, though last-minute negotiations could still cause it to be delayed. The bill was given preliminary approval in parliament on Monday, with some of its backers calling it a step towards eventual annexation of most of the West Bank. Some 400,000 Israeli settlers currently live in the West Bank, excluding annexed east Jerusalem, along with 2.6 million Palestinians. The United States, UN officials and the European Union have warned that continued settlement building is eating away at the possibility of a two-state solution to the conflict. All Israeli settlements are viewed as illegal under international law and major stumbling blocks to peace efforts as they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state. Israel differentiates between those it has authorised and those it has not. The bill would legalise nearly 4,000 settler homes built on private Palestinian land. Key figures in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus coalition, considered the most right-wing in Israeli history, openly oppose a Palestinian state. Education Minister Naftali Bennett, the bills main backer, has advocated annexing most of the West Bank, like other Israeli religious nationalists who point to the Jewish connection to the land from biblical times. Netanyahu says he still supports a two-state solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but is nonetheless supporting the bill. It has advanced despite concerns from Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who has said he will not be able to defend it before the courts and warned that it would violate both Israeli and international law. Profoundly damaging US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Tuesday: We hope that it does not become law. Enacting this law would be profoundly damaging to the prospects for a two-state solution. Weve also been troubled by comments that weve heard by some political figures in Israel that this would be the first step in annexing parts of the West Bank. Walid Assaf, the Palestinian minister responsible for monitoring Israeli settlements, has called the bill the most dangerous law issued by Israel since 1967. Israeli occupied the West Bank in the Six-Day War of 1967 and subsequently annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognised by the international community. But while comments by Bennett and others have sparked international condemnation, polls have shown that a significant percentage of Israelis support annexation. A recent poll by the Israel Democracy Institute think tank says 44 percent of Jewish Israelis support annexing all of the West Bank, while 38 percent are opposed. According to settlement watchdog Peace Now, the bill would legalise some 3,881 housing units. Most of the homes are in Israeli-approved settlements but were built on Palestinian land. Around 750 are located in outposts which Israel has not yet approved, Peace Now says. US Secretary of State John Kerry has said there are currently around 100 wildcat outposts in the West Bank and the bill would give retrospective Israeli approval to 54 of them. An agreement to remove one wildcat outpost from the bill has allowed the legislation to move forward. The outpost known as Amona, home to around 40 families, is under a court order to be evacuated by December 25 since it was built on Palestinian land. Some members of Netanyahus coalition said they could not support the bill if Amona remained part of it because of the court ruling against it. A solution is still being sought for Amona settlers. Several Israeli missiles struck near the Mazzeh airbase outside Damascus overnight without causing any casualties, Syrian state media reported on Wednesday. At 3:00 am (0100 GMT), the Israeli enemy fired several surface-to-surface missiles from inside occupied territory, the state news agency SANA said, citing a military source. SANA said the missiles were fired from a position west of Tal Abu Nada, a mountain in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights known as Mount Avital in Israel. It said they caused a fire but no casualties. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, earlier reported the sounds of explosions in the area of the airbase and said fires had erupted inside the facility afterwards. It did not confirm the source of the explosions. The Mazzeh airbase, less than eight kilometres (five miles) southwest of Damascus, hosts the headquarters of the feared air force intelligence service and its notorious prison. It was the second time in eight days that Israel, which is technically still at war with Syria, had targeted positions outside Damascus. It has sought to limit its involvement in the five-year conflict in Syria, but has carried out sporadic sorties against Hezbollah inside Syria. The Lebanese militant group, which fought a devastating war with Israel in 2006, had sent thousands of its men to fight alongside Syrian government troops. Israel seized 1,200 square kilometres (460 square miles) of the Golan from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community. Matteo Renzi bowed out as Italian Prime Minister on Wednesday with a combination of jokes, regrets and a strong hint that he wants to lead his party into an early election battle. Forced to quit after a crushing referendum defeat, Renzi was to formally tender his resignation to President Sergio Matterella on Wednesday evening. Prior to handing back the keys to his Palazzo Chigi residence, the 41-year-old chaired a meeting of the executive of his Democratic Party (PD). We are not afraid of anything or anybody, if other parties want to go to the polls .... the PD is not afraid of democracy or elections, Renzi said in a reference to an opposition clamour for a nationwide vote due in early 2018 to be brought forward by up to a year. Ironically, Renzis rule came to an end with his government winning a vote of confidence in the Senate, the parliamentary chamber he tried to emasculate via a referendum in which he suffered a crushing defeat on Sunday. The confidence vote curtailed prolonged discussion on the approval of Italys 2017 budget -- an unfinished task which had prompted President Sergio Mattarella to ask Renzi to delay his departure for a few days. Budget law approved. Formal resignation at 1900. Thanks to everyone and viva lItalia! (long live Italy!) he tweeted. This being Italy, 1900 came and went, and Renzi had still not resigned. Better luck at PlayStation After the talks at his party headquarters, Renzi said he assumed full responsibility for the referendum but gave no indication he was considering stepping down from the leadership. He said he would be spending Thursday, a public holiday, celebrating his grandmothers 86th birthday. We have to thank the elderly, he said in a reference to pensioners supporting him in the referendum debate. And hopefully tomorrow I will have more luck in the Playstation battle with my sons than I have had here ... , he added. Renzis speech sounded at times like the launch of an election campaign, with the former Florence mayor boasting of how he had left Italy with fewer taxes and more rights and pointedly playing up his leadership in the aftermath of a series of devastating earthquakes between August and October. The fallout from the referendum remains unclear however with the PD beset by internal divisions that were painfully exposed by the vote. As secretary general, Renzi controls the party apparatus, which he used to stage the coup that deposed his successor, Enrico Letta, in February 2014. The opposition meanwhile insists the referendum was a vote of no confidence in the centre-left coalition. Either we have immediate elections or we take to the streets, Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right Northern League, warned Wednesday. We cannot make a mockery of the 32 million people who voted on Sunday. Polls taken before the referendum suggested that the PD remains well-placed to emerge from an election with the largest share of the vote, despite the upward trend in backing for the populist Five Star Movement. Recipe for paralysis Led by comedian Beppe Grillo, Five Star is skilled at pitching an eclectic message to all shades of opinion -- from libertarian leftists and ultra-environmentalists to anti-euro and anti-immigration eurosceptics. The last year has seen the movement emerge decisively as Italys biggest opposition force, largely at the expense of 80-year-old Silvio Berlusconis Forza Italia, with around 30 percent of voters likely to back it. Backing for the Northern League has been largely stable at around 15 percent of voter intentions, and Five Stars hopes of power are seen as being restricted by its reluctance to countenance alliances with other parties. The major obstacle to holding an election in two months time is that parliament must first revise the rules by which it will be held. As things stand, two different electoral laws apply to the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, which hold equal powers under the perfect bicameral principle upheld by the referendum. A new system for the Chamber of Deputies, under which the party getting the most votes would be guaranteed a majority of the seats, was approved earlier this year. But all the parties had agreed to revise it before the referendum. The Senate meanwhile is elected by a proportional system unlikely to give any one party or coalition a majority. Elections under two different systems would be a recipe for political paralysis, most observers agree. Crucially, reports say Mattarella shares that view. You are invited Rubi Ibarra Garcias birthday party: expect it to be packed. BBC reported on Wednesday that a Mexican fathers Facebook video, saying everyone is welcome to his daughters 15th birthday party, went viral on social media. The report said police will be deployed at the party to manage the event. In the Facebook video, Crescencio Ibarra from Mexico stood next to his daughter Rubi -- who is wearing a tiara -- and his wife Anaelda Garcia. Hello, how are you? We invite you this 26 of December to the 15th birthday party of our daughter, Rubi Ibarra Garcia, Ibarra says in the video. Ibarra goes on to say that the party will feature three band performances and a horse race, whose winner will be awarded 10,000 pesos. The father has since admitted that the invitation was for friends and family, but no one will be turned back, BBC said. Families across countries celebrate a girls coming of age with an event when she turns 15 or 16. A show on a music channel, My Sweet 16, used to cover grandiose birthday celebrations of teenagers turning 16 in the United States. It seems this is Mexicos My Sweet 15. Pakistans foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz on Wednesday acknowledged there was no conclusive evidence against Kulbhushan Jadhav, arrested in Balochistan in March on charges of being an agent of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), according to media reports. Speaking in the Senate or upper house of Parliament, Aziz said the dossier on Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav contained mere statements. Geo News quoted Aziz as saying, It did not have any conclusive evidence. Read | Kulbhushan Jadhavs Indian passport a sign that he isnt a spy Aziz, the advisor to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on foreign affairs, was further quoted as saying, What the dossier contained was not enough. Now it is up to the concerned authorities how long they take to give us more matter on the agent. He did not say which organisation or department had submitted the dossier against Jadhav, whose arrest was announced by the military in April. Aziz, who was briefing the Senate on relations with India, said further evidence regarding Jadhavs role in Pakistan needs to be gathered. He also said Pakistan had provided the UN a dossier regarding RAWs alleged activities in Pakistan. Hours after Azizs remarks were reported by the media in India and Pakistan, the Foreign Office in Islamabad said the statement attributed to him was absolutely incorrect. The Foreign Office spokesperson said Aziz had informed the Senate that investigations into Jadhavs network...are ongoing and the dossier shall be completed upon conclusion of the investigation. The spokesperson claimed there was irrefutable proof against Jadhav. Read | Pakistan charges RAW agent Kulbhushan Jadhav with sabotage, terrorism The military had claimed that Jadhav was involved in subversive activities in Karachi and Balochistan at the behest of RAW since 2013. It further claimed he had confessed to playing a role in the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi. Though the Indian government acknowledged that Jadhav is a former Indian Navy officer, it dismissed all allegations of espionage. Read | Pak turns down Indias request for consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav: Reports A Pakistani court has charged four men with the murder of a woman social media star, including her brother, but all four deny involvement in her death, their lawyer said on Wednesday. The woman, known as Qandeel Baloch, gained massive popularity but also drew censure in mostly conservative Pakistan for her outspoken and often risque social media posts. She was strangled to death at her home in the city of Multan on July 16. The killing sent shockwaves across Pakistan and triggered an outpouring of grief on social media for Baloch, whose real name was Fauzia Azeem. Her brother, Muhammad Waseem, addressed a news conference while in police custody a day after the killing, telling reporters about the need to protect his familys honour. A cousin, Haq Nawaz, and two other men including taxi driver Abdul Basit and Zafar Khosa were also indicted at a hearing on Monday, said Sardar Zafar Ahmed, defence counsel for all four men. All four pleaded not guilty, Ahmed said. At least 500 women are killed each year in Pakistan at the hands of relatives over perceived damage to a familys honour that can involve eloping, fraternising with men or any other infraction against conservative values. The government has been under pressure to pass stricter laws aimed at preventing so-called honour killings. In October, parliament unanimously passed a law that seeks to close loopholes that allows murderers to go free if they are forgiven by family members. Under the new law, relatives can still forgive convicts if they have been sentenced to death, but the convict would still have to face, at minimum, a mandatory life sentence. Paris choked on Wednesday under its worst winter pollution in a decade, with commuters enjoying free public transport and half of the cars ordered off the road in an effort clear the air. The surge in pollution has been driven by cold weather and near windless conditions that have trapped car exhaust, wood smoke and other pollutants, said the French capitals AirParif air monitoring service. Though bad by local standards, current levels of fine airborne particles known as PM10 in Paris are around 60 percent of levels in notoriously polluted Beijing and a fraction of readings in New Delhi, known as one of the worlds most polluted capitals. City authorities announced a second day of traffic restrictions, with a ban imposed on private cars with registration plates ending in even numbers from between 5:30 am (local time) and midnight. They imposed the same restriction on cars with odd-numbered plates on Tuesday. Public transport in the city was also free for a second day running to encourage commuters to leave their vehicles at home, while school children are being prevented from exercising outside. This is a record period (of pollution) for the last 10 years, Karine Leger of AirParif told AFP by telephone. For more than a week now, Airparif has published readings of PM10 at more than 80 microgrammes per cubic metre of air particles, triggering the pollution alert. It recorded the highest level of pollution last Thursday, reporting 146 microgrammes/m3. Other parts of France were also facing pollution alerts, with the air particle concentrations rising to dangerous levels in the southeast and the north of the country. The central city of Lyon was suffering as pollution gathered in the Rhone Valley, also affecting the Alpine towns of Chambery and Annecy. The environmentalist candidate in next years presidential election, Yannick Jadot, said that politicians needed to target the most polluting vehicles and restrict the use of diesel engines. We have politicians who tell us they are looking after our health, Jadot said. The reality is that when they have to choose between traffic, diesel and our health, unfortunately they dont choose our health. This is only the fourth time Paris has resorted to traffic restrictions to cope with air pollution. The regions officials took similar measures in 1997, 2014 and 2015. But a parliamentary report has questioned the efficacy of the restrictions, arguing that they do not target the most polluting vehicles. Despite the measures yesterday, officials reported heavy traffic jams in and around the city in the morning and evening rush hours. Traffic police were kept busy trying to enforce the anti-pollution measures, fining more than 1,700 motorists for violations. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he felt like a saint after his phone conversation last week with US President-elect Donald Trump, who he said praised him for doing great in his deadly campaign against illegal drugs. Duterte said in a speech said that Trump told him not to worry about Americans criticising him, saying you are doing good, go ahead. He said Trump invited him for coffee if he visits the US to hear how he deals with the media, his critics and the public. Duterte quoted Trump as saying, We should fix our bad relations. The friendly exchange was a departure from Dutertes hostility toward President Barack Obama. He lashed out at Obama for raising concerns over the drug crackdown, which has left more than 4,000 suspects dead. The son of Donald Trumps national security advisor - who has pushed wild conspiracy theories on social media - has been dismissed from the president-elects transition team, vice president-elect Mike Pence has confirmed. Mike Flynn Jr is no longer associated with General Flynns efforts or with the transition team and were focussed eyes forward, Pence told CNN, saying the younger Flynn had been helping his father with scheduling and other administrative work. The ouster of 33-year-old Michael G Flynn, son of retired Lt Gen Michael Flynn - who was tapped last month for the powerful national security advisor role - came after he made controversial statements about an armed mans weekend attack at a popular pizza restaurant in Washington. Edgar Maddison Welch, 28, said he was investigating online reports that Comet Ping Pong was at the center of a pedophile ring linked to defeated Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. No one was hurt after Welch fired off a round from his AR-15 rifle. Police quickly arrested him, discovering two more weapons, and said he had told them he drove up from North Carolina to personally investigate Pizzagate. Still, Michael G Flynn tweeted that Until #Pizzagate proven to be false, itll remain a story. He also retweeted the comments of others promoting the fake stories about the restaurant. Until #Pizzagate proven to be false, it'll remain a story. The left seems to forget #PodestaEmails and the many "coincidences" tied to it. https://t.co/8HA9y30Yfp Michael G Flynn (@mflynnJR) December 5, 2016 The incident raised questions about Gen Flynn himself. He had not commented publicly on the Comet incident, but in early November he tied Clinton to pedophile rings in a tweet of his own. U decide - NYPD Blows Whistle on New Hillary Emails: Money Laundering, Sex Crimes w Children, etc...MUST READ! he wrote ahead of the November 8 election. He also provided a link to a related fake news story. Polar bear numbers could drop a third by mid-century, according to the first systematic assessment, released on Wednesday, of how dwindling Arctic sea ice affects the worlds largest bear. There is a 70% chance that the global polar bear population -- estimated at 26,000 -- will decline by more than 30% over the next 35 years, a period corresponding to three generations, the study found. Other assessments have reached similar conclusions, notably a recent review by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which tracks endangered species on its Red List. The IUCN classified the sea-faring polar bear -- aka Ursus maritimus -- as vulnerable, or at high risk of extinction in the wild. But the new study, published in the Royal Societys Biology Letters, is the most comprehensive to date, combining 35 years of satellite data on Arctic sea ice with all known shifts in 19 distinct polar bears groupings scattered across four ecological zones in the Arctic. Polar bears depend on sea ice for most aspects of their life history, the study notes. Most importantly, they use it as a floating platform to hunt seals, which can outswim them in open water. Researchers led by Eric Regehr of the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Anchorage, Alaska projected three population scenarios out to mid-century, and all of them were bad news for the snow-white carnivores. The first assumed a proportional decline in sea ice and polar bears. Despite year-to-year fluctuations, long-term trends are unmistakable: the ten lowest Arctic ice extents over the satellite record have all occurred since 2007. The record low of 3.41 million square kilometres in 2012 was 44 per cent below the 1981-2010 average. This week, the US National Snow and Ice Data Center reported that sea ice extent in October and November was the lowest ever registered for both months. The culprit is global warming, which has raised the regions surface temperatures by more than two degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial era level, twice the global average. On current trends, the Arctic could see its first ice-free summers sometime in the 2030s, say climate scientists. In the second and third scenarios, the same sea ice projections were matched with available data about changes in specific polar bear populations spanning at least a decade, in small areas in one case, and across the four larger eco-zones in the second. Averaging all three scenarios, the probability that polar bear numbers would drop by a third in 35 to 41 years is more than 70%, the study concluded. Unfortunately, polar bears face other threats besides a habitat radically altered by the release of heat-trapping greenhouse gases. A Somali official says security forces have recaptured a port town from Islamic State-linked fighters in the semi-autonomous state of Puntland. Yusuf Mohamed, the governor of Puntlands commercial hub of Bossaso, says 30 militants and four soldiers were killed during the operation Wednesday to recapture Qandala. Residents confirmed that troops entered the town after fighters retreated into nearby villages. The seizure of Qandala in October had been the first victory for the Islamic State-linked fighters, who are expanding the areas under their control amid a rivalry with the homegrown al-Shabab extremist group. The fighters broke away from al-Shabab and declared allegiance to ISIS last year. Al-Shabab sees the splinter group as a threat to its operations in the long-chaotic Horn of Africa nation. Syrias army seized key ground Tuesday in its battle for east Aleppo, capturing more districts and penning rebels into less than a quarter of territory they held in mid-November. The advance came as Moscow and Washington traded barbs over stalled efforts to end fighting in the city, where forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have made significant advances since last week. But US Secretary of State John Kerry said he would try to get Syrian peace talks going again with Russias help. On the humanitarian front, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it was a disgrace that the international community had been unable to alleviate the suffering in east Aleppo. On Tuesday, government troops retook seven districts including the strategic Shaar neighbourhood and were in control of more than three quarters of former rebel territory in east Aleppo, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The monitor called Shaar the most important neighbourhood in the heart of east Aleppo, and said rebels were being reduced to fighting a war of attrition. The rapid regime gains have left opposition fighters scrambling to defend the shrinking enclave they still control in Aleppos southeastern districts. Despite mounting criticism of the offensive begun on November 15, world powers have struggled to find a way to halt the fighting. We have been trying to find a way to get to the negotiating table ... but Assad has never shown any willingness, Kerry said at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. Blame game Russia says Assad is ready to come to the table... and I am in favour of putting that to the test, he said. Kerry, who has had repeated meetings on Syria with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, said they would meet again on Wednesday or Thursday in Hamburg, Germany. Even if Aleppo falls, the war will continue, Kerry said, stressing that there had to be a negotiated settlement. Key Assad ally Russia had announced talks with the US in Geneva for Tuesday or Wednesday on organising a rebel withdrawal from Aleppo ahead of a ceasefire. But on Tuesday, Lavrov accused Washington, which has backed rebel groups against Assad, of backtracking. It looks like an attempt to buy time for the rebels to have a breather, take a pause and replenish their reserves, Lavrov said. Moscow had the impression that a serious discussion with our American partners isnt working out. Kerry denied any change of plans when asked about Moscows allegations. Washington itself accused Moscow of stalling after Russia and China blocked a UN Security Council resolution on Monday calling for a seven-day ceasefire. Russia said the resolution should have been postponed until after the Geneva talks, saying an agreement on organising a withdrawal was close. Syria said it would not agree to any ceasefire without a guarantee of a rebel withdrawal. Syria will not leave its citizens in east Aleppo to be held hostage by terrorists, and will exert every effort to liberate them, said a foreign ministry statement carried by state media. A disgrace The rebels have so far rejected any talk of leaving the city, with Yasser al-Youssef of the leading Nureddin al-Zinki faction calling the proposal unacceptable. Losing Aleppo would be the biggest blow yet to opposition forces in Syrias civil war, which erupted in 2011 with protests calling for Assads ouster. More than 300,000 people have since died and millions been forced from their homes. Aleppo, once Syrias commercial powerhouse, has been a key battleground and suffered some of the wars worst violence. Merkel on Tuesday lashed out at the international communitys inability to stop the bloodshed. Aleppo is a disgrace, she told her Christian Democratic Union party in a speech, slamming Russian and Iranian support for the offensive. It is a disgrace that we have been unable to establish humanitarian corridors, but we must continue to fight for it, she said. The offensive has killed more than 341 people in east Aleppo, including 44 children, the Observatory says. Rebel fire into the government-held west of the city has killed 81 people, including 31 children, in the same period, it says. Tens of thousands of east Aleppo residents have fled to different parts of the city, including to government-held areas and other rebel neighbourhoods. On another front, in northwest Syria, a suspected Russian air strike on Idlib city and province targeting rebel groups killed at least 25 civilians, the Observatory said. It said 10 people, among them five civilians, were killed in retaliatory rebel fire on pro-regime towns in Idlib. Donald Trump has himself peddled fake news before fictitious news articles began to be called fake news. As US president-elect, though, he sees things differently and has fired a transition team staff member for the same offence. Michael Flynn Jr, son of Trumps national security adviser, was kicked out after he continued to flog a fake story about a Washington DC pizzeria being a hub of a child abuse ring allegedly linked to Hillary Clinton campaign, even after a gunman showed up there and opened fire. Flynns firing has also put the spotlight on his father, retired general Michael Flynn, who as national security adviser will have Trumps ear. The senior Flynn has pushed fake news of the kind himself, specially right-wing conspiracy theories. As did his boss, who for many years kept up the fiction of President Barack Obama being born outside the US, to argue he was not qualified to be president. He recanted only recently, and is now claiming he really likes Obama. And here is his national security adviser-to-be: U decide - NYPD Blows Whistle on New Hillary Emails: Money Laundering, Sex Crimes w Children, etc...MUST READ! Flynn the general wrote in a tweet just days before election. Was it just mind games being played by this former head of US defence intelligence? He had also accused Clinton of waging a secret war on the Catholic Church and called President Obama a jihadi who laundered money for terrorists. Flynn senior is also known for his anti-Muslims and anti-semitic remarks, having said in one instance that fear of Muslims was rational and compared Islam to cancer. He closed off a tweet about a news story he didnt like, with Not any more, Jews. Critics are calling for Trump to dump him, which appears unlikely, but the son, who had worked as his fathers chief of staff earlier and was preparing to continue to work for him in the Trump administration, has been fired. This is the tweet that precipitated it: Until #Pizzagate proven to be false, it'll remain a story. The left seems to forget #PodestaEmail and the many coincidences tied to it. Flynn junior had posted this last Sunday, the day after a man, who believed the fake news item about children being held there, entered the pizzeria to rescue them and opened fire. US President-elect Donald Trump has formally nominated James Mattis, a retired 4-star Marine Corps general who has long voiced concerns about the threat posed by Iran, as the defence secretary to replace Ashton Carter. 66-year-old Mattis, who memorably said its fun to shoot some people, would add to a cabinet of national security super-hawks and signal a return to a more aggressive defence of American interests abroad. I am proud to nominate General James Mattis to secretary of defence. He is one of the most effective generals and extraordinary leaders of our time, who has committed his life to his love for our country, Trump said in Fayetteville, North Carolina. General Mattis is the living embodiment of the Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis, always faithful, and the American people are fortunate that a man of his character and integrity will now be the civilian leader atop the Department of Defense. Under his leadership, we will rebuild our military and alliances, destroy terrorists and face our enemies head on, and make America safe again, Trump said. If confirmed, Mattis would replace Carter who is scheduled to be in India this week on his farewell trip. Mattis commanded at multiple levels during his 44- year career as an infantry Marine. Before retiring in 2013, he was the commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), directing military operations of more than 200,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines across the Middle East. I am honored by President-elect Trumps nomination and his respect for the brave men and women of the Armed Forces of the US, Mattis said. To the President-elect, our soon to be commander in chief, to our military personnel, to the talented civilians in the department of defence, and to the American people, I pledge the best of my abilities to ensuring a strong and secure America, he said. As a lieutenant colonel, Mattis commanded an assault battalion breaching the Iraqi minefields in Operation Desert Storm. As a colonel, he commanded the 7th Marine Regiment and, on Pentagon duty, he served as the department of defence executive secretary. As a brigadier general, he was the senior military assistant to the deputy secretary of defence. The retired four-star general, who was known as Mad Dog, was lauded for his leadership of Marines in the 2004 Battle of Falluja in Iraq - one of the bloodiest of the war. But he also attracted controversy in 2005 when he said its fun to shoot some people while addressing service members in San Diego. US President-elect Donald Trump thinks Boeings new presidential aircraft is too expensive, and he tweeted on Tuesday that the order should be cancelled. This sent Boeing stocks down $2/share before markets opened on Tuesday. Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2016 Its unclear if the tweet from Americas first billionaire-president was driven by thrift or the Boeing CEOs criticism of Trumps trade policy. But Boeing says the planes, which wont be ready for service until 2024, wont cost that much. All this has put the focus on the US presidential aircraft, or Air Force One an oval office-in-the-air--fitted with the best communication and defence technology. But its a privilege not all heads of state or government exclusively enjoy. Heres a look at the planes used by some of the worlds top leaders: Japan The two Boeing 747-400s used by the Japanese prime minister are known as seifu senyo ki or, in English, Air Force One. But he shares it with the Emperor. Its also available to transport citizens during an emergency. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) and his wife Akie Abe (R) arrive in Munich, Germany, in 2016 on the Japans Air Force One, the countrys official jet for the president and Emperor. (AFP) Britain The British prime ministers new aircraft , a Royal Air Force Airbus A330 known as the Voyager ,was refitted at an estimated 10 million pounds. It will also be used by senior ministers and the royal family. The UKs Daily Mail dubbed it Austerity One because it resembled a commercial airline: 58 business class seats followed by rows of economy-style seating. China The Chinese president uses a modified commercial aircraft - usually a Boeing 747-400 from Air China - when he travels. China reportedly came close to ordering a Boeing jet for presidential travel in 2001 but backed out when they found 27 listening devices in the plane - a story that has never been verified. President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan greet dignitaries before boarding an Air China plane at Manchester airport in 2015. (Getty Images) France The French president uses an Airbus A330-200 referred to as Cotam Unite. The aircraft, refurbished at a cost of $243 million, is rumoured to be equipped with a bathtub and a pizza oven which many say is in keeping with the flamboyant lifestyle of former president Nicholas Sarkozy who first used it -- but the French government insists it is just a regular corporate jet. French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrives by plane for the G8 Summit in Deauville, France, in 2011. (Getty Images) India The Indian president and prime minister use jets from a fleet of Boeing 747s with the call sign Air India One -- that are customised for VIP travel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to get an upgraded, state-of-the art Boeing 777-300, reports say. Prime Minister Narendra Mod arrives at the Tashkent International Airport in Uzbekistan in 2016 (PTI) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A UN agency says Iran is no longer in violation of its nuclear agreement with six world powers because it has reduced its store of heavy water. Heavy water cools reactors that can produce substantial amounts of plutonium used to make the core of nuclear warheads. A recent report from the UNs International Atomic Energy Agency said that Tehran had slightly more heavy water stored than the 130 metric tons (143.3 tons) called for by the deal between it and six world powers. A new confidential IAEA report obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press says the agency verified Tuesday that an Iranian export shipment of 11 metric tons (over 12 tons) of heavy water had arrived at its destination. The agency did not specify the destination but diplomats say its Oman. US lawmakers have urged the Indian government to allow a leading faith-based American charity, which counts religious proselytisation among its goals along with child development, to continue sending funds to its local affiliates. Compassion International helps children from poor backgrounds in India through two local partners, both of whom are set to lose government permission to receive foreign funding in three weeks. It is my hope that by bringing attention to this issue (of Compassion International), as were doing here today, the 145,000 children will not be tragically denied the services they desperately need, said Ed Royce, chairman of the US House of Representatives foreign relations committee, opening a congressional hearing titled American Compassion in India: Government Obstacles on Tuesday. Chris Smith, a member of the committee, wondered if the time had come to designate India a country of particular concern. The committee tried to broaden the discussion into an issue of civil society under attack, covering Indian actions against the Ford Foundation, which has since been cleared, and Greenpeace, which has been thrown out, and instances of intolerance. Eliot Engel, the senior-most Democrat on the committee, brought up the issue of arrest of a college student this year for saying what was deemed as anti-national statement. Human Rights Watchs John Sifton said, A troubling new crackdown on civil society is underway in India, specially in the last few months. And the US, as a close ally, he added, needs to respond. But to most, including Indian officials, it seemed like a single-issue hearing, called to address Compassion Internationals travails in India. For anyone with any doubt about it, said a source, look at the topic American compassion Compassion International, which operates in 26 countries, sends $50 million a year to India, collected from American donors, to sponsor 145,000 children. Its two partners Caruna Bal Vikas, operating in the south, and Compassion East India, working in the north were in November denied clearance under the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act to accept foreign funding. In May 2016, Compassion International was put on a list of sources of foreign funding that needed clearance from the government before transferring money to affiliates. And Compassion East India came under investigation in August. The affiliates lost the permission to accept foreign money in November. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Wednesday released a statement given to prosecutors in which he asserts he did not commit any crimes when he had sex with a woman in Sweden six years ago. He says he did not have intercourse with a woman while she was asleep. That allegation is at the heart of an ongoing Swedish investigation into a possible rape. Swedish prosecutors have not charged Assange with any crime. Swedish officials say they are waiting for a written report from Ecuadorean prosecutors who interviewed Assange last month before deciding whether to charge Assange. The interview took place at the Ecuadorean Embassy in London, where Assange sought refuge more than four years ago. Ann Oberg, a spokeswoman with the Swedish prosecutors office, said prosecutors will not provide further information on the case. We are waiting for the transcript of the interview, she said. It will be up to Swedish prosecutors to decide whether to move the case forward or drop it without charging Assange. The case has been complicated by Assanges fear that if he goes to Sweden, he faces extradition to the United States to answer possible criminal charges related to WikiLeaks role in the release of classified documents. It is not clear if he faces a secret grand jury indictment in the United States. His lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Assange plans to remain inside the Ecuadorean Embassy - even if the Swedish prosecutors announce he will not be charged - until there are assurances he will not face charges in the United States. She said the statement made public today was read to Ecuadorean officials when Assange was questioned, in the presence of Swedish prosecutors, at the embassy in mid-November. In the statement, Assange described his sexual relations with the woman in question as consensual. He says the two had consensual sex several times and that he is certain she was not asleep at the time in question. I was also certain she expressly consented to unprotected sex before such intercourse started, he said. Under Swedish law, having sex with a woman who is asleep can be considered rape, so the questions of whether the woman was asleep, and whether she agreed to having sex without a condom, are vital. Spain in Our Hearts: Americans in the Spanish Civil War, 19361939 By Adam Hochschild. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016. $30. Reviewed by Kevin Baker IT WAS THE CAUSE OF A GENERATION. The Spanish Civil War, as Adam Hochschild makes clear in this outstanding history, reshaped everyone and everything it touched. Many individuals and institutions we would prefer to revereamong them the Catholic Church, the European democracies, American business leaders, the press, President Franklin Roosevelt and his governmentbehaved abominably, while many devoted to the worst causes, such as Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, nobly met the challenge. Hochschild is plainly sympathetic to the left-wing Republican (Loyalist) side that was the democratically elected Spanish government. But he does not look away from its outrages: the murder of more than 7,000 members of Spains Catholic clergy, the burning of hundreds of churches and cathedrals, and the purges by its Stalinist secret police. The rebelling Falangiststhe Spanish fascists politely known as Nationalistsran up a much higher body count, shooting prisoners and murdering thousands of peasants, workers, and intellectuals. The Falangist leader, Generalissimo Francisco Franco, a shabby, potbellied psychopath, openly endorsed terror bombing, mass looting, and rape as weapons of war. The Catholic Church enthusiastically supported all this and worse. While Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini provided tanks, warplanes, submarines, and troopswithout which Franco undoubtedly would have been defeatedthe Western democracies did almost nothing to help the Republicans. It is unlikely that Roosevelt could have done as much as Hochschild implies he could have to actively intervene on their behalf. But it is inexcusable, as Hochschild makes clear, that his administration ignored the machinations of Torkild Rieber, the pro-Fascist chairman of Texaco, who provided Franco with free oil, conveyed it in his companys tankers (in violation of U.S. law), and used his companys maritime intelligence network to betray Republican supply ships to Mussolinis submarines. The silence of the democracies left the Republicans dependent on the Soviet Union, which supplied them with arms and advisers in exchange for nearly three-fourths of Spains gold reserves as well as a frightening campaign of political trials and executions. What was left, then, was only the courage of the people who could not countenance the rape of Spain, the thousands of men and women from all over the Western world who joined the International Brigades. Hochschild focuses on a handful of subjectsamong them an ambulance driver, a nurse, and several journalists, including Ernest Hemingway, then a swaggering correspondent for the North American Newspaper Alliance. One wishes that Hochschild had cast his net a little wider, but that would not have allowed for the shining courage and tenacity that he draws out of his subjects narratives. While the Spanish valued these men and women, they were often sacrificed to the confusion and exigencies of the war: thrown into suicidal assaults, barely trained and equipped, and provided with little in the way of food, shelter, or proper medical care. They bore up anyway and helped keep the Republic alive for an astonishingly long time. And for their efforts, they were often treated as near-criminals in the McCarthyist years after World War II. The volunteers who came to Spain were mostly dedicated socialists and communists, and Hochschild doesnt hesitate to explore their naivete or their at times willfully blind obedience to the Moscow party line. Almost all his subjects, though, are heartbreakingly American types. Even Hemingway, for all his macho bombast, proved to be serious about his work there and was genuinely affected when the shot-up International Brigades were pulled out of Spain, shouting They cant do it! They cant do it! before bursting into tears. Hochschild makes us feel like doing the same today. MHQ KEVIN BAKER is a novelist, historian, and journalist. His most recent book is America the Ingenious: How a Nation of Dreamers, Immigrants, and Tinkerers Changed the World (Artisan, 2016). [hr] This article originally appeared in the Winter 2017 issue (Vol. 29, No. 2) of MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History with the headline: Reviews: Causes and Effects. Want to have the exquisitely illustrated, premium-quality print edition of MHQ delivered directly to you four times a year? Subscribe now at special savings! In a way, the visit of top Japanese statesman Shinzo Abe to Hawaii is about returning a favor. Earlier this year, Barack Obama becomes the first US President in office to go to the atomic-destroyed region of Hiroshima. Before the year ends, Japan's Prime Minister will be visiting Pearl Harbor 75 years after the former American naval stronghold was bombed by Japanese zero fighters. However, pretty much like what Obama did, no apologies will be issued. According to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, Abe's trip is about comforting the souls of those who perished during the World War 2 attack. He adds that the event is about the expression of reconciliation between the two nations. Although it is likely that American war veterans will be disheartened by the absence of atonement from the Japanese government, Abe is hopeful that his visit will further strengthen the relations between the former adversaries. Observers also believe that the Prime Minister's visit extends a message to upcoming US President Donald Trump and regional power China. While Beijing has maligned Japan for its brutal role during the Second World War, the President-elect has scrutinized Tokyo for depending heavily on the US for defending its sovereignty. Abe's trip to Hawaii can provide a huge boost to his already high ratings back home. Currently, the Prime Minister's popularity score is about 60 percent. Adding a few more percentage will give him enough power to wield influence before the 2018 elections set in. At this point in time, it will be strategic for Abe to call for snap polls against an unprepared opposition. Doing so will lessen the drop in the Prime Minister's ruling party which still holds two-thirds of the majority in the chamber. Columbia University Professor emeritus Gerry Curtis shares that Abe's plan to go to Pearl Harbor has already been under the radar during Obama's visit to Hiroshima. The reciprocity approach will be vital since it signifies that the two nations have buried any grudge that stemmed out during the war when the Americans atomically bombed the prefecture in 1945. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. European Union (EU) Chief negotiator Michael Barnier has pointed out during a meeting in Brussels that UK has less than a couple of years to discuss its impending exit from the group. He cautions that more time will be needed for the approval of the bill not only in Britain but among European country-members. According to UK Prime Minister Theresa May, it is her intention to implement the Article 50 agreement in order to officially commence the two-year withdrawal deadline from the organization. However, Barnier counsels that the possibility of stretching the schedule is likely to happen if Britain wants to beat the October 2018 deadline. The Chief negotiator has also downplayed England's plan to choose among the components of a single market approach, citing that all elements are interconnected. This access method carries with it the free flow of goods, services, labor and capital. Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany has reiterated what Barnier has raised. During a conference for the Christian Democratic Party in Essen, the lady politician has barred any option to select among the given factors. During the course of the negotiations, Barnier has laid out the terms that go against the Brexit imposition. Primarily, the 27-member nations of the Union will stay together, Second, no discussion will occur prior to UK's imposition of Article 50. Next, Brexit will never be a better option than being in the EU. Lastly, full market access will be denied to Britain if it closes its doors from immigrants. Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson seems not to be wary about the deadline, commenting that 18 months is a lot of time. He believes that around that period, a mutually-beneficial accord will be reached between the EU and UK. So far, the May administration has not shared its outline for the Brexit negotiations. The Prime Minister has been hesitant to do so since it will provide the EU enough ammunition to repel Britain's departure from the Union. Meanwhile, the opposition Labour Party wants the government to unveil its negotiating approach. However, no disclosure will happen if the process will hurt UK during the negotiations. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Recently, Boeing, one of America's biggest airline manufacturers, has been on the receiving end of the US President-elect's sharp rebuke. The scrutiny is in line with the giant company's pending order for a new presidential plane. On Twitter, upcoming US President Donald Trump has taken a swipe against the famous American organization with regards to the pricing of aircraft Air Force One. He cites the numeric manipulation of the unit cost. The declared $4 billion rate for a new 747 presidential air transport is reason enough for the next US Commander-in-Chief to get mad. The response has been swift and direct as Trump ordered the immediate cancellation of the purchase request. Although the popularity of the Air Force One has catapulted the issue on the headlines, it is the impact of the new President's action that has garnered greater attention. The last time an American President fumed publicly has occurred in the 1960s. Around that time, then President John F. Kennedy has called out the steel industry about its unjustified price increase. Trump has relived that event this time against another significant American company. It is vital to note that the new President's attack has exposed the vulnerability of the leaders of big US enterprises. By hitting them publicly, Trump has sent a strong message that reinforces his political objectives. Although outgoing President Barack Obama has reprimanded Wall Street and the rest of the financial circle after the 2008 fiasco involving the collapse of the Lehman Brothers, his criticism has been aimed at no one in particular. Within a short period of time, Trump has already chastised three US companies. First, he has singled out the Ford plant in Kentucky about its planned transfer of jobs. Then he has lashed out against United Technologies and its subsidiary Carrier with regards to the manufacturing occupations in Indiana. Boeing is the latest to be criticized openly. Despite such outrage, Trump has also been willing to accommodate businesses that are aligned with his plans. Lately, tech group SoftBank has been warmly received at Trump Tower by no less than the President-elect himself after the Japanese firm invested $50 billion in the US. Investor Masayoshi Son has been called by Trump as one of the great men of the industry. The Japanese billionaire will be funding a merger of wireless company Sprint into T-Mobile whose previous unification attempt has been denied by the Obama administration. After Trump's tweet, Boeing has said that a $170-million contract to reconfigure Air Force One is in place. The statement may just have blown the billion dollar cost declaration. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. An internal research requested by Pentagon officials has suffered a timely demise. The Defense Department finds it necessary to terminate the project after damning results of wasteful spending that amounted to $125 billion surfaced during the course of the study. The venture is supposed to help the Pentagon turn around its back-office bureaucracy. Since the negative findings will definitely impact the defense budgets, eliminating the entire undertaking has been pursued. Based on a report released last January 2015, the department has intended to bank in $125 billion for the next five years of its operations. Straightening its bureaucratic procedures will mean instituting settlements and early retirements, abolishing overpricing contractors and maximizing the utilization of digital technology. The Defense Business Board, an advisory panel comprised of McKinsey Company executives and consultants, reveals the Pentagon has been spending a quarter of its $580-billion budget on overhead operations like human resources, logistics and accounting. It has been found that the Defense Department employed an astounding 1,014,000 people to fill back-office positions that are way out of range from the frontlines. These include civilians, uniformed personnel and contractors. What is even more astonishing is the fact that these desk job personnel are supporting a military that has almost the same number of people employed at the Pentagon. Currently, there are around 1.3 million soldiers on active duty. The Defense Department's study has been intended to divert the $125-billion fund to the troops and their armaments or to the nuclear program of the military. However, some Pentagon officials have a different view. Considering that the department has already suffered cuts during the previous years, restricting its budget further will leave the military starving to support its operations. This has led to the termination of the project. According to Robert Stein, a private equity investor from Florida who is a former Chairman of the Defense Business Board, the findings of the study is undeniable. He adds that it will be dangerous if the spending approach remains unchecked. The continued existence of bureaucracy at the Pentagon can have perilous repercussions. The Defense Department's budget will be further trimmed down under the 2011 Budget Control Act wherein the military will have its $113-billion fund slashed in the next four years unless the President and Congress will intervene. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. W orkspace for up to 8,000 young Londoners is included in a 250 million plan to transform a forgotten quarter of east London that will include a 650,000 sq ft campus and Europes longest freshwater outdoor swimming pool. The campus, called Republic, aims to provide hi-tech workspaces for fledgling businesses and goes live in the new year. It is set to boost a relatively unknown area at East India Dock in Poplar. Robert Wolstenholme, founder of Trilogy Property, has a track record of developing workspaces for creatives in Shoreditch. Now that artistically oriented new businesses have been firmly priced out of that area, Wolstenholme believes Poplar is poised to become the next big thing. I chose the area by looking at where the young, energetic, bright, innovative people are going to live, he said. When you look at the development pipeline of apartments [in Tower Hamlets] it is obviously huge. Many of them are specifically designed to be affordable. Rather than turning this site into loads more apartments, I thought, why not use it as workspace for the thousands of people who will be moving into the area and will want to be able to walk or cycle to work? Going live in the new year: the Republic campus at East India Dock in E14, with 650,000 sq ft of space for hi-tech start-ups and young businesses Workers at Republic will enjoy little extras like that swimming pool a re-purposing of a currently dismal canal-style water feature already on the site along with a gym, climbing wall, and on-site shops and bars. The first tenant is co-working firm The Trampery which will operate 9,000 sq ft of workspace for start-up companies, artists, and designers, including some free space for fledgling businesses. Wolstenholme is keen to point out that rents at Republic will come in at less than 35 per square foot, which is half the price of Shoreditch. You are going to be able to rent office space in Zone 2 London at Manchester prices, he said. He hopes that as more people begin living and working in Poplar, close to the new Crossrail station being prepared at Canary Wharf, new shops, bars, and restaurants will open, giving the area a vibe. He added: Already it is affordable and amazingly easy to get to. Homes in Poplar have so far missed out on the wave of regeneration and gentrification that has swept across east London over the past five years. According to Rightmove, the average property in E14 currently costs 443,000, and has seen only marginal growth over the last two years. For now, property options in Poplar are largely limited to flats within blocks built between 1980 and the mid-Nineties, priced at between 400,000 and 500,000 for a two- or three-bedroom home. Sometimes, ignorance is not bliss. In hotel marketing, having outdated assumptions, or all together incorrect information can cost your hotels millions in lost revenue and perhaps even cost you your job. So we've put together a quick list of 5 current myths we see being perpetuated in the hotel marketing world: Myth #1: OTA revenue has no cost We placed this at the top of our list because it couldn't be any further from the truth. With commissions ranging 15-30% for each reservation, OTAs are the most expensive distribution channel you have. But, it's easy to miss. After all, OTAs send you money, not the other way around. However, remember that OTAs are taking out your expense BEFORE they send your hotel a check. Meaning, you never see how much they are taking out of your room revenue. Remind yourself of that each time you get money from your OTAs partners. They are not cost-free. And too many hotel marketers have no idea how much their OTA revenues actually cost. Source: Tambourine Myth # 2: Your flag provides all your marketing needs Your brand's marketing team is servicing hundreds of hotels (often in the same city!) and providing the same tools to all of its properties. Think about that every hotel in their family is getting the same marketing templates, the same access to the loyalty database, the same website and reservation system. Whether you are a seaside property in Santa Monica, a mountain resort in Breckenridge, or an urban high-rise in Seattle, every property is given the same assets to market their property, regardless of target market or unique facets. And, if you have a period of need or want to target a specific segment with a customized campaign? Your far away brand team is often unable to deploy an effective campaign that captures the unique essence of your property in a reasonable amount of time. Smart hoteliers have wrestled back the marketing responsibility. Read "Why Are So Many Flagged Hotels Taking Marketing Into Their Own Hands?" to find out if its time for your hotel to augment your brand's marketing efforts. Myth # 3: Your competition is dumb On the contrary your competition is brilliant. After all, YOU are someone's competition and you're not dumb! Always assume they are one step ahead of you and are always working on new ways to entice guests and group business away from your property. Marketing tools and knowledge are open to everyone, and just because your comp set didn't put up much of a fight before, doesn't mean that they couldn't turn things around any day now. There's never a good time for hotel marketers to sit back smugly and relax, assuming the competition is too far behind to catch up. Never stop hustling. Myth #4: Dropping rates solves everything We see the appeal of this one, but don't fall into the trap. It comes down to the economics of supply and demand, a concept that even some revenue managers may not fully understand. Leverage business intelligence tools that can now look at future demand. This will allow you to hold rate in order to keep price integrity versus what the market is doing. We also suggest to only consider qualified (fenced) discounts and opaque channels during need periods, if you need to lower rates. This way, the lower rates are not announced to your entire target market, just a select group. There is always another hotel that is more than willing to go even lower to undercut you. Instead of hastily changing your pricing strategy, increase your perceived value to guests. Research your comp set's guest experience, paying close attention to what's missing. Then offer services and local experiences that no other property in your city offers. Position your hotel as higher value and a property that is worth paying more to stay at. Myth # 5: Your hotel will be the #1 ranked hotel by Google Think of everything you know about SEO, then throw it out the window. Every year, Google makes changes that massively impact how easily a hotel can rank #1 in a Google search for their destination name. It is extremely difficult to get on the first page and virtually impossible to conquer the OTAs as the first or second listing at the top of the results page. Check out this example of the organic search results for "hotels in Miami," the first 6 are for metasearch and OTA portals: Source: Tambourine Making matters worse, those same behemoths are also usurping rankings for your own hotel name itself! It's not all doom and gloom though. Here are ways hotels can still get discovered within the confines of this new SEO landscape. Dave Spector Partner: Tambourine Hotel Marketing 954-975-2220 Tambourine 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 Noted Jamaican hotelier Kevin Hendrickson took home top honors at The Jamaica Gleaners annual Hospitality Jamaica Awards, receiving the coveted Hospitality Personality Of The Year award. The honor was presented in recognition of Hendricksons steadfast commitment to, and continued investment in, Jamaicas tourism industry.Hendrickson began his hospitality career in 1981 serving as general manager of The Courtleigh Hotel in Kingston. In 1997, he purchased The Courtleigh, initiating a steady progression of hotel acquisition and development that would eventually see him become one of the foremost hoteliers in Jamaica and the broader Caribbean region. Currently, Hendrickson controls more than 60% of all hotel accommodations in Jamaicas capital (870 rooms), counting The Knutsford Hotel, The Jamaica Pegasus, and the former Wyndham Kingston Hotel (now in re-development) together with The Courtleigh. The jewel on the resort side of the Hendrickson hospitality portfolio, the 518-room Holiday Inn Resort Montego Bay has long been renowned for providing Jamaicas best all-inclusive vacation value. Since the Hendrickson Group acquired the property in 2008, the resort has seen extensive upgrades, including the introduction of its first-ever spa, The Sol-Mer Spa & Salon; a new Japanese restaurant featuring Teppanyaki a la carte dining; and full-scale renovations of all guestrooms and suites. Most recently in 2015, the property debuted a new RoseHall Club Adult Concept, a 52-room hotel within a hotel section of the resort with its own beach, pool complete with swim-up bar, and lounge reserved strictly for adults. With 61% of leisure travelers saying they use a search engine for planning travel online (Google), and hotel SEM campaigns typically reaching people closer to the 'I want to book it' phase of their travel planning journey, allocating the right amount of budget and resources to SEM is important for getting in front of the right travel consumers, at the moment they are ready to book. More than 25% of direct online revenue for hotels comes directly through Search Engine Marketing (SEM) initiatives, making these paid placements in the search engines an especially critical piece of a propertys digital marketing budget. With 61% of leisure travelers saying they use a search engine for planning travel online (Google), and hotel SEM campaigns typically reaching people closer to the 'I want to book it' phase of their travel planning journey, allocating the right amount of budget and resources to SEM is important for getting in front of the right travel consumers, at the moment they are ready to book. As we continue to see an acceleration of travel and hotel queries on Google (20% YoY in July 2016), theres never been a better time to jumpstart your hotels direct bookings through SEM. Here are our recommendations on how to get started. 1. Take advantage of the newest ad formats available to ensure your strongest marketing messages are presented to travel consumers. With the character limitations of traditional SEM ads, it can be challenging to craft marketing messages that communicate a hotels value proposition while also prompting a sense of urgency. To help marketers overcome this, Google has introduced a new version or Ad copy format. This new form of expanded text ads displays two headlines that are both 5 characters longer than traditional headlines. This format allows hoteliers to not only promote their brand name, but also include a focused call to action. The level of potential engagement also increases, especially because of the larger, single-description field. These additional 10 characters provide more real estate to describe the property without having to be hyperaware of sentence breaks. According to Google, Expanded Text Ads drastically outperformed the standard ads CTR by 47%. This type of engagement boost with no additional investment needed will soon become the norm as the industry migrates towards longer-form copy. If you havent started yet, begin transitioning copy now to prepare for a total transformation in 2017. 2. Understand the big picture by tracking behavior across devices AND channels. Mobile activity has been on the rise, and more than half (52%) of total travel bookings in the U.S. involve either mobile or multiple devices (Google). Providing an optimized mobile booking experience is key in securing critical revenue, and properly tracking results can help alleviate unwarranted decisions to pause ads or lower budget spend that might be driving a significant share of revenue through the voice channel. Regardless of the user experience on mobile, some travelers prefer to make the actual booking over the phone. Part of this is due to lack of easy mobile payment options, and slower adoption of mobile ecommerce by some demographics (ex. baby boomers). In a recent case study conducted with the reservations sales experts at NAVIS, we were able to demonstrate the big picture and show that an additional 32% of booking revenues from SEM campaigns actually came from the voice channel. There are many tools in our search arsenal to help drive call-in activity, but the ability to track the outcome of this activity is paramount. Having full tracking coverage for all your efforts can make a true difference in allocating the appropriate amount of funds to your SEM campaigns. 3. Deliver a consistent message along the travel consumers planning and purchasing journey. According to Google, every travel booking is influenced by over 19 digital touchpoints, up from 9.2 touchpoints in 2015. This means that travel consumers may come in contact with your hotel brands website and marketing messages multiple times throughout their travel planning journey. It is important to ensure that at each time your brand is exposed to the user that they are met with the same consistent message. Your website, SEM ads and digital marketing messages across campaigns should be personalized to the user as much as possible and also align with one another. Having a singular brand voice keep your message focused while reaching a wide audience. SEM Ad promoting the Extra Day Away message: Banner ad with aligned marketing messaging: 4. Listen to your guests to align your marketing messages with the travel consumers perception of your property. Search can be one of the most eye-opening information sources for a hotel. Listening to what terms your customers use to look for a property like yours can speak volumes as to how you are failing or succeeding in promoting your brand. You should optimize and evolve your search program based on the volume of traffic coming into your website and the performance of certain search queries. Changes, upgrades and overall improvements should be continuous for your account, and should be shaped and influenced entirely by what your potential guests and current guests are saying. You may want to be viewed as a chic hotel, but if a more common way to describe your property (in reviews for instance) is family-friendly, dont fight against their perception of your property. You may want to distance yourself from the negative connotation of cheap, but if that is what users are searching you may just be distancing yourself from revenue. Search can be extremely profitable as long as you are staying true to your brand in the eyes of travel consumers. 5. With stiff competition from the Online Travel Agencies, budget appropriately and prioritize direct bookings. Competition is pretty fierce in the hospitality space, and with supply predicted to exceed demand next year, increasing direct bookings and lowering distribution costs will be the key to saving your propertys bottom line in 2017. The OTAs, especially after Google phased out text ads from the right side of its desktop search results, have invested millions of dollars in their own SEM campaigns. The result is increased cost per clicks and lower profits. A recent report by Oppenheimer Equity Research, based on data from Kenshoo, demonstrated that year-over-year the removal of Googles right rail of AdWords listings did impact performance for many advertisers. The decreased number of listings boosted CTR (+38% YoY), and more than made up for the decrease in impressions (-19% YoY), driving clicks +11% Y/Y. However, due to the drastic decrease in AdWords real estate of over 66%, CPCs skyrocketed which means that for the same amount of SEM budget, many advertisers are seeing less clicks due to the higher cost per click and faster budget depletions. The only beneficiaries are the OTAs who are bidding aggressively and have huge SEM budgets at their disposal. Hotels need to budget appropriately for SEM, strictly monitor rate parity, and strongly communicate the value of booking direct across the property website and throughout all digital marketing initiatives. 6. Use the tools available to communicate your value proposition and stand out from the crowd. Travel consumers in general are very price-conscious, and coupled with a competitive landscape in the hospitality industry there is often a sense of urgency among hoteliers to lower rate in order to secure a booking. With this mindset, it can be easy to lose sight of the true value your property offers which leads to failure in communicating its value proposition. If you have unmatched, top-tier suites or if the experience you provide is extraordinary, why keep that information hidden and only promote the lowest-quality inventory? Price extensions in ads help communicate a variety of different price points and value-adds, and speak to your different audiences in the same ad. Price extensions give hotel marketers the ability to promote and highlight several, if not all, different room types. This is a great way to differentiate a propertys room types and drive higher revenue with no additional investment needed. 7. Capitalize on opportunities to talk to existing guests AND new potential guests. Reaching users though paid search is a highly qualified form of advertising. If set up properly, a hotels SEM ads can engage a propertys most loyal audiences and engage new ones by balancing past-guest data with Intent data or in other words, through Smart Data Marketing. By starting with the information, you already have about their guests, hotel marketers can take their guest profiles and purchase history (CRM data), or even just data on their website visitors, and combine this data with Googles targeting capabilities. This includes reaching targeted users on the Search Network, Gmail Ads, and YouTube Trueview. Adwords Customer Match lets hotel marketers show ads based on data about guests they share with Google truly allowing them to reach the right person, on the right device, at the right time to secure the booking. Hoteliers should relay specific messages for returning visitors as opposed to new unique users by using remarketing lists (according to Google, after visiting your website, returning visitors are 58% more likely to click on your ad). With a similar users audience being built based on key traits of their frequent site visitors, marketers can then filter users who are still in the early stages of a sale, but are more likely to convert due to the traits they share with ideal customers. This audience overlay adds an extra layer of qualification and ensures impressions and clicks, which in turn provides a more promising opportunity for conversion. When bidding on non-branded terms, hoteliers are reaching out to users who are interested although most likely farther up the sales funnel and not likely to convert yet. The cost and competition of these terms tend to be high and the return is generally a bit low. One must maintain a delicate balance by driving more branded material volume to put users into the search funnel, while also maintaining spending to reach more qualified users. Many hoteliers rely on their branded terms to drive revenue, and often underestimate the power of non-branded keyword terms due to the lack of a solid attribution model to show how those terms eventually led to a booking. Utilizing these advanced targeting methods, coupled with a strategy targeting in-market audiences (people that are actively considering a hotel in your destination), will be essential to remaining competitive and seeing high returns in 2017. 8. Think Inside the InBox with Gmail Ads Email targeting is a great way to take advantage of Googles targeting options and to attract new potential guests. From targeting users on the Google Display Network (GDN) who are signed into their Gmail accounts to targeting users on Gmail based on their email content, Google uses valuable data to identify your key target audiences. This different, yet complimentary way of thinking provides a new outlet to increase volume. Email targeting provides the opportunity to capitalize on an existing email database by following up with each user as they navigate through the GDN, which will increase the chances of an eventual conversion. Additionally, the inverse works as well. Hotel marketers can target users through their interests and activities across the GDN as well as their email content, and send engaging visual ads directly to their Gmail inbox. Gmail Ad for The Watergate Hotel, targeting people traveling to Washington D.C. 9. A picture is worth 1,000 words In the ever-advancing digital age, we are seeing a progression towards more engaging and elaborate ad formats. This is no different within the SEM space. In a channel that has historically been centered around brief text-based ads on a results page, we are beginning to see a rise in SEM ads with accompanying images. Google has already started integrating this change by including images in all text-based Display ads. Now, text ads on the GDN will pull from a supply of images to display when your ad appears. Despite still being in its early stages, we are already seeing positive results with increased CTR and higher potential for initiated bookings. Google is not the only search engine on the imagery kick. Bing has also taken great strides towards accompanying visuals with their new image extensions. This new tool allows advertisers to increase clicks and grab attention by adding up to 6 images to appear alongside ad copy and any other extension. Incorporating these types of extensions can attract 94 percent more views than a piece of content with text only. The addition of images can really make the difference in performance. 10. Keep your strategy fluid and prepare for the unknown Lastly, but certainly not least its important to keep your strategy dynamic and be able to quickly adapt to the changing digital marketing landscape. Paid Search is a constantly evolving channel. As customer interests and views change, so do search queries and available advertising tools and methods. This should be accounted for in planning your budget. Having dollars set aside to execute new ideas or pursue new potential guests can give you the breathing room needed to maintain a strong flow of bookings while still optimizing and growing direct website bookings. About the Authors and HeBS Digital Mariana Safer is SVP, Marketing and Carmine Fischetti is Manager, SEM Dept. at HeBS Digital. Founded in 2001, HeBS Digital helps hoteliers around the globe drastically increase direct bookings and lower overall distribution costs by deploying industry best-of-breed digital technology, consulting and marketing (www.hebsdigital.com). The firm is headquartered in New York City and has offices in Las Vegas, Europe, and Asia Pacific. HeBS Digitals technology, website design and digital marketing services have won more than 400 prestigious industry awards, including World Travel Awards, HSMAI Adrian Awards, Stevie Awards (American Business Awards), W3 Awards, WebAwards, Travel Weeklys Magellan Awards, Summit International Awards, Interactive Media Awards, and IAC Awards. A diverse client portfolio of top-tier major luxury and boutique hotel chains, independent hotels, resorts and casinos, franchised properties and hotel management companies, convention centers, spas, restaurants and bars, DMO and tourist offices across the globe are all benefiting from HeBS Digitals direct online channel strategy and digital marketing expertise. The HeBS Digital team is comprised of thought leaders, a truly diverse team of experts comprised of over 33 nationalities speaking over 22 languages. The teams singular focus has always been and still is to help hoteliers maximize revenues from the Direct Online Channel the most profitable channel for hoteliers today. Contact HeBS Digitals consultants at 1 (800) 649-5076 (North America), +64 (0) 9 889 8489 (APAC), or success@hebsdigital.com. This article originally appeared on HeBS Digital. Park Inn by Radisson Izmailovo, Moscow to Open Q1 2017 The hotel is well situated in the eastern district of Moscow, within close proximity to Izmailovo one of the largest parks in Moscow, and easy access to Moscow's major tourist attractions. The Rezidor Hotel Group announced the signing of the Park Inn by Radisson Izmailovo, Moscow. The new property is the latest addition to the group's portfolio of 35 hotels in Russia including 21 Park Inn by Radisson properties with 5,400+ rooms. The hotel will be operated under a franchise agreement. The 109-room Park Inn by Radisson Izmailovo will open its doors in Q1 2017. The hotel will offer an all-day restaurant "Park Cafe" and terrace, a "Park Bar", 65m2 gym and divisible meeting rooms. Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group said: "We are committed to maintaining and strengthening our market-leading position in Russia together with our partners. We are looking forward to opening the new Park Inn by Radisson Izmailovo in early 2017. Our fourth Park Inn by Radisson hotel in Moscow will showcase the best of our mid-market brand and its hospitality." Luybov Rudnykh, General Manager of the property, added: "We are delighted to open the Park Inn by Radisson Izmailovo in Moscow. The Park Inn by Radisson brand is well-known to Russian and international guests for its colorful, dynamic, midscale proposition providing a hassle-free and easy hotel experience. Friendly, positive, vibrant, uncomplicated; Park Inn by Radisson Izmailovo will deliver successfully on the brand's high standards and add color to all our guests' stays." The hotel is well situated in the eastern district of Moscow, within close proximity to Izmailovo one of the largest parks in Moscow, and easy access to Moscow's major tourist attractions. Park Inn by Radisson Izmailovo is extremely well-connected for business travelers and vacationers; 28km to the North-West of Sheremetyevo airport and just 8km West of Three Stations Square where Yaroslavski, Leningradski and Kazanski train stations are located. As one of the oldest cities in Russia, Moscow is one of the most visited. Every year, its rich history and culture as well as a thriving business community attract millions of international and domestic visitors. Profit per room in the Rooms Department at Manama hotels dropped by 10.3% this month, which was in spite of savings in both departmental Cost of Sales and Payroll, according to the latest data from HotStats. Profit per room in the Rooms Department at Manama hotels dropped by 10.3% this month, which was in spite of savings in both departmental Cost of Sales and Payroll, according to the latest data from HotStats. Whilst hotels in the Bahrain capital managed to maintain room occupancy levels at approximately 50.7%, achieved average room rate fell by 9.8% year- on-year to $167.70, which contributed to a RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room) decline of 10.0% to $85.01 this month. The greatest margin of cost saving was in Rooms Cost of Sales, the measure associated with the cost of third party travel agencies, which was reduced by 14.9% in October, to $4.57 per available room, equivalent to 5.4% of Rooms Revenue. Furthermore, hotels in Manama recorded a 6.5% saving in Rooms Payroll, to $10.68 per available room, which contributed to the 5.7% decrease in this measure in the ten months to October 2016. However, as a result of RevPAR decline outpacing cost savings, Rooms profit per available room fell by 10.3% to a conversion of 74.5% of revenue this month from 74.8% in October 2015. This trend was mirrored in the overall performance of Manama hotels in October as despite a 3.5% saving in payroll on a per available room basis, GOPPAR (Gross Operating Profit per Available Room) fell by 36.5%, to $30.21 per available room, equivalent to a conversion of 21.9% of total revenue. Profit Conversion Continues to Slide at Riyadh Hotels Profit conversion at Riyadh hotels has fallen to 40.7% of total revenue year-to- date 2016 compared to 46.4% during the same period in 2015, due to falling revenues and rising costs. In addition to declining revenue in Rooms (-11.8%), as well as ancillary departments, such as Food & Beverage (-11.0%) and Conference & Banqueting (-9.8%), hotels in Riyadh have also suffered increases in costs per available room, including labour (+0.3%) and overheads (+3.0%). Since starting its downturn in October 2015, falling revenue levels have contributed to an 11.9% Total Revenue decline in the 12 months to October 2016, to $215.79. Increasing costs have added to the woes of Riyadh hoteliers and profit per room has now fallen by 20.8% in the last 12 months to $92.11. Sharm El Sheikh Hotels Now Struggling to Turn a Profit Hotels in Sharm El Sheikh recorded a -$6.65 loss this month, as the Egyptian resort continues to suffer major declines in top line performance as a result of a massive occupancy drop. Room occupancy at hotels in Sharm El Sheikh plummeted by 42.0 percentage points this month to just 28.5%, from 70.5% during the same period in 2015. The greatest margin of volume decline was in the leisure segment, with the drop equivalent to a year-on-year reduction of approximately 2,680 accommodated leisure roomnights for the average hotel in Sharm El Sheikh for the month of October alone, which was in addition to a 2.1% decline in rate in this segment. In addition to the drop in volume, achieved average room rate at hotels in Sharm El Sheik dropped by 11.5% to $45.62, contributing to the 64.3% RevPAR decline this month, to $12.99. Despite fighting hard to maintain profit by reducing costs, illustrated by the 30.0% saving in payroll costs on a per available room basis this month, as a result of plummeting revenue levels, payroll as a proportion of revenue was up by 22.3 percentage points to 46.2% of total revenue. On a positive note, flights to the Egyptian resort from Germany and the UK are reported to be reopening almost one year after the terror attacks took place. This will be essential to recoup the 99.9% decline in profit recorded at Sharm El Sheikh hotels in the 12 months to October 2016 to just $0.01 per available room. Click here ( Adobe Acrobat PDF file) to view full the report. HotStats provides two reporting tools to hoteliers: Our unique profit and loss benchmarking service which enables monthly comparison of hotels performance against their competitors. It is distinguished by the fact that it provides in excess of 100 performance metric comparisons covering 70 areas of hotel revenue, cost, profit and statistics providing far deeper insight into the hotel operation than any other tool. Our latest innovation in daily revenue intelligence, MORSE. Amongst its reporting are daily and highly granular market segmentation metrics as well as distribution channel and source of booking analysis. It takes daily market intelligence to a whole new level. For more information contact: Enquiries +44 (0) 20 7892 2241 enquiries@hotstats.com How to Impress Hotel Guests in the Digital Age Beyond just managing your guests expectations, its important to think about what you can do to exceed them. Our eBook, The Hoteliers Handbook to Managing Guest Expectations, is full of expert advice and best practices for impressing hotel guests. Here we highlight three ways to impress guests and create repeat, loyal customers: 1. Know your guests The more you know about your guests, the better you can tailor their experience to whats important to them. Families will have different wants and expectations from Honeymooners, who have different wants and expectations from business travelers. Here are some tips for finding out more about who is staying with you: Monitoring your social media mentions is good way to know, broadly, who your guests are and the reason for their stay. You can see some great interactions by checking out @HyattConcierge on Twitter: Survey your guests before they even stay with you. This allows you to get to know them. Include a special request box in your online booking form if you dont already have one. This can provide more insight that can be used to tailor your guests stay. Insights Sojerns clients get free insights into audience demographics. These insights give you a deeper view into what types of travelers are showing intent to visit your property and destination, top markets, travel patterns, and more. 2. Personalize their experience Creating a more personalized guest stay can work wonders in building loyalty and repeat business. A great example of personalization comes from Siew Hoon Yeoh at WIT, who arrived at the Old Clare Hotel in Sydney to find a framed photo of David Bowie on her nightstand. A huge Bowie fan, Siew Hoon had written about the late icon on her social media. The hotel took note of this, and provided the thoughtful gesture. You may not have the time or resources to personalize at this level of detail for all your guests, but you can create a more bespoke experience for your guests in other ways, including: Complimentary WiFi, so guests can feel connected when they are away from home Customized check-in and check-out times Access to local travel guides in their native language 3. Drive direct bookings In order to provide an excellent experience to guests, you need to set and manage their expectations from the outset. The best way to do that is engaging with them directly, which means driving them to book on your website. Further, if you know your audience and have their informationbecause theyve booked directyou can upsell them. Upselling guests isnt just great for your bottom line, it can really make the guest experience. Having an amazing spa or outstanding breakfasteven it if its an add oncan turn a nice stay into a spectacular one. Creating incredible experiences for your guests isnt impossible, and many of the tools to help you deliver them are right under your nose. Want more examples of great ways to impress your guests? Our newest eBook is packed with more inspiration to get you on your way. About Ashley Ashley is Sojern's Marketing Manager, EMEA & APAC and works in the London office. Originally from Canada, she's been living in London for over four years, and is actively trying to fill all the pages in her passport. She has never met a cheese she didn't like. HotelChamp, an award winning company based in Amsterdam has developed proven methods to boost hotels direct bookings and has decided to partner with Availpro - European leading hotel distribution suite for more than 6,500 properties across Europe. When planning their journey, guests often visit a hotels website for information, but ultimately they are likely to book via a third-party. HotelChamp, an award winning company based in Amsterdam has developed proven methods to boost hotels direct bookings and has decided to partner with Availpro - European leading hotel distribution suite for more than 6,500 properties across Europe. This new cooperation aims at helping Availpros client hotels to drive more direct bookings thanks to HotelChamps triggering tools inserted within Availpro advanced technology. The solution is compatible with Availpros Smart Booking Engine and contributes efficiently to increase the booking engine conversion rate. "This collaboration is driven by a common vision to improve hospitality revenue management where technology and innovation are key." Kristian Valk, CEO Hotelchamp. Availpro is always keen on partnering with innovative and relevant technologies when the final objective is to contribute effectively to its clients revenue. Lea Vernet, Global Partnership Executive. www.availpro.com Ithaca Marriott Downtown on the Commons Hotel Opens December 12th Located on Aurora Street, Ithaca's 'Restaurant Row,' and just two miles from Cayuga Lake, the longest of the Finger Lakes, the full-service hotel comprises 159 modern guestrooms, an indoor-outdoor restaurant, fitness center, and meeting and event space. Located on Aurora Street, Ithaca's 'Restaurant Row,' and just two miles from Cayuga Lake, the longest of the Finger Lakes, the full-service hotel comprises 159 modern guestrooms, an indoor-outdoor restaurant, fitness center, and meeting and event space. Ithaca Marriott is a joint venture between Urgo Hotels & Resorts and Ensemble Real Estate Investments. The hotel's stylishly appointed guestrooms will reflect the new Marriott aesthetic, with platform beds and luxurious bedding, wall-mounted 49-inch HDTVs, mini-fridges, multi-purpose surfaces, deluxe spa-like walk-in showers with handheld wands, and chaise lounges in king rooms. "We want our guests to experience forward-thinking, aesthetically pleasing spaces that help foster their inventive nature," said Matthew Carroll, vice president, Marriott Hotels. "Marriott Hotels has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation in travel to create experiences that inspire and push our guests' creativity. This beautiful new hotel is a perfect example and we know visitors will be thrilled." Serving locally sourced Modern American cuisine with a Southern flair, the hotel's signature restaurant Monks on the Commons will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, while options from Fresh Bites are made to be enjoyed in-room. A lobby shop will be open 24 hours a day. With more than 2,300 square feet of flexible meeting space including three meeting rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Commons and skilled planning, catering and audiovisual services, the hotel will be ideal for a range of business and social functions. The largest venue, the Gorges Ballroom, will accommodate up to 175. The hotel's complimentary shuttle will service nearby Cornell University, Ithaca College and Tompkins Regional Airport (ITH). Restaurant Row is just outside the front doors, with Finger Lakes wineries, Cayuga Lake and thunderous waterfalls all nearby. Ithaca also offers year-round recreation, museums, a vibrant art scene, farmer's market and seasonal festivals. "My team of seasoned professionals can't wait to welcome our first guests when we open our doors on Dec. 12," said General Manager Cathy L. Hart, a 27-year Marriott veteran. "Ithaca Marriott will be the best-in-class hotel for this dynamic city in one of the most inspiring regions of New York State." Ithaca Marriott Downtown on the Commons is located at 120 South Aurora St., Ithaca, NY 14850. Cartagena Bocagrande district Hyatt Regency Cartagena features 261 guestrooms, including 28 Regency Club suites. With floor-to-ceiling windows, guests can enjoy views of the Caribbean Sea or the bustling Cartagena Port and relish in spaces filled with natural light. Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Cartagena, the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Colombia. The opening of the first Hyatt Regency hotel in Colombia is a milestone for Hyatt as it continues to focus on the development of the Hyatt Regency brand across Latin America. We are very pleased to welcome Hyatt Regency Cartagena to Colombia, said Peter Sears, group president Americas, Hyatt Hotels Corporation. The opening of Hyatt Regency Cartagena represents Hyatts ongoing commitment to developing our global brand footprint in key gateway markets where our guests are increasingly travelling for business or leisure, many of which are located in the thriving Latin American region. The Hyatt Regency brand experience is designed around one objective: to connect todays travelers to who and what matters most to them. Located in the Bocagrande district, Hyatt Regency Cartagena offers close proximity to the citys iconic tourist attractions, including the Walled City, San Felipe Castle, and Clock Tower, as well as the Getsemani neighborhood and the Rosario Islands. Hyatt Regency Cartagena offers a level of upscale quality and a fine attention to detail with the hotels design and service. We are confident that the hotels spacious accommodations, premier meeting facilities and anticipatory service will remind guests why its sometimes good not to be home, added Myles McGourty, senior vice president in Latin America and Caribbean, Hyatt. Advertisement Hyatt Regency Cartagena features 261 guestrooms, including 28 Regency Club suites. With floor-to-ceiling windows, guests can enjoy views of the Caribbean Sea or the bustling Cartagena Port and relish in spaces filled with natural light. Guestrooms feature the conveniences of home coupled with Colombian creativity, from decor to thoughtful amenities. Authentic Culinary Experiences The restaurants at Hyatt Regency Cartagena build off Hyatts history of culinary excellence. Kokau is an interactive restaurant experiences where guests can enjoy the flavors of Colombia under an international gastronomic concept, influenced by local flavors fused with traditional techniques. Kokau Bar specializes in artisan cocktails created by mixologists, making drinks transcend in flavors and senses. Open from 5:30 p.m. and strategically located to enjoy sunsets from a dazzling location. Amacagua Bar & Grill serves the hotel's three swimming pools to enjoy the Caribbean sunshine outdoors and enjoy a delicious barbecue driven by a culinary concept that combines the simplicity and freshness of Latin ingredients with the sophistication of fire techniques. Amacagua Lounge features music with desirable cocktails and food options. Wellness Experience Aqoral Spa, named after the luminosity that irradiates from the coral reefs when receiving light from the sun, features six treatment rooms including a couples room, two hydrotherapy suites, and for the first time in Cartagena, an accessible treatment room. An extensive outdoor area with four pools distributed over three levels is one of the hotels highlights. Guests may enjoy the recreational infinity pool or swim at the adult lap pool. A special pool designed for young children on the second level will allow families to connect and enjoy the best views of Cartagena. The 24-hour fitness center has the latest high-tech cardio and strength training equipment, while offering views of the Bay of Cartagena and pool area. Event Venues Hyatt Regency Cartagena is the perfect venue for a variety of events such as weddings, social banquets, exhibitions, meetings, and conferences. With more than 13,000 square feet (1,200 square meters) of flexible meeting and event facilities, the hotel provides thoughtfully designed multifunctional spaces with high-tech audiovisual and lighting solutions. The Irish actress, who had a recurring role in Love/Hate back in 2012, has been working with acclaimed director David Lynch for the new season of the cult classic Twin Peaks, which will air next year. "Every single day working on Twin Peaks was a personal highlight for me," says Shiels. "It was months and months of triumphs getting to be on that set." The new series of Twin Peaks, set to air 26 years after it was cancelled, includes many of the original cast members, with Kyle McLachlan returning to his role as the charismatic Special Agent Dale Cooper. In keeping with the enigmatic nature of the show, Amy is careful not to reveal many more details about her role. However, she notes the thrill of getting to work with many of Hollywood's A-listers, including Naomi Watts, Ashley Judd and Amanda Seyfried. "Ive loved that show since I was young and Ive watched it over and over again, so to be able to part of it meant I came into work star-struck every day. I've been bless to work with so many of these highly talented artists." Advertisement Arrested Development star Michael Cera is also set to appear, along with The X Files' David Duchovny, who will reprise his role as transexual character Denise Bryson. Amy Shiels has been sharing her time between living out in Los Angeles - where she had voiceover roles on the video games Final Fantasy and Call of Duty - and working closer to home - where she had a starring role alongside James Nesbitt and Genevieve O'Reilly on UTV's The Secret. The Service Employees International Union in Texas has filed for bankruptcy protection, three months after a jury in Harris County slapped it with a $5.3 million judgment. Professional Janitorial Service successfully sued the union, alleging that its aggressive organizing campaign went too far and maligned the commercial cleaning company's reputation. Brent Southwell, Professional Janitorial's CEO, said he's not deterred by the bankruptcy filing. "The SEIU won't escape its fate after attacking my company," he said in a written statement. "We will keep this process going for as long as the SEIU wants, first by making them reveal their secrets and then by making the union's Washington, D.C., office pay for its sins." The Texas branch of the nation's second-largest labor union filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition on Saturday in federal court in Corpus Christi. The filing halted any effort, at least temporarily, by the janitorial company to take possession of the union's assets to pay the damage award. It also allows the union to reorganize its finances and continue operating. Since the jury's decision in September, the total amount the union owes Professional Janitorial Service has grown to $7.8 million, including interest of $2.5 million that has accumulated since the lawsuit was filed nine years ago. This debt grows by more than $1,000 a day. The statewide union, which represents 3,500 janitors in Houston and has its headquarters here, warned that the judgment would put the group into a dire financial situation if it had to be paid. "This filing ensures that our union will remain open for business, representing members at the bargaining table and maintaining the vital role the union plays in helping working Houstonians have a voice at work, protecting them from unfair employers, and building a better future for their families," according to a written statement from Elsa Caballero, president of SEIU Texas. John Zavitsanos, a Houston lawyer with AZA Law representing the cleaning company, speculated that the union filed for bankruptcy protection because Professional Janitorial Service was getting too close to making the debt an obligation of the international union, rather than just the local. The international dictates everything the local union does, he said. "The bankruptcy maneuver puts up a wall that we have to get over," he said. Professional Janitorial Service claimed in its lawsuit that SEIU targeted the company as part of its "Justice for Janitors" organizing campaign and wrongly claimed it had violated wage, overtime and other labor laws. The jury agreed. The $5.3 million verdict represented the actual damages the janitorial company faced when it lost clients. The union is appealing the judgment, arguing that its efforts to organize the Houston janitors were protected by free speech rights and federal labor law. Typically a defendant in a civil lawsuit has to put up the amount of the judgment to pursue an appeal. SEIU Texas has asked the court for permission to post an appeal bond of $100,000 instead, saying it can't afford more because of its tenuous financial position. Professional Janitorial Service argues the union should have to post $6.1 million to appeal because its international parent, with its $306.3 million in assets, funds its legal defense and is behind its "Kill PJS" campaign, according to court documents. The company also introduced memos and other evidence that shows the international union was orchestrating a campaign against Professional Janitorial Service in Austin. Caballero noted in a statement that SEIU Texas, while affiliated with the international, is a separate organization and has a separate board of directors. The SEIU filing is not the first time a labor union filed for bankruptcy. The Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers local union in Port Arthur filed for bankruptcy protection after a Texas appeals court in 1989 reinstated a $1.2 million verdict against the union after a striking worker was shot several times when he crossed a picket line. Filing bankruptcy will cast a "black eye" on SEIU and will likely hinder its efforts to organize other workers , said Stephen Roppolo, an employment lawyer in Houston who represents management. Other unions may point to SEIU's bankruptcy as a reason not to join, he explained. "I'm not sure on the effectiveness of the ploy," he said. Since his election a few weeks ago, Donald Trump has faced serious questions about the conflicts of interest his vast business empire could create once he enters the White House. There is at least one facet of his holdings that should not be an issue: his stock portfolio. The president-elect sold all his stock holdings in June, according to Jason Miller, a spokesman. Financial filings submitted by Trump and released in May by the Federal Election Commission show that as of that month, Trump's portfolio was worth at least $22 million, and included a number of the country's best-known companies, among them Apple, Wal-Mart and MasterCard. Trump's largest single holding was a stake in a multistrategy fixed-income hedge fund managed by BlackRock that had a value of at least $25 million. It is not known if he sold that or smaller holdings, like his "investment in gold," which he listed as being worth at least $100,000. It is not possible to independently verify Trump's stock sales, but at some point during his first term he will have to release a financial disclosure form that will include information about his stock holdings. Trump's stock holdings are not a significant portion of his business empire, but the sale Miller discussed could alleviate some immediate concerns about his conflicts. Trump has been singling out corporations for their behavior, like the airplane manufacturer Boeing, which he attacked on Twitter on Tuesday for "out of control" spending on the new Air Force One that the government commissioned the company to build. Until recently, Trump had a financial interest in Boeing. In 2013, he boasted on Twitter about buying the shares, and he continued to hold the stock until recently, according to the filing released by the election commission. Miller did not respond to requests seeking additional details on Trump's stock sales, and it is not known why Trump liquidated his holdings this year. In addition to his June sell-off, earlier this year Trump disclosed that he had sold a handful of stocks, leading to speculation he needed cash to keep his presidential bid afloat. Trump relied on his own money, and that of donors, to pay for his campaign. Whatever Trump's motives, the sale does little to mitigate the larger conflict-of-interest concerns that have followed him since the election. Trump has sizable holdings in the U.S. and abroad, and the extent of his financial engagements is not known because he has refused to release his tax returns or allow for an independent appraisal of his holdings. This is a problem because Trump will have substantial sway over monetary and tax policy, as well as the power to make appointments that would directly affect his financial empire. He will also have official dealings with countries in which he has business interests. Trump has said he intends to hold a news conference on Dec. 15 to discuss his plans for his business, but it is not expected that he will move to sell his company's assets. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Protesters in West Texas were arrested Tuesday morning near a pipeline being built to transport natural gas from the Permian Basin to Mexico. Members of the Big Bend Defense Coalition were protesting Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners' construction of the Trans-Pecos Pipeline in Alpine. The Brewster County Sheriff's Office arrested coalition founder Lori Glover and Alpine resident Roger Siglin. "We must protect our water, challenge corporate greed, and come to our senses on the truth of fossil fuels and climate change," Glover, who had chained herself to the project's gate, said in a follow-up statement to the media. A former oil field worker also chained himself to a fence there but was not arrested, the sheriff's office said. Glover and Siglin were charged with trespassing and released, the sheriff's office said. The arrests come on the heels of at least a temporary victory in North Dakota, where protesters fought for months against the completion of Energy Transfer's Dakota Access Pipeline. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Sunday it wanted to further study the impact of digging under Lake Oahe, a dammed section of the Missouri River. The Big Bend Defense Coalition is hoping to rally supporters to Alpine, about 70 miles north of Big Bend National Park. Residents moved there to be closer to nature and escape big business, protesters said. The coalition said it would soon gather at a winter camp in hope protesters from North Dakota would move south. "We want to welcome all those willing to come and help us protect our nation against corporate greed unfettered," the coalition said in a statement. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate It's the time of year we spend more time in the kitchen. Busy home cooks aren't just baking holiday treats, they're testing recipes for entertaining, neighborhood and work parties, and more lavish family meals. They could use some inspiration. These recent cookbook releases will expand the home cook's recipe repertoire. They also will make great gifts for the culinarian in your family. 'My Two Souths: Blending the Flavors of India Into a Southern Kitchen' By Asha Gomez with Martha Hall Foose (Running Press, $35) Gomez's two souths are 9,000 miles apart: She was born in the Kerala region of southern India and lives in Atlanta. But she's found that the two areas have much in common - climate, some foodstuffs and hospitality. Her book includes recipes that show a logical fusion of Indian and regional Southern dishes from morning (cardamom- and turmeric- flavored oatmeal cooked with coconut milk) to night (garam masala file gumbo). She's even slipped ginger, coriander and green cardamom into shrimp etouffee. 'Cuba: Recipes and Stories From the Cuban Kitchen' By Dan Goldberg, Andrea Kuhn and Jody Eddy (Ten Speed Press, $30) New opportunities for travel to Cuba and the recent death of dictator Fidel Castro have sparked even more interest in the country known for cigars and rum. But there's much more to the culture, as the authors show in this beautiful portrait of a nation at the cusp of profound change. The Cuban spirit shines in the photography; the culinary heritage comes through in recipes such as ropa vieja, squid-ink empanadas, chicken soup with plantain dumplings, fried whole snapper and sweet-and-sour lobster. 'Recipe Revival: Southern Classics Reinvented for Modern Cooks' From the editors of Southern Living with Mary Allen Perry (Oxmoor House, $27.95) Southern Living has a special place in our regional heart. And so do cookbooks from its editors. "Recipe Revival" is a novel way of looking at classic Southern recipes by presenting them alongside a contemporary idea for creating a dish with similar flavors. Example: traditional seafood gumbo next to a new recipe for Grilled Shrimp Gumbo Salad (char-grilled components topped with a fresh corn vinaigrette). 'Dorie's Cookies' By Dorie Greenspan (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $35) As home cooks are busy baking this season, along comes one of our favorite cookbook authors to deliver a mother lode of recipes - 170 in all - for every type of cookie, from brownies, biscotti and bars to shortbread, sables and madeleines. It's a herculean effort in which Greenspan has practically redefined familiar cookie concepts and makes you think twice about something as everyday as a chocolate chip cookie. 'Mastering the Art of Japanese Home Cooking' By Masaharu Morimoto (Ecco, $45) It's almost preposterous to read chef Morimoto's claim that real Japanese food is easier to cook at home than Thai or Vietnamese because it owes its characteristic flavors to a half-dozen pantry ingredients. But - a la Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" - that's the premise behind this cookbook that seeks to demystify Japanese cooking by centering recipes on a repertoire of dishes familiar to Japanese home cooks. The lineup includes soups, rice bowls, hand rolls, dumplings, yakitori and stir-fry dishes. 'Mario Batali Big American Cookbook' By Mario Batali (Grand Central Publishing, $40) It takes a big man to conquer the food of a big country. Batali sets out like a hungry pioneer to find recipes that are intrinsic to our cultural heritage - the more local, the closer to the American heart. This collection is as vast as our homeland. From New England lobster rolls and clambakes to Mid-Atlantic cheesesteaks and crab cakes to the Deep South's barbecue and fried chicken and po-boys and boudain on the Gulf Coast, Batali blazes a trail. 'Mozza at Home' By Nancy Silverton with Carolynn Carreno (Alfred A. Knopf, $35) One of the country's most decorated chefs - Silverton's the owner of Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza in Los Angeles - offers up spectacular recipes marked by simplicity and top-notch ingredients, all organized by meal. No fancy restaurant equipment is needed to make these dishes, which include egg salad with bagna cauda toast; couscous salad with root vegetables and ricotta salata; garlic-rubbed skirt steak with scallion vinaigrette; lamb and chicken tikka kebabs; and oven-roasted grouper with spicy tomato marmalade. 'Lucky Peach Presents Power Vegetables' By Peter Meehan and the editors of Lucky Peach (Clarkson Potter, $35) Meehan writes he wanted to create a cookbook that was "98 percent fun and 2 percent stupid." What he and the Lucky Peach editors have done is actually 100 percent welcome - a new eye on in-season vegetables presented without preachy benefits. And the recipes aren't just salad - think center-of-the-plate pies, curries and stews. Just try to say you don't like veggies after making the book's Root Vegetable Tagine, Eggplant Marinara or Roasted Squash with Pipian Rojo. 'Rao's Classics' By Frank Pellegrino Senior and Junior with Joseph Riccobene (St. Martin's Press, $35) The famous New York restaurant has collected its most popular recipes and put them into a charming compendium of Italian-American cooking at its best. Those expensive jars of Rao's tomato sauces at your supermarket? Why bother when this book gives you the recipes for the restaurant's famous marinara and Sunday gravy, along with baked clams oreganate, fusilli with cabbage and sausage, spaghetti alla carbonara, shrimp fra diavolo, Rao's lemon chicken, and osso buco. Crispy Pork with Mango Salsa From "Cuba: Recipes and Stories From the Cuban Kitchen" Makes 6-8 appetizer servings 6 cloves garlic, smashed 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoons salt 13 cup freshly squeezed lime juice 2 pounds pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into 1-inch chunks Vegetable oil for deep-frying Mango Salsa (recipe follows) Instructions: Stir together the garlic, oregano, cumin, salt and lime juice in a large mixing bowl. Add the pork and mix with your hands, making sure all the meat is coated in the marinade. Cover and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Heat at least 4 inches of oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat until it reaches 375 degrees. Remove the pork from the marinade and pat it dry using paper towels. Working in small batches, fry the pork until deep brown, crispy, and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Be sure to allow the oil to come back up to temperature between batches. Transfer the fried pork to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with a little salt while hot. Serve with Mango Salsa. Mango Salsa 2 cups diced fresh mango cup diced red onion cup diced cucumber cup diced green bell pepper habanero, stemmed, seeded, and minced 1 tablespoon honey 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice cup chopped fresh cilantro teaspoon salt teaspoon freshly ground pepper Instructions: Mix all ingredients and let rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors combine. Yakisoba (Stir-Fried Noodles with Pork, Cabbage and Ginger) From "Mastering the Art of Japanese Home Cooking" Makes 1 serving 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 ounces pork belly, thinly sliced then cut into -inch pieces cup thinly sliced yellow onion cup 2-inch-long matchsticks peeled carrot 1 cup roughly chopped (about 2- by - inch pieces) loosely packed white cabbage One 5-ounce package yakisoba noodles (a heaping cup) 2 tablespoons jarred yakisoba sauce, preferably the Otafuku brand 1 tablespoon shredded beni shoga (red pickled ginger) 1 heaping tablespoon bonito akes teaspoon aonori (powdered seaweed) or nely chopped nori seaweed sheets Instructions: Heat the oil in a medium wide nonstick or cast- iron skillet over high heat until the oil shimmers. Add the pork belly, onion, and carrot and cook, stirring frequently, for about 30 seconds. Add the cabbage and cook, stirring, until it wilts slightly and the onions are lightly browned at the edges, about 3 minutes. Add the noodles and cook, tossing with tongs, until the noodles are hot through, about 3 minutes. As you toss, gently separate the strands. (If the noodles don't separate easily, add a splash of water to the pan.) Add the sauce and continue to cook, tossing, until thoroughly coated, about 1 minute. Season with more sauce to taste, toss well, and transfer to a bowl. Top with the beni shoga, bonito akes, and aonori. Eat right away. Charred Broccolini with Salami and Burrata From "Mozza at Home" Makes 6-8 servings 2 bunches broccolini (or broccoli rabe or broccoli di ciccio; about 1 pound) 2 tablespoons canola oil (or another neutral-flavored oil) 2 teaspoons kosher salt 4 ounces hard salami (such as Fra' Mani Toscana salami), sliced 16-inch thick (15 to 18 slices) cup plus 1 tablespoon Scallion Vinaigrette (recipe follows) 4 ounces burrata Instructions: In a conventional oven adjust rack to lowest setting and put a pizza stone on it if you have one. Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Trim and discard the dry stem ends of the broccolini; do this one at a time as each stalk will need to be trimmed at a different place. Put the broccolini on a large baking sheet, drizzle with the canola oil, sprinkle with 1 teaspoons of the salt, and toss to coat the broccolini. Spread the broccolini out onto a baking sheet, and roast until the broccolini is slightly charred and the stems are tender (the best test of broccolini for doneness is to bite into one), 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the baking sheet and rotating it from front to back halfway through the cooking time so the broccolini browns evenly. When cooking vegetables on the oven floor, a lot of steam is produced from the water released as a result of the vegetables cooking so quickly, so just be careful of the steam that will arise when you open the oven door. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and set it aside for the broccolini to cool to room temperature. If you are using salami 1 inches or less in diameter, cut the slices in half to form half-moons. If you are using a larger salami, cut the rounds into quarters. Put the salami in a large bowl. Add the broccolini and toss so the two are tangled together. Whisk the scallion vinaigrette to recombine the ingredients and drizzle cup over the broccolini and salami. Sprinkle with the remaining teaspoon salt. Toss gently and massage the vinaigrette into the broccolini to make sure all the florets are coated. To serve, scatter one-third of the broccolini and salami in a medium round bowl. Using a spoon to break it apart, spoon the burrata in random bite-size clumps over the broccolini. Scatter more broccolini and salami onto the platter, making sure the first layer of burrata is still visible, and continue layering the broccolini-salami and the burrata clumps until you've used all of both. Use a spoon to drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon vinaigrette over the burrata clumps and serve with tongs. Scallion Vinaigrette pound scallions (about 3 bunches) cup plus 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar (or white wine vinegar) 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon red chile flakes (ground in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle) 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil Instructions: Trim and discard the root ends and any wilted greens from the scallions. Finely chop scallions and place them in a bowl. Add the vinegar, salt and ground red chile flakes. Add the oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly. Serve or refrigerate the vinaigrette, covered, for up to 1 day; any longer and the color will fade. Bring vinaigrette to room temperature before serving. Mussels in Light Broth From "My Two Souths" Makes 4 servings 2 tablespoons canola oil 1 tablespoon peeled, finely chopped fresh ginger 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 tablespoon cumin seeds (coarsely crushed in a mortar and pestle) 10 to 12 whole black peppercorns, coarsely crushed in a mortar and pestle teaspoon asafoetida powder (see note) 1 teaspoon kosher salt 16 ounces canned crushed tomatoes or 2 cups peeled, diced fresh tomatoes cup finely chopped cilantro leaves and stems 2 pounds fresh mussels, debearded and cleaned 1 tablespoon tempered oil (recipe follows) Instructions: In a 4-quart pot over medium heat, add the oil. Add the ginger, garlic, cumin, black peppercorns, asafoetida and salt. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and cilantro and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 2 cups of water and cook for 8 minutes on a low heat. Add the mussels, cover and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the mussels are opened. Remove from the heat. Transfer the mussels and broth to a serving bowl and finish with the tempered oil. To make tempered oil: In a small pan over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of oil. Add 10 to 12 curry leaves and 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds; when the mustard seeds begin to pop, remove the oil from the flame, about 30 seconds. Drizzle the oil over the mussels and broth. Note: Asafoetida powder can be found in Indian, Middle Eastern and Asian markets. Kamish From "Dorie's Cookies" Makes about 60 cookies For the cookies 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon teaspoon fine sea salt 3 large eggs, at room temperature 1 cup sugar 1 cup flavorless oil, such as canola 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 cups almonds, coarsely chopped cup shredded sweetened coconut For sprinkling 13 cup sugar cup shredded sweetened coconut 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon Instructions: To make the cookies: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Working in a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together until pale in color, about 2 minutes. Beat in the oil - the mixture will thicken slightly - followed by the vanilla. Switch to a flexible spatula, add half of the flour mixture and stir it in gently; add the remaining flour and stir to blend. Fold in the almonds and coconut. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes, or for up to 2 hours. Getting ready to bake: Position the racks to divide the oven into thirds and preheat it to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Mix the sprinkling ingredients together in a small bowl. Sprinkle half of the mixture on a piece of parchment or wax paper. Working with one quarter of the dough at time, roll the dough on the sugared paper into a 12-inch-long log. Place 2 logs on each lined baking sheet, positioning them so that each log is about 2 inches from a long side of the sheet. Bake the logs for 25 minutes, rotating the baking sheets top to bottom and front to back after 12 minutes. Transfer the baking sheets to racks and let the logs (which will have expanded and cracked) rest for 15 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 300 degrees. Working with one log at a time, use a long serrated knife to cut the logs into -inch-thick slices. This is a case in which perfection will be out of reach - accept it. Return the slices to the lined baking sheets, placing them cut side down. Sprinkle the cookies with half of the remaining sugar mixture. Bake the cookies for 20 minutes, rotating the sheets after 10 minutes. Remove the baking sheets, turn the cookies over and sprinkle with the rest of the sugar mixture. Bake for 20 minutes more. Transfer the baking sheets to racks and allow the mandelbrot to cool completely. Fennel-and-Potato Gratin From "Recipe Revival" Makes 8 servings 3 tablespoons butter 1 shallot, sliced 1 garlic clove, minced 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 cups half-and-half (10 ounces) block sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded teaspoon table salt teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 18 teaspoon ground nutmeg 2 large baking potatoes (about 2 pounds), peeled and thinly sliced 1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced Fresh rosemary leaves (for garnish) Instructions: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over medium. Add the shallot; saute 2 to 3 minutes or until tender. Add the garlic, and saute 1 minute. Whisk in the flour; cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the half-and-half; cook, whisking constantly, 3 to 4 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Remove from the heat. Whisk in the cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Stir in the salt and next 2 ingredients. Layer the potato and fennel slices alternately in a lightly greased, broiler-safe ceramic 2-quart casserole dish. Spread the cheese sauce over the layers. Cover with the aluminum foil. Bake for 50 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Remove from the oven. Increase the oven temperature to broil with oven rack 5 inches from the heat. Uncover the dish, and broil 2 to 4 minutes or until golden brown. Tamale Pie From "Mario Batali Big American Cookbook" Makes 8-10 servings 4 cups water 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 cups cornmeal 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or bacon fat 2 pounds ground pork 1 pound fresh chorizo 1 onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 2 jalapenos, finely chopped 2 cups fresh corn kernels (may sub frozen) 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes 2 tablespoons chili powder 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese Instructions: In a 3-quart saucepan, bring the water to a boil and add 1 teaspoon of salt. While whisking, slowly add the cornmeal and continue whisking until the mixture is smooth. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the mixture is thick, about 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Heat the oil in a 12- to 14-inch saute pan and add the pork, chorizo, onion and garlic. Cook until the meat is browned and onions are soft, about 8 minutes. Add the jalapenos, corn, tomatoes, chili powder, black pepper and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Mix well and set aside. When the cornmeal mixture is ready, spread the meat evenly in the baking dish. Spread the cornmeal mixture evenly over the meat. Top with the shredded cheese. Bake for 45 minutes, until the crust is set and nicely brown. Remove from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes before cutting and serving. Sichuan Squash Stew From "Lucky Peach Presents Power Vegetables" Makes 4 servings cup dried adzuki beans Kosher salt 1 pound kabocha squash, cut into 1-inch wedges 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 dried shiitake mushroom 1 teaspoon chopped garlic 2 tablespoons sambal oelek (Southeast Asian chile sauce), plus more for garnish Fish sauce (optional) 8 ounces watercress cut into 2-inch pieces 2 tablespoon pumpkin seeds Instructions: Combine the adzuki beans with enough water to cover by 3 inches in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the beans are tender, about 45 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon salt to the water and let the beans cool. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 350 degrees. Rub the squash with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and arrange in a roasting pan. Roast the squash until tender and a little caramelized, about 1 hour. Let cool, then remove the skin. Cut half of the wedges into bite-size chunks. Puree the remaining squash with cup of water. Buzz the shiitake in a spice grinder to make mushroom powder. Reserve. (If you're not inclined to blitz a dried mushroom to make a soup, throw a few dried shiitakes in with the 3 cups of water you'll be adding in the next step and boil up a rich-tasting/smelling mushroom broth. Why not throw a piece of kombu in there too if you have it?) Drain the adzuki beans and pat dry. Heat a wok over medium-high heat and when the wok emits a wisp of smoke, add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. The oil should immediately ripple. Add the garlic, adzuki beans and mushroom powder. Add 3 cups of water, the sambal and squash puree. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes for the flavors to meld. Fold the squash chunks into the stew and simmer 1 minute to warm through. Season with salt and a few dashes of fish sauce, if desired. Add the watercress and remove from the heat. Ladle into bowls and garnish with the pumpkin seeds and additional sambal, if desired. Chicken Scarpariello From "Rao's Classics" Makes 4 servings cup corn oil 3 garlic cloves, smashed pound hot Italian sausage, cut into bite-size pieces pound sweet Italian sausage, cut into bite-size pieces One 2-pound chicken, cut into 12 pieces (2 legs, 2 thighs, 2 wings, 2 backs, 4 half-breasts) 2 large bell peppers (any color), seeded and cut lengthwise into -inch strips 1 large yellow onion, halved and sliced 1/8 inch thick cup dry white wine cup chicken broth cup pickled hot cherry peppers, seeded and halved cup pickled sweet cherry pepper brine teaspoon chopped fresh oregano Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley Instructions: Heat the corn oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat and add 2 of the garlic cloves. When the garlic begins to shimmer, add the sausage and saute for 8 minutes, or until lightly browned. Reduce the heat to medium. Transfer the sausage to a plate lined with paper towels and set aside. Using tongs, carefully place the chicken pieces into the pan, skin side down. Cook for 8 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy. Add the bell peppers and onion and saute for 5 minutes more. Pour off the excess oil from the pan and return the pan to the heat. Return the sausage to the pan. Add the wine and chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Stir in the cherry peppers, cherry pepper brine, and oregano and season lightly with salt and black pepper and return to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the sauce has noticeably reduced and thickened. Transfer to a large serving platter, sprinkle with parsley, and serve. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Colombian musician Juanes will play again at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, this time honoring the president of his own country, Juan Manuel Santos. The line-up of stars that will perform at the concert this coming Sunday at the Telenor Arena in Oslo, Norway, also includes Sting, Halsey, Highasakite e Icona Pop. The host of the event will be Conan or ' O'Brien as host. "Defending the right of all people to live in peace has been a pillar of my music and my foundation (Mi Sangre) for a long time," said Juanes. "I feel flattered for having participated in previous Nobel concerts that recognize global leaders seeking peace around the world," said Juanes. He added that "With this year's award going to President Santos for bringing a lasting peace to my nation, I am more than honored for being invited to perform at the ceremony in Oslo one more time." The Colombian artist has previously played in the 2005 and 2007 concerts honoring Mohamed ElBaradei and Al Gore, respectively. "Juanes is an old friend of the Nobel Peace Prize concert, and we are delighted to have him back on the stage this year," said Olav Njlstad, director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute. "Besides being a brilliant musician, he is committed to charitable work and is a strong supporter of the peace process in his native Colombia... He will certainly excite the public and bring a lot of positive energy to the concert," said Njlstad. Juanes is one of the most recognized Latino contemporary artists. He has won two Grammy Awards and 21 Latin Grammy Awards. He is also a co-founder of Peace without Borders Foundation. For more than 20 years, the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony has been followed by a concert in celebration of the winner the following day. Previous Nobel of Peace laureates include the Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan and Barack Obama. *** From La Voz and news agencies. Leelo en espanol. Would you like to contribute to Calle Houston? Send us a message. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON - What was finally real was Edgar Welch, driving from North Carolina to Washington to rescue sexually abused children he believed were hidden in mysterious tunnels beneath a neighborhood pizza joint. What was real was Welch - a father, former firefighter and sometime movie actor who was drawn to dark mysteries he found on the Internet - terrifying customers and workers with his assault rifle as he searched Comet Ping Pong, police said. He found no hidden children, no secret chambers, no evidence of a child sex ring run by the failed Democratic candidate for president of the United States, or by her campaign chief, or by the owner of the pizza place. What was false were the rumors he had read, stories that crisscrossed the globe about a charming little pizza place that features ping-pong tables in its back room. The story of Pizzagate is about what is fake and what is real. It's a tale of a scandal that never was, and of a fear that has spread through channels that did not even exist until recently. Pizzagate - the belief that code words and satanic symbols point to a sordid underground along an ordinary retail strip in the nation's capital - is possible only because science has produced the most powerful tools ever invented to find and disseminate information. What brought Welch to the District of Columbia on a crisp Sunday afternoon in early December was a choking mix of rumor, political nastiness, technological change and the intoxicating thrill that can come from running down a mystery. His actions Sunday in one of Washington's wealthiest neighborhoods reminded Americans that last month's election did not quite conclude the strangest political season in the nation's history. Welch did not shoot anyone in the disturbance on Connecticut Avenue NW, but he delivered a troubling message about the shattering of trust in a troubled time. On Oct. 28, FBI Director James Comey told Congress that he was reopening the investigation of Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server when she was secretary of state. New emails had been found on a computer belonging to disgraced former New York congressman Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of top Clinton aide Huma Abedin. Two days later, someone tweeting under the handle @DavidGoldbergNY cited rumors that the new emails "point to a pedophilia ring and @HillaryClinton is at the center." The rumor was retweeted more than 6,000 times. The notion quickly moved to other social-media platforms, including 4chan and Reddit, mostly through anonymous or pseudonymous posts. On the far-right site Infowars, talk-show host Alex Jones repeatedly suggested that Clinton was involved in a child sex ring and that her campaign chairman, John Podesta, indulged in satanic rituals. "When I think about all the children Hillary Clinton has personally murdered and chopped up and raped, I have zero fear standing up against her," Jones said in a YouTube video posted on Nov. 4. "Yeah, you heard me right. Hillary Clinton has personally murdered children. I just can't hold back the truth anymore." According to YouTube, that video has been viewed more than 427,000 times. Over the next couple of days, the wild accusations against Clinton gradually merged with a new raft of allegations stemming from WikiLeaks' release of Podesta's emails. Those emails showed that Podesta occasionally dined at Comet Ping Pong. On Nov. 7, the hashtag #pizzagate first appeared on Twitter. Over the next several weeks, it would be tweeted and retweeted hundreds or thousands of times each day. An oddly disproportionate share of the tweets about Pizzagate appear to have come from, of all places, the Czech Republic, Cyprus and Vietnam, said Jonathan Albright, an assistant professor of media analytics at Elon University in North Carolina. In some cases, the most avid retweeters appeared to be bots, programs designed to amplify certain news and information. "What bots are doing is really getting this thing trending on Twitter," Albright said. "These bots are providing the online crowds that are providing legitimacy." Online, the more something is retweeted or otherwise shared, the more prominently it appears in social media and on sites that track "trending" news. As the bots joined ordinary Twitter users in pushing out Pizzagate-related rumors, the notion spread like wildfire. Who programmed the bots to focus on that topic remains unknown. On the Friday before the election, James Alefantis, who owns two restaurants on the same block in upper Northwest Washington, noticed something odd in his Instagram feed: a stream of comments calling him a pedophile. Upset, Alefantis told some of his young employees at Comet Ping Pong about the hateful comments, and they poked around online. They found rapidly burgeoning discussions on Reddit, 4chan and Instagram about a purported child sex ring operating out of their restaurant. Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post Alefantis, who grew up in an affluent section of the District, was no stranger to politics. He had held a fundraiser for the Clinton campaign at Comet. He'd had a relationship with David Brock, the erstwhile Clinton nemesis who had a mid-career political conversion and became a pro-Clinton advocate. And Alefantis had lots of customers and friends in liberal Democratic circles. When Alefantis opened Comet a decade ago, he'd had a run-in with an advisory neighborhood commissioner, a local official who did not like it when Comet put ping-pong tables on the sidewalk. That commissioner had warned that having game tables on the sidewalk might bring "rapes and murders" to the virtually crime-free neighborhood. Now, a decade later, a Washington Post column about that dispute was trending on Twitter. Somewhere out there, thousands of people were hungrily searching the Internet for anything remotely troubling about Comet Ping Pong. In the final days before the election, other shopkeepers on the block began to receive threatening phone calls and disturbing emails. Strangers from faraway places demanded to know about symbols on their shop windows or photos on their walls. Across from Comet, at the French bistro Terasol, co-owner Sabrina Ousmaal noticed a disturbing Google review of her restaurant that alleged that Terasol, too, was involved in a plot to abuse children. Then, more online comments appeared, focusing on a photo on Terasol's website that showed Ousmaal and her daughter posing with Clinton, who had eaten there several years earlier. The Internet sleuths also fixated on a heart logo that appeared on the restaurant's site as part of a fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which Ousmaal, a cancer survivor, has supported for years. "These maniacs thought that was a symbol of child pornography," said her husband and business partner, Alan Moin. "It's crazy." The family removed the symbol from their site, but the online comments adapted to the new reality: Terasol must be hiding something. The anonymous calls increased. "What can we do?" Ousmaal said. "There is no basement. There is no tunnel. There is nothing." Alefantis and other merchants were mystified: Where was this all coming from? Can't anyone make it stop? The merchants approached Facebook and Twitter and asked that disparaging, fictitious comments about them be removed. The shopkeepers said the replies they got advised them to block individual users who were harassing them. The owner of 4chan, Hiroyuki Nishimura, said in an email to The Post that "Pizzagate reminds me that a country indicated [there were] stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and many people and countries were deceived. It is same old story." Nishimura, a Japanese Internet entrepreneur, said the rumors about Comet could be false: "Some people, who believe they do something good, may be deceived by false information." But, he said, their motive was good; they "did it for saving children." On Connecticut Avenue, the hate calls and death threats kept mounting. Surely, the shopkeepers thought, this will all go away after the election. On Election Day, Brittany Pettibone, a right-wing online activist in California who writes science-fiction novels with her twin sister, tweeted drawings of children under the label "Sexualized children, child abuse, pools, and bondage." She wrote that the images were "a look inside Hillary Clinton's friend Tony Podesta's house." Tony Podesta, a Washington lobbyist, is John's brother. Pettibone attached the hashtag #PizzaGate. "We need to expose this," she wrote in another tweet. Dozens of commenters responded almost immediately. "How do we make this VIRAL?" one wrote. Several of the most frequent and prominent purveyors of the Pizzagate rumors said they first learned about the supposed conspiracy from Pettibone's postings. "I was one of the first," Pettibone said in a brief conversation Tuesday. She said she would not take part in an interview: "I'm uninclined to speak to mainstream media because during the election cycle, they made the right look like nut jobs because we suspected Hillary had a health issue, and it turned out she did." For a few days after Donald Trump's victory, a relative calm returned to Comet. But along the block, merchants were hearing from all manner of strange callers. At Besta Pizza, owner Abdel Hammad got an urgent message from the company that maintains his website. A reviewer alleged that his shop's simple, pizza-shaped logo was a symbol of child pornography. Hammad, an Egyptian immigrant who voted for Trump, was stunned. "It's a slice of pizza," he said. Hammad removed the image from his site but could not afford more than $2,000 to pay for new signs out front. "Why did you change the website?!" anonymous callers screamed at him on the phone. "We're going to put a bullet in your head," one threatened. Down the block, at Politics and Prose Bookstore, employees noticed tweets and other online posts that included them on a list of stores linked by underground tunnels that do not exist. The fact that one of the shop's co-owners, Lissa Muscatine, had worked as Clinton's speechwriter and adviser for two decades quickly became one more data point in the Pizzagate activists' conspiracy theory. The shop's phone rang off the hook with profane, abusive calls from across the country. Employees simply hung up, over and over. Frustrated and frightened, merchants along the block talked to the police. They called the FBI, which said the threats were a local matter. On Nov. 16, Jack Posobiec, a former Navy Reserve intelligence officer who had spent much of the previous year as a leader of a pro-Trump grass-roots organization, decided he'd had enough of just reading tweets and blog posts about the pizza place in his city. Posobiec, 31, had never eaten at Comet; he had never even heard of the place until he started reading about it on conservative, anti-government media sites. "I didn't pay much attention to it before Election Day because I was focused on the campaign," he said. "With that going on, who wants to talk about pizza?" Now, with Trump elected, he read the posts more closely. Any story that accused Clinton, John Podesta and Brock of nefarious deeds deserved some investigation, he thought. He believed the Clinton campaign was "full of secrecy and deception." It seemed reasonable to Posobiec that Podesta might have organized a sex ring in cahoots with Brock. But the only part of the scenario that was real was that Podesta had been known to eat pizza at Comet. This part is false: pictures purporting to show that symbols, such as butterflies and spirals, in signs at Comet and other shops were statements about pedophilia. Posobiec said he was curious and confused. He and a friend decided to go have some pizza. They walked into Comet eight days after the election, sat down and ordered. Posobiec got the garlic knots. His friend got a beer. But they were not just hanging out. Posobiec was using his phone to broadcast his evening at Comet on Periscope, an app that allows users to stream video live. "Part of the experience of living in 2016 is live, on-the-scene broadcasts," he said. "People have lost faith with government and the mainstream media being any real authority. After the Iraq War, after Benghazi, people are searching for other sources of information. If I can do something with Periscope and show what I'm seeing with my own two eyes, that's helpful." Posobiec said he never made any disturbance inside Comet, but the restaurant's managers saw him take his camera into a back room where a child's birthday party was underway. It did not seem appropriate for a child's party to be broadcast on a stranger's Periscope feed. The manager asked two D.C. police officers who happened to be across the street to assist. Posobiec and his friend "were gently refused service and asked to leave," said a person familiar with the restaurant's decision. Posobiec offered to pay for what he had ordered. The manager said it was on the house. Posobiec said he was not there to make a scene. "I didn't have any preconceived notions," he said. "I wasn't sure. I thought I could just show it was a regular pizza place." That evening, after Posobiec was ushered out of Comet, Pettibone tweeted: "You're my hero for doing this, Jack. Never let go." On Twitter, the hashtag #pizzagate peaked in the hours after Posobiec's video appeared. On Nov. 22, Reddit closed its "r/pizzagate" subreddit, a site forum focused on a particular topic. The site said it was concerned that Pizzagate posts were revealing private information about people at Comet and nearby stores. "We don't want witch-hunts on our site," it said. The decision sparked allegations of censorship from some people who were spreading the Pizzagate rumors. They moved their discussion to a similar site, Voat. On Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, two men carrying protest signs showed up outside Comet. Alefantis went outside and offered the men coffee. They declined the offer. On the phone and online, threats poured in, with as many as 150 calls a day. The shopkeepers approached D.C. police for help. An officer advised them that the online rumormongering was constitutionally protected speech. Ousmaal replied in an email that she respects freedom of speech but that "derogatory libelous and hateful blogs and emails should not and cannot qualify." The officer, Anthony Baker, responded, "I don't have anymore options to give unfortunately." A D.C. police statement issued Tuesday said that the department "became aware of the fictional allegations contained in the false news story last month; however, despite postings of offensive language, we did not receive reports of any specific threats. Officers advised the staff to immediately report to police any threats made against the establishment or individuals." Earlier this fall, in Salisbury, North Carolina, Edgar Maddison Welch saw some friends doing drugs and he started preaching at them, aggressively. Danielle Tillman, 23, was the best friend of Welch's girlfriend. She said she had just taken acid when Welch got upset, chanting Jesus' name at her. "He grabbed my hand and got in my face and was like, 'Let the demons out of her,' " Tillman recalled. "It was super weird." Welch, known to friends as Maddison, had struck friends as a sweet young man who'd had trouble finding his way. He had dabbled in acting - his father ran a small movie studio out of his house - and in writing and firefighting. None of it stuck. He liked to hike, long stretches out West, through mountain ranges, over rivers, into national forests. A few years ago, he told his hometown newspaper that through hiking, he had broken his addiction to the Internet. But Welch had another habit. He was arrested several times on drug-possession charges and his name appeared on a forged prescription, according to police records. He was convicted of marijuana possession and public drinking and was sent to a substance-abuse program. Friends say Welch, 28, in recent months grew far more outwardly religious. "He sees himself as someone who is a protector," said his friend Charles Dobson, 28. "He is just a thrill-seeking guy." On his Facebook page, Welch has posted biblical verses and psalms, some related to the end of days, along with photos of his two children. "Only by your power can we push back our enemies," one verse reads. "Only in your name can we trample our foes." A few years ago, Welch told a longtime friend and former roommate, Dane Granberry, about stories he had read online describing miles of secret tunnels under the Denver airport. Welch, who had also been fascinated by conspiracy theories about the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks having been staged by the United States, had become obsessed with the tunnels idea and spent long hours reading articles, watching videos and searching for details. "He's into doing his own research," Granberry said. "I don't think he has very much faith in the media, but none of us do." Granberry said her friend needed to see things for himself. On Friday or Saturday, Welch drove to the District, according to court testimony. He showed up at Comet on Sunday about 3 p.m. Gareth Wade, 47, and Doug Clarke, 50, were sitting down for pizza and beer when a server told them that someone had walked in with a gun. As Welch passed by their table, he told them to vacate the building. They rushed out. Outside, dozens of D.C. police officers swarmed the area, evacuating businesses and blocking off streets. A police helicopter circled overhead. Inside Comet, Welch, armed with a Colt AR-15 assault rifle, a .38-caliber Colt revolver and a folding knife, fired his gun two or three times, police said. Welch, dressed in jeans, a T-shirt and a hooded sweatshirt, remained inside for about 45 minutes, searching for underground vaults or hidden rooms, police said. At least one gunshot broke off a lock to a door. It led not to hidden sex workers but to a computer room. The bullet damaged a computer tower. At some point, a Comet worker who had been in the back freezer retrieving dough and had missed the earlier commotion heard the shots and emerged into the restaurant. Welch swung the rifle in his direction and the worker fled out onto the avenue, police said. Finally, Welch responded to police calls for him to leave the building and surrender. He put his AR-15 on top of a beer keg and his revolver on a table. He came out with his hands up, following police commands to walk backward toward them. Welch was handcuffed, and Sgt. Benjamin Firehock asked him why he had done it. Welch said, according to the arrest affidavit, "that he had read online that the Comet restaurant was harboring child sex slaves and that he wanted to see for himself if they were there. [Welch] stated that he was armed to help rescue them. [Welch] surrendered peacefully when he found no evidence that underage children were being harbored in the restaurant." Within hours of Welch's arrest, online conspiracy theorists had already decided that he was not one of them. Some suggested he was a "false flag," a government plant - an enemy of their cause - who had been used in an elaborate plot to conceal the truth. For years, people have made similar claims about everything from the 9/11 attacks (a government conspiracy to justify war, they say) to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting (a government conspiracy to justify gun control, they say). Now, in Welch's case, the conspiracy theorists insisted that the real news about his dangerous assault was, in fact, fake news. Comet Ping Pong reopened Tuesday night; the crowd was large and supportive. For some months now, Stefanie MacWilliams, 24, a stay-at-home mother of a 1-year-old boy in Ontario, has written nearly every day, usually about politics, for Planet Free Will, a conservative website based in the United States. Her husband, a mechanic, is the family's main breadwinner, but MacWilliams has been earning some money, too, writing a lot about how good Trump would be for America, and a fair amount about how bad President Barack Obama was. Starting in early November, MacWilliams noticed that stories based on the Podesta emails were making waves. A friend "who knows I'm interested in politics and shares conspiracy things with me" sent MacWilliams stories about Comet Ping Pong. Then she happened upon Posobiec's live stream from Comet. This, she decided, was a story. She told the Pizzagate tale in a YouTube video, on Twitter and on Planet Free Will. In the third paragraph of her story, MacWilliams wrote that "we must stress that there is as yet no concrete evidence of any wrongdoing." She thought she was being quite responsible. She had read Internet chatter about strange happenings and code words, and she thought this needed investigation. She was miffed that Posobiec had been escorted out of Comet when his video tour might have gotten to the bottom of the mystery. MacWilliams's story spread via social media. She became part of what she called a "worldwide citizen investigation" of Pizzagate. When she saw Reddit and Twitter react to the conspiracy theory, respectively shutting down a discussion forum and suspending the accounts of some users, she worried that a coverup was underway. "As soon as you tell people they can't talk about something, they're going to talk about it a whole lot more," she said. MacWilliams calls herself a journalist, but she does not try to be "100 percent accurate," either. She believes the beauty of the Internet is that people can crowdsource the truth. Eventually, what is real will emerge, she said. Pizzagate, she said, is "two worlds clashing. People don't trust the mainstream media anymore, but it's true that people shouldn't take the alternative media as truth, either." The lack of stories about Pizzagate in the mainstream press meant that the back channels of the Internet would step into the breach. But how does this end? What could constitute proof that there is no conspiracy? Some Pizzagate buffs want a video tour showing that there are no secret rooms or tunnels. Others say they would need more. MacWilliams remains caught up in the thrill of the chase. "There is a camaraderie to it," she said. "It is like sitting around with your friends saying, 'What really happened to JFK?' It is like a giant game, especially nowadays when you can crowdsource thousands of emails and figure out what's going on. It's like a real-life Kennedy assassination where all the stuff is at your fingertips, and it's happening today." When the New York Times mentioned her site on Nov. 21 as a source of fake news, MacWilliams got a little angry, but she also had reason to smile: The traffic on Planet Free Will soared as never before. The story is everywhere. Some Americans especially keen on Pizzagate find themselves being accused of being Russian stooges, or of working for hackers intent on disrupting the American political process. In a small city north of Tel Aviv, in the small hours of the night, Avrahaum Segol, a New Yorker who emigrated to Israel 15 years ago, makes call after call back to Washington. He says he has never been to Comet Ping Pong, but he is burning with a need to know. He found the elderly woman whose family once owned the colorful neon sign that sits over Comet's front door. Alefantis bought the sign from a defunct liquor store in Adams Morgan. Segol called the woman and spelled out his baroque story. He quoted from an H.G. Wells story called "In the Days of the Comet," and he wondered whether the symbols on the sign - crescents and stars - might reveal a message about sexual misdeeds or satanic rituals. The woman listened to some of this, then told Segol, "You're an idiot." She hung up on him. He is undeterred. He sends letters to the president of the United States and the chief justice, and to newspaper editors and reporters, and to TV and radio hosts. He calls The Post to explain how the Supreme Court's ruling on same-sex marriage connects with the symbols on the Comet sign. He calls to explain why his family left him. He calls to say why the death of a former CIA chief may be connected to Pizzagate. He calls to ask whether the neighborhood around Comet is known for murderers and thieves. "We're living in such a queer time," Segol said. He said his investigation of Pizzagate is "a work of art. I tell my kids, 'There are no mysteries, only facts unknown.' " He asks to be contacted by email, but he warns that he does not open emails unless he knows they are coming in advance. "It's hard to trust anyone," he said. - - - Keith L. Alexander, Jennifer Jenkins, Michael E. Miller, Faiz Siddiqui, Susan Svrluga, Julie Tate and Craig Timberg in Washington and Rachel Weiner in North Carolina contributed to this report. Authors' Information: Marc Fisher, a senior editor, writes about most anything. He's been The Post's enterprise editor, local columnist and Berlin bureau chief, and he's covered politics, education, pop culture, and much else in three decades on the Metro, Style, National and Foreign desks. John Woodrow Cox is a reporter on the local enterprise team. Prior to joining the Post, he worked at the Tampa Bay Times in Florida and at the Valley News in New Hampshire. He attended the University of Florida, earning degrees in journalism and business. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The seven adopted children shared two beds, two mats and a toilet in a filthy bedroom of a spacious Richmond-area home, where one child told an investigator he had been confined so long he didn't know old he was. The children, all of whom have special needs, weren't allowed to eat if they left the room. They were beaten with a broom, belt or paddle if they made too much noise or spilled their food - two daily meals of rice and beans. None attended school. The details of the alleged abuse come from a search warrant obtained Tuesday, the same day a judge in Fort Bend County decided the children, who were removed from their home nearly two weeks ago, should be placed in foster care for now. "OK, I'll sign the order," state District Judge David Perwin said after conferring briefly in hushed voices with a county lawyer representing Child Protective Services. The children's adoptive mother, 54-year-old Paula Sinclair, and her husband, 78-year-old Allen Richardson, both of Richmond, face felony charges of aggravated kidnapping and injury to a child, authorities said. As of Tuesday, they remained in the Fort Bend County Jail on $200,000 bail each. Sinclair and Richardson declined to speak with reporters, the sheriff's office reported. Court records did not list an attorney for either. CPS has previously investigated the family - after an eighth adopted child died in 2011, said Tiffani Butler, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. But she said she could not disclose the results of that investigation. The seven children remained in the hospital Tuesday, Butler said. The agency will seek a foster home where they can all live together. "I think the entire community was stunned," said Ruthanne Mefford, CEO of Child Advocates of Fort Bend, whose agency performed forensic interviews with the Sinclair children to find out what happened to them. "It's just a very tragic situation." The children, 14 to 16, were taken into custody by CPS after investigators learned on Nov. 22 of potential abuse. A caseworker visited the 4,000-square-foot house and saw the children's conditions, which included the stench of human waste in the bedroom where the malnourished, neglected children were allegedly kept. After getting a judge to grant CPS temporary custody, the teens were removed from the home on Nov. 23, the day before Thanksgiving. CPS officials referred the case to the sheriff's office, which searched the property. 'Going too far on them' The search warrant filed by deputies quoted a disabled man who lived downstairs as saying the children's stepfather "beats the children like dogs," though the resident said he never witnessed the beatings because he was confined to the basement. The man lived with two other disabled men in what appeared to be a group home for adults. Among the children, at least one has Down syndrome, one is blind and one is described as nonverbal. Two were wearing diapers when a CPS caseworker visited. Deputies said that if both Sinclair and Richardson had to leave the house, the children would be placed in a closet that measured 5 feet by 8 feet, already crowded with clothes and boxes. Sometimes, the children waited so long there that they urinated on themselves. The eight children were adopted between April 2003 and October 2004 by Paula Sinclair and her husband at the time, Larry Sinclair, according to Butler. The adoption process would have included home studies, background checks and a six-month trial period. Once children are adopted, CPS does not check on them unless the agency receives a tip about a problem such as neglect or abuse. The child who died in 2011 was a 7-year-old boy, Butler said. The sheriff's office did not investigate the death because a doctor ruled it owed to natural causes. Detectives eventually plan to review the medical report, said Caitilin Espinosa, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office. According to the search warrant, one child reported that Paula Sinclair told Richardson he was "going too far on them" and that Larry Sinclair also told Richardson to stop hitting the children. Larry Sinclair could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Parents who adopt children with special needs can receive up to $540 per child per month. Court records show Paula Sinclair also was supposed to receive $600 a month in child-support payments from her ex-husband, whom she divorced in 2010, a few months before Fort Bend County records show she married Richardson in April 2011. Between child support and CPS payments, Paula Sinclair may have received more than $52,000 per year. According to a Chronicle article from 2007, she also started a charity to raise money for the children's care, We of Faith Mission. The charity lost its nonprofit status in 2012 after failing to file required forms, according to the IRS. "I just couldn't see these children doing well in the foster care system, because they were so badly injured and had so many special needs," Paula Sinclair said at the time of her fundraising efforts. "I feel like this is what God called me to do - to take care of these babies." Adopting for financial gain The case came to light amid ongoing discussions of how to fix CPS, which has been under intense scrutiny across the state for not adequately investigating abuse cases. Last Thursday, the state approved more than $100 million in emergency funding to hire more than 800 workers and give pay raises to 7,000 employees. A University of Houston family law expert, Ellen Marrus, said that while adopting for financial gain is unusual, "I wouldn't call it uncommon." "There are definitely people who look at taking in foster children and adopting them for some additional income, but the income is not that great," said Marrus, who directs the Center for Children, Law and Policy. While not discussing the Fort Bend County case, she said authorities should be cautious about a couple adopting eight special-needs children within two years. "That's a lot for anybody to handle, and you'd want to make sure the services and support were in place to help the family," Marrus said. The sheriff's office said it would collect donated gift cards for the children at its central office and its bonding office. At Richardson's home, which is valued at more than $400,000, the sun shone Tuesday through the glass door into a space nearly bare except for leather couches and a rug. A foot-high elephant figure sat just inside the door, with one leg broken off and lying on the floor. A few blocks away a neighborhood sign read, "We love our children. Please drive slowly." Fort Bend ISD's police department is now among a small but growing number of school-related law enforcement agencies to employ body cameras - a relatively new technology that records officers' interactions with the public. David Rider, chief of the Fort Bend ISD Police Department, wrote in a recent email to parents that the cameras were given to officers in mid-November after a year of testing and planning. He wrote that the camera purchases came after "disturbing reports of use of force" had circulated across national and social media. "As the Chief of Police, I expect every officer to treat every citizen with respect and dignity," Rider wrote. "These body cameras represent an ongoing effort to build relationships and trust with our students, staff, parents and community through transparency and accountability." Rider said the department purchased 57 cameras at a cost of about $49,000, which included docking stations, memory storage and straps to attach the cameras to officers' bodies. Body cameras' popularity among law enforcement agencies surged after a number of highly publicized fatal shootings of black civilians by officers. A Cambridge University study shows public complaints against officers fell 93 percent over a year after body cameras were introduced to law enforcement agencies. Police departments across the state and nation - including in large cities like Houston and Los Angeles and tiny ones such as Gladewater near Tyler, Texas - are increasingly turning to the cameras to monitor officer behavior and verify citizen complaints. Student privacy issues School resource officers and district police departments have been slower to adopt the new technology. In the greater Houston area, only Houston ISD, Fort Bend ISD and Klein ISD police departments have body-camera programs. School district law enforcement officials in El Paso and Irving ISDs are also using the cameras. Though organizations such as the Americans for Civil Liberties Union advocate for body camera use among most law enforcement officers, they have concerns that their use in schools could lead to breaches in student privacy. Matt Simpson, senior policy strategist for the ACLU of Texas, said that when a regular officer uses his or her body camera in public, he or she is likely capturing images of passersby who could similarly be filmed by shops' security cameras or even a news crew filming on a sidewalk. "But schools are not exactly a public forum, and it would capture children - not adults," Simpson said. "That raises some concerns, especially with releasing the videos." 'Another pair of eyes' Michael Benford, assistant chief of the Houston ISD Police Department, said there are ways police can remove details that could identify students in footage. "We can redact faces. The software allows us to do certain things to protect the rights of those students," Benford said. "Our biggest challenges are not always on campus, but around campus or if activity comes onto the campus. It's good to be able to record some of those interactions, too." Houston ISD got its 216 body cameras in 2015. They don't record all the time and have to be activated by officers in certain situations, including traffic stops and incidents that could lead to an arrest. The footage is required to be stored for 90 days by law, the same amount of time law enforcement agencies must keep dash-cam footage from their cars. Benford said most of the instances in which officers reviewed the body-camera footage were traffic-related. "We have had some instances where an individual gets a citation and we get a complaint that the officer was rude and disrespectful. But after reviewing the (body camera) tape, we found that wasn't the case," Benford said. "Our officers are very comfortable using them. They feel it gives them another pair of eyes." But the cost of the cameras and computer equipment to store and possibly redact their footage has kept some school police departments from exploring the technology. Chief Alan Bragg, who heads the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Police Department, said at a state law enforcement training earlier this year, a presenter said it would cost a total of between $1,200 and $1,500 to equip each officer with a body camera and pay for the new technology to accompany it. His department has nearly 100 sworn officers. "It's an expensive venture," Bragg said. "You don't just buy them off the shelf. You have the high cost of the individual camera, the device that attaches it to the body, chargers, and one of the biggest expenses is the storage. How do you download video every day? Who would manage all of that? Do we have the capacity to store (the footage) for 90 days?" He said each year the cameras get better and less expensive, and hopes one day to use them like the cameras that monitor school buses and cafeterias. No uniform policies yet Klein ISD Police Department Chief David Kimberly thought the cameras and the accompanying technology were a bargain for his district, paying less than $40,000 for them in 2015. He was surprised to learn few school district law enforcement agencies in the Houston-area used the technology. "Honestly, I made the assumption more had them," Kimberly said. "It's something I've talked about with different chiefs at different meetings and luncheons. I made the assumption that to protect officers and students they'd all want them. We were pleasantly surprised they were affordable." But school district law enforcement agencies are still figuring out best practices for the new cameras. Simpson with the ACLU said it could take some time before there's a standard statewide approach to their use in schools. "When you have new technology statewide, you have more piecemeal policies at first before they become more uniform," Simpson said. "School police officer and body cameras will present issues until best practices are used, but frankly we may have to identify what best practices are before they'll be in place. But there's huge potential to improve community trust but also to identify ongoing changes needed with these policies and procedures." Rider in Fort Bend ISD said his officers know only to turn on the camera to film if they think they may take a law enforcement action. His department will review some of the footage each month to make sure officers are using them at the right times. He said it's only a step in improving community trust in his department. "This is just another tool to help us do our jobs. I don't look at it as the end-all-be-all that will solve all our problems, it's just another way to monitor officers or back up officers if someone files a false complaint," RIder said. "We'll continue to work out the bugs and the kinks, but I think the key here is we put this in place so that our officers know they're being recorded. We may interact with students and staff and the community, and these are their own words on video, their own actions on video." Two civil rights groups have sued the city of Houston in federal court, saying the city jail detained people for days at a time without offering them a hearing to determine if there was probable cause for the initial arrest. The inmates were stuck behind bars for about eight hours to several days because they couldn't afford bail while awaiting transfer to Harris County, according to the civil rights lawsuit filed late Monday. The county's hearing officers conduct probable cause hearings, but the groups said the lengthy delays are woefully routine and violate the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments regarding probable cause and due process. In July and August, hundreds of people were arrested and kept in the city jail for more than three days without being granted a hearing. Part of the problem is overcrowding at the county jail, which creates a bottleneck, the suit said. "It has become routine practice in this country to lock up poor people for days or weeks after arrest," said Charlie Gerstein, an attorney with Civil Rights Corps. "Whenever there is any delay in the city's criminal process, impoverished people, not the city, suffer the consequences of dangerous, overcrowded jail cells." Gerstein's group asserts in court documents that Houston's jail has a "broad, longstanding and consistent policy of refusing to release warrantless arrestees even after more than 48 hours have passed." Janice Evans, spokeswoman for the city of Houston, declined comment on pending litigation. The Civil Rights Corps, a criminal defense group based in Washington, D.C., and the Texas Fair Defense Project, an indigent defense advocacy group, filed the lawsuit in federal court in Houston. They're seeking to have the case certified by a judge as a class action suit. The lawsuit also seeks compensation for individuals kept in the facility. Meanwhile, Harris County officials are awaiting a federal judge's ruling on a motion to dismiss a separate federal case that accuses the county, sheriff judges and hearing officers of unfairly denying release to misdemeanor defendants who can't afford their bail. Last week, state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, filed a related judicial misconduct complaint against three hearing officers who have routinely denied release on personal bonds. Their behavior, described in a Houston Chronicle story last week, violated both judicial ethics and state law, he said. Whitmire on Monday urged Harris County District Judge David Mendoza to immediately remove the three hearing officers from presiding over bond hearings. Mendoza said he would present Whitmire's unusual request to a group of district court judges for consideration. Robert Soard, a spokesman for the county attorney's office, said the law firm handling the county's bail case had offered to provide offer free legal counsel to the hearing officers, if needed. Harris County officials were sued again this week in federal by yet another former defendant - a veteran named Gilbert Cruz who said he was wrongfully arrested and then illegally held for more than two months after bond was set for him at a hearing held in his absence. Harris County court records show Cruz was arrested in May for the misdemeanor of "interfering with public duties" after a police report says he yelled and waved his arms at two sheriff's deputies who responded to his 911 call. Charges against him were dismissed in July by a judge who found there was "no information/evidence as to how (Cruz) interfered with public duties of the officer." Cruz said in his lawsuit that he insisted on his innocence but could not afford to post bail and it took so long for the matter to be resolved that he lost both his job and his car. The case was later dismissed and his record expunged. Soard said that office would be filing a response after looking into the matter and the underlying facts. From the deep blue of the western sky they came, airplanes by the hundred laden with bombs and bullets, hoping to inflict a knockout blow upon America's Pacific fleet, or at least do enough damage to make a distant nation hesitate to interfere with the divine destiny of the Japanese empire. They achieved neither. Japan's surprise attack at Pearl Harbor 75 years ago today exacted a heavy toll, but in so doing roused a population from years of isolationist indifference. Americans rushed to movie theaters to see newsreel footage of the smoldering naval base, including images of the sunken USS Arizona, which the narrator called a "grim monument of the treachery of Japan." The numbers underscored the carnage: 2,403 people killed and thousands injured, five battleships sunk or heavily damaged, more than a dozen other vessels and almost 200 planes destroyed. As ceremonies around the country are held today to once more honor those who died there, Pearl Harbor calls from history as a symbol of sacrifice - and a reminder of the folly of arrogant assumptions. Yet it also speaks as something more: a source of transformation, a watershed moment that would begin a long process of fulfilling a nation's promise. America may have been born in Philadelphia the summer of 1776, yet its ultimate place in the world was unresolved until that dark day in paradise. "The world Americans woke up to on Dec. 8 was totally different than the one they lived in on Dec. 7th," said historian Steven Gillon, author of more than a dozen books, including one on Pearl Harbor. "It is the defining event of the 20th century." Defining event for many For the 84,000 or so servicemen stationed there at the time, the attack also was a defining event of their lives, coming so unexpectedly at a military base where boredom was a common complaint. Most of those who survived are dead now, including David Lock, who was thought to be Houston's last Pearl Harbor survivor. Lock died last year at 95. Lock was 21 and stationed on the USS Pennsylvania, one of the behemoth battleships that fell victim to torpedoes. Even late in life he vividly recalled jumping on one of the ship's .50-caliber machine guns and firing at the planes whizzing past. For some reason, he said, he never felt afraid, even as he saw friends fall around him. "When you're in something like this, it don't scare you," he said in a 2014 interview. "I never did figure out why." Japanese military leaders didn't either. They had believed the attack would frighten a nation they saw as large but weak. History presents perhaps no greater miscalculation. They envisioned a new age of Asian dominion, only to witness the birth of a different age entirely, a nuclear one, that would seal their fate. Americans were filled with resolve, from young men like Lock who grieved the loss of friends to avowed isolationists who only days before believed this was not their fight. And so the power Japan sought for itself would instead fall to an enemy it held in pious disdain. So much for the "great victory" of Dec. 7, 1941, the beginning of the end for Japanese imperialism, and the end of the beginning of America's rise to power. The Sunday-morning assault, which followed months of off-and-on negotiations to avoid conflict, brought the United States immediately into a war that had been boiling on both sides of the world for many months. The addition of such an industrial powerhouse to the Allied cause prompted British Prime Minster Winston Churchill to immediately - albeit privately - assert that the war was won and England saved. He was right, of course. By the time a furious bombing campaign on Japanese cities, including atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, ended the conflict four years later, the U.S. had achieved a status in the world that could not have been grasped a generation earlier. Dec. 7 would become not only a date which would live in infamy, as President Franklin Roosevelt intoned, but one that would mark a pivot to a new identity: a global superpower fiercely opposed to the spread of totalitarian ideology. "Everything that we see in the U.S. today is in reaction to what happened in Pearl Harbor - the size of the military, the intelligence infrastructure, the rise of a superpower, and the global involvement," said Craig Nelson, author of the recently published book "Pearl Harbor: From Infamy to Greatness." "Really, it made the U.S. grow up." For the better part of two centuries, the experiment in democratic rule known as the United States had slowly spread across a continent, imposing its will on both landscape and native peoples, surviving a cataclysmic civil war yet never quite coming to terms with a national identity or sense of purpose. But within a decade of that morning attack on Oahu, a nation's natural inclination to focus inward had become a recessive trait. Like it or not, the U.S. was a global superpower, hungering not for conquest or treasure but allies who saw the world much as we did. Fewer left to remember For those who think only of the day itself, each Dec. 7 is a solemn occasion, perhaps this one even more so, as it marks the last milestone anniversary to include survivors. Few are left. When the 100th rolls around, the occasion will not be an event held within living memory. Yet Pearl Harbor's significance will remain as relevant as ever. For those whose business is history, the date inspires a sense of awe. Had the U.S. not been drawn into the war at that time and place, without warning and with Japan's emissaries still engaged in peace negotiations with American diplomats, the future might have looked different. "Pearl Harbor typically is used as shorthand for some terrible thing, a great and surprising national tragedy," Nelson said. "But it's more than that." To say that America did not rush willingly toward its destiny is an understatement. World War I was supposed to usher in an era of democratic harmony. But as a worldwide depression brought record unemployment, fledgling European parliamentary democracies fell prey to fascist movements like Germany's Nazis that once more appealed to dangerous nationalism. Japan, too, had seen the rise of militarist radical rule. In time, both nations invaded their neighbors. War began to spread across two continents. America, however, remained inwardly focused, hopeful of avoiding entanglement. Congress passed neutrality laws to ensure it, yielding to the influence of the America First Committee. With a strong organization and prominent members such as spokesman Charles Lindbergh, America First argued for preparedness but neutrality, which meant staying out of wars and not aiding or punishing nations involved in them. All of that ended with Pearl Harbor. "The attack on Pearl outraged the public, inspired the nation, led to the desire for revenge, and gave Roosevelt wide authority to do what was necessary to win the war," Gillon said. "That allows America to become the arsenal of democracy and ultimately to win the war, in so doing changing the nature of its relationship with the world." The odd thing, as Nelson noted, is that the U.S. was not Japan's main concern in 1941. The attack on Pearl Harbor was but one piece of an ambitious military operation directed at southeast Asia, home to desperately needed natural resources, especially the oil fields of the Dutch East Indies. Had the U.S. not imposed an oil embargo in response to Japan's transgressions in China, the attack likely would not have happened. "In my opinion, the attack on Pearl Harbor was a totally sideline event," Nelson said, pointing to disagreements within the Japanese government about the wisdom of a surprise assault on America's largest base in the Pacific. "It was very tenuous, and if it had not happened and we had ultimately negotiated a peace with Japan, it would have been a very different situation at the end of the war." A new sense of purpose Few, if any, military historians can imagine a scenario that would have kept the U.S. out of World War II in Europe. Asia is a bit less certain. Even if military conflict with Japan was inevitable, Pearl Harbor was not. In the end, Japan's military leaders decided that a preemptive strike to cripple the U.S. Pacific fleet would make it easier to execute their plan of conquest for Southeast Asia. But they could have chosen otherwise. And if they had? Gillon said Roosevelt was more focused on Hitler and Germany, believing Japan was a regional threat that could be dealt with at a later time. Either he or Harry Truman might have been receptive to a surrender well short of invasion had Pearl Harbor not demanded a greater retribution, he argues. "It's hard to imagine an event that would have taken place that would have motivated Americans as much as the Pearl Harbor attack," Gillon said. "It was a bold, daring assault tactically brilliant, but strategically very dumb." Given the general behavior and cultural attitudes of the Imperial Japanese Army, some historians argue that it's possible that once war began, the only resolution was a fight to the death, even had there been no Pearl Harbor attack. True or not, the precise terms of Japan's defeat are of less consequence than what happened afterward. "It was inevitable that U.S. would emerge as the world superpower, as it was the only great power that was (physically) untouched by the war," said Peter Mansoor, a retired Army colonel and military historian at Ohio State University. "But I'm not sure we emerge with the same sense of purpose of in the world without Pearl Harbor - that sense of never again, that understanding that real defense begins overseas, that belief that we can't let other people fight it out without consequences to us." In that way, the loss of more than 2,000 on U.S. soil was the price for absolute unity. And with unity, eventually, came a new America. AUSTIN - Republican Donald Trump's election doesn't mitigate the need for a Convention of States to amend the U.S. Constitution and curb the federal government's power, Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday. Instead, Abbott said, it puts a spotlight on the issues. "What is ailing America is a problem far bigger than what any one president can fix," Abbott told an auditorium full of enthusiastic Convention of States supporters who applauded the filing of a measure calling for such a gathering. "The president-elect, Donald Trump, epitomizes exactly why we need a Convention of States." As an example, Abbott pointed to the cold congressional reception given to one of Trump's proposals. "The president-elect himself has called for one of the constitutional amendments that we are calling for, which is to put term limits on members of the United States Congress," Abbott said. "And you've seen the way that the United States Congress themselves have thumbed their nose at the president-elect, saying that's not going to happen." A measure calling for a convention was filed by Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, and Rep. Rick Miller, R-Sugar Land. Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, filed a separate bill to specify how the convention-delegate process would work. Abbott in January called for a Convention of States to curtail the U.S. Supreme Court's power and slash federal oversight of states, an idea that was getting attention in the race for the GOP nomination for president. The push was highlighted by GOP anger over President Barack Obama's actions on such issues as immigration, U.S. Supreme Court decisions on matters including gay marriage, and federal regulations on priorities including the environment. For a Convention of States to occur, it would require approval by 34 states, and proposed amendments would require ratification by 38 states. Abbott points to the ratification requirement as one of the safeguards against concerns by some conservatives that a convention could go rogue and propose liberal constitutional changes. Liberal critics, meanwhile, describe the Republican governor's push as political posturing at a time when the state faces long-standing challenges in core areas including education, transportation and health care. The Texas House last year approved a resolution asking Congress to call a convention, but it died in the Senate. Supporters are hopeful of success in the legislative session that begins in January. "We don't want to jinx ourselves, but it's almost a foregone conclusion," said Bob Peery of Fort Worth of the proposal's passage, noting support from Abbott and from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate. Patrick earlier this year didn't comment on the idea but has since called it a priority. Peery and other supporters who visited the Capitol Tuesday cited issues including the U.S. Supreme Court's power and fiscal matters in supporting a convention. "We want to get the federal government under control," said Henry Wall of Deer Park. "We want freedom. Liberty. We the people." University of Houston-Downtown has selected the Texas Tech University vice provost Juan Sanchez Munoz as the lone finalist to become its next president. Munoz, 49, was chosen from among five finalists and he is expected in April to take the helm of the urban college that is part of the University of Houston System. He has been a senior vice president and vice provost at Texas Tech, focusing on student affairs, undergraduate education and diversity. Munoz's arrival will come after five years of momentous change for UH-Downtown, which has strengthened admissions standards and embarked on an expansion with the promise of a new science building. Munoz said one of his main priorities will be to improve student success in the classroom and after graduation. "It's an amazing campus with a very modern urban population with high academic ambitions," Munoz said of UH-Downtown in an interview Tuesday. "My career has focused on student success and excellence, and to be part of that campus and system and to educate a new generation of Texans is a wonderful opportunity." Now that Munoz has been named the sole finalist for the president's position, Texas law requires that 21 days must pass before the UH board of regents can formally hire him. He's expected to replace interim President Michael Olivas, 65, who is also a UH law professor and director of the university's Institute for Higher Education Law and Governance. Olivas has been temporarily running the UH downtown campus since February. UH-Downtown's footprint near Interstate 10 expanded earlier this year with the $13.2 million acquisition of a 17-acre property that will house a science and technology building. The state Legislature has approved $60 million in bonds for the facility, which the university hopes to open by summer 2019. And last week the UH regents voted to allow Renu Khator, chancellor of the UH System, to try and buy roughly seven additional acres for further expansion using designated tuition funds and bond proceeds. Meanwhile, almost 70 percent of UHD freshmen are the first in their family to go to college, a factor that challenges academic success, Olivas said. The student body is 43 percent Hispanic and 26 percent black. During the presidential search, UHD said it wanted candidates with passion for serving first-generation, economically disadvantaged minority students. Munoz said the search committee likely selected him as the sole finalist to be the university's next president because much of his professional career has been spent helping such students. For example, he oversaw a program aimed at luring more Texas Tech students to stay at the university after their first two years. He improved that school's retention rate to about 84 percent among first-year students, the highest rate recorded at Texas Tech in 10 years. The retention rate among second-year students was the highest in Texas Tech history this year. Such successes could be replicated at UH-Downtown, Munoz said. "The one thing I realized very quickly during my time at the campus was the profound commitment of faculty to the students at UHD," he said. "Working with a strong foundation in place and with faculty to provide direct academic services and wraparound services in a way that's effective and meaningful to students is something I hope we can do together." Munoz holds a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of California at Los Angeles and a master's degree in Mexican American studies from California State University. These are scary times for those of us who still believe in public education as the great equalizer - maybe the last such equalizer we have. The outlook didn't get any sunnier with President-elect Donald Trump's recent selection of billionaire Michigan school-choice lobbyist Betsy DeVos as U.S. secretary of education. It isn't because she's a champion of choice, so-called. It's because she doesn't seem to care an awful lot about quality. There's a Wild West nature to the school-choice landscape in Michigan. Investigative reporting by the Detroit Free Press has revealed systemic problems that far exceed the mixed academic results we've come to expect, including conflicts of interest, lack of transparency and accountability. Many problems stem from the fact that Michigan's charter market - unlike Texas', thank goodness - is dominated by for-profit enterprises that essentially leverage public money for private gain. In a piece this week, Free Press Editorial Page Editor Stephen Henderson, who says he supports charters and sends his own two children to high-performing charters, wrote that Michigan is a "laughingstock" in national education circles and a "pariah" among reputable charter operators. Just about anybody can open a charter in Michigan, he wrote, and the state tolerates more low-performing charter schools than just about any other, "largely as a result" of lobbying by DeVos, whom he calls "impervious to relevant data." The state, he says, "lacks any effective mechanism for shutting down, or even improving, failing charters." In perhaps DeVos' most offensive exertion of influence, her family contributed $1.45 million over two months to Michigan GOP lawmakers and the state party after the GOP-led Legislature beat back a bipartisan provision that would have improved oversight of charters in Detroit. Now, the Texan in you might want to sit back and feel a little proud that, for once, somebody else is the laughingstock. But don't get too comfortable. The same forces working to privatize K-12 education in Michigan - in large part, for the mere satisfaction of cutting the gubmint out of the equation - are hard at work here in Texas. And now with DeVos nominated for a Cabinet-level post, one of their own just got her hands on a big microphone. True, education policy is mostly made locally, but if DeVos wanted, she could encourage the re-appropriation of billions in federal funding to incentivize states to offer private school vouchers and open new charter schools. Reforms here help She could travel the country, and visit a struggling urban campus near you, claiming to have the magic pill - a Michigan miracle, if you will - while carefully omitting the bitter consequences. "We used to be one of the higher-ranked education states," says Gary Miron, a Western Michigan University professor who has studied charter schools extensively. "We used to laugh and joke about Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana schools, and now we're going down and they're going up." Every year, he says, charters with failing ratings continue to operate. Online charters with sky-high attrition rates simply invest more in marketing and recruiting warm bodies. Increasingly, traditional public schools that foster diverse relationships and perspectives have given way to segregated campuses, Miron says, run by "mostly cookie-cutter franchises" of bigger corporations. The good news is that the school-choice landscape in Texas isn't anywhere near this bleak. In fact, if DeVos does visit a campus near you, she could learn something. In Texas, a charter applicant has to hold nonprofit status, be a governmental entity or a college or university - no for-profit corporations! Those eligible must fill out an application that can tally hundreds of pages. Then comes a competitive screening process of review and interviews. Recent reforms have made charters more accountable. I often criticize voucher proponent Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, but he deserves credit for sponsoring a bill as a senator that made it easier to close charters. No more long legal battles. "The law is very clear-cut," says Debbie Ratcliffe, spokeswoman for the Texas Education Agency. "Any charter with three years of low academic and/or financial ratings, and the commissioner must close the school." Quality is paramount The reform was followed by a sharp uptick in closures, more than 15 in the last two years alone. And publicly available data allows the average Texas taxpayer to compare the performance of charters with that of traditional schools. There are standouts, but, in general, charter performance isn't any better and dropout rates are higher. At charters, teachers tend to be less experienced, with a higher turnover rate. They tend to spend less on instruction and more on administrative staff. Our system is far from perfect. And the ideological divide is deep between those who want to turn public education over to market forces and those who believe shopping for a school is very different from shopping for shoes. But at least in Texas, there seems to be general consensus that quality matters, and that quality control can't be left solely to busy parents. Back here in Houston, Mike Feinberg, the founder of the high-performing KIPP charter schools, said via email that he's encouraged by Trump's DeVos pick, by "leadership that believes in more options for families when it comes to deciding where their children attend school. "And, we hope the new administration will learn from places such as Texas that everything needs to be in balance - it's not choice by itself that helps children and families; it's QUALITY choices that help." Quality and accountability are part of the school-choice conversation here in Texas. We should be proud of that fact. And we should work to keep it that way, no matter who's got the mic in Washington. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Pearl Harbor with President Barack Obama later this month, becoming the first Japanese leader to visit the site of the attack on Hawaii 75 years ago that thrust America into World War II. The joint visit comes after Obama went to Hiroshima with Abe in May, becoming the first American leader to visit the site where the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb in 1945 to end Japan's involvement in the war. Abe said Monday that he would go to Hawaii on Dec. 26-27 to "pay tribute" to military personnel from both sides of the Pacific who died during the war. "This visit is to comfort the souls of the victims. We'd like to send messages about the importance of reconciliation [between the two countries]," Abe told reporters in Tokyo. The 75th anniversary of the attack falls this Wednesday, Dec. 7. The White House welcomed Abe's decision, confirming that Obama would accompany Abe to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor to honor those killed. "The two leaders' visit will showcase the power of reconciliation that has turned former adversaries into the closest of allies, united by common interests and shared values," Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, said in a statement. "The meeting will be an opportunity for the two leaders to review our joint efforts over the past four years to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance, including our close cooperation on a number of security, economic, and global challenges," he said. There had been speculation that Abe would reciprocate Obama's Hiroshima visit by coming to Pearl Harbor during the final days of Obama's second and final term - and during Obama's last annual two-week winter vacation as president. The prime minister's wife, Akie Abe, visited Pearl Harbor in August, laying flowers at the USS Arizona Memorial and meeting a survivor of the attack. But the prime minister's move will likely anger the more conservative forces in Abe's right-wing government, who promote a revisionist view of Japan's history and are seeking to restore Japan's pride in its imperialist past. While Abe shares some of these sympathies, he has also taken a pragmatic approach, issuing a statement expressing remorse for Japan's World War II actions on the 70th anniversary of his country's surrender last year. His government has also agreed on a final deal with South Korea to resolve the dispute over the Japanese army's wartime use of women as sex slaves, euphemistically known as "comfort women." Just before 8 a.m. Hawaii time on Dec. 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Almost 200 aircraft bombed the site over 30 minutes, destroying the USS Arizona among other naval vessels. President Franklin D. Roosevelt called the ambush "a date which will live in infamy," and the following day asked Congress to declare war on Japan. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945, following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Although the two nations have long since become close allies, Obama and Abe have attempted to use the visits to bring closure to old grievances. Abe was the first foreign leader to meet with President-elect Donald Trump last month in New York. Tokyo has been alarmed at Trump's rhetoric on trade and security, and Abe said afterward he had " a very candid discussion" with him. WASHINGTON - The man who stormed into a Washington restaurant with an assault rifle Sunday afternoon told police he was searching for child sex slaves whom he believed to be hidden there, that he was armed to help rescue them, and that he surrendered after he found no evidence of child sex trafficking, according to court records. Edgar Maddison Welch surrendered peacefully after 45 minutes of searching inside Comet Ping Pong, which had become the site of a viral conspiracy theory tied to Hillary Clinton's campaign that falsely suggested that the restaurant's owner and powerful political allies were hiding a child sex trafficking ring. Welch told police he had read about the claims online. An employee told police that Welch gestured at him with the assault rifle and he fled, according to court documents Monday. Police said Welch fired at least one shot. No one was injured. Welch, 28, who lives in Salisbury, N.C., was ordered held in jail after a Monday court hearing. He faces numerous weapons charges, including assault with a dangerous weapon. Welch's actions became a symbol of the powerful and dangerous potential impact of rumors and conspiracy theories have taken on during a volatile election. Religious family man On Monday, some of Welch's friends and family said they were struggling to understand how the sweet and caring man they knew could be driven to this. He is a father of two young daughters, whom friends said he adored. And he is a religious man, quoting passages from the Bible on his Facebook page. Friends said he loved the outdoors, hiking, fishing. He once hiked the Colorado Trail, and his parents told the local newspaper they hoped to one day follow their son in a Winnebago and meet him at trail heads. He also expressed enthusiasm for conspiracy theories and sites such as "End Times Headlines, news and headlines from a prophetic perspective." Police said Welch fired one or more shots - a neighboring business owner said that was apparently to force open a locked door - and was inside Comet Ping Pong 45 minutes alone before surrendering. He was armed with a Colt AR-15 assault rifle, and had a Colt .38 caliber, a shotgun, and a folding knife as well, according to police. The conspiracy theory, which began shortly before the election after emails were released by Wiki-Leaks, quickly gained believers on sites such as Reddit, which banned the community in late November, citing its policy against posting the personal information of others. But another website offered more than $2,500 for proof of underground tunnels within 800 feet of Comet Ping Pong. Trump's adviser Welch's alleged actions concerned both neighbors walking their children to the nearby bus stop and people at the highest levels of political power. Donald Trump's pick for national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, tweeted about another false claim of pedophile connections to the Clinton family early last month, and his son and top aide, Michael Flynn Jr., suggested on social media about the Comet Ping Pong conspiracy theory. "Until .Pizzagate proven to be false, it'll remain a story. The left seems to forget .PodestaEmails and the many "coincidences" tied to it," Flynn Jr. tweeted. At the White House, spokesman Joshua Earnest was asked about the incident Monday. "Even without knowing precisely what the motives were, there's no denying the corrosive effect that some of these false reports have had on our political debate. That's concerning in a political context. It's deeply troubling that some of those false reports could lead to violence." WASHINGTON - Former Sen. Bob Dole, acting as a foreign agent for the government of Taiwan, worked behind the scenes over the past six months to establish high-level contact between Taiwanese officials and President-elect Donald Trump's staff, an outreach effort that culminated last week in an unorthodox telephone call between Trump and Taiwan's president. Dole, a lobbyist with the Washington law firm Alston & Bird, coordinated with Trump's campaign and the transition team to set up a series of meetings between Trump's advisers and officials in Taiwan, according to disclosure documents filed last week with the Justice Department. Dole also assisted in successful efforts by Taiwan to include language favorable to it in the Republican Party platform, according to the documents. Dole's firm received $140,000 from May to October for the work, the forms said. The disclosures suggest that Trump's decision to take a call from the president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, was less a ham-handed diplomatic gaffe and more the result of a well-orchestrated plan by Taiwan to use the election of a new president to deepen its relationship with the United States - with an assist from a seasoned lobbyist well-versed in the machinery of Washington. "They're very optimistic," Dole said of the Taiwanese in an interview Tuesday. "They see a new president, a Republican, and they'd like to develop a closer relationship." One China policy The United States' One China policy is nearly four decades old, Dole said, referring to the policy established in 1979 that denies Taiwan official diplomatic recognition but maintains close contacts, promoting Taiwan's democracy and selling it advanced military equipment. The phone call between Trump and Tsai was a striking break from nearly four decades of diplomatic practice and threatened to precipitate a major rift with China, which admonished Trump in a front-page editorial in the overseas edition of People's Daily. The disclosure documents were submitted before the call took place and made no mention of it. But Dole, 93, a former Senate majority leader from Kansas, said he had worked with transition officials to facilitate the conversation. "It's fair to say that we had some influence," he said. "When you represent a client and they make requests, you're supposed to respond." Officials on Trump's transition team did not respond to requests for comment. The documents suggest that Dole helped the government of Taiwan establish early access to Trump's inner circle during the campaign, when Dole worked to involve Trump's aides in a U.S. delegation to Taiwan and to facilitate a Taiwanese delegation to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in July. The effort has continued in the weeks since the election. Dole, the only former Republican presidential nominee to endorse Trump, arranged a meeting between Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., whom Trump has chosen to be his attorney general, and Stanley Kao, Taiwan's envoy to the United States, and convened a meeting between Taiwanese officials and Trump's transition team, the documents say. Longtime lobbyist Dole, who said he first took an interest in Taiwan as a senator when Congress was considering the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act that established the current policy, has lobbied for the Taiwanese government for nearly two decades. In a letter in January, Dole laid out the terms of his agreement to represent the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, Taiwan's unofficial embassy, including a $25,000 monthly retainer. That letter and the document detailing Dole's work for the Taiwanese were filed at the Justice Department, which requires foreign agents to register and detail their efforts at influencing the U.S. government. TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's president said on Tuesday that he would not allow President-elect Donald Trump to tear up last year's nuclear agreement and warned of unspecified consequences if he did. "He wants to do many things," President Hassan Rouhani said of Trump in a speech. During the campaign, Trump called the nuclear agreement "a bad deal" that he promised to "tear up." "He wants to undermine the JCPOA," Rouhani said, referring to the agreement, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. "He wants to tear up the JCPOA. Will we or our nation allow this?" As Rouhani posed the question, the audience began chanting "Death to America." Hard-line pressure In the speech, which was delivered at Tehran University and televised nationally, Rouhani maintained that "America cannot influence our determination, this nation's resistance and its struggle." He continued: "America is our enemy; we have no doubt about this. The Americans want to put as much pressure on us as they can." The change in tone by the Iranian president comes as he faces increasing pressure from hard-liners, who argue that the United States is not to be trusted to keep its end of the deal. They say that a recent congressional vote to extend unilateral U.S. sanctions against Iran confirmed their warnings and that the nuclear deal is a failure. Economic promises For Rouhani, who until recently seemed set to be elected for a second term in May, the change in fortune is a threat to his political career, analysts say. "Trump is far worse than his predecessor," said Hamidreza Taraghi, a hard-line political analyst. "Rouhani has proven that trusting America is useless and a waste of time, energy and money. He should not be re-elected." Rouhani had promised an economic renaissance after the 2015 deal, which led to the lifting of most of the sanctions that had been crippling the Iranian economy in exchange for the mothballing of Iran's nuclear program. But that has not materialized, thanks to remaining sanctions over Iran's ballistic missile program and terrorism. During his speech on Tuesday, Rouhani, apparently trying to fend off the attacks, emphasized that ultimately it was the nation's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had led the negotiations and signed off on the deal. AUSTIN - Like millions of Americans who wanted to have their say, more than 100 men inside a West Texas treatment center for sexually violent predators registered to vote in last month's presidential election. Local election officials, however, refused to count their ballots, a decision that attorneys say likely violates federal and state laws. The tossed-out votes now are the subject of a growing legal fight in the small town that once begged to get the treatment center for the jobs and the multimillion-dollar payroll that it brought, but now appears to be having second thoughts about the more than 200 convicted sex offenders that came with it. "They didn't want us going out into their community, so they made us vote by mail, and now they're denying us the right to vote at all," said Clarence Brown, 54, one of the men in the Billy Clayton Center whose ballots were rejected. "This place isn't supposed to be a prison, but this run-down, bigoted little town is trying to make it one so we can't exercise our constitutional right to vote. Even if they don't like us, what they have done is not legal." Brown said he and 65 other men at the center have filed a challenge to the decision to reject their ballots by Early Voting Ballot Board Judge Steve Busby. They said they plan to ask the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the case as a violation of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which makes it a federal crime to prevent a qualified voter from casting a ballot. Officials with the Texas Civil Commitment Office that operates the sex offender program and top elections officials at the Texas Secretary of State Office acknowledged the problem but said there is little they can do. Lamb County elections officials contend it was not their decision and referred questions to Busby. He did not return repeated phone calls. Documents obtained by the Chronicle show the state laws that Busby cited in rejecting the ballots were the same ones state officials used to allow the men to vote by mail: They were disabled, they were confined and could not get to a polling place to vote and that they had fully discharged their prison sentences. "It sounds like a pretty clear violation," said Buck Wood, an Austin lawyer and expert on Texas elections law. "If they completed their sentences, they should have been allowed to vote." 'There was grumbling' Under Texas law, felons who have completed their prison sentences are entitled to vote. State files show the fight began earlier this year when Brown and as many as a dozen other men at the Clayton Center registered to vote in the March primaries. County officials advised them to vote by mail, records show, but none were counted. "There was grumbling, and I asked the county how they could vote, to resolve this in the future," said Marsha McLane, executive director of the Texas Civil Commitment Office. "There were three options: They could either go a polling place on Election Day or they could bring a polling place to the center to let them vote there or they could do it by absentee ballot." Officials confirmed that before all the men in the state's civil-commitment program were moved to Littlefield in September 2015, many had voted in Houston, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth and other locations where they were housed in jails and halfway houses. Because many of the men at the Littlefield facility did not have proper identification cards to cast ballots in person, the civil commitment agency transported the prospective voters - about 50 of them - to a Texas Department of Public Safety office in Lubbock to get state-approved ID cards. Each man paid the $21 cost for the cards, McLane said. Internal state emails show Lamb County officials in May nixed in-person voting as an option and again urged absentee ballots to avoid problems with local residents, including the possibility of violence. "I will assure you that if the ballot by mail does not work, I will not intentionally violate anyone's constitutional right to vote," County Judge Mike DeLoach wrote in a May 24 email to McLane. "I am gravely concerned if you bring your residents into town to vote, it is going to cause problems - in fact, it is not a 'maybe' or a possibility' - it is going to My concern is not only for the public and their safety, but also for your facility/staff and your residents' safety; neither the county nor the city maintain resources to provide security at polling places." DeLoach also noted that while 30 men wanted to vote at the time, up to 300 eventually may want to vote in the future, a number that could impact local election races. As of Monday, the center housed about 240 men. DeLoach did not return calls requesting comment. 'Disabled' option OK'd By late May, DeLoach said he had asked County Attorney Scott Say to request a legal ruling from Attorney General Ken Paxton on whether the men could vote absentee by claiming the "disabled" exemption. The Secretary of State's Office soon signed off on the mail ballots for the men. "It can reasonably be argued that a person who has been clinically assessed ... to the point where the individual civilly committed and is unable to leave the commitment facility without being accompanied is disabled for purposes of voting by mail," Caroline Geppert, a staff attorney in the Elections Division, wrote in a May 31 email to the civil commitment agency. "Such an individual may credibly claim to have a sickness or condition that prevents the person from voting in person without the need for personal assistance." Alicia Pierce, a spokesperson for Secretary of State Carlos Cascos, confirmed that election officials had approved mail ballots for the men. In a message to the agency, DeLoach said that was good enough to resolve the issue for county officials. Then, Nov. 17, Brown and 65 other men received notice that the ballot each had mailed was rejected by the Early Voting Ballot Board and was not counted. Three state laws were listed: Those covering disability, confinement in jail and the qualifications to be a voter. Defining coercion Privately, several local and state officials said they disagree with the decision, noting that Early Ballot Voting Boards in most counties only compare signatures on mail ballots to validate their authenticity, as well as other record-keeping details, and do not disqualify ballots for other reasons. The state handbook for those boards confirms that. Ten days after the election and a day after Busby officially rejected the ballots, Say, who serves as both the district and county attorney in the community of 6,300 residents, asked the attorney general to determine whether the men who voted can claim a "disability," a ruling that could block future voting if that option is nixed. If that happens, McLane said she plans to transport eligible voters from the center to a local polling place despite the objection of local officials. "The law appears to be clear. I don't want to get sued," she said. While advocates insist Texas law makes it a misdemeanor for anyone who "influences or attempts to influence a voter not to vote or to vote in a particular manner," state election officials said they do not believe that law covers the Littlefield situation. "It seems to be applicable to bribery or coercing someone to vote or not to vote, not specifically relayed to counting the vote," Pierce said. Wood disagreed. "Taking a person's ballot and throwing it out is coercion," he said. Bill Marshall, a Houston attorney who represents Brown and other men at the treatment center, said the case appears to be a clear denial of voting rights, especially since some of the men's ballots were counted and others were not. "The feds should go after this," he said. Listen. Listen to the stories the dwindling few have to tell about a morning 75 years ago, a morning when, impossibly young, they saw the world transformed before their eyes. In the midst of billowing smoke and broken, sinking ships, with desperate young men leaping into water sheathed in blazing oil, with dive bombers buzzing like a million angry hornets and deafening explosions shaking the tortured earth, with the shrieking sound of shrapnel shearing through fragile bodies and the frantic tapping of men trapped inside capsized vessels, they witnessed on that Sunday morning courage, comradeship and resolve. No doubt, they exhibited those same qualities, whether they'll admit to it or not. Members of the Greatest Generation are famously modest about their wartime experiences. And now, as they pass from our lives - some 400 World War II veterans are dying daily - listen one more time to their stories. Listen also to those men and women who recall gathering by their radios on Dec. 8 to hear the forceful and reassuring words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. His "day which will live in infamy" speech, short and succinct, rallied a stunned nation to a common cause. The day after the devastating attack, the United States of America was indeed confronting mortal danger. Victory was in no way assured, and wouldn't be for months and months. Today, when many of our fellow Americans seem to find so-called false news compelling and persuasive and when the soon-to-be-sworn-in leader of the free world revels in a blatant disregard for the truth, it's instructive to recall a time when the moral character and life experience of a president commanded the trust of a nation during its most desperate hour. "We are now in this war. We are now in it -all the way," FDR told his fellow Americans on Dec. 9. "Every single man, woman and child is a partner in the most tremendous undertaking of our American history. We must share together the bad news and the good news, the defeats and the victories - the changing fortunes of war." With strength and determination for the next four years, the American people - men, women and children - did just that. They served, they shared, they sacrificed. When hope flagged during the darkest days of war, images of Pearl Harbor stiffened their resolve. Some 60,000 American military personnel were stationed on Oahu on Dec. 7, 1941. The Japanese attack claimed the lives of 2,403, most of them on ships that were bombed at the Pearl Harbor naval base. Nearly 1,200 other servicemen and women were wounded. Approximately 2,000 Pearl Harbor survivors are still with us. They are fast passing from our midst. Today's 75th anniversary commemoration will be the last big ceremony that survivors of the attack will attend. Take a moment today to salute their service and to honor their bravery. Take a moment to listen, and, with them, recall comrades who gave their lives. On this anniversary in particular, remember Pearl Harbor. Since it was founded in 2006, The Animal Shelter of Texas County (TASTC) has successfully met numerous challenges head on. But the facility on Highway 17, a couple of miles east of Houston, is facing a new type of challenge thats big and daunting. Instead of having to do with animals, its of the financial variety. Following a recent reorganization, TASTC has a six-member board of directors dealing with debt and tax-related issues from past years that includes huge numbers. Much of the debt burden stems from the construction of the Bark Plaza Pet Hotel, an elaborate 7,400 square-foot boarding and grooming facility next to the shelter that opened in 2014 with the goal of producing revenue to fund the shelters operation. Meanwhile, the tax issues are a result of employee federal and state withholding not being paid for more than a year. According to board treasurer Debbie Lemon, TASTCs financial obligations include a $320,000 real estate loan with Security Bank of the Ozarks, a personal loan of $100,000 that board members shared, a $52,000 bill with the IRS, $40,000 in credit card balances, a veterinarian bill of $20,000, leftover construction costs in the range of $20,000, vaccine bills of about $15,000 and $4,000 owed to the Missouri Department of Revenue. And theres more, but were still sorting through it all, Lemon said. Right now, everything is cash business for us. Of course, we have no choice in that. TASTCs board made the difficult decision to close the Bark Plaza. Its last day is Dec. 31. Were going to focus more on animal welfare again, and we got away from that, Lemon said. Closing the Bark Plaza will cut about $3,000 in monthly expenditure, Lemon said, based on wages and utility bills. The whole purpose of building it was to support the shelter, Lemon said, and it never did. It didnt make a profit and couldnt make a profit. Three of the board members at The Animal Shelter of Texas County are realistic but optimistic about the organizations future. From left, Shayla Black, Debbie Lemon and Dorothy Ogden. The Bark Plazas interior is equipped with high-end flooring, dozens of huge panes of glass and even granite countertops on its front desk. Lemon and other board members lament the large sums of money that came and went because of the ill-fated facility. Its heart-breaking how much money was tied up in it that could have gone toward animal welfare, Lemon said. We borrowed $350,000 and then another $100,000, we raised $70,000 in a gun raffle, I know many $10-and-$20,000 donations came in, and one lady left us about $450,000. At least a million dollars has gone into that think about how many dogs and cats that would have benefited. Dorothy Ogden, who has been a TASTC board member from the beginning, said multiple decisions with regard to the Bark Plaza were made without board approval. And there were times we wanted to get bids but none were taken, Ogden said. A letter submitted to the Houston Herald last week by TASTC board members mentioned a goal of raising $5,000 by months end. Thanks to several sizable donations, more than $10,000 has already been raised. Lemon said the bank is working with the shelter, allowing a $1,200-a-month interest-only payment for the first six months of 2017. Theyve been very understanding and helpful, she said. Well review the situation with them at the end of the six months. TASTCs maximum payroll included 10 paid employees (including the Bark Plaza), and there are now five. Three board members Ogden, Jan Squire and Erikke Nielsen have been in place since the facilitys inception, while Lemon and Vicki Lucky-Powell have been around for a several years. Theres also new blood in the form of Shayla Black (the designated social media guru), who has been with the board for about a year. Two more board members are soon to be added, and the group of individuals dedicated to the TASTC cause functions as a singular unit without an official president or chairperson (although Lucky-Powell is its current acting chairperson). The Animal Shelter of Texas Countys Bark Plaza Pet Hotel opened in August 2014. It will close at the end of the month. Its working well that way, Lemon said. This board is on it everyone takes a piece of the pie. And everything is very transparent, Black said. There are no secrets and everybody knows whats going on. As TASTC moves forward, spay and neuter programs and heightened public awareness are in the plans, along with a campaign to educate people about proper pet care and maintenance. Board members have this year visited two schools as part of the campaign. Our goal isnt just to house animals, its about creative welfare and creating a new mindset, Lemon said. Imagine if we spent 20 years going into schools teaching kids how to be responsible for pets. You know what kind of people wed have? Responsible pet people. One of the primary things TASTC wants to promote in the education process is training people to be less eager to give animals to the facility. The Animal Shelter of Texas County, which was founded in 2006, said it owes $571,000 in debt. We get way more calls from people wanting to bring us animals than we could possibly ever house here, Black said. And I talk to people all the time who are so happy to bring their dogs and cats to us, Lemon said. But thats not how it works; just because you have or see an animal, those arent always the ones that need us. We really want people to help us by finding homes for animals themselves more often. And we wish more people would spay or neuter their dogs or cats so we dont have to take in litter after litter from them. State officials often recognize TASTC for being one of the cleanest animal facilities in the Ozarks. The board intends to retain the facilitys long-standing no kill policy. Thats always a challenge because of the cost of caring for some animals, Lemon said, but we really want to be a safe haven for them. TASTC also plans to maintain a relationship with the Missouri Department of Corrections and its Puppies for Parole dog-training program. That has changed many prisoners lives, Ogden said, and a lot of them end up working with dogs in some way when they get out. As is virtually always the case, TASTC currently has many animals more than 50 in its care awaiting adoption. Lemon said it takes close to $20,000 per month to properly operate the facility, including utilities, payroll, food, all the vetting and everything else. That, of course, doesnt include payment of the vast debts and other obligations. More would make things even better, but that gets us by, Lemon said. While nothing is set in stone and the situation is in many ways troublesome, TASTC board members are optimistic that the financial storm can be weathered and the facility can one day get completely out of debt and resume some semblance of normality. If this was any other type of business, nobody would have stuck it out the way people here have, Black said. But its about the animals thats the whole reason were here, and if we feel like theres some way we can save this for the animals, were going to. Its definitely going to take getting more people involved so we can spread out the work and get more done, and its going to take some good fundraising. We need help with money, Lemon said, but we have a lot of good people here. Were very grateful for all the support weve received from people through the years, and that has helped us want to get in here and work our rears off. Were excited about the future. Over the years, this place has really been a benefit to the community, Ogden said. The past is the past, and this is a new beginning. A female dog named Harley lies behind its puppies inside an enclosure last Friday at The Animal Shelter of Texas County. The Animal Shelter of Texas County owes more than $570,000 in loans, bills and taxes. Heres the breakdown: $320,000 real estate loan. $100,000 personal loan. $52,000 IRS bill. $40,000 credit card bill. $20,000 veterinarian bill. $20,000 construction costs. $15,000 vaccine bills. $4,000 to Department of Revenue. Current members of the animal shelter board are: Vicki Lucky-Powell, Debbie Lemon, Dorothy Ogden, Jan Squire, Shayla Black and Erikke Nielsen. The public is welcome at TASTC board meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month, at the shelter. Donations toward vet bills and can be made at the Texas County Veterinary Clinic on North U.S. 63. Sponsorship of vaccines is also available (at $10 each). TASTC accepts tax-deductible donations online at its website (TASTC.com) or its Facebook page, by mail at P.O. Box 228, Houston, Mo., 65483, or at the shelter. Board member Debbie Lemon suggests that liking and sharing on Facebook is a great way to help. Like all the adoption pictures and be sure to share, Lemon said. People hitting that share button is how we make most of our adoptions because somebody has seen an animal somewhere. Volunteers are always welcome at TASTC (including children), for walking dogs and performing many other tasks. Donations of items like cleaning supplies and blankets are also welcome. The Bark Plaza Pet Hotel is available for rent or lease. TASTCs phone number is 417-967-0700. The Animal Shelter of Texas County typically charges $125 for an adoption of a dog or puppy. That covers spaying or neutering, vaccinations, flea and tick treatment, grooming and more. Paying for all that yourself would cost far more, said TASTC board member Debbie Lemon. People are actually saving money, said board member Shayla Black. The University of Missouri Texas County Extension is accepting nominations for the 2017 public election of county Extension Council members. Every county in Missouri has a publicly elected extension council. As mandated by state statutes, county extension councils are the governing body for local educational opportunities provided by University of Missouri Extension. Council members work with extension faculty in making decisions concerning extension programs, personnel, council elections and the local extension budget. For more information regarding the responsibilities associated with serving on a council, log onto http://extension.missouri.edu/extcouncil/. Candidate nominations can be submitted by contacting the Texas County Extension center by phone at 417-967-4545, by e-mail at fletchera@missouri.edu or by coming to the office at 114 W. Main St., Suite 2, in Houston. The deadline for filing will is at noon Wednesday, Jan. 4 (2017). 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. Update, December 8: the Mexican House of Representatives passed the reform to penalize dogfighters. It now goes to the Senate, where we expect it to be voted and signed into law in the first half of next year. The Justice Commission of Mexicos House of Representatives has issued a favorable opinion on reforming the Federal Criminal Code penalizing various activities related to dogfighting. Those include organizing fights, owning or trading a fighting dog, possessing a property used to hold fights, and attending a fight as a spectator. The House of Representatives is now expected to vote on the reform. The Justice Commission made the right decision. Dogfights are cruel, highly unpopular and harmful for our society, since dogfighters have ties to organized crime. A recent Parametria poll shows that 99 percent of Mexicans oppose dogfights and 85 percent support strong penalties for those involved in the business. We urge the House of Representatives and the Senate to pass the reform to the Federal Criminal Code as soon as possible. Ask legislators to ban dogfighting in Mexico. The following is a statement issued by Anton Aguilar, director of Humane Society International/Mexico, applauding the move: HSI Mexico launched an anti-dogfighting campaign in July, including a petition for legislators to ban and penalize dogfighting in Mexico. Last month, HSI Mexico presented the more than 200,000 signatures so far obtained supporting the petition. Dogfighting is neither federally banned in Mexico, nor prohibited in its criminal code. Media contacts: Raul Arce-Contreras, +1 301.721.6440, rcontreras@humanesociety.org Colleagues and friends of a slain Ontario doctor challenged a publication ban with an online hashtag in order to honour her memory. Dr. Elana Fric-Shamji's body was found in a suitcase on the side of a road on Thursday. Her husband, Toronto neurosurgeon Dr. Mohammed Shamji, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder the next day. Advertisement On Saturday, a justice of the peace issued a publication ban during Shamji's first court appearance, but it was unclear whose identity the ban applied to, leading some media to refrain from publishing Fric-Shamji's name. (The Ontario attorney general's office later clarified that only a standard bail hearing ban which does not include identities of the accused, victim or witnesses was in place, and that an earlier publication ban order was invalid.) Those close to the Fric-Shamji began using #SayHerName on Twitter, to remember the accomplished family doctor, health policy analyst and mother of three children. #SayHerName originated with the Black Lives Matter movement in the U.S. to highlight how violence disproportionately affects women. Advertisement #sayhername Dr. Elana Fric-Shamji was a dedicated physician, teacher & mother. Her smile will never be forgotten.Thinking of her family. Leora (@LeoraBD) December 6, 2016 #sayhername. Dr. Elana Fric. A mother and primary care physician who put others before herself. Domestic violence has no boundaries. Deirdre Sheahan, M.D (@SheahanDeirdre) December 6, 2016 #SayHerName Elana, we will not rest. We will honor you and keep fighting to protect those who cannot. #domesticviolence@ElanaFricShamji Pamela Liao (@PamLiaoMD) December 5, 2016 Some noted the poignancy of remembering Fric-Shamji on Dec. 6, the anniversary of the Montreal massacre an act of gender-based violence that ended the lives of 14 women at Universite du Montreal's Ecole polytechnique. Advertisement Let's also remember Elana Fric-Shamji today on this important day to reflect and END violence against women. #december6pic.twitter.com/3ZNsBUQVDy Kenneth McDowell (@teachermcdowell) December 6, 2016 Det. Sgt. Steve Ryan told a news conference Friday night that Fric-Shamji died of strangulation and blunt force trauma. In 2005, Shamji was charged with threatening to kill his wife, CBC News reported. A colleague told the Toronto Star that Fric-Shamji had filed for divorce just two weeks prior. She openly discussed her impending divorce and chose to look at it as a new beginning, Dr. Darren Cargill told the newspaper. With files from The Canadian Press Follow The Huffington Post Canada on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also on HuffPost Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef was largely left to grin and bear it in question period Tuesday thanks to the back-to-back comedy stylings of her two top critics. One day after the Liberals new online electoral reform survey was roundly mocked online and in the House of Commons, NDP democratic reform critic Nathan Cullen and Conservative Scott Reid piled on with more jokes. Advertisement Cullen said watching the Liberals electoral reform process was a lot like watching that bus in Montreal slide hopelessly down an icy hill. Mesmerizing disaster in slow motion, Cullen said. Cullen charged that the just-launched online survey, which asks questions about democratic values and preferences that many have found simplistic or silly, has already turned into a dumpster fire on social media. He noted how a pollster tweeted that hes seen Cosmopolitan quizzes that were better designed, suggesting the data was unusable. Advertisement So, Ive got a question for the minister, inspired by her own survey, does she believe seats in Parliament should be allocated based on popular vote or based on the outcome of rock, paper, scissors? Cullen asked, sparking an ovation from his caucus and some Tories. Liberals sat stone-faced. "Does she believe seats in Parliament should be allocated based on popular vote or based on the outcome of rock, paper, scissors?" NDP MP Nathan Cullen Monsef said she was pleased Canadians are engaging with the website, MyDemocracy.ca. Heres what Cliff, the CEO of this Canadian company who created MyDemocracy, had to say she began. Monsef was drowned out by guffaws and sarcastic applause from the opposition benches. NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair incredulously threw his arms in the air. After House Speaker Geoff Regan told everyone to calm down, Monsef tried again. I think we can all agree that we are proud of Canadian scientists, she said, adding that prominent scholars served on the advisory board that helped craft the survey. Advertisement Things didnt get any easier when Reid rose from his seat. He highlighted how Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the survey a fun little questionnaire in an editorial board with the Toronto Star last week. Well, he was so right, Reid deadpanned. The Tory MP joke that, based on responses, the website groups you as a guardian, a challenger, a cooperator, a fossil or a snowflake. I found out Im a unicorn, he said. The shared values of unicorns include rainbows, sparkles, and ranked ballots. Accio 'Harry Potter' reference Tories and New Democrats have long claimed the Liberals only promised electoral reform to usher in a ranked ballot system, which the prime minister has said in the past he prefers. Advertisement The report from the all-party electoral reform committee presented last week called for a proportional system and a referendum to gauge support from Canadians. Reid asked which academics told Liberals to base their survey on the "Sorting Hat at Hogwarts" a reference to a magic hat in the Harry Potter series that decides to which of the school's four houses the students belong. That joke sparked sustained applause at least on one side of the House of Commons. 'Stop calling me Shirley' Monsef teased that Reid must have been on the wrong website and said the point of the initiative is to reach out to Canadians not engaged in electoral reform. Surely we can all agree that its a good idea to hear from more people, she said. Stop calling me Shirley, Regan interjected. Dont blame me for going to the wrong website, Mr. Speaker, they only registered MyDemocracy.ca with GoDaddy on Oct. 24, Reid said. Check that out. Its true. Also on HuffPost Voting Around The World See Gallery A scary situation had a happy ending Monday, thanks to Ontario Provincial Police officers. A coyote, who had jumped onto the Queen Elizabeth Way, was trapped between two barriers on the highway. Eight volunteers, including police and a few employees from a nearby office, rushed to rescue the animal. Advertisement Lincoln County Humane Society posted photos of the rescue on Facebook, saying the mission took 45 minutes but was a success. The coyote was checked for injuries at the humane society, and was A-OK. It was then released back into the wild. A rough day for the coyote, but it all ended well. Follow The Huffington Post Canada on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also on HuffPost OTTAWA The Liberal government rejected an offer by the Conservative party Tuesday to rejig the House of Commons schedule to allow Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to spend more time in the chamber answering the oppositions questions. [I]t it would be disrespectful to the work of all MPs if we were to change the schedule of the House of Commons on an ad hoc basis to accommodate the schedule of one person, wrote Sabrina Atwal, Government House Leader Bardish Chaggers spokeswoman, to The Huffington Post Canada in an email. Advertisement The government values Parliament and takes the work of all Parliamentarians seriously, Atwal added. But moving the schedule of question period so Trudeau could attend more sessions would disrupt the many committee meetings and witnesses who appear before them, she stated. In a letter to Chagger Tuesday, Conservative House leader Candice Bergen wrote that the official Opposition was prepared again today, or any subsequent day leading to the winter adjournment, to support a motion to make the necessary arrangements that would ensure that the Prime Minister meets his obligation to attend Question Period in the House while accommodating his busy schedule. NDP House leader Murray Rankin told HuffPost his party was also prepared to support a motion moving question period so the prime minister could attend. Advertisement That [Trudeau]s attendance record is worse than Mr. Harpers is something that is very disturbing, very disappointing, Rankin said. The Liberal leader is starting to have a litany of broken promises, the NDP House leader said, pointing to the pledges to roll back door-to-door mail delivery and re-do the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline approval process. This is one promise that all Canadians who care about democracy and accountability should be concerned about. Trudeau missed question period again on Tuesday the time set aside each day for MPs to hold the government accountable. Trudeau was on Parliament Hill at noon placing flowers in remembrance of the victims of Montreals Ecole Polytechnique shooting rampage. He then addressed the Assembly of First Nations special chiefs assembly across the river from the House of Commons at 1:30 p.m. Question period usually begins at 2:15 p.m. Advertisement The Huffington Post Canada reported on Tuesday that Trudeau missed more question periods during his first year as PM than he attended. The prime minister skipped 58 per cent 69 of the 118 QPs held from Dec. 7, 2015, to Dec. 3, 2016. In comparison, former prime minister Stephen Harper missed 46 per cent of question periods 60 of 130 during the first year of his majority mandate in 2011-2012. Bergen points to PMs guidelines to ministers Rankin and Bergen said they accept the prime minister will be absent for reasons of foreign or domestic travel, but, when he is in Ottawa, Trudeau should be in the Commons. We understand if he is out of town, if he has meetings in different parts of the country, obviously he cant be in two different places at one time. But when he is in Ottawa, I dont think it is unreasonable to expect the prime minister to be at question period a few times a week, the Tory house leader said. Trudeau attended the special chiefs assembly, Atwal said, because the government believes no relationship is more important than the one with indigenous peoples. It was unclear if the PMO had explored other timing opportunities. Advertisement Bergen noted in her letter that Trudeau, in his guidelines to ministers last fall, emphasized to cabinet the importance of being present in Parliament to answer honestly and accurately. 8 sittings left before break With only eight sittings left before Parliament breaks for six weeks of winter holiday and constituency work, the Conservative House leader said she believes it is essential for the Prime Minister to be present for the daily Question Period to answer honestly and accurately about the affairs of his government, including matters of the economy and concerns of ethical breaches. The Tories have been hammering Trudeaus government for its so-called cash-for-access fundraisers, with some donors and critics alleging real and perceived conflicts of interests, as well as illegal activity, such as improper lobbying. During question period Tuesday, Conservative deputy leader Denis Lebel noted how difficult it is for MPs to have access to the prime minister. Will MPs need to pay $1,500 [the fundraising limit] so they can ask him a question? Lebel asked. Snub to Parliament: Bergen Bergen called Trudeaus spotty attendance a snub to Parliament. The Liberals are making a lot of mistakes, she told HuffPost, pointing to their bungling of the democratic reform issue, their questionable fundraisers and the continuing unemployment situation in Alberta. I think he is wanting to avoid answering tough questions, she said. Advertisement Atwal said Trudeau is open and transparent and unlike Harper proactively discloses his schedule every day for everyone to see. The Prime Ministers responsibilities are not limited to Question Period, she wrote in the email. [H]e has made it a top priority to engage directly with Canadians across the country in as many ways as possible in their communities, homes, workplaces, and businesses. The prime ministers itinerary on Wednesday indicates that he will attend question period. Also on HuffPost It's 2016 and it doesn't look like racism is going away any time soon. While some may argue that the world has become more inclusive of many ethnicities and races, Dutch traditions like Zwarte Piet proves we have a long, long way to go. Zwarte Piet, who is also known as Black Pete, is Sinterklaas' (Santa Claus') helper. Participants in the parade paint their faces black, don bright, red lipstick and wear curly, afro wigs to depict the figure a look which is quite similar to minstrel characters. Advertisement But the tradition doesn't only take place in Europe. In Canada, Edmonton festival participants also wear full blackface to celebrate, and many don't seem to have any issues with it. Its meant as a family festivity to celebrate with the children and the spirit of giving, Dutch Delicious bakery owner Siebe Koopman recently told Global News. However, some aren't afraid to take the festival goers to task for the longtime celebration. Advertisement Protesters express their opposition to the character of Black Pete at a parade in Amsterdam, as a police officer looks on. (Photo: John van Hasselt/Corbis via Getty Images) I dont think thats a good excuse to say hey listen, this is a longstanding tradition, we dont want to offend people, so dont be offended," Jesse Lipscombe, founder of the Make It Awkward campaign, said to Global News. "As it turns out, some things that have been tradition for a long time offend the crap out of people." Festival organizers in the Netherlands have heard the complaints loud and clear, and according to the BBC video above, tried to modify Zwarte Piet's look this year to be less offensive, however, many citizens did not want to let go of his traditional look. Ugh. Also on HuffPost Canada is rapidly becoming a world leader in experimentation on the concept of a basic income. Prince Edward Islands legislature unanimously passed a motion on Tuesday to get started on developing a basic income pilot project, making it the second province to move forward with the idea. The motion, introduced by provincial Green Party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker and supported by the Liberal government and opposition parties, calls on the province to form a partnership with the federal government to design a basic income. Advertisement Bevan-Baker told CBC News he feels the small province of 150,000 people is the ideal place to try out something like a guaranteed minimum income. "This is exactly why we need a pilot project so we can evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the costs." Even the provinces Progressive Conservatives agreed, saying that a basic income fits with conservative values because it would reduce government bureaucracy. Advertisement P.E.I.s move follows Ontarios move earlier this year to launch a similar pilot project. Ontarios point man on the basic income, former senator Hugh Segal, recently released a report on the options available for a basic income system in Ontario. One suggestion would see the government dispense $1,320 a month to residents. It would replace the existing Ontario Works (welfare) program and the Ontario Disability Support Program. Ontario is expected to announce the specifics of a basic income pilot project including where and for how long next year. Also on HuffPost Denmark doctors have stopped short of calling for an outright ban on circumcising anyone under the age of 18. The Danish Medical Association says it believes circumcision should be an informed decision made by the individual having the procedure done. And that decision should be made only when he is an adult. Advertisement To be circumcised should be an informed, personal choice," Lise Mller, chair of the Doctors' Association Ethics Board, said in a press release on Monday. "It is most consistent with the individuals right to self-determination that parents not be allowed to make this decision, but that it is left up to the individual when he has come of age." Why didn't they call for the ban? We have discussed it thoroughly, also in our ethics committee," Mller said. "We came to the conclusion that it is difficult to predict the consequences of a ban both for the involved boys, who could for example face bullying or unauthorized procedures with complications and for the cultural and religious groups they belong to." Instead, the organization made the recommendation that circumcision should only be performed on under-age children when medically necessary. This opinion seems to align with the general public. According to a 2016 study, Danes are 90 per cent in favour of a ban on child circumcision. However, the government continues to uphold it as a human right. Advertisement Also on HuffPost It takes a lot of energy to process the trillions of Google searches and millions of YouTube videos people access every year. And, in 2017 the multinational technology company says it will get that energy, along with what's needed to fuel the rest of its operations, entirely from renewable power. Advertisement Google used as much power as the city of San Francisco last year, according to The New York Times. Last year, the company bought 44 per cent of its energy from renewable sources. Now, it's aiming to make that 100 per cent. A new Google data centre opens in the Netherlands on Tuesday. The company says it will run entirely on renewable energy in 2017. (Photo: Vincent Jannink/AFP/Getty) "Today, we are the worlds largest corporate buyer of renewable power, with commitments reaching 2.6 gigawatts (2,600 megawatts) of wind and solar energy. Thats bigger than many large utilities and more than twice as much as the 1.21 gigawatts it took to send Marty McFly back to the future," wrote Google senior vice president of technical infrastructure Urs Holzle in a blog post. Advertisement According to the company, 2.5 gigawatts of renewable energy is the equivalent of taking more than one million cars off the road. The company buys more than twice as much renewable energy as Amazon, and more than triple that of the U.S. Department of Defense. Currently, it gets its energy from wind and solar sources, but the company is also open to investing in nuclear power. Google's purchases will result in more than US$3.5 billion in global renewable energy investments, Holzle wrote. Advertisement According to The Guardian, technology companies account for about two per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, putting them on par with the aviation industry. Google isn't the only major tech company hoping to go entirely green. Apple says it has secured enough renewable energy to cover about 93 per cent of its operations, and is trying to convert more of its overseas suppliers to renewables as well, Sci-Tech today reported. Follow The Huffington Post Canada on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If youre at an age when you or your friends are buying homes, its almost certain you know someone whose parents helped them out with the down payment. But some housing experts see a problem in this trend, if it continues for much longer. The risk is that, if nothing is done to pull house prices back down, the situation will get worse, and it will be extremely difficult to buy a house unless your parents help, said Max Rashbrooke, author of Wealth and New Zealand. Advertisement Like Canada, New Zealand has seen a rapid run-up in price increases in recent years, fuelled by low mortgage rates and influx of foreign money. An average single-family home in Auckland passed the $1-million mark in recent years, as it did in Toronto. Parents will only be able to help if they themselves are wealthy homeowners, so you could have a landed wealth-owning class perpetuating through the generations. At that point being born into the right family matters a lot, Rashbrooke said in an email to The Huffington Post Canada. Parents helping their kids buy a home is not a new phenomenon, but as house prices rise in Canadas priciest metro regions, its an increasing trend, according to experts at the Bank of Montreal. The banks survey of first-time home buyers, taken earlier this year, found 65 per cent of millennials plan to rely on help from family to buy a home. Advertisement Few these days would argue that parents are doing anything wrong in helping their kids financially; its a reasonable way for people to get on the property ladder when prices are high, as countless financial advice columns will tell you. But Shamubeel Eaqub, a prominent New Zealand economist and author, along with his wife, of "Generation Rent," sees that as a threat to the hopes of future generations who want to get on the property ladder. The bar is being raised further and further, he said in an interview. At these prices [the housing market] is only open to people who have generational wealth. He says there is a risk that home prices will continue to rise until its not even possible for most people to save up for a down payment. If trends don't change soon, that could be the case in Toronto and Vancouver. It now takes twice as much time to save up for a down payment in those cities, compared to their average since 2000. Advertisement New mortgage rules favour existing homeowners? Eaqub doesnt sound optimistic about Ottawas tighter new mortgage rules, which include a stress test on borrowers to ensure they can continue to afford their payments if and when mortgage rates rise. He suggests the rules will impact lower-income earners and youth more than others. Those kinds of policies tend to favour those who are already in the market, he said. Young people, poor people wont meet the stress test. Stress tests, and even a return to minimum 20-per-cent down payments, didnt halt New Zealands house price rise, Eaqub said. He suggests focusing on the supply of housing, arguing that cities which have placed tight restrictions on development like Toronto and Auckland have resulted in not enough houses being built. (Thats an argument Canadian real estate developers have been making loudly lately.) Advertisement A little Toronto? Auckland, New Zealand, is experiencing rapid house-price growth and a shortage of supply. The same phenomenon has been seen in cities throughout New Zealand, Australia, Britain and Canada in recent years. (Photo: Scott E. Barbour via Getty Images) One of the reasons for rising house prices is that governments across the developed world have pulled back from building social housing, Rashbrooke said. "Government has retreated from its traditional house building role," he said. "In the U.K. for instance, once Margaret Thatcher shifted responsibility for house building away from local councils, building numbers never recovered." A 2012 report from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities found that, for the first time ever, Canada's major municipalities had experienced a reduction of rental housing supply in the years before. "Existing rental stock is diminishing through erosion and conversion to condominium housing," the report said. Advertisement Rashbrooke suggests that governments start to build social housing once again. "I think the best thing would be a modern public housing program for the 21st century, probably delivered in large part through modular housing to keep costs down and reduce waste," he said. And is home ownership really that important, anyway? Paul Smetanin, CEO of the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis, notes that in many dense cities, renting is a way of life. In Vienna, 60 per cent of that city is rental beautifully constructed buildings and its market rental, so people arent house-poor, Smetanin recently told the Toronto Star. Like Eaqub, he suggests making the rental market more tenant-friendly, to make people more comfortable renting for longer. Advertisement But even as the housing market changes rapidly, a recent study from Ryerson University found that peoples expectations for housing arent really changing, even as more and more of the housing stock is condos. Among millennials, only 18 per cent preferred condos to ground-level housing. That certainly helps to explain the heated bidding wars in Toronto and Vancouver for the ever-smaller number of single-family homes available for sale. The fact that more people are buying condos is not a sign that this is what they want, Eaqub says people buy whats available. He said development rules should allow cities to grow out and up. People [see] this negative aspect to sprawl but you have to give people choice. He, too, suggests making the rental market more favourable for tenants. Advertisement Soaring house prices have led to a massive misallocation of resources," Eaqub said. As more and more money is concentrated in the residential real estate market, it leaves less money flowing around for other kinds of investment. In Canada in recent years, housing investment soared while business investment plunged off a cliff after oil prices fell. (Though there is evidence that housing investment is falling now, too, thanks to a sales drop in Vancouver this year.) Eaqub would also like to see tighter limits on bank lending, arguing that banks are becoming too dependent on mortgage lending. That certainly seems to be the case in Canada, where mortgage lending went from being less than eight per cent of bank assets in the early 1970s, to more than 40 per cent today. Advertisement Eaqub argues that this influx of money into housing has blown up a bubble and its not about to burst soon. Without a doubt we are experiencing a bubble, but these things can go on longer than people expect, he said. And the bubble will continue until there is a credit crisis of some kind, because its a lack of available credit, more than anything, that tanks house prices. When credit supply shrinks, thats when things break, he said. FUN FACTS about Canadian banks and consumer debt Canadian banks have more money on the mortgage books in Alberta ($145.6 billion) than they do in Quebec ($132.3 billion) even though Quebec has twice the population of Alberta. The amount of credit card debt on Canadian banks books nearly doubled from 2006 ($42 billion) to 2015 ($82 billion). The amount of mortgage debt at non-bank lenders (trusts and mortgage loan companies) rose from $7.9 billion in 2006 to $25.9 billion in 2015. Also on HuffPost What Canadian Bank Profits Will Buy You See Gallery Its potentially bad news for the Great White North, but probably worse news for Donald Trump: Mexico has become a larger trading partner of the U.S. than Canada. This year is shaping up to be the first time on record that Mexicos trade relationship with the U.S. is larger than the U.S.-Canada relationship. Advertisement According to data from the U.S. Commerce Department, trade in goods between the U.S. and Mexico amounted to US$245.3 billion this year through October, while U.S.-Canada trade totalled $230.4 billion. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to scrap the North American Free Trade Deal, singling out Mexico as a trading partner he says has unfairly taken jobs from the U.S. Trump launched his presidential campaign in 2015 with a rhetorical attack on Mexican migrants. Advertisement But now comes word that Mexico has become a larger and more important part of the U.S. than ever. Integration with Mexico has become more solid than with Canada, Marco Oviedo, chief Mexico economist for Barclays, told Bloomberg. Manufacturing continues to be very competitive in terms of wages and location to other U.S. producers and suppliers. Though both Canadian and Mexican officials have said they would be willing to renegotiate NAFTA, the Trump team has been largely quiet on the issue since the Nov. 8 election. Canada a trading nation thats forgotten how to trade Canada was the U.S.s largest trading partner for decades until China overtook it in 2015. The countrys loss of status can be chalked up mainly to two things: Lower oil prices, which have reduced the value of Canadian exports; and the long, slow decline of Canadian manufacturing, made worse by many years of a strong Canadian dollar, which allowed Mexico to overtake Canada as an auto exporter to the U.S. According to an analysis at Bloomberg, Canada has experienced the worst export slump of any G-20 country since the turn of the century. Virtually all of the gains in trade made under NAFTA have now been wiped out. Advertisement Canadas reliance on trade has fallen sharply in recent years. In 2000, foreign trade equalled 84 per cent of Canadas economic output, but by 2015 that had fallen to around 65 per cent. Data right now show a trading nation thats forgotten how to trade, the Bloomberg analysis concluded. But Bank of Montreal chief economist Doug Porter says it was that peak in trade in 2000 that was unusual, and this is a return to normal for Canada. Advertisement While this is a massive decline, note that the latest result happens to be right on the 30-year average for trade, he wrote in a client note. Porter noted that around 2000, Canadian exports were being boosted by a very low loonie. That low loonie shot up to record highs between 2002 and 2008, thanks to surging oil prices, hammering non-energy exporters. But now that the loonie is low again, exports arent picking up as fast as experts expected. Many economists say thats because Canada has a lot less to export these days. Also on HuffPost OTTAWA Sparks flew Tuesday after Conservative leadership candidate Michael Chong accused a rival of race-baiting and another of standing idly by while demonstrators chanted lock her up about Alberta Premier Rachel Notley. Chong used his closing statement at the Conservatives second leadership debate in Moncton to warn against the campaigns of Kellie Leitch and Chris Alexander. Advertisement On one side, we have a candidate who suggests that immigrants are anti-Canadians and who proposed an exam. They insist that it is not race-baiting or anti-immigrant, but just yesterday their campaign was endorsed by a white supremacist group called the Council of European Canadians, Chong said of Leitch. We have another candidate who stood idly by while protesters were chanting to lock up the democratically elected premier of Alberta, Chong said, referring to Alexanders smiling presence at an anti-carbon tax rally over the weekend. On the flip side, I have another vision, the Ontario MP said. I want to build a bigger Conservative party that includes younger Canadians, of all races, religions and creeds, from all regions of the country. Advertisement Alexander lashed back, telling reporters after the two-hour debate that Chong was being dishonest and mischaracterizing his presence at the rally. Alexander, who was savaged by several pundits Monday for tolerating the chants, told the CBC he was smiling during the chanting only because he was trying to think of ways to change it. Michael has good reasons to criticize me for going, because it was a rally against a carbon tax so he wouldnt have been very popular over there, the former Ontario MP said. Chong is the only Conservative leader calling for a carbon tax. Alexander defended his inaction, saying that he had never called for Notley to be locked up and that he rejected those words. I was there to be in solidarity with Canadians who are suffering and who would be working if there were better federal and provincial policies, he said. Advertisement Saskatchewan MP Brad Trost judged the whole Alexander controversy ridiculous. He tweeted earlier Tuesday that if he could have been at the rally, he would have joined the crowd. So Brad Trost believes Rachel Notley should be locked up and is upset with his interim leader Rona Ambrose for calling #LockHerUp chanters "idiots". Posted by Althia Raj on Tuesday, 6 December 2016 Rona Ambrose should apologize for being out of touch & calling those grass roots Albertans idiots, the leadership candidate also stated. Ambrose, the interim Conservative leader, told reporters on Monday that the chants were not only unoriginal but completely inappropriate. We dont lock people up in Canada for bad policy, we vote them out, she said. I dont know what to say, people acting like idiots, she added. The chanters were not literally saying Notley should go to prison, Trost told reporters. What they were seriously saying was We are frustrated and we are upset and someone needs to listen to us and we feel that Rachel Notley is out of touch and elitist which is what the argument was in the United States for Madame [Hillary] Clinton, he said. Advertisement Chong stood by his words. Alexander didnt denounce the undemocratic chants and he should have, the Ontario MP said. We, as political leaders, need to stand up even in the face of power, even when it involves speaking truth to power in a crowd, to denounce anything thats undemocratic and that undermines the foundations of this country, Chong said. If the Conservative party gets consumed with U.S. president-elect Donald Trumps style of politics, he added, it isnt a good thing for the country. Canada isnt the United States. The Conservative party is not the Republican Party, and Canadians resoundingly rejected the politics of division in the last election, he said. Advertisement Karaoke version of Donald Trump Leitchs call to screen newcomers for anti-Canadian values drew reproach from other contestants as well. Quebec MP Maxime Bernier labelled her, several times, as a karaoke version of Donald Trump in Canada. In a fundraising email sent to supporters after the debate, Bernier trumpeted the fact that he had called her out and repeated that he doesnt think she believes what she says. Her words are hollow, he said. A few months back, she was on CBC crying because she wished she could take back her words about ending barbaric cultural practices in Canada. Now shes pretending shes credible when she campaigns on screening immigrants for Canadian values, Berniers email said. Advertisement Leitchs campaign makes little sense because Canada doesnt have a problem with illegal immigration like that in the United States, Bernier told the Conservative audience. The Quebec MP suggested Leitch is just courting media attention. Alberta MP Deepak Obhrai, a Hindu originally from Tanzania, who had previously lashed out at Leitch for her rhetoric, took a more low-key approach Tuesday. Recently, we have seen uneasiness which has become a cause for concern, he told the crowd. It is important we speak out. Communities must address extremism in their midst, he said, calling on Muslims, Hindus and Christians to stand up to fundamentalists. Our country is built on respect [for] the human rights of everyone. This is our core principle, he said, drawing applause as he pledged to stand up for everyone in the country. Advertisement In a blog post Dec. 2, white supremacist Frank Hillard called on like-minded individuals to support Leitch as Conservative party leader, calling her an imperfect candidate but one who deserves support because she is eminently qualified, pro-life and her policies would effectively eliminate true believers in Islam as well as screen out Islamist terrorists and put a pause on Muslim immigration very similar to the new policy in the United States. In a statement to Vice News, Leitch said that she had never heard of the Council of European Canadians and that her campaign isnt based in any way on ethnic discrimination. I did not seek their endorsement. I do not want their endorsement, she said. At Tuesdays debate, Leitch said her campaign is not racist, or xenophobic, or anti-immigrant. Every country in the world is having this discussion. And just because the media and the elites dont want to have this discussion, doesnt mean we should be afraid of it, she said. "Just because the media and the elites dont want to have this discussion, doesnt mean we should be afraid of it." Kellie Leitch She is building a movement based on her call to screen immigrants, to cap government spending and to allow women to legally carry mace and pepper spray, she said. Many of my colleagues on this stage, I know, are intimidated by the media. But I am going to continue to talk about this, because this is common sense, this is what Canadians want to talk about. Leitch was asked after the debate by a francophone reporter to address Berniers attack but she either didnt understand the question or chose to ignore it. She responded in a broken and almost incomprehensible French that she believes all would-be immigrants need to pass a face-to-face interview with immigration officials. The Conservatives second leadership debate was the first with 14 candidates on stage. It was also the first bilingual debate. Some struggle with French, others propose bold ideas Several candidates, notably Leitch and Ontario MP Lisa Raitt, showed a great deal of difficulty expressing themselves in the language of Moliere. Raitt read often from notes. Each said she is working on her French daily and want to able to converse with all Canadians. Advertisement The debate also featured some eyebrow-raising proposals. Vancouver businessman Rick Peterson, a newcomer to the race, pledged to completely eliminate corporate income taxes. Obhrai promised that seniors would see their Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and Old Age Security (OAS) cheques indexed to the rate of increase of MPs salaries. Former MP Pierre Lemieux promised not to shut off debate on any contentious issue, suggesting abortion and same-sex marriage would be revisited if he were party leader something Trost also agrees with. Bernier and Peterson said they would fix health care by transferring tax points to the provinces. Dan Lindsay, a Manitoba doctor, disagreed with that plan, saying there would be no way to ensure an equivalent level of service across the country. Advertisement The next debate, entirely in French, takes place in Quebec City on Jan. 17. With files from Ryan Maloney Also on HuffPost Saskatoon's city council is grappling with balancing the legal right to panhandle with resident comfort and safety. A city planning committee recommended voting on changes to the city's panhandling bylaw on Monday, increasing restrictions on where people can ask for change. Advertisement Saskatoon's current bylaw allows panhandling on streets, sidewalks, and public spaces, but forbids it on city buses, from people in cars, or within a certain distance from entrances to banks, ATMs, bus shelters, bus stops, and liquor stores. Panhandling "in a coercive manner" is not allowed. A group of police and business associations called for the crackdown after noticing an increase in aggressive panhandling. If the changes are approved, the bylaw would ban panhandling within two metres of parking meters an area where people often stand with their wallets out. Advertisement Two-metre zone a compromise An initial proposal last year called for a five-metre ban, but the city said this was too prohibitive. That proposal had also suggested forcing panhandlers to stand or sit still, but the city council committee said that was beyond their jurisdiction. The two-metre zone was proposed as a compromise. Lesley Anderson, the citys director of planning and development, said that panhandling is a legal activity and the city can't make bylaws that restrict that, according to the Saskatoon StarPhoenix. We dont want to create a general prohibition around panhandling, she said. Street safety program supervisor Lesley Prefontaine said a ban on approaching people for money while they're paying for parking will add to the sense of safety and freedom downtown. Coun. Hilary Gough was the only one to oppose the two-metre buffer zone at a meeting Monday, saying it would create "confusion and a grey zone" because it's hard for bylaw officers to judge distances. Advertisement Gough told CBC Radio that in addition to making sure the bylaw doesn't overstep legal boundaries, the city also needs to ensure it doesn't further penalize people already living in poverty. "If we're talking about fines.. we're asking people who already don't have resources to pay fines that they can't afford, which might end up resulting in somebody being jailed for essentially being poor," she said. Gough added that pushing panhandling into more secluded spaces actually creates more safety concerns for those asking for money. Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark told 650 CKOM he's not a big fan of the proposed changes. The city already has an aggressive panhandling bylaw, he said. Focus, he insisted, should be turned instead to support systems such as addiction and mental health programs. Advertisement City council is expected to vote on the changes on Monday, according to Global News. Also on HuffPost New Democrats are urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to fire who they see as one of the worst performing ministers in his cabinet him. In addition to his duties as prime minister, Trudeau also serves as minister of intergovernmental affairs and youth. Advertisement NDP youth critic Anne Minh-Thu Quach pointed out in question period Wednesday that Trudeau has not answered any of her questions in the last year. She said such silence undermines his pledge that ministers should be accountable. Whether its the refusal to decriminalize marijuana before legalizing the drug or the recently approved Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion, Minh-Thu Quach said the interests of young Canadians arent being reflected in the federal government. Im not even talking about the many broken promises made to aboriginal young people, she said. Min-Thu Quach asked why Trudeau doesnt just step aside and appoint a minister with a true interest in young people. Advertisement Trudeau did not answer his critics question. Instead, Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk, rose to sing praises of her boss. Mihychuk said Liberals are proud to have a prime minister who takes so seriously the challenges facing youth that he put himself in charge of the file. She also lauded the creation of an expert panel on youth employment, set to release a report this month. NDP MP Niki Ashton was up again with another question for the minister of youth. Ashton said young Canadians thought theyd have a champion when Trudeau gave himself the job last November, but instead he has been one of the worst performing ministers in the Liberal cabinet. Trudeau is encouraging police to dish out criminal records for pot possession, backtracking on promises of electoral reform, and not doing enough on issues of precarious work, Ashton said. Advertisement Will the prime minister do the right thing and resign as minister of youth? she asked. "One of the worst performing ministers in the Liberal cabinet." Once again, Trudeau did not respond to the question. Mihychuk instead rhymed off youth-related investments Liberals have made, including $165 million for a youth employment strategy and $1.5 billion to increase Canadas student grants. The youth wing of the NDP also released a letter Wednesday urging Trudeau to find a new youth minister who will take the job seriously. The letter mentions much of what Ashton raised in the House of Commons, with the additional criticism directed at the way Liberals adopted the last governments unambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets. Proud of our youth wing for standing up for young Canadians everywhere. https://t.co/0YGl9N8Hvx Tom Mulcair (@ThomasMulcair) December 7, 2016 The youth wing also said that Trudeau scolded young people for bad behaviour when he was recently challenged on such issues. Advertisement Last month, dozens of delegates at a youth labour forum turned their backs on Trudeau, with some heckling and jeering the prime minister. Trudeau did not take the slight kindly, however, telling the room it was a little bit frustrating to make time for the group only to see people standing in a way that shows theyre not listening. In question period, Trudeau typically only responds to party leaders such as Rona Ambrose, Thomas Mulcair, and Elizabeth May. He does occasionally answer questions from other opposition MPs. Also on Wednesday, Ambrose was able to push Trudeau to do just that. Alberta MP Shannon Stubbs rose to ask Trudeau about the planned closure of an Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada case processing centre in Vegreville, Alta., which will cost the small community about 280 jobs. Advertisement Arif Virani, parliamentary secretary to the immigration minister, said those at risk of losing their jobs will have the opportunity to relocate to Edmonton. But Ambrose wasnt satisfied with the response. She rose from her seat and said that because we probably wont see him again a jab at Trudeaus attendance record in question period the least the prime minister could do was answer Stubbs question. Trudeau rose from his seat to criticize Tories for not celebrating his governments recent approval of the Kinder Morgan project, and instead saying it will never get built. Theyre talking down the economy of Alberta and real decisions we took for political gain, he said. That, Mr. Speaker, is why people are disgusted by the approach members opposite are taking. Advertisement Also on HuffPost The capital of Bavaria is known for its beer festival, Oktoberfest. Every year people drink hundreds of litres of good beer, eat kilometres of sausage and scarf down thousands of roast chickens. But does Munich, during the rest of the year, resemble the city that we see in the news each year? Well, a little bit, yes... Eating in Munich is all about the classics. There's sausage, chicken, pork, beer, of course. But when you go looking for something "different", you find other classics, too: excellent Turkish, Italian, French food! There is a very large Turkish community in Munich, and some of the restaurants around Goethestrae and Schillerstrae offer beautiful traditional dishes. Advertisement Munich is not a city at the climax of the culinary adventure, and its inhabitants are not the friendliest, but it's super easy to eat very well. Here are some interesting addresses! Things To Do In Munich: Spatenhaus When we think of Munich, we think of the classics of German cuisine. Braised pork, roast duck, sauerkraut, beer, heavy and dark multigrain breads, sausages of all kinds ... And we imagine eating in one of these immense rooms with wooden shades where people of all ages engulf their beer at a phenomenal speed. This is the "brauhaus" experience. The Spaten brewery has its own restaurant, the Spatenhaus, and offers exactly what the cliche requires. The cliches have to come from somewhere, right? Click here to see what an evening at the Spatenhaus looks like. And for digestif, a visit at the restaurant across the street, Kuffler Restaurant! Spatenhaus an der Oper - Residenzstrae 12, 80333 Kuffler restaurant - Hofgraben 9, 80539 Things To Do In Munich: Dallmayr Any self-respecting foodie will start a visit to Munich with Dallmayr. It's a delicatessen that offers the best of everything in a luxurious setting. It's simple: the best quality of all products imaginable at the peak of their freshness. Advertisement But Dallmayr is also a luxury restaurant, double-starred by the Michelin guide, and considered as one of the best restaurants in all of Europe. For my part, I frankly loved my experience. All that was served to me was simply sublime... except for one dish. Want to know which? Click here to read my review of Dallmayr restaurant on my brand new blog, The Fine Dining Blog. Restaurant Dallmayr - Dienerstrae 14, 80331 Things To Do In Munich: Le Cezanne From fine modern cuisine with a twist, we go to classic French fare. Restaurant Le Cezanne, in the chic Schwabing district, has been held for nearly 20 years by French chef Patrick Geay. He takes care of all the dishes, and his wife takes care of the service. Everything I ate there was delicious. Le Cezanne, Konradstrae 1, 80801 Things To Do In Munich: Nage & Sauge This young and trendy restaurant and bar offers inexpensive sandwiches and pasta dishes in addition to a fine selection of local beers. And it's open late! Why not go for a drink and observe the local flora before going to bed? Nage & Sauge - Mariannenstrae 2, 80538 Things To Do In Munich: Restaurant Pageou This restaurant is located in the heart of the historic district of Munich and offers meals meticulously assembled in a grandiose setting. I especially enjoyed the duck ravioli! Restaurant Pageou, Kardinal-Faulhaber-Strae 10, 80333 Munich is a very conservative city and a business centre. It's a city that's entrenched in its ways and will not change anytime soon. And as a traveller, this has a certain charm, as it can feel like stepping onto a movie set, or even like going back in time! And while you're at it, try the local beers, there are so many delicious ones... Advertisement In this series, Cedric Lizotte visits some of Europe's best restaurants. On his blog, Continents & Condiments, he shares his inside knowledge about the best places to sample the delights of some of the best chefs on the planet. Follow his gastronomical journey on social media with the hashtag #CedricInEurope. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Matteo Colombo via Getty Images Colourful sunset on palm fringed beach, Bahia Drake (Drakes Bay), Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica Spending a winter month in a warm-weather destination is a dream for many Canadians. But enjoying several weeks away from the frigid temperatures and feet of snow of the Great White North doesn't have to break the bank. These four Central American towns, loaded with natural beauty, culture, and budget-friendly places to call home, will encourage you to take a little more time off work this winter. Caye Caulker, Belize Advertisement Photo credit: James Willamor Belize is becoming an increasingly popular long-term getaway destination for Canadians and Americans seeking postcard-worthy scenery they can call home for an affordable price. Caye Caulker's iconic town slogan is "Go Slow," and you'll find it difficult not to move at a snail's pace when you feel the laid-back Caribbean beach vibes. This lively island south of much larger Ambergris Caye is a haven for expats seeking rich history, renowned diving, plenty of shops and countless places to fill up on fresh seafood and frozen margaritas. It takes just 20 minutes to mosey from one end of the island to the other, making it easy to venture from your new home away from home at a at a tropical villa, guest house or suite to the many must-visit seaside hangouts. Boquete, Panama Panama is a convenient country for expats, but the use of the U.S. dollar, excellent healthcare and low cost of living aren't the only reasons to visit this alluring, warm-weather paradise. The highland town of Boquete is one place that can't help but appeal to North American travelers. Spring-like temperatures, lush mountains, abundant wildlife, plenty of shopping options and the opportunity for a simpler lifestyle make this town of 6,000 people ideal for escaping the Canadian cold. Boquete allows visitors to live a rural Panamanian lifestyle just a 40-minute drive from bustling David and one hour from the picture-perfect beaches lining the Gulf of Chiriqui. Flores, Guatemala Photo credit: Hector Garcia Flores is most well-known as a gateway to Guatemala's famous Maya ruins of Tikal. Although, you'll find yourself wanting to spend far more than a few days in the charming island town. You'll quickly feel like a local in this pint-sized, walkable city, packed with plenty of accommodation options, bars, eateries, shops and attractions to fill a long term stay with excitement. Picture-perfect red-roofed buildings and cobblestone streets seconds from the sea reflect the area's colonial heritage, making Flores far more than a simple jumping point. Advertisement Santa Teresa, Costa Rica Santa Teresa is a beach town on the photogenic Nicoya Peninsula that embodies everything most travelers are seeking when visiting Costa Rica. Famous surfing waves crash onto pale sands while artists, yogis and laid-back beach bums gather to watch the country's famous west coast sunsets. Santa Teresa is a place where you can find budget-friendly accommodations, ranging from hostels to guesthouses and eco-friendly boutique hotels, at all times of year. You're bound to head back to Canada with a newfound love for riding waves, practicing yoga on the sand and snacking only on the freshest fruits and seafood. Santa Teresa is a winter escape that truly spoils its visitors. Chris Wattie / Reuters Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a news conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, November 29, 2016. REUTERS/Chris Wattie On the 26th of November, the announcement became public: the government of Mr. Justin Trudeau had decided to approve Kinder Morgan's TransMountain pipeline to the port of Vancouver as well as renovations to Enbridge's old Line 3 toward Wisconsin. But the prime minister rejected the Northern Gateway Project to Kitimat on the coast of the Pacific. This is the first time that prime minister Trudeau has made such a decision; if implemented, this will change the economic outlook for the next 40 years. The honeymoon of the government based on pretty selfies is over. However, we might ask ourselves if this decision in favour of the oil industry has any link to the fact that his grandfather, Charles, was the founder of an oil company called Champlain Oil during the first half of the twentieth century. Advertisement Right off the bat, the Prime Minister has just broken two of the promises that helped him in his electoral campaign of 2O15: that of subjecting pipeline projects like TransMountain to a new environmental consultation and assessment process as well as that of basing such decisions on science. The urgently needed reform of the NEB (National Energy Board) is put off indefinitely! This is not a good start. In a way, this announcement is a victory for the lobby of the oil industry. According to Raphael Bouvier-Auclair of Radio-Canada, there were some 35 meetings between representatives of Kinder Morgan and political employees or bureaucrats. As for Enbridge, the federal registry of lobbyists makes note of 70 meetings. However, on the other side of the balance of power, my budget, (also true for most environmentalists) does not allow me to have a private meeting with the prime minister when the entrance fee is $1500 a plate! Certainly these meetings are not illegal. But this behaviour leaves a sour taste in the mouth of those who believe that all should be treated equally. Let's not forget that Northern Gateway had been accepted; but the fierce opposition from the First Nations, and from ordinary citizens forced its cancellation by the courts. As well, the scarcity of economic benefits for British Columbia led Premier Clark to ask herself if the environmental risks incurred were worth the risk. Even though the federal government just gave its consent, the problems that have plagued Northern Gateway await the TransMountain pipeline project in spades. NDP member of Parliament, Kennedy Stewart and Green Party leader Elizabeth May have sworn to fight alongside the First Nations and regional mayors of Vancouver. Mayor Robertson is as determined to protect the quality of the water of his jurisdiction as Montreal's Denis Coderre. Advertisement In granting its blessing so precipitously to TransMountain, the Trudeau government has forgotten that kind of decision should be made in consultation with scientists. In theory, he subscribes to the fifth report of the IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change). Clearly, the objective of TransMountain's construction is to increase the production of the tar sands. According to Enjeux Energie, this pipeline, which will have a capacity of 324.85 million barrels a year will be responsible for world emissions equivalent to 195 million tons of carbon dioxide per year. Greenhouse gases, whether produced in Fort McMurray, Tokyo, New Delhi, or Peking, will accelerate climate change for the whole planet. How do we reconcile this decision with Canada's promises at the Paris Conference? When Trudeau's grandfather decided to sell oil and promote the car in the early 30s, he was in the full swing of the revolution that sounded the the death knell of the horse and buggy era. The world is now transitioning to renewable energies; 85 years later, building a pipeline is as backward as building a buggy plant back in 1930. Mr. Trudeau, this is 2016! The morning after watching Vancouver Opera's production of Hansel and Gretel , I awoke to news that Austria's far-right leader Norbert Hofer lost to left leaning liberal Alexander Van der Bellen. I learned of the political sea change via the Facebook feed of an Iraqi refugee friend, now living in New York, who posted of the Austrian election news and wrote, did the spell break? He was referring of course, to the world's recent sharp right turn, and perhaps a more sobering correction after the traumas of Trump and Brexit. Advertisement But I couldn't help recalling Taylor Pardell's strong portrayal of Gretel and her lines in the final scene, after the witch meets her firey demise, "Hocus pocus forest curse, let the magic now reverse!" Photo: Tim Matheson After her magic incantation, all the gingerbread/zombie children, whose white hooded costumes recalled the KKK with candy accessories, come back to life and dance and sing. The scene made me reflect on the normalization of evil, and how so many of us have wandered through recent political horror like stupefied children, dutifully towing the line and hoping not to invoke the witch's wrath. Advertisement Has the world been entranced by dangerous alt right euphemisms? As the translated libretto of Engelbert Humperdinck goes, Hocus pocus, witches' charm! Move not. As you fear my arm! Rack or forward do not try, Fixed you are by the evil eye! Head on shoulders fixed awry! Hocus, pocus, now comes jocus, Children, watch the magic head. Eyes are staring, dull as lead! A return to reality, after so many witches promising candy with devious intent to zombified viewers of Fox News and its international equivalents, can only be a good thing. While many Trump supporters might have rewritten the libretto with the Hilary as the witch, and the Donald as a crusading Hansel (well played in the Vancouver production by Pascale Spinney), they may now be having second thoughts. After Trump lured his hapless followers into the dark woods of the American dream, promising jobs and hope, only to fill his cabinet with the same establishment "villains" he decried during his campaign and inspire hate in the name of "greatness," perhaps his supporters are coming out from under his spell. But narratives of good and evil are powerful, perennial and dangerous, as any Google search of "Grimm Brothers" and "anti-Semitism" will reveal. And Humperdinck was of course a protege of Wagner. Advertisement The late 19th century celebration of the "virtuous" German folk tradition found some ardent fans several decades later, and it's been very recently reworked by "alt-right"/ neo-Nazis. There's a fine line between "making America great again" and throwing "witches" into ovens. But soon perhaps, Trump Inc. will do a deal with the defeated Hofer and corner the international market on gingerbread and fascist schmaltz, although I'm sure their sweets will taste rather sanctimonious and smell of sulfur. Sadly, in a world of starving and abandoned children subsisting on breadcrumbs of hope, from Vancouver's downtown eastside a few hundred metres from the Playhouse theatre to eastern Aleppo and most of Mosul, there seem to be legions of zombified gingerbread men who rise up from the ashes of witches burned in the name of good. As my Iraqi refugee friend's second post of the day revealed, a bunch of drunk Trump supporters chanting his name cornered a Brooklyn born 18 year old Muslim woman on and east side train and tried to pull off her hijab. Not a single bystander intervened. Still, as I returned from the theatre with magical visions of forest fairies, animal creatures (conjured by designers Peter Balkwill and Pityu Kenders) and the sounds of sweet children's voices and excellent chamber like orchestra (conducted by Alexander Prior) in my head, I couldn't help but feel hopeful. Recalling the delightful multicultural cast, who performed next door to a Googoosh concert at the Queen E theatre, I comforted myself with gingerbread and schnapps, and decided to interpret the dark Grimm brothers fairy tale turned opera in a positive light. Advertisement As the final act reveals: The spell is broke and we are free, we'll sing and we'll dance and we'll shout for glee ! Come, children all, and form a ring, join hands together while we sing. Perhaps it was just the sugar and schnapps, but I went to sleep humming Humperdinck'sEvening Prayer and hoping that the better angels of our nature -along with my childhood belief in the power of magic words - would prevail. Shannon Stapleton / Reuters U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a USA Thank You Tour event at Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, North Carolina, U.S., December 6, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton International Human Rights Day should be a chance to celebrate the advances we've made to make the world a safer place for those suffering the threats of hate, racism and division. We should be marking our successes, and showing the world how much we embrace and celebrate our differences rather than being afraid of them. Advertisement But this year there is much to worry about as we recognize December 10, the anniversary of the day 68 years ago that the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The United Nations this year is encouraging us all to push back against division and intolerance. The slogan for the 2016 Human Rights Day is "We the People." This sounds pretty American-oriented to me. It may not be deliberate, but it's certainly appropriate, given the state of affairs in the United States. A month ago, that country elected a racist misogynist, and an admitted assaulter of women. Donald Trump built his campaign on fear and intolerance. He spread division when his country, and the world, needed someone to bring people together. He promised a wall to keep some people out, and special forces to round up others and forcibly expel them. He put white supremacists in charge of his campaign, and tacitly accepted endorsements from leaders of the Ku Klux Klan. Now setting up his administration, Trump is putting white supremacists and Islamophobes into senior leadership posts. Advertisement The intolerant and divisive Trump campaign is becoming an intolerant and divisive White House. As we approach December 10, it is more vital than ever that the world reflects on the purpose of International Human Rights Day, and why the nations of the world first felt the need for it back in 1948. Like the United Nations itself, the Declaration of Human Rights came out of the horrors of the Second World War and the hope that through tolerance and acceptance, the world could avoid such conflict in the future. We must make sure the cynical politics of division are not allowed to take hold here. The declaration was and remains non-binding, but it sets a strong standard of ideals that most countries and leaders have at least aspired to achieve. The United States and its presidents, despite that country's own historic challenges with racial inequity and intolerance, have traditionally been among those who stood up for the human rights of others. Today, we seem to be taking steps backwards and face some very real and high-placed challenges to human rights. The president-elect of the United States, soon to assume the most powerful political office in the world, got to that office by unleashing and lending legitimacy to the hatred and xenophobia that we normally look to our political leaders to push back against. The good news is that there are those in the United States who have vowed to continue their work to advance human rights, build better lives for all people and resist the politics of white supremacy. Those people deserve our thanks and our support. Advertisement We must also make sure the cynical politics of division are not allowed to take hold here. Conservative Party leadership contenders who call for strict immigration standards based on "Canadian values" must be called out for pushing such racist policies to advance their own careers. Those who stand by silently and smile as crowds chant "lock her up" and spew sexism about Alberta Premier Rachel Notley (an echo of the divisive Trump campaign) must be called out for the cowards they are. There is a need to both name and speak out to stop such forms of hatred and violence. Canadians rejected such policies of division in the 2015 election with a loud, clear voice, and I believe they will continue to do so. Trump showed us how easy it is, however, for the politics of hate to take hold. We must remain vigilant at all times. A year ago, the first Syrian refugees began to arrive from the refugee camps to which they had escaped after war tore apart their homeland. Canadians felt proud of what their country had done, while other countries built walls to keep refugees out. We need to hold on to that instinct as Canadians to help others, and build on it. This past weekend, Unifor's Ontario Regional Council heard from a Syrian refugee family rebuilding their chocolate business in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. They turned their first profit last spring, and donated the money to those fleeing the fires in Fort McMurray, saying they knew what it was like to be forced to escape their home for an uncertain future. This sounds like a very Canadian value to me, it is one that I will continue to work to uphold. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Also on HuffPost: Advertisement shutterstock *Blog Posts are not Legal Advice. Express Entry is a program that was implemented by the Government of Canada in January 2015 to help foreign nationals apply for Permanent Residence in Canada. Express Entry streamlines the processing times for applicants that are determined to be most likely to succeed economically in Canada. The determination for economic success in Canada is based on a comprehensive ranking system that evaluates applicants based on factors such as age, education, work experience and skills. In November 2016 the Government of Canada released changes to the Express Entry ranking system. The changes do not benefit applicants with full-time, permanent and "eligible" job offers, but do benefit applicants that have completed post-secondary education in Canada. Advertisement For workers -- previously under Express Entry, an "eligible" job offer was defined as an offer that was supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) that the employer had to obtain. The applicant also had to have been working for the employer on a full-time or equivalent part-time basis, continually for at least one year prior to applying for Express Entry. The offer also had to comply with other regulatory requirements. An Express Entry applicant with an eligible job offer previously received an additional 600 points and was nearly guaranteed an invitation to apply for Permanent Residence through Express Entry. Now, 200 points are given to applicants with an eligible job offer in an executive or senior management position, and 50 points are given to those with eligible job offers in other positions. For students -- the changes to the Express Entry ranking system will award 15 points for a Canadian post-secondary degree of one or two years, and 30 points if the degree is three years or longer, a Masters or PHD, or an entry-to-practice professional degree for a NOC Level A occupation that requires licensing by a provincial regulatory body to practice. The points are not cumulative -- they are given to applicants based on their highest Canadian degree. If an applicant has achieved 600 points, they do not earn additional points for Canadian degrees. Applicants that have been nominated by their provincial nominee program (PNP) receive an additional 600 points which is normally enough to obtain an invitation to apply for Express Entry. Advertisement The changes to Express Entry are significant and provide more opportunities to those applicants that did not previously have eligible job offers. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Also on HuffPost: Danita Delimont via Getty Images Banff National ParkA isA Canadas oldestA national park, established in Mountains. The park, located 110 - 180A km (68 - 112A mi) west ofA CalgaryA in the province ofA Alberta, encompasses 6,641A km squareA (2,564A sqA mi)A of mountainous terrain, with numerousA glaciersA andA ice fields, denseA coniferousA forest, and alpine landscapes. TheA Icefields ParkwayA extends fromA Lake Louise, connecting toA Jasper National ParkA in the north. Provincial forests andA Yoho National ParkA are neighbors to the west, whileA Kootenay National ParkA is located to the south andA Kananaskis CountryA to the southeast. The main commercial center of the park is the town ofA Banff, in theA Bow RiverA valley. Blessed with an abundance of spectacular natural wonders, Canadians have always tied much of our national identity to nature. During my recent trip to China, I was reminded that Canada's lakes, rivers, forests and mountains are also the first things that spring to mind when people around the globe think of our country. However, outside all of those beer commercials and tourism ads is the reality that 82 per cent of our population now lives in urban areas -- four out of every five people. This dichotomy of Canada, the stereotype, and Canada, the reality, is why I was given the great honour to speak at the 1st International Forest City Conference in Shenzhen, China. Advertisement The purpose of this conference was to help us all move closer towards the United Nation's goal of creating sustainable cities and communities by proving a forum to share best practices and collaborate on new ideas and models for developing urban forests. And this event was a real eye-opener for me as it revealed there's an increasing amount of attention being directed towards urban forests throughout the world, and that Canada has leadership role to fulfill in this area. With half of the world's population now living in urban areas, urbanization is a growing global challenge, and nowhere is this reflected more than in our country. Trees, of course, are the infrastructure of the urban ecological environment, providing shade and clean air, canceling noise, absorbing dust and water, reducing energy consumption, providing people with psychological well-being and more. In addition, trees are a symbol of low-carbon cities, a carrier of a city's unique culture, and a significant sign of urban development and cultural progress. A far cry from our own long-held stereotypes of Chinese cities choked with smog, Shenzhen is a champion of urban green development. In fact, by the end of 2015, Shenzhen's greenery coverage ratio reached 45.1 per cent with 16.9m2 of parkland per person. Advertisement Conversely, here in Canada, it might surprise you that there is currently no federal leadership strategy to preserve, protect and promote urban forests for their life-giving value to Canadian communities. In fact, we are significantly behind other G7 countries when looking at the role of the federal government vis-a-vis our urban forests, especially the U.S., where management of the nation's urban forests falls under the responsibility of an individual equivalent to a Canadian deputy minister. Moving forward, it's clear we need to take a more strategic approach to maintaining and improving our urban forests at both the provincial and federal level in order to combat climate change and air pollution, urbanization and densification, invasive insects and disease, and the cost of green infrastructure maintenance. We need to develop a "forest city" ethic within Canada -- one that sensitizes the population to the value of trees. With the help of the private sector and citizens, we must raise the importance of urban forests within the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government. The creation of new programs which recognize municipalities for successful urban forest initiatives will help, but we also need to continue educating private residents, who actually own up to 70 per cent of our country's urban forest. One positive first step towards putting urban forestry on our nation's agenda is Tree Canada's recent selection as a Canada 150 partner. To celebrate our country's 150th anniversary of confederation, we're helping the federal government select 150 communities nationwide that will be awarded $5,000 for their urban tree planting and maintenance initiatives. If you want your municipality or First Nation to take part in the celebration, be sure to apply for the Tree to Our Nature, Canada 150 Legacy Program. Advertisement Together, on a landmark birthday for our country, we can all work together to ensure Canada's national identity remains tied to our natural environment for years to come, by building and maintaining healthy, thriving urban forests in the cities and communities where we live. The impact of the documentaryBlackfish on SeaWorld marine parks and the marine park business in general is well-known. The film was a turning point in attitudes toward marine mammal captivity, with public outrage appearing to grow exponentially every time the film was screened. Support for SeaWorld dropped considerably and the outlook for the industry looks bleak. Now, another powerful documentary may be about to do the same for another animal-dependent business: the commercial sled dog industry. (Full disclosure: I was interviewed for the film, representing the position of the Vancouver Humane Society, which is opposed to the commercial use of dogs in the sled dog industry. I attended the premiere.) Advertisement Sled Dogs, directed by Canadian filmmaker Fern Levitt, premiered at B.C.'s Whistler Film Festival on December 3, sharing the top documentary award with another film and winning Levitt the Best-Female-Directed Documentary award from the Alliance of Women Film Journalists. The film is a behind-the-scenes look at the treatment of dogs used in commercial sled dog tours and races. What it reveals is going to shock audiences. Those attending the premiere sat, many in tears, through horrific scenes of sick and injured dogs being pushed beyond their limits in Alaska's 1000-mile Iditarod race; of hundreds of dogs chained to posts for hours-on-end in miserable conditions; of the grizzly exhumation of dog remains from the infamous Whistler sled dog massacre of 2010. Perhaps just as powerful as some of the film's harrowing footage are the little-known facts emerging from its interviews and research: The Iditarod's chief veterinarian confirming that about a third of the dogs fail to finish the race. The fact that the actual killing of the 56 healthy sled dogs in Whistler was not illegal and that investigators had to find forensic evidence of suffering in order to bring charges. The fact that it remains legal in Canada to shoot surplus dogs if a sled dog operator cannot find them homes. The fact that it remains legal for operators in Canada to keep sled dogs chained for long periods (and there is no independent inspection regime to check on dogs' condition). Advertisement The film challenges the oft-stated claim of the sled dog industry that, because they are bred for endurance, sled dogs are unique "athletes" and can be treated differently from other dogs. Veterinarians and animal behaviourists quoted in the film eviscerate this myth, explaining that all dogs have behavioural needs that are compromised by chaining for long periods or being pushed beyond their physical and emotional limits. It becomes clear that sled dog businesses are not celebrating the dogs' unique hardiness. They are exploiting it. It's likely animal lovers everywhere will be outraged. One of the most compelling stories told in the film concerns the fate of the 153 dogs that survived the Whistler massacre and were transferred to a non-profit operation, the Whistler Sled Dog company. The company, despite a herculean effort and substantial volunteer support, found it impossible to run a profitable operation without compromising the dogs' welfare. Ultimately, with the help of other animal welfare groups, the company succeeded in re-homing all the dogs. The film's final scenes show a reunion of a group of these dogs, now happy members of devoted families -- with no need to prove they are super-athletes. Sled Dogs has already drawn criticism and opposition from the sled dog industry and, no doubt, a fierce and protracted debate will ensue. The film will be featured in more film festivals and will ultimately be broadcast on CBC's documentary channel and made available for public screenings. As the film's revelations about the sled dog industry become widely known, it's likely animal lovers everywhere will be outraged and animal welfare organizations will take up the cause, which is to see the end of commercial sled dog tours and races. It's a position the Vancouver Humane Society has held for years and one that the public can easily support by refusing to patronize commercial sled dog tours and races. Dogs don't need to be mythologized. They just need to be loved, respected, treated well and given the chance to express their full range of behaviours. Advertisement They just need to be dogs. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Also on HuffPost: I simply couldn't believe Gary Mason in last week's Globe and Mail In his article entitled "Sorry Vancouver: The rest of Canada needs pipelines." I urge you to read the article so that if I misrepresent Mr. Mason, you will see it for yourself. Mason gives Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson hell and, by extension, all of us the same for being overly proud and concerned about our coastline and other beauties we cherish. He tells us about the unemployment in the oil patch and tough times in Newfoundland and Labrador and praises Justin Trudeau for his decision on the Kinder Morgan pipeline, the strong implication being that this was in the best interest of all Canadians and therefore it didn't matter if it was distinctly not in the interest of some of them. Advertisement The, dare I say, majority of British Columbians are bad Canadians because we are not prepared to sacrifice our coastline, homes, fjords, mountains, forests, rivers, farmland, lakes and oceans so that Alberta can reinvigorate the tar sands, the world's worst polluter, and send its, forgive me, shit through our province, into our ocean and destroy what we hold dear. Mason glosses over the environmental disaster that Alberta's tar sands are. It's evidently an act of patriotism to get it up and running again so that Alberta will be rich again and their employment problems all behind him. There isn't a suggestion, perish the thought, that Trudeau has a large political stake in this decision. It doesn't seem to matter that this decision will wreak huge destruction in this province. Oh, a bit of a risk perhaps but nothing to be concerned about. Advertisement Never mind that a risk is an event waiting to happen, never mind that, once started, not only does it never end but increases. Overlook the fact that statistically it's a certainty that there will be bad spills and collisions and never mind that the consequences will be terrible, British Colombians are churlish in the extreme to withhold their support for such selfish reasons. Mason, at one point, sneers: People in Vancouver need to get out of their Idyllic little bubble and see how things are in the rest of the country. Not everyone has fluked a small fortune as a result of home ownership. Many people across this country live day to day. This from Gary Mason surprises me a great deal. I believe that British Colombians have a great deal of empathy for other Canadians who are having financial difficulties. In fact, I was part of the debates on equalization in the '70s at first ministers conferences and our province was always supportive of the "equalization" being part of our constitution and we consistently recognized that we were fortunate in our natural resources where others have not been so lucky. Alberta, I might add, wasn't quite as supportive. However, it never occurred to me, nor did I ever hear it suggested, that it was part of our obligation to permit our resources to be damaged and destroyed in order to fulfill our patriotic duty. B.C. has changed ... for the better British Columbians have made extraordinary adjustments in their outlook in the last several decades. When I was a boy and a young man there was always another valley to log, another run of fish, more farmland around the corner, more rivers to dam or even reverse. This was considered our birthright. But though it took us a long time to realize it, we saw that we no longer had those luxuries. Advertisement For far too long we carried on with blindfolds, in denial, but, helped considerably by brave men and women, mocked for their ideas, who marched, picketed, protested, harried, we changed. Groups seen as crazies, even outlaws, gained respectability and stature. I think of people like Colleen McCrory, Joe Foy, Paul Watson to name just a few. Resource extraction companies and politicians, however reluctantly, began to change. We started to ask questions and do research before we acted. We left a hell of a lot to be desired but we did better and better. We began to respect what we have and not just see resources as dollar signs in the making. We accepted that conservation and restraint cost money. Not everyone did, of course, but more and more every day. Those who didn't feel this way sometimes just said to hell with it as Stephen Harper did. Others, like Justin Trudeau learned duplicity, how to speak out of both sides of their mouth. They eloquently talked about saving the environment and changing our ways while doing the very opposite. Advertisement As I assess it, and I could be very wrong, the majority of British Columbians, in ever increasing numbers, changed and saw their province as much more than a cash cow. They took increasing pride in what was around them and became determined to protect it. They also noted a great example of what past government follies unchanged can do to a great salmon fishery. This has become a daily reminder to British Columbians but unnoticed by Justin Trudeau and his crew. And they learned that oil companies and their own government obscured facts and in fact lied. They saw and remembered what Enbridge said was a minor pipeline rupture did to the Kalamazoo River. When they're told that tankers don't hit things they read publications like gCaptain and see about one serious collision a week. They see environmental assessments as about as honest as a the old Soviet show trials were. There is no trust of corporations and governments any more because they damn well don't deserve it. Now comes Gary Mason and the Toronto Globe and Mail telling us that British Columbians are wrong to be proud of caring about their surroundings and taking increasing steps to protect them and that when the likes of Justin Trudeau tells them they owe it to Canada to sacrifice them for the tar sands we should cheerfully do so. Advertisement The prime minister and B.C. Premier Christy Clark are prepared to do so. Most British Columbians are not, and to call their patriotism into question is disgraceful. It is our premier, prime minister, Gary Mason and the Toronto Globe and Mail who should be ashamed. This was originally published in The Common Sense Canadian. Also on HuffPost: Mike Segar / Reuters U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Vice-President elect Mike Pence walk off Trump's plane upon their arrival in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., December 1, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar I can still remember the feeling I had the day Trump was elected. Among countless liberties and freedoms, reproductive rights were once again on the chopping block. His vice-president, U.S. ambassador to the UN and nominated secretary of health and human services are all outspoken anti-choicers, he has made comments about punishing women who have abortions, has vowed to appoint anti-choice justices to the U.S. Supreme Court -- specifically hoping the Court will overturn Roe v. Wade -- and has suggested defunding Planned Parenthood and banning abortions after 20 weeks. Advertisement Many have since stood up against Trump's anti-choice promises, including thousands of donations to Planned Parenthood under Mike Pence's name. That this presidency could have serious impacts on reproductive rights in the U.S. is clear. The Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights information and referral line has even received an increase in calls from Americans wondering how to get an abortion in Canada. But another serious concern is the global impact the election will have; the U.S. is the biggest donor for reproductive health in developing countries. Despite the Helms Amendment, which has banned the provision of abortion related services in all U.S.-funded development projects since 1973, U.S. international assistance has played a significant role in reproductive health around the world. In 2016 alone, the $607.5 million designated to U.S. International Family Planning Assistance provided 27 million women and couples with contraceptive services and supplies and prevented six million unintended pregnancies, two million unsafe abortions and 11,000 maternal deaths. Advertisement While there is still a ways to go at home, Canada has the potential to be exactly what the world needs right now. On top of the Helms Amendment, which will continue to be in effect, it is likely Trump will reinstate the Mexico City Policy (the Global Gag Rule), the presidential order that prohibits NGOs receiving U.S. funding from providing abortion services, information, counselling, referrals or advocacy. The Global Gag Rule goes far beyond the Helms Amendment's limiting of funds; it muzzles pro-choice organizations. At the same time the U.S. is shifting toward anti-choice policies, two of Canada's political parties -- including the current government -- have explicit pro-choice positions. Access to services are also likely to grow with PEI's forthcoming on-island abortion clinic and the newly approved abortion pill (Mifegymiso), provided Health Canada remove current restrictions, including cost. While there is still a ways to go at home, Canada has the potential to be exactly what the world needs right now. As our government assesses the impact of the Trump presidency on Canada's foreign and domestic policy, one thing Trudeau and his cabinet ministers need to be paying close attention to is the future of funding and political support for these issues. Now more than ever, the Canadian government needs to stay true to its promise to close gaps in reproductive rights and health care for women. Advertisement The Minister of International Development, Marie-Claude Bibeau, has already made explicit Canada's support for a comprehensive package of sexual and reproductive health services, including safe abortion care, contraceptives and comprehensive sexuality education. This is the time to make good on that. Canada's role has been encouraging but in the face of U.S. backlash, the government needs to step it up. If Canada truly is the feminist country we desperately need, this needs to become more than the optics of a global champion for women's rights, it needs to be about taking bold action when it's needed most. Four to eight years of a Trump presidency could have serious consequences for the next decade. Canada could position itself at the forefront of women's rights globally by committing to a 10-year investment of $4.25 billion in new funds to close the gaps in the Muskoka Initiative: starting at $125 million in 2017/2018, ramping up to $500 million annually by 2020/2021 and staying at that level through 2026/2027. These numbers may seem high but put in perspective, they are actually less than was committed under Harper. With every single dollar spent, Canada would prevent more than four million unintended pregnancies, one million unsafe abortions, 50,000 maternal and newborn deaths and over 200,000 pregnancy related injuries. This is the international engagement that makes a difference in the world. Canada has an opportunity to show what true leadership looks like by supporting women and girls in claiming their rights. The next four to eight years of a Trump presidency and those that follow will have a serious impact on too many lives. We can't afford to sit and wait to see what happens. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook deucee_ via Getty Images Say the word 'papa' to most dads of a certain age in the UK and the reply would simply be a quizzical 'Nicole' after that famous 80's TV ad. Now that simple joy is at risk of being ruined by bloody hipsters. Recent reports from the other side of the pond say that fashionable New York fathers are ditching terms like 'dad' or 'daddy in favour of 'papa'. Really? FFS. Don't get me wrong I am a big fan of a lot of things that have emanated from the streets of the Big Apple but this isn't one of them. I do hope it doesn't catch on here. Advertisement 'Dad', 'Daddy', 'Dadda', 'Father', 'Pop', 'Pops' even terms like 'Old man' I can stomach but this 'Papa' really is beyond the craft ale pale. "Parents who consider themselves to be young and hip don't want to be old-fashioned and they think to themselves, 'My dad wasn't a co-parent like I am.' Carmen Fought, a linguistics professor at Pitzer College, told the Daily Beast. Well, my dad certainly wasn't what you called a co-parent, he was a full-on parent and a bloody good one at that. That was back in the in 7o's where dads splashed on the Brut' and dished out the punishments in a three-channelled TV world, rather than in a touchy-feely type of role. Advertisement My Dad, A Proper Dad. | Image Author's Own. Thankfully, times for most dads, like our nappy-sorting habits, have changed. We consider ourselves equally responsible as parents. Ben Hamilton, 43, editor at the 'Ageing B-boys Unite' podcast and stay-at-home dad from Norwich, said. 'My daughters both call my dad 'Papa' and have done since they were born. He, in turn, called his father by that so he was just passing the term down I suppose. Although I call my dad 'dad', I always called my dad's dad 'Papa' as well. So I'm a bit confused. Damn hipsters. Never happy unless they're putting their own unneeded spin on society". To start 'claiming back' words just to mark yourself out as different, or fashionable strikes me as ridiculous. Being a dad isn't about being fashionable. Dapper yes, fashionable, no. Being a good dad has never been out of fashion. Yorkshire-based writer, broadcaster of Bewilderdad.com and dad of two, Jim Coulson, 37 says. "Papa is what kids called their father in those dull imported European cartoons they showed whilst you were waiting for Jossy's Giants. Papa is what Nicole shouted at her dad in the old car commercial. I can't think of it in any other context". "There's nothing wrong with 'dad' or 'daddy', they are good solid terms. I didn't go with Bewildered Dad because BewilderedPapa.com had gone. If you are picking something else that is becoming popular because you want something unique, you don't understand the word 'unique'". Advertisement Frankly speaking, we are standing on the shoulders of giants so we should be proud for what a simple yet beautiful term like 'daddy' stands for. "So why no "papa"? Maybe it's cultural but it feels awkward and, dare I say it, a bit creepy. I can't get the old Renault adverts out of my head on this one: "Papa"? "Nicole"? It all feels like people are trying to leverage a certain amount of cultural chic by adopting words that resonate with different countries in order that they feel they can elevate themselves when talking to their kids over a latte. 'I'm not on board with this at all. Your children are not an extension of your lifestyle. They are not the thing you focus on when you've run out of sleeve tattoos and beard wax. "They are your children first and foremost. And you trying to sound hip by adopting the latest trendy word should never replace that" said Dominic Murray, 41, dad of two, film blogger and illustrator from Nottingham. "At worst, people are adopting an alternate reality to appear modern, cutting edge and achingly chilled out as parents to the benefit of no-one but themselves and the other cool-kid grown-ups they are trying so desperately to impress" Advertisement That isn't meant to be part of the job description. We are the protectors, the carers, the providers, the clowns, the shoulders to cry on, and most usually at 5 am in the morning the knackers to jump, and heads to fart, on. Now enough of that type of nonsense. Let's let the bearded, tight jean wearers of the world get back to their half-fat, low taste, beard wax crossbred, pumpkin, mocha latte or whatever this season must-have is and let us get back to what we do best, being dad. To paraphrase 90's rappers 'Naughty By Nature' You down with D.A.D? Yeah, you know me. Photo credit: Roswitha Chesher We are all living longer. Last year there were half a million people aged 90 and over living in the UK. Medical science given us more time but often these additional years are spent in loneliness and isolation. Forty per cent of older people attending GP surgeries, and sixty per cent of those living in residential institutions are reported to have 'poor mental health'. We hear stories of cuts to social care that limit the amount of time care workers are able to help people get out of bed in the morning but are we really answering the question 'what, for many of our eldest citizens, is there to get up for?' Meet Me at... is a bold and imaginative new approach to day care for older people, providing a regular creative meeting place for formerly isolated and lonely older people. It's a space to socialise and work creatively alongside professional artists. Advertisement The core programme runs weekly at the Albany, taking over the cafe at the heart of the building and filling it with poetry, knitting, sculpture, singing and much more plus conversation and copious quantities of tea and biscuits. Meet Me at... is one of a handful of innovative projects that are pioneering ways for arts spaces across the country become meeting points for people who are marginalised. Places where people can connect and actively contribute to the cultural life of their communities. For many older people getting out and about can present huge challenges. Meet Me at the Albany is supported by a complex transport programme helping people travel from their homes to the project. But there are huge pressures on the limited capacity of community transport schemes and not everyone has the confidence or mobility to come to us. Thanks to an innovative partnership with Lewisham Homes, the borough's largest social housing provider, we've been able to work around some of those barriers by taking Meet Me at... into communities. Just as the Albany has become a hub for community connection and engagement for many people, the lounges of some of Lewisham Homes sheltered housing sites have now been transformed into mini points of culture. We effected change with a gentle step by step approached supporting small groups of artists to invest time in building relationships with residents. We began by piloting the project in one unit of 16 homes. Success was small and uncertain at first but built - attendees began to appear regularly, someone brought in a photograph of their family, it encouraged others to do the same and redecorate the room with personal imagery. Gradually fun, laughter, and the sounds of living grew in the environment. Gentle risks were taken - residents attended the birthday party of someone who recently moved in - and they could all see their actions having an immediate effect on their home and each other. Over the months, a sense of community built and both isolation and stress were reduced. Advertisement It's not the weekly sessions that really changed things though, it was that residents chose to form a community outside the sessions and to make changes in their own lives. As one participant put it: "When you sit at home doing nothing, when you are indoors alone, you feel very low. You start thinking back about the problems that you have been through and all of the problems you are in at the moment. That makes you worried and sad. But when you come here you feel happy. Talking to other people, seeing them, watching what they are doing - it's good for your health. It makes you feel so much better." As a result of the success of the pilot, Meet Me at... began popping up at six additional sheltered accommodation sites in 2016. In addition, 2016 has seen the launch of Meet Me On The Move - for trips and adventures, and community led programme Meet Me At The Movies - an intergenerational film club. At the heart of all of this is the ambition to creatively support people to become active and have agency within their own communities - whether that refers to their communal living room or the whole of London. This has proved life changing for a handful of people already but we believe it has radical reach. Our small project evidences how a creative approach and collaboration can positively affect the ability to age well - something we should all aspire to. Meriel Jane Waissman via Getty Images I think everyone would have at least one event in their lives wherein when they look back at it and say, "that was such a bad idea". Everyone has made mistakes in their life because it's impossible to never do something wrong - especially when it comes to career. Your career life will be the ultimate testing ground to see what you're made of and it is throughout your career that you'll probably make the most mistakes because you'll be handling tough decisions that can't be solved in an instant. Let me share some of the worst mistakes I've made in my career and how you can avoid them. Advertisement Image Credit: Pexels Passing on a great opportunity I think everyone is familiar with this kind of situation. Have you ever passed on a great opportunity because you thought that you couldn't push for it so you just eventually gave up? Don't worry, it does happen to all of us. When I was working for a pharmaceutical company, I was assigned as a team leader for one of the sales teams in the company I worked for. As we were planning the budget for our sales campaign, we saw that the team lacked the funds to completely push through with the campaign. As I believed it was a really good campaign, I asked the management to grant our team a bigger budget. Inevitably, I got a "no" from them which is why we had to change the campaign to a less dynamic but more affordable one. After a few days, we found out that another team was granted a bigger budget. How come our team couldn't get that budget raise? It was simply because I took "no" for an answer. I realised that if I pushed for the budget and give a compelling reason, then I probably would have gotten a "yes". It was an opportunity lost and a big learning lesson. Advertisement Not asking for promotion Another big mistake I've made when I was working in that same company was that I didn't ask for a promotion. Now most people would think that a promotion should never be asked for-- it's just given! Well, the truth of that fact is that promotions are given to those who push for it and who are daring enough to ask for it. Many of my co-workers told me that I was fit to be a sales manager already and to be honest, the opportunity presented itself many times. I just wasn't bold enough to get it! Unfortunately, someone else who was bold enough to ask for it took it away from me. Once again, this is another big learning lesson for those who are working. If you think you are deserving, then ask for a promotion. Of course, you do have to convince your boss what you can contribute to the company if you do have that promotion. Waiting for blessings to fall upon me This was probably one of my biggest mistakes in my career that lead to a lot of lost opportunities. When I was growing up, I was always under the impression that I was the "cream of the crop". I attended a good school, got good grades, and participated in many school organizations. Because of that, I had this idea that a good job would just fall on my lap after I graduate. How wrong I was! I learned that looking for a job is already a job in itself. If you want something, you have to go out and get it. It won't fall on your lap like magic. Mistakes in your career are inevitable and are pretty painful. However, don't be afraid to make mistakes because that's how you learn. As long as you learn and move on, you'll continue to grow and become a more competent employee. HyperionPixels via Getty Images For many people across the United Kingdom, Christmas is a time of wonderful celebration. People get to exchange gifts and spend time with family and friends. They may even just look forward to some precious time off work. However, some people won't be so lucky this Christmas. One in five people in the UK are struggling to put food on the table and heat their homes, whilst more than half a million people were dependent on food banks (statistic from Oxfam). Advertisement This Christmas, instead of buying those extra gifts for yourself, why not put your money towards improving the lives of these vulnerable people? Here are a list of five charities in need of your help this Christmas. Shelter This Christmas, there will be 120,000 children across the UK whom are homeless. Shelter are a wonderful organisation that are striving to combat such an awful statistic. From offering support and advice about housing to lobbying the government and local authorities. They campaign relentlessly for housing justice, and whilst they do a wonderful job, they do need our help. From as little as 5 you can help a family find somewhere safe to sleep for the night. Don't have the money to spend, but still want to help? There are many volunteering opportunities across England and Scotland. You can donate items to their shops or make your Christmas purchases through them. You can even participate in fundraising events or organise your own! Barnardo's Barnardo's works to ensure that all children's needs are met and that their voices are heard. Their purpose is to transform the lives of the vulnerable children in the UK. In 2014 - 2015 there were 3.9 million children living in poverty - that's 9 children out of every classroom of 30 (Statistic from Child Poverty Action Group). Barnardo's works directly with 240,000 people every year and run over 960 essential services across the UK. These services include counselling for abused children, fostering and adoption services, vocational training and disability inclusion groups. Donating 5 a month could help support one of their services such like the Schools' Education Programmes that help teach children how to stay safe and how to access help if they need it. They also have many volunteering opportunities , charity events and charity shops, if you are looking to help in other ways. Advertisement Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) Poverty affects one in four children in the UK today, CPAG is an organisation working to support those vulnerable children. They create and promote solutions that they believe will tackle these injustices, whilst also providing information and training for those who work with those vulnerable people. In London they work directly with users of food banks, helping them resolve those issues that have meant they rely on food aid. You can help CPAG by providing a one off or monthly donation, participate in fundraising events or be part of their campaign network. Oxfam British Red Cross These are just five of the many wonderful charities across the United Kingdom helping to provide support for those vulnerable. There are of course many more organisations that need your support, many of which you can find over on Charity Choice's Database. Don't worry if you can't provide money to these charities, how about spending a few hours of your week helping them deliver their services? Instead of binning old clothes and other things you don't want anymore, why not donate them to a charity instead? Even sharing fundraising events can make a big difference and increase the amount of donations they receive. We all have a role to play in combatting poverty in the UK, let's make that goal we stick to. Advertisement HuffPost UK is running a fortnight-long focus around helping others this Christmas. Giving Back will shine a light on the organisations and individuals making a difference in their community, tackling issues such as loneliness, homelessness, food waste and financial struggle. We'd also love to hear your stories. Horacio Villalobos via Getty Images "I scared church", "I no like it Jesus", "I no want it Mary". Those were the words that echoed around a packed Catholic church in South London last Sunday when I made a first, possibly misguided attempt at taking my two year old to Mass. It ended in tears - mine as well as hers - after my husband had to retrieve her plastic stethoscope from a very unimpressed little boy in the church creche who was so appalled at the loss of his medical instrument that he lay prostrate on the ground shrieking 'whhhhhhhyyyy'? I asked myself the same thing as we stumbled out of the church to the sound of my Godless toddler declaring: 'I gone toilet mummy, I no want it more Jesus'. The whole experience has got me thinking: how do you introduce a young child to the idea of God? Should we be doing it at all? And why didn't I just let the little boy keep the stethoscope, like a good Christian should? Advertisement I was brought up Catholic. Not a strict, prayers-before-meals and Mass every Sunday Catholic, but one who went to a convent school and made my first Confession and Holy Communion. I was very close to my Irish Catholic grandparents who attended Mass separately every weekend: grandma was at the 6.30 pm Vigil slot on a Saturday, grandpa was all about the 11.30 am Sunday session. Although my grandma told terrible tales of what the nuns at her school in 1920s Dublin had done to children who misbehaved, (making kids who had wet the bed stand for hours on end with their soiled bed sheets over their heads for example), it hadn't dampened her faith. She would spend so long kneeling to pray during Mass that I would nervously nudge her to check she wasn't dead. My grandpa would deliberately sing all the hymns out of tune and had a complicated strategy on when to join the Eucharist queue: "wait for the old biddies to clear a path". He would also disdainfully conduct a murmured parallel mass in Latin while the priest did the honours in English. Catholicism was a sort of comforting, chaotic backdrop to my childhood. Yes it was all a bit dysfunctional, but the beauty, the mystery, the music of Catholicism were all things I felt I wanted my little girl to have in her life. And then..... there's the school situation. There's no denying that some of the best schools in the country are Catholic, and many of them require 'proof of attendance' from your local priest. Before I became a mother myself, I was struck by the number of friends who had suddenly started attending church despite never having had any discernible religious leanings before. One of the Church wardens I spoke to after our disastrous Sunday visit told me that around school admission times there is suddenly a huge number of people "saying good morning" to the Parish Priest on a Sunday. I'm seriously embarrassed to be joining the throng of desperate middle class parents shoving themselves in front of a priest so that Poppy/Harry/Hector stands a chance of getting into that school which was in the Sunday Times Top Primary Schools list. And yet, here I am with a terrified two year old in need of baptism and a woefully poor attendance record. Advertisement But leaving aside the adult world of school places and catchment areas: churches are seriously weird places for young kids. What is this massive echoing, dark place with candles everywhere and statues which are either crying or bleeding (yes I know Catholics are especially big on misery)? Why are you meant to be quiet and what is this scary music that erupts unexpectedly? Because I'm a thoroughly modern parent, I immediately turned to the internet for answers. Google yielded some pretty depressing advice on how to introduce church/God to my Little One: 'Play Lets Go Church at home!' or look out for: 'indicators that the Holy Spirit may be at work in your child'. Then I got into a massive panic when I found a Guardian 'Problem solved' column featuring the headline: 'I don't want my wife to indoctrinate our two-year-old into religion'. Now my husband's writing to The Guardian about me? Could this get any more middle-class-guilt-complex-intense? RubberBall Productions via Getty Images Last Christmas, my son, aged 7, started to ask questions about whether Father Christmas was real, having heard things at school. I laughed the idea off as ridiculous, asking who would bring the presents if he was fake? He believed me as he always does - why else would he mistrust his mother? Fast forward to this year but this time there were no questions. While walking in a wonderful Christmas market in Copenhagen last weekend, he announced loudly and proudly to his 6 year old sister that of course Father Christmas is not real and it is in fact Mum and Dad who bring the presents. Her face dropped and I again covered up the announcement by laughing it off as silly. He continued, to the point that I had to take him aside and ask him to stop (I say ask, it was more of a stern tell really). Advertisement He still believed me but his friends were continuing to tell him something different. I could see he was getting more confused as surely mum doesn't lie. I asked myself, "Is 8 too old to believe in magic?" I then asked myself how sad it would be to lose the magic at 6, the age his sister is. I knew that I needed to do something. Fast. I chatted to a friend as her son was feeling the same, so taking inspiration from her and a few google searches, I sat down and wrote, for the first time, a letter to my son. Dear Herbie, I wanted to write to you to talk more about your question "Is Father Christmas real?" that you have asked a few times and I feel is causing you some confusion which is leading to frustration. You have asked if Mummy and Daddy are Father Christmas and the answer to this is no. However, it is not as simple as that. Advertisement Father Christmas isn't an actual person. He represents the magic that is Christmas. He is something that we believe in, to give us hope and joy at a time that is very special. He is in our hearts, a bit like God or other "out of this world" things people believe in. For young children, he is wonderful, mysterious and someone that we love as he brings us presents as well as giving presents to other children. He is pretty awesome huh? But he's special to grownups too, as the love and joy is felt by us all; and when we see the smiles on your faces we too feel the magic and glow inside. But it is us that lovingly saves up all year, chooses the gifts, puts them in your stocking and under the tree. We are part of team Father Christmas, we are bringing the magic and love to you and Kitty. And now it is time for you to join the crew, and we all together will create the happiness for Kitty. Advertisement We love you Herbie, more than you will ever know. And we thank you for keeping the spirit of Christmas alive for her until she is ready to join us. Love Mummy and Daddy xx I put it into an envelope and left it on his pillow to find and read alone. I gave him a few minutes as I couldn't resist seeing his reaction. He was full of wonder and amazement as everything now made sense without any joy being taken away. He said thank you to me and I felt relief. Our children growing up can be hard to bear sometimes but it is our job to make the transitions easier, and to handle it in a sensitive way. It is our role to be honest when the time is needed, without crashing their innocent dreams. For us, the letter worked and is likely to be something I use again. A couple of months ago I had my first break away on my own since having the girls. As in - no husband, no offspring. Just me and my best mate Jo (lovingly referred to as my "Wifey") and a gaggle of splendid women. I'm not expecting a "Oh, poor old you" for not having escaped on my own thus far. I've been lucky enough to have clocked up a few child free nights away with Jamie in the last three years, and I also realise some mamas are yet to have left their broods, whether by choice or circumstance. In fairness, I've had an ample amount of opportunities to indulge myself in some solo escapism since becoming a mum (namely Jamie pleading "Just go away, pleaseeeeee") It just wasn't the right time for me. However, three years postpartum, off I galivanted to Palma for 48 hours! Advertisement It was epic. And that was just the flight. Jesting aside, the captain could have announced upon landing in Palma that we would now be diverting back to London where we would all disembark the aircraft and go home. I would have gladly gone on my merry way, suitably rested after a four hour round trip. Luckily for me, the fun had just begun. I've said it before and I'll say it again; no one can tell you before kids just how much being on your own and having time to yourself after kids is so precious. And rare. For me, to spend the whole flight sat on my ass with a hot coffee, reading my kindle was a much needed slice of respite, and on par with a day at the Spa. I thought I might miss the bedlam of having the girls at the airport, or on the plane. Nope. Not me. Did I miss struggling to keeping a one year old restrained to my lap prior to the seatbelt signs being turned off? Nope. Did I miss changing nappies and hovering a three year over toilet seats caked in urine confined to the tiniest possible space? Nope. Did I miss walking hunched over with Marnie up and down the fucking aisles, as she craned her neck to wake yet another passenger from their slumber shouting "HERROOOOOOOO"? Nope. Didn't miss any of that one bit. With time alone rationed, I tend to feel massive pressure of how I should spend it when the opportunity comes around. You want to make the most of it and relish the time away. You want to have fun but feel rejuvenated, relax but let loose. Decisions! Advertisement So with my date of freedom secured in our shared diary (no going back now, no sireeee) I was initially torn as to whether I wanted to just escape for 48 hours and get smashed all weekend or hole myself up in a spa to lie the fuck down and drink peppermint tea. Needless to say, I pondered the dry spa option for about, um a minute or two. 48 hour mini break getting smashed it was! It's pretty much standard now that I am permanently tired, no surprises there - so, sleeping off a weekend of debauchery is non-existent - once you're back on duty you're back on duty. Ain't no other mutha gonna be changing your babies' nappies the morning after a heavy weekend. It was, as they say - go hard or go home. Such is the life of a reluctantly restrained social butterfly (that's me by the way). I went hard, then went home. GAH. Consequences aside, I arrived in Palma over excited but also super nervous at the prospect of not seeing my girls for 48 hours. I can only imagine the delight Jo had in me narrating the girls' routine to her throughout our stay "Ohhh, they'll be having their breakfast around now - bet the kitchen is a complete mess" followed a few minutes later by "Ah, Elsie will have just finished ballet, I wonder what Jamie will do with them after? Mind you Marnie needs her nap so guess he'll have to take them straight home" Yeah, soz about that Wifey. Advertisement The imperative thing about going away child free is choosing the right mates to go with. Unless you're going away with mum mates (who are your kinda women) then friends who don't have kids need to 'get it'. Jo got it. And boy does that make a difference. She knew when I needed a little breather, when I wanted to FaceTime Jamie and the girls at 8am, even though she was asleep and still mildly intoxicated (which come to think of it I was too) and, when at dinner on the first night, come 10pm, after a 6am flight and a day full of free flowing rose and a tank full of tapas, I was edging close to face planting my patatas bravas, and so excused myself from the table to bed. We ate, drank, cackled, drank some (much) more, sunbathed, chatted inane shit poolside and just hung out. IT. WAS. BLISS. Don't let me fool you though. I was very anxious as to how I might unwind into my first break away from Jamie and the girls - fretting about routines whilst I wasn't there, missing them, feeling guilty (oh the bloody guilt) and the pressure to HAVE FUN, but lucky for me I met the most brilliant bunch of women who made me feel super comfortable and maybe, just maybe drank more than me. The frivolities continued into our last day, and never one to seemingly avoid a drama (or potential drama) as we all sat down to lunch, most of us feeling (me in particular) the effects from the previous day's booze banquet and the hangover fear slithering in, I thought I had lost my passport. Excellent. Inwardly, my worst fears were confirmed. I would have to live in Palma. And my children would have to visit me on weekends when Jamie could afford cheap Ryanair flights (in hindsight, that doesn't sound too bad a deal...). Outwardly (or so I thought) I tried to play it down. Me? Unflappable. "um yeah, so I'm just a bit worried I can't find my passport in my handbag, but I'm sure it's in my case, hopefully it'll turn up. I'm sure it'll turn up". BEADS. OF. SWEAT. Oh, but wait - it was going to be ok! Because one of the girls (who I would say, was at least a few vinos down by now) had a UK and Australian passport with her and I "reallllllyyyy looked like her" (four stone heavier) so, um you know, I could just use her's to get home. All was not lost. I would not have to live in Palma after all. Just so you know, I left the lunch early, unable to eat (shocking) with Jo by my side god bless her, and we found my passport where I left it. In my suitcase. Yah. Potential drama right there. Advertisement And so my brood free mini break came to an end. I had a gloriously marvellous weekend. I didn't have enough sleep, I drank a questionable amount of rose, an eye popping amount of espresso martinis and I really missed my little ladies, BUT - It was unquestionably worth it. We all need time out. To refill that Mumma cup. However you take it, is up to you. Maybe an hour down at costa floats your boat, a lone trip to Sainsbury (I genuinely find respite in a solo supermarket trip) perhaps a spa is your thing or you're more partial to a sleepless alcohol fuelled Balearic break - if you have the opportunity, bloody well take it. Life's a toughy. And you deserve it lady. There's a chill in the air and the decorations are going up. It's the time of year for cosy log fires, mulled wine, time for friends and family, an abundance of decorations and indulgent food. Perhaps you've got the neighbours coming over for a pre-Christmas drink? Or you are hosting your family for dinner over Christmas? This Christmas Pudding biscuit recipe is the perfect treat that can be pre-prepared and frozen a month in advance - leaving you to focus on wrapping the gifts and having fun with family. And what could be prettier and more festive at Christmas than a plate of tiny puddings? This recipe makes at least 24 little Christmas puddings and I've donated it to Dreams Come True's Christmas Appeal. This year, the children's charity is aiming to raise enough funds to make 12 dreams come true, one for every day of Christmas. You can read more here and donate here or by texting TRUE12 5 to 70070. So turn on the Christmas tunes and let's get baking. Advertisement Ingredients 25g (0.9 oz) currants 25g (0.9 oz) mixed peel 25g (0.9 oz) raisins 2 tsp brandy 100g (3.5 oz) unsalted butter, softened 65g (2.3 oz) soft light brown sugar 0.5 tsp vanilla extract 1 tbsp finely grated orange zest 1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest 2 tsp treacle 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg 25g (0.9 oz) flaked almonds, toasted 200g (7.1 oz) self-raising flour, sifted 25g (0.9 oz) ground almonds 1 cup demerara sugar 100g (3.5 oz) white chocolate 1 cup holly sprigs made from icing, or chopped glace cherries Details Cuisine: English Recipe Type: Cake Difficulty: Easy Preparation Time: 10 mins Cooking Time: 15 mins Serves: 12 Step-by-step 1.Put the currants, mixed peel and raisins in a bowl with the brandy. Stir, cover with cling film and put in the fridge to steep for anything from 1 hour to a week. When you're ready to use it, strain off any remaining liquid, then finely chop the fruit or whizz in a food processor. 2.Preheat the oven to 200C/Mark 6 and line two baking trays with non-stick baking paper. 3.Cream the butter, sugar, vanilla and zests.Warm the treacle in the microwave for 10 seconds on High and add to the butter mixture along with the spices. Mix well to combine. 4.Roughly crush the toasted almonds with your hands and add to the butter mixture along with the flour, ground almonds and chopped fruit. Mix well to combine. 5.Roll the mixture into walnut-sized balls with your hands, then roll each ball in the demerara sugar and place on the prepared trays, spacing them at least 2 cm apart. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the biscuits look dry and slightly cracked on the surface. Set aside to cool on their trays for about 5 minutes, then use a palette knife to transfer them to a wire rack. Advertisement 6.While the biscuits are cooling, melt the chocolate, stirring regularly. Slide a sheet of greaseproof paper under the rack and spoon about a teaspoonful of chocolate onto each of the biscuits, letting it run down the sides. Allow it to set a little, but while it is still sticky, press some pretty decorations onto the top. I like to use holly sprigs made from sugar florist paste, Christmas sprinkles or finely chopped glace cherries. Allow the chocolate to set completely before serving. Miranda Gore Browne is an ambassador for children's charity Dreams Come True. Ever since the invention of the silver screen, romantics of all ages have headed to the cinema. From drive-in movie theatres to the fake-yawn-and-stretch technique, the cinema has always been the quintessential date destination. However, the popularity of streaming services such as Netflix, like television, video and DVD before it, meant that the future of cinema as a hotbed for young, slightly awkward, love was under threat. So now cinemas are changing; swapping uncomfortable seats for sofas, and popcorn and Pepsi for minibars and tapas. Here are some of the ways in which modern cinema's are making going to the movies cool (or should that be hot?) again. Advertisement The romantic history of the cinema The earliest precursors to movies were magic lantern shows. These shows involved projecting rudimentary moving images onto a screen or wall. The origin of the fake-yawn technique is not known, yet it would be reasonable to assume it occurred quite by accident during one of these early snooze-fests. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait long before we were watching the movies we know and love. The first public showing of a sound film took place in Paris in 1900. And by the 1930's the 'Talkies' were a global phenomenon. Cinema's romantic peak came during the 1950's with 'Drive-in cinema'. But once numbering in the thousands, less than 400 drive-ins remain in the U.S. today. Modern cinemas are reigniting romance Although traditional cinemas can to some seem unromantic, alternative cinemas are actually doing very well. As millennials search for unique experiences, offering young people something different and interesting is vital for cinemas to survive and thrive. Advertisement For example, Secret Cinema makes the whole experience interactive, enthralling young daters with an immersive experience leaving them unsure where the film ends and where reality begins. Films shown at the Secret Cinema include Star Wars and Back to The Future, and love could well be in the air, as long as you don't take your sister or your mum. Other cinemas have made watching a movie more comfortable and intimate by introducing more relaxing seating. In Everyman theatres for instance, the audience can watch films from the comfort of a sofa. The Sussex Exchange cinema, a local movie theatre in Hastings, goes one step further by offering guests ultra comfortable automatic reclining seats equipped with a personal mini-bar. While at The Northern Light Cinema in the Derbyshire Dales, you can attend a screening sat on comfortable armchairs whilst tucking into Tapas! The list goes on and on and on. And speaking of cinema snacks... Even cinema food is becoming more romantic An article by AOL lists corn as one of the least romantic foods, sharing a rather repugnant plate with garlic, strong cheese and, much to the discontent of anyone who has ever watched Lady and the Tramp on a date, spaghetti. The corn may be popped at the cinema but that makes the surprisingly unhealthy snack no more romantic and no less likely to get stuck in your teeth. Fortunately, many UK cinemas are edging away from the overpriced, unsexy and frankly ridiculously noisy popcorn and are instead focusing on gourmet cuisine. The Lounge cinema in London combines fine dining and film. Here couples can enjoy a three course dinner specially created for the cinema. Alternatively, The Electric Cinema, London's oldest movie theatre, serves up olives and freshly prepared Mediterranean nibbles for flirtatious film fanatics. 'Netflix and Chill' will never conquer the cinema Despite the many innovative ways in which modern cinemas have made going to the movies fun again, the digital age brings constant threats to cinema dates. Young lovers, too lazy to even fake a yawn, are bypassing dating etiquette completely and staying in, rather than going out, on dates. Advertisement I'm talking, of course, about the viral, venereal 'Netflix and Chill'. A mid-20th century decline in cinema attendances coincided with the rise of television ownership, so could streaming films genuinely replace cinema dates? No. People go on dates to the cinema as it facilitates the wooing process, whether you're watching a film in a reclining seat in Hastings or a drive-in movie theatre in 1950's America. 'Netflix and Chill' ignores this social process completely and therefore isn't much of a date at all. Once 'Netflix and Chill' is long gone cinemas will remain. In fact, a study on local cinema by the British Film Institute found that cinemas help provide a "strong social function as a meeting place and centre in which to socialise." The holidays are intended to be a time for renewal and hope, but in a political season that's already topsy turvy for a number of reasons, many of us enter the holidays with lots of complex feelings. Regardless of how you feel about last month's elections, there is a lot of uncertainty and many unanswered questions as a new Administration prepares to enter the White House. For the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project, where I serve proudly on its Executive Committee, we choose to take this holiday season as an opportunity to celebrate the Congress' passage of the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act and to be thankful for everyone who made this moment possible. On November 30, the House of Representatives joined the Senate and passed this historic bill, which will ensure the lasting legacy of the brave Filipino soldiers of WWII who fought under U.S. command and were responsible for holding the line against enemy forces, playing a critical role in achieving final victory in the Pacific theater. Caption: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) thanking Mr. Rudy Panaglima, Filipino WWII veteran This bill's passage is particularly poignant, occurring as it does on the cusp of the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. December 7, 1941, literally by proclamation of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, has become "a day which will live in infamy." While we now remember the bombing of Pearl Harbor as the catalyst that moved the United States to take military action in WWII and the seismic impact that would have on world events, his words at the time were as much performative as they were descriptive- by saying it will live in infamy, he wanted to make it so. Advertisement While we remember the opening of his speech and the phrase "a day which will live in infamy," we don't remember that the President went on to enumerate the acts of aggression beyond Pearl Harbor that built the argument for the United States to enter the war. Bombings across the Pacific were listed in a trail of destruction that ultimately became too devastating to ignore. Included in that list that remains largely unremembered, was the Philippines. Our history books do not sufficiently tell the full story of the soldiers, American and Filipino, who fought in the Philippines. While World War II movies remind us of the Bataan Death March (and even the Raid at Cabanatuan in 2005's "The Great Raid"), we don't remember that after the war, the 1946 Rescission Act proactively took away these soldiers' status as U.S. veterans, effectively saying to them that their service didn't matter. This Congressional Gold Medal marks a significant opportunity to right this wrong, at least by correcting the record and making sure their stories get told. To be Filipino American is often to be told that your history doesn't count. That while Filipinos taught the world what People's Power meant and the power of non-violent protest, what's more important to remember are Imelda Marcos' shoes. That while we honor Cesar Chavez and the emergence of the United Farmworkers movement, we don't have enough nuance to remember the Filipino farmworkers like Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz who first started the worker's strike that brought Chavez to prominence. So this holiday season then, and in this moment as we note the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor and Manila, we take the passage of the Congressional Gold Medal Act and look for President Obama's final signature to make it official. This holiday season then, we take note of the outpouring of support from the Senate, the House of Representatives, and of countless volunteers, advocates, and leaders who put the Filipino WWII veterans front and center to get this legislation passed. But most importantly, this holiday season, we hold the veterans and their families a little closer in our hearts and recommit ourselves to making sure their lives and their legacies are made even more meaningful. Advertisement From the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project, from our families to yours- Happy Holidays! Caption: Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) with the FilVetREP team ### The Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project is a nonpartisan, community-based, all-volunteer national initiative whose mission is to raise awareness through academic research and public information and obtain national recognition of Filipino and Filipino-American WWII Soldiers across the United States and Philippines for their wartime service to the U.S. and the Philippines from July 1941 to December 1946. We sleep safely at night because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would harm us. ~ Winston S. Churchill On this day 75 years ago, America was attacked at Pearl Harbor. So, today I simply wanted to remind us to honor our military and savor our citizenship. Todays US military is completely voluntary. Whether we agree or disagree with an administration or the stated purpose of any military action, do not take for granted that each active soldier volunteered to serve. There are still veterans alive today that were drafted into service. Without any choice, they honorably served our country. Even if its a simple thank you, pay respect and honor our military. Because so many have sacrificed before us, we enjoy so many freedoms. As I realized so clearly upon returning from the Haiti recovery: Less than 5% of the world gets to be an American. I was born here of no accord of my own, so I feel like I hit the lottery. Treasure those freedoms. Savor being an American. You are capable of anything. Our country is capable of anything. BELIEVE TRUST My ability to conquer my challenges is limitless. My potential to succeed is infinite. West Virginia sits atop a treasure chest of coal resources. Coal began to define the state's culture, history, and the economy as early as 1742, when John Peter Salling unearthed the coal in present-day Boone County, West Virginia. Today, all but 4.5% of the state's electricity comes from coal, and arguably there is no greater consequential and polarizing topic today for West Virginians than the debate over what should be done with the state's coal resources. But there are two things about coal that are undeniable: coal has an impact of human suffering, and coal contributes to climate change. For me, it took a ground tour of mountaintop removal sites to fully realize the impact of coal in West Virginia, and how its primary extraction method, mountaintop removal, has far-reaching effects. Guided by Dustin White and Vivian Stockman, West Virginia locals and activists with the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, we trekked for hours looking at the impacts of mountaintop removal at sites such as Hobet 21 and Samples, which are both owned by Patriot Coal and subsidiaries. Advertisement To view these sites, we inched up and through Boone County's wild and beautiful forests until we arrived at numerous communities such as Mud and Kayford once thrived. Now, empty parcels are what remain. One by one, like a puzzle piece, these mining companies surrounded private property, therein decreasing property values. Residents abstained as long as they could from the corporate buyout, until they were compelled to leave due to the neighboring mountain blasting and environmental degradation. We passed driveways that once led to homesteads, mailboxes that once connected some of the most rural places in America to the rest of the country, and powerlines that once supplied energy to vibrant churches, stores, and gathering spaces. These families used to move to Akron and Pittsburgh, but now to other population centers. Only now, everything was empty, barren, and only remnant artifacts of a not-so-distant past which were - in a way - preparing me for what I would see next. Coming over one of the ridges was like leaving West Virginia and entering a moonscape. The maples and hemlocks stood to my back and cast shadows into what is considered "reclaimed" mining land. Ahead of me was non-native, invasive West Virginia flora such as Chinese lespedeza and Japanese silverberry (also known as autumn olive). This was the mining companies' elected strategy to "restore" the mined land to its natural state, which is satisfactory according to current regulation. Mining processes release heavy metals, such as selenium, that were once locked deep into the earth. Now, they are closer to the surface, so, when water slides across these reclaimed lands, it carries with it a toxic soup of the metals. I took the conductivity meter and stuck it into a stream without a connection to mining and compared it to that of the stream coming immediately off a reclaimed site. The greatest number the meter read was about 1500 microsiemens, far above the normal reading of 300 for West Virginia streams. Advertisement This tells us that something is in the water, and numerous studies have been able to directly link coal energy production, extraction, and waste management to human health disparities. For example, Indiana University's School of Public Health researchers found that regions that use mountaintop removal experience "an excess of approximately 1200 adjusted deaths per year." Humans are not the only animals experiencing physical health changes because of coal mining. Selenium has caused grotesque deformities in larval fish ranging from s-curved spines and double-headed larvae to fish with both eyes on the same side of their heads. According to the groundbreaking, peer-reviewed "Carbon Majors" study, tracing all historic greenhouse gas emissions back to specific companies and entities, the coal industries of the world are responsible for 51% of global greenhouse gas emissions from 1854-2010. It's the coal that's extracted, refined, burned or exported that's fueling our planet's climate crisis. It's what's happening in West Virginia and then the coal we consume in our homes and businesses all across the United States that has a direct impact on the melting ice sheets in the Arctic, the disappearance of glaciers in our national parks, and the rising sea tides across coastal cities. With so much evidence demonstrating the disastrous effects of coal, it's no wonder that Donald Trump told Playboy magazine in 1990: "If I had been the son of a coal miner, I would have left the damn mines," and he continued, "But most people don't have the imagination, or whatever, to leave their mine. They don't have it." Donald Trump's views have since changed, and now he is promising to open up more mines: "The miners . . . all over are going to start to work again, believe me. They are going to be proud again to be miners." To the comfort of environmentalists, these were empty promises. Despite historic growth in U.S. coal production over the past three decades, the number of coal-mining jobs in the country has steadily declined, and will likely continue due to some of the ever-increasing mechanization that can replace human workers, as well as steep competition from natural gas. Advertisement The current administration is trying to make waves on climate change with the new Clean Power Plan, which is currently stalled in federal courts. We regulate other greenhouse gasses, so why should carbon fall short on our list, President Obama once remarked. Shortly after the Obama's Clean Power Plan's release, I made an appearance on MSNBC's PoliticsNation, where Reverend Al Sharpton remarked, "The American people are ready to take action against climate change." At long last, we are ready to discuss Jan Fabre himself. Along with the other journalists who went to Saint Petersburg, I was invited to dinner and a chat with Fabre. He ordered pasta and meticulously pre-cut it into such little pieces that he could wolf it down without looking at it or, seemingly, thinking about it or tasting it. Nearing 60, he has frosted blond hair, the face of a hawk, the build of a pugilist, and a tremendous amount of jittery energy. Jan Fabre at the opening of Knight of Despair/Warrior of Beauty, State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg As an artist with one foot, and sometimes two, in the conceptual mode, it is not always necessary to look at Fabre's work in person or even in reproduction in order to grasp the essentials. His actual artwork often serves merely to instantiate in physical form the important thing about it - the idea. Let me demonstrate. When I spoke with him, he told me about his idea of the horizontal body. The vertical body, in his system, is the one we are familiar with. The horizontal body is a human volume, but filled with undifferentiated blood. As a liquid, it cannot be wounded. A knife passes through it; a bullet passes through it. It heals in the wake of insult. Fabre hopes that we are moving toward the liquid horizontal body: the indestructible human. Advertisement When he told me this idea, I asked him if he considered himself an alchemist. Leave aside a moment whether or not we think alchemy is real. The question here means, does Fabre subscribe to the mode of thought of the alchemists? To which he vigorously replied that he does. Well OK then. This tells us some things we need to know in approaching his work. Alchemy is a doctrine of transformations. It is a system by means of which one thing is made into another thing. Any number of systems may produce transformations though. The alchemical system has distinctive properties. I think of alchemical thinking as analogical thinking. In his novel Kraken, China Mieville gives an adept (if comically critical) description of this mode of magical thought. His lead character, Billy Harrow, observes a moldy radio which, because of its suggestive decay, can tune in to "some opaque flow of decayed information or other." Thus he discovers the world of magic: Apparently, Billy thought, he lived now in a trite landscape. Deep enough below the everyday, Billy realised with something between awe and distaste, a thing has power, moronically enough, because it's a bit like something else. Want to hex up briars, what else should you throw behind you but an old comb? All it took was a way with such cute correspondences. - China Mieville, Kraken, p. 244 The analogical thinker thinks in terms of similarities between superficially distinct things. The magician is capable of animating these analogies, so that two things become one, and the powers of the one are expressed by the other. This effects the alchemical transformation: A is like B, and thus A becomes B. Advertisement Jan Fabre's horizontal man is an alchemical concept. A human-shaped volume filled with a human substance (blood) becomes human, or rather the human becomes this fabrication - and in so doing, assumes its properties of indestructibility. Let's say that you, the reader, are the kind of level-headed individual who doesn't believe in magic. Of what use is Jan Fabre to you? As a real magician, he is of course no use at all. But consider the territory in which he works. He doesn't work in the real world. He is an artist. He works in a land of make-believe where a thing can be true simply because he asserts it is. In his weightless realm, magic is real. What impact does this reality have outside its hothouse? How does it affect the real world? We will look further at his work and try to answer this question. I saw some hollow monks that he had fashioned out of chicken-wire robes covered entirely in thin slices of bone. These unsettling figures were still being unpacked, because the show was not entirely installed in October when I visited. one of the bone-monks before installation I had to deal with them largely as concepts. Here is some of what Fabre said about these pieces in 2004: The monk-like figures I have been working on have their origin in my writings about a fluid body, a body consisting exclusively of blood. I have been thinking about what would happen should our internal skeleton be projected outward and become an external skeleton. One consequence would be that we could no longer be wounded... These ideas have led me to the use of human skeletons, which I acquire in India and Leuven and saw into thin slices that can be sewn together. These slivers have the visual characteristics of Bruges lacework, a transparency of sorts. - from a sculpture.org interview with Michael Amy We begin to see what kind of a mind takes to analogical thought. It is associative, playful, given to looking at things backwards or inside-out. Fabre settles on a conceptual framework in advance but once he locates himself inside its universe, his ideas are not doctrinal at all. They are purely inspired. One simply cannot make a leap from the general proposition of an unwoundable body to the specific image of a hollow monk wearing a robe made of bone slices. One can fill in the conceptual linkages afterward, but this is not the same. I think that Fabre's method is to create a zone in which pure inspiration is ultimately just grounded enough to make any sense at all. He is avoiding the sterility of dreams on the one hand, and on the other, the drudgery, for him, of syllogistic thought. installation view, Jan Fabre, Knight of Despair/Warrior of Beauty, State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg For me, these are the two key modes of thought: analogical and syllogistic. Analogical thought, as we have seen, yields spontaneous transformations of one thing into another. Syllogistic thought does not. It produces ever-increasing insight into the nature and qualities of each thing with regard to itself. It allows change by means of manipulation of the qualities of each thing with regard to itself. Syllogistic thought produces these effects through the operation of syllogism, and the body of formal logic in general, on the output of empirical observation. If analogical thought depends on associative inspiration, then syllogistic thought depends on linear rigor. Analogical thought is most native to magicians, and syllogistic thought to scientists. Consider another conceptual artist, Ai Weiwei. He too has a show up right now which I have not seen. No need. It's called Laundromat, at Deitch Projects right here in New York. The concept for this show was that Ai went to an evacuated refugee camp in Greece. He collected clothing that had been left behind, took it back to his studio in Berlin, and thoroughly washed it. Now it is displayed at Deitch in a manner reminiscent of a laundromat. installation view, Ai Weiwei, Laundromat, Deitch Projects, New York In my experience of Ai's work, this is entirely consistent with his syllogistic outlook. He begins not with an abstract idea, but with a specific concern about a phenomenon in the real world - in this case the refugee crisis. As an artist, he seeks to create an object addressing and expressing his concern, but as a political provocateur aspiring toward virtue, he wishes the object to carry moral weight. Working syllogistically, he soon comes to the heaps of abandoned clothes, not only a real artifact set but a long-time symbol of those who have vanished (see the Holocaust Museum in DC). Continuing to work syllogistically, he turns to his own interaction with these objects. To express his reverence for these missing crowds, his self-abasement in the face of their tremendous suffering, he draws on the strategy of Mary Magdalene, perhaps as filtered through Mother Theresa - the humble act of washing. He washes the clothes, taking away everything that stank, that stained, that stole away color and comfort. His washing yields things that are soft, and warm, and prettily colored, retrieving beauty even from the grey depths. Advertisement To say that Ai thinks like a scientist, that his images arise logically from their antecedent themes, is not to say that they are without resonance, without suggestion - without the basic magic of art itself. It is only to say that you can see every step as he walks all the way from here to there. His inspiration takes the form of identifying the essential about things in themselves. This mode of work, so deeply rooted in reality, is necessary, because reality is so hard to see. Ai's art is an art of returning obscured reality, in all its brutal woe, to the viewer. Fabre's mode of work, just as necessary, addresses a different phase of the needs of the human soul. His flights of fancy, his freewheeling linkage of images, his synthesis of imaginary philosophies, serves to remind us that the world need not be only as it is. It may still become something new, something alien, something which will terrify and surprise and delight us. installation view, Jan Fabre, Knight of Despair/Warrior of Beauty, State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg Advertisement This answers, I hope, that question I asked on your behalf before: if there is no real magic, what good does Fabre do me? How does his fantasy world affect my real one? This is the answer: his work acts to liberate you. Every named thing seeks to shrink toward the center of its territory. If we name ourselves realists, then we will retreat to the center of reality, to the very real, the tediously real. We will burden ourselves with more limits than reality itself imposes. By sending postcards from the land of the impossible, Fabre reminds us of the broad limits of the possible, and shakes the scales from our eyes which hide from us the strangeness of the true. To be continued. -- Shows: Jan Fabre: Knight of Despair/Warrior of Beauty, State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, until 4/30/2017 GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - OCTOBER 23: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) Razor wire tops the fence of the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, also known as 'Gitmo' on October 23, 2016 at the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The U.S. military's Joint Task Force Guantanamo is still holding 60 detainees at the prison, down from a previous total of 780. In 2008 President Obama issued an executive order to close the prison, which has failed because of political opposition in the U.S. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) It's no secret that the Guantanamo Bay detention center is a huge government money-suck. It costs more than $7.5 million to house each of the 59 detainees remaining there every year -- and that's not counting the enormous expense of running a whole separate court system on the base. As President Obama put it in a speech at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida on Tuesday, "we're wasting hundreds of millions of dollars to keep fewer than 60 people in a detention facility in Cuba. That's not strength." The Guantanamo military commissions alone were estimated to have cost some $700 million by December 2014. And so far they've completed only eight cases, three of which have been completely overturned, and another partially overturned, due to fundamental legal problems. Advertisement Of course, the case against the five alleged masterminds of the September 11 attacks is still ongoing. It's been in pretrial hearings for nearly five years. And at each hearing, observers get a glimpse into how much more money is wasted by the government and its multiple teams of lawyers, not only because they all have to be flown back and forth from Andrews Air Force Base to Cuba, along with their support staff, translators and observers, but also because of all the confusing rules the court has created. Even the judge, it turns out, isn't sure what they all mean. On Tuesday morning, for example, we heard lawyers argue over how a judge's order, issued four years ago, applies to the lawyers' ability to use expert consultants to defend their clients. The issue arose because Walter Ruiz, a Navy Reserve officer who's the lead attorney for Mustafa al Hawsawi, had wanted to show his client's medical records to an expert that the government had refused to pay for. Still wanting to help out, the medical expert had agreed to review the documents at no cost. But Ruiz said the judge's "protective order" -- designed to protect against the unauthorized dissemination of evidence -- unfairly prevented him from sharing evidence with any expert that wasn't being paid by the government. The result, Ruiz said on Monday, was that Hawsawi was denied the opportunity to have an independent expert assess his medical status. Instead, he could rely only on the opinion of the Guantanamo prison doctor assigned to the high-security camp but who was not an expert in Hawsawi's particular ailments. (Hawsawi is recovering from rectal surgery to remove painful hemorrhoids, a problem he's had ever since he was subjected to medically unnecessary "rectal feeding" and "rectal rehydration" in a secret CIA prison.) That left Ruiz -- who repeatedly reminded the court his client had been forcibly "sodomized" in a U.S. prison -- dependent on the government witness for his expert testimony. That witness had refused to speak to Ruiz before the hearing, however, citing an unspecified "fear" for himself and his family. Advertisement On Tuesday, all five lead defense lawyers addressed the judge about the challenges of the protective order. There were at least three different interpretations of the order among them. Khalid Sheikh Mohammmed's attorney David Nevin said he read the order to allow a pro bono (volunteer) expert to look at evidence, but not to retain it. A medical expert could therefore review a medical record, for example, but he couldn't receive or keep a copy. That interpretation presented the lawyers with a whole other set of logistical problems -- and expenses. If the lawyer is located in Idaho, say, as Nevin is, and his expert is in Florida, he'd have to fly to Florida, medical records in hand, to personally show them to the expert. He couldn't send or e-mail or fax him a copy. He'd then have to fly back home, with the documents. Needless to say, that's not only extremely inconvenient, but very costly. Prosecutor Clayton Trivett acknowledged the challenge, but defended the order in court as necessary to ensuring that sensitive evidence doesn't get into the wrong hands. "I get it's harder," he told the court, "but when they raised their hand to do their job they knew the case would be down in Guantanamo." Meanwhile, Judge Pohl couldn't quite remember why he'd crafted the order the way he did, since he'd issued it, at the government's request, four years ago. "I'm sure there was a very good reason I wrote it that way," he guessed on Tuesday morning. Advertisement This complication may seem relatively minor, but it's just one of many reasons why -- as President Obama himself noted on Tuesday -- complex terrorism cases are normally brought in civilian federal courts on U.S. soil. It's why this one should be there, too. As anyone who regularly observes them knows, the military commissions have no clear rules, and absolutely no precedent for how to conduct a trial, let alone a trial of the five most notorious alleged terrorists in U.S. history. This trial is particularly complex because these defendants were subjected to torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in secret CIA prisons -- what the CIA euphemistically called "enhanced interrogation techniques." The defendants are still suffering from that experience, and call attention to it whenever they can. That's because the government is seeking their execution. Due to the extreme nature of the punishment in a death penalty case, the defendants can put forward "mitigating evidence" that includes their treatment in custody to persuade a judge or jury to sentence them to life in prison rather than death. In federal courts, there are clear rules for handling all of these challenges. Classified evidence and expert consultants and witnesses are par for the course in most terrorism cases. The federal courts have successfully completed more than 550 of them since the September 11 terrorist attacks. If this one had been brought in a civilian federal court, it surely would have been over long ago. Instead, we're left watching what often feels like a slow train wreck. On Tuesday morning, the attorneys spent hours discussing with the judge which team of specially-assigned federal prosecutors would address arguments over the impact of the federal government's investigation of defense team members, which was discovered more than two years ago and still hasn't been resolved. To this day, it's not clear what the government was investigating or why. And now, a newly-assigned set of government lawyers, who aren't allowed to communicate with the regular prosecutors, claims that some defense team members had unauthorized access to sensitive evidence in a government computer system. "A glitch" in the system allowed them to review that information, said one of the new prosecutors, who demanded the defense attorneys "remediate" the problem by returning all unauthorized information they obtained. But if the information was available to them on a government computer, how would they know it was unauthorized? The defense lawyers asked. They insisted they need more time to investigate. The judge gave them till January. And so it goes. More than fifteen years after the September 11 attacks, the military commissions are still limping along in year five of pretrial hearings, spending countless taxpayer dollars to argue over who can see what evidence, and according to what timeline; which documents guards can or cannot remove from detainees' cells; and other basic rules of pre-trial procedure and prison camp life for death penalty defendants. The lawyers and the judge all seem to be trying to do a fair job. But because it's so hard to figure out how things work at Gitmo and in the military commissions, everything moves at a snail's pace. We've seen no apparent progress. On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The intent of the law was to provide health insurance to all Americans while, at the same time, lower the health care costs for the people and the United States government. Although it seems counterintuitive, President Obama promised that the plan would lower the cost of health insurance premiums while at the same time, reduce government spending. It is hard to see how this promise could have been sincere, especially since the plan would have added over 30 million patients into the mix. I think most would agree that health care in our country is expensive. In 2009, the United States spent 17.3 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), about $2.5 trillion on health care. This was the most spent for health care by any country in the world. We also spend more than any other country on defense. I think both of these things are good. We should be spending on health care and defense to maintain our way of life which I believe is the best. Proponents of Health Care change make claims that despite spending more on health care than other countries, the United States lags behind in critical health care measures such as life-expectancy and infant mortality. However, a critical look at these measures shows that the United States is really not so bad. Advertisement While it is true that life-expectancy in the United States is less than about 30 other countries, it is likely related to the high homicide rate in America along with the high death rate from auto accidents, both of which are much higher than those found in other Western countries. If we factor out homicides and auto accident fatalities, then the United States has the longest life-expectancy. Homicides and auto related deaths, while concerning, should not count on our quality of health care analysis. (Glen Whitman, "Who's Fooling Who? The World Health Organization's Problematic Ranking of Health Care Systems," CATO Institute, February 28, 2008) Infant mortality is defined differently depending on the country. Since the definitions differ, it is not surprising that the mortality rates differ. In America, a birth is counted as live if there is any sign of life, regardless of the birth weight or gestational age. This follows the World Health Organization (WHO) definition which defines a live birth as one where the infant, removed from the mother, "breathes or shows any other evidence of life such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles." (Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Live Birth Definition) In Switzerland, the baby must be at least 30 centimeters long at birth to be counted as a live birth (David Hogberg, Ph.D., "Don't Fall Prey to Propaganda: Life Expectancy and Infant Mortality are Unreliable Measures for Comparing the U.S. Health Care System to Others," National Policy Analysis, July 2006). Even if it's breathing and the heart is beating, a subsequent death will not be counted as an infant mortality in that country if the baby is shorter than 30 centimeters. In France, there must be a medical certificate stating that the baby was born alive and viable. Without that certificate, a subsequent death will not count as an infant mortality. Also, in France and Belgium, babies born before twenty-six weeks are counted as deaths even if they fit the WHO criteria for live birth. (Bernadine Healy, "Behind the Baby Count." US News and World Report, September 24, 2006) It's obvious that using infant mortality rates as a measure of quality health care is a disingenuous argument for those claiming our health care system is not so good. Advertisement I believe that the cost of our health care is reasonable for what we get. It is the best health care in the world. Many of our treatments lead the way for both cure and palliation. Cancer treatments, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) care, and cardiac and vascular surgery advances are the best in the world. When Russian President Boris Yeltsin needed heart surgery, they sent for Dr. DeBakey's team from Baylor in Houston. It is not unusual for other world leaders to send their families or themselves to our country for their own care. When I was a resident at the University of Chicago, it was not unusual for world leaders to take over a hospital floor while they were cared for at that facility. I was even reprimanded by the United States Secret Service when I mistakenly entered the area during one of my rounds. Former Vice-President Cheney had a left ventricular assist device keeping him alive for quite a while until he was able to get a match for a heart transplant. He spoke to one of our surgical societies where he described his course. He was doing great and I could not see any detrimental effects of his prolonged illness. This type of care is available to all in the United States! As a Cardiothoracic surgeon, I am frequently exposed to dangerous blood borne infections such as Hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). I was most fearful of Hepatitis C for which, until recently, there was no good treatment and the resulting death was from fulminant liver failure--not a pleasant way to go. Now, there is a new drug, Sovaldi (sofosbuvir), to treat Hepatitis C and it is curative. It costs $80 thousand for a course of therapy but the illness would otherwise lead to death or to a liver transplant and further immunosuppressive drug therapy the costs of which would exceed the pills. It makes sense to use this new class of drugs but there is an on-going debate that the drug manufacturers are gouging the public. It is a breakthrough therapy where the developers are being chastised instead of honored. What a shame. Advertisement The high cost of drugs reminds me of when I was a young resident and surgeon. Tissue plasminogen activators (tPA) and other clot busters were being introduced as a way to treat patients with myocardial infarctions. The drug was expensive; over $2 thousand to save a heart attack victim. This was deemed exorbitant in the 1980's. Now it is the standard of care and no one is complaining about the costs. Drug companies spend millions of dollars on research and development of new therapies and they take a huge financial loss for the drugs that do not pan out. However, when they do have a success like with Hepatitis C, then I don't have a problem with them charging high rates. This sends the right message to those involved in research and development that what they are doing will be rewarded if they are successful. We want the researchers to be advancing the science of medicine and this is the way to do it. New endovascular techniques are allowing high risk patients to undergo complex aortic repairs and even aortic valve replacements. These patients would not have tolerated the difficult open procedures that would have been required in the past. With new aortic valves and aortas, many of these otherwise healthy individuals may live for another 10 or 20 years and the lives will be meaningful. Who wouldn't want that? Mary Lasker was a health activist and philanthropist who raised funds for medical research. She helped found the Lasker Foundation. She has been quoted as saying, "if you think research is expensive, try disease." Sure it's expensive, but life and health are among the most precious things we have. Who wouldn't spend what is necessary to save a loved one or themselves? A Lasker Award is often a harbinger of the Nobel Prize in Medicine as, at least 86 Lasker Award winners have gone on to win the Nobel. My grandparents used to tell us to get the best doctors if we were sick and the best lawyers if we were confronted with legal problems. You're looking for the best return on your investment and there is nothing more important than your life and health. It is said that there are problems that money can solve and then there are real problems. Perhaps we are spending more on health care because we are getting the best health care. I am OK with that and I think that most Americans would agree with me. Advertisement There will no doubt be many reflective essays written on the Obama presidency in the months and years to come; and in time, as more information becomes available, some of our initial judgments on the quality of that presidency will need to be reset. But there is great value in setting down contemporary reactions made in the absence of that data -- if only to leave us better able later to judge what we missed by knowing now only what we have seen with our own eyes. My own first sense is that -- from all that we have seen over the last eight years, and particularly now that we know what is to follow -- we are going to miss this president, and miss him badly. We are going to miss him for the values he so eloquently and regularly espoused. We are going to miss him for the intellect and the compassion he brought to the office; and we are going to miss him too for the quality of the immediate family that sustained him and that became so outstanding a role model for American families everywhere. I do not recall a single moment during his presidency when this man embarrassed me, or when I felt any need to apologize for him either to my fellow-Americans or to my many friends and family members overseas; and in that sense, having Barack Obama as my President was not like having George W. Bush at all. Nor was it like having Donald Trump as president -- something truly awful, dangerous externally and divisive at home. The Obama years were instead ones in which a genuinely progressive man -- and a black man at that -- graced the office of president. We may not see such grace in that form again for many years to come. Advertisement But my other sense is that we will also look back on his presidency with a deepening sense of frustration. It is hard to capture now the sheer excitement that his supporters felt on the night he defeated John McCain in 2008, or even the renewed sense of hope that came with his unexpected defeat of Mitt Romney in 2012. The first of those periods opened an era of Democratic Party control of both the Congress and the White House. The second of them left the Democratic Party in control still of the White House and the Senate. Yet by that second election, much of the glitter had come off the Obama project and much of the hope that he could be a transformative president, as well as a gracious one, had already been lost. If we are to learn the necessary lessons from this presidency -- the better to sustain more effective progressive politics in the future -- we do need a clear sense of exactly how and why that initial glitter faded. We would have needed that sense even if Hillary Clinton had won the presidency in 2016. The fact that Donald Trump is to be Barack Obama's successor in the White House makes such a lesson-drawing all the more vital. I Given that as our purpose, it is worth remembering that there were just two years out of the eight when the Obama presidency and the Democratic-controlled Congress worked in lockstep; and that those were years dominated at home by the huge and negative impact on the economy of the 2008 financial crisis -- on employment and on house ownership in particular -- and abroad by the winding down of the Iraq War and the promise of the Arab Spring. During those first two years, the Obama administration's policies at home and abroad did indeed seem a breath of fresh air -- at least to progressives -- when set against the domestic and foreign policy stances of the Bush administration with which progressives had been so dissatisfied. To progressives at home and to many observers abroad, the incoming administration seemed to offer the possibility of a new, and a better, American beginning -- the opening of a route to a twenty-first century equivalent of FDR's New Deal. Advertisement But, of course, it did not work out that way. Abroad, the Arab Spring slipped into the Libyan collapse, the return to military rule in Egypt and the horror of the Syrian civil war. Abroad too, withdrawal from Iraq brought no stability to the country that George W. Bush claimed to have liberated in 2003; an escalated U.S. military presence in Afghanistan failed to dislodge the Taliban as an ongoing threat to the Kabul government; and the problem of Al Qaida morphed with remarkable speed into the uncontrollable hydra that is now ISIS. And at home, after a broadly successful long and bruising political battle, administration initiatives on Wall Street reform and on the Affordable Care Act were followed in very quick order by the Republican recapture of the House of Representatives and a turn to the politics of gridlock. From 2010 (when Republicans took the House) and 2014 (when they also took the Senate) any further progressive moves at home became increasingly difficult for the Obama administration to deliver. Mix in a Supreme court willing to strike down part of the ACA and to allow corporations unfettered access to political lobbying, and the Obama administration found itself increasingly isolated and impotent. It found itself blocked on the core of its progressive agenda by Congressional intransigence; and it found any extensive use of executive privilege for progressive purposes blocked by a conservative Supreme Court. Blocked in this way, the priorities of the president and his administration then shifted. They shifted away from domestic policy to foreign affairs, where presidential autonomy is traditionally greater; and at home the administration became overwhelmingly concerned with protecting as much as it could of the legislative achievements of Obama's first two years in office. And as his second term lengthened, Barack Obama increasingly turned his eyes forward: exploiting executive orders when the courts allowed him to, but otherwise using the publicity surrounding his office to regularly make the case for progressive change -- an advocacy role which implicitly conceded just how much of his own agenda remained to be achieved, and just how much on his watch the progressive cause has been effectively stalled. From gun control to immigration reform, and from Supreme Court nominees to the minimum wage, the Obama administration found itself during the President's second term increasingly unable to deliver its legislative agenda. And if you doubt that, think only of some of what the President himself laid out as that agenda in his 2013 State of the Union Address, delivered before the entire Washington political class (and via television, the entire nation) - an agenda that the Washington political class then consistently failed to deliver. Advertisement Not everything, of course, was negative. As the second Obama term came to a close, real living standards did begin at last to rise again for the bulk of the American middle class, and the deepest recession in U.S. post-World War II history (the one that had cost more than seven million U.S. jobs between 2008 and 2010) had been replaced by more than 73 months of steady if modest job growth (some 12 million new jobs in total). But the deeper structural problems of the U.S. economy remained largely intact: not least the outsourcing of well-paid employment to cheaper labor markets abroad and the associated growth in the U.S. trade deficit, especially with China; the steady failure to invest sufficiently in existing infrastructure and in the new technologies of the digital age; the persistent gap in wealth and income between the privileged few and the numerous poor, with that gap overlaid by visible maps of ethnicity and race; and the continued spending of huge treasure on foreign wars and military deployments in a context of limited welfare and education budgets that nowhere nearly matched the scale of the US's deficits on educational performance and urban renewal. Likewise abroad, and for all the success in negotiating a nuclear-arms deal with Iran and a climate change accord in Paris (neither of which is likely to survive a Trump presidency), the Obama administration left its successors much the same legacy it was left by the administration of George W. Bush: an unresolved Palestinian question, an immersion in what now seems to be a state of permanent war in the Middle East, and (actually an extended) covert military machine deploying drone warfare in an expanded number of countries and covert operations in territory formally controlled by more than half of the globe's sovereign nations. The president had gone to Cairo five months into his presidency seeking, as he put it, "a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam...share common principles -- of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings." But that widely admired speech turned out to be simply another of those early statements of intent that failed later to gather policy traction. Indeed, on foreign policy more than domestic policy, the Obama desire for that new beginning is even further from attainment in 2016 than it had been in 2009. II Little wonder then that conservative commentators like Charles Krauthammer, long critical of the Obama administration, could celebrate what they see as "the stillborn legacy of Barack Obama" as they document an unraveling Affordable Care Act at home and a deepening (and in human terms, truly appalling) civil war in Syria. But that celebration is as inappropriate as it is partisan. It is far better simply to reset the Krauthammer critique in this way: namely to recognize that it is this critical gap between the quality of the man and the paucity of the record that needs to be understood and addressed if a similar gap is not to reappear in progressive administrations to come. It is for that reason, rather than for reasons of partisan celebration, that the causes of that gap - during the Obama years - will be the central concern of the series of linked postings that will now follow. Advertisement First posted, with full academic citations, at www.davidcoates.net As eight years of zigzagging but ultimately valiant efforts by the Obama administration to protect students and taxpayers from predatory for-profit colleges comes to a close, new documents, released to us under the Freedom of Information Act, shed light on a key chapter in that saga: The 2015 demise of one of the most abusive companies in the industry, Corinthian Colleges. Capitalizing on the lax regulatory environment created in the George W. Bush years, Corinthian, which operated schools branded Everest, Heald, and Wyotech, used deceptive advertising and recruiting pitches, enrolled students who would not benefit from their programs, charged sky-high prices, sold expensive private student loans, and misled government overseers, as it took as much as $1.76 billion annually in taxpayer-funded federal student aid. As a result, the company ruined the financial futures of countless students. Aided by ace lawyers Toby Merrill and Eileen Connor from Harvard Law School's Project on Predatory Student Lending, Republic Report in September 2015 filed a FOIA request with the U.S. Department of Education seeking, among other things, communications between the Department and Corinthian as the company started to collapse under the weight of government, media, and public scrutiny of its predatory practices. Last month we finally received from the Department a first tranche of records. Advertisement One document that stands out initially is a list of Corinthian vendor payments over a two-week period in July 2014, after the Department of Education increased financial oversight of the company. It suggests how much of Corinthian's revenue was going to advertising and marketing: Google $1.6 million; BET $646,000 and MTV Networks $81,000; controversial lead generator Quinstreet $485,000; more lead generators including Education Dynamics $266,000, CollegeBound Networks $175,000, ClassesUSA $283,000, StudentScout $175,000, and AcademixDirect $154,000; Yahoo Search $171,000; Los Angeles CW TV outlet KTLA $116,000, and loads of other payments to broadcast stations; Jobs Weekly $265; and many, many more. A Corinthian vendor of particular note, down for $91,000 over two weeks, is bait-and-switch marketer Neutron Interactive, which has used websites advertising alleged job listings to entice people to divulge their phone numbers, numbers that Neutron then sold to boiler room operations, such as Edu Trek / EdSoup (another Corinthian vendor, $14,000), that relentlessly hounded these job seekers, pressing them to enroll in for-profit colleges. The target audience for all this Corinthian marketing and advertising, internal company documents show, was low-income people, especially single mothers of color, often with low self-esteem and desperate for a better future. All these marketing payments covered just two weeks, out of total Corinthian two-week spending of $28,782,924. Almost all of it was your tax money; a July 2014 Corinthian cash flow analysis, also provided under our FOIA request, shows that around 95% of Corinthian's revenue was from federal student benefits, including Education, Pentagon, and VA aid. Advertisement So if you want to understand how a company getting $1.76 billion a year in taxpayer dollars could decide it had to wind down almost as soon as the Department of Education put restrictions on the flow of federal dollars, and then declare bankruptcy, claiming its debts far outstripped its assets, less than a year later, start here: The company needed to spend massively on marketing to recruit enough new students to its poor-value programs. (Of course, in the end, many of the vendors listed in the Corinthian document are now seeking payment in the bankruptcy proceeding.) Oh, and Corinthian also spent on executive salaries, used to buy things like possibly the finest home in the Intermountain West, with a Children's Art Barn. Corinthian is now out of business, sort of -- many of its old campuses are now operated, in questionable fashion, by the debt collection company ECMC. Another predatory giant, ITT Tech, shut down and declared bankruptcy in September. But many other companies using comparable business models -- low spending on student instruction, and big spending on marketing and recruiting, aimed at low-income Americans -- carry on, getting most of their revenue from taxpayers through federal student grants and loans. These companies include EDMC, Bridgepoint, Kaplan, and the University of Phoenix, all of which have faced multiple law enforcement probes and lawsuits in recent years. It would be good if we could get a look at their weekly spending, as well. Senate Armed Services Committee chairman John McCain (R-AZ) held a hearing last week for the express purpose of attacking the Defense Department's 2015 decision to temporarily ban the for-profit University of Phoenix from recruiting U.S. military service members. Even though the Pentagon's action was based on significant evidence that the University of Phoenix had engaged in serious recruiting violations on military bases, McCain indignantly slammed the Obama administration and the Defense Department for penalizing his home state company -- a company that, by the way, has provided McCain with campaign contributions and other support over the years. With three Pentagon officials pinned into chairs as witnesses, McCain opened the hearing by thundering from the dais that "this hearing is about how the Department of Defense, consistent with the Obama administration's ideological hostility to for-profit universities, under pressure from at least one member of Congress, and having performed very little due diligence of its own, placed on probation a reputable and fully accredited for-profit university." McCain called the Pentagon's action "a gross abuse of power" that "resulted from a process that was fundamentally unfair." McCain later added that such a "grave injustice" had "done horrific and unacceptable damage" to the University of Phoenix, which is owned by the publicly-traded Apollo Education Group. He blamed Apollo's falling stock price on the Pentagon decision, even though the stock has been in decline for five years. McCain also blamed the Obama administration for the shut down of predatory, self-destructive for-profit ITT Tech. He concluded, "This kind of abuse of power I hope in the new administration will be totally unacceptable." Advertisement McCain's use of his committee platform to crusade for the University of Phoenix and other for-profit colleges was not surprising, because he has repeatedly gone to bat for the company and the industry, and also because of the post-election Trump triumphalism that has infected even those GOP lawmakers, such as McCain, who exchanged barbs with, and distanced themselves from, Donald Trump during the campaign. Now that the president of Trump University is on the verge of becoming president of the United States, Republicans on Capitol Hill, many of them pilloried during the campaign for taking campaign cash from predatory colleges, appear ready to fall in love with these wealthy bad actors all over again. The company on whose behalf McCain bullied his Pentagon witnesses is hardly a model citizen. Apollo in recent years has been under investigation, for fraud and deceptive business practices, by a range of agencies: the Department of Education, Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Securities and Exchange Commission, and the attorneys general of California, Delaware, Florida, and Massachusetts. The professional law enforcement officers advancing these probes have an "ideological hostility" only to lawbreaking. Apollo's record of performance is just as disturbing. Department of Education data has shown that the University of Phoenix's graduation rate for first-time, full-time students is about 16 percent, and that graduation rate for the school's online programs is about 4 percent. A 2012 comprehensive investigative report on for-profit colleges by then-Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) found that the University of Phoenix spent $892 per student on instruction in 2009, compared to $2,225 per student on marketing, and $2,535 per student on profit. "This," the report found "is one of the lowest amounts spent on instruction per student of any company analyzed." Around 25 percent of University of Phoenix students default on their loans within three years of leaving school. Advertisement Paul Rieckhoff, founder and CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said in October 2015 that the University of Phoenix has been the "worst by far" for-profit college in terms of taking advantage of the veterans who are members of his organization. A letter sent that same month to Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter by more than 30 veterans, civil rights, and consumer organizations supported the Pentagon's suspension of Phoenix and cited, as support, the complaints of hundreds of service members and veterans "who experienced deceptive recruiting" by the school. Phoenix's owner Apollo received $1.99 billion in Department of Education student loans and grants last year, an enormous amount but actually down, in part due to troubling revelations of abuses, from a staggering $3.7 billion just a few years ago. In recent years, the company also has been the top recipient of GI Bill student aid from the VA, getting as much as $272 million in a single year, and as much as $27 million a year in Pentagon tuition assistance for U.S. troops. McCain has sought to protect those revenue streams, at a time when law enforcement has been focused on over-aggressive recruiting by for-profits, by pushing for ill-advised legislation to allow colleges to pay sales commissions to their recruiters. Phoenix ran into trouble after the Obama Administration got serious about protecting U.S. troops and veterans from deceptive and abusive for-profit colleges practices, practices that led to high-dropout rates, overwhelming debt, and ruined financial futures. In a powerful speech at Fort Stewart, Georgia, in 2012, President Obama highlighted these abuses, such as the recruitment by for-profit Ashford University of a Marine with a brain injury. Obama called the conduct of some for-profits "appalling" and "disgraceful," and he signed an executive order requiring greater accountability for schools enrolling service members and veterans. The Pentagon suspension of Apollo was triggered by a 2015 investigative report in Reveal that exposed that the University of Phoenix paid the U.S. military for exclusive access to bases through sponsoring concerts and other events, sidestepping the Obama executive order. The school also held "resume workshops" that seemed to be recruiting sessions, and it handed out "challenge coins" that included Phoenix logos on one side and, without the required permission, military branch insignias on the other side. Advertisement On October 7, 2015, a Pentagon official, Dawn Bilodeau, sent a letter to the University of Phoenix placing the school in probationary status while it considered whether to terminate its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the school. Bilodeau cited the Reveal report, which was backed up by undercover footage and internal Phoenix documents, and wrote that a Department review "revealed several violations" of the MOU including "transgression of Defense Department policies regarding use of its official seals or other trademark insignia and failure to go through the responsible education advisor for each business related activity requiring access to the DoD installations" at Fort Worth, TX, Fort Bragg, NC, Fort Carson, CO, Fort Hood, TX, and Fort Campbell, KY. Bilodeau wrote that the school had "responded to these infractions with appropriate corrective action at this time," but she concluded, "the frequency and scope of these previous violations of the DoD MOU is disconcerting." She also noted that the company was being investigated for deceptive practices by both the FTC and California's Attorney General. But in January 2016, following an aggressive public push to lift this ban by McCain, along with Senate education and labor committee chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) -- a push McCain bragged about at last week's hearing -- the Pentagon on January 15 reversed course, ending the probation, and simply put the school on "heightened compliance review" for a year. The Pentagon, in a brief statement explaining its reversal, cited "the active engagement and cooperation by representatives of the University of Phoenix, and other relevant materials." But for John McCain, despite the documented abuses and failings at the University of Phoenix, a three-month Pentagon suspension of his favorite college was unforgivable. Slightly more surprising than McCain's predictable public tantrum was the testimony at the Armed Services hearing of Under Secretary of Defense Peter Levine, a former Democratic staff director of the committee whom McCain introduced as "an old friend." At points Levine sought to justify administration policies aimed at channeling troops and Pentagon dollars into quality education programs, rather than predatory ones. But at other times, Levine threw the Obama administration and Pentagon policies under the bus, along with, it seemed, Bilodeau, who was seated beside him and another Pentagon official, Stephanie Barna. Advertisement Levine, who took pains to stress that he was not in charge of the relevant office when DoD suspended Phoenix, contended that the company did indeed violate recruiting rules, and a written statement submitted by all three Pentagon officials recounted numerous complaints against Phoenix in the year leading up to the Reveal article -- the most against any school participating in the Pentagon tuition assistance program -- and noted Phoenix's failure to admit any mistakes. But Levine told McCain that he thought the Pentagon's process was "crappy," because it failed to expressly warn the company in advance that it was considering suspension. And, he said, the Pentagon has now fixed its process so such a decision would never again be made be made by a lowly GS-15 level employee such as Bilodeau, but rather would be reviewed by a higher-up. McCain himself notably sneered the phrase "GS-15," sending bouquets of disrespect to hard-working but lower status federal employees who might not have been fortunate to have been born an admiral's or senator's son. Levine also offered McCain the striking opinion that the administration's interagency task force on for-profit colleges -- created after the collapse of the awful Corinthian Colleges chain and amid mounting law enforcement probes of for-profit college abuses -- should not "be targeting for-profits." And Levine said the Pentagon took no position on reforming the federal 90/10 rule -- which today allows for-profit colleges to get more than 90 percent of their revenue from federal dollars if they aggressively target veterans and service members -- even though the White House and Department of Education actively support such a reform. McCain was left unsatisfied by Levine's mixed support for protecting troops from predatory colleges. He wanted more protections eliminated. He said he hoped that Trump might weaken Obama's executive order. Advertisement Following McCain's lead, other Republican Senators on the committee pressed the Pentagon witnesses for proof they were harassing non-profit schools as much a for-profits. The staffers noted that DoD had punished not just Phoenix but also for-profit Heald College, which was owned by the now-shuttered Corinthian, another company McCain has defended, and in addition Globe University and the Minnesota School of Business. The staffers weren't sure if those schools are for-profit and promised to find out. In fact, they are for-profit, they have the same owner, and they both were cut off from federal aid by the Department of Education this week because of their blatant misconduct. I hope the GOP Senators aren't disappointed: Treating all schools equally should mean punishing bad behavior regardless of the type of school, rather than having punishment quotas for each higher ed sector. But some of the GOP senators were all too happy to echo their chairman McCain, seeing no problem with the conduct of the University of Phoenix and a mess of problems with the conduct of Pentagon officials charged with protecting troops for predatory abuses. "This heavy-handed sort of interaction with these universities, as the University of Phoenix is just one example," offered Senator Tom Tillis (R-NC), "has actually taken us further away from providing more resources for students to get those certificates and to get those diplomas." Thankfully, most Senate Democrats are now strong defenders of students and taxpayers on this issue, and one of the leaders in that effort spoke up at the Armed Services Committee hearing. "We have a responsibility I think," said Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), "to ensure that servicemen and women are not targeted and not recruited as a result of abuses and other kinds of practices that exploit them." While McCain derided the Reveal report that led to the DoD probe, one of the strongest Senate advocates for students, Dick Durbin (D-IL), who is Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, offered a written statement to McCain's committee recounting the serious allegations in the article and praising the Pentagon for taking action. Advertisement For-profit college companies like Apollo are apparently looking to Trump to reverse efforts by Obama to hold colleges accountable for waste, fraud, and abuse -- because their schools are the ones that keep running afoul of the rules. But despite his own troubling interlude running the unaccredited Trump University (which did not take taxpayer money), a President Trump who is truly committed to fighting against waste, fraud, and abuse with taxpayer dollars would continue the efforts to hold predatory for-profit colleges accountable for misleading, overcharging, and under-educating students. Through the early 1990's, Republicans favored such protections, before a toxic mix of campaign contributions, revolving door lobbying, and anti-Obama fervor made the for-profit college industry the GOP's best rich boyfriend. Even if Trump abandons the valuable work of the Obama administration to protect our troops, veterans, and other students from predatory colleges, the truth about these institutions will still matter, will still be exposed by investigative reporters, will still infuse the numerous investigations of for-profit colleges by law enforcement agencies, and still reach students, investors, and voters. And paid apologists like Senator McCain, who stand up for predatory companies over our hard-working troops and veterans, will have to keep facing these truths. UPDATE 12-18-16: On Friday, December 16, McCain continued his public tantrum on behalf of his home state donor the University of Phoenix by issuing a 33-page report, with lengthy attachments, on the Pentagon's actions. The report, predictably, blames DoD and regular McCain target Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), rather than the predatory practices of the University of Phoenix, for the dispute. McCain's report calls for disbandment "immediately" of the federal government's interagency task force to address predatory for-profit colleges, a body created in the wake of the collapse of the awful for-profit Corinthian Colleges. The task force, chaired by the Department of Education and including the Federal Trade Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Departments of Justice, Labor, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, has helped to improve government efforts to protect veterans and other students -- to share information and coordinate efforts. McCain demands that this task force disappear, because he feels it is "unaccountable" and is "targeted" at for-profits. Advertisement Fascinatingly, in the report McCain throws Corinthian under the bus: "While there have certainly been some bad actors in the industry, like Corinthian Colleges, Inc., which was found to have 'engaged in deceptive practices', the Administration's assault on the industry has been unprecedented...." But barely a year ago, in an October 2015 floor speech, McCain defended Corinthian, which by then had collapsed, even though some for-profit college executives had stopped trying to do. In those 2015 remarks, McCain repeated a Wall Street Journal claim that the U.S. Department of Education, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and California attorney general Kamala Harris "mounted a coordinated campaign that drove for-profit Corinthian College out of business." McCain claimed these agencies acted "without any proof of misconduct." It seems likely that McCain's staff needs more institutional memory. Outline of a crowd of angry people, Who knew when we entered the modern day South Africa last week that there would be such a roar? As my team and I sat just 50 feet from a female lion positioned behind a tree near the watering hole lying in wait for the herd of Zebra who were looking for a drink, we looked on silently in uncomfortable amazement at the Royal Madikwe safari hoping we weren't going to be suddenly attacked ourselves. Amid the warthogs, springboks, elephants, giraffe, and scores of other species was heard a more passionate roar in the country. These were not the sounds of animals, but the resounding cries, chants, dances and protests of college students. Protests that had been rocking the country from campus to campus. From Johannesburg to Cape Town to Durban. From the Western Cape to East London were heard the sustained sounds of students protesting against educational and economic injustice with the refrain "Fees must fall"! On social media the sound has resounded globally with the hashtag #feesmustfall. But the roar we heard resounded with greater reverberation that went beyond college fees. The crowds that were sounding off were impassioned cries for economic justice. Black South Africans were promised over 20 years ago a righteous and affordable education as a part of the political negotiations to cease apartheid in the early 1990s. Yet students are still unable to pay school fees and they refuse to allow another educational increase to take hold while business, commercial, and mining industries soar. They refuse to have another promise delayed and hope deferred for another generation. Students refuse to accept the rising of ridiculous government spending and obvious corruption as the costs for college education increase. Advertisement The roar of the lion cannot compare to the roar of protests that start off spirited but end up violent as students face off with police who are positioned like that lioness by the watering hole. Students want an education and desire to drink from the watering hole of knowledge that will give them a glimmer of hope for a future career. So what is the way forward for South Africa? In my opinion, the magical and mysterious answers come from convening and listening. I had the privilege of speaking to hundreds of students at the invitation of Jubilee Community Church in Cape Town where student leaders wrestled with the topic of Gracism, my written solution to racism. We learned that when gracist dialogues emerge at an uncommon table with what I call the 6-Ps: protestors, police, private sector business people, public educators, politicians, and pastors, magic happens. The next step for South Africa, in my humble opinion, is to get their 6-P stakeholders in a room with a skilled and experienced facilitator to listen. Small ideas will emerge that can make a big difference. It all begins with listening and effectively pulling the extremists from the edges of silence or violence. By sitting down at the gracist table of engagement where, indeed, comprehension begins with conversation, all parties begin humanizing the other, realizing that none of them are animals, but that they all are brothers and sisters. Kathryn is exactly the kind of manager that very large companies develop strategies to hunt down, woo and hire. As with many things in business, I found Kathryn by happenstance. She is smart, loyal, efficient, analytical and great with people. She would never boast--but in an interview you might find out that she was the youngest female ever to graduate with an MBA from Harvard. Her husband got a medical residency in St. John's, NL (Bluedrop's HQ) and they moved there with their young daughter from Germany in 2014. About two months later, I was at an event in Halifax, getting an award from her former boss, David Shaw, CEO of Knightsbridge. He mentioned that a young protege from a few years back had just moved to St John's and advised me to hire her. Within a few months--I did. While the rest is history, the rest of this post is not about Kathryn or her history with Bluedrop. Rather, I want to focus on women in executive positions... and how having children should not limit their ascendency up the corporate ladder. Advertisement The statistics on women in leadership positions are not great. According to Catalyst, by October 2015, women held only 4.6% of CEO positions on the S&P500. In private, some executives will say that makes sense. Any employee who steps out of the ring at a critical time misses the opportunity to advance to the next match. I disagree. That said, I am not writing to moralize or speak about policies that sound like affirmative action. For me, it is far more basic than that - this has less to do with "doing the right thing" and much more with "taking care of business." Diverse workplaces create more powerful innovation and better economic outcomes. Women, in my experience, are particularly better collaborators, opportunists, problem solvers and natural givers. Women also bring another lens of emotional intelligence--which is a key leadership trait. Women understand reactionary behaviors, deal rationally with crisis, and put themselves in clients' shoes tremendously well. Research has very recently indicated that increasing the number of women in your workforce from zero to 30 percent corresponds with a 15 percent rise in profitability (Peterson Institute for International Economics, EY). So, this post is not about moral badgering, it is about how to run a better business to achieve its potential. And women are a huge part of that. Beyond stats and figures, I believe that mothers are some of the most productive people you can hire. By nature of their busy lives, working mothers simply don't have time to waste. I have seen female employees transform for the better after having children--their sense of priority in their jobs heightens when they become mothers. Multi-tasking seamlessly between work challenges, deadlines, daycare pick-up and drop-off, grocery runs, being supportive partners, traveling, and countless appointments is just a short list of what they deal with. As a father, I've certainly had many of those days... but mothers? If we are honest as a society--it's not even close. Unfortunately, I work in the technology industry where the female talent pool is still anemic. When I graduated with a mechanical engineering degree in 1992, there was one woman in my class of 23. Wow. Fortunately, the winds of change have been blowing. Engineers Canada showed that female representation has been increasing each year since 2008, making up 18.9% of total enrollments in 2013 and about the same in the US. Female engineers and programmers do quite well moving up the ranks for the first 10 years, but by the time these female engineers hit their mid-thirties, the gap in leadership is pronounced. One in four female engineers leave the field after age 30, compared to only one in 10 male engineers (Society of Women Engineers). Yes, that hurts companies. And it is not sincere to view this as purely a personal choice - CEOs can't wash their hands of this... the policies and environments we create play a role in the disenfranchisement of working moms. We need to provide mothers more of the right benefits, flexibility and understanding in their situations. The curse of modern HR is trying so hard to treat everyone exactly the same. I believe employees today are actually looking for the exact opposite--to be treated as individuals. Working mothers want to have some accommodation for their special needs--something as simple as encouraging a mom to bring her child to work for a few hours in a special circumstance will go a huge distance to say "we understand." Mothers also want desperately to be graded on their outputs versus a grading on a 'one size fits all' set of inputs... this type of grading hurts those who, for example, need to leave early or can't travel as much. Canada provides up to a year of maternity leave, with continuance of a modest salary. In the US, it is shocking how few protections there are for new moms. I fail to see how this is a "right" or "left" issue. I find it unfathomable that some of my executive friends in US businesses bark about "government intrusions..." or, "my tax dollars funding another entitlement". I find these arguments disingenuous. Businesses successfully factor in all kinds of regulatory and social burdens into their business models; so societies which don't choose paid maternity leave are making a values decision--not a decision to protect their economy. These approaches actually hurt their economy by disenfranchising a very important group of workers. And how is this another "entitlement" to "another group". We ALL had mothers, folks! Oops, slipped into moralizing... sorry, I said I wouldn't. Back to the business case-- businesses need women (and diversity, in general) in their leadership to protect their interests. And, if women don't feel like they are in work environments that will support their personal circumstances, they will either leave for another firm, or curtail their career goals. Both are bad for businesses. Advertisement To be fully transparent, Bluedrop's Board of Directors and core leadership team are all male. I don't like that--but I also believe in meritocracy and hiring the person with the best overall fit for the company--regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc. I believe that societies and countries that tolerate discrimination against any group in the workforce will be the losers in today's innovation arms race. A few years ago, when Bluedrop was much smaller, there was a time when four out of five of our highest positions were female. Today, I can say that one level below the core leadership team there is a strong representation of women in key director, program management, project management and other VP positions, some of which are mothers, or expecting. Globally, tens of thousands of women suffer violence every day. This violence takes place in rich countries and in poor ones, in the home, at work, on the street, in every social stratum, and amongst the young and the old. 1 in 3 women suffer gender violence As we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the UN's campaign for 16 days of activism, data from the World Health Organization show that gender violence is a leading cause of death or permanent disability for women worldwide. 1 in 3 women will experience either physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner or sexual violence by a non-partner at some point in their life. And the violence often involves children. Advertisement Violence against women and girls affects their physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health in the short and long term in many ways: unwanted pregnancies, induced abortions, sexually transmitted infections including HIV, as well as mental health problems like depression, sleep and food disorders, emotional stress, post-traumatic stress disorder and attempts to and even suicide. Societal norms and values Too often, a blind eye is turned when violence against women is committed. Cultural values and societal norms come into play--values so widespread that the violent behavior is often mistakenly considered normal. Surprisingly, 30% of perpetrators of psychological and physical violence are in fact intimate partners of the victims. Other examples of societal violence against women are female genital mutilation and forced marriages, often with very young girls. Juvenile marriages not only compromise girls' health, but also their education and their place in a public sphere. It is a violation of their human rights. Violence against women must be considered a major global public health problem and all countries must act quickly and effectively to address it. The Global Action Plan In May 2016, countries at the World Health Assembly endorsed an historic 'Global Plan of Action' to address violence, including against women and girls and all children. This plan - aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the 2016 Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health - outlines what countries can do to end violence against women and girls by 2030. Advertisement The action plan suggests strengthening health systems in four strategic areas: leadership and governance of the health system, the delivery of health services and providers' capacity to respond, violence prevention programs, and the gathering of information and evidence. The Plan also emphasizes the importance of counseling centres for victims of violence, where victims can confide to empathetic staff, who have been trained to listen and act appropriately. The Action Plan requires the combined intervention of governments, parliaments, companies and all civil society. In its work, WHO has identified the importance of monitoring and evaluation and works closely with Parliamentary partners around the world. WHO will continue its cooperation with these partners to monitor the implementation and commitments made to the Global Action Plan by countries: Parliamentarians from around the world are invited to the next World Health Assembly in May 2017 to share legislative actions taken and how health systems have adapted to the WHO plan; And countries have agreed to gather in 2018 and 2021 to report on progress in implementing the Action Plan. Translating commitments into action Violence against women is a consequence of gender discrimination supported by society---by the rule of law, by families, companies, and by the continuation of inequality between men and women. Gender-based violence has devastating impacts on women and girls, and all of society in respect to equality, poverty and equity, HIV / AIDS and peace and security. Above all, health consequences of this violence are devastating, both in the short and long term. Laws are often inadequate to protect women. While over 130 countries have some laws in place to penalize at least some forms of violence, such as domestic violence or rape, enforcement often lags behind. Advertisement The Action Plan is a great step forward in the fight against gender violence. But there is still an urgent need to ensure that strong commitments by governments turn into concrete actions in countries. We urge institutions and organizations to do more and guarantee investments in education aimed at all age groups and social backgrounds, in concrete actions in the field, and in training for health care providers so that they are listening and prepared to offer adequate support services. But an even bigger 'but': these actions will only happen if there is the political will and commitment to make changes based on the recognition that all forms of violence are unacceptable. Halt violence against the most vulnerable -women and girls For these reasons, the fight against violence against women and girls is at the core of my vision for the future of the World Health Organization in the protection of the right to health for all, especially society's weakest and most vulnerable --women and girls. We can start today: Support of the UN's 16-day UNiTE campaign to End Violence Against Women which started on 25 November and culminates on 10 December - Human Rights Day. It is no longer tolerable to turn away and pretend violence against women and girls does not exist. It is time to call a halt to this violence. Advertisement It is time to act. Dr Flavia Bustreo is currently one of several candidates for the position of Director-General of the World Health Organization, based in Geneva Switzerland. Since 2010, Dr Bustreo has worked as Assistant Director-General for the sector of Family, Women and Children's Health. (Philip Yun (left) and Aaron Lobel) Ploughshares Fund supporters - Americans committed to reducing nuclear stockpiles, preventing new nuclear states, and increasing global security - recently got some encouraging words from a few of those on the front lines. Not that the goal of a nuclear-weapons-free world is near, but that it's a lot closer than 35 years ago. It was 35 years ago that Ploughshares founder Sally Lilienthal, a 62-year-old sculptor, human rights activist, mother and wife, gathered a few friends in her San Francisco living room to discuss what could be done to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons here and abroad. This was the year (1981) when Ronald Reagan unveiled a "strategic modernization program" which called for - among other things nuclear - thousands of additional warheads, a significant increase in bomber forces, including 100 B-lBs and the development of stealth bombers, a new land-based 10-warhead strategic missile (the MX), and new intermediate-range missile deployments in Europe. In addition, he proposed deploying more than 3,000 air-launched cruise missiles on bombers. There may not be a lot of peace on earth today, but there are far fewer nuclear threats to that eventual possibility and Ploughshares Fund is one key reason why. Advertisement A group of longtime Ploughshares supporters gathered recently in San Francisco to hear about ongoing work in South Asia, where India and Pakistan have a combined total of 250 nuclear weapons at the ready - enough to create a catastrophe in the area and long-term distress across the planet if that conflict were to escalate. America Abroad Media, a Ploughshares grantee, is working to prevent such a catastrophe. AAM founder and president Aaron Lobel was interviewed by Ploughshares Executive Director and COO Philip Yun on how media fits into the complex efforts to reduce global conflict, specifically in South Asia. "You can go back to the origins of Pakistan as a Muslim state," Lobel says, "and the question of whether India even recognizes Pakistan's legitimacy" to get a picture of the enormity of the problem. But media in the area gets large audiences and builds human bonds. AAM works through public radio, international town halls, documentary and news programming and other avenues to build a civil society. "We continue to believe that a civil society ultimately makes a difference," Lobel says; "media is just one part of it." And can such a society exist, and make a difference, in areas like South Asia today? "Absolutely yes," says Lobel. "The lawyers' movement in Pakistan did make a difference; and there are people in the civil society (there) involved in moving the ball forward." Lobel spoke at length of AAM's work in Afghanistan, where its media following included the president of the country for at least one program. "If the president watched," one questioner asked, "how many others actually saw the program?" "A lot," says Lobel. "People gather around a satellite TV in the villages - this is not like having dozens of channels and TV sets in every home." Advertisement Ploughshares president Joseph Cirincione addressed the gathering on the broader issues, and the global outlook today. "In order for these guys (countries with smaller nuclear stockpiles) to give up nuclear weapons" Cirincione says, "they're going to have to see the big guys doing it - and that's not happening. We have to address the underlying issues (such as) water issues and religious issues. We also have to address the fundamental distrust. It's important to recognize the power of media in addressing these issues to create a more peaceful world." ("We fund the smartest people," Yun adds, "with the best ideas.") Despite the discouraging prospects for global peace just now, Cirincione had a few nuggets of good news for the Ploughshares supporters: The statue of Socrates. Athens, Greece. Since I started covering the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan in 2010, I have been fed the same three boilerplates by the U.S. military about the war and the purported gradual destruction of the Taliban insurgency: Progress is slow but steady; We have to expect setbacks as the Afghans assume responsibility for their own security; Next year's fighting season--in a twist to Nietzsche's concept of the eternal return of the same--will be crucial in determining the fate of the country. The fact that the dynamics on the battlefield in 2010 were not the same as in 2016 (as a simple Google search will confirm), but the modus operandi of U.S. Army Public Affairs Officers petrified, should not be surprising to anyone familiar with a military bureaucracy and how the military deals with the media. However, in a larger sense, the boilerplates serve as a reminder of a malaise not only plaguing the U.S. military but the entire U.S. political system related to the rise of "post-truth" politicians like Donald Trump and Great Britain's Boris Johnson: Reality and the truth are up for grabs. Advertisement Notwithstanding that it is the duty of a public affairs officer to put a positive spin on practically anything (after all optimism is seen as a standalone virtue in American society) and by doing so attempt to influence a journalist's reporting on the war, the danger inherent to this approach is that the officer herself will lose sight of the meaning--the "truth"-- of the war. As Hawthorne said: "No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true." The result of this bewilderment on a macro-scale is the neglect by U.S. defense policy makers and engaged soldiers of the telos of any war per se,while touting smaller (often data driven) truths such as gauging strategic victory by how many miles of paved roads have been constructed (or how many enemies killed) without reconsidering the larger picture of a conflict and posing simple philosophical questions such as: Why are we here? In other words, by denying the very possibility of truth in a post-truth world, we often sacrifice synoptic vision for more easily discernable statistical realities. This is where a Philosopher in Chief at the Pentagon might come in handy. The philosopher's job--true to the Socratic tradition--would be to ask "simple" questions. However, instead of focusing on essential issues such as the nature of Justice or the Good, the Pentagon philosopher would repeatedly pose questions such as, "What is a military?" or "What is victory?" His/Her job in a nutshell, would be a professional gadfly beyond anything red teaming bureaucrats and military analysts in the Office of Net Assessment could fathom. Like Socrates, he/she would identify and question sophistry (much of Plato's writing is a critique of intellectuals who promote and capitalize on the "truth"). He/she would subject conceptual dogma such as the Third Offset Strategy, AirSea Battle, Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) to the skeptical examination of philosophical inquiry (e.g., if the Third Offset Strategy tries to offset the advantages of all of our adversaries, is it not also logically true that we will never be able to offset any one adversary in particular?). He/she would move beyond the confined analytical space of the Pentagon in which rules and ideas are applied to fit senior policy makers' thinking. In short, he/she would rigorously apply critical thinking free from bureaucratic confines to examine what is best for the military and the country beyond conventionally accepted norms. Advertisement Would not a philosopher have helped the sophist General David Petraeus--who famously mused in 2003: "Tell me how this ends?" and like Pontius Pilate, did not stay for an answer--during the days of the so-called surge in Iraq in 2007. In the post-truth world, victory is a delusional fancy, as was the case in Iraq, but the philosopher would have insisted on defining a military victory in war in clear and delimited terms predicated upon immediate and enduring peace as the only logical metric for defining success on the battlefield. In other words, he/she would have made clear that in war there is no substitute for victory whether fighting insurgents in Iraq or the Japanese Navy in the Pacific during World War II. And if victory could not be obtained on those terms, then the regulative conclusion would be that it was not worth fighting and dying for at all. Through his/her inquiry, a philosopher would also cut through the multi-layered and convoluted military bureaucracy and the military-industrial complex often blocking innovation and progress. By asking, "What is a military?" he/she would be able to deduce that despite the manifold euphemisms of equivocation, the true purpose of the U.S. military--if it cannot deter an adversary--is to kill as quickly and effectively as many adversarial young men and women as possible, while minimizing its own casualties. He/she would emphasize the truth that every military, first and foremost, is a killing machine. The philosopher would help clarify what a military should and should not get involved in (e.g., nation building), and what it should and should not procure, despite congressional pressure. Of course, he/she would encounter opposition by those who think that they know the (classified) truth, and accused of failing to understand the complexities of defense policy and modern war. However, he/she would understand that those who oppose him are ensconced inside and love their bureaucratic cave, as Plato might say, and attempt to confront them with an understanding derived from a vantage point beyond the cave. The insight that the natural light of the sun is a more true illumination of things than the reflected shadows of the cave moves him to convey a more accurate image of the phenomena to the generals and policy makers inside the cave--a reality beyond the Pentagon's E-Ring--and offer a guided excursion beyond the cave that will augment their spelunky skill set and spur innovative thinking. Advertisement The Pentagon's Philosopher in Chief would be a professional outsider who would mentor the insiders by means of his trans-historical vision and his dedication to the possibility of truth. He/she will admit that his ignorance trumps his wisdom but that there is still the hope and necessity of obtaining an objective standard of the truth in a post-truth world (or any "world") upon which policy makers can make informed policy decisions of war and peace. Just as some can't see the forest for the trees, some get so far into the details they can't see the bigger picture. This happens with elected education boards, political oversight of some infrastructure projects and some bureaucracy-laden public companies. Of course details matter; but only if they lead to an inspiring vision. I met Joel Herbst at HATCH with his daughter Hannah, winner of the 2015 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. While there, Joel told me about his transformation from supervising a public school district that answered to an elected board to heading up the PK-12 Schools and Education program at Florida Atlantic University. While he had more schools, more students and more resources in the public school district, he found it tough to get done what he needed to get done for the students. Detailed administrivia and politics kept getting in the way. Things are very different at his schools within a university. He's shielded from the politics. His teachers can focus on learning how to teach and teaching and his students can focus on learning. Advertisement Valerie Wanza who worked for him at the school district described him as "a visionary leader who empowers and equips other to transform words into action. He is passionate about providing children with a world-class education and committed to making this a reality in his administrative area." He's always been a visionary, passionate, committed, empowering leader. He was held back in the public school district and freed to be himself at Florida Atlantic. Robert Moses was a 20th century city planner in New York. His impact on parks, parkways and highways had a huge impact on the way the New York metropolitan area developed. He was able to get done what he got done because he found a way to circumvent the elected bureaucracy with commissions and authorities. The Henry Hudson Parkway Authority was a contract-based organization charged with raising money to build a bridge, collect tolls on the bridge and repay the loan. When the loan was repaid, the authority would terminate. Moses realized that if he never repaid the loan, the authority would never terminate. So, instead of repaying the loan, he had the authority raise more money to build another bridge and another and another. Advertisement Supreme Court Justices in the U.S. are constitutionally appointed to "hold their offices during good behavior." This frees them to do what is right, no matter who wins elections after they are confirmed. Private Companies operate with different time frames and pressures than do public companies. This is evident in the history of the Gap which, as Angelo Young described, has gone from meeting San Francisco Hippies' denim needs to "retail irrelevance." The Wall Street Journal's Khadeeja Safdar puts at least part of the blame for the Gap's most recent seven straight quarters of declining sales on CEO Art Peck's focus on detailed data versus inspiring creative. Implications for you Wharton Professor Len Lodish says "It's better to be vaguely right than precisely wrong." There are certainly times when you have to dig into the details to understand what's going on. But those generally happen after you get your vision vaguely right. Leadership is about inspiring and enabling others to do their absolute best together to realize a meaningful and rewarding shared purpose. The lesson from Herbst, Moses, The Supreme Court and the Gap is that too much detail and bureaucracy can choke off creativity, innovation and doing what's right for the people that matter most whether they are citizens or customers. Don't do that. Instead: OCETI SAKOWIN CAMP, CANNONBALL, NORTHDAKOTA, UNITED STATES - 2016/12/05: Winter has arrived in Standing Rock at the Oceti Sakowin Camp in North Dakota, the day after the Army Corps of Engineers denied the easement needed to build the pipeline. Despite driving snow and 40-plus mile an hour wind a group of 700-plus veterans and water protectors marched toward the barricade on highway 1806. (Photo by Michael Nigro/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) The last time that the Army had a plan to pacify the Great Sioux Nation, our men, women and children were slaughtered at Wounded Knee; the time before that, Custer died and Sitting Bull was chased to Canada by five armies so the General Sherman could steal our gold. Crazy Horse said, "One does not sell the Earth the people walk on," and he fought alongside Red Cloud to protect our homeland. At the close of Red Cloud's War, in the 1868 Sioux Nation Treaty, the United States promised: "From this day forward all war between the parties to this agreement shall forever cease. The government of the United States desires peace, and its honor is hereby pledged to keep it. ~~Excerpt from "Letter from The Great Sioux Nation to President Obama-November 30, 2016" The participation of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe is an important and overlooked piece of the history of Standing Rock protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. While major media satellite trucks were lining up at the Highway 1806 entrance to Oceti Sakowin in Morton County in anticipation of the arrival of thousands of veterans on December 4, something was happening just a two-hours drive to the south. Veterans began pouring into Eagle Butte, South Dakota as they made their way to the contested piece of treaty land that had become a powerful symbol and last stand of resistance against the Dakota Access Pipeline. No one knew that history was about to be made in a few days, and that the permit to drill under the Missouri River at Lake Oahe would be denied within 48 hours. Uncertainty had settled over the frozen Dakota landscapes. A blizzard had just passed and another was on the way, but they kept coming. They came in caravans, by bus, by train and by air. Advertisement Geoffrey Badgley, an organizer for the veterans was worried. "I was concerned as we moved in that we might have serious issues moving this many people but the (Cheyenne River) Tribe has been incredible, and I know that we will be safe because of them. They have provided food and housing for over 2,000 people and will provide cultural education briefings for the thousands of veterans before they head to the camp," he said in a press statement. A tribal member described the arrival of the first veterans in an email. "Everyone automatically stood straight up, heads high, shoulders back, and a moment of total silence went through the office. All we could think was Oh my gosh they are really here. The Protectors are here. We rushed to them to shake their hands and say thank you. Wopila tanka iciciyapi." Mainstream media was not there to witness this. In fact, there has been scant mention in the press that The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe is a plaintiff in an open lawsuit, along with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, against the Army Corps. Case 1:16-cv-01796-JEB was filed in Federal District Court on July 27. On August 10 The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe filed a motion to join the lawsuit. Why? Advertisement Media reports have mostly ignored the fact that the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation is contiguous with the Standing Rock Reservation. Both are situated along the banks of the Missouri River, and both are subject to potential and immediate environmental and historical desecration from the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). Recognizing this and the importance of tribal involvement, Chairman Harold Frazier filed his August declaration with the court. Frazier's declaration reads like a passionate manifesto as he relates the history of his people. He describes how the Tribe is a successor to the Great Sioux Nation, which was a party to the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851 and the Fort Laramie Treat of 1868.The Great Sioux Nation's territory once spanned all of the Dakotas and much of Montana, Wyoming, and Nebraska, including the area at the confluence of the Cannonball and Missouri Rivers on which the Army Corps of Engineers granted permits on private land that is also contested treaty land. Frazier's statement enters the account of a tragic history into modern court records; reminding the Corps of the time they flooded the eastern boarder of the Reservation on the Missouri River, "destroying more than one-hundred thousand acres of the most culturally and economically valuable land on the Reservation." This was the genesis of Lake Oahe, the modern day epicenter of the epic battle between Energy Transfer Partners, the Army Corps and the Great Sioux Nation over the DAPL pipeline. Major historical and sacred sites have already been destroyed and water quality is in jeopardy if the pipeline is ever completed. The losses have been astronomical. After losing the Tribe's most valuable land, the Tribe struggled. Ziebach County, the poorest in the nation, is within the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Agriculture and tourism, which sustain the Reservation, depend upon the viability of Lake Oahe. "But just as importantly, Frazier said, "the waters of the Missouri River and Lake Oahe are sacred to the Lakota people and essential to the practice of our religion and our way of life." For months I had wanted to sit down with this Sioux Chief, who has a reputation as a strong, unflappable leader working tirelessly to protect his people. So the day after the veterans began pouring into the community center at Eagle Butte, the Chairman agreed to drive two hours north to an interview on a windy hill overlooking the Oceti Sakowin Camp. Hundreds of reporters from private blogs to major media outlets were in Oceti Sakowin in anticipation of the vets arriving, but no one, except a friend who happens to be a Cheyenne River member, was down at the Cheyenne Sioux Reservation to be a witness. Armed with a small camera, Elder Jay Cook would take photos and text them to me while I interviewed Chief Frazier. The photos would take twelve hours to arrive, due to the lack of reliable cell service. Advertisement We did not know that a denial of the easement permit was being filed as we spoke on December 4. But pipeline interests will not go down without a fight to save the $3.7 billion pipeline and uncertainty clouds celebration. As of this writing, on December 5 DAPL filed a motion for a summary judgment to reverse the permit denial of December 4. "Cross-Claimant Dakota Access, LLC ("Dakota Access"), pursuant to Rule 56 of the Federal rules of Civil Procedure and Local Civil Rule 7(h), respectfully moves the Court to enter summary judgment in its favor and to issue a declaration that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a right of way under 30 U.S.C. 185(a) to construct, operate, and maintain the pipeline beneath federal land at Lake Oahe, North Dakota, and that the right-of-way is subject to the "Conditions of Easement (Lake Oahe)" set forth in the July 25, 2016 Mitigated Findings of No Significant Impact." But, on Saturday, the future was unknowable and fortunately, someone offered us a tent for the interview. As Chief Frazier settled into a folding metal chair, a cup of coffee in hand, I wondered how many meetings had taken place on this land, going back hundreds of years. How many stories had been told, negotiations made and treaties broken? We were in a canvas tent, but a hundred years ago Sitting Bull brought his people to Standing Rock to discuss treaty demands offered by the United States. There is a photo in the archives of history that show him, flanked by the great Chiefs, with a birch tipi in the background. Advertisement The Chairman was coughing, off and on. He has asthma, now exacerbated by the tear gas he experienced on the night of violence at the Backwater Bridge. The photos and videos from that event finally galvanized national media to pay attention to the use of excessive force by the Morton County Sheriff's Department against the people who have come to be known as the water protectors. One thing Chairman Frazier wanted to make clear was that he only agreed to meet because of the significance of the veterans' event and the "importance of getting our message out." "All those pictures they (the media) take of the chiefs and all, that is not me. I want to be here for other reasons." And so we settled in to discuss some of those reasons and to learn more about the Cheyenne River Sioux. A Conversation with Barack Obama GN: In October you met with President Obama at a roundtable event held in Los Angeles at a private home in Beverly Hills. What did you discuss? How was he viewing the pipeline conflict? CF: He said we should go through the council of nations process before decisions are made on the pipeline. He explained that the Army Corps does not operate as normal Federal agency. In some areas they have full authority at a local level; in others, at national levels. He talked about reviewing all the laws around pipelines before he made a decision. Advertisement I also expressed concern about civil rights violations and excessive force being used on our people. All he responded back on that question was "I have federal monitors out there." But I have not seen them. GN: Did you see Loretta Lynch's statement on YouTube Friday night (December 2)? She said there are mediators out here. Have you seen them? CF: I went to a meeting in St. Anthony North Dakota. Chairman Archambault was there, some of my staff, Crow Creek Chairman Brandon Sazue, the Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier, the North Dakota Highway Patrol, the National Guard General and a Morton County Commissioner. That was the night before people were attacked in the water below Turtle Hill. Everyone said it was good to talk and important to keep open communication. Since then I have had no communication, no correspondence. Nothing. I have no communication with anyone. There were three mediators there. They came from the Department of Justice. Two men and a woman. (In a November 2, press release Frazier responded to the attack on water protectors gathered in the water below Turtle Hill. "A report by the Morton County Sheriff's Office states that your agency, I presume through Colonel Henderson, authorized them to exercise jurisdiction on this land and arrest unarmed peaceful demonstrators for criminal trespass. If this is true, I require an explanation from the Corps why it has deputized North Dakota law enforcement agencies to spray unarmed people with mace, shoot them with rubber bullets, and terrorize them with guns and helicopters on federal property. Additionally, what other U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or Department of Defense officers approved the Corps deputizing state law enforcement officers to enforce federal law? The Morton County Sherriff's Department, who has been proven to repeatedly engage in unreasonable use of force and has only escalated tension in the area, are now federal actors." Sovereign Nation to Sovereign Nation Advertisement GN: Are you getting the respect and attention you are due as leader of a sovereign nation when you communicate with these agencies? CF: No. I think with some agencies we do, I get respect from the DOJ, The Department of the Interior, but with the Corps, no. State governments, definitely not. Local, no. Even the county commissioners, to me, I think they think they have as much power as a tribal chairman. GN: Can you define a sovereign nation for people who read this interview? CF: To me a sovereign nation has the ability to develop their own laws and enforce their own laws within their country. I think that's number one. I think we should be allowed to live our way of life based on our own laws. The only thing that really harms us is not having our own currency and not having our own economy as far as import and exports. That limits us in that we have to rely on the federal government. To them, we are getting handouts. To us, what we receive are the treaty entitlements they owe us for the lands they have taken from us. Thoughts on Trump GN: Have you any thoughts about President-elect Trump? CF: We really do not know what kind of a President he will be. It is all speculation. I think dealing with Indians; he thinks he knows better than us. He will tell us how we need to live. I think historically, he has been against Indian people based on casinos. He did not want an Indian casino because it would impact his casino. So I think we are pretty leery about him. But you know on our reservation we do not have a casino (Standing Rock does operate the Prairie Knights Casino). We are the only tribe in South Dakota that does not have a casino. Our people didn't want a gaming pact because under the Indian Gaming Act you have to have an agreement with the State. Our people feel that by us having a compact we are giving up our sovereignty. Advertisement GN: If you could have a conversation with President-elect Trump, sovereign to sovereign, what would it be like? CF: Well, one of the things would be to stop the pipeline. Obviously I would tell him that. Don't allow it to be built near our water. If there are other alternatives I would be willing to discuss those. There are alternative routes to transfer the oil. I think the other thing I would talk about is that in his debates he did not want to outsource jobs to other countries. So I would say to him, if you want to do that, if you want to bring the economy back, why don't you build some factories down in impoverished areas such as reservations, particularly ours? I would advocate bringing businesses to the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. He needs to listen (laughter). You know he was a Democrat and switched to the Republican Party. We are one of the poorest counties. It is not something to be proud of but it is a fact. Ten or twelve thousand live on the reservation, and we have nearly 20,000 enrolled members. The young ones have left. There are no jobs here. Communication Between Nations GN: How involved are the Cheyenne River Sioux at the Standing Rock camp at Oceti Sakowin? CF: We are not here for the glory. I am glad you asked that. People assume we get donations; that we have all these resources and then people are shocked after I asked our Treasurer how much we received in donations and I was told $400. I am going to say we probably spent, counting our legal fees and our expert fees and our travel, probably half a million dollars. Advertisement Before we officially joined the lawsuit, we were sitting at the table, but we could not talk. Since we joined, and the lawsuit is still ongoing, they have not officially answered our complaint. Our complaint is different from Standing Rock. We filed more on treaty rights. GN: What about the veterans? They are gathering down at your reservation right now, as we speak. CF: I think it is a pretty awesome thing. They are here to help us, offer advice. Help in any way they can, including legal advice. One of the important things is to get the truth out in mainstream America. The vets said they would like to gather all the videos from everybody and get the story out. You know North Dakota's congressional people are sure painting a bad picture on the record in Congress, saying the water protectors are violent, that we are throwing Molotov cocktails at the police. But pictures don't lie. What they are saying is untrue. Chairman Frazier had other interviews scheduled, so we wrapped things up with some talk about Christmas and his hopes to participate in the Big Foot Ride. (On December 29, 1890, the Seventh Cavalry massacred Lakota leader Big Foot and 150 of his people at Wounded Knee, South Dakota on the Pine Ridge Reservation). In 1986 two Lakota elders--Curtis Kills Ree and Birgil Kills Straight--established the Sitanka Wokiksuye (Big Foot Memorial Ride). Meetings and negotiations already scheduled regarding the future of the Dakota Access Pipeline might get in the way, but a Chairman/Chief steeped in the traditional Dakota ways still hopes to ride his horse in memory of those great chiefs who went before. Advertisement We did not know at the time, but less than 24 hours after this interview, the Corps issued a statement saying it will not grant an easement under Lake Oahe to DAPL interests. DAPL swiftly filed a press release saying they will proceed. Chairman Frazier, chief executive of one of the poorest reservations in the country, was ready with a response. The reservation that operates without a casino, and without much in the way of donations other than treaty reparations, had a legal team ready for any contingency. The legal team of Fredrick, Peebles and Morgan issued the following statement on behalf of the tribe. "It is not clear exactly what the review process for the easement will look like going forward, but it is certain that Dakota Access will challenge it in federal court and the Tribe is prepared to fight back. It appears that the Corps will be actively considering alternative routes, and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe will insist on being full and active participants in consultation on that. Although no timeframe was given as to when the full review will begin, the Tribe does not expect it to conclude until after January 1, 2017. The Tribe intends to continue providing all the evidence and argument to show why the United States should not approve any alternative that jeopardizes our Treaty-derived right to clean water or our sacred sites." It is now Tuesday and people who have not left the camps are trapped in a blizzard. This post was originally published at the New Atlanticist. Donald Trump's election as the next president of the United States has created uncertainty for future of the nuclear deal with Iran. On the campaign trail, Trump made no secret of his opposition to the deal--formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). However, even if Trump's administration retards the implementation of the JCPOA, the United States probably cannot single-handedly unravel it. The JCPOA is not a bilateral agreement. It is between the United States and six other governments, none of which oppose the nuclear deal, which Trump has called "the worst deal ever." Of course, as president, he will have to work with Russia, China, and Washington's European allies, none of which are likely to withdraw from the JCPOA. The foreign policy establishment in Washington, too, overwhelmingly favors the deal. Assuming Tehran continues to comply with the terms of the JCPOA, no one expects Russia, China, or the Europeans to re-impose nuclear sanctions on Iran. Of course, with a Republican-controlled House and Senate next year, Trump may well appoint a hawkish anti-Iran secretary of state and have an easy time signing legislation to slow down the implementation of the deal, or imposing new sanctions for missile tests, terrorism, or human rights abuses. But in an increasingly multipolar world that long ago stopped marching to Washington's tune, America can no longer shove policy prescriptions down other nations' throats. Although Trump and some of his Republican allies may believe that isolating the Islamic Republic serves US interests, Washington would undoubtedly find itself isolated given how many major countries want to further unfreeze their economic ties with Iran.Click here to continue reading Advertisement *Giorgio Cafiero is the CEO of Gulf State Analytics (@GulfStateAnalyt), a Washington, DC-based geopolitical risk consultancy. Cinzia Bianco is the co-author of this article.This post was originally published at LobeLog. For several decades, the alliance between Egypt and Saudi Arabia has served as an anchor of a pro-Western geopolitical order in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Dating back to the 1970s, Cairo and Riyadh's mutual interests and concerns about common threats and shared opportunities have fostered strong ties between the Arab world's most populous state and its wealthiest one. Egypt, which has faced major security, political, and economic challenges in recent years, has grown quite dependent on the oil-rich kingdom for financial aid. The Saudis, long reliant on external support for defense, have counted on Egypt as a strong and experienced military force to confront what they perceive to be Iran's expansionist and "aggressive" operations throughout the region. Recently, however, the Cairo-Riyadh relationship has significantly deteriorated. In October, Egypt sided with Russia in yet another clash within the United Nations Security Council over Syria by voting with Moscow in favor of a Russian resolution that argued for a ceasefire in Syria excluding Aleppo. The move felt like an unexpected betrayal for Saudi Arabia, which for years has strongly opposed the axis crafted in Syria among Moscow, Tehran, Lebanese Hezbollah, and Damascus. Abdullah al-Muallami, Riyadh's envoy to the U.N., called Cairo's vote "painful," Just a few days later, Saudi Aramco announced its intention to suspend deliveries of petroleum to Egypt, a country that is constantly at risk of energy crises.Click here to continue readingGiorgio Cafiero is the CEO of Gulf State Analytics (@GulfStateAnalyt), a Washington, DC-based geopolitical risk consultancy. Advertisement Unquestionably if a person runs long enough, he or she will hear a neighbor, friend, or passerby break out the customary Forrest Gump reference. Indeed, if you've run as long as I have you know this to be true! The movie Forrest Gump has been part of the American culture for well over twenty years and its impact can easily be measured by the point referenced above. When aspects of a film, book, or any artistic medium melt into everyday jargon, the quality and contribution of that individual work to society remains strong. As I explained in "Running to the Ends Of The Earth 1," long before September 2009 when running took on a different meaning for me, I heard those familiar expressions of "Run Forrest Run" or "keep it up Forrest" as I made an almost daily trek around my local New Jersey neighborhood. Advertisement I never paid these much mind beyond the customary nod to a familiar feature film. While I readily admit the movie was a great one, I never dwelled too much on the reason why Forrest set out to run across America until after I had completed both my own run across the country, as well as my subsequent runs across Great Britain, France, Cuba, and Ireland. As most Americans, I had simply seen the movie half a dozen times and went on with my daily life not realizing how personally relevant the film was for me. To put it another way, I-like many- accepted the classic film line that Forrest just "felt like running." This, however, I discovered to be completely untrue. To understand why Forrest Gump ran across America a person has to look at the events leading up to that scene. (Spoiler alert for anyone who has never seen the film.) Right before he sets out, Forrest asks Jenny to marry him. She replies, before walking away (probably more scared than he), " You don't know what love is." She then shares his bed and leaves the next day. Forrest, sitting on his porch, ponders what just happened; at a time before Internet, cellphones, and text messages. He then simply runs out of his house to achieve the most important goal of the whole frickin' movie and that is to ... Advertisement (Dramatic pause) Find his soulmate again. I've dwelled on this theme quite often the past few years while comparing it to my own goals and actions. Oscar Wilde's famous quote about "life imitating art" more so than vice versa, couldn't be truer for me today than it was seven years ago. It is this kind of extraordinary act in an artistic work that reflects the best possible version of us. The kind of person we fantasize about becoming, but are usually too afraid to become. And that isn't something I say as a superior but something I try to strive towards in my life-making the choices I have made thus far because I want to conquer that fear and attain true happiness. That is why on May 19th, 2017 I fly out to Switzerland to run across what will be my sixth country. The reason for this run will be the same as its always been, and the same as it was for Forrest Gump. If you are in Switzerland at the end of May, 2017 do drop me a line and please join me out on the open road! Advertisement You can also just check it out on Youtube, or Facebook at the event page "Running Across Switzerland." Feel helpless to stop Donald Trump from quitting the Paris Climate Agreement? You aren't powerless. You can help stop him in his tracks this very minute. Without getting up from your chair or spending a dime. Just sign this Change.org petition. To sign petition, click here. It will be delivered to leaders of the European Union, United Nations, and several of the 112 countries who support the Paris Agreement. They have the power economic, political, and legalto stop him. But they need to know that a lot of Americans will support them. For example, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has threatened a carbon tax on US goods if Trump reneges on America's commitment to the Paris Agreement. Advertisement "A carbon tariff against the United States is an option for us," Rodolfo Lacy Tamayo, Mexico's under secretary for environmental policy and planning, told the New York Times. "We will apply any kind of policy necessary to defend the quality of life for our people, to protect our environment and to protect our industries." The New York Times explained how other countries could use the World Trade Organization stop Trump: "Countries imposing costs on their own industries to control carbon emissions could tell the World Trade Organization that United States industries are operating under an unfair trade advantage by avoiding any cost for their pollution. The tax would be calculated based on the amount of carbon pollution associated with the manufacturing of each product. That would impose a painful cost on the heaviest industrial polluters, particularly on exporters of products containing steel and cement." Donald Trump and his climate change denier allies will control the U.S. Government come January 2017. But they won't control the rest of the world, which fears the devastation of unrestrained climate change as much as we do. "I was drawn to this story by the iconic status of the Johnson Products Company and its products like Afro Sheen and Ultra Sheen," says documentary producer Bayer Mack, founder and CEO of Block Starz Music Television. "The Johnsons were the first family of black hair, and they revolutionized the marketplace." The Johnson Products Company also became well known because they were the exclusive sponsor of the hit television show, Soul Train, when the television show was syndicated nationally. George E. Johnson George E. Johnson (1927- ) was born in Richton, Mississippi. His mother split from her husband shortly after George's birth, taking young George with her to Chicago. George attended school but by age 8, he was working afternoons as a shoe shine boy. In high school, he dropped out to work full-time. Advertisement Johnson worked at many jobs in his teens, but he had the good fortune to spend several years working for black entrepreneur, Samuel B. Fuller, who built a successful cosmetics company. It was at Fuller's lab where Johnson invented his first product, Ultra Wave, a hair relaxer for men. With Fuller's blessing, Johnson soon went on his own, and his company became known for making Ultra Sheen and Afro Sheen and many other beauty products for African Americans. In 1971, Johnson Products was the first African American-owned corporation listed on the American Stock Exchange. Bayer Mack and co-producer Frances Presley Rice tell Johnson's story well in another of their video documentary shorts. The Story Behind the Johnson Company Success In the documentary on Johnson Products, producer Bayer Mack points out that there was one story they couldn't fully explore in their short video: The story of Samuel B. Fuller, George Johnson's invaluable mentor. Mack shared with me Fuller's story. S.B. Fuller Samuel Fuller (1905-1988) was born to a sharecropping family in Monroe, Louisiana. In 6th grade, Fuller had to drop out of school to help the family; Fuller began selling products door-to-door. When he was 15, the family moved to Memphis. His mother died two years later, and Samuel Fuller left for Chicago on his own. (Fuller is no relation to Alfred Fuller, founder of the Fuller Brush Company.) Advertisement Remembering his success in Louisiana with door-to-door selling, Fuller purchased a load of soap from a company called Boyer International Laboratories and began selling the soap door-to-door in both black and white neighborhoods. (Bayer Mack shared with me an article from the Journal of Social History, spring 1998, that points out that black companies were generally forced to sell door-to-door. There were no well-developed retail stores in black communities, and if a man like Fuller had approached white retail stores looking for shelf space, he almost certainly would have been turned away.) With his soap and some cosmetics made by Boyer, Fuller prospered. Of course, the key to profitability is producing your own products. Fuller soon hired a chemist so he could do so. In 1947, Boyer International hit on hard times, and Fuller absorbed the company to save them for bankruptcy. By the late 1950s, Fuller Products had $18 million in sales and a sales force of five thousand (one-third of them white). Fuller was thought to be the richest African American in the country at that time. He went on to purchase several newspapers, including the Courier chain that served black audiences in Chicago, New York, Detroit, and Pittsburgh. He also owned the South Center Department Store and Regal Theater in Chicago. Fuller became the first African American inducted into the National Association of Manufacturers. He supported civil rights and was active with the NAACP in the 1960s. But based on a speech he gave, his company suffered a backlash from militant activists who felt he should be taking stronger stands against discriminatory practices in the U.S. Those who fought against him didn't know that one of his greatest pleasures was mentoring others. He may not have been militant in his approach to righting wrongs, but Fuller did all he could to help other black business people along. Advertisement Mentoring Others Within his own company, Fuller was known for running motivational training sessions for all of his sales people. If a particular salesperson was having difficulty, Fuller--even in his later years--went out with the sales agent to figure out how to help him along. He also directly mentored many black leaders who went on to contribute to the country. George E. Johnson was among them. In his early 20s Johnson had the good fortune to be employed by Samuel Fuller. When Johnson came up with the idea for a hair relaxer for men, Johnson had Fuller's blessing to use the Fuller lab to make his first product, Ultra Wave. Johnson soon borrowed money and started his own company, but when his laboratory burned to the ground, his old mentor, S.B. Fuller, made space for Johnson and his staff to use Fuller labs until Johnson Products could operate on their own again. S.B. Fuller also mentored another Johnson: John H. Johnson who went on to publish Ebony and Jet Magazine. Mary Ellen Strong, another publisher, came under his wing, and she started publications in Milwaukee and Chicago. Another mentee, Richard McGuire owned Seaway Furniture Stores Inc, and he placed signs in his stores saying: "SB Fuller started this firm." (New Pittsburgh Courier, 9-12-1987) Reversals and Successes While Fuller suffered plenty of business reversals as well as successes, a reporter from the Pittsburgh Courier asked him if he had any regrets: "Listen, you know I only have a sixth grade education, and knowledge was something I always respected," said Fuller. "I learned you have to make your own wisdom. I don't have anything to be sorry about. I started this business because I wanted to prove something to myself. I have had that chance." (Courier, 9-12-1987) Advertisement To read more stories of African American leaders, visit www.americacomesalive.com Eunice Johnson, who changed the world of fashion by starting the Ebony Fashion Fair, or James Reese Europe who popularized jazz and ragtime. Water, a basic human necessity, is often taken for granted in the United States. We rely on our public water infrastructure for clean, safe, drinking water that we use for many of our day-to-day needs. We assume that our water infrastructure is strong, safe, and reliable and therefore trust the water that comes through our pipes and into our homes, business, and schools. Unfortunately, at nearly a century old, much of our infrastructure has outlasted its useful lifespan and is now crumbling, potentially causing generations of damage in communities across the country. The community of Flint, Michigan, began to experience the dire consequences of our aging water infrastructure first-hand when the city--to save money--switched its water source from the Detroit Water System to the Flint River nearly three years ago. The Flint River, notoriously known for its stench and murky waters, was the city's new drinking water supply. Flint residents were assured by the local government that it was safe to drink. Because there was no reason to believe otherwise, the community continued to rely on the public water supply. Unknown at the time, corrosives from the Flint River were stripping away at the city's decades-old pipelines, causing lead to leach into the water. Advertisement Not only was the water not safe to drink, but children in Flint began exhibiting dangerously high levels of lead in their systems and Flint was suffering from an outbreak of Legionnaire's disease. In the nearly two years it took to deem Flint's water unsafe, the damage had been done. Today, the Flint community is focusing on addressing these potentially life-long consequences of lead exposure in its children. The consequences can include decreased IQ, reduced attention span, underperformance and violent or aggressive behavior. The community of Flint will need tools and resources to address these issues to attempt to mitigate potentially generations of damage to the community. And Flint is not the only community that is grappling with this issue. From New York City to Washington, D.C., to Newark, elevated lead levels are affecting communities across the country. In January, Flint was declared a state of emergency, and today, nearly a year after that declaration, Flint has still not received federal relief to help mitigate this crisis. Today, Flint's local government says the water is safe to drink again with a filter, but it's too little too late for a community that has lost trust in the basic water infrastructure we take for granted daily. Luckily, we are finally starting to see action from Congress to make the necessary investments in our aging water infrastructure across the country--and to get aid to the citizens of Flint. The House and Senate have both passed their respective versions of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), the most likely venue to secure funding for Flint and a step in the right direction for providing sustained investment in America's water infrastructure. The bills must now go to conference committee to work out the differences. We urge Congress to use the language in the Senate's bill, which not only authorizes but appropriates aid for Flint, as a starting point in negotiations to provide the immediate assistance that this community desperately needs. This funding is only the tip of the iceberg of what's needed to adequately address our failing water systems--not only in Flint but across the country. Advertisement In addition to providing assistance to the Flint community, Congress should also invest nationwide in modernizing and upgrading our water infrastructure before a crisis like this happens again. The threat of lead exposure faces all Americans. There are millions of lead service pipelines across the United States, increasing the risk of lead leaching into public water supplies. Repairing the nation's water infrastructure will help to ensure that Americans are provided with clean, safe water that is free of lead and other forms of contamination, will prevent the loss of billions of gallons of drinkable water, and will create quality, family-sustaining jobs across the country. In my experience you should not trust an erratic person with great responsibility. You should not, for example, give your American Express Card to a teenager, who does not understand the value of a dollar. You should not lend your car keys to a friend, who has had one too many drinks. You should not sell a gun to a person, who appears angry and unstable. If Congress is worried about this past election and the President-Elect's cabinet appointments to date, it should take measures to restrain executive power and one power in particular: the war power. Since September 11th the Presidential War Power has exploded without a peep from Congressional Democrats and Republicans. Whereas the President received permission to invade Afghanistan and Iraq in 2001 and 2003, the President did not receive Congressional permission to wage war in Libya and Syria in 2011 and 2014. Moreover, during the past two Presidential Administrations America's use of drone warfare has exploded. Through this program, Presidents have unilaterally waged war abroad without any oversight from the legislature or judiciary. That sounds a lot like a king to me. Presidents, however, have not expanded the executive war power alone. Congress has been silent. One reason for this silence is that our elected leaders are scared to seem weak on national security. Another reason for this silence is that our elected leaders are scared to take responsibility for any decision to go to war. The final reason for this silence is that our leaders are scared to miss out on the opportunity to take credit for a successful military operation. Such indecision and obsequiousness on both sides of the aisle raises the question: are these people even leaders? If a leader only follows, reacts and acquiesces can he really be a leader? I do not think Congress will do anything before the inauguration to restrain the Presidential war power. In our current Congress, cowardice, kowtowing and non-conviction is rewarded politically and economically: a member of Congress who does not rock the boat is more likely to be re-elected and is also more likely to be hired as a lobbyist after his "public service" ends. Nevertheless, here is what Congress could do to stop a President from embroiling our nation in another senseless war at a dear cost of American blood, treasure and honor. Congress has not approved any American war abroad since 2003. As you might have noticed, however, the United States has fought wars in several places. How is this possible? In a constitutional nutshell, the President can only execute laws that Congress passes and this includes laws permitting the country to go to war. (For more on this read the Supreme Court case Youngstown v. Sawyer) If the President acts against a law of Congress, his action is illegal. So how has the President fought wars against ISIS in Iraq and Syria? In an even smaller constitutional nutshell, the President interpreted the 2001 and 2003 laws authorizing the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to permit him to go to war against ISIS. Congress did not question this interpretation even though ISIS did not exist when it passed these laws. Congress did not criticize the President for the reasons previously discussed and because ISIS is clearly evil. Nevertheless, this legislative look-the-other-way is a real danger to all of us. If the President can just interpret laws to take the United States of America to war, he can essentially take America to war when he feels like it or when he thinks it would be politically expedient. This is what Kings used to do and it inspired the Founding Fathers to give Congress and not the President the power to declare war. Why should one person not be able to declare war? Well first of all, one person cannot fight a war. Second, one person cannot pay for a war. Third, one person cannot shoulder the sacrifices of war. When America entered the Second World War, President Roosevelt said it would be a people's war. Americans volunteered to fight and die for the cause of freedom abroad. Americans also went without creature comforts and paid higher taxes at home. After all, wars cost blood, treasure and, sometimes, national honor. When the people do not have a say in going to war or when their representatives do not have the courage to question the President's decision to go to war, bad things happen. So how do we fix it? Congress could repeal the 2001 and 2003 laws permitting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and require the President to get its permission to conduct military operations in the future. This law can categorically reject the President's past interpretation of the same 2001 and 2003 laws to permit waging war against ISIS. If the President wants to fight ISIS, he can ask for Congress' permission. Before any hawks worry that this will let the bad guys get away, realize that no member of congress can refuse a reasonable plan to fight ISIS. Doing so would cost him his job. Put simply, eliminating vicious monsters like ISIS is as American as apple pie. If this is true, you might ask: what's the point? Well, a member of Congress might never oppose destroying ISIS, but he might oppose invading a Country without any evidence for doing so. Or if a member of Congress fails to oppose such an invasion, a challenger might use support of such a war against him. For this government to get back on track we all need to take responsibility. Journalists need to report. Voters need to vote. Leaders need to lead by engaging in the decisions that matter most. One of the gravest decisions we can make as a nation is the decision to go to war. No American should have the burden, privilege and power to make it alone. By Kat Fiske The struggle of small-scale coffee farmers is not news to anyone in the industry. A quick Google search of the term "coffee farmers" yields pages of results with various iterations of the same message - coffee farmers are barely breaking even. We are familiar with the statistic that coffee farmers typically earn less than 10 percent per pound of the retail value for their coffee. And we understand that the added costs of agricultural inputs (like fertilizer), cooperative fees and middlemen further cut into what measly profit farmers can pocket from the sale of their beans. We know all this, and yet, we are not translating that knowledge into widespread, meaningful change for the world's coffee farmers, who continue living in poverty despite the industry's growth. This is not to say important change is not happening. That same Google search would also bring up websites and articles discussing Fair Trade, direct trade and impact investing, all of which can increase farmers' profit margins under the right circumstances. Coffee corporations also invest in social responsibility departments and foundations that aim at helping impoverished farmers, so there is an obvious drive in the industry to make a difference. But the fact of the matter is this: those efforts alone are just not enough to move the needle from farmer poverty toward farmer prosperity. Coffee farmers today - especially those farming on small plots of land - face a myriad of challenges, all of which must be addressed if they are to break out of their cycles of poverty: Advertisement -Most coffee farmers do not earn enough to provide sufficient food for their families year round and have no savings, credit, insurance or alternate sources of income to compensate for when their coffee harvest is poor or the market price is low. -The altitude at which coffee is best grown typically requires farmers to live in remote areas with difficult, mountainous terrain, which limits their access to markets and forces them to sell their beans at lower prices to middlemen, who have the means to transport their beans to buyers. -Many coffee cooperatives suffer from weak management, allowing biases and traditional power dynamics to limit how much farmers benefit from their membership. -Coffee farmers are also contending with climate change, which is negatively affecting their production in a variety of ways. Increasing temperatures have fueled the dramatic spread of la roya (coffee leaf rust), the shrinking of land area suitable for growing coffee, and the frequency of severe weather. Advertisement -Lack of training on climate smart and environmentally sustainable agriculture practices as well as a general lack of clean water reduces the quality and quantity of their coffee harvests and contributes to environmental degradation. In addition to all this, coffee farmers are also aging. On average, they are in their mid to late fifties, and their children are not planning to follow in their footsteps, instead looking to more profitable work in urban areas. This brings up a host of questions about the sustainability of the coffee industry itself. If coffee farming doesn't become profitable, what incentive is there for youth to stay? And if the youth don't stay, who will be growing coffee in 20 or 30 years? If farmers don't have access to the proper equipment and knowledge of environmentally sound agriculture practices, where will farmers even grow coffee once the land has gone bad? In addition to the humanitarian imperative, addressing these problems now and ensuring that coffee farmers prosper today will increase the sustainability and quality of the world's coffee supply for decades to come. To effectively tackle these complex challenges, we need to develop long-term, multi-faceted, dynamic, and context-appropriate socio-economic and ecosystem approaches. We must widen the focus of programs designed to help farmers, and we must make them more holistic. We must weave together single-approach initiatives, like price guarantees, with activities aimed at improving the social, economic and environmental realities in which farmers live and work. To ensure effective program design and execution, we must rigorously plan, implement, monitor and evaluate these programs to make sure they are meeting objectives, and we must make adjustments when they are not. Perhaps it goes without saying that these types of programs are difficult to put together, pay for and pull off. This is where public and private sector private sector partnerships can be extremely beneficial. Working together, each can build on the efforts and strengths of the other to help farmers in a big way. Such complex programs require the coffee industry's substantial resources, product expertise and market connections to reach many farmers over multiple years with high quality, technical livelihood support. These programs also need the vital local knowledge, culturally sensitive relationships, and experience in sound development practice found in the humanitarian sector to ensure contextually appropriate activities are diligently implemented and monitored at the farmer level. Advertisement Greater partnerships between the coffee industry and development organizations have the potential to bring the scale, depth and analysis necessary to more fully address the complex challenges of farmers. Some such partnerships exist today to a limited degree, but there needs to be more to make a lasting difference in the lives of coffee farmers, their families and communities. If we ever hope for our efforts to significantly move that needle, these private-public partnerships must become the new norm in the industry's approach to ensuring the prosperity of its coffee farmers. Manish Bapna, who co-chairs the Steering Committee of the Open Government Partnership, delivered these remarks December 7, 2016, at the Open Government Partnership Global Summit in Paris to set out the challenges facing world leaders and civil society advocates and the role open government must play in solving them. ----- It is a great honor and pleasure to welcome you to the OGP Global Summit in Paris. I'd particularly like to recognize President Hollande and his team, whose leadership and commitment to open government have been invaluable. I would also like to thank my civil society colleagues, especially those on the frontlines, working in the most challenging circumstances to protect and advance open government. Advertisement To the many heads of state, ministers, mayors, civil society colleagues gathered in this great hall, this is an important moment to reflect on the remarkable challenges of the past year. We have seen the rise of various forms of populism and nationalism in the United States, Britain, the Philippines, Italy, and many other countries. This has led to surprise election results and an increase in anti-immigrant and anti-government movements. We have seen the tragic results of conflict-driven migration, as captured in the iconic image of a three-year-old boy whose body washed up on the Turkish shore. We have seen governments struggle to respond to the refugee crisis. Some open their arms while others close their doors. Advertisement We have seen deadly terrorist attacks in cities around the world - including this one -- that have forced governments to walk a fine line between the need to protect their people and the risk of infringing on their civil liberties. And we continue to confront two inter-linked challenges: the moral challenge of 700 million people in extreme poverty, living on less than $2 a day, and the existential challenge of a changing climate. All of these point to a failure of governance and, if we are honest, to a lack of open government that truly connects, engages and meets the needs of all people. World's Problems Can't Be Solved Without Open Government The crux of the matter is this: While open government alone can't fix the world's problems, they can't be solved without it. Too many people feel excluded and marginalized. They believe that only elites reap the benefits of growth and globalization. They feel left out of decision-making. They distrust public institutions. Advertisement How we collectively confront these challenges will be OGP's most important test. The leaders in this room -- and the wider community -- represent an inspiring counter-point to these worrying trends. We are on the frontlines of governance reform. We have the power to make change happen in our communities, cities and countries. We need to use this power to help create more open, inclusive and responsive governments and societies. Because if we don't, who will? Five Essential Steps Here are five essential steps we can take - we, the people here today - to help accelerate the shift toward open government. The first step: We must protect civic space - the rights to free speech, assembly and association - because these bedrock rights are at the heart of a functioning society. Serious violations of these rights have been recently reported by CIVICUS in over 100 countries. In 25 active OGP countries, these rights are repressed or obstructed. We have committed to uphold these rights, but we still have work to do. Here's how we start: We make civic space an important component of OGP National Action Plans We need to show that the benefits of civic space are critical to making governments function effectively. Advertisement We act when countries in the Partnership violate the basic rights they promised to protect, as we did with Azerbaijan and Turkey this year. As civil society leaders, we also have to hold ourselves to account. We must always keep in mind the needs of the people we represent. Most important, we need you, the heads of state and government in OGP, to stand with us to protect civic freedoms as enshrined in the Open Government Declaration. The second step: We must foster citizen-centered governance. We cherish OGP as a unique platform where government and civil society are equal partners in a way that amplifies the concerns of ordinary citizens. We commend the many OGP countries that have made significant strides. But we recognize that for others, this remains a major struggle. Advertisement As heads of state and ministers, we need you to embrace the concept of co-creation. This means ensuring a fully functioning forum for dialogue between civil society and government is operating in all OGP countries. But we need to move beyond co-creation towards citizen-centered governance as the real promise of our Partnership. To keep this promise, citizens need to have a full voice in policy making. Only by listening to these voices can leaders learn what is most important in their citizens' daily lives. The third step: We must make changes that are transformational, not incremental. Drawing on our commitment to open government and the urgency of this moment, we must be willing to go further, faster. The good news is that more than 100 OGP commitments from around the world have been transformative in impact and fully implemented. But that accounts for only 5 percent of OGP commitments made to date. We can do better. The Paris Declaration on Open Government aims to galvanize ambitious action on issues such as open public procurement, budget transparency, and climate action. We call on each country and civil society organization in the Partnership to sign up to a collective action on at least one issue. Advertisement We also call on heads of state and government, ministers and civil society leaders to lead in the areas you care about most. We need you to work with others in the Partnership on these bold commitments. That's how we can build the movement to transform government. Transforming government brings us to the fourth step. We need to make a real difference in people's lives. This is our Partnership's ultimate aim. Because when open government works, it improves every facet of people's lives. This means giving all people safe drinking water and clean air. It means reliable electricity so children can have light to do homework and play. It means health clinics where the sick can go to get quality care, where medicines are available And it means building trust in public officials who are untainted by corruption. I urge heads of state and government, ministers and civil society leaders to make open government central to addressing the issues people care about, from providing basic services to fighting corruption to using natural resources wisely. This requires governments who will work across relevant ministries such as finance, health, infrastructure, and the environment. To show this is a priority, heads of state can convene cabinet meetings on open government. They can also allocate funds for OGP commitments. Advertisement This also requires us to engage with leaders in cities and communities where governments are closest to their citizens. To mayors and other local officials here today, we look to you for inspiration, innovation and leadership. We are excited that 15 OGP subnational action plans will be announced this Friday at Paris City Hall. The fifth and final step: We need to reinvigorate the Partnership's political leadership. OGP's extraordinary achievement of reaching 70 countries with more joining today and 15 subnational members in just five years did not happen by accident. It was driven by political leadership at the very highest levels, from President Obama as the co-founder to President Hollande as the current chair. But as current leaders step down, we call on a new coalition of leaders from all levels of government and civil society to take Open Government to the next level. Taking it to the next level means focusing not only on broadening the number of countries or commitments, but more importantly, on deepening impact within countries to create lasting change. Advertisement Given the dramatic unfolding of recent global events, we need to know who in this room will take the torch of open government forward. In closing, I would like to come back to what is happening in the world today. The rise of populist nationalism. The closing of civic space. Patterns of growth that still create too many losers. Together these trends threaten the values underpinning this Partnership. They challenge the essence of what this Partnership stands for. While open government alone can't fix all of these problems, these problems cannot be solved without open government. That is the challenge before us. This is the moment to act. And we must do it together. Thank you. ----- Old City Street Aleppo, Syria The Turkish taxi driver pulled over as he frantically waved to the passing car to park on the gravel shoulder of the Kilis Antakya Yolu freeway somewhere between Sanliufa, Turkey and the Syrian border. With a screeching halt he bolted out of the taxi and ran ahead towards the now stopped car, leaving me inside, alone. The silence was serene. Surrounded on all sides by the rocky savanna, I watched, the pantomime take place before me. The square shaped man whose car with the Syrian license plates handed a long narrow carton of cigarettes to my taxi driver, who raised his hand pointed directly at me. Then, in unison, they walked towards me in the taxi. It became clear that I was traded for a box of cigarettes. Sure enough, the plan was for Muhammad, the Syrian, to take me to Aleppo. I requested to see his drivers license and then wrote the number and his name on a piece of paper and gave it to the Turkish man. This exchange of licenses was my only protection. 5 hours earlier I had given the Hotel El Ruha's manager, in Sanliurfa, the taxi driver's license number, when I hired him for the half day trip to the Syrian border. These two pieces of paper would be the only link to my whereabouts if I were to come into any danger. My trust lay with the three men. Muhammad and I listened to a mix of Turkish and American pop music from his tiny car radio for the hours drive to Kilis, Turkey's transit city on the Syrian border. Muhammad waited for the one and half hours it took to process me through Immigration and Customs check points. Once cleared, we drove two more hours through miles of barren fields, exhausted after the fall harvest, colored in the monotonous muted browns of late Autumn. Here and there a spindly minaret and a clump of homes formed into distant villages. Eventually the open spaces condensed into the burnished metallic of the industrial towns of Northern Syria. We finally came to a stop at a cul-de-sac just outside of Aleppo's Old City. Muhammad pointed to a narrow alley that apparently lead to the Biet Wakil, Aleppo's first boutique hotel, which I had booked from viewing the gorgeous photos of this 16th century mansion. After paying fifty bucks and a small tip for the drive, Muhammad gave me a cheery good bye. I felt a warmth and honesty that was to reflect the Syrian people. Trust in myself and in the goodness of "others" allows me to travel alone, relying on my instincts and non verbal cues. Night Market Aleppo, Syria Advertisement Again, this goodness in people proved right when I learned that I had arrived a day early, victim to my new laptop's internal clock on NY time. "No worries" the burley, round faced manager, Habib bellowed, "We'll take care of you very well". As he smiled, he began to look more like Zero Mostel, the famous American movie actor. "We'll have dinner together and whatever you don't like you won't have to pay for!" And, with a big barrel laugh, he takes me across the stone courtyard to the tiniest room on the second floor, in this once grand home. That night, the more we drank Akvavit, the Scandinavian aperitif flavored with dill, the louder we sang. Habib, being a Coptic, educated in London, knew all the lyrics To 'Fiddler on the Roof'. There in the Al Jdeideh, Armenian district, Habib became Tevya singing; "If I were a rich man, Daidle deedle daidle..." Together, we dinned on some of the finest dishes of the Syrian cuisine: sheep milk, Labneh; the silky smooth fresh garlic paste, Toum; along with the city's famous Lamb meatballs & cherry sauce, Kabab bil Kara. It all lived up to Aleppo's reputation as some of the best cooking in the Middle East. The next day, walking through the Al Medina souk, shopkeepers would run up to ask why there were no American's coming to Syria. This historic souk, one of the oldest and longest covered markets in the world, seemed like a suburban mall, filled with locals, doing their daily shopping, as well as tourists from everywhere, except North America. It was difficult for me to respond honestly, and say our President, George W Bush, had just declared your country part of the "Axis of Evil". I believe that as a tourist, I am an ambassador for Peace, I told them "oil prices are very high in America, no one could afford to come to Syria." With sad faces they shrugged their shoulders and accepted my answer as truth. Children at the Night Market Aleppo, Syria That was November of 2007, when I was traveling by myself, on this journey through the Middle East, to document the origins of the Abrahamic religions from Turkey to Israel. One of the highlights was my stay in the biblical city of Aleppo and to live within the Old City walls to imagine life as it may have been in 2nd Century BC. Within, I was confined to navigating the narrow winding streets, designed to confuse a stranger who might wander in with evil intentions. The intricate maze served as protection. Ariel views were from the third storied rooftops, or the minarets and church steeples which provided a higher spiritual point of view. The earthly perspective from within the walled lanes revealed only a thin slice of the celestial sky, a sliver of blue by day, dissolving into the dark shadows by night. Hidden behind these walls were the inner courtyards of private mansions that revealed a personal vision of the heavens. Advertisement I was that stranger, arriving without an escort or guide and going it alone seemed to be no problem. Habib admonished me of my fears; "any local person kidnapping a foreigner will be hung!" His finger looped around his face, as if placing a noose over his neck, his head falling to touch his left shoulder. Looking at me sideways, he said, "They'd be dead, no trial" With Habib's reassuring demonstration, I felt safe to wander without direction though the puzzling lanes of the Old City. The baker on the corner of Sisi and Al Telal Street and, the Bell Tower of the Armenian Forty Martyrs Church became my landmarks so I could find my way back to the Biet Wakil each night. Armenian Orthodox Church at Night Aleppo, Syria I was not afraid. Everywhere I went, I witnessed families walking together, women adhering to the Islamic dress codes: the Hajab that covered their heads, neck and chest, others wearing the Niqab which had slits opening for the eyes, the Abaya covering their bodies. I covered my head and dressed modestly, to follow their customs. I imagined how these close knit extended families formed like-minded communities and lived much as their ancestors had lived. Each feeling the comforting press of their traditions. With limited education and limited views these restrictions lent for little experience of the outside world. Rooftop View Aleppo, Syria Now, in 2016 we live in uncertain times!!!!!! The Jdhedah district, the Al Madina souk have all been destroyed. Rebel Occupied East Aleppo, is of pivotal strategic importance to the 5 year civil/proxy war. The Syrian government and its Russian ally have massively intensified air attacks, targeting Aleppo's civilian neighborhoods. Great Mosque Aleppo, Syria The appalling tragedy is about to get worse. Our values for humanity have an eternal impact on all civilized society. We've witnessed the displacement of millions of people. Watched as they became refugees, their homes and villages destroyed. Today, living in New York, I feel we are all similarly secluded. On the streets, I see people walking, waiting, heads bent down, eyes locked onto their phones oblivious to those around them. Like the old and confining alleys of the ancients cites , the canyons created by the giant buildings that rise from our urban metropolises form barricades to the world at large, preventing us from forming omniscient global views to openness and diversity. To escape the confines of our interior walls, Curiosity and Empathy is the way out! Before you sit down to watch 13th, Ava DuVernay's new film about mass incarceration, take off your historian's hat. This is no scholarly lesson about the past. Instead, DuVernay takes us on an exploration that she hopes will, first and foremost, shock. Once it has your attention, 13th mobilizes the power of the visual and the sonic, along with human stories, to teach about hope and our capacities to make change in a way that no historical text could. 13th is foremost an act of visual politics. It is cultural resistance. When the narrator explains how images can "shock," we learn some of what the film hopes to accomplish. The shock of horror, of recognition, of awakening to a system of racialized, inhuman degradation is what the film hopes to provoke. There is a history to this, DuVernay reminds us. Like anti-slavery advocates who used gruesome images - the former slave Gordon and his scarred back - 13th makes us feel as well as think our way to action. As the civil rights movement relied upon images broadcast on the nightly news - young protesters set upon by fire hoses and police dogs - so too does 13th bring the inhumanity of mass incarceration into living rooms, where the sight may mobilize us. This is an African American tradition that historian Aston Gonzalez explains has its roots in the prints and photographs of early 19th century black artist-activists. Advertisement Once awake, we must choose how best to act. 13th is open-ended, inviting us to find a place among the advocates DuVernay features. In this sense, the film is more primer than manifesto. DuVernay is content to allow each of us to find a way to action. Some will choose reform; gritty, close to the ground change within the criminal justice system as embodied in the work of a District Attorney such as the late Ken Thompson. Others of us will become abolitionists, concluding that the prison industrial complex is rotten to its core and must be wiped away, as Angela Davis has long urged. Congress member Charles Rangel hints at a third path. The way forward may be by a human rights approach, one that hold mass incarceration in the United States up to international standards, monitors, and remedies. I watched 13th with the Criminal Law Society at Michigan Law where I teach. We hoped, I think, that DuVernay would point out a role for lawyers. She does. But her examples suggest that overcoming mass incarceration may require getting beyond the conventional. Lawyer and Equal Justice Initiative director Bryan Stevenson fuels our shock by asserting the immoral equivalence of early 20th-century lynching and today's criminal justice system. But Stevenson has become a cultural worker, building a memorial and national lynching museum in Montgomery, Alabama. Intriguing is the example of Michelle Alexander, whose book The New Jim Crow has done more than any text to bring mass incarceration to light, at least before DuVernay's movie. Alexander is the most clear and nuanced voice in the film. But, since being interviewed for 13th, she has taken off her lawyer's hat to join New York's Union Theological Seminary. Perhaps faith is another avenue for those moved to action. For DuVernay, the filmmaker, those who work beyond legal and policy circles have an important role to play in the fight against mass incarceration. Advertisement Today, the Earth got a little hotter, and a little more crowded. And the chances of Donald Trump's family and fortune surviving climate change are small, dwindling daily and irreversibly. Saving BUB, Beautiful Unique Biodiversity, as in these Borneo proboscis monkeys, is another reason to preserve carbon storing forests. Wikipedia OO Deforestation On Borneo: Fighters For The Forest - As humans dramatically shrink Indonesia's rainforests, 4 activists fight to stop the loss, using everything from their bare hands to smartphones. Advertisement Forests: the cheapest way to store carbon Forest in Flames Fanning Climate Change releasing huge amounts of climate changing gases as it is destroyed. Credit Dado Galdieri at AP OO Brazil: Amazon Deforestation Increased Almost 30% Over Last Year OO Huge Peru Rainforest Lost To Illegal Gold Mining says a recent analysis, with up to 150,000+ acres of forest lost in four years. When we harm forests, we harm ourselves. * * SOIL AND CLIMATE Imagine This Gone... Imagine Famine as the world's population rises, and arable land falls. Source dujardindesign.com OO Only 60 Years Of Farming Left If Soil Degradation Continues - Generating three centimeters of top soil takes 1,000 years. Advertisement If current rates of degradation continue all of the world's top soil could be gone within 60 years, a senior UN official said. But, what if climate change accelerates soil loss? Flooding Causes Loss of Crops - AND Soil Source www.bbc.co.uk OO Climate Change Impacts On Soil include accelerating erosion due to: more frequent and intense flooding; more coastal storm erosion; more loss of arable soil through rising sea levels and salinization; more droughts that desertify soils; more intense wildfires that literally burn up the soil. This means we likely have significantly less than 60 years of farming left. Photo Credit Lester Lefkowitz at Corbis 'While it now seems that ploughing of any kind is incompatible with the protection of the soil, there are plenty of means of farming without it.' OO What If The World's Soil Runs Out? Flawed farming practices and policies are destroying the soil and fuelling health crises as well as conflicts, warns a soil expert. And climate change is helping. * * TAXING CLIMATE DENIAL The Two Scourges of Fossil Fuels: Global Warming and Toxic Pollution OO Taxing Climate Denial Via The Paris Climate Accord - Takeaways: Donald Trump's administration plans to ignore climate change. Advertisement If the US fails to participate in the Paris climate accord, US inaction could boost global temperatures up to nearly a 2 C rise by 2050, Both through direct pollution, and discouraging others to act. Fossil fuels destabilize the planet via climate change, And toxic air pollution that causes roughly 4,000 deaths daily. Thus, the US should pay for the damage and deaths its promotion of fossil fuels will cause. Not Just Preserve But Regrow Our Carbon Storing Forests Source www.huffingtonpost.com The solution? Have every participant of the Paris climate accord Agree to impose a multilateral carbon tax on the trade (goods and services) of any country which abandons its agreement. The tax would be used to promote carbon cutting solutions: Vastly developing clean, renewable power globally; Reforestation; Developing water and food security measures. * * WE ARE THE EXTINCTION METEORITE Faces of the Doomed include many species of plants and animals that cannot adapt to climate change fast enough. We might be among them. Advertisement OO Climate Changing "Too Fast" For Species - A study of more than 250 species of plants and animals suggests their ability to adapt to changes in rainfall and temperature will be vastly outpaced by future climate change. * * TRUMPED BY CLIMATE CHANGE Losing Out to China means losing the opportunity for the US to make billions in the global clean energy market, and to create thousands of good paying jobs. OO With Trump, China Emerges As Global Leader On Climate - For China, it is a matter of self-interest - reducing the choking pollution in its cities and seizing the economic opportunities of a low-carbon future. OO Trump To Scrap NASA Climate Research In Crackdown On 'Politicized Science' as Trump seeks to shift focus away from home in favor of deep space exploration. Talk about wasting money. Get Ready for More Of This - as regulations in the Clean Power Plan that cut toxic pollution are dropped, more children will get sick from it. Source EarthJustice.org Advertisement OO Obama Environmental Regulations In Trump's Crosshairs - all rejected by the fossil fuel industry: Clean Power Plan to address climate change; Trump can simply cut EPA funding. Wetland and Stream Protection plan. Preventing Leaks of Methane, a super climate changing gas, from fossil fuel facilities, present and future. Preventing Another Deepwater Blowout rule. Protecting the Endangered Greater Sage Grouse from extinction; doing so slows gas lease sales. Improve Fracking Safety on public lands. Regulating Disposal of Toxic Coal Ash. Protect Fracking Workers From Silica Dust. Expect More of This Under Trump Source wwf.com OO Trump Wants To Lift Restrictions On 'Clean Coal.' -- Whatever That Is and pledged that in his first 100 days in office he would abolish a host of regulations to stimulate domestic energy production. OO Trump's Coal Delusions Such as coal meeting US energy needs for the next 1,000 years. No official agency thinks so. And that's just for starters. <> @@ Climate Change 101: Why Care? What You Need to Know - Bill Nye tells it all in five minutes amid graphic, dynamic, engaging, compelling imagery. Check it Out! Advertisement OO Trump Admits Humans Have 'Some Connectivity' On Climate Change and wavered on whether he would pull the U.S. out of international accords aimed at combating the phenomenon. Photo Credit Lars Plougmann "Climate change is real and a potential threat to global food security." - Phil Miller, Monsanto Vice President OO What Businesses Want Trump To Know About Climate Change - Nearly 400 companies and nonprofits, including Monsanto and Staples, signed a letter urging Trump to stay in the Paris climate agreement and support policies that combat global warming. Combating climate change is good for their customers, and good for business. OO Trump Doesn't Need To Choose Between Economy And Environment - helping the environment will help the economy. OO Progress Under Obama Won't Be Undone By Trump, Says EPA Chief, arguing "the inevitability of our clean energy future is bigger than any one person or nation." She cited new actions to help create thousands of jobs in renewable energy such as wind and solar power. Advertisement * * CLIMATE LEADERSHIP realclearenergy.org OO Obama's Agencies Push Flurry Of 'Midnight' Actions, executive actions in the last two months of Barack Obama's presidency. OO Blackfeet Tribe Regains Sacred Land after Obama's administration cancelled oil and gas leases on 30,000 acres of Montana's Badger-Two Medicine region near Glacier National Park. <> OO Canada: Trudeau Government Deserves Credit For Getting Rid Of Coal OO EU Requires Pension Funds To Assess Climate Change Risks in their investment strategies, under a new law that ecologists hope will encourage money to flow out of fossil fuels and into greener sectors. * * HOT NEWS OO US Record Highs Will Far Outpace Lows With Warming says new research, showing how even seemingly small increases in average temperatures can make a big difference to the extreme weather that people experience. * * MELTDOWN North Pole, December 2016: Dark... and Unusually Hot with temperatures in some areas as much as 35+ F higher than normal. Source cci-reanalyzer.org Advertisement OO The Arctic Is A Seriously Weird Place Right Now - as intense warmth in both the air and oceans drove a mini-meltdown in November, when sea ice should have been rapidly growing. It's December now, and still abnormally hot. OO Huge Antarctic Glacier Retreat, Triggered In 1940s, Now Sped Up By Climate Change - it now contributes more to sea-level rise than any other ice stream on the. A 1940s El Nino system enabled warm water to get under the glacier and melt the ice that had it hooked in place. Once moving, however, global warming helps fuel its acceleration and melting. * * GOOD CLEAN NEWS OO Economics To Keep Wind And Solar Energy Thriving With Trump - Environmental rules and government subsidies are no longer the key drivers for clean power. Economics are. OO Tesla Shock Means Global Gasoline Demand Has All But Peaked Keeping It Awesomely Beautiful the US is blocking new mining claims near Yellowstone. OO US Moves To Block Mining Near Yellowstone - new claims, that is, to keep industry out of natural and environmentally sensitive areas. OO Michigan's Biggest Electric Provider Phasing Out Coal despite Trump's stance. OO Finland Set To Become First Country To Ban Coal Use For Energy and expected to announce a switch to renewable energy, becoming the first to outlaw the fossil fuel. Advertisement Canada Just Got More Beautiful by planning to phase out coal use, which means clearer skies for viewing the aurora borealis. Source pinterest OO Canada Announces Plan To Phase Out Coal By 2030 - coal currently accounts for close to 10% of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions. Related Headlines: OO Canada: Alberta Reaches $1+ Billion Deal To Shut Down Coal Plants OO Environment And Climate Change Minister Plans To Move Canada To Cleaner Fuels - Minister Catherine McKenna is steamrolling ahead with growing measures to move Canada toward cleaner fuels and energy. * * SOCIAL REPERCUSSIONS Source ABC13.com The Sea Slowly Reclaims at high tide on Palm Isle in South Carolina, a prelude of the eventual disappearance beneath the waves as sea rise proceeds. OO Perils Of Climate Change Could Swamp US Coastal Real Estate - Homeowners are slowly growing wary of buying property in the areas most at risk, setting up a potential economic time bomb in an industry that is struggling to adapt. Advertisement OO On Virginia's Vulnerable Coast, Fear Of Flooding Rises as experts warn that the Hampton Roads region is sinking while the sea is rising at the highest rate on the US East Coast. OO Report: Climate Change Threatens New Mexico Surface Water Sources - Fallout from climate change is one factor straining the water supply in parts of Santa Fe, Los Alamos and Rio Arriba counties, home to more than 200,000 residents. Bolivia: A Dried Dam and Thirsty Citizens Protest over water shortages. OO Bolivia Declares State Of Emergency Over Worst Drought In 25 Years making funds available to alleviate a crisis that has affected families and the agricultural sector. OO Bolivian Water Crisis As Glaciers Vanish From climate change impacts, and leave cities without water. OO The Impact Of Bolivia's Fast-Melting Glaciers - Takeaways: Bolivia's glaciers have shrunk by 40+% in the past few decades. This further strains an already stressed water supply, while the meltwater lakes left behind risk collapsing in sudden, catastrophic floods. Credit Andrew Renneisen at Getty Images The Hungry Faces of Climate Change worsened by an El Nino weather system; they queue for food in Malawi and elsewhere in southern Africa. OO Southern Africa Cries For Help As El Nino And Climate Change Savage Corn Harvest - Malawi is one of seven southern African countries on the brink of starvation and requires immediate action, the UN says. Not enough aid is being delivered. OO Climate Change "Threatens Thai Fight Against Illegal Fishing" environmental groups say. OO Death Toll From Australia's Thunderstorm Asthma Reaches 6 and five remained on life support after the storm struck Australia's second-largest city. * * GOOD IDEAS Solar New York Source inhabitat.com OO How Cities Plan To Fight Climate Change In The Trump Years - Local leaders learned how to take action when Washington couldn't. Now they're betting those efforts can survive an age of science-denying federal overlords. OO There's A Right Way--And A Wrong Way--For Cities To Mitigate Climate Change -After Superstorm Sandy, New Yorkers initiated community-labor partnerships to decide on how they wanted their city to be made more resilient. Advertisement OO Analysis: Trapping Carbon Works, But High Cost Will Limit Its Use To Essential Processes OO If Climate Change Comes Up During The Holidays, It's OK To Talk - Important topics don't necessarily have to be unspeakable ones, if handled in the right way. OO Climate Finance For Farmers Key To Avert One Billion Hungry - Agriculture and food security experts say it is more critical than ever to implement locally appropriate solutions to help smallholder farmers adapt to changing rainfall patterns. OO From Black Bags To Green Gas: How Garbage Could Heat Our Homes - Last week, the UK's National Grid announced a $10+ million investment in the world's first commercially-operating plant to produce "green" gas from black bag rubbish. * * NATURAL REPERCUSSIONS A Slope of Ghostly Trees Hint at the Future Credit Paul Hennon at www.treehugger.com OO Alaska: Massive Die-Off Of Ancient Yellow Cedar Forecasts Big Future Losses - Yellow cedars, iconic temperate rainforest trees that can live 1,000 years, are dying over vast swaths of warming Alaska and British Columbia. OO How Big Droughts, Forest Fires Could Be The New Normal In Appalachia - Wildfires have burned 100,000+ acres across seven states in the southern Appalachian Mountains since late October. Advertisement OO Hundreds Of Puffin Deaths Suggest Dangers Of Warming Seas * * SPEAKING OUT Now Investors Are Suing Exxon Credit Pat Bagley at the Salt Lake Tribune OO Class-Action Lawsuit Adds To Exxonmobil's Climate Change Woes - Investors allege Exxon should have adjusted its accounting of oil reserves based on what it knows about climate change and coming climate action. OO New Voice For The Climate? Washington Teens Sue Over Emissions Policy - 8 teens asked a Washington state court recently to find the state in contempt for adopting what they argue are insufficient rules for lowering carbon emissions. As a glacier melts in the background, Peru mountain guide Saul Luciano Lliua sues a big energy giant. Source AFP OO Peru Farmer Sues German Energy Giant Over Climate Change that has caused glacial melting in the Andes, threatening his home and livelihood. OO Thousands Of Nigerian Fisherman Sue Shell For Destroying Their Communities and Britain's High Court is set to rule on the case. Advertisement * * FOSSIL FUEL FOLLIES OO Oil And Gas Companies In North America Less Green than those in EU. ExxonMobil and Chevron among worst in terms of CO2 emissions and investment in renewables, says new research. OO The Gulf Oil Spill Literally Caused Wetlands To Sink Beneath The Waves scientists say. A new study reports extensive shoreline recession in the Mississippi River Delta; the spill's impact was even more widespread than the erosion caused by Hurricane Isaac two years later. OO Oil And Water: 11,700 Gulf Oil Spills Since Deepwater Disaster Raise New Fears and include recent discoveries of illegal, unreported oil discharges and systematic dumping of chemicals from rigs and platforms. The Return of Heavy Metal? If coal revives, expect mercury levels in tuna to do so, too. Source nz296 at www.lab-initio.com OO Bringing Back Coal - And Tainted Tuna - mercury contamination in tuna had declined as the US shifted away from coal; that could now change under Trump. Advertisement OO China Risks Wasting $490 Billion On Coal Plants that would be unneceesary, said a climate campaign group. * * FIXING CLIMATE CHANGE @@ A Simple And Smart Way To Fix Climate Change given by Dan Miller in 2014 at a Ted talk suggests a way to profit as we tackle climate change, by finally charging those who sell and use fossil fuels - and distributing the revenues back to all of us. The strategy is sure to speed transition to clean renewable energy. What's not to like? Check it out! * * If we do not live sustainably, Our children will die inhumanely. Advertisement @@ How Parents Can Help Prevent Teen Pregnancy Teen childbearing cost US taxpayers $9+ Billion in 2010 And the costs of raising a child usually ensures decades, if not a life, of poverty for its mother. - US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention WHAT YOU CAN DO Help prevent unintended pregnancies in your community: publicize where women can access affordable contraception. They can go here to find locations: And there are many more actions you can do, right here. * * * SOLAR KEEPS RISING OO Solar Power Store Highlights Bright Potential For Clean Energy OO Solar, Wind Industries Hope Years Courting Republicans Pays Off Under Trump OO Scientists Have Created A Solar-Powered Fabric composed of copper "ribbons" that are thin and flexible enough to be embedded in a woven fabric, and capable of harvesting and storing solar energy simultaneously. "Instead of having two separate devices, we integrated [the solar cell and storage battery] into a single filament," said the lead researcher. Advertisement The innovation could prove important for making wearable tech self-powering - perhaps one day you'll be able to buy a solar-powered jacket that can charge your phone. Check it out here, right now! * * * WHY WE SHOULD ACT NOW: RISING RISKS Daily Climate Change: Global Map of Unusual Temperatures, Dec 6, 2016 Source cci-reanalyzer.org How unusual has the weather been? No one event is "caused" by climate change, but global warming, which is predicted to increase unusual, extreme weather, is having a daily effect on weather, worldwide. Looking above at recent temperature anomalies, much of the US and the waters surrounding it are experiencing warmer than normal temperatures: the eastern Pacific warm spot continues and so does the drought in California, despite recent winter rains and cold. Much of the areas surrounding the North Pole are experiencing much warmer than normal temperatures - not good news for our Arctic thermal shield of ice. Hotter than usual temperatures continue to dominate human habitats. * * * There is, of course, much more news on the consequences and solutions to climate change. To get it, check out this annotated resource list I've compiled, "Climate Change News Resources," at Wordpress.com here. For more information on the science of climate change, its consequences and solutions you can view my annotated list of online information resources here. Advertisement To help you understand just what science does and does NOT do, check this out! At 78, Ben Zander is a young man in a hurry. The conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and the Boston Youth Philharmonic Orchestra has more energy than most people half his age. A third of his age. You name the fraction; Maestro Zander has the juice. To wit: I don't know what you did last summer, but Zander took 120 teenagers in his orchestra first to Carnegie Hall where they played two free concerts to packed houses, with thousands in the audience never having attended a classical concert before. The programs he chose for his charges were so difficult that even the New York Times wondered how kids could play such demanding music--and play it so well. While in New York, Zander finished fundraising a cool million, so that he could take his kids not just to New York but to Spain for two weeks, where they played to enthralled houses across the Iberian peninsula. Those kids better have their passports in order, because they'll be heading to South America this summer and back to Europe the summer after that. But it's not as though Zander is only active in the summer. He's just coming off the first round of concerts with his Boston Philharmonic, the highly acclaimed adult ensemble that specializes in terrifyingly difficult and innovative programs. He auditions and re-auditions his youth orchestra members every season, which means that while you and I are watching Game of Thrones, he's listening to no less than 275 teens play their violins, cymbals, or whatever. Of course, that's not all. Zander flies to London in March to take the baton for Beethoven's 9th with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Royal Festival Hall. Zander is hardly a cruise control conductor. He has ideas. "The inventor of the metronome," Zander says, on a fall afternoon as he navigates his boat down the Charles, "was a friend of Beethoven's. "Beethoven loved the idea of the metronome, because now he could communicate his tempi quickly and easily. "Most conductors ignore his tempi, which he put onto all nine symphonies. "They play the 9th symphony in around 82 minutes, but if you look at what Beethoven actually wrote on his scores, it should not take more than an hour." So Zander is quietly preparing to upend two centuries of musicology and perform Beethoven's 9th at what will seem like a shockingly breakneck pace. "It's what Beethoven wanted," he insists, clearly taking great delight in epater-ing the bourgeoisie. Zander has won two Grammy nominations; perhaps the recording of Beethoven's 9th he'll produce this spring will finally net him the award itself. Of course, there's more. Zander, a born teacher, has discovered the joys of teaching online, using the internet as a force multiplier for his master classes. One of his videos has already scored more than 66,000 hits, he notes with great pleasure. "They're watching all over the world," he says happily, steering his craft among the rowing skulls congesting the late afternoon Charles. You may need a nap after hearing all this, but Zander clearly does not. He's certainly in no mood to quit anytime soon, however. Zander has a special fondness for Tchaikovsky, leading to his programming of Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony in his recent round of concerts. "I only do it every eight or ten years," he says, "so I'll probably only be doing it one more time after this." Of course, that would put him in the mid to late 80s, but why stop when you're on a roll? Zander quotes the writing of his former wife and, by all accounts, BFF, Rosamund Zander, whose writing on positivity and possibility infuses every thought, word, and deed. "Imagine if I went negative in front of my youth orchestra," Zander says, obviously not imagining any such thing. "It would be over in a minute. "Energy," Zander says, "is like manure. You can't stack it up. You have to spread it around!" Zander next spreads around his energy conducting the BPO on November 17th. Tickets are going fast, but not as fast as Zander himself. Catch him if you can. As 2016 draws to a close we're here to report on the sad state of the world. Sorry folks, here's your daily dose of news. 1. Ohio has passed legislation for the so-called "Heartbeat Bill" Tuesday night that will ban abortions at the 6-week point. Many women don't even know they are pregnant at that point. Great job, Ohio. More here. 2. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit Indonesia on Wednesday morning killing almost 100 people and toppling dozens of buildings. More here. Advertisement 3. A chunk of ice the size of India has melted due to bizarre weather and warming oceans. Will Elon Musk hurry up and take us to Mars already?! More here. 4. Donald Trump is TIME Magazine Person of the Year. Joining the ranks of such terrible visionaries such as Hitler, Stalin, and his best friend Vladimir Putin. TIME sure knows how to pick 'em. More here. Gala Eduard Dali, by Max Ernst, 1924, Metropolitan Museum of Art Yesterday was the 11th anniversary of the Culture Zohn at the Huffington Post. In one decade, Huffpost has gone from new media to old media. When I first began blogging, friends in then old media, e.g. The New York Times, the LA Times, and the Conde Nast publications teased me about writing exclusively online. Now, everything is social media and Huffpost itself is adjusting to the shift from newer, e.g. social media. There is much to be said about this, and many books this year have indeed come out to say we are too connected or not connected enough, that we are too distracted, that our attention spans are in freefall along with our bank accounts. The media has been scapegoated for missing the election of Donald Trump and journalists, always suspected of untruthiness have been losing not only jobs but face. Advertisement Just yesterday, on my anniversary, it was announced that Lydia Polgreen from the NYT was on her way to replace Arianna. She's not the first Timesperson to migrate, but that a dynamic woman with award-winning global experience was chosen to head up Huffpost is extremely heartening. I hope she can indeed bring a new spirit and give a home to the many who feel threatened that their voices and opinions are not going to be heard for the next four years. And I hope the advertisers will recognize and support this energy. I thought it a wonderful anniversary present. My present to you (to pay it forward) is the first blog post I did for Huffpost on Art Basel Miami 2005, both because it could have just as easily been written about Art Basel Miami 2016, and because it's cheeky. And lord knows, we can all use a laugh. Almost 5 million people fled from Syria, according to the UN Refugee Agency. It is one of the biggest humanitarian disasters of our times, causing great suffering to Syrian people and challenges to European countries, as well as Turkey, Lebanon and Jordania, to which they have been fleeing. Today, together with Markku Markkula, the President of the European Committee of the Regions, I am visiting "La Petite Ecole" in Brussels; a grass-root initiative of two Belgian teachers who decided to help integrate Syrian refugees. La Petite Ecole, photo: http://redlabopedagogique.tumblr.com/ Syria has become an international battlefield, a place of cruel fight with no regard for civilians. It seems the war won't finish soon and even more people will suffer. Refugees are arriving to Europe, and the attitude towards them has become a focal point in public debate in many countries, including Poland. Fear of "the other", of different cultural background represented by the refugees, and concerns about jobs are skillfully played by many populist politicians. For me, a Christian perspective, and Pope Francis' words are a very important reference regarding this humanitarian crisis. In the beginning of the year, the pope said: "The present wave of migration seems to be undermining the foundations of that 'humanistic spirit' which Europe has always loved and defended". I cannot agree more. The future of the European values depends on how we respond to the crisis and we should carefully listen to what Francis has said. Advertisement La Petite Ecole, photo: http://redlabopedagogique.tumblr.com/ Today, as a member of the Committee of Regions, I am visiting "La Petite Ecole", run by two teachers - Marie Pierrard and Juliette Pirlet. The project is to provide educational support for refugees, mostly from Syrian community in Brussels. Its main goal is to help kids and their families in the transition towards attending public school system in Belgium. Kids receive lessons in French and Maths and are introduced to the codes of public schools. It is worth mentioning, that after a few years of a cruel conflict in Syria, a generation is growing, which has never gotten any formal education before. Ten kids get support daily, from Monday to Friday. I consider the project especially valuable, since it is a grass-root initiative. It wasn't started by an institution, but rather by two volunteers, who later got support from the Brussels-Wallonia Federation. The project helps overcome language, cultural and administrative barriers. The beauty of such an action is clearly visible in the city of Gdansk. When the Solidarity movement has started in the 80s., we also got support for our struggle from other nations. La Petite Ecole's work with refugees, taking care of non-schooled children, is a very important sign that European solidarity still works. I am happy that I could meet people running the project. Visit also http://solidaritycities.eu. Solidarity Cities is an initiative on the management of the refugee crisis proposed by the Mayor of Athens and launched in the framework of the EUROCITIES network. It aims to constitute the framework under which all cities actions and initiatives are presented highlighting the political leadership of cities in addressing this challenge. A year ago, U.S. Representative Tim Ryan (D-OH) was an obscure backbencher Congressman. He has since become a national figure, first for his consideration by Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton for her Vice Presidential runningmate, and second for his role in unsuccessfully challenging House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) in her bid for re-election to that post. Tim Ryan is in an opportune position to move up the political ladder. Donald Trump won the Presidency in part by siphoning off from the Democrats a significant number of blue-collar voters, like the ones in Ohio's 13th Congressional District, who split their tickets, overwhelmingly re-electing Ryan, while selecting Trump for President. Voters in Ryan's northern Ohio Congressional District have come to see the national Democratic Party as a coterie of cosmopolitan sophisticates who ignore voters in the nation's hinterlands. Advertisement In almost every campaign, Republican candidates in Middle America try to tether their Democratic opponent to national Democratic leaders from the coast. Pelosi is a convenient target because she hails from San Francisco. The Republicans often vilify the City-By-The-Bay for its reputation for libertine values. In 1984, Democrats made the mistake of holding their national convention in San Francisco. U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Jeanne Kirkpatrick exploited that fact in her address to the Republican National Convention by calling for Americans to "reject the San Francisco Democrats." By mounting a formidable challenge to Pelosi, Ryan has established himself as the counterweight to Pelosi. He is now nationally known as a tribune and representative of blue-collar Democrats from the heartland who tried to oust Pelosi. After Ryan lost to Pelosi, Donald Trump's former campaign manager, Kallyannne Conway, tweeted: "What a relief. I was worried they [Democrats] had learned from the elections & might be competitive and cohesive again." Ryan could use that statement in his political future to show that Republicans view him as the antithesis of Pelosi. Advertisement Ryan could very well use his newly minted national profile in many ways. He could start a PAC with a moniker like "Returning the Democratic Party to the People." This would allow him to spend the next few years barnstorming the country campaigning for Congressional candidates in areas hostile to the National Democratic Party. By doing so, Ryan would collect chits, keep his reputation as the dissident Democrat with a blue-color vision, and he would have the opportunity to meet prominent Democratic donors. He could then run for the 2020 Democratic Presidential nomination. He could run on a similar platform as U.S. Representative Dick Gephardt (D-MO) did in 1988 by focusing on bread and butter economic issues, highlighting economic nationalism, which has been a hallmark of his congressional tenure. Economic Nationalism had been associated with the Democratic Party, but Trump co-opted it by pledging to renegotiate NAFTA, by opposing the Transpacific Partnership, and by calling for a 25% tariff to be leveled on Chinese goods exported to the U.S. Ryan recently changed his position on abortion rights, now defining himself as "prochoice." This was a dexterous political move. The abortion issue is a litmus test for many Democrats and potential benefactors. The fact that he previously defined himself as "prolife" will likely prove inconsequential. The party has nominated Bill Clinton and Al Gore, both had changed their positions on abortion, and Jesse Jackson and Dick Gephardt ran formidable races, having been converts to the cause of abortion rights. Democrats will be looking for a candidate from the nation's interior who could convince blue-collar voters in the General Election that the Democratic Party is their natural home. They will also be looking for a young charismatic leader. Ryan is only 43 years old. He also comes from Ohio, and no Republican has ever won the Presidency without carrying the buckeye state. Advertisement Ryan could mount a Presidential bid styling himself as the "Rustbelt Renegade" or the "Rustbelt rebel," arguing that he stood up to an out-of-touch party establishment, which was tone-deaf to Trump's appeal. Ryan could make the case that he would bring rustbelt voters back into the Democratic fold in the General Election and win the Presidency. He also might garner endorsements from labor organizations in the primary for his fidelity to their agenda. Ryan could use U.S. Representative Morris "Mo" Udall (D-AZ) as an archetype. Udall ran against the entrenched House Speaker John McCormick (D-MA) in 1969, losing, and against Majority Leader Hale Boggs (D-LA) in 1971. In 1976, Udall launched a Presidential campaign as the candidate of "courage, candor, and reform" and highlighted his work in the House against "the seniority system." Udall finished second for the Democratic nomination behind former Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter. It is unlikely that the Democrats will pick up the House in 2018 because partisan gerrymandering has made for very few swing districts. Ryan could challenge Pelosi again, and a disaffected caucus might vote for him on the secret ballot. Ryan could argue that the party needs a transmogrification in House leadership, having controlled the body only twice since 1995. If Pelosi retires, Ryan would likely be challenged by Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD.) Ryan could make the same argument about the long-time Whip as he would make about Pelosi. Another option would be for Ryan to seek the coveted Ohio Governorship in 2018. By challenging Pelosi, Ryan has inoculated himself from the traditional charge that Republicans would make, that Ryan is an elitist who was a foot soldier for Pelosi. Ryan can now respond that not only was he independent from her, but he even challenged her for the House Minority Leadership. Advertisement Should Ryan be elected as Governor, he would likely be on the shortlist for the Democratic Vice Presidential nomination in 2020. He could use that position as a springboard to a Presidential bid as well. Ohio is one of the most important showdown states. No Republican has ever been elected to the Presidency without carrying Ohio. The Democrats would be wise to at least consider that state's Governor, assuming he can maintain a job approval rating of over 50%. The future was supposed to bring prosperity and leisure to working people, not joblessness and misery. But that was before the money guys took over. This week Amazon announced that it's planning to open a grocery store that has no cashiers or checkout lines. The corporation said that customers would be able to download an app, link their phones to electronic shopping carts that track the items they take from the shelves, then simply walk out with their items. It was also reported this week that President-elect Donald Trump is considering Andrew Puzder, CEO of the parent company to fast-food chains Carl's Jr. and Hardee's, for Secretary of Labor. Puzder, who is already an influential Trump advisor, once boasted about the advantages of replacing human employees with machines. Advertisement "They're always polite, they always upsell, they never take a vacation, they never show up late, there's never a slip-and-fall, or an age, sex, or race discrimination case," Puzder said. According to the 1913 law that created it, "The purpose of the Department of Labor shall be to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners of the United States, to improve their working conditions, and to advance their opportunities for profitable employment." Now we learn that Trump may entrust the well-being of working Americans to someone who wants to eliminate them altogether. You want fries with that robot apocalypse? Before the Fall The technology revolution isn't here yet. Puzder's automation project is a case in point. A joint venture between Microsoft and Hardee's, it's more sizzle than steak (perhaps appropriately, given his line of business). The kiosks shown in the rollout video are already in use at restaurants like Panera. Chains like Chili's have experimented with the use of tablets. Advertisement The Hardee's kiosks don't replace humans with robots as much as they allow people to communicate with human workers in a different way. They are undoubtedly useful in eliminating checkout lines but, as a Reuters report points out, they are - at least at this point - less effective at eliminating workers. The hype is typical for today's technology. Demonstration projects like Amazon's, or Hardee's, or Google's "driverless car," are at least as much about promoting a technophilic ideology or a political agenda as they are about the device itself. Puzder quickly walked back some of his anti-worker rhetoric in an interview with Michael Hiltzik of the Los Angeles Times. (It's bad for business, for one thing.) But Puzder's automation project had already served its political purpose: it underscored his argument - rebutted by economic studies like this one - that higher minimum wages lead to lost jobs. "With government driving up the cost of labor, it's driving down the number of jobs," he told Business Insider. "You're going to see automation not just in airports and grocery stores, but in restaurants." For now, that's just talk. So is the argument that we don't need to renegotiate bad trade deals, or avoid future ones, because robots are taking those jobs anyway. For now, robots are more of a rhetorical device than a job-stealing one. Advertisement According to the data, the robot revolution isn't here yet. But the day is coming. A well-publicized 2013 study suggested that 47 percent of American jobs will be lost to automation at some point in the near future. Robert McChesney and John Nichols review its implication for progressive activism in their book, People Get Ready: The Fight Against a Jobless Economy and a Citizenless Democracy. The Money Guy To be fair, Puzder has fought against workers' interests in more traditional ways too. He wants to cut assistance programs, opposes minimum wage increases, and has been a leading spokesperson for the corporate use of franchises to evade benefit obligations. Workers at his own restaurants are among "the overwhelming majority of fast-food employees (who) make less than $9 per hour and face significant 'barriers to upward mobility' in the profession." Puzder's corporation has also been cited for numerous violations of the workplace laws he may soon be responsible for enforcing. Many low-income employees are forced to take government assistance to survive, which means that Puzder's wealth is partially built on government handouts. And that's not considering the public health costs of Hardee's/Carl's Jr. recent rollout: "a $4 meal that includes a double cheeseburger, spicy chicken sandwich, fries and a drink." Puzder is the perfect example of the modern CEO as a hands-off manipulator of money rather than a hands-on builder of businesses. Although he runs a restaurant chain with more than 20,000 employees, Puzder has never flipped burgers, worked a cash register, or opened a restaurant. An attorney by background, Puzder's restaurant career began when he helped Carl Karcher (the "Carl" in Carl's Jr.") salvage his struggling chain through a major financial transaction with Fidelity National Capital. He later orchestrated a series of additional deals to expand the corporation. Advertisement Puzder's a money guy, not a job creator (despite his participation in an advocacy grouped called the "Job Creator Network"). The "rentiers" (in economic parlance) of the non-productive, financialized economy have reshaped the American economy in ways that were inconceivable a half-century ago. In the post-War II era, people wondered what working Americans would do with all the wealth and free time automation was going to bring. George Jetson, the dad in the 1963 TV cartoon "The Jetsons," worked for an hour a day, two days a week - while complaining about his boss, Mr. Spacely, and his unethical and predatory competitor, Mr. Cogswell. Dystopia, Inc. The future is here, and Mr. Cogswell won. Corporate owners stopped sharing productivity gains with their workers four decades ago. That has led to record levels of inequality, a deepening corruption of our democracy by big-money donors and, in its latest and darkest flowering, the kleptocratic presidential administration of Donald J. Trump. The challenges of the future can't be addressed in humane, transformative ways until that trend is reversed. McChesney and Nichols write, "Imagine if a justifiably frightened and angered American people ... realized that the present is unsatisfactory and that the future looks terrifying." Advertisement That's a pretty good description of the American workforce, circa 2016. The potential Puzder pick, and the current state of American labor in general, underscores an important principle: the fight for a just economic future is inseparable from the fight for a fair economy today. It's indivisible from the fight for fair trade, for decent jobs, and for a living wage. Those fights are the continuation of a deeper struggle that's been underway for many centuries: between those who seek ever-greater wealth for the few and those who want a decent life for everyone. Donald Trump and his friends are pursuing the ancient vision, as old as the pyramids, of a society where the wealthy call the shots so they can keep growing wealthier. {UPDATE, 12.12.16. The new evidence of Russian intervention in the election with the express purpose of making Donald Trump the President of the United States changes the equation for a compromise solution to prevent Vladimir Putin's choice from taking control of the United States. There is now a greater chance that Hillary Clinton could emerge as the President as part of the compromise. See "Save America through a Compromise of 2016." Also please read and share "Where Is the Outrage? Where Are the Patriots?" on how Trump must be stopped,} The Compromise of 2016 Hillary Clinton won the 2016 Presidential Election by a very decisive margin--more than 2.8 million votes. Because of the Electoral College she will not become President. But she could still emerge as a winner--indeed, a hero--by utilizing the Electoral College to save America and the world from the inestimable calamity of a Trump presidency. Since a few days after Election Day, I have been pushing for the Electors to do what the Framers of the Constitution intended and save the Republic from the presidency falling into the hands of an incompetent demagogue who had been assisted by a hostile foreign power. Advertisement In two recent articles, "Hamilton v. Trump: The Case that Could Save America" and "538 People Can Save 325 Million," I called upon the Electors to choose as president a sane Republican who believes in facts and would not have such people as Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn and Stephen K. Bannon whispering in his ear. That could transform the looming catastrophe into a rebirth of America through a compromise that would create a National Unity Government. The chances of such a plan succeeding, however, seemed slim. Even if 38 Republican Electors could be persuaded to vote for someone else, that would throw the decision into the House, where Republicans might elect Trump anyway. But a proposal made by Michael Cannon in a Tuesday Washington Post op-ed offers a much more realistic way in which the Electors could provide a reprieve to a nation currently sitting on Death Row: If Hillary Clinton releases all 232 delegates pledged to her and asks them to vote instead for a Republican who lives in the real, factual world, is not a misogynist and thin-skinned bully, does not associate with white nationalists, and has an attention span longer than 140 characters--perhaps John Kasich or Mitt Romney--provided that a minimum of 38 Republican Electors agree to vote for that same candidate, that person would become the President-elect on December 19 and the Republic would be saved from the likely disaster that a Trump presidency would bring. Advertisement A National Unity Government But Democrats and Republicans need to go farther and negotiate, before the Electors meet, a Compromise of 2016 that will produce a National Unity Government, with all Democratic Electors and at least 38 Republican Electors also voting for a Democrat (Elizabeth Warren? Joe Biden?) for Vice President, an agreement by both not to run in 2020, a division of Cabinet posts between the parties, and agreement on certain key measures to restore trust in American government and politics. Such a grand compromise would not only save America and the world from the untold disasters that a Trump Presidency would be highly likely to precipitate, but also deliver to the American people what most of them so desire: a Washington that works and an easing of the bitter partisan division that has marked the federal government since the 1990s. Many Republicans are as terrified by a Trump Presidency as are most Democrats. Their fears grow by the day, as the Mad Tweeter continues to demonstrate his irrationality and immaturity and to surround himself with dangerous advisors. How many Republicans can be at all comfortable with the prospect of Gen. Flynn--a man who has spread many fake news stories and conspiracy theories, including a charge just before the election that Hillary Clinton was involved in "Sex Crimes w/Children," says of such fake news, "citizen journalism is the new future for truth," plays into the hands of Islamist radicals by saying the West is involved in "a world war" with Islam, and has close ties to Vladimir Putin--as National Security Advisor? Given the general disarray of the Trump campaign during the primaries, it is likely that a good number of the people chosen as Republican Electors in states that he carried are not particularly loyal to him. One, Chris Suprun of Texas, declared on Monday that he will not vote for Trump. "I am here to elect a president, not a king," he said. He is leaning towards voting for Gov. Kasich. If Hillary Clinton and Democratic Electors get the ball rolling, it is likely that more Republicans who are fearful of what Trump might do can be brought into the compromise for the good of the nation. It is a no-lose proposition for Democrats, because, as Mr. Cannon says, "If Democrats believe Trump poses a unique threat to the republic, and signal this is not okay by reaching across the aisle to marginalize and stop him, then win or lose, Democrats could legitimately claim they put partisanship aside for the good of the country." Advertisement This is an opportunity that must be seized immediately. Go for it, Mrs. Clinton and Democrats! There's not a moment to waste. This proposal can determine, in Lincoln's words, whether we shall "nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope of earth." Such a selfless, patriotic act would be a crowning achievement for Secretary Clinton's career of public service. I recently got back from my 7th continent trip -- a basecamp activity cruise to Antarctica. As one would anticipate, it truly was a trip of a lifetime and filled with unexpected adventures at every turn. These majestic sights and stunning opportunities are out there and yours for the taking as well -- this trip took me years of dreaming and planning, and it was worth every minute dedicated. Use these seven wild and wonderful Antarctica adventures below to spark your imagination and dream of experiences that only traveling the world can give you. 1. Stumbling Upon a Group of Killer Whales Hunting Seals One afternoon, as our voyage sailed through the narrow ice-choked Errera Channel into the Gerlache Strait, one of our Oceanwide Expedition Guides Beau Pruneau spotted a group of Killer Whales (Orcas). The captain slowed the boat for over an hour as we watched the Killer Whales train their young in the art of seal hunting - using techniques like spy hopping and wave washing. We were all in complete amazement of what we were watching with our own two eyes. 2. Camping with Penguins I made my 7th continent voyage on an adventure cruise to Antarctica with Oceanwide Expeditions. Since it was a Basecamp Cruise, all activities were free of charge and we were all able to indulge in every adventure. We had the opportunity to camp overnight on Antarctica land at Kerr Point; digging our own snow graves and sleeping under the open sky. It was an incredible experience in itself - and being joined by a chattering Adelie penguin who visited each sleeping bag throughout the night made it truly magical. Advertisement 3. Antarctica Polar Plunge Surrounded by Chinstrap Penguins and a fur seal lounging on the rock beach, we took a few deep breaths and dove (or in my case, ran and fell) into the freezing sea at Half Moon Bay. It was a terrifyingly cold experience and I'll never forget the shock I felt after being submerged into water that was 33 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degrees Celsius). It still give me chills to think about it, but I loved every moment of the adventure and the polar plunge feeling that wakes your entire body up! 4. Kayaking Through Antarctica Wilderness Kayaking in Antarctica is an adventure like none other. The opportunity to kayak amongst penguins and seals while navigating through icebergs is beyond your wildest childhood dreams. Johnny Clifton, a world traveler who has been to 166 countries, remarked that this was one of his top lifetime activities: "I've kayaked in over 20 rivers, lakes, and oceans across the world, and this is the top kayaking experience of them all. Paddling through the bluest of blue sea water, with icicles hanging off icebergs and penguins swimming all around us - I've never seen anything in my life like that before, and this adventure will stick in my mind forever." 5. Penguin Heaven Every penguin moment (and there were a lot of them!) was an adorable adventure in itself. Taking many shore walks along the Antarctic coast, we were surrounded by hundreds of friendly Adelie, Chinstrap, and Gentoo penguins that would dive, swim, walk, waddle and fall by you, undisturbed by your presence and curious if anything else. 6. Mountaineering Antarctica Oceanwide Expeditions basecamp passengers got to spend a few wild days mountaineering through the serene and majestic peaks of Antarctica. Anna Christensen and Jeremy King are currently backpacking around the world for a year, climbing peaks across every country they visit - but none have been as memorable as trekking in Antarctica. Anna told me that "Antarctica was an amazing phenomenon. Standing on the top of a peak which may or may not have ever been climbed before and seeing 360 degree views of the most beautiful landscape was stunning. I want to go back!" Advertisement 7. Embracing the Drake Many folks fear crossing the Drake Passage on their way to Antarctica - but we had a special group on our adventure cruise that embraced the Drake and enjoyed every minute we had together on it. While others crawled into their beds, we stayed up late in the cruise lounge area, rolling back and forth with the boat and cheering when we crashed head on into the waves. The captain had issued a warning about when the storm would peak - but we took the warning as a challenge and crowded in front of the boat windows to experience the biggest waves mother nature could give us. The mind-blowing scenery we saw and wildlife adventures we experienced will forever be carved in our memories, traveling with us wherever we go across the world. The people you meet on every trip will impact you and forever change your life; they are just as an important part to the journey as the picturesque landscapes, beautiful photos, and friendly wildlife you encounter. Traveling and true adventures can be challenging and difficult, but are always worth every penny, tear and drop of sweat you give. I encourage you to face your fears and chase your dreams - no matter how long it takes you to get there - as the journey always ends up being just as wild and important as arriving to your destination. I'd like to say I had an ordinary week of meetings with clients, a hot date, and regular news purge. But as things go, I had the unusual task of working with a new client whose dream is to run for Congress. Jenn is a humble patriot looking to make a difference. She's a grassroots supporter with little experience. Her passion for contributing was spent as a volunteer, knocking on doors, and handing out campaign jargon in this year's election. And because she is a dedicated and loving being, Jenn wants to heal the toxic political climate. But after last month, she was left disheartened, with post-election blues. "We'll never give up," we say to ourselves. And the years go by, and we sit idly watching our dreams as they fade. Advertisement We are all unique. There is nobody like you on the planet, and with the right development, we can attract the support of others who will welcome our dream, too. With growth, there will always be an opportunity to attain the thing you want, no matter how it shows itself. To imagine a life without a dream, even the tiniest one, is submitting to a world of mediocrity. Jenn is principled, articulate and passionate - but running for Congress is a steep climb. According to Malcolm Gladwell's book Outliers and the ten-thousand-hour rule of "deliberate practice," which asserts that to become a world-class expert in any field, a person must practice their skill or trade for ten thousand hours. The Beatles did it in Hamburg and Steve Jobs in a high school computer lab. Gladwell believed that by reaching 10,000 hours (that's about 90 minutes per day for 20 years) of practice you can become an outlier - the "Tipping-Point" of greatness. Today, we have new rules. We believe that if we think about one thing long enough it will hardwire into us. Our new cracked system of facts makes it possible for anyone to claim anything as reality in a post-truth era. But Gladwell's ten-thousand-hour rule offers a greater prospect of deciphering the faux from the real deal. Advertisement Let's be honest, for most folk winning a congressional race is near on impossible. The odds are stacked high. To succeed, Jenn would need media coverage, infrastructure and money. It takes years to build all three components, and Jenn has none. Although principled, articulate and passionate, her feelings of self-worth are now at ground zero. Running for Congress is Jenn's go-to story, how she defines her world. But, in truth, she has no resources or support. She has moderate experience and no plans. "If you can't link the dots," I told her, "Your approach will always let you down." She felt like she had failed. But in hindsight, she hadn't failed at all; she was just beginning. I had spent a good 30 minutes listening to Jenn. She must have mentioned grassroots at least seven times. There is always a clue if you listen to a person long enough. I let her know that. My thought was to open more of a dialogue about her interest in grassroots work. Her eyes lit up as she rambled excitingly about working as an activist. A grassroots activist. Her inspiration was back. She felt energized. Did she want to work for an organization to help women, or apply for a grassroots internship? "Oh," she said, "So many thoughts, so many decisions - I can't wait to make them all." Advertisement She smiled, and with that I knew she was well on her way towards her heart dream. And who knows, she may become a congressional winner after all. Just really, believe in what you're trying to do. Don't let people alter that. Let people advise you and lead you down paths to make smart business decisions. But trust your instinct and trust that overwhelming drive that made you put all your dreams and everything on the line. --Luke Bryan * * * * * Suzannah's work is about giving individuals (like you!) dynamic insight into what agonizes them most and offering breakthrough solutions. She offers instant, real-time solutions to what troubles her clients -- all delivered with a large shot of compassion. Schedule an Appointment Today. By Al Olsen Today is National Repeal Day -- a day to remind ourselves of how sweet is the taste of freedom. On this day 83 years ago, the 21 Amendment was ratified, ending Prohibition, a costly, disastrous, 13-year experiment. The website RepealDay.org urges celebrations of the "return to the rich traditions of craft fermentation and distillation, the legitimacy of the American bartender as a contributor to the culinary arts, and the responsible enjoyment of alcohol as a sacred social custom. It's easy! You don't have to hold a party. Just go to a bar or liquor store and have a drink." Yes, it's a day to celebrate freedom and liberty. It's also a day to learn from history. In 1924, during the middle of America's failed social policy, the legendary social critic H.L. Mencken wrote: Advertisement "Five years of Prohibition have had, at least, this one benign effect: they have completely disposed of all the favorite arguments of the Prohibitionists. None of the great boons and usufructs that were to follow the passage of the Eighteenth Amendment has come to pass. There is not less drunkenness in the Republic, but more. There is not less crime, but more. There is not less insanity, but more. The cost of government is not smaller, but vastly greater. Respect for law has not increased, but diminished." Three years earlier, Albert Einstein wrote: "The prestige of government has undoubtedly been lowered considerably by the prohibition law. ... For nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced." When comparing alcohol prohibition with America's failed war on marijuana, the similarities are stunning. Follow The Money Prohibition ended ultimately because of economics. America was gripped by The Great Depression and income tax revenues were plummeting. . Politicians began asking why the government was foregoing all that tax revenue and jobs from alcohol sales and production. Marijuana: Sound familiar. Some States Just Ignored The Law Sure, Eliott Ness and the Feds were making headlines across the country as it cracked down on "the bad guys." But may cities (Pittsburgh, Kansas City, New York) openly violated the law and dared the federal government to do something about it. Marijuana: Sound familiar. But It's Medicine Yes, there as medical alcohol during Prohibition. Sure, there were some unusual -- and dubious -- reasons for the need for medicinal booze, but it was one way to skirt the law. Marijuana: Sound familiar. Racism And Bigotry After World War I, Germans were Enemy No. 1 in the U.S. And it was German immigrants who owned and operated the majority of breweries. Slogans such as, "Sobriety is the bomb that will blow kaiserism to kingdom come" were common at the time. Catholics were also a target of these stereotypical rants. Marijuana: Sound familiar. Today, it may not be Germans or Catholics, but there is certainly a racist element to the War on Drugs. And so the year begins to close with much to reflect upon. Did we expect all these "crises" we're now facing -- and if not, why? What caused them? How do we engage with them now? Personally, I was surprised at the collective shock at the year's big moments -- Brexit, for example, or the U.S. presidential election. We view these events through a Northern prism. Globally, these moments I feel were just the latest in a series of events stemming from a thirty-year economic orthodoxy. Advertisement In fact, many of us from the South still in the struggle for democracy and human rights have long wondered why so many in the North took so long to see the political capture in their own systems that pushed back ordinary people -- until now. We must link together, globalize even, our world's similar struggles -- those within rich countries, and those between the rich North and developing South. From Durban to Dallas, our economic model marches to the beat of those with extreme wealth. It has enabled 62 billionaires to accumulate as much wealth as the poorest 3.6 billion people (watch this space for our latest research come January). Decades of progress in the long fight against poverty and gender inequality are being held back. Pointing to Oxfam's statistic, President Obama was right to say that "A world in which 1% of humanity controls as much wealth as the other 99% will never be stable." This is a world in which big business and wealthy elites are now very openly writing political rules to their favour: be it lowering their own taxes, or forcing austerity, whilst expecting bailouts as we saw in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis. Some of Oxfam's most recent research shows how the most powerful US companies collectively received $130 in tax breaks for every $1 spent on lobbying. Advertisement I find the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis' words here to be prophetic: "We may have democracy, or we may have wealth concentrated in the hands of the few, but we cannot have both." Faced with this, governments face a choice: either reduce inequality, or reduce democracy. Around the world they are repeatedly opting for the latter. The International Trade Union Confederation, for example, finds a 22% increase in restrictions on the rights of voice and assembly in its latest survey of 141 countries -- that is developed and developing nations. Within this increasingly fraught, political and contested space, the power of people is being decimated. Citizens must dig deep to amplify their voices together. I fiercely believe that current events only heighten the importance of civic space, for citizens to be able to advocate and influence. Amidst these rising anxieties, we would be wise to learn from the triumphs by citizens around the world. These victories are happening and often do not make headlines. Take the 'Civil Society Platform on the IMF Bailout' in Ghana, of which Oxfam was a part. We won the arguments to ensure the IMF's bailout did not cut but instead increased social spending - by 30%! The Open Government Partnership (OGP) finds its unique calling in such times. In the five years since its inception, OGP has engineered ambitious and innovative ways to make governments more open, accountable and responsive to citizens. 70 countries - and counting - are signed up to OGP commitments which they can be held account to. It is a riposte to the spiralling distrust in institutions. This week's Paris OGP summit for governments and civil society leaders, billed as a "COP for democracies", is the perfect stimulus for genuine discussion - one that must not tinker at the margins but honestly seek to address the causes of inequality. Its legacy must prosper well after Paris. Advertisement Fundamental is the need for governments to protect the space for citizens to claim their rights, organize and express themselves. The people standing up most strongly for our democracies should be celebrated not prosecuted -- be it those countless human rights defenders who defend all our rights, or the brave whistle-blowers who expose tax dodging. Vested interests thrive in the shadows. Citizens need to know how their countries are being run so that they can hold governments and big business to account. The government of Kenya, like Tanzania, recently passed its Access to Information Bill. This marks progress; it is a commitment from Kenya's OGP 'National Action Plan' fulfilled. Yet it is ever more apparent to me that by themselves, civic space and transparency are not enough. They do not fight inequality; people do. And so the process of public policy itself requires recalibrating -- putting people at their centre -- to deliver better policies, continually improve services, and build trust. Governments, steered by their commitment to OGP, must reimagine the way in which they foster citizen participation in decision-making. It is essential that they engage more meaningfully with the voices of marginalized and least represented people, for example women who are unable to participate in policy consultations because they do most of the unpaid care work. OGP has proven that better engagement pays off: the more civil society is involved, the likelier that policy commitments will be ambitious and delivered. In Costa Rica, civil society leveraged OGP to secure government commitments on institutionalizing consultations for any activity affecting indigenous populations. Today, 20 government agencies are engaged in this same mechanism. Advertisement I am particularly eager for governments to also lock-in policies that respond to the real needs of citizens. Some examples of "feedback loops" exist already: a citizen complaints portal in Bojonegoro in Indonesia -- an OGP pioneer at subnational-level -- that insists governments must respond to citizens within five days, to "Check My School" in the Philippines where parents provide real-time feedback on whether teachers and textbooks show up. "Check My Services" in Mongolia sees citizens score over 84 public services -- that affect over 45,000 citizens- from universities and hospitals to street-lights and waste disposal. These exciting initiatives shift power to people. Change is necessarily complex and, even at best, drawn out. But in many ways, inch by inch, policy by policy, the work of OGP -- and the movement for open, responsive, accountable governments - distils democracies to what they should be. Let us continue to rewrite the rules so they work for all of us, not an elite few. -- Donald Trump is TIME's person of the year. No matter how you feel about him as a person, it's hard to disagree with their decision. No other person has been so widely talked about or covered by the media in 2016. This widespread coverage is, in part, what lead Trump to becoming the 45th President of the United States. The billionaire businessman will start leading the country on January 19th, 2017 leaving some to wonder just how much his business ventures may conflict with the needs of the American people. Wonder no more, we've outlined some of Donald Trump's potential conflicts of interest. Advertisement Trump's new hotel in Washington is rather controversial. Trump has to pay his annual rent to the government for the space, as it's in a historical building. But the President actually appoints the head of the agency that negotiates the cost of his annual rent. Donald Trump's legal problems are so yuge that they require their own Wikipedia page. Trump allegedly doesn't like to settle his suits, especially when he's right, but the President just agreed to pay $25 Million in settlements regarding Trump University. This likely isn't the end of his legal troubles as Trump has acknowledged himself. It's not a good look for the President of the United States to be dealing with constant threats of legal action for his shitty business practices. Trump's relationship with the Deutsche Bank is troubling. The bank is currently settling with the department of justice for their role in the 2008 financial crisis. Bad for the bank, worse for Trump. The Deutsche bank is also one of Trump's biggest money lenders, having leant at least 2.5 billion to companies affiliated with Mr. Trump since 1998. Whoops. Trump's global business ties only make things worse. With plenty of business venture and money invested overseas, it wouldn't be out of the question for Trump to favor financial gain over the good of the country. That's a interesting way to approach foreign policy. Worse is if he uses his newfound political power to influence foreign investors. Trump's infamous tax audit. You know the one he kept citing during the election? Well Trump now nominates the commissioner of the IRS. This means we'll see his taxes soon right... right? These conflicts could possibly disappear if Trump releases ownership of his company, and puts his businesses into the hands of a blind trust. He's cited that he plans to divest ownership to his children, with the official announcement planned for December 15. But placing the business in the hands of your offspring isn't exactly a blind trust, is it? I will be holding a major news conference in New York City with my children on December 15 to discuss the fact that I will be leaving my ... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2016 Music Industry Leaders Travel To Palestine To Launch Revolutionary Music Expo A forward thinking and brave group of music industry figures traveled to Palestine in November with Palestinian artists ahead of the inaugural Palestine Music Expo (PMX). Basic industry infrastructure and travel restrictions topped the agenda. ________________________________ Music journalist Larry LeBlanc was one of a select group of music industry figures who traveled to Palestine in November to meet over lunch with a group Palestinian artists ahead of the inaugural Palestine Music Expo (PMX). Other attendees at the event included Mahmood Jrere, Co-Founder of the Palestinian Hip Hop group, DAM; The Orchard founder Scott Cohen; Cooking Vinyl Group Chairman Martin Goldschmidt; Glastonbury's Martin Elbourne and Malcolm Haynes ; Music Glue's Mark Meharry; and X-Ray Touring agent Beckie Sugden. The confab focused on the issues facing Palestinian artists in the post 9/11 world, including draconian travel restrictions, which can make concerts at venues just a few miles away challenging, much less booking a European tour. The travel frustrations for Palestinian artists and music fans alike are compounded by deeper structural issues. The region lacks an international airport, leaving would-be touring artists to fly out of Tel Aviv, forcing them to contend with Israel's stringent permitting system. As well, Palestine lacks the basic infrastructure for a live music industry and while there are venues, there is a marked dearth of people who can help make successful concerts a reality, including promoters, managers, and record labels. During conflict, one of first human expressions to be limited is a peoples artistic culture These are the issues that Martin Goldschmidt and the founding team of PMX hope to begin to tackle with the debut of the Palestine Music Expo. Due to take place April 5-7, 2017 across three cities, Ramallah, Haifa and Jerusalem, PMX will showcase both established and upcoming Palestinian artists to local audiences and key members of the international music industry as it seeks to shine a light on the regions burgeoning, but internationally little-known, music scene. Starting out on this journey I have been thrilled by the interest, sympathy and broad-based support for Palestinian musicians from artists and professionals, right across the industry, enthused Goldschmidt, who said that the event will mostly be produced and staffed by people from the local industry. During conflict, one of first human expressions to be limited is a peoples artistic culture, added Budd. Its prominence in everyday society is relegated and the world is denied the positive messages that music and art delivers. PMX is being created to highlight and remind people of what music can do to reinforce a message of hope and bring Palestinian culture into wider consciousness by supporting some damn good music, Goldsmith told Billboard in a recent article about the Expo. For more information, or to take part in PMX, please check them out online at http://palestinemusicexpo.com. via Celebrity Access Share on: The rising impact of climate risks has resulted in a US$100 billion protection gap in the global insurance sector, according to a group of major industry players.ClimateWise, a global network of leading re/insurers, brokers and industry service providers, warned that the gap of uninsured or under-insured assets had increased fourfold over the past 30 years.Tom Herbstein, ClimateWise programme manager, told the BBC that the protection gap was the difference between total economic loss and the value of insured assets.We have seen this gap open up from about US $23 billion about 30 years ago to over US $100bn today, Herbstein was quoted as saying by the BBC.Herbstein said other parts of the society, such as governments and asset owners, also carry the burden of covering the cost of the protection gap.In some cases, no-one covers it at all, he said.ClimateWise chairman Maurice Tulloch added that the insurance sector will struggle to reduce the protection gap because the industrys response is limited to avoiding, rather than managing, climate risk exposure.The insurance industrys role as societys risk manager is under threat, Tulloch, who is also chairman of global insurance at Aviva, told the BBC.Herbstein added that the traditional response of insurance, which is to reassess, re-underwrite and reprice, is almost becoming the sectors Achilles heel.It is repricing itself out of risk but it is not addressing the root cause of the problem, which is that society is increasingly vulnerable to climate risks and it is in need of enhancing its resilience, he explained.According to Herbstein, the really powerful role that the insurance sector can play is to support external stakeholders to start investing in climate resilience.If the industry can start working outside its traditional risk-carrying role, it is going to have huge knock-on benefits. There is a real case for change, the BBC quoted him as saying.ClimateWises findings are part of two reports to be released on Wednesday.The network is based at the University of Cambridge, with members that include Lloyds, Aviva, Allianz Marsh and Willis. A ride-sharing service has acquired a New York-based artificial intelligence (AI) start-up to form a new research lab meant to accelerate its progress in developing self-driving cars, BBC has reported.Ubers deal with Geometric Intelligence (GI), for an undisclosed sum, has helped it create a new division, called Uber AI Labs, which will consist of 15 specialist researchers. Most of the GI researchers will transfer to Ubers San Francisco headquarters.Gary Marcus, co-founder of Geometric Intelligence and a New York University Professor, told the BBC that the AI team would have a wide brief. In the short-term, the team aims to improve Ubers ability to predict traffic; and in the long-term plans to speed up its launch of a self-driving car fleet, which is already being road-tested in Pittsburgh and San Francisco.The division eventually aims to completely eradicate the role of humans in operating cars possibly putting several hundred thousand Uber drivers out of a job.Jeff Holden, Ubers chief product officer, said: Historically what youve seen is as technology has taken jobs away from people, new jobs have opened up.Holden said job losses are a necessary consequence of achieving safer roads.The way I think about it is there are trade-offs, but one of the plusses is that eventually the roads are going to be much safer for people, he stressed.Uber recently published a white paper exploring the possibility of flying cars and Marcus further envisions a future where flying cars would be taking people to work, BBC reports.Theyre going to allow people to take long commutes at 75 or 150 mph where youd otherwise get stuck in traffic. Its really, in a not-too-distant future, going to be something that is practical, he said.Recent reports have indicated that Ubers aggressive growth lost the company more than US$2 billion last year. This figure is likely to go up in 2016, the report said.Were actually in very good shape, Uber told the BBC.Those sorts of things look bad from the outside. Related stories: Criticism of self-driving cars can kill people Musk Uber settlement over insurance fee rejected by US court Eversource officials outlined the Pittsfield plan to the Community Development Board on Tuesday. Eversource Plans Solar Projects In Pittsfield and Lanesborough Amy Voisine-Shea said the two projects are part of a more than a dozen throughout the state as the company aims to develop 62 more megawatts of electricity statewide. PITTSFIELD, Mass. Eversource is now in the permitting stage for two solar projects, tallying some 6.2 megawatts in central Berkshires. That's one-tenth of the total 62 MW it hopes to develop statewide. The electric company is looking to build a 2.2-megawatt facility on land it owns on Partridge Road in Pittsfield and another 4-megawatt array on Route 7 in Lanesborough. Both projects are on plots of land the company already owns and is considered "underutilized." "The governor has a goal of 20 percent renewables by 2020. The Legislature passed a bill to allow utilities to own up to 35 MW in each of our companies. We own eight [megawatts] already, one in Pittsfield and two in Springfield, that we built back in 2009 to 2014 timeframe," Eversource's Senior Environmental Specialist Amy Voisine-Shea said. "So we are looking to develop the 62 MW left in our program. We are starting with properties we own to keep the cost down for our customers and it is a tight timeline, construction has to be done by the end of 2017." Eversource is the parent company for Western Massachusetts Electric and NStar, each of which is allowed to own and operate up to 35 megawatts of solar. The two projects in central Berkshire are part of more than a dozen projects proposed across the state to build out to those numbers. "It is a great project. Global warming is a real thing and we have to start someone," Voisine-Shea said. In Lanesborough, the company envisions some 15,000 panels with three equipment pads spanning 23.3 acres. The entire project is on 86 acres of land owned on the eastern portion of Route 7 between Town Hall and Bill Laston Memorial Park. "It is similar to [the Pittsfield] one. It is set back from the right of way so neighbors can't really see it," Voisine-Shea said. The company presented those plans to town officials in Lanesborough on Monday and is expected to go before the Planning Board later this month. The Pittsfield project will encompass 10.6 acres of 36 acres the company owns here, with some 6,000 panels being installed. The group presented those plans to the Community Development Board on Thursday and will be seeking a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals later this month. "We have had contact with the neighbors to the north who would like to do some additional screening. We'll be meeting with them on Thursday," Voisine-Shea told the Community Development Board, adding that the company had already met with the other abutters to discuss the project. The Pittsfield project is set some 240 feet from the road, she said, and after construction, small vehicles will only be in and out of the property three or so times a year. Both projects are planned to be under construction in the spring and operating shortly after three to four months for the Pittsfield and four to five months for the larger Lanesborough project. "It will provide property tax for the town, jobs during construction, union contractors will do all the electrical work," Voisine-Shea said. Eversource delivers electricity to customers and this will provide more renewable energy to the grid. Voisine-Shea said the program was designed to pass along the tax credits SREX to the customer. The Community Development Board suggested that city officials keep an eye on stormwater runoff issues into the future. The Pittsfield project did have some concerned neighbors, who focused their attention mostly on stormwater runoff and noise. Ray Costello has been living on Partridge Road for some 40 years and knows that the entire area has issues with stormwater. He called on city officials to keep a close eye on it and make sure Eversource fixes any disruption to the hydraulics caused by the development. "I have seen stormwater runoff that has caused, at least in my opinion, significant downstream issues and damage," he said. "If one of those mitigating measures fail, there are serious consequences." Community Development Board member David Hathaway agreed. While the stormwater runoff issue is under the jurisdiction of the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Community Development Board voted to pass along a recommendation that the city follows up on the stormwater as well as project screening issues well into the future. Meanwhile, Mark Densmore raised concerns about the noise levels. He asked city officials to consider requiring screening that will help buffer out any sound. Voisine-Shea said a sound study was done and it is estimated to only add 1 decibel to the noise during the day and nothing at night when the system isn't running. "I'm glad to hear you are meeting with the abutters and fielding concerns," Community Development Board Chairwoman Sheila Irvin. Some of the E3 Academy students explain how they created the pantry box and how they think it will help with hunger issues. Residents in need can take food, it's hoped that others will give food. PreviousNext North Adams' E3 Academy Creates Mini-Pantry NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The students at E3 Academy saw a problem with hunger and came up with a solution: a mini-food pantry. Inspired by the proliferation of Little Lending Libraries in the region, the Give Food Take Food pantry box outside the Vietnam Veterans Post 54 is stocked with canned goods with the idea that people who need it will use it. "We were doing, 'what are problems in the community?' and we found one of them is people in North Adams don't know where to get food or are struggling to get food," said student Joey Butler. "So we decided to make it easier by putting this out here and putting food in it." The academy, an alternative program that uses on-hands projects and mentoring opportunities to engage at-risk students, has developed a number of community service projects, from the NAMApparel line to a primer on nutritional cooking. "E3 is based on service-learning projects so we always look to not only what we can give back to the community but in doing so we can teach them the core courses for their high school graduation," said teacher Cathleen King. "So we wrap up all of our English, history, math, science lessons into these projects." The endeavors are largely brainstormed by the students with some guidance. This fall, the focus had been on food and food insecurity. "The issue that rose up as the most important to the kids was that they felt there were people in the community who weren't accessing the resources available," Abby Reifsnyder, school adjustment counselor, said. "So they wanted to create a resource that didn't require any paperwork, you didn't have to show anybody that you needed anything [for eligibility], you didn't have to be seen in an environment where people might judge. ... "They wanted to create something that's completely free of any stigma." The 10 students in the program had to figure out what would be the best way to address food security. They did research, visited and participated in local pantries and the Berkshire Food Project and then designed and built the box so it was weather proof and the food inside protected. Colegrove Park Elementary School, which recently underwent renovation, had nine taps with elevated copper because of its new plumbing. North Adams Schools Find Taps With Elevated Levels of Lead, Copper NORTH ADAMS, Mass. An extensive testing of water delivery points in the city's schools has turned up elevated levels of lead and copper. Some 353 bubblers, faucets and other water taps were tested in September through a state grant through the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. The results were received this week, with about 50 points identified as exceeding state levels for lead and copper. Only a handful drinking water taps tested high and those were immediately shut off and warning signs put up, said school officials. The city has also been in discussions with the state's Departments of Health and Environmental Protection on next steps. "The results are not unanticipated results, they are part and parcel of having plumbing that included having these elements," said Superintendent of Schools Barbara Malkas. "Looking at all results in comparison to what we're seeing from locations across the state, we're in good shape." Drinking water taps were tested twice and non-drinking water faucets, bathrooms tested once. According to the state, 164 school buildings statewide have had at least one tap exceed lead action levels and 76 have at least one tap exceeding the copper levels. Malkas and Mayor Richard Alcombright, along with others in the city's health, water and maintenance services, held a press conference at Central Office early Wednesday morning to explain the steps being taken. "The water access points are shut off and labeled," said Alcombright. "We're making other sources available for water ... the next step is to fix the infrastructure." A letter specific to each school, with the testing results and information on the elements, is being released to parents Wednesday; faculty and staff were being informed that morning as well. "I would urge parents not to be distressed but to be informed by reading these FAQ sheets because it's very straightforward as to the risk to your children's health," said Maris Owczarski, the district's heath administrator and a registered nurse. "Because the amount, the levels, is just not excessive." The actionable level for lead is .015 milligrams per liter and 1.3 milligrams per liter for copper, both of which are naturally occurring elements. The tests that showed higher levels were not that far above the actionable levels: around 1.5 for copper and .017 for lead for water fountains. "Our community made a commitment to do that so we would, in fact, have the information we needed to improve the drinking water in our schools," Malkas said. "We are not alone ... 108 cities and towns, multiple schools, have been identified with this issue. It's not just a North Adams issue." Alcombright said the grant funding "dropped from the sky" at the just the time it was needed to do the test the systems. "It was just a good opportunity for us to be able to come and do this type of testing," the mayor said. "We've done everything to this point as laid out by the DPH and DEP and the next mitigation plan is to swap out bubblers and those types of things as we need to." North Adams Public School Water Delivery Testing by iBerkshires.com on Scribd Veterans Service Officer James Clark delivered the remarks at the ceremony. The even was emceed by Fran Tremblay. Tony Pastore. More than a dozen veterans and citizens attended the ceremony. John Harding reads the speech President Roosevelt delivered to Congress the day after the attacks. Veteran Service Officer James Clark. The event was at the war memorial on South Street. A valley was shot off at the conclusion of the ceremony. Rabbi Josh Breindel. PreviousNext Pittsfield Observes Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day World War 2 Veteran Tony Pastore sang the National Anthem. PITTSFIELD, Mass. It was on this day 75 years ago when Roman Sadlowski and Edward Burns, both hailing from Pittsfield, were killed during the attacks on Pearl Harbor. That morning, Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese planes attacked the U.S. naval base in Hawaii, killing thousands and sinking or damaging the Pacific Fleet's eight battleships. The attack brought the United States into World War 2, as millions of citizens, dubbed the Greatest Generation, took up arms to defend the country. "The attack claimed the lives of more than 2,400 Americans including two of Pittsfield's own. It nearly destroyed our Pacific Fleet but it could not shake our resolve," Veteran Service Officer James Clark said. "While battleships smoldered in the harbor, patriots from across our country enlisted in the armed forces, volunteering to take up the fight for freedom and for security." Wednesday morning, the Veterans Coalition gathered at the war memorial on South Street to pay respects to those who fought in World War 2 and at Pearl Harbor. Some 44 men from Pittsfield and Dalton served at Pearl Harbor or at the nearby airfield and more joined the war after the attacks. "We salute those who responded with strength and courage and service of our nation and we renew our dedication to the ideals in which they so valiantly fought. The men and women of the greatest generation went to war and braved hardships to make the world safer, freer, and more just," Clark said. The annual ceremony, with temperatures hovering in the low 30s and a slight dusting of snow on the ground, recognizes the sacrifice of World War 2 veterans. This year's event kicked off with the Rev. J.C. Williams giving the invocation followed by Clark's remarks. Veteran John Harding then read one of the country's most memorable speeches, the one President Franklin Roosevelt delivered to Congress the day after the attacks, declaring war. Following that, veteran Larry Caprari read the names of local veterans who served at Pearl Harbor. A volley was shot off and taps was played before Rabbi Josh Breindel delivered the benediction. Page Content MONTREAL, 7 DECEMBER 2016 The Council President of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, and ICAO Secretary General, Dr. Fang Liu, issued a joint statement today on the occasion of International Civil Aviation Day, 2016: The theme for International Civil Aviation Day through 2018 is: Working Together to Ensure No Country is Left Behind. In 2016, this theme provides an important reminder of the role of cooperation and partnership in everything we seek to achieve in global civil aviation. Flying remains the safest form of transport because aviation safety benefits from an incredible team effort by governments, airline and airport operators, manufacturers and service providers, maintenance staff and others who make safety their priority. Cooperation also makes our aircraft and facilities more secure, and better prepared to adjust to new and emerging threats. Likewise, the efficiency of air operations globally is being continuously improved through new cooperative approaches, such as Air Traffic Flow Management. Greater liberalization and multilateralism have also been identified as crucial objectives for future air transport economic viability. And in the Environmental domain especially in 2016, our communitys strong commitment to come together on behalf of our planet has helped aviation to once again show its strength and leadership through new and historic emissions control Standards and agreements. Our No Country is Left Behind initiative has been transformative and widely commended by States and industry. And we have been working tirelessly to promote the importance of civil aviation to socio-economic development and its prioritization in national and regional development and investment planning. The entire aviation community has a role to play in this process, and all of us benefit when our networks reach is extended and societies find greater peace and prosperity through newfound connections to the world. International civil aviation remains our most remarkable example of successful human cooperation and global partnership, and a shining example to the world of how much we can achieve when we meet our shared challenges together. Resources for Editors About ICAO A specialized agency of the United Nations, ICAO was created in 1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world. It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency, capacity and environmental protection, amongst many other priorities. The Organization serves as the forum for cooperation in all fields of civil aviation among its 191 Member States. The ICAO International Civil Aviation Day website Banners, posters and print and web adverts highlighting the 2015-2018 theme ICAOs No Country Left Behind initiative Contacts Anthony Philbin Chief, Communications aphilbin@icao.int +1 514-954-8220 +1 438-402-8886 (mobile) Twitter: @ICAO William Raillant-Clark Communications Officer wraillantclark@icao.int +1 514-954-6705 +1 514-409-0705 (mobile) Twitter: @wraillantclark We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector Arab IDF Soldier: I Love This Country and Want to Contribute The Fellowship | December 7, 2016 Arab IDF Soldier: I Love This Country and Want to Contribute Nearly 200,000 active soldiers serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Out of these, The Jerusalem Post reports, several hundred Arabs stand up for what is right and serve the nation and people they love: A battalion of soldiers crawls across the desert sand with assault rifles cocked. Its a routine exercise, but these are no ordinary troops they are Arabs who have chosen to fight for the Jewish state. While the vast majority of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are Jews and nearly all their conflicts have been against Arab nations a trickle of Israeli Arabs volunteer for the army. Most are Beduin, a community native to southern Israel. But some are other Arab citizens of Israel, the descendants of Arabs who remained in Israel during and after the 1948 War of Independence. Why did I decide to enlist? asks Sergeant Yusef Salutta, a 20-year-old Arab from the north of Israel who serves with the Desert Reconnaissance Battalion. The army rarely grants journalists access to the unit. Because Im from this country and I love the country and I want to contribute, he said. Everyone should enlist, anybody who lives here should enlist. The military conscripts young Jewish men and women, but not Arabs. It does not report exact numbers of Arab volunteers, but officials say there are several hundred among the 175,000 active personnel. A silver Star of David necklace hung around Saluttas neck, and he chatted with fellow-soldiers in Hebrew Energy Department Launches Zero Energy Schools Accelerator Washington, DC - As a part of the Obama Administrations effort to cut energy waste in Americas buildings, today the Energy Department launched the Better Buildings Zero Energy Schools Accelerator. Six school districts, two states and several national organizations are working collaboratively to develop zero energy design that is cost-competitive to conventional construction in the education sector and in local communities across the nation. A Zero Energy Building is an energy-efficient building, where on a source energy basis, the actual delivered energy is less than or equal to the onsite renewable exported energy. In conjunction with the launch, Energy Department officials joined other key stakeholders today to tour Discovery Elementary School, a Zero Energy school located near the nations capital in Arlington, Virginia, which officially opened its doors in September 2015. Discoverys engineering team expects to offset its energy usage with renewable energy and to potentially save about $75,000 within its first year of operation. Discovery Elementary is one of 40 emerging Zero Energy ready schools in the U.S., and was built with advanced next generation energy efficiency and renewable power features, including solar rooftop and geothermal heating and cooling systems. Through the Better Buildings Zero Energy Schools Accelerator, partners commit to real savings, said Kathleen Hogan, U.S. Department of Energys Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency. By using the most energy-efficient technologies, and engaging students and the local community, school districts can lead the way in saving taxpayer dollars and creating more resilient and first-in-class educational facilities. Through programs like the Zero Energy Schools Accelerator, Zero Energy schools have the potential to save 65-to-80 percent in energy consumption, depending on climate the zone. By aggressively pursuing energy efficiency opportunities, school districts could dedicate these savings toward other learning needs, including salaries for teachers, computers or books. Further, the number of K-12 schools continue to grow and can serve as a model for other new construction sectors. The education sector accounts for a substantial portion of the building construction and renovation industry, a figure that has grown consecutively over four years. In addition to saving money for taxpayers, Zero Energy schools also make a difference in the learning environment for students. Improved ventilation and daylighting are used extensively in most Zero Energy schools and studies have shown that both these strategies help improve the learning environment. Teachers are also able to transform classrooms into 3D engagement opportunities with the student body by using energy dashboards and new technologies as teaching tools. The goal is to quickly make Zero Energy K-12 schools more mainstream. Partner school districts commit to developing their own zero energy plans for a district project within a year. They can also engage with fellow states and school districts, and leverage support from regional and national organizations, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project, Southern California Edison, The Energy Coalition, New Buildings Institute, Rocky Mountain Institute, and the National Association of State Energy Officials. The first participating school districts include: Hermosa Beach City School District (Hermosa Beach, California) LA Unified School District (Los Angeles, California) Arlington School District (Arlington, Virginia) Boulder Valley School District (Boulder, Colorado) Adams 12 Five Star Schools (Thornton, Colorado) Douglas County School District (Douglas County, Colorado) State of Minnesota Schools State of California Schools Better Buildings Accelerators are part of the broader Better Buildings Initiative which aims to make commercial, public, industrial and residential buildings 20 percent more energy efficient over the next decade. Through Better Buildings, public and private sector organizations across the country are working together to share and replicate successful strategies to drive energy efficiency. This means saving billions of dollars on energy bills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating thousands of jobs. 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 }} As vegetables are always inclined to grow from horse manure, so the Turner Prize has always thrived on controversy. It was almost the reason for its being. Remember the Stuckists and how they used to jab their banners up and down outside the walls of Tate Britain in a coordinated show of civilly responsible outrage? Is this nonsense really art? they would bellow in their cut-glass, country-mouse accents. Whatever happened to all those manageable, visually alluring objects in frames, or those bronze casts of lopped limbs raised up for our delectation on plinths? they would chorus, corduroyed legs kicking out wildly and yet suavely. And then there were the exhibits themselves. How we used to lather at the mouth when we noticed how the Chapman Brothers had defaced Goya's prints with such gleeful, cheeky-chappy wantonness! How we used to hold our noses at the sight of the giant plops of dung that Chris Ofili had managed to use as deft foot props for his languidly leaning, rainbow-twinkly canvases. There was always so much to be outraged about. What fun we all had! Remember the time when Ian Irvine, sometime arts editor of this newspaper, was forced to defend in print, straining every critical nerve, for days on end, his decision to champion Martin Creed's light bulb, the one that went on and off to suit itself? Helen Marten accepts her prize at the Tate Gallery in London (Reuters) All long gone, thank goodness. Everyone understands now that art is everything and nothing, that the word installation will always do if the individual bits and pieces look as if they don't deserve to be called sculptures in their own right, and that nothing of good plain sense needs to be said in support of whatever it is that we are being invited to admire. Thank goodness that there is nothing left to argue over! Now we know that the real business is a presentational one, that it is the artist, hand in hand with Will Gompertz and his gorgeous, Red-Sea-parted hair, who must win us over. The Chapman brothers, known as the bad boys of art, defaced Goya's prints for their 2003 Turner Prize submissions (Getty) Take this year's winner, Helen Marten, for example. We will remember her in the future for two things. One is her act of exemplary generosity, so well and so widely reported that it scarcely needs repeating here. Instead of hurrying away to her nest in the eaves, clutching that cheque for 25 gee-gees in her tightly balled fist, she stopped dead at the Millbank Entrance, did a neat 360-degree full turn, tore the cheque (with exemplary mock-savagery) into four equal portions and promptly thrust them into the ravening maws of the three miserable losers who were running after her, baying like teenage wolves who had been fed on far too few raw bacon scraps. Such open-handedness! What ever happened to jealousy, envy, backbiting, mutual contempt in short, all those sterling human qualities that used to make artists and poets what they were? This kind of behaviour is unknown in the world of art and poetry. Do we not all remember how Braque simply could not bear to be in the same flamenco bar as Picasso? But there is more to it, much more. There is also Marten's extraordinarily glutinous praise for the work of her rivals. Was she telling the truth when she deployed the word that she had evidently chosen with such extraordinary care? Was she striving to disarm or perhaps to flatter? Had a flash of an insinuating smile or a flick of the hair from Gompertz caused her to part company with her reason, albeit temporarily? No one will ever know. It was far too long ago. Martin Creed's won the Turner Prize in 2001 for his lights that went on and off (Rex) Whatever the cause, it was utterly disarming and utterly unexpected, the word that she plucked from her bristling lexicon. She told us that all their work was brilliant, thereby, at a stroke, erasing from history's white board centuries of carefully considered approaches to the criticism of works of art, from Winckelmann to Gombrich. Brilliant. Brilliant. Let it sink in. And we admired her for doing so because we had, at first glance, some of us at least, perhaps suspected otherwise. We had thought that some of the works were quite good, others deserving of being displayed at Tate Britain, and yet others destined to return to the skip from which their constituent parts had been so skilfully purloined at the speed of lightning bolts. Mercifully, we were wrong. As Marten instructed us so winningly, they all deserved to be there, and nothing further needed to be said about it. Except perhaps that there was one further thing to be said, and luckily it was said by Alex Farquharson, newish head of Tate Britain, a man who recently sprinted down from Nottingham. He called Marten's work poetic, and that is just what was needed, we felt, because the work poetic rhymes so fully with the art of the present in so far as it means everything and nothing. Only poets know what it really means, of course, and they generally keep it to themselves. 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 }} Originally published in 2005, Mary Gaitskills Veronica freshly added to the Serpents Tail Classics list, with a new introduction by the author is an exercise in a certain kind of tainted nostalgia. Written in the 1990s, the majority of the action takes place a decade earlier, in New York City in the 1980s, all glamorous New Romantic androgyny, mesh fingerless gloves and black lace. The narrator Allison is young, but shes already had plenty of life experience, including a stint in Paris as a catwalk model and the mistress of one of the citys most successful modelling agents. Not that shes particularly worldly-wise though; she lost all her money when her career and relationship crashed and burned. Back in the US she moves to New York looking for life and sex and cruelty. These arrive in the form of Veronica, a proofreader she meets while temping whos 20 years her senior, an unpredictable oddball with a notoriously unfaithful bisexual boyfriend she cant bring herself to leave. When the novel begins, two decades have passed. Veronica has long since died of Aids, but Alison, now living in California, her looks faded and her body scarred and ill (the ravages of a car accident and Hepatitis) cant stop thinking about her. To describe Veronica as a novel about a friendship would, however, be a little misleading. Allison is appalled and fixated by Veronica in equal measure, unlike her other NYC friends each its own object with specific functions Veronica defies such categorisation. If anything, and even more so after her death, she comes to represent something bigger than an individual character. Enfolded into her is the sense of the end of an entire era; of lost youth, beauty, opportunities and ambition Gaitskill richly brings to life the downtown art scene of the decade, its beauty and glamour but also its grime. One of her most enticing skills as a writer is the way that she always sees the whole picture. Here, within a broader canvas of almost viscerally aching melancholy, bursts of bright animation sit alongside depictions of some the most unsavoury elements of human interaction namely, duty, pity and rejection. All the same, one of the oddest things about the book is just how nebulous Veronica, and what passes for the friendship between the two women, remains throughout. If we were a story, Veronica and I would be about a bedraggled prostitute taking refuge in the kitchen with the kindly old cook, Alison explains towards the end of the book. On first reading this seems like a disorientating shift in perspective, but perhaps instead it holds the key to this essential haziness. They are part of the scene and they add to it. But they are not the story, Alison concludes. Central to Veronica is the universal human struggle to forge meaningful connections with others. To see and be seen: Its not an easy thing. If you cant find the right shape, its hard for people to identity you. Veronica by Mary Gaitskill (Serpents Tail, 8.99) 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 }} Disneys Christmas release, the computer-animated musical fantasy Moana, transports us to the seas of Polynesia, where the title character, a young girl, takes on a leadership role and risks everything to save her tribe and her community. Such a strong female role is a far cry from Snow Whites work washing the dishes. As we found in our recent study of the depiction of the working woman in Disney films, animation tracks in all sorts of fascinating ways how visions of female empowerment at work have changed over the last century. In Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) we initially encounter the princess as a scullery maid dominated by her wicked stepmother sullenly lifting pales of water from the well. She escapes only to find herself confronted with further dirty and monotonous labour playing housekeeper (and mother) to the dwarves. A decade on, we find Cinderella (1950) in a house with her wicked stepmother and sisters being subjected to a life scrubbing floors wishing for a better life. And in Sleeping Beauty (1959), a whole industry is destroyed simply to protect the princess, Aurora, from a fatal prick to the finger from a spinning wheel foreseen by the evil witch Maleficent. Three fairy godmothers care for the young princess but ultimately give away their secret, safe location due to the sheer monotony of their life and work in the woods. The message is clear in these early films: women are weak and should avoid work at all costs. It is dangerous and monotonous and unrewarding. These female characters need to be protected, rescued and defended from the world of work by men and generally find their solace as kept women. Alternatively, they find a working role as a caregiver a mother who, in turn, protects her young, her vulnerable from the world of work. Similar themes of workless women in need of rescuing by male saviours can be found in other Disney films of the time such as Lady and the Tramp (1955) and The Aristocats (1970). The fiercely independent Moana sets sail on the South Pacific seas to save her tribe and her community The Disney renaissance era (1989-1999), so called due to the studio emerging from a rather dismal run of films, can be seen as a turning point for Disney in terms of the representation of womens work. It provides us with women who are intelligent and empowered but restrained in how they are able to use these talents in the workplace. So in The Little Mermaid (1989) for instance we encounter Ariel, both a princess and a tinker, a collector of objects under the sea. She wishes to escape from her overprotective father but, despite the message of empowerment and female independence within the film, she ultimately finds her happiness in the arms and protection of another man. Similarly, in Beauty and the Beast (1991) and Tarzan (1999), Belle and Jane both attractive, highly intelligent young ladies (the latter a young scientist) who dream of something more ultimately find happiness and contentment through men, rather than their work or personal achievements. The most radical Disney films of the studios renaissance period, Pocahontas (1995) and Mulan (1998), again offer us fiercely independent women. Mulan poses as a man in the Chinese Army so that she can enter the world of work in lieu of her frail father. But when offered the opportunity to enter permanent work at the end of the film as part of the emperors inner circle, Mulan turns the offer down and returns to her village. Similarly, after bringing peace to her community, the closing vision of Pocahontas is of her watching wistfully, longingly, as the ships leave without her the implication that there might be something more out there, but it was not a place for her yet. It is only in the past decade that Disney begins to consistently portray empowered women in work who develop their identities through working experiences. In The Princess and the Frog (2009), Tiana a young, African-American waitress has a dream to own and manage her own restaurant in New Orleans. She is told by the bankers that a woman of her means should quit and know her place but, against all the odds, resists temptation to give up and secures her dream on her own terms. This film set a tone for those that followed, in which the central female characters are not only empowered and independent, but discover who they are and realise their potential through work, not romance. We see this theme continued in Frozen (2013), in which two young sisters are orphaned and are thrust in to working roles that they simply arent prepared for to rule and govern a whole kingdom. Elsas anxiety and fear can be seen as a manifestation of female trepidation about taking on leading roles, but also provide a lesson about eventually (with the help of our friends or our sisters) overcoming them. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Zootopias (2016) fiercely independent and ambitious female character, Judy Hopps the citys first bunny rabbit police officer builds on this. She works hard within her police precinct to be recognised as an equal amongst her male counterparts despite experiencing extreme discrimination at the hands of her boss. She is told that she will only ever be a meter maid (parking inspector) but eventually proves them all wrong and gains her place as a bunny among equals. Elsa in Disney's Frozen is another empowered female character (Walt Disney Studios/YouTube) And so to Moana (2016), Disneys 55th animation, which continues (and perhaps even fulfils) Disneys journey from timid, kept princess to empowered, independent princess. Whilst being a wildly enjoyable voyage across the Pacific Ocean, incorporating an epic quest through which the young princess develops and discovers her talents as a master navigator (who can control the sea with her hair), the film offers us a vision of a powerful and wilful young lady who will take on everything that comes at her to be successful. She is the epitome of the modern working woman. A success story, then. But it is important to keep in mind that other animation studios completed this journey to representing empowered, fiercely independent young women in work decades ago. Japans Studio Ghibli, for instance, featured balanced and complete working female characters in films such as Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984) and Kikis Delivery Service (1989) that are radical in comparison to Disneys films of the time. Nevertheless, Moana builds upon the significant progress Disney have made in recent years in representing complex, multifaceted and intriguing female characters in working roles. Martyn Griffin is lecturer in organisational behaviour at University of Leeds; Mark Learmonth, is professor of organisation studies at Durham University; and Nancy Harding is professor of organisation theory at University of Bradford. This article was originally published in The Conversation 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 }} Following the record-breaking debut trailer, the second clip from Fifty Shades Darker has reached the internet, just in time to play before Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Of course, the chances of that happening are incredibly slim: where Disneys Star Wars spin-off is aimed at children, Fifty Shades Darker is aimed at a more adult audience. In trailer number two, things get raunchier than before, with Anastasia taking off her underwear mid-way through a meal, Christian Grey rubbing oil on his lover, and - heaven forbid - lots of gawking. Expect an angry think piece from the Daily Mail momentarily. Fifty Shades Darker continues the misadventures of college student Anastasia (Dakota Johnson), caught up in the covert sexual shenanigans of business tycoon Christian (Jamie Dornan), a man described both as a romantic hero and an abusive creep - depending on who you're talking to. Fifty Shades of Grey world premiere Show all 9 1 /9 Fifty Shades of Grey world premiere Fifty Shades of Grey world premiere Fifty Shades world premiere Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan and Sam Taylor-Johnson on the red carpet Getty Images Fifty Shades of Grey world premiere Fifty Shades world premiere Jamie Dornan and his wife Amelia Warner Getty Images Fifty Shades of Grey world premiere Fifty Shades world premiere Anastasia Steele star Dakota Johnson Getty Images Fifty Shades of Grey world premiere Fifty Shades world premiere Christian Grey will see you now: Fifty Shades star Jamie Dornan Getty Images Fifty Shades of Grey world premiere Fifty Shades world premiere Artist-turned-director Sam Taylor Johnson Getty Images Fifty Shades of Grey world premiere Fifty Shades world premiere The Fifty Shades team including (L-R) EL James, Dakota Johnson, Sam Taylor-Johnson and Jamie Dornan Getty Images Fifty Shades of Grey world premiere Fifty Shades world premiere The film's leading stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan Getty Images Fifty Shades of Grey world premiere Fifty Shades world premiere Director Sam Taylor-Johnson with her husband Aaron Taylor-Johnson Getty Images Fifty Shades of Grey world premiere Fifty Shades world premiere Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan on the red carpet at the world premiere of Fifty Shades of Grey Getty Images Of course, Fifty Shades of Grey abruptly ended with Anastasia leaving Christian after realising the pair are simply incompatible, though it's a separation unlikely to last; the sequel picking up with Christian's attempts to entice Ana back into his life, which she accepts under a new arrangement of her choosing. However, their temporary bliss is interrupted by the return of shadowy figures from Christian's past; promising plenty of steamy drama, with the final film in the trilogy Fifty Shades Freed pitched for a 2018 release. Fifty Shades Darker hits UK cinemas 10 February 2017. 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 }} Oscar-winning Apocalypse Now cinematographer Vittorio Storaro, who served as Director of Photography on Last Tango in Paris and was there on set during the now infamous butter rape scene, has accused journalists of stirring up a false narrative with regard to the treatment of actress Maria Schneider by director Bernardo Bertolucci and actor Marlon Brando. Comments made about the filming by the director in 2013 which resurfaced last week led many to believe that the entire scene, in which Schneiders character is raped by Brandos, was sprung on the actress without her consent. I was there. We were doing a movie. You dont do it for real. I was there with two cameras and nothing happened. Nobody was raping anybody, Storaro told The Hollywood Reporter. I think the journalists are making an issue that is not really an issue. I read that there was a kind of violence made on her but thats not true. Thats not true at all. Yesterday, Bertolucci offered similar sentiments in a statement, saying that only the use of butter as a lubricant was improvised in the scene and the violence was always in the screenplay. Storaro added: Probably Bernardo felt that maybe he didnt explain it completely to Maria from the beginning and thats why he felt a little guilty and nothing more than that. What Bernardo said later was he would like to apologise to Maria, only because he probably didnt explain to her at the beginning what was discussed with Brando. Nothing happened during the shooting. [Maria] knew perfectly well what she was doing. She knew pretty well what was happening in every scene. She was an actress and had no problems with this. It was an acting job, not something else. Schneider, who died in 2011, remembers the scene differently, saying in retrospect she felt a little raped, both by Marlon and Bertolucci. Storaro characterised the shoot as a fantastic period, claiming that like everybody in this wonderful atmosphere, [Schneider] was so sorry that the movie was ending. 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 }} The Age of Daisy Ridley has arrived. Her gutsy, determined take on Rey, the protagonist at the centre of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, has enraptured a new legion of adoring fans and quickly established her as a future major Hollywood player. With Star Wars: Episode VIII set to begin filming next year, she'll only further cement those blockbuster credentials in the next couple of years; yet, what's been wonderful to see is Ridley utilise her newfound star power to bring attention to smaller, worthy artistic projects. She's already lent her voice to Studio Ghibli's Only Yesterday, which finally received both a North American release and English language dub track this year a full 25 years after debuting in Japan. Now, she's joined The Eagle Huntress: an inspirational documentary which follows 13-year-old Aisholpan, the Mongolian teenager who broke boundaries to become the first female eagle hunter in her country. Filmmaker Otto Bell first discovered Aisholpan while looking through a series of photographs by Israeli artist Asher Svidensky in 2014, struck by how empowering a simple shot of a girl and her eagle could be. The film follows Aisholpan as she captures her own eagle - a vital first step in the tradition - undergoes intensive training with the aid of her father, and eventually becomes both the youngest contestant and first woman ever to take part in the Golden Eagle Festival in Olgii. Only a week before the doc premiered at Sundance, Ridley got hold of a copy of the film and fell in love with Aisholpan's story; swiftly coming on as executive producer, and eventually adding several pieces of narration to the film. It's a simple, but beautifully empowering story of what young women can do when they refuse to believe in the limits the world tries to place on them; one that can hopefully inspire others to do the same and keeping breaking those boundaries. The Eagle Huntress hits UK cinemas on 16 December. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A Canadian police force on Prince Edward Island is threatening drink drivers with the music of Nickelback. Police in the town of Kensington have said: 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. This might seem an odd form of crime prevention, but the use of music as punishment is a tried and tested method. Other recent examples include Rockdale council in Sydney, Australia, who in 2006 used the music of Barry Manilow to prevent young people from loitering outside shops. And in 2009, one US Judge, incensed at young people playing music too loud from their cars in certain neighbourhoods, sentenced them to his Music Immersion Programme. This involved them being both punished and educated by having such songs played to them as the Barney theme tune and, yes, more Barry Manilow. Manilow blow: the singers back catalogue has been called upon for educational and crime prevention purposes (Getty) There is of course variation in the types of music different people would consider punishment. When merchant ships reportedly were using Britney Spears music in the fight against Somali pirates off the coast of Africa, Steven Jones, of the Security Association for the Maritime Industry, said: Id imagine using Justin Bieber would be against the Geneva Convention. We could all jokingly volunteer naff music for inclusion in these punishments and deterrents but the truth is that the (mis)use of music quite often does breach International Human Rights Conventions, notably Article 5. Music has long been systematically used as a weapon of war. It was famously blasted out of loudspeakers in Nazi concentration camps to drown out sounds of gunfire, which might have led to panic or rebellion. Jolly music was also used as a welcome to greet new arrivals at the train station in Treblinka, deceiving them about the true nature of the camp. Official orchestras were a feature of many camps. Prisoners played for the benefit of officers and were treated better than ordinary camp prisoners, many felt that they owed their survival to being in the orchestra. Famously, when the former leader of Panama, Manuel Noriega, was taking refuge from US forces at the home of the papal nuncio in Panama City, the Americans blasted heavy metal at the opera-loving general. The New York Times reported that Noriega, exhausted and tormented by the deafening heavy metal music that troops were playing, surrendered on 4 January 1990. The Sesame Street theme tune has been used as a method of torture at Guantanamo Bay During the Iraq war, US troops bombarded the enemy with music, a tactic that was agreed at command level. The choice of music was left up to the soldiers, who constructed sound systems in military vehicles so they could play it. The soldiers overwhelmingly chose rap and heavy metal. One soldier in the film Soundtrack to War, which is about the use of music by US soldiers in Iraq, says war itself is heavy metal. To some extent, any repetitious noise can be used for harm, but in the cases of the Iraq war and Guantanamo Bay, the music was often selected specifically because it was culturally alien to the enemy heavy metal and rap, for example. The themes from Sesame Street and Barney, symbolic of childhood innocence, were also used to break detainees. British Guantanamo detainee, Binyam Mohamed reported the use of music on numerous occasions alongside other torture techniques: It was pitch black, and no lights on in the rooms for most of the time They hung me up for two days. My legs had swollen. My wrists and hands had gone numb There was loud music, Slim Shady and Dr. Dre for 20 days. I heard this nonstop, over and over. Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Britney Spears music was reportedly used by merchant ships in the fight against Somali pirates Some bands are reportedly happy for their music to be used for what they perceived as patriotic purposes, but many more are vigorously opposed to their music being used for torture. But the use of music has joined sensory deprivation and sexual humiliation as non-lethal torture lit which is used to coerce prisoners into giving up their secrets. Music, like any noise, can be a source of pain. At high volume, people experience accelerated respiration and heartbeat, spatial disorientation, their intellectual capacity becomes diminished, and they feel nauseous and neurotic. Beyond a certain limit, it can become more than just a nuisance or a means to rid the streets of loitering kids, it can be an immaterial weapon of death. This article first appeared on The Conversation (theconversation.com). Eleanor Peters is senior lecturer in criminology at Edge Hill University Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyEats email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Even if youre not a massive beer fan, youve probably noticed the shifts taking place in the industry recently through the changing selection of bottles on the shelves in bars, supermarkets and corner shops. The nation has gotten a taste for a higher quality beer and big companies are rushing to get a piece of the pie, redesigning ranges to give them an independent, craft look and buying out local breweries. Honest Brew, a craft beer subscription service, has had enough and wants to stand up against big multinationals that are beginning to enter the industry under the guise of craft beer. Today, it posts an open letter (below) about the situation, which it claims make no mistake, in the long term spells an almost certain end for the vast majority of independents. Read it in full: 'An Honest Letter: Craft or Crafty? It was a sunny spring afternoon and we at HonestBrew were happy. We were happy because we had designed nifty new packaging to snugly fit three cans of beer. It looked awesome. And, most importantly, the beer inside tasted awesome. We called it the Howler a kind of play on the Growler you can buy from your local bottle shop. Fast forward six months and we were forced to cry foul. Three weeks ago Beer Hawk took our Howler and tried to pass it off as their own innovation. Credit to them, good ideas are there for the taking, but this isnt about three beers in a tube. This isnt even about HonestBrew. This is about global players muscling in, dominating markets and steamrolling small businesses. You see, the honest truth about Beer Hawk is that they are owned by AB InBev, the multinational behemoth behind Budweiser. For simplicitys sake, lets call them Blandy. Blandy likes a world where mediocre beer is made as cheaply as possible, sold at profit-maximising prices, and where as much shelf (and online) space as possible is colonised by its own ubiquitous brands. Hardworking independent brewers across the globe have successfully challenged this multinational monotony, bringing us the diversity of beer we enjoy today. Blandys response? Aggressively acquiring once-independent breweries such as Camden Town, Birra Del Borgo and Goose Island, and more recently moving into the market through retailers like Beer Hawk and Hopt. By hiding behind these brands, Blandy are tricking conscientious beer lovers into believing their hard-earned money is supporting the independent brewers who created this market. The reality? They are doing the one thing they know how to do well: dominate the market, reduce consumer choice and maximise their own profits. Make no mistake, in the long term this spells an almost certain end for the vast majority of independents. You have a right to know who youre supporting. You have the choice to get behind independent brewers, distributors & retailers who do what they do out of pure dedication and the drive for creating and sharing something unique. At HonestBrew, we stand with the independents. We are proud to be a member of the UK beer industry, and look forward to a future where we continue to bring independent, world-class brews to beer lovers across the UK. We pledge to only support and purchase beer that is not controlled by Blandy. If you love beer as much as we do, then join us and ensure that the standard of beer continues to rise and independent producers thrive. Dont let Blandy muscle in.' Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Flickering light in the eyes could form the basis of a breakthrough Alzheimer's treatment with the potential to halt or even reverse the disease, research has shown. Extraordinary results from experiments conducted in the US have revealed a close connection between brain waves and a clinical hallmark of the condition. Using flickering light to synchronise firing of neurons at a specific frequency, the researchers were able to reduce levels of a toxic brain molecule linked to Alzheimer's in mice. Sticky deposits of the beta-amyloid peptide are believed to be at the root of the disease, triggering effects that lead to the progressive destruction of brain cells. The 40 hertz (cycles per second) electrical oscillations not only reduced beta-amyloid formation, but also stimulated immune cells to clear the harmful material from the brain. Although at an early stage, the new research raises the exciting prospect of a drug-free alternative to tackling Alzheimer's. Lead scientist Professor Li-Huei Tsai, director of the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), said: "It's a big 'if', because so many things have been shown to work in mice, only to fail in humans. "But if humans behave similarly to mice in response to this treatment, I would say the potential is just enormous, because it's so non-invasive, and it's so accessible." Michael Sipser, dean of MIT's School of Science, said the results "may herald a breakthrough" in the understanding and treatment of Alzheimer's. He added: "Our MIT scientists have opened the door to an entirely new direction of research on this brain disorder and the mechanisms that may cause or prevent it. I find it extremely exciting." Once crucial limitation to the study, published in the journal Nature, is that the flickering light treatment only affected levels of beta-amyloid in the brain's visual cortex. Future work will investigate whether light therapy can have the same effect in other parts of the brain such as the hippocampus, which is most affected by Alzheimer's. There is already some evidence that it could. At an earlier stage of the research, the MIT team used a fibre optic light source implanted in the brains of genetically engineered mice to clear beta-amyloid from the hippocampus. Previous studies had hinted that Alzheimer's patients were less likely than healthy people to display "gamma" brain waves, which range from 25 to 80 hertz. Gamma oscillations are believed to contribute to normal brain functions such as attention, perception and memory. Intriguingly, behavioural approaches such as mindfulness meditation have been shown to heighten gamma activity. The US scientists found that fine-tuning the brain wave stimulation to 40 hertz was vital to success. Other frequencies within the gamma range did not have the same effect. In the fibre optic experiments, the affected neurons were genetically modified to respond to light. After an hour of stimulation, levels of beta-amyloid in the hippocampus, the brain's key memory centre, were reduced by up to 50%. For the flickering light studies the scientists put together a simple device consisting of a strip of LEDs that could be programmed to flash at different frequencies. An hour of exposure to light flickering at 40 hertz cleared away half the beta-amyloid that had built up in the visual cortex brain regions of mice in the very early stages of Alzheimer's. But the peptide deposits returned to their original levels within 24 hours. Repeating the treatment for seven days led to a 60% reduction in beta-amyloid load in the visual cortex, proving that the effect could be sustained. The scientists found that light stimulation increased the activity of genes involved in the function of immune cells called microglia. These cells, specific to the brain and spinal cord, have the job of clearing away potentially harmful material. Increased microglia activity is believed to be responsible for the loss of beta-amyloid seen in the experiments. Another major result showed that the treatment also curbed the build up of tau protein "tangles" within brain cells, a second hallmark of Alzheimer's that may follow on from the accumulation of beta-amyloid. The scientists have set up a company, Cognito Therapeutics, to pursue further tests in humans. British experts described the findings as "interesting" but cautioned that any potential treatments for human patients were still a long way off. Dr David Reynolds, chief scientific officer at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "It is conceivable that changing brain cell rhythms could be a future target for therapies, but researchers will need to explore how light flickering approaches could not only reduce amyloid in the visual area of the brain but in those areas more commonly affected in Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's Society research director Dr Doug Brown said: "While there are no immediate implications for people who are living with dementia, the study might well give us a spark for new avenues of research to further explore the relationship between rhythms of electrical activity in the brain and Alzheimer's disease." The seven Alzheimer's risk factors Show all 7 1 /7 The seven Alzheimer's risk factors The seven Alzheimer's risk factors Hypertension 8 percent of Alzheimer's cases are linked to mid-life hypertension Getty The seven Alzheimer's risk factors Smoking Smoking accounts for 11 percent of Alzheimer's cases Getty The seven Alzheimer's risk factors Obesity Midlife obesity accounts for 7 percent of Alzheimer's cases PA The seven Alzheimer's risk factors Low Educational attainment Low education or simply not using your brain enough accounts for 7 percent of Alzheimer's cases Getty The seven Alzheimer's risk factors Diabetes Problems with blood sugar control kick off the list of modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's.The study suggests that 3 percent of Alzheimer's cases are linked to diabetes The seven Alzheimer's risk factors Depression 15 percent of Alzheimer's cases may stem from depression Rex The seven Alzheimer's risk factors Too little exercise Not enough physical activity is the number one preventable factor that contributes to Alzheimer's cases Rex Features Dr Mark Dallas, lecturer in cellular and molecular neuroscience at the University of Reading, said: "As the authors indicate we are some way off using this research as a rationale for new treatments. "Importantly, we are still no clearer if this modulation of amyloid beta will provide cognitive benefits to patients." Press Association 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 }} President-elect Donald Trump future policy stance over trade poses the single largest risk to the global economy, a survey from forecasting firm Oxford Economics has found. The firms annual Global Risk Survey, conducted in the aftermath of Trump's victorious election day, examined what investors see as being both the biggest risks to the world economy over the next 12 months and the biggest potential upsides. Nearly 30 per cent cited a trade war triggered by Mr Trump as the top risk to the global economy over the next two years. Six months ago, only 2 per cent of respondents cited Mr Trump as the key risk. The President-elect has previously said that despite China being Americas biggest trading partner, a trade war was already under way and that the country was a currency manipulator. Last week, Mr Trump spoke directly with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen breaking with nearly four decades of US policy and prompting a protest from Beijing, which regards the island as its territory. He also has vowed to crack down on imports from countries like Mexico and China with steep tariffs as high as 45 per cent for China, and 35 per cent for Mexico. Donald Trump announces abrupt change to US foreign policy Yet while Trump's stance on trade is seen a potential risk, his domestic policies are viewed as potentially stimulating for the US, with 38 per cent saying the US economy could surge on new fiscal stimulus he has proposed. The results from the latest Global Risk Survey highlight a marked shift in the global economic outlook Jamie Thompson, head of Macro Scenarios, said. President Donald Trump life in pictures Show all 16 1 /16 President Donald Trump life in pictures President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump poses in a rocking chair once used by President John F. Kennedy at his New York City residence Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Developer Donald Trump with his new bride Marla Maples after their wedding at the Plaza hotel in New York Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Celina Midelfart watch the match between Conchita Martinez and Amanda Coetzer during U.S. Open. She was the date whom Donald Trump was with when he met his current wife Melania at a party in 1996 Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas serving as the grand marshal for the Daytona 500, speaks to Donald Trump and Melania Knauss on the starting grid at the Daytona International Speedwa Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Developer Donald Trump talks with his former wife Ivana Trump during the men's final at the U.S. Open Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and his friend Melania Knauss pose for photographers as they arrive at the New York premiere of Star Wars Episode : 'The Phantom Menace,' Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire real estate developer Donald Trump talks with host Larry King. Trump told King that he was moving toward a possible bid for the United States presidency with the formation of a presidential exploratory committee Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump answers questions as Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura looks on in Brooklyn Park. Trump said on Friday he 'very well might' make a run for president under the Reform Party banner but had not made a final decision Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire Donald Trump makes a face at a friend as he sits next to Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso before the start of the 2003 Miss Universe pageant in Panama City Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Entrepreneur Donald Trump is greeted by a Marilyn Monroe character look-a-alike, as he arrives at Universal Studios Hollywood to attend the an open casting call for his NBC television network reality series 'The Apprentice.' Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Simon Cowell present an Emmy during the 56th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Megan Mullally perform at the 57th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump, poses with his children, son Donald Trump, Jr., and daughters Tiffany and Ivanka Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire Donald Trump told Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner on Tuesday she would be given a second chance after reported misbehavior Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump holds a replica of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as his wife Melania holds their son Barron in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures U.S. property mogul Donald Trump stands next to a bagpiper during a media event on the sand dunes of the Menie estate, the site for Trump's proposed golf resort, near Aberdeen, north east Scotland Reuters With the degree of policy and political uncertainty unusually elevated, the greatest source of risk to the global economyboth to the upside and the downside is undoubtedly now the US policy stance once President-elect Trump takes office. 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 }} Drug firms Pfizer and Flynn Pharma have been fined nearly 90m by the UKs competition watchdog for unfair pricing to the NHS after hiking up the cost of an anti-epilepsy drug by up to 2,600 per cent. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said these extraordinary price rises have costs taxpayers tens of millions of pounds. Pfizer was handed a record 84.2m fine, while Flynn Pharma was asked to pay 5.2m for breaking competition law. NHS spending on phenytoin sodium capsules, an anti-epilepsy drug used by 48,000 patients, had rocketed from 2m a year in 2012 to about 50m the following year. UK prices for the drug were many times higher than in Europe, the CMA said. Pfizer used to market the medicine under the brand name Epanutin but sold the rights to Flynn, a privately owned British company, in September 2012. It was then de-branded, allowing the firms to charge more for the drug because it was no longer subject to a pricing scheme agreed between the NHS and the drugs industry. Philip Marsden of the CMA said: The companies deliberately exploited the opportunity offered by de-branding to hike up the price for a drug which is relied upon by many thousands of patients. These extraordinary price rises have cost the NHS and the taxpayer tens of millions of pounds. The watchdog has ordered both companies to drop their prices. US-based Pfizer, best known for its mass-markets drugs such as Viagra, rejected the CMAs findings and said it would appeal against the decision. Pfizer said in a statement: Pfizer refutes the findings set out in the Competition and Markets Authority decision. In this transaction, and in all of our business operations, we approached this divestment with integrity, and believe it fully complies with established competition law. Phenytoin capsules were a loss making product for Pfizer and the Flynn transaction represented an opportunity to secure ongoing supply of an important medicine for patients with epilepsy, while maintaining continuity of manufacture. Against that background, Pfizer believes the CMAs findings are wrong in fact and law and will be appealing all aspects of the Decision. Biggest business scandals in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Biggest business scandals in pictures Biggest business scandals in pictures Volkswagen emissions scandal VW admitted to rigging its US emission tests so that diesel-powered cars would looks like they were emitting less nitrous oxide, which can damage the ozone layer and contribute to respiratory diseases. Around 11 million cars worldwide were affected. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Martin Shkreli and Turing Pharmaceuticals Martin Shkreli became known as the most hated man in the world after his drug company, Turing, increased the price of a 62-year-old drug that treated HIV patients by 5,000% to $750 a pill. He was charged with illegally taking stock from Retrophin, a biotechnology firm he started in 2011, and using it pay off debts from unrelated business dealings. Shkreli, who maintains he is innocent, and says there is little evidence of fraud because his investors didn't lose money. Biggest business scandals in pictures Panama Papers: Millions of leaked documents expose how worlds rich and powerful hid money - April 2016 Millions of confidential documents have been leaked from one of the worlds most secretive law firms, exposing how the rich and powerful have hidden their money. Dictators and other heads of state have been accused of laundering money, avoiding sanctions and evading tax, according to the unprecedented cache of papers that show the inner workings of the law firm Mossack Fonseca, which is based in Panama. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Google's tax avoidance Google reached a deal with the HM Revenue and Customs to pay back 130 million in so-called back-taxes that have been due since 2005. George Osborne championed the deal as a major success. But European MEPs have since called for the Chancellor to appear in front of the committee on tax rulings to explain the tax deal. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Rogue trader A French court cut the damages owed by rogue trader Jerome Kerviel from 4.9bn (4.2bn) to just 1m (860,000). The court ruled on that Kerviel was partly responsible for massive losses suffered in 2008 by his former employer Societe Generale through his reckless trades. Kerviel has consistently maintained that bosses at the French bank knew what he was doing all along. AP Biggest business scandals in pictures Barclays CEO under investigation for trying to identify whistleblower - Monday Paril 10 Authorities have launched an investigation into Barclays chief executive officer Jes Staley for trying to identify a whistleblower, the bank said on Monday. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) are both investigating Mr Staley after the bank notified them that Mr Staley had tried to identify the author of two anonymous letters, which were sent to the board and a senior executive in June 2016. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures UK to crack down on bank money laundering after reports of 65bn Russian scam, City minister says - March 2017 The Economic Secretary to the Treasury has vowed that the Government will crack down on money laundering practices, after several of the UK's biggest banks were accused of processing money from a Russian scam, believed to involve up to $80bn (65bn). Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Former HBOS bankers convicted of bribery and fraud over 245m loan scam - February 2017 Two former HBOS bankers were among six people found guilty of bribery and fraud that cost customers and shareholders hundreds of millions of pounds, the BBC reports. Lynden Scourfield, 54, a manager at HBOS, forced struggling clients to use the services of his friends David Mills, 60, and Michael Bancroft, 73. In return, the two businessmen arranged sex parties, cash and lavish gifts. On Monday, the three were convicted at Southwark Crown Court on accounts including bribery, fraud and money laundering. Mark Dobson, another manager at HBOS, Alison Mills, and John Cartwright were also convicted. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Lloyds chief apologises for damage caused by affair allegations - August 2016 Antonio Horta-Osorio, the chief executive of Lloyds Bank, has broken his silence over allegations about his private life admitting he regrets any "damage done to the group's reputation". In a message sent to the bank's 75,000 employees, the banker said that anyone can make mistakes while insisting that staff had to maintain the highest professional standards. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Christine Lagarde faces court over 340m Bernard Tapie payment - July 2016 The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, must stand trial in France over a payment of 403 million (now 340m, then 290m) to tycoon Bernard Tapie, a France's highest appeals court has ruled. The court rejected Ms Lagarde's appeal against a judge's order in December for her to stand trial over allegations of negligence in her handling of the affair. Ms Lagarde could risk a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of 15,000 euros if convicted. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures HSBC senior manager arrested in FX rigging investigation at JFK airport in New York - July 2016 A senior executive at HSBC has been arrested at New York's JFK airport for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to rig currency benchmarks, according to reports. Mark Johnson, global head of foreign exchange cash trading in London, was reportedly arrested on Tuesday. He will appear before a federal court in Brooklyn on Wednesday charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Bloomberg said. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Former PwC employees found guilty in 'Luxleaks' tax scandal - June 2016 Two ex- PricewaterhouseCoopers staffers were found guilty in Luxembourg of stealing confidential tax files that helped unleash a global scandal over generous fiscal deals for hundreds of international companies. Antoine Deltour and Raphael Halet face suspended sentences of 12 months and 9 months and were ordered to pay fines of 1,500 (1,230) and 1,000 (822) for their role in the so-called LuxLeaks scandal. Despite the minimal sentences, the ruling was described by Deltours lawyer as shocking and a terrible anomaly. The ruling puts on guard future whistle-blowers, Deltour told reporters.The LuxLeaks revelations sped beyond Luxembourg, causing European Union regulators to expand a tax-subsidy probe and propose new laws to fight corporate tax dodging, while EU lawmakers created a special committee to probe fiscal deals across the 28-nation bloc. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Goldman Sachs dealmakers lavished Libyan officials with prostitutes to win contract - June 2016 A former Goldman Sachs dealmaker trying to persuade Gadaffi-era Libya to invest $1 billion with the investment bank procured prostitutes and invited Libyan officials to lavish parties in the hope of winning the business, the High Court heard on Monday June 13.The Libyan Investment Authority sovereign wealth fund is suing Goldman Sachs for inappropriately coercing its naive staff into giving its sovereign wealth fund cash to the bank to invest in products they did not understand. The products were designed to generate big profits for Goldman, the LIA claims.Goldman denies wrongdoing and says the LIA was treated as an arms-length customer Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Former boss of BHS said his life was threatened - June 2016 Darren Topp, the former boss of BHS, has said former owner Dominic Chappell threatened to kill him when he challenged him over a 1.5 million transfer out of the business. MPs on the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee asked Mr Topp about a 1.5 million transfer Mr Chappell made from BHS to a company called BHS Sweden. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley admits paying workers below the minimum wage - June 2016 Mike Ashley admitted paying Sports Direct employees below the minimum wage at a hearing in front of MPs. The company founder said that workers were paid less than the statutory minimum because of bottlenecks at security in an admission that could result in sanctions from HMRC. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Mitsubishi admits improper fuel tests - April 2016 Mitsubishi has admitted to using false fuel methods dating back to 1991. The scale of the scandal is only just coming to light after it was revealed in April that data was falsified in the testing of four types of cars, including two Nissan cars. AP Biggest business scandals in pictures Quindell, the scandal-ridden insurance firm Quindell was once a darling of AIM but its share price fell in April 2014 when its accounting practices were attacked in a stinging research note by US short seller Gotham City. In August the group was forced to disclose that the 107 million pre-tax profit it had reported for 2013 was incorrect, and it had in fact suffered a 64million loss. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Toshiba Accounting Scandal The boss of Toshiba, the Japanese technology giant, resigned in disgrace in the wake of one of the countrys biggest ever accounting scandals. His exit came two months after the company revealed that it was investigating accounting irregularities. An independent investigatory panel said that Toshibas management had inflated its reported profits by up to 152 billion yen (780m) between 2008 and 2014. Biggest business scandals in pictures FIFA Corruption Scandal Fifa, football's world governing body, has been engulfed by claims of widespread corruption since the summer of 2015, when the US Department of Justice indicted several top executives. It has now claimed the careers of two of the most powerful men in football, Fifa President Sepp Blatter and Uefa President Michel Platini, after they were banned for eight years from all football-related activities by Fifa's ethics committee. A Swiss criminal investigation into the pair is ongoing. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Libor fraudster City trader Tom Hayes, 35, has become the first person to be convicted of rigging Libor rates following a trial at London's Southwark Crown Court. Hayes worked as a trader in yen derivatives at UBS before joining the American bank Citigroup in Tokyo. He was fired from Citigroup following an investigation into his trading methods. He returned to the UK in December 2012 and was arrested following a two-and-a-half year criminal investigation by the SFO. Getty Flynn Pharma, which bought the UK distribution rights from Pfizer, said the ruling was based on a wholly flawed understanding of the drugs market. The company said it would appeal in a bid to overturn the CMAs findings. We believe that left unchallenged, the CMAs decision today would stunt investment in generics, eventually leading to a reduction in supply and less choice for doctors and patients, said David Fakes of Flynn Pharma. 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 }} President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to stop the US racing to topple foreign regimes, in an indication that his administration will adopt a non-interventionist approach to conflicts overseas. Yet in the same appearance, on a victory tour of America following the presidential election result, he promised to boost military spending and laid out a foreign policy that would focus on destroying Isis. We will stop racing to topple foreign regimes that we know nothing about, that we shouldn't be involved with, Mr Trump told the crowd. Instead, our focus must be on defeating terrorism and destroying ISIS, and we will." The billionaire businessman made the statements while officially introducing his choice of defence secretary, General James Mattis, dubbed Mad Dog Mattis, to an audience near the Fort Bragg military base in Fayetteville. Instead of investing in wars, he said he wanted to spend money to improve America's infrastructure. Yet despite his apparent anti-interventionist approach, he reaffirmed plans to expand the military and boost its funding by calling on Congress to roll back caps on defence spending. Such promises have already boosted the value of arms manufacturing in companies around the world. We don't want to have a depleted military because were all over the place fighting in areas that we shouldn't be fighting in. "It's not going to be depleted any longer, he said, adding that the policy of intervention and chaos must come to an end. Mr Trump implored Congress to approve a waiver to let Mr Mattis, who retired as chief of the US Central Command in 2013, serve as defence secretary. Under current US law a military leader must have exited the armed forces at least seven years prior to taking up the position. The President-elect warned that if the waiver was not granted there would be a lot of angry people. 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 Mad Dog Mattis has often said Washington lacks a cohesive strategy in the Middle East, criticising the government for taking a piecemeal approach. Is political Islam in the best interest of the United States? Mr Mattis said at the Heritage Foundation in 2015, talking about the challenges presented by the separate issues of Isis and Iranian-sponsored terrorism. I suggest the answer is no, but we need to have the discussion. If we wont even ask the question, how do we even recognize which is our side in a fight? Critics noted similarities between the President-elect's rhetoric in Fayetteville and that which he adopted towards the Iraq war while on the campaign trail. Mr Trump claimed to have expressed strong opposition to US involvement in the conflict before it began in 2003, a statement that has long been disputed. 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 military doctor treating former U.S. intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning while she serves a prison sentence for espionage denied her request to have her female gender reflected in her military records, according to a court filing. The decision further stymies Manning's attempts to be treated as a woman while imprisoned at the Fort Leavenworth military prison in Kansas, said the document filed on Monday in federal court in Washington in relation to on ongoing lawsuit. Manning has been the focus of an international debate over government secrecy since she provided more than 700,000 documents, videos, diplomatic cables and battlefield accounts to the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks. The filing said Manning asked her military medical provider, Dr. Ellen Galloway, to recommend the change in her military records since she has achieved stability in her female gender. 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. Her attorneys said Galloway denied the request, effectively precluding her from having her female gender noted in her records. The filing did not explain why Manning's request was refused. A representative for the U.S. Department of Justice declined by email to comment when reached on Tuesday. Manning, who petitioned President Barack Obama last month to commute her 35-year sentence to time already served, filed the lawsuit seeking better medical care for her gender dysphoria, including the ability to follow female grooming standards. Gender dysphoria is a condition of potentially severe distress or anxiety that some transgender people experience. Manning said she was confronting gender dysphoria at the time of the leaks while deployed in Iraq. She said she released the files in the interests of transparency and accountability. Manning attempted suicide on Oct. 4 at the start of a stay in solitary confinement, under which she was placed after an earlier suicide attempt in July. Her defence team said the attempts were prompted by her receiving inadequate treatment for her gender dysphoria. 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 said he has consulted with President Barack Obama about possible Cabinet choices; and the President, he says, has approved of at least one of his choices for the incoming administration. The President-elect had not met Mr Obama before their 10 November meeting in the Oval Office, following Mr Trumps unexpected election win. But the New York businessman had been overtly critical of Mr Obama throughout his campaign. Additionally, he inserted himself into the current realm of politics by propagating the false and racist birther theory, suggesting that the countrys first black president was not a US citizen in 2011. Recommended Donald Trump wins 2016 Time Person of the Year Speaking on NBCs Today show, which announced he was Times Person of the Year, Mr Trump had changed his tone about the President, saying that they have had a good dialogue and that they have good chemistry. He also said he has sought his input while navigating the transition to the presidency including on whom he chooses for his Cabinet. I have asked him what he would think of this one and that one, Mr Trump said. Ive asked him what he thinks are the biggest problems of the country, what are some of the greatest assets going forward. We have a very good dialogue. I take his recommendations very seriously, and there are some people that I will be appointing, and in one case, have appointed where he thought very highly of that person. TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Show all 11 1 /11 TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Simone Biles Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Feng Zhang Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Dr Mona Hanna-Attisha Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Hillary Clinton Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Recep Tayyip Erdogan Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Nigel Farage Pcture: Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Beyonce Getty Images TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Narenda Modi Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Vladimir Putin Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Donald Trump TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Mark Zuckerberg Getty Images However, Mr Trump attributed the polarisation of the US to preceding administrations, denying his role in igniting tensions with his xenophobic and racist campaign rhetoric. He denied playing any role in exacerbating that rift in political ideologies. Im not president yet, so I didnt do anything to divide, he said. Mr Trump elaborated on his talks with former Massachusetts Gov Mitt Romney, whom he says is still in consideration for the job of Secretary of State. We had some tremendous difficulty together and now I think weve come a long way, he said. When asked about speculation that he was drawing out talks to humiliate the 2012 presidential candidate, who had previously called Mr Trump a phony and fraud, he also rejected those claims. Its not about revenge, he said, its about whats good for the country, and Im able to put this stuff behind us. 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 beaten Hillary Clinton once again, albeit this time in a much less consequential contest, to be announced Times Person of the Year. The President-elect is now on the cover of Time magazine after giving an extensive but characteristically vague interview from the gilded rooms of Trump Tower, where he spoke about his plans for the future under a Trump administration. Most of Mr Trumps soundbites are likely to be considered provocative, controversial or incendiary. But one, a response to the rise of tribalism in the US, presents a significant escalation of rhetoric from the man who will lead America. Donald Trump named Time Person of the Year Referring to a report by the New York newspaper Newsday about an increase in crime committed by foreign-born assailants, Mr Trump said: They come from Central America. Theyre tougher than any people youve ever met. Theyre killing and raping everybody out there. Theyre illegal. And they are finished. TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Show all 11 1 /11 TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Simone Biles Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Feng Zhang Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Dr Mona Hanna-Attisha Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Hillary Clinton Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Recep Tayyip Erdogan Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Nigel Farage Pcture: Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Beyonce Getty Images TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Narenda Modi Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Vladimir Putin Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Donald Trump TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Mark Zuckerberg Getty Images While campaigning for the Republican nomination, Mr Trump provoked widespread outcry by suggesting Mexico was sending criminals and rapists to the US. When a reporter suggested his bombast echoed the rhetoric employed by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Mr Trump was unfazed and instead pointed to the activities of drug dealers killed extrajudicially in the country. Well, hey, look, this is bad stuff," he said. "They slice them up, they carve their initials in the girls forehead, OK. What are we supposed to do? Be nice about it? Rodrigo Duterte says he 'doesn't give a s*** about human rights' as 3,500 killed in war on drugs Times annual award is presented to a figure who has influenced the news agenda - for better or worse. Mr Trump was announced as their winner by editor Nancy Gibbs for framing tomorrow's political culture by demolishing yesterdays. For reminding America that demagoguery feeds on despair and that truth is only as powerful as the trust in those who speak it, for empowering a hidden electorate by mainstreaming its furies and live-streaming its fears, and for framing tomorrows political culture by demolishing yesterdays, Donald Trump is TIMEs 2016 Person of the Year. 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 will nominate former WWE chief executive Linda McMahon to head the Small Business Administration. Ms McMahon was initially believed to be in line for the role of Commerce Secretary, but that title went to "King of Bankruptcy" Wilbur Ross last week. Although choosing Ms McMahon, who is well known for co-founding the WWE with her husband Vince McMahon. She served as CEO of the professional wrestling company from 1997 to 2009. Recommended Trump picks Gen John Kelly to run Department of Homeland Security "Linda has a tremendous background and is widely recognised as one of the country's top female executives advising businesses around the globe," the President-elect said in the announcement. Ms McMahon initially campaigned for New Jersey Gov Chris Christie before switching over her support for the New York businessman. She was also critical of Mr Trump following the release of tapes that captured him bragging about sexually assaulting women. Following her tenure with the WWE, Ms McMahon served on the Connecticut Board of Education in 2009. She stepped down from the role a year later to embark on an unsuccessful Senate campaign. Mr Trump has been involved with the WWE as both a businessman and an entertainer for more than two decades. Wrestlemanias IV and V were held at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, earning the President-elect a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame. No other US President has earned the unique distinction. In 2007, Mr Trump faced off against Vince McMahon in Wrestlemania XXIII. In the bout, Mr Trump body-slammed and shaved the head of McMahon shortly before "Stone Cold" Steve Austin took down the incoming president. The Hartford Post and Courier reported that the McMahons have donated millions to the Trump Foundation $5m in 2007 and 2009. It remains the largest donation for the organisation. 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 }} Justin Biebers manager Scooter Braun became embroiled in an argument with Piers Morgan this morning after the provocative Good Morning Host accused David and Victoria Beckham of "exploiting" their son Cruz. Cruz, who is reportedly being managed by Braun, joined Capital FM to sing a verse from the track he is releasing for Christmas, "If Every Day Was Christmas". All of the proceeds will go to charity. The 11-year-old appeared on the show over FaceTime, along with his father, and told the station: It's amazing. It's two of my favourite things - singing and Christmas - and it's amazing to put those together and the money is going to charity. 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. But Morgan cast a more critical gaze over Cruzs pop career, accusing the Beckhams of pimp[ing] out their son at the age of 11. Cruz also joined Instagram earlier this week where his new single was announced. The account, which already has 143,000 followers, is managed by Scooter Braun projects. They deliberately exploit their family for commercial gain, wrote Morgan. We are thus all entitled to comment. Braun began furiously defending his new charge on Twitter, throwing in a few digs of his own at Morgan. He is an 11-year-old who wanted to make a song to help other kids. Once again Piers shows why he is a jackass and why his (US) show was cancelled. Some people in this world make a living out of finding the worst in every situation. It means they have a career ... not class. Just a career. He also accused Morgan of hypocrisy, highlighting his own work with children on Britain's Got Talent. No you won't support charity like an 11-year-old will, he wrote. But you can judge kids when you get paid on BGT?" Morgan responded: Talent shows are a level playing field for kids and adults to discover how good they are. Not famous parents exploiting their brand. A representative for David and Victoria Beckham did not immediately respond to a request for comment. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Writing fake news and stories about scandals is like being sexually aroused by excrement, Pope Francis has said. And since people tend towards coprophagia, or eating faeces, then the media should avoid spreading it, he said in an attack on the spread of disinformation. Francis apologised for his use of precise psychological terms that describe when people are aroused by excrement. 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. He told the Belgian Catholic weekly Tertio that spreading fake news is "probably the greatest damage that the media can do". To use their platforms to do so, rather than to educate the public, is a sin, he said. "I think the media have to be very clear, very transparent, and not fall into - no offence intended - the sickness of coprophilia, that is, always wanting to cover scandals, covering nasty things, even if they are true," he said in the interview. "And since people have a tendency towards the sickness of coprophagia, a lot of damage can be done." The interview was distributed to reporters in an Italian translation from the Argentine-born pope's Spanish. It is the strongest and most blunt language ever used by the pope about the media or any other group. He also cautioned that the media should not be used to slander political rivals. "The means of communication have their own temptations, they can be tempted by slander, and therefore used to slander people, to smear them, this above all in the world of politics," he said. "They can be used as means of defamation..." "No-one has a right to do this. It is a sin and it is hurtful," he said. Disinformation is the worst thing the media can do because it "directs opinion in only one direction and omits the other part of the truth", he said in the same interview. The comments come in the wake of discussion about fake news and its effect on the election, which some have claimed was so potent that it was resposible for Donald Trump becoming the President-elect. Francis hasn't directly commented on the election, issuing only vague statements that appeared to take issue with some of the President-elect's positions. It isn't the first time that the Pope has discussed sexual interest in excrement. In March 2013, he warned that journalists risked becoming ill from their coprophilia, and that they could be "fomenting coprophagia" in their readers. 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 been named the 2016 Time magazine Person of the Year. The announcement was made on Times website and NBCs Today show on Wednesday morning. The award is decided by Times editors and goes to the person or group who have had a major influence on the news for better or worse. TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Show all 11 1 /11 TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Simone Biles Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Feng Zhang Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Dr Mona Hanna-Attisha Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Hillary Clinton Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Recep Tayyip Erdogan Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Nigel Farage Pcture: Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Beyonce Getty Images TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Narenda Modi Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Vladimir Putin Getty TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Donald Trump TIME 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist Mark Zuckerberg Getty Images The President-elect, who was placed third last year, said receiving the title was a great honour. In an article explaining the decision, editor Nancy Gibbs said the real estate mogul has been given the title for reminding America that demagoguery feeds on despair and that truth is only as powerful as the trust in those who speak it, for empowering a hidden electorate by mainstreaming its furies and live-streaming its fears and for framing tomorrows political culture by demolishing yesterdays. The tradition of the person of the year dates back to 1927 when Charles Lindbergh, the first person to fly a plane solo across the Atlantic, was awarded the title. The better or worse clause also explains that unpopular people can win the award as it is about how much influence they have had on the news agenda, be it positive or negative. Famously, in 1938 Adolf Hitler won the title as did Josef Stalin in 1939 and 1942. Last year, the leader of Isis, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, was placed second. Whether this year's person of the year is for better or worse is up to readers, according to Gibbs: The challenge for Donald Trump is how profoundly the country disagrees about the answer. Recommended Nigel Farage shortlisted for person of the year Hillary Clinton came in second place for this years title, the hackers third, Turkeys President Erdogan in fourth, the CRISPR scientists fifth and Beyonce in sixth place. Other contenders in this years shortlist included gymnast Simone Biles, Nigel Farage and the whistleblowers of the Flint water crisis. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi won the Time Person of the Year readers poll with 18 per cent of the vote ahead of Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Julian Assange who received 7 per cent of the vote each. Last year, German Chancellor Angela Merkel was awarded the prize for asking more of her country than most politicians would dare, for standing firm against tyranny as well as expedience and for providing steadfast moral leadership in a world where it is in short supply during the refugee crisis. 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 woman who rescued a two-year-old boy who had been cast out by his own community for being a witch-child has been recognised in an international list of the most inspiring people of the year. Anja Ringgren Loven, a Danish care worker who adopted the young Nigerian boy back in February, beat the likes of Pope Francis, Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama to top the list of 100 inspiring individuals compiled by German-language Ooom Magazine. An image of Ms Loven giving two-year-old Hope some water was shared around the world, and served to highlight the work she was doing to help orphan children in Nigeria. Before he was rescued by Ms Loven and her husband David, Hope had been cast out by his own family on the basis of rural superstition, forced to live on the street where he contracted a number of illnesses including worms. Speaking today about the experience, she said: He was the size of a little baby, my whole body froze. I became a mother myself 20 months ago and I was thinking of my own son when I saw the boy. For me it was clear at that moment that I would fight with all my strength for him to survive. Anja Ringgren Loven is a beacon of hope and the most inspiring person of the year 2016, said Georg Kindel, OOOMs editor-in-chief, who led the jury that chose the list. When she saw the starving child, she acted like a human being and became an inspiration for millions. Her sustained efforts to help the abandoned children of Nigeria gives us hope and encourages us to follow suit. The outgoing US President Barack Obama was named second on the list. The jury said he stood for peace, tolerance and freedom and that, despite failures during his leadership including on Guantanamo, Syria and Iraq, we will miss him anyway. Ooom Magazine's cover for the December edition including its list of the 100 most inspiring people this year. Theron ranked number 3 (Ooom Magazine) The actress and philanthropist Charlize Theron was named third in the list, thanks mainly to her massive involvement in combatting HIV/Aids in her native South Africa. Pope Francis was named fourth, after the jury said his humble leadership had changed the Catholic Church for the better. Donald Trump named Time Person of the Year And the actor Leonardo DiCaprio was given the fifth slot, as a result of his work to combat climate change culminating in the film Beyond the Flood. Ooom Magazine is distributed in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and for free online. For the full list of 100, visit their website. 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 }} Light is no slouch it is basically the fastest stuff there is. But it does have a top speed. This was not always known. Until the 17th century, it was thought light travelled instantaneously. The man who first successfully demonstrated lights limitations was Ole Roemer. Galileo had previously attempted to prove light moved at a particular speed in experiments involving lanterns being flashed back and forth from distant hilltops, but this small-scale investigation was not enough to prove his theory. Roemer used a far grander stage for his demonstration. In 1676 he timed the intervals between eclipses of Jupiters moons at different points on the planets orbit of the sun. He discovered that the gap between eclipses of Jupiters moon Io rose by up to seven minutes when the earth was moving away from Jupiter, and came down when the planet approached Earth. Through his measurements, Roemer was able to make a reasonably accurate estimate as to the speed of light. His findings were initially controversial, and the director of the Royal Observatory, Giovanni Domenico Cassini, did not accept it. However, Roemer had convinced scientists including Isaac Newton, and his theory was proved two decades after his death by British astronomer James Bradley. The 340th anniversary of Roemers experiment has been celebrated in a Google Doodle. The speed of light The exact speed of light is 299,792,458 metres per second, and was only finally agreed in 1975 as physicists measurements became increasingly accurate. A light-year is the distance light can travel in a single year. This is about 5.88 trillion miles, or 9.5 trillion km. Most distant observable objects in the universe We now know that if the source is far enough away, light can take billions of years to reach us. The most distant object ever seen in the universe is a galaxy which has the unforgettable name MACS0647. The celestial wonder is a mind-bending 13.3 billion light-years away. The light started its journey to earth a long time ago, when the universe was still in its infancy. Light sources The Sun is a mere 94.5 million miles, or 149 million km from Earth. This means a beam of light takes a nippy eight minutes and 20 seconds to shoot over here. The next closest star to us is Proxima Centauri, which is around 4.2 light-years away. Nasa 4K Sun timelapse Is it possible to travel at the speed of light? Albert Einstein was nothing if not a huge party-pooper for science fiction writers. His theories of relativity put paid to the idea we could somehow propel ourselves at the same speed as a light beam. His theory proved that as you propel an object faster and faster, its relative mass, compared to when the object is at rest, increases. Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Show all 30 1 /30 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An image from Nasa's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) shows a 200,000 mile long solar filament ripping through the Sun's corona in September 2013 Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa Celebrates 50 Years of Spacewalking For 50 years, NASA has been "suiting up" for spacewalking. In this 1984 photograph of the first untethered spacewalk, NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless is in the midst of the first "field" tryout of a nitrogen-propelled backpack device called the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Hubble Cosmic Couple The spectacular cosmic pairing of the star Hen 2-427 more commonly known as WR 124 and the nebula M1-67 which surrounds it ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Veil Nebula Supernova Remnant Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled in stunning detail a small section of the Veil Nebula - expanding remains of a massive star that exploded about 8,000 years ago Nasa's most stunning pictures of space The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launch The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, carrying three new astronauts to the International Space Station. It also took caviar, ready for the satellite's inhabitants to celebrate the holidays Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth from the ISS From the International Space Station, Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry W. Virts took this photograph of the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Gulf Coast at sunset Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Black Hole Friday Nasa celebrated Black Friday by looking into space instead sharing pictures of black holes Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space NuSTAR X-rays stream off the sun in this image showing observations from by NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, overlaid on a picture taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Cassiopeia A c A false colour image of Cassiopeia A comprised with data from the Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescopes and the Chandra X-Ray observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Orion Capsule splashes down The Orion capsule jetted off into space before heading back a few hours later having proved that it can be used, one day, to carry humans to Mars Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth Observations From Gemini IV in 1965 This photograph of the Florida Straits and Grand Bahama Bank was taken during the Gemini IV mission during orbit no. 19 in 1965. The Gemini IV crew conducted scientific experiments, including photography of Earth's weather and terrain, for the remainder of their four-day mission following Ed White's historic spacewalk on June 3 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Frosty slopes of Mars This image of an area on the surface of Mars, approximately 1.5 by 3 kilometers in size, shows frosted gullies on a south-facing slope within a crater. The image was taken by Nasa's HiRISE camera, which is mounted on its Mars Reconaissance Orbiter Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Yellowstone from space NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman shared this image of Yellowstone via his twitter account Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Saturn This near-infrared color image shows a specular reflection, or sunglint, off of a hydrocarbon lake named Kivu Lacus on Saturn's moon Titan Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Worlds Apart Although Mimas and Pandora, shown here, both orbit Saturn, they are very different moons. Pandora, "small" by moon standards (50 miles or 81 kilometers across) is elongated and irregular in shape. Mimas (246 miles or 396 kilometers across), a "medium-sized" moon, formed into a sphere due to self-gravity imposed by its higher mass Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An X1.6 class solar flare flashes in the middle of the sun in this image taken 10 September, captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy An image of the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy seen in infrared light by the Herschel Space Observatory. Regions of space such as this are where new stars are born from a mixture of elements and cosmic dust Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Mars Rover Spirit Nasa's Mars Rover Spirit took the first picture from Spirit since problems with communications began a week earlier. The image shows the robotic arm extended to the rock called Adirondack Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Morning Aurora From the Space Station Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly captured this photograph of the green lights of the aurora from the International Space Station Nasa/Scott Kelly Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Launch of History - Making STS-41G Mission in 1984 The Space Shuttle Challenger launches from Florida at dawn. On this mission, Kathryn Sullivan became the first U.S. woman to perform a spacewalk and Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space. The crew of seven was the largest to fly on a spacecraft at that time, and STS-41G was the first flight to include two female astronauts Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Fresh Perspective on an Extraordinary Cluster of Galaxies Galaxy clusters are often described by superlatives. After all, they are huge conglomerations of galaxies, hot gas, and dark matter and represent the largest structures in the Universe held together by gravity Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Sees a Galactic Sunflower The arrangement of the spiral arms in the galaxy Messier 63, seen here in an image from the Nasa Hubble Space Telescope, recall the pattern at the center of a sunflower ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Pluto image Four images from New Horizons Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) were combined with colour data from the Ralph instrument to create this enhanced colour global view of Pluto Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Fresh Crater Near Sirenum Fossae Region of Mars The HiRISE camera aboard Nasa's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter acquired this closeup image of a "fresh" (on a geological scale, though quite old on a human scale) impact crater in the Sirenum Fossae region of Mars. This impact crater appears relatively recent as it has a sharp rim and well-preserved ejecta Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Peers into the Most Crowded Place in the Milky Way This Nasa Hubble Space Telescope image presents the Arches Cluster, the densest known star cluster in the Milky Way NASA & ESA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space An Astronaut's View from Space Nasa astronaut Reid Wiseman tweeted this photo from the International Space Station on 2 September 2014 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Giant Landform on Mars On Mars, we can observe four classes of sandy landforms formed by the wind, or aeolian bedforms: ripples, transverse aeolian ridges, dunes, and what are called draa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Expedition 39 Landing A sokol suit helmet can be seen against the window of the Soyuz TMA-11M capsule shortly after the spacecraft landed with Expedition 39 Commander Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin of Roscosmos, and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Jupiter's Great Red Spot Viewed by Voyager I Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and perhaps the most majestic. Vibrant bands of clouds carried by winds that can exceed 400 mph continuously circle the planet's atmosphere Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Chandra Observatory Sees a Heart in the Darkness This Chandra X-Ray Observatory image of the young star cluster NGC 346 highlights a heart-shaped cloud of 8 million-degree Celsius gas in the central region As you near the speed of light, the energy required to keep the object moving faster eventually only serves to make the objects mass larger and larger. Its mass eventually becomes infinite, and so does the energy required to move it. It is impossible. Oh dear. 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 man has been arrested after threats were made online against Gina Miller, the woman who launched a legal challenge over Brexit. Ms Miller believes Parliament must be consulted before Article 50 is triggered and won a High Court ruling on the case. The Supreme Court is currently hearing the case after the Governments appeal. The Metropolitan Police said it arrested a 55-year-old man on suspicion of racially-aggravated malicious communications. Officers arrested the man in Swindon on Monday, and took him to a Wiltshire police station. He has been released on bail. A spokesman said: An investigation was launched by Falcon detectives after police were made aware of threats made online against a 51-year-old woman from November 3 onward. As part of the same investigation, officers also issued a cease and desist notice on December 3 to a 38-year-old man from Fife, Scotland. The Mets Falcon unit is dedicated to fighting fraud and online crime. 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 }} The Duke of Cambridge was guest of honour at a charity event last night to celebrate the Giants Club, the conservation initiative backed by The Independent which works on the ground to protect Africas elephants and the landscapes they depend on. The dinner, which was hosted by the Giants Clubs Patron, Evgeny Lebedev, at the Kensington Palace state apartments, saw Prince William join a crowd of philanthropists and influencers to celebrate Space for Giants achievements and discuss future goals. Prince William wasnt the only Prince to attend, as among the African dignitaries present was Ugandan Prince Hassan Kimbugwe. Other guests included experts from frontline elephant protection, such as Kitili Mbathi, the head of the Kenya Wildlife Service, and Professor Lee White, the head of national parks in Gabon. Dr. Max Graham, CEO of the Giants Clubs implementation charity Space for Giants, said: Despite well intentioned commitments made at recent international conservation forums, demand for ivory remains high and therefore elephants remain at real risk of being wiped out from the landscapes they have roamed for centuries. We urgently need to scale up investment in frontline protection for Africas elephants, as well ensuring the legal penalties for wildlife crimes are robust and effectively implemented. We were honoured to be joined by distinguished guests, including HRH Prince William, to cultivate high level support from the world's most prominent key influencers and philanthropists for the plight of Africa's elephants and the landscapes they depend on. The Duke of Cambridge has long been a powerful advocate for the protection of elephants and conservation across Africa, and has made the tackling of wildlife crime a personal cause. In November the second-in-line to the throne gave an impassioned speech calling for a total ban on ivory trade in UK, saying endangered animals are still being slaughtered in 'horrifying numbers'. Wounded elephant rescue Show all 12 1 /12 Wounded elephant rescue Wounded elephant rescue Ben the elephant arrives looking for help Staff and guests at the Bumi Hills Foundation in Zimbabwe were surprised to see a wounded bull elephant seeming seeking help outside their window. Bumi Hills Foundation Wounded elephant rescue A vet arrives Vet Dr Richard Hoare flew in from Harare to treat Ben. Bumi Hills Foundation Wounded elephant rescue Getting Ben on the ground It takes 12 people to get the tranquilised animal on the ground so his wound can be treated. They also gave him a tracking collar so they can see how he is doing in the future. Bumi Hills Foundation Wounded elephant rescue Ben's gunshot wound The elephant had a septic wound which was 4cm in diameter and 10cm deep. Bumi Hills Foundation Wounded elephant rescue Looking after a tranquilised elephant The team placed a stick in Ben's trunk to make sure he could breathe. They monitored his breathing throughout the procedure. Bumi Hills Foundation Wounded elephant rescue Looking for the bullet Workers at the foundation used metal detectors to locate the bullets, however none were found. Bumi Hills Foundation Wounded elephant rescue Cleaning out the wound The vet and the safari team set about treating the wound, cleaning it out with a probe. Bumi Hills Foundation Wounded elephant rescue Cleaning out the wound A incision was created below the wound to allow fluids to drain out. Bumi Hills Foundation Wounded elephant rescue Elephants need a lot of antibiotics Dr Hoare administered a staggering 120ml of long-acting antibiotics to Ben. Bumi Hills Foundation Wounded elephant rescue In the wars The two bullet holes in Ben's ears show he has been a victim of poachers before. Bumi Hills Foundation Wounded elephant rescue Bumi Hills Foundation Helping Ben was a team effort by those at the foundation. Bumi Hills Foundation Wounded elephant rescue Ben's back on his feet A little unstable, but Ben managed to stand up a few minutes after the team were finished, and made his way tentatively back into the bush. Bumi Hills Foundation HRH also lobbied the presidents of China, the US and African countries to strengthen protection, after citing fears that the African elephant will have disappeared from the wild due to poaching by the time his one-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte turns 25. The Giants Club was launched by the Presidents of Kenya, Botswana, Uganda and Gabon with the aim of protecting 50% of Africas elephants by 2020. It brings together African Heads of State, global business leaders and elephant protection experts, operates projects across the continent to protect elephants in the wild. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A teenager looking for a job killed himself after being belittled by Jobcentre staff, an inquest has heard. David Brown, who was trying to become a welder, was under immense pressure from the Department for Work and Pensions, the coroner was told. The 18-year-old, from North Yorkshire, was allegedly told he would have his benefits stopped unless he did more to find a job, reports Gazette Live. Shortly before taking his life, he reportedly told his mother: The way the Jobcentre treat people, it is no surprise people commit suicide. His ordeal came to light the day before his body was discovered at his home in Eston by his brother. He said he was having a hard time from a woman at the dole, his sister Grace told the coroner. He said she was rude and belittled him. She added her brother had said he didnt want to be a burden on his family, and had tried hard to look for work. Clare Bailey, Teesside acting Senior Coroner, ruled he took his own life on 3 October 2016. David Lidington, Conservative Leader of the House who was standing in for Theresa May at Prime Ministers Questions revealed on Wednesday he would ask the Government to review the case. He was responding after Labour MP Anna Turley said in the House of Commons: Will the Leader of the House undertake a review into this individual case? Will he also undertake to take stock of six years of brutal welfare reform and look at the way the DWP treats its most vulnerable constituents? UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2022 Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle Getty UK news in pictures 12 September 2022 Crowds line the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, as King Charles III joins a procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral following the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS Mr Lidlington said he had unreserved sympathy for the family of David Brown. "No parent, no family should have to go through that kind of shocking experience," he said. Clearly human beings in any organisation sometimes take decisions that get things wrong. And I will ask the Work and Pensions Department to have a look at the particular case she has described. David was described by his brother as a huge Middlesbrough FC fan and passionate about every game. Shortly after his death, Boro fans held a minutes applause in the 18th minute in a match against Watford to celebrate the teenagers life. A DWP spokesman told The Independent: Our thoughts are with Mr Browns family at this difficult time. Suicide is a very complex issue and there is no evidence of a link between Mr Browns suicide and his interaction with Jobcentre Plus. 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 House of Commons will today approve a motion with cross-party support for the Government to publish its long-awaited plan for leaving the EU before it invokes Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty to kick-start two years of Brexit negotiations with the EU. In an apparent U-turn, Theresa May, who has been keeping her cards very close to her chest, agreed to disclose her Brexit plan. Q: Why did Theresa May back down and accept Labours Commons motion? A: The Government faced an embarrassing defeat after Labour tabled a clever, rather bland motion calling for proper parliamentary scrutiny of the Brexit process, while respecting the peoples decision to leave the EU and saying that the plan for leaving should not include material that could damage the UK in the negotiations. This attracted the support of pro-European Conservatives, who have become increasingly impatient with Mrs Mays refusal to spell out what Brexit really means. They claimed between 20 and 40 Tory MPs were ready to support Labour in todays vote. Tory whips insisted the figure was nearer 12, but that still left the Government facing defeat. Rather than oppose the Opposition motion, the Government took the heat out of the vote by accepting it. Q: How significant is Mrs Mays retreat? A: Not as significant as the headlines suggest. She has not said how detailed her plan will be. It is unlikely to be a Green or White Paper and so may be rather thin and vague. Mrs May has offered something she would have had to do at some point --saying a little more about her negotiating aims, which she always intended to do when she invoked Article 50. Q: What will be in the plan? A: It will probably be a "motherhood and apple pie" statement repeating May's desire for the "best possible access" to the EU market while gaining "control" over EU migration. It is likely to say the UK must be free from the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, as the Prime Minister made that a non-negotiable red line at the Tory conference in October. But the plan might not go into whether the UK will remain in the EU single market or customs union in any detail, or tackle the sensitive issue of whether Britain might pay into EU coffers for market access. Ministers could argue that these matters should be left for the negotiations. Q: Was it a victory for Labour to force Mrs Mays hand? A: Yes, and a rare one too, although it may look more like a tactical rather than strategic victory when we finally see the plan. But Mrs Mays retreat is a sign that the Opposition has sharpened up its act since the appointment of Sir Keir Starmer as shadow Brexit Secretary. Q: Was that the end of the Parliamentary game-playing? A: No. The Government added an amendment to Labours motion saying Article 50 should be invoked by 31 March, Mrs Mays deadline. This was a clever attempt to challenge Labour not to block Article 50 and lock it into the Governments strategy. Labour does not want to be seen to be thwarting the June referendum decision and so has accepted the Governments amendment. Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Show all 13 1 /13 Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Supreme Court Brexit Challenge People wait to enter the public gallery outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Gina Miller, co-founder of investment fund SCM Private arrives at the Supreme court in London on the first day of a four-day hearing Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A man waves the EU flag in front of the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Satirical artist Kaya Mar poses with two of his paintings in front of the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Pro-Europe protestors dressed as Supreme Court Justices stand outside the Supreme Court ahead of the first day of a hearing into whether Parliament's consent is required before the Brexit process can begin. The eleven Supreme Court Justices will hear the government's appeal, following the High Court's recent decision that only Parliament can trigger Article 50 Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge The eleven Supreme Court Justices will hear the government's appeal, following the High Court's recent decision that only Parliament can trigger Article 50 Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Businesswoman Gina Miller arrives at the Supreme Court ahead of the first day of a hearing into whether Parliament's consent is required before the Brexit process can begin Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Attorney General Jeremy Wright arrives at the Supreme Court in London EPA Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Protesters outside the Supreme Court in London, where the Government is appealing against a ruling that the Prime Minister must seek MPs' approval to trigger the process of taking Britain out of the European Union PA wire Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A protesters wearing a judge's wigs and robes stands outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A protester holds up a placard outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Pro-Europe protestors dressed as Supreme Court Justices stand outside the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A man waiting to enter the public gallery waves a European Union flag outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Q: Does that mean that the Commons will approve Article 50 in today's vote? A: No. The Opposition motion is not binding. In any case, the question of whether ministers need parliamentary approval to trigger Article 50 is being settled in this weeks case in the Supreme Court. Q: So is everyone at Westminster happy now? A: Not quite. Labour is demanding that Mrs Mays plan is published in January so that Parliament has enough time to scrutinise it. But ministers may wait until closer to their March 31 deadline, not least because the Supreme Court will decide whether they need to push through legislation to trigger Article 50. Pro-EU Conservatives who had planned to rebel today are starting to smell a rat; they are calling for a detailed plan or White Paper, but are likely to be disappointed. And the Scottish National Party has tabled another amendment saying that Article 50 should also be approved by the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which is opposed by the UK Government as it would create another stumbling block to starting the Brexit talks. 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 }} Labour was hit by a backbench revolt tonight when its attempt to force Theresa May to publish her Brexit plans sparked accusations it had fallen into a Tory trap. A total of 23 Labour MPs defied their party leadership and dozens more abstained because the vote also meant supporting the Prime Ministers timetable for triggering the Article 50 exit notice. The clash came after the Government tagged on an amendment which meant MPs were also backing its policy to invoke Article 50 by 31 March 2017. Recommended Labour insists it is not giving May a blank cheque to trigger Brexit A string of Labour MPs rose to say this was a step too far because No 10 has refused to say whether its plan will consist of any more than broadbrush aims. But, with cross-party backing, the amendment passed with an overwhelming majority of 372, to the delight of many Tories who saw it as a big political moment. For the first time albeit on a non-binding vote the Commons had backed the triggering of Article 50, a clear sign that few MPs are willing to obstruct the process, regardless of the legal battle in the Supreme Court. On the Labour side, Angela Smith said she had no confidence the Government will not try to wriggle out of the commitment to put a plan before this House. Ben Bradshaw said no answers had been promised on single market access, adding: It in effect gives a blank cheque for us to invoke Article 50 by March without any of us being any the wiser about the Governments intentions today. David Lammy told The Independent: Will it answer specific points on single market membership? On free movement? On cooperation with our allies on security? On workers rights? Environmental protections? Will there be a list of so-called red lines? We dont know. Jacob Rees-Mogg, a prominent Conservative Brexit supporter, taunted Labour by claiming the Governments amendment had cooked the Oppositions goose. Earlier, Sir Keir Starmer, Labours Brexit spokesman, tried to calm backbench nerves by denying his partys backing for the Government amendment had backfired. He said that backing was conditional on the Prime Minister producing something better than a late, vague plan or later challenges to the strategy would be made. Insisting he understands concerns that the end of March is too early to trigger Article 50, Sir Keir added: Labour does intend to shape the debate and head off a hard Brexit. The motion committed Ms May to publishing the Governments plan for leaving the EU before Article 50 is invoked, but stopped short of demanding a full white or green paper. Even Conservative MP Anna Soubry, a prominent Remain supporter, said she would back it, although she was nervous and concerned, adding: I want a white paper, I want legislation. During the debate, Brexit Secretary David Davis promised to set out the Governments strategic plans ahead of the triggering the withdrawal talks. However, he also insisted it will not reveal anything which might jeopardise our negotiating position, suggesting MPs hoping for a detailed strategy will be disappointed. Mr Davis also refused to give MPs a vote on what business leaders see as one of the most damaging potential Brexit decisions to leave the EUs customs union. He said the Commons would be informed of the Governments decision when we are ready, with several options still under consideration. But a Government source said no vote would take place until the end of the two-year Article 50 process and only if any new customs arrangements required legislation. Earlier, Labour warned that leaving the union would bring chaos and gridlock for companies attempting to obtain supplies from EU countries. Veteran Ken Clarke was the one Conservative to vote against the Article 50 timetable. He ridiculed Ms Mays latest soundbite, saying: Well probably be told the plan is having a red, white and blue Brexit. Mr Davis also said it was inconceivable that MPs would not be given a vote on the eventual Brexit deal, probably in 2019. However, he confirmed that vote would not allow the referendum result to be overturned. If the deal was rejected, it would probably mean the UK leaving the EU with no agreement at all. Close Brexit at the supreme court: Day Three 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 }} Gina Miller's legal representative has outlining the case against the Government in day three of the four day Supreme Court appeal on Brexit. Lord Pannick QC represented Ms Miller and told the court Theresa May does not have sufficient authority to trigger Article 50 and instead the case must go to MPs. Representing fello claimant Deir Dos Santos, a hairdresser born in Brazil, QC Dominic Chambers told the court only parliament has the power to take away British citizens' rights, which EU withdrawal would inevitably do. The court was also told both Scotland and Northern Ireland must approve triggering Article 50 before the Government does so. A majority of people in Scotland (62 per cent) and Northern Ireland (56 per cent) voted to Remain. The day before, while the court was sitting, Ms May announced during a visit to the Gulf that she will reveal her Brexit plans before triggering Article 50, in what appears to be a signifcant U-turn on her previous position. Catch up on everything that happened in court today: The Prime Minister has previously said she plans to trigger Article 50 by the end of this Spring. If MPs are entitled to vote on Article 50, it could delay Brexit considerably or ensure it is a 'soft Brexit' rather than a 'hard Brexit' as politicians could insist protectionist clauses are inserted before EU withdrawal. The Supreme Court case is expected to last four days. A judgment is anticipated for early in the new 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 Scottish and Northern Irish governments must give their consent before Article 50 can be triggered, the Supreme Court has been told. Lawyers representing the devolved regions of the UK made the claims today in the third day of the appeal against MPs being entitled to vote on Article 50. The Government brought the appeal after the High Court found last month that Theresa May has insufficient authority to begin EU withdrawal and instead must put her proposals to a parliamentary vote. The Lord Advocate for Scotland, James Wolffe, told the court that for Westminster to trigger Article 50 without the approval of Scottish politicians would be unconstitutional. Representing Northern Ireland, QCs David Scoffield and Ronan Lavery told the court that to do so could undermine the Good Friday Agreement and the constitutional status of Northern Ireland, which is built on self-determination and consent of its citizens. They have also argued Northern Irelands relationship with the Republic of Ireland could be fundamentally altered once the UK leaves the EU. Questions remain such as whether a border will need to be established between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland once this occurs. The regions are arguing that a legislative consent motion (LCM) needs to be put to both the Scottish Assembly and Northern Ireland Assembly before Brexit can happen. Although a majority of voters in the UK opted to leave the EU, a majority of voters in Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay; amounting to 62 per cent and 56 per cent respectively. Eleven of the most senior judges in the country are currently hearing the Governments appeal on whether it can trigger Article 50 without a parliamentary vote. Ms May has spoken of her intention to do so by the end of the coming spring, however the plan was derailed last month when the High Court ruled Parliament must be consulted first. Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Show all 13 1 /13 Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Supreme Court Brexit Challenge People wait to enter the public gallery outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Gina Miller, co-founder of investment fund SCM Private arrives at the Supreme court in London on the first day of a four-day hearing Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A man waves the EU flag in front of the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Satirical artist Kaya Mar poses with two of his paintings in front of the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Pro-Europe protestors dressed as Supreme Court Justices stand outside the Supreme Court ahead of the first day of a hearing into whether Parliament's consent is required before the Brexit process can begin. The eleven Supreme Court Justices will hear the government's appeal, following the High Court's recent decision that only Parliament can trigger Article 50 Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge The eleven Supreme Court Justices will hear the government's appeal, following the High Court's recent decision that only Parliament can trigger Article 50 Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Businesswoman Gina Miller arrives at the Supreme Court ahead of the first day of a hearing into whether Parliament's consent is required before the Brexit process can begin Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Attorney General Jeremy Wright arrives at the Supreme Court in London EPA Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Protesters outside the Supreme Court in London, where the Government is appealing against a ruling that the Prime Minister must seek MPs' approval to trigger the process of taking Britain out of the European Union PA wire Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A protesters wearing a judge's wigs and robes stands outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A protester holds up a placard outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Pro-Europe protestors dressed as Supreme Court Justices stand outside the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A man waiting to enter the public gallery waves a European Union flag outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters If MPs at Westminster are granted a vote on triggering Article 50, it is unlikely that they would vote to reject it out of respect to voters preferences in the referendum result. However, it is possible that they would agree to a watered down version of proposals in what would amount to a soft Brexit. If the Scottish and Northern Irish devolved parliaments are entitled to vote on the matter, this could delay Brexit further. In addition, it is possible that local politicians could vote to reject the proposal on behalf of their constituents. The Supreme Court hearing is due to last four days, concluding on Thursday. A judgment is anticipated for early in the new 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 }} A group of Labour MPs will refuse to vote to force Theresa May to reveal her Brexit plans because it would also mean backing her timetable for triggering Article 50. The Prime Ministers strategy to split Labour and expose Opposition MPs refusing to abide by the referendum result appeared to be working ahead of todays showdown debate. Last night, the Labour leadership said it would back a Government amendment even though it calls on the Government to invoke Article 50 by 31 March 2017. Brexit Secretary fails to keep a straight face about 'always intending' to publish Brexit plans The party is determined to focus on its part of the motion which commits Ms May to "publishing the Governments plan for leaving the EU before Article 50 is invoked. That was the wording of Labours original motion, which the prime minister was forced to accept, faced with a revolt by up to 40 of her own backbenchers. But four Labour MPs have announced they will defy Jeremy Corbyn by refusing to back the motion, because Ms May has tagged to it a commitment to invoke Article 50. Former minister David Lammy told The Independent that the government had conceded ground by agreeing to publish a plan but it was nowhere near enough. He said: Does this mean that the Government are just going to publish a document saying we will seek the best possible Brexit, and aim for the best possible access to the single market and then say there you go: theres our plan. Will it answer specific points on single market membership? On free movement? On co-operation with our allies on security? On workers rights? Environmental protections? Will there be a list of so-called red lines? We dont know. So I cannot vote for a motion today that commits this House to invoking Article 50 in March next year. Mr Lammy will be joined by another former minister, Ben Bradshaw, who tweeted: I will not vote today to invoke Article 50 by March when we still have no idea what sort of #Brexit the Government will pursue. Neil Coyle, like Mr Lammy, a London MP, tweeted: I won't be voting for the Government amendment today. I cannot support triggering Article 50. And Mike Gapes tweeted: I'm told I should be happy that May is now to publish a Brexit plan. But I'm not going to vote for a pig in a poke. What is the plan? Ten other Labour MPs have previously backed a motion stating that Article 50 must not be triggered until the Government has set out the full proposals it intends to submit to European Commission. It means there is a potential for a larger revolt, in a vote to be forced by the Liberal Democrats whose leader, Tim Farron, condemned a parliamentary stitch up. Mr Farron said the amended motion failed to include any meaningful commitment from the Conservative Brexit government to produce the equivalent of a white or green paper. It is also possible that some of the Labour rebels will abstain, rather than vote against their party leadership. Growing frustration that the Government is keeping its own MPs in the dark forced Ms May to back down last night, to avoid an embarrassing defeat. Labour hailed a hugely significant climbdown demanding that the plan she had agreed to publish be made available no later than January next year, to allow for proper scrutiny. However, No.10 immediately suggested the plan could be little more than a restatement of its determination to secure the best possible deal for Britain. 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 Conservative MP has accused the BBC of manufacturing a Tory backbench rebellion against the Governments refusal to reveal its Brexit plan. It was widely reported that as many as 20 Tory MPs could vote for a Labour motion calling on ministers to publish their proposals before triggering Article 50 enough to defeat the Government. Conservative MPs Anna Soubry and Ken Clarke were among MPs to publicly announce that they would back the motion leading to a U-turn by the Government, which will now support the motion. Despite the publicly available evidence of a rebellion Steve Baker however said the fact he had been contacted by BBC journalist was evidence of the Corporation was seeking to manufacture stories. I expect my Right Honourable Friend will be astonished if not aghast to learn that a succession of journalists from the BBC have contacted me seeking to create, to manufacture stories of backbench rebellion on the EU, he said at Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday afternoon. Will he agree with me that on these controversial issues the BBC should stick to its charter obligations on accuracy and impartiality instead of seeking to create problems for the Government. It is standard practice for political journalists to canvass MPs to ask which way are planning to vote especially when a rebellion is likely. Leader of the House of Commons David Lidington, who was standing in for Theresa May at PMQs this week, reacted with mock horror to Mr Bakers suggestion. I am sure that my honourable friend is shocked, shocked, at the thought that anyone could look to him as a source of information about rebellions against the Government, he said. 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 I hope that hell be able to find some comfort in the fact that the new Royal Charter and agreement require the BBC to deliver impartial news, the very first time impartiality has been enshrined in the BBCs mission. Yesterday Theresa May backed down in the face of the rebellion, having previously said she would not reveal her Brexit plans while negotiating in order to secure the best possible 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 }} Nigel Farage has made a last-ditch bid to cause an upset at the Sleaford by-election telling voters the contest is about Brexit. New Ukip leader Paul Nuttall will face his first big electoral test tomorrow at the by-election, which will choose the MP to replace Conservative Stephen Phillips. Mr Phillips, who supports Brexit but remaining in the European single market, stepped down citing irreconcilable policy differences with Theresa Mays approach to Brexit. He leaves the Conservatives with a huge 24,000 majority, with Labour and Ukip far behind in second and third place at the 2015 general election. Ukip will be hoping to do well in the seat, which is overwhelmingly eurosceptic and voted for Brexit, along with the rest of Lincolnshire, where it is located. People here voted for Brexit and this is about getting the right deal, which you won't get if people vote Conservative, Mr Farage said on a visit to the Sleaford and North Hykeham seat, the Daily Express newspaper reports. He earlier this week said he would not stake a prediction on the result of the election, however. Lincolnshire county councillor Victoria Ayling is contesting the seat for Ukip, while Labour is standing Jim Clarke. 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 The Conservative candidate is Dr Caroline Johnson, while the Liberal Democrats are standing Ross Pepper. Marianne Overton and Sarah Stock are standing as independent candidates. The Green Party is not fielding a candidate in the by-election. The contest comes after the Liberal Democrats overturned a 23,015 majority to defeat Zac Goldsmith in Richmond Park. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Transport Secretary is facing calls to quit after a leaked letter revealed that he scrapped an expansion of TfLs railway network simply to stop Labour being in charge of it. Chris Grayling this week binned the cross-party plan to hand large parts of privatised suburban franchises like Southern and South West Trains to Transport for London. The policy, first proposed by Boris Johnson and continued on a cross-party basis by Sadiq Khan, would have seen large parts of the capitals ailing suburban network incorporated into the successful London Overground. But a 2013 letter from Mr Grayling to Mr Johnson shows that the Transport Secretarys main reason for being against devolution was wanting to keep suburban rail services out of the clutches of any future Labour Mayor. The then Mayor had canvassed local MPs, including Mr Grayling who represents Epsom to support the policy. While I am generally a great supporter of what you are doing in London, I would not be in favour of changing the current arrangement not because I have any fears over the immediate future, but because I would like to keep suburban rail services out of the clutches of any future Labour Mayor, Mr Grayling wrote in the letter, which was leaked to the Evening Standard. Obviously, similar concerns apply over a future Labour government as well, but the continuation of the system we have at the moment does at least mean that MPs and local authorities from outside the London area would have a remit over trade services in our areas, which I would not like us to lose. Im afraid we will have to agree to disagree over this one. The revelations prompted Conservative MP Bob Neill to call for Mr Graylings resignation. Hes acted for party reasons and not acted in the interests of London commuters, he told the same newspaper. Its pretty clear he has a dogmatic opposition to rail devolution & thats not a legitimate basis to take a decision. Mr Khan yesterday said of the cancellation of the plans: Commuters across South London and the commuter belt are understandably furious after the Government broke their promise to make commuter rail services more reliable, frequent, and affordable. TfL have proven that when they take control of rail lines like London Overground passengers get more frequent trains, fewer cancellations and delays, more staff at stations and more affordable fares with all fares frozen for four years. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2022 Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle Getty Earlier this year, Mr Johnson and Patrick McLoughlin, the then transport secretary, jointly announced TfL would take control of franchises as they came up for renewal. There was cross-party agreement on the policy, with Labours Mr Khan and former Tory candidate Zac Goldsmith both supporting it. 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 is to accuse Iran of "aggressive regional actions" in the Middle East, including stirring trouble in Iraq, Lebanon and Syria. The Prime Minister will say she is "clear-eyed" about the threat posed by the country and will pledge to work with Gulf States to counteract its influence. It follows a speech by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in which he sought to align British rhetoric more closely with that of the incoming administration of US President-elect Donald Trump. The Prime Minister will highlight last years nuclear deal as having "neutralised" the possibility of Iran acquiring weapons of mass destruction, but her tougher talk on the Middle Eastern country will also see her promise to confront anyone causing trouble. In her speech at the Gulf Co-Operation Council, she was to say: "As we address new threats to our security, so we must also continue to confront state actors whose influence fuels instability in the region. "So I want to assure you that I am clear-eyed about the threat that Iran poses to the Gulf and the wider Middle East; and the UK is fully committed to our strategic partnership with the Gulf and working with you to counter that threat." The Conservative leader will accuse Iran of undermining stability in Lebanon and Iraq and will highlight how Iran has sent fighters to Syria to help prop up the Assad regime and provided support to the Houthis in Sanaa amid the conflict in Yemen. The British Government, meanwhile, signed off 3.3bn of arms exports to Saudi Arabia while it was playing a key role in the first year of a brutal bombardment of Yemen. Oxfam warned today that Yemen will run out of food within months and its people are "at risk of catastrophic hunger" due to the conflict. CIA director warns Donald Trump over the worst mistakes he could make with Iran, Syria and Russia On the nuclear deal, the Prime Minister planned to say: "We secured a deal which has neutralised the possibility of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons for over a decade. It has already seen Iran remove 13,000 centrifuges together with associated infrastructure and eliminate its stock of 20 per cent enriched uranium. "That was vitally important for regional security. But we must also work together to push back against Iran's aggressive regional actions, whether in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Syria or in the Gulf itself." Following intense six-way talks in Switzerland last year, Tehran agreed to reduce its uranium enrichment by 98 per cent in exchange for gradual relief of international sanctions as part of a deal that Donald Trump has said he may ditch. The pact was signed by Iran and the P5+1 group of world powers; the US, UK, China, Russia, France and Germany. 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 }} Kenyan public hospitals continued to turn away patients for a third day on Wednesday, as a nationwide strike by both doctors and nurses hit the countrys poorest hard. President Uhuru Kenyatta said the death toll of patients who died because of lack of care over the course of the strike has risen to 20, and urged healthcare practitioners to return to work. According to local reports, two crash victims were denied emergency care at the largest teaching hospital in Iten, western Kenya, while a woman died in Mombasa after her condition rapidly deteriorated. Also on the coast, a 40-year-old patient was reportedly discharged into the care of his family despite being in a coma. And there was outrage after a photographer for Kenyas Standard newspaper found a paediatric ward in Kisumu County completely deserted except for a single orphaned baby girl who had been left alone by nurses. Photojournalist Denish Ochieng wrote on Facebook that the sick baby had been abandoned at the hospital by her mother in September and abandoned again in the ward when the strike began on Monday. The Standard identified her as Hope Awiti, and said she suffered from stunted growth that meant she was the size of an eight-month-old baby, despite being four-years-old. She requires regular medical attention, the paper reported, but was left to be tended to by cleaners. A doctor has since broken the strike to retrieve Hope Awiti and take her into his private care, after the case was highlighted in the national media. Many Kenyans continued to express support for the doctors strike on social media on Wednesday, pointing out recent scandals involving alleged corruption in the health ministry and the relatively low pay of public sector health workers. Kenyas lowest paid doctors receive just 460 a month. Unions say this is one seventh of the salary of equivalent workers in South Africa or Namibia, and a third of the pay of a doctor in Botswana, resulting in thousands leaving Kenya to work elsewhere. A tear gas canister fired by riot police explodes near a policeman as doctors strike to demand fulfilment of a 2013 agreement between their union and the government that would raise their pay and improve working conditions (Reuters) But a prolonged strike will continue to test public resolve and there seems no prospect of a resolution any time soon. One Nairobi-based doctor, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, said the strike would likely go on for three weeks to a month before those on the medics' side start to give in. The hospitals are paralysed, people are dying and more are going to die, the doctor told The Independent. While private hospitals are making a killing from those who can afford to pay, those who cannot are just going home because they have no other option. I feel sorry for them but this is necessary to make the government pay attention. Thousands of health workers have taken to the streets in an effort to push the government to implement the agreement they signed in June 2013 to improve pay and work conditions (EPA) Those who have died during the strike include the sister of Stephen Mwaura, a 28-year-old woman, who was diagnosed with meningitis but in good condition when she was brought to the Coast Provincial General Hospital in Mombasa on Friday. She was pronounced dead at midday on Tuesday, however, with no doctor or nurse by her side. The strike is to blame because the patient who is my sister was in a good condition and was improving, Mr Mwaura said. Recommended Kenya rules anal homosexual tests legal The doctors union is demanding the government act on its 2013 promise to grant a 300 per cent pay rise to doctors and a 40 per cent pay rise for nurses. It says they have received nothing so far. But as new talks broke down on Tuesday afternoon, health minister Cleopa Mailu implied it was the fault of medics, in particular nurses, for refusing to attend the discussions. A statement said the government deeply regrets the strike and deeply values the work done by Kenyas doctors and nurses. Unions in turn accused government officials of not turning up to the talks. KMPPDU secretary-general Ouma Oluga has said doctors need pay to reflect the nature of their skills and training, and urged the public to think on this occasion of doctors plight. The government of Kenya will either have to pay doctors or will have none of them, Mr Oluga said. The Senate Health Committee said the blame lay with the government, however. Committee chairman Wilfred Machage accused the health ministry of holding onto funds instead of releasing money to individual counties, thereby failing to accept that the health function is devolved. But speaking to the nation, Dr Machage also urged the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPPDU) to be sensitive to patients suffering and give the talks a chance. Kenyans are to some extent used to having to work around doctors strikes and the threat of strikes, which has loomed since before the supposed pay increase agreement was reached in 2013. The only hope for medics this time round is that the election coming next year will increase the incentive for Mr Kenyatta to make the popular move of giving doctors and nurses better pay. Yet while the international community might become increasingly shocked as the death toll from the strikes rises, there is a more sinister reason why it might not have such an impact on the government here. I dont think it all means much to the middle- and higher-earners, the Nairobi-based doctor said. They have good insurance and can afford better hospitals. [Poor] people have been dying, but I think we have become hardened, it is just news. I don't think the doctors [or the government] will give up on that basis. It is no coincidence that the strikes have begun at the start of the month. Doctors earn so little in Kenya that they mainly operate from month to month, saving little of the pay packet. The real test of their resolve will not be when the bodies start piling up but when the bills do, at the end of the month. Until then, the situation is likely to get a lot worse before it gets better. 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 }} Amazon debuted its new Go store on Monday, and the design of the store hints at a future of shopping with no human interaction. The grocery store will allow shoppers to check in to the store with their phones, grab what they need, and simply walk out of the store. The shopper's Amazon account will be billed for the cost of the goods. Customers won't have to stand in line, and critically, they won't have to interact with a cashier. That's great news for Amazon customers who detest human interaction or waiting, but it's bad news for cashiers, a critical part of the US workforce, and it highlights the challenge Donald Trump will face as he bids to boost the US labor market. During his campaign, Trump pledged to "bring back the jobs" by cutting taxes and regulation and pulling out of trade deals. Free trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement or Trans Pacific Partnership allowed companies to shift jobs overseas to places like Mexico and China and decimate the middle class, he said. The argument struck a chord, particularly with white working class voters, propelling Trump to the White House. More recently, he has threatened to clamp down on companies moving jobs overseas . Despite the convincing nature of Trump's anti-offshoring argument, Amazon Go proves the biggest danger isn't jobs going overseas, but rather the march of technological progress. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 856,850 Americans were employed as grocery store cashiers in May 2015, the most recent data available. Theoretically, Amazon Go's model grocery store puts a chunk of these jobs at risk. Include all cashiers (there doesn't seem to be a reason the Amazon Go model couldn't work for say, clothes or books) and that's roughly 3.5 million people in roles that are at risk of being automated away. To put that into perspective, the World Trade Organization estimated that between 2001 and 2013 the US had lost 3.2 million jobs due to outsourcing to China. This isn't an apples to apples comparison, but the numbers are striking. That's not to say that every cashier job is going to disappear overnight. Amazon is only opening a pilot Go store in Seattle next year. And cashier jobs have held remarkably steady over the last decade, even as online shopping became the dominant trend in retail. The change, however, highlights the ever-shifting landscape of the American workforce. This point isn't a new one. Everyone from liberal, Nobel-winning economist Paul Krugman to Republican Senator Ben Sasse have noted that technological developments are a bigger threat to American workers than trade. The World Economic Forum estimated 5 million jobs in 15 developed economies are at risk of automation by 2020 and Citi projected that 57% of jobs in OECD nations are at risk of automation. In heavy manufacturing, jobs once done by multiple humans are being replaced by robots. Panera Bread is trying out machines that take and deliver your order, all without a human server. Even in journalism there are programs that are starting to automate simple article writing. Howard Marks, the founder of investment firm Oaktree Capital, riffed on this topic earlier this year, pointing out that US manufacturing output is near an all-time high, even though US manufacturing employment is down 37% since the peak in 1979. "Perhaps if the government wants to preserve jobs it should just outlaw productivity gains," he said. That, of course, isn't feasible. There is likely a long-run benefit to making processes more affordable and quicker. Rather, the point is that refocusing the labor market on the jobs and skills that will be needed in the future is a productive way to allow innovation and keep America employed. That kind of policy was barely mentioned in Trump's campaign. In fact, the president-elect hardly mentioned the issue of technological advances destroying jobs at all, so it appears to be a huge blind spot in his proposed economic plan. Trump is focused on the wrong problem when it comes to the labor market. Instead of getting old manufacturing jobs back from overseas, the government should be focused on retraining workers for the new labor market. Read more: This chart is easy to interpret: It says we're screwed How Uber became the world's most valuable startup These 4 things could trigger the next crisis in Europe Read the original article on Business Insider UK. 2016. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter. 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 }} When a regular customer saw the Middle Eastern Bakery and Deli had been vandalised and the owner could not afford the repairs, she decided to take the matter into her own hands. Marnee Burrus went home and wrote a post on Facebook, asking for support for Isam Saed and his business. Hundreds of people in Phoenix, Arizona, turned up to buy food at the store. Some were regulars, some were new customers, and people from all around the state queued out of the store and into the car park. Rick Pyle, owner of M&M Glass Company, donated new windows to "make a wrong a right". Customers who stopped by for baklava or Lebanese chicken even offered to put on an apron and help out in the kitchen. Karen Handleman stood at the door, advertising her new "Love Special" creation of pita, greek salad and falafel, collecting donations in a jar. Customers and local volunteers collected more than $9,000 for the restaurant by 5 December. Mid-afternoon a crowd gathered outside the store to present the money to Mr Saed, he was shocked and emotional. "Oh my God," he reportedly said. "I am overwhelmed. I thank you." A GoFundMe page has now raised more than $13,000 for the business. "I dont think there is hate in the world now because of the support that is seen here," he added. One of the supporters was mayor Greg Stanton, who bought a box of baked items to share around his staff. He said he was proud of the citizens for rallying around the business. "I want a business, a small locally owned business, to feel as welcomed in our city and community as possible," Mr Stanton told The Republic. "I wanted to send a message that is a value of Phoenix that we support everyone in our city from all different walks of life." Police are investigating whether the vandalism was motivated by hate and are working with the owner to fill out a report. Genevieve Rose wrote on Facebook on Tuesday: "I went here tonight for takeout and they had to close early because they plum ran out of food. That's how much people have been supporting them." 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 }} Chinese state media has branded US President-elect Donald Trump a "diplomatic rookie" after he complained about the country's economic and military policy on Twitter. Mr Trump, who vowed he would label China a currency manipulator during his campaign, sent a series of tweets on Sunday. "Did China ask us if it was OK to devalue their currency (making it hard for our companies to compete), heavily tax our products going into their country (the U.S. doesn't tax them) or to build a massive military complex in the middle of the South China Sea? I don't think so!" he said. However, Mr Trump has since been attacked by Chinese state-run media, which has accused him of having "tantrums" and blamed his controversial call with the president of Taiwan on "foreign policy inexperience". "Provoking friction and messing up China-US relations won't help 'make America great again,'" a front-page opinion piece in The People's Daily, a Communist Party mouthpiece, read. The Chinese edition of The Global Times warned of Mr Trump's "inability to keep his mouth shut" and his "provocation and falsehoods". Similarly, the English China Daily warned the President-elect could create "costly troubles for his country" and called him a "diplomatic rookie". Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Show all 14 1 /14 Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Isis: "Some of the candidates, they went in and didnt know the air conditioner didnt work and sweated like dogs, and they didnt know the room was too big because they didnt have anybody there. How are they going to beat ISIS?" Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On immigration: "I will build a great wall and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me and Ill build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Free Trade: "Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people. But we have stupid people." PAUL J. RICHARDS | AFP | Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Mexicans: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists." Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On China: "I just sold an apartment for $15 million to somebody from China. Am I supposed to dislike them?... I love China. The biggest bank in the world is from China. You know where their United States headquarters is located? In this building, in Trump Tower." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On work: "If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable." AP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On success: "What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate." Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On life: "Everything in life is luck." AFP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On ambition: "You have to think anyway, so why not think big?" Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On his opponents: "Bush is totally in favour of Common Core. I don't see how he can possibly get the nomination. He's weak on immigration. He's in favour of Common Core. How the hell can you vote for this guy? You just can't do it." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Obamacare: "You have to be hit by a tractor, literally, a tractor, to use it, because the deductibles are so high. It's virtually useless. And remember the $5 billion web site?... I have so many web sites, I have them all over the place. I hire people, they do a web site. It costs me $3." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Barack Obama: "Obama is going to be out playing golf. He might be on one of my courses. I would invite him. I have the best courses in the world. I have one right next to the White House." PA Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On himself: "Love him or hate him, Trump is a man who is certain about what he wants and sets out to get it, no holds barred. Women find his power almost as much of a turn-on as his money." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On America: "The American Dream is dead. But if I get elected president I will bring it back bigger and better and stronger than ever before and we will make America great again." GETTY The Global Times' English-language edition filled its opinions pages with editorials slamming the President-elect. An editorial in the paper warned that Mr Trump "can make a lot of noise but that does not exempt him from the rules of the major power game," adding that he "doesn't have sufficient resources" to be provocative with China. "Trump's China-bashing tweet is just a cover for his real intent, which is to treat China as a fat lamb and cut a piece of meat off it," it said, adding: "We must confront Trump's provocation head on." A companion commentary warned that Mr Trump "will in time learn not to cross China", threatening "a fierce competition" with Beijing if the US increases arm sales to Taiwan. It was illustrated by an editorial cartoon showing an eagle throwing pebbles at a large, scowling panda. Donald Trump announces abrupt change to US foreign policy The barrage of attacks come after a muted official response, with the foreign ministry declining to comment on the motivation behind the outburst. Mr Trump was also mocked by Chinese social media users for "running the country with Twitter". 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 }} Hundreds of Colombians have taken to the streets of Bogota to demand justice for the rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl found strangled in a luxurious apartment. Yuliana Andrea Samboni was playing outside her family home in one of the poorest areas of the Colombian capital on Sunday when she was snatched from the street by a man in a grey van. Hours later, her body was found with signs of rape and torture inside a flat belonging to a wealthy architect in the affluent Chapinero district. A candlelight vigil for seven-year-old Yuliana Andrea Samboni in Bogota, Colombia, on 7 December (EPA) The apartments 38-year-old owner had disappeared after checking himself into a private clinic for a cocaine overdose, and has since been arrested on charges of aggravated femicide, kidnapping, torture and violent sexual intercourse. As news of Yulianas death spread, hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Bogota. Some held a vigil with candles and flowers, while others massed outside the clinic where the suspect was being treated shouting rapist and murderer on Tuesday. The murder has ignited public anger about rape and child sex abuse in Colombia, where as many as 40 children are believed to be raped every day, as well as over the countrys deep class divide. While the suspect is from a well-known family and lived in one of Bogotas wealthiest neighbourhoods, Yuliana was from a poor family belonging to the Yanakuna indigenous group who had fled to the city to escape fighting in their home province as part of Colombia's long-running civil war. Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Show all 19 1 /19 Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Afghanistan Recommendation: I urge the Government of Afghanistan to adopt legislative reforms to ensure that sexual violence offences are not conflated with adultery or morality crimes and to establish infrastructure for the delivery of protection, health and le gal services to survivors. I call on the Ministry of the Interior to accelerate efforts to integrate women into the Afghan National Police, thereby enhancing its outreach and its capacity to address sexual and gender-based violence Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Central African Republic Recommendation: I urge the authorities of the Central African Republic to ensure that efforts to restore security and the rule of law take into account the prevention of sexual violence and that monitoring of the ceasefire and peace agreement explicitly reflects this consideration, in line with the joint communique of the Government and the United Nations on the prevention of and response to conflict-related sexual violence signed in December 2012. I further encourage the authorities to make the rapid response unit to combat sexual violence operational and to establish a special criminal court Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Colombia Recommendation: I commend the Government of Colombia for the progress made to date and its collaboration with the United Nations, including through the visit of my Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict in March 2015. I encourage the authorities to implement Law 1719 and continue to prosecute cases of sexual violence committed during the conflict to ensure that survivors receive justice and receive reparations. Conflict-related sexual violence should continue to be addressed in the Havana peace talks, as well as in the resulting accords and transitional justice mechanisms. Particular attention should be paid to groups that face additional barriers to justice such as ethnic minorities, women in rural areas, children, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals and women abused within the ranks of armed groups. I encourage the Government to scale up its protection measures and share its good practices with other conflict-affected countries Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Congo Recommendation: I urge the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to ensure full implementation of the armed forces action plan against sexual violence, to systematically bring perpetrators to justice and to deliver reparations to victims, including payment of outstanding compensation awards. I call on donors and the United Nations system to support the Government in its efforts and to pay increased attention to neglected areas, including unregulated mining regions Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Iraq Recommendation: I commend the Government of Iraq for its national action plan for the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) and urge its swift implementation, including by training its security forces to ensur e respect for womens rights. Programmes to support the social reintegration of women and girls released from captivity by ISIL are urgently needed, as is community-based medical and psychological care. The capacity of the United Nations system should be enhanced through the deployment of Womens Protection Advisers or equivalent specialists Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Libya Recommendation: I urge the national authorities in Libya to implement Decree No. 119 and Resolution 904 of 2014 to ensure redress for all victims, including those affected by the current conflict, through the establishment of multisectoral services and the adoption of legislation to categorically prohibit sexual violence Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Mali Recommendation: I urge the Government of Mali, with support from United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict, to develop a comprehensive national strategy to combat sexual and gender-based violence and to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers so that services can reach remote areas. I further call on all parties to ensure that conflict-related sexual violence is addressed in the inter-Malian dialogue and that perpetrators of sexual violence do not benefit from amnesty or early release Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Myanmar Recommendation: I urge the Government of Myanmar to continue with its reform agenda and, in the process, take practical and timely actions to protect and support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and to ensure that security personnel accused of such crimes are prosecuted. Sexual violence should be an element in all ceasefire and peace negotiations, excluded from the scope of amnesty provisions and addressed in transitional justice processes. It is critical that women be able to participate consistently in and influence these processes Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Somalia Recommendation: I reiterate my call to the Federal Government of Somalia to implement the commitments made under the joint communique of 7 May 2013 and its national action plan to combat sexual violence in conflict, including specific plans for the army and the police. I encourage the adoption of a sexual offences bill as a matter of priority Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life South Sudan Recommendation: I urge the parties to the conflict in South Sudan to adopt action plans to implement the commitments made under their respective communiques. I call upon the Government of South Sudan to address the negative impact of customary law on womens rights and to reflect international human rights standards in national law. I also encourage the African Union to make public and act upon the report of its Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Sudan (Darfur) Recommendation: I call upon the Government of the Sudan to grant the United Nations and its humanitarian partners unfettered access for monitoring and the provision of assistance to people in need in Darfur. Given that there has been grave concern over sexual violence in Darfur for more than a decade, I encourage the Government to engage with my Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict to develop a framework of cooperation to address the issue comprehensively Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Syria Recommendation: I acknowledge the Governments invitation to my Special Representative to visit the Syrian Arab Republic and call upon the authorities, in the context of such a visit, to agree on specific measures to prevent sexual violence, including by members of the security forces. I condemn the use of sexual violence by ISIL and all other parties listed in the annex to the present report and call on them to cease such violations immediately and allow unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Yemen Recommendation: I urge the authorities in Yemen to undertake legislative reform as a basis for addressing impunity for sexual violence, ensuring the provision of services for survivors and aligning the minimum legal age of marriage with international standards. I further call on the authorities to engage with local community and faithbased leaders to address sexual and gender-based violence and discriminatory social norms Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Bosnia and Herzegovina Recommendation: I urge the relevant authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to harmonize legislation and policies so that the rights of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence to reparations are consistently recognized and to allocate a specific budget for this purpose. I further call upon the authorities to protect and support survivors participating in judicial proceedings through, inter alia, referrals to free legal aid, psychosocial and health services, as well as economic empowerment programmes Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Ivory Coast Recommendation: I urge the Government of Cote dIvoire to ensure the effective implementation of its national strategy to combat gender-based violence and the action plan for FRCI, and call on the international community to support these efforts. It is critical to accelerate disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and strengthen law enforcement to ensure that ex-combatants who have been reintegrated into the transport sector do not pose a risk to women and girls who are reliant on those services. The Government and the international community must provide monitoring and awareness-raising to mitigate the possibility of a recurrence of sexual violence in the context of the presidential elections to be held in October 2015 Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Liberia Recommendation: I call on the Government of Liberia to continue its critical efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence including through the United Nations-Government of Liberia Joint Programme, and in the context of recovery from the Ebola virus epidemic Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Nepal Recommendation: I encourage the Government to ensure that survivors of conflict-related sexual violence are recognized under the law as conflict victims, which will enable them to access services, judicial remedies and reparations. I further call on all parties involved in the transitional justice process to ensure that the rights and needs o f survivors of sexual violence are addressed in institutional reforms and that these crimes are excluded from amnesties and statutes of limitations Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Sri Lanka Recommendation: I call upon the newly elected Government of Sri Lanka to investigate allegations of sexual violence, including against national armed and security forces, and to provide multisectoral services for survivors, including reparations and economic empowerment programmes for women at risk, including war widows and female heads of household Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Nigeria Recommendation: I encourage the Government to implement its national action plan on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) to ensure that womens protection concerns are mainstreamed throughout its security operations. I also call upon the authorities to guarantee security in and around internally displaced persons camps and to extend medical and psychosocial services to high-risk areas The girls mother, who also has a three-year-old daughter, has been hospitalised due to the trauma of her death, El Tiempo reported. Her father wept after viewing Yuliana's body late on Tuesday night, having to be supported by two people to walk out of the coroner's office. Human Rights Watchs 2016 world report described gender-based violence as widespread in Colombia, where victims struggle receive proper care and perpetrators are rarely brought to justice. In 2014, the government enacted a law to improve access to justice and protection for sexual violence survivors and last year the offence of femicide was created to specifically prosecute the murder of women and girls. 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 }} Shares of stock in aircraft manufacturer Boeing fell nearly $2 a share before markets opened on Tuesday. The reason? A tweet from the President-elect. Were Boeing to lose a $4 billion contract, that would certainly cause people to be sceptical of future earnings. But this, as seems always to be the case with Donald Trump tweets, is not the full story. As Christian Davenport reports, the contract with Boeing is currently $170 million. The government's plan to replace Air Force One actually involves two different planes which would serve future presidents for years to come. Boeing won the contract in 2015; the new planes are expected to be operational in about a decade. The $170 million isn't for manufacturing, after all. It's for Boeing's work "determin[ing] the capabilities" of the planes they will eventually produce. It was natural to wonder, given the apparently unprompted nature of Trump's tweet, if part of his comment was meant to suggest he would prefer to use his existing aircraft for the job of the presidency. His campaign spent $6.7 million on his personal aircraft after he announced his candidacy, and he has called Air Force One "a step down" from his personal aircraft "in every way." (Not size, mind you.) Once Trump received a Secret Service detail, the agency paid $1.6 million for its agents to travel with him - money that went to TAG Air, a company owned by Trump. The Air Force wouldn't let Trump keep using his plane as president, though, unless it were significantly upgraded. As CNN reported earlier this month, Trump's personal plane would need to be upgraded with critical functionality to serve as his official aircraft. That includes missile detection and avoidance systems, electromagnetic shielding, mid-air refueling mechanisms and confidential communications systems. The cost of those upgrades would be up to Trump. As it turns out, though, the Trump tweet may not have been unprompted. CNN's Jake Tapper noted on Twitter that shortly before the tweet (which was posted at 8:52 a.m. Eastern) the Chicago Tribune posted an article quoting the company's CEO, Dennis Muilenberg. (The comments were made at a speech on Friday, not in an interview with the Tribune, as this article originally indicated.) "Anyone who paid attention to the recent campaigns and the election results realises that one of the overarching themes was apprehension about free and fair trade," Muilenberg said at the Illinois Manufacturing Association last week, as noted by Tribune columnist Robert Reed. Fair trade has helped Boeing, which prides itself on being America's largest manufacturing exporter. "Last year, we delivered 495 737s from our factory in Renton, Wash., to customers around the world," Muilenberg continued, noting that a third of the planes were sent to China. "This phenomenon would have been unimaginable when I started at the company in 1985." Those are pointed comments. It was Trump, of course, who robustly criticised free trade during the general election. And it is Trump who, this week, seemed to threaten a trade war with China. That story has a dateline of 7:30 Central time - 8:30 Eastern. Trump's tweet came out a few minutes later. We don't know that Trump was responding to the Tribune story. We do know that the last time he tweeted an out-of-the-blue opinion, about flag-burning, it was immediately after a Fox News segment showing students burning flags. We also know that Trump's tweet tanked Boeing's stock price, albeit only briefly. In 2013, Trump tweeted about having just bought stock in Boeing ("great company!"), but his spokesman said on Tuesday that the president-elect no longer holds stock in Boeing, or anything else, having sold it all in June. The fluctuations in Boeing's stock price that may have stemmed from Trump's annoyance at a news article criticising his policies in the lightest of terms, then, only affected other people. The Washington Post Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} US President-elect Donald Trump has named the Republican governor of Iowa Terry Branstad as ambassador to China, according to his transition team. Mr Branstad's nomination goes some way to assuaging fears that a Trump administration could adversely affect US-Chinese relations. In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang called Mr Branstad an old friend of China when asked about the appointment. The governors friendship with the Chinese leader dates back to 1985, when Xi Jinping visited Iowa as a young agricultural official. The two met again in recent years; in 2011 when Mr Branstad travelled to China, and again in 2012 when Mr Xi stopped in Iowa during a state visit to the US. Mr Branstad called Mr Xi a longtime friend during that visit, which came only nine months before Mr Xi became the Chinese leader. Mr Lu said: The US ambassador to China is an important bridge between the US government and the Chinese government. No matter who is in this position, we are willing to work with him to push forward the sound and steady development of Sino-US relations. While Mr Branstad would seemingly be received warmly by Chinese officials, the need for delicate diplomacy is clear. On the campaign trail this year, Mr Trump repeatedly criticised China for encouraging unfair competition in international trade and has threatened Chinese companies that do not behave with punitive tariffs. A recent call between Mr Trump and Taiwans Tsai Ing-wen brought a diplomatic protest from Beijing as it broke with decades of established US policy. No American president had had any direct diplomatic contact with a Taiwanese leader since President Jimmy Carter switched its recognition from Taiwan to Beijing in 1979. Under the so-called "one China" doctrine which the US agreed to uphold Beijing considers the island off its south-eastern coast to be a breakaway province. The US still holds unofficial ties with Taiwan. Mr Trump said that he had accepted the call from Ms Tsai, although the Taiwan leaders office said there had been contact between the sides to arrange the call. The 10-minute conversation raised fears of an angry response from Beijing with Taiwan calling for "calm" but despite the diplomatic protest, a full-scale war of words failed to materialise. However, the contact took the White House by surprise and the Obama administration moved quickly to assure Beijing that there were no plans to change the "one China" policy. In the wake of the call, Mr Trump took to Twitter to accuse the Chinese government of potential currency manipulation and aggressively building up its military presence in the disputed territories of the South China Sea. Mr Branstad had visited Trump Tower on Tuesday afternoon but refused to comment on whether he had been offered a post. "Im really excited about the quality of people that hes attracting to the cabinet," Mr Branstad said. "Im very proud to have supported Donald Trump for President." Mr Branstad regularly campaigned with Mr Trump in his home state of Iowa a key battleground state during the presidential election. Mr Trump will travel to Iowa on Thursday as part of his post-election victory tour and Mr Branstad could join him during an appearance in Des Moines. In another apparent appointment, the President-elect has chosen retired Marine General John Kelly, whose last command included oversight of the Guantanamo Bay detention centre, to run the Department of Homeland Security, people close to the transition team said on Wednesday. Gen Kelly, who joined the Marine Corps in 1970, retired earlier this year, wrapping up a final, three-year post as head of US Southern Command in a period that coincided with some of the more fractious debate over the Obama administration's ultimately failed pledge to close Guantanamo. Meanwhile, Mayors of big cities across the US have appealed to Donald Trump to let child immigrants stay in the country, go to school and not live in fear of deportation. During a meeting with Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel, the President-elect was handed a letter signed by more than a dozen mayors, asking him to keep accepting renewals and applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme. [] DACA helps ensure that young people that were brought to the United States before they turned 16, and are actively seeking higher education, working or engaged in military service, can stay in their homes and communities without fear of deportation, the letter read. It was signed by mayors including Bill de Blasio from New York, Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles and Megan Barry of Nashville. 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 }} Two members of the electoral college in a US state where Hillary Clinton won the popular vote have launched a last-ditch lawsuit to block Donald Trump from winning the American presidency. The two electors in Colorado, Polly Baca and Robert Nemanich, have legally challenged a state law that requires them to vote for the winner of the popular vote, in the hope they can instead rally around an alternative Republican candidate in an effort to oust Mr Trump. While Colorados official vote is yet to be finalised, unofficial results show Ms Clinton won 48.1 percent of the vote, compared to 43.25 percent for Trump, meaning the states nine electoral voters are compelled to vote for her when the electoral college meets on 19 December. But speaking to the Denver Post, Jason Wesoky, the attorney who filed the suit, said the electors wanted to vote their conscience and do their constitutional duty as intended by the framers. They are among around seven so-called faithless electors - who also call themselves the Hamilton Electors - hoping to persuade Republican electors in other states to vote for a moderate Republican candidate by offering to shift the Democratic votes to a consensus pick. So far, one Republican elector has declared he will not vote for Mr Trump. On Tuesday, Christopher Suprun, a Republican member of the electoral college in Texas, announced he would not cast their vote for the billionaire, saying he owes a debt to [his] children not to select an unqualified President. At the time of writing, Ms Clinton had 2.7 million more votes than the President-elect in the popular count, but lost the election in November because of the way the United States' Electoral College system works a result that academics have suggested could be ruled unconstitutional. In the US, rather than citizens voting for the head of state directly, representatives in the Electoral College choose the winner on behalf of their state, and almost all states operate a winner-takes-all system, which ignores voter margins, meaning the candidate with the wider percentage will receive every elector's vote. A candidate needs 270 votes form the Electoral College to win and become president. Mr Trump has 306 projected votes to Mrs Clintons 232, meaning there are 306 Republican electors and 232 Democratic electors. The Hamilton Electors would therefore need all 232 Democrats to go along with a Trump alternative as well as 38 Republicans. Polly Baca told the Colorado Independent: I think we all agree that Mr Trump is a danger to this country. I have been involved in every presidential race since 1960 and this is the first time that I am literally in fear for my country because of this particular person. The lawsuit states: Though Hillary Clinton and Timothy Kaine won the majority vote in Colorado and are qualified for office, plaintiffs cannot be constitutionally compelled to vote for them. Plaintiffs are entitled to exercise their judgment and free will to vote for whomever they believe to be the most qualified and fit for the offices of president and vice president, whether those candidates are Democrats, Republicans or from a third-party. There is no federal law requiring electors to vote for the winner of the popular vote, but Colorado is among the 29 states that impose such a requirement. Republican Secretary of State Wayne Williams has reportedly pledged to replace the electors if they do so. Mr Williams said Ms Baca and Mr Nemanich were "faithless electors" who were seeking to conspire and "violating Colorado law", saying in a statement: Instead of honouring the will of the Coloradans who voted for them, these two faithless electors seek to conspire with electors from other states to elect a president who did not receive a single vote in November. Make no mistake, this is not some noble effort to fight some unjust or unconstitutional law; rather, this is an arrogant attempt by two faithless electors to elevate their personal desires over the entire will of the people of Colorado. And in so doing, they seek to violate Colorado law and their own pledges. 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 Mr Williams went on to suggest that the move was "odious" and "evil", saying: The very notion of two Colorado electors ignoring Colorados popular vote in an effort to sell their vote to electors in other states is odious to everything we hold dear about the right to vote. "It is this type of evil that President Franklin Roosevelt warned us about when he cautioned that voters not elected officials such as these faithless electors are the ultimate rulers of our democracy'. One potential candidate as an alternative to Mr Trump is Ohio Governor John Kasich, but he issued a statement Tuesday telling electors not to vote for him. Despite the growing size of the rebellion, few entertain the belief that faithless electors alone can overturn Mr Trumps 306 to 232 victory in the electoral college system. And some analysts predict that even if the electoral college managed to select Ms Clinton, Congress would go ahead and appoint Mr Trump anyway. The so-called faithless electors call themselves the Hamilton Electors because they refer to writings by Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, citing his words: The process of election affords a moral certainty, that the office of President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications. 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 }} In one of the surest signs yet that president Barack Obamas progress on climate change will be scrubbed from history, Donald Trump has selected a close ally of the fossil fuel industry to head up the environment department. The new leader of the Environmental Protection Agency will be Scott Pruitt, the Oklahoma attorney general, a Republican and key participant in the fight against Mr Obamas moves to counter climate change. The move will severely disappoint activists who might have been hoping for the president-elect to change his mind, or at least dial down his intentions to scrap United Nations funding to tackle global warming and stop investment in renewable energy. Mr Trump said at a recent meeting at the New York Times that there was some connectivity between humans and climate change, and said he would keep an open mind when it came to environmental policy. His flip-flop represented a huge change from his statement in 2013 that climate change was a "hoax invented by the Chinese". Mr Pruitt will most likely eliminate any hope for an "open mind". He is a climate change denier, and said the science behind it was "subject to considerable debate". Greenpeace spokesman Travis Nichols said in a statement that Mr Pruitt would put the US "at risk". Donald Trump's controversial cabinet "Pruitt is a pure product of the oil and gas industry, installed in successive government posts to sell out his constituents at every turn," he said. "He will push this country far behind the rest of the world in the race for 21st century clean energy. With Scott Pruitt as head of the EPA, the people and the environment will be in the hands of a man who cares about neither." 48-year-old Mr Pruitt has been hailed as a hero of the conservative movement that pushed back against Mr Obamas agenda. He, along with the likes of Texas governor Greg Abbott, filed a 28-state lawsuit against Mr Obamas rules, which came into play last year. That suit has not been resolved but is expected to end up with the Supreme Court. The EPA of his administration forced power plants to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions under the 1970 Clean Air Act. A lawyer at the helm of the EPA could work to slowly weaken and undermine that Act, if not scrap it altogether. Mr Pruitt's appointment also raises questions about the future of the Dakota Access Pipeline, a $3.8 billion oil and gas project that was denied access over the weekend to dig under the Missouri River, close to the reservation of the Native American Sioux tribe. Mr Obama had said the US Army Corps of Engineers would investigate other routes for the pipeline. The Oklahoma lawyer has worked with oil and gas companies, who even drafted letters he sent to lobby the government on climate change. In 2011, he copied and pasted a letter written by lawyers for Devon Energy onto state government-branded stationery and sent it to the EPA. The exhange worked both ways. Harold Hamm, CEO of Continental Energy, was co-chairman of Mr Pruitts 2013 re-election campaign. He got more than $300,000 worth of donations from the oil and gas industry. Greenpeace's Mr Nichols said more people cared about climate change than voted for Mr Trump, and that his administration was on the "wrong side" of the issue. "If climate change denial is going to the default position of the Trump White House, then relentless resistance will be the default position of the American people," he said. Mr Pruitt has also fought transgender rights and basic workers' rights. He filed lawsuits against Mr Obama's overtime rule, which planned to give millions of Americans overtime pay as of 1 December. He also challenged Mr Obama's order to public schools that they should allow students to use the bathroom of their natural gender, instead of their birth gender, otherwise the school could lose its federal funding. 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's new luxury hotel in Washington, D.C., has been attracting foreign envoys, special interest groups - and a bit of controversy. One of the latest groups to book the hotel is the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank whose big donors gathered there Tuesday night for a speech by Vice President-elect Mike Pence. Pence spoke on Trump administration priorities. The Heritage Foundation said its decision to use the hotel was driven by space needs. The Trump International Hotel has come under scrutiny by government ethics experts who worry that foreign governments, special interest groups and others will book rooms and events there to curry favour with the President-elect. The Washington Post reported last month that about 100 foreign diplomats from around the world used the hotel for a reception just a week after the election. On December 15 an umbrella organisation for US Jewish groups is holding a joint Hanukkah party with the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan there. Malcolm Hoenlein, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organisations, said using the hotel was in no way an attempt to gain favor with the president, and that conflicts of interest are not an issue anyway because Trump isn't president yet. Until January 20, he's a private citizen so I don't think the conflict issue comes in, Hoenlein said. He added, Do you think the president-elect knows who rents rooms for two hours? The Azeri embassy did not respond to a phone message requesting comment. The Obama administration criticised Azerbaijan its latest annual report on human rights in April. A party to be held at the hotel by another foreign embassy is causing a stir. On Monday, US Rep. James McGovern of Massachusetts sent a letter to Trump urging him not to accept any money from the Bahraini monarchy for use of his hotel. He cited news reports that the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain will hold its National Day celebrations at the hotel on Wednesday. The embassy did not reply to an email and phone call about the event. In June, a bipartisan group of senators wrote a letter to US Secretary of State John Kerry saying they were deeply alarmed by the government of Bahrain's suppression of free speech and political dissent. Trump tweeted last month that he would disclose plans on December 15 to take me completely out of business operations without elaborating what that means. He had previously said that he plans to hand over management of his business to three of his adult children. That is far short of what some government ethics experts are pushing him to do: sell his assets, and put the money in a blind trust overseen by an independent manager not related to him. The Trump Organisation did not immediately reply for comment about events at its hotel. Since the election, government ethics experts have called for the Trump Organisation to sell its interest in the hotel. President Donald Trump life in pictures Show all 16 1 /16 President Donald Trump life in pictures President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump poses in a rocking chair once used by President John F. Kennedy at his New York City residence Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Developer Donald Trump with his new bride Marla Maples after their wedding at the Plaza hotel in New York Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Celina Midelfart watch the match between Conchita Martinez and Amanda Coetzer during U.S. Open. She was the date whom Donald Trump was with when he met his current wife Melania at a party in 1996 Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas serving as the grand marshal for the Daytona 500, speaks to Donald Trump and Melania Knauss on the starting grid at the Daytona International Speedwa Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Developer Donald Trump talks with his former wife Ivana Trump during the men's final at the U.S. Open Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and his friend Melania Knauss pose for photographers as they arrive at the New York premiere of Star Wars Episode : 'The Phantom Menace,' Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire real estate developer Donald Trump talks with host Larry King. Trump told King that he was moving toward a possible bid for the United States presidency with the formation of a presidential exploratory committee Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump answers questions as Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura looks on in Brooklyn Park. Trump said on Friday he 'very well might' make a run for president under the Reform Party banner but had not made a final decision Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire Donald Trump makes a face at a friend as he sits next to Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso before the start of the 2003 Miss Universe pageant in Panama City Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Entrepreneur Donald Trump is greeted by a Marilyn Monroe character look-a-alike, as he arrives at Universal Studios Hollywood to attend the an open casting call for his NBC television network reality series 'The Apprentice.' Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Simon Cowell present an Emmy during the 56th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Megan Mullally perform at the 57th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump, poses with his children, son Donald Trump, Jr., and daughters Tiffany and Ivanka Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire Donald Trump told Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner on Tuesday she would be given a second chance after reported misbehavior Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump holds a replica of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as his wife Melania holds their son Barron in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures U.S. property mogul Donald Trump stands next to a bagpiper during a media event on the sand dunes of the Menie estate, the site for Trump's proposed golf resort, near Aberdeen, north east Scotland Reuters Aside from attempts to use the hotel to influence the president-elect, they worry about a 60-year lease that his company took out with the US to use the government-owned building that houses the hotel. In addition to an annual rental fee, the Trump Organisation has to pay a special annual payment based on various measures on how well the hotel is doing. Any disputes over that payment will be handled by the General Services Administration, the federal agency overseeing the property. The head of the GSA will be appointed by the new president. The Pence speech on Tuesday was the highlight of the Heritage Foundation's annual gathering for its biggest donors. The event was mostly being held at the Ronald Reagan Center across the street from the hotel. The space wasn't large enough and there are security concerns, said Heritage spokesman Wesley Denton. It's just this one speech. AP 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 picked Gen John Kelly to head the Department of Homeland Security. Gen Kelly, 66, is the third military general appointed by Mr Trump to a post in his Cabinet. He previously named Lt Gen Michael Flynn to be his national security advisor. Retired Gen James Mattis accepted the offer to be Defence Secretary, pending a congressional waiver since he only retired three years ago. CBS News reports that Gen Kelly, a retired Marine, was travelling to Europe when the Trump transition team made the offer, which he accepted while abroad. An announcement of the formal offer is expected next week. Gen Kelly has served almost five decades in the US Marine Corps. He was the commander of US Southern Command which is responsible for all military activities in Central and South America. He also commanded US forces in Iraq, before serving as an aide to defence secretaries Leon Panetta and Robert Gates. Gen Kelly became the highest ranking member of the military to lose a child in combat. In 2010, Lt Robert Michael Kelly died after stepping on a landmine in Afghanistan. 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 The New York Times said the loss played a role in Mr Trumps decision to bring on the general. While with the US Southern Command, Gen Kelly oversaw the military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. Human rights activists have rebuked the US government for the treatment of prisoners on the base which included force-feeding prisoners who staged hunger strikes. Gen Kelly rejected such criticism. Donald Trump comments on friendship with President Obama on The Today Show Human rights groups on the one hand will criticise the US government for enteral feeding, he said in 2014. But in private, theyll tell me, Thank goodness youre doing this. These people might hurt themselves. I am charged by the president, we are charged by the president the US government to maintain their health to the degree that we can, he continued. They have, frankly, better healthcare down there than probably the veterans in our country have, and they certainly have as good of health care down there as anyone in the US military does. Gen Kelly was also critical of the Obama administration upon the announcement that it would open up combat roles for women in the military. He was against the idea, saying that the armed forces would have to lower their standards to include women in the frontlines. There will be great pressure, whether its 12 months from now, four years from now, because the question will be asked whether weve let women into these other roles, why arent they staying in those other roles? he told reporters in January. If we dont change standards, it will be very, very difficult to have any numbers any real numbers come into the infantry or the Rangers of the SEALs, but thats their business. 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 lied about saving more than 1,100 Indianapolis manufacturing jobs from moving to Mexico, according to the boss of the companys union. Chuck Jones, leader of the United Steelworkers 1999 union who watched the president-elect give a speech at the air conditioning plant on 1 December, told the Washington Post that Mr Trump had inflated his victory. Mr Trump told the 150-strong crowd at the plant - picked and seated appropriately by the Secret Service and corporate employees - that he had saved "over 1,100 people". But Mr Jones told the Post that of the almost 1,400 employees at the plant, 350 research and development positions were never intending to leave. Another 80 jobs, seemingly included in Mr Trumps number, were in non-union clerical and supervisory positions that were also not going to leave. Mr Trump could only take credit for saving 800 jobs, according to Mr Jones. Those numbers were confirmed by a spokesperson for Carrier. The Union leader, who voted for Hillary Clinton as a "lesser of two evils", expected Mr Trump to get up on the stage and explain how the deal had panned out. "But he got up there, and, for whatever reason, lied his a off." "Trump and Pence, they pulled a dog and pony show on the numbers," added Mr Jones. "I almost threw up in my mouth." In gratitude for keeping less than half the jobs in the US, Mr Trump promised the plant huge tax breaks and benefits, including nearly $7 million tax credits from Indiana, to be paid in installments of $700,000 every year for a decade. In return, Carrier said it would invest $16 million in its Indiana plant. It will still send 700 factory jobs south of the border to Monterrey, Mexico. Vermont senator Bernie Sanders criticised the deal, saying it sent a signal to other companies that they could still send jobs to Mexico and receive financial advantages. Mr Trump told the crowd last week that he had been inspired to make the deal after seeing a Carrier employee talking to NBC news about the president-elects "promise" to save their jobs. Mr Trump had said at a rally in April: "They're going to call me and they are going to say 'Mr. President, Carrier has decided to stay in Indiana.One hundred per cent that's what is going to happen." 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 Yet on 1 December at the factory, he said he had not meant that literally. "I was talking about Carrier like all other companies from here on in," Mr Trump said. "Because they made the decision a year and a half ago. But he believed that was - and I could understand it. I actually said - I didn't make it - when they played that, I said, 'I did make it, but I didn't mean it quite that way'." Mr Trump was already under fire for claiming he had saved jobs at the Ford plant in Kentucky, but the company clarified it had only been considering moving one production line. He has also been accused of sending a negative tweet about air manufacturer Boeing for its out of control costs of $4 billion and that the government should cancel their contract. The tweet temporarily wiped almost $1 billion of Boeings share price. Boeing clarified their contract was only worth $170 million. It is speculated that Mr Trump sent the tweet hours after a Chicago Tribune article reported that Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg had made comments about the president-elect and cast doubt over his plans on international trade. 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 could be forced to impose a hefty tax on his own daughters fashion business as part of his pledge to bring back manufacturing jobs to the USA. The US President-elect has repeatedly promised to revive manufacturing in the country and restore jobs that have been moved overseas. Earlier this week he threatened to introduce a 35 per cent levy on any US firms that shifted operations abroad. However, it has emerged the clothing line run by Mr Trumps daughter, Ivanka, manufactures most of its products in China, Vietnam and Indonesia. In a series of tweets on Sunday, the President-elect said: Any business that leaves our country for another country, fires its employees, builds a new factory or plant in the other country, and then thinks it will sell its product back into the U.S. without retribution or consequence, is WRONG! There will be a tax on our soon to be strong border of 35% for these companies wanting to sell their product, cars, A.C. units etc., back across the border. The Ivanka Trump Collection has a licensing deal with the G-III Apparel Group, a manufacturer that operates across south-east Asia and which also produces clothes for Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Show all 14 1 /14 Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Isis: "Some of the candidates, they went in and didnt know the air conditioner didnt work and sweated like dogs, and they didnt know the room was too big because they didnt have anybody there. How are they going to beat ISIS?" Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On immigration: "I will build a great wall and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me and Ill build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Free Trade: "Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people. But we have stupid people." PAUL J. RICHARDS | AFP | Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Mexicans: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists." Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On China: "I just sold an apartment for $15 million to somebody from China. Am I supposed to dislike them?... I love China. The biggest bank in the world is from China. You know where their United States headquarters is located? In this building, in Trump Tower." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On work: "If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable." AP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On success: "What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate." Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On life: "Everything in life is luck." AFP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On ambition: "You have to think anyway, so why not think big?" Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On his opponents: "Bush is totally in favour of Common Core. I don't see how he can possibly get the nomination. He's weak on immigration. He's in favour of Common Core. How the hell can you vote for this guy? You just can't do it." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Obamacare: "You have to be hit by a tractor, literally, a tractor, to use it, because the deductibles are so high. It's virtually useless. And remember the $5 billion web site?... I have so many web sites, I have them all over the place. I hire people, they do a web site. It costs me $3." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Barack Obama: "Obama is going to be out playing golf. He might be on one of my courses. I would invite him. I have the best courses in the world. I have one right next to the White House." PA Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On himself: "Love him or hate him, Trump is a man who is certain about what he wants and sets out to get it, no holds barred. Women find his power almost as much of a turn-on as his money." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On America: "The American Dream is dead. But if I get elected president I will bring it back bigger and better and stronger than ever before and we will make America great again." GETTY The collections website lists a number of items as Imported, including a 250 coat and a 245 bag, while reviews on the website include customers expressing surprise that items they received were made in China. A previous analysis by Robert Lawrence, a Harvard University trade and investment professor, found 628 of the 838 Ivanka Trump products listed on the website were manufactured overseas, including 354 made in China. A spokeswoman for the Ivanka Trump brand said: We have consistently expressed that we share industry leaders interest in bringing more manufacturing opportunities to the US and are looking forward to being a part of the conversation." Mr Trump has consistently criticised China, claiming it manipulates its currency in order to secure trade deals and even going as far as accusing the country of inventing global warming as a hoax to damage the US economy. His clothing line was hit by boycotts from anti-Trump campaigners following her fathers shock election as the next US President earlier this month. Several retailers bowed to pressure to stop stocking her companys products. The President-elects daughter, who Mr Trump has said will run his businesses while he is President, has also been criticised after suggestions she was using her fathers position to promote the familys commercial interests. Ms Trump was present at a meeting between the President-elect and the Japanese President at a time when she was in a the final stages of completing a business deal in Japan. She also reportedly joined conversations with the leaders of Argentina, where the Trump family also has business interests, and Turkey. Mr Trumps team have strongly denied that business matters were discussed during the talks. 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 female plaintiff and current graduate studentonly identified as Jane Doefiled a federal Civil Rights lawsuit on Monday claiming that the administration at Stanford University failed to protect several women who were sexually assaulted on campus. In her filing, she claims that the male student, Mr. X, choked and raped another female student in 2011. While his actions were reported to the university she claims that they were not investigated. Three years later, in 2014, she said that the same male student assaulted her. She also said that Mr. X had been accused of assaulting at least four separate students between 2010 and 2014. The 6-foot-6, 200-pound student was allegedly ordered to stay away from the universitys campus for 10 years but he defied those orders without any repercussions. Mr. X was knowingly allowed to graduate from the university with both his undergraduate and graduate degree. Jane Doe argues that the university failed to protect her and a number of other female undergraduate students. Her lawsuit also states that through inaction, university officials deprived her of educational benefits and opportunities in violation of Title IX. Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy Show all 21 1 /21 Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy Stanford student Paul Harrison (C) carries a sign in a show of solidarity for a Stanford rape victim during graduation ceremonies at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, on June 12, 2016. Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy A woman carries a sign during the "Wacky Walk" to show her solidarity for a Stanford rape victim during graduation ceremonies at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, on June 12, 2016. Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy Stanford students carried signs in solidarity for a Stanford rape victim during graduation ceremonies at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, on June 12, 2016. Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy A man carries a sign during the "Wacky Walk" to show his solidarity for a Stanford rape victim during graduation ceremonies at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, on June 12, 2016. Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy Stanford students Miriam Natvig (L) and Jemima Oslo (R) carried signs in solidarity for a Stanford rape victim during graduation ceremonies at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, on June 12, 2016. Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy Alizabeth McGowan wears a 1/3 sign on her mortarboard to show solidarity for a Stanford rape victim during graduation ceremonies at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, on June 12, 2016. Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy Stanford students wear a 1/3 sign on their caps to show solidarity for a Stanford rape victim during graduation ceremonies at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, on June 12, 2016. The 1/3 represents a statistic that claims one in three students will experience a sexual assault by the time they graduate college. Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy Signs against protesting a rapist are seen during the commencement ceremony at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, on June 12, 2016. Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy Signs against protesting a rapist are seen during the commencement ceremony at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, on June 12, 2016. Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy Signs against protesting a rapist are seen during the commencement ceremony at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, on June 12, 2016. Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy Signs against protesting a rapist are seen during the commencement ceremony at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, on June 12, 2016. Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy Stanford student Paul Harrison (C) carries a sign in a show of solidarity for a Stanford rape victim during graduation ceremonies at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, on June 12, 2016. Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy Stanford student Paul Harrison (C) carries a sign in a show of solidarity for a Stanford rape victim during graduation ceremonies at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, on June 12, 2016. Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy Stanford student Paul Harrison (C) carries a sign in a show of solidarity for a Stanford rape victim during graduation ceremonies at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, on June 12, 2016. Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy A woman carries a sign in solidarity for a Stanford rape victim during graduation at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, on June 12, 2016. Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy A woman carries a sign in solidarity for a Stanford rape victim during graduation at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, on June 12, 2016. Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty Stanford University holds commencement amid sexual assault controversy Stanford students John Lancaster Finley(L) and Brandon Hill(C) carry signs during the "Wacky Walk" to show their solidarity for a Stanford rape victim during graduation ceremonies at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, on June 12, 2016. Gabrielle Lurie/AFP/Getty In a statement to CBS San Francisco, the university said that they have done all that they can in this case to protect the female students. We have sympathy for the plaintiff in this case, the university claimed in its statement, but we will be vigorously defending the lawsuit as we believe that Stanford has acted with appropriate diligence and compassion within the constraints of privacy laws. Stanford University had the highest number of sexual assault cases under review, more than any other college in the country with 26 separate incidents in 2014. Earlier this year, the troubling statistic was highlighted when Brock Turner, a 21-year-old former student, was convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman on the universitys campus. 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 }} Lawmakers in the Republican-controlled House voted to approve the "Heartbeat Bill" on Tuesday night that would outlaw abortions if a heartbeat is detected. The legislation now lands on the desk of Governor John Kasich and would prevent abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy. It will easily become the nations most strict abortion law. While Governor Kasich opposes abortion, he has previously said that the bill may be unconstitutional. At this point, its unclear whether he will sign the legislation into law. The bill has been defeated twice before but has been resurrected in the wake of Donald Trumps surprise election victory. State Senate President Keith Faber told the Associated Press that he expects the bill to survive any legal trouble. Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions Show all 23 1 /23 Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions Abortion rights activists hold placards outside of the US Supreme Court ahead of an expected ruling on abortion clinic restrictions on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions An abortion rights activist holds placards outside of the US Supreme Court before the Court struck down a Texas law placing restrictions on abortion clinics on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. The US Supreme Court on Monday struck down a Texas law placing a raft of restrictions on abortion clinics, handing a major victory to the "pro-choice" camp in the country's most important ruling on the divisive issue in a generation. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 27: Pro-life activists pray on the steps of the United States Supreme Court on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. In a 5-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down one of the nation's toughest restrictions on abortion, a Texas law that women's groups said would have forced more than three-quarters of the state's clinics to close. Pete Marovich/Getty Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 27: Texas abortion provider Amy Hagstrom-Miller looks on as Nancy Northup, President of The Center for Reproductive Rights speaks to the media outside of the U.S. Supreme Court on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. In a 5-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down one of the nation's toughest restrictions on abortion, a Texas law that women's groups said would have forced more than three-quarters of the state's clinics to close. Pete Marovich/Getty Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions An abortion rights activist holds placards outside of the US Supreme Court before the Court struck down a Texas law placing restrictions on abortion clinics on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. The US Supreme Court on Monday struck down a Texas law placing a raft of restrictions on abortion clinics, handing a major victory to the "pro-choice" camp in the country's most important ruling on the divisive issue in a generation. Getty Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions Texas abortion provider Amy Hagstrom-Miller wipes a tear as she walks down the steps of the United States Supreme Court with Nancy Northup, President of The Center for Reproductive Rights on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. In a 5-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down one of the nation's toughest restrictions on abortion, a Texas law that women's groups said would have forced more than three-quarters of the state's clinics to close. Pete Marovich/Getty Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions Abortion rights activists cheer after the US Supreme Court struck down a Texas law placing restrictions on abortion clinics, outside of the Supreme Court on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. In a case with far-reaching implications for millions of women across the United States, the court ruled 5-3 to strike down measures which activists say have forced more than half of Texas's abortion clinics to close. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions Abortion rights activists cheer after the US Supreme Court struck down a Texas law placing restrictions on abortion clinics, outside of the Supreme Court on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. In a case with far-reaching implications for millions of women across the United States, the court ruled 5-3 to strike down measures which activists say have forced more than half of Texas's abortion clinics to close. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 27: Abortion rights activists Morgan Hopkins of Boston, left, and Alison Turkos of New York City, celebrate on the steps of the United States Supreme Court on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. In a 5-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down one of the nation's toughest restrictions on abortion, a Texas law that women's groups said would have forced more than three-quarters of the state's clinics to close. Pete Marovich/Getty Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions Abortion rights activists cheer after the US Supreme Court struck down a Texas law placing restrictions on abortion clinics, outside of the Supreme Court on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. In a case with far-reaching implications for millions of women across the United States, the court ruled 5-3 to strike down measures which activists say have forced more than half of Texas's abortion clinics to close. Getty Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 27: Abortion rights activists Morgan Hopkins of Boston, left, and Alison Turkos of New York City, celebrate on the steps of the United States Supreme Court on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. In a 5-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down one of the nation's toughest restrictions on abortion, a Texas law that women's groups said would have forced more than three-quarters of the state's clinics to close. (Photo by Pete Marovich/Getty Images) Getty Images Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions Abortion rights activist Morgan Hopkins of Boston, celebrates on the steps of the United States Supreme Court on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. In a 5-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down one of the nation's toughest restrictions on abortion, a Texas law that women's groups said would have forced more than three-quarters of the state's clinics to close. Pete Marovich/Getty Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions Abortion rights activists embrace after the US Supreme Court struck down a Texas law placing restrictions on abortion clinics, outside of the Supreme Court on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. In a case with far-reaching implications for millions of women across the United States, the court ruled 5-3 to strike down measures which activists say have forced more than half of Texas's abortion clinics to close. AFP/Getty Images Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions Abortion rights activists hold placards outside of the US Supreme Court ahead of a ruling on abortion clinic restrictions on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. In a case with far-reaching implications for millions of women across the United States, the court ruled 5-3 to strike down measures which activists say have forced more than half of Texas's abortion clinics to close. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions In a case with far-reaching implications for millions of women across the United States, the court ruled 5-3 to strike down measures which activists say have forced more than half of Texas's abortion clinics to close. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions Abortion rights activists cheer after the US Supreme Court struck down a Texas law placing restrictions on abortion clinics, outside of the Supreme Court on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. In a case with far-reaching implications for millions of women across the United States, the court ruled 5-3 to strike down measures which activists say have forced more than half of Texas's abortion clinics to close. AFP/Getty Images Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions Abortion rights activists cheer after the US Supreme Court struck down a Texas law placing restrictions on abortion clinics, outside of the Supreme Court on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. In a case with far-reaching implications for millions of women across the United States, the court ruled 5-3 to strike down measures which activists say have forced more than half of Texas's abortion clinics to close. / AFP / MANDEL NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions Abortion rights activists cheer after the US Supreme Court struck down a Texas law placing restrictions on abortion clinics, outside of the Supreme Court on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. In a case with far-reaching implications for millions of women across the United States, the court ruled 5-3 to strike down measures which activists say have forced more than half of Texas's abortion clinics to close. / AFP / MANDEL NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions Abortion rights activists embrace after the US Supreme Court struck down a Texas law placing restrictions on abortion clinics, outside of the Supreme Court on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. In a case with far-reaching implications for millions of women across the United States, the court ruled 5-3 to strike down measures which activists say have forced more than half of Texas's abortion clinics to close. AFP/Getty Images Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions Pro-choice activist, Alissa Manzoeillo, of Washington, D.C. waits for rulings in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. A ruling is expected in Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, a Texas case the places restrictions on abortion clinics, as well as rulings in the former Virginia Governor's corruption case and a gun rights case. Pete Marovich/Getty Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions Abortion rights activists cheer after the US Supreme Court struck down a Texas law placing restrictions on abortion clinics, outside of the Supreme Court on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. In a case with far-reaching implications for millions of women across the United States, the court ruled 5-3 to strike down measures which activists say have forced more than half of Texas's abortion clinics to close. Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions Abortion rights activists hold placards outside of the US Supreme Court ahead of an expected ruling on abortion clinic restrictions on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. AFP/Getty Images Supreme Court strikes down abortion restrictions Abortion rights activists hold placards outside of the US Supreme Court ahead of an expected ruling on abortion clinic restrictions on June 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. AFP/Getty Images I think it has a better chance than it did before, he told the news agency. Under the legislation, exceptions would only be made if the mothers life is in danger. There are also explicitly no exceptions for cases involving rape or incest. Iris E. Harvey, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, said that women should be trusted and respected to make their own personal health decisions, not politicians. Today, politicians jammed through a six-week abortion ban that does not include exceptions for rape and incest. Not only is this shameful, but its dangerous for women, she said in a statement on Tuesday. And the legislature plans to pass a 20-week abortion bill later this week. If signed into law, these bills would force women to travel long distances and cross state lines to access abortion. For many women, the expense and time these restrictions would force upon them would make access impossible. Lets be clear, these bills are a blatant attempt by the Ohio Legislature to ban abortion. I urge Governor Kasich to veto both bills. 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 }} Thousands of military veterans are expected to descend on Flint, Michigan, to continue their fight against water pollution after helping Native Americans to block the Dakota Access Pipeline from crossing their reservation. Wes Clark Jr, a veteran screenwriter and activist who organised more than 4,000 veterans to join the protests at Standing Rock, said he is now working on sending a group of veterans to Flint. A date has not yet been set. "This problem is all over the county. Its got to be more than veterans," Mr Clark told the Flint Journal. "People have been treated wrong in this county for a long time." Recommended Thousands of veterans will join protesters at Standing Rock Flint resident and veteran who went to Standing Rock, Arthur Woodson, told the Journal that the planned protest in Flint would help to revert media attention to their water crisis. "All the media attention that was there brought more attention to Standing Rock. The government had a change of heart," he said. Indigenous protesters and supporters celebrated a victory over the weekend after the US Departmnet of Defense announced it had blocked permission for the controversial $3.8 billion pipeline to pass under the Missouri River close to the Sioux reservation. Any damage to the pipeline could have polluted the Native Americans water supply. In pictures: Flint water crisis Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Flint water crisis In pictures: Flint water crisis Anthony Fordham picks up bottled water from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan to deliver to a school after elevated lead levels were found in the city's water in Flint Reuters In pictures: Flint water crisis Michigan National Guard Staff Sergeant William Phillips (L) assists a Flint resident with bottled water at a fire station in Flint Reuters In pictures: Flint water crisis Flint residents Arthur Woodson, left, and Tony Palladino Jr. protest the arrival of Flint native and filmmaker Michael Moore as Moore accuses Gov.Rick Snyder of poisoning Flint water during a rally outside of city hall in Flint AP In pictures: Flint water crisis Flint residents pick up bottled water and water filters at a fire station in Flint. Michigan National Guard members were set to arrive in Flint to join door-to-door efforts to distribute bottled water and other supplies to residents coping with the city's crisis over lead-contaminated drinking water Reuters In pictures: Flint water crisis Soldiers from the Michigan Army National Guard Flint prepare to give Flint residents bottled water at a fire station in Flint Getty Images In pictures: Flint water crisis Justin Roberson (L), age 6, of Flint, Michigan and Mychal Adams, age 1, of Flint wait on a stack of bottled water at a rally where the Rev. Jesse Jackson was speaking about about the water crises at the Heavenly Host Baptist Church in Flint Getty Images In pictures: Flint water crisis A man sits next to a stack of bottled water at the Heavenly Host Baptist Church in Flint 2016 Getty Images In pictures: Flint water crisis The top of a water tower is seen at the Flint Water Plant. President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency in Michigan and ordered federal aid to be used to help state and local response efforts to an area affected by contaminated water Reuters In pictures: Flint water crisis Rosie Wright, center, rallies with the crowd over Flint's water crisis in Ann Arbor, Michigan AP In pictures: Flint water crisis Rick Catherman participates in a rally around Flint's water crisis in Ann Arbor, Michigan AP "It was the sheer determination that was shown, the sheer numbers of people who have come to the site, including the veterans, who came today," Dallas Goldtooth of the Indigenous Environmental Network, told The Independent. "Veterans For Standing Rock"s GoFundMe page raised more than $1.1 million for food and transportation costs of the protesters and it is hoped they will achieve the same success in Flint. Sanders talks Flint water crisis during Michigan rally Michigan governor Rick Snyder switched Flints water supply from a Detroit water plant to the Flint River in 2014, which lead to mass poisoning of 100,000 Flint residents as well as inmates in prison who continued to drink the water for months after locals had been warned to drink bottled water instead. Drinking and bathing in the water led to serious skin problems and even "developmental delays" in children. The river water, which was found to be 19 times more corrosive than the water from Detroit, resulted in the lead casing of the pipes leaking into the water supply. A class action lawsuit alleges that Michigan Department of Environmental Quality did not treat the river water with an anti-corrosive agent, which would be a violation of federal law. 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 }} An American president in Hiroshima. A Japanese prime minister at Pearl Harbour. One long-time taboo has already fallen this year, and the other soon will. On December 27, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit the Hawaiian US naval base attacked by Japan in 1941. He will be joined by President Barack Obama, who seven months earlier travelled to Hiroshima to pay tribute to the 140,000 people killed there by a US atomic bomb in 1945. The two attacks bookend World War II in the Pacific. The importance of the visits may be mostly symbolic for two countries that, in a remarkable transformation, have grown into close allies in the decades since they faced off in brutal conflict. At the same time, it's significant that it took more than 70 years for US-Japanese relations to get to this point. The two gestures of reconciliation are in some ways an attempt to sweep out the final ghosts of the war. Despite the amicable relationship that the two countries have enjoyed since the end of the Pacific War, deep-rooted negative sentiment has remained in both countries, said Narushige Michishita, a security expert at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo. The Obama-Abe joint visit to Pearl Harbour will change this. Several factors have helped both Obama and Abe step in hallowed places their predecessors did not: For young Americans, Pearl Harbour is an event in history textbooks, but Japan is more likely to conjure up images of manga and sushi. Japanese students learn about the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but the message is not to hate America but to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. The amount of time passed is an important factor, said Tsuneo Watanabe, a senior research fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation in Tokyo. As survivors become fewer, the event becomes part historical memory, said Tosh Minohara, a US-Japan expert at Kobe University in Japan. To the mix, he added the concern in the US and Japan about China's emergence as a military power in the Pacific. I think the appearance of a new potential adversary also made this possible, he said. The UD will have to depend on Japan more and more. Obama, a liberal Democrat, and Abe, a relatively staunch conservative, seem unlikely partners for this dance. On a 2014 visit to Japan, Obama was described by the Japanese media as businesslike, in contrast to Abe, who was said to be looking to develop a personal bond with the American leader. Their interests dovetailed over Hiroshima. For Obama, a world without nuclear weapons is a stated if unachieved goal, and Hiroshima was a powerful place to deliver that message one more time in the last year of his presidency. Abe could bask in the limelight as the Japanese leader who brought an American president to Hiroshima, a visit long hoped for by survivors of the atomic bomb and widely welcomed by the public. At the time, Abe said he had no specific plan to visit Pearl Harbour, sidestepping suggestions that reciprocity was called for. However, in announcing his visit to Pearl Harbour on Monday, he revealed that he has been thinking about the importance of a visit and reconciliation for more than a year, and that he and Obama finalised it when they met at a G20 meeting in Peru last month. World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks Show all 20 1 /20 World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365542.bin World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365540.bin World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365539.bin World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365538.bin World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365537.bin World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365536.bin World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365535.bin World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365534.bin World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365533.bin World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365532.bin World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365531.bin World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365530.bin World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365529.bin World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365528.bin World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365527.bin World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365526.bin World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365525.bin World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365524.bin World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365523.bin World War Two Photo Essay: The Final Weeks 365541.bin Some American conservatives and military veterans opposed Obama's visit to Hiroshima, but he rode out the storm. In contrast, Japanese conservatives have been relatively quiet about Abe's planned visit to Pearl Harbour, and even supportive. The right-leaning Sankei newspaper called it an attempt to end the postwar era and move beyond a framework of winners versus losers. It helps that Abe is a conservative himself. He also faces few political challengers after holding onto office for coming on four years, making him the fourth-longest-serving prime minister since World War II. He gets understanding from his conservative supporters, who give him credit for his policies, Watanabe said. A visit to Pearl Harbour by a liberal leader would have been more difficult. Obama's visit to Hiroshima also helped in a society in which gift-giving and favors should be reciprocal. In a way, it was only appropriate, Minohara said. AP 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 }} Florida authorities have arrested a woman for allegedly threatening to kill the parent of child killed in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. US attorneys indicted 57-year-old Lucy Richards an apparent Sandy Hook hoaxer who does not believe the tragedy happened according to court filings after she repeatedly issued threats to Len Pozner. Mr Pozners son Noah, 6, was among the 20 six- and seven-year-olds murdered that day. Six adults were also killed. Recommended The fake news story that led to man opening fire in pizza restaurant The federal indictment says Richards sent Mr Pozner a message in interstate commerce, at one point telling him, you gonna die, death is coming to you real soon. Another said, death is coming to you real soon and theres nothing you can do about it. Mr Pozner expressed his gratitude in a statement. We are comforted to know that the system is working to protect the victims of violent crime from re-victimisation by potentially violent Hoaxers, he said. Heroic Sandy Hook staff saved many lives as the killer struck Show all 9 1 /9 Heroic Sandy Hook staff saved many lives as the killer struck Heroic Sandy Hook staff saved many lives as the killer struck 04-heroicstaff1.jpg Heroic Sandy Hook staff saved many lives as the killer struck 04-heroicstaff2.jpg Heroic Sandy Hook staff saved many lives as the killer struck 04-heroicstaff3-AP.jpg AP Heroic Sandy Hook staff saved many lives as the killer struck 04-heroicstaff4.jpg Heroic Sandy Hook staff saved many lives as the killer struck 04-heroicstaff5.jpg Heroic Sandy Hook staff saved many lives as the killer struck 04-heroicstaff6.jpg Heroic Sandy Hook staff saved many lives as the killer struck 04-heroicstaff7.jpg Heroic Sandy Hook staff saved many lives as the killer struck 04-heroicstaff8.jpg Heroic Sandy Hook staff saved many lives as the killer struck 04-heroicstaff9.jpg Mr Pozner runs the Standing with Honr Network, an organisation that fights online slander and harassment to victims of trauma. The idea that the Sandy Hook shooting was a false flag operation was propagated by the conspiracy theory website InfoWars that was instrumental in spreading false news stories with outlandish claims throughout the election. The sites operator, Alex Jones, who claims to have the ear of President-elect Donald Trump, has also pushed the fictional tale of the so-called Pizzagate conspiracy, a theory that alleged the Clinton campaign was behind an underground child sex ring. Fake news conspiracy theory about Hillary Clinton led a man to open fire in a pizza parlour A man who claimed to be investigating the baseless conspiracy entered the Washington, DC, pizza restaurant Comet Ping Pong and allegedly fired off multiple rounds from his rifle. Police arrested the man, who surrendered shortly after. We should all condemn the efforts of certain people to spread malicious and utterly false accusations about Comet Ping Pong, said James Alefantis, the restaurants owner, on Sunday. Social media companies have struggled to confront the problem of fake news and propaganda that has boomed in the past few months. Still, free speech protections hamper the governments ability to regulate the spread of such fictions. Many of the entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley didnt develop this technology [like Facebook and Twitter] to make it easier for hate to be propagated online; their idea was to build a community where people could more effectively communicate and engage in commerce, said White House press secretary Josh Earnest. He added: If you do administer a platform that is used extensively to propagate hate and to inspire acts of violence, well, I think most people are going to be less likely to use the platform. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate 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 Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Thousands of migrating snow geese have died after landing in a lake laden with toxic heavy metals and sulphuric acid. Maintaining the lake, which has formed in an old open pit mine in Butte, Montana, is the responsibility of Montana Resources and Atlantic Richfield. The companies participate in a Government-ordered 'hazing' scheme to scare geese with loud noises, instituted after a much smaller die-off in 1995. Montana Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are using drones and aircraft to accurately count the number of dead birds, the Billings Gazette reported. Mark Thompson, the Berkeley Pit's environmental affairs manager, said several dozen live geese are still in the pit, swimming in the toxic water, after landing on November 28. He told AP: "I can't underscore enough how many birds were in the Butte area that night. "Numbers beyond anything we've ever experienced in our 21 years of monitoring by several orders of magnitude." Workers did "incredible things to save a lot of birds and they really put their heart and soul behind it," he added. Recommended Londoners urged to leave cars at home due to polluted air from France Last year about 2,000 snow geese fell out of the sky in Idaho, apparently killed by avian cholera. The species was considered endangered in the early 20th century but recovered after hunting was banned. More than 300 died in 1995 after drinking contaminated Berkeley Pit water and examinations showed heavy metals in their kidneys. The thousands of geese that perished in the most recent incident had flown past their usual landing spot - called Freezeout Lake - because it was mostly frozen, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks told the Gazette. Montana Resources has collected 20 birds for the department to analyse, and mine officials said they had asked federal authorities whether they expected further large migrations over the area. The EPA could fine Montana Resources after investigating whether it was sticking to the hazing scheme. The programme had apparently been successful in its first five years, from 1996 to 2001, with 22,000 birds observed over the Berkeley Pit but just 75 deaths. A spokesman for Atlantic Richfield said: "Last week thousands of migratory waterfowl passed through the Butte area, with thousands landing in the Berkeley Pit. "Under a consent decree with US EPA and the state of Montana, Montana Resources and Atlantic Richfield Co. operate a program to deter waterfowl from landing in the pit, and to encourage any waterfowl in the pit to leave as soon as possible. "As required by this program, multiple noise-making tactics have been and are still being used to convince waterfowl to stay away from or leave the pit. The vast majority have left. "Unfortunately, some waterfowl have remained in the pit, and we estimate that several thousand snow geese have died. "Further work is underway to use a combination of visual observations and photos to determine the number and species of birds that did not survive. "Our goal is to prevent such losses, and we are working closely with federal and state regulators to identify potential program improvements." Recommended How a climate denier became head of Environmental Protection Agency A Montana Resources spokesman said: "The number of migrating geese that passed through this area and landed in the pit is unprecedented. "Although most geese left the pit and continued their migration, we estimate that several thousand snow geese did not leave and have not survived. "This is a very unfortunate incident, and we are saddened and distressed to see that efforts to prevent these mortalities did not succeed. "Montana Resources and Atlantic Richfield personnel have attempted to convince waterfowl to stay away from or leave the pit. "Their diligence and dedication working day and night saved thousands of birds." 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 BBC is under investigation in Thailand for allegedly defaming the country's newly crowned king after it published a profile of him online and attracted criticism on social media. Offending the dignity of a reigning monarch, known by the French term lese-majeste, is a serious crime under Thai law and offenders can be punished with up to 15 years in prison. The constitutional monarchy has been in the international spotlight since King Bhumibol Adulyadej died on 13 October at the age of 88 after seven decades on the throne. His son was proclaimed King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun on Thursday last week and BBC Thai, the BBC's Thai-language service, published a profile of him online. The piece was widely shared on social media and some Thais have said its content was insulting to the new king. Authorities have to pursue the matter. It is their duty to pursue anything that is against the law, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan told reporters. The BBC declined to comment. The Thai Ministry of Digital Economy blocked a link to the profile on the BBC's Thai website on Tuesday and it remained blocked on Wednesday. A message on the site said it was blocked for inappropriate content. Anyone can file a lese-majeste complaint against another person and police always investigate such cases, rights groups say. Plainclothes police and some soldiers in uniform went to the BBC's office in Bangkok on Tuesday, witnesses said. No BBC staff were there at the time and the officers later left. The BBC's television coverage of Thailand has been repeatedly blocked since the death of King Bhumibol. Police said they would investigate the content of the profile of the new king. Then we'll proceed according to the law, senior police official Chayapon Chatchaidej told reporters. He said nobody had filed a complaint against the BBC. Recommended Golden statue of Benjamin Netanyahu toppled after causing stir On Saturday police arrested a Thai democracy activist opposed to the military government that has been in power since a 2014 coup for sharing a link to the BBC profile. He was later released on bail. The military government has zealously pursued cases of alleged criticism of the monarchy since it took power. International rights groups say the lese-majeste law leaves too much room for interpretation and that the penalties are too severe. 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 }} Many buildings have been flattened and almost 100 people killed after an undersea earthquake struck off the coast of Aceh province in northern Indonesia, the site of the devastating quake and tsunami in 2004. Residents were sent running into the streets after the 6.5-magnitude quake struck at about 5am local time (10pm GMT Tuesday), and remain reluctant to return home amid fears of aftershocks. The US Geological Survey measured the quake at a depth of just 8.2km, 19km south-east of the coastal town of Sigli. Buildings shook in the provincial capital Banda Aceh. No tsunami warning was issued, but at least five aftershocks were felt in the hours after the initial quake, the Indonesian disaster management agency said. Recommended Every tsunami warning buoy was broken as Indonesia earthquake hit The death toll began at 25 and continued to rise throughout Wednesday. At 4pm local time, Aceh army chief Major General Tatang Sulaiman said the toll had jumped to 97 as more bodies were pulled from the rubble. Indonesian search and rescue teams used earth movers to clear debris, pulling at least four people out of the wreckage alive. The Indonesian government declared a two-week emergency period in Aceh and some aid was already reaching hard-hit areas. Indonesia Earthquake: Dozens dead and many still missing in Aceh province Earlier Khairul Nova, an official at the Aceh search and rescue agency, said: "Dozens are missing but we don't have accurate data on the total yet." Aceh, on the northern tip of Sumatra island, was devastated by a massive 9.2-magnitude earthquake and tsunami centred on its western coast near the provincial capital, Banda Aceh, on 26 December 2004. More than 120,000 people were killed in Aceh alone. Images on TV and social media on Wednesday morning showed victims being rushed to hospital, flattened buildings and fallen electricity poles, and people gathering outside at street corners. Aceh's disaster mitigation agency said more than 600 people were injured. "The earthquake was felt strongly and many people panicked and rushed outdoors as houses collapsed," said Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. 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 A volunteer for the Indonesian Red Crescent in Pidie Jaya regency in Aceh described scenes of heavy damage and said many people had been injured. "There isn't enough medical staff around," the Red Crescent's Muklis, who like many Indonesians uses one name, told TVOne. More than 200 shops and houses were either severely damaged or destroyed by the quake, officials said, and classes for some 10,000 schoolchildren were disrupted. In addition, some 14 mosques collapsed and one hospital was damaged, Nugroho told a news conference. Aiyub Abbas, the chief of Pidie Jaya district, said there was an urgent need for emergency supplies. Zunaidi, a village chief in Pidie Jaya, said about 1,700 people from the village moved to a temporary shelter at an Islamic boarding school about six miles south of Meureudu town. He said most took shelter because they feared aftershocks could knock down their houses, which were partially damaged. We are still afraid to return home because of aftershocks, downpours and blackouts, said Zunaidi, who goes by a single name. The boarding school was providing generators, food and medicine, but people complained of a lack of clean water and baby food, he said. Many residents feared a repeat of the devastating 2004 quake and subsequent tsunami. Fitri Abidin, a woman who lives on the coast in the worst-hit epicentre of the Pidie Jaya district, told the Reuters news agency she fled with her husband and children after the quake jolted the family awake early Wednesday. They stayed on higher ground for several hours until authorities reassured them there was no tsunami risk. She said: "It terrified me. I was having difficulty breathing or walking. We ran to a nearby hill, because our house is near a beach. We were afraid a tsunami can come at any time." Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Boys should not be circumcised until they are old enough to choose for themselves, doctors in Denmark have said. The Danish Medical Association said it had considered suggesting a legal ban on the procedure for children under the age of 18, because it believed circumcision should be an informed, personal choice that young men make for themselves. When parents have their sons circumcised, it robs boys of the ability to make decisions about their own bodies, and choose their cultural and religious beliefs for themselves, the organisation said. Lise Mller, chair of the Doctors' Association Ethics Board, said it was wrong to deny an individual the right to choose whether or not they wanted to be circumcised. To be circumcised should be an informed, personal choice," she said. "It is most consistent with the individuals right to self-determination that parents not be allowed to make this decision, but that it is left up to the individual when he has come of age." The organisation said that because male circumcision is not without risk it should only be performed on children when there is a documented medical need. The doctors stopped short of calling for an all-out legal ban on the procedure, which is currently allowed but remains relatively rare in Denmark, because it said the move could have too many negative consequences. Denmark's bizarre sex campaign asks people to 'Do it for Mom' We have discussed it thoroughly, also in our ethics committee," Ms Mller said. "We came to the conclusion that it is difficult to predict the consequences of a ban both for the involved boys, who could for example face bullying or unauthorised procedures with complications and for the cultural and religious groups they belong to." The Danish Health and Medicines Authority estimates that somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 circumcisions are performed in Denmark each year, primarily on Jewish and Muslim boys. The majority of those procedures occur outside of the public health system and are done as part of a religious ceremony in the child's home, or in a private clinic. 25,000 attend huge wedding between Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families Show all 12 1 /12 25,000 attend huge wedding between Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families 25,000 attend huge wedding between Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families Untitled-5.jpg AFP / Getty 25,000 attend huge wedding between Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families Untitled-1.jpg AFP / Getty 25,000 attend huge wedding between Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families Untitled-3.jpg AFP / Getty 25,000 attend huge wedding between Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families Untitled-2.jpg AFP / Getty 25,000 attend huge wedding between Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families Untitled-4.jpg AFP / Getty 25,000 attend huge wedding between Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families Untitled-6.jpg AFP / Getty 25,000 attend huge wedding between Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families Untitled-7.jpg AFP / Getty 25,000 attend huge wedding between Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families Untitled-8.jpg AFP / Getty 25,000 attend huge wedding between Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families Untitled-9.jpg AFP / Getty 25,000 attend huge wedding between Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families Untitled-10.jpg AFP / Getty 25,000 attend huge wedding between Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families Untitled-11.jpg AFP / Getty 25,000 attend huge wedding between Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families Untitled-12.jpg AFP / Getty The Danish Health Ministry announced on Monday that beginning in 2017 all circumcisions, regardless of where they take place, will have to be reported to Denmark's national patient registry. According to a major 2007 study by the World Health Organization, roughly 30 per cent of the global male population is circumcised. Past polls have shown that upwards of 87 per cent of Danes support banning the practice on boys under the age of 18, the Local reported. 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 }} Nearly 40 per cent of Britons say they no longer feel at home because of immigration. However, Italy is the most anti-immigrant country in Europe, according to a YouGov poll, with more than half of people agreeing with the statement: "There are so many foreigners living here, it doesn't feel like home any more." French and German people are also highly likely to agree with the statement, at 47 per cent and 44 per cent respectively. The chart below, by Statista, shows the UK as the fifth most anti-immigrant country in Europe, with 37 per cent agreeing with the statement. That puts Britain in fifth place among the 12 countries polled, although more British people disagree with the statement (39 per cent) than agree. A report into integration between different communities in Britain found there were areas which were struggling to cope with the pace and scale of change they faced as a result of immigration. Poland, Lithuania and Romania are the least anti-immigrant countries, with between 15 and 18 per cent agreeing with the statement, likely due to the lower levels of immigration they have experienced. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2022 Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle Getty UK news in pictures 12 September 2022 Crowds line the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, as King Charles III joins a procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral following the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS UK news in pictures 11 September 2022 Members of the Public pay their respects as the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, is driven through Ballater AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 10 September 2022 Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wave at well-wishers on the Long walk at Windsor Castle AFP/Getty YouGov found agreeing with the statement was one of the strongest correlations for whether or not a person holds authoritarian populist views. For example, in Italy, nearly 70 per cent of people who hold authoritarian populist views agreed with the statement. Joe Twyman, YouGovs head of political and social research, said: Building on YouGovs previous research, this data shows clearly how the perceptions individuals have of immigration correlate strongly with whether or not they can be classified, by our measure, as Authoritarian Populists. "The recent report into segregation and social exclusion by Dame Louise Casey highlights how such considerations can have an important impact for Britain. These results show the same could to be true for many other countries in Europe. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi resigned on Wednesday after a bruising referendum loss at the weekend, with most parliamentary factions pushing for an early election in a few months' time. The 41-year-old's decision to quit after less than three years in office dealt a new blow to Western governments still in shock from Britain's vote to leave the European Union and the election of outsider Donald Trump as president of the United States. Mr Renzi tendered his resignation to President Sergio Mattarella, who said he would consult with the political parties to decide the next steps. He asked Mr Renzi to carry on in a caretaker capacity until a solution is found. After the consultations, which will begin on Thursday at 1700 GMT and end on Saturday afternoon, Mattarella is widely expected to ask a member of Mr Renzi's cabinet, or a politician from his Democratic Party, to try to form a new government. Elections are due in 2018 but many politicians are calling for them to be held earlier. The political crisis sparked by the referendum coincides with a crisis in Italy's debt-laden banks, especially at its third-biggest lender Monte dei Paschi di Siena, which looks likely to require government intervention to survive. Two sources told Reuters on Tuesday that Mr Renzi's administration was preparing to take a 2-billion-euro ($2.15-billion) controlling stake in the bank by purchasing junior bonds. On Wednesday, a Treasury spokesman denied Italy was poised to ask for a loan from the European Stability Mechanism to support its banking sector. Mr Renzi addressed his Democratic Party (PD) before meeting the president, saying the party would only participate in a government intended to last until 2018 if it was backed by all the main forces in parliament, a prospect which seems remote. Otherwise early elections should be held as soon as possible, he said, after the Constitutional Court has ruled early next year on the legitimacy of the current electoral law. "The PD is not afraid of going to early elections," he said. Most opposition parties, including the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and the right-wing Northern League, are clamouring for a quick vote. 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 Northern League leader Matteo Salvini said on Wednesday his party would "take to the streets" if a clear indication of the timing of the next election had not been given within a week. Infrastructure Minister Graziano Delrio, a close ally of Mr Renzi, said an interim government should change the electoral law quickly so an election could be held "in the Spring". Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia and a left-wing minority inside Mr Renzi's PD want a new administration to be formed with the backing of the current parliament, perhaps to last until 2018. The PD has the largest number of parliamentarians, so it is unlikely any new government could be formed without Mr Renzi's backing. 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 }} Malta has become the first country in Europe to ban gay conversion therapy. A new bill, which passed unanimously, stipulates that any medical professional found guilty of prescribing the so-called gay cure therapy will be fined or sent to prison. According to the new law, trying to "change, repress or eliminate a person's sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression" is now a criminal offence. While the law applies to everyone, doctors who offend face the heftiest penalties, risking a fine of up to 10,000 Euros (8,450) or a year in prison, according to Malta Today. Politicians who voted through the Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression Bill, labelled gay cure therapy as deceptive and harmful. The bill also enshrined in law that "no sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression constitutes a disorder, disease or shortcoming of any sort". Malta was named the best European country for LGBT rights by advocacy group ILGA-Europe in 2015. Professional bodies based on the island, which was named the best European country for LGBT rights by advocacy group ILGA-Europe in 2015, welcomed the law change. [We] openly disapprove of practices are which are harmful to people in our community," the Malta Chamber of Psychologists, the Maltese Association of Psychiatry, the Malta Association of Family Therapy and Systemic Practice, and the Malta Association for the Counselling Profession said in a joint statement. Not only does [gay conversion therapy] reject a group of individuals on the basis of unfound prejudice and lack of tolerance for diversity, but also because it impinges on the international recognition of LGBTIQ rights. As a body we promote respect and equality for all persons, and are determined to continue working towards ensuring our clients can enjoy as safe a therapeutic experience as they deserve. The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe Show all 15 1 /15 The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 15. Italy Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 14. Macedonia The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 13. Poland Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 12. Liechtenstein The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 11. Lithuania The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 10. Latvia This content is subject to copyright. The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 9. San Marino The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 8. Moldova The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 7. Belarus Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 6. Ukraine Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 5. Monaco The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 4. Turkey Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 3. Armenia The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 2. Russia Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 1. Azerbaijan Getty/AFP Gay conversion therapy has increasingly come under the spotlight in recent years. It remains more popular in the US than in Europe, where the law only prohibts offering the 'therapy' to minors, in some states. The World Psychiatric Association has denounced the practice as unethical, unscientific and harmful to those who undergo it. Two years ago, NHS England and the Royal College of Psychiatrists - along with 12 other organisations in the UK - signed an agreement which called it "potentially harmful and unethical". 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 }} Millions of "love locks that used to be attached to bridges in Paris are to be sold with the profits going to charities supporting refugees in the city, authorities have announced. Sixty-five tonnes worth of padlocks covering the Pont des Arts and the Pont de l'Archeveche, two famous bridges on the River Seine, have been removed since the summer of 2015, when it was discovered they posed a safety hazard. Deputy mayor Bruno Julliard has now said the locks, which used to be part of a romantic ritual in which couples would attach one and throw the key into the river, will be sold to the public, with all proceeds going to organisations working in support of refugees in Paris. Mr Julliard, who announced in 2005 that the removal of the locks was necessary for safety and aesthetic reasons, said last week: Members of the public can buy five or 10 locks, or even clusters of them, all at an affordable price. All of the proceeds will be given to those who work in support and in solidarity of the refugees in Paris. The deputy mayor added that the sales could bring in up to 100,000, and that anything that wasn't sold would be melted and then sold. The sales are expected to start early next year, although exact details have not yet been confirmed. Lisa Anselmo, co-founder of No Love Locks, a group that promotes the removal of the padlocks in Paris and believes they damage the citys culture and heritage, told The Independent she "loved" the idea, saying: I love this idea. Its real selfless love in action. Its a very forward-thinking plan. I think its a wonderful statement Paris is making when everyone is turning their backs on refugees. Its a very strong political statement. But volunteers on the ground in Paris have questioned whether the gesture is an adequate response to the refugee crisis on the capital's streets. Jonny Rebours, who has been volunteering with Jersey Calais Refugee Aid Group and Paris Refugee Support in Paris, told The Independent: While any money for refugee organisations is welcomed, it is unclear which organisations are to be funded. "It's a cynical gesture while the British and French governments continue to fail refugees' most basic human rights under the refugee convention by deportations, indefinite detainment, and failing to provide reasonable access to the asylum process. Money to support organisations is one thing, but volunteer organisations that work tirelessly for refugees simply cannot provide shelter for the hundreds of refugees sleeping rough on the Paris streets. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The Government needs to act properly in accordance to international law and with its full power to alleviate the daily and nightly suffering. The trend of attaching love locks to bridges in Paris first started in 2008, and since then hundreds of thousands of locks have been collected on bridges, with the added weight estimated at 45 tons. While the padlocks on two bridges have been removed, they still remain on around nine other bridges in Paris as well as other monuments such as the Eiffel Tower. 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 }} Asylum seekers who lied to authorities in efforts to stay in Austria could soon be jailed and fined as part of a proposed law. Cabinet members agreed draft legislation on Tuesday that would bring in prison sentences of up to three weeks and 5,000 (4,200) in penalties in a move one minister said aimed to dissuade migrants from trying to settle in the country. The perceived prioritisation of Syrians over other nationalities has led a minority of people from countries including Afghanistan to lie about their origin in the belief it will help them gain protection in Europe. Austria election highlights anti-immigrant mood But Austrias government is among those steadily tightening asylum laws amid growing anti-migrant sentiment. The anti-immigrant Freedom Party (FPO), whose candidate Norbert Hofer narrowly lost Sundays presidential election, has been leading opinion polls with around 33 per cent for months. The ruling coalition of the conservative People's Party (OVP) and Social Democrats (SPO) have taken note and are already punishing those who stay in Austria after being ordered to leave fines of up to 15,000 and six week prison sentences. Certainly these (measures) have in part a signalling effect, said the junior economy minister, Harald Mahrer, when asked if the latest proposals were designed to scare off migrants. What kind of rule of law would we have in the republic if we said we do not punish these things? The bill needs the approval of Viennas parliament before it passes into law. Refugee crisis - in pictures Show all 27 1 /27 Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugee crisis - in pictures A child looks through the fence at the Moria detention camp for migrants and refugees at the island of Lesbos on May 24, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Ahmad Zarour, 32, from Syria, reacts after his rescue by MOAS (Migrant Offshore Aid Station) while attempting to reach the Greek island of Agathonisi, Dodecanese, southeastern Agean Sea Refugee crisis - in pictures Syrian migrants holding life vests gather onto a pebble beach in the Yesil liman district of Canakkale, northwestern Turkey, after being stopped by Turkish police in their attempt to reach the Greek island of Lesbos on 29 January 2016. Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees flash the 'V for victory' sign during a demonstration as they block the Greek-Macedonian border Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants have been braving sub zero temperatures as they cross the border from Macedonia into Serbia. Refugee crisis - in pictures A sinking boat is seen behind a Turkish gendarme off the coast of Canakkale's Bademli district on January 30, 2016. At least 33 migrants drowned on January 30 when their boat sank in the Aegean Sea while trying to cross from Turkey to Greece. Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A general view of a shelter for migrants inside a hangar of the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin, Germany Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees protest behind a fence against restrictions limiting passage at the Greek-Macedonian border, near Gevgelija. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Macedonia has finished building a fence on its frontier with Greece becoming the latest country in Europe to build a border barrier aimed at checking the flow of refugees Refugee crisis - in pictures A father and his child wait after being caught by Turkish gendarme on 27 January 2016 at Canakkale's Kucukkuyu district Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants make hand signals as they arrive into the southern Spanish port of Malaga on 27 January, 2016 after an inflatable boat carrying 55 Africans, seven of them women and six chidren, was rescued by the Spanish coast guard off the Spanish coast. Refugee crisis - in pictures A refugee holds two children as dozens arrive on an overcrowded boat on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugee crisis - in pictures A child, covered by emergency blankets, reacts as she arrives, with other refugees and migrants, on the Greek island of Lesbos, At least five migrants including three children, died after four boats sank between Turkey and Greece, as rescue workers searched the sea for dozens more, the Greek coastguard said Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants wait under outside the Moria registration camp on the Lesbos. Over 400,000 people have landed on Greek islands from neighbouring Turkey since the beginning of the year Refugee crisis - in pictures The bodies of Christian refugees are buried separately from Muslim refugees at the Agios Panteleimonas cemetery in Mytilene, Lesbos Refugee crisis - in pictures Macedonian police officers control a crowd of refugees as they prepare to enter a camp after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A refugee tries to force the entry to a camp as Macedonian police officers control a crowd after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees are seen aboard a Turkish fishing boat as they arrive on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing a part of the Aegean Sea from the Turkish coast to Lesbos Reuters Refugee crisis - in pictures An elderly woman sings a lullaby to baby on a beach after arriving with other refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A man collapses as refugees make land from an overloaded rubber dinghy after crossing the Aegean see from Turkey, at the island of Lesbos EPA Refugee crisis - in pictures A girl reacts as refugees arrive by boat on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees make a show of hands as they queue after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures People help a wheelchair user board a train with others, heading towards Serbia, at the transit camp for refugees near the southern Macedonian town of Gevgelija AP Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees board a train, after crossing the Greek-Macedonian border, near Gevgelija. Macedonia is a key transit country in the Balkans migration route into the EU, with thousands of asylum seekers - many of them from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia - entering the country every day Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures An aerial picture shows the "New Jungle" refugee camp where some 3,500 people live while they attempt to enter Britain, near the port of Calais, northern France Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A Syrian girl reacts as she helped by a volunteer upon her arrival from Turkey on the Greek island of Lesbos, after having crossed the Aegean Sea EPA Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees arrive by boat on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Beds ready for use for migrants and refugees are prepared at a processing center on January 27, 2016 in Passau, Germany. The flow of migrants arriving in Passau has dropped to between 500 and 1,000 per day, down significantly from last November, when in the same region up to 6,000 migrants were arriving daily. The left-wing Greens criticised the bill and called for the costs of accepting asylum seekers to be spread among EU member states. That way you can stop the nationalist competition for who can scare off asylum seekers the most, said Alev Korun, one of the partys congresswomen. Austria has announced a cap on asylum claims of 37,500 this year, having taken in 90,000 asylum seekers in 2015, and will cut the threshold to 35,000 next year. The interior ministry said it had received 37,000 asylum applications by the end of October, but only counted 30,000 as relevant to the cap as it strips out certain cases, including those it believes should be processed in other countries. Denmark and Sweden are among the other European countries to toughen asylum laws or tightened border controls in recent months as EU members continue to refuse quotas to resettle migrants arriving in the continent. More than 350,000 asylum seekers have reached Europe by sea so far in 2016, with more than 4,700 dying on treacherous crossings, making 2016 the deadliest year on record. Additional reporting by Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Google will run entirely on renewable energy from as early as next year, the company has announced. The offices of the tech giant use as much energy as the US city of San Francisco but now its energy needs are set to be met by wind farms and solar panels. Although the companys reliance on national power grids means it cannot be powered entirely by renewable producers, it offsets its use of carbon-based energy by purchasing renewable energy from different sources. Google has made deals with a number of renewable energy suppliers, allowing these firms to invest in new infrastructure and enabling Google to say it purchases from renewable sources the equivalent of the fossil fuel energy it uses. Recommended Google committed to the UK after Brexit as it plans new London HQ The US-based company currntly invests in 20 renewable energy projects across the world, including in the USA, Chile and Sweden, offsetting the money it spends on fossil fuels. The tech giant said in an online blog that its success in meeting its goal of 100 per cent renewable energy was just the beginning. Urs Holzle, the companys senior vice president for technical infrastructure, said: We began purchasing renewable energy to reduce our carbon footprint and address climate change but it also makes business sense. Im thrilled to announce that in 2017 Google will reach 100% renewable energy on our global operations. Our ultimate goal is to create a world where everyone not just Google had access to clean energy." The company said having a supply of renewable power protected it against price swings in other forms of energy, such as oil, and allowed it to plan better. First pictures of Google's new offices in Kings Cross Show all 7 1 /7 First pictures of Google's new offices in Kings Cross First pictures of Google's new offices in Kings Cross Google's new Kings Cross office On Monday June 20, around 800 software engineers will be the first of 2,500 Google employees to relocate in the brand new 371,000 square feet, 11 storeys office, designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM). Tom Soar First pictures of Google's new offices in Kings Cross Google's new Kings Cross office The 11-storey office has been leased by Google from BNP Paribas Real Estate last year. Tom Soar First pictures of Google's new offices in Kings Cross Google's new Kings Cross office Andrei Popescu, one of Googles UK Engineering Directors said: The UK has an incredible amount of engineering talent and as our team grows and we have this incredible new working space, were looking for more talented programmers to join us in London." Tom Soar First pictures of Google's new offices in Kings Cross Google's new Kings Cross office The staff at 6 Pancras Square will work on some of Google's best-known products. Tom Soar First pictures of Google's new offices in Kings Cross Google's new Kings Cross office Googles new office has been built with sustainability and healthy materials in mind. The project also pioneered the Healthy Materials Program, an initiative developed with the goal of eliminating harmful compounds from Google offices to create a healthier space with improved air quality. Tom Soar First pictures of Google's new offices in Kings Cross Google's new Kings Cross office The new facilities will also include a running track and sleeping pods. Tom Soar First pictures of Google's new offices in Kings Cross Google's new Kings Cross office Around 800 engineers will move in during the first phase and there will be a total capacity of 2,500 after the second phase is complete later this year. Tom Soar In total Google consumed 5.7 terawatt-hours of electricity last year enough to power a city of almost 300,000 people. The company claims its spending on renewable energy will result in infrastructure investment of $3.5 billion (2.8 billion) across the globe, two thirds of which will be in the US. It also says it is the worlds biggest corporate buyer of renewable power. Jonathan Koomey, an energy and environment lecturer at Stanford University, told the New York Times: For one company to be doing this is a very big deal. It means other companies of a similar scale will feel pressure to move. However, other commentators suggested the announcement was a gimmick and pointed out that Googles offices would still be powered by fossil fuels. Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California, contain more than 10,000 employees. The company also has 13 data centres and 70 offices across the world, housing thousands of staff and hundreds of thousands of computers. Other tech giants are also attempting to reduce their carbon emissions. Microsoft hopes to have half of its electricity supplied by renewable sources by 2018, while Amazon is currently using about 40 per cent renewable energy. 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 }} Julian Assange says he is "entirely innocent" of rape in his testimony to Swedish prosecutors, which he has published online. In a 19-page statement he gave in a landmark interview to Swedish investigators, the WikiLeaks editor-in-chief also said he had been subjected to "cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment". The 45-year-old computer programmer has been holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for four years to avoid arrest. "I want people to know the truth about how abusive this process has been," said the Australian journalist. "Furthermore, in the past, the prosecution has fed partial information to tabloids that politically opposes me. It is better that my statement, which I am happy with, and which makes it obvious to all that I am innocent, sees the light in full." The award-winning Mr Assange, who infamously hacked into US state defence, US Navy and Nasa pages, founded news leaks website WikiLeaks in 2006. In November, 2010, US authorities announced an ongoing criminal investigation into the website and Mr Assange over espionage. ASSANGE BALCONY The following month, Swedish prosecutors said they were reopening a case, which they previously closed, surrounding sexual assault allegations from two women in Sweden in August of that year. Mr Assange, who was briefly locked up in Wandsworth prison, said in his statement: "During the height of the Pentagons conflict with me the following month, the allegation was resurrected by the current prosecutor, Marianne Ny. Recommended Julian Assange to be interviewed at Ecuadorian embassy in London "It was immediately seized on to extinguish my freedom of movement and harm my reputation." Last month, for the first time, Ms Ny's deputy and a police officer interviewed Mr Assange at the embassy, where he is an asylum-seeker. Swedish prosecutors are awaiting transcripts from the Ecuadorian embassy, but he beat them to it by publishing his statement on Wednesday. He has never formally been charged. Hammond on Assange His testimony includes detailed accounts of what he calls consensual and enjoyable sex with a woman known as SW, which he says occurred four or five times, and he publishes a string of text messages he claims the woman sent. SW reportedly says she was asleep during sex, which constitutes rape in Sweden, but Mr Assange says: "I was certain SW was not asleep. "I was also certain she expressly consented to unprotected sex before such intercourse started. Julian Assange with Ecuador's Foreign Minister Guillaume Long, centre, and Spanish lawyer and former judge Baltasar Garzon at the Ecuadorean embassy (AFP/Getty) "This is also evidenced by SW's own text messages." The 45-year-old also adds: Therefore I could not believe my eyes when five days later I saw a headline in a Swedish tabloid that I was suspected of a crime and arrested in my absence. "I immediately made myself available to Swedish authorities to clarify any questions that might exist, although I had no obligation to do so. Whistleblowing controversies of the last decade Show all 12 1 /12 Whistleblowing controversies of the last decade Whistleblowing controversies of the last decade Edward Snowden NSA leak Articles in The Guardian revealed that the US and the UK spied on foreign leaders and diplomats at the 2009 G20 summit. Reuters Whistleblowing controversies of the last decade WikiLeaks' US diplomatic cables leak In 2009, former US soldier Chelsea Manning, downloaded hundreds of thousands of classified US Government documents, and passed them on to Jullian Assange's whistleblowing website WikiLeaks. Among the documents were 250,000 State Department diplomatic cables. One disclosed the close relationship between Russian President Vladimir Putin and then-Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, the Guardian reported. Allegations included "lavish gifts", lucrative energy contracts and the use by Berlusconi of a "shadowy" Russian-speaking Italiango-between. Getty Images Whistleblowing controversies of the last decade WikiLeaks' US diplomatic cables leak WikiLeaks' US diplomatic cables leak: In a revelation which bruised the UK's 'special relationship' with the US, WikiLeaks published conversations by US commanders criticising Britain's military operations in Afghanistan. Getty Images Whistleblowing controversies of the last decade WikiLeaks' US diplomatic cables leak WikiLeaks' US diplomatic cables leak: One document disclosed startling levels of corruption in Afghanistan, including an incident involving the then vice-president, Ahmad Zia Massoud, who was reportedly stopped and questioned in Dubai when he flew into the emirate with $52m in cash. Getty Images Whistleblowing controversies of the last decade WikiLeaks' US diplomatic cables leak Another cable documented fears in Washington over Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme, in a volatile country with a strategic position in the Middle East. PA Whistleblowing controversies of the last decade WikiLeaks' US diplomatic cables leak Day four of the gradual drip of leaks exposed allegations that Russia and its intelligence agencies are using mafia bosses to carry out criminal operations, with one cable reporting that the relationship is so close that the country has become a "virtual mafia state". Getty Images Whistleblowing controversies of the last decade Edward Snowden NSA leak In 2013, The Guardian published classified US National Security Agency (NSA) documents, from a then anonymous whistleblower. Four days later he was exposed as former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. A month after the initial leak, the New York Times allegeded that the NSA received emails, video clips, photos, voice and video calls, social networking details, logins and other data held by a range of US internet firms. Whistleblowing controversies of the last decade Edward Snowden NSA leak Since Snowden revealed that the US had eavesdropped on German Chancellor Angela Merkel's phone, German-US relations have been strained. In May 2014, Mrs Merkel said still had significant differences with the United States over surveillance practices and that it was too soon to return to business as usual," according to the New York Times. Getty Images Whistleblowing controversies of the last decade Edward Snowden NSA leak On 7 June, The Guardian published the Presidential Policy Directive 20, whcih included a list of potential targets for cyber-attacks by the US Government. Rex Features Whistleblowing controversies of the last decade Samy Kamkar iPhone and Android expose In April 2014, hacker and researcher Samy Kamkar revealed that Android phones collect user location data every few seconds. Files are then transited to Google several times an hour. Getty Images Whistleblowing controversies of the last decade Samy Kamkar iPhone and Android expose It is believed Apple and Google are using the data to better target adverts to smartphone users, according to The Guardian. Getty Images Whistleblowing controversies of the last decade Samy Kamkar iPhone and Android expose The two companies have since justified the collection of data. In a letter to the US congress Apple confirmed it collected the data and said that, in order to be useful, "the databases [of tower and network locations] must be updated continuously". A Google spokesman told the Guardian Android phones explicitly asked to collect anonymous location data when users turned them on. Getty Images He also clarifies that he is not Swedish, does not speak Swedish and has never lived in Sweden, despite widespread confusion among media. Mr Assange accuses Swedish prosecutors of breaking the rules by releasing his name to a tabloid and talks of the "40 press releases and press conferences about me". "As a result, to this day more than half a million webpages falsely conflate my name with the word 'rape'," he added. Trump vs Clinton Like 'Cholera vs Gonorrhoea' - Assange at Green Party Convention In February, the United Nations called on the UK and Sweden to end arbitrary detention and compensate him. It also said his treatment was "cruel, inhuman and degrading". A Swedish Prosecution Authority spokesman confirmed to The Independent that Mr Assange was still being investigated on one count of "suspicion of rape: less serious crime". "We know that Julian Assange has published his statement but we can't give any comments about that," said the spokesman. "We await the transcripts of the interviews that were conducted at the Ecuadorian embassy and when we receive them from the Ecuadorian authority we will take action after that, whether that means we will not conduct any more investigations or introduce measures." 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 }} In an unprecedented joint statement, the UK, US, France, Germany, Italy and Canada have asked the Syrian regimes allies in Moscow and Tehran to urge President Bashar al-Assad to consider a ceasefire in Aleppo in order to stem the city's humanitarian disaster. The regimes refusal to engage in a serious political process also highlights the unwillingness of Russia and Iran ... Despite their assurances to the contrary, the statement read. The urgent need now is for an immediate ceasefire to allow the United Nations to get humanitarian assistance to people in eastern Aleppo. Only a political settlement can bring peace for people in Syria. In a rare admission of weakness on Wednesday, rebel factions within the city also asked the UN to help implement a five-day-long truce in the fierce fighting in order to evacuate 500 seriously wounded and other civilians from besieged neighbourhoods. The calls come as Syrian government forces and allied militias managed to retake almost three quarters of rebel-controlled territory late Tuesday night, and after a medical evacuation and aid plan proposed by the UN was vetoed by permanent Security Council members Russia and China on Monday. A siege since August and sustained ground and aerial offensive on east Aleppo since September which has intensified in the last two weeks has left hundreds of people dead, decimated the areas medical facilities, and left 250,000 civilians on the brink of starvation as winter sets in. A World Food Programme spokesperson described the situation as Aleppos slow descent into hell. In one conversation the The Independent had with an activist inside the rebel-controlled side of the city, it was suggested that the long-suffering people would welcome death rather than suffer any longer or put themselves in the hands of the regimes feared secret police. Captain Abdel-Salam Abdel-Razek of the Nour el-Din el-Zinki rebel group said in a statement that the future of the city could be negotiated during the proposed humanitarian pause, which the coalition of rebel factions wants the UN to monitor. 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 The rebel proposal made no mention of a surrender, as has been negotiated in other cities during Syrias bloody five-and-a-half-year-long civil war. While the Kremlin said on Wednesday an exit deal for rebels remains on the agenda, the Syrian government said earlier this week that it does not plan on accepting any truce and will instead focus on a military victory. Mr Assad has accused rebels of using previous ceasefires as an opportunity to regroup. Seven-year-old girl tweeting from Aleppo siege pleads for help Mr Assads troops, greatly assisted by Russias military might, are currently poised to retake control of the entire city for the first time since 2012, in what would be the most significant victory for the regime since the fall of Homs in 2014. Damascus and Moscow maintain that civilians and fighters have always been free to leave besieged areas and travel to neighbouring rebel-held Idlib province through humanitarian corridors, although both sides have accused the other of shelling and shooting those who tried to cross the government checkpoints. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Wednesday that since the assault to retake the city stepped up two weeks ago, an exodus of more than 80,000 people has fled to government and Kurdish controlled areas as the frontline has rapidly advanced. 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 Syrian army has managed to retake the entire of Aleppo's historic city centre from rebel groups, monitors report, after months of fighting. The advances late on Tuesday and Wednesday morning leave President Bashar al-Assad's troops poised to seize the whole city in what would mark one of the biggest victories for the regime in the almost six-year-old civil war. Rebel commanders say they will not give up the city, although they have lost almost two-thirds of their territory since the government's assault intensified two weeks ago. Recommended Nurse killed as Russian field hospital in Aleppo hit by shelling While there were suggestions that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US representatives were to meet in Switzerland to discuss a rebel withdrawal this week, the Syrian Foreign Ministry has now said that it will not accept any truce in Aleppo, and will instead push for total victory. Aleppo, once Syria's economic hub, has been roughly divided into two since 2012 - a government-controlled west, with the east held by US-backed opposition groups and rebels affiliated with al-Qaeda. The city has seen some of the worst fighting of Syria's bloody civil war. Rebel supply lines were cut off in August 2016, leaving the 250,000 residents in opposition neighbourhoods living under siege conditions. A brutal Russian-backed bombing campaign from September, followed by ground advances, has killed approximately 400 people and decimated medical infrastructure in rebel areas. The assault caused outrage in the international community and drew accusations of war crimes. 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 Moscow and Damascus maintain that strikes only target rebels and terrorists and that humanitarian corridors for civilians who wish to leave rebel areas remain open. In the past week up to 50,000 people are thought to have fled the frontline fighting as it has rapidly advanced. Many have crossed into Kurdish or government controlled areas, although exact numbers are not known. Retaking Aleppo for good will effectively relegate the Syrian opposition to the northern and southernmost provinces of the country, wiping out the last urban rebel stronghold. The war has gradually turned in President Assad's favour since Russia began military intervention in September 2015. The combination of Moscow's military might, foreign Shia militias and the use of siege tactics has led to the forced evacuation of former rebel hubs such as Homs and Daraya in the past year. The use of Ukrainian underground storage facilities to store gas without its customs clearance is impossible now, Head of Energy Customs Office of the State Fiscal Service Ihor Pikovsky told reporters in Kyiv on Tuesday. "We have no customs warehouse at any gas storage facilities the prime minister signed an agreement in Paris, but it is impossible to implement it in practice now," he said. Pikovsky said that one of the orders of the Finance Ministry of Ukraine can be amended to change the situation, although there were no responses from the ministry to the requests of the customs office. As reported, Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman and Minister of Economy and Finance of France Michel Sapin on October 28 took part in signing an agreement between Engie and PJSC Ukrtransgaz. Engie gained the possibility to store gas in Ukrainian underground gas storage facilities. 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 }} Thousands of Syrian refugees have been left trapped and facing death by Jordans decision to close its border, medics have warned. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) says it has been forced to close its clinic at the Zaatari refugee camp because patients were not being allowed through for treatment, despite reports of at least 70 war casualties including 16 children in need of life-saving surgery. The hospital provided care for refugees recovering from operations but medical evacuations from neighbouring Syria stopped when Jordan closed its border in June, leaving its wards to gradually empty. Jordan unlikely to open its doors to more refugees Marjan Besuijen, MSFs project coordinator in Zaatari, said: Knowing that there are probably patients dying just a few kilometres away on the other side of the border because of lack of access to essential medical care is shameful. The wards inside the Zaatari clinic are silent, no longer filled with conversations or laughter. But this is not because the violence in Syria has diminished in any way, nor that there are no wounded in need of medical treatment. This is solely due to a physical barrier depriving those desperately in need of lifesaving medical care from receiving it. MSF continues to run a hospital in the Jordanian city of Ramtha, which has a border crossing leading to the Syrian rebel stronghold of Daraa, although the charity warned that it too may be forced to close. In pictures: Syria conflict - Inside the Zaatari refugee camp Show all 15 1 /15 In pictures: Syria conflict - Inside the Zaatari refugee camp In pictures: Syria conflict - Inside the Zaatari refugee camp zaatari-11.jpg ActionAid In pictures: Syria conflict - Inside the Zaatari refugee camp zatari-14.jpg ActionAid In pictures: Syria conflict - Inside the Zaatari refugee camp zatari-17.jpg ActionAid In pictures: Syria conflict - Inside the Zaatari refugee camp zaatari-15.jpg ActionAid In pictures: Syria conflict - Inside the Zaatari refugee camp zaatari-16.jpg ActionAid In pictures: Syria conflict - Inside the Zaatari refugee camp zaatari-13.jpg ActionAid In pictures: Syria conflict - Inside the Zaatari refugee camp zaatari-12.jpg ActionAid In pictures: Syria conflict - Inside the Zaatari refugee camp zaatari-1.jpg Getty Images In pictures: Syria conflict - Inside the Zaatari refugee camp zaatari-5.jpg AP In pictures: Syria conflict - Inside the Zaatari refugee camp zaatari-6.jpg AP In pictures: Syria conflict - Inside the Zaatari refugee camp zaatari-8.jpg AP In pictures: Syria conflict - Inside the Zaatari refugee camp zaatari-9.jpg AP In pictures: Syria conflict - Inside the Zaatari refugee camp zaatari-10.jpg AP In pictures: Syria conflict - Inside the Zaatari refugee camp zaatari-2.jpg Getty Images In pictures: Syria conflict - Inside the Zaatari refugee camp zaatari-3.jpg AP Five years of civil war have left huge shortages of medicine, staff and equipment to carry out complex surgery at hospitals in opposition areas, many of which have been damaged by government air strikes. Luis Eguiluz, MSFs head of mission in Jordan said the number of casualties has been mounting since fighting and bombardment started increasing in September but its ability to save lives was severely restricted. The charity is among the groups calling for Jordan to reverse its border closure and allow Syrians wounded in the countrys ongoing conflict to access urgent care unavailable to them in warzones. Amnesty International estimated that 75,000 refugees had become trapped in the no mans land between the two countries by September. Footage showed makeshift grave sites and burial mounds in the desert just metres from families tents, in what Amnesty called a grim snapshot of the consequences of the worlds abject failure to share responsibility for the global refugee crisis. The Jordanian government said the closure was necessary for security reasons after an Isis suicide bomber targeted a border crossing, killing six members of its security forces. 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 }} Women in Lebanon are protesting for the removal of a law that allows rapists to escape punishment for their crimes as long as they marry the survivor. The outdated statute from the 1940s currently says that rape is punishable by up to seven years in prison. The penalty for raping a minor or someone with mental or physical disabilities is higher - but Article 522 of the law creates a loophole which says that criminal prosecution is suspended if the two people involved get married. The law is up for debate on Wednesday after it was raised by a member of parliament. Lebanons diverse Christian and Muslim political representatives are currently energised by the election of a president after a more than two-year-long paralysis which meant legislation could not be passed - and activists are optimistic something can be done. On Tuesday, around a dozen women wearing white dresses and bandages stained with fake blood staged a demonstration outside the government building in downtown Beirut to signify their support for changing the archaic law. We reject this violation of women regardless of their age, background, environment, whether they have special needs or the circumstances of the rape, said Ghida Anani, head of Abaad, a local NGO campaigning against it on rights grounds. Inside parliament, supporters of the article said that marriage was a way to save the honour of a raped woman, suggesting that if the law is rewritten, wedding an attacker could be left as an option for families to choose if they wished. Women dresses as brides wrapped in bloody bandages protest the law in Beirut (AP) Ms Anani was dismissive of the proposal. This is like saying the victim is a victim twice, a daily victim because she has to share her life with a person that violated her, and is hence raped every day, she said. Similar marriage clauses are present in the law regarding sexual consent in many modern Muslim states. They are usually hangovers from interpretations of Sharia, or religious law. In recent years such loopholes have come under under intensified scrutiny, with protests aimed at getting the law changed in several countries across the Middle East - although the Turkish authorities attempt this year to write a marriage article into existing rape legislation caused outrage both within the country and internationally. Several attempts to repeal or amend Lebanons immunity-through-marriage law have been made in the past, most recently after large protests in 2012. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The world is ignoring the worsening humanitarian crisis in war-torn Yemen, the senior UN humanitarian official in the country has warned. Nearly two years of war between a Saudi-led Arab coalition and the Iran-allied Houthi movement has worsened the plight of millions of Yemenis. Even before the start of the conflict in March 2015, Yemen was suffering a humanitarian crisis including widespread hunger, brought on by decades of poverty and internal strife. Around half of Yemen's 28 million people are "food insecure," according to the United Nations, and seven million of them do not know where they will get their next meal. Johnson: We do not think Saudi have 'crossed threshold' of humanitarian laws, despite bombing Yemen "The humanity doesn't work anymore here," Jamie McGoldrick, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, told the BBC. "The world has turned a blind eye to what's happening in Yemen... right now we are so under-resourced for this crisis, it's extraordinary." Yemen descended into civil war in March 2015 when Iran-backed Shia Houthi rebels took over the capital of Sanaa. Shortly afterwards, a Saudi-led coalition of Middle Eastern states began a bombing campaign at the request of the exiled government. More than 10,000 people have been killed and nearly 37,000 wounded during the war. A malnourished boy sits on a bed at a malnutrition treatment center in Sanaa, Yemen, on October 30 2016 (Reuters) In an interview with the BBC, Mr McGoldrick described the worsening consequences of the conflict. "Familes are just not able to feed their families. Families are not able to treat their kids who are sick," he said. "You've got hospitals here who have massive numbers of kids who are born prematurely, and that's a combination of stress and the ability for mothers to feed themselves. You look at the banking centre, it no longer works." A man walks past a house destroyed during battles between Houthi fighters and pro-government fighters in the southwestern city of Taiz, Yemen November 17, 2016. (Reuters) He said one and a half million civil servants had lost their jobs over the last three months. "So that's more than half of the country without any possibility of looking after themselves. And that's the scale of it." He added: "The airport is closed in Sanaa. The ports coming into Hodeidah, which serves 80 per cent of this country for food and fuel and all the other medicines they need, is completely restricted. "People feel as though they're trapped here." Amnesty International UK's arms control director, Oliver Sprague, said: The UK cant wash its hands of whats happening in Yemen - with our massive arms sales to Saudi Arabia were deeply implicated in the Saudi-led military coalitions indiscriminate bombing of Yemeni homes, hospital and schools. Weve recently been in Yemen seeing for ourselves how anti-Houthi forces have terrorised doctors and nurses in hospitals, issuing death threats and shutting entire hospitals down. He added: Only this week both Theresa May and Boris Johnson have tried to justify the UKs arming of Saudi Arabia. This is a disgrace. "With such a clear and continuing risk that any British arms sold to Saudi Arabia could be used to commit breaches of international humanitarian law in Yemen, the UK should immediately suspend all such arms sales. 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 }} Just sign your life away here, grins Murray then well get going. He hands me a clipboard loaded with disclaimer forms, grabs the helm and powers us out of Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia, in search of giants. Watching whales from the bow of a boat can be thrilling, but its akin to seeing seals on the shore youre not witnessing what they can really do. Best to meet them on their own turf and get in the water. Ningaloo Reef Of all whale species, humpbacks are the most approachable, but chances to share the waves with them are rare. Locations can be counted on one hand: Tonga (southeast of Fiji), the Dominican Republic, and Queensland, Australia. However, a new trial offering swimmers the chance to snorkel with humpies off the western Exmouth peninsula opened this year and I was among the first to try it. Suited and booted in our snorkels and fins, we wait for the call. Group one: go, go go! We slip off the back of the boat into the deep water and wiggle after our guide, Julian. I push my head below the waves. Zooplankton stream like snow against my mask. And then I hear it. The crooning song of a male. The base notes make my heart hum. But we cant see him, so we lift our heads and look enquiringly at Julian. Emma prepares to join the whales in the water (SoulandSea Photography) He must be resting on a sandbank some way off, he shrugs. We try to follow the music, but the whale swims away before we can approach. Up until now, Ningaloo Reef was best known for encounters with whale sharks, mammoth spotted filter-feeding fish that cruise along the surface. Theyre cool, but predictable, reasons Nat, our onboard marine biologist, who has one tattooed on her left foot. Humpies fight, breach and change direction, she enthuses, eyes wide. The experience is more interactive. Just seconds later a huge female, as big as a train carriage, corkscrews through the surface 30 metres away and flops on to her back, sending up an almighty fountain of water. Woohoo! we shout, collectively. The reef is home to a variety of sealife (Jana McGeachy/SoulandSea Photography) But why now? I ask. Its not as if humpbacks have just started coming here. Theyve always migrated between the food-rich Southern Ocean and warm northern breeding grounds. The truth? Revenue from oil and gas mining is in decline, and humpback snorkeling could compensate for the monetary losses, Nat admits. At first I was against it, but if they dont want to interact they wont. They can outmaneouvre us like that, she says, snapping her fingers. To protect the humpback whales, the Department of Parks and Wildlife has introduced much stricter interaction rules compared to those for whale sharks. Just five swimmers (rather than 10) are allowed in the water; they must keep a distance of 30 metres (instead of three metres); and never are they allowed to swim with mothers and calves. Furthermore, skippers can only make three attempts to get swimmers in the sea with the same pod. Swimmers have to follow strict rules designed to protect the humpbacks (Rory Hodgkinson) We put the wellbeing of the creatures above everything else. Its different than other places around the world, Nat says. Eleven operators have been given a trial licence, with just three offering exclusive humpback tours. Following them is an independent research vessel with biologists onboard monitoring the behavior of the whales breath rate and tail slaps for example to determine if tourism is having a detrimental affect on their migration. At 10.30am the spotter plane goes up a black bird against the blue sky. The voice of Jacob, the pilot, crackles over the radio, reporting that all the pods in our vicinity have calves. So we head north, a shimmer of beach on our right. We pass a calf trying to impress its mum with a few fin slaps, its small arm pathetically patting the water. However, the wind picks up so we return to shore and spend the night at Sal Salis a handful of luxury tents lined up along the dunes of Cape Range National Park. Wallaroos and gaggles of blushing galahs peer at us from behind the scrub as we pass. The Sal Salis camp amid the dunes Unzipping my tent the next morning, I see splashes on the blue horizon. Humpbacks are breaching and I watch as I munch my muesli. Its a good sign. We drive to the dock, board another boat and cruise out over the back of the reef, scanning the surface for signs of life. Jacobs voice sputters over the radio sounding fretful as he can only see females and calves. By late afternoon were beginning to lose hope when, suddenly, the call goes up: Whales behind us! Group one go! As we jump, dead ahead are five bachelors, their rounded hulks barreling straight towards us. We scramble to pull on our masks and slip quietly into the sea. I point my face downwards and see one cruising thirty metres below, his white barnacled belly half-turned towards us. Hes so submarine-like I catch myself listening out for sonar beeps. Like grey suited commuters they rush past us, homeward bound, and indifferent to us. Humpbacks migrate north from the Southern Ocean (Jana McGeachy/SoulandSea Photography) Interactions in other locations may be longer, but those at Ningaloo are sweeter for not being tainted with tricks and harassment. No matter how fleeting, what can be more thrilling than looking a real-life leviathan in the eye? Travel Essentials Getting there Emirates offers flights from Gatwick to Perth via Dubai from 935 in economy. Visiting and staying there A three-night humpback whale swim package from Sal Salis costs from $2,800pp (1,655) upwards and includes three nights accommodation in a wilderness tent, all meals and beverages, daily guided wilderness activities, national park fees and a full day of adventure swimming with humpback whales (August to October) with Live Ningaloo. More information westernaustralia.com 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 }} Transatlantic travellers in the summer of 2017 will have more choice than ever before, as airlines increase services between the UK and US. From its thriving long-haul base in Manchester, Thomas Cook Airlines will be flying to San Francisco twice a week from 14 May. The Manchester-Los Angeles link increases from twice to three times weekly, and there are also frequency rises to New York JFK and Boston. Recommended Day trips from Gatwick to New York as air wars intensify Virgin Atlantic is launching a daily Manchester-New York link in March, but that is simply to replace the existing service on the route from its partner, Delta. Delta is launching the first non-stop from the UK to Portland, with a daily flight from May. Portland is also seeing more flights from Iceland, as Icelandair continues its relentless expansion from its hub in Reykjavik. The airline is introducing new links to Philadelphia and Tampa. Its associate, Air Iceland, is introducing flights from Belfast to the Icelandic airport. Icelandic rival Wow Air is hitting back with daily flights from late March to both San Francisco and Los Angeles. The toughest competition, though, is from Gatwick. Norwegian, the low-cost transatlantic airline, is stepping up its air wars with British Airways. The Oslo-based carrier is launching a second daily service from Gatwick to New York JFK on 10 August next year, with a 6am out/noon back rotation. BA will be flying from Gatwick to two US secondary airports which it has never expressed any interest in before: Fort Lauderdale and Oakland. Norwegian has hit back by increasing frequencies to both, and for good measure adding an extra flight to Orlando, up against both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. 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 }} After elections in Bulgaria and Moldova of a pro-Putin president and prime minister there is relief in European capitals that Romania might buck the south-east Europe trend and install a pro-EU, pro-Nato prime minister after national elections on 11 December. At a time when the centre-left all over the EU is on the ropes the arrival of Liviu Dragnea will cheer up European social democracy when many of its politicians are floundering. Dragnea, a trim 52-year-old, is a passionate angler is an engineer with a long record as a local and regional politician in post-communist Romanian politics with several stints as a minister. His favourite quarry is carp. Persuading the low lying heavy sluggish carp to take the bait is tricky and Dragnea hopes he win over the rest of Europe by boosting Romanias European and Nato credentials as all EU member states traverse the difficult Trump-Brexit years ahead. Talking in Stockholm where he was meeting the Swedish social democratic Prime Minister, Stefan Lofven the Swedish left is still the principal reference point for the modern EU social democrats Dragnea laid out an ambitious progamme of market-focused economic reform linked to social investment. Theresa May unveils latest Brexit soundbite Romanias economy is actually one of the best performing in the EU with 5 per cent growth expected this year and the overall economy increasing by 25 per cent in the last five years. Its debt and deficit are comfortably within EU Treaty requirements significantly lower than post-Brexit Britain and Dragnea wants to create a Sovereign Investment Fund that that will take under its wing 200 companies that are still partly owned by the state and prepare them for listing on the stock exchange. He plans to zero rate dividend tax with no tax on profits for the first 100,000 made by SMEs and a cut in VAT to encourage consumptions with zero VAT on house sales. If all this sounds proto-Thatcherite there is an interesting social programme with a hike in the minimum wage and tax deductions worth 300 for each child provided the child attends at least 90 per cent of school classes. France has more Romanian doctors than Romania and Dragnea and his team want to focus on a major investment in medicine with a new giant hospital in Bucharest complete with a university medical school, a pharmaceutical research centre and specialist clinics. Eight smaller scale regional centres are planned to upgrade health care for the 20 million Romanian population and keep Romanian medical graduates working at home. His claim Romania can help secure the EUs external borders will be well received in Brussels and Berlin. We have 2,700 km of the EU borders with non-EU member states and we will invest resources to ensure that Romania does not become a transit route for anyone trying to enter the EU illegally. However, Dragnea insists that Romanian society is tolerant of foreigners and we have no anti-semitic, no xenophobic, and no extremist politics in our country. He is diplomatic on Brexit but is clear that Romania will not take kindly to any discrimination against Romanians in Britain following full Brexit. There are 178,000 Romanians in Britain, compared to 1.2 million in Spain, 708,000 in Italy or 400,000 in Germany. He says he is concerned about centrifugal forces in Europe without specifying Brexit, or moves to hold other anti-EU or anti-euro referendums though he acknowledges that all EU officials need to understand that economic and other policies must be directed to benefit European citizens and not just be seen as promoting the EU institutions themselves. Theresa May aims for 'red, white and blue Brexit' As Dragnea put away his fishing rods in the hope of dominating the next years of government he seems calm, methodical and determined that Romania will look West to Italy, France, Spain and Britain. He is not interested in joining Visegrad Europe of Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, with the first three nations now gripped by illiberal, nationalist, Islamaphobe leaders more prone to criticise the EU than support it. Dragnea is determined Romania will stay a faithful EU and bit by bit Romania will become a modern economy rejecting intolerance and anti-social neo-liberalism. Denis MacShane is the UKs former Minister of Europe and author of Brexit: How Britain Left Europe. He writes on European politics and policy 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 }} Suzy walks into my office. She sits nervously waiting to be seen while steady streams of people pass through my advice surgery. I ask her to fill in her name and address on our data form. It is immediately obvious that Suzy is not from my constituency and I start to explain to her that House of Commons protocols mean that I am not meant to act for other peoples constituents. She has travelled 80 miles to see me and tell me her story of domestic violence because she knows I care and will fight for her. As the Christmas lights twinkle on our office tree adorned with baubles made by local children, how can I turn her away? Suzy is the third woman this week from miles and miles away from where I live and represent whose case I have intervened in. Every single day I receive emails from all over the United Kingdom full of stories about victims of domestic violence desperately trying to work out how to keep them and their children safe from harm. Suzy tells me a story I have heard a thousand times. Forced to flee her violent home four years earlier, her and her two children are currently being dragged through the family courts and through childrens social care services all at the request of the man who terrorised them, physically and mentally. I listen to the bureaucracy she has to traverse, the financial hardship she has faced having to move home and fight expensive court battles with no legal aid. She tells me about her childrens referrals to mental health services and produces the letters from their school teachers, desperate to get extra support for her children support that never comes. I listen to Suzy, and offer her the shocked noises, exasperation and compassion that she deserves. Jess Phillips lists names of women killed by men for International Women's Day I treat her like an individual and give her shocking story the response it needs, seeks and deserves, even though I have heard this story every day for the past eight years from many other women. As the House of Commons begins to wind down for Christmas on the 16th December, a group of MPs will stay in London longer than they normally would do. This is to demand that the Government ratify the Istanbul Convention. The convention, which has thus far been weakly adopted but not ratified by the Government, is the most comprehensive legal framework that exists to tackle violence against women and girls. It will set a bar for the UK, which means that minimum standards of service must exist. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2022 Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle Getty These MPs, who would not normally stay behind in Westminster this far into the holidays, will take to their feet and tell the story of the Suzys that they have met. They will show these women that there is no need for people to travel hundreds of miles to come and see me in Birmingham if the bill passes, these women will know that every UK MP is with them. If it falls because too few MPs attend or the Government sends one of the helpful fools to talk out the debate, what message will that send to the desperate women and children around the country who so need our support? On every street all across the United Kingdom, women like Suzy, and terrible situations like hers, exist. You say hello to them on the school run. They are sat next to you at work and you offer them your seat on the bus or the tube because they are pregnant. Suzy is everywhere but she shouldnt be, and if we can do something to help these women, we must take urgent action. The IC Change campaign to ratify the Istanbul convention pleads with the Government to make history by listening to her story. Jess Phillips is the MP for Birmingham Yardley. IC Change is a grassroots, volunteer led, non-partisan group campaigning for ratification of the Istanbul Convention in the UK. Want to take action? Find out how at http://icchange.co.uk/get-involved/ 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 }} There is a surprising new asset in the struggle against the far right in Europe Nigel Farage. The inability of the garrulous pub landlord of British politics to keep quiet cost the Freedom Party victory in the Austrian election on Sunday. That is certainly the view of the Austrian right wingers. Farage had taken it upon himself to declare that Norbert Hofer, the Freedom Party leader, would hold a referendum on leaving the European Union after he had won. That did not help us, it hindered us, was the angry complaint by Anton Mahdalik, a senior party member. We were very aware that a majority of Austrians support EU membership. Hofer had described Farages unsolicited intervention as a crass misjudgement. He was so worried by the pronouncements of the Ukip man that he put out a statement on the eve of the poll saying, I would ask him not to interfere in Austrias internal affairs. It doesnt fill me with joy when someone meddles from outside. His country, he pointed out, had no desire to emulate Brexit. It is not something I want. We need to build a stronger union, he said. Early analysis of the result shows that Farage had introduced enough apprehension into the proceedings for a large number of conservative voters to swing behind Alexander Van der Bellen, the Green candidate. A majority of those who had voted for the right of centre Peoples Party, which is in coalition with the Freedom Party in Upper Austria, in the first run-off in May, voted for Van der Bellen. The result that time was annulled over postal vote irregularities. But Hofer had come to within 30,000 votes of winning on that occasion, raising expectations of victory this time around. Farage says Brexit led to trump As well as condemning the strident anti-foreigner stance of the Freedom Party, Van der Bellen had repeatedly pointed out his support for the European Union. Researchers found that some in the electorate who were tempted to go with Hofer for his hardline views on migrants and refugees decided instead that the threat of a referendum and possible ensuing upheaval outweighed the Muslim threat. The issue of a referendum also appeared to have galvanised the parts of the population that are most pro-European Union, ensuring they turned up at the polls. Van der Bellen won overwhelmingly among the well-educated, women and pensioners. Overall, the people who voted for him said they had done so for the image of Austria abroad, his strong European Union position and his competence. The Green Party leader beat Mr Hofer by 53.3 per cent of the vote to 46.7 per cent. The turnout was a high 74.2 per cent of the electorate. Farage had said he would put money on Hofer winning the election. He and his allies did not address the matter of his intervention sabotaging that outcome. Instead, Arron Banks, the Ukip funder, blamed the Austrian people for making the wrong choice. This was, he held, because they havent suffered enough rape and murder yet in the hands of refugees. You cant always get it right, he tweeted. Nigel Farage's most controversial moments Show all 12 1 /12 Nigel Farage's most controversial moments Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he unveiled that 'breaking point' poster during the referendum Mr Farage was accused of deploying Nazi-style propaganda when he unveiled a poster showing Syrian refugees travelling to Europe under the next Breaking point. Users on social media were quick to compare the advert to a Nazi propaganda film with similar visuals and featuring Jewish refugees. The poster was particularly controversial because it was unveiled the morning of the killing of Labour MP Jo Cox Rex Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said hed be concerned if his neighbours were Romanian In May 2014 Mr Farage was accused of a racial slur against Romanians after he suggested he would be concerned living next to a house of them. I was asked if a group of Romanian men moved in next to you, would you be concerned? And if you lived in London, I think you would be, he told LBC radio during an interview. Asked whether he would also object to living next to German children, he said: You know the difference Bongarts/Getty Images Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said the EU campaign was won 'without a bullet being fired' Nigel Farage has said the next Prime Minister has to be a Leave supporter AFP/Getty Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he resigned as Ukip leader and came back days later After failing to win the seat of South Thanet at the general election, Nigel Farage stepped down as Ukip leader as he had promised to do during the campaign. Days later on 11 May he un-resigned and said he would stay after being convinced by supporters within the party. Well see how long his resignation lasts this time AP/Matt Dunham Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he blamed immigrants for making him late Mr Farage turned up late to a 25-a-head meet the leader style event in Port Talbot, Wales in December 2014. Asked why he was late, he blamed immigrants. It took me six hours and 15 minutes to get here - it should have taken three-and-a-half to four, he said. That has nothing to do with professionalism, what it does have to do with is a country in which the population is going through the roof chiefly because of open-door immigration and the fact that the M4 is not as navigable as it used to be Getty Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he wanted to ban immigrants with HIV from Britain Mr Farage has used his platform as Ukip leader call for people with HIV to be banned from coming to Britain. Asked in an interview with Newsweek Europe in October 2014 who he thought should be allowed to come to the UK, he said: People who do not have HIV, to be frank. Thats a good start. And people with a skill. He also repeated similar comments in the 2015 general election leadership debates Getty Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he defended the use of a racial slur against Chinese people Defending one of Ukips candidates, who used the word ch**ky to describe a Chinese person, Mr Farage said: If you and your mates were going out for a Chinese, what do you say you're going for?" When he was told by the presented that he honestly would not use the slur, Mr Farage replied: A lot would Lintao Zhang/Getty Images Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said parts of Britain were like a foreign land The Ukip leader used his 2014 conference speech to declare parts of Britain as being like a foreign land. He told his audience in Torquay that parts of the country were unrecognisable because of the number of foreigners there. Mr Farage has also previously said he felt uncomfortable when people spoke other language on a train Screengrab Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said the British army should be deployed to France At the height of trouble at Britains Calais border Mr Farage proposed a novel solution. The Ukip leader called for the British army to be sent to France to put down a migrant rebellion. In all civil emergencies like this we have an army, we have a bit of a Territorial Army as well and we have a very, very overburdened police force and border agency, he said. If in a crisis to make sure weve actually got the manpower to check lorries coming in, to stop people illegally coming to Britain, if in those circumstances we can use the army or other forces then why not AFP/Getty Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said breastfeeding women should sit in the corner Mr Farage sparked protests from mothers after he told women to sit on the corner if they wanted to breastfeed their children. I think that given that some people feel very embarrassed by it, it isnt too difficult to breastfeed a baby in a way that's not openly ostentatious, Mr Farage said. He added: "Or perhaps sit in the corner, or whatever it might be AFP/Getty Images Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said the gender pay gap exists because women are worth less At a Q&A on the European Union in January 2014 Mr Farage said there was no discrimination against women causing the gender pay gap. Instead, he said, women were paid less because they were simply worth far less than many of their male counterparts. A woman who has a client base, has a child and takes two or three years off - she is worth far less to her employer when she comes back than when she went away because that client base won't be stuck as rigidly to her portfolio, he said Getty Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said he actually couldnt guarantee 350m to the NHS after Brexit During the EU referendum campaign the Leave side pledged to spend 350 million a week on the National Health Service claiming that this is what the UK sends to Brussels. Nigel Farage didnt speak out against this figure and also pledged to spend EU cash on the health service and other public services himself. Then the day of the election result he suddenly changed his tone, saying he couldnt guarantee the cash for the NHS and that to pledge to do so was a mistake Getty The deciding issue for the voters was, of course, the European Union. Nigel Farages zealotry makes him see most things through the prism of opposition to Brussels and he fails to understand that populists in Europe are not one-dimensional. They may want reforms to the institutions of the Union, but are not all clamouring to get their countries out of it. Uwe Schneider, in Vienna, seems to reflect the views of a significant number of voters at the election. He had backed Andreas Khol, of the People's Party, in the past but had some reservations: This English guy, Farage, said that Hofer would go for a vote on the EU if he won. He sounded really confident as if he knew something. So I voted for Van der Bellen and so did my wife. We dont want to leave the EU, our relations; our friends dont want to leave. If there was a vote the majority will vote to stay in the EU; but why do something like such a vote, which will bring in divisions? Nigel Farages tunnel vision about the European Union will not change. And, since being patted on the head by Donald Trump, he sees himself more and more as a statesman, a key player in shaping the destiny of Europe. It is highly unlikely that he will stop seeking to interfere in the elections to come on the Continent. But if that actually leads to results such as the one in Austria, those who do not want to see the far right gain power may well ask themselves, Whats not to like? The man who was once the richest man in Russia is to finance democracy campaigns in his homeland The one-time richest man in Russia has vowed to finance democracy campaigns in his homeland after an Irish court lifted freezing orders on 100 million euro in an investment fund. Mikhail Khodorkovsky's war chest was ordered to be handed over five years after being withheld as part of investigations into money laundering. The exiled former oligarch, once the head of the now defunct Yukos oil and gas company, was jailed in 2003 after falling out with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the money was first seized while he was in jail in 2011. Mr Khodorkovsky, who was pardoned and released from detention in 2013 and now lives in London, said he welcomed the decision of the District Court in Dublin to release the fund. He said the decision in the case showed the money was not the proceeds of crime. In a statement he said he had indicated that he will use some of it "to support the work of the Open Russia movement", a campaign founded in 2014 to focus on justice, human rights and free and fair elections. Mr Khodorkovsky, who claims his incarceration over alleged unpaid taxes was politically motivated, remains one of Mr Putin's foremost critics. He was named a Prisoner of Conscience by Amnesty International. The multimillion investment fund based in Dublin was first frozen following an application by the fraud squad in Ireland. Mr Khodorkovsky secured the release of the money after taking a civil case and making an application under the Republic's Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010. The Yukos energy company was broken up and its assets transferred to a number of state-owned companies following his imprisonment. After the Brexit vote, German Chancellor Angela Merkel all but ruled out making Ireland a special case in the post-Brexit negotiations with Britain Photo: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters Influential German business leaders are warning Brexit will "create significant job losses" in Ireland, damage our growth and harm the country's trade. The alarming new report on the impact of Brexit on this country also says "Ireland will suffer most from the market volatility and unpredictability". It said a 'hard Brexit' with harsh terms for Britain could actually force Ireland towards the EU exit door, labelled an 'Irexit'. The report by the German Chambers of Commerce Worldwide and the German-Irish Chamber of Commerce says "Ireland will unduly suffer" because of Brexit if our special circumstances are not understood in Brussels, Berlin and EU capitals. A hard Brexit is viewed in Europe as a way to dissuade other EU members from leaving in the belief that they can retain the trade advantages of staying in the union. However, there are tensions between German industry and the German government over the terms of the EU exit. German businesses want Britain, as a valuable trading partner, to retain some access to the single market. Expand Close DIT lecturer Brian Murphy Picture: Frank McGrath / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp DIT lecturer Brian Murphy Picture: Frank McGrath The aim of the report is to inform the German public and decision-makers of the damage that Brexit can do to Ireland. The German Brexit report, printed under the aegis of the German-Irish Chamber of Commerce, outlines the damage to us. "Ireland, as the EU member state most connected with Britain, will suffer most from the market volatility and unpredictability that Brexit brings in its wake. This report highlights how Brexit will damage Ireland's economic growth, harm trade and create significant job losses. The report also explains how Brexit will have distressing consequences for Ireland's key industries, including the FDI sector, agri-food, and tourism, and how Brexit could seriously impinge on Ireland's energy security," it says. There is a clear warning about the knock-on effect of Brexit on Ireland's EU membership. "By imposing very harsh terms on Britain to discourage other member states from exiting the EU, the EU needs to actively consider whether this will build momentum towards an 'Irexit', further undermining European cohesion," the report says. Taoiseach Enda Kenny will discuss the report tomorrow. Private joint-stock company Ukrnaftoburinnia, the co-owners of which are businessman Ihor Kolomoisky an MP Vitaliy Khomutynnik, has decided not to participate in the tender to sell 99.567% of shares in public joint-stock company Odesa Port-Side Plant, the UNIAN news agency, which belongs to Kolomoisky, reported on Wednesday. A day before, on the day when submission of bids for the tender expired, Ukrnaftoburinnia criticized the State Property Fund of Ukraine (SPF) for its preparation of the tender. IBE Trade Corp. (the United States) of businessman of Ukrainian origin Alex Rovt and Amjad Investments (United Arab Emirates) also expressed their desire to participate in the tender. After the Brexit vote, German Chancellor Angela Merkel all but ruled out making Ireland a special case in the post-Brexit negotiations with Britain Photo: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters German business leaders are warning Brexit will "create significant job losses" in Ireland, damage growth and harm trade. An alarming new report on the impact of Brexit on this country also said a 'hard Brexit' with harsh terms for Britain could actually force Ireland towards the EU exit door, labelled an 'Irexit'. The report by the German Chambers of Commerce Worldwide and the German-Irish Chamber of Commerce said "Ireland will unduly suffer" because of Brexit if our special circumstances are not understood in Brussels, Berlin and other EU capitals. A hard Brexit is viewed in Europe as a way to dissuade other EU members from leaving in the belief they will retain the trade advantages of staying in the union. German business stands to lose from Britain's departure. And there are tensions between German industry and the German government over the terms of the EU exit. German businesses want Britain, as a valuable trading partner, to retain some access to the single market. The aim of the report is to inform the German public and decision-makers of the damage that Brexit can do Ireland. After the Brexit vote, German Chancellor Angela Merkel all but ruled out making Ireland a special case in the post-Brexit negotiations with Britain. She declined to issue such guarantees, adding that Ireland's concerns would be treated on a par with those of the remaining 27 EU member states. The German Brexit report, printed under the aegis of the German-Irish Chamber of Commerce, outlines the damage to Ireland. "Ireland, as the EU member state most connected with Britain, will suffer most from the market volatility and unpredictability that Brexit brings in its wake. "This report highlights how Brexit will damage Ireland's economic growth, harm trade and create significant job losses. "The report also explains how Brexit will have distressing consequences for Ireland's key industries, including the FDI sector, agri-food, and tourism, and how Brexit could seriously impinge on Ireland's energy security," it said. There is a clear warning about the knock-on effect of Brexit on Ireland's EU membership. Read More: Dublin fights it out with Frankfurt to be UK bank's European headquarters "By imposing very harsh terms on Britain to discourage other member states from exiting the EU, the EU need to actively consider whether this will build momentum towards an 'Irexit', further undermining European cohesion," the report said. "The purpose of this briefing paper is to make clear how intrinsically linked the Irish and British economies are and how Ireland will unduly suffer because of Brexit if Ireland's special circumstances are not understood in Brussels, Berlin and all of the EU capitals," the report said. The report was drawn up by German-Irish Chamber of Industry and Commerce chief executive Ralf Lissek, German Chambers of Commerce International and European Affairs deputy chief executive Dr Volker Treier and DIT academic Dr Brian Murphy (pictured left). The report will be presented to Taoiseach Enda Kenny tomorrow, when he meets with its authors. A delegation of journalists from Germany's leading media organisations currently visiting Dublin will also receive the report. It will also be distributed to members of the German Parliament. The board of trustees of the German-Irish Chamber of Commerce includes representatives of major German multinationals such as Bayer, Siemens, Miele Ireland and Deutsche Bank. The German Ambassador to Ireland, Matthias Hopfner, is a patron of the organisation. On Northern Ireland, the report said Brexit "cannot be allowed to undermine cross-border cooperation, economic reconstruction and growing rapprochement after centuries of division on the island of Ireland". The report drew upon a wide range of research in the wake of Brexit. The EU's chief Brexit negotiator has hinted he is against the return of a hard Border on the island of Ireland. Michel Barnier, who was appointed the European Commission's Brexit pointman in October, said he wanted to "preserve the success" of the Good Friday Agreement after the UK leaves the EU, and was "aware" of the border sensitivities. The UK's decision to leave the European Union would have major consequences, in particular for the European Union's external borders," he said in Brussels yesterday, in his first press conference since taking office. "I am personally extremely aware of the importance of this subject and we will do our utmost, in our negotiations with the UK and with Ireland, to find a way to preserve the success of the Good Friday process and keep the dialogue going." The Frenchman was in charge of EU funding for Northern Ireland when he was regional commissioner in the early 2000s, and visited Dublin in October, where the Taoiseach set out "Ireland's unique set of priorities" on Brexit, including the border. Irish ministers and officials have been meeting regularly with their EU counterparts to make sure the message gets through. Brussels has refused to enter into talks with the UK until it triggers divorce proceedings under Article 50 of the EU treaty. British prime minister Theresa May intends to send formal notice by the end of March, which will set the clock ticking on two years of negotiations. But Mr Barnier warned the UK it would have less than two years to ink a deal, as time would have to be set aside to ratify it. "All in all, there will be less than 18 months to negotiate," Mr Barnier said. He estimated a deal would need to be done by October 2018 to give the european and UK parliaments time to vote on it, and to clear the way for the European Parliament elections in May 2019. There was little detail on what the deal would look like, with Mr Barnier saying only that he favoured an "orderly withdrawal" of the UK from the now 28-member bloc. He refused to speculate on whether that meant a departure from the single market and customs union, otherwise known as a "hard" Brexit. "I don't know what a hard Brexit or a soft Brexit is," Mr Barnier said. "I can only say what Brexit is." But he had strong words for Brexiteers who wanted to have their cake and eat it, saying that single market access was bound up with the freedom to migrate. "Being a member of the European Union comes with rights and benefits. "Third countries can never have the same rights and benefits [as EU members], since they are not subject to the same obligations," Mr Barnier said. "The single market and its four freedoms - four freedoms - are indivisible; cherrypicking is not an option." The governor of the UK central bank has said there should be a transitional period after Brexit to allow companies time to extricate themselves from EU law and to ensure market stability. But Mr Barnier said no talks on a transitional period would be possible until the UK outlined what kind of "new partnership" it wanted with the bloc in future - something the UK government was so far unwilling to reveal. "We need to know the dimensions and the content of this future relationship in order to conceive of how to prepare it," Mr Barnier said. His remarks represent a hardening of the EU's tone on Brexit. Mr Barnier said the EU must "preserve the unity and the interests" of the bloc's remaining 27 countries. "Solidarity is better than solitude," he said. Mr Barnier stressed that there were many challenges to overcome in the years ahead in terms of the negotiations. He also said there were legal complexities that needed to be considered which would make the process difficult. "We are entering uncharted waters," he said. "The work will be legally complex, politically sensitive and will have important consequences for our economies and, first, for our people - on both sides of the Channel." Following a summit in Brussels next week, EU leaders will meet without the UK to set out how the Brexit process will be handled once Theresa May sends her formal letter. They are the ones who will set the broad outlines of the deal, with the Commission doing the technical legwork. "We are ready," Mr Barnier said. "Keep calm and negotiate." Meanwhile, SDLP MP and member of the Westminster Brexit Committee Mark Durkan welcomed Mr Barnier's comments that preserving the success of the Good Friday Agreement was an important objective for the EU. "I had extensive dealings with Michel Barnier, now the EU lead negotiator on Brexit," Mr Durkan said. "He has always shown a genuine personal interest in the peace process. "He demonstrated not just a sensitive understanding but also a keen appreciation of the contributions of the community and economic sectors in moving the peace process forward." British MPs will be challenged by Prime Minister Theresa May today to explicitly back her to trigger Brexit by April in the House of Commons, a Tory MP has revealed. She will hope the move fends off a potential Commons rebellion as up to 40 Tory backbenchers were thought to be ready to back a Labour motion calling for her to set out her Brexit plan. An amendment in the name of Ms May will accept the Labour motion, allowing potentially rebellious Tories to back it, prominent eurosceptic Steve Baker revealed in a tweet in the middle of the second day of the Supreme Court hearing. But it will also challenge them to "respect the wishes" of voters in the referendum and call on the government to trigger Article 50 by the end of March - in accordance with the timetable set out by the PM. Yesterday the British government rejected the suggestion its Brexit strategy was an "affront" to parliamentary sovereignty. Eleven Supreme Court justices were told on the second day of the historic hearing in London that the case put forward by those challenging the government's plan represented "a serious constitutional trap". The Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas and two other judges decided at the High Court in November that Ms May lacked power to use the royal prerogative to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and start the two-year process of negotiating Brexit without the prior authority of parliament. "It is said that the government giving Article 50 notice is an affront to parliamentary sovereignty because parliament has created rights and only it can alter them," James Eadie QC, for the government, said in the packed court. "Our case fully respects, and offers no affront, to parliamentary sovereignty," he said, rejecting the claim. Ministers warned they could not "rule by decree". Lord Pannick, making his arguments on behalf of Gina Miller, who won the ruling at the High Court, told the justices that ministers could not use prerogative powers to "take away the rights of citizens". He argued that parliament did not intend for the rights and duties created by the 1972 European Communities Act to be removed by ministers alone. Mocking the government, he said to argue otherwise would give the Act a "lesser status" than the Dangerous Dogs Act. Lord Pannick said it would be "quite extraordinary" if that Act "could be set at nought by the actions of a minister acting without parliamentary authority". "I'm interested in all these terms that have been identified - hard Brexit, soft Brexit, black Brexit, white Brexit, grey Brexit, but actually what I think we should be looking for is a red, white and blue Brexit," Ms May said yesterday. "That is the right deal for the United Kingdom. What is going to be the relationship between the UK and the European Union once we've left, that's what we're about and that's what we will be working towards." But Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat leader, said: "The Prime Minister has surpassed herself with this statement. It's jingoistic claptrap. "If this Conservative government cared about Britain and cared about what makes our country great they would not be running headlong towards a hard Brexit like this. It doesn't matter what colour she tries to paint this, her plans for Brexit will wreck the economy. "This government want to pull us out of the Single Market, Customs Union, which would wreck the economy and blow a 220bn (260bn) black hole in the budget." Eurosceptic MP Steve Baker urged his Tory colleagues to back the amendment. "Every Conservative MP should respect the result by voting with the government on this excellent amendment to trigger Article 50 on the Prime Minister's schedule," he said. A Downing Street spokesman stressed the amendment was "a separate issue" from the government's Supreme Court battle to overturn a ruling that it should obtain Parliament's approval before triggering Article 50. "The Prime Minister has been clear that we will set out our plans in due course. That remains the position," the spokesman said. "We won't be showing our negotiating hand until we have to, but we have not suggested we will not set out the position. That's what the amendment goes to." ( Daily Telegraph London) Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] The UK Prime Minister is forcing MPs to say whether they back Brexit by asking them to vote in Parliament on whether they "respect" the will of the British people. It comes as the Supreme Court considers whether Theresa May can get on with Brexit negotiations without MPs' approval. But what does it all mean for the process of Britain's departure from the EU? What has the Government done? Theresa May has tabled an amendment which will force a non-binding Commons vote on whether Parliament agrees that the Government must trigger Article 50, which begins formal Brexit talks, by the end of March next year. Downing Street has also committed to presenting MPs with a Brexit plan after criticism from backbenchers. How does this affect the Supreme Court hearing on Article 50? On Monday, eleven Supreme Court judges began hearing a Government appeal calling for Mrs May to be able to trigger Article 50 without the approval of Parliament. Expand Close UK Prime Minister Theresa May. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp UK Prime Minister Theresa May. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire In its case, the Government is arguing that Mrs May should be able to use the royal prerogative to trigger Brexit negotiations, which does not require a vote in Parliament. However, Wednesdays vote is not binding - meaning that it technically does not have any bearing whatsoever on the Supreme Court case. What is the point of the court ruling if the Government has already held a Commons vote on Article 50? Wednesdays amendment only states that Parliament should respect the wishes of the United Kingdom as expressed in the referendum on 23 June; and further calls on the Government to invoke Article 50 by 31 March 2017. Crucially, it does not trigger Article 50. It is only a commitment to do so by the end of March next year. But it will force Europhile MPs to say whether or not they will back the triggering of Article 50. The Supreme Court will rule on whether or not Mrs May must seek a binding vote in Parliament before she tells Brussels that she has formally triggered Article 50 and that negotiations have started. If the Supreme Court rules against her, that vote would give MPs an opportunity to block Brexit by voting against the Government. It means that Mrs May will need an Article 50 Act of Parliament, which will also have to be passed by the House of Lords. A number of peers have already hinted that they are prepared to block Brexit, meaning the path of any Article 50 bill will not be smooth. What is the point of the court ruling if the Government has already held a Commons vote on Article 50? Wednesdays amendment only states that Parliament should respect the wishes of the United Kingdom as expressed in the referendum on 23 June; and further calls on the Government to invoke Article 50 by 31 March 2017. Crucially, it does not trigger Article 50. It is only a commitment to do so by the end of March next year. But it will force Europhile MPs to say whether or not they will back the triggering of Article 50. The Supreme Court will rule on whether or not Mrs May must seek a binding vote in Parliament before she tells Brussels that she has formally triggered Article 50 and that negotiations have started. If the Supreme Court rules against her, that vote would give MPs an opportunity to block Brexit by voting against the Government. It means that Mrs May will need an Article 50 Act of Parliament, which will also have to be passed by the House of Lords. A number of peers have already hinted that they are prepared to block Brexit, meaning the path of any Article 50 bill will not be smooth. What do the parties think about Article 50? Conservatives Conservative MPs will be whipped to vote in favour of the Government's amendment which states that Article 50 will be triggered by March 2017. This means every Tory will be expected to back Theresa May's plan to trigger Article 50 by the end of March next year. The Government expects to win the vote, which means Mrs May will be able to claim a victory and support for her timetable for the first time. MPs will be free to vote in support of the Labour motion while also supporting the Prime Minister. Labour Jeremy Corbyn has said Labour will not block Article 50 but it is far from clear whether rebellious MPs will follow his lead. The Labour leader warned he will make amendments to any bill seeking to trigger the clause in order to protect worker's rights and social freedoms. A few Labour MPs, including the former leadership contender Owen Smith, have indicated they might block it altogether if certain conditions are not met. In the Commons the party will support the motion it tabled as well as the Government's amendment setting out a timetable for Article 50, handing the Prime Minister a victory. Liberal Democrats Tim Farron has said his party will block Theresa May triggering Article 50 unless she guarantees a second referendum on the terms of the Brexit deal. The party will back Labour's motion in the House but will oppose the Government's amendment, which would have committed the party to supporting the timetable for leaving. Liberal Democrats have been accused of attempting to thwart the will of the people by refusing to back Article 50 unless a second referendum is promised, but with just nine MPs the party does not pose much of a threat as long as the Prime Minister has her party on side. Scottish National Party The SNP has tabled its own amendment to Labour's motion, calling for a formal role for the devolved administrations. It will not support the Government's amendment on a timetable to trigger formal exit plans by March next year but will back calls for more information on Brexit as set out by the Labour party alongside its own new clause. Stephen Gethins, the party's Europe spokesman, said: "This amendment seeks to give representation and a say to the devolved administrations across the UK and ensure that Westminster understands that the SNP will do all it can to protect Scotlands interests." Democratic Unionist Party The DUP backs the Government on triggering Article 50 and both Nigel Dodds, the party's deputy leader and Jeffrey Donaldson, the chief whip, will add their names to the Government's amendment to show their support. This means the Prime Minister can count on the party's MPs to back her timetable for triggering Brexit. The party supported leaving the European Union in the referendum and has spoken out against those who are seeking to delay the exit by demanding a second referendum on the terms. House of Lords Labour and Liberal Democrat leaders in the House of Lords have said they will not seek to block Article 50 but that they will look at ways to improve legislation when it comes before the House. A source said no more than a couple of dozen peers would be likely to block the formal exit process altogether, but there are fears that in laying down amendments the timetable for leaving the union could be delayed. A number of peers, including Conservative Baroness Wheatcroft, have publicly said they will block Article 50 but it is unlikely that they would have a majority. What happens next? Wednesday 7 December: Parliament will vote on a motion tabled by Labour, with a Tory amendment that challenges the Commons to respect the wishes of UK voters by calling on the Government to invoke Article 50 by March 31. Thursday 8 December: Closing arguments in Supreme Court case which will decide whether Theresa May has the power to trigger Article 50 using a royal prerogative, rather than by an Act of Parliament January: Supreme Court expected to deliver its ruling on the case it is currently hearing March 31, 2017: The deadline Mrs May has set for invoking Article 50 by notifying the European Council of Britains intention to leave the EU September 30, 2018: Date by which EUs chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, wants to wrap up deal on Britains exit from the Union March 31, 2019: Date by which Theresa May wants to wrap up negotiations over Brexit May 2019? Britain formally exits the EU, following ratification of Brexit by all other member states Financial services firm Irish Life has acquired the D2-based Velasco building from Ardstone and Hardwicke in a deal believed to be worth around 58m. The building, which sits on the corner of Grand Canal Street and Clanwilliam Place, will be eight storeys tall with 13 car parking spaces at basement and podium levels when the building is completed in the first half of next year. Upon completion the Velasco building, which was the site of the former Kestrel House, will span 4,738 sq m. It is understood Irish Life beat off a range of overseas and domestic buyers to secure the property. Leasing agent JLL has also reported strong occupier interest in the premises. The delivery of Velasco represents the cumulative efforts of Ardstone and Hardwicke, who have been in strong partnership over the past 24 months. Irish Life head of property Martin O'Reilly said the company is delighted to take ownership of a new Dublin landmark. "Velasco will offer a fantastic opportunity for occupiers to locate in the heart of Dublin and enjoy all the benefits that brings for their staff. "This acquisition represents another active 'enhance to core' play by Irish Life in the Central Dublin office market. Other notable examples include the ongoing development of 1GQ at Georges Quay and refurbishment at 2-4 Merrion Row, following successful refurbishment and releasing projects such as Georges Dock in the IFSC and 30 Herbert Street. The move comes after Ardstone sold 2 Harbourmaster Place in the IFSC to German fund Real IS. Both Ardstone and Hardwicke have finished the refurbishment of 100 Mount Street, which is full-leased and believed to be under offer from an international purchaser. Irish Life has been very active in the Irish market over the last three years having acquired 800m of direct property. Last year, Irish Life acquired the Sovereign Portfolio for a price in excess of 150m and more recently, Irish Life acquired Hume House Ballsbridge for a price in the region of 35m. Will the UK continue to provide its farmers with the same level of support as they now enjoy under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy? Will this support be provided in the same way, that is, largely through a decoupled direct payment per hectare? Or will the UK opt to lower the level of support to its farmers and put more emphasis on payments for land management and the provision of environmental and ecosystem services? There is no indication as yet of official thinking on UK agricultural policy post-Brexit - a search of the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website for the term Brexit yields zero results. However, interest groups are beginning to stake out their positions, and the main battle lines are being drawn. The National Farmers' Union was published a set of principles for post-Brexit agricultural policy. It is seeking "guarantees that the support given to our farmers is on a par with that given to farmers in the EU, who will still be our principal competitors". It wants to redesign agri-environment schemes "which are currently running out of steam - in part because of over prescriptive EU rules". It also hopes for a more lax approach to product regulation, emphasising the frustration among UK farmers "with European regulation and its handling of product approvals, due to an over-politicised approach and excessive use of the precautionary principle". The National Trust, on the other hand, representing environmental groups has argued that, in future, UK support for farming should only pay for public goods, and that the basic income support payments should be phased out over time. The UK Treasury will also have a say. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, has guaranteed that the current level of agricultural funding under CAP Pillar 1 will continue until 2020, as part of the transition to new domestic arrangements, while all contracts entered into under Pillar 2, including agri-environment schemes, prior to the recent autumn statement will be honoured in full, even beyond the UK's departure from the EU. After 2020, however, all bets are off. The UK government has traditionally argued for lower levels of agricultural support as a member of the EU. After Brexit, it will have the opportunity to put this policy into practice. Its attitude to trade policy and protection against cheaper imports from third countries will be critical. But the amount of money it makes available for domestic agricultural support and how this will be distributed will also be important. The position is complicated by the fact that powers over agricultural policy have been devolved to the three devolved administrations - Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - in the UK. At present, the scope for truly independent agricultural policies in the four UK regions (including England) is constrained by the fact that competence over agricultural policy is shared with the EU. The EU sets the common framework through the CAP regulations. The powers of the devolved administrations are limited to the flexibilities that are provided under the CAP. For example, the devolved administrations could opt for coupled payments or not, they could move money between the two CAP Pillars, they could design their own Rural Development Programmes, but only within the constraints of the rules set by the CAP. Following Brexit, the UK is going to have to redesign this governance structure for agricultural policy. It could opt to give even greater autonomy to the devolved regions. However, if this led to varying levels of support for farming within the UK, it would risk complaints of 'unfair competition' from farmers in the region with the lowest level of support. It could even opt to reduce the flexibility the devolved administrations have to pursue different agricultural policies, although I would view this as unlikely. In any case, the scope to pursue different levels of support in the different regions will be limited by the availability of funds. These decisions will have a particular importance for farmers in Northern Ireland, where 87pc of farm income is currently derived from CAP payments. For the Irish agri-food sector, the UK's trade arrangements after Brexit are the dominant concern. But the extent and type of support provided to UK farmers under the UK's new agricultural policy will also influence the future degree of competition on the UK market that Irish exporters will face. Alan Matthews is Professor Emeritus of European Agricultural Policy at Trinity College Dublin Animal health experts are calling on the Government to remove VAT from vaccines in order to steer farmers away from antibiotics. Mike Magan, Chairman of Animal Health Ireland, claims that reducing the cost of vaccines would make the option more attractive to farmers, lead to healthier stock and dramatically reduce antiobiotic usage. However, a spokesperson for the Department of Finance said: "the Department is not currently considering removing the VAT from vaccines". Experts claim the move would be a huge step in the right direction. Mr Magan said that we are coming to the issue later than Holland and Denmark. "So it's hard to measure but there are steps that can be taken," he said. "I would strongly support a move to remove VAT from vaccines in order to make the option more feasible for farmers. I would love to see that happen," said Mr Magan. "We can be smarter and if we have better vaccination programmes we will get a reduction because we will have healthier animals," he said. "Vaccines are like an insurance policy but one of the reasons farmers don't go that route is because the cost is high so if the cost can be reduced it would help enormously," he said. Mr Magan says society must face up to the reality of antimicrobial resistance in the human and animal kingdom. "We all are potentially victims of the consequences of antimicrobial resistance and ultimately the issue is that if we don't act we could find somebody that we care about not responding to an antibiotic when they need it." The dairy farmer also urges farmers to ensure that if they are prescribed antibiotics for an animal the course must be completed. "The bugs are smarter than we are and they mutate if we don't complete the course," he said. Recent figures from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) show that, in 2015, antibiotic resistance continued to increase for most bacteria. An 83-year-old farmer who kept Britains most dangerous herd of cows ignored official warnings to control them before they attacked and killed a retired professor. Brian Godwin was ordered to pay 30,000 (35,412) after failing to install electric fencing before Mike Porter, 66, was trampled to death as he walked across a footpath. A court heard that Godwins herd had attacked ramblers on at least four previous occasions before the fatal stampede, including a dog walker who suffered a broken neck. The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which prosecuted Godwin, said his cattle were a particularly aggressive foreign crossbreed that had become conditioned to attack the public when trying to protect their calves. The same 31 Limousin continental cross breed cows that went on the rampage twice in 2011 went on to kill Prof Porter two years later. Godwin pleaded guilty at Swindon Crown Court to a breach of his general duty of controlling his livestock. In addition to the 30,000 (35,412) court costs, he was given a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for two years. He was spared jail on account of his age. Prof Porters partner has received a substantial sum - reckoned to be six figures - after suing Godwin in the civil courts. The farmers insurers have paid out almost 200,000 (236,096) more for three further attacks in which four people were seriously injured between 2008 and 2011. The herd has been branded the most dangerous in Britain. 'Death was avoidable' Adrienne Sillar, Prof Porters partner for 35 years and the mother of their two children, said: Mikes death was avoidable, and while nothing will bring Mike back to us, we can at least take some comfort that lessons have been learned which will prevent others in the future being needlessly killed or injured. It is vital that the interests of farmers cannot take precedence over the health and safety of the public, and that those who, like Mike, love walking in the beautiful British countryside can do so without the risk of injury or death. We hope that those agencies with responsibility will now review the guidance relating to the management of livestock in the vicinity of public rights of way. Godwin had been warned by HSE on two occasions to offer more protection to dog walkers on his 400-acre farm at Turleigh, near Bradford-on-Avon in Wiltshire. The HSE had asked him to put up electric fencing and signs warning of "cows with calves" but he failed to take action. Prof Porter was walking along a public footpath through Elbow Field with his brother John and their two dogs when the cows, who were protecting their calves, charged. Prof Porter curled up into a ball to protect himself but died from internal bleeding following the attack in May 2013. His 73-year-old brother sustained multiple rib fractures and a punctured lung. Tim Mousley QC, in sentencing the farmer, said: You could have prevented his untimely death. Im satisfied that you quite blatantly failed to ensure the safety of people who came on your land. The court heard that the first attack took place in 2004 when Alison Crane was butted and stamped on by a charging cow and suffered serious injuries. In May 2008, Simon Dark was left with a broken collar bone after 50 cows trampled him. In April 2011 Brenda Wall suffered a blow to the head while in October 2011 David Billington was charged by the same cows, breaking two vertebrae in his neck, forcing him to wear a metal brace for the next five months. Godwin had denied any wrongdoing but dramatically changed his plea to guilty a week before the trial, the HSE said. HSE inspector Dawn Lawrence said Godwins herd of continental cross breed cattle were more aggressive than more docile domestic breeds. She said: Once the cattle had attacked it can become learned behaviour. They preferred fight to flight when protecting their calves. Keith Cundall, a lawyer with Irwin Mitchell who acted for Ms Sillar, said: More needs to be done to improve countryside safety for walkers. This highlights how serious incidents involving cattle stampedes can be. Richard Brooks, a solicitor with Royds Withy King, which secured damages for four victims, said: It is a tragedy that safety was ignored after the first accident never mind the other incidents. An HSE report commissioned after Prof Porters death showed that between April 2000 and March 2015 there were 18 fatalities to members of the public involving cattle. Most of these incidents involved people taking their dogs for walks when the cattle attacked. Godwins wife Christine said: We feel terrible about what has happened. It has been devastating. We feel awful for the man who died. The Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed has said that he is 'extremely' concerned about the fact that a post-Brexit scenario, in which the UK can unilaterally conduct its own trade negotiations could lead to the UK doing a deal with the Mercosur countries or other countries in respect of imports of a range of commodities, including beef, which could have the impact of undermining our position on UK supermarket shelves. "One of the messages on which we wanted to reassure our trading partners in the UK in particular was our commitment to the highest standards of safe, sustainable, traceable food," he said in the Dail recently. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, today hosted his second meeting of the Dairy Forum with key stakeholders from the Irish dairy sector. The Forum meets a commitment in the current Programme for Government and addresses the need for a collaborative strategic approach to the issues facing the sector including market volatility. The forum today discussed the outlook for the Irish dairy sector in 2017. Commenting on the meeting the Minister said The dairy forum is more important than ever, given the extraordinary challenge facing Ireland's agri-food sector in the wake of the UK's decision to leave the EU. Challenging times like these call for a strategic approach and vision. "This imperative was the driver behind the Food Wise strategy and its recommendations are more relevant now than ever," he said. On the market outlook for 2017, the Teagasc outlook for 2017 forecasts improved prices and incomes for dairy farmers. Commenting on this, the Minister said recent price trends have been positive but there is clearly no room for complacency. "While the medium term prospects for global dairy markets are good, the sector needs to work cohesively to deal with upcoming challenges such as price volatility and the effects of Brexit. "I have been working closely with my Northern Ireland counterpart, Michelle McIlveen, and my UK counterpart, Andrea Leadsom on these issues," the Minster said. The Minister also updated the Forum on recent measures to assist the dairy sector, including the new low-cost credit scheme to be rolled out by SBCI in the near future, as well as the advance payment of 1.2billion in 2016 BPS payments. Access to Finance was also discussed with an exchange of views with the main banks now a firm part of the agenda at each dairy forum. The forum also featured presentations from Bord Bia, who provided an update on the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS) and from Animal Health Ireland on the current position regarding the proposed Johnnes Programme. There was consensus among stakeholders that the SDAS was a critical factor in ensuring that Irish dairy products have access to premium markets, and that efforts should be made to encourage the small number of farmers still outside the scheme to engage with it. The Minister concluded Despite the recent prolonged global price trough, the long term fundamentals of the Irish dairy sector are sound. The priority now on foot of the emergent recovery is on the development of measures which can minimise the effects of such downward volatility in the future. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin and European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic have discussed energy problems in the run-up to Ukraine-EU-Russia trilateral negotiations. "Pavlo Klimkin has called on the European Commission to adhere to the principle of solidarity with Ukraine in preventing the construction of alternative gas pipelines bypassing Ukraine and in making decisions regarding the use of the already existing pipelines' resources," the Ukrainian mission to the EU said on Facebook on Wednesday. Sefcovic reaffirmed the European Commission's willingness to continue cooperation with Ukraine as a reliable transporter of gas to Europe. The first international agreement to cut oil production since 2001 could bolster the recovery in global dairy markets. Brent crude hit 53/barrel last week on the back of the deal involving the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia on oil production cuts. Crude oil futures jumped by 10pc and hit a 16-month high in the wake of the agreement, as analysts forecast that oil prices would fluctuate between $50 and $60/barrel through 2017. The accord hammered out between OPEC and Russia will see crude oil output reduced by 1.5m barrels a day. The deal is also good news for dairy and tillage farmers as a sustained lift in oil prices is traditionally mirrored by stronger grain and dairy commodity markets. While Teagasc research analyst Laurence Shalloo said it was too early to predict how markets would be impacted by the sharp lift in oil prices, he said it should help underpin the recovery in dairy commodities. Expand Close Teagasc's Laurence Shalloo addressing farmers during Greenfields Farm open day at Clara, Co Kilkenny. Photo: Roger Jones. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Teagasc's Laurence Shalloo addressing farmers during Greenfields Farm open day at Clara, Co Kilkenny. Photo: Roger Jones. "This will take time to work through, but it will have a positive effect," Shalloo said."When oil price goes up, grain prices go up, and then milk output falls in countries like the US which are dependent on grain for animal feed," he explained. Shalloo predicted that any reduction in US milk output would have a significant impact in global supplies of dairy produce as it is the only region in which output is currently increasing. He pointed out that milk production in South America was back 10-15pc, UK milk deliveries were down 5pc for the year to-date and 10pc on month-on-month basis, while New Zealand production was down 4.5pc for October. In contrast, US milk output increased by 2.7pc in October, Shalloo said. The lift in oil revenues will also change the dynamics of dairy markets, analysts predicted. Tighter supplies rather than increased demand has powered the recovery in global dairy commodity prices over the last four months. However, increased oil prices are expected to drive dairy sales across the Middle East, North Africa, and West Africa. Russia is also expected back in the market for dairy commodities once the additional oil revenues materialise. There were 185,000 flights out of Dublin Airport last year. DUBLIN Airport is now the fastest-growing major airport in Western Europe, according to latest figures from Eurostat. Latest statistics show that the capitals airport is now the 12th most popular hub for arrivals and departures in the entire EU. Significantly, passenger numbers in Dublin grew by 15pc last year, making it by far the fastest-growing airport in the EUs top 20. There were 185,000 flights out of the airport last year. Last year we were helped by a major growth in our transatlantic routes and that has hugely helped passenger numbers. That has continued this year and we have grown by 12pc of the first three-quarters of this year, said DAA communications chief Paul OKane. Dublin is now the fifth-largest hub for transatlantic flights in Europe. We now have a significant amount of people connecting from mainland Europe who are travelling to North America and vice-versa. The capitals airport had more than 24 million passengers last year, which takes it above Brussels, Stockholm, Lisbon and Manchester. London Heathrow was Europes most-used airport, with 75 million passengers. Paris Charles de Gaulle was second on the list with 65 million, while Frankfurt, home of the European Central Banks and a major economic hub in Germany, was third with just over 60m. The other airports in the top 10 were Amsterdam/Schipol, Madrid/Barajas, Munich, London/Gatwick, Rome/Fiumicino, Barcelona/El Prat and Paris/Orly. The most frequent flights between countries were between the UK and Spain, which accounted for 9.1pc of all air travel journeys within the EU, with almost 36m passengers. Travel between Spain and Germany was the next most popular route, with 25 million people making the journey, accounting for 6.3pc trips taken within the EU. The UK to Germany was the third most popular journey for EU travellers, with over 13m passengers. The statistics show that journeys between the UK and Ireland were the ninth most frequent in the EU, with 11.6m people making the trip. Trips to other European countries outside of the EU accounted for the most amount of external flights, with 127m passengers travelling to and from other European states. North America was the second most frequently used non-EU destination, with 65m arriving from or leaving for the US or Canada, accounting for 4.3pc of external trips. There were 12m trips to and from South America, while 41 million travellers made the journey between the EU and the Middle East. Surprisingly, the number of travellers coming to and going from Australia declined last year, with just 681,000 journeys. The countrys other airports are lagging well behind when it comes to air traffic. Cork is Irelands second-largest air travel destination, however the airport saw traffic decline slightly to two million last year. Traffic at Shannon airport rose to 1.7 million. Last month the airport announced that German carrier Lufthansa will operate a new route to Frankfurt from next year. This is a significant milestone for our airport and region by one of the worlds major airlines. Germany is Irelands third-largest source of visitors and the addition of this new Frankfurt service is great news for the Irish tourism industry, said Matthew Thomas, ceo of Shannon Group. The Slieve Russell hotel in Co Cavan returned to profit last year FORMER Sean Quinn hotel, the four-star Slieve Russell last year returned to profit to record pre-tax profits of 7.4m. Following the collapse of the Quinn empire, the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, formerly Anglo Irish Bank, assumed control of the Co Cavan hotel when a share receiver was appointed in April 2011. The share receiver continues to operate the hotel and new accounts filed by Slieve Russell Hotel Property show that the hotel recorded the pre-tax profits after revenues increased by 16pc, going from 12.52m to 14.56m in the 12 months to the end of December last. The chief factor was the reversal of a property impairment of 6.6m as the outlook for business has improved. According to the directors report, the hotel performed very well over the course of 2015 with an exceptionally high number of corporate and hospitality events managed by the hotel. The strong performance is attributed to excellent management team with oversight from the board, it says. The 7.4m pre-tax profit in 2015 followed the firm recording a modest 65,000 pre-tax loss in 2014. The directors state that the companys 2016 budget indicates that positive earnings will be achievable in 2016 and the company is expected to generate significant positive cash flows on its own account for the remainder of 2016 and 2017. The board state that it has continued its investment in the Slieve Russell property over the course of 2015. The firm recorded an operating profit of 8.27m last year. A note attached to the accounts show that 69m is payable to IBRC in liquidation. Businessman and political campaigner Declan Ganley's Rivada Networks has mounted a legal challenge in the US after it failed to make the shortlist for a massive federal telecoms contract. It comes just weeks after Rivada lost out on a Mexican contract to build a mobile telecom network there. In the US, Ireland's Rivada was one of three bids submitted in May this year for the federal government's $6.5bn (6.06bn) First Responder Network (FirstNet). This week it emerged that American telecoms giant AT&T is the only one of the three whose proposal has been deemed to fall inside a so-called "competitive range", set by the government. That range effectively determines a shortlist for the contract. With only one bidder left in the race, Rivada has now mounted a legal challenge to being left off the shortlist. The company said it has not been told the qualifying parameters. After filing a protest with a Federal Court, the Declan Ganley owned business will argue the decision to exclude it from the shortlist is "contrary to the facts and contrary to the law," a spokesman said In the meantime the US authorities have voluntarily agreed to hold off on formally awarding the contract until the case has been decided. That is due to happen in March next year, a spokesman for Rivada said. The news comes ahead of a decision due from a court in Mexico, where Rivada is seeking to have its unsuccessful bid for an unrelated contract there reinstated. At the start of last month, Rivada Networks filed papers with the federal court in the Mexican capital after being excluded from a race to secure the contract to build and operate the high-profile Red Compartida mobile coverage network on behalf of the state. Rivada was locked out of that race after authorities claimed it had failed to provide a $50m (46m) security on time and in the correct format. Rivada has insisted it had the finances in place. US communication networks firm Acacia has established its European headquarters in Limerick, creating 30 new jobs. The new premises, which will support sales, supply chain, and finance functions, will also oversee the company's business in the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific regions. Acacia said the new Irish base would improve its geographic diversity and make it easier for it to interact with customers and suppliers in the EMEA and APAC areas. Irelands highly-skilled workforce, expansive infrastructure and pro-business environment, specifically in the Limerick area, makes it an ideal location for Acacias EMEA-APAC headquarters, said Colm Cryan, managing director of Acacias Irish subsidiary. We are delighted to be here and appreciate the welcome that we have received from the local agencies and companies. The company develops and sells high-speed cohered optical interconnect products that are designed to improve the performance, capacity, and cost of communication networks. IDA chief executive Martin Shanahan welcomed Acacia. IDA is delighted to see this growing and highly innovative company establish its EMEA-APAC headquarters in Limerick. This investment represents a valuable addition to the telecommunications sector in Ireland. It also enhances Limericks reputation as an excellent location for high growth technology companies, which increases the potential for future such investment in the region." Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar has asked the Attorney General if he can intervene on behalf of the public interest in the pensions row between Independent News and Media and defined-benefit pension holders. Mr Varadkar said last night he has not spoken to INM directly but he has had discussions with the Attorney General and the chairman of the Pensions Authority, David Begg. The move by INM to stop contributions to its defined-benefit pension scheme was raised in the Dail and Seanad yesterday, with accusations that the company is leaving journalists "desolate" in their old age. If the payments stop it will result in the closure of the scheme, which has a deficit of 23m, and leave several hundred people with massively reduced pensions. "This does have to go to the High Court, because what the company is trying to do in restructuring its balance sheet requires the approval of the High Court," Mr Varadkar told RTE's 'Primetime'. "So I have asked the Attorney General if I can intervene on behalf of the public interest in this case to essentially ask the courts to do what was done previously in relation to Aer Lingus, for example, where the company would have to engage and negotiate with the trustees." The Pensions Authority is to review the operation of certain pensions schemes amid claims INM has exposed "a gap in the law". Taoiseach Enda Kenny admitted there was "no law, no legislation governing this, in respect of Ireland". He noted that there were laws in place when a company went insolvent - but that was not the case here. INM, which publishes this newspaper, last night said it was "engaged in a discussion process with the trustees of the company's pension schemes". A spokesperson said he could not comment on the nature of those talks but the company would continue to make a "significant annual ordinary contribution of 3m" to a defined contribution (DC) scheme. "Furthermore, the existing funding proposal contributions to the defined-benefit scheme, of circa 8m per annum from 2013 to 2023, will continue to be paid." Workers affected will be transferred to the DC scheme after INM "reached the necessary conclusion that the interest of members would be better served if the resources available to provide for pensions were directed towards the company's DC scheme where they can be specifically allocated to the retirement savings accounts of individual members". The company said this would lead to "a far more sustainable pension arrangement, more equitable outcomes between members generally, and most importantly will give all members greater security and control over their pension savings". The statement came after Mr Varadkar revealed the Pension Authority would now invite the trustees of the INM scheme to discuss the row. Mr Varadkar has also raised the issue with the Attorney General, but a spokesperson said: "While the law is under constant review, any changes could not be retro-active". In the Dail, Fianna Fail's Willie O'Dea questioned whether it was acceptable that "a solvent, profitable company in this country can change and close down a defined benefit pension scheme on a whim - to the detriment of their pensioners and deferred pensioners and there is no provision in Irish law to deal with it". The Social Democrats' Catherine Murphy said: "There's an urgency about this and other companies doing exactly the same thing. Taoiseach, do you not see that there is a need for urgent legislation in respect of this gap in the law?" In reply, Mr Kenny said that the last submissions filed by defined benefit schemes with the Pensions Authority show that more than 60pc meet the standard required while the remaining schemes had recovery plans. The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has expressed reservations about significant amounts of financial assistance rendered to Ukraine. The assistance program from 2007 to present has resulted in limited results, according to a statement of EU financial observers released on Wednesday. Prior to 2014 the reason for the low effectiveness of assistance from the European Union (EU) was the lack of desire to conduct reforms by the Ukrainian government. Following events on Independence Square some progress was made, however the results of the new EUR 11.2 billion assistance package remains tenuous, Germany's public broadcaster Deutsche Welle said, citing ECA research. One negative factor, excluding the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, financial observers name is the strong influence of oligarchs on Ukrainian politics and the economy. "The experts say the battle against corruption in Ukraine is taking place in fits and starts, inasmuch as the criminal justice system is not sufficiently independent from the government, and oligarchs have influence over political parties," the ECA statement says. In connection with the insufficient successes in the battle against corruption the overall assistance package is in jeopardy," the statement says. Scandinavian airline Norwegian is exploring "further opportunities for expansion in Ireland" after securing a US permit that will enable its low-cost Dublin-based Norwegian Air International (NAI) subsidiary to fly between Europe and America. But Norwegian Air International (NAI) said that it's focused on launching services to Boston and New York from Cork and Shannon. It confirmed that its Cork-Boston route will start in time for summer 2017. It said yesterday that the service from Cork will be daily, with the routes operated by crews from two new bases in the US, and European bases. The fact the airline is looking at other opportunities here, intensifies speculation that it could also size up services from Dublin, where it would take on carriers including IAG-owned Aer Lingus, American Airlines, United and Delta. Ireland West Airport Knock also supported NAI's push to get a permit from US authorities. "With final approvals now in place we have the green light to finalise our exciting plans for new low-cost transatlantic routes from Ireland," said Norwegian ceo Bjorn Kjos. "We are delighted to offer these long-awaited services which will create huge business, leisure and tourism opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic." He added that "detailed planning work" started immediately after receiving the permit last week. "I can promise passengers that our flights from Cork and Shannon will be focused on making transatlantic travel affordable for all, with low-cost fares and a high-quality service," he said. Norwegian said that fares prices on the new service will be confirmed in the New Year. But it noted that it already flies from several European cities to Boston, with fares for about 250 (296) return. "Similar routes from Ireland are expected to match these prices and, with the new aircraft Norwegian is taking delivery of next year, fares are set to be even lower," according to the airline. NAI had spent over two years trying to secure a permit from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to allow it to fly between Europe and America. Despite the DOT having granted tentative approval earlier this year, the process had stalled. That resulted in the European Commission saying that it would seek arbitration in the matter and warning that the failure to issue the permit under the EU-US Open Skies Agreement could damage wider trade relations between the two regions. But last Friday evening, the DOT unexpectedly said it was formally granting the permit to NAI. More people are taking out loans with credit unions, while there has been a rise in the amount of money saved with the member-owned institutions. The rise in lending comes after loan books shrunk during the worst of the downturn. Lending is seen as a key measure of the financial health of the sector, as loans are the main offering of credit unions. There was a rise of 216m to 3.76bn in the value of loans issued to members in the past year. Lending has now risen in the majority of credit unions in five of the last six quarters, according to the Irish League of Credit Unions, the main representative body for the sector. Some 192 credit unions saw their loan books increase. There are now 281 credit unions in the Republic affiliated to the league, down from 375 in 2013. This follows a spate of mergers. The amount of money saved in these institutions has shot up to 12bn, figures for the year up to September show. Chief executive of the league Ed Farrell said more loans were being issued due to stronger demand, more marketing, and an easing of Central Bank-imposed lending restrictions. Most loans are for home improvements, with lending also for cars and education. The average loan size has risen slightly to 6,300. The member credit unions of the league also saw their assets grow by 1bn last year to 14.4bn. Mr Farrell said league credit unions collectively have 888m more in reserves than they are required to hold by regulators. Just two credit unions that are members of the league have reserves below the 10pc required by the Central Bank. These two are understood to be in Munster. Both are set to be merged, and financially supported by the league's rescue fund, the Savings Protection Scheme, to bring their reserves up to required levels. Arrears on loans have fallen to 329m, but when savings pledged against these loans are included the net arrears figure is 250m. Mr Farrell denied there were any more rogue credit unions like Rush, the north County Dublin lender that was wound up by order of the High Court. "There are no more like Rush. The Central Bank has clarified that. There is no other credit union about to wind-up due to irregular behaviour," he said. The league is pushing ahead with plans for credit unions to offer members mortgages. A pilot study involving 40 to 50 of the biggest credit unions is set to roll out next year. The plan is to have a central body that would assess applicants, underwrite the loans and service the mortgages. The mortgages would be held on the balance sheets of individual credit unions. The new arrangement would have to be approved by the Central Bank. Credit unions are also looking at developing a similar model for lending to small and medium-sized businesses, with a link-up with the Strategic Investment likely. Mr Farrell said discussions were on-going with the Housing Department about credit unions lending some of the 10bn they have in assets. Mr Farrell said an initial 1bn could be lent for social housing projects. By the end of last year, DoneDeal was attracting over 600,000 visitors on average to its website each day. Stock image REVENUES and earnings at the firm behind DoneDeal are expected to increase significantly this year its ceo has said, as new accounts revealed the company made a modest loss last year of 2,250. The reduced pre-tax losses at the firm came as the gross profit increased by 1m or more than 10pc to go from 9.5m to 10.5m. New accounts show that the online classified website firm paid 2.8m to its shareholders as revenues continued to increase. In 2015 DoneDeal saw 2.53 million ads on their site with an average of 211,000 ads per month, representing an increase of over 33pc on 2014 figures. By the end of last year, DoneDeal was attracting over 600,000 visitors on average to its website each day. We expect to see significant growth in terms of both revenue and Earnings Before Interest, Depreciation, Tax and Interest (EBITDA) in 2016, and this will continue to grow into 2017 and beyond, said ceo John Warburton. We have made considerable investments in both product and technology. This is extremely important for us so we can continually enhance the experience our customers receive. Numbers employed last year increased from 46 to 56 as staff costs went up from 2.82m to 3.6m. The firm said that 2015 proved to be another exceptional year for DoneDeal in terms of traffic growth and adverts placed on the site. A strategic joint venture announcement in 2015 saw DoneDeal join forces with Daft.ie and Adverts.ie to create Distilled SCH. DoneDeal was established in 2004 by Fred and Geraldine Karlsson. Today, it is owned by Norwegian firm, the Schibsted Media. Boeing has responded to President-elect Donald Trumps after he criticised the company over the cost of a new Air Force One plane, allegedly worth more than $4bn. The aircraft manufacturer revealed that its current contract with the Air Force is actually for $170m. Earlier in a tweet, Mr Trump said costs for the new plane were expected to reach $4bn and called for the order to be cancelled. Boeing shares fell just under 1 per cent minutes after the tweet down from $152.16 to $149.75 per share. The company later recovered those losses and ended the session about flat. We are currently under contract for $170m to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serves the unique requirements of the President of the United States, Boeing said in statement. We look forward to working with the US Air Force on subsequent phases of the program to deliver the best planes for the president at the best value for the American taxpayer, the company added. Boeing won a contact in January to start working on a new fleet of government aircraft. Boeing says it only has a $170MIL contract with the US Air Force nothing about a $4BIL deal that Trump tweeted. pic.twitter.com/gsgaEnme07 Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) December 6, 2016 Read More Commenting on Mr Trump's tweet, Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace analyst at Teal Group told Bloomberg: "This is what an Air Force One costs," "There have been no cost overruns. The ability to fly the president during a war is fundamentally expensive." Mr Trump's tweet about Boeing comes days after chief executive officer Dennis Muilenburg called on him and Congress to ensure that US companies have the tools to compete in a global economy. Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters that Mr Trump's remarks "do not appear to reflect arrangements" made between the aircraft manufacturer, Boeing, and the US Air Force. He added that Americans would expect that future presidents would benefit from upgrades to Air Force One. The budgeted costs for the Air Force One replacement program are $2.87 bn for the fiscal years 2015 through 2021, according to budget documents. However, the production contract has not yet been awarded to Boeing. In September, Boeing won approval from the US government to sell 109 planes worth $17.6bn to Iran Air. Previously, Boeing and other American companies had been restricted from doing business with Iran due to US sanctions against the country. Beppe Grillo (centre), the founder of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, stands with Romes Mayor Virginia Raggi and Luigi Di Maio during a march in support of the No vote Italy is preparing a state bailout for Monte dei Paschi di Siena as the bank's hopes of being saved by private funding fade following Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's decision to quit, according to sources. One source said a government decree authorising the deal could be rushed through as early as this weekend. Monte dei Paschi must raise 5bn by the end of December to avert the risk of being wound down, but investors are reluctant to provide cash after Renzi lost a referendum on Sunday and announced plans to resign. He is expected to leave office in days and could be replaced by his economy minister or another leading politician. But an early election might be held next year, raising fears among investors that a maverick, anti-euro party, the Five-Star Movement, could come to power. Italy is likely to pump government money into Monte dei Paschi under a so-called precautionary recapitalisation, three sources familiar with the situation said, to prevent the bank failing and triggering a wider banking crisis. Such a crisis could destabilise the whole bank sector, burdened by 360bn of bad loans, and inflict heavy losses on ordinary Italians who hold junior bonds in the Tuscan bank. The bank's chief executive, Marco Morelli, was in Frankfurt yesterday for talks with the European Central Bank, other sources said. Monte dei Paschi, rated the weakest lender in European stress tests this summer, had planned to arrange a private rescue, starting with a firm commitment from one or more anchor investors and then launching a share sale this week. However, sources close to the matter said on Monday that investment banks lined up to underwrite that plan, led by JPMorgan and Mediobanca, had in effect put the deal on hold because of the political uncertainty. Under a pre-underwriting deal, they can drop the transaction because of adverse market conditions. One source said they would make a decision by Friday but that the chances of the deal going ahead were now slim. Monte dei Paschi had pinned its hopes on 1bn from Qatar's cash-rich sovereign wealth fund. But bankers close to the deal said the fund and other potential investors wanted to wait to see what kind of government would succeed Renzi. Italy's head of state on Monday asked Renzi to put his resignation on hold until the 2017 budget is approved by parliament, which could happen as early as today. That, in turn, has led to a delay in the formation of a new government. An injection of state cash into Monte dei Paschi would entail losses for institutional investors who hold Monte dei Paschi's junior debt, in line with European rules on dealing with banking crises. (Reuters) Japanese tech billionaire Masayoshi Son has pledged to invest $50bn in the US and create 50,000 jobs after meeting president-elect Donald Trump. "I just came to celebrate his new job," Mr Son said. "I said, 'This is great, the US will become great again'." Mr Son is the founder and chief executive of SoftBank, one of Japan's largest technology outfits, which owns the US mobile carrier Sprint. Sprint shares initially spiked after the announcement. Son left Trump Tower after being escorted down the elevator by the president-elect, who touted the pledge before waiting investors. The announcement is the latest instance in which Trump appears to be conducting economic policy via ad-hoc deal-making - and sometimes taking credit whether he deserves it or not. Trump quickly took credit for Son's commitment, writing on Twitter: "Masa said he would never do this had we (Trump) not won the election!" Financial details about the commitment and its timeframe remain unclear despite requests to Softbank. This Irish man wasn't letting anything stop him from getting into the pub at the weekend. Ruairi Brannigan, from Co Down, headed to An Sibin Irish Pub in Perth for a few drinks on Sunday, but he had a bit of a problem with getting in. This was because he was wearing flip flops, which are against the pub's dress code. However, Ruairi improvised and came up with a way that he could get into the pub without having to go home first - by going to a nearby shop and buying a pair of women's pumps. A photo of Ruairi in the dainty shoes was shared to the pub's Facebook page, with people taking to the comments to praise his dedication to the "Sunday sesh." "When you really wanna get into the pub but you have thongs (flip flops) on," reads the post. "Things people do for the Sunday sesh." Following Ruairi's show of dedication, now no excuses we make for not going out coming up to Christmas will be valid! Ant and Dec were left stunned when Stephen Hawking emailed to insist he "enjoyed" their controversial sketch about him. The Geordie duo were poking fun at Gogglebox's Scarlett Moffatt's revelation on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! that she had emailed a time travelling theory to the professor, who suffers from motor neurone disease (MND). Pretending to call up the professor to ask him what he thought of Scarlett's musings, an electronic voice pretending to be Stephen, who talks using a speech synthesiser, answered that he thought it was a rubbish theory. But while some viewers found the gag hilarious, others were offended by what they considered the mocking of Hawking. Expand Close Professor Stephen Hawking / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Professor Stephen Hawking However, in a new interview, the presenting pair admitted Hawking dropped them a line and said he hadn't taken offence to the jibe. "We got an email from Stephen Hawking after that," Dec revealed. "He said he enjoyed her thoughts on the pyramids and enjoyed the sketch that we did in the studio. So that was a highlight." "He didn't believe (Scarlett's theory) but he loved it!" Ant added. The sketch came after Scarlett admitted during a campfire chat with Olympian Sam Quek that she had once sent Stephen an email explaining her theory about travelling in time. "In order to travel back in time we have to go faster than the speed of light. The speed of light is like 319 and then loads of numbers, it's exactly the same latitude point as the tip of the Great Pyramid," Scarlett told Sam. "So I think the pyramids are from the future, I think someone from the future realised we would need them and went back in time and built them." However, when Lisa Snowdon asked Scarlett if she had actually sent the theory to Hawking, the brunette replied: "Well, I was trying to look for his email address but it was a Hotmail account so I'm not too sure it's real." First International Forum of Corporate Directors: Transparent system of corporate governance will improve efficiency of state companies Corporate governance reform is aimed at making the Ukrainian economy more efficient, while transparency, independence and high standards of corporate governance in private companies should set an example for the public sector, according to participants in the first International Forum of Corporate Directors held in Kyiv on December 6. The chairman of the Professional Association of Corporate Governance, which organized the conference, Oleksandr Okunev, noted the law on corporate governance that came into force in June 2016 obliged state-owned companies to set up supervisory councils and involve independent directors in them. "The supervisory council in state-owned companies makes sense, first of all, as protection against political influence," member of the nomination committee under the government and director of the Center for Economic Strategy Andriy Boitsun said. According to the speakers, the work of the newly created supervisory boards of state-owned companies, first of all, should be based on the principles of openness and transparency that will ensure their attractiveness for potential investors. "The companies, in which the corporate governance system is based on the principles of transparency, accountability, commitment to responsible investment and strict adherence to ESG principles, have a higher capitalization, are more attractive for investment," the member of the supervisory boards of DTEK Energy B.V., DTEK Renewables B.V., the independent director of DTEK, the managing partner of Iveaghouse Capital Investment Advisors, Johan Bastin, said. He said it is very important for foreign investors whether the corporate structure of the company corresponds to the international standards of transparency and accountability. "Investors highly appreciate companies working according to international standards, with clear financial statements," Bastin said. "Our 68 companies work in seven jurisdictions. Without compliance with international rules and principles of corporate governance it would be impossible to attract foreign loan capital on acceptable terms," the corporate secretary, the head of the DTEK corporate governance department, Oleksiy Povolotsky, said. Nova Poshta, MHP and Naftogaz Ukrainy also shared their experience in setting up and work of boards of directors. During the discussion Deputy Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Marina Petrov noted that, despite the difficult situation in the Ukrainian economy, companies, including state ones, should invest in corporate governance as this is extremely important in terms of long-term planning, development prospects and significantly simplifies access to external financing. The average price of a standard stamp in Europe is 93c but is as high as 2.20 in Denmark and as low as 59c in Spain (Stock image) Revenues at An Post are estimated to be boosted by as much as 40m as a result of postage cost hikes to take place in the new year. The Cabinet has approved plans to repeal the law that prevents the semi-state company increasing its prices, due to what Communications Minister Denis Naughten described as "the very difficult financial situation" facing An Post. Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae, a postmaster himself, branded the planned price rises - that will see standard stamps go from 72c to between 90c and 1 - as "outrageous". "I think it's a way of pricing yourself out of the market at a time when you're competing with modern technology and email," he said. An Post chief executive David McRedmond said the decision to raise prices was not taken lightly. He said that "nobody likes putting the price up" but added that "we have to make sure our business is viable and this is necessary. We wouldn't do it otherwise". The average price of a standard stamp in Europe is 93c but is as high as 2.20 in Denmark and as low as 59c in Spain. It's understood the planned hikes will increase An Post revenues by between an estimated 30m and 40m. An Post's losses for 2016 have been put at between 12m and 15m and the company expects losses next year to be "much greater". The company put this down to the global trend of "e-substitution" for postal mail and a statement said "these losses are not sustainable". Mr Naughten said that An Post had hired consultants McKinsey & Company to "undertake a root and branch review" to identify structural changes necessary to restore the company to "a sound financial footing". He said no price changes would happen until legislation is enacted in the new year, and the move was necessary to maintain the current standard of the service. Fianna Fail TD Timmy Dooley said a stamp price rise was not the answer to An Post's longer term challenges and the company needed to develop a long-term business plan. Mr Redmond agreed the price increase was "not a panacea". He said such increases had already been made by other European postal services but that Ireland would still be one of the most affordable countries. He said: "A stamp costing less than a euro can get a letter from Glenties to Cork overnight. That is a very good value service and I've no doubt that people will continue using it." Businessman Denis O'Brien is seeking to influence the freedom of future debate in the Oireachtas, the High Court has heard. Dail debate would be stifled if Mr O'Brien won his case, as anyone who sues to prevent the publication of material would be able to "put the Oireachtas on notice", it was claimed. The arguments were put forward by Maurice Collins SC, representing the Attorney General and the State, on the fifth day of Mr O'Brien's action over comments by two TDs who revealed his banking arrangements in the Dail. The telecoms and media tycoon is seeking declarations from the High Court that the TDs interfered in injunction proceedings he took against RTE in May last year. At the time, Mr O'Brien secured an injunction blocking the broadcaster from revealing details of his banking arrangements with IBRC. But he claims those proceedings were usurped when Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy and Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty divulged the information at issue in the Dail. Mr O'Brien has sued a Dail committee, the Clerk of the Dail and the State, asking the court to censure the two TDs and declare that a committee which absolved them of any wrongdoing erred in its findings. In oral legal submissions yesterday, Mr Collins said the court was being asked "to delineate what could and could not be said in future Oireachtas debates in the Dail and the Seanad". He said the court was being "asked to create a form of prohibited parliamentary speech" and to say that the mere issuing of a writ creates "a zone" restricting parliamentary privilege. He claimed the case taken by Mr O'Brien involved "a series of superficially skilful subterfuges and sidesteps". The barrister said the court was being asked to fall down "a wormhole into Wonderland" where words mean what Mr O'Brien and his counsel, Michael Cush SC, says they mean. Mr Collins said the court was being asked to find that constitutional provisions did not mean what they say. He said the "powerful non-amenability" to the courts which TDs enjoy in relation to comments in the Dail was there "for the people" and a "cornerstone of democracy". It protected parliaments and deputies, freeing the legislature from shackles which would apply in respect of comments outside the Oireachtas. Mr O'Brien had acknowledged his proceedings were seeking judicial condemnation for Ms Murphy and Mr Doherty, he said. But Mr Collins said Mr O'Brien could not seek for the court to censure the two TDs. "No authority outside the Oireachtas is empowered to pass judgment on what has been said by a member in the House," he said. "No authority outside the Oireachtas is empowered to say what can or cannot be said by a member of the House." Earlier, counsel for the Dail Committee on Procedure and Privilege (CPP), Michael Collins SC said Mr O'Brien's legal action was effectively asking a judge to "draw a line" on the floor of the Dail and tell TDs they could not go beyond it. He said Mr O'Brien was asking Ms Justice Una Ni Raifeartaigh to "take over the role" of the committee. Mr O'Brien had said one of the reasons he had brought the case was that he wanted the court to reprimand the TDs for their comments, because the CPP had not done so. The case continues. Businessman Denis OBrien has no basis under the Constitution for his case against the state, a defence lawyer has argued. Maurice Collins SC also told the High Court that Mr O Brien thought comments made about his banking arrangements by two TDs in the Dail were a Constitutional Coup dEtat. Mr Collins SC, who represents the Attorney General and the State, was speaking today in response to Mr O'Brien's continuing case which is also against the Dail Committee on Privileges and Procedure, and the Clerk of The Dail. Mr Collins said Michael Cush SC, for Mr OBrien, had conceded earlier that he could not set up the plaintiffs personal rights against Article 15 of the Constitution and get around the Article, which covers parliamentary privilege. How then is the right of access (to the courts) one that creates a right vis-a-vis the CPP as it discharges its functions (under Article 15)? Mr Collins said. He asked, if a TD speaking in the Dail could not be restrained by Mr OBriens right of access to the court, how could the plaintiff rely on the same right to dictate the approach taken by the CPP. Mr Collins said the only rights Mr OBrien could assert were his personal rights and if these rights yielded as they must to Article 15 of the Constitution, then he was left with no basis for his claim. He said Dail members were amenable only to the House itself and matters were only delegated to the CPP. Mr Collins then referred to Mr OBriens injunction application against RTE that had been pending when one of the TDs - Catherine Murphy of the Social Democrats - made her comments. It would be entirely illogical to say that rights that are excluded in relation to utterances in the Dail suddenly come back to life as a result of a complaint being made, Mr Collins said. If the plaintiffs case was correct and it was only a matter of issuing a writ that did not name individual deputies but named rather the Clerk of the House to overcome Article 15 then why do we need the pending proceedings at all? he asked. Mr Collins said if this was correct then you can bring proceedings directly against the Oireachtas and you can look in an appropriate case for an injunction, which may not be as bullet proof as one against individual deputies, but would have the effect of restricting parliamentary speech. That is what this plaintiff is saying, Mr Collins argued. That you can do all of these things, and the reliance on pending proceedings is all a puff of smoke, a red herring you can do this without ever having gone to court. Referring to a point from case law, Mr Collins said it was a tribute to Mr OBriens self-regard that he thinks statements made by two TDs which offended him and which he thinks disclosed his private banking information is the Constitutional equivalent of a coup dEtat. The action arises out of statements by Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy and Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty in the Dail in May and June 2015 about his banking affairs. At the time, Mr OBrien was involved in injunction proceedings against RTE, to stop the station from broadcasting banking information. But the court had heard Dail statements made by the two TDs had the effect of putting all of the information at issue in the injunction proceedings into the public domain. Lawyers for Mr OBrien have claimed the TDs were guilty of an unwarranted interference in the RTE case, and had disregarded the constitutional separation of powers between parliament and the courts. Mr OBrien has not sued the two TDs. Instead his action is against the Clerk of the Dail, the State and a Dail committee which cleared the two TDs of any wrongdoing. He is not seeking damages, but wants a declaration his rights were breached. He also wants declarations that the courts had the exclusive right to determine the outcome of the proceedings with RTE, that the substantial effect of the TDs comments was to decide the outcome of that case, and that their interference was unwarranted. Mr OBrien also wants the court to declare that the Dail Committee on Procedures and Privileges made an error when it cleared the TDs of any wrongdoing. The claims are denied by the defendants. Responding to the defence this afternoon, Eileen Barrington SC for Mr OBrien said the case was about Constitutional balance. This is a case that is about equilibrium - the equilibrium provided in the Constitution, and the case law envisages the role of the court in maintaining and achieving that equilibrium, she said. The defences position does not give sufficient recognition to the role of the courts in giving effect to that equilibrium, or the counterweight Article 34 of the Constitution, covering the power of the courts, gives to Article 15 (13), she argued. In doing that they are skewing the balance and not giving the court the full perspective that is required, she said. Ms Barrington said she found it difficult to see how there had not been in effect a determination of Mr OBriens original case arising from the utterances of the TDs. It had been argued by the defendants that there could never be a determination of proceedings by the exercise of free speech in the Dail, Ms Barrington said. She contended that from the perspective of the litigant, there was no material difference between a piece of legislation that says Mr OBrien is not entitled to confidentiality of his banking affairs and the disclosure of this information. It has the exact same effect, she said. Addressing the issue of the separation of powers, Ms Justice Ni Raifeartaigh asked Ms Barrington what gave her the standing to rely on this if you are not relying on personal access to the courts? The two are somewhat merged together, Ms Barrington said. If we have a right that is allied to or flows from a Constitutional imperative, we can say that Constitutional imperative has been breached. It would be wrong to think that the two are hermetically sealed off from each other. Ms Barrington turned to the question of whether Article 15 (13) of the Constitution (covering parliamentary privilege) is engaged at all. She said it was accepted that the Article conferred an important privilege which was described as an ouster of jurisdiction. What was also true, she continued, was that every statement about this point in case law was accompanied by a statement that it must be narrowly construed. It is a fundamental factor in our arguments because the defendants are arguing for the broadest possible interpretation, she said. It was argued by the defence to be something that not only prevents you looking at what happens in parliament but also captures the work of the CPP as well, Ms Barrington said. The case continues tomorrow. A Belfast man has gone on trial charged with kicking his partner off a first floor bay windowsill as she tried to escape him, and causing unnecessary suffering to her eight-month-old pup. (Stock photo) A Belfast man has gone on trial charged with kicking his partner off a first floor bay windowsill as she tried to escape him, and causing unnecessary suffering to her eight-month-old pup. It is the Crown's case that a drunken Joseph Henry Smyth (32), from Hillhead Cottages on Shaws Road, attacked his then-girlfriend in her home at Tate's Avenue in south Belfast before forcing her off the windowsill. He is also accused of grabbing her miniature schnauzer and throwing the dog both against a wall and then down a flight of stairs. The 28-year-old woman sustained an 8cm wound to her head that required staples, a fractured hand and broken nose. Smyth denies attacking her and causing her grievous bodily harm with intent, causing her dog suffering and assaulting police. He has made the case that on the day in question, Monday September 14, 2015, the woman was under the influence of drugs, worked herself into a rage which included throwing things about, and that she fell off the windowsill. Prosecuting barrister Robin Steer said it was the Crown's case that Smyth attacked his partner after drinking beer and vodka. Revealing that last September the couple had been together for a couple of months, Mr Steer told Belfast Crown Court that Smyth called to the woman's home at around 2pm, with the alleged assault occurring at around 9pm. He said that after being told by the woman that he had to leave as she was going to college the next morning, Smyth "flipped". The woman claimed that when the dog hit the front door, Smyth laughed. She added that she was able to get into the living room and managed to put the dog out the living room window to safety before claiming she was trailed up the stairs by the hair by Smyth. While on the first floor of the house, it is the Crown's case that Smyth beat the woman around the head with a vacuum cleaner pipe as well as punching her in the face and head. She claimed she managed to get onto a windowsill on the first floor to try and escape by levering herself down a drainpipe, but that Smyth appeared, told her "I will help you" then kicked her off the windowsill, causing her to fall onto the pavement below. The alarm was raised and the woman was rushed to A&E for treatment. While there, police searched the house, but found no one in the property. However, after an officer standing outside the address noticed a light go on and off, a dog handler team went back inside, and Smyth was located hiding under bedding in the hotpress. When he was interviewed the following day Smyth made a "no comment" response to police questions, but denied the offences via his solicitor. An excessive level of sedatives was there in "black and white" in the post-mortem report of a severely disabled child and could not be avoided, the lead investigator has told the trial of a GP accused of manslaughter. Inspector Ger Glavin has said gardai were not "blinkered" on how the child had died. Bernadette Scully (58) is charged with unlawfully killing her daughter Emily Barut (11) at their home at Emvale, Bachelor's Walk, Tullamore, Co Offaly, on September 15, 2012, by an act of gross negligence, involving the administration of an excessive quantity of the sedative Chloral Hydrate. Dr Scully has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court and the prosecution has now closed its case. Emily was born with microcephaly and cerebral palsy as well as severe epilepsy. The trial has heard she had the mental age of a six-month-old and could not speak or sit upright. Under cross examination by the defence, Inspector Glavin was asked if gardai had ever asked about alternative causes of death. Inspector Glavin said it was a consideration but there were excessive amounts of chloral hydrate administered and that had to be investigated. Asked if gardai were "closed off to other possibilities", he said: "It is there in black and white" in the pathologist's report, while Dr Scully had also referred to administrating the sedative in her voluntary interview. Mr Fogarty pointed out that the State Pathologist said there was evidence of a possible terminal seizure having occurred that day but Inspector Glavin said this was "not definitive". "The gardai did not enter the interview room blinkered as to chloral hydrate being everything," he said. "As an investigator and interviewer, I could not ignore the figures Dr Scully produced during interview and also the figures produced in the toxicology report." He also agreed that gardai had not requested screening for any other substances even though Emily had been on 13 different medications, explaining this decision had been left to the experts. Meanwhile, consultant neuropathologist Dr Francesca Brett told the trial that there was evidence of scarring in the brain from a long history of seizures and of more acute recent damage in samples she had tested following Emily's death. She explained that she had found 'red, dead neurons' which were an indicator found in people who had survived some six to eight hours after a severe seizure. It was put to her by Mr Fogarty that she had said in her report that this "may reflect a seizure terminally", however Dr Brett replied that she meant a seizure in the last few hours and "not at the end". The trial continues. A brother of the late Cathriona White and a decorated war hero has pleaded guilty to two assaults arising from a photograph taken at his sister's funeral. James White (32), who received the Military Cross from Queen Elizabeth II in 2011 for his heroism in Afghanistan, had his sentencing adjourned at Thurles District Court. Mr White of Cappawhite, Co Tipperary pleaded guilty to two assaults arising from an incident in November 2015. Judge Elizabeth MacGrath heard that the assaults, on two brothers at an address in Tipperary, arose from photographs taken at the funeral of his sister, Cathriona White (30), in October 2015. Ms White was the former girlfriend of Jim Carrey and there was substantial media coverage of her funeral in Cappawhite. Judge MacGrath said the incidents were at the lower end of the scale and she proposed dealing with the matter through the restorative justice programme. Expand Close Cathriona White / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cathriona White "Life is too short for people to be going around with a level of fear that could be abated and might be abated," the judge said. The defence solicitor said his client would support such an option. Judge MacGrath adjourned the matter until February 28 next to allow the restorative justice option to be explored. Mr White's sister Cathriona died in Los Angeles in September 2015. She had been involved in an intermittent relationship with Hollywood actor, Jim Carrey, the star of such films as 'The Mask' and 'Bruce Almighty'. After Ms White apparently took her own life, Mr Carrey flew to Tipperary to support the White family during funeral arrangements in October 2015. He also carried her coffin. Mr Carrey said at the time that Cathriona was "a beautiful person", but he has since been the focus of legal action from Ms White's former husband. Cathriona's brother James was unable to join the Defence Forces in the early 2000s and, at the urging of his late father, Pat, decided to move to the UK and join the British army. He served with the Parachute Regiment and reached the rank of Lance Corporal, receiving the Military Cross in 2011 for "multiple acts of bravery". He received his Military Cross from Queen Elizabeth II in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. A mother on trial, charged with the manslaughter of her profoundly disabled daughter by giving her too much sedative, has said she loved the child more than life itself and denied writing a suicide note before her death. Bernadette Scully said she wrote the note after the child had passed away. She was giving evidence in her defence yesterday on the seventh day of her trial. The Offaly GP is charged with unlawfully killing 11-year-old Emily Barut, who was profoundly disabled, 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 Saturday September 15th, 2012. The 58-year-old has pleaded not guilty and is on trial at the Central Criminal Court. Expand Close Bernadette Scully (58) arrives at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin Pic Collins Courts / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bernadette Scully (58) arrives at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin Pic Collins Courts Ms Scully testified that she had IVF treatment and suffered two miscarriages before becoming pregnant with Emily. Emily didnt cry when she was born but the doctor told her she had a lovely, quiet, baby girl. Emily had difficulty feeding and when she was two weeks old, she fell asleep and wouldnt wake up. Ms Scully drove her to hospital in Dublin; her husband didnt drive. She said she fell into the arms of the doctor she met in Crumlin and began crying. Measurements were taken and tests carried out. It was awful to watch her going through that, she said. A doctor then showed her a centile graph for measurements. Expand Close Doctor Bernadette Scully arrives at court Picture: Collins Courts / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Doctor Bernadette Scully arrives at court Picture: Collins Courts Emily was about this much below the graph, she said, indicating with her figures. I fell back into the seat and I just said: Oh, my God, she recalled. When I saw it, I could understand. Another doctor told her that Emilys head was significantly small. He said: Shell have severe mental retardation. Shell probably develop epilepsy. She may not walk. She may not talk. She may have difficulty hearing. This all just came out just like this. He said a few more words and he just left, she recalled. He came back into the cubicle and he said: I mean severe retardation, not mild, she continued. My world just fell apart I just said: You dont know. Shes too small. You cant know all that. She described the following years with Emily, including her development of epilepsy and having 30 to 50 small fits a day at one stage. She was asked about the hours leading up to her death on that Saturday. She said she had been off work for six months, but had returned to work shortly before Emily died. The Friday was her second day back. She said that Emily went to sleep around 9 that night and Ms Scully went to sleep in the bed beside her around 11 or 12. She woke at 2, upset, crying. It was building up to a crescendo, she recalled. I got her in beside me, massaged her, walked around a bit with her She liked to have her head in my chest. She said she couldnt settle her, and she was beginning to cry louder and louder. I said I'd have to help her rest, she said. She said she didn't want to give chloral hydrate, which she kept for emergencies, without having tried other things. She said she gave it to her at that stage and Emily fell asleep. She explained that she had given her a 10 ml syringeful, holding one up in the witness box. I didnt sleep after that. I cried. I just felt so sorry for the poor little thing, she said. It was hard to sleep when shed be in beside you but she just needed warmth. She said that Emily was whimpering in her sleep and woke and again around 6, and was really upset. She was sort of stiffening a little as well. You might have said she was fitting at the same time, she said. She was crying and distressed. She said that on that night the cry was like that of a baby with colic, who couldn't be consoled. She said she did all the ordinary things again to try to comfort her. Ordinary things didn't do anything for Emily. They wouldnt stop it. The consultants couldnt stop it, she said. I gave her some more chloral hydrate. I think it was about 7 mls. Ms Scully said that she herself had been crying. I wasnt able to help her, she said. I could cure everybody else and I couldnt help Emily. She said that some time after 11am, Emily started to cry loudly again and she had again tried to comfort her. It was just relentless, she said. Youd have a pain in your brain. I was so tired, I thought, what else can i do? She let out a really odd shout out of her. Her little body arched back, she said. She really started to stiffen and jerk. The bed was shaking. That wasnt normal for Emily. She said she was subconsciously ticking off all the medicines she couldn't give her because she couldnt tolerate them. She said she remembered what a consultant had said said about chloral hydrate being an anticonvulsive, as well as a sedative. It wasnt a normal fit. It just wasnt and it wasnt stopping, she continued. Her little face was contorted. I didnt know what was going on. She said she would usually have someone with her when giving chloral hydrate but her partner had gone to her nephews memorial service. I took the bottle with me and i gave her 10 mls and waited a few minutes, she said. The seizure continued all the time. Youd think it's an eternity. She said the medicine didnt change it. Thats what really panicked me, she said. After a few minutes, when it was still going, I gave her some more. She said she thought she gave 5 mls at that stage. Everything went quiet and her little lips went blue on her little face, she said. I just took her up in my arms and I just held her and it was just so quiet. I knew she wasnt breathing. I said: Em, please dont go. She said they had always been together. She was part of me. We went everywhere together. She was the little baby I always wanted, she said. I knew what resuscitation was about and Dr Sheridan had said to me years ago about Emily not being for resuscitation, she said. Her life was miserable at times but we did have some lovely times. She said that when her daughter was gone, she told her she was coming with her. I fixed her hair and I put her Padre Pio medals beside her, she said. Something just happened in my head. I could not let Emily go somewhere else and suffer somewhere else without me being with her to help her, she said, describing two failed suicide attempts after Emily had passed. Her barrister, Kenneth Fogarty, SC asked about a suicide note she had written that day. He said that, on one reading of it, it might appear that it had come into existence before Emilys death. She said it had not. I loved that child more than life itself, she said. That letter did not come into existence until afterwards. She said she was single-minded after Emily had passed. I needed to get to wherever Emily had gone, she explained. Tara Burns SC has now begun cross examining Ms Scully will continue that cross examination this (Thursday) morning before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of seven women and five men. If you are affected by the article above, call the Samaritans Helpline on 116-123 A freezing order on almost 100m in Irish-based assets belonging to former Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky has been lifted by a court in Dublin. The assets had been frozen for the past five-and-a-half years while gardai conducted an investigation into alleged money laundering offences. Garda fraud officers had been obtaining renewable freezing orders every 28 days, but the latest order was challenged by lawyers for Mr Khodorkovsky. This morning Judge Timothy Lucey said that while he was satisfied that a garda investigation was ongoing, he did not believe there was reasonable grounds to maintain the latest freezing order over the assets. The decision came following a four-day hearing at Dublin District Court. Judge Lucey criticised the gardai for the lack of information provided about the investigation. The respondents have provided almost no evidence to the court, he said. They clearly have views, but they are not telling the court. The judge also said he was satisfied Mr Khodorkovsky was the beneficial owner of the funds. The decision is a major victory for Mr Khodorkovsky, who plans to use part of the funds to assist his Open Russia organisation, which is campaigning for human rights and democracy. The assets were frozen in 2011 on the application of the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation (GBFI) while Mr Khodorkovsky was in a prison colony in Siberia. He was convicted in 2005 and 2009 of crimes including tax evasion, embezzlement and money laundering. But the trials were widely regarded as lacking due process and being politically motivated, Mr Khodorkovsky has long been one of the foremost critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Amnesty International described the former oil tycoon as a prisoner of conscience while he was jailed. Mr Khodorkovsky had the remainder of his sentence pardoned by Mr Putin in 2013, following international pressure for his release. He claimed the Irish-based funds were legitimately obtained through dividends and a share buyback scheme at his former oil firm Yukos. However, lawyers for the GBFI had sought to continue the freezing orders, saying it was investigating whether the funds were linked to money laundering. Mr Khodorkovsky, who now lives in London, where he was granted asylum earlier this year, retained Dublin solicitor Dara Robinson to assist the GBFI investigation. The former oligarch claimed detailed answers were provided to questions posed by detectives. In an affidavit given to the court he said officers were provided with a number of volumes of materials in respect of the funds invested in Ireland. The questions posed were very far beyond what might ever be considered as amounting to necessary due diligence for the purpose of satisfying anti-money laundering obligations, he said. However, gardai responded with further questions, saying they wished to establish a clear audit trail for the funds. Mr Khodorkovsky said the GBFI investigation was grounded on his convictions in Russia and that gardai had shown an absence of interest in material showing those convictions were politically motivated. He has claimed his life would be in danger if he ever returns to Russia because of his political views. A statement issued by his spokesman said Mr Khodorkovsky was happy the judge found the monies invested in Ireland were not the proceeds of criminal activity. Mr Khodorkovsky has indicated he will use some of the funds to support the work of the Open Russia movement, which he founded in 2014, the statement said. He spent over 10 years in jail, between 2003 and 2013, on politically motivated charges. In May 2011, he was declared a Prisoner of Conscience by Amnesty International. The organisation advocates an alternative vision for his country: a strong and just state, committed to observing human rights, free and fair elections and the rule of law. However, Andrey Kondakov, director general of the Russian Federations International Centre for Legal Protection, said it was disappointed and surprised at the ruling. The Irish authorities did not notify us about the proceedings and that therefore we could not participate and submit evidence despite being ready and willing, he said. A Catholic priest advised the parents of an abused six-year-old girl to forget about the attacks in the interests of the family, a court has heard, with the victim delivering a powerful impact statement on the affects of the abuse. The allegation was made during a sentencing hearing of a 67-year-old man who pleaded guilty to five sickening sex assaults on the girl, his niece, in Co Donegal in 1984. The abuser cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim. Judge John OHagan, sitting at Letterkenny Circuit Criminal Court, was told by Det Sgt Mick Galvin that the allegations had first been made shortly after the incidents by the victim. The detective said the girl had made comments whilst playing with other children and her parents had discovered she was being abused by her uncle. She had drawn pictures of what had happened to her. The girl and her parents moved home and her parents later separated, the court heard. Gda DS Galvin said the family had gone to a local Catholic priest who had advised them that they should put the matter behind them and move on. He said the incident was at a time before legal guidelines on handling child sex abuse cases. The matter was finally brought to gardai in October 2013 by the father of the victim and the girl made a statement six months later. The victim later told gardai that her uncle, a member of a prayer group, would ask her to commit sex acts on him in a toilet and a living room at his home when he was baby-sitting her. The detective said the man had told his niece it was their little secret and he had given the girl lemon curd sandwiches and Smarties after the incidents. After the incident was reported, the judge was told, the uncle had continued to deny the allegations saying his niece had been lying. This continued for half an hour after his arrest, said DS Galvin, before the uncle had made a number of admissions. It took DS Galvin more than ten minutes to read out a victim impact report on behalf of the woman which Judge OHagan described as one of the most powerful he had heard in the courts. In it she detailed how she had suffered all her life as a result of the sex assaults and had been in psychiatric care in 2009 where she told of being abused but did not name her abuser. She said during the 30 years after the attacks she had thought about speaking out but thoughts of doing so were always faded. She went on: I spoke out because of a profound feeling of peace and a sense of responsibility had come over me. Up until that time the thought of speaking out would occasionally cross my mind but my fear and guilt would drown out the thought. I resigned myself to bearing silence believing I could live with the anger within me and that was just my lot. What I wanted was a sense of peace and it was that sense of peace which came over me three years ago. She said she had played a game of survival. My mind had been constructed to believe that I was a hopeless victim; that I was powerless, worthless, doomed, disconnected, alone, disillusioned, shameful and guilty; that the world and others were a threat not to be trusted, said the victim. I have come to deeply understand the term that the truth will set you free, but first it will kick you in the ass. The healing within me has been a process of finding a way to listen to that inner voice which speaks the truth no matter how ugly and facing the truth it ignites, allowing me a healthier way of living, engaging and responding to my life. She said she continued to suffer from depression as a result of the crimes. I have to keep fighting the war within and keep letting go of the disempowering part of myself again and again and again. For me the best outcome would be for my uncle to realise the impact of his choices and he feels the truth of those choices and how they have affected his life, his relationships and the hierarchy of victims he created, said the woman who said she didnt wish to be in court to witness this dark and ugly day. DS Gavlin told the judge: The abuse had far reaching consequences. The family had spoken with a member of the clergy and other people and they thought it was best to leave it at the time. She did not receive any counselling. Judge John OHagan said one of the aggravating factors in the case was the uncles continued denial of the attacks over three decades. She has had to endure this whole experience alone and throughout the course of the allegations she was continually made out to be a liar, said the judge. He said that even in his probation report the man said his niece had followed him to the toilet where the abuse took place. The clear suggestion is that he was blaming the girl, said the judge. He said the advice given at the time by members of the clergy and others was dramatically different from what goes on now. The victim, he said, was a very brave girl who has been through an absolute torture. The judge said mitigating factors included the mans guilty plea and the fact he was suffering from prostrate cancer but he knew very well that what he was doing was wrong. He sentenced the man to five years in prison, with the last two years suspended on each of the five sexual assault charges, the sentences to run concurrently. Militants have conducted 45 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in the past 24 hours, the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) staff said on Wednesday. Avdiyivka, Luhanske and Svitlodarsk came under mortar, grenade launcher and heavy machinegun attack in the Donetsk sector, and sniper activity was observed in Luhanske, the staff said in the morning on Facebook. In the Luhansk sector, militants from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) fired 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers and anti-aircraft guns on Krymske, Novozvanivka, Novooleksandrivka and Stanytsia Luhanska, while small arms were used against Katerynivka, it said. In the Mariupol sector, hostiles fired 120mm and 82mm mortars on Shyrokyne, Chermalyk, Maryinka, Krasnohorivka, Talakivka and Vodiane, and grenade launchers, infantry combat vehicle weapons and small arms were used against Novotroitske, Starohnativka, Shyrokyne, Hnutove and Pavlopil. The Maryinka checkpoint came under attack by automatic grenade launchers, the report said. A taxi driver sexually assaulted a young woman as he was bringing her home from a city centre pub, it has been alleged at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Augustin Ion (49) denies the allegation and claims the woman was extremely drunk and aggressive. He told gardai she was making the allegations because he had threatened to call gardai when she refused to pay the fare. Mr Ion of Garrynisk Square, Tallaght, Dublin and originally from Romania has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting the woman outside her home on the night of November 20, 2014. A jury will begin deliberating today after the one day trial. The woman told Eilis Brennan BL that she was in a city centre pub with friends where she had one red wine and four or five vodkas over the course of about five hours. She said she left at about 11.30pm because she had a headache and was in work the next day. She lived about five minutes walk away but decided to get a taxi because she didn't want to walk alone down dark alleyways, she told counsel. She said she got in the front of the taxi out of habit because she was from the country where that was the done thing. She said she was holding her head and told Mr Ion she had a headache. She alleged Mr Ion started rubbing her neck as they stopped at the traffic lights. She told him she was fine and he continued to drive. The woman alleged that when they reached her house he started rubbing the back of her head and kissed her on the side of the face. She said he grabbed her breast and asked her if she wanted to get in the back seat. He also asked her if he could come inside with her, she said. The woman said she froze and told Mr Ion she had to go. She said Mr Ion told her just wait five minutes before holding her head back against the seat rest. I was panicking, she said. I kept thinking he was going to drive away with me in the car. She said the fare was between 6 and 7 and that she gave him 20. She asked him for 10 back and told him to keep the change before getting out. She noted his name and some of his registration before going into her house. Defence counsel Gerard Charlton asked the woman why she gave the man a tip if she was so scared. I just wanted to go, I didnt want to aggravate him, she responded. Mr Ion told gardai in interview that the woman was very drunk when she got into the car. He said when he asked her if she was going to be sick she responded f**k off and drive. He said when they arrived at the destination she didn't have any money and told him again to f**k off. Mr Ion said he threatened to call gardai and the woman responded that she would call gardai and claim that he trapped her in his car. He said she then got out without paying. He did not call the gardai because he was very busy with fares, he said. L-R: Laraine and Christa Johnson, with an address at Twin Trees, Nerano Road, Dalkey, Dublin, pictured leaving the Four Courts after Circuit Civil Court hearing.Pic: Collins Courts L-R: Laraine and Christa Johnson, with an address at Twin Trees, Nerano Road, Dalkey, Dublin, pictured leaving the Four Courts after Circuit Civil Court hearing.Pic: Collins Courts L-R: Laraine and Christa Johnson, with an address at Twin Trees, Nerano Road, Dalkey, Dublin, pictured leaving the Four Courts after Circuit Civil Court hearing.Pic: Collins Courts Christa Johnson, with an address at Twin Trees, Nerano Road, Dalkey, Dublin, pictured leaving the Four Courts after Circuit Civil Court hearing.Pic: Collins Courts L-R: Laraine and Christa Johnson, with an address at Twin Trees, Nerano Road, Dalkey, Dublin, pictured leaving the Four Courts after Circuit Civil Court hearing.Pic: Collins Courts Two women who have been living rent free for months in a Dalkey, Co Dublin, house with panoramic sea-views, were told to get out by a judge today. Judge Jacqueline Linnane, who normally gives only seven days to those who renege on rent payments said she would allow Christa and Laraine Johnson to spend Christmas and New Year there. She said she would let them remain in the property, Twin Trees, Nerano Road, Dalkey, until Old Christmas, January 6 but they would have had to have made their arrangements for new accommodation by then. Barrister Paul Binchy, who appeared with Ken J. Byrne and Co Solicitors for landlord James Foley, told the Circuit Civil Court that Mr Foley was seeking to enforce a determination of the Residential Tenancies Board of January 16 last. Expand Close Christa Johnson, with an address at Twin Trees, Nerano Road, Dalkey, Dublin, pictured leaving the Four Courts after Circuit Civil Court hearing.Pic: Collins Courts / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Christa Johnson, with an address at Twin Trees, Nerano Road, Dalkey, Dublin, pictured leaving the Four Courts after Circuit Civil Court hearing.Pic: Collins Courts Mr Binchy he said the Boards order was made on foot of a written agreement reached in November 2015 between Mr Foley and the Johnsons whereby the Johnsons would vacate Twin Trees on Friday 3rd of June last. Judge Linnane said that under the agreement the Johnsons had also agreed they would continue to pay rent at 1600 per month until the day they vacated the property. Expand Close L-R: Laraine and Christa Johnson, with an address at Twin Trees, Nerano Road, Dalkey, Dublin, pictured leaving the Four Courts after Circuit Civil Court hearing.Pic: Collins Courts / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp L-R: Laraine and Christa Johnson, with an address at Twin Trees, Nerano Road, Dalkey, Dublin, pictured leaving the Four Courts after Circuit Civil Court hearing.Pic: Collins Courts She said the agreement, which expressly provided a 21 day cooling-off period between them, represented a full and final settlement of all issues outstanding between the parties and after which there would be no appeal. The judge said the two defendants had not disputed that they had not paid any rent from the period of June 3 until today and it was only at the date they were supposed to vacate the property that they had written to the Board claiming they had signed the agreement under duress. Judge Linnane said no steps had been taken by the Johnsons during the 21 day cooling-off period and it was now mandatory on the court to enforce the determination order of the Board. The court made an order for possession of Twin Trees in favour of Mr Foley, who has an address in Florida, but granted the defendants a stay until January 6. She also granted judgment for 11,200 unpaid rent against the Johnsons in favour of Mr Foley. Expand Close L-R: Laraine and Christa Johnson, with an address at Twin Trees, Nerano Road, Dalkey, Dublin, pictured leaving the Four Courts after Circuit Civil Court hearing.Pic: Collins Courts / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp L-R: Laraine and Christa Johnson, with an address at Twin Trees, Nerano Road, Dalkey, Dublin, pictured leaving the Four Courts after Circuit Civil Court hearing.Pic: Collins Courts A man arrested on explosives charges in the run-up to the State visit of Prince Charles has been jailed for five and a half years. The Special Criminal Court previously heard evidence that gardai found explosive device components in Donal O Coisdealbha's locker at his workplace, Maynooth University. Last month, O Coisdealbha (25), of Abbeyfield, Killester in Dublin 5 pleaded guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann otherwise the IRA within the State on May 13, 2015. Sentencing O Coisdealbha yesterday, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said that the evidence against the man was "significant" and even "overwhelming". Ms Justice Kennedy referred to a letter written by Maureen O'Sullivan TD, from July this year, which expressed some dismay as regards the length of time O Coisdealbha had spent in custody. The judge referred to a "puzzling" expression in the letter which said that nothing was to be gained by prolonging O Coisdealbha's period on remand. The court could only surmise, she said, that the writer was unaware of O Coisdealbha's decision to plead guilty. Wicklow Educate Together sixth-class students with teacher Damien Fegan during a session of an Hour of Code for Computer Science Education Week. Photo: Michael Kelly Developing new games through computer coding has helped to create a generation who are not afraid of failure, a teacher involved in the national initiative has said. Damien Fegan, a resource teacher at Wicklow Educate Together National School, says children are more prepared to bounce back, thanks to a unique project being run nationwide this week. The Hour of Code is being run in dozens of schools around the country this week and in classrooms in 180 countries worldwide. Children will take part from third class in national schools right through to sixth year at second level. "When you think about what some of these children can do now it is incredible," said Damien. "There will always be errors when coding and we have a new generation of young people who are not afraid to get things wrong and not afraid to fail. "They just go again and try something different, and that is one of the huge benefits of coding. "The children love it too and that says a great deal about them." Conor Powell (11) has been involved in coding at the Wicklow Town school for the past three years. "It was a little bit hard at first but it has become easier," he said. "I have to say I look forward to it; it's a nice break from maths and English." Eli Gorman (12) was taking on the coding challenge for the first time this week. "I had never done it before so it was exciting to give it a go," said Eli. "It was hard to begin with but it did get easier and easier. It's a real insight into how computers work so it was good to know about that and Mr Fegan is a good teacher." Classmate Noah Hanahoe (12) added: "I'd say that everyone should give it a go. This is my second year doing it and I've been able to build parts of the Minecraft game like a house and a wall. It has been good fun again." Teacher Damien says teachers also enjoy the experience of seeing children work together in groups. For more see www.hourofcode.com/ie Almost 8,000 special needs assistants are set to ballot for industrial action. (picture posed) A mark of a school's success is how well they cater for students with special educational needs, according to Institute of Guidance Counsellors president Betty McLaughlin. Ms McLaughlin, who is heading up the well-being division of the reformed junior cycle curriculum, also said the changes being rolled out at second-level would "knock league tables on the head and put in place a system that would develop skills rather than test memory". Ms McLaughlin was speaking on the release of annual tables showing the progress of students from the country's 700 second-level schools to higher education. The analysis in the Irish Independent showed how, increasingly, State-funded schools are matching the rate of transfer to third-level which was traditionally associated with the fee-paying sector. Ms McLaughlin also said that schools in the public system were much more likely than the fee-paying schools to enrol students with special needs. This is borne out by the resource teacher allocations made by the National Council for Special Education. Mary Bermingham and Gary Fenton, who both underwent surgery after surviving the crash. Inset Eamon Dixon The families of two of the men killed in a fireball car crash at the weekend have paid tributes to the pals. Eamon Dixon (21) from Dungarvan, Co Waterford and friend Michael Tobin from Ring were named locally as the men killed in a horrific crash on Sunday. The identity of the third man that died in the accident just outside Dungarvan, Co Waterford is still to be confirmed. The three were killed when the car in which they were travelling crashed head-on into a people carrier 5km from Dungarvan in Co Waterford at around 10am on Sunday morning. Their car burst into flames after the collision. Efforts to formally identify the men are being hampered by the severity of injuries they received. Two adults and four children were also injured in the crash. The adults were named locally as Gary Fenton, from Cobh, and Mary Bermingham, from Banteer in Co Cork. Both underwent emergency surgery on Sunday night. Mr Fenton, who is a member of the Naval Service and attached to the LE William Butler Yeats ship, was still in intensive care last night. Eamon Dixon's mother Lorraine Nash posted a tribute to her son on Facebook yesterday: "My beautiful handsome boy. Devastated beyond words. You were my first born. If I could have you back is all I want." Meanwhile a brother of the second victim, Michael 'Mikey' Tobin, originally from Ring but who was living in the same estate as Eamon Dixon in Dungarvan, posted a tribute to him. Noel Tobin wrote: "RIP Bro an absolute breath of fresh air who always done your thing your way. The most original guy I have ever known. "From music to movies and just for being you..doing your thing in your way.. totally in bits right now....but this is the song I remember you playing from your bedroom next door from a band I never got when I was 12...but totally get now." It was posted alongside a link to a video of Guns N' Roses song November Rain. The family of the woman who was travelling in the people carrier have said she and the four children injured in the crash are making good progress. "They continue to improve and one of the children is out of hospital now," said the family of Mary Bermingham from Cork city. There are still concerns for her partner Gary Fenton who is in intensive care following surgery. It is believed that Mr Fenton, Ms Bermingham and the children were on their way to a Christmas festival in Waterford when the crash happened. Ms Bermingham previously lost a brother, Christopher, in a car crash in May 2014. Bus Eireann passengers face a fresh strike threat in the new year as the company and unions clash over pay. Unions are demanding a 21pc pay rise as Bus Eireann considers pay cuts that would reduce its 2,600 workers' wages by 5m. Unions have accused the company of "thumbing its nose" at their claim for a wage increase. Union sources warned they have no alternative but to consult their members on industrial action after accusing management of pulling out of a Labour Court hearing yesterday. Their fury grew after Transport Minister Shane Ross announced that Bus Eireann is facing a financial crisis and could be insolvent in two years, with some claiming the move was "choreographed". "We have exhausted all processes available to us and there is no option left but to take industrial action," said a senior source last night. "We lodged a pay claim 18 months ago and it is not acceptable for the company to decide at the eleventh hour that it will not engage and does not have its restructuring plan ready." Several Cabinet sources agreed that the issue is one of the most serious to emerge in the transport system in some time. It is understood Mr Ross met senior figures in Bus Eireann and the CIE group this week. Mr Ross told his Cabinet colleagues that at least six routes on the Expressway service are now at immediate risk. He did not name the routes under severe threat. He also warned the company could be insolvent in two years. Unions lodged a claim for a pay rise of 21pc, similar to a pay claim lodged at Dublin Bus which was in turn based on a pay rise won by Luas drivers earlier this year. They are demanding 5pc a year over three years, plus a 6pc pay increase due under a previous social partnership agreement. But chief executive Martin Nolan yesterday insisted that the company could not afford the increase. Bus Eireann suffered losses of 5.6m last year and predicts losses of 6m next year. One of the most immediate services under threat is the loss-making Expressway. A submission to the Labour Court by Bus Eireann stated that it may have to seek pay cuts similar to wage reductions in 2013 that saved 5m. It also stated that further measures including sub-contracting may be required and that a 1pc increase to the pay roll bill would equal 1m in costs. It said a pay rise would lead to the potential for "a serious and further diminution of reserves with the potential for an accelerated loss rate leading to potential insolvency". It is understood that the company will now put proposals to unions to achieve 7m cost reductions in January, following a review of its plans for the Expressway operation by Grant Thornton. The plan could lead to up to 150 redundancies. GARDAI fear dissident Republican reprisal attacks after a Real IRA commander was shot dead in Cork. Aidan O'Driscoll (37), nicknamed 'The Beast', died during emergency surgery just over an hour after being shot three times in an ambush style attack in Blackpool. Just three years ago the Ballyvolane native had survived another gun attack. O'Driscoll was shot in the legs during a 2013 Cork attack after what Gardai believed was a punishment operation carried out by fellow dissident Republicans. At one point, he was suspected to have served as chief of staff for the Real IRA in Munster. The fatal shooting took place in a quiet residential area. Read More He was shot outside an apartment complex off the Commons Road in Blackpool in Cork, not far from a local church. The attack took place shortly before 5pm and is understood to have involved a lone gunman and an accomplice who acted as a getaway driver. Locals reported hearing several loud bangs and seeing a man, apparently masked, running from the scene. He is then believed to have fled the area in a waiting car driven by another man. Initial reports are that O'Driscoll realised he was being ambushed and attempted to flee, only to be shot in the back with a 9mm handgun. He was then shot a number of times as he lay wounded on the pavement. Expand Close Mr O'Driscoll believed to have been closely allied to Alan Ryan (pictured )who was shot and killed in Dublin in 2012. Photo: Collins Court / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mr O'Driscoll believed to have been closely allied to Alan Ryan (pictured )who was shot and killed in Dublin in 2012. Photo: Collins Court A vehicle was later found a short distance away, close to the North Monastery, having been set on fire. A second vehicle, also burnt out, was discovered at Killeens, Cork. O'Driscoll was treated at the scene by paramedics before being rushed to Cork University Hospital (CUH). It is understood he suffered at least three gunshot wounds to the back. He died while undergoing emergency surgery at CUH. Read More O'Driscoll was convicted before the Special Criminal Court in 2005 of being a member of the Real IRA. He received a three year prison sentence for being a member of the dissident group on December 13 2003. Four other men were also convicted of Real IRA membership in a combined trial. However, O'Driscoll's conviction was subsequently overturned by the Court of Criminal Appeal in May 2008. The court quashed the convictions on the basis the Special Criminal Court did not have jurisdiction in the matter because the men were not charged "forthwith." O'Driscoll was the only one of the five who had been in custody. During the 2005 trial, a senior garda gave evidence that O'Driscoll was part of a feared active service unit of the Real IRA in Munster. It was also believed O'Driscoll had been closely allied to Alan Ryan who was shot and killed in Dublin in 2012. Gardai immediately sealed off the scene in Blackpool to allow for a detailed investigation by forensic experts. Officers also began door-to-door inquiries in the area to determine if anyone witnessed anything suspicious or may have seen the gunman as he fled the scene. Gardai stressed that they are keeping an open mind as to the possible motive for the attack. However, the primary theories are that it was either a revenge attack against O'Driscoll linked to an earlier feud or part of a deadly escalation in a turf war within the dissident Republican ranks. A living room has been destroyed in a fire caused by an unattended candle left burning too close to Christmas decorations. On Tuesday December 6 the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended a house fire in west Belfast. Expand Close Damage caused to Belfast house after Christmas decoration catches fire. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Damage caused to Belfast house after Christmas decoration catches fire. There were no injuries as a result of the incident but the NIFRS has issued a warning of how quickly and easily a fire can take hold in the home at Christmas. The female resident had left the property for a very short time and when she returned she discovered a fire in the ground floor of her house. A Christmas decoration had fallen onto a small candle which was left burning on the hearth. Firefighters attended the scene and the fire was quickly extinguished. Geoff Somerville, NIFS Group Commander said: "The house has been badly smoke damaged as a result of the incident. The Fire Emergency Support Service was also in attendance to offer assistance to the householder. We are very grateful to the householder for her co-operation in highlighting the dangers of unattended candles in the home. Christmas is traditionally a busy time for NIFRS as incidences of fire in the home increase due to extra fire hazards such as candles, fairy tree lights, portable heaters, overloaded sockets and people using fires that have not been lit for some time. Im asking people to give priority to fire safety and not to become complacent about it over Christmas. Check that you have working smoke alarms fitted in your house. Our STOP Fire Christmas advertising campaign is currently running on TV and Radio and we are promoting Christmas fire safety messages on social media. People should also visit our website www.nifrs.org. for more Home Fire Safety Advice. The Government of Canada will provide $8.1 million in financial assistance for the development of the National Police of Ukraine in 2017 through the international technical assistance project, which is currently being registered, the press service of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry reported. "Some $6.6 million will be spent on training Ukrainian law enforcement officers by Canadian police instructors. Then $1.5 million will be spent on modern technical equipment for police units and departments. The assistance will be provided through the Canadian Commercial Corporation - an official agency of the government of Canada which is coordinated by Canada's International Trade Ministry," the Ukrainian Interior Ministry reported in a statement posted on its Facebook page on Wednesday morning. According to the ministry's press service, this matter was discussed during a meeting of Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov with Canadian Minister of International Trade Chrystia Freeland, which took place during the official visit of the Ukrainian delegation to Canada. The report does not specify the currency of the proposed aid: it is unclear whether they mean U.S. dollars or Canadian dollars. Avakov reported earlier on Twitter the government of Canada will provide assistance to the Interior Ministry of Ukraine to the tune of AD 8.5 million. Independent TD Maureen OSullivan has stood over her defence of a Real IRA member, whom she described as a fine, intelligent, articulate and hardworking young man". Donal OCoisdealbha (25), of Abbeyfield, Killester in Dublin 5, pleaded guilty to membership of a dissident organisation and was sentenced to five and a half years in prison in the Special Criminal Court yesterday. He was arrested in connection with explosive devices found in the run up to Prince Charles state visit. Ms OSullivan penned a letter to the judge last July to object at the amount of time OCoisdealbha has been on remand for. This morning she said she was one of a number of TDs involved in prisoners issues and also knew him personally. What I wrote in the letter I can stand over. I also made the point in the letter that this is very regrettable what had happened and the situation he was in, she told RTE's Morning Ireland. Expand Close Donal O Coisdealbha / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Donal O Coisdealbha It was in no way trying to interfere in judicial process. The concern was length of time people being left on remand without being brought to court, she added. The north inner city TD also said she was certain if given a chance OCoisldealbha would go on to live his life in a positive, kind way. I suppose from conversations Ive had with him, I feel that this is something in his life that he regrets and that he would like to put behind him and to be a good member of society, she said. She said she was not aware that the man, who worked in a biomedical company, at NUI Maynooth would be pleading guilty at the time she wrote the letter. Both she and Mick Wallace among others had agreed to stand bail for the Dubliner prior to writing the letter. She said it was very disturbing that the letter was being construed as an endorsement of violence. Clares Rocket after winning the Produce Stakes at Clonmel last June Picture: Imelda Grauer A greyhound stolen from a kennel has been recovered "safe and well" overnight. Gardai have confirmed that four men have been arrested after the animal Clares Rocket was stolen on Monday night from the kennels of Irish Derby winning trainer Graham Holland. The dog is owned by the Limerick Full House syndicate, headed by Joe Cahill and has been trained by Mr Holland, who owns family-run business Riverside Kennels in Golden, Co Tipperary. A garda spokesperson confirmed four men were arrested in connection with the investigation on Tuesday night. Expand Close Proud connections of Clare's Rocket receive the Doire Construction Champion Stakes Trophy / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Proud connections of Clare's Rocket receive the Doire Construction Champion Stakes Trophy It is understood that members of the armed Regional Support Unit swooped on a car travelling through Waterford late last night. Two men, who are known to gardai, were arrested and the dog was recovered in the vehicle. Gardai arrested two further men in a separate operation. The men are being held at Tipperary and Clonmel garda stations under Section 4 of the criminal justice act. Speaking on Today with Sean O'Rourke, trainer Graham Holland confirmed that the dogs kidnappers did ask for a ransom but couldn't confirm the amount. "People thought they could hold him for ransom. It is a bit like Shergar, if they havent got his identity book, they cant do a lot with him. He is only worth money to the people who own them and what he can win for them," he said. "I cant really confirm (the amount), I think that is for the guards to make the statement on, not me. Theyve done all the work and all the credit to them. "Obviously we were delighted to see him. I didnt think the dog would be coming home." When asked if the ordeal would affect Clares Rocket in the upcoming English Derby, Mr Holland said he didn't think so. "He has come back in good condition. He is not dehydrated and he hasnt lost weight, they obviously fed him. Hes a little bit distressed but happy to be home, so hopefully he'll be okay. "On his day, he probably is the fastest dog in Ireland. There are always younger dogs and other dogs producing good runs, but he has been a fantastic dog for us. "Obviously we were delighted to see him. I didnt think the dog would be coming home." Mr Holland and his wife had travelled to Belfast on Sunday to visit their eldest son who is studying there. Their other son, Timmy, had been minding the dogs when he discovered on Monday morning that Clares Rocket had been stolen. "We were so shocked. You never believe that would happen with a greyhound. "Weve got outside lights and security. We are probably going to look into getting more security." Valuable Clares Rocket is listed as the second favourite at odds to 25/1 for the English Greyhound derby, one of the most prestigious of greyhound races. Firearms seized by Gardai following a planned operation in the Cabra area at the offices of The Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau in Dublin Castle. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins Three suspects were last night being held in relation to a massive firearms seizure linked to the Kinahan cartel. The Dublin trio, who are all men aged in their 20s, were arrested at different locations in the capital. One of the men was brought out of Cloverhill Prison. Another suspect is from the Avondale Flats complex in the north inner city, the same place where feud victim Gareth Hutch was shot dead in broad daylight in May. Expand Close A machine gun found in a raid in Cabra, north Dublin Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A machine gun found in a raid in Cabra, north Dublin Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins Officers from the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (DOCB) found the weapons in a vehicle in the Cabra area of Dublin on November 5. No arrests were made at the time. Massacre The arsenal included two MP-9 machine guns, two silencers and three loaded Smith & Wesson handguns, as well as ammunition. It later emerged that the weapons were to be used on a close business partner of Gerry The Monk Hutch. Gardai also investigated if the seized items were to be used in a Kinahan pub massacre of Hutch associates. Ambitions for a high-speed rail link between Dublin and Belfast could be hit by a hard post-Brexit Border. The warning was made by Northern Ireland infrastructure minister Chris Hazzard, who said he is "keen" to see such a project happen. Mr Hazzard was appearing at the Oireachtas Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Committee along with fellow Sinn Fein Assembly member Mairtin O Muilleoir, the North's finance minister. He said the prospect of a hard Border with Northern Ireland would be "a disaster" that would hit the freight industry and ports in both jurisdictions and lead to "lost opportunities". He predicted that over the next generation, "an awful lot of work will go into the development and enhancement of an Eastern economic corridor especially between Dublin and Belfast". He said that local authorities have been "very much active in this and are keen to explore the possibility of high-speed rail links. That's something I'm keen to do and it's something I think we need to address". But he said the impact of a hard Border would be "unknown territory" and could hit infrastructure plans. Mr Hazzard is to have his first meeting with Transport Minister Shane Ross later this month. Meanwhile, Mr O Muilleoir warned that Northern Ireland is currently "staring into this Brexit black hole". He added: "I see no economic opportunity, no cultural opportunity, no opportunities for community uplifting and no opportunity for peace building in a Brexit. "I have failed to be persuaded that we are on the cusp of massive opportunities." He described the prospect of his children and grandchildren losing "the bounty of Europe" as "a calamity". Fianna Fail Senator Aidan Davitt asked Mr O Muilleoir if he thought there is any chance there will be another vote on Brexit. "I wouldn't rule out any eventuality in the time ahead," he replied. He said that the English and the Welsh voted to leave, adding: "That's their democratic mandate and I wouldn't stand in the way of that for a minute.'' But Mr O Muilleoir pointed out that Northern Ireland and Scotland voted to remain. "I think there's an onus on us all to insist that the democratic rights of those north of the border and indeed in Scotland are respected." The ministers said Sinn Fein is seeking "special status" from Northern Ireland in the EU. Two Sinn Fein TDs have been named under privilege in connection with the murder of prison officer Brian Stack. A Fine Gael backbencher told the Dail that Dublin North West TD Dessie Ellis and Kerry TD Martin Ferris were among the four names sent by Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams to the Garda Commissioner just before Februarys General Election. The move followed a lengthy statement from Mr Adams who rejected suggests of improper behaviour in relation to the Stack familys attempts to establish the truth about their fathers murder in March 1983. The Stack family have pursued a 30-year campaign and the IRA only acknowledged in summer 2013 that they were responsible for the murder. Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell asked to make a point of order after Mr Adamss speech and then stunned the Dail by saying that two other Sinn Fein TDs should make statements on their knowledge relating to the murder. He said both had been cited in the email sent by Mr Adams. Read More It led to uproar and Mr Ellis and Mr Ferris, who are both former IRA members and have served time in jail, jumped to their feet and angrily remonstrated across the Dail chamber. Mr Ellis roared: I have nothing to do with this. I refute any allegations. He said he was in jail during the period in question. Youre a disgrace, he roared at Mr Farrell before demanding the TD come outside and repeat his comments. Come outside if you have any guts, he shouted. Mr Ferris revealed that in 2013 he met with gardai to discuss the case. I have nothing to answer for, he said. Clares Rocket after winning the Produce Stakes at Clonmel last June Picture: Imelda Grauer Gardai are hunting a gang behind the theft of a champion greyhound estimated to be worth more than 1 million. Detectives have confirmed they are carrying out a full investigation into the theft of Clares Rocket, which was stolen on Monday night from the kennels of Irish Derby winning trainer Graham Holland. The dog is owned by the Limerick Full House syndicate, headed by Joe Cahill and has been trained by Mr Holland, who owns family-run business Riverside Kennels in Golden, Co Tipperary. Gardai are investigating if the theft was carried out by an organised crime gang. Last night, a source said an exact motive for the theft had not been established. "There have been no ransom demands yet, this is a highly unusual crime," the source said. Expand Close Clares Rocket after winning the Produce Stakes at Clonmel last June, with trainer Graham Holland (standing on left, black jacket); Joe Cahill of the Full House Syndicate (second from right, standing) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Clares Rocket after winning the Produce Stakes at Clonmel last June, with trainer Graham Holland (standing on left, black jacket); Joe Cahill of the Full House Syndicate (second from right, standing) Valuable Clares Rocket is listed as the second favourite at odds to 25/1 for the English Greyhound derby, one of the most prestigious of greyhound races. Yesterday, a spokesman at bookmakers Paddy Power told the Irish Independent that any bets placed on Clares Rocket would be refunded if the dog did not run in the extremely valuable race. The race is not due to take place until next May. Clares Rocket is a previous winner of the Champion Stakes and the valuable Produce Stakes, and was a favourite this year for the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Puppy Stake. Earlier this year, the dog won the Doire Construction Champion Stakes semi-final by seven lengths. That victory was described as "an annihilation of some of the best greyhounds on either side of the Irish Sea". This week's theft of Clares Rocket has drawn comparisons with the famous Shergar case from 1983. "This is really the Shergar story of the greyhound industry," one high-profile greyhound trainer told the 'Limerick Leader' newspaper. He added: "If you look at his card, I think he has won over 53,000 in prize money and I would say for stud purposes he could be worth in excess of 1 million." The Aga Khan-owned Shergar was taken at gunpoint by the IRA from Ballymany Stud in Co Kildare in February 1983 but was never recovered. The Provisional IRA has been long suspected of involvement in the theft of Shergar. Sources have indicated that dissident Republicans have not been ruled out in the investigation into the theft of the greyhound. "A number of criminal groupings could be responsible for this including dissident Republicans and organised crime groupings from Limerick," a source said. A Garda spokesperson said: "Gardai are investigating the theft of an animal from a premises in Athassel Abbey, Golden, Co Tipperary. The theft occurred some time between 6pm Sunday, 4th December, and 10am Monday, 5th December." Anyone with information is asked to contact Tipperary Garda Station on 062 80670, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111 or any Garda Station. A woman who recently won a diamond ring worth over 1,600 will this weekend raffle it off to raise funds for the people of Haiti. Ann Kilbride is no stranger to fundraising. In 2010, using her craft skills, she knitted a crib from scratch and raised 5,000 raffling it off. That money went towards building a house in Haiti through the charity Haven. Both Ann and her husband are involved in vintage cars and recently entered a competition at the Laois Indoor Motor Show on the October Bank Holiday, where the prize was a diamond ring for the best dressed on the day. Together with a local charity shop, Ann created an Edwardian look to help her win the prize of best dressed. On December 10, she will be raffling off the same diamond ring in O'Connells pub Cullohill, Co. Laois. Her daughter Deirdre McHugh says her mother has been determined to raise money ever since Hurricane Matthew hit. "A couple of months ago after Hurricane Matthew, they sent her a picture of the house and she decided to do something again. "Once she sets her mind to something, there is only one outcome." The raffle will take place at 9.30pm on Saturday night. People can enter the raffle here. UNICEF estimates that an average of 353,000 babies are born around the world each day. Here in Ireland, we account for approximately 200 of that daily rate. Women may have given birth since the dawn of time, but while biology is the same the world over, birth customs can vary hugely from country to country... Finland Expand Close There is a lot of support for breastfeeding and midwives actively encourage and assist new mums in France / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp There is a lot of support for breastfeeding and midwives actively encourage and assist new mums in France Since the 1930s, expectant mothers have been provided with a box by the Finnish State. The box is filled with (among other things) bodysuits, outdoor gear, a sleeping bag, bathing products, nappies, bedding and toys. Also contained within the box is a small mattress - making the box baby's first bed. The maternity package is designed to give all children in Finland an equal start in life, regardless of their background, and is credited with helping Finland achieve one of the world's lowest infant mortality rates. Throughout the decades, the contents of the baby box has changed to reflect changing times, including the falling in and out of favour of disposable nappies and the removal of bottles and soothers to promote breastfeeding. The scheme was originally available only to low-income families but that changed in 1949 when the box was made available to all mothers-to-be, as long as they attended medical pre-natal checks. The box thereby not only provided mums with essentials for taking care of their babies, but steered them towards medical care and away from a previously very high infant mortality rate. Even today, 95pc of expectant Finnish mothers still opt for the maternity box, in spite of the availability of a cash-grant alternative. The gender-neutral contents make it suitable for either boy or girl. It's no surprise really that Finnish mothers are considered amongst the happiest in the world. Spain Anna, originally from Barcelona but living in Ireland with her husband and two children, explains that natural birth is very much promoted in Spain. C-section rates are typically quite low. Mothers and fathers are both expected, if possible, to attend ante-natal classes and significant discussions take place around birth plans. Most births are midwife-led and doctors are only called upon in the event of complications. In keeping with their close-knit family ties, births where all the family are present are on the rise, though Anna adds that this is very much dependent on the birth being categorised as low-risk. The Spanish are generally considered very family-oriented and most of the support that a woman receives after giving birth will come from her family. Expand Close Homebirths are very popular in the Netherlands - they make up approximately 55pc of all births planned. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Homebirths are very popular in the Netherlands - they make up approximately 55pc of all births planned. Veering away from the traditional, a more unusual and probably lesser-known ritual which takes place in Northern Spain, involves the placing of babies on a mattress for El Salto del Colacho (meaning the 'Devil's Jump'). During this ritual, a person dressed as El Colacho (the Devil) jumps over the babies to cleanse their souls. Gambia and Senegal Midwife Montserrat, who spent time in both Gambia and Senegal, was initially very surprised when she saw the reactions of new mothers in both countries to their newborn babies. Montserrat discovered that the behaviour and custom came about as a result of a high infant mortality rate. Typically, in Gambia and Senegal, women gave birth either at home or in poorly-equipped hospitals, and conditions largely led to the high mortality rate. It became customary for the women to turn their heads away from the baby once the child was born. Superstition led them to believe that they could fool the 'gods' into thinking that the child was not important and so the gods would let the child live. The women feared the baby would be taken away if they appeared too happy. Poland Expand Close Typically, in Gambia and Senegal, women gave birth either at home or in poorly-equipped hospitals, and conditions largely led to the high mortality rate. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Typically, in Gambia and Senegal, women gave birth either at home or in poorly-equipped hospitals, and conditions largely led to the high mortality rate. Marta, who is from Poland originally but now lives in Ireland with her husband and their four children, says that pregnancy is much more medically managed in Poland, with more frequent hospital visits and many more scans - to a point that Marta believes is almost excessive. C-section rates are very high while breastfeeding rates and levels of support are one of the most obvious differences Marta sees between the two countries. Bottle-feeding is very unusual in Poland and Polish women who are struggling with breastfeeding, or may need to stop for medical reasons, will usually persist until every option has been exhausted. Lactation consultants are more readily accessible in Polish hospitals, something which Marta found was very different in her experience of Irish maternity hospitals. One notable difference Marta found during childbirth in Ireland was the flexibility around birthing positions. Polish women typically give birth in "gynaecological birthing chairs" and are discouraged from considering any other positions. While provisions for paid maternity leave in Poland are in excess of Ireland's 26 weeks, a lack of job security makes it difficult to avail of the full entitlement. Asia Many parts of Asia, including Malaysia, China and Singapore, practice "confinement" for 30 days after giving birth. Mum of two Cindy, from Malaysia, lives in Hong Kong and explains that the older generation believed that after giving birth, a woman's pores were open, so it was important not to catch a cold which could lead to swelling, arthritis or rheumatism in later life. While the stringent practice of not showering or washing one's hair during the period of confinement is largely a thing of the past, a new mum is confined to the house wearing long trousers and slippers for a month after giving birth. Some women hire a confinement lady to stay with them for the month. The confinement ladies prepare food for the mothers (according to the Chinese, certain foods and drinks are forbidden, such as cold water and fruits). They also clean and take care of the new baby so that the new mother can rest and recover. The Netherlands Homebirths are very popular in the Netherlands - they make up approximately 55pc of all births planned. Births in Holland are generally midwife-led and most women will not see a gynaecologist during their pregnancy. Mothers who opt for a hospital birth are unlikely to receive an epidural as they are only given one if it's convenient to the anaesthesiologist's schedule. A huge benefit to all mothers is the Dutch 'Kraamzorg' maternity home care system. This service is available to all mums, irrespective of whether they have had a hospital or home birth. A professional maternity nurse calls to the home of the new mum for eight to 10 days, helping her with breastfeeding, bathing and caring for the baby. The nurse also helps to take care of other children, as well as prepare meals and perform light housekeeping. Expand Close The most popular baby names of 2016 have been revealed / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The most popular baby names of 2016 have been revealed Germany Elke is a mother of two from Germany. She explains that there are many options available to an expectant mother, depending on her preference. A midwife is assigned to a mum at the beginning of her pregnancy and midwife-led units called 'birth houses' are available to low-risk mums. In labour, homeopathic pain relief options are available to mothers who don't want medical pain killers. Elke says that Once your baby is born and you are at home, the midwife who was assigned to you at the beginning of the pregnancy calls to see you once a day for five days. Following that, she calls every second or third day and eventually just once a week. She will treat any birth injuries and provide creams or ointments at no cost to the new mother. Baby is also checked at every visit and the midwife helps mum to learn all the new skills required to take care of baby. This midwife is available to you for six months, whenever you need help or support. France And finally to the country where women are pregnant that little bit longer. Deirdre from Ireland lives in France with her husband and three children. She explains that a pregnancy is deemed 41 weeks long in France - because they count from the first day of supposed conception. Toxoplasmosis is a big fear for pregnant women, Deirdre adds, largely because of the rare manner in which they tend to eat their meat. Hospital stays are also longer, with women typically staying in for almost a week after the birth of their baby. Breastfeeding rates, while rising, are still lower than many of their European counterparts and those who do it tend not to breastfeed for very long. Family and mothers-in-law are generally the main source of support and a lot of emphasis is put on the importance of the parents' relationship. Deirdre found she was actively encouraged to put baby in her own room once she turned one month old. She also finds that there is a lot of pressure on women to regain their figure but, on a very positive note, every woman in France, after childbirth, is entitled to a series of physiotherapy sessions to aid with pelvic floor recovery. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has sent about 190 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Donbas territories uncontrolled by Kyiv, the State Border Service of Ukraine said on Wednesday. "Ten Red Cross vehicles carrying about 190 tonnes of humanitarian aid have crossed into the uncontrolled territories through the Novotroitske checkpoint," the service said on Twitter. The final shipments of this years must-have toy the Hatchimal- have been snapped up by frenzied Irish parents in record time. Small batches of the magical creatures arrived in Ireland last week but were purchased within minutes by lucky parents at selected retailers around the country. Parents all over the world have been struggling to get their hands on the toy due to an unanticipated demand and new batches from its creators Spinmaster are not expected to arrive in Ireland until 2017. Hundreds of Irish parents on the search for the must-have toy have taken to Independent.ies Facebook page, expressing their disappointment at the short supply. I have been harassing toy shops the length and breadth of the country to find one, Fiona Rice from Castlebar said. My heart is broken trying to get my hands on one, wrote Helene Gibney. Finding a Hatchimal is like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow at this stage, said another Independent.ie reader Mary Kiely. Retailers including Tesco Ireland, Smyths Toys, Argos and Littlewoods Ireland have been inundated with calls from worried parents desperate to secure one of the toys ahead of Christmas since early November. Spokesperson from Littlewoods Ireland Karen Nason revealed that the demand for the Hatchimal has been completely unexpected. "In early November we received a batch of the Draggles Hatchimal which sold out in a couple of hours and the recent batch has seen the same reaction. Since the beginning of November, Hatchimals has been the third most popular term as far as Littlewoods Irelands internal search bar is concerned, behind only Paw Patrol and Christmas jumper. In Argos, the most recent batch of Hatchimals was snapped up within minutes in selected stores across Ireland last week as parents desperately awaited the latest shipment. A spokesperson said: Argos, like many other retailers, has seen unprecedented demand for Hatchimals since their launch - they have flown off the shelves. In a Christmas miracle, Independent.ie has managed to get our hands on the last Hatchimal in the country to give away to one of our lucky readers. Simply like Independent Lifes Facebook page and comment beneath our competition post for a chance to win. An Irish mother has opened up about her experience with post-natal depression in the hopes of helping other women coping with the mental illness. Suzanne Brack (26) welcomed her daughter Frankie in July but the newborn was soon diagnosed with colic, which the new mum struggled to cope with. The make-up artist from Dun Laoghaire said she soon began to resent her new baby but did not recognise her symptoms as post-natal depression, which she had not experienced after the birth of her son Josh (5). I looked fine but inside I wasnt. The thoughts of facing another day with her felt like a chore. I couldnt enjoy her but I brushed it off. Days passed and it was same routine, her constant piercing cry in my head, not being able to move without her in my arms. I was full of anger and frustration towards her. I hated her but I couldnt let the world see that. I carried on day after day. She drained the life and soul out of me, Suzanne wrote in a post on Facebook. I blamed her for everything. I felt she ruined my life, my bond with my son, I couldnt have my time with just him he was barely getting a look in. Expand Close Suzanne pictured with her daughter Frankie (5 months) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Suzanne pictured with her daughter Frankie (5 months) The young mum said she was reluctant to share her worries and feelings with her partner Richard and her family and friends for fear that they would "think she was mad". Suzanne revealed that she was shocked to find herself screaming at baby Frankie as she lay in her buggy, and began to realise that her feelings werent healthy. I screamed at her in her buggy one day from the top of my voice. I then walked away from her rocking myself on the sofa. The guilt I had feeling like this towards her was killing me all I wanted to do was love her, said Suzanne. The mum eventually was persuaded to seek help in St Vincents Hospital where she was diagnosed with post-natal depression for which she is now undergoing treatment. The mum-of-two said she had little knowledge of the illness before she was diagnosed and shared her story on Facebook in the hopes of raising awareness. Speaking to Independent.ie, Suzanne said: I put it up there thinking of my own emotions but Im so glad its raised awareness for mental health. When I was going through this I didnt know much about it and I had to go looking for information. I dont think people talk about it enough and there are so many mums out there going through this who feel alone. It was great to get that support from people after I shared that post, it was completely unexpected and I hope by talking about it, I can help other people coping with depression, she said. The new mum said seeking help has allowed her to see clearly for the first time in months. I cant fully explain post-natal depression but I can tell you its the worst feeling in the whole world. Im still fighting but I am coming out on top. Every step is one step forward. I love my daughter and I always will." If you have been affected by this article and are seeking help please visit www.pnd.ie or call the Samaritans Helpline on 116-123. These are interesting times for car manufacturers. They're being forced to face up to the challenge of non-automotive companies like Google and Apple that are quickly expanding from their niche technology offerings into new fields - including car manufacturing. At its recent 'Go Further' event in Cologne - where the next generation Fiesta was unveiled - Ford's president and chief executive officer Mark Fields said they are expanding into becoming both an auto and a mobility company. That involves pursuing emerging opportunities in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles and data and analytics. "There's a lot of talk of how tech companies could disrupt auto companies," he said (amid talk of Apple's intentions), but claimed Ford is already well down the tech road. It is focusing on the development of solutions to help people move in cities via its subsidiary Ford Smart Mobility which was established in March this year. One such solution is a shuttle service that complements public transport, for example. Ford acquired a company called Chariot earlier this year. It uses Transit vans to shuttle riders along routes in San Francisco, California and Austin, Texas, charging users on average $4 for the privilege. There is little doubt Ford, like many others, is working towards self-driving cars becoming a realistic option for millions. It has already conducted extensive tests in the US, and earlier this year announced plans to treble its autonomous vehicle development fleet, making it the largest around. At the Go Further event in Cologne, he said they will begin autonomous vehicle testing on European roads in 2017. The plan is to have such cars on sale by 2021. Research it has undertaken apparently shows that drivers look forward to enjoying the scenery, catching up with family and friends, and reading books as the main perceived benefits of travelling by selfdriving car. As part of its extensive testing in the US there are around 30 Fusions (the US version of the Mondeo) being trialled on roads in California, Arizona and Michigan. They are using the latest generation of LIDAR remote sensing technology from Silicon Valley. The company is also planning to invest $4.5bn in electrification solutions. "A reliable, ultra-fast charging infrastructure is important for mass consumer adoption and has the potential to transform the possibilities for electric driving," he said. As Motors reported last week, Ford has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with BMW, Daimler, and Volkswagen to create the highest-powered charging network in Europe. Planned to start in 2017 with an initial target of about 400 sites, customers should have access to an ultra-fast high-powered charging network with power levels up to 350 kW by 2020. Motors also brought you first pictures and details of the ninth-generation Ford Fiesta. Among some of its interesting technological developments is cylinder deactivation in the 1.0 litre Ecoboost engine. It shuts down one cylinder when it's not needed to improve fuel efficiency and emissions - a first for a three-cylinder powerplant. It is interesting too to see how quickly technology on larger cars is subsumed into smaller ones. The Fiesta, for example, has 15 driver assistant technologies which are currently on the Edge SUV. By comparison the outgoing model featured just two. Among the new ones are an enhanced version of Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Protection, Active Park Assist with Perpendicular Parking, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Cross Traffic Alert (warning system when reversing out of a parking space) - a first for a car in this segment. Also announced at Cologne were two special-edition Mustangs specially for Europe. The Black Shadow and Blue Editions have unique external stylings and hi-spec interiors. More than 50 of the current model Mustang have been bought here already. Surprisingly, in view of our punitive road tax system, nearly a third of those bought have the larger 5-litre V8 engine. A Black Edition version of the Transit Custom was also announced. Composite Image: Emilia Clarke as Daenerys in Game of Thrones, with Northern Ireland's Dark Hedges in the background (image - DiscoverNorthernIreland.com). The famous Dark Hedges in Co Antrim have just been voted one of the most beautiful places in the world. The prestigious Architectural Digest magazine, which is published in America, has placed the Hedges at number seven in its Top 10 of the most beautiful streets on the planet - ahead of the Champs-Elysees in Paris. Architectural Digest's 10 most beautiful streets: The Caminito in Buenos Airess La Boca district in Argentin Lombard Street with its hairpin bends in San Francisco The streets of Chefchaouen, Morocco The vine covered streets of Jerez de la Frontera, Spain The streets in 1,000-year-old town of Lijiang, China Cherry Blossom Avenue in Bonn, Germany The Dark Hedges in Co Antrim The Champs-Elysees, Paris (left) The Brouwersgracht, Amsterdam The streets of Agueda in Portugal Last year the Hedges, on the Bregagh Road near Ballymoney, were included in a list of the 12 best road trips in the UK and Ireland by continentalroadtrip.com. The iconic avenue of Beech trees, a major tourist attraction for Game of Thrones fans, was also chosen as one of the world's 'enchanting' spots by Culture Trip, which calls itself the biggest culture website in the world. In the citation, Culture Trip said the Dark Hedges were scenic and atmospheric, but advised the "easily spooked" to give the Bregagh Road a wide berth "because legend has it that it is home to an otherworldly resident, a spectral grey lady said to glide between the trees at dusk". Expand Close Composite Image: Emilia Clarke as Daenerys in Game of Thrones, with Northern Ireland's Dark Hedges in the background (image - DiscoverNorthernIreland.com). / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Composite Image: Emilia Clarke as Daenerys in Game of Thrones, with Northern Ireland's Dark Hedges in the background (image - DiscoverNorthernIreland.com). Read More The stunning tunnel of trees along the Bregagh Road was planted in the 18th century by the Stuart family, owners of the Georgian mansion, Gracehill House. It was designed to impress the Stuarts' visitors as they approached their estate. The Dark Hedges, which have long been one of the most photographed attractions in Northern Ireland, were propelled to even greater fame by HBO's cult television series, Game of Thrones. The trees represented the King's Road in the first episode of the second season of Thrones, as Arya Stark, who had escaped from King's Landing disguised as a boy, travelled through the Hedges with other characters to join the Night's Watch. Ever since, the Dark Hedges have proved to be a magnet for followers of the series from right around the world, including Japan, China, America and Scandinavia. Earlier this year it was revealed the trees were at risk from the increased flow of visitors and cars. Transport NI said it was in talks with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council about introducing a new traffic management system on the Bregagh Road. Infrastructure minister Chris Hazzard told the Assembly that among the measures under consideration were better parking provision and a footpath. He also said that a total ban on vehicles was also a possibility, as a means of ensuring that the Dark Hedges received special protection. A number of the iconic trees were blown down earlier this year in storms. The wood from two of the trees that fell in January has been used for carvings for 10 intricately-designed doors fitted in pubs and hotels, each one telling the story of an episode in season six of Game of Thrones. The 10 establishments are all close to filming locations from the series. Read more: Overhead bin charges: What will airlines think of next? United Airlines, one of the worlds largest carriers, is facing fresh criticism over plans to charge passengers extra for the use of overhead lockers. The airline, which welcomed almost 139 million passengers in 2015, will introduce a new basic economy fare in 2017. Those who opt for the cheapest ticket will be allowed to travel with a single small item of luggage, measuring no more than 9 x 10 x 17 (23cm x 25cm x 43cm), but they must place it under a seat and not in the overhead bins. They will also be automatically allocated a seat on the day of departure, meaning passengers on the same ticket could be forced to sit apart. United claims the move, announced last month, does not amount to a new fee. Those who want to stow their hand luggage overhead can still do so if they choose the standard economy fare, it says. But those who choose the cheapest fare are unlikely to be making any savings. According to Reuters, basic economy fares will be comparable to low fares it now charges for the economy cabin, but with more restrictions. Expand Close A United Airlines plane / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A United Airlines plane United expects the changes to raise around $1bn by 2020. Those choosing a standard economy fare, it is therefore reasonable to assume, will be expected to pay significantly more than they do now. Travellers reacted with anger over the decision, with some calling for a boycott of the airline, and now the outcry has reached US Congress. Its one of the most restrictive policies on airline passengers we have seen in a long time, said Chuck Schumer, a New York Senator. The overhead bin is one of the last sacred conveniences of air travel and the fact that United Airlines and potentially others plan to take that convenience away unless you pay up is really troubling. It seems like each year, airlines devise a new, ill-conceived plan to hit consumers and it has simply got to stop. Hardest hit by the changes, which will be introduced in the first quarter of 2017 for travel in the second quarter and beyond, could be those travelling with children as they generally carry more luggage. Elderly passengers who need to wheel their cases could also be affected more than most. United is not the first airline to charge extra for carry-on luggage. Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz, for example, permits passengers to carry a small item of luggage (25cm x 32cm x 42cm) for free, but charges for larger cabin bags (typically around 16 per flight). Those smaller bags can however, space permitting, be placed in overhead lockers. Read more: Read More Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] Bangkok has its ups and downs, but Kieron Wood's insider guide should help you navigate a fascinating city. 10 great things about Bangkok 1. Smiles Thailand isn't called the Land of Smiles for nothing. Its people follow the Thai Buddhist tradition of jai yen a cool heart and lose face if they quarrel or become upset. Its safe, as well as genuinely friendly. 2. The weather Its hot most of the time. Even when its not sunny, in the rainy season from June to October, the rain is short lived and warm though it can be heavy. 3. Public transport Expand Close Bangkok's Sky Train. Photo: Deposit / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bangkok's Sky Train. Photo: Deposit Although the traffic may be terrible, the frequent, air-conditioned Sky Train (above, two routes) and the Metro are fast and easy to use, with one-day Sky Train tickets at about 4. But avoid the rush hour! 4. The river The Chao Phraya river is the heart of the City of Wild Plums. Boat trips are cheap, regular and reliable and you can see the sights in comfort. 5. Street food Available everywhere, cooked instantly while you watch. Choose vendors with plenty of Thai customers. Don't miss the floating markets, either... Expand Close Vendors transport food in boats at a floating market, Bangkok, Thailand / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Vendors transport food in boats at a floating market, Bangkok, Thailand 6. The prices Cheap, cheap, cheap, especially Chatuchak weekend market and made-to-measure clothes. Buy your souvenirs early but dont offer more than half the original asking price on market stalls. And beware cheap tailors bearing bolts of cloth (even if marked wool). 7. Massages Available everywhere at prices from 3 per hour. Handle the touts with a polite no thanks mai khrap (or mai khaa if female). 8. Hotels The choice is overwhelming, from hostels to soaring five-star riverside establishments and even cheaper online. The best hotels have a pool too. Expand Close Monks at Chinatown, Bangkok. photo: Deposit / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Monks at Chinatown, Bangkok. photo: Deposit 9. Respect That should probably come under smiles, but the Thai people have respect drummed into them at an early age. The hands-together wai' is universal, as is the respect for monks, who hold a special place in Thai culture. 10. Access Bangkok is easier than ever easy to get to, with flights from Dublin through airlines like Etihad, including a short stopover in Abu Dhabi (704 economy class or 2,803 business class), or with Emirates via Dubai. 10 not-so-great things about Bangkok 1. Traffic Even though Thais drive on the left, the rush-hour traffic can be horrendous. Thank goodness for the abundant supply of (really cheap) metered taxis. Be aware though a red light means the taxi is for hire, not that its taken. 2. Pavements Expand Close Broken pavement in Bangkok. Photo: Kieron Wood / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Broken pavement in Bangkok. Photo: Kieron Wood Broken, holed, uneven paths, with the threat of imminent injury from cyclists and motorcyclists riding on the pavements. 3. Noise and dirt Well, Bangkok is a big city in an Asian country and standards might not be what youre used to at home though they are improving. 4. Fake policemen You may be surprised at the number of policemen in Bangkok. Often theyre not policemen at all but security guards or even car park attendants in uniform. But if theres any trouble, the tourist police are always nearby. 5. Beggars Theyre everywhere, and distressing, especially when theyre just children. But the Buddhist Thais make merit by giving alms. 6. Admission charges Expand Close Foreigner entrance fees in Bangkok. Photo: Kieron Wood / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Foreigner entrance fees in Bangkok. Photo: Kieron Wood I find it really annoying and unfair that some of the most popular visitor attractions in Bangkok charge different admission prices for foreigners and Thai nationals. The sooner they scrap this anomaly, the better. 7. Airport queues You can face lengthy queues in Suvarnabhumi Airport, unless the airline provides a priority pass. But the good news is that an elevated train runs from the new airport right into the centre of the city at a cost of just over 1... 8. Creepy crawlies If you dont like spiders or bats or, even worse, snakes or rats dont walk down side streets in the dark. After all, this is southeast Asia. 9. Buddhist holidays So youre not a fan of pubs closing on Good Friday? Youll be even less pleased when you cant buy your favourite tipple on Buddhist holy days, like the end of their Lent. Not all bars are closed, but some are, and the government officially banned the sale of alcohol after midnight following King Bhumibol's death in 2016. 10. Wires One of the abiding impressions of Bangkok is the absolute forest of electricity wires festooning most buildings. The authorities have promised to do something about it, but when? Read more: There was a surprising conclusion to Ruairi Quinn's Forum on Patronage and Pluralism last week when the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) presented the final report to Education Minister Richard Bruton on its proposal to introduce a new curriculum subject, Education about Religions and Beliefs (ERBE), to all primary schools in the State. The surprise is that the majority of written submissions the NCCA received provided a ringing endorsement of Catholic education. Curiously, submissions were available only briefly last week through the INTO Twitter account before the link was removed. The forum, established in 2011, fulfilled a key election policy promise for Labour. John Coolahan was appointed chair, assisted by Fionnuala Kilfeather and Dr Caroline Hussey. In his memoirs, John Walshe, then political advisor to Mr Quinn and a trenchant supporter of the forum, described Dr Hussey as "a Labour Party stalwart". In 2012, the forum set out two key objectives. The first was the divestment of schools under denominational patronage. The second was to make schools remaining under denominational patronage inclusive for non-Christians and non-believers. This was problematic because Catholic schools were already scoring highly when it came to inclusion. The Catholic Church advocates not only freedom for religion but also freedom from religion and therefore supported the forum's objectives. It encouraged parents to engage in the surveys conducted by the Education and Skills Department to assess parental demand for divestment of schools. Even in the areas deemed most likely to reflect parental demand, however, response rates to surveys were low. Surprisingly, so too was the desire for change, partly because only web-based responses were allowed. The department did not trust school boards to assist in the process. The poor response to the surveys limited what churches could do regarding the divestment of schools because for them the wishes of parents are paramount. Irish schools are not State schools. They are State-funded schools. This is an important distinction. The Irish Constitution protects the role of parents as their children's primary educators and supports them by providing State-funded schools under forms of patronage that accord with parents' beliefs. In contrast, groups advocating radical reform such as Atheist Ireland and The Humanist Association, along with Equate, a lobby group associated with Labour, favour a one-size-fits-all State education. Effectively, their proposals could result in the State displacing parents as their children's primary educator. More divestment is needed if only to permit schools that remain faith-based to be true to their ethos. Ultimately, however, it is the State's responsibility to vindicate the rights of parents of various faiths and none. The second objective was to promote inclusion in 'stand alone' schools. Suggestions included separating religious instruction from the rest of the curriculum, displaying 'artifacts' of non-Christian religions alongside crucifixes, and taking sacramental preparation out of the classroom. These issues are still under debate, as is the "baptismal rule" regarding admissions. The deletion of Rule 68 dealing with school ethos, shortly before Labour lost office, was an effort to salvage something from the forum. Yet as the department circular announcing the deletion noted, patrons' authority to uphold the characteristic spirit of their schools remained intact under the Education Act. The deletion was meaningless. A key proposal of the forum was to introduce ERBE as a discrete subject. The NCCA received 852 pages of submissions from 173 responding individuals and organisations. These have overwhelmingly rejected the NCCA proposal. The consultation reveals such a surprisingly high level of support for Catholic education at the grassroots level that it should give politicians and policy-makers serious pause for thought. State agencies supported the NCCA's proposal. Those on the ground mostly opposed it: parents, teachers, principals, school managers and members of boards of management. Respondents deemed ERBE unacceptable for several reasons. It was considered unrealistic given existing curriculum overload and time constraints. It was also considered unnecessary. The reasons given by the NCCA for its introduction included the development of self-respect, tolerance towards others, open mindedness and civic mindedness. These, respondents pointed out, are already provided for in the current curriculum. Respondents also pointed to evidence that Catholic schools are already at the forefront of inclusion. They also referred to research showing that tolerance and mutual respect are fostered more through commitment to one's own faith than by assimilating general knowledge about various beliefs. The Children Ombudsman's Office supported the proposal, noting that most of the complaints it receives are education-related. Yet none of the examples it gave related to religious discrimination. It was also pointed out that age-appropriate knowledge in regard to various beliefs is already a part of faith-based religious education. Finally, few respondents were convinced by the NCCA's assertion that ERBE would complement faith-based religious education. The issue, as they saw it, is not complementarity but compatibility. Why should faith-based schools have to teach religion in a way that contradicts their own characteristic spirit? The Humanist Association wrote, "Our aims and vision are very much the same as stated in the NCCA's Consultation document." This is telling. So also is the number of respondents who felt that the survey instrument was biased and chose to make written submissions instead. The NCCA's next strategy is to overhaul the curriculum in such a way that would allow for the integration of ERBE by other means. Yet the message from the submissions to the Consultation is that parents, teachers, managers and patrons need to be listened to. Perhaps instead of just talking about inclusion in schools we could start to practice it in how we formulate policy from here on. Professor Eamonn Conway is head of Theology and Religious Studies at University of Limerick Pope Francis exchanges gifts with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and his wife Fionnuala during a private audience in his studio, at the Vatican. Photo: AP The recently announced intended visit of Pope Francis to Ireland could herald an awakening of the Catholic Church from years of complacency, or it could degenerate into a feast of triumphalist ceremonial activities, leaving everything as it was, particularly the place of women in the Church. The purpose of the last papal visit to these islands was to officiate at the beatification of John Henry Newman. My abiding memory of this occasion, based on television coverage, was that of cameras panning across a sea of men overdressed in red and purple, with not a woman in sight. Sadly, Pope Francis, a compassionate and liberal-minded man, has his hands tied by the seemingly incurable male dominance that permeates the institution he leads - an institution ruled by men and patriarchal to the core. However, his recent statement of intention to support the ordination of women as deacons provided a ray of light, somewhat dimmed, however, by the strong reiteration of the current ban on ordaining women to the priesthood, despite the dramatic scarcity of priests. What is most disturbing is the impression that this prohibition is on the same footing as some of our central Christian beliefs. With regard to the inequitable treatment of women by religious groups, anti-discriminatory law does not apply; yet the very essence of law is that it applies to all citizens. The principle of equality requires that in the distribution of any benefit or role all must be treated in exactly the same manner unless there are relevant reasons for doing otherwise. Clearly, the Catholic Church, though not in breach of the law, is in breach of this moral principle in that it does not provide relevant reasons for discriminating against women, effectively acting arbitrarily. With regard to ordination to the priesthood, the most bizarre reason provided for excluding women is that the priest represents Christ, who was a man - as were all his disciples. This is not a reason but a gratuitous assertion. Philip O'Neill Oxford, UK Castro tribute needed balance I don't wish to line up with all the critics of President Michael D Higgins for his reaction to the death of Fidel Castro. But I fear he may be suffering from an ideological blind spot. It's a common problem. I recall the pressure groups who turned out to denounce the cruel Apartheid regime in South Africa and Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship in Chile remained silent on the excesses of North Korea, the former Eastern Bloc communist states, and the assorted south-east Asian dictatorships that replaced the brutal, corrupt or overtly pro-American governments (some also dictatorships) in that part of the world. Severe critics of those self-same far-left regimes tended to be silent about Mr Pinochet and other South American, African or Asian dictatorships that happened to be favourable to the US and its allies. Yes, Mr Castro built a first-rate health service and his dictatorship was arguably less repressive and corrupt than the Batista one that he overthrew. But getting tossed into prison for peaceful dissent is unjust whether your oppressor wears a red star on his cap or a tin eagle attached to a swastika. And being executed for criticism of a given regime is equally a perverse injustice, whether your life is ended on the orders of a far-left autocracy or a far-right one. Mr Castro is rightly praised for prioritising health. It is quite literally a life-enhancing priority, as anyone languishing in an Irish hospital trolley would know only too well. Adolf Hitler built excellent roads and achieved almost full employment, achievements overshadowed and completely nullified by his genocide. Benito Mussolini famously made the trains run on time. I admire Mr Higgins. His lifelong contribution to Irish politics has been characterised by courage, vision and a true social conscience. But he ought to have balanced out his tribute to Mr Castro by acknowledging the dark side of his dictatorship. John Fitzgerald Callan, Co Kilkenny Act on Brexit before it's too late The atmospheric vibrations from the box in the corner and the contrarian's print leaping off the pages of our daily papers have, instead of simplifying the Brexit question, raised more questions than answers. I am slow to put my oar in the murky waters of this question and disturb the creatures lurking in the deep. However, the boat is about to leave the harbour with no appropriate navigational equipment - its passengers holding a one-way ticket to God-knows-where. It begs the question: did the people of Britain buy a 'pig in a poke'? How could the British people know what they were voting for, when, almost six months later, nobody involved appears to have any idea how it's all going to pan out? In a pure democracy, there may be a get-out clause or two - if pride and ego don't get in the way. The great Socrates would ask the pertinent questions and allow the listener to come up with his/her own solution. I believe he would ask: is a referendum valid or democratic when the people cannot be fully informed? If, for example, 70pc or 80pc of the British people, on becoming more informed, have now decided they would prefer to remain in the EU, should they not be given another opportunity to exercise their democratic right? The boat is about to weigh anchor, so time is of the essence. Pat Mcloughlin Newcastle West, Co Limerick Stamp price rise to have impact So the price of a postage stamp looks set to rise again. How are we going to stick it at all? Tom Gilsenan Beaumont, Dublin 9 Misplaced Holy Spirit search It was Christmas in heaven. Jesus, Muhammad and the Buddha were holding a seminar on spirituality. They observed the people on Earth rushing around buying all kinds of things that they really didn't need. People were seeking the Holy Grail. They thought they could reach nirvana using this method in order to buy happiness. Amazingly, this did not appear to work. Even after buying everything money could buy, people were still searching for inner peace. Money, luxury and affluence only gave a quick fix before a downer set in. Jesus, Muhammad and the Buddha were each given a piece of paper by the Holy Spirit on which to write where they thought the Holy Grail could be found. They all came to the conclusion the Holy Grail was not an object, but a metaphor for something one could not see, or touch, but must instead experience. The Holy Spirit was delighted with their conclusions. They all had the same answer. They had written: "The Holy Grail can be found hidden inside everybody's heart. Alas! The last place anyone looks!" James Woods Ennis, Co Clare Scarlett Moffatt followed up her jungle victory with a chicken kebab and some time in front of the TV Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt was back watching television with her family just hours after she emerged as Queen of the Jungle on I 'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! The 26-year-old, a front-runner for the title from early in the series, was reunited with her mother Betty, father Mark and younger sister Ava after winning the show. In Coming Out, which follows the campmates through their returns to civilisation, she said: "Obviously I was like I can't actually believe I'm even in here because I just watch the telly. "It's just nice to know you're accepted." The TV star, who won fans for her focus on chicken kebabs during a particularly gruelling Bushtucker Trial, stopped off for her favourite food on her way to the hotel after leaving the jungle. As she arrived at the hotel, she was greeted with cheers of her name before heading for bed. She said: "I'm so excited to see a real-life bed. I'd forgotten what one looks like and it beats sleeping in a hammock." She was joined by the rest of her family, who gathered around to watch TV with her. Moffat, who has been a fan of the show since she was a child, was crowned Queen of the Jungle by former winner Vicky Pattison. Comedian Joel Dommett, who passed up a New York cheesecake in favour of a goat's penis and testicles to win stars for the camp in his final bushtucker trial, was finally united with his preferred dessert. Seeing the cake in his room, he said: "I'm going to eat the entire thing. I don't care what will happen to my body." Video of the Day ::Coming Out is on ITV on Wednesday at 8pm. Los Angeles prosecutors have said they will not charge Russell Crowe with battery over a scuffle with rapper Azealia Banks in a Beverly Hills hotel room earlier this year. A charge evaluation worksheet released on Wednesday by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office states Crowe struggled with Banks and threw her out of his hotel room in October after she picked up a glass and threatened people with it. They rejected filing a battery charge against the actor due to Banks's actions and her lack of visible injuries. Banks accused Crowe of grabbing her by the neck, calling her a racial slur and spitting on her during an October 15 gathering at the Beverly Hills Hotel. She acknowledged insulting Crowe before he kicked her out of the room at 3am, the worksheet states. The filing states a prosecutor determined that a jury would likely "find the physical escort out of the room was justified to prevent the imminent violence threatened by Banks". The determination was made after authorities spoke to several witnesses who described Banks as acting aggressively before the confrontation. An after-hours call to a representative for Banks was not immediately returned. The international community should continue to exert pressure on Russia in order to force it to meet its obligations for the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said. "The international community must keep pressuring Russia to respect its obligations. Especially while the security situation in eastern Ukraine remains so serious, it is important that economic sanctions be maintained," he said at a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday following the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission. Smokes rise in an east Aleppo neighbourhood during a battle between forces loyal to Syrian president Bashar Assad and rebels (AP) Several Syrian rebel factions, staring a brutal defeat in the face, have proposed a five-day ceasefire in the eastern part of the city of Aleppo so the wounded, sick and other civilians can be evacuated. The proposal came as Syrian government troops and allied militiamen declared they have seized control of three-quarters of the enclave that the opposition had controlled since 2012. The ceasefire proposal was signed by the Aleppo command centre, apparently a reference to the collection of factions fighting inside the eastern enclave. A rebel spokesman said al Qaida-linked group Fatah al-Sham Front, which has a limited presence in the enclave, will abide by the proposal. The offer made no mention of a rebel pullout from Aleppo, though the proposal said the fate of the city is to be negotiated after the humanitarian crisis eases. The Syrian government and its ally Russia had previously rejected a ceasefire for the war-torn city, keeping up the military offensive that has forced rebel retreats and massive displacement of Aleppo civilians. On Wednesday, US secretary of state John Kerry and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov were meeting for talks on Syria in Germany. Earlier, Syrian government troops and allied militiamen seized more ground in Aleppo's ancient quarters, further widening their control over an enclave in the divided city, Syria's state media and an opposition monitoring group said. With the latest gains, the endgame for Aleppo, which has been carved up between the government and the rebel side for the past four years, appears to draw even closer. If Aleppo - the country's former commercial hub - is captured by government troops, it would be a turning point in the conflict, putting the four largest cities in Syria and the coastal region back under state control. Also on Wednesday, the state SANA news agency said that Israel launched several surface-to-surface missiles that hit near a military airport west of Damascus, triggering a fire. SANA said the missiles fell within the perimeter of the Mezzeh military airport, the main air base in the Damascus area. It lies on the western edge of the capital and had previously come under rebel fire. No injuries were reported. It was the second such Israeli strike into Syria recently, according to the Syrian government, following two missiles fired from Lebanese airspace towards the outskirts of Damascus last week. But Wednesday's attack is believed to be the first from Israel into the vicinity of Damascus in years. Israel is widely believed to have carried out a number of air strikes in Syria in the past few years that have targeted advanced weapons systems, including Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles and Iranian-made missiles. The arms are believed to be destined for the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah militant group, a close ally of the Syrian government and a fierce enemy of Israel. Rebel defences in eastern Aleppo have collapsed rapidly in the face of a massive government assault backed by Russia and thousands of Iranian-backed Shiite fighters. On Tuesday, Syrian government forces captured Aleppo's centrally located al-Shaar neighbourhood, securing about 45 square kilometres (17 square miles) of the besieged enclave less than two weeks after launching their ground offensive. The offensive was preceded by an intensive bombing campaign that knocked out medical facilities and left the civilian population reeling from the violence. According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 369 civilians, including 45 children, were killed in eastern Aleppo since November 15. The observatory said 92 civilians, including 34 children, were killed in the government-controlled western Aleppo that came under rebel fire. SANA said Syrian forces on Wednesday established control over two districts north of the Aleppo Citadel in the heart of the city - the Aghiour and Bab al-Hadid neighbourhoods - after rebels abandoned positions and retreated further south. The new gains have choked the rebels, forcing them to pull back to other parts of the Old City, said the observatory. A map provided by the Syrian army showed a quickly shrinking opposition enclave - a pointed leaf-shaped territory in the centre, abutting already government-controlled Aleppo districts. In a statement, the observatory said dozens of bodies littered streets stretching from al-Shaar to the southern part of eastern Aleppo, including the Old City, as a result of ongoing intense government bombardment. Captain Abdel-Salam Abdel-Razek, of the rebel Nour el-Din el-Zinki faction - one of the largest operating inside Aleppo - said the ceasefire proposal was driven by humanitarian concerns because of the rising death toll and intensive destruction. He said currently there was no talk of rebels leaving the city. The proposal calls for the immediate evacuation of 500 seriously wounded and for allowing civilians wishing to leave to head to northern rural Aleppo, where there is almost no government presence. It also calls for negotiations over the future of the city of Aleppo once the humanitarian crisis eases. Capt Abdel-Razek said this humanitarian pause is to be monitored by the United Nations. Wissam Zarqa, an English teacher in eastern Aleppo and an outspoken government opponent, said the rebel retreat from large parts of Old Aleppo was "concerning". "We are exhausted. There is a lot of death and unprecedented destruction," he said. AP Demonstrators set a roadblock on fire outside the state legislature in Rio de Janeiro (AP) Police and protesters have clashed outside the Rio de Janeiro state legislature during a demonstration against government austerity measures being discussed by policymakers. Protester s threw homemade grenades and fired rockets toward the assembly, and police responded with rubber bullets and tear gas. Tear gas apparently wafted into the assembly itself, with a photo on the G1 news portal showing some legislators wearing medical masks in the chamber. The confrontations took place over several blocks around the legislature and lasted about five hours before protesters dispersed. At one point, police entered a church and fired on protesters from there. Eleven officers were injured in the clashes, according to a statement from military police. There also were reports of protesters being injured. The protests come amid growing anger at politicians in Brazil, where a sprawling corruption scandal has implicated several elected officials and leading business executives. In Rio, this anger is exacerbated by a state government financial crisis that has seen thousands of state employees and retirees not getting paid or being paid months late. State workers have staged numerous protests against austerity measures in Rio, and many of those in the latest demo were firefighters. "As you can see here in Brazil, we have thieves leaving government, thieves entering government, thieves in the state government, thieves in the federal government," said Ronaldo Moreno, a spokesman for the oil workers' union in Rio. "What is happening today is a fight by public workers, but it is a fight by everyone." On Tuesday, legislators voted to eliminate some of their own benefits and cut the salaries of the governor and other senior officials, among other austerity measures. With the country in its worst recession in decades, other Brazilian states are facing budget crunches, b ut Rio's situation has drawn particular anger since it comes months after it hosted the 2016 Olympics. Many fear that austerity measures will hamper already cash-strapped police amid a deteriorating security situation. Others blame the cash shortfalls on corruption. As part of the country's wide-ranging corruption investigation, prosecutors on Tuesday ordered that the wife of a former Rio governor be taken into preventative custody. Both Sergio Cabral, who is also in custody, and his wife Adriana Ancelmo face corruption charges. Prosecutors say Cabral accepted bribes from several companies in exchange for help securing building contracts. In total, he received tens of millions of dollars in a scheme that included laundering money through the writing of fake contracts and buying luxury goods, investigators allege. Ancelmo is also facing charges that she laundered money. AP Michigan's presidential recount has been thrown into doubt after a state appeals court said the Green Party candidate's poor showing disqualified her from seeking a second look at the votes. Meanwhile, the fate of a statewide recount push in Pennsylvania must wait at least until Friday, when a federal judge has scheduled a hearing. President-elect Donald Trump narrowly defeated Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in both states and Wisconsin, which started a recount last week. The recounts requested by Green Party candidate Jill Stein were not expected to change enough votes to overturn the result of the election. Ms Stein, who received about 1% of the vote in all three states, says her intent is to verify the accuracy of the vote. She has suggested, with no evidence, that votes cast were susceptible to computer hacking. In Wisconsin, Mr Trump had widened his victory margin over Ms Clinton by 146 votes, with 23 of the state's 72 counties having finished their recounts. In those counties, he gained 105 votes and Ms Clinton dropped 41 votes. He had defeated Ms Clinton in Wisconsin by about 22,000 votes. In Michigan, t he appeals court ordered the state election board to reject Ms Stein's recount petition. The board meets again on Wednesday. Attorney general Bill Schuette said the decision means the recount "must stop", but Ms Stein's lawyer Mark Brewer insisted the recount is not over. The ruling came a day after District Judge Mark Goldsmith ordered an immediate state-wide recount of about 4.8 million ballots. Mr Trump won Michigan by about 10,700 votes over Ms Clinton. In Pennsylvania, District Judge Paul Diamond scheduled a hearing for Friday on the request for a recount. The Republican Party and Mr Trump warned that the case threatens Pennsylvania's ability to certify its election before a December 13 federal deadline. Ms Stein's team has not produced evidence of hacking, but says Pennsylvania's election system is "a national disgrace". Meanwhile, Pennsylvania election officials updated the state's vote count to show that Mr Trump's lead over Ms Clinton had shrunk to about 44,000 out of more than six million votes cast. That is still short of Pennsylvania's 0.5% trigger for an automatic state-wide recount. In Nevada, a partial recount of the race was requested by independent presidential candidate Roque De La Fuente , who finished last with a fraction of 1% of the vote. Most of the 92 precincts being recounted are in the Las Vegas area, with eight in four other counties. If the sample shows a discrepancy of at least 1% for Mr De La Fuente or Ms Clinton, a full recount will be launched in all 17 Nevada counties. Ms Clinton defeated Mr Trump in Nevada by 27,202 votes, out of 1.1 million votes cast. Nevada secretary of state spokeswoman Gail Anderson said the recount will be finished by the end of this week. AP The dashboard of an Audi A4 during a demonstration of Audi's vehicle-to-infrastructure technology in Las Vegas (AP) Working on the theory that a driver who knows when a red light will turn green is more relaxed and aware, car giant Audi is unveiling in Las Vegas a technology that enables vehicles to "read" traffic signals ahead and tell the motorist how long the wait will be. It is a simple display for the driver - a dashboard traffic signal icon and a timer next to the digital vehicle speed and area speed limit displays already common in newer cars. The technology behind it is more complex. It uses 4G LTE cellular communication between the vehicle and a centralised traffic management control network - dubbed vehicle-to-infrastructure or "V2I". Audi offers it through a subscription service not unlike commercial satellite radio. The company calls it "traffic light information". Company executive Pom Malhotra terms it "time to green". "You don't have to constantly stare at the traffic light. You have that information right in front of you," Mr Malhotra told reporters who test-drove the system in vehicles on and around Las Vegas Strip on Tuesday. Unable to see the light because there is a tour bus ahead? No problem. The icon says you have 37 seconds. "A lot of behaviour in the car changes," Mr Malhotra said. "You have time to relax your hands and shoulders ... time to hand a milk bottle to your child in the back seat ... while knowing you're not taking attention away from the road." Audi and Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada officials said on Tuesday that Las Vegas was picked for the first-in-the-nation debut because it has a single centralised traffic management centre covering all jurisdictions in Clark County, a region nearly the size of New Jersey. Mr Malhotra said Audi hopes to expand the system soon to other big US cities, including places like Los Angeles, which have patchwork traffic management systems run by varying jurisdictions in a sprawling urban landscape. The Las Vegas-area programme, dubbed the Freeway and Arterial System of Transportation, or Fast, collects data and synchronises 1,300 traffic signals in a region home to more than two million people and host to more than 40 million tourists a year. It also has 508 cameras and freeway flow detectors, and controls 106 message signs and freeway on-ramp meters. Tina Quigley, transportation commission general manager, said other car companies will be able to tap into the Las Vegas data, which she said should improve mobility and safety - particularly in the congested Las Vegas Strip tourist corridor and around McCarran International Airport. About 150 Audi owners are using the system in Las Vegas, Mr Malhotra said. The car company official called the debut of the commercial service "a small step forward in V2I", but a key demonstration of the kind of technology that will enable vehicle-to-vehicle communication and driverless cars. Using cellular communication for smart car systems differs from vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-traffic signal programmes using dedicated short-range communication. DSRC has been tested since 2012 at the University of Michigan, said Debra Bezzina, senior programme manager for the Ann Arbor Connected Vehicle Test Environment. The university Transportation Research Institute programme is backed by several federal traffic safety, research, trucking and transit agencies, and pilot programmes are scheduled for Wyoming, New York and Tampa, Florida. Ms Bezzina said properly equipped vehicles with DSRC are able to detect traffic signal phase signals at intersections. "If the light has turned yellow, it can tell the driver'You're not going to make the light'," she said. Audi spokesman Mark Dahncke said his company expects other car makers will develop similar cellular-enabled technology, or could piggyback with its programme contractor, Traffic Technology Services. "We are blazing a trail that does not lock anyone else out," said Mr Dahncke. AP Bangladesh Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, centre, leaves the Supreme Court after a hearing relating to the death sentence imposed on Harkatul Jihad leader Mufti Abdul Hannan (AP) The Supreme Court in Bangladesh has upheld death sentences against an Islamic group's leader and two of his accomplices found guilty over a grenade attack on a British envoy in 2004. Defence lawyers representing Mufti Abdul Hannan, the leader of the banned group Harkatul Jihad, said they would appeal for a Supreme Court review of Wednesday's ruling, though such reviews are rare. Hannan and two other men were found guilty in 2008 of orchestrating a grenade attack against Bangladesh-born British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury while he was visiting a popular Islamic shrine in the north-eastern city of Sylhet in 2004. Mr Choudhury was unharmed, but the attack killed three police officers and injured 70 other people. The trial court in 2008 sentenced another two of Hannan's associates to life in prison for their role in the attack. Hannan took over leadership of Harkatul Jihad in the late 1990s. The group, formed in 1992 by Bangladeshis returning from fighting Soviet forces in Afghanistan, has been blamed for many other attacks in the Muslim-majority nation. Hannan was also sentenced to death for another attack during a new year celebration in 2001 in which 10 people were killed. He remains on trial for a 2004 grenade attack that killed 24 people which targeted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when she was the opposition leader and addressing a rally. Ms Hasina escaped injury. The group was banned by the Bangladesh government in 2005. AP China, which claims Taiwan as a breakaway province, objects to any nation having formal contact with its government China has accused Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen of seeking to use a planned transit stop in the US to score diplomatic points. The comments come amid Chinese rancour over an unprecedented phone call between Ms Tsai and US President-elect Donald Trump. Asked at a briefing whether China has asked the US to cancel the stop planned for next month, foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang reiterated China's claim to sovereignty over Taiwan and accused Ms Tsai of political machinations. "Taiwan's administration and leader always perform some petty moves like a transit diplomacy whose ulterior political intentions are clear for all to see," Mr Lu said. Ms Tsai plans to stop in the US on her way to visit Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador, among the island's handful of diplomatic allies. China, which claims Taiwan as a breakaway province, objects to any nation having formal contact with its government. The island has diplomatic relations with just 22 countries, 12 of which are in Central America and the Caribbean. The phone conversation last Friday between Ms Tsai and Mr Trump broke a more than four-decade-old precedent barring such direct communication, and set off a firestorm of controversy in Washington over Mr Trump's apparent indifference to diplomatic protocol. Since the US switched relations from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, the sides have had only unofficial diplomatic dealings, although the US remains a key ally of Taiwan and by law must ensure the island can maintain a credible defence. China, which split with Taiwan during a civil war in 1949, continues to threaten to use force to reunify with it if deemed necessary. Beijing cut off contacts with Ms Tsai's government earlier this year over her refusal to endorse the concept that China and Taiwan remain part of a single Chinese nation despite their present state of division. That brought a shuddering halt to the trend in recent years of warming ties between the former arch-rivals. In Taipei, presidential spokesman Alex Huang said that Taiwan considered it of equal importance to maintain good relations with both the US and China, but also took a swipe at China's response. "Such overreaction is unnecessary and is also not conducive to the normal development of (Taiwan-China) relations," Mr Huang was quoted as saying by Taiwan's official Central News Agency. AP The search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has been scaled back (Ministry of Defence/PA) The seabed search for the missing Malaysian airliner has been left to a single ship, with a Chinese vessel heading home to Shanghai, officials said. Dutch survey ship Fugro Equator will finish the search of the southern Indian Ocean for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 after resupplying at the south-west Australian port of Fremantle, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which co-ordinates the search, said in a statement. Chinese ship Dong Hai Jiu 101 finished searching the 46,000 square mile expanse last weekend and was heading back to Fremantle to drop off equipment before returning to its home port, the statement said. The Chinese ship in February joined three search vessels operated by Dutch underwater survey company Fugro in the hunt for the Boeing 777 that authorities say crashed with 239 people aboard far off the south-west coast of Australia on March 8 2014. Fugro Equator is expected to finish the search by February, the statement said. The ship is using a highly manoeuvrable drone known as an autonomous underwater vehicle to get sonar images of difficult terrain. A group of victims' relatives travelled to the island nation of Madagascar, off the south-east coast of Africa, and this week offered locals possible financial rewards to search for debris from the plane. A Malaysian official investigating the disappearance visited Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo, to pick up debris that has already been found and will be analysed to see if it came from the aircraft. Confirmation that the plane crashed came last year when a wing part washed ashore on Reunion Island in the western Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. Authorities have offered no explanation for why the plane flew off course during a flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing. AP Indonesia's Climate, Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said the quake has no potential to trigger a tsunami Rescuers use heavy machinery to search for survivors under the rubble (AP) A strong undersea earthquake rocked Indonesia's Aceh province early on Wednesday, killing nearly 100 people and sparking a frantic rescue effort in the rubble of dozens of collapsed and damaged buildings. Major General Tatang Sulaiman, chief of the army in Aceh province, said at least 97 people had died while four others were pulled from the rubble alive. Another four or five were still believed to be buried, but it was not known if they were dead or alive. "Hopefully we would be able to finish the evacuation from the rubble before sunset," said Maj Gen Sulaiman. The rescue effort involving thousands of villagers, soldiers and police was concentrated on Meureudu, a severely affected town in Pidie Jaya district. Excavators were trying to remove debris from shop houses and other buildings where people were believed to have been buried. TV footage showed rescuers in orange uniforms shining torches into the interiors of broken buildings as they searched for signs of life. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency said 273 people were injured, about a quarter of them seriously. Some 245 buildings were seriously damaged or destroyed, mostly in Pidie Jaya, including 14 mosques and the remainder largely dwellings and shop houses. Roads also cracked and power poles toppled over. Aiyub Abbas, the chief of Pidie Jaya district, which is 11 miles (18km) south-west of the epicentre, said there was urgent need for excavation equipment to move heavy debris and emergency supplies. Footage showed rescue personnel taking bodies in black bags away from the rubble. The US Geological Survey said the shallow 6.5 magnitude earthquake which struck at 5.03am local time (2203 GMT Tuesday) was centred about 12 miles (19km) south-east of Sigli, a town on the northern tip of Aceh, at a depth of 11 miles (18km). It did not generate a tsunami. For Acehnese, the quake was a terrifying reminder of their region's vulnerability to natural disasters. More than 100,000 died in Aceh after the earthquake on December 26 2004 triggered a devastating tsunami. "It was very bad, the tremors felt even stronger than 2004 earthquake," said Musman Aziz, a Meureudu resident. "I was so scared the tsunami was coming." In the capital, Jakarta, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said he has ordered all government agencies to take part in the rescue efforts. The Red Cross Indonesia has deployed emergency response teams and advertised bank accounts for donations. The International Organisation for Migration said it had sent an assessment team to Aceh. Seaside resident Fitri Abidin in Pidie Jaya said she fled with her husband and wailing children to a nearby hill after the quake jolted the family awake early in the morning. They stayed there for several hours until authorities reassured them there was no tsunami risk. "It terrified me. I was having difficulty breathing or walking," said Ms Abidin. She said her husband grabbed hold of her and carried her out of the house. The family's home did not collapse but some neighbours' properties did and Ms Abidin is afraid three friends were buried in building collapses. In Pidie Jaya's neighbouring district of Bireuen, a teacher at an Islamic building school died after being hit by falling debris, said health worker Achmad Taufiq. Residents of the nearby town of Lhokseumawe ran out of their houses in panic during the quake and many people fled to higher ground. The world's largest archipelago, Indonesia is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. The 2004 quake and tsunami killed a total of 230,000 people in a dozen countries, most of them in Aceh. AP Kane Kennedy, 20, formerly of Harewood Avenue, Heysham, who has been found guilty at Preston Crown Court of murdering his seven-month-old son by inflicting "frankly obscene" injuries on him Credit: Lancashire Police/PA Wire A father has been found guilty of murdering his seven-month-old son by inflicting "frankly obscene" injuries on him. Regular cannabis smoker Kane Kennedy, 20, was said to "bad-tempered" when he could not get hold of the drug and argued regularly with the mother of their child. Preston Crown Court heard he forcibly got hold of Oskar Jobey-Kennedy's testicles, by either gripping, pinching or twisting them, and then pushed his fingers down the throat of the defenceless boy. He then placed his hand over the mouth of the child who was smothered to death. Kennedy denied murder between September 30 and October 1 last year and tried to blame Oskar's mother, Tia Jobey, but a jury did not believe his account. Kennedy, formerly of Harewood Avenue, Heysham, will be sentenced on December 15. Jobey, 19, of Balmoral Road, Morecambe, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing or allowing the death of a child. On Tuesday, she was sentenced to 30 months in a young offender institution. Paramedics were called to the Balmoral Road address shortly before 9am on October 1 to a report that Oskar had been found unresponsive. He was taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary but was pronounced dead soon after arrival. A catalogue of non-accidental injuries were identified in the post-mortem exmaination, with a total of 13 marks to his face and neck. There was also bruising to both testicles with the jury being told that such injuries would have caused "immense pain" when Oskar was alive. The court heard Jobey and Kennedy started arguing two months previously over the latter's use of cannabis. Jobey told police that Kennedy would be "stressy" when he could not smoke cannabis which "makes him paranoid about everything". She admitted it was not a good relationship and that she should have left Kennedy but she was scared of being alone. Stuart Denney QC, representing Jobey, said: "This young lady is going to carry the burden of what she did, or rather what she didn't do, for the rest of her life. She could have, and should have, done more than she did." He said his client had fallen "head over heels in love" with Kennedy when she was 16-years-old and it was her first proper relationship. Jobey's affections for him effectively "blinded her to reality", the barrister said. The jury was told the pair had exchanged Facebook messages in the months before in which Jobey confronted Kennedy about him sticking his finger down her son's throat. Jobey told police she thought Kennedy would change but when she learned the extent of the injuries inflicted on Oskar when arrested in Febraury she ended the relationship. Sentencing Jobey, Mr Justice Davis said: "You had identified occasions in the past that he had suffocated Oskar. He put his hand over Oskar's mouth. He had shoved his fingers down Oskar's throat. Those are the two things that immediately happened before Oskar died. "You knew that was something that could happen and had happened, but yet you did nothing." The judge said he did not accept she could not foresee the risk of death. He added: "In my judgment you must have appreciated that conceivably could be the consequence." On Wednesday, Detective Chief Inspector Jon Holmes, of Lancashire Constabulary's Force Major Investigation Team, said: "The level of injuries inflicted on this defenceless child by Kennedy are frankly obscene. It is almost impossible to understand the mindset of someone who could do this to any child, let alone their own son. "I would like to thank the jury for their careful consideration of what must have been a hugely distressing case and I welcome the decision they have made today. "My thanks also go to the Crown Prosecution Service and counsel for their presentation of the case to the court and finally my thoughts remain with the wider family of baby Oskar who have been through so much over the last year. I hope that this verdict can offer them some comfort as they try to move on with their lives." Julie Bradford, 45, said she felt compelled to carry Jack for daughter Jessica Jenkins, 21, who was left unable to have children after fighting cervical cancer aged 18. Stock Image A woman has described her joy at giving birth to her own grandson after stepping in as a surrogate for her cancer survivor daughter. Julie Bradford, 45, said she felt compelled to carry Jack for daughter Jessica Jenkins, 21, who was left unable to have children after fighting cervical cancer aged 18. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, the hairdresser said: "Any mother would do this for their child." She added: "It was never in question from day one. He's a Christmas miracle to us. "You watch your daughter go through cancer at 18 and then say you would not do the same. But I would have done it anyway, it's what mums do. "If cancer couldn't beat us there was no way I wasn't having a baby for Jessica." Jack was born on Friday weighing a healthy 6lb 10oz with his mother at her mother's bedside. Ms Jenkins, of Rhymney, South Wales, told the newspaper: "I cannot believe I've gone from facing death with cancer to facing my first Christmas with my son in just a few years." After her diagnosis, doctors told Ms Jenkins and her husband, Rees Jenkins, 27, that they would not be able to have children of their own. However they harvested 21 eggs shortly before she began radiotherapy and, after being in remission since August 2014, the family decided to go ahead with IVF earlier this year. Ms Bradford, already a mother-of-three, learned she was pregnant on April 9. Mr Jenkins said: "Seeing Jess and her mum crying with Jack in their arms will always be the greatest day of my life." The family have not ruled out having further children and hope to use pioneering womb transplant technology, with Ms Bradford offering to donate her own. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has drafted a bill asking democratic states to recognize the Holodomor, the artificially-created famine of 1932-1933, in Ukraine as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people. Some 233 MPs supported the draft bill (No. 3525) on Tuesday during a plenary session in the nation's legislature. "Parliament is appealing to governments of the world to recognize the Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people," the document says. "Ukraine during 1932 and 1932 suffered a horrible tragedy the Holodomor, which claimed millions of lives. The criminal Communist totalitarian regime by means of confiscation of agricultural produce, blockades of villages and entire regions, bans of leaving areas where people were starving in Ukraine, the ruination of agricultural trade, repression against dissidents. It deliberately created unlivable conditions in Ukraine with the intent of physically destroying the population. The policy of the regime was tantamount to a crime against humanity, according to the United Nations Convention of December 9, 1948 on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, adopted by the UN General Assembly," reads the text of the draft bill. Ukrainian MPs noted that parliament on November 28, 2006 passed a law recognizing the Holodomor of 1932 and 1933 as genocide against the Ukrainian people, and on April 9, 2015 the law On the Condemnation of the Communist and National-Socialist (Nazi) Totalitarian Regimes in Ukraine and Ban on Circulation of its Symbols. The bill condemned the totalitarian Communist regime, labeling it as criminal. A teenager who has been locked up for making hoax bomb calls which caused mass panic in America began the threats after playing video game Call of Duty, a court has heard. Gregory Paul Sales, now 17, was sentenced to 12 months in a young offenders' institution after he admitted threatening to "slaughter" the family of an FBI agent in a series of phone calls as well as making 11 hoax bomb threats to schools, universities, airports and news organisations in America. The teenager, who was just 15 when the offences started, used the name Ransom, with account names including Ransom the Terrorist and Ransom the Thug, to carry out the chilling threats. Sales, from Bidston, Wirral, was told he was "very lucky" to be young enough to avoid extradition to America. Wirral Youth Court heard the offences started on September 4 2014, when he rang the Ottowa County Sheriff and said he was on the way to Coopersville High School, US, with a bomb and was in possession of an Uzi. Hannah Griffiths, prosecuting, said 19 police patrols were sent to the school and the 2,500 students were locked down for an hour. On December 22 2014, he rang the home of FBI agent Christian Zajac and left a message on the voicemail which was heard by the agent's wife and two 12-year-old children. Judge Michael Abelson said: "Christian Zajac was alerted to the call by the sound of his wife and children screaming." In the calls, which were listened in to by people Sales had met online, he demanded $20,000 from the agent and said if the demands weren't met he would kill his wife and children He also claimed a bomb would be brought to the house by a pizza delivery driver, before ordering pizzas to be delivered to the house. The court heard in a later phone call he lowered his demand to $10,000 and said if it was not met "your family dies, I come to your house and slaughter everybody". John Weate, defending, said: "He got into this through playing a game called Call of Duty, which is a game which you can play online and which has an army theme to it, and he gets talking to people in other countries or this country." Between September 2014 and May 2015 Sales also made fake bomb threats to Hudsonville High School, Caledonia Community High School, Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, the Gerald Ford, Kalamazoo and Shuttleworth international airports and two news stations - Wood TV Studio and WZZM 13. The court heard he tweeted WZZM 13 stating there was a bomb in the building after the station decided not to air an interview with him about the spate of bomb hoaxes in the area. Judge Michael Abelson said: "It is almost as if fantasy and reality blended into each other." Mr Weate said when Sales was played a recording of the threats he made to FBI Agent Zajac in a police interview he "covered his ears in shame and disgust" as if he was trying to block it out. Sentencing the teenager, Judge Abelson said: "This was coordinated criminal activity, orchestrated on a large scale." He added: "This is no game. You must surely have appreciated, as an intelligent young man at the time, the horror you were causing to this family and the fear you were instilling in them." A flight attendant was arrested for being eight times the alcohol limit while on board a trans-Atlantic jet. A flight attendant was arrested for being eight times the alcohol limit while on board a trans-Atlantic jet. Officers smelled alcohol on the breath of American Airlines worker Stacy Rosehill, 57, while she was carrying out an in-flight safety demonstration ahead of a flight from Manchester to Chicago. She was escorted off the Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane in October and taken into custody as around 300 passengers were waited for takeoff. Tests showed she had 71 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit under aviation rules is 9mg. Manchester magistrates court heard Rosehill, from Chicago, had got drunk the previous evening after going to to a "bring your own booze" restaurant with friends during a stopover in Manchester. It is thought she had been drinking wine before having whisky from her hotel mini-bar at 2am. She admitted performing an aviation function whilst over over the prescribed limit under the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 and was given a 140 fine with 85 legal costs and a 30 victim surcharge. The senior stewardess, who has worked with American Airlines for 29 years, is currently suspended on full pay and faces a disciplinary hearing in the US when she returns. Prosecuting, Nicola Yeadon, said: "Miss Rosehill was part of American Airlines cabin crew and was travelling on a Manchester to Chicago bound flight when security smelt alcohol. As a result of that the security staff advised their manager and police officers attended on the aircraft. She had already boarded and indeed its referenced that she had started in flight checks. "Police spoke with her and smelt alcohol on her so she was subjected to a breath test at the scene. There was a positive reading and she was arrested by officers. At the police station there was a reading of 71mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. "To be fair to her, in interview she gave a candid account and said she drank more than usual the night before and felt fine for work but if she had known she was over the limit she would not have gone into work. She had her last drink at 2am. "She apologised, saying she was sorry and embarrassed at the arrest. She would not have flown if she knew she was over the limit. The legal limit is nine for this offence. She has no prior convictions and is a lady of previous good character." Defending Rosehill, Paul Reddy said: "She had not flown. She had gone through security but had not flown. She's a US citizen and is from Chicago. She is absolutely humiliated by this matter. She has a 29-year career with the same airline and is a senior member of cabin crew who has been decorated in the past. "She was staying over as part of her job and went to dinner with friends and they took their own wine and it boils down to a miscalculation. It was a pour your own drink sort of venue and at 2am she had a small miniature whisky in the room to help her sleep. "That's left her well over the limit and she admitted that straight away and apologised profusely. "She's suspended without pay but does have some modest savings. She's a single lady that lives on her own and has no dependents. She's not intending to remain in the country and is due to leave tomorrow at noon and has informed me she will make any payment today." Chair of the bench Richard Blackman told Rosehill: "This is a British system we have the magistrates court here and the matter has been kept in the magistrates because it's within our jurisdiction. The word humiliated has been used and I'm sure you are. "We hear so much about the safety of passengers on airplanes. You had to deal with your guilt for some considerable time. There's a total of 255 payable today. It's been pointed out that we may not allow you to leave until it's paid but it will be paid. "You have got to go back to the States now and face this and the consequences with your employer." Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] The circumcision ceremony of a baby at an Orthodox Jewish synagogue in Berlin, Germany. In 2013, a Cologne court sparked outrage among the country's Jewish and Muslim population by questioning the legality of the practice Getty Images Boys should not be circumcised until they are old enough to choose for themselves, doctors in Denmark have said. The Danish Medical Association said it had considered suggesting a legal ban on the procedure for children under the age of 18, because it believed circumcision should be an informed, personal choice that young men make for themselves. When parents have their sons circumcised, it robs boys of the ability to make decisions about their own bodies, and choose their cultural and religious beliefs for themselves, the organisation said. Lise Mller, chair of the Doctors' Association Ethics Board, said it was wrong to deny an individual the right to choose whether or not they wanted to be circumcised. To be circumcised should be an informed, personal choice," she said. "It is most consistent with the individuals right to self-determination that parents not be allowed to make this decision, but that it is left up to the individual when he has come of age." The organisation said that because male circumcision is not without risk it should only be performed on children when there is a documented medical need. The doctors stopped short of calling for an all-out legal ban on the procedure, which is currently allowed but remains relatively rare in Denmark, because it said the move could have too many negative consequences. We have discussed it thoroughly, also in our ethics committee," Ms Mller said. "We came to the conclusion that it is difficult to predict the consequences of a ban both for the involved boys, who could for example face bullying or unauthorised procedures with complications and for the cultural and religious groups they belong to." The Danish Health and Medicines Authority estimates that somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 circumcisions are performed in Denmark each year, primarily on Jewish and Muslim boys. The majority of those procedures occur outside of the public health system and are done as part of a religious ceremony in the child's home, or in a private clinic. The Danish Health Ministry announced on Monday that beginning in 2017 all circumcisions, regardless of where they take place, will have to be reported to Denmark's national patient registry. According to a major 2007 study by the World Health Organization, roughly 30 per cent of the global male population is circumcised. Past polls have shown that upwards of 87 per cent of Danes support banning the practice on boys under the age of 18, the Local reported. French President Francois Hollande yesterday appointed Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve as prime minister until a new president is elected next May. The appointment followed the resignation of Manuel Valls, who quit to run for president after Mr Hollande himself decided against seeking a second term. Mr Cazeneuve will play caretaker ahead of the next year's vote, where Marine Le Pen's anti-immigrant, anti-European Union National Front hopes to repeat anti-establishment upsets seen earlier this year in Britain, the United States, and this week in Italy. "The world has changed drastically in a matter of months," Jean-Marie Le Guen, a minister and close ally of Mr Valls, told RTL radio. "The extreme right is on the threshold of power. The right is more brutal than anything we've ever seen." As interior minister since April 2014, Mr Cazeneuve (pictured) has dealt with Islamist militant attacks that have killed more than 230 people since January 2015. He has also overseen imposition of emergency rule imposed in their wake. Mr Cazeneuve (53), a former Europe and budget minister, is known as 'The Cardinal' because of his distant, dead-pan manner. Polls so far suggest that the left faces humiliation in next year's presidential election after five years in power. The polls suggest a vote boiling down to a duel between conservative candidate Francois Fillon and Le Pen, with Fillon winning. Mr Valls first needs to win a Socialist primary in January against tough competition from more traditional leftists. An Ifop-Fiducial opinion poll published yesterday suggested no left-wing candidate would go far in the presidential vote. It gave Mr Valls a score of 10pc, eliminating him ahead of a Fillon-Le Pen second-round duel that it saw Fillon winning with 65pc of the vote. Mr Hollande said his job in the time left was to protect France. "And protect things I deem vital: cohesion, a way of living, freedom, and a social welfare model that unites us." Bruno le Roux was named interior minister. Italian premier Matteo Renzi has resigned, his self-inflicted penalty for staking his job on constitutional changes voters resoundingly rejected earlier in the week. Mr Renzi had first offered his resignation on Monday, shortly after voters rejected the constitutional reforms his centre-left government had championed. But President Sergio Mattarella, Italy's head of state, told him to stay in office until parliament completed approval of the 2017 national budget. A few hours after the budget was passed on Wednesday, Mr Renzi returned to the Quirinal presidential palace. This time, Mr Mattarella accepted the resignation of the man who in February 2014 became Italy's youngest premier aged just 39. A presidential palace official, Ugo Zampetti, told reporters that Mr Mattarella will begin consultations on a replacement on Thursday with the heads of parliament's two chambers, as well as with former president Giorgio Napolitano. Mr Mattarella will meet minor parties on Friday, and on Saturday plans to take proposals from the major players, including the Democratic Party that Mr Renzi leads and the populist 5-Star Movement. It could be clear who Mr Mattarella might tap to be the next premier once those meetings are complete. The talks are aimed at sounding out party leaders to determine the configuration of a new government that would have enough support in parliament to win both the required confirmation vote and to lead the country until elections are next held. Elections are scheduled for spring 2018, but Mr Renzi's humiliating defeat in the referendum will likely hasten that date considerably, possibly bringing a vote in spring 2017. Opposition parties, including the anti-euro 5-Star Movement, are pressing for the elections to be held soon. "We want to go to the ballot box soon," said Roberto Fico, a 5-Star politician. But Mr Fico, as have both other opposition leaders and leaders from Mr Renzi's Democrats, also cited the need for parliament to approve a new election law before the national contests are called. In a speech to a meeting of the Democratic Party leadership just before he resigned on Wednesday, Mr Renzi took responsibility for his political debacle. But, sounding a bullish note, he asserted his party would be ready for the elections whenever they are held. "We have no fear of anything or anybody, if the others want" elections soon, he said. Many Italian governments have collapsed far before the end of parliament's five-year term. Italian politicians have struggled for decades to devise an electoral system that would make the country more governable. GERMAN Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for a ban on the burka "wherever possible" in Germany and said that there can be no repeat of last year's migrant crisis in a speech launching her bid for another two-year term as leader. "German law takes precedence over sharia," Mrs Merkel (pictured) said during a speech at her party's annual two-day congress in the western city of Essen. "The full-face veil should be banned, wherever legally possible," she said, to prolonged applause. That is expected to mean a ban on burkas in public life including for civil servants, schools, universities and while driving. It was described as a "burka ban lite" when her government proposed it a few months ago. Party faithful from Mrs Merkel's centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) were expected to overwhelmingly re-elect Mrs Merkel as party chief today, rallying behind her bid to stay in power. Mrs Merkel, who has led Germany for 11 years, last month confirmed that she would run for a fourth term, but acknowledged that the election would be "more difficult" than any other she had contested. She has come under fire for her "open doors" approach to the refugee crisis. Germany saw about 890,000 asylum-seekers arrive last year, many after Mrs Merkel decided in September 2015 to let in migrants who were stuck in Hungary. Last night, she said that situation "should not and must not be repeated". "That was and is our, and my, declared political aim," she said. Thomas de Maiziere, the interior minister and one of Mrs Merkel's closest allies, first announced the CDU's burka ban policy in August. "We all reject the full veil - not only the burka but also other types of full veil that only leave the eyes visible," Mr Maiziere said at the time. "They have no place in our society. Showing your face is essential for our communication, co-existence and social cohesion and that's why we're asking everyone to show their faces," he said. "We want to introduce a law to make people show their faces and that means that those who break that law will have to face the consequences." Mrs Merkel also made her own feelings on the issue clear in an interview with a number of German newspapers in August. "In my view, a fully veiled woman has almost no chance of integrating successfully in German society," she said. Writing fake news and stories about scandals is like being sexually aroused by excrement, Pope Francis has said. And since people tend towards coprophagia, or eating faeces, then the media should avoid spreading it, he said in an attack on the spread of disinformation. Francis apologised for his use of precise psychological terms that describe when people are aroused by excrement. He told the Belgian Catholic weekly Tertio that spreading fake news is "probably the greatest damage that the media can do". To use their platforms to do so, rather than to educate the public, is a sin, he said. "I think the media have to be very clear, very transparent, and not fall into - no offence intended - the sickness of coprophilia, that is, always wanting to cover scandals, covering nasty things, even if they are true," he said in the interview. "And since people have a tendency towards the sickness of coprophagia, a lot of damage can be done." The interview was distributed to reporters in an Italian translation from the Argentine-born pope's Spanish. It is the strongest and most blunt language ever used by the pope about the media or any other group. He also cautioned that the media should not be used to slander political rivals. "The means of communication have their own temptations, they can be tempted by slander, and therefore used to slander people, to smear them, this above all in the world of politics," he said. "They can be used as means of defamation..." "No-one has a right to do this. It is a sin and it is hurtful," he said. Disinformation is the worst thing the media can do because it "directs opinion in only one direction and omits the other part of the truth", he said in the same interview. The comments come in the wake of discussion about fake news and its effect on the election, which some have claimed was so potent that it was resposible for Donald Trump becoming the President-elect. Francis hasn't directly commented on the election, issuing only vague statements that appeared to take issue with some of the President-elect's positions. It isn't the first time that the Pope has discussed sexual interest in excrement. In March 2013, he warned that journailsts risked becoming ill from their coprophilia, and that they could be "fomenting coprophagia" in their readers. No Ukrainian servicemen were killed in the past 24 hours but five soldiers were wounded in the army operation in Donbas, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman Andriy Lysenko said. "Ukrainian forces had no combat fatalities over the past day, but five servicemen were injured, and one serviceman sustained a concussion during a shelling incident on the frontline," he told a press briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday. A search and rescue team is lowered into the site of the warehouse fire (AP) A warehouse fire in California that killed 36 people does not appear to have been started intentionally and may have been caused by a refrigerator or other electrical appliance, investigators have said. Details about a possible cause emerged as fire crews nearly completed their search for bodies in the most lethal building fire in the US in more than a decade. The death toll remained at 36 and is not expected to go higher. Tearful family members visited the scene in Oakland and exchanged hugs hours after the founder of the arts collective that used the warehouse stood near the gutted building and said he was "incredibly sorry". "Everything that I did was to make this a stronger and more beautiful community and to bring people together," Derick Ion Almena said. He said he was at the site to put his face and his body in front of the scene, but he deflected blame for the blaze, saying he signed a lease for the building that "was to city standards, supposedly". The fire broke out during a dance party on Friday night in the cluttered warehouse. It had been converted to artists' studios and illegal living spaces, and former residents said it was a death trap of piled wood, furniture, snaking electrical cords and only two exits. A fridge was a potential source of the fire, but it was too soon to say for sure, said Jill Snyder, special agent in charge of the San Francisco office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. She said investigators are looking at "anything electrical" on the first floor of the warehouse near the origin of the blaze. "We have no indication that this was intentionally set," she said. Mr Almena told San Jose television station KNTV that he did not attend the event on Friday night and that he and his wife had decided to stay at a hotel because he was exhausted. City and state officials fielded years of complaints about dangerous conditions, drugs, neglected children, rubbish, thefts and squabbles at the warehouse, raising questions about why it was not shut down. The district attorney warned of possible murder charges as she determines whether there were any crimes linked to the blaze. Crews have searched at least 90% of the building known as the Ghost Ship and fire officials started knocking down parts of the building they said were structurally unsound. Alameda County Sheriff's Deputy Tya Modeste said of the 36 victims found, 26 families have been notified. Another nine bodies have been "tentatively identified", she said. Officials are still lacking any type of identity for one individual. AP William Sallie was convicted of killing his father-in-law in March 1990 (Georgia Department of Corrections/AP) Georgia has executed its ninth inmate this year, putting to death a man convicted of killing his father-in-law more than a quarter of a century ago. William Sallie, 50, was pronounced dead after a lethal injection at the state prison in Jackson. Lawyers who had sought to block the execution said Sallie should have been granted a new trial because of alleged juror bias, but courts have not properly considered that evidence because he missed a filing deadline by eight days at a time when he did not have legal representation, his lawyers said in court filings. Georgia has put to death more people this year than any other state, including Texas with seven. Sallie was convicted of murder in the fatal shooting of John Lee Moore in March 1990. His first conviction and death sentence were overturned because his lawyer had a conflict of interest. At his second trial in 2001, a woman eventually chosen as a juror lied during jury selection and failed to disclose domestic violence, messy divorces and a child custody battle that were "bizarrely similar" to Sallie's case, his lawyers said. They added that she later bragged to their investigator that she persuaded her divided peers to vote unanimously for death. The defence team made those arguments in a clemency petition to the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles, urging it to act as a "fail safe" against a miscarriage of justice. But the board, the only authority in Georgia with power to commute a death sentence, declined to spare Sallie's life following a clemency hearing on Monday. Sallie's lawyers asked the US Supreme Court to stop the scheduled execution, but it declined. They argued that the high court's ruling in a pending Texas case with ineffective counsel issues could have removed the procedural bars keeping the lower federal courts from considering juror-bias claims. Lawyers for the state argued the Texas case was not similar enough that its outcome would affect Sallie, particularly because that case did not involve a federal petition that was not filed on time. Furthermore, they argue, even if the issues were identical, the federal appeals court in Atlanta is bound by its own precedent - which does not allow such an extraordinary admission of the procedurally barred evidence - and not by the future possibility of new precedent from the Supreme Court. Sallie's lawyers also argued in a state court petition that his execution would violate his constitutional rights. Lawyers for the state rejected those claims and a court dismissed the petition. At the time of the killing, Sallie's wife was living with her parents in rural south Georgia after having filed for divorce and after the two had fought bitterly over custody of their young son. After cutting his in-laws' phone lines and breaking into their house on March 29 1990, Sallie went to the master bedroom and shot John and Linda Moore, according to a Georgia Supreme Court summary of the case. Mr Moore died from his injuries, and his wife was injured. Sallie then took his wife and her sister to his mobile home, leaving his son behind, the summary says. Sallie released his wife and her sister that night and was arrested a short time later. Sallie's lawyers have said the shooting was a botched attempt to take his son and leave. There have been 18 executions so far this year in the US, including those in Georgia and Texas and one each in Alabama, Florida and Missouri. Alabama has one more scheduled for Thursday. Sallie received visits on Tuesday from six family members, four friends, three clergy members and four paralegals. AP India has registered nearly an 800% spike in the number of so-called honour killings reported. It has led state officials and women's rights groups to call for investigations into how such crimes persist. Indian police registered 251 cases of honour killings in 2015, compared with just 28 a year earlier when India began counting them separately from murder, according to a statement by junior home minister Hansraj G Ahir to India's parliament. The surge could partly reflect more willingness by people to report such crimes, which many still consider just punishment for women and men who defy communal customs by marrying outside of their religion, clan or caste. Often, the perpetrators are relatives seeking to punish young couples for bringing "shame" to the family. Women's rights activists said the government must pass legislation to recognise the crime as unique in order to target perpetrators for prosecution. "These figures show that the government has to take this as a priority," said Sudha Sundararaman, head of the All India Democratic Women's Association. Though police are now asked to count honour killings separately, the lack of a separate law defining such crimes means that some officers still record them in the larger murder category and do not investigate the cases further, she said. Honour killings are still common enough among Hindus and Muslims to regularly make newspaper headlines in a country where most marriages are arranged by families. Most cases are reported in northern states such as Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, where caste councils wield enormous power in village life. The highest number of honour killings recorded last year was in Uttar Pradesh, where police counted 131 killings compared with just two cases in 2014, Mr Ahir said, citing data from the National Crime Records Bureau. State police officers were sceptical. Such a jump "is astronomical" and needs to be looked into, Deputy Inspector General DK Chaudhary said. Women's activists said that is missing the point, and that having 279 honour killings recorded over two years still vastly underestimates the actual numbers. One 2011 study suggested about 900 people are murdered in honour killings every year in India. The study by the All India Democratic Women's Association was based on surveys conducted nationwide. "There is severe under-reporting of such honour crimes. Families are often ashamed to report such crimes," said Annie Raja, of the National Federation of Indian Women. Ms Raja said the situation had worsened in the last few years, noting an increasing trend in village councils run by unelected elders promoting conservative, anti-women values in the name of preserving Indian culture and tradition. Some observers also noted that social changes were creating friction in communities, as more women step away from traditional home-making roles to join the workforce. That makes them more likely to want to delay marriage, while also increasing the chance of finding partners outside of their community. "There has been a backlash of conservatism," Ms Raja said. "Young people are facing violence and attacks from their families if they fall in love." Analysts say that even as politicians push for better healthcare and education for girls, they have been unwilling to act against village councils that influence large numbers of voters. "Indian society is unwilling to accept the choices made by young women when it comes to their marriage," said Ranjana Kumari, of the Centre for Social Research, a New Delhi-based think tank. "People also have to learn to respect women." AP An Iraqi soldier holds his machine gun while heading to the front line in Mosul (AP) Islamic State militants launched an overnight attack against Iraqi security forces in the south-eastern part of Mosul, a day after the troops advanced deeper into the city. The attack "inflicted heavy losses", Iraqi Army Sergeant Major Hakim Saranbii told the Associated Press without giving specific casualty figures or further details. Iraqi Defence Ministry officials in Baghdad were not available for comment. The setback came after Iraq's army rolled into the south-eastern neighbourhood of al-Salam on Tuesday, taking a hospital before meeting stiff resistance from IS militants. Convoys of dozens of armoured Iraqi special forces and army Humvees could be seen moving into the area on Wednesday morning. "What we see here is the enemy reacting to a new axis of advance," said coalition spokesman US Army Colonel John Dorrian, adding that the new push was putting increased pressure on IS. After the advance on Tuesday, Iraqi forces said they pushed the front line back more than 1.2 miles (2km) and retook Mosul's al-Salam hospital, but only a few hundred yards appeared to be secured and clashes continued into the evening. When Iraqi forces initially launched a push into eastern Mosul in early November, troops came under heavy counter-attacks after advancing too far too quickly. Islamic State militants depend on suicide car bombs and sniper fire to derail the security forces, as well as a network of underground tunnels. The Iraqi government has not publicised the casualty figures for government troops and paramilitary forces fighting in Mosul and elsewhere in northern Iraq. Last week, the UN said in a report that nearly 2,000 members of the Iraqi forces were killed last month, but after coming under fire from the media arm of the Iraqi military, it announced it would discontinue publishing casualty figures for Iraq's security forces. Backed by the US-led international coalition, Iraqi government troops and paramilitary forces launched a campaign in October to dislodge IS from Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city and IS's last major urban bastion in the country. AP Italian premier Matteo Renzi has resigned, his self-inflicted penalty for staking his job on constitutional changes voters resoundingly rejected earlier in the week. Mr Renzi had first offered his resignation on Monday, shortly after voters rejected the constitutional reforms his centre-left government had championed. But President Sergio Mattarella, Italy's head of state, told him to stay in office until parliament completed approval of the 2017 national budget. A few hours after the budget was passed on Wednesday, Mr Renzi returned to the Quirinal presidential palace. This time, Mr Mattarella accepted the resignation of the man who in February 2014 became Italy's youngest premier aged just 39. A presidential palace official, Ugo Zampetti, told reporters that Mr Mattarella will begin consultations on a replacement on Thursday with the heads of parliament's two chambers, as well as with former president Giorgio Napolitano. Mr Mattarella will meet minor parties on Friday, and on Saturday plans to take proposals from the major players, including the Democratic Party that Mr Renzi leads and the populist 5-Star Movement. It could be clear who Mr Mattarella might tap to be the next premier once those meetings are complete. The talks are aimed at sounding out party leaders to determine the configuration of a new government that would have enough support in parliament to win both the required confirmation vote and to lead the country until elections are next held. Elections are scheduled for spring 2018, but Mr Renzi's humiliating defeat in the referendum will likely hasten that date considerably, possibly bringing a vote in spring 2017. Opposition parties, including the anti-euro 5-Star Movement, are pressing for the elections to be held soon. "We want to go to the ballot box soon," said Roberto Fico, a 5-Star politician. But Mr Fico, as have both other opposition leaders and leaders from Mr Renzi's Democrats, also cited the need for parliament to approve a new election law before the national contests are called. In a speech to a meeting of the Democratic Party leadership just before he resigned on Wednesday, Mr Renzi took responsibility for his political debacle. But, sounding a bullish note, he asserted his party would be ready for the elections whenever they are held. "We have no fear of anything or anybody, if the others want" elections soon, he said. Many Italian governments have collapsed far before the end of parliament's five-year term. Italian politicians have struggled for decades to devise an electoral system that would make the country more governable. AP Brad Pitt's request to seal details of his custody dispute has been denied A judge has rejected Brad Pitt's request to seal details about custody arrangements in his divorce from Angelina Jolie. Los Angeles Superior Court Richard J Burdge Jr. denied Pitt's request in a brief written order that states the filing did not meet the requirements for sealing details at this time. Pitt had sought to seal details of his custody dispute with Jolie at an emergency hearing, but Mr Burdge declined to hear the petition on an expedited basis. Pitt's motion came two days after the release of a custody agreement that he and his estranged wife reached in late October. The agreement calls for the actor to have visitation with his children under the guidance of a therapist. Pitt intends to seek temporary custody orders soon, and his filing states that he wanted those documents sealed to protect the children's privacy. He was also seeking the sealing of any custody-related filings. "I am extremely concerned that if court records regarding custody are not sealed, information contained therein will cause irreparable damage to our children's privacy rights," Pitt wrote in a sworn declaration filed on Wednesday. Pitt's attorney Gary Fishbein declined comment after the hearing. Jolie filed for divorce in September and currently has primary custody of their six children. Her attorneys wrote in court filings on Wednesday that: "His... request is a thinly veiled attempt to shield himself, rather than the minor children, from public view." The divorce filing came days after a disagreement broke out on private flight ferrying the actors and their children from France to Los Angeles. Pitt was accused of being abusive toward his 15-year-old son during the flight, but investigations by child welfare officials and the FBI were closed with no charges being filed against the actor. After filing for divorce, Jolie's attorney said it was done "for the health of the family". Custody has been the primary issue in the divorce. Jolie is seeking sole custody of the children, while Pitt is seeking joint custody. A final agreement will be part of the couple's divorce judgment when it is entered. California law favors joint custody, although details about custody arrangements are rarely made public in celebrity divorce cases. Jolie's attorney Laura Wasser said the actress does not oppose sealing details of the pair's custody arrangements, but Pitt's attorneys did not consult with them before filing the motion on Wednesday. Pitt and Jolie were married for two years and together for 12 years after becoming close while filming 2005's Mr & Mrs Smith. AP US president-elect Donald Trump said he could use his own plane, dubbed Trump Force One for his duties, but US officials have said this would be impossible Donald Trump has called for the scrapping of multi-billion dollar plans for Boeing to build a new Air Force One, calling the costs "ridiculous and totally out of control". "Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4bn (3.7bn). Cancel order!" he said on Twitter six weeks ahead of taking office. The US government signed a deal with the aircraft manufacturer earlier this year to build a new Air Force One to fly the president once the current one reaches the end of its service life. "The plane is totally out of control. I think it's ridiculous. I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number," the president-elect said at Trump Tower in New York. "We want Boeing to make a lot of money but not that much money." The intention was to have the replacements flying by 2024, which would be the final year of Mr Trump's presidency if he was re-elected for a second term. The deal between the Pentagon and Boeing was announced in January with an initial $26m (24.2m) research contract. Another $127.3m (118m) was awarded in July. Expand Close Air Force One, the most iconic 747 of all? / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Air Force One, the most iconic 747 of all? The US Air Force has previously put the cost of the project at $1.65bn (1.54bn). "Parts obsolescence, diminishing manufacturing sources and increased down times for maintenance are existing challenges that will increase until a new aircraft is fielded," the US Defence Department said in a statement earlier this year. It is not the first time Mr Trump has taken aim at Air Force One. Read More: In July he attacked President Obama and Hillary Clinton for using it on the campaign trail, calling it a "disgrace" and a waste of taxpayers' money. "Air Force One is a very old Boeing 747 and it sucks up a lot of gas, a lot of fuel. Boy, the fuel bill. You turn on those engines, I can tell you it's a lot of money," he said then. US presidents have used Boeing planes since 1943 and Air Force One has become one of the most visible American symbols. The new Boeing 747-8 planes were due to be 240ft long, with a wing span of 224ft. They would be capable of flying 1,000 miles further than the current ones without a refuel. During the campaign Mr Trump suggested he could use his own plane as president. He owns a Boeing 757 dubbed 'Trump Force One'. However, US officials have previously said that would be "nearly functionally impossible". Air Force One is equipped with hugely expensive equipment including missile defence systems, protection against nuclear explosions, and secure communications devices. Officials have said it would be "cost prohibitive" to put such equipment on Mr Trump's personal plane and he would have to pay for it. As president and commander-in-chief, Donald Trump would have the power to cancel the contract with Boeing for the new planes. But if he did, it could cost the US taxpayer even more as the new president tries to save money. The US government has already signed a contract with Boeing for $170m (158m). Additional funding has also been earmarked for the two new planes. The Government Accountability Office - an independent government auditor - estimated the final cost would be $3.2bn (2.98bn). The planes are still in early design phases, though - much of the money has yet to be spent and has not had a chance to overrun the cost estimates. Negotiation between Boeing and the US government could cut some of the costs, but if Mr Trump pulled out of the Boeing contract entirely the country may lose the money it has already contracted to pay. Pakistani media and others gathered at Benazir Bhutto International Airport following a report that a passenger plane had crashed near a village near the town of Havelia (AP) A plane belonging to Pakistan's national carrier has crashed and burst into flames with 48 people on board, killing all of them, police and an airline spokesman said. According to senior police officer Khurram Rasheed, the plane crashed in a village in the district of Abbottabad, 45 miles north-west of the capital, Islamabad. The small twin-propeller aircraft was travelling from the city of Chitral to Islamabad when it crashed shortly after take-off. According to Daniyal Gilani, the spokesman for Pakistan International Airlines, the plane had lost touch with the control tower prior to the crash. He said the plane was carrying 42 passengers, five crew members and a ground engineer. "There is no survivor," a senior government official at the Interior Ministry said. "All those on board the plane were killed," said the official. A spokesman for the Interior Ministry said at team had been dispatched to help identify the bodies through DNA tests. Authorities have released names of passengers - among them Junaid Jamshed, a famous singer-turned-Islamic-preacher. Azam Sehgal, PIA's chairman, said the pilot of plane told the control tower 4.09pm that an engine had developed a technical fault and moments later he made a "mayday call", shortly before the plane disappeared. Mr Sehgal said the plane was fit to fly but that it was unclear what caused the crash. Pervez George, the spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority, said that a team of experts would determine the cause after retrieving the plane's black box recorder. TV footage showed debris from the plane and a massive fire at the site of the crash. In a statement, the military said that 40 bodies had been retrieved. Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif expressed his "deep grief and sorrow" over the crash. In a statement, he said "the entire nation is deeply saddened over today's unfortunate crash and shares the grief of the families who lost their dear ones". AP NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has called for redoubling efforts to implement the Minsk agreements to settle situation in Donbas. "I urge all parties to redouble their efforts to implement the Minsk Agreements in full. As a first step, we need to see an immediate and full ceasefire," he said at a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday following the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission. Stoltenberg stressed the security situation in the anti-terrorist operation zone remains serious. "Last month saw massive increase in ceasefire violations and they continue, with hundreds of explosions caused every day by equipment banned under the Minsk Agreements. Heavy weaponry has not been withdrawn and only 13 percent of the heavy weaponry registered with the OSCE can be currently traced," he added. Russian-backed militants also continue to restrict the free movement of OSCE monitors, and some monitors have even become targets themselves, the secretary general added. "Russia has a significant responsibility in bringing the conflict to an end. Diplomacy offers the only viable solution to the crisis in Ukraine. So it is unfortunate that last week's meeting of the Normandy format was inconclusive The international community must keep pressuring Russia to respect its obligations," he stressed. Stoltenberg also noted Ukraine's success on the path of reforms. "And we heard more about the Ukrainian governments progress on its ambitious reform program. As Ukraine continues on its reform path, NATO and NATO allies will continue to provide strong practical and political support," he said. Bangladeshi girl Sefaly, 13 years old, removes labels and caps from plastic bottles as she works at a recycling factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Thousands of Bangladeshi children who live in the capital's slums are working illegally for an average of 64 hours a week, with many employed by the garment industry making clothing for top global brands, according to a new report. The report by the London-based Overseas Development Institute found that 15 percent of children aged six to 14 were not attending school so they could work full time. At the age of 10, about eight percent of slum-dwelling children had jobs, the report said. By the time they reached 14, almost half were already working. The report was based on a survey of 2,700 slum households in Dhaka. In Bangladesh, it is illegal for children under 14 to work. It is also illegal to ask anyone to do "hazardous work" for more than 42 hours a week. But child labour persists, as some factories do not require ID cards from their workers or do not understand that employing children is against the law. Authorities did not immediately respond for requests for comment. Children would like to go to school, the report's co-author Maria Quattri said in a statement, "but poverty was driving parents to find jobs for their children, even though they could see that it would jeopardise their long-term future". Bangladesh's garment industry, the world's second largest after China, provides an economic lifeline for the impoverished country, accounting for some 25 billion US dollars (20 billion) in annual exports. It also employs around four million workers, most of them women. Industry insiders say factories struggle to keep employees from moving to jobs elsewhere. AP Donald Trump has said he expects to select his secretary of state next week and former rival Mitt Romney still has a chance to win the post. "Yes, he does," Mr Trump told NBC's Today programme. Mr Romney, the 2012 presidential nominee, was blisteringly critical of Mr Trump on foreign policy and other issues during the businessman's campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton. So Mr Trump's consideration of him - and Mr Romney's inclusion on the shortlist for one of the cabinet's most prestigious positions - has been a surprise. Mr Trump has put Mr Romney through a very public audition process - and allowed aides to take the unusual step of denouncing him in interviews. Over the weekend, Vice President-elect Mike Pence said Mr Trump was widening his search for his top diplomatic representative to the world, and a top transition official said that longtime Romney rival Jon Huntsman was now also in the running. In another development, the president-elect, appearing at a Manhattan transition fundraiser, announced that he had selected Iowa governor Terry Branstad as the new US ambassador to China. Meanwhile, Mr Trump was named Time magazine's Person of the Year, a choice the magazine's managing editor said was "straightforward" given that Mr Trump had upended politics-as-usual during the course of his extraordinary race for the White House. That phenomenon is not over. In one example, Mr Trump drew the ire of China and others last week by taking a phone call from the leader of Taiwan. The New York Times reported that 1996 Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole, now a lobbyist, co-ordinated that call. The title, Mr Trump said, is "a great honour. It means a lot". In a separate interview with Time, Mr Trump said he will "work something out" to help immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children and granted work visas by President Barack Obama. Mr Trump's tough comments on immigrants during the campaign have led to fears among immigrant advocates that he would end Mr Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme. Hundreds of thousands of young immigrants have gained work visas and temporary protection from deportation under the 2012 programme. Mr Trump offered no details in the Time interview but talked much more sympathetically than he had during the campaign. He said: "We're going to work something out that's going to make people happy and proud." As for Mr Romney, Mr Trump denied he was stringing him along to make him pay for saying the former reality show star was unfit to serve. "No, it's not about revenge. It's about what's good for the country, and I'm able to put this stuff behind us - and I hit him very hard also," Mr Trump said in the telephone interview on NBC. Those close to the selection process have said that Mr Trump has begun moving away from both Mr Romney and another former front-runner for the post, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani. Senate Foreign Relations chairman Bob Corker and former CIA director David Petraeus had also been previously identified by transition aides as part of the final four. In the wide-ranging NBC interview, Mr Trump said he picked a fight with Boeing this week over the cost of new presidential planes because "we're going to get the prices down, and if we don't get the prices down we're not going to order 'em". He said Boeing would benefit from his administration's tax cuts and reductions in regulations. The federal government has agreed that Boeing will build two new planes, which would go into service in around 2024. That means Mr Trump might never fly on the aircraft, which carry US presidents around the globe. Mr Trump also confirmed that he had sold stocks back in June, but neither he nor his aides have provided any evidence of the sale. The night before, Mr Trump told supporters in Fayetteville, North Carolina, that he intends to be a president "for all Americans". AP MOUNT PLEASANT- Christmas ribbon covered in music notes was the inspiration for this years holiday open house at the Eastern Cabarrus Historical Museum. We were walking around looking at decorations, saw the Christmas ribbon and that was it, Robin McAllister, chair of the open house said. We decided that every tree in the museum would be a Christmas song and thats how it was born. A Christmas of Note presented by the Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society, will be held this weekend at the museum which conveniently sits on Main Street in Mount Pleasant. McAllister, a member of the society, said the open house is an annual gift for the community. It is always free and begins right after the annual Mt. Pleasant Christmas parade. We start working on decorating in October, McAllister said. We love seeing peoples reactions. This year, each room in the museum features a tree that is decorated based on a Christmas tune. Some of the songs represented are The Little Drummer Boy, Carol of the Bells, Away in a Manger, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Mary Did You Know? and Youre a Mean One, Mr. Grinch. Janet Callahan also worked to make the parlor of the museum into a room based on We Three Kings. Most of the members of the society consider decorating the museum as part of their Christmas. We wouldnt know what to do without decorating a room, Callahan said. It just gets me in the Christmas spirit. The We Three Kings Room will include live greenery, a star of Bethlehem and pink poinsettias. Along with the more traditional songs, there are some people might not have heard. Donna Creed decorated her room based on the Huron Carol, a Canadian Christmas hymn said to have been written in 1642 by a missionary among the Hurons in Canada. The Huron are indigenous people of North America, so the song fit perfectly with the Native American room of the museum. But the room that is close to McAllisters heart features one of her favorite characters; Snoopy. The Snoopy vs. The Red Baron (Snoopys Christmas) room will bring back childhood memories for many. Ive collected Snoopys since I taught third-grade. It was the theme of my classrooms, McAllister said. I got many Snoopy gifts from kids, so this wasnt hard to get together. Members of the society say the open house is usually well-attended and they credit that to the always-changing theme. The society likes to switch it up every year to encourage visitors to keep returning for the tradition. It brings people here that maybe havent come before. And maybe they will come back for some history, Callahan said. Its a good thing for families to do together. Its hard work but the work is worth it to have the community come see what we are doing. The Eastern Cabarrus Historical Museum is located at 1100 N. Main Street in Mount Pleasant. The open house is Saturday, Dec. 10 from noon- 6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11 from 1-7 p.m. Admission is free. A Christmas Tour of Noteworthy Homes And if the people of Mount Pleasant want a little more Christmas in their lives, the society is also holding a tour of historic homes on Sunday, Dec. 11. This is the groups biggest fundraiser so members hope that people will come to the free open house and then open their minds to history and their purses to keep the history alive and support the continued operations of the museum. The cost of the tour is $15 a ticket and includes a visit to seven homes. Homes on the tour - Miles and Tiffany Ruffin House (A.C. Lentz House): 1600 N. Lentz Harness Shop Road - Bob and Kay Amos House (Shimpock-Cook-Shirey House): 955 N. Main Street - The Eastern Cabarrus Historical Museum: 1100 N. Main Street - Kay Beckett House (Henderson-Barrier-Ritchie Hous): 1431 N. Main Street - William and Birgit Meadows House (McCanless-Fisher House): 1305 N. Main Street - Steve and Dianne Earnhardt House (Peck-Wyatt-Earnhardt House) 12800 Hwy 49 N. - Nancy Green House (Moses A. Foil House) 1220 N. College Street - Lisa Byrd (Harwood House): 8841 E. Franklin St. A Christmas Tour of Noteworthy Homes is Sunday, Dec. 11 from 1-7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the museum. For more information about the museum and its upcoming events visit http://www.echsmuseum.org/. CONCORD The Theatre Department at cfa Academy has much to celebrate, as they bring home honors from the 2016 NCTC State High School Play Festival, held at Greensboro College on November 17-18. The theatre program, led by Chris Speed, made the school and community proud with its presentation of The Cripple of Inishmaan at the festival, and brought home the following awards: The Cripple of Inishmaan - Rating: Superior Festival Spirit Award Barbizon Excellence in Design & Production - Makeup & Hair Design - Katie Johnson Barbizon Excellence in Design & Production - Set Design - Heather Morgan Excellence in Acting - Shianne Armstrong C.C. Lipscomb Award for Excellence in Directing - Chris Speed Honorable Mention Distinguished Play For over 30 years, the NCTC High School Play Festival has strengthened arts education in schools by bringing curriculum to life, challenging students to do their very best work and contributing to the development of future audiences for live performing arts. The program was named one of the Top High School Theatre Festivals by Stage Directions Magazine, is the largest high school theatre event in the southeast and has been replicated in 9 other states. This year, 3,000 students from 90 schools performed 140 plays. Each fall, professional theatres, colleges and high schools host eight regional festivals across the state. The top two outstanding productions from each of the regional sites advanced to the NCTC State High School Play Festival. The top two shows from the state festival have been chosen to go on to represent the state of NC at the Southeastern Theatre Conferences annual convention, which will be in Lexington, KY in 2017. The NCTC High School Play Festival is made possible with support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; The Beattie Foundation; Lincoln Financial Group; the Moore County Unrestricted Endowment Fund; and Barbizon Lighting Company. About the North Carolina Theatre Conference The mission of NCTC is to strengthen North Carolinas vibrant theatre industry, and engage tomorrows artists, audiences and advocates. NCTC has served as the leader of the statewide theatre industry since 1970, and produces several events throughout the year, including the NCTC Producing Gathering, NCTC College Discovery Day, the NCTC Theatre Admin Intensive, the NCTC Awards and statewide NCTC Middle School and High School Play Festivals. For more information on NCTC, please contact Executive Director Angie Hays at 336-369-1984 or visit www.nctc.org. For more information on cfa Academy please contact Mrs. Karissa Thorpe, Director of Fine Arts. Ukraine is interesting for NATO countries in the issue of strategic transportation, the key decisions on this aspect could be expected in the near future, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin has said. "Our capacity could become the key one for the alliance in the area of strategic transportation. We'll see in the near future whether it will be the decision of the alliance or a decision at the level of individual countries as there is such a possibility now. But I can already say that all our allies are very positive about using a Ukrainian component," Klimkin said at a briefing after a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO commission. Asked about the state of negotiations on a strategic air transportation agreement between Ukraine and NATO in the light of the fact that a similar agreement with Russia expires this month, the minister said "we cannot help Russia technically because in such a way we will strengthen its ability to continue aggression." "We have enough capacity to meet NATO needs. We are discussing how to implement this," Klimkin said. Ukraine participates in creation of countering to hybrid threats center along with NATO, EU Klimkin Ukraine participates in the creation of a joint NATO-EU Centre on countering hybrid threats, head of the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin has said. "NATO creates a special platform to counter hybrid threats, and we are participating in this process," Klimkin said at a briefing on Wednesday following the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission. The Ukrainian foreign minister said that Ukraine's experience in the fight against the Russian aggression is of some interest and is accounted for in the creation process of this Center. "It includes everything - from effective analysis of intelligence to counteraction to Russian propaganda. Unfortunately, Ukraine has the best experience in the fight against Russian aggression. NATO understands it, as we have contacts in many areas and at different levels -expert and political ones," Klimkin said. close New Choose your channels You can update your channel preference from the Settings menu in the header menu. Got it > Ukraine was one of the top issues at NATO HQ today. Strong support at NUC Ministerial and lots of good bilaterals. pic.twitter.com/px2Q0m8cjb Pavlo Klimkin (@PavloKlimkin) 7 2016 . Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin has called for intensification of efforts towards Ukraine's integration into NATO. Ukraine should move ahead towards gradually becoming part of NATO's eastern flank and should work towards having a general understanding and awareness of the situation, which includes intelligence exchange, planning, and joint exercises, Klimkin said at a news briefing following a NATO-Ukraine Commission meeting on Wednesday. The same should concern the Black Sea region, which has become one of the most dangerous ones because of "Russia's aggression," Klimkin said.Ukraine's interaction with NATO in a number of key areas, including the reform of the Ukrainian security and defense sector, is among the alliance's priorities, Klimkin said. Ukraine will remain among the alliance's fundamental priorities, he reiterated. Klimkin said the participants in the meeting had reaffirmed their support for reforms in Ukraine. The acknowledgement of the fact that Ukraine is simultaneously opposing "Russia's aggression" and carrying out fundamental reforms is very important, he said. Thala Ajith surprised everyone by cancelling the shooting schedule in Bulgaria for a day or two and reached Chennai in the early hours of Wednesday (December 7) . While the intended purpose of his visit was to pay the last respects to the much loved Chief Minister J.Jayalalitha he could not do that before the departed leader was laid to rest. However Ajith visited the burial site at early morning around 4:30 am with his wife Shalini and brother-in-law Richard and paid his tributes. Now sources reveal the story behind how Ajith made sudden plans to visit Chennai from Bulgaria while many expected that he may not come as he had sent a condolence message in the morning of December 6. But Ajith was so keen on making a personal visit for the leader he admires most. When he decided to start, there were no direct flights for Chennai. It was 4 am at Bulgaria. He had to travel all the way to Romania and then come to Chennai spending around 20 hours in flight travel and transit. As we reported yesterday, actor Ajith Kumar returned to Chennai from Bulgaria where he has been shooting for his upcoming film 'AK57', to pay his last respects to former CM J.Jayalalitha who passed away on the night of December 5. Due to the excessive distance and flight travel time Ajith could reach Chennai only by late night afterthe final rites were completed and Jaya was laid to rest in Anna Square by evening itself. However Ajith along with his wife Shalini visited the place where the Puratchi Thalaivi was buried and paid a soulful homage. From there, the much loved star directly visited the Apollo Hospitals to pay his last respects to the actor and political commentator Cho Ramasamy who passed away at the early hours of Wednesday (December 7). Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat / trading account Update your Mobile Number/ email Id with your stock broker / Depository Participant. Receive information of your transactions directly from Exchanges on your mobile / email at the end of day and alerts on your registered mobile for all debits and other important transactions in your demat account directly from NSDL/ CDSL on the same day." - Issued in the interest of investors. KYC is one time exercise while dealing in securities markets - once KYC is done through a SEBI registered intermediary (broker, DP, Mutual Fund etc.), you need not undergo the same process again when you approach another intermediary. No need to issue cheques by investors while subscribing to IPO. Just write the bank account number and sign in the application form to authorise your bank to make payment in case of allotment. No worries for refund as the money remains in investor's account." www.indiainfoline.com is part of the IIFL Group, a leading financial services player and a diversified NBFC. The site provides comprehensive and real time information on Indian corporates, sectors, financial markets and economy. On the site we feature industry and political leaders, entrepreneurs, and trend setters. The research, personal finance and market tutorial sections are widely followed by students, academia, corporates and investors among others. A member of the Winnebago Tribe at the #NoDAPL encampment in North Dakota. Photo by Joe Brusky How Standing Rock became a site of pilgrimage ByThe Conversation The Army Corps of Engineers, the federal agency responsible for investigating, developing and maintaining water and related environmental resources, recently announced that they would not allow the Dakota Access pipeline to be constructed under the Missouri River and through Lakota territory. This decision essentially ended the Standing Rock Sioux tribes protest against the pipeline, which they claimed would both desecrate their sacred sites and cause potential environmental harm. The Standing Rock Sioux tribe was able to achieve this victory in part because of the assistance of thousands of water protectors. In his letter of thanks, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairman David Archambault Jr. wrote, Standing Rock could not have come this far alone. Hundreds of tribes came together in a display of tribal unity not seen in hundreds of years. And many thousands of indigenous people from around the world have prayed with us and made us stronger. Thousands of people, both those within Native American communities and their non-Native allies, felt called to go to Standing Rock. But what drew that many people to Standing Rock? As a Native American scholar of environmental history and religion, I believe that for most individuals who gathered at the site, it was a modern-day pilgrimage. Heres why. Idea of pilgrimage First, what is a pilgrimage? Anthropologists Victor Turner and Edith Turner in their classic study Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture addressed that question when they researched the personal motivations of those who traveled long distances on pilgrimage. Their answer was twofold. The Turners contended that individuals on a spiritual quest seek both an out of this ordinary world experience and a sense of community, unity or oneness with those on a similar quest. Individuals on a pilgrimage usually have these experiences both while traveling to certain places of transcendence and while at those sacred places. Lakota scholar Philip Deloria, has also described how the transformative experience of Native American sacred places provides meaning and personal growth for individuals who journey to be in their presence. In the book American Indian Places, Deloria discusses how people are likely to return to these important places again and again. Going to Standing Rock evolved into a pilgrimage for many Native Americans: they left their ordinary lives behind to journey to a Lakota sacred place, and participate in a larger collective action. My cousin Renee LaPier and her daughter Modesta LaPier, for example, journeyed 2,600 miles to and from Standing Rock. As Ojibwe women, with family on the Turtle Mountain reservation in North Dakota, they felt inspired to go to Standing Rock after meeting hundreds of like-minded individuals at a water protectors gathering they organized in their hometown of Portland, Oregon. Going to Standing Rock forced them and others to step out of their ordinary modern lives and travel to a remote rural area of the U.S. with few amenities including no cellphone coverage. And once at the site, they encountered a transformative experience. Reflecting on her experience, Renee said, Its personal. Its deeply deeply personal. Its important for all of us to stand up together. Modern-day pilgrimage It is not just Native Americans who have gone to Standing Rock. On Dec. 5 an estimated 2,000 U.S. veterans, both Native American and their non-Native allies, made their pilgrimage to Standing Rock in a freezing blizzard. They came from across the U.S. and other parts of the world; they represented American veterans from many conflicts and wars, including older Korean and Vietnam vets and younger Iraqi vets. They said they came to Standing Rock for peace and prayer. What does this mean? Religious scholar Laurel Zwissler has studied why and how young people are refocusing their personal religious practices to include religious practice with public action. She explains how they are blending their individual religious ideas and political activism into a new form of religious expression. Zwisslers research reveals participating in protests, even those across a great distance, becomes a new place of individual and collective spiritual practice. Many Native Americans and non-Native allies viewed going to Standing Rock as a pilgrimage. I have read hundreds of social media posts of people who were drawn to go there as a spiritual quest, reflecting on how the experience changed their sense of identity, gave meaning to their lives, provided a sense of community and transformed them forever. Even Chairman David Archambault Jr., in an address to the veterans, said their pilgrimage had meaning because What youre doing is sacred. I believe a modern kind of pilgrimage for Native Americans is emerging in which people travel to sites of collective action as a form of religious practice. It is true that some come for personal goals of spiritual awakening and some to journey to a sacred place. And, there are others who undertake a spiritual journey to find community, and purpose. In the end, utilizing prayer and ceremony, they would have all experienced a pilgrimage returning to their home different from when they left. Rosalyn R. LaPier, Visiting Assistant Professor of Women's Studies, Environmental Studies and Native American Religion, Harvard University This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Join the Conversation The Kyiv Pechersky District Court has seized the museum exhibits of the "Crimea - the golden island in the Black Sea" exhibition, which are in the Allard Pierson Museum (the Netherlands), submitted documents to Interpol to put the seized property on the international wanted list. According to the press service of the Crimean prosecutor's office, the agency is conducting a pretrial investigation within criminal proceedings on the fact of the Allard Pierson Museum's refusal the return of the exhibit items, which are the property of Ukraine. "At the request of the prosecutor, the Kyiv Pechersky District Court by its ruling seized the museum exhibits. The resolution was sent to Interpol with a view to ensuring the international search of the seized property," the report says. As reported, the exhibition entitled "Crimea - the golden island in the Black Sea" at the Allard Pierson Museum was formed from the collections of five museums, one of them in Kyiv and the other four in Crimea. Since the Netherlands have not recognized Crimea's reunification with Russia, which took place after the exhibition opened, a question arose as to whom the collection should be returned to. Vaani Kapoor is all geared up for her second mega release opposite Ranveer Singh. Directed by Aditya Chopra, Befikre is one of the most awaited films of the year. After a not-so-successful debut film Shuddh Desi Romance, Vaani Kapoor surely has worked really hard for Befikre. Can't wait.. Jittery! Happy! @dior jacket, #BefikreInParis A photo posted by Vaani Kapoor (@_vaanikapoor_) on Oct 10, 2016 at 3:42am PDT However, as soon as the trailer of the film was released, speculations around her lip job started doing rounds. Many claimed that from her first film, Vaani definitely looks different and that was because of a 'lip surgery'. From trolling her to memes, Twitteratti had their own reaction to it and buzz around her surgery became the talk of the town. Most of the tweets were curt and in a bad taste. The only mistake Ravan did that he did not saw ugly looking Vaani Kapoor after surgery or he would have ran away. Batukeshwar Lahiri (@BatukeshwarL) October 11, 2016 Katrina Kaif ka accent aur Emraan hashmi ka female version Presenting #VaaniKapoor #BefikreTrailer Prayag RT (@pray_ag) October 10, 2016 And #VaaniKapoor what has she done to her beautiful face she is looking like a worst looking plastic doll undergone surgery #BefikreTrailer Ajay Grover (@AjayGrover29) October 10, 2016 Whats wrong with #vaanikapoor? She looks eeewww!!! Face looks like rectangle smashed on table#BefikreTrailer #Befikre #BefikreInParis Kamal Ramani (@ramani_kamal) October 10, 2016 After a long wait, Vaani for the first time ever broke her silence on these speculations. Talking to Mid-Day, Vaani said, Can't wait.. Jittery! Happy! @dior jacket, #BefikreInParis A photo posted by Vaani Kapoor (@_vaanikapoor_) on Oct 10, 2016 at 3:42am PDT "I have lost weight; my face is bound to look different. We shot in Paris when it was freezing; the cameras keep zooming in and out. The face looks different from different angles." And wait. She had a message for all the gossip mongers and her haters. She added, Good Morning, sunshine! #carefreeinparis #igersparis A photo posted by Vaani Kapoor (@_vaanikapoor_) on Sep 7, 2016 at 9:10pm PDT "I can't afford surgery, I am only one-film old." Even though she said that she doesn't judge people who opt for it, she clearly said that she did not opt for one. 1. The highly awaited trailer of Raees is out and SRK-Mahira-Nawazuddin shine brightly Miyan Bhai & Mahira Raees Releasing on 25th January,2017 || #srk #raees #raeestrailer A photo posted by Team Shah Rukh Khan (@teamshahrukhkhan) on Dec 7, 2016 at 1:32am PST Directed by Rahul Dholakia, the film will hit the silver screens on January 18. Watch the trailer right here. Thanking his sweet fans for their wishes and prayers, Dilip Kumar posted a series of tweets, updating his fans about his health. In one his tweets, he even thanked his doctors. 3. Ranveer Singh asked Baba Ramdev to dance but regretted it instantly as the face-off clearly was one-sided Aajtak/YouTube ScreenGrab The video of a face-off between Baba Ramdev and Ranveer Singh is winning the internet. Vaani said, "I have lost weight; my face is bound to look different. We shot in Paris when it was freezing; the cameras keep zooming in and out. The face looks different from different angles." 5. The latest teaser of Koffee With Karan has a glimpse of a super-awkward Salman Khan Star World When KJo started quizzing Salman on kill-marry-hook up, he wanted some more options. And then, like an ideal brother (NOT), Sohail Khan pitched in and said, Rakhi Sawant and Salman's reaction was priceless. This episode will be aired this week. Hardware experts at Instrumental, a manufacturing process innovation company based in Palo Alto, California, have heavily criticised Samsung for the Galaxy Note 7s design -- which they believe caused the infamous explosions of the doomed device throughout September 2016, eventually forcing the South Korean consumer electronics giant to pull the plug on the Galaxy Note 7 range in October 2016. Courtesy of NBC News In a damning report, the engineering team at Instrumental finds Samsung guilty of aggressive design standards deployed in the Galaxy Note 7, which made the device highly unstable and extremely susceptible to explosions. After acquiring a non-exploded Samsung Galaxy Note 7, the engineering team at Instrumental proceeded to tear it down and study its internal components to try and guess the reason behind the Note 7s disastrous design. After looking at the design, Instrumental claimed, Samsung engineers were clearly trying to balance the risk of a super-aggressive manufacturing process to maximize capacity, while attempting to protect it internally. Instrumental teardown image explaining how there was no space around the Galaxy Note 7 battery After the teardown, the Instrumental team realised the Samsung Galaxy Note 7s battery was so tightly packed inside its enclosure case that even the minutest battery expansion pressure, or stress on the phones body itself, would inadvertently bring into contact two separate layers inside the battery that are never supposed to touch. If they ever touched, as was the case with the Samsung Galaxy Note 7s battery, unbearable heat and perpetual explosion would follow as an unavoidable consequence. Specifically in terms of the Galaxy Note 7s design, the Instrumental hardware engineers further comment on the space above a battery inside any Li-ion powered device and the need for some breathing space between side-by-side components. The space between the battery and its adjacent component should approximately be at least 10% of the overall thickness of the device. Going by this theory, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 should have had a 0.5mm breathing space between its battery and adjacent component. It had none. Zero. Zilch. It breaks such a basic rule, it must have been intentional, says the Instrumental team, leaving no doubt in their minds that Samsung shipped a dangerous product on purpose. That this is possible at one of the top consumer electronic companies in the world is humbling If only Samsung hadnt aspired to build a crazily slim smartphone (or phablet, as is the case here) while compromising on consumer safety and security, all of this wouldve been easily avoided. An update to the Samsung Galaxy Note series, the Galaxy Note 8, is expected to release in early 2017, according to several reports. We reached out to Samsung representatives for a counter point, and here's what they had to say: We are conducting a thorough investigation and will release the results as soon as they are finalised. We understand the need for answers, but do not wish to say anything prematurely and cannot comment on these reports. We appreciate the continued patience of our valued customers as we work diligently through this process. It's been a week and yet the impact of the "aircraft being low on fuel while ferrying West Bengal's Chief Minister from Patna to Kolkata", is still being felt. Today, 6 pilots were grounded over the row. And we're still trying to understand how this "foiled assassination attempt", which sounds like a borrowed plot from a really bad Hollywood movie, took place... On the last day of November, an IndiGo flight that Mamata Banerjee was travelling in landed at the Kolkata airport, it was met with a number of fire engines and ambulances. The flight had been hovering over the airport for nearly half an hour before it landed. It was immediately announced that the flight was low on fuel. Panic ensued. Trinamool Congress members, threatened by the drastic turn of events, were quick to cry foul. Mukul Roy, with a firm allegiance to his beloved leader, was the first to point out that the order of precedence clearly states that the chief minister of a state is only after the prime minister and a flight with a CM on board has to be given priority. So why did the Patna airport cause a one hour delay in clearing the flight for take-off? The Kolkata airport explained that the weather in Kolkata was not conducive to landing and the aircraft was requested to wait for ideal landing situation. Indian Express "This is nothing but a conspiracy to kill our chief minister as she has raised voice against demonetisation and is touring the country to organise a mass movement against the anti-people decision," Senior Trinamool Congress leader and state Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim, who was accompanying Banerjee in the flight, had said. Representational image "The flight was kept on hold for landing due to air traffic congestion at Kolkata. The pilot operating 6E 342 had advised the ATC that he has eight minutes of extra holding fuel over Kolkata (destination) before commencing diversion to the planned alternative (airport). However, this information was misunderstood by the Air Traffic Controller who assumed that the aircraft had only eight minutes of total fuel left," it said. It was too late for logic by now. The matter was taken to both houses of the Parliament as a threat to Mamata Banerjee's life. In the Lok Sabha, the accusation of a "deliberate plan to hold off landing despite the lack of fuel" brought the day's affairs to a halt. Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju refuted the accusations and announced that the DGCA has ordered a probe into the matter. In the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said as per the "facts", all laid down procedures and regulations were followed by the ATC and assured the upper house that a probe will be conducted and its report tabled. With no room to lock themselves into, the air carriers were forced to take action against their pilots. "The DGCA has de-rostered (grounded) the pilots and sought their corrective training," said an AI spokesperson. So is that the end of this story? Or is this really going to draw out like yet another one of those never-ending, screechy Hollywood films that we must be subjected to? Pass the popcorn or I'll declare a bandh! Sea ice off Antarctica and in the Arctic is at record lows for this time of year after declining by twice the size of Alaska in a sign of rising global temperatures, climate scientists say. Against a trend of global warming and a steady retreat of ice at earth's northern tip, the ice that floats on the Southern Ocean off Antarctica has tended to expand in recent years. Reuters But now it is shrinking at both ends of the planet, a development alarming scientists and to which a build-up of man-made greenhouse gases, an El Nino weather event that this year unlocked heat from the Pacific Ocean and freak natural swings may all be contributing. "There are some really crazy things going on," said Mark Serreze, director of the US National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) in Boulder, Colorado, saying temperatures in parts of the Arctic were 20 degrees Celsius (36F) above normal some days in November. Reuters This year is on track to be the warmest on record worldwide. Combined, the extent of polar sea ice on December 4 was about 3.84 million square kilometres (1.48 million square miles) below the 1981-2010 average, according to NSIDC satellite measurements. That roughly is the size of India or two Alaskas. In many recent years, Antarctica's expanding sea ice has been a big theme for those who doubt that global warming is man-made. John Turner of the British Antarctic Survey said chilly westerly winds that sweep around the continent, perhaps insulating it from the effects of global warming, were the weakest for November in two decades. That may have let more heat seep south. Reuters A recovery of the high-altitude ozone layer over Antarctica, which led to cooler air over the continent when it was damaged by now-banned industrial chemicals, may also be a factor. But Turner said that it was hard to pinpoint exactly what was happening. "When we began getting satellite data from 1979 the sea ice started to decrease. Everyone said it was global warming ... but then it started to increase again," he added. Accepting mainstream scientific findings and responding to increases in floods, heat waves and rising sea levels, almost 200 governments last year agreed to phase out fossil fuels this century and limit the global temperature rise above pre-industrial levels to less than two degrees celsius. AP US President-elect Donald Trump, who has called man-made climate change a hoax, has threatened to pull out of that agreement, reached in Paris in December. Last month he however also said he had an "open mind". The polar regions are radically different from each other because the Arctic is an ocean ringed by land and Antarctica is a vast land mass surrounded by water. Ice around Antarctica, retreating with a summer thaw, is the smallest for early December at 11.22 million square kilometres (4.33 million square miles), beating a record from 1982, NSIDC data shows. Arctic sea ice, expanding in winter, is at a record low of 10.25 million square kilometres (3.96 million square miles), below a 2006 record. Shock and silence followed the news of J Jayalalithaa's demise late on Monday night. With most people in the state despairing and mourning the loss of their favourite political leader, Chennai came to a standstill. Thousands of people gathered to pay their last respects as Amma made her last journey from Rajaji Hall to Marina Beach. The national flag remained at half mast at Fort St George in Chennai. Her last remains were carried with full state honours and laid to rest next to MGR Memorial at Marina Beach. Thousands had gathered for days since the past few days when J Jayalalithaa's health deteriorated after a heart attack. Five asylum seekers, who arrived in Sweden as unaccompanied minors, have been charged with gang-raping a teenage boy and threatening him with a knife. Representational image/Reuters They anally raped a teenage boy from Afghanistan in Uppsala, a city north of capital Stockholm, and allegedly dragged another boy into a forest and threatened him with a knife and raped him too. Prosecutor Johan Stromback told AP that all five charged are between the ages of 16 and 17. Those raped is under 15 and all of them came to Sweden unaccompanied by adults. Representational image/Reuters The five boys were charged with aggravated rape of a minor and in Sweden this crime is punishable by at least four years in prison for adults and juvenile detention for minors. According to the charge, all accused will be expelled from Sweden and wont be allowed to return even after they serve their sentences. Representational image/Reuters The accused allegedly punched the victim, raped him and also spat on him. The victim was left with bruises and bite marks on his back. They also filmed the entire rape and threatened the victim to post the video on social media if he went to the police. The accused were allegedly drunk on alcohol. BCCL The income tax department has unearthed over Rs 2,000 crore in unaccounted income in search and survey operations across the country since the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 8. The department also seized over Rs 130 crore in cash and jewellery. The I-T department said it carried out more than 400 investigations after November 8. It also referred more than 30 cases to the ED and the CBI for further investigation under anti-corruption laws and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The government has pressed all its investigating agencies to unearth black money transactions post-demonetisation. The agencies have been asked to work in close coordination. Read more here Here are 5 more stories for you: 1. Meet Safia Ferozi, The Only Second Afghan Woman To Fly A Military Plane Was Once A Refugee AP When the oppressive Taliban regime in Afghanistan fell in 2001, Safia Ferozi was a teenager living in Pakistan as an Afghan refugee, like millions of others from their country. Ferozi's family had fled their home in Kabul in the 1990s, They took refuge in Pakistan, returning only after the fall of the Taliban. Now sixteen years later, she is flying high! quite literally... Ferozi is one of the two women pilots in the Afghan Air Force. Read more here 2. Navy Ships Deployed To Evacuate 1400 Stranded Tourists In Andaman And Nicobar Islands AFP Nearly 1400 tourist are stranded at the Havelock Island in Andaman and Nicobar after the weather turned hostile with heavy rainfall and stormy winds disturbing the connectivity in the area. The Indian Navy has been put to task to rescue the tourists. The administration of Andaman and Nicobar has requested Indian Navy for assistance to evacuate the stranded tourists. Navy Ships Bitra, Kumbhir, Bangaram and LCU 38 have sailed from Port Blair to help evacuation of tourists. Read more here 3. In Order To Save Govt Money, Donald Trump Wants To Cancel The Order For Next Air Force One AFP Donald Trump, the US President elect has said he wants to cut government costs by cancelling the order of Air Force one, the plane which carries the US President. Trump tweeted: "Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!" The US government has a contract with Boeing to build two or more new planes. Though the White House appeared to cast doubt in the figures quoted by Trump in his tweet. Read more here 4. Bombay High Court Pulls Up RBI Over Non Blind-Friendly Currency Notes, Coins AFP/representational image The Bombay high court has sought a reply from the Reserve Bank of India within six weeks to a plea highlighting difficulty faced by blind persons in identifying currency notes and coins in recent years. Hearing a petition filed by National Association for the Blind (NAB), a divisional bench headed by chief justice Manjula Chellur asked the central bank to submit its response and also allowed the petitioner to file a rejoinder within two weeks of RBI filing its reply. In his petition, Joaquim Rapose, secretary of NAB, sought from the court directions to the RBI to include special features in coins and currency notes so the blind could identify them easily. Rapose said in the recent years the visually disabled people have started facing difficulties in identifying the denominations of various notes and coins. Read more here 5. Sri Chinmoy's Followers Set A Guinness Record By Putting 72,585 Candles On His Birthday Cake AFP A new Guinness World Record has been set in the US for most candles on a birthday cake - where a staggering 72,585 candles were lit on the occasion of late Indian spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy's 85th birth anniversary. Chinmoy Kumar Ghose, better known as Sri Chinmoy, taught meditation in the West after moving to New York City in 1964. Read more here When the oppressive Taliban regime in Afghanistan fell in 2001, Safia Ferozi was a teenager living in Pakistan as an Afghan refugee, like millions of others from their country. AP Ferozi's family had fled their home in Kabul in the 1990s, They took refuge in Pakistan, returning only after the fall of the Taliban. Now sixteen years later, she is flying high! quite literally... Ferozi is one of the two women pilots in the Afghan Air Force. AP The 26-year-old is part of a small Afghan air force that is trying to take a greater role in fighting against the Taliban insurgency. She is married to another pilot, who works in the same unit and flies a C-208, a turboprop plane which is used for transport of the armed forces. The couple also has a daughter who is eight months old. AP "When I wear a military uniform, I really, really feel proud of myself as a woman," Ferozi said. Ferozi's life changing moment was a TV commercial that called women to join the military. After graduation she enrolled in the military academy to become a communication officer. In the academy, it was announced that the air force was looking for women to become pilots. There were 12 applicants Farozi was the only one who passed the test and she graduated in 2015. AP Even though the role of women in the highly conservative Afghan society is increasing, Farozi admits her journey was a challenging one "As a woman, you face many challenges, but you have to deal somehow with all those problems," she said. The Trilateral Contact Group ordered the subgroup on humanitarian issues to prepare for the release of prisoners in Donbas before the New Year holidays following the meeting in Minsk on Wednesday, Darka Olifer, press officer for Leonid Kuchma, Ukraine's representative in the contact group, said. "The key issue addressed by the humanitarian subgroup is the release of illegally held persons. The Trilateral Contact Group has ordered the subgroup on humanitarian issues to prepare everything necessary for the release of the maximal number of people even before the New Year holidays," Olifer said on Facebook on Wednesday. The army loyal to Syrian President Bashar-Al Assad has reportedly taken full control of Aleppo's old city. The government troops, backed by Russian firepower had entered the city on Tuesday, a monitoring group said. Reuters The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the army advance on Tuesday and overnight, which was supported by heavy air strikes and shelling, caused insurgents to withdraw from the historic Old City, including from the area around the historic Umayyad Mosque. Russian state media, RT reported that up to 85 per cent of the area, previously controlled by rebels, has now been "liberated". Reuters According to Syrian state news agency Sana, the Syrian army inflicted heavy losses upon militants in five neighborhoods and forced many to flee. The army also reportedly prevented a planned car bomb attack on a military post, which allegedly had been intended to boost the deteriorating morale of the terrorists. Aleppo, once the commercial hub of Syria has been split between the Syrian government and rebel and militant factions since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011. Since operations to liberate the eastern districts of Aleppo in mid-November began, the Syrian army has made successful advances and now controls 65 per cent of the city, the military said. AFP The latest advance of the government troops is expected to further worsen the already grave human rights situation in the city. Rights groups including the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights fear that this could follow another genocide of civilians in the battle ridden city which is already in shambles. Russia and China had on Tuesday vetoed a UN resolution calling for a 7-day humanitarian ceasefire in the rebel-held areas to allow much needed aid in. Moscow, while asking the rebels to surrender had warned them of consequences if they don't surrender and continued to fight. So far thousands of people, most of them civilians have been killed in the city torn apart. According to the UN estimate, there are around 200,000 people still stuck in Aleppo of which more than 10,000 are in the frontlines of the rebel held areas. The construction of diagnostic building D of the National Children's Specialized Hospital Okhmatdyt is to be completed in April 2017, while the facility will be commissioned in summer, Acting Health Minister Ulana Suprun has told Interfax-Ukraine. She also noted the contractor, now working on the construction, will not be changed as the contract with him was signed until the end of construction work. At the same time, UAH 395 million, allocated for construction this year, will remain on the treasury service account until construction is finished and will be transferred to builders only after signing the acts of work completion. As reported, on August 15, 2016 the customer of building a new facility of the National Children's Specialized Hospital Okhmatdyt, Ukrmedproektbud, signed a contract with a new general contractor, Riola-Module Ltd (Kyiv region). Saleh v. Bush By Witness Iraq December 07, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Witness Iraq " - San Francisco, Calif. Today the United States Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit confirmed that Circuit Judges Susan Graber and Andrew Hurwitz, as well as District Court Judge Richard Boulware (sitting by designation) will hear oral argument on December 12, 2016, in Saleh v. Bush. Saleh v. Bush involves claims by an Iraqi woman, Sundus Shaker Saleh, that former President George W. Bush and other high ranking Bush-era officials broke the law when they planned and waged the Iraq War. Saleh alleges that former Bush Administration leaders committed the crime of aggression when they planned and executed the Iraq War, a war crime that was called the supreme international crime at the Nuremberg Trials in 1946. Saleh is appealing the immunity provided to the Defendants by the district court in December 2014. We are pleased that the Ninth Circuit will hear argument. To my knowledge, this is the first time a court will entertain arguments that the Iraq War was illegal under domestic and international law, Salehs attorney D. Inder Comar, legal director at Comar LLP, said. This is also the first time since World War II that a court is being asked to scrutinize whether the war itself was an illegal act of aggression a special war crime that was defined at the Nuremberg Trials in 1946. Comar is handling Salehs case pro bono. Assuming the oral argument takes place, the argument will be live streamed and recorded on the Ninth Circuits YouTube channel, permitting members of the public to watch the argument. The Courts calendar commences at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on December 12th; the case will likely be heard later in the morning, as it is last on the Courts calendar. In addition to former President Bush, Saleh has named former Administration officials Richard Cheney, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Donald Rumsfeld and Paul Wolfowitz as defendants in the case. In December 2014, the district court dismissed Salehs lawsuit, holding that the defendants were immune from further proceedings because of the federal Westfall Act of 1988 (28 U.S.C. 2679). The Westfall Act immunizes former federal officials in civil lawsuits if a court determines that the official was acting pursuant to the legitimate scope of his or her employment. Leading American news outlets got in on the fun , as they always do, using the joviality of the event to promote their news accounts and generate visits to their sites: As I look around this room and up on the platform, I want to say thank you for letting me crash your family reunion. Im afraid Ive blown his cover. I actually like Dick Cheney. I can say without fear of contradiction, theres never one single time been a harsh word, not one single time in our entire relationship. At the unveiling ceremony, Cheney was, in the playful words of NPR, lightly roasted as though hes some sort of grumpy though beloved avuncular stand-up comic. Along with George W. Bush, one of the speakers in attendance was Vice President Joe Biden, who spoke movingly of Cheneys kind and generous soul: Watch former President Bush unleash the Dick Cheney jokes at Washington ceremony https://t.co/3Ps6PKxU3O pic.twitter.com/EAWtdlYIR3 NBC News (@NBCNews) December 4, 2015 As NPR put it, This was not an event for Cheney critics on the war or torture or related topics. Totally: why let some unpleasant war criminality ruin a perfectly uplifting ceremony? It is a long-standing trope among self-flattering Westerners and their allies that a key difference between us and them (Muslim radicals) is that they honor and memorialize their terrorists and celebrate them as martyrs while we scorn and prosecute our own. Yesterday, the U.S. government unambiguously signaled to the world that not only does it regard itself as entirely exempt from the laws of wars, the principal Nuremberg prohibition against aggressive invasions, and global prohibitions on torture (something that has been self-evident for many years), but believes that the official perpetrators should be honored and memorialized provided they engage in these crimes on behalf of the U.S. government. Thats a message that most of the U.S. media and thus large parts of the American population will not hear, but much of the world will hear it quite loudly and clearly. How could they not? In Counterterrorism Speech, Obama Hints at Danger of American Dictatorship By Patrick Martin December 07, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " WSWS " - In a speech delivered Tuesday to a military audience at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, President Barack Obama made a veiled warning about the threat to American democracy posed by 15 years of unending war. The speech, delivered at a base that headquarters US special operations forces, was a defense of his administrations own record, little more than six weeks before Obama turns over the White House to Donald Trump. The departing commander-in-chief criticized specific policies associated with Trump, including support for torture and unilateral US military action, without naming his successor. Obama began by acknowledging that when he leaves office January 20, I will become the first president of the United States to serve two full terms during a time of war, an assertion that his audience applauded. He reiterated his confidence in the military, declaring, I believe that the United States military can achieve any mission; that we are, and must remain, the strongest fighting force the world has ever known. This too, was greeted with applause. The bulk of the speech, however, consisted of drawing lessons from the struggle against Al Qaeda and ISIS, most of them presented as warnings against making the war on terror the focal point of American national-security policy. Terrorists dont pose an existential threat to our nation, and therefore do not require an all-out military mobilization on the scale of World War II or the Cold War, he argued. He also warned that we cannot follow the path of previous great powers, who sometimes defeated themselves through over-reach. That was why, he said, he had withdrawn the bulk of US ground troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, so that they would be available elsewherei.e., against Russia and China, although he did not cite these as targets for future US military operations. Obamas main focus was the impact of the war on terror on democratic procedures and the potential transformation of the United States into a garrison state. These terrorists can never directly destroy our way of life, he said, but we can do it for them if we lose track of who we are and the values that this nation was founded upon. One of those values was opposition to torture, he stressed, implicitly rebuking President-elect Trump, who has proclaimed his support for waterboarding and other forms of torture during his campaign, and who has appointed a pro-torture congressman, Mike Pompeo, to head the CIA. He also opposed efforts to impose religious tests on immigrants and refugees, to single out American Muslims for discrimination or repression, and to use the US military for grabbing the resources of those we defeated. These sallies were all aimed at statements made by Trump during the election campaign. Without drawing any explicit connection, Obama then cited the Nuremberg Tribunals after World War II, at which Nazi leaders were found guilty of war crimes and executed or imprisoned. The colossal hypocrisy of Obamas speech, and the absurdity of his pose as the defender of the rule of law and democratic rights, are underscored by reference to the Nuremberg Tribunals. What Obama did not mention is the declaration of the chief prosecutor at the tribunal, US Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson, that the basic crime alleged against the accused Nazi leaders was the planning and execution of a war of aggression, from which, Jackson said, all the other war crimes flowed. By this standard, the top officials of the Obama administration, including Obama himself, deserve to be hauled before a new tribunal to face war crimes charges. Obama concluded with a more general warning over the impact of protracted war, with each new military operation justified by reference to the now-distant events of September 11, 2001. Democracies should not operate in a state of permanently authorized war, he said. Thats not good for our military, its not good for our democracy. While his explicit argument was that Congress should pass a new Authorization for the Use of Military Force against ISIS, rather than leaving the president to rely on the authority dating back to 9/11, the implications of these comments were more sweeping. They recall the speech he delivered in May 2013 on the dimensions of the war on terror, when he declared, We have to be mindful of James Madisons warning that no nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare. At the time of the May 2013 speech, the World Socialist Web Site noted the contradictory character of Obamas remarks. On the one hand, he admitted the reactionary and anti-democratic implications of the war on terror, in which the US government had waged illegal wars, tortured and murdered prisoners, and spied on the American people. On the other hand, Obama asserted, as chief executive, his own authority to continue the spying, to wage drone-missile warfare, and even to assassinate American citizens, without any legal or judicial restraint. Obamas speech at MacDill Air Force Base had something of the same character. He outlined at some length the supposed efforts of his administration to wage war without atrocities, interrogate prisoners without torture, and protect the American people from terrorism without resorting to mass surveillance. In reality, the Obama administration has carried out the most sweeping attacks on democratic rights in the name of the struggle against terrorism: authorizing blanket capture of all telecommunications and Internet traffic; keeping open the Guantanamo Bay detention camp; shielding the Bush administration officials who oversaw CIA torture; persecuting whistle-blowers who exposed US government crimes such as Julian Assange, Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning; and carrying out a systematic program of drone-missile assassinations worldwide, on an unparalleled scale. But Obamas speech amounted to an admission that the policies he has pursued have paved the way for an even more right-wing and undemocratic policy once Trump enters the White House. Obama is aware that the incoming government will be one of immense repression and violence, and he cautions Trump against excesses. At the same time, he and the Democratic Party are doing everything possible to smooth the way for Trump, declaring him the legitimate president-elect despite losing the popular vote by more than 2.6 million. Underlying Obamas warnings are not only concerns that he might at some point face his own Nuremberg trial, but, more basically, a wariness over the far-reaching and potentially explosive implications of the overt trashing of constitutionally guaranteed rights. Historically, the United States is based on the US Constitution. Once that tie is severed, there is little to hold the country together. Beyond his advice to Trump, Obama appeared to be appealing more to the military itself, which exercises an overbearing and dominant influence over the entire state, including his own administration and the incoming Trump-led government. The choice of the venue was significant. Rather than addressing the American people about the perilous state of American democracy, he spoke before the headquarters of US Special Operations Command, concluding with an appeal that our men and women in uniform and the citizens who support you carry forward what is best in us. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Information Clearing House editorial policy. Stunning Summary of US Imperialism and Native Resistance... on MSNBC! Video On The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell on MSNBC, Lawrence explains why a protest by Native Americans in North Dakota reminds us of the history American always tries to forget. Posted December 07, 2016 North Dakota Pipeline Protesters Vow to Stay Despite Victory By James MacPherson Protesters celebrated a major victory in their push to reroute the Dakota Access oil pipeline away from a tribal water source but pledged to remain camped on federal land in North Dakota anyway, despite Mondays government deadline to leave. Hundreds of people at the Oceti Sakowin, or Seven Council Fires, encampment cheered and chanted mni wichoni water is life in Lakota Sioux after the Army Corps of Engineers refused Sunday to grant the company permission to extend the pipeline beneath a Missouri River reservoir. The Standing Rock Sioux tribe and its supporters argue that extending the project beneath Lake Oahe would threaten the tribes water source and cultural sites. The segment is the last major sticking point for the four-state, $3.8 billion project. The whole world is watching, said Miles Allard, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux. Im telling all our people to stand up and not to leave until this is over. Despite the deadline, authorities say they wont forcibly remove the protesters. The company constructing the pipeline, Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, released a statement Sunday night slamming the Army Corps decision as politically motivated and alleging that President Barack Obamas administration was determined to delay the matter until he leaves office. The White Houses directive today to the Corps for further delay is just the latest in a series of overt and transparent political actions by an administration which has abandoned the rule of law in favor of currying favor with a narrow and extreme political constituency, the company said. President-elect Donald Trump, a pipeline supporter, will take office in January, although it wasnt immediately clear what steps his administration would be able to take to reverse the Army Corps latest decision or how quickly that could happen. That uncertainty, Allard said, is part of the reason the protesters wont leave. We dont know what Trump is going to do, Allard said. Assistant Secretary for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy said in a news release that her decision was based on the need to consider alternative routes for the pipelines crossing. Her full decision doesnt rule out that it could cross under the reservoir or north of Bismarck. Although we have had continuing discussion and exchanges of new information with the Standing Rock Sioux and Dakota Access, its clear that theres more work to do, Darcy said. The best way to complete that work responsibly and expeditiously is to explore alternate routes for the pipeline crossing. North Dakotas leaders criticized the decision, with Gov. Jack Dalrymple calling it a serious mistake that prolongs the dangerous situation of having several hundred protesters who are camped out on federal land during cold, wintry weather. U.S. Rep. Kevin Cramer said its a very chilling signal for the future of infrastructure in the United States. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said Sunday that the Department of Justice will continue to monitor the situation and stands ready to provide resources to help all those who can play a constructive role in easing tensions. The safety of everyone in the area law enforcement officers, residents and protesters alike continues to be our foremost concern, she added. Carla Youngbear of the Meskwaki Potawatomi tribe made her third trip from central Kansas to be at the protest site. I have grandchildren, and Im going to have great grandchildren, she said. They need water. Water is why Im here. Standing Rock Sioux tribal chairman Dave Archambault didnt respond to messages seeking comment. Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier, whose department has done much of the policing for the protests, said that local law enforcement does not have an opinion on the easement and that his department will continue to enforce the law. U.S. Secretary for the Interior Sally Jewell said in a statement that the Corps thoughtful approach ensures that there will be an in-depth evaluation of alternative routes for the pipeline and a closer look at potential impacts. Earlier Sunday, an organizer with Veterans Stand for Standing Rock said tribal elders had asked the military veterans not to have confrontations with law enforcement officials, adding the group is there to help out those whove dug in against the project. About 250 veterans gathered about a mile from the main camp for a meeting with organizer Wes Clark Jr., the son of former Democratic presidential candidate Gen. Wesley Clark. The group had said about 2,000 veterans were coming, but it wasnt clear how many actually arrived. We have been asked by the elders not to do direct action, Wes Clark Jr. said. He added that the National Guard and law enforcement have armored vehicles and are armed, warning: If we come forward, they will attack us. Instead, he told the veterans, If you see someone who needs help, help them out. Some veterans will take part in a prayer ceremony Monday, during which theyll apologize for historical detrimental conduct by the military toward Native Americans and ask for forgiveness, Clark said. He also called the veterans presence about right and wrong and peace and love. Authorities moved a blockade from the north end of the Backwater Bridge with the conditions that protesters stay south of it and come there only if there is a prearranged meeting. Authorities also asked protesters not to remove barriers on the bridge, which they have said was damaged in the late October conflict that led to several people being hurt, including a serious arm injury. That heavy presence is gone now and I really hope in this de-escalation theyll see that, and in good faith. the leadership in those camps will start squashing the violent factions, Cass County Sheriff Paul Laney said in a statement, reiterating that any violation will will result in their arrest. Steven Perry, a 66-year-old Vietnam veteran whos a member of the Little Traverse Bay band of Odawa Indians in Michigan, spoke of one of the protesters main concerns: that the pipeline could pollute drinking water. This is not just a native issue, he said, This is an issue for everyone. Associated Press writers Jeff Baenen in Minneapolis and Jamie Stengle in Dallas contributed to this report. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Information Clearing House editorial policy. A Call To Develop Alternative Social Media and Search Engine Platform Competitors (That Arent Evil) By Rahul D. Manchanda December 07, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Modern Diplomacy " - One thing that the events of this latest political election have taught the American People is that the Mainstream Media has virtually no real credibility any more, and are essentially working for the Deep State Plutocratic Elite, fully owned and co-opted by the Central Bankers of the City of London and other foreign nations / entities / individuals, with absolutely no loyalty to the People to provide them with real news that does not support their own agenda and self-enrichment. Since 90% of American Media is controlled by only 6 corporations, it is unfortunately now time for a new civil, legal, equitable, and non-violent American Revolutionary War, this time dedicated to holding the CEOs of the 6 major mainstream media conglomerates to account, with non-violent revolution. This means that the People should rise up and begin to file lawsuits, left and right, against individual and corporate entities that make up the Mainstream Media, for a whole series and litany of civil (as well as criminal) causes of action. For example, we all now know that the U.S. Government, through the CIAs Operation Mockingbird, is an unconstitutional program developed to target and brainwash average Americans into supporting stupid foreign wars, getting tens of millions of people unnecessarily killed, spending U.S. Taxpayer dollars to the tune of $23 trillion in debt, and aiding and abetting major international and domestic criminal conspiracies and plots (such as the engineered financial crisis of 2008) by either refusing to report on them, or outright lying to the American People by covering them up. From a criminal perspective, the Mainstream American Media led by certain of their CEOs are at once guilty of treason, acting on behalf of (favored) foreign entities and governments (Foreign Agents Registration Act), and violations of the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. TREASON To avoid the abuses of the English law, treason was specifically defined in the United States Constitution, the only crime so defined. Article III, section 3 reads as follows: Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court. The United States Code at 18 U.S.C. 2381 states: Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States. There is no question that the 6 major Mainstream Media conglomerates are owned and beholden to the international central banks, which are by and large non-American actors and are instead sovereign foreign based entities headquartered in the United Kingdom, specifically in the City of London and with other foreign nations/entities/individuals. FOREIGN AGENTS REGISTRATION ACT The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) is a United States law (22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.) passed in 1938 requiring that agents representing the interests of foreign powers in a political or quasi-political capacity disclose their relationship with the foreign government and information about related activities and finances. The purpose is to facilitate evaluation by the government and the American people of the statements and activities of such persons. The law is administered by the FARA Registration Unit of the Counterespionage Section (CES) in the National Security Division (NSD) of the United States Department of Justice. For the same reasons as described above, the CEOs of the above referenced 6 major media companies need to be criminally investigated, indicted, charged, arrested, prosecuted, and incarcerated as such. They are just as dangerous and subversive as any of their foreign central banker City of London and other foreign nations/entities/individuals masters. The Act originally was administered by the Department of State until transferred to the Department of Justice in 1942. From passage in 1938 until 1966 when the Act was amended, enforcement focused on propagandists for foreign powers (in this case the City of London international central bankers and other foreign nations/entities/individuals), even if it was not for or on behalf of those powers. It was used in 23 criminal cases during World War II. For cases not warranting prosecution, the Department of Justice sent letters advising prospective agents of the law. In 1966 the Act was amended and narrowed to emphasize agents actually working with foreign powers who sought economic or political advantage by influencing governmental decision-making. The amendments shifted the focus of the law from propaganda to political lobbying and narrowed the meaning of foreign agent. From that moment on, an organization (or person) could only be placed in the FARA database if the government proved that it (or he or she) was acting at the order, request, or under the direction or control, of a foreign principal and proved that it (or he or she) was engaged in political activities for or in the interests of such foreign principal, including by representing the interests of such foreign principal before any agency or official of the Government of the United States. This increased the governments burden of proof; since 1966 there have been no successful criminal prosecutions under the FARA act. However, a civil injunctive remedy also was added to allow the Department of Justice to warn individuals and entities of possible violations of the Act, ensuring more voluntary compliance but also making it clear when the law has been violated. This has resulted in a number of successful civil cases and administrative resolutions since that time. The Act requires periodic disclosure of all activities and finances by: (1) people and organizations that are under control of a foreign government, of organizations or of persons outside of the United States (foreign principal); (2) if they act at the order, request, or under the direction or control of this principal (i.e. as agents) or of persons who are controlled or subsidized in major part by this principal. I am sometimes asked if I have any regrets about publishing our book. As of today, my only regret is that it is not being published now. After the humiliations that Obama has endured at the hands of the Israel Lobby and the Hagel circus, we would sell even more copies and we would not face nearly as much ill-informed criticism. Stephen Walt, co-author of the book. Organizations under such foreign control can include political agents, public relations counsel, publicity agents, information-service employees, political consultants, fundraisers or those who represent the foreign power before any agency or official of the United States government. The law includes news or press services owned by a foreign principal. To that end if any one of the 6 major media corporations has foreign owners or any relationships with the international foreign central bankers based out of the City of London and other foreign nations/entities/individuals, they are at once guilty of violating this Act. RACKETEERING INFLUENCED CORRUPT ORGANIZATIONS (RICO) ACT The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as the RICO Act or simply RICO, is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization. The RICO Act focuses specifically on racketeering, and it allows the leaders of a syndicate to be tried for the crimes which they ordered others to do or assisted them in doing, closing a perceived loophole that allowed a person who instructed someone else to, for example, murder, to be exempt from the trial because he did not actually commit the crime personally. RICO was enacted by section 901(a) of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 (Pub.L. 91452, 84 Stat. 922, enacted October 15, 1970), and is codified at 18 U.S.C. ch. 96 as 18 U.S.C. 19611968. G. Robert Blakey, an adviser to the United States Senate Government Operations Committee, drafted the law under the close supervision of the committees chairman, Senator John Little McClellan. It was enacted as Title IX of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970, and signed into law by Richard M. Nixon. While its original use in the 1970s was to prosecute the Mafia as well as others who were actively engaged in organized crime, its later application has been more widespread. Beginning in 1972, 33 states adopted state RICO laws to be able to prosecute similar conduct. Under RICO, a person who has committed at least two acts of racketeering activity drawn from a list of 35 crimes 27 federal crimes and 8 state crimes within a 10-year period can be charged with racketeering if such acts are related in one of four specified ways to an enterprise. Those found guilty of racketeering can be fined up to $250,000 and sentenced to 20 years in prison per racketeering count. In addition, the racketeer must forfeit all ill-gotten gains and interest in any business gained through a pattern of racketeering activity. When the U.S. Attorney decides to indict someone under RICO, he or she has the option of seeking a pre-trial restraining order or injunction to temporarily seize a defendants assets and prevent the transfer of potentially forfeitable property, as well as require the defendant to put up a performance bond. This provision was placed in the law because the owners of Mafia-related shell corporations often absconded with the assets. An injunction and/or performance bond ensures that there is something to seize in the event of a guilty verdict. Despite its harsh provisions, a RICO-related charge is considered easy to prove in court, as it focuses on patterns of behavior as opposed to criminal acts. RICO also permits a private individual damaged in his business or property by a racketeer to file a civil suit. The plaintiff must prove the existence of an enterprise. The defendant(s) are not the enterprise; in other words, the defendant(s) and the enterprise are not one and the same. There must be one of four specified relationships between the defendant(s) and the enterprise: either the defendant(s) invested the proceeds of the pattern of racketeering activity into the enterprise (18 U.S.C. 1962(a)); or the defendant(s) acquired or maintained an interest in, or control of, the enterprise through the pattern of racketeering activity (subsection (b)); or the defendant(s) conducted or participated in the affairs of the enterprise through the pattern of racketeering activity (subsection (c)); or the defendant(s) conspired to do one of the above (subsection (d)). In essence, the enterprise is either the prize, instrument, victim, or perpetrator of the racketeers. A civil RICO action can be filed in either state or federal court. Both the criminal and civil components allow the recovery of treble damages (damages in triple the amount of actual/compensatory damages). Initially, prosecutors were skeptical of using RICO, mainly because it was unproven. However, during the 1980s and 1990s, federal prosecutors used the law to bring charges against several Mafia figures. The first major success was the Mafia Commission Trial, which resulted in several top leaders of New York Citys Five Families getting what amounted to life sentences. By the turn of the century, RICO cases resulted in virtually all of the top leaders of the New York Mafia being sent to prison. So why cant RICO charges (or civil lawsuits) be brought against the 6 heads of the major Mainstream Media organized criminal enterprise? Examples of required predicate criminal acts include bribery, extortion, fraud, obstruction of justice, racketeering, money laundering, or copyright infringement. Although some of the most often used RICO predicate criminal acts are extortion and blackmail, one of the most successful applications of the RICO laws has been the ability to indict and or sanction individuals for their behavior and actions committed against witnesses and victims in alleged retaliation or retribution for cooperating with federal or state law enforcement or intelligence agencies. It is well known that the mainstream media routinely engages in the above described criminal acts, especially retaliation (defamation/slander/libel for example) when their targets dont tow the political line as issued by the City of London Central Bankers and other foreign nations/individuals/entities. Just think of what happened to President-Elect Donald Trump by these 6 major mainstream media organizations simply because the Central Bankers of the City of London and other foreign nations/individuals/entities did not like him, or want him to win the election. This is not even to mention the various and exclusively civil causes of action that the American People could collectively or individually bring against CEOs and various members of the Mainstream Media, such as Defamation, Libel, Slander, Tortious Interference with Contract, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Breach of the Duty of Loyalty, Unfair Trade Practices, False Advertising, Unlawful Trespass, Civil RICO, Unjust Enrichment, Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress, Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress, Trademark Infringement, Copyright Infringement, and myriad other purely civil claims, both federal and state. The cases against the 6 major mainstream media corporation CEOs should involve the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ), the U.S. Department of State (USDOS), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the National Security Agency (NSA), and other agencies but the only problem is that it appears that all of these alphabet agencies are, at the top, run by individuals who are also literally co-opted, bought off, and paid for by the same enemies of the American People the International Central Bankers of the City of London and other foreign nations/entities/individuals. Until and unless these linkages are more formally exposed, and the relationships uncovered, the American People (and the rest of the world) will be hard-pressed to ever obtain any justice or release from the earthly and hellish bondage of the 6 CEO Members of the Mainstream Media Mafia organized criminal enterprise. Rahul D. Manchanda, Esq.Ranked amongst Top Attorneys in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2012 and 2013. President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday ordered independent investigation of the death of three National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, who died in three different states during the ongoing Batch B 2016 Orientation Camp. In a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the probe is to unravel the circumstances leading to the deaths of the three young graduates. The President who commiserated with the families of the deceased described their demise as shocking, sad and unfortunate, noting that they died in the course of answering the national call to serve. He urged the families, friends and associates of the deceased to be consoled by the knowledge that their loved ones paid the supreme price while on national service and not for ignoble reasons. President Buhari also extended condolences to the Director-General and Management of the NYSC over the transition of the youth corps members, Chinyerum Nwenenda Elechi, Ifedolapo Oladepo and Monday Asuquo Ukeme, in Bayelsa, Kano and Zamfara States respectively. While enjoining the Management to do all within its powers to protect the lives of those under its charge, the President called on parents and guardians of current and potential NYSC participants not to panic over the recent tragic deaths. He prayed that God will grant the souls of the departed youths eternal rest. Lagos; 7th December 2016: In what appears to be a subtle endorsement of Spectranet as the fastest and most innovative broadband service provider in the country, Dana Air has joined the growing list of reputable brands associating with Spectranet to enjoy its unique broadband service offering. Disclosing the partnership with Dana Air recently, Chief Executive Officer of Spectranet, David Venn, said its gladdening to note that the Spectranet brand is now a wonderful bride of great and aspiring brands within and outside Nigeria. Just right after we got selected to warehouse the only Netflix server in West Africa, here we are again with an indigenous world class airline company, with a great spirit of service, joining with us to provide excellent service to passengers of Dana Airline as they journey to Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt from the Murtala Mohammed Airport 2 terminal. The significance of this partnership, according to Mr Venn, is that it shows and confirmed the Spectranet brand as an innovative brand and a leader in its sector based on its relentless effort to provide the best Internet experience to consumers. Speaking on the relationship with Spectranet 4G LTE, the Chief Executive Officer of Dana Air, Mr. Jacky Hathiramani said as an airline of repute and strong pedigree in the aviation sector, we took our time observing the broadband service providers and came to the conclusion that Spectranet is the brand we should associate with. According to Mr Hathiramani, Spectranet 4GLTE is the obvious choice for us as we searched for a partner and the awards speak glowingly of the strength of character of the Spectranet brand as it is probably the most awarded internet service provider in the country today. We, at Dana Air, appreciate the service offering of such a young and dynamic brand in the market. Mr Hathiramani added that we do hope that the relationship will increase the wonderful experience of our passengers as they embark of their various journeys from the Murtala Mohammed Two Airport terminal. He concluded that Dana Air will always strive to offer world class aviation services to Nigerians by being the countrys first new world carrier committed to improving the well -being of customers in all product offerings, thus this partnership with Spectranet is another step in our quest to provide a World class quality service to our customers. In a related development, Spectranet opened its ultra-modern business Shop at Apo Shoprite Abuja with the goal of serving over fifteen private estates around Apo. Head of Marketing, Spectranet, Mike Ogor said the new outlet is in keeping with the aspiration of Spectranet to be easily accessible in every location as the affordable broadband company that cares for the family and business. Mike revealed that it is part of the strategic plan of Spectranet to maintain its leadership position in the market by having strong physical and virtual presence across every possible platform in order to meet the needs of customers in the country. Since the commencement of the year 2016, different reputable institutions in Nigeria, through various consumer voting mechanisms, have adjudged Spectranet 4G LTE brand as the most innovative Internet Service Provider of the year, the most customer friendly Internet Service Provider of the year and recently, the Brand Writers Association of Nigeria, in the just concluded BJAN 2016 award also voted Spectranet 4GLTE as the best customer friendly Internet Service Provider of the year 2016. President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Dakar, Senegal, assured the international community that the end of Boko Haram terrorists was in sight. The President gave the assurance at the meeting of a panel of heads of states at the 3rd Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa. In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Tuesday in Abuja, the President also assured the international community that the security situation in Nigeria had improved significantly. President Buhari noted with delight the increased cooperation between Nigeria and its neighbours in the fight against terrorism. SEE ALSO: We Must End Boko Haram In December About a month ago, I spoke with the President of Chad and I was pleased that a number of Chadians and Nigerians that were Boko Haram members are surrendering to him en-masse. The good news I have is that the end of the raining season has come in the North-Eastern region of Nigeria. Members of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) are in their respective positions and at an agreed time they will move simultaneously and spontaneously for us to see the end of Boko Haram. We are now operating in the Sambisa Forest and as far as Boko Haram is concerned in the Lake Chad Basin area, I think they are done for, the President added. While highlighting the gains of the cooperation among the Lake Chad Basin Commission countries comprising Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Benin Republic and Nigeria, Mr. Buhari told the gathering that Boko Haram is no longer holding any territory or Local Government Area (LGA) in Nigeria. Those who live in the North East know that Boko Haram is no longer holding a single territory in the 774 LGAs in Nigeria. But they have a system of using IEDs and they indoctrinate mostly teenage girls and send them to soft targets, to churches, mosques and market places. That too is becoming very rear. I think Boko Haram shot themselves in the foot when they gave their ideology a religious connotation by killing children in their schools, people in the mosque and churches and shouting Allahu Akbar. According to him, this is a major contradiction as no religion advocates hurting the innocent. He said:You cant kill people and say Allahu Akbar. You either do not know what you are saying or you dont believe it. The President stated that Nigeria was capable of surmounting its security challenges, and appealed to the international community to focus more attention on addressing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and unemployment in Nigeria. In the southern part of the country, stolen Nigerian crude is being illegally transported through the Gulf of Guinea and installations offshore are being subverted. We also have the problem of unemployment in Nigeria. With a population of 180 million people of which 65 per cent are under the age of 35, young Nigerians are looking for any kind of job to survive. He said that the present administration is addressing the problem of youth unemployment by turning to agriculture and solid minerals because we are lucky to be blessed with arable land, water and resources. On Monday, December 19, at 14.00, the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency's press center will host a press conference "Presentation of Ranking of Pension Funds". The participants will include Chairman of the Committee for Financial Services Market Entrepreneurs and Social Responsibility of Business under the Chamber of Commerce of Ukraine Oleh Lykhovyd; Director General of the Ukrainian Insurance Federation, Chairman of the Public Council under the Pension Fund of Ukraine Halyna Tretyakova; and Chief Financial Analyst at the Expert Rating ranking agency Vitaliy Shapran (8/5a Reitarska Street). Admission requires press accreditation. A man in North Carolina, USA, has caught a catfish the size of his upper body. The massive fish weighed slightly over 50kg just about 2kg short of the state record, according to wildlife officials. Riahn Brewington said he caught the giant catfish last week in the Cape Fear River after spending about 30 minutes battling with it at the end of his fishing line. Brewington told WTVR-TV: He took all of the string out two times, and I thought I was going to lose him. I didnt realise how big he was until I actually got my hands underneath him. Brewington shared photos of his impressive catch on Facebook. Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Muhammadu Gana, has said if the corps is to effectively discharge its mandate and meet up with new security demands, it would have to recruit 100, 000 Nigerians. Gana spoke Wednesday at the NSCDC Academy in Abuja shortly after decorating 10 newly promoted officers to the rank of Assistant Commandant Generals (ACG). He said a bigger workforce has become necessary in order to meet up with the request for its personnel running into several thousands from several ministries departments and agencies of government. He said: We are facing more and more challenges on daily basis. Just some months ago, we had a meeting with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals where the Minister said that they would be requiring a 5000-man squad in line with governments decision to diversify the economy. The minister, Dr Kayode Fayemi, had during the meeting insisted that my men must be trained and retrained to understand the modus operandi of the sector especially on the identification of solid minerals very well. Today, we have set up a Solid Minerals unit in the corps. After that, the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe, also approached us to request for a 3000-man squad to help in checking the activities of the Fulani herdsmen and manning the 5000 ranches the ministry intend to establish in the country. He later demanded for an additional 3000 men. We have also held meeting with the Minister of Defence, who requested that we prepare and deploy about 3, 300 of our men to the North East where the military have dislodged the Boko Haram insurgents to secure the civilians. The same thing with the MD of the Nigeria Railway Corporation who has also requested the deployment of 3000 men to their 22 installations across the country since the sector has been classified among the critical infrastructure of government. The same request came from the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and essentially from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) requesting the deployment of our men to secure the dams in the country following the threat from Boko Haram to poison the source of our drinking water. The newly promoted ACGs must understand that these are the challenges facing them. We want them to take charge of the railway command; it is a very big task. We have made request to the government that for us to meet up with these requirements, we will need to beef up our personnel and we are looking at the possibility of recruiting 100,000 workforce, he noted. Nigerian newspaper headlines December 7, 2016. Punch Indication emerged on Tuesday that the Federal Government had sent to the National Assembly, a bill seeking the establishment of a special anti-corruption court to try serious crimes, including corruption cases. Vanguard NATIONAL Pension Commission, PenCom, as parts of its mandate of conducting public awareness, enlightenment and education on the establishment, operations and management of the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, as stipulated in Section 23 (f) of the Pension Reform Act, PRA, 2014, has taken its drive for effective CPS administration to judges, and other judicial officers to facilitate the task of adjudication on pension matters by Justices and Judges of the apex and lower courts. Guardian The Federal Government may not be able to implement Budget 2017 from January 1 to December 31 next year again due to its failure to present it to the National Assembly on time to ensure its speedy passage. Thisday With an eye firmly fixed on the 2018 governorship polls in Ekiti and Osun States and 2019 general election, the movers of the proposed new mega party are already targeting at least 16 states of the federation whose governors they are confident will decamp to the new party, to bolster their chances of unseating the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari. Leadership President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the Nigerian elite to stop insisting that things should be done the old way, which impoverished the nation. Premium Times The founder of the Omega Fire Ministry, OFM, Johnson Suleman, has described the pyramid financial scheme called MMM as satanic. The Sun The Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has hinted that the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) will be properly restructured by the Federal Government towards assisting farmers to boost agricultural production in the country and ensure food sufficiency. The Nation Soldiers, policemen and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) men and others have been implicated in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps sex scandal. The Osun State House of Assembly on Wednesday will begin a probe of Governor Rauf Aregbesola over how the N34.5 billion naira bailout fund given to the state by the Federal Government was spend. The lawmakers directed some officials of the state government and other stakeholders to appear before it after allegations of misappropriation were leveled against the governor . The House of Assembly last week had criticized the Senate for wanting to conduct a similar probe on Governor Aregbesola for diverting the fund instead of paying salaries of workers to which the bailout was given in the first place. Invited to appear before the house are: the Accountant-General, Permanent Secretaries Ministry of Finance, Office of Budget Planning, Ministry of Local Government, the Director-General of Debt Management Office and officials of Wema Bank, Zenith Bank and First Bank. Also invited to be part of the proceeding are Chairmen, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Nigeria Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE), Market Women, as well as representative of Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and Civil Society Organisations (CSO). The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, in a statement urged the invitees to arm themselves with all the necessary information and document on the bailout fund given to the state. Mr Oyintiloye explained that the exercise had become very necessary in line with its constitutional powers, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. Arik Airs international passengers on Tuesday shut down the carriers check-in counter at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos for failing to deliver their luggage days after they arrived from London. A similar incident occurred on Monday. An eyewitness said the counter was taken over by the angry passengers, who prevented those billed to jet out with the airline on Tuesday from checking in, while two of the airlines workers were also allegedly beaten up and hospitalised. One of the aggrieved passengers, who spoke with our correspondent, said he arrived Nigeria on Friday without his luggage. He said the management of the airline asked all the affected passengers to return on Saturday but that by Tuesday afternoon, he had yet to get his luggage. The passenger lamented, Arik has been taking us for granted. We boarded their aircraft from London to Nigeria on Friday, only for us to get here to find out that they left our luggage behind. They asked us to come and get our belongings on Saturday; we have been coming here since then and today is Tuesday. On Sunday, we met one of their operations managers, who promised that the issue would be resolved by Monday, but nothing has been done. Ariks Lagos to London Tuesday flight scheduled for noon was disrupted by the aggrieved passengers, which led the airline to subsequently cancel it. A passenger, who was supposed to be on the cancelled flight, told our correspondent that the airline had to check the intending travellers into a hotel in the evening when it became obvious that the aggrieved customers would not be pacified, with a promise to fly out of the country by midnight. Ariks spokesperson, Mr. Adebanji Ola, who confirmed the incident in a statement, said that over the past days, the airline had been using a smaller aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, to operate the Lagos-London Heathrow route due to maintenance on the wide-bodied A330-200 aircraft allocated to the route. He said, One of the airlines Airbus A330-200 aircraft was hit by a handling company at the John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York on Thursday, December 1, 2016 consequently triggering the B737-800 to be deployed on the Lagos-London route. In order to avoid cancellation of the Lagos-London Heathrow flights, an alternative B737-800 aircraft had to be allocated on the route to minimise the inconvenience to booked passengers. The airline was constrained in capacity from a wide-body A330-200 aircraft to a narrow-body B737-800 aircraft and thus had to leave some of the passengers luggage behind in London. Passengers were, however, duly informed of this capacity restriction at the check-in desk at the London Heathrow Airport and were advised of the possibility that some of their luggage will have to be sent on subsequent flights as per space availability. He added that due to capacity restrictions on the smaller B737-800 aircraft, the airline had to drop some of the luggage in order to accommodate the maximum number of passengers. To this end, an extra aircraft was also operated to London Heathrow on Sunday, December 4, 2016 to accommodate all passengers and some outstanding luggage. Source: Punch A Russian man performed a very dangerous stunt by flipping in front of a moving train in a Moscow subway station. A video which shows the daredevil performing the stunt across the tracks right in front of the moving train has gone viral on the internet. The video, posted to YouTube by user Zacepper Krotovich, shows a man with his face hidden tying his shoes before doing a daring flip in front of an oncoming train, which he then boards along with the filmer. The video, recorded in the Polezhaevskaya station in Moscow, led some people to criticise the man in the comments for his unsafe behaviour. Some on social media have even branded the video as fake, with some alleging there are shadows missing that prove the video was digitally altered. Watch and have your judgement: Thailands government has launched an investigation into the local BBC team on suspicion of insulting the monarchy in a recent report on the profile of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun. According to the Bangkok Post, the Defence Ministry ordered authorities to investigate the matter involving a report last Friday after the King accepted the invitation from Parliament to accede to the throne. Anyone who has broken the law and caused damage must be dealt with, said Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon. Prawit added the government has been monitoring foreign news agencies for reports on issues deemed sensitive to check the accuracy of the reports. Under Thai law, offending the dignity of a reigning monarchy is a serious crime punishable by law with up to 15 years in prison. International rights groups have criticised the lese-majeste law, saying it leaves too much room for interpretation and that the penalties are too severe. Ever since Microsoft announced it was acquiring Revolution Analytics, which created the flagship distribution of the R language for math and statistical analysis, speculation circulated as to what Microsoft might do with such a prize. Maybe it would rewrite R from the ground up or shut off R behind closed-source doors. Instead, Microsoft elected to keep the core R product free and open and has built Microsoft R Server atop that foundation. Today, Microsoft rolled out R Server 9.0, outfitted with features that reflect R's usefulness in machine learning and as a server. Even more important, it also hints at how Microsoft wants to make R into a resource that can work with data where it lives. [ Download the InfoWorld quick guide: Learn to crunch big data with R. | Sign up for InfoWorld's Big Data Report to stay atop all the latest news and developments in the field. ] Smarter than your average bear Machine learning has long been one of R's staple applications, so it comes as little surprise that it's the focus of the two biggest new features. First is the new MicrosoftML package of Microsoft-authored machine learning algorithms that can be used alongside the conventional open source CRAN R packages. Some are exotic, high-end projects, such as GPU-accelerated deep neural networks. Others are more conventional, like a fast random forest. Algorithms aren't much good without a data source, so R Server adds support for Spark 2.0, the long-awaited upgrade to the in-memory data framework. R Server already supported Spark 1.6, but 2.0 added new methodologies for handling streaming data and a revamped memory management subsystem for better performance. New R Server data sources also come with this upgrade: Apache Hive for real-time queries, and Apache Parquet for high-speed data serialization, both of which can be used by Microsoft's proprietary ScaleR functions that can run in parallel. Tapping into Spark is important, but Microsoft's real intention is to make R's connectivity as broad and, thus, as future-proof as possible. Serve the data where it lives R Server 9.0 is also future-proofed thanks to improvements to the "server" part of its name. The new version provides data-oriented services from R Server to applications or endpoints -- and in Microsoft's parlance, to provides the analytics and the connectivity where the data lives. For starters, R Server 9.0 allows R models to be converted to web services without being translated to the language of the application deployed. This can be done by using the Swagger standard to generate APIs for the R service. Then, the target app simply needs to talk to R Server through the API. In the bigger picture, R Server is only one piece Microsoft's long-term plan for R. As a component, it can be added anywhere data services already exist, and R programmers can plug directly into it. Microsofthas detailed such plans for SQL Server 2016; the most recent Community Technology Preview of that app allows T-SQL stored procedures to have R code stored inline and executed against SQL Server R Services. For one possible analogy for Microsoft's R plans, look to Linux. The Linux kernel remains a collaborative open source project, but multiple commercial outfits place it at the center of professional-level products for which they sell support. Likewise, the core open source R project is available on its own, with R Server as a professional-grade distribution bearing Microsoft's proprietary add-ons. The point isn't to get the average R developer to switch, but to awaken enterprise interest for R and give reasons to delve in. GNT recognises young scientists The winners of the GNT Young Scientist Award 2016 have been selected, with Martijn Weterings of Wageningen University coming out top with his research on the modelling of aroma release during food processing. The winners of the GNT Young Scientist Award 2016 have been selected: at the 30th EFFoST International Conference in Vienna, Austria. Martijn Weterings of Wageningen University, the Netherlands, came out top with his pioneering research on the dynamic measuring and modelling of aroma release during food processing. Further prizes for second and third place were given to Ulrike van der Schaaf, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany, and Susanne Struck, Technical University of Dresden, Germany. Van der Schaaf stood out with her research on the formulation of soft drinks, analysing how ingredient interactions influence the morphology and stability of beverage emulsions. Struck convinced the jury with her examination of the application of berry pomace in brittle bakery products. The prize was awarded for the seventh time by the GNT Group The three winners are rewarded with a donation of 1,000, 600 and 400. As a pioneer and innovation leader in the field of Colouring Foods, we are permanently looking for innovative approaches and achievements in the field of food science. That is why supporting the next generation of scientists has always been a central concern for GNT, said Marcus Volkert, Application and Development Manager at GNT and member of the award committee. All winners convinced the jury with their innovative research approaches on industrially relevant topics. Their presentations illustrated well-structured scientific work and showed a high level of engagement, creativity and innovative thinking in scientific solution finding. The winners were chosen from a total of 290 presentations. The GNT Young Scientist Award has been awarded by the GNT Group since 2009. It gives young scientists the opportunity to show their talent and research to an academic and industrial audience. Furthermore, it encourages them to engage in the examination of pioneering ideas related to fruit and vegetable processing and innovative uses of colorimetric analysis. On Monday, December 12, at 12.00, the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency's press center will host a press conference "Academic Unworthiness of the Year": "Honouring" of Top Plagiarists, Forgers, Pseudo Scholars, "Toxic" Rectors and Lap-dog Officials by Dissergate Activists." The participants will include Dr. phil. Tetiana Parkhomenko; Senior Researcher of the Institute of Mathematics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU) Iryna Yehorchenko; Chairman of the Commission on Combating Pseudoscience and Falsification of Scientific Research, Honored Doctor of Ukraine Svitlana Arbuzova; Head of the Laboratory of Theoretical Physics Institute of NASU, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Serhiy Sharapov; head of Intelligence-TV Oleksiy Smyrnov; Chairman of the Board of NGO TRON, the coordinator of the Dissergate initiative, Ph.D. in Economics, Associate Professor Svitlana Blahodeteleva-Vovk (8/5a Reitarska Street). Admission requires press accreditation. Details by phone: (098) 943 3546. Expanded Limit Bounce for Midweek Cotton Barchart - Wed Nov 2, 4:43PM CDT Front month cotton futures extended their bounce on Wednesday, with 4 cent gains through the May 23 contract. December gapped higher to start the day, and failed to close the gap. The online cotton... CTZ22 : 80.10 (+1.39%) CTH23 : 78.79 (+0.19%) CTK23 : 78.40 (-0.57%) Cattle Close Mixed on Feeder Strength Barchart - Wed Nov 2, 4:43PM CDT Feeder cattle futures ended the day with triple digit gains capturing some of the weakness in the corn market. Fats bled 7 to 55 cents weaker on Wednesday, though August 23 ended the day up by 12 cents.... LEZ22 : 151.400s (-0.36%) LEG23 : 154.900s (-0.23%) LEJ23 : 158.500s (-0.24%) GFX22 : 178.925s (+1.13%) GFF23 : 180.000s (+1.01%) Hog Futures Fall on Wednesday Barchart - Wed Nov 2, 4:43PM CDT Lean hog futures closed the midweek session with $0.42 to $1.90 losses on the day. December was down the most on the day with a 2.2% loss to the lowest since 10/17. The USDA National Average Base Hog Price... HEZ22 : 83.300s (-2.23%) HEJ23 : 92.650s (-1.01%) KMZ22 : 93.850s (-1.60%) Soy Futures Close Mixed Barchart - Wed Nov 2, 4:43PM CDT Soymeal futures ended the session off the lows but still down by $0.30 to $1.20/ton. Soy oil was the leader on the day, having rallied +3% on the crude oil strength. Beans themselves found balance from... ZSX22 : 1440-0 (unch) ZSPAUS.CM : 14.1311 (+0.60%) ZSF23 : 1448-0 (-0.41%) ZSH23 : 1455-2 (-0.43%) Hard Losses for Midweek Wheat Barchart - Wed Nov 2, 4:43PM CDT Russia re-entering participation for the Black Sea grain export corridors dropped the market back to last weeks levels. CBT SRW gave back 4.5% to 6.2% on the day and mostly erased the gains to start... ZWZ22 : 837-4 (-1.00%) ZWH23 : 857-0 (-0.92%) ZWPAES.CM : 7.7768 (-6.65%) KEZ22 : 933-2 (-0.74%) KEPAWS.CM : 8.9804 (-5.26%) MWZ22 : 943-2 (-0.63%) Corn Markets Close Red Barchart - Wed Nov 2, 4:43PM CDT Corn futures ended the day off their lows, but still gave back 5 3/4 to 10 1/4 cents on the day. December printed a wide 17 1/4 cent range. Analysts project corn bookings were between 250k MT and 600k... ZCZ22 : 684-4 (-0.44%) ZCPAUS.CM : 6.8342 (-1.34%) ZCH23 : 690-0 (-0.40%) ZCK23 : 689-2 (-0.47%) By Matt Schaller Deciding whether to offer customers tenant insurance or a tenant-protection plan can be a tricky dilemma for many self-storage operators. To make an educated decision thats right for your business, its important to understand the differences and similarities between the two products. Since the coverages offered are very similar from provider to provider, well focus on program type rather than coverage conditions. Lets take a closer look at both. Tenant Insurance Self-storage tenant insurance is the transfer of risk from one entity (your tenant) to another (your providers insurance carrier) in exchange for payment. This is a two-party contract. Payments are pooled by the insurance carrier to pay claims within the pool. The carrier is required to provide the tenant with a contract (policy) that outlines the terms of coverage and his rights under the contract. Selling insurance requires an agent or producer license in all 50 states. Special limited licenses are available in about 19 states that have a special license class for self-storage operators, with legislation pending in a few more states. The limited license simplifies the licensing process for operators and their employees. Along with the licensing issue, the tenant-insurance carrier must follow each states insurance guidelines when changing rates or commissions. Under such regulations, these items cant be arbitrarily adjusted by the facility owner/operator whos now an insurance agent. The providers carrier must submit any changes to the states insurance department for review and approval. Tenant-Protection Plans Protection plans are essentially a three-party contract. The operator and the tenant enter into a contract that becomes part of the lease agreement. The storage operator purchases a contractual-liability insurance policy to protect against exposure to financial loss brought on by the contract it executes with the tenant. The insuring agreement then indemnifies the storage operator for financial loss it sustains in an event or occurrence that damages tenant property. The terms and conditions affording protection to the tenant are entered between the storage operator and the tenant as part of the lease agreement. Since its a condition of the lease, the storage operator isnt required to be licensed. Instead, the liability policy that indemnifies the operator is the insurance and requires the agent selling the policy to the storage facility be licensed. Currently, no states forbid the sale of contractual-liability insurance policies that protect storage operators from financial loss incurred as a matter of their business practices. Deciding on a Program Clearly, the first parameter in deciding on a program is whether your state is a limited licensing state for self-storage tenant insurance. If your state doesnt have a self-storage licensing law, you cant legally sell insurance without an insurance producer or agent license from your state for each individual offering the program. If this is the case, your option is limited to protection plans or nothing at all. If you conduct business in a limited-licensing state, youll have to make a determination between offering insurance or a protection plan. Paramount in your search for a provider should be whether the company is customer-oriented and will be responsive to your tenants. Remember, its your facilitys reputation on the line. No one will know or care about your provider or its insurance carrier. Tenants want their claims handled quickly and fairly. With this in mind, how do you evaluate providers to ensure you find the right one for your operation? Here are some things to keep in mind: Research the financial strength of the insurance carrier standing behind the providers obligation, whether thats the tenant insurance insuring company or the owners contractual-liability policy backing the protection plan. Ask if your state is one of the 31 that requires a full agent insurance license or one of the 19 offering limited licenses for self-storage operators. Research the providers claims-paying record. You can easily do a Google search or check with fellow owner/operators you trust. Always get a copy of the providers insurance-carrier policy terms and conditions so youll thoroughly understand how it affects your tenants. In the case of protection plans, get a copy of the lease addendum-indemnity agreement from the plan provider. In both cases, read the fine print! As you weigh your options, youre in control of establishing a plan or program, training your employees in how to sell it, and making sure each tenant signs an understanding of his obligation and yours. Having a signature on file makes for a much easier conversation with an irate tenant if something does go wrong. In court, it certainly looks better that you not only offered an insurance program but that the tenant was made aware of his options, which can be attested by his signature. I hope you now have a better understanding of what tenant-insurance programs and protection plans entail and why its important to offer one of them to your customers. Matt Schaller is president of Arizona-based Tenant Property Protection, which partners with self-storage operators nationwide to provide tenants with protection of goods while maximizing a facilitys revenue potential. Matt has more than 28 years of experience in the self-storage and insurance industries, and has worked with companies that provide tenant insurance and property-protection plans. Hes licensed as a Certified Insurance Counselor and a Certified Risk Manager. For more information, call 877.575.7774; visit www.tenantpropertyprotection.com. OnDemand Storage, a startup business specializing in valet self-storage, has launched service in Braintree, Mass., and nearby communities in the Boston area. The company uses an online platform that allows customers to schedule item pickup, maintain a catalog of stored items, and schedule delivery of items to their home. Similar to other valet-style storage operators, OnDemand offers by-the-bin storage targeted at residents who dont have adequate home storage. Items are stored in multiple secure warehouses in the Boston area, according to the company website. Under the Per Item plan, pricing starts at $5 per month per box or individual piece but is limited to seven items. The company offers three pricing models for customers who require more warehouse space. Those prices range from $99 per month for 50 square feet up to $289 for 200 square feet. The minimum duration of stay is three months. Special pricing plans for students are available. The largest plan includes four free deliveries of items during a calendar year. Return deliveries require a 48-hour notice in all cases. Returns beyond what may be included in a plan are $25 each, according to the website. Customers can use the companys MyUnit dashboard to manage their belongings and schedule home delivery. Virtually everyone could use a little extra storage space, even if its only a temporary need. Of course, theres a lot of work involved in the traditional option, CEO Barrett ONeill said in a press release. We offer a number of benefits over the standard norm, like eliminating the need to make repeated trips to a storage unit to retrieve items and bringing an entirely new element to the rental process. By incorporating technology into our basic operations, weve created a more streamlined branch of the industry and enabled customers to save time, effort and money. Unlike many other valet-storage operators, OnDemand doesnt offer complimentary storage bins. Customers may purchase boxes from the company or use their own. Bins that weigh more than 45 pounds are subject to additional fees. "On-demand storage has revolutionized the industry, and well continue to expand our offerings to area customers as word of this option spreads and demand grows, ONeill said. Other valet-storage operators serving the Boston area include Cubiq and Fetch Storage. Most investment managers whose offices dot Union Square in Manhattan dont frequent the Old Town Bar for lunch. A former turn-of-the-century speakeasy, Old Town with its marble bar and tin ceilings is too scruffy to suit most financial honchos, more Cheers than refined stalwarts like Gramercy Tavern or Blue Water Grill. Abhay Deshpande, founder and chief investment officer of recently opened Centerstone Investors, isnt most investment managers and thus could be found at Old Town for an early-November lunch. I cant wear a tie here, the 46-year-old tells his dining companion. Its my Omaha a reference to the hometown of Warren Buffett, one of his value investing heroes. Casual in dress and informal in manner, Deshpande wears a classic blue blazer and a gingham shirt, looking more sporty advertising exec than stuffy investment manager. Indeed, most days he grabs lunch from an empanada or Asian taco truck. Colleagues describe his culinary taste as ranging from white truffle dinners to Taco Bell, he admits. At Old Town he orders a ham and Swiss. Raised in Kentucky, Deshpande attended the University of Louisville on a free ride, the result of his chemical engineer dads place on the faculty. Though his parents urged him to pursue medicine or engineering, he wasnt wired that way; instead, he majored in finance and found his calling. Until recently, a 15-year career at First Eagle Investment Management had Deshpande sitting pretty. As portfolio manager, he co-managed the bulk of the firms $100 billion worth of funds a figure up approximately $98 billion since his first day. Revered and well paid, he could have coasted for years. But he wanted to strike out on his own. In his opening letter to investors, he described how his two mutual funds Centerstone Investors Fund and Centerstone International Fund are dedicated to uncovering value in companies and helping clients achieve their goals. He could have played it safe and started a hedge fund, reaping higher fees, but balked at that scenario. Most hedge funds arent worth the price they charge, he says. I never agreed with the compensation or expense model they charge. Centerstone is owned by its 11 employees, six of whom are former First Eagle staffers. Hence the firm wont be influenced by a third party that will change the approach. The assets he now manages are a sliver of what he formerly oversaw: As of November, Centerstone Investors managed $42 million in assets; and Centerstone International, $17 million. Still, it is early days, and Deshpande is happy swimming in shallower waters. His goal was to manage a smaller pool of assets, he claims a phrase that is admittedly voiced more often than it is meant. However, he notes correctly, Buffett had better returns when he was smaller. As he got larger and larger, returns got diluted. Deshpande characterizes his investment philosophy as establishing long-term equity like with less risk, through a variety of instruments, including high-yield bonds, and he seeks companies with strong balance sheets, business model durability, and management teams with a good track record of capital allocation the mantra he shares with CNBC or any financial reporter who asks. At the two mutual funds, the bulk of investors are middle class and above, with many financial advisers and high-net-worth individuals. There is also an institutional share class. Devoted to minimizing risks, Deshpande says he avoids investing in three types of mistakes: highly leveraged businesses, at-risk business models, and management teams that counter shareholder interest. He eschews bank stocks, finding them overleveraged, a habit that helped First Eagle during the 2008 financial crisis. He avoided Enron because their management team was crackpots. Gold is the international funds biggest holding, which Deshpande says serves as a diversifier and an added insurance policy in the event something unexpected happens. So far, only 70 percent of the fund is invested. The other funds largest holding is Schneider Electric a low-voltage company that prevents people from getting electrocuted, he quips. Deshpande resides in SoHo with his wife it was she, not he, who named the company Centerstone. The brand suggests the center piece of a diamond ring, the most valuable part of the diamond, he explains. Two years from today, he envisions Centerstone as the most valuable piece of someones portfolio, the rock, the stability. Achieving such status would require a repeat of his First Eagle success not guaranteed, but perhaps a better bet than running into a competitor at the Old Town at lunchtime. This content is from: Video Inflation remains the primary concern for the worlds central banks, which have engaged in the broadest and fastest tightening regime in history, according to Alejandra Grindal, chief economist at Ned Davis Research. It has been nearly a year since a couple filed a claim on their SUV, but their insurer and the vehicles manufacturer still cannot seem to agree on who should shoulder the costs of repairing the automobile.Barb MacNaughton was driving her 2005 Toyota Sequoia along Highway 16 near Radisson, Sask. on January 27, 2016 when she lost control of the vehicle as she tried to pass a semi-trailer.I know that I hit the ditch at a huge speed and I spun around and I thought I was gonna tip, she told CBC News. There was a really big bang and I could smell it and my side airbags were right there, within a second.Witnesses to the crash fortunately managed to pull her out of the vehicle, which was eventually towed out of the melted snow in the ditch.The crash resulted in MacNaughton sustaining a concussion and whiplash. Insurer SGI covered for her physiotherapy sessions and took six demerit points from her drivers licence.Her husband Neil said that technicians initially estimated the repairs for the SUVs damaged interior to cost $9,000. He also confirmed that he had signed papers agreeing to write off the vehicle, and that the SUV was towed to a local salvage yard.By February 19, however, he received a letter from SGI Claims Centre North Battleford manager Randy Daum, notifying Neil that SGI would not pay for any repairs. The insurer explained to him that damages to your vehicle were the result of a mechanical breakdown.What SGI told me was that if I had one dint the size of my thumb in the side of our vehicle, we would have had insurance. They said one dint. Thats all we needed, Neil exclaimed. I didnt blurt it out loud but if Id have booted the side of my car after, done. Our vehicle would have been written off.In situations where damage is caused to the interior of a vehicle due to malfunctioning airbags, it would not be covered by insurance because it is considered a mechanical failure, SGI said in an email.The car was then transferred to North Battlefords Toyota dealership, while technicians assessed what happened during the crash.In a letter addressed to Barb dated July 14, 2016, technicians said that there was no exterior collision damage. Data from the cars event recorder, however, revealed that roll angle sensors detected the onset of a rollover and the threshold for deployment was met.Neil was told that technicians would plug a device that would conduct analytics on the SUVs systems, looking for codes to indicate the G-force generated by the crash.SGI told me they plugged into it but they wouldnt tell me what it was, he explained. Even our local dealership could not plug into it. Someone from Toyota Canada had to come from Toronto, fly down to North Battleford, plug into it and take a reading, if the airbags deployed too soon.A representative of Toyota Canada said that the vehicles airbags were definitely activated during the incident, and insists that the MacNaughtons settle the matter of repair costs with their insurer.The side curtain airbags in the customers vehicle deployed as intended, Toyota Canada manager of corporate communications Michael Bouliane stated. This should now be a discussion between the customer and their insurer. The insurance industry will have to work together to become more innovative both now and in the future, an Asia Pacific expert has said. Kent Chaplin , Lloyds of London head of Asia Pacific, said that the industry will have to band together and innovate to meet changing client needs.I think its critical, next year and into the future, at an industry level, that we work together cohesively to become more innovative, Chaplin told Insurance Business.Innovation is about really addressing the changing risk landscape, meeting customer demand and consumer appetite, and producing new and innovative products which address certain terms, rather than concentrating purely on top line growth.Published last year, the Lloyds City Risk Index detailed the changing landscape that risk businesses face throughout the region. Australasian cities have more than $88 billion at risk in terms of GDP with emerging risks such as cyber attack and human pandemic heading the areas of concern.Globally, with US$342.79 billion of GDP at risk from emerging threats, Chaplin said that the industry not only has a responsibility to respond to the changing risk environment but also an obligation to create products which meet these emerging needs.While cohesiveness and collaboration will be important for the industry, Chaplin also stressed that the ability for an insurer, underwriter or broker to differentiate themselves from the competition will still remain important. He added that individual businesses will also need to diversify in order to differentiate themselves from the pack.I think thats certainly an industry responsibility not just insurers and reinsurers, but brokers and it also requires a dialogue with governments, with businesses and buyers, he explained. [They need to] sit down and look at what the future looks like, and how we can ensure that we are providing adequate sorts of protection.With Lloyds currently able to delegate underwriting authority to its coverholder network in Australia and New Zealand, as well as in Hong Kong and Singapore, Chaplin noted that the Australian industry is important for the entire Asia Pacific region as businesses such as Steadfast and Honan continue to spread their wings. The insurance industry is currently in a defensive mindset as it looks to stave off disruption from all-comers.One expert, however, has said that threats to insurance businesses may be closer to home than many think as established reinsurers look to get closer to customers.The value chain is being disrupted, not only by new players entering the market, but also by traditional players trying to capture a greater share of the market, Martin Blake , chairman of KPMG in New South Wales and national sector leader of insurance, said.We are also seeing reinsurers taking steps to move further up the value chain and play direct. And as they seek out new partners and routes to market, traditional insurers are starting to feel the pressure.The trend of reinsurers becoming more direct in the insurance market can be seen in the link between online insurtech firm Trov and Munich Re in the United States. While the on-demand app is linked with Suncorp in Australia, the reinsurance giant will play a similar role in the US market.As soft market conditions continue to impact the industry more insurance execs are concerned about the future.A recent survey of industry CEOs, compiled by KPMG, found that two-thirds of those surveyed are concerned, or very concerned, about the threat of new entrants in the industry while a significant seven in ten said that the next three years will be more critical to the industry than the past 50 years.Blake noted that while incumbents in the industry continue to invest in innovation, with app launches and the use of AI highlighted, many in the industry lack the clarity of thought needed to prepare for a changing future. This could prove to be a costly mistake.The problem is that without clarity of purpose insurance organisations risk repeating mistakes of the past, Blake continued.Too much money has been poured into transformation initiatives that deliver no real transformation. Too much time has been spent experimenting with disruptive technologies without anything being disrupted, and too much effort has been put into incubating technologies without a clear view of how these investments will help drive future growth. New York-based Lemonade , an insurance start-up powered by artificial intelligence and behavioural economics, has closed a $34 million funding round, bringing its total funding to $60 million.The funding was headed by General Catalyst and was participated in by GV (formerly Google Ventures), Thrive Capital, and Tusk Ventures, as well as existing investors Aleph, Sequoia, and XL Innovate. It comes less than three months after the start-up, which offers homeowners and renters insurance, was officially launched, and less than a year after it raised a substantial $13 million in seed funding.Lemonade was licensed to operate in New York on September 15 this year, subsequently filing for a license in California, with the company outlining plans to expand broadly in 2017.We believe in replacing brokers and paperwork with bots and machine learning, and we now have the backing to unleash this formula across new products and geographies, Daniel Schreiber , co-founder and CEO at Lemonade, said in a statement.The platform uses bots to deliver insurance through its app and at lemonade.com. It also uses AI to allow consumers to file claims through chat, and authorised bots to pay claims instantly.Tom Hulme, GV general partner, said: We look for companies that have the potential to radically improve customer experience, and we saw that clearly in Lemonade. They are harnessing a compelling mix of behavioural economics, artificial intelligence, and great design.Lemonades full-stack approach gives it flexibility to keep iterating on that customer experience, and to expand fast in 2017.The company has also earned a B-Corp certification for its Giveback program, which donates unclaimed money to charity. A specialist provider of life insurance to affinity partners, superannuation trustees, and employers in Australia has welcomed a new head of people and culture.Allyson Carlile brings to her new role 15 years of people management experience. She will report to Deanne Stewart, CEO of MetLife Australia, and will be based in Sydney.She joins from NAB Asset Management where she was head of people. Prior to her role at NAB, Carlile also occupied a number of executive and senior positions at leading blue-chip financial companies, including Westpac, Barclays Global Investors, and BT Financial Group.Stewart commented on Carliles appointment: Creating a world class work environment remains a high priority for MetLife. Im delighted that we have recruited someone of Allysons expertise and experience. I look forward to working closely with her in developing our people and culture agenda to support MetLifes Australian business strategy as we move to the next phase of growth. Rolling Stone magazine urged a federal judge on Monday to overturn the verdict of a jury, which found that the publication and a reporter defamed a University of Virginia administrator with their botched story about a gang rape on campus. Jurors awarded former Associate Dean of Students Nicole Eramo $3 million last month for her portrayal in Sabrina Rubin Erdelys November 2014 A Rape on Campus about a woman identified only as Jackie. Jackie told Erdely that she was raped by seven men in a fraternity initiation, but a police investigation found no evidence to back up Jackies claims. In a motion filed Monday, attorneys for Rolling Stone said the judge should overrule the jurys verdict because there is no evidence that Erdely acted with actual malice. Theyre also challenging the jurys finding that the magazines December 2014 online version of the article with an editors note acknowledging problems with the story counted as republishing the false statements. Rolling Stone argues that punishing the magazine for trying to warn the public with the editors note could prompt other outlets to stay silent when there are errors in an article in the future. If the jurys verdict is allowed to stand, the severe legal risk of adding a warning editors note to a story will force publishers not to make the very disclosures that the law encourages. Such a result is not only at odds with the law, it flies in the face of common sense, public policy, and the best interests of an informed public, attorneys for Rolling Stone said. Eramo, who counseled Jackie, had been seeking $7.5 million from the magazine, arguing that the story portrayed her as indifferent to Jackies plight and interested only in protecting the universitys reputation. She said during the trial that she feared for her life and contemplated suicide after the article was published. Jurors awarded her $2 million for statements made by Erdely and $1 million for the republication of the article by Rolling Stone and its publisher, Wenner Media. Eramo lawyer Libby Locke said in an email Monday night that Rolling Stone still doesnt get it. Rolling Stone baldly told the jury that they heard and respected the verdict in this case. But that was obviously a lie. The very first thing that Rolling Stone filed after saying those words is a request to set the verdict aside, Locke wrote. Rolling Stones attorneys argued throughout the three-week trial that although it may have been a mistake to trust Jackie, their portrayal of the university and Eramo was fair and accurate. Rolling Stone said Monday that to prove the editors note version was a republication of the debunked story, Eramos attorneys would have had to show that Rolling Stone was actively trying to target a new audience. Its attorneys wrote that it defies logic that Rolling Stone would try to recruit a new audience for a story that had become a major black eye for the publication. The magazine did not officially retract the article and pull it down until the following April. Because Eramo was deemed a public figure in the case, she had to prove that the magazine and Erdely acted with actual malice, meaning that they knew what they were writing about Eramo was false or entertained serious doubts about whether it might be true. The magazine argues that the court should reverse the jurys finding that Erdely defamed Eramo, saying the reporter never entertained serious doubts that the statements were false. Rolling Stone also faces a $25 million lawsuit from Phi Kappa Psi, the fraternity where Jackie claimed her assault took place. That case is scheduled to go to trial late next year. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Education Virginia Universities DAMASCUS, Dec. 6 -- Syrian government forces have fully recaptured a key rebel-held neighborhood in the northern city of Aleppo on Tuesday during its ongoing assault to drive out the rebels from the city, a military source told Xinhua. The Syrian army and its allied fighters fully recaptured the neighborhood of al-Sha'ar in eastern Aleppo, killing tens of rebels and destroying their ammunition, the source said, on condition of anonymity. He added that bomb squads are currently dismantling explosives the rebels left behind in the neighborhood. Recapturing al-Sha'ar neighborhood in the rebel-held part of eastern Aleppo is strategically important as it's the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front's main stronghold, which recently claimed it has cut its ties with al-Qaida. The neighborhood also contained the Nusra Front's largest weapon depots. It was a tough victory as Nusra militants had several snipers positioned atop tall buildings in al-Sha'ar, one of Aleppo's largest neighborhoods. In 2011 at the beginning of the crisis, 200,000 people lived in al-Sha'ar, however that number dwindled when the war engulfed Aleppo in 2012. Ali Maksud, a retired military colonel, told Xinhua that al-Sha'ar is considered the Nusra Front's backbone in eastern Aleppo, and recapturing it dealt the strongest blow for Nusra militants in Aleppo. Maksud also pointed out that recapturing al-Sha'ar signals the beginning of the end for rebels in the southeastern part of Aleppo, only a week after the army recaptured all of the northeastern areas. He added that recapturing this neighborhood also secures the road toward Aleppo's international airport. The military source added that army forces recaptured the Shurta hilltop in eastern Aleppo after al-Sha'ar, only 800 meters away from the rebel-held part of the ancient citadel of Aleppo. Following the two-week long major offensive, the Syrian army currently controls two thirds of the rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo, during its recently launched major offensive to liberate the eastern part of the city from any rebel presence. Over 30,000 civilians fled eastern Aleppo in the past two weeks toward government-controlled areas in the western part of the city. The Syrian army said it will continue the operation until all rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo are recaptured. The rebels captured eastern Aleppo in 2012, and government forces recently imposed a siege on that area before unleashing a broad offensive for its recapture. Humanitarian organizations sounded the alarm about the dire situation of 250,000 people living in eastern Aleppo, and the government promised to improve the situation of those relocated to government-controlled areas. Third party administrator Gallagher Bassett (GB)* has appointed John McNamara to the position of managing director Australia, effective Jan. 1, 2017. McNamara succeeds Jon Winsbury who is moving into the role of executive vice president, Gallagher Bassett International. McNamara has been employed in the insurance industry for 27 years, holding a range of senior national management positions. In 2004, he joining GB as Victorias Claims Operations manager, he was promoted to Victorian general manager in 2006. In this position McNamara was responsible for Victorias workers compensation and general insurance operations. During this time, the general insurance team was appointed and continues to manage the federal governments Comcover scheme, which incorporates large and complex personal injury, professional risk and public liability portfolios for the governments 160 commonwealth agencies and departments. Since 2012, McNamara has held the position of executive general manager Statutory Workers Compensation, responsible for GBs Victorian, New South Wales and South Australian workers compensation operations. In July this year he also assumed responsibility for GBs national self insurance operation. Im so proud to have been appointed to lead the Gallagher Bassett team. Its an honour to work with the amazing team of professionals that we have here at GB, said McNamara. Im also looking forward to working with our clients in my new role. As a business, we have built some fantastic relationships with clients over the years, I look forward to maintaining these and developing new relationships over time, he added. * Based in Melbourne, Australia, Gallagher Bassett Services Pty Ltd. describes itself as Australias largest and longest running third party claims administrator, providing claims management and associated consulting and technical services to organisations, the insurance industry and government entities throughout Australia and New Zealand. The global headquarters of Gallagher Bassett Services Inc. is in Itasca, Illinois. Source: Gallagher Bassett Topics Workers' Compensation Talent A.J. Gallagher Australia Human Resources A Minnesota woman filed a lawsuit against a health care provider after her newborn was mistakenly given to another mother at a hospital and breastfed. Tammy Van Dyke, of Apple Valley, recently filed the lawsuit in Hennepin County seeking more than $50,000 in damages for an incident that happened in December 2012. The lawsuit contends that Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis failed to care for her infant who was mistakenly taken to the wrong mother. Van Dyke, her son and the other mother had to go through unnecessary medical treatments and tests because of the mix-up, according to the lawsuit. In good faith you drop your child off at the hospital nursery with the nurses, Van Dyke said in a previous interview with KSTP-TV. Never in a million years would you think this could happen or would happen. The hospitals operator, Allina Health, said at the time that hospital procedures required staff to match codes on the infants and mothers identification bands, and it appeared those procedures were not followed. Allina Health officials said they have since instituted a new electronic procedure. When the Mother Baby Center opened in February 2013, we began using electronic identification bands for the mother and infant that must be matched when returning the infant to the mother, said Michelle Smith, clinical program director of Mother Baby Service Line. This helps us to assure that the identity of the infant and mother are matched each time. An apology letter to Van Dyke from Abbott Northwestern Hospital in 2012 acknowledged the boy was put in the wrong bassinet. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announced that the total policy count for the states property insurer of last resort is set to approach 54,500 with the most recent round of depopulation. That number represents a significant drop from a high of 174,000 policies on Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporations (Citizens) book of business in 2008. It includes both residential and commercial policies, though residential properties represent the bulk of Citizens business. During the depopulation process Citizens opens up its book of business and transfers policies to the private market. According to Citizens, eight companies will receive 10,304 residential policies this year, dropping the personal lines policy count to about 52,500 residential policies. Including commercial policies, Citizens total policy count will be around 54,500. Donelon said the drop in the number of Citizens personal lines through the process of depopulation has exceeded expectations. We were optimistic that the total policy count would dip below six figures but to see Citizens reduce its policy count so dramatically in this short amount of time really speaks to the strength of the competition in our state, said Donelon said in an announcement released by the Louisiana Department of Insurance. He congratulated Chief Executive Officer Richard Newberry, Chief Operating Officer Vijay Ramachandran and the rest of Citizens leadership team for the accomplishment. Of the eight companies participating in this round of depopulation, two companies, Excalibur National Insurance Co. and Spinnaker Insurance Co., are participating for the first time. Access Home Insurance Co., Capitol Preferred Insurance Co., Maison Insurance Co., Ocean Harbor Casualty Insurance Co., Safepoint Insurance Co., and Southern Fidelity Insurance Co. have all previously participated in depopulation. Following the latest round of depopulation, Citizens will have an estimated 0.8 percent of the Louisiana homeowners market down from 9.8 percent in 2008. While not part of the depopulation process, Citizens commercial insurance policies have also been on a sharp decline. In 2013 there were 4,900 commercial policies. That figure has been reduced by more than 50 percent to fewer than 2,200 policies today. Donelon recently approved a statewide commercial rate reduction submitted by Citizens during its legally required annual rate review to keep those rates noncompetitive. Although the impact of the filing will vary across parishes, the overall impact is a -5.9 percent rate reduction taking effect Feb. 1, 2017. Earlier this year Donelon approved a statewide personal lines rate cut of -2.4 percent that took effect June 1. Citizens attributes the rate cuts to added competition in the homeowners and commercial markets with some major insurers implementing rate decreases, as well as reduced reinsurance costs. Citizens reinsurance costs have dropped as a result of lower reinsurance prices and fewer policies held by Citizens. Consumers whose policies are selected for depopulation will be notified by Citizens by letter. Policyholders will have 60 days from the date on the letter to opt out of the assumption and choose to stay with Citizens. Source: Louisiana Department of Insurance Topics Louisiana Devastating wildfires that have hit the state of Tennessee, particularly in the City of Gatlinburg, have caused widespread damage, with 656 claims reported to the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) as of Dec. 1. That number will undoubtedly grow over the coming days as residents begin to come back and survey the destruction left behind by the fires that began burning on Nov. 28 and so far have killed 14 people and damaged more than 1,400 homes and businesses. TDCI unveiled a new strategy Dec. 2 as part of its ongoing emergency response the Gatlinburg wildfires that involves coordination between insurers and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA). TDCI is compiling insurers claims data so it might be combined with satellite imagery and GIS mapping software to determine claims and potential claims from the fires, according to a statement from the Department. TDCI said combining the potential claims information, which is being provided voluntarily by insurers, with the mapping software should help carriers react to help affected home and business owners. Data TDCI has received through Dec. 1 shows 656 combined reported claims (home, auto, etc.) thus far from the affected areas and claims continue to be reported. A valuation of the losses has not yet been determined. In addition to insurers claims information, TEMA officials and local fire departments are also assisting on this project, TDCI said. This is an unprecedented collaboration between insurers, the Department, and emergency responders to a historic and heartbreaking situation, said TDCI Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. While we understand many larger insurers may have their own insurance claims mapping tools, not every insurer may have that resource. The Department will do everything in our power to help consumers begin to rebuild their lives. By combining the claims data with satellite imagery, it is our hope this will help insurers to more quickly determine losses and help consumers, particularly in areas that are not yet accessible. Tennessee is officially under a state of emergency because of the wildfires, per an executive order from Gov. Bill Haslam. The state of emergency puts state price gouging laws in effect, making it unlawful for individuals and businesses to charge grossly excessive prices for essential goods and services. The order also gives Commissioner McPeak the discretion to direct Tennessee-licensed insurance companies to make reasonable efforts to assist policyholders who have experienced losses as a result of the disasters, specifically when a delay in premium payment appears to be the result of a disruption to the mail delivery system or the policyholders displacement. McPeak issued an order to that effect on Dec. 2 directed to insurers that included a request that cancellation or non-renewals of policies for the non-payment of premiums be suspended for a period of at least sixty (60) days from the date of the loss, and that carriers allow policyholders to temporarily postpone payment due dates, in addition to other requests. The Department established a Community Resource Center (CSC) in Pigeon Forge in Pigeon Forge where affected consumers can get food, water, and clothing as well as assistance from other state agencies and insurance carriers who have sent catastrophic response teams to the Gatlinburg area. The Department appreciates the rapid response from our insurance industry partners to this wildfire crisis, said TDCI Assistant Commissioner for Insurance Michael Humphreys. Their trailers rolled into Gatlinburg a day or two after the fires, and they have made teams available to answer consumer questions and begin the claims process. We look forward to continued collaboration as we work together to assess the damage and rebuild these historic homes and businesses. Topics Carriers Catastrophe Natural Disasters Claims Wildfire Tennessee Chirping and beeping filled the air as Marion Paul fired up her Gatlinburg video arcade Monday, the first time shes seen her business since deadly wildfires set much of the city ablaze a week ago. Sooty floors needed dusting. Spoiled food had to be tossed. Otherwise, she was set to reopen. While several Gatlinburg areas resembled a war zone, the main business drag in this popular Tennessee tourist site was spared by the fast-moving flames. A week ago on Monday, hurricane-force winds whipped up fires that killed 14 people and damaged or destroyed almost 1,700 buildings in the Great Smoky Mountains tourist region, carving a selective path that turned some buildings to rubble and at times left their neighbors unharmed. As they gear up for Gatlinburg to reopen to the public as early as midweek, some businesses that were largely untouched are eager for a quick reopening in a crucial holiday season. Others that werent as lucky have begun planning to rebuild. I mean, its just a miracle because all of the businesses here (downtown), from what I can see, are saved, said Paul, owner of Fannie Farkles arcade. Its been a week today. But were lucky to have our lives. But just a short distance away from the downtown area, white smoke still billowed Monday from the scrap pile that remained of the Alamo Steakhouse in Gatlinburg. Kelly Johnson, who owns the restaurant with her father and her husband, said she hopes to have the restaurant rebuilt by early 2018. The 35 employees, including four who lost their homes, will continue getting paid for up to a year. The reality is that we would have had nothing without them in the first place, so I really feel like its the least we can do, Johnson said. Johnsons family owns nine other restaurants in the area and another one is being built. None of the others were damaged, except for having to close temporarily and throw out food. The challenge for the region, she said, is overcoming misconceptions that Gatlinburg was destroyed. Come visit, come visit, come visit, come visit, come visit those are my five biggest points, Johnson said. I think if people understood that what we want is for them to come here and have a good time, to spend their money like that, thats really what everybody here needs. The Alamo Steakhouse location in Pigeon Forge, for example, sat mostly empty for lunch Monday. That area was largely unscathed by the fires and is open for business. Dollywood, the Pigeon Forge amusement park named after country star and native Dolly Parton, has been open since Friday and the park is pleased with attendance so far, said spokesman Pete Owen. In the parks holiday show season, the next three weeks are always important, but will be even more so this year to help out the region, Owen said. Parton is raising money for the victims and her Dollywood Foundation is providing $1,000 a month to all of those families who lost their homes in the fires for six months. Also this weekend, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said a mass text message telling people to evacuate was never sent. TEMA says the local command post requested the message at 8:30 p.m. last Monday, but communication between agencies was lost because of disabled phone, internet and electrical services. Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam said officials are now looking into what happened and how to make sure everyone in the future gets the notification they need. Asked if the evacuation order came too late, Haslam said he didnt know the answer to that. I wasnt at their command center, so I dont know how they made those decisions, but this was a pretty unprecedented storm, and a lot of things had to come together in the wrong way to make this happen, Haslam said. __ Erik Schelzig contributed from Nashville, Tennessee. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Tennessee When I was a child, my dad gave me a humanoid-shaped Robot for my birthday that was modeled after the character in the classic movie The Day the Earth Stood Still. Gort was shaped a bit like the Tin Man from the "Wizard of Oz", but could decimate army tanks with light rays that emanated from an ominous slit for his eyes. I was immediately aware that the toy really wasnt for me. Did I mention that my dad didnt have any sons? Between that image, and the one that comes to mind in the auto factory, where robots reach from their tethered holds to fasten nuts and bolts to cars on the manufacturing line, I admit to certain skepticism when I term robotics, applied to robotic process automation (RPA) for insurance. In light of the insurtech craze, labels can be problematic. Doesnt the word robotic mean that branch of engineering that involves the conception, design, manufacture, and operation of robots (machines capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically, especially one programmable by a computer)? Kevin Meadows, managing director of Accentures Financial Services Operating Group, seems to agree. In a recent blog he states: It should be pointed out that RPA has nothing to do with physical machines or actual robots; its an entirely virtual concept that is driven by software that sits on top of an insurance companys systems, applications and infrastructure. Fair enough; and maybe its a matter of semantics, but the stated experts at UiPath define RPAs purpose with a caveat, "To use a computer [robot] to manipulate existing application software [CRMs, ERPs, help desk and claim applications] in the same way that a person works with those systems and the presentation layer to perform a specific task. The use of the word robotic to describe this rapidly growing field is somewhat misleading. These are not the robots of science fiction with artificial intelligence. Currently, the phrase robotic process automation is used to refer to the use of sophisticated computer software that automates rule-based processes without the need for constant human supervision. Meadows says the insurance industry offers the ideal landscape for RPA because of the many repetitive tasks that form the basis of an insurance transaction. Most insurance company back offices are replete with processes that conform to all of these rules, he says, whether reviewing a new submission, paying approved claims or managing accounts payable. In almost every department, there will be opportunities to utilize RPA effectively. Imagine the time spent by the insurance IT director researching this latest phenomenon. My own research turned up an immediate question: how is RPA different from artificial intelligence and machine learning, two other relatively new areas of IT focus? I was lucky to find a blog written by Bart van der Mark, AVP in Cognizants Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Europe office who clarifies, In order to intelligently automate processes end-to-end and drive value beyond running current processes better, companies are starting to embrace the idea of the Automation Continuum, encompassing systems that Do [RPA] and systems that think and learn [Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning]. The RPA and integration experts at UiPath count several BPO organizations as customers, as well as Zurich, AXA, Swiss Re and Aon. The use case provided by UiPath is for generic order management, notes that 800 FTEs, using 50 robots, reduced AHT (Average Handler Time) from 30 minutes to 10, saw ROI in six months, and ultimately enjoyed an 80% cost reduction. Other benefits are promised, such as time-to-market, accuracy, cost, scalability and compliance. Aside from the label robotic as an agreed-upon misnomer, there is certainly more to learn about this type of process automation, and in particular RPAs capabilities and potential benefits, and its hard to ignore the excitement of these types of technologies taking hold in our industry. Meanwhile, dont get me started on bots--soft, chat, transactional, informational or otherwise. Panoramica privacy Questo sito web utilizza i cookies per fornire all'utente la miglior esperienza di navigazione possibile. L'informazione dei cookie e memorizzata nel browser dell' utente, svolge funzioni di riconoscimento quando l' utente ritorna nel sito e permette di sapere quali sezioni del sito sono ritenute piu interessanti e utili. Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left front) and Secretary of Guizhou Provincial CPC Committee Chen Min'er(right front) look at a model of the radio telescope set up in Guizhou in a promotion event in Beijing on Tuesday. (Photo by Feng Yongbin/chinadaily.com.cn) Guizhou has become a new force in China's opening-up strategy due to its advantageous location in the Belt and Road Initiative, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday. Wang made the remarks in an event where the ministry and the Guizhou provincial government showcased the Southwest China province to diplomats from more than 120 countries. The landlocked province, which "has a special position in China's opening-up and history", became an important passage between China and the world more than 2,000 years ago, when China's silk and tea was carried through the Ancient Tea Horse Road and the Southern Silk Road to South Asia, Wang said. Guizhou is known for its distinctive ethnic groups such as Miao and Dong people as well as its karst landscape. Early this year the province joined the New York Times list of 52 places to go in 2016. In September, the "Eye of Heaven", a 500-meter-wide radio telescope able to receive and identify signals from deep space, was established in the province. In March, Guizhou got the approval from the central government to establish China's first pilot zone to develop the big data industry. In August, it received the green light to create an inland open economy pilot zone. According to Chen Min'er, secretary of Guizhou Provincial CPC Committee, the province's economy has grown by more than 12 percent annually in the past five years. Chen said he hopes to see more tourists from various countries come to Guizhou, and the province welcomes international companies and talent to invest in its big data industry. Guizhou has been holding an annual eco conference since 2009, which was upgraded into an international forum in 2013. Chen said Guizhou is ready to work with partners from different nations to help implement the Paris Agreement. Jean-Jacques de Dardel, Swiss Ambassador to China, said his country and Guizhou have developed "close exchanges". According to de Dardel, various high level leaders from the province have visited Switzerland, and the cooperation covers research, education and trade. Also, the two sides are working together on a variety of projects on environment protection. "Both Guizhou and Switzerland's environments are unique in their pristine beauty, and the protection of this natural beauty is of eminent importance," he said. What Is a Registered Investment Advisor? The financial services industry is a rapidly changing professional environment. As the needs and desires of consumers change, firms engaged in managing money are also evolving. A registered investment advisor (RIA) manages the assets of high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors and sits on the buy-side of the investment field. They must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and any states in which they operate. Most RIAs are partnerships or corporations, but individuals can also register as RIAs. Key Takeaways Registered investment advisors (RIAs) manage the assets of high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors. RIAs can create portfolios with individual stocks, bonds, and mutual funds; they may use a mix of funds and individual issues or only funds to streamline asset allocation and cut down on commission costs. An RIA usually generates revenue through a management fee, which is made up of a percentage of assets held for a clientfees of 0.5% to 2% are not unusual. An RIA must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as well as with any states in which they operate. Understanding Registered Investment Advisors Most Americans who participate in the stock market have done so through mutual funds, though crypto has recently been outpacing mutual funds. Exchange traded funds (ETFs) have also become a popular investment class. As the amount of money that an individual or group has increases, the ability to achieve the best results with mutual funds or ETFs diminishes. This is where RIAs are able to provide additional services mutual funds can't. What Does an RIA Do? Paid much like mutual fund managers, RIAs usually earn their revenue through a management fee consisting of a percentage of assets held for a client. Fees fluctuate, some close to 0.5% and others upwards of 2%. Generally, the more assets a client has, the lower the fee they can negotiatesometimes as little as 0.35%. This serves to align the best interests of the client with those of the RIA, as the advisor cannot make any more money on the account unless the client increases their asset base. The most common definition of a high-net-worth investor is someone with a net worth of $1 million or more. Amounts below this tend to be more difficult to manage while still making a profit. If the average management fee is 1% of assets annually, a $100,000 account only earns an RIA $1,000 in annual fees, which is probably less than the costs the firm would incur internally to service the account. Before hiring a registered investment advisor, make sure they are vetted, which includes opinions from friends and family, have the appropriate credentials, and can demonstrate a track record. Registered investment advisors can be managing thousands of unique portfolios. This is because high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors are groups with unique needs. The advising firm will work with the clients to design a portfolio that suits their situation. It could be the client has a large position in one particular stock with a very low cost basis; even though it represents a larger portion of its portfolio than would be ideal for diversification, the tax consequences are too severe to sell the position all at once. Or the client may be drawing down on an account using a combination of interest income and outflows and needs the assistance of a professional to map the asset's life. An RIA can create portfolios using individual stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. RIA firms can cover the spectrum as far as what goes into their clients' portfolios. They may use a mix of funds and individual issues or only funds as a way to streamline asset allocation and cut down on commission costs. State of the Industry The old model of a broker calling wealthy clients with stock ideas is dying. In fact, there has been a mass exodus of client assets leaving this model. There are several reasons for this change, including very high commission fees (the big profit vehicle of the wirehouse firms at the time), and often inadequate diversification. Many of these brokers were not CFAs or MBAs, just glorified salesmen whose knowledge base was due more to happenstance than true education. RIAs tend to compete with mutual funds, hedge funds, wirehouse firmsvia wrap programs or individual brokersand do-it-yourselfers for the provision of investment services. Many clients are looking to have a true "financial quarterback," a resource they can use for solid advice on their total financial picture. A good RIA will speak to the client in terms of their overall goals and objectives and review these with the client at regular intervals. Clients increasingly want to have more options and easier access to the decision-makers on their accounts. There are no direct access lines to the managers of a mutual fund account. There is no easy way to ask your mutual fund manager questions like, "Why did you choose to buy Walmart?" or "What's a good estimate for what my capital gains could be this year?" Many clients want this either as part of their education or for their own peace of mind. Mutual fund assets are pooled funds with no tax considerations to any one holder of mutual fund shares. For a wealthy investor, there are simply too many dollars at stake for taxes to not be taken into account. If the client is a large group and there are many interested parties (such as a nonprofit endowment, pension plan, or court-mandated trust), the extra service of having annual reports and other performance attribution can increase the attractiveness of an investment advisor in comparison to a mutual fund. What Types of Professionals Work for RIAs? As they operate in many similar ways, the same types of jobs associated with a mutual fund are also found in an RIA: research analysts, portfolio managers, traders, technical/operational staff, and client service professionals. The research conducted for an RIA is also similar to what you would find at a mutual fund. The main responsibilities include monitoring existing holdings and searching for suitable candidates for purchase. The RIA provides an additional responsibility through the holdings brought in by clients and requested not to be sold. Many times a portfolio must be constructed around a large position; in these cases, the portfolio manager must devise ways to mitigate the risk inherent in owning so much of one company. Wealth managers are seen as financial planners, those that create long-term financial plans for their clients, which is different from a registered investment advisor, who is primarily concerned with growing the wealth of its client through investing. Most firms handle order creation in-house but do not actually execute the trades themselves. For this, they will have established brokerage relationships with firms catering to large orders from institutional clients. CPAs, attorneys, and other financial professionals are increasingly being hired by RIAs as they attempt to offer all the services a wealthy client could want. Sometimes a separate fee is charged for one-time services, like a financial plan from a CPA or the establishment of a family trust. Other times, it is all blended into a single management fee. Being able to offer more services under one umbrella opens the doors to truly lucrative accounts: $10 million or more. Many RIA firms have only two or three clients so large they occupy all the resources of the firm. These firms can do quite well. Why Become an RIA? An RIA firm is a progressive business in today's changing landscape of money management. It is an excellent place to begin a career or to hone in on a particular aspect of the business after cutting your teeth elsewhere for a few years. Most RIA firms are owned privately, which can allow for greater opportunities for equity in the company. They are poised for fantastic growth as baby boomers are finishing up their peak earnings years and entering into the highest net-worth phase of their lives. What Is the Difference Between a Registered Investment Advisor and a Financial Planner? A registered investment advisor seeks to grow the wealth of their wealthy clients by making investments. RIAs are primarily concerned with the investment portfolios of high-net-worth individuals. Financial planners, on the other hand, are focused on long-term planning for their clients, touching upon the areas of retirement planning, estate planning, investing, and saving for a child's college education. What Do Registered Investment Advisors Do? Registered investment advisors invest the money of high-net-worth individuals in order to generate profits; the ultimate goal is to increase the wealth of their clients. They are typically financial institutions that create tailored investment strategies for their clients and invest in a multitude of assets. How Do Registered Investment Advisors Get Paid? Because registered investment advisors are held to a fiduciary duty, they do not get paid on commission, which could create a conflict of interest between the advisor and their client. Instead, registered investment advisors get paid based on a feed schedule. The Bottom Line Registered investment advisors manage money for extremely wealthy people as well as for financial institutions. RIAs make investments in many asset classes and work together with their clients in designing unique portfolios. RIAs provide a much more detailed and comprehensive portfolio than financial advisors can, particularly with access to more complex investments. Boeing Co. (BA), one of the world's leading aerospace companies, develops and manufactures commercial jets, military aircraft, weapons systems, and strategic defense and intelligence systems. Boeing provides services and support to customers globally, and provides financing for orders and deliveries. The top shareholders of Boeing are Timothy J. Keating, Leanne G. Caret, Theodore Colbert, Vanguard Group Inc., BlackRock Inc. (BLK), and Newport Trust Co. The U.S. Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) began recertification testing on Boeing Max 737 aircrafts at the end of June. The aircraft has been grounded since early 2019 following two fatal crashes in the span of five months. The FAA indicated that it would lift the grounding order as soon as the aircraft has satisfied certification standards. Boeing's 12-month trailing net loss and revenue are $3.4 billion and $70.6 billion, respectively. The company's market cap is about $103.7 billion. These financial data are as of July 15, 2020. Below we look in more detail at Boeing's top 6 shareholders. "Insider" refers to people in senior management positions and members of the board of directors, as well as people or entities that own more than 10% of the company's stock. In this context, it has nothing to do with insider trading. Top 3 Individual Insider Shareholders Timothy J. Keating Timothy J. Keating owns a total of 80,080 Boeing shares, representing 0.01% of the company's total shares outstanding. Mr. Keating has served as Boeing's executive vice president of Government Operations since early 2018 and is a member of the company's leadership team, the Executive Council. He is responsible for leading Boeing's public policy efforts, liaising with government officials, and leading the Boeing Global Engagement organization, which was first launched under his leadership in 2017. Mr. Keating first joined the company in 2008 as senior vice president of Government Operations and has worked to strengthen Boeing's relationship with all levels of government and the communities in which the company conducts business. Before Boeing, Keating worked in public affairs at Honeywell International and as a special assistant to the President in the Clinton Administration. Leanne G. Caret Leanne G. Caret owns a total of 59,148 Boeing shares, representing 0.01% of the company's total shares outstanding. Ms. Caret has served as president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) since early 2016. A company veteran with more than 30 years of experience at Boeing, she previously led Boeing's Global Services & Support business, which is the U.S. Department of Defense's largest performance-based logistics contractor and an industry leader in providing sustainment services for a diverse range of military products and systems. She has served in numerous other roles, including as chief financial officer (CFO) at Boeing Defense, Space & Security, which she now leads. Theodore Colbert Theodore Colbert owns a total of 54,846 Boeing shares, representing 0.01% of the company's total shares outstanding. Mr. Colbert serves as Boeing's executive vice president, president and CEO of Boeing Global Services, and is a member of the Executive Council. He leads the company's aerospace services development and aviation industry customers globally. Mr. Colbert first joined Boeing in 2009 and has served in a number of different roles, including chief information officer (CIO) and senior vice president of Information Technology & Data Analytics. Prior to joining Boeing, Colbert was senior vice president of Enterprise Architecture at Citigroup, and before that worked at Ford Motor Co. in its Information Technology group. Top 3 Institutional Shareholders Institutional investors hold the majority of Boeing's shares at about 62% of total shares outstanding. Vanguard Group Inc. Vanguard Group owns 41.8 million shares of Boeing, representing 7.4% of total shares outstanding, according to the company's 13F filing for the period ending March 31, 2020. The company is primarily a mutual fund and ETF management company with about $6.2 trillion in global assets under management (AUM). The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is one of the company's largest exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with about $151 billion in AUM. Boeing comprises 0.31% of VOO's holdings. BlackRock Inc. BlackRock owns 33.3 million shares of Boeing, representing 5.9% of total shares outstanding, according to the company's 13F filing for the period ending March 31, 2020. The company is primarily a mutual fund and ETF management company with approximately $6.47 trillion in AUM. The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is among one of BlackRock's largest ETFs with approximately $198 billion in AUM. Boeing comprises 0.36% of IVV's holdings. Newport Trust Co. Newport Trust owns 32.7 million shares of Boeing, representing 5.8% of total shares outstanding, according to the company's 13F filing for the period ending March 31, 2020. Newport Trust, owned by Newport Group Inc., is a private company that provides trustee and independent fiduciary services to leading U.S. companies and institutions, including 25% of the corporations in the Fortune 500. The total value of the company's portfolio is $24.3 billion. Boeing is among Newport Trust's top 10 holdings, comprising about 20% of the portfolio's total value, as of March 31, 2020. Diversity & Inclusiveness of Boeing As part of our effort to improve the awareness of the importance of diversity in companies, we offer investors a glimpse into the transparency of more than just who are the shareholders at Boeing. We highlight the company's commitment to diversity, inclusiveness, and social responsibility as a whole. Find out how Boeing reports the diversity of its management and workforce. The shows if Boeing discloses its data about the diversity of its board of directors, C-Suite, general management, and employees overall across a variety of markets. 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. The WTI crude oil futures contract fell more than 5% before bouncing into Wednesday afternoon's North American session, posting the biggest one-day decline in 13 months. The reversal has unfolded at long-term Fibonacci and pattern resistance, possibly signaling a multi-year top. If so, a slow and tortuous trip into the $50s for WTI is now possible, with newly optimistic energy bulls set to relinquish the majority of 2018 gains. Major energy funds have diverged from the futures contract in recent months, stalling at 2016 resistance in January 2018 and dropping into sideways patterns while international trade tensions put a damper on buying interest. These instruments could complete topping patterns as well, rewarding aggressive short sale positions after they break the support levels outlined in the following charts. (See also: 3 Energy Stocks That May Drop as Oil Falls.) The SPDR Select Sector Energy ETF (XLE) bounced to resistance at the 2008 high at $91.42 in 2014 and broke out, hitting an all-time high at $101.52 just two months later. The subsequent decline failed the breakout, ahead of a multi-wave downtrend that ended at a five-year low in the upper $40s in January 2016. The subsequent bounce stalled just above the 50% sell-off retracement level in the mid-$70s in December 2016, marking an impenetrable barrier for the past year and a half. January and May 2018 reversals have carved the outline of a cup and handle breakout pattern, but time is running out following the crude oil reversal. Price action is currently basing on top of the 50-day exponential moving average (EMA) at $75, while a sell-off through the June low at $73.14 would set of preliminary sell signals ahead of a decline that could reach the 2.5-year trendline (blue line) at $67.50. It would take a break of that support level to set off a longer-term sell signal. (For more, see: XLE: Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF.) The VanEck Vectors Oil Services ETF (OIH) has sharply underperformed other energy sub-sectors since the 2008 economic collapse and could lead the downside if crude oil enters a bear market. A bounce into 2011 reversed at the .618 Fibonacci bear market retracement level in the $50s, while a 2014 test at that level failed to trigger a breakout. The fund sold off to the 2008 low in January 2016 and turned higher, posting a lower high in the mid-$30s in December 2016. A decline into August 2017 ended less than two points above nine-year support, yielding a bounce that carved the third lower high off the 2014 peak in January 2018. The fund failed to break out in a May recovery wave and has been losing ground since that time. The multi-year trendline of rising lows is now situated less than three points under the most recent closing price, with a breakdown setting off a major sell signal that could presage a trip into the lower teens. The SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP) has carved slightly stronger 2018 price action than its peers, with a heavier domestic weighting offering some insulation against international trade tensions. The ETF broke out above the 2008 high at $73.04 in 2014 and posted an all-time high at $84.04 just two months later. A decline into 2015 failed the breakout, with selling pressure continuing into a January 2016 test of the prior decade's bear market low. A bounce into December 2016 ended at the .382 Fibonacci sell-off retracement level, giving way to a pullback that posted two higher lows, followed by a failed January 2018 breakout attempt. The fund bounced to that level earlier this week and reversed with other energy funds following the crude oil downturn. A break of 50-day EMA support at $41.50 will now mark an preliminary sell signal, while a more destructive sell signal would erupt if a decline breaks the trendline at $33.50. (For more, see: 6 Lagging Oil Stocks Ready to Rebound.) The Bottom Line Crude oil posted its biggest down day in 13 months this week, after reversing at the five-year double top breakdown and .618 Fibonacci sell-off retracement level. This price action could signal the start of significant decline and possible end of the 2.5-year uptrend. (For additional reading, check out: Top Oil ETFs.) Top News - Investor Idea A Boat-full of Potential - Renewed Interest in the Cruise Industry Bolsters Luxury Markets (OTC: MASN) (NYSE: CCL) (NYSE: CUK) (NYSE: RCL) (NYSE: NCLH) Vancouver, Kelowna, Delta, BC - November 2, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Investorideas.com, a leading investor news resource covering luxury goods and cruise ship stocks releases a special report featuring Maison Luxe, Inc. (OTC: MASN), a company that offers luxury retail consumer items. Top AI Stock News - Investor Idea Breaking AI Stock News: Intellagents, a FatBrain AI (OTCQB: LZGI) Company, Announces Hiring of Insurtech Industry Veteran as Chief Revenue Officer NEW YORK, NY - November 2, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) FatBrain AI (LZG International, Inc.) (OTCQB: LZGI), the leader in powerful and easy-to-use artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for star enterprises of tomorrow, announces the hiring of Euan King, an experienced and respected Insurtech industry leader as Chief Revenue Officer for insurance technology-focused subsidiary Intellagents. Top Health and Wellness News - Investor Idea Health and Wellness Stock News - Endexx (OTCBB: EDXC) Secures $3.8M Order for Non-Nicotine Vape Product HYLA from Italy CAVE CREEK, Az. - November 2, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Endexx Corporation (OTCBB:EDXC), a provider of innovative, plant-based, and sustainable health and skincare products, today announces it has secured a new $3.8 million USD order for its newly acquired, non-nicotine based vape product, HYLA from customers in Italy. Top EV Stock News - Investor Idea Breaking EV Stock News: Overwhelmingly Positive Reactions Pour in From First Leg of Mullen Automotive's (NASDAQ: MULN) 'Strikingly Different' FIVE EV Crossover Tour BREA, Calif. - October 31, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Mullen Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: MULN), an emerging electric vehicle ("EV") manufacturer, announces today that the Mullen FIVE has received overwhelmingly positive reactions from members of the public, reservation holders and Mullen investors who were able to ride in the vehicle for the very first time on the "Strikingly Different" tour which kicked off last week in Pasadena, California. Check out our Podcasts for great investor ideas: Get new posts by email: Subscribe Powered by Investorideas.com Newswire: Subscribe to Investor Ideas Newswire [File photo] A Chinese factory has specially remanufactured 50 green Tommee Tippee cups for an autistic boy in Britain, who will only drink water from that cup, though it went out of production 13 years ago. Ben Carter, 14, has been sent to the emergency room twice for dehydration, as he refuses to drink water without his beloved green cup. Carter has been using the same cup since the age of 2, and his current one is falling apart, BBC reported. Bens story went viral soon after his father tweeted for help. The green sippy cups Chinese manufacturer, Dongguan-based Jackel China Limited (JC), noticed the story and decided to help the boy. The green cups went out of production in 2003. We checked the cups production record in an effort to discover its original design and formulation. We have already sent 50 samples to Bens father. Once [Carter] approves the samples color and type, we will produce between 500 and 1,000 cups for free to ensure a life's supply, Li Jieying, JCs Asia marketing director, told Nanfang Daily. [File photo] According to Li, the cups may take two to three weeks to manufacture, and will require the use of three pieces of dedicated equipment. The factory plans to send the cups to Carter between Christmas and New Year's Eve as a holiday gift. We are reproducing the cups only 10 days after Bens fathers online appeal. We think [the reproduction] is very meaningful, as it can save Bens life and promote positive energy, Li added. The factorys decision has received a warm welcome on Chinese social media. The hashtag ATinyCupMadeInChina has garnered over 31 million page views as of press time, with most comments expressing approval and good wishes for Carter. I have tears in my eyes when I read this story. I feel so proud of the Chinese company, as they have made so much effort to save a foreign child. I hope Ben can feel our love, knowing that there are so many people who care for him, so he can give that love to more people when he grows up, one netizen wrote. Update 9.18pm: Brian Stack's son Austin says Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams should assist the Garda investigation into the killing of his father. He has again refuted that he ever gave the names of any individuals to Mr Adams. Deputy Adams knows the name of the individual who we met, he said. That individual has information pertinent to a live murder investigation. Deputy Adams didnt not address that in his statement. He did not confirm that he will talk to the gardai and hand over the name of an individual who says he knows the people who killed my father. Update 6.30pm: Brian Stack's son Austin has said he met Gerry Adams after the Sinn Fein president made a lengthy Dail statement this evening, and told (Mr Adams) he was "a liar". "We met him in the corridor afterwards and I told him he was a liar (and) he told untruths and lies in the Dail chamber. He wasn;t best pleased. "He said: 'Please stop. Please stop." Read: Read More: Dessie Ellis and Martin Ferris deny any involvement in Brian Stack death Earlier: Gerry Adams has told the Dail that he "tried to assist" the Stack family - at their request - to get "a degree of closure" in the case of the murder of Portlaoise prison chief Brian Stack in 2013. The men have different accounts of how Gerry Adams came to include the names of four men who may have information on the murder in an email to Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan in February this year. Mr Adams claims the names were given to him by the victim's son Austin, something Mr Stack denies. In the Dail today, Mr Adams said: "Why on earth would I say that I received the names from him if I didnt?" Sinn Fein have released minutes from Gerry Adams' meeting with the family of Chief Prison Officer, Brian Stack, in May 2013. They can be read here When Mr Adams finished his statement, Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell raised what he called a point of order - and under privilege put the names of two sitting Sinn Fein TDs in the public domain. Gerry Adams' full statement to the Dail on the death of Brian Stack: "Let me begin by saying once again that the shooting of Brian Stack was wrong. It was a grievous loss for his family and should never have happened. "In the absence of the two governments agreeing to a process to deal with the past I sought to try and assist the family of Brian Stack to gain a degree of acknowledgement and closure. I did so at their request. "What has happened over the last year points up the challenges of this course of action and the urgent need for a proper legacy process to be established. "For the record I will again set out the sequence of events and my efforts to assist the family of Brian Stack. "Austin Stack approached me in 2013 seeking acknowledgment for what happened to his father. I met Austin Stack a number of times over the course of the following months, mostly on my own. Austin and Oliver Stack made it clear to me personally and said publicly that they were not looking for people to go to gaol. "They wanted acknowledgement and closure. "There is a note of that initial meeting. I am releasing that today. The computer stamp shows that this note was typed into the computer on May 16, seven days after the first meeting with the family. "Austin Stack spoke of his commitment to restorative justice processes. I told the Stack brothers that I could only help on the basis of confidentiality. This was the same basis on which I had been able to assist other families. "Both Austin and Oliver agreed to respect the confidential nature of the process we were going to try to put in place. Without that commitment I could never have pursued the meeting they were seeking which took place later that summer. "The brothers were given a statement by a former IRA leader. The statement was made available publicly by the family. "The statement acknowledged that the IRA was responsible for their fathers death; that it regretted it took so long to clarify this for them; that the shooting of Brian Stack was not authorised by the IRA leadership; and that the person who gave the instruction was disciplined. The statement expressed sorrow for the pain and hurt the Stack family suffered. "Following the meeting the family acknowledged that the process, and I quote, has provided us with some answers that three separate Garda investigations failed to deliver. We would like to thank Deputy Adams for the role he has played in facilitating this outcome. "Since then the position of Austin Stack has changed. "In 2013 Austin Stack gave me the names of four people whom he believed might have information on the case. Austin Stack told me that he had been given these names by journalistic and Garda sources. Austin Stack has denied giving me names. "Why on earth would I say that I received the names from him if I didnt? "In February of this year Austin Stack also claimed that he gave names to the Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin. "If Austin Stack was prepared to give names to Mr. Martin, why would he not have given them to me? I was after all the person he was asking to arrange a meeting. "At Austin Stacks request I contacted those I could from the names he gave me. They denied having any information about the killing of Brian Stack. I told Austin Stack this. "During the election campaign earlier this year the Fianna Fail leader and others repeated a lot of what was said in 2013. It was part of his election strategy against Sinn Fein. "However, in addition allegations were made that I was withholding information from the Garda. "It was in this context, and to remove any uncertainty or ambiguity I emailed the Garda Commissioner the names that Austin Stack had given me and which he said had come from Garda and journalistic sources. "I have never at any time described those named as suspects. I made it clear to the Garda Commissioner that I have no information on the death of Brian Stack. The email was only sent after I had spoken to three of the four. "There is a live Garda investigation. I am prepared to cooperate with this. "The position of Micheal Martin, who was a Minister in successive Fianna Fail governments during the peace process, and of the Taoiseach on this issue is hypocritical, inconsistent and in fact disappointing. "I have never sought publicity on this issue. Any public comments I have made have been in response to others. Firstly, when Austin Stack publicly asked to meet me, and during the process we established in 2013. Secondly when Fine Gael and Fianna Fail sought to exploit this issue as part of their election campaign of 2016. "And today I make this statement in the Dail following an email that I wrote to the Garda Commissioner being put inappropriately in my opinion into the public realm and then raised here in the Dail twice by the Fianna Fail leader. "I say inappropriately because there is a live investigation into the murder of Brian Stack and we in this chamber should be mindful not to say anything which might prejudice this or any future court proceedings. "The Fianna Fail leader and the Taoiseach seem to be unconcerned about this. For my part I will cooperate with An Garda Siochana. "Micheal Martin says, I named four people who I understand to be suspects in the murder of Mr Stack. Teachta Martin has misled the Dail. I never made such a statement. I have never described those named as suspects. "He says, that I said, I took a note of the meeting between Austin and Oliver Stack and a former IRA leader. I never said this. I took no note of that meeting. "He says I took Austin and Oliver Stack to that meeting in a blacked out van. The Taoiseach even went so far on Tuesday to say I drove the van. Not true. I travelled with the Stack brothers in my car to a prearranged place on the border and then we were all taken in a van to the meeting in the north. "The Fianna Fail leader and the Taoiseach should correct the Dail record on these. "Since Fr. Alex Reid and Fr. Des Wilson, myself and John Hume began our work to develop a peace process successive Fianna Fail and Fine Gael governments, encouraged and facilitated meetings between myself and Martin McGuinness and the IRA leadership. "Is the Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader demanding that we should have named those we met? "Do you think this would have helped the peace process? "I recall one specific occasion when a meeting in St. Lukes with the then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Tony Blairs Chief of Staff Jonathon Powell was suspended to allow Martin McGuinness and I to meet the IRA. "On other occasions initiatives involving the Irish and British government, the IRA, the Ulster Unionist Party and Sinn Fein were constructed to advance the process. "Meetings were adjourned to facilitate this. These conversations helped to secure historic cessations. Should those involved be named. None of these would have been possible without talking to the IRA. Micheal Martin knows this. "Our efforts led in July 2005 to the IRA announcing an end to the armed campaign and to engaging with the International Independent Commission on Decommissioning to put its arms beyond use - progress that could only have been secured on the basis of direct contact and confidentially. "Is Micheal Martin demanding that Martin McGuinness and I should name those we were meeting in the IRA leadership and who decided to put their arms beyond use? "Is he demanding that the Decommissioning Body name those IRA members it met? "Are they demanding that Cyril Ramaphosa and Martii Ahtisaari name those in the IRA they engaged with to facilitate the arms beyond use process? "Should we now name all of those in the IRA who supported the peace process and took difficult but courageous decisions? "I and others also assisted the Smithwick Commission. One of the most difficult legacy issues that we have had to deal with is that of the disappeared. "The governments established the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains at my request and with Fr. Reids support. "As a result of our efforts 12 of the 16 victims have been recovered and work continues on seeking information on the remain four. "I havent given up on this. Martin McGuinness and I continue to meet regularly with the Commission. The Commission also meets with former IRA people. Should they be named. "Micheal Martin knows all of this. He was a senior member of the government which established the commission. "Progress was only possible on the basis of confidentially and trust. That is why no IRA people where named during any of these initiatives and why they should not be named today. "It is an essential part of any conflict resolution process. Sinn Fein has worked consistently to resolve the issues of the past. As part of our commitment to this I have met many families, like that of Brian Stack, who have lost loved ones. "If the Taoiseach and Micheal Martin are interested in healing the legacy of the past for all families, including the Stacks, the Finucanes, the families of the Dublin Monaghan bombs and hundreds more, then they could begin by putting in place an International based independent truth recovery process. "My generation of republican activists who lived through and survived the war have a responsibility to try and bring the families of victims of the war, irrespective of who was responsible, to a better place. "That is what I have tried to do with my engagement in 2013 with the Stack Family." The owners of Bausch and Lomb have threatened to pause expansion plans in Waterford and look at other production sites. Valent Pharmaceuticals Ireland say the recent ballot by SIPTU members for industrial action puts the future of the plant at risk. Employees are seeking full restoration of pay cuts implemented in 2014 - and are due to begin industrial action on December 21. Management warned the 1,250 employees in Waterford they will take further actions if the industrial action goes ahead. This morning's statement by Valent Pharmaceuticals Ireland, trading as Bausch and Lomb Ireland, said: "This ballot follows recent rejections by SIPTU members of two carefully considered pay deals proposed by both the WRC and the Labour Court. "The company views the new request for 'full restoration' as a challenge to the viability of the site, and as such, has set out a series of actions that would arise as a direct consequence of the industrial action scheduled to commence on the 21st of December. "The continuation of industrial action into the New Year will lead to the consideration of further actions by the company. "While we remain committed to the Waterford site, we will not be considering calls for 'full restoration' and a return to the uncertainty of a number of years ago. Our goal is to maintain the viability of the plant and reach a positive resolution of this matter by the 16th December. "The company will not be making any further public comments at this point. Our primary focus is on speaking to our employees and keeping them fully informed of any new developments." SIPTU's Allen Dillon said: "Our members have decided to implement a campaign of limited industrial action, which will consist of a series of one-hour work stoppages by each shift and an overtime ban, which will commence on 21st December. "This dispute has arisen because of a failure by management to agree for the full restoration of the pay and conditions of employment of our members. "In 2014, over 800 SIPTU members reluctantly agreed to deep cuts in their pay and terms and conditions of employment. The basic pay of our members was cut by 7.5% and there were additional reductions in bonus payments and sick pay benefits. "Also, a new starter rate of pay was implemented for temporary staff and our members agreed to increase productivity by working an additional hour a week. In August 2015, an agreed two-year pay freeze expired. The union has since been negotiating with the company in an effort to reach an agreement on full pay restoration for our members, but an agreement has not been reached. Mr Dillon added: "A Labour Court recommendation issued in August this year in relation to the dispute was overwhelmingly rejected by our members. With the collective dispute resolution procedures exhausted and no further engagement by management on the issues in dispute, our members feel they have no option but to implement a campaign of industrial action." The Government is being urged to purchase a unique 1916 artefact which goes up for auction today. Padraig Pearse's handwritten surrender letter goes under the hammer this evening in Dublin. By David Raleigh, in Golden, Co Tipperary The trainer of champion greyhound Clares Rocket - who was dramatically found alive and well after been kidnapped and held for a ransom - broke down in tears of joy after he was reunited with the dog, and declared: "It's like winning the Derby again." Limerick drugs boss Christy Keane was one of four men arrested in connection with the greyhound's kidnapping. A well-known dissident republican is also being questioned by detectives. Trainer Graham Holland, who previously guided "Rocket" to an Irish Derby win, choked up with emotion as he described receiving a call from gardai telling him his beloved racing dog was "alive and well". "We brought Rocket home, gave him a good feed, and pampered him. There was lots of tears. I know they broke into the kennels, but it's like they broke into our privacy.," he said. "You work with these dogs seven days a week and they become members of the family, and it feels like somebody has been taken from you." The father of three, originally from Dorset, England, said he was "over the moon" when he walked into Tipperary Town garda station just after midnight to collect the four-legged friend he thought he'd lost forever. "I'm delighted. Obviously, I feel a bit drained. We've had a tough 48 hours and it's just fantastic to get him back," he said at his home in Golden. "To be really honest about it, we didn't think we were honestly going to see him again. The feeling was, once it hit national news, that the people who took him would panic and probably destroy the dog and disappear - that was my feeling. "Luckily enough the gardai did a fantastic job, and we are very lucky to have the dog back." Mr Holland said reports Rocket's potential stud value could reach 1m were in his openinon exaggerated. "Greyhound racing stud values have gone down a lot. It's not as popular as it once was. Although (Clare's Rocket) is a very good dog, we've got a lot of bridges to cross. We haven't tried him at stud...is he fertile, is he this or that, you don't know until you try." "I'm a great believer that you don't introduce dogs to their stud career until they're finished their racing career, as they could become more interested in chasing the bitches instead of chasing the hare," he joked. He praised Tipperary gardai for bringing the ordeal to a "fairytale ending". "I would like to thank our local garda Eddie Nugent, and Detective Martin Steed in Tipperary Town. They've been very good. Martin understands greyhounds quiet a lot, because he has his own dogs, so he could understand what we were going through. We were very lucky to have two great men on the job." 'A bit like Shergar' Timmy Holland (18) had been left in charge of Rocket when thieves struck his father's last Sunday night, Monday morning. Timmy said he was "heartbroken" when he checked on Rocket on Monday morning: "I tried not to panic too much in the hope that he may have got out and that he wasn't stolen. You wouldn't expect someone to come and steal a dog." "I'm delighted he's back as I felt responsible that he was taken. I'm just delighted he's back and he's happy," he added. Gardai intercepted a car traveling from Waterford to Limerick late on Tuesday night and arrested two men and recovered the dog. Two more males were arrested in a separate operation. All four were being held at garda stations in Tipperary Town and Clonmel. The gang behind the kidnapping had demanded a ransom but no money was handed over, Mr Holland said. "I think everybody thought, like we did, that we'd never see the dog again, a bit like Shergar. To have a fairlytale ending to a sad thing is unusual. For once there's a good ending." "He will race again. He's in good enough condition - they didn't badly treat him. They obviously fed him and let him have water, he wasn't dehydrated." Joe Cahill, who heads up the Fullhouse syndicate which owns the greyhound, also travelled from his home in Limerick to Tipperary garda station, Tuesday night, to be reunited with dog. He could not be reached for comment. Mr Holland agreed the nightmare ordeal reminded him of the infamous 1983 kidnapping of champion Irish race horse Shergar, who was never been seen again. "If the gardai never found the dog you'd always wonder was he still out there. It would be a similar type of thing to Shergar." Mr Holland said he would be increasing security at his home and kennels in Golden. He added that he hoped Clares Rocket would compete in next year's English Derby. The race has commanded up to 250,000 sterling for first place in recent years "It has been worth as much as 250,000 sterling so it is a big prize. It takes a lot of winning and there are a lot of ifs and buts, but (Rocket) is a dog that's good enough to win it, if he's lucky enough." "He's lucky enough, he must be, to have come back home safe." Rush which had over 11,400 members with savings of 24m entered provisional liquidation in October over allegations of money laundering and financial misappropriation. Speaking yesterday on the back of a strong set of annual figures for the wider credit union movement, ILCU chief executive Ed Farrell said: While what happened at Rush Credit Union is regrettable, it is important to put it in context. LONDON DEC. 6 (People's Daily Online UK)A CBI survey of over 800 businesses shows that 70% of respondents plan to increase or maintain their innovation spending following the vote to leave the EU. Only 7% plan to reduce their investment. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) speaks on behalf of 190,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors across the UK. Last year business invested almost 21bn on innovation, allowing British firms to develop cutting-edge products and services, attract global investment and expand internationally. The challenge for businesses is that while the UK innovation system has world-class attributes, it does not currently match their ambitions. Businesses rate the UK as 10th in the world for innovation. Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said: The UK will need to work hard to become the front-runner in global innovation, creating a pioneering economic role for itself in the world that drives prosperity in every corner of the UK. Innovation is the nucleus of future economic and social development, so its encouraging that seven out of ten firms will keep up - or even raise their spending on new technologies and work practices to grow their business. As we prepare to depart the EU, this shows that firms are rolling up their sleeves and looking to make the best of Brexit. Tax officials appeared before the Oireachtas finance committee, at times facing aggressive questioning from members about the impact on Ireland of Brussels relaunched proposal for a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB) Bert Zuijdendorp, head of unit company taxation initiatives at the commission, denied that Irelands 12.5% corporation tax would be targeted by the CCCTB, insisting it was simply an easier way for member states to regulate and streamline their corporate tax systems. Fine Gael TD Peter Burke said CCCTB would be an unmitigated disaster for Ireland, while Independent senator Kieran ODonnell said it would be a Trojan horse that would allow the EU even more control over small states such as Ireland. Fianna Fails finance spokesman, Michael McGrath, said he could not see the CCCTB proposal going anywhere and that it was a clear encroachment into the competence of a member state of the EU. Mr Zuijdendorp said he did not believe there was going to be any encroachment into member states and that he would be too cautious to say it would have a negative impact on any member state. Department of Finance officials told the committee they were sceptical about the CCCTB plan. Ronan Hession, head of business tax at the Department of Finance, said officials were going into an examination of the CCCTB proposal with an open mind, not an empty kind, but that they would do so with a professionally sceptical attitude. The commission said in October that it was looking to overhaul the way in which companies were taxed in the single market, saying it wanted to deliver a growth-friendly and fair corporate tax system. It said the CCCTB would create a level playing field for multinationals in Europe by closing off avenues they used to avoid paying tax in Europe. In a report this week, the Economic and Social Research Institute said Irish corporation tax revenues would fall by about 5.5% if the CCCTB was implemented across the EU. The report also envisaged that the CCCTB would hit Irelands GDP. France would be the biggest beneficiary if the CCCTB was introduced, increasing its corporation tax revenues by 6%, according to the ESRI. Detective Garda Clifford Singleton, aged 43, who sued the minister for public expenditure and reform, told the court that, in May 2001, he had been investigating vans being stolen from the docks in Dublin. He said gardai had been tipped off about a delivery which was to take place in Raheny, Dublin, and had been waiting at Hilltop Shopping Centre. After witnessing the transaction, he had shouted gardai to the van driver, who tried to escape. Det Garda Singleton told his counsel, Ivan Daly, that he tried to block the van with his unmarked garda car but the driver continued at speed and rammed his vehicle. The court heard the man was later apprehended. Det Garda Singleton said he suffered soft tissue injuries to his neck, right shoulder, and knee, and to his lower back. The court heard he had ongoing pain. Dublin-based Det Garda Singleton said during a Garda Compensation hearing that he later attended his GP. He had felt he could manage the pain at the time. The minister had argued that medical reports at the time of the incident stated a recovery prognosis of one year. The State alleged that Det Garda Singletons ongoing symptoms were triggered by another incident when he tried to lift a television in 2007. Mr Daly told the court that Det Garda Singleton was a successful member of the detective unit who had willingly put himself in danger in the behalf of Irish citizens. Counsel said the driver of the van had been saved by Det Garda Singleton from being attacked by two people with a machete several years before the 2001 incident. Mr Justice Bernard Barton said he believed Det Garda Singletons evidence but he had no recent medical evidence to support his claim. The judge said he had to accept medical reports which stated a contrary view. Awarding him 25,000 compensation, the judge said it was reasonable to think that Det Garda Singletons symptoms lasted for several years, as he had been involved in a very severe ramming incident. James White, aged 32, of Cappawhite, Co Tipperary, a decorated British army war hero, was in Thurles District Court yesterday when it was heard he pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm on a previous occasion. The case was adjourned at that time to allow for the preparation of a victim impact statement in relation to the people he assaulted, said his solicitor, Colin Morrissey. The impact statement was handed into Judge Elizabeth MacGrath. Judge MacGrath noted that one of the victims had to receive medical treatment as a result of the assault, while the other did not. The assault had affected both quite substantially, she said. It arose out of a photograph that was taken at your clients sisters funeral, the judge said to Mr Morrissey. It caused him to take the course of action he took. She said the case might be an appropriate one to be dealt with under the restorative justice project and she was concerned about certain fears that the victims had following the assault. The restorative justice project may be preferable for the victims, rather than having to speak in open court, Judge MacGrath said. Life is too short to be going around living in fear that could be abated and may be abated through the restorative justice project, she said. Mr Morrissey said his client would be open to the case being assessed for suitability under that project. Judge MacGrath adjourned the matter until February 28. Mr White achieved the rank of lance corporal in the British army and was personally presented with the Military Cross by Queen Elizabeth II at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace in 2011. The award was made to him in respect of multiple acts of bravery while serving with the British army in Afghanistan. His sister Cathriona, 30, died in Los Angeles in October of last year and was laid to rest in her home town of Cappawhite, alongside her father Pat, who died in 2012. She had been in a relationship with Hollywood actor Jim Carrey, star of Dumb and Dumber and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but the couple had broken up prior to her death. Her mother Brigid has lived in Britain for the last number of years. The opposition leader firmly outlined the situation last night in a move that is likely to further destabilise the confidence and supply deal between Irelands two largest parties. Under plans pushed by Independent Alliance TD and Transport Minister Shane Ross in recent weeks, Cabinet yesterday agreed to put forward a new bill in January radically reforming how judges are appointed. The new bill, which will need to be voted on by the Dail and Seanad before becoming law, includes moves to create a new 11-person judges appointments commission which will include six ordinary members of the public. The lay person majority step is in direct contrast to a separate bill by Fianna Fail justice spokesperson Jim OCallaghan which had sought to continue the judge majority situation in the current system. And while Mr Ross and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald publicly welcomed the Cabinet decision yesterday, speaking on RTE News last night Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin stressed his party is completely opposed to the development. Our bill is a complete bill, it was cynically undermined by Government to please Shane Ross. We hold our position [that the appointments process should remain judge-led] and for the model in our bill. In our view it would be inconceivable if the chief justice did not chair this [judge appointments] commission. There are big challenges ahead on this one, he warned. The comment is likely to place fresh pressure on Mr Ross to limit some of his long-sought judicial reforms which also include plans for a register of judges commercial interests in order to ensure the survival of the Government. However, while saying he is open to reconciling aspects of the Government bill with Fianna Fail during a media briefing yesterday before Mr Martins comments were made, the Transport Minister insisted the lay majority change must remain in place as it is a very sacred pillar. While the Cabinet signed off on the reforms collectively, it is widely accepted that Fine Gael was reluctant to put in place a number of the reforms sought by Mr Ross, with a public war of words occurring between the Independent Alliance TD and Taoiseach Enda Kenny last month. Asked about the changes on RTE Radios Drivetime programme yesterday, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said her department has been working on the reforms since 2014 but notably declined to criticise the existing judicial appointments system, saying: Nobody has been suggesting the wrong people have been appointed. Organised crime gangs are also engaging in systemic insurance fraud as a way of funding their empires. A fraud ring involving two families in Munster earned over 1m in the last decade, having claimed damages in 30 accidents, according to RTE. Fraud databases do not operate here due to strict data protection laws which state personal information cannot be shared even if there is evidence of suspect behaviour. Video footage was shown on RTEs Prime Time last night of fraudsters staging motor crashes. One clip showed a car and van in a collision. Afterwards, two men got into the crashed car before emergency services were called. The footage also showed the driver of the van that was rear-ended by a car, instruct the man who crashed into him, to move back and do it one more time. All but one of the men have been charged and convicted of offences. In the programme, former Garda drug trafficking and organised crime officer, Rob Smyth, said these incidents are funding criminal networks. I am quite satisfied that criminals are using insurance fraud as a way of funding their lifestyle, unfortunately when police officers are stopping these people with cash, most of them have had an insurance claim in the past and it justifies having possession of that 10,000 cash or that 20,000 of cash, but the fact of the matter is, it is covering up their criminal activities. It was also revealed that high damages payments for whiplash and soft tissues injuries has led to people flying into the country, hiring cars, and crashing them deliberately so they can make an insurance claim. Car rental Company Hertz gave examples of how cars were crashed in suspicious circumstances within 24 hours of being hired. It also said one fifth of its insurance reserve is set aside for suspected fraudulent claims. We have seen accidents staged within as little as 30 minutes from the time of the rental, in some instances with rentals as short as 24 hours. But, within that period a road traffic accident is taking place resulting in multiple injuries, but when examined at a closer level the circumstances of the accident, the circumstances of the rental and the testimony of our renter appears highly incredible, said Michael Brennan of Hertz. The leaders of each of the political parties, along with the ceann comhairle all men had gathered around the Leinster House Christmas tree to mark the switching on of the lights. Thats a fine body of men we have, said Taoiseach Enda Kenny as the photographers started snapping. And so in the name of Mna na hEireann, Ms ODonnell stepped into the picture. Fianna Fails Micheal Martin had to miss out on the festive cheer as he was appearing on the Six One News, hitting out at another party leader, Gerry Adams. Bah humbug. Taoiseach Enda Kenny bids seasons greetings to Aislinn Swanick and her son Julian, 2, as the Leinster House Christmas tree lights were switched on yesterday as the Dail choir belted out some festive favourites. Picture: Gareth Chaney The turning on of the Leinster House Christmas lights is an annual tradition. And what a difference a year makes: A general election, shock results with Labour almost wiped out, marathon coalition talks, and a confidence and supply deal between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael which all eventually led to the motley minority government. The choir seemed to perfectly sum up the past 12 months of political upheaval. As the men (and one woman) stood around the tree, the Taoiseach, with Labour leader Brendan Howlin at his shoulder, listened as the Leinster House choir sweetly sang Wham! classic Last Christmas. Christmas carols at Leinster House tonight ahead of lighting the tree #christmas #iestaff pic.twitter.com/EN2qwWAGVv Elaine Loughlin (@Elaine_Loughlin) December 6, 2016 Sean O Fearghail who had the honour as ceann comhairle of turning on the lights, made his wishes clear for 2017. My one ambition is, this being my first occasion, to be back here again next year to have the opportunity to once again turn on the lights, he said before the massive spruce was lit to applause and cheers. Mr O Fearghail took the opportunity to wish a happy Christmas to all members of the Oireachtas and the wonderful staff in Leinster House. And indeed as well, a warm and happy Christmas to all the members of the media who diligently and loyally, and of course accurately, report the events of Leinster House, he said to explosive laughter. Taoiseach @EndaKennyTD and party leaders gather around the Leinster House Xmas tree #iestaff pic.twitter.com/jPVEyVyrct Elaine Loughlin (@Elaine_Loughlin) December 6, 2016 Are you going to join in the singing, a Leinster House official asked Mr O Fearghail. I havent been to the bar yet, he joked. That didnt put off the Taoiseach who joined in with the Leinster House choir, which included Green Party TD Catherine Martin, in a rendition of White Christmas. An Post is set to put the price of stamps up to almost 1 to try up make up for massive losses in income. Meanwhile, Transport Minister Shane Ross has told Cabinet that the countrys State-funded bus service is at crisis point and could be at risk of becoming insolvent in the next 24 months. With the two State-funded services, which are the life-line of many rural communities, now in grave danger, the Government will have difficult decisions to make around funding. Bus Eireann expects to lose around 5.6m this year, after similar losses last year. However, on top of shoring up service providers such as Bus Eireann and An Post, the Government faces a public pay crisis with employees. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has agreed to accept an invitation from Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Pashcal Donohoe to go into talks around anomalies in the Lansdowne Raod Agreement. The anomalies have been created by the Labour Court settlement with the Garda associations which has angered many public sector workers who feel they have lost out by remaining within the Lansdowne Road pay agreement. Yesterday, Bus Eireann attended the Labour Court in a bid to address a union pay claim of up to 21%. However, Mr Ross said the company could not afford pay rises. Bus Eireann chief executive Martin Nolan said the spiraling deficit is mainly due to losses on our commercial Expressway services. He said the company would now be rolling out a cost reduction plan. To initiate this process, a number of key changes including a reorganisation of the senior management team has been agreed to implement these measures, said Mr Nolan. The first of these is the appointment of Ray Hernan as chief financial officer to Bus Eireann. Separately, members of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) followed those in the Garda Representative Association and voted overwhelmingly to accept last months proposals from the Labour Court. The ballot saw 71% of AGSIs 2,103 members vote, with 95% of those voting to accept the proposals. However, disagreement in Government has already emerged around where the 50m special Garda pay deal, accepted by members of the force this week, will come from. Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald told RTE yesterday that it would be difficult for her department to find all of that money from its own budget. She said she would try to ensure the extra funds needed did not impact on frontline services, but this would be challenging. A spokesman for the Taoiseach said: Ultimately its a government issue. I do expect justice to have to factor in the cost to a large degree. It emerged that the financial crisis in An Post has forced the Government to lift the cap on postage prices in order to stop cuts to services. Average stamp prices could now increase by at least a third from 72c to between 90c and 1 by next March, An Post sources told the Irish Examiner. Communications Minister Denis Naughten secured approval at Cabinet yesterday to lift a price cap for An Post. A decline in the volumes of mail being sent, as well as increased wage costs for An Post, are thought to be the main reasons why the price increase potential is being sought by the company. Prices of stamps have already risen twice in the last two years. Under current regulations, the communications regulator can agree to stamp price increases up to 75c over a five-year period. The new legislation, next February, will remove this price cap. Michael ONeachtain appearance at Cork District Court yesterday on charges that included assaulting a barman and engaging in threatening behaviour inside and outside the Mutton Lane Inn, off Patrick St, Cork City, on December 16, 2015. ONeachtain, aged 22, of Derryrush, Rusmuc, Co Galway, yesterday pleaded guilty to the charges. Acknowledging ONeachtains six previous convictions, Diarmuid Kelleher, defending, said he had never never in trouble before he was traumatised by an incident in February 2014. A car in which he was a passenger crashed into water and was submerged upside down. One person was killed in the incident, and ONeachtain had tried to save others in the car. This has changed his life completely, it had a devastating effect on him. He drinks to stop the flashbacks, said Mr Kelleher. ONeachtain has started seeing a psychologist for his difficulties. Inspector Gary McPolin said ONeachtain turned up at the Mutton Lane Inn at 12.25am on December 16, 2015, looking for drink. He was told the bar was closed. He started shouting and cursing and hitting out at the air, said Insp McPolin. He grabbed the barman around the neck with both hands and tore at his clothing. This continued to the street outside where a man helped the barman, only to have his glasses knocked off and broken. Judge Olann Kelleher said ONeachtain could do 200 hours of community service instead of four months in prison on the charge of assaulting the barman. A suspended four-month sentence was imposed for causing criminal damage to the glasses. A concurrent two-month suspended term was imposed for engaging in threatening behaviour, and he was fined 200 for being in possession of cannabis at the time. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (file photo) On December 5, Peoples Daily Online commented on Trumps irrational China bashing. In his two-part tweet, the U.S. President-elect wrote the following: Did China ask us if it was OK to devalue their currency (making it hard for our companies to compete), heavily tax our products going into their country (the U.S. doesn't tax them) or to build a massive military complex in the middle of the South China Sea? I don't think so! Many visitors to the website posted their comments and engaged with other visitors in discussion. Below are some of our readers comments. One of the most replied to comments was by visitor Jin, who said it is laughable that a so-called businessman lacks basic knowledge about how business works. He blames China for stealing [American] jobs. The fact is, American businessmen have always outsourced or bought goods from overseas, Jin said. He said it is not Chinas fault that American companies look to foreign countries such as China to maximize their profits. Texastea replied by saying Trump is wrong to accuse China of raping America. It is the executives on Wall Street who send the jobs overseas where their products are cheaply produced and [then] sell them at a significant profit in the U.S, texastea said, making the argument that Wall Street and corporate America are the ones raping ordinary American workers. Some users debated Trumps behavior and personality. Chinacandoit said Trump is already starting to show his foolishness to the world, adding that his stumbles are causing harm to Americas image. Wayne Young said Trump barks just to hear himself bark, and described his behavior toward China as gangster in nature. Huashen called Trump narcissistic and an ego-maniac, but cautioned about underestimating his political skills. Joseph Redpath disagreed, saying Trumps personality combined with his hawkish inner cabinet choices is a lethal and dangerous mix, if ever there was, Joseph Redpath said. Many visitors to the website did not understand why Trump would want to try to dictate Chinese policy. Why should China ask Trump for advice on its currency? I would not ask a monkey when I eat a waffle. Jeffrey Wang said. In response, Jin said Trump is always shooting his mouth of about something without knowing the facts. He is just trying to score points with some low information Americans to stir up populist sentiments, Jin said, adding that the U.S. Treasury Department has already settled the issue. This claim was debunked, Jin said. Helen called Trumps statement about China needing Americas permission to devalue its currency a shameless and arrogant statement. Trumps apparent lack of knowledge about foreign affairs and China was also an issue for many visitors to the website. Zhu said, Donald Dump does not know China but he knows United Snakes [States] bankruptcy laws back to front and inside out, referring to how Trump has used Chapter 11 to his corporate advantage. Trump is just a businessman, not a politician, Scst Sos said, adding that by treating him like a businessman, Trump can be maneuvered easily at the tip of a finger. Jin responded by saying that Trump should learn some hard facts fast. Jin added, This is why Chinas [National Peoples Congress] only give[s] high positions to people with years of actual effective experience. Virginia Rahn reminded Jin that Trump lost the popular vote and America remains split about Trumps victory, adding that she worries about children in America being forced to grow up in an unpredictable and fearful world so he and his family can make money. Elaine Smith agreed on the popular vote issue. Trump actually LOST the election by almost THREE MILLION popular votes, Elaine Smith said. Though Trumps comments provoked quite a bit of outrage in China, some visitors to the Peoples Daily Online website continue to view a Trump presidency as more favorable to China. Proud panda said Trumps ignorance can be tamed in Chinas favor. While other readers played down Trump's accusation. "The Trumps come and the Trumps go. The sun will rise tomorrow," said peye. RELATED READING: Op-Ed: Trump's irrational China bashing shows his ignorance of China The U.S. cannot (and should not) try to dictate the policy of another sovereign state. As a sovereign state, China sets its own policy and can retaliate if necessary. The court had previously heard evidence that gardai found explosive device components in the mans locker at Maynooth University. Last month, Donal O Coisdealbha, aged 25, of Abbeyfield, Killester in Dublin 5 pleaded guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, within the State on May 13, 2015. Sentencing O Coisdealbha yesterday, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, presiding at the three-judge, non-jury court, said the evidence against the man was significant and even overwhelming. The court previously heard from Det Insp William Hanrahan, of the Special Detective Unit, that in the months leading up to the royal visit, in May, 2015, O Coisdealbha and others were kept under surveillance by gardai. In January 2015, O Coisdealbha was observed at The Coachmans Inn pub in Swords, meeting with a particular individual who has a conviction before the Special Criminal Court and who is suspected of having a significant role within the IRA. Further meetings occurred between the two men there in February, March, April, and May of that year. On May 9, O Coisdealbha was seen in the company of two brothers driving to a house at Harbour Court in Courtown in Wexford. During a subsequent search of the house, gardai found four improvised rockets, Semtex, a chord of cortex, and two detonators. A search was also conducted at O Coisdealbhas workplace at Maynooth University on May 13. A time and power unit (TPU) and a broken circuit board were found in a locker which only O Coisdealbha, who worked in biomedics, had access to. A TPU had also been found in the Courttown house. When both TPUs were analysed, it transpired they fitted together. OCoisdealbhas DNA was found on a pair of gloves in the Courttown house and also on an improvised explosive device. Ms Justice Kennedy said the court paid particular attention to the fact O Coisdealbha used his intellect and educational skills to provide the TPU. The court also heard evidence of audio recordings made by gardai of O Coisdealbha and the other man. They met on May 10 and plans to develop an artillery rocket were discussed. The court heard that it was clear from that conversation that preparations were well advanced and the indication gardai had was that the event was to happen around May 19, when Prince Charles was visiting Ireland. The blame was to be given to a different organisation within the IRA. Mitigating factors were his early plea of guilty, his lack of previous convictions, his remorse, and his educational abilities. Having regard to the gravity of the offence, the judge said, the court considered seven years an appropriate sentence. Taking into account mitigating factors, the court reduced the sentence to five and half years in prison. The sentence was backdated to May 30 last year. Isaac Messou, aged 24, first came to the attention of gardai when they were called to a domestic incident at 127 Kilbarry Place, Farranree, Cork, on January 26, with his partner at the time, Andrea Sterenberg. Insp Gary McPolin said gardai went to the scene and found the woman in a very upset state. Garda Eugene Fitzgibbon asked Messou to leave and he refused. He got aggressive to gardai and said he would not leave for anyone, said Insp McPolin. He hit out and there was a struggle in the sitting room. Pepper spray had to be deployed. Defence solicitor Nancy ODriscoll said that while Messou was pleading guilty to assaulting Ms Sterenberg, he did not physically assault her. He also pleaded guilty to obstructing Garda Fitzgibbon. For those offences respectively he was fined 500 and given a suspended four-month sentence. Following the January incident, Ms Sterenberg got a safety order. In a contested case at another sitting of Cork District Court, Messou denied breaching that safety order by putting her in fear on August 7. In that case, Ms Sterenberg testified that she was wearing shorts because it was summer and that he hit her across the legs with his open hand. Cross-examining Messou, Insp Vincent OSullivan asked the defendant why he slapped her across the legs. He replied: Because I did not want to hit her face. Ms ODriscoll, for Messou, said he had been unwise to remain in the relationship. Ms ODriscoll said he spent two weeks in custody following his arrest in August. The solicitor questioned Ms Sterenberg extensively about her evidence in the bail hearing in August to the effect that Messou had called to the house that night. The complainant admitted this was false. Judge Kelleher also questioned her about this. The complainant said she drove to town and picked him up and brought him to her home on the night. She said she was afraid of him. Judge Kelleher fined Messou 500 for breaching the safety order on the night. The Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum has long had ties with the late Dublin-born actress. OHara and her husband, Charles Blair, flew in and out of Foynes during the flying boat era. OHara subsequently became a patron of the museum. Founder of the museum and a friend of OHaras, Margaret OShaughnessy, said a massive fundraising drive was being launched to raise 1m for a new OHara wing of the building. The project will also involve extending the 1940s cinema on-site. We have applied for planning permission. Hopefully, the Government will row in behind us. Her grandson, Conor Fitzsimons, has donated her memorabilia. She was a fantastic lady. She never played the Hollywood star. Ms OShaughnessy, who attended OHaras funeral in Washington DC last year, says the actress was very down to earth in spite of her extraordinary career. One thing I remember is the year she spent New Years Eve with me. We went to visit a close friend in hospital in Limerick. All the nurses were asking for her autograph and she would sign autographs for a month. She even went into the rooms of patients and wished them a happy new year. Margaret says in addition to being a talented actress, Maureen was a gifted singer who released a number of albums. She was an amazing lady. It was a privilege to be at her funeral last year. Now the fundraising has started for the special wing. The Hollywood icon was born in Ranelagh in Dublin in 1920. OHara came to Hollywood to star in 1939s The Hunchback of Notre Dame and went on to have a long career. How Green Was My Valley, a touching 1941 drama about a Welsh mining family, won five Oscars including best picture. She became John Waynes favourite leading lady, appearing with him in The Quiet Man and other films. And she was little Natalie Woods mother in the Christmas classic Miracle on 34th Street. Her most famous role was as Mary Kate Danaher in John Fords The Quiet Man from 1952. She was thrice married. OHara was born Maureen Fitzsimons. She changed her name to OHara on the advice of actor Charles Laughton who first discovered her as a feisty 19-year-old with captivating good looks. OHara lived in Glengarriff, Co Cork, for over 40 years. Members of the public who would like to donate to the fundraising effort should contact Margaret OShaughnessy on 087 2490830. The three-judge court dismissed an appeal by the minister against a High Court decision that he could resume practice, but said the question of his entitlement to be placed on the legal aid list for barristers remains to be further considered and decided by the minister. Ms Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan, on behalf of the appeals court, allowed the ministers appeal in relation to declarations from the High Court that the refusal had been unreasonable and an interference with his constitutional right to earn a livelihood. Mr White, aged 71, a former judge at the High Court and Central Criminal Court, claimed he needed to return to practice for, among other reasons, economic necessity because his 78,000 pension was not enough to meet his familys needs. In the High Court last July, Mr Justice Max Barrett ruled that Mr White could be included on the state-funded panel for criminal legal aid work without being subject to Bar Council regulation. The minister had argued that the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, and regulations made under that act in 1965, meant barristers seeking to be added to the legal aid panel must be regulated by the Bar Council. Her refusal to include Mr White, who had an extensive criminal defence practice before being appointed a judge, was based on a Bar Council rule perceived as restraining judges resuming practice in courts lower than where they had presided, said the High Court. Mr Justice Barrett found there is no legal requirement for a barrister to be regulated by the Bar Council before they can be included on the panel. The ministers refusal breached Mr Whites constitutional rights to work and earn a livelihood, found Mr Justice Barrett. The case against the Bar Council was dismissed in the High Court and it was not a party in the appeal taken by the minister. In relation to the High Courts finding on Mr Whites constitutional right to earn a livelihood, Mr Justice Finlay Geoghegan said the trial judge was in error in concluding that the challenged decision could be considered as an interference with his right to earn a livelihood as protected by Article 40.3 of the Constitution. Over 15.9m was paid out in awards last year to patients who were infected in the past with hepatitis C and HIV through contaminated blood products and their relatives. The Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal awarded just over 15.7m in compensation in relation to 59 cases in 2015, while the High Court made three awards totalling 220,000 on appeal. It represents a 3.6% decrease on the total level of payouts in 2014 which amounted to over 16.5m, but involved 77 individual awards. The tribunal has now paid out almost 704.8m in compensation in relation to 3,482 claimants since its establishment in December 1995. A further 84.7m has been awarded as a result of appeals to the High Court over the same period. The tribunal was set up to compensate patients infected with hepatitis C as a result of being administered with contaminated Anti-D human immunoglobulin, blood transfusions, and other blood products manufactured by the Blood Transfusion Service Board (BTSB) between 1970 and 1994. The controversy led to the establishment of the Finlay Tribunal which proved highly critical of the BTSB, now known as the Irish Blood Transfusion Service. The handling of the crisis also caused major political difficulties for Fine Gaels Michael Noonan, who was minister for health at the time. In October 2002, the tribunals remit was expanded to award compensation to individuals who contracted HIV from certain blood products. The tribunal has now been hearing claims on a continuous basis since March 1996. The average value of awards made last year was 234,468, with the level of compensation ranging from between 30,424 to over 2.9m. Eight interim payments were also made during the year worth a combined 1.1m. Such awards are made where a claimant is not in a position to make a full claim as they are still undergoing treatment or a final prognosis is not immediately available. In addition, more than 3m was paid out last year by the tribunal from its reparation fund which is given to claimants in lieu of being assessed from aggravated or exemplary damages. A total of 52 new claims were submitted during 2015, bringing the overall total to the end of last year to 4,783. The tribunal said 525 claims are still awaiting a hearing. Approximately 465 claims have been withdrawn. Last year, the tribunal also paid out more than 2.1m in legal costs to 10 solicitor firms with the biggest earning practice, Arthur McLean solicitors in Dublin earning over 602,000. Solicitors and barristers have received legal fees totalling 167.5 million from the tribunal over the past two decades. Claims are dealt with by way of an in-camera oral hearing before at least two members of the tribunal or by an offer of settlement. Hearings are usually held in the tribunals office in Bow St in Dublin, but it also convenes occasionally in UCC in response to requests from claimants in the Munster area. The pair have confirmed they will be hosting the competition, which is due to air in January. The show will see 11 celebrities battle it out in the ballroom to take home the glitterball trophy. Westlife star and 2fm presenter Byrne is no stranger to the dancefloor, while Byram is making her return to Irish television after almost 16 years. She said she was delighted to be working on Dancing With the Stars, as shes been looking for the right project to facilitate her return. When she was offered the chance to get involved, it was literally a no-brainer for me, she told Ryan Tubridy on his RTE radio show. Ive been looking for an opportunity over the years to come back to Ireland to host shows, she said, adding that the timing has never been right. Its one of my favourite shows on telly. Its such an amazing format, and its such a well-loved show that I didnt even have to think twice, to be honest with you. Byrne previously donned his dancing shoes for the BBCs Strictly Come Dancing, in which he made it to week 10. I am ready and delighted to dust off my Cuban heels and work with Amanda, the judges, and all the celebs, in what I believe will be an incredibly exciting show for Irish TV, he said. Byrne said his own experience as a contestant means he knows what the celebs will be feeling when they dance for the judges each week. Its a very strange feeling, because you work your absolute ass off all week, he said. Then, on a Sunday night they can say ah your postures not great, and your fingers arent straight and your legs are bent and youre thinking: This is absolutely killing me here. I cant wait to get involved in this; its like going to the Oscars every Sunday night. The show will air for 12 weeks on RTE One from Sunday, January 8, starting at 6.30pm. The celebrity contestants must master different dance styles, from the cha-cha to the mambo and the tango, with just seven days to perfect the routine before performing live for the nation. Fans of the show can get the behind-scenes gossip from the judges and the dancers with Cant Stop Dancing, hosted by Blathnaid Treacy on Friday nights at 8.30pm on RTE One. The Stormont finance minister also cautioned that anyone believing London would plug a European funding hole in the region running into hundreds of millions must believe in fairies. Mr O Muilleoir made his remarks before an Oireachtas committee in Dublin investigating the expected impact of Brexit on jobs and the economy across the island. At the minute, north of the border, we are staring into this Brexit black hole. I see no economic opportunity, no cultural opportunity, no opportunities for community uplift, and no opportunities for peace-building in a Brexit, he told the hearing. British chancellor Philip Hammonds forecast that the decision to leave the EU would cost the UK 60bn (71bn). Mr O Muilleoir predicted Northern Ireland would be worse hit than regions across the Irish Sea. All those negative impacts will be magnified north of the border, he said. The recession and the downturn predicted in Britain will be worse north of the border and will last longer. He said it was incumbent on politicians north and south to work together to mitigate the looming problems. Some sort of special case or special status must be secured for Northern Ireland, which allows it to continue to have the benefits of EU membership in the times ahead, he told the committee. The people north of the border want to continue to enjoy the bounty of Europe, he said. A 56% majority of Northern Ireland voters backed the Remain camp in last Junes in/out referendum. However, the regions largest party, the DUP, supported Leave and has said the overall UK result is what counts. Stormont Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard said the decision to drag Northern Ireland out of the EU with the rest of the UK is profoundly undemocratic. Before the same hearing, he said: The unilateral decision being taken at this time by the British government to withdraw from membership of the EU and drag the North of Ireland with it without our consent, is both disastrous and profoundly undemocratic. Mr Hazzard also said it was essential to argue the case in Brexit negotiations with the EU for a designated special status for Northern Ireland within the EU. Environment Minister Denis Naughten has insisted that the new system, designed to reduce waste, is still on track to be introduced by the middle of next year. It was agreed at Cabinet yesterday that a dual billing system, where households could opt to use pay-by-weight, would not be tried in January, as was envisaged. Instead, further talks are needed between the Government and bin providers, so the new system of billing can be agreed. Speaking at Government Buildings, Mr Naughten emphatically denied that the pay-by-weight bin system was being scrapped. Opponents, though, claimed it was a victory for protesters. Housing Minister Simon Coveney, who had looked after waste under his portfolio, introduced a 12-month price freeze for bin charges this year to allow a new pricing regime to be agreed. Mr Naughten outlined why the new system of billing would not go ahead yet. People will continue to pay as they had paid in December, January, and February, right up until June, he said. However, they would [have] also got a second invoice that would reflect what they would pay under the pricing regime. We havent agreed the new pricing regime, so there isnt much point in introducing an invoicing regime that reflects a pricing regime that hasnt been agreed with the industry. Taoiseach Enda Kenny also told the Dail that there would be a regime for everybody, to reduce the extent of waste being put out, and the Government was not abandoning the pay-by-weight system planned. Efforts to reduce waste in households would continue, said Mr Naughten, with a fresh campaign in the New Year. This would involve encouraging more segregation of waste, he said, adding that there was also a huge problem with a lack of landfill space. The opt-in to pay-per-kilogramme charges by waste collectors is now being deferred. It had been planned that under the dual billing system, people would be allowed six months to monitor the changes and opt into the new scheme. Mr Coveney had originally ordered the price freeze with collectors after some firms began increasing service charges in order to make up for any losses through savings by households. The Government yesterday said this price freeze would remain in place while the talks continue on a new system for invoicing and pay-by-weight collections. However, AAA-PBP TD Brid Smith said the changed deadline was a win for anti-bin charge protesters. The Green Party criticised the delay in introducing the more environmentally friendly billing system. Mr Naughten said households could reduce their waste costs by increasing the use of brown food bins and green recycling bins. The Government wants households to reduce their black-bin usage, because of limited landfill capacity, as well as to help meet EU landfill waste targets. Mr Naughten said he expects to come back to the Government with new arrangements when the pricing regime review is completed early next year. More than 4,200 people living in the Ballydesmond area signed a petition recently to put pressure on Irish Water to finalise plans for a new supply scheme. It seems to have paid off after the utility announced that it hopes to finalise the purchase of land for two reservoirs before the end of this year and complete the project within 12 months. Irish Water confirmed it is to spend 1.8m to upgrade water supplies in Ballydesmond and Kiskeam. The water supply in the former has been described as unfit even for cattle. An Irish Water spokesman said it plans to decommission the existing public water supplies at Ballydesmond and Kiskeam and construct a new water main, which will connect both of these supplies to the nearby Ballinatona scheme, which has a far better water quality. The project will include the installation of a new 200mm water main linking the existing Ballinatona Water Scheme at Dromskarragh Beg to a new reservoir at Kiskeam. Booster pumps will be installed at Kiskeam reservoir to pump water over the brow of the hill to a new reservoir at Ballydesmond. A new 200mm diameter distribution water main will then be constructed from this reservoir to supply Ballydesmond village. Land negotiations for the two reservoir sites are ongoing and, on completion of these negotiations, a planning application will be submitted to Cork County Council. Tender documents for the new water main from Ballintona to Ballydesmond will also be issued on finalisation of these negotiations, said the Irish Water spokesman. He added that if agreements are finalised before the end of this year, the tenders for both the water main and reservoir construction projects would progress in 2017. It is expected that the work would then take approximately 12 months to finish and will significantly improve service to customers in the area. Irish Water has also recently approved a further 220,000 to replace 1.9km of old cast iron water main in the village of Ballydesmond itself and this will be included with these works. Cllr Bernard Moynihan welcomed the news. He said the people of Ballydesmond in particular have suffered from a very bad supply for nearly 30 years and many travel miles to get proper water: Its so bad that you wouldnt give it to cattle to drink. Yesterday, cystic fibrosis patients briefed dozens of TDs on how they would not be alive without the drug, while Fianna Fail called for immediate action on the issue. Due to an escalating stand-off between the Government and US-based pharmaceutical firm Vertex, seriously ill cystic fibrosis patients in Ireland are unable to receive a new drug called Orkambi. Vertex has asked the State to pay approximately 150,000 per person annually for the drug, despite Government experts saying a 30,000 figure is fairer. Orkambi has been proven to drastically improve survival rates. The situation, which has been repeated for other medicines in previous years, poses serious implications for the HSE budget for all drugs, and has led to increased concern that cystic fibrosis patients in Ireland will be unable to access Orkambi. In a bid to address the matter, Mr Harris last night confirmed he is travelling to Lisbon today to seek the assistance of other EU nations as part of attempts to force pharmaceutical firms to slash exorbitant prices, which make it effectively impossible to access new treatments. The meeting comes just 24 hours after cystic fibrosis patients briefed dozens of TDs on the benefits of Orkambi and fears they may be unable to access it. The presentation at Leinster House lasted 90 minutes. Speaking after the meeting, Fianna Fail health spokesman Billy Kelleher whose party leader Micheal Martin had earlier met with senior Vertex officials said the onus is on the Government to hold intensive negotiations with the company to ensure people in need receive the treatment, adding this should be not tomorrow, or next week, but now. Former health minister and current Fine Gael deputy leader Dr James Reilly earlier told RTE Radios Today with Sean O Rourke programme that the situation has been caused by gross greed and needs to be addressed immediately. Pointing to Vertexs accounts, he said its CEO made $28m last year, alongside a raft of executives who got $3m to $4m. Warning the situation cannot be justified, Dr Reilly said the Government should consider introducing qualifications to any future research or innovation grants given to pharmaceutical firms, making it clear that any life-saving drugs cannot be the subject of excessive prices, which put peoples lives at risk. China's naval fleet arrived in San Diego, California on Dec. 6, 2016 for a four-day visit. (Photo/Chinanews.com) China's naval fleet arrived in San Diego, California on Dec. 6 for a four-day visit. It's the first time that Chinese naval vessels have docked at the port since the U.S. presidential election in November. The naval fleet consists of three vessels: missile frigates Yancheng and Daqing, and supply ship Taihu, which was loaded with two helicopters and about 600 naval officers and soldiers. The fleet left China's Qingdao port on Oct. 10. After participating in the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting naval exercise and the international fleet review on the 75th birthday of New Zealand's navy, the fleet went to visit the U.S. and Canada. Admiral Huang Xinjian, commander of the fleet, said that the two sides will engage in interactive exchanges during the visit, and will conduct a joint naval exercise. China's naval fleet receives a welcome from U.S. counterparts in San Diego, California on Dec. 6, 2016. (Photo/Chinanews.com) "I believe this visit will further strengthen understanding and mutual trust between the two navies, and lay a solid foundation for bilateral exchange and cooperation to jointly safeguard both regional and international peace." During the visit, Chinese officers will meet their U.S. naval counterparts, and China's Yangcheng and Daqing ships will be opened to the public. The visit is an important military and diplomatic move, demonstrating the Chinese navy's willingness to participate in international maritime security. It is also of great significance for promoting the development of friendly relations between the two countries and enhancing their influence over international and regional affairs. Fionn Braidwood, of Clarinda Park East, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, was charged with murdering his mother, Jane Braidwood, aged 65, on January 20, 2015, at the same address. Mr Braidwood pleaded not guilty to murdering Jane Braidwood at the Central Criminal Court. He also pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to Ceili Braidwood and Anthony Maguire at the same address and on the same date. Homeless, written by Kieran Doyle, is a one-act drama examining the issue of the continuing crisis in Ireland today. There is a thin line between the haves and the have-nots, said Mr Doyle, an English teacher in Clonakilty Community College, who said the tragic story of Mr Corrie, along with his own experiences working with St Vincent de Paul, had inspired and informed his writing of this play. Proceeds from the performance in the Rossmore Theatre at 8pm, which features Clonakilty actors Greg Mulcahy and Caroline Conway, will be donated to St Vincent de Paul and the Simon Community. I remember a man came in through the door of the St Vincent de Paul hostel once when I was working with the organisation, said Mr Doyle. He was an ex-rugby international and a former sports hero, and he was now homeless after a number of different things happened. The play was inspired by a number of stories of homelessness that I have encountered, he said, noting the death of Mr Corrie two years ago was a major inspiration for the play. I feel this play challenges the audiences own prejudices about homelessness people often have this idea that a homeless person was sort of born that way, that homelessness only happens to a particular type of person. However, this perception is strongly challenged by the play. In Homeless, a wealthy bank official and former rugby international Ray Mullins, played by Paul ORegan from Bandon, loses his job, separates from his wife, and eventually becomes homeless. In a telling line, Ray declares: Everyone wants to do something for you at Christmas, but the rest of the year youre just a bum, a nothing, a nuisance, a statistic. Mr Doyle said: Ray Mullins was also a victim of the recent recession, and the effects on Ray and on his life are very far-reaching. At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Tom ODonnell made his comment after hearing that Niamh Hehir, aged 47, lied to gardai when saying that she was the sole occupant and driver of the family car that crashed on a flooded road in east Clare last year. However, Ms Hehir made up the story to cover for her husband, Paul Collins, aged 66, who picked up four 16-year-olds in a gesture of goodwill during a winter storm on December 12, 2015. In the crash, the car flipped three or four times according to one of the boys in the back, Calum Mitchell, and ended up on its roof. A motorist brought Ian Hanrahan, Gearoid Sheehan, Calum Mitchell, and Jonathan McGarry, all from the Corbally, Westbury areas of Limerick away, from the crash scene before the gardai arrived at the site. Ms Hehir was at home at the time of the accident and went to the scene after taking a phone call from Mr Collins. The four teens attended the emergency department in Limerick University Hospital and two were kept overnight for observation. Gardai only became aware of part-time University of Limerick English lecturer Ms Hehirs lie after parents of the boys contacted them later that night. Ms Hehir, when lying to the gardai, was not aware that the teens had attended hospital, as they had walked away from the car crash at Ardclooney, Killaloe. Judge ODonnell said: I have heard of bizarre cases in my time, but I find this completely and utterly bizarre. He said that the witness statements show that Mr Collins was flying it in his car. Mr Collins admitted to drinking two bottles of beer to gardai the same day. In the district court, Judge Patrick Durcan banned the couple, both from Derryvinna, Clonlara, from driving Mr Collins for two years for careless driving and failing to give appropriate information and Ms Hehir for six months for knowingly making a false report. The two appealed the sanctions to the circuit court where Judge ODonnell lifted the driving ban on Ms Hehir but affirmed the order of the court to maintain the two-year ban on Mr Collins. While all three members of the Court of Appeal had great admiration for the 77-year-old woman who has lead a tough life by any standards, tea and sympathy cannot get past the normal rule that costs go to the winning side, Mr Justice Michael Peart said. Lawyers for the woman had not shown the necessary special circumstances arose that entitled the court not to apply the normal rule, he held. Earlier, Ms Justice Mary Irvine, in addressing arguments by counsel Ciaran Craven that the court should take into account the disparity of resources between the woman and the hospital, said the taxpayer is the ultimate payer in such cases. There is no limitless slush fund of public monies available for unsuccessful plaintiffs who sue State-funded bodies, the judge said. After the womans appeal over the High Courts rejection of her case was dismissed in October by the Court of Appeal, the case returned to the appeal court yesterday for costs issues to be decided. The court only had to decide liability for the costs of the appeal as the hospital had not appealed the High Court ruling making no order for costs in that court, with the effect each side paid their own costs there. Emily Egan, for the hospital, said there were no special factors not to apply the normal costs rule and her client should get its costs. Opposing that application, Mr Craven argued the appeal courts judgment addressed issues of general public importance including the meaning of a general and approved practice. He also noted criticism of the practice of symphysiotomy and urged the court to take into account the womans age and inability to meet a bill for costs. The woman has worked all her life and still works about 15 hours weekly but that, and the pension, is her only income, he said. Giving the courts ruling, Mr Justice Peart said it was argued all the points Mr Craven had identified should be looked at cumulatively and not individually. The court was satisfied none of the points raised were individually sufficient to allow the court depart from the normal rule on costs, he said. The court has great sympathy and admiration for the woman over the way in which she has lead a tough life by any standards and is still working, he said. We can express admiration but tea and sympathy is not enough to get her past the rules. Her case was regarded as a test case for about 30 actions over symphysiotomies but the appeal court stressed in its judgment last October each case must be decided on its own circumstances. It was an intimate kiss on the mouth, the woman told the court. She said the chaplain brought her to his house after a trip to the cinema with other school children. The woman, who has sued the former priest, the school where he was chaplain, and the local bishop, said the sexual element between them progressed and they had oral sex about 35 times. The woman, on the third day of her legal action, said they had oral sex about 35 times including on a youth trip to Cologne, Germany, to see the pope. The woman said the night before the students and teachers hiked to the area outside Cologne where the pope said an early morning Mass they had oral sex. She said they also had oral sex in the chaplains school office when she was half undressed; in his bedroom when they were both undressed; in his shower; the chaplains car; and in the school oratory. She told Mr Justice Robert Eagar it happened before the sixth year graduation Mass in a room behind the altar. The womans counsel, Jack Fitzgerald, put it to her that the former priest would say none of it ever happened and that it is a fabrication. The woman replied : That is not true. I know this happened. She said that her parents did not know anything and that they held the chaplain in high regard. I lied about who I was going to meet, where I was going , she said. The now 28-year-old woman has sued alleging that, between 2004 and 2007, she was repeatedly and wrongfully physically and sexually assaulted, falsely imprisoned and sexually abused, and subjected to sexualised behaviour by the then Catholic chaplain and teacher in her secondary school. She has sued the priest, as well as the school in the South-East and the local bishop. They have denied the claims. The school contends it is not vicariously liable for any alleged actions of the priest and contends the diocesan bishop is liable. The woman is also seeking aggravated damages against the former priest. The former priest has denied all claims. In court yesterday, the woman said the chaplain had her number in his phone under a different name and she had his number in her phone, also under a different name. The case before Mr Justice Eagar continues today. TOMORROW, Creative Ireland (CI) will be launched, having been approved at cabinet yesterday. It will be the second CI among the States arts acronyms, the other being Culture Ireland. It is both an aftermath of the successful 1916 centenary celebrations, and a bridge to the more contentious centenaries of the Treaty and civil war. It is billed as a bureaucratic start-up to energise, synthesise, and leave behind an official Ireland that belatedly recognises the centrality of culture in national life. It is monogrammed with the Taoiseachs imprimatur. Critically, the official group supporting the initiative will be headed by the secretary general of the Taoiseachs department, Martin Fraser. In terms of system, thats heft and potentially more of it than any official cultural programme has had for a long time. It is a paradox that this attempted centring of culture in the national agenda comes at the moment our Government is in some senses weaker politically than any in the history of the State. Abroad, national governments are diminished by globalisation and multinational structures, such as the European Union. The EU has a genesis longer than the full effects of globalisation have been apparent, but it is in its positive and negative aspects a diminution of national government. The irony of the centenary is that the nation state, as envisaged at the Rising, is an impossibility in the 21st century. A deeper irony is that Great Britain in reattempting it, is potentially irrevocably loosening the ties which hold together a still imperial polity which ultimately cannot be supplanted by English nationalism. It was not just affinity with Britain which was a political and cultural pull, it was the gravitational pull of empire which was the object of unionism 100 years ago. Now, the centenary of the Rising, and subsequent foundation of the State, are enacted in circumstances where all their original objects spin in a disorientating maelstrom. Just as the 19th century, which began at Waterloo in 1815, ended with the outbreak of war in August 1914, the 20th century ended somewhere between the invention of the internet, the technical enablement of globalisation in financial markets, and the economic crisis of 2008. Everything since is aftermath. In a sense, so is Creative Ireland. It is part political opportunism, part reactive reach for a purpose by Government, and part idealism. All are equally edifying. What matters more than the impetus, is the output. The purpose of Creative Ireland is to apparently synthesise the existing ensemble of the States cultural actors into something more than the sum of their disparate parts. It is intended to leave a legacy in a series of five pillars; presumably tribute to Endas own five-point plan. More seriously it is intended to broaden the cultural reach of the state by harnessing, not for a single initiative, but as a central object of their purpose going forward, local authorities and schools. We have had a Department of Arts since 1993, but if sometimes successful, it has had fallow periods and failures. It has centrally failed to systemically engage either local authorities or schools as part of a broader cultural agenda. Yes, there have been successful initiatives and the Arts Council has worked hard to engage local government, but results are patchy, and often down to the personal interest of a councils chief executive. Engagement with culture and art as an essential part of every childs education, likewise depends too much on the enthusiasm of specific teachers. The Department of Arts, as one small silo among much larger ones, hasnt succeeded much at synthesising. That, of course, has partly been a political failure, and it is not a new one, but it is part of the context for a new, overarching structure based politically in the Taoiseachs office. Whatever about the gloss of individual programmes announced tomorrow or promised as eventual outcomes, what matters structurally is how, when the brass band that is Creative Ireland stops playing, schools and local authorities are permanently harnessed in a country, 100 years on, that recognises its culture as central to identity and citizenship, and essential for its political purpose when the assumed certainties of national identity are over. What fascinates me is not just 2016 as the centenary of the rising, but as the 50th anniversary of 1966. The great phalanx of certainty on parade then, subsequently passed, almost in an instant. Looking around Europe I cannot think of a single other country where young leaders in their prime in the aftermath of the First World War, were still centre stage 50 years later. De Valera, Frank Aiken and Dr James Ryan were just three and, if his prime was still just a little ahead, Sean Lemass was a veteran of those events and he was Taoiseach in 1966. The degree of continuity, the depth of apparently immutable certainty, was astonishing 50 years ago. It was also, though few anticipated it, an era that was almost utterly over. RTE, Vatican II, the Beatles and Edna OBrien were burgeoning. Things, if largely still unseen were changing completely, but the government in office and, more widely, official Ireland, had no connection with, or sense of the rapid cultural change, of which artists were often the forbearers. There is a tension, at times an unbearable one, between power and truth. In a post-fact era, the boundaries of truth and power are sometimes indistinguishable. Is protest, by dint of being outside the gates, intrinsically more moral; or its truths more authentic? All boundaries, of states, of power, of fact, are now blurred. Art is far from a single antidote but it and culture more widely, provide a basis for conversation in a shared language, and a sense of community and country, the component parts for which envisaged in 1916, and paraded again in 1966, are otherwise gone. It is not just that government should embrace culture as a central function of the State; it is that now culture alone can credibly define the country. In 2016, synthesis replaced the certainty of 1966. This is partly the virtue of greater inclusiveness and partly an alienating malaise of stifling correctness. Brexit and Trump are partly a reaction to that amorphous complexity. In a contrary sense, Creative Ireland, one executive function collating others, is too. Tangible outputs, if delivered, will be a place for culture in a revised capital plan next year. Will a new building to suitably house the Abbey Theatre rise up on the banks of the Liffey? Intangibly, but more essentially, is the deeper question of how a state relates to culture. Creative Ireland, like perestroika, is a beginning it wont be the end. Business Analysts Say 2016 is the Worst Year for Rangoon Construction Sector Labourers work on a scaffold at a construction site in downtown Rangoon, October 31, 2013. / Minzayar / Reuters RANGOON Rangoons construction market faced its hardest year in 2016, as a result of changing government policies during a market cooldown, say critical industry observers. During the best development years, 2005 to 2014, high-end condominiums and low-cost apartments sprung up around Rangoon, construction and real estate observers said. As the market neared its peak in 2013, real estate prices skyrocketed in six downtown commercial areasLanmadaw, Latha, Pazundaung, Kyauktada, Pabedan and Botahtaung townships. In the downtown area, the maximum land price reached US$1,500-2,000 per square foot, according to real estate agents. Outside downtown Rangoon, land prices also shot up in areas like Dagon, Sanchaung, Tamwe, Kamayut, Mayangone, Yankin, and Bahan. But the construction market began to cool off in late 2014, as peoples spending power declined. In the election year, investors took a wait-and-see attitude toward real estate as they awaited the general election results. Consequently, apartment sales across Rangoon declined 15 to 20 percent in 2015, according to the Myanmar Real Estate Services Association. In 2016, that trend has gotten worse, as prices have dropped 25 to 30 percent on the year and new apartment sales have nearly halted, said Daw Moe Moe Aung, secretary of the Myanmar Real Estate Services Association. For example, an apartment once worth 50 million kyats has now dropped to 35 million kyats in Yangons major townships, she said. Condominium prices are also falling, from 200,000 kyats to 150,000 kyats per square foot in the major areas, she added. Once the new government assumed power, the real estate market hit another speed bump. In May, the Rangoon divisional government implemented new policies for reviewing construction sites, and the government suspended more than 200 high-rise construction projects because they did not meet urban planning standards. Over the next two months, government inspections brought the construction market to a standstill. Once inspections were completed in July, the 200-plus projects were permitted to continue. But the divisional government ordered that the intended heights of 12 buildings be reduced, that parking facilities be upgraded, and that safety standards be improved. Developers have faced a lot of challenges since May when the review process started, said U Thant Sin Hein, managing director of Nay Kabar Construction. Now that development polices are back to normal, we all have to start over from the beginning, he said. We have to organize our laborers, our money, everything. The market wont bounce back instantly. In Rangoon, conflicts between land owners and building contractors are another reason for the drop in apartment sales. In many cases, when a property is developed, the land owner and building contractor enter into an agreement where each control a share of the completed building. However, recently many contractors have failed to complete their construction work by the due date. Contractors have no money right now, so they cant finish their job sites on time, said U Thant Sin Hein. So then theyre having disagreements with the land owners. Some contractors wont take responsibility. Plus demand from buyers is so low. The government should seriously look at taking action on this problem. Rangoon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein recently asked industrial developers to not take so many risks while the construction sector works out these problems. He urged developers not to construct new apartments based on sharing agreements with the property owners, especially while the government is planning to implement new low-cost housing projects. I understand what he means for this industry, said U Thant Sin Hein. But on the other hand, that could harm the whole construction sector. U Myo Myint, the chairman of MKT Construction, thinks stable policies in the construction sector will be a key to strengthening the industry. If policies are unstable, the market situation will only get worse and worse, he said. We know that we will have to take risks. But if the government has no better policies, its really hard to stand. It will take another two years for the construction sector to develop, he added. Small contractors will be seriously hurt by this situation, said U Myo Myint. However, total investment in real estate and constructionUS$8.2 billion in 2015is expected to increase to US$13.5 billion by 2020, according to U Kyi Lwin of the Myanmar Engineering Society, citing a report from September. Burma Burma Army Chief Persists in Denying Rights Abuses Burma Army troops patrol in Maungdaw on Oct 17. / Hein Htet / The Irrawaddy RANGOON As international condemnation of alleged human rights abuses against the Rohingya minority in northern Arakan State mounts, the countrys military chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing has doubled down on his denials, saying on Monday that Burmese security forces have not committed any human rights violations including extrajudicial killings, rapes, or arson. He told Malaysias General Tan Sri Dato Sri that if any violations were discovered, the offenders would be prosecuted. His discussion with his Malaysian counterpart in Naypyidaw came a day after Malaysias Prime Minister Najib Razak led a protest in Kuala Lumpur against what he called the genocide of Burmas Muslim Rohingya minority. Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing has become increasingly assertive on denials of Burma Army abuses during military clearance operations conducted in response to a series of attacks on border guard outposts in Maungdaw Township on Oct. 9. The government said that the attacks were carried out by Muslim militants who also looted firearms and ammunitions. On Tuesday, when he met with Russias Ambassador to Burma, Dr. Nikolay Listopadov, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing said that the Bengalisthe term used by the Burmese government to refer to the Rohingyain Arakan State are not an ethnic group of Burma and have migrated to the country. [Rohingya] need to enter the national verification process in accordance with the Citizenship Law. The process must be in accordance with the law, not in the name of human rights. They need to follow and respect Burmas existing laws, he said. On the same day, Burmas military chief also met with the Arakan State Advisory Commission headed by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and denied media accusations that the Burma Army committed murders, rapes and arson. According to the reports on the ground, there were no murder or rape cases, he said. But for arsons, there were cases in which they [Rohingya] themselves set fire to their homes. Some did so in hope of getting a new home, he said, adding that the Burma Army previously built homes for displaced persons in conflict areas so it was impossible for the Tatmadaw to have set fire to their houses. Access to Maungdaw for journalists has been restricted since the beginning of military operations so The Irrawaddy was unable to independently verify accusations of abuse. David Mathieson of Human Rights Watch told The Irrawaddy that Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing should not offer a blanket denial of allegations of serious human rights violations during security operations, but should commit to investigating them. Without permitting access to media and investigators, these allegations will persist, and the longer the military denies access, the more it seems like buying time for a cover-up, he said. The scale of destruction from satellite photos clearly shows that the counter-insurgency operation against militants had a brutal effect on the civilian population, he added. Burma Burma Rivers Network Calls for a Halt to Dam Projects in Conflict Areas Entrance gate to the Myitsone dam site in Kachin State, as seen in 2013. / Nyein Nyein / The Irrawaddy The Burma Rivers Network (BRN) has called for a halt to hydropower dam projects, special economic zones and natural resource extraction in ethnic areas where conflicts are raging, until the country has reached a federal peace agreement. BRN released a documentary video, Voices of the Dammed, on Wednesday, compiling the devastating impacts of dam projects along Burmas biggest rivers: the Salween, Irrawaddy, Chindwin, Shweli and the Paung Laung. Findings from BRNs two-year documentation processconducted from 2014 to mid-2016indicated that both completed and planned dam projects have diminished local peoples livelihoods and security as well as destroyed thousands of homes, historic cultural sites and ecosystems. Representatives of the network will soon share their concerns with the relevant authorities in Burmas capital of Naypyidaw, said Mi Ah Chai, the coordinator of BRN. Mi Ah Chai told The Irrawaddy that despite the security challenges faced by organization members collecting information in conflict zones, the plight of the relocated villagers was worth recording. In northern Shan State, the local Taang, also known as Palaung, communities near Shweli Rivers No.1 dam have reported facing grave human rights violations related to the presence of the Chinese-owned dam, which has a 600-megawatt capacity and was completed in 2008. This included allegations of forced labor by the Burmese military, forced marriages of local women to soldiers, and confiscation of farmland. Locals also claim that the Burma Armys Infantry Division 144 continues to launch daily artillery attacks against the ethnic armed groups in the area. The network questioned why the current civilian-led government would restart or continue such projects. If the French-funded Shweli No. 3 dam goes ahead, this will cause more conflict, human rights abuses and displacement and will threaten the peace process, said Mai Amm Ngeal of the Taang Youth and Students Union. The proposed dam would be even bigger, with a 1,050-megawatt capacity. In Sagaing Division, locals from the area surrounding the 1,200-megawatt Tamanthi dam project on the Chindwin River reportedly received just 5,000 kyatsUS$3.77as compensation after they were forced to relocate in 2007. The India-funded Tamanthi dam project was cancelled under the previous government administration headed by ex-President Thein Sein, but activists fear that the project may be revived after State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyis recent visit to India, where bilateral agreements related to power infrastructure and production were signed on Oct. 19. According to BRN, if the suspended Tamanthi project were to be revived, it would contribute to further relocations, as villages housing over 45,000 people would likely be flooded by the reservoir. The BRN urged the government to do a proper review of a number of projects, including the suspended Tamanthi dam on the Chindwin River and the Irrawaddy Myitsone dams on the confluence of May Kha and Malika tributaries. They also recommended a review of six mega dams slated for construction on the Salween River in Shan, Karenni, Karen and Mon states, and those planned on the Shweli and Paung Laung rivers. The organization is also pushing for a review of completed dam projects and a demand that the electricity generated be shared with the local residents. We need an answer as to whether the hydropower dams are really needed for the electricity supply, as Burma is rich in natural gas and petroleum which could replace [the dams], added Mi Ah Chai. Burma Shan State Parliament Approves Branding of Northern Alliance as Terrorists TNLA troops on the march in northern Shan States Kyaukme Township. / J Paing / The Irrawaddy RANGOON The Shan State parliament voted to brand the ethnic armed groups belonging to the Northern Alliance as terrorist organizations on Wednesday, following a Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) lawmakers proposal to do so one day earlier. The move came two weeks after the Northern Alliancecomprised of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Arakan Army (AA)launched joint offensives against the Burma Army in several townships in northern Shan State, including Muse and Mong Ko, contributing to civilian casualties and injuries. On Tuesday, the USDPs U Aung Thu of Lashio Constituency (2) put forward an urgent proposal to the Shan State parliament, condemning the attacks by the Northern Alliance and urged the regional legislature to brand three of the groups involved as terrorist organizations. U Aung Thu did not mention the AA in his proposal, and the Burma Army does not recognize it as an armed group, arguing that the group was established after 2011 and did not represent the Arakanese people. Seven lawmakers debated the proposal before it was put to a vote. Sixty-three voted in favor of it, 45 voted against it and seven abstained. The current 129 seats Shan States parliament are dominated by USDP and military appointees, followed by Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) legislators and those from the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD). The proposal was put to a vote and approved with over 60 yes votes. This implies that the group [the Northern Alliance] is now considered a terrorist organization. And this makes it easier to launch offensives against them. This is how I understand it, state lawmaker Sai Kyaw Zeya, representing the SNLD and Laikha Township, told The Irrawaddy. Following the proposal, over 140 local civil society organizations sent an open letter to the Shan State parliament on Wednesday, urging lawmakers to avoid using controversial terms which cause further challenges to reconciliation, said Maran Jaw Gun of the Kachin Peace Network. The open letter argues that the use of words such as insurgent and militant to describe ethnic armed groups undermines the countrys 21st Century Panglong peace conference, the next session of which is scheduled for February. The signatories to the letter called for the state parliament to avoid such terms. At a time when the new NLD-led government is working to convince non-signatories of the 2015 nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) to come on board with the pact, Maran Jaw Gun said that the branding of these organizations as terrorist groups could harm the peace process and result in fiercer clashes. This, he explained, is a deviation from the all-inclusive political dialogue that many groups have demanded. If that happens, the state parliament that approved the proposal has to take responsibility for it, Maran Jaw Gun told The Irrawaddy. The open letter also condemned increasing political pressure through military means. Last Friday, on Dec. 2, Lower House USDP lawmaker Dr. Maung Thein of Meiktila Constituency submitted an urgent motion urging the Union Parliament to express concern over clashes in northern Shan State that killed and injured civilians and forced them from their homes. The fighting, he said, also undermined the countrys sovereignty, rule of law, peace and stability. However, after a debate by 12 lawmakers, the Lower House only put the motion on record, and voted down official legislative action. Military representatives Col Than Aung and defense minister Lt-Gen Sein Win debated in favor of the proposal. Though China's annual grain yield is increasing, the waste and loss of grain still remains a big problem. Between the processes of storing, transporting and processing grain, the total annual loss of grain has reached 35 billion kilograms, equal to the total food required to sustain 200 million people in a year. An official with the Agricultural Machinery Department said that the performance and the efficiency of those in charge of the harvest determines how much grain will be wasted. If a harvest driver pursues speed at the cost of proper operation, then grain will not be evacuated from the machine before fully detaching from the straw. Moreover, though manual harvesting guarantees less waste, the airing process also costs a few grains. Poor storage and a lack of functioning granaries contribute to losses as well. In addition, damage caused by rats is another major issue. Grains that are processed multiple times experience unnecessary losses in volume and nutrients. Authorities have promoted the use of new technologies, such as grain condition monitoring, transverse ventilation, nitrogen-filled circulation cooling and more, to decrease wasted grain by 2.54 billion tons. Losses during packaging have already decreased by 2 percent, owing to new transportation tools, containers and vehicles. An official at the State Administration of Grain pointed out that outdated processing techniques should be eliminated, and process and consumption should be both taken into consideration in order to further reduce the waste rate. News Deputy Foreign Minister Dismayed Over Malaysian PMs Remarks An anti-Najib protest in Rangoons Mahabandoola Park on Sunday. / J Paing / The Irrawaddy RANGOON Burmas deputy foreign minister expressed dismay to the Malaysian ambassador over remarks made by the Malaysian Prime Minister at a rally in support of the Rohingya Muslim minority. Deputy foreign minister U Kyaw Tin said Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak made strong remarks against the government of a fellow Asean member state based on unverified and unsubstantiated allegations, according to a ministry press release. The Malaysian Ambassador was also informed of Myanmars desire to maintain and strengthen friendly relations with Asean family members and of the need not to be misled by the disinformation campaigns waged by certain groups, it stated, warning that Malaysias response could cause problems and not bring about solutions. Najib Razak staged the protest against what he called a genocide of the Rohingya Muslims in western Burma. He called for neighboring Asian countries and the world to step up pressure to halt the violence in Arakan State. Najib said the rally in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday would send a message to Daw Aung San Suu Kyis government that enough is enough. Burmas deputy foreign minister rejected accusations of ethnic cleansing and genocide, saying those terms were far from the reality on the ground. The deputy minister also stressed the need for the the international community to assist the countrys efforts in resolving the Arakan issues and to avoid making calls based on the unverified allegations, the press release stated. A coalition of Muslim civil society organizations (CSOs) in Burma objected to the rally saying that the groups do not accept Malaysias intervention in domestic affairs through labeling the Arakan conflict as a religious one. Our situation is very complex, therefore we do not want another countrys intervention, as it might lead to further difficulties and a move away from peace, Myat Noe Oo, the spokesperson for the Coalition of Myanmar Muslim CSOs, told The Irrawaddy. U Aye Lwin, a member of the Kofi Annan-led Advisory Commission on Arakan State, said the prime minister should use diplomatic channels despite his right to freedom of speech, at a press conference on Tuesday. Burmas Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population also released an announcement that overseas employment agencies would suspend sending Burmese workers to Malaysia on Tuesday because of the protests in support of the Rohingya. Major: Communication Hometown: Brazil, IN Student Media Involvement: Syc Creations Favorite Food: Burgers with everything but mustard Fun Fact: He really loves superhero movies, and wants to make his own someday 5 Trends Impacting the Future of Machine Data Intelligence The ability to search unstructured data has been around for quite some time. Now, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE) today announced it has infused the HPE IDOL data analytic engine used to conduct those searches with natural language capabilities. Jeff Veis, vice president of marketing for Big Data platforms at HPE, says IT organizations can now use IDOL to allow end users to query any data source they care to expose via HPE IDOL, using queries they can type themselves without any intervention on the part of the internal IT organization required. To achieve that goal, Veis says HPE reengineered IDOL around four cores, IDOL Answer Bank, IDOL Fact Bank, IDOL Passage Extract and IDOL Answer services, and a set of machine-learning algorithms that make it simpler for queries against unstructured data to be organized in a way that optimally responds to natural language queries in a conversational format. Its designed to understand multiple variants of the same query, says Veis. In fact, Veis says the HPE IDOL provides a simpler means for IT organizations to start making cognitive computing applications available to end users in a way that doesnt require extensive training in a new application developed from the ground up. HPE IDOL is part of the portfolio of software that will be transferred to Micro Focus, which has been reconstituted into a joint venture in which HPE is the majority owner. The HPE IDOL engine itself was part of the assets that Hewlett-Packard gained when it acquired Autonomy. The degree to which natural language queries will become the dominant way end users interact with applications remains to be seen. But the more queries that get resolved using this approach, the less time IT professionals will need to spend finding data for end users who are likely to have forgotten the question by the time the IT department finds the answer. Save Two recent studies of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in so-called magic mushrooms, contend that the chemical can act as a powerful remedy for cancer patients suffering from depression and anxiety. The first study is from New York University and the second one is from Johns Hopkins University. Both studies reported that the anti-depressant effects on the magic mushroom can last for months, offering relief to chronically ill patients for whom traditional treatments have failed to work. The Magic Mushroom And Its Life Changing Effects According to The Washington Post, eighty people in separate clinical trials at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and New York University Langone Medical Center were given psilocybin under close supervision. The vast majority experienced an increase in optimism, a feeling of connection with other people, and mystical and spiritual experiences. The effects persisted through the six-month follow-up period. The researchers suggests that psilocybin and other hallucinogenic drugs might be beneficial for people with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and drug, alcohol or tobacco addictions. In 2012, Carol Vincent was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as reported by The Atlantic. The disease had already done a number on her, inflating lymph nodes on her chin, collar bones, and groin. Life is just pointless stress, and then you die, she thought. One day, her 27-year-old son sent her a link to an invitation from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, seeking cancer patients to sign up to take psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, to alleviate their anxiety and depression. Start thinking about all the existential questions you want to ponder while your window is open to the universe! her son wrote. And without any regret, Carol Vincent is very happy to what happened to her. The results were remarkable: Six months later, 78 percent of the participants were less depressed than they started, as rated by a clinician, and 83 percent were less anxious. Furthermore, 65 percent had almost fully recovered from depression, and 57 percent from their anxiety, after six months. The Composition Of The Magic Mushroom Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound produced by more than 200 species of mushrooms, collectively known as psilocybin mushrooms. The most potent are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens, but psilocybin has also been isolated from about a dozen other genera. As a prodrug, psilocybin is quickly converted by the body to psilocin, which has mind-altering effects similar, in some aspects, to those of LSD, mescaline, and DMT. In general, the effects include euphoria, visual and mental hallucinations, changes in perception, a distorted sense of time, and spiritual experiences, and can include possible adverse reactions such as nausea and panic attacks. Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as psychedelic mushrooms, are mushrooms that contain the psychedelic compounds psilocybin and psilocin. Common colloquial terms include magic mushrooms and shrooms. It is now clear that there are real problems with some iPhone 6S batteries. Some Apple iPhone 6S users are reporting that their smartphones are shutting down without any warning and even with a charge. The company confirmed that the iPhones batteries are safe even there should be replaced. Apple iPhone 6S Battery Replacement According to CNBC, Apple has offered replacement batteries to qualifying iPhone 6S owners after a small number began to shut down unexpectedly. But as of now, there seems to be no risk of repeating the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 debacle, where phones were recalled on the risk of catching fire. The explanation is this: the battery component used in September and October 2015 iPhone 6S units was exposed to air for longer than usual. That is why it is triggering a feature that causes the iPhone to shut down automatically under certain conditions, such as extreme cold. Apple said the battery was exposed to controlled ambient air longer than it should have been before being assembled into battery packs. Apple had set up a page where users could find out more details about the battery replacement program, and it also has a tool to check if your phone qualifies as reported by Indian Express. The problem was first reported by users in China, and affects phones manufactured between September and October 2015. Apple iPhone 6S Battery Are Safe There are no safety issues involved in Apple's battery replacement program, according to a statement on the company's China website. While Apple has said the battery issues only affect a small number of iPhone 6S users, others have also complained. There have also been isolated reports of fires connected to iPhones, although there's no evidence these incidents are widespread. "We looked for any other factors that could cause an iPhone to shut down unexpectedly. After intensive investigations, no new factors have been identified," Apple said. "We will continue to monitor and analyze customer reports." Residents of St Petersburg's second city were left stunned by the unusual footage and images of the so-called halo effect and after it have shown three suns appearing in the sky over Russia. After watching the video clip, experts were reportedly convinced that the triple sun scene was the result of a rare natural phenomenon. The Three Suns: Could This Be Possible? In one of her statements reported by The Daily Star, head of popular science at the Petersburg Planetarium and a current PhD student in celestial mechanics at St Petersburg State University, Maria Borukha, explains that the false suns were known as "sun dogs". She further added that they were an atmospheric phenomenon consisting of a pair of bright spots appearing on either side of the Sun, however, people from the St Petersburg, can rarely get to see them due to their location. On the other hand, according to senior researcher of the Institute of Applied Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Nikolay Zheleznov, said some halos were even more eye-catching. In one his statements reported by Daily Mail, Zheleznov explains that this phenomenon was just a sort of a regular halo and not the most spectacular type. It is nothing but a play of light on ice crystals in cirrus clouds at an altitude of five to ten kilometers (three to six miles) above the ground. Local residents of the area has allegedly then took the images on social media which has been likened to Luke Skywalker's fictitious home planet of Tatooine in Star Wars, where it also shows two suns. It was found that recently last November, similar happenings were also reported in some parts of Siberia. Ultimately, authorities have also revealed that the halo illusion triggered many road accidents across the country because of the brightness and shock of witnessing three suns. For many centuries now, scientists and theologians have been puzzled by the wonders of the Star of Bethlehem, which has been noted to be the mysterious biblical symbol or the so-called "Christmas Star". However, just recently, modern astrophysics has attempted to explain one of history's greatest astronomical events. A new study of this historical, astronomical, and biblical records has suggested that the Star of Bethlehem may not have been a star after all. Star Of Bethlehem: If Its Not A Star, Then What Is It? According to Daily Mail, the biblical event that took place in 6 BC was actually a rare planetary alignment, during which the sun, Jupiter, the moon, and Saturn all lay in the constellation Aries. For more than a decade, a Professor of theoretical astrophysics and cosmology in the Department of Physics at the University of Notre Dame, Grant Mathews, has reportedly studied the Star of Bethlehem. He found that the sun, Jupiter, the moon, and Saturn were aligned in Aries, while Venus was in the constellation Pisces, and Mercury and Mars were on the other side, in Taurus. Furthermore, as Phys Org reveals it, Mathews has claimed that the presence of Jupiter and the moon was in fact, very symbolic as it has signified the birth of a ruler with a special destiny. Saturn was a symbol of the giving of life, as was the presence of Aries in the vernal equinox which has also been used as the mark for the start of spring. Ultimately, Mathews said that for an event like this to happen is extremely rare. Moreover, as per Mathews, a similar alignment won't be seen again for the next 16,000 years. Even calculating 500,000 years into the future, the Professor has allegedly explained that there is no such alignment like the one that is now known as the Christmas Star could ever be found. A formerly-overweight couple in Chengdu, Sichuan province recently got married after both partners achieved a 50-kilogram weight loss. The woman, Xiaoxiang, and her husband, Dali, both used to weigh more than 100 kilograms. After laparoscopic surgery, they both reduced their weights to around 60 kilograms. Xiaoxiang and Dali first "met" in an online chat group established by the hospital where they had their procedures for communication between patients. The couple fell in love at first sight during a gathering for the group members in November. After two weeks, they got married. Dali recalls that excessive eating contributed to his obesity, remarking that he used to eat four hamburgers in one sitting. His ex-girlfriend broke up with him for exactly that reason, and he used to sit inside playing electronic games all day. Now, shopping has become a favorite activity for the couple. Xiaoxiang said she wears a medium in most clothes, rather than the largest available size, and both Xiaoxiang and Dali enjoy trying on clothes in the fitting room. According to a report, the Galaxy S8 could be Samsungs first Android flagship smartphone to feature stereo speakers. The pressure is very high on Samsung because of the Galaxy Note 7 incidents and the S8 is really turning into the most important launch in the company's history. We have seen some other features that might reflect on the Samsung Galaxy S8, but ti have its built-in stereo speakers is new to us. Samsung Galaxy S8 To Have Stereo Speakers As reported by VR-Zone, stereo speakers have been a standard feature on HTC flagship smartphones since a few years now, and Apple too switched to a stereo setup on the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus this year. To take on Apple, Samsung could reportedly use audio technology from Harman, which is recently acquired for nearly $8 billion. It seems it could be another case of where Apple goes, Samsung follows. It would be a wise move from Samsung, since Harman owns several companies including JBL, AKG, Harman Kardon, proving it knows what it's talking about when it comes to audio, as reported by Pocket-Lint. Who Is Harman International Industry? Harman International Industries is a global leader in connected car technology, lifestyle audio innovations, design and analytics, cloud services and IoT solutions. It is an American company that designs and engineers connected products for automakers, consumers and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems However, Samsungs automotive division Chief Park Jong-hwan mentioned during a press conference last month that he expects Harman audio technology to be fully implemented in the companys flagship Galaxy S series earliest by 2018. So, maybe, Samsung Galaxy S8 could only feature Harman-branding and not audio technology sourced from the company. As of now, there is still no confirmation for both Samsung and Harman. We can conclude that Galaxy S8 will be (so far) Samsung's flagship smartphones with the latest features, but not yet sure if it will really have a stereo, speakers. This year has been framed by technological progress and innovations that have excelled the greatness that we have known so far, to the point in which many gadgets and devices will have to adapt to these new advances in if they dont want to become obsolete. However, 2016 has also been characterized by some tech failures that have resulted in a huge disappointment for many, considering what these devices were about to fulfill. Here are the most important cases. The SpaceX Falcon 9 Explosion Elon Musk has been known for being the real Tony Stark, with the huge difference that this guy has cooler gadgets that include a space rocket. However, although it would be great to talk about this incredible device in any other article than this, the truth is that the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket represented one of the biggest tech failures in 2016 so far. The rocket suffered a terrible explosion on the Cape Canaveral launch pad during a routine pre-launch check on September 1. The SpaceX Falcon 9 mission was going to set a Facebooks satellite to bring the Internet to Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, but this catastrophic outcome destroyed the opportunity of achieving this goal. Once the situation were all around the news, Mark Zuckerberg wrote in a post that he was very disappointed for the failure, which became a very controversial statement since many believe that it was being too rough with SpaceX. Until now, the reasons why this accident occurred remains unknown. The GoPros Karma Drone Recall One of the main peculiarities of drones is that since it was launched in the market, everyone already thought that it would be a dream come true if these devices could take quality photos from very long distance. The products started to be sold like hot cakes and the developing of the feature that everyone was expecting ended up being released, creating incredible expectations from customers who wanted to know how amazing this new aircraft would be. The name of this product was Karma, and unfortunately, it became one of the biggest tech failures this year, since it presented the worst trouble it could have: the drone became uncontrollable at mid-air. This was such a huge setback for GoPro that the company decided to recall the drone just two weeks after it was released, selling around 2,500 units. The company even offered a HERO5 to everyone who bought the Karma as a compensation for the failure, but the damage was already done. The Biggest Of All Tech Failures In 2016: The Galaxy note 7 Fiasco There haven't been any single tech disaster this year that could be compared with this case because were talking about one of the major companies in the world, and probably the worst moment that this giant has lived since it started to manufacture smartphones. Of course, of all the tech failures that have occurred in 2016, the first place goes to the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco. This mobile device was supposed to be Samsungs flagship, which would destroy every single competitor and became the most important smartphone in the market. Once it was released, the product meet expectations and everyone saw it as a piece of tech innovation and uniqueness, which put in serious threat the iPhone 7. However, the disaster started to rise when the Note 7 started catching fire, and Samsung recalls it and replace it with other units that were apparently fixed. These other units also started to explode, the South Korean company made a decision of recalling for good and killed it off. Obviously, this was the reason why it became the biggest of all tech failures this year, but the consequences didn't only limited to a monumental damage for Samsungs reputation and a big lawsuit for Note 7 owners, but also to the way in which ended up affecting the South Korean economy. Russia claims that it was cyber attacked by a foreign spy service, but no evidence of unusual activity was found on the servers of the web hosting company used for the alleged attack. Bluehost reported a major network outage that was possibly caused by a DDoS attack. Russia Cyberattacked According to CSO, the Russian government claims to have been victim of a "large-scale" cyberattack from foreign intelligence services. According to Russian sources, the attack was meant to destabilize the country's financial system. The statement was made on Friday, Dec. 2, by the government's Federal Security Service, but no specific country was blamed. According to Russian FSS, the attack was meant to be carried out against a number of major Russian banks on Dec. 5. The hack was also supposed to include the use of SMS text messages and social media in order to circulate posts claiming a crisis in Russia's financial system. The Federal Security Service claimed that several dozen cities had been targeted, but the security agency was able to already neutralize the threat. Russia said that the uncovered plot by foreign spy agencies was intended to sow chaos in the country's banking system. The planned cyberattack was supposed to be carried out via a coordinated wave of hacks and fake social media reports about banks going bankcrupt. The security service also named a Ukrainian web hosting company called BlazingFast that was supposedly being used to launch the cyberattack using servers based in the Netherlands. However, on Friday, BlazingFast made a statement claiming that no evidence of an imminent attack coming through its systems could be found. In a Facebook post, the company said that its security technicians reviewed all the network and systems and could not find any abnormal pattern changes to indicate an imminent cyberattack. Therefore, the Ukrainian company cannot confirm FSB's allegations. The company said that it always monitors its network in order to prevent any illegal activity and protect its thousands of customers. The Ukrainian internet company also stated that it is ready to cooperate with any legal entity in order to clarify the issue. However, the Russian security service did not contact BlazingFast. It is possible that FSB has handled the situation without the need of Ukrainian company's cooperation. According to Reuters, this year alone hackers stole more than 2 billion rubles ($31 million) from correspondent accounts in commercial Russian bank and at the Russian central bank. Discussing the losses at a briefing, central bank official Artyom Sychyov said that the hackers had attempted to steal about 5 billion rubles. Previous Hacking Incidents No details on how it stopped or detected the cyberattack have been provided by Russia's security service. This incident comes as the country is already facing tensions over accusations that it is state sponsoring hacker attacks and that it tried to influence the recent U.S. presidential election. U.S. intelligence agencies publicly blamed the Russian government for sponsoring several cyberattacks targeting U.S. political institutions and officials, as a way to leak sensitive information to the public. Back then, the Obama administration has warned Russia about planning a possible response. However, it is still unknown if anything materialized. The C-section birth may be affecting modern evolution and making female pelvises remain smaller. According to scientists, evolution is still going on. And, this is one of the examples of modern day evolution. Nature may not prefer women having larger pelvises in humans, and C-section deliveries are only helping the cause. Since humans walk on two feet, larger pelvises may not be a necessity. Scientists often wonder why female pelvises have not gone larger over the years, since giving birth is especially painful for humans. The reason behind the pain of labor in humans is the ratio between the mother's birth canal and the size of the baby's head and shoulders. In humans, the ratio happens to be extremely close. At times, the dimensions of the baby's head and shoulders go even bigger than the mother's birth canal. That's what makes humans different from other mammals that have a much bigger birth canal in mothers. While labor contractions may be painful for most mammals, it is more painful in humans who need much longer labors than other mammals like apes. Still, female pelvises in humans have remained relatively smaller in size over the years. This may suggest that evolution is not in favor of humans having larger pelvises. Now, studies suggest that the rise of C-section birth in recent years also affects the mother's pelvis to remain smaller in size. Now, there is apparently a bigger gap between mothers' pelvises and the size of their newborns. "Women with a very narrow pelvis would not have survived birth 100 years ago," the BBC quoted Philipp Mitteroecker, an assistant professor in the Department of Theoretical Biology at the University of Vienna, as saying. "They do now and pass on their genes encoding for a narrow pelvis to their daughters." According to CBS News, C-section deliveries have a history of hundreds of years. But, it was performed on dead or dying mothers to save the baby. Though the term may have originated from Julius Caesar, there is no evidence to suggest he was a C-section birth himself. Several Naperville North High School students were hospitalized after having gummy bear candy. A teenage student is reportedly being questioned over the incident. However, as of Tuesday evening, no charges have been filed. Police are presently investigating how the candy got distributed. According to police, the candies might have been tainted. Cmdr. Jason Arres said some of the candies had been confiscated. Those will be sent for testing, he said. It is believed that the gummy bears might contain a substance similar to marijuana-oil. But, Arres said there was no confirmation about it. According to Naperville Fire Division Chief Andy Dina, 14 students have been hospitalized. Naperville District 203 Superintendent Dan Bridges said the Naperville North High School students had felt sick. Soon, police and fire departments rushed to the school to take control of the situation. According to school authorities, 12 out of the 14 students who were hospitalized had consumed gummy bear candy. "This candy made those students both uncomfortable and sick, so they were taken to the nurse's office for care," Chicago Tribune quoted Bridges as saying. "For safety precautions, they were transported to Edward to receive medical attention. Each student had varying degrees of discomfort and subsequent treatment was needed." Bridges also said that the health and safety of the students would be the primary concern for the district. Edward Hospital spokesman Keith Hartenberger confirmed that the students had been hospitalized. They reportedly had symptoms like dizziness, dry mouth and fast heart rates. Some of the students had a combination of these symptoms, he said. According to Bridges, school authorities are going to work together with the district and the Naperville Police Department during the investigation. Arres, on the other hand, said that the police would determine if the case should be handled by the school district or the juvenile court. "Each student had varying degrees of discomfort and subsequent treatment," CBS News quoted Naperville North High School as saying. "We continue to review the specifics of the situation and will address it appropriately." Ever since its release in 2015, the Surface Pro 4 has become one of the most popular tech devices in the market. And despite over a year of availability, it still packs a punch when compared with newer units. Riding on the current success of Microsoft, the company is expected to release the Surface Pro 5, which will be even more powerful. According to BGR, the Surface Pro 5 is expected to ship with more RAM, more storage space and a more powerful processor as well. It looks as if Microsoft is not withholding anything in this follow up. However, no actual statements from the company has been released. Nevertheless, the device is estimated to come with 512GB of storage and the upcoming generation of the Intel Kaby Lake Processor. It is likely that the upcoming tablet will also come with USB Type C ports and Thunderbolt 3 ports. Naturally, the Surface Pro 5 will come out of the box with the latest Windows Redstone 3. Furthermore, it will sport upgrades such as better battery life. This alone would be a big thing as the number one complaint about the Surface Pro 4 is battery. However, updates will also be made to the display and an added fingerprint sensor that is embedded into the screen. Moreover, the Surface Pro 5 will come with an updated Surface Pen stylus. The pen, which will allow users to write directly onto the screen, will come with a wireless charging feature. Reportedly, the item will be charged via a magnetic dock that connects directly to the device itself. The best item and most noteworthy of these, of course, is the Kaby Lake i7 Core Processor. This upgrade will reportedly make the Surface Pro 5 more powerful than the current line of MacBook and MacBook Pro units. However, this might be a problem if Microsoft cannot provide the battery life that can supply this much power. Otherwise, the device runs the risk of being ineffective. It has been reported that Microsoft did not unveil the Surface Pro 5 this year because the reigning Surface Pro 4 is doing so well. As such, it is possible that the Redmond-based company is making as much profit as it can before releasing a fully updated option. However, there is also speculation that it just might be to wait for the various specs. Forbes adds that it might be because the company is focused on its cloud services, which is likely to drive Microsoft's future to higher standards. What the Surface Pro 5 will offer, however, is a device that can effortlessly take advantage of this. It also provides the company with a worthy player in a growing market. That is, a device that sits right in between a tablet and a full-blown laptop. Much like the iPad Pro, the Surface Pro devices are able to provide more power than a standard tablet, but is still incredibly portable. The current offering has become a favorite device among influencers who believe in the Windows brand. The Surface Pro 5, when it is released, will just be the epitome of its classification. The tables have been turned, for now. After years of squabbling in and out of court, Samsung finally won against Apple. After a lower court ordered Samsung to pay Apple for stealing the iPhones designs, the decision has been reversed by the Supreme Court. The ruling, which was made on Tuesday, says the Korean tech company no longer owes Apple the amount of $399 million in damages. The original amount Samsung was ordered to pay Apple 4 years ago was a little over $1 billion. Apple took Samsung to court back in2011 after the former accused the latter of copying the design of the iPhone. Samsung was accused of violating three of Apple's design patents including the shape and the use of colorful icons. According to reports, the court led by Justice Sonia Sotomayor came up with an 8-0 verdict favoring Samsung. 9to5Mac released an update on its original story about the Supreme Court Decision and it said that Apple has finally responded. "The question before the Supreme Court was how to calculate the amount Samsung should pay for their copying. Our case has always been about Samsung's blatant copying of our ideas, and that was never in dispute. We will continue to protect the years of hard work that has made iPhone the world's most innovative and beloved product. We remain optimistic that the lower courts will again send a powerful signal that stealing isn't right." Despite this pronouncement from Apple, Samsung is still taking the decision as a victory. The positive piece of news came at the right time for the tech giant. Samsung has been embroiled in controversy after controversy this year. First, there was the exploding Galaxy Note 7 fiasco which forced the company to halt production of the device and lose tons of potential income. That was followed by a recall of 2.8 million top-load washing machines due to the possibility of its cover to detach from the body and hurt someone. The recent discovery of the real reason behind the exploding batteries after a number of speculations can also be taken as a positive sign. This means the company now has closure with the controversial smartphone and can now manufacture devices that will no longer have the same problem as the Note 7. Now it may be known. The batteries in Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 exploded mainly because the company was too "aggressive". And because of lack of space. According to reports, Instrumental, a manufacturing engineering firm, tore a Note 7 down to get to the bottom of things and discovered two possible reasons why the batteries of the doomed device caught fire. First, Instrumental believes the company failed to thoroughly test the batteries used in the Note 7. It speculated that Samsung might have tested different kinds of batteries and that the latest versions "weren't tested with the same rigor as the first samples". Normally testing a battery takes a "notoriously long time" and Samsung may have been too eager to release the device. Of course, this is just a speculation. According to CNBC, Samsung used batteries that are made up of positive and negative layers. The positive layer is made up of lithium cobalt oxide while the negative layer is made of graphite. These layers have separators between the layers to allow energy to flow between the layers. It also prevents them from directly touching each other. Once these layers touch, the reaction may cause a spark which could lead to the battery catching fire. According to Instrumental, this is exactly what happened with Samsung's batteries. While all modern smartphones use batteries with positive and negative layers, Samsung made the mistake of using thin separators. The company probably decided on decreasing the thickness of the separators to streamline the size of the batteries. During the teardown, Instrumental also found out that the lithium-ion battery did not have enough room for error. When the batteries are charged, they expand. This is why a 10 percent extra space is provided by manufacturers. The Note 7's battery filled the entire space after it expanded causing it to overheat. There have been a number of speculations as to why the Galaxy Note 7 was catching fire and most of them pointed accusing fingers at its batteries. It was later discovered that Samsung was testing its batteries in its own lab, a practice that was uncommon. Samsung has not issued an official statement regarding Instrumental's claims as of this writing. Google has released its new Google WiFi, a mesh WiFi network that replaces the conventional router, providing seamless WiFi coverage throughout the home. Through multiple units that actively communicate with each other, the mesh network eliminates WiFi dead zones and offers fast, stable WIFi connection that typical routers can't provide. Before the advent of mesh WiFi networking, most people relied on WiFi extenders to cover the WiFi dead zones in their homes. However, these devices weren't very good at their jobs and even made the WiFi signal worse by cutting the available internet speeds in half. Worse, most of these WiFi extenders required users to reconnect from the main router to the WiFi extender as they moved around their home. The Google WiFi fixes all these problems. The Google WiFi consists of one to three units that connect to each other, creating a mesh network that blankets the entire house. The network provides fast and reliable WiFi without reducing the internet speed and switches the connection to multiple devices automatically, without interruption. According to Google, the Google WiFi, a dual-band router, supports two spatial streams at the same time and delivers maximum throughput of 300 Mbps via the 2.4 GHz band and 867 Mbps via the 5 GHz band. With the Google WiFi app, users can take full control of their network. The app allows families to share their WiFi password, pause the WiFi connection to devices (such as children's tablets), see which devices are online, and allow guests to connect to the network. Incredibly, while many WiFi systems can be expensive, the Google WiFi retails for just $129. PC World reports that with the Google WiFi Network Assist, the installation process can be completed in just a few minutes. Business Insider found that Google WiFi delivers better speeds than WiFi extenders, and that the signal provided by the system was more than enough for browsing the internet, using social media, and even streaming Netflix. However, the outlet warns that the satellite unit of the Google WiFi might not be enough for those with more demanding needs (such as gamers). Nintendo's newest console just debuted yesterday, marking a new phase of the console wars. There was a time where Nintendo and SEGA where the console and gaming giants, but for more than a decade now, it has been Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony battling for supremacy. The Nintendo Switch is a different type of console Nintendo's latest console, the Nintendo Switch, is making some quirky and revolutionizing innovations of its own. While it does function as a standard home console, it also has another trick off its sleeve, which is it transforms into a handheld gaming device, enabling players to play their game as they go. That feature game many fans the curiosity as to who exactly is the Switch competing with? Though some may still say Sony and Microsoft, many have also believed that Nintendo is going to be squaring off against Apple's iPad. Why the Nintendo Switch is different The Nintendo Switch isn't really much of a powerful console when you compare it to the PlayStation 4 Pro or the upcoming Xbox Scorpio. Plus its relatively cheaper price is really not on par with the said consoles. But that doesn't mean the Switch can't be a best-selling console once it's out, though, it has the most interesting feature that a console can offer, which can definitely give anyone just the right reason to buy it. The Nintendo Switch vs. the iPad Instead, the Switch is much comparable to the iPad judging by their features of being portable gaming devices. Though the iPad can do more than just play games, the Nintendo Switch is the ultimate console to have if you plan to play your console-based games on the go. What truly binds them together is their portability. The PlayStation 4 Pro and the Xbox Scorpio, though very powerful consoles, lacks the quirky gimmick that the Switch offers, which is why it really doesn't make that much sense to compare them Recently, a doctor from Chengdu, Sichuan province triggered public debate after posting on Weibo a photo of his 10,000-RMB ($1,451) down jacket. Some argued that it is inappropriate for a doctor to show off his wealth, because doctors are considered to have high moral standards; such behavior could cause more conflicts between patients and doctors, they argued. However, many believe that the man is not at fault since he's making money through his own expertise. The doctor, Ren Liming, actually published his assets on Dec. 6, despite the fierce debate, claiming that he spends about 200,000 RMB on clothing each year. Ren owns three apartments in Sichuan, and said in an interview with Chengdu Economic Daily (CED) that he plans to buy a fourth. According to Ren, the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 changed his views of consumption. He used to be frugal, but now he is willing to spend money on the things that he loves. He said this attitude makes him feel younger. Ren's annual income is over 1 million RMB, including his salary plus income from part-time jobs. In addition, he has invested money in his friend's company. Ren disapproves of doctors who always complain about their low income, discouraging medical students from dreaming big. He believes that every medical student can achieve both professional and economic success as long as they devote enough energy to their studies. In addition, Ren told CED that high incomes for doctors could actually ease conflicts between patients and physicians because off-the-books income would be less attractive to medical professionals if they earned decent money from their primary occupation. Masayoshi Son, CEO of Japanese telecom firm SoftBank, plans to invest US$50 billion and create 50,000 jobs in the U.S. by pumping money into startups, he said after a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump. Son gave few details Tuesday after the meeting with Trump, but he said his focus would be on U.S. startup companies. Son came to meet Trump and to celebrate the Republican's election victory. The $50 billion is half of an already announced $100 billion investment by SoftBank in the global technology industry over the next five years, Son later told the Wall Street Journal. That investment, done in partnership with Saudi Arabia's public investment fund, was announced in October. SoftBank controls Sprint, but it's unclear if the $50 billion would include new investments in the company. Sprint, which has been struggling to compete in the U.S. mobile market, laid off about 2,500 of 33,000 employees back in January. SoftBank purchased ARM, the U.K. chipmaker, for about $32 billion earlier this year. The first Guangzhou-South Asia freight train pulled into Lhasa on the afternoon of Dec. 5, signifying the opening of a rail-motor transport route linking Guangdong, Tibet and Nepal. The train departed from Dalang, Guangzhou province, traveling through Sichuan province, Chongqing municipality and Tibet Autonomous Region before reaching Lhasa. The whole journey from Guangzhou to Kathmandu is 6,070 kilometers, which includes 5,200 kilometers of rail and 870 kilometers of highway. The train carried eight standard containers and 14 carriages containing clothing, furniture, home appliances and electronic products worth 19 million RMB. The goods will enter Nepal from Tibets Jilong Port and finally arrive in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu through highways. After a trial period, the travel time from Guangzhou to Lhasa will be shortened to 3.7 days. The train provides a convenient and efficient trade channel between Tibet and Guangdong; it will attract more industries to gather along the route, thereby promoting industry in Tibet, said Luo Mei, assistant to the chairman of Tibet Autonomous Region. The Guangzhou-South Asia freight train will boost the development of Nepals economy, as well as exchanges between the two countries, said Gobinda Bahadur Karki, consul general of Nepal in Lhasa. (Xinhua) 19:09, December 07, 2016 BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- China had a total of 3,062 websites dedicated to popular science at the end of 2015, an increase of 15.5 percent from the year before, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology Wednesday. By the end of 2015, there were more than 1,250 exhibition centers and museums of science and technology nationwide, attracting more than 150 million visitors last year, according to the ministry. About 2.05 million people work in popular science this year, an increase of 2.06 percent year on year, the ministry said. In addition, a total of 14.1 billion yuan (about 2.1 billion U.S. dollars) was raised in the year to popularize science in the country, a 41.9 percent increase from 2010. Government funding accounted for 75.5 percent of the amount, according to officials with the ministry's department of policies, regulations and supervision. Herzog & Biden stress US-Israel closeness ahead of elections WASHINGTON Israeli President Isaac Herzog had a message and stuck to it: Israel and the United States are on the same page no matter who... Anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism, ADLs Jonathan Greenblatt tells audience Anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism, said keynote speaker and Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt to a recent sold-out crowd in the Katz JCC social hall and to... (Xinhua) 19:10, December 07, 2016 BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- China and Japan will hold the sixth round of high-level consultations on maritime affairs this week in Haikou, capital of China's southern Hainan Province. Officials from both countries' foreign ministries, defense ministries and other government organs, including marine law enforcement and management departments, will attend the talks, lasting from Wednesday to Friday, according to foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang. China stands ready to exchange opinions on maritime-related issues with the Japanese side and strengthen understanding and mutual trust, Lu said at a daily press briefing. The China-Japan high-level consultations on maritime affairs were set up in January 2012, with the first round of talks held in May of the same year in Hangzhou, capital of eastern China's Zhejiang Province. The fifth round of consultations was held this September in Japan's Hiroshima, with the two sides agreeing to speed up negotiations on air and maritime contact. Enditem (Xinhua) 20:28, December 07, 2016 BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- A memorial rite extending only condolences is said to be the focus of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's upcoming visit to Pearl Harbor of the United States. Would it suffice to comfort, as Abe plans, the more than 2,000 lives of the U.S. military lost in the Japanese surprise attack 75 years ago? No apology would be offered during Abe's visit, it has been announced, for launching war without declaration. And would this help voice determination not to repeat the tragedy of war? Such a vow is just another point Japanese media said Abe will highlight at the ceremony to be held during his trip on Dec. 26-27. These would substantiate largely the first trip to Pearl Harbor by a Japanese Prime Minister since Dec. 7, 1941, when Japan launched a sudden attack on the U.S. naval base in Hawaii. The Pearl Harbor attack propelled the United States into World War II and ushered in ferocious sea battles in the Pacific that would finally force Japan to surrender in 1945. This is exactly the site, which is both historic and symbolic, that Abe has chosen to demonstrate postwar reconciliation with the United States, but with "no apology." The trip came after U.S. President Barack Obama paid a visit to Hiroshima earlier this year, where the world's first atomic bomb was dropped by the United States in August 1945. The visit was the first by an incumbent U.S. president. Since delivering a speech at the U.S. Congress speaking of Pearl Harbor in 2015, Japanese media report said, Abe has been weighing up how to manifest the significance of a visit to the historic site, as well as how to publicize the importance of Japan-U.S. alliance there. The fact itself indicates a diplomatic show and a political calculation on the Japanese part, which makes the Japanese position of no apology more suggestive. The no-apology line betrays Abe's revisionist view of the war history. Pearl Harbor means a lot to Americans. It's hard to know what the Americans would think when the site becomes a stage for a Japanese politician to spread history revisionism. Neither will one know whether the Americans have ever imagined they would fall victim to Japan again 75 years after, for the latter's intended reinforcement of a military alliance with the United States. Aidan Turner is currently shooting in Cornwall for "Poldark" Season 3, reprising his role as Ross. But, there's a big possibility that this could be his last season for the show, especially if season 4 already features the time skip. According to Movie News Guide, there's a possibility that "Poldark" will continue beyond season 3 due to the show's success. BBC could actually have up to a season 6, given the number of books that "Poldark" has. Of course, the producers could still opt to end the show after season 3. But in order to justify that, BBC will have to cover a lot from the books so they could end "Poldark" after three seasons. Digital Spy also mentions that BBC said there's no truth that "Poldark" will be a five part series. If the producers do decide to continue the show, there's still a possibility that Turner won't be returning for the succeeding seasons. There are a few obstacles that will prevent Turner from returning after season 3 and one of them is the time-jump in the books. If "Poldark" Season 4 begins with the time-jump, it means Ross would have aged significantly. Ross would already be in his mid-50s, which would be a problem for Turner. "There's a big time jump between two of the books and Ross gets older - and I can't pull off mid-50s!" Turner said. "So I don't know what will happen." Another obstacle to Turner possibly returning for further seasons of "Poldark" is the rumor circulating that's linking Turner to be the next 007. If the Irishman does become James Bond, there's a possibility that he will be too busy to continue his role as Ross in "Poldark." Of course, everything is just rumors and speculation at the moment. For now, fans should anticipate the upcoming Season 3 of "Poldark," where Turner is returning as Ross. It looks like election smoke hasn't cleared up yet between President-elect Donald Trump and actor Alec Baldwin. The outspoken president ditched "Saturday Night Live" comedy skit segment that parodies him. In this episode, it can be seen that Trump (impersonated by Baldwin), is busy retweeting tweets from his supporters while on a security meeting. The tweet that he is reading supposedly came from his high school supporter named Seth. Just tried watching Saturday Night Live - unwatchable! Totally biased, not funny and the Baldwin impersonation just can't get any worse. Sad Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) Fifteen minutes later, Baldwin responded in tweeter. Baldwin used his foundation's tweeter account @ABFalecbaldwin to comment back. ...@realDonaldTrump Release your tax returns and I'll stop. Ha ABFoundation (@ABFalecbaldwin) Mr. Trump's tweet has been retweeted more than 27,000 up to this writing. His supporters and non-supporters alike are quick to respond. One tweet comments: .@realDonaldTrump It scares me that you have a Trumpertantrum over satire. What happens when faced with real issues? James Fell (@BodyForWife) There are also supporters of the president-elect who came quick for defense. Many of them are furious that Mr Trump is being attacked and mocked without consideration of his position as a dully-elected official. Most comments in favour of Trump argue that the skit is biased and does not in any way reflect any positive judgment about the incoming leader. One pro-Trump tweets: Unfair satirical comedy shows dont give equal time to how great @realDonaldTrump is too. He should change the law so they have to! #MAGA Dom Knight (@domknight) This was not the first time that Trump and Baldwin exchanges word war in tweeter. Fox reported their tweeter war started in November when Mr Trump admonished SNL and Baldwin's comic impression of him. According to him, the skit is "totally one-sided, biased show - nothing funny at all. Equal time for us?" This tweet prompted a series of responses from Baldwin. In a report by News Day, Mr. Trump's adviser Kellyanne Conway came to defend him of his use of tweeter. In an interview with CNN, Ms Conway said that the president-elect is using tweeter and other social platforms to send his message to the public. "He's the president-elect, so that's presidential behavior," she added. As a matter of fact, a report from Jobs & Hire confirmed that the president used tweeter to claim that two million Americans had voted illegally. The controversial tweet last Saturday was posted right after Trump attended a costume party. The party was sponsored by one of his campaign donor's residence in Head of the Harbor. A rather uncomfortable Tuesday for South Korea's largest company executives as they face the parliament and, altogether, the public for questioning. This is all due to the South Korea corruption scandal wherein big names like Samsung, Hyundai, and Lotte is caught in meddling waters. Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong is in question for his involvement in financially supporting a close friend of President Park, Ms. Choi Soon-sil, to gain partisan influence over specific business deals including the merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries. In an account by BBC News, Samsung has admitted having given a horse to the daughter of Ms. Choi Soon-sil. Only to note that according to Lee Jae-yong this was supposedly only a gift without any prior motive of gaining influence or whatsoever. A record by UPI, accounts that the Samsung executive's statement was in response to allegations from the ruling party lawmaker Lee Man-hee who said, "Samsung provided [$8.5 million] to the family of Choi [Soon-sil] so [her daughter] Chung Yoo-ra could purchase horses in Europe." The issue has risen in the midst of another subject that involves Choi as a suspect of maneuvering the South Korean President Park Geun-hye's pronouncements either in or out of office. The prosecutors of Parliamentary have already associated Ms. Choi with the mishandling of funds that she was able to grab through accessing classified documents. Samsung is also accused of donating large sums to the non-profit foundations handled by Ms. Choi which is believed to be in exchange for the support of a controversial merger. According to BBC News, Samsung has given a total of 20.4 billion won (16 million; $17.46 million) to the two foundations. Lee Jae-yong regrets the positions he made prior to the investigation. However, he countered that they were not ill-motivated. Mr. Lee acknowledges any responsibility for the company that will be deemed necessary. Samsung executive Lee Jae-yong is expected to assume the position of his father, Lee Kun-hee, as chairman of Samsung after his father steps down. Finally, Netflix "Sense8" Season 2 will be back this year! And, it's going to be on a two-hour long Christmas Special. Before its renewal, the science fiction drama will deliver first an intriguing spin-off story of the Sensates. Supposedly, the eight strangers will journey towards self-discovery. Definitely, it's something to watch out for. Netflix's very own sci-fi drama is about eight global strangers who are brought together by their strange ability. "Sense8" Season 1 & 2 (soon) are original pieces by renowned filmmakers Lana and Lilly Wachowski, and J. Michael Straczynski. "The Sense8 Christmas special order will begin streaming from Friday, December 23 on Netflix. It will feature a deeper connection between eight strangers," Movie News Guide reports. The journey of the "Sense8" Season 2 casts will continue with their forthcoming Christmas episode first. In the course of the TV Special, the "Sense8" strangely linked individuals will find themselves on a journey. In there, each of them will forge a deeper connection to each other. In spite of what they emotionally and psychologically have already. As the discovery becomes apparent, Christmas Special will reveal all their dark secrets. In essence, it will be the threat to their group. They will be forced to accept the meaning of camaraderie to be able to move forward. In a report by Cinema Blend, it details that "Sense8" Season 2 will continue on May 5, 2017. With regards to the plot, no strong confirmation is given yet, only that it will continue from what it left behind. Additionally, "Sense8" Season 2 will bring Whispers closer to them, this will lead them to deal with self-issues. Surely, the same international cast will be on it, to pursue their character's soul searching further. In all, "Sense8" Christmas Special is also a must watch! The fans can better understand all the characters with it. For further details, stay tuned with Jobs & Hire. Love is truly in the air for both Prince Harry of England and his girlfriend Meghan Markle. In fact, the royal prince even flew miles just to be with his heart's princess and have some "Private Time" together, reports say. Just after his 14-day Caribbean tour, Prince Harry headed to Toronto, Canada to pay a visit to the "Suits" actress. According to E! News, the couple wanted to share alone time together and found the perfect moment since Meghan Markle also just concluded her filming schedule. The royal prince is said to travel with his entourage back to London when he decided to divert his flight to his girlfriend's home. A sign that clearly shows how much Prince Harry loves Meghan Markle, News.com.au reported saying he is even "head-over-heels" with the American actress. Meanwhile, Markle was recently seen with a bouquet of pink flowers while walking the streets of Toronto alone painting a huge grin on her face. Whereas Prince Harry was last photographed paying his final visit in his Carribean tour Saturday, E! News added. The couple reportedly started dating secretly on July of this year yet only first appeared publicly on October. Prince Harry was forced to reveal their relationship a month later as he defended Meghan Markle from harassments. The fairy tale-like love story continued to blossom between the two thus proving distance is not a hindrance. However, their affair is said to have somehow affected the marriage of his brother Prince William to his wife duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton as the former chooses to support him. Nevertheless the couple seemed to be happy together sharing love and affection. Speculations also say that Prince Harry is planning to meet Meghan Markle's parents in America soon, said the report. What do you think of this love affair? Do you see another royal-commoner marriage in the future? Comment your views below and visit Jobs & Hire for more exciting updates. With over 90,000 movie fanatics who supported the film, "King of Prism by Pretty Rhythm" is now hailed as the longest running Japanese anime film in Korean theatres. The hit movie has been running in cinemas in South Korean for over a hundred days since it was first released in the country last August 11. "King of Prism by Pretty Rhythm's" official website has expressed the anime film producers' and Director Masakazu Hishida's deepest gratitude as the movie was expectedly screened for over 100 days in cinemas in Korea. The record achieved by "King of Prism by PrettyRhythm", which had an advance screening in Korea on August 4, beats the record of "Love Live! The School Idol Movie" last 2015 that was featured in theatres in Korea for more than a hundred days. In an interview with The Asahi Shimbun, Director Hishida said that he and the team did not ever imagined that the anime film would run that long in South Korea. He added that he will always be thankful for the opportunity to feature the movie in a foreign country for such a long period of time. Hishida directed the said anime movie at Tatsunoko Production with its script being written by Jou Aoba who is also the creator of the storyboard of "Pretty Rhythm Aurora Dream" According to Crunchyroll, "King of Prism by Pretty Rhythm" was released last January 9 in theatres in Japan and has been shown for 238 days. Reports also show that the anime film has sold over 460,000 theater ticjets and has earned approximately 7.8 million US dollars (equivalent to 800 million yen) only for eight straight months. Initially launched in the TV anime entitled "Pretty Rhythm: Rainbow Live", the boyband called "Over the Rainbow" is the focus of the said anime movie. "King of Prism by Pretty Rhythm" is a spin-off of the TV anime series "Pretty Rhythm" which is about fashion and dancing themed game intended for teenagers. The anime film's sequel entitled "King of Prism - Pride the Hero" has been already set for release on June 2017. Keep updated on the latest anime news, check out Jobs & Hire. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 Trend: The OSCE is expected to monitor the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops Dec. 8, said Azerbaijans Defense Ministry Dec. 7. The monitoring will be held under the mandate of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative along the line of contact in the direction of Azerbaijans Aghdam district, said the ministry. On the Azerbaijani side, the monitoring will be held by field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative Jiri Aberle, Peter Svedberg and Simon Tiller. On the Azerbaijani territories occupied and controlled by Armenian armed forces, the monitoring will be carried out by field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative Gennady Petrica and Hristo Hristov. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Email Links to our top local news stories of the day, Monday through Saturday. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 By Elmira Tariverdiyeva Trend: Possibility of holding a 3+2 format meeting three OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, plus Azerbaijani and Armenian FMs on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in Hamburg was discussed but there is still no final agreement, said the Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova during a briefing Dec. 7. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has earlier said that Yerevan had not yet responded to the Frances proposal to hold the 3+2 format meeting in Hamburg. It means that Armenia avoids the negotiations, rendering no support to the peace process, according to him. Mammadyarov noted that Baku supports Frances proposal to hold the 3+2 format meeting on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in Hamburg. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Philip Morris International has entered the Food and Drug Administration regulatory gauntlet to have its electronically heated cigarette reviewed as a potential reduced-risk product. The Switzerland-based manufacturer confirmed Tuesday its submission of a modified-risk tobacco product application for its iQOS technology with the FDAs Center for Tobacco Products. The technology is in use with the Marlboro HeatStick device in Italy, Japan and Switzerland. The company expects the FDA will need at least 60 days to complete an administrative review to determine whether to accept the application for substantive review as a modified-risk product. Analysts have projected that the cost of a FDA regulatory review would be several million dollars for each application. An application is expected to be required for each flavoring and nicotine content level. By comparison, the FDA estimates the average cost of an application at $466,563 each. Complicating the review process is the pending transition from the Obama administration, which has supported tighter regulations on tobacco products, to the Trump administration, which is likely to favor reducing regulations overall, as does a Republican-controlled Congress. Scott Ballin, past chairman of the Coalition on Smoking or Health, said the application for the iQOS technology was estimated at more than 2 million pages. The FDA debuted Aug. 8 its latest round of heightened regulations on tobacco product innovations. With the application, PMI enters a regulatory pipeline that could last until the end of 2018. The manufacturer has expressed optimism for debuting the heat sticks in the U.S. by late 2017 or early 2018. Bonnie Herzog, a Wells Fargo Securities analyst, said in October that U.S. retailer interest was growing for a heat-not-burn product even though the only one in the market, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.s Eclipse, is in limited distribution. Philip Morris International said the application for iQOS represents the next step in building a reduced-risk product portfolio that meets a broad spectrum of adult smoker preferences and rigorous regulatory requirements. It has invested more than $2 billion in reduced-risk product development. While this designation could be very powerful from a global public health standpoint, (the manufacturer) will need to file a premarket tobacco product application to commercialize the product in the U.S. via an exclusive licensing agreement with Philip Morris USA, Herzog said. The premarket application would allow PMI to market the heat sticks in the U.S. without making a health claim similar to how it is sold in a test market in Japan. Herzog said she expects PMI to file the premarket application in the first quarter and get an answer from the FDA by late summer. We continue to believe iQOS is a positive catalyst for both manufacturers, providing a unique competitive advantage, Herzog said. Based on our analysis, we think 25 percent to 30 percent of the U.S. combustible cig market could be converted to iQOS by 2025, resulting in incremental volume for Philip Morris USA as it could take up to 9 share points and reach 60 market share by 2025. Last week, Andre Calantzopolous, chief executive of PMI, told BBC that iQOS has the potential to allow the manufacturer to phase out making combustible cigarettes. Herzog said she believes iQOS has strong potential to break the mold gives its overwhelming success in Japan, its strong margin profile since it is taxed 20 percent below conventional cigs there, tax benefits in other markets, and growing consumer acceptance/conversion rates in other key markets. Herzog said iQOS could play a pivotal role in spurring the reuniting of the two Philip Morris companies, along with the potential purchase of Reynolds American Inc. by British American Tobacco Plc. We reiterate our belief that PMI would benefit from owning the U.S. market outright, rather than receive just a revenue and royalty stream from the sale of iQOS to Philip Morris USA, Herzog said. The potential U.S. entrance of Marlboro HeatStick comes about 16 months after R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. acknowledged in August 2015 that it was discontinuing its second attempt in 12 years at marketing a heated cigarette, Revo. Reynolds shelved Revo after launching a test market in Wisconsin in February. The product sold at retail for about $6 a pack. Susan Cameron, Reynolds chief executive and president, had expressed confidence that heat-not-burn finally finds its time. Although Cameron stressed Reynolds is not exiting the heat-not-burn category, the repeat failure did not appear to surprise analysts, who have questioned the level of demand for heated cigarettes, particularly given the inability to match the taste that comes from a traditional cigarette. We believe we are the experts in the area of heat-not-burn, given our more than two decades of research and innovation in the category, Reynolds spokesman David Howard said in October. Eclipse, the companys first national attempt at the heat-not-burn category from 2003 to 2007, also ended because the product struggled to gain traction with adult smokers. CLEMMONS Thomas Shook still vividly remembers what happened 75 years ago today. On Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese navy bombed Pearl Harbor. Shook was a 20-year-old second class yeoman assigned to the USS Phoenix, a light cruiser that was anchored next to a hospital ship at Ford Island. Ford Island lies in the center of Pearl Harbor. Several American battleships were moored along the island that day. Shook worked in the personnel records office aboard the Phoenix. He saw the planes from a porthole on the ship. I saw it (a Japanese plane) bank off after it dropped a bomb on one of the (American) battleships, Shook said. There were others also in the air. Shook, now 95, said he had just finished eating breakfast when he heard gunfire. I was a little bit scared, but I knew what was happening, he said. Japanese carrier planes attacked the U.S. Navys Pacific fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor. Fighter planes and dive bombers also attacked Army planes based at Hickam and Wheeler fields. Japanese planes sank four American warships that morning and damaged 14 others. The USS Phoenix and its nearly 900-man crew survived the attack. The ships gunners fired at the Japanese planes attacking the American battleships, according to the Dictionary of American Fighting Ships. As Shooks ship sailed through Pearl Harbor, he and his shipmates saw the carnage of the attack. The American battleships, including the USS Arizona and USS West Virginia, were burning, spewing massive amounts of smoke into the air. And he saw the victims. We saw the men lying in the water dead, Shook said. They were blown off the ships, and they were covered in oil. Nearly 2,500 U.S. service personnel and civilians were killed in the surprise attack that became known as the Day of Infamy and led the U.S. to enter World War II. Twenty-nine Japanese planes were shot down during the raid, which lasted about 2 hours. The Phoenix later joined a small task force of surviving American warships who also escaped Pearl Harbor. The American task force couldnt find the massive Japanese fleet, which included six aircraft carriers. Shook spent five years and eight months on the Phoenix, a quarter of his 20-year Navy career. That was my home, Shook said of his ship. A native of Valle Crucis in Watauga County, Shook joined the U.S. Navy in 1939. There were no jobs during the Great Depression, Shook said. I didnt have any money to go to college. There were no such things as student loans. After he retired from the Navy in 1959, Shook worked as a stockbroker in Norfolk, Va., said his daughter, Betty Shook. In 1967, he landed a job with Cannon Memorial Hospital in Banner Elk, working as a purchasing agent. He retired from that position in 1983. Today, Shook said he will think about what happened on Dec. 7, 1941. Hell think about his crewmates on the Phoenix and the men who were lost. In years past, he usually gets a little sad, his wife, Carol, said. FAYETTEVILLE Supporters cheered Tuesday evening as President-elect Donald Trump delivered an encore performance of the road show he brought to North Carolina cities large and small in the 2016 campaign season. The Fayetteville rally marked his first trip to North Carolina since winning the election and was the second stop on his USA Thank You Tour. Trump brought retired Marine Gen. James Mattis his choice for defense secretary to the stage at the rally near Fort Bragg, the nations largest military base. The military families in North Carolina are a national treasure, and it will be the duty of my administration to ensure that we protect those who protect us, Trump told the crowd. Drew Spaulding, 21, who is stationed at Fort Bragg, said he liked Trumps choices for his cabinet so far, especially Mattis. I like what hes doing with the military, Spaulding said. I think hes going to keep our troops safer. Trump, the Republican real estate mogul, was active on the campaign trail in North Carolina. While Democrat Hillary Clinton largely spoke to crowds in the states largest cities Charlotte, Raleigh and Greensboro Trump traveled throughout the state. In September, he even campaigned in Kenansville, a town with fewer than 1,000 people. He visited Fayetteville twice, in March and August. Trumps transition planning process has included numerous meetings in New York with potential advisers and job candidates. He is due to meet today with Gov. Pat McCrory, who lost his bid for re-election. Gov.-elect Roy Cooper held a victory rally of his own Tuesday evening in Raleigh. But in Fayetteville, Trump supporters had another chance to celebrate the biggest Republican victory of an election night that also returned Richard Burr to the U.S. Senate and maintained GOP supermajorities in both chambers of the state legislature. Robert Galloway, 40, said he was happy with what he has seen so far in terms of Trumps Cabinet choices, including the former rival he chose for secretary of housing and urban development. Ben Carson Im really happy about that, said Galloway, a former North Carolina resident now living in the San Francisco area. Its so early in the transition that there are so many rumors, but from what Ive heard confirmed, Im optimistic. Galloway, an engineer and photographer who was in Fayetteville for work this week, said the most important issue for him is the Second Amendment, which Trump has said he will protect. Susan Hooks of Whiteville came with her three children, Dakota, 11, Emma, 13, and Logan, 15. She said it was the second Trump rally the family had attended together. Hooks, a pharmaceutical representative, said she supported Trump because of his economic positions and determination to bring jobs back to the United States. Im glad Hillary didnt win because she was going to crush my industry, Hooks added. She also said she believes Trump is more mature than Obama. Trump has so much more life experience and business experience, she said. That means a lot when youre facing world leaders and decisions that affect the entire country. Emma Hooks said she likes Trump because he is not afraid to say what he means. PARIS French Socialist President Francois Hollande knew which way the winds were blowing. His announcement recently that he would not seek re-election was a response to record-breaking unpopularity. But it also reflects weaknesses haunting the left and center-left throughout the democratic world. Donald Trumps victory may thus be only a particularly alarming portent for moderate progressives who, less than two decades ago, were confidently on the march. Now, the radicalization of the right threatens the consensual welfare state capitalism that gave the West decades of relative social peace and prosperity. France is the latest example, and a dramatic one. If there is one taken-for-granted assumption in French political life, it is that Marine Le Pen, the candidate of the far right National Front, will find her way into the runoff in next years presidential election. The first round will be held in April, the second, between the top two finishers in May. But the surprise, at least to much of the media and political class, was the victory of Francois Fillon in the November primaries for the countrys main center-right party, the Republicans. Fillon, a traditionalist Catholic, is a critic of multiculturalism and what he sees as Muslim encroachment on French identity. He routed former President Nicolas Sarkozy and the favorite, former prime minister Alain Juppe. Juppe was the moderate in the group, and a significant number of Socialist Party supporters crossed into the other sides contest to help him. They hoped that if the country eventually faced a center-right vs. far-right choice in the general election runoff thats the betting line now the former would be at least acceptable to them. But after Sarkozy was eliminated, Fillon defeated Juppe in a landslide. This parlous choice gave the already done-for Hollande an excellent reason to announce that he would not seek re-election. As a Socialist, because thats my lifes commitment, I cannot accept, I cannot resign myself, to a scattering of the left, to its breaking up, Hollande declared Thursday night. Because that would take away all hope of winning against conservatism, and even worse, against extremism. Well, yes, but the French left is already in pieces. It faces not only divisions but also subdivisions within its divisions. Emmanuel Macron, 38, quit Hollandes Cabinet to form a new centrist political movement built around modernizing French politics and embracing economic openness. He is in a long line of politicians going back to the center-left heyday of Bill Clinton and Tony Blair who have positioned themselves against both the traditional left and right. I want to unite the French, Im not reaching out to the left or the right, Im reaching out to the French, he said in a television interview. Polls suggest that Macron may be able to appeal to some of the same anti-system feeling that is motivating votes for the far right. Still, his Third Way politics are more in keeping with the prosperous and optimistic 1990s than with our gloomier and more nationalistic moment. And with Hollande out of the race, Macron could find himself challenged for votes from the moderate left by another political modernizer from inside the Socialist Party, Prime Minister Manuel Valls. The splintering on the progressive side goes further still. Outside the Socialist Party, Jean-Luc Melenchon is running as the champion of the harder left. Arnaud Montebourg, the former Economics Minister, comes from the Socialist Partys own left wing, pushing for protectionism to battle the excesses of globalization. Hollandes withdrawal creates a sense of at least remote possibility among socialists. Their primary in January will likely feature Valls, Montebourg and possibly others. But its winner could still hemorrhage votes to Macron in the center and Melenchon on the left. Every country has its particularities. Hollandes problems were personal as well as ideological: Even his own political base came to see him as hapless and indecisive. But the center-lefts troubles and the hardening of opinion on the right reflect the rise of a politics of fear across so many of the democracies, including the United States. Its elements include fear of the impact of globalization on the living standards of the working class, fear of immigration and the dilution of national identity, and fear of terrorism. A center-left that once thrived on a politics of hope must either come to terms with these fears or actively push back against them. It is divided because it cannot decide which strategy is more promising and which is more in keeping with its values. Maybe President-elect Donald Trump thought he looked the part; he surely does, with ramrod-straight posture and a short, military-style haircut. Perhaps Trump was won over by the nickname Mad Dog. Vice President-elect Mike Pence might have made a push for him. However Trump reached the decision to nominate retired Marine Gen. James Mattis as his secretary of defense, it is to date the single best decision since the election. It will ameliorate a great deal of anxiety here at home and among allies overseas about the shape of the Trump national security policy. While many respected foreign-policy hands are troubled by the prospect of a recently retired general heading the civilian office of defense secretary (he will need a waiver from Congress), there is widespread approval if not jubilation in conservative foreign-policy circles. General Mattis is an outstanding choice to lead the Department of Defense, Tom Spoehr, director of Heritage Foundations Center for National Defense, told me via email. Mattis understands the challenges our service members face every day, and how to lead at the highest levels. He offers a clear-eyed view of the potential adversaries our nation faces, and brings a solid perspective to the challenge of rebuilding our nations military, a critical step to re-establishing American credibility in the world. Others were likewise laudatory. Brian Hook, senior foreign-policy adviser to the 2012 Romney campaign and former State Department official, remarked, This was a crucial appointment to get right and Trump made an excellent choice. He added, Mattis thinks clearly about threats to peace and security. His character and bravery inspire our troops. And his appointment signals to our allies that a trusted leader and steady hand is in charge of the US military. Its not hard to figure out why these and other foreign-policy gurus are so enthusiastic. His Mad Dog nickname gets the most press, but it is his other moniker Warrior Monk that best reflects the high regard in which he is held, both for his total devotion to the military and for his intellectual depth. John Noonan, a former staffer for the House Armed Services Committee, wrote about him: Mattis is something of a cult figure in the Marines. One such tale had the general relieving a young Marine captain of sentry duty on Christmas Day, taking up the post himself so the young officer could be with his family. Hes known for his excellence in both the arts of combat and diplomacy alike. Mattis led the First Marine Division in an aggressive thrust into the Euphrates River Valley in 2003, but also skillfully managed the kaleidoscope of conflicting diplomatic relationships as commander of U.S. Central Command. Asked about his favorite books, Mattis said in an interview, Colin Gray from the University of Reading is the most near-faultless strategist alive. Then theres Sir Hew Strachan from Oxford, and Williamson Murray, the American. Those three are probably the leading present-day military theorists. Youve got to know Sun-tzu and Carl von Clausewitz, of course. The Army was always big on Clausewitz, the Prussian; the Navy on Alfred Thayer Mahan, the American; and the Air Force on Giulio Douhet, the Italian. But the Marine Corps has always been more Eastern-oriented. I am much more comfortable with Sun-tzu and his approach to warfare. Mattis has also written and edited books on the military. He is famous for his Mattisisms (You are part of the worlds most feared and trusted force. Engage your brain before you engage your weapon.). While such a figure engenders respect and affection in the military and in national security circles, Mattiss nomination should be lauded in part for what it conveys to our allies and foes alike: The administration will be serious, operate from strength, respect allies and vanquish foes. (Another Mattisism: Demonstrate to the world there is No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy than a U.S. Marine.) He is without question a grownup, well known around the world, in part because of his dual service as commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command and as NATOs Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation. Mattis, experts are certain, would not take a job unless he was convinced that his worldview would be compatible with the commander in chiefs. As an added bonus, Mattis outranks retired Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn, Trumps fickle and erratic pick for national security adviser. He will keep Flynn in check and maintain control over his defense portfolio. With the presidents ear, he will be seen as speaking with the full authority of the administration. Furthermore, with a secretary of this caliber, top talent would line up to fill other Pentagon slots, something foreign-policy hawks were previously loath to do. Does this mean all will be well and on track in the Trump foreign-policy realm? Well, key positions are yet to be filled. Moreover, there is only one commander in chief, whose judgment is questionable and whose rhetoric is perpetually intemperate. But this is the best sign that Americans, our allies and our foes have gotten about the president-elects foreign-policy outlook. Provided that Mattis is allowed to do his job, is joined by a competent and mature secretary of state and maintains the president-elects confidence, we should be able to rest easier, knowing that our nations security is in good hands. Cheers to Democrat Roy Cooper for winning the governors race, an achievement that incumbent Republican Pat McCrory finally affirmed with his concession video Monday. Now that Cooper has had his well-deserved victory lap, he can start preparing for his big challenges. As Cooper, the state attorney general, becomes the governor in January, hell face a GOP-dominated legislature and council of state. But Democrats have won control of the state Supreme Court, where the legislatures controversial laws sometimes land. That provides some much-needed balance. We hope legislative leaders wont subvert the will of the voters by trying to pack the court when they return to Raleigh next week for a special session that should just stick to a flood recovery package. The issue of recovery from the floods unleashed by Hurricane Matthew in October would be a great place for Cooper and Republicans to try to find common ground. McCrory, who called the special session, has been strong in standing up for the flood victims. Cooper hails from Eastern North Carolina, where the floods hit. Perhaps he can start working now with GOP leaders on recovery efforts. Thats the kind of cooperation North Carolinians want to see. They want to see their leaders cooperating on better pay for all teachers and on better schools. Cooper, who worked hard for public education in the legislature, should be able to find common ground with Republicans on this issue. North Carolinians want to see their leaders cooperating in bringing in jobs and business. Many want to see House Bill 2, the law championed by McCrory that discriminates against transgender people, rescinded because its cost so much business and jobs. GOP legislative leaders have resisted all pleas to rescind the law. But now that all the election smoke has cleared, perhaps Cooper and his fellow Democrats can somehow persuade the GOP leaders to see the reason in rescinding the law. We realize thats a tall order. But wed also submit its one for which most of the people of this state are ready. Its time for cooperation to move our state forward on that issue and so many others. Lead the way, Gov-elect Cooper. HARVEY E. ARMOUR, Winston-Salem An alternative to abortion The Dec. 1 article Lawsuits challenge abortion limits in N.C., 2 other states indicated that among the targets of lawsuits filed by Planned Parenthood is an N.C. law that prevents doctors from performing abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy, except when there is an immediate medical emergency. Planned Parenthood wants to allow abortions even beyond halfway through the normal pregnancy period. However, there is ample reason to believe a fetus is a human being after 20 weeks and probably even as early as conception. Psalm 139:13 supports this point of view. And anyone who sees photos of unborn children still in the womb of their mother will realize that even a few weeks after conception, a fetus looks like a human being in an early stage of development. In other words, a fetus is not just a featureless blob that will become human only after it is born. There is also sufficient reason to believe that the vast majority of abortions are done because the birth of a baby would not be convenient for the birth mother. For those who dont want to deal with all that is involved in raising a child, there are thousands of adults who would count it a blessing to be able to adopt an unwanted baby. Adoption would also benefit the mother of the unwanted child, since she would have the comfort of knowing that her baby will have an opportunity for a full life, rather than suffering the horrible consequences of abortion. *** DOROTHY MATHEWS, Rural Hall Inventing slanders In the Nov. 28 letter A duplicitous party, the writer asks why it is OK for Democrats to talk about immigration and not OK for Republicans to do so. Its perfectly OK for anyone to talk about immigration. It is not OK to invent slanders and spread them. President Jimmy Carter closed our borders to Iranians because our country had a problem with their country, not because of their religious beliefs. He didnt close our borders to any other Muslims. When President Bill Clinton applied law to illegal immigration, he did not single out a nationality or accuse any people of crimes they had not committed. He just enforced our law. When President-elect Donald Trump said he wanted to close our borders to all Muslims, he was practicing religious bigotry. He was not enforcing law. When he referred to Mexican immigrants as rapists and killers, he was being xenophobic. He was not taking a stand against a country that kidnapped U.S. citizens. When he refused to admit the white supremacy advocacy of Breitbart News, he was tacitly endorsing racism. If Republicans talk about immigration control that is financially, socially and ethically reasonable, I will stand up and applaud. If they acknowledge the equality of all American citizens, I will stand up and applaud. I will continue to despise ignorance and bigotry, I will disclose them for what they are and I will never applaud them. *** TOMMY H. SIMMONS, Winston-Salem Biased writer I think its interesting that the writer of the Nov. 25 letter Loss of objectivity complains about biased media just before going on his own deeply biased rant against President Obama. Somehow, the man he claims to be the most radical, arrogant and dangerous narcissist ever to occupy the White House never lived up to his billing. The most radical things he did were to provide health insurance for about 20 million Americans, some of whom otherwise might have died, revive the economy that the Republicans crashed and adopt immigration stances similar to those of Ronald Reagan. (I wonder if the letter writer will feel obliged to reassess his statement after the January inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.) Surprisingly, the letter comes at a time when more media are exposing the production of fake news stories that seem to have been consumed uncritically by conservatives in the lead-up to the presidential election. Were going to have to start using the term conservative bias to explain their gullibility. Im in favor of objectivity. But this letter writer reminds us all that not everyone who uses the word understands its meaning. When You Write The Journal encourages readers comments. To participate in The Readers Forum, please submit letters online to Letters@wsjournal.com. Please write The Readers Forum in the subject line and include your full name, address and a daytime telephone number. Or you may mail letters to: The Readers Forum, P.O. Box 3159, Winston-Salem, NC 27102. Letters are subject to editing and may be published on journalnow.com. Letters are limited to 250 words. Letter writers are allowed one letter every 30 days. If you would like a photo of yourself included with your letter, send it to us as a .jpg file. For more guidelines and advice on writing letters, go to journalnow.com/opinion/submit_a_letter. The Journal welcomes original submissions for guest columns on local, regional and statewide topics. Essay length should not exceed 750 words. The writer should have some authority for writing about his or her subject. Our email address is: Letters@wsjournal.com. Essays may also be mailed to: The Readers Forum, P.O. Box 3159, Winston-Salem, NC 27102. Please include your name and address and a daytime telephone number. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 By Seba Aghayeva Trend: GUAM, the organization for democracy and economic development, which includes Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova, will continue promoting the UN General Assembly draft resolution Protracted conflicts in the GUAM area and their implications for international peace, security and development, the organizations secretariat told Trend Dec. 7. GUAMs Council of National Coordinators instructed the diplomatic missions of the GUAM member states to continue their efforts to mobilize support for the draft resolution, according to the organizations secretariat. This decision was made at the meeting of the council, which summed up Azerbaijans chairmanship in GUAM for 2016. The council also considered issues of political cooperation in the GUAM format. In particular, the council welcomed adoption of the resolution Cooperation between the UN and GUAM. The presiding country gave information on preparations for the next meetings of the GUAM Parliamentary Assembly (PA) committees, GUAM PA Bureau and the forthcoming meeting of GUAM PA (Dec. 14-15, Baku). GUAM secretary general also told the council about the preparations for the meeting of heads of governments of the GUAM member states and the business forum, which were postponed till early 2017. In this regard, the council noted the need to accelerate internal procedures for harmonization of documents planned to be adopted at this meeting. The council also discussed a range of GUAM sectoral cooperation issues. Proposals of the GUAM member states regarding the candidacies of the countries coordinating sectoral working groups for 2017-2018, as well as issues of cooperation with other states and international organizations were discussed. The documents of the forthcoming 23rd OSCE Ministerial Council (Dec. 8-9) meeting in Strasbourg were harmonized and the information regarding the organizational and financial issues was also considered at the meeting of GUAMs Council of National Coordinators. The GUAM format was created by the post-Soviet states in 1997 during the summit of heads of states of the EU in Strasbourg. In 1999, Uzbekistan joined the format and four years later withdrew. In 2006, Ukraine and Azerbaijan announced plans to further increase the GUAM member relations and established its headquarters in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev. Azerbaijan assumed the chairmanship in GUAM on January 1, 2016. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Asebaa Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 By Seba Aghayeva Trend: Azerbaijan and Kuwait are preparing a number of agreements for signing that are aimed at cooperation development in information and communication technologies (ICT), transportation, financial and humanitarian spheres and others. A part of the documents may be signed as part of the third session of the inter-governmental commission on trade, economic, as well as scientific and technological cooperation, which will probably be held in 2017, Elkhan Gahraman, Azerbaijani ambassador to Kuwait, told Trend. In accordance with the rotation principle, the next meeting will be held in Kuwait, but the exact dates of the meeting are not known yet, the diplomat said. The previous meetings of the commission were held in 2011 and 2013 in Kuwait and Azerbaijan. The two sides signed more than 10 intergovernmental documents on bilateral cooperation after the two previous meetings. In order to boost cooperation in various spheres between the two countries, it is planned to carry out a number of mutual visits of government delegations, Gahraman said. Members of the Summerville Preservation Society sat back and soaked in a burst of historical tidbits about the Lowcountry, including a detailed account of The Goose Creek Men, depicted as founding fathers of the deep south, by former Goose Creek Mayor Dr. Mike Heitzler Read moreWho knew?: Former elected official regales Sville group with little-known facts, anecdotes Lets talk about offbeat news: We humans get ourselves into some interesting situations, to put it mildly. The first one made me laugh out loud. I felt bad for the cop, but lol. Read moreSmith Says: Deputy uses taser on K9 unit that attacked cow Reddit Email 0 Shares By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | Both regime sources and the Britain-based Syria Observatory said Tuesday that the Syrian Arab Army and its Shiite militia allies from Lebanon and Iraq had taken the district of Shaar in the East Aleppo pocket. In the past two weeks rebel forces have lost the northeast sections of the pocket and now the regime is penetrating toward the center of the Old City. Regime sources said they not only had all of Shaar but also had advanced into Karem al-Qaterji. Dubai-based Alarabiya reported that some of the remaining rebel fighters, estimated at just two or three thousand, are now proposing an immediate 5-day humanitarian cessation of hostilities. In part, this step is aimed at allowing the some 500 wounded in the southeast Aleppo pocket to be evacuated (little medical care is available in East Aleppo). They also propose that trapped civilians who want to leave be allowed to transit to the area northeast of Aleppo, which is relatively safe. Probably on the order of 150,000 noncombatants are besieged along with the fighters. And, they urge that negotiations over the future of the city be opened. A big problem is that Russia and Damascus are in control of the military situation and do not need to negotiate, since they are winning. They also appear to feel no compunctions about their ongoing endangerment of noncombatant lives in the pocket. Russia is also intensively bombing positions of the Levantine Conquest Front (formerly Nusra Front), Syrias al-Qaeda affiliate, in the northern rural, largely Sunni Arab province of Idlib. These sorts of aerial bombardment are relatively useless except when done in conjunction with an advancing land force. Such air-infantry coordination is taking place in southeastern Aleppo. But in Idlib the bombing is mostly for psychological effect, and also to keep the Levantine Conquest Front off balance. The remaining rebels in southeast Aleppo have made a united front with al-Qaeda to keep Russia from singling it out and dividing rebel ranks. Unfortunately that means they are formally allied with al-Qaeda, making it difficult for them to pick up outside support. Since 2013, the Syrian rebels have turned increasingly fundamentalist and they have had one major goal to cut Damascus off from resupply and so to take the capital, forcing the regime out of power. Their initial attempt to cut Damascus off focused on Homs and Qusayr, which the Nusra Front and other hard line militias took, and then used them to cut supplies to Damascus coming down by truck from the Mediterranean port of Latakia. But the spring 2013 intervention by Lebanons Hizbullah allowed the regime to recover Homs and Qusayr, and so to forestall a siege of Damascus. Then in spring 2015, the Nusra Front and its allies took all of Idlib, and tried to use it as a springboard to take the port of Latakia to the east. This thrust would, again, have potentially cut off Damascus from resupply. If you take the capital of a country, usually you win the civil war. But then Russia intervened by air to push Nusra/ al-Qaeda and its allies back from Latakia. That was the real reason the Turks were so angry that they shot down a Russian jet in November of 2015. The Russian intervention has allowed the regime to strengthen its defenses in Homs and in Latakia, and so to protect supply lines to Damascus. With Russian air cover, the regime was able to kill the leader of the Saudi-backed Jaysh al-Islam (Army of Islam) and to drive it back from the north of Damascus. The regime was able to extend control south and so frustrate the Jordan and US-backed guerrillas moving up from the south toward Damascus. When East Aleppo falls, likely sometime in December, the regime will have control of all of the major urban areas of the country, some 80% of the population. I keep seeing well informed Syria analysts allege that the rebels have 40 or 50% of Syria. This is not true. They have a lot of eastern desert sand. But I figure the rebels now control only 20% or so of the population, and that is about to go down to more like 15%. Some analysts correctly say that the war will likely continue even after East Aleppo falls. But this point is only partly correct. Some groups will hold out in Idlib and in the Golan and on the Jordan border. But unlike with Homs 2013 or Idlib 2015, they no longer have a strategic path forward to strangling the regime. It is they who are being strangled. So in that sense the war is over save for some shooting. The rebels dont appear to have any prospect of actually winning. And that situation is hardly a platform for attracting new fighters. The rebellion is in the throes of a reverse snowball effect. Eventually it will peter out, though that day may not be near. The crushing of the rebellion is a tragedy, since Syria has a seedy one-party state that tortures people to death and brooks no criticism. But the rebellion also did lose its soul on the whole, moving toward hard line fundamentalism and pledging to ethnically cleanse 2 million Alawite Shiites. It will take decades for Syria to recover from this moment of horrible choices on all sides. Reddit Email 0 Shares Human Rights Watch (New York) The Russian-Syrian coalition committed war crimes during a month-long aerial bombing campaign of opposition-controlled territory in Aleppo in September and October 2016. The Violations Documentation Center, a Syrian civil monitoring organization, documented that the bombing campaign killed more than 440 civilians, including more than 90 children. Airstrikes often appeared to be recklessly indiscriminate, deliberately targeted at least one medical facility, and included the use of indiscriminate weapons such as cluster munitions and incendiary weapons. Satellite imagery that Human Rights Watch analyzed shows more than 950 new distinct impact sites consistent with the detonation of large high explosive bombs across the area during the month. Using that amount of firepower in an urban area with tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of civilians predictably killed hundreds of civilians, said Ole Solvang, deputy emergencies director at Human Rights Watch. Those who ordered and carried out unlawful attacks should be tried for war crimes. A global coalition of 223 nongovernmental organizations on December 1 called upon UN member states to request an Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly to demand an end to all unlawful attacks on civilians in Aleppo and elsewhere in Syria, and immediate and unhindered humanitarian access so that life-saving aid can reach all those in need. Member states should also explore possible avenues to bring those responsible for serious crimes under international law on all sides to justice, the organizations said. Local residents, media activists, and medical personnel told Human Rights Watch that the month-long bombardment was the most intense since the start of the conflict. One local journalist said: Those were bloody days. It was a bloody month. Each day, Russian and Syrian airstrikes killed tens of people. It was the most terrible month since the beginning of the war. Those interviewed also said that the bombardment was particularly terrifying because of frequent use of bombs that they said they had not seen in the city of Aleppo before. Often referring to them as bunker busting bombs, local residents said that these weapons were capable of penetrating and demolishing entire multi-story concrete buildings, meaning it was no longer safe to hide in basements and underground shelters. Some of the attacks with the largest number of civilian casualties were from airstrikes that caused entire buildings to collapse. The bombardment significantly affected several hospitals in eastern Aleppo. The Syrian-American Medical Society, which supports several hospitals in Aleppo, recorded 16 incidents of aerial bombardment affecting hospitals in the period. In some cases, aircraft dropped indiscriminate weapons such as incendiary weapons and cluster munitions near hospitals, causing them damage. In other cases, attacks struck the hospitals directly causing much greater damage. The Russian-Syrian coalition committed war crimes during a month-long aerial bombing campaign of opposition-controlled territory in Aleppo in September and October 2016. Between September 28 and October 14, aircraft attacked the al-Sakhour Medical Center, a well-known hospital in Aleppo that also existed before the war, on at least four separate occasions, sometimes with multiple munitions. Photographs, video footage, and satellite imagery corroborate accounts of these attacks from witnesses reached by phone. The repeated attacks are strong evidence that the hospital was deliberately targeted, Human Rights Watch said. The hospital went out of service on October 1, because of the extensive damage from the strikes. In the same period, attacks also struck search and rescue teams, including four centers operated by the Syria Civil Defense, a search and rescue group working in opposition areas. Stand with Aleppo These UN members agree the General Assembly has a role to play on Aleppo. Tweet to encourage them to support an emergency special session NOW. During the month-long bombing campaign, Syrian military forces surrounded opposition-controlled eastern Aleppo. Although Syrian and Russian authorities declared that civilians and fighters could leave through designated corridors, very few did. Syrian and Russian authorities and armed opposition groups blamed each other for this. Whatever the reason, the Russian-Syrian coalition should have taken precautionary measures to avoid and minimize civilian casualties when attacking armed opposition groups, Human Rights Watch said. The UN estimated that there were about 275,000 civilians and 8,000 fighters in eastern Aleppo at the time. Local residents said that most of these fighters were located near the frontlines and not in the residential areas in the interior of opposition-controlled territory. On November 28, forces affiliated with the Syrian government advanced to take over key districts in east Aleppo held by armed opposition groups, including the neighborhood of al-Sakhour. Thousands of civilians have been forced to flee deeper into opposition-held territory, into government-controlled Aleppo, or into Kurdish-held areas like Sheikh Maqsoud. Expand Remnants from a RBK-500 cluster bomb with PTAB-1M submunitions found by al-Sakhour Medical Center after an attack on October 1, 2016, 2016 Private Human Rights Watch has also documented armed opposition groups attacks against government-controlled western Aleppo. Deliberate or reckless attacks against civilians and civilian objects, including hospitals, committed with criminal intent are war crimes. The laws of war require that parties to a conflict take constant care during military operations to spare the civilian population and to take all feasible precautions to avoid or minimize the incidental loss of civilian life and damage to civilian objects. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the Security Council on September 28, that those using indiscriminate weapons in Aleppo know they are committing war crimes. Seventy-three countries from all regions have endorsed a Canadian initiative seeking General Assembly action. The 223-member civil society coalition urged all UN member states to join the initiative. Inaction should not be an option, the coalition said. History will judge harshly those that fail to step up. The Bombing Campaign Local residents, media activists, and medical personnel contacted by Human Rights Watch by phone described the month-long bombardment of Aleppo as the most intense since the start of the conflict. Using satellite imagery analysis, Human Rights Watch identified more than 950 new impact sites in Aleppos opposition-held neighborhoods between September 19 and October 18. The sites have damage signatures consistent with the detonation of large high explosive bombs. Damage sites were distributed across almost all neighborhoods under opposition control. View All Share Satellite imagery shows the neighborhood of al-Kallaseh in Aleppo, Syria, before and after airstrikes that took place on September 23, 2016, and al-Sakhour hospital in Aleppo, Syria, before and after airstrikes that took place between September 28 and October 14, 2016. Before: 2016 Human Rights Watch After: 2016 Human Rights Watch Russian and Syrian aircraft have used a variety of air-dropped, unguided munitions including blast, enhanced blast, fragmentation, and concrete-penetrating bombs, often of the 500-kilogram class meaning that each can contain upwards of 200-kilograms of explosives. Cluster munitions and incendiary weapons have also been used in these airstrikes. Human Rights Watch has not been able to conclusively identify the type of weapon used in attacks that collapsed entire buildings, often referred to by witnesses and in the media as bunker busting bombs, because of a lack of photographs and video footage of weapon remnants. However, witnesses citing tremors in the ground at the time of the attack and the extensive, but relatively contained, destruction of collapsed buildings are consistent with the use of concrete penetrating or demolition bombs with delayed-action fuzing like the BETAB or FAB-500-series unguided bombs. The Russian-Syrian coalition has used both weapons in Syria. Russian military officials have said that they are using BETAB bombs against terror groups in Syria. Video footage published on YouTube show that the Syrian air force also used BETAB bombs before Russia joined the war. Video footage that Thiqa News Agency posted on YouTube on November 17, shows an unexploded FAB-500ShN demolition bomb that the news agency said was filmed in eastern Aleppo. Civilian Casualties The Violations Documentation Center (VDC), a local monitoring group, documented the killing of 446 civilians, including 91 children, in aerial attacks in eastern Aleppo between September 19 and October 18. VDC collected the names of 221 of the victims. In several cases, local sources told Human Rights Watch that the actual casualty number was higher than those VDC recorded. For example, VDC documented that airstrikes killed 39 civilians in the Bustan al-Qasr district on October 11 and 12, while the local revolutionary council in Bustan al-Qasr said that airstrikes had killed 51 people on those days. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Syrian monitoring group, said that aerial attacks killed 457 civilians, including 85 children, in the same period. Al-Kallaseh, September 23 Two members of the local revolutionary council in al-Kallaseh and Bustan al-Qasr told Human Rights Watch in phone interviews that an airstrike destroyed a six-story residential building in al-Kallaseh neighborhood early in the morning of September 23. Mohammed Nihad, one of the members, said that there were several aircraft in the sky that night, attacking several places: I was asleep at home at the time. Perhaps 250 to 300 meters away from the place where the missile fell. I heard it fall and hit the ground. But the sound was unusual. It didnt sound like a normal explosion. A small earthquake followed that even my relatives in Bustan al-Qasr felt. I arrived to the site of the attack 15 to 20 minutes later. We were surprised to see an entire building collapsed. Syria Civil Defense arrived but couldnt find anyone wounded around the place. Everyone in the building died. We couldnt rescue anyone. We felt helpless. The Syria Civil Defense kept working for eight days and managed to pull out many bodies. Nihad said the bomb struck next to an adjacent gas station, burrowed into the ground, and exploded under the building, causing it to collapse shortly thereafter. Nihad also said that attacks struck the gas station itself and other residential buildings in the same period, but without civilian casualties. Expand Remnants of a RBK-500 cluster bomb with ShOAB-0.5 submunitions in a street in the Kallaseh district after an attack on September 24, 2016. 2016 Syria Civil Defense Read the whole thing at Human Rights Watch [JURIST] Dominic Ongwen [ICC profile], an alleged former top official in the Lords Resistance Army (LRA), pleaded not guilty [press release] Tuesday to charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity brought against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) [official website]. The charges stem from LRA attacks committed in late 2003 and 2004 in Ugandan IDP camps and include allegations of murder, rape, forced marriage, and the use of child soldiers. Defense lawyers for Ongwen attempted to halt the trial [text, PDF] to claim that he did not properly understand the charges and called for psychological tests to establish if he was mentally fit to plead. However, judges ordered [materials] Ongwen to enter a plea. Ongwen stated [i]n the name of God, I deny all these charges. The process leading to Ongwens trial was extensive and has been hailed by human rights groups as a major step as he is the first LRA leader to be tried in court. In March the ICC confirmed the charges [JURIST report] against Ongwen and approved the process of beginning the trial. In January the court first opened the confirmation of charges hearing [JURIST report] against the accused. A year earlier the ICC took legal custody [JURIST report] of the alleged former commander in Central African Republics capital of Bangui. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 Trend: Azerbaijan, as a reliable partner of NATO and friend of brotherly Afghanistan, is committed to continue its significant contribution to the Resolute Support Mission beyond 2016 by providing troops, multimodal transit, training and financial assistance, said Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov. He made the remarks at the NATO Resolute Support Ministerial in Brussels Dec. 7. My country has several times made substantial donations to the Afghan National Army (ANA) Trust Fund. We will continue to support this Fund in line with the pledges we made, said Mammadyarov. Furthermore, after conclusion of the Resolute Support Mission, my country envisages the contribution through the enhanced Enduring Partnership. Azerbaijan remains committed to a long-term political partnership and a practical cooperation with Afghanistan through bilateral cooperation and the relevant multilateral and regional formats, noted the minister. In September 2016, Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev approved Azerbaijan-Afghanistan agreement on multimillion worth assistance, mostly to security areas, actively implemented now, said Mammadyarov. In addition, in line with the desired outcomes of the Resolute Support Mission, Azerbaijan is ready to train Afghan cadets in military educational institutions of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the framework of the bilateral cooperation, he added. I also would like to inform that just three days ago my country assumed the co-chairmanship of the Heart of Asia Istanbul process for 2017, noted the minister. In this function, we will seek close coordination and consultations with all stake-holders, most notably with NATO, with a view to facilitating comprehensive and coherent support by the international community to Afghanistan. Furthermore, we support Afghanistan on its path of reforms towards integrating into regional and global economy. As being a critical piece of the New Silk Road, Azerbaijan will connect Afghanistan and Europe to support Afghanistans sustainable future, said Mammadyarov. Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad and a new seaport Alat in Azerbaijan will further link Asia to Europe, subsequently helping to bring lasting peace and development to Afghanistan and beyond. Last but not least, I would like to thank Ambassador [Ismail] Aramaz for his very dedicated and fruitful work as NATOs Senior Civilian Representative, added the foreign minister. I also wish success to Ambassador [Cornelius] Zimmermann of Germany in all his endeavors. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is engaging in torture in its efforts to root out political corruption, according to a Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] report [text, PDF] released Tuesday. The report claims that President Xi Jinpings [BBC profile] war on corruption has resulted in the punishment of thousands of low-level corrupt officials, as well as hundreds of so-called tigers, high level officials deemed corrupt by the CCP. HRW specifically alleges that officials are summoned by the CCP to detention centers operated outside of the criminal justice system. Officials are reportedly held for up to several months and tortured until they confess to corruption. Many are then handed over to face criminal prosecutions based on these confessions. HRW called for abolition of this system, which the organization said [press release] underscores the abuses inherent in President Xis anti-corruption campaign. The CCPs response to corruption in China has drawn international scrutiny for years. The CCP announced [JURIST report] in October that it had punished more than one million government officials for corruption. Earlier in October a former Chinese energy official was given a suspended death sentence [JURIST report] for stealing 200 million yuan (USD $29.99 million). And also that month Chinese officials announced that 70-year-old former legislator Bai Enpei had been sentenced to death [JURIST report] for his part in taking bribes. [JURIST] Israels Knesset [official wesbite] on Monday voted in favor of a revised bill intended to legalize more than 4,000 unauthorized settlement homes situated in the West Bank. The Palestinian land was occupied [Al Jazeera report] by Israel during the 1967 Middle East War and has since become home to more than 100 settlement outposts, not all of which have been approved by the government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [official profile] and Education Minister Naftali Bennett have collaborated to ensure the new bills passing in an effort to promote Israeli sovereignty and eventually annex most of the West Bank. The international community has warned, however, that the bill will only legitimize stolen lands and hinder any possible peace with Palestine. To become official law, the bill will have to undergo three more votes in the Knesset, which are yet to be scheduled. Recent conflicts between Israel and Palestine [HRW backgrounder] over settlements in the occupied West Bank have raised concerns over possible human rights violations. The controversial Amona settlement in the West Bank will still be dismantled [JURIST report] by December 25, causing the displacement of at least 40 Israeli families. Earlier in November Israels Ministerial Committee for Legislation unanimously approved [JURIST report] the Formalization Bill to legalize the West Bank outposts. In part, the bill was intended to stop the evacuation of Amona outpost. In March the spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said [JURIST report] that the office is concerned about the apparent extra-judicial execution of a Palestinian man in the West Bank. In January Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged [JURIST report] businesses to cease operations in Israel settlements. In August 2015 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged both sides of the conflict [JURIST report] to reconcile and move towards peace after an attack occurred in the West Bank village of Duma, where Jewish extremists allegedly set fire to a Palestinian home while a family slept inside. Last April HRW alleged [HRW report] that Israeli settlement farmers in the occupied West Bank are using Palestinian child laborers in dangerous conditions in violation of international laws. US President Barack Obama gave his final national security address [text] in Tampa on Tuesday, urging the next administration to stay true to the American stance against torture. The president began by commending service men and women in their part against the ongoing battle against terrorism. He noted several successful ventures undertaken during his administration, which resulted in defeats to al Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS), and called again for the closure of Guantanamo. He urged the next administration to maintain this legacy of security through seven key points addressed in his speech. Accountability and transparency, diplomacy, the maintenance of civil liberties, and continuance of an anti-torture policy were all values the president urged the next administration to sustain. Obama ended his address by assuring, that through theses values, [t]hats how we can sustain this long struggle. Thats how well protect this country. Thats how well protect our Constitution against all threats, foreign and domestic. Before departing he said,[i]t has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your Commander-in-Chief. The threat presented by terrorist organizations has been an on-going international concern. In August the UN issued a report detailing the terrible atrocities [JURIST report] committed by the IS against the Yezidi people and other ethnic and religious groups in Iraq. In July the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern for an estimated 200,000 civilians [JURIST report] stuck in three Syrian towns and stated that he was perhaps most concerned with the situation Manbij in the eastern rural area of Aleppo Governorate, where the conflict between IS and the Syrian Democratic Forces has intensified. In May Human Rights Watch reported IS militants had executed 49 people [JURIST report] in the Libyan city of Sirte since seizing control in February 2015. [JURIST] The US Supreme Court [officia website] ruled [opinion, PDF] Tuesday in favor of the prosecution in an insider trading case involving the gifting of confidential information to a relative. Last year the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit [official website] issued a ruling in Salman v. United States [SCOTUSblog backgrounder], affirming the conviction [opinion, PDF] of a Chicago grocery wholesaler who profited from stock trades after receiving tips indirectly from his brother-in-law working for Citigroup [corporate website]. In October the Supreme Court heard oral arguments [transcript, PDF] in the matter and had to determine whether gifting information to a relative for no pecuniary gain still constituted a personal benefit to the insider. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. [official profile] broadly interpreted the law in question and wrote in his opinion that evidence of providing confidential information to a trading relative was enough to stay the conviction despite the absence of a direct benefit. The Supreme Court affirmed [NYT report] the lower court ruling by a unanimous vote, and the decision was applauded as a step towards fairer markets. The enforcement of securities regulations continues to be a major concern in the US. Last month the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee [official websites] agreed [JURIST report] to provide requested material to the SEC for an insider trading investigation. In October the SEC established new liquidation risk management rules [JURIST report] for mutual funds and exchange-traded funds that require the industry to establish programs that protect shareholders in the event that investors suddenly sell off their assets. Also in October US District Judge Amos L. Mazzant III conditionally dismissed [JURIST report] an SEC suit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for misleading investors. Also last month a hedge fund manager agreed on a settlement agreement [JURIST report] for SEC charges imposed for a widespread scheme involving the bribery of officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Libya. A group of UN human rights experts called on the Chinese government Tuesday to investigate the disappearance [press release] of a prominent human rights lawyer. Jiang Tianyong has been missing since November 21, after he visited the family of another human rights lawyer who has been detained since a crackdown on political dissidents [JURIST report] last summer. UN experts are concerned that Jiang has been detained, possibly while traveling on a train bound for Beijing following his visit with the detained lawyers family in Changsha. In February 2011 Jiang was detained for two months by Chinese authorities, during which he claims [CHRD materials] to have been beaten and tortured. Human rights activists claim that the crackdown in China is part of a larger effort to silence political dissidents. Jiang rose to prominence for his involvement in high profile cases [AI press release, PDF] defending human rights activists, legal activists, HIV/AIDS victims, Tibetan protesters and other vulnerable groups. In July China announced plans to prosecute [JURIST report] prominent human rights lawyer Zhou Shifeng on charges of subverting state power, furthering its recent crackdown on political dissidents. In April a civil rights lawyer was arrested and released [JURIST report] for posting an image online mocking Xi in relation to the Panama Papers release. In January Chinese authorities arrested [JURIST report] high profile human rights lawyer Wang Yu and her husband on charges of political subversion. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 Trend: Delegation of Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) led by the Rector Elmar Gasimov paid a visit to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the purpose to discuss further development of the bilateral cooperation with management of Heriot-Watt University (HWU) and with the purpose to discuss prospects of cooperation with Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi. Wide range of questions related to strategic directions for cooperation between two higher educational institutions were discussed at the meeting of BHOS delegation with HWU Principal and Vice-Chancellor Prof. Richard Williams and University senior officials. At the meeting, special attention was paid to development of cooperation for implementation of Master degree programs. The parties also signed an amendment agreement to the existing Agreement between BHOS and HWU on Bachelor degree programs. While in Dubai, Gasimov and members of the BHOS delegation attended a graduation ceremony at HWU campus, met with representatives of the university teaching academic staff and visited education facilities, auditoriums, schoolrooms and laboratories of the Heriot-Watt University. During the trip to Abu Dhabi, the BHOS delegation met with the President of the Petroleum Institute Dr. Thomas Hochstettler and the Institute representatives. At the meeting, ways and spheres of potential cooperation were discussed and a verbal agreement for study of BHOS graduates at the Petroleum Institute was reached. Under the agreement, graduates of the Baku Higher Oil School will have an opportunity to do a Master's degree at the Institute free of charge. The guests from Azerbaijan also received information about teaching process at the Petroleum Institute and visited the Institute laboratories. Kraft Heinz, has denied claims in Egypt its local business has used rotten tomatoes to produce its namesake ketchup in the country. In a statement, the company said video footage of rotten tomatoes being used in a factory was fabricated. Heinz said scenes from its own factory were integrated with those shot at factories not owned by the group and combined with images of rotten tomatoes in an attempt to falsify the facts and damage the companys reputation in the country. The footage was first aired on state-run current affairs programme Entebah and has since been widely circulated on social media. According to local reports, it prompted a police raid at the Egyptian facility and a site manager has purportedly been arrested. In response, Kraft Heinz insisted its products are subject to precise control and inspection system that ensure compliance with global standards, as well as Egyptian food safety regulations. The company added it is considering its legal options. Kraft Heinz Company reserves all its legal rights and will take all necessary actions against this directed campaign, the company said. Kraft Heinz Company also wishes to emphasise to all of its customers that they follow the highest standards of quality in all stages of the production of all its products, ranging from dealing with the best of approved suppliers, through to the final product. Details added (first version posted on 10:26) Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 By Anvar Mammadov - Trend: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $500 million loan to help Azerbaijan maintain social spending, create jobs, and diversify its economy to mitigate the adverse impact of a crash in oil prices Dec. 7, ADB said in a message posted on its website Dec. 7. Sean OSullivan, director general of ADBs Central and West Asia Department said ADBs support is important for Azerbaijans economy, and will help to promote sustainable development and inclusive growth over the longer-term. Transforming Azerbaijan into a dynamic and diverse economy will need major improvements in public sector efficiency, the ease of doing business and competition," he added. According to the ADB message, the loan will contribute to a $1.4 billion stimulus package. The package is boosting social assistance for around 3.7 million people, or more than one third of the population, increasing the wages of public sector employees, increasing benefits for retirees and low-income families, the message said. According to the message, the government is also promoting economic diversification away from the hydrocarbon industry with additional incentives to private investors in other sectors and spurring job creation through vocational training and infrastructure projects. In the first quarter of 2016, the Azerbaijan economy fell into recession and ADB forecasts the economy will shrink by at least 2.5 percent this year, the message said. This along with a sharp depreciation in the local currency, the manat, has brought hardship to the population as they see their real incomes going down. According to the message, in addition to the loan, ADB will provide technical assistance of $1.2 million to help design reforms to macro fiscal management, state-owned enterprises, and the finance sector. ADB, based in Manila, was established in 1966 and is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Azerbaijan became the ADB member on Dec. 22, 1999. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 1 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: More and more Spanish companies are interested in Azerbaijani market, Jose Luis Diez Juarez, Spanish charge daffaires in Azerbaijan, told Trend in an interview. "Commercial exchange is still very low, but more and more companies are working with Azerbaijan," Diez said. He noted that first of all there are two Spanish companies that are not physically present in Azerbaijan, but are working with Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR they are Enagas, one of the shareholders of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, a part of the Southern Gas Corridor which will supply Azerbaijani gas to Europe, and engineering company Tecnicas Reunidas, working with SOCAR on the Star refinery which is being built in Turkey. "For now we have five Spanish companies working in Azerbaijan. Most of them are in engineering design of projects, design of construction, services for the shipyard," Spanish diplomat said. Diez reminded that a bilateral business forum took place in Baku last April in parallel with the Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, adding that as much as 20 Spanish companies took part in the forum. Two of them decided to open offices in Baku after the forum. ACS, one of the biggest Spanish companies providing industrial services, has already opened a regional office in Baku, while a consulting and audit company is still discussing this issue. The charge d'affaires noted that some Spanish companies related to construction also showed interest for Azerbaijani market, but since this sector was the most hit by crisis, it is not a perfect time to enter the market now. "But I hope that when the situation starts to improve we will have some Spanish construction companies here," he said. Diez also said that Spain is negotiating with the government of Azerbaijan on a memorandum for cooperation in agriculture. "I hope that if we sign an agreement it will help Spanish companies to have more possibilities in Azerbaijan," he said. Next year it is planned to hold the next bilateral business forum in Spain and this issue is under discussion, according to the charge d'affaires. However the dates have not been confirmed yet, he said. Answering the question on the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Spain, Diez noted that it is still very low. "It changes a lot because sometimes we purchase oil, but not every year. The rest of the trade averages 20 million euros, but if there is a purchase of oil it goes up to about 100 million euros," he said. The last oil supplies from Azerbaijan to Spain happened two years ago and new oil deliveries are not expected in near future, according to Diez. "Currently, Spain mainly imports oil from the Gulf," he said. Follow the author on Twitter:@E_Kosolapova Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has suggested that countries making up the OPEC group of oil producers and oil-rich non-OPEC nations should hold a summit to set out a pricing strategy for the next decade, Sputnik reported. The proposed meeting should be held in the first quarter of 2017, Maduro said late Tuesday. "I plan to propose in writing that we should hold a summit of heads of state and government from the OPEC and non-OPEC member states in the first quarter of 2017 to discuss how to stabilize the oil market and protect fair prices in the next 10 years," Maduro said, as quoted by the national news agency AVN. Details added (first version posted on 10:15) Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 By Maksim Tsurkov Trend: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $1 billion in private and public sector assistance to expand Azerbaijans Shah Deniz II, one of the worlds largest gas fields, said the message of the bank posted on its website Dec. 7. The assistance comprises a $500 million private sector loan to the Southern Gas Corridor closed joint stock company (SGC) and a $500 million sovereign-counterguaranteed partial credit guarantee, according to the message. The guarantee will back $526 million in commercial loans made by a consortium of international banks to SGC, which is 51 percent owned by the Azerbaijani government and 49 percent by the countrys state oil company SOCAR, the message said. The message further said that the ADB assistance will provide additional revenues that the government can direct to social spending and to continued efforts to diversify the economy. ADB, through its private sector window, has already demonstrated strong support to the Shah Deniz gas field expansion through its direct assistance to this project in 2015, said Michael Barrow, Director General of ADBs Private Sector Operations Department. The expansion of the Shah Deniz gas field is key for Azerbaijans economy, providing the country a long-term revenue stream and diversifying its gas exports to Europe, said Sean OSullivan, ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Department. ADBs support will help generate economic opportunities for the private sector, create thousands of jobs, and help boost Azerbaijans ties with neighboring countries and Europe. Shah Deniz II project envisages drilling 26 subsea wells, construction of two platforms, underwater pipelines for gas and condensate, expansion of the oil and gas terminal in Sangachal township, construction of two gas compressor stations and connection of this infrastructure to the South Caucasus gas pipeline. As part of the Stage 2 of the Shah Deniz development, the gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets by expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline and Trans-Adriatic Pipeline. ADB, based in Manila, was established in 1966 and is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Azerbaijan became the ADB member on Dec. 22, 1999. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov Katoikos spoke to Mr. Jonasson about whistleblower protection, countering the rise of populism and Icelands unique approach to the financial crisis. Before becoming a member of the Althing, the Icelandic Parliament, Ogmundur Jonasson was a journalist engaged in trade union politics. In 1988 Mr. Jonasson became the chairman of BSRB, the Federation of state and municipal employees. A Left-Green Movement politician, he has held office as minister for health, minister for justice and human rights and minister for transport, communications and local government. The last two ministries were united to form the Ministry of the Interior at the beginning of 2011 and he became the first Icelandic minister for the interior. Throughout our conversation, the politician shared his thoughts on the current political situation in Iceland, freedom of information and whistleblowers. Finally, he explained how Iceland overcame the financial crisis and analysed the political setting of the European Union. I. Iceland, whistleblowers & data protection What led you into politics? I have been politically and socially active all my life. I studied history and politics and was a journalist for ten years a TV reporter at Icelandic State Radio and part time lecturer in history at the University of Iceland. Also, for over 20 years, I led the public services unions in Iceland. I entered politics in 1995 and had a dual role as politician and trade unionist until I became minister for health in 2009. Critics sometimes asked if it was proper to be a politician in parliament while a trade union leader. But after entering parliament I never took pay for my work in the union and was always on the same side of the table whatever my role was! After serving as minister for health for just under a year I resigned from the government over the Icesave dispute a dispute Iceland had with the British and the Dutch governments on tax-payer responsibilities related to the fallen banks and the financial crisis. I came back into government a year later. As an Icelandic parliamentarian with 20 years of experience and several ministerial posts, how do you see recent developments in Iceland? Anti-politics is on the rise. I think we are experiencing similar developments in Iceland as elsewhere, meaning a growing distrust in representative democracy. In parallel, traditional political dividing lines are becoming unclear. We are moving into an age of uncertainty. There are new discernible horizons with new opportunities and positive openings, but there are also dangers that we should take very seriously. I say with great concern that in this new age democracy and the rule of law should not be taken for granted. Whats the meaning of the Pirates rise and why it is occurring? The Pirates are responding to a demand in society on both sides of the political spectrum for more openness, more transparency and to some extent more accountability, more democracy, more direct democracy. On all of these points I agree with the Pirates ideology and vision. But this also means that people with strong left or right political affiliations would not vote for the Pirate party even if they agree with their basic principles. When sharing their views with the electorate on issues other than freedom of the Internet and transparency, the Pirates became unclear and diffuse particularly on privatisation, NATO, fishing policy, etc. The Pirates arent as radical as they may seem. The IMF recently claimed that the Pirate Party posed no threat. That is not a compliment in my mind! Because they focus on a very limited scope of politics, the Pirates arent as radical as they may seem. The IMF recently claimed that the Pirate Party posed no threat. That is not a compliment in my mind! This explains why the Pirates ranked so high in opinion polls but got much less when it came to the actual elections. The longer the campaign dragged on the less support they became, and they plummeted from 30% in the opinion polls down to 14,5% in the election. The Pirates idea is better than their flesh and blood. But I suppose, this applies to all of us politicians. We all look better at a distance than close up. What kind of government do you expect to be formed now? All kinds of constellations are being tried. I long for a left-leaning government led by the Left Greens, including the Pirate Party and Social Democrats. The problem is that we would need five parties to form such a majority. Besides, the whole political spectrum, including my own party, the Left Greens, has moved to the right. The Social Democrats are very much in the European mould. The worst scenario is a right-wing coalition. Some compromise might also be on the cards. We will see this shortly. Extrapolating from Iceland, how could recent developments affect other European countries? Here we have some contradictions. While the institutional political world has been moving to the right there has been a radicalisation at the grass-roots and in political discourse there. See what happened to Syriza in Greece where expectations had been high and then came disillusionment at grass-roots level. It happened also to some extent in Iceland when we, the left, came to power in 2009 on a radical surge. We did indeed do many good things and most importantly we did not do what the right wing no doubt would have done, namely use the shock of the crisis to privatise and sell off the infrastructure. But we were expected to introduce systemic change, especially in the banking world. When we didnt live up to these expectations many people were disappointed, and rightly so. If the institutional world of politics does not give radical solutions to extreme conditions, the dangers are that these two worlds drift apart. And this is what is happening with uncertain and in some instances alarming consequences. The left not least social democratic parties but also the socialists must rethink its approach to politics. I fear it has a long and winding road ahead. You are the minister who refused to cooperate with the FBI because you suspected their agents on mission in Iceland were trying to frame Julian Assange. Do you confirm this? Yes. What happened was that in June 2011, US authorities made some approaches to us indicating they had knowledge of hackers wanting to destroy software systems in Iceland. I was a minister at the time. They offered help. I was suspicious, well aware that a helping hand might easily become a manipulating hand! Later in the summer, in August, they sent a planeload of FBI agents to Iceland seeking our cooperation in what I understood as an operation set up to frame Julian Assange and WikiLeaks. Since they had not been authorised by the Icelandic authorities to carry out police work in Iceland and since a crack-down on WikiLeaks was not on my agenda, to say the least, I ordered that all cooperation with them be promptly terminated and I also made it clear that they should cease all activities in Iceland immediately. If I had to take sides with either WikiLeaks or the FBI or CIA, I would have no difficulty in choosing: I would be on the side of WikiLeaks. It was also made clear to them that they were to leave the country. They were unable to get permission to operate in Iceland as police agents, but I believe they went to other countries, at least to Denmark. I also made it clear at the time that if I had to take sides with either WikiLeaks or the FBI or CIA, I would have no difficulty in choosing: I would be on the side of WikiLeaks. Do you think that whistleblowers should be protected? Yes, I think that it is very important. The role played by whistleblowers could be seen as public service. We owe a lot to Chelsea Manning. We owe a lot to Edward Snowden. We owe a lot to Assange. We owe a lot to WikiLeaks. Its not only about the Iraqi war and other illegal military aggression and immoral power-political manoeuvres, but also the recent international trade agreements TISA, TTIP and CETA. By granting Snowden asylum we would be paying tribute to democracy, to openness and to all the whistleblowers of the world. Who were the people originally giving us insight into these behind-closed-doors negotiations? It was WikiLeaks who revealed what was meant to be secret. The stakes are high in these negotiations. This is not just about trade, it is about giving international capital access to the infrastructure of our societies. We are talking about handing over the very heart of democracy. What do you think of Julian Assange? I dont know him personally, although I met him when he came to Iceland. But I look at what he stands for and that is where I side with him; his endeavours to open the secret world of the military and of power-politics. How do you see the possibility of Iceland giving citizenship to Edward Snowden? I have raised this issue in our Parliament on several occasions. By granting Snowden asylum we would be paying tribute to democracy, to openness and to all the whistleblowers of the world. But there has not been political consensus. Iceland is part of NATO and such a decision would be strongly objected to by the US. The Cold War lingers on. Or it might just be the power of the big and mighty. How do you read the hero vs. traitor paradox around whistleblowers? They are certainly not villains in my view. However, this is a reminder of how we tend to see the world in black and white. Either we are for whistleblowers and openness or we are against them. But the real picture is more complex. We are not only for openness. We also find ourselves in a world where it is important to protect privacy. We dont want the American secret services listening to our phones, or the Russian secret services, or the Chinese! We are therefore limiting our demands for transparency and openness to matters that are relevant to politics. We need to have a very deep and serious discussion about how to balance the open world and the private world. This should be open, but at the same time we want to prevent attempts to break into the private world of individuals. So what Im really saying is that we need to have a very deep and serious discussion about how to balance the open world and the private world. Whistleblowers fight the real villains who refuse to respect our rights, including our right to privacy. So when judging them, we must always ask ourselves who they are, why they are acting, to what extent and to what end? Iceland is about to become an international transparency safe haven for journalists and whistleblowers. Will the Icelandic Modern Media Initiative (IMMI) resolution be strong enough to protect future whistleblowers? I think this is quite a long way off. It is an idea that has to be developed much further. The good thing about it is that we concentrate on freedoms and democracy, on whistleblowers and on protecting these people. But then of course when it comes to protection of freedom on the Internet there are darker sides as well. We certainly dont want to be a haven for paedophiles. I do not want to talk this idea down because I see its positive side, namely the protection of whistleblowers. But there are more dimensions to this and we should avoid being naive on this issue. The term cyberwar has become commonplace in recent times. In 2012, Forbes London bureau chief Parmy Olson claimed in her book We Are Anonymous that WikiLeaks members contacted hackers because they wanted help infiltrating several Icelandic corporate and government sites. What do you think of such actions as a politician in office at the time? I have nothing positive to say about this, but then I must say that in this world of cyberwar I dont take anything for granted. I think we should be critical towards WikiLeaks as we are towards others: they are not infallible. But we should remember that there have been attempts to smear them in order to undermine them. I want all the facts on the table before coming to any conclusions. What about the resignation of your former prime minister over the Panama Papers leak? This definitely falls into the category of good revelations. Panama Papers revelations involving Iceland proved politically important and led to a discussion that is still ongoing. They are likely to change the political world. We have covered this issue extensively in the Council of Europe, where I have been active. This is about political morality, taxation and tax evasion, the welfare system, openness, transparency and accountability. We are not finished with this subject, in Iceland or on the world stage. In todays world, we are confronted with increasing security challenges. How do you balance security needs with the right of citizens to know what their governments, and security agencies in particular, are doing, and the right of citizens to preserve their privacy from governmental intrusion? Before meeting security challenges, we must ask why we are facing these challenges. And in seeking the answer we should get hold of some useful working tools: I suggest a mirror. The rich part of the world should start by looking at its own reflection and asking what it is doing to itself. In other words, it should ask, what is my role? Could it be that the poor parts of the world, the ostracised, the uprooted and unwelcome immigrants, the unemployed, see the rich and the powerful, the military machines of state power, as the real security challenge to their lives? If this is the case, the answer to security threats would be to remove the conditions that make people feel threatened. And then we would need more social justice, more equality in society, more security. We must analyse why it is that millions of people leave their homes against their will and flock to the rich parts of the world, which in turn become obsessed with security. Who is the terrorist: the one who is killed by a drone or the one who kills with the help of a drone? In South East Turkey, 450,000 Kurds are on the move, uprooted from their homes after longstanding curfews by Turkish authorities. These people will end up as asylum seekers. And who is the terrorist: the one who is killed by a drone or the one who kills with the help of a drone? Let us start by using the mirror, holding it up to our own faces and asking all these questions. II. Iceland and the European Union How do you think that the EU could counter the recent surge of populism? What do we mean by populism? Sometimes I think we should not use this term because it is a little arrogant, being popular is close to democracy, is it not? What we understand by populism, presumably, is that prejudice is being exploited in order to gain power and then to use that power to further entrench prejudice; that populism is manipulative and fascist in nature. Aggressive insecurity is a deadly cocktail. I think these should be the terms we use. I think most people would agree that uncertainty and insecurity provides the breeding ground for prejudice, and when people feel threatened they are more apt to become aggressive. Aggressive insecurity is a deadly cocktail. The unemployed may feel threatened by the influx of immigrants. So full employment should be on every governments agenda. That would be a realistic move against rising populism, or fascism, as I would prefer to call it. Another source of prejudice is ignorance. In segregated communities, as many parts of Europe are becoming, it is again a deadly cocktail. So what do we do? We try to do away with segregation and have people learn about each other, talk to one another and learn that at heart we are all the same. These are only some answers. But this is the solution, the methodology of the solution. How do you see the EU evolving, especially in its capacity to satisfy the electorate on social issues? I think the EU has to reconsider its fundamental principles. In the last two decades, the social model of the EU has been based on a market system. The emphasis should be on the social side, not the market. And people criticise the centralising tendencies within the EU and how central power has been used to enforce marketisation. That is why many people on the left in Britain voted for Brexit. Now Brexit is a reality and it should not be used as a pretext for revenge but for reconsideration and revaluation. Originally, the EU was designed to bring the nations of Europe together, to reduce tensions between them and avoid war. But once you create a central state with a common monetary policy and a central authority with punitive powers, you create the very tensions you wanted to avoid. This tension is now increasing between the rich and the poor, the Germans and the Greeks. Europe should once again become a looser union. It should place more emphasis on human rights, regionalisation, culture, and less on centralisation and the visible hand of capitalism. Is the EUs lack of room for manoeuver in social policy behind Icelands rejection of EU membership? There are two reasons why Iceland is outside the EU. First, we do not want to defer Icelandic fishing rights to the EU. Second, the EUs democratic deficit is not very convincing. Im sceptical about joining the EU because of it. But I want to emphasise that Im all for European cooperation. I have been much involved in European cooperation and I want to strengthen it, but please dont try to force the power of capital upon us. Let us rather give power to the people. The EU needs to become more social and more democratic before it becomes appealing to sceptics like me. III. Iceland and the financial crisis Iceland did an amazing job managing the financial crisis. Do you think that the EU should have imitated the Icelandic model? Some of the things we did could inspire the EU, namely that in times of crisis limits should be place on the extent to which difficulties in the world of finance can be shifted onto the shoulders of the general public. What we did and this proved to be crucial in saving us from ruin was to make a clear dividing line between the real economy and the world of speculation. We did not allow the taxpayer to pay for the mistakes of the bondholders. Capital interests are too powerful within the EU to allow democratic will to threaten these interests. Many households went through great hardship and many lost their homes. And here we could have done more. The IMF would not agree with me on that, which tells us a great deal. The crux of the matter is that capital interests are too powerful within the EU to allow democratic will to threaten these interests. The dispute with the Netherlands and Great Britain about Icesave that I mentioned before illustrates this. How did Iceland manage to successfully exit the financial crisis? Iceland was assertive. Who was to pay for the private debts of the banks, the taxpayers or the investors and capital owners? The British and the Dutch governments tried to force us to make the taxpayer foot the bill, but in the end this was taken to a referendum and the majority of the people said No, we are not paying. Democracy is dangerous to capital interests. Now, the EU, the IMF and all these international guardians of capitalism, were utterly shocked, not by our decisions themselves, but by the way these decisions were reached. A matter of this nature should never be referred to the people. The reason is obvious: democracy is dangerous to capital interests. This is what made Iceland unique in dealing with the crisis; the people were empowered. In Iceland the bankers, or banksters, as they were often referred to, were prosecuted and held accountable. Many of them are now in prison. Im not joyful about that, but it is important in the eyes of the public that justice should be served for white-collar crimes. From this point of view, we handled the crisis correctly. We still have a long way to go. But at least we now know the direction. Also read our background article on the current situation in Iceland: Police report three teens missing out of Osceola were found dead in a crashed car Tuesday. Sgt. Nathan Ludwig told KCCI 16-year-old Elaina Critz, 16-year-old Lauren Barker and 19-year-old Jesse Robinson were found in a car that had crashed into a creek just south of Osceola in Clarke County. Osceola Police said a road maintenance worker who stopped in the area found the three teens. Police said Critz, Barker and Robinson disappeared from Osceola sometime after 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 Trend: Under the previous tariffs for natural gas, Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR would be unable to maintain investments and gas production at a stable level, said Azerbaijans Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev. He made the remarks at a plenary session of the Azerbaijani parliament in Baku Dec. 7 in discussions on the draft state budget and the concept of socio-economic development for 2017 and the next three years. To deliver the gas to consumers, SOCAR spends 140 manats for every 1,000 cubic meters. Taking into account that the average price of gas [for 1,000 cubic meters] is 90 manats, it turns out that the state oil company in this sphere is operating at a loss. SOCAR not only could not invest, but also could not keep gas production at a stable level, the minister said. It was even considered to provide SOCAR with funds from the state budget, he added. Given the Azerbaijani presidents socially-oriented policy, optimal decision was taken to maximally protect the vulnerable segment of the countrys population. Kazakhstan's state security service is conducting a special operation in the city of Aktobe, the site of a deadly Islamist attack in June, the Central Asian nation's government said on Wednesday, Reuters reported. "Detentions are being made in different parts of the city," a spokesman for the Information and Communications Ministry said, declining to provide details. The June attack, in which at least 20 people were killed, targeted a national guard base and firearms shops in Aktobe. It was the deadliest incident of its kind since the country became independent of the Soviet Union in 1991. LINCOLN Mass murderer Charles Starkweathers teen girlfriend, Caril Ann Fugate, is planning another request for a state pardon, and her attorney is trying to turn the request into a campaign issue. John Stevens Berry, a Lincoln attorney and co-author of a recent book about Fugate, said he plans to submit a request soon for a hearing before the State Board of Pardons. Along with the request, Berry said he will survey the candidates for governor, attorney general and secretary of state the three offices that comprise the Pardons Board so voters know where they stand on the request. People want to know how candidates stand on a lot of issues. I want to know, the attorney said. And I want everyone else to know. Representatives of gubernatorial candidates Democrat Chuck Hassebrook and Republican Pete Ricketts declined requests for comment. Fugate was 14 years old when Starkweather, 19, went on a killing spree that began in Lincoln and ended in Wyoming. Among the 11 killed were Fugates mother, stepfather and 2-year-old half-sister. It stands as the largest mass killing in state history a notorious crime that has been the subject of movies, books and songs. Starkweather was sentenced to die and was executed on June 25, 1959. Fugate, who said she was forced to accompany Starkweather, was found guilty of being an accessory to first-degree murder in connection with the robbery and murder of one of the victims, Robert Jensen, 17, of Bennet, Nebraska. She admitted taking $4 from Jensens wallet just before he and a friend, Carol King, 16, were shot to death. Fugate was sentenced to life in prison. Later, the sentence was commuted to 30 to 50 years in prison, which opened the way for her to be paroled in 1976. In 1996, she asked for a pardon, saying: The sentence did not fit the crime. Everyone knows I never killed anyone, Fugate told The World-Herald in 1996. But the board voted 2-0 to reject her request for a hearing. The two members present at the meeting, then-Secretary of State Scott Moore and then-Attorney General Don Stenberg, said mercy wasnt warranted given the horrendous string of crimes. In my mind, the State of Nebraska has already been very generous to Caril Ann Fugate, Stenberg, who is now state treasurer, ssaid of her earlier release from prison. But that decision hasnt quelled the debate over Fugates guilt or innocence. Those who believe she was guilty say she knew her family had been killed and should have escaped from Starkweather. Those who disagree feel the 14-year-old was terrorized by Starkweather, who was five years older, and they say she was not aware of the slayings of her family until the pair were arrested. That debate was given new life earlier this year by the publication of a book, The Twelfth Victim, which argues that Fugate should have been found innocent. Berry co-wrote the book with Linda Battisti, an Ohio lawyer who befriended Fugate and interviewed her several times. One goal in publishing the book, they have said, was to obtain a pardon for Fugate, now 71 and living in Michigan. Berry, a longtime defense attorney, said Starkweather told investigators several times that Fugate was not involved in the slayings, only to change his story just prior to her trial. Starkweather, the attorney said, was baited into changing his story by Lancaster County Sheriff Merle Karnopp, who had Fugate write a note saying that she didnt want to see Starkweather again. Starkweather ultimately testified that Fugate was a willing participant in the murder spree. Berry said the manipulation of Starkweathers testimony was just one aspect of the unjust prosecution of Fugate. His lies convicted Caril, Berry said. We are convinced not only that she was treated illegally and unjustly, but was, in fact, innocent. I am a professor at one of Americas major research institutions. My field is rhetoric, a discipline dating back to ancient Greece that studies persuasion. In particular I am interested in the impact of ones language on audiences, regardless of the intent of the discourse. Let me be upfront: I did not vote for Donald Trump and do not support many of things he said during the campaign. Nevertheless, I accept the legitimacy of his election and hold in high respect the office of the presidency. I and many others in academe are trying to be open-minded and avoid prejudging what Trump may do following inauguration. However, we have witnessed a spike in acts of hatred and bigotry (including those aimed at university faculty) that at least in part are attributed to his rhetoric. Moreover, the country is now watching in shock and horror the video of a speech given by Richard Spencer, leader of a white supremacist and anti-Semitic group, who is celebrating Trumps victory and using the legitimacy of his election to advance and validate the shameful cause of his group. Trumps deafening silence in response is profound and saddens me deeply. Simply responding to a question from the press will not suffice. As the Anti-Defamation League reminds us, our leaders must respond to racism and hatred loudly and persistently. As the president-elect wisely said moments after declaring victory, he plans to be the president of all Americans. Wonderful! So he should do just that by giving a major address decisively condemning all acts of hatred and racism, regardless of whether he is the cause of these acts. It is incumbent upon the president-elect immediately to speak directly to the American public, once and for all denouncing this venomous un-American discourse and making clear that hate will not be tolerated during the Trump presidency. Many have accused Trump and his appointees of being racist and anti-Semitic. I am not leveling that charge. Frankly, I worry that we spend far too much time arguing about whether the labels racist and anti-Semitic accurately describe Trump and those around him. These debates often degenerate into unproductive and inflammatory name calling, obscuring the more important and troubling issue, namely, how ones rhetoric encourages, legitimizes and normalizes hateful behaviors and tendencies. The key is accountability: I teach my students that regardless of intent everyone should be responsible and accountable for the effects produced by their discourse. History teaches us that the effects of ones words are more dangerous than what may be in the heart. Therefore, its time for Trump and others to acknowledge this reality by forcefully declaring racist behavior deplorable and unacceptable. If President-elect Trump has time to critique what the cast of Hamilton said to Vice President-elect Pence, complain about Saturday Night Live parodies of him, rail against the medias coverage of his campaign, and challenge the recount of the popular vote, then surely he has time to do the right thing by condemning all horrific acts of hatred that accelerated in the wake of your campaign rhetoric. We are counting on Trump to reaffirm American values and core democratic principles. This is a teachable moment. It is his chance to be the president of all Americans. My students, the nation and entire world are watching. Richard Cherwitz is a communication professor at the University of Texas at Austin. Flowering marijuana plants are pictured during a tour of Tweed in Smiths Falls, Ontario on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016. With Ottawa poised to legalize recreational marijuana next year, researchers are keeping a close eye on use of the so-called demon weed, which has been steadily trending upwards over the last couple of decades. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: A number of people suspected of involvement in the theft of oil have been detained in Kazakhstan during a special operation, and tankers with oil and oil products have been seized, the countrys National Security Committee reported Dec. 7. In addition, several members of a criminal gang, consisting of followers of radical Salafism (an ultra-conservative reform movement within Islam), which provided the so-called criminal protection to the persons engaged in oil theft, have been arrested, according to the security committee. The special operation was carried out by the National Security Committee jointly with the National Anticorruption Bureau and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan in the Aktobe region, as well as other regions of the country. Currently, the places of residence of the detainees, as well as a number of enterprises supposedly dealing with the legalization of the stolen oil, are being searched for. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova The importance of voting cannot be understated On Tuesday, Nov. 8, voters will head to the polls to choose who will serve as governor, lieutenant governor, state comptroller, attorney general, state Assembly... Spindle Items ..CRASH DETECTION The much-touted crash detection feature of the new iPhone 14 automatically dials 911 if it calculates that the vehicle has been in... Out of the Past 25 Years AgoNov. 5, 1997 The Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Board of Education began the planning stages of hiring a new superintendent Monday. Dr. Donald Ogilvie... Community engagement through ThoughtExchange The Sweet Home Central School District is in the early stages of building and implementing a new strategic plan designed to ensure relevancy in our... Tehran, Iran, December 6 By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend: Geothermal New Zealand Inc. is in Iran to meet Iranian partners and explore venues for cooperation on geothermal power generation projects. "I am here with a trade mission from New Zealand headed by one of our ministers to learn about geothermal opportunities and new energy in general," Geothermal New Zealand Executive Director Mike Allen told Trend December 6. "New Zealand was involved in the early project developments of Sabalan geothermal area in Iran some 15 years ago," he noted. "Now we are looking into what more is available." During the summer of 1998, a survey of the Mt Sabalan geothermal area, in northwest Iran, was undertaken for SUNA (Renewable Energy Organization of the Ministry of Energy, Islamic Republic of Iran). The primary objective of this survey was to carry out geothermal exploration of the Sabalan area to delineate any resistivity anomalies that may be associated with high temperature geothermal resources. The subsurface resistivity structure was modelled to assess the size of the geothermal resources, to facilitate the choice of initial exploration well sites, and to prepare conceptual models for the hydrology of the geothermal fluid reservoirs. "Iran has good geothermal potential. The government is encouraging the private sector for activity. We are interested in the technical, rather than investment part of the activities," Allen said. Exploration for geothermal resources in the Sabalan mountains of northern Iran, undertaken in the summer of 1998, identified several low resistivity anomalies around the flanks of the volcanic complex that are worth investigating by deep drill-holes. Allen noted that his country has 60 years of operation experience in the geothermal field, which now provides for 20 percent of the countrys power generation. "We have a lot to share. I held some meetings with the private sector as well as the Ministry of Energy. We are seeing what the common interests are." Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.7 By Dalga Khatinoglu Trend: A 300-member Russian delegation, headed by Energy Minister Alexander Novak will visit Tehran on Dec.13, Irans Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanayee said. According to Sanayee, Russian delegation from both state and private sector will pay a 2-day visit to Tehran, the official website of Irans Embassy in Moscow reported. According to the report, during this visit, construction of four thermal power plants in Bandar Abbas worth 1.289 billion euro will be discussed, among other topics. Before, a 28-member delegation, including some Russian companies, visited Iran Nov.17 to become familiar with the countrys newly designed contract model, called Iran Petroleum Contract or IPC. Iran recently signed MoUs with Lukoil, Zarubezhneft and Tatneft, but no agreement has been sealed between Iran and Russian companies since the elimination of sanctions on the Islamic Republic in January 2016 yet. Iran says it needs more than $130 billion worth of investment to develop about 50 oil and gas fields based on IPC. Currently Iran produces 3.7 million barrels per day (mb/d) of crude oil, above 550,000 p/d of gas condensate and 750 million cubic meters per day (mcm/d) of gas. The country plans to increase the oil production to above 5 mb/d by 2021 and its gas condensate and natural gas output is expected to reach 1 mb/d and 1.25 bcm/d in next five years. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 By Dalga Khatinoglu Trend: The Iran-Russia joint energy committee will hold its first meeting in Tehran Dec. 12. The meeting will be held as part of a two-day Russia-Iran economic committee meeting, SHANA reports. Earlier, Irans Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanai said a 300-member Russian delegation, headed by Energy Minister Alexander Novak, will visit Tehran on Dec. 13. During the visit, construction of four thermal power plants in Bandar Abbas worth 1.289 billion euros will be discussed as well. SHANA reported that Iran-Russia annual trade plunged from $4 billion in 2011 to $1 billion in 2013 due to the sanctions on Iran, but rose to $1.7 billion in 2014. The report says the figure increased by 30 percent in 2015, and during 9 months of 2016, the trade turnover between Iran and Russia increased by 70 percent year-on-year. Earlier, a 28-member delegation, including some Russian giants as Lukoil, Gazprom, Zarubezhneft, Tatneft and Stroy Trans Gas, visited Iran Nov. 17 to become familiar with the countrys newly designed contract model, called the Iran Petroleum Contract or IPC. Iran has recently signed memorandums of understanding with Lukoil, Zarubezhneft and Tatneft, but no agreement has been sealed between Iran and Russian companies since the elimination of sanctions in January 2016. Iran says it needs more than $130 billion worth of investment to develop about 50 oil and gas fields based on IPC. Currently, Iran produces 3.7 million barrels per day (mb/d) of crude oil, more than 550,000 b/d of gas condensate and 750 million cubic meters per day (mcm/d) of gas. The country plans to increase the oil production to above 5 mb/d by 2021 and its gas condensate and natural gas output are expected to reach 1 mb/d and 1.25 bcm/d in the next five years. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Iranian cabinet has approved a proposal by the countrys central bank on replacing the countrys national currency unit of rial with toman. Under the proposal per toman equals to 10 rials, Mehr news agency reported. According to the official rate announced by Central Bank of Iran on December 7, per US dollar makes 32,151 rials. However the bill in order to be implemented needs to be approved by the countrys parliament. Russias defense manufacturer Almaz-Antey and Irans Shiraz Electronics Industries signed an agreement on cooperation, the press service of the Russian company said on Wednesday, reported. The sides agreed to cooperate in joint scientific research, developments, production, supplies and maintenance of equipment and its components for managing air traffic, communications, navigation and surveillance, the company said. The goal of the agreement is to use the capabilities of Almaz-Antey and Shiraz Electronics Industries "for developing the aircraft navigation system of the Islamic Republic of Iran and also advancing the results of joint scientific research and developments on the markets of third countries," the statement said. 497 Shares Share Its widely acknowledged that the American health care system achieves relatively poor quality outcomes compared to most industrialized nations and at much higher cost. A new survey, conducted by Nielsen Strategic Health Perspectives and commissioned by the Council of Accountable Physician Practices (CAPP), provided important insights into why this could be the case and more ominously, why the future may be no better. CAPP is made up of 28 of the nations most successful, multispecialty medical groups, all with long, proud histories and hundreds (in some cases thousands) of physicians. For example, the Mayo Clinic has a storied past dating back to the 19th century, and the Billings Clinic, in Montana, traces its roots back more than 100 years. Kaiser Permanente, founded by Dr. Sidney Garfield and Henry Kaiser a mere 70 years ago, is a relative new kid on the block. As large, integrated delivery systems, these medical groups and their parent organizations have embraced 21st-century technology and use it to achieve superior quality results, according to outcome data from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Each year, CAPP holds an event in Washington D.C., entitled Better Together, to explore the latest developments broadly in American health care. The conference brings together the voices of patients and physicians to inform policy makers and elected officials about how to improve health care in the future. In preparation, CAPP asks Nielsen Strategic Health Perspectives, an independent and highly respected research organization, to survey 30,000 patients and 600 physicians, and during the event present the findings. This year the research focused on three aspects of health care, all important for patients, particularly those with chronic, complex conditions. First, do physicians use technology to improve the care they give patients? Second, how do they create access to care for their patients in evenings and on weekends? And finally, how frequently do they communicate with their patients about prevention of chronic illnesses and their complications? The findings on all three questions are quite troublesome: our nations health care system is doing a poor job in each area. Across the nation, technology is frequently unavailable and underused. Access to medical advice and off-hours care is minimal. And physicians are relatively ineffective at communicating the importance of prevention. The survey results broken down Only 49 percent of doctors report being able to share medical information with other physicians. And only 50% say they provide their patients with a portal to see their laboratory and imaging results. Worse still, only 27% of the respondents let patients make an appointment online, and a mere 30% allow patients to communicate by sending a secure email. These shortcomings are unlikely to improve in the future. In a telling comment to an interviewer, the incoming president of the American Medical Association said that he refuses to use an EHR, preferring instead to just take the penalties. His reluctance reflects the views of many U.S. doctors. When it comes to access to medical care in the evenings and on weekends, the results are worse. Only 32% of doctors say they make themselves available to see patients in person. Further, only 58% enable patients to obtain advice by telephone 24/7. And patients surveyed gave their doctors even lower ratings on these same questions. Only 38% of patients say they can obtain medical advice by telephone during off-hours. And a scant 2% of patients can engage in a video visit with their physicians. These findings that only half of physicians deliver the excellence in quality and service to patients thats possible through modern information technology, and that only a third of patients can obtain medical care after hours and on weekends, except through an emergency room are disturbing. But what is most alarming is the third part of the survey. There is a huge gap between what physicians believe they are communicating and what patients hear, particularly about prevention. Only 14% of patients say they are generally reminded about preventive screenings, even though 89% of doctors report doing so. And doubly disturbing, this disparity looms equally large for patients with chronic illness, those individuals most in need of these lifesaving tests and interventions. This distressing gap helps explain why Americas health care system seriously underperforms. The failure of physicians to effectively communicate the importance of preventing chronic disease and avoiding its complications underlies many of American health cares shortcomings today. And this failure explains why tens of thousands of people die each year from cancer, heart disease and stroke unnecessarily. Whats behind the differences? The survey doesnt answer the question of why this gap in prevention efforts exists. Maybe patients were, in fact, reminded about screenings, but forgot what they were told or didnt understand. On the other hand, maybe doctors said they counseled patients about prevention, but in reality didnt take the time needed, or at least enough to do so memorably. Whatever the reasons, these findings help us better understand why only half of Americans receive the preventive services they require to avoid or detect early colon and breast cancer. And this failure of communication shows why, just to take a single example, almost half of patients across the nation with high blood pressure fail to achieve control, increasing their likelihood of having a stroke or heart attack. Although each part of the survey is discouraging, the combination of all three makes improvements in the future less likely. Lack of an EHR leaves the treating physician with incomplete information at the time of the visit. The doctor is, therefore, less likely to deal with care gaps that might come to light or to emphasize the importance of preventive care screening that might be necessary. And at night and on weekends, when patients with problems that a primary care physician could solve in his or her office are sent to the emergency department, care gaps and preventive services are rarely discussed. Compounding these issues, todays feefor-service reimbursement system, paying dramatically less to prevent complications than to treat them, gives physicians a negative incentive to invest the time needed. And with patients deprived of the opportunity to view their clinical information and laboratory findings, only a minority of them will recognize the gaps that exist, much less be empowered to try to close them. In sum, this research shows that the chasm between where most of American health care is right now and where it needs to go, preferably in the near future, remains vast. Creating the solution for tomorrow Patients who are healthy can have their acute problems addressed on an episodic basis, but without obtaining the preventive services they require, they still face a major risk of developing a chronic illness later in life. Patients with chronic illness, though, need medical care every day to avoid developing complications. Providing the best quality requires that treating clinicians be able to access each patients full EHR. Based on this survey, few patients have that today, regardless of their disease status. In contrast, most of the nations large, integrated, multispecialty medical groups have implemented a comprehensive EHR and offer both advice and in-person medical care outside of Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. As a result, their patients dont need to be sent to the local emergency department in the evenings and on weekends. And for appropriate medical problems, many of these groups provide not only telephone access but also video and secure email. Moving in this direction would greatly benefit American health care. Make no mistake: addressing these gaps, especially the one between what physicians believe they are accomplishing and what patients experience, will require more than information technology. Doctors will need to train in how best to communicate about the importance of preventive services. And given how busy they are, they will need support from similarly trained nurses and pharmacists. Unless physicians have this assistance and can bill for the time required, they may do a poor job of explaining the importance of these tests and procedures. And, as a result, patients are likely to fall through the cracks. Of course, some patients will seek preventive services themselves by, for example, scheduling their own mammograms and requesting colon screenings but many will forget or just put it off. The Nielsen research tells us that 20% of the time, doctors do a good job of communicating with patients. Unfortunately, 20% is simply not good enough. Unless the structure, technology and reimbursement of American health care are fundamentally improved, the future is unlikely to be better than the present. If the frequency of chronic disease continues to rise, our nation will experience even lower quality and higher costs than we see today. And patients, family members and our nation as a whole will all pay the price. Robert Pearl is a physician and CEO, Permanente Medical Groups. This article originally appeared in Forbes. Image credit: Shutterstock.com How is lean working in health care? Not so well. 168 Shares Share A recent story in U.S. News & World Report described how a Seattle hospital is taking a systems approach in improving health care quality and cutting costs. It said, Virginia Mason Health System has looked to adopt many of the much-admired and often-emulated business philosophies from Toyota. The best-known of those philosophies is the so-called lean methodology which is based on eliminating waste and focusing on things that add value. Attempts to incorporate lean into health care have met with varying degrees of success. I blogged about this six years ago and pointed out that a literature review done back then found significant gaps in the [lean and six sigma] health care quality improvement literature and very weak evidence that [lean and six sigma] improve health care quality. Randomized prospective trials of lean in medicine are lacking. A recent paper from the Journal of the American College of Radiology found only seven studies on the use of lean in radiology and they showed high rates of systematic bias and imprecision. The authors concluded there was a pressing need to conduct high-quality studies in order to realize the true potential of these quality improvement methodologies [lean and six sigma] in health care and radiology. In addition to the debatable evidence that lean actually works and the cost and time to develop and implement lean measures, the use of Toyota as a model for quality is also highly questionable. In 2010, Toyota had recalled more than 9 million vehicles for various defects. Nothing has improved. So far this year Toyota has recalled over 11,654,000 vehicles. The problems included exploding airbags, brake failure, fuel tank defects, and minivan doors opening while cars were in motion. Having adopted lean methodology in 2002, Virginia Mason is not really a new story. How is it doing? About as well as Toyota. In May of this year, the Joint Commission paid a surprise visit to Virginia Mason Medical Center and found 29 instances where the hospital was out of compliance with standards. The Seattle Times wrote that among the problems were not having an adequate infection prevention and control plan, failure to store medication safely, and failure to provide a care, treatment, services and an environment that pose[d] no risk of an immediate threat to health or safety. On September 17, Virginia Mason regained full Joint Commission accreditation status, and 6 weeks later the hospital announced that it received an A grade for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group. A hospital that failed a Joint Commission site visit because of multiple safety issues gets an A for patient safety in the same year? I discussed problems with the Leapfrog patient safety rankings in the past. And if lean works so well in health care, can anyone tell me how does a hospital that has been practicing lean methodology for 14 years achieve 29 Joint Commission citations? Skeptical Scalpel is a surgeon who blogs at his self-titled site, Skeptical Scalpel. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 By Emil Ilgar Trend: About 50 international oil companies (IOCs) from all regions, except for the US, have submitted their profile documents to participate in oil and gas tenders based on new contract model, called the Iran Petroleum Contract, or IPC. Ali Kardor, the head of National Iranian Oil Company, told Danesh-e Naft local journal that the foreign companies have time by Dec. 10 to submit their appeals for taking part in tenders. Iran has introduced 49 oil and gas projects for foreign companies based on new the contract model. The country needs $100 billion of investment in upstream sector by 2021, of which 80 percent is expected to be put by foreigners. Kardor said the first tender will be issued in early January 2017 for development of Azadegan oil field. 1 of 9 In pics: New Zealand captured like never before Movies like Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and King Kong have used New Zealand`s epic backdrop to depict a fantasy universe. Photographer Rach Stewart has travelled the country to shoot vast and varied landscapes. Ms Stewart explained the country`s appeal to MailOnline Travel: Within a couple of hours drive from anywhere in New Zealand you can usually be at a beach, a mountain or a lake. We have so much diversity here. Nature has given us some incredible places to explore here. Here are a few pics of New Zealand captured like never before. Read More... Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 By Emil Ilgar Trend: Royal Dutch Shell signed three heads of agreement (HOA) with Iran Dec.7, Shana news agency reported. According to the previous reports, Total also would participate in the deal, but Reuters quoted an Iranian official as saying that Total, which last month signed the first deal by a Western energy firm since sanctions were lifted, will start talks about new oil and gas projects but will not be signing any deals on Wednesday. Shana news agency didnt mention Total in its report. Shell signed HOA with Iran to study the Islamic Republic's Kish gas field as well as South Azadegan and Yadavaran oil fields. Some 12 wells have been drilled in the Kish field, which contains about 1 trillion cubic meters of gas reserves. Iran plans to produce 140 million cubic meters per day (mcm/d) from this field in three stages. Before, Total and Iran signed a HOA on South Pars gas fields phase 11. Total also signed a confidentiality agreement with Iran to study the South Azadegan oil field. Shell and National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) signed HOA on South Azadegans second phase, aimed to produce 300-320 thousand barrels of crude oil per day. The sides also signed a HOA on Yadavaran oil field, aimed to produce 300,000 barrels of oil per day in three stages. The total needed on investment for developing these three fields (South Azadegan, Yadavaran and Kish) is estimated about $10-12 billion. Iran is expected to sign agreements on the mentioned fields, based on new designed Iran Petroleum Contract model in 2017. Iran has introduced 49 oil and gas projects for foreign companies based on new contract model. The country needs $100 billion investment in upstream secor by 2021, of which 80 percent is expected to be put by foreigners. HANOI, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Here's a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchange rates in the official market and indicative SJC gold prices in Hanoi at 0058 GMT. Dec 7 Dec 6 USD/VND mid-point 22,124 22,120 USD/VND interbank 22,720/22,730 22,728/22,733 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.25/36.67 36.40/36.82 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, Dec 7 (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 0414 GMT. Dec 7 Dec 6 USD/VND mid-point 22,124 22,120 USD/VND interbank 22,670/22,770 22,728/22,733 USD/VND unofficial 23,230/23,260 23,200/23,300 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.20/36.62 36.40/36.82 Interbank offered rates Overnight 3.0-4.0 3.0-4.0 1 week 3.2-4.2 3.3-4.2 1 month 3.8-4.6 4.1-4.6 3 months 4.9-5.0 4.4-5.0 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) COLOMBO, Dec 7 (Reuters) - The Sri Lankan rupee traded steady on Wednesday, but dollar demand from state banks and foreign banks put pressure on the currency, dealers said. Rupee forwards were active, with spot-next forwards trading at 148.90/95 per dollar at 0626 GMT, unchanged from Tuesday's close. "State banks and foreign banks are buying (dollars)," said a currency dealer, asking not to be named, adding that importer dollar demand and bond sales by foreign investors continued to pressure the rupee. The pressure on the rupee is expected to ease when seasonal inward remittances begin and importer dollar demand weakens ahead of the year-end festival season, dealers said. However, a few dealers expect the rupee to continue to be under pressure on fears that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's economic policies will lead to a stronger greenback and trigger foreign fund outflows. On Tuesday, the central bank raised the spot preference rate by 20 cents to 147.50 per dollar, dealers added. The spot rupee was hardly traded, but was quoted at 148.50/149.20. Foreign investors have net sold 42.1 billion rupees worth of government securities in the seven weeks ended Nov. 30, ahead of an expected Fed rate hike in December. Sri Lankan shares were down with the benchmark Colombo stock index dropping 0.34 percent at 6,328.62 as of 0630 GMT. Turnover stood at 467.81 million rupees ($3.15 million). ($1 = 148.5000 Sri Lankan rupees) (Reporting by Ranga Sirilal; Editing by Amrutha Gayathri) President-elect Donald Trump will nominate Iowa Governor Terry Branstad as the next U.S. ambassador to China, the world's second-largest economy, a transition official said on Wednesday. The transition official confirmed the choice, first reported by Bloomberg, which said Branstad has accepted the job. His appointment may help to ease trade tensions between the two countries, the world's two biggest agricultural producers, diplomats and trade experts said. In China, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang called Branstad an "old friend" of China when asked about the Bloomberg report but said Beijing would work with any U.S. ambassador. "We welcome him to play a greater role in advancing the development of China-U.S. relations," he told a daily news briefing. Earlier, in the Iowa capital of Des Moines, a Branstad spokesman, Ben Hammes, said the reports of his nomination were "premature and not accurate." His nomination suggests that Trump may be ready to take a less combative stance towards China than many expected, trade experts and diplomats said. Branstad called Chinese President Xi Jinping a "long-time friend" when Xi visited Iowa in February 2012, only nine months before he became the Chinese leader. Tensions between the countries have been worsening since Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in last month's U.S. election. The New York real estate developer has said he intends to declare China a currency manipulator when he takes office on Jan. 20 and has threatened to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese goods coming into the United States. DUMPING ALLEGATIONS Specific U.S. trade concerns include allegations that China is dumping steel and aluminum in global markets below the cost of production, hurting American producers. In the agricultural sector, the U.S. has been unable to get Beijing to lift anti-dumping measures on U.S. broiler chicken products and an animal feed ingredient known as distillers' dried grains (DDGS). China is one of Iowa's biggest export markets, so Branstad is well-placed to deal with China-U.S. trade issues, said Professor Huang Jing, an expert on Chinese politics at the National University of Singapore. "This really sends a message that Donald Trump wants to handle China at the bilateral relationship level," he said. Branstad's personal ties with Xi could also help to ease U.S. access to Beijing's leadership, the diplomats and trade experts said. Still, they said his many years running Iowa, the top U.S. state for production of corn, soybeans and pigs, may not have prepared him for the more delicate tasks of diplomacy with Beijing. During Xi's 2012 trip, Chinese soybean buyers announced they would buy more than $4 billion in U.S. soybeans that year. Since then, the United States has grown more reliant on China's voracious appetite for commodities to spur demand for everything from oil to corn as global oversupply has hurt prices. Volumes of U.S. agricultural exports to China hit record levels in 2015. "It's natural that they should continue this good relationship with China," said Pan Chenjun, senior analyst at Rabobank in China. Trump's dealings with China have been in particular focus since Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen called him last week to congratulate him on winning the election. The call caused consternation in Beijing, which sees the self-ruled island as a renegade province and objects to other governments dealing with it. Trump's conversation with Tsai was the first such contact with Taiwan by a U.S. president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter adopted a "one-China" policy in 1979, recognizing only the Beijing government. (Reporting by Sangameswaran S in BENGALURU, Christian Shepherd in BEIJING, John Ruwitch in SHANGHAI; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu in Washington and Kay Henderson in Des Moines; Editing by Robert Birsel, Martin Howell and Frances Kerry) (Recasts adding context on leadership changes, byline) By Trevor Hunnicutt NEW YORK, Dec 7 (Reuters) - BlackRock Inc is making leadership changes to its biggest mutual fund. The world's largest asset manager is replacing one of the top leaders on its $42 billion BlackRock Global Allocation Fund and adding three new portfolio managers, a move that comes as the fund's performance has lagged its rivals. Aldo Roldan, a managing director and portfolio manager, is stepping down as portfolio manager on the fund because he wanted to reduce his day-to-day responsibilities, a BlackRock spokeswoman said Wednesday. Roldan will continue to work on the Global Allocation team as a "senior investor," focusing on research and analysis, she said. Three other investors will get top billing, including Russ Koesterich, the fund's head of asset allocation, as well as David Clayton and Kent Hogshire, who already assist on the fund. The changes take effect Jan. 1. Koesterich is particularly well known outside the company as its former global chief investment strategist, a role in which he traveled widely and spoke to the press about the asset manager's investment views. The company announced he was shifting to a new role supporting Global Allocation in March. The fund is a "multi-asset" portfolio of stocks, bonds and other investments. New York-based BlackRock has been working to boost the investment performance of its stockpicking funds by introducing more data mining and rules-based investment techniques to its traditionalist teams, such as Global Allocation, which started in 1989. Much of the investment management industry has been wrestling with a move from active funds to passive ones that merely track an index because those funds often perform better and charge less. BlackRock is a major manager of index funds through its iShares exchange-traded funds business. Relatively low-cost institutional shares of Global Allocation are up 3.7 percent this year, trailing 72 percent of its peers, according to Thomson Reuters Lipper. Over 10 years, the fund is in the top 20 percent. Investors pulled $8.1 billion from the fund this year, through November, according to the research service. Roldan joined the Global Allocation team in 2006. He has been one of three lead managers overseeing a sprawling collection of analysts, traders, marketing personnel and other staff who focus on the fund, alongside Dennis Stattman and Dan Chamby. A specialist in emerging markets who holds a doctorate in economics and econometrics from the University of Pennsylvania, Roldan joined BlackRock when it acquired the team's former employer, Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, in 2006. (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in New York; Editing by Jim Finkle and Alan Crosby) (Adds quotes, details) AMSTERDAM, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Dutch postal company PostNL rejected a raised 2.54 billion euro ($2.7 billion) takeover offer from Belgium's Bpost on Wednesday, saying it lacked political support and would hurt profit. PostNL shares slumped more than 9 percent to 4.30 euros following the announcement, well below Bpost's Dec. 1 offer of 5.75 euros per share, which the Belgian company had said was its third and final bid. Much of the Dutch opposition to the deal has centred on the Belgian government's influence over Bpost. At the moment, it has a 51 percent stake but that would fall to 40 percent under its merger proposal. PostNL said it was concerned the Belgian stake would add layers of bureaucracy and render the Dutch business less competitive. It said one reason it had not entered formal merger talks with Bpost was because of opposition from Dutch Economic Affairs Minister Henk Kamp. "One of the main concerns expressed by several Dutch politicians relates to the 40 percent share and the influence the Belgian government would retain in the combination," PostNL said in a statement. Bpost had argued that a combined company would be a major European player with cost efficiencies but PostNL's management said it made no sense to have Bpost acquire a privately owned and more agile business. "It goes beyond just politics, it goes more broadly to all our stakeholders. We are very concerned about a lack of critical support from our stakeholders, including staff, clients and the government," PostNL Chief Executive Officer Herna Verhagen said. "If you look at the underlying reasons why, you see we were looking out for the interests of our shareholders," she told reporters. Several major shareholders and smaller investors had asked that PostNL at least sit down and discuss the offer with Bpost's management but the Dutch company's board unanimously rejected the requests. ($1 = 0.9322 euros) (Reporting by Toby Sterling and Anthony Deutsch; editing by David Clarke) (Adds quotes, detail) LAGOS, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Nigeria has appointed Citigroup , Standard Chartered Bank and Stanbic IBTC Bank to manage a planned $1 billion Eurobond sale and hopes to start the issuance process in January, Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun said on Wednesday. Citi, Standard Chartered Bank and Stanbic IBTC would manage any follow-up Eurobond issuance for Nigeria over the next three years so as to cut short the tendering process, Adeosun said. President Muhammadu Buhari's cabinet approved the appointment after Adeosun's presentation. They also appointed legal advisers for the issue. The government began the process of appointing banks for the Eurobond sale in September and had said it wanted to issue the bond by the end of the year. Adeosun said a "fully competitive open tender process" was carried out before the appointments. "The $1 billion Eurobond programme is part of funding for 2016 budget and we hope to be able to commence the process in January," Adeosun told reporters. Nigeria is in its first recession in 25 years and needs to find money to make up for shortfall in its budget. Its revenues from oil have plunged due to low global prices and militant attacks in its crude-producing heartland, the Niger Delta. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo told Reuters last week that the government aimed to conclude the sale of the Eurobond by the end of the first quarter of 2017. "We are expecting to get quite a competitive pricing on the issuance programme ... to be used for the purpose of funding capital projects in the 2016 budget within the month of January," she said, noting that recent gains in the oil price would help with the marketing of the bond. (Reporting by Felix Onuah; Writing by Chijioke Ohuocha; Editing by Alexis Akwagyiram and Louise Ireland) North Kitsap girls soccer keeps state tourney streak alive Four teams North Kitsap, Bremerton, Olympic and Sequim came away victorious in the first round of the Class 2A West Central District tournament. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 By Fatih Karimov Trend: The third exclusive trade and industry exhibition of Iran opened in Russias Astrakhan city on Dec. 7, IRNA news agency reported. Russian and Iranian officials, including Tehran Province Governor Hassan Hashemi were present at the inauguration ceremony. Over 33 Iranian companies, active in construction, energy, food, agriculture, textile and engineering sectors are present in the event which will continue until Dec. 7. The event is held in collaboration with Irans Consulate General in Astrakhan and the chambers of commerce and industry of Astrakhan, Krasnodar, Rostov, Volgograd, Stavropol and Dagestan and with the participation of state-run and private sectors, including companies, enterprises, manufacturers, exporters and businessmen from Iran and Russia. The exhibition aims to develop commercial and trade relations between Iran and Russia. Irans trade turnover with Russias Astrakhan stood at $117 million in the first eight months of 2016. The figure makes 25 percent of the Russian provinces total foreign trade. Iran-Russia mutual trade turnover currently stands at $2 billion per year. Audrey Young reports: Labour MP David Shearer is poised to resign from Parliament to take up the tough job of leading the United Nations mission in war-torn South Sudan. The latest political bombshell will mean a byelection in his Mt Albert electorate early next year, the first electoral challenge for the new Prime Minister. A recommendation for his appointment has been put before the UN Security Council in New York by outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon. Once approved this week, Shearer will work alongside the commander of 18,000 peace-keepers, with a budget of about $1 billion. Any of the Security Councils 15 members has two days to object, but given Shearers previous experience as a senior UN leader in trouble-spots, he is likely to be accepted. Congrats to David Shearer hell be great in the role. It has been known for many months that Shearer wanted to exit Parliament, and who could blame him for not wanting to stay in the Labour caucus. What is interesting is that a very reliable source (from Labour) told me that Shearer was up for an even more prominent UN role in the middle of the year head of all UN operations in Syria. He had the full backing of the Government for the job. But he got effectively vetoed. Who by? His predecessor at the MP for Mt Albert who thought another NZer getting a top UN job would interfere with her bid for UN Secretary General. The appointment is a personal one by the UN Secretary-General. It is not one that required a nomination by the Government. But Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said Shearer, who is Labours foreign affairs spokesman, had the strong support of the Government. It is a huge deal, he said. [Security Council members have] a couple of days to raise any concerns, so it is not a done deal yet. But it is a big feather in his cap. This is the toughest peace-keeping assignment on the planet. It is a difficult and dangerous place. The three-year civil war in South Sudan has forced more than two million people to flee their homes. I didnt realise who big the civil war was there. Good to see the Government continue the tradition of supporting New Zealanders for top roles, regardless of their political party. A byelection in Mt Albert will be the second for Labour to defend, following last weekends success in keeping Mt Roskill. Shearer won Mt Albert in 2014 with a 10,656 majority. But like Mt Roskill, National polled higher than Labour in the party vote, by 3536 votes. There could be a lot of people interested in the Mt Albert candidacy, including existing List MPs. The party vote figure is a bit misleading as the Greens get a lot of party vote there also. Combined they got 18,000 votes to 14,300 for National. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Mostly cloudy and windy. High around 75F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Isolated thunderstorms during the evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 46F. S winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Iranian cyber police have identified and disbanded 3,000 online gambling channels in the country. The head of Irans cyber police, Brigadier General Kamal Hadianfar, has said that 184 individuals have recently been arrested in the Islamic Republic in connection with the illegal online gambling crimes, Fars news agency reported Dec. 7. According to the law of Islam and the Iranian constitution, gambling is illegal in the Islamic Republic. Elaborating on the statistics of the cyber crimes in the country, he said 66 percent of online crimes are carried out through Telegram messaging app and 20 percent through Instagram photo sharing network. He also added that a hacker has recently gained unauthorized access to the data of 800 customers of a private bank. The official did not provide further information on the committed crimes. He further touched upon plans to confront online crimes in the country, saying that according to a recent decision, the administrators of the social media pages and mobile messaging channels, such as Telegram, with more than 5,000 members must apply for permission of the respective bodies. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: The extension of the US sanctions against Iran will not have great impact on Iranian economy, Behrooz Abdolvand, managing director of German Consulting company DESB GmbH focusing on Iranian energy market, expert on the Caspian region believes. The US policy has still some impact on the development of Iranian economy nevertheless Russia, China and Europe will expand their business with Iran in the future and won't accept US-exterritorial legislation. So extension of US sanctions won't affect the development of the Iranian economy and oil industry in general, Abdolvand told Trend in an email. Last week the US Senate voted to extend the presidents authority to impose sanctions on Iran for another decade, which was first introduced in 1996 to punish investments in Iran's energy industry based on accusations that Tehran was pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program. The measure should be signed by outgoing President Barack Obama to come into force. Abdolvand noted that the extension of sanctions against Iran passed by the U.S. Senate does not mean, that the nuclear deal reached last year failed. The nuclear deal is not a bilateral agreement between USA and Iran but an international binding agreement signed also by the other members of the UN Security Council and Germany. So the USA cannot dissolve the agreement unilaterally, the expert said. Iran and the P5+1 (China, France, Russia, UK, US plus Germany) reached a nuclear deal (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) in July, 2015. Under the agreement, Iran agreed to eliminate its stockpile of medium-enriched uranium, cut its stockpile of low-enriched uranium by 98 percent, and reduce by about two-thirds the number of its gas centrifuges for 13 years. The agreement provides that in return for verifiably abiding by its commitments, Iran will receive relief from US, EU, and UN Security Council nuclear-related economic sanctions. Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova Knoxville Holiday Canstruction winners announced Best Meal award: Dukes CANvent Calendar by Bush Brothers, BarberMcMurry Architects and Civil & Environmental Consulting. Image courtesy of Messer Construction. KNOXVILLE Thirteen teams of architects, engineers, construction companies and other local organizations gathered at the Knoxville Convention Center on Thursday, Dec. 1 to learn the results of Knoxvilles fourth annual Holiday Canstruction exhibit. Many teams were awarded for their design and engineering skills, but the ultimate winner was the beneficiary, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. Presented by Messer Construction Co., the holiday-themed art exhibition featured thirteen innovative structures that used more than 51,000 food items. This will allow Second Harvest to create and serve 107,900 meals to East Tennesseans in need this holiday season. I am overwhelmed by the generosity, spirit, creativity and all around good hearted nature of our community, said Randy Fields, business development executive for Messer Construction Co. It was the largest event of all four years with 83,000 pounds of food valued at $46,000 donated to Second Harvest. I look forward to the continued impact we will make on the lives of those who need it most in our region in the many years to come. Kids Choice award: The Three Not So Wise Minions by Studio Four Design, CBI and Merit Construction Twelve judges, who represented the media, local food production companies, arts and tourism organizations, convened to select the Holiday Canstruction award winners. They scored each structure in six categories. The Peoples Choice award and Chefs Challenge award were decided through a public vote on the Knoxville Canstruction Facebook page. The Kids Choice award, presented by East Tennessee Childrens Hospital, was selected through paper ballots by voters 17 years old and younger. More than 1,500 individuals voted online and approximately 400 kids cast their vote on-site. Peoples Choice award: CANley Street Bridge and Fort CANdoun Dam by Chad Steward Associates, Architects Wright and Harrison Construction Best Execution of Concept award: Santa in CANcun by Michael Brady Inc. and Hickory Construction At the Thursday reception, sponsored by Shoffner Kalthoff Mechanical Electrical Service, Fields announced the top awards. The winners and structures are as follows: Best Meal award: Dukes CANvent Calendar by Bush Brothers, BarberMcMurry Architects and Civil & Environmental Consulting Structural Ingenuity award: CANley Street Bridge and Fort CANdoun Dam by Chad Steward Associates, Architects Wright and Harrison Construction Best Use of Labels award: Holiday CHEERS and Holiday SPHERES by Johnson Architecture, Partners and Moxley Carmichael Largest Food Donation award: Dukes CANvent Calendar by Bush Brothers, BarberMcMurry Architects and Civil & Environmental Consulting, which used 10,953 food items Best Execution of Concept award: Santa in CANcun by Michael Brady Inc. and Hickory Construction Jurors Favorite award: Dukes CANvent Calendar by Bush Brothers, BarberMcMurry Architects and Civil & Environmental Consulting Kids Choice award: The Three Not So Wise Minions by Studio Four Design, CBI and Merit Construction Peoples Choice award: CANley Street Bridge and Fort CANdoun Dam by Chad Steward Associates, Architects Wright and Harrison Construction Best Use of Labels award: Holiday CHEERS and Holiday SPHERES by Johnson Architecture, Partners and Moxley Carmichael Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Iranian security forces have recently confronted and eliminated a three-member terrorist team near the countrys western boarders, a senior security official said. Hossein Zolfaqari, the deputy interior minister for security affairs, has said that Iranian security forces identified a group of people when they attempted to cross the countrys borders, Tasnim news agency reported. According to the official, the countrys intelligence ministry was in charge of tracking the group. The deputy foreign minister did not provide further information on the details of the operation. By Lee Hyo-sik The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), which represents the interests of the country's family-controlled conglomerates, is heading toward dissolution as Samsung and other major member companies have pledged to exit the scandal-ridden body. The business lobby group has been accused of having forced members to donate millions of dollars totwo dubious foundations controled by President Park Geun-hye's confidant Choi Soon-sil. On Tuesday, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and other heads of large business groups promised lawmakers that they will abandon their FKI memberships, dealing a serious blow to the 55-year-old organization set up after a military coup by former President Park Chung Hee. Besides Lee, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and LG Group Chairman Koo Bon-moo said during the National Assembly's inquiry into the Choi scandal that they will not pay FKI membership fees and will take other steps to distance themselves from it. The Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) and dozens of other public enterprises have already withdrawn their memberships from the lobby group. "The FKI will be dismantled at the end of the day," said an executive at one of the FKI member firms who declined to be named. "If Samsung, SK, and LG exit the lobby group, others will certainly follow. The country's top four business groups account for 60 percent of FKI's annual membership fees. It cannot function without its major stakeholders." By Lee Hyo-sik Johannes Thammer Audi Volkswagen Korea CEO The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has ordered Audi Volkswagen Korea (AVK) to pay a 37.3 billion won ($32 million) fine for running false advertisements on its emissions-rigged diesel engine vehicles. The antitrust agency said Wednesday that the 37.3 billion won is the largest fine it has ever imposed on corporations for posting false advertizing. It has also decided to file a complaint with the prosecution against AVK CEO Johannes Thammer, former Volkswagen Korea CEO Park Dong-hoon and three other top company executives. The agency said AVK and its German headquarters misled Korean consumers with false television and print-media advertisements by inflating fuel economy, emissions and other performance-related features of its Euro 5 diesel engine vehicles. The German carmaker ran the advertisements from December 2007 through November 2015, falsely declaring its pollution-emitting diesel-powered cars as eco-friendly ones. Millions of Volkswagen vehicles sold in Korea and elsewhere over the past few years failed to meet the Euro 5 emissions standard. The company admitted installing controversial software that enabled its cars to detect when their emissions were being tested and to lower them. "AVK ran false advertisements to promote the sale of its controversial diesel cars," an FTC official said. "The ads falsely claimed the vehicles were environment-friendly and met emissions and other standards. The German automaker intentionally deceived Korean consumers." The official said consumers can use the FTC's latest action against Audi Volkswagen as evidence in an ongoing class-action lawsuit, seeking millions of dollars in compensation from the carmaker. "We will bolster our monitoring of dubious corporate advertizing and take harsh action against lawbreakers." AVK said it has not yet been notified by FTC, adding that it will take appropriate action after reviewing the agency's decision. "At the moment, we cannot say anything because we have not yet been informed by the FTC," an AVK official said. "We will decide what to do after studying the FTC's decision." Earlier, the Ministry of Environment imposed a 17.8 billion won fine on AVK and filed a criminal suit against the company over its emissions-cheating scandal. The ministry also banned the sales of the 80 of the carmaker's vehicle models. AVK has submitted plans to recall more than 120,000 diesel-engine vehicles sold in Korea to the ministry three times. But ministry officials rejected the plans, saying they did not include some key elements, such as the cause of defects and detailed plans to improve the vehicles' fuel economy and other functions after the defeat software was removed. By Nam Hyun-woo An increasing number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are losing ground amid gloomy economic circumstances, casting worries that the country's economy is faltering. On Tuesday, the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) announced that 176 SMEs are subject to immediate corporate restructuring. The number is up 28.5 percent from the average number of SMEs that were in the same circumstances three years ago, 137, and the highest since 2009, when the FSS conducted three credit risk assessments amid the global financial crisis and named 512 firms in that category. In a breakdown, most of the firms are manufacturers, comprised of 22 metal, 20 electronic and 19 machinery parts manufacturers. SMEs themselves are also expressing their concerns over the current economic circumstances. According to the Korea Federation of SMEs on Nov. 28, 86.7 percent out of 300 SMEs responding to a recent poll said they believe the country's economy is in a crisis. Of these, 28.7 percent said the current situation is tantamount to the 2008-2009 global financial crisis or the Asian financial crisis back in the late 1990s. In the poll, the firms citied worsening consumer sentiment and shrinking domestic demand as the main reasons for their worries. Also, they agreed that rising economic uncertainties stemming from the leadership vacuum in the government cast more concerns over next year's outlook. Externally, they also mentioned U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's economic policies as a potential concern, as he is expected to lean toward protectionism. The Korea Small Business Institute said in a recent report that an anti-graft law that was enacted on Sept. 28, affecting more than 4 million public workers, teachers and journalists, has also slowed SMEs' businesses. According to the report, manufacturers' Small Business Health Index, an indicator gauging SMEs' business conditions, dropped to 84 points in October, down 2.6 points from a month earlier. The indexes for small shops and traditional markets have also declined to 76.6 and 75 points, respectively. "After the anti-graft law took effect, the country's consumer sentiment has dropped and exports have also been affected." the report said. Their worries can also be shown in the falling operating rates of industrial complexes. According to data from the Korea Industrial Complex Corp., the operation rate of industrial complexes across the nation has slightly increased to 81.4 percent in September from 80.8 percent in August. However, several major complexes were showing rates far below the average, with the Namdong complex in Incheon posting 71 percent and the Banwol complex in Gyeonggi Province recording 77.2 percent in September. The economic relationship between Korea and China is also of concern for SMEs, because companies selling products related to Korean dramas will be hit hard if China enforces its restrictions on the programming being aired. "With those issues expected to remain as negative factors next year, more comprehensive measures should be implemented," a Seoul-based economist said. Hanwha Corporation CEO Choi Yang-soo, left, poses with Whitehaven Coal CEO Paul Flynn during a signing ceremony for Hanwha's mining services at The Plaza Seoul Hotel, Wednesday. Under the deal, Hanwha is expected to supply bulk explosives and ignition systems for Whitehaven sites in Gunnedah Basin, Australia. / Courtesy of Hanwha Corporation By Jhoo Dong-chan Hanwha Corporation has clinched a five-year-term contract with Whitehaven Coal to supply all bulk and initiating explosives and down-the-hole services. Under the deal, Hanwha is expected to supply approximately 65,000 tons of bulk explosives per year. The two companies did not comment on the contract scale, only hinting it reaches hundreds of billions of won. Since Hanwha entered the global mining services market through acquiring Australian mining company LDE Corporation last year, Whitehaven Coal has been one of its major clients. This contract is a sign of confidence in its operational performance and blast efficiency. "This deal gave Hanwha an important foothold that would allow us to grow and expand the reach of global mining services," Hanwha Corporation CEO Choi Yang-soo said. "We are committed to providing safer and higher-quality bulk explosives and detonators to various markets around the world." Last month, Hanwha demonstrated its hybrid bulk explosives technology during the 9th AusIMM Open Pit Operators Conference 2016. In the demonstration, Hanwha's explosives drew industrial attention as they minimized undesired fumes while delivering efficient blast results. "Hanwha Corporation has done its utmost in expanding its global market while the domestic commercial explosives market remains stagnant," a Hanwha official said. "The overseas market is, meanwhile, witnessing continuous growth in demand owing to regional development needs arising from population growth and urbanization, particularly in Southeast Asia and Latin America." Awardees of the Korea Culture Quotient (CQ) alumni meeting and 22nd graduation ceremony awardees pose at the Italian ambassadorial residence in Yongsan, Seoul, Tuesday. From left are Managing Director of Le Cellier Ellen Kim, Italian Ambassador to Korea Marco della Seta, Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI) President Choi Jung-wha, Singaporean Ambassador to Korea Yip Wei Kiat and Turkish Ambassador to Korea Arslan Hakan Okcal. / Courtesy of CICI By Kim Jae-heun Singaporean Ambassador to Korea Yip Wei Kiat received the Grand Award at the Korea Culture Quotient (CQ) alumni meeting and 22nd graduation ceremony hosted by the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI) at the Italian ambassadorial residence in Yongsan, Seoul, Tuesday. The Singaporean Ambassador has been actively participating in various events to learn and promote Korean culture, CICI said. He joined CICI's program to experience Korean calligraphy with renowned Korean calligrapher Kang Byung-in earlier this year. He's also been a vocal contributor to 5.4 Club, a part of CICI's program established by the institute's President Choi Jung-wha and her husband Didier Beltoise to share Korean culture through the five senses using four methods eating, seeing, enjoying and talking. "We had an eventful year," the Singaporean Ambassador said after receiving the award. "I think it's a good time to say farewell and welcome the New Year. I want to take this opportunity to say happy holidays and I look forward to a joyful 2017." Italian Ambassador to Korea Marco della Seta received the Hand-in-Hand Award in recognition of his support for Korea CQ and his passion for cross-cultural exchanges during the program. Turkish Ambassador to Korea Arslan Hakan Okcal was presented with the Communication Award for his cooperation and generosity towards Korea CQ members. Managing Director of Le Cellier Ellen Kim received the Concentration Award for her special interest in Korea CQ forums as a member of CQ 22 and for her enthusiasm in studying Korea culture. Som 60 foreign diplomats in Korea and opinion leaders, including Austrian Ambassador to Korea Elisabeth Bertagnoli, Philips Korea CEO Dominique Oh and Google's Asia Pacific head Mickey Hyunyu Kim, participated in the CQ gathering to enjoy quiz shows, karaoke time and a raffle. The CQ forums are designed to share cultural experiences and promote Korea's brand abroad. It is held 20 times a year in spring and fall to invite culture experts in different sectors to share their expertise. Members also visit cultural sites to learn about Korean culture. "As soon as I arrived in Korea, I realized CICI is a most interesting way of mixing Koreans and foreigners, especially for diplomats. So I fully support the event," said the Italian Ambassador. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Yukiya Amano, the head of the global nuclear watchdog the IAEA, has expressed interest in visiting Iran this month, Iranian nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi, said. Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), has said that the Islamic Republic welcomes the decision by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano to visit the country, Tasnim news agency reported. Earlier on December 6, Reuters citing a confidential IAEA report, said that Iran has shipped 11 tons of heavy water abroad to bring its stock back under a limit set by its landmark nuclear deal with major world powers. The reports regarding Irans nuclear program came amid concerns over the US President-elect Donald Trumps approach towards the last years nuclear deal. Trump has described the deal as the worst deal ever negotiated. People involved in the Park Geun-hye scandal are sworn in as witnesses before the parliamentary investigation of the Park Geun-hye scandal, Wednesday. From left, Song Sung-gak, former CEO of the Korea Creative Content Agency; Kim Chong, former vice culture minister; Kim Ki-choon, former presidential chief of staff; Ko Young-tae, Choi's close associate and business partner; Cho Won-dong, former senior secretary for economic affairs; Jung Hyun-sik, former secretary general of the K-Sports Foundation; Cha Eun-taek, Choi Soon-sil's confidant who was a former member of the Presidential Committee for Cultural Enrichment. / Yonhap South Korea's National Assembly is holding the second round of hearings to investigate a corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye on Wednesday. Among 27 figures summoned by the parliament, 14 did not show up at the National Assembly, including Park's confidante Choi Soon-sil and her family members. The whereabouts of Choi's daughter Chung Yoo-ra and Woo Byung-woo, the ex-senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, also remain unknown. The parliament has issued orders of accompanying for Choi and 10 others to appear by 2:00 p.m. The order is issued to forcefully make a suspect or witness appear at a hearing when he or she refuses to attend without a justifiable reason. During Wednesday's session, Park's former key aides, including an ex-chief of staff, testified about suspicions that Choi and her associates meddled in government affairs. Citizens pay silent tribute to sexual slavery victim, Park Suk-yi who died Tuesday, at the weekly Wednesday rally in front of the Japanese Embassy, central Seoul, Wednesday. / Yonhap By Choi Ha-young Park Suk-yi, a victim of sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II, passed away Tuesday night, aged 94, an advocacy group said Wednesday. Now, the number of surviving Korean victims is 39. She had been receiving treatment at a hospital in Namhae, South Gyeongsang Province, since last year for pneumonia. Born in 1923 in Naehae, Park was kidnapped by Japanese soldiers when she was 16 while digging for clams with her cousin near her home. She was exploited as a sexual slave in Manchuria, China, for seven years. She stayed in China after the nation's liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, and only returned home in 1948. She registered as a sexual slavery victim in 2011. Since then, she actively gave lectures to young people about her tragic life and the importance of a sincere apology from the perpetrators. Despite her illness, she provided scholarships to students under financial hardship every year. In her will, Park wished to be buried under the memorial statue established in "Suk-yi Park," a park named after her in her hometown. A memorial altar was set up at Namhae Hospital. With Park's death, only 39 victims are still alive, out of the 238 who officially registered with the Korean government. Cigarettes are also a threat to household pets, says FDA. / Korea Times file By Lee Jin-a Secondhand smoking can endanger household pets, U.S. health officials say. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage the organs of dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs and fish, increasing their risk of developing cancer, lung disease and heart disease. The FDA has long warned that secondhand smoke can spread through the air and harm nearby people who inhale the fumes. The agency also says people can be harmed by third-hand smoke, which originates from tobacco smoke residue left on skin, clothes, furniture and carpets. "If 58 million non-smoking adults and children are exposed to tobacco smoke, imagine how many pets are exposed at the same time," says FDA veterinarian Carmela Stamper. "Smoking is not only harmful to people, it is harmful to pets, too. "Like children, dogs and cats spend a lot of time on or near the floor, where tobacco smoke residue concentrates in house dust, carpets and rugs. Then, it gets on their fur. Dogs, cats and children not only breathe in these harmful substances, but pets can also ingest them by licking their owner's hair, skin and clothes." The FDA says that when the pets absorb the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke, they are more likely to suffer from nausea, weight loss, anxiety, fatigue and allergies, as well as cancer, lung disease and heart disease. For example, if a dog already has breathing or lung issues, inhaling tobacco smoke can aggravate its symptoms and chronic coughing. A study by Tufts University's School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts also shows that cats living in smoking households have a two to four times increased risk of mouth cancer called oral squamous cell carcinoma. Citizens request attendance for impeachment vote By Kim Bo-eun Lawmakers and civic groups are filing petitions for the National Assembly to be open to the public Friday when the vote to impeach President Park Geun-hye over her involvement in the influence-peddling scandal surrounding her confidant Choi Soon-sil is to be held. Independent lawmakers Kim Jong-hoon and Yoon Jong-o started an online petition requesting Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun to allow citizens into the Assembly premises and to broadcast the vote live on the grounds around the building. "The National Assembly does not belong to the lawmakers but to the citizens. Citizens have the right to watch the impeachment motion being put to a vote and passed at the Assembly," they said Wednesday. "The speaker must open the doors of the Assembly in order to let the people share their thoughts with the lawmakers." They said Chung told them he would consider it. By Yi Whan-woo The opposition parties slammed President Park Geun-hye, Wednesday, over media reports that she was getting her hair styled at her residence in Cheong Wa Dae when the ferry Sewol was sinking on April 16, 2014. They claimed that Park should not be forgiven for being negligent in her duties in a state of emergency and wasting crucial hours. According to the daily Hankyoreh, Park had her hair attended to for 90 minutes between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., by a popular hairdresser even after receiving the first reports about the capsizing of the ferry at 10 a.m. The President's whereabouts have been shrouded in mystery during the "missing seven hours" from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. when she first appeared at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH). "I could not stop myself from bursting into anger when I read the news," main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairwoman Rep. Choo Mi-ae said during a Supreme Council meeting. Citing her childhood experience of being saved by a woman in her neighborhood when she fell into a well, Choo said "Park should not be forgiven in the name of all mothers." "The people in general would be willing to do their best to save their own children as well as others' if they are in deadly trouble. And that's what made me speechless," Choo said. Rep. Kim Young-joo, a member of the DPK Supreme Council, said, "Park must be out of her mind." Kim referred to the Hankyoreh report that the President, after having her hair styled, allegedly had her hairdresser make it look messy before joining the meeting at the CDSCH. The report said this was seen as an attempt to appear as if Park was in a hurry to fulfill her duties. "You can't do that if you are wearing a human mask," Kim said. "Park should have joined the emergency meeting at once but instead she tried to fool the people." Kim claimed that Park should be held responsible for the deaths of the passengers who were mostly high school students, saying "She should kneel before the bereaved families and apologize." He also asked the President to reveal the truth concerning the seven hours, citing speculation that it may be linked to a corruption scandal surrounding Park's confidant Choi Soon-sil. According to the Hankyoreh, Choi introduced the hairdresser to the President. Rep. Kim Dong-cheol, interim leader of the minor opposition People's Party said during a meeting that he was dumbfounded at having a president "who wasted the golden 90 minutes while the passengers were standing between life and death." People's Party floor leader Rep. Park Jie-won criticized the President for "failing to judge what was more important between her hair and the lives of young students." Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, the party's former co-leader, wrote on his social media account that he had to close his eyes when he read the news because he was "too distressed." "I was angered by the news first then felt emptiness that the President was doing her hair when people's fates were being decided in every second," he wrote. Rep. Sim Sang-jeung, chairwoman of the minor opposition Justice Party, said during a radio interview that "The President shouldn't have done it unless she was living in a different world." "What Park did was poles apart from what the people think of a president in general," Sim said. "We must fully uncover Park's whereabouts at that time to make sure we will no longer elect a president who betrays the people." Some ruling Saenuri Party lawmakers who are aligned against Park also slammed her, saying "Her behavior was very inappropriate." Rep. Hwang Young-cheul, a spokesman for the Saenuri Party's anti-Park faction said it will step up efforts to reveal the truth at the ongoing parliamentary investigation over the corruption scandal involving Choi. Meanwhile, Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday that the President only spent 20 minutes getting her hair styled while the hairdresser stayed at her residence for about an hour from 3:20 p.m. Citing documents obtained from Cheong Wa Dae, Rep. Choi Gyo-il of the Saenuri Party claimed during the parliamentary hearing Wednesday that the hairdresser visited the presidential house from 3:22 p.m. to 4:47 p.m. By Kang Seung-woo The rival parties are trading barbs over whether President Park Geun-hye should step down if she is impeached, Friday. The opposition, backed by public support, is calling for Park to bow out immediately if the impeachment motion against her is passed by the National Assembly. However, Cheong Wa Dae and the ruling Saenuri Party are defying the call, denouncing it as "anti-constitutional." The impeachment motion is highly expected to get the required two-thirds majority in the 300-seat parliament with some 30 Saenuri lawmakers determined to vote in favor of it. The Constitutional Court will then review the legality of the impeachment, which may take up to six months. Former main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Moon Jae-in first ignited the issue, "Once the impeachment motion is passed, President Park must step down immediately," he said Monday. "Despite differing opinions among constitutionalists, I believe she can still quit after being impeached, which will likely finish the impeachment process." Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, another opposition presidential hopeful, supported Moon. "We may go into anarchy because the prime minister who will serve as acting president does not have the public's confidence either. So we need to take action to reduce the messy period," said an aide to the mayor. However, the presidential office made it clear, Wednesday, that Park is not prepared to step down voluntarily if the motion passed and will wait for the Constitutional Court's verdict. "Even if the impeachment motion is passed, we will abide by the Constitutional Court procedures," said a Cheong Wa Dae official. Asked if the President and political parties can negotiate a timeline for an earlier departure after the legislature votes on the impeachment motion, the official said it was "legally impossible." "Once the impeachment process is set in motion, we must follow due legal procedure," he said. Rep. Kim Moo-sung, a former Saenuri Party chairman, also said, "We have the Constitutional Court that will review whether her impeachment is constitutionally sound. Impeachment is a tool to protect the constitutional order, not demolish it." He added: "It is not right for Moon to ignore the constitutional procedure and make such a call." According to political analysts, the differing views on Park's resignation if the Assembly impeaches her are based on their respective plans for the presidential election, anticipated to take place earlier than scheduled December 2017. For the DPK and Moon, the most favored potential candidate, the sooner the presidential election is held the better his odds of winning. Moon, who was edged out by President Park in the 2012 election, ranked top on a list of potential presidential candidates for the sixth straight week, according to local pollster Realmeter, Dec. 1. However, the Saenuri Party will not accept the idea of early resignation because it needs time to turn the tables and get prepared for the election. According to recent public surveys, other than U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who may join the Saenuri Party to run in the election, no candidate from the ruling side has been in contention for the top office in polls. In that respect, the party had pushed for Park to resign at the end of April and hold the early election in June before scrapping the roadmap, Sunday, after the sixth candlelit rally, Saturday, that drew more than 2.3 million citizens to the streets across the country calling for Park's early resignation or impeachment. Park's defiance of calls for early resignation is also seen as her determination to stay in office as late as possible and reverse unfavorable conditions toward her because the Constitutional Court's ruling will also consider public sentiment. In addition, it is also believed as an attempt to avoid the independent counsel's investigation into her, which is scheduled to end in March. According to the Constitution, Park is immune from criminal prosecution except on charges of insurrection or treason, but she would lose this on leaving office. Representatives of Daegu's scholars, businessmen, politicians, journalists, doctors and religious groups held a press conference at the city council building on Dec. 6 to publicly apologize for having voted for President Park Geun-hye in the 2012 presidential election and for having endorsed her since. / Courtesy of Hankook Ilbo By Ko Dong-hwan On Dec. 6 in Daegu, where President Park Geun-hye was born in 1952, the city's 1,386 leaders publicly apologized for having voted for her in the 2012 presidential election and for having endorsed her since. Representatives from the city's scholars, businessmen, politicians, journalists, doctors and religious groups held a press conference at the city council building and admitted their shame and ignorance in having chosen the now scandal-plagued head of the state. Behind the leaders was a banner reading, "Letter of apology from Daegu about the scandal involving Park Geun-hye and Choi Soon-sil" referring to Park's longtime friend, who abused her relationship with Park to illegally amass private assets and interfere in state affairs. The backdrop also said, "We are ashamed of Korea, Daegu and us." The leaders introduced themselves as "People who will lead to new Daegu." "Before criticizing the President for her unredeemable betrayal that has caused disappointment, irreconcilable outrage and shame, we, as citizens of Daegu, are shameful of ourselves," the leaders said as they read the letter, according to Hankook Ilbo. They bowed as they apologized for "endorsing a certain political party for the last 30 years" based on geopolitical attachment, making the city "the party's undisputed turf without whistleblowers," and acting as "a midwife who helped deliver the lowly president." "We had voted for Park in appreciation of her father, former President Park Chung-hee, who had saved us from famine, in sympathy for her who lost both parents in separate assassinations, and in a belief that she could not be corrupt because she has neither husband nor children," the letter added. "But she was proud of herself, far from being communicative, allowing Choi to meddle in state affairs, destroying constitutional orders and stamping on citizens' trust." The leaders concluded with promises to transform Daegu into "a progressive city with political diversity and cultural openness" and "adjust the constitution to give the city more autonomy to make it invulnerable to presidential dictatorship." Remorse towards the President, whose impeachment will be determined at the National Assembly on Dec. 9, has spread across the city of 2.5 millions. Eighty percent of them voted for President Park in 2012. People of the city's eight districts have been hosting separate anti-Park rallies for the past weeks. In Jung-gu, tens of thousands of protesters held candlelit demonstrations, while people in Seo-gu, the city's most conservative district, also plan to take to the streets on Dec. 8 demanding the President's immediate resignation. Seo-gu, with 84 percent of its votes going to Park in 2012, has not had an anti-president demonstration in decades. President Park Geun-hye looks around Seomun Market in Daegu, Dec. 1, after part of it was burned to the ground by a huge fire a day earlier. / Yonhap Questionable visit to Seomun Market Early in the morning on Nov. 30, the city's biggest traditional market, Seomun Market, was swept by a huge fire that destroyed nearly 700 stores in the zone four building. The fire continued until the next day, sweeping the old 15,300-square-meter concrete structure, built in 1976 and housing 839 shops, most of which sold inflammable materials like clothes, bedding units and curtains. Park visited the market on Dec. 1, her first outing from Cheong Wa Dae since she was embroiled in the corruption scandal that has virtually cut short her presidency, originally due to run until December 2017. But her visit, which lasted a mere 10 minutes without meeting a single victim whose store was burnt to the ground, was utterly lackluster, fueling public anger already as fierce as the fire that destroyed the market. "Ten minutes! Are you kidding?" Do Gi-suk, a clothing retailer whose store was burned down, shouted in a video clip recorded at the scene. He was one of the people who thought that the President would at least go around the affected merchants. Political analysts and commentators lambasted Park's visit, labeling it a "political show" or "jaunt." The President's market stunt particularly angered Daegu city office employees, many of whom took it personally. They lamented, saying things like, "Did our city support this woman to become president?" and called the visit a "hodgepodge," according to DongA Ilbo, a local daily. The President had notified the city of her visit a day before but cancelled it the next day morning. It turned out she also gave Cheong Wa Dae press corps the slip by giving wrong information about her visit to the market the presidential office said Park would arrive at 3 p.m., but she appeared at 1:30 p.m. Reporters checking damage at the market accidently spotted her. The only civilian Park met and talked with during the visit was Kim Young-ho, leader of the market's merchants' association. Members of Park Sa Mo support President Park in a rally in Seomun Market, Dec. 1, after she paid a brief visit to the place that was burned down by fire a day before. The members clashed with people, including those whose stores burned down, who criticized the President for not meeting the victims of the accidents. / Courtesy of Media Mongu After the President left the market, her supporters held a rally there, hailing her name and displaying a banner that said "Welcome" with a picture of the President smiling. The people were members of a civic group called Park Sa Mo, which literally means "Group of Park-loving people." Park Sa Mo fueled anger at the site, especially upsetting people whose stores burned down. "These cash-strapped victims borrowed money to run their business in this market. But look at them, chanting and supporting the President who stayed here only for 10 minutes," said a man, who claimed to be a representative of store owners from the zone four building, in a video by Media Mongu, a video journalism outlet. By Kim Hyo-jin A group of Saenuri Party lawmakers who are not affiliated with President Park Geun-hye remain at odds with the opposition parties over her whereabouts during the Sewol ferry sinking just two days ahead of an impeachment vote. Anti-Park lawmakers of the ruling party requested the opposition, Wednesday, to remove the "seven missing hours" as one of the reasons listed in the impeachment motion, claiming it is a major hurdle to securing enough votes from the ruling bloc. The opposition parties, however, rejected the call, as her administration's botched rescue operations during the sinking is one of the key factors behind public anger. The anti-Park faction, consisting of about 40 lawmakers in the 128-member ruling party, holds the key to the passage of the motion, which requires a two-thirds majority in the 300-member legislature, provided 172 opposition and independent lawmakers vote unanimously. Rep. Hwang Young-cheul, a spokesman for the faction, said some lawmakers are torn on whether to vote for the impeachment motion as they disagree with including Park's partial absence on the day of sinking as a reason to impeach her. Hwang said the faction members want the opposition to only mention allegations made against Park by the prosecution. Kim Ki-choon, right, former presidential chief of staff, speaks during the second round of the National Assembly hearings on the corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her confident Choi Soon-sil, Wednesday. / Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-geun By Jun Ji-hye Lawmakers threw a barrage of questions at former presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-choon and other witnesses in the second round of televised National Assembly hearings into the unfolding presidential corruption scandal, but fell short of getting any concrete answers, Wednesday. In the parliamentary inquiry into the scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her friend Choi Soon-sil, most replies from the witnesses were "I don't know." With prime suspect Choi absent, lawmakers did not do much except shout and scold witnesses. Choi has refused to take the witness stand citing health issues. Regarding what President Park was doing while the ferry Sewol was sinking on April 16, 2014, Kim maintained a calm attitude, consistently saying "That is untrue" or "I don't know." He expressed an apology only for his failure to properly assist the President. Kim, who held the chief of staff post from August 2013 to February 2015, was one of Park's closest aides and is known to have exerted immense influence on her administration. The focus of the hearing was supposed to be on him as a witness, Choi and her daughter Chung Yoo-ra, and former senior presidential secretary for civil affairs Woo Byung-woo, none of whom attended. The hearings are part of the Assembly's ongoing investigation into the scandal, which is being conducted separately from a probe by the prosecution, and one by an independent counsel. Choi was indicted Nov. 20 for allegedly exerting undue influence on state affairs and conglomerates by using her relationship with the President. Her family members including her sister as well as her friends, such as commercial director Cha Eun-taek, are also suspected to have benefited from this. Prosecutors said Park was also an accomplice. "I do not know what happened at Park's residence on the day of the Sewol ferry disaster," Kim said. "I only know that the President was at Cheong Wa Dae." He said he did not know what happened in the President's residence, saying, "Nobody told me. I do not know what time she woke up and what time she did her hair." Assembly fails to get Choi Soon-sil onto witness stand By Jung Min-ho Jang Si-ho, niece of President Park Geun-hye's confidant Choi Soon-sil, speaks during the National Assembly hearing over the influence-peddling scandal involving the Choi family, after receiving a subpoena from the Assembly for her earlier decision not to participate, Wednesday. / Korea Times photo by Bae Woo-han The National Assembly issued subpoenas to question 11 key suspects in the Choi Soon-sil scandal, Wednesday, after they refused to cooperate without valid reasons. Of the 11 figures, however, only one responded to the order and attended the Assembly's hearing, raising doubts over the effectiveness of the non-binding measure. Rep. Kim Sung-tae of the Saenuri Party, head of the Assembly's special investigation committee into the scandal involving President Park Geun-hye's confidant, issued the subpoenas to bring Choi and 10 other people to the second round of live broadcast hearings. Among those who refused to testify were Choi, who allegedly pulled strings behind the President, and former presidential secretary Woo Byung-woo, who is under suspicion of intentionally disregarding her illegal activities at Cheong Wa Dae. Only Jang Si-ho, Choi's niece, who is under suspicion of embezzlement and other crimes, attended the hearing. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 By Fatih Karimov Trend: Iran rejected carrying out any spying activities in Saudi Arabia, after a Saudi court sentenced 15 people to death, under charger of spying for Tehran. The Islamic Republic is not involved in any activity against the international rules and diplomatic principles in Saudi Arabia, Irans Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said, ISNA news agency reported. Saudi media reported Dec. 6 that the Specialized Criminal Court in Riyadh sentenced 15 people to death and 15 other to prison terms ranging from six months to 25 years, accused of spying for Iran. The defendants - comprising 30 Saudi Shiite Muslims, one Iranian and an Afghan - were detained in 2013 on charges of espionage for Iran and went on trial in February. Qasemi said that the Saudi administration has not provided Tehran with any information about the identity of the Iranian citizen. He added that Saudi Arabias accusations are baseless and politically-motivated, aimed at escalating the tension in the region. Qasemi warned the Saudi government that such moves will not benefit any country in the region. Reportedly many of the defendants were former employees of the Saudi defense and interior ministries. They were accused of setting up a spy ring and passing sensitive military and security information to Iran in an effort to sabotage Saudi economic interests, undermine community cohesion and incite sectarian strife. Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic relations with Iran after protesters stormed the kingdom's embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad on January 2, 2016, in response to Riyadh's execution of a prominent Saudi Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Lan, a Vietnamese native, listens to a Korean language lecture on the website of The Korea Times Korean Language Institute at the Ansan Multicultural Family Support Center, Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, Nov. 28. / Korea Times photo by Chung Hyun-chae Free online lectures available in five languages By Chung Hyun-chae For foreigners who move to Korea after marrying Korean spouses, learning the Korean language properly and systematically does not come easy. The Korea Times Korean Language Institute, run by The Korea Times, is offering online Korean language courses for marriage immigrants to learn the language faster and easier so they adapt to the new environment. The newspaper embarked on this free service on The ultimate goal of the courses is to help learners be able to have comfortable conversations with Koreans. "Many foreign spouses first look for people from their own country who have lived here for years and are fluent in both Korean and their mother tongue because it is easier to learn foreign languages in one's mother tongue," said Nguyen Thi Tuyet Lan, 30, a Vietnamese woman who works at the Ansan Multicultural Family Support Center in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. For this reason, Nguyen, who came to Korea in 2007 after marrying a Korean man in 2006, recommended beginners take beginners' courses, which are available in their mother tongues. "The website provides well-organized Korean language lectures through which foreigners can build the basics of the language by learning the Korean alphabet, consonants, vowels, pronunciation and grammar," she said. By Chung Hyun-chaeFor foreigners who move to Korea after marrying Korean spouses, learning the Korean language properly and systematically does not come easy.The Korea Times Korean Language Institute, run by The Korea Times, is offering online Korean language courses for marriage immigrants to learn the language faster and easier so they adapt to the new environment.The newspaper embarked on this free service on http://ktband.co.kr , in October. The lectures are given in five languages English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Vietnamese.The ultimate goal of the courses is to help learners be able to have comfortable conversations with Koreans."Many foreign spouses first look for people from their own country who have lived here for years and are fluent in both Korean and their mother tongue because it is easier to learn foreign languages in one's mother tongue," said Nguyen Thi Tuyet Lan, 30, a Vietnamese woman who works at the Ansan Multicultural Family Support Center in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province.For this reason, Nguyen, who came to Korea in 2007 after marrying a Korean man in 2006, recommended beginners take beginners' courses, which are available in their mother tongues."The website provides well-organized Korean language lectures through which foreigners can build the basics of the language by learning the Korean alphabet, consonants, vowels, pronunciation and grammar," she said. A Korean language course given in Russian is captured on the website of The Korea Times Language Institute. Choi Hee-kyung, 50, who has taught the Korean language and culture to foreigners for eight years at the center, said the most difficult part for foreigners is to speak with accurate Korean pronunciation and intonation. According to Choi, most Vietnamese people, for example, have difficulties pronouncing "nieun," the second of 14 Korean consonants, which sounds like "n" in English, while it is hard for Chinese people to pronounce "giyeok," the first consonant, which sounds like "g" or "k" in English. "Compared to other online lectures, the courses explain clear enunciation in detail which I think will be very helpful for marriage immigrants as well as other foreigners," Choi said. Those who take regular courses are also able to prepare for the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) because the courses offer high quality lectures. "Foreigners, especially marriage immigrants, need to have TOPIK scores to get jobs. In addition, marriage immigrants with good Korean language skills can help their children speak Korean properly and do well in school," Nguyen said. She said another good thing about the language courses is that there is no time limit so she can listen to lectures whenever she wants. "With all courses available on mobile devices, I can access the lectures at anytime, anywhere," Nguyen added. However, she said that the website would have courses taught by native Korean teachers as well so that students can learn correct pronunciation. Offering free online language courses is part of the newspaper company's effort to support multicultural families. For example, The Korea Times has held the Korea Multicultural Youth Awards since 2012 to encourage children of interracial families. It also provides newspapers to the Multicultural Family Support Center nationwide. It is seeking ways to help children or multicultural families or marriage immigrants study English through the newspaper. Nguyen, who has two children one an elementary school student and the other in kindergarten expected the newspaper to be helpful for her children to study English. "I believe this could lower the financial burden of private tutoring," Nguyen said. By Choe Chong-dae India and the Republic of Korea have enjoyed strong relations for almost 2,000 years. It is heartwarming to see the ties deepen even more with Korea investing in further research on its "shared heritage" with India. According to the "Samguk Yusa," a 13th-century Korean historical chronicle, India-Korea friendship began in 48 A.D., when Princess Suriratna ("precious gem") journeyed from Ayodhya, India, to Korea to marry King Kim Su-ro and subsequently became Queen Heo Hwang-ok ("yellow jade") of the Gaya Kingdom (42-562 A.D.). After reading a book titled "Heo Hwang-ok Route: From India to Gaya of Korea" by Kim Byung-mo, a senior archeologist and emeritus professor at Hanyang University, I developed a greater sense of appreciation for the ancient cultural and genetic connection between Ayodhya and Gimhae. Ayodhya itself has a rich history. According to the Indian epic, Ramayana, the city is 9,000 years old and the birthplace of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, one of the principal deities of Hinduism. Although two millennia have passed since the founding of the Gaya Kingdom, its influence still resonates in Korea's modern society as the Gimhae Kim, Gimhae Heo and Incheon Yi clans trace their origins to this ancient kingdom. The majority of Gimhae and Incheon citizens are very proud of their old and unique connections with India, particularly because they are direct descendants of Queen Heo Hwang-ok's 12 children with King Kim Su-ro. Professor Kim, whose family (clan) originates from Gimhae, shared his decades-long extensive academic research in the book portraying the Kims' genetic link with the royal family of Ayodhya. The people of Korea and India not only traded commodities, but also shared genes since the union of King Kim Su-ro to Queen Heo Hwang-ok. During my recent visit to the city of Gimhae in the southern part of Gyeongsang Province, I paid tribute to the grave of King and Queen Kim Su-ro. Interestingly, the tomb has a stone pagoda with exotic engravings and red carvings originating from India. It is believed to have been brought by Queen Heo Hwang-ok from Ayodhya. At the tomb is one of the most impressive cultural relics, a pair of fish that was carved onto the tomb's gate. The twin fish is the state symbol of Uttar Pradesh, to which Ayodhya belongs. This symbol is a significant clue to the cultural connection between ancient Korea and India. Archeologists assumed that the twin fish symbol originated from the Mediterranean states, was transmitted to some parts of the world, and then settled around Lucknow, the largest city of the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. A similar style of the twin fish symbol is also visible in ancient buildings in Nepal, Pakistan and China. Today in Ayodhya there is a memorial to Queen Heo Hwang-ok. It is widely believed that more than six million Koreans are her descendants. When the memorial was inaugurated in 2001, hundreds of Indian and Korean historians and government officials, including the North Korean ambassador to India, were present at the unveiling ceremony. Queen Heo Hwang-ok's marriage to King Kim Su-ro is a shining example of cross-cultural collaboration, especially when Korea is now in a transition period from an ethnically homogeneous society to a multicultural society. The royal union promoted strong bilateral ties between Korea and India, and continues to spark interest even to this day. Whether the queen is known by her Indian name of precious gem or Korean name of yellow jade, she has been a highly valuable part of Korean society. Choe Chong-dae is a guest columnist of The Korea Times. He is president of Dae-kwang International Co. and director of the Korean-Swedish Association. He can be reached at choecd@naver.com. President-elect Donald Trump has sounded more restrained on immigration than he did during the campaign, most notably in advocating a deportation policy targeting unauthorized immigrants with criminal and gang backgrounds that appears quite similar to one President Obama used from 2009 to 2014. Though Obama later scaled back this approach after being blasted by some Latino activists as the "deporter in chief," it would be difficult to depict Trump as extreme if he did the same. But Trump hasn't taken a specific position yet on whether he will scrap Obama's executive order providing some legal protections to more than 1 million young immigrants who have stayed out of serious legal trouble and are currently in school, have a high school degree or a GED, or have served in the military. This group is known as the "DREAMers" because of legislation carrying the term that was considered but not adopted by Congress. Trump's primary opponents charged that he had flip-flopped on the DREAM Act after he emerged as an immigration hard-liner last year. But while his silence as president-elect may seem encouraging, these are scary times for too many young immigrants. Trump should remove this fear by announcing he won't overturn Obama's order. This editorial appeared on the San Diego Union-Tribune and was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Russia's President Vladimir Putin annual State of the Nation address, delivered at the Kremlin Thursday, was rather restrained for him. But it did offer some clues to his idea of relations with the new administration in Washington. Putin has no real political problems at home, his United Russia party having won a constitutional majority in the Duma, the two-house Russian parliament, in elections earlier this year. If he has any problems as Russia's leader, they are economic. Energy amounted to 71 percent of Russia's exports last year and world oil prices have been weak, knocking a big hole in Russia's budget. It is hard to gauge how much damage has been done to Russia by economic sanctions imposed on it as a result of its activities in Ukraine, but they haven't helped. It has also been waging an expensive war in Syria. The Organization of the Petroleum Export Countries has just announced a 3 percent cut in production to begin Jan. 1 to attempt to push prices up. Russia is not a member of OPEC but has indicated its intention to follow suit in the effort, which could improve its economic situation. Most interesting to Americans is what Putin said about his international relations posture, given that President-elect Donald Trump is in the midst of putting together his foreign affairs and national security teams. He and Trump talked by phone Nov. 14. Putin in his address stated a desire to mend U.S.-Russian relations, fractured over Ukraine and by a lack of coordination in the two countries' approach to the war in Syria, in spite of regular meetings between Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Secretary Sergey Lavrov. Putin indicated that he saw the principal point of policy convergence as combating terrorism. That means different things to the two countries, but is not a bad starting point. Another word by Putin about relations with the United States stood out: "equality." Since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, successor regimes have smarted at any indication that the United States considered that it had won the Cold War, or that Russia's status had sunk substantially on a global basis. In that same column, Russia has also been working on improving its relations with China, to make the same "great power" point and to get under America's skin. Trump, as a new force in American politics and one who already has direct and indirect ties to Russia (even if it didn't in fact try to cook the U.S. 2016 elections), will be in a strong position to carry out a useful reset in U.S.-Russian relations. That is needed in a number of areas, such as to preserve the climate change and Iran deals, and to keep nuclear warfare in its cage. Putin used his speech to state Russia's interests. He also appears to grasp the virtues of an improved relationship with America. Time and actual developments, including in Syria and Eastern Europe, will tell. This editorial appeared on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Ministry of National Defense has accused North Korea of stealing South Korea's military information by planting malware in some of the military's intranet computers. This marks the first time that the military's intranet has been breached. The ministry claims that classified military intelligence had not been leaked but didn't reveal what data were. This raises questions about whether the military has yet to determine what exactly has been compromised. If such confidential data as war operation plans were accessed, the combined South Korea-U.S. command forces might have to revamp many systems. Whenever a data breach has been detected, the military has reiterated that its intranet is safe from cyberattacks because it is separated from the internet. But the latest incident has proven that even the military's internal network is vulnerable to North Korea's hacking. The military's woeful security awareness is hardly surprising. According to the defense ministry, some officers didn't observe regulations requiring them to disconnect a computer from the internet when handling confidential information. They also saved confidential data on computers, making it possible for them to be stolen easily. Pyongyang, which boasts 6,000 hackers, has a track record of waging online attacks on Seoul and Washington in recent years, although the reclusive state has denied any involvement. At a time when the North's nuclear and missile programs already pose a clear and present danger, the public cannot help but feel uneasy about Seoul losing cyberwarfare against Pyongyang. What matters is that it's doubtful if our military is agile and competent enough to catch up with the North's ever advancing hacking capabilities. Military leaders will have to wake up to the importance of cyberwarfare, albeit belated. As follow-up measures to the latest military data breach, the military outlined 14 tasks to beef up cybersecurity. But these may not be enough, given the defense ministry's bravado so far. It's imperative that those responsible for the latest data leak be held to account more stringently than ever after a thorough inquiry into the case. As far as cyberwarfare is concerned, what will happen next is anybody's guess. Remarks show President has only wiles, spite President Park Geun-hye told a ruling party delegation that she had no intention whatsoever to resign and would see through Friday's vote on a motion to impeach her. "I will calmly wait and watch until the Constitutional Court's decision, if the National Assembly passes the impeachment motion," Park told Reps. Lee Jung-hyun, the party chairman, and Chung Jin-suk, the floor leader, during their meeting Tuesday afternoon. Park's remarks have clarified a couple of key questions ahead of the Assembly vote. She blames everyone else but herself: her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil for deceiving her to use "presidential" power of attorney; politicians for making a scapegoat out of her for their political expediency; and candlelit protestors for holding Saturday picnics in her name for the lack of other causes. This raises suspicions about whether she is suffering a severe "political" case of paranoia pitting her against the rest of the nation in what she perceives to be a righteous war she feels obligated to win at whatever cost. If she thinks this through and is a decent leader, she should have stepped down immediately or agreed to the formula of her staged departure, suggested by some ruling party members. Rather, she has chosen to push the nation further to the precipice in a dangerous high-stakes game of chicken. Her stance leaves no doubt that she is a political animal whose instincts are only attuned to its own survival with the life and safety of others relegated off its list of concerns. That is the worst kind of leader and it is extremely unfortunate that the nation has elected one and put her in charge. As clear as Park is such a leader is her strategy ahead of the Friday vote. In the most likely case that the impeachment motion is passed, she would have a respite of up to six months during the court's deliberations to rally back her disfranchised supporters and prepare during that time to influence the ruling party's selection of its presidential candidate. Park would also not rule out her chances of acquittal. In the unlikely event that the motion is voted down, she would likely continue to claim her perch at Cheong Wa Dae as if nothing has happened. In either case, the nation would hold the short end of the deal at a time when internal unity is being sorely missed with external challenges reaching critical mass. Even if this is a futile attempt, we beseech Park to spare the nation any more damage by stepping down immediately to face the consequences of her action. Be a leader just once. Jim Loree, president and CEO of Stanley Black & Decker, discusses the company's growth strategy during an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul, Monday. / Courtesy of Strategy Salad Stanley Black & Decker stresses innovation By Kim Ji-soo With its wide range of products, hand and power tool company Stanley Black & Decker is enjoying growth and popularity in Korea, especially with "do-it-yourself" (DIY) customers, as well as volunteers building for the charity Habitat for Humanity. Why does the company work with Habitat for Humanity? "We're a socially minded company. We like to view ourselves as an industrial company with a human touch. We like to take our strengths and match them with the needs a society may have. I think Habitat for Humanity is a great example of that," said Jim Loree, Stanley Black & Decker's president and CEO. The 173-year-old U.S. company supplies tools for industry, automobiles, construction, infrastructure, health care and security. The company's 70-something brands, including Stanley, DeWalt and Black & Decker, introduced some of the world's first power tools, including the Powerlock tape measure and the handheld vacuum. The current company is a result of the 2010 merger between Stanley Works and Black & Decker. Loree could not have said it any better: the company invented power tools. Loree, who took CEO post in August this year, said that the company is looking to be perceived as one of the great innovators in the world. He also wants to continue the strong record of share appreciation, where in the past 15 years the company's stock price or shareholder value creation has grown by well over 400 percent, and help build and rebuild communities. Loree chose Korea as the first stop in his trip through Asia since taking the CEO post. Throughout the week, he will travel to China, Thailand and Indonesia before returning to the United States. He said he chose to stop in Korea first to recognize the local team, which has demonstrated high growth in the past six years, growing fivefold from $13 million in annual revenue in 2010 to an expected $69 million (80 billion won) in 2016. This growth is similar to how Stanley Black & Decker quintupled its $2 billion in annual revenue in 2004 to $11 billion over the past 12 years. "This is a world-class high performance, and it's a very impressive team and it's a team that shares strong values, team work, collaboration, trust, respect and integrity," Loree said. The Korean market for construction, DIY and consumer hand and power tools is strong, although that for industrial power tools is not so much. One reason for Stanley Black & Decker Korea's growth is its innovative products such as brushless tools. The company hopes that the DeWalt Flexvolt batteries, the latest in the companyinnovative products, will drive future growth. "This is a flexible volt battery system. It's a 60 volt-battery that will run tools that will never have been run cordless before. That's the first time you will ever see a circular cordless saw, and it's just as powerful as the cord one. If you take this battery and you put it in a 20-volt battery tool, it will run three times longer. So that's really great," he said. The battery will be released inKorea in the first half of 2017. The innovative battery, when mounted on a 20-, 60-, 120-volt tool, will work through mechanical actuation; and it also has a part that allows for cost-effective shipping, he said. And most importantly, the battery will finally allow tools to run cordlessly, meaning heightened safety and efficiency on job sites. This battery is the type of breakthrough innovation that happens rarely but once it does it will drive company growth. "In my view, there are two types of innovation: the core innovation, where you innovate regularly, like finding out how to make the next vacuum cleaner, and other power and hand tools to help users become more productive," he said. But for other type of breakthrough innovations, a company like Stanley Black & Decker needs to maintain a solid base and also to study smaller companies or start-ups. "These smaller companies, they are agile, they have no paradigms or models in their minds that cannot be broken down and they are disruptive. That disruptive mentality and that commitment to breakthrough innovation is what we are trying to foster," he said. Loree joined Stanley Black & Decker in 1999 as vicepresident and chief finance officer (CFO). He was named executive vice president (EVP) and CFO in 2002; EVP and chief operating officer (COO) in 2009; and president and COO in 2013. Prior to joining the company, Loree worked at General Electric (GE) from 1980 through 1999. He said he learned a lot during his time at GE, spending his time both on the manufacturing side, which is about operations and cost controls, and the services side, which is about high growth. Asked to share what he learned through his years in leadership, he said no matter what level in an organization one may be at, one has the potential to be either a leader or a follower. "If you start practicing leadership early in your career, you get better at it because you get more practice, and if you see yourself as a leader and are effective, others will view you as a leader; and that will enable you to climb up the corporate ladder faster," he said. More importantly, he said, the strategy of helping others succeed is very rewarding. "If you're working in a healthy corporate environment that rewards performance and success and good values, make sure that you're creating value every day, and going above and beyond what's expected of you in the job to create value," he said. Loree also spoke about his work with the Jim and Rebecca Loree Foundation, which he started with his wife by asking guests to make donations in lieu of gifts during their wedding in 2008. He said that he and his wife through the foundation also work with organizations in the local Hartford area in Connecticut, matching inner-city youth with arts and education.Loree, who graduated fromUnion College, also serves as a Trustee of Union College, a director of Hartford Hospital and a director of the Jim and Rebecca Loree Foundation. Asked if he thought the current political uncertainty in Korea may affect Stanley Black & Decker's business, Loree said the company, which has teams in more than 200 countries, faces geopolitical elements. "We are not going to change strategy based on events unless they are cataclysmic. ... We will be here and we're not going to change the strategy because we have confidence in Korea," he said. Stanley Black & Decker Employees of Stanley Black & Decker Korea pose together after taking part in Habitat for Humanity work earlier in the year. / Courtesy of Stanley Black & Decker Korea Stanley Black & Decker, an S&P 500 and FORTUNE 500 company, is the world's leading provider of tools and storage, the world's second-largest commercial electronic security company, and a leading engineered fastening systems provider, with unique growth platforms in the Oil & Gas and Infrastructure industries. Well-known brands include: STANLEY, BLACK+DECKER, DEWALT, Porter-Cable, Bostitch, Facom, Mac Tools, Proto, Vidmar, Lista, and more. The company is now in 200 nations with more than 50,000 employees. Stanley Black & Decker Korea was established in 1994, and now has about 70 employees. Its sales volume as of 2016 is estimated to be around $69 million (80 billion won). Stanley Black & Decker , as part of its corporate social responsibility, works with Habitat for Humanity. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 By Emil Ilgar Trend: Irans Supervisory Committee, responsible for monitoring the nuclear deal, started a meeting to evaluate the possible violations of the deal, ISNA reported Dec.7. The Supervisory Committee comprises eight officials, including members of Iran's National Security Council. The main focus is to evaluate the recent 10-year extension of US sanctions on Iran in Senate. The bill now will be submitted to the White House for President Barack Obama to sign it into law. Iran and P5+1 (the US, France, the UK, Russia, China and Germany) reached an agreement of nuclear deal, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) last year. JCPOA was implemented in January. President Hassan Rounani who serves as the head of National Security Council as well, leads the Supervisory Committees meeting. Rouhani Dec.6 that the extension of Iran Sanctions is violating the JCPOA and if comes into force Iran will sharply respond to that. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Iran and Japan share various common interests regarding the diplomatic and economic cooperation, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said. Speaking at a joint press conference with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in Tokyo, Zarif called for drawing up a roadmap for expanding cooperation between the two countries, IRNA news agency reported. He added that the two countries attach importance to establishing peace and security in their regions. In turn, Fumio Kishida touched upon Irans nuclear deal reached with the world powers last year, saying that Tokyo gives support for the the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and urges all involved parties to honor their commitments concerning the deal. The Japanese official announced his countrys decision to help Iran with the nuclear security issues through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) indicating Tokyos support to the nuclear deal. The top Iranian diplomat arrived in Japan earlier in the day at the head of a high-ranking business delegation at the final leg of his regional tour to Asia. Zarif earlier visited India and China. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: A senior Iranian military official has described the call for establishing ceasefire in the Syrian city of Aleppo as a trick. Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan has said that terrorists in Aleppo use residents as human shield, Mehr news agency reported Dec. 7. Saying that the Syrian city currently is in a dire situation, he added that the call for establishing ceasefire is a trick aimed at reorganizing, strengthening and arming the terrorist groups. Speaking at a meeting with Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in Tehran, he added that the attempts to establish ceasefire in Aleppo do not follow humanitarian purposes, but reorganizing the terrorists. The Iranian official criticizing Saudi Arabia for striking civilians in Yemen called on the international community to help resolve the regional crises. In turn, Peter Maurer urged Iran to contribute to resolving the crises in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. While Syrian government troops are continuing their large-scale offensive in Aleppo, Russia and China have recently vetoed a draft resolution at the UN Security Council that called for a seven-day ceasefire in the Syrian city. British Ambassador to Tehran Nicholas Hopton said on Wednesday that London offers firm support to sound implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and calls for expansion of economic relations with Iran, IRNA reported. Hopton made the statement on the sidelines of a ceremony to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on three oil fields of Azadegan, Yadavaran and Kish affiliated to Iran's national oil company and Royal/Dutch Shell. My stand is the same as British government and we strongly support implementation of the JCPOA and expansion of economic cooperation with Iran, he said. 'I have attended the ceremony to strongly underline that I do support expansion of economic cooperation with Tehran and also send a similar message on expansion of economic cooperation between Iran and the Netherlands,' he said. He expressed the hope that elimination of banking and financial bottlenecks would lead to growth of Iranian trade with the world and Britain in particular. Royal/Dutch Shell Iranian chief of office and managing director of Iran's national oil company and UK ambassador to Tehran signed an oil MoU on Wednesday. DENISON, Texas (KXII) -- Grayson County has agreed to help fund Denison's downtown improvements. County Commissioners voted 4-1 to take part in the city's Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) during its weekly meeting on Tuesday. The TIRZ is designed to pull money from projected increases in property values. The City of Denison greatly appreciates Grayson County participating in reinvestment of our downtown," Mayor Rex Judson said in a statement. "The Countys participation means that more improvements can take place resulting in more private investment and more business downtown. This funding mechanism will provide continued improvements for years to come. It is a very unique opportunity to invest in the heart of Denison and Grayson County. The scheduled 945 acre area include the majority of downtown Denison, south along Austin Avenue and West along Morton Street. The City of Denison brought in a consulting firm last month to help plan its redesign. No word yet on when the work will begin. US Secretary of State John Kerry said he will continue a discussion about current conditions in the Syrian city of Aleppo with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday, Sputnik reported. The meeting will be a continuation of talks Kerry and Lavrov had Wednesday in Hamburg, Germany, the US secretary told reporters afterward. Kerry said he and Lavrov exchanged ideas about Aleppo and agreed to extend their talks. There is finally resolution for the Ozarks family whose dog was killed by the former Sparta police chief in late 2015. The City of Sparta's insurance company has agree to pay the family $6,000. The former chief said he shot the caged dog, an 18-month-old pit bull mix named Chase, because he had to respond to a car accident and didn't have any place to take the dog. Sparta city officials and the risk management company working for the city declined to comment about the $6,000 payment, which was made in lieu of the dog's owner filing a lawsuit. The dog's owner, Elizabeth Womack, issued a statement. This settlement doesnt bring Chase back, but it goes a long way toward obtaining justice for Chase. What Chief Spencer did to Chase was illegal and absolutely wrong. Chase was so gentle. He wasnt aggressive that day, just like he had never been aggressive a day of his life. Bringing this case to a close and knowing justice has been served helps with healing our family, said Womack. Womacks lawyer also sent a statement: The speaker of the parliament in Burkina Faso says controversial touchscreen tablets given to MPs by a Chinese company will be returned. All 127 members of the National Assembly were each given a tablet from Huawei Technologies in November. The total cost of the gadgets was estimated to be around 100,000 euros ($107,300, 84,400). But this caused a row because a law adopted in the wake of the 2014 popular uprising against former President Blaise Compaore banned public servants from accepting any gifts more than $56. The anti-corruption movement RenLac led the protest by arguing in a public statement that the lawmakers had broken the law. The MPs had been given the tablets after Huawei Technologies was awarded a contract for the construction of a fibre optical cable from Ghana to Burkina Faso. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Colombias attorney general on Tuesday charged a man from a prominent family with the kidnapping and murder of a 7-year-old girl from a poor neighborhood, in a crime that has outraged residents and illuminated the citys deep socio-economic divides. Rafael Uribe, a 38-year-old architect from a well-off area of Bogota, was charged at the hospital where he has been since Sunday night with allegedly pulling Yuliana Andrea Samboni into his SUV in broad daylight and bringing her to a luxury apartment owned by his family, sexually abusing, torturing and strangling her. Authorities say that he and at least one other person then tried to cover up the crime scene. Even in conflict-weary Colombia, the crime against the young indigenous girl, whose family came from a violence-torn region to the countrys capital, has provoked outrage and a demand for justice from all corners of the city. The full force of the law should fall on him, said the girls uncle, Edgar Samboni, referring to Mr. Uribe. People like him, with money, come to a humble neighborhood like ours, thinking they can get away with something like this. Yulianas neighborhood, a collection of tin-roofed dwellings populated mostly by handymen and housekeepers who work in elegant homes nearby, was still reeling on Tuesday. Outside the girls cinder block house was a picture of her and a sign referring to Mr. Uribe that read: Builder of houses? No, destroyer of lives. On Monday, the Uribe family issued a statement published in Colombias major newspapers expressing their regret over Yulianas death. Faced with this tragedy that engulfed two good families, we are conscious that Rafael needs to assume the drastic consequences of this action, it said. Police said Yuliana was playing in front of her house around 9 a.m. on Sunday. A video from a neighbors camera shows a gray truck, which police later said was found to belong to family members of Mr. Uribe, taking her away. Police said they tracked the vehicle and found the girls body Sunday night in a modern apartment building in an upscale area not far from Yulianas home. At that point, officials said, Mr. Uribe had been taken to the hospital by his brother, where officials say he was being treated for a cocaine overdose. On Tuesday evening an angry crowd surrounded the hospital as authorities prepared to take Mr. Uribe to police headquarters. Nestor Humberto Martinez, Colombias attorney general, vowed to hold the killer, and anyone else involved, responsible for what he called a horrendous crime. Yolanda Cortes, 42 years old, the owner of a hardware store near where Yuliana lived, said she was sickened by what happened but heartened by the dozens of people who attended demonstrations around the city Monday night bearing candles, flowers and placards demanding justice for the girl. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7 Trend: Turkeys president hit out the German authorities on Wednesday over an incident involving a Turkish lawmaker at a German airport earlier this week, the Anadolu Agency reported Dec. 7. Speaking at a meeting with village heads, mukhtars, on Wednesday, Erdogan said Turkey could retaliate. Erdogan's remarks came after the deputy speaker of the Turkish parliament, Ayse Nur Bahcekapili, was stopped by police at Cologne airport in Germany on Monday. Bahcekapili told Anadolu Agency that after her bag containing her passport went missing, the Turkish Embassy provided her with a temporary travel document. However, police officers at the airport did not accept the temporary passport, made her wait and attempted to detain her, suspicious that the Justice and Development (AK) Party lawmaker had entered the country illegally "It was impolite in terms of my country I am a lawmaker of this country [Turkey]. If we show respect and courtesy to German or foreign parliamentarians, we have a natural right to expect respect and courtesy in the same way," Bahcekapili said. Speaking on Wednesday, Erdogan angrily lashed out at the German authorities: "You allow terrorists and welcome them, put them up, but you make our deputy parliament speaker and delegation wait at the gate for hours. Don't we have to retaliate now? Then you call Erdogan dictator," the president added. "If you behave towards my deputy parliament speaker, a female lawmaker, like this, if your police officer does this, then I need to retaliate to it in the same way," Erdogan said. Later in the day, Turkeys Foreign Ministry summoned Germans Ambassador Martin Erdmann over the incident, diplomatic sources said. Erdogan also said Turkeys economy is being attacked at critical times, such as when Turkish operations in Syria or Iraq are making gains or when a change to a presidential system is up for debate. "They directed this economic weapon to us at a time when Turkey is about to make significant decisions about the European Union," he added. Praising Turks response to his urging that they use the Turkish lira to boost its value, Erdogan said the rise of foreign exchange against the lira lacked any tangible, serious financial reason." Last Friday the president called on Turkish citizens to convert their foreign exchange savings into Turkish liras or gold. Former Liverpool star Rigobert Song has been pictured for the first time since suffering a stroke nine weeks ago. The Cameroon legend, wearing a Southport under-21 shirt, can be seen looking frail but smiling as he sits alongside a friend on a hospital bed. The 40-year-old fell into a coma for two days back in October after having a cerebral aneurysm at his home in the Odza neighbourhood in Yaounde, Cameroon. The Government is said to have spent about 78,000 on his treatment. Meanwhile, Nigerias legend, Rasheed Yekini was mentally/physically ill for several years before finally losing the battle, but no Nigerian Government saw him. Victorious Falcons at the moment are having a sit-in protest over outstanding allowances. Just imagine what other countries will be saying, these are the winners o. Imagine those girls going back home empty handed when their mothers, siblings, extended family members are all expecting to have a fantastic Christmas, Nawa o. I like the fact that President Buhari is fighting corruption, but you see cases like this that will make Nigeria a mocking tool in the hands of other African countries ought to be quickly addressed, things like this shouldnt be made public. It makes youths lose hope in Nigeria, it makes them say, well even if we win the whole competition, what will Nigeria do for us. I better go and play for Ghana, other countries. Smh. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Brockton Villa restaurant is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, but the history of this picturesque property dates back to the turn of the century. The PREVIOUS century. It was in 1900 that Nellie Mills, one of La Jollas first known real estate agents, rented out one of the beach cottages she and her sister, Olivia Mudgett, owned and named it Brockton Villa after Brockton, Mass. It seems that Nellie was of New England stock, according to the history posted on the Brockton Villa website. Those enterprising sisters would be amazed by what is today Brockton Villa, one of the most popular dining and ocean-view spots not just in La Jolla but in all of San Diego. This location and the view are really quite unique, even in La Jolla, said Megan Heine, who with her husband Dave has owned Brockton Villa since 1994. There arent many places that are right at the oceans edge. Heine is a daughter of the Pannikin family that originally transformed the Brockton Villa property from residential to commercial. The current workforce numbers around 40 depending on the time of year: there are more employees during tourist-heavy summertime. But Heine says Brockton Villa, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, is equally popular with locals. We have a menu at a price point that is affordable, she said, and its a pretty diverse menu that appeals to a lot of people, whether youre a foodie or a Midwestern first-time-California visitor. Then there are the customers who have made Brockton Villa their special occasion destination for years. Weve had countless engagements here, said Heine. Then they come back and have their rehearsal dinner. Then they come back again and have their baby shower. Talk about repeat business! Private affairs such as those are also a major part of Brockton Villas success after 25 years. We love doing private parties, said Heine. Weve always approached our business like we approach entertaining in our home. Our slogan has been Have your party at our house. When youre in their house, meaning the Heines, youll see commemorations of both Brockton Villa history and that of Megan Heines Pannikin family, which was so instrumental in making this space what it is today. No wonder a certain honor bestowed years ago by the San Diego Architectural Foundation stands out as one of Heines proudest moments in 25 years of business on Coast Boulevard. When we received the Orchid Award for historic preservation and my stepdad had me accept the award, that was something Im incredibly proud of, she said. We had to overcome a lot to build out the restaurant and preserve the building. Having that award in San Diego and knowing my familys background in historic preservation was huge. I still get goosebumps when I talk about that. Whats Heine most proud of today? Our longevity, she replied without hesitation. Two and a half decades is a long time in restaurant years. Brockton Villa is at 1235 Coast Blvd., La Jolla. Open daily, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (858) 454-7393. brocktonvilla.com The Business Spotlight features commercial enterprises that support the La Jolla Light. Although there has been no activity from the La Jolla Community Parking District since it formed in 2005, some community members are not ready to see it go. A request presented to La Jollas Community Planning Association (LJCPA) during its Dec. 1 meeting to dissolve the Parking District was denied. LJCPA president Cindy Greatrex explained, This is an item that City Council President Sherri Lightner brought to us last month with the request that LJCPA support the dissolution of the La Jolla Community Parking District. By way of background, Greatrex said the formation of the District was approved by the San Diego City Council in June 2005, which designated the now defunct Promote La Jolla as the advisory board to manage it. Promote La Jolla was tasked with implementation, planning and administration of parking-related activities within the La Jolla Community Plan. The Parking District has been inactive for the last eight years and Promote La Jolla was dissolved in 2011, and since that time, no replacement organization has been designated as the advisory board for the La Jolla Community Parking District, Greatrex said. The creation of La Jollas Parking District was part of a larger effort that designated five other Community Parking Districts: Downtown, Mid-City (including El Cajon Boulevard area, greater Golden Hill and University Heights), Old Town, Pacific Beach and Uptown. Each was tasked with finding parking solutions to meet community needs. For example, in Pacific Beach, the parking district (managed by Discover Pacific Beach) addressed variable on-street paid parking in the commercial district, residential permit parking, parking validation programs and changes in parking requirements for new development. Hoping to retain independent control of parking options and the capital that could come with it, La Jolla Village Merchants Association (formed after Promote La Jolla disbanded to manage the La Jolla Business Improvement District) executive director Sheila Fortune said dissolving La Jollas District would subject La Jolla to City decisions on local parking issues. Rather than dissolve the Parking District, Fortune recommended keeping the District, but replacing Promote La Jolla with La Jolla Village Merchants Association as the group to manage it. We should come together as a community to review the ordinance for the La Jolla Community Parking District so we could have a better understanding of it as a community tool, she said. A motion to deny the request presented to support the dissolution of the Parking District passed. The board did not discuss the alternative presented, and the item will likely be heard by the San Diego City Council in the coming weeks. In other LJCPA news: Mike Costello seated: In a special election to seat two new members, Mike Costello was elected to a two-year term and Sheila Palmer was elected to a truncated five-month term. There were no write in candidates on the 64 ballots cast; Costello received 50 votes, Sheila Palmer received 29 votes and Dave Gordon (who came in third and will not be seated) received 25 votes. Coming in January: Two items were removed from the consent agenda for presentations next month. The first, a Rutgers Road Street Vacation and street easement vacation, was previously heard and approved by La Jollas Development Permit Review committee and Parks & Beaches advisory group, but by pulling the item for further review, LJCPA may have lost its opportunity to weigh in. La Jolla architect Paul Benton explained the topic was going to be heard at San Diego City Council, likely before the next LJCPA meeting. It was suggested that as LJCPA president, Greatrex ask the project manager to postpone the hearing, so it could be heard next month, voted on and LJCPA comments included in the presentation to City Council. The second item, the Jain Residence at 1421 Soledad Ave., was pulled due to questions about the height. Reservoir project: LJCPA member Patrick Ahern said an informational presentation on the La Jolla View Reservoir project will be scheduled for January. He said the City predicts the project to remove the existing 720,000 gallon La Jolla View Reservoir and replace it with a new 3.1 million gallon underground reservoir will only need a Mitigated Negative Declaration (suggesting there would be no major impacts) rather than an Environmental Impact Report. We think with 300-500 trucks of dirt going up and down the hillside over a two-year period, tearing up the natural hillside with no real plan for re-vegetation (merits) an EIR that asks, does this need to be done and is this the best approach? he said. Were scheduling a community meeting to hear what the community has to say about this, and well take the feedback to the City. La Jolla Community Planning Association next meets 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5 at la Jolla Rec Center, 615 Prospect St. lajollacpa.org Editors Note: Welcome to La Jolla Lights People in Your Neighborhood series, which shines a spotlight on notable locals we all wish we knew more about! Light staff is out on the town talking to familiar, friendly faces to bring you their stories. If you know someone youd like us to profile, send the lead via e-mail to editor@lajollalight.com or call us at (858) 875-5950. After more than six years of community service, Paul Benton resigned in November from his volunteer position as chair of the Development Permit Review (DPR) committee. Benton went to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned an engineering degree, and afterward headed to the University of Washington where he earned a second degree in Architecture. He is a registered professional in both fields. The firm Alcorn & Benton Architects was created in 2010, when Benton joined forces with James Alcorn, but he has been building around town since 1987. Hes been married for 41 years to physical therapist Lorraine Benton, and they have four children, ages 29 to 40, three grandchildren and a fourth is on the way. Where are you from? I was born in California and I moved to La Jolla when I was 2 years old, so I feel like Im from here. Im a fourth-generation San Diegan, I went and Muirlands and Childrens School when it was Scripps Elementary. I graduated from La Jolla High in 1971, and in my class there was developer Louis Beecham, surfer Rusty Preisendorfer, artist Mark Quint and dancer John Malashock. I remember a big milestone in the mid-1960s when they said the population of La Jolla had hit 10,000. That was a big day! We always had the Christmas Parade and sporting events, the teams and all that. I grew up going to the beach, hanging out there in the summer. Are you a good swimmer? Yeah, I think so, not very fast. I tried surfing, and Im not good at it, but Ive been in a lot of the rough water swim events. I also worked rebuilding the WindanSea Surf Shack last year. That was my biggest contribution to the beach community so far. How has La Jolla changed over the years? Its remarkable ... I remember when there were dirt streets, the sky was dark at night and not much was happening. Now La Jolla is a 24-hour community. There are people around that have to be recognized as part of the community, and they have to be, not just accommodated, but welcome, and the architecture environment supports that. The world is getting more crowded and we have to plan things adequately. I remember that one of our first houses was up near UC San Diego. We were there when they decided to build UCSD and they closed Camp Matthews and built the campus, the library, and the Salk Institute about the same time. We would ride our bikes over and see the buildings ... I went through the library, the big arch building while it was under construction. Did that influence you to become an architect? I think so, witnessing all those big buildings, and construction underway, Im sure thats why Im an architect now. What made you decide to get involved in community service? I think working with people in the community is fascinating. Talking to them, at different levels, I see it as educational and informative for the community, but I get so much out of it, too, because I want to be up-to-date with whats important to the community, in terms of the public spaces and activities, as well as design that makes me better as an architect. What would you like to see in La Jollas future? Theres so much community concern about preservation of the sense of La Jolla, of what makes it such a great place, and everybody has a different take on what. Is it the relationship to the environment? The wonderful climate? The Girard Avenue business hub? The work that the merchants are doing right now is important in keeping downtown La Jolla alive, along with everything that happens on the beaches and parks, the trails, preserving the access to the coast. Those are the areas that require the most vigilance. With the historic issues, theyre doing a great job at preserving historic buildings, and if they continue, it will be a good thing. Are we preserving too much, too little or just right? We are probably on the side of preserving too much, but you have to remember that every decision is only valid for five years. I found that City staff is very good at taking a historic building and considering whats essential about that building, and still allowing us to modify that building. A lot of people dont know that historic designation is not a kiss of death, its a statement that yes, it should be preserved, but with a skillful architect, a great design, and of course, a great client (thats very important), you can still do remarkable things. We have examples of that around town. How do you spend your personal time? I like to go sailing; I rent a boat at the bay. I used to go kayaking to The Shores and I attend St. James church. I also like to go mountain biking there are a lot of wonderful trails just east of La Jolla, as well as in the mountains. Next week: Meet restaurateur Barbara Beltaire. A "new era" started in relations with Russia, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told Russias Interfax news agency, Anadolu reported. "We can say a new era in our relations has started," Yildirim said Wednesday during his first visit to Moscow as a premier. Yildirim added: "This was confirmed during my meetings with President [Vladimir] Putin and Prime Minister [Dmitry] Medvedev." He said Russia and Turkey decided to make up for lost time following the "sad" event. Indeed, relations between Russia and Turkey soured in November last year after the downing of a Russian warplane on the Syrian border. Yildirim also said there was "no connection" between Operation Euphrates Shield and a regime change in Syria. "The operation has just one aim which is to neutralize all the terrorist organizations in the region, particularly Daesh," Yildirim said. Operation Euphrates Shield began in late August to rid Syria's northern border area of terrorists. Over 215 residential areas, including more than 1,800 square kilometers (694 square miles) of land in northern Syria have been cleared of Daesh terrorists as part of the operation so far. Yildirim said Turkey and Russia had a "close" cooperation to ensure peace in Syria. "Surely, the fate of Syrian people is more important than one person, namely Bashar al-Assad [President of Syria]," he added. Yildirim said Turkey was one of the most affected countries due to the events in Syria. "We are in contact with Russia, Iran and other countries in the region on what will happen in Syria in the future. I hope we will soon come to an agreement on this issue," he added. Yildirim reiterated the main target of Turkey was preserving the territorial integrity of Syria. Syria has remained locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011, when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity. Since then, more than 250,000 people have been killed and more than 10 million displaced, according to UN figures. ISIS flag raised behind a war-torn environment. (Photo : YouTube/ Arcadia Zona51) Nostradamus predictions and Baba Vanga prophecy have been highly searched in the past weeks as 2016 comes to its end, especially after issues regarding global warming and terrorism escalated in the past months. The Nostradamus of the Balkans, Baba Vanga, predicted major global events in the past and in the coming years, and one which is the rising of terror groups like ISIS. According to DailyMail, the blind prophet warned the global community of a "great Muslim war" in 2016. Apart from that, Vanga reportedly predicted global warming and its disastrous effect, wherein cold regions will become warm and volcanoes will awaken. Advertisement This would not be the first time that Baba Vanga's predictions apparently hit the bullseye, for back in 1989 Vanga also predicted the 9/11 terror attacks on New York. The blind prophet prophesied that America will be attacked by two steel birds, which was claimed by some as a reference to the two hijacked passenger jets that were flown into the World Trade Center. The year 2016 indeed saw the rise of a nefarious terror group, the ISIS. As 2016 makes its exit paving way for 2017, there has still no assurance coming from world government that this terror group will be stopped. Currently, allied forces are battling terrorism as it continues to escalate and spread worldwide, influencing many nations and culture. Such developments and prediction of Vanga somehow coincide to the reported Nostradamus prediction for 2017 speaking of the war against global warming and terrorism. According to the Express, Nostradamus prediction foretells of a "Hot War" escalating in 2017 due to global warming and terrorism. Now there is no telling how the so-called "Hot War" will specifically manifest itself. However, if you will be reading between the lines, it seems 2017 will be a tough year for the global community as it would try to mitigate the effects of global warming and terrorism worldwide. Guess we would just have to wait and see how things will end for these Nostradamus predictions and Baba Vanga prophecy in 2017. The SLFP does not condone the continuation of the Emergency Regulations (The Public Security Ordinance) more than a day necessary Read more President-Elect Donald Trump And Vice President Elect Pence Hold Election Victory Rally In Ohio (Photo : Getty Images) Chinas enemy over the disputed South China Sea islands used to be its Asian neighbors such as the Philippines which elevated the issue to a U.N. tribunal that ruled in favor of Manila. Beijing just added a bigger opponent whom it cannot bully into submission over the disputed islands. Advertisement Many Chinese netizens now consider U.S. President-elect Donald Trump an enemy following his recent tweets about the U.S. disagreement with construction activities in the South China Sea. Add as well his phone conversation with the Taiwanese president. Following Trumps breach of diplomatic protocol, Chinese netizens called the billionaire a mad dog, Time reported. However, the Chinese Communist Party instead blamed the call on Taiwan which Beijing insists is just a province of China. Trump, in his tweet on Saturday, defended accepting Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wens congratulatory phone call as he pointed out that the U.S. sells to Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment. Therefore, it was not wrong for him to accept the call, Globaltimes reported. The tweets about the South China Sea were made by Trump on Monday which elicited 73,000 likes and 23,000 shares within 10 hours. Trump, a notorious Twitter user, has 16.7 million followers on the microblogging site and Facebook. His tweet, which angered Chinese netizens, reads: Did China ask us if it was OK to devalue their currency (making it hard for our companies to compete), heavily tax our products going into their country (the US doesn't tax them), or to build a massive military complex in the middle of the South China Sea? I don't think so! However, an adviser of Trump urged the incoming president to just ignore the reaction of Chinese netizens to his tweets. Stephen Moore, chief economist of The Heritage Foundation, defended Trumps speaking to the Taiwanese president on the phone. He said, Too many namby-pamby people in the foreign policy shop are saying 'Oh my gosh we can't do this, we might insult the Chinese.' I don't care if we insult the Chinese, The Telegraph quoted Moore. PRESS RELEASE Moscow Blasts Shameful Western Response To Bombing of Russian Hospital in Aleppo Dec. 6, 2016 (EIRNS)When Russian or Syrian warplanes allegedly bomb a hospital in east Aleppo, condemnation from around the Western world is immediate and intense, but when the Russians are the victims, the response, if there is one at all, is disgraceful. State Department spokesman Mark Toner, during a briefing on Dec. 5, wouldnt even confirm that the shelling of the Russian military field hospital in Aleppo, just a few hours before, had even occurred; therefore, would not condemn it. "Its difficult to do, obviously, given the fighting and given our lack of access to whats happening on the ground," he said. But "of course we condemn any attack on a hospital or health care facility." According to a report on RT TV, earlier today, both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch refused to condemn the attack, allegedly for lack of information, while the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued a general statement saying that "repeated attacks on healthcare and other civilian infrastructure throughout Aleppo are further indications of how all sides to the conflict in Syria are failing in their duties to respect and protect healthcare workers, patients and hospitals and to distinguish between them and military objectives." A number of Russian spokesmen today strongly condemned this immoral cant. "We regret that the world community, including our partners in the United States, reacts more than modestly towards the tragedy with the shelling of our hospital in Syria," Dmitri Peskov, Press Secretary for Pres. Putin, said this morning. The evidence suggests that the hospital was deliberately targeted, too. "It was a high-accuracy bombardment. This show that the militants who mounted it had the corresponding coordinates," Peskov said. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke similarly. "We are confident that this attack was planned," he said. "It was planned by those who are trying to retain their positions in Aleppo under the guise of their foreign patrons." Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov blasted the ICRC statement, in particular. "This is not just a violation of international law by the sides of the conflict, as the ICRC statement reads, it is a pre-planned, cold-blooded murder of doctors by militants," he said. "The ICRC, whose president visited the Russian Defense Ministry nearly a week ago, knows perfectly well how Russia helps civilians in Aleppo," he added. Magne Barth, the head of the ICRC delegation in Belarus, Russia, and Moldova, told Interfax in an interview, today, that the attack on the Russian field hospital, which killed two Russian medical workers, "is completely tragic and completely unacceptable." The attack on the Russian hospital occurred as the U.N. Security Council was debating a new draft resolution, vetoed by Russia and China, calling for a seven-day ceasefire in Aleppo. Lavrov had said, before the U.N. vote, that the resolution contradicted talks in Geneva by U.S. and Russian experts on a plan that would evacuate armed militants from Aleppo before any ceasefire would take effect. The Syrian Foreign Ministry has issued a statement saying that the attacks on the Russian hospital "clarify again the terrorist nature of the armed groups, which the West insists on describing as moderate..." The statement added that Syria stressed that it will not leave its citizens in the eastern part of Aleppo hostages by terrorists and will exert all possible efforts to liberate them; therefore, it rejects any attempt by any side calling for ceasefire in eastern Aleppo unless it guarantees the exit of all terrorists from it, reports SANA. Lavrov is to meet with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Hamburg on Dec. 8, on the sidelines of a meeting of the Oranization for Cooperation and Security in Europe. PRESS RELEASE China Willing To Link Belt-and-Road with Economic Blueprints of Japan and South Korea Dec. 6, 2016 (EIRNS)Cao Wenlin, the Director General of the International Cooperation Center of Chinas National Development and Reform Commission, attending a trilateral meeting in Tokyo with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts, said that China was willing to work with Japan and the ROK on industrial capacity cooperation in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative. This occasion was the first forum on industrial capacity collaboration between the three nations. Jung Whan Woo, a research fellow with the R.O.K.s Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, said East Asia countries should upgrade the quality and scale of their cooperation. Jung said it is of great importance for the three countries to find ways to work together in other markets, adding that Chinas Belt and Road Initiative presents an opportunity for Japan and South Korea to pursue further development abroad. Iwao Okamoto, president of the Japan-China Economic Association, called for establishing a mechanism for China-Japan-South Korean cooperation in other markets as soon as possible. Negotiations on a free trade agreement among the three countries, and the proposed pan-Asian Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, should be accelerated, Okamoto said. China has proposed cooperation in other markets using the Belt and Road Initiative and South Koreas Eurasia Initiative. PRESS RELEASE Going Nuclear Will Alleviate Poverty and Create Jobs, Says Philippine Chamber of Commerce Dec. 6, 2016 (EIRNS)The 100-plus-year-old, highly respected Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands (CCPI) has been on a campaign to restart that nations nuclear program, seeing the potential for a change in policy with the election of Rodrigo Duterte as President. Duterte, himself, at first wavered on the question of completing the Bataan nuclear power plant, under pressure from domestic anti-nukes, but has now asserted that he will do what is necessary to open the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant and proceed with nuclear power development. In a statement reported in todays Business Inquirer, the Chamber states that activating the Bataan plant, which was complete when the 1986 coup against President Ferdinand Marcos stopped the project, would help lower local electricity costs, which are the highest in Asia, after Japan (which imports all of its energy resources). "Studies show that nuclear energy is the cheapest source of electricity: 79% cheaper than oil, 78% cheaper than gas, and 23% cheaper than coal." They continue: "To improve the quality of life with lower electricity cost, the convenience of modern life will become more affordable for use by the people." They state that restarting the nuclear program will also create jobs and alleviate poverty. "The country has the highest unemployment rate in ASEAN," the Chamber says. They report that from being number one in ASEAN in per-capita income, the Philippines is now number five. To counter the fear-mongering about nuclear, they state that the Bataan plant has "sister-clone plants operating safely in Korea, Slovenia, and Brazil for over 30 years." The move forward in the Philippines in nuclear would be important for many of the other Asian nations now considering their first nuclear power plant. World War 3 News: Putin eyes Baltic States as US President-Elect Donald Trump snubs support to NATO allies; WW3 to start in Latvia? Russian President Vladimir Putin criticised by protestors for military operations in Syria. (Photo : Adam Berry/Getty Images) Russian President Vladimir Putin has his eyes set on Baltic states and is determined to start the Third World War if United States attempts to rescue the Baltic NATO member. However, Donald Trump's ambiguity in supporting NATO allies puts the fate of Baltic states in balance. Professor Paul D Miller, a celebrated US Military expert from National Defence University in Washington DC, correctly anticipated the Crimea and Ukraine invasion by Russia four years ago. In his latest prediction, he claimed that Baltics are next to be targeted by Putin in his large expansion plans, as reported by Foreign Policy. Advertisement In his speculation, it will either be Latvia or Estonia that President Putin will mark next. However, since the Baltic states are NATO members, all the other member states will be obliged to come for its rescue, thus igniting the Third World War. Professor further explains that Russia's invasion of Latvia or Estonia will not be an overt affair where Putin will march into a tiny country of two million with traditional uniformed Russian troops. An invasion so obvious will be hard for NATO members to overlook. Instead, Putin will lodge a vague militarized emergency in the next two years, using proxies that can be easily denied by the Russian government. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump will also be reportedly tasked with a huge predicament of whether or not to defend Baltic NATO member against Putin's annexation plans, affecting the integrity of the peace alliance. Ex-NATOs Deputy Supreme Allied Commander for Europe, General Sir Alexander Richard David Shirreff, revealed that Trump's comments about ignoring the NATO allies can fatally weaken the peace that has been maintained for over seven decades, The Sun reported. Sir Richard also added that not only are Baltic states - Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania - under the risk of being occupied by Russia, but Berlin may also be threatened with nuclear attack if they try to reclaim the states. All of this may be caused due to Trump's uncertainty about supporting the NATO allies, endangering its basic premise that attack on one is attack on all. Sir Richard further explained that if Putin decided to attack the Baltic borders, it will directly violate the NATO member states, thus initiating a war, very likely a nuclear war. As congressional Republicans double down on their promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act but defer a replacement for as long as several years, healthcare stakeholders and experts are stepping up their warnings of the consequences of half-baked policymaking. Thats important, because none of the proposals that Republicans have put on the table during the last six years is close to fully baked. But hospitals, actuaries and economists are warning that its easy to vandalize the healthcare system in ways that make it worse for tens of millions of Americans dependent on Obamacares Medicaid expansion and individual insurance exchanges. Much of the repeal-and-replace rhetoric of ACA critics depicts the pre-Obamacare health insurance landscape as a sort of nirvana in which consumers had almost unlimited options to fashion the coverage they wanted, without government interference. So its proper to recall what that marketplace was like. Advertisement This scenario moves the country to a situation with higher uninsurance rates than was the case before the ACAs reforms. Urban Institute A useful reminder comes from Georgetown Universitys Center on Health Insurance Reforms, which compiled a list of the conditions that insurance buyers in Illinois had to report when applying for coverage. The list included serious conditions such as heart attacks, emphysema and cirrhosis, but also common maladies such as hay fever, hives, sinusitis and acne. Any of these gave insurers an incentive to deny coverage to applicants or offer it at inflated prices or with exclusions. As The Times reported in 2006, insurers often combed through the medical histories of policy holders who incurred large claims, hunting for inconsistencies in their disclosures that could justify canceling their coverage retroactively. These practices were outlawed by the ACA, but they could return if the regulations are lifted. The GOP says it wants to retain protection for preexisting conditions, but its replacement proposals typically would scrap the ACAs individual mandate, which supports the requirement that insurers offer standardized coverage to anyone, regardless of medical condition, with the requirement that all Americans have insurance. GOP plans typically replace the mandate with a rule protecting only buyers who have maintained coverage without a significant lapse. Since the cost of insurance sometimes prompts families to drop their coverage for a period of time, many with medical needs could be vulnerable to denials. That could be a sizable population. The Department of Health and Human Services estimated in 2011 that as many as 129 million Americans up to half of all the non-elderly had conditions that could result in insurance denials. The ratio of those with such conditions rose sharply with age from about 35% of Americans 18 to 24 to 86% of those 55 to 64. The riskiest GOP plan involves repealing provisions of the Affordable Care Act subject to reconciliation in the Senate. This is a legislative maneuver that applies to provisions that affect the federal budget, which cant be filibustered. (Republicans will hold only 51 seats in the upper chamber next year, so the threat of Democratic filibusters offers a significant counterweight to GOP policies.) According to a report issued Tuesday by the Urban Institute, reconciliation would allow the GOP to eliminate the ACAs Medicaid expansion and subsidies for premiums and, for especially low-income Americans, for deductibles and copays too. Thats likely to leave the country in worse shape than before the Affordable Care Act was passed. This scenario does not just move the country back to the situation before the ACA, the institutes Linda J. Blumberg, Matthew Buettgens and John Holahan write. It moves the country to a situation with higher uninsurance rates than was the case before the ACAs reforms. Reconciliation would leave in place such reforms as the ban on preexisting condition exclusions and the requirement that every plan provide a roster of minimum essential health benefits, including preventive care without copays and pregnancy and maternity care. Some Republicans in Congress, however, have the knives out for these provisions, too. Based on the terms of a reconciliation bill passed by Congress this year but vetoed by President Obama, the Urban Institute estimated that the partial repeal would more than double the ranks of the uninsured to 58.7 million from 28.9 million in 2019. The percentage of non-elderly Americans without insurance would rise to 21% from 11%, a higher rate of uninsurance than before the ACA because of the disruption to the nongroup insurance market, according to the institute. Also sounding the alarm this week were two major hospital organizations. In a letter to President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Pence, the American Hospital Assn. and the Federation of American Hospitals warned that implementing the cuts in the vetoed reconciliation bill could cost their members nearly half a trillion dollars through 2026. Losses of this magnitude cannot be sustained and will adversely impact patients access to care, decimate hospitals and health systems ability to provide services, weaken local economies that hospitals help sustain and grow, and result in massive job loss, the organizations warned. They said the potential funding cuts were double those Congress imposed in 1997, when institutions were forced to cut back staff, services, education, research, investments in new technology, and modernization and upgrading of aging facilities and resulted in congressional rollbacks of the cuts in subsequent years. The biggest concern of healthcare experts is that Congress will try to dismantle the Affordable Care Act piece by piece without regard to the adverse consequences of leaving some rules in place. Eliminating the individual mandate and subsidies, cautioned the American Academy of Actuaries in a letter to House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) on Wednesday, would create increased uncertainty and instability regarding future enrollment, premium rates, and risk pool profiles. Insurers would likely reconsider their participation in the market and some may choose to exit in the near term. This could lead to severe market disruption and loss of coverage among individual market enrollees. Will Ryan listen? Its questionable. In an appearance Wednesday on CNBC, he declared that Obamacare is entering a death spiral in which higher premiums drive healthier buyers out of the market, forcing even higher premiums upon those who remain. Ryan is not above concealing his ideological desire to cut government spending behind a shroud of lies, as we pointed out before in regard to Medicare, and this is another example. While its true that Obamacare premiums are going up, so are the subsidies, so the net price for most buyers has not significantly increased the Dept of Health and Human Services reported in October that despite premium increases, 77% of buyers on the federal healthcare.gov exchange will be able to find plans with premiums below $100 a month in 2017. That doesnt mean the Affordable Care Act market is invulnerable to a death spiral, only that the death spiral it faces would come from the proposals being advanced by Ryan himself and his caucus. 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. I was taking some time off last week, when Donald Trump announced his big rescue of jobs at a Carrier furnace factory in Indianapolis, so Ive needed a few days to catch up. One thing was clear even on Dec. 1, when Trump made his announcement on the scene, and has become even clearer with every day that passes: This deal is a scam. It isnt saving nearly as many jobs as the 1,100 Trump claimed, its costing taxpayers a bundle, and its no template for any job-preservation policy that Trump might consider. Nothing about this deal challenges the longstanding elite consensus in America that capital is free to move...with workers and their communities left behind. Greg LeRoy, Good Jobs First Advertisement In the most recent development, Chuck Jones, the president of the Carrier workers union, told the Washington Post Tuesday about his reaction when Trump failed to disclose something his local already had been told that the saved jobs numbered not 1,100, but only 730. He got up there, Jones said, and, for whatever reason, lied his ass off. Get used to it, Mr. Jones. Carriers decision to close its Indianapolis plant and move 1,400 jobs to Mexico wasnt much different from thousands of corporate decisions taken every day across the country. What made it special was a recording of the Feb. 10 announcement and the reaction among the thunderstruck workers, which was promptly posted to YouTube and went viral. (The video can be seen below; beware of the occasional profane outburst.) That made the event emblematic of the impact of corporate-suite economic policies on rank-and-file employees, not least because the manager delivering the news seemed put out at the employees unkind response to what he said was strictly a business decision that would allow us to maintain high levels of product quality [and] competitive prices. The video provided Trump with an irresistible opportunity to paint Carriers flight as the product of ineffective Democratic economic policies. Never mind that the job-retention program in Indianapolis was entirely under the control of the Republican statehouse to wit, Trumps own eventual running mate, Gov. Mike Pence. Trump promised that his administration wouldnt tolerate such corporate behavior indeed, that companies fleeing the U.S. for Mexico would face punitive consequences. Things havent worked out quite that way. To begin with, rather than facing punishment from President Trump, Carrier will garner a $7-million state tax break from Indiana over 10 years to keep 730 jobs in town, with no guarantee the jobs will even last that long. Thats a minuscule benefit for a company with a profit of $7.6 billion on sales of $56 billion last year. Its more telling that Carriers parent, United Technology, gets 10% of its revenue from U.S. government contracts, so it knows it pays to keep on the good side of an incoming president. Yet for all that, it seems that Trump got rooked by United Technologies. Even though the company is giving in on plans to move 730 jobs to Mexico at least for now its sticking to its plan to move 553 other Carrier union and management jobs south of the border. Nor is UT abandoning plans to shut down a plant manufacturing electronic controls in Huntington, Ind., just 100 miles from the Carrier factory, at the cost of another 700 jobs. And that still doesnt end the story of the manufacturing exodus from the Indianapolis metro area: Just before election day, Rexnord Corp. said it will shut down a bearings plant in Indianapolis, sending 350 jobs to its plant in Monterrey, Mexico, where Carrier will be a neighbor. Neither the Huntington nor the Rexnord announcements were accompanied by videos, so they didnt capture the nations attention or Trumps or Pences. Nothing about this deal challenges the longstanding elite consensus in America that capital is free to move: offshore, across town or across a state line, with workers and their communities left behind to suffer declining living standards, says Greg LeRoy, the head of Good Jobs First, an organization that tracks corporate subsidies. Much of the press attention after the Trump announcement focused on the good fortune of the workers whose jobs were saved, but it should be obvious that economic development policy cant be conducted on a case-by-case basis, a few hundred jobs at a time; only political photo-ops can be managed that way, and only for the near term. At the very least, these short-term, isolated, and subsidy-driven transactions, as Amy Liu of the Brookings Institution described the Carrier deal, suck up resources that can be better used in other ways, such as making regions broadly attractive to whole industries, not individual firms. Trump doesnt seem to recognize that one-off tax incentives are mercilessly gamed by manufacturers. His running mate Gov. Pence could school him in the technique, because his administration has been victimized by it over and over again. As the Indianapolis Star reported this summer, since Pence became governor in 2013, his state has shoveled out $24 million in job-retention benefits to companies that shipped 3,800 jobs overseas despite their promises. A common scam was to accept benefits for a single factory, but close others just as United Technologies is doing. Often these deals resulted in a net outflow of jobs by the employer overall. Even as a would-be jobs preserver, it appears that Trump may have his eyes on the wrong ball. In his speech at Carrier last week, Trump made a distinction between domestic job transfers and international outsourcing. Companies, he said, can leave from state to state and they can negotiate good deals with the different states and all of that. But leaving the country is going to be very, very difficult. But as LeRoy observes, interstate job piracy is incredibly costly to taxpayers and the economy in general. It appears that the president-elect is endorsing the ruinous, corrosive economic war among the states, observed LeRoy, whose group reported in a 2013 study that local politicians are so fixated on job growth at any cost that sometimes companies move very short distances within the same metro area and receive eight-figure subsidy packages. So for the sake of a photo-op and a PR blitz, Trump got two things wrong about job development. By showing himself to be a paper tiger on international job transfers, he gave all employers a template for extracting tax benefits by threatening to move across the border. And he offered carte blanche for firms to play states off against one another in a quest for local incentives. If this is supposed to be a triumph for job-creation policy, the economy will be in trouble. Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com. Return to Michael Hiltziks blog. MORE FROM HILTZIK On Obamacare repeal, GOP ideology is colliding with reality Have hay fever or hives? If Obamacare is repealed, you could be denied health insurance again The 21st Century Cures Act: A huge handout to the drug industry disguised as a pro-research bounty The Breitbart News Network has long prided itself on running inflammatory articles designed to trigger sensitive liberals. But since the election of Donald Trump, the conservative media company has also managed to trigger some of its advertisers, which have yanked their ads from the irreverent site in objection to its content. After recent decisions by companies such as the Kellogg Co. and Allstate to pull their ads, a number of German companies have followed suit, including BMW, Deutsche Telekom and the restaurant chain Vapiano. Deutsche Telekom is the parent company of wireless carrier T-Mobile. Advertisement A spokesman for BMW of North America said that the carmaker doesnt advertise on Breitbart directly and only individuals who specifically expressed an interest in the brand and then visited the Breitbart site would have received an ad from BMW. We continuously review sites where individually targeted ads are available and Breitbart is no longer among them, the company said in a statement. Deutsche Telekom said in a separate statement that we have had our advertising removed from [Breitbart] and have block listed them, to ensure that no further Deutsche Telekom ads appear there. Deutsche Telekom stands for values such as tolerance and openness and we do not condone any discriminatory acts or comments. Vapiano said in a statement that the attitudes expressed by Breitbart News stand in contrast to Vapianos values such as openness and tolerance. Their decisions come as Breitbart, which supported Trump in his successful bid for the U.S. presidency, is aiming to expand its operations into Germany as the country prepares for elections next year amid high tensions over the migrant crisis. Breitbart has been extremely critical of Chancellor Angela Merkel and her open-door policy toward refugees. Some advertisers have stated that they didnt know that their ads were appearing on Breitbart, and that they only discovered it after receiving screenshots from consumers and Twitter users. Many companies rely on third-party ad networks and exchanges to place their ads on sites. As a result, they arent always aware of where their ads end up appearing. In recent weeks, a number of anti-Breitbart efforts have emerged on Twitter including the account Sleeping Giants and the German hashtag #KeinGeldFuerRechts (No Money for the Right) that are aiming to identify companies whose ads appear on Breitbart and to pressure them into boycotting the site. Sleeping Giants has said that Breitbart is a fake news site that engages in racist rhetoric. But Breitbart disputes both claims, saying that left-wing activists are intolerant of conservative views and are attempting to censor them. Breitbart has also stated that advertisers would be unwise to boycott the site because it has a loyal following of 45 million readers. The news site didnt respond to a request for comment. Last week, Breitbart targeted Kellogg for revenge by launching a boycott petition and #DumpKelloggs social media campaign. It has also run critical articles about the W.K. Kellogg Foundation the charitable organization created by the companys founder highlighting its support of Fidel Castro, George Soros and the Black Lives Matter movement. Shares of Kellogg fell about 2% in the days after the #DumpKelloggs launch but have since recovered. The Associated Press contributed to this report. david.ng@latimes.com Twitter: @DavidNgLAT UPDATES: Dec. 9, 12:41 p.m.: This article was updated with a comment from Vapiano. Dec. 8, 9:55 a.m.: This article was updated with comments from BMW and Deutsche Telekom. Director Roman Polanski scored a key legal victory in Poland on Tuesday when the countrys top court rejected an extradition request from the U.S. stemming from the filmmakers 1977 Los Angeles case in which he pleaded guilty to having sex with a minor. The Polish Supreme Court in Warsaw ruled to uphold a lower Krakow courts decision in October of last year to deny the U.S. Justice Departments request to hand over the 83-year-old director, whose body of work includes such acclaimed films as Rosemarys Baby, Chinatown and The Pianist. The high courts decision was confirmed by Polanskis U.S. attorney, Harland Braun. Advertisement In its decision last year to deny the U.S. its extradition request, the lower court noted numerous irregularities in the original case, including alleged unethical behavior by L.A. Superior Court Judge Laurence Rittenband. But the ruling was appealed by Polands justice minister, Zbigniew Ziobro, who has suggested that Polanskis celebrity status had influenced the lower courts decision. Ziobro is part of Polands current hard-line conservative administration that rose to power in 2015. Polands supreme court said in a release Tuesday that the lower courts ruling didnt constitute a flagrant violation of the law and that the new ruling is final and ineligible for further appeal. The new decision means that Polanski, who resides primarily in France and is a citizen of France and Poland, is free to travel to Poland without fear of being arrested and sent back to the U.S. Though the director was born in Paris, he grew up in Poland, where as a young boy he survived the Holocaust before going on to become an accomplished filmmaker. Polands ruling also means that American officials have virtually exhausted their options in a four-decade attempt to bring the Polanski back to the U.S. In 2010, Switzerland declined the U.S.s request to extradite Polanski after he was arrested in Zurich the year before on his way to a film festival. The director spent several months in prison and under house arrest. Polanski remains a fugitive from U.S. justice, having fled the country in 1978 in the midst of his highly sensationalized statutory rape case. The filmmaker was arrested the year before in Beverly Hills and eventually pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor. As part of a bargain, Judge Rittenband sentenced him to a 90-day psychiatric evaluation in a Chino prison. Polanski was released after 42 days after officials determined that he didnt pose a risk to society. But Polanski fled the country when Judge Rittenband, facing intense media pressure, appeared to renege on the deal with the possible intention of sending him back for more jail time. Because of Polanskis fugitive status, the case remains unresolved despite the directors numerous efforts to have it dismissed. Polanskis U.S. attorney said that Tuesdays win in Poland has significant implications for the L.A. case. Its important for us, said Braun in an interview, adding that he is hoping to conclude the nearly 40-year-old case sometime early next year. He is arguing that Polanski should be sentenced to time served, as he has already exceeded the custody time he was originally required to serve when counting time spent in jail and house arrest in Switzerland in 2009 and 2010. Id like to see Roman come here, be sentenced as promised, and then get on with his life, Braun said. He also said that he wants the court to recognize Samantha Geimer the victim who was 13 years old when the crime took place but who in recent years has voiced her support for the dismissal of the case against Polanski. The L.A. district attorneys office declined to comment. Polanski has continued to make movies in Europe and won an Academy Award for best director in 2003 for The Pianist. He is currently working on a new movie in France titled Based on a True Story, starring Eva Green and his wife, Emmanuelle Seigner. david.ng@latimes.com Twitter: @DavidNgLAT UPDATES: Dec. 7, 1:50 p.m.: This article was updated with a no-comment reply from the L.A. district attorneys office. The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Wednesday that it has fined two Southern California reverse-mortgage firms for deceptive advertising practices, saying the companies wrongly told borrowers they could not lose their homes. American Advisors Group in Orange agreed to pay a civil penalty of $400,000, and Aegean Financial, an El Segundo firm that also does business as Jubilados Financial and Reverse Mortgage Professionals, will pay $65,000. Both companies agreed to change their loan disclosures, though neither admitted wrongdoing. Reverse mortgages, which are aimed at homeowners who are retired or approaching retirement, give homeowners cash in exchange for equity in their homes. Borrowers typically are able to remain in their homes until they die or choose to sell. Advertisement But the CFPB alleges that advertisements from Aegean, American Advisors and another firm Reverse Mortgage Solutions in Houston falsely implied that borrowers could stay in their homes under any conditions. Borrowers can default on a reverse mortgage, and possibly lose their homes, if they fail to meet certain loan terms, including paying property taxes, having homeowners insurance and maintaining their homes. That sometimes happens when borrowers take a lump-sum payout and later run out of money to pay taxes, insurance and upkeep. A growing number of such reverse-mortgage defaults over the last few years has prompted the government to require more underwriting of borrowers to make sure that they can pay ongoing obligations and to tighten procedures governing foreclosures prompted by delinquencies involving Federal Housing Administration-insured mortgages. These companies tricked consumers into believing they could not lose their homes with a reverse mortgage, CFPB Director Richard Cordray said in a news release announcing the fines. The bureau also said Aegean, in its Spanish-language advertising, falsely implied that its reverse mortgages came from a federal agency. Although some reverse mortgages are federally insured, they are not a government benefit, the CFPB said Wednesday. A spokesman for Aegean declined to comment on the CFPBs action. In an emailed statement, Reza Jahangiri, chief executive of American Advisors Group, said the company takes its regulatory responsibilities seriously and has made a significant investment in our compliance and legal infrastructure to ensure we fully conform to all marketing laws and rules and better understand how they are interpreted. james.koren@latimes.com Follow me: @jrkoren ALSO Why your Christmas tree may cost more this year American Apparel sets date for auctioning off its business Soylent CEO still hasnt removed remnants of shipping-container home, prosecutor says A Christmas tree shortage could have many Southern California shoppers feeling the holiday blues. Some local sellers have increased prices 10% or more on certain varieties, especially the popular Noble fir, because they have become scarce. Some buyers have returned to their usual holiday tree lots this year only to find that the sellers werent there. Industry experts say an oversupply of Christmas trees nearly a decade ago brought low returns, prompting many growers to stop planting trees in favor of other crops, such as hazelnuts. That has led to a shortage this year among Southern California sellers, who get trees primarily from Oregon, Washington and North Carolina. Advertisement We went to a Home Depot and the prices were definitely higher, so we decided not to buy, Venice resident Michelle Noble said. Noble tried a few other places and ended up at the Chauvet Tree Farm lot in Venice, where evergreens cost from about $30 to nearly $230. With three children at home expecting something for Santa to put gifts under, we are probably going to make the decision to just go with a smaller tree rather than a bigger one that is more expensive, Noble said. Lot manager Nick Toledo looks over his inventory at the Chauvet Tree Farms in Venice. Toledo says that the owners of the company have had as many as nine tree sales lots in the past but this year only have three locations. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times ) A few blocks away, George Lopez was unloading trees from his familys truck and bemoaning the small harvest that is forcing him to charge 3% to 5% more this season. Nobles are very scarce this year, said Lopez, who is selling at the empty Venice Ranch Market this season. My cost to buy went up $5, so I had to raise [my sales price] $5. Lopez hopes to outdo competitors by offering customers the option of a tree painted unexpected hues such as gold, black or even hot pink. About 10% of the buyers are willing to pay the extra $5 a foot for white and $10 a foot for other colors, said Alma Lopez, Georges sister. Nowadays, people are forever innovating, she said. Theres a competition among friends, it seems, to come up with something totally different. Norm Osborne, owner of Pinery Christmas Trees in San Diego, said that after 25 years in business hes used to cyclical shortages and this time isnt any worse than previous lulls. Osborne said the shortage is mainly in Noble fir trees taller than 7 feet, but cost increases may extend to other tree varieties. Pinerys five locations were selling Douglas fir trees starting at $75 and Grand firs starting at $85 last year, but increased the starting price this year by $5 and $10, respectively. The growing period for a Noble fir is like eight to 10 years. Thats a long time to wait for a return on your investment, Osborne said. The cost of Noble and Nordman firs varies substantially based on size but ranges from $45 to more than $150 at Pinery. Osborne said he has raised prices on those trees 3% to 5% and added more Fraser fir trees to make up for the lack of Nobles. Despite higher prices this year even at big-box retailers, trees at such stores usually are cheaper than at independent sellers. The big-box retailers keep costs down by buying more in bulk and other arrangements. Scott Stearns, an assistant vice president for Costco Wholesale Corp. based in San Diego, said the company mostly gets trees from Oregon. Costco has lost many of the growers it used to buy from but still works to keep costs down. Part of the way we have been able to keep costs down is by not having a big lot taking up parking spaces, Stearns said. Customers also select the trees themselves, eliminating the need for extra employees. Richard Gass, owner of Family Christmas Tree Farm in El Cajon, said costs can add up for small operations. A Douglas fir costs him $13 to $18, then about $3 to $5 for freight, then labor and watering costs, which keep going up. The price of some tree varieties is up 10%, Gass said. Still, demand for real trees doesnt appear to be waning, sellers said, despite environmental concerns among some consumers. George Lopez, general manager of Charlie Lopez Christmas Trees, sets up trees on the lot at Rose Avenue and 5th Street in Venice. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times ) We have a certain niche that we cater to, Osborne said. There are people that would never buy a fake tree. They love beautiful trees. Thats what we sell. At the Chauvet Tree Farm lot, manager Nick Toledo was able to give customers a rare price break this year because a new freight hauler, anxious to lock in the companys business, charged less for transportation from the farms 700 acres of trees in Salem, Ore. As a result, hes charging $5 less a tree on average, Toledo said. Chauvet has only three lots in West Los Angeles this year, down from as many as nine since the company began selling in Southern California in 1971. Development and landownership changes have made it difficult to line up space, Toledo said. Rachel Stewart, a registered nurse in Marina del Rey, wasnt particularly worried about the number on the trees price tag. Stewart said she is hosting family this year and I have to have the best tree I can find. ron.white@latimes.com phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com For more business news, follow Ronald D. White on Twitter: @RonWLATimes ALSO Trump economy poses big risk, high reward for California Amazons new convenience store has no cash registers and no checkout lines How free coupons for patients help drugmakers hike prices by 1,000% Los Angeles lawyer Debra Wong Yang, the former top federal prosecutor for the region, reportedly is being considered by President-elect Donald Trump to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission. Yang, a fourth-generation Angeleno who grew up in Chinatown, became the first Asian American woman to serve as U.S. attorney in 2002. Then-President George W. Bush tapped her for the position in the Central District of California, which includes Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. A former state judge in California, Yang served as U.S. attorney until 2007. Advertisement Her cases involved bringing criminal charges against Hollywood private eye Anthony Pellicano and class-action law firm Milberg Weiss Bershad & Schulman. She also was instrumental in obtaining guilty pleas in the Credit Lyonnais banking scandal and in getting $1.5 billion in criminal settlements from Boeing Co. and Tenet Healthcare Corp. After stepping down as U.S. attorney, she joined the Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher law firm. Working out of the Los Angeles office, she handles cases involving white-collar crime, corporate compliance, data privacy and matters involving China. In 2009, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa tapped Yang for a seat on the citys Police Commission. She served for 2 years. Yang met with Trump at Trump Tower in New York on Monday. NBC News and the Wall Street Journal reported she was under consideration to be nominated to chair the SEC, a job that includes protecting investors and overseeing securities exchanges. Trump transition officials did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. SEC Chairwoman Mary Jo White, also a former federal prosecutor, announced shortly after the election that she intended to step down when President Obama leaves office next month. White has served since 2013. Trump gets to appoint a new SEC chair along with two other commissioners. Trump said during the campaign he wanted to dismantle the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform law, which expanded the role of the SEC along with other regulators. Under a Republican majority, the SEC could loosen regulations on financial firms. Yang is friends with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and co-hosted a $2,700-a person L.A. fundraiser for his presidential campaign. Christie, who later dropped out of the 2016 race and endorsed Trump, hired Gibson Dunn to conduct an independent investigation into allegations his administration orchestrated the closure of access lanes to the George Washington Bridge to create a traffic jam to punish a New Jersey mayor who did not endorse Christies gubernatorial campaign. Yang was among five former federal prosecutors on the Gibson Dunn investigative team that issued a report exonerating Christie of involvement in what became known as Bridgegate. Last month, two close Christie associates were found guilty of conspiracy and wire fraud charges in connection with the incident. The U.S. labor forces guy problem: Lots of men dont have a job and arent looking for one How Trump could use the presidency to help his own business interests jim.puzzanghera@latimes.com Follow @JimPuzzanghera on Twitter ALSO The era of super-low interest rates might be ending. Whats in it for you? Trumps victory could spell the end of the FCCs net neutrality regulations Trump hammered the Federal Reserve as a candidate. As president, he could quickly reshape it Lu Wei, Chinese political leader and the senior executive official in charge of cybersecurity and Internet policy, speaks at the closing ceremony of the Second World Internet Conference last year. (Photo : Getty Images) Reports that China and Russia are sharing information on how to regulate and censor the Internet have been confirmed by Andrei Soldatov, co-author of the book Red Web: The Struggle Between Russias Digital Dictators And New Online Revolutionaries. In an interview with rferl.org, Soldatov said that the Chinese-Russian cybercooperation started only last year, when Russia was looking to improve the system on how to have domestic control over the Internet. The Russian cyber control system was built by Kremlin in 2012, but it was not effective and it failed to meet its goals. Advertisement According to Soldatov, some people have proposed that having a closer partnership with China might solve the problem. He added that in Dec. 2015, the two countries reached key agreements during a conference attended by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Fang Binxing, the main architect of the "Great Firewall of China." After that, the first China-Russia cyberforum was organized and held in Moscow in April, and in the following months, the partnership gradually took shape. The Russian author said that it was more than a partnership but a bilateral cooperation where China and Russia learned from each other. "Russia is not just taking from China, but China is also taking from Russia," Soldatov said. In March this year, Fang Binxing created an organization of volunteers who monitor the Internet, which was patterned after Russia's League of Internet Security, a quasi-independent organization of volunteers with a similar mission, Soldatov said. China's cybersecurity law, which was just passed in November, has a provision that calls for localizing data in the country, and has its counterpart provision in the Russian legislation, he added. On the Russian side, China helped them developed the new second phase of the Internet-filtration system that allows them to search for content, instead of blocking only some websites and webpages. The system is similar to the filtering method being used in China. During the Chinese-Russian forum, a joint working group, composed of specialists from the two countries, outlined a road map for the use and control of domain names, as a method to control global corporations. Lastly, China will supply the Russians with technology to improve their system of control over the Internet. In August, talks were held between Russian telecommunications equipment manufacturer and Chinese manufacturers like Lenovo and Huawei. Soldatov said that the talks were focused on the licensing of Chinese manufacturing in the country, to implement the "Yarovaya law," the Russian federal law that extended its cybercollection powers, signed into law in July 2016. It would also enable them to replace Western telecommunications technologies with Russian technology or substitute Western technology for Chinese. China will also help Russia on how to use virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass Internet censorship, such as in the Chinese model of control. China has developed a method by which it can blocked the Internet in only some select regions, allowing them to switched off websites or the connection between two parties. Soldatov said that China is ahead in this area and Russia is willing to learn from them. SpaceX said it is now targeting early January for its first flight after a September explosion that destroyed one of its Falcon 9 rockets. The Elon Musk-led company said in a statement Wednesday that it is finalizing the investigation into the explosion and is working to complete the final steps necessary to safely and reliably return to flight. The new date allows for additional time to close out vehicle preparations and complete extended testing to help ensure the highest possible level of mission assurance prior to launch, SpaceX said. Advertisement Three months ago, one of SpaceXs Falcon 9 rockets exploded on a launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, destroying a commercial communications satellite that was to be managed by Israeli satellite operator Spacecom. Musk has described the cause of the explosion as something that has never been encountered before in the history of rocketry. As of last week, an investigation into the cause of the explosion was still ongoing, though the company had narrowed its focus to one of three composite-overwrapped pressure vessels that hold helium in the rockets second-stage liquid oxygen tank. In October, SpaceX said it could re-create a failure in the vessel entirely through helium loading conditions, suggesting this could be a cause of the explosion. SpaceX which is based in Hawthorne and whose full name is Space Exploration Technologies Corp. affirmed Wednesday that the customer for its next launch will be Iridium Communications Inc., which plans to launch 10 satellites aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. Iridium said in a statement that it supports SpaceXs decision to move its launch date to January in order to help ensure a successful mission. We remain as confident as ever in their ability to safely deliver our satellites into low Earth orbit, Iridium said. The McLean, Va., satellite communications firm said last week that SpaceX could return to flight Dec. 16, pending Federal Aviation Administration approval. Last month, Musk predicted SpaceX could start launching again in mid-December. samantha.masunaga@latimes.com For more business news, follow me @smasunaga ALSO Why your Christmas tree may cost more this year Trump economy poses big risk and potential big reward for California Instagram is the latest social media firm to tweak its app in an attempt to prevent harassment UPDATES: 9:25 a.m.: This article was updated with additional comment from SpaceX and Iridium. This article was originally published at 8:15 a.m. A San Jose solar company announced plans Wednesday to cut 2,500 jobs, including about 200 in California, as part of an effort to restructure operations and reduce expenses. Most of SunPower Corp.s layoffs, which represent 25% of its workforce, are expected to come from its operations in the Philippines, the company said. SunPower Chief Executive Tom Werner said that given the current market dislocation, we have made the strategic decision to implement a broad restructuring program to position the company for sustained, long term profitability. Advertisement We believe that our restructuring initiatives will enable us to successfully navigate through the current market transition and maximize cash flow while successfully positioning the company for the next phase of industry growth, said Werner, who has led SunPower since 2003 and oversaw the companys growth from 35 employees to 8,000. But in August, SunPower began announcing layoffs amid struggles in the solar industry. At that time, the company said it would reduce its workforce by 15%, or 1,200 employees. Just as with the current workforce reduction, the job cuts announced in August were primarily in the Philippines, where the company was closing a solar cell factory. In addition to the 200 layoffs in California, about 100 additional jobs will be cut in the U.S., a SunPower spokeswoman said. The solar industry has been undergoing a wide range of changes as the energy sector has increasingly turned toward clean energy to combat climate change. Competition has pushed down the cost of solar systems while other expenses, including labor, have remained stubbornly high. Supply is outpacing growth, which is hurting manufacturers, said Bernadette del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar Energy Industries Assn. Its good for consumers. SunPower and other solar firms have been revamping their operations to prepare for the future. Despite the job cuts, SunPower said it sees a strong future for the company. This comprehensive restructuring program will enable us to successfully navigate the current challenging industry conditions while positioning us for success over the long term, said Chuck Boynton, SunPowers chief financial officer. SunPowers stock closed Wednesday at $7.95 a share, up 99 cents, or 14%. That was far below the stocks high of $31.10 in the last year. ivan.penn@latimes.com For more energy news, follow Ivan Penn on Twitter: @ivanlpenn ALSO Why your Christmas tree may cost more this year Stocks soar, posting their biggest gains since the presidential election Battery makers Tesla and Sonnen tout similar products but have different strategies California is at the epicenter of some of the most fundamental changes Donald Trump has proposed for the national economy, in trade and immigration. About 40% of all goods arriving in the United States by sea come through the states ports. And more than a quarter of all immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally live in California, many of them working in agriculture, hospitality and manufacturing. So it shouldnt be a surprise that the latest report from the UCLA Anderson Forecast found that Trumps plans for the economy could deeply affect the health of the California economy, the sixth largest in the world, one way or the other. Advertisement At stake are up to 24,000 logistics jobs, 50% of the states agriculture jobs and an untold number of military manufacturing jobs, according to the report. We are going to see a paradigm change on these two issues, international trade and immigration, under President Trump, says William Yu, an economist at UCLA who is a coauthor of the report. I am optimistic about the direction we are going to see, he added. We arent going to see some kind of disaster happening next year. Yu says he sees only about a 10% chance of a trade war with China or Mexico, partly because those countries have much more to lose than the U.S. if a trade war happens. A more likely outcome is that Trump gets a better deal with China, Yu says, by using Taiwan as leverage to push China to stop manipulating its currency and reduce its tariffs on some U.S. imports, for example. A new trade arrangement with China that boosts exports from the U.S. could lead to 10,000 new jobs in transportation and warehousing, and 14,000 new jobs in wholesale trade in Los Angeles County, the report calculated. A trade policy that increases tariffs significantly on Chinese goods, on the other hand, could mean that California logistics businesses will need to cut the same number of jobs. It also might siphon off the flow of Chinese money into Los Angeles, the report said. Our voracious appetite for Chinese goods has funneled money into Chinese hands, which comes back to California in the form of hefty spending on condos, movie studios and even carmakers. Axing imports from China might mean that investment dwindles in the future. Trump has sent mixed messages on his immigration plans, saying both that he plans to deport all 11 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally and that he plans to focus on the ones with criminal records. Californias farmers are probably rooting for moderation on that issue. About half of all agriculture workers in the state came here illegally, the Anderson report said. Eliminating that chunk of the workforce would make vegetables and fruits more expensive, said Jerry Nickelsburg, another UCLA economist who co-wrote the report. Those crops still need to be tended to by a lot of human hands. Farmers would have to give workers a raise, but they would probably still face a labor shortage and have to cut some of their output, reducing the supply of strawberries and artichokes, for example, and boosting prices for shoppers. In the short run you have less food produced in California, you have higher prices for that food, Nickelsburg said. The report suggests that the poorest workers who legally reside in Los Angeles county would have a better chance of keeping their jobs if an estimated 1 million workers in the county illegally were to leave. Yu, the UCLA economist, assumes that businesses in the county will eventually cut jobs in response to a rising minimum wage in California, which will hit $15 an hour by 2022. Angelenos who are here legally would benefit from not having to compete with a large group of workers here illegally for a smaller pool of low-wage jobs. Another potential bright spot for California: Trumps promise to raise military spending. The state is a juggernaut in aerospace and defense manufacturing, thanks to plants in Southern California that produce hardware and companies in Silicon Valley that develop some of the technology behind sophisticated weaponry. We will get a disproportionate amount of that business, Nickelsburg said. Natalie.Kitroeff@latimes.com Follow me @NatalieKitro on Twitter ALSO GOP to start Obamacare repeal Jan. 3 (but might not finish until 2019) Trump wants the contract to develop a new Air Force One canceled, calling the program ridiculous Son of incoming national security advisor fired from Trump transition team after promoting fake news Australian entrepreneur and film producer Andrew Banks, who appears on the television series Shark Tank Australia, has cut a deal in Beverly Hills, selling his 10,522-square-foot home for $15.955 million. Thats a solid return on investment for Banks, who paid $9.18 million for the half-acre property four years ago. He had asked as much as $17.495 million for the home, records show. Advertisement The home, which draws from European influences, was built in 1997 and extensively renovated during Banks ownership. Among details of note is a blue-hued living room, a music room with a wet bar and a gym/yoga studio. Two curving staircases flank the vaulted foyer, which is topped by a modern chandelier. An office, a theater, an elevator, four fireplaces, seven bedrooms and 10 bathrooms also lie within the home. The master suite has a sauna and a private terrace with a view of the city lights. Outdoors, tall privacy hedges shade a swimming pool and spa, a pool house with a sauna and an outdoor kitchen. A guest house sits at the rear of the grounds, and a motor court fronts the double-gated property. James Harris, David Parnes and Marisa San Antonio, all with the Agency, were the listing agents. Marc Noah of Sothebys International Realty represented the buyer. Banks has been a panelist on Shark Tank Australia since last year. He previously co-founded the recruitment company Morgan & Banks and the human resources company Talent2 International. His production company, Lila 9th Productions, was founded a year ago. neal.leitereg@latimes.com Twitter: @NJLeitereg MORE FROM HOT PROPERTY: Jessica Alba seeks $11,500 a month for furnished home in Beverly Hills Lilo & Stich director Dean DeBlois goes Victorian in La Canada Flintridge Full House creator sells spec house above Sunset Strip for $20.2 million Bel-Air home built for child actress Jane Withers is up for sale at $6 million Actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler of The Sopranos fame has closed the book on her home in Hollywood Hills West, selling the two-story for $2.025 million, or $25,000 shy of her asking price. The contemporary house, built in 1936, sits behind hedges and fences and is entered through a front courtyard. The roughly 2,200 square feet of interior space includes a living room with a fireplace, a formal dining room, an updated kitchen and a media room. The master suite has an updated bathroom topped with skylights for a total of three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Advertisement French doors extend the living space outside, where mature landscaping surrounds a swimming pool and spa. A slab concrete patio with a built-in bar fills out the setting. Cameron Christensen of Keller Williams had the listing and also represented the buyer, who TMZ reports is fashion blogger and television host Louise Roe. Sigler, 35, shared a Screen Actors Guild Award for her role as Meadow Soprano in The Sopranos. Among her other credits are the series Entourage, Ugly Betty and Guys with Kids. This year, she appeared in the film comedy Loserville. neal.leitereg@latimes.com Twitter: @NJLeitereg MORE FROM HOT PROPERTY: Beverly Hills home of Shark Tank Australia personality fetches $16 million Modern take on a classic style in Hollywood Hills Jessica Alba seeks $11,500 a month for furnished home in Beverly Hills Lilo & Stich director Dean DeBlois goes Victorian in La Canada Flintridge When smartwatch maker Pebble Technology Corp. went up against Apple and Google last year, industry insiders described it as a battle between David and Goliath. On Wednesday, David lost. Pebble, one of the first companies to manufacture smartwatches, announced on its website that it would shut down and sell its software and intellectual property to Fitbit Inc., which also plans to hire some of Pebbles key personnel. Due to various factors, Pebble is no longer able to operate as an independent entity, Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky said in a blog post published Wednesday on the Redwood City, Calif., companys website. We have made the tough decision to shut down the company and no longer manufacture Pebble devices. Advertisement Migicovsky did not explain why Pebble could no longer operate independently, and the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Fitbit, the publicly traded fitness tracker firm, confirmed it will snap up Pebbles key personnel and intellectual property related to software and firmware development, but the acquisition excludes hardware. The San Francisco company wouldnt disclose the terms of the deal because the acquisition is not material to Fitbits financials, a Fitbit spokeswoman said in an email. Analysts say the acquisition of Pebbles software and engineers will bolster Fitbits own efforts to compete in the wearables market. Smartwatches like the Apple Watch, which now double as fitness trackers, have also eaten into Fitbits market share. The fitness tracker companys growth has hit a wall in recent months, with lagging sales and expansion difficulties. The company lowered its financial forecast for the current financial year in November, which sent its stock plummeting some 30%, to $8.51 a share. The stock is yet to recover, closing at $7.97 on Wednesday. Fitbits spokeswoman declined to specify how many Pebble employees would be joining Fitbit, but confirmed that the majority of Pebble employees in the software engineering function, as well as select employees in other functions, would join the company. Pebble is believed to have a little over 100 employees. The company laid off 40 employees in March, which constituted roughly 25% of its workforce at the time. For many in the technology industry, Pebbles sale and shutdown seemed inevitable after heavyweight firms such as Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc.s Google threw their hats into the smartwatch ring. Despite offering the first smartwatch that enabled users to receive phone notifications and send and receive text messages from their wrist and change their digital watch faces using software, Pebble was dealt a blow when Google released Android Wear in 2014 and Apple launched the Apple Watch last year. The company helped put smartwatches on the tech radar in 2012 when it launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the development of the first Pebble watch. The campaign raised more than $10 million in 30 days, making it one of the most successful Kickstarter fundraisers at the time. The company attracted a loyal following of early adopters, but it struggled to crack the mainstream market. They were competing against behemoths, said Daniel Matte, an analyst who covers wearables for research firm Canalys. They did everything they could to flesh out the platform and its features, but once Apple shipped the Apple Watch, it became a very difficult game to play. Aside from having a fraction of Apples and Googles resources, Pebble couldnt compete with firms that not only built smartwatches, but also owned the smartphone ecosystem. Most smartwatches Pebble included connect to smartphones. With the Apple Watch tied to the iPhones iOS operating system, and Googles Android Wear tied to Android devices, that kind of tight integration excludes competition, Matte said. Apple has been the largest vendor of smartwatches this year, with sales of the Apple Watch Series 1 and 2 accounting for 2.8 million, or 45.6%, of smartwatches sold in the third quarter of 2016, according to data Canalys compiled. Pebble, in comparison, came in fifth, selling only 130,000 watches in the same quarter, which accounted for 2.2% of smartwatch sales. Matte noted that although the smartwatch and wearables industry has steadily grown, it hasnt taken off in the way tablets and smartphones did following the launch of the iPhone and iPad. For companies such as Apple, Google and Samsung, smartwatch sales have been but a blip on their earnings radar, with Apple still drawing the vast majority of its revenue and profit from iPhone sales, Google from search advertising, and Samsung from its range of phones and home consumer electronics. Pebble, a start-up that only made smartwatches, didnt have that benefit and, according to analysts, it wasnt enough for the company to claim a minuscule slice of an already small category. Pebble had first-mover advantage, but what they lost sight of was they needed to build a relevant ecosystem, said Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst at Moor Insights and Strategy. They did not, and they didnt add enough incremental value to overcome the lack of a robust ecosystem. As part of the shutdown announced Wednesday, Pebble will stop selling and promoting its line of smartwatches. Pebble watches already out in the world will continue to work as normal, but functionality or service quality may be reduced in the future, Migicovsky said. Those who helped fund the watch on Kickstarter who have not yet received their backer rewards perks given in exchange for financial support will receive full refunds, the company said. Despite its failure, Matte said Pebble should be remembered for releasing the first real smartwatch and creating a product category. They punched well above their weight, Matte said. The long-term opportunity just wasnt there. tracey.lien@latimes.com Twitter: @traceylien ALSO Parents, put the phone down after you read this Soylent CEO still hasnt removed remnants of shipping-container home, prosecutor says Instagram is the latest social media firm to tweak its app in an attempt to prevent harassment UPDATES: 2:50 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with additional details and comments. This article was originally published at 10 a.m. After meeting with President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday, Japanese tech billionaire Masayoshi Son said he would invest $50 billion in the United States and commit to creating 50,000 new jobs over an unspecified time period. Son is the founder and chief executive of SoftBank, one of Japans largest technology outfits, which owns the U.S. mobile carrier Sprint. Sprint shares initially spiked after the announcement. Son left Trump Tower in New York after being escorted down the elevator by Trump, who touted the pledge in front of waiting reporters. The announcement is the latest instance in which Trump appears to be conducting economic policy via ad-hoc deal-making sometimes taking credit regardless of whether he deserves it. Last week, the president-elect spoke at the Carrier furnace plant in Indianapolis after the company announced plans to keep 800 jobs at the plant instead of outsourcing them to Mexico. Trump quickly claimed he had saved those positions, even though the company is still shifting more than 1,000 jobs from that factory and another Indiana plant to Mexico. Advertisement Similarly, the week after the election, Trump tweeted that he had dissuaded Ford Motor Co. from moving a Kentucky factory to Mexico. The claim was a stretch; Ford had no plans to move the plant and had already agreed to keep producing one specific model there, although it did back away from a plan to shift production of the Lincoln MKC, a small SUV, from Louisville to Cuautitlan, Mexico. Trump quickly took credit for Sons commitment on Tuesday, writing on Twitter: Masa said he would never do this had [Trump] not won the election! I just came to celebrate his new job, Son said. I said, This is great, the U.S. will become great again. Trump plans to meet with leading tech executives next week, a group that will include venture capitalist Peter Thiel one of Trumps few supporters in Silicon Valley and Cisco Systems CEO Chuck Robbins. The job commitments that Trump claims to have produced are symbolically resonant. Still, the economy has generated 2.25 million new jobs in the last 12 months and many economists say that accelerating this pace may be difficult in the long run because of the aging U.S. population. Financial details about Sons commitment and its time frame remain unclear. SoftBank and T-Mobile did not answer emailed questions. Sprint spokesman Dave Tovar referred questions to SoftBank. Foxconn, a tech manufacturer that makes iPhones for Apple in China, also did not answer questions. Its logo was next to SoftBanks on a piece of paper Son carried. Sprint has struggled since SoftBank acquired it in 2013. The carriers attempt to join with rival T-Mobile failed in 2014 after regulators objected to combining two of the four largest mobile telecom companies in the United States. T-Mobile has surpassed Sprint to become the No. 3 carrier, while Sprint has struggled with cost cuts and layoffs. (AT&T and Verizon are the largest wireless carriers.) Analysts have predicted, however, that a Trump-led Justice Department and Federal Communications Commission would be more likely to allow telecom mergers, including a deal between Sprint and T-Mobile. T-Mobile has 50,000 employees and a stock market value of $46 billion but the similarities between those numbers and Sons commitment could just be a coincidence. In October, SoftBank announced that it would establish a $25-billion fund for technology investments that could grow to $100 billion. SoftBank said it signed an agreement with a fund run by the government of Saudi Arabia and other investors. In addition to Sprint, SoftBank owns Britains ARM Holdings. ARM is known as an innovator in Internet-connected devices and in technology used in smartphones. It also sells the Pepper human-shaped companion robot for homes and businesses and runs a solar energy business in Japan. The company, founded in 1981, also has within its investment empire financial technology and ride-booking services. With Los Angeles prosecutors bearing down over his unsightly shipping container of a home, Soylent Chief Executive Robert Rhinehart took action. He removed the giant structure from his hilltop property in July and apologized for disrupting neighbors with his housing experiment. But since then, Rhinehart has failed to take the final steps needed to avoid up to two years in jail for unpermitted development. City prosecutor Michelle McGinnis told a court Tuesday that building and safety inspectors continue to find Rhineharts property out of compliance. An inspection Monday revealed pylons and graffiti at the Montecito Heights site, perched on what locals know as Flat Top hill. Advertisement Its unclear why Rhinehart hasnt finished clearing the 8,400-square-foot property. Attorney Richard Kaplan, appearing in Los Angeles County Superior Court on behalf of Rhinehart, declined to comment. Rhinehart is expected to receive a lesser penalty if he pleads guilty to several code violations, but he cant do that until hes in compliance. The next check-in is scheduled for March 8. Turning shipping containers into shops or livable spaces has become trendy. But Rhineharts property drew scorn from neighbors, whove said he didnt spend much time actually living there. That turned it into a target for vandals near a popular sunset-gazing spot. More than anything, neighbors expressed frustration that Rhinehart bypassed permitting processes many of them had to endure. He has said he has broader vision for the Montecito Heights land, but hasnt revealed details. The case has been only one facet of a difficult few months for Soylent. The Los Angeles start-up, formally Meow Global Networks Inc., sells several food products designed to be a more efficient take on traditional meals. Instead of cooking a full plate of food, Soylent customers can fill themselves with a milky substance that includes soy, vitamins, minerals and algal oil. The company contends its everything a person needs for nutrition. But the business recalled two product lines this fall after determining that some ingredients may have been sickening consumers. Soylent plans to reformulate those offerings. paresh.dave@latimes.com / PGP Twitter: @peard33 What have you ever come up with?! That question arrives near the end of The Founder, a sharp and satisfyingly fat-free account of how a wily salesman took a lucrative Southern California burger joint and turned it into the worlds biggest fast-food empire. Given what weve seen up until that point a reluctant deal with the devil that has all but pushed two hardworking brothers out of their own company its a reasonable enough inquiry. You might well be reminded of a similarly scornful question (What do you do?!) posed in another recent biopic of a much more iconic American entrepreneur. In each film its implied that the man in charge Steve Jobs of Apple, Ray Kroc of McDonalds is little more than a glorified parasite, a corporate maverick with a genius for seizing, amplifying and profiting from the contributions of his more talented, more principled underlings. Jobs and Kroc were, of course, very different people and businessmen, and Steve Jobs and The Founder are accordingly distinct movies. Sturdily directed by John Lee Hancock from a shrewd script by Robert Siegel, The Founder moves briskly and assuredly from one well-constructed scene to the next, propelled by currents of dialogue that, while barbed and engaging, have none of Aaron Sorkins hyper-articulate verbal fireworks. Advertisement What the two movies do have in common with each other, and with another Sorkin-scripted drama, The Social Network is a fascination with a powerfully disruptive moment in American commerce. They also prove more than willing to defy the traditional, often tedious dramatic logic that a protagonist particularly one based on a real-life person must be an inherently heroic or likable figure. Thats not to suggest that we feel nothing for Kroc, who is played with alternately ratty and reptilian intelligence by Michael Keaton an actor too generous, and too instinctively fair-minded, not to imbue even his most unsavory alter egos with at least a glimmer of soul. When we first meet Kroc in 1954, wearily hawking milkshake machines at drive-in diners across the heartland, were impressed by the practiced fluency of his sales pitch even as we sense the corroded spirit behind it; the trappings of personal failure and disappointment are as unmistakable and overpowering as the smell of fry grease. But when Kroc hears about McDonalds Hamburgers, a restaurant out in San Bernardino that has become an overnight sensation, he makes the long drive west to meet Richard Dick McDonald (Nick Offerman) and Maurice Mac McDonald (John Carroll Lynch). The brothers happily explain how they tossed out the problematic drive-in model and introduced the kind of speed, consistency and convenience all-paper packaging, a mechanized system of production and assembly that we have long since come to associate with not just the McDonalds brand, but the fast-food industry in general. The flashback-heavy sequence that brings all this together tightly edited by Robert Frazen, in rhythm with the McDonalds employees own clockwork-precise movements is a small masterpiece of narrative compression. Its also a deceptively optimistic tribute to American innovation in action. You might not emerge from The Founder craving a hamburger with a machine-tooled distribution of onions, pickles, ketchup and mustard but you cant help but admire the skill and ingenuity with which it all comes together. Something similar might be said of The Founder, whose sneaky brilliance lies in its tonal control, its way of calling our own sympathies and ideals into question. At every step the movie honors the McDonald brothers decency and humility, their heroic commitment to ensuring quality at their flagship San Bernardino location. (Lynch and Offermans good-bro-bad-bro routine is a delight.) But it also allows us to appreciate Krocs thrilling, enormous vision of those heavenly Golden Arches stretching from coast to coast. Finally winning over the brothers, he tells them, Do it for America. Hancock traces the fallout of this Faustian bargain with impressive nuance, clarity and a rigorous attention to the sort of procedural minutiae the laws and loopholes of franchise real estate, the moral and logistical implications of a powdered milkshake that might have bogged down a less assured telling. In doing so, he turns the unlikely subject of a fast-food chain into a quasi-religious satire, a parable of American striving and, ultimately, a study of artisanal integrity gradually caving in to commercial compromise. That tension was also at the heart of Hancocks previous film, Saving Mr. Banks, an under-appreciated comic portrait of the author P.L. Travers and her battle with Walt Disney for the soul of Mary Poppins. Like that movie, The Founder bolsters its leads with several perfectly calibrated supporting performances, including from B.J. Novak as Harry Sonneborn, the finance whiz who would eventually become McDonalds Corp.s first president and CEO, and Linda Cardellini as Joan Smith, a business associate whose seductive ruthlessness turns out to match Krocs own. Best of all is Laura Dern, tamping down her natural radiance and letting a silent tragedy play out in the face of Krocs long-neglected wife, Ethel. One of the smoothest, most reliable craftsmen now working in Hollywood, Hancock has a particular feel for smart, uncondescending stories set in the American heartland (as does Siegel, who wrote the scripts for The Wrestler and Big Fan). He also brings to the table a subtly sardonic attitude that helps cut through the sentimentalism that creeps in around the edges of his movies, including The Rookie and The Blind Side. That attitude is especially pronounced in The Founder, as evidenced by Carter Burwells moody, jaundiced score, and by the work of the cinematographer John Schwartzman, who often favors long shots over closeups a tactic that especially suits the movies visual tribute to the heyday of the American drive-in diner, as well as its grim montages of identical-looking McDonalds locations opening in state after state, city after city. The Founder isnt a McDonalds takedown in the manner of, say, Morgan Spurlocks documentary Super Size Me; it is, on one level, an elegy for what the company might have been, but its also wise enough to know that McDonalds is interesting only because of what it became. Not without reason, many will interpret the movie as a timely study in Trumpian decadence, the story of an unprincipled self-made businessman trampling over a nations higher ideals. I myself couldnt help but wonder if the movie struck a particularly resonant chord with executive producers Bob and Harvey Weinstein, two empire builders who know firsthand what it feels like to have a family-branded company taken away from them. I also had to marvel at the irony that a movie about the challenges of promotion and distribution has, until now, been so clumsily mishandled in those departments up to and including the Weinstein Co.s decision, after months of repositioning The Founder on its 2016 release calendar, to move up its Oscar-qualifying run at the last minute. The film is now playing for a week at Arclight Cinemas in Hollywood, and will open wide on Jan. 20. Whether you see it now or later, its a tastier, more nourishing meal than the packaging implies. ------------ The Founder MPAA rating: PG-13, for brief strong language Running time: 1 hour, 55 minutes Playing: Arclight Cinemas, Hollywood See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Pro-government troops in Syria have swept into the Old City quarter of Aleppo, swiftly moving toward a complete takeover of the city from rebels who had once hoped to use it as a springboard to national power. Aid groups reported Wednesday that more than 31,000 people had been displaced by fighting in the last 10 days as troops loyal to President Bashar Assad bombarded eastern neighborhoods in an effort to dislodge the insurgents from their last stronghold. Although a government victory in Aleppo would not end the war, it would place Assad as the undisputed master of Syrias major cities. For the rebels, losing Aleppo would be a powerful blow to their legitimacy as a military force that has long sought more committed support from the international community. Advertisement As the crisis deepened, the White House on Wednesday joined major Western allies in condemning the humanitarian disaster gripping the city and reiterated demands for an urgent cease-fire. Russia and China on Monday vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have included a halt to Russian and Syrian bombardments to allow for aid and escape by civilians. The United States, along with Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, accused Russia of preventing the U.N. from being able to put an end to the atrocities that the Syrian government, backed by Russia and Iran, is committing. These include the deliberate bombings of hospitals and schools and wholesale slaughter of civilians, the countries said. Civilian sites appear to be the targets of attack in an attempt to wear people down, the countries statement continued. The images of dying children are heartbreaking. A humanitarian disaster is taking place before our very eyes. State media reported Tuesday that the government army and its allies had taken back at least five neighborhoods. By the next morning, the rebels had abandoned their positions in the Old City quarter, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a pro-opposition watchdog. Several more neighborhoods fell Wednesday. Government supporters posted video on social media showing residents on the western side of the city cheering the takeover. Opposition loyalists seemed to acknowledge defeat in their posts about infighting among rebel factions remaining in the city. With their enclave disintegrating, many rebels escaped through a narrow corridor near the citadel a majestic hilltop palace now ravaged by fighting into the few square miles that remain toward the southern part of the city. The rebels launched shells into government-held west Aleppo late Tuesday, killing 11 people, the official Syrian Arab News Agency, or SANA, reported. It did not specify whether the dead were soldiers or civilians. A Russian colonel serving as a military advisor was killed in what the Russian Defense Ministry described Wednesday as rebel shelling of residential neighborhoods. Despite the opposition losses, Zakaria Malahifji, a Turkey-based political spokesman for the rebel faction Fastaqim Kama Umert said the rebels had no plans to surrender. There have been collapses, and the opposition has lost neighborhoods, but there is still insistence and steadfastness on some fronts, he said. On a pro-opposition Facebook page, one poster claiming to be a rebel in Aleppo vowed to keep fighting, writing: O soldiers of Bashar [Assad], dance and cheer, for in the coming hours we will drink of your blood. In areas once held by the rebels, the long-running humanitarian crisis grew more dire, aid groups said. Estimates of the population in rebel-held east Aleppo vary wildly depending on the source, from 60,000 to more than 275,000. Tens of thousands of people have escaped to government-controlled areas and the Sheik Maqsood neighborhood, which is controlled by a Kurdish militia. SANA reported that 200 civilians were allowed to leave rebel-held zones Tuesday. But opposition supporters accused the government of arresting hundreds of fleeing residents and called for safe passage out of the country. An unknown number of civilians burrowed deeper into shrinking rebel territory, where aid groups say a months-long blockade has severely depleted food supplies. Im waiting here, Mahmoud Raslan, an opposition activist, said Wednesday over the messaging service WhatsApp from the Sukkari district, as government shelling continued. If the revolutionaries leave, Ill go with them, since I have a family and children. But if theyre staying, Ill stay. Diaa Absi, a resident of east Aleppo contacted on social media, explained his decision to stay: Why arent we leaving? Because the army and Russia have not opened for us passages to the countryside. At the same time, he wrote, If the army comes to us, we will be slaughtered. The Syrian government appeared unwilling to to negotiate a cease-fire. Syria confirms that it will not leave its citizens in east Aleppo hostage to the terrorists, said a statement issued Wednesday by the countrys Foreign Ministry, employing the governments term for the rebels. We will expend all possible effort to liberate them and reject any attempt from any side to [establish] a cease-fire in east Aleppo, unless it includes the exit of all the terrorists from it. Bashar Jaafari, Syrias ambassador to the U.N., said that previous cease-fires had only been an opportunity for the rebels to regroup in order to resume fighting. The U.S., France and Britain have made the U.N. a pulpit to defend the terrorists in Syria. The member states of the U.N. should not stand behind resolutions that serve only to strengthen terrorism and feed it in Syria, he said in a statement Monday to the U.N. Security Council. Bulos is a special correspondent. Times staff writer Tracy Wilkinson in Washington contributed to this report. ALSO Q&A: Michael Fallon, the British defense secretary, talks terrorism and Trump Rescue crews search for survivors of Indonesia quake that killed at least 97 people Iowa governor, who has long ties to Beijing, is selected as Trumps ambassador to China Women empowerment: Millions of women in China became entrepreneurs, thanks to loans granted by the government through local banks. (Above) A fruit stall owner checks on her merchandise. (Photo : Getty Images) For the second quarter of the year, the government provided loans amounting to some 279.4 billion yuan to 5.38 million women who expressed desire to go into business, reported China Daily. According to the State Council Information Office, many of the loan applicants came from the poor sector. Advertisement One of those whose loan got approved said that she dreamt of running her own business. Thirty-one-year-old Chang Ling from Wulian County, Shandong Province, borrowed 50,000 yuan from a local bank to start a home-based business. She now makes dried sweet potatoes and sells them online. With these government loans worth billions paving the way for the existence of millions of first-time female entrepreneurs, it seems that the administration indeed walks the talk. In a letter written for the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the U.N. Declaration on the Right to Development held last Sunday, President Xi Jinping said, China sees development as the key to solve all of the countrys problems. Development, according to the president, is the governments top priority. The move for the government to grant billions of loans likewise supports some of the proposals included in Chinas 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), such as to fast-track financial reforms, to improve livelihoods and to strengthen fiscal reforms. The 12th National People Congress approved the FYP, the countrys economic and social development outline on March. In his speech delivered at the aforementioned U.N. Declaration anniversary, Liu Qibao, CPC Central Committees Propaganda Department Head, said that the development being pursued by China has helped both its own people and those in other countries. Liu said that the government worked on alleviating the lives of 700 million poverty-stricken Chinese. He added that China extended assistance worth more than 400 billion yuan to 166 countries and organizations worldwide. According to the document titled, The Right to Development: Chinas Philosophy, Practice and Contribution, issued by the State Council Information Office on Dec. 1, the Chinese government formulates special action plans in the fields of economy, culture, society and environment to ensure peoples right to development, reported Xinhua. The government has implemented a wide array of action plans in areas such as poverty alleviation, the Internet, innovation and entrepreneurship, science and technology, trade and regional development. These statements echo what is stated in Article I of the Declaration on the Right to Development: The right to development is an inalienable human right by virtue of which every human person and all peoples are entitled to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realized. The U.N. adopted the declaration on Dec. 4, 1986. In one corner, a Silicon Valley mogul and oceanfront property owner who doesnt like sharing Martins Beach with us riffraff. In the other corner, beach-going Californians who enjoyed that beach south of Half Moon Bay for decades, only to be locked out by the billionaire bully. The scrum got dragged before the California State Lands Commission Tuesday in Sacramento, and state officials puffed their chests and threw a couple of sharp jabs at Vinod Khosla. But behind every billionaire who wants his way is a battalion of attorneys whose job is to deliver the goods. So you get the feeling were still in the early rounds of a long fight that has already been going on through several years and four lawsuits. Advertisement Were entering the next phase here, and we are leaning in, said Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Lands Commission member and candidate for governor. And we are not happy about this impasse, and we are resolved to doing something about it. Like what, exactly? Theyre directing staff to look into the matter, and lay out a strategy for possibly condemning the property and claiming it through eminent domain. We are now moving in that direction in earnest, said Newsom. He added: We are resolved to provide public access to this public resource. Well, that would sure be nice. And I speak from personal experience, because I visited Martins Beach twice this summer on a tour marking the 40-year anniversary of the Coastal Act, the prevailing law on preserving the coast and maximizing public access to it. Its a brilliant document, initiated by the will of voters who believed too much of their coast was being walled off to the public, and Khosla seems to have enjoyed spitting all over it. Martins Beach is a lovely cove framed on the north side by Shark Tooth Rock, a striking formation that catches rolling waves and sprays them skyward. Well into the last century, surfers, fishermen and swimmers paid the previous owners small fee to drive down the incline and park near the waters edge. But Khosla, who bought the sprawling slice of paradise for $32 million in 2008, argued that beach erosion and insurance liabilities made it necessary to end the party, and besides, the number of visitors had dropped off dramatically. He began locking a gate, running afoul of the California Coastal Commission, which said he didnt get the required permit. This week, by the way, the Coastal Commission will begin imposing fines as high as $11,250 on private land owners who deny public access to beaches. Its too bad that Khosla didnt get slapped like that beginning several years ago. Even for a billionaire, that would sting after a while. Better yet, if his gate was deemed a violation, it should have been ripped down and hauled away. Khoslas 89-acre spread isnt the only privately owned property on the California coast. But private property or not, the public has a right to frolic on wet sand, and where theres a history of public access, it cant be denied without cause. At one point this summer, I flew north and drove to Khoslas office near Stanford University to hear his argument for kicking sand in the face of people trying to enjoy Martins Beach. He told me hed talk if the conversation was not for publication, partly because of the lawsuits in play. That was his non-negotiable offer, he said, and by the way, he was a busy man, so I could take it or leave it. I left it. The entrance to Martins Beach is locked by a security gate. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times ) Tuesdays Lands Commission decision followed two years of unsuccessful attempts to negotiate a purchase price for a thin, fractional slice of Khoslas property to allow for a public access trail. The state offered $360,000, but Khosla slapped taxpayers in the face by demanding $30 million. Tuesdays decision to investigate the use of eminent domain was cheered by State Sen. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo), who has introduced legislation to secure funding for the purchase of enough land to build a trail. When you look at the estimated cost of $360,000, even if you tripled that and made it a million or two, the county of San Mateo has said its willing to contribute and many land trusts are willing to help, said Hill. Hill said he was thrilled to see that the commission appeared to be moving aggressively against Khosla. But not everyone saw it that way. This is an invitation for another year of delay, said attorney Mark Massara, who worked on a lawsuit filed against Khosla by the Surfrider Foundation. Newsom, while calling for a strategy to consider eminent domain, didnt rule out the possibility of salvaging a negotiated settlement. It occurred to me, in fact, that talk of eminent domain might have been a ploy to scare Khosla into compromise. We already know hes not going to cooperate or collaborate. Mark Massara, attorney who worked on a lawsuit filed against Khosla Julie Graves, a supporter of public access to Martins Beach, displays a sign during a meeting of the State Lands Commission, in Sacramento, Calif. (Rich Pedroncelli / AP ) If so, it wont work, said Massara, who has visited Martins Beach for many years and surfed there during one of my visits this past summer. Its obvious Vinod is acting in bad faith, he said. We already know hes not going to cooperate or collaborate. Massara disputed the Lands Commission claim that it has to get its seagulls in order, develop a plan and consider environmental requirements before initiating eminent domain. If the commission was playing hardball, he said, all of that would have been done by now. What are they going to do, do an [environmental impact report] for this? All theyre doing is providing a road map for other land owners who want to prevent public access, he said. Massara said the commission is being run around the block by Khosla, and estimated it could cost more tax dollars to study eminent domain than to pay a fair price for the land. This is just kicking the can down the beach, he said. Well have to wait and see about that. But not for too long, I hope. Get more of Steve Lopezs work and follow him on Twitter @LATstevelopez MORE FROM STEVE LOPEZ The mystery of the missing campaign signs, and how they tie back to the Coastal Commission The Trump victory, the threat to Californias greatest natural resource, and the new urgency for a strong Coastal Commission Who should pay fines if coastal commissioners are found guilty of breaking rules? Them or taxpayers? A complaint about wires sparking had been lodged to no avail. A smoke detector required by code was not in place. The fire spread rapidly, trapping the victims. The blaze occurred in 1997 and killed four young children and a grandmother. A San Francisco public housing agency that owned the building was held primarily accountable. A jury awarded family members $15 million $3 million for each of the dead. As investigators probe the cause of last weeks deadly warehouse fire in Oakland, past cases like the 1997 fire offer a window into the potential legal consequences for those found responsible when negligence claims lives. Advertisement Lawsuits against property owners have produced huge verdicts and often years of efforts to recover the money. In some cases, criminal charges have been filed, with mixed results. The Oakland fire is just an enormous tragedy, and clearly it is the result of people not paying attention to safety, said Thomas J. Brandi, a San Francisco trial lawyer whose firm represented the family of the 1997 fire victims. At least 36 people perished in Oaklands fire, which consumed a warehouse where people were living in violation of city codes and under conditions that witnesses said included exposed dangling wires, makeshift heating from propane tanks and only one usable exit a rickety staircase made of pallets. Some Bay Area lawyers said they already have been contacted to represent people in cases stemming from the fire. Wrongful-death lawsuits could name the property owner and the man who leased the building and allegedly sublet it to others, lawyers said. Other potential lawsuit targets, they added, include any contractors, engineers and architects who worked on the site over the years; the city of Oakland; promoters of the musical event held the night of the fire and possibly even manufacturers of items inside the building that may have sparked or contributed to the blaze. Criminal charges could include misdemeanor code violations on up to manslaughter, legal experts said. The top prosecutor overseeing a criminal investigation of the fire said charges might even include murder. In a case like the Oakland fire, the first issue is going to be who has exposure or liability, said Niall McCarthy, a trial lawyer who represented victims of a 1996 San Francisco balcony collapse. The property owner, the building manager and the promoter are going to have liability. They are the primary targets. McCarthy said family members of two victims contacted his firm this week about potential lawsuits. He tried a case against the owner of the apartment building where a deck, infested with dry rot, collapsed. One person was killed and more than a dozen injured. McCarthy said lawsuits recovered more than $12 million. As in the Oakland fire, a criminal probe into the deck collapse was launched. San Francisco prosecutors charged the landlord with involuntary manslaughter. A jury deadlocked on the felony charge, and the landlord instead was convicted of misdemeanor code violations. Civil suits require victims to prove their case by a preponderance of the evidence, a substantially lower standard than in a criminal case: beyond a reasonable doubt. Given the large number of victims in Oakland, civil lawyers would search for defendants with the ability to pay large amounts of damages, those with deep pockets. If Chor N. Ng, the owner of the warehouse, were found liable, lawyers would attempt to recover damages from her insurance company and by going after her other assets, which include several other properties. Lawyers have probably already gone on Zillow to look up the owners properties, said Patricia E. Henle, a San Francisco trial lawyer. Ngs daughter, Eva Ng, told The Times that the warehouse was leased to an art collective and that no one lived there. Buildings with residents must meet stricter codes than warehouses, and some former tenants reportedly have said they would hide evidence of residency when the owner visited. Still, landlords have a legal duty to act reasonably and cant just turn a blind eye to what is going on with their property, Brandi said. Mary E. Alexander, who represented fire victims of the 2010 pipeline explosion in San Bruno, Calif., said damages would depend on what the defendants knew, when they knew it and the kind of notice they had. You have a responsibility to know how your property is being used, Alexander said. Another potential deep pocket would be the city of Oakland, which probably would assert governmental immunity. Lawyers said they would want to pore over Fire Department records to determine if the property was regularly inspected. They also would search building records for permits for work done on the property over the years. Any time a building is altered, it must meet the requirements of codes at the time of the remodel. An Oakland city clerk said information about any work done on the burned warehouse might not be available for 10 days. The building was leased to an artist colony managed by Derick Almena, who lived on the second floor and allegedly subleased space to other residents. The building was not zoned for residential use. Kevin C. Brown, an Oakland real estate broker who has bought, sold and managed property in the Bay Area for 39 years, said the terms of the lease, which are not known publicly, would be illuminating. But this is a problem that is widespread even for units zoned for residential use, Brown said.It is not just isolated to one or two buildings in Oakland. It is very common in the Bay Area. He said owners may make tenants sign leases prohibiting subletting, but some cities allow it in buildings permitted for residences. City law trumps contract law, he said. Owners often lose control of their buildings, said Brown, a past president of the California Assn. of Realtors. If the criminal investigation into the fire produces charges, they most likely would be manslaughter and misdemeanor code violations, former prosecutors said. A first-degree murder charge requires premeditation. An arsonist, for instance, could be charged with murder. Second-degree murder requires implied malice, which may occur when someone kills or injures another during the course of an illegal or disreputable act. Manslaughter does not require malice or intent. It is basically creating an inherently dangerous situation, said Joseph P. Russoniello, a former federal and local prosecutor in San Francisco. Obviously the city and county are going to be under incredible pressure to look at everyone as thoroughly as possible. Dan OMalley, a former Contra Costa County prosecutor and judge, said second-degree murder occurs when someone understands an act could result in loss of life and does it anyway. He said prosecutors would be hard pressed to prove a building owner had implied malice unless there was a history of similar problems causing harm. Involuntary manslaughter charges are more likely, he said, adding that he had not discussed the situation with Alameda County Dist. Atty. Nancy OMalley, who is heading the criminal probe into the fire and who is his sister. Depending on what investigators find, it is very realistic that someone will be charged with 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter, OMalley said. The Los Angeles Unified School District has set up a hotline and opened extended support sites to respond to a high level of student anxiety about the election of Donald Trump as president. Parents and teachers learned about the new resources in a recorded call Monday from district Supt. Michelle King. She said the aim was to answer students questions and address their worries about potential impact on them and their families and to provide you with emotional support, enrollment and attendance information and referrals to outside resources, according to a transcript of the call provided by the district. The message was distributed in English and Spanish. Advertisement The support centers are in local district offices and in the Hollywood field office of Board of Education President Steve Zimmer. Theyll be staffed by district workers from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays without any additional hires, LAUSD spokeswoman Barbara Jones said. The hotline, which will be answered weekdays, is (866) 742-2273. At 9th Street School, a downtown elementary school, interim Principal Antonio Camacho said he planned to discuss Kings message with staff Tuesday afternoon. If teachers have students who are concerned about their safety, I want to make sure they know where to refer them, Camacho said. Jenny Jerome of Pacific Palisades has three children in three different L.A. Unified schools. She was taken aback by the call, which followed earlier outreach about increased school support. No other time in history have we had to have school counselors on duty more because of the person who is supposed to be president, she said. Ive seen kids acting really scared and crying. When she told her children about the call, her son said he already knew about it. The news had come over the public address system in his middle school. L.A. Unified officials took a stand right after the election to say they would protect students from deportation and hate incidents. The week after the election, the school board voted that the citys public schools were safe zones for students in the U.S. illegally, affirming an earlier resolution that employees were not to allow federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents onto campuses without district permission. Zimmer said in a statement the day after the election that with emotions running high, our schools will continue to be the anchors of our neighborhoods. State Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said: I want to let all of Californias 6.2 million public school students know that keeping them safe from discrimination and bullying is a top priority. California already has, and will always maintain, strong legal and state Constitutional protections against any and all kinds of discrimination. Trump campaigned on the promise that he would build a wall to keep out immigrants from Mexico and deport those who had come to the U.S. illegally. Los Angeles Unified is 74% Latino, and the threats hit home for many students. Teachers districtwide spent class time reassuring young people that they would be safe at school. Im not here to deport anyone, history teacher Noemi Morales told a class at Van Nuys Middle School. Im on your side. Im your advocate. Im fighting for you. This is the full transcript of Kings message: Hello. This is Supt. Michelle King with an important message for the L.A. Unified family. Although it has been nearly a month since the presidential election, many of our students still have questions and concerns about potential impact on them and their families. As part of our commitment to providing a safe and positive learning environment, we are providing additional resources for our families. We have opened Extended Support Sites at each of our Local District offices, as well as at the field office of Board President Steve Zimmer. These sites are open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, to provide you with emotional support, enrollment and attendance information and referrals to outside resources. We have also set up a hotline at (866) 742-2273, where you can call with questions and concerns. We invite you to visit lausd.net for details about these and other resources. Thank you. You can reach Joy Resmovits on Twitter @Joy_Resmovits and by email at Joy.Resmovits@LATimes.com. From the moment tenants met Derick Ion Almena, they knew he wouldnt be an ordinary landlord. The 10,000-square-foot warehouse he oversaw in Oaklands Fruitvale neighborhood was overflowing with elaborate decorations, broken musical instruments, beat-up furniture and woven rugs. It struck some visitors as an exotic maze, and others as a terrifying fire hazard, as ungovernable as the personality of the man who operated it. As firefighters continued Tuesday to sift through the remains of the worst structure fire in the U.S. in more than a decade, more details have emerged about Almena, who ran the warehouse, known as the Ghost Ship, as a physical extension of himself. Advertisement Wherever he went, Almena, 47, made a strong impression. Many of those who knew him described him as a narcissist and an opportunist. They said he deftly manipulated those around him, including his longtime partner Micah Allison, 40, who lived with him and their three children on the warehouses second floor. He is able to charm people, but when they dont go along with what he wants he will threaten people, said Allisons father, Michael Allison. Others judged him more gently as a misunderstood eccentric, a crazy uncle, who leased the warehouse and sublet it to musicians and artists who couldnt afford, or didnt want, a more conventional living space. He has kind of childlike characteristics, said Libby Physh, 25, who lived in the warehouse for about five months in 2014, paying $500 a month for one of the half-dozen trailers parked on the Ghost Ships ground floor. Physh said that Almena was devoted to his dream of turning the warehouse into a performance space, and she often saw him repairing parts of the building himself, something Almena has acknowledged he did without the proper permits. I really dont think from what I know of Derick that he had malicious intent at all in creating in this space, Physh said. I dont believe it. Neither Almena nor Allison could be reached for comment for this story. But in a disjointed interview on NBCs Today show Tuesday morning, Almena repeatedly expressed sorrow for the 36 lives lost in the fire. Im only here to say one thing: Im incredibly sorry and that everything that I did was to make this a stronger and more beautiful community and to bring people together, he said. People didnt walk through those doors because it was a horrible place. People didnt seek us out to perform and express themselves because it was a horrible place. When asked if he was accountable, he said, No, Im not going to answer these questions on this level. Id rather get on the floor and be trampled by the parents. Id rather let them tear at my flesh... Almenas legal battles with some of the tenants and partygoers who visited the Ghost Ship are well-documented, but little is known about his life before he popped up in Oaklands underground art scene. Michael Allison said his daughter and Almena both grew up in Southern California and have lived together as wanderers, organizing their lives around Burning Man and other festivals. They had an apartment for a time near MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, where Almena pursued photography and Allison belly danced. In the early 2000s, when Allison became pregnant with the couples first child, they decamped for Mendocino County, where they stayed with one of Almenas relatives. Michael Allison said that Almena worked as a marijuana grower, but that he mainly farmed out tasks to other people and didnt always pay them. 1 / 24 The ruins of the Ghost Ship warehouse in Oakland, the site of a fire that killed at least 36 people, are seen from above on Dec. 5. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 24 Debris litters the inside of a warehouse where a fire killed 36 people during a club-style party. (David Butow / For The Times) 3 / 24 A firefighter walks through the burned-out Oakland warehouse on Saturday. (David Butow / For The Times) 4 / 24 Firefighters walk through a debris-strewn warehouse where a fire killed at least nine people in Oakland. (David Butow / For The Times) 5 / 24 A drone flies over investigators outside Oaklands Ghost Ship warehouse, where 36 people died this month in one of the worst fires in modern California history. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 24 Titus Cromwell, 4, places a flower from his familys garden near the scene of the Ghost Ship warehouse fire in Oakland. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 24 In the days after the Ghost Ship fire in Oakland, hearts dedicated to victims were hung from a nearby tree. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 24 Daryl Norman, 63, of Oakland stops by the scene of the fire on his way to church in Oakland. I had to come see for myself, he said of the 36 victims. God bless them. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 24 People stand at the perimeter holding flowers while watching crews remove material from what remains of the Ghostship warehouse fire, that burned and killed at least 36 people in the Oakland neighborhood of Fruitvale. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 24 An art installation near the scene of the Ghost Ship fire. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 24 People pay their respects Dec. 11 near the scene of the warehouse fire. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 24 Mourners observe a moment of silence for the lives lost in the Ghost Ship warehouse fire at the Oakland Museum of California on Friday evening. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles TImes) 13 / 24 ATF agents map the scene of the fire investigation Friday at the Ghost Ship warehouse in Oakland. (Francine Orr/ Los Angeles Times) (Francine Orr / Los Angeles TImes) 14 / 24 Rain falls on the memorial for victims of the Oakland warehouse fire. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles TImes) 15 / 24 Hillary Morse, 22, of Oakland mourns the loss of two of her close friends in the warehouse fire in Oakland. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 24 Jacob Ramirez, 4, left, looks on while his grandmother Eva Ramirez, 52, consoles Hillary Morse, 22, right, of Oakland near the site of the warehouse fire in Oakland. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 24 Flowers, candles and notes, memorializing those killed and injured in the Ghostship warehouse fire that burned and killed at least 36 people in the Oakland neighborhood of Fruitvale. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 24 A makeshift memorial of flowers and candles stands Dec. 4 near the site of the Oakland warehouse fire. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 24 A man who identified himself as Ben P. reads cards on Sunday at a memorial near the site of the blaze. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 24 Kristen Grzeca, a music teacher at Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, hugs Monina Sen Cervone, director of world music and dance at the school, on Sunday at a makeshift memorial for victims of the warehouse fire. A 17-year-old victim was one of Grzecas students. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 24 After attending church, Teionna Cunningham of Oakland leaves flowers near the site of the fire. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 24 A Seventh Day Adventist group prays on Sunday near the scene of the fire on 31st Avenue in Oakland. (David Butow / For The Times) 23 / 24 Flowers are left near an Oakland warehouse where a fire broke out during a concert, killing 36 people. (David Butow / For The Times) 24 / 24 Dino Graniello, left, and Jessie Xenakis light candles near the scene of a warehouse fire in Oakland that killed at least two dozen partygoers. (David Butow / For The Times) I never saw any evidence of him being physically violent, but he did a lot of intimidating or threatening, said Allison, 60, of Portland, Ore., who never warmed to Almena and said he and other relatives repeatedly tried and failed to persuade his daughter to leave him. By 2013, Almena and Allison had decided to make the warehouse their home. On her Facebook page, Allison called herself the Mother Superior of their artist colony, the Satya Yuga Collective. The couple advertised the building on Craigslist as a hybrid museum, sunken pirate ship, shingled funhouse, and guerrilla gallery. Our aesthetic is far from white-wall, so you will simply have to see it for yourself, read one listing, posted this year. We are a 24 hour creation space. Jay Marsh, 31, moved into the warehouse in August of 2014. It was kind of exciting at first and then quickly became terrifying, he said. Marsh said that on one occasion he witnessed warehouse residents working on the building while under the influence of drugs, including methamphetamine. Hammers pounded on wood for three days without relent, he said. Parties were frequent. Guests and hosts often were severely intoxicated. Untended cigarettes burned next to piles of old, dry wood. The place felt like such a fire hazard, Marsh said, that he bought an extinguisher and slept with it next to his bed the entire four months he lived there. During parties, he said, I would either not come home or stay in my bed hoping nothing caught fire. On one occasion, Marsh said he came home to find adults taking drugs while Almenas two younger children, who were 5 and 3, wandered unsupervised around the warehouse in bare feet. There was wood with nails sticking out all over the place, it was like a construction site, he said. The final straw for Marsh came when Almena became enraged after a dog Marsh was caring for relieved itself on the warehouse floor. He yelled at me and started punching a wall with a mirror on it, until his hand bled, Marsh said. Then he threatened to kill me. Marsh said he left before Thanksgiving. Mariah Benavides, 20, who babysat for the couples kids occasionally starting in 2012, said she recalled several instances in which Almena and Allison left her alone with the children for days at a time while they hosted parties at different venues, including a warehouse called Cloud 9. I spent a lot of nights there, my mom can attest to that, she said. She used to have to come bring me my stuff because Id be there for so long. The couple sometimes paid her in cash, but often tried to compensate her with marijuana, which she said she accepted a few times. Later on, they offered her archery lessons in lieu of money. I was like, No, I dont want that, thank you, she recalled. In 2015, Alameda County Child Protective Services temporarily took Almena and Allisons children away from them. On her Facebook page, Allison chronicled the steps she and Almena took to convince officials of their parental fitness. They were taking parenting, anger management and domestic violence classes. Twice a week their urine was tested for drugs, Allison wrote, adding, We have never tested dirty whatsoever. Earlier this year, the couple regained custody of their children, an outcome that left some of their relatives flummoxed, Michael Allison said. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. But officials said they are looking at a refrigerator or another electrical appliance in the warehouse as possible starting points. When asked during the Today interview about his management of the warehouse, Almena, who was standing outside the charred building, described himself as the father of this space but did not take responsibility for the fire. I didnt do anything ever in my life that would lead me up to this moment, he said. anna.phillips@latimes.com | Twitter: @annamphillips jack.dolan@latimes.com | Twitter: @jackdolanLAT paige.stjohn@latimes.com | Twitter: @paigestjohn Paige St. John reported from Oakland and Phillips and Dolan from Los Angeles. Times staff writer Alene Tchekmedyian contributed to this report. ALSO: Search for bodies in Oakland warehouse fire should be completed by midnight Before deadly Oakland fire, Ghost Ship warehouse was scene of legal sparring and tenant drama Victims of the Oakland warehouse fire: Who they were UPDATES: 6:50 a.m. Dec. 7: This story was updated to add that investigators are looking into an appliance as they search for the cause of the fire. This story was originally published at 9:30 p.m. Dec. 6. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors appointed liberal Democrat Sheila Kuehl to replace conservative Republican Michael D. Antonovich on Southern Californias air quality board Tuesday, ending GOP control over the panel and potentially shifting it back toward stricter regulation of polluters. Kuehls appointment comes 10 months after Republicans gained a seven-member majority on the 13-member South Coast Air Quality Management District board in a push to make it more industry-friendly. Under Republican control, the board fired longtime executive Barry Wallerstein, upheld oil industry-backed rules on smog-forming pollution and took other steps aimed at easing burdens on businesses. For the record: Comments attributed to state Senate Leader Kevin de Leon in a previous version of this story were actually from a statement by his spokesman. In an interview Tuesday, Kuehl described her approach as strongly regulatory and said we need to pay attention to any form of pollution that can be regulated. Advertisement Ill be interested in increasing clean energy in any way possible. Sheila Kuehl, newly appointed air quality board member Kuehl, a former state legislator, is seen as a tough and savvy environmentalist and has previously expressed concerns about the South Coast air boards direction. Her appointment comes as the AQMD is making crucial decisions about how to clean the nations smoggiest air to federal standards over the next 15 years. A big pollution-reduction plan being finalized by the agency focuses heavily on voluntary measures favored by industry that encourage polluters to clean up rather than imposing traditional emissions-cutting rules. The approach relies on finding new funding sources to increase spending on clean-air incentive programs more than 10-fold to $1 billion a year. Environmental and industry groups are wrangling over the details of the plan, scheduled to go to a final vote in February. Kuehl said Tuesday that the agency cannot rely solely on incentives, calling stronger regulations an important tool that has been underutilized by the AQMD. Ill be interested in increasing clean energy in any way possible, she added, noting that she hoped to pursue more vehicle electrification, and perhaps, update rules mandating cleaner government fleets. Kuehl also vowed to reexamine the agencys troubled cap-and-trade program for smog-forming emissions, saying she wanted to look at stronger use of safeguards and regulations. The Regional Clean Air Incentives Market, or RECLAIM program, has been under fire from state regulators, politicians and environmentalists recently for failing to achieve promised emissions reductions from oil refineries and other major polluters. In a report two months ago, the agency itself proposed giving serious consideration to ending the program and adopting traditional regulations in its place. Tracy Hernandez, chief executive of the Los Angeles County Business Federation, noted Kuehls passion and track record for supporting policies that advance cleaner air and said she looks forward to working with her to achieve balanced policies and rule-making decisions at the air district that result in growing jobs and keeping our air clean. Environmentalists welcomed the appointment of Kuehl but said they remain concerned about a business-friendly tilt among both Democrats and Republican members on the panel. One shift on the board doesnt solve the problem, said Adrian Martinez, staff attorney for the environmental law nonprofit Earthjustice. We need strong, clean air voices who are willing to roll up their sleeves and figure out how we solve this air pollution crisis. The changes at the agency follow the worst summer smog season in years, as ozone pollution in Southern California jumped to levels not seen since 2009 and brought an increase of patients seeking medical treatment for respiratory illness. There were 132 bad air days across the ocean-to-mountains basin under AQMDs jurisdiction, up from 112 the previous year. Activists and state legislators have also raised concerns about diversity on the panel, which has no Latino members and few representatives from polluted, inland communities. California Senate Leader Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) sought to shake up the air quality board this year by proposing to add three state-appointed environmental justice members to represent low-income communities. But his legislation failed in the state Assembly. In a statement Tuesday, De Leons spokesman said the Senate leader called Kuehls appointment an important and welcome change but its unfortunate they didnt select an appointee to reflect the diversity of the region. Spokesman Anthony Reyes said De Leon is concerned that many of the pro-polluter regulations since the partisan takeover still remain in place and that the lack of Latino representatives on the panel means the communities who suffer the most do not have a voice. The air quality board consists of elected officials and other appointees from Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties and is responsible for protecting the health of 17 million people across the region. On Friday, the AQMD board voted to formally appoint executive officer Wayne Nastri, a former industry consultant and regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency who was hired to lead the agency eight months ago on an interim basis. Antonovich, who termed out, served as the L.A. County governments representative on the AQMD board for more than 28 years and was succeeded on the Board of Supervisors on Monday by Kathryn Barger. Kuehl is expected to take the countys seat on the air quality board in January. tony.barboza@latimes.com Twitter: @tonybarboza For 15 years, Lee Baca helmed one of the largest police forces in the nation, entrusted with the safety of a population larger than that of many states and a budget in the billions of dollars. As the elected sheriff of Los Angeles County, he commanded 18,000 sworn and civilian employees and oversaw as many inmates in the countys seven jails. On Wednesday, though, his defense to federal criminal allegations of obstruction of justice came down to this: He didnt know what was going on in his own department. Advertisement Baca, his attorney told jurors in opening statements of his public corruption trial, didnt know his deputies were hiding an inmate from federal authorities by changing his name and moving him from jail to jail. He didnt know a federal grand jury had requested testimony from the inmate, who had been helping an FBI investigation into abuse and corruption in the lockups. He didnt know about a new internal policy preventing FBI interviews of inmates, orders for deputies not to cooperate with federal investigators, or a surveillance operation his deputies were conducting on the home of an FBI agent, attorney Nathan Hochman said. Sheriff Baca didnt know, he said, telling the jury there was no evidence of the former sheriff agreeing, condoning, authorizing or knowing of the conspiracy to obstruct the federal investigation. Bacas defense was in direct contrast with a prosecutors contention that the ex-sheriff was, in fact, the heartbeat, the leader and the driving force of a conspiracy that took place over six weeks in the summer of 2011. Bacas second-in-command and eight other sheriffs officials have already been convicted of charges related to what prosecutors say was a plot to stop federal investigators from investigating corruption, beatings and other civil rights abuses in the jails run by the Sheriffs Department. Mr. Baca was at the top of this conspiracy, Assistant U.S. Atty. Brandon Fox told jurors. Fox said emails sent by then-Undersheriff Paul Tanaka at the time were evidence of just how involved Baca was in the steps taken by his subordinates once they had found out about the federal investigation. Sheriff popped in looking for an update. This case is consuming his entire thought process, Tanaka wrote in August 2011, Fox told the jury. The prosecutor also told jurors that they would hear testimony that after a meeting with Baca, Tanaka told his subordinates: Never seen the Sheriff this mad. Were going to do whatever he wants done. Hochman, however, said that it was Tanaka who ran the show. He operated his own agenda. He had people who were loyal to him, not Sheriff Baca, the lawyer said. The opening statements set the stage for the trial of the 74-year-old Baca, one of the most prominent and powerful public figures to face criminal prosecution in California in decades. Baca faces charges of obstruction of justice and conspiracy crimes that almost certainly would send him to prison for several years if he is convicted. The allegations date to 2011, when deputies discovered a phone that had been smuggled to the inmate who was working as an FBI informant. The inmate had been feeding agents information as they investigated allegations that sheriffs deputies beat inmates and received bribes to sneak in contraband. Baca, Fox said, repeatedly turned a blind eye to allegations about abuse of inmates and was outraged by the FBIs efforts to investigate his jails, telling his federal counterparts: Im the goddamn sheriff, these are my goddamn jails. The prosecutor told jurors it was at the sheriffs direction that his deputies conspired to keep the inmate informant from his FBI handlers, thwarted attempts to get the inmate to testify before a grand jury, and threatened and intimidated an FBI agent at her home to get federal investigators to back off. The former sheriff has also been charged with making false statements to federal investigators during a 2013 interview in which he claimed he had not been aware of the plot to obstruct the FBI as it unfolded and played no role in it. U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson has ruled that the lying allegations will be decided in a later trial. Jurors in that case are expected to hear testimony that the sheriff may have been affected by the early stages of Alzheimers disease. Fox noted that while the FBI investigation continued despite the Sheriffs Departments efforts to impede it, and that several deputies have been convicted of civil rights violations for jail beatings, there may have been additional cases that will never come to light because of the conspiracy. The world will never know the full impact of this obstruction, he said. Baca, the prosecutor said, was culpable as the one who was ultimately abusing the power entrusted in him by the citizens of Los Angeles County. Baca, in a charcoal suit and striped tie, calmly watched with brows knitted and hands folded on his legs. Hochman, his attorney, emphasized to jurors that the former sheriff was not on trial for any civil rights charges for allowing abuse and corruption in his jails. He said the sheriff had vast responsibilities and that overseeing Mens Central Jail was a small fraction of his job. Bacas focus upon learning of the FBIs investigation was to get to the bottom of how the phone had been smuggled into the jail, and find out just how compromised the facility and his deputies were, the attorney said. Others went beyond that agenda, and that was wrong, he said. Hochman pointed out various steps the progressive lawman took to improve oversight of the jails during his tenure, which ended when he stepped down in 2014. The lawyer said Baca partnered with the ACLU to install a jail monitor and created the Office of Independent Review, a civilian watchdog group that reviewed internal discipline of employee misconduct. The attorney noted that Fox had referred to a vague they more than 50 times in his opening statement, and accused the government of unfairly lumping Baca in with actions of his subordinates. This case is not about they it is about Sheriff Baca, he said. Following the opening statements, jurors heard from government witnesses who described efforts to alert Baca to the widespread abuses by deputies in the jails and the sheriffs failure to make significant reforms. While not directly related to the charges, prosecutors are trying to establish that Baca had a motive for wanting to thwart the FBI investigation. Two of the witnesses, Mark Rosenbaum and Peter Eliasberg, worked for years to draw attention to jail conditions as attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union. Both testified about imploring the sheriff in letters and at meetings to take concrete steps to address inmate beatings and how they ultimately lost faith in Bacas willingness to do anything. No, Eliasberg said bluntly when Fox asked if he agreed with Bacas description of the ACLU and Sheriffs Department as partners on combating deputy misconduct in the jails. Partners, Eliasberg explained, work together to solve problems. I didnt get the sense they took it seriously, he said. victoria.kim@latimes.com joel.rubin@latimes.com For more news on the federal corruption trial of Lee Baca, follow us on Twitter: @vicjkim and @joelrubin ALSO Search for remains ends at Oakland warehouse with fire death toll at 36 In diverse California, a young white supremacist seeks to convert fellow college students Nearly two dozen complaints had been filed against site of deadly Oakland fire, records show UPDATES: 6:50 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details from the days trial. This article was originally published at 12:20 p.m. The California State Lands Commission decided Tuesday to explore condemnation proceedings as a way to gain public access to Martins Beach, where landowner and Silicon Valley billionaire Vinod Khosla has restricted entry. If the panel decides to proceed, it will be the first time in the commissions 78-year history that it has used condemnation rules. The three-member panel, which oversees the use of state tidelands and marine resources, directed its staff to study the use of eminent domain after two years of negotiations with Khosla to obtain an easement on his property collapsed last month. Advertisement I hope Mr. Khosla hears that we are not backing off, said Commissioner Gavin Newsom, the states lieutenant governor. There is a sense this is a new day. We want to see this damn thing resolved within our lifetimes. Access to Martins Beach near Half Moon Bay became controversial in 2010, when Khosla limited public entry to the scenic shoreline that adjoins about 89 acres of coastal land he bought for $32 million two years earlier. His closure of an access road has been viewed as a digression from the practice of the previous ownersthe Deeney family who allowed the public to reach the beach, often for a small fee, for almost 100 years. How much public access should be granted has been the focus of four lawsuits filed by Khosla, the Surfrider Foundation and Friends of Martins Beach. All are pending except for one of Khoslas two cases, which was dismissed. The commission staff will now research how to exercise eminent domain, including the costs, the resources needed, the time it would take and possible effects on the latest lawsuit Khosla filed against the commission, individual commissioners and San Mateo County. This is going to be resolved in favor of the people of California. Lands Commission chair Betty Yee This is going to be resolved in favor of the people of California, said commission chair Betty Yee, the state controller. I am confident of that. Both Newsom and Yee said the effort to explore condemnation proceedings does not close the door to further negotiations, and they urged Khosla to resume talks with the state. Discussions that had been authorized under legislation by state Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, broke off in November after Khosla demanded either $30 million for an easement or an agreement to provide limited access based on a count of beach visitors provided in 2008 by Kholsas own employees or contractors. Commission negotiators questioned the accuracy of the figures, and Khosla disagreed with the states estimated value of $360,000 for the 6.4 acres sought for an easement. Mark Massara, an attorney for the Surfrider Foundation, which has been trying to regain public access to Martins Beach, said the commission should already be prepared to move on condemnation proceedings. The time for action is now. Eminent domain should not be delayed any longer, Massara said. Its apparent that Vinod is acting in bad faith and will not collaborate. A three-foot wide access way to the beach represents only a minimal impact on his 89 acre property. This controversy was manufactured by the media and became fodder for politicians. Jeffrey Essner, attorney for Vinod Khosla During the public hearing, about 20 people, including former Congressman Pete McCloskey and members of environmental groups, spoke in favor of using eminent domain to gain public access to Martins Beach. The right of access is meaningless if the wealthy can buy coastal property and close it to the public, said Ron Romines, a former mayor of Woodside. This threatens a precedent that goes well beyond Martins Beach. Two speakers defended Khosla, including his attorney, Jeffrey Essner, who said his client does not want to surrender his property rights and that the public has no constitutional right of access to Martins Beach. This controversy was manufactured by the media and became fodder for politicians, he said. There is a false sense that there is a strong demand for Martins Beach access. He added that the state could end up wasting tens of millions of dollars to obtain an easement. dan.weikel@latimes.com ALSO Florida man dies fulfilling his dream to surf off Huntington Beach A fort built by accused Lunada Bay surf bullies has been demolished will it end their localism? U2s The Edge and his decade-long fight to build on a pristine Malibu hillside After listening to a cavalcade of speakers praise them for a vote they hadnt yet taken, Los Angeles County supervisors on Tuesday unanimously placed a quarter-cent sales tax proposal on the March ballot to fund homeless programs. The five supervisors voted with little comment on the measure, which is expected to raise about $355 million a year over its 10-year lifespan if it gains the two-thirds majority required. Instead, they left the talking to nearly 100 speakers who came to promote the homeless tax. The measure is intended to provide the final piece of the funding that county and L.A. city officials say is needed to address the homeless encampments that have proliferated across the region. Advertisement County officials described the sales tax as a complement to the $1.2-billion general obligation bond measure approved by Los Angeles city voters last month. The city funds, and hundreds of millions of dollars in state mental health funds expected to flow into the county in the years ahead, can be used only for capital construction. Over the next 10 years they will fund thousands of units of housing designed to provide chronically homeless people permanent shelter backed up by services. Phil Ansell, head of the countys homelessness initiative, told the board the sales tax money would be used to provide those services and subsidies to help pay the rent. Ansell said a study conducted with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority had identified a gap of $450 million a year needed to provide programs for the 47,000 people estimated to be homeless in the county. The effect of the quarter-cent sales tax on county residents would be a dime on a $40 sweater or $1 on a $400 TV, Ansell said. Mitchell Katz, head of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, set the tone for the hearing, contrasting homelessness with other conditions such as diabetes that he cannot cure. I can actually cure homelessness, Katz said. The cure is a house. But he added, There is no way we can, with existing funds, move 47,000 into housing. Any doubt that newly elected Supervisors Janice Hahn and Kathryn Barger would put their names on a tax measure in their first meeting vanished when Hahn said she was proud that the vote still two hours off would be the first motion I will have my name attached to. At one point Hahn asked Ansell why the measure wasnt designed to be permanent when the need for the funds would most likely continue. Ansell said the sunset mechanism was designed to give the countys voters a chance to judge the success of the programs and decide whether they deserved continued funding. Hundreds of supporters of the measure many color-coded in T-shirts representing their affiliations filled the board hearing room and three overflow rooms for the first meeting of the two new supervisors. During more than two hours of public comment, no speakers opposed the measure. Two, representing a business group and the city of Pasadena, asked the board to be careful that the funds are distributed equitably. As the hearing teetered on the edge of open celebration, board Chairman Mark Ridley-Thomas zig-zagged from calling for the audience to suppress its applause to calling out the names of homeless organizations, prompting their adherents to stand, wave their arms and scream. Many, representing nonprofit agencies that work with the homeless, used their two minutes to describe their struggles dealing with a problem that exceeds their resources. After several dozen planned speakers had had their say, Ridley-Thomas allowed a couple of dozen impromptu speakers to come forward, pleading with them to say just yeah or nay so the board could meet a 3 p.m. deadline on another item. Come 2:45, hell or high water, someone is going to make a motion, he admonished. But they kept coming. Several were formerly homeless people who tearfully described their road to stability. I just wanted to say I love you, one woman told the board. Im just so happy. Lets do it. The public comment became an open display of the formidable coalition that will now go to work to get it approved. Support came from labor unions, veterans groups, churches and synagogues, business organizations and dozens of nonprofit groups, including Heal the Bay and the Natural Resources Defense Council. U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) delivered an endorsement by video. USC President C.L. Max Nikias sent his support by emissary. Other backers include the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the California Community Foundation, all of which supported the successful campaign for Proposition HHH, the housing bond measure approved in November. The measure easily won with 77% of the vote. doug.smith@latimes.com Twitter: @LATdoug ALSO Standoff beneath the 110 Freeway: Homeless man builds a compound, officials tear it down, he rebuilds Editorial: Los Angeles passed Measure HHH, but there are still hurdles ahead for housing homeless people This is what L.A.'s homeless voters have to say about the presidential election A political consultant and writer who has written highly critical stories about commanders in the Los Angeles Police Department has filed a lawsuit accusing the agency of violating her civil rights when she was arrested during a protest against killings by police in 2014. Jasmyne Cannicks attorneys filed the lawsuit Friday, alleging that she was taken into custody as payback for stories she wrote that embarrassed the LAPD. Cannick was one of about 150 people detained during late-night protests in downtown L.A. on Nov. 26, 2014, for allegedly failing to disperse. Protesters were marching through downtown after a grand jury in Ferguson, Mo., declined to prosecute a white police officer who had fatally shot an unarmed black teenager, a decision that set off nationwide demonstrations. Advertisement Cannick alleges that the police allowed other reporters to leave the area of 6th and Hope streets after identifying themselves as journalists covering the protests, but when she attempted to do the same, she was stopped from leaving. She was subsequently handcuffed, arrested and searched. Police Chief Charlie Beck was at the scene of her arrest and made eye contact with her when she was being detained, her lawsuit alleges. Beck is named as a defendant in the suit. Robert Stanford Brown, one of Cannicks attorneys, said Beck allowed the arrest because he was upset about her stories on her website, including one in which she revealed that the LAPD had purchased a horse from Becks daughter. She has written some very embarrassing material about the leadership of the LAPD, Brown said. Josh Rubenstein, the departments public information director, said he could not comment on pending litigation. According to a police report on the incident, LAPD Sgt. Raul Pedroza recognized Cannick and said she appeared to be leading protesters who were trying to push through a police skirmish line. Pedroza told protesters to get back, but Cannick stepped towards officers, the report said. Cannick says she was not protesting and identified herself to police as a journalist when she attempted to leave. None of what the department said is true. I identified myself clearly, Cannick told The Times on Tuesday. The department gets creative when they go after you. During several days of protests, the LAPD arrested 327 people. Cannick was one of only 27 people who were prosecuted. The city attorneys office charged her with three misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest but dropped the charges a year later. A city attorneys spokesman said the case was dropped because of insufficient evidence to sustain a conviction after assessing all the evidence, including witness accounts. Spokesman Rob Wilcox declined to elaborate Tuesday, citing the pending litigation. Cannicks lawsuit accuses the city of violating her rights to free speech, wrongfully arresting her and intentionally inflicting emotional distress. She was arrested with Chief Beck right there. This is retaliation and selective prosecution, said Nana Gyamfi, another Cannick attorney. richard.winton@latimes.com Follow @LAcrimes on Twitter The Pirate Bay is an online index of digital content , founded in 2003, where visitors can search, download and contribute magnet links and torrent files, which facilitate peer-to-peer file sharing. (Photo : YouTube/ReviewTechUSA) The Pirate Bay is likely to be blocked in Sweden soon on the strength of a court order that a new report said could a trigger a domino effect of similar sites getting banned, possibly leading to their eventual closing down. Also believed in danger are ExtraTorrent and other so-called Kickass Torrents or torrenting alternatives. Advertisement TorrentFreak reported that the Patent and Market Court of Appeal in Sweden will hear this week the case brought against TPB by an alliance composed of Universal Music, Sony Music, Warner Music and Nordisk Film. The group is asking the court to compel Swedish ISP Bredbandsbolaget Broadband Company to block The Pirate Bay from being accessed by torrent fans in the country. In the event of a favorable ruling for the rights holders, it is likely that the case will be used as legal precedent against similar file-sharing sites, the report said. The Pirate Bay actively blocked by Bredbandsbolaget soon could lead to the likes of ExtraTorrent and KAT or torrenting alternatives suffering the same fate. The Patent and Market Court of Appeal handing victory to the copyright holders "could open the floodgates for widespread website blocking," TorrentFreak said. And these sites disappearing in Sweden is not a remote possibility. The content companies, according to the same report, are looking to set a blockade standard in which court orders can force ISPs to ban specifically identified erring websites. "We want to get to a point where a court can order an Internet service provider to block subscribers from accessing an illegal site," a representative of the group was reported by TorrentFreak as saying. But there remains a ray of hope for TPB and similar sites as Bredbandsbolaget seems adamant on its stand that ISPs are not liable on incidents of copyright infringements, maintaining that their key functions are to provide access to the internet and facilitate the free flow of information. The court will decide on the case Thursday this week, the report said. The likelihood that The Pirate Bay, ExtraTorrent and similar sites will be blocked by ISPs starting in Sweden emerged as the same sites currently deal with ongoing takedown threats coming from rights holders and authorities. Beginning with the demise of Kickass Torrents and Torrentz.eu earlier this year, more torrenting sites went offline due to the underway online piracy crackdown, further sparking rumors that The Pirate Bay and ExtraTorrent, acknowledged at the moment as the best KAT and torrenting alternatives, are next in line to shut down soon. The search for remains at the scene of the deadly Ghost Ship warehouse fire in Oakland has concluded, leaving the death toll at 36, officials said Wednesday. We are not going to find more victims in the fire, said Sgt. Ray Kelly, a spokesman for the Alameda County Sheriffs Office. Although the search for bodies has ended, investigators were still examining the site for further clues as to what sparked the fire. Kelly said that evidence search was ramping down late Wednesday morning. Advertisement Investigators are looking at every possible source of ignition, including a refrigerator, according to Jill A. Snyder, special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives San Francisco bureau. Speaking at a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Snyder said arson hasnt definitively been ruled out, but investigators have yet to uncover evidence that the fire was set intentionally. This fire is the highest number of fire fatalities in the country in the last 13 years, Snyder said. It could take several weeks until authorities determine the cause of the blaze. At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, the Alameda County Sheriffs Office Coroners Bureau released the names of two more of the 36 victims: Jason McCarty, 35, and Wolfgang Renner, 61, both of Oakland. To date, the bureau has notified the families of 32 victims, while notifications for three others are ongoing. One victim will require scientific identification before next of kin are identified. The city of Oakland has begun releasing administrative records concerning the site of the deadly Ghost Ship warehouse fire, which killed 36 people over the weekend and has raised new concerns about nonpermitted dwellings throughout the city. So far, documents released by the the city Planning and Building Department reveal at least three prior complaints against the warehouse. FULL COVERAGE: Deadly Oakland warehouse fire Those complaints include a report of illegal construction of a house or structure in October 2014; a report of construction materials, including pallets, blocking the sidewalk in September 2014; and a report that the lot adjacent to the warehouse was being used for parking and as a homeless encampment in November 2005. The complaints were all lodged against the 10,000-square-foot warehouse at 1315 31st Ave., which is owned by Chor N. Ng, the city said. Officials say there are no open complaints against the warehouse, which was permitted only for commercial use, not for residential use or public assembly. A vacant lot adjacent to the warehouse, at 1305 31st Ave., which is also owned by Ng, attracted substantially more complaints before the blaze. Officials found 18 records, seven of which are complaints made against the lot since 1988. Two complaints for an illegal interior building structure and mounting garbage were made on Nov. 13 and 14. There are a ton of garbage piling up on the property on 1305 31st Ave. Also, a lot of items are left on the sidewalk near the property, the complaint said. Some of trash was hazardous. This property is a storage but the owner turned it to become trash recycle site. The yard became a trash collection site and the main building was remodel for residential. The change causes our neighborhood looks very bad and creates health issue. City records show that a notice was sent to the buildings owner on Nov. 21 telling her to correct the violation. City officials have said that because there are no visible exterior addresses on the lot or warehouse, there may have been confusion in the complaint process. It is important to note that there are several possible ways in which the City of Oakland primarily comes in contact with a property and the Citys responsibilities vary based on the agency which has the encounter and the nature of the circumstances, the city said in the statement. For example, if a member of the public contacts the city to complain about building code safety violations, the complaint would be directed to the Building and Planning Department. Mayor Libby Schaaf said the city plans to continually release details and documents regarding the buildings 30-year-old history of permitting and complaints. Records of the warehouse are being posted to the citys website. Officials have previously said the city had opened an investigation into possible code violations, and an inspector had visited the warehouse but never went inside. The administration has to tell us, well, what happened to the code inspector. Why did he just knock on the door and not pursue? said City Councilman Noel Gallo, whose district includes the Fruitvale neighborhood where the warehouse was located. This thing has been going on for 2 years. Immediately following the fire, visitors and survivors have described the warehouse as being filled with stacks of discarded furniture, having a rickety staircase made partly of wooden pallets, and hosting a half-dozen RVs. Authorities said the building did not have sprinklers or fire alarms. Derick Almena, the warehouse manager, told NBC News that he made repairs to the homemade electrical system without permits because the landlord refused. He said an art group calling itself the Satya Yuga Collective paid $5,000 a month in rent for the building. Ng, the warehouse owner, could not be reached for comment. Her daughter, Eva Ng, 36, said the building had been leased as a studio space for the art collective and was not used as residences. Zac Unger, vice president of the local firefighters union, said the fire marshals inspection unit has been understaffed for years, but a more aggressive office would have looked for city code violations and hazards in the past. Had a fire inspector walked into that building and seen the conditions in there, they would have shut the place down, Unger said. As authorities continue their investigation into the deadly fire Wednesday, the Alameda County district attorneys office has asked any witnesses or people with information relevant to its criminal investigation to call (877) 288-2882. Alameda County Dist. Atty. Nancy OMalley has said the probe could result in criminal charges, including murder or manslaughter, she said. On Tuesday, city officials asked for a declaration of emergency to allow businesses affected by fire to obtain reimbursement for lost revenue as well as receive federal and state funding to cover the massive response to the fire. Officials released the names of nine victims Tuesday night: Billy Dixon, 35, of Oakland; Johnny Igaz, 34, of Oakland; Ara Jo, 29, of Oakland; Amanda Kershaw, 34, of San Francisco; Griffin Madden, 23, of Berkeley; Vanessa Plotkin, 21, of Oakland; Hanna Ruax, 32, of Helsinki, Finland; Nicole Siegrist, 29, of Oakland; and Alex Vega, 22, of San Bruno. veronica.rocha@latimes.com For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter. ALSO Emergency declaration sought in Oakland after deadly warehouse fire How to help Oakland warehouse survivors and the families of those killed A narcissist or an eccentric? Derick Almena, the man behind the Ghost Ship, left conflicting impressions UPDATES: 2:55 p.m.: This article was updated with details from the Coroners Bureau. 2:10 p.m.: This article was updated with new comments about the fire investigation from Jill A. Snyder. 9:45 a.m.: This article was updated with new details from Kelly. This article was originally published at 9:15 a.m. President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday picked Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as the next ambassador to China, tapping a Republican with long ties to Beijing less than a week after Trumps controversial phone conversation with the president of Taiwan. The Republican governor was chosen because he was Iowas longest-serving governor who had a tremendous understanding of China and the Chinese people, said Jason Miller, a spokesman for Trumps transition team. It is clear that Gov. Branstad will represent our country well on the world stage, Miller said. Advertisement The signals that Trump has sent in the last few days over future China policy have been decidedly mixed. The naming of Branstad, 70, an early and fierce loyalist to Trump, indicated interest in keeping good relations with China. Branstad has had ties to Beijing through numerous agricultural trade deals, and he has known Chinese President Xi Jinping for years. Not a week earlier, however, Trump raised concerns when he became the first U.S. president or president-elect in a generation believed to have spoken directly with a Taiwanese president. The move was a reversal of decades of the one China policy, whereby the United States recognizes only one Chinese government, that of the mainland. It angered Beijing, which views the self-governing island as a breakaway province, even though Trump tried to portray the call as merely a congratulatory chat. Although many in the foreign policy establishment regarded the call Friday with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen as a major diplomatic faux pas that reflected significant gaps in Trumps understanding of world affairs, it now seems clear that the decision was deliberate. Former Sen. Bob Dole, the only former Republican presidential nominee to endorse Trump and now a lobbyist in Washington, says he helped broker the contact with Taiwan in a bid to improve ties with the island. Dole is a registered lobbyist working on behalf of Taiwan, according to disclosure documents filed with the Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. According to the filings, Dole helped include language favorable to Taiwan in the GOP presidential platform and arranged numerous contacts between Taiwanese officials and Trumps staff members and advisors. Over the last six months, he also worked with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington, which serves Taiwan in lieu of an embassy because of the lack of diplomatic ties. For the work, Dole or his firm, Alston & Bird, was paid $140,000, according to the documentation. Also in the last week, Trump revived threats of huge tariffs that some experts say would probably trigger a trade war with China, Americas largest commercial partner. If his intention was to thumb his nose at Beijing, Trump succeeded. He won praise in some quarters for the unorthodox approach, especially among supporters in his base who want the United States to have a less friendly relationship with powers such as China and who are more isolationist. John R. Bolton, the former United Nations ambassador under President George W. Bush, is one of Trumps top foreign policy advisors and is on the shortlist to be named Trumps secretary of State. Writing in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece this year, Bolton chastised a weak President Obama who he said has allowed China to get away with broad territorial ambitions in the South China Sea. China has seized disputed territory and built military installations. Bolton advocated that a new administration play the Taiwan card. For a new U.S. president willing to act boldly, there are opportunities to halt and then reverse Chinas seemingly inexorable march toward dominating East Asia, he wrote. But then came Wednesdays appointment of Branstad, which would suggest a less combative posture in dealing with Beijing. In 1985, Branstad, during his first stint as Iowa governor, met with a mid-level Chinese bureaucrat on an agricultural trade mission who spoke little English and had barely traveled outside China. The next time that Chinese official visited Iowa was 2012, and he was about to become Chinas president and general secretary of its Communist Party. Xi hadnt forgotten the warm reception he received during the two-week trip 27 years earlier. That early encounter between the governor and the future leader of China paved the way for Branstads appointment as the U.S. ambassador to China. Xi Jinping was so touched by the kindness and warmth of the people of Iowa and the way he was treated by the governor when he was just a low-ranking Communist Party official, said Tim Albrecht, a former aide to the governor. This is a positive thing, naming a diplomat who is so beloved in China. Branstad holds the unofficial position of what the Chinese call lao pengyou, or old friend. Since the 1980s, he has met four times with Xi during trade missions to China in 2011 and 2013, during Xis visit to Iowa and most recently in September last year when Xi was visiting Seattle. Elizabeth Economy, a China expert at the Council on Foreign Relations, said the Chinese are fond of this idea of old friend of China. There is a possibility that President-elect Trump undoes some of the harm that has been done over the past week or so, in terms of the phone call with Tsai Ing-wen and the negative tweets about China, by appointing somebody who has for years had nothing but positive things to say about China, she said. Orville Schell, director of the Center on U.S.-China Relations at the Asia Society in New York, said there is value in Branstads relationship with Xi that predates his ascendancy as Chinas leader. I think it is a pretty sage and stabilizing decision, Schell said. Although an ambassador rarely sets policy, Schell said, Branstad will have access to Xi as well as access to Trump, having been an early supporter. He will have good bona fides on both sides of the ledger. Other foreign policy experts cautioned that jettisoning the finely balanced arrangement governing relations with China and Taiwan could be perilous. China, with Russia, potentially poses the greatest threat to the United States and must be handled carefully and strategically, said Robert Kagan, a board member at the Foreign Policy Initiative and well-known conservative who did not support Trump. The unmistakable hegemonic ambitions of China and Russia threaten the stability and security of the worlds two most important regions, East Asia and Europe [which] are vital to the United States economically and strategically, Kagan said Tuesday in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee. For China that means dominance of East Asia, with nations like Japan, South Korea and the nations of Southeast Asia both acknowledging Chinese hegemony and acting in conformity with Chinas strategic, economic and political preferences, he said. Times staff writers Wilkinson reported from Washington and Demick from New York. ALSO Trump is said to choose strident fossil fuel ally Scott Pruitt to head EPA Trump is close to picking retired Marine general to head Homeland Security, source says Trump chooses former World Wrestling Entertainment executive Linda McMahon to head Small Business Administration The first hint of the scandal that has engulfed the California National Guard came more than eight years ago with a one-page memo that disclosed an internal investigation of a sergeant working at Mather Airport in Sacramento. Master Sgt. Toni L. Jaffe, the California Guards bonus and incentives manager, was suspected of attempting to commit fraud by awarding bonuses to three ineligible officers, the inspector general wrote in August 2008. The case has exploded into a national embarrassment. Under pressure from the White House and Congress, the Pentagon has suspended its attempts to force more than 9,700 veterans to repay what the California Guard claimed were improper bonuses and other incentives, many awarded by Jaffe. Advertisement Congress will hold its first hearing on the bitter saga Wednesday. Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin, the California Guard commander who was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2011 to clean up the mess, will testify before the House Armed Services Committee. Baldwin will tell the committee that investigators found gross mismanagement and fraud within the California Guard incentives program and that dozens of personnel, including senior leaders and general officers, were punished, according to his prepared testimony. Most, however, got off with reprimands or early retirement. Jaffe was the only soldier sent to prison. In her first interview since she was released in 2014, Jaffe told The Times that she approved thousands of improper bonuses because she faced pressure to help fill Pentagon quotas for troops for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jaffe said in the interview that she was forced to process more applications than she could handle, to work long weekends and take short lunches, and was berated when she didnt respond quickly to demands for bonus approvals from California Guard units around the state even when they didnt submit the proper paperwork. I had too much work, she said. People were sending me emails and phone calls, saying, Wheres my bonus? I begged those people for their paperwork. Jaffe said some officers at Recruiting Command, which had about 250 staff members, criticized her for being overweight and ignored her pleas for help in processing claims. Is it fair that I took the full brunt of this? No, a sometimes tearful Jaffe, 56, said in a telephone interview from her home in Citrus Heights, near Sacramento. I owned up to my responsibility. They need to own up to theirs. In August 2011, Jaffe pleaded guilty in federal court to making a false claim and was sentenced to 30 months in prison. According to her plea agreement, she was responsible for $15.2 million in wrongfully paid bonuses and loan repayments between 2007 and 2009. Jaffes lawyer, Johnny L. Griffin III, told the court in a sentencing memo that the married mother of two daughters was an emotionally frail woman who lives day to day in a state of depression. The Armys Criminal Investigation Command later estimated that Jaffe personally approved $261 million in legitimate and improper bonuses and other incentive payments. She was never accused of taking any money herself. At least 31 people, including eight colonels, lieutenants colonels or majors, received military reprimands and several were forced to retire, according to a summary of the results of the investigations provided by the California Guard, which refused to release their names. One unidentified officer, according to the summary, was accused of dereliction of duty in connection with payments of bonuses and student loans and was permitted to retire in lieu of involuntary separation, according to the summary. At least eight other junior officers and enlisted soldiers were convicted or pleaded guilty to federal or state charges from 2012 to 2015 for knowingly accepting improper payments or other misconduct, according to the California Guard summary. None was sentenced to prison. Although she was a relatively junior noncommissioned officer, Jaffes job made her solely responsible for approving bonuses in the California Guard between 2007 and 2009, when the Pentagon had launched a troop surge in Iraq and fighting was intense in Afghanistan. The pressure apparently overwhelmed her as the National Guard, which oversees state Guard units, began offering the most generous incentives in its history to recruit and retain soldiers. Jaffe approved thousands of bonuses involving tens of millions of dollars with little or no paperwork, federal investigators would find. In October 2013, while still in prison, she told California state prosecutors conducting a separate investigation of the bonus payments that she had been mistreated by her colleagues at Recruiting Command. Basically I had no friends, and I wanted friends, she said when they asked why she approved bonuses for ineligible soldiers. Jaffe was blackballed by her command, Anthony Colannino, the California prosecutor who investigated the bonus fraud, said in a brief filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, quoting Jaffes statements to him. People were told not to talk to her, eat with her, sit with her or go around with her, Colannino said. In short, Jaffe was treated like a second-class citizen. Jaffe also told Colannino, who interviewed her at Waseca Federal Correctional Institution in Minnesota, that superiors in Recruiting Command had urged her to authorize bonuses, according to a transcript of the interview filed as an exhibit in the Superior Court case. Did you receive any instructions from, say, your command directing you to do things with these bonuses that you felt was either problematic, improper, perhaps illegal? Colannino asked at one point. Yes, sir, Jaffe replied. She said Sgt. Maj. Kurt Muchow, who was the senior noncommissioned officer in Recruiting Command, and Maj. Steven Poteat, the executive officer, started pressuring her to approve reenlistment bonuses in 2006, according to the transcript. Muchow kept coming to me asking me to process payments for soldiers, Jaffe said. He didnt want the yes or no. He just said, Do it. She added that Poteat also would come to me, saying, Process these too. In an interview with The Times, Muchow said he never told Jaffe to pay improper bonuses. Thats categorically incorrect, he said. He said he dealt only with questions about what he called Jaffes lack of professionalism. I encouraged her to respond timely to phone calls and emails she received, he said. In no way was that encouraging her to respond on bonuses. Muchow and Poteat, who declined to comment, were not charged with any wrongdoing. Current and former California Guard soldiers in Recruiting Command said pressure to meet Pentagon recruiting quotas was severe at the time and internal financial controls were lax. Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, head of the National Guard Bureau, the Pentagon agency that oversees Guard units and provides their budgets, told the California Guard commander in a December 2006 memo that his highest priority was achieving recruiting goals. For California, that meant Recruiting Command had to sign up 1,495 officers and 14,445 enlisted soldiers in 2007 alone, according to the memo obtained by The Times. Soldiers recalled being summoned to mass meetings, dubbed retention seminars, where Brig. Gen. Louis J. Antonetti, commander of the Army component of the California Guard, urged them to reenlist and described the generous bonuses, eventually turning the floor over to Jaffe. Afterward soldiers would line up and Jaffe would process their bonus payments, she said. The system began to crumble in August 2008 when the California Guard inspector general, Col. Richard Sobrato, informed Col. Diana Bodner, who ran Recruiting Command, of complaints that Jaffe had approved improper bonuses for three officers. An officer outside Recruiting Command was appointed to investigate. In an interview, Bodner said she and other officials decided not to reassign Jaffe from her job while the investigation was underway. Investigators determined that two bonuses, totaling $30,000, involved administrative errors and that Jaffe lacked intent to commit fraud, according to an FBI summary of the findings. Jaffe remained in her job and continued to process California Guard bonuses for another 17 months while a separate audit was carried out. The audit, completed in July 2010, rang alarm bells. Bonus payments in the California Guard had more than doubled from $10.9 million to $23.7 million between 2007 and 2008, it found. When auditors checked a sample of $160,000 in bonus payments, they found that Jaffe had approved giving the money to six officers and two warrant officers without uploading documentation into computers, leaving the files incomplete. But the audit did not blame the entire fiasco on Jaffe. California Guard personnel tacitly approved and/or encouraged widespread fraud and abuse, misappropriation, and misapplications of federally appropriated funds, Wesley T. Kilgore, special agent in charge of the Army Criminal Investigation Command office in Los Angeles, wrote in an August 2010 memo. The preponderance of the evidence gathered to date indicates potential criminal culpability. Col. Peter Cross, a spokesman for the California Guard, said last week that Jaffes superiors were appropriately disciplined. Leaders that did not take decisive action to implement internal controls were held accountable, he said. david.cloud@latimes.com Twitter: @davidcloudLAT ALSO: Thousands of California soldiers forced to repay enlistment bonuses a decade after going to war Defense secretary orders Pentagon to stop seeking repayment of California National Guard bonuses Congress proposals would let California National Guard soldiers keep millions in bonuses Members of Congress assailed the California National Guard commander Wednesday for ordering thousands of soldiers and veterans to repay enlistment bonuses, saying the demands caused military families unnecessary financial distress, harmed recruiting and broke faith with soldiers. With Maj. Gen. David Baldwin at the witness table, members of the House Armed Services Committee sharply criticized his now-blocked efforts to claw back millions of dollars from about 9,700 California Guard soldiers, many of whom fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. For the record: This article incorrectly attributed two quotations to Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, commander of the California Guard. It was Lt. Gen. Timothy Kadavy of the National Guard Bureau, testifying with Baldwin, who said that soldiers who unknowingly received improper bonuses and those who were ordered to change their military assignments and received bonuses would not have to pay the money back. We betrayed the trust of these troops, and theres no excuse for that, said Rep. Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) at the first congressional hearing on the bonus scandal since Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter ordered a suspension of the California Guard repayment program on Oct. 26. Advertisement Recent stories in The Times about the bonus repayment demands in many cases more than a decade after the money was given sparked a public outcry that spurred Carter to halt the program and is expected to produce congressional legislation on Thursday. Some soldiers who got bonus demands were wounded in combat or saw their credit scores ruined by debt, The Times reported. Baldwin defended the repayment program, which he launched after he was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2011. By then audits had found improprieties with thousands of bonuses and other incentives given to California Guard soldiers and officers between 2004 and 2010. Baldwin said he had little choice but to try to recover the money because he lacked legal authority to waive the debts. The bonuses and other incentives given to each soldier or officer typically ranged from about $15,000 to as much as $50,000. But he acknowledged that the heavy-handed effort which sometimes involved garnishing wages, interest penalties and tax liens had soured relations between California Guard leadership and thousands of its soldiers, most of whom did not know the bonuses they got were improper. I agree wholeheartedly that we do have a problem, Baldwin said. Were going to have to reestablish trust with our soldiers and their families and with recruits. The full Senate is expected to approve a defense authorization bill Thursday that contains a provision intended to help the soldiers. The House already has approved the measure, so Senate approval would send it to President Obama for his signature. If approved, the provision will expand Pentagon authority to waive repayments if the soldiers did not know they were getting improper bonuses because of poor record-keeping or other problems in the California Guard. The provision would also authorize the Pentagon to repay California Guard soldiers who sent back their bonuses in recent years. The Pentagon also would be required to contact credit agencies to inform them that the debts were invalid. Most of the nearly 10,000 California Guard soldiers sent repayment demands are expected to qualify. Peter Levine, the Pentagon official charged by Carter with setting up a streamlined appeals process for the soldiers, told lawmakers that he aims to provide blanket debt forgiveness for all but about 1,000 soldiers, who got bonuses for which they were clearly ineligible. Debts that are more than a decade old, that total $10,000 or less, or are owed by lower-ranking enlisted soldiers who had no way of knowing the bonuses were improper can be screened out and forgiven, Levine said. Using those criteria, the number of cases can be reduced by as much as 90% this month, he said. The other cases will be reviewed individually by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records, he said. After several lawmakers acknowledged that they had only learned of the long-running bonus problem from recent Times stories, Baldwin conceded he should have pressed Congress harder to take action to forgive the debts. His aides asked Congress to intervene in 2014 with a provision to allow waiving many of the debts, but dropped the matter after lawmakers balked due to the projected cost. For the last two years, Baldwin said, the Guard had not sought a congressional fix. In hindsight, youre right, I should have continued to make this a priority, Baldwin said under questioning by Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock), who called the repayment effort a big black mark on our Department of Defenses record. Levine also criticized the California Guard, saying it spent years trying to recoup the bonuses without telling the Pentagon, a task that proved overwhelming. What the California Guard discovered was that they didnt have the bandwidth to deal with all those cases, Levine said. They left thousands of cases hanging out there with the threat of recoupment, which added to the unfairness. Levine said that senior Pentagon officials were unaware of the lengthy delays that many California soldiers who appealed the debts were having. We were not aware of this until we read it in the newspaper, and thats on us, he said. I think that we should have seen this before now, and I dont know why we didnt. The bonuses were initially given out by California Guard officers under pressure to meet Pentagon demands for troops at the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It quickly spiraled into what prosecutors said was massive fraud by some members of the California Guards Recruiting Command. Only one member of Recruiting Command, former Master Sgt. Toni Jaffe, was convicted and imprisoned in the case. About 40 other soldiers, including about eight officers, were disciplined with reprimands or early retirement, records show. Questioned by lawmakers whether Jaffe was a scapegoat while officers avoided prosecution, Baldwin said federal and state prosecutors decided whether to bring criminal charges, not his organization. I held many, many people responsible for their failure to provide proper oversight, he said. Baldwin acknowledged that Jaffe had faced intense pressure from superiors to help meet recruitment targets. She was overwhelmed. She was under tremendous pressure to help get the numbers and had people pressing on her, he said. david.cloud@latimes.com Twitter: @davidcloudLAT ALSO: Thousands of California soldiers forced to repay enlistment bonuses a decade after going to war Defense secretary orders Pentagon to stop seeking repayment of California National Guard bonuses Congress proposals would let California National Guard soldiers keep millions in bonuses One woman is a decorated officer of the New York Police Department, commended two years ago for running into a burning building to save a baby. Another is a 45-year-old employee of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority who was commuting to work on the subway wearing her uniform. Yet another, 18 years old, is a business major who was on the subway on her way home from college one evening last week. Advertisement They are among a rising number of Muslim women who say they have been assaulted in recent days in New York, renowned as the melting pot of America, and until recently vaunted as one of the most immigrant-friendly places in the world. The off-duty police officer, Aml Elsokary, was parking her car near her home in Brooklyn on Saturday evening when she saw a tall white man with a pit bull shoving her son, who had just gotten out of the car. ISIS bitch, I will cut your throat. Go back to your country! the man yelled at her, before loosening the pit bulls leash and instructing the dog to sic her. The following day, a 36-year-old neighbor, identified as Christopher Nelson, was arrested and charged with aggravated harassment, a hate crime, according to police. I was sick to my stomach when I heard that one of our officers was subjected to threats and taunting simply because of her faith, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday at a news conference with Elsokary to discuss a recent spate of the crimes. Theres been a huge uptick in hate crimes. Its very troubling. Elsokary, a 15-year veteran of the police force, wears a scarf under her police cap. I became a police officer to show the positive side of a New Yorker, Muslim woman that can do this job, that is non-biased. I help everybody, no matter whats your religion, whats your faith, what you do in New York, she said at the news conference. New York police report that hate crimes have more than doubled compared with this time last year. There were 42 incidents from the Nov. 8 election until Dec. 4, compared with 19 in the same period in 2015. More than half of the incidents have been directed against Jews many of them involving swastika graffiti. Four incidents of anti-Muslim harassment were logged by police, although it appears there are many more that were not reported. Are you Muslim American? We want to hear your thoughts on Trumps presidency Most of the people I know dont report. They feel humiliated and dont want to call the police, said Rana Abdelhamid, 23, a Queens-born daughter of Egyptian immigrants. Now a graduate student at Harvard University, Abdelhamid started a social media project called Hijabis of New York two years ago to support women who wear the head covering in the city. Abdelhamid was one of the organizers of a small candlelight vigil Tuesday night in Washington Square Park. Afterward, the participants retreated to a cafe where they recounted the many times they were harassed for wearing a hijab. For Abdelhamid, the first time was when she was 15 and a man crept up behind her and pulled off her scarf. The second time was just a few weeks ago when she was walking in Queens. Why are you wearing that costume? someone yelled at her. Go back to wear you came from. Abdelhamid didnt report the incident because she wasnt physically touched, but she said it left her shaken and in tears. It is hard to explain the trauma you feel when you come face to face with somebody who has so much hatred for you, Abdelhamid said. You cant have a candidate for president single out groups of Americans negatively and not have some ramifications. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio Abdelhamid believes the harassment now is worse than even after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks by Al Qaeda militants. In recent weeks, she has started to wrap her scarf like a turban over her head when she has to take the subway. It makes it look less hijab-like and more like a fashion statement, she said. Many women find themselves caught between the spiritual imperative to cover their heads and the practicalities of transportation. The New York subways, where strangers are forced into an unaccustomed intimacy, have been the setting for many incidents. On Dec. 5, Soha Salama, an Egyptian-born mother of four, was shoved down a staircase at Grand Central Terminal during the morning rush hour, sustaining injuries to her ankles and legs. Her assailant had followed her off the subway, she told reporters. Youre a terrorist. You shouldnt work here, the man yelled at her, poking the badge on her jacket that identified her as a transportation authority employee. As she tried to run away, the man attempted to yank off the brightly patterned white, green and red head scarf she was wearing. Another case that made headlines in New York occurred Thursday night, when 18-year-old Yasmin Seweid says she was accosted by three visibly intoxicated men. They cursed and yelled at her, pulling on her head covering and on her backpack, according to an account Seweid posted on Facebook. Take that rag off your head. Go back to your country. Seweid also said the men repeatedly invoked the name of President-elect Donald Trump. [Editors note: New York police on Dec. 14 said an investigation showed that the claim was a fabrication. Seweid was arrested and charged with obstructing governmental administration and filing a false report.] Some New York officials blame the surge in hate crimes on Trump, arguing that his threats to deport Muslims during the presidential campaign have emboldened people to carry out racist attacks. You cant have a candidate for president single out groups of Americans negatively and not have some ramifications, De Blasio said at Mondays news conference. He said that although Trump had disavowed white supremacist groups, he would need to do more to rein them in. A few times recently the president-elect has spoken out against it and he needs to keep doing that, the mayor said. The temperature has to be brought down. ALSO A Pearl Harbor survivor spent decades trying to forget it. Then one man got him talking. Online conspiracy theory turns into real danger after armed man shows up at a Washington pizza parlor Step by step, Trump is assembling an administration far more conservative than his campaign UPDATES: 9:15 p.m., Dec. 14: The story was updated with a statement from the New York Police Department saying one reported attack was a fabrication. The article was originally published at 2:30 a.m. on Dec. 7. More than 1,000 people protesting the Dakota Access pipeline have taken refuge in community centers and a casino on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation since a powerful blizzard blew through their main camp. High winds knocked down a large military-style tent in the Seven Council Fires encampment late Monday. The tent caught fire, which spread to two other tents. The blaze displaced dozens of people, who crowded into another tent and huddled together for warmth, said Desiree Kane, who has been living at the camp since August. Advertisement No injuries were reported in the fire. But amid plummeting temperatures and near white-out conditions, several dozen people were treated for hypothermia as camp medics oversaw a partial evacuation, starting with women and children. A team of 20 medics scoured the camp in pairs overnight Monday, going from structure to structure, taking them to safe spaces, said Linda Black Elk of the Standing Rock Medic & Healer Council. Many protesters were taken to warming centers in the town of Cannon Ball a few miles away. Others were driven seven miles to the Prairie Knights Casino and Resort, joining many of the estimated 2,000 military veterans who arrived this week to join in solidarity with the Sioux and other Native Americans in their fight against the pipeline. At least 1,000 people filled the Pavilion, a cavernous music venue at the casino, steps from slot machines and blackjack tables. People are under the bleachers, behind the curtains, Kimberly Klaas, a volunteer with the veterans contingent, said Tuesday. The floor was pretty full last night. I saw people sleeping in stairwells. Guest rooms at the accompanying lodge were packed with up to nine people each, sleeping three to a bed with others on the floor. I dont think anybody got much sleep, Klaas said. In the wake of the blizzard, Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman David Archambault called for pipeline foes to abandon the encampment. We deeply appreciate all the people who supported us with their presence, Archambault said in a statement, but when this storm passes, it is time to dismantle the camp and return to our homes. If the camp stays where it is currently located, people are risking their lives. From the casino Tuesday, veterans and Native American leaders called for help for the vulnerable back at the camp. A Navy veteran and member of the Indigenous Veterans Council at Standing Rock who goes by one name, Remy, said four-wheel-drive trucks with tire chains were needed to ferry supplies to the camp and bring people out. Were going to have to start a caravan to take supplies there, like propane heaters, he said. On Tuesday, the National Weather Service issued a new blizzard warning, predicting gusts of up to 55 mph and zero visibility amid blowing snow. Conditions remained treacherous at the camp, which was established several months ago to protest construction of the 1,172-mile, $3.8-billion oil pipeline. Opponents of the pipeline fear that an oil spill would contaminate the water supply for the reservation and 17 million other people who rely on the Missouri River. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers declared Sunday that it would not grant an easement to Energy Transfer Partners, the company building the pipeline, to tunnel under the Missouri River at least until the agency can complete an environmental impact statement. The protesters, who prefer to be called water protectors, see the Corps ruling as a temporary victory. But they barely had time to celebrate the decision before the storm moved in. In his statement calling for an end to the camp, Archambault cited the Corps decision. Energy Transfer Partners cannot cross the easement, even if they drill, he said. Not only will they jeopardize the entire pipeline project, but they will also jeopardize their investors money and their bank loans. Many pipeline opponents remained skeptical. I think some people will go home; others will not, said Kane. She and many other water protectors believe Energy Transfer may directly violate the Corps ruling, given how much the company has invested in the project to date. I think they will likely suck it up and pay the fines, she said. Noah Morris, a camp medic, expressed frustration that so many people had arrived in North Dakota unprepared for the harsh winter conditions. Some of the veterans, bless their hearts for coming out, he said. But we have been begging people not to show up unless they have proper gear. At the casino, there was a strong sense of fellowship among the veterans, Native Americans and other activists. People are hunkering down and cooperating in a beautiful way, said Kane, a 33-year-old of Miwok heritage who came from her home in Denver to join the protest. The intent in which this movement began has carried through even in this moment of crisis. Tolan is a special correspondent. ALSO Whats next for the Dakota Access pipeline Army halts Dakota Access pipeline: Today, the voices of indigenous people were heard State lawmakers may tell California pension funds to divest from Dakota pipeline companies UPDATES: 6:15 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman David Archambault. This article was originally published at 3:25 p.m. With little notice and stunning quickness, legislators in Ohio stand one signature away from enacting the nations most stringent abortion law in the hopes of sparking a nationwide reversal of the legal right of women to terminate their pregnancies. With a day left in their annual session, lawmakers on Wednesday delivered to Gov. John Kasich a revived heartbeat bill, a ban on abortions from the moment a fetus heartbeat can be detected, which can be as early as five or six weeks from conception. They left no exemptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, but abortions would be permitted to save the life of a pregnant woman. No person shall knowingly and purposefully perform or induce an abortion on a pregnant woman, the bill reads, with the specific intent of causing or abetting the termination of the life of the unborn human individual the pregnant woman is carrying and whose fetal heartbeat has been detected. Advertisement The legislation has already drawn promises of legal challenges from the American Civil Liberties Union, even before Kasich decides whether to cast a veto. The Ohio Senate passed the abortion-ban amendment to an unrelated bill concerning child-abuse reporting on Tuesday afternoon, then passed the bill itself and sent it to the Ohio House, which voted 56-39 on Tuesday night to send the bill to Kasich for his signature. Within hours, a Midwestern state that had already placed a number of restrictions on abortions opened the door to a new round of legal challenges on an issue likely to be key under President-elect Donald Trump, who will be nominating at least one U.S. Supreme Court justice early in his new administration. Conservative Ohio legislators mentioned Trump specifically in explaining the timing of their action. New president, new Supreme Court nominees changed the dynamic, and there was a consensus in our caucus to move forward, Ohio Senate President Keith Faber, a Republican who opposed a similar bill in 2014, told WHIO-TV on Tuesday. I think the issue is still one thats about tactics and strategy. At the time of his original vote against such restrictions in 2014, Faber said he didnt see a difference between a six-week ban and an outright abortion ban, which is unconstitutional under the Supreme Courts Roe vs. Wade ruling legalizing abortion nationwide. Previous abortion limits that centered on detecting a fetal heartbeat have failed in the courts, and Kasich in 2014 said he was unsure of such a bills constitutionality when an Ohio House committee sent a fetal-heartbeat bill to the floor, where it failed. Kasich, who unsuccessfully ran for the GOP presidential nomination this year, has generally favored moderate restrictions on abortion. I am pro-life with the exceptions of rape, incest and the life of the mother, he said on CNN in February. On Wednesday, his office declined to elaborate on his position on the constitutionality of fetal heartbeat legislation. A hallmark of lame duck is a flood of bills, including bills inside of bills, said Kasich spokeswoman Emmalee Kalmbach, and we will closely examine everything we receive. Ohio already has a fetal viability law, which forbids abortion if a doctor determines a fetus has a reasonable chance of viability. So-called heartbeat bills were passed in Arkansas, over the veto of then-Gov. Mike Huckabee, and in North Dakota, only to lose upon legal challenges. Trumps position on abortion has been difficult to pinpoint. In a presidential debate, he said the Roe vs. Wade decision would be overturned as he names conservative justices to the high court. Trump said in the same debate that the issue of abortion should be left to individual states. nigel.duara@latimes.com ALSO Polish women protest proposal to ban abortions in almost all cases Women rush to the doctor for birth control, fearing Trump will limit access to contraception. But will he? Pope extends permission for priests to absolve women whove had abortions and doctors who provided them UPDATES: 2:05 p.m.: This article was updated with a comment from Gov. John Kasichs office. This article was originally published at 12:35 p.m. His teenage hand could grip a baseball and fire it from the hole in shortstop. Later, in his 50s, it would clutch a pen while grading college papers. But on this morning, looking down at the old scars, he remembered how his right hand helped pull dead bodies from the oily, fiery seawater at Pearl Harbor. It was where Earl Smiths mind went during Wednesdays 75th anniversary ceremony marking Japans attack on the U.S. naval base in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941. More than 2,400 people were killed, and the attack plunged the United States into World War II. Smith was aboard the battleship Tennessee at the time. It was damaged in the hourlong raid but never sank. I felt like I was trying to save lives and we did pull a few out who were wounded but most we just had to tie a rope to the leg and pull them out and stack them like cords of wood, Smith said. That first day, I didnt even know I was burned that badly. I think it was just shock. Advertisement A Pearl Harbor survivor spent decades trying to forget it. Then one man got him talking More than 9,000 people came many before the sun rose to pay their respects to aging Pearl Harbor survivors like the 94-year-old Smith, who shook hands and posed for pictures before the ceremony started on the Kilo Pier across the harbor from the battleship Arizona Memorial. Don Stratton, one of five survivors from the Arizona four were in attendance was guided to the stage and he saluted the destroyer Halsey as it glided through the tranquil waters between the Kilo Pier and the Arizona Memorial. The Arizona lost 1,177 crew members in the attack. Stratton recently wrote a book about his experience aboard the Arizona titled All the Gallant Men, a bestseller at a time when groups are trying to preserve the stories of those who experienced the attack as they edge close to centenarian status. 1 / 2 An explosion rocks the destroyer Shaw. (Lawrence Thornton / Getty Images) 2 / 2 The battleship California burns in Pearl Harbor. (Fox Photos / Getty Images) Its been said that when an old person dies, it is like a library burning down. Having survived a fire that took so much from me, I have an obligation to save what memories I have from the flames that will one day come and claim what is left of me, Stratton wrote in his memoir. I share what I remember when I can. But a day will come when I can no longer speak. What then, I have asked myself. What will become of the memories that I as a survivor have experienced? Or the lessons that we as a nation have learned? That is why I wrote this book. The 90-minute ceremony began at 7:45 a.m., and there was a moment of silence at the time the bombs started falling, at 7:55 a.m. that Sunday morning in 1941. Hickam Air Force Base, which was bombed by Japanese planes early in the attack to keep American aircraft out of the sky, also held a smaller memorial event during the main service. The ceremony at Pearl Harbor was attended by high-level military officers, officials from the National Park Service which operates the Arizona Memorial governors from Arizona and Hawaii, and several local officials. Admiral Harry Harris Jr., commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, gave a short speech that praised those who served in the military during the attack and drew parallels to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Those who survived Pearl Harbor also left us a warning. Remember Pearl Harbor. Keep America alert. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty an imperative to never be caught by surprise again, Harris said. But 15 years ago, we were again surprised by a major attack on our soil. Not by a nation state this time, but by terrorists. As before in the preceding decade, alarm bells had been ringing. Harris biggest applause came after the national anthem had kicked off the ceremony and he observed veterans saluting. He took what appeared to be a jab at San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, whose decision to not stand during the anthem before NFL games made headlines as he tried to draw attention to police shootings of black men. The men and women we honor today and those who died on that fateful morning 75 years ago never took a knee and never failed to stand whenever they heard our national anthem being played, Harris said. President Obama, who will visit the Arizona Memorial this month with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, said in a statement that the sacrifices of those who served during World War II were crucial to remember. We give thanks to the veterans and survivors of Pearl Harbor who faced down fear itself, met infamy with intrepidity, freed captive peoples from fascism and whose example inspires us still, Obama said. For out of the horrors of war, this Greatest Generation forged an enduring international order, became the backbone of the middle class and powered Americas prosperity. Their courage and resolve remind us of that fundamental American truth that out of many we are one; and that when we stand together, no undertaking is too great. A private interment was scheduled later for two Arizona crew members who recently died. John Anderson and Clarendon Hetrick requested their remains be placed in the ship. The Arizona is the only ship that allows remains to be placed in it, a task carried out by the National Park Service and Navy divers, who place an urn in the well of turret No. 4. david.montero@latimes.com Twitter: @davemontero ALSO Welcome home, Uncle Ed: The remains of this Pearl Harbor sailor and many others are finally coming home Japanese leader Shinzo Abe to visit Pearl Harbor with Obama UPDATES: 4:20 p.m.: The story was updated to include details from the ceremony. 10:15 am.: The story was updated with the start of the Pearl Harbor ceremony. The story was originally published at 7 a.m. Sprawling legislation to increase federal support for medical research, mental healthcare and controlling the opioid epidemic cleared the Senate easily Wednesday and is headed to President Obamas desk for his signature, delivering a rare bipartisan breakthrough in the waning days of his presidency. The $6.3-billion bill known as the 21st Century Cures Act won large majorities in the House and Senate despite warnings from some consumer groups that industry-sought provisions to speed approval of new drugs and medical devices jeopardize patient safety. Obama, who strongly endorsed the bill, said it could help unlock cures [for] Alzheimers, end cancer as we know it, and help people seeking treatment for opioid addiction finally get the help they need. Advertisement The 94-4 Senate vote followed several years of lobbying by patient advocates and powerful industries, including drug manufacturers. The bill cleared the House last week by a 392-26 vote. Finding solutions for deadly and debilitating health threats and combating insidious public health threats should be a dual imperative for our nation, and this legislation could well usher in an era of unprecedented progress on both fronts, said Mary Woolley, president of Research!America, a coalition of more than 350 academic research organizations, disease advocacy groups, drug makers and other industries. The bill would provide $4.8 billion to the National Institutes of Health to support research efforts, such as the so-called Cancer Moonshot initiative championed by Vice President Joe Biden. Food and Drug Administration will receive an additional $500 million to streamline its review of new drug therapies. The legislation also advances federal initiatives that have languished for years, including new funding sought by public health departments to combat the opioid epidemic. Other parts of the bill would support steps designed to strengthen the nations mental health system by coordinating treatment research, supporting community efforts to reduce homelessness and keeping mentally ill patients out of the criminal justice system. Advocates say substantial additional funding is needed beyond what is provided in the bill. The legislation has generated concerns among many consumer advocates, who have warned that provisions that would speed federal regulatory review of new drugs and medical devices could expose patients to new risks. The bill has been sold erroneously as a common sense, bipartisan compromise that enables scientific innovation and medical breakthroughs for America, said Dr. Michael Carome, director of Public Citizens Health Research Group. But in reality, the legislation includes a grab bag of goodies for Big Pharma and medical device companies that would undermine requirements for ensuring safe and effective drugs and medical devices. Several leading liberal lawmakers have also blasted the legislation for including what Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) last week called corporate giveaways that will make drug companies even richer. The White House acknowledged that it has issues with parts of the legislation, but Obama noted that the trade-offs were worth it. Like all good legislation, it reflects compromise, the president said during his weekly radio address Saturday. Hospitals and insurance companies successfully lobbied for the bill to include provisions shielding them from cuts in what the federal Medicare program pays them. Another provision favored by industry would exempt some payments that physicians receive from drug and device makers from federal reporting requirements designed to alert patients to potential conflicts of interest. Conservative activist group Heritage Action for America opposed the bill because it will add to federal spending. The bills spending is offset with cuts in Medicare payments for drug therapies and medical equipment, other spending reductions and the sale of 25 million barrels of oil from the nations strategic petroleum reserve. Twitter: @noamlevey Trump pledged to protect Medicare. His choice for health secretary has other ideas Rolling out Obamacare was chaotic, but a repeal could be much worse More than 300,000 signed up for Obamacare after Trump was elected F-16IN Block 70 (concept drawing). (Photo : Lockheed Martin) U.S. military aerospace giants Lockheed Martin and Boeing have announced their intent to move the entire production line for their Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets and the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon to India in an effort to continue production of these legacy jets. The F-16 entered service with the U.S. Air Force in 1978 while the F-18 did so in 1999. Times and technologies have changed, however, and these fourth generation fighters are being replaced in service by the far more advanced stealth fighters, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Advertisement The U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marines are phasing out the F-16, but other countries remain likely customers for this very popular fighter. The F/A-18 remains the premier frontline fighter for the Navy. Moving to India where labor costs are much cheaper will allow both Lockheed Martin and Boeing to keep open the production lines and servicing for the F-16 and F/A-18. It's also part of a strategy to help both companies win the competition for India's multi-billion dollar search for a new fourth generation ++ fighter to replace its fleet of obsolete Russian-made jets. Lockheed Martin and Boeing have made proposals to the Indian government to manufacture the F-16 and the F/A-18 Super Hornet in India, which seeks to modernize its fleet of air superiority and ground attack aircraft to take on the challenges presented by Pakistan and China. In both cases, Lockheed Martin and Boeing plan to transfer their production facilities to India. Lockheed Martin proposes to move its entire F-16 assembly line from Texas to India, making India the sole producer of the F-16. In October, the Indian government sent a letter to foreign aerospace manufacturers inquiring about single-engine fighter aircraft that could be manufactured locally. India wants to co-produce the fighter jets as part of its Make in India program. The process of selecting the new jet, however, hasn't even begun, said India's Ministry of Defense. Indian media says that even at this early stage, two fighters might well be the finalists for Indian Air Force's search for a fourth generation ++ fighter. The favorites are the Lockheed Martin F-16IN Block 70 /72 that will be produced exclusively for India and in India by Lockheed Martin, and the Saab JAS-39 Gripen that lost out to Rafale in the MRCA competition. Lockheed Martin has offered attractive incentives to India, saying it would move its F-16 manufacturing to India from Texas to produce the Indian F-16s. It claims the F-16IN will be the most sophisticated F-16 in the world. In stark and meticulous detail, federal prosecutors on Wednesday began to lay out their case against Dylann Roof, the self-avowed white supremacist charged with killing nine black worshipers at the historic Emanuel AME Church, describing him as cold and calculated as he pulled out a Glock .45-caliber pistol and fired more than 70 shots at a Bible study class. He seemed to the 12 to be harmless, Assistant U.S. Atty. Julius Jay Richardson told jurors, describing each of the congregants who had gathered at the church June 17, 2015, to read the Book of Marks Parable of the Sower. For the record: A previous version of this story quoted David Bruck as saying, The defendant will not have a lawyer at the guilt phase. Dylann Roof has attorneys for the guilt phase of his trial but plans to represent himself in the sentencing phase. Little did they know what a cold and hateful heart he had. He hadnt come to the Bible study to hear the good word. He hadnt come to hear the Lord, Richardson said in his opening statement. Advertisement He chose to execute nine good, innocent men and women. And he chose to do so out of a callous hatred of the color of their skin. Roofs defense team did not disagree. Theres not a great deal of dispute about the facts, his court-appointed attorney, David Bruck, admitted, noting that he did not expect to call any witnesses during the guilt phase of the trial. Instead, Bruck raised questions about Roofs mental and emotional stability, reminding jurors that Roof had chosen not to have an attorney during the penalty phase of the trial. He urged them to pay close attention to Roofs cold and casual demeanor, his stiff body language, as well as his statement to investigators that I dont have a best friend. In fairness and in mercy, our society does not invoke the death penalty if there are reasons to choose life, a life in prison, Bruck said. You will see a crime that is driven by fear. Where did it come from? Why would someone be so afraid? Roof, dressed in a gray-and-white prison jumpsuit, sat still and showed no emotion as attorneys, a churchgoer who attended the Bible study, and a parade of first responders recounted the massacre and its aftermath. Head fixed, he stared impassively at a stack of legal documents. In a 33-count indictment, the Department of Justice has charged Roof with 12 counts of committing a hate crime against black victims, 12 counts of obstructing the exercise of religion, and nine counts of using a firearm to commit murder. It sought the death penalty on the basis that Roof demonstrated a lack of remorse and his animosity towards African Americans played a role in the murders. Felicia Sanders, a hairstylist and church usher who survived the massacre yet lost her 26-year-old son, testified Wednesday that her fellow parishioners had welcomed Roof into the study session. The Rev. Clementa Pinckney, the churchs senior pastor, even invited Roof to take a seat next to him and handed him a Bible. I just thought he was coming in to seek the word, said Sanders, the prosecutions first witness. Bible study began with a prayer, she said, and Dylan sat passively, with his head down. We stood up, shut our eyes to say a prayer... and a loud sound went off, she testified. The room got dark. I screamed Its a gun. But by then he had already shot the Rev. Pinckney. As bullets zipped across the room, Sanders said she grabbed Camia Terry, her 11-year-old granddaughter, and ducked under a table. Be quiet, she hushed Camia, muzzling her face so tightly she worried she might suffocate her. Just play dead, she whispered. As Roof told another parishioner he would let her live so she could tell the story of what he had done, her son Tywanza stood up and asked Roof why he was shooting. The defendant over there, with his head down, who refuses to look at me right now, told my son, I have to do this because youre raping our women and yall are taking over the world, Sanders said. My son said, You dont have to do this,. We dont mean you no harm. She paused. He put about five bullets in my son. After an extraordinary legal back-and-forth between Dylann Roof and his attorneys, many in Charleston and across the nation are bracing for an ugly courtroom spectacle. Last week, Roof chose to represent himself during the initial stages of jury selection. Yet on Monday, U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel agreed to Roofs request to reinstate his legal team for the guilt phase of the trial. Roof still plans to represent himself during the penalty phase, when the jury would decide whether to sentence him to death or life in prison. Reinstating Roofs lawyers for the bulk of the trial ends the unsettling prospect that he would personally examine survivors and family members of victims who may testify. Yet it allows the possibility that the 22-year-old may sabotage his sentencing, potentially withholding information about his mental health and encouraging a jury to send him to death row. This is going to be hard to sit through, almost unbearable at times, Bruck told the jury, warning them they would see scenes of violence and death, as well as the grief of family members and survivors who did not deserve any of this. You are going to feel enormous sympathy, as well you should, he said. But you have a job to go deeper, to go beyond the surface and ask questions that no one else is required to ask. For many onlookers here and across the country, the facts of the massacre are clear: Several churchgoers witnessed Roof shoot their fellow parishioners and pastor; prosecutors allege that Roof confessed after he was captured, and even Roofs attorneys note that their client has consistently offered to plead guilty. The sole issue, they argued in a filing last week, is whether the federal death penalty will be inflicted. Early on, Roofs attorneys filed paperwork stating they planned to introduce expert evidence that would demonstrate mental disease or defect or any other mental condition bearing on the issue of punishment. In a court motion last week, they noted that capital defendants often choose to represent themselves in order to prevent presentation of mitigating evidence at the penalty phase of their trials that they cannot bear to have revealed. It appears to me that Dylann Roof really wants to live, said Christopher Adams, a Charleston attorney who specializes in federal court defenses. However, it seems equally clear he would rather die and get sentenced to death than for the world and the jurors to find out about his mental health situation. Although a defendant has a constitutional right to represent himself under the 6th Amendment, the 8th Amendment guarantees the right to a fair sentencing, which requires heightened scrutiny in a capital case. The Supreme Court has never ruled on whether a defendant who faces the death penalty may self-represent and deprive the jurors of crucial sentencing information. Theres a huge difference in the mind of a jury between someone who is evil and despicable and someone who is mentally ill, said Robert Dunham, the executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center. When an emotionally disturbed or mentally ill defendant prevents the jury from learning of the nature and extent of his mental illness or disturbance, it has an effect that reverberates through the entire court proceedings. The conflict between Roof and his attorneys became public last month when the defense team raised questions about his mental state, asking the judge to declare him incompetent to stand trial. Judge Gergel ordered Roof to take a psychiatric competency assessment, but the precise nature of Roofs mental health remains unclear because the two-day hearing was closed to the public. Ultimately, Gergel found Roof capable of standing trial, arguing that the ninth-grade high school dropout had an extremely high IQ and was able to understand courtroom proceedings. Yet legal experts note that there is a clear difference between intellectual ability and judgment. You can have an understanding of the legal process, but that does not mean you are any less mentally ill or emotionally disturbed, Dunham said. Reluctantly, Gergel allowed Roof to represent himself, saying he considered it strategically unwise but a decision you have the right to make, according to the Charleston Post and Courier newspaper. Roofs death penalty attorney, David Bruck, had his role reduced to standby counsel, advising Roof but unable to make objections or question witnesses. As Roof struggled to articulate points in the first part of jury selection last week and took on a largely passive role, the judge would not allow his standby counsel to make objections. As a result, narrowing the field to several dozen potential jurors, a process that was expected to take weeks, was over within a week. His former lawyers argued in a motion that the government risked violating Roofs constitutional rights by refusing to authorize reasonable, limited assistance and allow him to call on experienced counsel the Court appointed to stand by him to help him find the words he needs. Some legal observers say Roofs initial decision to waive counsel has already had an irreversible impact on the trial, allowing the bulk of jury selection to go on without extended questioning by experienced death penalty attorneys. Many observers expect appeals. On Sunday, Roof filed a motion asking Gergel to let the defense team represent him again. I would like to ask if my lawyers can represent me for the guilt phase of the trial only, he requested in a note that was handwritten on lined paper. Can you let me have them back for the guilt phase, and then let me represent myself for the sentencing phase of the trial? As Gergel granted Roof permission to bring his legal team back on board, he warned Roof he could not change his mind again if he disagrees with their performance. He can, however, reverse his decision to represent himself during sentencing. It is unusual, though not unprecedented, for a death row defendant to act as his own attorney particularly in a case in which a highly experienced legal team has been provided. Last year, Frazier Glenn Miller Jr., a white supremacist who killed three people at two Jewish centers in Kansas, received the death penalty after representing himself. He told jurors he didnt care what sentence was handed down and yelled, Heil, Hitler! after he was sentenced to death. In 2013, U.S. Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, who killed 13 people at the Ft. Hood military base in Texas, confessed to the shootings in his opening statement, arguing that he had switched sides to become a guerrilla fighter defending the Taliban. During his trial, he did not call witnesses or offer testimony. Splitting representation with attorneys during the course of the trial, as Roof is proposing, is even more rare. Occasionally, a defendant might represent himself at trial and then, upon becoming despondent after the verdict, turn to a lawyer for the penalty phase. But it is highly unusual for a defendant to ask an attorney to represent him only for the guilt phase. Everything about this case is unique, Dunham said. Im not sure we can be surprised by anything that might happen. To read the article in Spanish, click here Jarvie is a special correspondent. ALSO Dylann Roof: Minor crimes, creepy behavior, talk of Southern pride For Charleston shooting victims, Emanuel AME Church was their bond Mass shooting at church in Charleston resonates far beyond UPDATES: 5:25 p.m.: This article was updated with additional comments from the trial. 1:22 p.m.: This article was updated with the testimony of Felicia Sanders. 10:57 a.m.: This article was updated with opening statements from the prosecutor and the defense attorney. 7:45 a.m.: This article was updated with information about jury selection. This article was originally published at 4 a.m. Donald Trump picked John F. Kelly on Monday to lead the Homeland Security Department, putting an outspoken retired Marine general in charge of delivering Trumps promised crackdown on illegal immigration. Kelly, who lost a son in combat in Afghanistan, is the third recently retired general to join Trumps Cabinet. Like the others, he clashed at times with the Obama administration. If confirmed by the Senate, Kelly will be tasked with carrying out some of Trumps most controversial campaign pledges, including building a wall along the border with Mexico, boosting deportations of immigrants in the country illegally and vetting visitors from Muslim-majority nations. Advertisement He is the right person to spearhead the urgent mission of stopping illegal immigration and securing our borders, streamlining [the Transportation Security Administration] and improving coordination between our intelligence and law enforcement agencies, Trump said in a statement. Kelly, 66, said he was humbled and grateful to be picked. The American people voted in this election to stop terrorism, take back sovereignty at our borders, and put a stop to political correctness that for too long has dictated our approach to national security, he said in a statement. I will tackle those issues with a seriousness of purpose and a deep respect for our laws and Constitution. I am honored for the opportunity to be back in the service to our country and our people. Kelly, a Boston native, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1970 and was discharged as a sergeant in 1972. He was commissioned as an officer after he graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1976. Since then, he has commanded Marines from platoons up through corps level and combatant command, including multiple tours in Iraq. He also is a veteran of bureaucratic and political battles in Washington. He served as the Marines liaison officer to the House of Representatives, and then later to the entire U.S. Congress. He later served as a senior military assistant to Defense secretaries Robert M. Gates and Leon E. Panetta. Beginning in late 2012, he headed the U.S. Southern Command, the Pentagons regional headquarters for operations in the Caribbean, Central America and South America. He retired in January as a four-star general, the first since the Korean War to be promoted to that rank while in active combat. He had a more painful distinction as the highest-ranking U.S. military officer in years to lose a son or daughter in combat. His son, Marine Lt. Robert M. Kelly, was killed by a land mine in 2010 while he was leading a Marine platoon against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan. At the funeral at Arlington National Cemetery, Kelly blamed an enemy that is as savage as any that ever walked the earth. By choosing the retired general, Trump signaled a more militarized approach to border security after railing on the campaign trail about growing risks on Americas borders. As head of the Southern Command, Kelly ordered military operations in the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico to try to stop drug smugglers. The role made him an attractive candidate to Trumps transition team. Kellys forces also helped authorities deal with the flood of families, including thousands of children, who sought refuge in America after fleeing violence and crime in Central America. He may have benefited from his clashes with the Obama administration over its unsuccessful attempts to close the prison for terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, which came under the Southern Command. He rejected critiques from human rights groups about alleged mistreatment of detainees, including efforts to force-feed prisoners on hunger strikes. Trump has vowed to keep the prison open. Kelly also objected publicly to the Pentagons order last year to open Navy SEAL jobs and other combat roles to women, telling reporters it would create pressure to lower standards for women in elite units. Kelly also has been skeptical of laws legalizing marijuana sales in California, Colorado and elsewhere. U.S. officials have pressured governments in Central America to crack down on illicit drug production, and they look at us in disbelief when they hear about state legalization efforts, Kelly told the Senate Armed Services Committee in March 2014. Hypocrite sometimes works its way into the conversation, the word hypocrite, Kelly said. If confirmed, Kelly will run a department that has struggled with management and morale problems since its creation after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. It includes 22 agencies and nearly 250,000 federal employees who protect the president, tell airline passengers to remove their shoes, deliver aid after natural disasters, patrol on horseback along the border and do numerous other jobs. One of Kellys first tasks may be to expand existing barriers on the border with Mexico by diverting money from other border security projects. Trump recently said some of the wall he repeatedly promised could be fencing. Kelly joins another retired four-star Marine general, James N. Mattis, Trumps pick for secretary of Defense, and retired Army three-star Gen. Michael Flynn, Trumps choice for national security adviser, in Trumps inner circle of advisers. Another retired four-star Army general, David H. Petraeus, remains under consideration for secretary of State. Trump has never served in the military or in government. His reliance on so many former generals for powerful Cabinet posts has sparked concerns about the potential of undue military influence in his administration. Unlike Mattis, Kelly does not need a waiver from Congress to be confirmed. A 1947 law seeks to maintain civilian control of the Pentagon, but it doesnt apply to other Cabinet posts. Kelly was chosen over several candidates, including Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. McCaul was sharply criticized by immigration hard-liners for his more moderate stances as a congressman. Twitter: @ByBrianBennett brian.bennett@latimes.com ALSO When Trump says he wants to deport criminals, he means something starkly different than Obama Yes, Trump can boost deportations and gut the Dreamer program for young immigrants An outsider takes charge of the Border Patrol and yes, hell wear the green uniform UPDATES: 11:40 a.m. Dec. 12: The story was updated throughout with new information. The story was originally published at 11:15 a.m. Dec. 7. A man fatally shot one Georgia police officer and wounded a second Wednesday before fleeing an apartment complex near a college campus that went on lockdown as a precaution, authorities said. They said the suspect is believed to be armed and dangerous. The shooting took place when the two officers were responding to a domestic dispute in Americus, about 130 miles south of Atlanta, said Georgia Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Nelly Miles. An Americus police officer died and a Georgia Southwestern State University officer was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition, she said. The suspect, 32-year-old Minguell Kennedy Lembrick, was still at large, and local, state and federal law enforcement officers were searching for him, Americus Police Chief Mark Scott said. Advertisement Scott urged anyone who sees Lembrick to call police, but warned, Do not attempt to approach him. He is armed and dangerous. Lembrick already had outstanding warrants and was wanted for an incident that occurred earlier in the week, but the officers didnt know that when they responded to the 911 call, Scott told reporters. Shortly after the shootings, a message posted on Lembricks Facebook page read: other life gone not going to jail. Also posted to Lembricks account was a four-second Facebook Live video showing a young man partly concealed by shadows saying, Im gonna miss yall folk, man. The final message on Lembricks page read: Love yall. All three posts had Facebook timestamps between 10:13 a.m. and 10:41 a.m. The video was removed a few hours after it was posted. Miles confirmed to the Associated Press that the Facebook page belongs to the suspect. The university issued an alert on its website, saying the shooting occurred off campus but that the campus was on lockdown. ALSO A Pearl Harbor survivor spent decades trying to forget it. Then one man got him talking In New York, attacks on women with headscarves raise alarms Jury selection completed in the federal murder and hate-crimes trial of Dylann Roof UPDATES: 1:35 p.m.: This article was updated with the name of and details about the shooting suspect. 11:45 a.m.: This article was updated with news that one officer has died. This article was originally published at 10:50 a.m. Democrats draw sharper battle lines in tug of war over party leadership By Chris Megerian Even as Democrats try to move past last years defeats, their internal fault lines show signs of deepening in the campaign for the partys leadership. The latest evidence came Wednesday when former Vice President Joe Biden endorsed Thomas E. Perez, who served as President Obamas Labor secretary, to chair the Democratic National Committee. We have a lot of good people vying for this important job, Biden said in a statement. But I do think for this moment and in this time, Tom Perez is our best bet to help bring the party back. The endorsement was seen as more evidence that key members of the recently departed Obama administration were backing Perez. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) with Sen. Bernie Sanders. (Alex Wong / Getty Images) It was followed by a statement from Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont reiterating his support for Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), another leading candidate in the race. Although Sanders lost to Hillary Clinton in the presidential primary, he has continued to try to pull Democrats to the left, and he has emphasized the need to create a grass-roots party. Obama left office with strong poll numbers, but under his watch, Democrats lost power not only in Washington but in states around the country, something Sanders and his allies have stressed in the fight over the party chairmanship. The question is simple: Do we stay with a failed status-quo approach or do we go forward with a fundamental restructuring of the Democratic Party? Sanders said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Border Patrol chief is abruptly out after being brought in as a reformer By Brian Bennett The chief of the Border Patrol will leave his post at the end of the month, likely the result of a change in direction by the Trump administration and a reflection of the new power of the agencys union. Mark Morgan, the agencys head, was hired from the FBI in June to reform the force after a series of corruption allegations and problems with excessive force. He will leave the Border Patrol abruptly after seven months on the job, according to a person familiar with the decision who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Morgans departure was first reported by the Associated Press. Morgan spent 20 years at the FBI and was first brought to Customs and Border Protection, the Border Patrols parent agency, in 2014 to overhaul its internal affairs division. After a subsequent stint running the FBIs training academy, he started the top job at the Border Patrol in June. The Border Patrols union had opposed Morgans appointment, preferring a candidate who had risen through the ranks of the agency. The union endorsed President Trump in the election, breaking with its practice of remaining neutral in elections. News of Morgans departure comes a day after Trump announced he would build a border wall and hire 5,000 more Border Patrol agents, bringing the total force to 26,000. Trump said the Border Patrol union would have a lot of clout in department decisions. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump was silent on new U.S. sanctions against Russia, but he praises Putins response By Michael A. Memoli After President Obama on Thursday announced retaliatory measures against the Russian government for what the U.S. has concluded were efforts to interfere in the election, President-elect Donald Trumps response was terse and dismissive, saying it was time to move on to bigger and better things. But after Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that he would not respond in kind to the U.S. actions preferring to wait until the new administration takes office Trump weighed in with high praise. Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2016 Trumps tweet did not appear to be off the cuff. As if to underscore his sentiment, Trump affixed the tweet to the top of his Twitter feed. And he posted an Instagram photo shortly after, quoting himself. View Instagram post Trumps effusive words were particularly striking given the bipartisan view of Putin as more adversary than ally. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said they supported the Obama administrations move to expel Russian diplomats and block access to two properties owned by its government. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) is expected to call a hearing on Russias cyber activities when the new Congress convenes next week. A Trump transition spokesman was asked earlier Friday whether Trump had spoken or planned to speak with Putin before his inauguration. The priority right now is for the president[-elect] to get an update next week from the intelligence community, Sean Spicer said. Trumps praise did get tacit approval from some quarters. The Russian embassy in Washington retweeted it. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Most popular White House petitions included requests to label a hate group and deport Justin Bieber By Colleen Shalby Over the past five years, Americans have produced and signed nearly 5,000 petitions through the White Houses We the People site. How could we ever forget the effort to get the Obama administration on board with building a Death Star? Some, like that one and a petition to deport Justin Bieber, resulted only in conversation. But others made an impact. The Pew Research Center analyzed the petitions in a recent report. They ranged from serious, like an effort to ban gay conversion therapy at a state level that led the president in 2015 to support states bans, to playful. A request for Obama to appear on a previously unvisited talk show, for example, prompted him to appear on Real Time with Bill Maher in January 2016. In 2015, 106-year-old Virginia McLaurin requested a meeting with the first black president, something she never thought shed live to see. Her petition garnered only 19 signatures. But it nonetheless resulted in one of first couples most memorable meetings, this dance party: The petitioning system, launched in 2011, was part of Obamas open-government initiative. The most common topics for petitioning included healthcare, veterans issues and requests to honor individuals, such as Yogi Berra, and create or officially recognize holidays, like Talk Like a Pirate Day. While not every petition made a change or elicited a response from the White House, many captured a momentary pulse of the nation. Here are the five most popular: Legally recognize the Westboro Baptist Church as a hate group, posted Dec. 14, 2012; 367,180 signatures. Establish justice and prevent a great catastrophe, posted April 4, 2016; 331,914 signatures. File charges against the 47 U.S. senators in violation of the Logan Act in attempting to undermine a nuclear agreement, posted March 9, 2015; gained 322,117 signatures. Ask President Obama to appear on HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher, posted Jan. 15, 2016; 314,226 signatures. Deport Justin Bieber and revoke his green card, posted Jan. 23, 2014; 273,698 signatures. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Obama slaps Russia with sanctions for meddling in the U.S. election By Christi Parsons In the most sweeping retaliation against Russia in decades, President Obama slapped the country with new penalties Thursday for meddling in the U.S. presidential election, kicking out dozens of suspected spies and imposing banking restrictions on five people and four organizations the administration says were involved. All Americans should be alarmed by Russias actions, Obama said in a statement. Such activities have consequences. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print How Trump and an Obamacare rollback could affect the growing gig economy By Chicago Tribune Gabby Golub of Chicago does chalkboard art for bars and restaurants in addition to driving for Lyft and working part time at her old high school. (Kristan Lieb / Chicago Tribune) A growing share of the U.S. workforce is reyling on alternative work arrangements, which include on-demand gigs through online platforms like Lyft or Uber as well as work through temporary help agencies, freelance assignments and independent contracts. The Bureau of Labor Statistics plans to conduct a comprehensive survey of these so-called contingent workers next year, its first since 2005, helping policymakers understand the size and makeup of a workforce not covered by many labor protections or privy to the benefits that come with a traditional employer relationship. Whether policy will catch up to the labor shifts is a question experts will watch in 2017. A major conversation point has been how to develop portable benefits that give gig economy workers access to retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid sick leave even as they move from job to job. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump touts plans by Sprint and OneWeb to create 8,000 U.S. jobs By Jim Puzzanghera (Don Emmert / AFP/Getty Images) President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday touted plans by telecom company Sprint and technology start-up OneWeb to hire a total of 8,000 workers in the U.S. in what he said was very good news for the economy. He appeared to be highlighting previously made jobs announcements. OneWeb, which is building a network of satellites to deliver high-speed Internet access, said on Dec. 19 that it expected to create nearly 3,000 jobs in the U.S. over the next four years after securing $1.2 billion in funding, mostly from Japans SoftBank Group Corp. And the head of SoftBank, which owns Sprint, said on Dec. 6 that the company had agreed to invest $50 billion in the U.S. and create 50,000 jobs here. The announcement by SoftBank Chief Executive Masayoshi Son came after he met with Trump at Trump Tower in New York City. Trump touted it that day. Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on Wednesday, Trump said Sprint was going to be bringing 5,000 jobs back to the United States. They have taken them from other countries. They are bringing them back to the United States, Trump said. Sprint, though, said in a statement that the jobs would be a mixture of new positions and others that were reinstated. It wasnt clear whether those jobs were part of the 50,000 that were mentioned earlier in the month at Trump Tower. We are excited to work with President-Elect Trump and his administration to do our part to drive economic growth and create jobs in the U.S., said Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure. We believe it is critical for business and government to partner together to create more job opportunities in the U.S. and ensure prosperity for all Americans. Trump also said the OneWeb hiring is very exciting. OneWeb did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 3:25 p.m.: This story was updated with comment from Sprint. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Kerry offers fierce defense of Obamas support for Israel, urges resumption of Mideast peace talks By Laura King Secretary of State John Kerry outlines his proposals for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Zach Gibson / Getty Images) With President-elect Donald Trump tweeting from the sidelines, Secretary of State John F. Kerry on Wednesday outlined broad principles for reviving the moribund Israel-Palestinian peace process -- calls that quickly ignited a new burst of Israeli anger against the Obama administration. Kerrys lengthy and impassioned address, delivered at the State Department, marked the latest chapter in an unusually bitter public clash between the United States and Israel -- and the even more extraordinary spectacle of a president-elect again inserting himself into a sensitive diplomatic matter before taking office. In a speech lasting more than an hour, Kerry appealed for a hiatus in Jewish settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, called on Palestinian leaders to explicitly denounce terrorist attacks against Israelis, and warned repeatedly that the prospects for a two-state solution, with Israel and a Palestinian state existing side-by-side, were in jeopardy. We cannot in good conscience do nothing, and say nothing, when we see the hope of peace slipping away, he said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former California lieutenant governor will meet with Trump to discuss running Agriculture department By Michael A. Memoli Abel Maldonado. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times) President-elect Donald Trump is considering former California Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado to lead the Agriculture department, a move that would bring greater diversity to the Republicans Cabinet. Maldonado will meet with Trump on Wednesday at his Palm Beach, Fla., estate. Trump spokesman Sean Spicer noted that Maldonado, owner of Runway Vineyards in the Santa Maria Valley, comes from three generations of farmers and has strong roots in the agriculture industry of California. Trump will also meet with Dr. Elsa Murano, the former president of Texas A&M University and a former Agriculture undersecretary for food safety, in connection to the post, one of the few Cabinet positions yet unfilled. Maldonado, 49, was once considered to be the kind of Republican who could break through the partys struggle to attract widespread Latino support. A Santa Barbara County farmer whose parents were Mexican farmworker immigrants, he served as mayor of Santa Maria before being elected to the state Assembly in 1998. Perhaps Maldonados most notable political moment came when he worked with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to force Democrats to embrace the top-two primary system for California during negotiations on the state budget crisis in 2009. Schwarzenegger rewarded Maldonado with the appointment to the then-vacant post of lieutenant governor in 2010. But Maldonados role in helping push the nonpartisan primary system made him a pariah among many conservative Republicans, and he failed in subsequent races for Congress in 2012 and a brief flirtation with a run for governor in 2014. If nominated and confirmed, Maldonado would be the sole Latino in Trumps Cabinet. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump attacks Obama over Israel just ahead of Kerrys speech on the Mideast By Michael A. Memoli The detente between President Obama and President-elect Donald Trump, as both aimed to portray a smooth transition of power, appears in jeopardy. Trump condemned the Obama administrations foreign policy on Wednesday, tweeting he was doing his best to overlook inflammatory Obama moves, while engaging in 1990s-style sarcasm. Doing my best to disregard the many inflammatory President O statements and roadblocks.Thought it was going to be a smooth transition - NOT! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2016 Last week, Obama decided to have the U.S. abstain from a United Nations Security Council vote on a resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity, which allowed the measure to pass. The vote angered Israeli leaders, who accused senior U.S. officials of complicity in drafting the resolution, a claim disputed by the U.S. We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect. They used to have a great friend in the U.S., but....... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2016 not anymore. The beginning of the end was the horrible Iran deal, and now this (U.N.)! Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2016 Trumps postings came just before Secretary of State John F. Kerry delivered a major address on U.S. foreign policy that included a rebuttal to Israeli government criticisms of the Obama administration. Trumps statement of support for Israel was welcomed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has long had a tense relationship with Obama. President-elect Trump, thank you for your warm friendship and your clear-cut support for Israel! @IvankaTrump @DonaldJTrumpJr https://t.co/lURPimG0wS Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) December 28, 2016 Trump transition spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters that the president-elects tweets speak for themselves, very clearly. He also stressed that White House officials have been helpful and generous with their time, at least in terms of the mechanics of the transition. In a brief statement to reporters Wednesday night, Trump said he had a general conversation with Obama during the day. Very, very nice, was how the president-elect described the chat, which he said Obama initiated. A White House spokesman confirmed the call and characterized it as positive. When asked whether he thinks the U.S. should exit the U.N., Trump repeated his earlier comments that the global body is not living up to its potential. When do you see the United Nations solving problems? he asked. They dont, they cause problems, so if it lives up to its potential its a great thing, if it doesnt its a waste of time. The U.N. seemed to respond to Trump on Monday, in a message pinned to the top of its Twitter feed: Here's a list of 10 ways the UN makes a difference in the lives of millions every day. See what else we do: https://t.co/MGT7G5uPFL pic.twitter.com/nMxHV0rvkf United Nations (@UN) December 26, 2016 Times staff writer Christi Parsons in Honolulu contributed to this report. 5:10 p.m.: This story was updated with White House comment. 2:45 p.m.: This story was updated with Trumps comments. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement John Kerry, tireless in his diplomatic efforts, often came up empty-handed By Tracy Wilkinson John F. Kerry is nothing if not indefatigable, traveling to all corners of the world as Americas top diplomat over the last four years. But as he prepares to leave office, he confronts a mixed legacy: a handful of successes coupled with searing defeats, especially in the Middle East. His inability to halt the carnage in Syria, or to block Russias growing influence, ranks as the most serious blot on his record. But he also got nowhere trying to end the Israeli-Palestinian standoff, or to stop Saudi Arabia, a U.S. ally, from bombing civilians in Yemen. Kerrys greatest success was the historic accord to curtail Irans nuclear development program and a landmark climate change treaty to limit greenhouse gas emissions and slow global warming. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print At Pearl Harbor, Obama says we must resist the urge to demonize those who are different By Christi Parsons Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Obama. (Marco Garcia / Associated Press) President Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe scattered petals together on the waters of Pearl Harbor on Tuesday in a symbolic act aimed at laying to rest the enmity of the Japanese attack 75 years ago that drew the U.S. into World War II. In a moment consumed with history, both leaders were fixed on the future. They expressed concern that the lessons of the war might be forgotten amid a shifting world order and the anti-internationalist sentiment that has swept over politics around the globe, most notably with the ascendance of President-elect Donald Trump. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Obama and Japans Abe to visit Pearl Harbor amid renewed talk of nuclear concerns By Christi Parsons Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu on Monday. (AFP/Getty Images) President Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are scheduled to honor the war dead at Pearl Harbor on Tuesday, marking the 75th anniversary of the attack that thrust the U.S. into World War II. The visit was planned as a coda to Obamas visit to Hiroshima in May, where Abe hosted him as the first sitting president to visit the site where the U.S. dropped one of two nuclear bombs in 1945 to end the war, the only instances of nuclear attacks in history. But the visit has taken on a new meaning. President-elect Donald Trump reawakened old fears of a nuclear arms race last week by declaring his commitment to strengthen and expand U.S. nuclear capability. In his remarks at Pearl Harbor, Obama will have an opportunity to address those renewed anxieties and to lay out the dangers of an arms race. Obama has fought to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons and to secure existing caches. The visit is meant to highlight the strength of the relationship between the U.S. and Japan, an administration official said. Several Japanese prime ministers before Abe have visited the Pearl Harbor site. But Abe is the first to go to the memorial at the resting place of the battleship Arizona, where 1,177 American military personnel died in the Japanese aerial attack on Dec. 7, 1941. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Will the Feds Janet Yellen take away the punch bowl after Trump takes office? By Don Lee After three years of almost single-handedly juicing up the slow-growing economy, Janet L. Yellen and the Federal Reserve should be looking at easier days ahead. Yellen, in what will probably be her last full year as Fed chair, may finally get help from somewhere else in Washington. Tax cuts and infrastructure spending planned by President-elect Donald Trump, if backed by the Republican-controlled Congress, would lighten the load for a Fed whose easy-money policies have been the primary economic support for the nation. She is already breathing easier on the Feds employment mandate; the jobless rate has fallen to a nine-year low of 4.6%. Inflation, too, is under control and, by all accounts, creeping toward the central banks optimal level of 2%. And yet, Yellen may come under as much economic and political pressure as ever, on both the Feds policy and the independence of the institution. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Obama says he could have beaten Trump By Tracy Wilkinson (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press) President Obama says he could have defeated Donald Trump in last months election by recapturing the same vision of hope that twice carried him to the presidency. Obama also was mildly critical of the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, saying her campaign didnt do enough to get her message out. The remarks were notable because Obama has been careful since the election to avoid criticizing Trump, or to deliver a post-mortem on Clintons failed bid. Obama spoke in a wide-ranging interview with former senior advisor and now CNN commentator David Axelrod for the Democratic political operatives Axe Files podcast. The interview was released by CNN on Monday. You know, I am confident in this vision because Im confident that if I -- if I had run again and articulated it, I think I couldve mobilized a majority of the American people to rally behind it, Obama said. His comments were part of a wider discussion of what he called ugly sentiments of racism and xenophobia that surfaced during the 2016 campaign. Obama repeated his assertion that Clinton faced a double standard as a woman, which put her at a disadvantage. But he also said a kind of complacency set in that made the Clinton campaign too cautious and thus unable to get its message out sufficiently. If you think youre winning, then you have a tendency, just like in sports, maybe to play it safer, Obama said. During the interview, Obama also spoke of his family, the strength hed gotten from wife Michelle and the improbability of his own political career. And the president said the spirit that his candidacy originally inspired, especially among young people, was never snuffed out despite the last eight years of turmoil. The idealism and the dedication stayed with the staff and got us through some really hard times, he said. Trump later responded to the remarks on Twitter. UPDATE 2:07 p.m.: This article was updated with Trumps response. This article was originally published at 12:28 p.m. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Obama personally authorized U.S. abstention from U.N. vote on Israeli settlements By Michael A. Memoli President Obama personally directed Friday that the U.S. abstain from a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity, seeing the escalation of settlement building as an increasing threat to the viability of a two-state solution to the regions problems. Ahead of the expected vote, Obama, who is vacationing with his family in Hawaii, convened a discussion Thursday with Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John F. Kerry and other top national security officials. The vote was postponed, but U.S. officials continued to monitor discussions over the Egyptian-authored resolution until Friday. Obama spoke with national security advisor Susan Rice on Friday to issue his final decision. President-elect Donald Trumps intervention in the discussions, which included a conversation with Egypts president Thursday that preceded the delay in the planned vote, did not affect Obamas calculations, deputy national security advisor Ben Rhodes told reporters.. Theres one president at a time, he said. The decision to allow the resolution to pass, rather than cast a veto to block it is consistent with long-standing, bipartisan U.S. policy opposing Israeli settlement activity, Rhodes said. One of the administrations great concerns was that such activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem has accelerated significantly since 2011, when the U.S. last vetoed a comparable resolution. U.S. officials also have been concerned about continued incitements of violence by Palestinians, and Rhodes said the resolution voted on Friday included greater balance to reflect that than past resolutions. Weve been very concerned that these accelerating trends are putting the very viability of the two-state solution at risk, Rhodes said. In that context, we therefore thought that we could not in good conscience veto a resolution that expressed concerns about the very trends that are eroding the foundation for a two-state solution. He also underscored what he called Obamas iron-clad commitment to Israel and its security, noting that the administration recently concluded a major military assistance package. The U.S. did not vote for the resolution because of continued concerns about the United Nations as a venue for Middle East peace discussions, Rhodes said. He also responded to what he called strident comments of Israeli officials criticizing the U.S. move. It seems like the Israeli government wants the conversation to be about anything other than the settlement activity, he said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump team seeks to ease fears on womens programs at State Department By Tracy Wilkinson ( Andrew Harnik / Associated Press) Donald Trumps transition team said Friday its requests to the State Department for details on positions and funding for global womens programs were part of an effort to ensure and protect gender equality. The statement appeared to be an attempt to allay concerns that Trump might seek to cancel or roll back gender-focused programs at the State Department following a request by the transition team on Wednesday for information about them. Most were created or championed by Trumps campaign rival, Hillary Clinton, when she served as secretary of State during President Obamas first term. The transition team statement Friday did not outline Trumps plans for the programs, which seek to promote equality, education and vocational training for women around the world as well as combat gender-based violence. President-elect Trump will ensure the rights of women across the world are valued and protected, the statement said. To help fulfill this promise, the transition team inquired about existing programs at the State Department that helps [sic] foster gender equality, ends gender-based violence, and promotes economic and political participation finding ways to improve them. The statement said the inquiry was one of hundreds of requests it sent to federal departments as part of the transition effort. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump team asks State Department for details on programs aimed at helping women By Tracy Wilkinson Donald Trumps transition team has asked the State Department for details on programs aimed at benefiting women around the world, including identifying staff members who worked to reduce gender-based violence and promote women in the workplace. In an email sent to numerous State Department offices Wednesday, the president-elects transition team asked for urgent response to its inquiries about gender-related staffing, programming and funding. Many of the programs were begun or were championed by Hillary Clinton, who was secretary of State during President Obamas first term and who lost to Trump in November. The unusual request to the State Department follows a similar email to the Department of Energy. There the transition team asked for names of staff members who had worked on efforts to combat climate change, which Trump has dismissed as a hoax. Several Obama administration officials called that query chilling. The Trump team withdrew the request after it was widely criticized. The latest email suggests the incoming Trump administration will attempt to roll back some of the State Departments most innovative programs and may seek to penalize people who worked on them. People are freaked out, said a senior State Department official who was not authorized to speak publicly. The email asked the State Department to deliver issue papers from bureaus and offices (one paper max per bureau/office) outlining existing programs and activities to promote gender equality, such as ending gender-based violence, promoting womens participation in economic and political spheres, entrepreneurship, etc. It said the issue papers should note jobs whose primary functions are to promote such issues, as well as money allocated for those activities and programs in fiscal year 2017. While at State, Clinton made womens issues a top priority. An office was created to deal exclusively with global womens issues, and money was allocated for programs that promote education of girls, train women in marketable skills and offer microloans. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump taps seasoned Republican operative Sean Spicer as White House press secretary By Lisa Mascaro President-elect Donald Trump named Sean Spicer as his new press secretary, tapping a seasoned Republican operative as the public face of the new White House. Spicer, a top Republican National Committee strategist who brought a measure of establishment Washington to Trumps operation, is known for his combative but engaging approach to communications. He will likely take over the press podium as the top spokesman at the incoming White House. Two other veterans of the Trump campaigns press operation also will get White House jobs: Jason Miller, who had been Trumps communications chief after moving from the campaign of Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, will stay in that role as communications director at the White House. Hope Hicks, who was Trumps spokesperson on the campaign trail and one of his earliest campaign aides, will be assistant to the president and director of strategic communications, and Dan Scavino will serve as director of social media. Sean, Hope, Jason and Dan have been key members of my team during the campaign and transition. I am excited they will be leading the team that will communicate my agenda that will Make America Great Again, Trump said in a statement. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Obama eliminates post-9/11 registry for foreigners, making it harder for Trump to restart it By Brian Bennett (Don Emmert / AFP/Getty Images) The Obama administration is taking apart a controversial, dormant national registry program that tracked visitors from countries with active terrorist groups for several years following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. A final rule eliminating the program will be published in the federal register on Friday. The move would make it more difficult for President-elect Donald Trump to revive the registry, which hasnt been used since 2011. The Department of Homeland Security determined it was ineffective and didnt improve security. Civil rights advocates have long said the program was discriminatory. On the campaign trail, Trump promised to track Muslims coming to the U.S. and require them to register. He later changed his stance to say he would bar people from countries with a record of Islamist extremism. Trumps policy advisors have been looking closely at ways to jump start the registry, called the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System, after he takes office at the end of January. With the program being officially dismantled on Friday, Trumps team would have to issue new federal rules to restart it, a process that could take several months and would require a period for soliciting comments from the public, which likely would be contentious. The Trump transition team is preparing several executive actions for the incoming president, Trump spokesman Jason Miller told reporters Thursday morning when asked about Obama dismantling the registry. Stopping radical Islamic terrorists from entering the U.S. is of paramount importance, Miller said. He didnt say directly if Trump would rebuild the visitor registry. The American people strongly support tough measures to keep radical Islamic terrorists out of our country, and President-elect Trump has made clear that we will suspend admissions of those from countries with high terrorism rates and apply a strict vetting procedure for those seeking entry in order to protect American lives, he said. When asked on Wednesday if he would set up a registry for Muslims or impose a ban on Muslim immigrants in the wake of the truck attack on a Christmas market in Berlin, Trump said simply: You know my plans. Democratic lawmakers and civil liberties advocates have demanded in recent weeks that Obama dismantle the registry. Theyve cited a 2012 inspector general report that said Homeland Security databases collecting traveler fingerprints, flight manifests and intelligence information on foreigners are more effective at preventing terrorist attacks. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) praised the Homeland Security Departments decision to strip away dead-letter regulations no longer in use. These regulations symbolized an ineffective program based on religious and ethnic profiling, rather than individualized suspicion a program based on fear, rather than reason, Leahy said in a statement. That has no place in this great country, under any administration. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump is unwinding some foreign deals but many potential conflicts remain By Joseph Tanfani The Trump hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan, would be among the finest in the world, Donald Trump promised two years ago, another example of our involvement in only the best global development projects. But the dream of a world-class Trump Baku died this month, with Trump saying he was backing out of the deal because of delays and blown deadlines caused by the developer, a 34-year-old with close family connections to the countrys government. The demise of Trump Baku is not an isolated decision. With his inauguration less than a month away, President-elect Trumps company has pulled out of a few international business deals that might have created especially sticky conflicts and controversies for his administration. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump names UC Irvine professor and fierce China critic to new White House Trade Council By Don Lee Peter Navarro, left, and China expert Gordon Chang attend a screening of Death By China, the film adaptation of Navarros book, in New York in 2012. (Andy Kropa / Getty Images) President-elect Donald Trump, signaling that he intends to follow through on his tough talk on trade, is establishing a new White House-based trade council to be headed by a vehement critic of Chinas economic policies. Trump on Wednesday named Peter Navarro, a Harvard-trained business professor at UC Irvine, as director of trade and industrial policy and head of the newly created White House National Trade Council. The move sends a strong message: The Trump administration will take a much more aggressive posture to shrink the nations large trade deficit and combat what the president-elect and Navarro believe are forces behind Americas manufacturing woes unfair and mercantilist practices on the part of China and other trading partners. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print The issue of race has hung over Sen. Jeff Sessions like a shadow. Heres why By Del Quentin Wilber (Scott Olson / AFP/Getty Images) Jeff Sessions uneasy history with race can be traced back to the long, winding country roads that cut through the pine forests and farm land in this deep corner of the Deep South. As a boy, Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III began each day before dawn, boarding a segregated bus to his all-white school. En route he and his classmates passed the bus ferrying black students in the opposite direction. The day ended when he sat down to dinner each night with his father, an avowed segregationist until the end of his life. Reflecting on those years, Sessions acknowledged recently that he knew back then that segregation was morally wrong and regretted standing by passively as civil rights leaders in the 1960s struggled and died in the fight for equality. I should have stepped forward more and been a leader and more positive force, Sessions said in February while participating in a ceremony honoring the Selma foot soldiers. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Kellyanne Conway will join Trump in the White House By Evan Halper (Gerald Herber / Associated Press) Donald Trump has named his media-savvy campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, to advise him in the White House in the role of counselor, his transition team announced early Thursday morning. The move comes after Conway sought to put to rest speculation that she would continue to serve as the public face of the Trump team. But the new job is sure to keep her profile high. Conway will will work with senior leadership to effectively message and execute the administrations legislative priorities and actions, according to a statement from the Trump transition team. Kellyanne Conway has been a trusted advisor and strategist who played a crucial role in my victory, Trump said in the statement. She is a tireless and tenacious advocate of my agenda and has amazing insights on how to effectively communicate our message. The appointment would boost diversity in a Trump inner circle made up mostly of older white men. It also sets up another potentially competing power center on a White House staff that already will have several, including Reince Priebus, the chief of staff; Stephen K. Bannon, the chief strategist; and Stephen Miller, the policy chief. Conway had previously turned down other proposals for White House jobs, telling reporters late last month that she did not want to spend long hours away from her children. At that point, Conway said she thought she could best help Trump by forming an outside organization to support his policies. But that role appears to have gone to Brad Parscale, who ran Trumps online operations during the campaign. Conway joined Trumps campaign during the summer when it was beset with infighting and disarray. She is widely credited with helping bring message discipline and professionalism to an operation in desperate need of it. In the run-up to the election and the weeks that followed, Conway was a ubiquitous presence on cable news networks, capably moving through her talking points in tough interview settings often on the firing line and held to account for the exaggerations and incendiary remarks Trump was prone to make on the campaign trail and Twitter. I am humbled and honored to play a role in helping transform the movement he has led into a real agenda of action and results, Conway said in the statement. She is the founder and owner of the Polling Company, inc./WomanTrend, a GOP firm that has been advising candidates for two decades. Trump has not yet chosen a press secretary. But he is believed to be considering several candidates. Sean Spicer, former communications chief of the Republican Party who has served in a spokesman role for Trump through the transition, has been a prominent possibility, although Trump reportedly has considered several women, including conservative talk radio star Laura Ingraham and Fox News personality Kimberly Guilfoyle. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump Hotel employees in Las Vegas get a union contract By Kurtis Lee (Mike Nelson / Getty Images) Its owned by President-elect Donald Trump and is among a handful of hotels on the Las Vegas Strip to not be unionized. But that will change soon. For more than a year, Trump and his staff at the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas have fought efforts by employees and the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 to negotiate a contract. But a four-year contract announced by the union on Wednesday will offer Trump employees annual wage increases, a pension and family healthcare, among other benefits. In Nevada, the culinary union is the states largest and most powerful, representing nearly 55,000 workers who serve cocktails and prepare food at hotels throughout the state. A majority of the unions members are Latino. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Wait! Dont cancel that Air Force One order just yet By Evan Halper Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2016 After Donald Trump scolded Boeing earlier this month for the escalating cost of building a new Air Force One, the companys CEO projected confidence that Trump wouldnt be following through with his threat to cancel order! The two men met together at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Wednesday. Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg said they spoke about a range of issues. The Air Force One project, which Trump complained would cost taxpayers more than $4 billion, invariably arose. Were going to get it done for less than that, and were committed to working together to make sure that happens, Muilenberg said. The company had previously noted that the project did not yet have a firm price tag. I was able to give the president-elect my personal commitment on behalf of the Boeing Company. This is a business thats important to us. We work on Air Force One because its important to our country, and were going to make sure that he gets the best capability and that its done affordably, Muilenberg added. He called the conversation terrific and Trump a good man who is doing the right thing. The presidential aircraft remains a long way from takeoff a new plane wont be ready for use in the next four years. Even if Trump is reelected, he might not get to use the plane, as the earliest projected date for completion is 2024. Boeing is currently doing early development work on the plane a modified 747 that will likely be outfitted with such gadgetry as top-secret communications equipment, countermeasures to foil missile attacks, and aerial refueling capability that would enable it to remain airborne for days at a time if necessary. The timing of delivery was among the topics that came up at Trumps meeting with the Boeing CEO. Thats what were going to work on together, Muilenberg said. We have an active 747 production line, and were eager to get started on the program. We havent actually started the build of the airplane yet, but once we finalize the requirements and make sure that its affordable, well launch on building the aircraft. Weve got a hot production line and were ready to go. The government actually has two planes outfitted to serve as Air Force One, which is the designation given to whichever plane is carrying the president. The current planes, which were put into service during the Reagan administration, are nearing the end of their design life. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Fierce China critic and UC Irvine professor to head Trumps new trade council By Don Lee (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times) President-elect Donald Trump is establishing a new White House-based trade office that will be headed by a UC Irvine professor known for his fierce criticisms of Chinese trade and economic practices. In appointing Peter Navarro as director of trade and industrial policy and the head of the new National Trade Council inside the White House, Trump is signaling that he wants to follow through on his tough campaign rhetoric in which he blamed the Chinese for the large U.S. trade deficit and manufacturing woes. During the campaign,Trump threatened to slap a 45% tariff on Chinese imports. Navarro, a Harvard-trained economist who advised Trump during the campaign, is the author of the book Death by China: Confronting the Dragon a Global Call to Action. Trump endorsed the 2011 book as well as Navarros film version of the polemical work. I read one of Peters books on Americas trade problems years ago and was impressed by the clarity of his arguments and thoroughness of his research, Trump said Wednesday in a statement announcing the appointment. He will fulfill an essential role in my administration as a trade advisor. Trump said the new trade office would develop policies to shrink the nations trade deficit and curb the off-shoring of jobs, as well as to lead initiatives such as the Buy America, Hire America program. Navarro, in a statement, said he would be honored to serve Trump and the nation and to advise on policies to re-balance our trade, rebuild our industrial base, and restore Americas comprehensive national power by making America great again. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump stops the drain the swamp talk as new alligators emerge By Evan Halper Newt Gingrich. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press) It made for a great slogan during the campaign, but now that hes won, Donald Trump is finding that maybe he doesnt actually want to drain the swamp. In fact, the alligators seem to be doing quite well. Former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski on Wednesday boasted about his access and proximity to Trump in announcing a new consulting firm he plans to open with former Trump campaign advisor Barry Bennett. The firms offices will be one block from the White House. Clients who pony up what are sure to be hefty fees for the firms services are being assured by Lewandowski in his marketing materials that he turned down multiple opportunities within the administration so he can serve them. The pitch implies Lewandowski will remain a de facto surrogate for Trump with all the access that implies as he bills those seeking to influence the Trump administration for his services. So perhaps the time is ripe for Trump to stop using the drain the swamp phrase. And that is what Trump has decided to do, according to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who describes himself as an outside advisor to the president-elect. Im told he now just disclaims that, Gingrich said in an interview on National Public Radio, referring to the slogan Trump used in the final phase of his campaign to crystallize his promise to cleanse Washington of insiders and self-dealers. He now says it was cute, but he doesnt want to use it anymore, Gingrich said, adding that perhaps all this swamp draining talk isnt presidential. Hes in a different role now and maybe he feels that as president, as the next president of the United States, that he should be marginally more dignified than talking about alligators in swamps, Gingrich said. I personally have, as a sense of humor, like the alligator and swamp language, he added. I think it vividly illustrates the problem, because all the people in this city who are the alligators are going to hate the swamp being drained. And theres going to be constant fighting over it. But, you know, he is my leader, and if he decides to drop the swamp and the alligator, I will drop the swamp and the alligator. Lewandowski, for his part, made no mention of swamps or alligators in announcing his new consulting firm would be open for business. Proud to launch our new venture today to support @realDonaldTrump achieve his agenda in Washington D.C. pic.twitter.com/ZEot6IrvJ4 Corey R. Lewandowski (@CLewandowski_) December 21, 2016 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Death penalty in steep decline, but not in Los Angeles County By David Savage Lonnie Franklin Jr. was tried and convicted of 10 counts of murder. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles County and the state of California again recorded the most new death sentences this year, amid a sharp decline across the nation in both executions and new death sentences. Judges and juries in Los Angeles County imposed a death sentence on four murderers during 2016, including Lonnie Franklin Jr., the so-called Grim Sleeper, who was convicted of killing 10 women. No other county had more than one death sentence, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Since 2010, Los Angeles County has recorded 36 new death sentences, more than any county in the nation. This year marked the first time in more than 40 years where no state recorded 10 or more new death sentences, the group said in its year-end report. California had the most with nine, followed by Ohio (five), Texas (four), Alabama (three) and Florida (two). California has by far the nations largest death row, with 750 condemned inmates, but it has not carried out an execution in the past decade. Overall, the report documented the steep decline for capital punishment over the past two decades. The number of new death sentences had fallen by 90%, from 315 in 1996 to only 30 this year. And the number of executions has fallen from a high of 98 in 1999 to 20 this year. Georgia (nine) and Texas (seven) accounted for most of the executions. The only other states to put inmates to death were Alabama (two), Missouri (one) and Florida (one). Robert Dunham, the groups executive director, says the nation is clearly turning away from capital punishment. Whether its concerns about innocence, costs and discrimination, availability of life without parole as a safe alternative, or the questionable way in which states are attempting to carry out executions, the public grows increasingly uncomfortable with the death penalty each year, he said. But his report noted that Californias voters, by a 53%-47% margin, rejected a ballot measure to abolish the death penalty, and narrowly approved a measure, by a 51%-49% margin, to limit appeals and expedite executions. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement New survey finds less optimistic Democrats seeking many paths to their future success By Cathleen Decker (Andrew Harnik / Associated Press) Since Hillary Clintons November defeat, Democrats have squabbled over how to return to prominence. Should they continue to court ascendant voter groups in the country, such as women, minorities and young people? Or should they turn to those who have long been in their camp but abandoned the party nominee this year, such as rural and non-college-educated voters. The answer, according to a Pew Research poll published Tuesday: Democrats want to walk both paths, simultaneously. The poll asked Democrats and Republicans whether their parties had spent too much, too little or just the right amount of time meeting the interests and concerns of specific groups of voters. Among Democrats, 64% said the party had spent too little time talking to rural voters, and 58% said the same about non-college voters. Almost two-thirds of Democrats said low-income voters had not gotten enough of the partys attention, and 58% said middle-class voters had been ignored to some extent. But Democratic voters did not want to let up on the partys outreach to its stronger supporters this year. About half said that the concerns of women and African American voters had gotten too little attention, while 43% said the same about Latinos. In the case of women, African Americans, Latinos, low-income voters, rural residents and younger voters, Democrats were substantially more likely than Republicans to say their party had not put enough emphasis on the groups concerns. The poll suggested far more confidence by Republicans than Democrats in their partys current positioning. Much of that may simply be the flood of confidence that accompanies a presidential victory. When the pollsters asked before the election about their view of their party, 61% of Republicans said they were optimistic, as did 77% of Democrats about their own party. After the election those figures reversed, with 79% of Republicans optimistic compared with 61% of Democrats. A key to Trumps success also was evident in the poll: a chameleon-like ability to make the different ideological groups in the party think he was one of them. Almost 3 in 5 conservatives said that Trumps views were conservative. And among moderates, 52% said that Trumps ideology was a mix of conservative and liberal, echoing their own posture. But queries about the new presidents impact on his party drew sharply partisan responses. More than two-thirds of all voters said that Trump had forced major changes on his party. Yet 72% of Democrats cast those changes as bad ones, while 83% of Republicans cast the changes as good ones. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print The artist and the senator: One built a desert masterpiece, the other a Nevada legacy By Lisa Mascaro When Sen. Harry Reid heard about a reclusive artist building a massive land sculpture across desolate acres in the Nevada desert, he knew they should meet. Its not just that Reid enjoys eccentrics and fighters, which he does. Michael Heizer had found an unusual way to express the majesty and artistry of the same lonely Nevada landscape that formed Reids childhood, when he would escape the dismal, rugged conditions of tiny Searchlight to play in the deserts hidden springs and abandoned fortresses. Both men discovered in Nevada what many outsiders miss. Far from seeing a nuclear wasteland, a dumping site or even a playground for gamblers, they drew inspiration from Nevadas quiet beauty. Heizer created an American masterpiece a milelong complex of dirt, rock and cement rising from the desert floor like modern-day pyramids or the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza. For Reid, his appreciation for Nevadas unique landscape became a cornerstone of one of the most lasting yet less-familiar pieces of his political legacy. Read More Artist Michael Heizer and Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) speak in the Capitol. (Lisa Mascaro / Los Angeles Times) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print With 304 votes, electoral college seals Donald Trumps election as president despite more desertions than ever By Michael Finnegan They convened amid unusual scrutiny, widespread protests and rafts of speculation about efforts to alter the outcome, but, in the end, the nations 538 presidential electors mostly stuck to the script Monday, formally sealing Donald Trumps victory with 304 votes in the electoral college, well above what he needed to capture the White House. After all the efforts to lobby Republican electors to desert Trump, only two did a pair from Texas, one of whom voted for former Texas Rep. Ron Paul and the other for Ohio Gov. John Kasich. Indeed, instead of an uprising against Trump, the days voting was punctuated more by small, but persistent, gestures of Democratic discontent with Hillary Clinton. A handful of electors deserted her and a few more tried to, but were deterred by state faithless elector laws. Some of the Democratic dissenters were supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who lost the primaries to Clinton but galvanized the partys left wing. Others were backers of an abortive effort that had tried to recruit Democrats and Republicans to unite behind a third candidate other than Clinton or Trump. In the end, seven electors voted for a person other than the candidate who won their states the largest number of electoral college desertions in a presidential contest in U.S. history, eclipsing a record set in 1808. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print As electoral college meetings end in Hawaii, Bernie Sanders gets a vote that will stick By Michael A. Memoli David Mulinix, Hawaii elector who voted for Sanders, said Clinton wasn't qualified. Also said @POTUS wasn't progressive, but "conservative" pic.twitter.com/miCnZ6PzXI Mike Memoli (@mikememoli) December 20, 2016 The last of the 50 states gave Bernie Sanders his first electoral college vote that counted. Hillary Clinton received three of the states four electoral votes after winning 60% of the popular vote here last month. But one elector, David Mulinix, said he cast his vote for the Vermont senator because he was the most qualified candidate. They can call me faithless, but the point is if we dont think someones qualified and Hillary Clinton I do not feel is qualified, he said. Hawaiis electors are chosen by the major parties at their state conventions. Mulinix said he joined the party only this election cycle to support Sanders, who he said would have been elected president had he been the Democratic nominee. He had previously told the Associated Press he would cast his vote for Clinton, but said he changed his mind at the last minute. She did not lose the vote to Russian hackers; she lost the vote right there at the convention, he said, referring to the Democratic National Convention, where he said Sanders backers were treated unfairly. They robbed us, and the millennials know it. Mulinix, who, like his fellow electors, wore a lei made of green jade flowers, arrived for the vote with a list of candidates who had received votes in other electoral college meetings across the country. He was aware that an elector in Maine had tried to vote for Sanders but that his vote had been invalidated. An election official said the vote for Sanders here would count. The brief proceedings here in a nondescript conference room on the state Capitols third floor began with another elector, John Bickel, asking whether there was any penalty for electors who cast their ballots for someone other than the winner of the statewide vote. He said later that he had asked because he suspected someone might stray. The electoral college is outdated. If any election has proved the electoral college is outdated, its this one, Bickel said. Dolly Strazar, another elector and the vice chair of the state Democratic Party, said she had long supported the electoral college because it ensured some degree of competition between large states and small ones like Hawaii. It really seems in our times, its thoroughly outdated, she said. Janice Bond, the fourth elector, said she would have voted for Sanders but did not believe she was able to. She also expressed regret that President Obama, who was born in Hawaii and is vacationing here with his family, did not attend the meeting. To have him be on our island and not show face was disappointing, she said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement No fireworks as Nevada electors cast votes for Clinton By David Montero Nevadas six electors cast their votes for Hillary Clinton on Monday afternoon in Carson City, reflecting her victory in the swing state despite losing the overall electoral college vote to President-elect Donald Trump. Clinton won Nevada by almost 3 points over Trump, and the swing state was one of her few bright spots on election day. The six electors five from northern Nevada and one from Las Vegas cast their ballots before about 75 people who had packed into the Old Assembly Chambers of the state Capitol. A few brought signs in support of Clinton, and there was some applause when the votes were cast. It all took place in less than a half-hour. No fireworks, said Wayne Thorley, deputy secretary of state for elections. He said about 40 people showed up in front of the state Capitol in the morning in sub-freezing temperatures to also show support for Clinton. Thorley said he hadnt anticipated a lot of controversy as the electors were required to sign a pledge before voting that said they wouldnt deviate from Nevadas Nov. 8 election results. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print In solemn ceremony, California electors cast votes for Hillary Clinton By Melanie Mason Casting my electoral vote for President and Vice President of the United States of .... https://t.co/jI2FGFCrVg pic.twitter.com/qufSJUM5WF Susan Eggman (@SusanEggman) December 19, 2016 In a proceeding long on formalities and short on speeches, Californias 55 electors cast their vote for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Monday, a ceremony that coincided almost exactly with Republican Donald Trump clinching the national electoral college win. Contrasting with the spirited protests outside the state Capitol, the mood in the state Assembly chambers was muted, even a bit glum, as electors, tapped by the states Democratic establishment, convened to cast their votes for Clinton. California, which overwhelmingly backed Clinton in the presidential contest, requires all 55 electors to back the states winner. Todays solemnity and formality reminds us that in our nation, American greatness and American independence, rests on a foundation of law, said Assemblyman Ken Cooley (D-Cordova), who presided over the event. As written ballots were distributed, the room was completely silent, save for the clicking of camera shutters. Just moments before voting began, Trump, Clintons rival, had secured the electoral college win, with Texas, Californias perennial rival, putting him over the top. His victory went unacknowledged in the ceremony. Among the electors were current elected officials, such as Assemblywomen Susan Talamantes Eggman of Stockton and Shirley Weber of San Diego. Others included Christine Pelosi, daughter of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Laphonza Butler, leader of the powerful labor union SEIU in California. Electors did not make individual speeches during the main ceremony, and Trumps name was hardly mentioned. But there were subtle references to the rancorous political season: Rev. Bob Oshita, the Assembly chaplain and former reverend of the Sacramento Buddhist Church, urged leaders to engage in calming self-reflection in an opening prayer. The tone grew considerably sharper at the end of the gathering, when Pelosi offered a motion calling for an investigation into Russian efforts to influence the election outcome. I move that as an Electoral College, we do not normalize this election. We do not accept Russian interference in our election, Pelosi said. Her motion was adopted by electors, with applause. View Twitter post This post was updated at 3:32 p.m. with comments from Christine Pelosi. It was originally published at 3:12 p.m. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print All of Floridas electoral votes go to Trump By Gray Rohrer Floridas electors applaud as the vote for Donald Trump is announced at the state Capitol in Tallahassee on Monday. (Steve Cannon / Associated Press) Donald Trump officially won all 29 of Floridas electoral college votes on Monday during a ceremony held at the Capitol in Tallahassee, despite pleas from protesters to electors to change their vote at the last minute. About 100 protesters gathered outside the Florida Senate chambers before the vote, chanting love trumps hate and flip the vote and holding signs that read Vote Your Conscience, Dont Make Russia Great Again! The electors, made up of Republican Party of Florida members and high-ranking elected officials like state Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi, Senate President Joe Negron and state party chairman Blaise Ingoglia, did their best to ignore the protesters. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim was a Trump nemesis. Now the president-elect says hes wonderful By Evan Halper Donald Trump has decided that Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, one of his favorite villains during the presidential election, might not be so bad after all. Hes even wonderful, Trump now says. The two dined together Saturday at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, after which Trump had only nice things to say about Slim, according to a report in the Washington Post. Trump described the interaction with his erstwhile nemesis as a lovely dinner with a wonderful man. This is not how Trump talked about Slim, one of the worlds richest men, during the election. The Mexican billionaire was a regular target of the then-GOP nominee because of his large ownership stake in the New York Times. Add to that Slims generous contributions to the Clinton Foundation and his citizenship in the country Trump reveled in attacking, and he made for good fodder at Trump rallies. When Trump objected to the New York Times coverage of his campaign and its reporting on the allegations by multiple women of past inappropriate sexual advances by Trump he alleged it was all part of a conspiracy cooked up by Slim. Trump called the outlets reporters corporate lobbyists for Carlos Slim and for Hillary Clinton. The New York Times called Trumps charges a fabrication, saying Slim had never inserted himself in editorial decision making there. And Trump offered no evidence to the contrary. A spokesman for Slim said at the time the two had never met, and the Mexican businessman had no interest in involving himself in the U.S. election. Now theyve met. The takeaway from the meeting, though, is murky. Maybe it indicates Trump is softening his posture toward Mexico or maybe it just indicates billionaires enjoy the company of other billionaires. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Meet the California electors By Liam Dillon Among the electors are Janine Bera, the wife of Rep. Ami Bera of Elk Grove; Christine Pelosi, the daughter of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and chairwoman of the state partys womens caucus; Eileen Feinstein Mariano, granddaughter of Sen. Dianne Feinstein; and Olivia Reyes-Becerra, daughter of Rep. Xavier Becerra of Los Angeles. State Assemblywomen Susan Eggman of Stockton and Shirley Weber of San Diego, former state Sen. Christine Kehoe of San Diego, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nury Martinez and Laphonza Butler, president of the Service Employees International Union chapter that represents home care employees, also are on the list. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Three Washington state Democratic electors vote for Gen. Colin Powell, one for Faith Spotted Eagle By Rick Anderson (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press) Despite a statute binding the 12 members of the electoral college to vote for the winner of the states 2016 presidential election popular vote, four Washington electors made history and risked a $1,000 fine by voting for someone else Monday. But it wasnt Donald Trump. Hillary Clinton, supported by 57% of the states voters, wound up with eight of the 12 electoral votes at a session held in the State Capitol building here. Gen. Colin Powell received three votes. And Faith Spotted Eagle, an elder of the Yankton Sioux, received one. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Colorado elector says he was oppressed by state law into voting for Clinton By David Kelly In Denver, all nine electors voted for Hillary Clinton, after one was replaced for casting his ballot for Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich instead. A boisterous crowd packed the state Capitol and booed when elector Michael Baca was dismissed and another sworn in to take his place. Vote your conscience! someone cried. The new elector voted for Clinton. Hecklers screamed Resign! Resign! at Secretary of State Wayne Williams after he shooed Bacas lawyer off the podium. Suspense had been building for weeks over how the electors would vote. Two courts blocked their attempts to vote for someone other than Clinton. State law here says electors must support the candidate who won the popular vote. On Sunday night they went to court again, this time asking a judge to reject a new oath drawn up by the secretary of state requiring electors to pledge to support the winner of the popular vote. Their motion was denied. As they waited, the crowd sang This Land is Your Land and America the Beautiful. But once the electors filed in, it was over quickly. Elector Robert Nemanich said he was oppressed by state law into voting for Clinton and would go to the U.S. Supreme Court. He did not elaborate. Lance Armstrong, 68, stood outside with an American flag. Im glad some of the electors made a point today, he said. Any point is better than none. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump officially gets 270th electoral vote, sealing his election as president By Julie Westfall Donald Trump has obtained the required 270 electoral votes to become president. Although electors in dozens of states still have to vote, the electoral balloting in Texas put Trump over the majority threshold, according to a state-by-state tally by the Associated Press. Thirty-six of the states electors voted for Trump, one for John Kasich and one for Ron Paul. The next, and last, official step in the electoral process is for Congress to count the votes. Under the procedure set out by the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, that formal process is scheduled for Jan. 6. Some anti-Trump activists had hoped against hope that they could persuade electors in states that voted for Trump to defect, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Electors are nearly all party loyalists. Additionally, they faced more than two centuries of tradition and, in some states, legal obligations that called for them to cast their ballots according to which candidate won the popular vote in their states. No defectors have ever changed the result of a presidential election. Four electors today successfully defected in Washington state. Instead of voting for Hillary Clinton, who won the states popular vote, three electors voted for former secretary of State Colin Powell and one voted for Faith Spotted Eagle, an environmental activist. Electors in two other states who tried to vote against the states winner were replaced with alternates. There may be additional defections in the remaining states, but since Trump now has a majority of the electoral votes, those would not be enough to change the result. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Emotions high in Maryland as electors unanimously vote for Clinton By Erin Cox (Erin Cox/Baltimore Sun) As Marylands 10 electors unanimously cast votes for Democrat Hillary Clinton for president Monday, several said they were privileged to vote for the countys first female presidential nominee. Outside, hundreds of anti-Trump protesters cheered as the solemn ceremony unfolded on live-stream television. A state delegate, who had the ceremonial task of handing the electors votes to another official, wept while executing her duty. This is an emotional moment for many, many women in this country and in this state, said Del. Maggie McIntosh, a Baltimore Democrat. She added later: I guess I didnt cry enough on Nov. 8. Marylands electors were bound by state law to vote for the winner of Marylands popular vote, which Clinton secured with more than 60% of the ballots cast. About 100 protesters who had been chanting and singing around the historic State House grounds for at least four hours before the vote said they came in solidarity with protesters in Republican state capitols, pleading with electors not to endorse President-elect Donald Trump. This is appalling and unacceptable, and Im hoping the Republicans, in particular, rise above and do the right thing, said Cheryl Kreiser, a retired teacher from the Washington, D.C., suburb of Silver Spring. For an hour every day for the last 21 days, Kreiser has protested Trumps win on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It was the only way I could cope with the disappointment, she said. Marylands Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, who wrote in his fathers name rather than vote for Trump on election day, opened Marylands 58th electoral college meeting but left the room before electors were sworn in. Each elector had been appointed by the Maryland Democratic Party state chair, Bruce Poole, who reminded the crowd the United States is not a direct democracy ruled by the popular vote. A lot of people lose sight of the fact that were a republic. Were not a democracy, Poole said. The whole idea was that the president would not be chosen just by the whims of the moment, but instead there would be an opportunity for people who were thoughtful, who had judgment, who had integrity to take a step back from the moment of emotion and consider what would be in the best interest of the country. Here is "the old book" where Maryland has recorded its Electoral College electors every year since 1789. pic.twitter.com/GlsaJd3F3X Erin Cox (@ErinatThePost) December 19, 2016 Before he introduced Marylands electors, Poole lamented the state of political discourse in the country. We live in the age of information. It is not necessarily the age of wisdom or age of judgment, he said. People on both sides, on all sides, make decisions at the snap of a finger. Maryland was both the model for creating the electoral college and the first state in the country to vote to bypass it. Framers modeled todays system after the way the Maryland House of Delegates selected Maryland senators, a process the state later abandoned after it was considered undemocratic, according to a history of the electoral college written by staff at the Maryland Board of Elections. Hogan noted the state is one of six to have participated every year since 1789. In 2007, Maryland was the first state to vote to sign the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, a promise designed to award the electoral college to the winner of the national popular vote. It required enough states to comprise 270 votes to sign on for it to take effect. So far, only 10 states including California with a combined 165 votes have signed the compact. The president of Marylands electors, Courtney Watson, also co-chaired Clintons campaign in Maryland. She said she thought changes to the electoral college should be considered and described Monday as a poignant moment for Maryland residents. Its a very emotional time, she said. Many of us have worked long and hard, and for the first woman candidate. The point, though, is that people are still moved and even more engaged. And thats what I find promising for our future and the future of women. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Christine Pelosi, daughter of Nancy Pelosi and California elector, demands to know the truth about Russian influence By Jazmine Ulloa Elector @sfpelosi: We won't stand down. #caleg pic.twitter.com/4cM3cE4Wb6 Jazmine Ulloa (@jazmineulloa) December 19, 2016 California elector Christine Pelosi on Monday told crowds gathered outside the Capitol that she has been part of a chorus of people demanding to know the truth about Russian interference in the November presidential election. Pelosi, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosis daughter, is leading 10 other electors in a call for an intelligence briefing on Russian influence. Shouting into a microphone Monday, she said Russian hackers aim to turn the American people against each other and had marginalized her and others for speaking out. They trespass on servers, she said. They receive stolen emails. They pump out stories that day after day focus on scandal rather than policy, rather than talking about climate and immigration and human rights. Californias meeting of electors is about to get underway in the state Capitol. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print After prayer for national unity, Georgia electors vote for Trump By Jenny Jarvie Outside the Georgia Capitol today, some may have held a flicker of hope that a GOP elector would refuse to cast a ballot for Donald Trump as 45th president of the United States. Yet among the inner circle of Republicans who gathered inside the cozy, wood-paneled Senate chamber, there was little doubt about what would unfold. One by one, all 16 electors - dressed in formal business suits and red dresses, bow ties and blazers -- cast their ballots for the contentious Republican candidate. It was a short ceremony, with little opportunity for disruption. Security guards prevented the public from entering the chamber, cordoning off the hallway outside the room with a red rope and locking the main door before proceedings began. The electors chosen by Georgias Republican Party included well-connected attorneys and real estate agents, a high school teacher and a farmer. As they waited for the gathering to begin, many snapped selfies and waved at loved ones above in the upper gallery. After a call to order by the Georgia Republican Party chair, the electors bowed their heads, and Rachel Little, an elector and grass-roots Republican organizer, delivered an invocation. Lord, we know we are a divided country right now, she said. We pray that you will unite us. We pray that [those who oppose Trump] will see our conservatism lived out in a gracious way. In a short speech, Gov. Nathan Deal hit out at activists who had bombarded electors with emails, letters and phone calls in an effort to sway their votes. You have been the subject of harassment by those who perhaps are not as dedicated to the proposition of what this body is supposed to do as they are agitated by the fact that the people didnt do what they wanted them to do. I have every confidence you will not succumb to that, Deal told the electors. My words to you: Do your job. Shortly before the electors cast their ballots, Rep. Barry Loudermilk, a Republican who represents Georgias 11th District, took to the podium to present a short history of the electoral college. Our founders actually despised the idea of democracy because mob rule often results in a decision made out of pure emotion, Loudermilk told the electors, after referencing the noise of protesters outside. It does not result in good government. In fact, our founders often cited the historic trial of Jesus as how mob rule does not work. The electoral college was devised to protect the integrity of government, Loudermilk said. To protect those who live in the rural areas of America, those who work, those who are part of the farming communities and part of the industrial communities, those who live and work every day, that their interests are protected as well of those who make their living on Wall Street. For a moment earlier this year, there was an inkling of a Republican revolt against Trump in Georgia. In August, Baoky Vu, a GOP elector based in Decatur, Ga., admitted he might not cast his ballot for Trump if he won. Within hours, however, he was forced to resign. Trump went on to win 51% of Georgias popular vote. On Monday, Vu did not show up at the Capitol, and he was formally replaced by a solid Trump backer, John Padgett, the chairman of the Georgia Republican party. There seems little chance that Georgia legislators might vote to overhaul the electoral college. Earlier this year, Republican legislators authored two bipartisan pieces of legislation in Georgias House and Senate that would have made Georgias electoral votes based solely on the outcome of the national popular vote. Yet both bills stalled, and Republicans say there is little momentum to revive the debate. The system prevents the tyranny of the majority, said Kirk Shook, an elector who is a high school teacher in rural Oconee County. He scoffed at those who, since the election, had sought to overhaul the electoral college system. Theres all this weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth, Shook said of those who opposed Trumps win. And rightly so. Theres going to be a Republican president, a Republican Congress and a Republican Supreme Court. With the stroke of a pen, 90 percent of what Obama considered his legacy will be gone. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Four Washington state electors defect from Clinton; one chooses Faith Spotted Eagle instead By Associated Press (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press) Four members of the electoral college in Washington state cast their votes for a candidate other than Democrat Hillary Clinton, who won the states popular vote. Its the first time in four decades the states electors have broken from the popular vote for president. Washingtons 12 electors met Monday afternoon in the state Capitol to complete the constitutional formality. Clinton got eight votes while other candidates got the remaining four. Elector Bret Chiafalo, who earlier in the day said he planned to vote for Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich, said that he ultimately changed his vote to former Secretary of State Colin Powell after conversations with other Washington electors. The exact breakdown of the other four votes wasnt immediately known, although at least one vote was cast for Faith Spotted Eagle. In last months election, Republican Donald Trump won 306 electoral votes to Clintons 232, though Clintons tally will now be lower. A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win. The last time an elector broke from the popular vote in Washington was in 1976, when Mike Padden, who is currently a Republican state senator, voted for Ronald Reagan instead of Gerald Ford, who had won the state. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Hundreds protest the electoral college at Capitol building in Sacramento By Jazmine Ulloa Protesters are now chanting, "hey hey ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go" pic.twitter.com/4nNyTMroI5 Marcus Yam (@yamphoto) December 19, 2016 Cheers and chants of U.S.A and Keep him out filled the air Monday, as dozens of protestors gathered outside the California Capitol in a last ditch attempt to sway the electoral college from voting for president-elect Donald Trump. Speakers called Trump a celebrity and authoritarian unfit for the presidency. And they urged Congress to do away with the electoral college process, which they described as an outdated and broken system susceptible to foreign influence and manipulation. This is a secret system of voting where we are not allowed to see where the votes are actually coming from or how they are counted, Brent Turner, with the movement organization Democracy Spring, shouted into a microphone. John Franco, 52, says the electoral college is an outdated system that can be manipulated with or without hackers. #caleg pic.twitter.com/fs2L2W2HKp Jazmine Ulloa (@jazmineulloa) December 19, 2016 John Franco, a 52-year-old business owner visiting Sacramento from New Orleans, said he came to the demonstration with his family to protest that secret process. We dont feel a system that can be manipulated represents the interests of the people who voted for Hillary Clinton, he said. Rochelle Towers was among hundreds to protest at the CA Capitol today: "I'll take any shot that there is. #caleg https://t.co/QcOhWklrpx pic.twitter.com/mtx76NjdEW Jazmine Ulloa (@jazmineulloa) December 20, 2016 Rochelle Towers, 68, said she drove in from Oakland in an attempt to persuade the electoral college from voting for Trump. She said she would not have to live through a lot of what its decision would set in motion. But my children and grandchildren will, she said. Even though this is a real long shot, Ill take any shot that there is. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Colorado elector removed after refusing to vote for Clinton By David Kelly A new elector is sworn in in Colorado after one refused to vote for Hillary Clinton. (David Kelly / Los Angeles Times) Eight of nine Colorado electors have voted for Hillary Clinton. One elector, Michael Baca, refused to vote for Clinton and was immediately replaced with an alternate, who was sworn in on the spot. As the crowd jeered, the new elector promptly voted for Clinton. Shouts of Resign! followed Secretary of State Wayne Williams announcement of the results. Protesters at the state capitol in Colorado. (David Kelly/Los Angeles Times) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Electors say they have been barraged with emails By Nigel Duara View Twitter post Arizona elector J. Foster Morgan said he had received several letters protesting the election of Donald Trump, but experienced nothing on the scale of some his fellow Arizona electors whose email addresses were distributed to protest lists. They heard the worst thing imaginable, Morgan said. I just got a few letters. Despite protests outside the meeting, Morgan said, the vote went fine. Eleven votes for Donald Trump. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democratic electors in Minnesota and Maine try to vote for Bernie Sanders By Associated Press (Spencer Platt / Getty Images) A second elector this one in Minnesota has refused to cast a vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton in Mondays electoral college tally. It wasnt immediately clear why Muhammad Abdurrahman didnt vote for Clinton, but he was a delegate for Bernie Sanders at the Democratic National Convention. The electors are pledged to cast Minnesotas 10 electoral votes for Clinton since she won the state. Abdurrahman was immediately replaced by an alternate who later voted for Clinton. Earlier in the day, a so-called faithless elector in Maine cast his vote for Sanders, who lost the Democratic presidential nomination to Clinton. David Bright said on his Facebook page that he cast his vote for Sanders because voting for Clinton would not have helped her win. But he ultimately voted for Clinton on a second vote after being ruled out of order. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Utah voting goes off without incident six for Trump By David Montero A protest sign outside the gathering of Utah electors (Rick Bowmer / Associated Press) Despite chants of vote your conscience and the whole world is watching from more than 100 protesters, Utahs six electors cast their votes for President-elect Donald Trump today in Salt Lake City. Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox announced the official results within minutes of the votes being cast, but he was drowned out by jeers of Shame on you by the protesters. I hope you know this is what our country is all about, Cox said. I hope all of us here are sincerely grateful we live in a country where we have the opportunity to express ourselves. The six electors -- two small-business owners, a custom metal worker, a farmer, a Brigham Young University professor and a Republican activist -- quickly introduced themselves before casting their ballots. The votes were largely a formality, as the state requires electors to vote for the winner. Trump defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by getting 45%t of the vote. He also withstood a challenge from Evan McMullin, who garnered 21% in what was largely a protest vote from those, many of them Mormons, who felt uncomfortable casting a ballot for Trump. Cox said the turnout for this years electoral vote was a far cry from 2012, when four people and one camera crew showed up. Im a big fan of the electoral college, Cox said to the restless crowd. You dont have to boo me now. You can boo me later. About 200 protesters and Trump supporters arrived in the rotunda of the state Capitol about three hours before the votes were cast shortly after noon. The room where the votes were cast was too small to accommodate everyone, and the fire marshal sought to limit occupancy to about 130 people. Interest was high, and the vote even drew Hawthorn Elementary School students, who helped lead the room in the Pledge of Allegiance. Cox thanked them for coming and told them they were getting an experience youll never forget. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Clinton elector balks in Minnesota One of 10 Minnesota electors has decided not cast a vote, Muhammad Abdurrahan. An alternate is now being sworn in. #ElectoralCollege pic.twitter.com/4eN1PIrZdO Dylan Wohlenhaus (@DylanWohlenhaus) December 19, 2016 In Minnesota, where the 10 electors had all pledged their votes to Hillary Clinton, one of them refused to go through with it. Elector Muhammad Abdurrahman opted not to vote. He was replaced by an alternate, who cast a vote for Clinton. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement As Pennsylvania went unanimously for Trump, a voice from the back: Thank you By Steve Esack Electors sworn in in Pennsylvania (Matt Rourke/Associated Press) In Pennsylvanias capital of Harrisburg, the states 20 electoral college voters selected Trump today in a ceremony marked by traditional pomp and bellowing protests. Trump won the popular vote in Pennsylvania by 44,292 votes the first Republican presidential candidate to do so since 1988. It earned him the states 20 electoral college votes. When the result was announced shortly before 1 p.m. inside the gilded, ornate House chamber, protesters jeered and supporters cheered. Shame on you, a womans voice called down from the public balcony. Thank you, a male voters voice responded back from the floor. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print How some electors have reacted to all the mail from voters Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Protesters outside Florida Senate chambers: Trump is dangerous By Gray Rohrer Protesters gather outside the Florida Senate chambers ahead of the electoral college voting ceremony. (Gray Rohrer / Orlando Sentinel) A group of about 100 protesters huddled outside the Florida Senate chambers Monday morning as Floridas 29 electors prepared to cast their votes for Donald Trump in the formal electoral eollege vote ceremony later in the day. The protesters held signs that read You can fix this, keep America free, What would Hamilton do? and Electors: Protect Us, Trump is Dangerous, pleading for electors to change their minds and not vote for Trump, who beat Hillary Clinton by 112,911 votes in Florida, about 1.2%t of all votes cast in the state. Tallahassee resident Bonnie McCluskey held a sign reading Send it to the House. If enough electors across the country do not vote for Trump, hell fall short of the 270 electoral votes required to win the presidency, sending the matter to the U.S. House. The reason Im here is because I dont trust [Trump]) and I think he will harm the United States, McCluskey said. My grandmothers were suffragettes; their ancestors were willing to be traitors to the British crown to create this democracy and I dont want to see it end. And that sounds awfully dramatic but thats how Im feeling. She said that part of the reason she doesnt trust Trump is because he didnt pay a company she worked for that did promotional videos for his buildings in 1998. They were basically given the opportunity to take 10 percent or go to court. Back then I didnt realize that was his business plan, McCluskey said. I didnt make the deal with him I was just one of the people who saw a company go bankrupt. Despite the pleas from protesters, all of Floridas electors are expected to vote for Trump. Some, such as Florida Senate President Joe Negron, have posted pictures of hundreds of letters theyve received asking them to change their vote but declaring theyll be voting for the Republican candidate. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Colorado electors make last-ditch plea to switch votes By David Kelly Crowds await the electoral college vote at the Colorado Capitol in Denver. (David Kelly / For The Times) Colorado electors are trying a last-chance legal appeal to avoid voting for Hillary Clinton, and instead vote for an alternative candidate to replace Donald Trump. A week ago, a district court judge told them they had to vote for Clinton, who won the popular vote in Colorado. A few days ago, a federal appeals court upheld that decision. But just hours before the vote today, two electors filed suit to stop the Colorado secretary of state from requiring them to swear to vote for the candidate supported by the electorate. Their effort is part of a loose national scheme to defeat Trump by persuading Republican electors to join with Democrats, such as those in Colorado, and coalesce around an alternative candidate. There has been no decision so far. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Chants of Shame! erupt as Wisconsin electors cast ballots for Trump By Bill Ruthhart Demonstrators erupt after Wisconsin's 10 presidential electors cast their #ElectoralCollege ballots for Republican Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/A0GrASaIbY Bill Ruthhart (@BillRuthhart) December 19, 2016 Wisconsins 10 presidential electors unanimously cast their ballots for Republican Donald Trump as expected Wednesday, but the vote still drew chants of Shame from dozens of demonstrators who had pleaded for them to back away from the president-elect. The typically procedural vote in a fourth-floor conference room in the Wisconsin State Capitol was anything but routine as about 150 protesters greeted the 10 electors with signs pleading for them to vote your conscience not your pledge. In a short 15-minute meeting, the electors quickly cast their ballots for Trump. They did not address the controversial nature of the election and no speeches were made before the Good morning. Its Wednesday, Dec. 7, and heres whats going on around California: TOP STORIES Ghost Ships captain A closer look at Derick Ion Almena, the man who oversaw the Oakland warehouse where so many died on Friday. Some described him as a narcissist and an opportunist who deftly manipulated those around him. Others said he was an eccentric who wanted to help the Oakland art scene with his dream of turning the warehouse into a performance space. Los Angeles Times Advertisement Narrowing a possible cause As the grim recovery of victims came to a close in Oakland, officials said a refrigerator and other electrical items inside the Ghost Ship warehouse were being examined as possible causes of the fire that killed at least 36 people. Los Angeles Times Legal war Some Bay Area lawyers said they already have been contacted to take on what is expected to be a huge and complex civil litigation over the warehouse fire. Legal experts say there are quite a few characters who could face legal action, ranging from the building owner and artist studio operator to the city of Oakland and concert promoters. But thats just the beginning. Los Angeles Times Trump and the California economy California is at the epicenter of some of the most fundamental changes Donald Trump has proposed for the national economy, in trade and immigration. And despite some fears of Trumps policies, some experts say California might actually gain. I am optimistic about the direction we are going to see, said one UCLA economist. Los Angeles Times L.A. STORIES Pearl Harbor memories: Today is the 75th anniversary of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. Lauren Bruner was aboard the battleship Arizona in 1941, and for decades he kept the experience to himself. Then he met Ed McGrath of Palos Verdes, and everything slowly changed. We started just by talking about his life and his naval career, McGrath said. Los Angeles Times A beach transformed: The look of Santa Monica beach will change radically with a major restoration project that will bring native plants to the sand. Check out these renderings. Curbed Los Angeles Kids get Trump anxiety support: The Los Angeles Unified School District has set up a hotline and opened extended support sites to respond to a high level of student anxiety about the election of Trump as president. LAUSD Supt. Michelle King told students the goal is to provide you with emotional support, enrollment and attendance information and referrals to outside resources. Los Angeles Times Homeless vote: L.A. voters will consider a second ballot measure in March aimed at collecting large sums of money to ease the regions homeless crisis. Will voters be generous for a second time? Los Angeles Times POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT Defiant move: Council members in Santa Ana voted Tuesday to declare Orange Countys second-most populous city a sanctuary city, a largely symbolic gesture to protect immigrants who are in the country illegally. Los Angeles Times Turning a page: Struggling San Bernardino reached a major milestone Tuesday. A federal judge ruled that she would confirm the citys plan to exit bankruptcy. Los Angeles Times Coping strategy: How Republicans are trying to deal with the new Democratic supermajority in the state Legislature. Los Angeles Times The Valley and The Donald: Silicon Valley had little love for Trump before the election. But now, there is a big meeting scheduled between the president-elect and some (but far from all) tech titans. Mercury News Coast battle: An epic battle over coastal access might be coming to a head. The California State Lands Commission decided Tuesday to explore condemnation proceedings as a way to gain public access to Martins Beach, where landowner and Silicon Valley billionaire Vinod Khosla has restricted entry. Los Angeles Times CRIME AND COURTS Bomb threat: Investigators have found no evidence to corroborate a warning of a terrorist plot to bomb the Universal City Metro station. Los Angeles Times Random attack: A 14-year-old boy was sucker-punched at random in a West Hills shopping mall. Now, hes recovering from a brain injury and asking why he was targeted. Daily News KKK arrest: The California Ku Klux Klan leader who led a white lives matter rally that erupted in violence in Anaheim this year was arrested last week in connection with a North Carolina stabbing hours before a Klan parade celebrating Trumps election. Los Angeles Times USC charges: A graduate student has been charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of beloved USC neuroscience professor Bosco Tjan on campus Friday. But the motive behind the attack remains uncertain. Los Angeles Times Border scam: Inside a border smuggling scheme allegedly masterminded by a border patrol agent. San Diego Union-Tribune Django-gate: The Los Angeles Ethics Commission decided Tuesday that a former police sergeant broke city rules by leaking to reporters an audio recording from his controversial stop of an actress from Django Unchained. Los Angeles Times DROUGHT AND CLIMATE Water savings: California enjoyed one of its wettest Octobers in recent history, and its residents responded by reducing their water use, state officials announced Tuesday. Los Angeles Times Browns warning: Gov. Jerry Brown predicted a global backlash if Trump tries to roll back efforts to deal with climate change, an issue that has been at the center of Browns agenda for years. Sacramento Bee CALIFORNIA CULTURE Justice sought: California forcibly sterilized hundreds of people between 1919 and 1952 in what today seems like a twisted eugenics policy. Now there is a push to get these victims compensation and an official apology. Reuters Time travel: Fashion icon and film director Tom Ford is living in Los Angeles and doesnt much like New York anymore. But he doesnt consider himself a contemporary. I live in the Hollywood of the 1930s. I dont actually live in the Hollywood of 2016. GQ Shot in the light: The incredible backstory of one of Los Angeles most beloved and memorable photographs. Los Angeles Magazine Financial dive: SeaWorld, which has been struggling for several years amid a loud debate over its treatment of whales, announced major cutbacks in San Diego. Its the latest sign of financial woes for the amusement park company. San Diego Union-Tribune Grammy time: Beyonce received nine nods to lead the pack at the Grammy nominations, which saw a youth movement this time around. The awards take place at Staples Center in February. Los Angeles Times CALIFORNIA ALMANAC Los Angeles area: Morning clouds continue with highs in the 60s. San Francisco: Showers will start in the afternoon, with rain continuing to end the week; highs in the 50s. Sacramento: Cloudy and in the high 40s, with rain coming Thursday. AND FINALLY Todays California memory comes from Ed Mitchell: My family moved to a 5-acre avocado grove in 1940 in Fallbrook in San Diego County. In 1941, after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, my dad joined the Army, so we didnt see him again for 4 years. My mother tended the avocado grove alone, and the government put out an emergency call for food of any kind. With so many men gone to war, there was no one to grow crops. My mother knew a man who had some spare acreage about two miles away, and it had a well on it. She went to him and said she would grow tomatoes on it if he would let her use the land and well for free. He agreed, so she grew tomatoes for the war effort. There was no contract, no liability policy, no lawyers, and no paperwork. Just a handshake. The pay for the tomatoes was minimal, as all farm products were price-controlled by the government during the war. Thats the level of cooperation that you got, and everybody was patriotic. 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. Pressured by governments around the world, four companies operating some of the worlds most popular Internet sites and services Facebook, Twitter, Googles YouTube and Microsoft announced this week a joint effort to censor violent terrorist imagery or terrorist recruitment videos or images. Its an effort to fight a bad use of technology with more technology, in the hope of curtailing the use of social media by Islamic State and other terrorist organizations to recruit followers and promote their murderous agendas. According to a blog post by Google, whenever one of the four companies deletes a terrorism-related image or video, it will have the option of submitting the files unique identifier to a shared database. The other companies will then review the file to see whether it violates their terms of service, and if so, they can use its unique identifier to delete it from their pages. The four companies have enormous power to shape users experiences online, which is one reason they should remain as neutral as possible. Advertisement The database is similar to the one the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children uses to catalog and remove child pornography. And the goal of the companies effort is similar as well: to push jihadist material out of the most widely used spaces online, making it harder for Islamic State and its ilk to radicalize people remotely. The announcement is both welcome and worrisome. Counterterrorism experts have long sought to close the spigot of jihadist propaganda online, arguing that social media plays an integral role in sustaining groups like Islamic State. Yet Mondays brief, relatively low-key announcement leaves many questions unanswered about what criteria the companies will use to decide what to block, how proactive they will be in censoring content, and whether users will be able to appeal when their images or videos are blacklisted. This isnt mere quibbling over the finer points of free-speech rights (and besides, the 1st Amendment isnt applicable here because it limits only censorship by the government, not by private companies). The four entities involved here have enormous power to shape users experiences online, which is one reason they should remain as neutral as possible when it comes to the content they host. We may all agree that jihadists shouldnt be allowed to use these platforms to distribute beheading videos, but thats just a fraction of the material used to recruit and radicalize. Should speeches by Islamic State leaders and sermons by extremist clerics be censored too? What about news photographs of, say, victims of Israeli or American air strikes, or photos of detainees tortured in Abu Ghraib? Bear in mind that the database doesnt distinguish between different potential uses of blocked imagery; if Facebook censored a video circulated by Islamic State propagandists, CNN wouldnt be able to use that footage on its Facebook pages either. Clearly, the line between what is and isnt acceptable will be hard to draw. To their credit, at least some of the four companies plan to take a narrow view of what to block, at least initially, and to have humans, not software, decide when a file needs to be censored. That will give them more time to develop clearer standards for determining what content is unacceptable and avenues to appeal their decisions to censor. Admittedly, the threat posed by jihadist groups is so great, the usual bromides about defeating bad speech with more speech dont offer much reassurance. And the longer the companies maintained their hands-off posture, the more they risked being compelled by Congress or European governments to act a development that could have been far more threatening to the free flow of information online. Yet the slope the companies have started down is slippery. Governments will surely push to extend the blocking effort to more online sites and services, such as Telegram (a messaging app thats popular with extremists) and Googles search engine. They may also pressure companies to use technology to scour their sites proactively for suspected terrorist content, as they do for child pornography, rather than letting human reviewers decide what to block. And if the effort to interdict jihadist propaganda is successful, what other kinds of content will governments want these platforms to exclude? Hate speech? Indecent material? Fake news? Cartoons that ridicule the government a form of expression thats a crime in some parts of the world? The precedent being set here is that a handful of powerful private companies could take the place of courts and juries in setting limits on speech that, because of these companies collective dominance online, would apply broadly across the Internet. Thats why the collaboration on violent jihadist imagery causes anxiety in spite of the benefits it could yield in the battle against jihadism. The participating companies need to offer much more clarity and transparency about the way they will judge content, as well as an expeditious process for appealing decisions to block files. And the public needs to guard against the government pressuring these companies to expand their coordinated takedowns from truly dangerous material to more kinds of speech that the government simply doesnt like. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook During the presidential campaign, it became clear that Donald Trump was ignorant about international affairs yet disinclined to close the gaps in his knowledge. He liked to assert that I know more about ISIS than the generals do, and he seemed to think that he knew more about diplomacy than the State Department such as when he assured a television interviewer that Russias Vladimir Putin is not going into Ukraine. His lack of any foreign policy experience whatsoever combined with his aggressive-yet-ignorant pronouncements was a source of grave concern. We take no pleasure in saying that his first stumbling steps on the world stage as president-elect have justified that concern. From his seemingly ill-prepared calls to foreign leaders to his willingness to skip intelligence briefings to his flouting of long-standing protocol surrounding U.S. relations with China and Taiwan, Trump has behaved not as a thoughtful president-in-waiting but as the same shoot-from-the-lip outsider who blustered his way through the campaign. And it isnt clear whether the president-elect is blundering haplessly into foreign policy mistakes or signaling through tweets and phone calls an intention to change the course of U.S. foreign policy or if he is being manipulated by members his inner circle to advance their own agendas. Each of these is disquieting in its own way. Advertisement Was Trumps telephone conversation with Taiwans president meant to signal that he intends to alter the one-China policy ... or was it merely a goof-up? Meanwhile, the painfully public selection process for the most important member of his foreign-policy team secretary of State has come to resemble an episode of The Apprentice. Precisely because Trump is so unschooled in foreign affairs and so given to impolitic if not outrageous comments, the choice of the chief diplomat in his administration has taken on outsize importance. Admittedly, Trumps words and actions now have less impact than they will once he actually is president. Even so, it has been a month of misfires and missed opportunities. Trumps defenders argue that he campaigned for the presidency as a plain talker who has little patience for the diplomatic niceties, and that was fine with the voters who supported him. And so what if he accepted a congratulatory telephone call from President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan? As Trump tweeted: Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call. Of course, its not that simple: Yes, the U.S. sells military equipment to Taiwan; in fact, there is a large and thriving commercial relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan. But since the Shanghai Communique in 1972, the United States has acknowledged that Taiwan is part of China. And since 1979 the U.S. has recognized the Communist government in Beijing as the government of China. Since then no U.S. president or president-elect is believed to have spoken directly with a Taiwanese leader. So was Trumps telephone conversation with Taiwans president meant to signal that he intends to alter the one-China policy as president or was it merely a goof-up? The Trump team has sent mystifyingly mixed signals. Trump suggested that he simply answered a courtesy call, an idea echoed by Vice President-elect Mike Pence. But the Washington Post reported that the call was the result of planning by pro-Taiwan figures in the Trump transition team, and the Wall Street Journal quoted former Sen. Bob Dole as saying that a law firm he is associated with may have had some influence in arranging the call. If a Trump administration did decide to repudiate the one China policy pursued by the U.S. for decades, that would be a provocative and potentially dangerous mistake in our view, but it would be within the presidents discretion. Elections have consequences, as they say, and sometimes the consequences of a presidential election include significant changes in foreign policy. President Obama, for example, reestablished diplomatic relations with Cuba, a break with the practice of predecessors of both parties. There is a difference, however, between a considered course correction and the impulsive, improvisational attitude Trump has brought to foreign-policy issues as president-elect. The intrigue around his telephone call with the president of Taiwan as well as the questions raised about his seemingly off-the-cuff phone conversations with the prime ministers of Britain and Pakistan underline how important it is for the new president to educate himself about international affairs and to assemble a team of advisors who can tell him what he needs to know and when and when not to say (or tweet) whats on his mind. Former secretary of Defense and CIA director Leon Panetta has expressed concern about reports that Trump had declined several daily intelligence briefings. Panetta noted that every president I know and I worked under nine presidents every one has taken their intelligence daily brief because that sets the agenda for what you have to focus on as president of the United States. Thats the job Donald Trump applied for, and he needs to study for it. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Russia, not China, is the United States Most Dangerous Enemy, says Air Force Secretary U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Deborah James. (Photo : USAF) Russia, and not China, is the most dangerous threat to the existence of the United States, said U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Deborah James. Russia's military power, including its nuclear arsenal, makes Vladimir Putin's Russia "the number one" existential threat to the United States, said James at the fourth Reagan National Defense Forum held recently in Simi Valley, California. Advertisement "Russia is the number one threat to the United States," said James. "We have a number of threats that we're dealing with, but Russia could be, because of the nuclear aspect, an existential threat to the United States," James also accused Russia of conducting cyber attacks against the U.S. and expressed deep concern about a rising string of military confrontations between the two countries. She also made the same warning about Russia in 2015. During a series of visits to U.S. allies in Europe, James said she considers Russia as the biggest threat to U.S. national security. She also said America must boost its military presence throughout Europe even as NATO faces budget challenges and scale back spending. James said the U.S. was responding to Russia's "worrisome" actions by boosting its presence across Europe. "This is no time to in any way signal a lack of resolve in the face of these Russian actions," she said. She acknowledged Europe was facing difficult immigration and economic challenges, but said NATO and associated commitments should be a clear priority for the U.S. James also said the Air Force is continuing its effort to reduce U.S. reliance on Russian RD-180 rocket engines for military and intelligence satellite launches. She also noted the Air Force is working hard to defend its weapons systems and networks against growing cyber attacks, much of this from Russia. James said the Air Force was cataloging weapons and IT systems to detect any possible vulnerabilities while also working to set up 39 cyber security teams around the U.S. The prevailing opinion on President-elect Donald Trump is that hes unpredictable, a man of no fixed views who transcends traditional notions of right and left. Donald Trump is post-ideological, Trumps campaign pollster, Tony Fabrizio, said at a Harvard University conference last week. With Trump, you will have no idea each morning whats going to happen, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said earlier, because he will have no idea. Advertisement Maybe. But if you watch what Trump does, not what he says which at this point, mostly means the choices he makes for Cabinet positions he doesnt look unusual at all. In Trumps picks for economic and domestic policymaking jobs, theres a consistent underlying thread. And no, its not that so many of them are billionaires. Most of [Donald Trumps choices for Cabinet positions] could have been nominated by any GOP nominee, including Ted Cruz or Marco Rubio. Its Republican orthodoxy. Trumps choices have all been thoroughgoing conservatives who believe in the free market, deregulation and, wherever possible, privatization of government functions. Most of them could have been nominated by any GOP nominee, including Ted Cruz or Marco Rubio. Theres nary a populist among them not even the conservative kind. Conservatives are happy, Scott Reed, a political advisor to the business-establishment U.S. Chamber of Commerce, told me. Its a mainstream conservative list of very competent people. Take a look at the names. Steven Mnuchin, the choice for Treasury, is a billionaire who worked for Goldman Sachs before buying a bank of his own. (Like Trump, he was once a Democrat, but hes a Republican now.) Mnuchin says his first priority is cutting taxes, especially corporate taxes. Wilbur Ross, the Commerce secretary in waiting, is another billionaire investor. His main cause is negotiating better trade deals, but he also wants to dismantle most of the Dodd-Frank financial regulation law. Tom Price, at Health and Human services, is a six-term GOP congressman who wants Medicare and Medicaid revamped and managed mostly by the private sector once Obamacare is repealed, of course. Betsy DeVos, the choice for Education, is a champion of privately run charter schools and voucher plans to help parents pay private school tuition. Before Trump, she supported Jeb Bush. At Transportation, Elaine Chao spent eight years in George W. Bushs Cabinet, and shes married to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. Its hard to get much more establishment than that. Ben Carson, the former neurosurgeon, may add a dash of eccentricity at Housing and Urban Development in part because he has no real experience in housing policy but his views are pretty standard for the GOP. Carson once called fair housing a failed socialist experiment and told a television interviewer that poverty is really more of a choice than anything else. Theres not a populist insurrectionist in the bunch. This is a business-friendly Cabinet of pragmatists, a top corporate lobbyist in Washington told me, asking for anonymity to protect his multinational clients. These are people orthodox Republicans can work with. What happened to all the populism in Trumps platform that made him the champion of so many white working-class voters? Its been quietly downsized since election day. The wall Trump promised to build along the southern border is now a fence. The trillion-dollar infrastructure program to build roads, bridges and airports has shrunk to $550 billion, and most of that if Congress agrees will be private sector investment, not government money. Drain the swamp? Yes, theres a rule barring lobbyists from serving in the transition but they can get around it simply by revoking their lobbying registration. Trump and Ross say they still plan to renegotiate NAFTA and other trade deals, but they plan to do it patiently, not abruptly. Tariffs are the last thing, Ross told CNBC last week. Tariffs are part of the negotiation. That doesnt mean Trump has forgotten his working-class voters. Hes offered them a series of grand gestures. Hes renounced his salary as president. Hes said hell cancel the contract for a new Air Force One to save money. He jawboned Carrier into keeping 730 jobs in Indiana in exchange for $7 million in tax credits. All brilliant marketing, and enough to launch a victory tour rallies in Ohio last week, North Carolina Tuesday night, Iowa and Michigan next. So far, in practice, Trumpism looks like mainstream conservatism plus tougher trade negotiations and now, circuses. Just like the campaign. doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com Twitter: @DoyleMcManus Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Several cities and public universities have vowed to resist President-elect Donald Trumps plan to deport undocumented criminals by doubling down on sanctuary policies. In response, Trump has pledged to curtail federal funding for sanctuary providers. Activists, predictably, are crying foul, and some legal scholars, such as Harvards Noah Feldman, have even claimed that such a response would be unconstitutional. But whatever one thinks about Trumps strategy, it almost certainly would pass muster at the Supreme Court. Feldman and others point to New York v. United States (1992) and Printz v. United States (1997), in which the Supreme Court concluded that the federal government cannot conscript state or local officials to carry out federal law. The federal government must enforce its own laws, using federal personnel. So when state or local police arrest immigrants who are present in the country illegally, they are under no obligation to deport them, as deportation is the responsibility of the federal government alone. Advertisement This anti-commandeering doctrine, however, doesnt protect sanctuary cities or public universities because it doesnt apply when Congress merely requests information. For example, in Reno v. Condon (2000), the Court unanimously rejected an anti-commandeering challenge to the Drivers Privacy Protection Act, which required states under certain circumstances to disclose some personal details about license holders. The court concluded that, because the DPPA requested information and did not require state officials to assist in the enforcement of federal statutes, it was consistent with the New York and Printz cases. Sanctuary policies create Balkanization on an issue with important foreign policy implications and corresponding potential for diplomatic embarrassment. It follows that, consistent with the anti-commandeering doctrine, Congress can require state, local or university police to tell federal agents when they arrest an immigrant present in the country illegally. Its true that cities such as Los Angeles instruct city employees not to ask about immigration status, but they may still have access to that information. Under California law, for example, drivers licenses issued to immigrants in the country illegally contain prominent distinguishing language stating, federal limits apply. Indeed, Congress could specify that licenses issued to immigrants in the country illegally must include a distinguishing feature, or they wont be accepted for federal purposes, such as TSA airport security. Congress already has enacted the Real ID Act, which mandates that drivers licenses display certain details. A separate constitutional doctrine, the anti-coercion doctrine, likewise wont shield sanctuaries. This doctrine holds that while Congress may impose conditions on receipt of federal funds, it cannot coerce states into accepting those conditions. In the 1980s, Congress passed a law withholding 5% of highway funds from any state that refused to adopt a minimum drinking age of 21. The Supreme Court, in South Dakota v. Dole (1987), upheld it. Because highway funds are expended in part to ensure safe travel, the court reasoned that raising the drinking age was relevant to the federal interest in the project and the overall objectives thereof. More significantly, withholding 5% of federal funds wasnt coercive because while it represented a loss of $615 million dollars, it was only 0.19% of states total budgets. By contrast, in NFIB v. Sebelius (2012), the Supreme Court found that Congress violated the anti-coercion doctrine. Specifically, in the Affordable Care Act, Congress withheld 100% of states Medicaid funding if they didnt expand those programs. A court plurality characterized this as a coercive gun to the head because it involved a loss of over $233 billion dollars more than 20% of states budgets. The South Dakota and NFIB cases teach that Congress can cut off funds if the conditions imposed are relevant to the federal interest in the project and the threatened loss of money doesnt amount to a gun to the head, defined by a substantial percentage approaching approximately 20% of states budgets. Congress certainly could meet these standards. Many federal programs provide billions to universities and state and local law enforcement. Provided the percentage withheld didnt approach the 20% threshold, it should be constitutional. As with the highway funds in South Dakota, these programs are designed in part to improve safety of campuses and communities. This goal would be furthered by withholding funds from cities and universities that provide sanctuary for criminals present in the country illegally. Such individuals, by definition, not only are unvetted by the federal government, but have committed crimes while here. Whatever ones view of the best immigration policy, it should be uniform. Some, including the Washington Posts editorial board, have suggested that Congress should give sanctuary cities flexibility to report only those whove committed the most serious violent offenses. But precisely which criminals should be subject to deportation requires resolution by Congress, not each city or university. Sanctuary policies create Balkanization on an issue with important foreign policy implications and corresponding potential for diplomatic embarrassment. As the Supreme Court affirmed in Arizona v. United States (2012), the removal process is entrusted to the discretion of the Federal Government because it touch[es] on foreign relations and must be made with one voice. The Constitution is clear that power to determine deportation policies belongs to Congress, not states, municipalities or universities. David Rivkin and Elizabeth Price Foley practice appellate and constitutional law in Washington, D.C. Rivkin served at the Department of Justice and the White House Counsels office during the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations. Foley is also a professor of constitutional law at Florida International University College of Law. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook ALSO Did the media help Trump win? Look at the numbers Trumps stumbling first steps on the world stage Trump will have wider spying powers than anything J. Edgar Hoover ever imagined In Sacramento, theyre crafting bills to protect otherwise law-abiding undocumented immigrants from any Trump administration mass deportation plans. Janet Napolitano, the president of the UC system, has pledged to defend any students here illegally and will make sure that campus cops know it. Cities like Chicago, New York and San Francisco have done the same, some of them for years. In Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcettis three-year-old Office of Immigrant Affairs is finding its services even more in demand, and the woman who runs it, Linda Lopez, is figuring out what the new administration will mean to her work. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS INTERVIEW ON THE PATT MORRISON ASKS PODCAST What kind of programs are we talking about that your office offers? Advertisement We have several programs that help support the integration of immigrants here in the city. One includes citizenship. Weve promoted citizenship for a very long time to help people naturalize. We see value in that because we know that when people go through that process, their earnings are higher and theyre able to also access other kinds of opportunities within the economic system. What has been going on in your office thats different since the election on Nov. 8? One of the things we realized very quickly is that a lot of immigrants are very fearful right now. Theres a lot of anxiety in the community about what s going to happen to them under a Trump administration. And so part of my job has been to quickly bring together organizations to assess what their concerns are. We for example met with students a couple of weeks ago at Roosevelt High. Some of these students are DACA students, or their parents are undocumented DACA meaning what? Theyre actually people who qualify for President Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. These are young people who are able to access work permits and are able to access the higher education system and theyre also part of our school system. When the mayor met with them, it was very clear that theyre very fearful also for their families and their parents. They worry about mass deportations. L.A. is the epicenter for a lot of our undocumented population. In the county, one of every 10 people is undocumented, so thats essentially 1 million people in the count. And in the city, we have approximately 500,000 people who are undocumented. So these policies that Trump has advocated for will impact the city in very profound ways. One of the telling narratives one of the young people shared recently with us is the fact that they dont know what to do, and so theyre preparing for the worst. I think there is a general sense that a lot of these kids are very fearful that their parents may leave any day and that the fed government will come in to their homes and basically pick them up and round them up. Thats a very, very real feeling in the community and with these students that have shared these stories of whats going to happen to me, whats going to happen to my parents, and whats going to happen to my family? One of the things were really focused on right now is pulling together all of our legal nonprofits to be able to tell families and individuals who need to have legal assistance to go to these trusted organizations so they can get that information. We coordinate a lot of those services not only with immigrant rights groups but with legal services providers. Weve had really great success with our foundation partners in philanthropy in supporting the integration of immigrants here in the city. Its a broader coalition with our faith communities. Theyve really stepped up. They want to know how they can help. We have a lot of people who have really good, compassionate hearts, who want to do something really positive for these communities. They also need reassurances, first and foremost reassuring the community not to be fearful, not to create panic, not to create hysteria. We are a welcoming city, we are city that is diverse. We have always welcomed immigration to this city. They are an asset, they are contributors. With our law enforcement in particular, Mayor Garcetti has also made it a point to say were going to protect you. We have set up the website stepforward.lacity.org, and that is the place where you can obtain all sorts of information. Have you seen since the election an increase in the number of people who want to get their green cards and in people who have their green cards and want to become citizens? We are encouraging people to apply for citizenship immediately if they havent done so, if theyre eligible and are lawful permanent residents. We want them to apply now because we know that even though there might be a change in an administration, that particular policy of becoming a citizen will continue. And were seeing that people see that basic ally as a way to protect their rights. Mayor Garcetti still hasnt called L.A. a sanctuary city. Does that make a difference for you for your job? No, it really doesnt at this point. I think we get caught up a lot on the definition of what a sanctuary city is. In fact, there really isnt any really any real legal definition to the term. I think its been used in some ways by certain groups to say, Oh, cities like L.A. or New York and other cities are harboring criminals and were not necessarily complying with fed law enforcement. Its not really about what we call ourselves. Its really about what were doing Special Order 40 was instituted under LAPD Police Chief Daryl Gates in 1979, essentially saying, youre not going to stop people and ask them about their immigration status. Recently Chief Charlie Beck has also stopped giving to the federal government any information regarding the immigration status of people who are in custody in Los Angeles. Do I have that right? Yes thats true. So in effect youre saying the LAPD, like the city, is saying to the federal government, Thats not going to wash here. How does that work in practice? What happens if ICE shows up and says, heres our order? There is a firm commitment both by our mayor and by Chief Beck to continue to hold on to those policies. We want to make sure that people report crimes. We want to make sure immigrants who sometimes fear the law actually say, when theyre a witness of a crime, that they will report that and share that information with local law enforcement departments. This policy is really an extension of making sure our community-based policing model works and that we have safer communities. I think Special Order 40 is something that distinguishes us as a city from other cities. We still comply with federal law enforcement. So for example, on the issue of ICE detainers, from a Constitutional standpoint, it was found it was unconstitutional to hold people even though, for example, their status may be legal or not legal. We know that now in terms of cooperation with ICE, we need to make sure that there is either a judicial order or a warrant for somebodys arrest in order for us to cooperate. And so its really a Constitutional decision that impacted all of these different cities and localities when it came to ICE detainers. Mayor Garcetti had a conversation with Donald Trump. Do you know what happened in that conversation vis a vis immigration in Los Angeles? I think that the conversation was primarily about infrastructure and the Olympics. I dont have any specific details on the immigration issue. One of the things that the mayor has continually advocated for throughout his administration is that we need to be sure that we integrate our immigrants here locally because they are an asset. Did he say that to Donald Trump? No, he didnt, but I think part of our conversation around immigration generally has been that the city of Los Angeles is that welcoming place. I suspect that because were going to be severely impacted that it was an issue that the mayor did want to talk about with the newly elected president. The city gets about a half-billion dollars in fed funding just this year, for homelessness, port security, a lot of issues. Are there concerns about how the new administration is going to affect that funding? Thats a very important first step when were looking at the anticipated idea that we would lose all this money if we were in some way noncompliant with federal law enforcement. We still have to wait and see. Have you heard whether people have changed their behavior since the election? Yes, I think we see that a lot in the workplace. I think there are a lot of people are fearful that there will be raids: should I go to my workplace? Should I tell my employer about my status? I think were also seeing issues in the school system where parents have told their kids: make sure you pack your bag, because we dont know if were going to be here. People who could potentially be impacted are really starting to change their behavior, and maybe dont want to go outside any more [and] fear that they may get stopped by law enforcement. Even in a place like L.A., were hearing different stories and different people telling us, this is how Im feeling. Is the LAPD working with you on that workshops, community meetings? We are going to roll out with the LAPD some community town halls that the LAPD will spearhead, and the idea is community engagement forums so [people] also know the LAPD can answer any of their questions so they know that they shouldnt be fearful of the LAPD. You recently went to Mexico with the mayor. What were you hearing there about the sort of things your office is dealing with? The trip focused mostly on climate but of course because LA is the second largest city with the most Mexican population in the world, these conversations obviously came up and were central in some of the meetings we had particularly with the foreign minister of Mexico. Where theyre very concerned, too, is in terms of what do we do with our bilateral relations around immigration, and how can they be helpful in terms of making sure they calm fears of families and relatives in their own home country. The mayor, of course, did reiterate to the foreign minister that were here to help support immigrants here in the city, and lets find ways we can build more relationships. Your office doesnt make a distinction between people who are here legally and not here illegally, but the U.S. government does; obviously the Trump campaign did. How do you make the case to people including people of goodwill who voted, in many case, because they said its not fair to jump the line? The reason why we dont distinguish between people is thats really what America is about. Its really about a welcoming place, its really about the American dream, its really about success. One of the beauties of the city of L.A. is that with all these differences and variations in people who come here, we all get along. Why would we distinguish between documented and undocumented. Theyre our neighbors. Theyre the people who take care of our kids. Theyre the people who take care of our mom and our dad. These are hardworking people. And they come here also just like anyone else to make that dream a reality. We should be focused on that and not whether or not theyve jumped the line or not. Mayor Garcetti tells the story of his grandfather being brought here as a child. Do you have a family story like that? I do, I do. I was born in Los Angeles. My parents immigrated here in the 1960s from Ecuador. I know that people who are listening or reading are saying, did they come here with visas? They did, actually. They came here with visas. My mom came here by herself with my sister when my sister was seven years old. My mom came here at the age of 27, not knowing anybody. And made a life for herself met my father here and had my brother and I as well. I think its the quintessential American story of two people who came from a place outside of the U.S. who meet here, have kids and then created opportunities for their children and created opportunities for themselves. And theyre the ones who have lived it. And now we get to live it as their children. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Any hope, as quixotic as it might have been, that President-elect Donald J. Trump might be less of a threat to the environment than candidate Trump has gone up in soon-to-be unregulated smoke with his picking Oklahoma Atty. Gen. Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Pruitt, who has described the science on climate change as unsettled (its not), has sued the EPA challenging its authority to regulate under the Clean Water Act, and over President Obamas Clean Power Plan to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants, among other issues. He argued before Congress earlier this year that states should have the primary responsibility for environmental regulation, reserving federal action only for water and air pollution issues that cross state lines. Air and water quality issues can cross state lines, and can sometimes require federal intervention, Pruitt said. At the same time, the EPA was never intended to be our nations frontline environmental regulator. The states were to have regulatory primacy. Advertisement No, the states were not, as President Nixon made clear when he informed Congress why he agreed to create the EPA: Our national government today is not structured to make a coordinated attack on the pollutants which debase the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land that grows our food. Indeed, the present governmental structure for dealing with environmental pollution often defies effective and concerted action, the White House wrote. Despite its complexity, for pollution control purposes the environment must be perceived as a single, interrelated system. Present assignments of departmental responsibilities do not reflect this interrelatedness. In fact, Pruitts vision of giving primacy to the states would counter the founding principle behind the EPA of trying to gain a big-picture understanding of what was happening to the environment, and to formulate strategies to effectively ensure the protection, development and enhancement of the total environment itself. At a time when the world faces catastrophic environmental change, letting individual states set lower local thresholds for emissions of greenhouse gases is an insane idea. This is a global problem that needs to be addressed nation-to-nation, not oil-drilling state by oil-drilling state. A president is not entitled to blind acquiescence, especially when the appointment is so antithetical to the job at hand. Pruitt has made no secret of his close relationship with the oil-and-gas industry, a major player in Oklahoma, so its hard not to see his appointment as putting the fox in charge of the hen house. The New York Times reported two years ago that Pruitt was among several state attorneys general who were working with oil and gas industry figures to challenge federal laws and jurisdiction over regulations including submitting letters on his attorney general stationery to the EPA that were written by energy lobbyists. This doesnt bode well for the environment. Trump himself is a climate change denier he once called it a hoax perpetrated by China to give it a competitive advantage over more regulated U.S. industries. Placing Pruitt in charge of the agency that sets environmental regulations will likely be an unmitigated disaster. A persistent plaintiff in lawsuits against the EPAs regulatory power will now be the person in charge of defending those lawsuits and the regulations he is suing to do away with. Democrats in the Senate have already been pondering whether to try to block Pruitts appointment. In a slate full of objectionable nominees, the Democrats need to pick their battles judiciously. Any incoming president including Trump deserves some leeway in assembling his Cabinet and top administrators. But a president is not entitled to blind acquiescence, especially when the appointment is so antithetical to the job at hand. There is more at play here than Trump simply tapping someone to pursue his pro-business vision of fewer unnecessary (as he sees them) regulations. Rather, Trump wants to turn custody of the nations environmental health over to someone who refuses to recognize that it is at risk. That is too dangerous a step for Senate Democrats to let pass without a fight. Scott.Martelle@LATimes.com Follow my posts and re-tweets at @smartelle on Twitter MORE FROM OPINION Did the media help Trump win? Look at the numbers Trumps stumbling first steps on the world stage Forget populism Trumps picking orthodox Republicans To the editor: Each generation seems to suffer its own shock, an incident that knocks us back on our heels, so much so that we must sit down to take it all in. Our collective consciousness is seared, our individual psyches forever changed, whether we realize it or not. (At Pearl Harbors 75th anniversary, a reminder of how America proved its greatness and why it is still great, Dec. 5) Then theres another incident about 20 years later affecting the next generation much the same way. But curiously, the older generation does not experience the same kind of instant paralysis. For the generation of war babies, it was President John F. Kennedys assassination in 1963. For the generation immediately before them, it was what happened exactly 75 years ago, when the silence of a quiet Honolulu Sunday morning was shattered by attacking dive and torpedo bombers from offshore aircraft carriers of imperial Japan. Thus the name war babies. Advertisement The saying goes, Forgive, but dont forget. Eternal vigilance is the watchword. Stuart Kern, Rancho Palos Verdes .. To the editor: Today marks the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Columnist George Skelton writes that it marks the passing of an era from Remember where you were? to Its on the History Channel, the implication being there arent very many people still alive who can recall firsthand experiences of World War II. Having a 92-year-old survivor from Berlin as my mother, I know her civilian experience is jaw-dropping and should be shared so others may learn from them. I am more than a little frustrated by indifference to the stories of survival that are not just educational, but also life-affirming. Craig Carr, West Hills .. To the editor: Skeltons reminiscence about life on the California homefront on Dec. 7, 1941, brought back memories of those frightening days. We knew we were headed to war; the only surprise was the direction from which it came. Despite this surprise, even children knew about Japanese atrocities in China. Madame Chiang and T.V. Soong were quite effective in marshaling pro-Chinese feelings here. Even children were aware of the Rape of Nanking, thanks to the Horrors of War bubblegum cards. Today, when we indulge in self-criticism over the unjustified internment of Japanese Americans, we do so without acknowledging the context in which it occurred. Before Pearl Harbor, many Japanese Americans gathered once a year in full regalia to celebrate the emperors birthday. The fear of a Japanese invasion of the West Coast was palpable after Dec. 7. The night of Feb. 24, 1942, is especially memorable. Although the Great Los Angeles Air Raid was the raid that wasnt, it seemed real at the time. I recall sitting at the top of the stairs holding my single-shot rifle with a handful of bullets at my side. I had, just 26 days before, turned 12. John M. Glenn, West Covina Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook To the editor: Reading Craig Gilmores moving account of the restitution of the painting from his house back to Poland was bittersweet. The sweet part was the moral imperative that Gilmore and his partner followed in returning the painting to Poland. (This painting was looted by the Nazis, then seized from my living room, Opinion, Dec. 4) The bitter part is the millions of Jews and their heirs who lost everything in Poland and remain stymied by bureaucracy and legal hurdles to reclaiming not only artworks, such as paintings and sculptures, but also real property in cities throughout Poland. Lets hope and pray the next decade finds Poland recognizing the courage of people such as Gilmore. It should look at itself in the mirror and begin an honest discussion on restitution matters for real and personal property. Advertisement It is very easy to claim a painting, but how willingly will Poland relinquish property? Dustin Stein, New York .. To the editor: Thanks to Gilmore for sharing his story of returning Portrait of a Lady to the National Museum in Warsaw. I was able to share in his feelings of wholeness after making that connection across history and across the globe, and reading of his gratitude for helping to right an old wrong. The bigger picture can never be framed. Mary Bourke, Glendale Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook To the editor: Hope that a Donald Trump presidency might not prove to be a disaster dims further with every new announcement. Trumps appointment of Koch Industries lobbyist and climate denier Thomas Pyle to the Energy Department transition team signals that America will be dropping out of the race to lead the world in the green energy industry. (Trump brings Koch networks green-energy foes from the fringe to the center of power, Dec. 5) Abandoning the industries of the future while clinging to old, outdated technologies is hardly a formula for making America great. Appointing more lobbyists funded by multibillionaires is also not a formula for fixing the rigged political system and standing up for the little guy. Who knew that draining the swamp meant literally destroying wetlands to drill for oil underneath? Advertisement Seth Jackson, San Marino .. To the editor: If the Trump Organization learned that more than 190 countries had identified a shortage of hotel rooms as a major problem that needed to be addressed, one would assume that it would pounce on the opportunity to provide a solution by building hotels. Hopefully, President-elect Trump will understand that the Paris agreement on climate change provides the U.S. with a similar business opportunity. We can lead by selling the technology to meet the Paris goals, thereby increasing exports and creating excellent jobs for thousands of American workers. Or, we can listen to representatives of the Koch brothers machine, who seem poised to infiltrate the next administration and end efforts by the United States to benefit from this coming revolution. Well soon see just how smart of a businessman Trump actually is. Tom Foran, San Diego Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook As early as 1803, Federalists in the New England states were talking seriously about breaking off from the fledgling United States. They were alarmed by what they characterized as the oppression and barbarity of the federal government under the leadership of President Thomas Jefferson. On Dec. 20, 1860, shortly after the election of Abraham Lincoln, South Carolina became the first state to go beyond talk and actually secede from the Union. Within months, 10 other slave-holding Southern states followed South Carolinas example. Secession did not turn out so well for the South and no one has made a serious effort to disunite the states since. That does not mean people in certain states do not still mull over the idea of secession when the powers-that-be in Washington are not to their liking. Early on in Barack Obamas presidency, Texas Gov. Rick Perry half-jokingly talked about taking the independence road, while other Obama-hating Texans much more seriously pushed for secession. Advertisement Now, with the prospect of Donald Trumps reign at hand, the secessionist talk has moved to the Left Coast. A group of activists has begun gathering voter signatures to put a measure on the 2018 state ballot that would ask, Should California become a free, sovereign, and independent country? 1 / 51 la-1491523602-y7ephyarj1-snap-image (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 51 la-1491368625-0bgh58ihw8-snap-image (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los angeles Times) 6 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 51 Trump inspires millions to take to the streets -- to oppose him. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 51 Cartoon caption contest winner at the DENT conference in Sun Valley, Idaho: Jon Duval, executive director of the Ketchum Community Development Corporation. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 51 Old radicals and big media descend on Selma (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 51 Horsey imagined the creation of the Ann Coulter phenomenon in this cartoon from 2007. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 51 This David Horsey drawing is a reconfiguration of a cartoon he first published in 2006. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 51 Donald Sterling, owner of the L.A. Clippers, should give Cliven Bundy a call. After Sterling loses his NBA franchise and the deadbeat Nevada rancher loses his cattle, the two old racists will both need a buddy. Maybe they can team up together and open an all-white rodeo. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 51 Besides sending a chill up the spine of the international community, Vladimir Putin has accomplished one other thing by seizing Crimea and threatening the rest of Ukraine: Putin has brought back the bear. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 51 The right-wing insurrection at the Bundy ranch in Bunkerville, Nev., has taken another weird turn with new revelations about the family history of Cliven Bundy. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 51 David Horsey / Los Angeles Times (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 50 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) One of the groups backing the proposal is the newly formed California National Party. In a letter to the editor of the Los Angeles Times, Kerry Cox, a party member, said his organization is dedicated to liberating California from a union that is no longer reflective of our values, and from two political parties that either treat us with scorn and ridicule, or use us as a cash cow to finance elections. Cox said Californias share of U.S. defense expenditures is greater than the entire defense budget of Russia. Were already a country, he said. Its time to make it official. Not many people think Californias secessionists have the slightest chance of success. Still, there are plenty of folks in the Golden State who dearly wish they could be liberated from the coming Trump regime. In the Nov. 8 election, Californians voted heavily in favor of Hillary Clinton, while also passing measures to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, bolster already tough gun laws and extend taxes on the wealthy. Each of those choices put the state at odds with Trump and with members of the Cabinet he is assembling. Californias leadership on climate change, support of environmental regulations and opposition to new offshore oil drilling schemes is very likely to run afoul of the policies of the new administration and the Republican-controlled Congress. And California cities and universities are already going on record to say they will fight any Trump-led scheme to round up and deport undocumented immigrants, especially the thousands who are students in the states colleges. Like the revolutionaries of 1776, Californians could base their case for independence on a complaint of taxation without representation. The state sends far more tax money to Washington than it gets back. At the same time, the votes of its 39 million people are dramatically underrepresented in the Senate and the electoral college due to the Constitutions built-in bias that favors sparsely populated Trump-loving states such as Wyoming, Alaska and the Dakotas. As the sixth-largest economy in the world, a place where 2 million new jobs have been created in the last five years, California could do just fine on its own and might find people in the like-minded blue states further up the coast Oregon and Washington clamoring to join a progressive California confederacy. However, that truly is an ecotopian pipe dream (despite the fact that the stuff to induce pipe dreams is now legal in these parts). What is much more likely to happen is that the West Coast will provide a counterweight to any Trump administration overreach and extremism. The best-case scenario: California will not split the country, it will save the country. A group trying to get California to secede from the United States said the results of the presidential election give their cause new momentum. David.Horsey@latimes.com Follow me at @davidhorsey on Twitter MORE FROM HORSEY What a strange trip: A cartoon review of the 2016 campaign Conservatives prefer blondes, especially when they shill for Trump Trump gets comfy in the Washington swamp The winds of change that have stormed across Washington in recent weeks swept through the Capitol anew on Wednesday. In the ritual farewells offered to departing senators, Barbara Boxer was praised for her service by friends and by longtime foes delivering gracious words. The moment felt like the end of an era much larger than just the career of Boxer or her colleagues who were similarly honored. Boxer moved to the Senate a generation ago as female candidates rode a burst of popularity, she noted in her official farewell address Wednesday. She departs just after the defeat of the first female presidential nominee. Advertisement She entered public life when it was considered a noble profession, she reminded listeners, and will leave just before the inauguration of a man who succeeded in large part by denouncing politicians. In 40 years of elective office, Boxer had a role in almost every part of the arc of political activity in California and the nation: the Vietnam War, the environment, AIDS, abortion rights and meat-and-potatoes concerns like roads and freeways. She will leave in the midst of huge tumult for both political parties, a time when the question in the era of Donald Trump What happens now? has no firm answer. There was no mistaking Boxers advice to her colleagues: Stand your ground. There are so many noble ways to make a difference in America, she said. But the one thing you cannot do, even when it is tempting: You cannot turn away. Never. That, certainly, is how Boxer has worked over a political lifetime either annoyingly or persistently, depending on perspective. Her departure next month will close out 34 years in Washington, 10 years in the House and 24 in the Senate. She has been electorally successful for so long in California that it can be hard to remember that her first statewide election amounted to something of a well-earned fluke, as she defeated two men expected to vie for the Democratic Senate nomination. Boxer made herself ubiquitous that year, outworking her foes. And she was pushed along by a gust of support from women that she had helped to create. In 1991, Boxer championed the cause of law professor Anita Hill, who had accused Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment. In a made-for-television bit of drama, she led a clutch of congresswomen up the steps of the Senate to demand that Hills charges be investigated. The hearings that followed filled the nations television screens with the sight of a panel of white men questioning Hill, an African American woman. Thomas won his seat on the court, but the emotions that flowed from the hearings were instrumental in the 1992 elections that pushed Boxer and three other Democratic women into the Senate double the number of women then serving. Now there are 20. But there will not be a woman taking the next step, the presidential oath in January, a fact about which Boxer, now 76, declared herself brokenhearted. Yet there has been undeniable progress for female candidates to which Boxer can personally attest: In her first, unsuccessful campaign for a county supervisors seat, she was castigated for neglecting her children. My message to everyone who supported Hillary: The work goes on, she said, referring to Hillary Clintons failed presidential campaign. Historically speaking, there have been two broad categories of elected officials those who play by genteel rules and those who flout how things are supposed to be done. Boxer has always seemed one of the latter, a politician defined as much as anything by her last name. (You gave me so much, including the best political name ever, she jokingly told Stewart Boxer, her husband of 55 years, on Wednesday.) That approach has not always made for a placid existence, particularly when compared with the different tactics employed by Californias other senator, Dianne Feinstein, elected in the same Year of the Woman sweep. By most measures, Feinsteins approach has brought her more clout in the Senate. Boxer for both good and bad has become known for the stands she took. She fought the Pentagon over the exorbitant cost of its $7,600 coffee pots, opposed President Clinton over the North American Free Trade Agreement and denounced George W. Bushs Iraq war, calling the failed effort to prevent it her biggest regret. Sen. Barbara Boxer Of California speaks at the Democratic National Convention. More coverage at latimes.com/trailguide. Her approach made some lasting enemies. Both Boxer and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who introduced the departing class of senators, alluded to two decades during which they barely spoke, the residue of Boxers fight in the early 1990s against Republican Sen. Bob Packwood of Oregon after he was accused of making repeated sexual advances on staff members. McConnell was so enraged by one of Boxers criticisms that he uttered a lasting line: Being called unethical by Barbara is like being called ugly by a frog. All seemed forgiven Wednesday, although Boxer joked that McConnell had shown up just to make sure Im leaving. Both senators made mention of burying the ill will lately, enough so that the conservative from Kentucky and the liberal from California had worked together on a highway and infrastructure bill, alongside Sen. James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma. Boxer and Inhofe have built a friendship that defies their opposite views on the environment, proof enough that the clubby nature of the Senate can work miracles. Boxers decision last year to retire broke some of the logjam that has defined California politics in the decades during which she and Feinstein held onto Senate seats. Her replacement will be Kamala Harris, the state attorney general. At 52, Harris was 12 when Boxer first won an election. Gov. Jerry Browns departure in 2018 because of term limits will open more room to impatient state politicians, many of whom are also counting on Feinstein to leave office that year. (The senator has not made her intentions publicly known.) The change coming to California, however, has nothing on the change and the uncertainty coming to Washington. For more on politics President Trump may get along swimmingly with the Republican majorities in both houses, or, given their differing political and policy imperatives, he may find himself at war with them. Democrats are wondering how to attract the blue-collar whites who deserted them this year, and many Republicans dont know what their party stands for in the shadow of Trump. None of that will be solved any time soon. Given those questions, it could have been Democrats to whom Boxers words were addressed on Wednesday. Or it could have been Republicans as well, wondering what the future holds. This has been a dream to be in a profession that I think is noble, no matter how beaten up it gets, Boxer said, the bruises from Novembers election still raw. You hold your head high. cathleen.decker@latimes.com Twitter: @cathleendecker ALSO: An online conspiracy turns threatening as an armed man shows up at a Washington pizza place Trumps trip to Carrier plant buffs his image and distracts from controversies too Led by members of the California delegation, dozens of House Democrats are again pleading with President Obama to pardon hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children to whom he granted temporary deportation deferrals. Last month, several members of Congress asked Obama 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. The lawmakers say that even though the so-called Dreamers would be left 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. Advertisement A White House official immediately batted down the idea, saying a pardon wouldnt give them legal status. In a news conference Wednesday, the lawmakers disputed that position, emotion filling their voices. Our request is very narrow in scope; we are simply asking him to protect these young DACA individuals who have committed no crime and who through no fault of their own were brought to the United States with their families in search of a better life, Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Downey) said. Their immigration status under DACA must be protected, and a presidential pardon would do just that. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), a former immigration attorney, dismissed the White Houses unofficial position that the president cannot grant the pardons. She noted that past presidents have issued blanket pardons to people in certain groups, and said that the Constitution says the president can issue a pardon for offenses and doesnt stipulate which crimes. She said the only part of their plan that hasnt been done before is forgiving future immigration offenses. We know that there is no case law on the idea of giving a prospective pardon for a civil offense, but these kids took a risk and we ask President Obama to take a risk as well. These kids deserve everything we can do to keep them safe from deportation, she said. A letter to the White House signed by more than 60 members of Congress reiterated the sentiment. The Constitution specifically does not limit the pardon power to criminal offenses. We ask for the narrow reprieve of a retroactive and prospective pardon of categorical civil immigration violations for a unique group of young immigrants who have placed their trust in both you as their president and us as their lawmakers, the letter states. To be clear, we are not asking you to create legal status. Asked about the renewed pardon request, a White House official responded, The president takes the executive clemency power seriously. As a general matter, we do not comment on the likelihood of whether a specific pardon may be granted, should one be requested. 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. Dreamers 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, immigration advocates and the administration said providing the information would protect the Dreamers and was worth the risk. But with President-elect Donald 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 that the information they provided will be used to deport them. Were going to work something out thats going to make people happy and proud, Trump told Time magazine in an interview published Wednesday, but he provided no details on how hed accommodate the Dreamers. What will happen to the estimated 750,000 program participants one in three of whom are thought to live in California has been a growing concern in recent weeks. At least two senators are talking about addressing the issue in 2017, and on Wednesday, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel brought the topic directly to Trump with a letter asking him not to deport the Dreamers. The White House hasnt directly addressed the pardon request, but Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters Wednesday that the fate of the Dreamers has come up with incoming Trump officials. Weve taken quite seriously the transition process to ensure the incoming administration understands what policies weve pursued and why weve pursued them, and what impact theyve had across the country. But ultimately the next president will take office on Jan. 20, and its his policies that will be implemented, Earnest said. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) made her own appeal in a statement asking Obama to protect the personal information the young immigrants provided from being used to deport them. That approach has been pushed by Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) and more than 100 members. Dreamers who came forward to enroll in President Obamas DACA initiative could have their addresses and personal data handed to an incoming administration that made intimidation and hateful statements against immigrants a hallmark of the campaign, Pelosi said. President Obama should use every possible measure to protect our Dreamers and their data. sarah.wire@latimes.com Follow @sarahdwire on Twitter Read more about the 55 members of Californias delegation at latimes.com/politics ALSO California Democrats ask Obama to pardon nearly 750,000 Dreamers, but White House says it wouldnt work In diverse California, a young white supremacist seeks to convert fellow college students Updates on California politics Magnificent Bodyguards (Photo : thanh bao/YouTube) From a head porter in a railway company in his latest film Railroad Tigers, Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan will play one of the bodyguards of a Mexican politician in his new film. This is not the first time he portrays a bodyguard. In the 1978 movie Magnificent Bodyguards, Jackie Chan was a hired escort who battles his way out of an area in the city run by criminals. Advertisement Variety reported that Jackie Chan signed for the Lorenzo di Bonaventura production for Sony, Suretone Pictures and Schur Pictures of Five Against a Bullet. Joe Carnahan is the writer of the action movie. The movie is about a small Mexican town under siege by a drug cartel. Jackie Chan is one of five weary bodyguards hired to protect a Mexican politician whose father was killed by the cartel before the election. The film is based on a script by Alex Litvak which Carnahan started to rewrite in 2014. Hollywood star Bruce Willis was supposed to be part of the movie, but only Carnahan has remained with the film as writer. Among Carnahans film portfolio are Narc, Smokin Aces, The Grey and Stretch. Di Bonaventura, the producer of Deepwater Horizon, is behind the Transformers and G.I. Joe franchises. Five Against a Bullet would be the fourth upcoming movie of Jackie Chan. The two others are Bleeding Steel and The Foreigner. He is the first actor to sign for the movie which Bonaventure has been wanting to make for years. Carnahan said that Five Against a Bullet is the story of cynical men who lost their sense of hope about the world and life. Their bleak outlook is due to going through the cycle of being rekindled and betrayed over and over again. In 2014, when he joined the project, Carnahan thought Five Against a Bullet would be his next film. While looking for actors, he was open to having a grizzled man, an aging lead or a young cynic, according to Slashfilm. Talk about a glamour shot! NASAs Cassini spacecraft has completed the first of its ring-grazing orbits and snapped stunning images of the strange hexagon-shaped jet stream at Saturns northern pole. With less than a year left to go in its mission, Cassinis new orbits mark the start of special maneuvers that could offer scientists fresh insight into the evolution of the planets moons and iconic rings. Cassinis cameras captured the latest images of the giant hexagon on Dec. 2 and 3, a few days after the spacecraft first began its new orbit on Nov. 30. Each side of that six-sided figure is about as wide as Earth. At the center, a giant storm swirls on the north pole. Its a surprising structure, surrounded by Saturns smoother rings, and scientists have long wondered how it maintains its shape. (Saturns larger cousin, Jupiter, has no such shape at its northern pole.) Advertisement One of the strangest things about this hexagon is the fact that its been around for decades: It was first spotted by NASAs Voyager mission in the 1980s. Its still an interesting puzzle, Linda Spilker, Cassinis project scientist, told The Times shortly before the ring-grazing orbits began. How could this jet stream keep this six-sided shape and rotate as a unit for such a long time? The maneuvers send the spacecraft above the gas giants northern atmosphere and allow it to skim just past unexplored outer edges of the main rings, sensing dust and gas particles along the way. The 20 ring-grazing orbits, each about seven days long, are just the preamble to Cassinis final chapter: 22 grand finale orbits, starting in April. During these passes the spacecraft will come within about 1,012 miles of the planets cloud tops, and will also shoot through the gap between the rings and the planet, a move that will allow scientists to calculate the mass of both structures separately. Cassini will end its mission in dramatic fashion, plunging into the planets thick atmosphere, sending back data until the signal is finally lost. amina.khan@latimes.com Follow @aminawrite on Twitter for more science news and like Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook. MORE IN SCIENCE Earths spin is slowing at a rate of 1.8 milliseconds per century Flickering lights may illuminate a path to Alzheimers treatment States with background checks for those who buy guns and bullets also have fewer school shootings The Burbank Civic Pride Committee will be looking for a lot of glitz and bling when judging this years Holiday Outdoor Decorating Contest. There are three categories: commercial, residential and youth (under 16). Residents and business owners must enter the contest to be eligible to compete. For the first time, people who have decorated their houses and apartments for the holidays can enter the contest by filling out an entry form online at the city of Burbank website, said Robert Vincent, chair of the pride committee. If you have a neighbor or a friend who does an amazing job with their decorations, encourage them to submit a form so they can be judged, he said. Designers entering the residential category should put a lot of pizzazz into their decorations, Vincent said. Id like to see something glitzy like the Kardashians would do. We want homes that have lots of bling, animatronics, music and lights blinking, he said. Vincent said he is hoping that new businesses in town, such as Wood Ranch BBQ and Grill, will decorate and enter the contest. Over the years, weve had Priscillas, Holiday Inn and Samuels Florist, but with all the new businesses in town, it would be great to see them get on board, he said. In my mind, Id like to see something like they do at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York every window has its own elaborate holiday display. For the youth category, committee members will be looking for artistic elements and designs with a lot of heart, Vincent said. Entry deadline is Tuesday. To enter, fill out the form on the website burbankca.gov or download the form and bring it or mail it to the public information office at Burbank City Hall, 150 N. Third St., Burbank. The committee will drive around and judge those who have entered the competition beginning at 5 p.m. on Dec. 15. Decorations must be visible from the street. Lights should remain on from dusk until 11:30 p.m. Each winner will be presented with a certificate from Mayor Jess Talamantes during a City Council meeting. For more information, call (818) 238-5840. Youths sing with childrens chorus Burbank siblings Orison Piper and Morrow Piper are members of the Los Angeles Childrens Chorus, which will perform a winter concert at 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Pasadena Presbyterian Church, 585 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Works on the program will be by Vivaldi, Holst, Britten and Bach, composers who expanded the childrens choral repertoire and taught and conducted children themselves. The chorus is made up of more than 400 children ages 6 to 18 from 50 communities across Los Angeles. It performs with such leading organizations as the L.A. Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Master Chorale and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. For tickets, visit lachildrenschorus.org or call (626) 793-4231. Festival of Trees benefits youth club The Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley is celebrating its first Festival of Trees in partnership with the Los Angeles Marriott Hotel-Burbank Airport. Local businesses and organizations were invited to decorate a tree in a specific theme. The holiday trees are on display now at the Marriott and will be the main attraction during a cocktail reception and auction on Thursday night at the hotel. For more information, contact Susan Sebastian at susansebastian@bgcburbank.org. Residents can sing with chorale Local residents will sing with the Los Robles Master Chorale during the concert titled A Joyful Noise! at 4 p.m. on Dec. 18 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plazas Scherr Forum, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Performing will be Burbank residents Leah Allers, soprano, and Ann Sheridan, alto. Board members from Burbank are husband and wife, Mike OSullivan, president; and Judi OSullivan, secretary. The concert will be led by Lesley Leighton, artistic director, and will showcase John Rutters Gloria and a world premiere by Jasper Randall, commissioned by the chorale. Holiday carols are also on the program. The three-movement Gloria was described by Rutter as a bright, Latin-flavored fiesta. The 105-voice chorus will also perform Printzs Sing with Joy, Sing Noel; Burts Some Children See Him, Mendelssohns Weihnachten, Op. 79, No. 1; Ruth Morris Grays No Room, No Room and three works by Shawn Kirchner Bright Morning Stars, Brightest and Best and Lo, How a Rose Eer Blooming. For tickets, call (805) 526-7464 or visit losroblesmasterchorale.org. -- JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com. Authorities are searching for a man who reportedly exposed himself to a teenage girl. A 14-year-old girl was walking in the area of San Fernando Boulevard and Valencia Avenue last Wednesday at around 8:30 p.m. when a man in a white work van pulled up to her. Police said the man proceeded to make a crude remark to the girl while holding onto his exposed penis. The van then drove away. The man was described as either Armenian or Hispanic, between 30 and 40 years old and bald. He was seen wearing a gray shirt with khaki-colored pants. The vehicle is said to have a ladder on the roof and possibly gold-colored writing on the side. Anyone with information may call Det. Andrey Starkov at (818) 238-3257. -- Andy Nguyen, andy.nguyen@latimes.com Twitter: @Andy_Truc Laguna Beach officials say the stairs leading from Agate Street to the sand need to be replaced to provide safe access to one of the citys prime surfing spots. In fact, a section fell into the ocean during the high surf of October 2015. In September, the city Design Review Board voted 3 to 0, with two members absent, to approve the new concrete stairs, a larger landing area at one section and a new lookout space at street level. But resident Peter Mann argues that the plan would compromise coveted views of the ocean and rock outcroppings by lowering certain portions of the access area, including a platform with a wooden bench, below the roof of a nearby home. Next week the City Council will consider Manns appeal of the decision by the Design Review Board, whose mission is to ensure that plans conform to the Laguna general plan and zoning and coastal standards. Currently, the stairs crisscross the bluff as they descend to the shoreline, with four landing areas interspersed. Two asphalt paths lead from the street to the lookout area where the wooden bench offers views of the crashing waves and, if one glances toward the south, a rock outcropping with a hollowed-out arch. In the redesign, crews would create a viewing area at the street level, remove the paths, and in their place insert a set of stairs leading to the bench area. City staff wanted the bench removed and replaced with a concrete seating area, but the Design Review Board said the bench was a key feature that should stay. Board members also directed staff to expand the street-level viewing area to accommodate wheelchairs. The city held two neighborhood meetings, in May and June, to gather input following Design Review Board hearings in November 2014 and January 2015. The neighborhood meetings were fairly productive but not in the sense of any reflection of the design of what you have before you, Mann said at the Design Review Board meeting Sept. 29. Consultants hired by the city said during that meeting that they did their best to preserve views while creating a project that would comply with California building codes and Americans With Disabilities Act requirements. No one else from the public but Mann commented at that meeting. A civil engineer, Mann submitted his own design to the city that he says would preserve views and keep a path leading to the bench area. In my design, you lift the bench 1 foot, get [a path] back and everyone can enjoy the platform, he said in an interview Monday at the site, noting that the paths allowed wheelchair users to access the area and that at least one should be retained. Enhance what weve got, versus reducing and restricting access, Mann added. Mann said the purpose of raising the bench area is to ensure views of the arch above the roofline. According to a city staff report, the pavement in front of the bench would be 6 inches lower than the existing elevation. A design consultant hired by the city told the Design Review Board that the current paths are too steep and do not comply with ADA standards. What is there now is a considerably sloped walkway, consultant Mike Green said. Unfortunately, we have to meet code, and code is very unforgiving when it comes to those kinds of things. To create ADA-compliant paths, the city would need permission from adjacent homeowners to venture onto their land, Green said. Mann also said two stairs could be removed from a landing area farther down the bluff, creating enough space for spectators admiring the views and surfers coming and going. "[The staircase] can be easily shifted if you move it 4 to 5 feet down toward the beach and take stairs out of that landing to preserve views of Pearl Rock and the arch, Mann said during the meeting. Moving stuff 3 feet may not sound like a big deal, but it can incorporate a much larger and expensive retaining wall, consultant Rick Kreuzer said. This is one of four proposed beach stair projects in the city. The others are at Mountain Road, Oak and Thalia streets. Tuesdays City Council meeting begins at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 505 Forest Ave. bryce.alderton@latimes.com Twitter: @AldertonBryce Allegations of fake petitions. Door hangers urging residents to avoid petitions. Television ads. Rogues. A political complaint. A political complaint dismissed. The battle over Museum House a 25-story, 100-unit luxury condominium tower approved last week by the Newport Beach City Council is in full force, creating a landscape in which various sides are trying to outdo the others. On one end is Line in the Sand, the political arm of Still Protecting Our Newport, which announced Monday that it has officially begun the process of challenging the councils approval of Museum House through a petition drive seeking a referendum. The condos would replace the Orange County Museum of Art at 850 San Clemente Drive in Newport Center. The museum plans to move to Costa Mesa. Line in the Sand needs 5,800 verified signatures of local voters within 30 days to potentially bring the project to a public vote. The group has expressed worries about the developments possible effects on traffic and the prospect of more high-rise residences in Newport Beach. We believe residents will step up to the plate because they know the only way Newport Beach will retain its charm and character is if we make our voices heard, the group said in a statement. On the opposite end is OCMA Urban Housing LLC, an affiliate of Museum House developer Related California, which argues the project will fit nicely in Newport Center and have no significant effects on traffic. Over the weekend, OCMA Urban Housing distributed door hangers urging Newport residents not to sign petitions circulated by Line in the Sand or another group, Citizens Against High Rise Urban Towers, a Santa Ana-based nonprofit. The latter alleged last week that the council voted to approve Museum House without receiving requisite written confirmation from the Federal Aviation Administration that the condo tower and aircraft using a nearby Police Department helipad would not pose a threat to each other. The city says it received adequate confirmation. The door hangers alleged that Citizens Against High Rise Urban Towers is funded by dark money funds given to nonprofits that dont have to disclose the source of the funding. The hangers also referenced a complaint filed against the group in November with the California Fair Political Practices Commission. Newport Beach activist Bob McCaffrey alleged the nonprofit evaded campaign disclosure requirements when it produced Facebook ads, TV segments and mailers opposing Museum House. Related California has repeatedly said the messages are false and misleading. On Nov. 30, an FPPC representative wrote to McCaffrey that the commission dismissed the matter because Citizens Against High Rise Urban Towers hadnt violated the law. Mark Rosen, an attorney with the group, said Monday that its online petition is unofficial and would have no legal effect and, as a nonprofit, the group can advocate to the public. In recent days, OCMA Urban Housing launched two websites, SaveTheMuseum.com and FakePetition.com. The former accuses Rosen of circulating a fake online petition that could hurt the Orange County Museum of Arts efforts to offer art education to children and senior citizens. It also calls the petitions by Rosens group and Line in the Sand a cynical attempt to confuse voters. On Monday, the website contained pictures of activists opposing Museum House in a section dubbed the rogues gallery. On Tuesday, the gallery was gone. An early headline above the section read, Meet those who seek to ruin the Orange Country [sic] Museum of Art. The headline was later changed to Why do they want to hurt the museum and our kids? FakePetition.com contains a form and a phone number to report petitioners gathering signatures in Newport Beach. Sean Matsler of Newport Beach, an attorney representing Museum House, said the website is about ensuring the petition process is legal. There is no harassment intended with it, he said. The Newport Beach City Council and the California elections code both want to ensure that Newport Beach residents see the two years worth of work, thousands of pages of technical studies and the extensive care that went into the citys approval of this project, Matsler said in a statement. It is imperative that all petition signers have access to the full record before signing anything. Due to the numerous reports of non-legitimate petitions that we have received from residents, we want to make sure that the process is being strictly adhered to, just as we strictly adhered to the citys discretionary approval process. Newport Beach voters deserve nothing less. On Friday, a man outside the Ralphs supermarket at Newports Westcliff shopping center was gathering signatures against Museum House. His materials did not contain requisite legal documents. Susan Skinner, who works with Still Protecting Our Newport, and Rosen told the Daily Pilot on Friday that the man wasnt with their groups. When approached by a Pilot reporter, the man said he couldnt comment and soon drove away. Newport Beach police spokeswoman Jennifer Manzella said Monday that officers responded to a report about the man and gathered information. Were looking into the circumstances of the incident further, she said in an email. Some people speculated that the mans petition was fake and was intended to distract residents from signing legitimate petitions. It is not unknown for a developer, with millions at stake, to circulate a phony petition to confuse the voters and then use the confusion to tell voters not to sign any petition, Rosen said in an email. In response, Matsler said Related California had no involvement in the petition at Westcliff or any other petition. When will Rosen fully disclose who is funding his efforts? Matsler said. We call on Mr. Rosen, yet again, to come out of the shadows and disclose the money behind his campaign. Rosen told the Daily Pilot last week that the nonprofit is funded primarily by Newport Beach residents who have signed other petitions against Museum House. He said he is unaware of the groups other financial backers. bradley.zint@latimes.com Twitter: @BradleyZint Ten Years Ago The first meeting of the newly formed Islamic Congregation of La Canada Flintridge was held at the Community Center, drawing 75 people of all ages. Also on hand were then- Mayor Greg Brown and Anthony Portantino, at the time serving in the state Assembly. Among the new groups stated goals was reaching out to the community to educate others and bridge a gap of misunderstandings between those of the Islamic faith and other religions. Twenty Years Ago Damages were set at about $60,000 after a faulty fireplace gas line was blamed for a blaze in a two-story home on upper Palm Drive. Three county fire rigs answered the call, extinguishing the Monday afternoon fire in just over an hour. Thirty Years Ago With radio personality Roger Barkley as emcee, the seventh annual Shop in La Canada Flintridge fashion show provided a lively program for 230 attendees. Chairing the event was Dottie Hazel, then secretary-manager of the La Canada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce and Community Assn. Forty Years Ago As the new city of La Canada Flintridge was organized and its first city council seated, a report was issued that suggested the local chamber of commerce should act as a spokesman to the new council and a vehicle by which the citys business segment could become more influential. Fifty Years Ago The county Board of Supervisors approved the deposit of $38,100 with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to be used on flood control channel work in La Canadas Winery Canyon. Sixty Years Ago Librarian Leone Loos reported an outbreak of book vandalism and theft at the La Canada branch of the county library system. Volumes of the World Book and Colliers encyclopedias were missing and pages had been torn out of the Encyclopedia Britannica, Loos told the Valley Sun. Compiled from the Valley Sun archives by Carol Cormaci. For 19 years, the JPL Invention Challenge at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory has pitted students against staff members in a contest to see who can design a device or process for completing a specified challenge in the most efficient manner. More than 75 competitors accepted this years Dont Waste a Drop challenge to create an apparatus capable of conveying 250 grams of water and one 3-D printed goldfish to a second device at least 6 feet away and on Friday morning, 27 regional finalists faced off for a winning trophy and serious bragging rights. But, in a break with tradition, a 28th team was allowed to compete. Join the conversation on Facebook >> 1 / 19 The team from Tanzania brings their invention into the competitors square at JPLs annual Invention Challenge on Friday, December 2, 2016. 28 teams, including a team from Tanzania, but mostly of local Southern California schools, competed. The challenge was to transfer a specific amount of water over a distance to a collection cup on the other side. Methods included catapults, conveyor belts, a lot of duct tape, and pvc. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 2 / 19 Ramadhan Daud, with help from his team, ties a string around a cup for a first-time test of their invention at JPLs annual Invention Challenge on Friday, December 2, 2016. 28 teams, including a team from Tanzania, but mostly of local Southern California schools, competed. The challenge was to transfer a specific amount of water over a distance to a collection cup on the other side. Methods included catapults, conveyor belts, a lot of duct tape, and pvc. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 3 / 19 JPL scientist Paul Backes talks with Francis Msuya, of Tanzania, as the rest of the team tries to get their invention to work at JPLs annual Invention Challenge on Friday, December 2, 2016. 28 teams, including a team from Tanzania, but mostly of local Southern California schools, competed. The challenge was to transfer a specific amount of water over a distance to a collection cup on the other side. Methods included catapults, conveyor belts, a lot of duct tape, and pvc. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 4 / 19 The Tanzanian team, including Raphael Ngonyani, Salim Mauled,a nd Ramadhan Daud, tie a string together to do a first-time test of their invention with a cup, something they didnt have at home, at JPLs annual Invention Challenge on Friday, December 2, 2016. 28 teams, including a team from Tanzania, but mostly of local Southern California schools, competed. The challenge was to transfer a specific amount of water over a distance to a collection cup on the other side. Methods included catapults, conveyor belts, a lot of duct tape, and pvc. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 5 / 19 After the Tanzanian teams invention fails to pour the cup of water into the transfer chute they created, team advisor Dogan Aykurt consoles team leader Ramadhan Daud who is dejected, but tries to keep a smile, at JPLs annual Invention Challenge on Friday, December 2, 2016. 28 teams, including a team from Tanzania, but mostly of local Southern California schools, competed. The challenge was to transfer a specific amount of water over a distance to a collection cup on the other side. Methods included catapults, conveyor belts, a lot of duct tape, and pvc. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 6 / 19 Francis Msuya, and Alfred Woiso, of Tanzania, put their invention back in the suitcase they travelled with to compete at JPLs annual Invention Challenge on Friday, December 2, 2016. 28 teams, including a team from Tanzania, but mostly of local Southern California schools, competed. The challenge was to transfer a specific amount of water over a distance to a collection cup on the other side. Methods included catapults, conveyor belts, a lot of duct tape, and pvc. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 7 / 19 JPLs Paul Backes help the Tanzania team with the design of their invention at JPLs annual Invention Challenge on Friday, December 2, 2016. 28 teams, including a team from Tanzania, but mostly of local Southern California schools, competed. The challenge was to transfer a specific amount of water over a distance to a collection cup on the other side. Methods included catapults, conveyor belts, a lot of duct tape, and pvc. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 8 / 19 The Tanzanian team at JPLs annual Invention Challenge on Friday, December 2, 2016. 28 teams, including a team from Tanzania, but mostly of local Southern California schools, competed. The challenge was to transfer a specific amount of water over a distance to a collection cup on the other side. Methods included catapults, conveyor belts, a lot of duct tape, and pvc. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 9 / 19 Ramadhan Daud, of Tanzania, leaves the competitors circle through other teams and parents who are about to compete at JPLs annual Invention Challenge on Friday, December 2, 2016. 28 teams, including a team from Tanzania, but mostly of local Southern California schools, competed. The challenge was to transfer a specific amount of water over a distance to a collection cup on the other side. Methods included catapults, conveyor belts, a lot of duct tape, and pvc. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 10 / 19 Team leader Ramadhan Daud, with teammate Salim Mauled, looks up after having his head in his hands with trepidation before his teams invention is put to the test at JPLs annual Invention Challenge on Friday, December 2, 2016. 28 teams, including a team from Tanzania, but mostly of local Southern California schools, competed. The challenge was to transfer a specific amount of water over a distance to a collection cup on the other side. Methods included catapults, conveyor belts, a lot of duct tape, and pvc. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 11 / 19 Tanzania team advisor Dogan Aykurt helps to set up his teams invention at JPLs annual Invention Challenge on Friday, December 2, 2016. 28 teams, including a team from Tanzania, but mostly of local Southern California schools, competed. The challenge was to transfer a specific amount of water over a distance to a collection cup on the other side. Methods included catapults, conveyor belts, a lot of duct tape, and pvc. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 12 / 19 A ring of parents and contestants watch other water transfer inventions at JPLs annual Invention Challenge on Friday, December 2, 2016. 28 teams, including a team from Tanzania, but mostly of local Southern California schools, competed. The challenge was to transfer a specific amount of water over a distance to a collection cup on the other side. Methods included catapults, conveyor belts, a lot of duct tape, and pvc. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 13 / 19 JPLs Sherry Stukes, of Ground Data Systems coordinates the data she receives with the score board in front of her at JPLs annual Invention Challenge on Friday, December 2, 2016. 28 teams, including a team from Tanzania, but mostly of local Southern California schools, competed. The challenge was to transfer a specific amount of water over a distance to a collection cup on the other side. Methods included catapults, conveyor belts, a lot of duct tape, and pvc. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 14 / 19 JPLs referee Chris Landry, Structural Engineering, closely watches water drop into a vessel at JPLs annual Invention Challenge on Friday, December 2, 2016. 28 teams, including a team from Tanzania, but mostly of local Southern California schools, competed. The challenge was to transfer a specific amount of water over a distance to a collection cup on the other side. Methods included catapults, conveyor belts, a lot of duct tape, and pvc. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 15 / 19 Alan DeVault, of Pasadena, watches his catapult start to move a cup of water to be dropped into a collection cup at JPLs annual Invention Challenge on Friday, December 2, 2016. 28 teams, including a team from Tanzania, but mostly of local Southern California schools, competed. The challenge was to transfer a specific amount of water over a distance to a collection cup on the other side. Methods included catapults, conveyor belts, a lot of duct tape, and pvc. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 16 / 19 JPLs Phoebe Rhodes-Wickett, mechanical engineering, pours water and a small plastic goldfish into a cup to be officially measured at JPLs annual Invention Challenge on Friday, December 2, 2016. 28 teams, including a team from Tanzania, but mostly of local Southern California schools, competed. The challenge was to transfer a specific amount of water over a distance to a collection cup on the other side. Methods included catapults, conveyor belts, a lot of duct tape, and pvc. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 17 / 19 The Arcadia High School team watches a cup of water go up a conveyor belt on their invention at JPLs annual Invention Challenge on Friday, December 2, 2016. 28 teams, including a team from Tanzania, but mostly of local Southern California schools, competed. The challenge was to transfer a specific amount of water over a distance to a collection cup on the other side. Methods included catapults, conveyor belts, a lot of duct tape, and pvc. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 18 / 19 The team from Hamilton High School moves their invention from the competition area at JPLs annual Invention Challenge on Friday, December 2, 2016. 28 teams, including a team from Tanzania, but mostly of local Southern California schools, competed. The challenge was to transfer a specific amount of water over a distance to a collection cup on the other side. Methods included catapults, conveyor belts, a lot of duct tape, and pvc. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 19 / 19 Team member from Lawndale High School make final preparations on their catapult style water transfer system at JPLs annual Invention Challenge on Friday, December 2, 2016. 28 teams, including a team from Tanzania, but mostly of local Southern California schools, competed. The challenge was to transfer a specific amount of water over a distance to a collection cup on the other side. Methods included catapults, conveyor belts, a lot of duct tape, and pvc. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) A group of six male students and their teacher undertook the 10,000-mile journey from Feza Boys Secondary and High School in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to La Canada Flintridge for a chance to test their building and design expertise. JPL Invention Challenge founder and mechanical systems engineer Paul McNeal invited the team to participate as special guests after he was contacted by the boys teacher Dogan Aykurt. McNeal said he was thrilled to learn of the Tanzanian teams enthusiasm for the event. They put in so much effort to come this far, he said. Its fantastic. Aykurt, 27, had been involved in a spin-off Invention Festival, created from McNeals curriculum, while a graduate student at Yeditepe University in Istanbul. When he went to Tanzania last year to volunteer teach, he wanted his students to experience firsthand the curiosity and ingenuity the contest had evoked in him. My students must go to other countries to get information, Aykurt said. They want to get a good education from another country and then come back to their own country. Unlike their American counterparts, the Feza Boys team met with several material-related challenges during the process. With the nearest journey to a suitable supply store clocking in at seven hours, they had to make do with what they could find nearby. They then had to disassemble and pack the device into a suitcase they could bring on the plane, Aykurt said. And team members couldnt test the machine according to the contest specifications until after theyd arrived in Los Angeles on Thursday night, because they had no access to a 3-D printer and couldnt find the right cup. On Friday morning, with just minutes to go before show time, the six students were still figuring out how to make the cup tip after it was drawn up from a pipe with weights and a pulley. After several delays, they brought their device to the staging area only to be disappointed when the cup failed to tip. Next year! Next year! members of the audience called out in encouragement. The winners of the days challenge were two teams from Oakwood High School in North Hollywood, called Oakwood No. 1 and No. 2, and Los Angeles High School, who competed under the team name Diamond. Raphael Michael, 16, said afterward he enjoyed the event. Our machine was not ready, and we didnt know what to do, he said. But we tried, so Im just happy. An undaunted Aykurt said he hopes to bring a team of female students to a future competition. After all, it isnt about winning, but rising to the challenge. Maybe we couldnt make a good machine, but we had a good idea, he said. If you do not have an idea, you cant do anything. But if you do have an idea, you have a chance to make your dream work. For more information on the JPL Invention Challenge, visit jpl.nasa.gov/events/inventionchallenge. -- Sara Cardine, sara.cardine@latimes.com Twitter: @SaraCardine They say that possession is nine-tenths of the law, which explains why the Google product forum is full of posts from frustrated homeowners who want Google to remove footage of private roads from the companys Street View. In 2008, Google took the position that it had the right to go onto private roads, even those posted with no trespassing signs, to photograph homes because the homes show up on satellite images. A Pennsylvania couple, Aaron and Christine Boring, sued Google in 2008. The Borings home was at the end of a 50-foot private drive. The Google Street View trucks had driven onto their road, down to their house, to take a Street View 360 degree photo. The Borings said they had purchased their home, for a considerable sum, due to their interest in privacy. The case was vigorously litigated by Google, which ironically asserted its own privacy rights in responding to discovery. Join the conversation on Facebook >> Googles motion to dismiss was granted, then reversed by the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal. Finally, in 2010, Google settled, agreed to take down the Street View of the familys home and private road, to pay a nominal award of $1, but without admission of liability. How does this affect La Canada Flintridge? As of 1985, our town had 43 privately owned roadways. Thats when the City Council, at the request of the late Edmund Krause, a member of the City Council who lived on Rancho Canada Road, requested the passage of LCF Ordinance 4.04.090. The ordinance reads: Parking on private property. Any private property may be posted with one or more signs indicating the conditions under which the express or implied consent to park has been given by the owner or person in lawful possession of the property. Such conditions may limit parking to owners, tenants, customers, patrons, members or guests and may limit parking for fixed periods of time. Violation of the conditions set forth on such signs shall be deemed a violation of Section 3115 of Los Angeles County Ordinance No. 6544 as adopted by the city. (Ord. 115 2, 1985) There had been a problem with cars parking on Rancho Canada Road. Immediately after passed, 100% of the residents on Rancho Canada Road asked the city to limit parking, which proves that Councilman Krause was a good, old-school, grassroots organizer. Meanwhile, the city of LCF has advocated street signs for private streets. This makes sense, from the point of view of emergency access. Recently, the intersection of Daisy Lane (private) and Rockland Place (private) got a nifty new sign. You wont see Daisy Lane on Google Street View, at least it doesnt show up right now, but Street View does allow you to virtually traverse all of Rockland Place, despite the Pvt on the street sign. There are still pockets of LCF that dont show up on Street View like Mesa Vista, Rancho Canada and, of course, Daisy Lane. Theres a value in staying off of Street View. Its creepy to see someone mowing their lawn (or worse) on Google Maps. A lot of us in LCF like our privacy. One town, North Oaks, Minn., has barred Google Street View. North Oaks, pop. 5000, a suburb of St. Paul, has no public streets. The private property lines go to the middle of the street. The homeowners own and maintain all the roads, no mean feat in Minnesota. The city provides fire, police and emergency services, but owns no property. Google Street View (but not Satellite View) stays out of North Oaks. I wonder what will happen when Google gets those drones. -- ANITA S. BRENNER is a longtime La Canada Flintridge resident and an attorney with the Law Offices of Torres and Brenner in Pasadena. Email her at anitasusan.brenner@yahoo.com and follow her on Instagram @realanitabrenner and Facebook/Twitter @anitabrenner. With one foot in the Caribbean and another in Central America, Belize has many attributes that make it an attractive locale for a tropical vacation. An eight-day Rainforest to Reef tour organized by Mountain Travel Sobek showcases some of the countrys highlights, with time set aside to kayak or snorkel in Belizes turquoise waters. Bird lovers can spot species in Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary and the broad-leaf jungle of Bocawina National Park. Adventurers can hike to hidden waterfalls, zip-line through the rainforest canopy and take a scenic cruise down the New River to visit the Mayan ruins of Lamanai. Advertisement Dates: Jan. 15-22, Feb. 5-12, Feb. 26-March 5, March 26-April 2, April 30-May 7 Price: From $3,395, per person, double occupancy; $550 single supplement. Includes guides, accommodations, airport transfers, sightseeing, ground transportation, entrance fees and permits. International airfare and $100 internal airfare not included. Info: Mountain Travel Sobek, (888) 831-7526 ALSO 10 places in U.S. (Californias desert is No. 4) Lonely Planet says you should visit next year Where to see reindeer and Northern Lights while staying in an ice hotel Fake U.S. embassy operated in Ghana for a decade, issued bogus visas Washington Monument to remain closed until 2019 for elevator repairs President Franklin Roosevelt described it as a date which will live in infamy. As the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor approaches, sailors and civilians have worked to spruce up Hawaiis biggest tourist attraction. Visitors from around the world, including many Japanese, come visit every day but Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. They take the short boat ride from a pier beside the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center to the USS Arizona Memorial, which floats above the sunken battleship. The images of the sinking ship, ablaze after being bombed by enemy warplanes, are etched into the American psyche. Advertisement Of the more than 2,400 service members and civilians killed that Sunday morning, nearly half the total 1,177 were sailors and Marines aboard the Arizona. There were 335 [sic] of us on the ship that got off that day, Lou Conter, one of those survivors, told me as we stood on the memorial. We were just lucky. Conter, now 95 and one of only five survivors still alive, makes a pilgrimage from his Grass Valley, Calif., home to Honolulu each Dec. 7 to stand aboard the Arizona Memorial as wreaths are laid to remember those who died. He plans to travel across the Pacific again this month. Three of his comrades also hope to attend a morning observance on Kilo Pier (its open to the public) before traveling to the memorial. Despite the passing decades, Conters memories of that day are clear. I was on the quarterdeck, just about where we are, he recalled. Everything from right over there forward blew up and was on fire. More than 1,300 free tickets are distributed each day on a first come, first served basis for the shuttle operated by Navy sailors. The USS Arizona Memorial is the centerpiece, but it is just one of several attractions at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, about 13 miles northwest of the Waikiki hotels. Usually guests can see the free attractions in about 90 minutes. There is a wealth of informative exhibits at the Visitor Center, where a 23-minute documentary is screened throughout the day. Two other attractions are moored here, but youll have to pay to visit the USS Bowfin and the USS Missouri, neither of which was built at the time of the attack. The submarine USS Bowfin, which saw service in the South China Sea during the war, is open daily for self-guided tours. Admission fees apply. (Tor Johnson/Hawaii Tourism Authority ) The Bowfin, an attack submarine, was launched one year to the day after the Japanese air raid. Between 1943 and 1945, the sub spent most of its patrols in the South China Sea. Self-guided tours of the ship and an adjacent museum cost $12 for adults and $5 for children 4-12. Headsets for an audio tour are included. Although it wasnt built until 1944, the USS Missouri, often called the Mighty Mo played a historic role in the war. While at anchor in Toyko Bay, the Japanese formally surrendered aboard the ship on Sept. 12, 1945. A brass plaque marks the spot where Gen. Douglas MacArthur signed the document on behalf of the Allies, officially bringing the war to an end. Because its on Ford Island, still an active military base, visitors are taken to the Missouri (and the nearby USS Oklahoma monument) aboard buses that depart regularly from the visitor center. Tickets cost $27 for adults and $13 for children 4-12. The attacks aftermath is also being remembered in Homefront Hawaii, a special exhibit at Honolulus Bishop Museum. The displays share the stories of ordinary citizens and what they had to endure in the days, weeks and years after Dec. 7, 1941. Japanese-Americans, who many feared might be aiding the enemy, were required to register and community leaders were arrested and interned in camps in Hawaii and on the U.S. mainland. One of the curious artifacts is a $10 bill with the word Hawaii in large letters over an image of the U.S. Treasury building. The special money, circulated only in Hawaii, was printed because of the ongoing fear of an invasion. The Japanese could have seized large amounts of the money, but they would not have been able use it to disrupt Americas economy, because it wasnt good outside of the islands. The exhibit is open and continues through February. ALSO Will San Francisco gain a new landmark? Old U.S. Mint receives funds for a face-lift plan Its no small world after all. Hong Kong Disneyland to add two new themed areas in $1.4-billion project Hike and explore Utahs Mighty 5' national parks on this 10-day tour No one vacations in Hawaii to pick fruit. A new chef-led tour changes that Before-and-after images of an astronauts eyes via spectral domain optical coherence tomography show choroidal folds (marked by arrows), which are similar to stretch marks. (Photo : North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society) Over the last decade, flight surgeons and scientists at NASA have been puzzled by visual impairments in nearly two-thirds of astronauts on long-duration missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and they now know the reason why. They believe this malady, called "visual impairment intracranial pressure" syndrome (VIIP), might be related to volume changes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) found around the brain and spinal cord. Advertisement The astronauts with VIIP all exhibited blurry vision, said a study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago. More tests revealed structural changes, including flattening at the back of the astronauts' eyeballs and inflammation of the head of their optic nerves. "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, professor of radiology and biomedical engineering at the University of Miami. Scientists previously believed the main cause of the problem was a shift of vascular fluid toward the upper body that takes place when astronauts are exposed for long periods to the microgravity of space. Researchers, however, investigated another possible source for the problem: CSF. This clear fluid that helps cushion the brain and spinal cord while circulating nutrients and removing waste materials. The CSF system can withstand significant changes in hydrostatic pressures, such as when a person rises from a lying to sitting or standing position. In space, however, the CFS system is confused by the lack of the posture-related pressure changes. Alperin and his colleagues performed high-resolution orbit and brain MRI scans before and shortly after spaceflights for seven long-duration mission ISS astronauts. They then compared results with those from nine short-duration mission Space Shuttle astronauts. The study showed that 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, or the 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," said Alperin. Identifying the origin of the space-induced ocular changes is necessary 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. As the eye globe becomes more flattened, the astronauts become hyperopic, or far-sighted." Other doctors think the extra fluid in the skull increases pressure on the brain and the back of the eye. VIIP has now been recognized as a widespread problem, and there has been a struggle to understand its cause. When activists rappelled down the front of Australias parliament last week to protest the countrys rigid refugee policy, then stood ankle-deep in a moat they had dyed blood-red, Sen. James McGrath from Queensland, one of the top ministers in the government, called them a selfish bunch of grubs. The protesters unfurled a banner with the message, Close the bloody camps now. #Justice4Refugees, a reference to the outsourced camps set up in nearby nations for those seeking asylum and resettlement in Australia. The demonstration, the second such protest at Australias parliament in two days, drew attention to the countrys controversial Stop the Boats policy, which officials say is intended to save lives by discouraging risky refugee voyages on the high seas. Advertisement Under the policy, any smugglers vessels nearing Australian shores are sent away with tough warnings that no asylum seeker who tries to reach Australia by boat will ever call the country home. Instead, Australia sends would-be immigrants to offshore camps on Papua New Guineas Manus Island and in the tiny Pacific island nation of Nauru, much as the U.S. used its military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in the 1990s to detain asylum seekers from Haiti. The policy, supported by both major political parties, has succeeded in stopping the influx of boats and drownings at sea near Australian shores. It also has drawn intense criticism from human rights organizations around the world, which have documented cases of abuse, inhumane treatment and neglect among migrants trapped in substandard offshore detention centers under Australias take-no-boaters policy. Australias policy of exiling asylum seekers who arrive by boat is cruel in the extreme, Anna Neistat, senior director for research at Amnesty International, said in the groups report on migrants whod been held at Australias behest on Nauru most for at least three years. Few other countries go to such lengths to deliberately inflict suffering on people seeking safety and freedom. Few other countries go to such lengths to deliberately inflict suffering on people seeking safety and freedom. Anna Neistat, senior director for research at Amnesty International Now, amid rising anti-immigrant sentiment in Europe seen in Britains vote to leave the European Union and strong recent showings at the polls in various countries by parties of the far right some European politicians are expressing interest in the Australian immigration model. The German Interior Ministry last month floated the idea of a program to intercept asylum seekers by boat and take them to other countries to be processed. The elimination of the prospect of reaching the European coast could convince migrants to avoid embarking on the life-threatening and costly journey in the first place. The goal must be to remove the basis for people-smuggling organizations and to save migrants from the life-threatening journey, a ministry spokeswoman told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper. In Denmark, Kenneth Kristensen Berth, spokesman on Europe for the right-wing Danish Peoples Party, part of the governing coalition, recently came out in support of considering processing camps for migrants outside Denmarks borders. Nigel Farage, who helped lead the Brexit campaign to leave the EU as leader of the U.K. Independence Party, praised Australias policy, and in September, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson called on Europe to turn back asylum seekers boats close to where they shove off from Libya to prevent them from reaching Italy. Johnson and other Brexit leaders called for an Australian-style immigration policy that opens the door to would-be migrants on a points system based on what they can contribute to the country. Analysts say it would be difficult for Europe to try to refuse boats loaded with migrants attempting to land on European shores or try to have them shipped elsewhere. For one thing, turning back people smugglers vessels would be illegal in the Mediterranean, after a 2012 ruling in the European Court of Human Rights that found that Italy violated migrants rights by returning a vessel with asylum seekers to Libya. Then theres the prohibitive cost to run the offshore detention centers. Australia paid private contractors more than $320,000 per person per year in 2013-14 to run its facilities for refugees and asylum seekers. Last year, the EU considered processing asylum seekers offshore in Egypt or Tunisia, but instead reached a deal with Turkey in March that contained the flow of asylum seekers from Turkey to Europe in return for humanitarian aid to support them. That deal, however, looks on the brink of collapse, with Turkey threatening to reopen the floodgates, angered over a temporary halt to talks on its bid for EU membership. Europe has begun negotiating with Tunisia in a bid to get a similar agreement to slow the flow of asylum seekers from North Africa, many of whom are not fleeing war and thus are likely to be rejected as refugees. Europe saw an influx of at least 1.25 million asylum seekers in 2015, according to an EU briefing paper in April. The International Organization for Migration said 159,496 migrants had reached Europe by sea this year, and 4,220 had drowned. The Australian government last month doubled down on its controversial migrant boats policy, introducing legislation for a lifetime visa ban on asylum seekers being detained on Manus Island or Nauru, regardless of where they eventually settle. The bill is unlikely to pass, after the opposition announced it would not support it. It also appears to not have much public support. A poll by the Australia Institute in June found that 63% of respondents oppose the governments policy of turning away those who have a legitimate case for asylum merely because they arrived by boat. Australian officials say the policy is an attempt not to block migration but to avoid rewarding those who jump the queue ahead of other needy refugees who follow legal procedures and apply for asylum through the United Nations. Australia ranks third behind the U.S. and Canada in admissions of refugees through the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees process. robyn.dixon@latimes.com Twitter: @RobynDixon_LAT ALSO Deaths on the Mediterranean Sea dont keep migrants from trying to reach Europe A journey through hell: First wave of migrant children from Calais arrives in Britain We dont know where they will take us now. French authorities clear migrant camp called the Jungle Britain has long been the United States closest and most important ally. At the Reagan National Defense Forum a gathering last weekend of hundreds of defense industry executives and government officials at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley its defense secretary, Michael Fallon, sat down with The Times to discuss terrorism and other threats to the world order as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office and Britain prepares to leave the European Union. Spoiler: He was optimistic. With Islamic State losing ground in Iraq and Syria, do you have any fears it is moving south into Jordan or shifting operations to other places such as Libya? How are you dealing with that? We are making huge progress in Iraq [against Islamic State]. They control now less than 10% of the territory of Iraq and only one major city. And that city is now encircled. Iraqi forces are getting into the suburbs of eastern Mosul, and I hope that city eventually will fall. And the lines of communication have been cut between Mosul in Iraq and Raqqah in Syria. And therefore those remaining fighters in Mosul will have to decide whether to surrender or whether to be defeated. Were keeping a very close eye on where they may likely disperse to, either down to the Euphrates River valley or elsewhere. Advertisement How big of a concern are Islamic State fighters returning to the U.K.? What are you doing to monitor people coming back? Theyre a concern for everybody. Some who have may have been responsible for the most heinous of crimes, we may want to see tried for those crimes through the international criminal system. Other countries will want to deal with their own returning fighters. For ourselves, we think we have 200 to 300 who may wish to return. If theyve been fighting for [Islamic State], then they have been committing a criminal offense for which they can be prosecuted. What influence will Brexit have on coordination of efforts to stop terrorist attacks in Europe? We remain a leading member of NATO. We remain committed to our key partnerships and alliances, particularly with the United States. And we we remain a key contributor to the fight against [Islamic State] in the Middle East. Brexit has no effect, no impact, on that. How has intelligence sharing changed since the terrorist attacks in Paris (November 2015) and Brussels (March 2016)? Theres more data sharing, intelligence sharing, cooperation on counter-terrorism among the European countries. There was always a certain amount before. But that isnt dependent on membership in the European Union. Lets talk about Donald Trump. Hes expressed the desire for warmer relations with Russia, a strong ally of Syria. What does that mean for the future of Syria and Syrian President Bashar Assad? Theres always been a relationship between the United States and Russia. Its not surprising that a new incoming president will want to reset it. Its important to talk to Russia about reducing tensions, de-escalating tensions where Russia has been aggressive. Its also important to talk to Russia about areas of the world where Russia has great influence. Over Iraq, for example, but also over Syria. Any further pressure that can be brought to bear on Russia, to bear in turn on the Assad regime, can only be welcome. Do you see Assad staying in power? We dont see a future for Syria with Assad remaining. This is a man who has barrel-bombed his own citizens and has plunged Syria into the most appalling civil war thats destroyed a large part of the country and killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions. How do you bring Russia over to that position? We continue to convene discussions among those moderate opposition groups to Assad, those that are prepared to play a part in a democratic Syria. We continue to try and persuade Russia that that is, in the long term, the only future for Syria. Syria had elections before. There is no reason why Syria should not have elections again. Trump has criticized NATO members for not paying their way and suggested that the United States could renege on certain commitments to the alliance. What are your feelings about the strength of NATO with the new administration coming in? Hes not the first new American president to call on Europe to shoulder more of the burden. Hes right that still not enough European countries are meeting the 2% [under North Atlantic Treaty Organization guidelines, each members defense spending is supposed to be at least 2% of its gross domestic product]. Britain is meeting the 2% target. Obviously the U.S. meets it easily. We want to see other European countries meet that target. We welcome what President-elect Trump has said and we look forward to working with him. Do you feel confident that the U.S. will protect the Baltic states Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania given concerns about Russian expansionism? The United States is one of the four countries of NATO that has stepped up to provide a full battalion to protect the Baltic states and Poland. Well have British troops alongside it 150 British troops. We will be leading the battalion in Estonia. That enhanced presence by the United States, by the United Kingdom, by German and Canadian troops, I think, will help reassure those allies on the eastern flank that NATO is prepared to defend itself. Looking ahead to the next administration here, you dont see that changing? Thats a commitment that the United States has given. I dont see that changing. Are you hearing concerns from other NATO members about the umbrella of American military power under Trump? What are people saying about this incoming administration? When you get a change of administration, when you get a change from Democrat to Republican, these questions are often there. I dont think theres serious concern as to how a Trump presidency will work out. I think in Europe were well used to dealing with campaign rhetoric on the one hand and what an administration does in practice on the other. On the campaign trail, Trump said that he is going to be less likely to get involved in foreign entanglements. Can the U.S. both disengage and defeat Islamic State at the same time? Again, I think you need to aim off the campaign rhetoric. I think it was Mario Cuomo who said you campaign in poetry and you govern in prose. Im not going to accuse Donald Trump of poetry. I dont think that accusation will stick. Whats important is to see what the administration does in practice. And in practice every administration has accepted that leadership role of dealing with international terrorism. The Obama administration has expressed a commitment to drawing down troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. What kind of commitments do you want to see from the U.S. going forward? The United States did review its posture in Afghanistan, and we were one of those countries that urged the U.S. to keep its troop numbers up. Because weve all spent a lot of blood and treasure in Afghanistan. It remains very fragile. There are transnational terror groups operating in Afghanistan that threaten all our security. If the country collapses, theres migration, which again threatens us in the West. And lets not forget, Afghanistan is a democracy 6 or 7 million people voted in Afghanistan. Its a democracy that has asked for our help. So Im sure the United States will stay the course in Afghanistan. And we certainly will. Were increasing our contribution by around 10%. Well be going up from 450 to around 500 troops. alan.zarembo@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @alanzarembo A ship carrying more than 60 people capsized in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Yemen, but authorities said Wednesday at least 36 people had been rescued and the search for survivors was ongoing. The ship set sail Saturday from Al Mukalla, the coastal capital of Hadramout Province in southern Yemen, bound for the remote Arabian Sea island of Socotra. But soon after departing, the ship lost contact with authorities, according to Fahd Kafayen, Yemens minister of fisheries and a Socotra native. Officials said the ship disappeared about 25 miles from Socotra. The government has urged a Saudi-led military coalition which is backing the government in its fight against Shiite rebels for help. Flights between Yemeni cities and the island have been suspended since March 2015, when the coalition began its campaign against the rebels and closed Yemeni airspace. Advertisement Officials have announced a state of emergency in Hadramout, with police and military joining the rescue operation. Ahmed is a special correspondent. The Associated Press contributed to this report. ALSO Australias tough love: Country closes the door on migrant boats. Will it be a model for Europe? Rescue crews search for survivors of Indonesia quake that killed at least 97 people Pakistani plane crashes with 47 on board, including famed singer-turned-preacher Junaid Jamshed All material is subject to strictly enforced copyright terms & conditions and cannot be repurposed or reproduced. 19882022 Latin American Financial Publications Inc. Over the last decade, global warming is increasing rapidly and it affects the polar region of Earth. The Larsen C which is the farthest point of South, gradually breaking up & going to produce a massive iceberg. In 2009, NASA started a special mission called Operation Ice bridge to monitor the polar regions of Earth. Since then it is capturing the high-resolution images of Arctic & antarctic ice shelves. On Friday, during the flyby above the Antarctic Peninsula, the research team has discovered a massive rift on the ice shelf. This ice shelf is known as Larson C which is one of the biggest ice shelves in Antarctica. The photo reveals that the Larsen C fracture is about 70 miles long, over 300 feet wide & and about one-third of a mile deep . Although it is still intact but, the crack is getting bigger day by day. In a press release, NASA announced that "The crack completely cuts through the Ice Shelf but it does not go all the way across it - once it does, it will produce an iceberg roughly the size of the state of Delaware". There are two types of ice could be found in the polar region, one is fresh or loose ice and the other is compact ice. Basically, ice shelves are made of compact ice which floats on the water and protects glaciers from sliding towards the ocean. In the absence of ice shelves, glaciers will directly slide down to the ocean & increase the sea level. Larsen B which was the biggest ice shelf of the east side, collapsed in 2002, due to the rapid growth of global warming. Over 3200 square kilometers of ice turned into icebergs in just 35 days. The Same thing is going to happen with Larsen C. Scientists are assuming that if Larsen C ice shelf starts to break off then the destruction will be much bigger than Larsen B. However, the growth of ice sheet is increasing in elsewhere in the Antarctic. Net gain of ice between 1992 and 2001 was 112 billion tons, according to the recorded data of satellites. Although, it has slowed down to 82 billion tons per year between 2003 to 2008. On Tuesday President Sisi met with the water and irrigation ministers from a number of Nile basin countries Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stressed on Tuesday to water and irrigation ministers from a number of Nile basin countries the importance of reaching a consensus on the 2010 Cooperative Framework Agreement, which aims to guarantee the rights and water security of all countries along the river. The Egyptian president held a meeting in Cairo with ministers from Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Burundi and Uganda, who are participating in the National Water Research Centre's conference on water sustainability. During the meeting, El-Sisi reiterated Egypts policy of non-interference in the internal affairs or development plans of any country, highlighting the importance of boosting economic solidarity and cooperation to achieve development on the African continent. The Cooperative Framework Agreement is an initiative among the Nile basin states that seeks to develop the river in a cooperative manner, share substantial socioeconomic benefits, and promote regional peace and security. Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and Ethiopia have signed the agreement. Egypt and Sudan, however, have refused to sign the agreement in its current form, saying it would affect their historical shares of the river's water. The agreement, also known as the Entebbe agreement, is meant to replace a 1929 agreement that awarded Egypt and Sudan the majority use of the Nile River. Search Keywords: Short link: Bethlehem Township fire A fire early in the morning of Dec. 7, 2016, damaged 3629 Magnolia Drive in Bethlehem Township. The resident wasn't hurt. (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com) No one was hurt in a house fire that was reported at 1:05 a.m. Wednesday in Bethlehem Township. The house at 3629 Magnolia Drive, where WFMZ said one person lived, is not habitable. Six departments joined Bethlehem Township firefighters in battling the second-floor blaze, WFMZ said. Crews were clear by 4:19 a.m., a Northampton County emergency dispatch shift supervisor said. Fire Marshal Angela Kelly is investigating a cause of the fire. Bobby and Melissa Whitener are listed in county records as the home's owners. The home was built in 1965, records show. Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Projects to replace both Route 33 bridges over Route 22 in Bethlehem Township will require nighttime closures of Route 22 in the area for a few nights at a time, planners said Tuesday. Multiple lanes of Route 33, meanwhile, will be maintained headed south and north through construction. Scheduled for 2017 and 2018, the southbound and northbound work is among the most complicated of the undertakings in Pennsylvania's public-private Rapid Bridge Replacement Project. "This is kind of unique in that you have two major roads coming together," said Phil Ruby, project engineer, during an open house on the Route 33 projects Tuesday at the Bethlehem Township Municipal Building. Rapid Bridge Replacement is the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's approach to addressing 558 structurally deficient bridges across the state within three years. Under an $899 million state contract, a consortium of companies called Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners is working to finance up-front and design the bridge replacements, complete the projects and maintain them for 25 years. The contract began in 2015, and PWKP has finished more than 160 of the 558 bridges to date, said Rory McGlasson, spokesman for the consortium. By year's end, that number is expected to rise to about 175. PWKP's approach speeds along the work by standardizing the design of bridge repairs, using prefabricated components and buying materials in bulk. While efficient, the method does not sacrifice quality, and the bridges are designed to last for 100 years, according to a presentation at Tuesday's open house. Up first at Routes 33 and 22 is the southbound Route 33 bridge, with construction tentatively set to start in March 2017 and the new bridge expected to open for traffic next November. Replacement of the Route 33 North bridge is scheduled to follow in 2018, beginning in March and wrapping up that November. The project is designed to maintain three lanes northbound and two lanes southbound in the area of the interchange. Both the southbound and northbound projects are phased to complete half the width at a time. Only the northbound project will require a crossover onto the newly replaced southbound side, said Adam Holtzapple, traffic engineer for PWKP partner HDR Inc. "It should not function any worse than it is now," he said, referring to traffic flow in the area during construction. Township officials, PennDOT and PWKP all said efforts will be made to keep the public apprised of changes, including closures that will be required on Route 22 through the interchange. Slated to occur from 10:30 at night to the following morning at 5:30, the closures will be required only two or three nights in a row for removal of the old bridge beams and setting of new ones, as well as pouring concrete, said Ruby, the project engineer. The detour route for eastbound closures will take motorists south to William Penn Highway then back north to Route 22. Westbound, the detour is north to Hecktown Road then back south to Route 22. Route 33 closures are not expected, save for occasionally shutting down a lane when needed for worker and motorist safety, and only then between 8:30 at night and 5:30 the next morning, Ruby said. Queue detection systems will be put in place to activate message signs along the highways to warn of delays, and PennDOT will be issuing news releases when closures are in place. Drivers can also visit parapidbridges.com to sign up for updates on the work. There is also a toll-free hotline to call for updates: 877-444-9990. "That's the main idea, to keep people moving and to make sure 22 doesn't back up," Ruby said. Bethlehem Township Manager Melissa Shafer said she plans to post updates on the township's Nixle account, which offers text messages about township news, as well as on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. Links to these accounts are available at the bottom of the township website, bethlehemtownship.org. The goal is to keep people in the loop so they aren't surprised by closures and detours, and so they know to allow extra time to get through the construction zone. "Public safety is of our utmost concern, obviously," Shafer said. PennDOT spokesman Ron Young Jr. said both bridges are structurally deficient due to substructure and superstructure deterioration. The deck of the southbound bridge is also deteriorated, while the northbound deck is showing minor problems, he said. After the work is substantially completed, the contractors will apply a polyester polymer concrete overlay designed to prevent potholes on the new bridges. The Rapid Bridge Replacement Project is 100 percent state funded, Young said, and includes money through Act 89 of 2013 that instituted a new gas tax and increased driver fees to support repairs to Pennsylvania's transportation infrastructure. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A Lehigh County man was indicted Tuesday on charges he made multiple bomb threats earlier this year, including to Lehigh Valley International Airport. Lehigh Valley International Airport in Hanover Township, Lehigh County. (lehighvalleylive.com file photo) Donald Lee Haas, 60, of South Whitehall Township, is charged with three counts of conveying false information using a telephone, and one count of conveying false information about carrying a bomb onto an airplane, United States Attorney Zane David Memeger announced in a news release Tuesday. Prosecutors said on May 17, Haas called in bomb threats to the airport, a TGI Friday's restaurant, and the Lehigh Valley Mall. Prosecutors did not specify which TGI Friday's Haas is accused of calling. Haas is due to appear in federal court in Allentown on Dec. 16. The charges carry a maximum possible sentence of 50 years in prison and a $1 million fine. MORE: Trump supporter banned from Delta following tirade on Lehigh Valley flight The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Allentown Resident Agency, the Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority Police Department, the South Whitehall Township Police Department, and the Allentown Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Gallagher. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. interstate 78 west crash 1.jpg A crash Wednesday afternoon on Interstate 78 West in Upper Macungie Township shut the highway in that direction. (PennDOT traffic camera photo) Interstate 78 West was closed for about 30 minutes just after 1:30 p.m. Wednesday by a crash just west of the Route 100 interchange in Upper Macungie Township. Traffic quickly back up beyond the interchange although vehicles were still able to get off at Route 100, a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation camera showed. It appeared from the camera that something was across the highway. Emergency dispatches indicated there were injuries, and a Pennsylvania State police trooper at the Fogelsville barracks said an ambulance was dispatched. He couldn't immediately provide more details on the crash. PennDOT confirmed the crash and that the highway was closed in that direction. About 2:05 p.m., traffic in the left lane, using the center median area, began to move by the crash scene. By then, traffic was backed up beyond the Route 22 merge about two miles to the east. Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Authorities are continuing to investigate a fatal Route 222 Bypass crash in Lehigh County that claimed an 81-year-old woman. The Lehigh County coroner found that Fay Parry, of Upper Macungie Township, died from multiple blunt force trauma in the Monday afternoon crash. Her death was ruled an accident. Pennsylvania State Police at the Fogelsville barracks and the county district attorney's office are investigating the crash. Paul Bernardino III, who prosecutes fatal crashes for the Lehigh County District Attorney's office, would only say Tuesday the crash was still under investigation. State police previously said 65-year-old Gary M. Pellegrino was driving a tractor-trailer headed south on Route 222, when he slammed into vehicles either stopped or slowing for the traffic light at North Krocks Road. Parry was a back-seat passenger in a vehicle that was struck from behind in the crash, troopers said. A sign on the rig indicated Pellegrino was driving for Grocery Haulers, a Woodbridge, New Jersey-based company. Jay Sabin, speaking on behalf of Grocery Haulers, said the company is "saddened by the tragic accident" and offered its condolences to Parry's family, and speedy recoveries to those injured. Sabin said Grocery Haulers knows authorities are investigating the crash, and the company "will be cooperating fully with them." Friends and family remembered Parry as a devout, kind woman. Parry was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church. A woman who answered the phone at the church's Catasauqua office said Parry "was a wonderful person, a good Christian and she served her church." A Berks County man is accused of broadcasting the sex assault of a child on an adult website from an Allentown home. Ryan Peifer, who lives in Reading, was arrested Tuesday and charged with filming sex acts with a child, disseminating video of child sex abuse, criminal use of a communication facility, statutory sex assault, unlawful contact with a minor and corruption of minors. The 30-year-old Peifer was sent to Lehigh County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail. Peifer is accused of a performing a sex act with a child on his lap, and streaming video of the assault on a website called Cam4.com. The assault occurred at an Allentown, home prosecutors said. Agents with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office said in July 2015, a tipster in Virginia took screenshots of the video and alerted Arlington County police. Cam4.com is a website that broadcasts live-streaming video of sex acts, and it requires validated account holders. Peifer had an account on Cam4.com under the user name TetraHC, agents said. Investigators said they were able to confirm he owned the account because he used a photo of himself with his Pennsylvania driver's license on his forehead. Peifer was interviewed by agents on Tuesday, where he reportedly confirmed the account and the photo were his. Peifer then asked to end the interview in order to have an attorney present, agents said. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. The militants were involved in armed attacks on security personnel and checkpoints during the last two years, a statement by the interior ministry said The interior ministry said on Tuesday that police forces killed three militants during a security raid in Upper Egypt's Assiut governorate. A statement published on the ministry's Facebook page said that recent security intelligence revealed that some leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood's armed group were residing in an apartment building in Manfalout village, Assiut governorate. The three militants, who were convicted and wanted in other cases for belonging to the "Sawaaed Masr" and "Hasm" groups, sought haven in the village to plan the execution of further attacks against security forces in the future, according to the statement. The militants were involved in a range of armed attacks on security personnel and checkpoints during the last two years. They were killed after security forces opened fire on them while they were in an apartment building, the statement added. Attacks against security forces have become common in recent years but are mostly concentrated in North Sinai, where Egypt's army and police are battling an entrenched Islamist insurgency. Search Keywords: Short link: A lot has improved at Portlaoises maternity unit, but a lot more work and money will have to be invested to make the partnership with the Coombe hospital succeed, according to the Hiqa report. Hiqa found a lot of evidence of change for the better in its review. Quality and patient safety concerns are to the fore. Moreover, there was oversight of the training and education of staff in fetal monitoring and management of obstetric emergencies. Training has also increased. Data national quality and safety parameters indicated that Portlaoise Hospital was performing in line with nationally reported rates. The integration of services with the Coombe Hospital in Dublin is viewed in a positive light but Hiqa say it has not been advanced far enough. Overall, the Hiqa Review Team found that there was evidence of significant progress within Portlaoise Hospitals maternity services. However, the full integration of Portlaoise maternity services within the governance of the Coombe needs to be facilitated through necessary capital investment and recruitment of agreed key personnel, said Hiqa. Plans have been drawn up for remote ultrasound, a stand alone theatre for maternity, and computer services. Hiqa found little change to the infrastructure of the maternity ward. The outpatients department remained in need of refurbishment to maintain patient privacy and dignity. Hiqa is also concerned with staffing The maternity services at Portlaoise continue to struggle to recruit and retain non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) and this remains a risk to patient safety, said the review. The recent appointment of two consultant obstetricians shared across both Portlaoise and the Coombe is anticipated to enable the rotation of NCHDs between both sites. This needs to be progressed urgently, said Hiqa. The recruitment and retention of midwifery staff and midwifery shift leaders also remained an ongoing issue for the management team in Portlaoise Hospital. The Review Team were informed that the hospital is funded to have 70 midwives in both clinical and non-clinical positions, while 54 midwives are needed for a hospital with 1,600 births according to HSEs midwifery workforce planning report. During the June 2016 on-site inspection, it was reported that there were 48 midwives employed at the hospital. However, 10 of these midwives were unavailable due to sick leave and maternity leave. The unit is overseen by an interim director of midwifery who is on secondment from the Coombe. All maternity units are supposed to have permanent appointments in place. It was noted that the births at the hospital set to drop to 1,400 this year from 2,332 at its peak in 2010. In 2015 less than a third of births were to first time mothers. Some 150 complaints were investigated on foot of the deaths of controversy which engulfed the hospitals maternity unit in 2014. The first 28 cases, 23 involving maternity, were reviewed under the Dr Peter Boylan Review. All women were offered meetings with clinical staff or a team of independent experts. The experts met 16 women. Under a second phase, the cases of 102 women were reviewed. These underwent similar review to the Boylan process. They were offered meetings with independent parties. Nearly 90% of the complaints related to Portlaoise. A clinical chart review was carried out in 17 cases where an initial screen indentified concerns. The HSE said the findings of the second phase will be published. All women were offered counselling and other services in such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Continued access to services is provided. Hiqa said the HSE continues to ensure that work to ensure the women and their families are provided with any additional supports. A lack of investment in Portlaoise hospital by health management has been blamed by politicians for the ongoing issues that dog the facility. Both Fianna Fail's Sean Fleming and Sinn Fein's Brian Stanley laid the blame for the issues identified by Hiqa at the door of the HSE. Deputy Fleming has responded to Dr Susan O'Reilly, chief executive of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group The manager has a policy of not providing adequate resources to Portlaoise. She has stated her intention to downgrade the Emergency Department and this has put a cloud over the future of the hospital. The knock on effect of this, as highlighted by Hiqa, is that the HSE is finding it difficult to recruit senior medical staff into Portlaoise. Everybody recalls the recent problems in the maternity unit. The HSE responded in a positive manner by providing adequate resources and staff alongside introducing a new governance supervision arrangement with the Coombe Maternity Hospital. He said the same positive approach must now be taken with the Emergency Department. He said the hospital would be sustainable if it gets enough funding. I am laying 100% of the blame for the difficulties in Portlaoise on specific regional and national managers in the HSE. I am calling on the Minister for Health to tell the HSE to cancel their agenda against Portlaoise Hospital and to provide it with the sustainable resources that it needs to improve services in the region. He said it would not be lost on people that thousands of patients that they face using the Emergency Department in Tullamore. This is despite Tullamore being so overcrowded that a 103 year old woman was recently left waiting 15 hours for a bed. The Emergency Department in Tullamore has had to close to patients 203 times so far this year alone," he said. Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley shared the view that lack of investment or any strategic planning is having a detrimental affect on services in Portlaoise Hospital. There has been a chronic lack of capital investment to upgrade the older parts of the Hospital and there is a shortage of staff. While there was major problems with Maternity Services in the past, what we have seen is when funding and staff were provided that Maternity Services have improved dramatically. The same needs to happen in terms of Critical Care Services and the Emergency Department. Government and the HSE should have set out a clear plan for the hospital detailing exactly how existing services could be improved and providing the necessary resources for this. Instead what we have got is years of leaks, scare tactics and persistent attempts to downgrade services at the hospital. He said Dr Susan O' Reilly's report should now be published without delay" The Department of Health is examining 'in detail' the HSE plan for Portlaoise hospital, the Taoiseach has told the Dail after being told that the hospital's problems are a symptom of an underfunded health service. Sinn Fein TD Gerry Adams leader raised the issue with Enda Kenny on Tuesday in the Dail. He asked the Taoiseach about the status of the plan for hospital in the wake of the HIQA progress report on the implementation of recommendations it had made following its investigation in 2014. "That report which was published last year followed the shocking experiences of mothers who had lost babies in the hospital and been failed by the health service under the Taoiseach's watch and that of Fianna Fail. "A key finding of the report published last year was that the health service did not act in the interests of patients following the recommendations made in previous reports. There were recommendations which were not acted on last year and the review published yesterday makes exactly the same point," he said. Dep Adams said Portlaoise's problems are the result of underfunding that affects other hospitals. "Portlaoise hospital is a symptom of the problem of an underfunded and understaffed system which is failing despite all the efforts of committed and hard-working staff. In Limerick hospital, there is a shortage of 24 midwives; in Cork, 54 are needed and in the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, there is a shortage of 118 midwives. "These are the number of staff required to bring staffing levels up to basic international safety standards. We expect women to put themselves into this position. Will the Taoiseach clarify the status of the report on the future of services and to the development of a specific plan - I am not in this regard asking for a knee-jerk reaction because this plan has been two years in the making - to ensure that staffing levels across maternity services are brought up to basic standard?" Mr Kenny said "the reason we have travelled so far in Portlaoise hospital is the courage of a number of women who were courageous enough to come forward with their personal stories about the traumatic effects of losing a baby. That is the reason the advances and improvements have been made in the first place". He said the Minister for Health and the Department are "committed to securing and developing the role of Portlaoise hospital within the Dublin midlands hospital group". He said progress made in patient safety measures in maternity services in Portlaoise hospital "demonstrates the commitment of the staff and leadership team at the hospital, as well as of the team at hospital group level". He staffing has increase by 18% and funding was up by 15% between 2012 and 2016 and significant patient safety improvements are evident regarding complaints management, incident reporting and implementation of key national clinical effectiveness committee patient safety guidelines. He said the Minister for Health Simon Harris welcomed the new HIQA report yesterday by HIQA which reviewed progress at the Midland Regional Hospital in implementing the recommendations made by HIQA in 2015. "A serious improvement has been made, with more to follow". Mr Kenny said the HIQA report has identified a number of immediate issues that need to be addressed. "The Minister for Health has asked the HSE to address those issues as a priority and to ensure that the hospital is properly supported in its role by the other hospitals in the hospital group to provide a proper service, as one would expect for the patients in the midlands. "It is important that in any changes at Portlaoise hospital patient safety and good quality outcomes come first. Reports on Portlaoise hospital over the years have pointed to the need for reconfiguration of some services to ensure that patients are treated in the best setting and by specialist staff that can safely meet their needs. "The (Dublin Midlands Hospital) group has been working for some time on a draft plan for a new model of clinical service delivery at Portlaoise hospital, which takes account of the need of the hospital to develop services at Portlaoise in the context of developing the service provision model for the entire hospital group. "The HSE has submitted the draft plan to the Department of Health and it will now be reviewed in detail by the Department. Any changes to services at Portlaoise hospital, once approved, will be undertaken in a planned and orderly manner and will take into account existing patient flows and demands in other hospitals and the need to develop particular services at Portlaoise hospital in the context of the Dublin midlands hospital group. That work is now received and is being examined in detail by the Department," he said. Sameh Shoukry said Washington's military aid to Cairo requires boosting; Congressman Thornberry says Egypt vital for stability in the Middle East Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met on Tuesday with the US House Committee on Armed Services Chairman Mac Thornberry in Washington to discuss regional and bilateral issues. The FM told Thornberry that the US should increase its military aid to Egypt to support the country's efforts in fighting terrorism and maintaining stability in the Middle East. Shoukry argued that the US military aid program to Egypt requires review since it was implemented more than three decades ago. US military aid to Egypt, worth $1.3 billion annually, was halted in 2013 following Islamist president Mohamed Morsis ouster, as the US voiced concerns over Egypt's human rights record. The aid was reinstated in 2015. The talks also tackled the latest economic and political developments in Egypt, according to statement by the foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu-Zeid. Thornberry said the newly elected administration is ready to cooperate with partners in Egypt on tightening relations between the two countries. The Congressman conveyed a message to the Egyptian people stating that the United States would always remain supportive to Egypt, as Egypt's stability and success are vital to the US interests in the Middle East region, the statement read. Shoukry began a visit to the United States last week, where he met with Secretary of State John Kerry, Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan, as well as leaders from the Republican and Democratic parties. He also met with vice president-elect Mike Pence last Wednesday, making him the first Arab official to meet with the future second in command. Shoukry relayed to Pence greetings from Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.and hopes for US-Egyptian collaboration under the new US administration. Search Keywords: Short link: Mountmellick Community School sent the most Leaving Cert students to third level colleges this year in Laois, as listed in this year's Feeder School survey conducted by the Irish Independent. Of the school's 78 Leaving Certs this year, 95 percent went to college. A third, 25 students, went to universities, 18 went to IT Carlow, 30 to other IT colleges and one to teacher training college. Mountrath CS was second with 82 percent of its 114 Leaving Certs getting into college, but over half, 50 students, went to universities, while 15 went to Carlow IT, 28 to other IT colleges, and 5 to study teaching. Colaiste Iosagain, Portarlington had 129 Leaving Cert students, of which 81 percent went to third level, the favourite being Maynooth University at 19 students. 52 students went to universities, and 50 to ITs or others, with Carlow again the favourite IT at 16 students. Clonaslee Vocation School had 45 students, of which 80 percent went to college, with 9 to university, 27 to IT colleges and four to teaching college. Heywood CS in Ballinakill had 77 percent of their 118 Leaving Certs go to college, with 40 students heading to universities including 16 to UL, and 35 to Carlow or Waterford ITs. St Fergal's College Rathdowney had 76 percent of their 45 Leaving Certs go to college, with 10 to universities, 24 to ITs, and three to teaching college. Scoil Chriost Ri Portlaoise had 73 percent of their 99 Leaving Certs go to college, with over half, 42 girls, going to universities, 23 to IT colleges, and five to teaching college. St Mary's CBS Portlaoise had 71 percent of their 102 Leaving Certs go to third level, with again over half, 46 boys, going to universities, 23 to IT colleges and three to teaching college. Portlaoise College had the lowest percentage of the nine schools in Laois, with 46 percent of its 54 Leaving Certs going to third level college. Six went to universities, nine to Carlow IT, and 10 to other IT colleges. Knockbeg College near the Carlow border which takes many Laois students, topped the list in Carlow, with 92 percent of its 64 Leaving Certs going to college. Two thirds of them, 39 students, went to university and 20 to IT colleges. The survey does not include PLC courses, which many students now use as an alternative route into college. Non fee-paying schools are catching up on fee paying schools, with 58 reaching a 100 percent college entry success rate around Ireland. A warning alarm of what faces Laois people if Portlaoise hospital is downgraded has been sounded in Tipperary where a hospital consultant has said his hospital is paying the price for bed cuts and downgrade in Nenagh. While the HSE and national experts want services withdrawn from Portlaoise for safety reasons a consultant in Clonmel says downgrade and bed shortages are creating a 'dangerous' situation in his hospital. There were 30 people on trollies in South Tipperary General Hospital's A&E on Wednesday morning. More are on trollies in ward corridors. A total of 39 people were waiting in A&E for admission on Tuesday. It has the worst trolley problem in the country at present but it has not occurred overnight. Professor Paul O'Regan is a consultant physician at the hospital. He blamed bed shortages and the downgrading of Nenagh hospital from a Level 3 to Level 2. Clonmel is now the only hospital in Tipperary with an Emergency Department. Interviewed on RTE Radio's Morning Ireland he pointed to a shortage of hospital beds nationally and the downgrade of Nenagh hospital as the cause of the ills facing his patients. "We have particular problems in that we have more beds closed and our effective catchment area as grown with the closure of Nenagh Hospital as a level 3 hospital. We are effectively the level three hospital for much of Tipperary now," he said. The doctor gave a damning account of the situation at the hospital faced by staff and patients. "They are dreadful for patients. It is undignified, disgraceful, dangerous for patients, impossible almost for staff to work to an adequate and safe level and puts tremendous pressure on the nurses, paramedical staff and doctors. It make recruitment and retainment of staff incredibly difficult because people burn out and give up and move on elsewhere. Last week seven senior staff nurses left. Seven senior nurses," he said. The physician said the answer is more beds but he said he had met Minister Simon Harris and his two predecessors in the Department of Health to address what he called a crisis that has been created. "This crisis has been created by the HSE and the Department gradually up to a point where it has become a catastrophe but they are incredible slow in their methods of fixing it. "They all indicate good will and concern but it is a painful process going through the red tape. We have been looking for temporary beds and a modular unit of 40 beds to relieve the situation to bring us up to 190 beds we need 270 but this is taking months and months. It will take a few years to put in place rather than a few weeks that we thought," he said. As to what the options were for patients Prof Regan said some patients should avoid the hospital and pay for treatment. "If you have a very acute illness come to us but if you have anything that can wait probably go to a private hospital and pay because all the public hospitals in Munster are in similar if not quite as bad situation," he told Morning Ireland. Over 240 people attended Cullohill Community Centre recently to see the Chefs Chef, Rory OConnell, promote the benefits of preventing food waste in a free cookery demonstration thanks to funding secured by Laois County Council via the EPAs Local Authority Prevention Network programme and additional support provided by Cullohill Community Council, Cullohill Tidy Towns and associated sponsors. Cathaoirleach Tom Mulhall officially welcomed Rory on his return to Cullohill and hoped to pick up some food waste prevention tips on the night. Speaking at the event, John Mulholland Chief Executive thanked Rory, the audience and applauded the efforts of Cullohill Community Council, Tidy Towns and the staff of the Environment Section for all the work that had gone into evening. Rory O'Connell is probably Ireland's most experienced cookery teacher. Accompanied by his commis-chef Tracy, his timeless, classic, and essential techniques ensured the audience could replicate the numerous recipes he demonstrated. Speaking at the event Rory said I love cooking and I love teaching people how to cook. To cook well, it helps if you love and value food, as this is where it all starts. I cannot separate the cooking from what I am cooking. I feel bound to do well b2y the ingredients, and learning how to recognise good ones is crucial to becoming a good cook. It was all hands on deck as Cullohill Community Council got support from many sponsors to support their raffle and assist in the smooth running of the event including Clayton Hotel, Barringtons Hospital, Portlaoise Heritage Hotel, Daltons, The Sportsmans Inn, Joe Dooley Electrical, Rosemount Catering, St Fergals College, Laois Hire and Ahaboe Farm Foods. The Gardai also provided traffic management assistance which ensured everyone entered and exited Cullohill safely. The event, funded by the EPAs Local Authority Prevention Network and Laois County Council ensured a free copy of Rorys mouth watering recipes all of which had a special focus on food waste prevention. Ann-Marie Kelly, Environment Awareness Officer and Tidy Towns Facilitator with Laois County Council added we have a limited supply of Rorys recipe booklet available simply contact our office on 057 8674331 or email amkelly@laoiscoco.ie to receive your free copy. The Stop Food Waste programme, which was a complementary initiative to the food waste prevention cookery demo, will have its final meeting on Tuesday, November 29 Support materials for this programme have been provided by the Clean Technology Centre, Cork, under the LAPN programme. Tony Egan, Imelda Keenan and Fiona Pender are the locals who are still missing, on this National Missing Persons Day. Tony Egan went missing from his home at Newmill Apartments, Portarlington two months ago. Mr Egan was reported missing on the evening of Monday, September 19. He was last seen at approximately 8.30pm that evening. The missing man left his personal belongings including his mobile phone, laptop and his wallet behind him. Mr Egan was last seen wearing a black hooded top, black tracksuit bottoms and white runners. He is 5 foot 11 inches in height, of slim build with brown hair. Imelda Keenan from Mountmellick disappeared from her Waterford flat at Christmas 1994. Despite repeated searches and appeals over the years, no clues to her location have been found. She would now be in her mid-40s. Fiona Pender left her apartment in Tullamore on August 23, 1996. She was never seen again. She was seven months pregnant at the time. Searches over years have included digs in the Slieve Blooms Brexit toplined a visit to London today, by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan. His political meetings included engagements with Hilary Benn MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee for Exiting the EU; with Labour Shadow SoS for NI, Dave Anderson and with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Irish in Britain. "I was delighted to have an opportunity for discussions on Brexit with parliamentarians from a range of different parties today in Westminster. I explained the approach and views of the Irish government and learned more about the work underway at party level and in Westminster," said Minister Flanagan. "As a parliamentarian for over 25 years I am particularly conscious of the importance of broadening engagement beyond government ministers. I value the perspective and role of parliamentarians and today's meetings were particularly useful. "I also had a good discussion with Dave Anderson MP on developments in Northern Ireland. I affirmed the Irish Government's strong commitment to the full implementation of the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements, including the crucial issue of establishing the institutions for dealing with the legacy of the past. I reiterated our dedication to protecting the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement, to maintaining an invisible border and to protecting our island economy in the context of Brexit." The Minister began the day by meeting with a group of UK based members of Ireland's Global Irish Network. "The Irish government deeply appreciates the commitment to the Irish community abroad of our Global Irish Network around the world. This morning I was pleased to hear first-hand the perspectives of some our most successful diaspora on the challenges and opportunities of Brexit." Minister Flanagan also addressed a gathering of those involved in Ireland's successful 2016 centenary commemoration at the Irish Embassy. He stated: "The centenary of the Rising gave us the opportunity to showcase the rich culture and diverse history of our island. "Our team in London, under the leadership of Ambassador Mulhall, delivered a strong programme which reflected both the Irish experience of the First World War and the Easter Rising and helped to deepen understanding of our history in the UK. I am delighted that hundreds of thousands of people in the UK engaged in the wide programme of official centenary events during this very important anniversary year for Ireland." The family of murdered Portlaiose prison officer Brian Stack have rejected a Dail statement from Gerry Adams on his killing in 2013 and recent developments relating to the issue. In his statement Gerry Adams said the shooting of prison officer Brian Stack in March 1983 was "wrong, a grievous loss for his family, and should not have happened". The Louth TD said he had sought to help the Stack family however he also questioned Brian Stack's son Austin over the provision of names. He challenged the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Micheal Martin and over identifying many IRA members who had been involved with many aspects of the peace process if they wanted names of those in the IRA who knew more about the killing of Brian Stack. Speaking to reporters outside the Dail, Austin Stack said his initial reaction was that the Dail chamber had been "debased" in the grossest terms by Mr Adams. Mr Stack also said Mr Adams made allegations that he gave him names of individuals which he insisted that he did not. He said they told Mr Adams after the speech exactly what they had thought of what he had said. In his statement Dep Adams said he met the Austin and Oliver Stack on a number of occasions. He said minutes were taken at one of these meetings. He said Mr Stack's sons Austin and Oliver were given a statement, acknowledging "the IRA was responsible". He said that it had not been authorised and the person had been disciplined. He said they acknowledged the process and issued a statement thanking him for facilitating the outcome. Mr Adams said that in 2013 Austin Stack gave him four names who he believed had information on the case, which he had been given by gardai and journalist sources. "Now Austin denies giving me these names. Why on earth would I say I received the names from him if I didn't?" Mr Adams asked. Mr Adams said Austin Stack had also given the names to Fianna Fail leader Michael Martin. The Sinn Fein Leader said that during the recent election campaign the Fianna Fail leader and others repeated a lot of what was said in 2013 - he said it was part of an election strategy against Sinn Fein. He said additional allegations were made about withholding information from gardai. Mr Adams said that to remove any uncertainty or ambiguity he e-mailed the Garda Commissioner the names Austin Stack had given him. "I never at any time described those named as 'suspects'", Mr Adams told the Dail. "I made it clear I had no information on the death of Brian Stack". He added that the e-mail was only sent after he had spoken to three of the four and he added that there is a live garda investigation with which he is willing to co-operate. He said today's statement in the Dail was following an e-mail he wrote to the Garda Commissioner, being put "inappropriately" in the public domain and raised in the Dail twice by Mr Martin. Mr Adams noted the word "inappropriately" due to the live investigation into the murder of Brian Stack. He accused Mr Martin and Taoiseach Enda Kenny of being unconcerned over prejudicing the trial or any future trial in relation to the matter. Mr Adams accused the Fianna Fail Leader of misleading the Dail. He denied Mr Martin's claims that he described the names as "suspects", that he took a note of the meeting with Austin Stack and that he took Austin and Oliver Stack to the meeting in a blacked-out van. He told the Dail that he travelled with the Stack brothers in his own car to a "pre-arranged place at the border" where they were taken in a van to a meeting in Northern Ireland.. Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell intervened and said it was appropriate that two other individuals whose names were in the public domain - Sinn Fein TDs Dessie Ellis and Martin Ferris -should be given the opportunity to address the House. Dep Ellis said he was in jail in Portlaoise Prison, and before that was in America. Dep Ferris said he met gardai in 2013 about the death of Mr Stack. He said he co-operated fully and had nothing to answer. He said it was a disgrace that he had been named in the Dail. "I refute any allegations. For the information, the man in question (Dep Farrell) claims to be a solicitor, I was actually in jail for the period. In Portlaoise and before that in America so you should check your facts," he siad. The Moat Club are the undisputed kings of one-act drama in Ireland. The Naas-based amateur drama group won the All-Ireland one act title at the finals hosted at the Mill Theatre in Dundrum, Dublin, at the end of three days on Sunday night. Their presentation of Visitor from Hollywood, the second act in Neil Simon's Plaza Suite, set in New York's Plaza Hotel. The club won the more competitive open section ahead of the Rasper Players from Gorey who presented Me and My Friend and Prosperous Dramatic Society (winner in 2012 and 13), who staged Bull. The group performed the play in its three-act entirety at the Naas venue in October and then took the production on the pre-qualifying festival route winning four of five and coming second in the other. The main players, Sarah Gallagher who played Muriel Tate and Conor OConnell (Jesse Kiplinger), also scooped numerous individual awards and Gallagher was adjudged the best overall performer. The group last won the All-Ireland title in 1999 when Ann Hurley directed Bench at the Edge. The set designer was Katie OConnell. The four Prosperous DS actors were Ashleigh ONeill, Johnny Judge, James Murphy and Colin Malone. Bizarre and sinister crimes are nothing new, as this story from the Leinster Leader archive shows. 100 years ago this week the paper printed a thundering editorial denouncing the eerie act of a skull being left on a Naas doorstep... "One of the noted characteristics of the Irish people from time immemorial has been their unfailing veneration and respect for the relics of the departed," the Leinster Leader reported on December 3, 1916. The story continued: "The familiar wake when the tapers are lighted and friends and neighbours gather around the bed whereon the remains of the departed lie, to offer on bended knees their supplications for Gods Mercy - the resting of the corpse in front of the Tabernacle throughout the night prior to interment - and a thousand and one other customs, testify to this characteristic. "To the people of Ireland the relics of the departed are sacred - Gods Acre is a holy spot. "A recent occurrence in Kildare has served to grossly outrage this Irish feeling, and has aroused intense indignation throughout the County amongst people of all creeds and classes. "One morning some time ago a resident of Naas on opening her door discovered that a human skull had been deposited at it during the previous night. The police authorities took possession of the skull, which it is stated was wantonly removed from Barrettstown Graveyard to me made the medium of perpetrating what was no doubt deemed a good joke. "The respected Parish Priest of Naas The Rev. Fr. Norris, addressing the congregation at the 8 oclock Mass on Sunday last, referred in scathing terms to this gross act of desecration as an outrage on the religious susceptibilities of the people. "His words will find a ready echo without exception. We understand that the matter is not likely to rest here and action will be taken by the responsible local authority. It is to be hoped that this will lead to the identification of the perpetrators of the outrage, and that a repetition of this or similar acts will be thus rendered impossible." A Kildare student is encouraging others to volunteer in their communities after her work at the Muiriosa Foundation led to the flourishing of "an extremely beneficial relationship". University of Limerick student Andrea Habenicht from Monasterevin was speaking about her experience to mark the nationwide launch of StudentVolunteer.ie, a new website linking students to volunteering opportunities. The volunteering programme is modelled on the Presidents Volunteer Awards (PVA) at UL. Now the Limerick university and nine other third-level colleges have joined forces to develop an online resource which matches students interests and expertise with volunteering opportunities. This bespoke higher education student volunteering management system, database and website marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in higher education student volunteering in Ireland. It is designed to connect higher education student volunteers across Ireland with local, national and international charitable and voluntary organisations. Im proud to say that UL set the blueprint for what will now be a national asset for higher education institutions as well as charitable organisations in Ireland and beyond, stated Professor Don Barry, President, University of Limerick. The website is the first of its kind and aims to enhance students awareness of their role and responsibility in solving challenges such as homelessness, social exclusion and our ageing population. Students at UL, and the nine other institutes, can browse and apply for volunteering opportunities nationally or internationally; manage their profile and volunteering activity online; track volunteering hours; gain recognition and apply for volunteering awards. My experience as a student volunteer has been an extremely rewarding and positive aspect of my life over the past three years. I genuinely encourage people to volunteer in any capacity but in a situation whereby you gain as much as you give. I take part in the Buddy Programme at the Muiriosa Foundation which matches individuals with intellectual disabilities with people like me from the local community. I can happily say that this is no longer volunteering to me - merely meeting a friend every week for coffee and a chat, said Andrea, a UL psychology student from Monasterevin. Each year thousands of students carry out more than 100,000 hours of volunteering. This new online system is open to students of all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), private colleges and VECs and non profit organisations are welcome to submit volunteer opportunities for consideration. According to Billy Norman, Customer Account Manager in Unilever, volunteer experience can help distinguish graduates in the job market. "In an increasingly competitive employment market, when I review CVs the selflessness of a volunteer can stand out like a beacon in a sea of self-interest. The functional expertise that a volunteer can learn in an organisation, offers a head start compared to others who start at the beginning when entering permanent employment for the first time, Mr Norman said. UL student Malachy Sheeran from Killaloe, County Clare agrees. I dont volunteer for recognition or self-gratification but as a mentor said to me in todays competitive climate employers are looking to distinguish between potential employees and voluntary experience demonstrates character and commitment in a person as well as a civic awareness, he stated. UL acknowledges students volunteering achievements on their academic transcripts and holds an annual ceremony to recognise the commitment of its students to their communities. The Presidents Volunteer Award ceremony is a very special occasion as it offers us a wonderful opportunity to recognise the voluntary contributions our students are making to the broader community. During this past academic year UL students contributed over 17,000 hours to volunteering work, Professor Barry concluded. Kildare South TD Fiona OLoughlin says demand for a new secondary school in Kildare South has never been greater. Deputy OLoughlin pointed out that strong population growth is expected in the Newbridge and Kilcullen area, with the number of school going children expected to rise rapidly in the years ahead. South Kildare Educate Together have been campaigning for a number of years now to bring a new secondary school to our locality. I am happy to support the campaign and last summer I brought a group of campaigners to meet Education Minister Richard Bruton to allow them press their case for a new school, said Deputy OLoughlin. There will be massive population growth in the Newbridge / Kilcullen area over the coming years. A new secondary school is needed to alleviate the growing pressure on school places in South Kildare. The failure to develop a new secondary school will inevitably lead to a massive increase in class sizes in the years ahead. The development of a new secondary school will also give parents more choice when it comes to deciding what school to send their children to." According to Deputty O'Loughlin the recent Irish Times ranking on feeder schools demonstrates that more investment in publicly funded secondary schools is needed to close the gap between fee paying schools and state run schools. Fee paying schools currently dominate the top of the league tables for the number of students that progress to third level. State run schools have begun to close the gap, but sustained investment is needed to ensure we achieve proper equality in our education system. Its important that we achieve equality of opportunity for all students irrespective of their background or financial means," she added, South Kildare faces significant challenges in our education system in the years ahead due to continued population growth. Its important that we make the necessary investment in our education system now to ensure we can meet growing demand. This is something which top of my agenda and I will continue to pursue the matter with Minister Bruton." The IFA has told Kildare farmers to educate themselves about a proposed pipeline that, once built, will cut across the land of dozens of farmers in the north of the county. The pipe is an Irish Water project which will bring water from the Shannon, at the Parteen Weir in north Tipperary, across the country to the Dublin water system near Newcastle, a total of 170kms. It has an estimated budget of 1.2 billion and is expected to affect up to 500 landowners across the whole country, including many in Kildare although much of the land being considered is bogland, some of it owned by Bord na Mona. It is proposed that the pipe line will cross the Offaly border into Kildare in the townland of Sheane outside Rathangan and pass through or near: Ticknevin, Lullymore, Ballynakill, Drehid, Timahoe, Newtown, Derrycrib, Baltreacy, Clonfert, Barberstown cross, north of the Lyons estate and up to Peamont. Irish Water held a public consultation meeting in the Glenroyal Hotel on Monday evening. In a statement, Thomas Cooney, IFA Environment Chairman said the body was very dissatisfied that, following the consultation meetings, many of the questions raised by farmers remain unanswered. He said prompt information is required on the impact the proposed pipeline would have on a farm by farm basis as well as what the ongoing impacts on farmland will be. And a public meeting is being organised in Ashley Park House, near Nenagh this coming Saturday, December 10, at 2.30 for all affected landowners. This article was originally publsihed on December 7, 2016. A general view of the 24 hour operations room at Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ) in Cheltenham on November 17, 2015. AFP PHOTO / POOL / Ben Birchall / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Ben Birchall; RevelationsSnowden; Revelations; Snowden; #RevelationsSnowden; BEN BIRCHALL / AFP One can never be too wary of one's friends, especially those who are closest. Officially, Israel and the two most powerful English-speaking intelligence services, the American NSA (National Security Agency) and its British counterpart, the GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) are united in a sacrosanct alliance. This unique cooperation, which is intense, given the issue of survival for Israel and its excellence in matters of espionage, and has grown considerably stronger over the past ten years. But is has a darker side to it. New documents from the archives of Edward Snowden given by the former NSA consultant to Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras, seen by Le Monde in collaboration with The Intercept, reveal the extent of the surveillance by the GCHQ in respect of the Israeli interests. The British have spied on Israeli diplomacy both in Jerusalem and abroad. They have also targeted private firms in the defense sector, State agencies responsible for international cooperation and university research centers known for their excellence in scientific matters. These targets appear in the form of email addresses or telephone numbers in the interception reports of the GCHQ technicians, pleased to demonstrate that they had succeeded in identifying them in the flow of satellite telephone communications between the African continent and the rest of the world. At the end of each report, ithey state that the collection of this data can now become automatic. In 2014, the Wall Street Journal showed that the NSA could both support its Israeli partner, the ISNU (Israeli Sigint National Unit or Unit 8200) and monitor the telephone calls of Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu. In 2013, the German daily Der Spiegel observed that in January 2009 the email addresses of the then Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, and the Minister for Defense, Ehud Barak, had both been spied on by the GCHQ. Diplomats were targeted According to our information, the spies cast their nets much more widely. Their aim is the State services and, in particular, its diplomats. Among this user account information we thus find the telephone number of the second in command of the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry or the email addresses of the current ambassadors in Nairobi, Kenya, andAbuja, Nigeria. These capitals, considered to be strategic by the Israelis are also considered by the British to be their backyard since they are former colonies. One of the defense firms under surveillance, Ophir Optronics, set up in 1976 in Israel, is known to be one of the outstanding firms in optic fibre and laser, two key elements in modern armaments and leading industries. Another email address, to which is appended the key word 'Israeli UAV' - the English acronym for drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) - is a reminder that the Israelis were amongst the forerunners in the production of planes and other pilot-less vehicles in the world. Along with the United States, they are the leading exporters of this expertise in civil and military fields and the British would, it seems, like to know all the secrets. The surveillance of Israeli interests by the GCHQ has also extended to the MASHAV - the Israeli state agency responsible for international cooperation and development. Suspected by the British of playing a double game by supporting weak countries to consolidate the influence of Israel, this agency is established and operates all over the world. Finally, the British secret services have concentrated their attention on the work of certain advanced research centers in the top-level Hebrew University of Jerusalem They have also targeted the Racah Institute for Physics where theoretical and practical research is carried out in highly sensitive areas, in particular in nuclear physics. This is a paradox which illustrates the nature of the relationship between allies, even those who are very close. The GCHQ was cooperating very closely with Israel in 2009, at the very time when Israel launched a new attack against Hamas in the Gaza Strip; at the same time, the GCHQ stepped up its espionage operations on the Hebrew State. In its top-secret internal newsletters, the GCHQ congratulates itself on its good relations with the ISNU, the Israeli technical secret service. One can actually read that the British have spied on email addresses and telephone numbers at the request of the Israelis: 'They thanked us on many occasions.' Ups-and-downs in the collaboration This does not exclude humiliations. In March 2009, the GCHQ noted: 'Problems with Ruffle (the code name for the ISNU). Ruffle cancels work sessions at the last minute. Requests for apologies made at the highest level are not answered.' In July 2009, on the other hand, the British observe: 'Excellent cooperation throughout the Iranian election crisis (...). We are trying to arrange a meeting in August but there is no answer to our messages.' Nevertheless summer 2009 witnessed for the first time the organisation of a meeting of four people, at the head office of the GCHQ 'with the NSA, the CSEC (Communications Security Establishment Canada) and Ruffle' for a sharing of information, in particular on Iran and the Palestinians. This sharing was not without its difficulties, because Israel is not a member of the very closed circle, the 'Five Eyes', which includes only the English-speaking services (United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand). At the end of August 2009, the GCHQ even observed that these meetings were 'a real nightmare in terms of confidentiality and logistics'. We are interested in your experience using the site. Send feedback When confronted with the two contradictory faces of the GCHQ, it is not easy to define the true position of London vis-a-vis the Israeli partner. To get closer we should perhaps resort to this analysis which appears in another top secret GCHQ document in 2008: 'The Israelis remain a real threat to the stability of the region, in particular because of the position of this country with respect to the Iranian dossier'. Contacted by Le Monde, the Israeli government did not wish to comment. Read the documents we're publishing with this story: the first, the second and the third. Jacques Follorou Le premier ministre britannique David Cameron et le roi Abdoullah de Jordanie, en septembre 2015. MAJED JABER / REUTERS Taking considerable risks and gathering information on behalf of the United Kingdom and the United States does not mean to say that these two countries do not spy on you in their turn. This is the lesson we learn from new documents gleaned in collaboration with The Intercept from the archives of the former NSA consultant, Edward Snowden, given to Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras, in regard to Jordan and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. We knew that the NSA and its British counterpart, the GCHQ, twin services, maintained close relations with the Jordanian monarchy and the Palestinian Authority in matters of surveillance. These two English-speaking powers have long relied on the knowledge of the terrain and the expertise of these two regional actors for intelligence, in particular in respect of the nationalist islamist movement, Hamas, which took power in the Gaza Strip in 2007. Related: Article reserve a nos abonnes Read this article in French An NSA memo in 2006, originating in the Snowden archives and quoted by The Intercept indicated that the security forces of the Palestinian Authority are not a terrorist threat for the United States or its allies ) these Palestinian forces are often the best sources of information on violence in the region. Another NSA document, dated 18 April 2013, also revealed by The Intercept, also referred to the close relationship (of the NSA) going back to the 1980s with the EWD (the Jordanian technical secret services). According to the document, the NSA and the EWD cooperate on priority targets. The EWD alone provides a large number of the names of individuals targeted by the NSA in this region. Despite these long-standing bonds of confidence, reports of intercepts by satellite made between 2008 and 2010, seen by Le Monde, demonstrate that these two faithful partners, whose national public opinions have regularly expressed their anti-Americanism or their resentment against the British as the former mandatory power, have been the target of British espionage at the highest level. It thus appears that the main centres of power in Jordan, a major ally of the West in the region, were targeted, during this period, by wide-ranging surveillance. In the long lists of intercepts by the GCHQ we find the contact numbers of the Royal Court in Jordan, the Kings Head of Protocol and the Jordanian Ambassador in Washington. In a region where radical Islam is gaining ground, the United States has nevertheless strongly supported the Hashemite monarchy with military aid amounting to almost 500 million dollars (458 million Euros) in 2009. Abdallah II, the King of Jordan, who holds most of the power, has aligned with the United States and the United Kingdom, as did his father, whereas opposition to this alliance is growing in this kingdom of 6 million inhabitants under the rising pressure in particular of the Muslim Brotherhood. Dozens of Palestinian diplomats and leaders targeted The other regional ally of the English-speaking secret services, the Palestinian Authority, has also borne the cost of this espionage. On a GCHQ itemised statement dated 9 December 2008 we find the telephone number of Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority since 2005 and a major actor in 1993 during the secret negotiations which led up to the Oslo Accords. The secret services had also identified the numbers of his two sons, Yasser and Tarek Abbas who are business men. These intercepts were carried out three weeks before the Israeli attack on Gaza in January 2009, suggesting this wiretapping could have been used, in support of Israel, in the context of a task prior to this military operation. However, for the first time since its creation, Mahmoud Abbas movement, Fatah, the backbone of the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Movement) did not participate in this Israel-Palestinian confrontation. Since coming to power, the Palestinian President has succeeded in imposing the renunciation of the armed struggle. He is working on the reconstruction of the Palestinian Security Services under the aegis of international donors, in particular the Americans. Evicted from the Gaza Strip by Hamas, Fatah is now reduced to quelling the Islamists in the West Bank as well as bringing to heel the gangs which have prospered in its ranks. In 2008, Mahmoud Abbas staked his career on political negotiations with Israel and had confirmed his cooperation in questions of intelligence with the Americans and the British. This did not prevent the GCHQ, at the end of 2008 and in 2009, from also turning their attention to the communications of the cabinet of the PLOs general secretary and to those of a considerable number of Palestinian delegations throughout the world in particular in France, Belgium, Portugal, Pakistan, South Africa or Malaysia. Moderate Palestinian personalities were also spied upon: Dr Ahmed Tibi, a politician and Arab Israeli Member of Parliament, the leader of the Arab Movement for Renewal, or Ahmed Qorei, the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority between 2003 and 2006. All this goes to remind us of one of the oldest rules of espionage: there is no such thing as a friend. Jacques Follorou Hotfoot from the Richmond Park by-election, I arrived at ALDE Congress in Warsaw on Friday. This was my second trip to this annual event, which sees the Alliance of Liberal and Democratic parties across Europe get together to discuss the hot topics of the day. I was part of a 40-strong Lib Dem UK delegation. I wondered how welcome the UK delegation would be in light of Brexit but I was pleased to find a buzz around our recent by-election win. The annual meeting showed the obvious benefits in the current climate of sharing campaign ideas and tactics on countering the rise of far right parties a prevalent theme across Europe. Some good practice and tips included the need to have a positive vision (the Remain campaign struggled with this), to communicate in primary colours, and tap into feelings and identities which matter to the electorate. A reoccurring topic for debate was the rise of technology and the associated rise in unemployment, an issue that Trump took advantage of, without putting forward any obvious solutions. Technology does not have a neutral impact, so how do we encourage politicians to debate and influence so that there are more winners than losers in the future? The same applies to distributing the benefits of free movement and markets more fairly. The response is in part a continual skills revolution, ensuring that young people are skilled as they move from education into employment, and that experienced workers have access to lifelong learning. It was great to see the UK delegation leading the way, including putting forward a resolution on the conflict in Yemen to ensure that this shapes the position that ALDE takes in the European Parliament. It was clear during the working group discussions around the text that the UK still has friends amongst this family grouping of liberals, and they may provide support in the Parliament during Brexit negotiations. Equally, there were a number of voices keen for us to get on with it and leave. My only disappointment was that an important resolution on the Future of the Union was put back for agreement until June, due to a plethora of diverging views around drafting changes. Despite a good debate, I felt this was a missed opportunity for the liberal grouping to communicate a clear vision as to how it wants to shape Europe in the future. On Sunday I visited the Polish Uprising Museum, and it showed me the ability of history to repeat itself; the complete destruction of Warsaw in 1944 and the similarities in the present day destruction of Aleppo. Collaboration has ensured 60 years of peace in Europe. However Brexit works out, we need to continue to work together to create jobs, a better environment and security in the future for a Europe that works for everyone. * Rosina Robson is Vice Chair of Richmond Liberal Democrats NORWEGIAN has confirmed its intent to launch a new transatlantic service from Shannon Airport. The confirmation comes after the US Department of Transport decision to award a foreign air carrier permit to Norwegian last weekend. In a statement this Tuesday, the low-cost airline outlined the next steps in its plans to launch transatlantic routes from Cork and Shannon Airport through its Irish subsidiary Norwegian Air International, and said it plans to operate daily transatlantic flights between Ireland and the US East Coast. The routes will be operated by crew from two new bases in the US, as well as NAIs European crew from European bases, with CEO Bjorn Kjos praising the huge support received from across Ireland during the airlines long-running application with the US authorities. Norwegian said it was finalising details on routes, flight schedules and fares and expects to be in a position to announce specifics in 2017, but confirmed that it was planning new transatlantic routes from Cork and Shannon Airport to serve the Boston and New York areas on the east coast of America. The airline said its immediate focus is on finalising plans for the first ever transatlantic flights from Cork and also Shannon. It said it was committed to making long-haul travel affordable and accessible to all and that the new routes will combine low-cost fares with a high-quality service on-board state-of-the-art new aircraft. Norwegian CEO Bjorn Kjos said: We welcome the long overdue news that our Irish subsidiary Norwegian Air International (NAI) has been granted a foreign carrier permit by the US Department of Transportation. I would like to offer my sincere thanks for the significant and invaluable support we have received from across Ireland over the past three years. With final approvals now in place we have the green light to finalise our exciting plans for new low-cost transatlantic routes from Ireland. We are delighted to offer these long-awaited services which will create huge business, leisure and tourism opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic. Detailed planning work started immediately after having received the permit, with the first flights planned to take off next summer. I look forward to confirming full details in early 2017, but I can promise passengers that our flights from Cork and Shannon will be focused on making transatlantic travel affordable for all, with low-cost fares and a high-quality service. Shannon had welcomed the US decision to award the permit, saying it was good news for Ireland and connectivity to the regions in particular. Further to our extensive discussions with the airline we look forward to welcoming air services with Norwegian in due course, said a spokesperson after the approval was given. LIMERICK city's all-girls school, Laurel Hill Colaiste FCJ, has again been highlighted as one of the top schools in the country, based on the number of students who progress on to third level courses with high points. It has been named as the tenth best non-fee paying school in the country, with its 62 students achieving a 106% progression rate, in the Feeder Schools guide for 2016 by The Irish Times. A number of schools have progression rates of over 100%, due to the fact that some students take post-Leaving Certificate courses, delay going to college by a year or more, or dropped out of a course and are starting again. Villiers school on the North Circular Road in the city is also highly placed, with its 96 students achieving a 100% progression rate. In the county, Scoil Pol in Kilfinane is again highly commended with its 32 students also achieving a 100% progression rate. The top 10 schools in Limerick in the guide, irrespective of whether they are fee-paying are listed as: Laurel Hill Colaiste FCJ, Glenstal Abbey in Murroe, Villiers school on the North Circular Road, Scoil Pol in Kilfinane, Laurel Hill secondary school on the South Circular Road, Ardscoil Ris on the North Circular Road, Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh at Sir Harry's Mall, Crescent College Comprehensive in Dooradoyle, Scoil Mhuire agus ide in Newcastle West, and Castletroy Community College. The University of Limerick and Limerick Institute of Technology were the top choices for the majority of students in the top 10 Limerick schools. Other Limerick schools outside the top-10 had varying progression rates, ranging from 44% to 82%. Four Limerick schools had progression rates of under 50%. In the list of the best mixed feeder schools, Villiers was placed 15th nationwide, followed by Scoil Pol in Kilfinane. In the list of the top girls feeder schools, Laurel Hill Colaiste FCJ was placed eighth nationwide. No Limerick school made the list of the most improved schools, based on comparative numbers sitting the Leaving Certificate between 2010 and 2016. Many have complained in the past that these league tables do not give a complete picture of a students education and career prospects, and that these guides are unfair to schools in less wealthy areas. Year after year, this list shows that schools in wealthier areas tend to send more students to college. This is a function of social inequality, states the guide. Suppressing the information is in nobodys interest, especially not the children and teachers living and working in disadvantaged communities. A proposal submitted in Egypt's parliament last week has triggered a backlash on social media for suggesting that an Egyptian mother who remarries after divorce should lose custody of her children to her ex-husband if he is able to find a female relative to be their caretaker. Parliamentarian Sohair El-Hadady suggested the amendment to the 2000 personal status law that regulates child custody in cases of divorce. Her proposal also included extending parental visitation for the non-custodial parent: the father according to the current law. It would grant the non-custodial father responsibility for the child for two days every week instead of the current three-hour visit. It also suggests that the non-custodial parent would host the child for one month during the summer school holiday. Under the current law, custody is given to the mother in cases of divorce until the child reaches the age of 15, at which point custody transfers to the father. If the mother remarries before this time, custody transfers to the maternal grandmother. El-Hadady's proposal, however, suggests that if the custodial mother gets remarried, custody should go to the father if he can provide a female caretaker for the child; either his current wife or a female relative. "[The proposed amendment] assumes that [if I marry], any other woman is better for my children than meon the other hand my husband is not only allowed to marry but he is actually encouraged," Loula Selim, a 32-year-old mother of two girls, tells Ahram Online. Selim, who divorced nine months ago, agrees that the father should be allowed to see the children for more than 3 hours a week, and says she does not object to a two-day visit for the non-custodian. However, she says, a one-month visit over the summer is "too long" considering that the proposal does not specify how often during this month the custodial mother can see her children. "How often can I see them and who decides that?" Selim says. Selim was not alone in voicing her objections on social media following media reports of the parliamentarian's proposalmany voiced strong objections. Some suggested that the proposal would ultimately transfer custody from the mother to the stepmother, as it encourages men to find a female caretaker for their children. Azza Soliman, co-founder of the Center for Egyptian Womens Legal Assistance, agrees that a one-month stay should be bound to certain criteria, which the proposal does not include. Soliman suggested criteria including that the father is not abusive and has no history of trying to kidnap the child(ren) from the custodial mother before; a problem frequently reported. The current law makes visitation contingent on these criteria. I totally disagree with taking custody away from the mother if she remarriesthe law deals with women as if they lack brains, cannot judge what is good for their children and cannot protect them (from a stepfather) if necessary, says Soliman. However, the women's rights lawyer says the parliamentarians proposal is far from a draft law, as it has yet to be adopted by the parliament's legislative committee. It remains for now an unofficial proposal. Several women's rights groups have drafted amendments to the 2000 personal status law which they have frequently argued remains discriminatory. Soliman believes, however, that amending the law now is not a priority for the government. Search Keywords: Short link: GANG boss Christy Keane is one of a group of men being questioned by gardai following the theft of a Limerick syndicate-owned greyhound, with a stud value of 1m. As first reported by the Limerick Leader, Clares Rocket, which is owned by the Full House Syndicate, was taken from the yard of Irish Derby winning trainer Graham Holland in Golden in the early hours of Monday morning. The dog, which has an estimated stud value of around 1m, was located safe and well during a garda operation on Tuesday evening. A garda spokesman confirmed that four men were arrested during the operation. Two males are detained at Tipperary Town garda station while two are detained in Clonmel garda station under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, he said. According to sources, convicted drug dealer Christy Keane who survived an assassination attempt last year, is among those being questioned by gardai. Armed gardai attached to the Regional Support Unit in Limerick found the dog when they stopped and searched a car in Co Tipperary. Two men in the car are well-known members of a Limerick criminal gang and a third has links to dissident republicans. It is believed that the car was being tracked by gardai when it left Limerick yesterday and travelled to Co Waterford where the dog was handed over to the occupants of the car. The car was then tracked as it left Co Waterford last night before being intercepted in Co Tipperary. Speaking on RTE1s Today with Sean ORourke, trainer Graham Holland confirmed that the dogs kidnappers did ask for a ransom but couldnt confirm the amount. "People thought they could hold him for ransom. It is a bit like Shergar, if they havent got his identity book, they cant do a lot with him." Clares Rocket is regarded as one of the best dogs racing and is second favourite in next years English Derby, the most lucrative and prestigious greyhound race in the world. The disappearance of the greyhound has been likened to the story of Shergar, the prized racehorse who was stolen from Ballymany Stud, near The Curragh in County Kildare by masked gunmen in 1983 and was never seen again. This is really the Shergar story of the greyhound industry, one high profile Limerick greyhound trainer told the Limerick Leader this Tuesday. If you look at his card, I think he has won over 53,000 in prize money and I would say for stud purposes he could be worth in excess of 1 million, he added. It is understood the dog was taken from a premises at Athassel Abbey, Golden County Tipperary between 6pm, Saturday, December 4 and 10am on Sunday, December 5. According to sources a number of the syndicate are from Limerick city. Clares Rocket is considered by dog racing followers to be at his peak. The dog has won the Champion Stakes and the valuable Produce Stakes and was a favourite this year for the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Puppy Stake. Owned by the Full House Syndicate headed by Joe Cahill, Clares Rocket was trained by Graham Holland to complete a hugely impressive unbeaten path to the Con and Annie Kerby Memorial Puppy Stake final and was quoted as a best-price 8/13 favourite by the firms. He came fifth on the night and was representing Ballinacurra Gaels GAA club. Speaking to Michael Fortune last August Joe Cahill, a member of the Full House Syndicate, explained after he was withdrawn from the Derby: "He is only a young dog with a lot of racing ahead of him and if we keep going in the Derby it might finish him. There are a lot of targets out there for him next year, and we would hope he will be okay for the Night of Stars in November." For updates, stay with limerickleader.ie or follow the Limerick Leader on our social media platforms - Twitter, Instagram & Facebook. LIMERICK raised actress Ruth Negga, who is a hot tip for a Best Actress nomination at the Oscars, has now been featured on both the covers of US Vogue and the New York Times magazine. Both publications, which carry huge influence, released images of the front covers of their forthcoming publications this week. And both feature the hottest actress of the moment Ruth Negga. It's certainly a long way from Dooradoyle where most of her family are based for the 34 year-old former star of Love/Hate. Among her cousins in Limerick is Peter Malone, who has played rugby with Bruff, St Munchin's, Garryowen, Munster, and who is now Munster Rugby's elite player development manager. Ruths mother Nora now lives in London, after moving from Limerick, and there are five aunts and uncles from the Dooradoyle Road, and even more cousins. Negga, an only child, was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she lived until she was four. Her mother was working in Ethiopia as a nurse when she met Ruth's father. Sadly, he died in a car accident when she was just seven. She went to national school in Roxborough, and later spent part of her secondary school at Scoil Carmel on OConnell Avenue, before moving to London and completing her drama studies at Trinity College Dublin. Her breakout role was in Neil Jordans 2004 film Breakfast on Pluto, followed by Ophelia at the National Theatre, the Misfits TV series on E4, and she also played Shirley Bassey in the BBC2 production Shirley. Hollywood star Natalie Portman also recently praised Negga, describing her as a rare, powerful talent. Portman is also tipped to receive a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her role as Jackie Kennedy in an upcoming biopic about the late former US first lady, but said that she thinks former Love/Hate star Negga could take home the gong for her performance in Loving. Both actresses have now been shortlisted for best actress in the Critics Choice Awards, with the gala ceremony to be held in Santa Monica on December 11 next. Both are up against Amy Adams (Arrival), Annette Benning (20th Century Women), Isabelle Huppert (Elle) and Emma Stone (La La Land). In the film Loving, Negga stars alongside Joel Edgerton in Jeff Nichols' civil rights drama, which is based on the true story of a Virginia couple who were jailed for their interracial marriage in the sixties. The couple battled before the Supreme Court in 1967 for their right to live together as husband and wife. The film has been nominated for four awards in the Critics Choice best actress, best actor, best picture and best original screenplay. People are definitely talking about Ruth and the extraordinary emotion she conveys and that to me, indicates a rare, powerful talent, said Portman. A YOUNG man has been sentenced to nine months imprisonment for his role in more than 70 road traffic offences. Owen Treacy Jnr, aged 20, who is originally from St Munchins Street, St Marys was also disqualified from driving for a decade and fined more than 2,000. Imposing sentence, Judge Marian OLeary said she was absolutely amazed at the number of cars in which Treacy was caught driving. The offences relate to more than a dozen separate incidents which happened at various locations around the city on dates between April 13, 2014 and December 12, 2015. Treacy, who is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence relating to a violent incident outside the social welfare offices on Dominic Street in April 2015, admitted a multitude of offences including dangerous driving, careless driving and driving without a seatbelt. Other offences before the court included driving without a driving licence, driving with bald tyres and driving on a footpath. The defendant, who has a number of previous convictions for road traffic and public order offences, also admitted driving without insurance on seven different occasions. Those offences, the court heard, occurred at Broad Street, Pa Healy Road, Corbally; St Brendan Street, St Marys Park; Gillogue, Clonlara; Island Road, St Itas Street, St Marys Park and Lower Mallow Street. Judge OLeary imposed driving bans totalling 49 years and she imposed a number of consecutive prison sentences totalling nine months. She ordered that the prison sentences should be served consecutively to the sentence which Treacy is currently serving. While penalties were imposed in relation to each of the no insurance charges and the careless driving charge the vast majority of the charges before the court being taken into account by the judge. The defendant, who is due to be released from Limerick prison in early February, has appealed the severity of the sentences to Limerick Circuit Court. It is not known if that appeal will be finalised before Treacy is released from custody in February. A LIMERICK motorist and her children had a lucky escape at the weekend when their car burst into flames at a city shopping park. The family narrowly avoided injury when the BMW caught fire on Saturday at City East Retail Park, Ballysimon. Driver Siobhan Prendiville, a sister of Anti-Austerity Alliance Councillor Cian Prendiville, was in the car with her two children when she noticed that something wasnt right with the vehicle. I think a lot of people would be driving along and might smell oil or might see a little bit of smoke and wouldnt think to pull over, would sort of hope it would go away. Its just lucky that she was vigilant, said Cllr Cian Prendiville. One unit of the Limerick Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene shortly after 10am, and battled the blaze for more than half an hour. A video has appeared online showing the saloon car engulfed by flames in the carpark of the shopping plaza. When she pulled in a lot of people helped out and staff from one of the shops invited her in as well, said Cllr Prendiville. One of the shops let her go into the back and have a cup of tea while the fire brigade were dealing with the car, so at least the kids werent standing there looking at the fire, he added. Primary school teacher Ms Prendiville thanked the staff at B&Q for their assistance, and Halfords staff who gifted her with a car seat to get her son home safely. She said staff were so thoughtful, caring and kind, which really helped to minimise the impact of this fire on my children. Sameh Shoukry began a visit to the United States last week, arriving in Washington December 1st to meet with US senior officials Egypt's foreign minister Sameh Shoukry arrived in New York City Tuesday night to meet with the next secretary-general of the United Nations Antonio Guterres after concluding a four day visit to Washington, the ministry's spokesperson said. In an official statement on Wednesday, the spokesperson said that Shoukry will dicuss with Guterres "various issues on the agenda of the United Nations and the Security Council as well as the relationship between Egypt and the international organization." Guterres, the Portuguese secretary-general-designate, will assume his role on 1st of January 2017 for a five-year term. The statement added that the FM "will also present [to the secretary-general-designate] Egypt's comprehensive vision for United Nations' role in international peace and security, economic growth and development, and peace-building and counter-terrorism issues." Egypt holds a two-year term as a non-permanent member in the UN Security Council, which began early this year. Shoukry arrived in Washington DC on 1 December, where he met with vice president-elect Mike Pence, Secretary of State John Kerry, Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan and House Committee on Armed Services Chairman Mac Thornberry, as well as leaders from the Republican and Democratic parties. The FM discussed with the US officials the latest economic, social and political developments in Egypt. In his meeting with Thornberry, Shoukry suggested an increase an US military aid to Egypt, which he said is due for a review more than three decades on from its implementation. Search Keywords: Short link: Apr 17, 2019, 8 AM The Nov. 19-20 Regency-Superior sale at the Chicagopex stamp show included an award-winning Argentina airmail collection, which sold for $6,000. This page from the collection includes a 1929 first-flight cover signed by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. By Matthew Healey, New York Correspondent Regency-Superior held a sale at Chicagopex on Nov. 19-20. The U.S. items from that sale are reviewed here. An award-winning airmail collection of Argentina, detailing rates, routes, and markings of early flights within, into, and out of the country from Europe and North America, included a 1929 first-flight cover from Rivadavia to Bahia Blanca signed by the pilot (and later childrens book author) Antoine de Saint-Exupery. The collection sold for $6,000, including Regency-Superiors 20 percent buyers premium. Connect with Linns Stamp News: Sign up for our newsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Egypt's Minister of Defence Sedqi Sobhi met on Wednesday with Pakistan's military production minister Rana Tanveer, where they discussed boosting military cooperation as well as regional issues of mutual interest, according an Egyptian Armed Forces statement. Sobhi praised the deep historical ties between Egypt and Pakistan, highlighting Egypt's keenness for further cooperation between the armed forces of both countries. Minister Tanveer expressed his country's appreciation for Egypt's support to the countries and people of the region, and called for an exchange of expertise between the militaries of both countries. In April, the militaries of both countries agreed to a programme of exchanging intelligence and enhancing cooperation to combat terrorism in the region. The Egyptian and Pakistani armed forces are classified among the top 20 most powerful militaries in the world, according to global firepower list 2016. Dec 6, 2016, 11 AM The American Philatelic Society's board of directors met Dec. 6 via telephone conferencing to discuss several matters, including sites for upcoming APS national shows and conventions. By Michael Baadke The American Philatelic Societys board of directors conducted a telephone meeting on Dec. 6, with an agenda that included site selection for two upcoming APS national stamp shows and exhibitions. The board also discussed a proposal to sponsor an international show in the United States in 2021, five years after this years World Stamp Show-NY 2016, and five years before the next scheduled U.S. international show, Boston 2026. Other agenda items included the executive directors report, a proposal for the formation of a dealer advisory council, and the creation of a new dealer of the year award. The APS national shows under consideration at the Tuesday meeting were the 2019 Ameristamp Expo winter show, and APS Stampshow 2020, the summer show. Both of these major annual shows are held each year in different cities. The next Ameristamp Expo is taking place March 3-5, 2017, in Reno, Nev., followed by Birmingham, Ala., the following year, Feb. 23-25, 2018. The next three APS Stampshows will be held in Richmond, Va. (Aug. 3-6, 2017); Columbus, Ohio (2018); and Omaha, Neb. (2019). Megan Orient, the APS director of shows and exhibitions, provided the board with a breakdown of three site prospects for each of the two national shows under consideration. For Ameristamp Expo 2019 those sites were Houston, Texas; Phoenix, Ariz.; and Winston-Salem, N.C. Considering cost and other factors, the APS staff involved in the selection process recommended Phoenix as the top choice for the Ameristamp Expo 2019; specifically, the Mesa Convention Center, in nearby Mesa, Ariz., where the Aripex stamp show has met regularly for many years. Orient noted that the show would be held as a joint venture with Aripex in association with the Arizona groups own annual show. The board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of Phoenix/Mesa as the site of Ameristamp Expo 2019, which will take place Feb. 15-17, 2019. The leading candidate sites for APS Stampshow 2020 were Hartford, Conn.; Fredericksburg, Va.; and Fort Worth, Texas. These are all pretty strong proposals, Orient told the board. The base cost is pretty comparable across the board. Eric Jackson, a nonvoting dealer representative to the board, observed that dealers have spoken highly of Hartford as a show location in the past. Hartford has hosted the APS summer show previously in 2008 and again in 2014. Following Orients presentation and board discussion, Hartford was unanimously chosen as the site for APS Stampshow 2020. The next order of business was a presentation by APS Executive Director Scott English describing preliminary plans to hold a midterm international show that would bridge the gap between New York 2016 and Boston 2026. Initial discussions about such a show have involved dealers and collectors in the Chicago area, including APS board member Rich Drews, and Melanie Rogers of the Chicago Philatelic Society, who were both present for the telephonic conference. English said APS staff would further examine the options for such a show, and he would make a proposal presentation during the next APS board meeting, currently scheduled for Jan. 24, 2017. Although the proposal was not put forward for a vote at the Tuesday meeting, several members of the board voiced strong support for the suggestion that an international show take place in Chicago in 2021. APS President Mick Zais described the proposal as an APS summer show with an international component. We would not try to rival the size or complexity of New York 2016, he said. Or Boston 2026, English added. During the public board meeting there was no discussion of possible involvement in the future international shows by the International Federation of Philately, the worldwide philatelic governing body whose own recent board elections stirred up controversy, as Linns New York Correspondent Matthew Healey reported on Linns.com. English also told the APS board that a question has been raised about holding an international show in Omaha in 2019. Its a relatively new idea thats been put forward to us so we want to explore it a little bit more, and I would also like to report back to the board on that in January, with whether or not we have the capacity, the ability to manage an international in 2019 and in 2021 in both of those venues. Zais suggested that English pursue further analysis of the impact that hosting two international shows could have on APS staff, and report back to the board. Earlier in the meeting, English presented his executive directors report, and hinted that plans were afoot for a special event for attendees at the upcoming Reno winter show, in a partnership with the National Association of Letter Carriers, and Zazzle, an online marketplace that offers personalized postage labels and other products. The APS continues to perform ahead of budget by $66,000, English noted, adding that revenues through October were $82,000 better than budget, and expenses were $28,000 greater than budget. English also reported that surveys to members and nonmembers were sent by e-mail during the week ending Dec. 3 to 12,200 members and 11,600 nonmembers, with strong initial response rates. Plans call for the data to be gathered and analyzed prior to the March APS board meeting in Reno. APS membership at the end of November constituted 30,606 members. The formation of an APS dealer advisory council was approved by the board, again with a unanimous vote. For some time, the APS board has had a dealer representative sitting with the board in meetings to serve as the voice of the dealers, a written report to board members explained. The proposed council will serve as an advisory group to the APS board and staff on matters that impact the dealer community, including show locations, membership initiatives, and growth of the hobby. The council will include a member of the APS board and the APS dealer representative; both are appointed by the societys president. Six additional council members will be elected by the APS dealer members, with four geographic representatives and two at-large representatives. Nominations from dealer members for the council positions will begin Jan. 9, 2017, and close after Feb. 12. Ballots will be distributed electronically beginning Feb. 20, and voting will end March 27. The terms for the council members will be concurrent with those of the APS board of directors, according to the report. Finally, English outlined plans for an award to recognize a dealer of the year. Nominations for the award will be submitted to the APS awards committee in writing, and one award will be given each year. The nominee must be an APS dealer member in good standing. The first award will be given at APS Stampshow in Richmond, Va., next August, with nominations open until March 15, 2017. The proposal for the new award was voted on by the board and passed unanimously. All members of the board were present at the meeting: President Mick Zais; Vice Presidents Trish Kaufmann, Jeff Shapiro, and Robert Zeigler; Secretary Stephen Schumann; Treasurer Bruce Marsden; Directors-at-Large Michael Bloom, Rich Drews, Peter P. McCann, and Mark Schwartz; and Immediate Past President Stephen Reinhard. This story was updated with new information Dec. 8, 2016. 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. Related Egypt arrests organ trafficking ring Egyptian prosecutors ordered on Wednesday the detention of 24 out of 45 suspects arrested yesterday over charges of organ and human trafficking, organ planting and the seizing of public funds, Al-Ahram Arabic website reported. The High Prosecution Authority for Public Funds ordered the suspects be detained for 15 days pending investigations into the charges. The Ministry of Health and the Administrative Control Authority had announced on Tuesday the arrest of 45 individuals, including university professors, doctors, nurses, medical centre owners and brokers Egyptians and foreigners allegedly involved in illegal organ trafficking. Some doctors arrested denied the charges, while some nurses accused brokers of exploiting patients in need of money. Other suspects reportedly confessed that the accused doctors were paid between EGP 50,000 and EGP 60,000 to perform the operations, while kidneys were sold at EGP 10,000 to EGP 50,000. The health ministry said in a Tuesday statement that that those arrested included professors working in the faculties of medicine at both Cairo and Ain Shams universities, as well as doctors from the Ahmed Maher teaching hospital, the National Institute of Urology and Nephrology and some privately-owned labs. Ten medical centres and hospitals in the districts of Al-Haram and Giza were raided and shut down. Tuesday's statement said that the ring took advantage of the current economic difficulties facing poor Egyptians, who sold their organs at low prices, allowing members of the ring to make fortunes. Article 60 of the constitution prohibits organ trafficking, and the law punished traffickers with up to seven years in jail. A study published in 2007 by the World Health Organisation stated that Egypt has been among the top exporters of kidneys in the last 10 years, alongside of China and Sri Lanka. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt's Army Chief of Staff Mahmoud Hegazi headed to Greece on Wednesday along with a military delegation to attend a joint military exercise between Egypt and Greeces armed forces. Egypt's air and naval forces have departed for Greece to participate in joint Egyptian-Greek military drills between 8 and 12 December. The exercise, named Medusa 2016, includes several activities that involve planning and administering joint naval operations and operating day and night sailing formations, maritime interception operations and inspecting suspicious ships, as well as search and rescue procedures. Egypt has carried out 30 joint military exercises in 2016 with 20 Arab and African countries, as well as European countries including France and Russia. Search Keywords: Short link: A Cairo court ordered on Wednesday evening the release of Egyptian human rights activist Azza Soliman on EGP 20,000 bail pending investigations into her alleged involvement in the illegal foreign funding of NGOs. Soliman was arrested earlier in the day at her home in Cairo. In mid-November, the renowned rights advocate and lawyer, who is co-founder and head of Centre for Egyptian Women Legal Assistance (CEWLA), was barred from travelling as she was leaving Egypt for a human rights event in Morocco. Soliman was told by authorities that the travel ban was the result of a judicial order related to investigations into a number of NGOs for allegedly receiving illegal foreign funding. Soliman is accused of receiving funding with the aim of harming national security, founding an illegal entity engaging in NGO activities, and tax evasion. Police came to our house with an arrest warrant for my mother, said Solimans son Nadeem Abdel-Gawad, adding that his mother was taken to New Cairo court for investigations. In March, the justice ministry re-opened the five-year-old case. A number of prominent activists being investigated in the case have also been banned from travel, including Hossam Bahgat, a journalist and founder of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), Gamal Eid, a lawyer and founder of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), Bahy El-Din Hassan, the founder of Cairo Institute for Human Rights, and Mozn Hassan, director and founder of Nazra for Feminist Studies. The assets of those named in the case have been frozen. Search Keywords: Short link: The proposed amended article was sent by the cabinet to the state council for legal review before it is referred to parliament Egypt's cabinet referred on Tuesday an amendment of the protest law's Article 10, which permits the countrys interior minister to unilaterally bar scheduled protests, to the state council for legal review after the High Constitutional Court deemed it unconstitutional. In a press conference on Tuesday, justice minister Mohamed Hossam Abdel-Rahim said that the amendment states that the interior minister should apply for a judicial order to bar a protest or change its location if the demonstration "threatens national security." The minister added that the judge would be required to issue a decision as soon as the request is filed, and that the protest organisers can appeal if the judge grants the ministrys request. Article 10 gave the interior minister or any concerned security director the right to ban protests without a judicial order. The High Constitutional Court, Egypt's highest court, said on Saturday that Article 10's provisions granting the interior ministry the authority to deny citizens the right to protest is unconstitutional, saying that authorities have no right to prohibit protests once all relevant documents have been submitted. The court said those looking to organise street protests are merely obliged to notify authorities beforehand and present all needed documents as required by law, and are not required to obtain prior approval. However, the court rejected challenges against articles 7, 8 and 19 of the protest law. Article 7 defines what constitutes obstruction of traffic and threats to "citizens interests" in relation to protests, while Article 8 outlines police notification procedures. Article 19 stipulates that violators of the law are to receive a minimum two years in prison and a fine of EGP 50,000. The protest law, issued in late 2013, has led to the imprisonment of thousands of youth activists, as well as secular and Islamist protesters. It has been widely criticised by local and international rights groups. Search Keywords: Short link: The Egyptian Armed Forces announced in a statement on Wednesday that life is gradually returning to normal in North Sinai's Shiekh Zuwaid city following a days-long military operation that aimed to "cleanse [the city] of terrorists." The statement added that the army has distributed thousands of food items and provided medical services to residents. Battles between militants and the Egyptian army have been regularly taking place in North Sinai since 2013, mostly concentrated in the cities of Shiekh Zuwaid, Rafah and El-Arish. This year the Egyptian Armed Forces launched a major military operation named "Martyrs retribution" to combat militants in North Sinai. Search Keywords: Short link: A group of volunteers excavates the monastery with hills known as Glastonbury Tor and Wearyall Hill in the background. More than 1,400 years ago, monks buried their male brethren as well as one woman who was likely a nun beneath what is the earliest known monastery on record in the British Isles, new research shows. Archaeologists have known about the site, called Beckery Chapel, since the 1880s, but a re-examination of the skeletons buried there revealed its outstanding age. According to radiocarbon dating, the skeletons date to the 5th century or early 6th century A.D., making the chapel, located in Somerset (a county in southwest England), the oldest known monastery in the United Kingdom, the researchers said. The finding gives the chapel yet another claim to fame. Beckery is already celebrated for being the place where the legendary King Arthur is reported to have had a vision of Mary Magdalene and the infant Jesus, according to the English historian William of Malmesbury, who wrote about the alleged event in A.D. 1135. [Photos: Medieval Skeletons Unearthed Near Saint's Tomb in England] An illustration showing how the site may have looked during the late Saxon period, when the last burials were made in about A.D. 880. (Image credit: David Lawrence) But Arthur aside, the new finding tells researchers more about the site for instance, that it was built before the region was conquered by the Saxon kings of Wessex in the 7th century, the researchers said. Nun's relics Beckery Chapel is named after St. Brigid (A.D. 453 524), an Irish nun who is said to have founded a handful of monasteries in Ireland. The saint reportedly visited the chapel in 488, according to William of Malmesbury and John of Glastonbury, a 15th century monk and historian. St. Brigid (also spelled Brigit) is said to have left behind relics, including a bag or wallet, a necklace, a small bell and some weaving instruments, according to the South West Heritage Trust, the organization that conducted the new research. Pilgrims traveled to a medieval chapel that was later built at the site, with some of them crawling through a hole in the chapel's side that was believed to grant them forgiveness, archaeologists with the South West Heritage Trust said. After the original chapel was discovered in the 1880s, the British archaeologist Philip Rahtz dug a little deeper in the 1960s, eventually finding a cemetery with at least 50 skeletons. Nearly all of the skeletons were adult men, indicating it was a monastic graveyard, the researchers said. The only exceptions were three skeletons two juveniles who were likely novices, and a woman thought to be a nun or a patron, according to the archaeologists. A bird's-eye view of the site showing the remains of the chapel's walls, the outer ones being a later addition. Archaeologists found graves under and outside of the chapels, including the four graves that are visible in this photo. (Image credit: South West Heritage Trust) Fractured arm In May 2016, a community group of trained volunteers dug an area encompassing about 215 square feet (20 square meters) in order to excavate the remains of seven individuals so that researchers could radiocarbon date the bones. Six of the individuals came from graves, and one human jaw, belonging to another individual, was found in a dirt pile from the 1960s excavation, the researchers said. Radiocarbon dating showed that monks were buried from the 5th century or early 6th century until the early 9th century, the researchers found. It's possible the monks stopped using the site after Vikings attacked Somerset in the later part of the 9th century, they added. "It is great to show that a community excavation can produce results that revolutionize our view of the origins of monasticism in Britain and Ireland," site director Richard Brunning, a senior archaeologist at the South West Heritage Trust, said in a statement. "The ancient origins of the Beckery site may explain why later medieval writers linked it to figures such as King Arthur and Saint Brigid." [Photos: Amazing Irish Artifacts from Rathfarnham Castle] The remains of a man, who was likely older than 45 when he was buried by the chapel. The man died between A.D. 425 and 579. (Image credit: South West Heritage Trust) In addition, a bone analysis showed that one of the individuals had severely fractured his upper left arm. The bone had healed, but it was still deformed, the researchers said. Moreover, all of the skeletons showed that the men had endured difficult, physical work during their lives, the trust reported. Furthermore, an isotope analysis (an isotope is a variation of an element that has more neutrons in its nucleus) showed that six of the men ate a lot of meat and dairy products, while the other man ate much less meat and dairy. The researchers plan to do another isotope analysis soon to determine whether the men grew up nearby, or whether they came from afar, the researchers said. The excavation was paid for, in part, by the Avalon Marshes Landscape Partnership, which is funded by the U.K. National Lottery. Original article on Live Science. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) entering Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 2, 2016, with the USS Arizona Memorial in the foreground. (Inside Science) -- Everyone knew it was coming. The day before it came they even knew when. What the U.S. couldn't figure out was where. No one expected an attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor. Even after the U.S. decrypted the Japanese diplomatic cipher, the Japanese still managed to nearly destroy America's Pacific fleet and guarantee the U.S.'s entry into World War II. The story of the U.S. code breakers at the dawn of America's involvement in WWII is one of brilliant technology, ingenuity and intuition hampered by incompetence, miscommunication, and lethal assumptions. Ever since that day, Dec. 7, 1941, which President Franklin Roosevelt described as "a date which will live in infamy," conspiracy theorists have been busy, mostly blaming Roosevelt and the military for either not paying attention to intelligence that would have predicted the attack, or knowing the attack was coming but choosing for political purposes to ignore it. Neither is true. Robert Hanyok, retired historian at the National Security Agency, said that even in hindsight, there was no way the code breakers could have predicted an attack on Hawaii from what they uncovered. The British were luckier in breaking the German cipher. The Germans used a cipher machine called Enigma to send secret messages, but the cipher for Enigma had been broken by three Polish mathematicians in the early 1930s. The Poles gave a replica of Enigma to the British, who reproduced them and used them throughout the war. Even then, the British, led by the brilliant mathematician Alan Turing, had to invent a single-purpose computer to decode the messages. Eventually, the British knew which cities would be bombed before the raids and where the U-boats were. Breaking the Japanese cipher was a splendid example of American ingenuity even if it resulted in failure, according to journalist Steve Twomey in his new book Countdown to Pearl Harbor, the Twelve Days to the Attack. American cipher breakers did it the hard way. Unlike the British, American code breakers had no model of the Japanese cipher machine to work with. Instead, they had to recreate one by intuition. "They did not use a stolen Japanese machine," said Twomey. They did not have photographs of one. They did not have blueprints of one. They simply imagined how it must work and they turned out to be right." Essentially, they tried to imagine what an encryption machine would look like if Japanese engineers built one and they intuited correctly. Their machine was called Purple and the decrypted messages were called Magic. Twomey wrote that the offices of only ten people knew about Purple and could read Magic, and one was President Roosevelt's. It was a more closely guarded secret than the atomic bomb. Those ten offices did not include Congress, diplomats, or the military command in Hawaii. Both Purple and Enigma were cipher machines, said Hanyok. A cipher is not the same as a code. And breaking code or a cipher does not mean you can read what it says, only that you know how the code was constructed. The Americans broke the Japanese cipher in early 1939 but did not get translations until the fall of 1941 Hanyok said. A Purple machine analog, which is displayed at the US National Cryptologic Museum in Maryland. (Image credit: Mark Pellegrini via wikimedia commons, CC BY-SA 2.5) In a simple code, one letter, a group of letters, numbers or other symbols are substituted for something else. For instance, the name of a ship, say the Lexington, could appear in a code as zkeigfer every time. The machine at the other end would know what zkeifger means. "That is the main vulnerability," Hanyok said. It is possible to see patterns. Analyzing the patterns can reveal clues about the content of the message, and eventually, the meaning. Cipher, on the other hand, doesn't make consistent substitutions. It transposes letters or numbers according to a key and the key is changed regularly. Lexington may be zkeigfer the first time it is used in a message but might not the second time and certainly wouldn't be after the key is changed. Both sending and receiving machines would be working off the same key. The Japanese changed the diplomatic keys daily. The Americans even guessed what keys the Japanese would use, based on knowledge of past Japanese methods and encryption tendencies, Twomey wrote. The fatal disadvantage, Twomey wrote, was that the U.S. could read only some of the diplomatic ciphers, and none of the military communications. The Japanese military had their own encryption system, which was not broken until well into the war. Americans reading the decrypted messages assumed they were getting a fuller picture of Japanese intentions than they in fact were, he wrote. The team intercepting the messages was on Bainbridge Island, Washington State, which relayed them in their original form sometimes by Western Union to Washington, D.C. for decrypting. Bainbridge couldn't read the messages but could read what we now call the metadata who was signaling whom, when, how often, and the identity of all the stations. Navy intelligence knew where much of the Japanese fleet was on Dec. 6, but some of the heavy carriers had dropped off the map weeks earlier and were presumed to be safely in port in Japan. While negotiations to end the tensions between the two countries continued fruitlessly in Washington, on Nov. 26, a large task-force pulled anchor from a naval base in northernmost Japan: two battleships, three cruisers, nine destroyers, three submarines, seven tankers and six aircraft carriers carrying 353 planes, including bombers, torpedo planes, and fighters to protect the squadrons. Twomey wrote they sailed across the north Pacific in total radio silence. Purple heard nothing. On Nov. 27, the War Department had sent a message to Pacific commands that began: "This dispatch is to be considered a war warning." Washington then assumed the proper precautions would be taken across the Pacific. They were not, Twomey wrote. No one asked if the commanders complied. No one ordered air patrols of the sea surrounding Hawaii, even to the North where an attack was most likely. No one ordered the American fleet out of the trap that was Pearl Harbor except for some American carriers that had sailed west earlier. They were easy targets for the Japanese planes. In Washington on Dec. 6, Purple reported messages that Tokyo ordered the embassy in Washington and the consulate in Honolulu to get ready to burn documents and destroy one of its two code machines and then, finally, the second one, a sure sign war was about to begin. In Bainbridge it was noted that the radio call signs, usually changed once a month, were suddenly altered out of sequence. The amount of radio traffic exploded. Clearly something was about to happen, but where? All the betting was on the southwestern Pacific, Twomey wrote, with the Philippines (an American colony), Singapore (British), Indonesia (Dutch), Indochina (French) being the most likely targets. No one thought of Hawaii because, they believed, the Japanese were not capable of such a feat, lacking the audacity, the technology, Twomey wrote. Also, no one thought they could keep that big a secret. Even when the huge squadrons appeared on army radar on Oahu, the operators were told by their officers "don't worry about it," saying they were probably American bombers being ferried to Hawaii. The operators were told to go home. Two thousand, four hundred and two Americans died in the attack. The battleship USS Arizona remains at the bottom of Pearl Harbor with the bodies of many of the 1,177 sailors and marines still entrapped. The National Cryptologic Museum in Annapolis Junction, Maryland has a Purple on display. This article is provided by Inside Science News Service, which is supported by the American Institute of Physics. The time it takes our planet to do a full rotation has increased every century due to friction caused by tides. The work of ancient astronomers reveals that the Earth's spin is slowing down though not as much as scientists believed. Each century, the length of the solar day, or the time it takes the planet to do a full rotation, grows by 1.8 milliseconds, according to a new study using astronomical observations going back to 750 B.C. Researchers have known that the planet's rotation is slowing because of friction caused by the tides, as water that's being tugged on by the moon's gravity sloshes against the solid Earth. However, measurements of this tidal effect suggest that the planet should be slowing in its rotation by 2.3 milliseconds per century, slightly more than the new research finds. The difference between 2.3 milliseconds and 1.8 milliseconds over a century may seem trivial, said study researcher Leslie Morrison, who worked at the Royal Greenwich Observatory for nearly 40 years. But those fractions of milliseconds are important for understanding the ways that the Earth has changed shape since the end of the last ice age, about 12,000 years ago, Morrison told Live Science. [50 Amazing Facts About Planet Earth] Ancient records Morrison and his colleagues have been working on measuring the Earth's rotation for decades. The new study is perhaps the most comprehensive effort yet, Morrison said, mostly because the ancient Babylonians were so good at keeping records. By 720 B.C., this civilization, located in what is now Iraq, was keeping records on clay tablets in a writing system called cuneiform. When archaeologists discovered some of these tablets in Babylonian ruins in the 1800s, the language had been lost; it took decades to decipher those original tablets. Fortunately for modern-day Earth scientists, some of these tablets happened to contain records of eclipses, particularly solar eclipses, when the moon moves between the sun and the Earth, casting a shadow on this planet. These eclipses tended to make an impression on ancient people, Morrison told Live Science. The events also strengthened tides slightly, because the alignment between the Earth, moon and sun meant a stronger pull on the planet and its oceans. "The descriptions of a total solar eclipse are so graphic," he said, including descriptions like, "When the days suddenly turn to night and the stars appear." The researchers also collected eclipse observation records from ancient China, ancient Greece and the ancient Arab regions. The timing of the eclipses from these descriptions, however, conflicts with calculations of when the eclipses should have occurred if tidal friction alone explained the slowdown of the planet's rotation. In 720 B.C., Morrison said, the discrepancy was about 7 hours between what the tablets reported and what calculations based on the tidal models would have predicted. "That discrepancy is the measure of how much the Earth has been changing over this period of time," Morrison said. Working backward from the discrepancy, the team calculated how long the days have lengthened over the centuries. He and his colleagues published their findings today (Dec. 6) in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society A. Geophysical parameters Calculating the Earth's rotation time down to less than a millisecond matters because that number says something about the way the very shape of the planet has changed, said Duncan Agnew, a geophysicist at the University of California, San Diego, who was not involved in the new study. The major change since 720 B.C. relates to the end of the last ice age, Agnew said. The planet is like a memory-foam mattress, Agnew said, gradually rebounding as the ice retreats. The glaciers retreated 12,000 years ago, but the Earth has taken its time in bouncing back during the time that it's been relieved of their weight. That change in shape alters Earth's rotation, much as a figure skater can change the speed of a spin by drawing her or his arms in or throwing them out wide. [Images of Melt: Earth's Vanishing Ice] That shape change, which requires knowing the precise speed of the spin to calculate, is key for many other geophysical calculations, Agnew told Live Science. For example, when measuring sea-level change, climate scientists must be able to account for changes in the land. "This data gives us another piece of information," Agnew said. Morrison and his colleagues also used data on lunar occultation, or times when the moon passes in front of a star, blocking it from view, collected since the 1750s. Changes in Earth's rotation since that time are probably mostly due to changes in the dynamics of the liquid-iron core deep in the center of the Earth, Agnew said. Very little is known about this liquid core, so the measurements of its effect on the planet's spin are important for future research, he said. This might seem like a bit of a dry subject, Agnew said, if it weren't for the staggering fact that all of these measurements would be impossible to calculate if fellow humans hadn't felt compelled to record astronomical events thousands of years ago. "There were a bunch of guys back in what is now Iraq 2,500 years ago putting things in clay tablets. They weren't thinking that 2,500 years later somebody was going to be writing a paper about Earth rotation," Agnew said. Those tablets were later lost and buried, only to be discovered by future generations of enterprising Homo sapiens. "It's kind of amazing that this information exists at all," Agnew said. Editor's Note: This article has been corrected to reflect that cuneiform is a writing system, not a written language. Original article on Live Science. Instead of being urged to simply "be more compassionate," doctors should learn specific empathy skills during their training to improve their care of patients, one doctor argues in a new paper. According to Dr. David Jeffrey, an honorary lecturer in palliative medicine at the Center for Population Health Sciences in Edinburgh, Scotland, who wrote the paper, there is concern about a general lack of psychological and social support for patients from doctors. Some studies have found that medical students experience a decline in empathy for their patients as they get further along in their training. In addition, the "commercialization of health care leaves people vulnerable" to being treated as though their care is simply an instrument to bring in money to the system, Jeffrey said. Patients can become dehumanized by the system, he said. But there is also concern that if doctors become too emotionally involved with their patients, they may experience psychological distress and burnout, Jeffrey said. In his article, Jeffrey distinguishes among the three terms that are often used interchangeably empathy, sympathy and compassion in an attempt to provide some clarity to this problem. Jeffrey argues that doctors would best serve their patients by striving to have empathy for their patients, rather than sympathy or compassion. [7 Medical Myths Even Doctors Believe] For example, having empathy means imagining what it is like to be a specific person undergoing a specific experience, rather than imagining that they themselves are undergoing that experience, Jeffrey said. "This more sophisticated approach requires mental flexibility, an ability to regulate one's emotions and to suppress one's own perspective in the patient's interests," Jeffrey told said. In contrast, having sympathy means taking a more "self-oriented" approach, and imagining what it would be like for yourself to be in another person's situation. This is a way of trying to identify with a person, but it means that you assume that people will think and feel the way you do, Jeffrey said. Also, a doctor who attempts to sympathize with a patient may focus on the doctor's own distress, and risk burning out, he said. Having compassion means being aware of the suffering of others, but not necessarily understanding their views, Jeffrey said. What's more, Jeffrey said, compassion and sympathy are simply reactions, that don't involve much reflection. It takes skill to develop empathy, and developing this skill should be a goal for medical education, Jeffrey said. In Jeffrey's view, doctors should develop empathy by learning to build a connection with their patients that involves emotional sharing, as well as an "other-oriented" perspective, in which the doctor tries to imagine what it is like to be the patient. Doctors can then act appropriately on the understanding they have gained to help the patient, Jeffrey said. "A benefit of this model of empathy is that it focuses on developing skills, attitudes and moral concern rather than just urging medical students and doctors to be more compassionate," Jeffrey said. "Empathy, unlike compassion or sympathy, is not something that just happens to us, it is a choice to make to pay attention to extend ourselves. It requires an effort." The paper was published yesterday (Dec. 6) in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. Original article on Live Science. Pearl Harbor science (Image credit: Public domain) (opens in new tab) Although 75 years have passed since the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, many details of the event remain shrouded in mystery and debate. Even so, historical researchers and scientists have been able to shed light on at least some of the many lingering questions. Here are nine stories of secrets and science from the "date which will live in infamy." Purple/Magic A long-standing conspiracy theory suggests that U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt or his military advisors knew in advance of a Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor but neglected to act on the warnings, for political purposes, hoping to force the U.S. to join World War II. (Image credit: Mark Pellegrini) A long-standing conspiracy theory suggests that U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt or his military advisors knew in advance of a Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor but neglected to act on the warnings, for political purposes, hoping to force the U.S. to join World War II. The accusations were first made public by FDR's political opponents during his campaign for re-election in 1944, but all of the 10 official inquiries into the events of the attack on Pearl Harbor have dismissed these ideas. The latest such inquiry took place in 1995. Much attention has focused on a U.S. espionage effort, code-named Purple, which aimed to decipher Japanese radio communications picked up by U.S. listening stations around the Pacific Ocean. The deciphered messages produced by the Purple decipherment machine (pictured above) were code-named Magic. But making sense of the Magic messages involved a complex and slow process; they were protected by two layers of codes and ciphers that changed each day, and most of these messages also needed to be translated from Japanese. Although the Purple program was able to read some Japanese diplomatic communications before 1941, researchers have shown that the codes and ciphers used by the Japanese military were not broken until much later in the war. Japan's military was distrustful of the country's Foreign Office, and shared no details of the impending secret attack on Pearl Harbor with their ambassadors in the U.S. One key Magic communication did relate to the attack: the famous "14-part message" between the Japanese foreign office in Tokyo and the Japanese embassy in Washington, D.C., which was intercepted on Dec. 6, 1941. The message indicated that Japan would formally break off peace negotiations with the U.S. at 1 p.m. in Washington, D.C., the next day. This corresponded to dawn in Hawaii on the day of the Japanese attack. Several U.S. officials read the message, and interpreted it as a strong sign that a Japanese attack was imminent. But the message did not say anything more, and at the time, the U.S. was expecting Japan to invade Thailand and the British colony of Malaya which the Japanese did do on Dec. 8, the day after the Pearl Harbor attack. Spies in Hawaii Several foreign spies are known to have operated in Hawaii on behalf of the Japanese military before the Pearl Harbor attack. (Image credit: U.S. National Archives) Several foreign spies are known to have operated in Hawaii on behalf of the Japanese military before the Pearl Harbor attack. Among them was Otto Kuhn, a "sleeper agent" for Germany's Abwehr military intelligence service, who had lived for many years in Hawaii with his family before the war. Kuhn was related to the Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels, who arranged for Kuhn's posting to Hawaii in 1935 to spy for the Japanese. Kuhn trained his teenage son and daughter to listen for military secrets, while his wife was responsible for compiling the information the family gathered. Although the Kuhns diligently produced many espionage reports for many years, the family of spies failed to impress their Japanese controllers. Historical researchers have said the Kuhns gathered little information of real value. All four members of the family were arrested in February 1942, a few weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Kuhn, his wife and his daughter were imprisoned for spying, and returned to Germany after the war. Japan, however, had its own master spy in Hawaii: a young intelligence officer in the Imperial Japanese Navy named Takeo Yoshikawa, who worked undercover at the Japanese consulate in Honolulu as a junior diplomat named Tadashi Morimura. Yoshikawa was posted to Honolulu in March 1941, and lost no time making a thorough inventory of U.S. naval activity by touring the island via car and boat, taking photographs from hills overlooking the harbor, and chatting with taxi drivers. He even rented a small plane for aerial reconnaissance and went diving near the warships in the harbor while breathing through a hollow reed. U.S. counterspies intercepted and deciphered some of the many messages Yoshikawa transmitted to Japan, but none of these messages gave any direct warning of an attack on Pearl Harbor until his final message. This transmission, sent on Dec. 6, described the positions of the U.S. warships in the harbor. Unfortunately, U.S. experts did not decipher that message until after Japanese attack had begun. Secret Fleet Many historical researchers highlight two major factors in the success of the Pearl Harbor attack: the effectiveness of Japanese torpedoes and the strict secrecy surrounding the movements of the Japanese warships making the attack. (Image credit: U.S. Army (1966)) Many historical researchers highlight two major factors in the success of the Pearl Harbor attack: the effectiveness of Japanese torpedoes and the strict secrecy surrounding the movements of the Japanese warships making the attack. Japan went to a great deal of trouble to disguise the movements of its strike force (Kido Butai) of six aircraft carriers, 414 aircraft, and more than 40 other warships and submarines. This force left northern Japan under strict radio silence in late November 1941. Many of the radio operators from the ships were left behind at their bases in Japan, where they continued to send transmissions as if still on board their vessels. This was an effort to fool the U.S. military, which was known to be listening in on Japanese radio communications. At first, the Japanese fleet sailed almost due east, far north of the regular shipping lanes. The force had orders to destroy any commercial ships it encountered that might betray the fleet's position, but reportedly only a single Japanese ship was sighted. On the Dec. 4, 1941, the strike force turned southeast toward Hawaii, and finally approached the islands from the north where the Japanese spy Takeo Yoshikawa had reported few U.S. air patrols were carried out, because the seas there were thought to be too rough for an attack. Thunder Fish The Japanese spy Takeo Yoshikawa also reported that the water in Pearl Harbor was not deep enough to use torpedoes. The U.S. Navy apparently thought the same, and later U.S. inquiries into the attack found that this was one of the reasons that no anti-torpedo nets were installed to protect the largest warships on Pearl Harbor's Battleship Row. (Image credit: JJ Messerly) The Japanese spy Takeo Yoshikawa also reported that the water in Pearl Harbor was not deep enough to use torpedoes. The U.S. Navy apparently thought the same, and later U.S. inquiries into the attack found that this was one of the reasons that no anti-torpedo nets were installed to protect the largest warships on Pearl Harbor's Battleship Row. The Japanese answer to the shallow waters was to devise a new type of aerial torpedo (shown here in the center) that could be dropped from an aircraft into shallow water without burying itself in the mud of the harbor floor. Two wooden fins were added to the torpedo to keep it stable after it dropped from the aircraft. The fins broke off when the torpedo entered the water, where a sophisticated control mechanism prevented the weapon from rolling out of control as it sped toward its target, a few feet below the surface. The Japanese aerial torpedoes, nicknamed "thunder fish in the sky" ("koku gyorai"), devastated warships in the harbor, sinking more vessels than any other weapon used by the attacking aircraft, which included regular aerial bombs and armor-piercing anti-ship bombs. At least 13 of the 40 torpedoes launched in the first wave of the Japanese aircraft attacks hit the U.S. battleships, which were then considered the most important warships in the American fleet. "Missing" Carriers That all three U.S. aircraft carriers based at Pearl Harbor were away at sea on the day of the Japanese attack has fueled rumors that senior U.S. officials knew in advance about the attack, and that they had dispatched the carriers on a distant mission to preserve them from harm. (Image credit: U.S. Navy) That all three U.S. aircraft carriers based at Pearl Harbor were away at sea on the day of the Japanese attack has fueled rumors that senior U.S. officials knew in advance about the attack, and that they had dispatched the carriers on a distant mission to protect them from harm. The fortunate survival of the carriers USS Lexington (shown here), USS Saratoga and USS Enterprise was an important boost to U.S. morale in the days after the Pearl Harbor attack. But historical researchers point out that the U.S. Navy did not consider aircraft carriers important until after the Pearl Harbor attack had shown the effectiveness of air attacks on warships. Although aircraft carriers would later dominate the war in the Pacific, in December 1941, the U.S. Navy thought its battleships would be the most important warships in any war to come, as the ships had been since the First World War. The Japanese also considered the American battleships to be their main target. And thanks to the country's spy in Hawaii, Takeo Yoshikawa, Japan already knew that the U.S. carriers were not in harbor on the day before the attack, but that eight U.S. battleships were. Naming the Dead After 75 years, efforts continue to identify the remains of many of the victims of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, where more than 2,400 Americans died. (Image credit: U.S. Navy) After 75 years, efforts continue to identify the remains of many of the victims of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, where more than 2,400 Americans died. Researchers for the Department of the Defense based at Pearl Harbor are trying to establish the identity of hundreds of sailors and marines from the wreck of the battleship USS Oklahoma, using DNA analysis and dental records. The Oklahoma capsized on Pearl Harbor's Battleship Row with more than 400 crew on board on the day of the attack, after Japanese torpedoes hit the ship. Most of the badly damaged human remains from the Oklahoma were initially buried in mixed caskets at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, but the researchers have said they hope to eventually identify each individual. So far, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has identified 392 distinct sets of DNA in the remains from the Oklahoma, and has positively identified the remains of more than 60 servicemen. Mystery Catalina Alongside the major wartime shipwrecks in Pearl Harbor, including those of the battleships USS Arizona and USS Utah, many smaller military wrecks still hold secrets. (Image credit: University of Hawaii) Alongside the major wartime shipwrecks in Pearl Harbor, including those of the battleships USS Arizona and USS Utah, many smaller military wrecks still hold secrets. Among them is the wreck of a Catalina PBY flying boat in Kane'ohe Bay, on the northeast side of the main island of Hawaii, which underwater archaeologists investigated in 2015. Investigators have tried to identify the wrecked seaplane for many years, but so far its identity and that of its crew remain unknown. The researchers said it may have been destroyed soon after it took off during the Japanese attack. Submarine Wrecks A remote-operated underwater vehicle (ROV) has explored the wrecks of two Japanese submarines that took part in the attack on Pearl Harbor, to mark the 75th anniversary of the events. (Image credit: Tom W. Freeman | courtesy of Valor in the Pacific National Historical Park) A remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) has explored the wrecks of two Japanese submarines that took part in the attack on Pearl Harbor, to mark the 75th anniversary of the events. Researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) live-streamed video from the ROV as it explored the wrecks. The subs were among five Japanese submarines sent to infiltrate Pearl Harbor before the first air attacks. Each was armed with two torpedoes, but all failed in their mission. One of the Japanese subs explored by the ROV was sunk by the USS Ward near the entrance of the harbor. Divers re-discovered the wreck in 2002. The wreck of the second sub was found in 1951, before it was raised by the U.S. Navy and dumped in deeper waters. Leaking Oil The damage to U.S. warships by the Japanese raid has left a lasting impact on the marine environment of Pearl Harbor. (Image credit: Ken Lund) The damage to U.S. warships by the Japanese raid has left a lasting impact on the marine environment of Pearl Harbor. Oil continues to leak from the USS Arizona, which had taken on nearly 1.5 million gallons (5.7 million liters) of fuel on the day before the attack, in preparation for its return to the U.S. mainland that month. Today, the wreck of the USS Arizona spills more than 2 gallons (8 L) of fuel oil a day, and some scientists have warned of a potential environmental disaster if the estimated half a million gallons of fuel remaining in the wreck escapes. The National Park Service, which administers the wreck of the USS Arizona as a national monument, monitors the fuel spilling from the ship, but so far no major efforts have been made to contain the leakage. But the fuel leaking from the ship may not be the greatest environmental threat to the waters of Pearl Harbor. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 5 million gallons (19 million L) of spilled fuel have collected in an underground plume beneath a fuel storage area near the main gate of the Pearl Harbor military base. The U.S. Navy said some of the spilled fuel in the plume dates back to activities at the base during World War II the rest comes from fuel spills and leaks that have occurred at the base in years since then. Although the Navy said there is no danger of the heavy fuel seeping into the water, scientists have warned of a major environmental disaster if such seepage ever occurs. Does your "self" actually exist, and if so, what is it? Robert Lawrence Kuhn is the creator, writer and host of "Closer to Truth," a public television series and online resource that features the world's leading thinkers exploring humanity's deepest questions. This essay, the final of a four-part series on the Self, is based on "Closer to Truth" episodes and videos, produced and directed by Peter Getzels and streamed at closertotruth.com. Kuhn contributed it to Live Science's Expert Voices. Below is Part IV of a four-part series on the self. Part I: Is Your 'Self' Just an Illusion?; Part II: Can Your 'Self' Survive Death?; and Part III: Does Your 'Self' Have a Soul? After speaking with multiple philosophers about the realm of possibilities that could explicate, enhance or eliminate the "self," I am able to sum up this broad, yet well-sculpted landscape with 10 possible explanations. At one extreme, the self is just a made-up construct that arises from our complex brains interacting with its environment. At the other extreme, you have or are a "self," and though science may not be able to prove it, something strange perhaps something nonphysical or supernatural is going on that points to the existence of a "thing" let's call it a spirit or a soul that goes beyond the physical realm and could even survive the death of your fleshy body. [10 Phenomena That Science Can't Explain] I confessed to British philosopher Colin McGinn that the more I try to explain the self, the more I'm pushed to opposite extremes. McGinn agreed. "We seem to be driven toward the supernatural, irreducibility view to avoid the eliminative view where there isn't any such thing as the self. You can oscillate from one to the other," he recognized, then reminded me, "They can't both be true, of course. The reason you feel that you have the irreducible ego, the transcendent thing that can survive death, or you eliminate the self altogether, is because you just don't know what the self is." [All quotes are derived from "Closer to Truth."] Philosopher John Searle of the University of California, Berkeley, asked, "How is it possible to explain behavior without giving causally sufficient conditions?" He continued, "I can tell whom I voted for in the last election and give my reasons. But they don't determine my vote. I could have had those reasons and still have voted for the other guy. It was up to me. But how is that intelligible? I think you can make sense of that only if you suppose that there is a self that makes a reason effective by deciding to act on it. Now, that's not a 'substantive self' because there is no experience of the self. But, in order to make sense of rational conscious behavior you have to postulate a point from which that behavior comes." The "Self Landscape" I am intrigued by the radical diversity of views of the self, and I am eager to organize them into a kind of taxonomy, which I call "The Self Landscape." This taxonomy type of thinking helps me to understand complex concepts: First, I lay out a spectrum of possibilities, then I categorize them, and then see how they articulate, or connect to each other. My objective here is not so bold as to try to answer the deep question of your "self," but rather to try to give confidence that whatever that answer may be, it is included somewhere in The Self Landscape. Such inclusion is not trivial; one must work to embed all (rational) possibilities. [The 10 Biggest Mysteries of the Mind] My claim, which should be uncontroversial, is that there is a direct relationship between the nature of self and the cause of consciousness because the self, in essence, is a kind of higher-order consciousness. In this "landscape," I have come up with 10 categories of possible explanations for your "self": 1. Illusion: The self is not real; it is an artificial construct of competing neural systems seeking to make sense of myriad streams of inner information a trick of the brain. 2. Phenomenal subjectivity:The self is real in that the subject has authentic felt experiences that compose a coherent whole, but the self remains the product of brain neurophysiology and neurochemistry functioning much as we know it (with nothing else needed, certainly nothing exotic). 3. Patterns of information:The self is a highly complex, highly particular array of properties and relationships that can be expressed in some kind of formalized manner (perhaps featuring causal connections and perhaps reproducible beyond biological brains in artificial brains meaning the self could be uploaded into a nonbiological substrate). 4. Weak emergence:The self is the product of interacting brain mechanisms, both at the microscopic neuronal level and at the macroscopic brain systems level. Given future neuroscience, eventually the self will be predictable from the brain alone; in other words, brain activity alone could still explain the self entirely. 5. Strong emergence:The self is a profoundly new thing that comes into existence as a product of underlying brain activities alone, but no matter how advanced neuroscience becomes, the self can never be predicted from these underlying brain activities, not even in principle. 6. Existential unity: The self is an existentially unified whole in that its parts are incapable of separate existence, and that successive mental states of the same self are inextricably bound through some kind of deep coherence (perhaps quantum-based, perhaps something else but still of a kind that could count as "physical"). 7. Special assembly of new force or structure:The self is a particular organization of a new force or structure in nature that generates or enables consciousness in an enhanced physical world; for example, "panpsychism," where consciousness is a nonreducible feature of every particle (each having inherent proto-consciousness), or "integrated information theory," where consciousness is an independent, nonreducible organization of reality (perhaps a different dimension of reality). 8. Nonphysical local consciousness:The self, in part, is independent of the physical world/body/brain and requires some kind of nonphysical essence perhaps a new nonphysical feature of reality and perhaps accessible via parapsychology/ESP. 9. Nonphysical god-created consciousness:The self is what the creator designed to be the essence of human beings (and perhaps of other beings as well) by using a kind of nonphysical substance a "soul" or "spirit" (whose properties remain in interminable dispute). This soul/spirit can be either a required component of consciousness that complements the brain or an independent nonphysical, concrete existing thing that is inherently conscious and uses or manipulates the brain. 10. Nonphysical cosmic consciousness:The self, as a whole, is independent of the physical world/body/brain and derived from an all-pervading cosmic consciousness, which is ultimate reality, the fundamental progenitor of all physical existence. While Nos. 8 and 9 both require nonphysical components to generate a self, each could work in two distinct ways. In the more modest explanation, this nonphysical component would combine with a brain so that the resulting entity actualizes a self. The second, more radical process would require that the nonphysical component is itself a self, the brain being a mere mechanism or vehicle the analogy being "self/brain = driver/car" (or pejoratively, "the ghost in the machine"). (In Category 10, everything is derived from consciousness anyway, so it hardly matters.) Some philosophers speak of "the embodied mind" (where a body is essential for the inner, reflective dimension of human experience) or "the extended mind" (where parts of the environment outside the body such as your smartphone become an integral part of your mind in an "active externalism"). But either concept, even if necessary for a robust sense of self, would not be sufficient for the self and would still require one of the categories to become a full theory of "self." Ideally, the 10 categories should be both universally exhaustive, meaning including every (reasonable or rational) possibility, and mutually exclusive, meaning that only one of the categories is ultimately correct and none of the categories overlap. I've tried to be universally exhaustive, but cannot manage to be mutually exclusive. Some categories can overlap. For example hypothetically any of the "nonphysical consciousness" categories (Nos. 8,9,10) can work via "patterns of information" (3) or "strong emergence" (5). Moreover, a "nonphysical consciousness," if such exists, could provide a required "existential unity" (6) by linking their parts at every moment in time and their successive states through time. Which category do I like? I hesitate to offer a personal opinion for two reasons: My objective is to describe "The Self Landscape," not push a preference; and frankly, I have limited confidence in my own surmising. I guess I'd hope that either "nonphysical local or god-created consciousness" (8 or 9) takes the prize. (Why not? It'd be the only chance to avoid self-extinction.) There were times I thought that some kind of nonphysical component was necessary to transform the human brain into the human mind, probably via some kind of patterns-of-information scheme. (I've wavered on this and still I'm bothered.) But I've never felt comfortable with "immortal souls" (shouldn't there be more than what's claimed as evidence?); and I'm too much of an old neuroscientist-realist to accept the only-mind-exists idealism of cosmic consciousness. Moreover, the eternal dilution of my precious drop of personal identity into an endless ocean of infinite cosmic consciousness has scant appeal. For a moment, arraying "The Self Landscape" boosts my confidence that I've gotten my conceptual arms around all the fuzzy, fighting ways that the self can conceivably be. The happy moment does not last. Almost immediately, I recall the obvious limitations and distortions of human perception and reference frame. After all, we can never leave the "self" to examine the "self." I have a final question. Is the self accidental or inevitability accidental in that replay the epic of evolution and the self is unlikely to appear again or inevitable in that there is some deep universal trophism such that all roads lead to self? Reflections You may remember my 100-year-old mom from Part I ("Is the Self Just an Illusion?"). I am sitting with her. We are drumming our hands on a child's desk, copying each other's rhythms, alternating with shaking our fists in each other's faces in playful, syncopated communication. She is viscerally irritated at her diminished capacity to convert ideas in her mind into words in her mouth. We had been quite unsure whether she'd make her centennial, long her insisted goal. Numerous falls and emergency room visits, exacerbated by harrowing periods of little food or drink, kept us on edge. Twice, assuming the end, I was called home from overseas. The other day, after watching her consume two large chocolate cookies, her compassionate hospice team informed me, with some consternation, that Medicare rules might require my mom to "graduate" out of hospice. Not for very long, of course, but to be now a source of concern for hospice remuneration made her smile. Mom, I sense, is more a trapped self than an impaired self, annoyed by the ravages of age, fighting for every moment of sentient existence. For sure, a self. Kuhn is co-editor, with John Leslie, of "The Mystery of Existence: Why Is There Anything at All? (opens in new tab)" (Wiley-Blackwell, 2013). Read more of Kuhn's essays on Kuhn's Space.com Expert Voices landing page. Prosecutor general Nabil Sadek is currently in Rome to discuss the latest developments in Regeni's murder probe Egyptian prosecutor general Nabil Sadek assured the parents of reseracher Giulio Regeni, who was murdered earlier this year in Egypt, of Egypt's commitment to achieving justice in the case during a meeting in Rome on Wednesday. According to the Egyptian prosecutor general's office, the meeting between the Regenis and Sadek lasted for 50 minutes. Sadek started an official visit to Rome on Monday upon the invitation of Rome's deputy-prosecutor Sergio Colaiocco to discuss the last developments in the Regeni murder probe. The prosecutor general's office in Cairo stated that the Egyptian side presented to their Italian counterparts investigation reports requested by Rome, including statements by the head of the independent union of street vendors, who had reported Regeni to the authorities for suspicious behaviour days before the student disappeared. The Egyptian authorities have said that Regeni was monitored following the report by the union head, with whom Regeni had met, but that the operation was suspended before the students disappearance after it was deemed that he posed no danger to national security. The Egyptian prosecutors also presented to the Italian investigators a short video clip showing a meeting between Regeni and the head of the street vendors union filmed by the latter. The Italian investigators handed to the Egyptian side Regeni's Bank account information in Italy and UK. Regeni was in Cairo to conduct research on independent trade unions when he went missing on 25 January, the fifth anniversary of Egypts 2011 Revolution. His body was found bearing signs of torture by a roadside on the outskirts of Cairo on 3 February. Egypt has strongly denied claims that security forces were involved in Regeni's murder. Search Keywords: Short link: An English teacher from Cigarroa High School was arrested Tuesday after she was discovered with an undressed teen who turned out to be a student of hers, Laredo police said. Laura Michelle Lozano, 46, was charged with indecency with a child by exposure. She is out on bond from the Webb County Jail. The case was reported Monday. Suspicious vehicle At about 10 p.m., Laredo police responded to a suspicious vehicle report in the 1500 block of Pappas Street, near Border Region Behavioral Health Center. Upon arrival, officers discovered a small white sport utility vehicle. A woman who was nude from the waist down was inside, said Investigator Joe E. Baeza, LPD spokesman. The woman, identified as Lozano, initially claimed to be the lone occupant; however, an officer saw an undressed male laying down in the backseat of the vehicle. He was identified as a 16-year-old. An investigation revealed Lozano and the boy were an educator and student from Cigarroa. Both were taken to Doctors Hospital for a sexual assault examination. Laredo Independent School District released a statement regarding Lozanos arrest. Laredo ISD was notified of an employees arrest on Tuesday morning. The district followed our administrative procedures by immediately placing the employee on administrative leave (with pay), pending the outcome of an investigation, the statement reads. We are cooperating fully with local law enforcement agencies and the Childrens Advocacy Center. The safety of our students is a priority. Misconduct involving children is not tolerated, said LISD spokeswoman Veronica Castillon in an email to Laredo Morning Times. We have been in contact with the parent, guardian. Our plan is comprehensive and confidential. Our policies required that we protect the confidentiality of the student. The investigation continues. Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met on Wednesday in Cairo with a delegation of MPs from the European Conservatives and Reformists bloc in the European parliament, the Egyptian presidency announced. President El-Sisi discussed with the European MPs the latest developments in the region and the efforts by Egypt promote the reaching of political settlements in regional conflicts. The president also discussed Egyptian efforts to stem the tide of irregular migration. El-Sisi also stressed the importance of European Union support for the economic development of Middle Eastern and African countries, which will in turn reduce the flow of irregular migration. The European MPs praised Egypt's leading role in Africa and the Middle East and promised to convey their positive impression about the situation in Egypt to their colleagues in the European Union. Search Keywords: Short link: A Turkish soldier was killed Wednesday in a car bomb attack in northern Syria where troops are helping Syrian rebels capture a key town from Islamic State (IS) militants, the army said. The attack took place near the town of Al Bab, 25 kilometres (15 miles) from the Turkish border, which has become a key target of the army's more-than-three-month campaign inside Syria, the army said in a statement quoted by the state-run Anadolu news agency. Six soldiers were wounded, one of them seriously, it added. An earlier reported toll had said two soldiers were killed. The Turkish army has pressed ahead with an ambitious campaign inside Syria to back opposition fighters who have since August captured Jarabulus, Al Rai and the symbolically important town of Dabiq from IS. However, capturing Al Bab -- where the Islamist militants reportedly regrouped after fleeing an earlier offensive -- has proved much tougher in an operation that has already taken several weeks. After the lightning speed of the earlier campaign, the Turkish army has suffered increasing casualties in the fight for Al Bab, with most the deaths blamed on IS attacks. In November, however, four Turkish soldiers were killed by an air strike the army said it believed was carried out by President Bashar al-Assad's forces. Meanwhile, the army said on November 29 that two Turkish soldiers had gone missing in Syria, the first time such an incident had been reported in the campaign. The IS-linked Amaq news agency claimed that the Islamist militant group had taken the pair hostage. The Turkish government says its military offensive is seeking to cleanse its border from IS and Syrian Kurdish militia forces, regarded as terror group by Ankara. Turkey has for years been pressing for a safe zone inside Syria to shelter refugees along its border, but so far, its calls have not been heeded. Turkish media said that after the deadly attack, the air force struck IS facilities inside Syria, destroying 12 targets and killing 23 extremists. It is not possible to verify the toll. Search Keywords: Short link: St Mel's College is the top performing school in the county when it comes to sending students on to third level. According to the latest annual Feeder Schools list released yesterday (Tuesday) the Longford town all-boys secondary school saw off eight other second level institutions across the county. The figures show it encouraged 88 per cent of students who sat last June's Leaving Cert examinations to go on to third level. Lanesboro Community College (86 per cent) and Mean Scoil Mhuire, Longford town, (80%) completed the top three. The mantle of securing the highest number of students to sit the 2016 State examinations went to Moyne Community School. The north Longford school saw approximately 118 students complete the exam, some 26 students more than second placed Mean Scoil Mhuire. Moyne also managed to secure a solid 71 per cent return on the number of students who have since gone on to college or university. Fifth and sixth positions were occupied by Ballymahon's Convent of Mercy and Vocational School with 68 and 67 per cent returns, respectively. Cnoc Mhuire in Granard finished in seventh as 61 per cent of graduates progressed to a recognised third level institution. Longford town's Templemichael College saw 54 per cent of its students do likewise while 30 per cent of students at Granard's Ardscoil Phadraig followed suit. What the feeder list does not take into account, however, is the number of students who go on to study in colleges of further education (CFE), or take on apprenticeships. It was a point Principal of Ardscoil Phadraig, Garrett Buckley, was keen to emphasise. He said a dozen students had gone on to PLC levelwith a significant portion of students opting to take time out in order to save for their college education next year. There are students that are not on that list and most of them will go on to college next year, he said. In fact, we have students who have college places got and who have deferred. Recent evidence would appear to show students from Irelands 192 Deis (designated disadvantaged) post-primary schools, four of which are in Co Longford, are more likely to go on to CFEs or apprenticeships than students in affluent areas. Four sub-Saharan African migrants drowned on Wednesday after their boat capsized off the Moroccan coast, local media reported. A further 34 people including five women were rescued during a joint operation by local police and rescue services, semi-official news agency MAP quoted local authorities as saying. The inflatable boat had capsized off the northern city of Al-Hoceima, it said, adding the prosecutor's office had opened a probe "to clarify the circumstances of this attempt at illegal emigration". Migrants often attempt to reach Europe via the Strait of Gibraltar, just 16 kilometres (10 miles) wide at its narrowest point, leaving from a point on the coast several hundred kilometres west of Al-Hoceima. Attempts to reach mainland Spain by sea from Al-Hoceima, some 130 kilometres away, are less common. Al-Hoceima lies halfway between the Spanish enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta on Morocco's northern coast. Migrants also frequently try to cross into the two Spanish territories by swimming along the coast or climbing over complex razor-wire barriers. Spanish and Moroccan authorities have been cooperating to prevent migrants crossing from the African side of the borders into the enclaves. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says 5,445 migrants arrived by sea in Spain between January and September, while 62 people died while making the crossing. Search Keywords: Short link: Islamist militias attacked Libya's key oil-producing region on Wednesday and were repelled by forces commanded by controversial general Khalifa Haftar, military sources told AFP. The Benghazi Defence Brigades attacked Ben Jawad town near the coastal "oil crescent", where Haftar had seized four export terminals from pro-government forces in September. The alliance of Islamist and tribal fighters was then repelled by Haftar's forces, Colonel Moftah el-Magarief, head of an oil facilities guard under Haftar's control, told AFP. "We have taken control of Ben Jawad and seized equipment and prisoners from the Benghazi Defence Brigade," he said. "The air force targeted equipment belonging to the attacking force and we can confirm that all the oil fields and terminals are under our forces' control." An engineer at the Al-Sidra port, 30 kilometres (20 miles) east of Ben Jawad, said an aircraft belonging to Haftar's forces had bombed a column of military vehicles belonging to the Benghazi fighters. "The Benghazi Brigades (then) targeted us with Grad rockets," he said. Libya's oil exporting region is bitterly contested between the country's internationally recognised Government of National Accord and a rival administration in the east, supported by Haftar. Pro-GNA forces this week ousted the Islamic State (IS) militant group from its coastal bastion of Sirte, between Tripoli and the oil crescent, after a seven-month battle. Experts have raised fears that having won in Sirte, GNA forces would move to retake the oil crescent, triggering renewed fighting. Al-Mahdi al-Barghathi, the unity government's defence minister-designate, refused to confirm or deny that forces under his command were involved with the attack on Ben Jawad. Rocked by chaos and divisions since the fall of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, Libya desperately needs to relaunch its oil exports, the backbone of its economy. The head of its National Oil Corporation warned in September that the country faced financial collapse unless it swiftly resumed exports. Search Keywords: Short link: According to local reports, suspected jihadist militants launched a large-scale attack on a prison in Niono, in the Segou Region of Mali. Almost 100 prisoners were released and one guard is reported to have been killed in the assault. The regional news site Sahelien reports: The Niono prison in the Segou region, was attacked on Tuesday December 6 at about 2 am by terrorists. The information was confirmed by a source at the Ministry of Defense contacted by Sahelien.com. There were about 97 prisoners [freed], she said. No group has yet to claim responsibility, but Ansar Dines Macina Battalion is widely suspected. Last month, the al Qaeda front claimed responsibility for a prison break in Banamba in the Koulikoro Region of southern Mali. That assault allowed at least 21 prisoners, many of which were suspected militants, to escape. [See Threat Matrix report, Ansar Dine claims string of attacks across Mali.] It is unclear how many of the prisoners released today were militants. However, Ansar Dine, through al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsulas weekly newspaper Al Masra, has stated a goal of liberating all detainees held by the Malian state. 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. Prime Minister Theresa May told Gulf leaders on Wednesday that Britain would help "push back" against Iranian aggression as they agreed on a strategic partnership to deepen ties. Addressing a summit of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council in Bahrain, May reaffirmed British support for traditional allies in the region, while also seeking to strengthen post-Brexit trade. "I want to assure you that I am clear-eyed about the threat that Iran poses to the Gulf and to the wider Middle East," she told leaders of the GCC, which brings together Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The mainly Sunni Arab Gulf monarchies and Shia Iran are bitter regional rivals, at odds over a range of issues including the wars in Syria and Yemen. GCC countries are concerned about Iran's growing influence in the region, especially after last year's nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers took a step towards ending its international isolation. The Iran agreement was "vitally important for regional security," May told the summit. "But we must also work together to push back against Iran's aggressive regional actions." In a joint statement after the summit, Britain and the GCC agreed to a "strategic partnership" that would foster "political, defence, security and trade" ties, while "developing collective approaches to regional issues". In their statement, GCC states and Britain said they "oppose and will work together to counter Iran's destabilising activities". As part of strengthening military cooperation, Britain will maintain a presence "throughout the Gulf," the statement said, including through British defence staff to be based in Dubai. The statement said Britain and GCC countries were "committed to continue working towards a sustainable political resolution in Syria", where President Bashar al-Assad "has lost all legitimacy and has no role in Syria's future." It called for Assad's backers including Russia and Iran "to support a meaningful end to the violence, sustained humanitarian access and an inclusive political process" in Syria. During her speech, May said the two sides would study liberalising trade as Britain prepares to leave the European Union after the shock referendum vote to quit the bloc. "I want these talks... to pave the way for an ambitious trade arrangement" after Brexit, she said in Bahrain, which was a British protectorate for 100 years and gained full independence in 1971. May was the first woman and first British leader to address a GCC summit, as Gulf countries deepen ties with major powers beyond longtime ally the United States. In May last year, France's President Francois Hollande became the first Western head of state to attend a GCC summit. US President Barack Obama followed in April this year, seeking to reassure Gulf monarchs about US overtures to Iran. GCC leaders have expressed concern over the international agreement that lifted sanctions on Iran this year in exchange for guarantees it would not pursue a nuclear weapons capability. Riyadh and its allies fear the pact will lead to more Iranian intervention in a region which, they feel, has suffered from a lack of American involvement under Obama. The EU including Britain is the Gulf's biggest trading partner, with trade flows of more than 130 billion euros ($140 billion) annually. But almost 30 years after the Gulf states and EU began talks on free trade, still no deal has been reached. Bilateral trade between Britain and the GCC was worth more than 30 billion pounds ($38 billion) last year. Western ties with Bahrain have come under criticism from international human rights groups. Bahrain's Sunni minority rulers have cracked down on dissent since they crushed protests in 2011 led by the Shia majority seeking a constitutional monarchy and an elected prime minister. Search Keywords: Short link: The Treasury Department announced today that two key facilitators for Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) have been added to the US governments list of designated terrorists. In addition, a front company that purportedly acts as a charity has also been designated for allegedly supporting AQAPs operations. Treasurys announcement points to the mix of tribal politics, Gulf fundraising, and local banking that has helped fuel AQAPs war in Yemen for years. The US has repeatedly sanctioned members of AQAPs logistical support network. Todays designations are part of a series released this year that document the complex web of relations underpinning AQAPs operations. One of the newly-designated men is Abdallah Faysal Sadiq al-Ahdal, who has worn multiple hats. Treasury says that al-Ahdal was a senior tribal leader in Yemens Hadramawt Governorate as of the mid-2016, has acted as a manager for foreign AQAP fighters, and also served as an AQAP-affiliated Sharia judge, as well as a leader in AQAPs religious police. One of his many duties has been talent-spotting and recruiting young men for AQAPs ranks. Al-Ahdals financial support for AQAP has been tied to a banking network that was targeted by Treasury earlier this year. The US government describes him as a member of a cell based in Ash Shihr, Hadramawt that provided money laundering and financial facilitation services for AQAP. He allegedly used the Yemen-based Al-Omgy Exchange to transfer money for AQAPs foreign fighters under the cover of business transactions. Al-Omgy and Brothers Money Exchange was designated by Treasury in November after the US government concluded that it was acting as a key financial hub for AQAP. Al Omgy Exchanges co-owners, Said Salih Abd-Rabbuh al-Omgy and Muhammad Salih Abd-Rabbuh al-Omgy, were also jointly sanctioned by the US and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the time. In todays announcement, Treasury says that Said al-Omgy is al-Ahdals father-in-law and that al-Ahdal has also engaged in weapons smuggling with AQAP financial facilitator Muhammad al-Omgy. When the US and UAE moved against Al-Omgy and Brothers Money Exchange in early November, Muhammad al-Omgy protested in the press. He publicly proclaimed his innocence after Treasury described him as an AQAP member. In an interview with The New York Times, Muhammad al-Omgy said this wasnt true, as he and others were forced to assist AQAP after the al Qaeda branch took over much of southern Yemen. We had no other option but to comply with them, al-Omgy told the Times. They were the rulers of the city. Judging by todays announcement, however, Treasury was unmoved by Muhammad al-Omgys protest. Treasury accuses al-Ahdal of not only working with the al-Omgy family, but also providing a variety of financial, leadership, and other facilitation support to AQAP since 2009. At least some of the cash he has raised has come from Gulf businessmen under the cover of charitable organizations. Since the 9/11 attacks, the US government has repeatedly uncovered charities that were really serving the jihadists nefarious purposes. And Al-Ahdals Rahmah Charitable Organization has now been added to the database of duplicitous firms, with Treasury describing it as an AQAP front organization. Al-Ahdal appears to be an ideologue, as he allowed AQAP to recruit at his mosque. He also radicalized and provided religious instruction to a group of AQAP members who had escaped from prison. In addition, he has provided shelter for AQAP fighters looking to escape airstrikes launched by the Gulf coalition that invaded Yemen last year. The second man designated by the US government today is Al-Hasan Ali Ali Abkar, an AQAP commander who has led jihadists in their war against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. Treasury says that Abkar has been working with two other specially designated global terrorists, Nayif al-Qaysi and Ghalib al-Zaydi, both of whom were sanctioned in May. Abkar has provided financial, material, and leadership support to AQAP since at least 2014, according to the US government. He has been extensively involved in AQAP facilitation efforts and worked with AQAP facilitator al-Qaysi to supply money, weapons, and ammunition to AQAP forces. The two men have assembled AQAP members for operations and Abkar has served as the main financier for a Marib-based training camp. Abkar has also helped finance al-Zaydi, who is an AQAP military leader. Treasurys designations throughout 2016 have provided insights into how AQAP operates. And with each new announcement, the public learns just how deep AQAPs network inside Yemen really is. 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. All is quiet in the house as I write this the tree is up and covered in all the special decorations Ive collected over the years (including a snowman who has lost his hat and a slightly tattered sparkly silver star I cant bear to throw away!). The delicious scent of freshly-baked mince tarts (with a few jammie ones thrown in for good measure) is wafting through the house and were about to make a batch of mulled wine to get the true festive feels going so Christmas has well and truly arrived at the Singletarys. Are you getting in the spirit too? One thing that is sure to get you in the party mood is this lovely little summer wedding in the pretty countryside thats brimming with prettiness in the divine lacy gown, cottage-style flowers and utterly beautiful images by Red on Blonde Photography, who were proud to say are members of our beautiful Little Book for Brides wedding directory. Bride Caroline, who is a still life photographer, married her architect beau Jonathan on the 9th of July 2016 at the pretty stain-glassed St Leonard Church, followed by a reception at Browsholme Hall Tithe Barn in Clitheroe, Lancashire for their countryside celebrations. Red on Blonde Photography, run by husband and wife team Toby and Hannah, were so lovely to chat to and we felt so comfortable having them taking our picture. We were quite particular with the informal documentary style we wanted to capture the atmosphere of the day and they fitted the bill perfectly. Caroline donned an exquisite Martina Liana gown, purchased at Angelica Bridal in Islington, London. The bodice of intricate lace is just incredible and Im also swooning over the long train. Utter perfection. I loved the uniqueness of my dress and wanted something sleek, with lace, and it fitted the bill perfectly.Jon and I met in a late-night jazz bar in Dalston, London in 2012. We got engaged in October 2015 at a lovely homely inn deep in the beautiful countryside near Carolines parents in Lancashire and were engaged for 10 months before the wedding. Carolines four bridesmaids wore beautiful bejewelled No. 1 by Jenny Packham for Debenhams long gowns, Dune heels, and pearl bracelets and earrings by Sophia Hargreaves Jewellery that were gifted by the bride. The totally stunning bouquets were made by Carolines friend Victoria Gray who is a stylist, whilst flowers for the reception were provided by The Flower Shop in Clitheroe. We wanted the flowers to be informal and traditional British countryside summer flowers if we could we would have had them grown by Jons mum on their farm, but they wouldnt have survived the trip up north! Hair and make-up was by Carlos Palma. Carlos is one of my good friends and we have done many fashion shoots together he is an amazing hair and make up artist. The beautiful bride accessorised with a Pronovias veil, also via Angelica Bridal, sky-high silver J.Crew sandals, a pretty hair accessory from Accessorize, a spray of her favourite scent Chloe, and a very special item of jewellery. My bracelet was designed and bought as a present by Jon and made by Sophia Hargreaves Jewellery Sophia was one of my bridesmaids. McGowans Classic Car Hire provided a very groovy 1965 Daimler to transport the wedding party. Jonathan looked stylish in a Paul Smith suit, Loake shoes, and an Instrmnt watch given by Caroline as a wedding day present. Carolines father David accompanied the beaming bride on the walk down the aisle to Jeremiah Clarkes Prince of Denmarks March. The couple chose traditional Church of England vows and reading (Song of Soloman) plus John Cooper Clarks I Wanna be Yours. Song of Soloman is about love and caring and we chose I Wanna be Yours as we thought it would raise a chuckle and make everyone feel relaxed. My favourite moment was walking down the aisle and seeing each other, as well as all our friends and family looking so happy for us. And the vicar was really funny! One most beautiful touch added to the barn was a string of festoon lighting and bunting made by the clever mother of the groom. Good lighting will completely transform your wedding venue. We recommend these lighting suppliers listed in our Little Book For Brides wedding directory. Twelve Event Management provided the tasty cuisine for the guests, whilst Lisa Marie Cakes made a simple rustic wedding cake of a Victoria sponge with frosting yum! The creative couple made all of the stationery themselves, as well as the favours for the guests homemade sloe and damsen gin, using berries from Jonathans family farm. And how about this idea for a table plan with a difference? So quirky! The table plans were full size architectural plan drawings of the room, with tables set out, so it was really fun to see people walking around holding a huge drawing to find their seat. It was a really interactive way to do what can traditionally be quite a drab thing. Georgia Thursting entertained during the drinks reception and Groovething played their funky tunes into the night. And the couple danced their first dance to one of their favourite songs, Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac one of Carolines familys favourite bands. Words of Wedded Wisdom Dont worry! What ever happens on the day (i.e. raining in the morning like it did at ours) you just wont care. You will forget about all the minor details and it will truly be the best day of your lives! Thank you so very much to Caroline and Jonathan for allowing us a peek into all the trimmings of your big day and a huge thanks to the talented duo from Red on Blonde Photography for sharing yet another fabulous set of images you can view more of their work weve featured here. Have a jolly rest of week lovelies and enjoy the preparations for the silly season ahead! Love Jo -x- Lifestyle / Travel Dec 07, 2016 | By Madelaine Angelina Coral Expeditions went for its inaugural South East Asia voyage from Singapore on November 25, 2016, following a makeover of its flagship vessel the Coral Discoverer. What makes this cruise ship stand out among the others is the experience that it offers. As the Coral Discoverer is quite a compact vessel, it is able to venture into areas that larger ships are unable to access. With that said, the cruise embarked will be an adventure in less-traveled waters, which holds some of the best-kept travel secrets of South East Asia. The available itineraries stay true to Coral Expeditions passion for exploration, charting the coastal regions of Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand. Voyagers can choose from 12 nights from Singapore to Yangon (and vice versa), 12 nights from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, and 17 nights from Singapore to Darwin. Venture to the Vietnams Halong Bay (above), or the Anak Krakatoa volcano of Indonesia. Once ashore, travellers can explore the cultural diversity of their current destination, such as the Burma WWII Railway Memorial, Indonesias Komodo Island, or Cambodias Angkor Wat. Along with the introduction of the new voyage, the recent upgrade of the Coral Discoverer features a refurbished dining room, deck lounge and sun deck. For The Sun Deck (above) in particular, the space is completely revamped as a social hub for fellow voyagers to mingle. The space comes complete with a circular bar, cabana chairs and an alfresco dining area. The deck lounge is also equipped with a bar and a multimedia space for travelers to discover more about where they will be visiting. And of course, there will be artisanal New Zealand and Australian spirits to enjoy when on board. The refurbishment also includes six more Bridge Deck Staterooms, adding up to a total of 36 rooms in the ship. Each Coral Expedition voyage will only have 72 passengers on board, allowing for an intimate travel experience and the opportunity to immerse in the cultural offerings of the destinations. Around a third of the estimated 5,000 European Islamist militants who went to Syria and Iraq have returned to Europe, and some may have orders to attack, an EU report warned Wednesday. Up to 2,500 fighters from Europe remained on the battlefield but their massive return in the short term seemed unlikely, according to the report seen by AFP. Belgium expressed concern last month that Islamist militants were increasingly returning to Europe as US-backed coalition forces drive the Islamic State (IS) militant group from territory in Syria and Iraq. The report said between 15 to 20 percent of the Europeans have died on the battlefield, around 30 to 35 percent have returned and 50 percent remain in the battle theatre, which amounted to between 2,000 and 2,500 Europeans. As many as 1,750 may have returned, based on the percentages listed in the report which EU counter-terrorism coordinator Gilles de Kerchove will present to EU interior ministers on Friday. The report said there were two types of "foreign terrorist fighters" returning. "Those in the majority that will drift back, and those who will be sent back on specific missions, which are of most concern," the report warned. It said even some European women and children born or raised in the so-called caliphate declared by IS in Iraq and Syria could pose a security threat as they may have been radicalised. Without giving figures, it said some returnees have been convicted and serving prison sentences, while others are being monitored and some are free in their communities. It recalled that foreign fighters who have returned to Europe have staged both foiled and successful attacks, including the slaughter in Paris in November last year and this year's bombings in Brussels in March. Both sets of attacks were claimed by IS, which is also known by its Arabic acronym Daesh. "There is also a significant foreign terrorist fighter contingent with Daesh in Libya which might attempt to use their nationality or family connections to return to Europe," the report said. It said returnees were keeping in touch with Daesh in the Middle East via social media and increasingly turning from mainstream Twitter to the encrypted one-to-one messaging service Telegram. Search Keywords: Short link: The festival featured the handicrafts that make the town a local treasure and a sponsor with a high sense of social responsibility Fayoum Governorate's Tunis village hosted the 6th annual Tunis Village Pottery Festival last week, to showcase arts and handicrafts that have made the village a much-beloved local gem. This year AlexBank sponsored the otherwise crowd-funded festival, adding it to the Bank's Ebdaa Min Masr initiative (Creativity from Egypt) which connects, sponsors and helps over a 1,000 Egyptian handicraft artists to promote their artwork in and outside Egypt. The village, known particularly for its handmade pottery, has long been a hub of art and culture icons as well as a winter destination for tourists looking to enjoy a unique melange of culture and nature an easy drive from the bustle of Cairo. The festival was created by Egyptian potter Ahmed Abu Zeid in 2011, and has drawn more visitors every year. Representatives from Ebdaa Min Masr helped organise the festival by posting signage outside artisans' houses, providing a map of the grounds, including the folk music stage, street puppet shows, and tens of booths along the main street of Tunis village showcasing authentic handicrafts. Tunis village, a two-hour drive from Cairo, has around 10 workshops run by truly talented potters as well as a pottery school established by well-known Swiss potter Evelyne Porret. Porret came to Tunis some 30 years ago and helped revive the deeply rooted art of pottery in the village, establishing the town's first pottery school. "I taught my siblings as well as my children pottery," explained Rawya, a local potter and student of Porret's, whose traditional pottery is quite popular in the Egyptian market for fair trade goods. Against a picturesque background of limestone houses topped with golden domes, surrounded by palm trees that cast their shadows against Qaroon Lake, five-year-old Amna El-Sherif held up a piece of her own pottery artwork. "This is a donkey; I helped my aunt design it," she explained to Ahram online. "I am a proud student of Evelyne [Porret] who implemented true human development in this village," said Mahmoud El-Sherif, who opened his own pottery workshop in the village in 2004. "The aim of this festival is to promote pottery as well as Fayoum as a whole," El-Sherif said, adding that "In [nearby] Nazla village, we practice Bokla, which is the oldest pottery technique in the world." For lovers of natural history, he added that nearby Wadi Hitan is "about 40 million years old." Wadi Hitan is an ecological preserve home to the world's largest collection of well-preserved whale fossils. Yet, at the end of the day, what makes Tunis truly special is its people. Search Keywords: Short link: In the grand but intimate setting of Bibliotheca Alexandrina's small hall, Sultan El-Qassemi, an Emirati columnist and commentator on Arab political and cultural affairs and the founder of the UAE-based Barjeel Foundation, gave a talk spotlighting the political undertones in Middle Eastern fine art during the 20th century. On the same day, after his talk, and in a neighbouring hall at the Bibliotheca was the opening of an exhibition titled Hurufiyya: Art & Identity curated by the Barjeel Foundation, which manages, preserves and exhibits El-Qassemi's art collection of over 600 works from the Middle East. Lebanese writer Charbel Dagher gave a lecture that presented and contextualised the exhibition prior to it's opening. Prior to his talk at the Bibliotheca, in October El-Qassemi had delivered a similar talk in English at the London School of Economics, titled "Politics in Modern Arab Art." El-Qassemi is well versed on his subject, having previously written an article in 2014 for the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Practices titled "Egypts long history of Activist Artists." This talk, however, had a wider scope, including artists not just from Egypt, but the region. It provided a comprehensive panoramic timeline of 20th century artworks, while zooming in on how artists in the region have expressed their views on political events, characters, and shifts during or after they occurred. Aided by a Powerpoint presentation on the stage behind him that displayed the long list of over 70 artworks, El-Qassemi presented a compressed history lesson that allowed his audience strong engagement. Part of a whole Placing Egypt in the context of world politics, El-Qassemi referred to the 1937 exhibition Low Art that was held in Munich, Germany. The infamous exhibition, organised by Adolf Ziegler and the German Nazi Party, gathered 650 artworks that Adolf Hitler felt insulted German feeling, or in other words did not reflect how Germany (under Nazi rule) wanted to express itself. The work was even badly displayed to make it look worse, El-Qassemi added. International artists and thinkers deemed the exhibition an attack on modern art, and Egyptian artists voices were among them, taking part in the global discussion. While international intellectuals such as Andre Breton and Diego Rivera issued response statements in the same year, Egypts Art and Freedom Group also responded with the Long Live Low Art manifesto in 1938, he said. The group was created by five Egyptian artists and intellectuals: George Henein, Ramses Younan, Fouad Kamel, Anwar Kamel and Kamel El-Telmessani, and viewed art as a means of resistance and liberation. The group stated its refusal of the Munich exhibits war on modern art, and declared themselves in support of bad art, describing it as the art of the future. This was the first time for a group of artists in the Middle East to make a political move, El-Qassemi highlighted. He added that in the past five years there was a rediscovery of the Art and Freedom Group, which was seen through a talk at Cairos Townhouse Gallery, an exhibition at the American University in Cairo, and a September exhibit at Cairos Palace of Arts titled "The New Surrealists," in addition to an exhibition at Pariss Centre Pompidou. However, the Palace of Arts exhibition highlighted the groups surrealist themes, presenting them as trailblazers for the surrealist movements that followed and developed in Egypt, and focused less on their politicism. El-Qassemi gave examples of painters who took as their subjects significant political events that occurred previously, such as Nicola Saias 1918 piece on the surrender of Jerusalem to the British, and Ingy Afflatouns piece on the Denshouai massacre, where a dispute between an officer of the British occupation and Egypt's villagers led to the death of many locals in 1906. The Denshouai massacre was an important event that had a very strong effect that echoed outside the boundaries of the village [of Denshouai]. By painting it, Afflatoun archived this historic moment by giving it a visual embodiment, El-Qassemi said. Afflatoun was also jailed for joining in demonstrations against then President Gamal Abdel Nasser who, though he had many close ties with artists, had enemies who didnt believe in him.When she was out of jail, Afflatoun never spoke against Nasser, but continued to depict her views through her paintings, El-Qassemi said, giving an example of her paintings on jailed women dated between 1953 and 1959 as an important addition to her body of work, which in a bigger context represented a wave of nationalism and pan-Arabism in the arts.Artists like Hamed Eweis and Mohamed Sabry featured depictions of Nasser in a style of painting that was known as Socialist Realism, hailing the leader and celebrating his accomplishments.Looking at a number of Sabrys paintings The Peace Speech at the UN (1960), and The Cairo Agreement (1970) El-Qassemi points to the relatively large size of the former president in comparison to those around him, an indication of the artists respect and/or idolisation of Nasser. Hamed Ewais piece titled Nasser and the Nationalization of the Canal (1957), is another example of the same technique. It was interesting that these paintings raised a brief debate within the audience at the Bibliotheca, who discussed whether the seating arrangement of Middle East rulers at the UN was accurate or was used by the artist to favour some and insult others. The audience, which ranged from informed artists, historians and scholars to casual attendees, settled that the artists depiction would have been accurate at the time it was painted. Some artists who witnessed big political shifts documented their changing views in changing times, such as Abdelhady El-Gazzar. In 1948, his iconic piece The Hunger (El Goa) was seen as an insult to the (Egyptian) monarchy when it was displayed in an exhibition, and landed the artist in jail for his depiction of empty plates in front of a row of figures. Many years and several political stages later, in 1962 he painted The Charter (El-Mithaq). In stark contrast to the hunger piece, it celebrated a new era in Egypt and social harmony. He went from critiquing to celebrating, El-Qassemi said. Art marks the spot There were also occasions were political art built on previous works, literally and figuratively. French artist Paul Landowski created the stone sculpture Monument to the Dead (1928) in Algeria mourning French soldiers lost in Algeria during the French occupation. The piece was an audacious affront for Algeria, which 50 years and liberation later commissioned an artist of its own, Mohamed Issiakhem, to replace it with a new piece. Issiakhem knew better than to simply destroy Landowskis piece to replace it. Instead the new sculpture, completed in 1978, ingeniously built over the first piece to bury it, turning it into the enemys sarcophagus, El-Qassemi says. According to El-Qassemi, the Middle East didnt see much in the way of public political artworks until the mid-20th century. One public art piece was a government commission to member of the Baghdad Fine Art Society, Iraqi artist Jawad Selim, who was asked to make a piece celebrating the end of the monarchy. His piece, titled "Monument to Freedom", is a panel of bronze sculptures mounted on a stone wall. The figures are depicted tearing apart jail bars, posing in warrior stances that evoke strength, their chests open and arms raised up in victory. Through thick and thin A significant year in Arab politics was 1967, which saw the Six-Day War (known as El-Naksa) that cost Egypt the loss of Sinai to Israeli occupation. El-Qassemi describes it as a black year ,with a lot of distress. The difficulty of the time was echoed in artists work, as well as the need for hope, such as in Hamed Ewisss piece titled The Protector of Life (Homat El-Hayah). Half the canvas is dominated by a male figure dressed as a peasant, but holding a soldiers gun. In the foreground a crowd of smaller sized figures are engaged in everyday activities, like a child riding a bicycle and a couple getting married. Its like the painting is saying life goes on. The large figure is holding space for the residents of the village to carry on with their daily lives in peace. The aim is to instill safety in people hearts, and trust in the armys efforts, says El-Qassemi. In 1982, art was used to bridge connections between the same two enemies, Egypt and Israel, with an exhibit of Mahmoud Saids work organised by the newly-opened Egyptian embassy in Tel Aviv. According to El-Qasssemi, this marked the only time for an Egyptian artist to hold an exhibition in Isreal. The occupation of Palestine was another subject many artists, both Palestinian and others, were tackling. Some iconic works on Palestine include Soliman Mansours Camels of Heavy Burden (1980) depicting a man carrying the country of Palestine as a heavy load on his back, and Dia Azzawys Sabra and Shatila piece (1982), dubbed the Arab World Guernica. There were other works that were more subtly political, such as Israeli-Palestinian painter Assem Abo Shaqras Cactus with City in the Background (Sabbar Fel Madina, 1988) If you dont know the context, it seems simply to depict a cactus pot on a windowsill. But it has a political background as the artist compares himself with a cactus, El-Qassemi explained. Abo Shaqras work frequently featured the cactus and always depicted it outside of its natural habitat, as he himself lived in London. Straddling his mixed identity of Palestinian and Israeli, his existence was inevitably political as both sides continue to claim the bigger influence on his artwork, from his death in 1990 to this day. Tireless voices Political work continues to be a sensitive topic tackled bravely by artists, who with time shifted to more contemporary mediums. Recent artistic resistance examples can be seen in the work of Palestinian artist Khaled Garrars 2008 "Volleyball," made with cement parts of the Israeli separation wall. Another example is Larissa Sansours 2011 video work "Nation Estate," in which she satirically envisions an ultra-modern high rise building, with each floor housing a Palestinian city. Sansour was rejected from a Swiss exhibition because the work was regarded as too political. In the end she raised money and completed her project, El-Qassemi says. Palestinean Lebanese artist Mona Hatoum, Egyptian artist Hoda Lotfi, Syrian artist Sulafa Hijazi and Fadi Hamwi are some contemporaries whose work was political even before the Arab Spring came to influence many artists. The Arab Spring brought with it a wave of graffiti, one of the most politicised forms of art. We dont speak about it much and its relatively recent art form. People are upset when it is removed, but its in the nature of the medium to be short lived, El-Qassemi said showing an example of Mohamed Mahmoud Streets murals in Downtown Cairo. The talk, however, did not delve into graffiti, nor did it cover political cartoons, as noted by an audience member in the discussion after. Not undermining either of these mediums, El-Qassemi clarified his focus was on fine art. It is difficult to mark when the timeline ends, seeing as the relationship between art and politics continues to unravel amidst rapidly changing political scenes. El-Qassemi, however, is concerned with the big picture, highlighting the broad strokes of a painting still in the making. 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: Managing IP was first to report major stories that matter, from a Peppa Pig dispute to the UPC sunrise period and new targets for the Indian and UK IP offices Drawing on her own experience as a wartime evacuee, British actress and campaigner Vanessa Redgrave told AFP her new film about refugees was aimed at ensuring people stay sensitive to the issue. The Oscar-winner made her directing debut on Tuesday with "Sea Sorrow", premiering the film in Hammersmith, an area of west London that has been particularly active in welcoming migrants for years. "I conceived the idea that as a narrator I should narrate what I know," the 79-year-old said in an interview in her home ahead of the premiere, surrounded by family photos and acting awards. The child of actors, Redgrave became a leading actress on both stage and screen and credits her parents with teaching her the importance of a good storyline. She won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1978 for her role in Second World War drama "Julia" and has been nominated five other times for an Academy Award. Redgrave said her parents took her and her brother from London to stay with a cousin in the countryside during the Second World War, when they also tried to secure visas for Jews fleeing Nazi occupied territories. In the film, she recounts how she watched the city of Coventry burn from a distance after a massive Nazi bombardment in 1940 and suffered nightmares from it years later. Her first experience of helping refugees was after the crushing of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 when many fled to London. "I was in drama school. I thought 'I can't go on studying to be an actress with Soviet tanks mowing people down'," she said. As a volunteer she said she "made tea, tried to cook, held hands, listened" to the Hungarian refugees living in squalid homes in Ladbroke Grove in west London. Her new film, which also features actors Emma Thompson and Ralph Fiennes, recounts life for refugees in Europe over the last century and draws parallels between harsh government attitudes towards refugees in Britain in the 1930s and now. The film also hinges on the importance of the post-war Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which Redgrave remembers hearing in 1948 for the first time. "I felt a great sense of relief as a child because I thought countries have found a way to stop anything like the Holocaust and the Second World War happening again. "I still remain of that childish view," she said. Fast forward nearly seven decades and Redgrave said she is incensed by the failure of the British government -- and of Europe as a whole -- to take in more child migrants in recent months. "The shameful thing is that our government, my government, has done everything possible to prevent child refugees from having access to their actual legal rights under international protection law," she said. But she said ordinary British people were as willing to help now as they were to take in Londoners during the Second World War. "The international press seem to have invented a hostility to refugees... People in Britain are very willing to help," she said, although admitting that people can become tired of helping. "What I hope, and I believe that the kind of film I've tried to make is, that it will help keep people human for trying to help." Redgrave filmed "Sea Sorrow" in several countries including France, Greece, Italy and Lebanon, beginning the project after an image of a Syrian boy washed up on a Turkish beach went viral. Nearly 12,000 people have died or gone missing crossing the Mediterranean Sea since the start of 2014, according to figures from the UN refugee agency. After a peak of more than one million sea arrivals in Europe in 2015, so far this year more than 350,000 people have made the crossing. Redgrave's film ends with Fiennes playing Prospero in William Shakespeare's "The Tempest" when he is asked by his daughter Miranda: "How came we ashore?" "By providence divine," he says, before embarking on his story about how they were set adrift on a boat, telling her: "Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow". 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: As you have surely heard by now, Green Party candidate Jill Stein has raised a shit ton of money (about $7 million) to recount election votes in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. The Clinton campaign recently got on board, too, and plans to participate in the process. This effort feelsconfusing, right? It elicits an potent mixture of hope and fear. I set out to research how this works and what it could actually mean in terms of election outcome. If you, too, need help cutting through the noise, here are five things I learned worth knowing: 1. According to federal law, a recount must occur within 35 days of the presidential election. This years deadline is December 13th. The Electors of the Electoral College, who cast their final votes for the presidency (and vice-presidency) based on state outcomes, do so 41 days after the election, on December 19th. As USA Today explained: In modern practice, the Electoral College is mostly a formality. Most electors are loyal members of the party that has selected them, and in 26 states, plus Washington, D.C., electors are bound by laws or party pledges to vote in accord with the popular vote. Although an elector could, in principle, change his or her vote (and a few actually have over the years), doing so is rare. One Republican elector is already publicly vowing that he will not vote for Trump. 2. Stein is pushing the recount under allegations of cyber hacking. But she lacks sufficient evidence to make her accusations plausible. As Vox.com explains, There is no direct evidence of voter fraud, hacking or a stolen election. According to The Washington Post, even IF these allegations had merit, a recount would likely not uncover hacking of any sort. 3. Rules for recounts vary state-by-state. Theyre generally instituted when the top two candidates in an election are separated by an incredibly slim margin of votes. In the 2000 election matchup, the small margin of Bushs 1,247 voting lead against Al Gore mandated a recount under Florida state law. A 2008 recount in Minnesota lead to Al Franken being elected to the senate, so recounts arent always fruitless. Just to add further complexity (youre welcome!), voting rules and regulations can also vary by county. As The LA Times reports, 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. 4. The three states in question (Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan) have different policies around who can request recounts. Wisconsin allows any candidate to request a recount if theyve lost by less than 0.25% (heres a manual explaining how the process works; warning, its a PDF!). In this case though the Stein fund will foot the estimated $1.1 million bill, since Stein was the requestor of the recount. According to Politico, the recount would have been free if Trumps margin of victory was just a little smaller (less than 0.5%). The process is more cumbersome in Pennsylvania. As Stein writes on her website, she need[s] to find at least three voters in each election district willing to submit an affidavit to their county board of elections requesting a recount. There are more than 9,000 voting precincts in PA. As Vox explains, She either has to provide firm evidence of election fraud which she doesnt have or present three notarized affidavits from each of Pennsylvanias 9,163 precincts, the deadline for which has reportedly passed in many counties. Steins taking volunteers on her site. Meanwhile, in Michigan, the states attorney general has filed a lawsuit in the attempt to shut down a recount because a recount, poses an expensive and risky threat to hard-working taxpayers and abuses the intent of Michigan law. Michigan bills $125 for every precinct when the margins total more than half a percentage point. With a total of 6,300 precincts, the cost of a recount in Michigan is about $787,000. As the Independent reports, broken voting machines are already throwing a wrench into the recount in Michigan. Faulty machines mean half of all votes cast in the city of Detroit may be ineligible for recount, they explain. A third of voting precincts in Wayne County, that largest of Michigans counties, could also be disqualified. Election officials say that the machines were jammed with paper ballots. 5. The chances of this changing the election outcome are slim. Trump won the election with 306 Electoral College votes; Clinton trailed with 232. Candidates need 270 votes to win. Clinton lost Michigan by 10,704 votes, Wisconsin by 27, 257 votes and Pennsylvania by 70,638. Given the amount of electoral votes up for grabs in the three battleground states where Stein is pushing for a recount Wisconsin at 10; Pennsylvania at 20; and Michigan at 16 the results of all three states would need to be reversed for Clinton to win. The chances of this happening? Slim. Michigan well exceeds the largest margin ever in a recount. Illustration by Maria Jia Ling Pitt; follow her on Instagram @heysuperstar. World War II and the Origins of American Unease By George Friedman : We are at the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. That victory did not usher in an era of universal peace. Rather, it introduced a new constellation of powers and a complex balance among them. Europe's great powers and empires declined, and the United States and the Soviet Union replaced them, performing an old dance to new musical instruments. Technology, geopolitics' companion, evolved dramatically as nuclear weapons, satellites and the microchip among myriad wonders and horrors changed not only the rules of war but also the circumstances under which war was possible. But one thing remained constant: Geopolitics, technology and war remained inseparable comrades. It is easy to say what World War II did not change, but what it did change is also important. The first thing that leaps to mind is the manner in which World War II began for the three great powers: the United States, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom. For all three, the war started with a shock that redefined their view of the world. For the United States, it was the shock of Pearl Harbor. For the Soviet Union, it was the shock of the German invasion in June 1941. For the United Kingdom and this was not really at the beginning of the war it was shock at the speed with which France collapsed. Pearl Harbor Jolts the American Mindset There was little doubt among American leaders that war with Japan was coming. The general public had forebodings, but not with the clarity of its leaders. Still, neither expected the attack to come at Pearl Harbor. For the American public, it was a bolt from the blue, compounded by the destruction of much of the U.S. Pacific fleet. Neither the leaders nor the public thought the Japanese were nearly so competent. Pearl Harbor intersected with another shock to the American psyche the Great Depression. These two events shared common characteristics: First, they seemed to come out of nowhere. Both were predictable and were anticipated by some, but for most both came without warning. The significance of the two was that they each ushered in an unexpected era of substantial pain and suffering. This introduced a new dimension into American culture. Until this point there had been a deep and unsubtle optimism among Americans. The Great Depression and Pearl Harbor created a different sensibility that suspected that prosperity and security were an illusion, with disaster lurking behind them. There was a fear that everything could suddenly go wrong, horribly so, and that people who simply accepted peace and prosperity at face value were naive. The two shocks created a dark sense of foreboding that undergirds American society to this day. Pearl Harbor also shaped U.S. defense policy around the concept that the enemy might be identified, but where and when it might strike is unknown. Catastrophe therefore might come at any moment. The American approach to the Cold War is symbolized by Colorado's Cheyenne Mountain. Burrowed deep inside is the North American Aerospace Defense Command, which assumes that war might come at any moment and that any relaxation in vigilance could result in a nuclear Pearl Harbor. Fear of this scenario along with mistrust of the wily and ruthless enemy defined the Cold War for Americans. The Americans analyzed their forced entry into World War II and identified what they took to be the root cause: the Munich Agreement allowing Nazi Germany to annex parts of Czechoslovakia. This was not only an American idea by any means, but it reshaped U.S. strategy. If the origin of World War II was the failure to take pre-emptive action against the Germans in 1938, then it followed that the Pacific War might have been prevented by more aggressive actions early on. Acting early and decisively remains the foundation of U.S. foreign policy to this day. The idea that not acting in a timely and forceful fashion led to World War II underlies much American discourse on Iran or Russia. Pearl Harbor (and the 1929 crash) not only led to a sense of foreboding and a distrust in the wisdom of political and military leaders, but it also replaced a strategy of mobilization after war begins, with a strategy of permanent mobilization. If war might come at any time, and if another Munich must above all be avoided, then the massive military establishment that exists today is indispensible. In addition, the U.S.-led alliance structure that didn't exist prior to World War II is indispensible. The Soviet Strategic Miscalculation The Soviet Union had its own Pearl Harbor on June 22, 1941, when the Germans invaded in spite of the friendship treaty signed between them in 1939. That treaty was struck for two reasons: First, the Russians couldn't persuade the British or French to sign an anti-Hitler pact. Second, a treaty with Hitler would allow the Soviets to move their border further west without firing a shot. It was a clever move, but not a smart one. The Soviets made a single miscalculation: They assumed a German campaign in France would replay the previous Great War. Such an effort would have exhausted the Germans and allowed the Soviets to attack them at the time and place of Moscow's choosing. That opportunity never presented itself. On the contrary, the Germans put themselves in a position to attack the Soviet Union at a time and place of their choosing. That the moment of attack was a surprise compounded the challenge, but the real problem was strategic miscalculation, not simply an intelligence or command failure. The Soviets had opted for a dynamic foreign policy of shifting alliances built on assumptions of the various players' capabilities. A single misstep could lead to catastrophe an attack at a time when the Soviet forces had yet to recover from one of Josef Stalin's purges. The Soviet forces were not ready for an attack, and their strategy collapsed with France, so the decision for war was entirely Germany's. What the Soviets took away from the June 1941 invasion was a conviction that political complexity could not substitute for a robust military. The United States ended World War II with the conviction that a core reason for that war was the failure of the United States. The Soviets ended World War II with the belief that their complex efforts at coalition building and maintaining the balance of power had left them utterly exposed by one miscalculation on France one that defied the conventional wisdom. During the Cold War, the Soviets developed a strategy that could best be called stolid. Contained by an American-led coalition, the Soviets preferred satellites to allies. The Warsaw Pact was less an alliance than a geopolitical reality. For the most part it consisted of states under the direct military, intelligence or political control of the Soviet Union. The military value of the block might be limited, and its room for maneuver was equally limited. Nonetheless, Soviet forces could be relied on, and the Warsaw Pact, unlike NATO, was a geographical reality that Soviet forces used to guarantee that no invasion by the United States or NATO was possible. Obviously, the Soviets like the Americans remained vigilant for a nuclear attack, but it has been noted that the Soviet system was significantly less sophisticated than that of the Americans. Part of this imbalance was related to technological capabilities. A great deal of it had to do with the fact that nuclear attack was not the Soviet's primordial fear, though the fear must not be minimized. The primordial fear in Moscow was an attack from the West. The Soviet Union's strategy was to position its own forces as far to the west as possible. Consider this in contrast to the Soviet relations with China. Ideologically, China ought to have been a powerful ally, but the alliance was souring by the mid-1950s. The Soviets were not ideologues. They were geopoliticians, and China represented a potential threat that the Soviets could not control. Ideology didn't matter. China would never serve the role that Poland had to. The Sino-Soviet relationship fell apart fairly quickly. The Soviet public did not develop the American dread that beneath peace and prosperity lurked the seeds of disaster. Soviet expectations of life were far more modest than those of Americans, and the expectation that the state would avert disaster was limited. The state generated disaster. At the same time, the war revealed almost from the beginning a primordial love of country, hidden for decades under the ideology of internationalism, that re-emerged spontaneously. Beneath communist fervor, cynical indifference and dread of the Soviet secret police, the Russians found something new while the Americans found something old. France's Fall Surprises Britain As for the British, their miscalculation on France changed little. They were stunned by the rapid collapse of France, but perhaps also relieved that they would not fight in French trenches again. The collapse of France caused them to depend on only two things: One was that the English Channel, combined with the fleet and the Royal Air Force, would hold the Germans at bay. The second was that in due course, the United States would be drawn into the war. Their two calculations proved correct. However, the United Kingdom was not one of the ultimate winners of the war. It may not have been occupied by the Germans, but it was essentially by the Americans. This was a very different occupation, and one the British needed, but the occupation of Britain by foreign forces, regardless of how necessary and benign, spelled the end of the British Empire and of Britain as a major power. The Americans did not take the British Empire. It was taken away by the shocking performance of the French. On paper, the French had an excellent army superior to the Germans, in many ways. Yet they collapsed in weeks. If we were to summarize the British sensibility, after defiance came exhaustion and then resentment. Some of these feelings are gone now. The Americans retain their dread even though World War II was in many ways good to the United States. It ended the Great Depression, and in the aftermath, between the G.I. Bill, VA loans and the Interstate Highway System, the war created the American professional middle class, with private homes for many and distance and space that could be accessed easily. And yet the dread remains, not always muted. This generation's Pearl Harbor was 9/11. Fear that security and prosperity is built on a base of sand is not an irrational fear. For the Russians, the feelings of patriotism still lurk beneath the cynicism. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the collapse of Russia's sphere of influence have not resulted in particularly imaginative strategic moves. On the contrary, Russian President Vladimir Putin's response to Ukraine was as stolid as Stalin's or Leonid Brezhnev's. Rather than a Machiavellian genius, Putin is the heir to the German invasion on June 22, 1941. He seeks strategic depth controlled by his own military. And his public has rallied to him. As for the British, they once had an empire. They now have an island. It remains to be seen if they hold onto all of it, given the strength of the Scottish nationalists. While we are celebrating the end of World War II, it is useful to examine its beginnings. So much of what constitutes the political-military culture, particularly of the Americans, was forged by the way that World War II began. Pearl Harbor and the American view of Munich have been the framework for thinking not only about foreign relations and war, but also about living in America. Not too deep under the surface there is a sense that all good things eventually must go wrong. Much of this comes from the Great Depression and much from Pearl Harbor. The older optimism is still there, but the certainty of manifest success is deeply tempered. "World War II and the Origins of American Unease is republished with permission of Stratfor." This analysis was just a fraction of what our Members enjoy, Click Here to start your Free Membership Trial Today! "This report is republished with permission of STRATFOR" Copyright 2016 Stratfor. All rights reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only. 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. 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Doodle celebrates Al-Sufi on what would be his 1,113th birthday Google doodle celebrates Persian astronomer Abd Al-Rahman Al-Sufi known in the West as Azophi and Azophi Arabus, with a representation of the constellation Cancer, or the Crab. Al Sufi was born on 7 December, 903 in Rey, Iran and died, aged 83, on 25 May, 986, Shiraz, Iran. "Abd Al-Rahman Al-Sufi forever changed the way we look at the stars in the sky. As one of the worlds most influential astronomers, he dedicated his life to furthering our understanding of the stars and constellations. The lunar crater 'Azophi' and the minor planet '12621 Alsufi' are named after him," Google's commentary on it's new doodle reads. Al-Sufi, one of the most famous nine Muslim astronomers, lived in and worked out of the court of Emir Adud ad-Daula in Ispahan, Persia. He focused on translation of works of the Almagest of Ptolemy and other Greek astronomers. Al-Sufi expanded Ptolemy's star list, adding his own estimates, often correcting what he believed to be innacurate in Greek work. Al-Sufi also contributed to revival and further development of Hellnistic astronomy through his work in Egypt's Alexandria. He researched and often compiled Arab and Hellenistic findings in order to create a comprehensive astronomical map of the time. His representation of the constellation Cancer, also known as the Crab," is based on one of the drawings coming from Al-Sufis manuscript The Book of Fixed Stars. The Google Doodle commemorating Abd Al-Rahman Al-Sufi can be viewed in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, UAE Oman, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, and Egypt. 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: Fake News Didnt Influence the US Election BY GEORGE FRIEDMAN : Since Election Day, Americans focus has shifted to something thats considered a new phenomenon. Some suspect that false news may have swayed the US presidential election. Some also claim this false news was planted by Russian intelligence under orders of President Vladimir Putin, who allegedly supported Trumps election. Given that a recount of votes in some states is likelywith some saying Russians might have hacked voting machinesits no longer a matter of politics but of geopolitics. Its a serious claim. However, the premise that false news was a decisive factor in this election is a bit of a stretch. And Ill tell you why. Witnessing propaganda first-hand I was personally caught in a bit of Russian disinformation following the events in Ukraine. While visiting Moscow, I was interviewed by the leading business paper there, Kommersant. Discussing the US role in Ukraine, I answered a question by saying, If this was a coup, it was the most blatant coup in history, since the Americans were quite open in supporting the demonstrators. Kommersant published it fairly close to what I said. But Sputnik, a Russian government outlet, quoted me as saying that Ukraine was the most blatant coup in history. Saying it was taken out of context is so lame. The problem is that I was a completely unimportant observer, and Sputnik promoted me to someone significant. Otherwise, who would pay attention to anything I said? So the Ukraine story left newspapers and entered the web, where it was incredibly widely circulated and totally ignored. I personally was hoping to pick up some subscribers from it. Alas, no one has ever brought up the incident with meeven though it was retweeted all over the place and is still out there. Social medias echo chamber Social media has two defects from the standpoint of disinformation. The first is that people tend to only read and follow things with which they already agree. The number of people who consume information with which they disagree is fairly small. Social media is vast but has massive walls in terms of interest and technology. That means the only people who believed I said what Sputnik quoted were people who already thought it was a blatant coup. A million views worldwide means mostly that everyone who is ideologically aligned had seen it. The very ideological divide that frightens us serves to contain news in social media. The second defect is the sheer volume of noise on the internet. In the 1950s, three networks existed, along with a few newspapers that others copied. It was much harder to plant a story on CBS, but the output of CBS was extremely loud with few competing noises. It is now hard to hear anything above the roar, and the chances of reaching those you want to reachand persuading them of something in the few characters allowed by a tweetis limited. The internet is a wonderful place to communicate with those who agree and know how to find you. It is not so good at finding and persuading those who dont agree. So, the story of an FBI agent who had been investigating Hillary Clinton and was found dead with his wife, likely would be believed by someone who thought Clinton was a monster. Someone pro-Clintonor even neutrallikely never saw it, and certainly wouldnt have believed it. The idea that these stories were decisive in the presidential election is dubious Putins Paranoia It is not surprising that Putin would attempt to play with the election. First, he believes the US is constantly intruding on domestic Russian politics by forming small political groups (nongovernmental organizations) to shape elections. He undoubtedly wanted to pay back the US for that. If Putin was involved in this disinformation, it would not be a move of strength, but rather weakness. I already have explained in recent articles why the Russians are weak and why Putin wants to project an appearance of significance where he can. He did manage to make himself appear looming over the US election, but the ability of disinformation to determine elections or other things is severely limited. Lies are primarily believed by those who want to believe them and frequently make opponents stronger by fueling a sense of outrage over the fact that they are lies. They basically leave everything in place. I regard the false news issue as a red herring. False news has always existed, and some of it comes from governments. It never has been particularly effective in changing the behavior of nations. I would strongly argue that social media, with its tribes and noise, makes effective disinformation that much harder. But as the US is in a mood to panic, its as good a subject as any. 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. This week was very fruitful for the repatriation of stolen antiquities. Egypt succeeded in recovering seven distinguished artefacts that had been illegally smuggled out of the country. Minister of Antiquities Khaled El-Enany announced that the Egyptian embassy in the United States received in early December four Late Period artefacts while the Egyptian embassy in Switzerland received an ancient Egyptian stelae. On Wednesday, the Egyptian embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) received two Islamic lamps. These objects will arrive to Egypt as soon as shipping and packaging procedures are completed. El-Enany expressed his full appreciation for the efforts exerted by both the ministries of foreign affairs and the interior in collaboration with the Ministry of Antiquities as well as foreign authorities to repatriate the objects and protect Egypt's cultural and archaeological heritage. Shaaban Abdel Gawad, general supervisor of the Antiquities Repatriation Department at the ministry said that the pieces recovered from the UAE consists of two Islamic lamps that were stolen from the store gallery of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) in 2015, along with two other lamps. The thieves replaced them with replicas. One of the lamps belongs to Sultan Barquq and has been recently recovered from London. The second is still missing while the third and forth were recovered from the UAE. Abdel Gawad explained that the first recovered lamp from the UAE belongs to Prince Selehdar while the second belongs to Sultan Hassan. From Switzerland Egypt repatriated three parts of an ancient Egyptian stelae that were reported missing from Al-Gorna store on Luxor's west bank in 1995. The stelae belongs to a man called Sheshenefertom and is carved in limestone. It was originally discovered by an Italian archaeological mission from Rome University inside Shashanq tomb number TT27 at Al-Assassif necropolis on Luxors west bank. Abdel-Gawad pointed out that the objects recovered from the United States are dated to the Late Pharaonic period and includes a wizened mummified hand, a painted child sarcophagus, a gilded mummy mask, an anthropoid li of a wooden sarcophagus decorated with different ancient Egyptian religious scenes, as well as a painted linen mummy shroud. Early December, Egypt signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States that imposes restrictions on the importation of illicit antiquities from Egypt. Abdel Gawad said the most important articles of the MoU is that the US government has to return to Egypt any material on the designated list forwarded to Washington. It should also use its best efforts to facilitate technical assistance in cultural resource management and security in Egypt, as appropriate, under available programmes. Abdel Gawad added that according to the MoU Egypt should promote best practices in cultural resource management and encourage coordination among cultural heritage authorities tourism authorities, religious authorities, and development agencies to ensure the enforcement of laws that protect heritage sites from encroachment, unsanctioned appropriation, looting, and damage. Search Keywords: Short link: MARTINSVILLE City officials aim to finish the Northside neighborhood revitalization project by April 30. Martinsville City Council on Tuesday will be asked for permission to send a letter to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), requesting an extension of the projects timeline until that date, according to Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Wayne Knox. He is almost certain that the extension will be granted. DHCD staff members have told him, he said, they have anticipated Martinsville would seek an extension due to the amount of work involved in the project. The project started in February 2015. Under a contract with the state, it is supposed to be finished by Jan. 22. The city obtained a $943,904 Community Development Block Grant a federal funding allocation for a local project to be overseen by the state to make improvements along Franklin, Dillard and Ruffin streets and Warren Court as well as residential structures along them. The neighborhood is off Liberty Street near Lester Home Center and the Village of Martinsville shopping center. The city is contributing $233,000 of its own money, bringing the total project cost to $1,167,904. About 20 homes are to undergo some type of rehabilitation, Knox said. Including the street improvements, at least 44 people neighborhood residents with low to moderate incomes will benefit from the project, he said. Knox told the Martinsville Planning Commission on Tuesday that so far, one vacant, blighted home has been demolished and the city has bought three homes with plans to substantially rebuild and resell them. Two of those homes already are under construction while the other is awaiting construction, he said. Two home reconstructions have been completed, as has rehab on two owner-occupied homes, and another such project is expected to begin soon, Knox said. Also, the city is in the process of buying two more vacant homes for rehab or reconstruction, followed by resale, he said. Quite a few applications have been received from potential homeowners, he added. The goal has been to improve the living conditions for at least 27 people living in at least 15 low- to moderate-income households, according to Knox. Commission Chairman Tim Martin said work already done in the neighborhood including improvements to homes and streets and the installation of drainage systems along the streets makes it look so much better. Martin mentioned he has seen people in the neighborhood sprucing up their homes and yards. We want to keep the roll (progress) going, he said. Northside is the last section of Martinsville to undergo a block grant-funded neighborhood revitalization project. The next time that the city applies to DHCD for a block grant, it probably will be for a project targeting dilapidated properties throughout the city, Knox said. Mickey Powell reports for the Martinsville Bulletin. He can be reached at mickey.powell@martinsvillebulletin.com. SPENCER - Its a pretty bad feeling to be waiting around for your yard to cave in. Thats exactly whats worrying Teresa Biggs of Spencer lately. There is a depression in her side yard about as long and wide around as a pickup truck. She thinks it is the beginnings of what will be a sudden sinkhole. She has reason to think that: A part of her yard caved in right next to that spot about two years ago. That spot was about 5 feet across and too deep to see the bottom, she said. She had her handyman, Scott Spencer, fill the hole with a couple of big truckloads of gravel, and now its grown over with grass. There wasnt any indication that a hole was going to develop, and she didnt hear anything. She just found out about it when Scott came and said, I cant mow out there no more, she said. I walked out there and looked. I said a lot of things. Wowee zowee Batman would be more appropriate to put in the newspaper than what she really said, she recalled chuckling. Now, she and Spencer have noticed this new depression which has formed beside the old hole. Its about as big around as a pickup truck, with several new valleys that dip down about a foot. She said she thinks its getting ready to fall in. She said she called several agencies and each one gave her the same thing: They dont deal with sinkholes. Its worried me and now its worrying me more that there appears to be no entity that looks at holes in the ground, she said. She has a caver friend in Hawaii shes called about it: Just come on Ive got a cave here that you need to see! she said she told him. However, hes too far away to be any help. When the hole appeared two years ago, she said many neighbors and others offered suggestions. They said it must have been a hole left from an old building being there, or a large tree which had been cut down, with the root system finally rotted out. However, she and her husband bought the two acres in Spencer with nothing on it in the 1960s. They built their house and outbuildings. She has asked around, and nobody remembers any structures or huge fallen trees anywhere on the property in years past. Only recently, she said, a neighbor said he remembered a huge old white oak, but it seemed like it was on the other side of her property. Now she jokes that, following Native American legend, that falling-in spot is a portal to another world. Dr. James Beard, Curator of Geology at the Virginia Museum of Natural History, said sinkholes are outside his area of expertise, but he does know a bit about them. It would be a strange place for sinkholes to develop, he said. Sink holes usually occur in areas where limestone is present, and there isnt known to be significant amounts in Henry County. Sinkholes are vertical caves, he said. Caves and sinkholes basically go hand in hand. They are formed by the same process. The closest area to here where caves and sinkholes are common is the Shenandoah Valley, where limestone is plentiful, he said. In this area, where limestone is not known to be, holes which occur are usually from human activity. They could be from trees which are buried underground, and finally rotted enough for the ground above them to fall through. They could be caused by old wells which never were filled in properly, or an old basement. Another cause of a sinkhole could be a leaking water main which washes out the ground, or a buried stream, he said. More than one (in the same place, from man-made activity) is unusual he said. Its really bizarre to have sinkholes develop around here not as a consequence of man-made activity. Lisa Hughes, the regional Resident Engineer for Virginia Department of Transportation, said VDOT maintenance personnel checked out the site last week. Its a sunk in place in the yard, not on the right of way, she said. We dont have any drainage facilities that caused it. Bill Henika, Appalachian Regional Geology Research Associate and Adjunct Professor of Geology, is a retired geologist for the Virginia Division of Geology and Mineral Resources, and he continues to work part time for the VMNH. He said he reviewed a map of Biggs property and wrote to her in an email that he has concluded that it is unlikely you are dealing with a karst (underlined by limestone) topography problem as there are no marbles or calcium carbonate rich rocks known in this area. The western Piedmont granite rocks in the Spencer area have been extensively faulted and fractured and are deeply weathered, he wrote in an email. My best guess is that you may be dealing with a common soils engineering problem known as soil piping. Piping involves physical erosion and resultant subsidence of fine clay soils on deeply weathered igneous and metamorphic rock soil profiles where water has percolated down gradient into fractured bed rock, he wrote. It also could be possible that there are old fill areas on the property which date back to the days of mining and exploration for mica, feldspar and emery deposits, he added. Engineering and geophysical contractors can do subsurface exploration to help understand the causes of such problems, he added. He referred Biggs to two agencies which she had said she called, only to be told they dont investigate possible sinkholes. For the present, though, Biggs is waiting to see what happens. I will keep going forward, and trying to get some suggestions, all the while saving my money for another truckload of gravel, she wrote in an email. Glad I purchased the Christmas gifts early, and wrapped the last one yesterday! Holly Kozelsky reports for the Martinsville Bulletin. She can be reached at holly.kozelsky@martinsvillebulletin.com This is my Daddys story of the day which will live in infamy. My father was Bill Davis, Martinsville High Class of 1940, and he was home on Christmas break from the Citadel and was sitting in the old Roxy Theater in downtown Martinsville watching a movie with friends. The heavy velvet curtains began to close as the lights came on and the movie stopped. The manager came out on stage and gave the announcement that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor and that the Post Office was now open for enlistment. Daddy said that every man in the room stood up and left the building and walked through town to the Post Office and enlisted. Im guessing that he was being generous when he said that every man tried to enlist but it certainly seemed like it to him on that day. He became a Master Sergeant and served in Italy, Algeria and North Africa and said very little about it. He told me about marching into Rome and seeing the bodies of Mussolini and his mistress hanging in the square as the townspeople filed by and spit on them. He mentioned being blown across a building in the seaport town of Bari, Italy during a bombing raid and talked about coming home on a big, crowded boat but he would never say anything more. In 1950 he and my mother returned to Martinsville where my younger brother and I grew up and Daddy always attended the Bulldog home games at the old Ben Ramsey Field. When I was in grade school at Patrick Henry Elementary, my brother J.P and I accompanied him and we always sat on the visitor side. At 7 and 8 I didnt think much about this, but one night I asked him and he said that he didnt like a lot of people crowding around him because he had too much of people being too close during the war. I never questioned but now I know it was probably what we today call PTSD. One thing never changed: when the National Anthem played, he made sure I had my hand over my heart and faced the flag. He didnt want me to see him cry. Tears ran down his face during every playing of the National Anthem as long as he lived. Daddy died young at 50 in 1971 and when mama called me to let me know, I was on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, less than 15 miles from Pearl Harbor. As for me, I work in a state-affiliated office, Lawrence County CareerLink, in New Castle, PA and the veterans representative working in our office made sure we all had an American flag for our work cubicles. On Wednesday, December 7, my flag will be lowered. We need to remember and if we dont have a story, we need to learn one. We need to learn that one of the main reasons America was thrust into the war in 1941 was because we had become increasingly isolationist and separated from the rest of the world and viewed our own history and ourselves as more important, as better than others. We cannot stay apart from the world, apart from those who are different. My grandmother, Maxine Reagan, always told me that when I had a choice between sitting next to someone I knew or someone who was different, always sit next to the new person because I could learn nothing from someone who was the same as I was; I could only learn from people who felt and knew differently from me. I have come to learn that Granny was right....ignoring differences breeds ignorance and distrust. Debby Gagliano is a former resident of Martinsville Harry Cook just missed the attack. Three days before the Japanese hit Pearl Harbor, he was there on the base, reviewing the troops. After he passed on, we went through some of my grandfathers things and dug up pictures from an old Air Force magazine that showed him there on Dec. 4, 1941. He never talked about it. Not to the grandkids. Not to his daughter, my mom or to my other grandfather, who fought in some of the same battles as he did. This very proud bird colonel, who served through the 50s before retiring in the North Carolina mountains, had never mentioned anything about the attack, let alone how close hed been. We all know the story, about Japanese destroyers and Zero fighters attacking the base and eventually bringing America into World War II. But theres a difference between knowing about history and living it, through the eyes of a friend or family member. I wonder sometimes if we dont take that for granted, the stories we hear of what they did and how things were way back when. For us, its just a story, something interesting to learn. But for each of these men and women, the stories they share are parts of their lives, memories of things they did and events they survived. And yet, how many times have we rolled our eyes, when they talk about an experience? How many times do we shrug and reach for an iPhone or laptop, pretending to listen to a tale? The worst part is when you do that and then one day theyre gone, with no more stories to tell. You sit back then and realize how much you missed out on, when they were still alive. The thing is, we dont always understand how hard it is to share some stories. Take my grandfathers visit to Pearl Harbor. I understand why he wouldnt talk about it. This was a man who knew every soldier that ever served with him. Up until his death, he could still tell you the men he commanded and even where they were from. With that in mind, it makes sense why he wouldnt talk about being there, so close to the attack. After all, how do you have that conversation? How do you start talking about your visit and not reflect on the men you met, people who were dead days later? It was hard enough for him to answer questions any of us had about his time leading soldiers in the war. He and my Grandpa Carlton both normally liked to tell stories of their time in the service, liked to share tales about going to Italy and what it was like, crossing into Normandy. For Harry, the Pacific was where he was stationed, ironic for someone who wasnt a fan of hot weather. Its funny the things you remember, the stories and pieces of information you recall. When they want to share a story with you, grandparents, friends or other family members are giving you a gift, part of their history, to be passed down. Maybe its a happy memory. Maybe its something sad they need to get off their chest. Maybe its just something random that they thought of. The very least we can do is listen. After all, there will come a time when we look back and wish they were still here, to share some more. 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. 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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 Delta-Airlines-saved-billions-with-lower-fuel-costs-in-2015.jpg Interested in catching a flight to Florida? Delta Air Lines announced this month the company will add two nonstop routes to Florida from Boston Logan International Airport. A pair of daily round-trip flights will run on the route to Tampa. A round-trip flight Saturdays and Sundays will be offered to Fort Myers. Expanded service from Boston will begin mid-February. Delta currently offers 83 daily departures from Boston to 16 domestic and five international locations, USA Today reports. Governor Steve Bullock and Montana Department of Commerce Director Meg OLeary announced a total of $320,000 in grant funding to twenty-seven Native American business owners to help grow and expand their businesses. The funds are being made available through the Indian Equity Fund (IEF) Small Business Grant Program. Eighty-five Native American businesses across Montana applied to the program this year. "Montana leads the nation in developing economic equity and genuine solutions in Indian Country through state support of Native American-owned businesses," said Governor Bullock. "These businesses are a reflection of the qualities that make Montana great and honor our oldest traditions of commerce, trade and prosperity." Full Story: http://commerce.mt.gov/News/PressReleases/ArtMID/19685/ArticleID/5241/Governor-Bullock-Announces-Grants-to-Grow-and-Expand-27-Native-American-Businesses Heat up the Holidays with Print! This December, you might be tempted to sip egg nog with loved ones while roasting chestnuts over an open fire, but now is the best time to get a leg up on your competition! 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Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets visited Uruguay for the Uruguayan Air Force Academys 100th anniversary celebration, Nov. 22-25. The Uraguayan Air Force Academy, Escuela Militar de Aeronautica, extended the invitation to AFROTC to come join in their celebration. The five selected cadets traveled to Montevideo, Uruguay, to participate in formal ceremonies and cultural activities, along with escort officer Capt. Amanda Barrett, Detachment 425 Recruiting Flight commander, Mississippi State University. The cadets and escort officers selection to attend the ceremony was based on their language abilities, regional experience and overall performance in AFROTC. The group was joined by delegations from Paraguay, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. Going to Uruguay was such a fantastic opportunity to learn differences in officer training and preparing leaders, Barrett said. While our Air Force is significantly bigger, their goals for training roughly 300 officers is similar to ours in the expectation of being the best at what they do. Barrett visited the country previously as part of the Language Enabled Airman Program, which helped position herself as the escort officer. I was prepared for the trip in both my knowledge of the language and the Uruguayan culture due to the outstanding training from the LEAP program, she said. Because of the program, I was able to handle all of the logistics of our official travel, overcome the language and culture barriers, and represent the Air Force in a positive way. Represented universities include University of Florida, University of South Florida, New Mexico State University, University of Wyoming, University of Delaware, and Mississippi State University. This was an experience of a lifetime, filled with new experiences and memories, said Cadet Edward Turos, Detachment 158 at University of South Florida. The cadets at the Uruguay Academy were really welcoming, providing us with lunch and showing us their facilities. There, we got to meet cadets from other countries such as Argentina, Paraguay, Chile and Brazil, sharing each others training experiences and even playing in a game of pool, in which we beat Paraguay. As the group began to prepare for their part in the ceremonies, some cultural miscommunication set in, and they quickly realized their participation would not be as routine as assumed. During the dry run for the ceremony, we came to the realization that ceremony did not mean an intricate dinner as we had expected, Turos said. Instead, it meant a parade ceremony for their commissioning class. We were soon mustered up in a five-hour parade practice where everything we knew about [marching] became irrelevant to the new Spanish commands that we were being taught, and flexibility became key. This long day finished with a late dinner with the rest of the international delegations, enjoying the exquisite taste of Uruguayan steak. This crash course on multi-national collaboration did extend beyond the parade field, as the cadets were afforded the opportunity to gain understanding of other air forces they may work with in the future. After the ceremony, we spent the rest of the time integrating with the cadets from the other nations, Turos said. As a pilot select, I used that time to learn about their pilot training and the different variety of aircraft from other countries. What stood out the most was the difference in the mission of our Air Force with theirs--ours having a high predominance in global-theater interest versus the national interest that their military is used for. For the remainder of the trip, the U.S. Embassy in Uruguay facilitated transportation and a tour guide that allowed the group to visit Colonia, the oldest city in Uruguay, and experience the local culture of Montevideo. The defense attache officer for the U.S. Embassy in Uruguay, Col. Lawrence Pravecek, joined the group and commended them on their positive representation of the U.S. Air Force. This experience allowed future Air Force leaders to get a greater understanding of the culture and society of the countries. This experience helped me learn more about the South American culture, taught me the importance of diplomacy and allowed me to make friends from other countries, said Cadet Marissa Trujillo, Detachment 940 at University of Wyoming. The U.S. Air Force puts a large emphasis on international relations and the joint mission, so opportunities like these help build those bonds between the U.S. and other countries. Noninvasive measurement of blood glucose is a holy grail of medicine, with the potential to revolutionize diabetes management. Integrity Applications, an Israeli firm, has developed a device that looks like a pulse oximeter that attaches to the ear lobe, but instead uses ultrasound, electromagnetic, and thermal data to measure the amount of glucose within the blood passing through the ear lobe. The firm already received the CE Mark for their technology in Europe and a clinical trial in preparation for FDA review is in the works. Avner Gal, Co-Founder, President & CEO of Integrity Applications, joined us to discuss the companys technology, how it can impact healthcare, and what the future holds for diabetes management and treatment. Heres a recording of the hangout: Flashbacks: GlucoTrack Non-Invasive Ear Lobe Glucometer to Go to Clinical Trial in U.S; GlucoTrack DF-F Noninvasive Glucose Meter Receives CE Mark; Non-Invasive Measurement of Blood Glucose Levels Using GlucoTrack: Interview with CEO Avner Gal; Link: Integrity Applications homepage Vacancy Announcement Business Development Services Specialist Background Since SNV opened its first DR Congo Office in Kinshasa in 2006, the emphasis of its work is on poverty alleviation guided by global value propositions in Agriculture, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH), and Energy. SNV aim is to achieve considerable impact through providing advisory services, facilitating knowledge development, brokering and networking, strengthening local capacity builders, project implementation and supporting advocacy at national and international levels Overview of the position As a leading international development organization with long-term programs in Africa, Asia and Central America, SNV is currently recruiting for a DRC-based Business Development Services Specialist for an upcoming, five-year, agriculture value chains project in South Kivu: Business Development Services Specialist will Lead agro-enterprise development work, including thought leadership on innovative business models, including working with existing private sector actors to develop business franchising strategies to extend coverage to larger portion of the nation. Work with other financial services specialists on the project team to develop innovative models for micro financing for agro-enterprises. Duty station: Bukavu Candidate Profile Applicants should be citizens or residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo French fluency required; working knowledge of English a plus. Minimum MBA or equivalent with 10+ years of experience in providing business development services to agricultural and other enterprises. Candidates should have established relationships with leading economic actors in Kivu How to Apply Candidate should submit a CV and cover letter to adrozynski@snvworld.org no later than 14th December 2016. To be considered, respondents must use BDS Specialist Application for Kivu VC as the subject line of their email Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted to schedule in-country interviews. Working at SNV: SNV offers a competitive remuneration package. We offer a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. For more information, please visit our website: www.snvworld.org We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement Error 404 Not Found You may have mis-typed the URL. Or the page has been removed. Actually, there is nothing to see here... Click on the links below to do something, Thanks! Take Me our of here by Tanya Gazdik , December 7, 2016 Enterprise Rent-A-Car is launching a digital travel magazine, which is the brands largest content marketing to date, according to Lee Broughton, vice president, Enterprise North American Brand Marketing. The launch comes on the heels of the brands recent new digital strategy, summed up with the phrase Moving You. In addition to emphasizing its comprehensive transportation offerings beyond car rental, Moving You works to extend the branch experience online and connect with customers on a more emotional level. The magazine, Pursuits with Enterprise, was created by 360i. Enterprise will use a combination of search, paid social, email and digital advertising to build awareness and drive visits to Pursuits. advertisement advertisement Our marketing team is innovating like never before, Broughton tells Marketing Daily. Were focused on creating emotional connections with customers that go beyond the car rental category. Sure, we rent cars, but so do other companies. To stand out, and stay on top, were placing a big bet make that investment on storytelling. Thats how well win today, and into the future. Stories featured in Pursuits with Enterprise aim to create meaningful connections with everyone the brand touches, he says. Content in the digital magazine is designed to move you emotionally, Broughton says. It may make you laugh, it may make you cry, it may do both. But ultimately, youll form a connection with the people and places featured in our stories. Youll learn about what moves them, what theyre passionate about. Brands can create truly moving content, and thats exactly what were embarking upon at Enterprise. Stories will be added on a regular basis, typically four to five new articles or videos each month. The intent is for the stories togo beyond the where and what of travel. Thats table-stakes content, and its been done before, Broughton says. Pursuits with Enterprise will get to the 'why' behind peoples journeys. Well be exploring what they hope to achieve and learn along the way, and how their travels help them dive deeper into things they care most about. We will also showcase how attainable meaningful weekend escapes and short jaunts of discovery can be. Among the stories featured in the debut of the digital magazine is a video called The Blind Hike. It spotlights Charles and Bob, a father and son who fuel their passion for adventure by hiking through some of the most challenging landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. This is no ordinary hike, however; Charles lost his eyesight at the age of 12. But both he and his dad, exploring step-by-step together as one, show us how this loss of eyesight has led them to a new level of vision, forming an unbreakable bond that only grows stronger with each new adventure. "'The Blind Hike' is just one of many stories we plan to tell in the months ahead," said Broughton. And these will be tales that go well beyond highlighting travel destinations. They will all reflect the rich layers of meaning in the name Pursuits; a pursuit can be a hobby, a chase, the act of striving for something a pursuit of the mind, of the heart, or of the soul. We will explore and chronicle the entire travel experience, including not only interactions but also inner journeys that have the power to change our lives. by Aaron Baar , December 6, 2016 Theres only so much jewelry and clothing a person can give and receive as a gift. Perhaps this holiday season might one suggest another option: a bidet toilet seat. Plumbing manufacturer Toto is taking to the airwaves this holiday season to promote its popular Washlet bidet seats. The company, which has already sold 40 million of the seats globally, has begun running a television commercial in three key markets to encourage people to try it out. Certainly one of the challenges we have is the experiential aspects of the products, Bill Strang, the companys president of operations and e-commerce, tells Marketing Daily. Its a product that people dont talk about. But once you begin to use it, the impact is significant. advertisement advertisement The television commercial, developed with Wray Ward Advertising in Charlotte, N.C., is stylish and mild, depicting streaming jets of water around one of the toilet seats as a voiceover describes the product as clean and simple and smarter than ever. It also promises a just showered feeling. The spot will run in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York through December and January on networks such as CNBC, HGTV, Bravo and The Travel Channel. The company is hoping to attract viewers who are using second screens while watching television to check out the product details on the products Web site, Strang says. The three markets were chosen because of their robust dealer options, where consumers can try out the product, Strang says. While many home-improvement companies ramp up their advertising in the late winter and spring to take advantage of warm weather renovations, the Washlet is not dependent on temperate conditions for installations, Strang says. Instead, the company is aiming for the gift-giving season, he says. Youve already bought as much jewelry and clothing for you and your partner as you can. he says. Its an opportunity to give to someone something that you havent given before. And before one can mock the idea of giving a loved one a toilet seat as a gift, Strand notes Jennifer Aniston recently (unprompted and organically) told Parade magazine that one of the best gifts shed ever given was a Toto toilet seat. The single most pervasive word that expresses the emotional [feelings] people have for this product is love, Strang says. by Chuck Martin , Staff Writer, December 6, 2016 Among other transformation, the Internet of Things will, in effect, create a lot more of what I view as digital eyes. Various types of sensors and tracking devices already are being deployed so that distant viewing of people or their activities can be remotely captured. Numerous examples of this have made some headlines recently. For example, a drone went missing in Orem, Utah, this week. The drone earlier had been spotted by a resident just outside his bathroom window. The man saw the drone land and picked it up later and brought it to the police, according to a story in a local news service, the Gephardt Daily, which passed on the police department alert, which read: Are you missing a quadcopter? Did you lose it this morning, in Orem? Are you looking over your shoulder to see if police are following you? Have you been convicted of voyeurism in the past? Does the SD card in your quadcopter camera have videos of people in their private bathrooms? On the same SD card, is there a picture of you flying your quadcopter? Would you like to turn yourself in before we have to come knocking on your door, maybe on Christmas morning, with a warrant? The post ends with the note: we know who you are, but lets make this easier on everyone. However, not everyone is so helpful in self-capturing themselves and thats where more connected technology comes in. Some examples: A resident in Apple Valley, Minnesota, had heard of packages being snatched off doorsteps in her neighborhood. She installed some Internet-connected security cameras outside her house pointing at the front steps and the garage. A startup has created IoT-enabled smart electronic tags that can be attached to clothing and other goods so that products moving on the shop floor can be tracked. When someone tries to take a product into a restricted area, an alert is sent from the tag to a sensor on the ceiling of the shop and then to a smartphone app on the security guards phone, according to a report in IBTimes. In Tustin, California, a few days ago, a GPS device concealed inside a bottle of cough syrup helped police capture two suspects of committing a burglary. More than 100 suspected thieves have been caught with the police departments use of GPS tracking devices, based on a report in the Los Angeles Times. And then there are cases of serendipity combining with connected technology. When a resident was flying his drone in Tulsa, Oklahoma, last week, he saw someone come out of a broken window with two bottles of scotch. The drone operator had his camera-equipped drone follow the men and hover overhead until the police arrived, according to NewsOn6 in Tulsa. Its not that digital eyes can technically always see something, but they pretty much can tell where things are and where theyre heading. by Tobi Elkin @tobielkin, December 6, 2016 More bad news about fake news: A new survey from Morning Consult finds more than 70% of Americans have heard about the fake news controversy, and nearly half (49%) say they have been exposed to fake news at least once a day through Facebook and Twitter. In addition, 69% of those polled said they have started to read a news story only to realize later that it wasnt real. On the question of whether Facebook, Twitter, and Google should be able to censor fake news, a majority of Americans say they are comfortable with tech companies censoring fake news 71% said it was appropriate for Google, Facebook and Twitter to remove fake news, and 67% said it was appropriate for Web service providers to remove it. advertisement advertisement With regard to who is most responsible for policing fake news, Americans think they and social media sites are most responsible for policing fake news, but believe all actors must play a role. For example, 24% of Americans said "the person reading the news" is the most responsible for ensuring they are not exposed, followed by Facebook and Twitter at 17%. The government comes in third with 14% of the vote, followed by Web services providers at 10%, and search engines (such as Google) at 9%. Notably, Democrats are more likely than Republicans to say that social media sites are more responsible for ensuring that people are not exposed to fake news (21% versus 17%). And Republicans are more likely to say "the person reading the news" is more responsible (25% versus 20%). Interestingly, credibility among news outlets varies. For example, CNN led cable news channels, with 60% saying it's a credible news source. ABC was the highest-ranked broadcast channel, chosen by 67% of respondents as a credible source. In addition, 64% percent viewed The Wall Street Journal as credible, while 63% viewed the New York Times as credible. And 18% of respondents said The Onion is credible, while 19% said the same of Breitbart News. by Richard Whitman , Columnist, December 6, 2016 Five U.S. Senators have written a letter to the Government Accountability Office asking the organization to conduct a study into the advertising habits of government agencies as it relates to how much they allocate to minority-owned agencies and media outlets. The five senators are Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.). A letter was sent this month to GAO Comptroller General Gene Dodaro asking the agency to issue a report on federal government spending habits with minority-owned publications, public relations firms, advertising agencies, and media companies. The letter read, in part, News outlets and media companies owned or published by people of color are critical to ensuring that diverse viewpoints are presented to the American people. As one of the largest advertisers in the United States, the federal government should play an active role in ensuring that minority-owned media outlets have fair opportunities to compete for and be awarded federal advertising contracts. On the Senators' request, National Newspaper Publishers Association CEO Benjamin Chavis said, The NNPA and NAHP thank Senators Booker, Schumer, Menendez, Hirono and Gillibrand for helping to push for this strategically important GAO inquiry. 2017 should be the year of greater economic equity and parity with respect to more inclusiveness in the billions of dollars spent annually by government departments and agencies on advertising. advertisement advertisement This request from the senators follows another earlier this year by Democratic Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. Of her request and that of the senators, Norton said, We believe that this request is particularly timely, because GAO will be conducting an audit of spending by federal agencies on public relations and advertising, Norton said. We ask [the GAO] to take this opportunity to consider how much is spent with newspapers and other media companies that are owned by people of color and whose audiences are largely African-American or Hispanic. The last time the GAO looked into this was 2007. At that time, the GAO looked at spending on advertising with minority-owned businesses by five government agencies: the Department of Defense, Department of the Treasury, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of the Interior and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It was found that just five percent of the $4.3 billion spent on ad campaigns went to minority-owned businesses. On the topic of government spending with minority-owned ad agencies, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman G.K. Butterfield said, Historically, there has been a lack of adequate federal government funding granted to disadvantaged and minority-owned advertising agencies. This issue shows the systemic problems that exist across numerous arenas in both the public and private sector. by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, December 6, 2016 Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter and YouTube said this week they will work together to remove terrorist videos and photos from their services. The Web services providers intend to create a database that uses digital fingerprinting techniques to identify photos, videos and other images that can be used to promote terrorism. "Our companies will begin sharing hashes of the most extreme and egregious terrorist images and videos we have removed from our services -- content most likely to violate all of our respective companies content policies," they said in a joint blog post. The move comes the same week that European officials reportedly said the companies weren't moving quickly enough to combat extremism. advertisement advertisement In the U.S., unlike Europe, Web companies aren't required to censor their sites. While some people have attempted to sue Twitter, Facebook and other companies for allegedly encouraging terrorism, those efforts have failed in court. Facebook and the other Web companies are spinning their move as one that will "further our shared objective to prevent the spread of terrorist content online while respecting human rights." But some observers warn that the new policing efforts could create a precedent that can be used to censor a wide range of material. "These companies will undoubtedly face substantial pressure from governments and private actors across the globe to expand the scope of the database and include additional content in it," the digital rights group Center for Democracy & Technology writes today in a blog post. The group also warns against the prospect that, acting together, the four companies will together be able to wield new power to purge information from the Web. "If an image or video can reliably be suppressed from all the major social media platforms at once, what will happen to peoples ability to find this material to inform news, political debate, academic research, policy discussions, art, literature, or any of the myriad other wholly legitimate reasons to post and access even horrific examples of terrorist propaganda?" the CDT asks. "Proposals such as this one that focus on smoothing the way for coordinated censorship create substantial dangers for the future of the information society." by Sara Guaglione , December 6, 2016 has hired former executive editor ofStephen Mooallem as its editor in chief. Mooallem is's third editor this year and the third since Peter D. Barbey bought the paper in 2015. In January, Barbey replaced top editor Tom Finkel with Will Bourne, who had edited for six months in 2013. But eight months later, Bourne was let go and Joe Levy, a contributing editor at Rolling Stone, was filling in as interim editor. Levy will remain at the Voiceto assist Mooallem as he transitions into the role. In an interview, Mooallem, who has also served as editor in chief of Interview magazine, said he spent a few months filling in at the Voice's international news desk when he first moved to New York after college years ago. advertisement advertisement Back then, The Village Voice gave a window and access to an entire way of living and being that was endemically New York, a creative and bohemian life with a halo of authenticity around it that was very appealing, he said. Mooallem hopes to bring the Voice back to those golden years. The weekly was hit particularly hard when newspapers went digital. Mooallem steps into the editor in chief position on December 29, before The Voice unveils its expansive relaunch slated for 2017. When asked whether the timing posed a unique challenge to the role, Mooallem said, its definitely a challenge, but it's an amazing and necessary challenge. He hopes to address the way people are consuming information and look at how we can apply what the Voice does across platforms. Mooallem said the Voice will focus on developing its digital and social media presence, as well as fashion coverage and the Voice's connection with the New York community through its cultural partnerships. The Village Voice also announced today that publisher Suzan Gursoy will add the role of chief operating officer to her title. Gursoy said the company is working on existing and new industry partnerships that will be reflected across all platforms when the paper relaunches next year. She added that they are developing a new media product that will be part of The Village Voice umbrella," but did not give further detail. Detroit Free Press, Wednesday, December 7, 2016 8 AM Tesla Motors has opened a 700-foot gallery inside a Nordstrom store. The automaker appears to be abiding by a Michigan law that restricts sales of vehicles to franchised dealers. It is the automakers first location in Michigan. There is one vehicle, a Model X, on display and a separate exhibit featuring the car's interior. Read the whole story at Detroit Free Press The New York Times, Wednesday, December 7, 2016 7:22 AM Alonzo Knowles, a Bahamian man who hacked into the email accounts of celebrities, was sentenced to five years in prison. The 24 year-old man illegally accessed the email accounts of actors, producers and athletes to steal unreleased scripts and music as well as personal information including intimate images of famous people. He then tried to sell these documents for thousands of dollars. Read the whole story at The New York Times by Thom Forbes @tforbes, December 7, 2016 President-elect Donald Trump yesterday tweeted that costs are out of control at Boeing for a new Air Force One still in the planning stages and called for canceling the order. He followed up by telling reporters in the lobby of Trump Tower, I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number. In a statement, Boeing responded that it is only under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of this complex military aircraft that serves the unique requirements of the President of the United States, Curt Mills reports for US News. Previous presidents exerted a light touch with businesses, tackling industries as a whole while discussing policy in overarching tones, writes Peter Schroeder for The Hill. Trump, who built his name and brand in business, has shown a repeated interest in diving into specific brawls with particular companies, to the point that a company in his sights could see a tweet swing its stock price. advertisement advertisement Boeing shares quickly dropped 1.4% in morning trading after the comment but recovered to finish up slightly, reports MarketWatchs Tomi Kilgore. In recent days, Mr. Trump has threatened to impose a 35% tariff on companies that move jobs overseas and then ship goods into the U.S. On Dec. 1, he announced that the Carrier unit of United Technologies Corp. would retain 800 jobs in the U.S. after he pressed the company not to move certain operations to Mexico. On Dec. 2, he chided valve maker Rexnord Corp. about its plans to move some operations to Mexico, recall Doug Cameron and Damian Paletta for the Wall Street Journal. After meeting with Trump on Tuesday, Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son the founder and CEO of SoftBank said he will invest $50 billion in new startups in the United States, committing to creating 50,000 new jobs over an unspecified time period, the Hong Kong Standard reports. But Trumps comments about Boeing topped the news cycle. A new version of Air Force One wont be available until at least 2023, late in Trumps second term if he is re-elected. Until then, Trump will inherit the aircraft that now transports President Barack Obama, replacing the billionaires beloved, gold-trimmed Boeing 757 that flew him across the country during his campaign, points out Bloombergs Margaret Talev. Air Force One, though, is no mere 747. The plane is an airborne White House, said Mackenzie Eaglen, a defense fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. It is equipped with secure communications, classified defense systems and even an operating room, and is built to be refueled in mid-air and to survive a nuclear war. There is no easy replacement. In any event, Boeing has not been awarded a contract to build the plane though logically it is the only U.S. manufacturer with the capability to build such an aircraft, reports the Washington Posts Glenn Kessler in a story dissecting the inaccuracies in the Trump tweet. Another is that the eventual cost for two planes, not one is still up in the air. The Air Force hasnt released a total dollar amount for the program yet. The program includes two aircraft and is still in the development stages. So far the Air Force has budgeted $2.7 billion for the program. But thats for research, development and testingnot manufacturing, writes Christian Davenport in another story for the Washington Post. The Air Force expects this number to change as the program matures with the completion of risk reduction activities, it said in a statement. But the real cost could grow to $4 billion, according to an analysis by Todd Harrison, a defense analyst with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Davenport writes. Say or tweet what you will, the president-elects penchant for letting his feelings be known has even James Pethokoukis of the conservative American Enterprise Institute questioning the wisdom of doing so. Its still too early to establish how much of this was just one-off behavior and how much of this is going to become the modus operandi of the new administration, he tells the Financial Times Shawn Donnan. However, if it does become how a Trump administration works with business it would mark a fundamental shift for a U.S. economy that has long thrived on the credo that the market decides and where businesses have been free of the sort of political pressure they might face in places such as China, Donnan writes. This is a novel political experiment and maybe its worth running, Pethokoukis said. But Id rather not run it with the largest economy in the world. by Philip Rosenstein , Staff Writer, December 7, 2016 Donald Trump has shown contempt for the press throughout his campaign, with little to no improvement in his treatment of reporters now that he is the president-elect. This utter disrespect and aggression toward one of a democracys most important pillars may continue into his presidency. Conservative radio show host Laura Ingraham has been floated as a top contender for White House press secretary, the public face of the administration. Ingraham met on Tuesday with the president-elect at Trump Tower. Her impressive resume includes working as a Supreme Court law clerk and for a big New York law firm. She has also created successful conservative news outlets and is a regular contributor for Fox News. Ingrahams views fit well with those of Trump, particularly when it comes to disdain for the news media. They share a fondness for the alt-right, or what she calls new media. Speaking with Politico, Ingraham explained: New media has spent enormous time and resources covering Benghazi, the FBI investigation, Wikileaks, Planned Parenthood and the corrupt Justice Department. advertisement advertisement None of these things and others would have come to light without the New Media. ABC, NBC, The Washington Post are worse than irrelevant. We now must make fun of them. The question of how Trump will treat the press is important to understanding the administrations interaction with the American people. President Barack Obamas White House held a daily press briefing throughout the past almost eight years. He allowed reporters of all political stripes to ask tough questions of the presidents policies. As a predictor of how a Trump West Wing will act, all we have is the campaign. During it, Trump demonized the press, he even singled out individual reporters launching attacks that were furthered by his supporters. To intimidate the press is inherently un-American. It means intimidating the representatives of the American citizenry; they double as the watchdogs to power. With Steve Bannon in the administration, and Ingraham as a possible press secretary, we can predict favoritism for certain news outlets and the beginning of the dismantling of a free press. by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, December 7, 2016 Its been a long road for Timemagazine and Donald Trump. The magazine first planted its flag on the controversial presidential candidate with a cover showing a cartoon of Trumps face melting in August, following a series of seemingly unelectable gaffes. Then it returned to the attack in October, showing the same cartoon face turned into a puddle on the floor in a Total Meltdown, reflecting the conventional wisdom that his maverick presidential campaign was circling the drain. Its a rather different portrayal of Donald Trump that will grace the cover of Times forthcoming issue as the magazines iconic Person of the Year. There are no cartoons, this time the cover portrait is a photo of Trump regarding the viewer coolly from over the back of a chair, as if to say Welcome to the party. That is perhaps a subtle admission that the previous covers got it all wrong. The cover tagline simply reads: Donald Trump. President of the Divided States of America. Theres no question Trump deserves the recognition of Person of the Year, which Times editors have always been quick to point out does not constitute an endorsement. After a campaign filled with unprecedented invective, the billionaire outsiders victory sent shock waves through the Washington establishment. It defied all the predictions of pundits and pollsters, and calling into question the credibility of the mainstream news media, which failed to see it coming. Time editor Nancy Gibbs told NBCs "Today Show": When have we ever seen a single individual who has so defied expectations, broken the rules, violated norms, beaten not one but two political parties on the way to winning an election that he entered with 100-1 odds against him. I don't think we have ever seen one person operating in such an unconventional way have an impact on the events of the year quite like this. Beyond this, Trump may well become the symbolic leader of a broader populist moment sweeping democracies around the world, inspired by rising sentiment against globalization and immigration. That trend that has also included Greeces vote against the EU bailout terms, the election of far-right populists in Poland and Hungary, Brexit, Colombias vote against the proposed peace deal with its FARC rebels, and most recently, Italys vote against constitutional reform. In that sense, Trump is probably also a harbinger of things to come. Expect more Time covers bearing his likeness. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, December 7, 2016 Glassdoor has published its Employees' Choice Awards, highlighting the best places to work based on more than 2.1 million anonymous company reviews. Bain & Company took the No. 1 ranking for the third time (2017, 2014 and 2012), and is among only three employers that have made this list for nine consecutive years. Tech companies took many of the accolades for the best places to work. Those that manage to create a work and family life balance seem to have the highest scores. Facebook helped to catapult Facebook into the No. 2 spot. "I'm a 55 year old working in a company where the average age is 28, and I've never been happier. I have always wanted to work in a company where I wasn't the proverbial square peg, and after nearly 30 years in the work force, I believe that I have found the company that complements my ideology for how a company should operate," according to one reviewer. advertisement advertisement The No 3 spot went to Boston Consulting Group, Google took No. 4 based on its good-quality free food, excellent health insurance and 401K retirement plans. World Wide Technology rounds out the top five. Other tech companies on the list include LinkedIn at No. 8, Adobe at No. 9, SAP at No. 15, MathWorks at No. 16, Salesforce at No. 17, and Intuit at No. 20. Apple appeared on the Top 50 list at No. 36, and Microsoft at No. 37. The top five "Best Small & Medium Companies to Work for in 2017" began with Greenhouse Software at No. 1, Illuminate Education at No. 2, Entelo at No 3, SailPoint Technologies at No. 4, and SeatGeek at No. 5. Winners are determined based on company reviews shared by employees during the past year. Eligibility requires an organization to receive at least 75 employee reviews during the past year. This year the awards features six categories honoring the Best Places to work in the U.S., Canada, UK, France, and Germany. by Sara Guaglione , December 7, 2016 has hired Lydia Polgreen, editorial director of NYT Global at, to be its new editor-in-chief, replacing co-founder Arianna Huffington. Polgreen will be only the second editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post since its launch in 2005. Huffington left the company this August to launch Thrive Global, a start-up focused on health and wellness. The Huffington Post has since been operating under an interim editorial committee and CEO Jared Grusd. Polgreen, who is also associate masthead editor at The New York Times, said in an interview with The Huffington Post that she could not pass up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." advertisement advertisement She added the site has the potential and the possibility of really meeting this populist moment were living in and meeting people where they actually are. Polgreen told the NYT her main challenge is to get The Huffington Post back in touch with its fundamental roots in reporting. In her nearly 15 years at the NYT, Polgreen helped oversee the launch of The New York Times en Espanol and served as a foreign correspondent in South Africa, India and West Africa, as well as a deputy international editor. In April, she became editorial director for NYT Global and had a key role in spearheading the newspaper's expansion into international markets. It is likely Polgreen will promote a strong global presence for The Huffington Post, which now has 17 international editions. Dean Baquet, the executive editor of the NYT, said in an interview with the NYT: "I have to admit to a certain pride that The Huffington Post saw the value of hiring one of the Times great young stars. On Twitter, some media reporters are suggesting Polgreen may be one of the the first queer woman of color to head the masthead of a major publication. A common class of drugs for vision loss may actually add to the problem in some patients, according to new research co-led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI). The new study in animal models suggests that some therapies for age-related wet macular degeneration (ARMD) may leave the eyes - and kidneys - of some patients vulnerable to cellular damage by hampering the body's ability to make a protective molecule called inhibitory complement factor H (CFH). The study is also the first to identify a common pathway in two seemingly disparate organs: the eye and the kidney. "This suggests we need to be more cautious in our approach with patients," said TSRI Professor Martin Friedlander, who co-led the study with Moin A. Saleem of the University of Bristol. The findings were published online ahead of print in The Journal of Clinical Investigation. A Link to Cellular Damage The new study focused on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a molecule that drives the development of new blood vessels, regulates their permeability and maintains their normal function. In cases of age-related wet macular degeneration, VEGF causes leaky blood vessels to grow in the eye, leading to vision loss as blood and cellular debris escape the vessels. To counter blood vessel growth, patients with age-related macular degeneration are frequently prescribed medication composed of VEGF inhibitors to reduce their levels of the molecule. About one-third of patients respond well to treatments, but about one-third do not respond and one-third have continued or increased vision loss. "We don't know why some patients get worse - perhaps because we haven't been asking the right questions," said Friedlander, who is also a practicing retina specialist in the Division of Ophthalmology at The Scripps Clinic of Scripps Health. VEGF inhibitors are also used as anti-cancer drugs, and a known side effect of this is kidney problems that can range from raised blood pressure and development of protein in the urine to severe damage to the kidney filtration unit, the glomerulus, particularly its blood vessels. It was thought that the doses given to age-related wet macular degeneration patients into the eye were too small to have these effects; however, there have been reports to suggest that some patients are susceptible to these side effects, too. Scientists in previous studies had also observed that both eye and kidney disease patients frequently had a mutation (or "polymorphism") that decreased their ability to produce functional CFH, leaving cells vulnerable to damage. This observation led Friedlander and his colleagues to study this medication's connection to side effects in the eyes and the kidneys. A Potentially Harmful Combination The researchers knocked out the ability of mouse models to produce VEGF and found that the animals could no longer produce CFH, leaving their cells vulnerable to damage. Similar results were found in both the eye and the kidney. The researchers saw the same phenomenon when they blocked VEGF with the use of inhibitors. This led the team to conclude that VEGF inhibitors appear to cause unintended consequences as a result of VEGF inhibition and an associated reduction in the synthesis of CFH. In addition, the scientists observed that CFH synthesis ceased in the eye's retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and the main cells in the kidney filtration unit (the glomerulus) without VEGF. This had not been described before and the kidney cells studied had not previously been shown to produce CFH. Furthermore, models with the CFH polymorphism were indeed more vulnerable to cellular damage. "We found evidence that the polymorphism associated with ARMD could change the function of the CFH protein, making it less effective at protecting cells from damage," said study first author Lindsay S. Keir, previously at TSRI and the University of Bristol and currently at Northwestern University. Finally, the researchers created RPE cells from induced pluripotent stem cells, a kind of adult stem cell that can differentiate into any cell in the body. Again, the team saw that cells with the CFH mutation responded differently to VEGF inhibition. This was compared to kidney cells obtained for a patient with a known CFH gene mutation who had a kidney disease called atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. "We concluded that if you have the CFH polymorphism, and you're treated with a VEGF antagonist, you're at much higher risk of developing a worse disease," said Friedlander. "More work is needed to precisely determine which patients are at risk, but it would be prudent to monitor patients for kidney side effects so that any problems can be picked up early," added Keir. The researchers also believe doctors could take steps now by reducing VEGF inhibitor treatments if they don't appear to be working and considering screening patients for the CFH mutation. In addition to Friedlander, Saleem and Keir, authors of the study, "VEGF regulates local inhibitory complement proteins in the eye and kidney," were Daniel Feitelberg, Susumu Sakimoto and Edith Aguilar of TSRI; Rachel Firth, Gavin I. Welsh, Valeryia Kuzmuk, Richard J. Coward and Simon C. Satchell of the University of Bristol; Anna Richards of the University of Edinburgh; Yoshihiko Usui of TSRI and Tokyo Medical University Hospital; Jonathan Goult and Katherine R. Bull of the University of Oxford; Ruchi Sharma and Kapil Bharti of the National Institute of Health's National Eye Institute; Peter D. Westenskow, previously at TSRI and the Lowy Medical Research Institute, currently at Baylor College of Medicine; and Iacovos P. Michael of the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Switzerland. The study was supported by a Medical Research Council Clinical Research Training Fellowship (grant G0901987), a University of Bristol MRC Centenary award, a NIHR clinical lecturer post, a Wellcome Trust intermediate clinical training fellowship (grant WT085226; 2009-2014), the National Eye Institute (grant EY011254) and The Lowy Medical Research Institute. Article: VEGF regulates local inhibitory complement proteins in the eye and kidney, Moin A. Saleem, Martin Friedlander et al., The Journal of Clinical Investigation, doi: 10.1172/JCI86418, published 5 December 2016. Advertisement Carriers of the mutations were also less likely to survive for 10 years (30.6% versus 60.9%) than individuals lacking the mutations. The greater mortality in mutation carriers wasn't only due to second cancers, but was also the result of other conditions such as heart attacks and strokes, for reasons the scientists say aren't yet clear.The most commonly mutated gene in the transplant patients was PPM1D, which plays a key role in cells' DNA damage repair toolkit.The mutations cause an abnormal condition called CHIP (clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential), an age-related phenomenon that occurs in 10 to 15% of patients over age 65. In clonal hematopoiesis, some blood-forming stem cells acquire mutations and spawn clones - subpopulations of identical cells that expand because they have gained a competitive advantage over normal stem cells. Individuals with CHIP don't have symptoms or obvious abnormalities in their blood counts, but researchers are studying whether CHIP in some cases might represent the earliest seeds of blood cancers.The new study is the first to systematically look at how CHIP influences outcomes in patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplants, according to the report, whose first author is Christopher J. Gibson of Dana-Farber. The senior author is Benjamin L. Ebert of Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center.Gibson noted that 30% of the patients with CHIP had more than one mutation, and those patients had even greater odds of developing second cancers and their overall survival was worse than individuals having only one mutation.The CHIP mutations may be caused by a combination of aging and prior treatment with chemotherapy for their disease, and could also be related to the lymphoma itself, Gibson said.The authors said the study findings may have clinical implications. "They suggest the need to specifically study the connection between CHIP and lymphoma more deeply, which could be accomplished by assessing CHIP in patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma prior to the administration of any chemotherapy or mobilizing agents," they wrote. "They also suggest the need to consider alternative therapeutic approaches" for lymphoma patients who have a high risk of developing second cancers and are being considered for autologous stem cell transplants.Source: Eurekalert Advertisement Tyrosine- kinase inhibitors are found to improve leukemia treatment through a daily pill. Drugs like imatinib, bosutinib are found to be useful options for leukemia treatment.Leukemia drugs are highly effective. However, the treatment cost and side effects of the drugs have led several questions to doctors and patients on whether to continue the medications or not.Current guidelines state that tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy should be continued by patients. Side effects of the therapy may include stomach problems, chronic headaches and fatigue. Drugs taken during pregnancy may also lead to birth defects.A new research study from the University of Liverpool has found that reducing the dose of the drug to half can help to minimize side effects of the therapy.The research study conducted on 174 participants shows 93% of no evidence on leukemia relapse for one year after halving the dose. These patients also reported a decrease in the side effects within the three months.Only 12 participants showed signs of leukemia relapse after resuming full dose of the drug within four months. And patients with low levels of leukemia are less likely to suffer from relapse when compared to those who are at a severe stage (MR3 remission).Richard Clark, University's Institute of Translational Medicine, said "Low rates of rebound overall suggest it is safe for MR3 patients to reduce their TKI dose if desired. Any benefits in terms of reducing side effects should become apparent within the first three months.""Taken together, these findings indicate that some patients are being unnecessarily over-treated."The other important implication is that patients do not have to have extremely low levels of leukaemia on very sensitive tests in order to safely try reducing their TKI dose." he added.Source: Medindia 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. A rock band from Lebanon, The Wanton Bishops consist of Nader Mansour on vocals, guitar, harmonica, and keyboards and Eddy Ghossein on guitar, backing vocals, and banjo. Formed in 2011, the band was part of the second wave of popular garage rock revival and are still regarded as one of the leading bands in the Middle East. Facebook They released their first EP Bad Rhyme in 2012 and the music perfectly reflected the blues rock sound that brought these two artists together in the first place. The duo became an underground sensation due to their regular touring and a viral presence on social media, media appearances, and extensive licensing of their songs. Soon they became global and started playing at international tour dates. Towards the end of 2012, they added four more tracks to their EP and released a full fledged album called Sleep with the Lights On. Along with earning them additional tour dates, this album got the a lot of critical acclaim with The Turkish press even calling them "the best band you've never heard of". The Wanton Bishops have stated that their music is about seduction and surrender, heart and stomp, which surely explains their viral success. Facebook You can catch these talented musicians at the Magnetic Fields Festival happening on 9th, 10th and 11th December in Rajasthan. We might curse the Internet for glorifying inappropriate and hurtful trolls and memes at times, but let's not forget that just like every coin has two sides, social media, too, acts as a silver lining when you least expect it. That's exactly what happened with 65-year-old Nazer al-Islam Abdul Karim, a Bangladeshi cleaner who was mocked on Instagram for gazing at the window of a jewellery shop in Saudi Arabia. The trolls were hoping that more people will join in to support and laugh at that pathetic post, but they forgot that people aren't as heartless as they were to joke about someone's misery. . . pic.twitter.com/Md3fVUjqUB (@ensaneyat) December 3, 2016 Karim was looking at the window when someone took his picture without his consent and uploaded on social media with this caption This man deserves to only look at rubbish. Agitated over this rude comment, a Twitter handle named Ensaneyat used by Abdullah Al-Qahtani, took the initiative to find the man and started asking people to identify the picture. pic.twitter.com/x1KCQ7JPo8 (@ensaneyat) December 4, 2016 What's more, the trolls got a slap on their faces as most people, after reading those derogatory remarks, joined the campaign to find the old man. After a few days, people were able to track him down. After he was found, Karim was showered with gifts, jewellery, cash, honey, return tickets to his home country, bags of rice and two smartphones an iPhone 7 and a Samsung Galaxy; and much more. https://t.co/sHRd7DWqGj pic.twitter.com/pp0Mb48nnp (@turkialdajam) December 4, 2016 A delighted Karim told CNN, I was just doing my job as a cleaner in the municipality and found myself in front of the gold shop. I am very happy about the gifts and very thankful. These acts of kindness show that humanity is still present and can surprise you when you are least expecting it. As for all those trolls, jokes and memes are meant to make people laugh and not hurt someone's sentiments. Source: The Telegraph Well, it was a quite a big deal when the iPhone 7 ditched the headphone jack and many people moaned about it for months. However, according to reports, it seems like the trend is going to be continued by Samsung and their next flagship phone, the Galaxy S8, will also forgo the headphone jack. BCCL Since Samsung fucked up the Note 7 and literally burned things down, a lot is riding on Samsungs next flagship phone. Everybody wants to know what Samsung's next move is and a jack-less Galaxy S8 does not seem to be the answer. This move might keep Samsung in line with the trend but we dont believe it is the way to move forward for Samsung. A Samsung Galaxy phone without an audio-jack means that future owners will have to resort to wireless headphones or headphones that would be compatible with USB-C ports. BCCL Removing the headphone jack does free up space that can be utilised by manufacturers to install a bigger battery or a thinner phone but it still does not seem like a good idea for Samsung since they are looking for a promising rebound. The extra free space might solve Samsungs woes as the Note 7 was packed with a battery that did not leave enough space for it to expand and caused the phone to catch fire. YouTube SamMobile, which broke the story, have sources that say the Galaxy S8 will: Use a 2K screen resolution (same as the S7) instead of a 4K display Have better screen quality because of a new AMOLED display material Have a higher screen-to-body ratio Lose the physical home button Add an optical fingerprint scanner Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy S8 in February at the Mobile World Congress show. Alternate Foreign Minister G. Katrougalos met on 2 December with the Ambassador of South Korea, Young-jip Ahn. In their talks, which took place in a very friendly climate, they noted the excellent bilateral relations between Greece and South Korea, on a political and economic level, and underscored the potential for further tightening of those relations. The South Korean Ambassador underscored the South Koreans interest in Greece as a tourism destination. Further, he highlighted the business environment South Korea offers for Greek enterprises, particularly in the sector of high-quality agricultural products. The Alternate Foreign Minister thanked the South Korean Ambassador for South Koreas $2.3 million contribution -- made through the UNHCR -- to our country for the purpose of dealing with the refugee crisis in 2015 and 2016. Mr. Katrougalos also stressed the potential that exists for further promotion of economic relations, as well as for scientific and cultural exchanges between Greece and South Korea. The Deputy Foreign Minister for Greek Diaspora Affairs, Terens Quick, today met with the Australian Ambassador to Greece, John Griffin. During the meeting, they reaffirmed the traditional ties of friendship linking the two countries; ties based not only on common historical experiences, but also on the large Greek community residing in Australia. Within the framework of the proceedings of the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs (Brussels, 6-7 December 2016), Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias today met with his Montenegrin counterpart, Srdjan Darmanovic. During the meeting, the Montenegrin Foreign Minister expressed gratitude for Greeces support for his countrys accession to the North Atlantic Alliance and the European Union, highlighting that Montenegros Euroatlantic course has multiple benefits for regional stability. Mr. Kotzias announced that the Hellenic Parliament will be ratifying Montenegros Protocol of Accession to NATO within January 2017, expressing Greeces willingness to provide know-how on European issues -- a proposal that was immediately accepted. Also underscored by Foreign Minister Kotzias was the potential for enriching bilateral relations, particularly through economic, military, cultural and academic cooperation between the two sides. Mr. Kotzias also set out his vision for the development of cooperation networks aimed at improving coordination among the Balkan countries. This endeavour, he stressed, will initially contribute to the consolidation of regional stability and, in the future, is expected to facilitate communication among the Balkan states within the EU framework. Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias had, a short while ago, a telephone conversation with the UN Secretary-Generals Special Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, who briefed Mr. Kotzias on the meetings and talks he had in Turkey. Messrs. Kotzias and Eide also discussed the further actions that will be taken in the coming time in the framework of the efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue. Today we had the meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs. We looked at the issue of NATO-Russia relations, the issue of NATOs actions in the South, while the main subject of discussion was NATO-EU relations. Tomorrow we will be discussing NATO-Ukraine and NATO-Afghanistan relations. Our positions are that we should find a way to shape a security architecture for the whole of Europe -- stability. Moreover, we are of the opinion that NATO itself should explore how it perceives its role in the 21st century, together with the EU, what kind of outlooks, values and visions it wants to have. And mainly, how it will contribute to the stability of peace and the consolidation of a sense of security in the Middle East, together with the EU, in order to contribute to a two-state solution, Palestine and Israel. I am having a number of meetings: I met with the Ministers of Georgia and Montenegro. I will see the Albanian Minister and the FYROM Minister. I talked again with my German colleague and with the Foreign Minister of Hungary, and during these two days -- or in Hamburg, where the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial is taking place -- I will have a discussion with the Foreign Minister of Turkey. F.W. STEINMEIER: This age of civil strife Is no age for poetry and such like: when something is about to be written it's as if it were being written on the other side of death announcements which is why my poems are so bitter (and when - in any case - were they not?) and are - above all - also so few Dear Nikos Kotzias, Dear organizers of this exhibition, Dear guests, Memory may be painful. We Germans know this. And it is something that you also feel in Greece, especially here in Thessaloniki. I started with a poem by Nikos Engonopoulos, written in 1948. It makes us feel how difficult it is to find words for what he went through and open the way to memory. Today we are inaugurating an exhibition entitled: Divided Memories. This exhibition attempts to do what our poet is struggling to do: Reveal the past -- especially there where we have no memory or just a vague memory, or even contradictory memories. Where our blind spots are, there it sheds light on the past. The exhibition presents the dark decade in Greek history, 1940-1950, showing which historical images overlap and at times compete amongst themselves. For us Germans, there is a memory that is fixed at the epicentre of our gaze, and that is the years of the occupation of Greece by the German Wehrmacht. We Germans are aware of our political and moral responsibility for the atrocities in Greece. The traces they left are deep. And it is these traces that we can find again here at this museum. Especially here in this space, you see a series of photographs, black and white, against a black background. In the photographs we see children, and the more closely we look at them, the more difficult it is for us. We see children so weak that they cannot stand on their own feet; children dying of hunger. The photographs are from the great famine in Greece during the years of the occupation, especially in 1941 and 1942. These photographs give a face to the terror of hunger, shining light on the fog of anonymity. And this is feasible only because, at that time, some courageous Greeks, Voula Papaioannou first among them, documented the barbarity with their cameras, despite the strict prohibition from the German conquerors, and in spite of the shortage of supplies -- because the local Kodak factory had been destroyed. And thats not all: Voula Papaioannou succeeded in getting photographs out of the country to sound the alarm to the whole world. After the war, she collected her photographs in an album of black cardboard, which she called the Black Album, and you see the photographs here today. Giving a face to memory. This holds true for another chapter in history; a chapter whose magnitude in numbers is virtually inconceivable: 96% 50,000 These are the cold numbers that carry within them the hatred and rage with which the Nazi regime acted here in Thessaloniki. Ninety-six percent of the Jewish population of Thessaloniki was deported to Auschwitz. 50,000 people. 50,000 individuals with histories, dreams, fears. And this exhibition wants to give those people their faces again. Here we find the memories of these people and we see where and how Jewish life was here in Thessaloniki. Allow me to refer to one final number: 1,200. That is the number of the members of the Jewish community today. I am pleased that, following the opening of this exhibit, I can visit the Synagogue of Thessaloniki and bear witness to the fact that there is again a multifaceted Jewish life in this city. Ladies and Gentlemen, You may ask me: What do all of these memories have to do with today? Why do you see two Foreign Ministers here, a Greek and a German, at the opening of a history exhibition? Dont you have anything more urgent to do, more of the moment? Yes, naturally there are more urgent matters, mainly for our European Union. Europe is under threat. From increasing centrifugal tendencies within it and outside it, from conflicts in its neighbouring countries. And as happens with a magnifying glass, these threats are gathering here in your country. Whether it is the financial crisis, the refugee crisis, the difficult relations with Turkey -- there is no European crisis of recent years that has not directly hit Greece. In my country, it seems to me sometimes, not everyone has understood this. But even more important: Throughout these years, the citizens of Greece have always supported Europe. There were some very irresponsible statements -- in my country as well -- in recent years regarding Greeces exit from the common currency or the Schengen Area. In contrast, I would hope that other European partners would so unswervingly support the European endeavour as you here in Greece do. We are living in times of crisis. And in times of crisis existential questions come to the surface; questions that in times of calm exist in a latent form: issues of identity, concerns, fears -- and also: the great shadows of the past. How great these shadows are, including in Greek-German relations, is something that remained hidden from any one in recent years. I remind you of the controversies in the financial crisis, when the German newspapers called the Greeks lazy, or when the Greek newspapers placed German politicians next to the Nazis. There is a lot of explosive material in the past, and only conscious and serious consideration of the past can disarm it. Yes, this entails a great deal of trouble. I am pleased and grateful that the organizers of this exhibition went to this trouble: Greeks and Germans jointly designed and put together this exhibit. Ms. Skarpia Hoipel, Mr. Saltiel, Mr. Panes: I believe that, through this work of memory, you are doing a great service to our relations. Because I am certain that Greeks and Germans meet in a different way when they do so in awareness of their common history. When they develop a sensory mechanism for the traumatic and blind spots of the past. And vice versa, they will also discover positive ties which are often not visible: For example, the centuries in which many Germans pined for the ancient civilization of your country - and for you sun. Or I even think of the innumerable ties linking Greece with Germany during the difficult years of the dictatorship, especially here in northern Greece. An example is here in the first row: My friend Nikos Kotzias studied and lived in Germany, in Giesen, where he was also at the university. Nikos, a political scientist asked me recently: Are we perhaps collaborating better in the sector of foreign policy because we were socialized in the same student hangouts in Giesen? Maybe, that could be an explanation. But it probably is about more than that... Ladies and Gentlemen, Europe is rich in history, but it is also equally rich in future. In these times of crisis, when the waves are swelling, it is my hope that Europe will indulge much more in the joint work of memory, as this exhibition does it. Because a Europe in which consciously dealing with memory is part of its political culture is better armed against the storms of our time. My country, Germany, struggled for many years after the Second World War to achieve awareness of its history and its guilt. And even now, many chapters remain in the dark, but this exhibition sheds more light on history. And this is good. Because when we are prepared to take responsibility for our history, it increases our strength to take our future in our hands -- to see ourself not as an object of history, but as an active subject. In Greece I see such an active subject, a partner that is prepared to take responsibility. A very specific and timely example is the resolution of the Cyprus issue. We will discuss this issue tomorrow in Athens, Nikos. There appears to be an opportunity for historical progress on this. Greece is playing a decisive role in this -- with insight into history, but with its gaze set firmly on the future. For Germany, Greece -- I want to say this clearly -- is a vital and indisputable partner, within Europe and for Europe. Ladies and Gentlemen, I started my speech with the pain of memory. I want to finish it with hope. In Nikos Engonopouloss poem, we sensed how difficult each line must have been for him. Today we are grateful that he wrote them. He, through his poem, and all of the others whose works of art and traces of memory are gathered in this exhibition gave a present to us, their descendants. They give us the opportunity to associate with one another more consciously, with greater empathy, with more room for diversity and, mainly, with a clear eye for what unites us. I would be very pleased if this exhibition, which was created in the context of such wonderful collaboration between Greeks and Germans, were for all of us a push in this direction. Thank you very much! N. KOTZIAS: An exhibition on dark moments in history can be a ray of hope for the future. The exhibition concerns dark issues, but the fact of this exhibitions taking place is bright. The presence of my friend, the Foreign Minister of Germany and, earlier, my fellow student, is an example of how Greek-German relations can develop creatively with our gaze set on the future. I want to thank all of those who contributed to the realization of this exhibition, which concerns the historic community of the Jews of Thessaloniki and the crimes perpetrated against them. This community, which was part of a pluralistic city rich in culture, commerce, education, knowledge, arts -- a city plying its way through the centuries. I often say that history is not a prison, we must not let it become a prison. History must be a learning experience. From history we must learn how to move ahead to the future. History must not be an obstacle to our thinking beyond today. History means respect for what happened, and not disrespect for the facts. History means our studying the factors that shaped it, and not indulging in fabrications, nationalism, chauvinism. Thessaloniki was never just a multicultural city, but a city of light that kept and defended its memories of the Holocaust. People who knew and know Germany first hand lived and live in this city. And when we Greeks speak of Germany, we must remember, with pride as well as respect, that the great founders of this literary state, the great poets of Germany, like Schiller and Goethe, laid the foundation of the German enlightenment, which Kant set down so well through philhellenism, through a search for German liberation via ancient Greek civilization. As far as I know, there is no other nation or state that laid the foundations of its modern reality with a more philhellenist spirit than Germany. And this is the great contradiction. This great nation of great minds, music, philosophy, political economy, this great nation founded on a philhellenist mix and that gave rebirth to the Hellenic spirit, making its wealth accessible to all of Europe, also came to dark days. These are the contradictions. But if we only look at the dark side, we will lose sight of the depth linking Greece with Germany, linking the Greek spirit and the Greek enlightenment with the German spirit and the German enlightenment. We Greeks have a good habit: We forgive, understand, see that dark moments, too, can happen in history. But we dont forget. And we remember not just the dark moments, but mainly the bright ones. I think that in the coming history, people may remember the speech of Foreign Minister Steinmeier in Thessaloniki for his stance and the way he dealt with these memories. It is a speech against nationalism and against irredentism, a speech that leads us to what we will do in Athens; that is, the signing of a joint action plan, building friendship between the two countries. We are accountable before history and at the same time the way we deal with it implies responsibility. . Just as art implies responsibility, this exhibition too links art and history with responsibility. And art says the unspeakable, what our soul cannot express in any other way. How can I express the dark image this photograph generates in us? How can I describe it? And how can I describe the light this exhibition represents amidst the darkness of these photographs? Art speaks to us of the unspeakable. It speaks to us of death, but it also speaks to us of life. It speaks to us of what oppresses and saddens us, but it also speaks to us of hope. Art is the human being. It is the human being looking at what is outside of him, nature, where he himself is in self-reflection. Art is sadness, but also joy. It is tears, but also a smile. And I think that when one looks at these photographs, one will feel bitterness and tears. But hearing the speech of the Foreign Minister of Germany and later emerging from everything you have seen and heard, you will have a smile, because even to the harshest moments of the history of humankind, there is a response: Peace -- understanding capitalization on culture. And if something makes us feel bitter, it is that this great Jewish community of Thessaloniki suffered such blows during the occupation. These great people often felt the hostility of anti-Semitism, which is the beginning of every kind of xenophobia, racism and bitter sentiment. We believe in all communities, in all religions, in all cultural outlooks in this land. And we believe it because we are deeply European. We never forget that the first time the word Europe was heard was in the ancient Greek myth, even if it was in Zeuss abduction of the most beautiful woman in the world. We say we want a country open to everyone. We want all cultures open. We dont want any European country to have occupation forces or some third party, outside of Europe, guaranteeing someones rights. We believe deeply in the rule of law and we are a stable force that believes in the endeavour of the European Union, which is a system of law. We are the ones who hope, together with our Germans friends, that this endeavour will move ahead, and we will make every effort, even in the most difficult times, to keep open the path to a Europe of social justice, democratic, a factor for peace and security in the world and a strong power in the 21st century. To do this, we need to have the good, creative, productive relationship between art and history, so that history can be our school for tomorrow, not a prison for the rest of our lives. I thank everyone who contributed to this exhibition. I thank my friend, the distinguished Foreign Minister of Germany, who came here today to give us his light, his perception, and show how Greece and Germany, Greek and German politicians, intellectuals, artists, everyday working people can be friends and work together for a Europe with a democratic future. Thank you very much. What is billed as the last big gathering of survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor takes place Wednesday in Hawaii 75 years to the day after the bombing which brought the United States into World War II. Another poignant and historic event will occur 20 days later at the naval base, when Shinzo Abe becomes the first Japanese prime minister to visit the memorial dedicated to more than 2,400 military personnel and civilians who died in the aerial raid. But those who expect Abe to apologize are likely to be disappointed. "The purpose of the upcoming visit is to pay respects to the war dead, not to offer an apology," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Tuesday in Tokyo. Six months ago, U.S. President Barack Obama became the country's first sitting leader to visit a memorial in the Japanese city of Hiroshima, where in 1945 the United States detonated the world's first atomic bomb intending to end the war. Abe is scheduled to visit Hawaii Dec. 26-27 and go to the site with Obama, who spent part of his childhood in the state. "This visit is for the sake of consoling the souls of those who died in the war, not for the sake of an apology," Suga said. U.S.-Japan Alliance The Japanese prime minister, who visited U.S. President-elect Donald Trump last month in New York, is concerned about a possible weakening of the U.S.-Japan alliance under the new administration, according to Koichi Nakano, professor of Japanese politics at Tokyo's Sophia University. "So he is doing all he can to send signals that U.S.-Japan relations are strong and indispensable," Nakano told VOA. During his campaign, Trump at times criticized Japan and other nations where the U.S. plays a role in security and bases troops. Trump asserted that those governments should shoulder more of the cost. Grant Newsham, a senior research fellow at the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies, said Trump's win in November "has really thrown the Japanese for a loop." Candidate Trump's statements "suggesting that Japan was not doing enough for its defense and not paying enough for the services effectively of U.S. forces really frightened the Japanese government," Newsham told VOA. "Japan once erred and challenged the emergent U.S.-centered international order, but has since repented and is now serving the international order as a good sidekick of the U.S.," said Professor Nakano in Tokyo. "The irony is that Abe at heart doesn't believe any of it, and now he is met by Trump, who doesn't believe any of it either." The strengthening of the U.S.-Japan military alliance has been justified in recent years as crucial to maintain the liberal international order, Nakano told VOA. "And the entire logic is now bankrupt as neither of the two leaders of the alliance will be a liberal, so God knows where the U.S.-Japan alliance will drift to." U.S. President Barack Obama (left) with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, prepares to lay a wreath at Japan's Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on May 27, 2016. /Reuters Asians Look for Apology Abe's words at Pearl Harbor "will be very closely parsed, as are all statements by high Japanese officials about the war," said senior fellow Denny Roy at the Hawaii-based East West Center. "I would like to hear some kind of recognition that it was an act of aggression for Japan to attack Pearl Harbor." But many of Abe's supporters "don't want him to apologize or say anything near an apology," Roy told VOA. Japanese and American citizens will not be the only ones monitoring Abe's statement, which he will deliver while standing beside Obama. Aggrieved Asian peoples "would like a strong apology for issues involving their countries," Roy explained. "Prime Minister Abe, regardless of what he may believe personally and privately, has fully accepted the official Japanese government's view on these issues," Yuki Tatsumi, senior associate for East Asia programs at the Stimson Center, told VOA. Remorse and apologies have been expressed to other countries by various Japanese prime ministers since the 1950s. Tatsumi, who served as a special assistant for political affairs at Japan's embassy in Washington, expects Abe's Pearl Harbor remarks "to be very similar to the speech he gave to the U.S. Congress in April 2015 to remember the terrible history of Japan's conduct in World War II and to reaffirm Japan's commitment of not resorting to war to resolve international disagreements." "Apologies are not necessary," according to Tetsuo Kotani, senior fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs. Abe, he said, only needs to express remorse for those who suffered and died in the human tragedy and express a sincere commitment to peace. Both Tatsumi and Kotani tell VOA that this aspect of history remains politicized in China and Korea which were occupied by Imperial Japan while the United States and Japan are setting an example of true reconciliation. The Hawaii visit by Abe will be an "appropriate complement to President Obama's visit to Hiroshima this summer. The message is that Japan acknowledges its past, and that it is ready to move forward," said retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Dave Stilwell. More than 2,300 U.S. servicemen were killed in the Japanese aerial attack at Pearl Harbor, which sunk the USS Arizona battleship while damaging or destroying 20 other ships and 164 planes. The attack will be marked Wednesday by a remembrance ceremony and a moment of silence at 7:55 a.m., when the Japanese planes first struck their targets. Three and a half years later, the world war came to an end after the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing 210,000 people in the two attacks. A transition team spokesman for Donald Trump said Tuesday the president-elect sold all of his stock holdings in June, a move that could ease conflict-of-interest concerns. During a morning telephone conference call with reporters, spokesman Jason Miller was asked about Trump's holdings of Boeing shares after the president-elect criticized the aerospace company for what he said were rising costs to build a new version of Air Force One, the aircraft that future American presidents will fly on. "The president-elect sold all of his stock back in June," Miller said. Miller subsequently clarified that the billionaire real estate mogul sold all of his stock holdings, and not just those of the aircraft manufacturer. Soprano Park Hye-sang will make her debut in Korea in Charles Gounod's opera Romeo et Juliette based on William Shakespeare's play. The opera will be performed on Dec. 8 to 11 in Seoul to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. Park graduated from Seoul National University and studied at the Juilliard School in New York. As soon as she was cast for the role of Juliette last summer, Park left New York for Paris to take an intensive French language course and some private lessons at the Opera Bastille. "My dream came true as I have eagerly wanted to play the role for years," Park said. "I will do my best to nail it." A senior U.S. military commander on Tuesday warned that North Korea could launch provocations in the next couple of months to test the incoming Donald Trump administration. Lt. Gen. Thomas Vandal, the commander of the Eighth U.S. Army, was talking to South Korean journalists. He said although no specific warning signs have been detected, Pyongyang has habitually provoked South Korea during periods of transition in South Korea and the U.S. Trump will be sworn in as U.S. president on Jan. 20. BAD AXE As more than 500 million gallons of water capacity goes unused annually, the city of Bad Axe and village of Port Austin are looking at options to potentially bring a water bottle distributer to the area, officials learned Monday night. At a special joint meeting Monday between the city and village, Fred Kendall, a representative from the Huron Regional Water Authority (HRWA), presented information to officials regarding the issue of millions of gallons of stored water produced from the joint-municipality water plant that is not needed. The HRWA sells water wholesale to the city and village and each municipality funds its own water distribution system infrastructure. The plant has a capacity to store 694 million gallons of water. Kendall said the purpose of the meeting was to review the customer base, cost, usage and some concerns HWRA has for the future. The median age of residents in Bad Axe and Port Austin are 46 and 59, respectively, which is higher than the states average of 40. The average income for residents in Bad Axe and Port Austin is also significantly lower $29,172 and $28,419, respectively than the state average of roughly $48,000. The people per household in the two areas are also lower than the state average. So what does this tell us? Kendall questioned. Our people are much older and poorer. This will essentially affect what residents have the ability to pay for, he said. In 2000, when the plant was started, the East Central Michigan Planning and Regional Commission issued a forecast of the population from 1990 to 2030, which projected a major increase in both areas. However, the population has slowly decreased and the projection showed it will continue to do so through 2030. There was roughly an 11 percent decrease in population from 1990 to 2000 between both areas. We dont have a lot of new people moving into the area unfortunately, Kendall said. A downward trend and 7 percent loss shows in 2015, the plant started by using 139 million treated gallons of water from Lake Huron, and has decreased to 128 million this year. When you look at our capacity, we talked about 694 million gallons is our capacity at the plant, Kendall said, noting 2007 capacity was at 24 percent utilized, down to 20 percent in 2015 and decreased again this year to 18 percent. We have all of this capacity sitting there and how did we get there? he questioned. When they did the study for 2010, it had projected that wed gain another 3,100 customers but it just never happened. Dan Confer, village of Port Austin president, then presented an idea for what to do with the 500 million unused gallons of water. Theres a lot of water bottlers, Confer said. What I would suggest is we approach any organization and say, We have 500 million gallons of very high-quality drinking water that we could sell to a bottler. A few problems with that is the contract Bad Axe and Port Austin are under with HWRA only allows for two customers. The city and village would need to collaborate with HRWA so it could look into having a third and up to a fourth customer. If we dont do anything, were basically going to survive, Confer said. We arent going to fail. Were going to continue to supply and charge for water, but thats just survival mode. Confer proposed the city and village begin searching for a third and fourth customer. Bad Axe city manager Dale VanDeVusse agreed with Confer and mentioned it would be smart to meet with state representatives and possibly look into any grants that may be available. No action was taken Monday, but city and village officials decided to revisit the issue in the near future. The meeting took place in the Bad Axe council chambers, prior to its regular council meeting. SEBEWAING Christ the King Lutheran School announces their first quarter honor roll. Students in grades 5-8 are eligible to receive either Principals Honor Roll or honor roll. Students and their families enjoyed an honor roll breakfast to celebrate their accomplishment. A student must maintain a grade point of 3.67 Or higher in all core subjects to qualify for the principals honor roll. An * denotes all As. GRADE FIVE: Ben Abke, *Taylor Alderson, Veronica Brink, Kayla Eremia, Jenna Gremel, *Evalinn Monforton, Ella Neumann, Konnor Olson, *Alberta Reinbold, * Rachel Sattelberg, Brittney Sting, Claire VanTol, *Hanna Welch, Jadyn Wilson Scheurer Hospital will be hosting: Scheurer Hospital will host an American Red Cross Babysitters Training class from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 29 in the Wilson Education Center at Scheurer Hospital. Youth ages 11 to 14 will learn safety and safe play, basic care, first aid, leadership and professionalism. Class fee is $25. Pre-registration and pre-payment required. Visit www.scheurer.org to register. UBLY The Village of Ubly has an opening on its council and is extending an invite to all citizens interested in filling the vacancy. No particular experience is necessary, other than having a genuine interest in the community. Its pretty simple, said village president David Yaroch. They have to be interested in the community, willing to listen and learn, and come in with an open mind. The village trustee position is a two-year term. It became available following Barb Butchs transition to village clerk, which leaves her seat open for the upcoming year. The successful applicant is expected to be the chair of the planning and zoning committee, along with assistant to finance chairman Larry Gornowicz. Interested residents in the village are asked to submit a letter of interest, including relevant background information requesting appointment to the position. Those candidates who successfully file their letters of interest with background information, will be given three minutes at the 7 p.m. Jan. 5 council meeting. The meeting will take place at in the Bingham/Ubly Government Center, located at 2241 Pierce St. The presentation should address qualifications for the office, reasons for interest in the office and the candidates vision for the village. Yaroch said the council hopes to make an appointment for the position prior to its February meeting. A hack of as yet unknown proportions of the Defense Ministry's Internet and Intranet servers in August has been traced to an IP address in Shenyang, China. Shenyang is near the border with North Korea and one of the key operation points for North Korean hackers. "The malware used in the latest cyberattack is similar or identical to the one North Korean hackers used before," a military officer said Tuesday. The malware compromised the Defense Integrated Data Center, where all South Korean defense information is stored. It was set up in February last year as a hub for all military IT services, including the websites and Intranet servers of all armed forces branches, integrating scores of nationwide military computer systems. Some 2,500 military computers with Internet access and about 700 computers connected to the Intranet were compromised by the malware, according to ministry data released to Minjoo Party lawmaker Kim Jin-pyo. In the process, the computers of Defense Minister Han Min-goo and his staff were also compromised. That may have given the hackers access to intelligence from Defense Security Command and from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. But military authorities have tried to keep the extent of the leakage under wraps, firmly slamming the stable doors shut after the horse has bolted. But a ministry source said "top secret intelligence" related to military operations is exchanged through an integrated network for the command, control and communication. "Fortunately, this network wasn't compromised." He added "not much" sensitive military information is passed through the Intranet, which is used "chiefly as an administrative tool." The officer said the military only recently discovered that the Intranet had been hacked, "although we can't talk about any details." "We've been in the dark for about three months," he added. The military was apparently only paying attention to protecting the Internet network from cyberattacks and was thus caught unawares. The chiefs of Korea's nine biggest conglomerates appeared on Tuesday before a National Assembly hearing about the corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her shadowy confidante Choi Soon-sil. The last time the heads of the powerful chaebol or family-owned conglomerates all had to explain themselves before lawmakers was a corruption scandal 28 years ago involving the regime of Chun Doo-hwan. The spectacle is in itself a disgrace. The crux of the hearing was whether Cheong Wa Dae promised them favors in return for the billions of won they paid into two dodgy foundations controlled by Choi. But they all denied it. Hur Chang-soo, the GS Group chairman and leader of the Federation of Korean Industries, said, "It's a Korean reality that if there is a government request, it is difficult for companies to decline." Samsung chief Lee Jae-yong, whose conglomerate gave the biggest sums not only to the nonprofits but also to Choi directly under various pretexts, repeatedly apologized and admitted to "improper support." He even vowed to dismantle the group's de facto control tower, the strategic planning office. But he too claimed Samsung has "never ever" bribed anyone for favors. Big business lobby FKI eagerly coordinated the donations on behalf of Cheong Wa Dae, and its leaders too now agree on the need to overhaul the organization. Korea's economy has grown 10 times since the chaebol chiefs were last summoned before lawmakers in 1988, and the conglomerates' global clout has grown even more. Yet when it comes to their role as the effective ATMs of successive presidents, nothing has changed. Prosecutors have yet to find concrete evidence that the conglomerates were promised favors since Park met with their leaders in private, but this is one of those situations where "everybody knows," whether the paperwork ever turns up or not. The hearings were gleefully reported around the world, and Korea once again stands publicly shamed as a country where ties between the rulers and big businesses are too cozy to say the least. This must not happen again. Big businesses must become more transparent in their management and ownership structures so they can resist pressure from the government or well-connected individuals. They cave into government pressure because they are afraid of being brought to book for their habitual fiddling of tax laws and other regulations. At the same time, a way must be found to prevent powerful government officials from using tax authorities and prosecutors as tools at their disposal, to free big businesses from becoming hostages to politicians and their cronies. 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. 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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 Authorities said more than 500 people were injured, many seriously and that there was an urgent need for emergency supplies and excavation equipment to move heavy debris. Local officials said hundreds more were injured in Pidie Jaya, the district closest to the epicenter of the 6.5 magnitude quake. The town of Meureudu was among the hardest hit areas. Volunteers made their way to earthquake-hit areas to rush people to hospitals, which are now overloaded with patients. Authorities in Indonesia Wednesday declared a two-week state of emergency after a strong earthquake hit the Aceh province, on the northern tip of Sumatra island, killing at least 97 people. "We are now focusing on searching for victims and possible survivors," said Sutopo Nugroho, a spokesman from Indonesia's national disaster management agency. According to Nugroho, at least 1,000 workers, including officers, military personnel, and volunteers, were deployed to help victims. The quake leveled dozens of buildings, including mosques, stores and homes. Rescue crews, some of them working with heavy equipment, were searching through rubble for people who may be trapped underneath. "The earthquake was felt strongly and many people panicked and rushed outdoors as houses collapsed," Nugroho said, adding that the number of victims is expected to rise as volunteers and hundreds of army personnel continue their search efforts. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said in a statement that it has deployed an assessment team from Banda Aceh to heavily damaged areas. The IOM said the two staffers have worked closely with the provincial disaster management agency known as BPBD for three years in preparation for an event like this. Paul Dillon, the IOM Indonesia spokesman, told VOA that heavy rain in the affected area is "adding to the general misery of the situation." Dillon said the rescue efforts continue but added that Indonesia has significant experience with natural disaster response. "The areas that were hit have, for the past three years, been part of an IOM [and government] Disaster Risk Reduction project designed to anticipate these sorts of events," he said. "So there's generally a high level of awareness and ability to manage." The IOM's team arrived late Wednesday to help the government relief response. Dillon said the team saw vehicles loaded with supplies making their way to affected regions. "The mosques are full of survivors; people who either cannot or will not return to their homes tonight," he added. "There are many small villages in remote areas that have not 'checked in,' so the situation in the back country is a little opaque. Roads are intact in most areas, but there's damage to bridges and other infrastructure that'll take time and money to fix [or] replace." The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered near the town of Reuleut. Indonesia's Climate, Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said the quake did not generate a tsunami. Indonesia is located in an area of the world prone to earthquakes. A 2004 quake off Sumatra island triggered a tsunami that killed 230,000 in Indonesia and other countries. The threat of a repeat of that disaster was on the minds of some of those who felt Wednesday's earthquake. "It was very bad; the tremors felt even stronger than 2004 earthquake," Musman Aziz, a Meureudu resident, told the Associated Press. The following companies are subsidiares of Ecolab: AO Ecolab, Abednego Environmental Services, Abednego Environmental Services LLC, Abednego Mexico Holdings LLC, Abednego de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Alcide Corp., Anios America S.A., Anios Diffusion SAS, Anios Manufacturing SAS, Aqua Environmental Limited, Bioquell, Bioquell Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Bioquell Global Logistics (Ireland) Ltd., Bioquell Holding SAS, Bioquell Inc., Bioquell Limited, Bioquell SAS, Bioquell Technology (Shenzhen) Ltd., Bioquell Technology Canada Ltd., Bioquell UK Limited, Bro-Tech Limited, CALGON LLC, CID LINES NV, CID Lines, CID Lines Beijing Animal Hygiene Co Ltd., CID Lines France Sarl, CID Lines Iberica SL, CID Lines LLC, CID Lines Mexico S.A. DE C.V., CID Lines R&D NV, CID Lines Sp. z o. o., CORPAK MedSystems, Cascade Water Services, Champion Technologies, Chamtech L.L.C., Chemlawn, Chemstar Corporation, Cirlam BVBA, Copal Holding NV, Copal Invest NV, Cymru Holdings Limited, DERYPOL SA, DMD, E&M Bio-Chemicals LLC, ECOLAB NL 10 B.V., ECOLAB PEST FRANCE SAS, EPN Water Col Ltd., Ecolab (Antigua) Ltd., Ecolab (Aruba) N.V., Ecolab (Barbados) Limited, Ecolab (China) Investment Co. Ltd, Ecolab (Fiji) Pty Limited, Ecolab (GZ) Chemicals Limited, Ecolab (Guam) LLC, Ecolab (Proprietary) Limited, Ecolab (Schweiz) GmbH, Ecolab (St. Lucia) Limited, Ecolab (Taicang) Technology Co. Ltd., Ecolab (Trinidad and Tobago) Unlimited, Ecolab (U.K.) Holdings Limited, Ecolab A.E.B.E., Ecolab AB, Ecolab AU2 Pty Ltd, Ecolab Acquisition LLC, Ecolab ApS, Ecolab Argentina S.R.L., Ecolab Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Ecolab B.V., Ecolab Bahrain S.P.C., Ecolab CDN 2 Co., Ecolab CDN 4 ULC, Ecolab CH 1 GmbH, Ecolab CH 2 GmbH, Ecolab CH 3 GmbH in Liquidation, Ecolab CH 6 GmbH, Ecolab Chemicals Limited, Ecolab Co. Compagnie Ecolab, Ecolab Colombia S. A., Ecolab DE 1 GmbH, Ecolab Deutschland GmbH, Ecolab Digital Center Private Limited, Ecolab EOOD, Ecolab East Africa (Kenya) Limited, Ecolab East Africa (Tanzania) Limited, Ecolab East Africa (Uganda) Limited, Ecolab Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Ecolab Engineering GmbH, Ecolab Europe GmbH, Ecolab Export GmbH, Ecolab FR 1 SAS, Ecolab FR 4 SAS, Ecolab Finance Company Designated Activity Company, Ecolab Food Safety & Hygiene Solutions Private Limited, Ecolab G.K., Ecolab Global Business Services LLC, Ecolab GmbH, Ecolab Gulf FZE, Ecolab HK 1 Limited, Ecolab HK 2 Limited, Ecolab Hispano-Portuguesa S.L., Ecolab Holding Italy S.r.l., Ecolab Holdings (Europe) LLC, Ecolab Holdings Inc., Ecolab Holdings Mexico S. de R. L. de C. V., Ecolab Hygiene Kft., Ecolab Hygiene d.o.o., Ecolab International SDN BHD, Ecolab Israel Holdings LLC, Ecolab JVZ Limited, Ecolab Korea Ltd., Ecolab LLC, Ecolab LUX & Co Holdings S.C.A., Ecolab LUX 1 Sarl, Ecolab LUX 2 Sarl, Ecolab LUX 4 Sarl, Ecolab LUX 7 Sarl, Ecolab LUX Sarl, Ecolab Limited, Ecolab Ltd., Ecolab Lux 10 Sarl, Ecolab Lux 12 SCA, Ecolab Lux 13 Sarl, Ecolab Lux 14 Sarl, Ecolab Lux 15 Sarl, Ecolab Lux 16 Sarl, Ecolab Lux 17 Sarl, Ecolab Lux 9 Sarl, Ecolab Lux Partner LLC, Ecolab MT Holdings LLC, Ecolab MT Limited, Ecolab Malta 1 Limited, Ecolab Malta 2 Limited, Ecolab Malta GPS, Ecolab Manufacturing IE Limited, Ecolab Manufacturing Inc., Ecolab Manufacturing UK Limited, Ecolab Maroc Societe a Responsabilite Limitee, Ecolab NL 11 B.V., Ecolab NL 15 BV, Ecolab NL 16 B.V., Ecolab NL 23 B.V., Ecolab NL 3 BV, Ecolab Name Holding Limited, Ecolab New Zealand, Ecolab Peru Holdings S.R.L., Ecolab Pest Deutschland GmbH, Ecolab Philippines Inc., Ecolab Production Belgium B.V., Ecolab Production France SAS, Ecolab Production Italy Srl, Ecolab Production LLC, Ecolab Production Netherlands B.V., Ecolab Production Poland sp. z o.o., Ecolab Pte. Ltd., Ecolab Pty Ltd., Ecolab Quimica Ltda., Ecolab S. de R.L. de C.V., Ecolab S.A., Ecolab S.A. de C.V., Ecolab SAS, Ecolab SIA, Ecolab SNC, Ecolab SRL, Ecolab Sdn Bhd, Ecolab Services Argentina S.R.L., Ecolab Services Malaysia SDN. BHD., Ecolab Services Poland Sp. z o, Ecolab Sociedad Anonima, Ecolab Sp. z o, Ecolab Spain Services S.L.U., Ecolab Temizleme Sistemleri Limited Sirketi, Ecolab U.S. 2 Inc., Ecolab U.S. 6 LLC, Ecolab U.S. 7 LLC, Ecolab US 1 GP, Ecolab USA Inc., Ecolab Viet Nam Company Limited, Ecolab Water Holding LImited, Ecolab a.s., Ecolab d.o.o., Ecolab s.r.l., Ecolab s.r.o., Ecolab y Compania Colectiva de Responsabilidad Limitada, Ecolab-Importacao E. Exportacao Limitada, Ecolabone B.V., Ecolabtwo B.V., Endoclear Equipamentos Medicos Hospitalares Ltda., Enviroflo Engineering Limited, Food Protection Services, GCS Service, Gallay Medical & Scientific Pty Ltd, Gallay Medical & Scientific Pty Ltd., GallayTrac Pty. Ltd., Georgia-Pacific - Paper Chemicals Business, Gibson Chemical Industries, Green Harbour Mainland Holdings Ltd, Henkel-Ecolab, Hicopla SL, Holchem Laboratories, Huntington Laboratories, Hydenet SAS, INTERNATIONAL WATER CONSULTANT B.V., Immobiliare R.E.O.P.A. SRL, Instrunet Hospital SLU, Jianghai Environmental Protection Co., Jianghai Environmental Protection Co. Ltd., KATAYAMA NALCO INC., Kay BV, Kay Chemical Company, LHS (UK) Limited, Laboratoires Anios, Laboratoires Anios S.A.S., Laboratoires Anios-Distribution SAS, Les Produits Chimiques ERPAC Inc., Lobster Ink, Lobster Ink Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Lobster International S.A., MOBOTEC AB LLC, Master Chemicals OOO, Meratech Rus Group LLC, Microtek Dominicana S.A., Microtek Italy S.R.L., Microtek Medical B.V., Microtek Medical Holdings, Microtek Medical Holdings Inc., Microtek Medical Inc., Microtek Medical Malta Holding Limited, Microtek Medical Malta Limited, Midland Research Laboratories, NALCO (SHANGHAI) TRADING CO. LTD., NALCO AB, NALCO ACQUISITION ONE, NALCO ACQUISITION TWO LIMITED, NALCO AFRICA (PTY.) LTD., NALCO ASIA HOLDING COMPANY PTE. LTD., NALCO BELGIUM B.V., NALCO CHINA HOLDINGS LLC, NALCO COMPANY OOO, NALCO DANMARK APS, NALCO DE MEXICO S. de R. L. de C.V., NALCO DELAWARE COMPANY, NALCO DEUTSCHLAND GMBH, NALCO DUTCH HOLDINGS B.V., NALCO EGYPT LTD., NALCO EGYPT TRADING, NALCO ESPANOLA MANUFACTURING S.L.U., NALCO ESPANOLA S.L., NALCO EUROPE B.V., NALCO FINLAND MANUFACTURING OY, NALCO FINLAND OY, NALCO FRANCE SAS, NALCO FRANCE SNC, NALCO GLOBAL HOLDINGS B.V., NALCO GLOBAL HOLDINGS LLC, NALCO HOLDING B.V., NALCO HOLDING COMPANY, NALCO HOLDINGS G.m.b.H., NALCO HOLDINGS UK LIMITED, NALCO HONG KONG LIMITED, NALCO INDUSTRIAL OUTSOURCING COMPANY, NALCO INDUSTRIAL SERVICES (NANJING) CO. LTD., NALCO INDUSTRIAL SERVICES (SUZHOU) CO. LTD., NALCO INDUSTRIAL SERVICES (THAILAND) CO. LTD., NALCO INDUSTRIAL SERVICES CHILE LIMITADA, NALCO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS B.V., NALCO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC, NALCO INVESTMENTS U.K. LIMITED, NALCO ISRAEL INDUSTRIAL SERVICES LTD, NALCO ITALIANA HOLDINGS S.R.L., NALCO ITALIANA MANUFACTURING S.R.L., NALCO ITALIANA SrL, NALCO KOREA LIMITED, NALCO LIMITED, NALCO MANUFACTURING BETEILIGUNGS GMBH, NALCO MANUFACTURING LTD., NALCO NETHERLANDS B.V., NALCO OSTERREICH Ges m.b.H., NALCO OVERSEAS HOLDING B.V., NALCO PAKISTAN (PRIVATE) LIMITED, NALCO PHILIPPINES INC., NALCO PORTUGUESA (QUIMICA INDUSTRIAL) UNIPESSOAL LDA, NALCO PWS INC., NALCO SAUDI CO. LTD., NALCO TAIWAN CO. LTD., NALCO TWO INC., NALCO U.S. HOLDINGS LLC, NALCO UNIVERSAL HOLDINGS BV, NALCO WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS LLC, NALTECH INC., NANOSPECIALTIES LLC, NLC PROCESS AND WATER SERVICES SARL, Nalco (BN) SDN BHD, Nalco (China) Environmental Solution Co. Ltd., Nalco Anadolu Kimya Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Nalco Canada ULC, Nalco Company LLC (1), Nalco Contract Operations LLC, Nalco Deutschland Manufacturing GmbH, Nalco Japan G.K., Nalco Libya, Nalco Middle East FZE, Nalco Polska Sp. z o. o., Nalco Production LLC, Nalco Real Estate GmbH, Nalco Schweiz GmbH, Nalco US 1 LLC, Nalco Wastewater Contract Operations Inc., Nalco Water India Private Limited, Nalco Water Pretreatment Solutions LLC, Nalco Worldwide Holdings S.a.r.l./B.V., National Wiper Alliance Inc., Nigiko, Nuova Farmec S.r.l., Oksa Kimya Sanayi A.S., Oy Ecolab AB, PT Ecolab International Indonesia, PT Ecolab Technologies and Services, Purate business - AkzoNobel, Purolite, Purolite (China) Co. Ltd., Purolite (Int.) Ltd, Purolite (Pty) Ltd, Purolite AG, Purolite GmbH, Purolite Ileri Kimyasal Ticaret Ltd, Purolite KK, Purolite LLC, Purolite Ltd, Purolite NZ Limited, Purolite Private Limited, Purolite Pte. Ltd., Purolite Pty Ltd, Purolite S. de R.L. de C.V., Purolite SAS, Purolite SRL, Purolite do Brasil Ltda, Purolite s.r.o., Purolite sp. z o.o., Purolite C Corporation, QazSorbent LLP, Quantum Technical Services LLC, Quimicas Ecolab S.A. de C.V., Quimiproductos S.A. de C.V, RP Adam Ltd, Research Fumigation Co., Royal Pest Solutions, Shield Holdings Limited, Shield Medicare Limited, Soluscope International Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Soluscope SAS, Swisher Hygiene, TechTex Holdings Limited, Technical Textile Services Limited, Terminix, Ultrafab, VanBaele Hygiene AG, Wabasha Leasing LLC, Zhe Jiang Purosoft Home Appliances Sale Co Ltd, and vanBaerle Hygiene AG. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Prudential Financial: 210-220 E. 22nd Street SSGA Owner LLC, AIG Edison, AIG Star, AREF Cayman Co Ltd., AREF GP II Pte. Ltd., AREF GP Ltd., ASPF II - Feeder Fund GmbH, ASPF II - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, ASPF II Management GmbH, ASPF III Scots L.P., ASSURANCE, AST Investment Services Inc., Adlerwerke CB Investment LLC, Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Habitat S.A., Administradora de Inversiones Previsionales SpA, Aoba Life Insurance Company, Aoba Life Insurance Company Ltd., Asia Property Fund III GP S.a.r.l., Assurance IQ LLC, Assurance Intelligence LLC, BSC CP LP, Braeloch Holdings Inc., Braeloch Successor Corporation, Brazilian Capital Fund GP Limited, Broad Street Global Advisors LLC, Broome Street Holdings LLC, CB German Retail LLC, CLIS Co. Ltd., COLICO INC., Capital Agricultural Property Services Inc., Chadwick Boulevard Investment Holdings Co. LLC, Cibecue LLC, Coconino LLC, Colico II Inc., Columbus Drive Partners L.P., Commerce Street Holdings LLC, Commerce Street Investments LLC, Coolidge LLC, Coral Reef GP, Coral Reef L.P., Coral Reef Unit Trust, Cottage Street Investments LLC, Cottage Street Orbit Acquisition LLC, DICKENS AVENUE HOLDINGS VI LLC, DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI Ireland L.P., DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI US L.P., Dale/P Minerals Limited Partnership, Don Cesar Investor LLC, Dryden Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Dryden Finance II LLC, EVP II GP S.a r.l., EVP II Horizon GP S.a r.l., EVP II Sprint GP S.a r.l., Edison Place Senior Note LLC, Essex LLC, EuroCore GP S.a r.l., European Value Partners GP S.a.r.l., Everbright PGIM Fund Management Co. Ltd., Flagstaff LLC, GA 1600 Commons LLC, GA 333 Hennepin Investor LLC, GA BV LLC, GA Bay Area GP LLC, GA Bay Area Investor LLC, GA Belden LLC, GA CLARENDON LLC, GA Cal Crossings LLC, GA Collins LLC, GA E. 22nd Street Apartments Holdings LLC, GA East 86 Street LLC, GA JHCII LLC, GA MENLO PARK INVESTOR LLC, GA Manor at Harbour Island LLC, GA Metro LLC, GA TRITON INVESTOR LLC, GA W Paces LLC, GA/MDI 333 Hennepin Associates LLC, GIBRALTAR BSN HOLDINGS SDN BHD, GIBRALTAR INDIA SOLUTIONS LLP, Gateway Holdings II LLC, Gateway Holdings LLC, German Retail Income CP LP, Gibraltar BSN Life Berhad, Gibraltar International Insurance Services Company Inc., Gibraltar International Service LLC, Gibraltar Reinsurance Company Ltd., Gibraltar Universal Life Reinsurance Company, Glenealy International Limited, Global Portfolio Strategies Inc., Gold GP Limited, Gold II L.P., Gold L.P., Graham Resources Inc., Graham Royalty Ltd., Green Harvest Asset Management LLC, Green Tree GP, Green Tree L.P., Greenlee LLC, Halsey Street Investments LLC, Hirakata LLC, IVP Fund GP LLC, Impact Investments Bridges UK S.a.r.l, Inter-Atlantic G Fund L.P., Inversiones Previsionales Chile SpA, Inversiones Previsionales Dos SpA, Ironbound Fund LLC, Jennison Associates LLC, Kyarra S.a r.l., Kyoei Annuity Home Co. Ltd. Kabushiki Kaisha Kyouei Nenkin Home, LINEUP LLC, Lake Street Partners IV L.P., Lotus Reinsurance Company Ltd., MC GA COLLINS HOLDINGS LLC, MC GA COLLINS REALTY LLC, MC Insurance Agency Services LLC, Manor at Harbour Island LLC, Marble Canyon LLC, Maricopa LLC, Market Street Holdings IV LLC, Montana Capital Partners, Morenci LLC, Mulberry Street Holdings LLC, Mulberry Street Investment L.P., Mulberry Street Partners LLC, Mullin TBG Insurance Agency Services LLC, MullinTBG Insurance Agency Services, National Family Assurance Group LLC, New Savanna, Northbound Emerging Manager Fund A LP, Northbound Emerging Manager Fund II - A LP, Orchard Street Acres Inc., PAI Bay Farm LLC, PAI Bayrock Groves LLC, PAI Belvidere Farms LLC, PAI Big Cypress Farm LLC, PAI Corcoran 640 Ranch LLC, PAI DeKalb Farm LLC, PAI Delano 1500 Ranches LLC, PAI Desert Falcon Farms Manager LLC, PAI Flicker Orchard LLC, PAI Good Hope Farm LLC, PAI Hawk Creek Ranch LLC, PAI Hills Valley Ranches LLC, PAI Holly Hill Groves LLC, PAI Hunt Farm LLC, PAI Jackson Bayou Farm LLC, PAI Lake Placid Groves LLC, PAI River Bend Ranches LLC, PAI Wallula Gap Vineyard LLC, PCP V Cayman AIV GP L.P., PEREF II Co-Invest 1 GP S.a r.l., PEREF II GP S.a r.l., PFI EM-Tech Fund I LLC, PG Business Service Co. Ltd, PG Collection Service Co. Ltd., PG Friendly Partners Co. Ltd., PGA Asian Retail Limited, PGA European Limited, PGI Co. Ltd, PGIM AC Co-Invest GP Pte. Ltd., PGIM AVP IV GP S.a r.l., PGIM Advisory Shanghai Co. Ltd., PGIM Agricultural Investments GP LLC, PGIM Australia Pty Ltd, PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Fund L.P., PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Partners LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Feeder VI LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Fund VI L.P., PGIM Custom Harvest LLC, PGIM DC Co-Invest GP Pte. Ltd., PGIM DC JV GP Pte. Ltd., PGIM DC Solutions LLC, PGIM European Financing Limited, PGIM European Services Limited, PGIM Financial Limited, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund II L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives GP LLC, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives II GP LLC, PGIM Foreign Investments Inc., PGIM Holding Company LLC, PGIM Holdings Limited, PGIM Hong Kong Ltd., PGIM INDIA ASSET MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM INDIA TRUSTEES PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM IRELAND LIMITED, PGIM Inc., PGIM International Financing Inc., PGIM Investments Ireland Limited, PGIM Investments LLC, PGIM Japan Co. Ltd., PGIM Korea Inc., PGIM LTIF Berlin GP S.a r.l., PGIM LTIF Berlin MLP S.ar.l., PGIM LTIF GP S.a.r.l., PGIM Limited, PGIM Loan Originator Manager Limited, PGIM M Campus GP S.a r.l., PGIM Management Partner Limited, PGIM MetaProp Investor LP LLC, PGIM Netherlands B.V., PGIM Overseas Investment Fund Management Shanghai Company Ltd, PGIM Private Capital Ireland Limited, PGIM Private Capital Limited, PGIM Private Placement Investors Inc., PGIM Private Placement Investors L.P., PGIM QUANTITATIVE SOLUTIONS LLC, PGIM REF EUROPE SCSp, PGIM REF Europe GP S.a r.l., PGIM REF Europe Member LLC, PGIM REF Intermediary Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate CD S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Capital VII GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest L.P., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest SCSp, PGIM Real Estate Co-Invest Holdings LLC, PGIM Real Estate Debt GmbH, PGIM Real Estate Finance Holding Company, PGIM Real Estate Finance LLC, PGIM Real Estate France SAS, PGIM Real Estate Germany AG, PGIM Real Estate Global Debt GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Global Master Fund GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles II S de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles S. de R.L. de C.V, PGIM Real Estate Italy S.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Japan Ltd., PGIM Real Estate Loan Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate Luxembourg S.A., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Management Luxembourg S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Mexico S.C., PGIM Real Estate S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate U.S. CORE Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate U.S. Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate UK Limited, PGIM Scots Limited, PGIM Securities Investment Trust Enterprise, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management (Feeder) I LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management Fund I L.P., PGIM Shanghai Company Ltd., PGIM Singapore Pte. Ltd., PGIM Strategic Financing LLC, PGIM Strategic Investments Inc., PGIM Taronga Investor GP LLC, PGIM U.S. Agriculture Fund LP, PGIM USPF VI Manager LLC, PGIM Wadhwani LLP, PGIM Warehouse Inc., PGLH of Delaware Inc., PIFM Holdco LLC, PIIC Limited, PIISC Holdings UK Limited, PIM KF Blocker V Holdings LLC, PIM USPF V Manager LLC, PLA Administradora Industrial SRL, PLA Administradora LLC, PLA Administradora S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional II S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional S.de R.L. de C.V., PLA Co-Investor LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager I LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager II LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Blue LP, PLA Retail Fund I Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LP, PLA Retail Fund II Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II U.S. Carry/Co-Invest LP, PLA Services Manager Mexico LLC, PLAI Limited, PMCF Holdings LLC, PMCF Properties LLC, PPPF General Partner LLP, PR GA SCP Apartments LLC, PRAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP LLP, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP SCOTS FEEDER LLP, PRECO Account IV LLC, PRECO Account Partnership IV LP, PRECO III GP LLP, PREFG Hanwha Manager LLC, PREI Acquisition I Inc., PREI Acquisition II Inc., PREI Acquisition LLC, PREI HYDG LLC, PREI International Inc., PRIAC Property Acquisitions LLC, PRICOA Management Partner Limited, PRISA Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Pooled Manager LLC, PRISA III Fund GP LLC, PRISA III Fund PIM LLC, PRREF Debt Fund Manager LLC, PRREF II Fund Manager LLC, PRU 3XSquare LLC, PRUCO LLC, PRUDENTIAL CAPITAL ENERGY PARTNERS MANAGEMENT (FEEDER) LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP MEMBER LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP REIT LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE 2 LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE LLC, PT PFI Mega Life Insurance, Passaic Fund LLC, Pine Tree GP, Pine Tree L.P., Platinum GP Limited, Platinum II L.P., Platinum L.P., Pramerica Business Consulting Shanghai Company Limited, Pramerica EVP CP LP, Pramerica Financial Asia Headquarters Pte. Ltd., Pramerica Financial Asia Limited, Pramerica Fixed Income Funds Management Limited, Pramerica Fosun Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Pramerica Holdings Ltd, Pramerica Hong Kong Holdings Limited, Pramerica Insurance Agency China Company Ltd., Pramerica Luxembourg CP GP S.a.r.l., Pramerica PRECAP I GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP II GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP III GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP IV GP LLP, Pramerica Pan European Real Estate Scots LP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I GP Scots Feeder LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I Scotland Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital II Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital III Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Limited, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Scots Feeder LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V Netherlands GP LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital VI Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Scots CP GP LLP, Preco III Scotland Limited Partnership, Pru 101 Wood LLC, Pru Alpha Partners I LLC, Pru Fixed Income Emerging Markets Partners I LLC, PruVen Capital Partners Fund I L.P., Pruco Assignment Corporation, Pruco Life Insurance Company, Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, Pruco Securities LLC, Prudential 900 Aviation Boulevard LLC, Prudential Affordable Mortgage Company LLC, Prudential Agricultural Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Annuities Distributors Inc., Prudential Annuities Holding Company Inc., Prudential Annuities Inc., Prudential Annuities Information Services & Technology Corporation, Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Captive Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Universal Company, Prudential Bank & Trust FSB, Prudential Capital Energy Opportunity Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners Management Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund IV L.P., Prudential Capital and Investment Services LLC, Prudential Chile II SpA, Prudential Chile SpA, Prudential Commercial Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Equity Group LLC, Prudential Financial Inc., Prudential Fixed Income Global Liquidity Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Fixed Income U.S. Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Funding LLC, Prudential General Services of Japan Y.K., Prudential Gibraltar Agency Co. Ltd. Prudential Gibraltar Agency Kabushiki Kaisha, Prudential Global Funding LLC, Prudential Holdings of Japan Inc., Prudential Huntoon Paige Associates LLC, Prudential IBH Holdco Inc., Prudential Impact Investments Mortgage Loans LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Debt LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Equity LLC, Prudential Insurance Agency LLC, Prudential International Insurance Holdings Ltd., Prudential International Insurance Service Company L.L.C., Prudential International Investments Advisers LLC, Prudential International Investments Company LLC, Prudential International Investments LLC, Prudential Investment Management Services LLC, Prudential Japan Holdings LLC, Prudential Legacy Insurance Company of New Jersey, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 1 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 2 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Capital Asset Holding Company LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Funding LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, Prudential Multifamily Mortgage LLC, Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, Prudential Newark Realty LLC, Prudential QOZ Investment Fund 1 LLC, Prudential Realty Securities Inc., Prudential Retirement Financial Services Holding LLC, Prudential Retirement Holdings LLC, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, Prudential Securities Secured Financing Corporation, Prudential Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., Prudential Seguros S.A., Prudential Select Strategies LLC, Prudential Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Prudential Structured Settlement Company, Prudential Systems Japan Limited, Prudential Tax Services LLC, Prudential Term Reinsurance Company, Prudential Trust Co. Ltd., Prudential Trust Company, Prudential Universal Reinsurance Company, Prudential Workplace Solutions Group Services LLC, Prudential do Brasil Seguros de Vida S.A., Prudential do Brasil Vida em Grupo S.A., Prudential/TMW Real Estate Group LLC, Pruservicos Participacoes Ltda., QMA JP EM All Cap Equity Partners LLC, Quartzsite LLC, Residential Services Corporation of America LLC, Rio CP LP, Rock European Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock Global Real Estate LLC, Rock Kensington Limited, Rock Marty GP S.a r.l., Rock Oxford S.a r.l., Rock UK Real Estate II S.a.r.l., Rockstone Co. Ltd., Rosado Grande LLC, Ross Avenue Energy Fund Holdings LLC, Ross Avenue Minerals 2012 LLC, SCP Apartments LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERS VI GP LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERSHIP FUND VI GP LLC, SHP IV Carried Interest LP, SHP V Carried Interest L.P., SMP Holdings Inc., SVIIT Holdings Inc., Sanei Collection Service Co. Ltd. Kabushiki Kaisha Sanei Shuuno Service, Senior Housing Partners V LLC, Senior Housing Partnership Fund V LLC, Sterling Private Placement Management LLP, Stetson Street Partners L.P., Strand Investments Limited, TBG Insurance Services Corporation, TENSATOR HOLDINGS LTD, TF Proveedora S.C., TMW ASPF I Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, TMW ASPF Management GmbH, TMW Management LLC, TMW Real Estate Group LLC, TMW Realty Advisors LLC, TMW USPF Verwaltungs GmbH, TRGOAG Company Inc., The Gibraltar Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Keynes Dynamic Beta Strategy US Fund GP LLC, The Prudential Assigned Settlement Services Corp., The Prudential Brazilian Capital Fund LP, The Prudential Gibraltar Financial Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Prudential Home Mortgage Company Inc., The Prudential Insurance Company of America, The Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd., The Prudential Real Estate Financial Services of America Inc., The WMF Group, Thurloe Commercial Guernsey Limited, USPF V - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, USPF V Carry LLC, USPF V Co-Invest LLC, USPF V Investment LP, United States Property Fund VI GP S.a r.l., VIP Australia Holding Company LLC, VIP Australia Trustee Pty Ltd, Vailsburg Fund LLC, Vantage Casualty Insurance Company, Wabash Avenue Holdings V LLC, Wabash Avenue Partners V L.P., Wadhwani Capital Limited, Waveland Avenue Holdings I LLC, Waveland Avenue Partners I Ireland L.P., Waveland Avenue Partners I US L.P., Wellness Services Ecossistema De Bem Estar Ltda., Wellness Services SRL, Yamato Life, and Yavapai LLC. Read More Royal Bank of Canada operates as a diversified financial service company worldwide. The company's Personal & Commercial Banking segment offers checking and savings accounts, home equity financing, personal lending, private banking, indirect lending, including auto financing, mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, credit cards, and payment products and solutions; and lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer financing, trade products, and services to small and medium-sized commercial businesses. This segment offers financial products and services through branches, automated teller machines, and mobile sales network. Its Wealth Management segment provides a suite of advice-based solutions and strategies to high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, and institutional clients. The company's Insurance segment offers life, health, home, auto, travel, wealth, annuities, and reinsurance advice and solutions; and business insurance services to individual, business, and group clients through its advice centers, RBC insurance stores, and mobile advisors; digital, mobile, and social platforms; independent brokers; and travel partners. Its Investor & Treasury Services segment provides asset servicing, custody, payments, and treasury services to financial and other investors; and fund and investment administration, shareholder, private capital, performance measurement and compliance monitoring, distribution, transaction banking, cash and liquidity management, foreign exchange, and global securities finance services. The company's Capital Markets segment offers corporate and investment banking, as well as equity and debt origination, distribution, advisory services, sale, and trading services for corporations, institutional investors, asset managers, private equity firms, and governments. The company was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The following companies are subsidiares of Procter & Gamble: "Petersburg Products International" LLC, "Procter & Gamble Services" LLC, "Procter & Gamble" LLC, 1837 LLC, Agile Pursuits Franchising Inc., Agile Pursuits Inc., Ambi Pur, Arbora & Ausonia, Arbora & Ausonia S.L.U., Avon - Giorgio Beverly Hills, Billie, Braun GmbH, Braun Shanghai Co. Ltd., Celtic Insurance Company Inc., Charlie Banana USA LLC, Corporativo Procter & Gamble S. de R.L. de C.V., DDFSkincare, Detergent Products B.V., Detergent Products SARL, Detergenti S.A., FPG Oleochemicals Sdn. Bhd., Fameccanica Data S.p.A., Fameccanica Industria e Comercio Do Brasil LTDA., Fameccanica Machinery Shanghai Co. Ltd., Fameccanica North America Inc., Farmacy Beauty, Fater Central Europe SRL, Fater Eastern Europe LLC, Fater Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Fater S.p.A., Fater Temizlik Urunleri Ltd STI, First Aid Beauty, First Aid Beauty Limited, Folgers Coffee, Fountain Square Music Publishing Co. Inc., Gillette Australia Pty. Ltd., Gillette China Limited, Gillette Commercial Operations North America, Gillette Diversified Operations Pvt. Ltd., Gillette Egypt S.A.E., Gillette Group UK Ltd, Gillette Holding Company LLC, Gillette Holding GmbH, Gillette India Limited, Gillette Industries Ltd., Gillette International B.V., Gillette Latin America Holding B.V., Gillette Management LLC, Gillette Pakistan Limited, Gillette Poland International Sp. z.o.o., Gillette Shanghai Ltd., Gillette U.K. Limited, Gillette del Uruguay S.A., Hyginett KFT, Industries Marocaines Modernes SA, Inversiones Plaza LLC, LLC "Procter & Gamble - Novomoskovsk", LLC "Procter & Gamble Distributorskaya Compania", LLC Procter & and Gamble Ukraine, Laboratoire Mediflor S.A.S., Laboratorios Vicks S.L.U., Lamberts Healthcare Ltd., Liberty Street Music Publishing Company Inc., Limited Liability Company 'Procter & Gamble Trading Ukraine', MDVIP, MERCK KGAA NPV, Marcvenca Inversiones C.A., Merck Consumer Healthcare, Modern Industries Company - Dammam, Modern Products Company - Jeddah, Native, Nature's Best Health Products Ltd., New Chapter Canada Inc., New Chapter Inc., Nioxin Research Laboratories, Noxell Corporation, OUAI, Olay LLC, Oral-B Laboratories, P&G Consumer Health Germany GmbH, P&G Distribution East Africa Limited, P&G Distribution Morocco SAS, P&G Hair Care Holding Inc., P&G Health Austria GmbH & Co. OG, P&G Health France S.A.S., P&G Health Germany GmbH, P&G Healthcare Zhejiang Limited, P&G Industrial Peru S.R.L., P&G Innovation Godo Kaisha, P&G Investment Management Ltd., P&G Israel M.D.O. Ltd., P&G Japan G.K., P&G K.K., P&G Northeast Asia Pte. Ltd., P&G Prestige Godo Kaisha, P&G South African Trading Pty. Ltd., P&G-Clairol, PG13 Launchpad Alpha Inc., PG13 Launchpad Beta Inc., PG13 Launchpad Gamma Inc., PGT Healthcare LLP, PT Procter & Gamble Home Products Indonesia, PT Procter & Gamble Operations Indonesia, Phase II Holdings Corporation, Pressbox, Procter & Gamble Algeria EURL, Procter & Gamble Amazon Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Amiens S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Argentina SRL, Procter & Gamble Asia Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Australia Proprietary Limited, Procter & Gamble Azerbaijan Services LLC, Procter & Gamble Bangladesh Private Ltd., Procter & Gamble Blois S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Brazil Holdings B.V., Procter & Gamble Bulgaria EOOD, Procter & Gamble Business Services Canada Company, Procter & Gamble Canada Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Chengdu Ltd., Procter & Gamble Chile Limitada, Procter & Gamble China Ltd., Procter & Gamble China Sales Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Commercial LLC, Procter & Gamble Czech Republic s.r.o., Procter & Gamble DS Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Danmark ApS, Procter & Gamble Detergent Beijing Ltd., Procter & Gamble Deutschland GmbH, Procter & Gamble Distributing New Zealand Limited, Procter & Gamble Distributing Philippines Inc., Procter & Gamble Distribution Company Europe BV, Procter & Gamble Distribution S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Eastern Europe LLC, Procter & Gamble Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Procter & Gamble Egypt, Procter & Gamble Egypt Distribution, Procter & Gamble Egypt Holding, Procter & Gamble Egypt Manufacturing Company, Procter & Gamble Egypt Supplies, Procter & Gamble Energy Company LLC, Procter & Gamble Espana S.A.U., Procter & Gamble Far East Inc., Procter & Gamble Finance Holding Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Management S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Finance U.K. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Financial Investments LLP, Procter & Gamble Financial Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Financial Services S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Finland OY, Procter & Gamble France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH, Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH & Co. Operations oHG, Procter & Gamble Ghana Trading Limited, Procter & Gamble GmbH, Procter & Gamble Grundstucks-und Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, Procter & Gamble Guangzhou Consumer Products Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Guangzhou Enterprise Management Service Company Limited, Procter & Gamble Guangzhou Ltd., Procter & Gamble Guangzhou Technology Innovation Co. LTD., Procter & Gamble Gulf FZE, Procter & Gamble Hair Care LLC, Procter & Gamble Health & Beauty Care Limited, Procter & Gamble Health Belgium BV, Procter & Gamble Health Limited, Procter & Gamble Health Ltd., Procter & Gamble Health Poland Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Hellas Single Member Ltd., Procter & Gamble Holding France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Holding GmbH, Procter & Gamble Holding S.r.l., Procter & Gamble Holding Thailand Limited, Procter & Gamble Holdings UK Ltd., Procter & Gamble Home Products Private Limited, Procter & Gamble Honduras S de RL, Procter & Gamble Hong Kong Limited, Procter & Gamble Hungary Wholesale Trading Partnership KKT, Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care Limited, Procter & Gamble Inc., Procter & Gamble India Holdings Inc., Procter & Gamble Indochina Company Limited, Procter & Gamble Industrial - 2012 C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial S.C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Costa Rica Limitada, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de El Salvador Limitada de Capital Variable, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Guatemala Limitada, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Panama S. de R.L., Procter & Gamble International Operations SA, Procter & Gamble International Operations SA-ROHQ, Procter & Gamble International Sarl, Procter & Gamble Investment Company UK Ltd., Procter & Gamble Investment Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Italia S.p.A., Procter & Gamble Jiangsu Ltd., Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan Distribution LLP, Procter & Gamble Korea Inc., Procter & Gamble Korea S&D Co., Procter & Gamble L&CP Limited, Procter & Gamble Leasing LLC, Procter & Gamble Levant S.A.L., Procter & Gamble Limited, Procter & Gamble Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Belgium N.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Berlin GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Ireland Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing SA Pty Ltd, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Thailand Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Tianjin Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Marketing Romania SRL, Procter & Gamble Mataro S.L.U., Procter & Gamble Mexico Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Mexico Inc., Procter & Gamble Middle East FZE, Procter & Gamble Nederland B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Services B.V., Procter & Gamble Nigeria Limited, Procter & Gamble Norge AS, Procter & Gamble Operations Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Overseas India B.V., Procter & Gamble Overseas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Pakistan Private Limited, Procter & Gamble Peru S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Philippines Business Services Inc., Procter & Gamble Philippines Inc., Procter & Gamble Polska Sp. z o.o, Procter & Gamble Portugal - Produtos De Consumo Higiene e Saude S.A., Procter & Gamble Product Supply U.K. Limited, Procter & Gamble Productions Inc., Procter & Gamble RHD Inc., Procter & Gamble RSC Regional Service Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Retail Services Sarl, Procter & Gamble S.r.l., Procter & Gamble Service GmbH, Procter & Gamble Services Company N.V., Procter & Gamble Services Switzerland SA, Procter & Gamble Singapore Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Spol. s.r.o. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Sverige AB, Procter & Gamble Switzerland SARL, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Limited, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Sales Company Limited, Procter & Gamble Technical Centres Limited, Procter & Gamble Technology Beijing Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Trading Thailand Limited, Procter & Gamble Tuketim Mallari Sanayii A.S., Procter & Gamble UK, Procter & Gamble UK Group Holdings Ltd, Procter & Gamble UK Parent Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Universal Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Vietnam Company Limited, Procter & Gamble d.o.o. za trgovinu, Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.C.A., Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.R.L., Procter & Gamble do Brasil Ltda., Procter & Gamble do Brazil LLC, Procter & Gamble do Nordeste S/A, Procter & Gamble doo Beograd, Procter & Gamble-Rakona s.r.o., Procter and Gamble Lanka Private Limited, Procter and Gamble SA Pty Ltd., Progam Realty & Development Corporation, Recovery Engineering, Redmond Products Inc., Richardson-Vicks, Richardson-Vicks Real Estate Inc., Riverfront Music Publishing Co. Inc., Rosemount LLC, SPD Development Company Limited, SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH, Series Acquisition B.V., Seven Seas Limited, Shulton Inc., Snowberry, Snowberry New Zealand Limited, Sunflower Distributing LLC, TAOS - FL LLC, TAOS Retail LLC, THIS IS L, TULA, Tambrands, Tambrands Inc., Temple Trees Impex & Investment Private Limited, The Art of Shaving, The Art of Shaving - FL LLC, The Dover Wipes Company, The Gillette Company, The Gillette Company LLC, The Gillette co., The Iams Company Inc., The Procter & Gamble Distributing LLC, The Procter & Gamble Global Finance Company LLC, The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company, The Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company, The Procter & Gamble U.S. Business Services Company, This is L., This is L. Inc., Thomas Hedley Co, US CD LLC, Vidal Sassoon Shanghai Academy, VitaminHaus Pty Ltd, Walker & Co. Brands Inc., Walker & Company Brands, Wella AG, Zenlen Inc., Zirh, and iMFLUX Inc.. Read More Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE), an S&P 500 urban office real estate investment trust ("REIT"), is the first, longest-tenured, and pioneering owner, operator, and developer uniquely focused on collaborative life science, technology, and agtech campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, with a total market capitalization of $31.9 billion as of December 31, 2020, and an asset base in North America of 49.7 million square feet ("SF"). The asset base in North America includes 31.9 million RSF of operating properties and 3.3 million RSF of Class A properties undergoing construction, 7.1 million RSF of near-term and intermediate-term development and redevelopment projects, and 7.4 million SF of future development projects. Founded in 1994, Alexandria pioneered this niche and has since established a significant market presence in key locations, including Greater Boston, San Francisco, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle. Alexandria has a longstanding and proven track record of developing Class A properties clustered in urban life science, technology, and agtech campuses that provide our innovative tenants with highly dynamic and collaborative environments that enhance their ability to successfully recruit and retain world-class talent and inspire productivity, efficiency, creativity, and success. Alexandria also provides strategic capital to transformative life science, technology, and agtech companies through our venture capital platform. We believe our unique business model and diligent underwriting ensure a high-quality and diverse tenant base that results in higher occupancy levels, longer lease terms, higher rental income, higher returns, and greater long-term asset value. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, a pharmaceutical company, develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes generic medicines, specialty medicines, and biopharmaceutical products in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company offers sterile products, hormones, high-potency drugs, and cytotoxic substances in various dosage forms, including tablets, capsules, injectables, inhalants, liquids, transdermal patches, ointments, and creams. It also develops, manufactures, and sells active pharmaceutical ingredients. In addition, it focuses on the central nervous system, pain, respiratory, and oncology areas. Its products in the central nervous system include Copaxone for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis; AJOVY for the preventive treatment of migraine; and AUSTEDO for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia and chorea associated with Huntington disease. The company's products in the respiratory market comprise ProAir, QVAR, ProAir Digihaler, AirDuo Digihaler, and ArmonAir Digihaler, BRALTUS, CINQAIR/CINQAERO, DuoResp Spiromax, and AirDuo RespiClick/ArmonAir RespiClick for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Its products in the oncology market include Bendeka, Treanda, Granix, Trisenox, Lonquex, and Tevagrastim/Ratiograstim. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has a collaboration MedinCell for the development and commercialization of multiple long-acting injectable products, a risperidone suspension for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. The company was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. Synchrony Financial, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer financial services company in the United States. It provides credit products, such as credit cards, commercial credit products, and consumer installment loans. The company also offers private label credit cards, dual cards, co-brand and general purpose credit cards, short- and long-term installment loans, and consumer banking products; and deposit products, including certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, money market accounts, and savings accounts to retail and commercial customers, as well as accepts deposits through third-party securities brokerage firms. In addition, it provides debt cancellation products to its credit card customers through online, mobile, and direct mail; healthcare payments and financing solutions under the CareCredit, Pets Best, and Walgreens brands; payments and financing solutions in the apparel, specialty retail, outdoor, music, and luxury industries; and point-of-sale consumer financing for audiology products and dental services. The company offers its credit products through programs established with a group of national and regional retailers, local merchants, manufacturers, buying groups, industry associations, and healthcare service providers; and deposit products through various channels, such as digital and print. It serves digital, health and wellness, retail, home, auto, powersports, jewelry, pets, and other industries. Synchrony Financial was founded in 1932 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. A reserve officer who was recommended for discharge from the Marine Corps three years ago for mishandling classified documents while attempting to warn colleagues downrange about a threat can stay in the service, at least for now, a federal judge ruled this week. In a decision published Tuesday, New York Eastern District Court Judge Joseph Bianco threw out the December 2013 board of inquiry administrative finding against Maj. Jason Brezler, saying the military had failed to provide him full adequate records of the procedure and documents relevant to his claims that he was a victim of whistleblower retaliation. The Navy must arrange a new board of inquiry for Brezler, Bianco decided, so he can "fully and fairly" present evidence on the issues. "This is a stunning rebuke of the fundamentally unjust proceedings to which this decorated Marine was subjected for over three years," Brezler's attorney, Michael Bowe, said in a statement. "The judge correctly found that highly relevant documents and information were withheld from the defense, that the excuses for doing so were 'completely unsupported,' and that Major Brezler was 'completely deprived of any meaningful opportunity' to rebut critical claims," he added. "Most important, the Court outlined in detail the powerful evidence that Major Brezler was illegally retaliated against in rejecting the argument that there was no evidence of retaliation." At issue for Brezler, a New York City firefighter and a Bronze Star recipient, is a 2012 email he sent from his personal Yahoo account that contained a classified document cataloguing the threats presented by an Afghan policeman, Sarwar Jan. Jan was suspected of having ties to the Taliban and abusing young boys, as Brezler knew from his 2010 deployment to the Afghan region of Now Zad as a civil affairs officer. For some, fears about the policeman would be confirmed when a teenage boy employed by Jan, Ainuddin Khudairaham, killed three Marines at Forward Operating Base Delhi on Aug. 10, 2012v -- two weeks after Brezler's email. But the military never officially linked Jan to the violent attack, and attention focused instead on Brezler's mishandling of classified information, a serious offense in the military. At Brezler's board of inquiry, prosecutors would argue that he had also brought home from his 2010 deployment a small hard drive containing classified documents, and that it appeared he planned to use the documents to inform a book project, "Rebirth of Apocalypse Now Zad," which he later abandoned. From the start, however, many have championed Brezler as an exceptional Marine who acted fast to warn troops about a man who he believed presented an immediate danger. Nine character witnesses testified at his board of inquiry. The list included Maj. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson, then commander of 1st Marine Division, who said Brezler's contributions in Iraq and Afghanistan "rank among the most important I've seen in the most challenging settings." State Department official John Kael Weston compared Brezler to Gen. Joseph Dunford, now chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, saying he would want to serve alongside both in a war zone. And the family of one of the Marines killed at Forward Operating Base Delhi, Lance Cpl. Greg Buckley Jr., has steadily supported Brezler, saying his warning, if heeded, might have prevented the attack. More recently, some have compared Brezler favorably with 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, who was investigated by the FBI after it was revealed she had used a personal email server for official business while Secretary of State. The investigation found Clinton had been "extremely careless" with sensitive information, some classified, but did not recommend that she be criminally charged. Brezler first claimed he was experiencing whistleblower retaliation in early 2013, reaching out to Rep. Peter King, a Republican from New York, alleging that he received an improperly negative fitness report while he was under investigation for mishandling the classified document. King queried the Marine Corps about the complaint, triggering a flurry of emails from then-commandant Gen. James Amos and other senior generals, correspondence that was later reported in Marine Corps Times. But while the Marine Corps has maintained no retaliation occurred, the court found the service failed to provide Brezler with evidence to support this claim. "Indeed, the government has never argued in the instant action that plaintiff's retaliation arguments were irrelevant to the BOI, but rather has repeatedly asserted that the Navy carefully examined and rejected those claims throughout the administrative review," Bianco wrote. "In short, this Court finds that Major Brezler lacked the relevant documents necessary to fully and fairly litigate his retaliation claims, and that the Navy's failure to provide those materials violated its own discovery rule under the particular circumstances of this case," he wrote. It's not clear when a new board of inquiry would be scheduled for Brezler, whose career has now been in limbo for more than three years. The Marine Corps did not immediately have a statement in response to the court's ruling. -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. The weather conditions are treacherous. But that's to be expected for members of the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing who participate in the U.S. Air Force's Operation Deep Freeze mission in Antarctica. Members in charge of flight operations wrestle with unexpected challenges when delivering supplies and cargo to scientists conducting research at the southernmost point of Earth's surface. Because of the temperature -- which can drop as low as 50 degrees below zero -- the Guard's LC-130 aircraft are equipped with ski-like landing gear and sometimes drift over ice as loadmasters drop equipment from the cargo door. To get out of white-out conditions in desolate areas at high altitudes, the planes employ takeoff rockets to get airborne at a safe speed. The operation has been ongoing for 60 years. From about October to February each year, about 100 airmen stay at McMurdo Station, the central hub of operations supporting the National Science Foundation's Polar Program research effort, said Lt. Col David Panzera, director of the 109th Airlift Wing's program integration office. As many as 500 airmen can rotate through to support the cargolift operation, which involves two to three LC-130s. An element of Air Force maintainers stays up in Christchurch, New Zealand, with two additional aircraft for obvious climate reasons, Panzera said, but McMurdo can grow to 1,000 station personnel. Year after year during the surge of building McMurdo, and constructing and flying to the South Pole station -- built with roughly 24 million tons of cargo brought down by C-130 in the last six decades -- some crews saw 400 or more flights. "When you land in the South Pole on an average day, it's minus 30 degrees and you're standing and landing on ice that is two and a half miles thick, you're 9,300 feet above sea level, and there's a whole host of challenges that come with touch operations," Panzera said in a recent interview with Military.com. Panzera was at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, at the time of the phone call interview, but has since returned home for the holidays before he heads back Jan. 25 to finish his rotation. Panzera was also not on site when famous astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to step on the Moon, was airlifted out of the South Pole after he fell ill on a visit there last week. But Panzera sang the praises of the 109th for airlifting 86-year-old Aldrin in a safe and secure manner during a recent press conference outside the wing's Stratton Air National Guard Base, New York. "We've made in essence a dangerous mission safe," Panzera said, addressing local reporters Thursday. Assisted Takeoff, More Remote Places The 109th operates the LC-130H, H-2 and H-3 variants, Panzera said. The Guard unit has 10 LC-130s total at Stratton. "Aircraft are standard C-130s but have been modified with skis that allow us to operate at our maximum takeoff weight -- between 125,000 to 155,000 pounds," he said. Depending on mission requirements, the C-130s usually take somewhere between 25,000 to 35,000 pounds to the continent. For the airmen, this amounts to 10-12 hour days, six days a week in the supreme cold climate. Panzera said the mission began transitioning from the Navy to the Air Force in the late 1990s, around the same time he began his trek down there. "[We've been] the sole source provider for heavy, Antarctic airlift to the National Science Foundation, both in Antarctica and up to the Arctic and Greenland," he said. Year after year during the surge of building McMurdo, and constructing and flying to the South Pole station, some crews saw 400 or more flights. For the 2016-17 schedule, there are 350 flights planned throughout the region, but "a good amount of them going to other areas in Antarctica, so now that the station is built, the focus is more about going to other scientific locations where they're doing studies of all kinds," Panzera said. The climate conditions are not kind. These locations "are more challenging to get into, more austere, [the crews] are on the ground longer," and are some of the places where airmen use the ATO rocket capability, Panzera said. "No one sees Fat Albert fire rockets anymore because they're not available," he said of the Blue Angels' heavy-lift C-130T Hercules operated by a Marine Corps crew. "We're the only ones that have them." The assisted takeoff rockets are a staple of wars past. During World War II, small rockets were used to make takeoff time shorter, largely employed by the German Luftwaffe, according to The Aviationist blog. Related Video: C-130 Fat Albert Jet Assisted Takeoff Panzera said the U.S. has reached out to allies for assisted takeoff rockets (noting he doesn't consider them to be Jet-Assisted Take-Offs, or JATO, as the capability is commonly known because "they're not jets, they're rockets") in recent years to try to keep as many as they can on hand. "Because to take off in this airplane in an 'open-snow' condition at altitude your engines are not going to produce nearly enough thrust, and the engines can't produce enough at 11,000 feet [above sea level]," he said. The rockets, some dating back to the 1950s, have to be inspected thoroughly to make sure they'll be useful or won't explode prematurely. The Air Force has looked into developing new ones, Panzera said, but a recent rough estimate showed one non-reusable rocket would cost around $20,000 each. "Imagine paying $160,000 to do one takeoff," Panzera said. Since 1994, he said he's seen only 13 ATO takeoffs -- and for good reason. The rockets take up lots of space that could instead be used for research supplies or aid, and to propel with such force uses more fuel, he said. Necessary Research Panzera flew from New York to Travis Air Force Base, California, to Hawaii, to the American Samoa to New Zealand in roughly 40 hours of flight time over four days through 18 time zones. But he, just like airmen from the 109th, does it for a mission that is not considered mil-to-mil training, and requires no weapons. It's distinct, and for a good cause. There are 50 Antarctic Treaty nations, representing about two-thirds of the world's human population, according to the NSF's website. "All of Antarctica is reserved to the world for scientific research and study," including avid trekkers such as the French, Russians, Chinese, Canadians and Italians, Panzera said. "Everything that we do is in support of joint-effort science," he said. "The missions to the South Pole [are to deliver] food, different fuels, scientific gear, equipment and supplies, and we also take out all the waste -- nothing on this continent stays." In addition to transporting scientists and researchers, the Guard also airlifts highly critical scientific samples such as ice core specimens, Panzera said. The research itself is an assortment: anything from glaciology, plate tectonics, volcanology, marine biology, atmospheric studies, oceanic studies, paleontology, meteorite studies, astrophysics, and space studies. McMurdo is the support line to various research camps, run by an NSF manager, that surveyors have set up across the glacier. "A good amount of folks will go out to various camps, and we won't even see them until we go out to those camps," Panzera said. Sometimes basic necessities can be delivered daily via helicopter or, for example, a Canadian de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft. But "when heavy airlift has to be done, we have to be the ones to do it, and there is a serious effort done to carefully look at a landing area where we can either smooth out or [somehow] make for a C-130 to land," he said. Runways on Ice Sometimes, the New Zealand military will send over its C-130s, the Royal Australian Air Force and U.S. Air Force its C-17 Globemasters. But to have additional militaries, to have any party come over to land, Panzera said, there has to be more. The Pegasus Ice Runway, one of the runways of the three airfields at McMurdo, can't sustain the traffic. Pegasus is in an area that causes it to melt and pool as the ice shifts and is far harder to maintain. "There's a new runway that's going to be much better than Pegasus," Panzera said. The new runway area, called Phoenix, was completed last month using compressed snow "harder than concrete; it's unbelievably strong," he said. On Nov. 15, a C-17 from Joint Base Lewis-McChord successfully landed on Phoenix, indicating McMurdo could soon take on more cargo aircraft and more people. To Panzera, this is the "final frontier of flight on the planet." And the Air Force excels at it. "If I could brag about our maintenance people for days, I would," Panzera said, "because you're talking about men and women who produce [high] mission capability rates in an area where they don't even have hangars, they don't have any way to get out of the weather, they're down there in sometimes negative 20 degrees it is rotten to work in. "Some people gripe about where they're at, what they're doing. But let me tell you what some people do down here, and they do it with a smile on their face," he said. Editor's Note: This story has been updated to clarify the construction of the South Pole station. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Related Video: Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis joined Republican President-elect Donald Trump on stage on Tuesday to formally accept the nomination to become secretary of defense. The event took place before an enthusiastic crowd in Fayetteville, North Carolina, just miles from the Army's Fort Bragg, the service's largest base with more than 50,000 soldiers and home to airborne and special operations forces, according to the Defense Department. After arriving more than an hour late due to the rainy weather, Trump praised Mattis as one of the most effective U.S. military leaders in decades "who plays no games." Trump introduced the general by his nickname, "Mad Dog," when he called him to the stage. Mattis spoke briefly -- less than a minute -- in his first public statement as the nominee. "Thank you president-elect for the confidence you have shown in me," he said. "Thank you for the opportunity -- I'm grateful for the opportunity to return to our troops, their families, the civilians at the Department of Defense because I know how committed they are and devoted they are to the defense of our country, the defense of our constitution. "With our allies strengthened, with our country strengthened, I look forward to being the civilian leader so long as the Congress gives me the waiver and the Senate votes to consent," he hadded. "Thank you very much." Trump vowed afterward, "He'll get that waiver oh, if he didn't get that waiver, there'd be a lot of angry people. Such a popular choice." Under current law, Mattis would need a waiver from Congress to get past the rule barring military officers from taking posts requiring Senate confirmation for seven years after retiring. Mattis stepped down as head of U.S. Central Command in 2013. Before the event, Dan Senor, senior adviser to the Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan campaign in 2012, said he found Trump's selection of Mattis "reassuring." "I find this reassuring," he told CNN. "We should all be encouraging the Senate to grant this waiver because we want competent, serious people to serve in this administration." Sen. John McCain, a Republican from Arizona and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which will oversee the confirmation, has said he supports Mattis but that the process for approving a waiver won't be easy. "I'm very worried about it," he said, The Washington Examiner reported on Tuesday. "We have to work on it." Democrats including Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat from New York, have said they will oppose granting Mattis a waiver. "While I deeply respect General Mattiss service, I will oppose a waiver," she said in a statement last week. "Civilian control of our military is a fundamental principle of American democracy, and I will not vote for an exception to this rule." Trump had already said he intended to nominate Mattis for the top job at the Defense Department, an announcement that came last week and earlier than planned after The Washington Post broke the news. During his speech on Tuesday night, Trump repeated his campaign pledges to rebuild the military in part by increasing the size of the armed forces and to reform the Veterans Affairs Department in part by ensuring that vets can seek treatment from a private care provider of their choice if they face too long of a wait for an appointment at a VA facility. Trump also pledged his first budget submission to Congress will end spending caps known as sequestration. -- Brendan McGarry can be reached at brendan.mcgarry@military.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Brendan_McGarry. Here are the stories generating the most comments this week on Military.com, along with a sampling of reader responses edited for clarity. "Marine Corps: 241 years of taking simple s--- and making it hard. Both rounds are a great improvement over the M193 that I used 45 years ago. Lead works well on soft targets, steel works well on hard targets. The trick is to find one that works well on both and that is what the M855A1 is supposed to do. Rangers Lead the Way." -- Rod Hembree "Oh Good! The average congressman knows about as much about rifle ammo as Joe the Ragman knows about operating room cleanliness. All this is, is an opportunity for enough hot air to emanate from a single congressman to lift the Goodyear blimp. All talk and nothing will be accomplished." -- JohnM "Why must they always show this picture of a disgraced coward in class As with his ribbons, CIB and Sergeant stripes? He needs to be wearing a prison jumpsuit." -- bbabbitt "This must go to trial. There are too many unanswered question that can only be answered at trial." -- Dat03 "I completely agree with the general and consider his suggestion preventive maintenance, which is always the best solution." -- RAPTOR 555 "Amazing how many people are eager to go to war. First, who would issue the order to attack N.K. There is a U.N. command in Korea. The armistice that was signed in 1953 was between the U.N. and N.K. Currently, the Combined Forces Command commander technically commands the U.N./U.S. and S.K. forces, but the decision to go to war with N.K. would involve more nations than those two. The U.N. would never approve it. S.K. would not approve it because they have the most to lose. N.K. has a million-man army, with several more million available as reserves. The terrain does not favor tank warfare like it was in Iraq. It would be a long and bloody war, especially if China decided to send volunteers again " -- Samuel Novotny "LCS program - fail; DDG1000 program - fail; F-35 program (Navy, Marines, Air Force) - fail; Ford class carrier program - doesn't look promising. All these programs should be canceled where they stand." -- Jim "I assume these small inshore ships can obtain improved reliability and endurance. But given the LCS class vulnerability to hostile acts with little to no external support (air or surface), the usefulness to the Navy is suspect. Why not transfer the LCS class and those nearing completion to the Coast Guard?" -- 34811753 "Question: Why is the Joint Chiefs preparing new ISIS strategy for someone who states he knows more about ISIS than the Generals?" -- 6611848 "The new strategy should be very simple: Kill them all where they are." -- Scorpion_J -- Brendan McGarry can be reached at brendan.mcgarry@military.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Brendan_McGarry. President Barack Obama defended his record as commander-in-chief Tuesday against the pledges of President-elect Donald Trump to reverse much of his national security and counter-terror legacy. Obama, who came to office in 2009 with expectations of ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, was candid in acknowledging that the goal of a United States at peace would be the task of another administration. "On Jan. 20, I will become the first president of the United States to serve two full terms during a time of war," Obama told U.S. Special Operations and Central Command troops at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. "For eight years that I've been in office, there has not been a day when a terrorist organization or some radicalized individual was not plotting to kill Americans," Obama said. The president told the troops that the threat has required him to send them "in harm's way" on constant deployments and he warned that "the threat will endure" well beyond his presidency. For their continued sacrifice, Obama said, "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your commander-in-chief." In what was billed as his last major address on defense issues, Obama said he wanted to "talk about the foundation that we will leave for the next administration." If adhered to, the foundation was there to achieve stability in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, while defeating the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and limiting the ability of ISIS and other terror groups to threaten and influence attacks on the homeland, Obama said Trump's name was never mentioned, but much of the address appeared aimed at the president-elect, who in a speech later in the day formally announced retired Marine Gen. James Mattis as his nominee for secretary of defense. The rule of law must be preserved in the U.S. way of war, Obama said, as he argued against the re-introduction of "enhanced interrogation techniques" such as waterboarding. Obama also renewed his calls against "stigmatizing Muslims" and for shuttering the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, saying that U.S. courts and prisons were best equipped to deal with terror suspects. "Rather than offer false promises that we can eliminate terrorism by dropping more bombs, or deploying more and more troops, or by fencing ourselves off from the rest of the world, we have to take a long view of the terrorist threat," Obama told troops gathered in an airplane hangar. "We have to pursue a smart strategy that can be sustained." Trump and Mattis have both pilloried Obama's record as commander-in-chief. Trump has called Obama's national security policies a "disaster," and Mattis, in a speech last spring to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that Obama was leaving the next president a "mess." "The bottom line on the American situation is quite clear," Mattis said. "The next president is going to inherit a mess. That's probably the most diplomatic word you can use for it." Trump made a surprise announcement of the Mattis choice last week. Throughout his term, Obama has been adamantly opposed on nearly every defense issue by congressional Republicans, and the opposition continued Tuesday after his speech at MacDill. Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, quickly issued a statement excoriating Obama's record. "President Obama's speech was nothing more than a feeble attempt to evade the harsh judgment of history," the senator said. Obama will be leaving behind "emboldened enemies" and "dispirited allies," he added. "No rhetorical conceit will alter history's verdict." -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, a proponent of tighter border controls and a favorite of Congress for his unscripted candor, has emerged as the top choice of President-elect Donald Trump for the cabinet post of Homeland Security secretary. There was no immediate official confirmation of Kelly's pick from the Trump transition team, but several news outlets, including CBS and The New York Times, said the president-elect would name Kelly to the post next week -- along with his choice for secretary of state and other positions. CBS reported that Kelly had accepted the offer. As head of the Homeland Security Department, the 66-year-old Kelly would head the government's third-largest department with a workforce of 220,000 and a wide range of responsibilities from airport security and border protection to disaster relief and guarding the president. Kelly's authority would extend over the Coast Guard, the Secret Service, the Transportation Security Agency, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Federal Emergency Management Administration. The nomination of Kelly, who retired last year as head of U.S. Southern Command, would not require a waiver from Congress as would Trump's choice of retired Marine Gen. James Mattis as Defense secretary. The law against retired military officers accepting top positions until seven years after retirement only applies to the Pentagon post. If Kelly and Mattis were to be confirmed by the Senate, that would put three Marines in top security and defense posts for the Trump administration. Current Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford, a close friend of Kelly's and another Marine from the Boston area, served with Kelly in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Dunford also served as a regimental commander under Mattis in the 1st Marine Division. Kelly is what Marines call a "Mustang," an officer who came from the enlisted ranks. He joined the Marines in 1970 and was discharged from active duty in 1972 as a sergeant. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts in 1976, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant through Officer Candidate's School. His progression through the ranks gave Kelly the distinction of emulating a Marine Corps legend, the late Gen. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller. As a colonel and assistant commander for the 1st Marine Division in Iraq in 2003, Kelly was promoted to brigadier general. It was the first known promotion of a Marine colonel serving in a combat zone since Puller. In his long career, Kelly, much like Mattis, became a favorite of the press for speaking plainly, and colorfully. A Kelly quote became legend when his troops were poised outside Baghdad in 2003 and he was asked if it would be difficult to take the city. "Hell, these are Marines," Kelly said. "Baghdad ain't s---." Kelly is also the highest-ranking officer to have lost a son in combat since the 9/11 terror attacks. In 2010, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Michael Kelly was killed in action in the Sangin district of Afghanistan's Helmand province. Trump aides told The New York Times that the death of Kelly's son had a role in influencing his choice of the retired general for the Homeland post. The aides said Trump wanted individuals in security positions who understood on a personal level what it meant to send troops into combat. As head of U.S. Southern Command, Kelly sought to expand military and humanitarian contacts in Latin America. He also constantly pleaded with the higher command for more Navy and Coast Guard assets to interdict the drug trade at sea. Kelly also had command over the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detention facility and came under criticism from human rights groups over the forced feeding of prisoners who went on hunger strikes. Kelly was in line with Trump on keeping "Gitmo" open. In one of his free-wheeling news conferences at the Pentagon last January, Kelly said that the detainees at Guantanamo were "all bad boys. We have dossiers on all of them. Some of them were more effective in being bad boys than others." -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. The Marine Corps is conducting a search-and-rescue effort for a Marine F/A-18 Hornet pilot who ejected from his aircraft earlier Wednesday, about 120 miles southeast of Iwakuni, Japan, Marine officials said. The crash took place before 5 a.m. Eastern time, about 6:40 p.m. local time, according to the announcement. Few details were available about the unit or the nature of the mishap, but officials said the plane was assigned to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, based in Okinawa. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force are leading search and recovery efforts, with both aircraft and surface vessels, 1st Lt. Joseph Butterfield, a spokesman for 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, told Military.com. The Hornet was conducting regularly scheduled training when it crashed, officials said. The incident is being investigated. This F/A-18 crash is the third for the Marine Corps in three months, and the sixth since October 2015. The most recent incident took place Nov. 9, when two F/A-18s collided off the coast of San Diego, causing one to crash in the water and the other to land with substantial damage. Both pilots survived. Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correct the distance from the coast to the crash site. -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. Tropical Smoothie Cafe at 3400 Washtenaw Ave. Tropical Smoothie Cafe at 3400 Washtenaw Ave. is seen on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 in Ann Arbor. Katy Kildee | MLive.com (Katy Kildee) ANN ARBOR, MI - Winter weather getting you down? Stop in at the newest Tropical Smoothie Cafe location in Washtenaw County to soak in the island vibes and get a chance to win free smoothies for a year during the grand opening event on Thursday, Dec. 8. The Grand Opening Celebration at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, 3400 Washtenaw Ave., starts at 7 a.m. Thursday. The event includes product tastings, a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m. and giveaways including free smoothies for a year, Apple devices and Samsung televisions. At least 104 guests will win one of the prizes, including a card that ensures one free smoothie a week for a year, if they are in line by 5 p.m. that day. The business also is offering $1.99 flatbreads with the purchase of any smoothie on Thursday, Dec. 8. Owners Ken Patton and Kathy Turetzky signed a franchise agreement in February. The husband-and-wife team were inspired by Tropical Smoothie Cafe's emphasis on healthy eating. "We took a look at some business opportunities, and came across this franchise opportunity," Patton said. "It just so happens this franchise has been so successful and in demand in Michigan." The store opened its doors Tuesday, Nov. 22, and Patton has been hearing from customers who recognize the brand and appreciate the menu Tropical Smoothie Cafe has to offer. "The feedback I get after they try the product is always very positive," Patton said. "I think that what it does for the community is provides an option for eating that is healthier than the average option right in this area." Tropical Smoothie Cafe's menu includes a variety of flatbreads, wraps, salads and sandwiches like the Cali chicken club flatbread, and a range of smoothies from Sunrise Sunset (strawberries, pineapple, mango and orange juice) to the superfood Triple Berry Oat with fruit, ground flax seed and whole grain oats in the mix. Patton's favorite product is the Avocolada smoothie, a mix of avocado, pineapple, spinach, kale, coconut and lime. "It's very creamy, very smooth, has a wonderful refreshing taste and that's my favorite," Patton said. He and Turetzky have hired 25 employees, part and full-time, and said they are excited to welcome the community to check out the newest Tropical Smoothie Cafe location on Thursday. They are expecting over 100 people to stop in. "It's a means to get the word out to the community that the store is here and now open for business, to get started out on the right foot," Patton said. There are two other Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations in Washtenaw County: one at 885 W Eisenhower Parkway and another at 607 E Liberty St. Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a restaurant chain with more than 530 locations across the United States. ANN ARBOR, MI - An ornate pump organ made by the Allmendinger company in Ann Arbor more than 100 years ago has found a new home downtown. "After all these years, this Allmendinger organ is being returned to a location that is only two blocks from the place it was created," said Ray Detter, a local historian who is among those celebrating the occasion. A crew from Michigan Piano Moving carefully relocated the antique instrument from a private residence in the Chelsea area to Hathaway's Hideaway, an event space at 310 S. Ashley St., on Tuesday morning, Dec. 6. Based on its design, Detter believes the organ was manufactured in the 1880s, though the exact date is unknown. What is known is that it was made by David Allmendinger's company, which operated at the northwest corner of First and Washington streets from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. The old Allmendinger factory still stands today, now an office building owned by First Martin Corp. Rita Fulton, a retired Ann Arbor city housing inspector, said her husband, Ron, the former Ypsilanti Township building director, purchased the organ at a yard sale in Sterling Heights about 20 years ago. When he saw that it was made in Ann Arbor, he decided he had to buy it and "bring it back home." Now two decades later, they've decided to part with the organ. Rita Fulton reached out to Detter for help finding a new permanent home for it. "It's a beautiful piece and still plays very well," said Fulton, who noted it comes with a stool and two pedestal oil lamps. "It's very ornate," she said, referring to the hand-carved designs popular of old Allmendinger organs. "It's quite decorative." First Martin already has multiple Allmendinger organs on display inside the old factory building, which was remodeled into office space in 1984. Other locations were briefly considered before Mary Hathaway, a longtime Ann Arborite and preservationist, agreed to make room for the organ. "That's wonderful," Hathaway said on Tuesday morning, her eyes lighting up as the organ was set in place against a wall inside Hathaway's Hideaway. "I think the spot is just perfect," said Ellen Ramsburgh of the Ann Arbor Historical Foundation, who was present to witness the delivery. "I think it is," too," Hathaway responded. The organ's new home is a building with a unique history of its own. Once known as the Second Ward Public Building, it was built by the city in 1901 as a polling place and meeting hall for the primarily German residents of the old 2nd Ward. Mary Hathaway and her late husband, John Hathaway, an attorney who served on City Council in the 1960s, bought the building in 1969 when the city was selling surplus property, and today it remains filled with artifacts relating to Ann Arbor history and serves as a space for special events and gatherings. "I think it's a great addition," Hathaway said of the Allmendinger organ, which now sits near an Allmendinger piano. "I wish John could see it." Bill Martin, founder of First Martin Corp., covered the cost of the organ in the interest of preserving it as a piece of local history, and a handful of local preservationists pitched in to cover the rest of the moving costs. As their plan was executed Tuesday morning, some jokingly described it as a successful organ transplant, one of the musical variety. The Allmendinger organ company was founded in 1872 by David Allmendinger, who first worked out of a house at First and Washington. He got his start as an apprentice to master organ builder Gottlieb Gaertner in 1867. The history of the site and the company are documented in "Historic Ann Arbor: An Architectural Guide" by Susan Wineberg and Patrick McCauley. They note the brick buildings that stand today at 120-130 S. First St. were built in four stages as a factory for Allmendinger's company between 1888 and 1911. As the company grew and changed, it operated under different names over the years, including Ann Arbor Organ Works, the Ann Arbor Organ Company, and the Allmendinger Piano and Organ Company. According to Wineberg's account, Allmendinger began modestly, hand carving his earliest organs in the back of the home, using soup bones for the keys when ivory was in short supply. He personally peddled his handiwork from a wagon and eventually gained a reputation for fine workmanship. "His first customers were churches, but later he specialized in affordable reed organs that many farmers displayed and played in their parlors," Wineberg writes in "Historic Ann Arbor," noting examples of those organs can be seen at the Kempf House museum next to Liberty Plaza and in an exhibit in the entry of 130 S. First St., along with a history of the company and the family. "In its heyday, the factory made 5,000 organs and 600 pianos a year and shipped them all over the globe," Wineberg writes, noting Allmendinger formed a stock company in 1888 as demand for his instruments grew. He expanded to build Henderson Pianos in 1895 and later Ann Arbor Pianos, and even had a retail shop downtown. Competition from phonographs and large companies such as Sears eventually caused the company to fold. In 1915, the Allmendinger building at First and Washington ceased functioning as an organ and piano factory. Detter expressed his appreciation to everyone who helped make Tuesday's move possible. "Congratulations to all of us for providing the opportunity for this musical gem to be permanently located in Hathaway's Hideaway," he wrote in an email to supporters of the effort. "It is a beautiful instrument in a beautiful place only a couple of blocks from where it was manufactured." Wineberg said she was making her own contribution, sending Hathaway a piece of sheet music for a song called "Frat," which was sold by Allmendinger. BP suspect AAPD.png Ann Arbor Police are seeking help identifying a man who broke into a BP gas station, 3250 State Street in Ann Arbor, at 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 5. (Courtesy | Ann Arbor Police) ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor Police are seeking help from the public to identify a man who they believe broke into a BP gas station. At 5 a.m., Monday, Dec. 5, surveillance photos show a man broke into the gas station at 3250 State St., according to Ann Arbor Police. The suspect is described as a white male, age 35 to 45, 5-feet 8-inches to 5-feet 10-inches tall. He wore a University of Michigan hooded sweatshirt, jeans, gym shoes, dark gloves and had a black bag. Anyone with information or the suspect's identity should contact Det. Bill Stanford at 734-794-6930 ext. 49318. For Local (Parker)K0824CornFields A cornfield in Michigan. Randon Goebel, 21, of Waldron, was arrested on Monday, Dec. 5 after leading officers on a three-hour vehicle and foot pursuit through Hillsdale and Lenawee counties that ultimately ended in a southeast Michigan cornfield without incident. (MLive File Photo | Jonathon Gruenke) LENAWEE COUNTY, MI -- A Michigan man wanted in two states was arrested by conservation officers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Randon Goebel, 21, of Waldron, was arrested on Monday, Dec. 5 after leading officers on a three-hour vehicle and foot chase through Hillsdale and Lenawee counties that ultimately ended in a southeast Michigan cornfield without incident. Goebel was wanted in Ohio after failing to appear for sentencing on a felony abduction charge and violation of a personal protection order. He also had four bench warrants issued in Michigan for failing to appear in court. According to a DNR news release, the chase began around noon on Monday when DNR conservation officer Carter Woodwyk was investigating a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot at the Lost Nations State Game Area. Woodwyk stopped the Dodge Durango after it pulled out of the parking lot onto a road. The officer approached the vehicle and asked Goebel for his identification, who complied with the request. While Woodwyk was checking for outstanding warrants, Goebel fled in his vehicle, the release said. Woodwyk pursued Goebel, ultimately traveling into Lenawee County, where Goebel abandoned his sport-utility vehicle and fled on foot near the Michigan-Ohio border. Conservation officers Chris Reynolds of Hillsdale County and Eric Smither of Lenawee County also responded during the chase. They assisted with maintaining a perimeter and accompanying a K-9 unit from the Fulton County Sheriff's Office in Ohio in tracking Goebel at the scene. Officers from numerous other agencies also assisted in the pursuit. Goebel was returned to Ohio where he was lodged Williams County jail. He is awaiting his next court appearance. Charges in Michigan are being sought for attempting to flee and elude police, according to a DNR news release. plume_map_2016_updated.jpg An estimate of the extent of the Gelman dioxane plume. Plume boundaries shown here are based on a map created by Washtenaw County in February 2016. (MLive) ANN ARBOR, MI - Washtenaw County and the Huron River Watershed Council are joining the city of Ann Arbor in taking legal action in hopes of getting a better cleanup of the Gelman dioxane plume. Both the county and the nonprofit group, southeast Michigan's oldest environmental organization dedicated to river protection, filed motions this week in court, seeking to intervene in the previously settled litigation between the state and Gelman Sciences. The city did the same last month. The case is expected to be reopened in Washtenaw County Circuit Court and it's assigned to Judge Timothy Connors. A hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Dec. 15. If the judge agrees, the city, the county and the HRWC could join the state as co-plaintiffs in the case against polluter Gelman Sciences, the defendant. Gelman Sciences is the company responsible for the toxic chemical plume of 1,4-dioxane that's been slowly spreading through the area's groundwater for decades, contaminating much of Ann Arbor's west side and Scio Township and posing long-term threats to the city's water supply from the Huron River. It's described by some local officials as a slow-motion environmental disaster, and newer data suggests the health risks are greater than previously believed. Gelman Sciences manufactured filter devices at its Wagner Road plant and used dioxane as a solvent from the 1960s into the 1980s, discharging large amounts of the chemical into the environment as part of its waste stream. The parties seeking to intervene and reopen the Gelman case argue efforts to address the problem have been insufficient, as the plume is continuing to expand, continuing to pose threats to public health and the environment. The HRWC notes some monitoring wells are detecting dioxane at levels higher than before, and the full extent and movement of the plume remains unknown. The council also argues there is information to indicate past assumptions about how the plume is moving are wrong. The HRWC is being represented by Oday Salim, a senior attorney with the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center. Robert Charles Davis, an attorney in Mount Clemens, is representing the county, its health department and Health Officer Ellen Rabinowitz. Assistant Attorney General Brian Negele is representing the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The HRWC filed a 12-page brief in support of intervening in the case, as well as an eight-page complaint that alleges the state's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act is being violated. The county filed an 18-page brief in support of intervening, along with a 23-page complaint that also alleges violations of law. Together, they're essentially arguing not enough is being done to address the expanding plume and they're looking to the court for help. "As the local public health authority, we feel it's critical for us to be involved in these decisions moving forward," Rabinowitz said. "We have new rules in place in Michigan with regard to 1,4-dioxane, and we're looking forward to seeing these used to clean up the contamination and to fully protect our residents' health." For its part, the HRWC is focusing on threats to the watershed, particularly threats to aquatic life and recreational users of at-risk surface water bodies. Laura Rubin, the council's executive director, said the HRWC's focus is narrow because that's where it believes it has standing to intervene. Rubin said this is an unusual action for the HRWC to take, but it's in response to an extraordinary situation. The county argues the plume is a public health concern, as acknowledged by the governor and the DEQ in recently issued emergency rules for dioxane, rules that followed the discovery of dioxane in shallow groundwater on Ann Arbor's west side. There are concerns about the potential for dioxane in shallow groundwater to enter homes and other buildings as toxic vapor, which poses a health risk to residents who might breathe the polluted air. The state's new emergency rules lowered the allowable level for dioxane in residential drinking water from 85 parts per billion to 7.2 ppb and established a new vapor-intrusion screening level of 29 ppb. "It is now time for the 1,4-dioxane contamination in Washtenaw County to be cleaned up to the new rules," states the county's brief in support of intervening. The case started with the state suing the polluter in 1988, resulting in a consent judgment in 1992 that has been amended multiple times. "The goal of the first consent judgment was to provide details and steps for the cleanup of the 1,4-dioxane contamination. That effort failed," the county argues. "Over the years, a series of amended consent judgments were negotiated and executed. To date, there is no effective 'cleanup' of the 1,4-dioxane contamination. The cleanup efforts have failed." In issuing new emergency rules for dioxane on Oct. 27, the state acknowledged the previous "cleanup criteria" was not protective of public health. The county argues that opens the door for the county to intervene in the Gelman case, as the county and its officials have a statutory duty to protect public health. The county argues the new emergency rules for dioxane "impose an actionable cleanup standard and identify a public health concern." "The MDEQ has been handling this matter for many years. The process has failed," the county argues. "Despite their efforts, the situation is now the subject of emergency rules intended to address what is now asserted as a public health concern. The new standards are for 'cleanup' and not for containment or prohibition zones. A 'cleanup' standard requires action." The county's six-count complaint notes state law requires local health departments to "continually and diligently endeavor to prevent disease, prolong life, and promote the public health through organized programs, including prevention and control of environmental health hazards." The county argues Gelman Sciences unlawfully released dioxane into the environment and needs to be held accountable. The county's complaint recites some of the history, arguing there once was a real cleanup goal, but more than a decade ago the company essentially stopped trying to remediate the contamination and instead adopted a containment approach that, under the consent judgment, allows the pollution to spread through a court-ordered zone where groundwater use is prohibited. "The revised strategy of ignoring the remediation and removal of the 1,4-dioxane is contrary to state law and its applicable regulations," the county argues. The county also states in its complaint there are many homes near the edge of the estimated plume boundary, including dozens that are on private drinking water wells and do not have access to municipal water. The groundwater pollution threatens to impair homes and property by causing dioxane levels in water under those homes to exceed acceptable levels for inhalation and drinking water, the county argues. Just as the city argued in its court filing last month, the county also argues state law requires anyone responsible for release of a hazardous substance to determine the nature and extent of the release, immediately stop or prevent an ongoing release at the source, and diligently pursue response activities necessary to achieve the state's cleanup criteria. The county claims Gelman Sciences has failed to meet those statutory requirements and breached the consent judgment by failing to adequately monitor and clean up the pollution. The county is asking the judge to order the company to immediately undertake necessary actions to determine the full nature and extent of the dioxane pollution in all areas, stop the spread of it, including stopping the release at the source property, and clean up the area's groundwater by removing enough dioxane to achieve the state's newly established criteria. The county's complaint alleges Gelman Sciences has created a public nuisance that is causing damage, including costs to taxpayers and interference with people's property rights, and it could be abated with proper cleanup. The HRWC says its legal case is about Gelman's contamination of the Huron River watershed's soils, groundwater and surface waters, contamination that is growing ever closer to the Huron River and its tributaries, if it hasn't already reached them, threatening to worsen their quality and ecological health. Each legal negotiation between the state and the polluter seemingly provides Gelman with more leeway, not less, the HRWC argues, saying the state and the polluter have proven they alone cannot protect the council's interests. "The council is deeply concerned," its attorney writes. "If it hasn't already vented to them, the plume is at the very least approaching the Huron River and its tributaries. Dioxane is a hazardous, toxic substance that poses a threat to the health of the aquatic life community and to recreational interests, both of which the council exists to protect. The council's narrow but important objective for wanting to intervene in this litigation is to protect the Huron River watershed, which includes both surface waters and the groundwater that connects to them." The HRWC is a membership-based nonprofit organization founded in 1965 with a mission to protect and restore the Huron River. The council works to monitor streams within the watershed, educate the public, reduce pollution, provide policy and technical assistance to communities and protect drinking water. The complaint the council has filed focuses on the state's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, otherwise known as Act 451 of 1994. The council is seeking injunctive relief, claiming the law isn't being followed. Similar to the county's argument, the HRWC argues the law requires the polluter to determine the nature and extent of the contamination, stop or prevent the exacerbation of the contamination, and protect natural resources from being harmed. "By allowing the release of dioxane into, and the migration of dioxane through, the groundwaters within the Huron River watershed, and by not adequately eliminating the contamination before it can reach the watershed's surface waters or adequately assessing the risk to the watershed's surface waters, or not having an adequate response plan to address any dioxane that has reached or does reach the watershed's surface waters, defendant has polluted, or impaired, or destroyed, or is likely to pollute, impair or destroy, Michigan's waters and natural resources and the public trust in those natural resources," the HRWC argues. The HRWC is asking the judge to declare that the company has failed to comply with applicable laws and order the company to do several things: Prevent dioxane from entering the surface waters of the Huron River watershed in concentrations that would be injurious to humans or aquatic life Use the best scientific practices and information available to model the migration of the dioxane through the groundwaters Develop and implement a groundwater monitoring and detection scheme that accurately assesses the risk of dioxane entering the surface waters of the Huron River watershed Maintain dioxane levels in surface waters of the Huron River watershed to below an appropriate water quality criterion that would be protective of any relevant water use Develop and implement a surface water monitoring and detection scheme that accurately measures the concentration of dioxane in the surface waters of the Huron River watershed Gelman Sciences was acquired in 1997 by Pall Corp., which was acquired last year by Danaher Corp., a multibillion-dollar corporation that some local officials and residents argue has the financial resources to do a better cleanup. The polluter has spent millions doing pump-and-treat remediation over the years to remove dioxane from the groundwater. However, the rate of pumping and treating has slowed in recent years and some want to see it increased. The company is permitted to extract and treat 1,300 gallons per minute, and at one time it was approaching that. The average monthly pumping rate for active extraction wells was 1,115 gallons per minute in April 2011, but it was down to 487 gallons per minute as of earlier this year. Dioxane is classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as likely to be carcinogenic to humans by all routes of exposure. It also can cause kidney and liver damage, and respiratory problems. Short-term exposure to high levels of dioxane in the air can cause eye, nose and throat irritation. Just a few parts per billion in drinking water, with long-term exposure, poses a 1 in 100,000 cancer risk, according to the EPA. Ann Arbor Township, Scio Township and the Sierra Club's Huron Valley Group are petitioning the EPA, seeking a Superfund cleanup of the Gelman plume. ANN ARBOR, MI - An Ann Arbor man accused of spraying rat poison on food at several Michigan grocery stores was found incompetent to stand trial six months ago. He was ordered to receive mental health treatment at a state hospital to see if he can be rehabilitated to a point where he understands the charges against him and the court proceedings. That hasn't happened. Kyle A. Bessemer has yet to be admitted into the Center for Forensic Psychiatry because there hasn't been any room at the 210-bed facility. Since he hasn't been treated, his most recent competency exam in December was adjourned. "(It) was adjourned because there was no report and no room for him at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry," said Steve Hiller of the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office. "Forensic Center referrals have never been speedy matters in my experience - demand exceeds capacity." Washtenaw County Public Defender Robin Stephens, who is representing Bessemer, cited the forensic center being full when asking for an adjournment of the case on Dec. 1 in 14A-1 District Court. Stephens said she wants to wait to see if the treatment changes the course of the case. "My goal would be to try to get the forensic center to make a definitive statement on whether he can regain competency," Stephens said in court. A state law mandates that if a defendant isn't found competent for 15 straight months after the initial finding of incompetency - which happened in July for Bessemer - then the case is dismissed, though prosecutors have the option of reinstating charges if the person is ever deemed competent to stand trial. Offenders accused of violent crimes who are found incompetent after 15 months often remain in custody at a hospital or some other treatment center. But that isn't always the case. As one of three defendants in a 2013 Ann Arbor murder case, Rikky Ranger was still deemed incompetent 15 months after the initial ruling while his two co-defendants, Mark Paling and Richard Thompson, were sentenced to prison. Officials told The Ann Arbor News last year that Ranger was likely in some sort of out-patient treatment, but since the state can't release private medical information, Ranger's exact status was unknown. The trio was accused of killing 71-year-old David Maurer in his Lurie Terrace apartment three years ago this month. Thompson's family was upset that Ranger was posting pictures on social media of relaxing days on the lake while their son was serving time. The Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Pittsfield Township south of Ann Arbor is part of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, which declined to comment on Bessemer's case. When asked why he has been waiting so long to get into the forensic center, Jennifer Eisner, a spokeswoman for MDHHS, said it's department policy to not comment on specific cases, but she did provide a general comment about the long wait to get into the forensic center. "We are very aware and concerned about the significant wait list for admission of IST (incompetent to stand trial) defendants to the CFP (Center for Forensic Psychiatry)," she said. "This wait list has grown over the last year due to a number of factors including a 30 percent increase in the number of individuals adjudicated IST or NGRI (not guilty by reason of insanity) in the last five years, regional hospitals having increased difficulty moving patients on from their facilities, and challenges in placing individuals in community (non-state) hospitals." Bessemer remains in custody and is now scheduled for a competency review on Dec. 15. Bessemer faces two counts of poisoning food, drink, medicine, or water supply causing property damage and two counts of poisoning drink, medicine, or water supply after authorities allege he sprayed a mixture of rat poison on food at two Ann Arbor grocery stores. Police believe Bessemer, who was 29 at the time of the incident, put a Tomcat rat poison mixture on lettuce at Meijer, 3145 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, and on avocados, the olive bar and other produce at Whole Foods Market, 990 W. Eisenhower Parkway, on April 24. Officials previously stated he may have sprayed the mixture on food at Plum Market, 375 North Maple Road, as well, but no additional charges have been filed. According to the Ann Arbor detective who read the complaint against Bessemer in court previously, Bessemer has a history of mental illness and told police he thought someone was trying to poison him. The FBI investigated 12 stores across the state for poisoning after the incident. There were no known illnesses from the rat poison mixture. Ann Arbor News reporter Darcie Moran contributed to this story. aaps An Ann Arbor school bus pulls out of the bus yard on Friday, August 21, 2015. Ann Arbor Public Schools is considering allowing in-district transfer students and schools-of-choice students to ride buses as space allows. (Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News) (Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor) ANN ARBOR, MI - A collision Tuesday afternoon between an Ann Arbor School Public Schools bus with students aboard and another vehicle resulted in no injuries and no damage to the bus. The Ann Arbor Police Department responded to the accident at 2:54 p.m. near a roundabout on Maple Road by M-14. The closest school is Skyline High School at 2552 N. Maple Rd. Andrew Cluely, communications specialist for the school district, told the Ann Arbor News there were five Skyline students on the bus at the time of the collision and there were no injuries. There was also no damage to the bus, which continued on its route as normal, Cluely said. Police did not say if any of the drivers involved were ticketed. Pedestrian Crash Tire tracks are seen in the grass as a car drives eastbound on Plymouth Road near Green Road on Tuesday, December 6, 2016. A pedestrian was hit by a car near this location on Tuesday night. Matt Weigand | The Ann Arbor News (Matt Weigand) ANN ARBOR, MI - A person sustained non-life threatening injuries after being struck by a vehicle in Ann Arbor Tuesday evening, police say. Police and rescue officials responded around 6:30 p.m. to a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle near the intersection of Plymouth and Green roads. Sgt. Patrick Ouellette of the Ann Arbor Police Department said one person was transported from the scene with non-life threatening by a University of Michigan ambulance to the University of Michigan Health System-Ann Arbor. A representative of the hospital could not confirm the condition of the person, and whether they were admitted to the hospital, citing the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA.) Additional details about the incident were not immediately available. Plymouth Road is seven lanes and Green Road is five lanes, with pedestrian crossing zones, near the intersection. 1022hospitalmug_KYM001 The University of Michigan Board of Regents are voting on several renovations to its facilities totaling $11.4 million at its meeting on Thursday, Dec. 8. Improvements up for approval include upgrading imaging technology to improve patient safety and replacing a Department of Radiology magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. (Katie McLean | The Ann Arbor News) ANN ARBOR, MI - The University of Michigan Board of Regents is voting on several proposed renovations to U-M health system facilities totaling $11.4 million at its meeting on Thursday, Dec. 8. Improvements up for approval include upgrading imaging technology to improve patient safety and replacing a Department of Radiology magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. Here is a breakdown of the items the U-M Board of Regents is voting on: Electrophysiology laboratory replacement The U-M Hospitals and Health Centers are looking to renovate the existing electrophysiology laboratory of approximately 900 square feet of space on Level 2A of the Samuel and Jean Frankel Cardiovascular Center. The proposed $4.2 million project also includes the installation of upgraded imaging technology to improve patient safety, room function and utilization. Funding would be provided from Hospitals and Health Centers' resources. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2017. Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment replacement University Hospital is looking to replace a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner within its Department of Radiology. The $4.9 million project would replace the scanner, which is being decommissioned with a new MRI scanner. A renovation of approximately 1,100 square feet of currently shelled space on Level B2 of University Hospital is planned to accommodate the new scanner. If approved, funding would be provided from Hospitals and Health Centers' resources. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2017. Central Sterile Processing Department renovations The Board of Regents is voting on a $1.1 renovation project to improve process flow to enhance the efficiency of the Central Sterile Processing Department within the C.S. Mott Children's and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospitals. A renovation of approximately 3,700 gross square feet is planned, which would create a separation of sterile and non-sterile processing areas to improve instrument processing capacity, reduce the instrument processing constraints at University Hospital and support projected case growth. Sterile processing life replacement The Board of Regents is voting on a $1.2 million replacement of a sterile processing life replacement within the University Hospital Central Sterile Processing Department. Custom material lifts operate within the dumbwaiter shafts, which connect the operating rooms and the Central Sterile Processing Department. These lifts have become difficult to maintain and have decreased in reliability, causing disruption to services in the operating rooms, according to the Board of Regents action request. The project would replace the lift system equipment to improve system reliability. Funding will be provided from Hospitals and Health Centers' resources. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2018. Truck Route.jpg A proposed truck route in Ypsilanti. (Courtesy photo) YPSILANTI, MI - The two-year discussion in Ypsilanti on how to regulate truck traffic and divert it from local, residential streets is over. And trucks will still be allowed on residential streets. At its Tuesday, Dec. 6 meeting, the Ypsilanti City Council voted down a proposal that would have barred large trucks from using most of the city's local residential streets. Complaints about heavy truck traffic in residential zones prompted council members Brian Robb and Pete Murdock to push for a truck route that would help provide some relief. Among other issues, residents have complained that the trucks are loud, dangerous, often speed, and rattle homes and windows. Officials previously determined that implementing weight restrictions wouldn't be logistically possible and, by a 5-2 vote, council rejected the truck routes. Robb and Murdock voted in favor of the plan. "What we're trying to do is limit the number of streets that trucks can use," Murdock said. "If we can come up with a series of routes that does that, then that's a good thing." Mayor Amanda Edmonds disagreed. "I'd rather keep the burden distributed (among all the city's streets)," she said. The source and/or destination of most truck traffic is thought to be several heavy commercial operations in Ypsilanti Township, though there is no clear data that confirms that. Officials say one common route truckers use runs from from M-14 and Ford Road to southbound Prospect Road to West Michigan Avenue. The trucks then travel into the township via Michigan or Ecorse Road to sites like R + L Carriers on Ecorse. That's a problem for residents on Prospect, which is a long, straight road through a dense residential zone. Homeowners on Forest Avenue and in other parts of the city have also complained about regular truck traffic. The plan would have barred trucks from traveling Forest and most of Prospect, along with hundreds of other local streets. That would have forced the trucks to use rural routes through Ypsilanti Township, or take Interstate 275 south to Interstate 94 west. Truckers could then exit at Wiard Road and take that to Michigan and Ecorse. Exceptions would have been made for trucks making local deliveries, and the city can't prevent trucks from using state trunk lines like Hamilton Avenue, South Huron Street, Washtenaw Avenue or Michigan Avenue. Council Member Beth Bashert said she hasn't seen data that shows trucks are just passing through the city, and she questioned whether truck routes are the appropriate solution. Edmonds said she opposes truck routes because deciding which streets are and aren't routes is "picking winners and losers," and shifts the problem to the city's neighbors. She and Council Member Lois Richardson said they were specifically concerned about making Hamilton and Huron truck routes. "I don't think we're going to come to a place where there's some obvious choice," Edmonds said. "I don't think that, in our context, this is a thing that we should do." Murdock pointed out that Hamilton and Huron are already truck routes per state law, but the proposed truck route ordinance simply bars trucks from using most local streets. Council Member Dan Vogt told Edmonds that rural roads in neighboring municipalities are better equipped to handle truck traffic because homes are further back from the road, and the residential zones are less dense. Several officials questioned whether the city would lose federal funding if it implemented a truck route, but Murdock said Michigan Department of Transportation officials, Washtenaw Area Transportation Study officials, and officials from other cities with truck routes told him that wouldn't happen. Vogt asked council to table the issue while more information is gathered on funding questions and the source of truck traffic, but that motion failed. At another point, Vogt put forth an amendment to remove LeForge and Hewitt from the list of truck routes, but that amendment also failed. In Washtenaw County, the city of Ann Arbor and Pittsfield Township each have truck routes in place. BAY COUNTY, MI -- Ten teams made up of 30 people are recounting nearly 54,000 ballots in Bay County on Thursday, Dec. 8, as part of the statewide presidential election recount. The recount effort here starts at 9 a.m. Thursday, at the Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District administrative building, 4228 Two Mile Road. That could all change if a U.S. District Court judge issues a ruling that would halt the recount effort. Bay County Clerk Cynthia Luczak says the recount in Bay County is going as scheduled until her office is told otherwise. Luczak brought in 30 people, mostly township and city clerks and election precinct workers, to handle the recount. Those people are going to be divided into 10 teams with a goal of finishing the recount in a day, Luczak said. The Bay County Board of Canvassers has the final say on any ballot challenges, Luczak said. In Bay County, there were 53,775 ballots cast in the November General Election. Out of those ballots, 28,328 voted for Republican Donald Trump; 21,642 voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton. President-elect Trump narrowly won Michigan by 10,704 votes. The public is invited to observe the recount, Luczak said, but cannot challenge what they see. "They can be there just to observe," Luczak said. The recount is costing Bay County between $3,000 and $3,500. The state reimburses the county $100 for every precinct. Bay County has about 45 precincts. "So, we actually could come out ahead," Luczak said. State Sen. Mike Green, R-Mayville, said Bay County Republicans have plans to observe the recount. "Whenever there is a recount, this happens," he said. "It's everyone watching the person to make sure everything is done properly." The Bay City Times/MLive left a message for Brent Pilarski, chairman of the Bay County Democratic Party seeking comment. BAY CITY, MI -- A crowd of nearly two dozen people, many of them veterans, braved the cold temperatures Wednesday afternoon to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor 75 years ago. The AMVETS Post 22 in Bay City hosted the 4 p.m. ceremony under sunny skies, but chilly, 36-degree weather. Pat Michalski, president of the post, read a poem about the day that President Franklin D. Roosevelt said would live in infamy. Post Commander Bob Wisniewski and Chaplain Edward Maciejewski presented a wreath at the "Avenue of Heroes" memorial outside of the Bay County Building. Bay City Mayor Kathleen Newsham also gave remarks. Fred Zippler, a Vietnam War Army veteran who lives in Bay City, said he always makes a point of attending the Pearl Harbor ceremony, along with other veteran-related events throughout the county. "I come here to honor those who sacrificed their lives," he said. "I am a little disappointed, though, that whenever I come here, it's only veterans. Where are Sally and Joe Public?" The ceremony ended with a rifle salute by the Bay County Veterans Council. RonaldSutherland.JPG Two mug shots of Ronald T. Sutherland ( ) BAY CITY, MI -- A month shy of his crime's 13-year mark, a Bay City man accused of drunkenly driving with his minor son in the car has pleaded guilty. Ronald J. Sutherland, 51, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, appeared in Bay County Circuit Court and pleaded guilty to one count of third-offense operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Though the charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, the plea agreement states prosecutors are recommending Sutherland not be sent to prison on his initial sentence. Prosecutors also agreed to dismiss single counts of driving while intoxicated with a passenger younger than 16-child endangerment and second-offense driving while license suspended, revoked, or denied. According to police reports contained in court files, an off-duty Bay County Sheriff's deputy called 911 at about 6:23 p.m. on Dec. 30, 2003, to report a suspected drunken driver. The deputy was driving behind a burgundy 1994 Dodge car as it traveled east on Wilder Road in Monitor Township. The Dodge eventually pulled into the Meijer parking lot, where Michigan State Police troopers and the deputy stopped it. The driver, identified as Sutherland, told police he was traveling from Sanford. In the car was his 14-year-old son, court records show. Sutherland told troopers his driver's license was suspended due to a 2001 drunken driving conviction. He initially denied having consumed alcohol, but then told police he drank two double shots of vodka at a friend's house between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., court records show. Sutherland submitted to a personal Breathalyzer test, which indicated his blood alcohol level was at 0.12 percent as of 6:40 p.m. In Michigan, a person is legally intoxicated when his or her blood alcohol level hits 0.08. Police arrested Sutherland. His fiancee and the owner of the Dodge came to the scene and took his son, court records show. After his arrest, Sutherland was freed on a $6,500 surety bond posted by a local bonding agency. He failed to show up for a Feb. 9, 2004, court hearing. On March 11, 2004, then-Bay County District Judge Scott Newcombe issued a bench warrant for his arrest and forfeited his bond. Sutherland had the outstanding charges and warrant hanging over his head until police arrested him in Lewiston, an unincorporated community in Montmorency County, on Tuesday, Aug. 22 -- more than 12 years later. Two days later, he was arraigned in Bay County District Court on failure to appear for prior court hearings. At that time, Sutherland said he had moved out of Michigan in early 2004 and had been living in Florida. Sutherland is a registered sex offender, having been convicted of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in Gladwin County in 1999. In August 2006, he was convicted in Florida of failing to register as a sex offender. Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran is to sentence Sutherland at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3. BAY CITY, MI -- A Bay City man is facing a felony due to police catching him with a loaded pistol and zip ties, after he allegedly threatened to tie up and hold a gun on another man. At about 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, police responded to a wellbeing check for 44-year-old David C. Deweese on Bay City's East Side. The man who called 911 said Deweese was mentally unstable, wearing a cowboy hat, and carrying a gun and walking toward a homeless shelter from the 200 block of North Farragut. The caller said Deweese had been at his home and had been talking about tying up another man and pointing a gun to his head. Deweese believed his intended target had recently broken into his sister's house, the caller told police. In their search for Deweese, police went to his sister's home. The sister told them Deweese had been at her place earlier and she had seen him with a pistol. She said he had consumed three beers and was talking about pulling the gun on the man suspected of breaking into her home, court records show. City police and Michigan State Police troopers eventually found Deweese walking south on Grant Street from Center Avenue. On searching him, the found a loaded .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol in his coat pocket, several zip ties, a chewing tobacco can containing 27 bullets, a pill bottle containing 38 hydrocodone pills, and an open, partially-filled can of Budweiser, court records show. When a city officer mentioned to a trooper that the zip ties might be related to Deweese allegedly saying he had wanted to bind someone, Deweese commented, "It was just a thought, but I wasn't going to do it," court records show. Police lodged Deweese at the Bay County Jail and read him his Miranda rights. He said he drank seven or eight beers earlier in the day. He said a specific man had broken into his sister's house in August and stolen his guns. He acquired the .22-caliber pistol since then and had "momentarily thought about" tying up the alleged burglar with the zip ties, but wasn't going to go through with it, he told police. Police administered a personal Breathalyzer test to Deweese at 10:16 p.m. The results indicated his blood alcohol level was at 0.08, the threshold at which a person is considered legally intoxicated by Michigan law. Bay County District Judge Timothy J. Kelly on Monday, Dec. 5, arraigned Deweese on one count of carrying a concealed weapon. The charge is a five-year felony. Kelly set Deweese's bond at $25,000 cash-surety and ordered him to appear for a preliminary examination at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 20. [December 06, 2016] Audi Launches First Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) Technology in the U.S. Starting in Las Vegas Audi launches Traffic Light Information, the first Vehicle-to-Infrastructure technology in the U.S. "The launch of this technology is another in a long list of firsts for Audi that have positioned us as the industry leader in connectivity solutions," said Audi of America (News - Alert) President Scott Keogh. "V2I applications and services like Traffic Light Information are essential components as we continue to move toward an autonomous future. We applaud the innovative approach of Las Vegas in working with us on V2I as well as on our various piloted driving demonstrations over the past years." Traffic Light Information, an Audi connect PRIME feature, is available on select 2017 Audi A4, Q7 & allroad models, and enables the car to communicate with the infrastructure in select cities and metropolitan areas across the U.S. The car receives real-time signal information from the advanced traffic management system that monitors traffic lights via the on-board 4G LTE (News - Alert) data connection. When approaching a connected traffic light, Traffic Light Information displays the time remaining until the signal changes to green in the driver instrument cluster, as well as the head-up-display (if equipped). Providing the driver with this additional information helps reduce stress and allows the driver to relax knowing approximately how much time remains before the changing of the light. This "time-to-green" feature will be the first feature to leverage the Audi Traffic Light Information service. In the future, it may be possible to integrate information from these advanced traffic management systems into vehicle start/stop features, navigation systems to optimize routing, and predictive services such as presenting the driver with a speed recommendation designed to maximize the number of green lights one can make in sequence. All of these services would be designed to either improve efficiency, drive time or traffic management. Traffic Light Information is launching this December in the U.S. beginning with Las Vegas, NV and will be available to customers with select Audi A4, Q7 and A4 allroad models (manufactured after June 1, 2016) equipped with an active Audi connect PRIME subscription. Continued expansion to additional cities across the U.S. is ongoing as we work with municipalities to prepare their infrastructure for V2I connectivity. Audi has partnered with Traffic Technology Services (TTS) to facilitate the transfer of traffic light data to Audi vehicles. The contribution Audi is making in the connected infrastructure will enrich the experience forAudi owners first, then ultimately for all drivers as other manufacturers begin to integrate this technology into their vehicles. In the future smart cities will be able to use this technology to better understand traffic patterns and could adapt traffic signal behavior to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow. "The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is proud to be the first in the nation to connect our traffic signal network to vehicles through our collaboration with Audi," said Tina Quigley, RTC General Manager. "This vehicle-to-infrastructure technology will help reduce congestion and enhance mobility on our already crowded roadways. Beyond the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas Strip, Southern Nevada continues to lead the way in transportation technology creating smart cities and communities for our residents and visitors." Nevada issued autonomous vehicle licenses for Audi to drive from California to Las Vegas three years ago, and now Las Vegas is the first city to go live with V2I integration. The integration of this technology further demonstrates that Las Vegas is the model for smart cities of the future. Traffic Light Information is the latest in a line of pioneering connected car innovations by Audi. In 2010, Audi was the first manufacturer to offer a mobile connectivity enabled vehicle. Since then, Audi connect has continued to expand on its industry-leading services and capabilities. In 2014, Audi was the first manufacturer to offer 4G LTE connectivity in the Audi A3 model line. Strategic partnerships and proprietary scalable infotainment architecture has allowed Audi to continuously offer our customers the latest in mobile connectivity solutions. For more information, please visit www.audiusa.com About Audi: Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. The Audi Group delivered over 1,800,000 vehicles to customers globally in 2015, and broke all-time company sales records for the 6th straight year in the U.S. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusa.com/newsroom for more information regarding Audi vehicles and business topics. Always obey speed and traffic laws. The feature is not a substitute for safe and attentive driving. See Owner's Manual for further details, and important limitations. Traffic Light Information is not a substitute for attentive driving. Always pay careful attention to the road and obey all speed and traffic laws. Requires compatible traffic infrastructure which is not available in all areas. Not available on vehicles built prior to June 1, 2016. See Owner's Manual for further details, and important limitations. Connect PRIME services are optional, may require and additional subscription with separate terms and conditions, and should be used only when it is safe and appropriate. Trial or paid subscription required. Connect PRIME services require vehicle cellular connectivity and availability of vehicle GPS signal; certain services collect location information, see Terms of Service for information about how to disable. See Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and other details at www.audiusa.com/audiconnect-privacy and www.audiusa.com/audiconnect-terms. Connect PRIME services should only be used when it is safe an appropriate. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161206006279/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] Marketron Partners with Cuebiq, Bringing Real-Time Foot Traffic Attribution to Media Companies HAILEY, Idaho, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Marketron, the leading provider of business software solutions and services for the media industry, today announced a strategic partnership with location intelligence company Cuebiq for use of its real-time foot traffic attribution offering, VisitQ Real-Time, for advertising campaigns Marketron is running for its media partners. "With over 90% of retail transactions occurring offline in the physical world, advertisers are no longer accepting vanity metrics for offline visits," says Martin Kristiseter, Senior VP, Mobile Solutions at Marketron. "The ability to understand the impact of the campaigns, from ad exposure to store visit, changes the way that marketers measure and optimize campaigns, delivering better transparency, performance, and larger budget." VisitQ Real-Time is a new real-time footfall attribution tool, which allows marketers to optimize creative, targeting and inventory sources on-the-fly by determining visit conversions in real-time. With a user base of over 50 million, Cuebiq accurately analyzes the impact of advertising campaigns on in-store visits and traffic patterns, providing advertisers a clear, data-backed view of how effectively they are driving consumers to stores and other points of interest. VisitQ Real-Time replaces traitional performance metrics with "Walk-to-Rate," a new KPI that quantifies ad effectiveness in driving consumers to store. "Location-based advertising is a powerful tool for our advertisers and stations. Through the VisitQ Real Time solution, Marketron enables us to measure offline impact of our mobile advertising campaigns, small and large," says Franklin Rios, Executive VP, Digital at Entravision, a leading Hispanic multimedia company. "We believe attribution will be a default for the majority of advertisers where they have an offline conversion event and we're excited to be ahead of the curve." "We're very excited about the partnership with Marketron and co-creating the first measurement solution for the digital to offline loop for small to medium size businesses," said Antonio Tomarchio, CEO of Cuebiq. "Digital marketers are eager to incorporate location data into their campaigns to improve its targeting and measurement. We look forward to providing an effective and accurate measurement tool for tracking store visits for Marketron's 6,000+ media partners." The VisitQ Real Time foot traffic attribution solution is readily available for deployment through Marketron's location-based advertising platform today. Please reach out to [email protected] for additional information. About Cuebiq Cuebiq is a next generation location intelligence company that allows businesses to glean actionable insights about real-world consumer behaviors and trends. Using its data intelligence platform, Cuebiq provides geo-behavioral insights and offline location analytics, geo-behavioral audiences for cross-platform ad targeting, and offline attribution analysis. Cuebiq is a member of the Network Advertising Initiative (NAI), the leading self-regulatory industry association dedicated to responsible data collection and its use for digital advertising. Cuebiq is headquartered in New York with offices in Italy and China. About Marketron Marketron is the media industry's leading provider of business software solutions and services, and specializes in revenue management and audience engagement solutions. With more than 7,000 media organizations served, Marketron manages an estimated $15 billion in annual advertising revenue in the Unites States alone and its solutions are the most widely used in the world. CONTACT: Ruth Sarfaty, [email protected], 201-960-4664 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140721/128943 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/marketron-partners-with-cuebiq-bringing-real-time-foot-traffic-attribution-to-media-companies-300374134.html SOURCE Marketron [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 07, 2016] The Denim's in the Details: EVISU Teams up with Artificial Intelligence Platform "Albert" to Amplify Global Sales Global clothing brand EVISU (www.evisu.com) is one of the world's first retailers to introduce artificial intelligence technology to its advertising and marketing efforts. The luxury denim brand today announced its work with "Albert," the new AI-driven marketing technology by Adgorithms (LSE: ADGO). Albert is now executing fully self-driven digital advertising and marketing efforts for the brand in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Singapore. More information about Albert is available at www.adgorithms.com. Having run its own cross-channel digital marketing campaign in the United States in late 2015, EVISU found that the cost of its U.S. efforts was exceeding the sales it generated. The retailer turned to Albert to determine whether the autonomous platform could execute and scale these efforts, starting with previously under-performing search and social channels. In just one month of working together, Albert had met all of EVISU'S campaign goals, significantly increasing inbound purchases, decreasing their eCPA, and generating new customer bases across the United States. "Running campaigns across channels is not an easy feat for an ecommerce brand looking to find a very specific and defined customer," said Brennan See, Online Marketing Executive at EVISU. "Albert learns, optimizes and delivers results as it goes, delivering performance in both SEM and social that we had yet to see working with prior technology solutions." Working with campaign creative and KPIs provided by EVISU, Albert autonomously learns as "he" goes, in order to identify new and existing audiences, determine wo's most and least likely to convert, apply insights gained from one channel to others, and engage in over 20 other digital marketing activities necessary to meet the given KPIs, such as: Albert discovers EVISU's high-value audiences and then targets similar users. When Albert discovered that a high volume of conversions were coming from returning users, he automatically created a campaign dedicated to driving the customers back to the site. This increased direct conversions by 25%, in addition to significantly boosting delayed conversions (or those which occurred shortly after initial interaction with one of EVISU's ads). When Albert discovered that a high volume of conversions were coming from returning users, he automatically created a campaign dedicated to driving the customers back to the site. This increased direct conversions by 25%, in addition to significantly boosting delayed conversions (or those which occurred shortly after initial interaction with one of EVISU's ads). Albert creates micro campaigns for top-performing cities globally. Upon identifying the top-performing U.S. cities-such as New York, Los Angeles, Irvine and Pittsburgh-Albert instantaneously began creating micro -campaigns to increase his focus on and refine his approach to these specific geographies, while subsequently filtering out poor-performing regions. Upon identifying the top-performing U.S. cities-such as New York, Los Angeles, Irvine and Pittsburgh-Albert instantaneously began creating micro -campaigns to increase his focus on and refine his approach to these specific geographies, while subsequently filtering out poor-performing regions. Albert identifies audience behaviors that result in conversion. For instance, Albert discovered that users who engaged with "Jackets" produced a 54% higher ROI than users who engaged with "Jeans." For instance, Albert discovered that users who engaged with "Jackets" produced a 54% higher ROI than users who engaged with "Jeans." Albert reveals never-before-known high-value audiences. On Facebook (News - Alert), for example, Albert determined that users with the occupation, "Engineer," engaged 300% more with Evisu's ads than other Facebook users. On Facebook (News - Alert), for example, Albert determined that users with the occupation, "Engineer," engaged 300% more with Evisu's ads than other Facebook users. Albert knows what time EVISU customers are most likely to make a purchase . When Albert discovered that the average purchase value increased by 125% between 19:00-20:00, he automatically increased keyword bids during this prolific time period beyond what he bid at other times throughout the day. . When Albert discovered that the average purchase value increased by 125% between 19:00-20:00, he automatically increased keyword bids during this prolific time period beyond what he bid at other times throughout the day. Albert targets users in different languages . Knowing that in the last 30 days, 70% of conversions and revenue originated from users with Chinese as their browser language, Albert was able to add relevant terms to EVISU's search campaign. . Knowing that in the last 30 days, 70% of conversions and revenue originated from users with Chinese as their browser language, Albert was able to add relevant terms to EVISU's search campaign. Albert predicts optimal pricing and reallocates budget to the best-performing channels. Albert predicts keyword pricing and makes ad-buying decisions based on parameters such as past performance of certain keywords, how much competitors' are investing in them, who they're likely to reach, and the probability they'll convert. He also applies findings across channel and devices. Since the launch of its initial campaign with EVISU, Albert's work has resulted in a 500% increase in ROI across search, social, and display channels. ABOUT ADGORITHMS Founded in 2010, Adgorithms (www.adgorithms.com) is the maker of "Albert", the first-ever autonomous marketing platform. Albert serves as a highly intelligent and sophisticated member of brands' marketing teams that autonomously performs many of the manual, time-consuming tasks that comprise modern digital advertising and marketing campaigns. Albert also offers proactive, ongoing insights and recommendations on information he has learned and uncovered along his journey. Leading brands such as Harley Davidson, EVISU, and Made.com are leveraging Albert's artificial intelligence capabilities to increase and accelerate revenue, make more informed investment decisions, and reduce operational costs - all at a pace and scale not previously possible. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005499/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] you are here: current-affairs-trends Treating Jayalalithaa a most humbling experience: Preetha Reddy CNBC-TV18's Shereen Bhan spoke to Preetha Reddy, VC, Apollo Hospitals to get a first-hand experience of treating Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa over the last 75 days. business Industry capacity may hit 150 MT in couple of years: Steel Secy Government extended minimum import price (MIP) on 19 products for two months to protect domestic steel industry from below-cost imports. Steel Secretary Aruna Sharma believes that steel capacity will reach 150 MT in couple of years. Another crisis comes and goes almost before you can understand it. Monday, markets in Asia took a beating as the Italian constitutional referendum result became clear. Then, European markets opened. What would happen? All eyes were on the FTSE MIB index. The reaction? Italian stocks fell 1.71% on open. Crisis ensued. But wait, dont panic. Within an hour, the Italian market was up 1.59% on the previous days close. What crisis? By the end of the day, the FTSE MIB index was down just 0.21%. Whats the deal? Are crises now just water off the markets back? It looks that way. Well explain what that means below Still waiting for the next crash From 2011 through to the end of 2014, I told investors to ignore the swathe of crises that were hitting the market. I said that all the crises that were hitting the front pages of newspapers and making headlines on the nightly news werent really crises at all. They were fake crises. We have a simple reason for that view. After missing the biggest crash in 70 years, mainstream and even many contrarian commentators were on the lookout for the next one. They didnt pick the collapse of the US housing market, the collapse of the banking system, or the collapse of stock markets. So they were determined to pick the next collapse. But what would it be? Would it be the rise in Chinese interbank rates? No. Would it be the Cyprus bank bail-in? No. Would it be Russias annexation of Crimea? No. Would it be revolution in North Africa or the Middle East? No. Would it be the US debt ceiling? No. Would it be the European debt crisis? No. Would it be any of the other 30-plus crises handpicked by the hapless saps in the mainstream media (and some of the wannabe heroes in the alternative media)? Short answer: No. Heres the problem: When everyone is looking for a crisis, the crisis tends towellnot happen. The potential for a crisis means that investors take fewer risks, or they take out insurance against the outcome of such a crisis. Thats one reason you saw a big rebound in US and European markets following the US election and the Italian referendum. Anticipating the potential of a Donald Trump win, investors short sold stocks, sold futures contracts, or bought put options. So, when Trump won and Italians voted down Matteo Renzis referendum, the short sellers bounded into the market to cover their positions. The net effect was that the short covers, along with those looking for a bargain, helped push stock prices back up again. Does that mean you shouldnt worry about a crash, or at least worry about trying to predict one? No, it doesnt mean that at all. But we do believe that investors shouldnt become obsessive about trying to pick the exact crisis, which will cause the precise crash, on a specific day. Instead, investors need to be aware of, and plan for, the next crisis, without allowing it to get in the way of making sound investment decisions. The following chart will help explain our point: Source: Bloomberg Click to enlarge What do you notice most? Thats right, over the long term, stocks have gone up. Thats why we figure its wrong to obsess about crashing stocks. But that doesnt mean you should ignore the potential of a crash. Because what else do you notice? Thats right; after periods in which the market rises, the market experiences a massive crash. But look at the infrequency of major crashes. If you listened to the mainstream media, and their attempts to predict a crash, youd think markets fell off their perch every day of the week. An unsafe safe investment After all that, what do you think were going to do now? Were going to warn you about a major systemic risk that could put the market in extreme peril. To be fair, what were about to show you isnt necessarily a catalyst for a crash. But it is something that could exacerbate the problems when the crash hits. We refer to this clipping from the Financial Times: Stock markets have a new purpose. Once devoted to trading stocks and setting their prices, they are now the venue for buying and selling something other than shares: exchange traded funds. ETFs are taking over markets. Shares in Apple, the worlds biggest and most heavily traded company, turn over more than $3bn each day. But that is dwarfed by the biggest ETF, State Streets SPDR S&P 500, which trades more than $14bn each day. Five of the worlds seven most heavily traded equity securities are ETFs It is not just in trading that ETFs dominate. Their assets under management were negligible 20 years ago, but now exceed $3tn. They hog flows of new money and are revolutionising the business of long-term saving, once led by traditional mutual fund groups. Over the past 12 months, according to the research firm Morningstar, $130.7bn has flowed out of all US mutual funds, while $240bn has flowed into US ETFs. The influence of ETFs isnt new. Theyve grown in importance and popularity in recent years. According to Bloomberg, US$1.08 trillion has flowed into ETFs over the past three years. US$319.25 billion has flowed into ETFs so far this year, on pace to eclipse last years US$368.43 billion inflow. The biggest ETF, the S&P 500 ETF mentioned by the FT, holds US$208.48 billion in assets. If that ETF was listed on the Aussie market, it would be the ASXs biggest stock by market capitalisation, beating Commonwealth Bank of Australias [ASX:CBA] $135.16 billion market cap. So, whats the risk here? The risk is in safety. Or rather, the perception of safety. Individuals and fund managers buy ETFs because they figure its an easy, low-cost transaction. Instead of buying a whole bunch of individual stocks, they just buy an all-in-one ETF instead. If it goes up, they get the market return. If it goes down, they get the market return. Easy. The problem is that, aside from the investment ease of ETFs, investors buy them because they perceive ETFs to be safer than buying individual stocks. That perception of safety has a number of consequences, the most important of which is complacency. Believing that an investment is safe can cause an investor to invest more in a stock than they otherwise would. After all, doesnt every investor learn that diversification is important? That, in order to lower your risk, you should buy a bunch of stocks? In that case, what could be safer than an ETF, which invests in all the stocks comprising the S&P 500? To answer that, we need look no further than a chart of the S&P 500 ETF: Source: Bloomberg Click to enlarge From 2000 to 2002, the ETF lost 45.61%. It took nearly eight years to regain the high, before promptly falling again. This time by 47.88%. It then took another six years to regain that high. Over the long term, stocks do have a history of rising. That said, an investor who bought the ETF near the top in 2000 didnt see any real capital growth on their investment for another 13 years. And even if you argue that the ETF has more than doubled since 2008, the annualised return since 2000 is only a paltry 2.33%. And the annualised return since 2009 is still only 14.22%. Thats pretty good. But is it enough to stop investors selling in a panic when the next crisis truly hits? We doubt it. Therein lies the systemic risk of ETFs. Investors buy ETFs for safety. But ETFs arent safe. The correlation between the S&P 500 and the major ETFs that track it is near perfect. When the market goes up, the ETFs go up. And when the market falls by half, the ETFs fall by half, too. Were not saying that ETFs will cause the next crash. That doesnt seem likely, unless youre talking about some of the leveraged ETFs. But we are saying that ETFs, given their size, could contribute to exacerbating the crash, as investors who had looked for safety suddenly realise that ETFs, being a stock investment, arent safe at all. Cheers, Kris Sayce, Publisher, Money Morning Editors note: The above article is an edited extract from Port Phillip Insider. From the Port Phillip Publishing Library Special Report: The Lazarus Project, your best chance to double every dollar you invest this year. Click here for more Friends In Pink is still on the radar and growing every year Letter to editor: Voting is necessary to protect democracy Rabbis installation at Keneseth Israel will get a boost of student creativity December 07, 2016 As Regime Change By Takifiris Fails - GCC Lobbyists Call For U.S. Occupation of Upper Mesopotamia The Aleppo battle is ending. Syria will win the war against foreign supported Takfiris as will Iraq. That requires new plans to implement the original aims of the war's instigators and sponsors. This is a map of the east-Aleppo cauldron 2 days ago. Map by @NatDefFor - bigger This is the map as of this morning. Map by @NatDefFor - bigger Since this morning another part of the "rebel" held area in the south east of the cauldron, the Sheik Sa'ed quarters, has been liberated by Syrian government forces. It is expected that the whole al-Qaeda "rebel" held area will be liberated and cleared of Takfiris as early as this weekend. Militants still there are offered to leave or to be - inevitably - killed. You can compare those maps to the map (big) we posted in our last Aleppo piece. In total some 90% of the area held by the "rebels" just two weeks ago is now back in government hands. All "rebel" held areas north and north-east of the Citadel of Aleppo that yesterday were still held by al-Qaeda aligned Takfiris are now in Syrian government hands. The last progress was possible when a group of local "rebels" gave up the fight and surrendered to Syrian government forces. For the first time in 5 years the Citadel's main entrance can now be reached from the government held west-Aleppo. In total 28,700 civilians were found in and have left those formerly "rebel" held areas. That is a bit higher than our old estimate of some 25,000 max in total in east Aleppo but way lower than the 250,000, 300,000, 500,000 or 1,000,000 civilians that the UN and opposition media claimed. After winning the Aleppo battle the Syrian government will have some 35,000 aligned troops freely available to liberate those other areas of Syria which are currently still held by foreign paid Takfiris, This is a quite huge, experienced force and one can expect that most of the work still needed to be done to liberate all of Syria will be finished within a few months. In Iraq the government forces are fighting the last Islamic State remnants which hold the city of Mosul in a slightly similar siege situation as it was in Aleppo. But the fight in Mosul is more difficult because up to one million civilians are still in the city and the ISIS fighter there are fanatics who do not shy away from sending hundreds of schoolkids as suicide bombers against the approaching Iraqi forces. Should such resistance continue it might take months to retake the whole city. Luckily for Syria the city of Mosul is now completely enclosed. The original U.S. plan was to let the western area of Mosul open so that ISIS fighters could escape to Syria. The Iraqi prime minister Abadi stopped those plans by sending Popular Mobilization Forces to close the wide western gap. The U.S. had already prepared the field for retreating ISIS troops to eventually take the city of Deir Ezzor in east-Syria which is held by ISIS encircled Syrian government troops. It would have thereby created the "Salafist principality" that it envisioned since at least 2012. The Iraqi move to close off Mosul, supported by Iran and Russia, has finally sabotaged this plan. As that plan for handing the eastern Syrian and western Iraqi areas to some "moderate ISIS" has now failed, the usual "expert" suspects, starting with Michael Weiss and Hassan Hassan, now argue for the U.S. to occupy the whole area and to set up permanent military U.S. bases to control the oil-rich Syrian east and western Iraq. The U.S. special forces working with Kurdish YPG units in the north-eastern area of Syria have already set up several small air-fields. Write those permanent war lobbyists: Developing these sites as solid anchors in the region will give the U.S. a badly needed intelligence-gathering capability in the Jazira, or Upper Mesopotamia, encompassing the arid plain that stretches across northwestern Iraq, northeastern Syria and southeastern Turkey. ... Keeping contingents of U.S. forces in the region, meanwhile, will provide a credible deterrent helping to defend trusted and capable anti-ISIS fighters and deterring the Assad regime from any effort at reconquest. Upper Mesopotamia, al Jazera ca. 80 BC - Map via Wikimedia Such a U.S. occupation entity in Jazera would: Block any traffic between Shia Iran and Iraq with the Syrian and Lebanese areas towards the Mediterranean coast. The so called Shia crescent would be interrupted by a U.S. controlled entity of mostly Sunni tribal inhabitants. Create space for an envisioned Qatar-Turkey-Europe natural gas pipeline while blocking a potential Iran-Mediterranean-Europe natural gas pipeline through the same area. Fulfill another step of the Yinon plan which calls for the disassembly of all Arab states into smaller entities to secure Israel's realm. Expect more well bribed think tank "experts" to soon argue for such a lunatic new "mission" for U.S. forces. President elect Donald Trump repeated yesterday that he will have none of such adventures: [Trump] promised to make the military stronger than it has ever been, but said that under his leadership, the country would stop racing to topple foreign regimes that we know nothing about. This destructive cycle of intervention and chaos must finally come to an end, he said. We can hope that Trump will stick to this reasonable position and stays away from any further interference with the local affairs of the people of the Middle East and elsewhere. Posted by b on December 7, 2016 at 19:11 UTC | Permalink Comments next page 75 years ago today, America was in shock as it received news of an attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. According to historical records, the attack was planned by the Japanese military as a surprise strike to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with military actions Japan intended to carry out on foreign-held islands in the Pacific Ocean. The records say 353 Imperial Japanese fighter planes, bombers and torpedo planes hit the base at approximately 7:48 a.m. on Dec. 7, 1941. Japanese soldiers managed to damage all eight U.S. battleships docked in the harbor, four of which sunk; three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, a mine-layer and 188 aircraft. 2,403 Americans were killed in the attack, with an additional 1,178 wounded. The next day, at the request of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the United States declared war on Japan. The attack came as a profound shock to the American people and led directly to the American entry into World War II in both the Pacific and European theaters, according to a Wikipedia entry on the attack. Domestic support for non-interventionism, which had been fading since the fall of France in 1940, disappeared. Clandestine support of the United Kingdom was replaced by active alliance. The U.S. joined the Allied Forces, who finally defeated the Axis powers of Germany, Italy and Japan in 1945. Local WWII veteran Carl Memmel recently shared memories of that fateful day. At the time, he was a 15-year old boy living in Tampa, Florida. I dont think Ill ever forget it, Memmel said. Going to the movies was a big deal in the early 40s. My daddy had said he would take my mother and I to the movies on that Sunday. On the way there, he stopped at a drugstore to get a pack of cigarettes. When he came out, he was all excited. He said he had just heard in the store and on the radio that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. Well, I didnt have a clue as to where Pearl Harbor was. The only thought that went through my mind was, Goodness gracious, I hope we dont cancel going to the movies. Soon enough, Memmel began to notice the effect the news was having on the community at large. When I went to school the next day on Monday, a bunch of seniors were sitting around (talking about how) they were all going to rush down and join the navy. Thats where most of them went. I think it had sunk in to the general population. There was lot of, Im going to do this and Im going to do that. Those sentiments that we thought we could (do those things) were ridiculous. But it was a different mentality back then. Memmel joined the U.S. Army in 1943 to fight in the war. He was hesitant to say the attack on Pearl Harbor influenced his decision. It had a minor part, I guess, Memmel said. The U.S. government had propaganda machines back then. The government was good at controlling the people through the news media. You wouldnt believe that people wouldnt recognize it as such, but there were posters all over the place trying to inflame the people. It was the mentality of the young people back then, too. None of us were as world-wise, I think, as we are now. It just seemed like it was the right thing to do. Tammie Gercken can be reached at tgercken@morganton.com. ETFs have become a vital part of the investor toolkit, but many misconceptions about the products remain. One of the most pervasive myths surrounding passive investing is also one of the most inexplicable given that it doesnt stand up to even the most basic scrutiny. In this case, we dont even need to get bogged down in the theoretical merits of active versus passive investing, a brief look at the numbers will suffice. If we take as an example the popular iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (CSP1), which tracks the S&P 500 index for an annual fee of just 0.07%. This fund has landed in the top decile when ranked against its US large-cap peers on a risk-adjusted basis over 3 and 5 year periods, this stellar performance can be extended out to ten years if we look at older funds which track the same index. It is clear this performance is anything but average. And this is not an isolated example. If we look at our recently launched ETF ratings in Europe, which allow for direct comparison with active peers. Of the one hundred plus ETFs rated in Europe, 70 are Morningstar Medalists i.e. they are rated Gold, Silver or Bronzeour three positive ratings. Of course, there are markets in which active managers have enjoyed greater success, but when considering any investment, it pays to disregard received wisdom and allow the numbers to speak for themselves. Myth 2: All ETFs are Trackers Although the vast majority of ETFs track an index, there are a small but growing number of active ETFs which do not. When we talk about ETFs we are talking about a flexible investment vehicle that allows funds to be priced and traded throughout the day like a stock. This can be contrasted with the traditional priced-once-a-day mutual fund structure, which many see as archaic. The transparency and rules-based predictability offered by index-tracking strategies makes them a perfect fit for the ETF structure. However, as the industry continues to grow, we shouldnt be surprised if we see more and more active managers entering the market by repackaging their active strategies in an ETF wrapper. Myth 3: Only ETFs Lend Securities On more than one occasion, I have heard ETFs criticised for engaging in the funny business of securities lending, which sees a percentage of fund holdings lent to a third party in exchange for a fee. While securities lending is widely practised within physically replicated ETFs, it is actually traditional mutual funds, pension funds and insurance companies which are the biggest lenders of assets. In fact, ETF providers in Europe are considerably more transparent than their active counterparts. They provide information relating to their lending activities, including on-loan levels, collateral guidelines, counterparties, on their websites. Myth 4: Synthetic ETFs Hold Nothing The confusion here is understandable given the history of swap-based ETFs in Europe. While this statement may have held true for some ETFs in the past, it is no longer true for the bulk of ETFs on the market today. All major providers in Europe have now embraced a regulator endorsed structure in which a basket of highly liquid securities, such as top-rated government bonds and blue chip equities, sits on the funds balance sheet alongside the swap agreement. Should anything untoward happen to the bank providing the index return, the fund has immediate access to the basket of securities, which can be sold as required. This, along with other measures, has gone some way to allay the fears surrounding counterparty risk in swap-based ETFs. 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. After promises of nearly a dozen additional pending claims, a fourth one has been filed. Bryan Madryga, an investor in the Harmony Village-Lake Simcoe project in Barrie, has brought forth a fourth claim against Fortress Real Capital. Other defendants include Fortress executives Jawad Rathore, Vincent Petrozza, as well as Building & Development Mortgages Canada (BDMC), FMP Mortgage Investments, and a number of individuals. This latest claim was filed December 2. This is the fourth statement of claim issued against Fortress et al. This raises the claims to about $100 million, David Franklin, a real estate lawyer close to the case, told MortgageBrokerNews.ca via email. This one is the first to include a fraud claim. The claim alleges BDMC knowingly acted in a manner that resulted in the facilitation of dishonesty, fraud, crime and illegal conduct and that FMP knowingly acted in a manner that resulted in the facilitation of dishonesty, fraud, crime and illegal conduct. The plaintiff is requesting that all money paid to or held by Fortress Developments or any defendants as advances be paid into Court; an accounting of all funds received; disgorgement of all earned profits in the Harmony Simcoe Project; general damages in the amount of $25,000,000; and punitive damages in the amount of $2,500,000, among others. This claim follows similar suits brought forth against Fortress and various syndicated mortgage sellers, including one related to the bankrupt Mady Collier Centre in Barrie and a development in Scarborough called Empire Pace. For its part, Fortress plans to defend this as well as the other pending suits. Fortress Real Developments Inc. (FRDI) was not the builder, borrower or developer of this project, nor did it negotiate or broker any loans in respect of this project. Rather, FRDIs role in this project was limited to that of a development consultant, Natasha Alibhai, brand and communications manager for Fortress Real Developments, wrote in an email to MortgageBrokerNews.ca. A Fortress affiliate recently acquired this project by way of power of sale proceedings. In so doing, the original syndicate mortgage lenders that entered into loans with Harmony Village Lake Simcoe Inc., the former builder-borrower developer, have been given a new charge on the property in respect of the new project. As such, any purported class has no loss or damage. Fortress intends to vigorously defend itself in this action. Fortress will be bringing a motion to strike this action, as it has done in each of the other proposed class actions, which have all been initiated by the same lawyers. Real estate along with oil and gas have been the prime movers of the Canadian economy for decadesa state of affairs that has led to the stagnation of national wealth, according to an independent non-profit research organization.In its latest report, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argued that much of the economic strength and diversification of Canada stems from the housing industry and the extraction of oil and gas.Together, the sectors accounted for around 70 per cent of growth for the past few decades, with produced capital increasing by an average of 1.68 per cent annually.The IISD warned that this represents a potentially hazardous combination of factors, as the Canadian GDP will have no strong legs to stand on should one or both of these sectors experience a downturna point driven home more clearly by the petroleum price crash and by the governments recent authorization of two expanded oil export pipelines.What were saying is this is a roller-coaster; we know its a roller-coaster, IISD president Scott Vaughan stated in an Ottawa press conference on Thursday (December 1), as quoted by The Canadian Press.What goes up tomorrow will come down again. If you're looking at what are the long-term trajectories to build Canada's wealth, we're saying we need to move on this [low-carbon] transition now.Related Stories: Ask Liz - Watch out for the symptoms of major depression The news of Dr. Ben Carsons nomination as secretary of Housing and Urban Development to the incoming Trump administration has drawn mixed reactions. Democratic lawmakers harshly criticized the choice, while mortgage and housing leaders offered congratulations though some acknowledged his lack of housing policy experience. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said Carson was a disconcerting and disturbingly unqualified choice. And New York Sen. Charles Schumer also questioned Carsons qualifications, citing the retired neurosurgeons lack of expertise and experience in dealing with housing issues. Someone who is as anti-government as him is a strange fit for housing secretary, to say the least, Schumer said. Industry leaders, meanwhile, were more hopeful about Carsons appointment. Mortgage Bankers Association President and CEO David H. Stevens wished Carson success while expressing the hope that the retired neurosurgeon would assemble an experienced panel of advisors. On behalf of the MBA I want to congratulate Dr. Ben Carson on being chosen to be nominated as the Secretary of HUD. Housing is one of the largest contributors to the health and success of the overall economy, and as such we must continue to recognize its significance, Stevens said. MBA looks forward to working with Dr. Carson in helping to build out a well-rounded team of housing experts, with a deep technical understanding of the issues, at HUD, FHA and Ginnie Mae. MBA wishes Dr. Carson and the rest of the administration success as they get ready to embark upon these next four years. Ed Brady, chairman of the National Association of Homebuilders, also congratulated Carson. (Carson) is a thoughtful leader who is sure to assemble a professional team of policy experts and be a great spokesman for housing, Brady said. National Association of Realtors President William E. Brown was supportive of Carson while acknowledging he has a big job ahead. While weve made great strides in recent years, far more can be done to put the dream of homeownership in reach for more Americans, Brown said. The National Association of Realtors and its 1.2 million members look forward to working with Dr. Carson to fulfill this important mission. Midland-Odessa is one step closer to getting a new interstate and possibly a southern loop. At its annual meeting Tuesday, the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance, or MOTRAN, announced that Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition is on board with changing its plans and moving the western terminus of the upcoming Interstate 14 project to the Midland-Odessa area. As previously reported, MOTRAN has pushed for a change to I-14s western terminus, which originally was planned to start at the junction of I-10 and U.S. Route 190 west of Iraan. MOTRAN President James Beauchamp said in his presentation that the I-14 coalition will pursue having the terminus start at Loop 338 in Odessa. The new interstate would run parallel with I-20 into Midland. The Reporter-Telegram has reported in the past that I-14 could break off from I-20 at State Highway 158 and run south along U.S. Route 87 to Brady. However, according to an updated though not final map during the presentation, a new break-off point would be south of I-20 across from Loop 250 and curve toward and connect with SH 158, creating the western portion of a southern loop around the city. The map also showed a roadway with a terminus at SH 158 extending eastward directly across from the west junction that curved north to I-20 with the eastern intersection with Loop 250, thus filling out the southern loop and creating a complete loop around the city. Beauchamp said the new I-14 route would have about six times more traffic than the original route. The route adjustment requires congressional approval, but weve gotten (the change) retooled, and that language has been filed, Beauchamp said. Beauchamp said its important to have I-14 start in Odessa and continue into Midland. That way, it is unquestionable that both communities will have access to the highway. In previous reports, Beauchamp said getting I-14 moved to the existing SH 158/U.S. Route 87 which would convert the corridor to interstate-grade highway is critical for the oil and gas industry because of the sheer volume of truck traffic carrying frac sand from Brady to the oil patch. Plus, most people from the San Angelo area use Midland International Airport, and many Midlanders and Odessans travel the corridor towing their boats to sail in Lake Nasworthy. A seamless interstate-grade corridor would greatly benefit both populations. MORE UPDATES The importance of Mexico: Part of MOTRANs efforts include Mexican portions of the La Entrada Al Pacifico trade route, which runs from the Midland-Odessa area south into Mexico, terminating at Topolobampo on the Pacific coast. Beauchamp said MOTRAN is working with governors in Mexico to get roadways fixed south of Ojinaga and that efforts are in place to expand the Presidio-Ojinaga international crossing, the only free state-owned facility on the Texas-Mexico border. The port of entry in Ojinaga is completed, which will allow more freight to pass through. Beauchamp stressed the importance of investing in the port at Topolobampo because it will soon be a natural gas export hub. That natural gas will come from the Permian Basin through pipelines, including the under-construction Trans-Pecos Pipeline. That 42-inch pipeline has the ability to ship a massive amount of natural gas -- about 500 billion cubic feet per year, he said. On the Trans-Pecos line, which parallels our corridor, there are 12 taps in Mexico. The main endgame is to export natural gas out of the port at Topolobampo. Were not sending it to Europe ... theyre shipping it to Asia and Pacific countries, which have an even higher cost of natural gas. Beauchamp said Midland and Ector counties were the No. 1 and No. 2 metropolitan statistical areas in terms of growth from 2003 to 2004. We export about $4.3 billion more products today than we did 13 years ago, he said. That being said, once you open up natural gas exports through this pipeline next year, you can expect that number to double. That is hugely significant to our economy. Our oil producers out here will tell you theres a lot of natural gas but that it hasnt been all that lucrative to capture and collect that natural gas. We see that changing, and we see a whole new dynamic for our industry out here. Plus, more natural gas activity means more severance taxes for the state, which he said is good for all Texans. A broad look at I-27: I-27 is unique in the U.S. interstate system in that it has a terminus not connected to another interstate. Ports-to-Plains and MOTRAN are looking to fix that by having I-27 connect with I-20. The terminus point remains to be seen. Ports-to-Plains is pushing for a connection near Big Spring. MOTRAN, however, is asking for a complete study that evaluates U.S. Route 385, SH 349 and other routes for consideration. Progress on U.S. Route 385: Converting U.S. Route 385 to a four-lane divided highway is almost complete. The portion from Crane to McCamey is up next for widening. Corridors south of McCamey that connect to I-10 are under consideration for improvement. They include continuing on U.S. Route 385, Farm-to-Market Road 1901/FM 11 and FM 305/US Route 190. SH 349 almost done: Beauchamp gave an update on SH 349: SH 349 is pretty much done, other than a section around Patricia. Thats going to be squared away pretty quick. One construction project that is ongoing is the southern cross connector in Dawson County, where SH 137, SH 349 and FM 2052 get direct access to U.S. 87. That is about a $25 million project and its been a little slow to get going but its an important safety project and will provide connectivity for our area. SH 158 is complete: Simply stated, Beauchamp said, This will be the best report ever: SH 158 is finished. The news drew lots of applause. Like Trevor on Facebook and follow him on Twitter at @HowdyHawes. The U.S. has more gasoline than it knows what to do with. Exports have risen above imports for three consecutive weeks as recurring pipeline outages and higher production levels by refiners caused Gulf Coast inventories to grow. Typically a net importer of gasoline, the U.S. has shipped a record amount of the motor fuel abroad and doesnt show signs of stopping. Exports will have to be high to keep stocks under control, Robert Campbell, head of oil products research at market consultant Energy Aspects Ltd. in New York, said in an e-mail. Runs should be quite high on the U.S. Gulf Coast in the coming weeks. The abundance of gasoline pushed Gulf Coast gasoline prices to an eight-month low last week and spurred the longest losing streak since 2012 in futures, making U.S. gasoline an affordable buy. That has triggered some some unusual moves by refiners and traders. Out to Sea Independent refiner Valero Energy Corp. shipped excess supplies to Canada instead of Colombia and Phillips 66 sent the first gasoline shipment in 16 months to Egypt, according to shipping data and people familiar with the transactions. Oil trader Mercuria Energy Group is said to be storing a 60,000-ton parcel of gasoline blending components produced in India at an offshore site in the Bahamas. More cargoes are sailing to typical destinations like Mexico and Brazil, George Los, senior tanker markets analyst at Charles R. Weber Co. in Greenwich, Connecticut, said in an e-mail. Lower refinery utilizations in Latin America, combined with abundant export capacity on the U.S. Gulf, have made these trades attractive, he said. We have been seeing this for much of the year, where Latin America is absorbing the excess U.S. gasoline. Record Shipments Waterborne gasoline exports surged after Colonial Pipeline Co., the main system that moves Gulf Coast gasoline to the Eastern Seaboard, shut for six days following an Oct. 31 explosion. The outage, which backed up almost 8 million barrels of the motor fuel that would normally flow to states in the Southeast and along the Atlantic coast, came less than two months after a pipeline leak triggered a 12-day one in September. U.S. gasoline exports reached 1.07 million barrels a day in the week ended Nov. 4, the first time the figure has topped 1 million in U.S. Energy Information Administration data going back to 2010. ClipperData LLC, which tracks crude and products globally, also counted exports above 1 million barrels a day after the Colonial blast. We expected them to be strong in the aftermath of the Colonial Pipeline outage as gasoline inventories swell, Matt Smith, ClipperDatas director of commodity research, said via e-mail from New York. Shipments rose 35 percent in the week ended Nov. 4 and have almost doubled since the Sept. 9 Colonial outage. But the latter move corresponds with a late-August adjustment in how the EIA calculates its export data. The agency shifted to using near-real-time Customs data rather than extrapolating from monthly estimates. Still, two other records were set simultaneously: U.S. refiners and gasoline blenders churned out 10.5 million barrels of gasoline a day and Gulf Coast inventories of the motor fuel climbed to the highest seasonal level ever. Meanwhile, driving demand slid about 2 percent. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Pearl Harbor of Dec. 7, 1941, surely will reign forever in American literature and history as a date which will live in infamy. It is a date that emboldened Americas resolve to right a flagrantly egregious wrong on its own territory in the Pacific Ocean: Hawaii. That date, a Sunday 75 years ago today, is also heralded as the date in which America, a so-called sleeping giant, was awakened to the courage and revolve it would muster to fight a war for its very freedom and its very survival as a just and ennobling land. It would be the second world war of the 20th century. It was on Dec. 7 that 2,403 Americans, including 68 civilians, died in the attack that was planned by Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who had been educated at Harvard University. He also planned the the 1942 Battle of Midway. Nineteen U.S. Navy ships, including eight battleships were damaged or destroyed, according to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Three U.S. Pacific Fleet aircraft carriers were out to sea on maneuvers and escaped the attack. Gathered at the radio with his family at his grandparents home in Jackson, Mississippi, Edwin Magruder, then a 17-year-old high school senior, heard the eloquent President Franklin Delano Roosevelt declare that a state of war exists between the United States and Japan. After he turned 18 in 1942, Magruder enlisted in the U.S. Navy rather than be drafted. He became a naval aviator, piloting flying boats, the PBY Catalina and the PBM Martin Mariner, in the Caribbean Sea and in the Pacific Ocean. I joined the Navy when it looked like they were going to call me in the draft, he said. Reflecting on the war, Magruder said, Well, I still tear up for the (hundreds of American) men that were lost, ever how many, during the Pearl Harbor attack. Just one was too many. Midlander Freddye Sturgis Skinner, 90, was living at the Amherst community the day of the attack. I remember going to my uncles house, and everyone was standing around the radio, listening, and they said Pearl Harbor was just bombed. I dont think I had heard of it (Pearl Harbor), Skinner said, but she was aware that the American territory was a Pacific seaport. Her husband, Luther Skinner of Iowa Park, served in the Navy. Jane Fortner, 93, vividly recalled the war but, in 1941, I didnt have the slightest idea where Pearl Harbor was. But we all found out. She was a Missouri college student in the early 1940s. I went to class (on Dec. 8), and nobody was there. Everybody was in the auditorium, listening to the radio and to Roosevelts declaration-of-war speech. William Bill Basham, a retired 92-year-old Midland geophysicist and professor, was living with his parents in California at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack. He was 17. We were in church on that Sunday. Everybody was very surprised on that day -- the attack. Basham, who had an amateur radio-operators license, quickly got on the air to find out what was going on. I knew we were going to be shut off. Before the war ended, he was at sea with the U.S. Navy. In 1941, Midland native James W. Mims, now 93, was attending Texas A&M University as a bandsman and freshman in the Corps of Cadets. World War II started for us on Dec. 7, 1941, Mims wrote in From Midland to Mindanao, his published reminiscences of the war in the Philippines. I was studying that Sunday afternoon when students came running across the area, hollering that the Japs had bombed Pearl Harbor! Everyone crowded around radios to get the news. At that time, A&M was all military, so it was obvious where we would be headed. The only question was, How soon? This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The search for the recipient of a Purple Heart and other military medals ended Tuesday after the items were returned to the owners family. Three people who played a role in the search traveled from Midland to Tye, a town west of Abilene. They met with the family members of Jim Carter, who served in the Army during World War II. Nephew Tommy Carter is grateful for the Midlanders who conducted the investigation, he said Monday in a phone interview. Its an honor, and its humbling, Carter said. When you get down to it, I wasnt the one who paid the price. My uncle did. Carter, who now lives in Fort Worth, grew up in Midland and had formed a close bond with his Uncle Jim and his wife, Sarah. Carters wife, Nancy, said the seven medals will help them remember Jim Carter, who died in Midland in 1982. Uncle Jim and Aunt Sarah were dear to us, she said. We didnt have anything besides a truck that was inherited to Tommy. To have something belonging to them is meaningful. More for you Midlanders remember 75 years after Pearl Harbor attack The search to find the recipient of the Purple Heart and other awards started last month, according to Sandy Dunlap, a Midland County resident involved in several veterans groups. She said she made a post on Facebook after a man found the medals in a Dumpster and gave them to her niece, Amy Davis. The search picked up momentum with Gary Kennedy, founder of the organization HEART (Healing Emotions Above Reasons and Thoughts), which serves veterans and first responders. He said hearing about the discarded medals made him emotional. Being in the Army, I have stories of what I have done, Kennedy said. A Purple Heart is something I dont want. It means you got shot a bullet entered your body. When you get the Purple Heart, its honorable. But to find it in the Dumpster, its disheartening. Kennedy put out his contact information and received several calls, emails and text messages from people living as far away as Honolulu. But the only valid tip came from a woman in Denver, who found Jim Carters death certificate on ancestry.com. Kennedy then searched records at Resthaven Memorial Park and found contact information for Tommy Carter. The best thing was to be able to find the family, Kennedy said. I have stories from being in the military for years but not a Purple Heart. Jim Carter earned the Purple Heart after he was shot in the leg or foot in Europe, according to his nephew. Carter said his father who also served in the war guarded the bridge that transported the ambulance carrying his injured uncle. Dunlap said learning the story of the brothers made finding the recipient more significant. My only goal was to get the medals into the familys hands, where they belonged, Dunlap said. The Carter family isnt sure how the medals ended up in a Midland Dumpster. But Tommy Carter thinks his aunt, who has Alzheimers disease, could have accidentally thrown them away before she moved to California earlier this year. She had two caretakers in their house, Carter said. They said sometimes she was throwing things away for no reason. It wasnt out of anger. It was just something that happened. For now, he said the family values the unexpected finds. It has blown us away, Carter said. Im going to build a shadow box to hold the medals. The Midland Police Department and Wells Fargo are alerting the public to be aware of an identity theft phishing scam being perpetrated through text messages. MPD posted a warning about the scam on its Facebook page at about 11:15 a.m. Wednesday with a screenshot of what the text looks like. In speaking with the Reporter-Telegram about an hour after the posting, Det. Daniel Stief said MPD had received 16 complaints so far at that time. Stief said indications are that the SMS phishing, or smishing, scam seems widespread. The identity theft scam tells users that their bank accounts have been locked because of too many failed login attempts. They are given a shortened link to click, which then takes the user to an authentic-looking webpage that requests a username, password and various other personal information. The webpage lacks an SSL certificate, which all banking websites have. The lack of an SSL certificate is identifiable in the URL. Jason Menke, Wells Fargo vice president of corporate communications, told the Reporter-Telegram by email that phishing scams are not a new phenomenon. MPD and Wells Fargo warn people who receive this text message to not click the link. If you are a Wells Fargo customer who received the message and clicked the link, Menke said to immediately call the bank at 866-867-5568. Stief said that after customers call the bank, they should contact MPD to file a report and get an identity theft packet. Identity theft report also can be filed with the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov. Other tips from Wells Fargo: Use caution if you receive an email or text expressing an urgent need for you to update your information, activate your online banking account or verify your identity by clicking on a link. If you receive an email or text message requesting sensitive information, do not respond. Delete it. If you receive a suspicious phone call requesting your information or access to your account, hang up and contact the company using a legitimate source such as a phone number on the companys website. For more information on identifying fraud and guarding against it, consumers can visit www.wellsfargo.com/privacy-security/fraud. Like Trevor on Facebook and follow him on Twitter at @HowdyHawes. What's Up with Midland? entertainment calendar Christmas Village Market, Midland's Gem & Mineral Society Annual Show and West Texas Symphony... Burkes expands fundraising advantage in District 4 Amy Stretcher Burkes has increased her lead for campaign funds raised in the Midland City Council... H-E-B's Feast of Sharing, State of Education coming up in Midland Feast of Sharing Join H-E-B for the 20th annual Feast of Sharing Holiday dinner Friday at the... MHS REPORT: Winning season still at stake for Bulldogs Dont tell Midland High head football coach Thad Fortune his Bulldogs have nothing to play for... LHS REPORT: Rebels shoot for district title, home playoff game Legacy is one win away from completing a half-decade run on top of District 2-6A. Know before you go: H-E-B Feast of Sharing traffic flow The 2022 H-E-B Feast of Sharing will take place from 4-8 p.m. Friday at the Horseshoe Arena.... Fugitive caught at rail station From:Shanghai Daily | 2016-12-07 01:46 A man who refused to show his train ticket at the exit gate of Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station turned out to be a fugitive in an injury case, police said yesterday. The suspect, surnamed Zhang, was handed over to police in Pizhou city, Jiangsu Province, where he was being hunted for injuring two people in a fight in September over debt issues. Zhang, 35 years old and from Inner Mongolia, arrived in Shanghai at 8pm on Monday and was taken away by police at the exit gate after quarreling with ticket officers who had refused to let him pass. He was persuaded to reveal his name, birth date and hometown. Forum on shared economy held in Shanghai By:Jiang Wenran | From:english.eastday.com | 2016-12-06 19:40 Shanghai, December 5- Shared Economy has been listed in the government work report and the Chinese government has made it clear that it will vigorously support the development of shared economic industry. Business Innovation in Shared Economy Era Forum recently kicked off. With the theme of Shared economy helps realize your dream, the forum was co-organized by Shanghai Womens Federation and Shanghai University of Finance & Economics, gathering lots of professionals in this field to discuss the new trend of Chinas economy under the shared economy mode. Shared Economy, namely people fairly enjoy social resources and economic dividends through various ways. Professionals in this field had deep discussions around the shared economys current impact on peoples daily lives and its future involved fields. Shared Economy essentially integrated offline idle goods, labors as well as educational and medical resources, subversively influencing the traditional business model. In Incubator Fishburners Chinese partner Shi Danjis eyes, the shared economy gave both sides of supply and demand more freedom of choice which will be helpful to improve the efficiency of economic operation. Chen Ye, COO of Atzuche.com, pointed out that sharing is not one of our natural concepts. But with the ascension of thoughts and improving understanding of environment, more and more people are realizing that most resources are gradually transforming into shared mode. The forum is one of the Shanghai Young Women Career Planning Forum series organized by Shanghai Womens Federation, which is aiming at providing a better platform for undergraduates and helping solve their employment and entrepreneurship problems. We have independently selected these offers and products because we love them and we think you might like them at these prices. E! has affiliate relationships, so we may earn a commission if you buy something through our links. Items are Source: thediplomat.com Myanmars explosive economic growth and untapped potential have led many investors to dub the country as Asias final frontier. The opening up of the country, first set in play in 2011 with a set of transformative economic and political reforms by the previous government of Thein Sein, caught much of the world off guard and with good reason.After decades of isolation and a ruinous period of brutal military dictatorship, Myanmar finally came in from the cold. To the worlds further surprise and to give context to just how fast the pace of reform has been nationwide democratic elections last year pushed the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) from power, with a government led by Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy (NLD) taking office in April; Myanmars first truly civilian-led government in over half a century. In less than six years, the country has come from international isolation, pariah status, and a 2010 general election that the UN dubbed deeply flawed to become Asias newest fledgling democracy and the worlds fastest-growing economy, according to the IMF.Despite breakneck economic growth of around 8 percent year-on-year, the country faces serious challenges and a lot of catching up to do. Sixty years of economic isolation and mismanagement has left a mark. Myanmar is the poorest country in Southeast Asia, has the lowest life expectancy, and the second-highest rate of infant and child mortality. Basic infrastructure also presents a huge challenge, with just one-third of the population having access to electricity and road density standing at just 220 kilometers per 1,000 square kilometers of land, according to figures from the World Bank . A lack of clear land ownership, difficulties accessing commercial credit, poor port and road infrastructure, and a large skills gap also top the laundry list of investor gripes.The challenges may be many, but the opportunities are greater still. Young demographics, cheap labor costs, huge untapped domestic consumption with a population of around 60 million, and the geographic advantage of being the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia sandwiched between the Asian giants of China and India make Myanmar well positioned to reclaim its crown as a regional trading hub. Colonial Burma was once the richest and most advanced country in Southeast Asia, with Rangoon serving as Britains primary trading port and transport gateway to the region. A rich endowment of natural resources including minerals, oil and gas, teak wood, and agricultural products add to the bright prospectus for adventurous investors and entrepreneurial businesses seeking new markets and areas of growth.Robert Easson, CEO of the British Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar, is bullish on the countrys potential and scathing of investors who continue to wait and see, saying that foreign investors and businesses are now running out of excuses not to do business in and with Myanmar.At the beginning of October, the U.S. government removed all remaining major sanctions on Myanmar , including, and crucially, restrictions on the banking sector therefore laying the foundations for Western banks to reengage in the country and for Myanmar to regain full access to the international financial system.Correspondingly, the NLD government has been busy pushing through economic reforms, including the passage of a new investment law, which will combine and replace the overlapping foreign investment and Myanmar citizens investment laws. The new law will simplify the investment process and allow the government to use tax breaks and other incentives, such as establishing special economic zones, to make targeted regions and sectors more attractive for investment.Aung San Suu Kyi, in her position as state counselor and de facto head of government, has also spent the last few months on a global promotional tour, with stop overs in China, India, Japan, the U.K., and the United States, to pitch the country to foreign investors and further economic ties. Over the last few weeks, and with the end of sanctions and the new investment law in place, Suu Kyi convened an audience of foreign businesses and investors in Naypyidaw to further drive the message home and make the case that economic development is crucial for advancing the countrys democratic institutions.On the horizon, and something that many Myanmar analysts are more eagerly awaiting, is the passing of the new companies act, which looks to bring Myanmar up to international standards and replace the existing act which dates back to colonial-era legislation from 1914. The new companies act looks to further modernize the business environment, bringing Myanmar in line with basic international standards of corporate governance and frameworks, with provisions including the strengthening of shareholder rights, outlining the responsibilities of company directors, and crucially and perhaps the real hidden game changer the possible loosening of laws to allow foreign entities to obtain long-term land leases and titles. Land rights have been a major stumbling block for many investors, not to mention disputes over land title ownership.The new companies act will also massively reduce compliance costs and regulatory burdens for firms, with the cost of doing business in Myanmar frequently underestimated by investors coming into the market. Combined with another provision that may allow foreign investors to buy shares on the Yangon Stock Exchange, Aung Naing Oo, the director general of the Directorate of Investment & Company Administration (DICA), was upbeat on how these reforms would modernize and simplify business processes.These types of modernizations are of course badly needed in Myanmar. The World Banks global ease of doing business rankings , currently scores Myanmar at the bottom end of the table at 170 out of 190 countries globally far behind neighboring countries such as Laos, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam, and more than a hundred places behind next door neighbor and regional export leader, Thailand, which comes in at a global ranking of 46. Myanmar still has a very long way to climb to catch up with its neighbors, but the country is in a hurry to make up the gap. After a significant investment slowdown last year, in which many investors, especially Western firms, waited to see how the elections played out and the new government shaped up, many businesses, especially from Asia, are now queuing up for permits and positioning themselves to take first mover advantage. The clock is now ticking for those wanting to get in on the countrys economic opening.Although behind their Asian rivals, Western multinationals are certainly taking advantage of Myanmars progress and potential. TODAY Ogilvy & Mather, one of the countrys biggest advertising and public relations firms, and part of the global WPP marketing group, is seeing a number of big brands enter the market, such as helping to introduce KFC to the country last year. Shell, Coca-Cola, and Nestle are other big names on their client roster that are working to build brand awareness and increase their in-country profiles.Perhaps most indicative, though, of the win-win that greater economic openness and foreign investment has brought to Myanmar can be seen in the countrys rapidly developing telecommunications sector. Gaining licenses in 2013, Norways Telenor and Qatars Ooredoo have sunk multimillion dollar investments into the country over the past three years, and now dominate the mobile market. The liberalization of the sector and subsequent investment in towers and telco-technology infrastructure have increased mobile and internet penetration vastly. Mobile and internet coverage in the country has leap-frogged from less than 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively, in 2014, to 60 percent and 25 percent today, allowing millions of people in Myanmar to access information online through 3G and even some 4G covered areas, and make calls at affordable prices for the first time.This particular sector is symptomatic of the broad sweep of changes and rapid boom in development that the country is now experiencing. Mobile sim cards are now available across the country, sold in shops and roadside street stalls for a mere 1,500 kyat or around $1.50. This would have been unthinkable just ten years ago, when mobile ownership was off-limits for all but the elite, with a sim card setting a well-heeled or well-connected buyer back by more than $2,000 and even at that price, reception was patchy.As a new frontier market, almost every sector is seeing growth, but certain areas are faring better than others. GAP and H&M have been quietly doing business in the country for a number of years now, with basic textile factories on the outskirts of Yangon. These multinationals benefit from Myanmars low cost of labor, as wages across the region, especially in China, rise highlighting the countrys next factory floor potential.Beyond resources and manufacturing, it is the service sector which is seeing the fastest rates of growth in big demand in a country where the advancement of modern services ground to a halt with the juntas coup and subsequent nationalization of the economy. Education and healthcare are such specialist areas where Western businesses are seeing a gap and filling it. Recent entrants include leading U.K. independent school group, Dulwich College, which in April announced its entry into Myanmar with two campuses in Yangon, funded by a capital investment of more than $30 million by Singapore-listed Yoma Strategic Holdings. Global private healthcare provider, International SOS, is also growing its presence in the country, as a lack of adequate healthcare blights the nation. The suits are also in town, with Western multinational service firms all scooping up good business in the country. Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and PwC all have a presence in Myanmar, doing the all-important due diligence and auditing that new investors require, vetting suitor projects and potential local business partners, as more firms expand into the market.Perhaps surprisingly in a frontier Asian market, it is the upmarket Anglo-American legal firms that are seeing some of the most significant growth, making the most of the multiple deals and transactions now being carried out. Global law firms Baker & McKenzie and Allen & Over both have a presence in the country. For Easson, it is Myanmars British-based common law legal system that may well be the countrys secret weapon and an often overlooked advantage in making the country favorable to Western investors, ahead of other neighbors in the region, who mostly have different legal systems. Many Western firms, after first experiencing significant initial growth, have often found it difficult to traverse the complexities of alien and opaque legal and regulatory frameworks in the region, whereas Myanmars law, as is the case in Singapore and Hong Kong, is essentially based on British law. Easson says this gives those companies with similar legal systems most notably U.S. and U.K. companies a distinct advantage of being at home within the same legal framework.As one would expect in a country largely cut off from the world for decades, the development of technology services and ICT infrastructure is well behind that of Myanmars neighbors and presents a huge area for potential growth, but also a huge headache for businesses operating in the country. The government, too, is looking to ICT and e-government systems to improve and modernize antiquated government bureaucracy and is setting up a dedicated committee to put more government services online, in an attempt to replicate the successes of neighboring countries e-governance systems, such as Thailand.Although a weak IT backbone and a lack of skilled expertise in the sector presents a real challenge, the governments commitment to modernization through technology has already been realized in Myanmars highly successful e-visa program, built with the support of Singapore. Now tourists and business travelers from outside ASEAN can apply for, pay for, and receive their Myanmar visa online usually within a day. Here again, Myanmar is jumping ahead of many other more established countries in the Asia region, which often have notably more trying visa and permit restrictions. It is this type of small win that is making many in Myanmars business community hopeful that, despite the challenges, the country is very much on the right track to further ease doing business and attract ever growing investment in the years ahead.Despite a past history of asset seizures and currency revaluations under junta rule and decades of financial sanctions, which led all major foreign banks to leave the country, Myanmar is now seeing many returns. Some Western banking and insurance companies have been patiently persevering over the last few years, softly reestablishing themselves in the country and waiting for the chance to jump back in, when sanctions are eased and foreign business permits permitted. Standard Chartered, which can date its heritage in Myanmar back to colonial Rangoon when the city used to be a financial hub for the British East India Company has had a representative office in the country for a number of years. Insurance giant, Prudential, also has been building its presence. Although both financial heavyweights do not yet possess operating licenses, nor are they commercially active, their representative offices have been busy establishing networks and relationships, working on a number of ground-laying initiatives to educate and improve capacity in the financial sector such as joint capacity-building initiatives with the government and financial literacy programs aimed at educating the public. Both hope, and are looking to receive, operating licenses over the next year, reaping the benefits after many years of slowly building up their presence.Although the new government is young and inexperienced, many in Yangons business circles have been positively surprised by how receptive the government has been. Despite huge disadvantages with a government administration that lacks experience, expertise, and funding Easson says that what is different in Myanmar, in comparison to other countries in the region, is that the government does not just pay lip service to business complaints and recommendations, but acts on suggestions and then implements them in practice. While foreign businesses in neighboring countries, such as Vietnam and Indonesia, have fallen foul of nationalist and protectionist policies of late, Myanmars government and its people have been more welcoming of foreign businesses especially after decades of being left on the sidelines of Asias economic ascent and global trade. Institutions such as the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, and Asian Development Bank have also found a greater willingness from the government to listen and engage. The recent investment law, for example, had considerable input from the business community and international institutions in its drafting.Despite starting from a low base, the general sentiments from economists, analysts, and businesses active in Myanmar today reflect optimism about the future. Consumer consumption alone has been skyrocketing over the last year, as Myanmars people start to consume the branded foreign goods and products now flooding into the market, from shampoo to snacks.For those willing to take the plunge, deal with the difficulties, and invest for the long haul, Myanmar now looks to be on the path to a prosperous future and a fast-growing, dynamic economy. More importantly though, it is Myanmars people that are now experiencing the benefits that greater political freedom and economic growth is bringing, from jobs to development. It is for this reason that Myanmar is now past the point of no return. The genie is now well and truly out of the bottle.Edward Parker is a contributor to The Diplomat, based in Southeast Asia. China Hour' launched on UK's Sky TV to broadcast China-made programs From:Shanghai Daily | 2016-12-06 19:47 Chinese program time slot "China Hour" was launched today on UK's Sky TV today as an event of "The Fourth Meeting of China-UK High-Level People-to-People Dialogue." It is a new broadcasting platform of original Chinese programs to promote cultural relations between the two countries. For two hours every day, "China Hour" broadcasts English-dubbed Chinese documentaries, animated films, tourism and cultural programs. It is expected to reach more than 12 million Sky TV viewers and 3 million free satellite and IPTV users in UK. Since its test airing in October, documentaries such as "A Bite of China," "The Summer Palace," "The Forbidden City" as "Silk Road" have been showcased and received hails from British audiences. Prior to its launch in UK, "China Hour" has been set up in South Africa, Nepal and Vietnam. Next year there are also plans to launch the time slot in Russia, Serbia and Myanmar. New members inducted into Institute of ... Congressman Tom McClintock View Photos Last week Congressman Tom McClintock took to the House Floor to voice his concern about paying for infrastructure construction without soaking the taxpayers. McClintock was Wednesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words: Mr. Speaker: President-elect Trump has many difficult fiscal tasks ahead one of which is to promote long-overdue infrastructure construction at a time when the national debt exceeds our entire economy and interest costs alone are eating us alive. Some have said that a rebounding economy resulting from tax reform will pay for it. That may be, but its not guaranteed; it cannot be accurately forecast; and well need any new revenues to beef up our defenses and reduce our deficit two other critical objectives of the new administration. Others have proposed tax credits to leverage private capital for infrastructure improvements. But tax credits reduce revenue and widen the deficit. Worse, such public-private partnerships have also proven a fertile breeding ground for corruption, crony-capitalism, waste and fraud. And as we learned during the Obama stimulus fiasco, massive government spending might stimulate government, but it does little to stimulate the economy when it is squandered for boondoggles like subsidizing Solyndra and paying cash for clunkers. So how do we avoid the mistakes of the past, control the deficit, protect taxpayers and yet add a trillion dollars of new infrastructure in a way that helps the economy and not merely lines the pockets of politically well-connected interests? FIRST: Get government out of the way! Stop obstructing major infrastructure projects like the Keystone Pipeline. Keystone and many other projects like it across the country already have private capital ready to finance them. Keystone by itself would unleash an estimated $8 billion of privately financed infrastructure construction and would deliver a half million barrels a day of Canadian crude oil entering U.S. markets. In my district alone, one abusive official at the Sacramento office of the Army Corps of Engineers single-handedly blocked tens of millions of dollars of critical infrastructure construction desperately sought by local governments in the region. Multiply that across the country, and you can see how much infrastructure is ALREADY financed but cannot move forward because of federal obstructionism. SECOND: Streamline radical regulations that have made many infrastructure projects cost-prohibitive. In my district, the little town of Foresthill gets its water from the Sugar Pine Reservoir, formed by a dam that has an 18-foot spillway, but no spillway gate. The town is trying to increase the reservoirs capacity by adding the missing gate. The gate will cost $2 million. But environmental studies, environmental mitigation and U.S. Forest Service Fees have inflated that cost to at least $11 million so this project has stalled. Multi-billion dollar expansion of Shasta Dam is stalled for the same reason. Once again, multiply this across the rest of the country. THIRD: Use revenue bonds to finance capital-intensive projects like dams and bridges. California built its iconic Golden Gate and Bay Bridges with loans from private investors repaid by tolls charged only to the users of the bridges. The taxpayers were never on the hook for a dime, and the loans were paid back ahead of schedule. The famous California Water Project constructed 21 dams and more than 700 miles of canals. The revenue bonds and self-liquidating general obligation bonds that financed it were paid back not by general taxpayers, but by the users of the water and power. FOURTH: Restore the integrity of our highway trust fund. We built the modern Interstate system with the federal excise tax paid only by highway users at the gas pump. The more you drove, the more you paid for the roads you were using. But over the decades, more and more of these funds were bled away to subsidize mass transit and other purposes unrelated to highway construction. Restoring highway taxes for highways would go a long way toward addressing the maintenance and construction backlog. FIFTH: Repeal the outdated Davis-Bacon Act that requires federal projects to pay grossly inflated wages. Think tanks like the Heritage Foundation and the Competitive Enterprise Institute estimate that Davis-Bacon alone inflates total construction costs by roughly 10 percent. Just repealing this act alone would add one new project for every ten existing ones at no additional cost. These are just a few ways that massive infrastructure projects can be financed at zero cost to general taxpayers. And because these reforms are actually directed at projects for which there is a demonstrated economic need, political favoritism and corruption inherent in government-directed programs can be greatly reduced. Mr. Speaker, freedom works. And it is time we put it and America back to work. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. California Supreme Court Building View Photos Sacramento, CA A finding by the California Supreme Court has placed limits on police power while conducting searches. In a unanimous ruling, the court found that police can conduct a search before making an arrest only if they have probable cause to make that arrest in the first place. The case involves a 2012 traffic stop in Torrance of bicycle rider Paul Macabeo. He was not placed under arrest until police searched his cellphone and reportedly discovered child pornography on it. The court ruled that police could not have arrested Macabeo for the traffic violation and there was no probable cause to arrest him for something else, therefore the subsequent search was unlawful. Assemblymember Frank Bigelow View Photos Sacramento, CA Assemblyman Frank Bigelow will be in a leadership post during the 2016-17 legislative session. State lawmakers reconvened this week, and Assembly Republican leader Chad Mayes picked Bigelow to be one of three Assistant Republican Leaders. Im honored to be named an Assistant Republican Leader for the 2017-2018 legislative session, says Bigelow. The Leadership Team shows the diversity of California and highlights our members real-world experience. We look forward to tackling tough issues and working to build a better California. Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes released a statement reading, There are few leaders in California who command as much respect from Republicans and Democrats as Frank Bigelow does. Im thankful to have his counsel and look forward to getting things done this year. The other two Assistant Republican Leaders are Melissa Melendez of Lake Elsinore and Jim Patterson of Fresno. Seventy-five years after the attack that plunged the United States into World War II, a Pearl Harbor survivor recalled the devastation and bravery he saw that fateful day. Earl Chaffee, 93, of West Melbourne, remembers Dec. 7, 1941 like it was yesterday. The U.S. navy petty officer was 18 years old and just arrived in Hawaii via the Philippines. That Sunday morning he reported to his duty station as the surprise attack was happening. Chaffee remembers the low-flying Japanese planes firing guns and torpedoes into the harbor. He was there as the docked ships were bombed and sunk. Thousands of sailors were killed. "They spotted us, but they couldn't train their guns down this way, they were shooting over our heads," Chaffee said. "We didn't even throw ourselves to the ground." Chaffee pulled burned sailors from the water and took them to the nearby hospital, where the wounded were being treated on the grounds outside, because all the beds were full. A man and woman have been arrested in connection with the shooting death of a dialysis center employee in the parking lot of a West Colonial Drive strip mall last week, Orange County detectives said Wednesday. Couple arrested in connection with homicide in front of dialysis center Dialysis center employee was shot and killed Friday Man faces 1st-degree murder charge; woman charged with armed robbery Kenny L. Chaney, 23, of Orlando, has been charged with first degree murder with a firearm, deputies said. His girlfriend, April Elise Coger, 24, also of Orlando, faces armed robbery charges. On Friday, a male employee of Fresenius Medical Care West Orlando Dialysis Center was shot as he walked in the parking lot of the strip mall at 5600 West Colonial Drive, where the facility is located. Gregory Whitbeck, 55, was taken to Health Central hospital in Ocoee, where he was pronounced dead. Sheriff's Office affidavits for the couple said they had held up two other people near the shopping center before targeting Whitbeck. Property belonging to those people were found in Coger's residence, detectives said. Surveillance video, witnesses and the GPS the dealership put on her new car linked the couple to the three violent crimes that happened within two hours Friday morning. Minutes before the shooting, the second robbery happened just outside the door of a nearby day care. The victim was taking her three-month-old into day care at the time. According to the manager, the victim had the door open after being buzzed in, but she shut the door to lock it so the man holding her at gunpoint could not get inside with the kids. She said she can now sleep at night knowing there was an arrest. "The victims in the robberies played a pivotal role in identifying these individuals," said Sheriff Jerry Demings at a press conference Wednesday. Both Chaney and Coger are being held on no bond. Both Abernathy and Hale Center have scheduled holiday activities this week to start the holiday season. Abernathys Christmas parade begins 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, following a band concert in front of Abernathy City Hall. After the parade, a fellowship gathering will be held at Abernathy City Hall. Prizes will be awarded during the fellowship to the best floats in the parade. Santa will be at the fellowship as well, and refreshments will be served. On Thursday, Dec. 15, Abernathy will continue its holiday celebration with a concert and brisket meal in Abernathy High School Auditorium. Hale Center will host its annual Festival of Lights at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the pavilion north of City Hall. Dan Patterson will provide music, along with local singing groups. Hale Center cheer and dance squads will perform as well. The Festival of Lights will include lighting of City Hall along with horse-drawn carriage rides to look at the Christmas lights. Tickets are $5 per person or five for $20. Santa will be present and Christmas sacks will be available for children. In connection with Festival of Lights, the Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Best Decorated House contest. To enter contact the Chamber by calling 806-839-2642. Through Dec. 31, the Hale Center Chamber is offering copies of its tornado book for $30. Copies are available at the Chamber and at Vista Bank. For more than 24 hours ever since officials identified Feral Pines as one of the victims of the Ghost Ship fire Eliza Wicks-Frank fielded calls from friends. Pines had once been Wicks-Franks partner; theyd spent five years together. People wanted to know what they could do, how they could help. Just watch the media, Wicks-Frank kept telling them. Wicks-Frank had seen news reports about the fire victims reference a birth name Pines hadnt used for more than a decade and a pronoun that didnt reflect Pines gender identity. Wicks-Frank asked friends to call and correct them. Feral Pines was her name. She was a transgender woman. Its alien. Its infuriating, said Wicks-Frank, who uses gender-neutral pronouns. Its a practice called deadnaming in trans communities and while its sometimes done accidentally, its also sometimes done intentionally to deny and oppress trans people. The impact that this lack of dignity and awareness has on the community of trans people who are alive right now is it tells them that their fight is irrelevant, that theyre going to be disrespected regardless of how they fight to live their lives, Wicks-Frank said. Officials and the media frequently face challenges in trying to identify victims in situations like these. In the case of the Oakland warehouse fire, given the number of trans and queer individuals affected, the challenge is particularly acute. Pines is one of three trans women confirmed dead in the fire, along with Cash Askew and Em B, also known as Em Bohlka. Thats been tough to navigate, said Alameda County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Ray Kelly. Its a very sensitive topic. On Monday, as information came in about the deceased, the sheriffs department tweeted out a list of names. Pines was listed using a legal birth name she hasnt had a connection to in years. The department very quickly got push-back from friends who knew better. We are fixing this, the department tweeted back. We care deeply about the trans community. We honor & respect the memory & identity of Feral Pines. But already a flurry of media reports had picked up the information and repeated her birth name and pronoun. Many times I had conversations with her about how her greatest fear in death was being misrepresented for her true self, Wicks-Frank said. Its about dignity in death. Kelly says the department is trying to address issues around identity head-on. Theyre working with Tiffany Woods, a consultant on transgender issues, to get their information in sync with what the community is saying. We want to make sure everybody is respected and has dignity right now, Woods said. Your name and your identity are who you are at your core. When its not respected, you dont have dignity in death. Discrepancies, Woods says, can come up for a number of reasons. Some trans people may have families who arent aware of or arent supportive of their gender identity. Others, she says, may still have legal names that they no longer identify with. Those are the names officials tend to use, at least in first reports. Woods says she reached out to the Alameda County Sheriffs Department as soon as she realized trans and queer people were killed in the blaze. Were trying to anticipate this. Weve had intentional conversations around this since the beginning. Wicks-Frank understands some of these difficulties. They say theyve heard of gatherings where trans and queer people will get together with a notary and sketch out advance directives in case of these very situations. Legal name changes can be both expensive and time-consuming. It sucks that its a necessary aspect of living and dying in dignity. As for Pines, the city of Oakland tweeted out a new list Tuesday afternoon that had her as Wicks-Frank knew her. Feral Pines, 29, Berkeley, Calif. Though even that name was only sort of right. She was a person of multiplicities, and she didnt always have one name, Wicks-Frank said. It depended who you asked and how you related to each other. Her life was complex. Chronicle staff writer Hamed Aleaziz contributed to this report. Ryan Kost is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rkost@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @RyanKost This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate It is the rare undergraduate who captures the attention of his instructors, particularly on a big and competitive campus like UC Berkeley. But Griffin Madden, 23, who graduated in 2015 with a double major in philosophy and Slavic Languages and Literatures, wowed faculty. He was probably the most memorable undergraduate student Ive had in my years of teaching, said Luba Golburt, an associate professor in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, recalling the young man who was among 36 people to die in Friday nights horrific warehouse fire in Oakland. Golburt had Madden in two classes: 19th century Russian literature and a seminar on the Ukranian writer Nikolai Gogol. He had a luminous away about him, a quest for knowledge, and an enthusiasm for learning things, Golburt said, adding that her colleagues shared the sentiment. We all remember him very fondly. Irina Kogel, who teaches Russian language, had Madden in classes twice at UC Berkeley. More for you Oakland warehouse fire: Full coverage He was the kind of student you would want to have, said Kogel, who is now at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. He was incredibly inquisitive and worked harder than he needed to. He always had a question about something. Maddens passion extended to music of all kinds. He ushered for five years at Cal Performances, where jazz, choral music, classical and world music cross the stage, and had recently won a full-time position as Audience Services Associate. Our community is heartbroken at this news, Matias Tarnopolsky, Cal Performances executive and artistic director, said in a message to colleagues. He called Madden a beloved member of our staff and said a memorial event would be planned for the spring. It was Maddens love of music that led him to the Golden Donna 100% Silk show at the Ghost Ship warehouse Friday night. When Madden, of Berkeley, couldnt be found in the aftermath of the fire, friends created Facebook posts featuring his smiling face and tousled hair, and sharing their fears and their hopes. We could all use a little miracle right now, wrote Kenra Verga. His girlfriend Saya Tomioka remembered seeing The Book of Mormon on Broadway in New York with Madden last year. I remember tears swelling my eyes because the city was so beautiful and amidst of all the lights, I got to look at the brightest light of all, my sweetie, she wrote. I cried, and we kissed. Some random photographer captured this very moment, this very kiss. ... I never got his name, and he just simply showed us the single beautiful snapshot that he was able to capture. Now, Tomioka wrote, our community mourns, and she hoped the photographer might somehow find a way to send her the treasured memory that Ill always keep in my heart. As he prepared to graduate from UC Berkeley last year, Madden won a grant to spend the summer studying Russian at Middlebury College in Vermont. Kathryn DeWaele, a doctoral student in Russian literature at UC Berkeley, won the same grant, and said she was delighted to discover Madden in her program across the country. She had been a teaching assistant in a class he had taken on the author Vladimir Nabokov. Madden wrote really, really well and was a very productive member of the class, DeWaele said. He was a really sweet guy. This is heartbreaking. Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@NanetteAsimov Two years before the deadly Ghost Ship warehouse fire, the Alameda County civil grand jury sounded the alarm about deficiencies in the Oakland Fire Departments inspection bureau saying the city wasnt even trying to check a third of the 12,000 commercial properties that were supposed to be examined every year. Despite assurances from Fire Department brass that they would address the problem, the city continues to have fewer inspectors on the streets than its website reports, interviews and public records indicate leaving most buildings to be checked by rank-and-file firefighters on a catch-as-catch-can basis. Under California law, cities are required to enforce building standards that the state has adopted. That means inspecting businesses and large residential structures for fire hazards and other safety dangers including live-work warehouses like the one that burned Friday in Oakland, killing 36 people. But according to records that the Oakland Fire Department submitted to the civil grand jury for the watchdog panels 2014 report, fire inspectors were being sent to only 8,000 buildings a year and couldnt gain access to 2,000 of them. The remaining buildings 4,000 in all were going unchecked because of what the Fire Department called competing priorities. The upshot, according to the grand jury: The Fire Department was giving people the false impression that all commercial businesses are inspected annually. One big problem, the grand jury concluded, was that Oaklands funding source for the $1 million-a-year inspection program was being pinched. City fees assessed to commercial operations were supposed to help pay for it, but budget cuts left City Hall unable to collect all the money. The city turned the job over to the Fire Department, which didnt have the capacity to handle it, the grand jury said. Grand jury members are barred from speaking individually about an investigation, but one source who had a hand in the report told us that Fire Department officials were quite concerned about the missed inspections. Nonetheless, the source said, they chose to not bolster their fee-collecting efforts because that might divert money needed to retain firefighters. They didnt seem to understand their mission their mission seemed to be to keep (firefighters) jobs, the source said. One of the big questions after Friday nights disaster, which happened during an electronic music show at the live-work warehouse at 31st Avenue and International Boulevard, was when fire inspectors last checked the place. The Ghost Ship operation had been there since at least 2013. Its a question Oakland officials have yet to answer. The city has promised to release inspection records from the property, but hadnt done so as of Tuesday. Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed did not respond this week to our requests for comment on how her department reacted to the grand jury report. Neither did Mayor Libby Schaaf, who was on the City Council when the jury issued its findings. However, in an 11-page response to the grand jury at the time, Deloach Reed acknowledged that many of its findings were accurate and that the Fire Department was working diligently to correct the problems including improving its revenue collections and filling jobs that had been frozen or eliminated because of budget cuts. Other city officials, however, say they doubt the Fire Department is doing all the inspections its supposed to do every year. We dont have the personnel to do that, said City Councilman Noel Gallo, whose district includes the Ghost Ship building. Gallo agreed with the grand jurys finding on why the department fell behind on routine inspections. They went through the budget cuts years ago, and many were laid off, in both the fire and building inspection departments, Gallo said. The Fire Departments website says the agency has seven fire-code inspectors and an equal number of vegetation management inspectors, who specialize in making sure hillside neighborhoods have defensible spaces. But sources tell us the actual number of inspectors on the street may be about half that number a problem some inside the Fire Department say was exacerbated by the defeat of a 2013 ballot measure to extend a city tax meant to reduce the threat of wildfires. Payroll data from the state controller show that Oakland had nine fire inspectors in 2015 and one vegetation management supervisor. But four of the inspectors made less than $40,000 in base salary one was under $18,000 indicating that they may not have been on the job full-time. We have always pointed out the need for additional, full-time, dedicated fire prevention inspectors, said Daniel Robertson, head of the Oakland Firefighters Union. Dont look to Sacramento for help. Scott McLean, a spokesman for the California Fire Marshals Office, said the state does not keep tabs on local inspection rates. Its all done in-house. The city or county are responsible for their own inspections, McLean said. Oakland officials have said the city opened a blight investigation into the Ghost Ship last month, but thats a different assignment from the one given to fire inspectors. The safety checklist that fire inspectors are tasked with is a long one. Buildings are supposed to have unobstructed and marked entry and exit points, working fire sprinklers, functioning smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, and proper electrical wiring. Combustibles must be safely stored. Because of Oaklands shortage of fire inspectors, neighborhood engine companies like Engine 13 at 1225 Derby Ave., just around the corner from the Ghost Ship now handle many inspections in between calls for fire and medical runs, according to department sources. However, firefighters say the local stations generally steer clear of politically sensitive places like the arts-centered Ghost Ship leaving them to be handled by inspectors in the overworked fire prevention bureau. As one station house firefighter, who wasnt authorized to speak for the record, told us, If the owner of an illegally occupied building tells us to our face that nobody is sleeping there, all we can do is refer it up (the command chain) or come back and try and catch them in the act. No easy feat for crews making 20 or more emergency runs in a 24-hour shift. As for filling the budget hole so the city can pay for more inspectors? Gallo said one possibility will be to tap licensing fees for newly legalized marijuana operations. That is going to generate billions of dollars, Im told, Gallo said. San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Embattled San Antonio attorney Todd Prins finally appeared at a bankruptcy proceeding today, but he didnt say a whole lot. Prins exercised his right not to incriminate himself more than 25 times during a creditors meeting on Tuesday. He had skipped a previously scheduled creditors meeting and two bankruptcy court hearings since he and his wife filed for Chapter 7 liquidation in September. Prins has been sued in the bankruptcy case by two former clients who allege he fabricated court documents and forged judges signatures to conceal from them the actual status of a lawsuit he filed in 2009. During the creditors meeting, Prins said he closed his law office about a month ago. Click here for the full story on ExpressNews.com or turn to Wednesdays Business section to read the full article. A California man who via Craiglist set up in-person buys of high-end jewelry before a crew of robbers he ran with turned on the unsuspecting seller at gunpoint was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison Tuesday, federal prosecutors said. Tracy resident Michael Anthony Martin, 42, was found guilty by jury in an Oakland courtroom of one count of conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce and four counts of substantive robbery, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California. Martin was one of five defendants indicted in April 2014 in connection with a series of robberies that took place between November 2012 and December 2013. Others were indicted in court cases that followed, prosecutors said. A member of the robbery crew would contact a targeted victim who had posted a flashy piece of jewelery including diamonds and Rolex watches for sale on Craigslist. The elaborate scam ripped off victims from more than six states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin making off with more than $500,000 in stolen jewelry. A member of the crew would reach out purporting to be in the market for diamond engagement rings or posing as a music producer. After contacting their victims by email or cell phone, Martin and his accomplices persuaded their victims to travel to the Bay Area to meet up for an in-person sale, offering to cover their airfare or reimburse them for travel expenses. Often, a member of the robbery crew posed as an airport limousine driver and picked up the victim at the airport using a rented SUV, prosecutors said. The victims thought their chauffeur was taking them to a jewelry store or bank to finalize the sale, but he or she was instead taken to a pre-determined location where at least two of the robbers would rough them up and relieve them of their wares at gunpoint. Martin, who was also ordered to a three-year period of supervised release and to pay back $191,683.93, received a higher sentence based on his judge finding that he committed perjury while testifying at his trial, prosecutors said. Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @michael_bodley A San Francisco man accused of fatally punching a man following an argument in line at a Peets Coffee location was acquitted of all charges, his lawyer said Tuesday. Mario Forchelli, 38, had been charged with involuntary manslaughter, assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury and an additional great bodily injury enhancement in the death of Marc Garcia, 60. Forchelli, who had no history of violence, faced more than six years in prison if convicted, but he was acquitted Thursday, according to the San Francisco Public Defenders Office, which represented him. The charges stemmed from an early-morning confrontation inside a Peets Coffee on Van Ness Avenue in October 2015, as Forchelli waited in line behind Garcia, said Forchellis attorney, Deputy Public Defender Herman Holland. When the barista told Garcia his coffee would take a minute to brew and to wait for the next customer Garcia became irritated and refused to budge, prosecutors said. After Forchelli squeezed past Garcia, he was jabbed in the back of the neck by an angry Garcia. After Garcia taunted Forchelli and tried to prevent him from leaving the coffee shop, the two came to blows outside, with Forchelli claiming he acted in self-defense after he was struck first. Garcia fell, striking his head on the pavement, and died that night. Forchelli said he didnt realize the man died after their altercation and didnt find out until police posted photos of him from surveillance footage on social media in an effort to locate him, leading Forchelli to turn himself in. Holland based the case for his client around self-defense, and the medical examiner testified that there was no evidence of trauma to the front of Garcias face, supporting that the dead mans fall was caused by him losing his balance and not Forchellis punch. Its clear it is something that will stay with him forever, Holland said. However, its not a crime to protect yourself, even when tragedy results. He tried to walk away and eventually it became unsafe to do so. Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @michael_bodley NPRs Fresh Air TV critic David Bianculli has been a reviewer for over 40 years, and hes crafted a wonderful overview of the history of television with The Platinum Age of Television: From I Love Lucy to The Walking Dead, How TV Became Terrific. Bianculli loves the medium, and it shows. Rather than taking a year-by-year approach to showcase the best of television, he breaks it down by genre, including animation, Westerns, spy dramas, medical shows and crime. He breaks down sitcoms into categories such as family and workplace comedies. Each section chronicles the history while also showcasing those shows that Bianculli considers groundbreakers that have established the genre. Among the shows he considers the best for the legal category: Perry Mason, L.A. Law and Boston Legal. What makes this book so much more than an examination of the history of TV is the personal touch that Bianculli adds when he recounts why he fell in love with particular shows or how he was influenced by what he saw on the screen. He also interviews the creators behind the shows he considers the best of the best, and getting insight from legends such as Carl Reiner, Norman Lear and Steven Bochco truly captures why television continues to be the place where quality writing and imagination can reside. The way we watch television might be changing, and there might be so many choices that nobody can watch everything. More Information The Platinum Age of Television: From I Love Lucy to The Walking Dead, How TV Became Terrific By David Bianculli Penguin Random House/ Doubleday, $32.50 See More Collapse Bianculli reassures with his examination of the history of the medium that there will always be quality and groundbreaking storytelling. There was a golden age of television, and he believes that we are now living in the platinum age. This book is a must for anyone who has been enthralled by the images and stories on television. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Albany man charged with having, promoting child pornography ALBANY Deputies said they charged a city man with possession of child pornography after an investigation allowed them to search his home. Matthew D'Angelo, 24, was also charged with promoting a sexual performance by a child after an investigation by the Albany County Sheriff's Office and the FBI Child Exploitation Taskforce, Sheriff Craig Apple said. Apple said the task force used a warrant to search D'Angelo's home, finding images and videos containing sexual performances by children. Investigators seized computers, hard drives and other electronic devices, he said. D'Angelo was sent to the Albany County jail on $25,000 bail after he was arraigned by City Court Judge Rachel Kretser. Staff report Schenectady man accused buying sneakers with fake cash CLIFTON PARK A Schenectady man used counterfeit money to buy sneakers from a seller in a Clifton Country Road parking lot, the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office said. Deputies said Milo E. Martinez, 25, of Taylor Street met another man on Monday at a Hannaford parking lot after the two connected on the Letgo sales app. Martinez paid for the sneakers in counterfeit money, which the seller recognized as fake and reported to police. Officers located Martinez in a vehicle a short distance away. He had $2,350 in counterfeit bills and over three ounces of marijuana, deputies said. Martinez faces charges of felony criminal possession of a forged instrument and misdemeanor criminal possession of marijuana. He was arraigned and sent to the Saratoga County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail. The investigation is ongoing, the Sheriff's Office said. Staff report State Police warn residents to watch for grandparent scams After a Rensselaer County resident was bilked out of more than $10,000, State Police are warning people to be wary of "grandparent scams." In that case, a caller pretended to be a grandson involved in a car crash and DWI arrest. The victim bought gift cards three separate times and gave out the card numbers and access codes for redemption to pay for legal, medical and car repair expenses. Usually, callers start out by asking "Grandma?" or "Grandpa?" which in turn elicits a response from the victim citing the name of a grandson or granddaughter. The caller pretends to be that relative while reporting that he or she has been involved in a criminal issue or a crash and asks that money be sent to help the situation. The money is wired or sent via gift cards to the scammer outside the U.S. and the "grandchild" requests that the victims not contact parents or report the situation. State Police say anyone who gets such a call should ask questions that an imposter would not be able to answer correctly. Victims of a scam or attempted scam should report it to local or state police. Staff report This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BRIDGEPORT - Charges were dismissed Wednesday against a police sergeant arrested for domestic violence just hours after she appeared on national television to warn about the dangers of domestic violence. Superior Court Judge Kevin Doyle dismissed the charge of disorderly conduct against Bridgeport Police Sgt. Stacey Lyons after the officer had completed the family violence counseling program. She went through a similar process that other people accused of the same offense went through and had the same result, said Lyons lawyer, Christian Young. Now hopefully she can get back to serving the community as she has done with honor for the past 11 years. Lyons, 33, had been arrested by Trumbull police in October after her former boyfriend complained that she had gained access to his apartment and attacked him. This was just hours after Lyons appeared on the A&E program, Live PD, in which she is seen on the program turning to the man who is sitting in the back of her police car, urging him to turn over any guns he has. We have rules that are above me, she tells him as he protests his innocence. This is a domestic situation and I dont have a choice. Trumbull police said they were called to a Petticoat Lane home in the early morning hours for a complaint of an assault. Police said the male owner of the home told officers that his former girlfriend, Lyons, had gotten into his home uninvited by using the security code and then angrily confronted him about having another woman there. The man said he and Lyons had gotten into a shoving match and that Lyons had left when he called police. Police said the man had a minor abrasion on his right forearm and another on his upper nose. They said he declined medical treatment and refused to make a written complaint against Lyons. Police said Lyons denied hitting the man. And while he claimed they had broken up two weeks ago she maintained they were still involved in a relationship and in fact were to attend a wedding together. Young said his client attended a number of counseling sessions as part of the court-mandated domestic violence program during which time prosecutors took great effort to carefully investigate the case. BRIDGEPORT BConnected has been disconnected. The smartphone application launched by ex-Mayor Bill Finch for residents to lodge complaints about potholes, broken street lights, unplowed roads and other headaches of urban life has been replaced. Returned Mayor Joe Ganim, re-elected a year ago, on Wednesday launched his version of BConnected. Its called Bridgeport311. I like technology, Ganim said. I like when we take a step out and do something that advances our abilities to do our job better and serve our constituents. Bridgeport311 is, in concept, the same as BConnected. Residents can use their smart phones to notify City Hall about quality-of-life issues. The complaints are forwarded directly to the responsible departments. But Ganim and his staff insisted Bridgeport311 ensures greater accountability, in part because anyone using the system from inside or outside of city government can look up the individual cases that were filed and their status. Its really, we think, the best technology in the country, said Tom Gaudett, the mayoral adviser who helped spearhead the rollout over the last few months. Bridgeport311 has already been piloted by some members of the City Council. Were really excited about it, said Councilman Anthony Paoletto. Bridgeport311 is made possible through a three-year, $31,402 per year contract with originator SeeClickFix out of New Haven. Now eight years old, SeeClickFix is an online clearing house for citizen complaints. Bridgeport residents as well as residents of towns all over Connecticut and the country could already make use of it and a related phone application, but the company had no formal relationship with the Bridgeport. That fact obviously helped Bridgeport311 get its foot in the door for the contract with Ganim. We had several people using SeeClickFix as a community tool but no one was getting (the complaints), Gaudett said. Gaudett said the Ganim administration assessed BConnected upon taking office last December and debated whether to keep it or start from scratch. Despite the fact the application was heavily-promoted by Finch since launched in 2012, Gaudett claimed it was not widely used. And, he added, Team Ganim found that the complaints were not being promptly addressed and either routed to the wrong places or to vacant desks. Some of those issues were caused by Ganim, who laid off dozens of public employees to cut an inherited $20 million budget hole. Ganim also did away with a related initiative, Finchs CitiStat office, established in 2008 and modeled on a system in Baltimore for streamlining and improving services and for cutting costs. Ganim said Wednesday that he has high hopes Bridgeport311 will similarly ensure complaints are tackled with less effort, less manpower and more efficiently. The mayor stressed that Bridgeport311 is not a phone number and is not intended to replace the citys 911 emergency system. If you need police or fire, go to your phone and make a 911 call, Ganim said. And Gaudett added non-emergencies -- like speeding cars should still be lodged with the police. WASHINGTON In the 1980s, Carmen Nieves was a pregnant Stamford teenager in danger of becoming yet another statistic in the elusive struggle against poverty and despair. Now 49, with three adult daughters and four grandchildren, she is committed to serving her Bridgeport community through workforce development and thinking about running for state representative. Right now I feel like I can compete with anybody, and not because I think Im any better than anyone else, Nieves said during a visit of the Latino Leadership Academy to Washington. I know I have a lot to learn, but Ive also accomplished a lot. Win or lose, it wont be because I didnt give it everything I had. Nieves and 17 other graduates of the first academy class were at a luncheon Tuesday at the Capitol to hear members of Connecticuts congressional delegation extol the value of grass-roots community service and advocacy, while not sugar-coating the challenges ahead after Donald Trump becomes president next month. This country is great because of its people, Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn., told the graduates, three of whom are from Bridgeport and one from Shelton. If we dont like it, its up to us to change it. The path runs very much from the grass roots up to representatives in Washington, Esty said, adding that democracy works best when activists are not just telling us youre doing a great job, but pushing us! Sen. Chris Murphy and the Connecticut Hispanic Democratic Caucus created the academy this year to help participants learn more about government, politics, campaigns and advocacy. Students attended training sessions in Connecticut and capped off the program with a trip to D.C. to meet with leaders in government, advocacy, and the media. Esty, Murphy and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., told the graduates about having to play defense on Capitol Hill as the Republican policy agenda under Trump comes into sharper focus. Repeal of the Affordable Care Act, an immigration plan that accentuates deportations and walls, changes in education all these are potential threats to Latino communities, they said. If there is one lesson from this election, it is that citizen advocacy is more important than ever, not less Blumenthal said. Some in the academy class told the elected officials that local leaders bear the responsibility of getting voters engaged something that didnt happen in Bridgeport and other Connecticut inner cities in the 2016 election. Election data showed less turnout in Bridgeport this year than in 2008 and 2012, Esty said. We were complacent, said Jorge Cruz, a recovering heroin addict who works as a homeless-outreach case manager in Bridgeport. We took our eyes off the prize. Bridgeport was asleep at the wheel. Nieves, who works to help youth find construction jobs and serves as president of the South End Neighborhood Revitalization Zone, said the training was invaluable for the nuts-and-bolts tactics learned, as well as the overarching lessons about democracy and advocacy. For instance, if an elected representative is not sufficiently focused on community concerns, you find them on Facebook or other social media, she said. It creates another level of connection. And if theyre still too busy or distracted, you find out who their aide is, how to get on their calendar. dan@hearstdc.com On this date in ... 1916: The statewide egg boycott, inaugurated by the State Conference of Mayors a body whose president was Troy Mayor Cornelius F. Burns proved to be effective across New York, as prices dropped drastically and demand fell off considerably. The conference was set to meet again to whip up a new campaign, while the Housewives' Leagues of the Capital District were to convene to discuss further actions. 1966: Two federal mediators met unsuccessfully in Washington, D.C., with negotiators for Schenectady GE and Local 301 of the International Union of Electrical workers, whose 11,500 members had been on strike locally for 52 days. John Shambo, acting business agent for Local 301, headed the union negotiating team and told William E. Simkin, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, that there would have to be some change in the company's proposal for any agreement. "We didn't come to Washington to accept what was already on the table," he told mediators. 1991: The number of Shaker High School students receiving Regents diplomas rose sharply in the last year, while the dropout rate was cut by more than 20 percent and was now about half the overall state average, according to a report by North Colonie Central Schools. In particular, performances on foreign language Regents were the highest in the history of the foreign language department, while the percentage of students enrolled in foreign language at the high school jumped more than 20 percent over 1989-90. Want to read more about the Capital Region's past? Have any memories or thoughts about how our history relates to today's events? See http://blog.timesunion.com/history/ This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The University of Connecticut will protect its undocumented students amid a coming Donald Trump presidency, campus officials announced Tuesday. Does that make UConn a sanctuary campus. First officials said no, then revised their response to, essentially. Although we dont have the legal ability to designate ourselves with the formal term, UConn is already essentially functioning as a sanctuary campus, UConn spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz said. UConn President Susan Herbst emailed a message Tuesday to all students and staff telling them the states flagship university is committed to being an inclusive environment in which all members of the community can freely and securely engage in the universitys research, teaching and public service missions. In recent weeks, many students, faculty and staff have expressed concerns and raised questions regarding potential changes in federal policy that could adversely impact members of our community on the basis of their citizenship or immigration status, specifically those students who are undocumented, Herbst wrote. She outlined a number of ways UConn would protect students. Her message comes as a growing number of college campuses across the country have declared themselves sanctuaries to any policies aimed at identifying or removing undocumented students from the country. During his campaign, Trump vowed on numerous occasions to deport undocumented residents. After the election, an estimated 500 UConn students marched through the Storrs campus demanding protection for immigrant students. On Monday, some students complained that they had not heard a response from university officials. We want UConn to know that we did not forget and recognize their lack of commitment, said Eric Cruz Lopez, a student leader at UConn and CT Students for a Dream organizer. We will continue to hold UConn accountable in keeping our marginalized communities safe. After UConns announcement, Lopez declared Herbsts statement a good step forward. We still want to see it in writing, not just in an email, Lopez said, adding that the University Senate, made up of faculty and students, voted Monday to support UConn as a sanctuary campus. Lopez said he wants UConn to fight harder for a state law that would allow undocumented students to attend college at in-state tuition rates. In her campus message, Herbst said UConn Police have formally adopted a policy to not ask about anyones immigration status during the course of police work, to not to detain anyone based solely on the belief that someone is not in the U.S. legally, and not to make arrests based on warrants issued by Immigration & Customs Enforcement. UConn does not collect or retain information on undocumented students immigration status, Herbst wrote. Nor does it have a list of undocumented students. The universitys practice of admitting academically qualified students regardless of immigration status will continue, she said. In the unfortunate event that a UConn student were subject to removal from the U.S., UConn would take all reasonable steps within its authority to ease the students transition, Herbst said. Herbst said while there have been calls for UConn to designate itself as a sanctuary campuses, it does not, as a state agency, have the authority to unilaterally apply that designation to itself. She also said the term is misleading. However, Herbst said, UConns policies and practices ... speak directly to the fundamental aspects of being a sanctuary location. UConn is doing those things which are the essential elements of the sanctuary policies that have been adopted in several large U.S. cities. 1 Rail attack alert: Heavily armed sheriffs deputies stood watch Tuesday at a Los Angeles-area subway station named in an unconfirmed threat and Mayor Eric Garcetti took the line to work to show confidence in security measures. Temporary barriers were in place at the entrance to the Red Line station near Universal Studios and some commuters were subjected to bag searches as deputies stood by with rifles and dogs. The mayor, who had urged people to go about their normal routines, used the station to get to work. Garcetti said the threat was reported to an overseas tip line and relayed to the FBI. 2 Older pot users: Surveys show a small but growing number of older adults are using marijuana a trend that worries researchers who say not enough information exists about how pot affects older users. Abundant research has been done on how the drug impacts developing brains, but little is known about the potential consequences on older users even as recreation pot has been legalized in a number of states. Researchers at New York University say pot could pose health challenges to older users ranging from memory loss to risk of falling. The researchers reviewed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and found a big increase in adults over 50 reporting they had used pot in the past year. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Cedric Stout didn't have much of a chance for survival on Dec. 7, 1941, but he took it and got to safety, dodging bombs all the way. Stout, 95, of Bridge City, was a motor machinist second class aboard the USS Utah, which had already served its last days as a battleship and was being used as a target practice platform for planes dropping dummy bombs. The morning of Dec. 7, 1941, wasn't practice, and the bombs weren't fake. Japan's surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor 75 years ago today engulfed the United States in World War II. The Utah was moored in the area usually reserved for the aircraft carriers USS Lexington and USS Saratoga, which were out of port that Sunday. Its main guns were gone, and timbers protected her anti-aircraft batteries. Most of the ship's crew were on shore liberty for the weekend, Stout said. He was one of the rest still aboard when the first bombs and torpedoes struck. He quickly put on his uniform, the only clothing he had for the next month, he said. Ryan Pelham "The night before, we switched berths with the aircraft carriers. There must've been a midget submarine that followed us into Pearl Harbor. We took two torpedoes and two or three bombs. The Utah turned over in seven minutes. I barely made it to topside," Stout said. Making it topside, no small feat, only was the beginning of his struggle to survive. Stout said he found a line from the deck to the dock and slid down. A sailor who followed him was killed by bomb fragments and didn't make it. Stout took cover under a wharf until another bomb hit it. He scurried from that cover toward a warehouse. It disappeared in a cloud of smoke and fire as another bomb struck it. "It happened so fast," Stout said. "There was no order to abandon ship. We had maybe 200 crew members on board that morning. I was running from one place to another. I was just trying to save my neck. Just running from one place to the next." In a published account on the U.S. Navy's website, just before 8 a.m. on Dec. 7, 1941, men aboard the Utah saw three airplanes heading north from the harbor entrance. "The planes dove low at the southern end of Ford Island where the seaplane hangars were located and began dropping their bombs," according to the post on navy.mil. "The attack went quickly for Utah. At 8:01 a.m., the venerable target ship took a torpedo hit forward and immediately listed to port. At 8:12 a.m., her mooring lines snapped and Utah rolled over. Through the heroic efforts of their shipmates, 10 men were rescued from the capsized hull. Sixty-four died aboard. Four were later recovered and interred ashore." Amid the chaos, smoke, fire, explosions and gunshots, Stout, a month past his 20th birthday, didn't have time to think great thoughts about the historical significance. "I was thinking I'd never get back home," he said. The Utah remains entombed at Pearl where she was moored, her hull partially exposed above the surface. A memorial was erected in 1972. Stout quickly was reassigned to other ships after the Dec. 7 attack and was a machinist aboard an LST, or Landing Ship-Tank. LST 340 took part in several invasions in the Pacific from Guadalcanal to Saipan. After more than three years of active service, Stout qualified for his discharge and returned home to Opelousas, Louisiana. In 1956, he moved to the Port Arthur area, where he worked as a drug company wholesaler. He and his first wife, Delma, raised nine children together. During her last days, while taking her for medical care, Stout met a nurse, Cherry Tiller, whose husband, Ray, had died after they raised seven children. When Delma Stout died, Cherry followed Cedric out to the parking lot and said, "You look like you need a hug. Call me if you want to talk." He did. They got together. Went dancing. Enjoyed each other's company. They married on Aug. 20, 2000. He was 79. She was 65. The couple flies a U.S. flag on their lawn. In the carport are two Texas license plates affixed to the wall that state, "Pearl Harbor Survivor," just like the current plates on their car. Stout wears a cap with the Pearl Harbor logo and "50th Anniversary." He said he needs a new one for the 75th. Stout never was much for joining organizations, according to Cherry. "He doesn't like to be the center of attention," she said. Cherry Stout was only six when Pearl Harbor was attacked. She was too young to understand the significance or to even think about what her future husband was enduring. "I heard mother and daddy say the world had ended," Cherry Stout said. "I remember that very well. Young people today don't recognize what he's been through. That upsets him. Me, too." DWallach@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/dwallach A month after the election, marijuana legalization advocates still await some clear indication of President-elect Donald Trumps official stance toward legal cannabis. Voters in eight states joined the legalization movement on Nov. 8. Those included two of the largest: California approved recreational marijuana while Florida expanded the use of medical marijuana. Still, concerns continue to grow among marijuana proponents about how a Trump Administration will address legalized cannabis. They are especially troubled by Trumps planned Attorney General nomination of Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, a vocal opponent of marijuana legalization. However, some say there remain plenty of reasons to stay optimistic even as others voice concern over the future of legalized marijuana under Trump. Related: Trends For 2017: The Opportunities Entrepreneurs Are Chasing Now States rights Ian Eisenberg is managing owner of Uncle Ikes, Seattles biggest marijuana retailer and the second biggest in Washington, one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana. Eisenberg told mynorthwest.com that theres a lot of doom and gloom going around that Sessions, being the attorney general, will go after states for medical and recreational pot. Im not one of those people. Its possible, but its not likely. Eisenberg pointed to Trumps advocacy of states rights on many issues. Letting states do their own thing with pot is a pretty good example of a state right, he said. Nate Bradley, executive director of the California Cannabis Industry Association, voiced similar hopes to USA Today, saying marijuana advocates are hopeful Trumps support of states rights will outweigh Sessions views. Eisenberg also pointed to the rising popularity of marijuana across the country. More than half of all Americans have access to medical marijuana and 65 million people live in states that have legalized recreational marijuana. Eisenberg said. I dont know what Trump would gain by cracking down on cannabis. The country is pretty evenly split now and the popularity is rising. Sessions on marijuana. Looking at past comments from Sessions, the potential that legalized marijuana could face challenges seems very real. The 69-year-old Sessions, who could become the top law enforcement official in the country, has a long and antagonistic attitude toward marijuana, reported Politico. In April 2016, Sessions said during a Senate hearing on drugs that the country needs grownups in charge who send the message that marijuana is not the kind of thing that ought to be legalized. He later added, Good people dont smoke marijuana. U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, a Democrat from Colorado, said the already $6 billion legal marijuana industry faces troubled times unless advocates make their voices heard. Colorado became the first state to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes in 2012. If we dont take action and hold President-elect Trump accountable, in one fell swoop, the federal government could damage state economies, and discourage entrepreneurship -- placing some of our innovators behind bars, all while eroding states rights, he said, according to Politico. Related: 9 Business Tools for Working Smarter Instead of Harder Potential legal battle. Voters have made marijuana legal for medical use in a majority of U.S. states and for recreational use in seven states and the District of Columbia. Voters in Maine also narrowly approved recreational marijuana, although a recount is expected to begin this month. Under federal law, marijuana remains listed as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substance Act. These drugs, according to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. The federal government does not intervene with legalized marijuana at the state level under the guidance of the Cole Memo written in 2013 by then Deputy Attorney General James Cole. The memo changed federal policy to a more hands off approach as long as states properly regulate marijuana production and distribution, including keeping it out of the hands of minors. Related: How to Deal With Your Competitors Robert McKenna, the former attorney general of Washington, told KIRO 7 in Seattle that the issue will come down to priorities for Sessions. He noted that any action by Sessions against states would result in a long legal battle. Is this going to be the Department of Justices highest priority? Because it will bog them down in court for quite a while, he said. He also noted the number of states where voters have legalized marijuana. So is this the fight they really want to have? Hes got to decide what his priorities are and whether the fight is worth it," he said. Related: Cannabis Industry Is Rattled by Trump but Thinks Federal Crackdown Unlikely New Customers Drive Innovation in Legal Marijuana Products Tight Regulations Could Inhibit Investment in Australia's Medical Marijuana Market Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BBVA Compass recently brought its signature holiday initiative to D.D. Hachar Elementary School. The BBVA Compass blue elves read a Christmas story to the students while they enjoyed cookies and punch. The students were also presented with a Christmas gift as part of the banks Project Blue Elf. As part of the seasonal program designed to bring joy to children in need, bank volunteers clad in BBVA Compass blue and dubbed the Blue Elves provided financial education and new toys to students. Over at Zachary Elementary, students attended IBCs Its a Brighter Christmas Presentation at the IBC downtown location. The students were treated to a Christmas movie, pizza, cookies, and punch. The students also received a jacket, Christmas gift and a picture with Santa. NORWALK Mayor Harry W. Rilling announced that Malta House and Family & Childrens Agency will receive proceeds from the 2017 Mayors Ball. Malta House, a nonprofit organization, has been serving homeless women and their children for nearly 20 years. It assists homeless women and their children by providing on-site counseling, financial education, and parental development followed by transitional and post-residential support. Malta House helps families reach self-sufficiency and independence. Family & Childrens Agency, a nonprofit organization, has been providing services to the most vulnerable members of the community since 1942. Its mission is to help families build better lives through the foster care and adoption programs. The agency also works to stabilize families by providing counseling and homeless services programs. The Mayors Ball, established as a nonprofit charitable institution, is held each January to benefit local charities. The 2017 Mayors Ball will be held on Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, at 6:30 p.m., at the Italian Center, in Stamford. Tickets are available at $120 per person. Tables of 10 can also be reserved. Checks should be made payable to Norwalk Community Benefit Fund. Call Maritza Alvarado at 203-854-7950 no later than Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 to make reservations. Donations of silent auction items produce the major portion of the Mayors Ball proceeds, and can be made by calling Sally Johnson, executive assistant to the mayor, at 203-854-7707. A student at Stanford University filed a federal lawsuit this week accusing the institution of failing to protect women from a violent sexual predator who was allowed to graduate despite several reported assaults on female undergraduates. The civil rights suit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, comes only months after the sensational case of former Stanford swimmer Brock Turner who was released from jail after serving half of a six-month sentence for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman on campus. In the latest case, the 6-foot-6, 200-pound assailant, identified only as Mr. X, allegedly attempted to rape the plaintiff in February 2014 after she refused to perform oral sex, then physically assaulted and verbally abused her. The victim, identified as Jane Doe, had ended a relationship with Mr. X prior to the alleged assault. She later discovered that two other students had reported being sexually assaulted, battered or threatened by the same assailant between 2011 and 2014, according to the lawsuit. Stanford officials ignored those reports but still ordered him to stay away from Doe. The university also banned him from campus for 10 years, according to the suit. He was nevertheless allowed to obtain a bachelors and a masters degree, and Stanford did nothing when he violated the various orders, including the non-contact directive, the lawsuit said. The suit claims that Stanford violated Does right to equal access to educational opportunities under Title IX by allowing a hostile educational environment on campus. Women will not have an equal opportunity to succeed academically until the epidemic of sexual violence on campus ends, said Rebecca Peterson-Fisher, the lead attorney for Equal Rights Advocates, one of three law firms representing Jane Doe in the action. Institutions like Stanford need to be held accountable for their failure to recognize the severity of these crimes and to comply with Title IX. Stanford issued a statement this week saying the institution has zero tolerance for such abhorrent and antithetical behavior, but without the cooperation of victims, regrettably the university is very limited in what it can do. We have acted in this case and in all matters to protect our students, said the statement, which did not explain what the comment about a lack of cooperation meant. The alleged sexual assaults come amid scrutiny over the prevalence of sexual assaults on college campuses around the country, highlighted by the Turner case. The 21-year-old former swimmer has moved back to his home state of Ohio, where he registered as a sex offender. But it was the words of his 23-year-old victim at his sentencing hearing that resonated across the country. She talked about the two lives ruined by Turner who dragged me through this hell during the Jan. 18, 2015 attack outside the Kappa Alpha fraternity. Peter Fimrite is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @pfimrite WILTON A giant outdoor Menorah lighting for the festival of Chanukah will take place at the Wilton Town Green on Monday, Dec. 26, at 6 p.m. Chanukah, also known as Hanukkah, is the Jewish festival of lights and begins the evening of Dec. 24 and ends on the day of Jan. 1. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Family, friends and classmates turned out Tuesday night in front of the University of the Incarnate Word to remember Cameron Redus, the honors student who was killed by a campus police officer three years ago. Redus' father, Mickey, said his son had a strong sense of morality that made decisions easy. If it was the right thing to do, he did it, the father said. And that's kind of how he lived his life. He also thanked everyone who attended the candlelight vigil, saying that one of his biggest fears was that people will move on and forget his son. They havent forgotten. Johnny Guajardo, former student body president, said people keep coming out year after year to remember Redus because of his caring personality. This tragic event, this horrible thing, happened to a person who was so great, he said. It was the third time friends and family came together to honor Redus, who died Dec. 6, 2013. Redus, a 23-year old senior, was stopped by Christopher Carter, then a UIW campus police corporal, on Broadway after the officer observed Redus car weaving in traffic. An autopsy later confirmed Redus had been driving drunk, his blood alcohol almost twice the legal limit. An altercation in the parking lot of Redus off-campus apartment in Alamo Heights ended with the officer firing six shots at the student, including one in the back. Tuesday nights vigil and the three-year anniversary of Redus death came a day before arguments in the familys wrongful death suit against the university at the Supreme Court of Texas on Wednesday in Austin. The court will determine whether UIW, a private university, can claim immunity as a government entity because it employs a police force that is licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. The 4th Court of Appeals in San Antonio ruled against the university last year, prompting the university to appeal to the high court. At Tuesday nights vigil, the participants shared their memories for about 45 minutes. Stephanie Leihsing, whose son was friends with Redus and who previously helped organize demonstrations about the case, said she hoped another family would not have to go through what the Reduses have had to face. I came to realize if this could happen to Cameron and this could happen to Cameron's family, it could happen to anybody, she said. During the vigil, Leihsing encouraged Redus' classmates to go live. That's what Cameron would have done. lcaruba@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate City Manager Sheryl Sculley announced late Tuesday that shes appointed Ret. Lt. Gen. Russell Russ J. Handy to be San Antonios director of aviation. Handy retired from the Air Force on Oct. 1 and is set to begin with the city on Jan. 9. Sculley conducted a national search for the position and cited Handys senior executive experience in military and civil aerospace operations, according to a news release. Handy, who served in several combat operations and deployments, also served as commander of the Alaskan Region of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, Commander of Alaskan Command and Commander of the Eleventh Air Force, the release said. He is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and holds a B.S. in aeronautical science. Handy also earned a masters degree in administrative management from Central Michigan University. Sculley expressed her confidence in Handy and said he would be capable of leading San Antonio International Airport forward. Russs expertise in the areas of leading operations, strategic planning and supervising North Americas most significant Pacific transit point will be a tremendous asset to the department and the city of San Antonio, she said. Kumar, arrested by the Peroorkada police the other day and remanded in 15-days judicial custody, was the driver of Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustines private secretary Gopakumaran Nair. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate An English teacher from Cigarroa High School was arrested Tuesday after she was discovered with an undressed teen who turned out to be a student of hers, Laredo police said. Laura Michelle Lozano, 46, was charged with indecency with a child by exposure. She is out on bond from the Webb County Jail. The case was reported Monday. Suspicious vehicle At about 10 p.m., Laredo police responded to a suspicious vehicle report in the 1500 block of Pappas Street, near Border Region Behavioral Health Center. Upon arrival, officers discovered a small white sport utility vehicle. A woman who was nude from the waist down was inside, said Investigator Joe E. Baeza, LPD spokesman. The woman, identified as Lozano, initially claimed to be the lone occupant; however, an officer saw an undressed male laying down in the backseat of the vehicle. He was identified as a 16-year-old. An investigation revealed Lozano and the boy were an educator and student from Cigarroa. Both were taken to Doctors Hospital for a sexual assault examination. Laredo Independent School District released a statement regarding Lozanos arrest. Laredo ISD was notified of an employees arrest on Tuesday morning. The district followed our administrative procedures by immediately placing the employee on administrative leave (with pay), pending the outcome of an investigation, the statement reads. We are cooperating fully with local law enforcement agencies and the Childrens Advocacy Center. The safety of our students is a priority. Misconduct involving children is not tolerated, said LISD spokeswoman Veronica Castillon in an email to Laredo Morning Times. We have been in contact with the parent, guardian. Our plan is comprehensive and confidential. Our policies required that we protect the confidentiality of the student. The investigation continues. AUSTIN Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has quietly removed state Sen. Carlos Uresti from a high-profile appointment to the joint committee that makes budget recommendations to the Legislature. Uresti, a San Antonio Democrat, was replaced on the Legislative Budget Board late last month by state Sen. Kelly Hancock, R- North Richland Hills less than one year after being appointed by Patrick and before Uresti attended even one meeting. Patrick made the move about a week before the committee set the spending cap for the upcoming legislative session. In a statement, Uresti said he didn't expect his appointment to the LBB to "last forever," but believes his removal was due to being the only Democrat on the committee at a time when Republican lawmakers are bracing for a penny-pinching session. "We are going into a tough legislative session and I have a record of fighting to increase funding for CPS and our public schools, to provide additional dollars for roads, and for expanding Medicaid," said Uresti, who serves on the Senate's budget writing committee. "I'm assuming my position as the only Democrat on the LBB might complicate things." The LBB is a 10-member joint committee chaired by the lieutenant governor and House speaker, who respectively appoint four members from the Senate and the House. No Democrats are currently appointed by House Speaker Joe Straus. Patrick replaced Uresti with little fanfare, announcing the move briefly on the lieutenant governor's official website. A Patrick spokesman did not return requests for comment. Uresti's removal from the LBB comes as he's linked to a scandal involving a now-defunct oil field services company accused of defrauding investors. He provided legal services and acted as outside general counsel for the firm. Two former company officials have already pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to commit wire fraud. In a press release announcing his appointment in December of 2015, Uresti said he was the first San Antonio Senator to serve on the LBB since its creation in 1949. The appointment, according to the presss release, was supposed to provide Uresti with an opportunity to "build coalitions" on funding issues he's worked on as a member of the Senate Finance Committee, ranging from higher education to veterans services. Uresti, however, did not attend the committee's July meeting, according to the LBB, which was the only called gathering during his appointment. A 24-year-old San Antonio man testified Tuesday that he set up his close friend and marijuana supplier for an armed robbery two years ago at his Northeast Side apartment, and then lied to police and eventually turned on his accomplices when it turned deadly. Daniel Martinez was a prosecution witness at the trial of Demond Franklin, 31, charged with capital murder in the killing of Deandre Thompson. Martinez, who said he graduated from Canyon High School in New Braunfels, said Thompson was his dope dealer. The two were at Thompsons apartment in the Whispering Oaks complex at 13658 OConnor Road on the evening of Oct. 22, 2014, smoking marijuana and playing video games, Martinez said. Because they needed cash, Martinez said, he conspired with two friends, Franklin and Ryan Hardwick, now 27 texting Hardwick at least 18 times to coordinate the crime to crash through Thompsons door and rob him of guns, drugs and money. The plan went awry, say prosecutors, when Franklin shot at least four times at Thompson with a .38 revolver, hitting him in the neck and torso. Martinez said he lied to San Antonio police detectives in two interviews, but then couldnt live with his burden after he was told he could be charged with capital murder and perhaps get the death penalty. He said prosecutors offered him a plea deal, a reduced charge of aggravated assault with no more than 15 years in prison in return for his testimony. Franklin and Hardwick were arrested almost two months after the shooting. Hardwick is scheduled for trial later. Also in the apartment during the home invasion were Thompsons mother and young daughter. Police testified they could smell marijuana before they climbed the stairs to the second-floor apartment, where they found Thompsons mother hysterical and weeping over her sons body as she pressed a blood-soaked towel to his head. Under questioning by defense attorney MLiss Christian, Martinez said he gave police an elaborate lie until one detective looked at Martinezs cell phone and saw all the text messages to Hardwick and suggested Martinez could get the death penalty. Thats when I just sat there and let it all out, Martinez said. I got tired of carrying the burden with me. The trial continues Wednesday in the 290th state District Court. bselcraig@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 Madison County Sheriff Twitter Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Madison County Jail Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 madison county jail Show More Show Less 5 of 5 A mannequin challenge video of men posing with guns brought a SWAT team barreling through the door of an Alabama home Tuesday morning and led to two arrests, according to a video of a press conference from the Madison County Sheriffs office. In the mannequin challenge video, a number of what appears to be armed men are posed around vehicles outside a home. The homes street number and a license plate of one the vehicles in the yard are clearly visible. It wasnt quite build the wall or lock her up, but drain the swamp was a signature Donald Trump slogan. It evoked visions of pinstripe-suit-wearing influence peddlers getting pulled from their Georgetown cocktail parties en masse and tossed into the Potomac River, as Washington returned to the once-sleepy burg it was 100 years ago, a humbled and more righteous town. This was always a fantasy. . The swamp will endure; it always does. This doesnt mean that a Trump administration cant make the swamp a little less important. The meaning of drain the swamp is pleasingly inexact (Ronald Reagan used the phrase, and so has Nancy Pelosi). The left has, absurdly, chosen to read Trumps use of the slogan as an implicit pledge not to hire anyone who is wealthy. So the nominations of Steven Mnuchin as treasury secretary, Wilbur Ross as commerce secretary and Betsy DeVos as education secretary are criticized as proof Trump never meant it. But Trump obviously didnt intend to impose a wealth test on his administration, or he would have failed it himself. He is proof that a fortune isnt necessarily an obstacle to being a champion of an agenda of populist reform. (Although the charge against Mnuchin, who worked for Goldman Sachs for 17 years, has more force. ) The job of treasury secretary almost seems to be the endowed Goldman Sachs chair of the U.S. government. Trumps formal anti-swamp platform consists of a few more strictures on lobbyists. These proposed rules may be salutary, but they are typical of restrictions periodically imposed in Washington and that lobbyists are expert at getting around and surviving. The fact is that in a country with an enormous federal government and a First Amendment that guarantees the right to petition the government, the swamp is always going to be extensive and miasmic. As long as there is so much power and money in D.C., the lobbyists, the consultants, the associations, the media pooh-bahs, the contractors and the courtiers will gather and jockey for influence here. There is no neutron bomb that can be set off to vaporize them. A proper anti-swamp agenda should consist of two things. First, and most fundamentally, it should seek to reduce the size of the federal government, and cut regulations and make them as simple as possible. The more government does, the more incentive every special interest has to hire swamp creatures, for both protection and advantage. And the more complex government is, the more opportunity those creatures have to thrive in niches unknown or poorly understood by everyone except insiders. Second, and more specifically, the federal government should be wrenched out of its cozy relationship with large, established businesses and institutions in areas ranging from health care to finance to education. This agenda would have the advantage of uniting the conservatives (whose animating passion is reducing the size of government) and the populists (whose animating passion is combating a rigged system). A number of Trumps Cabinet picks point in this direction. But its not clear where Trump will ultimately go. If he replaces Obamas liberal industrial policy focused on green energy with his own populist industrial policy focused on traditional manufacturing, as suggested by the Carrier deal, he will just spend and subsidize in different ways. In other words, he wont truly drain the swamp, but simply feed different alligators. comments.lowry@nationalreview.com Whatever his other considerable achievements, our president-elect is not known for his broad reading in American history. But Donald Trump is about to enter that history. And in the spirit of new beginnings, he might view this as an opportunity to accumulate some inspiration, both for his inaugural address and his manner of governing. So here is an exercise: If you were to recommend three American texts for our president-elect to read and ponder before taking the oath of office, what would they be? The smart asses in the back of the room have already said the Constitution, so lets exclude that one. In a casual survey of friends, I got strong options by Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan. But since (in my entirely artificial construct) I have to choose, here are my selections: First, Martin Luther Kings Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Written in 1963 from solitary confinement, it was a response to local white clergymen who had condemned protests and accused King of being an outside agitator. For King, no one is an outsider when it comes to confronting injustice because injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. King based a vision of human dignity on moral law, which takes precedence over unjust human laws. And King urges actually demands that white America see events from a different perspective. When you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will ... when you have seen hate-filled policemen curse, kick and even kill your black brothers and sisters ... then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait. The lessons here? The limits of law and order, set at the boundaries of conscience; the importance of protest in a free society; the need for empathy as the basis for justice. Second, Id propose Franklin D. Roosevelts Four Freedoms speech to Congress in 1941. America had not yet been attacked at Pearl Harbor. But Roosevelt knew that the country would eventually be engulfed by the disorders of the world. So he set out to overcome isolationist sentiment and build public support for military aid to a beleaguered Britain. In his view, America opposes any attempt to lock us in behind an ancient Chinese wall. Instead, the future and the safety of our country and of our democracy are overwhelmingly involved in events far beyond our borders. The engagement and sacrifice of Americans, he realized, had to be rooted in an unshakable belief in the manner of life which they are defending. And so he set out the goals of freedom of speech and expression everywhere in the world ... freedom of every person to worship God in his own way everywhere in the world ... freedom from want ... freedom from fear. That theory of Americas global role has been embraced by Democratic and Republican presidents since World War II, helping defend the American people from grave dangers and stabilizing large portions of the world. It is the great power of historical texts that they speak to us differently, in different times. This is true of my third choice: George Washingtons Letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island. Washington was responding to a letter of thanks from representatives of the largest Jewish community in colonial America. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, replied Washington, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens. Washington continued: May the Children of the Stock of Abraham who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. This is the proper response to anger and division. We are not a nation that grants tolerance; we are a nation that recognizes inherent rights, held equally by all the Children of Abraham, and everyone else. And when we come back to our deepest values, as we always do, there shall be none to make them afraid. michaelgerson@washpost.com Free trade was turned into a boogeyman this election season, which means its incumbent on Texas elected officials to speak up for its benefits. The first place to start is bipartisan and vocal support for legislation that would allow cities (technically nonfederal entities) along the U.S.-Mexico border to pay for customs agents and facilities that will speed up processing of goods. This means paying the salaries or overtime for additional customs workers or building cooling facilities so produce doesnt go bad while it waits at the border. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar have backed this legislation. Ideally, the federal government would pay for these services and infrastructure, but this is the next best option. The city of El Paso, under a pilot program of this legislation, has seen a 10-to-1 return on its investment to speed up commercial traffic. This effort comes at a critical time. President-elect Donald Trump made trade, NAFTA, in particular, a scapegoat for the loss of manufacturing jobs in this country. It was an argument that played well in the Rust Belt but could dramatically disrupt Texas economy. The Lone Star States export economy is tops in the nation by a wide margin. Just in 2015, Texas exported $92.5 billion in goods to Mexico, according to the International Trade Administration. Blowing up NAFTA means blowing up this trade. That means blowing up the 382,000 jobs here that the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars has said are linked to trade with Mexico. Trump and his advisers have yet to say just what they will change about NAFTA, but if he moves in a protectionist direction, hitting Mexican imports with extreme tariffs and threatening American companies for making economic decisions, Texas will pay the price. Will Texas elected officials advocate for free trade? Our hope is Cornyn, Cuellar, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, U.S. Rep. Will Hurd and others speak will loudly about trade in Texas. Our trade relationship with Mexico is far more complex than the simple narrative of losing jobs to the south. The reality is that NAFTA likely has saved manufacturing jobs in the U.S. Why? Because a lot of what is manufactured in North America travels back and forth across borders (another reason to keep goods moving with the Cornyn-Cuellar legislation). An engine might be assembled in Mexico, but a key component might be made in Texas. Without that dynamic, the U.S. probably would have lost more manufacturing jobs to China, according to Gordon Hanson, an economist specializing in NAFTA with the University of California, San Diego. The biggest threat to manufacturing jobs isnt Mexico or NAFTA, its automation, which will continue to develop. After nearly 23 years, there are changes that could make NAFTA stronger. Its in need of new chapters on e-commerce, for example. It deserves annual review. Perhaps some small special tariffs could reduce our trade imbalance with Mexico, which hit nearly $61 billion in 2015. Often overlooked, one of NAFTAs failings is it hasnt meaningfully improved living standards in Mexico. Addressing this would likely curb illegal immigration. Addressing these issues, or at least some of them, is much different from tearing up the agreement or shifting into a trade war. That would be bad for America and terrible for Texas. Thats why our elected officials need to speak up about the benefits of trade. The place to start is with this legislation that will empower border communities. Re: Conditional support offered for Alamo plan, Metro, Friday: Davis Phillips is right this Alamo makeover, if done wrong, could be the biggest swing and miss in the history of the city. And I would like to rebut those fawning over these Civil War battlefields and the reverence we should observe at Alamo Plaza instead of just having a good time. What about all the historic battle sites in New York, Boston and other cities involved in the American Revolution? Businesses have grown up around these sites and, hey, they are no less honored. So all this money being spent because of a few tourists disappointed in our Alamo Plaza is basically another boondoggle. I do enjoy living in a city that takes great care in saving history and wanting to do right by the Alamo, and I welcome any respectful and educational improvements, but you know what? These battlefields are dead. Life is thriving around the Alamo, and the heroes would be more bored with all this hero worship. Crockett, Bowie, Bonham, Travis and the gang would be hanging out at the Tobin Center, where there is excitement about life and good times. Gene Elder Frac-sand tale sad Re: Another frac-sand official is charged, Front Page, Nov. 24: Congratulations to Patrick Danner for what appears to be a balanced, informative article on so many levels. It explores the pain of children suddenly lost in a catastrophic accident and base human pleasures of self-indulgence, as well as fraud, political privilege and opportunism. My anguish grows because, like reduced resistance to excessive pollen counts, my tolerance for politicians with hidden agendas steadily weakens. State Sen. Carlos Uresti says he is friendly toward business to help the Texas economy, but he seems to be lining his pockets with fast money by investing in the same industries he is vigorously protecting. In this case, he is protecting fracking in the face of legitimate concern over the health and welfare of local communities and their ability to protect themselves. Is he more preoccupied with his ability to make a buck? Though he probably will not be convicted, he certainly should be conflicted. He should just legislate. I hope voters remember this sad episode, and just as important, I hope there is someone more honorable willing to run for that office. Carlos J. Valdez Recount warranted Re: Trump attempts to block recounts, Nation, Saturday: Donald Trump supporters have sued to block a recount of three states Trump won by less than 1 percent Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Since the recount is being paid for by the Jill Stein campaign and has no cost to the taxpayer, one has to wonder, why they are suing? Are they afraid the recount might overturn the results? Since it is now clear that Trump lost the popular vote by 2.5 million votes, I think the American majority is entitled to make sure he legitimately won the Electoral College. What could be wrong with that? Ken Horn Give Trump a break I have been telling everyone that when anything goes right in the next four years, Barack Obama and the Democrats will either take credit for it or downplay whatever impact Donald Trump may have had. It has already started, with criticism over the Ford and Carrier deals Trump negotiated. The stock market has hit an all-time high and consumer confidence is up, obviously because of the last eight years of Obama policies, not necessarily a Trump rally. Now the EPA is rescinding its rule against coal-burning power plants, just before Trump takes office and right after Kathleen Hartnett White from Texas meets with Trump about changing the EPA (EPA to drop rule covering Texas power plants, Business, Dec. 1). Take that, Donald Trump! Youre not saving any coal mining jobs (or is he?). And, by the way, when the Affordable Care Act is totally redone, Obama will remind people he had originally said that it would need tweaking. However, the only tweaking done so far has been to make it worse and more unaffordable. Jerry Chappell Ranter-in-chief Re: Rants to end? Your Turn, Nov. 29: President Barack Obama has never gone on a rant vilifying police officers, much less done so routinely. Any comments he has made that could be considered critical of police have been measured and carefully balanced by praise for the overall performance of law enforcement officers throughout the country. Most of the ranting in this country has been the incessant stream of lies aimed at President Obama by Republican leaders and their constituents. I doubt very much that this ranting will stop when the new Republican ranter in chief takes office in January. You can be sure that any problems this country faces in the future will continue to be unfairly blamed on Barack Obama. Charles R. Allen Slap on the wrist Re: Alamo Heights cheating scandal involves 128 kids, Front Page, Friday: As a retired history teacher, I feel the penalty for the Alamo Heights mass plagiarism was too light. At a minimum, each student should receive a zero on the assignment with no opportunity to drop the grade or redo the assignment. If they knowingly committed plagiarism (which includes copying someone elses work and passing it off as yours unless you document it with a citation), an entry should be made on the students academic record. That is the standard I was held to during my schooling to include all the colleges and universities I have attended. A slap on the wrist for this academic crime just fosters repeat behavior. Fredrick Danysh, Fair Oaks Ranch President-elect Donald J. Trump has lashed out at Boeing, questioning the cost of $4 billion for the new aircraft. It was classic populist Trump. Who wants to spend $4 billion on two airplanes? His anger gives the appearance of draining the swamp, even though his Cabinet picks are mostly swamp monsters. By questioning the cost, Trump gets the benefit of looking tough on government spending, even though he is saddled with an unprecedented number of conflicts of interest when it comes to said spending. EASTON - A 23-year-old Easton man missing since Wednesday, Nov. 30, has been located in Maine. Easton Police Chief Tim Shaw said Nicholas Bodine was found Tuesday night in Biddeford, Maine, a town on the southeast coast of Maine, about 240 miles from Easton. Bodine was last seen in Milford, police said. The vehicle Bodine was last seen operating was a four-door, dark blue 2000 Saab 95 with tinted windows and with Connecticut license plate 884-ZBG. The Saab has a very loud muffler and a left front headlight broken with black tape in it, police said. Jack Haller, Bodines brother, posted on his Facebook page, Shortly after making the investigation open to the public, we received a call informing us that my brother has been found and is safe. Words can't begin to describe how comforting all of your supportive comments and prayers were to me, even now I'm struggling to find the right words to express my gratitude. I literally teared up after seeing that more than 30 people had shared my post to get the word out there. I'm truly blessed and proud to be a part of such an amazing community. Thank you so much everybody, Nick is safe. STAMFORD The wheelchair bandit who rolled into a mall jewelry store in 2014 and sprinted out with a $37,000 Rolex watch was sentenced to six years in jail on Wednesday. After being extradited to Stamford from New York on first-degree robbery, larceny and assault charges two years ago, Larry Johnson, 37, in September pleaded guilty to the charges and agreed to spend six years in jail. As well as the jail sentence, Judge Gary White sentenced Johnson to eight years special parole. He has a long criminal record dating back to 1995 and we hope he does his full sentence and is not paroled at any future date, said Senior Assistant States Attorney Paul Ferencek. Johnson, of Waterbury, admitted to wheeling himself into the Sidney Thomas jewelry store on the fifth-floor of the Stamford Town Centre on Aug. 2, 2014, before asking an employee to see a Rolex watch. Once he had the Rolex Daytona in his hand, he jumped out of the wheelchair and ran, macing the employee and a security guard, who he also knocked to the ground while hustling out the store, police said. Johnson escaped, but crime scene investigator Officer Cory Caserta found a fingerprint on the wheelchair that was matched to prints of Johnson taken in a previous arrest. Store employees were then able to identify Johnson in a photo lineup and a warrant was signed for his arrest. Stamford police said at the time of his arrest that Johnson was also a suspect in a similar wheelchair robbery of a jewelry store in White Plains, N.Y. However, Johnsons attorney, Richard Silverstein, said his client had no pending charges there. But New York court records show he was convicted of third-degree grand larceny and given an unconditional release just before he was extradited to Stamford. Johnson has about 20 criminal convictions in New York for various crimes. JNICKERSON@SCNI.COM; WASHINGTON California Sen. Barbara Boxer held back tears as she delivered her formal farewell to the Senate on Wednesday, capping a four-decade political career as a liberal fighter that began in 1972 on the Marin County Board of Supervisors. With the surprising exception of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, her California colleague of 24 years, Boxer was joined in the Senate chamber by numerous allies and onetime foes from both parties, along with members of her family, all gathered to wish her well. Boxer reserved a special hug for her longtime friend, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco, who arrived with a dozen House colleagues to hear her send-off. Feinsteins absence was glaring because she and Boxer were voted to the Senate together in 1992, symbols of the Year of the Woman when they and other women made big inroads into the male-dominated institution. The two have steered clear of disputes during their time in the Senate and put up a united front on state issues. Chatting with reporters afterward, Boxer brushed off Feinsteins nonappearance. She said Feinstein had attended a tribute to her the night before and had no idea why she was a no-show Wednesday. Feinsteins office said that the Senates very full schedule prevented her from attending but that she would later insert her remarks in the record. On Monday, the two had a rare public rift after Feinstein blindsided Boxer by teaming with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, to insert a rider into a major water infrastructure bill that Boxer co-authored. Boxer denounced the rider as an assault on the Endangered Species Act because its objective is to loosen pumping restrictions on California rivers as a way to send more water to farmers in the San Joaquin Valley. Feinsteins incursion into Boxers legislative turf forced Boxer into opposition to her own bill. At Wednesdays going-away event, Boxer thanked her husband of 55 years, Stewart Boxer, for providing her the best political name ever. She commemorated her victories and acknowledged her defeats on the environment, womens rights, and worker and consumer issues, and called the Senate a sacred place that allowed her to fulfill her dream of championing the progressive issues dear to her and her adopted state. Sen. James Inhofe, an outspoken climate-change denier repeatedly swapped the chairmanship of the Environment and Public Works Committee with Boxer, and the two became good friends, despite wide ideological differences. On Wednesday, the Oklahoma Republican said that he could always count on Boxer to tell him where she stood and that this clarity allowed the pair to build rare bipartisan achievements on transportation and water infrastructure. Just this year, the two worked together to craft a landmark rewriting of federal law on toxins that for the first time will begin removing dangerous substances from thousands of household products. Boxer also received a personal tribute from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican with whom she did not speak for 20 years over Boxers initially lonely but ultimately successful crusade to drive Republican Sen. Bob Packwood of Oregon from office over sexual harassment charges. Boxer and McConnell later buried the hatchet and worked on legislation together. I think (McConnell) was here just to make sure I was leaving, Boxer joked. Boxer is a Brooklyn native who marveled at Californias beauty when she arrived in San Francisco in 1965. In retirement, she said she would work on bridging the partisan divide on the environment, noting that Republican Richard Nixon, who once held her Senate seat, created the Environmental Protection Agency as president and signed the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act and Endangered Species Act. She also said she would promote a political action committee she has established to counter the political influence of Charles and David Koch, the coal industrialists who have applied their vast fortune to fighting efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Boxer achieved national recognition in 1991, when she was a House member from Marin County, by leading a posse of female House members up the Senate steps to protest the lack of hearings by the all-male Senate Judiciary Committee on law Professor Anita Hills allegations of sexual harassment against Clarence Thomas, whose nomination to the Supreme Court was then before the male-dominated Senate. She said she never would have been elected to the Senate without Hill. A long shot for the seat in 1991, Boxer prevailed in a razor-thin contest in 1992 against Republican candidate Bruce Herschensohn. Her toughest race after that came in her last election in 2010 against former Hewlett-Packard chief Carly Fiorina, a Republican presidential candidate this year whom she beat soundly. Boxer also thanked the absent Feinstein for helping her reach the Senate when few thought she could. Feinstein stood by my side, even though it could have cost her votes, Boxer said. And I will never, ever forget that. Thank you, Dianne. Her biggest regret, she said, was her inability to stop the Iraq War. She said she leaves with a broken heart over Democrat Hillary Clintons loss in November to Republican Donald Trump. Boxers grandson Zachary is Clintons nephew, through the marriage of Clintons brother Tony Rodham to Boxers daughter Nicole. The couple divorced in 2001. Boxer said her message to Clinton supporters is, The work goes on. Yes, you build on success but you learn from failure, but you never stop working for human rights, civil rights, womens rights, voting rights, childrens rights and the environment. I certainly dont plan to stop, she said. I am not only fortunate to have this extraordinary career, but Im also so fortunate to be going home to a state that stands for everything I believe in. Boxer choked back tears when she wrapped up her speech, quoting a letter written in longhand by jazz musician Sonny Rollins, whom she met only once. Rollins wrote to her, Greetings. So, so sorry that we are not going to have you for us anymore, adding that Boxer had made life beautiful for so many citizens. But she has made it clear that she is not through yet. Boxer has vowed to keep the Senate in session until Christmas if necessary over Feinsteins water rider by filibustering her own Water Resources Development Act reauthorization bill along with every piece of legislation in the current lame-duck session. Boxer said Wednesday that the vote to sustain her filibuster on the larger water bill will be very close. But Inhofe predicted the bill would pass because it contains projects in every state, including a fix for the municipal lead poisoning in Flint, Mich. White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters Tuesday that the administration objects to the Feinstein/McCarthy rider but did not threaten a veto of the larger bill. Boxers seat will be filled in January by Kamala Harris. Boxer is donating her records to UC Berkeley. Carolyn Lochhead is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: clochhead@sfchronicle.com Peanut Factory Lofts, an apartment complex that marked a turning point for the near West Side when it was built in 2014, is set to be purchased by an Oregon company this month. Windmill Investments, which is based in Salem, Oregon but has staff in San Antonio, is under contract to buy the complex from 210 Development Group and expects to close within a week or two, its founder and CEO Daniel Carter said. The company plans to add more luxury to the apartments interiors and to create new amenities such as a firepit, he said. Stop by Music & Arts, located at 20821 US Highway 281 North, Suite 312, on December 17 for their 1st Annual Stone Oak Customer Appreciation Day. Take a tour of their new lesson studios and earn money for your school. The first Music & Arts was located in a small house in Bethesda, MD and run by founder Benjamin OBrien. When Music & Arts opened its doors in 1952, they offered printed music, music lessons, dance lessons, and art supplies. Ben decided shortly after opening his business that he wanted to focus on music to better serve his customers a decision that remains intact to this day. President Emmeson Mnangagwa cancelled his state visit to Cuba due to bad weather, his spokesman said on Sunday amid swelling rumours that acting president Constantino Chiwenga is unwell. Mnangagwa travelled to New York on September 19 for the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, circumventing personal travel sanctions to the United States. Cubas foreign ministry had announced that the 80-year-old would visit Havana on a state visit from Friday, September 23, to Sunday, September 26. Mnangagwa was still in New York on Sunday, where he is limited to a travel radius of 25 kilometers. His spokesman George Charamba tweeted: Owing to prevailing weather systems affecting Cuba and zones near it, President Mnangagwa and his delegation will no longer travel to Cuba where he was slotted to pay a two-day state visit The president is looking at another time to fulfil this needful fixture which brings together two nations on the receiving end of Americas unilateral sanctions. Aluta Continua! When a Twitter user said we hear that Number 2 is not feeling well, Charamba bristled: I dont know what you hear; I am in America! Chiwenga has been battling poor health over the last two years, which included lengthy hospitalisation in China for an undisclosed ailment. On August 11, he was filmed walking into the Trauma Centre in Borrowdale for what sources said was surgery to correct some discomfort in his stomach. The operation was reportedly pushed back, but Chiwenga denied he had any medical troubles, insisting that he was visiting a friend Vivek Solanki, the owner of the hospital. In recent weeks, government sources have been briefing that Chiwenga has reduced trips to his Kaguvi Building offices and has cut back on public appearances due to poor health. When he does appear in public, these are very brief, they said. After state media reported that Chiwenga, who doubles as health minister, would officially open the Gweru Provincial Hospital Opportunistic Infections Antiretroviral Therapy Centre of Excellence last Friday, he failed to turn up. Midlands minister Larry Mavima read a speech on his behalf. Deputy health minister Dr John Mangwiro also failed to make it to the event. He is part of a team of Chiwengas personal physicians. ZimLive Breaking News via Email ZANU PF youths have been reportedly instructed to avoid contesting for any position Robert Mugabe Jr seeks to occupy at the upcoming youth league conference, it has emerged. Speculation is rife that the later strongman Robert Mugabes son has set his eyes on a leadership position in the youth leagues national executive Sources in the party also said the 30-year-old is set to contest for the Zvimba East National Assembly seat currently occupied by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary affairs minister Ziyambi Ziyambi. The idea, sources said, has excited the Zanu PF Mashonaland West leadership, with some suggesting Ziyambi could be moved to the Senate to pave way for him. According to sources privy to developments, Robert Jr will be part of the four representatives from Mashonaland West to be voted into the national executive committee of the youth league. He will not be contested and comrades are very comfortable with that arrangement, a party source said. Everything has been put in place for him to become more visible at party functions and within the Mashonaland West structures so he kick starts his career in Zanu PF, the source added. Robert Jr told journalists he has always been Zanu PF member despite the current party leaders being responsible for his fathers deposal in a military coup in 2017. They have been very accommodative. I thought I should come and support the party, Robert Jr told reporters in Chitungwiza. Its like the familys tradition. Since I was born all I know was Zanu PF. I am a Zanu PF child born in Zanu PF so its only right that I continue the legacy. Despite the plan to fast track his rise, Robert Jr might be affected by the partys constitution which specifies that candidates should be fully subscribed members for a continuous period of five years. But a senior Zanu PF official from.Mash West dismissed the reports saying: There is no truth in that, members just saw him at the rally in Chitungwiza and started the rumour, the official said. He has not approached any local leadership of his interests. The local leadership is the one that vets and makes a recommendation. The current executives term ends in May. NewZimbabwe Breaking News via Email MANSFIELD, Ohio After a local grocery store closed, Richland Public Health (RPH) wanted to partner with local convenience stores to sell fresh fruit and vegetables. But one local retailer, Food Land Mini Mart, was already carrying fresh produce and other healthy items, Richland Source reports. Food Land Mini Mart has had fresh fruit since 2003. Co-owner Raleigh Chaffin had been a fruit farmer before moving into the convenience store industry. We dont sell as many chips as we used to, he said. Now theyre eating more of the healthier foods. He has his fruits and vegetables toward the back of the store where he has some seating with the idea that customers would pick up an apple to munch on in the store. No one does that, though. Everyones too busy and moving too fast. They want to get in and get out, Chaffin said. While the produce moved okay in the early days, about four or five years ago, sales started to decline. Then last year, RPH Health Educator Ellen Claiborne approached Food Land Mini Mart about carrying produce under RPHs Communities Preventing Chronic Disease, a grant-funded program begun last year. RPH recommended moving the fruit bins to the stores front. Grant money helped purchase a refrigerator to keep produce fresh and an outside banner reading Good Food Here. The changes boosted monthly produce sales by 80%, with sales continuing a steady upward projection. Chaffin estimated a 10% bump in foot traffic with the emphasis on fresh produce, with around 20% of his customers purchasing produce. It feels good to us because now the neighborhood is not eating more junk foodwere helping them eat better, he said. Learn more about fresh produce in convenience stores in the Are Your Stores Fit for Fresh? NACS Convenience Matters podcast. BOULDER, Colo. Craft beer has had a very good 2016, the Brewers Association reports. In the face of numerous opportunities and challenges in 2016, small and independent craft brewers continue to thrive, said Bart Watson, chief economist for the association, in a press release. The United States is home to 5,005 breweries, with 99% small and independent craft brewers. By mid-2016, small and independent breweries had grown by 8%. More people are interested in beer tourismgoing to specific locations around the country in search of craft breweries. Also indicating how far craft beer has come, the Smithsonians National Museum of American History will soon launch a three-year initiative to collect, document and preserve the history of brewing, craft brewers and the beer industry in America. This has been an exponentially exciting year as the beer community continues to grow and evolve. It is incredible to watch local brewers innovate and validate the new way the world views the U.S. beer scene, said Julia Herz, craft beer program director for the Brewers Association. Much of the dialogue in 2016 centered around the craft brewer definition, who qualifies as a small and independent brewer, what independence means to beer lovers, beer quality and beer appreciation. Read more about how beer sales have grown with consumer insights in Cooler Confidence from the October issue of NACS Magazine. Today is Pearl Harbor Day. As the Second World War recedes from memory, less and less note is taken of the day of infamy. But we do have: Pearl Harbor Survivors Gather for 75th Anniversary Reunion Wall Street Journal Photo: Blizzard of snow geese fills the sky TreeHugger (resilc) Thousands of snow geese die in Montana after landing on contaminated water Guardian (Plutonium Kun) :-( China? Reflections on the nature & causes of global financial uncertainty Yanis Varoufakis (Userfriendly) Australian GDP collapses MacroBusiness India Central Bank Leaves Interest Rate Unchanged, in Surprise Move Wall Street Journal Where European democracy goes to die Politico. Dan K: They forgot the quotes around democracy.' Italy Italian state must act as backstop to bolster banking system Financial Times. I wish I had time to shred this, but there is some remarkably confused thinking on display. Brexit Must do better: British schools fail to impress in world ranking The Times Citi trader deepened Octobers pound flash crash Financial Times Austrian Presidential Election Shows How United Front Politics Can Defeat the Far Right Real News Network Prospects for the Spanish Left Dollars & Sense Commission threatens to derail gun law deal Politico Syraqistan Israel blocks Gaza women from breast cancer treatment Electronic Intifada (Plutonium Kun) Imperial Collapse Watch When Fake News Leads to War American Conservative (margarita) Big Brother is Watching You Watch A random bit of intelligence: The big reason I dont own a smartphone is I want to leave the Internet when I leave my desk. But a second and almost as large reason is I do not like being GPS tracked all the time (yes, I know I can be located when using a cell phone via triangulation). I have been told that the GPS can be disabled by taking a phone to specialist repair shops like UBreakIFix and they can cut the connections to the chip that does the GPS locating. That means of course than functions that rely on knowing where you are wont work and youll have to input that info manually. I have no idea if this can be done on tablets. These Toys Dont Just Listen To Your Kid; They Send What They Hear To A Defense Contractor Consumerist (Kevin C) Trump Transition After 8 Years of Expanding Presidential War Powers, Obama Insists They Are Limited Intercept (furzy). Obama legacy revisionist history. House Judiciary Committee Calls on Obama Admin. to Declassify Secret Refugee Deal Breaking 911. Contains full text of the letter. Rationale for Texas Corporate Welfare Program was a Typographical Error Texas Observer (resilc) NoDAPL New McCarthyism Want a Job in Silicon Valley? Keep Away From Coding Schools Bloomberg (resilc) Burned Carlyle Investor Backs Suit Against Private-Equity Firm Wall Street Journal Time Magazine Promotes Illegal Nonsense: Dont Pay Taxes (If You Didnt Vote for Trump) Michael Shedlock (EM). Is this some sort of plot by the Time Magazine to get Clinton diehards into a world of hurt? The folks who try not paying the IRS, claiming income taxes are unconstitutional, get crushed. And they at least have an argument of sorts. Wells Fargo Killing Sham Account Suits by Using Arbitration New York Times (Ranger Rick). Elizabeth Warren to the white courtesy phone Supreme Court Tackles Insider-Trading Confusion: QuickTake Q&A Bloomberg (Li). This is an important win for the SEC, although it has the unfortunate side effect of validating its fixation with pursuing insider trading cases at the expense of more serious abuses. Class Warfare Antidote du jour (Philip P). Ive been amazed to see how bold the wild turkeys have become on the island (connected by bridges to the mainland) in Maine in the last four years. Its become routine to see them wandering about pretty casually. Wild turkeys are smart and normally wary, so this is a big change in behavior (my father hunted them and they were difficult to get near back in the day). See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Yves here. One has to stand in awe of the remarkable cynicism of the Obama Administration. Does anyone believe it would have sided with the Sioux were it not for the opportunity to throw a spanner into the works of the incoming Trump Administration? Another reason for featuring this post is it highlights an issue that is likely to be hotly contested: despite the Trump desire to take a buzz saw to regulations, its far more difficult to do than he and the political newbies who have been nominated for senior roles in his Administration seem to realize. By Rebecca Leber. Originally published at Grist In the wake of the Obama administrations surprise decision to block a portion of the Dakota Access Pipeline, company reps seem confident they need only wait for President-elect Trump to keep building. But the lawyer who represents the Standing Rock Sioux says it wont be so easy to overcome the legal hurdles. If an agency decides that a full environmental review is necessary, it cant just change its mind with a stroke of a pen a few weeks later, EarthJustice attorney Jan Hasselman told Grist. That would be violation of the law, and its the kind of thing that a court would be called upon to review. It doesnt mean theyre not going to try. Trump could force the pipeline through along the dispute route at Lake Oahe. He technically could ignore the Corps decision to fulfill a public Environmental Impact Statement with his newfound executive powers, but that might not be wise. He could in the sense that you can rob a bank, but youd get in trouble, Hasselman said. If that were the case, Standing Rock would be prepared to take the matter to courts again, their lawyer told Grist. Circumventing the environmental assessment now that the agency has determined its the right course of action shouldnt pass muster under legal standards, he added. For example, the Ninth Circuit has ruled that federal agencies cant just flip on a dime on settled rulemaking that is based on facts because a new administration has taken over. The Supreme Court this year declined to take up the case, leaving the Circuits decision standing that the Bush administration couldnt exempt the Tongass rainforest in Alaska from a conservation rule, when the agencys fact-finding found otherwise. Unless a conservative Supreme Court reverses course, then Standing Rock still has that advantage in a Trump era. Going further to weaken environmental regulations overall would require a more robust change to the law with congressional action. With the law on their side for now, environmental justice advocates could challenge administration decisions just as they did in the Bush administration. (Talk about government interference: Trump is reportedly also considering privatizing oil-rich Native American land to boost oil companies.) Energy Transfer Partners has its share of options, too even if Trump didnt reverse the decision, it could still sue to maintain the current route. One of the surer bets on whats next is that the company is going to have to wait longer to build its pipeline than it originally intended. Energy Transfer Partners wanted it to be operational by the end of the year. If the Corps decision holds, it could potentially be tied up as long as a year or two. It would have to undergo a full environmental assessment of route alternatives, which is the traditional way government agencies solicit input from the public and weigh the pros and cons of environmentally risky projects. The pipeline is far from dead. But its also far from a sure thing. Banking and credit union trade groups are urging Congress to consider repealing any upcoming Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules governing arbitration, payday lending, debt collection and prepaid cards by using its authority under the Congressional Review Act. The law gives Congress the chance to reject any rule that is finalized in the waning days of an administration. The groups also again asked Congress to pass a bill that would create a five-member commission for the agency, replacing its current single director structure. The CFPB's "sole director leadership model is fragile, uncertain, and leads to instability at the bureau," the groups wrote in a two-page letter to Senate GOP and Democratic leaders. A commission will "safeguard consumers and increase credit accessibility." The letter was signed by the heads of the Consumer Bankers Association, the Credit Union National Association, the Independent Community Bankers of America and the National Association of Federal Credit Unions. The letter also mentioned a district court ruling in a controversial case, PHH Corp. v. CFPB, that found in October that the bureau's single-director structure is unconstitutional. Though the CFPB has appealed the case, the trade groups said that ruling "makes it even more apparent what a whipsaw effect the single director model presents, inhibiting the ability for financial institutions to plan for the future, which in turn limits economic growth and hurts consumers." (As delivered) Good afternoon. We have just finished a meeting on Afghanistan with our Resolute Support partners. And our commitments to Afghanistans security is strong and steadfast. At our Warsaw Summit, we agreed to sustain Resolute Support beyond 2016, to continue national funding of the Afghan Security Forces through 2020, and to work on our long-term political partnership and practical cooperation with Afghanistan. Today we reviewed the security situation in Afghanistan and we reaffirmed our mutual commitments. The situation in Afghanistan is and will remain difficult and tough. The Afghan Security Forces have taken many casualties, but they are defending the Afghan people with determination and courage and combating the enemy across the country. This year alone there have been eight major attempts to seize cities, all have failed. NATO will continue to train, advise and assist the Afghan forces through our Resolute Support Mission. Because we know that training local forces to fight terrorism and stabilise their country is the best way to project stability beyond our borders. This is part of the broad international support for Afghanistan. At the Brussels Conference in October, the international community committed a further fifteen billion dollars through 2020. Minister Rabbani expressed Afghanistans appreciation for the continued support from the international community and he briefed us on his countrys ongoing reforms, which are linked to that support. It is essential that Afghanistan continues to pursue reforms and improve governance, to fight corruption, protect human rights and advance the peace process. This matters for the stability of Afghanistan and for our own security. Let me also thank my Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan, Ambassador Ismail Aramaz for his insights and commitment over the last two years. I can announce that his successor will be Ambassador Cornelius Zimmermann from Germany. He is an experienced diplomat who knows Afghanistan very well, and will continue our important work. With that, I am ready to take your questions. MODERATOR: Okay well go to Salam Hatandra (sic) the first row. No, not there, over there thank you. Q: Thank you very much. (inaudible). Mr. Secretary there will be a meeting in coming days in Moscow include Pakistan, China and Russia towards Afghanistan and theres a concern in Afghanistan because of a new block (sic). Is it a concern for NATO as a partner of Afghanistan as well? JENS STOLTENBERG (NATO Secretary General): The important thing is that we all support the Afghan unity government because thats the best way to support efforts to fight terrorism to stabilize Afghanistan and to support the unity of Afghanistan, and thats exactly what NATO is doing and NATOs partners are doing when we support Afghanistan through the Resolute Support Mission. And all outside actors should be helping the Afghan government and not interfering in Afghanistan by undermining the Afghan government. MODERATOR: Salam Matunder (sic), first gentleman over there. Q: Thank you very much. This is Nasser Mumanigi (sic) from Salam Matunder (sic) and my question actually relates to your comment yesterday and a little bit today. You mentioned that you were going to be reviewing the performance of the Afghan government. Could you please tell us what those performance areas are and against which, what bench marks do you review them? Thank you. JENS STOLTENBERG: The purpose of the NATO presence in Afghanistan our Resolute Support Mission is to train, assist and advise the Afghan forces, the national security forces and we do that in many different ways. We train and assist the forces, Ive visited this and seen it myself, and I think its obvious that they have made a lot of progress because just the fact that the Afghan national security forces have been able to take full responsibility for the security in Afghanistan themselves since 2015, is a great expression of the strength and the courage the professionalism they have achieved. And that is a direct result of NATO training that we have been able to help build such a strong national force. Then of course we continue also to work on many other areas. For instance we helped them with developing their special operation forces and also and also air forces, and we measured the progress we make in all this different areas. In addition to that we also work on together with the broader international community on reform, on building stronger democratic institution. Minister Abana (sic) just briefed us on the establishment of the Electoral Commission and the work to have elections. We work with Afghanistan to modernize their, their government institutions, especially the defense and security institutions, and, of course, to fight terrorism and we do this in a transparent way and we do it together with the, the wider international communities so, for instance, when we work together with European Union we also work on how to implement reforms and to make sure that we are able to see progress also in modernizing and improving the way the government structures work in Afghanistan. MODERATOR: National Public Radio, third row, lady. Q: Hi. I moved just to throw you off (laughter). No, my question is also about Afghanistan. Today an Asia Foundation survey came out which talks about not the security situation but the way Afghans feel about their life and the direction that its going. And in the last dozen years theyve, theyve taken this survey, they are more pessimistic than ever before with 66 percent of the population saying its going in the wrong direction. So you may say that the Taliban arent taking back cities but people arent happy anyway, isnt that also part of NATOs legacy? What do you say about that? Thanks. JENS STOLTENBERG: I think that survey confirms that the situation in Afghanistan is difficult. Its a tough situation and we will continue to see violence, fight and a very difficult economic situation in Afghanistan, but thats exactly why NATO is there to help them make progress, to help them stabilize the country which is pre-conditional also for economic development and economic prosperity and there are also some other results in that survey which I think its its important to take note of. For instance that 80 percent in the same survey say that they dont want Taliban back, meaning that they agree with the main reason why NATO is there, to prevent that Afghanistan is once again, is controlled by Taliban and become a safe haven for international terrorists. We also see in the same survey that there is strong trust and support for the Afghan security forces, they continue to be trusted and one of the issues we are focusing on together with a broader international community is, how can we implement reforms, how can we fight terrorism, how can we improve the electoral process and how can we contribute to the peace and reconciliation process. So, I think we, we dont, we do not underestimate the difficulties, the problems, the challenges which we face in Afghanistan, but, I strongly believe that, what we do now in Afghanistan is the right thing. We have ended our combat operations there, we are there to build Afghan owned institutions, Afghan owned peace process, Afghan owned political processes and we are helping them in doing that to make sure that one day they can manage without our help. But its tough, its difficult and, and the survey confirms that but it also confirms that they dont want Taliban back and to avoid that they need our help. MODERATOR: Well go to Kuna Kuwait News Agency, first row. Q: (inaudible), Kuna Kuwait News Agency. My question is concerning the Gulf region. NATO and ICI is expected to open a Centre in Kuwait later this month. Can you please tell me what are the aims and goals of this Centre? And secondly on Iraq how many trainers are you going to send there in January? Thank you. JENS STOLTENBERG: We, we will inaugurate a Centre, a regional Centre, NATO-ICI, Istanbul Co-operation Initiative Centre in Kuwait early next year and that Centre will be a platform, it is a big building, I have seen the construction site which is going to be a platform for different kinds of partnership activities, NATO and countries in the Gulf region can meet, can, can have many different kinds of activities to build partnerships between NATO and countries in the region. So Im looking forward to open the Centre in Kuwait and its going to take our work with the region an important step forward. In January we will also we, we have already training activities in Jordan where we train Iraqi officers and we have trained several hundred officers there already. We will continue our activity in Jordan but then from January we will start with around 20 trainers, so its a modest start, where we are going to train Iraqi officers in Iraq. We do this of course in very close coordination and cooperation with the coalition and we have several NATO allies that are part of the coalition efforts and we will work with them when we establish our training activity in Iraq to start training Iraqi officers in Iraq. MODERATOR: Financial Times at the back, at the back. Well come back. Q: Thank you, Arthur Beasley. Just to go back to the discussion on Russia and there was a discussion on Russia at dinner overnight. What are your assessment is the state of unity between NATO members on the sanctions question and to what extent are people now growing weary of sanctions because there is an undercurrent in debate on that? And what on your assessment would be the consequence of disunity on that question among NATO members? Thank you. JENS STOLTENBERG: First of all we had a very good discussion on Russia and our approach to Russia during the dinner yesterday evening. Second, there is very strong unity in NATO when it comes to our approach to Russia which is built on strength, defense, deterrence combined with dialogue. And I feel that support for that approach, this duel track approach, is stronger now than it, its a very strong unity behind that approach. Economic sanctions is part of the response from the broader international community to the aggressive actions of Russia in Ukraine, and it is not NATO that that decide on the sanctions its the European Union, United States, G7, but NATO has expressed strong support for these sanctions and Ive expressed strong support for these sanctions because I believe that sanctions are an important tool to send a very clear message that we do not accept the kind of aggressive behaviour, the illegal annexation of Crimea and the destabilizing behaviour in the Eastern Ukraine which Russia is responsible for. The E.U. has decided to continue with economic sanctions and I think that is a right decision because the sanctions should only be lifted if if Russia change behaviour and so far we havent seen much of that so therefore I support continued sanctions, economic sanctions against Russia. MODERATOR: Polish News Agency. Q: Mr. Secretary General (inaudible) Polish Press Agency PAP. I would like to raise once again a question about relations and dialogue with Russia. Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs told us today that he expects from you some proposals on dialogue with Russia. He says that this is something this is only some kind of rhetoric some kind of (inaudible) there is no concrete. Could you comment on that? JENS STOLTENBERG: First of all we discussed as I said last evening our relationship with Russia including the dialogue we have with Russia and the dialogue is a wide its a dialogue which addresses different kinds of issues but in for instance the two meetings that we have convened so far in the NATO-Russia Council the issues has have been Ukraine and even though we dont agree on Ukraine I think its important that we meet around the same table and that we express our concerns and that NATO allies and NATO can talk directly to Russia on Ukraine and our concerns and also on the, express our views on the importance of full implementation of the Minsk Agreements, because we have seen a violation of the cease fire, we have seen that the Minsk Agreements are not implemented. So thats part of the dialogue is to raise concerns for instance Ukraine. Then another element in the dialogue is what we call transparency and risk reduction and thats about how we can increase transparency and reduce the risks for incidents, accidents which is of particular importance in times where we see more military activity and more tensions and also some very dangerous situations with the downing of the Russian plane and also some incidents in the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea. Thats partly about raising the issue of implementing existing agreements, like for instance, the Vienna Document on transparency related to also military exercises and international observation of military exercises but also to look into how we can develop new mechanisms to improve predictability and transparency related to military activity and with increased presence I think thats even more important. Then of course we welcome constructive ideas from allies and, and Poland and other allies have put different ideas on the table. We will discuss and assess them because we will constantly look into how we can develop our dialogue with Russia. MODERATOR: (inaudible) Q: Thank you. Mr. Secretary General about other conflict region, there has been an artillery strike on Russian humanitarian hospital in Western Aleppo and we havent yet heard their reaction of NATO on this event, during which two Russian medics working with Syrian people of Aleppo were killed. And follow-up question, you have said that E.U. has taken decision to prolong the sanctions against Russia, did we hear it correct? Thank you very much. JENS STOLTENBERG: First on Aleppo, the situation in Aleppo is very very difficult. It is a humanitarian catastrophe what we see there. Thousands of thousands of people are killed, also many innocent people and we have seen that also humanitarian aid workers have been killed and the main reason for this increased violence in Aleppo is the renewed offensive by the by the Syrian regime supported by Russia. So, I think that what we see now in Aleppo where innocent people are killed just underlines the importance of finding a political solution and we support all efforts to try to reach a political solution and such a political solution has to start with a cease fire and I welcome the efforts by also NATO allies in the U.N. Security Council to get an agreement on cessation of hostilities, a cease fire and NATO will continue to support that. So, again and again we see a humanitarian catastrophe in Aleppo and the best way to end that is to support efforts to have a cease fire to to as a first step towards political political solution. I think that when it comes to the European Union and economic sanctions I think that the European Union has the right to comment on that but I have supported the decision by the European Union many times to prolong economic sanctions and I have also said it, I also stated this time that I think its right to continue with economic sanctions. MODERATOR: Europa Press. Q: Thank you Secretary General. Going back to Afghanistan, since the situation you mentioned is going to stay tough for quite a while is it completely excluded the Resolute Support will stay on in 2018? And if I may a second quick question on Iraq, you mentioned that the start of the training efforts in Iraq itself will start with a modest 20 trainers but whats the maximum size of the force that we will see there? Thank you. JENS STOLTENBERG: First of all we we start in Afghanistan, sorry in Iraq with the trainers and then we will assess the need and then build on that. We also have the training activities going on in Jordan and we support the coalition fighting ISIL also in other ways, for instance with direct support with our AWACS surveillance planes, so the exact size and the scope of our training activity in Iraq will be assessed and decide, based on the experience we now will will get when we start there in January. So, there is no fixed figure; we have to come back to that. The other question was about Afghanistanyeah and what was the question. Q: To stay on JENS STOLTENBERG: To stay on, so what we have so we have decided we decided in Warsaw to sustain our Resolute Support Mission through, into 2017 and, and thats exactly what we are doing and we have around 13,000 troops there and they do the, they train, advise and assist mission that they are supposed to do, and they help the Afghans to build their own capacity to defend and stabilize their own country. In addition to that we also provide financial support. We havent made any decisions on how long we will stay there with our Resolute Support Mission to trainers, but that is something we have to assess next year to make decisions regarding 2018. What we have decided is that we will continue to fund them through 2020 and the aim of the Resolute Support Mission is of course to make the Afghans able to do this without our support, but we will stay there and continue to support them and theres very strong strong commitment by allies to to provide support and we saw that also during the meeting today, that there were many Ministers there expressing very strong support and willingness to provide the forces, provide the funding, to continue to support but we dont have a fixed date for the for the training, assist and advise mission. MODERATOR: Thank you very much. This concludes this press conference. Have a good afternoon. JENS STOLTENBERG: Thank you. (Natural News) Never try to teach a pigeon to play chess, people say. It wastes your time, annoys the pigeon, and you end up with pigeon crap all over your playing board. By the same token, never try to teach a liberal how a representational Republic works. It wastes your time, annoys the liberal, and you end up with liberals making a mess of your country. So the following article isnt meant to educate liberals thats impossible. Theyre beyond the realm of logic and rationality. Rather, its intended to help intelligent people understand why the Electoral College is the very definition of inclusiveness and diversity in a representational Republic. No wonder the political left hates it so much America is not a democracy; its a Republic Listening to leftists whine about why they lost the election is worse than hearing a broken record of Michael Boltons top 10 all-time greatest hits. Hillary won the popular vote! they scream with feigned righteousness, apparently oblivious to the fact that they live in a representational Republic, not a democracy. In a democracy also known as mob rule the majority wins every vote. A democracy, the saying goes, is when two foxes and a hen vote on whats for dinner. In a pure democracy, a delusional mob can vote to take away the fundamental human rights of minority voters. For example, a liberal majority could vote to criminalize Christianity, and as long as they have the majority vote, they think its democratic to outlaw whatever views, speech or religious beliefs they dont like. But in a representational Republic, certain individual rights are guaranteed by law and cannot be taken away by the mob. For example, the right to speak freely and the individual right to own and deploy firearms are both rights that are guaranteed to individuals, regardless of the popular delusions of the manipulated mob. Another important property of a representational Republic is the Electoral College. It guarantees that, to win the presidential election, a candidate must garner broad support across the many diverse geographic regions and cultures of the United States of America. Winning the Electoral College requires far more than just pandering to the populous delusional mobs of Los Angeles and New York City it demands that a presidential candidate achieve a high level of diversity and inclusiveness across the nations many varied regions. Without the Electoral College, city-dwelling leftists could just copulate their way to an uninformed majority Without the Electoral College, the Presidential race would be little more than a popularity contest in California, New York and Texas, with nearly all the rest of the country forgotten. That would obviously be a violation of inclusiveness, diversity and tolerance, wouldnt it? Under such as popular vote system, presidents would win elections by promising ever-increasing handouts to the cities while stripping rights, freedoms and economic prosperity from all the rural Americans who grow the food, work the oil fields and home school their children. By demanding a dismantling of the Electoral College, what liberals are saying is, We are intolerant, narrow-minded bigots who seek to rule over everyone else. They want the only votes that count to be their own votes, and they seek to nullify the votes of rural America. In effect, the liberal approach to winning elections is to simply make more babies and out-populate the rural voters who tend to be far more self-reliant, adaptable and capable than typical city populations. An America run via popular vote instead of the Electoral College might as well just be called Idiocracy. Technically speaking, the Electoral College means that the votes of city people count less than the votes of rural people, and thats exactly the way it was intended to be. The reason for this? Americas Founding Fathers fully realized that many people who live in cities tend to be out of touch with reality, living in delusional bubbles built on fantasy rather than the real world. If you let city people run the entire country, they will turn it into a communist, dystopian, totalitarian hell zone (or as they call it, a gun free zone with record murders every weekend). Think Venezuela, North Korea or Communist China. Thats where left-leaning city people always tend to push society for the simple reason that they always demand stronger government to control the thoughts and behaviors of the population. The Electoral College gives extra weight to rural voters by design: Its called diversity The only way to keep a nation on a path of sustainability that grows organically out of diverse cultures and geographic regions, the Founding Fathers knew, was to give rural voters extra electoral weight to out-leverage the delusional city dwellers who live in protected bubbles (cultural bubbles, economic bubbles, food bubbles, media bubbles, etc.). This is why rural states each get a minimum of three electoral votes, even when their populations are too small to achieve sufficient mathematical proportionality for such votes. In essence, what the Constitution says, quite correctly, is that the masses of delusional city dwellers tend to be far too monolithic and narrow-minded to be trusted with the Republic. As youll notice with Californias insanely idiotic government as it exists today, this observation is grounded in genuine common sense. Guess which state has a $1 trillion shortfall in its pension funds? If you guessed Collapsifornia, you get a gold star. Any person who thinks Californias economic structure for widespread handouts, entitlements and funding for illegal aliens is sustainable cant do basic math. This is why the path to victory for the presidential race is based on achieving 270 electoral votes, not achieving a raw majority of votes from all the incredibly delusional, brainwashed sheeple of Los Angeles and other populous cities where people can simply fornicate their way to ballot box majorities. If the Presidency were won based on the popular vote, Donald Trump would have strategically campaigned in California and New York To the amusement of all intelligent Americans, the delusional left continues to insist that Hillary Clinton won the election because she got more raw votes than did Donald Trump. As is obvious to any intelligent person, this is solely because Donald Trump campaigned in lower-population states that offered larger electoral rewards. In other words, Trump campaigned to win, and he followed the rules as they are set out in the U.S. Constitution. Now that he won the electoral map, delusional cybully leftists want to change the rules of the election after the fact. They ridiculously want to claim the election should have been decided by the popular vote. But if Donald Trump had been playing by those rules in the first place, he would have won the popular vote and probably lost the electoral vote. Had that happened, the leftists would be screaming about how we have to honor the Electoral College, you see. This gets to the core of leftist delusional thinking: Liberals have no rational and consistent foundation for their thinking. They do not operate on any consistent set of rules, ethics or values. They simply invoke or discard whatever rules fit their current agenda, and when they lose by the rules that are in place, they scream and whine and threaten Electoral voters with death threats to try to force them to change their votes. If the rules dont work for them, they demand the rules be changed. And if you disagree with their demands to change the rules, they call you a racist and a bigot. This is why the most radical liberals have no legitimate place in a free society. The failed philosophy of liberalism only pushes societies toward totalitarianism and communism. (This is why leftists in the media love Fidel Castro but hate Ted Cruz.) To keep a society free, liberalism must be defeated at every election. It is the single greatest threat to any free society, and we can only thank our Founding Fathers for so thoroughly understanding this dynamic that they encoded into the Constitution a way for intelligent, rugged individuals across Americas heartland to effectively veto the political delusions of clueless liberals who live in artificial concrete jungles called Los Angeles which means, hilariously, the city of angels. Hillary Clinton didnt win the popular vote for the simple reason that there was no such contest held In retrospect, Hillary Clinton didnt win the popular vote. There was no contest held for the popular vote. You cant win something if no such contest ever existed in the first place. The contest was for the support of the vast diversity of American voters whose will is reflected in the Electoral College (at least it should be, if the intolerant left wasnt death-threating Electoral College voters to change their votes). Donald Trump clearly won that contest fair and square. There is no debating this point, yet the intolerant crybullies on the left remain in such a state of denial that they still cant fathom how their masses of city-dwelling sheeple were out-voted by informed rural Americans who actually work for a living rather than existing as economic parasites that feed off a government scheme of trading handouts for votes. Its beyond mere delusion, by the way: Many people on the left are so disconnected from reality that their Trump Derangement Syndrome can best be described as a mental illness. These bubble-dwellers still think they can overthrow the country by screaming, looting, protesting and making childish demands. They act like five-year-old children, pouting and slapping their palms on the table while screaming for mommy to give them what they want. And for far too long, these leftist crybullies always got what they demanded by acting like little children. The legitimate election of Donald Trump may be their first event theyve ever experienced where they didnt get their way. Thats why they cant grasp what happened theyve been raised as delicate snowflakes by liberal parents who cater to their every whim, thereby psychologically crippling them for life by making sure they were ill-prepared for the real world of adults. Three important messages for the delusional snowflakes So let me be blunt to all the snowflakes in the hopes that they will grow up and, perhaps for the first time, learn to face the world as adults. My message is in three parts: Part 1) You LOST the election fair and square. Deal with it. Act like adults for once and stop whining about everything that doesnt go your way. Part 2) You are going to KEEP LOSING elections if you keep acting like little crybabies. Its amazing that you just chose Nancy Pelosi to stay in power and run the losing democratic party, which is already retreating to the fringes of society. It just proves you are still so delusional about reality that you think you can keep invoking the same losing strategies over and over again while hoping that somehow a different outcome will magically appear. Keep it up, and youll lose about 15 more Senate seats in 2018, which will give Trump a super majority in the Senate. Soon, Republicans might even have enough nationwide political power to hold a Constitutional Convention and alter the U.S. Constitution with new protections for religious expression, individual firearms rights, term limits and mandatory balanced budgets. Part 3) If you try to stage a mass uprising coup to try to take over the country and install your communist leaders in Washington, there are a few hundred thousand U.S. Marines and other armed services soldiers who will defend the Republic using kinetic engagement. If you leftists really think you can overpower the US Marines, D.C. police and all the armed Second Amendment patriots across America, youre only displaying yet more delusional thinking. Leftists are the most intolerant, bigoted, narrow-minded people of all Truth be told, its the leftists who are the bigots in America. They demonstrate extreme intolerance for all people and ideas that dont obediently conform to their delusional demands. Just look at the way theyre acting after this election loss, demanding theatrical recounts, ridiculously blaming the Russians for the Trump win (without a shred of evidence to back it up) and even stating they will all refuse to pay federal taxes now because Hillary Clinton didnt win. (Funny. Leftists still think income taxes fund the government. This just shows how incredibly stupid they really are.) If you want to find an intolerant, bigoted, narrow-minded racist, just search out your local Black Lives Matter community organizer. Or find a white college professor who hates white people. Or heck, just look toward the White House and recognize the bigoted race baiter who currently resides there as Americas first (and last) black President. If you want to pinpoint where diversity has been scrubbed out of existence, just visit any college campus where Milo Yiannopoulos has been banned (or maliciously attacked). Check out the campus safe spaces at Mizzou, where crybully leftists demand uniformity of thought under the absurd label of inclusiveness. The hypocrisy is so thick, you can get stuck it in up to your knees just walking across campus Leftists are incapable of seeing how they embody all the horrible traits they condemn in others The most astonishing characteristic of the left, you see, is that they are incapable of realizing how they exhibit every attribute they claim to despise. Leftists claim to despise intolerance, so they become intolerant of those who arent like them. They claim to despise a lack of diversity, so they demand everyone act just like they do. They claim to be compassionate and operate based on inclusiveness, so they attack their political opponents with extreme hatred, violence and death threats. They claim to exercise free speech during their own violent protests where they burn the American flag, but they cant tolerate the free speech of someone peacefully displaying a Confederate flag. Leftists, it turns out, are self-loathing, delusional creatures suffocating in their own mental illness. Deep down, they realize that they embody all the traits they hate, so at some level of their warped psyche, they truly seek self-destruction in order to terminate their own self-hatred. (This is only reinforced in white liberals who are taught self-loathing propaganda by colleges and universities that teach them whiteness is, by definition, a state of racism.) This is why leftists stupidly think they might succeed in a communist uprising on January 20 Finally, the upshot of all this is that self-loathing, delusional leftists are more than willing to sacrifice their lives in a mass uprising that they think might achieve their goal of taking over the nations capitol on January 20, 2017. You must understand that leftists dont think rationally. They do not realize their odds of success through such an uprising are near zero. Thus, they are just stupid enough to try it anyway, and they truly dont mind dying in the process, since they hate themselves anyway. This is why all Americans must be on what I call a Second Amendment alert for January 20, 2017. Thats the day the globalists, working in collusion with the radical left, are planning a series of false flags, assassination attempts and a popular uprising in Washington D.C. All true Americans need to be ready to defend your Republic on January 20. Do not initiate violence of any kind, but be ready to support law enforcement in their response against radical, irrational, suicidal leftists who decide to throw themselves at the Capitol building like mindless zombies. Be ready for anything that day. There is nothing the radical left wont try, including bombing government buildings, inciting violence while posing as Trump supporters, staging false crisis actor events for CNNs cameras, deploying chemical weapons, dirty bombs and so on. The left has reached the point of complete madness, and that makes them temporarily very dangerous to public safety. You may be called upon to help support the efforts of law enforcement, the National Guard and possibly even the U.S. Marines to stop a mad leftist coup attempt in our nations capitol. This is the right time, brothers and sisters, to support all the Bikers for Trump who are going to be at the event, ready to do what is necessary to defend the Republic and defend the integrity of this election. And by the way, once Trump makes it into office, I hope the very first thing he does is initiate mass arrests of violent leftists and charges them all with treason. Its time to restore some basic law and order in this country. We can start on January 20 under a new President Trump. Her entire mentoring style is a gift to science. So said a nominator of Julie Overbaugh, an HIV researcher at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington. And the judges of this year's annual Nature Awards for Mentoring in Science must have felt the same: they awarded Overbaugh the lifetime-achievement prize. They also awarded the prize for mid-career achievement, to biologist Susan Forsburg at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Founded in 2005, the awards focus on a different region or country each year. In 2016, it is the US states of Washington, Oregon and California. Each contender has to be nominated by five of their former trainees, covering different stages of the mentor's career. Credit: Adapted from Getty An important quality of the award winners is their ability to help proteges to reach crucial milestones. This skill, nominators say, is exemplified by Overbaugh. Given her success in the high-pressure environment of retroviral pathogenesis, it is remarkable that her lab has remained an outstanding training environment for graduate students, says one of her nominators. She possesses the rare ability to work with her students to identify and develop projects that are relatively 'protected' from outside competition, yet retain enough scientific rigour to foster their development. It is hard to find a student of hers who has not published at least one significant contribution to the field. Overbaugh shares with previous award winners the capacity to tune her mentoring to the protege's individual personality and needs. Julie has high expectations of her trainees and aims for all of them to develop the fundamental skills of a successful scientist, says the nominator, adding that Overbaugh does not expect trainees to follow her path into academia: many of them now have important roles in government, philanthropy and industry. She recognizes each individual's strengths, weaknesses and goals, and figures out how to help them get to where they want to be, the nominator says. The breadth and diversity of roles that her mentees currently fill is a testament to this style of mentorship that is rare even among successful academic mentors. Another of Overbaugh's nominators speaks highly of her engagement with students from other countries, especially through her collaborations in projects based in Kenya. She has an excellent capability and patience in guiding international scholars, this nominator says. She has the patience to listen to and deal with culture shocks and adjustment to new surroundings and a different system of training and education. Excellent mentoring can take different forms, as Forsburg's trainees have found. Imagine you're a graduate student who is frustrated by your lack of progress in understanding a protein kinase. Meanwhile, a talented postdoc in your lab characterizes a new role for it that leads to a strong paper. You're envious, embarrassed that none of your own work is included in the paper and express your frustration to your supervisor. What happens next? A student mentored by Forsburg faced precisely this issue. What was Forsburg's advice? Susan took a firm and constructive stance with me challenging me to be more deliberate in my work, and to use my postdoc colleague as a role model, says the student, who was one of Forsburg's nominators. She didn't give me any easy answers, but instead gave me a role model and higher expectations. At the same time, she also gave me more time and attention to help me think through my work, and encouraged the postdoc to mentor me to better set me up for success. Julie Overbaugh (top) and Susan Forsburg won this year's Nature mentoring awards. Credit: Robert Hood/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center This is one of many examples of how Forsburg rises to the challenge of nurturing the career progress of younger scientists. She has gained a scientific reputation in pioneering the use of single-cell analysis and live-cell imaging by investigating mechanisms that maintain genome stability during stresses in replication, using fission yeast as a model system. But she was recognized for her strong role in helping undergraduates, graduate students and postdocs to fulfil their scientific potential. Forsburg was a stand-out nominee, according to Lisa Coussens, chair of the judging panel and of the cell, developmental and cancer biology department at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. She says that Forsburg not only strongly mentors members of her own laboratory, as evidenced by anecdotes and testimonials from her nominators, but also engages with mentoring challenges on a grander scale. As a prominent advocate for women in science, Forsburg maintains a career-oriented website, Women in Biology, which provides information on career management for female scientists and young science professionals. She has also written many columns for the 'Women in Cell Biology' feature of the American Society for Cell Biology newsletter. Another of Forsburg's nominators says that the biologist treats junior researchers in her lab as much more than available labour. She helps students take a formal, logical approach in trying to understand problems and develop options to solve them, having students develop robust hypotheses and likely outcomes of experiments before performing them, the nominator says. This approach requires students to take intellectual ownership of their work and creates students that are trained to think as opposed to 'skilled pairs of hands'. The nominator also notes that Forsburg encourages her proteges to broaden their scientific perspective. Susan's expectation is that lab members should have a working understanding and ability to contribute across all areas, the nominator says. This will give her lab members greater ability to understand and pursue surprising or novel results. A mythical sea blob, which has been first sighted more than a century ago, has finally been discovered by scientists in Monterey Bay. There are archives of recordings from various scientists from the early 1900s who described a tiny, orb-like creature found in the sea that looks similar to a small jellyfish. However, there had been no accompanying specimens for the findings, a reason for scientists to pass it off either as a mythical creature or a creature that has then been extinct. There is a long list of mythical creatures that actually roamed the Earth but have been imagined and described in literature quite differently. Scientists have just assumed that the century-old recordings may have just described the creature a little differently from what it actually looks like -- a feat quite common in those days. The Bathocordaeus Charon is a small translucent, sea invertebrate has been identified near Monterey, California. According to a report from Live Science, this specific "sea blob" belongs to the group larvaceans which are tiny creatures that can be as small as a few millimetres. The original description from a century ago, has described a certain species of larvacean which is larger than its normal size. Since large-sized larvaceans which can be as big as a few hundred millimetres are very uncommon, what has been described is much more difficult to find. According to the study of Sherlock, Waiz and Robison, the study which has described the creature indicated that its tail was about 75 millimeters in length. The study has also described a few things about the way these small creatures live. They are filter feeders which have a tadpole-like body that live in a small blob called a "house." The house serves as an inner filter which lets appropriately sized food to come along for the larvacean. When large particles get stuck in the filter, the larvacean simply "moves" houses, abandoning its now-dysfunctional blob and transferring to a new, working one. China has overtaken the U.S. and other European countries as the world's leading economy. Now, it has driven its motivation toward becoming the leader in science and technology. Experts from all over the world have observed and pointed out that there has been a continuous decline in the amount and levels of research for science and technology in Japan, and this may be the reason why China is now in the lead of the race. According to a report from Nikkei Asia, scientists from Japan are pressured by manufacturing needs to produce immediate outputs and results. This fact has led them away from long-term research and oriented their focus in other "more tangible" research studies. Furthermore, as funding for research become more difficult to find, Japanese scientists may find it harder to pursue long-term studies that promise no optimistic results. Issues in Science and Technology has reported that China has been on a very aggressive drive toward technological innovation. With how they originally flaunt costs for production such as cheap land resources, labor, and many more, they are now refocusing their goals toward improving their innovative capabilities rather than just concentrating on their production abilities. China will not just focus on technology, software production, and electric components. They will also put their efforts on energy production, nuclear power plants, and gas fields. They are also planning to tap medical science in the development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), treatment of AIDS, and even development of drugs. More importantly, it has been quite a year for China and their space exploration technology. Just in statistics alone, it proves that China may be the new leader as the latest technology in supercomputers have been produced by Chinese computer scientists and engineers. This battle to win the science crown has been ongoing for years between Japan and China, and it seems that the latter will win in the years to come. Japan remains competitive, but with new policies in China's wings, it will be a close battle. A scientist wants to build a prosthetic that can function as an artificial hippocampus. It will act as a human memory enhancement in the form of a prosthetic, and he's already seeing it attached to humans. The idea stems from the concept of Andy Clark and David Chalmers in 1998 that a computer can operate together with the brain as an "extended mind." This means a computer can offer additional processing capabilities as we work out problems and annex memories with information, images, and other factors. The hippocampus is the area in the brain associated with memory and spacial navigation. The plan is for the device to convert short-term memory into long-term memory and store it the way the hippocampus does. Interestingly, his research is brimming with potential. Berger began by teaching a rabbit to associate an audio tone with a puff of air administered to its face and causes it to blink. Now the electrodes on the rabbit allowed Berger to observe patterns from the rabbit's hippocampus, which he refers to "space-time" code. This represents the neurons in the brain at a specific moment. Interestingly, the code in the rabbit gradually changes into a different code as it progresses in the hippocampus. The tone alone was now able to help the hippocampus produce a recallable space-time code based on the incoming version and make the rabbit blink. According to Big Think, the process became predictable enough for Berger to develop his own mathematical model. He then built an artificial rat hippocampus to test his model. He did this by training rats to press a lever with electrodes monitoring hippocampuses. When the code was run through his model and back, the rats successfully pressed their levels. Berger even said they may bring the memory back into the brain. Which begs the question: Does the brain have some memory index? And if so, can we do the same to humans? Dustin Tyler from the Case Western Reserve university told Wired that these prosthetic interfacing with the brain face a fundamental challenge, especially since billions of neurons in the brain make them work together. To build a technology that will go into that and connect with them will be tricky. Regardless, Bergen told IEEE Spectrum that they're "testing [his system] in humans now" and are getting good initial results. He hopes to bring his concept to the market in the form of a prosthetic for people with memory problems. While his prosthetic improved the memories of rhesus monkeys, a human brain is a vastly different thing. This is especially since rats only have 200 million neurons and humans have 86 billion. Regardless, human trials have so far been with in-patient epileptics with electrodes already in place for their treatments. Berger's team observed and recorded activity in the hippocampus and have successfully enhanced their memories by stimulating neurons. New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee said to the youth delegation of Bangladesh that the people of both the countries should work together. The youths are the part of an exchange programme. President said, he was sure that the spirit of love, affection and understanding will create a unifying bridge between the two countries. He also alleged that the exchange programme will help in understanding thoughts as India and Bangladesh share common history, culture and struggle against British rule. J Jayalalithaa sparkled as a star both in the fields of cinema and politics; RSS Death of Jayalalithaa is loss for the political arena; says Sumitra Mahajan Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will fly down in Chennai to pay tribute to 'Amma' Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will launch its H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV)-6 on Friday, December 9 at 8:26 a.m. EST (10:26 p.m. Japan time) from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan. The Japanese cargo ship's launch to the International Space Station (ISS) and arrival at the orbiting laboratory will be live streamed through the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) official television channel and website from December 9 to 13. NASA TV coverage of the launch will begin at 8:00, an official press release from the space agency stated. Dubbed "Kounotori," which means "white stork" in Japanese, the unmanned cargo spacecraft will go on a four-day journey to the International Space Station. JAXA's HTV-6 is carrying over 4.5 tons of supplies, water, spare parts, and experiment hardware for the six-person station crew. An article by Space Daily reports the Japanese resupply spacecraft is also loaded with six new lithium-ion batteries and adapter plates that will replace the nickel-hydrogen batteries currently used on the station to store electrical energy generated by the station's solar arrays, which are expected to be installed on spacewalks scheduled January next year. By Tuesday, December 13, HTV-6 is expected to approach ISS from below and move towards the complex slowly. Expedition 50 Commander Shane Kimbrough of NASA and Flight Engineer Thomas Pesquet of the European Space Agency (ESA) will work on the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm from the station's cupola to reach out and grapple the 12-ton spacecraft and install it on the Earth-facing side of the Harmony module, where it will stay for more than five weeks. Flight Engineer Peggy Whitson of NASA will monitor HTV-6 systems during the rendezvous and grapple, America Space writes. On its website, NASA documents the series of preparation being done by the Expedition 50 crew for the arrival of JAXA's HTV-6 resupply ship next week. In this day and age, emergency responses have been performed in a swift and fast approach with the help of technology. But can it also apply if a killer asteroid is heading towards Earth? That is what NASA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have been working with for quite some time now; they released a step-by-step action plan if in case they needed to deal with a killer asteroid. Armageddon has a very slim chance of happening, about one in one million years, according to a report. Reports say that if a killer asteroid was spotted, a core team of 12 scientists will be alerted by using email or text messaging. For NASA preparation is key. "It's not a matter of if -- but when -- we will deal with such a situation," Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate said in a press release. "But unlike any other time in our history, we now have the ability to respond to an impact threat through continued observations, predictions, response planning and mitigation." In order to 'fight' a killer asteroid, the scientists will then proceed to gather information about the space rock including its trajectory, path and even the size. Various space observatories and Earth-based telescopes will gather and provide the data about the asteroid. This is only part of NASA's plan if in case, the event happens. NASA in collaboration with FEMA recently conducted a dry-run of the procedures when dealing with a speeding asteroid. "It is critical to exercise these kinds of low-probability but high-consequence disaster scenarios," FEMA administrator Craig Fugate said in a statement. The Minor Planet Center will receive information about near-Earth objects heading towards Earth. This center will be responsible for sending the alert through email or text to NASA and all people involved But it turned out Earth is a difficult target to hit, however, if the asteroid will hit the planet, NASA's next step is to alert the White House and its Office of Science and Technology policy, who will then inform the public of an imminent danger. But the impact is very unlikely to happen in this lifetime. But both agencies are looking after the future of the Earth and are already studying trajectories and paths of asteroids that may hit the planet in the future to help the next generation prepare for the worse. Federal investigators are examining electrical appliances and equipment inside the Oakland warehouse that burned Friday, killing at least 36 people. Specialized teams from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are already on scene. A second electrical engineer and a fire protection engineer will join the investigation on Wednesday, according to Jill Snyder, Special Agent in Charge of the San Francisco ATF office. One electrical engineer arrived on Tuesday. The electrical engineer will go through every appliance, cord, anything electrical to identify if that could be the cause of the fire, Synder said. Synder expects crews to finish digging in the area where investigators believe the fire started by Tuesday night. She said investigators will need at least another day to determine the exact cause of the fire. They are still doing their job, Snyder said. We will probably know more in the next day or two, but its a little premature to make any statements about what the origin and cause are right now. Snyder confirmed what multiple former residents have alleged; that electrical issues continued to be a problem inside the warehouse, where up to 20 artists may have lived. There are a lot of electrical issues going on in that building, Snyder said. She also said teams from the ATF have been conducting interviews with former residents and visitors, as well as survivors and others who can provide clues as to where the fire started. Derick Ion Almena, the controversial lease holder of the warehouse blamed by many for allowing unsafe conditions inside said in an interview with NBC Bay Area that the ATF interviewed him on Sunday. The NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit was the first news agency on Tuesday to take a tour of the ATFs mobile command unit, which is stationed just around the corner from the warehouse. Its one of six mobile units in the country that are dispatched to big fire events. The command unit acts as an office where various agencies can meet privately to discuss developments in the investigation. Federal investigators are assisting the Alameda County District Attorneys Office in its investigation, and helping the Oakland Police Department process the scene for evidence. The probe could lead to federal criminal charges, though Snyder said arson is likely not the cause of the deadly fire. If you have a tip for the Investigative Unit, email theunit@nbcbayarea.com or call 888-996-TIPS. Watch our investigative series on the Oakland warehouse fire: Oakland city leaders on Tuesday called for an independent investigation and pledged immediate action regarding other buildings throughout the city that are similar to the so-called Ghost Ship warehouse, where at least 36 people died in a fire. During a contentious committee hearing Tuesday, city leaders were trying to understand what residents have long known: There's a complicated system of fire and building codes in Oakland. Couple that with one of the least affordable housing markets in the country, and you have an underground, off-the-grid community that's now the focus of multiple investigations. Councilman Noel Gallo delivered a dramatic list of demands, calling for a full accounting of building inspections, and Council Member At Large Rebecca Kaplan said she wants an investigation into the mayor and her staff. Meanwhile, more dwellings similar to the burned out warehouse on 31st Avenue have been discovered, and city inspectors are now investigating them, NBC Bay Area's Investigative Unit has learned. NBC Bay Area Fire inspectors visited three properties Monday in response to zoning complaints. At one warehouse called 47th Avenue Studios, no residents answered the door, but a contractor who works in the building told NBC Bay Area it houses 34 units that are all up to code. "It's pretty much live-work," said Greg Baxter. "This is all above board. This is all sprinklered, permitted, the whole nine yards." The building owner told NBC Bay Area he's unaware of any zoning complaint. Inspectors also visited a warehouse nicknamed "Death Trap," responding to a complaint about residents living in a commercial space. But manpower may be a problem when it comes to such inspections. Zac Unger of the International Association of Fire Fighters said Oakland doesn't have enough fire inspectors to cover the city. "We have around half a dozen fire inspectors," he said. "A comparable city of our size, Anaheim, Sacramento, has two to three times that many fire inspectors." Kaplan said positions are posted and hiring is a priority. "Those complaints that deal with life safety that pose a threat to people's survival need to be given priority," she said. NBC Bay Area Kaplan talked about the city's responsibility to address safety concerns. Some of the last survivors to escape the Friday fire said law enforcement and firefighters were in that building many times and wonder why nothing was done earlier. "Well, exactly, and that is why I am supporting the request by members of the public that there be an independent investigation," Kaplan said. "Because we don't yet know. Did the incident not get reported up to the next people to respond, or was it reported and not responded to?" Gallo wants a full accounting of building owners and landlords for those warehouse spaces. "Many of the property owners who are arriving in Oakland do not live in Oakland and do not live in the United States of America," he said. "I want to clearly identify in terms of the ownership." Gallo said his own complaint about the 31st Avenue warehouse went nowhere. "In my district, I have a large immigrant community that is just arriving in Oakland, and they're choosing to live in apartments in these commercial places," he said. "In some places, the property owners are taking advantage of them." City leaders said they are determined to find out where the system failed to prevent future tragedies. Watch our investigative series on the Oakland warehouse fire: If you have a tip for the Investigative Unit email Vicky Nguyenvicky@nbcbayarea.com or you can email theunit@nbcbayarea.com or call 888-996-TIPS. Follow Vicky Nguyen on Twitter www.twitter.com/VickyNguyenTV and Facebookwww.facebook.com/VickyNguyenTV Click here to submit tips online The girlfriend of one of the Oakland warehouse fire victims is searching for a photographer who took a photo of the couple while they were vacationing in New York. Saya Tomoika, whose boyfriend Griffin Madden, 23, was at the so-called Ghost Ship warehouse when a deadly fire broke out, posted on her Facebook page asking the public to help her find a photograph of the couples 2015 trip to Times Square. Madden, who graduated from UC Berkeley along with Tomoika, was one of 36 people who died in the fire, officials confirmed on Tuesday evening. This morning, I remembered the first time I went to Times Square, June of 2015, she writes in the post. I remember tears swelling in my eyes because the city was so beautiful, and, amidst all the lights, I got to look at the brightest light of all, my sweetie. She recounts a photographer happening upon the couple while they were embracing and taking a picture. I never got his name, and he just simply showed us the single beautiful snap shot that he was able to capture. Earlier in the day, the young couple had gone to see the Book of Mormon on Broadway and traversed across the city, spending a special day together. In her Facebook post, which can be seen below, Tamoika included a different picture of them holding one of the theater's infamous Playbills, in hopes that the photographer may recognize having snapped their picture. Ive always longed to find this particular photograph and thank the photographer, she wrote. Friends, possibly with your help, I can be reunited with this photograph, a treasured memory that Ill always keep in my heart. She acknowledged that finding it would be a miracle, but wrote it would be something to lift her spirits. I need some light right now, she wrote. I need a reminder of the brightest light of all love. Gillian Edevane covers Contra Costa County for NBC Bay Area. Contact Gillian.Edevane@NBCuni.com or at (669) 263-2895. A complicated legal battle is already brewing over who is accountable for the Oakland warehouse fire that killed at least 36 people. NBC Bay Area's Investigative Unit has learned that several families of victims from the fire have already contacted attorneys. A prominent real estate broker said another tragedy could happen if city officials do not do something about the proliferation of illegal use of large warehouse spaces. Several interests could be on the legal hook for the Oakland fire and face not only possible criminal charges, but a long and drawn out civil lawsuit process as well. Even before investigators were done combing over the so-called Oakland Ghost Ship warehouse, and long before the walls began coming down, survivors and victims' families contacted legal counsel to begin compiling possible civil lawsuits to hold those responsible for the conditions in the warehouse accountable. "You can rest assure they're going to tighten up the noose a bit," said Joseph Marrone, a real estate attorney. Marrone is one of the country's foremost catastrophic injury and real estate attorneys. Based in Philadelphia, Marrone and his firm have already been contacted by several families of victims of the Oakland fire and is working closely with at least one of those parties on a possible action. "If you own a building, especially a commerical building, you have an obligation to make sure all codes are correct," Marrone said. "That you live up to all standards." At the same time, Marrone said if the actual building owner was not fully aware of what was going on inside, much of the focus and potential accountability falls on the person whose name was on the lease: Derick Ion Almena. Marrone said it appears the person on the lease disregarded a lot of laws and a lot of the permits. "It seems like this individual who was responsible for the building really did not pay attention on how to correctly manage the building, and do things necessary, that ultimately may have caused these problems," Marrone said. There are also problems Hans Hansson, a San Francisco real estate broker, brought to the NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit's attention. Warehouses all over San Francisco and Oakland, sitting empty and waiting to be leased, are broken into and taken over for weekend rave parties. Hansson said neither police nor firefighters will stop these gatherings that he claims goes on every weekend. "They jam folks in there, as many as 250," Hansson said. "And if a fire breaks out, it will make the Oakland warehouse fire look small by comparison." Watch our investigative series on the Oakland warehouse fire: The Oakland warehouse fire will take an emotional toll on all those involved. For some, though, the tragedy could leave a financial scar as well. However, a little-known state safety net might help them because authorities have determined the warehouse fire was a crime, the fire victims will be eligible for financial help from the state. The California Victim Compensation Board today confirmed those affected by the Oakland fire can apply for help. The victim assistance program, with a budget that has hovered around $100 million, is set up specifically to assist people who suffer losses that are the "direct result" of a crime. We extend our heartfelt condolences to all victims of the fire, said Julie Nauman, executive officer of the board. We are prepared to help as we learn more about the circumstances of this tragic event. The programs website says emergency expenses including funeral costs, medical bills, lost wages, relocation, and mental health counseling all can be covered. A 2015 state legislative analysis showed that two thirds of the money is allocated for medical and mental health services. The Alameda District Attorney told NBC Bay Area on Tuesday that it has people actively assisting the fire victims with filing applications. Its worth noting that the victim assistance program is setup to assist other crime victims, too. Its not just for mass tragedies like the warehouse fire. If you ever need help, youll be required to report the crime, and show documents and receipts that will help demonstrate your need. People are encouraged to either apply at their local district attorneys office or online at http://vcgcb.ca.gov/victims/. Watch our investigative series on the Oakland warehouse fire: A male student at Stanford University could have been stopped from sexually assaulting at least four female students at the school if staff were able to connect the dots, according to a lawsuit filed by an advocacy group Monday, NBC News reported. The suit identifies the alleged sexual predator as "Mr. X," and says he was eventually found responsible in several instances of sexual assault. But despite being banned from campus, he was awarded bachelor's and master's degrees. The school became the focus of the national campus sexual assault debate earlier this year when a former swimmer was given a six-month sentence for sexually assaulting a woman. The new lawsuit, filed on behalf of one of the accusers, alleges Stanford engaged in systematic negligence. Stanford said in a statement that sexual assault and misconduct are "abhorrent" but suggested it was not able to act because one or more of the victims did not want to pursue formal charges. Michelle Obama did not stay out of bed long enough on election night to see Donald Trump pass 270 electoral votes, she said in a recent interview with People magazine. I went to bed. I dont like to watch the political discourse; I never have, Obama told People in the joint interview with her husband. I barely did with him, she added, referring to her husband. Once you do what you can do, then you rest easy. It was in the hands of the American people, she said. Obama stood by her passionate support of Hillary Clinton during the election, telling the magazine, "anything that I felt about the election I said and I stand by. But she reinforced her commitment to help a smooth transition to the new administration so they could be "as successful as they can be." This is our democracy, and this is how it works, she said. A longtime administrator of a city-run cemetery in Melrose, Massachusetts, is accused of selling burial plots he didn't own. John Hughes, 70, of Revere, who ran Wyoming Cemetery since 2011, was in court Tuesday morning, to face several larceny charges. "I mean, what else is there?" Bob De'Anglis wondered Tuesday evening as he visited his parents' grave site at Wyoming. "What a shame, too bad." According to prosecutors, Hughes allegedly told people looking to buy a plot at Wyoming that he knew someone who had purchased a grave previously and wanted to sell. Court papers state Hughes then used a longtime friend, female acquaintance, and a family member as "straw sellers." Prosecutors allege Hughes made over $70,000 this way. "I hope they get all that money back and reimburse the poor people who don't have plots now," De'Anglis said. In a statement, Melrose Mayor Robert J. Dolan said he was, "shocked and saddened." "We have personally reached out to the families who were impacted by these alleged crimes," Dolan wrote. "This is a very difficult time for these affected families and for all of us." Hughes plead not guilty to the charges and will be back in court in January. "There doesn't seem like, nothing is sacred anymore in this world, it doesn't seem like," De'Anglis said, nodding his head. Firefighters responded to two fires at around the same time in Malden, Massachusetts on Tuesday morning. Aerial footage showed flames ripping through a liquor store on Medford Street. Officials said the blaze rose to three alarms before it was extinguished. Revere, Melrose and Chelsea fire departments responded for mutual aid. Fire officials said part of the roof of the building collapsed, and one firefighter suffered minor injuries. The owner reportedly saw smoke when he arrived on Tuesday morning and tried to put out the flames, but the fire spread too quickly. The liquor store was the only occupant of the building. Malden Fire dispatchers said crews also responded to another fire on Daniels Street on Tuesday morning. Viewer video showed a neighborhood filling with smoke as firefighters fought the fire on Medford Street. High levels of carbon monoxide were detected as the bodies of a father and his 9-year-old son were found inside their Acushnet, Massachusetts, home after firefighters were called for a well-being check, official confirm. Authorities in Acushnet say they received a call from a woman trying to reach her ex-husband, identified as 41-year-old Joseph Lopes, and her son, Collin, living at 3 Buttonwood Lane just after 8 a.m. Wednesday. When officers initially arrived to check on the house, they a car in the driveway and nothing amiss outside. However, when officers called Acushnet Elementary School, they found out Collin was not there. Police and fire officials went back to the Buttonwood Lane home around 10:30 a.m. and detected carbon monoxide levels that indicated it was unsafe for them to enter the house. Eventually they found two bodies inside, whom were later identified as 41-year-old Joseph Lopes and his son Collin. Police say two dogs, one dead and one very ill, were also found inside the home. Later in the day, Jason Lopes, Joseph's brother, spoke to necn. "It's hard to fathom, hard to grasp, I'm waiting for him to come out of the house," he said. Lopes said his nephew loved to play outside. Joseph worked as a carpenter and coached his son's sports teams. "My brother worked really, really hard every day. That's one thing I always admired about him, he worked hard for his kids and his family." Neighbor Ben Bergeron said he knew something was wrong when he didn't see Collin outside playing like he normally would. "He wasn't outside playing so I thought that was kind of unusual," Bergeron said. "I'm really, really sorry they had to go through this." The source of the CO is still not known, but the deaths are not suspicious according to the Bristol County District Attorneys Office. "The carbon monoxide detectors typically sound at 30 parts per million. We had parts per millions in the thousands," said Acushnet Fire Chief Kevin Gallagher. The home was vented by Acushnet Fire, and afterwards the Bristol district attorney and State Fire Marshal's office will start their investigation, which is still ongoing. In a statement, Acushnet Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steven Donovan said crisis counselors will be at Acushnet Elementary School to help with students and staff "dealing with this tragic situation." The school will also be communicating with parents about the case. Businessman Chris Kennedy is reportedly gearing up for a potential 2018 gubernatorial bid, Politico reports. Kennedy, the son of the late Robert F. Kennedy, has publicly discussed the possibility of running for governor in recent months, but has yet to declare his candidacy. However, a top Kennedy aide told Politico Tuesday that he is preparing to file papers with the state board of elections in short order some time in the next month. Hes making a pretty aggressive outreach across the state, the anonymous source told Politico. He has made a decision internally that he is going to move forward. In addition, the Democrat is reportedly interviewing potential pollsters and consultants as he continues to prepare for a possible bid. According to the Politico source, Kennedy plans to make his announcement after the new year, alongside a group of labor leaders, ministers and businesspeople. He reportedly plans to partially self-fund the prospective campaign, perhaps evening the playing field with his potential opponent, Gov. Bruce Rauner, whose personal wealth and ties to rich donors have put Democrats at a financial disadvantage. Over the past year, Kennedy has become increasingly visible, meeting with labor and party leaders in Illinois. In July, He spoke at the Democratic National Convention, slamming Rauner in front of the Illinois delegation. The governors so-called turnaround agenda is another form of misdirection, part of the narrative that government doesnt work so hes going to privatize it, Kennedy said at the time. The suffering and chaos that he has unleashed on the people of Illinois needs to end. During the convention, House Speaker Michael Madigan said Kennedy would be an excellent candidate for governor, citing his business experience and family history, the Chicago Tribune reported. Kennedy, the former chairman of the Merchandise Mart, now runs Top Box Foods, a nonprofit providing fresh food options in the inner city. At the time, Madigan, who serves as the chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, noted that he had met with Kennedy to talk about a potential gubernatorial bid. The businessman is among a growing list of Illinois Democrats being circulated as prospective candidates. That list includes billionaire J.B. Pritzker, Ald. Ameya Pawar, state Sen. Daniel Biss, former Gov. Pat Quinn, state Sen. Andy Manar, U.S. Rep Cheri Bustos and Chicago City Treasurer Kurt Summers, according to the report. Following Tuesdays leaders meeting in Chicago, House Speaker Michael Madigan accused Gov. Bruce Rauner of holding the state budget hostage to help his wealthy friends and corporations. After making the claim, Madigan brushed off requests for an explanation. During Tuesday's press conference, the speaker once again pushed for working groups, a move Rauner and the Republicans have frequently dismissed. Madigan proposed establishing working groups for a series of non-budget issues, including education, pensions, workers compensation, local government consolidation and the elimination of mandates on local governments. Madigan also pushed for rank-and-file members of the legislature to aid in the states negotiations with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31. This would be in response to the governors request for what he would characterize as a turnaround agenda, Madigan said. These are all issues that are pending before the legislature. Theyre such that the members of the legislature and those who have become expert in these areas should participate in the discussions, should participate in the decision-making, in terms of trying to move toward an agreement on moving bills that would make all of these changes." Madigan claimed House Democrats are full participants in attempting to resolve those issues. Nevertheless, Rauners office issued a statement admonishing the speaker Tuesday afternoon. Today the Speaker refused to put forward a budget proposal and refused to commit to passing any budget whatsoever after December 31st, Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly said in a statement. Republicans will not consider revenue without reform. Only Speaker Madigan has proposed raising the income tax." "As the Speaker stalls to force a crisis, we call on the majority to pass term limits and a permanent property tax freeze before any consideration of Speaker Madigans stopgap spending plan, Kelly added. Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno called Tuesdays meeting substantive, noting that the two sides were able to discuss a budget. Radogno expressed her intent to pass an 18-month budget that would cover the remaining six months of fiscal year 2017, as well as the entire fiscal year 2018. That is doable, Radogno said. It has not been done before. That absolutely does not mean it cant be done." However, Radogno faulted Democrats for lacking a sense of urgency, claiming that Madigan and his staff arent worried about passing a budget before the end of the year. Radogno lauded the working groups contributions to budget negotiations, but wouldn't support them moving forward. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin also faulted the Democrats alleged lack of urgency, claiming a budget deal can be made before the end of the year. For somebody to say that we cant get something done over the next three weeks is absurd, Durkin said. All of us have seen over the years, major pieces of legislation and budgets have been turned around in a matter of days if there is a willingness on behalf of the parties to get something done." So to suggest that we cannot get a framework or get a budget passed by the end of this calendar year, to me, is a cop out, he added. Durkin urged Democratic leaders to come to Thursdays meeting with parameters for their budget. State Rep. Greg Harris, who is leading the House Democrats budget negotiating team, scoffed at the request. I think what the Republican leader said is, weve got a 5,500 line budget, why dont you guys just go write it down on an envelope and bring it back here next week, Harris said. We did not agree to that. We agreed to go back and talk to our members about the governors position, that he does not wish to involve working groups, which is what our members prefer. Following the meeting, Senate President John Cullerton said he was excited to see the Republicans budget parameters. Thatll be a good discussion, Cullerton said. It wouldnt be just our parameters, right?" The next leaders meeting is set for Thursday morning. The state's current stopgap spending plan is set to expire at the end of the month. Outgoing Sen. Mark Kirk was praised on the Senate floor Tuesday by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, lauding the fellow Republicans recovery from a "debilitating 2012 stroke. Following a contentious campaign, Kirk was knocked off by Rep. Tammy Duckworth in the November election. Duckworth will shift to the Senate in January. Prior to his term in the Senate, Kirk served in the U.S. House of Representative for ten years. If Senator Kirk had just decided to quit the Senate and focus on his recovery, no one wouldve blamed him, McConnell said. But he didnt do that. He never lost hope. He never gave up." "He set his sights on getting back to work for the people of Illinois and the nation, he added. Kirk returned to the Capitol less than a year after the stroke, climbing up the Senate steps alongside Vice President Joe Biden and Democratic West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin. Mark could rest assured no one was going to let him fail or fall that day, McConnell said. And Senator Manchin could rest assured that he wouldnt have to go another day waiting for his buddys return." McConnell, who referred to the climb as a triumph, spoke fondly of Kirks close friendship with Manchin, who supported the senator throughout his recovery. The senate can be more than just a place of work, it can actually be a family, McConnell noted. McConnell commended Kirks legacy in the Senate Tuesday, namely his work on veterans issues and foreign policy matters. We know he wont stop looking out for our country, McConnell said. We know he wont stop advocating for stroke survivors." "We know hes not going to stop," he said. Two unrelated violent incidents intersected Tuesday when a truck driver fleeing a road-rage shooting flagged down police investigating a nearby crime, authorities confirmed. The trucker happened upon the aftermath of a shooting near 87th and Racine streets, where police say a person was shot in the leg from a moving vehicle. The car involved in that incident sped off before crashing at 95th Street and Vincennes Avenue, near the Metra Rock Island tracks. Trains were stopped for hours, three cars were entangled and two of them were on fire. Four people were treated for injuries but expected to survive, officials said. It was this fiery scene that veteran truck driver Norman Scott, whose cab had just been shot up in an unrelated road-rage incident, came upon during his search for help. Scotts tractor-trailer was shot at near 95th Street and Genoa Avenue. Its a miracle Im alive, a still shaken Scott told NBC 5 after the incident. Police say they are looking for a man in his 40s driving an older model Gray Lexus who may have been involved in the shooting of Scotts vehicle. I see his car coming up real fast he jumps out the car, gets in front and aims just like this and all I could do is duck and I hear the pop, pop, pop, he said. It's an automatic and truck was still in gear and all I could do was hit the accelerator and try to run him over. Scott, 63, said after Tuesday nights violence, he wonders if he will stay on the road. "30 plus years [as a truck driver] and maybe it's time to get out now, he said. Police say they are questioning two people in the drive-by shooting at 87th and Racine streets. A suspect being held by police for the shooting death of a CN Railroad security guard has been charged with murder, authorities announced Tuesday. Rashad Williams was taken into custody late Sunday night, according to police, and charged Tuesday with the murder of Tyrone Hardin as well as the attempted murder of another CN Railroad employee, the Harvey Police Department said in a news release. Police said it was the tips on the suspects whereabouts they received that helped lead to an arrest. Williams was found around 9 p.m. in the Chicago Heights neighborhood, police said. Harveys deputy chief said Chicago Heights police surveillance teams spotted the 24-year-old carrying grocery bags near 114th Street and East End Avenue. Hardin, 38, was working a second job as a security guard for Canadian National Railroad on Nov. 26 when police say Williams was fleeing from police and encountered Hardin. Williams then shot and killed Hardin, according to police, before stealing his car and fleeing. Williams was identified as a suspect days after the murder. After being elected to a leadership role in the House Democratic Caucus Monday, Rep. Cheri Bustos is primed to shape outreach and communications efforts for a party that suffered a series of pivotal losses in November's election. Bustos was tapped to co-chair the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee after winning every county in her downstate swing district last month. In an exclusive Ward Room interview Tuesday, Bustos stressed the importance of continuing to incorporate jobs and the economy into Democratic messaging and outreach, encouraging members of her party to talk about those issues in a way people understand. President-elect Donald Trump, who was elected amid a wave of populist support, won 11 of her districts 14 counties. I cant predict exactly whats going to happen under the Trump Administration, but I do know this, we have to continue talking to working families, Bustos said. We have to continue to talk about our solutions, and weve got great ones. Bustos pointed to the House Democrats Make It In America legislative plan as an example. The plan focuses on four key areas: expanding entrepreneurship and innovation, closing the skills gap, building a 21st century infrastructure, and breaking down barriers to manufacturing. Two of Bustos bills, which aim to encourage private sector job creation in the U.S., are included in the package. We have a lot of work to do so that people understand that what they used to think about Democrats, we havent changed, but weve gotta make sure that they know that we're fighting for those values and those policies that mean so much to them and their families, Bustos said. And thats why messaging is so important. As a leader of the minority party, Bustos will now be tasked with countering the Republican agenda. Republicans will soon hold the White House, as well as majorities in the House and Senate. During Mondays interview, the congresswoman was critical of Trumps recent appointments. If you look at the start of the Donald Trump Administration, were one month into it and his choice for attorney general spent his legal career on the wrong side of the civil rights movement," Bustos said. His pick for education secretary doesnt even believe in public schools. His nominee for health and human services wants to end Medicare as we know it and take away healthcare from 20 million Americans." And then, at a time where you get working men and women who think that Donald Trump was speaking their language, hes put some of the biggest Wall Street insiders in charge of the treasury and commerce departments, she added. In a Sunday interview with 60 Minutes, Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan announced that repealing and replacing Obamacare would be the incoming GOP Congress first order of business. On Tuesday, Bustos admitted that the Affordable Care Act needs to be revised. Weve got some issues that we have to address, Bustos said. "Premiums are going up at level that is troubling, that many people cant afford, so we have to address that." However, Bustos lauded the program for insuring 20 million Americans and pointed to, what she considers, some of its best aspects. We have to make sure that we dont lose some of the best components of the Affordable Care Act, Bustos said. "The fact that insurance companies can no longer discriminate against people with preexisting conditions, that insurance companies can no longer charge women more than men for their healthcare, the fact that we have closed the Medicare doughnut hole, the fact that our children up to age 26 can stay on our health insurance." "The only way that were able to keep the good parts of the Affordable Care Act is if its a sustainable program, she added. And Donald Trump and the Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have offered no solutions and thats just not good enough. During Tuesday's interview, the congresswoman also looked ahead to the 2018 Congressional elections. We have a lot of opportunities in two years to hopefully win back some seats and spread what we think is important to working families, the congresswoman said. Spread that at a deeper and broader level throughout the country, and that will be part of what I hope to play a part in." More than two weeks after police investigated a report of shots fired inside a Riverdale home, the body of a missing suburban rapper has been found inside that very building. Police said they first responded to a call of shots fired on Nov. 16 inside a home on the 14400 block of South Eggleston Avenue. The next day, they learned that rapper Jeremy Nixon had been reported missing by his father that same day. Jonathan Armstrong said his son, a 27-year-old rapper from Dolton, was last seen on Nov. 16. Armstrong said his son was excited that he had met a sound engineer on Facebook and was going to have the opportunity to record at a south suburban home. But Armstrong said something went terribly wrong. "The detective told me they were here, gathering shell casings, taking statements, and after all that how could you not find a body in there?" Armstrong said. It wasn't until Monday that police say the homeowner where the shooting took place called to report that a man's body was found in the basement. The Cook County Medical Examiner's office also confirmed a death was reported at the home. The body was later identified as Nixon and his death was ruled a homicide, Riverdale police said. Nixon, who performed as Boss Status Duke, was using his music to support three children and appeared as an opening act around the US, his father said. "I've been here four times since he was missing and all along he's been in this house," Armstrong said. "I've had friends, family, we've searched high and low for my son and all along he's in this house." The Illinois State Police south suburban major crimes task force is now handling in the investigation into Nixon's death. Still, Armstrong and community activist Andrew Holmes say they're seeking the truth from authorities. "The Riverdale Police Department is conducting an internal review of our response to the 911 call in an attempt to determine if any violations and or deficiencies occurred by responding units," the department said in a statement. "There will be no rush to judgment as the internal review is ongoing." President-elect Donald Trump has chosen retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, whose last command included oversight of the Guantanamo Bay detention center, to run the Department of Homeland Security. Kelly, a Boston native who joined the Marine Corps in 1970, retired earlier this year, wrapping up a final, three-year post as head of U.S. Southern Command, which spanned some of the more fractious debate over the Obama administration's ultimately failed pledge to close Guantanamo. In a written statement, Trump said Monday, Kelly "is the right person to spearhead the urgent mission of stopping illegal immigration and securing our borders, streamlining TSA and improving coordination between our intelligence and law enforcement agencies." Kelly served three tours in Iraq, and holds the somber distinction of being the most senior military officer to lose a child in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan. His son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Kelly was killed in November, 2010, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. That makes Kelly a member of a so-called Gold Star family, those who lost a relative in combat. Trump verbally attacked the Khan family, Pakistani immigrants who lost a son in U.S. Army combat in Iraq, after they criticized him at the Democratic National Convention last summer. The American people voted in this election to stop terrorism, take back sovereignty at our borders, and put a stop to political correctness that for too long has dictated our approach to national security, Kelly said in a statement Monday. "I will tackle those issues with a seriousness of purpose and a deep respect for our laws and Constitution. I am honored for the opportunity to be back in the service to our country, and our people. Highly respected, often outspoken, and known as a fierce, loyal commander, Kelly will take over the nation's newest federal agency, with responsibilities from airport security and terrorism to immigration and the Coast Guard. The department was formed after the Sept. 11 terror attacks to get the U.S. government better-positioned to prevent and respond to future attacks. If confirmed by the Senate, Kelly would be the fifth person to lead the department, which includes agencies that protect the president, respond to disasters, enforce immigration laws, protect the nation's coastlines and secure air travel. His selection bolsters concerns about an increase in military influence in U.S. policy in a Trump White House and as Trump moves forward on his signature issue to build a wall along the southern border and go after people living in the country illegally. Transition officials confirmed Trump's pick of Kelly on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly before any official announcement. In Kelly, Trump would have another four-star military officer for his administration. James Mattis, a retired four-star Marine general, is Trump's pick for defense secretary. Immigration enforcement is a familiar issue for Kelly. Southern Command, based in South Florida, regularly works with DHS to identify and dismantle immigrant smuggling networks. It has partnered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in an operation targeting human smuggling into the U.S. and helped with the rescue of children arriving alone at U.S. borders. If immigration enforcement is prioritized the way Trump promised during his campaign, the department will be challenged with beefing up the screening of immigrants allowed to come into the U.S., and finding additional resources to track down and deport people living in America illegally. It will also need to find a place to house these immigrants while they're waiting for deportation. Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi noted that Kelly could be responsible for carrying out some of Trump's most divisive campaign promises: the southern border wall and mass deportations among them. "We hope that General Kelly is willing to stand up for facts, families and the Constitution. America will not be made great by dragging parents away from their children, by squandering billions of dollars on a wall that does little to secure the border, or by rejecting freedom of religion and echoing the darkest chapters of persecution." Scraping for federal funds and equipment to battle such problems will not be a new challenge for Kelly. As the head of Southern Command, he was often blunt about his need for more resources to fight the drug trade that sweeps into the U.S. from South America. During a 2014 hearing, he told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he didn't have the ships or surveillance assets to get more than 20 percent of the drugs leaving Colombia for the U.S. He said he often had "very good clarity" on the drug traffickers, but much of the time "I simply sit and watch it go by." The most contentious issue Kelly faced, though, was the Obama push to close the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detention center, and proposals to bring detainees to a facility in the U.S. if they could not be returned to other nations. Members of Congress stridently opposed any move to close Guantanamo, arguing that it is the ideal location for terror suspects gathered up in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. The Pentagon faced criticism for not moving more quickly to release detainees to other countries. Those decisions largely rested with the defense secretary, but Kelly absorbed some of that anger even though his job was simply to carry out the transportation of the detainee after the decision was made. He also raised concerns about the costs of moving the detention center to the U.S. and the expanse of security that would be needed. In his final Pentagon news conference, he spoke openly about the loss of his son a topic he didn't often raise in a public setting. "To lose a child is I can't imagine anything worse than that. I used to think, when I'd go to all of my trips up to Bethesda, Walter Reed, I'll go to the funerals with the secretaries of defense, that I could somehow imagine what it would be like," said Kelly. But, he added, "when you lose one in combat, there's a in my opinion there's a pride that goes with it, that he didn't have to be there doing what he was doing. He wanted to be there. He volunteered." Kelly said he gets "occasional letters from gold star families who are asking, 'Was it worth it?' And I always go back with this: It doesn't matter. That's not our question to ask as parents. That young person thought it was worth it, and that's the only opinion that counts." Connecticut Comptroller Kevin Lembo is the recent target of an aggressively anti-LGBT group. Lembo has been inundated with thousands of calls and emails from people from out-of-state locations after the state comptroller challenged the American Family Association's "charitable" status. "The state of Connecticut, once a bastion of religious liberty, has now become the epicenter of blatant anti-Christian discrimination," Bryan Fischer, former AFA director and current radio host, said on the group's website. The messages to Lembo criticize his patriotism because last week the comptroller launched an investigation into determining whether or not the association should be disqualified from receiving donations from the Connecticut State Employee Campaign for Charitable Giving. The rules require that groups abide by anti-discrimination requirements to receive donations. The Mississippi-based association is considered an extremist group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Fischer says the association was "officially approved last spring by the state as one of the many non-profits state employees can donate to." In August, the group encouraged followers to boycott Target after the company said it would allow transgender customers and employees to use the bathroom in accordance to their gender identities. Target later announced that it would spend $20 million dollars on single stall bathrooms. "We're confident that our boycott has played a significant role in Target's financial results," said Walker Wildon, assistant to the president of the AFA, in an interview, NBC News reported. On Tuesday, Lembo said he reached out to the group with some questions, while noting that he is a gay father, in order to verify that it is in compliance with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination. "The AFA is calling on Mr. Lembo to retract the accusatory letter he has published and to issue an apology to AFA for his religious prejudice and bigotry," Fischer wrote. A man has died after getting pinned between two trailers at the FedEx facility in Willington on Tuesday night. State police said 30-year-old Steven Todd Rost, of Killeen, Texas, was pinned between the trailers at the FedEx facility at 350 Ruby Road. State police were called around 8:15 p.m. and workers were able to free Rost before state troopers arrived. CPR was administered and Rost was transported to Rockville Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to state police. State police, OSHA and the States Attorney for the Tolland Judicial District are investigating. Blight is jeopardizing the potential beauty of New London and now the city is doing something about it by creating the position of a blight inspector. Kenyon Haye, of New London, stepped into the role. He's lived in the city for five years; hes had the job for a month. I have a vested interest in doing the job right because I'm improving my home, where I'm gonna live, where I'm gonna raise my family, Haye said. Most of his work is done from the sidewalk. Haye has the power of the citys new blight ordinance behind him. He can hand out violations for things like boarded up windows, faulty banisters or steps, putting trash and furniture on the sidewalks, and holes in the side of homes. Eventually it can lead to fines. The city also has the power to turn certain cases over to the state prosecutor who could issue a criminal summons that involve heftier fines, according to New London Mayor Michael Passero. But Haye said initially, he rather take a different approach. "I rather speak with the property owner and see if we can come to some sort of agreement, Haye said. Blight hurts the real estate values and quality of life in city neighborhoods, according to Passero. (Some landlords are) just letting the house deteriorate, and they're taking an income out of it, and not putting any of the money back, Passero said. Mercedees Bruton lives on Franklin Street. She believes a blight Inspector can help make her neighborhood safer for her kids. It would help so that the kids can play. Have better, safer places to play, she said. Haye said he gets numerous blight complaints a day. Already hes issued about 20 citations. He said his plan is to start on the north end of the city and work his way through. A panel of experts and decision makers heard testimony Tuesday from caregivers, family members, and service providers that intertwined in the world of Connecticut's Department of Developmental Services. The agency and its operations have become a major political issue in the past year because of cuts and changes to the program. With the states financial situation what it is, its inevitable that theyre going to have to find alternatives," said Gian-Carl Casa, the President and CEO of the Connecticut Community Nonprofit Alliance. The state, under direction of the Malloy Administration, started earlier this year to transition clients in state care to non-profit facilities that receive a bulk of their funding through state appropriations. Casa added, Given the states financial circumstances, to continue the status quo with the state providing services would be to serve fewer people, or we change the way the state provides services and serve more people. Rick Bush has set up a system for his sister-in-law Maria where a team of providers helps care for her every day. He describes his sister-in-law, Maria, as "high functioning," but concedes that even though she has a job and the ability to drive herself, she needs around the clock observation. "She goes often multiple directions all the time. He says he's been left in the dark on what may happen to that team if they are transitioned to a non-profit provider. It took five years to develop her network," Bush said. "Im not predicting what will happen. I know what will happen. It will be a complete and utter disaster. Caregiver Carol Lasch provides direct assistance in a pair of homes in Eastern Connecticut for a non-profit provider, the kind of organization that would assume most of the state's duties. She's only concerned with ensuring that patients are taken care of, down to the most basic of ways. "I want to see the clients clean, happy, well fed and well taken care of." Bush isn't yet sold, and he's anxiously waiting for answers on what the future may look like given his sister-in-law's dependence on the state of Connecticut. I think relying is a gross understatement. Its imperative and impossible for her to exist without this network of support. Its impossible. She would fail as a human being. Our society would be burdened by her as a human being if she was not taken care of. The Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven was red, white and blue Wednesday morning to mark the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. On Dec. 7, 1941, more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen, nearly half on the battleship USS Arizona, were killed in the attack and 1,100 injured. After the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered a speech before Congress, calling Dec. 7 a "date which will live in infamy," and the U.S. declared war against Japan. Starbucks announced Wednesday that it plans to open standalone Italian bakeries in three U.S. cities between late 2017 and early 2018. The bakeries, called Princi, will come to New York, Chicago and Seattle, according to an announcement on the global coffee chain's website. In addition, Starbucks plans to open "Reserve Roasteries" in Shanghai, Tokyo and New York in 2017 and 2018. The first Reserve Roastery opened in Seattle in 2014 and was advertised as a 15,000 square foot space, "dedicated to roasting, coffee education and increasing availability of the companys small-lot Reserve coffees." President-elect Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that he would cancel Boeing's contract to build a new presidential aircraft to replace the aging Reagan-era model that currently shuttles the president around the world, inaccurately citing "out of control" costs of more than $4 billion in a tweet. Trump began his onslaught against Boeing at 8:52 a.m., tweeting "Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!" The tweet came 22 minutes after The Chicago Tribune posted a story in which the Boeing CEO voiced concerns about Trump's views on trade. The president-elect then descended to the lobby of the Manhattan skyscraper that bears his name to reiterate his case. "The plane is totally out of control," Trump told reporters in the lobby of Trump Tower, deeming the deal "ridiculous." "I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number. We want Boeing to make a lot of money, but not that much money." But Trump's tweet was factually incorrect. The U.S. Air Force contract is for a pair of Boeing 747 jets, not one, to replace the two variants of the aircraft that are in rotation. Boeing has not yet been awarded the money to build the proposed replacements. "We are currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serve the unique requirements of the president of the United States," Boeing responded to Trump Tuesday in a statement. The Government Accountability Office, the government's auditing arm, in March of this year estimated total program costs at more than $3.2 billion between the 2010 and 2020 federal budget years. Separately, Defense Department and Air Force officials say the overall cost of two new aircrafts, including development, construction and future maintenance, could cost at least $4 billion. The government has contracted with Boeing to build two new planes, which would go into service around 2024. That means Trump might never fly on the aircraft, which carry U.S. presidents around the globe. "We look forward to working with the U.S. Air Force on subsequent phases of the program allowing us to deliver the best planes for the president at the best value for the American taxpayer," the company added. The Air Force has pressed for a faster schedule, saying the aging current Boeing 747s are becoming too expensive to repair and keep in good flying shape. The current aircrafts that the president uses for the bulk of his foreign and domestic travel are getting older and breaking down more often, officials say. The planes were built in the 1980s and began flying in the early 1990s. One took President Barack Obama on a trip to MacDill Air Force in Tampa, Florida, on Tuesday. Air Force One, the distinctive blue-and-white plane with the U.S. flag on its tail and the presidential seal, is basically a flying office for the president, complete with sophisticated communications, military and other capabilities. Safety of the president is paramount, and the government started the process to replace the aging aircraft with younger versions that take advantage of the most-up-to-date advances in technology. Air Force One is unlike most aircraft. It can be refueled in the air and, with an unlimited range, can take the president wherever he needs to go. Its electrical systems are hardened to protect against an electromagnetic pulse, and the plane has advanced secure communications equipment that will allow it to function as mobile command center in the event of an attack on the United States, according to the White House. The president and most of those who travel with him aboard Air Force One enjoy 4,000 square feet of floor space on three levels, including a suite for the president with an office and a conference room. A medical suite that can function as an operating room, in an emergency, and a doctor is always on board. The plane has quarters for those who regularly accompany the president on trips, including White House staff, Secret Service agents, traveling journalists and other guests. Trump generally does not allow the press on his own plane. Boeing shares dipped in pre-market trading after Trump's tweet, creating what amounted to a paper loss of around $1.5 billion in the company's market value. But shareholders who held onto the stock didn't end up losing anything from the knee-jerk reaction, as the stock actually rose in regular market trading. Trump had tweeted in 2013 that he owned Boeing stock, but a spokesman said Tuesday he sold all of his stock holdings in June. That sale was not publicized by the campaign at the time, and aides did not reveal how much cash it might have generated. If Trump had held onto his stock portfolio, he would have been required to repeatedly file reports with the U.S. Office of Government Ethics. A 2012 update of the Ethics in Government Act obliges presidents and other senior government officials to report such transactions. Trump now uses his own plane, a Boeing 757, which he has outfitted with white leather and gold, a large flat-screen television and a bedroom. But as president it is expected that he would travel aboard the Air Force jet. Not long after his first appearance, Trump returned to the lobby with Masayoshi Son, the CEO of SoftBank, a massive telecommunications company that counts Sprint among its holdings. Trump pointed proudly to Son's commitment to invest $50 billion in the United States, which Trump said could create 50,000 jobs. Trump who also tweeted the deal shook Son's hand and posed for photos, reveling as he had last week when he toured a Carrier plant in Indiana where he said he had instigated an agreement that will preserve about 1,000 jobs the appliance maker had planned to move to Mexico. After unexpectedly closings its doors last week, the Cheshire Country Day School in Southington is closing permanently, according to a letter sent to parents. Earlier this week the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters reported the day care shut down without warning to parents or the Office of Early Childhood. On Friday the schools administration told parents the facility would be closed for a week due to issues with maintenance and student registration. Day care facilities are required by law to give 30-days notice to the OEC as well as parents. In a new letter dated Dec. 6, and signed by CCDS Administration, the school announced it would be closing the center permanently. When we made the decision to close due to health and safety concerns that we felt were serious enough to warrant closing, we anticipated opening again with renewed energy, resources, and support. In lieu of feedback that we have received from parents with regards to their future plans for childcare we decided it would be best to close the center permanently. In anticipation of further parent issues and concerns, we have notified the state of our intentions to close permanently, the letter read, in part. The letter also stated that anyone who needed to collect belongings from the center should contact the landlor, Marge Lessard, at 843-685-2002. Lessard tells NBC Connecticut the day care owner, Asher Sussman, reached out to her Tuesday and said he was leaving. Lessard says Sussman still owes money but did not say how much. Earlier this week he owned $3,700 a month rent for October and November. Companies that do a lot of business with the U.S. government have been on President Elect Donald Trumps radar. Most recently, it was the Boeing Corporation. Tuesday morning Trump criticized the company for planning to build an Air Force One program thats too expensive in his opinion. These comments come just days after Trump got Carrier a subsidiary of Connecticut based United Technologies to keep hundreds of jobs at its Indiana gas furnace plant. The company's CEO gave an exclusive interview on the subject with our sister network, from a Pratt and Whitney shop room floor in Middletown. CEO Greg Hayes insists there was no deal to save hundreds of Carrier jobs slated to head to Mexico. He says it was a combination of factors, including $700,000 in tax breaks for a decade and also automating the Indianapolis facility, We're going to make a $16 million investment in that factory in Indianapolis to automate it, to drive the cost down so that we continue to be competitive, now, is it as cheap is moving to Mexico lower cost labor? No, but we will make that plant competitive just because we'll make the capital investments there. what that ultimately means is there will be fewer jobs." A statement like that that could send chills down the spines of UTC workers in Connecticut, the proud home of thousands of employees working for aircraft engine maker Pratt and Whitney, Otis Elevator, and aerospace company Hamilton Sundstrand. However, Hayes had this to say about many of the jobs UTC has in our state, These are the kind of jobs that we can do in America because they require high skill and high value add, where the assembly lines in Indiana, great people, but the skill set to do those jobs are very different than what it takes to assemble a jet engine." John Harrity, the president of the State Council of Machinists, which represents workers at Pratt and Whitney and Hamilton Sundstrand, tells the Troubleshooters the high skill work the CEO refers to is great work for us to have in Connecticut. But on the UTC jobs in Indiana that are going to Mexico. You're laying off workers, and you're laying off customers. To the extent that we can take steps to be more competitive, we can collaborate with management. But for management to become wealthy beyond its wildest dreams doesnt help anybody. In the long run all of us lose out. Here is the link to CNBC's full interview with UTC CEO Greg Hayes. A storm that looked fairly impressive earlier today to our southwest is falling apart as it moves into Connecticut - as we expected. This evening and tonight as the leftover lift and moisture moves in we'll see rain and some mix in the hilltowns. Fairfax County Police The latest High Resolution Rapid Refresh model (HRRR) shows a sharp gradient from nearly a half inch of liquid precipitation tonight around Greenwich to barely a few hundreths of an inch around Hartford. The western part of the state stands the best chance to get a period of steady precipitation - and in the hills a bit of snow - before the storm really bites the dust. With marginal cold air around and only light precipitation in most areas we will struggle to get any appreciable wintry precipitation. This forecast of 2-meter temperatures off the HRRR at 11 p.m. shows temperatures close to freezing around Waterbury and in the hills of western Connecticut - but temperatures in the mid and upper 30s in the Connecticut River valley and along the shoreline. Getty Images So the bottom line is don't expect a whole lot out of this system. A bit of light rain for the shoreline and the valley (a bit more precipitation - up to a 1/4" down toward Stamford) and a light mix in the hills. Temperatures will be just marginal enough that some towns in western Connecticut may scrape together an inch or two of snow if the heavier precipitation can make it across the New York border. Ian Desmond, who played center field for the Texas Rangers in 2016, has signed with the Colorado Rockies, according to a report. MLB's Ken Rosenthal was the first to report Desmond's free agent five-year deal reportedly worth nearly $70 million Wednesday morning. Source: Desmond with #Rockies is multi-year. Likely will play 1B and also OF. Rox forfeit No. 11 pick in draft, first unprotected selection. Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 7, 2016 Because Desmond rejected the Rangers' qualifying offer, they'll receive a pick in the 2017 MLB Draft's first compensatory round. The Rockies will also give up their first-round pick No. 11 overall. After spending his first seven seasons playing shortstop for the Washington Nationals, the 31-year-old Desmond signed a one-year deal to be the Rangers' center fielder. Desmond appeared in 156 games for the Rangers in 2016, hitting .285/.335/.446 with 22 home runs and 21 stolen bases. He was also named to his second All-Star team. Poland's Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a refusal to have filmmaker Roman Polanski extradited to the U.S. if he enters Poland. The ruling, which runs contrary to the justice minister's request, closes the case. Polanski is wanted in the U.S. in a case involving sex with a minor that has haunted him for almost 40 years. He lives in France, where he was born, and also has a home in Switzerland, but has often visited Poland, where he grew up and studied at a film academy. The three-judge panel rejected a request by Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro to overturn the extradition refusal and upheld the procedure and decision taken by a lower court in Krakow in 2015. "We feel relief," said Jerzy Stachowicz, one of Polanski's lawyers. "As of today, the case is closed once and for all." Another lawyer, Jan Olszewski, said Polanski has paid dearly for what he has done, with all the films that he was not able to make in Hollywood and the 40 years of stigma. "You can hardly imagine a heavier punishment" for a filmmaker, Olszewski said. Polanski was preparing to make a film in Poland last year, but canceled his plans after Ziobro's move. Polanski would not comment on the decision, his lawyer in France, Herve Termime, told The Associated Press. The justice minister revived the case in May, months after the conservative government took office. Ziobro argued that Polanski should be punished and that his celebrity status was the only thing shielding the Oscar-winning director from being extradited. The lower court had argued Polanski, 83, had served over 350 days of prison terms and house arrest in the U.S and Switzerland, which was more than the original U.S. verdict. It also said he would probably not get a fair trial in the U.S. if he was extradited. The director pleaded guilty in 1977 to one count of unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl during a photo shoot in Los Angeles. In a deal with the judge, he served 42 days in prison, but then fled the U.S., fearing the judge would have him imprisoned again for much longer. The U.S., which has been seeking to bring Polanski back before a court, asked Poland last year to extradite him. Eight artists with North Texas ties have been nominated for a Grammy Award. First up was 26-year-old Arlington native Maren Morris, who is nominated for four awards: Best New Artist, Best Country Solo Performance (My Church), Best Country Song (My Church) and Best Country Album (Hero). Ive grown up watching the Grammys, and they are such a pinnacle for an artist. Im so honored to be nominated by my peers who I am so inspired by every day, said Morris in a statement on her website. After the nominees were announced Morris said she was "shook" on Twitter. Four Grammy nominations?! I'M SHOOK. MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) December 6, 2016 Morris followed up her first tweet with another on being this week's musical guest on Saturday Night Live. Between the Grammy nominations and playing @nbcsnl this Saturday, I might pass out. I hope @JohnCena gives me a hug. MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) December 6, 2016 Soulful Fort Worth-native Leon Bridges released his debut album "Coming Home" in June 2015, for which he was nominated for Best R&B Album of the Year. Bridges ended up losing to D'Angelo and The Vanguard but is back this year with another nomination -- this time for Best Music Video for the song "River." He faces still competition in Houston native Beyonce (Formation), Coldplay (Up & Up), Jamie XX (Gosh) and OK Go (Upside Down & Inside Out). River Nominated for Best Music Video. When you stay true to yourself you shine. pic.twitter.com/g5veF3DJvB Leon Bridges (@leonbridges) December 6, 2016 Arlington's two-time Grammy Award-winning a cappella group Pentatonix are once again nominated for a gold statue. In 2015 and 2016 the vocalists took home the Grammys for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella. In 2017 the group is nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for the song Jolene, a collaboration with country legend Dolly Parton. Honored our cover of "Jolene" with @DollyParton has been nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance! #GrammyNominations pic.twitter.com/AICLrlXElZ Pentatonix (@PTXofficial) December 6, 2016 Pentatonix vocalist and beatboxer Kevin Olusola jumped on Twitter Tuesday to thank fans, and Dolly Parton, for making it happen. Grammy Award-winning songwriter Shane McAnally has penned songs for superstars Kacey Musgraves, Kelly Clarkson, Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, among others. So far he's won two awards, both in 2014 where he won Best Country Album (Same Trailer Different Park by Kacey Musgraves) and Best Country Song (Merry Go Round, sung by Kacey Musgraves). McAnally scored another nomination in 2014 for Best Country Song (Mama's Broken Heart, sung by Miranda Lambert). In 2015 he was again nominated for Best Country Song (American Kids, sung by Kenny Chesney). In 2016 he was nominated twice more for two Best Country Album nominations (Pageant Material by Kacey Musgraves and Montevallo by Sam Hunt). In 2017 he is again nominated for Best Country Song (Vice, sung by Miranda Lambert) along with fellow songwriters Miranda Lambert and Josh Osborne. A new military initiative at the George W. Bush Institute focuses on psychological affects of war on veterans and their return to civilian life. According to the institute, when the general public thinks of a service member injured while fighting in a conflict zone, they likely think of visible wounds like limb loss or severe burn however some men and women return with symptoms of the invisible wounds of war: post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, or both. The message from Col. Miguel Howe, the director of the Military Service Initiative at the Bush Institute, is that with proper care, these wounds are treatable and warriors can continue to lead on and off the battlefield. "Those who return home with the invisible wounds of war post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury and others may find it challenging to tackle the barrier their injury presents to meaningful transition to civilian life," Howe said. He is leading the effort at the Bush Institute to work with community partners to better the mental health care available for returning veterans. "For a lot of reasons connected to the broader issue mental health care, we, as a nation, have a lot of work to do to improve the high quality of care," Howe said. He says stigmas and stereotypes exist within and outside of the military community, and military members hesitate to ask for help because they believe that it will make them look weak, that their families and friends won't understand, or that it will negatively impact their employment opportunities. He also says some feel that if they do ask for help, it will affect their ability to find a job. "When they take off that uniform, we still need that leadership in our businesses, in our communities, in our families and across our nation," Howe said. And while the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, he says, is doing what it can, the Bush Institute is pushing for better care and resources in the private and non-profit arena. "We now see almost 45,000 nonprofits across the country who have emerged to serve and support military families," he said. Metrocare Services' Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic in Addison is one of those nonprofits. It opened in June and has already counseled hundreds of families, accepting each case regardless of someone's ability to pay. "The VA, in many cases, is not a place where the veteran themselves would like to go. Or the VA might be, in some cases, challenged to get people in in a timely fashion, so it's critical to fill that gap," said Dr. John Burruss, CEO of Metrocare Services. Click here for more information on the wellness work at the Bush Center. The story of Jacob Schick is one of service; it's also one of sacrifice. "I knew at the age of 8-years-old that I was going to be a Marine," said Schick, who would be following his family lineage of war fighters. "Cause I just wanted to be able to say, I did my part.' I want to contribute to this thing that we call freedom." He signed up in high school, but even before boot camp he knew combat was in his future. "When that second plane hit that south tower, I knew at the ripe old age of 19 I'm going to war," said Schick. Three years later, driving a Humvee in Iraq, Schick hit an IED. "We hit the bomb. Um, I remember everything. I remember everything. I remember being in the air, knowing that this is bad. This is really bad, said Schick. The bomb blew him through the roof of his Humvee. His list of injuries from the blast included having his right leg amputated below the knee, his left pinky finger blown off and a hole through his arm. His recovery included 46 operations, 23 blood transfusions and 18 months in the hospital -- they weren't the worst part. "It's the wounds you can't see that live six inches in between your ears that will be most detrimental to your well-being," Schick said. He became addicted to pain medication and overcome with depression. "Just constantly contemplated suicide, said Schick. Just wondering, would it be easier if I was just gone?" He said after about a year of that struggle, his wife, Laura, pleaded to him. "She just looked at me and she said, 'Jake, the difference between you eating a bullet and living the way you're living is time, but the outcome's gonna be the same. You're killing yourself.' And she said, 'You owe it to your brothers that didn't come home, and those that did and still love and respect you, to not only live, but live well. That's the only way you can truly honor them. And you're being a selfish bastard, and I was like, 'Roger that,'" said Schick. That next day, he started trying to get clean, but detoxing brought on a whole new battle. "With 100 percent conviction I know why addicts stay addicts, because I've never been that ill in my life. I don't know what was worse: getting blown up or getting clean," said Schick. Shick has now been clean for 10 years and enjoys riding motorcycles alongside his fellow veterans and co-workers at 22Kill, while working to convince his military brothers and sisters that this life is worth living "If you're struggling, tell someone. It's OK. It's OK to not be OK," said Schick. He said the way people can help, is simply by recognizing that the biggest battles can't always been seen. "Everyone in here is fighting something. Everyone in here is battling something, said Schick. So just go out of your way to treat everybody you meet as if they had a broken heart." Schick has been in documentaries about veterans and movies like American Sniper. He also works as the executive director of 22Kill, an organization famous for its pushup challenge. It's all in an effort to awareness about veteran suicide. The Dallas City Council heard the city's plan to fix the ailing Dallas Police and Fire Pension plan Wednesday, including a proposal to reduce benefit checks for the members who have withdrawn more than $500 million in deferred retirement funds since August. Dallas Chief Financial Officer Elizabeth Reich presented the plan to the city council, which is to vote on it next week. She said the proposal would bring the pension plan, which has been plagued by overvalued real estate investments and the large volume of withdrawals, to 100 percent solvency in 30 years. Actuaries hired by the pension system estimated earlier this year that the plan, which covered about 9,900 members and beneficiaries as of the last annual report, was 45 percent funded and could become insolvent in 15 years. After members withdrew more than $500 million in deferred retirement funds, the $1.5 billion plan is closer to 36 percent funded and could be insolvent in 10 years, the city said. The Dallas City Council heard the citys plan to fix the ailing Dallas Police and Fire Pension plan Wednesday, including a proposal to reduce benefit checks for the members who have withdrawn more than $500 million in deferred retirement funds since August. Reich said the proposed plan would consider a portion of those withdrawn funds prepaid benefits and reduce the monthly checks sent to those retirees. The proposal would allow retirees to return a portion of the withdrawn funds to avoid the reduction in monthly checks. Reich said the proposal calls for the city to infuse about $1 billion into the system over the next 30 years and would also reduce or eliminate some provisions including a guaranteed 8 percent interest return on the deferred retirement plans. She noted that there were 517 deferred retirement accounts as of Nov. 18 with more than $1 million, 39 of which had more than $2 million and the largest of which was worth $4.3 million. "Among peer group cities, Dallas has the most generous (deferred retirement) plan," Reich said. "Police and fire took advantage of something they were offered, and it was a great deal, and I don't fault anyone for that." The city's proposal comes as members of the pension system are voting on a different set of proposed changes designed by the system's leadership. A phone call to the pension plan's executive director was not immediately returned Wednesday. It was unclear whether city and pension officials would combine the two proposals before submitting a fix to state lawmakers. State Rep. Dan Flynn, who chairs the House committee on pensions, said he'd like to see one plan presented to the Legislature. "While we still have a ways to go in bringing both sides together for the good of the thousands of police and fire still on the job, this is a good first step," he said. Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings praised the new city plan Wednesday. "We execute this plan, were in great shape," Rawlings said. "Its still going to cost more money. Its going to take some money out of roads. Its going to take some money out of libraries. But were going to have great police and fire and thats what the key is here -- to save those benefits for those thousands of police and firefireman that have dedicated their lives to our city." Anxious employees and retirees attended the briefing where the new city pension plan was released. "It is unsettling, uncertainty that is going on," said Police retiree Ken Sprecher. "It creates a lot of anxiety on the part of everyone involved." Police and fire union leaders spoke about cooperation but pointed out final decisions will rest with state lawmakers. "Everybody wants to work together with the city. No one wants to buck the city. We all get paychecks from the city. So, weve got to sit down and figure this plan out together," said Dallas Police Association leader Frederick Frazier. A vote of pension members is currently being taken on the Pension Board's own reform plan which does not go as far as the new city plan in benefit reduction and increased contributions. "Most members understand that our pension fund needs to be saved," Dallas Firefighters Association President Jim McDade said. "We need to save our base benefits. Thats the most important part. We need to have the ability to have a comfortable retirement after we serve the city, after we serve the citizens." Earlier this week, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings filed a temporary restraining order to prevent lump sum withdrawals from the pension fund. A judge denied that TRO pending a pension board meeting on Thursday. If no action is taken during that meeting, the judge may revisit Rawlings' TRO request before a new round of withdrawals is paid Friday. Pension official said around 300 pension withdrawal requests are on file for this week. The city unveiled a new website Wednesday that details how it says citizens can help save the pension, including contacting their state representatives. NBC 5's Ken Kalthoff contributed to this report. Preliminary Pension Proposal [[405298905,C]] An employee shuttle bus crashed into a tree at Dallas Love Field Wednesday morning, city officials say. [[405230855,R]] According to city officials, the driver of a LoveHub bus veered off the road and crashed into a tree along the 8000 block of Herb Kelleher Way at about 9 a.m. The driver told police he swerved to avoid hitting a driver that cut him off. One passenger was on board at the time and was transported to a hospital with a possible head injury, according to authorities. Authorities said the driver was also transported to a hospital with undisclosed injuries. No further details have been released. Check back and refresh this page for the latest update. As this story is developing, elements may change. FC Dallas has signed MLS defender of the year Matt Hedges to a four-year contract. Hedges helped FC Dallas win the U.S. Open Cup and the Supporters Shield, which goes to the team with the best record in the regular season. FC Dallas lost to Seattle in the Western Conference semifinals. FC Dallas was 13-4-9 when Hedges started, allowing 23 goals in those 26 games. The club gave up 17 goals in the eight matches that the former North Carolina player didn't start. Hedges was in the lineup for 11 of the team's 12 shutouts. The 26-year-old Hedges was the 11th overall pick by FC Dallas in the 2012 draft. The 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks brings back vivid memories for a North Texas retired Marine sergeant. R.V. Burgin was in Dallas that day, but he says the attacks influenced his decision to join the military. "I remember the radio. I was listening to the radio and that was all that was on: Pearl Harbor," Burgin said. Burgin began his military service a short time later, in 1942. And he spent much of his time in the Pacific islands. In the Battle of Okinawa, he left his secure position and exposed himself to enemy fire. Burgin was able to destroy a machine gun that had threatened his company, and he was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions. In Peleliu, he was hit by shrapnel and treated in a military hospital. But he soon returned to his company to keep fighting. "Once a Marine, always a Marine. That says it all," he said. When he was done in the service, Sgt. Burgin got married and eventually returned to Texas. His family encouraged him to write a book about his experiences, and after 20 years, Burgin wrote "Islands of the Damned." Today, many parts of his Lancaster home tells his story. Inside, photos and medals line the walls, and the U.S. flag flies proudly outside. "I though the story should be written, should be told," he said. His story has been told several ways, including in the HBO miniseries, The Pacific. "I want people to remember the sacrifice we went through in World War II," Burgin said. Seventy-five years after the day that President Franklin D. Roosevelt said would live in infamy, Dallas native Jim Hardwick sifts through black and white pictures from the 1940s. "I think I'm it," he said about his place in history. "I don't know another one." Hardwick, 93, is certainly one of the last North Texans who can give a first-hand account about what happened at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. It was a Sunday morning. Hardwick, a Navy sailor, was wrapping up a weekend celebrating his 18th birthday, and he and his friends were resting on a beach when they got word of the attack. "We didn't know what the hell was going on. We heard the explosions. We arrived there after the torpedo attack," he recalled. "But the horizontal bombers were coming in when we entered Pearl Harbor, heading for our ship. Over on my right I saw the Arizona going down, the California, the Oklahoma and West Virginia and all of Battleship Row." It was surreal, Hardwick said. "Billowing clouds of smoke and fire. Bodies floating in the water," he recalled. More than 3,500 Americans were killed or wounded that day, and the surprise attack led to America entering World War II. "I thought I couldn't be father away from the war than Pearl Harbor, Hawaii," Hardwick remembered thinking. He arrived on the sunny beaches of Pearl Harbor on Nov. 19, 1941. "I read in the paper that when you were 17, with your parents' consent, you could join the Navy, so that's what I did," he said. He was assigned to the U.S.S. Honolulu. "Monday mornings we'd set out for war games around the islands, for gunnery practice or whatever, and Friday the fleet came into Pearl Harbor. And you were given shore leave or liberty, and that was your weekend," he explained. "Then, on Monday, you were back out at sea for drills. All of that was certainly well known by the Japanese, and they chose Sunday morning for the attack. They knew the whole fleet would be sitting there like sitting ducks." Hardwick's ship, the Honolulu, was hit with a 500-pound bomb, but remarkably no one died. The crew was ordered to stand guard, as Hardwick put it, "Waiting for the next shoe to drop." "We were on our battle stations waiting to see what happened. We waited and waited and waited, but nothing else happened," he said. The attack was over. Hardwick received a medal for his actions at Pearl Harbor. He has dozens of medals for his service. Behind each medal is a memory, a story that with each passing day become more difficult to tell. "The last reunion had five out of a crew of 1,000," Hardwick said. "None of them were Pearl Harbor survivors. I was the only one in the group." A heated Twitter war among U.S. senators from Texas and Arkansas boiled down to a blind taste test in the U.S. Capitol Wednesday. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz faced off against Sens. Tom Cotton and John Boozman of Arkansas to see which was better Queso, or Arkansas' so-called "cheese dip." And the winner is... Arkansas Cheese Dip. Seriously. The results are in: Arkansas Cheese Dip wins over Texas Queso!! Better luck next time @JohnCornyn @SenTedCruz cc: @JohnBoozman pic.twitter.com/JRvH6exhXP Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) December 7, 2016 How did this happen? How the Battle Started The battle began in November, when Cotton tweeted a Wall Street Journal article touting Arkansas' devotion to the sweet nectar Texans know as chile con queso. Then, Cotton dropped a bomb. One minute later, Cornyn corrected the grave error. "The idea that a guy from Arkansas would call it cheese dip just shows how much they don't get it," Cornyn told The Dallas Morning News. If it couldn't get any cheesier, Cornyn offered a solution: "Gentlemen: On behalf of 27M Texans, we accept your challenge. Grab your chips and let's have a taste-off." Wednesday, the senators tried samples from both states and cast a vote for their favorite. Dallas' Uncle Julio's represented Texas with its Chile con Queso, which is simply described as a "spicy blend of cheeses." Arkansas went all in with cheese dip from Little Rock-based Heights Taco and Tamale Co. It's a World Cheese Dip Professional Division champion, apparently. One thing is for sure: a queso champion has been named. Even if Texans don't necessarily like the results. @NBCDFW the last time I had "cheese dip" it came in a small prepacked container with butter crackers! Go QUESO! Tim Love (@cheftimlove) December 7, 2016 We're open to samples. The Salvation Army helps people in need over the holiday season. But now the nonprofit is in need itself. Directors of North Texas service centers say theyre desperate for bell ringers. Right now, the Salvation Army has about 50 fewer bell ringers this year compared to 2015. I'm concerned, said Steve Thomas, director of the Salvation Army Lewisville Service Center. You see the buckets over there, the kettles over there that are unmanned right now, and I just have a handful out there right now. Thomas says filling his schedule this season has been next to impossible. We're having a real problem, he said. Tuesday night, there were just two bell ringers for 20 Salvation Army locations in and around the Lewisville area. Thomas says 400 shifts need to be filled between now and Christmas. We put out literally thousands of emails, hundreds of letters have gone out requesting organizations, churches, nonprofits, schools, any group that will volunteer, said Thomas. Theyre calls he hopes dont fall on deaf ears, especially since every dollar helps hundreds of people every day. They definitely help people get back on their feet, Dustin Thompson said, while ringing a Salvation Army bell outside a Hobby Lobby in Lewisville. Thompson once relied on the organization to get by. This Christmas, hes giving back the gift of time. Christmas wouldnt be Christmas without the sound of the bell, he said. Anyone interested in volunteering for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Program is asked to call his or her local branch. A list of the 15 locations across North Texas can be found here. Five finalists for the job of Dallas city manager shuttled between private interviews with City Council members Tuesday afternoon and meetings with citizens Tuesday evening. It's part of the process to replace retiring City Manager A.C. Gonzalez, who announced in May that he would step down in January. The City Council could take action as soon as Friday to select a winner or again narrow the field, which began with more than 100 applicants. Dallas leaders have big expectations for a new chief executive who will face major finance and infrastructure problems. But Dallas is also one of the nation's largest cities with a city manager form of government, and Gonzalez was paid $400,000 a year. It is a plum job. Dallas City Council members have scheduled a Friday morning meeting for possible action on a replacement. Here is background of the five finalists along with comments about them from their hometown press: T.C. Broadnax is city manager of Tacoma, Washington, a port city with population of about 200,000 people and 2,200 employees. A Dec. 5 article in the Tacoma News Tribune said Broadnax should have a legitimate shot at the Dallas job. "T.C.'s annual performance reviews come off like Hallmark cards, with City Council members seemingly trying to outdo one another in effusive praise. Critiques are minimal," the paper said. is city manager of Tacoma, Washington, a port city with population of about 200,000 people and 2,200 employees. A Dec. 5 article in the Tacoma News Tribune said Broadnax should have a legitimate shot at the Dallas job. "T.C.'s annual performance reviews come off like Hallmark cards, with City Council members seemingly trying to outdo one another in effusive praise. Critiques are minimal," the paper said. Jelynne LeBlanc-Burley is a San Antonio consultant who recently left the city owned electric company after previous experience as a San Antonio assistant city manager. San Antonio Woman Magazine published at 2015 article with the headline, "Jelynne LeBlanc-Burley: Ready For the Future." "she has been implementing customer-focused policies that utilize both technological and human resources to improve service, help people in need, conserve energy and look to the future," the article said. is a San Antonio consultant who recently left the city owned electric company after previous experience as a San Antonio assistant city manager. San Antonio Woman Magazine published at 2015 article with the headline, "Jelynne LeBlanc-Burley: Ready For the Future." "she has been implementing customer-focused policies that utilize both technological and human resources to improve service, help people in need, conserve energy and look to the future," the article said. Jim Twombly has been Tulsa city manager since 2009. The city has population of about 400,000 with 3,600 employees. An Oct. 19 Tulsa World newspaper article said new Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum is planning to change managers, but the new mayor had praise for Twombly. "Jim (Twombly) is an incredibly sharp guy," Bynum said. "I think he's just been a great asset to the city. Wherever he ends up, Jim is going to be a great asset." has been Tulsa city manager since 2009. The city has population of about 400,000 with 3,600 employees. An Oct. 19 Tulsa World newspaper article said new Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum is planning to change managers, but the new mayor had praise for Twombly. "Jim (Twombly) is an incredibly sharp guy," Bynum said. "I think he's just been a great asset to the city. Wherever he ends up, Jim is going to be a great asset." For about a year, Maura Black Sullivan has been chief executive officer of Chattanooga, Tennessee, the smallest finalist city with a 2010 population of about 173,000. She served previously as interim executive director of the Memphis Housing Authority. A Dec. 15, 2015, article in the Chattanooga Times Free Press quoted Mayor Andy Berke praising the new CEO. "Not only does Maura have decades of experience in Municipal Government, she has a passion for service," the article said. has been chief executive officer of Chattanooga, Tennessee, the smallest finalist city with a 2010 population of about 173,000. She served previously as interim executive director of the Memphis Housing Authority. A Dec. 15, 2015, article in the Chattanooga Times Free Press quoted Mayor Andy Berke praising the new CEO. "Not only does Maura have decades of experience in Municipal Government, she has a passion for service," the article said. The one insider among the finalists is Assistant Dallas City Manager Mark McDaniel. He served as Tyler city manager before coming to Dallas in 2014. A Nov. 29 D Magazine Front Burner blog article about the finalists suggested McDaniel's short time in Dallas might be an advantage. "He's an insider-y outsider Odds he'll be hired: bet the house," the article said. Several Dallas City Council members have said they strongly favor an outsider for Dallas city manager now. A yearlong investigation into a drug operation with ties to Mexican cartels led to 14 arrests Wednesday morning in Los Angeles County, according to authorities. Twenty-nine search and arrest warrants were served Wednesday morning in Southern California, Arizona and Utah. Authorities seized about $3.2 million, firearms, nearly 400 pounds of meth and other drugs. "Domestic drug trafficking organizations working in close coordination with Mexican cartels and violent street gangs are ever present in and around the Los Angeles area," said DEA Special Agent in Charge John S. Comer in a news release. "These groups distribute their toxic substances throughout our communities and DEA is committed to suppressing the drug threat as well as the violence associated with the illicit drug trade. Working with our local law enforcement counterparts, we can successfully target and penetrate all levels of the supply chain and effectively dismantle these criminal organizations." The criminal drug distribution "cells" were receiving cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin from the cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel, authorities said. The drugs were then distributed across the Southwest and members of LA gangs, according to investigators. The warrants were served at "stash locations" in the South Gate and Huntington Park areas of Los Angeles. The FBI announced Tuesday evening that a bomb threat made on Los Angeles' subway system could not be verified. The announcement comes a day after federal and local officials warned the public of an anonymous caller who indicated something would occur on the Los Angeles Metro Red Line in Universal City. Although the FBI said it found no evidence that the threat is credible, the agency will continue to investigate the identity of the caller, according to FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller. The threat of a terror attack against a busy commuter rail station in the Los Angeles area prompted authorities to increase security throughout the region and urge commuters to report any suspicious behavior. FBI, LAPD and sheriff's department officials said Monday they received a telephone call about an imminent but uncorroborated threat against the Metro Red Line in Universal City. The threat came from overseas through an anonymous phone call to a public safety line, said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Deirdre Fike in a news conference. The overseas tip line caller indicated that something would occur at the station at Lankershim Boulevard across from Universal Studios on Tuesday, she said. Law enforcement officials have stepped up security at the station and other transit stations across the area while authorities still worked to determine the credibility of the threat. Orange barriers were installed at the Red Line Universal Station early Tuesday. Armed members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department were at the station, just off the 101 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley. Mayor Eric Garcetti himself arrived at the Universal City station to ride the red line to Koreatown, telling another rider he didn't think the threat was credible. Some commuters underwent bag searches before boarding trains. "We wanted to have an abudance of caution here today," Garcetti said. More than 145,000 riders use Metro's Red and Purple lines each day, Garcetti said. The Oakland warehouse where at least 36 people lost their lives, was home to a local San Diego musician. The 25-year old survived the fire, but for hours he watched helplessly as his home went up in flames. On Tuesday, NBC 7 spoke with the musicians mother who said he grew up in Lemon Grove and then moved to Temecula where he attended Chaparral High School. For the last year and a half, the Oakland warehouse was his home. He is coping, hes doing what he can, says Laurie Laskme, as she holds back tears. "My son was so close tonot being here, but he's here, so it's a very emotionally hard to deal with. When the fire first broke out, the young musician was outside. He ran back in though, when he heard people screaming for help. But surrounded by so much thick, black smoke, it became impossible to help, his mother said.. When they knew there was no more time to help anybody get out, three of them got stuck in the doorway, says Laskme. Thank goodness, they were able to get themselves free and get out of the building. They watched the place burn down until six in the morning. Ever since the fire, Laksme has been constantly checking her phone, getting updates from her son and making sure he's doing okay. She admits that her son is still haunted by the sounds of the fire. One of their dear good friends had fallen and had broken his ankle, and they could not get to him. He's going through a lot in his mind because of everything that he heard, says Laskme. The warehouse called The Ghost Ship is described as much more than a mere structure. It was a space where, ironically artists felt safe. It provided the group of young artists a site where they could work on their projects and music within a creative and affordable environment. Its easy for people to judge and throw out negative comments, says Laksme. I can tell you this place was special. I visited twice. It was a living, breathing warehouse. A group of survivors are sticking together and going through this together. As part of his grieving process, the Chaparral High graduate is leaning on his writing and his music to help him get through the devastating loss of life, his mother told NBC 7. In a letter he writes: I can see the colors, skin and backdrop of the times I shared with my friends. Its a very difficult burden for us to bare...all of us send all the love and respect to everyone involved." Another local man, 25-year old Nick Gomez-Hall, did not survive the fire. A man accused of fatally stabbing the 3-year-old daughter of two of his co-workers at a downtown Los Angeles garment factory on Halloween and attacking a woman at another factory nearly eight months earlier pleaded not guilty Wednesday. Ricardo Augusto Utuy, 34, is charged with murder for the Oct. 31 attack on Ruby Vasquez, along with the attempted murder of a woman who was stabbed at another downtown Los Angeles factory on March 10. Utuy allegedly attacked Ruby Vasquez of Los Angeles after her parents brought her to work at a factory in the 800 block of McGarry Street, near Eighth and Alameda streets. The girl's mother saw her daughter, who had gone to give her father a cookie, running toward her with Utuy close behind, according to prosecutors. Utuy allegedly stabbed the girl multiple times with a knife. She was driven from the scene in a private vehicle, which was met by an ambulance that took her to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Police have not disclosed a motive for the attack. Utuy, a Guatemalan national, later surrendered at the LAPD's Rampart Station and has remained in jail since then. "After seeing Utuy's photograph (in news reports), an additional victim came forward and provided a statement to detectives linking him to (an) unrelated crime," according to a statement released by the Los Angeles Police Department. LAPD Detective Supervisor Moses Castillo, who works in the Juvenile Division's Abused Child Section, called the March 10 attack "very similar" to the attack on the girl, saying that the child's family is "devastated" by what happened. "Obviously this is a case that has really touched all of our hearts," Castillo said. Police have asked for the public's help in finding a man named Alex who is believed to be an acquaintance of the defendant and may be able to provide valuable information about him, the detective said. Utuy who is jailed on just over $3 million bail is due back at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse on Jan. 26, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial. A Metrolink commuter train struck a truck trailer in Corona Wednesday morning, but no one was injured, authorities said. Metrolink's website says the Line 805 train has stopped in Corona after the they collided around 6:04 a.m. near the intersection of Maple Street and Smith Avenue. "A big rig truck hauling a trailer was crossing the railroad tracks near that intersection when it experienced mechanical problems and became stuck on the tracks," said Corona police Lt. Neil Reynolds. "The Metrolink train then hit the truck, tipping over the dump truck trailer." The accident left the trailer on its side at an intersection, but the truck remained upright. "Metrolink is sending out a crew to look over the train before they let it go on," Reynolds added. The train was headed to Irvine when the incident occurred. NBC4 Wire Services contributed to this report. The owner of a Granada Hills mansion where rapper Kid Cali was fatally shot during a summer pool party has been charged with misdemeanor land use violation, officials said Tuesday. It was in August that the 30-year-old rapper, Justin Lishey, was shot to death while attending an illegal house party in Granada Hills. The homeowner, Edith Kafui Augustt, rented the 6,500-square-foot house on Longacre Avenue to a party promoter who advertised on social media and charged up to $50 a person. Los Angeles City Attorney's office filed the charge against Augustt. The LAPD hopes the case serves as a warning to both homeowners and party organizers. "To those who would want to throw illegal house parties, No. 1 we're going to catch you, No. 2 we're going to cite you, No. 3 we're going to have charges filed against you," LAPD Capt. Brian Pratt said. The LAPD says it's possible the party promoter could also be charged in this case. Inglewood resident Kenny Birdine was charged in connection with the slaying. The city of Santa Ana stood in defiant opposition to President-elect Donald J. Trump Wednesday after its city council voted unanimously to declare Orange County's second most populous city a sanctuary city. Council members voted 5-0 Tuesday night to adopt a sanctuary resolution requiring the city to strengthen existing policies meant to protect residents. Those include prohibiting the use of city resources for immigration enforcement. The resolution is nonbinding but council members expressed support for turning the resolution into an ordinance, which could come up for a vote at the council's next meeting. The council also voted to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials that the city plans to reduce the number of beds available in its jail to house immigration detainees -- from about 200 to a maximum of 128. The move is part of a plan to phase out an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement after council members voted in May to terminate the contract as soon as possible. Council members voted 5-0 to notify ICE that it will reduce the number of detainees, leading to the closure of a jail module and an annual net revenue loss of $663,743. Activists, though they recognize the city's strides, now want council members to establish a timeline for ending the contract with ICE before Trump's inauguration in January. "We need to establish a commission that is going to create accountability measures so the city follows up with tangible items that they could involve the immigrant community in," said Roberto Herrera, community engagement advocate of Resilience OC, a social youth engagement group in Orange County. City Manager David Cavazos said he believes Santa Ana is the first Orange County city to adopt the kind of resolution voted on Tuesday. At the urging of more than 40 speakers, council members also voted to establish an oversight task force to monitor adherence to the resolution and directed Cavazos to bring a sanctuary ordinance for consideration at the council's Dec. 20 meeting. Rep. Keith Ellison said Wednesday he'll resign his seat in Congress if he's elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee. "Whoever wins the DNC chair race faces a lot of work, travel, planning and resource raising," Ellison said in a statement. "I will be 'all-in' to meet the challenge." The liberal Minnesota congressman, an early favorite in the race to head the party, has faced vocal resistance from prominent Democrats, who have questioned his comments about Israel, his defense of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and his commitment to the Democratic Party. Ellison is trying to put some of those worries to rest, announcing that he'd listened to the concerns of activists and DNC members and would be a chair with "only one full-time commitment." That promise may not be enough to save his bid, which has also been complicated by increasingly vocal criticism from Jewish groups over his past comments about Israel and Farrakhan. The race to replace chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz has divided top Democratic leaders, placing President Barack Obama's team at odds with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and his replacement, Chuck Schumer, whose early support for Ellison was seen as an effort to shore up the liberal flank in Congress. The contest is taking shape as a proxy war for the future of the party, with backers of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders throwing their support behind Ellison as some supporters of Hillary Clinton search for an alternative. But part of the issue is also personal: Ellison has, at times, broken ranks to criticize Obama, the head of the party he now hopes to lead. "Keith deserves the level of respect and deference he gave to Barack Obama for the last four years," said David Brock, a prominent Democratic activist and longtime Clinton ally. While White House aides say that Obama is unlikely to publicly comment on the race, behind the scenes his backers have been speaking with top Democratic donors and potential candidates to see who else might be persuaded to run, said several Democrats familiar with the discussions. High on the White House's list of preferred candidates is former Labor Secretary Tom Perez, who's weighing whether to run for DNC chair or for Maryland governor, said the Democrats, who requested anonymity to discuss private conversations. Others, including former DNC Chair Ed Rendell, have been trying to draft Vice President Joe Biden, who's ruled out a bid. Biden spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield said he's "not interested" in the job but plans to stay heavily involved in shaping the party's future. South Carolina party chairman Jaime Harrison and New Hampshire party chairman Ray Buckley have already announced bids, though they haven't gotten much traction within the party. And Missouri's Secretary of State Jason Kander, who attracted attention for running a surprisingly competitive Senate race this year, says he's gotten calls exploring his interest in the post. "I'm going to do all that I can for the cause of progress," Kander said. "If it turns out that my party wants me to serve as chair I'm open to that." Ellison backers argue that the party must take a more populist approach after the 2016 losses, saying Democratic leaders did too little to address the economic pain of working class voters. "Keith brings a breath of fresh air to the Democratic party," said DNC member Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees president. "He believes in strengthening the economics for working families across the country." But some party hands are more concerned with campaign mechanics than message, saying the party's outreach, bench and fundraising languished under Wasserman Schultz. "Ellison talks about vision when we need a fundraiser and organizer," said Bob Mulholland, a longtime California Democratic operative and DNC member. A Florida deputy sheriff shot and killed a suspect who authorities say beat the deputy with an oar in a lake. Lake County Sheriff's Office spokesman Fred Jones tells local news outlets that deputies responded Tuesday night to a hit-and-run incident in which the suspect crashed into a store and then another vehicle. The suspect ran and ended up in a lake in Fruitland Park. Jones says that when deputies caught up, the suspect began to strike a deputy with an oar. Jones says the deputy, who was in chest-deep water, used a stun gun on the suspect. He says the suspect again tried to hit the deputy in the head with the oar, which is when the deputy shot him. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. No further information has been released. A Florida man was arrested after authorities say he brought meth to his girlfriend to smoke while she was a patient receiving oxygen in a hospital's intensive care unit. Scott Allen Burns, 52, was arrested Tuesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, Hernando County Sheriff's Office officials said. No attorney information was immediately available. Burns, of Spring Hill, north of Tampa, was arrested after someone called 911 about a person smoking drugs in the ICU at Bayfront Brooksville Hospital, according to a report from WFLA. Deputies were told that a female patient was seen putting a glass pipe in her mouth and smoking it while she was on oxygen, which is highly flammable, the report said. Burns, who is the woman's boyfriend and was her only visitor at the hospital, was searched by deputies who found a plastic bag and red straw, which had a substance that field tested positive for meth, the report said. Miramar Police are issuing a strong warning for residents as they say people in the city and surrounding areas are getting kidnapped and robbed near banks. They had two cases of it so far in Miramar alone and believe there could be other cases out there. NBC 6 interviewed a 21-year-old female victim who did not want to be identified out of fear for her safety. She said she was forced into a car after withdrawing $400 from a Wells Fargo bank on Miramar Parkway last month. The two female suspects drove her around for about an hour, implied they had a gun, and took her to another ATM where they forced her to withdraw what was left in her account. "Deep down I'm not ok," the victim said. "It's not about the money, it's what they did." Police said the suspects are black women. One has gold teeth and is usually wearing medical scrubs. The other has a cross tattoo on her ring finger. Anyone with information is asked to call Miramar Police or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. John Glenn, an astronaut who became an American hero and was later elected to the U.S. Senate, is hospitalized in Ohio. Glenn, 95, was at The James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State University on Wednesday. His condition and exact illness were not known, and officials said his stay at the hospital does not necessarily mean he has cancer. Glenn had surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in 2014 to replace a heart valve and suffered a stroke, according to Cleveland.com. His health, including his eyesight, has declined in recent years. "Anybody who's 95, any illness is always bad," Hank Wilson, a spokesman for the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at Ohio State University, told Cleveland.com Glenn, born in Ohio in 1921, was the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth. One of the Mercury Seven, the first group of astronauts picked by NASA, he orbited Earth three times in 1962 aboard a spacecraft he named Friendship 7." He spent five hours in space. He returned to space in 1998 when he flew with six other astronauts on the space shuttle. He was 77 at the time. Glenn was elected to the U.S. Senate from Ohio in 1974. A Democrat, he served for 25 years. A mother is demanding answers after her autistic 6-year-old boy went missing from school in Brooklyn. Asmaa Awawda thought the worst when a bus driver called her on Friday asking whether she'd already picked up son Ibrahim Safi from P77K, which is housed inside PS164 in Borough Park. Ibrahim is autistic and has trouble communicating. "You have to keep your eyes on him," she said. "He doesn't know how to cross the street, any car or truck could hit him." Worried, Awawda called the school, but her phone call went unanswered, she said. More than an hour later, after she'd called her son's teacher and special aid's cell phones, she still had no idea where he was. It wasn't until a stranger phoned her that she knew he was safe. The man had found Ibrahim roaming the halls of an apartment building three blocks from the school. She said the man had spotted Ibrahim as the boy walked up the stairs leading to the roof. "It was like my son was between life and death," Awawda said. Now the mother is demanding answers from the school. She met with the Department of Education on Tuesday, and she says while they apologized to her she isn't satisfied. "They didn't have any answers... I want to know how my son left the school," she said. Meanwhile the department released a statement saying safety is a top priority. "The school activated the missing student protocol and followed the proper procedure. We take this very seriously, are looking into this troubling incident and will ensure its addressed. However child advocate Theresa Monforte, who says she used to work for the department, said it was unlikely Asmaa would ever get answers on how exactly Ibrahim was able to slip away that day. Ibrahim has not been back to school since the incident, and his mother is trying to find a new school for him. It's an amazing story of survival: a New York family's house was obliterated in a devastating explosion Nov. 29, but everyone escaped alive. A week after the blast destroyed their home, Denise and Craig Kunish spoke exclusively to NBC 4 New York about what happened that day. Speaking from a friend's house, Denise Kunish described how she had just walked in the door to their home on Wailing Road in the Pine Island hamlet of Warwick. She was waiting for the couple's three children to arrive home on the school bus, but was overwhelmed by the smell of rotten eggs, even phoning her husband about it. Then the explosion happened. "I can't even describe it, it was just so loud and everything was crumbling around me," she said. The power of the blast blew Denise Kunish out of the house and buried her under rubble in the back yard. "There was a time I was just lying there I thought I was going to die," she said. Craig arrived home in a panic, looking for only one thing - his wife. "I was running to find Denise," he said. Luckily she was able to reach her phone, call her husband and climb out of the rubble, with only bruising to her face from the close call. The couple's "precious" wedding album also survived the blast, another reason to be grateful, they said. "I'm beyond blessed and thankful and trying to take it one day at a time," Denise Kunich said. The Warwick community rallied to assist the family and raised almost $150,000 for them in the last week. "This is just the most incredible town and community and exactly where we were meant to be," Denise said. The couple said they suspect the blast was related to the septic system under repair, but so far investigators have not determined the exact cause. They family is currently living in a hotel, and friends in Warwick had offered them a place to stay over the holidays. What to Know Wednesday is the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor; WWII veterans from across the U.S. are in Hawaii An earthquake in Indonesia killed nearly 100 people, officials said, as crews continued a desperate search for survivors Investigators said that a refrigerator may have caused the deadly fire at an Oakland warehouse Get the top headlines of the day in your morning briefing from NBC 4 New York, Monday through Friday. Sign up for our newsletter here. 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Pearl Harbor was attacked 75 years ago today. More than 2,400 Americans were killed and more than 1,000 others were wounded. Hundreds of survivors will be at the site of the attack to remember the "date which will live in infamy" and the lives lost on that day. On the morning of Dec. 7, a Sunday, Japanese bombers flew across Oahu and began their assault. Some children climbed onto the roofs of homes to see what was happening. The planes were so close to the ground in some cases that they could make out the Rising Sun insignia. Seventy-five years later, those children, now in their mid-80s, remembered the day that marked their childhoods. Search for Cause in Oakland Fire Investigators honed in on a refrigerator and other electrical appliances as possible causes of the fire at a warehouse in Oakland that killed 36 people, as crews were set to finish their search for bodies. A refrigerator was a potential source of the fire, but it was too soon to say for sure, said Jill Snyder, special agent in charge of the San Francisco office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Meanwhile, the Alameda County Coroners Bureau late Tuesday night positively identified nine more victims of the fire. The deadly blaze is a grim reminder of the devastating Happy Land social club fire that killed 87 people in the Bronx more than 25 years ago. Indonesia Earthquake Kills Dozens A strong earthquake rocked Indonesia's Aceh province early on Wednesday, killing nearly 100 people and sparking a frantic rescue effort in the rubble of dozens of collapsed and damaged buildings. Maj. Gen. Tatang Sulaiman, chief of the army in Aceh province, said at least 97 died while four people were pulled from the rubble alive. Another four or five are known to be buried, but he didn't say if they are dead or alive. A rescue effort involves thousands of villagers, soldiers and police. Man Arrested Near 30 Rock A Bronx man carrying a gas can and matches was arrested near Rockefeller Plaza Monday afternoon, police say. NYPD Critical Response Command officers stationed in the area of Sixth Avenue and 48th Street were alerted by a witness to a man yelling, "F--- the NYPD" and throwing a bottle. A separate law enforcement official said the man became combative when he was confronted by cops. 3rd Charged in Slaying of Hofstra Grad The son of a former New Jersey mayor has been charged in connection with the death of a Hofstra University graduate who prosecutors say was stabbed 15 times in the chest in a luxury Manhattan apartment last month and then buried in a shallow grave in New Jersey. Max Gemma, 29, of Oceanport, was arrested Tuesday after turning himself in to police. The son of former Oceanport mayor Gordon Gemma appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court to plead not guilty to charges of hindering prosecution and tampering with physical evidence in the death of 26-year-old Joey Comunale. Brokers Market Secret Service "Amenity" Ever since Donald Trump was elected, the Secret Service has kept a heavy presence at the Fifth Avenue tower, a skyscraper where Trump has lived and worked for years. Real estate agency Douglas Elliman reportedly took notice. Less than a week after the Nov. 8 election, the firm sent out an email advertising a $2.1 million condo on the 31st floor with the subject Fifth Avenue Buyers Interested in Secret Service Protection? Meanwhile, a few blocks away, Citicorp Center was designated a city landmark this week. Mistaken Ticket Earns Couple $1M A mistakenly sold lottery ticket has earned a New Jersey couple $1 million. State lottery officials say 70-year-old Dante Castillo usually picks his own numbers, but when he bought some tickets for last Thursday's Cash4Life jackpot at a convenience store a small mistake netted him big bucks. Man Lives in Huge Salvation Army Kettle During this time of the year, it's common to see volunteers from the Salvation Army standing outside ringing a bell to raise money. This is why one volunteer is living inside an enormous version of one of those familiar red kettles. You see things from a whole different perspective up here, he said. Hofstra University has asked police to investigate allegations of "extreme hazing" at a now-defunct campus fraternity after the Long Island college's student-run newspaper published disturbing images from a former pledge. The college said in a statement that the photos -- which include images of a man locked in a dog cage, blindfolded students kneeling in front of a swastika with their bodies covered in hot sauce and pledges laying on the ground covered in what appears to be flour -- were allegedly taken off campus and show pledges of the Sigma Pi fraternity's Eta-Gamma Chapter in 2014 and 2015. The frat's chapter lost its charter from the national fraternity organization last spring. "The University condemns the incidents depicted in the photos and reported in the story and has commenced an immediate investigation," the college said in the statement. " In addition, the University has also reached out to the Nassau County Police Department for their support and investigation of any potentially criminal behavior." The Hofstra Chronicle reported that members of the class were subjected to what one former frat member, who was later expelled for an alleged sexual assault, called "extreme hazing." The frat member told the student paper the frat forced members to chug milk and vomit one one another, locked a shorter pledge in a cage and forced members to kneel while blindfolded while they were covered in hot sauce. A former student and member of the fraternity emailed the national Sigma Pi Executive Director to report the hazing along with photos and videos of the depicting the described rituals. The fraternity's Hofstra chapter was revoked the next day, the Chronicle reported. The university said it investigated Eta-Gamma after the national organization revoked the chapter's charter, but Sigma Pi's Grand Council declined to provide any additional information and members of the fraternity did not raise concerns about new member initiation practices. Hostra didn't see evidence of hazing until the Chronicle's story was published. Several students at the university told NBC 4 New York that they were offended by the photos. An NYPD officer got in to the Christmas spirit in a particularly touching way: he bought a homeless man who rummaging through the garbage a pair of much-needed diabetic socks. Joshua Lagan of Long Island City said in a now-viral Facebook post that he was waiting for a train at Grand Central Terminal when he saw an NYPD officer running toward a man digging through a garbage can. Lagan said that after initially reprimanding the man for opening the trash can they asked why he was collecting cans. Lagan said that when one of the officers found out he was trying to collect enough money for some doctor-prescribed socks, the officer -- later identified as Frank Rendina -- found out, he told the man "Ill buy you socks. Its Christmas soon right? Ill buy you socks for Christmas. Merry Christmas. Lets go to the store. Rendina said that he had known the homeless man, Ron Brown, for a couple of years and had celebrated a birthday or two with him with some candy bars. So when he heard about the man's request -- he didn't hesitate. "His doctor told him he needed diabetic socks," Rendina said. "I said, 'No problem. For Christmas, I will make sure you get the socks." Brown, who Lagan said was taken aback by the gesture repeatedly asked "Are you serious?", said Tuesday he knew Rendina to be a good guy. "What he did, he did from his heart and people shouldn't think negative of the police," Brown said. "They're good people." More than 2,000 people have shared Lagan's post about the touching exchange. NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill got word of the act of kindness as well. "We can all learn something. I'm so proud of #NYPD cops, and of all NYers," he said in a tweet. What to Know Sarah Butler was reported missing Nov. 23; her body was discovered more than a week later in the woods in New Jersey The medical examiner ruled she died of compressions to the neck The Montclair woman was a second-year student at New Jersey City University in Jersey City A 20-year-old New Jersey man has been arrested in the death of college student whose body was found at a state forest reserve last week, eight days after she was reported missing. Khalil Wheeler-Weaver, of East Orange, was charged Tuesday with one count of murder and one count of desecration of human remains in the slaying of Sarah Butler, who was a second-year student at New Jersey City University. Butler, of Montclair, was reported missing to the Montclair Police Department on Nov. 23 and had last been seen at a recording studio. Law enforcement officers found her body Dec. 1 in Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange. Butler's father, Victor Butler, told NBC 4 New York Wednesday the arrest "gives me a sense of hope, but our main focus is burying her." Prosecutors say Weaver and Butler knew each other and spent time together at various points throughout the day before she was killed. Something happened, and police believe Wheeler-Weaver strangled the 20-year-old student, killing her. He then took her car and left her body at Eagle Rock Reservation, they say. Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murrary said Wednesday, "At this stage, we are only prepared to say that they were acquainted. She was a student at New Jersey City University. The defendant is not a student there but at this juncture we believe they were acquainted before Nov. 22." Butler's father doesn't remember seeing Wheeler-Weaver around. "I've seen a picture of him but I can't really say right now. I can only see my daughter's face right now," Victor Butler said. Wheeler-Weaver is being held in the Essex County Correctional Facility on $1,000,000 bail. Information on an attorney for him wasn't immediately available. Butler's college released a statement after her body was found mourning her death. "NJCU is devastated by the tragic and senseless loss of Sarah Butler, whose life touched so many throughout the campus," the university said. "Our deepest sympathies go out to Sarah's family and friends during this difficult time." What to Know At least 36 people died in the fire at an Oakland warehouse last Friday night 26 years ago, an arsonist set fire to the Happy Land club in the Bronx, killing 87 people Both buildings had inadequate sprinkler systems, dangerous stairs and few exits, according to city officials The warehouse fire in Oakland that killed at least 36 people last week is a grim reminder of the devastating Happy Land social club fire that killed 87 people in the Bronx in a little more than 25 years ago. While the circumstances surrounding the two events were different, both are among the deadliest building fires in the U.S. in the last 50 years and involved dangerous building conditions and partying young victims. Investigators honed in on a refrigerator and other electrical appliances as possible causes of the Oakland fire, while the Happy Land fire was set by a spurned boyfriend-turned-arsonist. The city of New York found that the Happy Land club was operating in violation of a vacate order and had no place of assembly permit, according to the New York Times. It also found that the club had an inadequate sprinkler system and that dangerous stairs and exits created an imminent hazard to the buildings occupants. There have been similar questions about the cluttered warehouse in Oakland. City officials said the space was not permitted as a residential building, but lease holder Derick Almena said about 20 people lived there. Almena said the group was a collective of young artists called Satya Yuga. The warehouse had been converted to artists' studios and illegal living spaces, and former denizens said it was a death trap of piled wood, furniture, snaking electrical cords. It only had two exits and a rickety, homemade staircase, the former residents said. No one has been charged in the Oakland fire, although a criminal investigation has been launched. Last March in the Bronx, family members and friends of victims gathered at a vigil to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Happy Land club fire. The Happy Land fire was the worst in New York City since 146 workers died in a blaze at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company in what is today's Greenwich Village. They were killed exactly 79 years earlier on March 25, 1911. In 1990, Happy Land drew a noisy, happy crowd of mostly young people. The club had been ordered closed for fire hazards the lack of sprinklers or emergency exits but continued to operate illegally. On March 25, 1990, a Cuban refugee named Julio Gonzalez tried to win back the woman who had spurned him. Gonzalez entered Happy Land, which was humming with people mostly immigrants partying and dancing. His former live-in girlfriend, Lydia Feliciano, was checking coats, and they had a virulent argument. Gonzalez was thrown out. In a rage, he returned just after 3 a.m., splashing gasoline on Happy Land's only guest exit and lighting two matches. Then he pulled down the metal front gate. Within minutes, 87 people were dead. That spring night, people were smothered by black smoke or fatally burned. It happened so quickly that some appeared like frozen figures from Pompeii. A few still had drinks in their hands. Some had torn off their party clothes, engulfed by flames. Others died hugging or holding hands. Bodies were piled up on Happy Land's dance floor in the darkness, their faces covered with soot. Gonzalez died in September of this year at the age of 61. What to Know The Secret Service has kept a watchful eye and a heavy presence at Trump Tower since Donald Trump was elected One brokerage firm reportedly took notice, hawking a condo in the Fifth Avenue skyscraper as "most secure" with its Secret Service "amenity" Trump said he will live in the White House, but his wife Melania, who is afforded Secret Service protection, will stay at Trump Tower longer Real estate brokers are marketing Trump Tower as the most secure building in Manhattan, a place where wealthy buyers can enjoy the new amenity of a round-the-clock Secret Service detail, according to reports. Ever since Donald Trump was elected, the Secret Service has kept a heavy presence at the Fifth Avenue tower, a skyscraper where Trump has lived and worked for years. Real estate agency Douglas Elliman reportedly took notice. Less than a week after the Nov. 8 election, the firm sent out an email advertising a $2.1 million condo on the 31st floor with the subject Fifth Avenue Buyers Interested in Secret Service Protection? The 1,052-square-foot, one-bedroom condo was trumpeted as The Best Value in the Most Secure Building in Manhattan. The New Aminity [sic] The United States Secret Service, the ad read, according to Politico. In a down market where properties are plentiful, Secret Service protection is a unique feature well-to-do buyers are unlikely to find elsewhere. Trump Tower, which is managed by Trump Corporation, became a hot location for tourists during Trumps campaign and has only become more popular since Trump was elected president. But heightened security around the tower has also had a negative impact on businesses and residents of Fifth Avenue. As the stretch of Fifth Avenue in front of the tower transformed into a White House-level security zone, neighbors like jeweler Tiffany and Co. have warned of lower profits. Mayor de Blasio said Monday that he was asking the federal government for $35 million to cover the $500,000 cost of security for Trump each day. The security includes an NYPD detail at Trump Tower between Nov. 8 and Jan. 20. Trump said he plans to move into the White House but that his wife Melania and son Barron will stay in Manhattan, at least until the 10-year-old finishes school this year. Politico said Douglas Elliman and a Trump spokesperson declined to comment. Police have released a sketch of the man who called a Muslim MTA worker a terrorist and pushed her down the stairs at Grand Central Terminal on Monday. The 45-year-old female MTA employee hurt her knee and twisted her ankle in the attack, the latest in a string of alleged bias attacks sweeping the region, authorities said. Police said the woman was wearing her New York City transit uniform and a hijab when the man approached her on the 7 train and told her to "go back to your country". When the victim got off the train at Grand Central Terminal, on her way to work, the man followed her towards a staircase, continuing his anti-Muslim hate speech. The man then pushed her down the stairs, police said. She was taken to NYU Langone Hospital for treatment. The NYPD is now appealing to the public for help identifying the man. He is described as being 25 to 35 years old, 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall, 150 to 180 pounds and was last seen wearing a dark jacket and a black knitted winter hat. Anyone with information can contact 1-800-577-TIPS. The attack comes amid a spate of apparent instances of bias crime and hateful language throughout the region following the presidential election. In New York City, hate crime has spiked 115 percent since Election Day, with 43 cases reported compared with 20 cases in the same period in 2015, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce. Bias against Muslims has doubled, with four cases reported since Election Day compared with two reported in the same time period last year. Overall, hate crimes are up 35 percent year over year, with a 45 percent uptick in arrests, Boyce said. Three schools in New Jersey and New York were either put on lockdown or evacuated after apparently unrelated threats and calls Wednesday morning, officials said. John Witherspoon Middle School in Princeton was placed on lockdown, while students at Village Elementary School in Holmdel were loaded onto buses after the apparently unrelated calls, officials in each town said. The nature of the alleged threats wasn't immediately clear. Across the New York border, in Rockland County, officials evacuated Clarkstown High School South after a reported bomb threat. Police searched John Witherspoon Middle School shortly after the threatening call and deemed the building safe, according to Princeton Public Schools Superintendent Steve Cochrane. The call is thought to be a hoax, but Cochrane said students at all the schools in the district are sheltering in place for the rest of the day. Police were also called to Holmdel to search the school. It's not clear if students have been let back into the building, but the district said everyone is safe. At Clarkstown High, students were sent home for the day after authorities found an item thought to possibly be an explosive device. The Rockland County Sheriff's Department's bomb squad was called to the scene and determined that the item, which appeared to be a plastic bottle containing concrete, wasn't a bomb. They then did a sweep of the school with police dogs, and the building appears to be safe. Employees at Roberta's, the popular Brooklyn pizzeria known for its Neapolitan pies and hourslong waits for a table, received phoned-in threats amid social media rumors that it was connected to a bizarre fake news conspiracy theory known as "pizzagate," according to DNAinfo. The news site reports that workers at the popular East Williamsburg pizzeria received calls on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 from people referencing the conspiracy theory that claims that Hillary Clinton and her campaign manager run a child sex abuse ring out of a Washington D.C. pizzeria. In the first call, DNAinfo reports that the caller told the worker who picked up the phone "you are going to bleed and be tortured." The next afternoon, someone asked if Roberta's had any connection to the fake news site that first published content on the conspiracy theory. The NYPD confirmed to NBC 4 New York that the pizzeria filed a complaint for aggravated harassment after the calls. Earlier this month, a gunman who said he was investigating the conspiracy theory opened fire in Comet Ping Pong, the pizzeria named by the fake news site. No one was injured, but it came after the pizzeria was targeted by death threats. Twitter users, meanwhile, have drawn connections between Clinton campaign manager John Podesta's emails, which were hacked and then published by WikiLeaks, and Comet Ping Pong. Users of the online message board 4Chan saw Podesta had emailed Comet Ping Pong about hosting a Clinton fundraiser, then speculated Comet Ping Pong was part of a Democratic child trafficking ring. Politifact, however, has found the conspiracy theory "fails to rise above rumor or hoax. Other pizzerias across the country -- including Roberta's and Elmhurst slice joint Besta -- have been implicated in the theory since, with YouTubers and other posting videos and photos they say link the restaurants to pedophilia or Satan worship. In the case of Besta, users flooded the restaurant's Yelp page, forcing the restaurant review site to post a disclaimer about recent postings about the restaurant. What to Know Health officials announced the birth of the first baby with Zika-related birth defects in NYC in the summer Eight other infants have tested positive for the virus, but have not shown signs of the syndrome that leads to birth defects All of the cases have been travel-related, teh city says Four more babies have been born with congenital Zika virus syndrome in New York City since the Health Department announced the first such birth over the summer, officials said Wednesday. Their conditions weren't immediately available. Eight other infants have tested positive for the Zika virus, but have not shown evidence of the associated birth defects, which may include smaller-than-normal size heads, brain and eye abnormalities and neurological impairment. All of the cases are travel-related, health officials said. Since January, more than 200 infants in the city have been born to woman infected with the Zika virus during their pregnancies. The Health Department is monitoring the children through their first year of life to assess the potential effects of their mothers' infections. Children with birth abnormalities who were suspected of having a developmental delay related to their mothers' infection are eligible for the city's Early Intervention Program, which helps families identify appropriate therapeutic and education services for their children. Todays news is a reminder that Zika continues to be a threat to pregnant women and their babies. As we enter the holiday season, we urge all pregnant women in New York City, those who might become pregnant, and their male sexual partners not to visit places where there is active Zika virus transmission, said New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. As of Dec. 2, 8,000 New Yorkers have been tested for Zika, health officials said. More than 960 of them have tested positive, including 325 pregnant women. All cases were associated with travel, officials said. Six were transmitted sexually. In addition to sexual contact, the virus is spread through specific species of mosquitoes. The mosquito species most commonly associated with Zika's spread is not found in the tri-state, but a similar species that scientists think could transmit the disease inhabits the area. New York City health officials have said they've been monitoring populations of the insect and applying pesticides to keep mosquito-borne diseases at bay. Hundreds of people protested a white nationalist's speaking engagement Tuesday evening at the Texas A&M University campus. Several groups protested outside of the student center before and during the appearance by Richard Spencer, who leads the white nationalist organization dubbed the alt-right. Some silently held placards while others loudly chanted slogans. A counter event at Kyle Field, which included music and speeches highlighting diversity and unity, drew hundreds of attendees. Meanwhile, about 400 people filled a student center ballroom some listening to Spencer, others jeering him. Those attending the speech had to walk a gauntlet of chanting protesters while leaving the hall. Spencer's group, the National Policy Institute, gained prominence and notoriety immediately after the election of Donald Trump to president for holding a meeting in Washington, D.C., in which he said "Hail Trump" and "hail our people" and received Nazi-like salutes from some in the crowd. Spencer later claimed in an NBC News interview the comments were meant to be "ironic." Texas A&M University police said two people who are not students were arrested Tuesday. Further details on the arrests were not immediately available. Peaceful event at Texas A&M has ended. Two non-student arrests made. Texas A&M Police (@TAMUPolice) December 7, 2016 A&M officials said they didn't schedule the speech by Spencer, who was invited to speak by a former student, 51-year-old Preston Wiginton, who reserved campus space available to the public. The Oakland warehouse artists' enclave was supposed to be a safe place, emotionally and spiritually, for the artists and free spirits who chose lives off the beaten track. An electronic music party had also attracted many in the transgender community, who had come together on Friday night, as they did regularly, to dance with friends and blow off steam. But physically, the enclave wasn't safe at all on Friday. A fire ripped through the illegally converted warehouse at 1315 East 31st Avenue in the city's Fruitvale neighborhood, killing at least 36 people. It's the deadliest blaze in Oakland history, and it counts at least three transgender women among the victims: Cash Askew, 22, of Oakland; Riley Fritz, whom friends called Feral Pines, 29, of Berkeley and Em Bohlka, 33, of Oakland. The father of one is lamenting how few spaces trans people have to gather safely. "My heart goes out to the entire trans community who feel as if they must gather in unsafe buildings to experience their community and celebrate their identity," said Jack Bohlka in an Instagram post remembering his daughter, Em. Friends and family prefer their new names be used to identify them, instead of the ones they were born with, following commonly accepted tradition in the trans community. And that means authorities are now also dealing with an unorthodox situation; one they said they're willing to comply with, albeit with a few mistakes. What's in a Name? When Fritz, whom friends call Feral Pines, was identified as a victim in the fire, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office on Monday first gave her name with her biological birth name. That was corrected later and the sheriff tweeted an apology, later adding that the family prefers she be called Riley Fritz, and to please respect those wishes. In an interview on Tuesday, Alameda County Sheriffs Sgt. J.D. Nelson said the coroner's office is now identifying the victims to the public by the names their families not their friends ask for, and will note the legal name, if different, on the official death certificate, which is the law. Alameda County sheriff's Tya Modete added that department was working with an LGBT advocate to report the proper gender identification. Hindu Gods, Music, Art Inside Oakland's Satya Yoga A name means a lot in the trans community, a fact that was known by most, if not all, of the creative, musical and artistic party goers at the warehouse on Friday night. "It's called 'dead naming,'" Carol Dauley, an audio engineer and past president of Transgender SF said in an interview with NBC Bay Area on Tuesday. "That means their old name no longer exists. It's disrespectful, and in the eyes of the trans community, there is never a good reason to use the old name." Scout Wolfcave, executive director at the Trans Assistance Project in Portland and a friend to one of the victims, said using the right names and pronouns is especially important for trans people when they die. "Many in the transgender community don't want to be referred to by the names they were given at birth, because when they transition from one gender to another, they want to make a clean break from the past," Wolfcave wrote on Facebook. Pastor Megan Rohrer, of Grace Lutheran Church in San Francisco, said she appreciated that first responders were taking great pain to get pronouns correct. "I just want to lift up how great I think that is, that they're taking the time to do their best, even though it's really hard," they said. (Rohrer uses they/their as gender pronouns.) Rohrer also noted that the LGBT community at large has a long history of holding celebrations in unsafe places on the margins of the community, going back to the days of vice squads patrolling San Francisco. "The trans community and the LGBT community, when they don't feel safe in other parts of community, often find safety amongst artists," Rohrer said. And yet the warehouse was beautiful, according to Rohrer, and it seemed to them that it was a great place to have a party: "That's kind of the transgender experience. There's so much beauty and there's so much risk, all the time. Here are brief portraits of the three women who died in the fire. Riley Fritz, aka, Feral Pines: 'Shined in the Sun' Wolfcave was roommates with Fritz, whom she knew as Feral Pines, who moved to the Bay Area from Indiana and was originally from Connecticut. She graduated from Staples High School in 2005 and attended the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, where she studied offset lithography, her father said. She had always loved music. "I had just texted her on Friday, telling her about something I was doing with my daughter that she and I use to do together and I know that she saw it, so that makes me feel better," Fritz's sister, Amanda Parry, told News 12 in Connecticut. And in an email, friend Sarah Patterson said that she was a "syth genius with impeccable musical taste," who was also an "anti-facist" who was seen taking down swastikas inside the Ghost Ship. On Facebook, Wolfcave reminisced about being really close with her friend they loved and hated most of the same things. "We also all had eerily similar senses of humor and were constantly joking about death, burners, body horror, poop, tiny glasses, gogurt," Wolfcave wrote. "Conversely, there were a few things that Feral and I would always argue about, like ... whether one would rather go to Burning Man or the Gathering of the Juggalos." Fritz moved to California recently and just "blossomed," Wolfcave wrote. "She went from the comically sad basement dwelling synth collector," Wolfcave wrote, "to a person that shined in the sun, and moved up and down the 1, and took in the fresh air and saw all these fresh possibilities open up before her." Photos Show Hot Spots and Rescue Operations Inside Oakland Warehouse Cash Askew: 'Brilliant, Talented, Unique' Student Askew, a graduate of Urban High School in San Francisco, was active in the Bay Area music and art scene and was part of a band called Them Are Us Too. "Them" is a preferred pronoun for many in the transgender community instead of "him" or "her." The band's debut album on Dais Records, Remain, was released in 2015. "Cash Askew was an absolutely loved and treasured member of the Dais Records family," the label and band's management team said in a statement. "We were in awe of her talent, her gentle kindness, and her creative momentum," it continued. "Her passing is an excruciating loss that we may never fully process or recover from." Askew also was a 2008 graduate of the Children's Day School in San Francisco. "She was a brilliant, talented, unique, nonconformist student," Head of School Molly Huffman wrote in a letter, noting that Askew transitioned to female after middle school. CDS teacher Terry Askhinos wrote a letter to the school remembering Askew as "a gentle, free spirited 13-year-old who always found ways to be an individual, whether it was in her class work, her fiction writing, her fashion, her art, or her political convictions. Cash was always one step ahead of the rest of us and I often held her up as an example to the class of how to make learning a work of art." The Aftermath of the Deadly 'Ghost Ship' Warehouse in Oakland Em Bohlka: Beginning her Transition Her father, Jack Bohlka of Claremont, Calif. took to Instagram to document his child's life. "Many of you will remember her as Matt. But recently she was transitioning to become a beautiful, happy woman. She took the name Em. I just wish with all my heart that she had more time to live her life as she truly wanted. My heart goes out to the entire trans community who feel as if they must gather in unsafe buildings to experience their community and celebrate their identity. Our communities must become more open and accepting of all people, all identities, so that everyone can enjoy a great party or concert in a space that is not a death trap." He also told NBC Bay Area in a statement he will be establishing a fund at his local LGBT center in memory of Em, so that more transgender people will be able to become who they truly are, and so that there will be more safe spaces available. Donations to the Oakland warehouse fire victims can be made at YouCaring.com NBC's Asher Klein contributed to this report. As poverty across the country and Pennsylvania inches downward, food insecurity meaning not having enough food or money to get through the month in Philadelphia has grown to include about one-quarter of the population, according to a recent report in Grid Magazine. The article looks at how a wide range of groups from mega nonprofit like Philabundance to smaller food pantries, soup kitchens and church groups as well as supermarket chains and restaurants are trying to keep Philadelphia fed. Alex Jones article particularly focuses on youth hunger and its greater implications. Hunger doesnt happen in a vacuum, Kate Scully, policy director at Drexel Universitys Center for Hunger-Free Communities told Grid. When kids are food insecure, theyre often energy insecure, housing insecure. Click here to read the entire article.[[238427591, C]] School officials in Camden, New Jersey, told parents this week that they are investigating a series of alleged violent encounters between students at the city's high school. At least two group fights have broken out in recent weeks, according to officials at Woodrow Wilson High School, who added that security would be increased. One of the alleged attacks was caught on video and posted on social media. Principal Keith Miles Jr.. sent a letter home to parents, informing them about incidents that allegedly happened both inside and outside school, including at the Dudley Grange Park just across the street from the school. "We have already met with the Central Office and will be increasing security presence for the reminder of the year. We will continue to mediate with groups that are having challenges getting along within our school and community," the principal wrote in the letter sent out Monday. "We encourage your student to talk with their teachers and school leaders if they learn of any activity that could make others unsafe." Parents told Telemundo 62 that they believed the attacks were racially motivated. My son was kicked on the head. He was unconscious for four hours. I took him to Cooper (University Hospital)," said Jeannette Rivera one of the mothers whom children were hurt in the alleged racial fights" between black and Hispanic students. We need help from the authorities to stop this behavior, because this is terrorism." The level of security in the school remains a concern for some parents. They could get in with any type of weapons," parent Felix Cuevas said. "We have to avoid a tragedy in this city." Principal Miles said in his letter that "in the days ahead" they would have mediators work with the families of students involved. Railroads will now use a safety measure for hazardous materials that was part of legislation authored by two members of New Jersey's Congressional delegation. Sen. Bob Menendez and Rep. Donald Norcross, both Democrats, proposed the legislation in the wake of the 2012 Conrail derailment in Paulsboro. The accident released thousands of gallons of vinyl chloride, a gas linked to respiratory problems, dizziness and death, into the air. More than 200 homes in the industrial town across the Delaware River from Philadelphia International Airport were evacuated. Menendez, Norcross and Democratic Sen. Cory Booker announced Tuesday the railroads will voluntarily implement federal emergency guidelines for hazmat safety. Federal investigators found Conrail used emergency information that didn't specify how wide an area should be initially evacuated after a vinyl chloride release without fire. [[238427591, C]] This pig can't fly but she can greet people who are about to fly. San Francisco International Airport introduced Lilou the therapy pig this week as the newest member of the airports Wag Brigade. And, not surprisingly, she's the first airport therapy pig in the United States, airport spokesman Doug Yakel said, adding that he's sure she'll be a "big hit" with travelers. Lilou happily let passengers pet her pink snout and her back (all the while wearing a pilots cap and a blue tutu) while walking through the busy terminals. At one point on Monday, Lilou did circles and ate treats to entertain the crowds. Lilou wasn't immediately available to snort and oink for an interview, but of course, she has an Instagram page, where she touted her new gig: "City pig & the 1st pig in SF SPCA AAT program." One traveler tweeted that she was more excited to meet Lilou than any celebrity. SFO launched the Wag Brigade in 2013 and Lilou is the first pig to join the ranks of friendly dogs, named Bailey and Biggie, to make passenger travel more enjoyable. The dogs and now, one pig are trained through the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and certified through their Animal Assisted Therapy Program. SFSPCA spokeswoman Krista Maloney said the idea for the pig came straight from the swine's owner, Tatyana Danilova. "She was very interested in having Lilou become certified as a therapy animal," Maloney said. So except for the "sit" and "down" commands, Lilou jumped through the same training hoops that dogs do, and passed with flying colors, Maloney said. "She's friendly and she's pretty well trained," Maloney said, adding that Lilou also visits hospitals and senior homes to give comfort there as well. "She's also housebroken, which is pretty important in an airport." For one afternoon, Senate Republicans and Democrats gleefully referred to Joe Biden as "Mr. President." As the nation's 47th vice president, Biden is the president of the Senate though his two White House bids went unrealized. On Wednesday, he presided over the chamber as lawmakers took turns paying tribute to the Amtrak-riding, aviator sunglass-wearing former senator in speeches marked by humor, wistfulness and remembrances. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., described Biden's fight to overcome a stutter as a child, the trajectory of his political career and the unusual friendships the Delaware senator forged with Republicans. Biden served in the Senate for 36 years before being tapped by Barack Obama to be his running mate in 2008. McConnell said he trusted Biden implicitly during negotiations that staff in his office knew were serious because the vice president was involved. He marveled at the vice president's resilience in the face of personal tragedy and political setbacks. "Unbowed, unbroken, unable to stop talking," McConnell said. Shortly after Biden was first elected to the Senate in 1972, his first wife and year-old daughter died in a car crash. His son, Beau, died of cancer last year. While an emotional Biden listened, McConnell told him, "You've been a real friend, you've been a trusted partner, and it's been an honor to serve with you. We're all going to miss you. Godspeed." Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who served with Biden on the Judiciary Committee, said, "We all respect him and most of us love him." ''My friend Joe," Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., told Biden. Biden's family, including his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, watched from the visitors' gallery during 2 hours of speeches. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., who won Biden's Senate seat, said, "The greatest honor of my life is to serve in the seat that you held for 36 years - and not just literally this seat in the Senate, but also a seat on the 7:15 Amtrak train down from Wilmington every morning." Drawing the most laughs was Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who recalled carrying Biden's bags when the senator was on the Foreign Relations Committee and McCain was the Navy's Senate liaison. "I joked recently that I've resented it ever since," McCain said. He later added: "Neither of us is the shy and retiring type. We've both been known to hold a strong opinion or two, and, when circumstances warrant, we would rather make our points emphatically than elliptically." The vice president decided not to seek the White House in 2015 and instead backed this year's eventual Democratic presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton. Biden's next chapter is a bit uncertain. He turned 74 last month and suggested earlier this week that he might run for president in 2020 when he will turn 78 after the election. On Wednesday, though, he said: "I have no intention of running." The driver who made an illegal U-turn on State Route 67 Monday night, prompting a fiery three car crash, may have been driving under the influence, San Diego County Sheriff's deputies (SDSO) said. The crash, which shut down all lanes of the freeway during rush hour, happened near Iron Mountain Road when 49-year-old Allen Brotzman, of Vista, was driving his Ford Mustang along the highway, deputies said. Just before Iron Mountain Road, Brotzman made an illegal U-turn, deputies said, causing a chain reaction. A Ford Fusion heading north struck his car, and a Toyota Highlander driving north struck the Ford Fusion, according to SDSO deputies. The impact of the collision set the Mustang on fire. A Good Samaritan who witnessed the crash rushed to pull out Brotzman, who was trapped in the car following the crash, right as flames fully engulfed the car. Brotzman suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Palomar Hospital in Escondido for treatment. Two of the drivers from the other vehicles were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, SDSO said. They were treated and released. Carlos Torres walked away from the crash, shaken but uninjured. He spoke to NBC 7 in Spanish, while his roommate translated, saying that he was the last driver involved in the crash. "Yeah he was worried because he couldn't stop fast enough to stop the accident," Torres' roommate, Rosa Rivera said. "You know what, thank God. No fatalities..what I understand from what I heard from police officers, praise God," said Rivera. The CHP issued a Sig alert for all lanes on the highway. The freeway was closed at Poway Road to the northbound SR-67 and Scripps Poway Parkway was closed on the southbound lanes. The roads were reopened hours later. Sheriff's officials say Brotzman is suspected of driving under the influence; the collision is under investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Deputies S. Boegler or S. Rojas with the Poway Sheriff's Traffic Division at (858) 513-2800. Food and travel experts have nominated a couple of buzzy San Diego restaurants among the best new places to chow down while traveling in the U.S. a spot in Little Italy and another in Pacific Beach. USA Todays 10Best has nominated San Diego celebrity chef Brian Malarkeys newest project, Herb & Wood, for its Best New Restaurant awards category. Also on the list of 2016 standouts: The Grass Skirt, the latest concept from SDCM, the creative group behind other popular San Diego hotspots like Kettner Exchange. Nominees for this contest were decided upon by 10Best editors and food experts who scoured the best restaurant openings across the U.S. over the past 18 months. Now, travelers can decide who wins by casting their votes online. You can vote daily for your favorite now through Jan. 2, 2017. The winner will be announced on Jan. 6. Malarkey opened Herb & Wood this past April along with his business partner, Christopher Puffer. The eatery is located at 2210 Kettner Blvd. in Little Italy, at the site of a former art warehouse. The menu includes proteins and veggies cooked in a custom, wood-fired oven and housemade pastas, plus a cocktail menu focusing on fresh herbs. Since its opening, the eatery has drawn big crowds and rave reviews. Just last month, Herb & Wood won Eater San Diegos big award for Best New Restaurant. Meanwhile, The Grass Skirt opened on Nov. 7 at 910 Grand Ave., the former site of Good Time Charlies in PB. The space includes many traditional tiki design elements, including fire pit tables, and a cool, rum-heavy cocktail menu spearheaded by beverage director Steven Tuttle. [G] Dual Poke and Tiki Spot to Debut in Pacific Beach During the day, the location serves as Good Time Poke, San Diegos first grab-and-go poke shop offering different versions of the traditional Hawaiian fare. At night, the space transforms into the Polynesian-themed tiki lounge serving dishes like okinomiyaki fries with bonito, spicy mayo and hoison, as well as pork belly buns and kimchi fried rice. As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, the leaderboard for the 10Best contest had The Grass Skirt at No. 5 and Herb & Wood at No. 8. Malarkey posted a message to his Instagram page saying he was proud of his team for snagging the nomination, and urging patrons to vote for his restaurant. The Grass Skirt also posted a message to its Facebook page about the eatery's nomination, telling customers to visit and vote. Other eateries nominated for the Best New Restaurant award include Butchertown Grocery in Louisville, Kentucky, FLX Table in Geneva, New York, and UPTON 43 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. An 18-month old baby girl found dead in a motor home in Alpine Tuesday afternoon had injuries on her body, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO) confirmed. According to SDSO, paramedics responded to a 911 call of an infant not breathing. Deputies were also called to assist paramedics around 12:05 p.m. The baby was found inside a motor home parked on the property on the 300 block of Hunter Lane. The 21-year old mother woke up to find the baby girl not breathing, SDSO said. Despite life-saving efforts, the infant did not respond and was pronounced dead. She did have injuries on her body but it's unknown if they are related to her death, SDSO said. "Based on the totality of the circumstances, we decided to take over the investigative responsibility for the case," said SDSO Lt. Kenneth Nelson. Homicide and Child Abuse investigators are on scene, looking into the incident as a suspicious death. Nelson says they are calling this a suspicious death until the Medical Examiner releases information on the cause of death. The infant's mother and her boyfriend's family are cooperating with detectives, Nelson said. Neighbors told NBC 7 that this incident was uncommon for the area, saying it was a safe neighborhood No other information was immediately available. Check back for updates on this breaking news story. A San Diego Sheriff's K-9 stabbed by an armed man, later involved in a standoff in the Rancho Santa Fe neighborhood, is expected to survive and soon return to work, according to his handler. The stabbing happened Saturday morning when deputies from the Eninitas Station were called to 6012 Paseo Delicias at Via de Santa Fe shortly before 5:30 a.m. to investigate a disturbance in the area. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a man, identified as Edward Ray Nett, 50, armed with knife, making loud noises near a staircase on the street. Deputies tried to approach the man and deployed pepper balls, to no avail. Deputies on scene deployed a K9, later identified as Banjer. Sheriff's officials said the suspect struggled with the dog and stabbed the K9 under his left eye. Banjer's handler says despite being hurt in the field, the K9 still tried to help. "He was initially stunned and then he was back in action. It was like it didn't phase him," said Deputy Austyn Elmone, Banjer's handler. SDSO Lt. Kenneth Nelson said after the stabbing, Banjer was taken to an animal hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. Rancho Santa Fe shooting investigation. Closures: El Tordo (La Granada to Ave. & De Acacia) Paseo Delicias (La Granada to Avenida De Acacia) pic.twitter.com/LwP1PWeEWQ San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) December 3, 2016 Banjer, 7, is expected to make a full recovery after the violent stabbing. "We'll go through a small block of training most likely just to make sure his confidence is still there and make sure his nose still works and doing what it needs to be doing, but I'm fully confident in his ability now," said Elmone. @SDSheriff K-9 Banjer received stitches for his wound. He will be on light duty and training as he recovers. To all our deputies, stay safe. pic.twitter.com/Qcmz5HLH5C San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) December 3, 2016 The stab wound punctured a little of the sinus cavity, so officials want to to make sure it did not affect his sense of smell. Banjer is trained in tracking and narcotics patrol, so his sense of smell is a crucial part of his job, Elmone said. After the stabbing, the suspect forced his way into a nearby apartment and allegedly threatened a man living inside the home with a knife, taking him hostage and prompting a short standoff. A disturbance turned into short standoff/ hostage situation, man in 50s threatens woman w knife inside apartments on Paseo Delicias #NBC7 pic.twitter.com/FBdbC6OYsc Astrid Solorzano (@solorzanoastrid) December 3, 2016 Deputies tried to negotiate Nett's surrender. A short time later, the suspect walked out of the apartment and confronted the deputies with his knife. Nelson said one of the deputies, identified as Sheriff's Sergeant Scott Blig, fired four rounds at Nett, wounding him and ending the standoff. Nett was taken to a local hospital just after 6 a.m. Nelson said he did not have an update on the suspect's condition. No deputies, other than the K9, were hurt. The scar on Banjer's face will remain a reminder of how dangerous the job is for both the deputy and the K9, Elmone said. Deputy Elmone and Banjer have been partners for one and a half years. A man shot in the head on State Route 94 late Saturday night has been identified, and police continue to search for two men who were on the freeway at the time, San Diego Police (SDPD) said. The shooting happened at approximately 11:35 p.m. Saturday when police received called for shots fired on State Route 94, on the north shoulder near Euclid Avenue in San Diego's Chollas Creek neighborhood. A man was lying on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound to his upper torso, officers found when they arrived on scene. On Tuesday, he succumbed to his injuries. San Diego Police Homicide detectives are investigating the incident. Police said there was some sort of altercation near the side of the freeway, and that is when the man was shot. Police say they continue to search for the two men who were on the freeway at the time, though they do not have descriptions for the men. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's office identified the victim as 22-year-old Gabriel Gutierrez, of San Diego. No other information was immediately available. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Some Poway residents are defending themselves saying they are not anti-veteran just because they oppose a veteran housing project in their neighborhood. On Tuesday, Poway City Council members maintained their November 3-2 vote against the Habitat for Humanity Veteran Affordable Housing Project near Twin Peaks and Espola roads in Poway. It would have resulted in a 22-unit complex for veterans. During Tuesdays meeting, neighbors filled the chambers saying Deputy Mayor Jim Cunningham made it appear they were anti-veteran. Your decision to conflate patriotism with the demand for housing element is at best disingenuous and at worst dangerous, said one resident. Im offended by that and frankly disgusted by that. I love our veterans, said another. For you to present us as anti-veteran was just horrible. It couldnt be further from the truth. Cunninghams family defended him Tuesday. His brother took to the podium with strong words for the neighbors. Lets call it what it is Its not in my backyard I hear all their addresses and Its not in my backyard! said Mike Cunningham. Jim Cunningham had an opportunity to respond to residents during the meeting saying, If you believe that I believe anyone is anti-veteran, you got the wrong message. Councilmember Grosch said Lets move on. Say that to the 21 families that are already qualified that already told their kids theyre moving to our city, Cunningham said. He went on to say he was proud of the residents for banding together and defending their stance. He said he has to defend his too and he will continue to fight for veteran housing. He said the issue can be revisited by city council members at any meeting. A boil water advisory was in effect for parts of Haymarket, Virginia, after a water main break left some neighborhoods with low water pressure. The advisory was canceled Thursday night after tests showed no bacterial contamination. The water main break was found between U.S. 29 and Wellington Road. The break affected water pressure in the area, prompting the boil water advisory. Affected communities included: Heritage Hunt, Piedmont, Dominion Valley, Virginia Oaks, Town of Haymarket, Heritage Farms, Villages at Piedmont, Somerset, Hopewells Landing, Heathcoate Commons, Gates Mill, Parks at Piedmont. The Prince William County Service Authority said the advisory would remain in place for 47 hours. Residents were advised to boil their tap water or use bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing their teeth, preparing and cooking food and giving water to pets. Beginning Thursday at 6 a.m., Harris Teeter grocery stores in the Madison Crescent (7910 Crescent Park Drive) and Heritage Hunt (13901 Heathcote Blvd.) shopping centers will distribute free 24-packs of bottled water, the supermarket announced in a release Thursday afternoon. All Prince William County Schools were open Wednesday. The following schools had bottled water and food service: Battlefield High School, Bull Run Middle School, Reagan Middle School, Gravely Elementary School, Alvey Elementary School, Mountain View Elementary School, Haymarket Elementary School, Buckland Mills Elementary School, Tyler Elementary School and Pace West School. School officials advised students to bring extra bottled water for personal use. A Washington, D.C., woman who couldn't leave her house because of a broken wheelchair said the wheelchair company ignored her calls for months. Unsteady using her walker, Ann McCombs was afraid to leave her small apartment. I was basically homebound, she said. Her only means of freedom was her wheelchair, but when it was delivered in March, it was broken. The leg rests wouldn't lock, McCombs said. McCombs reported the problem to the company that delivered the wheelchair, which is worth almost $3,000, and finally it was picked up June 15. They said they were going to take it to the warehouse and fix it, McCombs said, but the months wore on and the wheelchair company offered very little help. The three options that they gave me was wait until its fixed, go to another company or take the chair back as it was, she said. Unable to leave her house, McCombs said she sat sedentary for so long she was admitted to rehab for a month of physical therapy. She went as far as seeking legal help. They told me that my problem didnt meet the criteria to handle, so that was that, she said. NBC4 Responds reached out to the company, Kamco Medical in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, which said it repeatedly received the wrong leg rest to repair the chair and blamed the delay on Medicare. But the next day, McCombs got her wheelchair back with the legs fixed. After seven months McCombs has her freedom back. I can go to the store, I can do my own grocery shopping theres so many places I can go now, I feel free, she said. Four people were taken to hospitals after a fight led to a shooting in Annandale, Virginia, early Tuesday evening, according to police. Two young women were shot in the incident. Fairfax County Police said officers responded about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday to the 7500 block of Davian Drive for a reported shooting. When they arrived, they determined there was an altercation and gunshots were fired. Two women, ages 19 and 20, were hit by gunfire; they were found a short distance away. Another woman was taken to the hospital for a medical condition, and a girl was transported for non-life-threatening injuries due to the fight. The two victims who were shot are in stable condition. Their injuries were not life-threatening. Everyone involved knew each other, police said. Police do not believe there is any danger to the community. The investigation is going. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers online here, text a tip plus "TIP187" to CRIMES (274637), or call 866-411-TIPS (8477). They can also call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131. This story has been corrected from an version. Police are on alert after a teenager was nearly kidnapped on her way to her bus stop in Gaithersburg, Maryland, on Monday morning. Investigators said the girl was walking from the Cider Mill Apartments, where she lives, when she was approached by a man. The man told the girl to shut up and tried to put a black bag over her head. Police said the girl screamed, and the man ran away. Once she got to Watkins Mill High School, she notified the staff, who contacted police. The man is described by police as a black male with a goatee, mid- to late 30s, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, and with a medium build. He was wearing black pants and a black-hooded sweatshirt with a red logo on it. Police have increased their patrols in the area. The school sent a letter to parents, reminding them to talk to their child about the importance of staying alert and walking to school with a friend. The driver of a Baltimore school bus that careened into a transit bus, killing six people, including himself, was speeding, had a history of previous crashes and had a seizure the week before, national investigators said Wednesday. Glen Chappell was driving about 57 mph in a 30-mph zone nearly twice the speed limit when he struck a Ford Mustang from behind before colliding with an oncoming Maryland Transit Administration bus last month, according to the National Transportation Safety Board's initial report. Chappell died in the crash along with a Maryland Transit Administration bus driver and four mass transit passengers, while 11 people sustained injuries. No children were aboard the school bus. In a recorded 911 call, a man who gave his name as Cameron said, "The school bus was going 90. The school bus tore off the street and kept on moving.'' Chappell was driving the school bus for AAAfordable LLC of Baltimore, which held a contract with Baltimore City Public Schools. The report says that a week before the Nov. 1 crash, paramedics had been called to the AAAFordable offices because Chappell was exhibiting seizure-like symptoms. Last month, Chappell's son, Moses, told the Associated Press maintained a healthy lifestyle. But when he was asked about his father's health and whether he had seizures, Moses Chappell said, "I can't really comment to that.'' Helen Morgan, the mother of Maryland Transit Administration bus driver Ebonee Baker, who died in the crash, questioned why someone who may have suffered from seizures would be allowed to drive a school bus. "What is he doing behind the wheel? I don't know why this happened, but I know that's not supposed to be the way it's supposed to be. That's not right.'' Morgan said. "It's not right.'' Donald Trump's new luxury hotel in Washington, D.C., has been attracting foreign envoys, special interest groups and a bit of controversy. One of the latest groups to book the hotel is the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank whose big donors will gather there Tuesday night for a speech from Vice President-elect Mike Pence. The group said Pence will talk about areas of focus for the Trump administration in the first 200 days and the conservative movement in general. The Heritage Foundation said its decision to use the hotel was driven by space needs. The Trump International Hotel has come under scrutiny by government ethics experts who worry that foreign governments, special interest groups and others will book rooms and events there to curry favor with the president-elect. The Washington Post reported last month that about 100 foreign diplomats from around the world used the hotel for a reception just a week after the election. On Dec. 15, an umbrella organization for Jewish groups is holding a joint Hanukkah party with the Azeri embassy there. Malcolm Hoenlein, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, said using the hotel was in no way an attempt to curry favor with the president, and that conflicts of interest are not an issue anyway, because Trump isn't president yet. "Until Jan. 20, he's a private citizen, so I don't think the conflict issue comes in,'' Hoenlein said. "Do you think the president-elect knows who rents rooms for two hours?" The Azeri embassy did not respond to a phone message requesting comment. The Obama administration criticized Azerbaijan its latest annual report on human rights in April. A party to be held at the hotel by another foreign embassy is causing a stir. On Monday, U.S. Rep. James McGovern, of Massachusetts, sent a letter to Trump urging him not to accept any money from the Bahraini monarchy for use of his hotel. He cited news reports that Bahrain will hold its National Day celebrations at the hotel on Wednesday. The Bahraini embassy did not reply to an email and phone call about the event. In June, a bipartisan group of senators wrote a letter to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, saying they were "deeply alarmed" by the government of Bahrain's suppression of free speech and political dissent. The Trump Organization did not immediately reply for comment. Since the election, government ethics experts have called for the Trump Organization to sell its interest in the hotel. Aside from attempts to use the hotel to influence the president-elect, they worry about a 60-year lease that his company took out with the U.S. to use the government-owned building that houses the hotel. In addition to an annual rental fee, the Trump Organization has to pay a special payment based on various measures on how well the hotel is doing. Any disputes over that payment will be handled by the General Service Administration, the federal agency overseeing the property. The head of the GSA will be appointed by the new president. The Pence speech on Tuesday is the highlight of the Heritage Foundation's annual gathering for its biggest donors. The event is mostly being held at the Ronald Reagan Center across the street from the hotel. "The space wasn't large enough, and there are security concerns," said Heritage spokesman Wesley Denton. "It's just this one speech." UPDATE: The charges have been dropped. Find the new story here. An emergency department technician at United Medical Center is accused of sexually assaulted a woman to whom he was giving medical care, said detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department's Sexual Assault Unit. Premarcos Simon, 51, of Waldorf, Maryland, was arrested and charged with first-degree sexual abuse of a patient, police said. Detectives said the assault happened Sunday in the 1300 block of Southern Avenue. Simon said that he did not sexually assault anyone and denied the allegations. He said his attorney has instructed him not to say anything else. According to United Medical Center, Simon worked as an emergency department technician at the Southern Avenue hospital. The hospital issued a statement regarding the incident. "It is United Medical Center's policy not to comment on matters that are under investigation. The alleged situation that transpired on Sunday is currently under review by members of the hospital's administrative team. In addition, the Metropolitan Police Department has launched an investigation into the allegations. We will not be able to provide you any more additional information until these investigations have been completed." Simon was released on bond Monday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 16. A strong earthquake rocked Indonesia's Aceh province early Wednesday, killing nearly 100 people and sparking a frantic rescue effort in the rubble of dozens of collapsed and damaged buildings. Maj. Gen. Tatang Sulaiman, chief of the army in Aceh province, said at least 97 died while four people were pulled from the rubble alive. Another four or five are known to be buried, but he didn't say if they were dead or alive. The rescue effort involving thousands of search officials, villagers, soldiers and police is concentrated on Meureudu, a severely affected town in Pidie Jaya district near the epicenter. Excavators were trying to remove debris from shop houses and other buildings where people were believed buried. TV footage showed rescuers in orange uniforms shining flashlights into the interiors of broken buildings as they searched for signs of life. The province's disaster mitigation agency said more than 600 people were injured. The national disaster agency said some 245 buildings were seriously damaged or destroyed, mostly in Pidie Jaya, including 14 mosques. The rest were mainly dwellings and shop houses. Roads also cracked and power poles toppled over. The U.S. Geological Survey said the 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck at 5:03 a.m. and was centered about 19 kilometers (12 miles) southeast of Sigli, a town near the northern tip of Aceh, at a depth of 17 kilometers (11 miles). The agency had initially placed the epicenter undersea. It did not generate a tsunami. For Acehnese, the quake was a terrifying reminder of their region's vulnerability to natural disasters. More than 100,000 died in Aceh after a Dec. 26, 2004, earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami. "It was very bad, the tremors felt even stronger than the 2004 earthquake," said Musman Aziz, a Meureudu resident. "I was so scared the tsunami was coming." Aiyub Abbas, the chief of Pidie Jaya district, said there was urgent need for emergency supplies and excavation equipment to move heavy debris. Footage showed rescue personnel taking bodies in black bags away from the rubble. Muhammad Reza Faisal, director of the general hospital in Pidie Jaya, said the facility was overwhelmed with the numbers of injured and many people were being treated in tents pitched on its grounds. He said five of the quake victims died at the hospital. In the capital, Jakarta, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said he had ordered all government agencies to take part in the rescue efforts for Aceh, a conservative province that has considerable autonomy from the central government under a peace deal with separatists. The Red Cross Indonesia deployed emergency response teams and advertised bank accounts for donations. The International Organization for Migration said it sent an assessment team to Aceh. Seaside resident Fitri Abidin in Pidie Jaya said she fled with her husband and wailing children to a nearby hill after the quake jolted the family awake. They stayed there for several hours until authorities reassured them there was no tsunami risk. "It terrified me. I was having difficulty breathing or walking," Abidin said. She said her husband grabbed hold of her and carried her out of the house. The family's house didn't collapse but the homes of some neighbors did and Abidin is afraid three friends were buried in the rubble. In Pidie Jaya's neighboring district of Bireuen, a teacher at an Islamic school died after being hit by falling debris, said health worker Achmad Taufiq. The world's largest archipelago, Indonesia is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. The 2004 quake and tsunami killed a total of 230,000 people in a dozen countries, most of them in Aceh. So, you want to check out the new MGM National Harbor resort and casino... but how do you get there? If you live in D.C., it might seem like a daunting task to get out to National Harbor. Even if you're not far, you may not want to deal with traffic or feel apprehensive about parking. We've broken down what you need to know if you plan to test your luck at the tables, see a show or just relax in the massive resort after it opens Thursday night. By car: If you opt to drive there, here's the address for your GPS: 101 Harborview Ave., Oxon Hill, Maryland. It's free to park your car yourself during the casino's opening period, although you'll have to pay in the future. The casino has a massive underground parking garage with five entrances and exits. Valet parking is available 24 hours a day; it will cost $25 for up to 12 hours and $45 for 12 to 24 hours. Guests staying at the hotel who use valet parking will be able to drive in and out as they wish. Taxi: You can always take a taxi if you don't want to drive yourself. Use the designated pickup and dropoff area on Hotel Drive to call an Uber or Lyft. MGM has also partnered with Uber to offer guests the opportunity to share their ride with someone else. Metrorail, Metrobus & The Bus: If you're coming from D.C., you may not want to break the bank on a taxi rode. But if no one volunteers for DD duty, you can always take public transportation. You can catch Metrobuses that will take you to the casino directly from two different Metro stations. From the King Street Metro station (Blue and Yellow lines), you can take the NH2 Metro Bus four stops to the MGM National Harbor stop. This is a new bus line implemented by Metro in October. From the Southern Avenue Metro station (Green Line), take the NH1 Metro Bus four stops to the MGM National Harbor stop. If you're coming from nearby, you can take TheBus, Prince George's County's bus service. Routes 35 and 35s have stops near the casino. Route 35 also comes from the Southern Avenue Metro station. TheBus accepts payment in cash or via SmarTrip card; fares are $1.25. Water Taxi: If you're feeling adventurous and want to take the scenic route, travel to the resort via water taxi. The Potomac Riverboat Company offers water taxis from Alexandria and the National Mall to National Harbor. Kids from across Vermont and northern New York who have battled brutal diseases got to put those tough times aside Tuesday, for a VIP plane trip. I just say its awesome, beamed Jade White of Barre, Vermont, one of the participants aboard the special flight from the Burlington International Airport. The trip was a short one, from Burlington around Mount Washington in New Hampshire and back, but one the kids will remember for a long time. All the children on board were currently patients or recently finished pediatric medical care for a host of very serious conditions. My mom tricked me and she said we were going to a doctors appointment and I already told my friends that, Rowan Dodge, of Stowe, told necn. So I think Im going to say to them, I didnt exactly go to the doctors office! JetBlue teamed up with the University of Vermont Children's Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Burlington, and Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, a summer camp for kids with cancer, to offer the free Dream Flight, as they called it. I just want to say thank you, because this is really awesome, said Maggie Morin of Georgia, Vermont, one of the young participants. Longtime Ronald McDonald House volunteer Steve Shover, who also works for JetBlue in Burlington, got the ball rolling. This is absolutely phenomenal, Shover said of the flight. I think this is going to be an experience theyre going to have with them for the rest of their lives. After the kids landed back in Burlington, they discovered someone else had arrived at the airport when they were gone, except, he flew on a sleigh. Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, and community members with gifts celebrated the young VIPs at the end of the afternoon, completing this dream day. Hundreds of people gathered Tuesday night in Lawrence, Massachusetts, to remember a teenager who was brutally killed allegedly at the hands of a classmate. The candlelight vigil, near the Lawrence Police Department, was held for 16-year-old Lee Viloria-Paulino, whose brutally mutilated body was found last Thursday by a woman walking along the Merrimack River. The emotional event brought together family and friends, as well as classmates and complete strangers who are all trying to come to terms with the senseless death. Im happy. Lee would be happy as well because it shows people love him, care about him, even those who dont know him supporting, said friend Celinette Vaoentin. Police have charged Viloria-Paulinos classmate, 15-year-old Mathew Borges, with first-degree murder. The sophomores attended Lawrence High School together. Students who attended the vigil still say they are still in shock that Borges could be accused of such a horrific crime. That was so hard to hear. It was scary to know someone walks the same hall as you is accused killing one of your closest friends, said friend Dakota Melendez. While mourners gathered at the vigil holding each other and cried, some told necn that they knew their friend would have wanted there to be peace. The fact he was so young, so sweet, his family was so close united, you can tell how much they loved him, said Cristina Pimenteo, who attended the vigil. City councilors in Lawrence, Massachusetts, are making calls for the police chief to resign following backlash of the investigation of 16-year-old boy whose decapitated body was found along a river last week. Modesto Maldonado confirms he and fellow councilor Brian De Pena are asking for Chief James Fitzpatrick to step down. They say his department did not do enough to search for Lee Manuel Viloria-Paulino. Another teenager, 15-year-old Mathew Borges, is being held without bail on a first-degree murder charge. Viloria-Paulino's family is upset it took so long for police to act after he was last seen on Nov. 18, saying they believed he was in danger from the start. The family says police did not take further action until state police and the Essex district attorney's office became involved 10 days after he was reported missing. De Pena tells the Eagle Tribune that Fitzpatrick did not effectively respond, despite the pleas from family members. Fitzpatrick says his department initially believed Paulino ran away. He also disagreed that it was the department's default approach to missing children and teenager cases. A former New Hampshire school board member will face a judge after being arrested on charges of wiretapping and violating privacy. Manchester police confirm Jason Cooper will be arraigned Wednesday. He turned himself in to the police department after a warrant for his arrest was issued. Cooper was charged with 10 counts of wire tapping and 10 counts of privacy violation. Police say the case involves a juvenile; however, details on the case, which has been under investigation since January, are sparse. Cooper served as a school board member from 2011 to 2013. He has also run for alderman in the past, but was defeated every time. It's unclear if Cooper has an attorney. A man with ties to New England was recently killed and his girlfriend injured after being struck by lightning while vacationing in Australia. Sam Beattie, 24, and Michele Segalla, 23, a couple originally from Duxbury, now living in New York, left for a year-long vacation to Australia back in October. Australian TV reports that the couple had pitched a tent on top of Mountain Warning when a fierce storm rolled in. Beattie's foot was up against a tree when the tree was hit by lightning. Beattie was killed and Segalla was injured. Segalla is being treated for injuries to her head and neck. Two teenage boys hiking the mountain found the couple and tried to resuscitate Beattie for over an hour. But it was too late according to local officials. A rescue crew of about 15 people trekked to the summit about 3,600 feet above sea level to help the group and retrieve Beattie's body. Authorities said camping at the summit is not allowed. A Vermont National Guard member has pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexually assaulting a teenage girl. Joshua Robbins of Radcliff, Kentucky, appeared pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a charge of sexual assault to a victim less than 16. Investigators say he had sex with a 14-year-old girl they identify on court papers only as KC, at a party at a Bethel home in September. The girl told police she became too intoxicated and passed out. She said she remembered sometime during the night that Robbins was on top of her and neither one of them was clothed from the waist down. Police say the 22-year-old Robbins is often in Vermont for National Guard duties. He is being held on $10,000 bail. He's due back in court Jan. 10. A swastika-like symbol on an antique flour bag is prompting death threats against a business owner in New Hampshire. The threats were so serious, the owner shut down her Littleton store temporarily. It all started over the weekend with a photo of business owner Nicole Guida next to an antique flour sack with a swastika-like symbol. The picture was posted to Facebook by an offended customer. Katherine Ferrier wrote in part How do you think its okay to hang this thing here, front and center, given everything it stands for... Some nearby residents agree. Its sad it was posted and I dont blame people for being upset, said Sarah Springsteen, who was shopping on Main Street Wednesday. Guida responded with her own Facebook post explaining that the flour sack, worth upwards of $100, dates back to the early 1900s, long before the Nazi era. Its a sand script symbol for good luck, said Guidas attorney, Kirk Simoneau. It is a symbol thats actually been used for thousands of years that the Nazis appropriated and changed slightly. Still, the initial post sparked outrage. Simoneau says threats on Guidas life and her business are pouring in from across the country. Basically saying she doesnt deserve to draw breath, that she shouldnt be allowed to run a business, that shes a disgrace to the community, Simoneau explained. Some were so serious that Guida and her husband decided to close the store Monday and Tuesday for fear of what might happen if she was in there alone. I dont see why its a big deal, everyone is just looking for a reason to argue about something, said Littleton resident Arnold Tito. Its an argument thats brought out the worst in some and the best in others. Guidas Facebook page is filled with hundreds of messages of support. But Simoneau says, unfortunately, the damage is done. This is really the modern day equivalent of taking someone out to the village square and stoning them thats what this is, he said. Guida declined an on-camera interview Wednesday, but told necn shes taken down the flour sack and says it is no longer for sale. Simoneau says Guida and her husband are considering legal action. Police say five people have been injured in a gas explosion at a Rhode Island company that makes indoor rowing machines. Warren Police say they were called to WaterRower on Metacom Avenue late Wednesday morning for a gas explosion in the building. Five people were transported to Rhode Island Hospital with burns and other injuries. Police couldn't immediately describe the extent of the injuries. The rowing machine made by the company has played a role in the Netflix series "House of Cards,'' as it is used frequently by the show's lead character. An investigation is underway. On the 75th anniversary of the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, military students at a Vermont university paid tribute to the lives lost there. For 24 hours this December 7, the Golden Anchor Society at Norwich University in Northfield maintained what it called vigil tours. The tours were solemn, incredibly slow-motion marches, with participants dressed in formal military attire. At the top of every hour, one member of the club handed the rifle and responsibility to the next. The 1941 assault by Japanese forces left 2,403 Americans dead, according to NBC News, and propelled the nation into World War II. It's really not a sacrifice at all compared to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice on Pearl Harbor, said Reid Weber, a Norwich sophomore from Fort Wayne, Indiana who took part in the vigil tour Wednesday. Norwich freshman Casey Johnson of Wenham, Massachusetts said he was grateful to take part in the solemn tribute. No matter how cold or how wet or snowy or whatever it is, no matter all that, it's all worth it when you realize what you're doing it for, and the people you're doing it for, and who you're remembering when you do that, Johnson told necn of the physically demanding slow-motion march. Erin Gats of Livermore Maine, the regimental commander of the 2016-2017 Norwich Corps of Cadets, called the display an important tradition to maintain as the nation rapidly loses World War II vets. It fills me with a lot of pride, Gats said as she watched the solemn march in front of a flag flying at half-staff. I think it's important to keep those traditions going, because if we don't, who else is going to? The Golden Anchor Societys efforts helped make this date which will live in infamy also be one of respect. The growing memorial outside a Massachusetts school is a sign of the growing support many students say they need after one of their classmates was found decapitated and another was charged with his murder. Officials from the city and from Lawrence High School met Sunday to discuss what can be done in wake of what happened. Sixteen-year-old Lee Viloria-Paulino's body was found in the Merrimac River Thursday. His classmate, 15-year-old Matthew Borges, has been charged with the brutal crime. "At the end of the day, there's always going to be a reminder to those kids, an empty chair or a graded paper or something connected to them," Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera said. "We have to help them deal as best we can." The school has called in a trauma and crisis team to help, made up of counselors who are available to anyone who needs it. Family Services of the Merrimack Valley is just one of the organizations assisting. "Some kids are scared. Some kids are numb. Some kids are confused. Some kids really wonder whats going on," Dr. Ronnie Ginsberg, a clinical psychologist at Family Services said. "All of those feelings are normal." Dr. Ginsberg said it is also important for parents to reassure their children if the feelings come up in conversations at home. She said it is not uncommon for feelings to change and evolve as the investigation moves forward. "If it comes up at the dinner table, certainly for parents to reassure their kids that the adults in the community are working hard to figure out whats happening and making sure all the kids are safe," Dr. Ginsberg said. Rivera said the support services will be available to students at school through the end of the week and longer if necessary. Republican U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire delivered her farewell remarks on the Senate floor, thanking the people of her state for giving her the "extraordinary opportunity" to serve them. Ayotte, who was New Hampshire's attorney general when she was elected to the Senate in 2010, was defeated in November by Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan in a close race. "The people of our state are hardworking, caring, compassionate people with grit, and they have a fierce sense of independence, which I respect and admire. That spirit has guided me during my time here," she said in her speech live streamed on a Senate website. Ayotte, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, spoke about issues of importance to her, including improving services for veterans, restoring defense cuts, opposing plans to empty and close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, and dealing with the "devastating epidemic" of heroin and prescription opioid abuse. "I've met so many people in New Hampshire who are hurting because of this epidemic," she said. "Many of the families who have been affected have become my dear friends." She said they inspired her to work with Senate colleagues on an effort to get the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act signed into law, a framework to address prevention, treatment, recovery and support for first responders. The tight race between Hassan and Ayotte was viewed as one of half a dozen contests around the country that would determine which party controls the Senate next year. The interest increased as Ayotte's complicated relationship with Republican nominee Donald Trump evolved. First, she said she supported Trump but wasn't endorsing him. Later, she said she "absolutely" would tell a child to aspire to be like him but quickly took back those remarks. A few days afterward, she rescinded her support altogether based on newly released 2005 recordings in which Trump bragged about using his fame to force himself on women. She wrote in vice presidential nominee Mike Pence's name, instead. On Wednesday, Ayotte spoke about the need for her colleagues to work together and put aside partisan differences. She spoke of why she ran for the Senate, her concern about the skyrocketing national debt. "On every committee I served on, we looked for ways to cut wasteful spending, and fought to hold the government accountable for the way it spends our hard-earned taxpayer dollars," she said. "It is my hope that this issue will be at the top of the agenda of the incoming Congress and the new administration." She received tributes from her colleagues from both parties for her work ethic, positive attitude and facing the challenges of juggling a Senate position with family responsibilities. Fellow New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat, spoke of their teamwork on projects for the country and specifically for the state, including strengthening the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and getting a new aerial refueling tanker. Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona spoke of Ayotte's work on the Armed Services Committee in successfully fighting against the retirement of A-10 Warthog Air Force attack planes. "As the wife of a retired A-10 pilot who flew combat missions in Iraq, and an expert in defense policy, Senator Ayotte understood the critical role this aircraft plays in providing close air support for our fighting men and women," McCain said. NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. - On Jan. 1, 2017, recreational use of marijuana will become legal in Nevada. Does that mean you, a military member stationed at or temporary duty to Nellis (or Creech) Air Force Base, Nevada, will be able to light up? Not so fast! Marijuana use is and will be continue to be a crime under military law. The fact that Nevada and several other states have legalized recreational use of marijuana has no effect on your military obligations. Under Article 112a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, it is a crime to use, possess, or distribute any amount of an illegal drug, including marijuana. Illegal drug use is incompatible with military service and if found guilty, at best, you will be immediately discharged from the military with a General or Under Other than Honorable service characterization. With that, you could lose all of your VA benefits, including the G.I. Bill, commissary and Base Exchange privileges, medical and dental care, home loan benefits and veterans and retirement credit should you apply for a federal government job in the future. If you arent lucky enough to be administratively discharged, you will be court-martialed, where youll face a federal conviction, confinement, loss of pay and a possible dishonorable discharge. And as with an administrative separation, you could lose all of your veterans benefits. But it doesnt end there. In addition to the UCMJ, the Controlled Substance Act of 1970 a federal law also criminalizes marijuana use, possession and distribution. Because military installations are federal property, any family member or civilian guest found possessing or using marijuana on base, will be kicked off the installation and become subject to federal prosecution. For their actions, you could be prosecuted under the UCMJ. The bottom line: Marijuana will remain illegal for military members regardless of contrary state laws. Lighting up isnt worth all of the things you stand to lose. If you have further questions about Nevadas new marijuana law and how it affects military members, please contact the Military Justice organizational box at usafwcja.miljustice@us.af.mil. Col. Christopher Sage knows Success here equals success there. Thats why he came "here." A seasoned fighter pilot, Sage is fully appreciative of having a fine-tuned jet to fly. And since taking the helm of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., in July, he has wanted to personally acknowledge the people who provide war-ready F-15s to his team. So on Nov. 30, the veteran flier provided a rarity for the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex an aircraft scheduled for programmed depot maintenance flown in personally by an operational wing commander. When I laid out my priorities shortly after taking command, visiting WR-ALC was on the short list of must dos during the first few months, Sage said. I have delivered and picked up F-15Es in the past, and therefore was keenly aware of how critical the PDM process is to the health of the F-15E fleet at Seymour Johnson AFB. My goal was to make contact with the WR-ALC team and thank them for the important work they perform. It is important for an operational wing commander to get out from behind his desk and go meet the Airmen who support us and our mission on a daily basis, he said. Brig. Gen. John Kubinec, WR-ALC commander, said the visit was not only indicative of the positive relationship the complex has built with the warfighter, but also a tremendous opportunity for both sides to share and learn from each other. To have a wing commander take the time out to come down here and bring an aircraft is important, Kubinec said. Id like every aircrew member that comes here to spend some time, to see what we do and communicate with us. Kubinec said such visits allow operational partners to gain a greater understanding of the WR-ALC mission while meeting and interacting with the people who keep their aircraft flying. We like to think of ourselves as the supporting command for readiness. To have that readiness, it takes the full enterprise the supply chain, depot-level maintenance the whole iceberg. We dont tell that story enough, Kubinec told Sage during a briefing in an F-15 hangar. Sage said his visit could only serve to strengthen an already good working relationship between the fighter wing and the logistics complex. The feedback I received from the 4th FW maintainers is that the relationship is stronger than it has been in years, Sage said. Relationships matter, and they take effort. We will continue to put significant effort into strengthening these bonds. Leaving North Carolina on a stormy day in the Southeast, Sage flew his F-15E into the dark, overcast airspace over Robins at 1:36 p.m. He was accompanied by Maj. Brian Privette, his executive officer. Upon landing, he was greeted first by Kubinec, then by Col. Jeffrey Martin, commander, 402nd Aircraft Maintenance Group. Martin led Sage through a tour of the 561st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's F-15 PDM operation. The tour included visit to an Eagle Country hangar for an F-15 PDM briefing, a look at the canopy seal longeron being repaired here, and a close-up of the steps of PDM and the tools utilized. Sage was briefed on implementation of the Art of the Possible in the 402nd AMXG. The visitor and members of the complex maintenance group discussed how the 402nd can utilize AoP into more than just the aircraft production line. A memorable moment for the veteran pilot was having a photograph taken in front of an F-15 stripped down to a cigar de-painted and de-winged for PDM. Sage also toured Bldg. 125 where Martin showed Sage the size and scope of the C-5 maintenance hangar and mission operation. This visit was very educational for me and my team, Sage said. The focus on process improvement via the Art of the Possible methodology is impressive. The ALC is focused on implementing a deliberate process that is showing results. It was fascinating to see how many miles an F-15E travels during the PDM process. It was also amazing to see how far the Strike Eagle is stripped down before it is reassembled, he said. Martin said an F-15 PDM typically takes 136 days these days. The 561st is aiming to hit a goal of 88 days. Unexpected challenges to the schedule come with the mission territory, especially considering the average age of an Eagle being worked here is 20 years. I was aware that the WR-ALC had significant challenges with supply availability and unexpected F-15E structural challenges regarding the canopy seal longerons, Sage said. I wanted to get a firsthand look and talk to the teams that are tackling these issues." Martin deemed the visit a success. It was a great warfighter relations event, he said. To be able to show what we do here in F-15 PDM to increase our ability to communicate the status of our airplanes it helps us to engage with the warfighter and link some of the structural things happening with the airplane to the operational world. It also allows our people to interact with people from an operational unit; allows our people to show what we do here and the effect it has on the mission and our warfighters. This allows our people to put a face to our operational partner, Martin said. Its important for our people to spend time with the warfighter, Kubinec said. We cant spend enough time with the warfighter. We want our senior staff and maintenance people to spend time with the warfighter. We want our people to hear how important their mission is and that what we do leads to the warfighters success. Sage has definitely been there himself. Through an assortment of operational, training and staff tours with both the Navy and the Air Force, Sage has amassed more than 4,200 flight hours in his 22-year career. More than 1,100 of those hours were flown in combat as an operational fighter pilot in Operations Northern Watch, Deliberate Forge, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He also served as a Naval flight instructor while stationed aboard NAS Whiting Field. As commander of the 4th FW, Sage has charge of one of the largest fighter wings in the U.S. Air Force. The wing has nearly 6,000 Airmen and civilians and is home to 94 F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft assigned to two operational and two training fighter squadrons. Those units fly more than 12,000 sorties and 21,000 hours per year. His latest assignment has allowed Sage the chance to soar again by providing him the occasional opportunity to climb back into the cockpit of a fighter jet. Kubinec called a visit by such an experienced pilot and the commander of a fighter wing invaluable, especially since there is much more to the logistics and maintenance business than meets the eye. It is amazing the enterprise it takes to deliver rapid, effective affordable combat power, the general told Sage. That is why it is great having you here to see all that goes into making the F-15 you flew in today air worthy. This is the cool stuff, what our guys work here. Kubinec wanted his guest to specifically observe the high caliber of professionals getting the job done at WR-ALC. The great Americans you met here might wear a different outfit some may be in shorts and a T-shirt but, man, they work hard. It means a lot for you to come down and see them. When you boil it all down, these are patriots and they care about what you do, the general said. Sage was delighted with an unofficial slogan that has taken hold at Robins. I love the phrase! he said. 'Success here equals success there works well at the 4th Fighter Wing as well. Our mission is To Deploy Strike Eagle Airpower -- Anytime, Anywhere. We do this by ensuring our Airmen are successfully trained for combat and our aircraft are mechanically ready to sustain a six or seven month deployment." The fighter wing commander wants to make more visits to the complex. I would love to come back again -- to see the progress made on improving the PDM timeline -- as your team works hard to meet the 88 day Strike Eagle goal, Sage said. I have also invited the WR-ALC team up to Seymour Johnson to see operations at the tip of the spear. F-15E sustainment is about having a one team, one fight mentality, from the 4th Fighter Wing aircrew and maintainers to the patriots on the PDM line, Sage said. I look forward to the great work we will do together. Norfolk prays and responds to refugee plight A humanitarian aid worker from Serbia who partners with Christian Aid spoke about the struggle refugees are currently experiencing in Europe at an event at Norwich Cathedral on December 4, when a large Christmas card was signed for Theresa May. By Helen Baldry Marija Vranesevic is from Serbia and she told of her work with refugees coming into the country there are at least 150 new entries every day not just single men, but families too, and all have struggled to get there and are in a poor condition when they arrive, having often witnessed trauma, suffered bereavement, unsanitary conditions and hunger. They travel through Greece and Bulgaria to Serbia, which is one of the last points of free movement in Europe. She said, I am very proud to come from a country that has decided not to close the border." Marija said that we need to think carefully about the words we use to talk about refugees. The term refugee crisis constantly used by the media is not helpful it makes it sounds as if the problems are caused by the refugees. Marija said, This is not fair and not true. None of them want this. The purpose of Marijas visit was to tell people how the situation really is, and to explain how the money donated really makes a difference. She spoke on Radio Norfolk on Sunday morning and gave numerous talks in Norfolk and beyond. She urges people, including the UK government, to revise their attitude towards people in need. She said, Our response is to look away when we see something that is not nice. She also emphasised the dangers that arise when borders are closed - a huge rise in criminality, including the smuggling of weapons, people and drugs. She said, We will all deal with the consequences. There was a time of reflection on the Christmas story and the parallels between Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt with baby Jesus and the thousands of families who are forced to flee their homes in the present day with few possessions and little security. Carrie Sant from City Saints explained that Norwich is a dispersal city for refugees who come to the UK and has 140 beds. The process for a person to claim asylum is not easy it can even take years and during this time, the person is unable to work or improve their situation. Two young men who were sent to Norwich spoke about their experiences leaving their countries Pakistan and Egypt they spoke of the terrifying journey and of their delight to be in Norwich and to have the chance to settle here. Salah, from Egypt said, Freedom is one of the greatest things. The event formed Decembers Soul Circus, a monthly gathering at Norwich Cathedral that uses creative methods of worship. People were invited to tie a green ribbon around barbed wire to symbolise that we stand in solidarity with refugees across the world. An agape love feast was then shared and people were invited to sign a large Christmas card that will be sent to Theresa May asking for the government to offer hope in their words and actions for people fleeing violence. Marija said that giving cash is one of most dignified types of assistance as it enabled people to choose what they want to buy by themselves and puts them in a position to interact with their local communities. She works for Philanthropy, Christian Aids partner organisation in Serbia and she assured us that the money donated does get through to those who need it. During her time in Norfolk, Marija met Marion Courtney from Harleston who shaved her head last year at the age of 90 to raise money for refugees. Marion raised over 2,750 for Christian Aids refugee appeal and got to find out first-hand from Marija how the money had been spent. Marija said, Marion is an inspiration to me. She is so alive at 90 and to do this to make such a difference is wonderful. She a very special person. We are so grateful. Norfolk Christian website hits new visitors high The Network Norwich and Norfolk website has set a new record for visitors to the well-established Christian community news website. The U.S. Supreme Court has invalidated a US$399 million infringement award against Samsung Electronics in a long-running design patent dispute with Apple. The court, in an 8-0 decision, kicked back the patent award to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, saying the lower court calculated the patent award based on the whole iPhone, while the design patents may cover only pieces of the device. The Federal Circuit's failure to consider a smaller damage award based on pieces of the iPhone "cannot be squared" with patent law, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote for the Supreme Court. The lower court, in its ruling, said it could not separate out the infringing pieces of the smartphones because they were not available for sale to the public, she noted. But "the term 'article of manufacture' [in patent law] is broad enough to embrace both a product sold to a consumer and a component of that product, whether sold separately or not," Sotomayor wrote. The damage award relates to three design patents covering the face and rounded bezel design of the iPhone and the grid of sixteen icons on the phone's home screen. Samsung, with support from Google, Facebook, and other tech companies, had asked the Supreme Court to take a new look at design patents, even though the rules have remained largely unchanged for more than a century. Representatives of Apple and Samsung were not immediately available for comment. The two companies' patent disputes will continue. Separately, the same appeals court reinstated a $119.6 million award for Apple back in October. The appeals court ruled that two Apple smartphone design patents, one related to a slide-to-unlock feature, are valid and Samsung infringed a third patent related to helping smartphone users find phone numbers. U.S. web-hosting giant GoDaddy has agreed to buy German company Host Europe Group in a move that will take the number of domain names it manages to 70 million. Host Europe, based in Germany, has 1.7 million customers and manages 7 million domain names, while GoDaddy has 14 million customers and 63 million domain names under management. The acquisition values Host Europe at 1.69 billion (US$1.79 billion) and will make GoDaddy market leader in small business cloud services in Europe, the U.S. company said Tuesday. It expects to close the deal during the second quarter of 2017. Both companies focus on services to small businesses. A deal will allow them to scale up existing systems to sell one another's products to existing customers, GoDaddy said. But GoDaddy isn't interested in all of Host Europe's activities: It is already looking to sell Host Europe's managed hosting business, PlusServer, which sells mainly to larger, more mature businesses. It plans to hang on to other Host Europe businesses, though, including 123Reg, Domain Factory and Heart Internet, as well as its its conference division, which runs World Hosting Day and NamesCon. The acquisition is not GoDaddy's first international move: The company already operates in 56 markets globally, it said. It will have its existing European operations report to Host Europe CEO Patrick Pulvermuller, who will in turn report to GoDaddy Executive Vice President of International Andrew Low Ah Kee. I wouldnt wish a ransomware attack on anyone. A particularly destructive form of malware, ransomware has made a name for itself this year as one of the internets top threats. A recent survey revealed that half of companies had responded to a ransomware attack, with 85 percent reporting three or more. If it locks down your personal computer, its a royal pain. But if it gets onto a network drive at your work, that pain is multiplied by the number of employees and more. Systematically locking down every computer on the network, ransomware puts your entire workforce out of work and sends your IT guys to the mats trying to find the money to pay the ransom or the backups to bring the network back online. Long story short: Ransomware is bad news! Ransomware attack: A cautionary tale However, I talked to a friend the other day who convinced me that there may be a silver lining around the dark cloud that is ransomware. Jim is the IT director at a small cyber consulting company outside Denver. Theyve got about 150 employees and are growing rapidly as they bask in the hot tech market. He and his one full-time employee, Jennie, are plenty busy staying ahead of the growing network infrastructure, let alone trying to keep up with best practices on network protections. Jim jokes that every time he turns around hes adding another employee to the network. Last Tuesday, Jims worst nightmare began to unfold. As employees starting arriving at work and checking their inboxes, an email from a sales guy caught his eye: Are you trying to phish me? it asked. Thats a good one. It was a good one, Jim noted as he opened it in a safe sandbox environment: Be sure you update your end-of-month numbers in the attached spreadsheet, read the email, which was signed Accounts Receivable. As Jim prepared to examine the file, another sales guy pinged him: Whats up with the Sales drive? Some of the files are locked. With a knot starting to turn in his stomach, Jim bounced out to the Sales drive and could see that file after file was being encrypted before his very eyes. Somehow malware had gotten onto the network drive and was systematically locking every file. Jim and Jennie knew they needed to act quickly: They immediately took the Sales drive offline, hoping that the malware had been contained to this one drive and hadnt spread to other essential systems (or everyones personal computers). From there, they isolated other drives and enlisted the help of several trusted team members to fan out throughout the company, showing everyone how to pull their network cable and disconnect from the Wi-Fi. Within a matter of 10 minutesremember, its a small companyall systems were isolated. To everyones immense relief, the recovery went smoothly. The malwareit turned out to be a form of ransomware called Zeptohad been contained to a single computer (more on this soon) and the Sales drive. Since all systems had been backed up in the wee hours of that morning, it was simple to recover the systems, run a full network scan, and get everyone back to work. All in all, total loss of all-hands productivity was about an hour. Perhaps best of all: There was no ransom to be paid. Lessons learned from ransomware attack But boy, were there lessons to be learned! For Jim and Jennie in IT, the incident served mostly as confirmation of procedures they already had in place. Their backup and recovery plans worked like clockwork, and their ability to isolate systems confirmed the work they had done to build a secure infrastructure. For Stacy, the new business development rep who had welcomed the ransomware onto her system, it was a scary second day of work. While everyone else in the company recognized the email was a scam, Stacy didnt have the context to recognize it as such. So, she didnt react rapidly when she opened the attachment and found a corrupted file. She just closed it and went back to work, which allowed the ransomware to move across the network to the first shared drive it found. She was really embarrassed and scared when IT found out it was her computer that opened the door for the attack. Suffice to say, shell be more careful in the future. Unintended results from the attack As I listened to Jim tell the story, it dawned on me, however, that the real winners in this whole episode were company management and the overall employee population. Management started arriving as the lockdown was underway, and they got to see their IT team functioning at a high level. In an all-hands meeting later that day, the company CISO shared the dramatic story of how they managed to avoid a catastrophic infection thanks to employees who reported their concerns and an IT team that had prepared properly and acted quickly in the face of the attack. Employees got to see firsthand the dangers of not paying attention to phishing attacks and recognize the real business benefits of ITs security precautions. As a guy who spends a lot of time looking for ways to engage all employees in understanding threats to security and privacy, I was delighted with the results from this episode: Management stood behind IT and recommitted themselves to a more extensive security education program. IT got to experience the results of their strong preparation (and picked up some accolades along the way). Employees across the company engaged in substantive conversations about the things they could do to protect the company. What could have been a costly incident instead turned into a powerful motivator for all in the company to up their game when it comes to defending against cyber threats. Hows that for the power of unintended consequences? Big Switch Networks today unraveled a wide-ranging group of products aimed at mitigating security attacks, scrutinizing cloud and container environments and improving its existing SDN-based monitoring software. In the security realm Big Switch rolled out its BigSecure Architecture, a high-performance cyber-defense platform that the company says will help enterprises protect against Terabit-speed attack. +More on Network World: + What we are seeing is network attack by thousands of IoT devices [like the recent Dyn DNS attack that hit 1.2Tbps] using massive speed and bandwidth to take down resources. To mitigate against that kind of attack can be cost prohibitive but what we have implemented in BigSecure can help mitigate those attacks, said Prashant Gandhi, vice president and chief product officer. Specifically, the BigSecure Architecture implements an SDN-based inline fabric that would be deployed at the data center edge for connecting security tools and the companys Big Monitoring Fabric Service Node. That device would be a 40G to 160G Intel x86 DPDK-based node, which could be inserted into the fabric with the security service tools. Multiple service nodes can be deployed in a scale-out manner for Terabit filtering and mitigation. That node would be centrally controlled and managed by the companys Big Monitoring SDN Controller, for deep-packet and flow inspection and filtering based on whitelist/blacklist of signatures for the purpose of attack mitigation. Once an attack was detected the traffic would be dumped into what the company called and NFV Tool Farm made up of a pool of x86 compute resources available for hosting security tools in the form of virtual network functions (VNF) in order to elastically scale for Terabit attack traffic. Once BigSecure Architecture is instantiated, a security tool detects high-bandwidth attack and interacts with the Big Monitoring Fabric Controller via APIs to redirect incoming traffic for mitigation. Depending on the type of attack, the Big Mon Controller activates SDN fabric and compute resources for attack mitigation, reconfigures the service chain to redirect traffic to mitigation infrastructure, and load-balances traffic across a cluster of Big Mon service nodes and NFV tool farm for scale-out performance. The combination of SDN fabric, Big Monitoring Fabric service nodes and NFV tool farm performs Layer-7 scans of network traffic and blocks those packets/flows that contain attack signatures. Big Switch works with a number of third party security tools such as A10 Networks Threat Protection System and FireEye Threat Prevention Platform to aid in handling the threat. For the cloud, container world the company bolstered its Big Monitoring Fabric with a new release of the network packet broker software, 6.0, and adding support for VM-to-VM traffic visibility in VMware environments. The feature eliminates the need for a special monitoring VM in every vSphere host which introduces complexities across virtualization and security teams, adds cost and reduces server performance, the company said. Big Monitoring Fabric is the companys flagship monitoring software that lets network operators ensure high-performance delivery of services and applications. Big Monitorings controller-based SDN architecture allows remote, centralized control of tool policies and configurations, with management performed through a single interface. The system now also can monitor container-to-container traffic when deployed on bare-metal hosts or within VMware vSphere VMs. In addition, workloads deployed in public cloud, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) can also now be monitored. Big Monitoring Fabric Release 6.0 includes support for a 160G Service Node as well as an Analytics 2.0 to help monitor network resources. Jim Duffy, a senior analyst with 451 Research, said the Big Switch announcements seem to be targeting competitor Gigamon. The security architecture will compete with GigaSecure, and the enhancements are an attempt to reach feature parity with Gigamon packet brokers, but in a programmable SDN architecture vs. hardware. Hall trustees to continue battle opposing proposals APPLICANTS who submitted plans for a new village hall in Little London have vowed to appeal after their proposal was recently thrown out. Proposals for outline planning permission for land in countryside at Berry Court Farm, New Road, included the construction of four houses, two bungalows and a village hall with associated parking, landscaping and access. Submitted by David Snook a Pamber parish councillor and his wife Jacqueline, the proposals were recently recommended for refusal by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council planners, who said there was an existing, older village hall and that two halls were unsustainable. Borough councillors then voted to back the recommendation to refuse, by a narrow margin of five in favour and four against. Joint applicants Mr and Mrs Snook have since said they intend to appeal. Mrs Snook, a Pamber villager of four decades, said she joined the management committee of St Stephens Village Hall in 1987 when hall funds were low. During previous years, when she and her husband, the former hall chairman had served on the committee, fundraising included an annual dance at the Snooks barn, at Berry Court Farm, raising more than 8,000. We once tried to promote a day nursery, but with no land for outdoor play, and the halls close proximity to the road, it was rejected as a suitable venue, said Mrs Snook. The hall suffered from dry rot and there was a lack of roof or wall insulation, so Mrs Snook said she thought a new hall was a good prospect. She said: As we could not afford to fund the whole project ourselves, we proposed a small residential development where the income from the sale of the land would generate sufficient funds to build a purpose-built village hall set in its own grounds and car park. The new hall and the land would then be gifted to the parish council in perpetuity. Chairman of St Stephens Village Hall committee, Gary Ellis, said the battle to oppose the proposals would go on. He pointed out that villagers had expressed their opinions in a public consultation on the issue. A total of 167 responses had been received, of which 121 were against the provision of a new hall. Of course we will continue to fight this application on the grounds of public opinion as expressed in the consultation, said Mr Ellis. Despite the result of the public consultation, he said Pamber Parish Council voted not to object to the proposals. Mr Ellis said borough council development policies should be applied, pointing out Mr Snook was on the Pamber Parish Council south ward planning committee. G S Vasu By Now that she has passed into history, much will be written about J Jayalalithaa, admired by millions, and equally vilified by her rivals, including by those within her party in the early stages of her political life. Political pundits will analyse her several stints as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, her style of governance and the void she leaves behind in the Dravidian politics of the State. But the one question to which everyone will grope for an answer is why she was the way she was. Having never met her during my professional career, except for a brief photo op at a private function some months ago, I sought my own answer by consulting a number of people including, I thought it necessary, some psychologists. What transformed a shy young girl into one of the most powerful women leaders this country has seen while remaining an enigma right up to her death? The answer must lie in the turning points in Jayalalithaas life. Having lost her father in her childhood, the little girl was left alone in Bangalore after her mother went away to Madras to work in films. After she had grown into a brilliant student with dreams of academic achievement, she was forced into films against her wishes, apparently for financial reasons. We also saw her as a young politician who was encouraged by her mentor MGR in the face of envious rivals. When he died, they tried to suppress her and sought to scare her away through canards and innuendo. Then we saw her being subjected to physical abuse on the floor of the Assembly, making her perhaps the only woman politician to have endured and survived such treatment. To most of the questions that critics threw at her during her 30-plus years of political life, Jayalalithaa provided the answers herself, though she always kept a distance from the media, perhaps rightly so. Would I have been mocked at (in school) if my mother was a leading star and not a character actor as she was? Jayalalithaa asked one interviewer. That made her reach the conclusion that irrespective of the field one was infilms or politics, both of which were not her choices a woman has to always give the best if the world has to deign to recognise her. Jayalalithaa therefore had to make sure that she was at the top in the film industry while being conscious of the fact that women in movies were only an essential commodity to provide the glamour quotient. In politics, she found that men did not give women even that much room and instead did their utmost to get rid of women. So she made sure that she could not be wished away. Most women would have given up had they come up against the sort of difficulties that Jayalalithaa did, such as when she was pushed out of the vehicle carrying the mortal remains of MGR or when she was almost disrobed in the Assembly. But Jayalalithaa stuck to the task on hand even though her personal dreams had been very different from what she was finally ending up in. Its a reflection of the strength of Jayalalithaas character that she worked with great resolve even if it was not her choice in the first place. In the film industry she grew to be able to carry a movie on her shoulders without the hero dominating the screen, and in politics she grew into such a status soon after the mantle fell upon her. When she was able to finally establish her hold over AIADMK in the early 1990s after her electoral victory, Jayalalithaa left no one in doubt that it was she and she alone who mattered. She made it known to the world that she would let no one mess around with her any longer. As the years progressed during which she saw many ups and downs, she never let this message get diluted: she was the numero uno and none could take her for granted, whether it was the prime minister or a secondrung leader in her party. This brings us to the question as to whether she would have otherwise survived in a state characterised by male domination and a patriarchal society? The fair answer is No. With her innate abilities and intelligence, she dug deep into her psyche to become what she became so much so that in her words, she was surprised by her own transformation. The way she developed her personalityreflecting nerves of steel and offering limited access to party leaders and outsidersdid give her good results and she apparently felt that there was no reason to change. Those who have worked with her acknowledge the quick grasp she possessed, a trait she may have developed by virtue of having been a voracious reader, quite unlike most Indian politicians. No wonder, she looked at most of them with contempt or as people with whom she had nothing to discuss, given their hollowness. She had to live the first 40 years of her life the way the world dictated to her; for the remainder of her life, she lived exactly the way she wanted to, by dictating to the world. It is for social scientists to study how an ordinary Brahmin girl came to have a steely grip over a Dravidian party built on anti-Brahmin sentiment. But she knew how to win the heart of the common man. If women always outnumbered men in terms of the support she enjoyed, it could be that they saw in her, a mirror of their own trials and tribulations in a society structured to allow male domination. In the last few years of her life, Jayalalithaa is said to have developed a sense of detachment and was clearly at peace with herself and all that she achieved. She even explained why she chose not to develop a successor. That did not happen in my case and I fought my way through. After me, someone else will emerge in their own way, was her stoic reply. Coming as it does from someone who survived and excelled in the big, bad worlds of films and politics, we have to accept her dictum, whether or not it rolls out the way it did for her. G S Vasu Editor, The New Indian Express Email: vasu@newindianexpress.com Now that she has passed into history, much will be written about J Jayalalithaa, admired by millions, and equally vilified by her rivals, including by those within her party in the early stages of her political life. Political pundits will analyse her several stints as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, her style of governance and the void she leaves behind in the Dravidian politics of the State. But the one question to which everyone will grope for an answer is why she was the way she was. Having never met her during my professional career, except for a brief photo op at a private function some months ago, I sought my own answer by consulting a number of people including, I thought it necessary, some psychologists. What transformed a shy young girl into one of the most powerful women leaders this country has seen while remaining an enigma right up to her death? The answer must lie in the turning points in Jayalalithaas life. Having lost her father in her childhood, the little girl was left alone in Bangalore after her mother went away to Madras to work in films. After she had grown into a brilliant student with dreams of academic achievement, she was forced into films against her wishes, apparently for financial reasons. We also saw her as a young politician who was encouraged by her mentor MGR in the face of envious rivals. When he died, they tried to suppress her and sought to scare her away through canards and innuendo. Then we saw her being subjected to physical abuse on the floor of the Assembly, making her perhaps the only woman politician to have endured and survived such treatment. To most of the questions that critics threw at her during her 30-plus years of political life, Jayalalithaa provided the answers herself, though she always kept a distance from the media, perhaps rightly so. Would I have been mocked at (in school) if my mother was a leading star and not a character actor as she was? Jayalalithaa asked one interviewer. That made her reach the conclusion that irrespective of the field one was infilms or politics, both of which were not her choices a woman has to always give the best if the world has to deign to recognise her. Jayalalithaa therefore had to make sure that she was at the top in the film industry while being conscious of the fact that women in movies were only an essential commodity to provide the glamour quotient. In politics, she found that men did not give women even that much room and instead did their utmost to get rid of women. So she made sure that she could not be wished away. Most women would have given up had they come up against the sort of difficulties that Jayalalithaa did, such as when she was pushed out of the vehicle carrying the mortal remains of MGR or when she was almost disrobed in the Assembly. But Jayalalithaa stuck to the task on hand even though her personal dreams had been very different from what she was finally ending up in. Its a reflection of the strength of Jayalalithaas character that she worked with great resolve even if it was not her choice in the first place. In the film industry she grew to be able to carry a movie on her shoulders without the hero dominating the screen, and in politics she grew into such a status soon after the mantle fell upon her. When she was able to finally establish her hold over AIADMK in the early 1990s after her electoral victory, Jayalalithaa left no one in doubt that it was she and she alone who mattered. She made it known to the world that she would let no one mess around with her any longer. As the years progressed during which she saw many ups and downs, she never let this message get diluted: she was the numero uno and none could take her for granted, whether it was the prime minister or a secondrung leader in her party. This brings us to the question as to whether she would have otherwise survived in a state characterised by male domination and a patriarchal society? The fair answer is No. With her innate abilities and intelligence, she dug deep into her psyche to become what she became so much so that in her words, she was surprised by her own transformation. The way she developed her personalityreflecting nerves of steel and offering limited access to party leaders and outsidersdid give her good results and she apparently felt that there was no reason to change. Those who have worked with her acknowledge the quick grasp she possessed, a trait she may have developed by virtue of having been a voracious reader, quite unlike most Indian politicians. No wonder, she looked at most of them with contempt or as people with whom she had nothing to discuss, given their hollowness. She had to live the first 40 years of her life the way the world dictated to her; for the remainder of her life, she lived exactly the way she wanted to, by dictating to the world. It is for social scientists to study how an ordinary Brahmin girl came to have a steely grip over a Dravidian party built on anti-Brahmin sentiment. But she knew how to win the heart of the common man. If women always outnumbered men in terms of the support she enjoyed, it could be that they saw in her, a mirror of their own trials and tribulations in a society structured to allow male domination. In the last few years of her life, Jayalalithaa is said to have developed a sense of detachment and was clearly at peace with herself and all that she achieved. She even explained why she chose not to develop a successor. That did not happen in my case and I fought my way through. After me, someone else will emerge in their own way, was her stoic reply. Coming as it does from someone who survived and excelled in the big, bad worlds of films and politics, we have to accept her dictum, whether or not it rolls out the way it did for her. G S Vasu Editor, The New Indian Express Email: vasu@newindianexpress.com By Express News Service HYDERABAD: In the light of impeachment proceedings moved against him by 61 MPs in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Justice CV Nagarjuna Reddy is learnt to have decided to stay away from his official duties voluntarily till proving his innocence on the issue of alleged atrocity against a Dalit judicial officer. In this regard, he is learnt to have addressed letters to the Chief Justice of India, Acting Chief Justice of Hyderabad High Court and the state Governor requesting them to allow him to go on leave from Wednesday till the issue reaches logical conclusion. The judge, in his letter, while seeking permission to go on leave voluntarily has expressed faith on judiciary and democratic system, sources said. HYDERABAD: In the light of impeachment proceedings moved against him by 61 MPs in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Justice CV Nagarjuna Reddy is learnt to have decided to stay away from his official duties voluntarily till proving his innocence on the issue of alleged atrocity against a Dalit judicial officer. In this regard, he is learnt to have addressed letters to the Chief Justice of India, Acting Chief Justice of Hyderabad High Court and the state Governor requesting them to allow him to go on leave from Wednesday till the issue reaches logical conclusion. The judge, in his letter, while seeking permission to go on leave voluntarily has expressed faith on judiciary and democratic system, sources said. By Express News Service VISAKHAPATNAM: A bomb disposal squad of Visakhapatnam rural police on Tuesday blasted two landmines, which were planted by banned Maoists in the interior Kumada village of Munchingput mandal in Visakhapatnam agency. The squad blasted the landmines after finding that the mines could not be defused. According to a rural police release, acting on a tip-off, the police found the landmines planted on the BT Road near Kumuda village. Police said that the bomb disposal squad, which was sent to the spot found the landmines planted three feet below the ground. After a thorough examination, the team found that there was no chance of defusing the landmines. Taking all necessary precautions, the team blasted the landmines. As per the police team, each landmine weighed about 20 kg. Superintendent of police (Visakhapatnam-Rural) Rahul Dev Sharma said that the Maoists had planted the landmines with an intention to harm the police but these explosives will also be a threat to the tribals, who generally go to weekly fairs. There are a number of cases, where the Maoists have targeted police and caused threat to tribals by blasting the jeeps and vehicles. The Red rebels should drop such ideas and surrender, added Rahul Dev Sharma. Police sources said that being the Peoples Liberation Guerilla Army (PLGA) week, a huge police force had already been deployed in the agency areas of Visakhapatnam, including Maoist hotbeds. VISAKHAPATNAM: A bomb disposal squad of Visakhapatnam rural police on Tuesday blasted two landmines, which were planted by banned Maoists in the interior Kumada village of Munchingput mandal in Visakhapatnam agency. The squad blasted the landmines after finding that the mines could not be defused. According to a rural police release, acting on a tip-off, the police found the landmines planted on the BT Road near Kumuda village. Police said that the bomb disposal squad, which was sent to the spot found the landmines planted three feet below the ground. After a thorough examination, the team found that there was no chance of defusing the landmines. Taking all necessary precautions, the team blasted the landmines. As per the police team, each landmine weighed about 20 kg. Superintendent of police (Visakhapatnam-Rural) Rahul Dev Sharma said that the Maoists had planted the landmines with an intention to harm the police but these explosives will also be a threat to the tribals, who generally go to weekly fairs. There are a number of cases, where the Maoists have targeted police and caused threat to tribals by blasting the jeeps and vehicles. The Red rebels should drop such ideas and surrender, added Rahul Dev Sharma. Police sources said that being the Peoples Liberation Guerilla Army (PLGA) week, a huge police force had already been deployed in the agency areas of Visakhapatnam, including Maoist hotbeds. By Express News Service KOCHI: The Kerala High Court rejected a plea for the re-postmortem of the bodies of two Maoists killed, allegedly in an encounter in Nilambur forests in Malappuram on Wednesday. The court issued the order while dismissing the petition filed by D Sreedharan, brother of deceased Kuppu Devarajan seeking to conduct a re-postmortem of the bodies of Kuppu Devaraj and Kaveri alias Ajitha preserved at the Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode. The petitioner submitted that his brother was caught alive and then killed. "The postmortem was conducted by two junior police surgeons and a junior lady resident medical officer, with no experience of fire arm injuries and it was done in the absence of head of the department of forensic science of the Medical College. Hence, a re-postmortem in the presence of Dr NR Prithvi Rajan, forensic expert, Chennai and preservation of the bodies for a week is requested," the petitioner said. To establish a brutal fake encounter with fire arm, a thorough infra red photography of the body along with hysto-pathological examination of the wounded tissues ought to have been collected in postmortem, which the junior police surgeons avoided for the reasons best known to them, the petition stated. In defence, the State government submitted that there was no need to conduct a re-postmortem as it was conducted by a team of doctors with sufficient experience in the field. Postmortem is an opinion evidence' by the doctors. Hence, a re-postmortem is not required considering the factual aspects of the incident. The court observed that the appellant fought the case on the ground that the deaths were caused in a fake encounter. It was always left open to the petitioner to seek all available remedies as per law. The court observed that the petitioner was not in a position to establish that any mistake or irregularity had occurred with respect to postmortem examination conducted at the Medical College. The court did not find any reason to interfere in the order of the sessions court. KOCHI: The Kerala High Court rejected a plea for the re-postmortem of the bodies of two Maoists killed, allegedly in an encounter in Nilambur forests in Malappuram on Wednesday. The court issued the order while dismissing the petition filed by D Sreedharan, brother of deceased Kuppu Devarajan seeking to conduct a re-postmortem of the bodies of Kuppu Devaraj and Kaveri alias Ajitha preserved at the Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode. The petitioner submitted that his brother was caught alive and then killed. "The postmortem was conducted by two junior police surgeons and a junior lady resident medical officer, with no experience of fire arm injuries and it was done in the absence of head of the department of forensic science of the Medical College. Hence, a re-postmortem in the presence of Dr NR Prithvi Rajan, forensic expert, Chennai and preservation of the bodies for a week is requested," the petitioner said. To establish a brutal fake encounter with fire arm, a thorough infra red photography of the body along with hysto-pathological examination of the wounded tissues ought to have been collected in postmortem, which the junior police surgeons avoided for the reasons best known to them, the petition stated. In defence, the State government submitted that there was no need to conduct a re-postmortem as it was conducted by a team of doctors with sufficient experience in the field. Postmortem is an opinion evidence' by the doctors. Hence, a re-postmortem is not required considering the factual aspects of the incident. The court observed that the appellant fought the case on the ground that the deaths were caused in a fake encounter. It was always left open to the petitioner to seek all available remedies as per law. The court observed that the petitioner was not in a position to establish that any mistake or irregularity had occurred with respect to postmortem examination conducted at the Medical College. The court did not find any reason to interfere in the order of the sessions court. By Express News Service KOCHI: Relatives of around 85 nurses recruited by private recruitment agency Hiba Exports India to work for Ministry of Health (MOH), Kuwait, on Wednesday accused the agency of extortion. In a press conference at Ernakulam Press Club, the nurses relatives also expressed concern over the future of their kins in Kuwait, in light of the alleged threat. K G Sasi, father of one of the nurses, claimed the agency was asking him to pay `8 lakh and had threatened to destroy her original educational certificates if he failed. Expecting a good fortune, I sent my daughter for nursing in Kuwait six months ago by paying `15 lakh, as demanded by the agency back then. She had already cleared the examination. The agency also asked us to surrender her original educational certificates along with the money, which we did. They had sought the certificates to complete attestation, but did not return them even after my daughter reached Kuwait, said Sasi. Now, the agency is demanding an additional `8 lakh for allowing my daughter continue with her job. They have threatened to tear off the documents if we fail to pay, he said, adding, Since the Kuwait MOH requested my daughter to submit the certificates, we have no other way. Dickson, whose wife works for MOH, Kuwait, related a similar experience. Meanwhile, the nurses relatives had approached Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with a complaint against the agency in June. The CM referred the incident to Ernakulam IG S Sreejith, who later referred it to the City Police Commissioner office. However, the relatives claimed no action was taken even after five months. People associated with the recruitment agency had plainly said that complaining against them would be futile, as they maintained a close relationship with the CM and also had contact with top police officials, alleged Dickson. KOCHI: Relatives of around 85 nurses recruited by private recruitment agency Hiba Exports India to work for Ministry of Health (MOH), Kuwait, on Wednesday accused the agency of extortion. In a press conference at Ernakulam Press Club, the nurses relatives also expressed concern over the future of their kins in Kuwait, in light of the alleged threat. K G Sasi, father of one of the nurses, claimed the agency was asking him to pay `8 lakh and had threatened to destroy her original educational certificates if he failed. Expecting a good fortune, I sent my daughter for nursing in Kuwait six months ago by paying `15 lakh, as demanded by the agency back then. She had already cleared the examination. The agency also asked us to surrender her original educational certificates along with the money, which we did. They had sought the certificates to complete attestation, but did not return them even after my daughter reached Kuwait, said Sasi. Now, the agency is demanding an additional `8 lakh for allowing my daughter continue with her job. They have threatened to tear off the documents if we fail to pay, he said, adding, Since the Kuwait MOH requested my daughter to submit the certificates, we have no other way. Dickson, whose wife works for MOH, Kuwait, related a similar experience. Meanwhile, the nurses relatives had approached Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with a complaint against the agency in June. The CM referred the incident to Ernakulam IG S Sreejith, who later referred it to the City Police Commissioner office. However, the relatives claimed no action was taken even after five months. People associated with the recruitment agency had plainly said that complaining against them would be futile, as they maintained a close relationship with the CM and also had contact with top police officials, alleged Dickson. By Online Desk Who can be an actor, a journalist, a satirist, a comedian, a playwright, an editor, a filmwriter, a director, a politician and a pundit, all at once? Only Cho can. Originally known as Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy, he was fondly addressed and remembered as Cho. Born in a Brahmin family of lawyers, he began assisting his father and grandfather at their law firm which soon turned into a busy practice near the Madras High Court. But theater remained his true passion. Cho was well known for his play Mohammed bin Tughlaq, a seminal work that was first staged in 1968. Many believe it portrayed former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's 'autocratic' rule. The success of this play led Cho to launch the famous Tamil magazine, Tughlaq in 1970. Cho played a major role in introducing satire about socio-political issues, to the Tamil audience, through his magazine. The intelligentsia would often agree with his thought-process that was usually well ahead of his times. In fact, during the Emergency era, Tughlaq was the only magazine whose advertisements were censored. When the publication resumed after Emergency, the first issue was boldly published with just a black front cover as a mark of protest. Cho entered the film industry and made his debut in 1963 with Paar Magale Paar as a comedian. From 1963 to 2005, he has acted in 190 Tamil films. In the recent past, Cho had directed the adaptation of his book 'Enge Brahmanan' (Where is the Brahmin?) into a television series. This series personified the quintessential Tamil Brahmin. As the story pursues in the background, Cho acted as the voice of the upper elite in Tamil Nadu explaining aspects, importance and the practical use of the Hindu religion, cultural practices, rituals etc. But what he starkly also indulged in was questioning what the religion and culture meant in common sense and the current times. Cho and Jayalalithaa have worked together in 19 films and have also been part of theater together. In the later years, Cho diligently worked with both MGR and Jayalalithaa, advising them on their political careers. While 'amma' was under treatment for months in Apollo Hospitals, little did many know that Cho was silently ailing, in the same hospital. In view of his extensive career and multifaceted knowledge in many fields, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President of India, KR Narayanan and served as an MP from November 1999 to November 2005. Throughout his 50-year career, Cho's unbiased views and his audacity to question the system was what made him popular amidst literary circles. As he died at the age of 82, there remains a sense of fulfillment and awe about his extensive contribution. Sporting a bald shiny head, sleek eyebrows and forehead that had the perfect three lines of veebhoothi (ash), Cho definitely was a man of many hats. Who can be an actor, a journalist, a satirist, a comedian, a playwright, an editor, a filmwriter, a director, a politician and a pundit, all at once? Only Cho can. Originally known as Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy, he was fondly addressed and remembered as Cho. Born in a Brahmin family of lawyers, he began assisting his father and grandfather at their law firm which soon turned into a busy practice near the Madras High Court. But theater remained his true passion. Cho was well known for his play Mohammed bin Tughlaq, a seminal work that was first staged in 1968. Many believe it portrayed former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's 'autocratic' rule. The success of this play led Cho to launch the famous Tamil magazine, Tughlaq in 1970. Cho played a major role in introducing satire about socio-political issues, to the Tamil audience, through his magazine. The intelligentsia would often agree with his thought-process that was usually well ahead of his times. In fact, during the Emergency era, Tughlaq was the only magazine whose advertisements were censored. When the publication resumed after Emergency, the first issue was boldly published with just a black front cover as a mark of protest. Cho entered the film industry and made his debut in 1963 with Paar Magale Paar as a comedian. From 1963 to 2005, he has acted in 190 Tamil films. In the recent past, Cho had directed the adaptation of his book 'Enge Brahmanan' (Where is the Brahmin?) into a television series. This series personified the quintessential Tamil Brahmin. As the story pursues in the background, Cho acted as the voice of the upper elite in Tamil Nadu explaining aspects, importance and the practical use of the Hindu religion, cultural practices, rituals etc. But what he starkly also indulged in was questioning what the religion and culture meant in common sense and the current times. Cho and Jayalalithaa have worked together in 19 films and have also been part of theater together. In the later years, Cho diligently worked with both MGR and Jayalalithaa, advising them on their political careers. While 'amma' was under treatment for months in Apollo Hospitals, little did many know that Cho was silently ailing, in the same hospital. In view of his extensive career and multifaceted knowledge in many fields, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President of India, KR Narayanan and served as an MP from November 1999 to November 2005. Throughout his 50-year career, Cho's unbiased views and his audacity to question the system was what made him popular amidst literary circles. As he died at the age of 82, there remains a sense of fulfillment and awe about his extensive contribution. Sporting a bald shiny head, sleek eyebrows and forehead that had the perfect three lines of veebhoothi (ash), Cho definitely was a man of many hats. By AFP MEUREUDU: The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck western Indonesia Wednesday has nearly doubled to 97, the military said, as more bodies were pulled from the rubble of scores of shattered buildings. The shallow 6.5-magnitude quake struck Pidie Jaya district in Aceh province at dawn as many in the mainly Muslim region on Sumatra island were preparing for morning prayers. The death toll has steadily climbed as rescue crews search, often by hand, through the homes, mosques and shops reduced to ruins. The earlier figure of 52 dead was revised up significantly by the Indonesian military, which has taken over responsibility for the search and rescue operation. "So far 97 people have been killed and the number keeps growing," Aceh military chief Tatang Sulaiman told AFP. "When we retrieve bodies sometimes there's five, sometimes 10 corpses." More than 1,000 soldiers and about 900 police have been deployed to the worst-hit areas to set up shelters and evacuation points, he added. Hundreds of houses and shops had been levelled by the quake, leaving countless people homeless and in need of basic supplies like food and water, officials said. "The electricity is still off. Some places have generators, but there are not many," local disaster agency head Puteh Manaf told AFP. "If it rains there will be disease." - 'Everything was destroyed' - The sole hospital in Pidie Jaya was quickly overwhelmed, with patients treated on the grass out front or sent to neighbouring districts with better facilities. The district health office chief Said Abdullah said nearly 200 injured had arrived since the quake, but many would not enter the hospital for fear of aftershocks. "We are treating people outside. We took the beds out because nobody is daring enter the hospital," he told AFP. Another regional hospital had suffered serious damage in the quake, along with schools and other key infrastructure, a national disaster agency spokesman said. In the hard-hit town of Meureudu, terrified residents rushed outside as their homes buckled and crumbled. "Everything was destroyed," said Hasbi Jaya, who pulled his two children unconscious from the rubble of their home. "It was pitch black because the electricity was out. I looked around and all my neighbours' homes were completely flattened." An AFP correspondent said dazed residents were wandering debris-strewn streets, unable to return to their damaged homes in fear of aftershocks. Some fled to higher ground for fear of a tsunami although no alert was issued. A huge undersea earthquake in 2004 triggered a tsunami that engulfed parts of Aceh and other countries around the Indian Ocean, killing more than 170,000 people in Indonesia alone. Indonesian seismologists said the latest earthquake was felt across much of Aceh province, with many aftershocks following the initial tremor. The US Geological Survey upgraded the magnitude to 6.5 from an initial reading of 6.4 and issued a yellow alert for expected fatalities and damage. Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide. Aceh lies on the northern tip of Sumatra island, which is particularly prone to quakes. In June a 6.5-magnitude quake struck off the west of Sumatra, damaging scores of buildings and injuring eight people. MEUREUDU: The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck western Indonesia Wednesday has nearly doubled to 97, the military said, as more bodies were pulled from the rubble of scores of shattered buildings. The shallow 6.5-magnitude quake struck Pidie Jaya district in Aceh province at dawn as many in the mainly Muslim region on Sumatra island were preparing for morning prayers. The death toll has steadily climbed as rescue crews search, often by hand, through the homes, mosques and shops reduced to ruins. The earlier figure of 52 dead was revised up significantly by the Indonesian military, which has taken over responsibility for the search and rescue operation. "So far 97 people have been killed and the number keeps growing," Aceh military chief Tatang Sulaiman told AFP. "When we retrieve bodies sometimes there's five, sometimes 10 corpses." More than 1,000 soldiers and about 900 police have been deployed to the worst-hit areas to set up shelters and evacuation points, he added. Hundreds of houses and shops had been levelled by the quake, leaving countless people homeless and in need of basic supplies like food and water, officials said. "The electricity is still off. Some places have generators, but there are not many," local disaster agency head Puteh Manaf told AFP. "If it rains there will be disease." - 'Everything was destroyed' - The sole hospital in Pidie Jaya was quickly overwhelmed, with patients treated on the grass out front or sent to neighbouring districts with better facilities. The district health office chief Said Abdullah said nearly 200 injured had arrived since the quake, but many would not enter the hospital for fear of aftershocks. "We are treating people outside. We took the beds out because nobody is daring enter the hospital," he told AFP. Another regional hospital had suffered serious damage in the quake, along with schools and other key infrastructure, a national disaster agency spokesman said. In the hard-hit town of Meureudu, terrified residents rushed outside as their homes buckled and crumbled. "Everything was destroyed," said Hasbi Jaya, who pulled his two children unconscious from the rubble of their home. "It was pitch black because the electricity was out. I looked around and all my neighbours' homes were completely flattened." An AFP correspondent said dazed residents were wandering debris-strewn streets, unable to return to their damaged homes in fear of aftershocks. Some fled to higher ground for fear of a tsunami although no alert was issued. A huge undersea earthquake in 2004 triggered a tsunami that engulfed parts of Aceh and other countries around the Indian Ocean, killing more than 170,000 people in Indonesia alone. Indonesian seismologists said the latest earthquake was felt across much of Aceh province, with many aftershocks following the initial tremor. The US Geological Survey upgraded the magnitude to 6.5 from an initial reading of 6.4 and issued a yellow alert for expected fatalities and damage. Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide. Aceh lies on the northern tip of Sumatra island, which is particularly prone to quakes. In June a 6.5-magnitude quake struck off the west of Sumatra, damaging scores of buildings and injuring eight people. By Associated Press KABUL:From a childhood as a refugee, Capt. Safia Ferozi is now flying a transport plane for Afghanistan's air force as the country's second female pilot, a sign of the efforts to bring more women into the armed forces. Along the way, the 26-year-old Ferozi also married another pilot, who flies in the same unit supporting army ground forces. They are part of a small Afghan air force that is trying to take a greater role in fighting the Taliban insurgency. "When I wear military uniform, I really, really feel proud of myself as a woman," Ferozi said while preparing for a flight at the air force base in the capital, Kabul. She flies a C-208, a turboprop plane used as transport for the armed forces. Nearly 16 years since the collapse of the militant Taliban regime after the US-led invasion in 2001, Afghan women are taking steps to increase their presence in society, including in parliament, government and the military. Still, they face resistance in a deeply conservative society where women are largely expected to stay in the home and where violence against women remains a widespread problem. When she was a child, Farozi's family fled from their home in Kabul in the 1990s, during the civil war among Afghanistan's warlords. They took refuge in Pakistan, returning only after the fall of the Taliban. In high school in post-Taliban Afghanistan, Farozi saw a TV commercial urging women to join the military. So after graduation she enrolled in the military academy, studying to become a communication officer. Then it was announced at the academy that the air force was looking for women to become pilots. Farozi and 12 other women applied, and she was the only one who passed the tests to enter training. While she was training at an airfield in the western province of Herat, she first met Capt. Mohammad Jawad Najafi, the pilot who would later become her husband. They married nearly two years ago, and he has since backed her ambitions. She graduated from training in 2015. She gave birth to their first child, daughter Nergis, now nearly 8 months old, and is back flying missions. Farozi is one of only two female pilots in the Afghan air force, but five other women are currently going through training. In 2013, Capt. Niloofar Rahmani became the country's first woman pilot in more than 30 years and the first to pilot fixed-wing aircraft there were a few female helicopter pilots during Soviet-backed rule in the 1980s. She is now in the United States training on the far larger C-130 military transport craft. Ferozi says she hopes to inspire other women. "As a woman you face many challenges, but you have to deal somehow with all those problems," she said. There are around 1,800 women serving in Afghanistan's 195,000-member military, according to Gen. Mohammad Radmanish, deputy Defense Ministry spokesman. The military, which is heavily backed by the U.S. and NATO, is working to bring the number up to 10 percent of its ranks over the next seven years, he said. Afghanistan's small air force just over 100 aircraft received little attention for years, but in 2015 NATO and the U.S. began focusing on building it up with increased training and equipment. The force has attack helicopters and light attack planes that have been flying combat missions this year, though NATO militaries carry out the vast majority of strikes in the fight against insurgents. The other major role for the air force is in emergency humanitarian missions, helping those hit by flooding, avalanches, landslides or other disasters. KABUL:From a childhood as a refugee, Capt. Safia Ferozi is now flying a transport plane for Afghanistan's air force as the country's second female pilot, a sign of the efforts to bring more women into the armed forces. Along the way, the 26-year-old Ferozi also married another pilot, who flies in the same unit supporting army ground forces. They are part of a small Afghan air force that is trying to take a greater role in fighting the Taliban insurgency. "When I wear military uniform, I really, really feel proud of myself as a woman," Ferozi said while preparing for a flight at the air force base in the capital, Kabul. She flies a C-208, a turboprop plane used as transport for the armed forces. Nearly 16 years since the collapse of the militant Taliban regime after the US-led invasion in 2001, Afghan women are taking steps to increase their presence in society, including in parliament, government and the military. Still, they face resistance in a deeply conservative society where women are largely expected to stay in the home and where violence against women remains a widespread problem. When she was a child, Farozi's family fled from their home in Kabul in the 1990s, during the civil war among Afghanistan's warlords. They took refuge in Pakistan, returning only after the fall of the Taliban. In high school in post-Taliban Afghanistan, Farozi saw a TV commercial urging women to join the military. So after graduation she enrolled in the military academy, studying to become a communication officer. Then it was announced at the academy that the air force was looking for women to become pilots. Farozi and 12 other women applied, and she was the only one who passed the tests to enter training. While she was training at an airfield in the western province of Herat, she first met Capt. Mohammad Jawad Najafi, the pilot who would later become her husband. They married nearly two years ago, and he has since backed her ambitions. She graduated from training in 2015. She gave birth to their first child, daughter Nergis, now nearly 8 months old, and is back flying missions. Farozi is one of only two female pilots in the Afghan air force, but five other women are currently going through training. In 2013, Capt. Niloofar Rahmani became the country's first woman pilot in more than 30 years and the first to pilot fixed-wing aircraft there were a few female helicopter pilots during Soviet-backed rule in the 1980s. She is now in the United States training on the far larger C-130 military transport craft. Ferozi says she hopes to inspire other women. "As a woman you face many challenges, but you have to deal somehow with all those problems," she said. There are around 1,800 women serving in Afghanistan's 195,000-member military, according to Gen. Mohammad Radmanish, deputy Defense Ministry spokesman. The military, which is heavily backed by the U.S. and NATO, is working to bring the number up to 10 percent of its ranks over the next seven years, he said. Afghanistan's small air force just over 100 aircraft received little attention for years, but in 2015 NATO and the U.S. began focusing on building it up with increased training and equipment. The force has attack helicopters and light attack planes that have been flying combat missions this year, though NATO militaries carry out the vast majority of strikes in the fight against insurgents. The other major role for the air force is in emergency humanitarian missions, helping those hit by flooding, avalanches, landslides or other disasters. By Associated Press JACKSON: Georgia executed its ninth inmate this year on Tuesday night, putting to death a man convicted of killing his father-in-law more than a quarter century ago. William Sallie, 50, was pronounced dead at 10:05 p.m. after a lethal injection at the state prison in Jackson. Lawyers who sought to block William Sallie's execution said he should be granted a new trial because of alleged juror bias, but courts haven't properly considered that evidence because he missed a filing deadline by eight days at a time when he didn't have a lawyer, his lawyers said in court filings. Georgia has put to death more people this year than any other state, including Texas with seven. Sallie was convicted of murder in the fatal shooting of John Lee Moore in March 1990. His first conviction and death sentence were overturned because his attorney had a conflict of interest. At his second trial in 2001, a woman eventually chosen as a juror lied during jury selection and failed to disclose domestic violence, messy divorces and a child custody battle that were "bizarrely similar" to Sallie's case, his lawyers said. They add she later bragged to his attorneys' investigator that she persuaded her divided peers to vote unanimously for death. The defense team made those arguments in a clemency petition to the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles, urging it to act as a "fail safe" against a miscarriage of justice. But the board, the only authority in Georgia with power to commute a death sentence, declined to spare Sallie's life following a clemency hearing Monday. Sallie's lawyers asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stop the scheduled execution, but it declined. They argued that the high court's ruling in a pending Texas case with ineffective counsel issues could remove the procedural bars that are keeping the lower federal courts from considering their juror-bias claims. Attorneys for the state have argued the Texas case isn't similar enough that its outcome would affect Sallie, particularly because that case doesn't involve a federal petition that wasn't filed on time. Furthermore, they argue, even if the issues were identical, the federal appeals court in Atlanta is bound by its own precedent which doesn't allow such an extraordinary admission of the procedurally barred evidence and not by the future possibility of new precedent from the Supreme Court. Sallie's lawyers also have argued in a state court petition that carrying out his execution would violate his constitutional rights. Lawyers for the state rejected those claims and a court dismissed the petition. Sallie's lawyers appealed to the state Supreme Court, which on Tuesday declined to stop his scheduled execution. His lawyers appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court which also declined Tuesday evening to stop his execution. At the time of the killing, Sallie's wife was living with her parents in rural south Georgia after having filed for divorce and after the two had fought bitterly over custody of their young son. After cutting his in-laws' phone lines and breaking into their house about 12:45 a.m. March 29, 1990, Sallie went to the master bedroom and shot John and Linda Moore, according to a Georgia Supreme Court summary of the case. John Moore died from his injuries, and his wife was injured. Sallie then took his wife and her sister to his mobile home, leaving his son behind, the summary says. Sallie released his wife and her sister that night and was arrested a short time later. Sallie's lawyers have said the shooting was a botched attempt to take his son and leave. There have been 18 executions so far this year in the United States, including those in Georgia and Texas and one each in Alabama, Florida and Missouri. Alabama has one more scheduled Thursday. Sallie received visits Tuesday from six family members, four friends, three clergy members and four paralegals. JACKSON: Georgia executed its ninth inmate this year on Tuesday night, putting to death a man convicted of killing his father-in-law more than a quarter century ago. William Sallie, 50, was pronounced dead at 10:05 p.m. after a lethal injection at the state prison in Jackson. Lawyers who sought to block William Sallie's execution said he should be granted a new trial because of alleged juror bias, but courts haven't properly considered that evidence because he missed a filing deadline by eight days at a time when he didn't have a lawyer, his lawyers said in court filings. Georgia has put to death more people this year than any other state, including Texas with seven. Sallie was convicted of murder in the fatal shooting of John Lee Moore in March 1990. His first conviction and death sentence were overturned because his attorney had a conflict of interest. At his second trial in 2001, a woman eventually chosen as a juror lied during jury selection and failed to disclose domestic violence, messy divorces and a child custody battle that were "bizarrely similar" to Sallie's case, his lawyers said. They add she later bragged to his attorneys' investigator that she persuaded her divided peers to vote unanimously for death. The defense team made those arguments in a clemency petition to the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles, urging it to act as a "fail safe" against a miscarriage of justice. But the board, the only authority in Georgia with power to commute a death sentence, declined to spare Sallie's life following a clemency hearing Monday. Sallie's lawyers asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stop the scheduled execution, but it declined. They argued that the high court's ruling in a pending Texas case with ineffective counsel issues could remove the procedural bars that are keeping the lower federal courts from considering their juror-bias claims. Attorneys for the state have argued the Texas case isn't similar enough that its outcome would affect Sallie, particularly because that case doesn't involve a federal petition that wasn't filed on time. Furthermore, they argue, even if the issues were identical, the federal appeals court in Atlanta is bound by its own precedent which doesn't allow such an extraordinary admission of the procedurally barred evidence and not by the future possibility of new precedent from the Supreme Court. Sallie's lawyers also have argued in a state court petition that carrying out his execution would violate his constitutional rights. Lawyers for the state rejected those claims and a court dismissed the petition. Sallie's lawyers appealed to the state Supreme Court, which on Tuesday declined to stop his scheduled execution. His lawyers appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court which also declined Tuesday evening to stop his execution. At the time of the killing, Sallie's wife was living with her parents in rural south Georgia after having filed for divorce and after the two had fought bitterly over custody of their young son. After cutting his in-laws' phone lines and breaking into their house about 12:45 a.m. March 29, 1990, Sallie went to the master bedroom and shot John and Linda Moore, according to a Georgia Supreme Court summary of the case. John Moore died from his injuries, and his wife was injured. Sallie then took his wife and her sister to his mobile home, leaving his son behind, the summary says. Sallie released his wife and her sister that night and was arrested a short time later. Sallie's lawyers have said the shooting was a botched attempt to take his son and leave. There have been 18 executions so far this year in the United States, including those in Georgia and Texas and one each in Alabama, Florida and Missouri. Alabama has one more scheduled Thursday. Sallie received visits Tuesday from six family members, four friends, three clergy members and four paralegals. P K Balachandran By Express News Service COLOMBO: The inauguration of the newly constructed St.Anthonys chapel on Kachchativu island on Wednesday has been postponed until further notice due to the demise of J.Jayalalithaa, who died in harness as Tamil Nadu Chief minister in Chennai on Monday. The parish priest of Delft Island, Fr.Jayaranjan, who is in-charge of the chapel on Kachchativu island said that a new date for the inauguration will be announced later in consultation with the Diocese of Jaffna, and the Governments of Sri Lanka and India. The government of India had cleared the names of 20 Tamil Nadu fishermen to attend the inauguration. These will be attending the function when a new date is fixed, the priest said. The re-construction and expansion of the small chapel became controversial when the Bishop of Jaffna decided to have it done by the Sri Lankan navy and the navy started work. Tamil nationalists in Tamil Nadu and the Government of Tamil Nadu protested against the use of the Sri Lankan navy which it said was harassing Tamil Nadu fishermen while legitimately fishing around Kachchativu. The Sri Lankan navy had also been accused of committing war crimes during Eelam War IV. There was also a demand that Tamil Nadu fishermen should have been made part of the construction project. But the Bishop of Jaffna defended his decision to deploy the navy saying that only the navy had the wherewithal to build any such offshore structures. Moreover, the navy was going to do it free of charge. Eventually, the navy finished the project, as per the given deadline. COLOMBO: The inauguration of the newly constructed St.Anthonys chapel on Kachchativu island on Wednesday has been postponed until further notice due to the demise of J.Jayalalithaa, who died in harness as Tamil Nadu Chief minister in Chennai on Monday. The parish priest of Delft Island, Fr.Jayaranjan, who is in-charge of the chapel on Kachchativu island said that a new date for the inauguration will be announced later in consultation with the Diocese of Jaffna, and the Governments of Sri Lanka and India. The government of India had cleared the names of 20 Tamil Nadu fishermen to attend the inauguration. These will be attending the function when a new date is fixed, the priest said. The re-construction and expansion of the small chapel became controversial when the Bishop of Jaffna decided to have it done by the Sri Lankan navy and the navy started work. Tamil nationalists in Tamil Nadu and the Government of Tamil Nadu protested against the use of the Sri Lankan navy which it said was harassing Tamil Nadu fishermen while legitimately fishing around Kachchativu. The Sri Lankan navy had also been accused of committing war crimes during Eelam War IV. There was also a demand that Tamil Nadu fishermen should have been made part of the construction project. But the Bishop of Jaffna defended his decision to deploy the navy saying that only the navy had the wherewithal to build any such offshore structures. Moreover, the navy was going to do it free of charge. Eventually, the navy finished the project, as per the given deadline. By PTI WASHINGTON: An Indian-American owner of a diagnostic firm has been sued by the US government on charges of knowingly submitting false claims to a state-run insurance company for thousands of testing services he did not render. Vijay Patel, 59, of New Jersey who owns and operates a Mobile Diagnostic Testing, pleaded guilty in 2014 to a criminal information charging him with health care fraud related to this conduct. The civil complaint filed yesterday alleged Patel violated the False Claims Act, the Department of Justice said. According to court documents, from August 2011 through December 2012, Patel and the cardiologist defrauded Medicare -- national social insurance program, administered by the US federal government -- by submitting claims for diagnostic testing services that the doctor had performed from December 2010 to September 2012. This enabled him to evade Medicare's prepayment review. Patel submitted the cardiologist's claims through his company and his brother's company Biosound Medical Services Inc. (Biosound), as if Mobile Diagnostic and Biosound had performed the services instead of the doctor. Once Patel received the Medicare reimbursement money paid to the two companies for diagnostic testing services the cardiologist had performed, Patel transferred a portion of the payment to the doctor and kept a substantial portion for himself, federal prosecutors alleged. WASHINGTON: An Indian-American owner of a diagnostic firm has been sued by the US government on charges of knowingly submitting false claims to a state-run insurance company for thousands of testing services he did not render. Vijay Patel, 59, of New Jersey who owns and operates a Mobile Diagnostic Testing, pleaded guilty in 2014 to a criminal information charging him with health care fraud related to this conduct. The civil complaint filed yesterday alleged Patel violated the False Claims Act, the Department of Justice said. According to court documents, from August 2011 through December 2012, Patel and the cardiologist defrauded Medicare -- national social insurance program, administered by the US federal government -- by submitting claims for diagnostic testing services that the doctor had performed from December 2010 to September 2012. This enabled him to evade Medicare's prepayment review. Patel submitted the cardiologist's claims through his company and his brother's company Biosound Medical Services Inc. (Biosound), as if Mobile Diagnostic and Biosound had performed the services instead of the doctor. Once Patel received the Medicare reimbursement money paid to the two companies for diagnostic testing services the cardiologist had performed, Patel transferred a portion of the payment to the doctor and kept a substantial portion for himself, federal prosecutors alleged. PK Balachandran By Express News Service COLOMBO: The late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaas involvement in the Sri Lankan Tamil issue began almost immediately after she joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and became its propaganda secretary within a year in 1983. It was in the later part of 1983 that over 1 lakh Sri Lankan Tamil refugees poured into Tamil Nadu, pushed out by the anti-Tamil riots in Sri Lanka in July that year. Sensing a great political opportunity to whip up pro-Tamil sentiments, the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) led by M Karunanidhi took the lead in organising support for the beleaguered Sri Lankan Tamils. This left AIADMK leader and Chief Minister M G Ramachandran with no option, but to join the Eelam Tamil bandwagon as staying away from it would have been politically suicidal. The party was galvanised and the new propaganda secretary Jayalalithaa was the public face of a pro-active AIADMK on the Sri Lankan issue. But once the public fervour died down, the Indo-Sri Lankan issue was taken over by the Central government and Jayalalithaa totally ceased to have a role in the matter. A firm believer in non-violence, she was shattered by the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991. She rode the anti-LTTE and anti-DMK wave in the elections that followed and became Chief Minister in 1991. Kachatheevu issue By 1991, Tamil militancy and the counter-measures taken by the Sri Lankan Navy in the Palk Strait had revived the Kachatheevu issue. Tamil Nadu fishermen, who were suspected of aiding the LTTE and other Sri Lankan Tamil militants, were shot by the Lankan Navy leaving many injured or dead. Jayalalithaa blamed the transfer of Kachatheevu to Sri Lanka by two treaties in 1974 and 1976 for this as Tamil Nadu fishermen contended that they were being attacked nearKachatheevu, around which they had a right to fish as per an understanding between India and Sri Lanka. The Lankan Navy, on the contrary, argued that Tamil Nadu fishermen were intruding well beyond Kachatheevuand poaching in Lankan waters. But Jayalalithaa stuck to her guns, and got the State Assembly to pass a resolution seeking the retrieval of Kachatheevu as it had been handed over to Sri Lanka disregarding historical antecedents and without consulting the stakeholders in Tamil Nadu and circumventing Parliament. The Kachatheevu issue also helped her browbeat Karunanidhi. To prove her superior credentials as a defender of Tamil Nadu fishermens rights, she had approached the Supreme Court in 2008, something Karunanidhi had not even considered. Successive Central governments (and of course Sri Lanka) have held that the Kachatheevu issue had been settled in 1974 and 1976 and that there could be no going back. But Jayalalithaa kept the issue alive as the fishermen continued to contend (against scientific evidence) that they do not cross Kachatheevu, where they have traditional right to fish. However, Jayalalithaa had tried to divert Palk Strait fishermen from shallow water trawling to deep sea fishing and sought about Rs 1,055 crore from the Center for the switch over. In the absence of Central funds, she had started a project worth Rs 51 crore on her own. Meanwhile, arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen continued to be arrested, forcing Jayalalithaa to write to the Centre for strong action against Sri Lanka. Lankan Tamils issue Jayalalithaa got involved in the Sri Lankan Tamil political issue only in 2011 when a post-war humanitarian crisis in Northern Sri Lanka drew international attention. The treatment of the 3 lakh war displaced persons in camps and charges of war crimes levelled by human rights organisations and the UN began to draw the attention of politicians in Tamil Nadu. On coming to power in 2011, Jayalalithaa proactively got the State Assembly to pass a resolution seeking economic sanctions against Sri Lanka and action against Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and others war criminals. She held Karunanidhi also complicit in this, as he had allegedly only pretended to be acting to stop the carnage in Sri Lanka in 2009. When the UN Human Rights Council, acting at the behest of the US, began passing stringent resolutions against Sri Lanka seeking an international judicial mechanism, Jayalalithaa in 2013 got the State Assembly to pass a resolution alleging genocide and calling for economic sanctions and a referendum on forming a separate state for the Sri Lankan Tamils. An Assembly resolution demanded a total Indian boycott of the Commonwealth Heads of Government of Meeting in Colombo in 2013. In June 2015, when there were indications that the US would water down the UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka, virtually giving up the demand for an international judicial mechanism, Jayalalithaa got the Tamil Nadu Assembly to pass a resolution asking India to convince the US to stick to its earlier stand. These bold and uncompromising actions were much appreciated by Sri Lankan Tamils who had reposed great faith in her. But the majority Sinhalese community were apprehensive about Jayalalithaa. But, leaders of majority community like President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe lauded her after her demise. COLOMBO: The late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaas involvement in the Sri Lankan Tamil issue began almost immediately after she joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and became its propaganda secretary within a year in 1983. It was in the later part of 1983 that over 1 lakh Sri Lankan Tamil refugees poured into Tamil Nadu, pushed out by the anti-Tamil riots in Sri Lanka in July that year. Sensing a great political opportunity to whip up pro-Tamil sentiments, the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) led by M Karunanidhi took the lead in organising support for the beleaguered Sri Lankan Tamils. This left AIADMK leader and Chief Minister M G Ramachandran with no option, but to join the Eelam Tamil bandwagon as staying away from it would have been politically suicidal. The party was galvanised and the new propaganda secretary Jayalalithaa was the public face of a pro-active AIADMK on the Sri Lankan issue. But once the public fervour died down, the Indo-Sri Lankan issue was taken over by the Central government and Jayalalithaa totally ceased to have a role in the matter. A firm believer in non-violence, she was shattered by the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991. She rode the anti-LTTE and anti-DMK wave in the elections that followed and became Chief Minister in 1991. Kachatheevu issue By 1991, Tamil militancy and the counter-measures taken by the Sri Lankan Navy in the Palk Strait had revived the Kachatheevu issue. Tamil Nadu fishermen, who were suspected of aiding the LTTE and other Sri Lankan Tamil militants, were shot by the Lankan Navy leaving many injured or dead. Jayalalithaa blamed the transfer of Kachatheevu to Sri Lanka by two treaties in 1974 and 1976 for this as Tamil Nadu fishermen contended that they were being attacked nearKachatheevu, around which they had a right to fish as per an understanding between India and Sri Lanka. The Lankan Navy, on the contrary, argued that Tamil Nadu fishermen were intruding well beyond Kachatheevuand poaching in Lankan waters. But Jayalalithaa stuck to her guns, and got the State Assembly to pass a resolution seeking the retrieval of Kachatheevu as it had been handed over to Sri Lanka disregarding historical antecedents and without consulting the stakeholders in Tamil Nadu and circumventing Parliament. The Kachatheevu issue also helped her browbeat Karunanidhi. To prove her superior credentials as a defender of Tamil Nadu fishermens rights, she had approached the Supreme Court in 2008, something Karunanidhi had not even considered. Successive Central governments (and of course Sri Lanka) have held that the Kachatheevu issue had been settled in 1974 and 1976 and that there could be no going back. But Jayalalithaa kept the issue alive as the fishermen continued to contend (against scientific evidence) that they do not cross Kachatheevu, where they have traditional right to fish. However, Jayalalithaa had tried to divert Palk Strait fishermen from shallow water trawling to deep sea fishing and sought about Rs 1,055 crore from the Center for the switch over. In the absence of Central funds, she had started a project worth Rs 51 crore on her own. Meanwhile, arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen continued to be arrested, forcing Jayalalithaa to write to the Centre for strong action against Sri Lanka. Lankan Tamils issue Jayalalithaa got involved in the Sri Lankan Tamil political issue only in 2011 when a post-war humanitarian crisis in Northern Sri Lanka drew international attention. The treatment of the 3 lakh war displaced persons in camps and charges of war crimes levelled by human rights organisations and the UN began to draw the attention of politicians in Tamil Nadu. On coming to power in 2011, Jayalalithaa proactively got the State Assembly to pass a resolution seeking economic sanctions against Sri Lanka and action against Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and others war criminals. She held Karunanidhi also complicit in this, as he had allegedly only pretended to be acting to stop the carnage in Sri Lanka in 2009. When the UN Human Rights Council, acting at the behest of the US, began passing stringent resolutions against Sri Lanka seeking an international judicial mechanism, Jayalalithaa in 2013 got the State Assembly to pass a resolution alleging genocide and calling for economic sanctions and a referendum on forming a separate state for the Sri Lankan Tamils. An Assembly resolution demanded a total Indian boycott of the Commonwealth Heads of Government of Meeting in Colombo in 2013. In June 2015, when there were indications that the US would water down the UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka, virtually giving up the demand for an international judicial mechanism, Jayalalithaa got the Tamil Nadu Assembly to pass a resolution asking India to convince the US to stick to its earlier stand. These bold and uncompromising actions were much appreciated by Sri Lankan Tamils who had reposed great faith in her. But the majority Sinhalese community were apprehensive about Jayalalithaa. But, leaders of majority community like President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe lauded her after her demise. PK Balachandran By Express News Service COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan Minister for Plantation Industries, Navin Dissanayake, has appealed to the countrys tea industry to change with the changing domestic, international and climatic conditions so that tea remains one of Sri Lankas top foreign exchange earners. Briefing the media on plans to celebrate 150 years of the tea industry in Sri Lanka here on Wednesday, Dissanayake said that the accent from now onwards should be on quality rather than quantity, and earning more from less, in the international market. At present, tea is the fourth largest foreign exchange earner bringing in US$ 1.5 billion per annum. It is also one of the largest employers serving 2 million people directly or indirectly. Fortunately, Sri Lanka is also able to sell every kilo of tea it produces. But the industry has its share of problems. The cost of tea production is higher in Sri Lanka than in Kenya and India, which are the top producing and exporting countries. But this cannot be an excuse for not being competitive in the world market, the Minister said. Japan, where the cost of production is high, is able to sell its teas at high prices. Quality Ceylon Tea has a high-end niche market world-wide, and this should be capitalized on. High labor cost is cited as one of the ills of the industry. Some steps, albeit unsatisfactory, have been taken to incorporate productivity norms in the wage agreement entered into with the workers unions recently. One way to address the issue of productivity is to give plots of plantation land to workers families for them to cultivate on their own and sell the produce to the plantation companies. But this is being resisted by the unions as they fear it may impair workers unity or the unions hold on the workers. The Minister said he believes that this issue can be sorted out through discussions with the stakeholders. The tea plantations are facing a shortage of labor, with workers as well as managers leaving for better career options. The solution to this is to learn to work with the available labor using better technology and scientific cultivation to get better yields. This calls for greater investment in research and development than now. The Tea Research Institute is doing a doing a good job with limited funds, but it has to be given more help. Minister Dissanayake said that there is US$ 65 million fund for the development of small estates (which account for 70 percent of the countrys production of tea) and there is World Bank scheme for the big Regional Plantation Companies (RPC). Climate change has a major impact on the tea plantations. Colombo receives more rainfall annually than a tea growing area like Nuwara Eliya, with the result, Nuwara Eliya can actually be considered a Dry Zone. Given the climatic changes, the minister said that tea growers should be advised on where they can grow tea. Minister Dissanayake assured that the ban on weedicides will not be imposed without consultation with stakeholders. He also said that the 5000 acre cap on plantation size is only an idea that is being discussed. Although Sri Lanka tea exports declined because of unsettled conditions in the Middle East, and there were problems in exporting to Iran because of US sanctions, prospects of selling tea are not dim. Russia ,a top traditional market, might start buying more after President Maithripala Sirisenas visit to Moscow next year. Within the next two or three weeks the government would announce an international marketing campaign to be undertaken in 12 markets world-wide with an outlay of US$ 35 million. The prospects for selling tea are good as everyone overseas drinks at least two cups of tea a day and the Lion Brand Ceylon Tea is well known. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is keen on putting the plantations on a better footing. On Wednesday, he had met the stakeholders in the tea, rubber and coconut sectors for two hours, Dissanayake said. COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan Minister for Plantation Industries, Navin Dissanayake, has appealed to the countrys tea industry to change with the changing domestic, international and climatic conditions so that tea remains one of Sri Lankas top foreign exchange earners. Briefing the media on plans to celebrate 150 years of the tea industry in Sri Lanka here on Wednesday, Dissanayake said that the accent from now onwards should be on quality rather than quantity, and earning more from less, in the international market. At present, tea is the fourth largest foreign exchange earner bringing in US$ 1.5 billion per annum. It is also one of the largest employers serving 2 million people directly or indirectly. Fortunately, Sri Lanka is also able to sell every kilo of tea it produces. But the industry has its share of problems. The cost of tea production is higher in Sri Lanka than in Kenya and India, which are the top producing and exporting countries. But this cannot be an excuse for not being competitive in the world market, the Minister said. Japan, where the cost of production is high, is able to sell its teas at high prices. Quality Ceylon Tea has a high-end niche market world-wide, and this should be capitalized on. High labor cost is cited as one of the ills of the industry. Some steps, albeit unsatisfactory, have been taken to incorporate productivity norms in the wage agreement entered into with the workers unions recently. One way to address the issue of productivity is to give plots of plantation land to workers families for them to cultivate on their own and sell the produce to the plantation companies. But this is being resisted by the unions as they fear it may impair workers unity or the unions hold on the workers. The Minister said he believes that this issue can be sorted out through discussions with the stakeholders. The tea plantations are facing a shortage of labor, with workers as well as managers leaving for better career options. The solution to this is to learn to work with the available labor using better technology and scientific cultivation to get better yields. This calls for greater investment in research and development than now. The Tea Research Institute is doing a doing a good job with limited funds, but it has to be given more help. Minister Dissanayake said that there is US$ 65 million fund for the development of small estates (which account for 70 percent of the countrys production of tea) and there is World Bank scheme for the big Regional Plantation Companies (RPC). Climate change has a major impact on the tea plantations. Colombo receives more rainfall annually than a tea growing area like Nuwara Eliya, with the result, Nuwara Eliya can actually be considered a Dry Zone. Given the climatic changes, the minister said that tea growers should be advised on where they can grow tea. Minister Dissanayake assured that the ban on weedicides will not be imposed without consultation with stakeholders. He also said that the 5000 acre cap on plantation size is only an idea that is being discussed. Although Sri Lanka tea exports declined because of unsettled conditions in the Middle East, and there were problems in exporting to Iran because of US sanctions, prospects of selling tea are not dim. Russia ,a top traditional market, might start buying more after President Maithripala Sirisenas visit to Moscow next year. Within the next two or three weeks the government would announce an international marketing campaign to be undertaken in 12 markets world-wide with an outlay of US$ 35 million. The prospects for selling tea are good as everyone overseas drinks at least two cups of tea a day and the Lion Brand Ceylon Tea is well known. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is keen on putting the plantations on a better footing. On Wednesday, he had met the stakeholders in the tea, rubber and coconut sectors for two hours, Dissanayake said. By AFP ALEPPO: Syria's army seized key ground Tuesday in its battle for east Aleppo, capturing more districts and penning rebels into less than a quarter of territory they held in mid-November. The advance came as Moscow and Washington traded barbs over stalled efforts to end fighting in the city, where forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have made significant advances since last week. But US Secretary of State John Kerry said he would try to get Syrian peace talks going again with Russia's help. On the humanitarian front, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it was a "disgrace" that the international community had been unable to alleviate the suffering in east Aleppo. On Tuesday, government troops retook seven districts including the strategic Shaar neighbourhood and were in control of more than three quarters of former rebel territory in east Aleppo, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The monitor called Shaar "the most important neighbourhood in the heart of east Aleppo", and said rebels were being reduced to fighting a "war of attrition". The rapid regime gains have left opposition fighters scrambling to defend the shrinking enclave they still control in Aleppo's southeastern districts. Despite mounting criticism of the offensive begun on November 15, world powers have struggled to find a way to halt the fighting. "We have been trying to find a way to get to the negotiating table ... but Assad has never shown any willingness," Kerry said at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. - Blame game - "Russia says Assad is ready to come to the table... and I am in favour of putting that to the test," he said. Kerry, who has had repeated meetings on Syria with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, said they would meet again on Wednesday or Thursday in Hamburg, Germany. Even if Aleppo falls, "the war will continue," Kerry said, stressing that there had to be a negotiated settlement. Key Assad ally Russia had announced talks with the US in Geneva for Tuesday or Wednesday on organising a rebel withdrawal from Aleppo ahead of a ceasefire. But on Tuesday, Lavrov accused Washington, which has backed rebel groups against Assad, of backtracking. "It looks like an attempt to buy time for the rebels to have a breather, take a pause and replenish their reserves," Lavrov said. Moscow had the impression that "a serious discussion with our American partners isn't working out". Kerry denied any change of plans when asked about Moscow's allegations. Washington itself accused Moscow of stalling after Russia and China blocked a UN Security Council resolution on Monday calling for a seven-day ceasefire. Russia said the resolution should have been postponed until after the Geneva talks, saying an agreement on organising a withdrawal was close. Syria said it would not agree to any ceasefire without a guarantee of a rebel withdrawal. "Syria will not leave its citizens in east Aleppo to be held hostage by terrorists, and will exert every effort to liberate them," said a foreign ministry statement carried by state media. - 'A disgrace' - The rebels have so far rejected any talk of leaving the city, with Yasser al-Youssef of the leading Nureddin al-Zinki faction calling the proposal "unacceptable". Losing Aleppo would be the biggest blow yet to opposition forces in Syria's civil war, which erupted in 2011 with protests calling for Assad's ouster. More than 300,000 people have since died and millions been forced from their homes. Aleppo, once Syria's commercial powerhouse, has been a key battleground and suffered some of the war's worst violence. Merkel on Tuesday lashed out at the international community's inability to stop the bloodshed. "Aleppo is a disgrace," she told her Christian Democratic Union party in a speech, slamming Russian and Iranian support for the offensive. "It is a disgrace that we have been unable to establish humanitarian corridors, but we must continue to fight for it," she said. The offensive has killed more than 341 people in east Aleppo, including 44 children, the Observatory says. Rebel fire into the government-held west of the city has killed 81 people, including 31 children, in the same period, it says. Tens of thousands of east Aleppo residents have fled to different parts of the city, including to government-held areas and other rebel neighbourhoods. On another front, in northwest Syria, a suspected Russian air strike on Idlib city and province targeting rebel groups killed at least 25 civilians, the Observatory said. It said 10 people, among them five civilians, were killed in retaliatory rebel fire on pro-regime towns in Idlib. ALEPPO: Syria's army seized key ground Tuesday in its battle for east Aleppo, capturing more districts and penning rebels into less than a quarter of territory they held in mid-November. The advance came as Moscow and Washington traded barbs over stalled efforts to end fighting in the city, where forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have made significant advances since last week. But US Secretary of State John Kerry said he would try to get Syrian peace talks going again with Russia's help. On the humanitarian front, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it was a "disgrace" that the international community had been unable to alleviate the suffering in east Aleppo. On Tuesday, government troops retook seven districts including the strategic Shaar neighbourhood and were in control of more than three quarters of former rebel territory in east Aleppo, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The monitor called Shaar "the most important neighbourhood in the heart of east Aleppo", and said rebels were being reduced to fighting a "war of attrition". The rapid regime gains have left opposition fighters scrambling to defend the shrinking enclave they still control in Aleppo's southeastern districts. Despite mounting criticism of the offensive begun on November 15, world powers have struggled to find a way to halt the fighting. "We have been trying to find a way to get to the negotiating table ... but Assad has never shown any willingness," Kerry said at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. - Blame game - "Russia says Assad is ready to come to the table... and I am in favour of putting that to the test," he said. Kerry, who has had repeated meetings on Syria with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, said they would meet again on Wednesday or Thursday in Hamburg, Germany. Even if Aleppo falls, "the war will continue," Kerry said, stressing that there had to be a negotiated settlement. Key Assad ally Russia had announced talks with the US in Geneva for Tuesday or Wednesday on organising a rebel withdrawal from Aleppo ahead of a ceasefire. But on Tuesday, Lavrov accused Washington, which has backed rebel groups against Assad, of backtracking. "It looks like an attempt to buy time for the rebels to have a breather, take a pause and replenish their reserves," Lavrov said. Moscow had the impression that "a serious discussion with our American partners isn't working out". Kerry denied any change of plans when asked about Moscow's allegations. Washington itself accused Moscow of stalling after Russia and China blocked a UN Security Council resolution on Monday calling for a seven-day ceasefire. Russia said the resolution should have been postponed until after the Geneva talks, saying an agreement on organising a withdrawal was close. Syria said it would not agree to any ceasefire without a guarantee of a rebel withdrawal. "Syria will not leave its citizens in east Aleppo to be held hostage by terrorists, and will exert every effort to liberate them," said a foreign ministry statement carried by state media. - 'A disgrace' - The rebels have so far rejected any talk of leaving the city, with Yasser al-Youssef of the leading Nureddin al-Zinki faction calling the proposal "unacceptable". Losing Aleppo would be the biggest blow yet to opposition forces in Syria's civil war, which erupted in 2011 with protests calling for Assad's ouster. More than 300,000 people have since died and millions been forced from their homes. Aleppo, once Syria's commercial powerhouse, has been a key battleground and suffered some of the war's worst violence. Merkel on Tuesday lashed out at the international community's inability to stop the bloodshed. "Aleppo is a disgrace," she told her Christian Democratic Union party in a speech, slamming Russian and Iranian support for the offensive. "It is a disgrace that we have been unable to establish humanitarian corridors, but we must continue to fight for it," she said. The offensive has killed more than 341 people in east Aleppo, including 44 children, the Observatory says. Rebel fire into the government-held west of the city has killed 81 people, including 31 children, in the same period, it says. Tens of thousands of east Aleppo residents have fled to different parts of the city, including to government-held areas and other rebel neighbourhoods. On another front, in northwest Syria, a suspected Russian air strike on Idlib city and province targeting rebel groups killed at least 25 civilians, the Observatory said. It said 10 people, among them five civilians, were killed in retaliatory rebel fire on pro-regime towns in Idlib. By PTI WASHINGTON: President-elect Donald Trump has chosen retired Marine Gen John Kelly, whose last command included oversight of the Guantanamo Bay detention center, to run the Department of Homeland Security, people close to the transition team said today. Kelly, who joined the Marine Corps in 1970, retired earlier this year, wrapping up a final, three-year post as head of US Southern Command, which spanned some of the more fractious debate over the Obama administration's ultimately failed pledge to close Guantanamo. He served three tours in Iraq, and holds the somber distinction of being the most senior military officer to lose a child in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan. His son, Marine 2nd Lt Robert Kelly was killed in November, 2010, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Highly respected, often outspoken, and known as a fierce, loyal commander, the senior Kelly will take over the nation's newest federal agency, with its expanse of responsibilities, from airport security and terrorism to immigration and the Coast Guard. The department was formed after the September 11 terror attacks in an effort to get the US government better-positioned to prevent and respond to future attacks. If confirmed by the Senate, Kelly would be the fifth person to lead the department and the first one who is not a lawyer. It is comprised of agencies that protect the president, respond to disasters, enforce immigration laws, protect the nation's coastlines and secure air travel. His selection, however, also bolsters concerns about an increase in military influence in US policy in a Trump White House. And it raises the scepter of militarization along the border, as Trump moves forward on his signature issue of immigration and his promise to build a wall along the southern border and go after people living in the country illegally. Transition officials confirmed Trump's pick of Kelly on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly before any official announcement. In Kelly, Trump would have another four-star military officer for his administration. James Mattis, a retired four-star Army general, is Trump's pick for defense secretary. Immigration enforcement is a familiar issue for Kelly. Southern Command, which is based in South Florida, regularly works with DHS on missions to identify and dismantle immigrant smuggling networks. And it has partnered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in an operation targeting human smuggling into the US and helped with the rescue of children arriving alone at US borders. The department has struggled with its identity, trying to balance its ties with the military and maintain its role as a civilian law enforcement agency. Customs and Border Protection, which includes the Border Patrol, and the Coast Guard routinely partner with Southern Command to coordinate drug smuggling investigations in the Caribbean. WASHINGTON: President-elect Donald Trump has chosen retired Marine Gen John Kelly, whose last command included oversight of the Guantanamo Bay detention center, to run the Department of Homeland Security, people close to the transition team said today. Kelly, who joined the Marine Corps in 1970, retired earlier this year, wrapping up a final, three-year post as head of US Southern Command, which spanned some of the more fractious debate over the Obama administration's ultimately failed pledge to close Guantanamo. He served three tours in Iraq, and holds the somber distinction of being the most senior military officer to lose a child in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan. His son, Marine 2nd Lt Robert Kelly was killed in November, 2010, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Highly respected, often outspoken, and known as a fierce, loyal commander, the senior Kelly will take over the nation's newest federal agency, with its expanse of responsibilities, from airport security and terrorism to immigration and the Coast Guard. The department was formed after the September 11 terror attacks in an effort to get the US government better-positioned to prevent and respond to future attacks. If confirmed by the Senate, Kelly would be the fifth person to lead the department and the first one who is not a lawyer. It is comprised of agencies that protect the president, respond to disasters, enforce immigration laws, protect the nation's coastlines and secure air travel. His selection, however, also bolsters concerns about an increase in military influence in US policy in a Trump White House. And it raises the scepter of militarization along the border, as Trump moves forward on his signature issue of immigration and his promise to build a wall along the southern border and go after people living in the country illegally. Transition officials confirmed Trump's pick of Kelly on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly before any official announcement. In Kelly, Trump would have another four-star military officer for his administration. James Mattis, a retired four-star Army general, is Trump's pick for defense secretary. Immigration enforcement is a familiar issue for Kelly. Southern Command, which is based in South Florida, regularly works with DHS on missions to identify and dismantle immigrant smuggling networks. And it has partnered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in an operation targeting human smuggling into the US and helped with the rescue of children arriving alone at US borders. The department has struggled with its identity, trying to balance its ties with the military and maintain its role as a civilian law enforcement agency. Customs and Border Protection, which includes the Border Patrol, and the Coast Guard routinely partner with Southern Command to coordinate drug smuggling investigations in the Caribbean. #miner Rescue workers search for 2 trapped miners through endoscope Rescue workers on Thursday began to search for two miners trapped underground for nine days by drilling a hole and inserting an endoscope. They have been isolated in a vertical s... 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. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. Low 58F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Trial results being presented today during the 58th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Diego suggest two therapies that are often added to standard therapy in patients with multiple myeloma do not improve rates of progression-free survival compared with the current standard course of treatment alone. The study is the largest randomized controlled trial of post-transplant therapy for multiple myeloma ever conducted in the United States. Multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells - cells that exist in the bone marrow that help fight infection - that is diagnosed in about 30,000 people per year in the United States. For physically fit individuals below age 70, standard care consists of three components: 1) A course of initial therapy with combinations of proteasome inhibitors, thalidomide analogues, corticosteroids and alkylating agents, then high doses of the chemotherapy drug melphalan to kill cancer cells, 2) transplantation of the patient's own hematopoietic stem cells (autoHCT) to help rebuild the immune system, and 3) ongoing treatment with the chemotherapy drug lenalidomide to prevent cancer from returning. Over the past decade, many doctors have added to this regimen either by incorporating an additional intensive three-drug course of chemotherapy after autoHCT (including the drugs dexamethasone and bortezomib in addition to lenalidomide), or by adding a second round of autoHCT. "These results are very important because they answer a question that has been ongoing and has not been compared head-to-head: 'Does the addition of these interventions result in a true advantage for these patients?'" said lead study author Edward A. Stadtmauer, MD, of the Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. "The conclusion of this study, so far, is that the other interventions are not superior to initial melphalan therapy followed by a single autoHCT followed by lenalidomide maintenance." The researchers, participating in a national collaborative effort of 54 centers, enrolled 758 patients and randomly assigned them to receive either standard care, standard care plus additional chemotherapy, or standard care plus a second round of autoHCT. With almost all patients nearing the end of follow-up, the study's Data and Safety Monitoring Board released the current results. The results showed no difference among the three groups in terms of the study's primary endpoint--38-month survival without disease progression, as indicated by intent-to-treat--with progression-free survival observed in 52 percent, 57 percent, and 56 percent of patients in each of the three treatment arms, respectively. The final analysis and the analysis of secondary outcomes including quality of life indicators, the degree of disease response, and evidence of toxicity will be available after all patients have completed 38 months of follow-up. "Despite remarkable advances in the therapy and outlook for patients with multiple myeloma over the last decade, ultimately many patients will have their disease progress. So, there's always room for improvement," said Dr. Stadtmauer. "New therapies and interventions need to be actively investigated to see how much they further benefit the early treatment of patients with myeloma; I believe that the results of this study suggest it would be reasonable to compare any new treatments to the standard therapy of melphalan followed by a single autoHCT followed by lenalidomide maintenance." The researchers will track patients in a follow-up study to assess long-term trends and outcomes. Source: American Society of Hematology Imagine a key that opens a pin tumbler lock. A very similar key can also fit into the lock, but upside down in comparison to the first key. Biochemist Eric Ortlund and colleagues have obtained analogous results in their study of how potential diabetes drugs interact with their target, the protein LRH-1. Their research, published in Journal of Biological Chemistry, shows that making small changes to LRH-1-targeted compounds makes a big difference in how they fit into the protein's binding pocket. This research was selected as "Paper of the Week" by JBC and is featured on the cover of the December 2 issue. LRH-1 (liver receptor homolog-1) is a nuclear receptor, a type of protein that turns on genes in response to small molecules like hormones or vitamins. LRH-1 acts in the liver to regulate metabolism of fat and sugar. Previous research has shown that activating LRH-1 decreases liver fat and improves insulin sensitivity in mice. Because of this, many research teams have been trying to design synthetic compounds that activate this protein, which could have potential to treat diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This has been a difficult task, because not much is known about how synthetic compounds interact with LRH-1 and switch it into the active state. Ortlund lab researchers used X-ray crystallography to explore in detail how the LRH-1 protein interacts with two closely related LRH-1 activators, previously identified by collaborators at the University of Southampton, UK. The first author of the paper is Suzanne Mays, a graduate student in Emory's Molecular and Systems Pharmacology program. Ortlund is associate professor of biochemistry at Emory University School of Medicine. Nathan Jui, PhD, from Emory's Department of Chemistry and scientists at Scripps Research Institute in Florida also contributed to the paper. "We were surprised to find two synthetic activators that are structurally very similar to each other interacting with LRH-1 completely differently," Mays says. "They can rotate nearly 180 degrees relative to each other in the binding pocket. This may explain why small changes to this class of molecule had unpredictable effects in previous studies." The authors discovered a new interaction made by one of the compounds that has potential to serve as an "anchor point" to keep the compound in place. This will help researchers make compounds that better fit in the "lock" without worrying about them rotating around unpredictably. In collaboration with Jui's lab, the Ortlund lab is continuing to fine-tune the design of LRH-1 activators. A new discovery at the University of Queensland could help reduce heart disease and boost nutrition security - the access to balanced nourishment - globally. Researchers in UQ's Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences have identified a new mechanism for how healthy cereals such as oats reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood stream, thereby lowering the risk of heart disease. The discovery could lead to ways of boosting the cholesterol-fighting properties of other cereals including wheat. UQ's Professor Mike Gidley said the study, funded through the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls, revealed new information on the function of beta glucans - a healthy soluble fibre naturally occurring in the cell walls of some plants, particularly cereals. "We've known for some time that beta glucans in oats reduce blood cholesterol, but now we've discovered one of the ways in which they do it," Professor Gidley said. Lead researcher Dr Purnima Gunness said the findings challenged the theory that beta glucans 'mop up' bile, which is secreted during digestion, and prevent its absorption in the small intestine. "It was thought that the body's use of cholesterol to make new bile was one of the mechanisms for how beta glucans reduced the amount of cholesterol in the blood stream," Dr Gunness said. The research, using pigs as a model for humans, revealed that the beta glucan in oats actually reduced, rather than maintained, the total amount of circulating bile. "We aren't quite sure yet why, but in the presence of beta glucan there is much less circulating bile. "This means that fats, which bile helps break down, are not digested as rapidly or as completely." A lower or slower absorption of fat is an important factor in reducing blood cholesterol. "Now that we know how the beta glucans positively impact on cholesterol levels, it will help us identify other fibres in plant cell walls that may have a similar effect," Dr Gunness said. FINDINGS UCLA researchers have discovered a previously unrecognized type of progenitor cell that, though rare in most regions of the human prostate, is found in uncommonly high numbers in inflamed areas of the gland. These progenitor cells have the ability to initiate prostate cancer in response to genetic changes. The study results suggest inflammation increases overall risk for the disease by increasing the available pool of progenitor cells that can develop into prostate cancer. BACKGROUND Scientists have known that one of the risk factors for high-grade prostate cancer is chronic inflammation of the prostate (a process in which cells from the immune system have taken up residence in the gland), but they have been unsure how this process led to cancer. UCLA-led research previously showed that two different types of cells, known as basal and luminal, represented potential progenitor cells and, with varying degrees of aggressiveness, could initiate prostate cancer. Further research by colleagues at Johns Hopkins Medical Center observed that prostate cells in the proximity of inflammation appeared different under the microscope and expressed different genes, leading to the hypothesis that they were more likely to proliferate than prostate cells from areas without inflammation. Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today The UCLA-led team was able to test this hypothesis in human cells and found that cells from areas with inflammation are progenitor cells that can initiate aggressive tumors, validating their previous hypothesis and laying the foundation for the new study. METHOD Led by Dr. Andrew Goldstein, an assistant professor of molecular biology, the UCLA researchers investigated the CD38 gene, which is expressed by most (but not all) luminal cells in the human prostate. By comparing luminal cells that express CD38 with those that do not, they found that a greater proportion of luminal cells without CD38 had the potential to expand and grow. Results also showed that these CD38-negative luminal progenitor cells are rare in regions without inflammation but are significantly more common in regions of inflammation. The UCLA team then discovered that prostate tumors without CD38 were also more likely to be aggressive, to recur after initial treatment, and to metastasize. The scientists hypothesized that the aggressive cancers which do not express CD38 may also arise in luminal cells that do not express CD38. These luminal progenitor cells without CD38 were found to be target cells for transformation, meaning that they can initiate cancer. IMPACT Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer. About 1 man in 39 will die of prostate cancer each year, and an estimated 180,000 new cases of the disease are reported annually in the United States. The study furthers our understanding of the role that inflammation, progenitor cells and the CD38 gene play in the development of prostate cancer, and these findings can help lead to the development of improved treatments and screening methods for the disease. Source: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences Led by Prof. Mohamed Lamkanfi (VIB-Ghent University), researchers have demonstrated in animal models that a protein called NLRP2 plays an important role in early embryogenesis, the process of cell division in fertilized eggs that occurs before they implant into the lining of the uterus. In addition, the protein was shown to become more important with increasing maternal age, as blocking NLRP2 in eggs prevented them from developing in blastocysts. As a similar protein exists in humans, these insights may lead to greater understanding of reproductive disorders and novel paths to treatment. The study was recently published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. About one in six couples experience fertility issues, and maternal age is considered the primary factor driving the demand for in-vitro fertilization and other reproductive technologies. Although scientists have a good understanding of the roles hormones play in embryonic development, little is known about the mechanisms that govern early embryogenesis. The study conducted by Prof. Lamkanfi and his team have helped to shed light on age-linked elements that influence embryonic development. No role in immunity or inflammation Before this research, scientists had widely believed that the NLRP2 protein played a role in the immune system, as similar proteins were found to have key roles in controlling infections and regulating inflammation. Prof. Lamkanfi's team had initially expected similar findings for NLRP2 and focused the study accordingly - but they were surprised not to find any link between the protein and immune functions. Prof. Mohamed Lamkanfi (VIB-UGent): "Contrary to expectations, we failed to find any role for NLRP2 in immunity and inflammation. As a result, we refocused our studies on reproduction after discovering that NLRP2 is specifically produced by egg cells, or oocytes, showing that the protein is critical to the maintenance of oocyte quality later in life." Found to affect maternal fertility The research, which was conducted in mice, suggests that mutations in NLRP2 may give rise to early menopause and other conditions associated with the pathological decline of maternal fertility. Older adult mice deficient in NLRP2 showed strikingly lower rates of reproduction compared with younger NLRP2-deficient mice, suggesting that the protein becomes more important to fertility as the mice aged. Prof. Lamkanfi: "At the same time as our research was being conducted, small human studies provided anecdotal evidence that mutations in human NLRP2 might be linked with increased susceptibility to reproductive disorders. Our findings further support a role for the protein in the reproductive system." The future of NLRP2 research Humans encode a second NLRP2 gene - named NLRP7 - that is found to be mutated 60% of the time in patients that experience familial cases of biparental molar pregnancies, which occur when fertilized eggs implant into the wall of the uterus but fail to develop into normal embryos. A Queen's University Belfast expert is leading a 4m international initiative to investigate whether natural toxins and manmade chemicals are creating potentially dangerous mixtures that affect our natural hormones and cause major illnesses such as cancer, obesity, diabetes or infertility. These chemicals include natural fungal toxins which can contaminate food and manmade chemicals such as pesticides. Dr Lisa Connolly, a leading academic in Toxin Food Safety and an expert in the Bioassay Analysis of Endocrine Disruptors at the University's Institute for Global Food Security, will lead the European Commission Funded study and collaborate with global experts in an international consortium involving thirteen organisations across nine countries to tackle the world-wide challenge. The four-year Marie Curie Innovative Training Network project PROTECTED (PROTECTion against Endocrine Disruptors) begins in January 2017 and the search is already underway for fifteen early stage researchers who will be trained as world class researchers that can develop innovative and entrepreneurial ways of dealing with this global challenge. Dr Connolly said: "Currently there is a world-wide shortage of researchers who can assess the impact of potentially dangerous natural and manmade endocrine disrupting chemicals and their mixtures on the hormone system which controls important functions within the body such as growth, development and fertility. We also need to understand whether these chemicals can cause illness by damaging the health of good bacteria in the gut." "Endocrine disruptors are suspected factors and sometimes proven agents behind several major human diseases, poor productivity in agricultural animals and stress upon ecosystems. If we can identify chemicals and mixtures of concern, we can use this knowledge to inform legislators, improve monitoring and reduce exposure." Queen's University Belfast will be awarded 1.2m of the funding with three researchers based at its world-leading Institute for Global Food Security. With its excellent academic record in food security and health, Queen's University Belfast is ideally suited for co-ordinating the project, further strengthening its leadership position in this field internationally. Dr Connolly added: "The exact effects of endocrine disruptors are difficult to assess so far because of the complexity of the chemical mixtures involved and the lack of efficient methods to assess their effects. "This newly established consortium is an exciting opportunity as it provides unique, world-leading and cutting-edge training for a new generation of experts who will have the ability to develop innovative analysis tools which will help protect the world from the real-life risks of these chemicals, improving health now and in the future." Speaking on behalf of all 13 organisations, Dr Marc Muller from Liege University in Belgium, said: "This expert approach is radically multi-disciplinary and deals with human or animal health using analytical chemistry, cellular tests and risk assessment of mixture effects." Professor Paul Fowler, from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, added: "This exciting project and expert training network includes a crucial focus on human pregnancy. This is important because of the susceptibility of the developing baby in the womb to chemicals." Source: Queen's University Belfast Pain relief and other forms of supportive care for cancer patients are insufficient, researchers report at the ESMO ASIA 2016 Congress in Singapore. They also highlight that side-effects to chemotherapy must be treated efficiently and that doctors should ensure end-of-life treatment meets patients' expectations. Despite existing recommendations on the need for early supportive care interventions for cancer patients researchers are still reporting inadequate efforts to address pain, anxiety and other side effects of cancer treatment. A study from India presented at ESMO Asia 2016 shows that, for patients on government-funded health schemes, medical care for the toxic effects of chemotherapy is often highly restricted and this delays cancer treatment cycles. Drugs are often not fully funded so patients have to pay for them out of their own pocket. If they cannot afford to do this, then their supportive care is inadequate and they will suffer side effects from cancer drugs. This means they are unlikely to adhere to treatment for subsequent chemotherapy cycles. "The majority of patients treated under government schemes had poor quality of supportive care while on chemotherapy," said lead author Assistant Professor Himanshu Patel, a clinical pharmacist, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS University, Mysore, India. "We found its use was highly restricted, leading to side effects such as vomiting and infections, meaning the rescheduling of chemotherapy cycles for many patients.There's an urgent need for better treatment policies from government," he said. Supportive care such as pain relief, antibiotics and drugs to prevent nausea is recommended for advanced cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy by ESMO and the World Health Organisation, among others. The study by Dr Patel included interviews about supportive care with 850 patients over six months. Researchers reviewed what support was used including pain-relief, antibiotics and protein supplements. Results showed that access to drugs proven to be more effective in treating nausea and vomiting was highly restricted for patients on government-funded schemes in India. The same was true for medications to reduce infection risk and boost white blood cell production in patients undergoing chemotherapy, as well as protein supplements. To relieve cancer-related pain, four in five participants were prescribed tramadol, with access to morphine and other more effective painkillers limited. Privately-insured patients did not face the same limited access as those on government-funded schemes, which often did not cover out-of-pocket costs. Patel said: "Public cancer care schemes should follow guidelines and include adjuvant treatments in their budgets, according to international recommendations." Cure or symptom relief: what do cancer patients expect from treatment? Patients' expectations from palliative chemotherapy as well as their concerns as treatment progresses are explored in another study reported at the ESMO Asia 2016 Congress. Results found that expectations among patients changed as care progressed. Nearly a third (n=11) on first line treatment expected a cure whereas later line patients said they anticipated an ordinary life with controlled symptoms. All patients put drug toxicity as their top concern, although anxiety around disease progression increased as patients advanced through treatment. Lead author Nobumichi Takeuchi, director of medical oncology, Ina Central Hospital, Ina, Japan, said: "Oncologists should assist end-of-life patients to focus on positive experiences such as a family event so they don't lose hope. The patient should drive this process with medical staff guiding and encouraging them with a questionnaire to identify their expectations." Persistent pain care as important as acute for wellbeing Cancer pain and how to prioritise its treatment is the focus of a study (6) which evaluated the difference in quality of life (QoL) and demand for pain relief. Researchers compared the experiences of patients with background cancer pain (BCP) - persistent pain lasting at least 12 hours - and breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) where patients experience brief but severe flare-ups of discomfort. Results found that patients with uncontrolled BCP had a lower QoL than those with BTcP. Those with moderate or severe BCP experienced sleep disorders and dissatisfaction with pain control compared with BTcP patients (p Lead author Assistant Professor Sun Kyung Baek, a medical oncologist, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea, said: "Pain is one of the most feared symptoms in cancer patients and impacts significantly on their well-being. Physicians should be aware of and control background pain first, even though acute pain also has a negative impact on quality of life ." A total of 1,841 patients were recruited including those experiencing high (n=496) to moderate (n=736) pain, and BTcP (n=609). They completed a questionnaire on their experiences including pain severity, treatment, and satisfaction with how their cancer pain was dealt with. Commenting on the results of these studies, Dr Grace Yang, a consultant at the National Cancer Centre, Singapore, said: "The findings from these studies highlight the need to improve both the effectiveness of, as well as access to, supportive care measures that can relieve cancer-related symptoms and treatment-related side effects. "This will improve patient quality of life, enable cancer therapy to be administered, and is aligned with the expectations of patients themselves." A common class of drugs for vision loss may actually add to the problem in some patients, according to new research co-led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI). Professor Martin Friedlander (right) and Research Associate Susumu Sakimoto led the work at The Scripps Research Institute with first author Lindsay Keir (not pictured). (Photo by Madeline McCurry-Schmidt.) The new study in animal models suggests that some therapies for age-related wet macular degeneration (ARMD) may leave the eyesand kidneysof some patients vulnerable to cellular damage by hampering the bodys ability to make a protective molecule called inhibitory complement factor H (CFH). The study is also the first to identify a common pathway in two seemingly disparate organs: the eye and the kidney. This suggests we need to be more cautious in our approach with patients, said TSRI Professor Martin Friedlander, who co-led the study with Moin A. Saleem of the University of Bristol. The findings were published December 5, 2016, online ahead of print in The Journal of Clinical Investigation. A Link to Cellular Damage The new study focused on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a molecule that drives the development of new blood vessels, regulates their permeability and maintains their normal function. In cases of age-related wet macular degeneration, VEGF causes leaky blood vessels to grow in the eye, leading to vision loss as blood and cellular debris escape the vessels. To counter blood vessel growth, patients with age-related macular degeneration are frequently prescribed medication composed of VEGF inhibitors to reduce their levels of the molecule. About one-third of patients respond well to treatments, but about one-third do not respond and one-third have continued or increased vision loss. We dont know why some patients get worseperhaps because we havent been asking the right questions, said Friedlander, who is also a practicing retina specialist in the Division of Ophthalmology at The Scripps Clinic of Scripps Health. VEGF inhibitors are also used as anti-cancer drugs, and a known side effect of this is kidney problems that can range from raised blood pressure and development of protein in the urine to severe damage to the kidney filtration unit, the glomerulus, particularly its blood vessels. It was thought that the doses given to age-related wet macular degeneration patients into the eye were too small to have these effects; however, there have been reports to suggest that some patients are susceptible to these side effects, too. Scientists in previous studies had also observed that both eye and kidney disease patients frequently had a mutation (or polymorphism) that decreased their ability to produce functional CFH, leaving cells vulnerable to damage. This observation led Friedlander and his colleagues to study this medications connection to side effects in the eyes and the kidneys. A Potentially Harmful Combination The researchers knocked out the ability of mouse models to produce VEGF and found that the animals could no longer produce CFH, leaving their cells vulnerable to damage. Similar results were found in both the eye and the kidney. The researchers saw the same phenomenon when they blocked VEGF with the use of inhibitors. This led the team to conclude that VEGF inhibitors appear to cause unintended consequences as a result of VEGF inhibition and an associated reduction in the synthesis of CFH. In addition, the scientists observed that CFH synthesis ceased in the eyes retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and the main cells in the kidney filtration unit (the glomerulus) without VEGF. This had not been described before and the kidney cells studied had not previously been shown to produce CFH. Furthermore, models with the CFH polymorphism were indeed more vulnerable to cellular damage. We found evidence that the polymorphism associated with ARMD could change the function of the CFH protein, making it less effective at protecting cells from damage, said study first author Lindsay S. Keir, previously at TSRI and the University of Bristol and currently at Northwestern University. Finally, the researchers created RPE cells from induced pluripotent stem cells, a kind of adult stem cell that can differentiate into any cell in the body. Again, the team saw that cells with the CFH mutation responded differently to VEGF inhibition. This was compared to kidney cells obtained for a patient with a known CFH gene mutation who had a kidney disease called atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. We concluded that if you have the CFH polymorphism, and youre treated with a VEGF antagonist, youre at much higher risk of developing a worse disease, said Friedlander. More work is needed to precisely determine which patients are at risk, but it would be prudent to monitor patients for kidney side effects so that any problems can be picked up early, added Keir. The researchers also believe doctors could take steps now by reducing VEGF inhibitor treatments if they dont appear to be working and considering screening patients for the CFH mutation. SUGAR-based adjuvants from Australia are boosting the effectiveness of vaccines to target some of the worlds deadliest diseases. Vaxine Pty Ltd have been involved with the development of vaccines for global infectious diseases such as malaria, hepatitis, HIV and SARS. Vaxine Pty Ltd in South Australia has developed the unique adjuvants that make vaccines easier to recognise by the bodys immune system. Developed over several years, the company has used the patented technology to develop vaccines for seasonal and pandemic influenza, hepatitis, malaria and SARS. Vaxine also became the first company in the world to commence human swine flu vaccine trials during the 2009 pandemic. It recently developed a vaccine for onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, a disease that affects about 17 million people around the world according to the World Health Organisation. The polysaccharide adjuvant is a crucial element to the river blindness vaccines success and it is now being primed for cattle trials in the United States. Scientific Director Nikolai Petrovski said one of the main problems with other contemporary adjuvants was the use of aluminium, which was not always effective for every disease. We offer a new alternative that is not only potentially safer because it is a sugar instead of a metal/salt with high toxicity, he said. But our adjuvant also works for a lot of vaccines that wouldnt work with aluminium. The ones that tried to create an onchocerciasis vaccine didnt take but ours actually works. Our technology is a bit like melding a turbocharger to the engine and in this case makes the vaccine dramatically more powerful. Vaxines unique adjuvant makes the pathogen in the vaccine easier to recognise by the bodys adaptive immune system. It takes a key protein from the pathogen and trains the immune system to recognise and target that specific protein faster. Onchocerciasis is a major cause of blindness in many African countries. It is also prevalent in many South American countries. It is partly responsible for the reduction of economic productivity in a lot of those areas, leaving vast tracts of arable land abandoned. About half a million people have been blinded by the disease. It is spread by blackflies that breed in rivers, infecting humans and often cattle with a parasitic worm known as Onchocerca volvulus. These parasites can cause eye inflammation, bleeding, and other complications that ultimately lead to blindness. Professor Petrovsky, who is also Professor of Medicine at Flinders University in the South Australian capital Adelaide, said the company planned a two-pronged approach to effectively battling the disease. First were looking to vaccinate the cattle, which are a breeding ground for the parasite, he said. Then the other side of this is to immunise the children so if they come in contact with the parasite it blocks the infection. Vaxine is funded by the US National Institutes of Health to develop polysaccharide adjuvants that have played a vital role in the development of a range of vaccines for infectious diseases, allergies, and cancers. It is also is active on other fronts including Ebola and Zika virus research. Ratan Tata has written a sharply worded letter to shareholders seeking their support to oust disruptive Cyrus Mistry as director from group companies. Tata has cited Mistrys hostility towards Tata Sons as a reason for seeking his removal.Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata consortium, has moved a resolution for the forthcoming Extraordinary General Meetings of group companies in which it is calling for the removal of Cyrus Mistry as director.We now seek your support of the resolution that Tata Sons has moved in the forthcoming Extraordianry General Meetings (EGM) of our companies, for the removal of Mr. Cyrus Mistry as Director.His continued presence as a Director is a serious disruptive influence on these company boards, which can make the company dysfunctional, particularly given his open hostility towards the primary promoter, Tata Sons.Cyrus Mistry was sacked as Chairman of Tata Sons on October 24 in a boardroom coup because the board lost confidence in him and his ability to lead the Tata Group, the letter said.Ratan Tata further writes in the letter that his directorship in group companies was a consequence of his Chairmanship of Tata Sons and he should have resigned once he was sacked.Ratan Tata further claims in the letter that several attempts to remediate the situation went unheeded and Mistry was offered an opportunity to step down voluntarily, which he rejected.Ratan Tata has also sought to allay shareholder concerns raised by the biggest boardroom battle in recent Indian corporate history. He writes in the letter that the Tata Groups decisions are based on maximising long-term shareholder value, and this will continue to be the case, whether it is non profitable units like Tata Steel Europe or successful entities like TCS or JLR.The letter has been signed by Ratan Tata. Chennai: A Woman gets her head tonsured as a mark of respect for #Jayalalithaa pic.twitter.com/oc0mpQW8kF ANI (@ANI_news) December 7, 2016 People grieving at the spot where #Jayalalithaa was buried yesterday in Marina Beach, Chennai pic.twitter.com/Manuw4jhS9 ANI (@ANI_news) December 7, 2016 Marina Beach(Chennai): People getting their heads tonsured as a mark of respect for #Jayalalithaa pic.twitter.com/S02EhVuiN5 ANI (@ANI_news) December 7, 2016 : AIADMK MPs, MLAs and staunch supporters of the late former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa including women shaved their heads in memory of their beloved leader.Teary-eyed supporters continue to throng the Marina beach next to MGR memorial in Chennai on Wednesday where Jayalalithaa was laid to rest.MP Senthilanathan who also got his head tonsured told network 18, "Amma was not just a leader, she was like a family member, a mother to us. As a tradition of losing a family memberwe are all shaving our heads. She was great and very supportive."Another supporter of Jayalalithaa, Surlirajan cursed his fate for not being able to see the face of his beloved Amma and wondered whether anyone can match the stature and possess a good heart like Jayalalithaa."We are mourning the death of our Amma by tonsuring our heads here at Sabari Temple. She dedicated her life for us. We doubt whether we would get any other leader like her. We would have been happy had we seen Amma's face when she was admitted in the hospital," Surlirajan told ANI.A seven-day mourning was declared in Tamil Nadu to mourn the death of the beloved five-time Chief Minister. A three-day holiday has also been announced for educational institutions in the state. : The driver of a Karnataka bureaucrat has allegedly committed suicide after accusing the officer and mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy of harassing him over laundered black money.Ramesh Gowda, who worked as a driver for special land acquisition officer Bheema Naik in Bengaluru, committed suicide on Tuesday by consuming poison, sources told CNN-News18In his suicide note, Gowda claimed that he had information on how Reddy converted Rs 100 crore black money into white and hence was receiving constant death threats.Gali Janardhana Reddy at his daughter's wedding ceremony. (CNN-News18 TV grab)Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) officer Naik was accused by Gowda of having received a 20 percent cut for helping Reddy launder the money needed for his daughter's lavish wedding.The suicide note claimed that Reddy along with BJP MP Sriramulu met Naik several times at a five star hotel in Bengaluru in the days before the wedding. Along with 20 percent cut, Naik allegedly wanted Reddy to help him get a ticket to contest the 2018 Karnataka elections.Police have filed a case against Naik.Income Tax officials had visited Reddys house in Bellary after the "Rs 500 crore" wedding and asked him to produce details.Gali Janardhana Reddy's at his daughter's wedding ceremony.Earlier, IT sleuths had unearthed around Rs 150 crore in unaccounted property and cash Rs 5.7 crore was in new notes of Rs 2,000 at the palatial residences of two state government engineers. Chikkarayappa and SC Jayachandra have been suspended now. These engineers are said to be close aides of CM Siddaramaiah, however he was quick to reject such allegations. Gali Janardhana Reddy's daughter's wedding ceremony. (CNN-News18 TV grab)According to reports, Reddy, who spent four years in Hyderabad and Bengaluru jails, had returned to Karnatakas Bellary after five years on November 1 to make preparations for his daughter's Rs 500 crore wedding. He was a lonely dissenting voice 50 years ago when Tamil Nadu was gripped by the rise of Dravidian ideology. But he managed his voice to be heard through the clever and creative device of humour. Cho Ramaswamy was in his mid-30s in 1967 when the DMK came to power. After a lacklustre legal career, he had found his moorings in clowning in films and on stage. While he was nothing more than a slapstick comedian in most of his 200 films, he was a clown with a message on stage since he wrote his own theatre scripts numbering 23. His early plays were social satires. With the Dravidian movement capturing power, Chos scripts also turned more political, satirising the new breed of Dravidian politicians. Coming from a traditional Congress family, Cho was an admirer of Rajaji and Kamaraj. As an ardent supporter of free market economy and private sector, he was nearer to Rajaji than Nehru. And when Mrs Indira Gandhi split the Congress and aligned with the DMK in Tamil Nadu in 1969, Cho became the champion of the minority voice supporting Rajaji and Kamaraj. His play Mohammed Bin Thuglak, a satire fantasy of Thuglak becoming the Prime Minister of India, was a spoof of all that Mrs Gandhi was doing then. Cho launched Tamils first political satire magazine on the lines of Baburao Patels Mother India, naming it Thuglak. He had a pan-India aspiration and also launched an English version titled Pickwick which flopped and folded. But Thuglak was a roaring success. When the states electorate voted in majority for the DMK-Indira Congress, Cho represented the losing minority through his magazine. His no-holds barred satire of the most powerful attracted the readers of the emerging middle and upper middle class. The Karunanidhi government tried to chastise him by intimidation and sometimes legal action. That only increased his popularity with his readers. Emergency was Chos golden hour. His magazine was heavily pre-censored and he left those pages blank hinting to readers about the heavy-handedness of the powers that be. He utilised even innocuous topics to make political points. He spared no single leader of the Dravidian movement or the Congress in his satire and earned the confidence of his readers that Cho would spare none. But the popularity of his magazine began to wane in late 80s and early 90s, with the arrival of several Tamil magazines in the genre of investigative journalism. The rise of the BJP and Hindutva forces revealed another dimension of Cho as their sympathiser. He started dabbling in direct politics as mediator. Despite being a childhood friend of Jayalalithaa, he mediated between the DMK and Moopanars Tamil Manila Congress in 1996 to forge an alliance to defeat her. Post 2004, he became soft towards Jayalalithaa and spent all his energy in decrying the DMK and promoting the BJP. He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha between 1999 and 2005. His credibility as an honest and neutral critic suffered when Prashant Bhushan, his erstwhile supporter, put out documents which alleged that Cho was serving as director in many of Jayalalithaas allegedly promoted shell companies and distilleries during the period when she was estranged from her associate Sasikala Natarajan. Despite his pungent satires on the DMK and its chief M Karunanidhi, Cho maintained a close and cordial friendship with Karunanidhi. He was personally cordial and warm with all those whom he spoofed and criticised. He never hid his views even when he knew they were politically incorrect. He openly expressed his strong rejection of feminism, women holding public offices, rationalism and socialism. He steadfastly represented the right-wing conservative voice even when it was not popular with the masses. But he was considered a friend to all those who wanted a political and social change thanks to his creative talent of humour. Gnani Sankaran is a senior Tamil writer and journalist. New Delhi: After the Russian envoy shot off an angry letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanding that the fifty thousand per week withdrawal limit for embassies be scrapped, the dean of the diplomatic corps has confirmed that some missions are thinking of recommending similar restrictions on Indian diplomats serving in their countries. Ever since demonetisation was announced on 8th November, several embassies have written to the MEA complaining about how their day to day functioning has been affected Hans Dannenberg Castellanos, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic and also the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps expressed his disappointment in an interview with CNN-News18. He said, We understand this is not the responsibility of the MEA, but we were hoping some response would come from the Finance Ministry. However, even after writing two letters on behalf of all missions, we still have received no response. Castellanos says the fact that their letters have gone unanswered has made some ambassadors upset. He added, Some missions are thinking of recommending reciprocal action to their capitals and summoning of Indian envoys if the matter is not resolved. Castellanos explained that 50,000 rupees is just not enough for big missions like Russia, US or China who have a large number of diplomats and Indian staff. He says, Imagine if the Russian ambassador takes a delegation of ten people to a five star hotel. The bill will easily be above fifty thousand. He also said, Embassies like Russia and Finland are undergoing renovation work, so how will they pay the construction staff. The Russian Embassy confirmed that their Ambassador had written a letter to the MEA but did not wish to comment further saying they are still waiting for a response. According to reports, the Russian government is thinking of summoning the Indian envoy to lodge a formal protest if the matter is not resolved soon. The MEA has refused to give a formal response to the Russian Ambassadors letter. Sources say, This is not a matter limited to the Russian Embassy alone. An inter-ministerial task force has been setup and the matter rests with the department of economic affairs in the Finance Ministry. Chennai: The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), one of the oldest trade bodies in the country, on Wednesday paid rich tributes to late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa saying she had "immense connect with the people of Tamil Nadu". "The greatest contribution of J Jayalalithaa to Tamil Nadu was her immense connect with the people and her model of development was centered around helping poor and marginal sections of the society", ASSOCHAM Secretary General DS Rawat said in a statement. While Jayalalithaa looked after the marginalised sections through her schemes, Tamil Nadu under her administration was among the top destinations of the domestic and foreign investors, he said. Tamil Nadu has been among progressive states and was ranked in the top three on several economic and social indicators. On the investment front, investments in the State in 2015-16 accounted for Rs 11.1 lakh crore. The State has attracted huge investments in electronics, glass and tele-communication in recent years, he said. New Delhi: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday stressed on the need for converting Line of Control as a permanent border and initiation of talks with Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue. "How will you resolve Kashmir issue without talking to Pakistan? The two countries have to talk to each other. Also the Centre needs to initiate talks with the constituents of Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir to find an amicable solution to the issue," the National Conference (NC) president said during the 'Agenda Aajtak' event here. He warned that if the Centre continued to ignore Kashmir, it will be up in flames once again. "... Fire is there which can be low on intensity for some time but it can again rise. Till when will we sacrifice the lives of our people and soldiers," he asked. "I know many people will not like it but there is only one solution to the Kashmir issue which is that this part of Kashmir remains part of India and that part of Kashmir remains part of Pakistan," Abdullah said. He had last year claimed that even former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had offered Pakistan to make LoC permanent border during his Lahore visit in in 1999. The former chief minister said that the Centre should take precise steps which can solve the Kashmir issue so that people live there peacefully and prosper. "As of now, there is no progress." "I would like people to remember when (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee went to Lahore, he said that India regards Pakistan as a nation and look forward to living in peace. People fear to visit Kashmir... Why is this fear, this fear should not have been there." He said that Kashmir joined India because of its secular credentials where people from different religions have equal rights. "But we are hearing voices today that India is a Hindu state and everyone is Hindu. Does this mean that a Muslim, Sikh or a Christan cannot be an Indian," he asked, adding the government should allay these fears by "crushing" such communal voices. "If you want to save India, then hold on to that thing which is in the Preamble in our Constitution... If you keep the country united, the nation will progress," he said and warned that if these communal forces keep on creating a divide in the society, the nation will not progress and there will be enemies within the country. "The time has come when we look into the mistakes and try to correct, heal people. Not to kill. Today young children are out on the streets, fighting and your minister announces that because they did the demonetisation, things have stopped. "We will have to see which direction we want to move. We will have to find the ways which will make the nation stronger. Do not relax or rest after witnessing little little things like exams are being conducted, stone-pelting is stopped," Abdullah said. He warned that the simmering discontent among the people needed to be addressed quickly otherwise the spring next year may again see bloodshed. "We will have to find the medicine of the pain," he added. PDP MP from Baramulla Muzaffar Hussain Baig said if the Kashmir issue is not resolved in the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, then it cannot be solved ever. "Though Pakistan has been isolated on the international front, Indian government will have to rethink its Kashmir policy. Modi should unite other SAARC nations and confront Pakistan in resolving the persistent issue," Baig said. New Delhi: Around a year ago, while hearing on judicial appointments, Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar made a remark that took even the Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi the judge was replying to the AG by surprise. The stakes are high. The pressure is tremendous. Aggressions are high. I have spent years here. Seven to eight years in the Supreme Court is killing, he said. Well, looks like he is in for more. Justice Khehar has just been nominated as the next Chief Justice of India. Khehar will take over from the current CJI, TS Thakur, who retires on January 3, 2017. He will be the 44th and the first Sikh CJI of the country. And those looking for clues on Indias new CJI can refer to his speech at the Constitution Day celebrated last month on November 26. AG Rohatgi, who was a speaker at the function, had suggested the judiciary should not cross the limits of laxman rekha. Soon Khehar stood up to speak. Reiterating that judiciary has always stood well within its limits, Khehar said, Be it the 39th amendment in the Constitution (placing office of the Prime Minister beyond the ambit of judicial scrutiny) or the latest amendment that had the element of affecting independence of the judiciary (striking down the NJAC), the Supreme Court has struck them down. It has upheld the constitutional ethos and its principles that, if I may respectfully tell the Attorney General, is our Laxman Rekha, he said. A 1977 law graduate from Panjab University in Chandigarh, Khehar (64), enrolled as an advocate in 1979 in the Panjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh. He was appointed as Additional Advocate General, Punjab, in January 1992, and then as Senior Standing Counsel, Union Territory, Chandigarh. He was also designated as Senior Advocate in February, 1995. Khehar is known to be direct and has never shied away from letting the fraternity know what he feels. While addressing a convocation gathering in October, Khehar pointed out the deep roots of corruption and how the judiciary ought to stay away from it. India as a country is fighting a long-drawn battle against corruption but somehow it is failing to overpower it because it is a deep rooted menace. The only hope is that the future generations, which if guided properly about the harm it is causing, will be able to combat this disease, he said. He was also a judge in the SEBI-Sahara case for a long time. When Common Cause Foundation, an NGO, filed a petition to seek an inquiry into the alleged bribing by politicians based on documents of Sahara and Birla produced by the NGO, he remarked, Are you relying on Sahara's documents? They never give genuine documents. Apart from delivering judgments in various contentious cases in the Supreme Court, the two most landmark cases in which Khehar ruled on pertained to the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) and National Tax Tribunal (NTT). In October 2015, Khehar as a part of a five member bench struck down the NJAC Act brought by the NDA government as it threatened the independence of the judiciary. The sensitivity of selecting Judges is so enormous, and the consequences of making inappropriate appointments so dangerous, that if those involved in the process of selection and appointment of Judges to the higher judiciary, make wrongful selections, it may well lead the nation into a chaos of sorts, he had said. Even while striking down NTT as unconstitutional, Khehar said that though it was seen as a mechanism to reduce arrears as it would have taken the tax cases from the already burdened high courts to the Tribunal, it could not take away the power of a court and vest the power in something that is not a court by nature. Khehar also is not known to take kindly to any sort of disobedience to the court. In 2014, while the SEBI vs Sahara saga saw several orders being delivered, the strongest was by Khehar where he came down heavily on the senior counsels for their posturing antics, aimed at bench-hunting or bench-hopping. During the course of their submissions, learned counsel for the petitioner, chose to address the Court by using language, which we had not heard (either as practicing advocates, or even as Judges in the high courts or this Court) ever, he had said. Earlier this year, Khehar left a courtroom disgusted at the persistent holiday mood of the lawyers. At another occasion, Khehar had remarked strongly against younger judges. I pity those who become judge at a young age, especially if he has 20 years or so as a judge. It is a tough and high pressure job which leads to burnout situation," he said when Rohatgi suggested that the Collegium must consider lowering the age of consideration for advocates from the present 45 years to 40. Khehar was also a part of the bench which recently gave a landmark verdict holding that the principal of equal pay for equal work has to be made applicable to daily wage, casual and contractual employees who perform the same duties as those on regular contract. On November 18, Khehar was appointed as the new Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority. He succeeded Justice Anil R. Dave. Khehar would retire from the post of CJI on August 28, 2017. New Delhi: In a rare intervention, BJP patriarch and Lok Sabha MP LK Advani expressed displeasure with the House Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar for not being able to run the Lower House and wondered why it cant be adjourned sine die. The former deputy prime minister made these comments after the House was adjourned following a ruckus between the Treasury benches and the Opposition on demonetisation. Neither you (Ananth Kumar) nor the speaker is being able to run the house, Advani said. Earlier, he had sat through the pandemonium for the entire session on Wednesday. Parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar who was once known as an Advani protege was seen trying to placate the BJP patriarch. Advani later asked a Lok Sabha official until what time the House was being adjourned. When told it was until 2 pm, he wondered why it was not being adjourned sine die. The brother and cousin of Pakistani social media star Qandeel Baloch were among three persons charged by a court in Punjab province for her murder in July, an 'honour killing' incident that shocked the Muslim-majority country. Additional District and Sessions Judge Saeed Ahmad Raza of the district court in Multan city yesterday indicted the three accused- Qandeel's brother Waseem, her cousin Haq Nawaz and taxi driver Abdul Basit. However, the suspects denied committing the crime. The fourth co-accused, Zafar Hussain Khosa, has been declared an absconder by the court. Police claimed that Waseem had made a confession of killing her sister in the presence of an area magistrate. But the counsel for the accused denied any such confession. The court fixed December 8 as next date of hearing while issuing directions to the witnesses to appear before it. On the other hand, Lahore High Court, Multan bench, granted bail to driver Abdul Basit. 25-year-old Qandeel was found strangled in her house in Multan, some 350km from Lahore, on July 16. Her father had alleged that she was killed by her younger brother, Waseem, in the name of honour. Waseem had confessed to having killed his sister 'in the name of honour'. Right now there is no state leader in BJP who can be accepted by the people of Tamil Nadu: Subramanian Swamy pic.twitter.com/HMkfV2WYe8 ANI (@ANI_news) December 7, 2016 AIADMK will head for a split as J Jayalalithaa's close confidante Sasikala Natarajan will take over the reins of the party and not allow newly-elected Chief Minister O Panneerselvam to function independently,claimed senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy."AIADMK will not survive as a single entity. Sasikala Natarajan will be the head of the organisation and will not give Panneerselvam a free hand and she will ultimately find somebody from the family for the post," Swamy said.The BJP leader said Panneerselvam also has no base in the party nor does Sasikala posses any political "acumen".He further said that right now there is no state leader in BJP who can be accepted by the people of Tamil Nadu.On Monday, two hours after the announcement of Jayalalithaa's death, in a swift political transition, her loyalist Panneerselvam was sworn in as CM at a sombre ceremony at the Raj Bhawan along with all the ministers in the erstwhile Cabinet.Panneerselvam had stepped into her shoes twice earlier when she was convicted in corruption cases. As Finance Minister, he was given charge of the portfolios held by Jayalalithaa after she was admitted to Apollo Hospitals on September 22. PTI New Delhi: A day after the arrest of seven persons, including a BJP candidate in the last West Bengal Assembly polls, with stacks of new banknotes, Union minister Babul Supriyo on Wednesday said that two of the seven arrested are "mafia dons" who have links with the state's ruling Trinamool Congress while terming his party functionary as a 'small fry'. He rued the fact that he, along with other BJP leaders, wasted so much time campaigning for a person who has been caught doing things he "should not have", and said that he was not "disowning" the BJP member and asserted law will take its own course. "I rue the fact that I waste so much of time. So many BJP leaders wasted so much of time campaigning for a person who seems to have been derailed from life and has been caught in doing things he should not do. And, therefore, law will take its own course," he said. Seven persons were arrested in the eastern part of Kolkata for their alleged involvement in smuggling coal. According to reports, stacks of new currency notes were also recovered from them. Mastermind Raju Jha (46), Lokesh Singh (35), Manish Sharma (44), Krishna Murari Kayel (44), Sayan Majumdar (29), Partha Chatterjee (41) and Subham Bhowmik (28) were arrested by the Special Task Force of Kolkata Police. "...Manish Sharma and his photos with Babul Supriyo, it's all over in the public domain. Seven people who are arrested, there are two people in that who are the real don. This guy (Sharma) is a small fish. Krishnakanth, he is mafia don who was part of Mamata Banerjee's official delegation to Singapore in 2014. "There are documents about that. The biggest mafia don who was arrested among the seven is Raju Jha...Everyone is aware about how many crores was given (to the ruling party) by Raju as an understanding for illegal coal business in Asansol. I am waiting to see whether police, apart from Manish Sharma, are going to come up with details pertaining to these two gentlemen which points to the ruling party," he said. Asserting that he was "not disowning" the arrested BJP leader, Supriyo said, "I am saying, if any person, who had dinner with me last night and if he is caught with some illegal activity today morning, I am going to say yes, you are a friend of mine but you have done something for which the law will take its own course." Supriyo said that no one can point out that either him or any of his party leaders had given ticket to this particular person for exchange of money. "I am not disowning him. I am rather saying that I aggressively campaigned for him like I did for all other candidates in West Bengal. I did about 70-80 rallies. "Obviously there are going to be hundreds of videos in which not only me but several other leaders are going to be seen because he was the candidate. We all campaigned for him," he said. Dubai: British Prime Minister Theresa May is to meet Gulf leaders who opened on Tuesday their annual summit in Bahrain, for talks on trade ties after Britain leaves the European Union. King Salman of Gulf heavyweight Saudi Arabia opened the summit with a call for "doubling of efforts" to face regional challenges. May is expected to meet the leaders before addressing the summit on Wednesday, when she will become the first British premier and the first woman to attend the annual gathering of the six oil-rich Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Defence ties are also expected to be high on the agenda as Britain builds a new naval base in Bahrain, while advocacy groups have urged May to raise human rights concerns. May's two-day visit comes as her government faces mounting domestic criticism that it has not done enough to avoid post-Brexit disruption to British trade, which is currently carried out under EU agreements. "I will have the opportunity to talk to all six leaders about how we can develop our trade relationship, as well as cooperation on security and defence," May said before arriving in Manama late yesterday. Her office said May will discuss possibilities for post-Brexit free trade arrangements with the GCC states -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. "As the UK leaves the EU, we should seize the opportunity to forge a new trade arrangement between the UK and the Gulf," the British premier said. Ahead of the summit, May met King Salman, Bahrain's King Hamad, the emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum. In October last year, Britain began building a naval base at Mina Salman, outside Manama, its first new permanent base in the Middle East in four decades. May told 300 Royal Navy officers aboard HMS Ocean that she wanted to "step up our defence and security cooperation to keep British citizens safe at home and abroad". Britain's force already stationed in Bahrain was "a clear demonstration of the UK's enduring security commitment to the Gulf", she said. Western ties with Bahrain, however, have come under criticism from international human rights groups. Bahrain's Sunni minority rulers have cracked down on dissent since they crushed protests in 2011 led by the Shiite majority for a constitutional monarchy and an elected prime minister. The main Shiite opposition group, Al-Wefaq, once the largest in parliament, has been dissolved and scores of Shiites have been stripped of their citizenship. New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its ex-post facto approval to the MoU between India and Afghanistan on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. "The MoU envisages cooperation between the two countries for application of space technologies in education, agriculture, weather forecasting, telecommunications, rural health, sanitation, urban development, resource mapping navigation and remote sensing," said a cabinet communique. The MoU will help in development of space sector in Afghanistan and held it will move towards self-reliance. "The move would provide India a foothold in Afghanistan's strategic space and communication sector," it added. The MoU will boost high-tech jobs in the two countries in both core science and technology and R&D fields, and also the field of implementation, it said. Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump has formally nominated James Mattis, a retired 4-star Marine Corps general who has long voiced concerns about the threat posed by Iran, as the Defence Secretary to replace Ashton Carter. 66-year-old Mattis, who memorably said "it's fun to shoot some people", would add to a cabinet of national security super-hawks and signal a return to a more aggressive defence of American interests abroad. "I am proud to nominate General James Mattis to Secretary of Defence. He is one of the most effective generals and extraordinary leaders of our time, who has committed his life to his love for our country," Trump said in Fayetteville, North Carolina. "General Mattis is the living embodiment of the Marine Corps motto, 'Semper Fidelis,' always faithful, and the American people are fortunate that a man of his character and integrity will now be the civilian leader atop the Department of Defense. Under his leadership, we will rebuild our military and alliances, destroy terrorists and faceour enemies head on, and make America safe again," Trump said. If confirmed, Mattis would replace Carter who is scheduled to be in India this week on his farewell trip. Mattis commanded at multiple levels during his 44-year-career as an infantry Marine. Before retiring in 2013, he was the Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), directing military operations of more than 200,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines across the Middle East. "I am honored by President-elect Trump's nomination and his respect for the brave men and womenofthe Armed Forces of the US," Mattis said. "To the President-elect, our soon to be commander in chief, to our military personnel, to the talented civilians in the Department of Defence, and to the American people, I pledge the best of my abilities to ensuring a strong and secure America," he said. As a lieutenant colonel, Mattis commanded an assault battalion breaching the Iraqi minefields in Operation Desert Storm. As a colonel, he commanded the 7th Marine Regiment and, on Pentagon duty, he served as the Department of Defence Executive Secretary. As a brigadier general, he was the Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defence. The retired four-star general, who was known as "Mad Dog," was lauded for his leadership of Marines in the 2004 Battle of Falluja in Iraq - one of the bloodiest of the war. But he also attracted controversy in 2005 when he said "it's fun to shoot some people" while addressing service members in San Diego. Washington: A former US Army official has said that to win the war against Taliban in Afghanistan, it is essential to destroy their safe havens in Pakistan, alleging that Pak military provides intelligence, training and logistics assistance to them. "What's required is a new strategy with a commitment to force the elimination of sanctuaries in Pakistan,"General (rtd) John M Keane, a former vice chief of the army and chairman of the Institute for the Study of War, told members of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday during a Congressional hearing on worldwide threats. "Taliban sanctuaries exist in Pakistan where the Pakistan military provides intelligence, training, and logistics assistance to enhance the Taliban operational performance while providing continuous safe haven," he said. Keane said no insurgency has ever been defeated while it maintains sanctuary outside the conflict area. "We are in this current situation largely because the war in Iraq itself became protracted and much needed forces could not be applied to Afghanistan, US ground forces, particularly the Army is too small to fight two counter insurgencies simultaneously," he added. He also stated that the Obama's policy was not to win the war but to end US involvement. "The new administration must call for a political and security assessment and face the harsh realities of possibly squandering 15 years of US combat in Afghanistan war not winnable," he asserted. "What's required is a new strategy with a commitment to force the elimination of sanctuaries in Pakistan and a commitment to provide to the ANSFs the enablers they need to turn the momentum: intelligence, attack helicopters, strike fighter support, medevac, anti-IED capabilities," Keane said. "Without an on-the-ground assessment, I honestly cannot tell you if that is sufficient, how many additional troops are required to support those functions and for how long, he said. Senator Jack Reed, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the decisions by the President to maintain approximately 8,400 US troops in Afghanistan into 2017 and to support the Afghan Security Forces has laid the foundation for a sustainable US and international security presence in Afghanistan. "The decision also sent an important message to Afghans, the Taliban and others in the region, including Pakistan, regarding the commitment of the United States for progress in Afghanistan," he said. "Assuming the continued support of the Afghan government and the support of its people, I hope the next administration will follow a conditions-based approach to US presence in Afghanistan that provides flexibility in the number of military personnel deployed, to support of our longer-term strategy, there," Reed said. Pictures of PIA flight crash just released Follow live updates: https://t.co/2LaNWnvYCD pic.twitter.com/gEkLKNXZGB Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 7, 2016 All 48 people on board a PIA plane, including famous pop singer-turned-Islamic preacher Junaid Jamshed and three foreigners, were killed on Wednesday as the aircraft crashed and burst into flames in a hilly area near Pakistan's Abbottabad after facing engine problems.The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane PK-661 with 48 people, including Jamshed, his wife and Deputy Commissioner Chitral Osama Warraich, on board crashed in Saddha Batolni village near Pakistan Ordinance Factory, Havelian, while en route to Islamabad from Chitral in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.The Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that there are no survivors. So far, 36 bodies have been recovered from the wreckage.We regret to inform that PIAs ATR-42 aircraft operating as PK-661, carrying around 40 persons lost its contact with a control tower on its way from Chitral to Islamabad a short while ago. All resources are being mobilised to locate the aircraft. Media will be kept informed as situation develops, PIA spokesperson Danial Gilani said in a statement.The DPO Abbottabad had also confirmed that Pakistan International Airlines flight crashed near Havelian between Majab and Piplian.Eyewitnesses were quoted as saying by media reports that they had seen a plane crash in a hilly area near Havelian."All of the bodies are burned beyond recognition. The debris is scattered," Taj Muhammad Khan, a government official based in the Havelian region, told Reuters.Khan, who was at the site of the crash, added that witnesses told him "the aircraft has crashed in a mountainous area, and before it hit the ground it was on fire".Dawn News quoted PIA Spokesman Daniyal Gilani as saying that there were 42 passengers, five crew members and one ground engineer on board.Clouds of smoke could be seen rising from the area of the reported crash.Ground rescue teams had been sent to the area, officials said."PIA's ATR-42 aircraft operating as PK-661, carrying around 40 persons lost its contact with the control tower on its way from Chitral to Islamabad a short while ago," PIA Spokesman Daniyal Gilani tweeted. "All resources are being mobilised to locate the aircraft."At least 36 bodies had been recovered from the wreckage, PTI reported. Local media reports also suggested that bodies had been sent for DNA tests as they were unrecognisable.The priority is to recover bodies. Then will come the recovery of the parts of the aircraft, a rescue team member was quoted as saying.Abid Ali, a senior official of the national disaster and management cell, said rescue work was underway at the crash site and six helicopters were being used in the operation but it would take time to recover the debris and all bodies as the crash took place in a mountainous region.Pakistan has had a poor air safety track record in recent years.In 2012, a Bhoja Airline plane, a Boeing 737 carrying 121 passengers and six crew members, crashed near Islamabad just before touchdown.The worst aviation tragedy on Pakistani soil came in July 2010 when an Airbus 321 passenger jet operated by the private airline Airblue crashed into hills overlooking Islamabad. The flight was coming from Karachi.All 152 people on board were killed in the accident, which occurred amid heavy rain and poor visibility.Another deadly civilian plane crash involving a Pakistani jet occured in 1992 when a PIA Airbus A300 crashed into a cloud-covered hillside on its approach to the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, killing 167 people.(With inputs from agencies) Beirut: Syrian rebel factions are proposing a five-day cease-fire for the evacuation of the sick and other civilians from the eastern part of the city of Aleppo. The rebel proposal on Wednesday comes as Syrian government and allied forces have gained control of three-quarters of the enclave that the rebels had controlled since 2012. The proposal made no mention of a rebel surrender or pullout. The government's ground offensive was preceded by an intensive bombing campaign that knocked out medical facilities and left the civilian population in eastern Aleppo reeling from the onslaught. The proposal calls for the immediate evacuation of 500 seriously wounded Aleppo residents and for allowing civilians wishing to leave to head to northern rural Aleppo province, where there is almost no government presence. Capt. Abdel-Salam Abdel-Razek of the rebel Nour el-Din el-Zinki faction says the future of the city of Aleppo is to be negotiated during this humanitarian pause, which the rebels want the United Nations to monitor. There was no immediate response from Damascus on the proposal. The Syrian government says Israel has launched several surface-to-surface missiles that hit near a military airport west of Damascus, triggering a fire. The official news agency SANA says the missiles were launched early on Wednesday from inside the "occupied territories" and fell within the perimeter of the Mezzeh military airport on the western edge of the capital. It added that no injuries were report. It was the second such Israeli strike into Syria recently, according to the Syrian government. Last week, SANA said Israeli jets fired two missiles from Lebanese airspace toward the outskirts of Damascus, in the Sabboura area. The Israeli military declined to comment on that incident, and there was no immediate comment on Wednesday's attack. Syria's state media and an opposition monitoring group say that Syrian troops and their allies have captured more ground in Aleppo's Old City, gaining a new hold in the heart of the divided city. The state SANA news agency says that the Syrian forces in the early hours of Wednesday morning established control over two districts north of the ancient Citadel in the heart of the city the Aghiour and Bab al-Hadid neighborhoods. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the new gains have choked the rebels, forcing them to pull back to other parts of the Old City. There was no immediate opposition comment on the loss, which widens government control over the enclave that has been in rebel hands since 2012. On Tuesday before the new gains, Syria's military said it controlled 73 percent of eastern Aleppo, the rebel enclave. The Russian defense ministry says a Russian colonel who worked as a military adviser in the government-controlled part of the Syrian city of Aleppo has died in rebel shelling. The fatality marks Russia's third casualty this week, after two nurses were killed in a rocket attack on a makeshift Russian military hospital in Aleppo. The ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that Col. Ruslan Galitsky was wounded in rebel shelling of a government-controlled neighborhood several days earlier and has died of wounds. The Syrian government and its ally Russia have rejected a cease-fire for the war-torn city, keeping up the military offensive amid rebel retreats and massive displacement of Aleppo civilians. A Lynchburg man sentenced this summer to a decade in prison for soliciting a Bedford Middle School student was denied a more lenient sentence Tuesday. Cleveland Leroy Coaxum Jr., 27, asked Bedford County Circuit Court to reconsider his 10-year sentence in the sexual exploitation of a girl who attended the school when he was a day treatment counselor. Judge James Updike Jr. denied the request from Coaxums lawyer. His decision leaves the earlier adjudication and sentencing order in effect, Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Stacey Gardner said in an email. Coaxum earlier was found guilty of three counts of computer solicitation of a child. He was sentenced in August to 30 years in the penitentiary on each offense but with each term suspended after 10 years and all running concurrently. Therefore, the defendants 10-year sentence remains in effect, Gardner said. Noting Tuesdays hearing was procedural, Gardner said she had no further comment. Melvin Hill, Coaxums attorney in Roanoke, could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Under the sentencing order, after release, Coaxum faces 10 years of supervised probation, must register as a sex offender, must not work with minors nor have unsupervised contact with any minor and must not have any contact with the minor involved or her immediate family. An investigation began when Coaxum was alleged to have provided the girl his phone number while working as a day counselor at the school. He later was accused of sending her sexually explicit messages, including photos, according to prosecutors. Coaxum was employed by Family Preservation Services Inc. of Bedford, which was contracted as a third party to provide counseling services, a Bedford County Public Schools spokesman said. Reducing the amount of E. coli bacteria entering area waterways was the focus of a public meeting conducted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality on Tuesday. Portions of certain waterways in Amherst, Bedford and Campbell counties and the city of Lynchburg have been identified as having levels of E. coli that exceed state water quality standards. A stream does not meet the states standards if 10 percent or more of total samples in an assessment period exceed a measure of 235 cfu/100 mL, or colony-forming units per 100 millimeters. The state tries to collect at least 12 samples before conducting a Total Maximum Daily Load study, which determines the maximum amount of pollutants a stream may possess and still meet water quality standards. A TMDL to reduce E. coli in the James River watershed in Lynchburg and the counties of Amherst, Bedford, and Campbell was developed in 2007. The study is being redeveloped for reasons that include changes in water quality standards and the completion of a long-term control plan for Lynchburgs combined sewer overflow program, which aims to reduce sewage overflows from entering the James River. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality presented a draft E. coli TMDL to the public in a meeting attended by about two dozen people at Riveredge Park Community Center in Madison Heights. Impaired waterways identified in the study include portions of the James River, Ivy Creek, Tomahawk Creek, Burton Creek, an unnamed tributary to Burton Creek, Judith Creek, Fishing Creek, Blackwater Creek, Beaver Creek, Harris Creek, Dreaming Creek, Opossum Creek, Williams Run, Graham Creek and Pedlar River. E. coli in waterways can come from sources that include livestock entering streams and straight pipes, which discharges untreated sewage directly from homes into waterways. Following a 30-day public review period that ends Jan. 6, the draft TMDL will be submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State Water Control Board of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for approval by those entities. An implementation plan will be developed at a later date. The plan will seek to reach the reduced bacteria levels identified in the TMDL through best management practices such as fencing to keep cattle out of streams or picking up pet feces. Efforts to improve water quality can occur right now, said James Kern, of MapTech Inc., the firm that performed the source assessments and modeling to determine the TMDL. Municipalities can extend sewer service to eliminate septic systems that may be failing while there are cost-sharing opportunities available for people seeking to implement voluntary best management practices. Residents with septic systems can make sure the tank gets pumped out regularly, he said. Theres stuff you can do right now to move towards good water quality, Kern said. Its official teachers in Lynchburg City Schools will receive a 2 percent cost-of-living pay raise first promised by the commonwealth and later rescinded due to state revenue coming in below projections. LCS will cover both its share and the amount not paid by the state. The raise is for all employees, though a market-based raise is planned for other personnel in the next years school budget, including bus drivers, instructional assistants, custodians and select maintenance positions. The Lynchburg City School Board unanimously approved a $1.3 million reallocation of funds at Tuesdays meeting, with $360,828 tapped for teacher raises and the rest going to personnel, operations needs and instructional costs, according to school board documents. The LCS school board also was presented with the proposed school year calendar and budget for 2017-18. Though the board discussed both items, action will not be taken on either until January. LCS conducted a listening tour with three stops in late October and early November to gather community input on the proposed calendar before bringing it to the school board for discussion. The division also conducted a survey of parents, staff and students regarding the calendar. Based on the proposed calendar, school will begin in the middle of August but end a week earlier due to the removal of the February intersession. At LCS, intersession is offered in October and February. The focus is on students who need remediation or wish to work on college entrance exams. In a nutshell, it keeps the October break and trims out the winter one, and school ends one week earlier, explained Jay McClain, LCS assistant superintendent for student learning and success. Tuesday also offered the first glimpse into the proposed LCS budget for the coming school year. The new budget would bring the total operating budget for the division up to $97.7 million. With $2.5 million requested for capital projects, the overall budget request is $100,370,675. The adopted operating budget for 2016-17 is $93 million. The LCS request for local funding is $42.1 million, a proposed increase of more than $3.5 million. Assuming no changes to the state budget, well be asking the city for an additional $3.55 million dollars, LCS Superintendent Scott Brabrand told the school board. The proposed Virginia budget will be released by Gov. Terry McAuliffes office later this month. According to Brabrands presentation to the school board, priorities are attracting and retaining high quality personnel, enhancing targeted instructional support, increasing student opportunities by name and by need and operational cost increases. To attract and retain personnel, Brabrand noted LCS funding the cost-of-living raise, increased costs for the Virginia Retirement System and noted a need to provide a market-based salary boost to instructional assistants, bus drivers and bus assistants, custodians and select maintenance positions. On instructional support, Brabrand noted increased needs and costs for special education programs. For increased student opportunities, Brabrand pointed to tuition costs to fill 18 remaining slots at the Central Virginia Governors School and to support for various academic testing programs. Brabrand noted increased costs in workmans compensation and general liability insurance, leases on machinery and school sites, personnel needs and more resulting in operational cost increases. I am bringing you a budget tonight that helps accelerate the positive momentum that we already have as a school system, and we want to continue, Brabrand told the school board. The proposed budget will come before the school board in January for consideration. If the board approves the proposal, the request for funding will move to Lynchburg City Council for approval. We want to involve our community, Brabrand said of the budget process. He noted prior to the proposal of the budget, the division sought input from the community at a stop on the listening tour. The school board will have a chance to discuss the budget further at a work session scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 15 in the School Administration Building. It's a lot, which means it's a lot of homework for us, Chairman Michael Nilles said in the school board comments portion of the meeting. The role of first lady is out of date, an anachronism and benign nepotism at best. At worst its an unelected appendage to the president. In Donald Trump time, when all assumptions are subject to revision, the time is right to think again about the ultimate wife of. Melania Trump has done us a favor by postponing her arrival in Washington, D.C. She doesnt want to disrupt the school year in New York City for their 10-year-old son, Barron. She wants to be a mother first. Fair enough. No one elected her to anything, anyway, and shes got her priorities straight. Donald Trump represents the party of family values, so she should fit right in. The most ferocious critics of her decision rebuke and reprove from Manhattan, where never is heard an encouraging word for anything Trump. The beautiful people hate the traffic jams they expect at Trump Tower, but their concerns dont count for much. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio is looking for ways to be reimbursed for the costs of the Donalds visits, which have made business as usual impossible. New York is not Plains, Ga., population 776, whence came Jimmy Carter; nor is it Little Rock, Ark., from which Bill Clinton sprang; nor Independence, Mo., where Bess Truman frequently took refuge from Washington, D.C. Presidential homeplaces of all sizes have to take their lumps when the trappings of fame and power intrude. Neighbors in the affluent Kalorama neighborhood of Washington, D.C., where the Obamas will live post-White House, arent so pleased about the coming invasion of gawkers either. Besides, it will only be a short trip from New York to Washington, D.C., when Melania Trump is needed for a significant social gathering, or to have a quiet dinner in the White House with her husband. First lady staffs, which typically run from a few to a few dozen, are necessary to smooth the path of a celebrity wife of in the modern media culture. But unless she decides to become active in politics, a small staff should be all she needs. Rethinking the role of the first lady may upset some traditionalists, but the role was never rooted in tradition. Rather, it was improvised as an extra-constitutional position dependent on who was married to the first gentleman. Perceptions of women were different then. The real power of the presidents wife has always come from pillow talk, and were not privy to that. In the beginning, no one knew what to call the wife of the president. Martha Washington was sometimes called Lady Washington, pomp and pomposity having lingered in the imaginations of young Democrats in the fledgling republic. She refused to talk politics, choosing to charm rather than engage her husbands official company. Abigail Adams, who followed Washington, was ridiculed by her husbands enemies for loyally supporting his views. When he was away, she kept him apprised of the political machinations against him. Dolley Madison intruded herself diplomatically into the social life of politics, entertaining friends and keeping her husbands enemies close to train an eagle eye on both. Not all first ladies limited themselves to being helpmates. When a stroke felled Woodrow Wilson, his wife, Edith Bolling Galt Wilson, became his understudy, without a rehearsal. Critics were outraged when she determined who met with the president and accused her of running a petticoat government. Eleanor Roosevelt was censured for her personal observations as her husbands eyes and ears, and she traveled into slums, fields and even coal mines to champion his New Deal projects. She held press conferences with women of the press. First ladies flourished with that title through several presidencies, often inviting ridicule, sycophancy and power. Jackie Kennedy forbade her staff to call her first lady because she thought it made her sound like a saddle horse, and she fled her duties in Washington as often as she could. Since her husband pursued clandestine assignations not necessarily to discuss the farm bill or a crisis in Kenya it was her escape from more than politics. Bill and Hillary Clinton campaigned for the presidency with the slogan Buy one, get one free. When he put her in charge of health care and she held secret meetings that produced only controversy, the public soon recognized a bad bargain. Hillary Clinton thought this year she would have to find a project for the first dude, and the idea of making work for a husband of became a joke. Melania Trump suggests that as first lady she will focus on cyberbullying. Its good enough, if a bit contrived. (Trump haters suggest she start with her husbands tweeting.) A confident woman whos fluent in five languages and enjoyed a successful career in modeling, she prefers her privacy to the limelight and wants to be full-time mother. We should just let Melania be Melania. But you know we wont. Fields is a columnist for The Washington Times. Email her at suzannefields2000@gmail.com. They were scary days, the late 1930s. America and the rest of the world were still mired in Great Depression, which had brought economies and nations to their knees. The Great War what we know as World War I today was still an emotional wound. In Germany, the shaky democracy of the Weimar Republic had fallen when Adolf Hitlers National Socialist Party was voted into power in 1932 on a promise to restore the nation to its former greatness, first by rebuilding the great military machine formed by Chancellor Otto von Bismark and the kaiser. There was a sense in the air, an unease in the populace the world over that the Old Order was on the precipice, peering over into the abyss. Vladimir Lenin had led a revolution that toppled the 300-year-old Romanov dynasty in Russia. In Italy, a fascist strongman had been in power since the early 1920s, and in Asia, Japan was yearning to unleash its military on the whole of the continent. And America watched nervously, safe in its isolation, as Hitlers army rolled over Poland in September 1939, as France fell in a matter of months, as Italy moved against Ethiopia and as Japan brought down unspeakable horrors on China in the Rape of Nanking. By July 1940 in Europe, only Great Britain stood against the forces of Nazi Germany, staving off the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain from July 1940 to June 1941. Americans saw the unfolding wars as over there, as in over there in Europe, over there in Africa and over there in China. Memories of the trenches and chemical warfare of The Great War were still fresh in Americans minds, and there was a deep strain of isolationism running through the American body politic. But President Franklin Roosevelt knew better than anyone what was to come. He knew America couldnt stay out of the conflict; it was only a matter of time and how the United States would be dragged into the war. That moment came in the early morning hours of Dec. 7, 1941, when the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a sneak attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in the Hawaii territories. More than 350 fighter planes, torpedo planes and bombers launched from six Japanese aircraft carriers and rained down destruction on the base, beginning at 7:48 a.m. that Sunday morning. When the sneak attack ended, there were 2,403 U.S. dead and 1,178 wounded. The Navy lost seven battleships and cruisers and 188 aircraft. The next day, President Roosevelt addressed a joint session of Congress, uttering one of the most memorable lines in the history of presidential speeches: Yesterday, December 7, 1941 a date which will live in infamy the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. Within hours, Congress passed and FDR signed a declaration of war against Japan. Germany and Italy soon declared war on America in support of their ally, Japan. And thus began World War II. America and Great Britain took the helm of democracys armies to turn back the Nazi threat, working in concert with Josef Stalin and the Soviet Union. Over the next three and a half years, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and tens of millions of civilians died. The America of Dec. 6, 1941, bore little resemblance to the America of Sept. 2, 1945, when Japan officially surrendered. Today, we owe an unpayable debt to the men and women of the Greatest Generation who answered the call of their nation and of destiny. "Man Down" carries a poignant message about American veterans' mental health needs, but you may give up on the movie before it gets there. Nothing is clear until the film's final moments, which hit with a gut punch just before the credits roll. Until then, the story is told through disjointed flashbacks that make it hard to know what's going on and who to root for. Director Dito Montiel bounces between boot camp, active duty in Afghanistan and life in post-apocalyptic America, with star Shia LaBeouf's haircut and beard scruff the only real indicator of where we are in time. LaBeouf's performance is powerful, maybe his best to date, but it's unduly burdened by an erratic story structure that doesn't engender empathy for his character. He plays Gabe, a Marine who enlisted with his lifelong best friend, Devin (Jai Courtney). When we first see the two men, they're dirty and bearded, not in uniform, brandishing guns in a bombed-out city as they desperately look for Gabe's son. Gabe carries a worn picture in his pocket of his wife, Natalie (Kate Mara), and their towheaded little boy, Jonathan (Charlie Shotwell, heartbreaking in the final scenes). Suddenly, uniformed, clean-shaven Gabe is in an office being questioned by a military counselor (Gary Oldman, disappointingly flat). The counselor is asking about "the incident," and Gabe is stoic. Then it's basic training at Camp Lejeune, where Gabe and Devin are new recruits being toughened up by an unrelenting drill sergeant. Natalie sweetly shaves Gabe's head as he prepares to ship out to Afghanistan. Now, Gabe and Devin are back from the war, bearded and dirty, wandering dystopian streets and threatening a homeless man as they look for Gabe's family. Now, clean-shaven Gabe is driving his son to school as they playfully decide to use the military term "man down" as secret code for "I love you." He promises to send letters from Afghanistan. Now, stoic Gabe drops a reluctant tear while talking to the military counselor. The meandering structure creates a little too much mystery for the audience to know where to place its allegiances. Did the Marines have something to do with the disappearance of Gabe's son, so Gabe and Devin have gone rogue? Or did Gabe harm his son, and that's why he's being questioned by a military counselor? That distinction is key if we want to root for the good guy. Screenwriter Adam G. Simon's nonlinear story parses out details in such a way that we don't know enough about Gabe's situation to experience his emotional arc until the very end, which feels like a lost opportunity given its heart-wrenching heft. Without that context, it's hard to fully appreciate LaBeouf's nuanced performance. We don't understand what we're looking at until it's over. "Man Down" ultimately has a lot to say about the debilitating effects of war and the dismal reality for many veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress. It just waits too long to say it. In preparation for the upcoming General Assembly session, which convenes on Jan. 11, the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance invited area legislators to answer questions Tuesday about their priorities heading into 2017. Sen. Steve Newman, R-Bedford County, and Del. Ben Cline, R-Rockbridge, addressed the crowd gathered over breakfast at Randolph College on topics ranging from workforce development and broadband access to the local impact of President-elect Donald Trump. Cline spoke on the need to re-evaluate the GO Virginia program, which distributes funds to regional boards for projects that create high-paying jobs. The state is split into nine regions each with boards comprised of members of the public and private sectors, who develop projects specifically for their region. While I think the idea of a bottom-up approach is a positive one, you still have an attitude in Richmond that Richmond knows best, he said. Thats not the right approach. The right approach is to lessen taxes and get government out of the business of your business and let you succeed. Cline also emphasized the need for a cut to Virginias corporate tax rate to make it more competitive with other states. He expressed hope that once Trump takes office, the federal corporate tax rate would be reduced along with other sweeping changes. We are going to see changes not only on the state level but on the federal level, he said. The changes on the federal level are going to impact what we do on the state level. We will see changes happen very quickly on the federal level regarding healthcare and taxes. Newman emphasized the need to involve the legislature in the economic development grant process to prevent incentives from being paid out to businesses that dont follow through on performance agreements, such as the states failed economic development deal with Chinese-owned Lindenburg Industries in Appomattox County. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committees critical report of the states economic development agency, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, released a few weeks ago found what it sees as problems with oversight of incentive payouts to companies. This year is going to be one of the most complex when it comes to business and economic development, he said. Were going to look at an oversight process that ensures the legislature is heavily involved in our economic development program. When asked about broadband access in the region, both Newman and Cline emphasized the importance of allowing the private sector to develop technology-focused solutions in reaching rural customers, those in the so-called last mile of coverage. If government had its say in rolling out a technology, we wouldnt be carrying smart phones, wed be carrying brick phones around, Cline said. Government is going to have to try and get out of the way as much as possible to let the new technology develop and the needs for the last mile to be met. Newman emphasized the importance of wireless 5G technology to help rural customers gain access to high-speed internet. We have seen innovation in Virginia where we have seen companies that are willing to bring broadband on a private-sector side, he said. We have seen that work throughout southwest Virginia, but you still have people at the end of the line that are in hard-to-reach areas. I think we need to make sure we continue to invest in the programs were investing in, which may mean we move to push for a move to 5G quicker instead of building more and more of those fiber lines. Virginia approves 9 regional economic areas A new state-financed economic development initiative is moving forward to create regional councils to identify and cultivate clusters of like-minded businesses that can drive economic growth in nine regions of Virginia. When asked about plans for workforce development, Newman pointed to legislation passed last year to create funding for nationally recognized workforce credentials at the states 23 community colleges. He emphasized the success of the program at Central Virginia Community College, the New Economy Workforce Credential Grant program, and the importance of continuing it. Weve discussed the importance of high school students moving as quickly as they can into programs at four-year colleges and the discussions were having now is how we can do that for workforce programs as well, he said. We put $15 million into the program and in four months all of the money was gone. Thats how popular the idea of these certifications are. Cline emphasized the importance of expanding relationships between employers and high schools to train the workforce, citing a successful program in Buena Vista to train students in HVAC maintenance before they leave the public school system. One of the important links is with your secondary education system, he said. If we can get the resources to the secondary school systems so they can have that training available to students and have successes like Buena Vista all around the commonwealth. Its not something that can be a top-down mandate, but its got to be a bottom-up developing relationship. On the four-year college side, Newman pushed the importance of continuing to fully fund the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) program, which provides financial assistance to the states students attending private Virginia institutions. If tomorrow private colleges decided they were going to take all of their students from out of state and stop doing what theyre doing for Virginia students, we wouldnt make it, he said. There is no pathway for public colleges to do everything that needs to be done. Cline agreed, and credits TAG programs with keeping students in the state. Virginia is blessed with numerous private institutions that do a great job of keeping students in Virginia, he said. These students might not see one of the state institutions as the right fit, but they are bright minds and have great opportunities and we want them in Virginia. Del. Kathy Byron, R-Bedford County, and Del. Scott Garrett, R-Lynchburg, were unable to attend because they were traveling to Richmond. Del. Matt Fariss, R-Campbell County, also was not in attendance, due to a business meeting Monday night, according to the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance. A new report by the Virginia state government's human resources boss says state employees' salaries are set to lag behind the private sector by 27 percent. Department of Human Resource Management Director Sara Redding Wilson recently published a report comparing discrepancies between the public and private sector. The report found that on average the state pays less for comparable jobs, sometimes by large amounts. Attorneys working for the state, for example, lag behind their private-sector colleagues by nearly 90 percent. Overall, the report said state employees would need a 26.82 percent increase in salaries by fiscal 2017 to equal the private sector. Lawmakers recently scrapped a planned state pay increase because of a budget shortfall. The Golden Age, the Silver Age, and beyond: the different eras of comic book history explained What do people mean when they refer to the Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age, and beyond? CD launch at Blood Bank The CD which is aimed at raising funds to support the FBBAs operations, features an impressive line-up of local artistes and upcoming performers. Speaking at the launch, executive producer Gerald Agostini said while CD contains elements of parang, it also includes tracks that can be enjoyed at any time of year. We initially wanted to do traditional soca-parang music, but opted for kaiso-parang, which is something slightly different. Its not really a Christmas CD because we tried to maintain the elements of mainstream calypso music in it. Agostini said he was disheartened by the responses of some individuals and companies when he sought assistance. One of the major challenges that we encountered through this project was getting the necessary people to assist with the production and distribution of the CD. A lot of the persons that we attempted to get in contact with have not even contacted us. Despite the challenges, however, Agostini expressed his satisfaction with the support from the National Trade Union Congress General Secretary, Michael Annisette with assistance for the CDs sale and distribution. Annisette who attended the launch said he felt the need to support the initiative as trade unionists have often been criticised for not practising what they preach. I felt that this was a worthwhile venture for the trade union to pursue, as it cuts across the traditional perceptions of trade unions as marching up and down. We understand the challenges that the FBBA has faced and I believe that we as trade unionists have a social responsibility to giving back to our community. FBBA president Marie Ayoung- Chee said she was optimistic the initiative would go towards assisting the association in its continued efforts to provide much-needed assistance to blood recipients in need and made an emphatic plea to music pirates: I would just like to make a public appeal to pirates, if they can please spare us on this one. All of the funds generated from the sale of the CD, goes towards the association and helping others in need of blood transfusions. Who knows maybe one day you yourself may need a blood transfusion. Also at the launch were popular soca parang artistes Eddie Charles and Kenny J who expressed their satisfaction with the finished product and urged public support for the FBBA and purchase the CD. Bank clerk missing Shannon Banfield, 20, of 28 Mc Carthy Street, Cantaro Village in Santa Cruz was last seen leaving her work place - the banks Independence Square, Port-of- Spain branch on Monday at 4 pm, to purchase items on Charlotte Street in the nations capital. Banfields mother Sherry-Ann Lopez told Newsday that her daughter was not accustomed sleeping out and always stays in contact with family members throughout the day. Shannon called me yesterday (Monday) before she left work to let me know what she was about to do. She was going to get some stuff at Iam and then Pennywise. At around ten minutes to five, she called and asked what we (father and mother) were doing and I told her we were still at work and said she was tired so was going to travel and come straight home. Lopez said this was the last conversation she had with her daughter on Monday afternoon. She is not a person to stay out and she was always at home. She is also active in the Seven Day Adventist Church. Anywhere she has to go we will drop her or her friends might sometimes give her a lift because she do not like to be out in the road especially in the night. She always gives accountability for her whereabouts, the worried mother explained. Lopez said the entire family searched and made checks by family and friends in an effort to locate Banfield. She said yesterday she continued calling her childs phone but all calls went straight to voice mail. Lopez said her daughter was clad in her blue bank uniform with a white inner vest. She is five feet, ten inches in height, has dark brown hair, is fair in complexion and wears spectacles. I am not doing well at all. It is terrifying to know I cant find her, I cant even sleep...this is my first child and only daughter. I am in a mess and I cannot function. When you hear children go missing we know what sometimes happens. I got a strange phone call and heard what sounded like Jamaican voices and music in the background. I immediately contacted my son and we started trying to call her again. We eventually made a report to the Santa Cruz Police Station, Lopez said. She is pleading with anyone who may have seen or know anything about her daughter whereabouts can contact the nearest police station or call 765-5165 or 745-0967. Hosein tells new councillors be humble Telling the new councillors that he served as an elected councillor for eight years and at several other levels in the San Fernando City Corporation over the last 14 years, Hosein said as a councillor, the secret in my serving was that I used to visit every household in a district which I represented, Les Efforts East/La Romaine, every three months. The audience laughed when Hosein told them that he became so well-known in his district that when he visited one day, a child told his parents, Look the PNM man come back again. Hosein told the new councillors that while they would like to deliver to their constituents, sometimes they cannot deliver what they would like to deliver. I want to assure you, that being part of this present government, that we will make sure that you have this Local Government reform take place to ensure that we dont have this obstacle in our way, the minister said. Saying his quietness was his strength and it is better to listen more and speak less, Hosein stated, One of my goals was to be humble. It pays to be humble at all times. You cannot get vex with anybody. He also said it was time that politicians in this country do what the people, who elected them, want them to do and not do what they want to do. Hosein urged the councillors to have, consultations at all levels. Indicating that he literally has an open door policy at his ministry, Hosein said, I want to encourage you to go to your offices, meet the people. Port-of-Spain North/ St Anns West MP Stuart Young told the councillors, This is the start of another chapter in the journey. He advised them that compared to elected parliamentarians, they have the ability to have a greater effect of the lives of people on the ground. As he congratulated them on the awesome responsibility they are taking on, Young advised them that Local Government reform legislation, which was spoken about during the recently ended Local Government election campaign, will be coming to Parliament by the end of the first quarter of 2017. The councillors sworn in yesterday were Clint Baptiste (East Dry River); Jameel Bisnath (St James East); Charlene De Peza (Southern Port-of- Spain); Akil Durham (Woodbrook); June Durham (Belmont South); Stephen Harper (Northern Port-of- Spain); Abena Hartley (Northern Port-of- Spain); Hillan Morean (St Anns River North); Darryl Rajpaul (Belmont East); Roland Ramkissoon ( St James West); Keno Romeo (St Anns River Central) and Allan Samuel (St Anns River South). Gender Affairs Division : Violence against women still too high Even though this figure represents a downward trend of reported domestic violence incidents, it is clear that violence against women is still at an unacceptably high level in our country. These statistics are alarming and call for urgent united attention, she said. Jack-Martin was yesterday speaking at the official launch of the 2016 Information Fair/Exhibitions in commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (IDEVAW), at the Brian Lara Promenade, Port-of- Spain. She said according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in three women around the world, has experienced some form of gender- based violence in their lifetime. Jack-Martin indicated that recently, TTs media has reported horrendous acts of violence against women and girls that have taken place over the past few months. Jack-Martin noted that the Office of the Prime Minister (Gender and Child Affairs) also recognises that financial dependence on ones spouse or partner contributes to the vulnerability of women, and indicated that programmes such as the Women in Harmony and the Women in Non-traditional Skills Training administered by Gender Affairs Division, equip women with skills that give them earning potential. Between the period November 25 - December 10, which is Human Rights Day, for 16 Days of Activisim, Jack-Martin said citizens can use the time to raise at the national, regional and international levels awareness regarding domestic violence. Why is it important? The Commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism helps promote the equal rights of men, women, boys and girls within the society. It raises awareness of the needs of and disadvantages suffered by vulnerable groups in TT. It also increases awareness of abuse and builds support for victims and survivors of abuse, she explained. Jack-Martin noted that in addressing the issue of violence against women and girls, one must consider the role of men and boys. Men and boys must not only be seen as perpetrators of violence, but as agents of change who also have a voice in the battle to ensure a life free of violence. Men and boys must stand against other males who perpetrate violence, holding them accountable for their actions. She further stated, We must also challenge the stereotypical notions of masculinity which perpetuate the subordination of women, and patriarchal norms and practices that create the conditions that condone and even encourage mens violence against women. She said tackling mens violence against women is an essential component of any effort that seeks to create greater gender equality and equity. I must acknowledge that men are also the victims of violence by their female counterpart. Violence against men or women is not and should not be tolerated in any form. I am encouraging the man to speak out if they are being abused and not to be shamed into silence, she said. Opendoor Is Laying Off Almost a Fifth of Its Workers (Newser) Nazer al-Islam Abdul Karim was looking through a shop window at a jewelry display in Saudi Arabia when he saw "a flash." Days later, he's swimming in gifts. An unknown individual had snapped a photo of Abdul Karim, a cleaner in Riyadh, and posted it to Instagram with a caption that translates to "this man deserves to only look at rubbish," per the Telegraph. When Abdullah Al-Qahtani saw the photo, he was outraged and immediately sought help on Twitter to find the window shopper. "I received tons of phone calls and messages in response," Al-Qahtani tells CNN. Three hours later, Abdul Karim, 65, had been found after Twitter users used reflections in the window pane in the photo to pin down his location. "I was just doing my job as a cleaner in the municipality and found myself in front of the gold shop." Then "I heard that my photo was in the media," says Abdul Karim, who's now received donations from complete strangers. The Telegraph lists just some of the items he's received, including money, rice, honey, an iPhone 7, a Samsung Galaxy, and the opportunity to travel to his home country of Bangladesh. Al Qahtani, 38who uses Twitter to connect those in need in Riyadh with social media usershas also posted photos of Abdul Karim with a gold chain and earrings from the very store he was admiring in the Instagram photo. "I am very happy about the gifts and very thankful," the cleaner says. (Strangers also helped the father of a boy with autism.) (Newser) A 34-year-old single mother was arrested and held in jail for two weeks after a traffic accident that wasn't her fault; now she's suing a Missouri city and county she says punished her for being poor. The Guardian reports Nicole Bolden was arrested in front of her toddlers in 2014 when authorities discovered she had arrest warrants for unpaid traffic tickets totaling more than $1,700. Bolden's lawyer says the Constitution requires courts to work on a payment or community service plan with people who can'trather than won'tpay their fines. Instead, Bolden was kept in jail in what she says were horrible conditions. At one point, she was housed with a heroin addict vomiting during withdrawals; she says the jail made her clean it up, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In a civil rights lawsuit filed Monday, Bolden says she was jailed "solely because she was too poor to pay" and likens the current system in Missouri to a "debtors' prison." Foristell, the city named in Bolden's lawsuit, raises more than half its revenue from court finesat least $2.9 million over the past five years in a city of just 500 people. The state has audited Foristell for possible municipal court abuses, and Bolden's lawsuit is part of a string of similar suits filed recently in Missouri. Earlier this year, the Justice Department warned judges across the country against jailing people just because they couldn't afford to pay fines. (New Orleans also has been accused of running a modern debtors' prison.) (Newser) Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son is investing $50 billion in the US and creating 50,000 jobs in a deal that wouldn't have happened without Donald Trump, according to Donald Trump. Son, the CEO of SoftBank Group, joined Trump in the lobby of Trump Tower on Tuesday to announce the investment, reports Reuters. The tycoon, whose company controls wireless carrier Sprint and had a bid to merge it with T-Mobile turned down by US regulators, told reporters that he expects a lot of "deregulation" under Trump. "Masa (SoftBank) of Japan has agreed to invest $50 billion in the U.S. toward businesses and 50,000 new jobs," Trump later tweeted. "Masa said he would never do this had we (Trump) not won the election!" Son says he plans to invest in startups but it's not clear exactly how the money will be spentor how much of it was earmarked for the US before the election. An insider tells Bloomberg that the money will come from SoftBank's $100 billion technology fund, which includes $45 billion from Saudi Arabia. In Japan, SoftBank shares soared more than 6% after the announcement, though analysts aren't sure whether a Sprint-T-Mobile merger will get the green light from the incoming administration if Son tries again, reports the Wall Street Journal. "Mr. Trump is a shrewd businessman, and he has said he will put America first," says InfoCom analyst Hitoshi Sato. "I'm not so sure how he will view a Japanese company merging the nations largest mobile carriers." (A Trump tweet briefly made Boeing stock dip Tuesday.) (Newser) You going to Rubi's quince? That weirdly has become a popular question after a father's homemade invitation took off on the Internet. As KTLA explains, it all began when Crescencio Ibarra put up a simple video from his home in La Joya, Mexico. Hello, how you doing? We invite you on December 26 to our daughters Rubi Ibarra Garcia quinceanera party, he says, referring to the celebration of his daughter's 15th birthday. In the video, in which his daughter and wife also appear, Ibarra says all are welcome, but he figured only friends and family would see it. Instead, thanks to the mysteries of the internet, the video has been repeatedly shared beyond the borders of Mexico, and now 1.2 million have signed up to go via Facebook. It's not clear, of course, how many people will actually show up, but police are planning a big presence just in case, reports the BBC. Ibarra says he will turn nobody away. When the memes first took off, Ibarra made a plea that the joke posts come down, but that seemed to only make things worse, reports Fusion. (Even big names such as actor Gael Garcia Bernal put out a spoof video.) "Probably the funniest part of the invitation is the father's mention of "una chiva de 10 mil pesos," which can have various meanings, depending on where you're from," writes a blogger at the Dallas Morning News. Is it a prize goat worth 10,000 pesos or a race with a prize of that amount? The curious might have to attend to find out. (Read more quinceaneras stories.) (Newser) A "perfect storm" of a late migration and a snowstorm left thousands of snow geese dead in the toxic waters of an old mine pit in Montana last week, authorities say. A spokesman for the Montana Resources mine company says witnesses described the scene as "700 acres of dead birds" after the migrating geese landed on the contaminated Berkeley Pit water in Butte on Nov. 28, the AP reports. But the spokesman stresses that the number of birds in the area were "beyond anything we've ever experienced in our 21 years of monitoring by several orders of magnitude" and that employees "did incredible things to save a lot of birds and they really put their heart and soul behind it." Authorities say the birds landed at the pit because their usual landing site and several others were mostly frozen, leaving the Butte site with the area's only open water. The mine company spokesman says employees are now using spotlights, noisemakers, and other methods to keeps birds away from the pit, which holds around 45 billion gallons of contaminated water. He says that the death toll is expected to be many times more than the 342 that died in a 1995 incident, when snow geese drank pit water high in sulfuric acid, the Billings Gazette reports. The company says it's continuing to monitor bird movements in the area and is looking at using technologies including drones to keep them away from the pit. (Read more geese stories.) (Newser) They succeeded in making a viral video, but it might have been in exchange for their freedom. Alabama police say they've arrested two men after they were alerted to an ill-advised "mannequin challenge" video making the rounds on Facebook, per AL.com. Posted on Nov. 9 and shared 85,000 times, it shows at least 22 men pointing at least 19 guns at each other outside of a home in Huntsville in what appears to be a mock drive-by shooting, per the Washington Post. On Tuesday, police say they searched the home and found two hand guns, an assault rifle and magazines, a shotgun, ammunition, a tactical vest, and marijuana packaged to be sold. Kenneth White, 49, faces charges of first-degree possession of marijuana and being a felon in possession of a firearm, while Terry Brown, 23, faces charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and loitering. Brown was also charged with promoting prison contraband after police say he arrived at jail with marijuana in his possession, per WHNT. Police add more arrests could be on the way. "There are several persons in the video who may be convicted felons," the captain of the Madison County Sheriff's Office says. He adds officers are working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms to identify the individuals and draw up any potential charges. (Read more weird crimes stories.) (Newser) Julian Assange claims Swedish police leaked an accuser's account of a rape allegation against him in 2010 to paint him as a guilty party. Now, he's telling his side of the story publicly because "I want people to know the truth about how abusive this process has been," he says, per the Guardian. In a 19-page document of testimony given to Swedish investigators in an interview last month, Assange says he arrived in Sweden in August 2010 to find his credit cards blocked. His accuser, whom he portrays as an obsessed fan, "appeared to be sympathetic" and "made it very clear that she wanted to have sexual intercourse," says Assange. He says the pair had unprotected sex, then arranged to meet the next day so Assange could be tested for STDs. "You can imagine my disbelief when I woke to the news that I had been arrested in my absence for 'rape,'" Assange says. According to leaked reports, the accuser told police that she had protected sex with Assange, fell asleep, and awoke to find him penetrating her without a condom. However, Assange suggests the woman never meant to accuse him of rape and was only pressured by police, who he says have proof, via text messages, that she was awake, per the Hill. "I am entirely innocent," yet prosecutor Marianne Ny chose "to extinguish my freedom of movement and harm my reputation," resulting in "six years of unlawful, politicized detention without charge," Assange says. A Swedish Prosecution Authority rep refused to comment, per Reuters. (Read more Julian Assange stories.) (Newser) Gov. John Kasich has a new bill on his desk, and if he signs it, Ohio will have the toughest abortion laws in the US, USA Today reports. The "heartbeat bill," which bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat is found (sometimes as early as six weeks), doesn't allow for rape or incest exceptions, though abortions to save the mother's life are OK. Per Cleveland.com, the bill was unexpectedly shoehorned Tuesday into child abuse and child neglect legislation, with Kasich able to veto just that item or refuse the entire deal. Ohio Republicans, including Kasich, had previously balked at such a bill, feeling it wouldn't stand up to constitutional challengesRoe v. Wade makes it illegal for states to ban abortions before a fetus is viablebut some feel empowered by the coming Trump presidency and a future Trump Supreme Court pick. "[Trump has] changed the dynamic," GOP state Senate President Keith Faber told reporters, per Cleveland.com. Not surprisingly, abortion rights supporters are speaking out against the development, including Democratic Rep. Teresa Fedor, who last year spoke about her rape and abortion. "You might as well call me a baby killer," she says, per USA Today. Others take issue with the bill's 11th-hour passage. "To slip it in at the last minute where there's ... no opportunity for people to really voice their opinion says we can't trust our legislators," Iris Harvey, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, tells Cleveland.com. One GOPer still not sure this bill is the way to go is Ohio Right to Life President Mike Gonidakis. "Everyone is swept up in Trumpmania, but let's be realistic," he tells USA Today. He'd prefer a ban on abortions after 20 weeks' gestation, a bill Kasich could approve instead of this one when and if such a bill ever makes its way to him. (In Texas, fetal remains must be cremated or buried.) (Newser) The strange saga of Christian Slater's dad continues: Thomas Knight Slater sued both his ex-wife, Mary Jo Slater, and son Christian back in February. The portion of the suit against Christian Slater has since been dismissed, but the complaint against Mary Jo Slater is still pending, and Thomas Slater has allegedly been writing "hateful," "disgusting" letters to the judge in the case. On Tuesday, that judge ordered Thomas Slater, 77, to stop writing letters immediately, MyNewsLA reports. "Youre having communications without everyone being involved," she said, and besides, the letters are "not appropriate." When she summoned Slater to Tuesday's hearing, she said the "vile, disgusting, and contemptuous" letters served "no purpose but to threaten the court." He allegedly sent more than a dozen of them; one said she and his son's lawyers were "colluding Democrat devil worshippers." Thomas Slater wants $30 million in the defamation suit, but the judge sent his lawsuit to a limited jurisdiction court, meaning the most he could possibly collect is $25,000. He claims his ex made statements resulting in him being "blacklisted in the show business community" and ruined his career in Hollywood, where he had previously appeared in soap operas and a few films. (He claimed the same thing of son Christian, but the judge determined Christian Slater's comments, in which he told an interviewer his father suffered from manic-depressive schizophrenia, were protected free speech.) During Tuesday's hearing, Thomas Slater started to raise his voice, resulting in the judge warning him, "I have a sheriffs deputy in the courtroom and if you dont watch it, you will not be pleased with the result." The hearing closed with Thomas Slater telling the judge, "Merry Christmas, your honor." (Read more Christian Slater stories.) (Newser) "Everyone kept telling me I was going to get life," the Washington Post quotes Shawnnon Hale as saying. "I was thinking that my life was over. The 26-year-old Denver man was jailed for two months for a rape he didn't commit. Now he's suing two city crime lab analysts for mislabeling his DNA sample, the Denver Post reports. The victim met one of Hale's friends at a bar on July 4, 2014, and took their group back to her apartment's roof to watch the fireworks. Five months later, Hale was arrested in front of his grandmother and charged with felony rape. Police said his DNA was found on the victim. Two months later, charges were dropped and Hale was released, with the Denver DA's office blaming a "clerical error." A source tells KUSA that the numbers on two DNA samples got switched. Hale's lawsuit, filed Monday, claims that crime lab analysts accidentally labeled his DNA taken from a cigarette as coming from the victim's rape kit. The lawsuit also implies race played a part in Hale's ordeal. Multiple people told police the victim was acting "lovey dovey" with a white man at the party, and the lawsuit states surveillance footage even shows her leave the party with a white man. Regardless, police decided to focus on "a black male." Both Hale and the friend who first met the woman are black. Hale is seeking damages and an apology. (A lawsuit claims Stanford had a sexual predator on its hands and did nothing.) (Newser) Add two more names to the "Trump administration" list. The president-elect has named his pick for Homeland Security secretary, as well as for the US ambassador to China. For DHS: retired four-star Marine Gen. John Kelly, sources close to the transition team tell the AP. Kelly, who oversaw Gitmo, is the third retired general Donald Trump has tapped so far, the Hill notes; he joins Gen. James Mattis for secretary of defense and Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn for national security adviser. Kelly, 66whose son lost his life fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2010stepped down from his post in February and was reportedly chosen because of his "Southwest border expertise," per the Washington Post. His nomination could raise eyebrows about all of the military brass Trump is choosing (retired Army Gen. David Petraeus is also in the running for secretary of state), notes the Post. Meanwhile, on the ambassador side of the roster is avid Trump supporter and Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who will serve as the nation's representative to China, a transition official tells Reuters. Branstad, who three anonymous sources tell Bloomberg has accepted the position, has been friends with Chinese President Xi Jinping since they met in 1985 when Xi visited the US. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman on Wednesday deemed Branstad an "old friend" of his country and added, "We'd welcome him to play a bigger role in advancing China-US relations." Reuters notes that Branstad's appointment would perhaps ease some of the tension between China and Taiwan after the president-elect's call last week with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. (Bob Dole is said to have been the "architect" behind Trump's Taiwan call.) (Newser) The pope is very concerned about the media's love of poop and the public's desire to eat said poop, CNN reports. "The media should be very clear, very transparent, and not fall prey ... to the sickness of coprophilia, which is always wanting to communicate scandal, to communicate ugly things, even though they may be true," UPI quotes Pope Francis as saying during an interview with a Belgian magazine Tuesday. "Since people have a tendency toward the sickness of coprophagia, it can do great harm." Coprophilia is being turned on by feces; coprophagia is eating it. The pope also warned against disinformation, which he defined as "saying only a part of the truth and not the rest." According to the AP, Francis may have a nit to pick after he was falsely reported to have endorsed Donald Trump for president earlier this year. (Read more Pope Francis stories.) The multinational technology company founded by Paul Allen and Bill Gates has made its come back with a new AI chatbot, Zo. A chatbot is a conversational agent programmed to simulate an intelligent conversation with one or more human users. Chatbots were always a part of the Microsoft's pushy ventures. Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft sees bots as to be the next big thing. Microsoft never gives up in surprising the people around the world with what they can produce. The Corporation released its chatbot named Tay last March 23, 2016. Tay caused a controversy on twitter after its audiences find the bot's tweets as inflamed. Tay was also claimed as racist. After 16 hours from its launching, it has been taken down by the corporation but was accidentally reactivated on March 30, 2016, and was taken offline again right away. Following Tay being taken off the scene, fans created a hashtag called #FreeTay which also made a petition to bring back Tay to its non-censored personality. Recently, the Microsoft Corporation introduced a new bot named Zo which the company's CEO Nadella describes as not racist as Tay, polite, helpful and will be better than the human. It is smarter and never been better. Zo is available only on Kik, a mobile messenger application from a Canadian company that has smaller users compared to social media networks like Facebook and Twitter. The new bot is the English version of Xiaoice, a chatbot also developed by Microsoft targeting Chinese community on the microblogging service Weibo. Zo won't be seen on the social media site Twitter, which is no longer a big surprise for the followers since Tay's time in the site was a disaster. The wide release of the bot soon will be based on its performance on its app. For those who want to meet Zo and give it a try, the only thing to do is to download the free application KiK on the phone that operates android, iOS and windows and you're good to go. After the unsuccessful launch of their previous chatbot 'Tay', Microsoft simply won't put the white flag up as it launches another one named 'Zo'. The all new artificial intelligence chatbot was launched at social messaging app 'Kik'. Although Microsoft is yet to officially announce it, news about the new chatbot already spread after a Twitter user spotted it. Now, there are rumors saying that the app is going to be launched at Facebook Messenger, Twitter, and Snapchat once officially announced. It should be remembered that early this year, the company launched their first AI-powered chatbot that they called 'Tay'. It was later discontinued after it received tons of complaints because of its racist and offensive comments. The case is now different with the coming of 'Zo', MsPoweruser reported, "Zo is essentially a censored Tay or an English-variant of Microsoft's Chinese chatbot Xiaoice." Zo, however, is only open for limited users. This could be a move for Microsoft to prevent another rampage, like what happened with the previous chatbot. One of the topics that Zo simply would not discuss is obviously, politics. When asked when will Microsoft offer Zo to other platforms, here's what they have to say: "We're excited about the possibilities in this space. Through our continued learning, we are experimenting with a new chatbot we've named 'Zo.' With Zo, we're focused on advancing conversational capabilities within our AI platform." Zo typically targets the teen market. You can find Zo by simply searching for bots. About 60 percent of people who make use of bots on Kik messengers are teenagers who are between 13 to 19 years of age. For now, there is very limited information about the new bot, so let's wait a little further before we will be able to know more about it. Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Cloudy with snow showers developing after midnight. Low 9F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.. Tonight Cloudy with snow showers developing after midnight. Low 9F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday called for cancelling the order of Air Force One to Boeing. He slammed the plane manufacturer for the aridiculousa high cost of over USD 4 billion. aBoeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than USD 4 billion. Cancel order!a Trump said in a tweet. Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order! a Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2016 In January 2016, the US Air Force placed contract with Boeing for replacing the current Air Force One Planes with a new Boeing 747. Boeing has built the plane for every US President since Franklin Roosevelt. Later, Trump said the estimated USD 4 billion cost was atotally out of controla and aridiculous.a aI think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number. We want Boeing to make a lot of money, but not that much money,a the president-elect told reporters at Trump Tower, his Manhattan headquarters. In a statement, Boeing said, aWe are currently under contract for USD 170 million to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serve the unique requirements of the president of the United States. aWe look forward to working with the US Air Force on subsequent phases of the program allowing us to deliver the best planes for the president at the best value for the American taxpayer.a Trump had tweeted in 2013 that he owned Boeing stock, but a spokesman said he sold all of his stocks in June. In a conference call with reporters Jason Miller, communicator director of the Trump Transition Team, said Trump sold all his stocks in Boeing in June. aThe president-elect was making here was that a USD 4 billion price tag is a very big number. I think taxpayers want to make sure that weare seeing absolute accountability and that the government is doing the best to drive costs down,a he said in response to a question. aSo weare going to look for those opportunities to do so at every stretch. Before the exact details, we can get into that more after the president-elect is sworn in on January 20,a Miller said.A For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Chennai: Political satirists and editor of Thuglak, a tamil magazine, Cho Ramaswamy passed away in Chennai on Wednesday. He was 82. Cho Ramswamy was admitted in Apollo Hospital last week after he complained of breathing problems and poor food intake. He is survived by his wife and two children. The demise of veteran editor is also condoled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Cho Ramaswamy was insightful, frank & brilliant. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family & countless readers of Thuglak," he said in a tweet. Cho Ramaswamy was a multidimensional personality, towering intellectual, great nationalist & fearless voice who was respected and admired. a Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 7, 2016 Above all, Cho Ramaswamy was a dear friend. I have been to his annual readers meeting which were an unprecedented editor reader interface. a Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 7, 2016 Cho Ramaswamy was insightful, frank & brilliant. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family & countless readers of Thuglak. a Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 7, 2016 The Prime Minister noted that Ramaswamy was respected and admired by many. "Cho Ramaswamy was a multidimensional personality, towering intellectual, great nationalist & fearless voice who was respected and admired," he said. "Above all, Cho Ramaswamy was a dear friend. I have been to his annual readers meeting which were an unprecedented editor reader interface," he said. Born in the family of lawyers (his father, grandfather and uncle were well-known lawyers), Cho by-professional was a lawayers but later he took to theatre, before entering into journalism. His political satire Mohamed Bin ThuglakA wasA a critically-acclaimed play. Cho was also conferred A B.D. Goenka award for excellence in journalism, he was also nominated to Rajya Sabha by the BJP government led by A.B. Vajpayee. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma says she understands the emotional moments a soldiers family go through as her father fought for the country during the Kargil war. Referring to the controversy surrounding her last release Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, the 28-year-old actress said those fighting on the border are least concerned about release of a film featuring a Pakistani actor as it hardly makes any difference to the actual situation. Also Read: Sultan and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil's success made a great year for me, says Anushka Sharma I will share a personal experience, my father was posted in Jammu & Kashmir during the Kargil war. I remember my mom sitting in front of television throughout the day reading tickers which had name of the martyrs. I know what soldiers or their families go through. During the whole Ae Dil... controversy I could understand the sentiment of the people, but I knew the person, who is fighting on the border, is least affected by the release of a film. The soldiers are dealing with an actual issue and release of a movie is negligible in front of that, she told a session at Agenda Aaj Tak here. The Sultan star said people should raise these issues only if they are capable of making a significant difference to the situation. Being a soldiers daughter I understand that what they are doing is the real deal. But me giving statement on the issue is of no significance. I find it really cheap when people talk about an issue just for the sake of talking and are not making any difference to the actual situation, she added. Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena staged high-voltage protests against the release of Karan Johars directorial venture featuring Fawad Khan. The party vociferously demanded a ban on Pakistani actors and artistes in the Indian film industry after the Uri terror attack, which claimed the lives of 19 soldiers. However, the protest was called off after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis mediated talks between the MNS chief and the filmmakers. Also starring Ranbir Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the film crossed the Rs 100 mark within a week of its worldwide opening. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: A 24-year-old woman physiotherapistwas found murdered at her house in suburban Vile Parle earlythis morning, with the autopsy report indicating she wassexually assaulted before the killing, police said. The woman was found dead around 3 AM with burn injurieson her face and a pair of jeans wrapped around her neck, theysaid. "Based on the autopsy report, we are filing a case ofrape and murder," said a senior police official late thisevening. The woman lived with her parents at a one-plus tenementin a chawl. She occupied the top room which served as herstudy room. A neighbour of theirs said they saw smoke coming out ofher room and alerted her parents. As her parents and otherswent upstairs and doused the fire in the room, they found herlying dead on the floor, the police official said. Another neighbour said she was last seen with two of herfemale friends who were at her place till 11 pm. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The logjam between the government and the Opposition over the demonetisation in Parliament showed no signs of fading on Wednesday. Throughout the day, the Opposition remained adamant over its demand that PM Modi should apologise in Rajya Sabha over the currency ban exercise. The government too accused the opposition parties of stalling the debate on the issue and disrupting the House proceedings. Earlier in the day, the BJP held a parliamentary meeting in Delhi to chalk out a strategy to counter oppositionas attack. The Opposition too refused to back off from its stance. In a separate meeting, the Opposition decided that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologise in the Upper House. It also demanded a discussion under rule 184 on demonetisation in Lok Sabha. Here are updates: 2.31pm # Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day 2.22pm # Thereas no precedent in House since 1952 that PM must be here to listen to each & every member: Arun Jaitley in RS 2pm # Lok Sabha adjourned for the day 1.48pmA # Opposition and government are not able to run the House: LK Advani to Union minister Ananth Kumar Opposition and Govt are not able to run the house: Senior BJP leader LK Advani to Union Minister Ananth Kumar a ANI (@ANI_news) December 7, 2016 12.06pm #A Opposition raises slogans in Rajya Sabha, House adjourned till 2pm 12pm # Proceedings resume in both Houses 11.27am # Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12pm amid continuous uproar 11.20am # Opposition is trying to stall debate over demonetisation: Arun Jaitley # PM should give a reply in Rajya Sabha: Opposition 11.am # Who is responsible for 84 deaths: Opposition in Rajya SabhaA # Govt took this decision without planning, who is responsible for so many deaths? A Ghulam Nabi Azad asks in Rajya Sabha Opposition meeting ends,wants discussion under rule 184 in LS. In RS on problems faced by salaried employees & pensioners #DeMonetisation a ANI (@ANI_news) December 7, 2016 For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: A major fire broke out on early Tuesday morning at a chawl situated in Mumbai's Bandra area where a few tenements were gutted in the blaze, officials said. No injury or casualty has been reported in the mishap which occurred at the chawl in Behram Nagar in Bandra (east). "We received a call at around 4 AM today (regarding the blaze) and 10 fire engines along with water tankers were pressed into action immediately to douse the flames," a firebrigade official said. Nearly 3-5 tenements were gutted in the blaze, he said,adding that the fire was contained to a small area by the firebrigade personnel and the flames were doused by 8 AM. The loss of property and cause of the fire were being ascertained, he said. New Delhi: The 10th edition of Jaipur Literary festival (JLF), scheduled for 2017, will have Lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar, Aishwarya Dhanush, Patrick French and Frank Trentmann among the 250 speakers set to appear at the festival. The organizers released the eighth list of 10 speakers on Wednesday. The new line-up has speakers from India and across the globe including noted screenwriter-poet-lyricist Akhtar, who has been a regular at the literary event. French, a British biographer and historian living in Delhi and known for his books 'The World Is What It Is' and his biography of Nobel Laureate V S Naipual, is also returning to the festival. He is currently working on the authorised biography of Doris Lessing. Aishwarya Dhanush, who has written the memoir 'Standing On An Apple Box' chronicling her experiences of being the daughter of superstar Rajnikanth and being married to an actor, will be a part of the event. Other speakers include Manav Kaul, an author, playwright, actor and director, Mei Fong, the Pulitzer award-winning Malaysian writer, known for her book on Chinas one-child policy and Anuradha Beniwal, a former National chess champion, who debuted with her Hindi book Aazadi Mera Brand. Trentmann, a professor of History at Birkbeck College, University of London, will attend the festival to talk about his new book Empire of Things: How We Became a World of Consumers, Fifteenth Century to the Twenty-First Century. Raghu Karnad, a journalist and the author of 'Farthest Field: An Indian Story of the Second World War', author Richard Sennett, best known for his writings on cities, labour and culture and French writer Franck Thilliezis round off the list of 10 speakers, whose names were released on Wednesday. The 2017 edition will take place between January 19 and 23 at the historic Diggi Palace Hotel in Jaipur. Also read: JLF reveals fifth list of speakers for 10th edition of event in year 2017 New Delhi: Former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa was laid to rest with full state honours on at Marina Beach, Chennai. Thousands of big wigs and her supporters thronged to the marina beach in Chennai to pay their tributes to the AIADMK political stalwart of Tamil Nadu. The burial of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's body instead of creamating it was a major talking point in most of the media houses and the entire nation in general. Although Jayalalithaa belonged to the Iyengar community, her body was buried as "integral part of Dravidian culture", experts said. "Burial is an integral part of Dravidian culture," Ramu Manivannan, professor of political science at the University of Madras, told IANS. Precedences for the same have been set in the past with bodies of leading Dravidian leaders being buried, including those of her own AIADMK leaders. Bodies of prominent political leaders like DMK founder and Chief Minister C.N.Annadurai and AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) were buried at the Marina Beach and memorials for them have come up there. Hence, there is a strong case for a memorial for Jayalalithaa coming up in the near future. He also cited the ancient practice of preserving the aged dead in big urns. AIADMK members, who are not atheists but believers, do not see Jayalalithaa as an Iyengar but their 'Amma' (mother) and beyond any caste or religion. Jayalalithaa's relatives did not raise any objection to the burial as along with Sasikala a once close confidante, her nephew Deepak Jayakumar performed the last rituals. Furthermore, though the traditional practice in Hinduism is to cremate the body of a dead person, but burial is used for holy men, saints and children below the age of three. In many Hindu communities, the body of a holy person is buried in the 'Padmasana' (Lotus Position). Hindus believe that burning the body to destroy it, helps the departed soul get over any residual attachment it may have developed for the deceased person. Holy men and saints are however believed to have attained a level of detachment that makes cremation unnecessary, while for children, it is considered that the soul has not stayed in the body long enough to develop any attachment. (With inputs from Agency) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Railway police seized old currency notes worth Rs 35 lakh and liquor bottle from an abandoned bag in Jan Shatabdi Express train in Gaya on Wednesday. The seized currency was in old Rs 500 notes that were scrapped in the demonetisation exercise announced on November 8. During a routine check, we found Rs 35 lakh in old 500 notes and 14 alcohol bottles from 3 unclaimed bags. We have started a probe into the matter, ANI quoted inspector Sushil Kumar as saying. This is the second major currency haul in a day. On Tuesday, police arrested BJP leader Manish Sharma from West Bengal with Rs 33 lakh cash. He was arrested from Ranigunj in Burdwan district with 33 lakh rupees in new 2000-denomination notes. (With inputs from agencies) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Pakistan has told top UN officials that the world body has a "moral responsibility" to play its role in resolving the Kashmir issue and help in de-escalating tensions with its South Asian neighbor India. This remark came in reference to Pakistan blaming India for closing the doors on any bilateral engagement with it. Special Assistant to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, during his day-long visit to the city, met UN Secretary General-designate Antonio Guterres, Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson and Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffery Feltman. According to press release issued yesterday from the Pakistan's mission to the UN, Fatemi told the top UN leaders that Indian forces had stepped up ceasefire violations on the Line of Control and the Working Boundary in order to divert international attention from the alleged human rights atrocities, particularly the targeting of civilians, in Kashmir. "India had also closed the doors on any bilateral engagement. In this situation, the UN had a moral responsibility to call for ending human rights violations" in Kashmir, "play its role in the resolution of this long festering dispute and help in immediately de-escalating tensions", he said, according to the release. Fatemi, accompanied by Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi, said, Islamabad expected the UN to play its role in ensuring peace and stability in the South Asian region, especially in the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He said while Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had reached out to India and made efforts to develop a mutually beneficial relationship, the efforts were not being reciprocated by New Delhi. Fatemi also briefed the UN officials about alleged human rights violations by Indian forces on the Kashmiri people, saying efforts to quash a popular and indigenous uprising in Kashmir had led to the killing of over a hundred people and injuries to thousands. The release said that the UN leadership called for the resumption of dialogue and de-escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan adding that Eliasson expressed concern at the regional situation and called for the lowering of tensions. On Afghanistan, Fatemi said Pakistan was ready to play its part for peace and stability in the country. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Dhaka: Bangladesh's Supreme Court upheld on Wednesday the death penalty handed down to the chief of Harkatul Jihad al Islami (HuJI) militant group and two of his associates for a 2004 terror attack on the British envoy in the country that left three policemen dead, clearing the way for their execution. A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha delivered the verdict after dismissing the appeals moved on behalf of the convicts, including HuJI chief in Bangladesh Mufti Abdul Hannan. The appeals are "dismissed," Sinha said in a brief ruling. The trio could now be hanged within months unless they seek a review of the verdict. But chances of overturning a death sentence in a review is extremely rare in Bangladesh. Hannan and his two accomplices had filed an appeal against a high court judgement in February this year that had validated a lower court verdict handing them down the capital punishment. In 2004, the then Bangladesh-born British High Commissioner Anwar Chowdhury narrowly escaped the grenade attack at an Islamic shrine in northeastern Sylhet. Three policemen were killed and 70 others were wounded in the attack. On December 23, 2008, the Sylhet Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal sentenced Hannan, Bipul and Ripon to death and two others to life imprisonment for the grenade attack. Hannan and seven other operatives of his outfit were earlier sentenced to death by another court in Dhaka for a deadly 2001 bomb attack that killed 10 people during Bengali New Year celebrations. Twenty one HuJI men, including Hannan and an ex-junior minister of previous BNP government are now being tried for a grenade attack on Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina on August 21, 2004. The then opposition leader Hasina narrowly escaped the attack that left 24 people dead. The United States several years ago designated HuJi as a foreign terrorist organisation and "specially designated global terrorist" HuJI's involvement is also suspected in several bomb blasts in India. HuJI was formed in 1992 by Bangladeshis who had fought in Afghanistan in the war against Soviet forces. It was the first Islamist extremist outfit to have emerged in the Muslim majority nation. Hannan took over its leadership in the late 1990s. In October 2005, it was officially banned by the government of Bangladesh. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav announced, on Wednesday, compensation of Rs 5 lakh to a woman, who allegedly committed suicide after failing to exchange old notes in Aligarh. While Rs 2 lakh each to those who died in similar incidents while standing in bank lines while demonetisation drive."The CM has announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the family members of Razia, who committed suicide in Aligarh. He has also announced assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to families of victims who died while exchanging notes or in ATM queues after verification," an official spokesman said in Lucknow. Yadav said it was unfortunate that people are losing lives to withdraw their own money, he said. Razia, a 45-year-old daily wage labourer died on December 4 at a Delhi hospital after she immolated herself on the evening of November 20 allegedly due to "failing to exchange six notes of Rs 500 despite attempts at different branches of banks in the old city area for five days". Razia was a resident of Shahjamal locality in Delhi Gate area of Aligarh. On the night of November 20 when she wasrushed to the district hospital in a critical condition she told mediapersons that she took the extreme step "out of totalhelplessness as her four children had not eaten any thing for three days". New Delhi: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane PK-661with 48 people, including top Nath Khwan and singer Jamshed, his wife and Deputy Commissioner Chitral Osama Warraich, on board crashed in Saddha Batolni village near Pakistan Ordinance Factory, Havelian, while en route to Islamabad from Chitral inKhyber-Pakhtunkhwa province on Wednesday. The Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that there are nosurvivors. So far, 36 bodies have been recovered from the wreckage. According to PIA Spokesman Daniyal Gilani, there were 42passengers, five crew members and one ground engineer onboard.A senior aviation official said the aircraft sufferedengine problems. Highlights: # Reuters quoted Taj Muhammad Khan, a government official in Havelian, as saying 'All of the bodies are burned beyond recognition. The debris is scattered.' # He said witnesses had told him that the aircraft had crashed into the mountainous area, and was on fire before it hit the ground. It is believed that there were 31 men, 9 women and two children on board the flight when it crashed. # The PIA plane with more than 47 passengers on board had gone missing near Abbottabad while it was on its way to Islamabad. Rescue teams are rushing towards the accident site. # Geo News, citing civil aviation sources, said the plane lost contact with civil aviation authority at around 4.30 p.m. local time (1130 GMT) # The plane took off from Chitral around 3:00PM (Local Time) but communication with the control tower was broken around 4:30PM (Local Time), shortly before it was about to arrive at its destination. # The PIA said an emergency response center has been activated and can be accessed at following phone numbers for updates. # PIA Emergency response center: 0092-21-99044890, 0092-21-99044376, and 0092-21-99044394 # A statement from the PIA confirmed that the plane had gone missing, but did not confirm the crash. "We regret to inform that PIA's ATR-42 aircraft operating as PK-661, carrying around 40 persons lost its contact with control tower on its way from Chitral to Islamabad a short while ago. All resources are being mobilised to locate the aircraft. Media will be kept informed as situation develops," said the PIA. # Interior Minister Ch Nisar directs all departments concerned, provincial govt to provide immediate rescue services. # Army troops and army helicopters have been mobilised to a site near Havelian, Inter-Services Public Relations said. # Quoting eyewitnesses from the area, Geo New said the plane was seen going down in the mountains. Thick cloud of smoke was also seen billowing from the area. ALSO READ: (Famous Nath Khwan Junaid Jamshed dies in PIA flight PK661 crash in Pakistan) # Civil and military rescue teams have been dispatched to the area to find the whereabouts of the aircraft which was being flown by Captain Saleh Janjua and co-pilot Ahmed Janjua. # The pilots gave a mayday (help me) call before disappearing from radar. # A PIA official confirmed in a statement on Twitter that the aircraft lost its contact with the Control Tower A PIA aircraft has lost contact with control tower. Plz see statement below. pic.twitter.com/AVcNXFL6E2 Danyal Gilani (@Danyal_Gilani) December 7, 2016 #PM Nawaz Sharif orders all concerned officials to rush to the site of accident. #Deputy commissioner #Chitral Usama Ahmad Waraich was also on board the ill-fated flight The only images released of crashed PIA aircraft. Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/Vg413ty2Kn pic.twitter.com/p0APBY8AOj The Express Tribune (@etribune) December 7, 2016 #Mamnoon Hussain expresses deep grief & sorrow over loss of precious lives in aircraft crash incident near Havelian #Pak PM Nawaz Sharif directs all authorities to immediately reach site and start rescue , relief operations #Chaudhry Nisar directs NADRA, FIA to send teams to site for identification of passengers, providing assistance #On direction of Interior Minister, air wing helicopters will assist NDMA in rescue, relief operation #Speaker and Dy Speaker NA express grief and sorrow over loss of precious lives in air PK661 craft incident #The country's last major air disaster was in 2015 when a military helicopter crashed in a remote northern valley, killing eight people including the Norwegian, Philippine and Indonesian envoys and the wives of Malaysian and Indonesian envoys. #Abid Ali, a senior official of the national disaster andmanagement cell, said rescue work was underway at the crashsite and six helicopters were being used in the operation butit would take time to recover the debris and all bodies as thecrash took place in a mountainous region. (With Inputs from PTI) ALSO READ IN HINDI For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Pakistan Prime Ministers Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Wednesday admitted that the government was presented with only insufficient evidence on alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Yadav who is under detention. Addressing a full Senate chamber, Aziz said the dossier on Yadav contained mere statements. However Pakistan has released a statement which says statement attributed to Sartaj Aziz on alleged Indian spy is 'absolutely incorrect'. It did not have any conclusive evidence, he was quoted as saying by the Geo TV. What the dossier contained was not enough. Now it is up to the concerned authorities how long they take to give us more matter on the agent, Aziz said. Kulbhushan Yadav, who was reportedly arrested in Balochistan after he entered from Iran, has been accused by Pakistan of planning subversive activities in the country. Pakistan Army had also released a confessional video of Yadav, who said he was the serving Indian Navy officer. India has Kulbhushan Yadav as a retired Indian Navy officer, but denied the allegation that he was in any way connected to the government. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Araria: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday claimed liquor ban has resulted in economic prosperity of the state as reflected in an upswing in the sale of cars and tractors, milk and sweets in the last seven months since prohibition came into force. Citizens are spending the money they saved after leaving their drinking habit for good things which in turn is yielding more revenue for the state which it previously got through liquor sale, he told a Chetna Sabha. Kumars critics had earlier said the liquor ban would lead to an annual revenue loss of Rs 5,000 crore for the state. Launching the third phase of Nishchay Yatra, the Chief Minister said prohibition has brought a major social change, particularly in rural areas. With Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh and state police chief P K Thakur present on the dais, he claimed that crime rate has slided significantly in Bihar after prohibition came in force, while sale of cars and tractors recorded an increase of 29 per cent. Sale of motorcycles and tempos registered an increase of 31.6 per cent in the last seven months. The Chief Minister also said sale of milk during the period increased by 11 per cent while that of sweets like rasgulla by 16.25 per cent, gulab jamun by 15 per cent, peda by 15.5 per cent. Honey manufactured by state diary cooperative Sudha increased by a whopping 380 per cent in the past seven months since prohibition came into force in Bihar in April this year, he said. London : WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Wednesday released a statement given to prosecutors in which he asserts he did not commit any crimes when he had sex with a woman in Sweden six years ago. He says he did not have intercourse with a woman while she was asleep. That allegation is at the heart of an ongoing Swedish investigation into a possible rape. Swedish prosecutors have not charged Assange with any crime. Swedish officials say they are waiting for a written report from Ecuadorean prosecutors who interviewed Assange last month before deciding whether to charge Assange. The interview took place at the Ecuadorean Embassy in London, where Assange sought refuge more than four years ago. Ann Oberg, a spokeswoman with the Swedish prosecutors office, said prosecutors will not provide further information on the case. We are waiting for the transcript of the interview, she said. It will be up to Swedish prosecutors to decide whether to move the case forward or drop it without charging Assange. The case has been complicated by Assanges fear that if he goes to Sweden, he faces extradition to the United States to answer possible criminal charges related to WikiLeaks role in the release of classified documents. It is not clear if he faces a secret grand jury indictment in the United States. His lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Assange plans to remain inside the Ecuadorean Embassy - even if the Swedish prosecutors announce he will not be charged - until there are assurances he will not face charges in the United States. She said the statement made public today was read to Ecuadorean officials when Assange was questioned, in the presence of Swedish prosecutors, at the embassy in mid-November. In the statement, Assange described his sexual relations with the woman in question as consensual. He says the two had consensual sex several times and that he is certain she was not asleep at the time in question. I was also certain she expressly consented to unprotected sex before such intercourse started, he said. Under Swedish law, having sex with a woman who is asleep can be considered rape, so the questions of whether the woman was asleep, and whether she agreed to having sex without a condom, are vital. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Gangtok: The Indo-China border trade through the Nathula Pass has formally closed from November 30, according to a Sikkim government press release. A formal closing function was held at Nathula Pass attended by officials from the Department of Commerce and Industries, officials from Central agencies such as Indian Customs, ITBP and Immigration and stake-holders. The trade for the next trading season will resume from May 1, 2017. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Oliver Stone's star in mainstream cinema may have dimmed somewhat since the utter clusterf*** that was Alexander, but his work in other films still stand the test of time. Platoon is, undoubtedly, one of the most well-known films made about the American involvement in Vietnam, JFK and Nixon are both key portraits of political figures whilst Born On The Fourth Of July is one of the most searing indictments of how America treats it veterans. So, while it might be a reductive, we've culled five of his best scenes from his greatest work. Take a look. 5. PLATOON - "He's dead?" Drawn from Oliver Stone's own recollections in Vietnam, Platoon was undoubtedly his most personal film and his least stylised. There's none of his trademark chaotic edits or overbearing musical interludes; instead, Stone comes at it from a perspective that's honest and not enforcing any particular point of view - other than war is essentially murder on an industrial scale. The twin performances of Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger as Elias and Barnes serves as the core of the film, and it's the interplay between these two that makes it such a deeply emotional film. The way this scene is shot just shows how casual death was in Vietnam, treated without any compunction or ceremony. It just was. 4. NIXON - "The CIA has no policy except what I dictate to you." It's clear, both with Nixon and JFK, that Stone will frequently play fast and loose with the truth. He's very much telling you his version of events, rather than a factual retelling of them. When you consider that aspect, you can look at Nixon and understand that it's Oliver Stone making a classical epic with it. Hopkins gives one of his greatest performances as Tricky Dick, nailing the mannerisms, the voice and even the very core of Nixon - that he was a deeply, deeply troubled man who embodied America's true nature rather than its own, idealised version of itself. This particular scene, from the Director's Cut, meanders wildly and flicks from experimental arthouse cuts to '70s conspiracy thriller in the bat of an eye - all of it adding to the intoxicating, nausaeating nature of what goes on behind closed doors in the halls of power. 3. BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY - The Republican Convention Stone's work can never be accused of being subtle or softly spoken. With Platoon, Nixon and Born On The Fourth Of July, he's proudly and clearly nailing his colours to the mast and pointing it right at the audience's face. Although many cite Platoon as Stone's best film about Vietnam, Born On The Fourth Of July was arguably the better film thanks to Tom Cruise's performance as Ron Kovacs, the anti-war activist and Vietnam veteran. This particular scene sees Kovacs and a group of veterans work their way into the Republican National Convention, state their case and are utterly chastised by Republicans for doing so. It's a powerful scene, made all the more by John Williams' elegiac and haunting score. 2. JFK - "Everything I'm going to tell you is Top Secret." As mentioned earlier, Oliver Stone is known for infusing his own viewpoints into his politically charged films. JFK is undoubtedly his most political film and, by proxy, is told solely from his own view of the events. His low opinion of government, his belief that sinister forces are at play in the heart of America, it's all there - and, yes, it goes right down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories and does so in a visually captivating way. Donald Sutherland's character calmly recounts his investigation in the death of JFK, interspersed with real-world footage as Stone is purposefully blurring the lines between narrative and reality. He used a similar method in Nixon, but here in this scene, it makes it all the more frightening and one of the most riveting scenes in Stone's work. 1. WALL STREET - "America has become a second-rate power." When people watched The Big Short last year, many were struck by how Adam McKay simplified the financial markets into a cohesive story. Oliver Stone's Wall Street was the trailblazer for taking a deeply complex situation - in this case, insider trading - and made it understandable, involved and, most of all, human. While Bud Fox was the audience surrogate, it was Michael Douglas' Gordon Gekko that became the villain - to a degree - of the piece. You only need to look at There Will Be Blood and Daniel Day-Lewis to see the kind of influence Wall Street had. The 'Greed Is Good' monologue might just be drilled down to that one line, but it's so replete with fantastic writing and how Stone moves the camera and Douglas just commands your attention is incredible. Taxpayers could be held accountable for $1.8 million for Jill Steins voter recount in Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson has said that a proposed recount of Michigans presidential election results could cost taxpayers close to $1 million. The Green Party candidate Jill Stein only received slightly more than 1 percent of the presidential vote in the election. She has announced that she will request a statewide recount to check against possible counting mistakes and fraud. Stein will be charged $125 per precinct, which bore a cost originally estimated to be just under $800 thousand. Michigan Elections Director Chris Thomas said that the actual cost charged to Stein could be over $100 thousand more than the original estimate, based on the final size of the recount and the addition of absentee ballot precincts. Taxpayers would be responsible for any costs that exceed $125 per precinct at the county level. Steins campaign has announced in a news release that it does expect to pay almost $1 million for a Michigan filing fee. Ruth Johnson has however estimated that the cost will actually double from Thomass estimate. Johnson does not expect $900 thousand to cover half of the cost, although he stated that theres no way of knowing in advance what the final cost will be. If the total cost of the recount reaches $1.8 million, Stein will pay $973,250. This leaves taxpayers responsible for the other $827 thousand. The Michigan Republican Party supports Donald Trumps plan to contest the recount request. The Board of State canvassers have certified that Trump defeated Clinton in Michigan by 10,704 votes, giving him Michigans 16 electoral votes. Michigan Republican Party spokeswoman Sara Anderson insists that there is no good reason for a costly recount request. If the recount happens it will occur over the weekend. Whats not included in the current cost estimates are overtime costs, travel costs, and security costs. Midland County Clerk Ann Manary said that a recount will cost her county about $10 thousand, but the state will only reimburse about $5,600 of that amount. Michigans Board of State Canvassers will review an objection to the recount which has been filed by Donald Trumps campaign. Voters should not risk having the Electoral College door knocked off its hinges all because a 1 percent candidate is dissatisfied with the elections outcome, the objection states. Given her tiny vote total, Stein does not and could not possibly allege a good faith belief that she may have won the state of Michigan. Hopefully the recount doesnt happen, saving tax payers the senseless burden. Sources: Freep.com Upi.com Submit a correction >> This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NEW MILFORD The question of whether central school offices will move to John Pettibone School or stay at the East Street building will be discussed by the entire Board of Education next week. The boards Facilities Committee touched on two components of the decision at its meeting Tuesday bids for architects to determine what is needed to make the East Street building compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and a draft agreement between the town and the schools if the central offices were to move to Pettibone. No decision was made. We at least have something in front of us now, committee Chairman Robert Coppola said. Mayor David Gronbach is executing his campaign plan to turn the former Pettibone School into a community center. So far the Youth Agency, Parks and Recreation and Social Services are lined up to move into the building, once it is renovated. In a split vote, Town Council approved spending $225,000 from the waste management fund to get the building ready for the departments. The plan also includes relocating the school central offices from the East Street building to Pettibone, but that decision rests with the Board of Education. Part of the decision is determining what is needed and the associated costs to make East Street ADA compliant. The board received bids from two firms to study this. KG&D Architects bid $5,950, with an option of $7,950 for additional assessments, and BSC Group bid $33,000. The other part of the decision is what it would mean for the schools offices to move to Pettibone. Moving money Under the draft agreement, the town would own Pettibone, but the Board of Education would be responsible for the 15,100 or so square feet it would occupy for 25 years. The board would have its own maintenance person and security system. The town would take care of the structural projects, site maintenance and exterior work, including snow removal. The town would also cover the schools moving costs. Other stipulations include making the space conducive to the school boards requests before moving central offices. The Pettibone renovations are expected to be completed by June 1, but if they arent done before Aug. 1, the school offices wouldnt move until June 1, 2018. Under the stipulations, once central offices move to Pettibone, the board would turn the East Street building over to the town to sell it, and use $250,000 of the proceeds to renovate the schools portion of Pettibone. Another $300,000 of the proceeds would go into the school boards capital reserve account. Superintendent Josh Smith said the schools legal counsel is reviewing the agreement to ensure there isnt additional liability for the schools. Board of Education member Angela Chastain said there were still a lot of questions, including how the heating, water, electricity and internet uses would be separated between the town and school board. I think we need to spell that out, she said. Calls for further review Members of the public, as well as some members of Town Council and the school board, have spoken out about the timeline of the mayors plan. Theyve urged more review of the costs to renovate Pettibone and move the offices there, so that a proper budget can be planned and funding identified. Those concerns were echoed by several residents and a board member at Tuesdays facilities meeting. Chastain questioned the growing costs. She said the mayors initial estimate was $100,000 and now it was up to about $550,000. Wow, that blossomed, she said. If we move into that building right now, we would be signing a blank check. New Milford resident Michael Barnes said the renovations for the building were priced at more than $1 million when the board studied it five years ago, and that excluded the wiring and hazardous-materials removal needed now. Another resident, Greg Mullen, urged the board to have an engineer study Pettibone, too, so it could make an informed decision. It seems less about what the communitys needs are, and more about what your needs are, he said. But Peter Mullen, a resident, encouraged the board to move. Youre sitting in a money pit thats not not ADA compliant, he said. kkoerting@newstimes.com; This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NEWTOWN The Board of Education voted to keep the middle school open Tuesday night after 250 people showed up to protest. The school boards 7-0 vote to keep Newtown Middle School open means eighth-graders will not have to move to Newtown High School. We dont have enough answers to our what if questions, school board member Debbie Leidlein said shortly before the vote at Newtown High School. Board member Michelle Lu agreed, saying the risks far outweigh the benefits. The board was considering closing the school in response to shrinking enrollment. But parents and teachers in the crowd were overwhelmingly against the plan, citing the social and emotional needs of eighth graders. Newtown parent Michelle Garrity was among three dozen speakers who objected to the closing. Im concerned that the 8-through-12 model has no educational merit, said Garrity, who collected some 600 signatures on a petition opposing Newtown Middle School closing. Im concerned this is being done solely for debatable benefits. A task force said closing the school was the last option after studying ways to deal with Newtowns shrinking student population. The school district has seen its enrollment drop by 1,000 students since the Great Recession, and demographers expect it will lose 1,000 more students within five years. Similar challenges are being faced in suburbs across Connecticut, where declining enrollment is forcing school boards to make unpopular decisions. The debate heated up in Newtown last year, when community objection to a plan to close Hawley Elementary School was so strong the school board dropped the idea. The boards decision to suspend action on that plan was in part to undertake deeper study about its options, but to await the opening of the new Sandy Hook School. The $50 million state-funded Sandy Hook School opened in August, replacing the building where 26 students and educators were killed in 2012. When the board again took up its study of school-closing options, the focus shifted to Newtown Middle School. The plan rejected Tuesday night would have: Keep students in kindergarten through fourth grade in the districts four elementary schools. Eliminated seventh and eighth grades at the middle school. Moved seventh-graders to Reed Intermediate School. Move eighth-graders to Newtown High School. Newtown is the latest district in the Danbury area to consider a school closing. New Milfords Pettibone Elementary School closed last year. Ridgefield, Brookfield and the Region 12 district have been working with demographers over the same problem. rryser@newstimes.com; 203-731-3342 BROOKFIELD - Tenants at Brookfield Housing Authoritys complex for elderly and disabled residents were divided yesterday over a proposal for new management. The authority board is considering a proposal from DeMarco Management Corporation to handle day-to-day administration of Brooks Quarry, a 35-unit state-supported affordable housing complex off Laurel Hill Road. DeMarco runs properties for housing authorities and elderly and disabled residents throughout the state, including one in New Milford. The proposal provoked opposition from residents and led the authoritys executive director, Richard Groski, to quit last week. The executive director was in charge of many of the activities the management company would run. But some residents said they feel better about the proposal after attending a Wednesday meeting where DeMarco representatives and board members answered questions about it. The meeting drew about 20 residents, who were concerned whether their rent would go up, how their work orders would be handled and why the proposal was on the table at all. Barbara Boudreau, who has lived in Brooks Quarry for six years, said she walked into the meeting intending to fight the proposed management change. But she said she was reassured by the professionalism of DeMarco representatives and by their answers to residents specific questions. We desperately need change, she said. I dont think the executive director [position] works very well. Boudreau said she believed that past executive directors have done little for the complex and that she rarely left her apartment because she did not feel comfortable in the environment. I would feel safer [with a management company] and right now I dont feel safe, Boudreau said. Loretta, a resident who asked that her last name not be used, said she has had several problems with the complex. For example, she said, she was charged hundreds of dollars to fix a toilet that was broken when she moved in. She got the Brookfield Department of Health involved to fight the bill and did not have to pay, she said, but because of that experience and others she would prefer a management company to take over. I cant wait, she said. I hope they hire them so they have the responsibility to do things right, she said. But other residents are still asking why this change is necessary. I dont understand where this is coming from, Barbara Locke said to murmurs of assent from other residents. It came out of left field. Authority board Chairman Michael Steele said the board pursued a management company for Brooks Quarry because it is losing money. He said the state has told the authority that rent should be $600 a month for the agency to break even, while rents are currently $430 or $478 a month, depending on apartment style, with many tenants receiving rental assistance. Brooks Quarry does not have a waiting list and is not attracting residents because the apartments are outdated, Steele said. But DeMarco, which has an 18-month waiting list at its New Milford property, could change that, Steele said. DeMarco would also be in charge of applying for grants, a task Steele has had to take on. With DeMarco handling these responsibilities, board members said, they could focus on the complexs other needs. The Housing Authority plans to apply for a capital grant that would pay for improvements to outdated kitchens, bathrooms, water heaters and other amenties. This will draw more tenants to the apartments, Steele said. These are going to be units that people stand in line for, he said. Maria DeMarco, president of the corporation, said she would advocate for the tenants. She said she takes care of her elderly parents and in-laws and keeps them in mind when doing her work. If I wouldnt put one of them in your housing, its not good enough, DeMarco said. The board will vote on whether to change management to DeMarco, likely at its Dec. 20 meeting. Groski did not immediately return a request for comment. Holiday gift giving can be both stressful and unfulfilling. Checking boxes off of peoples wish lists may not be your ideal way to spend your hard-earned dollars. Instead, perhaps consider supporting other entrepreneurs who are not only offering cool products that your friends and family may love, but better yet, your purchases also help to give back to communities in need. Check out these seven companies who are working all over the world to make an impact through your shopping: 1. Local & Lejos. This L.A.-based socially-focused home decor company has a two-fold mission: 1. To provide contemporary home decor at accessible prices, and 2. To do so while creating jobs and sustainable employment in developing countries like Cambodia, Guatemala, Mexico and Rwanda. Related: The Findings of This Massive Global Social Entrepreneurship Study Will Surprise You Founder Sheeva Sairafi shares about her favorite item for the holidays: The Neri Tray is significant to us not only because is it one of our best sellers, but it was one of our first original designs working with artisan groups, in this case those who hand weave it in Rwanda. For every Neri Tray sold, the artisan is able to add a chicken and a rabbit to her farm. Yes, you heard me correctly. 2. Runjanji. Our mission is to make performance running apparel that connects people; where each step forward leads you out into the world, into something extraordinary, says co-founder Mike Burnstein. Alongside Dave Spandorder, these two launched Runjanji in Boston in 2012. Each season focuses on a different part of the world, and each piece directly funds clean water programs in that area. Our latest season is focused on Kenya, and each piece funds one year's worth of clean drinking water for one person. 3. UBUNTU Made. UBUNTU Made provides sustainable education for children with special needs and job opportunities in the Maai Mahiu, Kenya community. The LOVE Bracelet, hand-beaded by the Maasai Tribe of Kenya, represents how big love connects us all. It is the essence of what Ubuntu means: I am because we are, explains Zane Wilemon, founder of Austin-based UBUNTU Made. Each purchase contributes to the grand movement of providing jobs, education, confidence, and self-sustainability to communities in Kenya. 4. Parker Clay. We are transforming communities through trade to create social and economic empowerment. We handcraft all of our goods in Ethiopia using world-class leather, designed with luxury standards, and built to empower the producer as much as the consumer, explains Brittany Bently, co-founder of Parker Clay. Related: Jason Haber's Top 10 Must Read Books for Social Entrepreneurs Co-founder Ian Bentley continues, We founded Parker Clay with the belief that there is potential in places where people might only see problems. By choosing Parker Clay, you join us in partnering to help women out of human trafficking, and help them to realize their potential. 5. House of Darlings. House of Darlings aims to inspire consumers and artists to use their influence for good, explains founder Diana Garcia of this Nashville-based fashion company. The Butterfly skirt, one of our most popular pieces, is from the debut line called The Magnolia Collection which benefits Together We Rise, a non-profit helping to transform the way youth navigate the foster care system in the U.S. Sales from this collection went to fund a holiday shopping spree for over 100 foster care kids in the U.S. 6. The Created Co. This California-based company is driven by the purpose to, ...inspire, connect, and empower people through everyday drink ware, explains Ryan Schneider, co-founder of The Created Co. Related Book: The Business of Good: Social Entrepreneurship and the New Bottom Line by Jason Haber We donate 10 percent of net profits to support clean water projects through charity: water, shares co-founder Jeremey Ross. 7. Kula Project. Atlanta-based Kula Project ...invests in the dreams and businesses of coffee farmers in East Africa, shares founder Sarah Buchanan. Kula Project is creating a coffee company owned by the women who grow it. This bracelet makes that possible. Every purchase of this bracelet provides one coffee tree that will produce an income for a woman and her family for 30 years. Related: Sky is the Limit for Entrepreneurs Who Have These 5 Traits 7 Companies Empowering You to Give Gifts That Give Back 3 Success Keys For Startup Entrepreneurs Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved DANBURY - A hardworking and loving mother, Luisa does everything she can for her four children, ages 6 to 15. A couple years ago, she and her children escaped from her abusive husband. The family had to leave many of its belongings behind and now lives in a smaller apartment. While Luisa works full-time and has made sure all her bills are paid, she still finds it hard to make ends meet. Her oldest son has had a difficult time adjusting to these changes and is struggling in high school. He and his siblings need a computer, but the family cannot afford one. The News-Times has partnered with the United Way of Western Connecticut since 2011 to help families such as Luisas. During the holidays, the newspaper will present six cases each week that outline how a local resident or family could be helped by receiving a specific amount of money. A gift of $400 would provide the Luisa and her children with a computer, brightening their holidays. About $292,000 has been donated over the years through The Giving Fund. Kimberly Morgan, chief executive officer of United Way of Western Connecticut, said The Giving Fund can be life-changing for the families it helps. She said the families appreciate a stranger cared to lend them a helping hand. As in previous years, the United Way of Western Connecticut will administer the fund free of charge, so 100 percent of the donations go directly to those in need. Many of the recipients are known as ALICE families, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and refers to working people who often struggle to afford lifes basic necessities. Stacy Schulman, United Ways director of corporate relations and special events, said the organization is seeing an increase in need among these families. Donations are collected for each case until it is fully funded. Any extra donations will benefit underfunded cases. If all are funded, the money will be used for programs aiding ALICE families. This weeks cases: Case 13: Janis, 51, is a single woman who lives alone with a life-limiting disease. After being hospitalized, she is now under hospice care. She survives on a small, fixed income that covers her rent and utilities only and has no savings to fall back on. A gift of $500 would pay for some warm winter clothes and her wish to have a holiday dinner this Christmas in her home with close friends and family. Case 14: Shelly, 49, was the primary caregiver for her terminally-ill husband before he passed away last December. At the end of his life, his most pressing concern was for Shellys welfare after his death. Shelly is blind, now lives alone, and manages on a small disability income, struggling to cover her monthly rent and living expenses. Winter is especially challenging with the increased cost of utilities. A gift of $2,200 will help cover rent, utilities and living expenses this winter. Case 15: Patty and Dave are deeply in love and have young children. But several years ago, Dave was diagnosed with a rare and terminal cancer. Now their lives are consumed with doctors appointments, countless hospitalizations and trying to make life as normal as possible for their children. Patty has medical issues of her own that are exacerbated by her worries as she manages her kids and her husbands treatment. To make matters more difficult, the family is under serious financial stress. A gift of $1,000 would help pay off their electric bill and provide some much needed household goods, including food and clothing. Case 16: Maggie is a sweet, loving single mother of four children. She works full time, but still runs into financial challenges. One of her kids has health problems, so Maggie brings her child to regular appointments and specialized medical treatments, all while trying to find time to do household duties and finish the laundry. She has a washer, but no dryer, so Maggie hangs the clothes in her basement to dry, which can take two days. Maggie also wants to take a certification class so she can improve herself and make more money, but does not have the funds to do it. A gift of $1,200 would cover the cost of the class and a new dryer. Case 17 is Luisa, who is mentioned earlier in the story. Case 18: Tonya is hardworking mother of three children, twins age 11 and a son, 8. She lost her job in June and has since started a new job, but makes less than she used to. She now works weekends too, providing child care in her home to keep up with expenses. A gift of $1,000 would allow her to pay her mortgage and catch up on her utility bills. When it comes to personal branding, weve certainly seen some crazy things lately. We learned hilarious branding lessons from Mexican drug lords and uncovered a trend of using fake names while internet dating. We learned the troubling truth about Louise Delage and watched Trump and Clinton stab each other on social media as their fans rallied behind them. If one thing is clear, its that personal branding has become less of a competitive advantage and more of a requirement. Its become a reality for the political process, for enacting social change, for taking advantage of business opportunities, and even for helping (or hurting) us in our dating lives. As we all look to take advantage of this important reality of the online world, I encourage you to be smart about your personal brand. Take stock of these classic personal branding errors before you trip and make the same blunders yourself. Here are the top 10 personal branding mistakes: 1. Thinking it doesnt pertain to you. Whether youre a high school senior, a c-suite executive, or somewhere in between, personal branding has a place in helping you take your career to the next level. Personal branding is all about marketing and distinguishing yourself -- and showcasing that online. Its about taking control of your online narrative to help you achieve your goals. If youre a high school senior, your goal may be to earn acceptances from competitive colleges. If youre a college student, you need to showcase your skills to land an internship or a summer job. If youre a c-suite executive, then you might be looking to grow your business, earn more clients, or switch into a new industry altogether. Whichever path youre on, your online presence can either help you or hurt you along the way. Dont make the mistake of thinking personal branding doesnt pertain to you. 2. Pretending to be someone youre not. When were first dating someone new, we often try to show the best side of ourselves. Maybe our apartments looks a little cleaner than they normally do. Or perhaps our jobs suddenly become more interesting and impressive than they were last week. In small amounts, this practice can help you gain someones attention and forge a deeper connection. Taken too far, you risk becoming someone youre not for the sake of continuing a relationship. Now, think of personal branding like dating. If you selectively showcase your positive side online, you give yourself the best chance of getting the attention of colleges, companies, and new clients. Related Book: The Brand Mapping Strategy: Design, Build, and Accelerate Your Brand by Karen Tiber Leland But if you take it too far, you risk it backfiring. Nobody wants to date, hire, or employ a fraud. Authenticity is key, both for relationships and personal brands. Dont make the mistake of pretending to be someone youre not. 3. Waiting until something bad happens. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, every day. Can you imagine what would happen if you only brushed your teeth once they started turning brown and funky? Youd probably get gum disease, have some pretty brutal tooth aches, and your smile would leave a lot to be desired. Once you get to this point, its usually too late to fix everything. At the very least, there is a lot of ground to make up. Brushing your teeth on an ongoing basis is a far more effective way to maintain a winning smile and good oral hygiene. Personal branding works in much the same way. Its harder to take control of your online narrative once there is something bad that you need to contend with. Many folks only realize how important their online presence is once they have a problem. But thats a classic mistake. Personal branding can be even more effective, and less of a headache, when its done preventatively. A little work now can make things a lot easier later. 4. Not asking the hard questions first. Would you ever sit down to market a business when youre still unsure what the product is? Of course not. The same is true for personal branding. You need to ask some important questions first before you write a blog post or send out that first tweet. And the reason is simple. It may not be an easy or comfortable process, but figuring out what makes you you is a necessary first step to making your brand realistic and relatable -- and getting in front of the people who matter most. The people who skip this step and jump immediately to packaging themselves are the ones who end up with forced brands that they cant relate to and ditch after a week. Personal branding requires a lot of time, with a focus on website design, content marketing, social media activity. With all of that online activity, it would be foolish to not determine your unique value proposition or your target audience. Otherwise youre just spinning your wheels. 5. Ignoring others in the brand discovery process. When creating a personal brand, you cannot overestimate the importance of external consulting from friends, family, or a professional branding firm. After all, you're not creating a brand to impress yourself, you're creating a brand to impress others. And it is very difficult to see yourself clearly from your own perspective. Related: 22 Statistics That Prove the Value of Personal Branding Talking your brand out with someone else can help you get a little distance from the narrative you already hold in your own head. Its the same reason we pay psychotherapists and marriage counselors -- and branding firms -- for their advice and perspective. And the consequences of making a branding mistake are pretty scary. You can run with a great idea, only to find out afterward that it is extremely offensive to a core group of your audience. A little outside perspective goes a long way. 6. Underestimating time to develop a great brand. Building and maintaining an effective personal brand is a lot more than just having a website and a few social media channels. Its about providing people with real value, again and again. Its about distinguishing yourself from your competition and making yourself memorable for the people you want to impress and interact with most. Thats no easy feat, especially in a noisy digital world. It takes five to seven impressions for someone to remember a brand on average, so imagine the work you need to put in to get in front of the right people over and over again. And along the same lines... 7. Ignoring influencers. Publishing content without doing any outreach is usually a waste of time. Imagine a new business owner that opens up a shop on a quiet street. He has an amazing product but does absolutely nothing to bring in new business. He turns on the lights and sits in his swivel chair, swiveling around waiting for people to come in. Of course, nobody arrives. Personal branding works in much the same way -- if you dont do the work to get yourself seen by the people who matter, then you wont get the reach you desire. The most efficient way to do this is through influencers. They might be colleagues and family in your existing network, your friends from way back when, or complete strangers in your industry who would be happy to collaborate. Do yourself a favor and find these influencers first so you can get the traffic and engagement you desire. 8. Not generating your own content. If you exclusively share content published by other people, then youre a content DJ. Now, theres nothing inherently wrong with being a content DJ. Its great to give shout outs to other thought leaders and businesses in your industry. And sure, people may find you have an exceptional taste in shared content. Related Book: Ultimate Guide to Platform Building by Wendy Keller But the problem is that, when it comes down to it, youre convincing your fans to go elsewhere for industry knowledge. So rather than relying only on shared content, make an effort to generate your own. Develop your own voice, express your own opinions, and publish content that your audience will care about. Once you start doing that, theres no reason you cant supplement it with other content from around the web. The more the merrier! 9. Convincing yourself to post less. Sure, it is possible to overdo the online activity and become spammy. But chances are that youre not posting nearly enough. Not even close. Youre probably publishing way too little content, youre not engaging with your audience enough, and youre definitely not active enough on social media. Remember, when drafting a social media posting schedule, youre not looking to check off boxes, youre looking to get attention for yourself and your brand. If you post a video once a week or once a day, youre going to get a lot more attention than if you post once a month or once a quarter. You cant spend a lifetime on one post or one tweet and simply hope that it goes viral. Remember, consistency is key. The likelihood of your audience seeing your content in a noisy digital space is already tiny. The last thing you need is to lower that probability even more. Get active, and get active now! 10. Getting followers for the sake of followers. Getting followers for the sake of simply growing your follower count is a rookie mistake. If you have 500,000 followers and get no engagement on your updates, whats the point? Your content is still getting ignored and nobody new is thinking about your business. Youre not fooling anyone. What is more valuable to you? 500,000 fake followers or two dozen die hard fans that engage with your content every week? Ill go with the engaged followers every time. Theyre much more likely to tell their friends and share your content -- and to buy from you -- than the 1-cent followers you bought from that dude on Craigslist. If youre keen on growing your following quickly, then my suggestion is to use a tool like Crowdfire, where you can customize the people you want to follow based on keywords, hashtags, and specific audiences. Related: Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved A new Gallup poll looked at which states provide the highest quality of life for its residents, based on factors including purpose, social, financial, community, and physical rankings. Here's how well Connecticut did compared to other states. Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals rise Sri Lanka,Indo-Pak/Pakistan,Business/Economy, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Colombo, Dec 7 (IANS) Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka rose by 16 per cent in November compared with the same month in 2015, with India and China remaining the leading markets, authorities said on Wednesday. In November, 167,217 tourists visited Sri Lanka, up from 144,147 in the same month last year, showed statistics from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Xinhua news agency reported. India recorded a 2.5 per cent growth from the same month last year, with over 30,000 visitors. China recorded a 10.5 per cent growth on a year-to-year basis as over 18,000 tourists. In total, over 1.8 million tourists have arrived in the island country this year. The government said it hopes to achieve a target of at least 2 million tourists by year end. Sri Lanka has set a target of attracting 4 million tourists by 2020. --IANS sm/mr Pakistan rejects Indian cotton consignment Pakistan,Indo-Pak/Pakistan,Diplomacy,Business/Economy, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Islamabad, Dec 7 (IANS) Pakistan has rejected a consignment of 10,000 bales of Indian cotton worth $3.3 million, the media reported on Wednesday. The shipment of ginned cotton at Karachi Port was rejected by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research Department of Plant Protection as it was imported in violation of the country's Plant Quarantine rules, Dawn online reported. The consignment would be returned to India. The rejection sent shock waves in the textile industry which has been striving for permission to import cotton from India. Last year, 2.7 million bales of cotton was imported from India to make up for the shortfall after crop failure. According to officials, the private sector has imported around 1.2 million bales of cotton from various countries. Orders for around 0.3 million bales of Indian cotton have been placed. According to the textile industry, the cotton imported from countries other than India was cleared by the customs authorities without any issue. A senior official from All Pakistan Textile Mills Association criticised the government policy of not allowing cotton imports from India. "The industry needs around four million bales of imported cotton this year to meet the supply shortfalls," he said. Pakistan expects to produce around 10.05 million bales of cotton this year against an estimated demand of 15 million bales. --IANS py/sac Cuba, US to hold last meet before Trump takes office Cuba,Diplomacy,Business/Economy, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Havana, Dec 7 (IANS) Cuba and the US on Wednesday will hold the final round of talks on political and economic ties before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office next month. Delegations from both the countries will gather here for the fifth meeting of a bilateral commission to normalise ties, Xinhua news agency cited Cuban Foreign Ministry as saying on Tuesday. The delegations "will discuss the results achieved since the creation of the bilateral commission in August last year as a mechanism for normalising ties between the two nations", the ministry said. Both the sides will define "new steps" for the following weeks to continue strengthening ties. "The bilateral agenda includes a high-level visit, new cooperation agreements in areas of common interest, as well as technical meetings and talks on various issues," said the ministry. The meeting comes on the heels of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro's death and Trump's recent remarks to the effect that he will reverse the historic rapprochement between the US and Cuba, which is considered to be the main legacy of outgoing 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. While the US-led trade embargo against Cuba remains in place, the Cold War-ties have thawed in the past two years with increasing exchanges between the two governments and peoples, and relaxing certain restrictions. The two countries in 2015 restored diplomatic ties and reopened their respective embassies. --IANS py/ Sikh body orders probe into Modi's cap controversy Punjab,National,Politics,Religion, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 IANS Chandigarh, Dec 7 (IANS) The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has asked the Sikh high priests to look into the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple) while wearing a cap. "This matter regarding 'maryada' (Sikh religious code) comes under the purview of the Singh Sahiban (Sikh high priests). We have requested them to look into this issue if the 'maryada' was violated, " SGPC President Kirpal Singh Badungar told the media in Amritsar on Wednesday. The SGPC move came following complaints on the issue and the controversy gaining ground on the social media that the Prime Minister had allegedly violated 'maryada' by wearing a cap instead of covering his head with a cloth. Modi, accompanied by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, together visited the holiest of the Sikh shrines on December 3 during the 'Heart of Asia' conference. Both wore caps to cover their heads during their visit. Covering head with a 'rumala' (piece of cloth) or turban is mandatory for all devotees visiting Sikh shrines. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had accompanied Modi and Ghani to the shrine. --IANS js/tsb/dg Foreign missions concerned over lack of cash Delhi,National,Diplomacy,Business/Economy, Thu, 08 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) After the Indian government demonetised the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes a month ago, foreign missions here have concerns over the paucity of cash for running daily operations. Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in India and Ambassador of the Dominican Republic Frank Castellanos here said on Wednesday that Rs 50,000 a week for the operation of an embassy was not enough. He said that foreign missions here could not be stopped from accessing their funds and a solution to this was needed soon. Last week, Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin wrote to the Ministry of External Affairs complaining about inadequate funds. --IANS ab/vd 40 people killed in a powerful Indonesia earthquake Indonesia, Wed, 07 Dec 2016 NI Wire At least 40 persons killed and 190 injured in a powerful earthquake in the Aceh province of Indonesia. According to the official of the disaster agency 6.4-magnitude earthquake destroyed many houses and buildings. Tens of houses, buildings and infrastructure facilities were destroyed by the powerful and shallow quake, the official told Xinhua news agency. Most victims and damages were in Pidie Jaya district, one of the hardest hit areas. A search and rescue operation was on. Dozens of people remained trapped under the debris of buildings of shops in Pidie Jaya. Indonesia frequently faces such activities due to its geography where tectonic plates collide. In year Indonesia suffered massive destruction and loss of life due to earthquake of 9.2 magnitude. --with agencies inputs TORONTO, Dec. 6, 2016 /CNW/ - Gold Fields Netherlands Services B.V. ("Gold Fields Netherlands"), a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Gold Fields Limited, announces that it has agreed to subscribe for 42,850,000 common shares ("Common Shares") of Maverix Metals Inc. ("Maverix"), as well as 10,000,000 warrants ("Warrants") to purchase Common Shares (the Common Shares and Warrants collectively, the "Consideration Securities"). The Warrants are exercisable at a price of US$1.204 per Common Share for a period of five years from issuance. The Consideration Securities will be issued from treasury in connection with the purchase by Maverix of a portfolio of royalty interests from certain affiliates of Gold Fields Netherlands (the "Transaction") pursuant to a master purchase and sale agreement dated December 4, 2016 between, among others, Gold Fields Netherlands and Maverix (the "Agreement"). The Transaction is expected to be completed on December 20, 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter (the "Closing Date"). Based on the number of outstanding Common Shares as at the date of the Agreement and taking into account the anticipated issuance to a third party of 10,000,000 Common Shares upon the early exercise of certain warrants held by such third party which is to take place concurrently with the closing of the Transaction (and assuming no further issuances of Common Shares by Maverix prior to such time), the Consideration Securities will represent 32.3% of the outstanding Common Shares as of the Closing Date on a non-diluted basis, and 37.0% of the outstanding Common Shares on a partially-diluted basis (accounting for the exercise of the Warrants). Prior to entering into the Agreement, neither Gold Fields Netherlands nor any of its affiliates owned or controlled any Common Shares or other securities of Maverix. The Common Shares will be issued for an agreed purchase price of US$0.7369 per Common Share or US$31,576,165 in aggregate, or, expressed in Canadian dollars, CDN$0.9799 per Common Share or approximately CDN$41,990,000 in aggregate (converted using the noon rate of exchange for Canadian dollars into United States dollars on December 2, 2016 as posted by the Bank of Canada (the "BoC Exchange Rate")). The Warrants will be issued for a notional purchase price of US$375,000 in aggregate or US$0.0375 per Warrant, or, expressed in Canadian dollars, approximately CDN$499,000 in aggregate or CDN$0.0499 per Warrant (converted using the BoC Exchange Rate). The Consideration Securities will be held by Gold Fields Netherlands for long term investment purposes. Gold Fields Netherlands will continue to monitor the business, prospects, financial condition and potential capital requirements of Maverix. Depending on its evaluation of these and other factors, and subject to certain restrictions pursuant to a shareholder agreement to be entered into between Gold Fields Netherlands and Maverix on the Closing Date, Gold Fields Netherlands may from time to time in the future increase or decrease its direct or indirect ownership, control or direction over the Common Shares or other securities of Maverix through market transactions, private agreements, dilution through third party subscriptions from treasury or otherwise. SOURCE Gold Fields Netherlands Services B.V. For further information: For further information, including a copy of the corresponding report filed with Canadian securities regulators, contact: Investor Enquiries: Avishkar Nagaser; Tel: +27 11 562 9775, Mobile: +27 82 312 8692, Email: [email protected]; Media Inquiries: Sven Lunsche, Tel: +27 11 562 9763, Mobile: +27 83 260 9279, Email: [email protected]; Gold Fields Netherlands Services B.V.: Crown Business Centre Key-Point, Sixth Floor, Schipholweg 103, Leiden, 2316 XC, The Netherlands Fundy herring will need support to maintain Marine Stewardship Council standard HALIFAX, Dec. 7, 2016 /CNW/ - The Bay of Fundy herring fishery will need continued support to ensure the fishery remains sustainable, WWF-Canada says, despite last week's announcement that it has been granted the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for meeting global standards for sustainability. WWF-Canada was pleased to see that the MSC certification for Bay of Fundy herring includes nine strong recommendations, and encourages action on them to ensure the fishery continues to improve. Those recommendations, however, are non-binding to the certification. The Bay of Fundy herring fishery, known as 4VWX, has been a stock of concern for more than a decade, and has been managed under a Fisheries and Oceans Canada Rebuilding Plan since 2013. Herring are a key food source for many commercial species such as cod, swordfish and bluefin tuna, as well as sharks, marine mammals and seabirds. Key recommendations include: Conducting tagging studies to collect better information on the stock. Monitoring catches of Atlantic mackerel, another forage species in critical condition, by date and location. Collecting more robust data on the scale of the bait and recreational fishery of herring. Ensuring that comprehensive ecosystem goals are established, and a strategy is developed to address such ecosystem requirements as predator needs. Updating the Integrated Fisheries Management Plan. Aurelie Cosandey-Godin, senior oceans specialist, said: "Although Bay of Fundy herring has received its MSC certification, there is still work to do on the stock in order for it to reach its sustainability milestones within the next five years. WWF-Canada will monitor the situation with this herring fishery as it meets the conditions and recommendations of its certification. Forage-fish fisheries need careful management that takes into account the needs of predators, such as fish, whales and seabirds, to ensure there is enough food for them to eat as well." The state of forage fisheries: In July 2016, WWF-Canada's Food For All report raised the alarm over a lack of information about Canadian forage-fish stocks, and the impact that poorly managed forage fisheries can have on predators. Three-quarters of forage-fish fisheries in Canada are being managed without adequate information, and three fisheries in Atlantic Canada are in critical condition. Currently, except for new fisheries, commercially fished forage species are not granted any special status for management. About World Wildlife Fund Canada WWF-Canada creates solutions to the environmental challenges that matter most for Canadians. We work in places that are unique and ecologically important, so that nature, wildlife and people thrive together. Because we are all wildlife. For more info visit wwf.ca SOURCE WWF-Canada For further information: Catharine Tunnacliffe, communications specialist, [email protected], +1 647 268 9686 MISSISSAUGA, ON, Dec. 7, 2016 /CNW/ - As part of our commitment to ongoing safety, Samsung Canada would like to make our customers aware of our plans to deactivate service for remaining Note7 devices in the Canadian market. We are pleased with the return and exchange rate of Note7 devices from Canadian consumers, securing close to 90% of the Note7 devices that were brought into the Canadian market. Functional limitations, including a limitation on the battery charge, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth disablement will be implemented as early as December 12th, 2016. Effective December 15th, 2016, customers still using the Note7 will no longer be able to connect to any Canadian mobile network services to make calls, use data or send text messages. We strongly urge any customers still using their Note7 to return their device to the place of purchase for a refund or exchange between December 7th and December 15th. We have been in continuous communication with Note7 customers to remind them about the need to return their recalled device and will continue to communicate daily with a push notification about this network deactivation event to ensure they continue to receive adequate notice. As a recalled product, Note7 device owners are legally prohibited from selling or even giving away the recalled device. We would like to remind customers that they need to return their Note7 device. In the event of an emergency, Note7 devices will be able to dial 9-1-1. About Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. Samsung Electronics Canada inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances and printers. In 2015, Samsung was ranked one of the top 10 most influential brands in Canada, based on a study by Ipsos Reid. Committed to helping Canadians live connected and make a difference, its Samsung Hope for Children corporate giving program supports children's education, sustainability and health-related issues in communities across the country. To discover more, please visit http://www.samsung.com/ca. SOURCE Samsung Electronics Canada For further information: For media enquiries please contact Jessica Savage, North Strategic, e. [email protected], t. 416-908-4847 OTTAWA, Dec. 7, 2016 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the official launch of the 32nd edition of Christmas Lights Across Canada: "Tonight, Canadians will gather on Parliament Hill for the official illumination ceremony of the Christmas Lights Across Canada program, kicking off the holiday season. "These lights illuminate our nation's capital and provincial and territorial capitals across the country. They connect our communities and represent the values that bring us together those of peace, unity, and confidence in the future. "This year, the Christmas Lights Across Canada tradition holds special significance as we count down towards the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017. "As we share the holiday season with family and friends, let us take a moment to reflect on how fortunate we are to call Canada home. Let us also remember the brave women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces, and their families, who make incredible sacrifices for our country each and every day. "Finally, I encourage all Canadians to warmly welcome those who have recently arrived in Canada as they experience the Canadian holiday season and a Canadian winter for the first time. We are neighbours who look out for each other, and lending a hand to those in need is at heart of the holiday season." Canadians from coast to coast to coast can join in on the capital's annual gathering by watching the evening's festivities live on Facebook. For more information, please visit: Christmas Lights Across Canada This document is also available at http://pm.gc.ca SOURCE Prime Minister's Office For further information: PMO Media Relations: 613-957-5555 Fishery Improvement Project provides blueprint for future sustainability ST. JOHN'S, Dec. 7, 2016 /CNW/ - WWF-Canada and Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW-Unifor) released their action plan today for rebuilding northern cod in Newfoundland and Labrador. The comprehensive action plan is a milestone in a Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) run by WWF-Canada and FFAW-Unifor on the northern cod (NAFO divisions 2J3KL) stewardship fishery operating in the inshore. The FIP will implement improvement measures that will ensure continued sustainability once the stock has grown to levels that support a full commercial fishery. The FIP action plan includes: The development of a rebuilding plan with timelines, biologically based reference points and harvest-control rules. An estimate of the recreational cod-fishery catch. Analysis of the type and amount of bait needed for the 2J3KL fishery. Regular monitoring of ecosystem impacts, including potential bycatch of endangered, threatened and protected species. The action plan: Was prepared by an independent consultant to meet the guidelines for comprehensive FIPs of WWF and the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions. Contains timelines and 17 improvement measures for the fishery. Will be implemented over the next five years with annual progress assessments. The action plan is the result of a September stakeholders meeting that included: Harvesters operating vessels below 40-feet in length and longer than 40-feet Fogo Island Co-operative Society Ltd. Seafood Processors of Newfoundland and Labrador Inc. and Labrador Inc. Newfoundland and Labrador Groundfish Industry Development Council and Labrador Groundfish Industry Development Council Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods of Newfoundland and Labrador and Fisheries and Oceans Canada Marine Stewardship Council The Association of Seafood Producers Keith Sullivan, president of FFAW-Unifor, said: "Our FIP sets the right checks and balances in place to sustainably manage the transition to a new northern cod fishery that includes a strong rebuilding plan, and a fishery focused on quality for the most discerning and high-paying markets." David Miller, president and CEO of WWF-Canada, said: "Northern cod was once among the biggest fisheries in the world, and the stock's collapse was one of the worst ecological disasters of our time. Although the stock remains in the critical zone, the latest scientific data show a very promising start to a recovery. The measures in our Fishery Improvement Project action plan are a blueprint for a world-class model of ecosystem and economic recovery through sustainable fishing and responsible oceans management." Links: Action plan Work plan About the FFAW The Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union represents over 12,000 working women and men throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, most of whom are employed in the fishing industry. For more info visit ffaw.nf.ca About World Wildlife Fund Canada WWF-Canada creates solutions to the environmental challenges that matter most for Canadians. We work in places that are unique and ecologically important, so that nature, wildlife and people thrive together. Because we are all wildlife. For more info visit wwf.ca SOURCE WWF-Canada For further information: Catharine Tunnacliffe, communications specialist, [email protected], +1 647-268-9686; Jessica McCormick, communications officer, [email protected], +1 709-728-7147 AUBURN, N.Y. - An Auburn man has pleaded guilty to assault after he attacked a Vietnam veteran who volunteers with veterans in prison, a Cayuga County prosecutor attorney said. Darius E. Brown, 26, whose last known address was 7 North Lewis St., pleaded guilty in Cayuga County Court on Monday that just before 2 a.m. on May 22 he attacked the 68-year-old veteran in his Auburn home, District Attorney Jon Budelmann said in a news release. The man had offered shelter to Brown's sister after Brown had chased her out of his car during a domestic dispute, the district attorney said. The man attacked is a former member of the U.S. Marine Corps who had served two tours in Vietnam. He volunteers in prison helping other veterans, said Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher Valdina. The veteran was taken to the hospital, the prosecutor said. "The victim in this case served his country, served his community, and saved this defendant's sister from the defendant violently attacking her," Budelmann said. "Essentially, this heroic victim took the blows the defendant had intended for his own sister. " Here's what prosecutors said happened. In the early morning of May 22, Brown and his sister got into an argument at a bar on Chapman Avenue, Valdina said. Surveillance tapes show the siblings leaving the bar, getting into Brown's car and driving away, he said. Shortly after another driver called 911 to report Brown's car driving erratically on city streets, the prosecutor said. Brown parked on Chapman Avenue and chased his sister out of the car, he said. The veteran let the young woman into his home to escape Brown. The veteran did not know the young woman to whom he offered shelter, prosecutors said. "He saw a young woman in distress and tried to help her," Valdina said. Brown yanked the victim's door open, forcing his way into the home. He punched the victim in the face, knocking him to the floor and kicked him multiple times while he lay on the floor. Brown then ran away. His sister identified him to responding officers. He was detained on a parole violation the next day before being charged in the assault. Judge Thomas Leone has agreed to sentence Brown to a six-year determinate term, followed by five years of post-release supervision when he is sentenced on Jan. 26. He was ordered to pay for the victim's medical bills and adhere to orders of protection. Brown was convicted under a 2008 law that makes it a felony to assault anyone older than 65, the district attorney said. At the time he assaulted the veteran, Brown was on parole for convictions attempted robbery, assault, attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance, escape and attempting to promote prison contraband. Those convictions were out of courts in Wayne and Seneca counties. WILSON, N.Y. (AP) -- Authorities have seized 100 snakes, lots of rats, two miniature pigs and a few dozen birds from a New York home where dozens of creatures were found dead. Officials with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Niagara County say they obtained a warrant Tuesday after getting a tip that animals were living in deplorable conditions at a home in Wilson, north of Buffalo. SPCA investigators say snakes, birds, rats and mini pigs were found inside the home, plus 15 cats kept in an enclosure in the back. The snakes were kept in small boxes. Officials say dozens of other snakes and birds had died inside the home. The homeowners face animal cruelty charges and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. The residents deny the charges, saying the animals were once part of an exotic animal business, the Buffalo News reported. Peter Kearl is co-founder and CTO of Qmast which is a Colorado-based company pioneering the use of the microwave technology to recover oil. Oil giants BP and ConocoPhillips are pouring resources into developing similar extraction techniques, which can be far less water- and energy-intensive than fracking. There is more than 4.285 trillion barrels of oil barrels of oil in the Green River Formation (2011 U.S. Geological Survey of resource in-place). Using oil shale cutoffs of potentially viable (15 gallons per ton) and high grade (25 gallons per ton), it is estimated that between 353 billion and 1.146 trillion barrels of the in-place resource have a high potential for development The Green river formation is the worlds largest known deposit of kerogen-rich rock and covers Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. This is oil shale. Oil shale is not shale oil. Shale oil is essentially liquid oil locked up in rock thats found in deep formations and requires hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, for it to flow freely to the wellbore for extraction. Oil shale, on the other hand, isnt really oil yet. Instead, it is found in more shallow formations that contain solid organic materials called kerogen. Oil shale must be heated to get oil out of it. Producers would microwave oil shale formations with a beam as powerful as 500 household microwave ovens, cooking the kerogen and releasing the oil. It also would turn the water found naturally in the deposits to steam, which would help push the oil to the wellbore. Once you remove the oil and water, Kearl continues, the rock basically becomes transparent to the microwave beam, which can then penetrate outward farther and farther, up to about 80 feet from the wellbore. It doesnt sound like much, but a single microwave-stimulated well, which would be drilled in formations on average nearly 1,000 feet thick, could pump about 800,000 barrels. Qmast plans to have its first systems deployed in the field in 2017 and start producing by the end of that year. Qmast estimates his pumping costs will be about $9 per barrel, which is only about $2 more than conventional wells. Qmast would be to lower a high-power, 2.45-gigahertz emitter essentially a supercharged microwave oven into the ground. The idea that a microwave antenna might do the job has actually been around for a while. However, equipment that can create, steer and stabilize the beam was too bulky to fit down a narrow well. Now, designs that will soon make the technology cheap and commonplace are emerging from small outfits, including one Kearl has set up, and from the defense industry. But just as a ceramic mug in a microwave oven remains cold to the touch while its contents warm up, porous rocks dont heat up when zapped with microwaves. The trick is that any water trapped in their pores will. If that is mixed up with solid hydrocarbons, the boiling water will heat and liquefy these. The water then turns to steam, and everything can flow through the cleared pores and cracks to be collected at the surface Kearl thinks there is another, immediate use for his technology: to unblock existing oil and gas wells that have become too sluggish to be worth operating. In oil wells, this happens when paraffin wax and other impurities build up in the conduits to the pipe. Similarly, fracking well production declines quickly when the shale absorbs water, causing the rock to swell and squeeze into the fractures and block the gass exit. Many of these wells are abandoned despite there being . plenty of remaining oil or gas, and new wells are dug. If microwaves can melt paraffin and boil off water, blocked wells will flow like new. They could be effectively rehabilitated by microwave heating, says Kearl. This could help protect environmentally sensitive areas. If we can produce more oil from old wells, that would lessen interest in drilling for new sources of oil, says Stephen Brown, an energy economist at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. John Robinson and his colleagues at the University of Nottingham, UK, are developing a system to dislodge oil trapped in drill cuttings, the contaminated sand left by the drilling process in a conventional well. When the team zaps the mix with microwaves, the heating of any water mixed in with the heavy oil makes oil dribble out, leaving basically clean sand. BP has funded Robinsons team to extract oil from cuttings left by its ocean platforms, making the cuttings safe to put back into the ocean. The same process can coax oil from tar sands, a forbidding mixture of sand, clay, water and bitumen a heavy oil sludge that has resisted all efforts to pump it from the sands. Low-grade tar sands reserves might be recovered by zapping thanks to their payload of water, trapped in this case within the crystal structures of small particles called clay fines. Robinson says his groups long-term goal, like QMast, is to use microwave heat for large-scale production of hydrocarbons. If microwave technologies can eliminate the need for water and chemicals in hydraulic fracturing, that would be a significant advance, says Rob Jackson, an earth systems scientist at Stanford University in California. Indeed, rather than consuming vast quantities of water as fracking does, zapping could even unlock fresh water supplies When Robinsons technique turns the water in tar fines to steam, it yields not just oil but water pure enough to drink. Tar sands are only about 1 per cent water, but oil shales water content can approach 20 per cent. Current methods of oil and gas extraction use two to five barrels of water per barrel of oil produced, says Eleanor Binner, an engineer on Robinsons team. Microwave extraction can yield not just oil, but water pure enough to drink By contrast, Kearl says, oil-producing rocks for example the Green River formation in the western US, which contains the largest oil shale deposit in the world would yield a barrel of water for every two barrels of oil. The hydrocarbons and water can be easily separated once condensed, says Robinson. SOURCES- New Scientist Forget fracking, microwave zaps could clean up the oil business, Ozy.com, Qmast, USGS A military drone flying on a reconnaissance mission is captured behind enemy lines, setting into motion a team of engineers who need to remotely delete sensitive information carried on the drones chips. Because the chips are optical and not electronic, the engineers can now simply flash a beam of UV light onto the chip to instantly erase all content. Disaster averted. The molecules in this material are very sensitive to light, so we can use a UV light or specific light wavelengths to erase or create optical components, Zheng said. Potentially, we could incorporate this LED into the chip and erase its contents wirelessly. We could even time it to disappear after a certain period of time. To test their innovation, the researchers used a green laser to develop a waveguide a structure or tunnel that guides light waves from one point to another on their nanomaterial. They then erased the waveguide with a UV light, and re-wrote it on the same material using the green laser. The researchers believe they are the first to rewrite a waveguide, which is a crucial photonic component and a building block for integrated circuits, using an all-optical technique Nanoletters Photoswitchable Rabi Splitting in Hybrid PlasmonWaveguide Modes Their main advancement is a specially designed hybrid nanomaterial that is akin to a childs Etch-A-Sketch toy only the material relies on light and tiny molecules to draw, delete and re-write optical components. Engineers and scientists are interested in rewritable components that use light rather than electricity to carry data because they hold potential for making devices faster, smaller and more energy-efficient than components made from silicon. The concept of rewritable optics, which underpins optical storage devices such as CDs and DVDs, has been pursued intensely. The drawback to CDs, DVDs and other state-of-the-art rewritable optical components is that they require bulky, stand-alone light sources, optical media and light detectors. In contrast, the UT Austin innovation allows for writing, erasing and rewriting to all happen on the two-dimensional (2-D) nanomaterial, which paves the way for nano-scale optical chips and circuits. To develop rewritable integrated nanophotonic circuits, one has to be able to confine light within a 2-D plane, where the light can travel in the plane over a long distance and be arbitrarily controlled in terms of its propagation direction, amplitude, frequency and phase, Zheng said. Our material, which is a hybrid, makes it possible to develop rewritable integrated nanophotonic circuits. The researchers material starts with a plasmonic surface, which is made up of aluminum nanoparticles, on top of which sits a 280-nanometer polymer layer embedded with molecules that can respond to light. Due to quantum mechanics interactions with the light, the molecules can either become transparent, allowing the light waves to propagate, or they can absorb the light. Another advantage of the material is that it can operate two light-transporting modes simultaneously called the hybrid mode. The materials dielectric waveguide mode can guide light propagation over a long distance, while the plasmonic mode is able to dramatically amplify the light signals within a smaller space. The hybrid mode takes the advantages of both dielectric waveguide mode and plasmonic resonance mode, and combines them together while circumventing the limits of each, Zheng said. We realized an all-optical control through a technique, called photoswitchable Rabi splitting, which, for the first time, can be achieved in the hybrid plasmon-waveguide mode. The integration between these two modes significantly improves the performances of the optical cavity in this hybrid nanomaterial, which features high quality factor and low optical loss and thus maximizes the coupling between the molecules and the hybrid mode. There are challenges that must be addressed before an optical chip or nanophotonic circuit can be designed using this material, Zheng said, including optimizing the molecules to improve the stability of the re-writable waveguides and their performance for optical communications. Abstract Rabi splitting that arises from strong plasmonmolecule coupling has attracted tremendous interests. However, it has remained elusive to integrate Rabi splitting into the hybrid plasmonwaveguide modes (HPWMs), which have advantages of both subwavelength light confinement of surface plasmons and long-range propagation of guided modes in dielectric waveguides. Herein, we explore a new type of HPWMs based on hybrid systems of Al nanodisk arrays covered by PMMA thin films that are doped with photochromic molecules and demonstrate the photoswitchable Rabi splitting with a maximum splitting energy of 572 meV in the HPWMs by controlling the photoisomerization of the molecules. Through our experimental measurements combined with finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations, we reveal that the photoswitchable Rabi splitting arises from the switchable coupling between the HPWMs and molecular excitons. By harnessing the photoswitchable Rabi splitting, we develop all-optical light modulators and rewritable waveguides. The demonstration of Rabi splitting in the HPWMs will further advance scientific research and device applications of hybrid plasmonmolecule systems. Sources- U of Texas Austin, Nanoletters A US F/A-18 Hornet has crashed earlier today in Japan. Rescue efforts to recover the pilot would be underway. This would be the 9th major incident involving a Legacy Hornet (including the Canadian CF-18 lost on Nov. 28, 2016) in the last 6 months. The rate of crashes involving legacy Hornets is alarming. Two U.S. Marine Corps F-18 Hornets from MCAS Miramar crashed on Nov. 9 near San Diego. Another one on Oct. 25. A Swiss Air Force Hornet was lost on Aug. 29, whereas a Navy F/A-18C crashed on Aug. 2. On Jul. 27 USMC F/A-18 crashed so as the Blue Angels Hornet that crashed on Jun. 2. The U.S. Marine Corps temporarily grounded its non-deployed Hornets. A few days after the ban was lifted, two more F/A-18Cs were lost on Nov. 9. The U.S: Marine Corps has launched a plan that will see Boeing upgrade 30 retired legacy Hornets (currently stored at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona) to a standard dubbed F/A-18C+. With this upgrade, that will also embed new avionics, the service will be able to keep up with its operational tasks until the F-35 is able to take over. Once upgraded to the C+ standard, these gap fillers should be more than enough to conduct combat operations in low-lethality scenarios like those that see the USMC at work these days. Furthermore, once these refreshed Hornets are delivered to the squadrons, older airframes can be retired, improving flight safety. Highland Sunshine created by Xu Qinsong in 2001. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] In the Soul, Mountains Art Galloping, an exhibition in the city of Zhengzhou, is now showing dozens of ink paintings by Xu Qinsong, a 64-year-old artist of the classical Chinese style. The display, which is being held at Henan Provincial Art Museum in Central China through Saturday, has a selection of Xu's works that have been inspired by Han Shanzi, a Tang Dynasty (618-907) monk who lived in caves and wrote poems. Art lovers can expect to see the balance between abstract and figurative approaches that Xu has achieved in his paintings of nature. The Chinese travel boom in Britain is likely to get even bigger, now Hainan Airline and ecommerce giant Alitrip, Alibaba's tourism arm, have teamed up with the official UK tourism body, VisitBritain, in a bid to attract more visitors. The announcement came as Karen Bradley, the UK's minister for culture, media and sport, and VisitBritain director Patricia Yates met executives from the two Chinese companies in Shanghai on Monday as part of the fourth UK-China People to People Dialogue. The UK tourism agency hopes that, by 2020, Chinese tourists will double their spending in the UK to 1 billion pounds ($1.2 billion). Hainan Airlines, which has a long-term strategic partnership with VisitBritain, has applied to the Chinese Civil Aviation Administration for five new airline routes into Britain as part of a new air service agreement between the two countries. And VisitBritain has partnered with Alitrip to create an online British marketplace on its digital platform. It will promote destinations across Britain to potential Chinese visitors and offer etravel products and packages. "They will learn about the UK, fall in love with the UK and ultimately make the UK part of their future or current travel plans," said Jerry Hu, Alitrip's senior vice-president. VisitBritain's Yates said: "By amplifying our marketing reach in China with Alitrip showcasing the diversity of experiences and destinations across Britain, we are converting the inspiration to visit into bookings, driving our ambitious plans for growth." Amy Gray, head of tourism affairs at VisitBritain, told China Daily the Alitrip partnership "has potential to attract lots of young travelers who can see the best that Britain has to offer". Chinese tourists spend longer and travel more widely in Britain than other international visitors. They also spend moresplashing out 2,174 pounds a visit. But China only moved into Britain's top 10 most-valuable inbound tourists for the first time last year. In 2015, visits from China increased 46 percent, to almost 270,000 year-on-year, with Chinese visitors spending 586 million pounds. According to flight data website ForwardKeys, the number of Chinese people who will spend Christmas in the UK this year is up 37 percent on last year. James Kennell, a tourism lecturer at the University of Greenwich, told China Daily: "Britain needs to attract more Chinese tourists over the next 10 years to ensure that the tourism industry benefits from the dramatic growth of the world's most important international tourism market." The House of Representatives on Tuesday fast-forwarded a proposal to establish the Ecclesiastical Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital T... The House of Representatives on Tuesday fast-forwarded a proposal to establish the Ecclesiastical Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory and the 36 states of the federation.A bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution in order to establish such courts passed second reading at the House in Abuja.A replica of the Sharia Court of Appeal, the bill defines the functions and jurisdiction of the courts as well as the qualifications of the presiding judges.The judges shall be cardinals drawn from the Christian faith.The Ecclesiastical Court, when established, shall complement the regular courts in adjudicating in matters relating to the tenets of the Christian faith between individuals and groups that yield and submit to its jurisdiction, a notation on the bill read.It was sponsored by a member from Plateau State, Mr. Gyang Istifanus-Dung, and eight other lawmakers.The others are Yusuf Tajudeen, Kwewum Shawulu, Solomon Maren, Gaza Jonathan, Shiddi Danjuma, Timothy Golu, Johnbull Shekarau and Sunday Katung.Being a constitutional amendment bill, the piece of legislation passed second reading in a majority voice vote without elaborate debate.It was referred to the Ad Hoc Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution for detailed analysis.The session was presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, who said the constitution review committee would work on the bill and report back to the House.The constitution review committee is chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Yussuff Lasun.Istifanus-Dung, in defending the bill, spoke on the jurisdiction of the Ecclesiastical Court, explaining that it shall exercise such appellate and supervisory jurisdiction in civil proceedings involving questions of Ecclesiastical Law and Christian Personal LawSection 27C(1) (2) of the bill, gives details of jurisdiction of the court, among which are any question of Christian personal law regarding marriage concluded in accordance with that law; including a question relating to the validity or dissolution of such marriage or a question that depends on such a marriage and relating to family relationship or the guardianship of an infant.It added, Where all the parties to the proceedings are Christians, any question or Christian personal law regarding a marriage where no prior or subsequent customary or statutory marriage is contracted, including the validity or dissolution of that marriage, or regarding family relationship, a founding or the guardianship of an infantThe bill specifically provides that when all parties to a case before a court of first instance are Christians, the case should be determined in accordance with Christian personal law, or any question.The qualifications, appointments and tenure of the cardinals are spelt out in Section 270 C(1)-(5) of the bill.Istifanus-Dung explained further that, The judges (cardinals) of the Ecclesiastical Court shall be drawn from those learned in law and shall be required to administer justice in accordance with the Christian faith and the law of the nation.In a separate bill, which also passed second reading, the House proposed to split the offices of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.The sponsor of the bill, Mr. Mohammed Monguno, had argued that the office often came under influence from the executive, making the minister/AGF to pander more to the dictates of the President or the governor of a state as against serving the overall interest of the people.Leading the debate, Monguno, a member of the All Progressives Congress from Borno State, said, The purpose of this bill is to amend a section of the 1999 Constitution and make a provision that makes the AGFs office and that of the justice minister separate.The reason is because of the enormity of the functions and powers given to the two offices.The constitution gives the AGF the power to start and discontinue any criminal proceedings. The implication is that the office of the AGF is a quasi-judicial office, while it is under the executive. That function has to be carried out judiciously and judicially.So, because of the enormity of the office, and having occupied the office in Borno State, I know what is required.The AGF office should be separated to avoid any political interference/influence from politicians.Like the Ecclesiastical Court bill, Mongunos bill was referred to Lasuns committee for further legislative input.probe death of female corper, Ifedolapo, at Kano campThe House of Representatives on Tuesday directed its Committee on Youth Development and Committee on Healthcare Services to investigate the death of a female National Youth Service Corps member, Miss Ifedolapo Rachael-Oladepo.The late first class graduate of Aviation Transport Management had died last week while undergoing orientation at the NYSC camp in Kano State.She graduated from the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho and hailed from Ila-Orangun in Ila Local Government Area of Osun State.The House resolution was passed after a member from Osun State, Mr. Olufemi Fakeye, moved a motion demanding a probe of the incident.He recalled that the deceased had taken ill on November 25 and promptly reported to camp officials, but added that the officials thought that Rachael-Oladepo was feigning sickness in order to dodge routine strenuous exercises.Fakeye observed that she apparently did not receive adequate medical attention as her condition worsened in the hands of fellow NYSC doctors and nurses.Because Rachael-Oladepos medical condition did not improve many hours after being admitted to the camp clinic, she was belatedly evacuated to another hospital where she reportedly died, he told the House.Although, members passed the motion in a unanimous voice vote without further debate, the House asked the management of the NYSC to post experienced doctors to each orientation camp in the country.They also called for the proper equipping of camps with senior personnel and medical provisions.Aside a decision to investigate the death, members observed a minutes silence in honour of Rachael-Oladepo.They also resolved to send a delegation to condole and commiserate with the family of the fallen corps member.The two committees were directed to conduct the investigation and report back to the House within four weeks. Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Dakar, Senegal assured the international community that the end of Boko Haram terrorist... Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Dakar, Senegal assured the international community that the end of Boko Haram terrorists was in sight.He also commended the increased cooperation between Nigeria and its neighbours in the fight against terrorism.Speaking at a Panel of Heads of State at the 3rd Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa, the President also assured the international community that the security situation in Nigeria had improved significantly.Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said: About a month ago, I spoke with the President of Chad and I was pleased that a number of Chadians and Nigerians that were Boko Haram members are surrendering to him en-masse.The good news I have is that the end of the raining season has come in the North eastern region of Nigeria.Members of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) are in their respective positions and at an agreed time they will move simultaneously and spontaneously for us to see the end of Boko Haram.We are now operating in the Sambisa Forest and as far as Boko Haram is concerned in the Lake Chad Basin area, I think they are done for. He stated.Highlighting the gains of the cooperation among the Lake Chad Basin Commission countries comprising Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Benin Republic and Nigeria, Buhari told the gathering that Boko Haram is no longer holding any territory or Local Government Area (LGA) in his country.Those who live in the North East know that Boko Haram is no longer holding a single territory in the 774 LGAs in Nigeria. But they have a system of using IEDs and they indoctrinate mostly teenage girls and send them to soft targets to churches, mosques and market places. That too is becoming very rear.I think Boko Haram shot themselves in the foot when they gave their ideology a religious connotation by killing children in their schools, people in the mosque and churches and shouting Allahu Akbar.This is a major contradiction as no religion advocates hurting the innocent. You cant kill people and say Allahu Akbar. You either do not know what you are saying or you dont believe it, President Buhari said.He said that Nigeria is capable of surmounting its security challenges as he appealed to the international community to focus more attention on addressing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and unemployment in Nigeria.In the southern part of the country, stolen Nigerian crude is being illegally transported through the Gulf of Guinea and installations offshore are being subverted. We also have the problem of unemployment in Nigeria. With a population of 180 million people of which 65 per cent are under the age of 35, young Nigerians are looking for any kind of job to survive.We are addressing the situation (unemployment) by turning to agriculture and solid minerals because we are lucky to be blessed with arable land, water and resources, he stated. President Muhammadu Buhari will present the 2017 budget proposal to the National Assembly on December 14. President Muhammadu Buhari will present the 2017 budget proposal to the National Assembly on December 14.This is contained in a letter to the Senate read by Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday in Abuja.The letter reads: I crave the indulgence of the National Assembly to grant me the 10.00 hours on December 14, to formally address a joint session of the National Assembly on the 2017 budget proposal.The President will also address the National Assembly on plans to get the country out of recession.Please extend, Mr Senate president the assurances of my highest regards to senators as I look forward to addressing the joint session. The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Kaduna State chapter, has condemned in strong terms the action of the Kaduna State governor, Ma... The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Kaduna State chapter, has condemned in strong terms the action of the Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai for offering money to Fulani herdsmen for a ceasefire in the southern part of the state.Rising from its council meeting in Kaduna, CAN State Chairman, Bishop George Jonathan Dodo, asked whether the money offered to herdsmen was a reward for destroying lives and properties.He wondered why government should stoop so low as to beg the herdsmen to discontinue their actions.Dodo said, If it is true that the government was able to identify those responsible for the actions and even offered them money for a ceasefire, what will happen after the herdsmen finish the money and run out of funds.How much has the government given to the people who are displaced to re-enable them re-build their houses that were destroyed, and treat the injured in hospitals so that they can come back?He said the governor had the responsibility to investigate the source of these ammunitions, who are these people, where are they from, their identities and their mission.He said CAN as a body was worried over the killings and burning of residential houses, farmlands in Southern Kaduna.According to him, such act was deserving of condemnation in all ramifications and it leaves one wondering whether it is insanity that is actually at play or total lack of respect for the sacredness of human life or dignity of human life.While appealing to Christians in Kaduna State to rise up to the challenge and do what is necessary to help the affected people who have been at the receiving end, he called on government to extend a helping hand to CAN.Is offering them money supposed to be a reward for destroying lives? Or is government simply stooping so low as to beg them to discontinue their actions?What happens after they finish this money and they run short of funds? Is government going to give them money again?We, as a body indeed condemn this act of wanton destruction of lives and property. We understand the government of Kaduna State through the offices of His Excellency, the Governor and his Deputy has visited some of these places to see things for themselves.We want to call on government to do all that is necessary to ensure this unhealthy development in our human relation comes to an end.It is important for us to realize that this act of wanton destruction can easily be read to mean a religious-ethnic cleansing genocide exercise.I want to bring this to the knowledge of the public that this is the feelings of the people, which we are concerned, worried and we wonder whether this is part of the dividend of democracy that the present government has for the electorate in this part of the state and also this part of the country.We visited Kauru Local Government Area, precisely, Chawai land and we were able to meet some of the displaced persons who gave us a vivid account of things that happened.In their area, 46 people died; 9 people were injured and are in hospitals; houses that were burnt stood at 67; we were told one Catholic Church was partially burnt and ECWA Church was completely razed down.It was more worrisome to us that even their farmlands where crops are yet to be harvested were set ablaze by the invading herdsmen.Jemaa Local Government Area where Godogodo has also been at the receiving end is another gory story.We were given pictures that the forest which is the valley area between Kafanchan and Godogodo has now been taken over by the criminal elements responsible for this wanton destruction of lives and property.Its our hope and prayer that those who have died because of their faith and have joined the ranks of martyrs, God will grant them eternal reward, the State CAN Chairman said. The Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, yesterday disclosed that the peaceful conduct of the governorship election in the state was due to... The Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, yesterday disclosed that the peaceful conduct of the governorship election in the state was due to prayers, and called for prayers from religious bodies to end the current economic recession in the country.The Governor, was said this in Benin, the state capital, when the General Overseer of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House.Obaseki, represented by his deputy, Philip Shaibu, said Pastor Kumuyis visit to the state was apt and a divine call.He said, In our state, we have a brand new Oba, in the person of Oba Ewaure II, and a brand new leadership. We believe that with this programme, Showers of Blessing, Gods hand is in Edo, and as a state we would want to tap from the anointing.He said, In our state, we have a brand new Oba, in the person of Oba Ewaure II, and a brand new leadership. We believe that with this programme, Showers of Blessing, Gods hand is in Edo, and as a state we would want to tap from the anointing.We will continue to rely on your prayers and counsel. Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai is currently in Ghana to observe the countrys presidential election. Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai is currently in Ghana to observe the countrys presidential election.The governor declared the Islamic group Shiites insurgents on Monday, a move that has been greeted by criticisms from Nigerians home and abroad.Many advised the governor to tread with caution to avoid a Boko Haram-like experience.However, despite the home challenges, the war of words with Senator Shehu Sani inclusive, Governor El-Rufai has flown to Ghana to observe the elections. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala , former Minister of Finance, has issued a statement denying viral posters touting her to be running for presiden... Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala , former Minister of Finance, has issued a statement denying viral posters touting her to be running for presidency with Atiku Abubakar in 2019.In a statement released on Tuesday by her spokesman, Paul C Nwabuikwu, she said:"Our attention has been drawn to speculative media stories linking former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okongo-Iweala with the next presidential election scheduled to hold in 2019."In an effort to invest their efforts with phony credibility, those behind the project have even gone to the extent of designing a fake campaign poster embossed with her image."This is to clarify that Dr. Okonjo-Iweala who is busy with important international duties has absolutely nothing to do with these speculations and activities."She has neither discussed nor endorsed them with anybody."We urge the Nigerian media and public to ignore this mischievous exercise and its sponsors." The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority on Wednesday directed Arik Air to return all delayed baggage of its passengers from London to Lagos ... The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority on Wednesday directed Arik Air to return all delayed baggage of its passengers from London to Lagos within the next 24 hours.The directive was issued by the Director, Consumer Complaints Department, NCAA, Mr. Adamu Abdullahi, who also directed the airline to compensate the affected passengers with $150 each for their troubles.Arik Air and no fewer than 40 passengers have been at loggerheads over the non-arrival of their baggage, five days after their flight landed in Nigeria.The aggrieved passengers had on Tuesday disrupted the airlines operations and also allegedly damaged its check-in counter at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.Addressing the passengers, Abdullahi appealed to them to remain calm as both Arik Air and the aviation authorities were working towards resolving the issue.He said, NCAA has directed Arik Air to pay each and every passenger a compensation of $150 each in line with civil aviation rules and regulations in Nigeria.We have sent the letter to the airline and it also contains a directive that every bag must be here within the next 24 hours.A directive is a directive and we will hold Arik Air management responsible, and I can assure you that they will abide by the directive.Abdullahi advised them against taking the laws into their own hands, stressing that there are laid down procedures to be followed in resolving such issues.The Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mr. Saleh Dunoma, urged those who needed medical attention to visit the FAAN clinic within the airport.Dunoma said the doctors had been directed to issue prescription drugs to passengers whose medications had yet to arrive the country due to the delay.Speaking on behalf of the airline, its Associate Vice President, Ground Operations Department, Mr. Femi Kukoyi, apologised to the passengers for the inconvenience caused by the incident.Kukoyi said the airline had to charter an aircraft which brought some of the baggage to Lagos on Wednesday morning because the passengers prevented it from operating its A330 aircraft on Tuesday.He assured them that an aircraft was en-route Lagos from London and would arrive with about 300 bags by 7.pm while the remaining would be brought in by another of its aircraft by 5.am on Thursday.On the issue of compensation, he said Arik Air would attend to them on an individual basis and expressed optimism that everything would be resolved amicably.Two of the passengers, Messrs Ifeanyi Uchendu and Johnson Agwu, berated the airline for the shabby treatment of the passengers.The said that the airline had earlier promised them that their bags would arrive latest on Tuesday and also they would receive compensation of N50,000. but failed to keep to its words. Nigeria and four other West African countries have agreed to ban the importation of Europes dirty fuels, the United Nations Environment... Nigeria and four other West African countries have agreed to ban the importation of Europes dirty fuels, the United Nations Environment Programme has said.The UNEP said the move would dramatically reduce vehicle emissions and help more than 250 million people to breathe safer and cleaner air.It said together, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cote dIvoire agreed on December 1 in Abuja to introduce strict standards to ensure cleaner, low sulphur diesel fuels and vehicles emission standards, effectively cutting off Europes West African market to export its dirty fuels.UNEP noted that a report by Public Eye in September this year exposed how European trading companies were exploiting the weak regulatory standards in West African countries, allowing for the exportation of fuels with sulphur levels up to 300 times higher than was permitted in Europe.The Head of UN Environment, Erik Solheim, was quoted as saying, West Africa is sending a strong message that it is no longer accepting dirty fuels from Europe. Their decision to set strict new standards for cleaner, safer fuels and advanced vehicle emission standards shows they are placing the health of their people first.Their move is an example for countries around the world to follow. Air pollution is killing millions of people every year and we need to ensure that all countries urgently introduce cleaner fuels and vehicles to help reduce the shocking statistics.Alongside the introduction of the new standards, the West African group has agreed to upgrade the operations of their national refineries, both public and privately owned, to produce fuels of the same standards by 2020, according to UNEP.Nigerias Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, said, For 20 years, Nigeria has not been able to address the vehicle pollution crisis due to the poor fuels we have been importing. Today, we are taking a huge leap forward, limiting sulphur in fuels from 3000 parts per million to 50 parts per million, this will result in major air quality benefits in our cities and will allow us to set modern vehicle standards.The UN Environment said it had been supporting countries in West Africa to develop policies and standards to stop the practice of importing fuel with dangerously high sulphur levels and introduce cleaner fuels and vehicles.Reducing the emission of the global fleet is essential for reducing urban air pollution and climate emissions. A combination of low sulphur fuels with advanced vehicles standards can reduce harmful emissions of vehicles by as much as 90 per cent, it stated. The House of Representatives on Tuesday, moved to separate the office of Attorney-General of the Federal (AGF) from that of Minister of Ju... The House of Representatives on Tuesday, moved to separate the office of Attorney-General of the Federal (AGF) from that of Minister of Justice.The move followed the second reading of a Bill for an Act to alter the 1999 Constitution to introduce the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation separate from the Minister of Justice.Presenting the Bill, Rep Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno), said that if passed, it would emphasise the independence of the AGFs office and ensure it was not subjected to political consideration.Monguno said that separation of the AGFs office would allow for effective separation of power, adding that the two offices would be given the necessary environment to function optimally.Monguno said, The Attorney-General of the Federation, being the Chief Law Officer is empowered in Section 150 and 195 respectively of the 1999 Constitution to enter nolle prosequi.Nolle prosequi is an entry on the record of a legal action that denotes that the prosecutor or plaintiff will proceed no further in an action of suit either as a whole or as to some count or as to one or more of several defendants.The lawmaker added that, The power can only be exercised if office is free from any political interference.The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation is such an office that should be seen to be Independent and not be subjected to some political consideration,His appointment should be seen to meet some standard in legal profession.The fact that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) performs some quasi-judicial functions hence, the need for the office to be separated from the Minister of or Commissioner for Justice.According to him, the AGF is the Chief Law Officer of the federation and advises the government whether at the federal or state levels on matters relating to law generally.Whereas, the office of the Minister of or Commissioner for justice is political in nature, if read alongside other ministers or commissioners.Monguno further advised that the office of the AGF should be based on merit and competence and the National Judicial Council be involved.It should be shielded from the vicissitudes of political influence.The Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, referred the Bill to the Special Adhoc Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative action. China's school pupils ranked in the top ten for science and maths in the latest international assessment of educational standards published on Tuesday by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The organisation's influential Programme for International Student Assessment, better known as the "Pisa test", assesses the attainment of half a million 15-year-olds in more than 70 countries and regions in science, maths and reading every three years. Singapore topped the rankings in all three subjects, ahead of schools in Europe and north and south America. Shanghai came first in earlier tests but in the latest assessment it was grouped with Beijing, Jiangsu and Guangdong to achieve an overall mainland score of 10th in science and 6th in maths. In reading, the mainland regions came in at 27th place, around the international average. Among the other Asian school systems that made it into the top 10 for maths were Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. In a separate report on China, identified as one of a trio of top performers alongside Singapore and Estonia, the OECD noted that it had in recent years made great efforts to promote the equity and quality of the education system, focusing attention on disadvantaged regions and people. It said that in 2015, the year the latest tests were carried out, China had faced the challenge that more than 13.5 million students were internal migrants, mostly having moved with their parents from rural areas to cities. "In recent years, more than 80 percent of migrant children studied in local public schools, and up to 86 percent of migrant children were supported by government finances," the report said, adding that some 15 percent of the students in state schools who sat the Pisa test were migrant students. At the launch of the report in London, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria cautioned even the top performers not to be complacent. "A decade of scientific breakthroughs has failed to translate into breakthroughs in science performance in schools," he said. "Every country has room for improvement, even the top performers. With high levels of youth unemployment, rising inequality, a significant gender gap, and an urgent need to boost inclusive growth in many countries, more must be done to ensure every child has the best education possible." Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has said that Kelechi Iheanacho is not under any pressure, to up his game during Sergio Agueros four-match ban.Aguero will miss domestic fixtures against Leicester City, Watford, Arsenal and Hull City, after he was sent off for a nasty challenge on Chelsea defender David Luiz, during their 3-1 defeat to the leaders last Saturday.Iheanacho previously stood in for the Argentine striker, when he served a three-match suspension earlier this season. But Guardiola is keen to play down expectations for the Super Eagles forward, who has scored 13 times in 18 starts for City.There is no pressure on Kelechi Iheanacho, he just has to do his job, Guardiola is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.Iheanacho scored for City as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday and he is relishing the opportunity of standing in for Aguero.I have the responsibility now to be the striker in the team and replace Sergio for four games, he commented.[Celtic] are a good side with quality players and we are pleased to get a draw.It wasnt the result we wanted but we are pleased. We responded well to going behind and I am pleased to score.City finished second behind Barcelona in their group. The Anambra State Governor, Chief Willy Obiano, on Tuesday evening commended the operation Python Dance inaugurated by the Nigerian milita... The Anambra State Governor, Chief Willy Obiano, on Tuesday evening commended the operation Python Dance inaugurated by the Nigerian military in the south-east geo-political zone.He said those condemning the exercise had no reason to do so.The Indigenous People of Biafra, Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra and some rights groups in the zone had condemned the military over Python dance.They argued that it would inflict hardship on the people.Obiano while receiving the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Brurati, at the Prof Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka, the state capital, urged the people of the state to the military.He said They are not Army of occupation as being labelled by IPOB and MASSOB, and others, especially on the internet. Nobody will be molested.He urged the people to cooperate with the army in sustaining the relative peace in the state. The House of Representatives Special Ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review planned to host a three-day retreat on the amendment of the... The House of Representatives Special Ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review planned to host a three-day retreat on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution as from Thursday.In a statement on Tuesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Mr Wole Oladimeji, said that the retreat would hold in Abuja and close on Saturday, Dec. 10.Oladimeji explained that the retreat was to interface with various stakeholders with the aim of collating their views on the amendment.According to him, the fourth Constitution Alteration Bill will be presented to the public during the retreat to get their inputs.The Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee on the review of the 1999 constitution Deputy Speaker, Mr Yussuff Lasun, assured Nigerians that the report of the exercise would be signed by the President.This, he said, was unlike previous exercises because it would be in piecemeal, instead previous ones which were in a single Bill.This time around, we have adopted a system whereby we will present the Bill for ascent batch by batch instead of the whole exercise.NAN Following Linda Ikejis purchase of a brand new 2016 Range Rover Autobiography, OAP Freeze has called on Nigerians to stop paying tithes,... Following Linda Ikejis purchase of a brand new 2016 Range Rover Autobiography, OAP Freeze has called on Nigerians to stop paying tithes, but instead work hard and give to the less privileged, just like the celebrity blogger.He made his opinion known via a post on Instagram. Kellyanne Conway hammonton Kellyanne Conway, campaign manager for President-elect Donald Trump, talks to reporters at Trump Tower, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) ( ) HAMMONTON -- While Kellyanne Conway may value her South Jersey roots, some residents of her hometown are rejecting her scheduled appearance at this weekend's Christmas parade. Conway, who was campaign advisor for President-elect Donald Trump and is now part of his transition team, graduated from St. Joseph High School, in Hammonton. Her swing through South Jersey -- plus scheduled speech and being given a key to the town -- was revealed Monday in media reports. "I don't play politics with the Christmas parade," said Hammonton Councilman Mickey Pullia, also a lieutenant with the town's fire department that has organized the annual parade for years. "This is not a political event in any way, shape or form." Be that as it may, people both in and outside of Hammonton have a problem with Conway serving as grand marshal. "After such a vicious and nasty election and the things she promoted and spun ... it's a huge slap in the face to hand her a key and have her speak," said Amanda Santone, a Hammonton resident who objects to Conway's appearance. According to unofficial election results, Trump took the town of Hammonton with 3,513 votes compared to Hillary Clinton's 2,117. "She campaigned for someone who is a hatemonger," said Maple Shade resident Linda Delany, whose daughter attended college at Stockton University in nearby Galloway Township. "They could have made a better call. Things are just very raw this time." "Yes, Kellyanne Conway is excellent at her job, but that does not make her worthy of an award unless it is a marketing industry event. She got her candidate elected even through all the hate, bigotry and misogyny touted by her candidate," said Mays Landing resident Melanie Moriarty Young. "Given that the keys to the city of Hammonton are being handed to her, I will be sure to never spend one more dime in the City of Hammonton." Pullia, who went to high school with Conway, said she accepted the invitation earlier this week. "I just think she's a very strong woman who has done well," he added, rebuffing criticism he's received for calling her a role model. After attending college in Washington, D.C., Conway went into a career in politics, working under former Republican congressman, senators and now Vice President-elect Mike Pence. Trump hired Conway in July and later promoted her to campaign manager. "I am very grateful for and nostalgic about my childhood in New Jersey," Conway told NJ Advance Media in a September interview. Santone said she'll continue to reject Conway's appearance despite the risk of becoming overly vocal in what she describes as a small town that exists "in a bubble." Hammonton -- about 45 minutes from both Atlantic City and Philadelphia -- has a population of approximately 15,000 and is known as the "Blueberry Capital of the World." Santone commented that it is also home to a significant migrant farmer population -- people who could be affected by parts of Trump administration policy. "This is a family event. It's the town coming together. You bring the kids out, Santa is there -- it's a nice event," said Santone. Despite a few anonymous phone calls, Pullia firmly said Wednesday that Conway's invitation to Saturday's holiday parade will not be rescinded. "It's a Christmas parade. We're just trying to have some holiday fun," said Pullia. "Enjoy it." Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook. TRENTON -- Nearly 70 percent of business owners in New Jersey expect to give their workers at least a nominal raise in 2017, according to a survey of employers who expressed more optimism about their prospects this year than they did last year. Nearly half of the more than 1,000 people surveyed expected their profits to rise, according to the New Jersey Business and Industry Association's annual business outlook survey, released on Tuesday. In 2015's survey, just 31 percent were counting on a better year. But their optimism dropped when they were asked to forecast the future of New Jersey's economy, where property taxes and health care costs remain among their top worries. Only 20 percent expected the state's economy to improve in the next six months compared to 32 percent who predicted it would fare worse. New Jersey's recovery from the 2008 recession has been markedly slower than the majority of other states. But it has improved. Governing magazine found that New Jersey has the U.S.'s 24th strongest economy, up from 42nd in its 2013 analysis of statistical data. Eighty-one percent said their health premiums are escalating, and 64 percent said the requirements of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, hurt their bottom line. NJBIA President & CEO Michele Siekerka said it appears her members were encouraged by the elimination of the estate tax and and the added tax write-offs approved by Gov. Chris Christie and the Legislature in October. The tax breaks were approved to soften the impact of the 23-cent-a-gallon gas tax hike that took effect Nov. 1. Just 55 percent said they take estate and inheritance taxes into account when making future business decisions, down from 67 percent last year. "We saw some positive signs in the latter part of this year with the first steps toward comprehensive tax reform," Siekerka said. "The elimination of the estate tax and the increase of the pension tax exclusion will go a long way toward keeping seniors and family-owned businesses in the state, slowing outmigration." "As we look ahead to 2017 it is important to keep reform on track," she added. "Through our own research our goal is to keep the conversation going as we explore creative ways to reduce property taxes, reduce the cost of living and make New Jersey more affordable." As for the 69 percent of employers who said they expect to reward their workers with a raise next year, 61 percent will give raises a 1-to-4.9 percent increase; 8 percent will give more. A total of 1,046 business owners and employers participated in the survey, 62 percent of them with a payroll of 25 or fewer employees.The margin of error is plus or minus 2.9 percentage points. Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. GLOUCESTER -- An investigation was underway into a crash that claimed the life of a pedestrian Tuesday night, police said. The victim, who was not identified pending notification of next of kin, was struck shortly before 6 p.m. on the Black Horse Pike near Grand Avenue. The man was in cardiac arrest when police arrived and he was rushed to JFK Memorial Hospital in Washington Township, where he later died. The driver in the crash, who also was not identified, remained at the scene and is cooperating with the police department's Serious Crash Investigation Team. The Black Horse Pike was closed in the area of the crash for the investigation Tuesday night. Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook. NEWARK - The Devils are back at the Prudential Center, where they'll host the Vancouver Canucks at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Goalie Cory Schneider will get the start in net against his former team, as he'll try to help the Devils snap a streak of nine straight games with three or more goals allowed. The Devils will also aim to improve their 7-0-2 home record on the heels of a thrilling 5-4 comeback victory in overtime against the Nashville Predators that ended a four-game road trip. As the action takes place in Newark, join NJ.com for our live chat in the comments section below. You can also follow along with live score and stat updates above. Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyan_NJ. Find NJ.com Devils on Facebook. When El Tule opened six years ago in Lambertville the menu was mostly Mexican with an occasional Peruvian dish as a special. The restaurant's name comes from Mexico as well; El Arbol del Tule is a famous cypress in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. The Peruvian dishes were the creation of co-owner Carmen Egoavil, whose family is from Peru. Around the same time that the family opened El Tule, Peruvian food began to become trendy in the U.S. Egoavil responded by experimenting with the dishes she prepared for her family to see if the customers would like them. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and if you visit El Tule today you will find some Mexican dishes one the menu but also a good-sized selection of Peruvian fare. You can still order Mexican dishes, said daughter Silvia Egoavil, even if the dish isn't on the menu. "If they want something Mexican, that's not a problem as we have all of the ingredients," she said. But most of customers come to dine on El Tule's authentic South American cuisine. Our appetizers were definitely Mexican in origin; a bowl of tortilla soup, $8, was a warming serving of chicken broth with a hint of citrus. The soup was filled with vegetables and a generous sprinkling of tortilla chips; this was a comforting dish on a chilly night. An order of nachos, $14, was made to share with a hefty pile of chips laden with melted cheese, beans, fragrant beef and guacamole. Hot peppers and a scoop of sour cream finished this starter, which proved to be more than we could eat. From among the Peruvian entrees we tried the Carapulcra, $19, an ancient Peruvian stew that can be traced back to the age of the Incas. A mixture of dried potatoes, chunks of tender pork and Peruvian spices, this is an excellent dish worth going back for. It was served with rice and a side dish of the condiment salsa criolla. Aji de gallina, $18, is another Peruvian classic; it is mildly spicy and bright yellow from the aji amarillo peppers that are included in a cream sauce made with ground walnuts. Served over rice with boiled yellow potatoes and black olives, this excellent dish was our favorite of the meal. From the Mexican entrees we tried the Pescadero Ranchero, $20, which was a tender tilapia filet cooked lightly with tomatoes, garlic, onion and cilantro with just a hint of heat. Served with rice and beans it was a fish-lover's delight. For dessert we shared a slice of passion fruit chocolate mousse, which was pricy at $11, but very good. Light chocolate cake was layered with mousse and topped with passion fruit for a pleasant final course. El Tule is small, and the owners opened a second restaurant, Quinoa, 25 minutes away in Doylestown, Pa., to accommodate customer demand. That restaurant also offers Mexican cuisine, but it is the Peruvian dishes that dominate and, made with high quality, are here to stay. Good Mexican food is fairly easy to find locally; visit El Tule for an authentic taste of Peru. EL TULE LOCATION: 49 N. Main St., Lambertville. CONTACT: 609-773-0007. HOURS: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri., 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat., 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun. Closed Monday. CREDIT CARDS: Most major. FOOD: Very good to excellent Peruvian food with Mexican dishes available. SERVICE: Cheerful and pleasant. AMBIANCE: Peruvian textiles and artwork are on display on the cheerful orange walls of this pocket-sized restaurant. Outdoor seating is available during warmer weather. COST: Soups, salads and appetizers $7.50-$13, ceviches $17-$19, entrees $18-$25. BYOB Follow NJ.com on Twitter @njdotcom. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Description The Nassau BOCES Long Island High School for the Arts (LIHSA) will be hosting a winter festival to showcase the talent of their students and display their works in progress for the 2016-2017 school year in music, dance and more. Prior to the festival, join us in Building A for refreshments and an open reception, live student music and a student art exhibit showcasing more excellent work by the students at LIHSA! When: Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at 7:00 pm Where: 239 Cold Spring Rd, Syosset, NY 11791 Please RSVP at: www.nassauboces.org/lihsa For more information, please call: Phone: (516) 622-5678 NEWARK -- When nine tech startups gather at the Prudential Center Wednesday, more than 400 venture capitalists and angel investors will be closely watching the demonstrations for the next potential star. That kind of opportunity is crucial for startups. And a malfunction could be equally disastrous. Tom Wisniewski "We know that happens," said Tom Wisniewski, a managing partner at Newark Venture Partners, an investment group and incubator that is nurturing the firms. "If you're going to do a demonstration in front of people, you should make sure it's going to work, or you shouldn't do it at all." That's just one of the lessons imparted to the startups by Newark Venture Partners, which was launched in July 2015 and is chaired by Donald Katz, the founder of Audible.com, the Amazon subsidiary headquartered in Newark that produces audio books and other content. NVP provided seed money to the nine firms and is sponsoring the Wednesday morning expo. The nine companies are part of the Inaugural Newark Venture Partners Accelerator Class. The nine startups are: Alphachannel -- an online marketplace that lets marketers find and contact creative studios and production companies. Barkly -- a service that matches pet owners with nearby dog walkers who have undergone training and background checks, available with as little as 60 minutes notice. Bowtie -- a "plug-and-play" chatbot for businesses on any messaging platform, allowing employees to order food, book appointments or make purchases from small to medium-sized businesses using text messages, Facebook Messenger or voice-enabled channels. Dream Forward -- a service selling 401(k) plans with technology designed to help employees overcome excuses why they can't save for retirement. KiDCASE -- a protective case for the Apple iPad said to be the only one with built-in parental controls. NativeTap.io -- a service that helps coders fix bugs faster. Navinata Health -- a tool to educate physicians on innovative lifesaving & life-extending therapies. Sales Huddle -- a suite of 5-minute employee training games that companies can customize to their brand. UpChannel -- an app that connects smartphone makers to their customers, to build ongoing relationships and glean insight. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka attended a July 2015 launch ceremony for Newark Venture Partners, whose mission is in line with Baraka's "Newark 3.0" campaign to remake his city into a technology mecca. Audible.com founder and Newark Venture Partners Chairman Donald Katz, with Mayor Ras Baraka, left, and other officials at the 2015 launch of the civic-minded venture capital fund The startups were given a place to work downstairs from Audible's headquarters at One Washington Park, in a 25,000-square-foot space provided rent-free by Rutgers Business School. They were also given $100,000 and a three-month training and mentoring program. The nine inaugural startups were chosen from among hundreds of applicants by a team that included Wisniewski and another managing partner, Dan Borok. Both are veteran tech investors with personal ties to Newark. Wisniewski's great, great grandfather was from Newark, as were Borok's father and grandfather. Dan Borok Borok said the startups can take advantage of mentoring and business opportunities with large Newark-based companies like PSE&G and Prudential. "We think Newark is a great place for them to build their business," Borok said. "There's an airport here, it's a transportation hub. They also have access to the public companies that are here." Newark Venture Partners has a dual function, with separate funds for each: a $25 million accelerator fund to provide the kind of initial support that the nine inaugural firms are receiving; and a venture capital fund, still being raised, for profit-making investments in those start-ups deemed to be attractive enough. "We are a for-profit venture capital fund," Wisniewski said. "But we have a second mandate, which is creating jobs, and more broadly, it's about changing perceptions in Newark." Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook. NEWARK -- A 50-year-old inmate at Northern State Prison pleaded not guilty Tuesday in state Superior Court to a murder charge filed in connection with the beating death of his cellmate. Gary Holliday. (NJ Department of Corrections) Geraldo Ramirez was charged last week by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office following an investigation into the death of Gary Holliday. Holliday, 71, was found unresponsive in the cell on Nov. 6 and later pronounced dead. Holliday's official cause of death was listed as blunt-force trauma. Ramirez, wearing a prison jumpsuit and eyeglasses, remained stoic during his first appearance before Judge Ronald D. Wigler as attorneys waived a formal reading of the charges against him. Records show Ramirez is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for a robbery conviction in Cumberland County. Authorities said Ramirez was in the cell when Holliday's body was found. Wigler said the charges against Ramirez will be referred to a grand jury for consideration. Staff reporter Jess Mazzola contributed prior reporting. Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey Mary Ann Christopher, a 35-year veteran of health care management, has accepted a senior position at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. (Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media) TRENTON -- The nurse who once ran the two largest visiting nurse agencies in the nation -- including one the target of investigations -- is now a senior executive for clinical affairs at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the company announced Tuesday. Mary Ann Christopher was CEO of the New Jersey Visiting Nurses Health Group from 2001 to 2011, growing the agency from a two-county operation to a statewide presence. She left to take the top job at the Visiting Nurse Service of New York from January 2012 to November 2014. The non-profit home and community care agency was sued in 2014 by a former executive there alleging the agency billed Medicare for home health services it did not provide, stranding thousands of clients, according to The New York Times. In 2013, New York state's Medicaid office and the Medicaid Inspector General investigated the agency for fraudulently enrolling ineligible clients into a long-term care program, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of New York. Before she left two years ago, Christopher completed a $35 million Medicaid settlement which acknowledged 1,740 clients had been ineligible for the services. Also on her watch, the agency won a new $2.3 billion state contract to help redesign the state's Medicaid manage care program, the Times reported. Christopher joined Horizon, the state's largest insurance company, in January. On Tuesday, she was named vice president for Clinical Operations and Transformation, a position created for her, Horizon said. Part of her role will be to oversee Horizon's Alliance collaborations to improve care and cut costs with select hospitals and medical practices. "Our assessment of Mary Ann concluded, without any difficulty, that she is a world-class talent and a credit to any institution," Horizon spokesman Tom Wilson said in a statement. "We obviously considered all of the aspects of Mary Ann's exemplary career as a nurse and health care leader, including her tenure as President and CEO of Visiting Nurse Service of New York, about which she has been completely transparent," Wilson's statement said. "Mary Ann's 35 years of doing critical work with the most vulnerable and disenfranchised patients speak for themselves," the statement said. Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. The Clif Bar & Company has recalled one batch of its Chocolate Hazelnut Butter CLIF(r) Nut Butter Filled energy bars due to the presence of small plastic pieces. The company said the bits of plastic were found in a limited number of bars sold in the U.S. There have been no reports of any injuries as a result of the plastic, the company said. Only the hazelnut butter-filled bars are being recalled. Other flavors are unaffected by the production problem. Also unaffected are other sizes of the product. Only product meeting the following criteria is affected: Individual bars of Chocolate Hazelnut Butter CLIF(r) Nut Butter Filled energy bars with "best by" dates of 10JUN17N4 or 11JUN17N4 12-count caddies of Chocolate Hazelnut Butter CLIF(r) Nut Butter Filled energy bars with "best by" dates of 10JUN17N4 or 11JUN17N4; and The UPC codes for the recalled bars are: 7-22252-26800-6 for the individual bars 7-22252-36800-3 for the 12-count caddy 00722252-56800-7 for the case. The plastic parts were found in a "limited number of bars" that were in a single production run, according to the company. The company is asking consumers to return product to the store where purchased to request an exchange or full refund. Consumers should not eat the bars. Consumers with questions may contact 1-866-967-9776 during regular business hours, Pacific Standard Time. The company, based in California, calls itself "the leading maker of organic energy food." Kathleen O'Brien may be reached at kobrien@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @OBrienLedger. Find NJ.com on Facebook. JERSEY CITY -- Growing up, Dennis Rossillo recalls his father telling stories of World War II bombings so powerful they left him deaf and one time, even split his pants. Private Joseph J. Rossillo served in the Army from 1940 to 1943, spending time in the European theatre during World War II, and then enlisted in the Coast Guard where he served another two years. Rossillo, who lived in North Bergen his entire life, received a posthumous medal for his military service from Hudson County during a ceremony on the Jersey City waterfront to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. "He'd be proud," Dennis Rossillo said as he held his father's medal. The surprise attack on the United States naval base by Imperial Japan killed more than 2,400 Americans, damaged 21 ships, and destroyed 188 aircraft. The Dec. 7, 1941 attack became "a date which will live in infamy," and vaulted the U.S. into the war. The annual ceremony was hosted by the Hudson County Office of Veteran Affairs. Posthumous medals were additionally awarded to Technician Fifth Grade Dominick L. Paradise and Cpl. Anthony Costa. The last living Pearl Harbor survivor from Hudson County, Frank Wasniewski, was also honored. He could not attend the event because of his health. Paradise's son, Perry, said his father served in Italy, France, Germany and Africa. He said his father often had nightmares of Germans invading the United States. Perry Paradise stood holding a framed photo of his father in uniform during today's ceremony. "I was too emotional to say anything," Perry Paradise said. "It was great. It's long overdue." Family members of Robert Eakin, a Navy veteran who attended Hudson County's annual ceremony every year until his death, tossed a wreath into the Hudson River to commemorate the lives lost during the Pearl Harbor attack. "It's so important as one generation passes into history that the baton be passed to the next generation so that we will never forget, and we will never let our country be unprepared the way it was in December of 1941," Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise said. Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. Look, up in the sky: 'Global Rainbow' laser zips over New Orleans 'They slaughtered a baby on our watch!' activist says of Marrero shooting The federal government plans to pour $125 million into the fight against a mysterious disease that has ravaged corals in Florida and much of the Caribbean, and now poses a dire threat to the treasured reefs off the Louisiana and Texas coasts. WASHINGTON (AP) The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol has issued a subpoena to Donald Trump. The nine-member panel sent a letter to the former president's lawyers on Friday, demanding his testimony under oath by mid-November and outlining a series of corresponding documents. The decision by lawmakers to exercise their subpoena power comes a week after the committee made its final case against the former president, who they say is the "central cause" of the multi-part effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. It remains unclear how Trump and his legal team will respond to the subpoena, if at all. If your home came with unhappy surprises like leaks, cracks, broken mechanical systems, or other defects, the financial responsibility might not be yours alone. What if something was wrong with your house at the time of purchase and someonethe seller, the property seller's real estate agent, or the inspectorcould have or should have told you about it beforehand, but failed to do so? Such problems can come to light days, weeks, or years after the sale, leaving you angry and wondering whether you really have to shoulder the entire financial burden. In such cases, you might actually be able to ask the responsible person to pitch in, and take the matter to court if they don't. Ideally, you'll be able to resolve matters without filing a lawsuit suit. To give you a picture of what might be ahead, however, this article will analyze: who might be held legally responsible, and whether going forward with a lawsuit makes sense. Minor Home Defects or Natural Aging Aren't Grounds for a Lawsuit You probably knew when you bought the house that it wasn't in perfect condition. Some problems, such as a crack in the front walk, might have been obvious. Others, such as aging plumbing, the seller might have told you about in the course of the sale. (In most states, laws require home sellers to disclose all "material" defects to prospective buyers.) Your home inspector, assuming you hired one, probably also told you about a few problems. Then after the sale, your home probably continued its normal process of aging and decaying, leaving you to deal with the consequences. None of these sorts of issues provide any grounds upon which to run back to the seller to complain. Will your insurance company cover the damage? If so, there may be no need to take action on your own. For how to work with your insurance company, see After the Fire or Disaster: Dealing with Your Insurance Company. Could the Home Seller Be Held Legally Responsible? Even if you think you've been wronged, you can't sue everyone who was involved in the sale of your home. The home seller is the first one to consider, of course. As mentioned, nearly every U.S. state has laws requiring sellers to advise buyers of certain defects in the property, typically by filling out a standard disclosure form before the sale is completed. (This responsibility remains even if you bought the house "as is.") The form usually asks the seller to state whether the property has certain features (like appliances, a roof, a foundation, systems for electricity, water, and heating, and more) and then to rate or describe their condition. Some states' disclosure laws are more comprehensive than others, and if a feature isn't on the list, the seller might not be required to speak up. Also, the seller isn't usually required to scout out problems. If there's clearly a place on the form where the seller should have stated a problem but denied it, your job is to try to figure out whether the seller in fact knew about it. For example, if the seller patched over or hid problem areas, or if the neighbors have told you about the seller's efforts to deal with a problem, the evidence is on your side. And even if you're in one of the few states with no mandated seller disclosures, it might be possible, particularly in an egregious situation, to sue the seller for: negligence fraud breach of contract breach of warranty, or negligent misrepresentation. Could the Seller's Real Estate Agent Be Held Legally Responsible? Some states' laws make sellers' real estate agents liable for failing to disclose problems they observed or were told of by the sellers, though often their duties are fairly limited. Check your state's disclosure laws and try to figure out whether the problem would have been apparent to the broker, but not to you, before the sale. Could Your Home Inspector Be Held Legally Responsible? Hopefully, you got a home inspection before buying. In theory, the inspector should have spotted problems that the seller wasn't aware of, or was turning a blind eye to. If the inspector missed problems that an expert (a professional peer) should have noticed, the inspector might be on the hook; that is, legally liable. Read over your inspection report to see what it said about the area in question. Some buyers are embarrassed to find that the problem is spelled out right in the report, or falls within an area that the inspector rightfully excluded from the report. But in other cases, the inspector failed to meet basic standards of professional competence. Do You Have a Solid Case? Once you've figured out the possible responsible parties, you'll want to know whether their actionor inactionmight entitle you to compensation. If your situation meets the criteria below, you might have a good case. We've collapsed a few legal principles into this list, but it will apply to most situations in most U.S. states. The defect was there before you bought the home. The seller couldn't have hidden problems that didn't exist during the period of ownership. Again, problems that started post-purchase or that are a natural result of the home's aging or your lapses in maintenance are yours to deal with. Of course, determining when a problem started can get complicated. For example, a blockage in your sewer line could be a new problem, or it could be a recurrence of a long-time issue with roots growing into the pipes. You might need a professional's analysis. But if the problem could have started before you bought the house, keep reading. The seller couldn't have hidden problems that didn't exist during the period of ownership. Again, problems that started post-purchase or that are a natural result of the home's aging or your lapses in maintenance are yours to deal with. Of course, determining when a problem started can get complicated. For example, a blockage in your sewer line could be a new problem, or it could be a recurrence of a long-time issue with roots growing into the pipes. You might need a professional's analysis. But if the problem could have started before you bought the house, keep reading. It's not an obvious defect that you could have seen yourself before buying. If there was a huge crack running across the living room ceiling at the open house and you've only now decided to bring it up, no dice. But if the crack was hidden by a false ceiling, the matter might be worth pursuing. Don't worry if your inspector should have seen the problem. That just means you've got a potential claim against the inspector, too. If there was a huge crack running across the living room ceiling at the open house and you've only now decided to bring it up, no dice. But if the crack was hidden by a false ceiling, the matter might be worth pursuing. Don't worry if your inspector should have seen the problem. That just means you've got a potential claim against the inspector, too. No one told you about the defect before the sale, or someone actually lied to you about it. The responsible party might have been the seller, the seller's agent, or the inspector, as explained above. The responsible party might have been the seller, the seller's agent, or the inspector, as explained above. You relied on the lies or nondisclosures. This one's usually easy. If, for example, you took the seller's word that a remodel job was up to code in deciding to buy or in setting your price, you acted in reliance. This one's usually easy. If, for example, you took the seller's word that a remodel job was up to code in deciding to buy or in setting your price, you acted in reliance. You've incurred monetary damage as a result. Your costs of repairs or related damages (such as destruction of your personal property due to a flooded basement, or a decrease in your property value due to an undisclosed environmental hazard) will become legally speaking, the "damages" that you may collecteven if you haven't paid any out-of-pocket costs yet (for example, you need a new foundation but haven't actually hired a contractor to build it). But don't expect to collect damages that go beyond the house itself, such as for your pain and suffering or lost time. Your costs of repairs or related damages (such as destruction of your personal property due to a flooded basement, or a decrease in your property value due to an undisclosed environmental hazard) will become legally speaking, the "damages" that you may collecteven if you haven't paid any out-of-pocket costs yet (for example, you need a new foundation but haven't actually hired a contractor to build it). But don't expect to collect damages that go beyond the house itself, such as for your pain and suffering or lost time. You're within any appropriate deadlines ("statutes of limitation"). Every state puts limits on how long you have, from the date you discover a problem or reasonably should have discovered it, to sue someone. The legislators don't want you dragging the seller into court 20 years after the sale, when no one recalls what happened. Most statutes of limitations are somewhere between two and ten years, but this will depend on where you are and what type of claim you have. Even if you think you meet the above criteria, remember that in an actual lawsuit, it will be your job to convince a judge. Hence the more evidence you can start gathering, the better. Legal Basis for Filing a Lawsuit In legalese, you could potentially sue someone based on any of the following principles, or some combination of them: Again, the law in your state will govern which theory might best fit your case. Where to Sue Over Home Defects Your main options for actually filing a lawsuit include: small claims court, if the damages are under a certain limit, or state court. Filing in small claims court allows you to proceed with your case without a lot of the expensive administrative hassles of a "regular" lawsuit. You can represent yourself (in some states, attorneys are actually forbidden), the rules are typically not as rigid, and your case should be resolved relatively quickly. However, every state places a dollar limit on the amount of damages you can sue forusually somewhere between $1,500 and $15,000. To find your state's exact limit, see 50-State Chart of Small Claims Court Limits. Even if your damages are over the limitfor example, if the repairs cost $8,000 and the limit is $5,000bringing a suit for $5,000 and forgetting about the rest might make economic sense because you will save time and attorney's fees. If the amount of monetary damages you're asking for exceeds the small claims court limit, your next option is filing suit in state court, most likely with the help of an attorney. Some attorneys will take this type of case on a contingency basis, meaning you don't pay a fee upfront but pay a large percentage (30-40%) of the damage award. You might still be responsible for paying court costs and other fees, plus expenses such as the attorney's phone calls and postage. Or, the court may award reimbursement of attorney's fees as part of your damages. Welcome to nonleaguedaily.coms news provision, your go-to source for all non league updates, rumours, interviews, and much more besides. Founded by a team with a genuine passion for the world of non league football, nonleaguedaily.com understands exactly what supporters of the so-called lower leagues are looking for. You want the high-quality reporting, in-depth analysis, and match reporting that matches that is more commonly found in the journalism for the top flights, but with the focus firmly fixed on the national leagues. We understand that your passion, interest, and dedication is constant, and we believe you need a news service that matches that commitment with its own dedication and thoroughness so thats what you can expect from our site. The latest non league news, as and when it happens Conventionally, non league news has always travelled fairly slowly, especially when compared to the instantaneous, constant breaking news cycles found in the upper leagues. Tales are told on terraces, rumours passed between pub patrons and circled between supporters at the latest game, often forced to remain somewhat local initially before word eventually spreads to other locales. For us, this slow spread may be fairly organic in nature, but it simply isnt compatible with the modern football environment. Its also not conducive to the current fast-paced, always-available media landscape, nor the way that people tend to consume news nowadays. Thats why we have put together a non league news source that fans can turn to for the latest updates, as and when they happen, and as and when you want to read them. Non-league news now is the only acceptable speed at Betting.co.uk. We update our non-league football news coverage constantly, bringing you all the latest developments and seeking to spread the word as quickly and accurately as possible. So if youre wondering whats happening both with your local team and with the lower leagues as a whole, you can visit us for non league news now, and be confident the stories you find are completely up to date. News reported by passionate fans Our efforts to bring you the very best non league football news are undeniably a professional concern, and one that we take seriously. We are if youll excuse the uncharacteristic tooting of our own horns good at what we do, and we know that the efforts we make in this regard are one of the reasons our site has enjoyed such success thus far. However, everyone who writes for us also shares our readers enthusiasm for non league football. Were not just churning out content in the hopes of cashing in on a professional dream; were here because we want to be, and will always be dedicated and committed to non league football as an entity and thriving in the experience of being able to talk about our favourite subject whenever we can. We create non-league news now that is written by genuine fans and enthusiasts, for fans. We know what you want to know and what matters most to an ardent non league supporter, and we always ensure that focusing on these elements is our guiding principle as we seek to solidify our status as an online non league paper fans can always rely on. When compiling non league news, we think with the mind of a fan first and foremost. We cover the angles and stories that we find compelling and that we know our fellow non league enthusiasts also care about. News doesnt have to be dry and formulaic, in our opinion. When its written by people who are genuinely as fascinated by the stories they are reporting on as their readership will be, we believe news can be interesting, compelling, and even have a sense of personality and humour. News content written with passion and expertise We believe that thanks to our dedication, insightfulness, and commitment to our subject matter of non league today, we are offering the best of both worlds to those searching for an online non league paper. We give you the professional approach we feel is appropriate for news about one of the most intriguing aspects of UK football; an aspect that we genuinely feel does not receive the interest and plaudits that it should be generating. Nevertheless, we dont let that professionalism take over everything we do: we remain committed fans, nurturing our own personal interest in non league football and ensuring every word we compose is infused with a sense of passion and dedication that enhances the posts we create. Its therefore obvious that our non-league content today isnt ever going to be dry, basic, or put together by a tired staff writer who has never heard of any team below the Championship before they rush off to the pub for the evening. Our writers are genuine experts: were covering non league football because we want to, because we believe in it, and because its where our strengths lie. The result is informed content that capitalises on our deep knowledge of the history, as well as the present-day realities, of non league football in the UK. Beyond news: the nonleaguedaily.com interview series One of our goals with nonleaguedaily.com is to not just dryly report the news from an outsiders perspective, effectively regurgitating press releases that are devoid of genuinely illuminating information. We also go right to the source of the stories: the managers and club insiders who have direct experience, and often influence, on the sport and how it is managed. We regularly conduct interviews as part of our news provision, asking the questions that are on everyones lips and providing the best possible view into the non league world. We have reporters pitchside at matches, microphone to hand and plentiful questions ready to be asked. The end result for you, the reader, is the kind of information and close-up looks into the non league world that just cant be found anywhere else. As our commitment to providing interesting interviews amply demonstrates, we want to be involved in breaking the stories that everyone then talks about, rather than following along and focusing solely on what everyone already knows. If youre looking for leading content that you cant find anywhere else, and that goes right to the centre of the non league world, then you can turn to nonleaguedaily.com for all the benefits of a conventional non league paper, but in electronic, easily-accessed form. A host of other content to enjoy alongside the non league today Our focus on providing non league news will always be maintained: we consider this aspect the most important of what we do, and it will always be the recipient of our time, dedication, and interest. Well be here, a consistent and trustworthy news portal, for as long as non league football news exists. With that said, when you have read up on the latest goings-on, were here with further content for you to enjoy. Naturally, given our partnership with leading brand Betting.co.uk, we provide guidelines for those interested in the world of sports betting. Well help you find the best UK bookmaker with our plentiful coverage of existing brands; ideal if youre looking to put your newfound knowledge, courtesy of us, about non league to use and place a few bets. Furthermore, we also provide highlights of all the latest UK betting offers, so you can ensure youre achieving the best value with all the latest betting deals whenever youre betting on the latest non league matches. Youll find all of this coverage is as consistent and reliable as our non league news provision, Non league features and deep dives Returning to the world of non league football, we also provide a range of feature content that goes deeper and further into the non league world than ever before. Less instantaneously topical but still hugely relevant to the modern game, our features are the dream deep dives that we feel non league fans deserve. Were always striving to do better, offer more, and ensure that non league fans can enjoy the same wealth of content as followers of the top tiers, so you can expect top-flight content with the same commitment and dedication as found throughout the upper echelons of the sport. So whether youre looking to find the most recent non league football news, seeking a new bookmaker for your non league bets, or hoping to delve deep into a niche non league-related topic, nonleaguedaily.com is always going to be worth a visit. Return to nonleaguedaily.com for all your non league news needs Weve told you what you can expect from nonleaguedaily.coms news; now we need to put our confidence where our promises are, make sure we deliver on those promises, and establish trust as an online non league paper you can trust. We look forward to welcoming you back to our news section and showcasing the best we have to offer, from exciting new non league interviews to cutting-edge news to transfer speculation. If you want to truly have your finger on the non league pulse, then nonleaguedaily.com is always going to be here for you. SOUTH BEND A new Four Winds Casino will open in the city in early 2018, according to plans announced Wednesday by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, adding a fifth casino to Indiana's northern end and supplementing Four Winds' three gambling operations in southwest Michigan. But the new casino at least in its first phase will be smaller and have fewer types of games than allowed for in a federal government decision published last week. Four Winds South Bend will not have a hotel in its first phase, either, officials said. The gaming devices will fall under the class II designation, which allows machines similar to slot machines but technically functioning as a bingo-style game. The tribe can operate a class II casino without approval from the state, and without the state compact required for a full-fledged, class III casino with slot machines and table games. The casino will cover 175,000 square feet and have 1,800 electronic gaming devices, four restaurants, a player's lounge, three bars, a coffee shop and a retail outlet. Northwest Indiana's largest casino, Horseshoe Hammond, has nearly 2,600 slot machines. Tribal officials and a Four Winds executive were quick to note that the current plan could be followed by a second phase, as happened at the New Buffalo, Michigan, flagship casino. "It's not going to be as big as New Buffalo in the first phase, but it would ultimately be bigger than New Buffalo if we go that far," said Four Winds Chief Operating Officer Frank Freedman. The federal government's approval, issued in conjunction with the Bureau of Indian Affairs' taking into trust about 166 acres of land east of the intersection of Ind. 23 and U.S. 31, would allow for a class III facility with 216,000 square feet of gaming space along with meeting facilities and an 18-story, 500-room hotel. Freedman said a second phase, if business warrants it, would not necessarily include the full complex allowed by the federal government. The class III casino would require an agreement with the state, and Freedman said there have not been discussions with state officials. He noted the planned gaming facility will be substantially larger than Four Winds' "satellites" in Dowagiac and Hartford, Michigan. "It's going to be a formidable facility when we open the doors," he said of Four Winds South Bend. An Indianapolis-based casino industry analyst said he thinks class III status could come sooner than suggested. Ed Feigenbaum, publisher of Indiana Gaming Insight, said he would expect the Pokagons to be able to negotiate a compact with the governor by the time Four Winds South Bend opens. The casino "should be able to debut with true casino-style class III gaming, and the size of the gaming floor and the inventory by the time of opening should reflect this," Feigenbaum said. The Pokagon Band broke ground last week on a housing project on its land, and broke ground over the weekend on the casino. The casino will employ 1,200 people, and the project will require about 700 construction workers, according to Four Winds. "We are very excited to begin construction on Four Winds South Bend," Pokagon Band Chairman John Warren said. South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg said he was proud "the only Indian sovereign land in the state of Indiana" is within the city limits. When discussions began regarding a casino, Buttigieg said he told the tribe "we would support this if and only if it came in a form that would make the city of South Bend better off." The city and Pokagon Band negotiated a deal by which South Bend will receive 2 percent of the casino's gaming "win," and the tribe will fund a variety of infrastructure projects and contribute to several non-profit organizations. "It's about more than flows of revenues, it's about more than flows of funds," Buttigieg said. "It's about a relationship." Freedman said Four Winds will "look for synergies" among its gaming sites. Four Winds South Bend, he said, would open up the South Bend, Elkhart and Fort Wayne markets for the company. And, "I think it also opens up the south to us," Freedman said, drawing guests from potentially as far as Indianapolis. Warren, an Indiana native and Granger resident, joked to Buttigieg that there's never been much to do in South Bend after 9 p.m. "I think we've solved your problems," he said. Ernie Stevens Jr., chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association, said Indian gaming is a $30 billion industry in the United States. Twenty-nine states have casinos on tribal land, Warren said. But much of the focus Wednesday was on the restoration of sovereign tribal land in Indiana, and the economic development opportunities it affords the Pokagon Band. "The land of Indians, the state of Indiana, actually has real Indian land in it after 200 years," Warren noted. PORTAGE A new plan linking conservation and nonmotorized transportation along the Region's "greenways and blueways" will be delayed a couple of months as planners incorporate suggestions made during a recent public comment period. The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission's Greenways + Blueways 2020 Plan provides a guide to the Region's 150 miles of land- and water-based trails, a strategy for improving nonmotorized transportation, and describes opportunities for natural conservation. A 134-page draft generated several concerns that caused NIRPC to revise it and hold a second public hearing period, likely beginning next month. "If any significant comment is received the process goes back to the drawing board," Transportation Planning Manager Mitch Barloga said. The LaPorte County Conservation Trust asked for incorporation of the moraine forest area across northern LaPorte and Porter counties, a federally designated Forest Legacy Area. It also recommended incorporating removal of a culvert obstructing passage among the lakes in the city of LaPorte. The town of Cedar Lake requested inclusion of a corridor along Founders Creek and Cedar Creek it hopes to develop to connect Lemon Lake County Park and Cedar Lake. And, the Indianapolis-based nonprofit Health by Design offered a variety of ideas involving strategies for designing and implementing goals and evaluating progress. Another comment suggested better communication of the historical and cultural importance of various trails and points along them. "You've probably figured out by now that railroads built our Region," Barloga said. With many abandoned rail lines becoming recreational trails, "there are a plethora of historical and cultural connectors." Barloga said Griffith does a good job of that on its trails. "We're looking for those opportunities in other communities throughout the Region," he said. Barloga said he hopes for a revised draft of the plan to be posted online early next month, with a planning commission vote to approve it in February. Christmas is a time of year where we go out to eat at our family homes and talk about what we are most grateful for in life. Some people aren't this lucky to be able to go and see their family members. The main reason is because that person may be homeless or widowed or in financial need, and just cant celebrate because they are not in a warm home during this time of year. However, they can be thankful for the thousands of people who give back to their community by donating food and clothes to homeless shelter drives, soup kitchens, food drives, and of course many other drives that are around our area to help our community. In Northwest Indiana, there are several ways for you and your family to make a difference in someone elses life. Coat Drives can be overlooked, which is why the folks of OneWarmCoat.org are dedicated to bringing warm coats to those in need every fall to winter season. They collect donations and tell people on how to set up a drive in their area. Since everything can be found on their site it is very simple to set it up. The organization is located in San Francisco, but they distribute coats to every city in the United States. Patti Zappa is the Director of Development and Communication at One Warm Coat Organization and she sent the following information. One Warm Coat started in 1992, when Lois Pavlow decided to donate her unwanted coat to the someone who really needed it, instead of opting to just throw away the coat. In fact, Pavlow went to her local Macys store in San Fransico and started her very first coat drive. Then nine years later, her kindness and dedication to giving away coats to those who need it more than others, grabbed local media attention. Then in 2001 a woman named Sherri Wood would approach Lois Pavlow with the idea of creating a coat drive program. In 2001, One Warm Coat went national. What started out as a small act of kindness in a community would become a nation-wide program. How can you help? Hold a coat drive. Donate a coat. Donate funds. www.onewarmcoat.org/youcanhelp. Become a Warmth Warrior by joining our Monthly Giving Club. Learn more at www.onewarmcoat.org/warmthwarriors. EAST CHICAGO A man in a ski mask robbed a restaurant on the city's North Side at knifepoint Sunday, police said. East Chicago police were dispatched about 8:14 p.m. to El Delisioso in the 4300 block of Indianapolis Boulevard for a robbery, Lt. Marguerite Wilder said. An employee at the restaurant told police a man came in, walked to the counter, pulled a knife out of his right jacket pocket, and in fluent Spanish demanded money from the register before fleeing. The man was described as Hispanic with all-black clothing and a dark blue ski mask, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Luis Semidei at (219) 391-8318. To remain anonymous, call (219) 391-8500. GARY A bullet grazed an East Chicago man Sunday after someone in another vehicle opened fire on him along Industrial Boulevard, police said. A Gary police officer was flagged down about 10:41 p.m. in the 7200 block of Industrial Boulevard about a gunshot victim, Lt. Dawn Westerfield said. The 38-year-old East Chicago man told police he picked up an associate for work and was driving along Industrial Boulevard when another vehicle pulled in front of him and slowed down. As the man passed the vehicle in the left lane, someone in the vehicle opened fire on them, police said. The man suffered a graze wound but refused to go to a hospital. No other injuries were reported. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Detective Sgt. Jon Basaldua at (219) 881-1210. To remain anonymous, call (866) CRIME-GP. LAPORTE The arrest of a 14-year-old driver and his two young passengers largely resulted from Larry McCann putting on his shoes and giving chase, police said. He kept giving updates to a 911 dispatcher while keeping his sights on the boy and his two young passengers fleeing down dark alleys and between houses after crashing into his neighbor's car parked in the 300 block of Harrison Street. It was 2 a.m. Tuesday when the 29-year-old LaPorte man went out to see if everything was OK. The teens started running so he went back in, put on shoes and took off after them. McCann said he only got close enough to keep police informed of his location and to give a good physical description of the suspects. ''I tried to do what I could do to be a good citizen,'' McCann said. It appears the boy was driving the wrong way down a one-way street when the 14-year-old driver collided head-on with the parked car, police said, McCann said he finally approached the juveniles when they stopped outside a church a few blocks away. He advised them to stay put because police were coming, but the 14-year-old driver and another 14-year-old boy took off running again. A 17-year-old girl remained. According to police, officers quickly rounded up the boys and all three subjects were taken to the LaPorte County Juvenile Services Center. The driver was charged with never receiving a license and leaving the scene of an accident. In addition, all three were charged with a curfew violation. The juveniles were from the Michigan City area and went to LaPorte to visit a friend, police said. The boy apparently was driving a car belonging to a family member, police said. MERRILLVILLE Police asked residents Wednesday to be aware following two distraction scams targeting older people. Two men posing as town employees have lured residents out of their homes within the past week on the premise of checking "property lines," Cmdr. Jeff Rice said. While the homeowners were outside, one of the men entered the homes and stole primarily jewelry and cash, he said. One of the thefts occurred about 3 p.m. Tuesday on East 97th Avenue in the town's southeastern Panhandle area, Rice said. The other occurred within the past week along West 57th Avenue, on the town's north side. The men were described as Hispanic-looking, with dark complexions and dark hair. They spoke to each other in a dialect and drove an older-model white pickup truck, Rice said. Police cautioned residents not to leave their homes to check anything outside unless the worker shows proper credentials. If in doubt, immediately call police, Rice said. Anyone with information about the recent thefts of the identities of the suspects is asked to call Detective Sgt. Jim Bogner at (219) 769-3531, ext. 347. CROWN POINT A 57-year-old Kimbrough Center inmate remains in "critical but stable" condition at an area hospital after another inmate on Sunday allegedly "suckered punch" him, said Kellie Bittorf, the center's executive director. Patrick Lachmann, 25, of Hammond, is accused of battering the victim. Charges of battery with serious bodily injury are expected to be filed against Lachmann, Bittorf said. Police officers from the Lake County Sheriff's Department responded about 5:45 p.m. to the center, 2600 W. 93rd Ave., in Crown Point, for a report of a fight between inmates. "It was unusual. The two had a verbal exchange during dinner in the cafeteria. Nothing alarming,"said Bittorf, executive director for Lake County Community Corrections, which manages the Kimbrough Center. Then, she said, the two went back to their separate rooms which they share with other inmates. At one point, Lachmann allegedly entered the victim's room and said something to the man, she said. When the victim turned around, Lachmann allegedly "sucker punched" the older gentleman, causing him to fall and hit his head, she said. SOUTH HAVEN County police said they watched Tuesday afternoon as 24-year-old Jeremiah Tautges kicked a dog so hard that it wound up stuck between balusters on the man's balcony. Tautges is also accused of prior abuse to the animal, which was found to have injuries to its head, face and mouth, police said. The young man, who battled police and jail officials while being taken into custody, faces misdemeanor charges of cruelty to an animal, resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct, police said. Police said they were called to the 700 block of Heritage Road shortly before 4 p.m. in response to a verbal disturbance. After knocking on the door and being told by Tautges to get a warrant, police said they heard what sounded like an animal scratching at the door. Police said they gained entry out of concern that a person or animal was in danger. Police found a woman crying on the couch and Tautges standing near a screen door to the balcony with his fists clenched. He then fled to the balcony, kicking the dog along the way, and made an unsuccessful attempt to keep police from reaching him. Tautges kicked a hole in the wall of the residence before being escorted out, repeatedly struck the trunk of a patrol car with his head, resisted police as they took him to the hospital for treatment of injuries and threatened officials at the jail, police said. ST. JOHN Police are asking for the public's help identifying a man who applied a card skimming device and a camera on ATM machines in St. John and Hammond. At about noon on Friday, St. John Police were dispatched to the First Financial Bank ATM machine located at 9150 Wicker Ave. in reference to a suspicious incident. Upon arrival, police were met by a bank employee who reported the device on the machine. She told police a bank customer reported that he attempted to use the ATM in St. John but it was not working properly. The customer further reported he believed a card skimming device may have been affixed to the machine. The bank sent an employee out to check the machine who discovered the device and called police. A similar incident was also reported to the Hammond Police Department the same morning on a Standard Bank ATM machine located at 7007 Calumet Ave. Police obtained video surveillance from the banks and ATM machines which showed a maroon Dodge Caravan driven by a white male pull up to the ATMs earlier that same morning in both cases. The man is then seen applying the devices and shortly after leaving in unknown directions. The man was wearing a tan colored hooded sweatshirt, with the hood tied tightly around his face to prevent him from being identified. The maroon Dodge van has a front driver side hub cap missing and a trailer hitch attached to the rear. The devices were recovered by police at both locations before the man was able to return to recover them. The public is asked to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to police immediately if they suspect a device may be on an ATM machine. Both cases remain under investigation. Anyone with information on the suspect or suspect vehicle is asked to call St. John Police Det. Steve Flores at (219) 365-6035. Callers will remain anonymous. WESTVILLE A prison guard was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of trying to smuggle contraband into the Westville Correctional Facility. Michael Campbell, 21, of Michigan City, was arrested at the prison on charges of trafficking a controlled substance and official misconduct, both felonies. He was taken to the LaPorte County Jail. According to the Indiana Department of Correction, Campbell reported for work as a correctional officer Tuesday night and was questioned by correctional police officers from the Office of Investigations and Intelligence. After questioning and a search, he was found in possession of an unnamed contraband. IDOC officials said the incident remains under investigation. I commend Westville for doing everything it can to prevent contraband from coming into their facility from any and every possible source, acting Indiana Department of Correction Commissioner Randy Koester said in a written statement. The Westville Correctional Facility has a capacity of 3,400 offenders in minimum, medium and maximum security units. When Jefferson Community College was making plans to build its first residence hall, there was one must-have for President Carole McCoy: generators for backup if the power went out. With her campus in Watertown, New York in the bulls-eye of more than 100 inches of snow each year, she knew students might get stuck. They wouldn't be cold and hungry. "That was a non-negotiable," McCoy said. For college administrators, extreme weather is yet another hazard to prepare and practice for on a list that includes infectious disease outbreaks, active shooters and technological outages. They know it's just a matter of time before a hurricane, earthquake, tornado, wildfire or winter storm could put them in harm's way. "We know that it can be very devastating and certainly have the potential to kill or injure as many people as the worst active shooter situation you could imagine," North Carolina State University Police Chief Jack Moorman said, "so making sure that we're prepared for it is essential." With more than 20 million students enrolled at 7,200 U.S. colleges and universities, higher education leaders say they rely on experience and expertise to think beyond the basics of food and shelter to the special challenges of academia, including keeping students and parents informed, accounting for students, both international and from this country, not easily evacuated, and continuing instruction and research. Riding out Hurricane Matthew in her off-campus apartment in October, East Carolina University student Bobbie Jordan Thomas worried that her final semester plans were washing away with the floodwater that, before her eyes, was swallowing and destroying her beloved Toyota Corolla. "Turned my world upside down," Thomas said. She headed to a recovery center the university opened in the wake of the storm with her questions about the internship she'd begun and her plans to attend nursing school. East Carolina developed the recovery center model during Hurricane Floyd in 1999, said Bill Koch, associate vice chancellor of environmental health and campus safety. While the campus suffered mostly minor damage from Matthew, leaders found positioning representatives from the dean's office, student store, health services and other departments in one place was helpful for students, faculty and staff. Officials monitor weather reports around the clock. Gyms and other large spaces become designated shelters with stockpiles of food, water and cots. Generators are in place to power critical services. Alerts and information are tweeted, emailed, broadcast, posted online and texted directly to cell phones through campus communication systems. "We're able to communicate to 65,000 different devices literally within a few minutes in the event of an emergency," said Tony Callisto, Syracuse University's senior vice president for safety and chief law enforcement officer. "Expect the unexpected, basically .... Don't think that things can't happen," said Donald Keith, emergency preparedness director at the University of Alabama, where a 2011 tornado just missed a direct hit but laid bare, among other details, the need for a system to accept and distribute donations of money and supplies offered by well-wishers. Schools prepare both for quick bursts of destruction, like a tornado, or the prolonged stress caused by flooding or winter storms. "What's particularly concerning about weather-related events," Moorman said, "is although you can in some ways be prepared for it, and although you can in some ways minimize the impact, there is no way that you can prevent it." In California, campuses work to shore up 40-year-old buildings where even hanging ceiling fixtures could pose a threat in an earthquake modern buildings are more seismically sound while on upstate New York campuses in Syracuse and Buffalo, committees plan year-round for winter. Down South, Katrina's path through the Gulf Coast in 2005 damaged more than 30 colleges in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi and displaced 100,000 students, leading to matriculation agreements with other schools for the fall semester, according to the American Council on Education. The goal, though, is to preserve courses, leaders say, even if it means teaching and taking them online. "Continuing instruction and research and all those things are just as important as plowing the roads and maintaining safety," said Jay Roorbach, senior emergency planning coordinator at the University at Buffalo. Keith, the emergency preparedness official from Alabama, recalled the April 2011 call from the weather service to his Tuscaloosa campus emergency center telling him one of 60 tornados that would strike his state that day was likely 10 minutes away from reaching campus. With the plans activated, he and his colleagues watched the tornado on cameras as it came through the city, until it took out the power grid and the cameras went dark. "Everything that we'd been working for and preparing for was now about to be tested," Keith said, "and we were wondering, 'OK, what's going to happen?' " ______ AP writers Allen G. Breed in Greenville, North Carolina, and Christine Armario in Los Angeles contributed to this report. When he was a child, Don Wallace lived in paradise. He and his brothers and their friends lived a carefree childhood of roaming the hills and beaches of Oahu, Hawaii. Then came Dec. 7, 1941. Wallace's paradise soon turned into a war zone terrifying to a 9-year-old boy. Wallace, 84, of Portage, along with Wendy Masters of Valparaiso, are considered child survivors of Pearl Harbor. They are two of what is believed to be about 1,500 survivors left in the United States. That's all that's left of every man, woman and child on the island at the time of the attack. Both were living on the island when the Japanese attacked that morning. Both recall that day and the aftermath. Both speak about that day so new generations will remember an event most historians believe changed the course of history. "If they are interested in hearing the story, I will share it as long as I can," said Masters, now 78, adding for today's generation "the day that will live in infamy" is often no more than a paragraph in a history book, if not entirely forgotten. She's also contributing her story to a book on the 75th anniversary of the bombing. Jim Laud Sr. of Cedar Lake is the Indiana chairman of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. About a decade ago, the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association reached out to him to start a sons and daughters chapter. There are two chapters in the state, one in the north and one in Indianapolis. Each has about a dozen members, he said. "Our goal is to help foster patriotism and to help people remember Pearl Harbor," said Laud, whose father was stationed aboard the USS Sacramento that morning. Laud said that includes telling the story of the attack that "awoke a sleeping giant," and the men and women who fought and died and those who survived. 'You could throw a rock' Wallace remembers that morning. He and his dad and brothers were still in bed as his mom cooked breakfast. Explosions then shook the house, nearly knocking him out of bed. The family ran outside. "I'll always remember that first plane coming over. If you had a rock you could have thrown it and hit it," said Wallace, whose father was a civilian rigger who worked on the ships at Pearl Harbor. The family lived in Pearl Harbor City, a peninsula that juts out into the harbor where the U.S. ships were docked that morning. At first, he said, his dad thought it was maneuvers. His family jumped into a car to get a closer look. When they saw a destroyer explode, they knew it was more. "It was just like in the movies. There was the stench of the oil burning and the dark, dark smoke," he said. The families on the peninsula headed toward Pearl City, eventually making their way into the mountains where they set up camp, not knowing what was going to happen next. "I was scared to death," Wallace remembers, adding after spending time in the mountains the family went to a school in the next town where the gym was set up to house people. When they finally returned home, he said, the boys spent time picking up stray bullets and shrapnel. "It was paradise before the attack," said Wallace, who was born in Hawaii. Afterward, it was a world of keeping gas masks at your side, keeping your lights out at night in case of a raid, and seeing machine gun nests set up on the beach. 'Come quick' Masters' mother, Martha Minniear, was the first in the family to witness the attack, said Masters. "Carl, come quick," she recalls her mother saying that morning. Masters' father was a Navy man. Stationed aboard the USS Phoenix, he was home that morning and put his oldest daughter up on his shoulders to witness the attack. Carl Minniear soon reported to the base. For days, she said, the fires burned and there was chaos. There was fear the Japanese would return and possibly poison the reservoir where they got their water. "We were convinced they would make a landing," she said, adding the island was under marshal law. Like the Wallace family, the Minniears faced the fears of what would happen next. The Minniears rented a house from a Japanese family and became suspicious when the family began stockpiling what she thinks was rice. After the attack, the family found another house and Masters' mother used a stroller to move their belongings from one home to another. What strikes Masters to this day is her mother's strength. While her father was at the base, she cared for Masters and her 9-week-old sister during the ordeal. Like many of the families, they decided to leave the island. They were among the last to leave in April 1942. She didn't see her father again for about a year. Masters said her mother had to make all the arrangements to go back stateside. At one point, once they reached Los Angeles, they needed to head to San Diego on a train. With the girls in tow, her mother decided she had enough money to buy tickets instead of waiting for the Navy to provide them transportation. The clerk at the train station, however, told Martha she needed her husband with her to buy tickets. Her mother, said Masters, grabbed a young sailor and had him pose as her husband and purchase the tickets for her. VALPARAISO The long-brewing federal investigation into various local units of government boiled over Tuesday among officials in Porter County. The Porter County Council tabled a request Tuesday night from Porter County Commissioner President John Evans, R-North, to be reimbursed $5,000 for his legal costs associated with the investigation. Earlier in the day, Porter County Councilman Jeremy Rivas, D-2nd, issued a statement calling on Portage Mayor James Snyder to resign following his indictment last month on federal public corruption charges. Snyder wrote a guest column that appeared in Tuesday's issue of The Times maintaining his innocence. "My conduct has never violated the law," he wrote. Porter County Council President Dan Whitten, D-at-large, said he learned about Evans' request after noticing the unspecified item on Tuesday's council meeting agenda. Whitten said he spoke with council attorney Harold Harper, who confirmed that the law allows Evans and other elected officials to request reimbursement. The county has the option of paying as long as it's confirmed the investigation is over and no indictment is coming, he said. Whitten asked Harper to inquire about the status of the investigation with federal officials and report back to the group in January. Evans, who did not seek re-election, leaves office at the end of this month. Evans, who had attended another county government meeting immediately prior to the council's session Tuesday night, did not stick around to watch the fate of his request. When contacted following the council meeting, he referred to the state code involving reimbursements. In response to a question from Rivas, Commissioner attorney Scott McClure, who represented Evans during the council meeting, said he did not believe the commissioners have provided any reimbursement on their own to Evans. A call to step down Rivas kicked off Tuesday's council meeting by reading the statement he released earlier in the day calling on Snyder to step down. Rivas said Snyder has "broken the public's trust." He cites several ongoing projects, such as drainage issues along Willowcreek Road, consideration of a new North County Government Complex, allowing Portage to bring their stray animals to the new Porter County Animal Shelter and a new public radio system between the county and the city as reasons for Snyder to resign. "Theres a lot going on that we need to partner with the city. ... I dont know how anyone can do that with a guy under indictment," Rivas said. "I think we pride ourselves on quality of life, good government, and this flies in the face of it," Rivas said. Snyder was charged last month before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Cherry on counts of felony bribery, extortion and tax dodging, which carry long prison terms if he is convicted. He pleaded not guilty. Whitten said Snyder, like all citizens, deserves his day in court, and he hopes the allegations are not true. But, if the allegations are true, and only Snyder knows for certain, he should resign, Whitten said. Whitten said elected officials are trusted by the public to conduct the public's business. "If you're committing public corruption, you betray that trust, and you should resign," Whitten said. Portage City Council President Mark Oprisko, D-at large, said he has and will continue to work with Rivas and Whitten on issues like the North County Complex and animal shelter. "I wont let (the) mayor's indictment get in the way of our dialogue with the county," Oprisko said. Oprisko called the indictment an "unfortunate situation," but said Snyder deserves his day in court. "Im just trying to move the city forward as best we can," Oprisko said. "Im not going to drop the ball with county. Porter County Republican Chairman Michael Simpson said Snyder deserves his day in court and should remain in office. "I see no reason for Mayor Snyder to resign," Simpson said. "I dont know why the County Council cant work with Mayor Snyder," he said, suggesting Rivas concentrate his efforts on council financial issues instead of Snyder's legal problems. Portage City Councilman John Cannon, R-4th, said he disagrees with Rivas' idea that it will be difficult to work with the city on these ongoing projects. He said members of the City Council and County Council need to worry about the residents of Portage, "and to do the best we can for them." Cannon declined to comment on whether Snyder should resign. Snyder did not respond to a request for comment for this story. INDIANAPOLIS Northwest Indiana property owners whose land borders Lake Michigan cannot restrict individuals from accessing the lake, fishing or walking on the beach, so long as visitors remain on ground that's usually covered by water. In a landmark property rights decision, the Indiana Court of Appeals on Wednesday affirmed that the shore of Lake Michigan is owned by the state and held as a public trust for all Hoosiers. The state's interest extends to the "ordinary high water mark," which the court defined as the line on the shore where the presence and action of water is continuous enough to distinguish it from land through erosion, vegetation changes or other characteristics. That's a more flexible definition than the specific numerical level used since 1995 by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to identify the lake's ordinary high water mark. The court determined that the DNR rule setting a numerical ordinary high water mark impaired the rights of Hoosiers to fully enjoy the Lake Michigan shoreline, and declared it invalid. The change means landowners bordering Lake Michigan have property rights that overlap with the state's public trust. Specifically, the court explained that waterfront properties extend to the ordinary low water mark, subject to the public's right to use the shore area between that point and the ordinary high water mark. "Granting lakeshore owners the right to exclude the public from land between the low and high water marks would be inconsistent with the public trust doctrine," the court said in its 3-0 ruling. The case originated with Long Beach property owners Don and Bobbie Gunderson seeking a declaratory judgment that their land on Lake Michigan extends to the water's edge, regardless of where the edge is at any given time, and they are entitled to exclusive use of that land. Last July, LaPorte Superior Judge Richard Stalbrink Jr. rejected that claim by finding the state holds in trust for the public all land up to the ordinary high water mark, regardless of whether that land is covered by water. The Gundersons can continue pressing their claim by requesting the Indiana Supreme Court review the appellate decision. LAPORTE Action taken by the LaPorte City Council could one day save a life. The council vote was unanimous Monday night to require carbon monoxide detectors in all newly constructed buildings. Under the measure, all new homes and businesses are inspected by the city, and those found without a detector will not be issued an occupancy permit until one gets installed. LaPorte Fire Chief Andy Snyder said his department responded to about 50 reports of carbon monoxide leaks last year, and many of those calls were generated by detectors going off. "At least a third of them were something that needed to be addressed as far as carbon monoxide. It can be pretty prevalent," Snyder said. LaPorte mayor Blair Milo said final approval is still required by the state before the ordinance can go into effect. Approval came at the request of Dot Kesling, whose 22-year-old daughter, Lindsey, died in 2010 from carbon monoxide poisoning. The LaPorte native had just moved to Arizona after graduating from college, and the carbon monoxide filtered into her apartment from the car she left running by accident in the attached garage. A year later, Dot Kesling founded the Lindsey O'Brien Kesling Wishing Tree Foundation which hands out free carbon monoxide detectors across the state while raising awareness about the deadly gas. Snyder said victims are often unaware they're being poisoned because the deadly gas has no odor or color and symptoms of exposure mirrors the flu or simply feeling tired. Depending on carbon monoxide levels, people can feel under the weather for hours and even longer before they lapse into unconsciousness and die. "35 parts per million for an eight-hour duration will start to make you feel sick, and it progresses from there," Snyder said. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the most common sources of carbon monoxide leaks are kitchen stoves, furnaces and other sources of heat. Leaks can develop from devices being incorrectly installed, poorly maintained or poorly ventilated. Blocked flues and chimneys can also create dangerous levels from the gas produced by a heat source being unable to escape, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. City Councilman Tim Stabosz said carbon monoxide detectors are well under $50, a small price to pay for the huge return on protecting human lives. "I always hesitate on anything that involves regulation or adding costs to people's business or cost to build a house or whatever. It's new construction only, so a $20 cost on a $125,000 house is very, very small percent of that," Stabosz said. PORTER COUNTY The six mini bison that toured Porter County to spread the word about the 2016 Indiana bicentennial and the related bison-tennial public art project have been auctioned off to raise money for area nonprofits. The bison were sold for a total of $2,145, with the proceeds going to the following groups: The Northwest Indiana Paddling Association, Dunes Learning Center, Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, Housing Opportunities, Porter County Animal Shelter and Lakeshore PAWS. We are very happy that six very worthwhile organizations will each receive money to carry out the great work they do in the community, said Brooke Allen, community engagement director for Indiana Dunes Tourism. The mini bison were viewed by thousands of people during the bicentennial year, and as the bison display comes to end it is fitting that great things will happen because of the money raised. Indiana Dunes Tourism purchased the six bison and worked with artists throughout the region who donated their time and talents to create the six mini bison. The artists are Joseph Gonzalez, Laura Marie Panozzo, Kathy Welter, the team at Unity Studio in Valparaiso, Jay Weinberg and Kristina Knowski. They each picked a nonprofit to benefit from their bison. Each bison was painted differently. For example, Unity Studio did a tattooed bison and Knowski painted birds on her bison. Although the mini bison are no longer being displayed, there are eight life-size bison placed throughout Porter County, seven of which are available for public display. The large bison are at Broken Wagon Bison Farm in Hobart, West Beach in Portage, the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center in Porter, Pines Village Retirement Community in Valparaiso, Portage High School (not available for public viewing unless it is out in the community), Task Force Tips in Valparaiso, United Way of Porter County in Valparaiso, and the Valparaiso Community Schools administration building. People interested in viewing the life-size bison are encouraged to come to the Visitor Center and pick up a free copy of the Art & Culture Guide. The guide can also be viewed at www.indianadunes.com/destination-guides/electronic-guides/. WASHINGTON Last week's telephone call between President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwan's president was the result of six months of behind-the-scenes work by former Sen. Bob Dole acting on behalf of the Taiwanese government, according to federal filings and published reports. The call was a breach of diplomatic protocol, and Trump advisers have made conflicting statements about whether it signaled a new policy toward China. Taiwan split from China in 1949, but China still considers the island part of its territory and would consider it unacceptable for the U.S. to recognize Taiwan's leader as a head of state. Dole, who is now a lobbyist at the Washington firm Alston & Byrd and a registered foreign agent representing Taiwan, told The Wall Street Journal on Monday that his firm helped arrange the call. "It's fair to say that we may have had some influence," Dole told The Journal. The work by Dole, a former Senate Republican leader and the 1996 Republican presidential nominee, was disclosed in documents filed Nov. 30 with the Justice Department's Foreign Agent Registration Act section. The extent of Dole's work as a registered foreign agent for the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, which serves as an embassy-like entity for Taiwan, was reported Tuesday by Buzzfeed News and The New York Times. According to the filings, Dole has lobbied for a closer relationship with Taiwan over the past six months by pushing for the Trump campaign to participate in a U.S. delegation to the island and working to arrange a Taiwanese delegation at the Republican National Convention. Dole reported that he set up a briefing call on Taiwan for the Trump campaign's policy director, convened a meeting between Taiwanese embassy staff and the Trump presidential transition team and helped to include language in the GOP platform supportive of Taiwan. Dole also set up a meeting between a Taiwanese official and Sen. Jeff Sessions, who is Trump's pick for attorney general. The filings show that Alston & Bird received $140,000 from May to October for the work. The phone call between Trump and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen was a break from nearly four decades of diplomatic practice and drew immediate complaints from China. COLUMBIA, S.C. The video was unambiguous: A white police officer fatally shot an unarmed black man in the back as the man ran away. But a South Carolina jury was unable to agree on a verdict in one of the nation's ghastliest police shootings, with a lone holdout forcing a mistrial. The outcome stung many African-Americans and others. If that kind of evidence can't produce a conviction, they asked, what can? "There's a jury full of people and they cannot decide if it's illegal to shoot someone who is running away from you?" said activist Johnetta Elzie, who is black. "What do you say about a country that feels this way about black people? If you can't see the humanity in that, I don't know what we're talking about anymore." Prosecutors plan to retry officer Michael Slager, who is scheduled to be tried separately next year on federal charges that he violated Walter Scott's civil rights. North Charleston city officials approved a $6.5 million civil settlement for Scott's family earlier this year. Slager remains free on bail. South Carolina Republican Gov. Nikki Haley voiced her support for Scott's family, saying in a statement that justice "is not always immediate, but we must all have faith that it will be served." Scott, 50, was killed in April 2015 after he was shot five times. A barber on his way to work recorded the slaying on his cellphone. The panel of 11 white jurors and one black juror deliberated for 22 hours. At one point, a juror sent a letter directly to the judge saying he could not "with good conscience approve a guilty verdict" and that he was unlikely to change his mind. As they weighed their decision, jurors also asked the judge to explain the legal difference between fear and passion and inquired whether the self-defense standard was the same for officers as ordinary citizens. NAACP President Cornell Brooks called the jury's decision "a disappointing delay in the delivery of justice." Hours after the mistrial, a tweet from three Black Lives Matter co-founders said, "Some days the hashtag is too painful to participate in." Elzie, one of the first protesters in Ferguson, Missouri, after the fatal 2014 shooting of Michael Brown by a white officer, said word of the hung jury left her numb. "When it comes to justice and black people in America, I don't expect it," she sighed. Randall Kennedy, a black Harvard University law professor and author of several books on race relations, had difficulty reconciling the law with the mistrial, which he called "frightening." "It appeared as though it was open and shut," said Kennedy, a native of Columbia, South Carolina. "Obviously, this is a case of some criminal action on the part of this police officer. Is it at all plausible that you have a man running and a police officer says, 'I'm firing in self-defense?'" He added: "It's at this point that people are truly exasperated and say, 'Do we really have anything that can seriously be called the administration of criminal justice?' Can we reach people? Are people even persuadable?" On the day after the mistrial, Charles Witherspoon sat in the main library in Columbia, reading the newspaper. He followed the trial closely and is well-versed in the facts of the case, like the 17 feet that separated Scott and the officer when he began firing at Scott. Witherspoon, who is black, had no doubt Slager was guilty of murder, but the mistrial did not come as a surprise. It's an outcome the 54-year-old South Carolina native has come to expect. "Murder is murder unless you are a police officer," he said. "Someone is always going to find a way out for a police officer." National Action Network South Carolina President James Johnson urged people to give the second trial a chance before they get angry. He said he heard rumors of people threatening to "burn" Charleston, but he does not think it will happen. "I urge the people to let the justice system take its course. Let's wait on the next trial before we decide to do anything stupid. We've got to live here. We don't want people coming from outside of Charleston" to protest, said Johnson, who is black. Kennedy said the retrial points to the belief that the initial result was wrong. "It's a good thing that people are paying a lot of attention to this and that they are shocked," he said. "What will really be terrible is when something like this happens, and people are not shocked." ___ Whack covers urban affairs for The Associated Press and reported from Philadelphia. Seanna Adcox contributed to this story from Charleston, South Carolina. ___ This story has been corrected to indicate that Slager faces a trial next year on criminal civil rights charges, not a civil trial. Retired astronaut Jerry Ross, who grew up in Crown Point, isnt keen on the idea of having a private company design space vehicles to carry astronauts. His points are worth considering. Ross, who spoke Sunday afternoon at the Sinai Forum at Purdue University Northwests Westville campus, holds the record for the most space flights, at nine, an honor he shares with one other person. Anytime a commercial company is doing something, theyre doing it to try to make money, he said. And when youre trying to make money, you do things as easily and cheaply and quickly as you can. So theyre not doing all the things that we at NASA would do in terms designing and testing and redesigning and retesting until we got it right. The result, Ross fears, could be tragic. Im afraid that we will have our NASA crew members flying on vehicles not as safe as they could be. So we at NASA, we the taxpayers, have now invested $8 million-plus into these commercial crew vehicles. So what happens when the first of those crashes, and unfortunately some people may die in them? They dont have as deep pockets as the federal government does, so theyre probably going to go out of business. And when they go out of business, NASAs going to be left holding the bag after we piled all of that money into their pockets to build things for us. And were also putting our own crew members at risk because we are not building the safest vehicle we can build, and we dont have the insight into knowing what is good and what is bad in the design. NASA is no stranger to tragedy, nor is Ross. He was scheduled to fly on the Jan. 28, 1986, Challenger space shuttle mission until NASA bumped him up to an earlier mission. The Challenger blew up shortly after takeoff, killing the seven crew members, including a teacher. Another space shuttle, Columbia, burned up on re-entry on Feb. 1, 2003, killing all seven crew members. And Hoosier Gus Grissom was among the three astronauts who died during preparation for the Apollo 1 mission. The observations of a veteran astronaut should give anyone pause about the use of civilian efforts at the cutting edge of dangerous situations. As we enter the Donald Trump era, how the federal government functions will be under the microscope, including changes like these that were brought by prior administrations. Lets just take a moment to think of potential consequences before making big changes. Some of the changes could be very beneficial. But in some cases, as Ross points out, the devil could be in the details. Two investigations are still ongoing over the controversial sale of a nursing home on the Lower East Side that was approved by the de Blasio administration. In response to intense criticism over the deal, the City Council is trying to make it harder for deed restrictions to be lifted in the future. Our Courtney Gross has more from City Hall. Its proven to be one of the biggest scandals of the de Blasio administration: Rivington House. It was a longtime AIDS hospice home on the Lower East Side. That was until the city quietly approved lifting the deed restrictions on the property last year. It was quickly sold to a developer to build luxury condos. The City Council wants to make sure that that never happens again. "The City Council can assure that this will never happen again to any other community," said Manhattan Councilwoman Margaret Chin. It approved legislation on Tuesday, which creates a public review process to lift deed restrictions in the future. These deed restrictions limit a property's use like a nursing home must remain a nursing home. Under the legislation, lifting restrictions would require a public hearing, the mayor would have to sign off on any deal and a public database would track every deed restriction across the city. The mayor's office had implemented similar changes in the aftermath of the scandal last summer. The council's additions will be permanent. "This obviously, the bill today is a greater level of transparency and also a more thorough review process that is open to the community board and other entities that really has not been there before," said City Council Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito. The council and the Manhattan borough president want to go even farther to require changes to deed restrictions be part of the city's extensive land use review process. The mayor's office says they support the idea in limited circumstances. "We have sent two letters requesting that they do this and we are advocating strongly," said Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer. Rivington House has been the subject of four separate investigations. Only two of them have been completed. Both the U.S. attorney and the state attorney general are investigating. "I am not going to comment although I think our part of that investigation we are close to wrapping up," said State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Previous investigations found government mismanagement was the root of what happened at Rivington. 75 years after Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, some of the few remaining survivors of that day gather on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier that took part in World War II. NY1's Rocco Vertuccio filed the following report. At 95-years-old, Clark Simmons' memory is not what it used to be. However, the Brooklyn man can remember that morning exactly 75 years ago when he was stationed in Hawaii and the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. We were still just waking up, deciding whether we want to go to breakfast or not, or just rest because we didnt have the duty," said Simmons. "All hell broke loose and we didnt know what was happening. Simmons was on board the USS Utah when Japanese torpedoes sank the ship. "We saw the ship was going to go over, we all, to save each other, went over the side," said Simmons. More than 2,400 Americans were killed in the attack that pulled the US into World War II. By the time the bombings of Pearl Harbor and other military bases were over, 21 ships were sunk or damaged and more than 300 aircraft were damaged or destroyed. Queens veteran 93-year-old Aaron Chabin was an 18-year-old Private First Class reading a newspaper on his bunk bed when the first planes hit. "We heard the explosions. Somebody ran out of the balcony and yelled," said Chabin. Chabin and Simmons attended an annual wreath laying ceremony Wednesday at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum to commemorate that fateful day. 75 years later, they are among only a few survivors still alive. That is why they continue to share their stories. "It's 75 years," said Chabin. "Memories dim, some do some don't." The city will always have a historic connection to Pearl Harbor. Many of the ships that were bombed were built in the city at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. A man is under arrest after police say he tried to stab a fellow Staten Island Ferry rider over an electrical outlet. Authorities say 22-year-old Kendell Nisbit and another passenger got into a fight after both tried to use an outlet Monday night. Police say Nisbit then lunged at the other passenger with a knife but missed. Nisbit is now charged with attempted assault and criminal possession of a weapon. Over the summer, the city cut power to outlets on board over concerns that they were leading to violent arguments between passengers. The city has since restored power to the ferry outlets. Charging ports have also been installed at the terminals in Manhattan and on Staten Island. In response to problems and complaints during New York's presidential primary this April, State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is proposing a host of reforms. But as State House Reporter Zack Fink explains, making any changes to New York's voting laws may prove difficult. For the first time in decades both the Republicans and Democrats held a competitive presidential primary in New York State. But beyond its historic nature, Primary Day will also be remembered for numerous logistical problems. "The April primary was hotly contested on both the Republican and Democratic sides," Schneiderman said. "Millions of New Yorkers were eager to have their voices heard. But far too many of them were silenced by our state's embarrassingly outdated voting systems." The office of Attorney General Eric Schneiderman received more than 1,500 calls to its voter protection hotline. An investigation was launched and Schneiderman says the results indicate that New York laws need an update. "We are not talking about illegal voter suppression, we are talking about legal voter suppression which means we can change it during this legislative session, and I'm hopeful that we will," Schneiderman said. The Attorney General is proposing a series of reforms to be passed by the legislature including early voting, and enhancing access to the ballot. Also updating how individuals can register to vote. "Instead of our current system where voters have to fill a separate form in advance of the election to get themselves registered, under automatic registration eligible voters who interact with government agencies are automatically registered to vote," said Jennifer Clark of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU's school of law. A lot of these reforms have already passed the Democratic controlled Assembly, only to get held up in the Republican led senate. Schneiderman says he is confident that won't be the case this year since many of the complaints came from Republican counties. Senate republicans declined to comment. Peter Vaughan, a British character actor who often played rogues early in his career but was more familiar to recent audiences as a wise, blind mentor on the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones, died on Tuesday. He was 93. His death was confirmed by the office of his agent, Sally Long-Innes, which did not say where he died. Craggy-visaged and imposing, Mr. Vaughan was a regular in films and on British television for more than 50 years, long before taking the part of Maester Aemon Targaryen on Game of Thrones, adapted from George R. R. Martins novels. As Maester Aemon, he forsakes his royal heritage, giving up the chance to rule the seven kingdoms of Westeros to serve in the Nights Watch, a group of warriors and criminals tasked with defending a colossal wall to protect lands to the south from invaders from the north. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Mr. Son said the new jobs would come from investing in American start-ups. Mr. Trump later declared on Twitter, Masa said he would never do this had we (Trump) not won the election! Mr. Sons visit to Trump Tower in Manhattan on Tuesday was the latest outreach by global business leaders to an incoming president seen as friendlier to corporate interests. On Friday, the Trump transition team announced the formation of a business advisory group, led by Stephen A. Schwarzman, the chief executive of the private equity behemoth the Blackstone Group, that would consult monthly with the Trump White House. The advisory group was noticeably shy of technology names; Mr. Son is perhaps the most prominent tech executive so far to have met with the president-elect. Although it has its headquarters in Japan, SoftBank has deep roots in the United States. It is the majority owner of the wireless operator Sprint, which two years ago unsuccessfully pursued a takeover bid for T-Mobile. That effort was effectively blocked by the Obama administration on antitrust grounds. Mr. Son was not expected to discuss specific issues with Mr. Trump during their meeting, including the prospects of renewing a Sprint bid for its rival, according to a person briefed on the matter. Shares of Sprint and T-Mobile briefly rose Tuesday afternoon, before giving up their gains. A few minutes late, Logan, 7, charges down a long hallway at the citys Transit Museum and practically dives onto the floor of a classroom. Logan! hollers Connor, 6. He and two other boys, Dylan and Alex, both 8, holler and clap greetings. But they give Logan no more than a fleeting glance. All four have autism spectrum disorder, and do not practice ordinary social conventions, like direct eye contact. Still, they know a fellow traveler. For years, the Transit Museum has been a destination for families of children who have autism, drawn to its fleet of vintage, restored trains parked in the decommissioned station in Downtown Brooklyn that is the museums home. There are also ancient turnstiles and ticket chopping machines, old signals and undercarriages, even shells of buses. A third person has been arrested in connection with the killing of a Connecticut man who vanished after a night out in Manhattan and whose body was later found in a shallow grave on the Jersey Shore. Investigators are still piecing together what happened inside the apartment on East 59th Street in Manhattan, where the victim, Joseph Comunale, 26, of Stamford, Conn., apparently was killed last month. Two men, James Rackover and Lawrence Dilione, were arrested soon after the killing. The third man, Max Gemma, turned himself in on Tuesday. All three were indicted on Friday on charges of hindering prosecution and tampering with physical evidence. No charges of murder or manslaughter were filed. Mr. Gemma is from Oceanport, N.J., where Mr. Comunales body was found on Nov. 16 in a one-foot-deep ditch. Mr. Comunale had been stabbed 15 times and his body had been doused with gasoline and set on fire. After three years of planning for a new bus terminal in Manhattan, the commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey still agree that New York City badly needs one. But, as the nasty debate over paying for it has spilled out in public, they appear to agree on little else. The discord has threatened to paralyze the board that oversees the agency and that is responsible for transportation projects critical to the region. When the time came on Friday to publish the boards monthly agenda, the agency punted, hinting that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York, a Democrat, might instruct his appointees not to conduct any business, just as he did before the boards previous meeting. When the agenda for the meeting this week finally appeared on Monday afternoon, it suggested that politicians from the opposite sides of the Hudson River had still not bridged their differences. They may still be billions of dollars apart in their views on how the agency should spend the money it collects from tolls and transportation fees. The battle over the bus terminal shows just how quickly the Port Authority can fall into the kind of dysfunction that allowed appointees of Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, a Republican, to spitefully close lanes at the George Washington Bridge in 2013. Mr. Christie has since stepped back from the agency, but the tussle for influence over its vast finances has remained fierce. The Legal Aid Society filed a lawsuit against the New York Police Department on Tuesday in an effort to force the agency to disclose information about how officers are disciplined for wrongdoing on the job. The lawsuit, filed in State Supreme Court in Manhattan, is the latest salvo in a continuing dispute, led by Legal Aid and other civil rights groups, over transparency in how the Police Department holds officers accountable for misconduct. In the lawsuit, Legal Aid calls for the department to make public summaries of disciplinary actions taken against police officers dating to 2011. In the past, the information had been available in personnel orders, bulletins routinely distributed around the department with news of changes in duty, promotions, retirements and deaths, as well as disciplinary actions. For decades, the orders were posted in the offices of the deputy commissioner for public information, where they were accessible to journalists. In May, according to the lawsuit, Legal Aid, using a Freedom of Information Law request, asked the department for the disciplinary summaries published in the orders, going back to 2011. The personnel orders typically contained an officers name and precinct, the nature of the offense and the penalty. The Police Department denied the request, and soon after, stopped making the disciplinary information in the orders available to reporters. Robert R. Douglass, who was among the last surviving members of Gov. Nelson A. Rockefellers inner circle, an adviser to David Rockefeller and the Chase Bank, and a catalyst in the revitalization of Lower Manhattan, died on Tuesday at his home in Greenwich, Conn. He was 85. The cause was complications of Parkinsons disease, his son Andrew said. Mr. Douglass was counsel and secretary to Nelson Rockefeller, the four-term Republican governor from New York. He also managed his short-lived 1968 presidential campaign and shepherded him through contentious confirmation hearings for the vice presidency in 1974, when Rockefeller was recruited by the newly elevated president, Gerald R. Ford. The hearings in Congress drew hostile fire over Rockefellers personal finances and potential conflicts. Mr. Douglass was later general counsel and vice chairman of Chase, the bank long associated with the Rockefeller family. Nelsons brother David was the banks president, chief executive or chairman from 1960 to 1981 and, at times, the largest individual stockholder. For two decades, from 1995 until he retired in 2015, Mr. Douglass was the chairman of the Alliance for Downtown New York, the self-taxing business improvement district the largest in North America organized by the Downtown Lower Manhattan Association, which David Rockefeller founded in 1958, when the Financial District was wilting. In other words, for many federal inmates, their last hope lies in Mr. Obamas hands. Up to now, the president has reviewed clemency requests on a case-by-case basis. With only weeks left in office, Mr. Obama should consider a bolder approach: blanket commutations for those inmates still serving time under an old law that punished possession or sale of crack cocaine far more harshly than powder cocaine a meaningless distinction that sent disproportionate numbers of young black and Latino men to prison for decades. Congress significantly reduced that disparity in 2010 (which Mr. Sessions supported), but did not apply the sentence reduction to people already in prison. Several thousand remain behind bars, and theyre no less deserving of mercy just because their crimes occurred before 2010. Mr. Obama could order the release of most of these people right now. If he is worried about some committing new crimes, he could prioritize those who prison officials have already determined pose the lowest risk of violence. Or Mr. Obama could commute their sentences to what they would have received under the current law. The Justice Department says it will review all clemency petitions received before Sept. 1 from drug offenders before Mr. Obama leaves office. The idea of blanket commutations is being pushed by a coalition of criminal-justice reform advocates, including former judges and prosecutors, who urged the president in a letter last week to use his clemency power aggressively while he still can. The group called for the release of thousands more nonviolent offenders in low-risk categories, including elderly inmates, who are the least likely of all to commit new crimes, and those with convictions for drugs other than crack. The coalition argues that it is possible to make these grants in the short time remaining, if the administration is committed to getting it done. Mr. Trump may well dismantle a lot of Mr. Obamas legacy, but he cant touch grants of clemency. Mr. Obama has taken important steps toward unwinding the decades-long imprisonment binge. With much of that progress now at risk, he has only a few weeks left to ensure a measure of justice and mercy for thousands of people. Mr. Thiel has said in interviews that the benefits accruing to tech investors like himself should be more widely shared outside a few ZIP codes in New York and around San Francisco. One role of the meeting is to spur ideas for changing this situation. A spokesman for Mr. Thiel declined to comment. In Apples case, Mr. Trump has said he told its chief executive, Timothy D. Cook, in late November that he wants the company to build a big plant in the United States or even better, many big plants. Apple itself does not do any manufacturing in the United States. A contractor, Flex, manufactures high-end desktop computers on its behalf in Austin, Tex., employing about 2,000 people. A vast majority of Apples production is in China, where there is an enormous ecosystem devoted to it. Many economists say that reproducing such an interlocking web of suppliers here would push the cost of iPhones up considerably. Mr. Trump also tangled with Jeff Bezos, the founder and chief executive of Amazon, during the campaign, saying that Mr. Bezos has a huge antitrust problem because hes controlling so much. Amazon is overwhelmingly the dominant force in e-commerce. In its original business of books, for example, it is by far the most important retailer of both physical and electronic books. In several spheres, it is developing technology that eliminates the middleman in other words, jobs. This week, the company debuted a new system for operating stores without cashiers. How much Silicon Valley is reconciling itself to the thought of President Trump is a complicated question. Last week, David O. Sacks, the chief executive of the human-resources software start-up Zenefits, said he was stepping down after having had discussions about helping Mr. Trumps transition team. Mr. Sacks is a longtime associate of Mr. Thiels. If there are some overtures being made in Silicon Valley, there are also some lines being drawn. Chris Sacca, a prominent venture investor, said there was only one path for those attending next weeks meeting: defiance. In this latest offering from the author of The Big Meal (2012), a time-collapsing look at a single family over many years, life often feels like one blurry patio party. Their conversations revolve around such urgent matters as the mustard on the sandwiches or whats up with the neighbors kids. Couldnt you just die from the sameness of it all? Or couldnt you just die, period? Because in Rancho Viejo, which has been directed with a poets appreciation for rhythm and emphasis by Daniel Aukin, silence deafens whenever the conversation stops. Beyond the sliding doors and stone terraces and very long sectional sofa stretches a quiet as vast and defeating as the desert beyond. A person might easily get lost in that blank sandscape, quite possibly forever. Mr. LeFranc is fast positioning himself as a new-fashioned bard of an old-fashioned American genre, in which small, homey lives are played out against the backdrop of a cosmic infinity. If his Big Meal was a variation on Thornton Wilder (best known as the author of Our Town), Rancho Viejo suggests a latter-day equivalent of Mornings at Seven. Thats Paul Osborns great 1939 comedy, memorably revived on Broadway in 1980 and 2002, about a group of gray-haired friends and relations whose lives are propelled by petty grievances and profound anxieties. Like Osborns characters, the denizens of Rancho Viejo attest to the notion that adulthood is a chimera, that were all always stuck on some level in our rivalrous, security-seeking childhoods. The victims died because they were trapped in a tinderbox. Yet the economic backdrop of the tragedy is also important because it shows how rising rents and fears of eviction can push vulnerable people in a desperate search for housing to unsafe spaces. Oaklands housing prices have always fluctuated with Bay Area booms and busts, and complaints about gentrification were part of the 1990s dot-com boom here as well. The effects are more pronounced this time around because as tech companies have migrated closer to San Francisco from places like Palo Alto and Mountain View, Oakland has been pulled deeper into Silicon Valleys orbit. Uber, the ride-hailing service now valued at almost $70 billion, plans to open an office in downtown Oakland in the next year or so. This crisis isnt limited to the Bay Area. Across the country, and especially in expensive cities like New York and Seattle, urban areas have been flooded with high-paid tech and finance workers who have pushed up rents. Blue-collar workers and families have been displaced to cheaper housing on the fringe, but many creative types have made do by finding alternative living arrangements like industrial property, recreational vehicles and even boats. In Oakland, where for decades warehouses have served as a haven for artists, this often means living at the whims of any landlord willing to look the other way. Theres a kind of unholy alliance in which these buildings are leased with a nod nod, wink wink, nobody lives there, said Thomas Dolan, an Oakland architect who specializes in live/work spaces and helps building owners convert illegally occupied warehouses into legally occupied lofts. Its a precarious situation where tenants exchange cheap rent for substandard housing and if they rock the boat, theyre out. Dueling court rulings left the fate of a presidential vote recount in Michigan uncertain on Tuesday night, and elections officials in the state said they were seeking clarity about the next steps. A recount of last months election had already begun in parts of Michigan, one of three closely contested states where Jill Stein, the Green Partys presidential nominee, had called for new counts, when the seemingly conflicting legal decisions emerged late Tuesday from state and federal courts in Michigan. Ms. Stein has cited concerns about computer hacking and the reliability of voting machines, setting off legal fights with lawyers for President-elect Donald J. Trump, his campaign and his allies, who view the recounts as a needless and expensive tactic. A panel of the Michigan Court of Appeals found that Ms. Stein, who finished a distant fourth to Mr. Trump in the election, had not met the states requirements for a recount because she had no chance of winning. The panel concluded that the Michigan Board of State Canvassers ought not to have permitted a recount to go forward because Ms. Stein, given the size of the vote for her, could not be deemed aggrieved, as required for a recount under state election law. Yet in a separate decision, also announced late Tuesday, a federal appeals court turned down requests from the states Republican Party and from Bill Schuette, the states attorney general, to block a federal court ruling that had cleared the way for the recount to proceed more swiftly than expected. The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit found that Mark A. Goldsmith, a Federal District Court judge, had not violated his discretion when he ordered the recount to go forward on Monday in order to get it done by Electoral College deadlines in mid-December. WASHINGTON Vice President-elect Mike Pence stood beneath the nine chandeliers of the Trump International Hotels Presidential Ballroom, a modest walk from the soon-to-be Trump residence, with a dinnertime soundtrack of well-heeled donors clinking glasses and looking forward to an incoming administration of their conservative dreams. We are just 44 days away from when Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States of America, Mr. Pence said, to building cheers, at a gathering on Tuesday night hosted by the right-leaning Heritage Foundation. We did it. Mr. Trumps upset victory last month along with his often shape-shifting policy proposals during and after the campaign has left many groups eager to brand the triumph as their own, racing to frame the outcome as an argument for desired legislative aims. And if Mr. Trumps early personnel decisions in the transition are instructive, to say nothing of his choice for vice president, perhaps no group has more to celebrate than the conservatives in this room, who hope that a champion as unlikely as a Manhattan reality television star can preside over a whirring machine of unified Republican government. WASHINGTON Senate Republican leaders, after meeting with Vice President-elect Mike Pence, said on Tuesday that they would move immediately next month to start repealing the Affordable Care Act, despite qualms among some of their members. The Obamacare repeal resolution will be the first item up in the new year, said Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and majority leader. Republicans have not fleshed out a plan to replace the 2010 health care law, President Obamas signature legislative achievement. But on Tuesday they laid out their principles for a replacement plan and said they would try to minimize disruption for the 20 million people who have gained coverage under the law. Senate Republican leaders appeared to agree with House Republican leaders on a repeal and delay strategy, which could keep parts of the health law in place for several years, as Congress works with the administration of Donald J. Trump to devise a replacement. RIO DE JANEIRO The head of Brazils Senate refused on Tuesday to obey a Supreme Court ruling ordering him to step down from his post, heightening tensions between the nations Congress and its judiciary. The move by Renan Calheiros, the scandal-plagued chief of the Senate, came in response to a ruling on Monday by a justice on the high court, Marco Aurelio Mello, removing Mr. Calheiros from his post to stand trial in a corruption case. The decision came amid efforts by legislators to erode the power of prosecutors and judges in graft inquiries. The posturing of Mr. Calheiros, who is currently second in the presidential line of succession, stunned a political establishment already reeling from upheaval this year, including the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff and the arrest on graft charges of an orchestrator of her ouster, Eduardo Cunha, a former speaker of the lower house. The justices of the Supreme Court dont have any choice but to give Renan and the senators supporting him a constitutional thrashing, said Diego Escosteguy, the editor in chief of Epoca, a newsmagazine. KULESZE KOSCIELNE, Poland The red-tiled roofs of this tiny village cluster around the soaring steeples of St. Bartholomew Church like medieval cottages at the base of a castle, alienated from the cosmopolitan life of cities such as Warsaw by a chasm that is economic, cultural and political. Asking how many people here attend Sunday Mass elicits puzzlement. Everyone, of course. There are no shopping malls, no car-choked boulevards and no doubt where political sentiments lie: The village voted 83 percent for Polands ruling populist party, joining a rural electoral wave that swept the party to power a year ago even as urbanites in Warsaw gave it less than a third of their vote. The elites in the city are detached from reality, said Joszef Grochowski, 60, a lifelong village resident and mayor since 2003. They no longer understand the needs of ordinary people. Populist, anti-establishment political parties are on the move in Europe. If they are far from homogeneous, these parties share common ground in their core constituencies, rural voters. Just as Donald J. Trump rolled up a big rural vote in his unexpected presidential victory, Europes populists are rising by tapping into discontent in the countryside and exploiting rural resentments against urban residents viewed as elites. AL MUKALLA, Yemen A ship carrying almost 60 people off the coast of Yemen is believed to have capsized in high seas, a Yemeni official said on Tuesday. Four passengers have been rescued by Spanish and Yemeni commercial ships that we were sailing in the area, and we are still looking for survivors, said the official, Fahd Kafayen, the minister of fisheries. The boat set sail on Saturday from Al Mukalla, the capital of Hadramout Province, bound for the remote island of Socotra in the Arabian Sea. Flights between Hadramout and Socotra have been suspended since the beginning of the civil war between the government of Yemens exiled president, Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who is backed by Saudi Arabia and its Persian Gulf allies, and a rebel movement from the north known as the Houthis. Mr. Kafayen, who is from Socotra, said that people who wished to travel between the island and the mainland were forced into sailing on these cargo ships. FRONT PAGE An article on Friday about overcrowded immigration courts misstated part of the name of a legal organization. It is the American Immigration Lawyers Association (not National). INTERNATIONAL Because of an editing error, an article on Nov. 8 about the seizure of a German sailing couple by militants in the Philippines misstated the length of the couples sailboat. It is about 53 feet, not 30 feet. NATIONAL An article on Sunday about scientists rebuttal of a news report on global temperatures misidentified the British newspaper where the report first appeared. It is The Mail on Sunday, not The Daily Mail. (The article did appear online at dailymail.com.) BUSINESS DAY Because of an editing error, an article on Oct. 31 about bids for land in Australia characterized incorrectly efforts by a Chinese and a Hong Kong company to purchase Ausgrid, an Australian electricity company. The companies bid separately to buy Ausgrid, not jointly. (The error was repeated in an article on Tuesday.) The point of drag, says RuPaul, an expert on the subject, is to remind culture to not take itself seriously. Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, a sassy all-male drag troupe (Trocks, for short), has applied this ethos to the prim world of ballet for more than 40 years. After the companys debut in 1974, critics applauded its smart satire of ballerinas and inherent commentary on the performance of femininity. But hidden in all that jest is great reverence for the art form and its history, and audiences keep coming back when else can you laugh at the ballet? The Trocks will hold court at the Joyce for nearly three weeks, beginning Tuesday, Dec. 13, presenting two programs that celebrate and skewer classics from the ballet canon, including Swan Lake, Giselle and Paquita. New to New York is the Pas de Six variation from Napoli by the 19th-century Danish dance titan August Bournonville, a choreographer seen too rarely here. Expect sturdy technique (the men dance confidently on pointe) and cheeky wit. Its silly, sophisticated subversion. (Through Dec. 31; joyce.org.) Enthusiasm for Elena Ferrantes novels runs so high that it has been described in epidemiological terms, making the phenomenon sound almost like an infectious disease. And judging by the latest sales figures from her publisher, so-called Ferrante fever appears to have spread around the world. Her Neapolitan novels a four-book series that follows two female friends living on the outskirts of Naples from childhood through adulthood have sold about 5.5 million copies worldwide, according to Europa Editions. Publication rights have sold in nearly 50 countries, including Estonia, Turkey and Indonesia. In North America, the four novels have sold nearly two million copies making them a rare commercial blockbuster from an anonymous author in translation. They have sold more than a million copies in Ms. Ferrantes native Italy, and have climbed the best-seller lists in France, Germany and Britain. Worldwide sales in English now top three million. On a dreary afternoon in late November, inside a cavernous former shipworks at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Michael Zaragoza was busy dipping shredded burlap sacks into buckets of gritty plaster. He then draped the stiffened sheets over a plywood platform, creating a craggy stage for Verdis Macbeth, the 1847 work that LoftOpera presents here starting Thursday. Nearby, Alyshia Taboas cut into bright blue sheets of roof insulation, her utility knife forming the notches and ridges onto which Mr. Zaragoza would drape his rocky fabric. Most days, Mr. Zaragoza would be directing construction workers at one of a handful of luxury condominium developments around the city. They would be using the same plywood, the same Structo-Lite basecoat plaster, the same Georgia Pacific extruded polystyrene boards, to give form to multimillion-dollar apartments. Ms. Taboas, a marketing manager, would then help stage and sell them for her and Mr. Zaragozas employer, the Manhattan developer DDG. Its not unusual for corporate entities to give money to arts organizations. Its far less common for them to actually break out the hammers and nails. We could just donate to the arts, Joseph A. McMillan Jr., who founded DDG, said by phone. But as a real estate company, we have opportunities and capabilities others might not possess. STOCKHOLM Bob Dylan wont be visiting Sweden this week to accept the Nobel Prize in Literature, though he has sent a speech in his absence. The news of his no-show at the ceremony on Saturday disappointed fans as well as one resident here who has old ties to rocks poet laureate: Israel Goodman Young, the man who gave Mr. Dylan his first New York concert. Mr. Young was the folk enthusiast who made possible the $2 tickets to Mr. Dylans Nov. 4, 1961, gig at Carnegie Chapter Hall; only about 50 people attended, but the event has earned its place in rock n roll history as Mr. Dylans first big break. Mr. Young has lived in Sweden for more than 35 years and, at 88, takes a bus and a train every day to reach his Folklore Centrum in the Sodermalm neighborhood of Stockholm. Part performance space, part treasure trove of memorabilia, this modest shop could be mistaken for an old living room, with dust blanketing the used hardcovers lining the shelves. This emporium is his second act; its first iteration on Macdougal Street was the epicenter of Greenwich Villages 1960s folk music scene. Unleash your dancin feet to Hairspray Live!, the latest musical spectacular from NBC. Elsewhere, Jeffrey Donovan plays a fake psychic who starts having real visions after a bonk to the head in Shut Eye. And Chronicles of Courage recounts the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Whats on TV HAIRSPRAY LIVE! 8 p.m. on NBC. To its extravagant live productions of The Sound of Music, Peter Pan and The Wiz, NBC adds this adaptation of the Broadway musical, set in 1962 Baltimore and starring the sugar and spice-est, nicest kids in town. Maddie Baillio leads the cast as Tracy Turnblad, a zaftig teenager who dreams of racial equality while shaking and shimmying her way to stardom on the all-white Corny Collins Show. Kristin Chenoweth is the shows manipulative producer, and Jennifer Hudson is a deeply hip record store owner. Harvey Fierstein who wrote this adaptations teleplay reprises his role as Tracys mom, Edna, who encourages her daughters rainbow vision. Ms. Chenoweth and Sean Hayes host The Countdown to Hairspray Live! at 7:30; Darren Criss reports from behind the scenes throughout the production. RECTIFY 10 p.m. on Sundance. In the penultimate episode of this tale of release and rebirth, Daniel worries that his life has become a bit too real, Janet learns to let go, Teddy opens up to his father about his hopes for his future and Amantha reconnects with her past in an unexpected way. Bresson was assumed to be a religious, if not a practicing, Catholic, although this is not extensively explored in Bresson on Bresson (a book that would have benefited mightily by the inclusion of an index). He was also a master of subtraction. To create is first of all to prune, he told an interviewer in 1960. More than simply pared down, Bresson films distill motion picture narrative to a particular essence. The epitome of the elliptical, economical Bressonian spectacle is Lancelot of the Lake (1974), a vision of Camelot almost entirely composed of knights on horseback jousting in medium shot or close-up, distinguished from one another largely by details of their armor. Notes on the Cinematograph (previously published here in 1977, in the same translation by Jonathan Griffin, as Notes on Cinematography) is the ultimate refinement of Bressons thought, a loosely grouped succession of aphorisms and Zen koans (the soundtrack invented silence). Both of these books give considerable attention to the use of the nonactors Bresson referred to as models. Beginning with Diary of a Country Priest, his actors do not act, they simply are. Bresson used the term cinematography, which he defines in Bresson on Bresson as a kind of writing, to distinguish between his own methodology and the bogus theatrical naturalism and fake psychology of popular cinema. In a 1959 interview with LExpress, he also rejected the title director as belonging to the stage. (In the same interview, he refers to himself as a metteur en ordre, which could be translated as organizer.) Asked how he directed his models, he replied: It isnt about directing anyone, but about directing yourself. The rest is telepathy. (You really feel he is trying to empty your mind, Dominique Sanda, one of the very few Bresson models to go on to an acting career, once explained in a documentary on Bresson.) Image Credit... Sonny Figueroa/The New York Times In some respects, however, Bressons sense of cinema was quite conventional. His statements acknowledge montage, or editing, as the mediums basic source of meaning. When he declares that cinema must express itself not with images, but with relationships between images or speaks in terms of visual rhythm, he is echoing the ideas of Sergei Eisenstein and the other Soviet theorists (although this is not something he seems to acknowledge). Like the Soviets as well, Bresson recognized sound as a material element, observing in Notes that the noises must become music. The interviews in Bresson on Bresson are grouped chronologically and organized by film. Reading it, one can see Bresson refining his answers to the similar questions that inevitably arose with each new production, even as he refined his filmmaking style. (The interviews, which were edited and even redacted by Bresson before their original publication, mostly in French periodicals, are invariably sympathetic.) The houses slowness gives Oz leisure to let sentences unfold. Characters and their ideas occupy the narrative foreground, while in the background a charcoal-black cat, no doubt a tom, sometimes crossed the yard, slowly, imperiously, his tail erect, padding and gliding on velvety feet, as if each of his delicate paws did not step on the ground but languorously licked the polished paving stones that shone and glittered in the rain. The books prose is meticulous, almost pre-modern. This and the plots stillness days pile up, but many of the novels events are Shmuels realizations make reading Judas feel a bit like reading Thomas Bernhard without the misanthropy. Instead of building an escalating triangle of plot, Judas lets the reader gradually understand things, most important the past that binds Wald and Atalia. For much of the book, their relationship is a mystery; when Shmuel mistakenly assumes Atalia is Walds wife, Wald responds: Atalia is, in fact, my mistress. . . . I am not using the word in the vulgar sense, of course, but rather as in the famous saying of the first Queen Elizabeth of England: I will have here but one mistress and no master. The thread that ties them together is dark and disturbing I lost sleep over its imagery and woven into the fabric of Israels bloody history. Learning Wald and Atalias story leads Shmuel to investigate Atalias fathers role in founding the state. Alone among the founders, and influenced by the Arab revolt in 1936, Hitler, the underground movements, the killings, the retaliation operations of the Jewish underground, the hangings by the British and especially his conversations with his Arab friends, Shealtiel came to believe there was in fact room for the two communities and that it would be better for them to exist side by side, or one within the other, without the framework of a state. By the standards of the novels time and ours, this is a radical view. Shealtiel Abravanels commitment to this idea means being expelled from the Zionist Executive Committee. People abused and reviled him, Wald says; they called him a traitor. This connection, made late in the book, sheds light on a thread that has run more or less without explanation through the novel: Shmuels abandoned thesis on Jewish views of Jesus and Christian ideas about Judas. At one point he notes: Jesus and all his apostles were Jews and the children of Jews. But in the Christian imagination the only one remembered as a Jew . . . was Judas Iscariot. Shmuel imagining Judass sorrow after the crucifixion fills a 13-page chapter that slides from third-person narration into a first-person confession in Judass voice. Jesus on the cross wept, shouted and screamed with pain, calling over and over again for his mother, calling for her repeatedly in a shrill, piercing voice, like the crying of a fatally wounded infant abandoned in a field alone, parched with thirst as the last of its blood seeped out under the beating sun. Throughout Judas, Shmuels thoughts on Jesus and Judas appear not as quotations but as exposition. Yet when Wald holds forth, his ideas are expressed and punctuated as dialogue long tracts of it, happily indifferent to the conventional view that letting characters speechify makes them sound like talking heads. Walds monologues are enchanting, part of what makes Judas a successful novel of ideas. Oz doesnt overdo it, though. By folding Shmuels thoughts into the texts narrative fabric, he allows them to double as the characters ideas and the novels own. A PATH TO PEACE A Brief History of Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations and a Way Forward in the Middle East By George J. Mitchell and Alon Sachar 258 pp. Simon & Schuster. $26. American mediation between Israelis and Palestinians over the decades has failed to produce a lasting peace deal, but it has spawned something else in good numbers: book deals. On my shelf alone, I count four books written by American officials who played a role in trying to bring the two sides together. The satisfying ones among these books reveal what really happens in rooms journalists almost never get to enter the haggling, the outbursts, the inching toward compromise and then the stubborn clinging to old positions. For all the news coverage of Israel and Palestine, a good insiders account can still surprise and illuminate. A Path to Peace, by George J. Mitchell and Alon Sachar, is the latest addition to the genre. Though it includes an admirably measured recounting of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict no easy task the book falls short in most other ways. Mitchell, a former United States senator from Maine, served as President Obamas envoy for Middle East peace from 2009 to 2011. Sachar worked as his adviser. Both men came to the job with plenty of experience. Mitchell brokered the 1998 Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland (and wrote a book about his experience), and Sachar worked on Middle East issues for the State Department. Yet their first-person insights fail to surface until the reader has burrowed halfway through the book. When the authors finally do get to describing events in which they themselves played roles, their observations are often bland and the scenes they describe thinly rendered. The mood was pleasant and upbeat, they write about a diplomatic dinner in Washington. The discussions were detailed and frequent, they remark elsewhere. Obamas persistent quarreling with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel over settlement expansion is treated dryly, in just a few pages. For close readers of news from the region, the authors make an interesting point: The president, they explain, never intended for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations to be conditional on a settlement freeze. Reporters simply misrepresented the American position. But the broader drama, the clashes between the two leaders, the character sketches, are all missing from this account. Britains House of Commons will debate Brexit today. An opposition motion called on Prime Minister Theresa May to reveal her strategy for leaving the European Union. In return, Ms. May asked that lawmakers approve the beginning of talks, in late March. Michel Barnier, one of the E.U.s lead negotiators, took a hard line against Britains plans to retain some advantages after leaving. He also said a deal needed to be reached within 18 months of the start of talks. We look at how populists in Continental Europe, as in Britain and the U.S., are tapping into discontent in the countryside and exploiting resentment against urbanites viewed as elites. Many venture capitalists and entrepreneurs are betting that in the continuing transformation of finance by technology, the financial assistant category will be one of the most lucrative. Image The Albert app provides a personalized savings account and can look at car insurance policies and credit cards to find better deals. Banks are racing to catch up with such digital advances. There is lots of opportunity here, said Charles Birnbaum, an investor at the venture capital firm Bessemer Venture Partners, who recently put money into Albert. This is an opportunity that Mint and the banks should have done for people already made it really easy to have a good sense for what you should be doing with your money. The new personal financial advisers are taking a different tack compared with big-name financial technology start-ups like Lending Club and Square, which provide actual financial services: arranging loans and processing payments. Credit Karma and its competitors are betting that there is more value in being the neutral intermediary that helps customers find financial services and keep track of their various accounts. Advocates of this business model compare the opportunity to the one that Google and Facebook spotted in media, where they serve as so-called platforms for other media companies rather than being media companies themselves. This approach allowed them to become the primary point of contact with the customer, a very profitable and powerful place to sit. By being Switzerland, and being neutral, in the same way that Google and Facebook are, we are finding the best products, said Nikhyl Singhal, a former Google executive who joined Credit Karma as the chief product officer last year. We dont have the conflict where we are trying to sell our own product. Credit Karma in particular has been demonstrating how lucrative this can be by charging lenders and credit card companies for every customer it passes along. While the company does not say how much it charges, industry insiders say that Credit Karma generally makes $100 to $700 for every customer who signs up for a credit card, a significant chunk of the revenue that the credit card company will make in the first year. Credit Karma said it pulled in around $350 million of revenue last year. The business model creates the potential for conflicts of interest if an intermediary like Credit Karma sends customers to a credit card company or lender that pays the biggest referral fee rather than the one that offers the best deal for the customer. But the companies are all adamant that they will succeed only if they are known for doing what is best for the customer. LONDON Credit Suisse said on Wednesday that it would further cut costs and had lowered profit targets for some of its operating divisions as Tidjane Thiam, its chief executive, tries to turn around the banks prospects. Under Mr. Thiams leadership, Credit Suisse, which is based in Zurich, is reshaping itself by shrinking its investment bank and placing greater emphasis on its wealth management business, particularly in Asia and other emerging markets. At an investor day conference, the bank said it would cut costs by a further 1 billion Swiss francs, or about $992 million. It also said it was aiming at an operating cost base of less than 17 billion francs for 2018, compared with its prior target of less than 18 billion francs. The bank announced plans last year to cut thousands of jobs and reduce its costs by billions of dollars by the end of 2018. It moved to accelerate those cost-cutting efforts this year, saying it would eliminate 6,000 jobs. It is also the first time in decades that rival corporate law firms, more accustomed to beating back regulation than championing it, have joined forces to file litigation nationwide around such a polarizing social issue as guns. The effort harks back to the civil rights era, when President John F. Kennedy summoned 250 top lawyers to the White House and enlisted their help in fighting segregation. Just as significant, the gun coalition plans to pursue new legal strategies to avoid some previous pitfalls. Rather than fighting the political headwinds, the coalition is focusing on courts and state regulatory agencies, among the few places where they might still gain some traction. The coalition is drafting lawsuits and preparing regulatory complaints that could be announced as soon as next month, according to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, one of the nonprofit advocacy groups that helped form the coalition, along with the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence and the Brennan Center for Justice, a legal think tank at New York University School of Law. On one front, the coalition will seek to overturn state laws that have gone largely unchallenged, including new policies that force businesses to allow guns to be carried on their property. The group also plans to mount the first formal challenges to congressional restrictions on publishing government data on gun violence. Taking a page from the fight against big tobacco two decades ago, it will seek the help of regulators to challenge what it views as the gun industrys attempts to stifle competition. LONDON Linde of Germany said on Wednesday that it would resume talks over a potential merger with Praxair, an American rival, after ending discussions in September over a deal to bring together two of the worlds largest suppliers of industrial-gas products. Combining the companies would create a giant in the industry with more than $30 billion in annual revenue and a market capitalization of more than $60 billion. Lindes executive board, after a consultation with its supervisory board, has decided to resume talks over the essential terms of a potential merger of equals between the two companies, the company said in a news release. All members of the supervisory board support resuming the talks. Praxair, which is based in Danbury, Conn., confirmed last week that it had approached Linde about resuming discussions. Since it was revealed that Wells Fargo employees created unauthorized accounts for thousands of customers, the bank has tried to quell the subsequent outrage by promising to do what it could to restore trust. Its approach to consumer lawsuits, however, is likely to generate even more ill will. The lender is seeking to move these cases to arbitration, a secretive process that often favors companies, as a New York Times investigation showed last year. Arbitration clauses prevent consumers from filing class-action lawsuits, and judicial rules to limit conflict of interest do not apply to arbitration. Decisions are nearly impossible to overturn. Jennifer Zeleny, who is suing Wells Fargo in federal court in Utah, along with about 80 other customers, is arguing that the bank shouldnt be able to use arbitration over an account she never wanted. Time magazine, unsurprisingly, has named President-elect Donald J. Trump its person of the year for 2016, calling him the president of the divided states of America. Mr. Trump was not happy about that title, but called his selection a tremendous honor. As NBC was building suspense for the magazines carefully staged announcement on the Today show, Mr. Trump posted on Twitter at 7:18 a.m. that he would appear shortly on the program. The annual marketing gimmick has, since the 1920s, attempted to select a single figure or a group that has influenced the years events. Mr. Trump beat out 10 other finalists announced on Monday, including Hillary Clinton; Simone Biles, the Olympic gymnast; Beyonce; Mark Zuckerberg; and the Flint, Mich., whistle-blowers, the residents and civil engineers who sounded the alarm on lead-poisoned water in the city. But for the growing number of nonprofit journalism organizations, the moment may provide the kind of opening they have needed to take on a much larger role for a field that continues to face significant financial challenges and sinking public trust. Nonprofit newsrooms have long sought to position themselves as civic resources, relying on the same skills as newspapers and television stations, but without profit motives or a dependence on advertisers. As traditional news organizations with dwindling resources have curtailed their ambitions in recent years, nonprofit news groups have sought to pick up the expensive work of investigative and accountability journalism though often with a fraction of the audience. With a president-elect who has shown a willingness to attack the press, and a proliferation of fake news that has shaken the publics confidence in the news media, news executives said the watchdog role would be more important than ever. They also caution that the rush of small gifts is not necessarily a panacea for their own financial concerns. It remains to be seen if the higher level of individual giving will continue, or if it will extend to big donations through grants and wealthy individuals, who provide the bulk of the funding for groups like ProPublica and others. Still, the signs are encouraging, especially when coupled with widely reported increases in engagement from readers and listeners, Mr. Tofel and several of his colleagues said. At one point, after the comedian John Oliver promoted the organization on his HBO show, ProPublica was receiving as many as four donations a minute. Danielle Caputo, 37, grew up in Bath Beach, Brooklyn, not far from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, but had never spent much time on the other side of it, in Staten Island. Then, in 2015, on the way to visit the Staten Island Zoo, she was impressed by the islands North Shore, including the walkable, architecturally interesting neighborhood of Stapleton, with its spacious houses; at the time she and her family were renting a two-bedroom apartment in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. I always thought Staten Island was so suburban, said Ms. Caputo, a hair stylist. I didnt think it could be so old and historic. A home search ensued, and Ms. Caputo found a nine-bedroom Victorian with views across New York Bay to One World Trade Center. Last fall, it cost $785,000. There are items as casual as the red-and-white printed shift designed by Laura Smalls that Mrs. Obama wore in July to do a Carpool Karaoke segment with the late-night talk show host James Corden. And looks as formal as an evening dress designed by Eric Gaskins inspired by the painter Franz Kline, a white column adorned with what looked like big black brush strokes. Done with tiny microbugle beads! Ms. Way said. He crushed them down into almost nothing. (In recent years, Mr. Gaskins has been known for crushing the hot klieg lights of the fashion industry down to almost nothing on his addictively candid blog, the Emperors Old Clothes.) Some pieces are familiar, thanks to show business celebrities, like a racy black lace gown by LaQuan Smith worn barely by Kim Kardashian to a yacht party in Cannes in 2015, and a white-net and Swarovski-crystal minidress by CD Greene that Tina Turner chose for her Wildest Dream tour in 1996. She was having a problem showing up on stage, so she needed something that would really make her shine, Ms. Way said. Perhaps intuiting their own obsolescence, stars are now requesting something that actually makes them light up, and the young creative technologist Madison Maxey has been working on such innovations at her lab in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. But her contribution here is subtler: a computer-code-generated print on hemp whose belt incorporates recycled computer and headphone cords (radically revising the old phrase waste not, no waist). Ecological concern also crops up in a T-shirt knit from yarn spun out of plastic ocean waste by G-Star Raw, the label co-owned by the musician Pharrell Williams. This is in a section devoted to protest through clothing that showcases Kerby Jean-Raymonds They Have Names, a homage to 13 unarmed black men who were killed by the police. People are interested in this because its so timely, Ms. Way said, but we wanted to show that black designers have been working with activism for a very long time. The company exports to 60 countries and takes in about 26 million euros a year in revenue, or about $27.4 million. It is one of six firms still operating in Caudry and one of two in the world that make the coveted bobbinet tulle; the other is in Switzerland. Each machine produces 40 to 100 yards of lace each day 5,000 needles simultaneously stitching and knotting each stitch. What we do here is a luxury item, Romain Lescroart said. Its a niche, but on a global scale. Training a loom technician generally takes five years, and each technician oversees only two machines, maintaining and repairing them when needed. A lacemaker knows his machines by heart and will know simply by the sound if it has a problem, Maud Lescroart, Romains sister and the companys marketing director, said during a tour of the immense factory floor. These machines are like the workers babies. Leavers looms have not been produced since the 1960s, so the company keeps old units on hand for parts. The industry has not left Caudry for a cheaper labor market because, Ms. Lescroart explained, it is a knowledge handed down from generation to generation, and it takes so long to learn you could not afford to move it and start anew. Mr. Pavlovsky confirmed: Nowhere else can you find this number of Leavers in one place. But what is most wonderful about this partnership is seeing how artisan craftsmanship can be merged with todays technologies that these machines, for example, are a century old but run with computer programs, he continued. Deals like this nourish the progress of product development. We are constructing something not only for today but also for tomorrow. Patek Philippe watches worth hundreds of millions of dollars are set to go on display at a grand-scale public exhibition in New York this summer. The family-owned luxury Swiss watch brand intends to present more than 400 pieces from its current and museum collections during a 10-day exhibition beginning July 13. It has held public exhibitions in Dubai, Munich and, most recently, London in spring 2015. But this scale of exhibition has never been done in this country before, said Larry Pettinelli, president of the Henri Stern Watch Agency, Patek Philippes American subsidiary. The house will invite retailers from each of its 95 sale points across the United States to attend the exhibition, The Art of Watches, Grand Exhibition New York 2017, with a guest. But Patek Philippe says the exhibition isnt just for retailers, collectors and its best customers. Were always talking about how to reach the 20-something generation, Mr. Pettinelli said. Even if theyre not financially prepared to buy a high-end watch, its nice to get them involved in understanding what watchmaking is and specifically what Patek Philippe is. Article: Japan Is Obsessed With Climate Change. Young People Dont Get It. Before Reading Are you concerned about climate change? Do you think humans contribute to the problem? If so, do you think the problem can be fixed? Share with a classmate your concerns, or lack of them, and together create a list of things you think add to the problem. Questions for Comprehension and Analysis 1. What is Japans Ministry of the Environment doing within its government offices to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Why is it doing this? 2. Why is the Japanese government especially concerned about climate change and supplies of energy? What is the percentage of Japanese youths who say they are concerned, and what was the percentage a few years ago? There are a great many reasons to recommend the Christmas season in Francophone Canada and northern New England (let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!), but chief among them is tourtiere. A tourtiere is a pie, and one of the most delicious: a savory confection that can variously be packed with ground pork or a mixture of ground pork and game, encased in lardish dough. At highflier temples of Montreal gastronomy like Au Pied de Cochon (and at New York outposts, like M. Wells Steakhouse in Queens), youll find a great variety of meats in the tourtieres, and occasionally slices of truffle or coins of foie gras. The classic accompaniment is a fruit ketchup or green-tomato relish, something piquant and bright against the rich, cinnamon-and-clove-scented taste of the meat, the vague porkiness of the dough. You can make a tourtiere well or badly and still succeed in delivering a handsome and satisfying meal, a balm against the bleakness of winter. Ive never had a slice of tourtiere and spoonful of ketchup and not liked it, David McMillan, the bearish chef and an owner of Joe Beef in the Little Burgundy section of Montreal, told me recently. I especially love a tourtiere made by someone who cant really cook. Its honest. Anxiety dreams, by contrast, are short in the telling a rare commodity in the world of dream-relaying. Ask people about them, and they will usually offer a sentence at most, or even just a few key words: lost passport, naked in public, spitting out teeth, forgotten exam, accidentally making out with cousin, smoking a cigarette after quitting, pregnant, missing flights, bad outfit, exposure of self as fraud. This limited scope enables easy comparison; anxiety dreams can be held up to one another and scrutinized for what they say about the dreamers orientation toward the world. My friend Silvias most regularly recurring anxiety dream, for instance, is that she has lost the backs of her earrings. Another friend dreams that she accidentally showers with an old, precious, unwaterproof watch on, a present from her dad. I, on the other hand, routinely dream that I am an extremely important actor playing a king and that there is a large room full of people who have paid to see me. There is a pretty straightforward conclusion to be drawn here, I think, regarding the varying levels of self-importance residing in the three of us. Again, this is not fun, exactly, but it is interesting. Some psychologists speculate that these torturous dreams are good for us because they help us purge the anxieties that dog our every exhausted step. We try to push them away, but there they are, climbing on top of us, making it difficult for us to eat our lunch. We hold them at bay as best we can until bedtime, and then they come surging out in force exhausting themselves, or so we can hope. The idea is that you wake up having undergone a particularly grim, but cathartic, experience. Thats the exact feeling I get in the moments immediately after waking up from my Richard III dream: a wave of relief so powerful it makes me weak. I have not messed literally everything up! Not yet, at least! I will have to do a lot of horrible stuff on this day, probably, but I will not at any point have to take the lead role in a high-budget production of a play that I do not remember very well. I am free. I am at large in the world, hindered only by the usual suffocating business of day-to-day existence. It makes me feel like a woman in a 19th-century novel emerging from a fever: enfeebled, glassy-eyed, humbled by the gift of being alive. It produces in me a state of euphoria that sometimes lasts for a whole day. Its that good. Updated, 12:10 a.m. Good morning on this damp Wednesday. Today is the 75th anniversary of Japans surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, which killed more than 2,400 Americans at a naval base in Hawaii and drew the United States into World War II. Our city felt the shock waves from nearly 5,000 miles away. For New York, Pearl Harbor was the beginning of galvanizing to become a very mobilized, war-oriented city, said Mike Thornton, an associate curator at the New-York Historical Society. New York became the Army and Navys Costco for the European theater, he said, referring to the region of fighting across the Atlantic. All of the supplies and planes were shipped out of here, and we were also a great training destination for troops. More than three million people and 63 million tons of supplies were dispatched from New York Harbor during the war. Mr. Wilson quit his job as the office manager in a cuckoo-clock factory and became a fixture in the Greenwich Village of coffeehouses, underground movies and the mimeograph machines through which Beat writers published their work. He himself used the mimeograph that came with the store to issue catalogs that found an audience with far-off customers, among them universities looking to buy works by contemporary authors. Image Credit... Oak Knoll Press Something else came with the store: a potbellied stove. He had just gotten it going on his first day when, to his surprise, Frances Steloff walked in. She was the beloved owner of the Gotham Book Mart in Midtown, which Mr. Wilson had patronized as far back as 1943. He was even more surprised when she announced, I heard about you buying the Phoenix, and I want to be your first customer. Mr. Wilson wrote in Seeing Shelley Plain that he could not remember what she bought, but that she had declined the dealers discount he offered. Not on your first sale, she told him. Robert Alfred Jump Wilson was born in Baltimore on April 1, 1922, the son of Robert and Bessie Wilson, and enjoyed telling people that he had been voted most beautiful baby at the Maryland State Fair in 1923. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University in three years, receiving his degree in English and American literature in 1943. He joined the Army, served in the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He joined the diplomatic corps after the war and worked briefly as a translator at the Nuremberg war crimes trials before being posted as a third secretary at the embassies in Warsaw and Pretoria, South Africa. Mr. Wilsons partner of 45 years, Kenneth Doubrava, died in 2014. He is survived by a sister, Merle Wilson Sturm, and seven nieces and nephews. Corso used the shop as a bank, according to Mr. Wilsons nephew Jed Wilson Metzger, who confirmed the death. Corso would get paid $10 for something, Mr. Metzger said. He would come in and sign the check to my uncle and my uncle would cash it and then my uncle would get it back because it had a signature of Corsos on it. The police said on Wednesday that Robertas had been targeted for harassment twice in the past week since being linked to the hoax. The bogus story originally focused on a Washington pizzeria, Comet Ping Pong, which has been subjected to a barrage of threats and unwanted attention since the conspiracy theory began to spread in the days before the election. One person drawn by the hoax came at the restaurant to live-stream activity there. Others have stood outside holding signs. And this week, a 28-year-old man was arrested after he drove to Washington from North Carolina and fired an assault-style rifle inside the restaurant, the authorities said. The man, Edgar M. Welch, told the authorities he planned to help rescue children after reading the fake news story online. In the case of Robertas, commenters on Voat and social media sites mined the restaurants social media accounts for images that some felt represented expressions of Satanism or the occult: a logo from its wine menu of a skeletal hand holding a wine glass under an upside-down cross, and a T-shirt in which some discerned a crescent moon and a star. One Voat commenter described seeing a little kid with his hands tied together embedded in the T-shirt logo. The more I dig those emails and new findings, another Voat commenter wrote, the clearer it gets, most of those so-called elites made a cult out of pizza. Disturbing indeed. To the Editor: Re How to Help Working People (editorial, Whats at Stake series, Dec. 5): Multibillion-dollar transportation providers masquerading as technology companies have expertly misclassified employees as independent contractors, and the results have been catastrophic for workers. Popular ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft completely control the work lives of the men and women who drive for them. These companies can unilaterally lower the rate of pay for drivers, switch drivers off without due process, and oversaturate the market by adding more and more drivers at any given time. Drivers lack health insurance, overtime pay, retirement benefits, unemployment insurance, workers compensation and the right to join a union to collectively bargain on their behalf. These drivers are exploited, and as these apps have increased in popularity, its become harder and harder for them to make ends meet. In New York, drivers are pushing back. More than 14,000 drivers have signed union cards to join the Amalgamated Transit Union. Donald Trump isnt exactly a voice for social media accountability, so it came as a welcome surprise on Tuesday when Mike Flynn, Jr. was fired from the Trump transition team after spreading a bogus online theory linked to a Washington shooting incident. Mr. Flynn is the first transition team member to get the boot for trolling. He is the son and close aide of Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, Mr. Trumps pick for national security adviser, who shares his love for social media conspiracy theories. General Flynns son was one of thousands of online trolls investigating #Pizzagate, a wild chain of false claims imagining that Comet Ping Pong, a Washington pizzeria, is a front for a child abuse and trafficking ring led by Hillary Clinton and John Podesta, her former campaign manager. On Sunday, Pizzagate took a more serious turn when a gunman turned up at Comet with an assault-style rifle to self-investigate the phony claims. The suspect, Edgar Welch of Salisbury, N.C., spent 45 minutes inside the restaurant, firing at least one shot in an effort to find imprisoned children. After the gunfire inside Comet, Mr. Flynn continued to spread the Pizzagate claims on Twitter, saying Until #Pizzagate proven to be false, itll remain a story. When Jake Tapper, a CNN reporter, called him out on his behavior, Mr. Flynn attacked him on Twitter, tweeting that Mr. Tapper was trolling the family of a highly decorated retired military officer. TAIPEI, Taiwan The atmosphere here is almost jubilant. The phone call last weekend from President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan to President-elect Donald J. Trump the first contact between a Taiwanese president and an American president or president-elect since at least 1979 has received rare bipartisan support here on this self-governing island off southern China. It was, many agree, a great thing for the country. Still, in an interview on Tuesday, her first since the call, Ms. Tsai said that the implications of the direct contact with Mr. Trump were limited. I have to stress that one phone call does not mean a policy shift, she told me and a small group of other American journalists who traveled here on a reporting trip organized by the East-West Center, a Hawaii-based nonprofit organization. I do not foresee major policy shifts in the near future because we all see the value of stability in the region. But Ms. Tsais statement is unlikely to dampen the excitement. For the first time in years, this island of 23 million is making headlines around the world. Thats cause for celebration in a country that usually feels abandoned and ignored even if it remains unclear how United States policy toward China will really change under Mr. Trump. In Taiwan, we have this feeling that we are being forgotten by the world, said Szu-chien Hsu, a political scientist and president of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy. We are this vibrant democracy, but people always forget about us. Can there be a fair trial when you cant put forward a defense? At the sentencing phase you can express to the judge why you did what you did, but that is not democratic. The jury system was created so you can discuss with your peers what you did, why you did it. Youve said that concrete improvements have transpired as a direct result of your revelations. Are you concerned that governments are still doing whatever they want to do by other means or that these results are transitory? Image Edward J. Snowden. Credit... Laura Poitras/ACLU Snowden: Do I think things are fixed? No. Do I think that any whistle-blower, any single individual, can change the world? No, but I do believe that we have some oversight over our privacy rights now, and that things are improving in a material way. The United States has made some initial reforms, and European courts struck down the previous safe harbor agreement, where European companies handed over their citizens data to U.S. companies without any controls or guarantees of how that would be handled. The U.S. has right now a two-tiered system of handling surveillance. If youre a U.S. citizen, the government will go to a court to get a warrant before they spy on you. This is almost always a secret court called the FISA court, which in 33 years was asked roughly 34,000 times to authorize surveillance and only said no 11 times. Theyre a rubber stamp. If youre not a U.S. citizen, no warrant is required at all in most cases. Thats gotten a little bit better because some companies have actually begun resisting these demands. This is uncomfortable for some governments, but there is no question that this is very positive in terms of the protection of rights and the enforcement of due process around the world. Stewart Baker, former general counsel for the National Security Agency, is against a pardon for you. He believes the benefits of the leaks could have been achieved with only three or four documents and that the flood of documents released harmed United States intelligence and national interests. Do you believe that if youd leaked less you might have had the same effect? Snowden: No. What hes actually arguing here is not against me, its against journalism. Hes criticizing the journalists who continue to report on the archive and continue to break stories that are changing law and policy today. The despot Yahya Jammeh once said he was prepared to stay in power for a billion years if thats how long it took to execute his vision for Gambia, the tiny West African nation he has ruled. On Thursday, in a stunning upset, voters decided that 22 years had been plenty. They elected as president Adama Barrow, a little-known real estate developer who became the standard-bearer of the opposition after several of its leaders were detained. Mr. Jammeh, who has led the nation since 1994, after he helped stage a coup, briefly considered disavowing the results. But he conceded and has vowed to hand over power, raising the prospect that radical reforms will take root in one of the worlds most authoritarian nations. Mr. Barrows victory was a triumph for democracy on a continent where autocratic rule is the norm and peaceful transitions of power have become increasingly rare. To the Editor: Re Trump Attacks Plan to Update Air Force One (front page, Dec. 7): It would be good policy for the incoming administration to let contractors know that the federal government will negotiate hard to rein in costs on all contracts for goods and services. Starting with a high-profile contractor like Boeing and a highly symbolic item like Air Force One will certainly get the attention of all vendors. However, the president of the United States cannot get involved in negotiating all government purchases. A few billion dollars is a major investment for a real estate business, but it is an extremely small portion of the federal budget and should be delegated to the officials at the proper level. If he wants to negotiate every contract, he should go back to being a businessman. MICHAEL E. MAHLER Los Angeles To the Editor: Re Mix of Threat and Incentive Sealed a Deal (front page, Dec. 2): Donald Trump and Mike Pence have orchestrated a transparent and cheap publicity stunt with respect to Carrier Corporations keeping about 1,000 jobs in Indiana instead of relocating them to Mexico. Mr. Trump surely knows that a private corporations primary obligation is to its shareholders not its employees. And if free-market forces dictate such a move, nothing (save national security) can prevent that corporation from acting in the best interests of those shareholders. Donald J. Trumps campaign was dogged by accusations of misogyny. Now his cabinet is shaping up to be one of the most hostile in recent memory to issues affecting women, advocacy groups for women say. Tax credits for child care and the prospect of paid maternity leave are exceptions to a host of positions that could result in new restrictions on abortion and less access to contraception, limits on health care that disproportionately affect women and minorities and curbs on funding for domestic violence, as well as slowing the momentum toward raising the minimum wage or making progress on equal pay. Consider their positions on these issues. Domestic violence Jeff Sessions, Mr. Trumps selection for attorney general; Tom Price, chosen for Health and Human Services secretary; and Mike Pompeo, the pick for C.I.A. director, all voted against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act in 2013, which funds shelters and services for victims of domestic violence, because of amendments extending protections to L.G.B.T. victims. The act is up for reauthorization next year. Pay discrimination and equal pay Senator Sessions and Representative Price also voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which extended the statute of limitations to allow women to sue for pay discrimination. Mr. Sessions, as well as Elaine Chao, Mr. Trumps choice for transportation secretary, opposed the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would have strengthened federal equal pay laws for women. During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump sent mixed messages about his position on reproductive rights. Whatever his personal opinion may be, his appointees and their actions could put reproductive health care out of reach for millions of women, especially those living in poverty. Mr. Trump has promised to appoint a Supreme Court justice who opposes Roe v. Wade, but overturning that decision would be a long process, probably requiring two new justices. Even without that change, there are many potent ways to restrict reproductive rights including not defending them against legal attack. The Obama administration has waged long battles against such attacks. The Justice Department supported abortion providers in their successful challenge against unconstitutional abortion restrictions in the 2016 Supreme Court case Whole Womans Health v. Hellerstedt. It defended the provision of the Affordable Care Act that requires insurers to cover birth control without a co-pay. It enforces the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which protects abortion providers and patients from violence and intimidation. After several states attempted to bar Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid reimbursements, the administration warned them that such measures could violate federal law. And the Department of Health and Human Services has proposed a rule that would bar states from cutting off federal family-planning funds to any provider for ideological reasons. If Jeff Sessions, who opposes abortion, is confirmed as attorney general, the Justice Department is unlikely to defend reproductive rights. While the fate of the Affordable Care Act rests with Congress, the Justice Department could stop fighting lawsuits challenging the contraceptive coverage requirement. Under Mr. Sessions, it could stop enforcing the FACE Act, leaving abortion providers with little recourse if anti-abortion extremists threaten patients or doctors or obstruct clinic entrances. Good for Al Gore for meeting with Donald Trump on Monday. Good for Ivanka Trump for inviting Gore to come in for a talk on climate change, and good for President-elect Trump for embracing the encounter. Alas, though, a single meeting does not an environmental policy make; skepticism is in order. The ultimate proof will only come from the appointments Trump makes for his key environmental and energy jobs and the direction he gives them whether to press ahead with U.S. leadership on mitigating climate change and introducing clean energy and efficiency standards, or abandon that role, as Trump previously indicated he might, and try to revive the U.S. coal industry and unleash more drilling for fossil fuels from sea to shining sea. Ivanka clearly has an influence on her fathers thinking, and the fact that she went out of her way to set up a meeting with Gore, who has done more to alert the world to the perils of climate change than anyone else on the planet, and the fact that Gore described the meeting as a sincere search for areas of common ground to be continued, offer a glimmer of hope. When my publisher had Trump in to The Times recently, it became clear to me that very few people had thought he would win election, and so the people who were gathered around him for the last year and a half were not exactly Americas best and brightest. The media has devised a narrative about the Ghost Ship fire that muddies the truth about the tragedy. Yes, there was a party where musicians were playing electronic music, but it was not a rave. No, the warehouse was not zoned for residential use and did not meet safety requirements, but the current housing crisis in Oakland has sent many young people into cooperative underground living situations in an effort to maintain stable housing. The Ghost Ship was a meeting ground for innovators and dreamers, and champions of art and justice. A safe place for queer and trans youth in a national climate where gender fluidity is under assault and where mainstream bars and clubs can be very dangerous. Our city is rife with the same bureaucratic ills and governmental failures as many American cities, but we also have tremendous leadership. Barbara Lee, an East Bay congresswoman since 1998, was co-chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus. The California governor (and former Oakland mayor) Jerry Browns approach to governance no doubt found its genesis in the dynamism of our citys political and cultural identity. Oakland is often called the Brooklyn of the west. Our proximity to San Francisco and (traditionally) lower housing costs have fostered an enormous wave of gentrification. Restaurants and businesses have popped up all over the city, bringing much-needed tax revenue to blighted areas, while simultaneously displacing African-American families and longtime residents unable to match the changing socioeconomic profile of the city. According to Zillow, Oakland has seen rents spike 71 percent in the last three years. We have one of the most competitive real estate markets in the country. As San Franciscos wealth swells toward enclaves where Oaklands middle and lower classes call home, we have become a city of haves and have-nots; the haves get richer, and the have-nots have fewer and fewer options. The salaries of the technology billionaires flocking here dwarf those of a majority of Oaklands residents (and those of the white middle class across the country who voted for Mr. Trump) by considerable margins. The economic trends in Oakland and the circumstances leading to the Ghost Ship fire are a magnification of what many are experiencing across the country. People cant afford to make ends meet. They cant afford safe housing. But we must acknowledge that economic disparity in 2016 isnt the provenance of the white working class, and resist shallow attempts to place blame for this tragedy on the victims of disenfranchisement. On Dec. 5, Mexicos Energy Ministry began auctioning off the crown jewels of its oil reserves, deepwater tracts that, along with those for fracking, are supposed to set off an oil-and-gas rush south of the border. The auctions are a result of a 2013 law that opened the countrys oil and gas industry to private companies, after 75 years of public ownership. What could go wrong? Plenty, as recent experiences in the United States suggest. Five years ago, Deepwater Horizon familiarized the world with the risks of deepwater drilling, and Americans are increasingly aware of the dangers of hydraulic fracking. In Mexico, the threats from both will be magnified: The state-owned oil company, Petroleros Mexicanos, or Pemex, has long operated with scant environmental oversight, a legacy that will most likely carry over as private-sector operations take over. Mexican environmental and workplace safety laws have greatly improved over the last 30 years, but they have lacked teeth. Insufficient investment in monitoring and enforcement has curbed their sway, especially in places that need them the most, such as the Coatzacoalcos River in southern Veracruz, seat of a vast majority of Pemexs petrochemical production. Despite decades of enforcement efforts, conditions along the Coatzacoalcos had not improved appreciably by 2013, when I gathered local citizens, from fishermen to accountants, to talk about these issues. Testifying to the repeated explosions and spills, decimated fisheries and neighborhood eruptions of leukemia and other cancers, most agreed that Mexicos environmental laws were simply not being enforced here. Gabrielle Coco Chanel spent her life at the Paris Ritz a fact much-publicized, mythologized and commercialized over her lifetime, and beyond. She died there on Jan. 10, 1971. And, in a manner, she was reborn there, too as the great Parisian couturiere, rather than the orphan girl from Saumur. Chanel was at the very height of her fame and influence when she took up residence at the Ritz permanently in 1937. She had already taken over the stretch of buildings Chanel still occupies, down the Rue Cambon, which runs along the back of the hotel itself, and at that point employed 4,000 people. Her multiple suites at the Ritz served as a symbol of her success. And she spent the majority of her time at the Ritz from her return to couture in 1934 to her death in 1971 in a pair of two-room suites, 304 and 305. I could have had the most beautiful apartment in the Ritz, she had said. I chose to live under the eaves. Those small, low-key rooms are very different from the lavish and spacious accommodations the hotel now dubs the Coco Chanel Suite, one of 10 prestige suites that command several thousand dollars a night from their guests. But its Chanel decor is down pat: When she moved in in the 1930s, she came with her own coromandel lacquer screens, lamps and camel sofas, tacking up images by her artist friends Jean Cocteau and Christian Berard, and generally making herself at home. Theyre still there today, alongside items in her favorite shades of wheat-beige and gold. In its heyday, in the 80s, Michaels was a celebrated place to eat for the likes of John Gregory Dunne and his wife Joan Didion, who would come in regularly for a late lunch. Theyd request table five and would always start their meal with a couple of ice-cold martinis served straight up, says the restaurants owner, Michael McCarty. The newly remodeled space, now dressed in earthy neutral tones, still boasts its original famed art collection, featuring works by John Baldessari and David Hockney, among others. And outside, the same 70-seat patio where the Godfather author Mario Puzo often hosted family-style dinners with Francis Ford Coppola (Puzo frequently referenced the restaurant in his books) remains intact. When the deal was announced, days before the presidential election, leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee issued strong cautionary statements about it. Donald J. Trump, on the campaign trail at the time, said he would block the merger if elected. He has singled out CNN, the cable news network owned by Time Warner, with particular rancor for its election coverage. As president, Mr. Trump will have no direct power over mergers, but he will greatly influence which ones are approved, depending on whom he picks to be the assistant attorney general for antitrust or the chairman of the F.C.C. AT&Ts chief executive, Randall Stephenson, told CNBC before the hearing that he had not had contact with the Trump transition team. During the hearing, the companies pitched a message that catered to the new administration: a populist promise of lower prices and the potential to build more wireless infrastructure through the merger. While AT&T and Time Warner are powerhouses, they presented themselves as weaker rivals to the cable industry and Silicon Valley tech companies. Mr. Stephenson said in prepared remarks that cable companies dominated the broadband and television market, serving high-speed internet to eight of every 10 American homes that have broadband service. To experiment with new mobile video technologies, he said, AT&T needed to have in-house content to quickly try new streaming services at a lower cost. He added that AT&T had just introduced a streaming service with 100 channels for less than most cable television packages. It is only the beginning of what we want to bring to the marketplace to threaten cables entrenched and still-dominant market position, Mr. Stephenson said. He said AT&T would give CNN editorial independence if the merger were approved. Jeff Bewkes, the chief executive of Time Warner, said, It is not enough to deliver great content. The companies competitors have multiplied, he said. SAN FRANCISCO When Airbnb started talking to the city of New Orleans last year about how to regulate the short-term rental market there, the company was fighting policy battles in places such as New York City and Barcelona. New Orleans officials said they sensed that the bruising global confrontations might make the online room-rental company more willing to compromise than in the past. So as both sides worked together to reach a deal to legalize short-term rentals in the city of 390,000, New Orleans gained concessions from Airbnb that few other towns have received. The new rules, which include provisions for data sharing and registering hosts, were passed by the New Orleans City Council last week. Airbnb recognized that it would have to change the way they were interacting with cities and change the way things were going for them across the country, said Ryan Berni, a deputy mayor of New Orleans, who negotiated the regulations with Airbnb. Airbnbs modus operandi in New Orleans reflects a move by the company to be more conciliatory with some local governments, especially after a year of tough regulatory battles globally. Working well with local lawmakers has become increasingly important for Airbnb, a privately held company based in San Francisco that is valued at $30 billion and that needs to continue to expand its business to justify that valuation. According to Toys R Us, one of the hottest action figures this holiday season will be the Star Wars Interactech Imperial Stormtrooper, a 12-inch plastic fighter that makes punching sounds. But theres another fighter action figure minus the sound effects thats getting the spotlight this month, and its name is Golda Meir. On Dec. 11, when the actress Tovah Feldshuh reprises her Tony Award-nominated role as Meir in two performances of the play Goldas Balcony part of a benefit for Temple Emanu-El in New York guests will take home a mini-replica of Meir that stands just under three inches tall. The figurine of the former Israeli prime minister features her signature somber dark skirt and jacket, with a matronly string of pearls around her neck, sensible flats on her feet and her gray hair in a bun. The piece is the work of Asaf Harari, a self-described souvenir designer based in Tel Aviv. Its part of a series of cheeky mini-versions of Israeli leaders, including Menachem Begin and David Ben-Gurion, from Mr. Hararis design studio, Piece of History. Gady Levy, the executive director of Temple Emanu-El, said he ordered about 2,000 of the mini-Meirs from Mr. Hararis company as part of his promotional plan for All About Golda, the temples new Meir-themed series that features classes, an exhibition and even a sweepstakes, called Go Golda Go, in which contestants post to Instagram photos of their action figure for the chance of winning a trip to Israel. The Winters Tale has been rewritten as the diary of a madman. Much of the first half of Cheek by Jowls viscerally charged interpretation of this strange Shakespeare romance, at the Harvey Theater of the Brooklyn Academy of Music, is presented through the perspective of one seriously demented king. His name is Leontes, and as portrayed by a towheaded, jeans-wearing Orlando James, he looks the very model of a laid-back modern monarch. Striking cheerful poses with his stylish wife, Hermione (a tonier-than-thou Natalie Radmall-Quirke) and their neatly attired son, Mamillius (Tom Cawte), Leontes evokes the accessible wholesomeness of Prince William in a Hello! magazine photo shoot. Observe, though, the strained expression that overtakes the good kings face whenever a certain creepy music box melody starts up. (Paddy Cunneen is the composer and sound designer.) Its a sound you associate with Italian slasher flicks of yore (remember Dario Argento?), and your instinct is to yell, Watch out, Hermione, and lock up the axes! Much scholarly ink has been spilled over the motives of Leontes, whose violent behavior toward his pregnant queen on groundless suspicions of infidelity sets the plays fairy tale plot in motion. But in Declan Donnellans feverish traveling production, which opened on Thursday and runs through Sunday, theres no need for such speculation. Just a few weeks ago, Donald J. Trump and Republicans in Congress were talking about how Obamacares insurance markets were floundering, and how insurance companies were fleeing while prices were spiraling out of control. The failure of those markets, they argued, was the reason Obamacare should be repealed. Now, Republican leaders are considering a legislative effort to roll back major provisions of the health law, but the plan theyre considering would keep the current system in place for at least two and possibly three more years. The nickname for the plan is repeal and delay, and the assumption underlying it is that the current system will be sustainable for as long as it takes Congress to pass and the White House to install a new health plan. The plan might be better described as zombification. It is not at all clear that Republicans can easily time the expiration date of the Obamacare markets. Insurance experts say the resulting zombie market not dead, but not alive either would suffer from many of the maladies of the existing system, and quite a few more. The result on the books might look like the status quo, but millions of Americans could lose their insurance and others could pay much higher prices to keep their coverage. Two weeks before the election, Donald J. Trump delivered a speech in Charlotte, N.C., sketching his New Deal for Black America. It was a set of ideas promising greater school choice, safer communities, lower taxes and better infrastructure. The four-page outline posted to his campaign website that summarizes it a document subtitled A Plan for Urban Renewal is today the closest thing the president-elect has to a proposal for Americas cities. When Mr. Trump announced plans on Monday to nominate Ben Carson to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development, he said the two men had talked at length about my urban renewal agenda. His language has an odd ring to it, not solely for marrying Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal with the post-World War II era of urban renewal. If Mr. Trump was reaching for a broadly uplifting concept renewal he landed instead on a term with very specific, and very negative, connotations for the population he says he aims to help. But students and parents continued to express anxiety over the election of Donald J. Trump. A lot of students are coming to school with a lot of distress, there are students who genuinely fear for their future stability in the community based on the things they heard during the campaign, said Gentle Blythe, a spokeswoman for the San Francisco Unified School District. I dont think any of those students or those families are in any way reassured about any potential risk that would come in the new administration. The message, along with a lengthy letter, was sent in English, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Tagalog. Roughly one-third of the districts students are immigrants, but there is no way to know how many are undocumented. San Francisco is not alone in its efforts to reassure students. The Los Angeles Unified School District is opening additional centers to direct parents to social services and legal help in light of the election. The University of California also reaffirmed its commitment to help undocumented students last week, saying it would not hand over any information about undocumented students without court orders. And the universitys president, Janet Napolitano, urged Mr. Trump to keep the program that grants temporary reprieve to young undocumented immigrants brought here as children. And on Monday, Kevin de Leon, the Senate president pro tem, introduced a package of bills intended to help undocumented immigrants by helping to provide legal representation, further limit local law enforcement cooperation and train public defenders on immigration law. CHARLESTON, S.C. She recalled watching the young white man stroll into Bible study, thinking he just wanted to seek the word of God. He was handed a Bible and a worksheet about that Wednesday nights lesson, the parable of the sower, and took a seat next to the pastor. He said nothing for nearly 45 minutes, hanging his head and waiting for the 12 parishioners to stand and close their eyes in benediction. Then Felicia Sanders heard the first startling boom, she said, as Dylann S. Roof removed a Glock .45-caliber handgun from his fanny pack and methodically shot one African-American worshiper after the next, nine in all, starting with the pastor of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney. Before it ended, 77 hollow-point rounds later, Ms. Sanders, the first witness to testify in Mr. Roofs federal death penalty trial on Wednesday, found herself underneath a table muzzling her 11-year-old granddaughter so hard she feared she would suffocate her. Her wounded son, Tywanza Sanders, 26, had already fallen on one side of her; her aunt, Susie Jackson, 87, lay dead on the other. She rubbed her leg in the blood pooling on the linoleum floor so the gunman might think she and her granddaughter were dead. As Mr. Roof made his way out of the church that unholy night, June 17, 2015, Mr. Sanders moved toward Ms. Jackson, begging for water because he could not breathe. What did he think when he discovered there were no children at the pizzeria? The intel on this wasnt 100 percent, he said. However, he refused to dismiss outright the claims in the online articles, conceding only that there were no children inside that dwelling. He also said that child slavery was a worldwide phenomenon. Where did he learn about the fake news involving Comet? He said it was through word of mouth. After recently having internet service installed at his house, he was really able to look into it. He said that substantial evidence from a combination of sources had left him with the impression something nefarious was happening. He said one article on the subject led to another and then another. He said he did not like the term fake news, believing it was meant to diminish stories outside the mainstream media, which he does not completely trust. He also said he was not political. While once a registered Republican, he did not vote for Donald J. Trump. He also did not vote for Mrs. Clinton. But he is praying that Mr. Trump takes the country in the right direction. What was he like? Mr. Welch was soft-spoken and polite, and said he liked the outdoors. He was cautious when speaking about what happened, sometimes citing advice he had received from his lawyer. He said he did not believe in conspiracy theories, but then added that the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks needed to be re-examined. He has listened to Alex Jones, whose radio show traffics in conspiracy theories and who once said that Mrs. Clinton has personally murdered and chopped up children. Hes a bit eccentric, Mr. Welch said. He touches on some issues that are viable but goes off the deep end on some things. Mr. Welch likes to read. A favorite is Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Mans Soul, by John Eldredge, about masculinity in evangelical Christianity. He said he did not do drugs but drank the occasional beer. He misses his children: They are in my thoughts every second of the day. He said he had grown religious in the last few years. Tattooed on his back are Bible verses: Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Does he have any regrets? Mr. Welch said that he had acted in haste and that, if he could, he would do a lot of things differently. I regret how I handled the situation, he said. WASHINGTON President-elect Donald J. Trump on Wednesday appeared to soften his stance on whether to deport the more than 700,000 young people who entered the country illegally as children and were permitted to stay by President Obama. Were going to work something out thats going to make people happy and proud, Mr. Trump told Time magazine. They got brought here at a very young age, theyve worked here, theyve gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And theyre in never-never land because they dont know whats going to happen. The immigrants, who call themselves Dreamers, are likely to present Mr. Trump with one of the first major policy tests of his administration, as his campaign promise to take a tough stance on immigration clashes with lawmakers from both parties on Capitol Hill who have implored Mr. Trump not to deny these young adults protective status. As Mr. Trump has tempered some of his more contentious campaign vows, including saying he would not seek to jail Hillary Clinton, his promise to take a tougher stance toward unauthorized immigrants is one his base of supporters is likely to demand that he keep. He was not particularly interested in focusing on prosecuting Hillary Clinton any further because he was focused on health care and immigration, Kellyanne Conway, a senior adviser to Mr. Trump, told Fox News on Sunday. Two Ku Klux Klan leaders, including a California man who organized a violent White Lives Matter rally in Anaheim earlier this year, were arrested in North Carolina over the weekend in connection with a stabbing before a Klan parade celebrating the election of Donald J. Trump. The Orange, Calif. man, William Hagen, 50, is the grand dragon of the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, a racist group active in the western United States. He and another Klan leader, Chris Barker, 37, were accused of stabbing a third Klan member, the Caswell County sheriffs office said in a statement late Tuesday. The two men appeared in court on Wednesday. The victim, Richard Dillon, 47, had stumbled into the lobby of the sheriffs office at 3:15 a.m. Saturday with several stab wounds to the chest, after a fight at a Klan meeting in Mr. Barkers home in East Yanceyville, N.C., according to Captain Frank Rose, a sheriffs office spokesman. Mr. Dillon was treated at a local medical center and released. The attack took place hours before a Ku Klux Klan parade on Saturday in Roxboro, N.C., billed as a celebration of Mr. Trumps victory. The president-elect has said he disavows the support of the Klan, neo-Nazis and other white supremacists. Luis Carlos Montalvan, an Iraq war veteran and best-selling author who toured the country with his service dog, Tuesday, as an advocate for soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder, died on Friday in El Paso. He was 43. He was found dead in his hotel room. Mr. Montalvans father, George, said the citys medical examiner had told him that his son had serious heart problems. The first thought that we had was that maybe he took his own life, he said, adding that he now doubted that was the case. The medical examiners office said it would take several weeks to determine a cause of death. Mr. Montalvan served two tours of duty in Iraq and was awarded a Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars. He suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. This guy who had run missions in Iraq as an Army captain was literally unable to leave his apartment because of his PTSD, said Ellis Henican, who collaborated with Mr. Montalvan on a forthcoming book, Tuesdays Promise. WASHINGTON The Senate approved complex health care legislation on Wednesday that would increase funding for disease research, address weaknesses in the nations mental health systems and vastly alter the regulatory system for drugs and medical devices. The vote sealed a final legislative victory for President Obama, who strongly supported the bill against objections from many liberal Democrats and consumer groups. In many ways the bill, known as the 21st Century Cures Act, is a return to a more classic approach to legislation, with policy victories and some disappointments for both parties, and potential benefits for nearly every American whose life has been touched by illness, drug addiction and mental health issues. Years in the making, the measure passed 94 to 5 after being overwhelmingly approved by the House last week. One major winner and a donor to both parties was the pharmaceutical industry; its role set off fierce but futile opposition by Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts. On many of the areas addressed by the bill, pharmaceutical companies were in step with the interests of patients desperate for cures, an unusual and emotionally charged alliance between an industry and its consumers. The bill was a test of Ms. Warrens muscle, exercised from the far left of the Senate Democratic caucus, and it is one that did not go well. I will fight it, she said of the bill last week on the Senate floor, because I know the difference between compromise and extortion. WASHINGTON President-elect Donald J. Trump made many sweeping promises on his way to victory on Election Day. After he takes the oath of office on Jan. 20, here are five of the most difficult and five of the easiest promises to keep: THE DIFFICULT ONES Prevent American companies from moving jobs to other countries. Companies move to other countries to pursue higher profits, and Mr. Trump cannot force them to stay. The question is whether he can make it profitable to do so. It is difficult because labor is much cheaper in other countries. Carrier pays workers at its Indiana factory an average hourly wage of $23 roughly four times what it plans to pay workers with the same jobs in Mexico. Mr. Trump has promised tax cuts and regulatory relief, but those are minor expenses for most companies, particularly in comparison to their payrolls. Mr. Trump also has threatened to impose new taxes on imports, but he cannot target particular companies. Any such tariffs would have to be broad and therefore broadly painful. Revive American steel-making and coal-mining industries. The productivity of the American coal industry has increased roughly tenfold since the end of World War II. The work that once required 10 miners now requires just one. Steel making has undergone a similar transformation. That is by far the most important reason employment in both industries has declined precipitously. Most of those jobs are never coming back. Demand for coal has also declined thanks to a revolution in the production of natural gas and, to a lesser extent, other alternative energy sources. This, too, is a development that Mr. Trump lacks the power to reverse. He insisted he has nothing to do with the divided states of America that Time says he will lead. When you say divided states of America, I didnt divide them, he told NBC. Im not president yet, so I didnt do anything to divide. He declined to criticize Rodrigo R. Duterte, president of the Philippines, who is leading a bloody campaign in the streets of Manila against drugs, or even to push back on comparisons between Mr. Duterte and the president-elects promised crackdown on criminal illegal immigrants. Well, hey, look, this is bad stuff, Mr. Trump told Time. They slice them up, they carve their initials in the girls forehead, O.K.? What are we supposed to do? Be nice about it? He rejected United States intelligence conclusions that Russia was behind hacks at the Democratic National Committee and Clinton campaign that boosted his campaign. I dont believe it. I dont believe they interfered, Mr. Trump said of the Russians. And he again said he would press Boeing on an Air Force One upgrade, though his Twitter order to cancel the project seems to have faded. Im going to negotiate prices, and the planes are too expensive, and were going to get the prices down. Keith Ellison says hell quit the House if elected Democratic chair. Representative Keith Ellison said Wednesday he would resign his House seat if he is elected chair of the Democratic National Committee, sweeping away an impediment to his bid for the party post while denying his critics a handy argument against his controversial candidacy. Whoever wins the D.N.C. chair race faces a lot of work, travel, planning and resource raising. I will be all-in to meet the challenge, Mr. Ellison said in a statement. General Kelly would be the third retired general to get a senior position in Mr. Trumps cabinet, reflecting the president-elects comfort with military men in important national security posts. He has selected Gen. James N. Mattis as defense secretary and named Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn as national security adviser. He is also considering David H. Petraeus for secretary of state. But it is General Kellys experience with nonmilitary issues at Southern Command that put him in line for the Homeland Security post. Less focused on combat than other regional military commands, Southern Command has a reputation for emphasizing soft power over hard military might. It gets deeply involved in issues such as migration, organized crime and disaster relief, as well as programs to train local militaries. A lot of the work we do with countries in our hemisphere focuses on transnational threats, like crime and drugs, said Jeremy B. Bash, a onetime chief of staff to a former defense secretary, Leon E. Panetta, who worked closely with General Kelly at the Pentagon. It is an excellent preparation for someone whose job it is to protect the border. General Kelly served as the senior military assistant to both Mr. Panetta and his predecessor, Robert M. Gates. He forged close ties to Jeh Johnson, who was then the Pentagons general counsel and later became secretary of Homeland Security. Mr. Johnson, a person briefed on the matter said, considered General Kelly to take over the Secret Service after it fell into disarray amid a skein of scandals and security lapses. He also rejected the conclusion of United States intelligence officials who had said Russia was behind the hacking of the Democratic National Committee and Clinton campaign emails released on WikiLeaks, saying he thought that conclusion was driven by politics. I dont believe it. I dont believe they interfered, Trump said of the Russians. The interview came as Mr. Trump continued to fill out the ranks of his administration with loyalists who will play pivotal roles. He told donors at a private fund-raiser at the restaurant Cipriani in Manhattan that Terry E. Branstad, the governor of Iowa and an early supporter of his campaign, would be the United States ambassador to China, a crucial post managing a complex relationship that Mr. Trump has indicated he is willing to shake up even further. Mr. Trump also said he would have more big announcements on personnel on Wednesday and Thursday. Another contender for secretary of state, he said on Today, is Rex W. Tillerson, the president and chief executive of Exxon Mobil, whom he called a great, great gentleman who has built a tremendous company over a period of years with great style. He said he had ruled out in my own mind other prominent candidates who have been considered for the post a group that includes Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former mayor of New York; Gen. David H. Petraeus, the former C.I.A. director; Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee; and John R. Bolton, a former ambassador to the United Nations but he declined to say which ones. One day after picking a fight on Twitter with Boeing over the cost of developing the next generation of Air Force One, Mr. Trump said he had spoken to officials at the company and would insist on a lower-cost aircraft or cancel the contract. Were going to work it out, but you know thats what Im here for, Mr. Trump said. Im going to negotiate prices, and the planes are too expensive, and were going to get the prices down, and if we dont get the prices down, were not going to order them. He also explained his apparent decision in June, divulged by a member of his transition team on Tuesday, to sell all of his stock holdings, a move he said he made to avoid tremendous potential conflicts of interest in the event he won the election. WASHINGTON President-elect Donald J. Trump has selected Scott Pruitt, the Oklahoma attorney general and a close ally of the fossil fuel industry, to run the Environmental Protection Agency, signaling Mr. Trumps determination to dismantle President Obamas efforts to counter climate change and much of the E.P.A. itself. Mr. Pruitt, a Republican, has been a key architect of the legal battle against Mr. Obamas climate change policies, actions that fit with the president-elects comments during the campaign. Mr. Trump has criticized the established science of human-caused global warming as a hoax, vowed to cancel the Paris accord committing nearly every nation to taking action to fight climate change, and attacked Mr. Obamas signature global warming policy, the Clean Power Plan, as a war on coal. Mr. Pruitt has been in lock step with those views. Scientists continue to disagree about the degree and extent of global warming and its connection to the actions of mankind, he wrote in National Review earlier this year. That debate should be encouraged in classrooms, public forums, and the halls of Congress. It should not be silenced with threats of prosecution. Dissent is not a crime. Hectic holiday shopping is a good example of how stress goes viral. Getting caught up in the frenzy around you can be avoided by turning your shopping into a mindful activity. Dr. Deepak Chopra, founder of the Jiyo app and the Chopra Center for Wellbeing Before you leave the house, sit quietly and center yourself for a few minutes. Visualize the real purpose of your task in the delighted faces of those you are gifting. Feel warmth in the region of your heart as you do this visualization. When you go to the store, return to this warm, centered feeling as you enter the store. Be mindful of each person for whom you are buying a gift, rather than the hectic pace around you. Focus on the friendly faces and happy encounters around you. Be mindful of the joy of giving, returning to this whenever you can. Be mindful of your limits. If shopping begins to be stressful or tiring, leave and take a break. What is your assessment of Mr. Trumps phone call last Friday with Ms. Tsai? When President-elect Trump deflected criticism of the call by saying it was Tsai Ing-wen that called him, that seemed to play perfectly into Chinas hands. The next day, the Chinese foreign minister chalked the call up to just a small trick by Taiwan. China will likely now be looking for ways to punish Tsai for the incident. Will the president-elect stand up for Taiwan when that happens? This is one of the real concerns of those who have pushed back against publicizing the phone call. Image Paul Haenle, the director of the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy in Beijing and a former White House adviser. What do you predict for United States-China-Taiwan relations in the coming years? When you were on the National Security Council, how was this issue managed, and has the nature of the issue evolved since then? It is difficult to see how Washington, Beijing and Taipei get to a good place on the Taiwan question in the next several years given the leaderships in each capital. In my own experience working in the White House during the Chen Shui-bian era, tension in the Taiwan Strait sucked up a lot of the oxygen in the U.S.-China relationship. When tension over Taiwan is at the forefront of U.S.-China relations, it can consume our agenda in a way that prevents us from achieving other important policy objectives, such as making progress on the increasingly dangerous North Korea nuclear issue. What has been the reaction from your Chinese associates after both Mr. Trumps win in the election and the Trump-Tsai phone call? JAKARTA, Indonesia More than 100 people were killed early Wednesday and more were feared dead after a powerful earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra, with many of the victims crushed to death in their homes as they slept. The earthquake, which shook Sumatras northernmost province, Aceh, had a preliminary magnitude of 6.5, according to the United States Geological Survey. The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said that the temblor, which struck after 5 a.m. at a depth of about six miles, was centered in Pidie Jaya, a region on Acehs east coast, adjacent to the Strait of Malacca. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman pushed back on Wednesday against assertions by Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, who is President-elect Donald J. Trumps choice for national security adviser, that China was allied with radical Islamists. The spokesman, Lu Kang, was asked at a regularly scheduled news conference in Beijing about Mr. Flynns accusations, which were made in a book released in July that he wrote with a co-author, The Field of Fight: How We Can Win the Global War Against Radical Islam and Its Allies. I hope everyone who takes a responsible attitude and is devoted to safeguarding China-U.S. relations and boosting China-U.S. cooperation can base their opinions on facts when taking a position, Mr. Lu said. Only in this way can mutual trust be enhanced. Mr. Flynn has said the United States must lead a global campaign against radical Islam. He has on occasion pushed conspiracy theories. For example, after the attack on the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012, he kept asking intelligence officers working under him at the Defense Intelligence Agency in the Pentagon to look for involvement by Iran in the assault. There was no evidence of any ties to Iran. BANGKOK In the latest violence in a vicious low-intensity war in southern Thailand, Muslim separatist militants shot dead six civilians over the last 24 hours, the Thai military said on Wednesday. The dead, killed in six separate episodes, included two village chiefs, two Muslim civilians and a civilian militia member who was gunned down on his motorcycle with his wife in the southern provinces of Pattani and Narathiwat. The Pattani police commissioner, Maj. Gen. Thanongsak Wangsupa, told Agence France-Presse that he believed the attacks were in retaliation for a series of arrests of militants in recent days. He said eight more people had been arrested after the killings. This is the pattern that we have observed for many years, said Srisompob Jitpiromsri, director of the Center for Conflict Studies and Cultural Diversity at Prince of Songkla University. GENEVA President Maithripala Sirisena swept to a surprising election victory about two years ago promising political changes and human rights protections in Sri Lanka. On Wednesday, a United Nations committee questioned the governments commitment to fulfilling those promises, pointing to the continued use of torture by the police and a failure to rapidly investigate and prosecute atrocities committed by security forces and Tamil Tiger rebels at the end of the countrys 26-year civil war in 2009. In delivering its conclusions from hearings conducted over two days in Geneva at the end of November, the United Nations body, the Committee Against Torture, said it was deeply concerned by evidence that torture was a common practice routinely inflicted by the police Criminal Investigation Department in a large majority of cases, regardless of the suspected offense. The committee also expressed concern at the governments apparent reluctance to address broader problems. LONDON Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder, offered his most detailed and public account on Wednesday of events that led to a rape accusation against him in Sweden, saying he was innocent and had engaged in consensual and enjoyable sex with the accuser. Last month, questions prepared by Swedish prosecutors were posed to Mr. Assange at the Ecuadorean Embassy, where he has lived since 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden over the rape accusation. The questions were asked by an Ecuadorean prosecutor under an agreement made by the two countries in August. But in a move that is likely to irk Swedish prosecutors, whom Mr. Assange has denounced for forcing him to remain confined in the embassy for the past six years, the WikiLeaks founder on Wednesday released the answers he gave during the interview. In the 19-page statement, which reads alternately like a legal defense brief and an emotional airing of personal grievances, he writes that he is entirely innocent and had engaged in consensual and enjoyable sex with the woman who accused him of rape. Karin Rosander, a spokeswoman for the Swedish Prosecution Authority, said Wednesday that the authority was still waiting for a written report on Mr. Assanges questioning from the Ecuadorean prosecutor. She is a 7-year-old with dimples, pink hair ribbons, a missing front tooth and halting English who first captured global attention three months ago with Twitter messages about bombs, death and despair in eastern Aleppo, the rebel-held section of the Syrian city. The girl, Bana al-Abed, has since attracted more than 220,000 followers on Twitter, where her account says it is managed by her mother, Fatemah, who also posts messages there. Banas Twitter followers include the best-selling author J.K. Rowling, who was so taken with her story of survival that she sent her Harry Potter e-books. Western news organizations have produced articles and television segments extolling Banas pluckiness in the face of fear, and she was the subject of a New York Times column in October. So when Banas Twitter account, @AlabedBana, was deactivated last weekend as Syrian military forces advanced into eastern Aleppo, many worried that she had been killed only to learn on Tuesday that the account had reappeared. JERUSALEM When fires raged across Israel last month, Anas Abudaabes began to type on his laptop. What came out would land him behind bars and ignite a debate over whether he had tried to fan the flames of hatred, in this case literally. On his Facebook page, Mr. Abudaabes wrote that we should call our thugs to do what is necessary, noting that dry grass is faster to burn. Arabs should pray for lightning and strong winds, he wrote, while those in Jerusalem and Haifa, where blazes were most intense, should pour gas on what was being called the fire intifada. Mr. Abudaabes, 29, a businessman, insisted it was satire and was released after nearly four days. But he was hardly the first arrested in Israel for seeming to encourage mayhem on Facebook, nor will he be the last. Facebook has become the battleground in a global struggle between free speech and incitement, and in few places is that more pronounced than in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. Facebook and other social media companies announced this week that they would team up to better track and reduce online terrorist propaganda. But European leaders were unsatisfied, arguing that the companies have been slow to review and take down hateful posts, and they pressed for more action. BEIRUT, Lebanon Syrian government forces pushed deeper into Aleppo on Wednesday, seizing areas around the medieval citadel whose narrow streets had long given rebels cover, pro-government websites and conflict monitors reported. Rebel leaders disputed the claims, but antigovernment activists in the area sent increasingly desperate messages saying they believed they would soon be killed or arrested, while civilians said they were squeezing into a smaller and smaller area, with some calling for safe passage out. A rebel fighter with the Nour al-Din al-Zenki group, reached in a hiding place near the Old City, said that several neighborhoods had fallen and that defeat appeared inevitable. Aleppo has fallen, he said. If there are no U.N. initiatives, I expect the regime will exterminate us all. Several civilians confirmed that the government was continuing its advance into the Old City. Al Manar, Hezbollahs television channel, quoting Syrian military officials, reported that pro-government forces had allowed rebels to leave through a designated corridor to other rebel-held areas to spare the historical quarter further destruction. The authorities moved to arrest co-mayors throughout the Kurdish regions, appointing government trustees to take their place. So far, trustees have been appointed to take over the administration of an estimated 40 of the 103 communities affiliated with the H.D.P. One of the first things the trustees have done in recent weeks is to begin to dismantle the co-executives, closing some womens centers and ruling the diversion of abusers paychecks illegal. This crackdown is actually aiming at women and shutting down womens organizations, said Feleknas Uca, a member of Parliament from Diyarbakir. Its a blow against womens freedom. They made lots of statements like, You should go and have three kids. The gender rights transformation in Kurdish areas of eastern Turkey goes back more than a decade, though it gained momentum in government when the H.D.P. party did so well nationally the last few years. While pro-Kurdish, the party also includes ethnic Turkish members. Much of the H.D.P. philosophy comes from the ideology of the P.K.K., whose leader, Abdullah Ocalan, from early on promoted women as equal partners with men, even on the battlefield. To many left-leaning women in Turkey and the West, the P.K.K. is thus considered a heroic champion of gender equality and one that, unlike other revolutionary groups, has managed to put its principles into practice, not only on the battlefield but also in homes. This has happened in a society that traditionally was strongly patriarchal, where polygamy was common, honor killings accepted and girls not allowed to sit at the same table as their fathers. Pregnant women were not allowed in public, and women were admonished not to be seen laughing. Seventy-five years ago on Dec. 7, shortly before 8 a.m., hundreds of Japanese aircraft dove from the sky in a surprise bombing attack on a United States naval base in Hawaii, killing more than 2,400 Americans. The attack on Pearl Harbor shocked and outraged the nation and led it into war at a time when Congress and the American people had been split on the response to an already embattled world. News articles from Dec. 8 reflected a sudden shift in the national mood. According to New York Times articles from Dec. 9 and 10, 1941, thousands of men rushed to sign up to serve in the United States armed forces, pushing enlistment to new highs. Congressional leaders debated whether to declare war, not only on Japan but also on the Axis powers including Germany and Italy. The phrase ghost train conjures up eerie, fantastical images: a spectral locomotive barreling through the night, passengers doomed to ride the rails forever. In Britain, ghost trains are real but theyre more of a bureaucratic curiosity than a Halloween nightmare. They are scheduled passenger trains that hardly anyone actually rides, running infrequently at obscure hours and stopping at stations that almost no one uses. They might operate only once a week or in only one direction. Other than a lonely crew member or two, they are often completely empty. Why do they even operate? Believe it or not, to save money. Railway companies would rather not serve these routes at all, because they generate too little traffic. But if the companies discontinued the routes completely, they would be obliged under British law to formally abandon the lines, and thats a very costly, time-consuming and legally complex business. LOS ANGELES Democrats are reeling after Republicans captured the White House and Congress. In Washington, the infighting has begun. And potentially most alarming for the party about to be out of power, there is a paucity of younger Democrats ready to run for office: Hillary Clinton is 69. Bernie Sanders, her main opponent in the Democratic presidential primary, is 75. The answer for Democrats may be to look West. California Democrats (and to a lesser extent, Republicans) are in the midst of a generational renewal, as some of the old lions of the party Gov. Jerry Brown, 78; Senator Barbara Boxer, 76; Senator Dianne Feinstein, 83; and Nancy Pelosi, the house minority leader, who is 76 approach the end of their public careers. And there is no shortage of rising Democratic figures ready to take the reins in California. This new class of Democratic leaders seems likely to reshape the political face of California for a generation. But for national Democrats, they also represent a potential talent pool of leaders who can help pull the party out of the worst crisis it has faced since 2005, the last time the Republicans controlled the White House and both houses of Congress. California also stands ready to become a laboratory for Democratic policy that, it seems fair to say, will have little chance for enactment in Washington, at least for the next two years. There may be no more Democratic state than California in this new Trump era. This election delivered the party two-thirds control of both houses of the Legislature, in addition to control of all statewide elected officials. And Democrats here stand in stark contrast in terms of ideology and demographics to Mr. Trump and his followers. That has been particularly clear this week in Sacramento, where the Democratic leaders of the Assembly and Senate Kevin de Leon, the president of the Senate, and Anthony Rendon, the leader of the Assembly introduced legislation intended to thwart any effort by Mr. Trump to crack down on immigration. Californians may accept the lawfulness of the November election, but millions of us do not accept the sentiment delivered by this election, Mr. Rendon said as the legislative session opened. It is up to us to pass policies that would firewall Californians and what we believe from the cynical, short-sighted and reactionary agenda that is rising in the wake of the election. Both Mr. Rendon and Mr. de Leon are viewed as part of this new class of leaders. They are also Latino, like many of the elected officials on the list below. Latinos now make up 40 percent of the states population. In the latest sign of their rising influence here and presumably nationally, at least at some point Mr. Brown appointed Representataive Xavier Becerra of Los Angeles as attorney general, succeeding Kamala Harris, who was elected last month to fill Ms. Boxers position in the Senate. Ms. Harris is widely seen as having a future in either national or state politics. Yet one of the striking things about this generational transformation taking place is that so far, it does not include many women. Karen Skelton, a Democratic consultant, said that the fact that three top California Democrats were women who had held office for more than a decade Ms. Boxer, Ms. Feinstein and Ms. Pelosi might have crowded out younger women looking to move into the ranks. But, she said in an e-mail, Im optimistic in the long run that Hillarys candidacy broke the glass ceiling of politics for many, especially in terms of fund-raising. With an eye to the years ahead in California and the nation, here is a look at some of the top California contenders, almost all Democrats this is, after all, one of the most Democratic states in the nation but with one Republican who is often mentioned as having a statewide political future. Motley Fool Shares of newly public fintech companies Upstart Holdings (NASDAQ: UPST), SoFi Technology (NASDAQ: SOFI), and Lemonade (NYSE: LMND) were plunging today, down 5.2%, 9.3%, and 3.1%, respectively, as of 1:25 p.m. ET. It wasn't a good first half of the trading day for growth stocks in general, as investors may be worried about the Federal Reserve meeting today, in which the Fed is widely expected to raise interest rates by 75 basis points and give commentary on the rate hike outlook into next year. The decline even took hold of SoFi, which handily beat revenue and earnings estimates just yesterday, as the stock gave back all of its post-earnings gains, and then some. For a decade, when Fred Beato drove his old red 2004 T-bird around Orange County with the Cuba BC license plates, other drivers would occasionally give him a thumbs-up. Are you Cuban? Me too! they would say, and most of them would get it BC meant Before Castro. Those license plates are a political statement from Beato, 64, a former child refugee from Cuba. They also inspired a song with the same name written by David Pack, Beatos former high school bandmate and the founder of Ambrosia that tells the story of a 10-year-old separated from his mother and sent off to an uncertain new life in America. The song is an anthem to a generation of young Cubans sent out of harms way by mothers who knew they might never see them again. Beato said the song, Cuba BC, has more meaning today, as the Nov. 25 death of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro turns a page in Cuban history. (Available on iTunes.) I pray to God that things get better, said Beato, a Rancho Santa Margarita resident and father of two. I dont know how anybody could call Fidel Castro Robin Hood. He confiscated everybodys property, threw everybody out of Cuba who worked their ass off to get what they had. He separated thousands of families, he added. They killed thousands of Cubans in firing squads. He oppressed the people. He stole from everybody. It was 1962 I was 10 when I arrived, in a brown pin-striped suit and yellow tie I was scared, whoa but never did I cry. When Beato was 10, his mother put him on a plane bound for Miami. It was 1962, in the days of Operation Pedro Pan, when Cuban mothers concerned about the future under Castro sent their children off to Neverland. Three years earlier, the boy had stood beside his grandfather when Castros rebel forces paraded by his house, en route to taking command of downtown Havana and ousting dictator Fulgencio Batista. I was so scared to see everybody screaming, Beato recalled. I was holding my grandpas hand. He had tears running down his eyes. He says, Today, my son, communism has come to Cuba. I remember saying, What is communism? Beatos uncle, a congressman, was jailed. The familys property was seized. His mother, Cory Beato, now 87 and living in Mission Viejo, would not get out of Cuba and join her son until he was 17 and living in California. During the Cuban missile crisis, when that went down, (Castro) shut the doors, Fred Beato said. My mother got left behind, my grandpa. All of this is chronicled in Cuba BC, the haunting song the Beato Band recorded and released on Feb. 26 as the centerpiece of its CD. When I came to America, I saw the Statue of Liberty, not the one they have in New York but the Freedom Tower of Miami. The Freedom Tower was Cuban immigrants Ellis Island in Florida. Beato signed in there at 10 and, 50 years later, revisited the landmark with Pack, who penned the lyrics and did lead vocals on the seven-minute song. David Pack on the music Its more than just about Cuba BC. Its old friends reuniting after 40 years and making a dream come true. We left off in 1968 and we came back together and we nailed an album that were very proud of. I wrote My Old Friend for Fred. We did a video for it in all the various locations we grew up, in front of Torrance High School and Hermosa Beach, and then we went to San Juan Capistrano and filmed part of it, you know those train cars. We tried to spread the love. As teenagers, Beato and Pack were members of Symbols of Tyme, a nine-piece rock-and-soul group from Torrance High School that won a national Battle of the Bands in New Jersey in 1968. Beato, the drummer, and his bandmates had dreams of making it big. But teen foolishness got in the way, Beato said, and the band members drifted apart. Beato set aside his drum kit after 1968 and made a living selling Beato Bags, an accessory for drummers in the record industry. Pack founded Ambrosia, wrote and sang the bands hit songs, and later reinvented himself as a producer. In 2008, Beato reached out to Pack to ask permission to record one of the Symbol of Tymes songs he wrote. When Pack responded, the old friends were astonished to learn they were living two miles from each other in Orange County. Pack was in Ladera Ranch. They decided to do a CD together. And then Pack informed his friend he had sketched out a song about his life story inspired by his license plates. Thats a lot of bravado, Pack said. Its Fred basically saying come and get me Castro, Im an American now, you cant touch me. Never forget what happened to his family. His family was just crushed. His grandfather lost everything. So I lived in Florida with aunts and uncles who sheltered me, till I moved to California the year after they shot Kennedy, and the whole world grieved, how can this be? Beato was raised by his mother and grandfather in a Havana suburb after his father died of cancer. My family was anti-Castro from the first day, Beato said. Life was miserable. In 1961 they shut down my school. All my cousins started leaving the country. They would deliberately try to separate families issuing visas. After he arrived in America, he grew up around aunts, uncles and cousins. By the time he saw his mother again, he was in a teen rock band. So I lived in the Beach Boy land, played my drums in a local band, it was not easy to fit in, the only Cuban among these friends. I couldnt speak the English clear, but the 70s were here, and I thrived. Did what I could to survive. Reunited in Orange County, Pack and Beato sat down to coffee in 2008 and started making up for lost time, Pack said. Beato took up the drums again, to regain his chops. Pack enlisted industry pros to record and write additional tracks. The friends tossed in a couple of favorite rock classics like Friday on my Mind. Pack delivers the infectious lead vocal line in Cuba BC. Beato, in the background, reminisces in English and Spanish, rap-style, about his former homeland. The CD features a cover shot of Beato and Pack standing triumphantly atop the red T-Bird convertible with the Cuba BC plates by the San Clemente Pier. Beato said he ordered the plates after seeing Cuban singing star Gloria Estefan on TV, wearing Cuba BC on a T-shirt celebrating Miamis Cuban-American community. Pack has since moved to Napa Valley. But he flew Beato to Miami to revisit the Freedom Tower and other boyhood memories to promote Cuba BC with the Cuban community. They met with producer Emilio Estefan who, they said, loved the song, describing it as our story. Estefan suggested a music video, which Pack put together with vintage Cuba footage. The video remains a work in progress. Pack said he hopes to visit Cuba to add to the video footage of Beato rediscovering boyhood haunts he hasnt seen since he left. Fifty years have passed and Cuba BC is no more in my heart it will live forever. Of the many times Ive dreamed of returning to my country that once was, I realize now that Im already home. America, te amo (I love you) I say Hello America, goodbye Cuba BC. With Castros passing, Beato said he hopes improved U.S. relations will help lift his beloved island from tyranny. He said he hopes to take his wife Kitty and his mother there to see his former family home. I want to go back to remember, Cory Beato said. I want to remember where I was born. I dont know. Maybe I dont have the strength. My son says, yes, go to Cuba! She wants to put white gladiolas on her husbands grave, her son said. Contact the writer: fswegles@scng.com or 949-492-5127 a Orange County authorities on Tuesday were working to extradite a 41-year-old Anaheim man accused of killing a woman found dead in her Huntington Beach home. Jason Joseph Becher was charged Monday with the murder of 50-year-old Marylou Sarkissian, whose body was found Friday after officers were called for a welfare check at her home in the 9000 block of Litchfield Drive, authorities said. Police arrested Becher the following day in Grants Pass, Ore. The Orange County District Attorneys Office said it is working to extradite him. Orange County Superior Court records show that Sarkissian was Bechers former girlfriend. Sarkissian had filed a domestic-violence restraining order against him in July; her sister, Debra Correia Zdrazil, also had filed a restraining order against Becher this year stating that he was harassing her and her family, court records show. Jason Becher has informed me that he will seek revenge on me and my family members, the sister wrote in court documents. Bechers murder charge carries a sentencing enhancement for murder by lying in wait, which makes him eligible for the death penalty if convicted. Court records show that Becher has served time in prison for multiple felony convictions. In 2001, he was convicted of felony charges including inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment. In 2005, he pleaded guilty to felony charges of corporal injury and the unlawful taking of a vehicle. Contact the writer: kpuente@ocregister.com President-elect Donald Trump said the latest Air Force One order should be canceled because of ridiculous costs at Boeing Co., taking aim at plans to replace jets that are among the most visible symbols of the American presidency. Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion, Trump said Tuesday on Twitter. Cancel order! Boeing is the latest major company to be singled out by Trump, who last week announced a deal with United Technologies Corp. to keep a U.S. factory open instead of moving production to Mexico. The president-elect, who turned jobs and trade into defining issues of his campaign, tweeted about Boeing days after Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg called on him and Congress to ensure that U.S. companies have the tools to compete in a global economy. Boeing, the largest U.S. exporter, saw its shares drop and recover Tuesday, closing at $152.24, up less than 1 percent. The companys planes have been used to ferry presidents since 1943, when Franklin D. Roosevelt rode a Boeing 314 flying boat across the Atlantic for a wartime meeting with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. We are currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of this complex military aircraft that serves the unique requirements of the president of the United States, Boeing spokesman Todd Blecher said in an email. We look forward to working with the U.S. Air Force on subsequent phases of the program allowing us to deliver the best plane for the president at the best value for the American taxpayer. PENTAGON BUDGET The Pentagon already is budgeting $3.2 billion for research and development, military construction and acquisition of two of the Air Force One planes through fiscal 2021, said Kevin Brancato, the lead government contracts analyst for Bloomberg Government. More money is anticipated in the two years after that. Boeing 747-8 planes average about $225 million each, he said, which means most of the expenses will go to outfitting the planes for presidential use. The Air Force and Boeing are still conducting work to reduce the programs technical risks before the company is awarded an advanced development contract, Capt. Michael Hertzog, a spokesman for the service branch, said in an email. Budgeted spending can be expected to change as the program matures with the completion of the risk-reduction activities, he said. This is what an Air Force One costs, Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace analyst at Teal Group, said of Trumps tweet. There have been no cost overruns. The ability to fly the president during a war is fundamentally expensive. AIRCRAFT CAPABILITIES The Air Force expects the planes to have the range to fly between continents and to have comparable interiors to the current 747 aircraft, whose features include work and sleeping quarters for the president and first family. Beyond such amenities, the planes must be outfitted for highly advanced, secure communications and classified defensive capabilities that make them flying fortresses. President George W. Bush stayed airborne for much of the first few hours after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The new planes will also be equipped for midair refueling. This is madness, Aboulafia said of Trumps tweet. I think about the complications, for example, if the president and his staff had to run the nation on 9/11 and afterward without an Air Force One, and my mind is kind of scrambled on that. AGING FLEET The Pentagon is looking to replace its aging fleet of Boeing 747-200 aircraft, which were built in the 1980s and will reach the planned 30-year service life in 2017. Officials have said the next Air Force One 747-8 jets are estimated to begin operation in fiscal 2023. Theres no clear alternative to Chicago-based Boeing to build a new Air Force One, especially not for a president who wants to buy U.S. products. The only other option for a four-engine plane the Air Force is seeking would come from Europes Airbus Group SE, which said in 2013 that it wouldnt make a proposal. The Air Force said last year that it was giving Boeing the contract without competition because its plane is the only one manufactured in the United States that when fully missionized meets the necessary critically important capabilities that a president needs. But the service also said it would encourage other companies to bid for the special equipment needed to convert the aircraft for presidential use. The plane is totally out of control, Trump said in a brief appearance in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York on Tuesday. I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number. We want Boeing to make a lot of money, but not that much money. Sen. John McCain, the Arizona Republican who heads the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he counted himself among those who think there are too many bells and whistles on Air Force One. I think it ought to be reviewed, he told reporters at the Capitol. I think its a legitimate concern. MARINE ONE The dispute is reminiscent of the controversy over the Pentagons efforts to develop a replacement for the helicopters used to ferry the president and executive branch officials, known as Marine One when the president is on board. A program managed by Lockheed Martin Corp. to build as many as 28 helicopters was canceled in 2009 after about $3.1 billion was spent, and the planned $6.1 billion project soared to a projected $13 billion. In 2009, President Barack Obama cited it as an example of the procurement process gone amok. In 2014, the Pentagon tried again, awarding an initial $1.24 billion contract to a team led by Sikorsky Aircraft. Since then, Lockheed acquired Sikorsky. So its back in charge of the helicopter project. STOCK SALES Trump transition spokesman Jason Miller said he couldnt address whether the president-elect or his top advisers had been in contact with Boeing or the Pentagon. Details about Trumps goal, whether to scrap the plane or renegotiate the cost, will emerge after hes sworn in next month, he said. This really speaks to the president-elects focus on keeping costs down across the board, Miller told reporters on a conference call. The $4 billion price tag is a very big number. Trump previously held stock in Boeing but sold all his equity holdings in companies in June, Miller said. LOS ANGELES Los Angeles County prosecutors have charged a University of Southern California student with murder in the stabbing death of a professor. The district attorneys office says 28-year-old David Jonathan Brown will be arraigned Tuesday. The case includes a special allegation that Brown personally used a deadly weapon to kill 50-year-old Siaufung Bosco Tjan in the professors office. If convicted, Brown could face a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in prison. Tjan joined USC in 2001, taught in the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and served as co-director of the Dornsife Cognitive Neuroimaging Center. SANTA ANA Santa Ana officials have called the city a sanctuary for all residents regardless of immigration status but ahead of Donald Trumps inauguration, they adopted a resolution that makes it official. Council members voted 5-0 Tuesday in favor of adopting a sanctuary resolution that requires the city to strengthen various policies that already exist to further protect residents. var _ndnq = _ndnq || []; _ndnq.push([embed]); http://launch.newsinc.com/js/embed.js Those policies include prohibiting the use of city resources for immigration enforcement, reaffirming commitment to preventing biased-based policing, exercising maximum discretion in policing, protecting sensitive information, and providing training for affected employees, officials and agents. City Manager David Cavazos said he believes Santa Ana is the first (city) in Orange County that has put together this type of resolution. At the beckoning of more than 40 speakers, council members tweaked the resolution to establish an oversight task force rather than just explore establishing it and directed Cavazos to bring a sanctuary ordinance for consideration at the Dec. 20 meeting. In the spirit of good faith, lets make it a resolution today, but lets make it an ordinance and lets put it up for consideration at the next meeting, Councilman Sal Tinajero said. I hope you hold the other council members that are coming up, that you hold their feet to the fire, because theyre Latino, too. While a resolution is a statement of policy, an ordinance is a specific law that upon violation would be potentially punishable by either a fine, a misdemeanor or imprisonment, said Jorge Garcia, senior management assistant for the City Managers Office. The council voted to excuse Councilwoman Michele Martinezs absence, but not Mayor Miguel Pulidos. Clerk of the Council Maria Huizar said Pulido did not give a reason for his absence, and often does not. Council members also took steps toward phasing out a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Santa Ana Jail. They voted 5-0 to notify ICE that the city will reduce the number of detainees to a maximum of 128, leading to the closure of one module and a $663,743 annual net revenue loss. ICE may argue that the agreement does not allow the citys unilateral decision to reduce capacity, but staff believes that this action would be consistent with the City Council direction to phase out the ICE agreement altogether in the future, the staff report states. Additional recommendations include continuing to hire part-time instead of full-time correctional officers, negotiating officer retirement incentives and releasing a request for qualifications for a jail reuse study. Immigrant rights activists called on council members to come up with a specific timeline to end the contract before inauguration day. A city with a contract with immigration enforcement is not a sanctuary city, said S.G. Sarmiento, legislative director for the National Day Labor Organizing Network, who lives in Santa Ana. Other local allies should know that. Contact the writer: 714-796-7762 or jkwong@ocregister.com Twitter: @JessicaGKwong Prosecutors on Tuesday turned over to Orange County Superior Court Judge Thomas Goethals an additional 3,200 pages of sheriffs documents uncovered as potential evidence in the case of admitted mass murderer Scott Dekraai. The documents were delivered one day after Goethals publicly released 247 of 1,157 pages of secret logs kept by deputies overseeing informants at the Orange County Jail. The released logs offer a window into the surreptitious use by prosecutors and police of jail informants to illegally get confessions out of inmates who have lawyers. Deputies, who testified in hearings that they didnt cultivate informants, noted in the logs how they organized a network of snitches and even brought drugs into the jail to create a ruse to protect one prized informant. It is unclear what is included in this extra batch of documents. Prosecutors turned them in as part of the penalty phase for Dekraai, who is fighting a death sentence for killing eight people and wounding another at a Seal Beach salon in 2011. Goethals sealed the documents and said he would determine at a later date what papers to give Dekraais lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Scott Sanders, as part of the discovery process. Goethals ordered three years ago that all discovery material in the Dekraai case be turned over Sanders, but the Orange County Sheriffs Department has been slow in answering. BEIRUT Syrian government forces and allied militias captured Aleppos centrally located al-Shaar neighborhood from rebels on Tuesday, securing nearly three quarters of the besieged enclave less than two weeks after launching a ground offensive, according to the Syrian military. The Syrian government and its ally Russia meanwhile rejected a cease-fire for the war-torn city, keeping up the military offensive amid rebel retreats and massive displacement. Rebels withdrew from al-Shaar under heavy bombardment by pro-government forces to the Marjeh and Maadi neighborhoods, local media activist Mahmoud Raslan told The Associated Press. Several gunmen were killed. Morale has hit rock bottom, he said from inside the citys remaining rebel-held enclave. The SANA state news agency said the government captured the entire neighborhood as well as the neighborhoods of al-Qatarji and Karm al-Dada. A map provided by the Syria army showed a quickly shrinking opposition enclave a pointed leaf-shaped territory in the center, abutting already government-controlled Aleppo districts. The army media said the new gains bring the area controlled by the government in eastern Aleppo to about 73 percent of its original size, which is estimated to be about 17 square miles. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group also reported the gains. Al-Shaar was home to at least four hospitals available to residents trapped by the governments siege of the eastern part of the city. But those hospitals, along the rest of the neighborhood, were bombed by the governments attacks and evacuated. Broad swaths of the citys eastern quarters are in ruins. Ibrahim al-Haj, a civil defense member, said he was in the neighborhood shortly before it fell to the government. It is totally destroyed, he said, adding that if he had stayed a minute longer he would have been captured. He said the previously densely populated district had largely been deserted since the government forces first moved in on the eastern districts last weekend. A government intense aerial offensive had preceded the ground troops advances. Rebel defenses are collapsing under the weight of twin offensives by pro-government forces. Rebels and pro-government forces fought street-to-street in the citys southern Saif al-Dawleh and al-Zabadiyeh neighborhoods, according to footage provided by Syrian military media and audio provided by local teacher and media activist Abdelkafi Alhamdo. The Syrian government and its ally Russia on Tuesday issued stark warnings to rebels in besieged eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo, with Moscows top diplomat saying the rebels will be wiped out unless they stop fighting and leave the city. Damascus also said it rejects any cease-fire for Aleppo that does not include the departure of all rebels from the eastern part of the city and that it wont allow the rebels to use a truce as a chance to regroup. The tough rhetoric comes a day after Russia and China blocked a draft resolution at the U.N. Security Council demanding a seven-day truce in Aleppo to evacuate the sick and wounded and to provide humanitarian aid workers time to get food and medicine into the city. Russia, a main backer of the Syrian government, is supporting the governments offensive in Aleppo and has repeatedly blocked action in the Security Council over Syria. Those who refuse to leave nicely will be destroyed, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters in Moscow, speaking of the Syrian rebels. There is no other way. In Damascus, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried on the state SANA news agency, that the government will not allow rebels a chance to regroup and repeat their crimes in the divided city a reference to rebel shelling of Aleppos western, government-held districts that has killed 81 civilians in the past three weeks, according to the Observatory. The governments offensive to take eastern Aleppo killed 341 civilians over the same period and displaced tens of thousands over the past week, the Observatory and other activist groups have said. Residents in the citys east reported heavy shelling and bombardment overnight. A rocket struck the fifth floor of the building we are staying in, but thankfully no one was hurt, said Judy al-Halaby, an activist sheltering in the Mashhad neighborhood. Meanwhile, rebel shelling of of Foua and Kfarya, two besieged pro-government towns in northwestern Idlib province killed at least 10 people, many from the same family, according to a Facebook page operated by activists in the predominantly Shiite towns. The Observatory put the death toll in the two towns at 12, including three children. At the press conference in Moscow, Lavrov lamented what he described as attempts by the United States to obtain a pause in the fighting in Aleppo to allow rebels to re-arm and re-supply. He said that serious conversations with our American partners are not working. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday that he hopes to convince Syrias warring factions and their backers to return to the negotiating table before Aleppo is destroyed. Kerry said he is due to meet Lavrov in Hamburg, Germany on Thursday and would try to find a way forward. Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesman said the Kremlin regrets a more than modest reaction by the international community following a rocket attack on a Russian military hospital in Aleppo on Monday that killed two Russian nurses. Russian officials alleged rebels were provided coordinates to the hospital by a foreign power, though they did not specify a particular country. After the Russian and Chinese veto at the Security Council, U.S. diplomats accused their Russian counterparts of stalling for time as Syrian government forces advance in Aleppo. BRUSSELS Britain may not have two years to negotiate its divorce from the European Union after all. The EUs chief negotiator on Brexit warned Tuesday that the country will have less than 18 months once talks begin and that it wont be allowed to pick and choose what parts of the EU it wants to keep. The British government, meanwhile, agreed for the first time to publish details of its plans for Brexit before formal talks start though how much detail it would disclose remained an open question. While steering away from specifics on what a Brexit deal might look like, EU negotiator Michel Barnier, who took up his post months ago after Britain voted in June to leave the EU, said formal procedures at the start and end of the talks will cut into the time Britain has to leave. Time will be short, he said. All in all there will be less than 18 months to negotiate. British Prime Minister Theresa May wants to invoke Article 50 of the EUs key treaty, which will officially kick off two years of exit talks, by the end of March. But Barnier, who has visited 18 of the EUs 28 member states to gauge views on Britains withdrawal, warned that the effective negotiating time will be less due to procedures such as parliamentary approvals to rubber-stamp any deal. If May sticks to her timetable, Barnier said an agreement may have to be secured by October 2018 to get a final agreement in place by March 2019 two years on from the triggering of Article 50. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson appeared unconcerned by such a deadline. That timeframe seems to me to be absolutely ample, he said on arriving for a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. Its a fluid situation, not least because a British court ruled last month that Parliament needs to give its approval before the government can trigger Article 50. The government is contesting that ruling in the Supreme Court. Should it confirm Parliaments involvement, Mays plans could be delayed. Its also possible that European governments might extend the two-year period outlined within Article 50. The British government has been reluctant to reveal much about what sort of post-Brexit relationship it is looking for out of fear that it would weaken its hand in negotiations. That has fueled allegations from opponents that May and her ministers lack a coherent Brexit strategy. Opposition Labour Party lawmakers forced a Wednesday debate in Britains House of Commons, calling for the government to offer some clarity by publishing its plan for leaving the EU before it triggers Article 50. Fearing defeat at the hands of the opposition and rebellious pro-EU Conservatives, the government agreed late Tuesday. But it still said it would not be showing our negotiating hand until we have to, leaving doubts about how much detail the plan would include. William Ernest Hagen, an Orange resident who is the state Grand Dragon of the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, was being held Tuesday in a stabbing during a Klan meeting in North Carolina. Caswell County sheriffs officials in North Carolina said that on Saturday, a 47-year-old man showed up to the departments lobby with multiple stab wounds in the upper chest. The man, identified as Richard Dillon of Indiana, was taken to a hospital and later released. The victim told investigators that he had been at the residence of Christopher Eugene Barker due to a Ku Klux Klan meeting when the altercation took place, sheriffs officials said in a statement. Deputies served a search warrant at the house in East Yanceyville and arrested 50-year-old Hagen, and Barker. Hagen was arrested on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury. Barker, 37, was held on suspicion of felony aiding and abetting. Hagen, who also goes by the name William Quigg, heads the California chapter of the North Carolina-based Loyal White Knights, said Carla Hill, an investigative researcher for the Anti-Defamation League, which tracks members of hate groups. Hagen was injured during a melee caught on video with counter-protesters during a February KKK rally in Anaheim. Barker is the Imperial Wizard or national leader of the Loyal White Knights, she said. With 150 to 250 members nationwide, including about a half-dozen in California, the Loyal White Knights are one of the largest KKK organizations in the country, according to Hill. Hill described Hagen as a core member of the Loyal White Knights because he is a leader and is willing to travel, she said. Several Klan members from around the country traveled to North Carolina to stage a pro-Donald Trump presidential election celebration on Saturday, Hill said. In the end, Klansmen in about 25 cars waived flags as they drove through the small town of Roxboro. Hagen was being held on $350,000 bond and Barker was held on $200,000 in a Caswell County jail. Both were set to appear in court Wednesday. Contact the writer: 714-796-7865 or afausto@scng.com Large companies moving some operations abroad may not have the adverse economic effects that President-elect Donald Trump built up during his campaign and following the election, former Medtronic CEO Bill George told CNBC on Tuesday. On the contrary, George said sending jobs to foreign countries could actually expand U.S. operations. "For companies like Boeing, General Electric, Ford, Medtronic, every time you add a job overseas, you add three jobs here for all the [research and development] people, engineering process people, manufacturing experts, marketing, sales, administration," he told CNBC's " Squawk Alley ." In addition to his deal with manufacturing company Carrier to keep about 1,000 jobs from moving to Mexico, Trump recently targeted chain-belt maker Rexnord for plans to move 300 jobs to Mexico. "If you don't [move operations] overseas, you'll lose the market to foreign competitors and then you won't have any of the jobs here, so I think there's a little misunderstanding," George said. More From CNBC The deal to sell Irvine-based logistics firm Ingram Micro to China-based Tianjin Tianhai Investment Company Ltd. for $6 billion has closed. The deal, announced in February, was finalized Tuesday. The all-cash transaction amounted to $38.90 per share for Ingram, a distributor of information technology products and services. Ingram Micro will operate as a subsidiary of Tianjin Tianhai under HNA Group, its largest stockholder. The closing of this transaction represents a significant milestone on Ingram Micros path to growing our business and providing a full spectrum of global technology and supply chain services to businesses around the world, said Alain Monie, CEO of Ingram Micro, in a statement. We are delighted to move forward with this partnership with HNA Group and excited by the opportunity to accelerate the development and delivery of an even stronger value proposition for Ingram Micros vendors and customers globally. Ingram Micro was the sixth largest publicly traded company in Orange County last year, employing nearly 1,000 local employees in its workforce of some 22,000 people, according to the Orange County Business Journal. In 2014, the company restructured in an effort to save $100 million. Last fall, Ingram Micro announced it would acquire the e-commerce division of Dutch company DocData for $175 million. Ingram Micro will keep its Irvine headquarters and its executive management team will remain intact. Monie will stay with the company. The company will no longer trade on the New York Stock Exchange. Contact the writer: hmadans@ocregister.com or Twitter: @HannahMadans All through his career, unpredictability has been the hallmark of Gov. Jerry Brown, and he did it again by choosing 12-term Democratic Rep. Xavier Becerra of Los Angeles as Californias next attorney general. With his confirmation by a Democratic-controlled Legislature certain, Becerra will force other major politicians to look over their shoulders; some are likely to change their longstanding plans. He also moves the state beyond an era of substantial domination by a clique of San Francisco-area Democrats that has included U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, outgoing Attorney General and new U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris and Brown himself, a former Oakland mayor. Becerra, 58, instantly becomes Californias top-ranking Latino politico. Hes not saying, but he could run for election to his new office on his own in 2018, or he could run for governor against the declared likes of Democrats Newsom, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, state Treasurer John Chiang and possibly so-far undeclared Republicans like San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer or outgoing Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin. Former San Francisco Mayor Newsom led the only major public poll conducted so far on that race, with the two Republicans placing second and third. Becerra, until now the Democrats No. 3 figure in the House, would shake up that race enormously because of his longtime popularity among Latino voters. But he insists hes not looking ahead. Ill be gratified if I can make sure I can get confirmed to be the next attorney general, he said in a television appearance just after Brown announced his choice to succeed Harris when she moves to the Senate. Right now, Im thrilled the governor would put this confidence in me to be the next AG. The choice of Becerra was a slap at two-term state Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, a firm consumer-rights advocate who has clashed occasionally with Brown over regulation of health insurance companies. Jones, so far the only declared 2018 Democratic candidate for attorney general, could react in several ways. Although hes held his current job six years, he could run for re-election, insurance commissioner being the only statewide office without a two-term limit. Or the former assemblyman from Sacramento could do what Newsom did in 2010 after it became clear he had no chance against Brown in that years Democratic primary race for governor settle for becoming lieutenant governor. Both the attorney generals and the lieutenant governors offices can be stepping stones to higher office; Harris is the latest to use her post that way. Ex-attorney generals who became governors include Earl Warren, Brown, his father Edmund G. (Pat) Brown and George Deukmejian. Gray Davis was the latest former lieutenant governor to take the states top office. For sure, Jones wont switch from his run for attorney general until he knows Becerras plans. For Becerra has long coveted a seat in the Senate, and might have run for the one Harris will soon take, except that Harris entered that run the moment Boxer announced her retirement early last year. She quickly corralled support from every major Democratic officeholder in the state. So Becerra stayed in Congress until Brown tapped him early this month. Should Feinstein decide sometime in the next two years to retire from the Senate after four-plus terms, Becerra might seek her job. But if Becerra and Jones both run for attorney general, the two popular and accomplished figures are likely to split the Democratic vote in the 2018 rendition of Californias top two primary, possibly producing a November runoff between two Democrats, as happened this year when Harris easily beat Orange County Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. Its also possible that if Becerra enters the gubernatorial field after serving a year or so, he could force one or two of the other prominent Democrats running to drop out or risk splintering the Democratic vote so badly that Faulconer and Swearengin end up in an all-Republican runoff. That sort of thing has happened twice in lesser contests. The top-two system makes this possible even though Democrats now hold every major state office, plus two-thirds majorities in both houses of the Legislature. All of which means one choice by Jerry Brown has quickly shaken up California politics more than any event since Gray Davis was recalled in 2003. Thomas D. Elias is a writer in Southern California. Miranda Jones never used to panic about being late. Then, she joined the military. Punctuality was paramount during her years of service, she said. Jones organized her days around a schedule and stuck to her appointments. Life after the military follows the same routine. Jones lives in Fullerton but works in Costa Mesa. Accounting for Orange County traffic, she leaves at an early hour to get her 2-year-old daughter where she needs to be in the morning and get to work by 8:30. Traffic wasnt so unpredictable growing up in Iowa, Jones joked. Jones is a peer navigator at Human Options, a nonprofit for people struggling with domestic abuse, including veterans and military families. Working for one of five organizations in the Strong Families, Strong Children collaborative, Jones serves as a confidant to fellow veterans. Safety, Healing, A Way Forward, it says on the wall next to her cubicle. Jones, 38, offers all three. One of the big things Miranda brings to this collaborative is her knowledge and experience with the military, said Judith Rose, Human Options program director. Miranda can bring her lived experience (as a veteran) and use that to engage families that have a sense of fear, or mistrust, with how to access community-based services. Having to talk about domestic violence can be an uncomfortable conversation to have, Rose said. Miranda brings a sense of reassurance and stability that sometimes victims need. Jones grandfathers served in the military. Her father served in Vietnam. In 2002, Jones and her twin sister, one minute her elder, enlisted in the Army. Jones served as an interrogator and a Russian linguist, an officer in charge of an operational management team and a screening team lead. She met her husband in 2009, on her second tour of duty in Iraq. Ive been around the military my whole life, Jones said. Im just naturally drawn to veterans. I feel a connection with them and understand a lot of what theyve been through the circumstances, the hardships. Jones moved to Fullerton last year after her husband accepted a local job with the Department of Homeland Security. She found an opportunity to work with veterans. In August 2015, Jones started at Human Options with much to learn. A Midwestern transplant, she said she never knew how many needs California veterans and their families had: housing, legal counsel, child care, finding work. Resources were bountiful for those who looked, she said, but myriad options often overwhelmed and, in turn, discouraged veterans from openly searching. Jones offered direction. I know for a lot of families, that alone is helpful: Trying to find stuff that is available, she said. At Human Options, Rose said, Jones is part of a front-line staff that approaches veterans at resource fairs, event centers and junior colleges and shares with them community resources for every need. Strong Families, Strong Children offers services for the entire family, Jones said. One-fourth of the nonprofits referrals come from the Orange County Superior Courts Domestic Violence Diversion program, Rose said. Once a week, Jones meets those veterans at the courthouse. Some want help, others dont. But few build trust faster than Jones, Rose said. A lot of veterans have multiple needs, Jones said. And a lot of them usually want to address basic needs first. Weve found that a lot of veterans out there, like people in general, if their basic needs arent met, then other priorities cant be taken care of. Jones role at Human Options has her interacting with veterans from all generations and branches of the military. The common denominator, serving our country, instantly gives you a bond with someone, she said. Shes been a resource for Vietnam vets and men and women who enlisted after Sept. 11, 2001. Ive learned a lot by meeting people from different services and hearing their outlooks and knowledge, she said. Jones hopes Strong Families, Strong Children continues thriving as a lifeline for veterans struggling with stressful family situations. Helping her peers this past year has persuaded her to pursue a career in therapy or counseling, maybe even a masters degree. Jones currently works with six clients. Whether a single parent or a couple with multiple children, each gets Jones full support. Miranda is calm, pleasant, patient and warm, Rose said. And punctual. I know how difficult it can be for veterans to admit they need help, Jones said. Thats why I owe it to them to always be on time. Contact the writer: 714-796-7724 or bwhitehead@scng.com Law enforcement seized nearly $2.6 billion worth of airplanes, houses, cash, jewelry, cars and other items from suspected wrongdoers last year, according to data from the U.S. Department of Justice. It was the biggest one-year haul by federal, state and local police agencies since 2011, and it occurred even as the practice is coming under growing criticism. The program technically known as asset forfeiture was created amid the 1980s war on drugs with the best of intentions: to reduce crime by depriving drug traffickers, racketeers and criminal syndicates of their ill-gotten gains. But critics charge that allowing law enforcement to reap financial reward from such seizures creates perverse incentives, encouraging the pursuit of property over the impartial administration of justice. Reformers have described the practice with pejoratives like policing for profit and theft by cop. After expenses are deducted, much of the proceeds from seized and forfeited booty wind up in the coffers of state and local police departments, sometimes even when the owners were never convicted of crimes. The money helps pay police salaries, fund operations and investigations, and buy equipment. Deposits in: Over five years, seizures in states working with the federal governments asset forfeiture program pumped nearly $14.2 billion into the fund. Operations in California contributed $854.5 million. Money out: Over those same five years, the states equitable share of the booty was $2.5 billion. Californias cut: $410.9 million. Here in the Golden State, police agencies in Southern California got the most money back from the federal government. Agencies in Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties topped the list. Thats not coincidence, said Cindy Bachman of the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroners office. Illicit proceeds are funneled south to Mexico by drug trafficking organizations, and it is routinely consolidated in the greater Los Angeles area before making its way out of the country, she said by email. Soon, that could change. A new state law seeks to choke off more seizure money, reducing police incentives to seize property, as do bills pending in Congress. More on that in a minute. GUILTY UNTIL Landlord Tony Jalali owned a commercial building in Anaheim. He rented space to a dental office, an insurance company and two medical marijuana dispensaries. The dispensaries were legal under state law, but unwelcome in the city. In 2012, Anaheim police teamed up with federal prosecutors and seized Jalalis building, saying it was linked to criminal activity. A suspected link not proof of guilt in a court of law can be enough under federal civil forfeiture law. Jalali faced the loss of his property, worth some $1.5 million, despite never being charged with a crime. The nonprofit Institute for Justice in Virginia took up Jalalis case pro bono, and after more than a year in federal court, the government dropped the case. But not everyone who gets caught in the system is so lucky. People need to understand that civil forfeiture occurs without any criminal charges or convictions, said Dick Carpenter, director of strategic research for the Institute for Justice, which is pushing for reforms. People just lose their property through seizure. Unless youre well-versed in the details of forfeiture law, you have to hire a lawyer to get your property back, and that requires time and money that many people just dont have. The burden rests on the property owner to prove the negative that the cash or car or jewelry or house was not linked to crime which is a distortion of due process, Carpenter and the Institute of Justice said. In some years, the value of property seized by law enforcement exceeded the value of what was stolen in burglaries, according to FBI statistics. Discussion of that data point frustrates law enforcement. FIGHTING CRIME Officials say officers do not seize property in a quest for profit. Instead, they say, they do so in the course of careful criminal investigations into illegal enterprises, most often drug dealing involving violent international cartels. The primary mission of the program is to employ asset-forfeiture powers in a manner that enhances public safety and security, the Department of Justice says on its website. And while the billions distributed to local law enforcement agencies are substantial, officials said, they pale in relation to the street value of drugs seized. You might look at that list and say, Wow, the Regional Narcotics Suppression Program got $33 million. Thats a lot of money, said Capt. Ken Burmood of the Orange County Sheriffs Departments special investigations unit. But just last year, we seized 382 kilos of cocaine with a street value of about $14 million, and 195 kilos of heroin worth $12 million, and 207 kilos of meth thats about $30 million street value, just with those three narcotics, in a single year. Look at all the agencies. Look at all the drugs theyve seized. These cartels are running multibillion-dollar businesses. The street value of what were seizing is a lot higher than the currency. There was consternation among local law enforcement in January after the U.S. Department of Justice suspended equitable-sharing payments to local police agencies. But payments resumed in March, and observers expect many agencies may be emboldened going forward. The incoming presidents choice for attorney general Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama supports civil asset forfeiture and opposes reform. Police groups across the country said its an important law enforcement tool, Sessions told The Washington Post, and ending the sharing of seized cash with local departments would be a huge detriment to law enforcement. As attorney general, Sessions would oversee the Department of Justice and the asset forfeiture program. REFORM? Californias laws governing when police can seize private property are more stringent than the federal governments. As a result, many local agencies partner directly with the U.S. Department of Justice in asset-forfeiture cases. U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, explains it this way: In 1994, California tried to rein in forfeiture abuse by passing a law requiring a criminal conviction before police can seize assets worth less than $25,000, and capping the amount of money police can keep at no more than 65 percent of the total. But theres been a simple way around those rules. Local police departments seized assets under federal, rather than state, law, which allows them to keep 80 percent of the proceeds and doesnt require criminal convictions. So California is trying again. Beginning Jan. 1, assets valued at less than $40,000 can be seized only after a criminal conviction, according to a new law by state Sen. Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles. And local agencies wont be able to get around that by partnering with federal agencies. The law is hailed by civil rights champions as one of the most comprehensive reforms in the nation. Still, local law enforcement doesnt expect much of an impact. Larger assets those worth more than $40,000 can still be seized if officials believe they are linked to crime, even without a conviction. Its why some lawmakers believe reform must come at the federal level. There are several bills in Congress trying to attack this from different angles. The Due Process Act, introduced by a bipartisan congressional roster, was approved by the House Judiciary Committee in May and may come to the full House for a vote before the end of the year. It would require the government to prove the connection between the seized property and the criminal offense, create a right to counsel for Americans ensnared in forfeiture proceedings, provide for recovery of attorneys fees when challenges are victorious, and increase transparency and oversight with the creation of federal databases on forfeitures so the information is more readily available to the public. Prospects for passage are uncertain if Sessions wins confirmation as attorney general, but the across-the-aisle unity of reform efforts could provide a potent counterpunch to law enforcement lobbying. I dont want to disparage law enforcement because these laws are being used properly most of the time, Issa said in a statement. The problem is, most of the time isnt good enough when its your civil rights. POLICING FOR PROFIT? Twenty-three California law enforcement agencies received more than $4 million each over the past five years, working with the federal government on asset seizures. Asset-seizure programs are controversial, because cash, cars and property can often be kept even if there is no criminal conviction. Southern California agencies received more through such sharing than did those in Northern California. A new law is aimed at reducing the incentive to seize in the Golden State, even as law enforcement agencies elsewhere get renewed license to use them. Agency name Total Orange County Regional Narcotics Suppression Program $33,504,782 Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department $28,075,397 Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force (L.A. IMPACT) $27,925,021 Inland Regional Narcotics Enforcement Team (IRNET) $25,402,381 Los Angeles Police Department $14,405,499 San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department $12,538,850 Anaheim Police Department $12,376,517 West Covina Police Department $10,977,302 California Highway Patrol $ 9,279,178 Fontana Police Department $ 8,706,178 San Francisco Police Department $ 7,585,106 San Diego County Sheriffs Department $ 7,231,692 Pomona Police Department $ 7,197,999 Costa Mesa Police Department $ 6,540,594 La Verne Police Department $ 6,476,359 Beverly Hills Police Department $ 5,835,872 South Gate Police Department $ 5,695,775 Santa Ana Police Department $ 5,631,567 San Diego Police Department $ 5,529,804 Beverly Hills Police Department $ 4,642,306 Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement Caifornia Dept. of Justice $ 4,511,921 Riverside County Sheriffs Department $ 4,083,479 SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Contact the writer: tsforza@scng.com ESSEN, Germany To loud applause, Chancellor Angela Merkel told her party members on Tuesday that Germany should ban full-face veils wherever legally possible and that it would not tolerate any application of Shariah law over German justice. Accepting her partys nomination as their candidate for another four-year term, the chancellor used the moment to broaden her stance on banning the veil, trying to deflect challenges from far-right forces that have made some of their deepest gains since World War II. The far right has advanced by appealing to anti-immigrant sentiment in the year since Merkel welcomed nearly 1 million asylum seekers, the majority from Muslim countries often at the expense of her mainstream conservative party at the polls. In a clear nod to criticism that the state had appeared to lose control over its borders, the chancellor opened her 80-minute speech to the annual conference of her Christian Democratic Union with a promise that such a situation cannot, may not and should not be repeated. But the biggest applause lines concerned law and order, including a promise that Shariah law would never replace German justice a problem that has barely arisen but has been cast as a specter by the far-right Alternative for Germany party. The loudest cheers came for her line on Shariah, followed by her statements on face coverings. Here we say show your face, Merkel told the party. So full veiling is not appropriate here. It should be prohibited wherever legally possible. Last summer, when debates broke out across Europe over the so-called burkini swimsuit, Merkel and other German leaders said they favored a partial ban on full veils. At that time, Merkel had said from my standpoint, a fully veiled woman scarcely has a chance at full integration in Germany. But rather than any new law on face coverings, she and other government officials seemed to prefer the application of common sense. Faces cannot be covered, for instance, when going through a security check at airports. Her statements on Tuesday appeared to expand that definition, though clearly some of her partys members wanted more. Remember Pearl Harbor As we ponder this anniversary, let us honor all those who perished on that dark day, and pray they are resting in peace. We should always remember that these souls did not die in vain. The allies prevailed over tyranny, liberty was restored, and peace finally unfolded after V-E Day in Europe, as well as the Japanese surrender in September of 1945. On this solemn occasion, we also ought to pay respects to all the civilian and military personnel who have accepted the baton from past warriors. They continue to battle barbaric ideologies in order to defend liberty, stability and the rule of law. Perhaps the significance of Pearl Harbor can teach us that peace through strength and constant vigilance can help to avert or shorten future conflicts. Christian Milord, Fullerton Teach American sacrifice Those brave Pearl Harbor survivors fear we Americans are forgetting the story of that fateful day, and for good reason. More accurately, though, is that we Americans have not only already forgotten, many of us never even knew the story. Tragically, most of us dont even care to know the story. Believe it or not, todays average, everyday American scarcely, if at all, has any knowledge of World War II, and will give you a big yawn if you broach the subject. I call this a sad, near tragic reality, and this willful ignorance has made me angry, over a long span of years. The entire world was in flames and we, living here on the West Coast, feared for our very lives. After years of all-out warfare, and millions upon millions of lives lost, peace was won. It was the seminal event of the entire bloody 20th century. And now its hardly taught in our schools. A few short years ago a young schoolteacher, in conversation in my own home, admitted she had only heard of the war, but actually knew nothing about it. That included Pearl Harbor; she never heard of it. Just last month, in conversation with a professor from a prestigious California university, when I brought up the subject, he said his students felt it was irrelevant, and they had no time, nor need, for it. One wonders if Pearl Harbor and the ensuing war was offered as a school course, would there be more appreciation for this great country? I would say there most likely would, and it could possibly reduce the number of flag burnings. A little knowledge here could defang those who yap that America was never a great country. Roy Roudine, Los Alamitos By the time you read this, I will be cavorting in Costa Rica with four teenagers. Not sure cavorting is the right word, maybe surviving is more like it. Im not sure what made me think it would be a good idea to take four teenagers to the rainforest during the rainy season. I must have been drunk at the time. Well be staying in an off-the-beaten-path hamlet called Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast, which is not where most tourists go, but thats why we like it. Because I didnt want to see a single American hotel chain or fast food restaurant on the entire trip. Puerto Viejo was settled originally by Jamaican laborers and it still has that reggae vibe. Its developed, but mostly with small locally owned shops, guesthouses and restaurants, so we wont be eating at McDonalds. Tragic, really. But the beaches are gorgeous, especially if youre an expert surfer. Unfortunately, well be arriving smack in the middle of the rainy season, in a region that already gets hammered every year. After years of drought, I dont mind the rain, except if it means I cant kick the teenagers out of the cottage to go play outdoors. Im sure some of you are shaking your heads and whispering, Marla, Marla, Marla. Why are you bringing four teenagers with you? Well, heres the explanation: Last year at this time, we had a wonderful visit to Puerto Viejo, staying at the cute little Banana Azul beach resort, and we all wanted to come back, except for my 17-year-old daughter. Sadly, Curly Girl spent half the trip sobbing, after she was dumped via text by her (expletive-deleted) boyfriend while we were there. This did not improve her mood, nor endear her to Costa Rica, and she insisted she had post-traumatic stress every time I even brought up the subject of returning. Even though she has a much nicer boyfriend now who wouldnt do that. But, meanwhile, her brother loved it and begged to go back. So, at the time, it seemed like the obvious solution to invite the boyfriend to come with us. But then I realized I had to bring a friend for Cheetah Boy, or he would be a third wheel. So we invited one of his best friends. Neither boy has ever been out of the country, so it will be a learning experience for them. Then, I realized that those two pairs of teens will ditch me at every opportunity, because were staying in a modest cabana resort walking distance to town and the beach. So I invited a friend for me, and things seemed copacetic, until she had to cancel at the last minute due to unavoidable circumstances. So, now Im going to Costa Rica with four teens and no friend for me, so Im not sure what to expect. The kids say they wont ditch me, but they probably will. Meanwhile, I discovered this little resort I picked, Cashew Hill Jungle Lodge, has a beautiful yoga platform overlooking the sea, and four yoga classes a day. So I decided this trip will be about me learning how to do yoga at age 60, and the heck with the kids. I signed them up for a bunch of adventure tours, and theyll be out of my hair. I will be yoga-ing every day, reading my new Kindle and listening to the howler monkeys that apparently live in the trees there. I cant afford to feed four teenagers at restaurants, so Ive informed them that each kid will be responsible for cooking one meal in rotation, every fifth meal. Considering that none of the boys have the slightest idea how to cook, Im not sure what well be eating, but, hey, maybe Ill lose some more weight. I intended to be proficient on a bicycle again by the time we left, but it didnt happen. That final lesson will have to wait until I get back. I hope it wont be pouring rain every minute were there. Generally, in the rainforest, the downpours come and go, and you seldom have an entire day of rain. But, just in case, Im buying a big bottle of rum. That can keep me entertained for hours at a time. Contact the writer: mfisher@scng.com or 714-796-7994 Read more Frumpy Middle-age Mom. Its 42% better than real life! NEW YORK Donald Trump embraced new Cabinet officers Wednesday whose backgrounds suggest hes primed to put tough actions behind his campaign rhetoric on immigration and the environment, even as he seemed to soften his yearlong stance on immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children. Its clearer by the day, underscored by Trumps at-times contradictory words, that his actual policies as president wont be settled until after he takes his seat in the Oval Office. Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly has been selected to head the Department of Homeland Security, and Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, a climate-change denier whose policies have helped fossil fuel companies, is to be announced as head of the Environmental Protection Agency. Separately, Trump named the former chief executive of World Wrestling Entertainment, Linda McMahon, to head the Small Business Administration. Trumps long presidential campaign was in large part defined by searing rhetoric and his steadfast promises to build an impenetrable wall on the border with Mexico and crack down on immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. But he struck a softer tone in an interview published Wednesday after he was named Time Magazines Person of the Year. Were going to work something out thats going to make people happy and proud, Trump said. They got brought here at a very young age; theyve worked here, theyve gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And theyre in never-never land because they dont know whats going to happen. He offered no details about a policy that would make that clear. During the campaign, Trumps tough comments including a vow to overturn President Barack Obamas executive orders on immigration have led to fears among immigrant advocates that he will end Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Hundreds of thousands of young immigrants have gained work permits and temporary protection from deportation under the 2012 program, which aides to Trump have said would be revisited. Others continue to press the immigrants case. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel presented Trump a letter Wednesday from 14 big city mayors urging him to keep the program intact. They were working hard toward the American dream, Emmanuel told reporters in lobby of Trumps skyscraper. Its no fault of their own their parents came here. They are something we should hold up and embrace. Though some immigrant advocates hope Trumps words were an olive branch, others were skeptical. Weve seen this movie before, Frank Sharry of the immigrant-rights group Americas Voice said in a statement. Unfortunately we expect no pivot and no softening. Meanwhile, Trump moved toward making another addition to the collection of generals in his Cabinet, settling on Kelly to head Homeland Security, according to people close to transition. Gen. Kelly, who joined the Marine Corps in 1970, retired this year after a final command that included oversight of the Guantanamo Bay detention center. He has a reputation as a border hawk after a time in the Southern Command, which is based in South Florida and regularly works with Homeland Security on missions to identify and dismantle immigrant smuggling networks. Trump also picked Pruitt, a longtime critic of the EPA, to head that same agency, according to person close to Pruitt who was not authorized to speak publicly about the choice before it was announced. The move comes just after Trump met with former Vice President Al Gore, who is an environmental activist, and said he had an open mind about honoring the Paris climate accords. That game hope to some environmentalists, but on Wednesday Trumps apparent decision was denounced by Democrats. Mr. Pruitts record is not only that of being a climate change denier, but also someone who has worked closely with the fossil fuel industry to make this country more dependent, not less, on fossil fuels, said Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. But Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, a Republican, said Pruitt has proven that being a good steward of the environment does not mean burdening taxpayers and businesses with red tape. Also Wednesday, Trump said he planned to name his secretary of state next week and insisted that former rival Mitt Romney still had a chance. Trump, who has met twice with the 2012 GOP nominee, denied he was stringing Romney along to make him pay for saying the former reality show star was unfit to be president. No, its not about revenge. Its about whats good for the country, and Im able to put this stuff behind us and I hit him very hard also, Trump said in a telephone interview on NBC. Those close to the selection process have said that Trump has begun moving away from both Romney and another former front-runner, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker and former CIA Director David Petraeus had also been previously identified by transition aides as part of the final four though Trump has now expanded the pool. The president-elect also announced his selection of Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as the new U.S. ambassador to China. Trump and Branstad are expected to appear together in Iowa on Thursday. Before that, Trump will meet with some of the victims of last weeks car-and-knife attack at Ohio State University. He has denounced immigration policies that allowed the apparent attacker into the country. Theres some pretty impressive brain power being flexed in the Fountain Valley home of Nicola and Chad Weiss. Its a good bet theirs is the only home on the block with a backyard shed converted into a science lab. True, it may have started as a cool place from which to launch dry ice bombs and a space where the family didnt have to share the pungent side effects of some of 15-year-old Sean Weiss experiments with methane extraction from feces. Now, all five of the Weiss kids share the space for experiments and projects. Next week, Nicola Weiss and the children will be going to San Francisco to make presentations at the prestigious American Geophysical Unions Fall Meeting, which begins Monday. Its the largest international gathering of earth and space scientists, with more than 25,000 scientists, educators and students scheduled to attend. The Weisses will be represented by Sean, whos presenting for the second year, triplets Cameron, Evan and Megan, 14, and Ian, 12, as well as Nicola. The family will present posters that display their projects and findings. Last year, Nicola Weiss, 45, who has helped launch several so-called STEM science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs in local schools, took her kids to the Geophysical Union to experience the event. Weiss is a stay-at-home mom as well as a volunteer for numerous causes. The other four (children) were inspired by everything they saw up there, she said of the effect on her kids, who each took up a project to undertake for consideration this year. Well, mostly. I dont know if I wanted to (create a project) or had to, admitted Megan, a freshman at Edison High whose talents take a more artistic than scientific turn. Her brothers break into peals of laughter when recounting an experiment Megan undertook last year to see if beetles could become stronger through exercise. The experiment apparently involved calisthenics and the pulling of sleds and weights by the insects. It wasnt a bad idea. It was just the execution, Ian says, setting off another round of laughs. For this years event, Megan studied carbon dioxide conversion to determine which of several kinds of plants release the most oxygen, apparently finding plants made easier test subjects than beetles. Sean is looking into the very topical and current field of converting methane from cow manure into energy to reduce greenhouse gases. He has been ablle to use methane from cow manure to power several appliances, including a refrigerator. Cameron studied desalination and the optimal environment for the process. Evan looked at organic decomposition and the release of greenhouse gas, and Ian studied converting heat radiating off pavement into an energy system. He is also one of two students from Talbert Middle School presenting a group project on an array of threats to oceans, including debris and acidification. Nicola Weiss and John Wood, a teacher at Talbert Middle School, will also have a poster presentation about the STEM program at Talbert. All five of the children are part of the Bright Students Training as Research Scientists (STaRS) program that brought about 100 middle and high school students to present their research at the gathering. The students followed the same abstract submission process and standards as the professional scientists making presentations. Seans and Ians projects both came from real-life observations. While on poop scooping duty in the backyard, Sean realized there was energy stored in the feces. That eventually led him to explore different projects, including harvesting energy from cow waste, earning him recognition in several science contests. Its had its ups and downs, Sean says of his experiments. Lets just say one of the lab coats has a permanent stain, he adds, referring to the effects of the stench on his digestion. Sean also received recognition in the Register in 2013 for organizing blood drives and for raising money for cancer research when his friend Zach Zeissner was dying from the disease. Those efforts have led Sean to consider a career in medicine. For the Edison High sophomore, science is all about exploration and discovery. My favorite part of doing an experiment is finding something totally new that you didnt expect, he said. You learn how much you dont know. I like that sense of wonder. Ian, meanwhile, came up with his project idea after burning his toes on hot pavement. Wood, a scientist who has done extensive polar research, has taught all the Weiss children at Talbert and said hes proud of the work they are producing. He said he first met Sean when he was a 12-year-old with a mile-a-minute mind and has been gratified to see him developing focus in his research. He sees in Ian the same kind of imagination that can observe phenomena and design experiments and produce results. Nicola Weiss began looking for learning programs and opportunities several years ago when Sean began showing an interest in science. Since then, in addition to helping launch the STEM program at Talbert, she has been involved with the Academy of Sustainability at Edison High and its acclaimed Innovation Lab. She has even done some consulting with the Discovery Cube science center in Santa Ana. Wood credits the Weiss parents with creating a strong learning environment for the kids. While there is expectation placed on them, he said it is girded by support. Chad, the creative director for an advertising agency, is described as the one who gives the children their artistic sensibilities. This is the type of team effort you like to see in families, he said. Talking about his parents expectations and support, Evan said, They drive us to do what we can. But they also expose us to options. Whether its high school lacrosse or rubbing elbows with some of the leading minds in science in San Francisco, Nicola Weiss said she wants her children to have experiences from which to make choices. The thing I hope they get is that little spark, she said. If theyre passionate about something, I know theyll follow through. Contact the writer: CONTACT THE WRITER714-796-7964gmellen@scng.com DANA POINT A pod of Biggs transient killer whales making their way along the coast on Tuesday thrilled San Clemente High science seniors aboard the Ocean Institutes Sea Explorer. The Sea Explorer was two miles off the coast of South Laguna when Capt. Mike Bursk spotted the killer whales. Last week, a group of 50 killer whales were spotted offshore. These killer whales are mammal-eating orcas that hunt harbor seals, minke whales and gray whale calves. They live in small groups and travel from Southern California to the Arctic. They are family-oriented. Some stay with their mother for life. Bursk alerted the students when he first spotted a large, 20-foot-long male traveling with six family members. Initially they were diving and appeared to be hunting, said Bursk, who has run the Sea Explorer for the Ocean Institute for 17 years. Then they started surface paddling and did bow-riding with us just like dolphins. The killer whales were traveling up the coast and were last seen off Newport Beach just before noon. The students were so excited, said Leslie Kretschmar, a crew member on the Ocean Explorer. We, as the crew, really emphasized to them how rare of an opportunity today was. Bursk said he had been the first last week to spot the group of 50 or more offshore killer whales last Wednesday while on a trip to do ocean core sampling. These killer whales are known to be elusive and live far from land. Experts say their range stretches from Southern California to the Bering Sea, and their social structure and prey preferences are still unknown. They are usually seen in large groups with more than 50 or more and hunt fish and sharks. But the whales were at least two miles away. Unlike other whale watching charters, Bursk said he couldnt just take off and look for the killer whales and put the information out to Frank Brennan, a captain with Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale watching. On Monday, Capt. Mike Redlew was out on the La Espada off Palos Verdes when he saw whales blowing in the distance off Point Vicente about four miles off the Trump National Golf Course. In an hour, he spotted at least 100 sperm whales off the coast of Point Fermin. Sperm whales are the largest of the toothed whales and the largest toothed predator. They were last seen off the coast in 2012. http://launch.newsinc.com/js/embed.js var _ndnq = _ndnq || []; _ndnq.push([embed]); At first it was a pod of 30-40 whales. Then toward Catalina Island, he and his crew saw at least 80 more. The pod was a mile wide, traveling about 3.1 knots. They were heading southeast. The sperm whales were fluking two to three at a time. When you first come up and see a whale blow, you never expect to see a sperm whale, said Capt. Dan Salas, who has been working the water for Harbor Breeze Cruises for 30 years. I doesnt register until you get closer. Then everybody looks at each other, and its like is that what we just saw? In 30 years, Salas has only seen them on one other occasion. He saw them in nearly the same spot in 2012. Then he saw a pod of 20 sperm whales. This week weve had two blue whales, a pod of eight humpbacks, thousands of dolphins and now killer whales again today, Salas said. Its got to make you think whats going on in the ocean. Weve never had humpbacks year round. Are there more whales? Is the ocean cleaner, and theres more food? Alisa Schulman-Janiger, a whale researcher, was on the La Espada and saw at least 40 sperm whales spread out in small groups. The whales were all moving the same direction south, southeast. Every direction we looked, there were whales all swimming in that direction at about an average of 3.5 miles per hour. Nearly all looked like females and their offspring. Females are much smaller than adult males. Schulman-Janiger has seen singles and pairs of males feeding off Palos Verdes many times in nearly 35 years. This is the first time Ive ever seen a nursery pod and this was a super mega-pod, she said. Schulman-Janiger said if there were over 100 sperm whales that would make this the largest documented sperm whale sighting off California, according Jay Barlow, a whale scientist with Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla. Dave Weller, a marine biologist who leads the whale migration program for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said Tuesday, he doesnt have a good explanation for the abundance of whale species sighted. Nature is unpredictable, he said. For boat captains like Bursk and Salas, who have both been on the water for decades, the recent sightings have been a rare treat. Everyone was talking about it. he said. The rarer it is, the more sensational it becomes. Orcas and sperm whales are like the Holy Grail of cetacean watching. Contact the writer: 714-796-2254 or eritchie@scng. com or on Twitter:@lagunaini A bankrupt Armenian dairy company that hasnt paid employees and milk suppliers in months has announced that it will be settling debts in Roquefort blue mold cheese. The Ashtarak Kat Company started producing large quantities of Roquefort blue mold cheese at its factory in Chambarak earlier this year. In 2015, it produced a trial lot under the brand Molder Blue, and market data showed that there was great demand for quality blue mold cheese, both from withing Armenia, but also abroad. Production was ramped up to full throttle in spring of this year, but Ashtarak struggled to find buyers for the cheese, and within just a few months it became unable to pay employees and local milk suppliers. Company debts reached 70 million Armenian dram, and it filed for bankruptcy. With no cash to settle debts and its refrigerators stocked full of Roquefort cheese, Ashtarak decided that the best way to appease its angry workforce and local cattle farmers was to use the cheese as currency. The price per kilogram has been set at 2,000 dram, and all that remains is to split the cheese until the debts are settled. With around 60 tonnes of Roquefort in stock, the company has more than enough to pay off everyone and even cut some if its losses, but not everyone is happy with the solution. Photo: Ranveig Yuri Avalyan, the mayor of Chambarak, told Sputnik that people are aware that Ashtarak Kat Company lacks the financial means to pay its workers and milk suppliers, but giving them Roquefort cheese instead is not the answer. Firstly, blue mold cheese consumption in Armenia is very low, so the chances of them being able to sell it even at dumping prices are also very low. And secondly, people dont have the means to properly store the vast quantities of cheese that they are entitled to, so theres a big chance that it will spoil before they find a buyer. For lack of a better alternative, the people of Chambarak have agreed to be paid in cheese, with the condition that Ashtarak keep it in its industrial refrigerators until they find buyers. Mayor Avalyan says that they are currently in talks to sell part of the Roquefort to Russia, but they are still looking for other interested parties. So if youre in the market for some cheap, quality Roquefort cheese, Armenia is probably your best bet right now. Youd really be helping out a lot of desperate people, as well. Public Relations Global Network announced the addition of five new affiliates to the global PR and marketing communications group at a recent meeting in Lisbon, Portugal. Ad verum, founded in 2004, handles clients in the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Client work includes Dell, Wizz Air, Nike and Bosch. Ardeny Consultancy is located in Bulgaria and represents clients such as AIG, Continental, Holcim, Cargill, Hewlett-Packard, Oracle and the Bulgarian Stock Exchange. Toronto-based Media Profile is Canada's largest full-service, independent PR firm. Scandinavian Communications represents clients across Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. Christina Rytter, formerly of PRGN affiliate, Coast Communications, opened this new, standalone agency in Copenhagen. Rytter, PRGNs president-elect, will take the over in mid-2017. Bulgarias Two cents represent multiple sectors, including both the MICE and the construction and real estate industries. Key clients include Diversified Business Communications, GROHE, Velux, Daikin, Winerberger and Schneider Electric. "The GDP value of Canada represents 2.5 percent of the world economy, so having a strong presence there is imperative. The addition of a consumer-oriented firm in Belgium complements PRGN's Brussels-based, European public affairs firm, while our expansion into Bulgaria and Lithuania further strengthens our presence in Eastern Europe and the Baltic states, respectively. Likewise, the addition of a firm in Denmark increases our capabilities in Scandinavia, where we already work with an affiliate in Sweden, said Evelyn John Holtzhausen, founder of Cape Town, South Africa-based HWB Communications and president of PRGN. PRGN partners meet twice a year in cities around the world to discuss best practices and find new ways to collaborate in local markets. The next meeting will be held in April 2017 in Dallas, Texas. Visit www.prgn.com for more information. Agricultural News Ag In The Classroom Lessons Add Meaning to Holidays A corn cob doll, a cotton boll angel and an okra pod Santa are some of the simple toys kids can make with agricultural products. Ideas for these holiday crafts and many more are found in December's lessons on the Ag In The Classroom (AITC) website. Oklahoma teachers who use this agriculture-based curriculum help their students learn about the diversity of agriculture from our state's Christmas tree farms to the annual cotton harvest. They also learn that sorghum molasses gives gingerbread men their special flavor and can enjoy making their own paper to wrap gifts. Training in using this curriculum is offered free of charge to Oklahoma teachers by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Math, science and reading skills are enhanced with fun activities that engage students in learning where their food and clothing come from. Various activities from the PreK-12 curriculum are featured each month on the website to add meaning to special holidays and seasons while improving students' understanding of plants, soil and the importance of agriculture to the state's economy. "Most kids today are not exposed to agriculture, and they do not make connections to agriculture on a daily basis," said AITC coordinator Cheri Long. "They often just think their food comes from the grocery store. Ag In The Classroom is an essential part of a well-rounded education and helps to ensure students learn how they are connected to agriculture and the vital role it plays in their lives." One teacher who has found joyful ways to bring agriculture into her second grade classroom is Debra Deskin who teaches at Orvis Risner Elementary in Edmond. Her enthusiasm for agriculture spills over into everything she teaches. She recently decided to bring the farm to the state capitol with handmade farm ornaments her students created. Her class was one of 26 elementary classes selected to decorate a Christmas tree on display in the capitol through the month of December. Burlap garlands on their special tree spell out the theme "Down on the Farm" and white picket fences made of paper take the place of tinsel garlands. The students' carefully hung pigs, sheep and tractors on the branches. The pigs were round ornaments painted pink and the wooly sheep were shower curtain rings wrapped with yarn. Salt dough tractors bedazzled with sequins and glitter completed the tree decorations while cotton bales and hay bales under the tree represented presents. The students were thrilled with their creation and had fun designing their tree just before Santa arrived in the capitol rotunda. Deskin's class was fortunate in having multiple sponsors helping with this trip to the state capitol. She contacted several agriculture organizations and businesses for help with materials to make ornaments and do activities that went with the ag-themed Christmas tree. Sponsors included the Oklahoma Soybean Board, Circle E, Inc. feed store, Oklahoma Wheat Commission, P & K Equipment and the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Committee. "The students were excited to create ornaments that represented different aspects of Oklahoma agriculture," Deskin said. "I continually incorporate ways to promote agricultural literacy in my daily lessons. Students need to know just how important agriculture is to our daily life." Deskin has promoted agricultural literacy for several years. She has presented multiple AITC workshops in her school district and has been featured at the statewide AITC summer conference. Her creativity has been recognized at the national level where she has been a presenter for the National Ag In The Classroom Conference in Louisville, Kentucky and has been invited to present again at the 2017 conference in Kansas City, Missouri. Source - Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture, Food & Forestry WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady NSI Top Agricultural News The New York Post on Monday called Amazon (AMZN)'s register-less shopping experiment, Amazon Go, the "next major job killer" in the latest doomsday headline for retail workers. On Monday, the retail giant announced a new advanced supermarket where shoppers can grab items and go without waiting in checkout lines. Once customers leave the store, items are billed to their Amazon.com accounts. Following the announcement, reports by Quartz and The Wall Street Journal declared the experimental store might signal the end of "millions of cashier jobs." The New York Post's front page story on Tuesday called the store "the end of jobs." CNBC's Anita Balakrishnan contributed to this report. Correction: This article has been updated to reflect when the NY Post story calling Amazon Go the "next major job killer" was published. More From CNBC Despite the creaky knees and reading glasses that come with old age, Americans tend to get happier as they grow older, a new analysis finds. Based on phone surveys that are part of the annual Gallup-Healthways State of American Well-Being series, the report found people 55 and older doing better than younger people across five parameters. When it comes to financial well-being, older people thrive at a rate of 53 percent, compared to 33 percent for younger people; they also score higher on measures of community, purpose, social, and health. In a survey that reached 115,000 older Americans over 15 months, they expressed higher satisfaction with their standard of living, said they worry less about money, and said they have enough money to do what they want. They also reported higher rates of having health insurance and a personal doctor, and lower incidence of obesity and depression than younger Americans. But much can depend on where one lives. The states with the highest levels of well-being among older people are Hawaii, Arizona, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Colorado; the lowest levels are in West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Indiana. Nebraska ranked 14th on the list, and Iowa ranked 9th. "The 55 and over crowd in those top states . . . report always making time for regular trips and vacations with family and friends, reaching their goals in the last 12 months, using their strengths and aptitudes as a human being, in other words, doing things that are a natural right fit for them," said Dan Witters, research director for the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. Particularly striking is the range of different outcomes in geographic areas. There is one cluster of states with high rankings in a section of the Midwest, but for the most part, the high- and low-ranking states are evenly distributed. New Hampshire ranks third while its similarly-sized neighbor, Vermont, ranks 45th. Arizona is second, while New Mexico is 28th. Part of this may be explained by demography. Native American populations in New Mexico have a high rate of obesity, alcoholism, smoking and chronic conditions, which may be a factor in the state's lower ranking, said Sheri Pruitt, chief behavioral scientist for Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness, a fitness program for older adults. But state policy also seems to play a role. The higher-ranking states are more likely to have policies promoting better health. In Colorado, a "sugar tax" levied on foods with high sugar content has had the effect of dissuading some people from purchasing such foods, Witters said. Stronger anti-smoking legislation also correlates with higher rankings on the well-being index. Colorado and Arizona, for example, ban smoking in workplaces, restaurants and bars, while West Virginia and Kentucky have no statewide bans on smoking. Legislation on the state level works not only by making unhealthy lifestyles harder to pursue but also in more subtle psychological ways, Witters said. "Where people believe that their well-being is automatically cared about by their leaders, not only do they report a higher level of well-being but their well being continues to go up over time," he said. Hilowles years-long journey to Omaha and U.S. citizenship took her from Somalia to a refugee camp in Kenya to three U.S. states, where she had to learn a new language, fit into a new culture and find a way out of an arranged marriage. Seeing her sambusa on the menu gives her a sense of belonging in Omaha. Voters on Tuesday narrowly approved a $14.5 million bond issue to improve safety and security measures at Iowa Western Community College. The referendum will address both the main campus in Council Bluffs and surrounding campus centers in Clarinda, Atlantic, Shenandoah and Harlan. Don Kohler, a spokesman for Iowa Western, said that, as of press time, 63.49 percent of voters in the seven core counties the college serves Pottawattamie, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Page and Shelby approved the measure. The bond issue required a 60 percent supermajority to pass. Obviously, were pleased with the fact voters thought the safety and security of our centers was important, he said. Kohler said the bond issue will pay for new cameras, doors, locks and other security improvements at all five sites. Many doors on campus will be replaced, for instance, with the new locks and frames The improvements paid for by the referendum would also include computer equipment and other behind-the-scenes items that would improve safety during a lockdown situation, Kohler said, adding that many of the upgrades would likely go unnoticed by students and staff. They may not be something someone picks up when they walk through campus, he said. I dont know if someone walking up to a door will know its a different door, but its going to allow us to do a lockdown. Despite the approval, taxpayers in the portions of the 13 counties in southwest Iowa served by Iowa Western will see a slight tax decrease, according to the college. On June 30, the colleges early retirement levy 0.34 cents per $1,000 of taxable valuation will expire. That levy will be replaced July 1 by the 20-year bond approved Tuesday night, which is 0.13 cents per $1,000 of taxable valuation. The breakdown of costs between the Council Bluffs campus and the four satellite centers, had yet to be determined, Kohler said. He added that as much of the work as possible would take place over the summer to minimize inconveniences to students and staff. Were really happy voters gave their approval on this measure, Kohler said. Obviously, safety and security is important across our centers. President-elect Donald Trump has selected Terry Branstad, the long-serving Republican governor of Iowa, to serve as ambassador to China, a transition official confirmed Wednesday. Branstad has extensive ties to China and a personal friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping that dates back decades. If confirmed, the move could go some way to reassure China's leadership that Trump understands the importance of healthy relations with Beijing. The Chinese reacted with concern to Trump's protocol-busting phone call last Friday with Tsai Ing-wen, the leader of Taiwan, an island that China considers a rogue province. Trump repeatedly attacked China on the campaign trail and in a pair of tweets last Sunday over its trade and currency policies, as well as the way it has staked its territorial claims in the South China Sea. He has threatened to slap tariffs of up to 45 percent on Chinese goods if Beijing didn't "behave." The selection of Branstad was first reported by Bloomberg News and confirmed Wednesday by a transition official, who requested anonymity because the nomination had not yet been formally announced. Later in the day, Branstad confirmed that he'd accepted the post. China's foreign ministry did not confirm the report but reacted warmly. "First of all, I would like to say that Mr. Branstad is an old friend of the Chinese people, and we welcome him to play a greater role in promoting Sino-U. S. relations," spokesman Lu Kang told a regular press conference. "The U.S. ambassador to China is an important bridge between the U.S. government and the Chinese government. No matter who is in this position, we are willing to work with him to push forward the sound, steady and steady development of Sino-U. S. relations." Branstad met with Trump in New York on Tuesday and issued a written statement saying that he had enjoyed a "very cordial conversation" with the president-elect and that they had spoken about the transition and the next administration. Branstad was among the most active Republican establishment figures on behalf of Trump, campaigning regularly with him in the state. The governor's son, Eric, managed Trump's general election campaign in Iowa, which was one of the contested battleground states. Although Trump finished only second in the state's Republican caucuses, he carried the state in the general election 51 percent to Hillary Clinton's 42 percent. Branstad's move to Beijing, should he be confirmed, would elevate Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds to the governorship. Reynolds, who has long been considered Branstad's favored successor, would become Iowa's first female governor. Under the Obama administration, experts say the post of ambassador had declined somewhat in importance: China policy was largely run out of the White House with the president tending to immerse himself in many of the details. Under Trump, the role could be more significant and not only because the next president is likely to leave many of the policy details to his advisers. By taking a phone call from Taiwan's democratically elected leader Tsai, and continuing to tweet critical comments about China after his election win, the president-elect has shown he will not be bound by diplomatic convention and wants to show he is standing up to China. Kerry Brown, professor of Chinese studies at King's College, London, said it would be important having someone in the job who has the president's ear and can call him up directly. "There's definitely going to be problems in the first few months so you need someone who's going to get direct access to the president, and get the president's attention," he said. "I get the feeling he's not going to want piles and piles of briefings, he's not going to wade through that. In a sense that makes the personal system, where you can have people speak to him directly, very important." Indeed Branstad, if he is nominated by Trump and confirmed by the Senate, could have his work cut out smoothing over some of the ripples in the relationship reassuring the Chinese that the United States does not want confrontation and conflict but still sees areas for cooperation. Jie Dalei, an assistant professor at the School of International Studies of Peking University, reacted cautiously, saying the appointment could help communication "but is unlikely have too much impact at the decision-making level." "At this point, his tweets and remarks certainly have attracted the most attention," he said. "Compared to that, the appointment of an ambassador to China, though very thoughtful, is unlikely to fix the damage caused by the uncertainty of his tweets and Taiwan call." Last month, less than week after Trump's victory, Branstad paid his seventh visit to China, meeting the country's agriculture minister as well as officials from Iowa's sister-state Hebei. He has described Xi as an "old friend," and, during a 2015 interview with state news agency Xinhua, proudly displayed photographs of two meetings with the Chinese leader. The first dated back to 1985, when Xi made his first trip to the United States as a young agriculture officer from Hebei. The other was from 2012, when Branstad hosted an elaborate dinner at the Iowa Capitol for the then-vice president of China. Branstad also met Xi on a visit to China in 2011, saying the pair had spoken for 45 minutes as Xi reminisced about the hospitality he had received when he was in Iowa. The six-term governor, the longest-serving in American history, and his state voted for Trump by the largest margin for a Republican since Ronald Reagan in 1980. It also a state with strong economic ties to China, as the largest producer of corn and among the largest soybean producers in the United States. China has been a fast-growing market for Iowa's agriculture and processed food, with exports from the state up by a factor of 13 between 2000 and 2010 to $6.3 billion, according to Chinese state media. That fact alone may reassure some people that Trump would not needlessly start a trade war with China, since retaliation from Beijing in the shape of reduced soybean and corn imports would not only hurt Iowa but also other Republican-controlled agricultural states. Branstad, 70, served as governor of Iowa from 1983 to 1999, and again from 2011. Trump will visit the state Thursday on his post-election victory tour. Two days before the Nov. 8 presidential election, during a rally in Sioux City, Trump called the governor to the stage, calling him "our prime candidate to take care of China." Cold weather is expected to continue over the next few days before a bit of warmth moves into the Omaha area by Saturday. Looks for high temperatures today and Thursday in the upper teens to mid-20s and northwest winds gusting to 20 to 25 mph, forecasters said. Overnight lows will dip into the upper single digits to lower teens. The average high temperature for early December in Omaha is 37 and the average low is 19. Fridays high in the Omaha area will be in the lower to mid-20s and Saturdays high will top out in the mid-30s. Sundays high will slip back into the upper 20s. Also Saturday, there is a 20 percent chance of snow after 1 p.m. into late Saturday night in the Omaha area. There is a greater chance of snow in northeast Nebraska. Overnight lows Friday through Sunday will be in the mid-teens to lower 20s. Elsewhere, a weather system will bring a 20 percent chance of snow to southeast Nebraska near the Kansas border late tonight into early Thursday. The latest Omaha-area forecast, according to the National Weather Service office in Valley: Today Mostly cloudy with a high in the mid-20s. Northwest winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy with a low in the upper single digits to lower teens. Thursday Sunny and windy with a high in the upper teens to lower 20s. Northwest winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Thursday night Mostly clear with a low in the upper single digits. Friday Partly sunny with a high in the lower to mid-20s. Friday night Mostly cloudy with a low in the upper teens. Saturday A 20 percent chance of snow after 1 p.m. with a high in the mid-30s. Saturday night A chance of snow, mainly between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m., with a low in the lower 20s. Sunday Partly sunny with a high in the upper 20s. Sunday night Partly cloudy with a low in the mid-teens. Monday Mostly sunny with a high in the upper 20s to lower 30s. Monday night Mostly cloudy with a low in the mid-teens. Tuesday Partly sunny with a high in the lower 30s. The mother of a 22-year-old man who died in an April car crash is questioning why police didnt use cellphone technology to find her son and two others when they first were reported missing. After using their normal investigative methods for searching for missing adults, law enforcement officers eventually found the three after pinging two of their phones. The three Robert Baker III, 22, Jonathan Rodriguez, 24, and Patricia Padron, 21 died of blunt-force trauma when the pickup truck they were riding in shot off the road in northwest Douglas County at 100 mph and landed in a ravine along the Papillion Creek. Baker was the driver. They last were seen at nightclubs early on April 3 in the Omaha metro area and Mills County, Iowa. Their bodies werent discovered until the afternoon of April 5. Bakers mother, Dawn Hamann of Omaha, said she and Bakers girlfriend, Bailey Ellenwood, called police Sunday evening and spoke to them again the next day. The other two were reported missing in Grand Island by their families. Hamann said they asked Omaha police to ping the cellphones as a way of locating the three, but the police didnt do that. Such technology was used successfully to track convicted murderer Anthony Garcia, who killed four people in Omaha. On April 4, Padrons family asked Grand Island police to ping her phone, Hamann said. That didnt go anywhere, either. Omaha Police Lt. Mark Desler said in an email that its not the departments policy to ping phones immediately especially to find missing adults. Missing adults are not suspects in any crime and being listed as a missing adult is not criminal in nature, Desler said. In this case, the investigator looked at financial information on Mr. Baker and followed up on leads provided by the family, which were not productive. The investigator spoke with the Baker family on a regular basis, according to Desler. Police pinged Bakers phone early April 5, after they tried the other investigative methods, Desler said. The phones last known location was near 168th and Maple, but was no longer giving location information, which meant it had been turned off or was out of power, Desler said. An Omaha police helicopter couldnt fly that morning because of bad weather. Grand Island police said the department was contacted April 4 about Padron and Rodriguez being missing. Officers found that Padrons bank card had been used April 2. Officers were asked whether they could ping her cellphone, so they contacted the cellphone network operator, Straight Talk Wireless, for assistance, Grand Island Police Capt. Dean Elliott said. Someone from Straight Talk told police that the company couldnt ping the phone because it wasnt capable of doing that, Elliott said. A representative of the company told The World-Herald that the company can provide investigators with information on local cell towers, and investigators then can contact the cellphone providers that operate those towers, which then may be able to ping the phone. Desler said an Omaha police officer learned the types of phones that Baker and Rodriguez had with them used Verizon towers when active in the Omaha area. The phones then were pinged, and both hit close to where the truck eventually was located, Desler said. Because the police helicopter still couldnt go up because of the weather, a ground search was conducted in the area, but the search was fruitless. When the police helicopter was able to fly Tuesday afternoon, Desler said, it did not take them long to locate the truck in the creek bed. There was no way to see that truck from the roads. Hamann said she has always wondered if there was anything that could have been done to find them sooner. We have all this technology, she said. Desler said that according to Douglas County Sheriffs Office investigators, Baker, Rodriguez and Padron all died on impact. Accurate phone pings may have helped us find the wreckage sooner, he said, but would have saved no life in this case. Hamann expressed frustration that cellphone technology wasnt tapped sooner to find the three. The outcome might have been exactly the same, but just the thought its heartbreaking. World-Herald staff writer Kevin Cole contributed to this report. One by one, the boys of the ill-fated battleship USS Oklahoma finally are coming home. Seventy-five years ago today, the ship rolled over in its berth at Ford Island after being hit by multiple torpedoes during the stunning sneak attack by Japanese naval aircraft on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Twenty-one U.S. Navy ships, including the Oklahoma, were sunk or damaged in the raid Dec. 7, 1941. The U.S. was pulled into World War II against Japan and its chief ally, Germany. More than seven decades later, fully two-thirds of the 2,400 American casualties are what the Defense POW-MIA Accounting Agency describes as unresolved. The bodies of most of those killed were never recovered, or they were recovered but not identified. The unidentified remains were buried in Hawaiian cemeteries in graves marked unknown. In many cases, the remains were jumbled. Bones from dozens of men were mixed up and placed in a single casket. That includes a large majority of the 429 sailors and Marines who died aboard the Oklahoma. Only 35 were identified in the immediate aftermath of the attack. After the war, the rest of the remains most of which were recovered during a 1943 salvage operation aboard the battleship were placed in 63 caskets and buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, also known as the Punchbowl. Nebraskas Offutt Air Force Base is now ground zero in a recent effort by the accounting agency to return those remains to their families. In 2013, the accounting agency opened a lab at Offutt to supplement the laboratory space at its Hawaii headquarters. The Offutt lab is where the USS Oklahoma remains are now being examined and identified. Its a very large puzzle with a lot of moving pieces, said Dr. Carrie Brown, the forensic anthropologist who heads the Oklahoma identification team. As of Monday, the agency has identified 64 of the Oklahoma unknowns, said Dr. Franklin Damann, director of the Offutt lab. Thirty-eight names have been publicly announced, and 26 already have been reburied most in their hometowns, or near family members. A 27th Oklahoma sailor will be buried today. Petty Officer 1st Class Jim Johnston of Wesson, Mississippi, is being laid to rest in his hometown. At least 18 crewmen from Nebraska and western Iowa remain missing from the Oklahoma. None of them has yet been identified. Six sets of brothers died on the Oklahoma, including one set of identical twins: Leo and Rudolph Blitz of Lincoln. The brothers were the ninth and tenth of 12 children born to Henry and Marie Blitz, Russian immigrants to the United States in the early 1900s. Betty Pitsch of Seward, No. 11, was born 4 years later. She was 16 when her brothers died. The family was notified on Christmas, relatives say. The mark on the family never faded. It was many, many years, no one would ever talk about this, said Pitsch, now 91. But they were always remembered. The family put a memorial marker for the twins in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. When they are identified, she intends for them to be buried there. From her home in Texas, Dee Dee King watches the accounting agencys website daily for news of more identifications. In 2009, the Navy hired King, a forensic genealogist, to track down the families of the missing Oklahoma sailors and ask them for DNA samples. In the years since, its become more than just a job. The crewmen seem like her own sons, and their descendants are like her family. For me, personally, its almost overwhelming, King said. Every time something comes up, I say, My guys! It gets to be a tearful afternoon. The USS Oklahoma remains have a long and macabre history. Some bodies were recovered from the ship and the waters around it in the weeks after the attack. Others remained entombed in the hull until the battleship was salvaged in 1942 and 43. The bones of the dead, encrusted in mud and oil, were removed from the ship and buried in two Hawaiian cemeteries. In 1947, the Graves Registration Service undertook a two-year effort to identify the remains. Though they matched names to 27 skulls using dental records, authorities decided to rebury all of the remains because no complete bodies could be identified. [ Read more: Unknowns from USS West Virginia will be next to finally be identified ] All of the Pearl Harbor unknowns might have remained anonymous if not for the work of Ray Emory, 95, a survivor of the 1941 attack. After the war, he worked as an engineer in Washington state. In the mid-1980s, he retired to Hawaii. Once he stopped at the cemetery to honor the graves of comrades who had died in the Pearl Harbor attack. I wanted to know where the Pearl Harbor grave sites were, Emory told The World-Herald in 2013. They couldnt tell me. Stunned, he walked through the cemetery rows and found dozens of graves marked Unknown, Dec. 7, 1941. Using the Freedom of Information Act, he began a years-long process of assembling files on the Pearl Harbor dead. That led to the opening of two coffins in the mid-2000s, and the identification of six Oklahoma crew members. The USS Oklahoma survivors association joined forces with Emory to lobby for the opening of the remaining 61 caskets containing unknowns from the ship. Early last year, Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work ordered the newly reorganized accounting agency to do it. In the summer and fall of 2015, the caskets were removed in solemn ceremonies, covered with flags, and escorted by pallbearers for transfer to the accounting agencys Hawaii lab. There the skulls were separated from what anthropologists call the post-cranial remains essentially, the rest of the body. The skulls were kept in Hawaii for examination by the agencys forensic odontologists, who are based there. The rest of the remains were returned to caskets and flown to Offutt. In the months since, Browns team of anthropologists has examined nearly 13,000 bones recovered from the caskets and collected biological data that offers clues on age, height, sex and ancestry. We can use certain information from each element, Brown said. Were able to filter and sort, use the data. The anthropologists created a database that helps them to group sets of bones with similar characteristics. DNA samples from almost 5,000 of the bones have been sent to the militarys testing laboratory in Dover, Delaware, to be matched up against samples gathered from family members of the missing crew members. Descendants of 84 percent of the missing men were found and agreed to submit DNA. The results of those tests have begun to come back and already are aiding in the identifications based on DNA as well as dental and biological characteristics. The entire project is expected to take five years. Its not clear just how many different peoples remains are in the lab. Brown said a total of 361 full or partial skulls have been recovered from the caskets. There are also 300 pairs of upper-arm bones and 298 separate mitochondrial DNA sequences. The accounting agency has been criticized for not simply extracting DNA from every bone and measuring it against the samples taken from family. But, Brown said, thats not as simple as it seems in TV police dramas. For one thing, such old bones dont always yield good-quality DNA samples. A DNA match isnt available from every family. Because DNA testing is expensive and time-consuming, its quicker and faster if they can narrow down the pool of possible matches using biology. To just take samples from everything that seems easy, but its actually a very poor strategy, Brown said. She said experienced anthropologists actually are pretty good at matching certain bones based on visual cues. And the database her Oklahoma team has created lets the computer quickly match similar bones together. The Oklahoma came in (and) we established a plan, Brown said. We have a system down. To date, all the identifications have been made from the skulls that were analyzed first in Hawaii. A few weeks ago, the Hawaii lab finished its work with the remaining skulls. They were placed in five flag-draped coffins and flown to Offutt aboard an Air Force C-17. Lab employees stood at attention as military pallbearers carried them from the aircraft into a waiting truck for transfer to the lab, in the World War II-era Martin Bomber Plant building at Offutt. The work requires the anthropologists to maintain a clinical detachment as they examine the bones. But they are reminded that these are real people whose lives were cut short. What were doing on a daily basis has so much significance to so many individuals, said Brown, whose job includes briefing relatives. Meeting the families that really hits home, why you do this. Now that the USS Oklahoma dead are on their way to being identified, scientists at the Defense POW-MIA Accounting Agency are preparing to turn their attention to the other Pearl Harbor unknowns. The Defense Department and the VAs National Cemetery Administration have approved plans to open 35 graves associated with the USS West Virginia, said Aelwen Wetherby, an Offutt-based historian for the agency. The West Virginia sank at its berth near the Oklahoma in the first minutes of the Japanese attack on Dec. 7, 1941. An estimated 38 sets of remains are in the graves, according to burial records from the 1940s. Most of the graves include skulls and jaw bones with teeth, Wetherby said, so identification is expected to be much less complicated than the highly commingled Oklahoma remains. At least four sailors from Nebraska were among 106 who died on the West Virginia. All were identified. Frank J. Bartek of Wahoo was buried in Colon, Nebraska, after the war, and Myron Goodwin of Sidney was buried in Gering. Edward Durkee of Arlington and Clement Durr of Nebraska City were interred at the military cemetery in Honolulu. No date has been set for the disinterments, Wetherby said. But they have been approved for the current fiscal year, which ends Oct. 1, 2017. They will most likely be examined at the agencys main lab in Hawaii. Family members learned of the decision just before Thanksgiving. This is great. This is the best news, said Nancy Eckler, whose uncle, Harold Kendall Brud Costill, died on the West Virginia. His remains were never identified. Eckler grew up in Clayton, New Jersey, in the same house where her uncle had lived. She said her grandfather had signed papers allowing Brud who got the nickname because he couldnt pronounce brother when he was little to enlist in the Navy at age 17. If I had it to do over I would join up in a second, Brud wrote in his last letter home. Even though I have been away from home so long, I have been to places and seen things that I never would have seen. He died four days later, at age 18. There was so much guilt, Eckler said. My grandfather never forgave himself. Eckler hopes her son, a captain in the Maryland National Guard, will be able to escort her uncles remains back to New Jersey. He is scheduled to deploy soon to the Middle East. Ecklers granddaughter, born on Dec. 7, was named Kendall in honor of her great-granduncle. Most of the 1,500 crew members of the West Virginia escaped thanks largely to Capt. Mervyn Bennions quick order to abandon ship, though many stayed or returned to fight fires that raged aboard the ship for 30 hours. Bennion died on the ships bridge from a shrapnel wound and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Survivors could be heard banging with wrenches inside the hull for days after the attack, but rescuers couldnt reach them. Salvage workers discovered one compartment where three crewmen with access to food and fresh water had marked off days on a calendar through Dec. 23. Some of the 106 who died were identified and buried in two Honolulu cemeteries soon after the attack, but divers found 66 of the sets of remains during salvage operations in 1942. Graves registration personnel disinterred the remains in graves marked unknown in 1947 and identified 43 more West Virginia crew members at that time. Currently 25 crew members remain unidentified. Accounting agency historians cant say conclusively why there are more sets of remains than missing West Virginia crewmen. They think some sailors from other ships may have died aboard the battle wagon its sailors fondly called the WeeVee. Officials at the accounting agency said the West Virginia identifications wont be the last. They are researching the possibility of further disinterments from other ships. Records show that the largest groups of remains that have been recovered but not identified are from the USS Arizona and the USS California. The numbers of Pearl Harbor tell a grim story. Five battleships sunk: the Arizona, California, Oklahoma, Utah and West Virginia. 21 of 90 Navy ships damaged. 188 military aircraft destroyed. 159 other aircraft damaged. More than 2,400 U.S. service members and 68 civilians killed. More than 1,200 service members and civilians wounded. The staggering destruction and carnage from Japans surprise attack thrust the United States into a world war, its second in less than three decades. As William Inboden notes on todays More Commentary page, World War II awakened a giant that did not return to its slumber when the war ended more than four years later, instead becoming the worlds dominant superpower. All that was ahead and unknown on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. There were only scenes of chaos and bloodshed and confusion and rescue. Ask the handful of Nebraska survivors who are still with us 75 years later. Ed Guthrie, 98, of Omaha. The electricians mate 2nd class was waiting to go to church when Japanese pilots flew so low he could see the smiles on their faces and their white scarves, he told The World-Heralds Steve Liewer. This week, Guthrie is attending the annual memoral ceremonies in Hawaii one more time, at his grandchildrens urging. Howard Linn, 95, of Omaha. He was on the battleship Nevada when pieces of metal blew through the portholes from the Arizona, 200 or 300 feet away. The petty officer first class was fine, but he was worried about his dad, who had managed to enlist a second time at age 42 and was working in the fire room of an aircraft carrier elsewhere in the harbor. He dad survived, too. Melvin Kennedy, 93, of Grand Island. He was on a Liberty boat, taking sailors ashore, when the attack began, and his crew switched to rescue mode. As he told NBC Nebraska, I was scared to death. . . . Theres hundreds of guys in that (oil-covered water), and most of them is going to die. Some you could get out, and some you couldnt. Bob Winslow, 95, of Beatrice. He was on the only ship in Pearl Harbor that was underway at the time of the attack, the USS Helm. When general quarters sounded, he reported to his machine gun on the second deck. A Japanese pilot came after the Helm, but the skipper just turned the ship and went another way. The Lord was with us, thats all. Walter Barsell, 96, of Wahoo. He was in his barracks, writing a letter home, when the explosions began. Without their weapons, he and his buddies were told not to leave the barracks. Instead, they ran to a nearby pineapple field and watched the destruction. It was unbelievable. Lawrence Osterbuhr, 96, of Hildreth. He was on a buoy tender in Honolulu Harbor that morning. High-level Japanese planes dropped bombs on the harbor but missed his vessel. The crew spent the night putting out buoy lights, per blackout orders. All through the day and into the night, thousands of American gunners waited tensely for any sign of another attack. Their stories serve as a reminder of the date which will live in infamy. Lest we forget. The writer is executive director of the Clements Center for National Security and an associate professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He wrote this for the Dallas Morning News. As we remember and mourn those servicemen and women who died when Imperial Japan launched a surprise attack on the American military installations at Pearl Harbor 75 years ago, we should also remember that was not just one of the bloodiest strikes on American soil. Pearl Harbor also marked an end to illusions, as the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr described the United States sudden mindfulness of the threats posed by Japan and Nazi Germany. Until that day of infamy, many Americans had held optimistically to certain beliefs about war and international politics that proved illusory. Such as, that dictatorship and aggression in faraway lands did not concern the U.S.; that alliances were a source of vulnerability rather than strength; and that a strong military made war more, rather than less, likely. The classic 1970 movie about Pearl Harbor, Tora! Tora! Tora! quotes the operations mastermind, Japanese Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto, warning ominously that Japan had awakened a sleeping giant. Whether Yamamoto actually penned those words remains disputed, but the phrase reflected his sentiments. After the attack, we built a globally dominant arsenal and mobilized a military that, with our allies, conquered Japan and Germany less than four years later. Once awakened, the giant did not return to its slumber. Rather, the U.S. emerged at the end of the war as the worlds dominant superpower, with unprecedented military might and an atomic monopoly. We also assumed the mantle of global leadership and spurred the creation of the international system that still shapes the world today. In the process, America underwent a series of diplomatic and economic revolutions: from isolationism to international leadership; from protectionism to promoting an open trading system and the institutions to manage it; and from disdaining alliances to forming an extensive network of allies, even with former enemies such as Japan and Germany. The Pearl Harbor shock also prompted the creation of the modern American national security system. Immediately after the war, the Truman administration, mindful of the intelligence and policy failures that left us vulnerable to surprise attacks, partnered with Congress to establish many of the institutions that still run our foreign and defense policy today, such as the National Security Council, the Department of Defense and the CIA. In short, as catastrophic as it was at the time, Pearl Harbor led directly to what some called the American Century, our nations long run of global leadership that not only redefined our place in the world, it also redefined the shape of the world itself. It is something that bears repeating as we remember the events of Dec. 7, 1941. Many Americans look at the world now with the same sense of disquiet that we did 75 years ago. In the Far East, we see Chinas rising power and North Koreas nuclear weapons destabilizing the region. In Eurasia, we see Russian aggression reminiscent of the Soviet Union. In the Middle East, we see a region torn asunder by war. On virtually every continent, we see the threat of jihadi terrorism. Meanwhile, as a nation, we feel exhausted and weary, uncertain whether we can or should continue showing international diplomatic and economic leadership. Our political leaders in both parties seem to share this sentiment. President Barack Obama has voiced frustration toward our allies and skepticism about our own ability to influence the international stage. During the campaign, Donald Trump differed in tone but not in substance from Obama, as he also spoke disparagingly of Americas alliances and our global role. How he will govern remains to be seen, though fortunately, some of his Cabinet appointments and conversations with foreign leaders indicate a renewed commitment to international leadership. Such is one lesson of Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Retreating behind our borders does not render us safe from threats abroad. The world is a better place, and our nation is more prosperous and secure, when the United States leads from the front. That is as true today as it was in 1941. SAO PAULO, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Brazil's federal auditing court (TCU) has suspended temporarily part of state-controlled Petrobras's asset sale program while the court reviews its divestment procedures for a final ruling. In a decision published on Wednesday, TCU said five ongoing Petrobras asset sale processes that are nearing conclusion can be finalized, which account for around $3.3 billion. It asked the company to refrain from signing any new sale plans 'until new order'. (Reporting by Roberto Samora; Writing by Marcelo Teixeira) New control room to monitor Bengaluru prisons 24/7 Bengaluru oi-Madhuri By Madhuri Bengaluru, Dec 7: In a move that comes in the wake of the Supreme Court's directive to ensure the human rights of prisoners, a total of 445 CCTV cameras have been installed in eight district prisons in Bengaluru. The camera feeds are connected to a new control room that has been set up at the Karnataka prisons department headquarters. With the installation of surveillance cameras, the prison officials will now be able to monitor activities within the prisons, that might otherwise go unnoticed. Also, the state government has sanctioned installation of CCTV systems in additional 20 district jails in the year 2016-17. Inaugurating the CCTV control room, state Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said that the Karnataka government may release about 250 prisoners for 'good conduct' as part of the 2017 Republic Day festivities. CCTVs have been installed at prisons in Bengaluru, Tumakuru, Mysuru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Dharwad, Vijayapura and Ballari. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, December 7, 2016, 12:26 [IST] Former Judge of Madras High Court passes away Chennai oi-PTI Chennai, Dec 7: Justice K Sampath, former Judge of Madras High Court, died at his residence following cardiac arrest, family sources said. Justice Sampath (75) is survived by wife, a lawyer, and two sons. Justice Sampath, who retired in 2003, was the head of the Commission of Inquiry appointed by the government to probe into the causes of the fire that killed 94 students of Sri Krishna Primary School, Kumbakonam on July 16, 2004. In his report he had also made recommendations on the actions to be taken to prevent such incidents. PTI Jaitley statue at Kotla: Angry Bedi asks DDCA to remove his name from stands, quits membership Reforms in India being done by conviction, not compulsion: PM Narendra Modi BJP leaders pay tribute to former minister Arun Jaitley on his third death anniversary Arun Jaitley condoles Cho Ramaswamy's death India oi-Madhuri By Madhuri New Delhi, Dec 7: Tributes poured in as the nation on Wednesday mourned the death of Cho Ramaswamy. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday condoled the death of Cho Ramaswamy on twitter claiming him as an exceptional political analyst & nationalist writer. ''Condolences on sad demise of Cho Ramaswamy, an exceptional political analyst & nationalist writer. May God render peace to departed soul,''Jaitley tweeted. Journalist, political analyst and comedian Cho S Ramaswamy died on Wednesday at Apollo Hospital where he breathed his last at around 4 a.m. Ramaswamy founded and edited the political magazine Thuglak magazine and was fearless in criticising the ruling government in the state or at the centre. A multi-faceted personality Ramaswamy a law graduate, was also a play writer and a stage actor. He has also directed several movies and was also a screen play writer. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, December 7, 2016, 9:46 [IST] Sibal who filed nomination with SP backing was lawyer who secured Azam Khan bail For his 2019 hate speech, Azam Khan gets 3 years in jail; may lose power too! Azam Khan disqualified as UP MLA after conviction in hate speech Bulandshahr gang rape: Supreme Court rejects Azam Khan's apology India oi-Madhuri By Madhuri New Delhi, Dec 7: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan to file a fresh affidavit in the Bulandshahr gang rape case by December 15 after noting that the earlier one contained certain errors. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi and Fali Nariman told the Supreme Court that Khan's apology is not unconditional and that he be directed to file a fresh affidavit. However, Khan told the SC that he would use 'remorse' instead of 'apology' in his fresh affidavit in accordance with the court's order. Khan also offered to pay for the Bulandshahr gang rape survivor's education until she graduated. She turned down that offer. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, December 7, 2016, 13:57 [IST] 'Ill considered demonetisation decision' to be blamed for unemployment: Manmohan Singh Five years of demonetisation: Notes in circulation on rise; so are digital payments Noteban will be marked among worst policy blunders: Jairam Ramesh PM Modi should admit that demonetistion a failure: Owaisi on cash seizure in UP Aware of Lakshman Rekha says SC on demonetisation Cash starved Russian embassy lodges protest with MEA over demonetisation India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer New Delhi, Dec 7: The 'aam aadmi' is not alone in battling the cash crunch brought about in the wake of the demonetisation of the high value currency notes. Russian diplomats working in India are also feeling the pinch. The Embassy of the Russian Federation in New Delhi, has lodged a complaint with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) over the note ban, say reports. Russian officials have urged the government to take immediate step to solve the issue. [Also Read: Jaitley dares opposition to begin debate over demonetisation] The MEA, on its part, has referred the matter to the Department of Economic Affairs, Finance Ministry. Ambassador Alexander Kadakin, in his letter to the MEA on December 2, has said the limit set by the government is 'not even enough to pay for a decent dinner' and totally inadequate for operational expenses. The embassy, which has around 200 employees, is allowed to withdraw only Rs 50,000 a week since the demonetisation. 'How can such a large embassy in Delhi function without cash?' Kadakin asked the government in his letter. On November 8, in a televised announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared the devaluation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, December 7, 2016, 13:57 [IST] Come back, I need a friend: Jayalalithaa had told Cho Ramaswamy India oi-Vicky Chennai, Dec 7: It is very ironic that Cho Ramaswamy passed away just two days after the death of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, J Jayalalithaa. During a 2015 visit to the hospital, Jayalalithaa had told an ailing Cho Ramaswamy that he should come back soon as she always needed him as a friend, philosopher and guide. A year later he kept his word and ironically he was back at the Apollo Hospital where Amma was admitted for over 70 days. Media reports on Cho says that he was probably the only man that Jayalalithaa admired and sought counsel whenever she found herself in a difficult situation. [Also Read: Cho Ramaswamy, political satirist, editor passes away] In Cho, Amma found a guide and philosopher. There was a time when the police had warned Jayalalithaa that there was a plan to harm her. At that time she wanted to leave Tamil Nadu. It was Cho who told her it could have been a plan by her political rivals to scare her. He told her that she should stay in Chennai and fight it out. Jayalalithaa however left Chennai and returned only after the Karunanidhi government was dismissed on the charge of helping the LTTE. When she returned it was Cho who received her at the airport. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, December 7, 2016, 7:15 [IST] CPI (Maoist) ultra from Chhattisgarh surrenders in Telangana India oi-PTI Bhadrachalam (Telangana), Dec 7: A CPI (Maoist) ultra surrendered before police in Bhadrachalam district today. Uke Dulaiah, a resident of Sukma district in adjoining Chhattisgarh, worked in various dalams (squads) and allegedly took part in six incidents of exchange of fire with police, a police release said. He also allegedly participated in some other incidents of violence, it said, adding all steps would be taken for his rehabilitation as per rules. PTI Dialogue with Pak must for Kashmir solution, says Farooq Abdullah India oi-IANS By Ians English New Delhi, Dec 7: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said that solution to Kashmir problem would not be found until all constituents in Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan are not consulted. During a discussion in 'Agenda Aajtak' event, Abdullah, who recently created a stir by saying that he supported Huriyat Conference and asked the separatist leaders to unite for the "right cause", said the nation would have to correct past mistakes and adopt new policy to bring peace in the Kashmir Valley. "(Former Prime Minister) Atal Bihari Vajpayee had said that we can change friends but we cannot change neighbours. If both countries befriend, both will prosper, but there will not be any benefit if we become enemy...Until India hold dialogue with Pakistan, the issue will not be resolved. We will have to seek participation of all constituents of Kashmir, people from Kashmir (Valley), Ladakh, Jammu to decide what we have to do find solution," said Abdullah of the National Conference. "Anger is brewing up in people's minds. It could not be seen for now. But any small cause can trigger violence again. How long people will suffer, die? Let's take proper action to finish the problem." he said. In the same discussion, Congress leader Manish Tewari asked for fulfilment of promises made to people of Kashmir. "We have committed mistakes and every government rule attemped to solve the problems. But the root of Kashmir problem is India-Pakistan division. Pakistan is still reeling under the Bangladesh war episode. Pakistani rulers want to take revenge. So it started terror activities in Punjab, later in Kashmir and finally across India. We need to speak with people with open mind to solve the problem," he said. Muzaffer Hussain Baig, leader of the state's ruling People's Democratic Party, said that India did not have a Kashmir policy. "Pakistan has Kashmir policy, which envisage capturing entire Kashmir. They have Mission Kashmir. But we do have any such policy? In 1992, Parliament passed resolution that we will capture Pakistan occupied Kashmir. However, we in Shimla Agreement have said that we will not use force to append the PoK. We have ourselves closed the possibility to annexing PoK," he said. Abdullah asked why India was silent on the resolution it passed and the United Nation's resolution on plebiscite in Kashmir. Meanwhile, BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said that Congress and NC are responsible for the problem since they had governed the state for major part. He added that Vajpayee had adopted a policy "Insaniyat, Kashmiriyat and Jamhooriat" to address the problem and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had continued the policy. Abdullah said that the reports that demonetisation led to decline in agitation in Kashmir were wrong. "Yesterday, a train was attacked in Kashmir. Stone pelting is still going on," he said. IANS Dilip Kumar hospitalised, doing fine India oi-PTI Mumbai, Dec 7: Veteran actor Dilip Kumar has been admitted to a city hospital after suffering from swelling in his leg. Kumar, 93, was rushed to the Lilavati hospital in suburban Bandra, yesterday in the morning hours. "He had swelling in his right leg and we wanted to get it investigated properly. So we took him to the hospital. Also, he undergoes routine check up every few months and that is being done as well," the actor's wife Saira Banu told PTI. "He is doing fine...There is nothing to worry. His blood test was done this morning," she said. The veteran actor will be turning 94 on December 11 and Saira hopes he is back home by then. "Doctors are examining him well. I hope and pray that he will be at home on his birthday," she said. Earlier, Kumar was admitted to Lilavati hospital for a few days in April this year following respiratory problems. During his six-decade long career the legendary actor, whose real name is Mohammad Yusuf Khan, has acted in many superhit films like "Madhumati", "Devdas", "Mughal-e-Azam", "Ganga Jamuna", "Ram Aur Shyam" and "Karma". He was last seen on-screen in the film "Qila" in 1998. Kumar was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke award in 1994 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015. PTI ED registers FEMA case in Rs 22cr fraud claim in Air Asia India oi-PTI Mumbai, Dec 7: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a forex violation case to probe ousted Tata Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry's allegation that fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore, involving non-existent entities in India and Singapore, were carried out in an instance involving Air Asia airlines. ED has issued summons to the airline's officials and a few others to submit relevant documents and explain the matter to investigators next week as part of its probe into the case registered under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The probe will also look at a specific transaction of Rs 12 crore, out of Rs 22 crore, made to a Singaporean firm. ED officials said the agency would first go into the documents and findings of an in-house forensic investigation, as claimed by Mistry. In October, flagging "ethical concerns" in Tata Group's joint venture with Air Asia, Mistry had claimed a forensic investigation had revealed fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore involving non-existent entities in India and Singapore. As a bitter war played out between Mistry and Tata Group's interim Chairman Ratan Tata, the former had alleged that due to the latter's passion for aviation, the Tata Sons Board increased capital infusion into the aviation sector at multiple levels of the initial commitment. In a letter written to the Board members of Tata Sons a day after he was ousted on October 24, Mistry said, "Board members and trustees are also aware that in the case of Air Asia, ethical concerns have been raised with respect to certain transactions as well as overall prevailing culture within the organisation. "A recent forensic investigation revealed fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore involving non-existent parties in India and Singapore." Mistry went on to allege that "executive trustee Mr Venkataraman, who is on the board of Air Asia and also a shareholder in the company, considered these transactions as non-material and did not encourage further study". It was only at the insistence of the independent directors, one of whom immediately submitted his resignation, that the board decided to belatedly file a FIR, Mistry had said in the letter. He claimed it was Tata who had completed negotiations with Air Asia, but early in his tenure as the Chairman of Tata Sons he (Mistry) was asked to table a proposal for the JV with Air Asia at a Tata Sons board meeting. In 2013, Tata Sons had joined hands with Malaysian carrier AirAsia and Arun Bhatia's Telestra Tradeplace to start low cost carrier AirAsia India. The carrier had to wait for nine months before taking off. In September 2013, Tata Group had joined hands with Singapore Airlines to start a new full-service airline in India, 18 years after a failed attempt. Tata Sons owned 51 per cent stake in the carrier, which has been christened as Vistara, with Singapore Airlines holding the rest. PTI BJP suspends 5 rebel leaders in Himachal Pradesh, state vice president among them BJP's tact to divert attention from Morbi, says a stung Kejriwal after Sukesh's claims BJP govt has freed investors from red tapism: PM Modi at Invest Karnataka 2022 Summit BJP mocks AAP as posters of 'Kejriwal Massage Centre' spotted outside Tihar Jail Difference in words and work: AAP leader joins BJP days ahead of polls Fearless critic Cho will be missed: Amit Shah India oi-IANS By Ians English New Delhi, Dec 7: BJP President Amit Shah on Wednesday described actor and journalist Cho Ramaswamy as a fearless critic whose impartial assessment of political issues will be missed. Ramaswamy breathed his last in Chennai on Wednesday. Shah said Cho was greatly admired by Bharatiya Janata Party leaders such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani and Narendra Modi. Cho Ramaswamy passes away "It was the BJP-led government of Vajpayee that nominated distinguished Cho Ramaswamy to the Rajya Sabha from 1999 to 2005," Shah said. "He was a brilliant political commentator, a renowned theatre personality, script writer, eminent lawyer and editor of Thuglak magazine," he said. IANS What is Anti-doping bill? Does India really have a doping crisis? Four-day break for Lok Sabha India oi-PTI New Delhi, Dec 7 Lok Sabha will have a four-day holiday starting this weekend, with the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) today deciding to have a holiday on December 12, besides Tuesday which has already been declared a holiday on account of Eid-e-Milad-un Nabi. Leaders of all major parties, who attended the BAC meeting held in Speaker Sumitra Mahajan's chamber, raised the issue of declaring a holiday on Monday as in some southern states the Prophet's birthday was being observed on Monday. After the leaders of Congress, BJP, NCP, TMC and others raised the demand, it was unanimously decided to have a holiday on December 12 as well. The BAC also decided to allocate four hours for the discussion and voting on Second Supplementary Demands for Grants (General) for 2016-17 and Demands for Excess Grants (General) for 2013-14, which are likely to be taken up tomorrow. The Committee also decided to allocate three hours for consideration and passage of the Right of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014, once it is passed by the Rajya Sabha. Earlier in the Lok Sabha also, Opposition members had sought a holiday on December 12. Sudip Bandopadhyay (TMC) had raised the issue after the House met at noon as he pointed out that December 13 has been officially declared a holiday for Milad-un Nabi, the Prophet's birthday. Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge also supported this. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the matter can be discussed at the BAC meeting. He also used the occasion to urge the opposition members, who were protesting in the Well demanding a debate on demonetisation under a rule entailing voting, to start a debate today, pointing out that the Session will end on December 16. PTI With nomad visa and $130K in account, you can 'work from Indonesia' for 10 years Indian Consulate holds visa camp in Indianapolis India oi-PTI Washington, Dec 7: As part of its effort to reach out to the Indian-American community, the Indian diplomatic mission in Chicago held a Consular Camp in Indianapolis. During the camp held at the Hindu Temple in Indianapolis, more than 250 consular services were provided to the community residing in Indiana in a single day with the help of dozens of temple volunteers. Dr Ausaf Sayeed, Consul General, also came to meet the people during the Consular camp and answered their queries relating to different topics. The Board member of the Hindu Temple of Central Indiana felicitated the Consul General for his services to the community. Sayeed said Consulate will continue to strive to organize such Consular camps periodically in different cities of the US Mid-west to provide consular services to the Community at their doorsteps. PTI Truth has come out, says Sasikala in reaction to OPS's remark before panel 'Iron Lady' Jayalalithaa inspiration for women: Tamils in US India oi-PTI Washington, Dec 7: The legacy of "Iron Lady" J Jayalalithaa will be remembered forever as she has left a huge void in Indian politics, Indian-American Tamils have said with the diaspora condoling her demise and grieving the loss of their beloved leader. "The legacy of the Iron Lady, as she is fondly remembered by many, who had rocked Indian politics, will be remembered forever. None has shown the courage which Jayalalithaa evinced in her political life," Dr Rajan Natarajan, who served as the Deputy Secretary of State in Maryland and now serving as the Commissioner of Transportation, said. "An authoritarian, a visionary and a leader full of guts and grit, she has left a huge void in Indian Politics. 'Amma' (mother), as she was always fondly referred to by the masses, she is indeed a mother of many comebacks in her political life," Natarajan, the first Indian-born Tamil American who served in the highest administrative position in US history, said yesterday. Jayalalithaa's 'great crush' on cricketer Nari Contractor While he was serving as the chief diplomat of Maryland, Natarajan had several opportunities to interact and work with Jayalalithaa's cabinet and her government officials on many projects like Sister State, education, energy, transportation, and medical technologies. Upon her invitation, he had led a 20-member business delegation from the US and participated at the Global Investor Summit in 2015. It was his first opportunity to meet with Jayalalithaa in person and also one of the shining moments for him to admire her leadership, Natarajan said. "She is like the legendary bird Phoenix. Bounced back from every challenge, when the world thought she gone every time. I wish she could come back to life again like a Phoenix, throwing out the challenging god has imposed on her and to work on her dreams and vision to make them a reality. "Amma Jayalalithaa was a leader who has not only made an unrepeatable history in India and also become a true role model for millions of women to realise their power in public service and make betterment of the society and nation," Natarajan said. He said, no doubt that Jayalalithaa was an exemplary and extraordinary leader for the ordinary people, particularly for the poor and the middle class. She had implemented numerous welfare programs and rural development schemes for ordinary citizens, which no other state's chief minister still has been able to do. "After Secretary Hillary Clinton's meeting with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa back in 2013, Clinton mentioned she is incomparable and strongly determined leader, and she has been an embodiment of woman empowerment," Natarajan said. PTI 40 down and counting: Forces on the verge of wiping out Pakistani terrorists in Valley Is it end game for Kashmir's Lashkar chief Abu Dujana? India oi-Vicky By Vicky Security forces have managed to corner the Chief of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba in Kashmir, Abu Dujana. An operation is underway in Pulgam, Jammu and Kashmir where security forces are trying to capture the dreaded militant. Lift up your guns and fight against the Indian army, Dujana, who attended Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, had said. An intelligence bureau dossier on Dujana states that he joined the Lashkar-e-Tayiba when he was 17. His rise in the outfit has been meteoric. A resident of Gilgit-Baltistan, he operates out of the Pulwama region in South Kashmir. His planing and style of execution had impressed his bosses who appointed him as a deputy to Abu Qasim. Following the death of Abu Qasim, Dujana became the obvious choice to lead the outfit in Kashmir. His main target is the Indian army. All his attacks are directed against the armed forces in Kashmir as he believes that it is the armed forces which is coming in the way of their so-called Kashmir struggle. His name featured in several attacks which also include the ones at Pampore and Udhampur. In fact he was the one who had planned the Udhampur attack in which two BSF personnel had died. When Mohammad Naved one of the terrorists was caught alive, he confirmed to the police that the attack was masterminded by Dujana and Qasim. OneIndia News KSRTC service from Bengaluru to Tamil Nadu resumes India oi-Madhuri By Madhuri Bengaluru, Dec 7: The KSRTC bus services between Bengaluru and Tamil Nadu have resumed from Wednesday. The situation remained peaceful and a large number of policemen were deployed along the corridor as a precautionary measure. The KSRTC had withdrawn its operations between Bengaluru and Tamil Nadu following an incident of stone pelting near Tiruvannamalai district in Tamil Nadu on Monday morning over the Jayalalithaa issue. Passengers travelling between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka on Monday had faced severe hardship because of the sudden cancellation of bus services. The KSRTC buses plying between Chennai - Hubballi and Chennai-Chikkamagaluru were also targeted and their glasses were damaged on Monday evening in Vellore, the KSRTC official said. He added that they don't want to take risk by plying buses to Tamil Nadu. "We don't want to compromise on the safety of our passengers and vehicles. The relationship between two states was not well because of the Cauvery issue. So chances of miscreants targeting our vehicles is more," he said. While KSRTC operates an average 410 schedules to Tamil Nadu daily, TNSTC operates 596 schedules every day, several passengers were stranded in bus terminus because of the cancellation of services. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, December 7, 2016, 9:53 [IST] Truth has come out, says Sasikala in reaction to OPS's remark before panel Jayalalithaa death probe: TN cabinet to decide on enquiry against Sasikala and others Never interfered in medical treatment of Jayalalithaa: Sasikala denies all allegations levelled by panel All of Jayalalithaa's 21,280 grams of gold lies in Karnataka India oi-Vicky Chennai, Dec 7: All of Jayalalithaa's gold lies in Karnataka. As per her affidavit she has gold articles weighing 21280.300 grams. She further mentioned in the affidavit that the gold articles as mentioned by her in the affidavit is lying in the Karnataka treasury. This was the gold that was seized in connection with the disproportionate assets case. In the affidavit, she mentioned that she had silver articles weighing 1,250 of silver. The silver has been valuated at Rs 3,12,50,000. The gold would continue to remain with the Karnataka treasury until the disposal of the disproportionate assets case. While the trial court had convicted her, the Karnataka High Court had acquitted her. An appeal had filed in the Supreme Court challenging the acquittal. If the Supreme Court upholds the verdict of the trial court then the gold would be returned to the treasury of the state of Tamil Nadu. Other assets: As per her affidavit, Jayalalithaa stated that she had assets worth Rs 1,13,73,38,586 and liabilities of Rs 2,04,02,987. The cash in hand was declared at Rs 41,000. Among the cars declared are an Ambassador worth Rs 10,000. Mahindra Jeep worth Rs 10,000 a Mahindra Bolero valued at Rs 80,000, Tempo Traveller worth Rs 80,000 and a Swaraj Mazda Maxi worth Rs 10,000. The other vehicles are a Contessa worth Rs 5,000, Tempo Trax worth Rs 30,000, 2 Toyota Prados worth Rs 20 lakh each. OneIndia news For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, December 7, 2016, 17:47 [IST] A series of highly-charged protests over an Indonesian Christian politician reflects the extent of the ideological battle gripping Southeast Asia's largest economy There are now fears that the growing religious unrest, mixed with political tensions, could distract Indonesia's leadership from much-needed reforms. A Christian of Chinese ethnicity in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnamaknown as Ahokwas accused of insulting Islam after he cited a Koranic verse that suggests Muslims should not take Jews or Christian as allies or leaders in a September 27 speech. Ahok, who is running to keep his seat in February's gubernatorial elections, said Indonesians should not be deceived by people who used the verse to influence the election. Despite apologizing, the politician is being investigated by police and now faces potential charges of blasphemy amid national unrest. On Oct. 14, thousands marched in Jakarta, demanding legal action against the governor. Similar protests followed in other cities, including Surabaya and Bandung. On Nov. 4, a 50,000-strong demonstration resulted in clashes with police that injured more than 100 people and left one dead. On Dec. 2, around 200,000 protested, urging for Ahok's ejection from office. Shaken by the religious divide, more than 10,000 people held a counter-rally on Nov. 21, calling for tolerance. A second unity demonstration was held on Dec. 4, with around 30,000 in attendance. Indonesia is known for its moderate brand of Islam. The country's largest Muslim organizationsNahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyahdo not support the anti-Ahok rallies and have urged Muslims to remain calm. But hardline groups such as the Islamic Defenders Front (FDI), organizers of the anti-Ahok protests, are widespread. The FDI, who calls for a formal adoption of sharia law, follows a specific interpretation of Sunni Islam that labels non-Muslims "infidels" and has been implicated in violent attacks against minority religions, according to Human Rights Watch. Story continues The FDI's teachings challenge a key philosophy that has governed Indonesia since 1985: Pancasila, a secular principle based on the idea of national unity and a belief in one god, the identity of whom is left open to individual interpretation. The debate about the role of Islam in a secular state, combined with the growing strength of radical entities like the FDI, are the key themes underpinning national anger towards Ahok, Dina Afrianty, research fellow at Australian Catholic University, told CNBC. "We're dealing with implications of a long-term rise in conservatism," Douglas Ramage, managing director at consulting firm Bower Group Asia, agreed. And there is the additional risk that the FDI-led protests could provide a fresh opportunity for global terror network Islamic State to expand its membership in Indonesia by capitalizing on the conservative fervor. Adding to the explosive situation is a theory that Islam isn't actually at the heart of the political unrest. "Rumors are circulating in Jakarta that former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is actually the source of funding behind these protests," said Afrianty. That line of thinking had led moderate Indonesians to believe the protests had more to do with politics than Islam, she continued. The rumor emerged last month after President Joko Widodo, or Jokowi, said "political actors" were exploiting the situation. Yudhoyono's family has vehemently denied involvement in the protests. Regardless of the motive, the protests and influence of fundamentalist groups could hurt Jokowi's administration. "This makes the job of Jokowi and other reformers, such as Ahok, much harder. For Islamists, Jokowi is seen as a secular nationalist leader who doesn't represent their Islamic identity so they want to vote him out," Afrianty said. Before Friday's protest in Jakarta, Indonesian police said they had foiled a plot to use the protests to lead an uprising against Jokowi, Reuters reported. Police detained 10 people in the early hours of Friday, including politician Rachmawati Sukarnoputri, who is the sister of former president Megawati Sukarnoputri, as well as musician Ahmad Dhani and retired army general Kivlan Zen, Reuters said. "The on-going political tension between religion and politics is distracting Jokowi from his main priorities, which is improving infrastructure and regulatory burden on investors," Ramage stated. The situation could hit the economy, too, at a time when investors have praised Indonesia as a standout opportunity among emerging markets . "Indonesia is one of numerous competitive emerging markets competing for limited investment dollars, so this becomes one more thing that investors put in the negative column if they believe political stability is under threat," Ramage warned. Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook. Solomartel completed its mixed commercial and residential fund which will start operations in the second quart Proper houses not a dream any more for Gujarat's slum dwellers India oi-IANS By Ians English Ahmedabad, Dec 7 As they turn their backs on the miserable lives they once lived and head to the two-room apartments they received in lieu of their shacks, they have much to cheer about. They are beneficiaries of the Gujarat government's "Housing for All" programme that has, since 2014, built 2,544 houses, furnished with a toilet and a kitchen, in nine slum localities here. The programme, under the Mukhya Mantri GRUH (Gujarat Rural Urban Housing) Yojana in 2013 -- launched when Narendra Modi was Chief Minister -- aims to rid urban Gujarat of slums and provide in-situ housing to their dwellers. The scheme was conceived as a public-private venture, with NGOs roped in to sensitise the dwellers. One such project is the Shantadeep Cooperative Housing Society in Ambavadi, where now 55 newly-built apartments stand. "I have been coming here before the slums were demolished and new flats were built. I tried to make people aware about the generational shift which they would achieve in a matter of years and about their children who would get the right environment to grow up in," Neelam Patel, a member of the Mahila Housing Trust of SEWA (Self-Employed Women's Association), told IANS. The Ambavadi slums were razed in 2013 and the building was erected by the following year. Each apartment cost the government Rs 800,000 ($11,700) and was given to the dwellers free of cost. The private builders, during the construction of the houses, were also required to provide temporary rent-free lodging to the slum dwellers. "It's like my dream has come true. We used to sleep in the open, had to go for water to the main road where fights were common over the sole tap; nothing of that sort now. I have also called my wife and sons here. I couldn't ask for more," Dalpat Singh, an auto-rickshaw driver and resident of the Ambavadi society, told IANS. There is a plan to provide, over the next two years, such flats to all 700,000 families which reside in slums across Gujarat. "The term 'nagar', as people meant it in the old days, is an abbreviated form of 'nal, gutter, raasta, (tapwater, sewage, roads), and these are what we are giving to our people," Punamchand Parmar, Additional Secretary, Urban Development and Urban Housing Department, told a group of visiting journalists. "I don't know about other states, but the people of Gujarat are pro-urbanisation. We have the people's support and the required political will to execute our task," he added. He also mentioned the now-famous tourist attraction in the city, Kankaria Lake, which till just a few years back was a stinking water-body surrounded by slums. The scheme also includes housing for those whose slums were razed at the time of beautifying the Sabarmati riverfront -- the river being raised from the dead with water from the Narmada -- that made the headlines when Chinese President Xi Jinping came visiting in 2014, the first head of state to visit India after Modi became Prime Minister. IANS E-health cards for Delhites next year: All you need to know JITO Connect 2022: PM Modi says work for EARTH: Here is what it stands for Rural women are increasingly accessing government hospitals India oi-IANS By Ians English New Delhi, Dec 7: There was a 24 per cent rise in rural women accessing public healthcare between 2004 and 2014, according to a new report by Brookings India, a think tank, significant in a country where half the rural population uses private healthcare, which is four times costlier. Overall, there was a six per cent rise in dependence on public healthcare for out-patients and seven per cent for in-patients over the decade ending 2014, said the Brookings report, which analysed National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) data over this period. An in-patient is formally admitted for at least one night to a hospital, while an out-patient visits a hospital, clinic, or associated facility for diagnosis or treatment. For out-patient care, 74.9 per cent of ailing patients (who sought care) exclusively accessed a private facility in 2014, compared to 79.7 per cent in 2004. The biggest decrease was seen among rural women, as we said. While 78.2 per cent of them sought private care in 2004, 70.4 per cent did in 2014. The percentage of in-patients seeking public care increased from 42.3 per cent in 2004 to 45.4 per cent in 2014; the percentage of rural women accessing public care rose from 45.1 per cent in 2004 to 56.1 per cent in 2014. "The number of people seeking private healthcare, however, might be an underestimation, as NSSO surveyors are instructed to mark all those who went to both government and private facilities as 'only going to government facilities'," said the Brookings report. Indians spend eight times more in a private hospital than a government hospital, according to an analysis of National Health Accounts (NHA) 2013-14 data by The Hindu newspaper. Despite the decline in exclusive dependence on private care, 29 of every 1,000 Indians pointed to the unsatisfactory quality of healthcare, the most commonly cited reason for not accessing a public hospital. Long waiting periods at government health services appears to be an increasing bottleneck in seeking public care. In 2004, 6.8 of every 1,000 cited this as a reason for not using a public hospital; it rose to 18.6 in 2014. Of 930,000 doctors in India, 11.4 per cent (106,000) work for the government. This means there is one government doctor for every 11,528 people, according to the National Health Profile 2015. Public-health centres across India's rural areas -- 25,308 in 29 states and seven Union territories -- are short of more than 3,000 doctors, the scarcity rising 200 per cent (or tripling) over 10 years. The number of people not using medical services fell from 15.1 in every 1,000 in 2004 to 12.4 in 2014, which implies an 18 per cent increase in Indians seeking some form of healthcare. There was an increase, however, in the proportion of people not seeking services, as they felt their ailment wasn't serious enough, and more women than men report not using healthcare due to the same reason -- the gender gap has widened over the decade. More Indian men are likely to be admitted to hospital during the last moments of life than women -- 62.5 per cent to 37.5 per cent, as IndiaSpend reported. For every 1,000 men whose death is certified by medical professionals, the corresponding figure for women is 600. The number of people not using healthcare due to financial reasons reduced from four of every 1,000 in 2004 to 0.7 in 2014, said the Brookings report, possibly a result of rising incomes or use of publicly-funded health-insurance schemes implemented over the last 10 years by the central and state governments. About 12 per cent of the urban and 13 per cent of the rural population got health insurance through the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (National Health Insurance Scheme) or similar plans. IANS/IndiaSpend SC notice to Centre on plea against supply of electoral roll to candidates Special anti-corruption courts in every district: SC to take up plea next week SC frowns on two-finger test in rape case: Stop the practice immediately it says SC to hear plea against CBI interim boss's appointment on Dec 9 India oi-PTI New Delhi, Dec 7: The Supreme Court today agreed to hear on December 9 a plea challenging the appointment of Gujarat cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana as the interim director of CBI. "Okay. It will come up on Friday," a bench comprising Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justices D Y Chandrachud and L Nageswara Rao said after advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for NGO Common Cause, mentioned the plea. The petition, filed by the NGO, alleged that the Centre took a series of steps in a "completely mala fide, arbitrary and illegal manner to ensure that Asthana was given the charge of CBI director". It has claimed that the government did not convene a meeting of the selection committee comprising the Prime Minister, the leader of the largest opposition party and the Chief Justice of India, even though it was fully aware that Anil Sinha was going to demit the office of CBI director on December 2. Rakesh Asthana to take over new CBI chief today Asthana, an IPS officer of 1984-batch, was elevated as the Additional Director in the agency on December 2 when CBI Special Director R K Dutta, who was reportedly among the frontrunners for the top post, was shifted to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as a Special Secretary. The PIL claimed that the government had "prematurely curtailed" the tenure and transferred Dutta to MHA on November 30 -- just two days before Sinha was slated to demit office. PTI Sikh community is strong link in India's relations with other countries: PM Modi Who was Banda Singh Bahadur? Remembering the first Sikh ruler on his death anniversary Indian Sikh man separated from his family during Partition meets his Pakistani Muslim sister in Kartarpur SGPC orders probe into Modi's cap controversy India oi-IANS By Ians English Chandigarh, Dec 7: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has asked the Sikh high priests to look into the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple) while wearing a cap. "This matter regarding 'maryada' (Sikh religious code) comes under the purview of the Singh Sahiban (Sikh high priests). We have requested them to look into this issue if the 'maryada' was violated, " SGPC President Kirpal Singh Badungar told the media in Amritsar on Wednesday. The SGPC move came following complaints on the issue and the controversy gaining ground on the social media that the Prime Minister had allegedly violated 'maryada' by wearing a cap instead of covering his head with a cloth. Modi, accompanied by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, together visited the holiest of the Sikh shrines on December 3 during the 'Heart of Asia' conference. Both wore caps to cover their heads during their visit. Covering head with a 'rumala' (piece of cloth) or turban is mandatory for all devotees visiting Sikh shrines. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had accompanied Modi and Ghani to the shrine. IANS Superstar Rajnikanth condoles Cho Ramaswamy's demise India oi-Madhuri By Madhuri Chennai, Dec 7: Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth on Wednesday paid tributes to Cho Ramaswamy at his residence. Speaking to mediapersons, Rajinikanth said, "He (Cho) never compromised on his writings for anybody's sake. May his soul rest in peace." Journalist, political analyst and comedian Cho Ramaswamy died in the wee hours of Wednesday at Apollo Hospital. He founded and edited the political magazine Thuglak magazine and was fearless in criticising the ruling government in the state or at the Centre. OneIndia News BJP's tact to divert attention from Morbi, says a stung Kejriwal after Sukesh's claims Tamil Nadu- Can BJP work around the AIADMK? India oi-Vicky Chennai, Dec 7: Venkaiah Naidu was a permanent feature at the funeral of J Jayalalithaa. It has of course led to speculations whether the BJP is trying to play a bigger role in Tamil Nadu. While Naidu was part of the discussions at Apollo Hospital where O Paneerselvam was told to take over as Chief Minister, it is now to be seen what role the BJP would play in Tamil Nadu politics. It is clear that the BJP will now have to speak with Sasikala Natarajan, a close aide of Amma. [Also Read: How AIADMK chose a successor- The inside story] It will be Sasikala in charge of the party from now onwards. While Jayalalithaa did share a close rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the fact is that she never wanted the BJP to get hold of her Hindu vote bank in Tamil Nadu. Will BJP play a bigger role in TN: The big question is will the BJP play a bigger role in Tamil Nadu. Getting the AIADMK under their belt will be no easy task. The BJP will have to reach out to Sasikala. When Jayalalithaa was in hospital, there were reports that suggested that Sasikala was upset that Modi never visited. Even when Amit Shah, the BJP's national president and finance minister, Arun Jaitley visited the hospital it was said that they did so only after Rahul Gandhi. Sasikala is also aware that Amma never wanted close ties with the BJP in TN as it would disrupt her Hindu vote bank. The challenge for the BJP would be to get around Sasikala. Moreover the BJP has also not managed to get close to O Paneerselvam. It is another matter whether getting close to Paneerselvam will have any impact considering the man is not known to take independent decisions. What next for the BJP? The BJP does not want to antagonise the AIADMK at any cost now. Sasikala will be difficult to get around unless she shows vulnerability due to the disporporationate assets case that is pending against her in the Supreme Court. However the BJP is unlikely to take that route and it would be antagonising the whole of the AIADMK. The BJP needs the support to the AIADMK especially in the Rajya Sabha. Getting the AIADMK on board in the Rajya Sabha would make the BJP's life easier. Moreover the BJP also needs the support of the AIADMK in the Presidential election to be held next year. The AIADMK is aware of all this and would go for a hard bargain. The party is likely to seek a bigger role in the centre. The likes of M Thambidurai and V Maitreyan are the persons who would be in talks with Naidu in this regard. OneIndia News No surprises here: Mallikarjun Kharge is the new Cong chief Privilege to receive support of over thousand colleagues: Shashi Tharoor Not a personal battle, Kharge's win is victory of Congress, says Shashi Tharoor Shashi Tharoor: Lost Congress presidential poll but not before making himself heard Mistry slams Tharoor over allegations of 'irregularities' in Cong prez poll Britain has outgrown their racism, says Shashi Tharoor over Sunak rise Theft at MP Shashi Tharoors house, FIR lodged India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer New Delhi, Dec 7: According to reports, several valuable items were stolen from Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor's house in Delhi on November 29. The burglary incident has created fear in the minds of Delhi residents as Tharoor's house is located in the posh Lodhi Estate in the well-guarded Lutyens' Zone in the national capital. In fact, several well-known politicians and VIPs stay in the same area. According to ANI, Tharoor has filed a complaint about the incident at Tughlak Road police station, Delhi. An FIR has lodged by the police in this regard. Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor files complaint in Tuglak road PS after theft in his home,incident happened on November 29. FIR lodged ANI (@ANI_news) December 7, 2016 Notable thing is that valuable stolen from Tharoor's residence include idols and "copper Gandhi glasses" gifted to him by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi district) Jatin Narwal said, "We have registered an FIR and an investigation is on." "Tharoor has requested the Delhi Police to increase patrolling around his residence and take strict action against the accused," he told reporters. OneIndia News Critical in the same hospital, Cho didn't know of Jayalalithaa's death Narendra Modi bats for more humour and satire TN CM O Panneerselvam pays tribute to Cho Ramaswamy India oi-Madhuri By Madhuri Chennai, Dec 7: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Wednesday paid tribute to actor and political analyst Cho Ramaswamy at his residence who passed away early on Wednesday morning. Veteran journalist, former Rajya Sabha member and political commentator Cho Ramaswamy, 82, who was considered a close aide to the late J Jayalalithaa passed away on Wednesday. Ramaswamy was the founder editor of Thuglak magazine and was known as a satirist. Cho was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 1999 to 2005. He had acted in many feature films and had worked alongside with top actors like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, December 7, 2016, 12:16 [IST] Critical in the same hospital, Cho didn't know of Jayalalithaa's death When Cho called Modi 'merchant of death' India oi-Anusha Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday shared a video on Twitter in memory of renowned journalist Cho Ramaswamy. In the video, Cho introduces him as 'the merchant of death', but Prime Minister Modi seemed unfazed by the remark. The video was one inkling of why Cho Ramaswamy was of the best satirists that the country has seen. The video, circa 2008, when Narendra Modi was a guest of honour for the 38th anniversary of Cho's Thuglak. While calling upon Modi, who was then the Chief Minister of Gujarat, to address the gathering, Cho addressed him as 'merchant of death' an anglicisation of the infamous Sonia Gandhi 'maut ka saudagaar' jibe. [Also Read: Cho Ramaswamy, political satirist, editor passes away] In his inimitable style, Cho reiterated that Modi was indeed a 'merchant of death' but to terrorists, corrupt officials, to nepotism, official inefficiency, bureaucratic negligence, poverty, ignorance, darkness and despair. The feisty Cho Ramaswamy introduces me as the 'Merchant of Death.' Do watch this memorable interaction. https://t.co/2FsF64sVvH Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 7, 2016 Prime Minister Modi followed up his tweet with another on what he had to say about Cho after his somewhat unusual introduction. Speaking of how he followed Cho during the emergency, Modi had called him a true democrat who had the courage of self-criticism. I returned the favour, but don't think I matched Cho's eloquence. Hear what I said about him. https://t.co/wPxYLc1fTb Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 7, 2016 Cho Ramaswamy, senior journalist and popular satirist, passed away in the wee hours of Wednesday in Chennai's Apollo hospital, a mere 2 days after his friend and protege J Jayalalithaa breathed her last in the same building. OneIndia News At least 125 dead after violence at football match in Indonesia With nomad visa and $130K in account, you can 'work from Indonesia' for 10 years 20 killed in Indonesia quake International oi-IANS By Ians English Jakarta, Dec 7: At least 20 persons were killed and 10 injured when an earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter Scale hit Aceh region in Indonesia on Wednesday, provincial press officer said. The quake had epicentre at 18 km northeast Pidie Jaya district and the depth at 10 km under land, Xinhua news agency quoted an official of the meteorology and geophysics agency as saying. While no tsunami warning was issued, the powerful earthquake caused heavy structural damage, with reports of casualties coming in. In June a 6.5-magnitude quake struck off the west of Sumatra damaging scores of buildings and injuring eight people. Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide. Sumatra is particularly prone to quakes. Aceh province on the tip of the island was devastated by the quake-triggered tsunami in 2004 that killed more than 170,000 people in Indonesia and tens of thousands more in other countries around the Indian Ocean. IANS No one has guts...: Junior defence minister's reply to China question China denies shooting down Myanmar fighter jet International oi-PTI Beijing, Dec 7: China's defence ministry has denied reports as "pure fiction" that its missiles shot down a Myanmar warplane near the Sino-Burmese border. A widely circulated news report on Chinese Internet claimed that a Myanmar Air Force fighter jet crashed near the Sino-Burmese border on Sunday. The report said the jet was hit by a Chinese missile when it flew over Chinese territory during its airborne raid of armed ethnic forces. The reports quoted some analysts claiming that the PLA artillery fired warning shots at Myanmar jets that entered China's airspace and that the fleeing jet accidentally hit the shells, which led to its crash, state run Global Times reported. The defence ministry rebuffed the analysis as fiction, the daily report said. Fighting rages in northern Myanmar as Myanmar Air Force jets have bombed Mongkoe for four straight days. Myanmar's Kachinland News reported that a Myanmar fighter crashed on Sunday, saying it was not clear whether the crash was due to a technical failure or an attack, the daily report said. Donald Trump may move closer to India to balance China: Media China is currently hosting several hundred refugees in various camps who fled due to heavy fighting between the rebels and the Myanmar military. Since the fighting broke out last month, Chinese Foreign ministry said China will continue to follow the development of the situation and maintain communication with Myanmar. "We strongly hope the parties in the conflict will exercise restraint and immediately halt military operations to avoid escalation of the situation," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang told media here last month. He also called on them to take concrete measures to restore peace in the China-Myanmar border area and prevent harm to China's sovereignty as well as the lives and property of border residents. Last year Chinese military has deployed its force along the border after five people were killed and several others wounded in firing by a Myanmar jet which was reportedly chasing Kokoang rebels in the border areas. The main rebel force in Kokang, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MDAA) are ethnic Chinese and once formed part of Communist Party forces in the region. The MDAA is led by ethnic Chinese commander Peng Jiasheng who has reached a peace accord with the Myanmar government which lasted until 2009. He again resurfaced last year prompting Myanmar to seek Chinese assistance to crackdown on his outfit. Reports from Myanmar last year blamed Peng's return was the root cause for resumption of fighting. Peng has denied any Chinese involvement in interviews to the official media here. PTI Cuba protests: What you need to know Cuba to allow foreign investment in wholesale and retail Cuba, US to hold last meet before Trump takes office International oi-IANS By Ians English Havana, Dec 7 Cuba and the US on Wednesday will hold the final round of talks on political and economic ties before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office next month. Delegations from both the countries will gather here for the fifth meeting of a bilateral commission to normalise ties, Xinhua news agency cited Cuban Foreign Ministry as saying on Tuesday. The delegations "will discuss the results achieved since the creation of the bilateral commission in August last year as a mechanism for normalising ties between the two nations", the ministry said. Both the sides will define "new steps" for the following weeks to continue strengthening ties. "The bilateral agenda includes a high-level visit, new cooperation agreements in areas of common interest, as well as technical meetings and talks on various issues," said the ministry. The meeting comes on the heels of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro's death and Trump's recent remarks to the effect that he will reverse the historic rapprochement between the US and Cuba, which is considered to be the main legacy of outgoing 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. While the US-led trade embargo against Cuba remains in place, the Cold War-ties have thawed in the past two years with increasing exchanges between the two governments and peoples, and relaxing certain restrictions. The two countries in 2015 restored diplomatic ties and reopened their respective embassies. IANS PM Ardern: New Zealand couple held in Iran allowed to leave In Iran, men and women are 'equal' only in torture Iran denies 'baseless' Saudi espionage charges International oi-PTI Tehran, Dec 6 Iran today denied Saudi charges of espionage as "baseless" after a court in the Sunni kingdom announced death sentences for 15 people it said had spied for Tehran. "Saudi Arabia must not seek to bring baseless accusations against Iran with the intention of political gains and increasing tensions in the region," foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said. "Iran has had no activity against international law and diplomatic principles in Saudi Arabia," he said, quoted by state news agency IRNA. He said Riyadh had not passed on "any information to the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the alleged Iranian person" reportedly among the accused. "Iran's principle policy toward Persian Gulf countries is mutual respect, good neighbourliness, and no interference in domestic affairs of other countries," said Ghasemi. A Saudi court earlier today condemned 15 people to death for spying for the Sunni kingdom's regional rival Iran, local media and a source close to the case said. The source told AFP that most of the 15 Saudis were members of the kingdom's Shiite minority. Their trial opened in February, a month after Riyadh cut diplomatic ties with Tehran over the burning of the Saudi embassy and a consulate by Iranian demonstrators protesting the kingdom's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr. The 15 were among a group of 32 people tried over the espionage allegations, Alriyadh newspaper said. Some of the defendants were accused of meeting Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of predominantly Shiite Iran. Two of the group were acquitted while the rest received jail sentences of between six months and 25 years. Apart from one Iranian and an Afghan, all of the defendants were Saudis. The source said that one of the two acquitted was a foreigner. AFP NASA spacecraft 'Dart' to crash into asteroid today: Heres how to watch Its just smashing! Watch NASA's DART spacecraft successfully hit asteroid in planetary defense test Explained: Why NASA crashed a spacecraft into an asteroid using kinetic impact? Jupiters icy moon has huge sea that could support life? NASA study suggests so! As the countdown clock struck zero, rocket of Aakash BYJUS took off from Bandra Bandstand Fact Check: The truth behind the smiling Sun image posted by NASA NASA to build robotic spacecraft to repair, refuel satellites International oi-PTI Washington, Dec 7 NASA is building a a robotic spacecraft equipped with the tools and technologies needed to repair or refuel satellites currently in orbit. The US space agency has awarded a USD 127 million contract to the California-based Space Systems/Loral of Palo Alto for Restore-L Spacecraft Bus and Support Services. Space Systems/Loral will provide spacecraft bus, critical hardware and services for the development, deployment and operations of the Restore-L mission. They also will provide related services to accomplish mission integration, test, launch and operations. The Restore-L Project is managed within NASA's Satellite Servicing Projects Division at the agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. Restore-L is a free-flying mission projected to launch in 2020 to perform in-orbit satellite servicing in low-Earth orbit. PTI Can NATO allies arm both Ukraine and themselves? What is the risk of Putin using a nuclear weapon? 'If NATO clashes with Russian army, it will lead to global catastrophe,' says Putin Italy's Meloni tries to distance herself from fascism NATO ministers agree on proposals to deepen NATO-EU cooperation International oi-IANS By Ians English Brussels Dec 7 NATO foreign ministers on Tuesday agreed on over 40 proposals to deepen NATO-European Union (EU) cooperation, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told media following the meeting. All 42 proposals made by two blocs focus on seven key areas, including countering hybrid threats, maritime security and cyber defence, which have been identified in a joint declaration by NATO and the EU at the Warsaw Summit in July. "On maritime, we enhanced cooperation between Operations Sea Guardian and Sophia in the Mediterranean. On cyber, we will strengthen our mutual participation in exercises, and foster research," Stoltenberg said, Xinhua reported. According to the proposals, NATO and the EU will also advance capacity-building cooperation with partner countries, including Georgia, Ukraine and Tunisia. Moreover, the two organizations will reinforce the "coherence" in the development of their defense capabilities. "I think today we really mark a milestone in our efforts to build our cooperation and to strengthen the partnership between NATO and the EU," Stoltenberg said, adding, "Neither organization has the full range of tools to address new challenges alone." Ministers were joined by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini as well as representatives of Finland and Sweden. IANS Pak off the FATF grey list doesn't mean it's not under scrutiny anymore: MEA secretary Pak asks UN to help in de-escalating tensions with India International oi-PTI United Nations, Dec 7: Blaming India for closing the doors on any bilateral engagement with it, Pakistan told top UN officials that the world body has a "moral responsibility" to play its role in resolution of the Kashmir issue and help in de-escalating tensions. Special Assistant to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, during his day-long visit to the city, met UN Secretary General-designate Antonio Guterres, Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson and Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffery Feltman. According to press release issued yesterday from the Pakistans mission to the UN, Fatemi told the top UN leaders that Indian forces had stepped up ceasefire violations on the Line of Control and the Working Boundary in order to divert international attention from the alleged human rights atrocities, particularly the targetting of civilians, in Kashmir. "India had also closed the doors on any bilateral engagement. In this situation, the UN had a moral responsibility to call for ending human rights violations" in Kashmir, "play its role in resolution of this long festering dispute and help in immediately de-escalating tensions", he said, according to the release. Fatemi, accompanied by Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi, said, Islamabad expected the UN to play its role in ensuring peace and stability in the South Asian region, especially in the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He said while Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had reached out to India and made efforts to develop a mutually beneficial relationship, the efforts were not being reciprocated by New Delhi. Fatemi also briefed the UN officials about alleged human rights violations by Indian forces on the Kashmiri people, saying efforts to quash a popular and indigenous uprising in Kashmir had led to the killing of over a hundred people and injuries to thousands. The release said that the UN leadership called for resumption of dialogue and de-escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan adding that Eliasson expressed concern at the regional situation and called for the lowering of tensions. On Afghanistan, Fatemi said Pakistan was ready to play its part for peace and stability in the country. PTI Assembly bypolls on 4 seats in UP, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Tripura on Sept 23 Tigers should be punished for eating cows says this NCP MLA Pakistani provincial assembly resolution seeks voting rights for transgenders International oi-IANS By Ians English Islamabad, Dec 7 The Pakistan's Khyber-Pakthunkwa Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution seeking voting rights for the transgender community in the province. The resolution moved by Amna Sardar of Pakistan Muslim League-N, stated that the federal government should be pursued to contact the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for giving voting rights to transgenders, Dawn reported. "Recommendations should be forwarded to give transgender rights of franchise and granting them a respectable status in the society," said Sardar. IANS Trump picks Terry Branstad for ambassador to Beijing International oi-PTI New York, Dec 7: President-elect Donald Trump has picked Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who has longstanding ties to China's president, to serve as ambassador to Beijing, a spokesman confirmed today. Trump announced his selection of Branstad -- an early supporter of the Republican billionaire during his campaign -- at a fundraising breakfast in New York today, Jason Miller told reporters. The transition team said the governor had accepted the position, chosen for his experience in public policy, expertise on trade issues and "tremendous understanding of China and Chinese people." Branstad has "considerable public policy experience," a "great grasp" of trade and agriculture issues, and "very much impressed the president-elect," Miller told reporters. "It is very clear that Governor Branstad is someone who will represent our country well on the world stage and we couldn't be prouder of this selection," he added. Bloomberg first reported news of the nomination last evening, citing anonymous people close to the matter. The Iowa governor had met with the Republican billionaire earlier on Tuesday at Trump Tower in New York. Afterward, Branstad, 70, declined to comment on whether he had been offered a job, telling reporters only that he was excited about a Trump presidency and the "quality of the people that he's attracting to the cabinet." Branstad has known Chinese President Xi Jinping since 1985, when Xi visited Iowa as a provincial official, Bloomberg reported. The governor has since visited China several times and gave a dinner for Xi in Des Moines in 2012 nine months before he became Chinese president. Branstad's son Eric served as the state director for the real estate tycoon's campaign in Iowa. The governor will join Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence on Thursday in Iowa, where the incoming Republican president is due to headline an evening "thank you" rally in the key swing state, Miller said. PTI Trump taps 'Mad Dog' Mattis to be Defence Secretary International oi-PTI Washington, Dec 7: US President-elect Donald Trump has formally nominated James Mattis, a retired 4-star Marine Corps general who has long voiced concerns about the threat posed by Iran, as the Defence Secretary to replace Ashton Carter. 66-year-old Mattis, who memorably said "it's fun to shoot some people", would add to a cabinet of national security super-hawks and signal a return to a more aggressive defence of American interests abroad. "I am proud to nominate General James Mattis to Secretary of Defence. He is one of the most effective generals and extraordinary leaders of our time, who has committed his life to his love for our country," Trump said in Fayetteville, North Carolina. "General Mattis is the living embodiment of the Marine Corps motto, 'Semper Fidelis,' always faithful, and the American people are fortunate that a man of his character and integrity will now be the civilian leader atop the Department of Defense. Under his leadership, we will rebuild our military and alliances, destroy terrorists and face our enemies head on, and make America safe again," Trump said. Donald Trump selects US Treasury, Commerce secretary If confirmed, Mattis would replace Carter who is scheduled to be in India this week on his farewell trip. Mattis commanded at multiple levels during his 44- year career as an infantry Marine. Before retiring in 2013, he was the Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), directing military operations of more than 200,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines across the Middle East.' "I am honored by President-elect Trump's nomination and his respect for the brave men and women of the Armed Forces of the US," Mattis said. "To the President-elect, our soon to be commander in chief, to our military personnel, to the talented civilians in the Department of Defence, and to the American people, I pledge the best of my abilities to ensuring a strong and secure America," he said. As a lieutenant colonel, Mattis commanded an assault battalion breaching the Iraqi minefields in Operation Desert Storm. As a colonel, he commanded the 7th Marine Regiment and, on Pentagon duty, he served as the Department of Defence Executive Secretary. As a brigadier general, he was the Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defence. The retired four-star general, who was known as "Mad Dog," was lauded for his leadership of Marines in the 2004 Battle of Falluja in Iraq - one of the bloodiest of the war. But he also attracted controversy in 2005 when he said "it's fun to shoot some people" while addressing service members in San Diego. PTI Sky News 03 Nov 2022 The Bank of England is expected to unveil the biggest interest rate rise since the 1980s today. by Graham Pierrepoint SNOWDEN IMDb Dir: Oliver Stone Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley, Melissa Leo, Zachary Quinto, Tom Wilkinson, Scott Eastwood, Nicolas Cage, Rhys Ifans 1.5 STARS (out of 5) The story of Edward Snowden is one that has been widely reported across the past few years in a day and age where the information that is kept on us by the government and associated agencies is constantly under criticism, the actions carried out by the ex-CIA rep have been held as a catalyst for much activism that has taken place against secret-keeping and intelligence strategy over the past few years. Snowdens actions were heavily criticized by some and hailed by others, and to this day he remains an extremely polarizing figure should he have leaked the information he did for the greater good, or did it do more harm than he ever intended? Regardless of where you may stand on the Snowden issue, Oliver Stones political thriller attempts to convert his story into a captivating true story piece, but sadly misfires on far too many targets to convert the screenplay into an engaging watch. Edward Snowden, essentially, was working for the CIA and gradually became disillusioned with the techniques and ethics involved deep within the world of intelligence and monitoring. As a result, he leaked colossal amounts of intelligence data to the international press a move which, to this day, holds the man as both a paragon for freedom of information and as a traitor to national security. Stones direction of Snowdens story attempts to put across what drove the man to become the leaker to top them all and to humanize his exceptionally polarizing figure. Snowden as a movie is certainly valiant in its efforts to let us into the world and the mind of its titular protagonist but while Joseph Gordon-Levitt is arguably in control of a commendable performance, this is a movie that rarely does much to engage the viewer. This is a movie that has driven split critical reception down the middle, and while Oliver Stone is certainly a celebrated director for all the right reasons, his latest movie rather misses the mark. My main problem with Snowden lies, sadly, with the main protagonist. While Gordon-Levitt has clearly made painstaking attempts to emulate the titular leaker its hard for us to connect to Snowden himself and his world his character here is rather simplified and we are given little to latch onto with regard to his motivations and drive. Overall, its a film thats rather too heavy on the dialogue and the jargon meaning that it requires far too much attention in many places when it genuinely shouldnt. A popular complaint, too, is that the screenplay plays things far too safe and this is definitely the case. Anyone wanting to watch Snowden will likely want to know more than a little bit more about the hidden history behind the man and the services he leaked from but Stones movie feels oddly plodding despite the fact that it is so crammed full of expositional dialogue. For the viewer, while it may seem fascinating in places, it struggles to maintain momentum on the back of its own desire to tell a story painstaking detail does not necessarily make for an entertaining movie, and here, its the screenplay that sadly makes things rather clunky and hard to swallow. Snowden - Official Trailer (Open Road Films) It is hard, granted, to sell a balanced and engaging true political story to a big screen audience. Stone is of course noted for having succeeded hugely in JFK, his biopic of John F Kennedy, however unlike the assassinated US President, Edward Snowden perhaps fails to benefit from the same on-screen charisma. Snowden is depicted as a quiet, unassuming but brilliant man and this is a large downfall there are merits that should be offered to the studio for sticking true to character (and again, to Gordon-Levitt for nailing Snowden and his mannerisms with accuracy), but at the same time he is not a character that particularly makes for the centrepiece of a two-hour biopic thriller. Its far too muted and far too self-obsessed to become the gripping drama that it clearly strives to be I personally found it extremely hard to stay focused on and invested in Snowdens story despite having been interested in the stories that unfolded from his leaking. Snowden is a movie, essentially, that is rather difficult to review some true story movies like to embellish matters and to make things a little more palatable to a paying audience and Snowden certainly plays things as straight and as narrow as you can make them. When it does stray from fact-based, down-the-line expositional storytelling, it strays into cinematic cliches that require little to no captivation from the audience. While anyone interested in Snowden and what led him to divulge national secrets will likely gain a few moments of interest from the movie and may even enjoy it in parts as a movie, and on a whole, Snowden is far too unengaging and narrow to be able to flourish as the gripping thriller it could have been particularly disappointing given the cast and crew credentials. Japan Today 06 Mar 2022 More than 100 hungry and weak Rohingya Muslims were found on a beach in Indonesias northernmost province of Aceh on Sunday after.. 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. From Consortium News In at least a temporary victory for the Standing Rock protesters, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers blocked plans for running the Dakota Access Pipeline across Lake Oahe and began to examine alternative routes, although it is unclear how the incoming Trump administration will proceed. The 1,200 miles Dakota Access Pipeline, owned by Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners LP, is largely complete, except for a segment planned to run under Lake Oahe, a reservoir formed by a dam on the Missouri River, the longest river in North America. In a statement, Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault II said the tribe welcomed the decision as very good news, but he also sounded a note of concern regarding what might happen after Jan. 20. He urged President-elect Donald Trump to "respect this decision and understand the complex process that led us to this point." Archambault II went on to say, "When it comes to infrastructure development in Indian Country and with respect to treaty lands, we must strive to work together to reach decisions that reflect the multifaceted considerations of tribes. Treaties are paramount law and must be respected, and we welcome dialogue on how to continue to honor that moving forward. We are not opposed to energy independence, economic development, or national security concerns but we must ensure that these decisions are made with the considerations of our Indigenous peoples." Jo-Ellen Darcy, the Army's Assistant Secretary for Civil Works, told reporters, after talking with tribal officials and hearing their concerns that the pipeline could affect a crucial source of drinking water, it became "clear that there's more work to do. The best way to complete that work responsibly and expeditiously is to explore alternate routes for the pipeline crossing," Darcy said in a statement released by the Corps of Engineers on Sunday. U.S. Secretary for the Interior Sally Jewell said in a statement that the "thoughtful approach established by the Army [on Dec. 4] ensures that there will be an in-depth evaluation of alternative routes for the pipeline and a closer look at potential impacts" and "underscores that tribal rights reserved in treaties and federal law, as well as Nation-to-Nation consultation with tribal leaders, are essential components of the analysis to be undertaken in the environmental impact statement going forward." "Our prayers have been answered," National Congress of American Indians President Brian Cladoosby said in a prepared statement. "This isn't over, but it is enormously good news." Meanwhile, veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces have been arriving for days at Standing Rock to join in the anti-pipelin protest. They came in waves of buses, cars, trailers and even planes, to offer their support to the tribes in its many months-long resistance to protect its drinking water and sacred sites. Many believe it was this flood of veterans from many wars that the Army Corps' hand to decide in favor of the Standing Rock Tribe. Activists carry the American Indian Movement flag at a protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Seatte, WA; September 16, 2016. (Image by (Flickr John Duffy)) Details DMCA Anthony Gonzalez, Executive Director of the American Indian Movement (AIM) was at Standing Rock, where he had helped to deliver solar panels to "sustain the resistance" through the long, often brutal, North Dakota winters. Gonzalez said there were tears of joy in his eyes: "Our hearts soar like an Eagle's having heard this very good news." Gonzalez himself is a Vietnam veteran who was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. Just before the decision came down from the Corps, I spoke with Matt Howard -- co-director of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and one of the veteran organizers who has joined the resistance at Standing Rock. Howard told me that by Sunday evening over 2,000 vets had converged at the multiple Standing Rocks Camps, despite the sub-freezing weather and all the hardships that go along with it. Dennis Bernstein: Thanks for joining us from Standing Rock, Matt Howard. Tell us why you traveled there with thousands of other vets. Matt Howard: Thanks for having me. ... I can say for myself that Standing Rock has felt like a real important moment in convergence, to push back on the kinds of militarism that we're seeing that's coming home. Both in the ways the police departments are militarized, but also the way the corporations are utilizing their own kind of private military, to push their extra-active industries. ... I think that for myself and my organization and my community, we've been really monitoring this because it's frustrating. 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). "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that is an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before."-Rahm Emanuel,Former White House Chief of Staff in the Obama administration. Naomi Klein in her bestselling book 'The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism' wryly observed "Extreme violence has a way of preventing us from seeing the interests it serves." Perhaps the small coterie of advisors close to Prime Minister Modi, driven by the ideology of disaster capitalism, took Klein's observation seriously. On November 8 the shock to the financial system was administered by Mr. Modi by demonetising 500 and 1000 rupee notes. India is an overwhelmingly paper currency country: some 90% of the transactions are done with cash. India's cash-to-GDP ratio is 12% More than half of Indians still don't have a bank account and some 300 million have no government identification. The two scrapped denominations - 500 and 1,000 rupees - account for more than 86% of the value of cash in circulation. By this diktat the government effectively neutralized around 86 percent of the currency in India. The staggering implication for the informal sector in the Indian economy which employs close to 94% of the labour force was disastrous. The daily wage earners, farmers, small traders and small businessmen were left helpless clutching the dud 500 and 1000 rupee notes in their hands. Even the economist Lawrence Summers ,author of the of the infamous World Bank Memo was driven to write... "Most free societies would rather let several criminals go free than convict an innocent man. In the same way, for the government to expropriate from even a few innocent victims who, for one reason or another, do not manage to convert their money is highly problematic....". [i] The RBI had its own Marie Antionette moment a few days later in a press release of November 12, 2016.It said "public are encouraged to switch over to alternative modes of payment, such as pre-paid cards, RuPay/Credit/Debit cards, mobile banking, internet banking. All those for whom banking accounts under Jan Dhan Yojana are opened and cards are issued are urged to put them to use. Such usage will alleviate the pressure on the physical currency and also enhance the experience of living in the digital world ." Economist Jayati Ghosh was aghast and wrote .. "Statements like this make one wonder whether the RBI is living only in the digital world. Surely the worthies in that institution have some idea of the conditions under which banking and money exchange occur for most Indians?[ii] For some families for whom getting a square meal was a luxury the mocking advice of the Modi government was if you don't have food eat plastic cards. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). On May 27, Barack Obama became the first sitting US president to visit Hiroshima, site of history's first atomic attack on August 6, 1945. The Japanese government did not ask Obama for an apology, nor did he offer one. On December 27, Shinzo Abe will become the first Japanese prime minister to visit Pearl Harbor, site of the Japanese attack on the US Navy's Pacific Fleet on December 7, 1941. The US government hasn't asked Abe for an apology, nor is he expected to offer one. Some Japanese citizens -- especially those who survived, or lost loved ones in, Hiroshima -- believe an American apology is warranted. Some American citizens -- especially those who survived, or lost loved ones at, Pearl Harbor -- believe a Japanese apology is warranted. Both groups are wrong. Few people are left to apologize to and none to offer an apology. The senior politicians and military figures of World War II, those who planned and ordered both attacks, are dead. Shinzo Abe was born nearly 13 years after Pearl Harbor, Barack Obama just two days shy of 16 years after Hiroshima. Neither had anything to do with Pearl Harbor, with Hiroshima, or with the war the two countries waged against each other in between those terrible days. Of the two, Abe has a better argument for declining to apologize: Multiple Japanese governments have publicly apologized for, and in some cases paid reparations for, Japan's aggression back them. On the 70th anniversary of VJ Day (the day World War II in the Pacific formally ended), Abe himself expressed regret for the Japan's aggression, but correctly spoke against continuing such gestures and letting "our children, grandchildren and even further generations to come, who have nothing to do with that war, be predestined to apologise." Beyond a certain point, apologies not only cease to be needed but become mere rituals rather than genuine expressions of contrition. In America, the subject of "reparations for slavery" occasionally becomes a matter of interest. When it does, many quite correctly point out that there's nobody to pay such reparations, nor anyone to pay them to. Every American who was ever a slave owner, or a slave, is dead. That's not entirely the case with respect to World War II, but it's nearly so. Now is the perfect time to stop endlessly demanding apologies from each other for past wars and instead join with each other in dedication to the prevention of the next war. From Robert Reich Blog Last week, Trump made a deal with Carrier (and its parent, United Technologies) to keep 800 jobs in Indiana rather than sending them to Mexico. Indiana agreed to give Carrier $7 million in tax breaks, and Trump assured United Technologies that its $6 billion a year in military contracts would be secure. Then Tuesday morning Trump attacked aerospace giant Boeing -- tweeting: "Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!" Later he added "We want Boeing to make a lot of money but not that much money." Boeing shares immediately took a hit (but recovered by early afternoon as the company began to explain itself). After which Trump turned Mr. nice guy. "Masa (SoftBank) of Japan has agreed to invest $50 billion in the U.S. toward businesses and 50,000 new jobs," he tweeted shortly after Masayoshi Son, CEO of the company, arrived at Trump Tower in New York. "Masa said he would never do this had we (Trump) not won the election!," Trump added. I wonder what Trump promised Masa. The art of the Trump deal is to use sticks (public criticism) and carrots (public commendation plus government sweeteners) to get big corporations to do what Trump wants them to do. This isn't public policy making. It's not about changing market incentives. It has nothing to do with lawmaking. It's a drop in the bucket in terms of jobs. In reality, it's the arbitrary and capricious use of personal power -- hitting stock prices and turning public opinion against companies Trump doesn't like, and raising stock prices and public opinion toward companies Trump does like. Don't be fooled into thinking Trump is being guided by anything other than his own random, autocratic whims. He could have attacked or lauded any one of thousands of big companies that are creating American jobs, or creating jobs abroad, or charging the government too much for their products. This is the work of a despot who wants corporate America (and everyone else) to kiss his derriere. In March of this year, Trump was interviewed by Kelly Riddell of the Washington Post. He revealed his plan to seduce the suckers who would vote for him, as tho they were moronic consumers and he a "product," a term he frequently uses to refer to himself. KR: Are you really going to make America great again? What does that even look like? DT: I play to people's fantasies. People may not always think big themselves, but they can still get very excited by those who do. That's why a little hyperbole never hurts. People want to believe that something is the biggest and greatest and the most spectacular." In other words, he is selling a fantasy while playing at the end of his rallies (without permission) the Stones "You can't always get what you want (ie the fantasy...but you might just get what you need (an authoritarian bully)." This is the essence of his bait and switch strategy. Fantasy #1: "I am the King of Debt....I am beholden to no one." "....an office building on Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan, of which Mr. Trump is part owner, carries a $950 million loan. Among the lenders: the Bank of China, one of the largest banks in a country that Mr. Trump has railed against as an economic foe of the United States, and Goldman Sachs, a financial institution he has said controls Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, after it paid her $675,000 in speaking fees." "I am beholden to no one. Only I can fix it." Before he was running, he revealed his true nature: Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Progressive Content Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their progressive content after publishing. To see if the progressive content was renamed or re-published, please click here. Image via Wikimedia Commons Two neologisms, Post-truth and Alt-right, have entered political discourse in this year of turmoil and upheaval, words so notorious they were chosen as the winner and runner-up, respectively, for Oxford Dictionaries word of the year. These Orwellian euphemisms, argues Noah Berlatsky conceal old evils and whitewash fascism, recalling in form and content Orwells old wordsspecifically some of the newspeak from 1984. Crimethink, thoughtcrime, and unperson. They even sound the same, with their simple, thunk-thunk construction of single syllables mashed together. The sheer ugly clumsiness is supposed to make the language seem futuristic and cutting edge, Berlatsky writes, The world to come will be utilitarian, slangy, and up-to-the-minute in its inelegance. So the future was in Orwells day; so it is in 2016. As in Orwells day, our current jargon gets mobilized in defense of the indefensibleas the novelist, journalist, and revolutionary fighter wrote in his 1946 essay Politics and the English Language. And just as in his day, the euphemisms pretty up constant, blatant lying and racist ideologies. We can also draw another linguistic comparison to Orwells time: the widespread use of the word fascism. Berlatsky uses the word without defining it (when he talks about whitewashing fascism), except to say that fascism thrives on falsehoods. That may well be the case, but is it enough of a criterion for an entire political and economic system? The word begs for a cogent analysis. Even Umberto Eco, who grew up under Mussolinis rule, felt the need for clarity, given that American radicals, he wrote in 1995, abused the phrase fascist pig as a pejorative for any authority, such that the word hardly meant anything thirty years after World War II. But surely Orwellwho fought fascism in Spain in 1936, and whose ominous postwar dystopian novels have done more than any literary work to illustrate its menacecould define the word with confidence? Alas, when we look to his work, even before the war had ended, we find him writing, Fascism, is almost entirely meaningless. His short 1944 essay, What is Fascism? does not, however, push to abolish the word. He calls instead for a clear and generally accepted definition of it against the tendency to degrade it to the level of a swearword. But Orwell (being Orwell) is not optimistic. One reason a definition had been so difficult to come by, he writes, is that any group to whom it is applied would have to make admissions most of them are not willing to makeadmissions as to the real nature of their ideology and objectives, behind the euphemisms, lies, and double-speak. If no one is a fascist, then everyone potentially is. Even in the 40s, Orwell wrote, if you examine the press you will find that there is almost no set of peoplecertainly no political party or organized body of any kindwhich has not been denounced as Fascist. He enumerates those so accused: Conservatives, Socialists, Communists, Trotskyists, Catholics, War Resisters, Supporters of the war, Nationalists. What of the textbook examples just on the other side of the front lines? When we apply the term Fascism to Germany or Japan or Mussolinis Italy, Orwell concedes, we know broadly what we mean. But appealing to these extreme governments does little good, because even the major Fascist states differ from one another a good deal in structure and ideology. Umberto Eco is content to say that fascism adopts the cultural trappings of the nations in which it arises, yet still shares several constant, if contradictory, ideological traits. Orwell isnt so sure he knows what those are. So what can Orwell say about the word, one he is eager to hold on to but at a loss to pin down? Though he believes it must name a political and economic system as well, Orwell finally opts for an ordinary language definition, to which we attach at any rate an emotional significance. Whether we recklessly fling the word in every direction or use it in more precise ways, we always mean roughly speaking, something cruel, unscrupulous, arrogant, obscurantist, anti-liberal, and anti-working class. Except for the relatively small number of Fascist sympathizers, almost any English person would accept bully as a synonym for Fascist. Those today who are not bulliesor unapologetic fascist sympathizersand who dont need euphemisms for these words, would likely agree. You can read What is Fascism? here. You can find the short essay published in this volume, The Collected Essays, Journalism and Letters of George Orwell. Related Content: Umberto Eco Makes a List of the 14 Common Features of Fascism George Orwell Reviews Mein Kampf: He Envisages a Horrible Brainless Empire (1940) George Orwell Explains in a Revealing 1944 Letter Why Hed Write 1984 Josh Jones is a writer and musician based in Durham, NC. Follow him at @jdmagness Electric Vehicles Market: Global Industry Size, Share, Segments Analysis and Forecast 2015-2021 https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/electric-vehicles-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/toc/electric-vehicles-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/prebook/su/electric-vehicles-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/electric-vehicles-market http://www.zionmarketresearch.com Mankind is progressing towards future and hence science is flourishing at its best. The electric vehicle is one of such innovations of science. These vehicles are also known as electric drive vehicles. The concept of electronic vehicles was introduced owing to increasing air pollution, decreasing fuel resources, and a need to have something new. Electronic vehicles use electric motors or traction motors for the purpose of propulsion. Prominent players in the market are producing electronic vehicles which can cater to users providing them with numerous benefits. Various types of vehicles such as trains, airplanes, tractors, and city transport vehicles including buses are making the use of this technology in order to provide better performance along with lesser cost. Other examples of electronic vehicles are road and rail vehicles, surface and underwater vessels, electric aircraft and electric spacecraft, and so on.Get a copy of free Sample Report @Electric vehicles are becoming popular day by day owing to their eco-friendly nature, modern designs that are more attractive than traditional structure, and the cost efficiency provided by these vehicles. Hence, end-users are attracted to buy these vehicles. These factors may act as the growth driving factors of the global electric vehicles market in the near future. On the other hand, these vehicles are getting cooperated by Internet of Things, which makes them more future-friendly comparatively; this in turn also acts as other major factor impacting the growth of the global market.Read TOC of Report @On the basis of type, the global electric vehicles market is segmented as hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and battery-electric vehicles (BEV). Hybrid electric vehicles are powered by both petrol and electricity, and battery electronic vehicles are fully electric vehicles. Based on the applications, the global market is further segmented as ground electric vehicles, airborne electric vehicles, and seaborne electric vehicles. Apart from personal use, electric vehicles are majorly used for public transport and cargo commutation. Geographically, the global electronic vehicle market is further segmented as the United States, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, China, and Europe.Pre-Book copy of report @The United States and Europe are experiencing high demand for electronic vehicles. Developing countries such as China, India, and few African nations are showing potential for increasing demand in this sector. European countries such the United Kingdom are anticipated to take a step forward in this technology in the near future. Owing to increase demand for electronic vehicles globally, the market is expected to witness high growth in the coming years.Major players dominating the electronic vehicles market are Nisan, Telsa, BMW, General Motors, and Ford. Other key players influencing the global market are Daimler, Toyota, and Volks Wagon. Companies are making efforts and are investing in R&D to produce more likable and easy-to-operate electronic vehicles at affordable prices.Browse detail report @Electric Vehicles Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilMiddle East and AfricaAbout 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: ATM Market: Global Industry Size, Share, Segments Analysis and Forecast 2015-2021 https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/atm-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/toc/atm-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/atm-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/prebook/su/atm-market http://www.zionmarketresearch.com ATM stands for automated teller machine. It is an electronic telecommunications device that enables the customers to perform financial transactions, especially cash withdrawal, without any human interference such as a cashier, clerk, or bank teller. ATM is popular by different names in different countries such as cash machine, automated banking machine, cashpoint, minibank, cashline, bankomat, and so on. In majority of the ATMs, the customer is been identified by inserting a plastic ATM card which consists of a magnetic strip or a smart card with a chip. This chip contains unique card number and security information, which is used for the identification purpose and to avoid fraud cases. Authentication process is done by asking the customer to enter a personal identification number (PIN). Customers are able to access their bank deposit or credit accounts through which they are able to carry out a number of transactions such as cash withdrawals, credit mobile phones, check balances, and so on.Get a copy of free Sample Report @Changing lifestyles and high standard of people is the major factor boosting the growth of the global ATM market. Introduction of niche types of ATMs such as solar ATMs and smart ATMs in the emerging markets is also another key factor boosting the growth of the global ATM market. Moreover, new innovations in the ATM technology are also influencing the growth of the market owing to the increasing demand from consumers. Furthermore, advantages provided by ATM cards such as no hassles of bank transactions, banking hour constraints, personal attendance of the customers, and paper-based validations is also attributed to increasing demand of ATMs by consumers. On the other hand, some of the major risks associated with ATM machines such as online frauds, thefts, connectivity, and operational issues may hamper the growth of the global ATM market to some extent.Read TOC of Report @On the basis of solutions, the global ATM market is segmented as deployment solutions and managed services. The deployment solutions segment is further sub-segmented as onsite ATMs, work site ATMs, offsite ATMs, mobile ATMs, and. Based on the type, the global market is segmented as conventional/bank ATMs, white label ATMs, brown label ATMs, cash dispensers, and smart ATMs. Geographically, the global ATM market is segmented as Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia, North America, and Asia Pacific.Browse detail report @Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness the highest growth owing to new technological advancements in the ATMs. Singapore is one of the Asian countries who offer smart gold ATMs dispensing gold bars, coins, and ingots. In addition, North America is the biggest market for ATM, followed by Europe.Some major players dominating the global ATM market are Diebold Inc., Wincor Nixdorf AG, NCR Corp., and Triton Systems of Delaware LLC. These major players are anticipated to dominate the global market in the near future.Pre-Book copy of 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: Next-Generation Communication Technologies Market: Global Industry Size, Share, Segments Analysis and Forecast 2015-2021 https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/next-generation-communication-technologies-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/toc/next-generation-communication-technologies-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/next-generation-communication-technologies-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/prebook/su/next-generation-communication-technologies-market http://www.zionmarketresearch.com Next-generation communication technologies are also known as advanced communication technologies. With increasing technological advancements in the Internet and other supporting communication technologies, the communication technology has been enhanced tremendously. Next-generation communication technologies are the best example of such trend. These technologies help in eliminating the communication gap, improving the quality of communication, optimizing the multiplexed communication, and improving user experience in order to meet user requirements. In addition, next-generation communication technologies are also expected to play a major role in the development of various industries.Get a copy of free Sample Report @The global next-generation communication technologies market is anticipated to witness high growth in the near future. Increasing technological advancements such as Internet of Things (IoT), and e-commerce and big data, which result in rising demand of advanced communication technology, are some of the major factors driving the growth of the global next-generation communication technologies market. In addition, rapid growth in mobile and wireless communication markets further impacts the growth of the next-generation communication technology market. Furthermore, rapidly advancing technology, increasing consumer demand, and continual introduction of new products and services have boosted the growth of the global market. On the other hand, high infrastructural and development cost is one of the major factors that may hinder the global market growth.Read TOC of Report @The global next-generation communication technologies market is segmented based on the type of communication technologies and applications. On the basis of the type of communication technology, the global market is segmented as wired communication technology and wireless communication technology. The wired communication technology segment is further sub-segmented as twisted wire communications and optical fiber communications. The wireless communication technology is further sub-segmented as 4G LTE, WiMax, 5G, Wi-Fi, LiMAX, ZigBee, Bluetooth, and others. Furthermore, rising consumer adoption of wireless devices and increasing demand of high-speed data have boosted the growth of consumer electronics application of next-generation communication technology market. On the basis of application, the global next-generation communication technologies market is segmented as telecommunication, healthcare, consumer electronics, security and surveillance, industrial, automotive, and military applications.Browse detail report @North America and Europe dominate the global next-generation communication technologies market owing to high technological advancements and infrastructural investments in communication technologies in countries such as the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Germany. Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness the high growth due to increasing technological development, rising consumer spending, and increasing investment in communication infrastructures.Some of the major players dominating the global next-generation communication technologies market include Verizon, AT&T Inc., and Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Other key players influencing the global market are Devicescape Software, Inc. and Green Packet Berhad.Pre-Book Copy of 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: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM--(Marketwired - December 07, 2016) - The Gallery of All Seasons Inventions comes as research showed that Europe has over 2,600 self storage facilities totalling nearly 7.5 million square metres of space* -- much of this filled with objects which can only be used in one season. "Goodyear challenged me to redesign typically one season objects into all season things," commented Dominic. "I came up with 30 designs including a sledge which can be transformed into a sun lounger in summer months, ice cube trays which can be converted into snow shoes, and a skateboard with blow torch snow melter which can be used in the winter." Wilcox, who released his book "Variations on Normal" across Europe this year, is no newcomer to reinventing items -- recent projects include the design of a pair of shoes with inbuilt GPS to guide the wearer home and a stained glass driverless car of the future. Describing the snow melter skateboard, Dominic continued, "One of the design flaws of skateboards is that you can't skate on thick snow, so I came up with the idea of attaching a blow torch to melt the snow directly in front of the skateboard. It's all quite logical really." The All Seasons Inventions were commissioned by Goodyear tires as part of the brand's campaign to celebrate the first all season tire, launched by the tire maker over thirty years ago. "As a company which has invented numerous products, we love pushing boundaries and exploring new opportunities. Over thirty years ago, we adapted the standard tire to make it ready for any weather condition, and our work with Dominic means we're able to bring our innovative thinking through to other objects," explains Martijn de Jonge, Brand Director Consumer PBU EMEA at Goodyear. "The ever-changing seasons means that many objects, such as barbecues, skis and even false Christmas trees are used briefly for a couple of weeks and are then stored away for the rest of the year. Even the epitome of summer driving -- the convertible car -- is left in the garage for a big part of the year," continues Martijn. "Goodyear has been at the forefront of developing tires that overcome the challenges thrown at us during the different seasons. Now Dominic has proven that -- with good doses of creativity and innovative thinking -- these 'one-season' items can be adapted to excel in all weather conditions, all year round, just like our All Season tires." Story continues The inventions built by Dominic Wilcox are now available to view on YouTube. To view the e-book, "All Seasons Inventions", visit www.hugtheroads.com/allseasons. References *FEDESSA European Self Storage Annual Survey, 2015. Available at http://www.jll.eu/emea/en-gb/research/226/european-self-storage-annual-survey-2015 About Goodyear Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs approximately 66,000 people and manufactures its products in 49 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear or its products, go to www.goodyear.eu. For additional pictures, visit the online newsroom: http://news.goodyear.eu. You can also follow us on Twitter @Goodyearpress and join our ThinkGoodMobility group on LinkedIn. Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/12/6/11G124328/Images/Ice_tray-8b605bda2eb68ce9ad460299014cbd80.jpg Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/12/6/11G124328/Images/Skateboard-e247202495848303ab9766a19e4fe395.jpg Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/12/6/11G124328/Images/Sledge-853ebf34d9ae96a6a0bf0cc9b8670108.jpg Embedded Video Available: https://youtu.be/0nm2kRsnmZ4 Attachment Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/12/6/11G124328/The_Gallery_of_Inventions_-_Ebook_FINAL-02c124da211ca9d7a70d5c116d477273.pdf Attachment Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/12/6/11G124328/GY_V4S_PRESS_KIT-7be838a35770ab079a4237e80fd9b0e6.pdf Industrial valves Market, 2014-2020: Segmented by oil & gas, chemical, municipal, power and others http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/request-for-sample.html?flag=S&repid=55898 http://bit.ly/2cBRpA6 http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/market-analysis/industrial-values-market-global-industry-perspective-comprehensive-analysis.html http://bit.ly/2ccBVA2 http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com Valves are vital components used in both domestic and industrial perspective. The valves particularly control the volume, pressure, rate and direction of fluids. valves are mostly used in heavy industries and are available in various kinds. The industrial valves include standard valves that offer leak-proof and low-maintenance ability. However, they are manual operated. Further, industrial valves also include automatic valves which are more efficient than standard valves.Request Sample Report at:Industrial valves market is mainly driven by growing demand for petrochemical products such as paints, polymers, plastics, and fuel additives. Another major factor to drive demand for industrial valves is growing oil & gas and power application industry in Africa and Middle East regions. However, fading demand from mining industry is major restraints that could hinder the growth of the industrial valves market.Value chain analysis and Porters Five Forces Model have been presented to provide a comprehensive view of the market. These would also help understand specifics of the industry structure apart from giving an overview of a degree of competitiveness. The market was segmented on the basis of type, and end-use application industry in terms of value. The market segments by end-use application industry include oil & gas, chemical, municipal, power, and others. The valve type segmentation includes a market size of ball valves, globe valves, gate valves, butterfly valves, and others.Get in-depth TOC (Table of Contents) with Tables and Figures @The study segments the global industrial valves market on the basis of applications such as oil & gas, chemical, municipal, power, and others. It provides forecasts and estimates for each application segment in terms of revenue and volume during the forecast period for each region, including countries as well. The study also analyses market attractiveness for all applications of industrial valves with the help of the market attractiveness tool.In terms of geography, global industrial valves market has been segmented into the following regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). Each region has been further divided into countries that are found to be key markets for industrial valves.Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing market for industrial valves among other regions. China and India are emerging economies that exhibit increased rate of industrialization and commercialization which is expected to trigger the growth of industrial valves demand. The Middle East and Northern Africa are likely to become the second fastest growing market.Browse the full report at:Some of the key manufacturers of industrial valves market include Pentair plc, Emerson Electric Co., KITZ Corporation, AVK Holding A/S, Emerson Electric, General Electric, Cameron International, and Curtiss-Wright Corporation.This report segments the global industrial valves market as follows:Global Industrial Valves Market: Valve Type Segment AnalysisBall valveGlobe valveGate valveButterfly valveOthersGlobal Industrial Valves Market: Application Segment AnalysisOil & gasChemicalMunicipalPowerOthersGlobal Industrial Valves Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia-PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilMiddle East & AfricaDo Inquiry before buying at: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: Research focused on the Concentrated Solar Power Market volume forecast and value chain analysis from 2015 to 2020 http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/request-for-sample.html?flag=S&repid=50300 http://bit.ly/2cBjw6m http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/market-analysis/concentrated-solar-power-market.html http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com Concentrated solar power (CSP) is also called as concentrated solar thermal. Solar energy can be used to create electricity in two separate ways. First is solar concentrators and the second is photovoltaic systems. Concentrated solar power is a technology that generates electricity by concentrating solar energy in a main point. It is use to focus sunlight. Concentrated solar power plant generates electric power uses mirrors to concentrate the large area of sunlight onto a small area and also focus the sun's energy. CSP can also provide combined power and heat, particularly in desalinization plants. Concentrated solar power technologies subsist in five general types, such as parabolic trough, enclosed trough, concentrating linear Fresnel reflector, dish Stirlings and solar power tower.Request Sample Report:Concentrated solar power market is mainly driven by various benefits offered over conventional source of power. Use of CAP can result into significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, durability and cost-effectiveness. The major driving factor for the global concentrated solar power market is growing awareness about environmental concerns. Rising prices of conventional energy is also expected to fuel the growth of this industry. Government initiatives and funding has provided strong boost to the growth of concentrated solar power market across the world. However, high cost of electricity generation is expected to hamper growth of concentrated solar power market.This report provides detailed analysis and forecast of the concentrated solar power market on a global and regional level. The report includes detailed competitive landscape of the global concentrated solar power market and an analysis of Porters five forces model for the concentrated solar power market has also been included. It includes company market share analysis, product portfolio of the major industry participants. The report provides detailed segmentation of the concentrated solar power market based on products and region segment. Key product market for concentrated solar power includes parabolic trough, solar tower, linear Fresnel, and dish stirling. Parabolic trough was the leading product segment for concentrated solar power market. Parabolic Trough is the most developing technology and it is commonly use in commercial level for power production. Parabolic Trough segment followed by solar tower and linear Fresnel segment are also expected to growing segment in this market.Get in-depth TOC (Table of Contents) with Tables and Figures @Major regional segments analyzed in this study include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa with its further bifurcation into major countries including U.S., Germany, France, UK, China, Japan, India, and Brazil. This segmentation includes demand for concentrated solar power based on individual products in all the regions and countries. Europe was dominated concentrated solar power market in 2014. North America and Asia Pacific are also growing region in concentrated solar power market due to the use of scarce conventional resources.The report covers detailed competitive outlook including company profiles of the key participants operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include Areva Solar Ibereolica Group, Abengoa Solar S.A., kyFuel, Inc., Acciona S.A., GDF SUEZ, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC., Bright Source Energy, Inc, Solar Millennium AG, Solar Reserve, LLC and SCHOTT Solar AG.Browse detail report @Concentrated solar power Market: Product Segment AnalysisParabolic TroughSolar TowerLinear FresnelDish StirlingConcentrated solar power Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeGermanyFranceUKAsia 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: Biofuels Market: Rising environmental awareness and strong demand from automotive sector drives the market by 2015 - 2020 http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/request-for-sample.html?flag=S&repid=50303 http://bit.ly/2dcouoE http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/market-analysis/biofuels-market.html http://bit.ly/2d154zM http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com Biofuel is a hydrocarbon that has been derived from agricultural biomass, plant and animal waste or from metabolic by-products.Biofuel is mainly available in two types such as bioethanol and biodiesel, which are primarily used in automotive, marine and railway. Bioethanol is used as a replacement for petrol and biodiesel is used as a replacement for diesel. Use of biofuel can reduce carbon emission by 80%. Biofuel is basically extracted from the photosynthesis process and can therefore often be referred to as a source of solar energy.Request Sample Report:Biofuel market has witnessed significant growth in recent years on account of rising environmental awareness and strong demand from the automotive sector. Stringent government regulations resulted into growing demand for biofuel. This is anticipated to boost the demand for bioethanol. Biofuel market is classified based on different forms of biofuel such as liquid (biodiesel and bioethanol), solid (bio coal, fuel pellets, and biochar), and gaseous (syngas, biogas, and propane). Biodiesel was the largest product segment followed by bioethanol. Moreover, Advancement in technology expected to propel the biofuel market over 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 & Africa, further bifurcation of a region on the country level, which includes U.S., Germany, UK, France, China, Japan and India. North America has witnessed strong biofuels demand over the recent past years on account of stringent government policies and environmental awareness. Asia-Pacific is expected to experience significant growth in biofuels consumption.This report provides detailed analysis and forecast of the biofuel market on a global and regional level. Additionally, the report covers Porters five forces model, which provides an insight into the intensity of competition in the market. The study also comprises market attractiveness analysis, wherein various end-users are benchmarked based on their market size, growth rate, and general attractiveness. The segments have been analyzed and forecast based on current trends at the global and regional level.Browse report at:This report includes a detailed analysis of each key participants operating in the biofuel market in terms of company information, financial overview and recent developments in the industry. Prominent industry participants include Green Plains Inc., Raizen Energia Participacoes S.A, Australian Renewable Fuels Limited, Renewable Energy Group, BlueFire Renewables, Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc., Copersucar S.A, DSM, Western Dubuque Biodiesel Llc and Solazyme Inc.Biofuel Market: Form Segment Analysis Solid Biofuelso Pellet Fuelo Biocharo Biocoal Liquid Biofuelso Bioethanolo Biodiesel Gas Biofuelso Biogaso Syngaso Bio propanBiofuel Market: Regional Segment Analysis North Americao U.S. Europeo Germanyo UKo France Asia Pacifico Chinao Japano India Latin Americao Brazil The Middle East & AfricaDo Inquiry before buying: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: Asia Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) Market, by Geography, 2023 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=9989 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/asia-preimplantation-genetic-diagnosis-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com https://tmrresearch.blogspot.com/ Rising numbers of assisted reproductive procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) is Asia is the most prominent factor driving the market for preimplantation genetic diagnosis. This is, in essence, the result of factors such as the delayed age of conception among Asian women, the rising rate of infertility among the population, and the significantly expanding medical tourism industry in the region. Rising disposable incomes and increased awareness regarding the rising prevalence of a number of genetic disorders are also encouraging the Asian population to undertake costly diagnostic procedures such as PGD.TMR analysts project that these factors will enable the Asia preimplantation genetic diagnosis market expansion at a healthy 6.8% CAGR from 2015 to 2023. The market is expected to rise from a valuation of US$16.0 mn in 2014 to US$28.8 mn by 2023.Rising Preference for Single Gene Disorder Screening over Prenatal Diagnostic Testing to Drive MarketPreimplantation genetic diagnosis for the screening of aneuploidy held the largest share of 34.7% in the Asia PGD market in 2014. Liberal regulations pertaining to this area of diagnosis in most Asian countries is the major factor behind the high numbers of aneuploidy screening tests undertaken every year in the region. However, PGD for single gene disorder is projected to expand at the faster CAGR of 8.4% from the period between 2015 and 2023.Increased preference of this diagnostic modality is encouraged by technological advancements and relatively high accuracy of results. Moreover, single gene disorder screening is more beneficial compared to conventional prenatal diagnostic testing in embryo, driving the market for PGD for single gene disorder.Request a PDF Brochure with Report Analysis:Rising Numbers of Healthcare Facilities to Boost Asia PGD MarketKnown to provide excellent medical services at highly economical rates as compared to developed regions, the healthcare industry in Asia has invited patients from world over. With continuous advancements in healthcare infrastructure, rising numbers of healthcare experts, and constantly improving diagnostic facilities, Asia is expected to be a major hub for the PGD market in the future. Many global vendors in the healthcare and diagnostics industry are extending their businesses in the region and the number of fertility clinics, hospitals, and diagnostic centers are constantly rising in the region.Fertility clinics held a major share in the overall Asia PGD market in 2014, and are expected to exhibit a 5.9% CAGR from the period between 2015 and 2023. However, the segment of healthcare facilities is expected to expand at a much better 7.8% CAGR over the same period. The flourishing tourism industry in the region is leading to the establishment of an increasing number of IVF centers and healthcare facilities such as hospitals and diagnostic centers in the region.Asia PGD Market to Witness Highest Traction in Southern CountriesIn the next few years, the Asia PGD market is expected to witness the highest growth in Southern countries such as India and China. The high and rising rate of infertility in South Asian countries, rising disposable incomes, high percentage of women in the workforce, and availability of technologically advanced healthcare infrastructure will enable the region in presenting the most attractive growth opportunities for the Asia PGD market. Countries in Southern Asia will also benefit from the flourishing medical tourism industry during the period between 2015 and 2023.Browse Research Report on Global Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Market:About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Browse market research blog: Rag-Tag Team of Misfits Produce Reality Morning Show Rag-tag team of misfits produce a G-rated reality morning show, about a show, being made into a show on Hollywood Boulevard. This group of extreme, goofy, gabby, oddballs, hence the birth of the acronym E.G.G.O., which has no affiliation to the Kelloggs breakfast brand, cant tell the difference between the show itself and reality.Let Go of My E.G.G.O. Morning Show is shot in the early morning hours at the intersection of Hollywood and Vine, in one of the most iconic places in the world, which attracts over 25 million visitors each year. The ambiance of Hollywoods kaleidoscope of personalities adds to the shows slap-stick comedy with real people walking onto the set to audition on the spot, or trying to buy food from the shows food trailer, which is staged as the set for the show.According to Executive Producer and star of the show, Carlton Enoch, Let Go of My E.G.G.O Morning Show brings back the good old days of creativity and fun without the vulgar fill-ins, bad language, or sex that prohibits families from enjoying programming together. Using twelve remote control cameras and three drones, Enoch shares that the show is an innovative and fresh take on television that will stream as a Pre-Live series, meaning it was shot live in sequence and simultaneously edited to maintain the purity and integrity of live reality captured on tape in the middle of one of the busiest intersections in Hollywood, CA.The first show is due to broadcast on December 12, 2016 on YouTube Red.For more information on the show follow them on Facebook at Let Go of My E.G.G.O.###Let Go of My E.G.G.O. is a G-rated reality morning show, about a show, being made into a show on Hollywood Boulevard. It is shot in the early morning hours at the intersection of Hollywood and Vine, in one of the most iconic places in the world, which attracts over 25 million visitors each year.Let Go Of My E.G.G.O325 N. Maple Ave, suite 16283Beverly Hills, CA 90209press@letgoofmyeggo.com4242045275 Global Automotive Engine Oil Market to Record an Impressive Growth Rate by 2020 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/2838 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com The function of engine oil in automobiles is to reduce metal-to-metal contact in order to minimize overall friction and reduce damage. In automobile, friction is one of the major sources of engine heat, which produce more wear and deform moving engine parts. The oil in automobile engine develop a skinny, lubricating film on all metal parts that lets them move smoothly over each other thus minimizing friction. Engine oil also removes small particles of dust and other impurities present in automobiles fuels. Furthermore, it seals the gap between the pistons and the cylinder walls so that the fuel combustion is more efficient. It also coats all the moving parts of automobile engine to provide a layer of protection against rust.Engine oil are mostly differentiated on the basis of their viscosity index (resistance to thinning with increasing temperature), their engine size and volume. In general engine oil has a propensity to drop viscosity index, when it is used for longer duration. Thus it is important to protect viscosity loss to allow the engine oil to sustain the lubricating film between engine parts at least for thousands of miles. In order to improve viscosity index over longer period of use certain additive such as Dispersants, anti-wear agents, friction modifiers, pour-point depressants, antioxidants and foam inhibitors are used in engine oil.Based on the technology engine oils are broadly classified in four market variants: Premium Conventional engine Oil (used in two/three wheelers and medium sized cars), Full Synthetic engine Oil (for high-tech engines such as Chevy Corvette and Mercedes-Benz), Synthetic Blend engine Oil (these engine oil are a blend of synthetic engine oil mixed with organic engine oil used in LMVs and SUVs) and Higher Mileage engine Oil (oils with higher viscosity index and used in H.M.Vs and SUVs).North America is the largest market for automotive engine oil mainly attributed to large volume of motor vehicle in this region. It is followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. The market is witnessing an escalating growth in Asia Pacific region. China, in recent years, has become the global hub for the automobile industry. Some of the other region in Asia Pacific such as India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines are growing into the largest markets for small car segment in the world.Growing middle class, rising disposable income, developing surface transportation infrastructure, growing aspiration of owning private vehicles, increasing mobility due to development of satellite township near megacities and increase demand of goods carriers from micro, small and medium size enterprises are fueling the market for automotive engine oil in Asia Pacific region. Growing automotive aftermarket and do it yourself (DIY) culture in North America and Europe is fueling the growth of automotive engine oil in retail sector in these two region.Request for Sample Report and Table of content @:Some of the major players operating in the automotive engine oil market include Saudi Arabian Oil Co., Total S.A, Gazprom, ROSNEFT, LUKOIL oil company, Royal Dutch Shell plc, Exxon Mobil Corporation, BP p.l.c, Statoil, Chevron Corporation., Sinopec Lubricant Company, JIANGSU LOPAL TECH. CO.,LTD. and Ashland Inc.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: Robo-Advisors: Mapping the Competitive Landscape -Industry Report by RB States Market Analysis by (Traditional Players, Key Findings, Critical Success Factors) https://goo.gl/lOfkHR https://goo.gl/Ikd45V https://goo.gl/ZQ9VPn http://www.researchbeam.com/ Research Beam added a report Robo-Advisors: Mapping the Competitive LandscapeDescription:The wealth management industry has long been resilient to the digitization process observed in the wider financial services space. This has started to change, however, with interest in robo-advice platforms increasing in 2015. The automated investment management space is hence becoming ever-more competitive as new entrants launch propositions. Supported by software developers, traditional wealth managers have also started exploring the digital advice market. Competition will thus increase further, although robo-advisors are still looking for business models that will appeal to HNW individuals.Download Sample Report @Key Findings Regulators have not been able to keep up with the growing popularity of automated advice solutions. This creates an opportunity for industry leaders to have a direct impact on how the regulatory environment around robo-advice is designed. The US is the home market of low-cost robo-advice, as self-directed investors are driven by price sensitivity above all else. New entrants across the globe are introducing innovations to the automated advice space. Most wealth managers focused on the HNW segment do not consider robo-advisors a threat to their business, as the wealthiest individuals show limited interest in robo-advice. Robo-advisors that emerged as startup companies will partner with incumbents to attract more assets to their platforms.SynopsisResearch Beaml's Robo-Advice: Mapping the Competitive Landscape looks at the growing robo-advice market. As the industry lacks clear definition of what robo-advice is, we clarify the differences between various automated investment platforms. Case studies of the most successful and established robo-advisors provide insight on what features appeal to clients and why. Drawing on our 2015 Global Wealth Managers Survey the report specifically analyzes HNW investors' attitudes toward automated advice. Established software vendors' activity in the robo-advice space is also covered.Specifically the report: Defines robo-advice, providing an overview of its history so far and regulators' approach to services provided by automated advice platforms. Provides case studies of successful robo-advisors operating in a number of markets, including the US, the UK, Switzerland, and Australia. Identifies the digital platform features that appeal to HNW investors. Analyzes wealth managers' attitudes towards robo-advice. Looks at the benefits of partnerships between robo-advisors and competitors operating traditional business models.Request for Discount @Reasons to Buy Understand what robo-advice is and how it affects traditional wealth managers. Recognize regulators' approach to robo-advice and the guidelines to consider when launching digital investment platforms. Learn best practice from established automated advice providers' case studies. Discover how automation can be beneficial to your company's operations, particularly in relation to advisor efficiency. Identify the markets with the highest growth potential in the automated investment space.Table of Contents: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Key findings Critical success factors DEFINING ROBO-ADVICE CLIENT-FACING ROBO-ADVISORS COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE AUTOMATED INVESTMENT TOOLS FOR HUMAN ADVISORS APPENDIXEnquire about Report @About Us:With the arsenal of different search reports, Research Beam helps you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency. With the window of opportunity getting open and shut at a speed of light, it has become very important to survive in the market and only the fittest and competent enough can do so. So, we try and provide with latest changes in the market that can suit your needs and help you take decision accordingly.Contact Us:5933 NE Win Severs Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesU.S. & Canada Toll Free: + 1-800-910-6452International: + 1-503-894-6022UK: + 44-845-528-1300India: +91 20 66346070Fax: +1 (855) 550-5975Email: help@researchbeam.comWeb: Deploy remote network monitoring for increased business efficiency www.sumasoft.com/it-technical-support/remote-network-monitoring-services/ Texas (USA), Canada (Toronto) & India (Business Network)Nov 30, 2016: Why do you need remote network monitoring? Well, if you have ever heard of or been part of or used telecommuting, virtual office, work-from-home or portable workplace, then you must be aware of remote or flexible business infrastructure. Businesses across the world are benefitting through remote workplace culture. 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Suma Softs remote network monitoring services help organisations in maintaining continuous access to data in a secured and safe manner.Suma Soft has been instrumental in providing uninterrupted remote network monitoring services that include optimizing server hardware, response-time, resource utilization and more. The company has offered technical support and remote monitoring for small and large enterprises as well as some leading MNCs. According to Suma experts, any company that is looking at expanding its operations across geographical regions, remote network monitoring is of primary importance. Going by the current trends, it is more profitable for businesses to have remote or flexible workplaces and this increases the need for secure as well as smooth running of IT infrastructure.To get remote network monitoring services from Suma Soft, click here >>>http://Suma Soft has been an industry leader for over 16 years. We provide advanced BPO Solutions in USA-based environment, Software Development Solutions across USA and India, Technical Support Services, IT Security Audit Solutions USA and IT Security Consulting and Implementation Services.Company Name: Suma softAddress: 7880 San Felipe Street,Ste 120,Houston TX 77063-1647Telephone:+1 281 764 1825+1 281 468 7338Email:info@sumasoft.com Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems Market Has Been Estimated to Account for US$ 788.4 Mn by 2020 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-694 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-694 www.futuremarketinsights.com Future Market Insights (FMI) announces the release of its latest report titled, Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2015 - 2020. According to the report, the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market was valued at US$ 402.0 Mn in 2014 and is expected to reach US$ 788.4 Mn by 2020, registering a CAGR of 12.1% during the forecast period, 2015 to 2020.Global continuous glucose monitoring systems market is driven by increasing number of diabetic patients and growing number of geriatric people across the world. Moreover, usage of advanced technologies such as artificial pancreas in continuous glucose monitors and increasing awareness of people towards diabetes are driving growth of the continuous glucose monitoring systems market. However, high prices of continuous glucose monitors and inadequate reimbursement policies pose a challenge for growth of the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market.Request Free Report Sample@The global continuous glucose monitoring systems market is segmented on the basis of end use sector, components and geography. Moreover, company wise market share has also been indicated in the report. By end use sector, global continuous glucose monitoring systems market is sub-segmented into household and hospital & diagnostic centers. Household is a larger segment as compared to hospital & diagnostic centers and is expected to dominate the continuous glucose monitoring systems market throughout the forecast period exhibiting a CAGR of 11.9%. The household segment held 68.5% market share in 2014 and expected to account for US$ 538 Mn by 2020, owing to the convenience and ease of use offered by continuous glucose monitors at home. Hospitals & diagnostic centers sub-segment accounted for approximately 31.5% of the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market value share in 2014, and is expected to gain market share to account for 31.8% of the global market by 2020.On the basis of component, the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market is sub-segmented into transmitter & monitors, sensors and insulin pumps. Among the aforementioned sub-segments, transmitter & monitors is expected to dominate the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market with over 39% market share throughout the forecast period. Owing increasing trend of sedentary lifestyle in some developing and developed economies such as India, China and Japan, and increasing obesity rate globally, demand for continuous glucose monitoring is expected to increase significantly in the near future.Send An Enquiry@Value wise share in the report has been provided for key players in the market, which includes Medtronic, Dexcom, Abbott and cumulative share of other players. Medtronic dominated the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market in 2014 and is expected to continue its dominance over the forecast period, expanding at a CAGR of 11.2%.Geography-wise, North America was dominant, accounting for over 50% of the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market in 2014 in terms of revenue. However, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ) is foreseen to witness a relatively high CAGR during the forecast period.Competitive LandscapeKey players considered in the continuous glucose monitoring systems market include Medtronic, Dexcom, Abbott, OmniPod, Animas, Glysens, Roche, Ypsomed and Bayer.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: U.S Lime Market Anticipated to Register a CAGR of 3.0% in Terms of Volume by 2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-us-2209 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-us-2209 www.futuremarketinsights.com 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, 20162026. 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).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 Free Report Sample@Segmentation highlightsThe 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 periodThe 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 endThe 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 endThe 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 endRegional projectionsThe 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.Send An Enquiry@Vendor insightsThe 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.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: Food Enzymes Market Analysis, Segments, Growth and Value Chain 2014-2020 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-223 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-223 www.futuremarketinsights.com Enzymes are the protein produced by live cells which helps in the chemical reactions without being itself changed. Enzymes are used in food processing for various purposes such as to enhance nutritive value, to produce desirable aromas and flavors and mainly to control food appearance and texture.Food processing industry is presently the largest user of industrial enzymes acquiring almost around 40% of the USD 400 million markets. Enzymes such as amylase is used in making of high fructose corn syrup, rennet another type of food enzyme are used in cheese making, proteases are used as meat tenderizer, and pullulanase are used in making of lite beer. The North America and Europe are the market leader but in future demand is expected to be more from the markets of Asia Pacific regions for food enzymes.Request Free Report Sample@One of the major factors driving the growth of the food enzymes are their use in the industry for fermentation. Other factors such as their high performance and the environment benefit associated with it also contributing in the growth of the market. In future, immobilized enzymes are expected to replace the batch fermentations for producing non-nutritive sweetener, amino acids, aspartic acid and tryptophan. In addition, immobilization of rennet can increase the process of developing innovative methods in the fermentation of dairy industry.Visit For TOC@Novozymes is the market leader in the food enzymes market occupying major share of the market. Some of the other major players of the food enzymes markets are Danisco, DSM and AB Enzymes.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Highgate Management Pty Limited - Provides the Best Development and Project Management Service http://highgatemanagement.com.au/index.php/what-we-do/project-management/ http://highgatemanagement.com.au/ http://highgatemanagement.com.au/ The economic sector in Sydney keeps growing extremely fast and thus a lot of youth is becoming attracted in the direction of this city for walking. A necessity of residences is within turn increasing. Each one of these factors have slowly created a scarcity of space in Sydney. This is actually the place in which the real estate developers possess a lot to do. Many commercial and residential complexes are now being constructed through builders as well as developers in the city. The cost of the property is growing every day, however the developers are devoted towards giving extremely fast and satisfactory services for their clients.Highgate Management Pty Limited is a top name in Sydney Real Estate. The Sydney city is a dream place for people aspiring to purchase work place or residential property. The town has numerous residential and commercial properties that are well furnished. The Highgate Management Pty Limited is yet another big name in Sydney property dealing. The Sydney Surprise residential complexes, Towers, Business Park as well as Sydney IT Park is first class components in Sydney.Aside from this all kinds of properties can be found on lease or even to rent. The Retail shops on primary locations of Sydney are offered through the real estate builders. Many big organizations take these types of shops as well as showrooms on lease for several years. The office properties could be of Class A, Class B or even Class C type as indexed by the Building Owners as well as Managers Association. The Class C workplaces are in the cheapest category and also have only basic facilities for minimal rent, whereas the Class A offices are luxurious offices with high rents. The Class B workplaces are midway between your above two.The Real Estate Developers/Builders mainly have a user-friendly website, plus they give an update regarding their new construction and offers. The clients can certainly access these websites and make contact with the developers. As Sydney is an extremely populated city, the booking of property owner done around the first come first served basis. The Real Estate Developers are extremely competent and also have a transparent way of coping with their clients.Developers of development and project management () also do the marketing of his or her properties as well as attract several industries to begin they're positioned in Sydney. Therefore, it is very wise for any property aspire to hire the expertise of a Real Estate Contractor for looking perfect property meeting his business as well as budget.Highgate Management Pty Limited () is dedicated to shooting for excellence in its selected fields of try, namely Real Estate, Retail. Highgate Management Pty Limited's venture in this quest for excellence as well as transformation is a mixture of enterprise, technologies and professionalism and reliability with a view to improving consumer satisfaction as well as societal service.Contact Name : David HumeCompany Name : Highgate Management Pty LimitedContact Email : info@highgatemanagement.com.auContact Phone : +61 2 9377 1077Contact Fax : (02) 9377 1080Website :Address : Level 5,52 Phillip Street,Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Operating Room Equipment Market Volume Forecast and Value Chain Analysis 2015-2025 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-811 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-811 www.futuremarketinsights.com Operating room is a facility where all the surgical procedures are performed on patients in order to treat different physiological and pathological conditions in a sterile environment, operating rooms are also known as the operation theatre or operating suite. An operating room equipped with technically advanced equipment ensures better patient care and enhanced operational efficiency by empowering surgeons and other healthcare professionals with greater flexibility and ease of handling. All these equipment are used for the betterment of patient care and enhanced operational efficiency by empowering surgeons and other healthcare professionals with greater flexibility and ease of handling.Rapid technological advancement has brought a lot of changes in the way of surgical procedures which are carried out today around the globe. Operating rooms are becoming more commodious with new and advanced operating equipment that have become an essential part of modern hybrid operating rooms. The operating room equipment global market is primarily characterized by growing demand for technically advanced operating room equipment as healthcare providers across the globe are increasingly adopting the concept of hybrid operating rooms.Hybrid operating room combine the surgical and non-surgical functions such as diagnostics, radiology, patient monitoring, and etc. at one place and provide surgeons with greater operational flexibility by enabling access to advanced imaging modalities such as C-arm, CT scanners, MRI scanners, and others.Operating Room Equipment Market: Drivers and RestraintsPresently, operating room equipment global market is driven by the technological advancement in healthcare sector, increase in the number of surgery procedure around the globe, increase in the number of ambulatory surgical centers, rise in the aging population and increase in the prevalence of chronic disease. However, high cost associated with latest technology devices act as a major barrier for operating room equipment global market.Request for sample report:Operating Room Equipment Market: SegmentationOperating room equipment global market is segmented into following types:Operating TablesManual Operating TablesPowered Operating TablesOperating LightsHalogen LightsLED LightsSurgical boomsOperating Room Equipment Market: OverviewWith rapid technological advancement, increase in the number of ambulatory surgical centers, rise in the aging population, increasing demand for operational efficiency, increase in the prevalence of chronic disease, and increase in the number of surgery procedure around the globe, the operating room equipment global market is expected to have a healthy growth rate in the forecast period (2015-2025).Operating Room Equipment Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic regions, global operating room equipment market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa.North America is the leading market for operating room equipment due to rapid technological innovations, huge investment on research and development in this region. Whereas, Europe and Asia-Pacific is projected to grow at a substantial growth due to large consumer base, rising government initiatives for enhancing healthcare infrastructure, and high disposable incomewill contribute to the global operating room equipment market value exhibiting a robust CAGR during the forecast period, 2015-2025.Request for TOC:Operating Room Equipment Market: Key PlayersSome of the key participating global players in operating room equipment global market are Getinge AB, Creative Health Tech Pvt. Ltd., Stryker Corporation, Siemens Healthcare GmbH, STERIS Corporation, Trumpf Medical, BERCHTOLD Corporation, and others.The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, types, technology and applications.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 us:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705T (UK): + 44 (0) 20 7692 8790Email:sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Smart Motor Market Revenue Predicted To Go Up by 2022 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/9692 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ Smart motor is a highly programmable digital motor which can be programmed and work accordingly as per requirement of application. It can easily store the information related to its speed and can change it immediately with the single pressing of a button or after a particular given time. These smart motor is integrated with an encoder, an amplifier, motor driver, communication buses, dual port Ethernet port, and USB interface for programming, remote terminal unit (RTU), half duplex communication port and IOs. The microcontroller integrated with smart motor detects the presence of load on the shaft and correspondingly adjust the power extraction to the load. The main specialty of the smart motor is its ability to produce highest torque at lowest speed. The technological advancement and innovation brings the smart motor to completely new stage, now smart motors can support industrial Ethernet protocol including Ether CAT and PROFINET. The main applications of this smart motor is in industrial automation and robotics applications, which are undoubtedly the emerging sectors across the globe and hence the demand of smart motor is also rising up in global market.The key trend of global smart motor market is the tremendous increment in the demand of smart motor for the application in the industrial automation.There are various factors driving the growth of global smart motor market such as the advantages provided by smart motors over the traditional AC motors as it requires less wiring and onsite space, cost reduction, increased effectiveness of equipment, less power consumption are some of the global smart motor market drivers driving this market. On the other side there are some factors which are responsible to hinder the growth of global smart motor market, which are; lower rate of implementation and additional consideration for variable frequency drive are some of restraints of smart motor market.Request for Sample Report and Table of Content @Global Smart Motor market is segmented by component types, applications and by regionSmart Motor Market by component typesVariable Speed DriveIntelligent Motor Control CenterMotorSmart Motor Market by applicationsIndustrial SectorAutomotive SectorAerospace and Defense SectorCommercial SectorConsumer Electronics SectorSmart Motor Market By Region:Asia PacificEuropeNorth AmericaLatin AmericaThe Middle East & AfricaAmong all the regions North America is the highest contributor in term of revenue in global smart motor market followed by Asia Pacific & it is expected that in near future Asia Pacific is going to lead this market.The key players of global smart motor market are Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) Ltd., Rockwell Automation, Inc., Moog Animatics, General Electric Co. Ltd., FUJI Electric Co. Ltd., Siemens AG, Technosoft S.A., Schneider Electric SE, Robotshop, Inc., Roboteq, Inc. and others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each PMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With a wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports strive to serve clients and satisfy their overall research requirement.For information regarding permissions, contact:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway,7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United StatesTel: +1 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWebsite:media@persistencemarketresearch.com Healthcare BPO Market Trends, Preferred Choices, Outstanding Growth, Sales & Affordable Pricing Healthcare BPO Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample-request/global-healthcare-bpo-market-research-report-forecast-to-2027 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/global-healthcare-bpo-market-research-report-forecast-to-2027 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/global-onychomycosis-market-research-report-forecast-to-2027 Market HighlightsGlobally the market for Healthcare BPO is increasing rapidly. The major factor that derives the growth of Healthcare BPO is the increasing development in healthcare IT. Furthermore new business models & processes and increasing use of digital technologies in healthcare are increasing the market for healthcare BPO. Globally the market for healthcare BPO market is expected to grow at the rate of about XX% CAGR from 2016 to 2027.Major Key Players:HCL Technologies Limited (India)Accenture PLC (U.S.)WNS (India) Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (U.S.)Xerox Corporation (U.S.)Infosys BPO Ltd. (India)Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. (India)Request a Sample Report @Study Objectives of Healthcare BPO Market:To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 10 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Healthcare BPO marketTo provide insights about factors affecting the market growthTo analyze the Healthcare BPO market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc.To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospectiveTo provide country level analysis of the market for segments by provider solutions, by payer solutions, applications and its sub-segments.To provide overview of key players and their strategic profiling in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the marketTo track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the global Healthcare BPO market.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 70 market data tables and figures spread in 115 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Global Healthcare BPO MarketResearch Report- Forecast 2022Access Report Details @Brief TOC1 Executive Summary2 Market Introduction2.1 Definition2.2 Scope of the study2.2.1 Research Objectives2.2.2 Assumptions2.2.3 Limitations2.3 Markets Structure2.4 Stakeholders3 Research methodology3.1 Research process3.2 Secondary research3.3 Primary research3.4 Forecast model3.5 Market Size estimation4 MARKET DYNAMICSContinueBrowse Related Reports:Global Onychomycosis Market Research Report- Forecast To 2027Global Onychomycosis Information, by types (Distal Subungual Onychomycosis (DSO), Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis (PSO), Total Dystrophic Onychomycosis) by treatment type (drugs, therapies, topical treatment, laser treatment) by end users (hospitals, research centers, clinics) - Forecast to 2027Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.comAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India World Seed Treatment Market 2016, Analysis, Research, Share, Growth, Sales, Trends, Supply, Forecast to 2021 http://www.marketintelreports.com/report/allied0115/world-seed-treatment-market--opportunities-and-forecasts-2014--2021 http://www.marketintelreports.com/purchase.php?id=allied0115 www.marketintelreports.com Seed treatment involves the application of biological, physical, and chemical agents on seed before planting for crop protection. It helps to control soil and seed-borne infections and diseases. In addition, it also improves the yield of crops, reduces germination time, and enhances overall productivity.Check complete report @Seed treatment has emerged as a cost-effective crop protection solution in comparison to conventional spraying as it is more efficient, less costly and less labor intensive.In seed treatment, only planting seeds are coated with treating agent; therefore, low amount of active ingredients are required for protection against a variety of fungal diseases and insect pests. Increasing prices of genetically modified (GM) seed have fostered the need for crop protection in order to reduce risk on investment. Furthermore, increased food requirement due to rapidly growing global population has fueled the market growth as preferred preventive measure for crop and ultimately food protection. The world seed treatment market is expected to reach $7.8 billion by 2021, growing at a CAGR of 8.3% from 2015 to 2021.However, stringent government are the major restraining factor of the market growth.The world seed treatment market is segmented based on application, crop type, and geography. Based on applications, the world seed treatment market is segmented into insecticide, fungicide, and bio-control including others. Of these, insecticide is the most adopted seed treatment, owing to its ability to be used in combination with other products. In 2014, insecticides segment accounted for more than half of the overall market share. Bio-control seed treatment is the fastest growing segment, registering a CAGR of 10.3% during the forecast period due to rising awareness and stringent government regulation against chemicals seed treatment. Based on crop type, the market is segmented into cereals, grains and oilseeds, among others.The world seed treatment market is segmented on the basis of region into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. In 2014, North America was the leading market for seed treatment, accounting for about one third of the overall market. Asia-Pacific and LAMEA regions witnessed an unprecedented demand for seed treatment, owing to agricultural modernization and rising adoption of GM seeds in these regions.The LAMEA seed treatment market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.7% from 2014 to 2021.The key players in this market have adopted several marketing strategies, such as expansion, agreement, product launch, and partnerships, to retain sustain the market competition. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leading companies and highlights the competitive scenario of the market.The key companies profiled in this report are BASF SE, Bayer Cropscience, Syngenta AG, E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company, Chemtura Corporation, Monsanto, Novozymes A/S, Nufarm Limited, Valent USA Corporation, and Sumitomo Chemical Company.KEY MARKET BENEFITS:This report provides a detailed analysis of the factors that drives and restrict the growth of the world seed treatment market.The projections in the report are based on the current market trends and future market potential.SWOT analysis highlights the internal environment of leading companies for effective strategy formulation.This report provides quantitative analysis of the current market and estimations for the period of 20142021 to identify the prevailing market opportunities.Comprehensive analysis of geographic regions helps in determining the prevailing opportunities in these regions.The analysis of the key market players operating in the world seed treatment market along with their strategies help in understanding the competitive outlook of this market.SEEDTREATMENT MARKET KEYSEGMENTS:World seed treatment market is segmented as follows:BY APPLICATIONInsecticideFungicideBio-ControlOthersBY CROP TYPESCereals & GrainsOilseedsOthersBY GEOGRAPHYNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaMexicoEuropeFranceGermanyU.K.RussiaUkrainePolandRomaniaOthersAsia-PacificChinaIndiaJapanOthersLAMEABrazilArgentinaOthersOrder 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. 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 Hematology Diagnostics Market Headed for Growth and Global Expansion By 2021 PMR Report http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3876 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3876 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Hematology is a branch of medicine, which deals with the study of blood, blood-forming organs, and blood diseases. Hematology includes problems related with white blood cells, red blood cells, bone marrow, lymph, and platelets. It also affects the liquid component of blood known as plasma. Hematology includes various IVD technologies such as blood analysis, flow cytometry, immunodiagnostics, molecular diagnostics, hemostasis, histology, and cytology. A specialist in hematology treatment is known as hematologist. Bleeding disorders such as hemophila and blood clots, and blood cancer are some types of blood conditions. Some of the blood-associated diseases are anemia, leukemia, myelofibrosis, blood transfusion, malignant lymphomas, and bone marrow stem cell transplantation. Hematology is diagnosed through hematology tests. Hematology diagnoses anemia, infection, hemophilia, and blood clotting. Anemia is caused by various reasons such as iron deficiency, vitamin B-12 deficiency, chronic lead poisoning, and red blood cell destruction. Anemia is prominent in women. Hemophilia is an inherited blood disorder, in which, blood does not clot properly. Blood clots are clumps formed when blood hardens from liquid to solid. Blood tests include complete blood count, blood enzyme test, platelet count, international normalized ratio, and lipoprotein panel. Fatigue, pale skin, and shortness of breath with exertion are some of the common symptoms of blood disorder. Hemostatis, hematology reagents, immunohematology, and hematology rapid tests are some of the hematology diagnostics systems. Hemostatis is the largest segment of the global hematology diagnostics market.Request to view Sample Report @North America, followed by Europe, dominates the global hematology market due to the availability of a large number of diagnostic centers . Rising R&D investments is also fueling growth of the North America hematology diagnostics market. Asia is expected to witness a high growth rate due to improving healthcare infrastructure . China and India in emerging countries are expected to witness fast growth due to the availability of large patient pools. In addition, rising demand for technologically-advanced diagnosis devices and increased purchasing power of consumers are driving growth of the Asia hematology diagnostics market.In recent years, the use of hematology diagnostics has increased due to increasing incidences of blood disorder diseases. Increasing aging population, technological advancements, and rising demand for improved healthcare facilities are some of the key factors driving growth of the global hematology diagnostics market. In addition, rising government initiatives to support healthcare infrastructure is also fueling growth of the global hematology diagnostics market. However, high cost of diagnostics and poor healthcare insurance coverage for diagnostic procedures are some of the key factors restraining growth of the global hematology diagnostics market. In addition, lack of awareness among people regarding haematology diagnostics is also restraining growth of the global hematology diagnostics market.The market for hematology diagnostic devices is expected to increase due to rising support from various private and government organizations. Introduction of digital imaging systems in hematology laboratories and growing use of microfluidics technology in hematology analyzers could create opportunities for growth of the global hematology diagnostics market.Request to view Table of content @Some of the companies operating in the global hematology diagnostics market are Abbott Laboratories, Hemocue, Horiba, Siemens Healthcare diagnostics, and Beckman Coulter. Other companies include Bio-Rad Laboratories, Nihon Kohden Corporation, and Roche Diagnostics.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Emerging Opportunities in Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Market with Current Trends Analysis http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1211 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1211 www.futuremarketinsights.com Continuous Renal Replacement therapy (CRRT) is a process of extracorporeal blood purification which is intended to substitute for impaired renal function for extended period of time. Continuous Renal Replacement therapy intends at application over 24 hours a day. It is a mode of renal replacement therapy for hemodynamically unstable, fluid over loaded and catabolic septic patients. The major application of CRRT is management of acute renal failure especially in critical care and intensive care units. The acceptance of CRRT with the renal failure patients at the critical stage is increasing due to the high survival rate.Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe global continuous renal replacement therapy market is driven by the factors such as rising prevalence of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), awareness about the blood purification technique increasing the adoption rate of continuous renal replacement therapy. In addition, the increased prevalence of sepsis, rapid rise in aging population are the major factor driving the CRRT market. Clinical advantages over CRRT is resulting in the growth of CRRT market. However the need of trained ICU nurses, complexity of the therapy, elevated cost of therapy are the major restraining factors of continuous renal replacement therapy market.Request for sample report:Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Market: SegmentationContinuous renal replacement therapy market is classified on the basis of product, modalities and geography.Based on product, the global continuous renal replacement therapy market is segmented into the following:CRRT systemsCRRT disposablesDialysateReplacement fluidsBased on modalities, the global continuous renal replacement therapy market is segmented into the following:Slow continuous ultrafiltration (SCUF)Continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD)Continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH)Continuous venovenous hemodiafilteration (CVVHDF)Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Market: OverviewContinuous renal replacement therapy market is estimated to be growing faster due to the ongoing researches to satisfy safety and efficacy profiles of CRRT. The broadening applications of CRRT and development of CRRT system for pediatric patients are creating opportunities for the continuous renal replacement therapy market. The continuous renal replacement therapy is broadly used for hemodynamically unstable AKI patients. However, it is widely adopted due to high survival rate of patients. The CRRT market provides flexibility to the users owing to the range of alternatives in modalities. The continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) is expected to grow faster due to the high filtrate flow which will enhance the performance in terms of removing the solute. The continuous venovenous hemodialysis is estimated to grow owing to its ability of clearance of medium sized solutes.Request for TOC:Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic regions, the global Continuous Renal Replacement therapy market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. Europe is estimated to be the largest market due to increased prevalence of AKI in the region followed by rise in aging population. Additionally, approval of CRRT machine and anti-coagulants for multiple application in Europe indicates the growth of CRRT market in the region. The emerging markets such as India and China are creating demand for CRRT due to the factors such as developing healthcare infrastructure, increasing aging population and rising indications of acute kidney injury (AKI).Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players identified in the continuous renal replacement therapy market are B. Braun Medical Inc., Baxter, Medical Components, Inc., Nikkiso Co., Ltd, Fresenius Medical Care, INFOMED SA, Medica S.p.A., Toray medical Co., Ltd , asahi kasei medical Co.,Ltd , NxStage Medical, Inc. The companies are focusing on launches, acquisition, and geographic expansion.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 us:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705T (UK): + 44 (0) 20 7692 8790Email:sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Barometer of Employee Ownership Policies in European Countries www.efesonline.org www.efesonline.org December 7, 2016For immediate release:Barometer of Employee Ownership Policies in European CountriesThe European Federation of Employee Share Ownership (EFES) will release the new edition of its "Barometer of Employee Share Ownership Policies in European Countries" on December 8.The mass development of employee share ownership brings better motivation and results, higher growth, more and better jobs. This is good for all. But it depends on policy will to initiate the virtuous circle through appropriate fiscal incentives.Except in France, all recent policy choices in Europe pave the way towards higher incentives for employee ownership: Poland prepares a dedicated legislation. The Swedish government is considering the introduction of a favorable tax-qualified option regime for small and medium sized companies, which could take effect from January 2018. In Ireland, a new share scheme incentive focused on SMEs would be introduced in 2018.These new developments confirm the positive trend observed since 2013. Most recent policy decisions regarding employee ownership in Europe are positive.Marc Mathieu, Secretary General of the EFES said: "After a period of uncertainty following the financial crisis, most policy choices in European countries are in favor of the promotion and development of employee share ownership. European countries had never been so numerous in this direction. It is the right way for Europe."The new Barometer will be available onand can be downloaded here.The EFES' is the umbrella organization of employee owners, companies and all persons, trade unions, experts, researchers, institutions looking to promote employee share ownership and participation in Europe.Marc MathieuSecretary GeneralEFES - European Federation of Employee Share OwnershipFEAS - Federation Europeenne de l'Actionnariat SalarieAvenue Voltaire 135, B-1030 BrusselsTel: +32 (0)476 322 421 - Fax: +32 (0)2 808 30 33E-mail: efes@efesonline.orgWeb site: Releases New Report on the Global Bone Densitometer Devices Market http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-733 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-733 www.futuremarketinsights.com Bone densitometer is a piece of X-ray apparatus used to measure the calcium content of bone to reflect bone density and therefore bone fracture risk. It used to detect osteopenia/osteoporosis and the diseases in which the bone density get low and the risk of fractures become high.The main purpose of bone densitometer devices is to identify those at risk of developing osteoporosis and to monitor change in bone density, mainly with therapy procedures. These procedures is used to evaluate the lower spine and hips, and is considered the current standard for measuring bone mineral density.Due to prevalence worldwide, osteoporosis is considered a serious public health concern. Currently it is estimated that over 200 million people worldwide suffer from this disease. Approximately 30% of all postmenopausal women have osteoporosis in the United States and in Europe.Request Free Report Sample@Bone Densitometer Devices Market: Drivers and RestraintsBone densitometer devices global market is driven by the aging population, increasing prevalence of osteoporosis disease, wide technological advancement.Bone densitometer devices global market is drives by the increasing prevalence of osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and increase in deficiencies like calcium and vitamin D among global population. The rise in the healthcare expenditure by individuals, technological advancement, and rise in the risk of bone fractures and dislocations are some other factors that drives the growth of this market globally. However, high cost of these devices and lack of skilled professional are act as a major barriers for this market.Bone Densitometer Devices Market: SegmentationBone densitometer devices global market is segmented into following types:Axial Bone DensitometersDual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA)Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT)Peripheral Bone DensitometersX-Ray AbsorptiometryPeripheral Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (pDEXA)Single Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (SEXA)Radiographic Absorptiometry (RA)Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS)Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (pOCT)Bone Densitometer Devices Market: OverviewWith rapid technological advancement and rise in prevalence of osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis among global population, the global bone densitometer devices global market is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR in the forecast period (2015-2025).Bone Densitometer Devices Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic region, bone densitometer devices global market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa.Due to the large number osteoporosis patient and aging population. North Americais the largest market for bone densitometer devices, market followed by the European region.Visit For TOC@Bone Densitometer Devices Market: Key PlayersSome of the key participating players in bone densitometer devices global market are GE Healthcare, Hologic Corporation, Bio medical Tech., Medonica Co., DMS group, and othersAbout Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Molecular Diagnostics Market 2016-2026 Shares, Trend and Growth Report http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1262 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1262 www.futuremarketinsights.com Molecular diagnostics is a method of analyzing and identifying the biological markers in the genome and proteome in order to identify gene expression by applying molecular biology. Molecular diagnostics are used to diagnose disease and risk involved. Molecular Diagnostics helps to decide the therapies are suitable for individual patients. The new advanced technologies has qualified the instruments in providing accurate results. This ability of the diagnostic tool resulted in increased rate of acceptance of the molecular diagnostics. The concept of personalized medicine has emerged out of molecular diagnostics.Molecular Diagnostics Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe factors driving molecular diagnostic market are increase in demand for care facilities, favorable regulatory policies which aims at promoting the care diagnosis, acceptance of personalized medicine, development in biomarkers, advancements in proteomics, increasing awareness of the diagnostic procedures. However rising cost of molecular diagnostics, obligation of skilled labors to handle the complexity of instruments are the factors restraining the growth of molecular diagnostics market.Request for sample report:Molecular Diagnostics Market: SegmentationMolecular diagnostic market is classified on the basis of product, technology, application, end use and geography.Based on product, the global molecular diagnostic market is segmented into the following:InstrumentsReagentsOthers (service and software)Based on technology, the global molecular diagnostic market is segmented into the following:DNA sequencingPolymerase chain reactionIsothermal Nucleic Acid Amplification TechnologyTranscription Mediated Amplification (TMA)In situ hybridizationSequencingMicroarraysMass spectrometryDNA sequencingOthers (southern blotting, northern blotting, electrophoresis)Based on application, the global molecular diagnostic market is segmented into following:CancerPharmacogenomicsGenetic testingInfectious diseasePrenatalNeurological diseaseCardiovascular diseaseBased on end use, the global molecular diagnostic market is segmented into following:Diagnostic laboratoriesHospitalsOthers( nursing home, blood banks, point of care)Request for TOC:Molecular Diagnostics Market: OverviewThe awareness of diagnosis is giving rise to the trend of self-care management. The early diagnosis of disease or disorder helps the patient in getting better treatment and cure. Infectious disease and Oncology is estimated to be the fastest growing application owing to the increased prevalence of cancer and demand for early diagnosis. The introduction to specific biomarkers for the treatment has a positive impact over the molecular diagnosis market. However maximum use of reagents is estimated owing to their accurate results. Commonly used reagents are salts, formamide, sodium dodecyl sulfate and dextran sulphate heparin. Growing awareness about the prenatal genetic testing for early detection of chromosomal abnormalities during pregnancy has enhanced the use of molecular diagnostics.Molecular Diagnostics Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic regions, the Global Molecular Diagnostics market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. North America is estimated to be the largest player in molecular diagnostic market owing to the technological advancements and innovations, increase in R&D investments by large pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries and demand for early diagnosis. Asia Pacific is estimated in rising molecular diagnostic market due to increase in the prevalence of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases and large population suffering from diabetes.Molecular diagnostics Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players identified in the molecular diagnostic market are Abbott laboratories, Becton Dickinson, Novartis, Roche Diagnostics, Johnson and Johnson, Bio-Rad Laboratories, bioMerieux, Danaher Corporation, Qiagen N.V, Siemens Healthcare, Cepheid, Hologic, Inc,.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 us:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705T (UK): + 44 (0) 20 7692 8790Email:sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Future and Key Analysis of Stabilizer Joints Market By 2026 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/10963 Stabilizer joints are part of suspension system which are clamped to the frame or chassis of the vehicle with rubber bushes at both the ends. Stabilizer joints has its effects on steering thereby improving handling of the vehicle. The phenomenon called cornering of the vehicle is responsible for toppling of vehicle which leads to loss of control. In such cases stabilizer joints function is to balance the ride on turns and irregular roads. Stabilizer joints are attached in the front of the vehicle where suspension system is located but sometimes at the rear side also for additional stability. Stabilizer joints are available in various lengths and diameters with solid or hollow structure and steel material is mostly preferred due to its toughness and strength properties. But when weight is a concern plastic, aluminium or combination of steel and plastic are also used. Stabilizer joints are also designed for custom operation in the off road vehicles wherein the user can start or stop its operation. Nowadays, research and development is being carried out for improving the life of stabilizer bars.The stabilizer joint is an essential part in the suspension systems of the vehicle, the rise in demand for effective and economical suspension systems is primarily driving the stabilizer joints market. The accessibility with affordable cost of stabilizer joints even after light wear and tear further enhances the stabilizer joints market. Besides the growing automotive industry supplements the growth for stabilizer joints market.However the noisy operation and its easy wear and tear nature under high loads might be a restraint for stabilizer joints market.The global stabilizer joints market is divided into seven regions, namely North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan and Middle East and Africa (MEA). Among the aforementioned regions the APEJ market has larger share in stabilizer joints market due to various manufacturing units and larger investments by major players like Sogefi Group, likewise availability of affordable labour in countries like India further helps stabilizer joints market to flourish. With increased demand for premium high end car in North America, Europe and Japan has led stabilizer joints markets to bloom. Japan with advance technology and Government supporting the expansion for automotive industries leads to the growth for stabilizer joints market. However in African regions especially in South Africa the growing die casting market is expected to enhance stabilizer joints market by the end of the forecast period.Request for Sample Report and Table of content @The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to market segments such as geography, technology and applications.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Pacemakers Market Is Expecting Worldwide Growth By 2021 Persistence Market Research Study http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3880 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3880 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com The cardiovascular devices industry is growing at a significant rate globally, due to increasing incidences of heart diseases and other cardiovascular disorders. Technological advancementsand growing awareness haveboosted growth of the cardiovascular devices market. Pacemakersaremedical devices that are placed in the chest or abdomen in order todetect abnormal heart rhythms.Pacemakers are used to treat arrhythmias, a condition, whereinthe heart beats very fast or very slow, or at an irregular rhythm. Pacemakers createelectric pulses to make the heart beat at a normal pace. Pacemakers may be fixed temporarily or permanently in the body.A permanent pacemaker is encapsulated in a metal covering to protect it from electromagnetic interferences.Temporary pacing may be transcutaneous, transvenous, or epicardial in nature.Based on application, a pacemaker may be unipolar or bipolar in nature.Unipolar pacemakers involve a single contact with heart; whereas bipolar pacemakersinvolve contacting heart twice for regulating its normal rhythm . The global market for pacemakers is growing at a significant rate due to increase in the incidences of cardiovascular disorders and increasing awareness. In addition, government initiatives and technological advancements are the major factors driving the global market for pacemakers.Request to view Sample Report @North America dominates the global pacemakers market due to increasing prevalence of cardiac diseases and technological advancements in the region. In addition, high adoption ofthis technology has driven the pacemakers market in this region. Asia is expected to witness high growth rate in the next few years in the pacemakers market, followed by Europe. China and India are expected to be the fastest-growing pacemakers markets in the Asian region. Some of the key driving factors of thepacemakers market in emerging countries are a large pool of patients, rising government funding, and improvement in healthcare facilities.Some of the major factors driving the global pacemakersmarket are aging population, increase in the incidences of heart diseases, and technological advancements. In addition, other factors such as government initiatives and enhancement in reimbursement policies are driving the global pacemakersmarket. However, factors such as high cost and lack of experienced professionals are restraining growth of the global pacemakersmarket. In addition, poor reimbursement scenario is restraining the global pacemakers market .Growing populationand economies in the developing countries such as India and China are expected to create substantial opportunities for the global pacemakers market. In addition, innovation of new comfortable products wouldcreate substantial opportunities for the global pacemakers market. Complications involved in the use of pacemakersincluding risk of bleeding and infection are challenges for the global pacemakers market. Some of the recent trends in the global pacemakers market include companies involved in research and development for more innovative products with better efficiency .Request to view Table of content @Some of the major companies operating in the pacemakers market areMedtronic, Sorin Group, Biotronik GmbH & Co. KG, and Boston Scientific Corporation. Other companies with significant presence in the global market for pacemakers are Vitatron, St. Jude Medical, Inc., and Zoll Medical Corporation.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Beer Market Is Expected To Continue Flourishing In Developed and Developing Regions Of World, 2020 - PMR Study http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3174 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3174 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Beer is one of the alcoholic beverages containing 4% to 6% alcohol by volume. The main ingredients of beer include water, a starch source (such as malted barley, helps in saccharification and fermentation), a brewers yeast and flavors such as hops. Flavoring such as hops helps in adding bitterness and act as a natural preservative. Beer is the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage in the Asia Pacific region. Growing drinking population in the countries such as India and China is boosting the market for beer in the Asia-Pacific region. By types, Beer market can be segmented into premium, mainstream and economy.Request to view Sample Report @Countries such as China have the largest consumption of beer in the Asia Pacific region, followed by Japan. Increasing population and more inclined towards western culture are the major factors for the growth of beer market in the Asia Pacific region. Countries such as India, Singapore and South Korea are the fastest growing market for beer in the Asia-Pacific region.Rising disposable income, ever-increasing population, increasing in the number of bars and restaurants, increase in the acceptance of western culture and relaxation in the rules and regulation related to the operation of beer industry are some of the major driving force for beer market. Increasing disposable income among the working class population allows the customer to go out more to restaurants and bars and spend more on beer. In addition, consumers are now willing to pay more for premium segments also. According to the National Bureau of Statistics China, annual per capita disposable income of urban households in China increased from USD 2,271.0 in 2008 to USD 3408.5 in 2012. The overall annual disposable income in India medium household income increased from USD 1,366.2 billion in 2010 to USD 1,587.6 billion in 2013. Quick adoption of western culture has largely influenced the drinking habits in the Asia Pacific region. People living in the west usually have a habit of drinking beer with their meals, at parties and even during meetings. Rising Anti-alcohol campaigns and rising aging population are some of the major restraints for beer market.Request to view Table of content @The major companies operating in the beer market include Anheuser-Busch InBev, Tsingtao Brewery, Beijing Yanjing Brewery, San Miguel Brewery, Asahi Breweries and China Resources Enterprise.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Acetone Cyanohydrin Market : In-Depth Market Research Report 2021 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4381 Acetone cyanohydrin is manufactured by the reaction of acetone and hydrogen cyanide in presence of water solutions such as KOH and NaOH. Tthe intermediate product however, is unstable in alkaline solution and hence is treated with sulphuric acid until its pHreaches 1-2. Acetone cyanohydrin is used as an intermediate product for manufacturing methylacrylates, methacrylamide, methacrylic acid and methacrylonitrile among others. Acetone cyanohydrin is majorly consumed in the manufacture of methylmethacrylates (MMA). Methylmethacrylates are used in the production of polymethyl methacrylate. In addition, acetone cyanohydrin finds applications in manufacturing of insecticides, flavoring agents and pharmaceuticals among others.The market for acetone cyanohydrinwas driven by substantial demand from methylmethacrylate. industry. Methylmethacrylate is further polymerized into polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). PMMA is used in various end-user industries such as electronics & electrical, signs and displays, medical & healthcare, automotive, building & construction, waste management and water treatment industries, among others. Electronics & electrical was one of the major industries for PMMA in the past decade. Another major outlet for acetone cyanohydrins was insecticides where it is used as a raw material. Acetone cyanohydrin is used to manufacture ethyl alpha-hydroxyisobutyrate, a pharmaceutical intermediate. In addition, acetone cyanohydrins are also used in the metal separation process in the form of a complexing agent.In spite of this variety of applications, acetone cyanohydrin is usually considered as potentially hazardous chemical as it releases hydrogen cyanide when in contact with water. These environmental and health regulations associated with acetone cyanohydrins in North America and Europe can have major impact on the market and is likely to hinder the growth of the acetone cyanohydrin market during the forecast period.Request for Sample Report and Table of content @In terms of demand, Asia Pacific was the leading consumer for acetone cyanohydrinmarket. China had the largest demand for acetone cyanohydrin market owing to huge demand from methyl methacrylate industry. Huge demand for PMMA has been the key factor for growth of MMA industry. Moreover, other countries such as Japan, India, South Koreaand Taiwan are likely to exhibit more demand for acetone cyanohydrin in upcoming years owing to huge demand from MAA industry. Asia Pacificwas followed by Europe. Growing demand from agrochemical and MMA industry is driving the acetone cyanohydrin market in Europe. European countries such as Germany, the UK, Sweden and France were the major consumers of acetone cyanohydrin in this region. However, stringent health and environmental regulations associated with acetone cyanohydrin in European Union can act as a major restraint for the market in next few years to come. In 2012, North America had the third-largest demand for acetone cyanohydrin. The North America market for acetone cyanohydrin was led by The U.S.However, acetone cyanohydrin is considered as potentially hazardous material in U.S. Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act which can constraint the growth of the acetone cyanohydrin market in this region.Rest of the World market is anticipated to stable demand for acetone cyanohydrin market in near future owing to demand for PMMA, subsequently driving growth for acetone cyanohydrin in next few years.The market for acetone cyanohydrin is concentrated and is dominated by major manufacturers. Some of the key manufacturers in theacetone cyanohydrinmarket areBASFSE, Evonik Industries AG, INEOS, Mitsubishi Chemicals Co. Ltd., The Dow Chemical Company, Tokyo Chemical Industry Co. and UNEP Chemicals among others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com IT Security Market in China to grow at a CAGR of 11.39% over Forecast period 2015-2019 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=273176 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=273176 http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Albany, NY, Dec 07: IT security protects system data and information over a network. It prevents unauthorized access of data and also prevents its modification. IT security deals with the measures taken to detect, monitor, report, and counter data threats. It includes security hardware, software, and services that focuses on security of important parameters, which includes email security, data protection, compliance, web security, data loss prevention, architecture, governance, security information and event management, and identity and access. IT security has been gaining prominence over the years with an increase in data hacking activities, which cannot be addressed by traditional defense mechanisms.The IT Security market in China to grow at a CAGR of 11.39 percent over the period 2014-2019. The report covers the present scenario and growth prospects of the IT Security market in China for the period 2015-2019. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the following product segments of the IT Security market in China:- Hardware: Integrated Firewall/VPN, UTM, Content Management, IPS, IDS, and VPN- Services- SoftwareGet a Sample Research PDF with TOC:The major end-users listed in the market are described below:- SMEs: This segment includes organizations that have less than 10,000 employees and generate revenue of less than US$100 million- Large Enterprises: This segment includes organizations that have more than 10,000 employees and generate revenue of more than US$100 million- Government Organizations: This segment includes all government agencies and institutions that are funded and managed by government authoritiesTechNavio's report, IT Security Market in China 2015-2019, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects in the coming years. The report includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key Vendors- CA Technologies- Check Point Software- Cisco Systems- Emc- IBM- Juniper Networks- SymantecOther Prominent Vendors- Dell SonicWALL- Fortinet- F-Secure- McAfee- Sophos- TrendMicroEnquiry 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: Alkyl Polyglucoside Surfactants Market : Key Growth Factor, Industry Analysis 2021 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4387 Alkyl polyglucoside surfactants commonly referred as APG, are nonionic surfactants manufactured from renewable raw materials such as starch and vegetable oils. Alkyl polyglucoside have good foaming ability and offers fine and smooth foam. Alkyl polyglucoside surfactants have strong decontamination and good wetting characteristics. Alkyl polyglucoside has no turbidity point and is easily soluble in water and electrolytes. Alkyl polyglucosides are derived from fatty alcohols and sugars. Alkyl polyglucosides are manufactured from catalytic reaction of monofunctional alcohols and glycoses. Alkyl polyglucoside surfactants offer properties such as soil removal, foaming, filming, and anti-streaking and skin compatibility among others. Alkyl polyglucoside surfactants are used in home care products, detergents, emulsifiers and cosmetics among others.The market for alkyl polyglucoside surfactants was mainly driven by personal care industry. Increasing demand for eco-friendly products from the consumers has been driving the alkyl polyglucoside surfactant market in past few years. Alkyl polyglucoside surfactants are used in shower gel, facial cleanser, and hand soap and laundry detergents among others. The demand for alkyl polyglucoside surfactants is growing due to its non-toxicity and high surface activity. Alkyl polyglucoside surfactants can also be used for preparation of plastics additives and solid dispersions among others. Alkyl polyglucoside surfactants find applications in I&I industrial cleaners, car wash and hard surface cleaners among others. In addition, alkyl polyglucoside surfactants are used in fabric softeners, inks, dispersants, and anti-fogging products, ski wax used in snowboard, laxatives, defoamers, and agrochemical formulations such as herbicides and insecticides and biocides among others. However, higher processing prices associated with alkyl polyglucoside surfactants are likely to hinder the growth of the market in years to come.Request for Sample Report and Table of content @In terms of demand, Asia Pacific was the leading region in alkyl polyglucoside surfactants market in 2013. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing markets for alkyl polyglucoside surfactants due to increasing demand from personal care, home care and agrochemical formulations among others. China had the highest demand and production in alkyl polyglucoside surfactants market in Asia Pacific region. China was followed by Japan who is second-largest consumer for alkyl polyglucoside surfactants in this region. Asia Pacific was followed by North America. Increasing demand from car washing, home care, and hard surface cleaner and fabric softeners are driving the demand for alkyl polyglucoside Surfactants in this region. U.S. had the largest demand for alkyl polyglucoside Surfactants owing to huge demand from home care products. Europe had the third-largest demand for alkyl polyglucoside surfactants market in 2013. Increasing demand for alkyl polyglucoside surfactants from I&I industrial cleaners and home care products has been driving the market for alkyl polyglucoside surfactants in Europe. The market for alkyl polyglucoside surfactants in Europe is dominated by Germany. Other European countries such as Sweden, the UK, France and Italy among others are likely to provide better opportunities for alkyl polyglucoside surfactants market in next years to come. Rest of the World market is anticipated to show positive outlook for the alkyl polyglucoside surfactants market in near future. Latin America is likely to be potential market for alkyl polyglucoside surfactants owing to increasing demand for bio-friendly surfactants from customers in various applications such as home care and agrochemical formulations among others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Hydraulic Fracturing Market in the APAC Region to grow at a CAGR of 18.4% over Forecast period 2015-2019 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=273173 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=273173 http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Albany, NY, Dec 07: Hydraulic fracturing or hydraulic fracking is a technique of well stimulation in which a fluid, at a high pressure (typically water mixed with sand and chemicals), is injected into an oil well to create minor fractures in the deep rock foundations to facilitate the movement of natural gas, petroleum, and brine from deep reserves to the well. The technique of fracturing is common for shale gas and oil recovery wells. Usually, this type of stimulation is carried out once during the productive life of the well and increases the productivity of the well.The Hydraulic Fracturing Market in APAC Region to grow at a CAGR of 18.4 percent over the period 2014-2019. TechNavio's report, Hydraulic Fracturing Market in APAC Region 2015-2019, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the Hydraulic Fracturing market landscape in the APAC Region and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes the segmentation of Hydraulic Fracturing market in the APAC Region on the basis of the type of fracturing fluid. The report includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Get a Sample Research PDF with TOC:Key Vendors- Cairn India- Halliburton- Schlumberger- Weatherford InternationalOther Prominent Vendors- FMC Technologies- Cameron InternationalMarket Driver- Huge Investments in Shale Oil and Gas Market- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket Challenge- Proper Discharging of Fracturing Fluids and Chemicals- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket Trend- Shift of Preference to Horizontal Drilling- For a full, detailed list, view our reportEnquiry 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: Global Industrial Labels Market is Projected to Reach USD 55 Billion by 2022 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample-request/global-industrial-labels-market-research-report-forecast-to-2022 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/global-industrial-labels-market-research-report-forecast-to-2022 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/global-industrial-labels-market-research-report-forecast-to-2022 Market Research Future published a Half Cooked Research Report on Global Industrial Labels Market. The Global Market for Industrial Labels is expected to grow over the CAGR of around 5.5% during the period 2016 to 2022Market HighlightsIndustrial labels help manufacturers to keep a proper track of products along the entire supply chain. Industrial labels are widely used in construction, transportation and automotive industries. Transportation industry contributes highest to the overall growth of the market. High capital expenditure is required for setting up a labeling system. North-America is the largest growing region, majorly due to increasing consumer awareness. Asian countries, especially India and China accounting for the largest market share in the overall industrial labels market due to rising awareness and huge consumer base. The Global Industrial Labels Market is projected cross USD 55 Billion in 2022, at a CAGR of approximately 5.5% from 2016 to 2022.Get Sample Copy of Report @Key Players in MarketThe key players of Global Industrial Labels Market report include: Avery Dennison Corporation Brady Corporation 3M Company CCL Industries Inc. HB Fuller Co Fuji Seal International Inc. Cenveo Inc. Dunmore Corporation Henkel AG & CompanyTaste the market data and market information presented through more than 85 market data tables and figures spread in 130 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Global Industrial Labels Market Research Report - Forecast to 2022"Access Report Details @Market Research AnalysisThe major factor attributed to the growth of the industrial labels market is that these products can easily be customized in terms of size and shape for a range of end-use applications across industries. The market is expected to have higher growth rate as compared to the previous years. Asia-Pacific is the largest growing region for the industrial labels market. The main reasons for the growth in the region include increasing online shopping, and rising consumer durable goods amongst others.Scope of the ReportThis study provides an overview of the global industrial labels market, tracking two market segments across four geographic regions. The report studies key players, providing a five-year annual trend analysis that highlights market size, and share for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. The report also provides a forecast, focusing on the market opportunities for the next five years for each region. The scope of the study segments the Global Industrial Labels Market as material, mechanism and application. By Material1. Metal2. Polymer By Mechanism1. Pressure Sensitive2. Glue-Applied3. Heat transfer By Application1. Transportation2. Construction3. Automotive4. Consumer durablesMake an Enquiry for this Report @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com Waste-to-energy Technologies - Global Industry Analysis 2023 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=10442 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com According to the World Bank, the amount of waste generated across the world will triple by 2100 to reach 11 million tonnes per day. This presents a massive logistical and administrative challenge for both developed and developing countries. Waste has the potential to be used in countless energy-generation programs, but its potential has hitherto remained underutilized. The concept of waste-to-energy entails the application of techniques that help extract valuable energy from waste products.At a time when landfills are choking with nonbiodegradable waste, there is increasing pressure on industry participants to either reduce the amount of waste generated or reuse trash to generate energy in the form of heat or electricity. Waste-to-energy technologies make that possible.The demand for efficient technologies that can help convert waste into energy is rising because of the increase in the volume of waste generated around the world every day. Thermal and biological technologies are commonly used to convert waste into energy.Get Free PDF Brochure for more Professional and Technical Insights:The key thermal energy types used to obtain energy from waste are: incineration, thermal gasification, and plasma-arc gasification. Likewise, the major biological technologies employed to use waste as an energy generation medium are: fermentation, methane capture, and anaerobic digestion.This report examines the state of the global waste-to-energy technologies market and forecasts growth through 2023. For a detailed analysis of the global waste-to-energy technologies market, the report segments the market on the basis of criteria such as technology type and geography. Each subsegment is individually studied to forecast its growth rate and size in terms of revenue.Global Waste-to-energy Technologies Market: Key Trends and OpportunitiesFactors that are fuelling the adoption of waste-to-energy technologies are largely centered on the dramatic increase in population and, consequently, the increase in the amount of waste generated. Other factors that are contributing favorably to the growth of the global waste-to-energy technologies market are rapid urbanization and growing purchasing power of consumers. Against this backdrop, waste-to-energy is emerging as a viable option to lower the carbon footprint.A high number of waste-to-energy plants are located in Asia Pacific and Europe. A number of new waste-to-energy plants are planned around the world, which will help increase the amount of energy generated from waste over the next few years.In the years ahead, key policymakers will either have to increase landfill capacity or consider investing in waste-to-energy plants. In view of the increased thrust on renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions, the latter might emerge as a more viable option. This will necessitate the deployment of highly different technologies to convert waste into energy.New technologies to convert waste into energy are currently being developed and these will aid the growth of the market further. Investors in this space are primarily encouraged by the following attractive returns: the generation of renewable energy from waste and the recovery of metals from waste.Global Waste-to-energy Technologies Market: Regional OutlookChina has established itself as a trendsetter in the global waste-to-energy market and can be credited for the strong growth forecast for the Asia Pacific (APAC) waste-to-energy technologies market. Thus, the growth of the global waste-to-energy technologies market will be spearheaded by the APAC region. Europe is projected to follow APAC over the reports forecast period.Leading players in the global waste-to-energy technologies market include: Foster Wheeler, ABB, and China Everbright.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Spray Gun Market 2016 - 2021 Market study on Industry Emerging Projects & Recent Developments http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=866409&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-spray-gun-market-2016-industry-research-report.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com/reports.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com Global Spray Gun Industry 2016 Market Overview, Size, Share, Trends, Analysis, Technology, Applications, Growth, Market Status, Demands, Insights, Development, Research and Forecast 2016-2020.The research report is a brief inquiry into the state of the global Spray Gun market. An evaluation of the current market situation, historical growth, and future opportunities for progress has been presented in the publication. The market intelligence report further assesses the shares, key marketing strategies, and product portfolio of the prime players operating in the global Spray Gun market.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The study presents an outline of the global Spray Gun market based on key parameters such as regions, products, technology, application, and end user. The projected volume and revenue growth of the global Spray Gun market during the forecast period has also been mentioned in the report. The report further offers an insight into the prime geographical segments of the global Spray Gun market and provides details about their past and present shares. The trends prevalent in the market have also been highlighted in the report. The study further presents an assessment of the factors that are expected to impact the growth of the market in a negative or positive way. The global Spray Gun market has been thoroughly analyzed with regard to the respective market segments and forecast period. Each year within the respective timeline has been briefly studied in terms of the value of the product in the regional as well as global market.To present a clear understanding of the global Spray Gun market, the competitive landscape has been evaluated and put forth along with the value chain analysis. Information on ongoing and initiated research and development projects and investments in innovation has been provided in the report as well.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of Contents1 Industry Overview of Spray Gun 11.1 Definition and Specifications of Spray Gun 11.1.1 Definition of Spray Gun 11.1.2 Specifications of Spray Gun 11.2 Classification of Spray Gun 21.2.1 Conventional Spray Gun 31.2.2 HVLP Spray Gun 41.2.3 Others 41.3 Applications of Spray Gun 51.3.1 Metal Finishing 61.3.2 Wood Finishing 71.3.3 Plastic Finishing 81.4 Industry Chain Structure of Spray Gun 91.5 Industry Overview and Major Regions Status of Spray Gun 91.5.1 Industry Overview of Spray Gun 91.5.2 Global Major Regions Status of Spray Gun 101.6 Industry Policy Analysis of Spray Gun 101.7 Industry News Analysis of Spray Gun 112 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Spray Gun 122.1 Key Components Suppliers and Contact Information of Spray Gun 122.2 Equipment Suppliers and Price Analysis of Spray Gun 122.3 Labor Cost Analysis of Spray Gun 132.4 Other Costs Analysis of Spray Gun 152.5 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Spray Gun 172.6 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Spray Gun 183 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Spray Gun 193.1 Production and Founded Date of Global Spray Gun Major Manufacturers in 2015 193.2 Headquarter Distribution of Global Spray Gun Major Manufacturers in 2015 203.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Spray Gun Major Manufacturers in 2015 203.4 Raw Material Sources Analysis of Global Spray Gun Major Manufacturers in 2015 214 Revenue and Production Analysis of Spray Gun by Regions, Types and Manufacturers 234.1 Global Revenue and Production of Spray Gun by Regions 2011-2016 234.2 Global and Major Regions Revenue and Growth Rate of Spray Gun 2011-2016 264.3 Global Revenue and Production of Spray Gun by Types 2011-2016 284.4 Global Revenue and Production of Spray Gun by Manufacturers 2011-2016 31For Market Research Latest Reports Visit @About UsQYReseachReports.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. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Home is where the job is Mr. Lodge www.mrlodge.com www.scrivo-pr.de Not only corporations arrange housing for employees Labor market changes housing market: furnished temporary rental apartments gaining popularity with expats and project employees New Munich residents increasingly start off with temporary rentalsMunich, 7th December 2016. Forty years at the same company in the same place that is a thing of the past: Flexibility, globalization, and mobility are changing not only the working world, but also increasingly the housing market. Especially in large cities like Berlin, Hamburg, or Munich furnished apartments for temporary rental have become a known entity for certain professions. This is especially true when hotels, boarding houses, or serviced apartments are out of the question, says Norbert Verbucheln, managing director of Mr. Lodge. The mostly cosmopolitan tenants moving into furnished temporary rentals can be divided into three general groups.Hamburg today, Munich in five months Project employeesWhether seasonal workers or project employees, each year thousands of employees move to Munich for the duration of a project. They usually dont give up their primary residence. Munich is, if at all, a temporary secondary residence. Whether controllers, consultants, engineers, or IT experts: they live where the project takes place, says Verbucheln. Since it is difficult to predict the duration of the project and it is usually less than two years, it is usually not worth it for project workers to invest a lot of money into their own furniture. In addition, they often lack the time. Hotels are too impersonal for a lot of people and often too expensive for freelancers. At the same time, a comfortable home is indispensable for commuting employees, especially because of the flexibility and mobility required in other aspects of their lives. Furnished homes offer privacy, allowing the tenants to relax and prevent them from feeling even more uprooted. Professional accommodation providers have recognized this and offer furnished apartments that are available on short notice and with flexible rental periods. Mr. Lodge, for example, is the market leader in Munich with 3,000 brokered furnished temporary rental apartments.Labor market without geographical borders More than 10,000 expats appreciate MunichMany international companies consider international experience a minimum requirement for good positioning in the workplace. According to a study by eurostat, every third person now moves within the EU each year for professional reasons. The percentage of foreign employees has been rising continuously in recent years. According to the current micro census 2015, the share has exceeded 15 percent. Many of them are highly qualified expatriates. More than 10,000 English-speaking expats, mainly from the USA and England, are estimated to live in Munich. They often change their workplace at the request of their employer - and relocate to Bavarias capital.More than 15 international schools, 70 bilingual childcare facilitiesMunich is one of the most international cities in Germany and has, according to its own data, a lively expat scene that values the well-developed infrastructure. One thing that sets expats apart is that many of them bring their entire families with them. According to the city administration, they can find more than 15 international schools and over 70 bilingual childcare facilities in Munich a perfect infrastructure for their families. According to Mr. Lodge, many expats rent larger apartments or houses. This is usually arranged by the employer who brought the expert to Munich, says Verbucheln. Demand is especially high in Munich, since many companies like BMW, Siemens, Allianz, or Linde are located there. In addition to numerous international companies, the city is also home to over 100 consular representations with changing staff. However, its not only the big companies that arrange furnished apartments or houses for their employees. Many smaller and medium-sized businesses have also recognized the importance of this service in the competition for skilled workers, explains Verbucheln.Welcome to Munich! New Munich residentsMunich is not only popular with foreigners, but has also been popular for years with graduates and young professionals: Renowned universities and a strong labor market with top companies attract an average of 27,500 new residents per year. However, living space is becoming increasingly scarce. Several studies show that until 2030, tens of thousands of apartments are missing in Munich. In the long run, the real estate market wont relax, as the demand exceeds the available and newly created supply, says Verbucheln.According to him, apartment hunting is especially difficult for those new to Munich. Particularly during the three- to six-month probationary period, many new residents cant or dont want to commit to a fixed lease. In addition, many landlords prefer to rent to people with permanent positions. Another problem for many new Munich residents: They arent familiar with the city yet and dont know in which area they want to live. Verbucheln knows that For many people, furnished rentals are the first step to their own apartment without a permanent commitment.About Mr. Lodge: Apartments in MunichWith over 3,000 apartments and houses successfully brokered each year, and over 20 years experience, Mr. Lodge is the leading provider of furnished temporary rentals in Munich and surrounding areas. Whether youre a project employee, young professional, expat, or manager seeking an apartment or house, our team of over 70 multilingual experts will make sure that you find a suitable furnished property quickly, with no complications. For this purpose, Mr. Lodge is able to use approximately 200 accommodation offers available on short notice. All apartments come fully equipped with individual furnishings and have flexible rental periods. These range from a few months to several years. In addition, Mr. Lodge is active in real estate sales and helps owners to optimally position their property on the market. Further information:Company contact:Mr. Lodge GmbH Wohnen auf ZeitContact person: Silke SteingroverBarer Strae 32D-80333 Munichtel: +49 89 340 823 87fax: +49 89 340 823-23Press contact:scrivo PublicRelations GbRContact person: Anastasia HusserElvirastrae 4, Rgb.D-80636 Munichtel: +49 89 45 23 508 14fax: +49 89 45 23 508 20e-mail: anastasia.husser@scrivo-pr.deinternet: Revenue During the Period 2016-2019, Cyber Security Market in the MEA Grow at a CAGR of 14.63% http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=275492 http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG About cyber securityCyber threats are internet-based attempts that disrupt or damage IT systems and hack critical information using spyware, malware, and phishing. Cyber security solutions help organizations detect, monitor, report, and counter cyber threats and maintain the confidentiality of IT systems. Increased internet penetration has led an exponential rise in sophisticated attacks on IT business infrastructure. Organizations are increasingly adopting cyber security solutions to protect critical data or any digital asset stored in a computer or any digital memory device. Cyber threats are becoming the major concern with the increase in usage of mobile devices and applications.MEA is undergoing significant economic and technological transformations, which has resulted in growth of business opportunities and improved IT infrastructure. However, the technological improvements and innovations are creating vulnerabilities and leading to increased cyber threats. The growing sophistication and penetration of cyberattacks has prompted organizations in the BFSI, government, telecom, and oil and gas sectors to adopt cyber security solutions to ensure security of critical information stored in computer systems or digital memory devices.TechNavio's analysts forecast the cyber security market in MEA region to grow at a CAGR of 14.63% over the period 2014-2019.To Get PDF visit @Covered :This report covers the present scenario and growth prospects of the cyber security market in MEA for the period 2015-2019. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the sales of cyber security solutions in MEA. The report also includes market insights, market description, end-user segmentation, and market landscape of the market.In addition, it provides a detailed analysis of the cyber security market in the seven major countries in MEA:Saudi ArabiaUAEQatarEgyptTurkeyAlgeriaBahrainTechNavio's report, Cyber Security Market in MEA 2015-2019, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects in the coming years. The report includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsBAE SystemsBooz Allen HamiltonCisco SystemsFortinetJuniper NetworksRaytheonSymantecFortinetResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @ Akshaya Patras High-tech Mega Kitchen in Telangana, Aided by Infosys Foundation https://www.akshayapatra.org Hyderabad, 7 Dec 2016: Infosys Foundation and The Akshaya Patra Foundation took the first step to build Telanganas first High-Tech, state-of-the-art, Centralised Mega Kitchen in Khandi by laying its foundation stone on 7 December, 2016. Significantly, the Infosys Foundation has generously pledged to cover the entire construction costs of this advanced technology kitchen and has provided a grant of INR 18.03 Crore towards this objective. This High-Tech Mega Kitchen will provide mid-day meals to over 1,00,000 school children in Telangana region from the next academic year.The Bhoomi Puja was attended by Sri T. Harish Rao, Honourable minister for Irrigation, Marketing & Legislative Affairs of Telangana, Smt Sudha Murty, Chairperson, Infosys Foundation. The event was also graced by other eminent personalities that included Shri K. Prabhakar Reddy - Member of Parliament, Medak, Shri C. Prabhakar - MLA, Sangareddy, Smt Ranjeev Acharya, IAS - Principal Secretary - Education Department, Shri K. Manicka Raj, IAS - District Collector, Sangareddy; Shri Jagadeeshwar, IAS - Secretary of Government, Women, Children, Disabled & Senior Citizens Department, Smt Viziendira Boyi, IAS - Director, Women & Children Development Department, Smt Lanka Chandrakala - DEO, Sangareddy, Smt P. Umarani - Sarpanch, Sangareddy and Shri G Krishnan, IAS Director School Education.The Bhoomi puja or the foundation stone laying ceremony was organised at the new kitchen site by Akshaya Patra to mark an auspicious start to the undertaking. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Satya Gaura Chandra Dasa, President, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, Telangana & AP said We thank the Government of Telangana for giving us the opportunity to bring in this biggest social investment to Telangana. This will bring a meaningful change in the lives of school children. We are honoured to partner with the Infosys Foundation to build this Mega kitchen. We look forward to advance the vision of Bangaru Telangana by providing mid-day meals to all the Government school children across the districts in the state. I also thank all the dignitaries whose unwavering support has been pivotal to The Foundations success.Shri T. Harish Rao, Honourable Minister for Irrigation, Marketing & Legislative Affairs of Telangana, conveyed that these partnerships are a commitment towards making of Golden Telangana a reality. He extended his support for nurturing the school feeding programme of Akshaya Patra in the state. He said that the programme has provided children with educational and health benefits which are important measures to ensure the golden future of Telangana.Smt Sudha Murty, Chairperson of The Infosys Foundation, expressed that, We are extremely fortunate to be associated with Akshaya Patras mid-day meal scheme which is, without any doubt, a pioneering move to eradicate hunger among school going children in India. The positive impact of the scheme motivates us to enter into new phases with Akshaya Patra and continue our work towards freeing the society from classroom hunger and promoting universal access to education.Addressing the occasion, Shri Madhu Pandit Dasa, Chairman, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, said I wholeheartedly thank Smt Sudha Murty and the Infosys Foundation for being a great pillar of unflinching support to end class room hunger in India. I also wish to express my gratitude to the Government of Telangana and the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India for their continued encouragement and support that will help the foundation progress towards its mission of feeding 5 million children everyday by 2020.The Akshaya Patra Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation headquartered in Bengaluru, India. The organization strives to fight issues like hunger and malnutrition in India. By implementing the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in Government schools and Government aided schools, The Akshaya Patra Foundation aims not only to fight hunger but also to bring children to school.For more details, please log on:The Akshaya Patra Foundation#72, 3rd Floor, 3rd Main Road, 1st & 2nd StageYeshwantpur Industrial Suburb, Rajajinagar Ward No. 10Bengaluru 560022IndiaPhone: +91 8030143400 Surface Disinfectant Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024 Surface Disinfectant Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=16955 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ http://globalresearchmarket.blogspot.in/ Global Surface Disinfectant Market: SynopsisSurface disinfectants are antimicrobial agents that are applied to non-living objects to destroy pathogenic microorganisms. Disinfectants are available in many forms such as wipes, liquids, sprays, aerosols, gels, foams, and granules. Common ingredients used in surface disinfectants include cleaning agents or surfactants, buffering agents, fragrances, and disinfecting and sanitizing active ingredients such as hypochlorites, alcohols, pine oil, hydrogen peroxide, gluteraldehyde, formaldehyde, ortho-phthalaldehyde, peracetic acid, citric acid, phenols, iodine and iodphors, and quats (quaternary ammonium compounds).Global Surface Disinfectant Market: Drivers and RestraintsIncreasing emphasis on sanitation, health, and safety is driving the surface disinfectant market across the globe. Tightening sanitation and health care regulations are promoting the usage of surface disinfectants in various industries. Growth in the health care sector is projected to propel the market for surface disinfectants in the next few years. This growth is largely ascribed to increasing number of surgical procedures conducted on aging population. Demand for hand sanitizers, ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA), peracetic acid instrument disinfectants, and surface disinfectants is expected to rise significantly owing to increasing concerns about the health of the working population and patients in the health care sector. Among surface disinfectants, environment-friendly disinfectants are estimated to gain more popularity, led by rising concerns about environmental hazards caused by residual disinfectants on surfaces such as floors, walls, utensils, and medical equipment. Surface disinfectants are employed in major industries such as food processing, health care, and consumer goods.View Exclusive Global Strategic Business Report:Surface disinfection kills the germs present on surfaces as against sanitization, which deactivates or removes harmful germs. Ingredients such as quats are used in surface disinfectants to kill germs. However, ingredients such as quats could trigger asthma, allergies, and other health concerns in human beings. Hence, the residue of these disinfectants needs to be entirely removed from surfaces after disinfection. Furthermore, overuse of disinfectants can lead to the development of superbugs that are resistant to antibiotics.The global surface disinfectants market has potential to grow at a reasonable growth rate year over year. Increasing health care expenses, growing number of hospital-acquired infections, and rising surgical operations are likely to drive the surface disinfectants market during the forecast period from 2015 to 2023.Global Surface Disinfectant Market: Leading SegmentsLiquid formulations held the largest share of the global surface disinfectants market in 2014. In terms of region, North America held the largest share of the surface disinfectants market in 2014.Global Surface Disinfectant Market: Companies Mentioned in the ReportMajor players in the surface disinfectants market include STERIS plc, Kimberly-Clark Professional, PURE Bioscience, Inc., Henry Schein Inc., 3M, The Clorox Company, E. I. DuPont De Nemours and Company, ABC Compounding Company, Ecolab, Inc., Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, and Metrex Research (Metrex).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.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact Us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Browse The Market Research Blog: Para Nitrophenol Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024 Para Nitrophenol Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=12362 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ http://globalresearchmarket.blogspot.in/ Global Para Nitrophenol Market: DescriptionPara Nitrophenol also known as 4- nitrophenol or p- nitrophenol or 4- hydroxynitrobenzene is primarily a phenolic compound, which has a nitro group placed at the position opposite to hydroxyl group. The compound is a colorless or light yellow solid having no odor. P- nitrophenol is stable at room temperature; however, it turns a reddish color when exposed to direct sunlight. When reacted with other phenolic substances, p- nitrophenol turns a bright yellow color. Owing to this property, p- nitrophenol is used as a pH indicator in various chemical reactions. On acute exposure to this compound, reactions like cyanosis, nausea, drowsiness and headaches are caused in humans. In addition, if the compound encounters skin for prolonged periods of time, allergic reactions may occur.Para nitrophenol is employed in the production of insecticides, fungicides, dyes etc In addition, p-nitrophenol is used in the manufacturing of various drugs and in the darkening of leather. Para nitrophenol is an organophosphorous insecticide and is used on specific crops including cotton, corn, wheat, soybeans and rice. Para nitrophenol is used to a wide extent in the manufacture of specifically methyl parathion and ethyl parathion insecticides. Additionally, the synthesis of paracetamol is done with the help of p- nitrophenol.View Exclusive Global Strategic Business Report:Global Para Nitrophenol Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe rising demand for pesticides and insecticides is the main driver for the p-nitrophenol market. Pesticides are needed globally in order to tackle the mosquito problem and the fruit fly problem that affects agricultural practice, among others. Agriculture is the main end-user industry driving this market. Recent studies have proved that if not used with caution it can cause serious health issues to human population and animals as well. P- nitrophenol itself is less toxic but when inhaled or ingested causes irritation to eyes and drowsiness, nausea and cyanosis. When exposed to the chemical for too long cancer risk could increase. Most countries have not banned the use of this insecticide, but have put forward regulations for the safe usage of the product in the public environment so as not to cause any inconvenience to people. Para nitrophenol does not cause any major harmful effects to the environment and is decomposed relatively easily as compared to other insecticides and pesticides. Bioaccumulation of this compound rarely occurs. At the same time, the U.S. and the EU have encouraged cautious use of pesticides, insecticides and drugs that have p- nitrophenol as one of their main ingredients.Global Para Nitrophenol Market: Geographical DynamicsThe key market segments include Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and Rest of the World. Asia Pacific has the highest demand for p- nitrophenol especially countries like India and China owing to their booming agricultural sector. The U.S., being one of the biggest manufacturers of P- nitrophenol, has huge demand for the chemical. P- nitrophenol was off the market in Europe for a while owing to its ill effects but has been recently reintroduced into the European market by public demand. Due to its pesticidal and insecticidal properties, most countries have stringent regulations about its use in areas that are heavily populated, but it can be used with extreme caution to get rid of pest infestation.A few of the companies that manufacture p- nitrophenol include Dow AgroSciences India Pvt. Ltd., Paramount Pesticides Ltd. Suven Life Sciences, Ashu Organics Pvt. Ltd. and Hema Pharmaceuticals Private Limited among others.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.About Us :Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact Us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Browse The Market Research Blog: Dyes Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024 Global Dyes Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=8128 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ http://globalresearchmarket.blogspot.in/ Dyes are colored substances applied in the form of an aqueous solution on various substrates. These are used as colorants in different industrial applications such as food processing, printing inks, wood stain, textile processing, and others. Dyes have high selective absorptivity for liquids as well as substrates as compared to other color-imparting materials such as pigments. Excellent absorption characteristics of dyes enable them to lose their physical and structural properties during their application on substrates. Low resistance to light and reduced shelf life are some of the other distinct features of dyes. Thus, they are generally used in surface coating, food, and printing applications that require high transparency levels for manufacturing finished products. Dyes can be classified on the basis of their solubility in a particular medium or substrate as basic dyes, fat-soluble dyes, and metal complex dyes.The global market for dyes has been witnessing significant growth due to rising demand from end-user industries such as food, textile, printing inks, and paints & coatings. Developing economies such as China, India, Brazil, and Indonesia are likely to play a substantial role in boosting consumption of dyes in the next few years. India and Indonesia are gradually taking the lead in manufacturing dyes due to availability of raw materials as well as various organic intermediate chemicals. Countries in ASEAN such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and Singapore are expected to be emerging markets owing to development of key end-users such as paints & coatings and food processing.View Exclusive Global Strategic Business Report:Furthermore, growth in these countries is expected to be boosted by shift in production of dyes from developed regions such as Europe and North America. Trends have changed during the past 10 years due to several factors such as lower cost of production in Asia Pacific as well as rising prominence of the region, which acts as the hub for end-user industries such as textile, food, and paints & coatings. This shift in production trends from the West to East has caused the global market for dyes to become concentrated, particularly in Asia Pacific. This, in turn, has resulted in intense competition in the market.However, concerns have been raised over excess cost of interest. This has lowered investment in research and development activities, which serve as the key source of service and product innovations. In addition, high energy costs have negatively impacted production units.Asia Pacific accounted for the largest share of the dyes market, followed by developed regions such as Europe and North America in 2014. Increasing demand from various end-user industries coupled with growing population and governmental support is expected to boost demand for dyes in the next few years. In addition, growing preference of end-users for eco-friendly products is anticipated to drive growth of the dyes market during the forecast period. However, rising health concerns regarding hazardous usage of dyes is likely to decelerate growth of the market in Europe and North America.This has forced manufacturers toward producing environmentally-friendly dye products. Rising demand for innovative products such as high-performance dyes is projected to provide new opportunities for growth of the market in the near future. Furthermore, ease of transportation modes and support from the government and regulatory bodies to improve clearance tax re estimated to propel trade. This, in turn, is expected to boost consumption of dyes in the global market.BASF SE, KRONOS Worldwide Inc., Haining Tongyuan Chemical Factory, Lanxess, Rockwood Holdings, Inc., and Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd. are key players present in the global dyesThe 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.About Us :Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact Us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Browse The Market Research Blog: TutorZ and ConsumerAffairs Partner www.tutorz.com www.tutorz.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Port Hueneme, California, December 7th, 2016 TutorZ LLC, a leading in-person and online tutoring market place, has partnered with ConsumerAffairs LLC to better serve the tutoring needs of American parents and students.ConsumerAffairs a specialist of generating accurate and detailed rating and reviews for consumer products has grown threefold over the last few years. The company is enjoying millions of daily visitors in categories such as loans, housing and education. TutorZ is listed in the education/tutoring category. Because of its overall best reviews TutorZ appears at the very top spot of this tutoring category.In todays online world, over 50% of consumers first research a product they would like to buy on the Internet. For example, when a student looks for best tutoring service, the Google and Bing search engines will show them the tutoring reviews on ConsumerAffairs. Thats how we shine! says TutorZ Founder Dirk Wagner. Dirk goes on by saying that Because we make finding experienced and affordable tutors so easy and have such a great customer service team, we garner so many 5 star reviews. Thanks to ConsumerAffaris more and more students will read about our great service proposition. They would go on to visit our site -- and finally contact our tutors. Everyone wins!About TutorZTutorZ.com operates a marketplace for students and parents to find qualified private and online tutors. Since its inception in 2006 TutorZ has successfully matched 250,000 students with its over 40,000 tutors nationwide.Contact InfoFor additional information on TutorZ contact marketing director May Kacharava.May Kacharavamay@tutorz.com805-288-7338Port Hueneme, CA 93041Tutorz facilitates a communication network between parents and tried and trusted tutors nation wide.745 Reef Circle, Port Hueneme, CA 93041, US Global Hybrid Vehicles Industry Poised for Substantial Growth in Coming Years Vehicles Industry Market http://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=871877 http://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/global-hybrid-vehicles-industry-2016-trends-and-forecast-report-report.html http://www.marketresearchhub.com/ Albany, New York, December 7, 2016: Market Research Hub has recently added a new report to its database titled Global Hybrid Vehicles Industry 2016. This report provides a thorough analysis, highlighting the market dynamics that are estimated to determine the growth of the market in the coming few years. It focuses on some key regions including North America, Europe and Asia. The prime countries covered in the report are United States, Germany, Japan and China.Request For Sample Report:Firstly, the report begins with a brief overview of the Global Hybrid Vehicle market and then moves on to evaluate the key trends of the market. A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The end power source for a hybrid vehicle is the electric motor which powers the wheels and on-board services. It offers various advantages such as reduced emissions and improved fuel utilization. The hybrid vehicle technology gives double fuel efficiency of conventional vehicles, therefore reducing dependency on fossil fuels to some extent. Global hybrid vehicles industry is poised for substantial growth over the forecast period owing to the need for addressing consumer needs pertaining to fuel expenditure reduction.The report states that, consumers are always looking for better fuel economy and better performance; demand for environmental friendly vehicles has led to the introduction and development of electric & hybrid versions of popular existing car models. Also, growing initiatives relating to fuel emissions is expected to be a significant driving force for the hybrid vehicles market. Consumer base for green cars in the U.S. has significantly prolonged as a result of increased focus on electric and hybrid vehicles.Presently, Japan dominates the global hybrid vehicles market which is followed by U.S. and Europe. In future, APAC is projected to register the highest growth due to increase in automotive production and rising fuel costs. Developing markets in countries like India and China are expected to be the hub regions with promising growth due to substantial automotive production and rise in per capita income of individuals in these countries.Key manufacturers analysis of Hybrid Vehicles Industry is also included in the report. Some of the key manufacturers from the industry are as follows: Audi Ford Toyota Honda Hyundai Lexus Nissan BYD Volvo BMW Volkswagen and others.According to the research study, vehicle manufacturers are expected to face the challenge of achieving profitability in hybrid vehicles sale. Currently, Toyota and Honda are the leading industry players in hybrids, followed by Nissan. By 2015, Toyota plans to introduce 17 new or revised hybrid models.Read Full Report with TOC:In the final sections of the report, new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis and investment return analysis are also introduced.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: Global Guanidine Carbonate Market Size (Billions), Revenues & Pricing, Growth Prospects and Gross Revenues 2016 http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=842698&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-guanidine-carbonate-market-research-report-2016.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com/press-releases.htm Global Guanidine Carbonate Industry 2016 Market Overview, Size, Share, Trends, Analysis, Technology, Applications, Growth, Market Status, Demands, Insights, Development, Research and Forecast 2016-2020.The research report is a brief inquiry into the state of the global Guanidine Carbonate market. An evaluation of the current market situation, historical growth, and future opportunities for progress has been presented in the publication. The market intelligence report further assesses the shares, key marketing strategies, and product portfolio of the prime players operating in the global Guanidine Carbonate market.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The study presents an outline of the global Guanidine Carbonate market based on key parameters such as regions, products, technology, application, and end user. The projected volume and revenue growth of the global Guanidine Carbonate market during the forecast period has also been mentioned in the report. The report further offers an insight into the prime geographical segments of the global Guanidine Carbonate market and provides details about their past and present shares. The trends prevalent in the market have also been highlighted in the report. The study further presents an assessment of the factors that are expected to impact the growth of the market in a negative or positive way. The global Guanidine Carbonate market has been thoroughly analyzed with regard to the respective market segments and forecast period. Each year within the respective timeline has been briefly studied in terms of the value of the product in the regional as well as global market.To present a clear understanding of the global Guanidine Carbonate market, the competitive landscape has been evaluated and put forth along with the value chain analysis. Information on ongoing and initiated research and development projects and investments in innovation has been provided in the report as well.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of ContentsGlobal Guanidine Carbonate Market Research Report 20161 Guanidine Carbonate Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Guanidine Carbonate1.2 Guanidine Carbonate Segment by Type1.2.1 Global Production Market Share of Guanidine Carbonate by Type in 20151.2.2 Type I1.2.3 Type II1.2.4 Type III1.3 Guanidine Carbonate Segment by Application1.3.1 Guanidine Carbonate Consumption Market Share by Application in 20151.3.2 Application 11.3.3 Application 21.3.4 Application 31.4 Guanidine Carbonate 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 Guanidine Carbonate (2011-2021)2 Global Guanidine Carbonate Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Guanidine Carbonate Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Global Guanidine Carbonate Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 Global Guanidine Carbonate Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.4 Manufacturers Guanidine Carbonate Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Guanidine Carbonate Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Guanidine Carbonate Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Guanidine Carbonate Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, ExpansionFor 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 Attention Grabbing Indian wedding day Dresses Online http://www.andaazfashion.co.uk/ Wedding is one of the most prestigious occasions in ones life as it happens once in a lifetime. Marriages are very special for brides as they are very fond of getting married to Prince Charming of their life theyve always dreamt of. After the festive season, the wedding season is en route and folks are looking around for various latest and trendy bridal outfits.A bride also looks for the best outfit she can have on her wedding as she is the vital person in marriages. 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The designs are also unique that will add an extra star to your looks.Usually shades of Red are the contemporary choices for wedding, but as per the latest trends you can choose color of your choice from the palette. Now-a-days, people generally follow the trends the celebrities set, be it Kareena or Aishwarya. Most of the dresses are replica of the designer dresses by the top notch designers like Manish Malhotra, etc.Andaaz Fashion is the largest Ethnic Wear Online Store. we have all types of women wedding dresses design like Lehenga choli, Anarkali Suits, punjabi suits and sarees.Comapny Name: Andaaz FashionAddress: 3rd Floor, Regal House, 70 London RoadTwickenham, TW1 3QS, Middlesex, United kingdomContact: +44 (0) 800 133 7166 | +44 (0) 121 663 0409Website: Crowdfunding success of Kitemill Voss, Norway December 7th, 2016 Kitemill opened a crowdfunding campaign. The aim is to attract new investors to the company, to make the company's environmental friendly solutions available soon enough for the commercial market. Thus far, investors have subscribed for close to four million NOK. The goal is between six and nine million NOK.Kitemill is a technology company that will revolutionize the wind power industry. This is by using a kite to harness Kitemill strong and stable winds in higher altitude to produce energy in an environmentally friendly, safe and affordable way. Kitemills kites can barely be seen when they draw energy through the sky over 400 meters high. A full scale production can reach up to 1500 meters altitude.On Invesdor.com to December 15The crowdfunding campaign started on 24th of November 2016 and will end the 15th of December 2016. On the campaign's first day, we have received subscriptions from seven new investors for a total of 2 030 000 million. The same amount is going into a short period of time, based on existing agreements. Clearly the campaign has a very good start. You can get more information about it on Invesdor.com.Industrial Cluster of Kongsberg ownershipKitemills largest shareholder today are farmer, entrepreneur and investor, Jon Gjerde, with family. In addition, strong industrial partners as owners, represented by including Kongsberg Innovation AS, Lundevagen Holding AS (owner of Einar grey Farsund) and Transition Robotics from the US. Some of the first subscribers in the ongoing crowdfunding campaign was Voss Sparebank, with 1.5 million NOK.In addition, several private investors subscribed for larger and smaller amounts. The minimum limit for investment is set low, to 4.000 million, based on a price of Kitemill stock to 5 million. The minimum amount for subscription is 800 shares, equivalent to 4.000 million.-This allows not only heavy investors but also private persons, to take an ownership stake. Many want to contribute to a green shift in the world. Kitemill can make a difference, through our environmentally friendly technology that produces energy without leaving the impression anthropogenic footprint in nature, says Kitemills general manager, Thomas Harklau.The Crowdfunding campaign closes 15/12/2016Contact:Lode Carnellc@kitemill.noMagasinveien 355703 Voss,NorwayWe bring wind energy technology to the skies! Kitemill uses a fraction of the materials for the same output of energy by ground based windmills at altitudes where the wind is stronger and more consistent.Magasinveien 355703 VOSSNorway World Primary Care Doctor Market: SWOT analysis of major market segments http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/primary-care-doctor-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=6916 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ A primary care doctor, also known as a primary care physician, is a medical practitioner who consults patients suffering from common medical problems, and refers them to a specialist if advanced treatment is required. Given this basic yet pivotal role of primary care doctors and the rising demand for primary healthcare, the global primary care doctor market will expand at a steady rate over the next few years, says a report by Transparency Market Research. The report, titled Primary Care Doctor Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 2023, projects the future of the primary care doctor market based on drivers, restraints, opportunities, trends, and the competitive scenario.TMR analysts also state that regulatory changes in the United States will have a far-reaching impact on the global primary care doctor market; private healthcare is now affordable more U.S. citizens following a round of federal reforms in the insurance sector in the recent past.Read Full Report:The report meticulously studies the primary care doctor market based on criteria such as type of treatment and geography. Based on the former, the report segments the primary care doctor market into family medicine doctors, pediatricians, gynecologists or obstetricians, internal medicine doctors, and geriatricians.The key regional markets studied in the report include: North America, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. North America is identified as the leading region in the primary care doctor market, while Europe is the second-largest market. A number of favorable reforms recently introduced in the United States will augur well for the lead that North America currently has in the primary care doctor market. As more people in the United States strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle well into their 70s and 80s, the role of primary care physicians becomes even more crucial. In 2015, in the United States, about 176,893 primary care physicians were licensed to practice internal medicine.Download exclusive Sample of this Report:Multiple emerging economies in the Asia Pacific region will contribute heavily to the creation of a multimillion-dollar primary care doctor market in the region. However, the primary care doctors market in the Asia Pacific region will benefit from the relatively affordable level of care offered by physicians here and the setting up of new medical infrastructure that willHowever, restraints such as an erosion in the quality of care and misdistribution will create challenges for the growth of the primary care doctor market. The report on the primary care doctor market provides a detailed analysis of the current and projected landscape of the primary care doctor market globally and for leading national markets.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: World Alternative Healthcare Providers Market driven by Shifting Consumer Preferences from Conventional Medicine http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/alternative-healthcare-providers-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=6017 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Transparency Market Research has added a new release to its vast collection of data regarding the healthcare IT industry. This report, titled Alternative Healthcare Providers Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 2023, provides its users with the essential information regarding complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) practices and its market. The users can make use of this information to strengthen their own position in the market.One of the major reasons for the growth of the global alternative healthcare providers market is the growing number of patients that are looking towards it for better medical solutions. Patients looking for natural and gentler methods of healing are slowly moving towards the global alternative healthcare providers market.Read Full Report:According to a statement released by the EUROCAM, there are over 140,000 doctors that are trained in CAM or specific CAM modalities. These numbers are supported by the growing number of patients that are interested in alternative medicine. Responding to this rising interest in CAM, the World Health Assembly the top-tier decision making body of the WHO has suggested its member states to integrate CAM into their national and regional healthcare systems.The global alternative healthcare providers market can be categorized on the basis of intervention therapy and type. Of these, major intervention types include energy therapies, physical manipulation, biologically based therapies, mind-body interventions, and alternative medical systems.The types of practices available in the global alternative healthcare providers market include yoga, Ayurveda, homeopathy, naturopathy, acupuncture, and acupressure, along with others. It is through these types of medical care that CAM practitioners can provide a cure to patients without the need for constant supervision.Download exclusive Sample of this Report:North America holds the largest share in the global alternative healthcare providers market from a geographical standpoint. North America is followed by Europe in terms of market size. Both regions are showing a high level of acceptance towards CAM practices. Other factors promoting the growth of the global alternative healthcare providers market include the rising prevalence of chronic diseases and the rising number of individuals with a high disposable income.The global alternative healthcare providers markets future, however, is expected to be guided by Asia Pacific, which is showing a rapid rate of growth. This high growth rate is attributed to a rapid rate of increase in industrial and healthcare infrastructure along with the growth of the medical tourism industry.The key players involved in the global alternative healthcare providers market are SBL Homeopathy Medicines, Medisynth Ch. Pvt. Ltd., Hamdard Laboratories, Dabur Limited, Baidyanath Herbal, and Allen Labratories Ltd.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: World Myocardial Infraction Treatment Market: Growing Incidences of Cardiovascular Diseases to Aid Growth of Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/myocardial-infarction-treatment-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=8215 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ The global myocardial infraction treatment market is expected to register promising growth owing to the growing number of cases of cardiovascular diseases across the globe, says Transparency Market Research (TMR) in a research report. The report is titled, Myocardial Infarction Treatment Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 20152023.The market intelligence report is an in-depth overview of the growth trajectory along with the established trends in the global myocardial infraction treatment market. The study also presents an analysis of the elements at play in the market and the dynamics that are anticipated to adversely or positively impact the growth of the market. The competitive landscape of the market has been assessed through Porters five forces analysis and details on the shares, strategies, and products and services of the key market players has also been presented in the publication.Read Full Report:Myocardial infraction, commonly known as heart attack is an acute irreversible medical condition that leads to necrosis of the heart muscles. Myocardial infraction is a result of a blockage in any one of the coronary arteries leading to lack of oxygen in the heart. Usually, the infraction is located in the anterior, septal, posterior, and the lateral wall of the hearts left ventricle. The medicines employed for curing myocardial infraction are aspirin, vorapaxar, clopidogrel, abciximab, tirofiban, eptifibatide, heparin, bivalirudin, enoxaparin, metoprolol, esmolol, nitroglycerin, enalapril, captopril, valsartan, and morphine sulfate among others.The report states that the demand for myocardial infraction treatment is expected to intensify over the forthcoming years owing to the burgeoning geriatric population base worldwide. Other elements such as practice of an unhealthy lifestyle and mounting incidence rate of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, kidney diseases along with obesity. The over consumption of drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines can lead to myocardial infraction, thus boosting the demand for myocardial infraction treatment. Providers of myocardial infraction treatment can expect lucrative growth opportunities from genetic predisposition, monitoring of cellular response, and detection of targeted blockages. However, the growth of the global market for myocardial infraction treatment is likely to be adversely affected by the high cost of clinical and hospital trials and strict regulations.Download exclusive Sample of this Report:In terms of geography, the market is at present being dominated by North America owing to the rising number of cardiac diseases and a high obese population. Companies can look to Latin America, the Middle East, and South East Asia as prospective markets for future. The market is extremely fragmented with the presence of leading players such as Sanofi, Novartis International AG, Merck & Co. Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Janssen Biotech, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., and Bayer HealthCare LLC.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 Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Industry 2016 Market Basic Requirment Of New Project http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=843001&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-drugs-for-vulvovaginal-candidiasis-sales-market-report-2016.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com/press-releases.htm Qyresearchreports include new market research reportGlobal Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales Market Report 2016" to its huge collection of research reports.This study on the global Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis market is collated by compiling information through both secondary and primary research. Hence, the information is collected from journals, white papers, databases, and up-to-date press releases. The study also comprises the factors driving and inhibiting the development of the global Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis market. The key opportunity areas and trends prevalent in this market have also been compiled in this study. The current size of this market and its predicted size by the end of the forecast period has also been highlighted through this study.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report has been studied in terms of key segments and sub-segments. The currently leading segment and the reason for the growth of that particular segment has also been included under this study. Hence, an extensive analysis of the global Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis market has been encapsulated on the basis of estimations of key market segments in the forecast horizon. In addition, the technological developments that took place in the market and our predicted to take place in the coming years have also been presented through this study.The projections given in this report on the global Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis market have been made by analyzing the markets future potential and prevalent trends. The markets growth in the geographical areas has also been studied in detail under this report. The top region in this market and the reasons for the growth of the market in that particular region have also been compiled. Moving further, the report present the competitive landscape of the global Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis market. Under this section, the prime strategies of the players, the strengths and weaknesses, and their contributions in the growth of the global Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis market have been highlighted. These players are also evaluated on the basis of attributes such as revenue, gross, product overview, and contact information.Table of ContentsGlobal Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales Market Report 20161 Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis1.2 Classification of Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis1.2.1 Miconazole1.2.2 Clotrimazole1.2.3 Fluconazole1.3 Application of Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.3.3 Application 31.4 Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Market by Regions1.4.1 USA 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)1.4.5 India Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (2011-2021)1.5.1 Global Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2021)1.5.2 Global Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)Browse Complete Report with TOC @2 Global Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Competition by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Global Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1.1 Global Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2011-2016)2.1.2 Global Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2011-2016)2.2 Global Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)2.2.2 Global Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Revenue and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)2.3 Global Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (Volume and Value) by Regions2.3.1 Global Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales and Market Share by Regions (2011-2016)2.3.2 Global Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2011-2016)2.4 Global Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (Volume) by Application3 USA Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 USA Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales and Value (2011-2016)3.1.1 USA Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)3.1.2 USA Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)3.1.3 USA Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)3.2 USA Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers3.3 USA Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales and Market Share by Type3.4 USA Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales and Market Share by Application4 China Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 China Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales and Value (2011-2016)4.1.1 China Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)4.1.2 China Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)4.1.3 China Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)4.2 China Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers4.3 China Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales and Market Share by Type4.4 China Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales and Market Share by Application5 Europe Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 Europe Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales and Value (2011-2016)5.1.1 Europe Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)5.1.2 Europe Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)5.1.3 Europe Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)5.2 Europe Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers5.3 Europe Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales and Market Share by Type5.4 Europe Drugs for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Sales and Market Share by ApplicationFor 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 Computer aided Engineering Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts 2015 - 2021 https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/computer-aided-engineering-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/custom/194 https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/toc/computer-aided-engineering-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/computer-aided-engineering-market https://zionmarketresearch.wordpress.com/ http://www.zionmarketresearch.com Computer aided engineering (CAE) involves processes of solving engineering problems through the use of sophisticated and interactive graphical software. This software supports different tasks like validation, simulation, analysis, and manufacturing of engineering product. When CAE is incorporated with optimization systems, it allows for more computations than is possible by hand.Request Free Sample Report @Computer aided engineering includes two major tools viz. computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA). CFD is a tool that analyzes the flow, interaction of liquids & gasses and pressure distribution turbulence with various structures. FEA is a technique used in engineering to evaluate the functionality of a certain product design. CAE tools help to companies for developing the safer product by avoiding huge costs of developing the prototype.The major driver for computer aided engineering (CAE) market is the availability of universal licenses. Also, growing trend of smart phones and tablets are expected to boost the growth of this market. The major advantages offered by integrated CAE tools are the reduction of product life cycle time and product analysis time to get better efficiency.Ask for a customized report @The major challenge for this market is piracy of the software. Lack of skilled labor and technical expertise is expected to slow down market growth over the forecast period. High maintenance and license expenses may also restrict market growth in coming years. Nonetheless, small and medium enterprises are predicted to fuel the growth of CAE market in the years to come. Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the key regional market owing to the emergence of many manufacturing industries.The study provides a decisive view on the computer aided engineering (CAE) market by segmenting the market on the basis of product type, user, and region. On the basis of type, the market is classified into Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). By user, the market is bifurcated into aerospace, automobile, defense, electrical, electronics and Industrial machinery segments. The regional segmentation includes the current and estimated demand for Asia Pacific, North America, Middle East and Africa, Europe, and Latin America.Read TOC of Report @North America is estimated to account for a significant share of the CAE market in 2015 which is followed by Asia Pacific. Due to the emergence of several manufacturing industries CAE market is growing vastly in this region.Major players in the CAE market include ANSYS Inc., Dassault Systemes, CD-adapco Siemens PLM Software, Bentley Systems, ESI Group, Mentor Graphics Corporation, Numeca International MSC Software, Altair Engineering, AspenTech, Computational Engineering International Inc., Exa Corporation, Flow Science, and NEi Software among others.Computer Aided Engineering: Product Segment AnalysisFinite Element Analysis (FEA)Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)Browse detail report @Computer Aided Engineering: End-User Segment AnalysisAerospaceAutomobileElectrical and electronicsDefenseIndustrial machineryOthersComputer Aided Engineering: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilMiddle East and AfricaVisit Our Blog :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: Global Travel Insurance Market Is Expected to Generate $28,264 Million by 2022, Growing at a CAGR of 8.5% During 2016 - 2022 http://www.researchbeam.com/travel-insurance-market/request-sample http://www.researchbeam.com/travel-insurance-market/purchase-enquiry http://www.researchbeam.com/ Research Beam added report on Global Travel Insurance Market Technology, Trends, Analysis, Growth, Report and Research Travel Insurance Market by Insurance Cover (Single trip, Annual multi-trip, and Long stay), User (Senior citizens, Education travelers, Backpackers, Business travelers, Family travelers, and Fully independent travelers), and Distribution Channel (Insurance intermediaries, Insurance companies, Banks, Insurance brokers, Insurance aggregators, and other) - Global Opportunity and Industry Forecasts, 2014-2022Travel Insurance Market is expected to generate $28,264 million by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 8.5% during 2016 - 2022. In 2015, Europe lead the travel insurance market, followed by Asia-Pacific.A series of unusual events of natural disasters and terrorist attacks in 2015, such as Ebola epidemic, Nepal earthquake, and the Paris attack has increased the usage of travel insurance policies. Moreover, factors such as growth in tourism, rise in globalization, and trade practices has made this industry more attractive.Travel insurance provides an extensive range of benefits for events such as trip cancellation due to medical emergency, loss of baggage, evacuation due to medical condition or hijack, and loss of travel documents. However, it is considered as an unrequired expense by a large pool of travelers. Lack of awareness and guidance is a major factor that refrains travelers from buying travel insurance.The global travel insurance market is segmented on the basis of insurance cover, distribution channels, users, and geography. Based on insurance cover, the market is classified into single trip travel insurance, annual multi-trip travel insurance and long stay travel insurance. Insurance policies are sold through different distribution channels such as insurance intermediaries, insurance company, banks, insurance brokers, insurance aggregator, and others. Users who opt for travel insurance policies are backpackers, senior citizens, education traveler, business traveler, fully independent traveler, and family travelers. The market has further been analyzed across geographical regions namely North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (U.K., Germany, France, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East, and Africa).Request to Get Sample Copy @Japan, Australia, U.S., and European countries such as Italy, Greece, Germany, Portugal, and Finland among others are witnessing an increase in senior citizen (above age of 60) population along with an increase in the percentage of travelers within this population group. The prime factors behind this surge in Gen S travelers include low dependency ratio, rise in disposable income, more spare time, and rise in aspirations. Visiting friends and relatives is also another factor that supplements the increase in number of travelers.Senior citizens offer immense opportunity for travel insurance companies as they have been identified as the major buyers of the long-duration travel insurance policies. Leisure and medical treatment are main reasons of travel for senior citizens. After working tirelessly for decades, the Gen S individuals seek to travel and explore exotic locations and cherish these experiences forever. Also, even as many senior citizens delay their overseas trips post-retirement, there is a growth intrend of young professionals sending/calling their parents overseas. During longer stay abroad (more than a month), aged people are exposed to changed living conditions. As the local insurance is in general not available or very expensive, there is an emerging trend of children buying travel insurance cover for their parents. Additionally, an increase in trend of online purchase of travel insurance is observed among senior citizens as they purchase their tickets online.TRAVEL INSURANCE MARKET KEY BENEFITSThe study provides an in-depth analysis of the world travel insurance market with current trends and future estimations to elucidate the imminent investment pockets.The report provides a quantitative analysis from 2014 to 2022, which is expected to enable the stakeholders to capitalize on prevailing market opportunities.The report provides actual historical figures for 2014 and 2015 and provides forecasts for 2016 to 2022, considering 2015 as base.Competitive intelligence highlights the business practices followed by leading players across various regions.Ask for Discount @With the arsenal of different search reports, Research Beam helps you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency. With the window of opportunity getting open and shut at a speed of light, it has become very important to survive in the market and only the fittest and competent enough can do so. So, we try and provide with latest changes in the market that can suit your needs and help you take decision accordingly.5933 NE Win Sivers Drive, #205, Portland, OR 97220U.S. & Canada Toll Free: + 1-800-910-6452UK: + 44-845-528-1300, India: +91 20 66346070Fax: +1 (855) 550-5975Email: help@researchbeam.comWeb: Filter Bags Market - Worldwide Industry, Size, Trends & Prediction 2024 ,Emerging Economies to Provide Most Promising Growth Opportunities http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/filter-bags-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=14336 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The global market for filter bags is chiefly driven by the rising adoption of high-quality filter bags across numerous industries owing to the increased focus on reducing emissions and providing safer and high-quality work environment to employees. Reduction in costs of products and emergence of highly efficient products have encouraged the increased adoption of filter bags across small- and medium-sized enterprises.The market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.6% over the period between 2016 and 2024. The global filter bags market, which held an opportunity of US$1,811.7 mn in 2015, is expected to reach US$2,950.1 mn by 2024 at this pace. The corresponding volume demand for filter bags in 2015 was estimated at 397 mn units.Browse The Report :Air Filter Bags to Retain Dominance among Key Product VarietiesThe key varieties of filter bags in the global market can be segmented into liquid filter bags and air filter bag. Of these, the segment of air filter bags finds enormous usage in applications such as dust collection and industrial emissions control. The performance of this segment is expected to surpass that of the segment of liquid filter bags over the period between 2016 and 2024. The segment of air filter bags is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 5.6% over the said period. Rising awareness regarding the need to reduce carbon footprint and different incentives granted by government for companies promoting green technologies have sensitized companies across several industries towards air filter bags.Oil and Gas Industry to Remain Leading Revenue ContributorThe key applications of filter bags are found in industries such as oil and gas, cement, mining, power plants, automobiles, aerospace, defense and marine, and water treatment. Of these, the oil and gas industry surpassed other industries and emerged as the leading revenue contributor to the global filter bag market in 2015. The industry is also anticipated to outdo other industries in terms of demand for filter bags, expanding at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2016 through 2024. Filter bags find use in the oil and gas industry for applications such as filtration of lube oils, distillation and cracking, gas turbine air/oil filtration, and filtration of glycol fluids.Get More Information :Emerging Economies to Provide Most Promising Growth OpportunitiesOf the key regional markets for filter bags, Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as the most promising one, expanding at a CAGR of 6.2% over the period between 2016 and 2024. The Asia Pacific filter bag market is chiefly driven owing to the high demand for air filter bags, the product segment which is also projected to outpace growth of other product varieties over the forecasting horizon in the region. Air filter bags are used for controlling the emission of dust particles and industry effluents and find enormous usage across industries such as oil and gas, mining, power plant, and cement for purposes such as gas purification, dust control, fly ash handling, and storage.Middle East and Africa is anticipated to acquire the place of the second most promising regional market, expanding at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2016 through 2024. The adoption of filter bags in the region has significantly improved in the past few years as an increasing number of countries are implementing stringent regulatory reforms to realize carbon control and environment protection plans. This has compelled the industrial sector in the region to increase the adoption of filter bags across a number of operations. The oil and gas sector has been the major contributor to the growth of filter bags market in the Middle East region, particularly Saudi Arabia.Some of the key vendors contributing to the growth of the global filter bag market are Thermax D Ltd., Pall Corporation, Babcock & Wilcox Co., Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Ltd., Donaldson Company Inc., Eaton Corporation, Clarcor Inc.General Electric, Filter Concept Pvt Ltd., Camfil Farr Inc., Lenntech B.V., Rosedale Products Inc., W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Parker Hannifin Corporation and BWF Envirotech.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Information Management for Offshore Projects - Global Industry Analysis 2020 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=3762 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com In recent years, some of the largest hydrocarbon discoveries have been announced in deepwater offshore areas. The offshore projects are capital intensive and complex in nature. Capital expenditure and operating costs can escalate substantially if the projects are not managed efficiently. An information management system is an essential part of offshore installations which is a combination of a host of software tools and related services. These management systems analyze and report project related information in an efficient manner to improve project performance. Offshore installations are usually located in complex environments where various specialized teams work together in various project phases.Information management systems are installed to analyze and store the information collected from various project phases in an offshore project. These systems are installed to share and store both technical and commercial information. Information management systems are a computerized monitoring tool which is primarily designed to satisfy project requirements and specifications. The market for information management in offshore projects is anticipated to grow at a substantial rate owing to requirement of efficient systems in offshore installations.Get Free PDF Brochure for more Professional and Technical Insights:The increasing investment in offshore hydrocarbon projects and requirement of cost effective systems in offshore facilities are the major drivers attracting investment in information management market. To support the increasing investment on offshore installations, the project developers should have access to information management services. Information management systems assist the offshore project developers to anticipate and avert project related risks. The information management systems can track the energy consumption and mechanical commissioning in an offshore project. As a result of this the capital costs and operational costs related to the project can be organized in an effective manner.The productivity of the end user industry also increases after installing these technological systems. However, lack of the additional capital costs incurred in this capital intensive technology is a major factor impacting the growth of the information management systems in the offshore market. The lack of skilled professionals is also another major factor which affects further growth of the market.The market for information management for offshore projects can be segmented on the basis of services offered in this market. The information management service providers offer various services to the offshore industry. The market can be broadly segmented into four categories as project information system, contract management system, HSE and completion management system. The market can be further sub-divided into various other services such as quality management and project dashboards offerings.With increasing drilling activities in deepwater areas, the market for information management in offshore projects continues to grow at an increasing pace. The increasing offshore production activities in the Latin American region will provide the major market for this market in the coming future. Planned expansion projects and the large offshore reserves of West Africa is one of the prospective regions for the growth of the information management systems in offshore projects.The exploration companies in Asia Pacific are also increasing investment in offshore locations of China and Australia which are anticipated be major economies for this market in coming years. The stringent working parameters in offshore areas of North Sea have attracted several information management providing companies in this region.Some of the major players which provide information management for offshore projects are Omega AS, Aveva Solutions Ltd and Audubon Companies.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Oil Storage Market: Exceeding Oil Production Driving Demand. http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2421 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/oil-storage-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The global oil storage market is rather competitive among the top five players, who jointly held a share of more than 67.0% in 2014. These five players are Royal Vopak N.V., Buckeye Partners L.P., Oiltanking GmbH, Kinder Morgan Inc., and NuStar Energy L.P. The Transparency Market Research report suggests that this market is extremely capital driven and hence, the entrance of new players is highly unlikely during the forecast period of 20162024. Rising at a healthy CAGR of 4.73% by volume during the forecast period, the global market for oil storage is estimated to reach 2,027 mn cubic meters by 2024, up from 1,337 mn cubic meters in 2014.The report also finds that several companies are indulging in strategic alliances, mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and joint ventures to maintain their hold over the global market for oil storage. Via these strategies, these key players in the market are able to raise funds, which they use to develop new pipelines, extend their storage facilities, and expand their terminal networks. For instance, Kinder Morgan acquired Hiland Partners in 2015 in order to enhance its storage and terminal infrastructure in North America.Interpret a Competitive outlook Analysis Report with PDF Brochure:Commercial Petroleum Reserves Segment Augmented by Fluctuating Oil PricesThe global oil storage market is segmented on the basis of type of reserve and geography. By type of reserve, the market is segmented into commercial petroleum and strategic petroleum reserves. In 2015, the segment of strategic petroleum reserves accounted for a massive 79.21% of the market. This was a result of substantial investment from several governments for the expansion of oil reserves. On the other hand, the segment of commercial petroleum reserves is expected to expand at a stronger CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period 20162024. This increase in demand is attributed to fluctuating oil prices because commercial petroleum reserves help control the prices and plan for the future.Geographically, the Middle East and Africa serves the most prominent demand in the global market for oil storage. Countries such as UAE, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Nigeria contribute to most of the demand in the MEA oil storage market. Extensive oil production and declining oil prices are two factors driving these regional markets.Improved Road Conditions Easing Transportation of Finished Petroleum ProductsThe supply of crude oil has exceeded the demand in recent years and, as a result, the demand for oil storage facilities has increased globally. Concurrently, the leading players in the market have increased their focus on expanding storage capacity, particularly their refineries in Asia Pacific and Europe. Moreover, the quality of road travel has improved drastically in the past decade, which has aided the transportation of finished petroleum products and in turn driven the demand for oil storage. For example, CLH Group raised over US$200 mn in 2015 to develop its integrated network, including several kilometers of storage facilities. Conversely, the high cost of initial investments and time-consuming approval processes are some of the factors that may hinder the growth of the market.Complete Report with TOC :According to the author of the report, The investment in oil storage facilities must be done with long-term goals to ensure higher returns. The author also picks out Asia Pacific as the most lucrative market for players. Countries such as China, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea are among the leading markets for oil storage in this region in terms of volume, driven by increased investments in petroleum reserves.Key Segments of the Global Oil Storage MarketOil Storage Market Type of Storage Segment AnalysisOpen Top TanksFixed Roof TanksFloating Roof TanksOther Storage FacilitiesOil Storage Market Product Type Segment AnalysisCrude OilGasolineAviation FuelMiddle DistillatesContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207 Smart Transformers Market - Global Industry Analysis 2021 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=8770 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Smart transformers are transformers which integrates a general transformers features with monitoring software and communication technology among others. Power transformers are one of the most important and complex component of the electricity generation and transmission process. An owner of a power transformer has to face certain challenges such as high maintenance cost for extending life of a transformer among others. Failure of a power transformer can lead to dire consequences such as revenue loss, life loss and legal consequences among others.Such challenges have led to the advent of smart transformers. This new-age transformers are designed to allow the maintenance of the power load independently. They can regulate the voltage constantly, while maintaining contact with the smart grid infrastructure, and deliver the optimal amount of power as and when required. They are programmed to allow remote monitoring and can act on any power fluctuations instantly. Provision for remote monitoring of critical components of the transformer, through in-built sensors, increases reliability of continuous power distribution and reduces chances of transformer failure. Faults can be recognized remotely on a real-time basis and actions can be taken faster. The smart transformers are also more environment friendly as they reduce energy consumption and thus reduce the emission of green house gases. They are also equipped to protect electrical equipments by safeguarding them from voltage fluctuations leading to increase in longevity of those equipments.Get Free PDF Brochure for more Professional and Technical Insights:The market for smart transformers is still nascent but has tremendous potential of growth. Currently the market is mainly driven by the up gradation of aging power distribution networks across the globe. As part of development initiatives, governments in developing countries are undertaking huge investments to expand the reach of electrification across different villages and cities. Smart transformers are being utilized in such projects and thus their implementation is leading to the growth of the market. Demand for safer and more efficient power transmission coupled with environmental concerns on power generation has led to development of many international and nation-specific regulations such as European Commissions Ecodesign regulation among others. Such regulations are also boosting the smart transformers market. The market is also positively impacted by the huge increase in utility (transformers) and industrial infrastructure development in the emerging markets such as China and India among others.The global smart transformers market can be segmented, based on types, into distribution transformer, instrument transformer, power transformer and specialty transformer. On the basis of components, the market can be segmented into converters, high-frequency transformers, switches and others. On the basis of applications, the market can be segmented into electric vehicle charging, smart grid, traction locomotive and others. Furthermore, smart transformers market can be geographically segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC) and rest of the world.Some of the key companies leading the distribution voltage regulator market are ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), Alstom SA (France), Cree Inc. (US), Crompton Greaves (India), Eaton Corporation Plc. (Ireland), General Electric Co. (US), Howard Industries Inc. (US), Mitsubishi Electric (Japan), Schneider Electric (France) and Siemens AG (Germany) among others.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Microgrid Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2014 - 2020 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=236 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/microgrids-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The global microgrid market is fairly fragmented in nature, with the top five companies accounting for 52.1% of the market in 2013. These five companies are Chevron Energy Solutions (CES), Power Analytics Corporation, GE Energy Management, Pareto Energy, and Siemens AG. Companies such as GE Energy Management, Siemens AG, and Schneider Electric have made use of their capabilities in electricity distribution and component manufacturing to provide microgrid solutions to end users. Other prominent companies include Power Analytics Corporation, Pareto Energy, Honeywell International Inc., and Viridity Energy. Chevron Energy Solutions (CES), a Chevron subsidiary for renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions, designed and built one of the largest microgrids in the U.S. Santa Rita Jail Microgrid which can be disconnected from the power grid.The global market for microgrid was valued at US$13.8 bn in 2015. Rising at a robust CAGR of 20.7% during the forecast period 2014-2020, the market is estimated to reach a valuation of US$35.2 bn by 2020.View exclusive Global strategic Business report :North America Most Prominent Market Due to Frequent Weather-related DisastersThe global market for microgrids can be segmented on the basis of product, application, and geography. By product, the grid-tied segment holds more than half the total microgrid capacity and is expected to sustain the demand in the near future, reaching a valuation of US$25.3 bn by 2020. This segment is benefitted by the increasing use of grid-tied microgrids in campuses and institutes. Connectivity with a macro-grid lends better operational capabilities and reliability to the grid-tied segment. The segment of remote microgrid is expected to gain market share during the forecast period. This positive shift is because remote microgrids are specifically designed for areas lacking proper grid infrastructure.On the basis of application, the global market for microgrid can be segmented into campus and institutions, community and utility, commercial and industrial, defense and military, and remote islands. The segment of campus and institutions accounts for nearly one third of the market and is projected to reach a valuation of US$10.6 bn by 2020.Geographically, North America is the most prominent market for microgrids, accounting for a valuation of US$20.1 bn by 2020. Aging grid infrastructure and frequent weather-related disasters are some of the major causes of power failures in North America. This offers players in the market several opportunities for growth. Asia Pacific also contributes significantly to the microgrid market.Rapid Industrialization Augmenting DemandAccording to the report, indirect and direct economic, technical, environmental, and social benefits of microgrid are augmenting its deployment. A microgrid allows the optimization of a power systems efficiency and currently is the best solution for motivating consumers to contribute to improving the reliability, availability, and quality of power. Moreover, factors such as rapid industrialization, growing energy demands across the globe, and advancements in renewable energy technologies will further fuel the market during the forecast period. Conversely, operational challenges, development costs, and the lack of appropriate regulatory framework are seen as the factors that will hinder the growth of the market for microgrids.According to the author of the report, The possibility of insulation against the impact of severe weather on electric grids offers an opportunity to market players. The impact of severe weather conditions such as hurricanes, blizzards, thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes necessitates support systems that can provide electricity during natural disasters.Complete Report with TOC :The information presented in this review is based on a Transparency Market Research report, titled, Microgrid Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 20142020.Key Segments of the Microgrid MarketGlobal Microgrid Market: Product SegmentGrid-tied (Grid Connected)Remote (Off-grid)Global Microgrid Market: Application SegmentCampus and InstitutionsCommunity and UtilityCommercial and IndustrialDefense and MilitaryRemote IslandsContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207 Telemedicine Market Size, Share, Analysis, Report and Forecast to 2022 According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Telemedicine market is accounted for $19.3 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach $52.3 billion by 2022 growing at a CAGR of 15.3% from 2015 to 2022. Factors such as technological innovation, increasing remote patient monitoring, growing geriatric population treatments and shortage of physicians are driving the market growth. Uneven distribution of telecom network in remote areas, high operating costs, the lack of infrastructure and reimbursement issues are expected to constrain the market.Telehospitals/Teleclinics holds the largest share among the end users. North America is the leading Market for telemedicine led by the high adoption of technology. Asia Pacific market is expected to grow further followed by Rest of The Word.Some of the key players in global Telemedicine market are Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc, InTouch Technologies, Inc, CISCO Systems, Inc, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, AMD Global Telemedicine, Inc, Honeywell HomMed LLC, OBS Medical Ltd, LifeWatch AG, Medtronic, Inc, Siemens Healthcare , McKesson Corp, Agfa HealthCare NV, Philips Healthcare, GE Healthcare Ltd and International Business Machines Corp.Technologies Covered: Hardware Software Telecommunications NetworkApplications Covered: Cardiology Dermatology Neurology Gynaecology Trauma care Ophthalmology Orthopaedics Psychiatry Pathology General surgery General consultationTypes Covered: Telehome Mobile health Telehospitals & ClinicsEnd Users Covered: Hospitals Clinics PatientsServices Covered: Tele-monitoring Tele-consultation Tele-surgery Tele-training Tele-care Tele-educationRegions Covered: North Americao USo Canadao Mexico Europeo Germanyo Franceo Italyo UKo Spaino Rest of Europe Asia Pacifico Japano Chinao Indiao Australiao New Zealando Rest of Asia Pacific Rest of the Worldo Middle Easto Brazilo Argentinao South Africao EgyptWhat our report offers:- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments- Market share analysis of the top industry players- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants- Market forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsWe offer wide spectrum of research and consulting services with in-depth knowledge of different industries. We are known for customized research services, consulting services and Full Time Equivalent (FTE) services in the research world. We explore the market trends and draw our insights with valid assessments and analytical views. We use advanced techniques and tools among the quantitative and qualitative methodologies to identify the market trends. Our research reports and publications are routed to help our clients to design their business models and enhance their business growth in the competitive market scenario. We have a strong team with hand-picked consultants including project managers, implementers, industry experts, researchers, research evaluators and analysts with years of experience in delivering the complex projects.STRATISTICS MRC17049 King James Way, Gaithersburg,MD, 20877, USA North America Represented a Market Share of Nearly 36.1% in The Global Computed Tomography Systems Market in 2014 http://www.sa-brc.com/Global-Computed-Tomography-Systems-Market-Assessment--Forecast-2015-2019/sample6 http://www.sa-brc.com/report/Global-Computed-Tomography-Systems-Market-Assessment--Forecast-2015-2019/6 www.sa-brc.com Computed tomography devices use X-ray sources to image the body. Unlike X-ray machines, CT systems uses a highly sensitive x-ray beam focused on specific parts of the body and a detector picks up the beam as it passes through the body. The CT scan is an X-ray slice of the body and does not use film or other contrast agents to image but instead uses sensitive detectors that send their signal to a computer as the x-ray transmitter spins around the body to scan a slice of an individual?s body. Computed Tomography has undergone several generations of changes in terms of technology since its inception. Based on the number of ?Slices? or images of different sections of the body, these devices can be categorized into low-Slice (4, 8 and 16 slice), medium slice (32, 64, 128 slice) and high slice (256 and above) systems. The global market for computed tomography systems was valued at US$ 4,839.0 million in 2014 and expected to grow to US$ 6,588.5 million by 2019 at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2015 to 2019. Estimates market value and volume with 2013 & 2014 as historical years and forecast from 2015-2019.Market Drivers:Advances in CT technology systems offering better diagnosis and reduced radiation are expected to drive its growth in the coming years.Increasing geriatric population. Aged people require regular monitoring of health through various diagnostic tests including computed tomography tests.Increasing demand for high end multi-slice systems and portable systems to drive growth.Free Sample Report@Market Challenges:Decreasing usage of radiation based imaging.Types of CT Device Configuration Covered In This Report:StationaryPortable SystemsImaging Technology Covered In This Report:Low slice CT systems (4, 8 and 16 slice)Mid-slice CT systems (32, 64, 128 slice)High-slice or super-premium CT systems (over 128 slices)Click For Full Report@Key Players Covered In This Report:BrainLab AGGE HealthcareHitachi MedicalMobiusPhilips HealthcareSamsungNeurologicaShimadzuSiemens HealthcareToshiba Medical SystemsXintekAbout 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: Digital Eye Strain Resulting in High Incidence of Vision Impairment and Driving Contact and Intraocular Lenses Market http://www.sa-brc.com/Global-Contact-Lenses--Intraocular-Lenses-Market-Assessment--Forecast-2015-2019/sample7 http://www.sa-brc.com/report/Global-Contact-Lenses--Intraocular-Lenses-Market-Assessment--Forecast-2015-2019/7 www.sa-brc.com The roots of practical commercialized contact lenses go way back to the early 1800s when Sir John Herschel first conceptualized the design of the lens. Early lenses were made of glass and covered the entire eye. In the last 30 years, the lens technology has advanced drastically both in terms of manufacturing and materials used and allow a comfortable wear for extended periods of time. The introduction of contact and intraocular lens to patients has conventionally been focused on treating vision impairment. However in recent years miniaturization of electronics, advances in manufacturing designs has allowed new applications for lenses to be promoted into the market. Contact lenses in particular continue to grow, the demand stemming from rising therapeutic applications such as ocular and corneal protection, pain relief and to cosmetic appearances.SA-BRC team analyzed commercial and research activities of over 30 players in the contact & intraocular lens market. Considering the core competencies of existing players, new entrants can either rise from electronics background or from pharmaceutical background. Several device manufacturers such as Olympus and Carl Zeiss compete in this segment but also compete in core electronic imaging markets. On the other hand, pharmaceutical companies such as Novartis, Valeant, Abbott and Johnson & Johnson are also competing in these segments that suggest the eye care business is thriving opportunity for companies from both walks of the healthcare industry (Pharma & Medical Devices). With seven major acquisitions in the past 2-3 years and a large number of emerging innovative players in the contact & IOL market, consolidation is anticipated to continue as large players scramble to absorb smaller manufacturers across the world. There are a large number of obscure and local competitors in the IOL market that are introducing innovative haptics and materials and stand to provide an excellent opportunity to large players such as Alcon and Abbott to expand their portfolio.Free Sample Report@Age is the foremost factor responsible for vision impairment. Aging baby boomer population in countries such as United States and Japan along with a high aged population anticipated to emerge in coming years from the Asian region will contribute to over 65%-70% of the global aged (above 60 years) by 2025. This is poised to become a prominent factor in rising demand of contact lenses in emerging regions. As the digital age advances, adoption of electronic readers, smart phones, laptops and computers is increasing among younger generation as well. Although a medically proven cause of refractive disorders, electronic devices are now highly associated with daily life making them impossible to exclude from day-to-day jobs. This is anticipated to create an increased burden on the number of refractive disorders growing among younger age groups and even those below 10 years. Disposable contact lenses are suited the best for children and adults for vision correction and the market is anticipated to grow steadily owing to this core lifestyle trend. Myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism are the most common refractive disorders among people today. According to aggregated data on epidemiology from sources such as World Health Organization, there were approximately 300 million visually impaired people living across the world.North American region comprises the United States and Canada. Both countries accounted for the largest sales of contacts and IOL implantations in 2014. The North American market is anticipated to continue leading in terms of value due to easy availability, higher awareness, greater number of ophthalmologists and optometrists per 1000 people as compared to other regions of the world. Silicone Hydrogel lenses is anticipated to continue growing in demand in double digit growth as replacement period reduces to daily wear. Silicone Hydrogel lenses are anticipated to contribute 23% of all soft lenses by 2019. One of the largest factors driving the demand and changing trend of the market is the ease of purchase offered through e-commerce websites and online shopping particularly in developed regions such as North America and Europe.Click 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: Growing Esophageal, Colorectal and Prostate Cancer Cases Driving Non-Vascular Stents Market at a CAGR of 3.7% from 2015 to 2019 http://www.sa-brc.com/Global-Non-Vascular-Stents-Market-Assessment--Forecast-2015---2019/sample17 http://www.sa-brc.com/report/Global-Non-Vascular-Stents-Market-Assessment--Forecast-2015---2019/17 www.sa-brc.com The research scope covers estimations of the market for all types of non-vascular stent products used for treating strictures, palliative care and other conditions resulting in blockage of non-vascular passages within the human body. This encompassed Gastrointestinal stents, tracheobronchial or pulmonary, biliary, prostatic, pancreatic and ureteral stents. This five year forecast provides an accurate perspective since the research includes various macro & micro-economic factors that affect the market indirectly along with the trends within the market such as product approvals and recalls that directly affect the market dynamics.Rising incidences in esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, biliary strictures and prostate cancer have invigorated what has been otherwise a low-key market till date. The cost of non-vascular stents offered by top players in U.S. and Europe has conventionally overshadowed small manufacturers from Asia-Pacific and Middle-East countries such as Israel. However, with the advent of multiple international approvals in the last half a decade several Asia-Pacific players such as Taewoong Medical, Micro Tech (Nanjing) Co Ltd., and Stentech have amassed excellent reviews from the medical fraternity. This also means that leaders such as Boston Scientific and Cook Medical now have other products to reckon with. These giants have however taken the fight to the doorstep of small players with Boston Scientific and Merit Medical Endotek penetrating Asia-Pacific and Latin American markets with strong enterprising collaborations and partnerships.Free Sample Report@The market as a whole is lagging behind in terms of product pipeline, although there are several signs to show that there is no lack in innovation. Biodegradable stents for non-vascular applications are very few and are now being seriously considered as a potential opportunity considering the acceptance and response for vascular applications by the endovascular experts. Drug eluting stents for non-vascular applications is another growing area for players to focus.That being said, the market continues to grow only at a moderate CAGR of 4.0% and in 2014, the global market for NV stents valued at US$ 501.3 million. The sheer volume of people facing urological problems meant that ureteral stents accounted for the highest share, although price of stents kept the growth lower than stent market for other applications such as biliary and prostatic. In terms of demography, North America and Europe contributed to the greatest revenues in 2014 with total share close to 50% of the global market. Price offerings for stents in these regions and the greater awareness of usage and adoption assure that these regions will continue to lead throughout the forecast period.Click 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: Affordable GPS and Location Tracking Wearable for Pets Remains to be Top Choice Among Veterinary Wearable Devices Market http://www.sa-brc.com/Global-Veterinary-Wearable-Electronics-Market-Assessment--Forecast-2015-2019/sample30 http://www.sa-brc.com/report/Global-Veterinary-Wearable-Electronics-Market-Assessment--Forecast-2015-2019/30 www.sa-brc.com Although wearable devices for humans is a well matured and commercially active industry, wearable devices and electronics for animals is a relatively new topic which is now catching on with the world. Wearable electronics such as the VHF animal trackers and locators were in use since past several decades for keeping tabs on the status of wildlife. This report focuses on the market veterinary wearable electronics market through three chapters: Market by Products, Market by Animal Segmentation and Market by Geography.The fourth chapter focuses on the market of four product categories: Fitness & Activity Monitors, GPS & Location Trackers, Breeding & Heat Detection Monitors and Other Wearable Electronic Devices. The report focus goes beyond the market of conventional RFID asset tracking which is today a very common phenomenon. The intention of this research was to project the market of truly landscape changing technologies that will affect the way animals are monitored in coming years. Other wearable devices consititute bark control collars for dogs and wearable electronic devices for horses such as activity monitors and therapeutic PEMF blankets. Wearable activity & fitness monitors is the fastest growing market primarily driven by high pet ownership and purchase power in North America and Europe. At an average cost of US$ 201.8, manufacturers shipped approximately 190,000 wearable fitness & activity monitors mostly across the United States and Europe.Free Sample Report@The fifth chapter focuses on the veterinary wearable electronics market through four animal segments: Pet & Companion Animals, Cattle, Equine and Wildlife. The Cattle segment comprises almost exclusively of breeding and heat detection devices, whereas pet & companion animals encompasses the markets for fitness & activity monitors, GPS & location devices among others. The market also focuses on wearable devices for equine segment which encompasses technologies such as activity monitors, GPS and therapeutic PEMF blankets. The final segment is Wildlife to which a large proportion of GPS technology is dedicated. The demand for conservation has resulted in a surge of investment and donations to better maintain and conserve endangered species across the globe.The sixth major chapter focuses on the veterinary wearable devices market by six geographies: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle-East and Africa. The market for veterinary wearable electronics is concentrated in the economically progressive regions of North America and Europe. Greater purchase power and stringent regulations on animal behavior have compelled many households to purchase products such as bark collars and behavior modification devices for pets. Crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo have provided avenue for new innovative companies to launch pet wearables at a faster rate since 2010. Major drivers for the pet wearables market in North America is the access to modern high-speed telecommunication technology. Most wearable activity monitors and GPS trackers require high speed internet or WiFi in order to perform their functions satisfactorily, hence the availability and access to the technology has resulted in immediate adoption of wearable electronics among large number of households.Click 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: Lead Acid Battery Market - Future Trend, Growth, Forecast & Opportunities in the Coming Years http://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-464 http://www.decisiondatabases.com/ip/464-lead-acid-battery-market-report http://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-464 www.decisiondatabases.com DecisionDatabases.com offers Lead Acid Battery Market Research Report. This Report covers the complete Industry Outlook, Growth, Size, Share and Forecast Till 2022.This report examines the global lead acid battery market and provides information regarding the revenue (USD Million) for the period 2014 to 2021. It further elaborates the market drivers which contribute to the growth. It then describes the restraints that are faced by the market. The market is classified into various segments with deep analysis of each segment for the study period.Get Free Sample Copy of this Report @Leadacid battery are the oldest type of rechargeable batteries. It has ability to supply high surge current despite having very low energy to weight ratio and a low energy to volume ratio, means that the cells have relatively large power to weight ratio. Along with their low cost, makes it attractive for use in motor vehicles to provide the high current required by automobile starter motors.A glimpse of the major drivers and restraints affecting this market is mentioned below:A. Drivers> Increasing population and increasing globalization there is a tremendous increase in consumption of power.> Use of electronic devices like laptops, TV, computers and etc. is increasing in commercial, educational and residential sectors hence there is increase in the demand for UPS and continuous power supply.> Rising demand for hybrid and electric vehicles.B. Restraints> Alternative power source such as lithium-ion batteries and the rising demand for low-cost, efficient batteries is a restraining factor for market of lead acid battery.> Corrosion of external metal parts due to chemical reaction of the battery terminals, lugs and connectors.> Risks of explosion due to overcharging of batteries.Report includes a detailed analysis on value chain in order to provide a holistic view of the lead acid battery market. Value chain analysis comprises detailed evaluation of the roles of various players involved in the lead acid battery market industry, from raw material suppliers to end-users.Lead acid battery market attractiveness analysis has been included in order to analyze the application segments that are estimated to be lucrative during the forecast period on the basis of their market size and growth rate. Attractiveness of the market has been derived from market size, profit margin, growth rate, and availability of raw materials, competition, and other factors such as social and legal constraints.The global lead acid battery market has further been segmented based on type such as engine starting, motive power, standby power and valve regulated lead acid battery. The study provides forecast and estimates market for each type in terms of revenue and volume during the forecast period from 2015 to 2021. Each type has been further analyzed based on regional and country levels from 2014 to 2021 in terms of volume and revenue.The global lead acid battery market has further been segmented based on application such as industrial, automobile, commercial, residential and power. The study provides forecast and estimates market for each type in terms of revenue and volume during the forecast period from 2015 to 2021. Each application has been further analyzed based on regional and country levels from 2014 to 2021 in terms of volume and revenue.View More about Lead Acid Battery Market Research Report @In terms of geography, the lead acid battery market has been segmented into regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. The study provides a detailed view of country-level aspects of the market on the basis of application segments and estimates the market in terms of revenue and volume during the forecast period.The report also offers a competitive landscape of the overall market with company profiles of players such as Enersys, Exide Technology, Johnson Controls Inc. and Dixon batteries. A detailed description of the each company has been included and includes information in terms of headquarters, inception, stock listing, upcoming capacities, key mergers & acquisitions, financial overview, and recent developments provides a thorough idea about the competitive positioning of market players. The report also provides lead acid battery market market's Mergers/acquisitions, Partnerships, Collaborations, New product launches, new product developments and other industry developments.Major Table Of Contents:1. INTRODUCTION2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY3. MARKET ANALYSIS OF LEAD ACID BATTERY MARKET4. LEAD ACID BATTERY MARKET ANALYSIS BY TYPE5. LEAD ACID BATTERY MARKET ANALYSIS BY APPLICATION6. LEAD ACID BATTERY MARKET ANALYSIS BY REGION7. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE OF LEAD ACID BATTERY MARKET COMPANIES8. COMPANY PROFILES OF LEAD ACID BATTERY MARKET INDUSTRYPurchase Complete Global Lead Acid Battery Market Research Report At:METHODOLOGY:Combination of primary and secondary research has been used to determine the market estimates and forecasts. Sources used for secondary research include (but not limited to) Paid Data Sources, Company Websites, Technical Journals, Annual Reports, SEC Filings and various other industry publications. Specific Details on methodology used for this report can be provided on demand.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: M2M, IoT & Wearable Technology Ecosystem Industry Key Trends, Size, Growth, Shares And Forecast Research Report 2015 - 2020 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=232543 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=232543 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "The M2M, IoT & Wearable Technology Ecosystem:2015 - 2020 - Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies, Industry Verticals and Forecasts" to its huge collection of research reports.As consumer voice and data services revenues reach their saturation point, wireless carriers are keen to capitalize on other avenues to drive revenue growth. One such opportunity is providing network connectivity for M2M (Machine to Machine) devices like smart meters, connected cars, healthcare monitors and digital signage. Despite its low ARPU, M2M technology has helped carriers establish steady revenue streams across several verticals including utilities, healthcare, automotive, transportation, logistics, public safety, retail, and even consumer electronics.Another key opportunity is the monetization of wearable technology. Mobile device OEMs are aggressively investing in wearable devices, in order to offset declining margins in their traditional smartphone and tablet markets. As a result, the market has been flooded with a variety of smart bands, smart watches and other wearable devices capable of collecting, sending and processing data over mobile applications.Eyeing opportunities to route huge volumes of traffic from these wearable devices, many wireless carriers are now seeking to fit wearable technology with their M2M offerings, targeting both consumer and vertical markets. SNS Research expects that M2M and wearable devices can help carriers pocket as much as $116 Billion in network connectivity revenue by the end of 2020, following a CAGR of over 40% between 2015 and 2020.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @This report package provides an in-depth assessment of M2M and wearable technology, including key market drivers, challenges, investment potential, consumer & vertical market opportunities, use cases, future roadmap, value chain, deployment case studies, ecosystem player profiles and strategic recommendations. The report also presents forecasts for wearable device shipments, M2M module shipments, M2M connections, and associated submarkets from 2014 through to 2020. The forecasts are further segmented into vertical, regional, technology and country submarkets.The report package comes with an associated Excel datasheet suite covering quantitative data from all numeric forecasts presented in the two reports.Topics Covered:The report package covers the following topics:- M2M and wearable technology ecosystem- Market drivers and challenges- Future industry roadmap and value chain assessment- Enabling technologies and architecture- Standardization and regulatory initiatives- Key trends in the M2M and wearable technology ecosystem- Industry, wireless carrier and vendor commitments to M2M and wearable technology- Assessment of vertical market opportunities and use cases for consumer, healthcare, automotive, utilities, transportation, retail, hospitality, military, public safety and other verticals- M2M and wearable technology deployment case studies- Profiles and strategic assessment of over 450 ecosystem players- Strategic recommendations for enabling technology providers, wearable/M2M device OEMs, vertical market players, platform providers, application developers and wireless carriers- Global and regional market analysis and forecastsKey Questions Answered:The report package provides answers to the following key questions:- How big is the M2M and wearable technology ecosystem?- How is the ecosystem evolving by segment and region?- What will the market size be in 2020 and at what rate will it grow?- What are the key applications of M2M and wearable technology across industry verticals?- Which geographical regions, countries and industry verticals offer the greatest growth potential for M2M and wearable technology?- How is the M2M and wearable technology value chain structured, how will it evolve overtime, and what will be its impact on key vertical segments of the market?- What is the vendor market share for embedded cellular M2M modules, how many units will ship in 2020 and how will declining ASPs impact the sales revenue?- How big is the market for M2M and IoT platforms?- Who are the key wearable device vendors and what are their strategies?- How can wireless carriers capitalize on the growing popularity of smart glasses and other wearable devices?List of Companies Mentioned:The following companies and organizations have been reviewed, discussed or mentioned in the report package:- 270 Vision- 3GPP- 3L Labs- 4DForce- 4Home- 4iii Innovations- 4M wireless- 7 Layers- 8ta- 9Solutions- A1 Telekom- ABB Power & Robotics- Accenture- Active Mind Technology- Adidas- Aeris Communications- Aeroscout- AgaMatrix- Agri-Valley Broadband- Air Products- Airbiquity- Airbus Group- Aircell- AirType- AIS - TOT- Al Madar- Alaska Communications- Alcatel-Lucent- Algar Telecom- Alien Technology- AllSeen Alliance- Amadeus- Amazon- AMCi (American Millennium Corp. Inc.)- AMD (Advanced Micro Devices)- Amiigo- Andorra Telecom- Animas- Ansaldo STS- Antel- AnyData- Appalachian Wireless- Apple- APS- ARA (Applied Research Associates)- Archos- Arduino- ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Business of Japan)- Arkessa- ARM Holdings- Armentel- Arqiva- Arrayent- Asahi Kasei Group- Asiaspace- Aspenta- ASPIDER- AT&TMake an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @ HetNet Bible (Small Cells, Carrier WiFi, DAS & C-RAN): 2014 - 2020 | Now Available at Researchmoz.us http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=232300 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=232300 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "The HetNet Bible (Small Cells, Carrier WiFi, DAS & C-RAN): 2014 - 2020 - Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies, & Forecasts" to its huge collection of research reports.Driven by in-building wireless coverage requirements and the growing influx of mobile broadband data traffic, a traditional macrocell based cellular network deployment is not deemed to be a sufficient solution to address the coverage and capacity needs of todays wireless subscribers.Wireless carriers are thus exploring options to offload additional coverage and capacity to alternatives such as strategically deployed small cells and WiFi access points, which have so far been deployed by more than 200 global wireless carriers. Adding further to the heterogeneity are alternative deployment models such as DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems) and the emerging C-RAN (Cloud Radio Access Networks) architecture which concentrates the processing of the RAN segment of a mobile network in one or more, centralized data centers.Driven by the thriving ecosystem, we expect small cells, carrier WiFi, DAS and C-RAN networks to account for over 50% of all mobile data traffic by the end of 2015, while overall spending on HetNet infrastructure is expected to reach $20 Billion annually during the same period.This report presents an in-depth assessment of the global small cells, carrier WiFi, DAS and C-RAN markets. In addition to covering the technology, business case, the challenges, standardization initiatives, the industrys roadmap, value chain analysis, deployment case studies, vendor service/product strategies and strategic recommendations, the report also presents comprehensive forecasts for the market from 2014 till 2020, including individual revenue and shipment projections of small cells, carrier WiFi, small cell backhaul, SCaaS (Small Cells as a Service), DAS, C-RAN, SON (Self-Organizing Network) and mobile data services across six geographical regions.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Also provided are historical figures for 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. The report comes with an associated Excel datasheet covering quantitative data from all numeric figures presented in the report.Key Findings:The report has the following key findings:- Small cells, carrier WiFi, DAS and C-RAN infrastructure investments will account for a $20 Billion HetNet ecosystem by 2020- HetNet infrastructure is expected to carry more than 70% of all mobile network data traffic by 2020, which will account for $380 Billion in mobile data service revenue- At present, the HetNet value chain is highly fragmented with pure-play specialists and incumbent macrocell vendors battling to gain a higher share of the market- SNS Research expects the value chain to consolidate over the coming years following a string of acquisitions by industry giants such as Intel, Ericsson, Cisco and Nokia- Eyeing the momentum behind small cell and C-RAN deployments, several DAS vendors, such as BTI Wireless and Kathrein-Werke KG, have developed small cell and C-RAN offerings- Small cell vendors such as Airvana are also adopting C-RAN centric architectures- Enterprise RAN investments based on combination of small cells and coordination platforms are expected to reach $5 Billion by the end of 2020- While it is a preferred opinion among wireless carriers, aggregating outdoor small cell backhaul with macrocell infrastructure may prove to be a well challenging task. Consequently the demand for small cell backhauling has opened a new opportunity for investment, which will be a market worth nearly $6 Billion by 2020- Spending on mobile fronthaul solutions will grow at a CAGR of nearly 40% between 2014 and 2020. By the end of 2020, mobile fronthaul investments will account for nearly $2.6 Billion in revenueTopics Covered:The report covers the following topics:- Small cell, carrier WiFi, DAS and C-RAN technology, and architecture- Integration and offloading technology for HetNets- Market drivers and key benefits of HetNets- Challenges and Inhibitors to the HetNet ecosystem- HetNet industry roadmap: 2010 2020- HetNet industry value chain- Vendor landscape and acquisitions- HetNet deployment models- Vertical markets for HetNet deployments- Small cell backhaul and C-RAN fronthaul technology, requirements and key issues- Standardization and regulatory initiatives- SCaaS (Small Cells as a Service)- Small cell, SCaaS, C-RAN, DAS and carrier WiFi deployment case studies- Industry, wireless carrier and vendor commitments to HetNet deployments- Enterprise RAN solutions- Public safety and military centric LTE small cells- WiFi enabled LTE gateways- SON (Self-Organizing Network) technologyProfiles and market positioning assessment (current strategy, target market and products/services) for the following players in the HetNet market: pure-play small cell vendors, DAS, RRH (Remote Radio Head) & repeater solution providers, carrier WiFi focused vendors, C-RAN solution providers, HetNet focused SON solution providers, wireless network (Macrocell, Core) infrastructure vendors, chipset, software, technology & component vendors, test & measurement solution providers, WiFi network providers and fronthaul/backhaul solution providersConclusion and strategic recommendations for HetNet solution vendors, wireless carriers and macrocell infrastructure vendorsMarket analysis and forecasts for the industrys revenue, including the following submarkets:- Small Cells- Carrier WiFi- SCaaS (Small Cells as a Service)- DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems)- C-RAN (Cloud Radio Access Networks)- SON (Self-Organizing Network) Solutions- Enterprise RAN- Small Cell Backhaul- Mobile Fronthaul- Mobile Network Data ServiceSmall cell forecasts (unit shipments, revenue, installed base) are categorized in the following categories:- RAN Technology- GSM/W-CDMA/HSPA- CDMA-2000/EV-DO- LTE FDD- TD-LTE- WiMAX- Deployment Model- Home/Residential- Enterprise- Metro- Rural- Cell Size- Femtocells- Picocells- MicrocellsCarrier WiFi forecasts (unit shipments, revenue, installed base) are categorized in the following categories:- Equipment Category- Access Points- Access Point Controllers- Integration Approach- Managed WiFi Offload- Unmanaged Open Access WiFiSmall cell backhaul forecasts (revenue) are categorized in the following technology categories:- Ethernet over Copper- Ethernet over Fiber- DSL modems and DSLAMs- NLOS (Non Line of Sight) Microwave (Sub-6GHz spectrum)- PTP (Point to Point) Microwave (6-60GHz)- PTMP (Point to Multipoint) Microwave (6-60GHz)- Millimeter Wave (Unlicensed 60GHz spectrum)- Millimeter Wave (Licensed 60GHz spectrum)- SatelliteMobile network data service forecasts (throughput and revenue) are categorized in the following access network technology categories:- Macrocell & C-RAN Networks- Small Cells- Carrier WiFi- DASRegional forecasts are categorized in the following 6 categories- North America- Asia Pacific- Western Europe- Eastern Europe- Middle East & Africa- Latin & Central AmericaKey Questions Answered:The report provides answers to the following key questions:- What are the key market drivers and challenges in the HetNet ecosystem?- How big is the HetNet ecosystem, and how much revenue will it generate in 2020?- What will be the installed base of small cells and carrier WiFi access points in 2020?- Which geographical regions offer the greatest growth potential for HetNet deployments?- What is the service revenue for mobile data services delivered over small cells, carrier WiFi, DAS, C-RAN and macrocells, and how will this vary overtime?- How are investments on DAS technology impacting small cell and carrier WiFi deployments?- What is the C-RAN concept, and how does it affect the small cell, DAS and carrier WiFi markets?- Which technology will be predominant in the small cell backhaul ecosystem and is there a market for satellite based small cell backhaul?- Is there a market for rural small cell deployments?- How big are the opportunities for SCaaS (Small Cells as a Service) and enterprise RAN deployments?- How is the HetNet value chain structured and how will it evolve overtime?- What opportunities does the HetNet ecosystem offer to infrastructure vendors and other players involved in the value chain?- What strategies should infrastructure vendors and wireless carriers adopt to capitalize on the HetNet opportunity?- Can small cells help in accelerating LTE deployments for the military, public safety and other verticals?Make an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @ Petroleum Coke Market, 2014 2020: North America is expected to moderate growth over the forecast period http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/request-for-sample.html?flag=S&repid=50314 http://bit.ly/2cBl14s http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/market-analysis/petroleum-coke-market.html http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com Petroleum coke is valuable consumer products derived from oil refining process. Petroleum coke is also known as pet coke. The crude oil residue further refined by a process known as coking to produce pet coke. Petroleum coke has highest carbon purity and is used in energy and in the aluminum, graphite electrode, steel, titanium dioxide and other carbon consuming industries. Petroleum coke can resemble small spheres, ranging in size from a grain of sand to a large marble.Request free Sample Report:The major driving factor of the global petroleum coke market is increasing power generation and cements industries. Another key factor is growing demand from aluminum and steel industries and is expected to drive petroleum coke market during the forecast period. Strong demand coupled with infrastructure development in Middle East & Africa is projected to fuel the petroleum coke market in the region in the years to come. However, unfavorable effect on the environment and health awareness expected to hamper the growth of petroleum coke market.The market for petroleum coke is segmented on the basis of product, end-use and geography. On the basis of product segment, petroleum coke market has been classified into fuel grade coke and calcined coke. Fuel grade coke is the largest product segment market and is expected to witness robust growth over the forecast period. Key end-use include in petroleum coke market such as calcining, power plant, cement, blast furnace and others. Increasing demand from power plants and cement application sector in emerging economics such as India and China and expected to drive the demand over the forecast period. The study provides forecast and estimates for each product segment and end use in terms of revenue and volume during 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 Middle East & Africa, further bifurcation of region on the country level, which include U.S., Germany, UK, France, China, Japan and India. Asia Pacific has witnessed strong growth of petroleum coke market in recent past years on account of the rising industrialization coupled with increasing population. North America is expected to moderate growth over the forecast period.The report provides a comprehensive view on the petroleum coke market we have included a detailed value chain analysis. To understand the competitive landscape in the market, an analysis of Porters Five Forces model for the petroleum coke market has also been included. The study encompasses a market attractiveness analysis, wherein product segments are benchmarked based on their market size, growth rate and general attractiveness.Browse report at:The report covers detailed competitive scenario including the company overviews, financial revenues of the key participants to develop their positions in the global market. There is some major manufacture in the microscopy devices market such as ExxonMobil Corporation, Valero Energy Corporation, Conco Philips, HPCL Mittal Energy Limited, Essar Oil Ltd., BP, Chevron Corporation, Reliance Industries Ltd., and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.Petroleum Coke Market: Product Segment AnalysisFuel grade cokeCalcined cokePetroleum Coke Market: End-use Segment AnalysisCalciningPower PlantCementBlast FurnaceOthersPetroleum Coke 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,Suit #8138Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@SyndicateMarketResearch.comWebsite: Global E-retailing in Automotive Industry 2016 Market Research Report https://goo.gl/aDgJLV "Global E-retailing in Automotive Industry 2016 Market Research Report" The Report covers current Market Trends, Worldwide Analysis, Global Forecast, Review, Share, Size, Growth, Effect.Description-The Global E-retailing in Automotive Industry 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the E-retailing in Automotive industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The E-retailing in Automotive market analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions development status.Get Sample Report With TOC @Secondly, development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. This report also states import/export, supply and consumption figures as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin by regions (United States, EU, China and Japan), and other regions can be added.Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out. Whats more, the E-retailing in Automotive industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered.In a word, the report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.Table of Contents1 Industry Overview of E-retailing in Automotive1.1 Definition and Specifications of E-retailing in Automotive1.1.1 Definition of E-retailing in Automotive1.1.2 Specifications of E-retailing in Automotive1.2 Classification of E-retailing in Automotive1.3 Applications of E-retailing in Automotive1.4 Industry Chain Structure of E-retailing in AutomotiveResearchMoz 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.Researchmoz Global Pvt. Ltd.90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States,Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free),Tel: +1-518-621-2074 Multistage Kerry Microclean - Degrease, Deflux and Phosphate Multistage Kerry Microclean aqueous cleaning system capable of degreasing, defluxing and phosphating www.guyson.co.uk Industrial finishing equipment manufacturer Guyson International is now offering a multistage Kerry Microclean aqueous cleaner which is capable of degreasing, defluxing and phosphating a varied component mix. The Microclean machine can operate either as an integral part of a full production cell, being an inter-stage and final stage washer or work solely as a final stage washer. Typically this type of high volume multistage degreasing machine is used in manufacturing environments for removing mineral oils prior to operations such as brazing on sub-assemblies, which then need to undergo a final wash and phosphating before painting or coating.The multi-tank Microclean system (pictured) comprises a series of nine stainless steel tanks: 835 mm (left-right) x 900 mm (front-back) x 650 mm (depth) with each tank holding a volume of 488 litres. Typically a complete system could be set-up to provide ultrasonic immersion defluxing in stage one, ultrasonic immersion degreasing in stage two, mains water immersion and spray rinse in stage three, rust preventative spray rinse in stage four, mains water spray rinse in stage five, phosphate spray in stage six, mains water rinse in stage seven and then hot air drying in stages eight and nine.All the cleaning tanks and their weirs are fitted with low water level protection to prevent the tanks running dry and lip extraction to remove any fumes from the operating environment and the whole system is fitted with extensive filtering and chemical auto dosing and auto water top up facilities.A Guyson Autotrans Mk 5 Major automatic work handling system can move baskets of up to 100 kg of components through the cleaning process and varies the stages visited dependent on the cleaning program running. The Microclean machine can be directed by vision detected flags on the baskets informing the machine which program to run for which basket of parts. The machine can have various baskets of parts simultaneously running through the machine at the same time, all programmed to visit different stages in sequence, dependent on the process they are next involved in.In-feed and two out-feed conveyors are located at each end of the machine. The appropriate out-feed conveyor is chosen dependent on whether the parts are exiting the cell as finished items or returning back into the cell for further operations. A full safety enclosure surrounding the entire machine completes the system.Potential customers of Guysons automated cleaning systems are encouraged to submit sample components for free feasibility testing to the companys extensive development workshop at Skipton, England and initial enquiries for similar ultrasonic cleaning systems are invited now.About GuysonGuyson International Limited is a privately owned family company with a world-wide reputation for excellence in the design and manufacture of blast finishing, spray wash and ultrasonic cleaning equipment. Formed 78 years ago, the company is registered to BS EN ISO 9001: 2008 and BS OHSAS 18001:2007 and its head office is located at Skipton, North Yorkshire, in the north of England. Guyson has four international subsidiary companies: Guyson Corporation of the USA, located in Saratoga Springs, New York State; Guyson SA, situated near Paris, France; Guyson Sdn Bhd in Penang, Malaysia; and Guyson CN, in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China.Simon Bridge - Marketing ExecutiveGuyson International LimitedSnaygill Industrial Estate, Keighley Road,SKIPTON, North Yorkshire, England BD23 2QRTel: +44 (0)1756 799911 Fax: +44 (0)1756 790213email: info@guyson.co.uk website: An excellent HVAC System for an excellent hospital University Hospitals of Foggia www.climaveneta.com https://www.climaveneta.com Bassano del Grappa, December 2016: The reorganization plan of the Apulian hospital network has been approved earlier this year. The idea was developed to adapt the healthcare delivery in the region to the new standards established by national legislation. This is not aimed at cutting the number of beds, but rather to reorganize the existing structures, streamlining small regional centers and especially by strengthening the main hub. Among these is the University Hospitals of Foggia, the second largest hospital of Puglia.With the reorganization plan in mind, this facility aims to achieve the ambitious goal of a hospital of "Excellence", understood as a health facility where there all the functions of modern medicine are present. To achieve this goal work is underway to build a new emergency-urgent complex. The structure, which will be completed by the spring of next year, will host First Aid, Emergency Surgery, CICU (cardiac intensive care unit), Intensive Care, Stroke Unit, a total of 250 beds.In health-care structures, air conditioning systems must not only guarantee the well-being of patients, but also meet the needs of the processes related to medical activities, such as operating rooms. The operating department represents one of the most technologically advanced nuclei within the hospital. The environmental parameters on which the system must be constantly monitored are; the temperature, the relative humidity, the degree of contamination of the air, and the supply air speed. For these reasons, the air conditioning system is, especially in newly constructed buildings, a real auxiliary system for medical activity, thus it assumes paramount importance.The new complex of the Hospitals of Foggia was therefore fitted with an air conditioning system based on 5 Climaveneta chillers and heat pumps with high efficiency, combined with 31 WIZARD air handling units.In more detail, there are; 1 multi-purpose heat pump ERACS-Q / SL-CA 3222, 1 reversible heat pump FOCS-N / SL-4822 and 3 liquid refrigerant FOCS2 / SL-CA-E 4822. All the units are air-cooled, in the super silent version of class A, with considerable total cooling and heating capacity: 3183 kW for cooling and 1909 kW for heating. Hospital HVAC systems should always be slightly oversized, first to ensure continuous operation in case of failure or maintenance of a unit, because when it comes to hospitals, and second because hospitals are often characterized by continuous evolution, linked to the development of medical technology, the possible changes in user requirements, and also possible future expansions. Furthermore, as hospitals hold continuous operations every day and throughout the year, the air conditioning unit must be convenient to access and easy to maintain, thus minimizing interference with medical activities. The reliability of Climaveneta units, their flexible operation, the multi-purpose units ability to simultaneously satisfy the cold and hot demand requirements without implementing any operating mode settings, the possibility to produce hot water at 55 by the selected heat pumps, are all features that allow a simplified system, which reduces maintenance and at the same time maximizes the efficiency of the entire building.As for the air treatment units, it should be noted that the 31 WIZARD units were selected with the internal parts made of complete stainless steel, as required by the hospital applications. The AHU is serviced by service operators, where contamination between air streams needs to be avoided. In addition, the units are also equipped with high efficiency dual battery recovery systems. All AHU provided have the silent version to maximize the acoustic comfort of the patients, and with variable flow to reduce energy consumption of the building. It should be highlighted that the Climaveneta units comply with ErP, also known as Eco-design, the framework directive which, through national regulations governs the eco-design requirements for all energy-using products.Cristiano Dal Seno, Climavenetas AHU Development Manager says: "The CTA WIZARD was born from the vast Climaveneta experience in the HVAC industry. It is a reliable and efficient product, successfully installed in numerous applications in hospitals around the world, where in addition to the comfort of patients and doctors it is necessary to ensure reliability and efficiency for air conditioning and air treatment." He continues: "In hospitals it is necessary to ensure the highest air quality, especially in environments where there is a high level of attention to patients and health operators. For this reason, we seek constructive solutions that facilitate the operation of a sanitizing unit with smooth surfaces and with minimal fissures. In addition, it is important to use of high quality materials capable of withstanding frequent cleanings with aggressive chemicals".Efficiency, low noise, and reliability, these are the characteristics of a Climaveneta supply for the new emergency-urgency complex of the Hospitals of Foggia, which will be delivered by the end of this year to allow the start-up to be completed in time for the opening of the structure planned for spring 2017.Follow Climaveneta:youtube.com/user/climavenetaweb, @ClimavenetaHVAC, linkedin.com/company/climaveneta, facebook.com/climavenetahvac/Media RelationsSara Di Clementesara.diclemente@climaveneta.comClimaveneta is the European leader in central climate control systems, providing high efficiency, sustainable HVAC & HPAC solutions for commercial, retail, residential, and data centre customers.With 45 years of experience, Climavenetas solutions-led approach combines optimum comfort and premium energy efficiency to ensure an attractive return on investments and the highest standards of environmental respect in every kind of building.Based on 8 specialised production centres in Europe, China and India, Climaveneta integrates air-conditioning, heating, and process cooling solutions with measurement devices and services in the most prestigious, complex and demanding projects worldwide through its global network of branches and business partners.Climaveneta is a group company of Mitsubishi ElectricClimavenetaPlant of via Sarson, 57/c36061 Bassano del Grappa (VI)Italy+390424509500 * Govt preparing to take stake in Monte dei Paschi -sources * Italy passes 2017 budget, PM Renzi to resign at 1800 GMT * Italian bond yields fall back near three-week lows * Gap between Italy-Germany yields tightest in a month (Updates prices, adds budget, Renzi resignation timing) By John Geddie LONDON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Italian sovereign bond yields fell to near three-week lows on Wednesday following reports that the government is preparing to rescue ailing lender Monte dei Paschi as hopes of a private recapitalisation fade. Sources told Reuters Italy's government was preparing to take a 2 billion-euro controlling stake in the bank by buying junior bonds held by ordinary Italians. The government is already the bank's single largest shareholder with a 4 percent share. Buying junior bonds, which would be converted into shares, would take that to 40 percent. The newspaper La Stampa reported Italy was set to ask the ESM euro zone bailout fund for a 15 billion-euro loan for Monte dei Paschi and other struggling lenders An Italian Treasury spokesman denied the newspaper report. Analysts said investor concerns that Italy could be headed for early elections next year, with Prime Minister Matteo Renzi set to resign after a referendum he championed failed on Sunday, were likely to keep the yield falls in check. "Despite the fact that the probability of early elections has risen, the market is focusing on the banking sector and the fact the government seems to be showing more urgency in dealing with that problem," Mizuho strategist Antoine Bouvet said. Ten-year government bond yields fell as low as 1.888 percent, matching a three-week low hit on Tuesday. It pulled back from those levels but remained 7.5 basis points (bps) lower on the day at 1.89 percent. Yields on other low-rated peripheral bonds in Spain and Portugal fell sharply to three-week lows, while yields on German bonds -- the euro zone benchmark -- were slightly lower at 0.35 percent. Story continues BUDGET The gap between Italian and German bond yields stood at 155 basis points, the tightest in about a month, having climbed as high as 193 bps before Sunday's vote on constitutional reform. An index of Italian bank shares rose over 4 percent to its highest level since June, and is headed for its best two-day run since the middle of 2012. Monte dei Paschi's stock rose around 11 percent on Wednesday. The Italian parliament on Wednesday gave its final approval to the government's 2017 budget -- which has irked the European Union -- paving the way for Renzi's resignation, expected at 1800 GMT. Renzi said he would quit his position after Sunday's referendum, but Italy's head of state had asked him to delay his resignation until after the budget was passed. Hopes that the European Central Bank will deliver a fresh dose of monetary stimulus to the euro zone are also feeding investor demand for the bloc's debt, analysts said. The ECB is expected on Thursday to change the terms of its asset-purchase programme to alleviate a shortage of bonds and to extend the programme beyond its current end date in March 2017. At auctions on Wednesday, Germany sold 2.634 billion euros of two-year bonds. (Reporting by John Geddie; editing by Gareth Jones, Larry King) Marilyn Wade, a longtime resident of Colonial Heights, addresses owners of property near her neighborhood who are requesting it be rezoned to allow office development. Every scientist and writer has biases. We see bias cited all the time in articles regarding the election. Liberals interpret the facts one way, conservatives interpret them another way. It is difficult for me to report on the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation that the current (scientific) evidence is insufficient to assess the benefits and harms of visual skin examination by a clinician to screen for skin cancer in adults. The Task Force recommendation is based only on fact and published science. It is not based on intuition or what seems to be right. How can the USPSTF not recommend routine skin screens? What information led the Task Force to suggest that there is insufficient science to recommend it? Skin cancer includes melanoma and basal (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Basal and squamous cell carcinomas are often grouped together and termed non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC). The latter are the most common and make up over 98 percent of skin cancers. However, there is a very low death rate (less than 0.1 percent) and little morbidity from NMSC. When we talk about skin screening, although it will pick up some SCCs and BCCs, early detection really has little benefit for the patient with these non-melanoma skin cancers. Melanoma has a much higher mortality rate. In 2016, there will be an estimated 76,400 U.S. men and women who will develop melanoma and it will kill 10,100. When we talk about skin cancer screening, we are talking about identifying melanoma. There are numerous studies showing that a visual skin examination by a clinician has modest sensitivity and specificity for detecting melanoma. Although studies have shown that clinicians trained in identifying skin lesions will find melanomas at an earlier stage, there is little evidence to show that this makes much difference in the overall picture. The harms of early detection and treatment include misdiagnosis, over diagnosis, and the resulting cosmetic (and more rarely, functional) adverse effects resulting from biopsy and over treatment. Cost to the health care system is also a consideration. The recommendation not to perform routine skin cancer screening applies to asymptomatic adults who do not have a history of premalignant or malignant skin lesions. Those who have had numerous skin cancers, who have immune suppression, who have either personal or family history of melanoma or a dysplastic (abnormal) moles, or who have numerous moles, are not included in this recommendation. Their risk is much higher for developing cancer and they should be screened. People who have had an organ transplant are at especially high risk for skin cancers and approximately 10 percent of them will die from squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. They, in particular, need skin exams at least annually, if not every six months. Skin cancer of any type occurs more commonly in men than in women, among persons with a fair complexion, in persons who use indoor tanning beds, and in persons with a history of sunburns or a previous skin cancer. Growing older increases the risk for all. One of the issues discussed in various studies is that many times skin screens on those who have no indications are often done for the worried well. Those who check themselves frequently will generally find abnormal growths early. These are the same people who will go to the doctor asking for a skin screen. On the other hand, many of those who truly need skin screens will not do a skin self- exam, nor will they go to their doctor. To back up the recommendation of not doing routine skin screens in those not at risk, the USPSTF quotes a study which concluded that universal screening would result in one fewer death from melanoma per 100,000 persons over a decade. They also cite that screening increases biopsy rates. They found that between 20 and 55 excisions were performed to detect one case of melanoma. This would project to preventing one death from melanoma for each of 4,000 excisions performed. A 2005 survey of U.S. physicians found that 81 percent of dermatologists, 50 percent of primary care physicians, and 56 percent of internists reported performing a full-body visual skin cancer screening exam on their adult patients. For primary care doctors, a thorough skin screen should be performed at the time of general physicals. It really isnt necessary to set up a separate, defined visit for a skin screen. The Task Force was unable to identify a proper interval for a visual skin screen exam if clinicians and patients still elect to have them done. Again, for those where it is indicated, it would depend on the estimated risk the patient has of developing a melanoma. After a melanoma has been removed, the University of Michigan recommends a skin screen at least every six months for two years and then annually thereafter. What the Task Force does stress is avoiding tanning salons and minimizing exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun in order to limit the risk of developing skin cancer. For those who are at risk, obviously a skin screen is indicated. The Task Force is not addressing these people in its recommendation. Those who are not at risk should still be vigilant. On a quarterly or semi-annual basis, check yourself over. This should begin around the age of 35 years or so (although I have seen a 4-year old, an 18-year old and a 22-year old with melanoma). If you see something that is changing or looks atypical (previous columns have discussed this), see a clinician for evaluation. Dr. John L. Pfenningers column appears on Sundays. His office, Medical Procedures Center, is located in Midland. Responding to a series of break-ins recently, city officials are strengthening security at Washington Woods and Riverside Place senior living facilities. Break-ins and attempts have been reported by Washington Woods residents during the past few months. The incidents occurred while residents were in their units, said Lori Jung, assistant manager of senior housing at Washington Woods. One resident caught a person entering a unit during the day. The man posed as a city worker who said he was investigating a cat urine smell, Jung said recently at a Midland City Housing Commission meeting. Its a big, big concern for our residents, Jung said. Its very scary. Perpetrators would enter the facility and unscrew flood lights, Jung said. Temporary lights have now been installed on the east and west sides of the facility, along with other security features. Midland police officers have been walking and patrolling the building for the past two months, she said, adding we are very, very happy with police efforts. Police on Nov. 22 arrested David Allen Kolodziej, 35, of Midland, after reports of a break-in before noon Nov. 21 at Washington Woods. He was arraigned Nov. 23 on charges of home invasion and larceny in a building in connection with that case, as well as charges of breaking and entering a building with the intent to steal and possession of burglar tools in connection with another case. That case was investigated by authorities on Nov. 20. Police were called to the apartment complex at 11 a.m. on Nov. 21. Midland Police said a suspect entered the main office and two apartments. The resident of one apartment arrived while the suspect was still inside, and the suspect walked out at that point. Stolen were cash and jewelry. No one was hurt. Kolodziej is set for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 13. Jung said officials are confident he was the only culprit. Security has also been improved at Riverside Place downtown, where staff will continue to be proactive, said Kim Samborn, senior housing manager for the city. Just because the person was caught, even at Riverside theres some procedures were putting in place, Samborn said. The incidents come as Washington Woods undertakes a renovation project. The year-long project would update aging infrastructure in several units. Officials hope it will be finished by next fall. The first group of residents are set to move into renovated units on Friday. The project means 32 residents will have to move twice; first to an interim unit and then to the renovated unit. Investigators are working to determine the motive that led a daughter to shoot and kill her father in Jerome Township on Monday night. The homicide of Rayton Dale Nies, 67, at the hands of his daughter, Stephanie Ann Nies, 28, is being investigated as a murder-suicide by the Midland County Sheriffs Office. Investigators are now looking at Facebook posts Stephanie Nies made on her page earlier on the day of the killing. In the post, Stephanie stated she was upset with her father because he had euthanized her dog without telling her. In a comment on that same post, she accused him of a criminal act. Detectives are now working to make sure the correct motive in the case is uncovered, officials said. Midland County Sheriff Scott Stephenson said deputies were first contacted by an 8:20 p.m. 911 call believed to have been dialed by the victim. Nies said his daughter had a loaded gun. At 8:28 p.m., a second call was made, this one believed to have been dialed by the victims son, who said his father had been shot. Deputies reached the scene, 3111 N. Lakeview Drive, at 8:33 p.m. Rayton Nies was found with a gunshot wound to his chest and was pronounced dead. The suspect was immediately identified as Stephanie Nies. Deputies tracked the suspects cell phone, finding it had signaled from the area of Eight Mile and Neiner roads in Jerome Township at 10:52 p.m. Stephanie Nies car, containing her body, was found on Neiner Road north of Cole Road at 1:42 a.m. She was dead, having suffered a single gunshot wound. Deputies also recovered from the car the weapon believed to have been used in the homicide, a 12-gauge shotgun. Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Midland County Medical Examiner, Mid-Michigan EMS and the Michigan State Police Crime Lab.